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MLB trade deadline could provide instant upgrades to these contenders

The MLB trade deadline is fast approaching, but finding any clarity in the playoff chase before then is highly unlikely.

With roughly two-thirds of all major league teams at least within striking distance of a wild-card spot, it's going to be hard to tell the buyers from the sellers over the next few weeks. Until they start making deals.

Expect a lot of waiting and then a flurry of trades before the deadline as teams look to tweak their rosters for the stretch run. Any players on the 40-man roster acquired before the deadline will be eligible to play for their new clubs in the postseason.

When is the MLB trade deadline?

The MLB trade deadline, traditionally July 31, is a bit later than it's been in the past. With the 31st on a Friday this year, MLB has decided to move the deadline later.

Trade deadline: Monday, August 3

Time: 6 p.m. ET

Which teams are looking to make a splash at the deadline?

Pitching is the most sought-after commodity at the trade deadline every year.

There seems to be no shortage of interesting arms this time around as well. The big question is whether or not their current teams will be willing to part with them. Starters Tarik Skubal, Sonny Gray and Joe Ryan could be difference-makers in the postseason. So could closers Mason Miller, Josh Hader and Aroldis Chapman.

On the hitting side, the San Francisco Giants could be the most active seller with 1B Rafael Devers, 2B Luis Arraez, SS Willy Adames, 3B Matt Chapman and IF Casey Schmitt all reportedly available.

Here are six teams – three from the American League and three from the National League – with the greatest needs:

New York Yankees

Record: 54-42, 2nd in AL East

The Yankees desperately need an upgrade at catcher. Minnesota's Ryan Jeffers would make sense, but Colorado's Hunter Goodman would be the ultimate prize. Do the Yanks have the prospects to get a deal done? They could also use some pitching depth while they wait for injured starters Max Fried and Carlos Rodon to return. Surprisingly, the Yankees have the lowest bullpen ERA in the majors (3.04) at the break.

Tampa Bay Rays

Record: 56-38, 1st in AL East

This season is shaping up as the Rays' best chance to win a World Series since they fell to the Dodgers in 2020. Upgrades at catcher and middle infield would help. Or do they just try to patch those holes from within? A big left-handed bat to complement slugger Junior Caminero might be what puts the Rays over the top.

Seattle Mariners

Record: 48-49, 2nd in AL West

The Mariners have been hovering all season around the .500 mark, which up until recently was good enough for first place in the division. A five-game losing skid just before the break still lingers as they plot their strategy. With perhaps the deepest starting rotation in the majors, Seattle could even look to deal veteran Luis Castillo to upgrade an offense that ranks 28th out of 30 teams in scoring at 4.04 runs per game.

Atlanta Braves

Record: 55-40, 1st in NL East

The Braves have survived a flood of injuries and still managed to stay atop the division. But the Philadelphia Phillies are surging, and the Miami Marlins are surprisingly keeping pace. Outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. seems close to returning from his hamstring strain, but starters Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach may not be back until September. An addition to the rotation seems like a must. Could Atlanta make a move to pair Skubal with another Cy Young-winning left-hander in Chris Sale?

Miami Marlins

Record: 52-45, 3rd in NL East

Could a franchise that's never won a division title − but has won two World Series − take that pathway to success once more? The Marlins have above-average hitting and pitching, but could benefit greatly from a big outfield bat.

Chicago Cubs

Record: 54-42, 2nd in NL Central

The Cubs are five games out of first place in the division but currently sit in the first wild-card spot. They have the resources to add payroll, but they may not have the prospects to land an impact player. So, youngsters Matt Shaw and Moises Ballesteros could be on the block. The Cubs already added lefty David Peterson to supplement an injury-ravaged pitching staff. Much more needs to be done.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB trade deadline could provide instant upgrades to these contenders

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Cavs vs. Bulls Summer League: Preview, how to watch, odds, and game thread

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Malaki Branham #38 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on July 15, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers will wrap up what has been a successful Summer League on Friday when they take on the Chicago Bulls for their fifth and final game.

You want to see your recent draft picks flash in Summer League. Meleek Thomas has certainly done that. He proved that he can be an efficient, high-volume scorer in this environment. What that means in the grand scheme of things is anyone’s guess. Summer League success doesn’t always translate to the NBA, but it’s a good starting point as we inch closer to training camp in the fall.

Thomas didn’t play in the last game and presumably won’t be playing this one either. The main selling points to this contest will be the battle for a two-way spot. Even though all three spots are currently filled by Tristan Enaruna, Riley Minix, and Ernest Udeh Jr., two-way deals don’t count against the cap, so players can be cut at any time.

Enaruna has missed the majority of Summer League due to an illness.

Minix has struggled mightily to find his shot. He’s averaged 8.3 points on .308/.005/.667 shooting splits in four games.

Udeh has shown to be a good rim protector and rebounder, but the lack of scoring has been concerning. He’s averaging just 4.5 points per game on 40% shooting.

The latter two’s struggles have opened the door for someone else to lay claim to that role.

It’s worth mentioning here that Malaki Branham, who’s had an impressive showing this summer, isn’t eligible for a two-way spot because he has four years of NBA service time.

Who: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls

Where: Thomas & Mack Center – Las Vegas, NV

When: Fri., July 17 at 7 PM

TV: ESPN

Point spread: Cavs -1.5

Cavs notable players: Meleek Thomas, Ernest Udeh Jr., Riley Minix, Tristan Enaruna, Malaki Branham

Bulls notable players: Caleb Wilson, Dailyn Swain, Noa Essengue, Jaylin Sellers, Tobe Awaka

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Today on Pinstripe Alley – 7/17/26

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 13: Ben Rice #22 of the New York Yankees is introduced before the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome back to the show everyone. After a four-day All-Star Break excursion, we now return to our regularly scheduled programming. The second half of the season is here, and the Yankees start off the back end of their calendar with a doozy, a three-game set against the two-time defending-champion Dodgers. It’ll be the first time the Yankees and Dodgers have faced off in the Bronx since that fateful Game 5 of the 2024 World Series, giving the Yankees a chance to exorcise some demons, at least in a small way.

You can get prepped for the series with LA with Josh’s preview of the three games. We’ll also continue our trade deadline coverage with Matt’s look at Twins starter Joe Ryan, and our Yankee Birthday series with Nick’s profile of a quietly important figure in Yankees history. And later, Jonathan reviews how the Yankees’ 2026 draft picks did in the College World Series, and Madison delivers the answers to this week’s mailbag.

Today’s Matchup:

New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Time: 7:05 p.m. EST

TV: YES Network, SportsNet LA, MLB Network

Venue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY

Questions/Prompts:

1. What do you expect from this interesting Gerrit Cole vs. Roki Sasaki matchup tonight?

2. Did you catch up on anything you’d been meaning to during the All-Star Break?

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Wizards vs. Hawks preview: Washington finishes Summer League on Saturday

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 14: Chris Livingston #24 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball during the game against the Chicago Bulls on July 14, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Tom O'Connor/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Washington Wizards play the Atlanta Hawks tomorrow night in the NBA Summer League. Let’s preview one last game before we have no more Wizards games until the preseason.

Game info

When: Saturday, July 17 at about 7 p.m. ET

Where: Cox Pavilion, Las Vegas

How to watch: ESPN, Monumental Sports Network

What to watch for

The Wizards finished their four game NBA Summer League record with a 2-2 record. That is clearly not enough to get to the semifinals so the consolation round it is. There’s only one consolation game based on seeding, where they will play against the Hawks who have a 3-1 record.

Atlanta’s Roster is headined by numerous rookies by Kobe Johnson, the No. 8 pick in the 2026 Draft; Zuby Ejiofor, the No. 23 pick and Henri Veesaar, all of whom are averaging double digits in scoring. Johnson and Veesaar have also played every Summer Leauge game for Atlanta.

Assuming this holds, the Hawks will likely be favored to beat the Wizards, who won’t have AJ Dybantsa, Tre Johnson or Will Riley. Chris Livingston, Seth Trimble, Kadary Richmond and Reece Beekman have been the only Wizards to play in all four games so far. Expect them to get significant minutes tomorrow night as they look to make one last good impression before the front office decides on training camp invites and potential G League moves with the Capital City Go-Go.

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Why Clemson coach Dabo Swinney's next college football job will be his best job

He’s not a legendary championship coach holding on too tight and for too long. Not Bowden or Beamer or anyone else in their twilight whose next move is retirement. 

Dabo Swinney’s next job could be his best job yet. 

“You get a lot of love, you get a lot of hate in this (coaching) world,” Swinney said Thursday at ACC media days. “I’ve had bunch of both, enough for a lifetime.”

And now it might be time to move on.

Let’s get something perfectly clear from the jump: this isn’t a Dabo hot seat diatribe. It’s not about how many wins he needs to feel safe (whatever that means), or how many losses he can endure in what has become a crossroads season. 

That it’s even a nonsensical narrative right now is utterly laughable. 

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney prepares to run on the field with his team before its game against Georgia Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field in Atlanta.

He’s the guy with 13 seasons of double-digit wins in 17 full seasons as coach at Clemson. He has won 11 championships in the last 15 years, including two national titles. 

His players don’t get in trouble, his program has never been in the NCAA crosshairs.

Yet there he was this entire offseason, and during his time at ACC media days, playing defense. The six losses in 2025 were his fault, he said, blame him. 

PROGRAM RANKINGS: Big Ten | SEC | ACC | Big 12

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Bad coaching, bad execution. Just bad all around. 

All that just months after staring down detractors during last year’s shocking regression, and daring Clemson to fire him. If they don’t want him, they can hire someone else.

At one point, he looked dead in the press conference cameras and declared, “I ain’t going to the beach. I gotta long way to go.”

Swinney breathes Clemson. The community, the people and what it has done for him — professionally and personally. A more than two-decade love affair as an assistant and head coach. 

But that doesn’t mean it can’t or won’t end. He’s 56, he’s in fantastic health and has a plan that’s been wildly successful at the highest level of the sport.

You’ve got to be kidding if you think Swinney couldn’t take Tennessee and build an absolute monster. Or Florida State. Or North Carolina or Oklahoma. 

Or any job with the money and will to make it all happen. Any job, any year, is available in this volatile age of win or walk or leave for the NFL.   

TURNING POINT: Make-or-break seasons for six elite quarterbacks starting over

STAMPEDE: SMU and Kevin Jennings perfect fit for CFP, Heisman Trophy dreams

Now think about this: the very thing that fueled those elite Clemson teams is on the verge of circling back. If college sports legislation currently working its way through Congress leaves players with one free transfer in a five-year playing window, Swinney’s high school recruiting and development takes center stage again.

C.J. Spiller and Da'Quan Bowers. DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins. Vic Beasley and Shaq Lawson ― and so many more we've all forgotten in the wake of Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence.

When players are given one free transfer, it’s no longer about annually turning over rosters with the transfer portal, of which Swinney has never been a fan. It’s about organic recruiting and development, about finding the best players and the best fit.

The last thing Swinney should be doing is apologizing for a six-loss season. Or letting the frustration of such a season push him to telling Clemson if you don’t want me, I’ll find the door.

“I’ve been dead, I’m gone,” Swinney said. “I think I’m still here, all right?”

But that doesn’t mean his best days aren’t still in front of him. Doesn’t mean he can’t start over at another school and take his plan and passion and beat the brakes off everyone again.

In a perfect world, Swinney gets the ship righted, the Tigers are back in the College Football Playoff and it’s Nehis and Moon Pies for everyone in Clemson. If it only it were that simple. 

When you’re a victim of your own remarkable success, there’s only one way to go. It may just be time to start over. 

That, or eventually become the guy holding on too tight for too long.    

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB. Listen to him daily on 1010XL-Jacksonville.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Clemson coach Dabo Swinney's next college football job will be his best job

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Is Sharks' revamped defense better than before for the 2026-27 NHL season?

Is Sharks' revamped defense better than before for the 2026-27 NHL season? originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Editor’s note: Sheng Peng is a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.

The Sharks have remade their defense. But how much better than before is it?

San Jose Hockey Now spoke with four NHL scouts, none with the Sharks, for their assessment.

Do they think the Sharks have a playoff-caliber blueline now?

So far this summer, the Sharks have signed Jacob Trouba to a four-year, $33 million pact. They also traded for Darnell Nurse, sending out defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin and prospect Zack Sharp, and Michael Kesselring (and 2026 draft’s No. 27 pick), sending out the No. 20.

They’re adding this trio to incumbents Dmitry Orlov and Sam Dickinson.

Prospects Luca Cagnoni, Eric Pohlkamp, and Nolan Allan are also waiting in the wings.

Realistically, the Sharks could also add another veteran depth defenseman to this mix.

So how much better is this blueline, considered around the league, for years, to be one of the worst in the NHL?

“It’s a big improvement compared to last year,” Scout No. 1 said. “Closer to average.”

“Significantly improved,” Scout No. 2 said.

Good enough for the playoffs? The Sharks have missed the post-season for seven straight years.

“100 percent in the playoffs discussion,” Scout No. 2 said.

“Borderline playoff corps,” Scout No. 3 said.

There are obvious question marks surrounding Nurse and Trouba, because they’re 30-something’s signed for four more years.

But league-wide, they’re still considered legitimate top-four defensemen, and generally thought to be upgrades over Orlov and the departing Mario Ferraro. Between Nurse and Trouba and Orlov, the Sharks have three consensus top-four defenders for the first time in a long time. Nurse and Trouba should also take on the penalty-killing minutes that Ferraro and Vincent Desharnais vacate.

“Trouba is a defensive defenseman,” Scout No. 1 said. “Puck game is limited but can still shoot the puck. And obviously a big, heavy, and physical defender. Plays to his identity.”

“Nurse isn’t as physical as he should be and is prone to mental errors with the puck,” Scout No. 1 said. “But can rush the puck and add some offense though.”

“Both men are solid citizens and leaders,” Scout No. 2 said. “High-end level of toughness and respect [around] the league.”

Scout No. 1 added, “Orlov played higher in the line-up than he should and was exposed.”

Nurse and Trouba will help with that.

“Hopefully, Dickinson can take a step too,” Scout No. 4 said about the 2024 No. 11 pick.

So while the four-year commitments to 31-year-old Nurse and 32-year-old Trouba aren’t ideal, which top-four blueliners were the Sharks going to add this off-season with shorter contracts? And at a reasonable acquisition cost, in a seller’s market for defensemen?

Kesselring also didn’t cost the Sharks much, and while he’s not proven like Nurse and Trouba, is 6-foot-5 and mobile and just 26.

“Has top-four potential,” Scout No. 4 opined.

“Have guys who can do a much better job getting the puck to the forwards or skate it themselves,” Scout No. 1 said of Nurse, Trouba, and Kesselring.

How about the Sharks’ blueline prospects, Allan, Cagnoni, or Pohlkamp — who’s the most NHL-ready?

“They need a top power-play guy,” Scout No. 1 said. “None of [Nurse or Trouba or Kesselring] are close to top PP guys. Gives Cagnoni an edge.”

“Cagnoni can run a power play,” Scout No. 2 said. “I would think he would get a look in that role.”

Of this trio of prospects, 5-foot-9 Cagnoni is the most offensively gifted, Pohlkamp projects to the most well-rounded long-term, and 6-foot-2 Allan is more defensive.

It is worth noting that Cagnoni and Allan have a lot more pro experience than the recently signed Pohlkamp. Speaking of Allan, the 23-year-old is not waiver-exempt, while the younger Cagnoni and Pohlkamp still are.

In the end, the Sharks aren’t likely to be carried into the playoffs by this defense. Macklin Celebrini is already a superstar, but can another young forward or two become a star too?

“Will all depend on how quickly their top-end young guys mature,” Scout No. 2 said. “Not Celebrini, but Smith, Chernyshov, Misa, et cetera.”

If Celebrini gets some help up front, and the Sharks’ defense is at least average, that could be enough to get them into the post-season dance.

“[The defense is] a bit of a mixed bag,” Scout No. 4 said. “Older and some questions. But if everything works, could be decent for next season.”

Download and follow the San Jose Hockey Now podcast

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Friday Posted & Toasted Notes: Free agency remnants, SummerLoss, Brunson talks

A red panda observes tourists at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan, China, on May 13, 2026. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images

The SummerKnicks wrapped up their scheduled Las Vegas slate with an 87-77 loss to the SummerWarriors, ending their Sin City run with a 1-3 record and a consolation game against the SummerMavs later today.

No recap nor scenes, so here’s a kinda sorta summary of the most important performances we watched, along with a bunch of other links and notes.

  • The Knicks roster is mostly settled, but there are still a couple openings in the 15-man squad and one of those must be filled before the start of the regular season:
    • It keeps looking like Tyler Nickel has the cleanest NBA skill and could contribute buckets off the pine with gusto.
    • German will-he-won’t-he-stash Kayil has the most intriguing upside and has had the highest of highs and lowest of lows through Summer League.
    • Jaden Akins had the biggest scoring game and explosion, but that might as well had been a one-off thing.
    • Big man Liam Robbins fits the biggest positional need, but he hasn’t been any convincing.
    • Dillon Jones was already in tow last season has the Brown’s trust advantage.
    • Pacome Dadiet looked good for a minute but not so much the rest of the way, as well as having a fourth-year option deadline looming.
  • Akins was the man of the minute on Thursday, coming off the bench and dumping 21 points on 9-of-20 shooting and 3-of-8 from three, but his late case for one of New York’s two-way slots might have come, well, too late. At the end of the day, Akins had scored two points in his previous appearance.
  • Nickel scored nine points, all from three, and remains the most reliable shooter and perhaps even all-around player in the SummerKnicks roster at this point, even though he’s got a clear 1A skill and then a bunch of Ds elsewhere is his toolbox. The defense looks competitive enough—against similar SummerTeam opponents, mind you—but it’s increasingly likely we see Nickel here and there from October on.
  • Robbins continued to make his own case to land one of the spots as the Knicks third-string center with 13 points, nine rebounds, four blocks, and two assists, in a cool performance with numbers across the board.
  • Kayil came down to earth and looked like a 20-year-old second-round pick, finishing with four points on 2-of-9 shooting and missing all seven of his threes. That said, put up a solid stat line with five rebounds, four assists and one steal, but the offensive shine disappeared a bit and he committed three turnovers.
  • Dadiet had another rough shooting night, scoring nine points on 3-of-12 from the field and 1-of-7 from deep. The Knicks have until Oct. 31 to decide on his fourth-year option, and the evidence so far has not exactly made the $5 million question easier. If anything, New York could pick it up to move him later if they fear/don’t want to lose him for free in free agency next July. Not sure if you can dump Paco for anything in return, though.
  • Jones finished with five points, seven rebounds… and seven turnovers. Not six, seven. He remains valuable to Mike Brown behind the scenes and has two championship rings in two seasons, but Summer League point-forward Dillon Jones may need to return to the laboratory.
  • Jalen Brunson spoke at a Wall Street Journal’s sports event, per the New York Post, and revealed the biggest challenge facing the Knicks as the reigning champs. Target on thy back! Also, as for Mitchell Robinson, Brunson said he will always love him, except for a very precise 192 minutes.

“How are we going to evolve as a team? How are we going to figure out what’s the next step for us? And that’s going to be a really big, important question coming in the training camp: How are we going to be better? How are we going to literally look at the trophy, know that was last year and then forget about it? And so, it’s going to be a very interesting training camp to see where our mind’s at. But I’m excited for the challenge.”

  • The New York Post dropped their early NBA power rankings following the end of free agency—pending LeBron James’ decision—and ranked the Pacers as the biggest threat for the Knicks in the East… while burying the ECF Cavaliers all the down to No. 16.
  • LeBron James gave the Knicks some significant praise during his live Mind the Game appearance at Fanatics Fest, naming the Knicks’ “unsung hero” of the entire championship run and giving Mike Brown big kudos for his tweaks.
  • Tyrese Haliburton tried to get LeBron to announce his decision during Thursday’s live “Mind the Game” podcast, without luck.
  • A Queens kid got more out of LeBron than Haliburton did.
  • Adam Silver revealed why the NBA has not finished next season’s schedule.
  • Pat Riley is not being subtle about Miami’s intentions.

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Yankees news: The 2027 schedule drop

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 05: Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees singles during the second inning against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium on July 05, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images

SNY | Alex Smith: MLB announced full schedules for the 2027 season Thursday. The Yankees will start the campaign at home with three-game sets against the Blue Jays and Athletics before heading to Cleveland and then Pittsburgh on a road trip. The Subway Series will be held in Queens from May 28-30 and in the Bronx from July 16-18. The Yankees close out the year with three consecutive series against division opponents that could prove pivotal to the playoff race.

New York Post | Jack Harris: When the Dodgers take the field this weekend in the Bronx, they’ll be without their best pitcher. After having his knee drained over the All-Star break, Shohei Ohtani will not take the mound against the Yankees. The Dodgers are hopeful he’ll be able to remain in their lineup at DH. Roki Sasaki, Emmet Sheehan, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are scheduled to start during the three-game set. Ohtani is 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA through 14 starts this year.

The Athletic | Chris Kirschner: ($) Cam Schlittler likes to pitch angry, using slights (real or perceived) to motivate him. The Yankees have been adding fuel to the fire. Ahead of his eight-inning, one-run performance against the Rays last week, Yankees director of organizational performance Chad Bohling played a clip of podcaster Jared Carrabis saying Schlittler was regressing. The motivational tactic is a trend that dates back to college, when the little-heralded prospect would consume media that failed to mention him to keep him hungry. It’s an approach he hopes is well-suited for the Big Apple. “We’ve seen a lot of guys come here and try to play, and they can’t do it,” Schlittler said. “That’s why they leave. They may have had successful careers. It’s my first full year, though. I could be saying all this, and in a few years, it might not work out. I’m confident it will. I feel like I handle that stuff well. There’s added pressure, but I welcome that. I think we need to be held to a high standard.”

Greg Joyce | New York Post: A profile on Hunter Dietz, the Yankees’ first-round pick in last weekend’s MLB Draft. After missing the beginning of his college career almost entirely due to a stress fracture in his elbow, the southpaw made 16 starts this year for Arkansas, striking out 131 in 85 ²/₃ innings. The Yankees have been following Dietz since high school, and were encouraged enough by what he showed this year to make him their top pick. He expressed enthusiasm about his landing spot, saying “there’s a lot of potential that I need to unlock. I just feel like this staff is perfect for me, once I start my buildup, just to get ready for next year and the coming outings that I’m going to have. I feel like it’s just perfect for me as a player.”

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Francisco Alvarez homers twice as Mets beat Phillies 4-1 under smoky sky

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Francisco Alvarez homered twice, Brett Baty also went deep and the New York Mets defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 on Thursday night in the first major league game following the All-Star break.

The start time was pushed up an hour and the teams played under a hazy sky with diminishing air quality because of smoke that moved into the region from wildfires burning in Canada and Minnesota.

Christian Scott (3-1) pitched 5 2/3 shutout innings for the Mets, who launched three solo homers off starter Aaron Nola.

New York slugger Juan Soto was removed in the eighth because of left calf soreness, but interim manager Andy Green said the All-Star outfielder is expected back in the lineup this weekend. Soto missed about 2 1/2 weeks in April with a right calf strain.

Alvarez drove a 1-2 slider over the center-field fence in the third. The catcher added his 11th homer of the season in the seventh, when he went back-to-back with Baty.

A.J. Ewing added an insurance run for the Mets with an RBI double in the ninth. Devin Williams got three quick outs for his 100th career save and 14th this season.

Scott allowed three hits and struck out seven, posting consecutive scoreless starts for the first time in his big league career. He nearly gave up a tying homer to the final batter he faced, but Kyle Schwarber’s long fly hit the railing atop the right-field wall and ricocheted back into play for a double.

Nola (3-7) gave up just one run and three hits through six innings, but Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly sent the right-hander back out for the seventh even though he had thrown 90 pitches and a reliever was ready in the bullpen. That’s when Nola served up back-to-back homers to Baty and Alvarez.

Trea Turner homered for Philadelphia in the eighth, the first home run by a right-handed hitter off Mets reliever Luke Weaver this season.

Weaver had gone 25 straight appearances without allowing an earned run. The streak dated to May 1 and was tied for the second-longest in team history.

Before the game, the Mets reinstated second baseman Marcus Semien from the injured list and designated infielder Zack Short for assignment. Semien didn’t play. He had been on the IL since June 25 with a left hip flexor strain.

Up next

After a rare Friday off, the Mets and Phillies resume their series on Saturday. LHP Sean Manaea (2-4, 4.56 ERA) is scheduled to start for New York against LHP Jesús Luzardo (8-4, 3.51).

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Warriors must love the trajectory of rookie Yaxel Lendeborg's summer league

Warriors must love the trajectory of rookie Yaxel Lendeborg's summer league originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Yaxel Lendeborg’s rapid rocket ride into the galaxy is, six games into NBA Summer League, descending back toward Earth. The Warriors could not have scripted it any better.

The rookie introduced himself with savvy passes, rebounds in traffic, forceful drives to the hoop and deep shooting that was too fantastic to sustain. He didn’t do more than enough to drizzle a fine mist of optimism over Warriors fans, who, while waiting for a LeBron James decision, are longing for any reason to cheer.

Through Lendeborg’s first four games – two in the California Classic, two in Las Vegas – the team’s 2026 lottery pick, No. 11 overall, did plenty to satisfy his new employer. His shooting was particularly impressive, as the 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward was 13 of 21 (61.9 percent) from deep.

The next two games brought a dose of reality. Lendeborg on Thursday delivered his poorest scoring performance yet: a scoreless first half, finishing with 1-of 9 shooting from the field, including 1 of 6 from deep, in an 87-77 win over the New York Knicks. He played 28 minutes, scoring three points.

Two nights earlier, the Warriors were blown off the floor by the Memphis Grizzlies. The 106-85 loss was Golden State’s worst showing thus far. Lendeborg played 29 minutes, scoring 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including 0 of 2 from distance. He had a game-high nine rebounds and a game-high four turnovers.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr, in Las Vegas to witness each of the last two games, was able to witness the rookie look like a rookie. There were a few highlights – mostly on defense and passing – but enough lowlights to expose flaws to address.

Kerr surely loved what he saw. Lendeborg submitted the kind of work that puts a smile on the face of any coach because it creates a smooth runway to constructive criticism. There wasn’t much to critique when Lendeborg was the best offensive player on the floor, displaying a high hoops IQ and shooting as if in a dream. Dreamy shooting from the jump sometimes can get into the head of a rookie, convincing him that maybe the NBA isn’t so challenging.

Oh, it is.

The best thing for Lendeborg’s psyche was to have a couple games in which he makes little impact and can’t find his shot. Seeing shots go through the net is a source of energy, especially for young players. It breeds confidence that can seep into other elements in a positive way. It also can lead to overconfidence – which is the worst enemy of someone who has yet to play an official NBA game.

The early read on Lendeborg is that he is confident but not driven by ego. He listens to coaches, sees his teammates and values what they’re able to contribute. That was the case last season, too, as he led the University of Michigan to a national championship.

In his first three weeks as a Warrior, he has done nothing to alter that assessment.

Moreover, Lendeborg has been openly critical of himself. He knows his place in the league’s hierarchy – he doesn’t need reminders from new teammate Draymond Green – but also knows he belongs. Lendeborg has done enough encouraging things for the Warriors to shut him down in Vegas. There is no better way to send a rookie into a disciplined offseason program than knowing he struggled in front of live audiences.

This dip in performance gives Lendeborg plenty to study as Summer League moves into the playoffs. He wants, and knows he needs, to improve his conditioning before training camp begins in late September.

The incredible beginning, followed by a reality check, is the ideal way for a talented rookie to wade into the hardest part of his offseason.

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McInnes hints at imminent Rangers arrivals

Manager Derek McInnes has suggested Rangers could complete more signings before Wednesday's friendly meeting with St-Etienne at Ibrox on Wednesday.

Rangers, third in last season's Scottish Premiership, have already brought in six new recruits, with Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin following McInnes from Tynecastle to Ibrox.

"The club has done brilliant work at this moment in time to try and bring in the additions that we clearly needed," McInnes said in a club media interview from the club's Spanish training camp.

"We want to make sure we are a more rounded squad when it comes to the bit that we're ready, but the work will be ongoing. We're still looking to try and get a couple of things done ahead of the St-Etienne game.

"We're two weeks away from Dundee United [opening day of the league campaign], and I feel that the fitness of the players is a lot better and stronger to where we want it to be, from when we set off a couple of weeks ago."

Rangers ended their camp with a 2-2 draw against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta'zim, with McInnes calling it "a good test against a team who are well up and running in their season".

Devlin, Ivor Pandur and Thelo Aasgaard will join training on Monday after their involvement at the World Cup and McInnes welcomes the "jag of quality" the trio will bring.

McInnes, who steered Hearts to second place last term, also stressed the importance of team building in the early days of his reign.

"I want us to be more together as a squad," he said. "What we have is a lot of good individuals and we saw signs of that last season - Rangers, at times, were really strong. Individually, players were at a good level, but when it came to it, we needed to be more of a team.

"I really want to build that work ethic, that togetherness that gets you through tough times."

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Warriors to face Lakers in Summer League playoffs after 87-77 win over New York Knicks

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 16: LJ Cryer #18 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball during the game against the New York Knicks on July 16, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

LJ Cryer made it to the Final Four twice in his college career, going to the finals each time. His five three-pointers lifted the Golden State Warriors to a date with the Los Angeles Lakers in the semifinals of NBA Summer League on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

The Warriors defeated the New York Knicks, 87-77, on Thursday, behind Cryer’s 17 points and five assists. That raised their record to 3-1 in summer contests, and earned them the No. 4 seed in the summer playoffs thanks to a +6.3 point differential (nine teams went 3-1). The second seed is the Memphis Grizzlies, who rode their roster of 23-year-old and four-year Summer League veterans to a 3-1 record and a +11.5 differential, and the third seed is the Houston Rockets (+11.0), who have gotten huge scoring efforts from No. 31 pick Bruce Thornton.

The Grizzlies handed the Warriors their only loss in Las Vegas with a dominant effort, helped in part by having a team full of players who were born while “Friends” was still on the air. Memphis suffered their only loss when Jaden Springer, who has played in the NBA for five seasons, had a big game for the Dallas Mavericks off the bench. That’s really the best way to win at Summer League: Be too old for the tournament.

That’s especially true for the top-seeded, undefeated Lakers. They overwhelmed the Chicago Bulls Thursday thanks to three three-pointers and five assists from 30-year-old Calgary Surge star Jon Elmore, who debuted perhaps the first baldness-based celebration in NBA history after one huge shot.

How did the rest of the Warriors do? Will Richard appears to have graduated from Summer League after three games, so second-round pick Lajae Jones started in his place and scored 13 points on 6-for-16 shooting, with three steals. He threw down a very nice alley-oop from Yaxel Lendeborg early in the third quarter.

As for the Warriors’ first-round pick, he had only three points and shot 1-for-9, but added six rebounds, six assists, a steal, and two blocks. Two of Lendeborg’s misses came on chasedown blocks from Pacome Dadiet, and in our opinion the rookie gets a pass since he couldn’t see him either time.

But he didn’t get frustrated and kept playing hard, including a number of plays where he swallowed up Knicks players. Dadiet hit the side of the backboard trying to get free of Yaxel on one play.

When Lendeborg finally hit a three in the 4th quarter, the crowd at the smaller Cox Pavilion gym went wild.

Graham Ike continued his solid, unspectacular Summer League with 15 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks. He’s averaging 10.3 points and seven rebounds while shooting 45.2%. Malevy Leons had 13 points and six rebounds while Chase McMillian added 11 points and three triples off the bench and is now shooting 8-for-16 from behind the arc for Summer League and 57.1% in his last three games.

Deivon Smith remains a bit of a summer disappointment, going scoreless with two turnovers. He may still be coming back from a right wrist fracture that ended a short-but-stellar season with the Santa Cruz Warriors. Smith had two triple-doubles in nine game for the Sea Dubs, averaging 17.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 6.6 assists. Expect to see him back at Santa Cruz and in training camp, where he’ll be a longshot to earn a two-way contract, based on how Cryer and McMillian have shot the ball in Las Vegas (Cryer has made 13 threes in 100 Summer League minutes, tied for 5th-most in Summer League).

Now the Warriors have to get past first-rounder Cameron Carr, 2025 second-rounder Adou Thiero, and the ageless Elmore if they want to reach the Summer League promised land. As of 2022, they’ll even get rings for winning it all.

We know these are exhibition games. Still, firing up Amazon Prime on Saturday at 5:30 might be your best chance to see a Warriors team make a deep playoff run this season.

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SF Giants face a gauntlet before All-Star break based on 2027 schedule

The two teams locked in a battle for fourth place in the National League West will renew their rivalry early and late next season. That battle might come down to the bitter end as the San Francisco Giants close the 2027 season with a three-game series at Coors Field.

The season will kick off early, on Thursday, March 25 in San Francisco, before the teams take a well-earned rest day on Friday before continuing the series. The Giants start the season with six games against NL West opponents, then don’t see a division rival for five more weeks, when they travel to UNIQLO Field to face a Los Angeles Dodgers team that will probably have added Robbie Ray, Tarik Skubal, Luis Arraez, and LeBron James in free agency.

They won’t play the San Diego Padres until May 24, to start one of their two 10-game homestands of the season. The second 10-game stretch at Oracle Park will follow the All-Star Break, starting with the A’s, ending with the Padres, and stuffed with a whopping four-game helping of Rockies in the middle. September has a nine-game homestand and jsut two six-game road trips,

Do you like June Swoons? The Giants are set up for one of those next season, with trips to San Diego, Arizona, Philadelphia, and Toronto, and visits from the Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, and the New York Mets, who have to be better next season, right?

The reward for making it through the June gauntlet is a 10-game road trip leading into the break, including a stretch of 16 games in 16 days. It could be brutal for the pitching staff, with a four-game series in the launching pad of Arizona’s ballpark followed by three games at the moon base of Coors Field, which is an even better hitters’ park

But things ease up as the season progresses. August begins with the Dodgers, Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, and Dodgers again, but then the Giants get six games with the Miami Marlins, three each with the Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox, and the A’s. September has a nine-game homestand and just two six-game road trips, each featuring a strange geographic double: St. Louis-San Diego and Minneapolis-Denver.

After the All-Star Break, the Giants have 34 home games to 30 road games, with 67% of their matchups taking place in California. It’s hard to predict exactly which games will be tough one year out, but it feels safe to say that the Dodgers and Brewers will continue to be difficult opponents, and the Giants play both in separate six-game stretches in early May and early August.

What’s going to be the easiest ticket to buy? The Wednesday, September 1 home game against the Cleveland Guardians, likely to be an afternoon contest. If you really want to catch a foul ball, circle this game on your calendar.

Is it a tough schedule? At a glance, the Giants seem to have easier American League opponents at home and a tougher inter-league road schedule, while the season may vacillate wildly from brutal stretches to easier ones. Generally, this a tougher schedule in the hot parts of summer but starts and ends fairly gently. This team could rack up a lot of wins early, assuming they have a bullpen and not a bunch of weird zealots who don’t believe in evolution or throwing strikes to the leadoff man. And they’re generally less sucky.

But if they don’t get off to a good start, it might be a long, long summer. Specifically from June 14-July 11, hoo boy.

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Lakers to play Warriors in Las Vegas Summer League Semifinals

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 03: Chris Manon #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against the Golden State Warriors during the first half in the California Classic a NBA Summer League game at Chase Center on July 03, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Summer League has been a tremendous success for the Lakers. In the California Classic, they went 2-1, and in Las Vegas Summer League play, they’ve won all four of their games, punching their ticket to the Semifinals.

The Lakers are set to play the Warriors on Saturday. The matchup will be played at the Thomas & Mack Center at 5:30 p.m. PT and will air on Prime Video.

Lakers-Warriors is always a compelling game because of the regional rivalry, but add in the fact that LA lost to Golden State in the California Classic, and this game is suddenly even more interesting. The purple and gold can avenge their only loss during Summer League and by doing so advance to the title game.

This year’s Lakers Summer League squad has had a handful of players that have stood out.

Adou Thiero has scored in double figures in each contest in Las Vegas. He’s shown off his athleticism, with some monster dunks. Cameron Carr is looking like a rotational player and has shot with tremendous confidence. Arthur Kaluma has delivered some breakout performances and is making a loud case for a two-way spot.

Lakers coach Ty Abbott has had the Lakers playing well on both sides of the ball in Summer League action. Chris Mañon is leading the defense, and LA has dominated in all of their wins in Nevada. Now they are just two victories away from winning their second Las Vegas Summer League championship.

LA won their first Las Vegas Summer League championship back in 2017. That roster was oozing with NBA talent as the Lakers had Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Ivica Zubac, Alex Caruso and Josh Hart on that team.

Time will tell if this team has players that will be around the NBA for years to come, but so far they’ve been an impressive group and an exciting team to watch. With the Lakers aiming to get younger and more athletic all across the board, this Summer League team is an encouraging sign for what this new era of LA basketball will look like.

If the Lakers beat the Warriors, they’ll face the winner of Rockets-Grizzlies on Sunday for a shot at another Las Vegas Summer League title.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.