Chicago's five-game winning streak came to an abrupt halt on Friday, falling 23-1 in their series opener against St. Louis.
The Cubs are healthy -155 favorites in Game 2, and my Cardinals vs. Cubs predictions and MLB picks believe they're a good value to bounce back with a win.
Who will win Cardinals vs Cubs today: Chicago Cubs (-155)
The Chicago Cubsrank 10th in OPS and eighth in ISO against right-handed pitching over the last month. They’re certainly capable of doing damage against Leahy.
Cardinals vs Cubs Over/Under pick: Under 8.0 (-110)
The Cubs don’t hit for average, sitting tied with the Angels for 23rd against right-handed pitching this season.
While they do possess power, colder conditions are expected today with the wind blowing in. That will help Leahy limit the long balls.
The Cardinals don’t feature a ton of power against lefties – they’re 21st in ISO – and the conditions will only make it tougher on them against Imanaga.
With power likely limited, these teams will be forced to string together a lot of hits to score in bulk.
I expect a 4-3 type of game. Play the Under to -120.
Todd Cordell's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 49-39, -0.45 units
Over/Under bets: 47-37-4, +5.49 units
Cardinals vs Cubs weather
Temperatures are projected to hover around 70 with winds blowing inwards and potential showers. These conditions should hurt the offenses.
Cardinals vs Cubs odds
Moneyline: St. Louis +135 | Chicago -155
Run line: St. Louis +1.5 (-150) | Chicago -1.5 (+130)
Over/Under: Over 8.0 (-110) | Under 8.0 (-110)
Cardinals vs Cubs trend
Chicago has hit the moneyline in 15 of their last 20 games (+9.10 units, 34% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Cardinals vs. Cubs.
How to watch Cardinals vs Cubs and game info
Location
Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Date
Saturday, July 4, 2026
First pitch
8:05 p.m. ET
TV
FOX
Cardinals starting pitcher
Kyle Leahy (6-4, 4.09 ERA)
Cubs starting pitcher
Shota Imanaga (5-6, 4.30 ERA)
Cardinals vs Cubs latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 2: José Alvarado #46 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the top of the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park on July 2, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Pirates defeated the Phillies 6-1. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Even with the MLB trade deadline pushed back to August 3 this year, July still represents the time of year when everyone talks about trades. The Phillies’ 40-20 stretch under interim manager Don Mattingly has catapulted them into buying territory as a team with World Series aspirations. Their expectations for playing deep into October are still the same and reinforcements might go a long way.
Under Dave Dombrowski, the Phillies have typically waited until the day of to make trades. They did get Carlos Estevez multiple days before the deadline and Jhoan Duran the day before in back-to-back seasons but they still generally take things down to the wire.
Assuming that, there is roughly a month from the time of this writing until the deadline. So, here are three things to watch for prior to the deadline.
Orioles, Mets, Giants
These three teams entered the season with playoff aspirations. The Baltimore Orioles added Pete Alonso, Taylor Ward, and Shane Baz for a bounce-back season but are eight games under .500 on July 3 and five games out of a playoff spot.
If the Orioles are sellers, Taylor Ward would become the best fit for the Phillies outfield at the deadline. He is generally a streaky hitter and an ok defender, but brings a plus eye at the plate. He has not played a single game in right field since 2022 but sliding over for two months is probably not a massive deal. They could slide Brandon Marsh over if needed. Again, it would only be temporary.
There are some red flags with Ward, his pull air rate is down from 17.8% last year to 12.2% and he does not have the raw power to make that work consistently. His bat speed is down over a mile per hour so there might be physical decline. Again, he is only a rental.
The New York Mets season has been pretty brutal. It’s not all terrible but most of it is. They came into the season expecting to make the playoffs and will be clear sellers at the deadline.
They are a match if the Phillies are looking for bullpen help. Luke Weaver has a 2.00 ERA in 36 innings with the Mets after cutting down his fastball usage. He is owed another year with eleven million, which would boost his trade value so it might cost the Phillies too much.
If they are looking for rentals, AJ Minter and Brooks Raley are interesting fits. Minter missed the beginning of the season recovering from tearing his lat last season but has pitched 14 games and hasn’t allowed a run. His velocity is down nearly two miles per hour and he is not striking out nearly as many batters.
Even at 38, Brooks Raley is still suppressing hard contact while getting strikeouts. He is the classic funky left hander that just knows how to get outs.
The only reliever mentioned with true October stuff is Weaver but the others could help fill a left handed void if the Phillies still need it this time next month.
The Giants have been a disaster with Tony Vitello. There might be too many issues to explain in this article. It’s just all bad.
Robbie Ray makes sense if the Phillies are looking for a starting pitcher. He could slot in as their #4 but might help in a bullpen role if needed. Again, there are red flags. Ray is not getting enough strikeouts or swing and miss, is still prone to walks, and allows a lot of hard contact. The Phillies might not be the best fit.
José Alvarado
No one is going to tell you a 6.10 ERA is good or that he is actually having a good season. He is not.
However, it might not be nearly as bad as people think. Alvarado’s BABIP allowed is over 100 points higher than a year ago despite being very good at limiting hard contact and barrels. His 66.9% strand rate would also be the lowest of his career in a season where he pitched 30 innings or more. He is still striking plenty of hitters out, limiting walks, and throwing gas.
This is all to say that their best left handed reliever option this deadline is probably Alvarado figuring it out. Given all of the indicators represent a pitcher that seems to be getting very unlucky, that just doesn’t seem as impossible as you would think.
Over the next month, it would still be good to see some results. If he can go on a heater, which might be the most likely outcome, then it might allow the Phillies some trade deadline flexibility.
Trea Turner
The Phillies might not be able to make a big offensive upgrade at this trade deadline. That hitter might not become available, and even if he does, the Phillies might not have the prospects to get it done.
April and May were not good months for the Phillies offense but June was. Over that month, they ranked tenth in wRC+ and fourth in home runs. Will it last? That probably depends on Trea Turner.
In 380 plate appearances, Turner is hitting .239 with a .653 OPS as an established top-of-the-order hitter in this lineup. He isn’t the only issue in their lineup, but Alec Bohm, Justin Crawford, JT Realmuto, or whoever you want to label a problem can’t get on the heaters like Turner.
That heater might’ve started, Turner is hitting .340 with a .950 OPS over his last 48 plate appearances. If this can continue for the rest of the season, and that seems like a pretty big if, he might indirectly be the big offensive upgrade the Phillies get this trade deadline.
One contract doesn’t usually shift a league’s center of gravity — but every so often, it sparks the same question everywhere it lands.
So when the Philadelphia Flyers handed Leo Carlsson a five-year, $90 million deal on Friday, it didn’t take long for that question to surface in Colorado: what does this mean for Cale Makar?
The answer, in short, is nothing. But the conversation says more about how the NHL thinks than the contract itself.
Carlsson’s deal simply reset another layer of the market for young stars, but it doesn’t change the trajectory of what’s already been building toward Makar’s next contract in Colorado.
Leo Carlsson is a Flyer -- for now. The Anaheim Ducks have less than a week to respond to the offer sheet. Credit: Griffin Hooper - Imagn Images
Makar is currently in the final year of his six-year, $54 million deal that carries a $9 million average annual value. He became eligible for an extension on July 1, and while no agreement has been announced, there is no urgency from either side. The new deal wouldn’t even begin until the 2027–28 season.
Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic has consistently expressed confidence that Makar will remain in Colorado long term. The real work now isn’t about if a deal gets done — it’s about timing, structure, and landing on the right number for both sides.
That timing conversation also includes the NHL’s upcoming collective bargaining agreement, which takes effect on Sept. 16, 2026. One key change reduces maximum contract length from eight years to seven on re-signs, meaning Colorado and Makar would have a short window to qualify for the longer term if they finalize an extension before the new rules kick in.
It adds a layer of urgency to the calendar — but not necessarily to the negotiation itself.
Because once you zoom out from Carlsson’s deal, the real question becomes familiar: how far will the top of the market actually go?
Makar is already a two-time Norris Trophy winner, a Conn Smythe winner, and one of the defining defensemen of his generation. In almost any salary structure, he’s the obvious candidate to reset the defense market — and potentially push toward the long-discussed $20 million threshold.
NHL insider Pierre LeBrun recently floated that possibility, suggesting Makar could become the league’s first $20 million player. Others around the league expect the number to land lower, projecting a range between $15 million and $16.5 million depending on term and structure, with some believing $17 million is the realistic ceiling.
On paper, a contract like Carlsson’s only fuels the idea that the next wave of stars will continue pushing the salary cap upward.
But the reality in professional sports is that the highest-paid player doesn’t always define the culture of a franchise — or the priorities of its stars.
Across sports, there are long-standing examples of elite athletes choosing structure, stability, or winning over maximizing every last dollar.
Tom Brady spent much of his career with the New England Patriots on team-friendly deals, repeatedly restructuring contracts to give the franchise flexibility and help sustain a roster capable of winning six Super Bowl championships.
In the NHL, Sidney Crosby has long been the standard for this type of approach, carrying an $8.7 million cap hit for years despite being one of the most dominant players of his era, all while helping the Pittsburgh Penguins capture three Stanley Cups.
The Avalanche already have their own version of that philosophy sitting in the locker room.
Nathan MacKinnon is currently signed through 2031 at a $12.6 million cap hit — a number widely viewed as below-market for a player of his production level. Back in 2019, when he was still on his previous contract, he explained his mindset to Forbes’ Jordan Horrobin:
“We have guys that we wouldn't (otherwise) be able to bring in. On my next deal, I'll take less again. Because I want to win with this group.”
MacKinnon later clarified that his previous contract wasn’t a discount at the time it was signed, but the sentiment has remained consistent: winning has always been the priority.
That mindset has helped define Colorado’s modern era, and it inevitably becomes part of any conversation about Makar’s future.
None of that guarantees a hometown discount — and it shouldn’t be interpreted as one. Makar is too valuable, too important, and too accomplished for that kind of assumption.
But it does complicate the idea that a contract like Carlsson’s automatically resets expectations in Colorado.
Yes, Makar could become the NHL’s first $20 million defenseman. Yes, he will set a new benchmark at his position. And yes, he will be paid among the very top players in the league.
The more important question is where that number lands within the range — and what matters more when the deal is actually signed.
Because if there’s one thing the Avalanche have consistently shown over the last decade, it’s that they’re willing to prioritize long-term contention over short-term money.
And in that equation, Cale Makar’s next contract was never going to be dictated by Leo Carlsson — or anyone else resetting the market.
The Atlanta Braves took the series opener against New York and are heavy -170 favorites to come out on top once again.
The New York Mets own a 7-16 record against left-handed starters. My Mets vs. Braves predictions and MLB picks expect their struggles to continue facing Chris Sale on Saturday, July 4.
Who will win Mets vs Braves today: Atlanta Braves (-170)
Non-elite offenses trying to score on Sale has been like pulling teeth. He has only allowed multiple runs only once over eights starts against teams 15th or worse in ISO.
It’ll be a challenge for a shallow Mets lineup to string together hits, and Sale hasn’t conceded a homer in seven consecutive starts.
The Braves possess power but they have hit just .225 against left-handed pitching since June 1. They’re not generating enough traffic to score in bulk.
I see value on the Under and would play it to -115.
Todd Cordell's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 49-39, -0.45 units
Over/Under bets: 47-37-4, +5.49 units
Mets vs Braves weather
Temperatures could reach the 90s but the winds are blowing slightly inwards. Small boost to the offenses.
Mets vs Braves odds
Moneyline: New York +145 | Atlanta -170
Run line: New York +1.5 (-140) | Atlanta -1.5 (+120)
Over/Under: Over 8.0 (-115) | Under 8.0 (-105)
Mets vs Braves trend
New York has hit the Game Total Under in 21 of their last 35 away games (+7.80 units, 21% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Mets vs. Braves.
How to watch Mets vs Braves and game info
Location
Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
Date
Saturday, July 4, 2026
First pitch
8:05 p.m. ET
TV
FOX
Mets starting pitcher
Sean Manaea (1-3, 4.71 ERA)
Braves starting pitcher
Chris Sale (8-6, 2.10 ERA)
Mets vs Braves latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Jacob Bethell led England home with an unbeaten 76 to secure victory at Old Trafford and a 1-0 series lead
Sooryavanshi faces his first ball in international cricket… and misses! He flashed outside off at Josh Tongue, whose lift was too much for him.
1st over: India 4-0 (Sharma 4, Sooryavanshi 0) Never mind the prodigy, Abhishek can play a bit too. Archer starts well, beating him with a lifter, but the next ball is swished over slip for four, with one hand off the bat. Archer beats him again, and again, before finishing with a rap on the glove. The wind assisted both the bowler’s movement, away from the left-hander, and the lone scoring shot.
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 8: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 8, 2025 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The past 48 hours have been difficult for Celtics Nation, and that’s an understatement.
But with Jaylen Brown headed to Philadelphia, attention has already shifted to the next major domino still left to fall as free agent LeBron James weighs his options after departing the Lakers. James, currently considering what could be his final destination before retirement, hasn’t closed the door on many potential suitors thus far.
That includes the Celtics, according to James’ agent Rich Paul.
This offseason has seen stars such as Brown, Giannis Antetokounmpo, LaMelo Ball, and Ja Morant traded, each from their respective homegrown organizations in a shocking first few days. And there are still more to come, with Paul unveiling those in the running to sign James this offseason.
Boston, off a first-round playoff exit, finally chose between the same two paths it had weighed for years: either keep Jayson Tatum alongside Brown or split them up. This time, they chose the latter, and what followed was an instinctual reaction from a passionate fanbase that hadn’t considered the real possibility of the Jays being broken up until it finally kicked in.
But that’s the reality of professional sports, and the Celtics — as special as they’ve always been — are no exception.
Brown is gone. It hasn’t even been a week since the start of free agency, and the fourth of July fireworks haven’t popped off throughout the city either. So the most unforeseen outcome for many fans is still very fresh. For Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens, who will need to answer for his decision in Monday’s upcoming press conference with majority owner Bill Chisholm, there’s still plenty of work to do.
PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 10: LeBron James #6 of Team USA high fives Jayson Tatum #10 of Team USA while Derrick White #8 of Team USA looks on during the Men's Gold Medal Game on August 10, 2024 at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris, France. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Paul, speaking with Max Kellerman on the Game Over podcast, listed 10 teams James is said to be considering: the Warriors, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Spurs, Mavericks, Heat, Knicks, Cavaliers, Sixers, and Celtics.
In the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, Tatum and James won a gold medal as teammates for Team USA. That same summer, the two shared the red carpet for the premiere of Netflix’s Starting 5 docuseries, featuring both Tatum and James. Their relationship over the years has survived the longstanding rivalry between LeBron and the city of Boston, which dates back to his debut stint with the Cavaliers — back when Tatum was in elementary school.
During Tatum’s rookie season, he flushed an iconic postseason dunk in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, introducing himself to the future Hall of Famer with four championships to his name. Since then, Tatum and James have embraced each other with routine friendly encounters during their regular-season run-ins as foes on the court.
Boston, unlike Golden State and Cleveland, can only offer James the veteran minimum after using their mid-level exception to sign Mitchell Robinson to a three-year, $47.4 million contract. That means James would have to take a pay cut to join a Celtics team currently featuring Tatum, Robinson, Derrick White, and Paul George.
Last season, James averaged 20.9 points on 51.5 percent shooting as a 41-year-old in his 23rd season. Most impressively, James did so while accepting a downgraded role as the third option behind Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves in Los Angeles. So the willingness to take a backseat for the betterment of the team, while remaining effective, is a role James is capable of accepting.
Whether James lands in Boston remains up to him. If he does, it would mark one of the NBA’s most stunning uniform switches ever — surpassing Michael Jordan’s final two seasons with the Wizards by a country mile. It would also coincide with what’s already been an odd and uncomfortable offseason for Celtics fans, currently in store for a much, much different team come October.
First place is at stake in the American League Central as the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians meet in Cleveland for the third game in their four-game weekend set.
Cleveland are -133 favorites, having taken the first two games on walk-off hits, taking first in the American League Central Division by a game in the process.
The Guardians have beaten Chicago nine straight in Cleveland. My White Sox vs. Guardians predictions and MLB picks call for that streak to hit 10 with a Guardians win.
Who will win White Sox vs Guardians today: Guardians moneyline (-138)
The Cleveland Guardians have won three straight and five of their last seven, while the Chicago White Sox have dropped the last three and four of six. Cleveland has the No. 8 bullpen in MLB and has gotten stronger, calling up Franco Aleman, who had a 0.32 ERA in Triple-A.
Cleveland starts Parker Messick, who is 7-5, 2.85. Messick's fastball is in the 100th percentile in MLB, and he's in the top quartile in hard-hit rate, barrel rate, strikeout rate and exit velo allowed.
The Guardians' offense is averaging 29 points higher than their season batting average this week, including 19 runs over the last three games.
COVERS INTEL:Sean Burke is not in the top third in MLB in any metric. His fastball velocity is just 53rd percentile, and his exit velocity allowed and whiff percentage are all in the bottom half of MLB pitchers.
White Sox vs Guardians Over/Under pick: Over 7.5 (-108)
The White Sox start Sean Burke, who is 5-4, 3.69, but has troubling underlying metrics. His fastball is the only pitch above average in MLB, and Cleveland's Brayan Rocchio is one of the top fastball hitters in MLB, hitting .327 with five homers against the pitch.
Burke's walk rate is below average, despite improving it from last season, which is problematic against a Guardians lineup that walked 14 times in the first two games of the series.
Chicago's bats have heated up. They've scored 5.4 runs per game over the last two weeks, an increase of half a run a night over their average.
Shawn Krest's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 24-31, -4.15 units
Over/Under bets: 31-28 +2.30 units
White Sox vs Guardians weather
There is a heat warning in Cleveland with the wind blowing in. There's also a good chance of a thundershower or two this evening.
White Sox vs Guardians odds
Moneyline: White Sox +133 | Guardians -138
Run line: White Sox +1.5 (-163) | Guardians -1.5 (+156)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 (-108) | Under 7.5 (+104)
White Sox vs Guardians trend
The Chicago White Sox have hit the Team Total Over in 23 of their last 35 away games (+10.40 Units / 26% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for White Sox vs. Guardians.
How to watch White Sox vs Guardians and game info
Location
Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH
Date
Saturday, July 4, 2026
First pitch
7:05 p.m. ET
TV
CHSN, CleGuardians.TV
White Sox starting pitcher
Sean Burke (5-4, 3.69 ERA)
Guardians starting pitcher
Parker Messick (7-5, 2.85 ERA)
White Sox vs Guardians latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 03: Daylen Lile #4 of the Washington Nationals is doused with water by Andrés Chaparro #87 and José Tena #8 after their team's 9-5 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Nationals Park on July 03, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a big win last night, the Nats celebrate this Independence Day by playing an 11:05 game against the Pirates. They will look to secure a 3rd straight series win on the 250th anniversary of this great country. It will be tough with the Pirates throwing out a hard throwing righty.
The Nats will make a few tweaks to the lineup. Jacob Young was supposed to be back in the lineup, but he was a late scratch. That means it will be the same outfield as last night. Curtis Mead will be back in there at third base. Drew Millas will also be catching in this one. Carson Palmquist will be opening for Zack Littell.
The Pirates are making some changes at the bottom of their lineup Tyler Callihan, who pitched yesterday, will be in the game at first base. Former first overall pick Henry Davis will also be doing the catching here. Besides that, it is a similar lineup to last night. Braxton Ashcraft has had a great season and he will be on the mound in this one.
These 4th of July games are always fun, and should be even better with the Nats in the mix. This should be a hotly contested contest on a hot day in DC. Hopefully the Nats can come out on top again. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!
New York Yankees legendary broadcaster John Sterling at Yankee Stadium in 2008. | Greg Pallante/(201) Magazine / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Just as there are players who define eras for teams across major sports, there are also those who help make their moments even more unforgettable from high atop a stadium or arena. Names such as Gary Thorne, Vin Scully, Al Michaels, Bob Costas, Doc Emrick, and many others help add to these pieces of history through their voice, mannerisms, and iconic sayings. And for modern Yankees fans, there is no one more iconic and no one who has helped make more memorable moments than John Sterling.
The best part about Sterling being not just a member of the Yankees family, but a key ingredient to every Yankees game, is that he provided a feeling of warmth to every listener. He brought everyone listening on their radio or watching on their televisions at home into the ballpark, and he treated every Yankees fan, player, coach, and team member with the utmost respect. He was a man who not only received tons of awards and recognition, but he deserved them, and he accepted them with grace and humility.
Today, we celebrate the birth of not just an incredible broadcaster and Yankees icon, but the birth of a man who left an impact on hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people. We miss him dearly.
John (Sloss) Sterling Born: July 4, 1938 (New York, NY) Died: May 4, 2026 (Englewood, NJ) Yankees Tenure: 1989-2024 (radio play-by-play announcer)
Sterling was born in New York and grew up on the Upper East Side. He was up a Yankees fan and listened to original “Voice of the Yankees” Mel Allen call games on the radio, which helped him develop his interest not just in baseball but in becoming a sports broadcaster. After his high school days, he briefly attended Moravian College and Boston University, but returned to New York following his mother’s passing and transferred to the Columbia University School of General Studies. Following his time there, he began his broadcasting career in Wellsville, New York, working at WLSV, where he called football, baseball, and basketball games for the local Wellsville High School.
Sterling then moved to Providence, Rhode Island, before taking a job in Baltimore to broadcast for the NBA’s Baltimore Bullets in 1970-71. In 1971, he returned to WMCA as a full-time employee. He hosted a talk show and also worked calling games for the New York Islanders and New Jersey Nets. He held that play-by-play position from 1970 to 1980, while his talk show—during which he often got to interview the legendary Allen—ended in 1978.
Sterling headed south to Atlanta in 1981 to work for TBS and WSB Radio, where he broadcast games for the Atlanta Hawks and the Atlanta Braves while also hosting a sports talk show through 1989. By that time, his boyhood team got in touch, and his Yankee years began.
From a moment in an elevator in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where Yankees former owner George Steinbrenner—another memorable July 4th birthday—said to Sterling that he was the person he wanted calling Yankees games, Sterling would go down in history. And it was not just for being part of some incredible Yankees title runs and around some of the best teams in MLB history (including the best team in baseball history by record in 1998), but also for his consistency in the booth. Sterling would sit in the radio booth calling Yankees games for the next 35 seasons.
Over those 35 seasons at the helm of the Yankees broadcast booth, Sterling shared it with a handful of announcing partners. Former major leaguer Jay Johnstone, was his first for the 1989 and 1990 seasons, and broadcaster Joe Angel stepped in for 1991. Then came in a young and spry Michael Kay, the current Yankees TV play-by-play announcer for the YES Network, from 1992 to 2001. Formerly a beat writer, Kay attributes much of his success behind the mic to the lessons he learned in the booth with Sterling, and he would often host Yankees events in the present day with his former mentor, including Old-Timers’ Day.
SportsCenter alum Charley Steiner was his next partner from 2002 to 2004 before Steiner moved on to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and in 2005, in came Suzyn Waldman, who is a legend in her own right. They were on the call together the longest, until his (somewhat) abrupt retirement in 2024. Sterling and Waldman became a dynamic duo in the booth and, most importantly, they became the best of friends, which every fan tuning in could hear and see. They told incredible stories together, both about their individual and joint experiences off the field and, of course, about their experiences together in the depths of major league ballparks, talking to players, coaches, managers, and staff members of yesteryear teams. Their bond grew over time, giving every Yankees fan a way to feel included in their adventures as well.
All in all, Sterling ended up calling 5,060 consecutive Yankees games, which included every game of the entirety of Derek Jeter’s 20-year career, before the streak ended seven years ago today on July 4, 2019. He fell ill and missed three games the Yankees played against the Tampa Bay Rays, but it gave everyone a chance to see just how incredible Sterling had been for so long.
Over his time calling the Yankees (and even dating back to his early days in New York calling the Islanders and then with the Hawks in Atlanta), Sterling was best known for his catchphrases, particularly after home runs. He’d start every home run call with “It is high! It is far! It is gone!” And then he would lead into a signature tagline for every player. Older fans of the Yankees will remember, “An A-bomb for A-Rod!” “Bern, baby, Bern!” and so many others, while newer fans could hear, “A Judgian Blast,” “Gio Urshela, the most happy fella,” “Yes, inDidi,” through recent years.
Everyone knew it was coming, but every time seemed to feel like the first.
A successful day for the Yankees wasn’t over until Sterling belted “Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!”
Sterling began the 2024 season in his familiar spot, but he quickly regretted his decision not to step away at last. The travel over half a year was just too much to bear for someone in his eighties. So on April 15th, he announced his retirement, effective immediately. New York then honored Sterling in a pregame ceremony on April 20th. He then called two innings of a game on August 20th against Cleveland, which was due to a t-shirt giveaway celebrating the 20th anniversary of Sterling and Waldman working together in the radio booth. The day was planned before Sterling’s departure from the booth months prior, so he felt it was only right to come back and call a bit of the contest.
Perhaps that sparked a desire for a mini-comeback. The following Thursday, it was revealed that Sterling was discussing a potential postseason return before a final retirement. And it happened! On September 5th, Sterling confirmed he would return to the booth for the final homestand and the playoffs, including up to the 2024 World Series — where he would broadcast for the last time. It was a wonderful treat to have him on the call again, especially in big moments like Juan Soto’s pennant-winning homer in Cleveland.
Sterling made his final broadcast on October 30, 2024, in Game 5 of the World Series, when the Yankees lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers and he officially signed off for the final time. He occasionally popped back on the air for radio specials, but aside from that, his long career was over.
Sterling’s legacy amongst baseball and the Yankees earned him a lifetime of awards, including 12 sports Emmys (two for a biography-style television program called Yankeeography), multiple nominations for the Ford C. Frick Award by the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and he was awarded the Pride of the Yankees Award at the team’s annual Welcome Home dinner. It’s a true shame that Sterling won’t be around to see it, but hopefully he’ll one day get a plaque in Monument Park as well, just like Allen.
The number of incredible baseball moments that Sterling called over his tenured career seems incalcuble. He was a one-of-a-kind broadcaster with a one-of-a-kind spirit both for life and for baseball. He passed away on May 4, 2026, but he continues to be honored by Yankees and baseball fans alike inside and outside of the broadcast booth. His work will live on forever in the hearts and minds of everyone around the game, and the baseball world was blessed to have him be a part of such important pieces of the game’s history.
Happy birthday, Mr. Sterling! The first birthday after someone’s passing is always hard, and we send our best to his family on this day.
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 19, 2026: Javier Perez #68 of the Houston Astros throws a pitch during the third inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Miami Marlins at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 19, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below. Check out the previous day’s recap here.
AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (39-45) lost 4-3 (BOX SCORE)
Weiss got the start for Sugar Land and went 3.2 innings allowing 3 runs. The offense got on the board in the 6th inning on a Ferreras sac fly. In the 9th inning, Sugar Land rallied for 2 runs on an error and a Spence sac fly to tie the game. Unfortunately the Comets walked it off in the 9th as Sugar Land fell 4-3.
Michael Knorr, RHP: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Alimber Santa, RHP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
J.P. France, RHP: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (36-43) lost 8-3 (BOX SCORE)
The Hooks got on the board in the first inning on an Austin RBI double. They got another run in the third on a Biggers solo home run. Hicks got the start but struggled allowing 6 runs over 5 innings. The pen allowed a couple more runs as the Hooks found themselves down 8-2. The offense got one back in the 9th on Sisneros RBI single but that was it as they fell 8-3.
James Hicks, RHP: 5.0 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
Ramsey David, RHP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
Hudson Leach, RHP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Nic Swanson, RHP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
A+: Asheville Tourists (26-52) won 4-3 (BOX SCORE)
The Asheville offense got on the board in the first inning on a Moss RBI single. They got another run in the 3rd inning on a Powell RBI single. Smith started for Asheville and had a solid outing allowing 2 runs over 5.2 innings. In the 5th, the offense scored 2 runs on a Powell RBI double and Moss sac fly. The bullpen allowed a run in the 9th but was able to hold on for the 4-3 win.
Note: Moss is hitting .389 for Asheville this season.
Jackson Wells, RHP: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Francisco Frias, RHP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (SAVE)
A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (40-38) won 3-0 (BOX SCORE)
Perez started for the Woodpeckers and was dominant tossing 5 scoreless innings with 9 strikeouts. The Woodpeckers got on the board in the 6th inning on a Luciano 3 run home run. Gonzalez relieved Perez and pitched well as he closed out the game with 4 scoreless innings with the Woodpeckers winning 3-0.
Note: Perez has 10 walks to 86 strikeouts this season.
The New York Yankees are -158 home favorites against the Minnesota Twins, and I’m laying the moneyline rather than chasing the run line.
Zebby Matthews’ barrel and air-ball issues line up poorly against New York’s elevated power profile, while Brendan Beck’s first career start keeps Minnesota live enough to push this total Over.
Here are my Twins vs. Yankees predictions and MLB picks for Saturday, July 4.
Who will win Twins vs Yankees today: Yankees moneyline (-158)
After breaking through the slump yesterday, I'm more comfortable holding them to their regular-season priors too.
This profile looks like a matchup we’ve seen so often against New York: a starting pitcher with a high barrel rate problem that the Yankees expose.
Matthews enters this matchup with one in the bottom 5th percentile of the MLB. A metric the Yankees still top the league in.
Back the Yankees with confidence up to -165.
COVERS INTEL: Minnesota’s 39.4% ground-ball rate is below MLB average, giving the Twins more lift potential against Beck’s early hard-contact issues.
Twins vs Yankees Over/Under pick: Over 9.5 (-125)
Both lineups have a clear team-level path to damage. Matthews allows too much lift, and the Yankees’ offense is built to punish that with an above-average fly-ball rate, barrel rate, and expected slugging percentage.
The Minnesota Twins can answer against Brendan Beck. The sample size is super small for the young arm, who makes just his second appearance of the season and first career start; however, he allowed some loud contact in his first outing with an average exit velocity of 97.8 mph.
The Twins, who have a near-14 % barrel rate, can expose that. Play to 10.
Chris Hatfield's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 33-31, +4.35 units
Over/Under bets: 39-27, +16.40 units
Twins vs Yankees weather
Twins vs Yankees odds
Moneyline: Minnesota +160 | New York -158
Run line: Minnesota +1.5 | New York -1.5
Over/Under: Over 9.5 | Under 9.5
Twins vs Yankees trend
The New York Yankees have covered the Run Line in 14 of their last 30 games at home (+0.55 Units / 2% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Twins vs. Yankees.
How to watch Twins vs Yankees and game info
Location
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Date
Saturday, July 4, 2026
First pitch
1:35 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Twins starting pitcher
Zebby Matthews (4-5, 4.15 ERA)
Yankees starting pitcher
Brendan Beck (0-0, 6.00 ERA)
Twins vs Yankees latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
It was heartbreak for the Wallabies as Tom Clarkson scored a last-gasp converted try to help Ireland to a riveting 33-31 victory over Australia on Saturday in the Nations Championship.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 29: Braxton Ashcraft #35 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a pitch in the bottom of the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on June 29, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Washington Nationals, July 4, 2026, 11:05 a.m. ET
The Pittsburgh Pirates are celebrating the 4th of July by facing off against the Washington Nationals in the nation’s capital. It’s an early start for both teams to give fans an early and bright start to their Independence Day festivities.
Braxton Ashcraft is taking the mound for the Pirates. He’s won his last three starts, including his most recent appearance on June 29 against the Philadelphia Phillies, where he pitched six innings and gave up five hits and five runs. The Pirates’ offense had his back in the 11-7 victory.
He pitched against the Nationals at home on April 16, going 5.2 innings while giving up five hits and two runs in an 8-7 loss in 10 innings.
Zack Littell is getting the ball for the Nationals in the middle game of the series. Littell won his last start on June 28 against the Baltimore Orioles. He pitched five innings, giving up three hits and two runs in a 6-4 victory at Camden Yards. The Nats are 9-8 this season when Littell pitches, and he has won seven of 13 decisions he has been a part of.
If the Pirates play like they have in Ashcraft’s last three starts, they should be able to walk away with a win.
Devers will be looking forward to tonight's matchup against the Colorado Rockies as he faces Tomoyuki Sugano. The righty has allowed 2.17 HR/9 across the last month, and the ball flies in Denver.
Robbie Ray, meanwhile, takes the ball for the San Francisco Giants. He's compiled a 3.20 FIP across his last five appearances, and the left-hander hasn't allowed an earned run in three consecutive starts. He'll shut down the red-hot Rockies.
Time: 8:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: NBC Sports Bay Area, Rockies.TV
See full analysis of this game in our Giants vs. Rockies predictions.
Red Sox at Angels SGP: The Sonny Gray Show
Sonny Gray has been the Boston Red Sox's most reliable starter this season. The right-hander owns a 9-1 record, and he's compiled an impressive 2.48 xERA across his last five outings.
Gray has cashed the Under in earned runs allowed in three of his previous four appearances. The righty is up against a Los Angeles Angels lineup that is hitting .214 over the last week while posting a horrible 51 wRC+. Gray is also racking up the Ks, striking out 20 in his last two starts.
The Red Sox will face the struggling Sam Aldegheri, who has allowed 12 earned runs across his last three appearances. Boston will capitalize on his inability to limit hard contact, and Gray will toss a gem.
Time: 9:38 p.m. ET
Where to watch: NESN, ABTV
See full analysis of this game in our Red Sox. Angels predictions.
Padres at Dodgers SGP: Yamamoto Bounces Back
Yoshinobu Yamamoto has a 3.53 FIP over his last two starts, and he did allow three earned runs to the San Diego Padres last week. However, prior to his last two starts, the Los Angeles Dodgers ace cashed the Under in earned runs surrendered in five consecutive appearances.
Over the last month, his ERA sits at 2.22, and he owns a 2.08 ERA across two starts this season against the Padres.
Freddie Freeman is batting .370 over his last seven games while posting a 41.7% hard-hit rate. He has three multi-hit games over the last week, and the pitching matchup is favorable.
Griffin Canning has been getting torched, with opponents collecting a 49.1% hard-hit rate against him over the last month. Freeman is also hitting .314 off righties.
Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Padres.TV, SportsNet LA
See full analysis of this game in our Padres vs. Dodgers predictions.
Quinn Allen's 2026 Transparency Record
SGP picks: 0-3, -3.00
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
COVERS INTEL:Kyle Leahy ranks in the 16th percentile in Pitcher Run Value.
SFG vs 
COL 
BOS vs 
LAA 
SD vs 
LAD