The New York Mets called up Luisangel Acuña, the younger brother of Atlanta Braves superstar Rona...

<p>The New York Mets called up <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12167" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12167">Luisangel Acuña</a>, the younger brother of Atlanta Braves superstar <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8292" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8292">Ronald Acuña Jr.</a>, the team announced Saturday.</p><p>He'll make his major-league debut against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday, hitting ninth and playing shortstop.</p><p>Acuña is the 12th-ranked prospect in the Mets' farm system. The 22-year-old has been stationed at Triple-A Syracuse for the 2024 season, hitting .258/.299/.355 with seven homers and 14 steals over 131 games while playing shortstop, center field, and second base.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Mets acquired Acuña at last year's trade deadline in the blockbuster deal that sent right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/633" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/633">Max Scherzer</a> to the Texas Rangers.</p><p>New York had planned to call Acuña up before <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2909" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2909">Francisco Lindor</a> exited Friday night's game against the Philadelphia Phillies due to back soreness, according to <a href="https://x.com/NYPost_Mets/status/1834915109002424361">Mike Puma of the New York Post</a>.</p><p>In a corresponding move, the Mets optioned outfielder DJ Stewart to Triple-A.</p><p>The Mets continue their three-game set in Philadelphia on Saturday. They're 81-66, seven games back of the Phillies for the division lead and holding a one-game lead over the Braves for the final NL wild-card spot.</p>

West Palm Beach, FL.: New York Mets second baseman Luisangel Acuna throwing a baseball during a spring training game against the Washington Nationals, on February 26, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida.

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Mets call up Luisangel Acuña

The Texas Rangers are calling up right-handed pitching prospect Kumar Rocker, the team announced ...

<p>The Texas Rangers are calling up right-handed pitching prospect <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/15735" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/15735">Kumar Rocker</a>, the team announced Monday.</p><p>He will start and make his major-league debut Thursday against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">On Thursday, we Rock. <a href="https://t.co/DmTSivC4Hi">pic.twitter.com/DmTSivC4Hi</a></p>— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rangers/status/1833233944327897550?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Rocker, 24, is the No. 97 prospect in baseball while ranking second in Texas' system, according to <a href="https://www.mlb.com/prospects/rangers/">MLB Pipeline</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The former first-round pick owns a 1.96 ERA and 0.79 WHIP over 36 2/3 innings across three minor-league levels in 2024 after returning from Tommy John surgery. He was most recently stationed at Triple-A Round Rock where he allowed two runs over two starts, striking out 18 and walking one.</p><p>Drafted 10th overall by the New York Mets in 2021, Rocker made headlines when the team ultimately didn't sign him, and he re-entered the draft the following year. After playing in the independent Frontier League, Rocker was drafted third overall by the Rangers in 2022.</p>

SURPRISE, ARIZONA - MARCH 25, 2023: Kumar Rocker #80 of the Texas Rangers throws a pitch during a minor league spring training game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on March 25, 2023 in Surprise, Arizona.

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Rangers' Rocker to make MLB debut Thursday vs. Mariners

The Boston Red Sox designated corner infielder Bobby Dalbec for assignment Sunday.  Dalbec has st...

<p>The Boston Red Sox designated corner infielder Bobby Dalbec for assignment Sunday.</p><p>Dalbec has struggled this season, with the former highly touted prospect hitting .133/.217/.193 with one homer and three stolen bases over 37 MLB games while primarily playing first base.</p><p>"If you look at the swing-and-miss percentages, he's up there," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said, according to <a href="https://x.com/SmittyOnMLB/status/1832806298519237107">MassLive's Christopher Smith</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"He's still a good player. Good defender. Has some pop. He's a good athlete. So we'll (see) what happens in the upcoming days, and then we'll know more."</p><p>The 29-year-old has been with Triple-A Worcester since late June after being optioned to the minors.</p><p>Over parts of five seasons in the majors, Dalbec has posted a .714 OPS with 47 homers and nine steals over 331 contests. He enjoyed a promising start to his MLB career, hitting .243/.308/.511 with 33 dingers in his first 156 games through his sophomore campaign.</p><p>Boston's latest move clears a spot on the 40-man roster to select right-handed pitcher Richard Fitts. Boston also optioned righty Chase Shugart.</p><p>Fitts owns a 4.17 ERA and 1.28 WHIP over 116 2/3 innings while making 23 starts and one relief appearance for Triple-A Worcester this year.</p><p>The Red Sox acquired the 24-year-old pitcher from the New York Yankees before the 2024 season in the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5637" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5637">Alex Verdugo</a> trade.</p>

CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 21: Bobby Dalbec #29 of the Boston Red Sox bats during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on June 21, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati defeated Boston 5-2.

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Red Sox DFA Bobby Dalbec

The Chicago White Sox dismissed manager Pedro Grifol and named Grady Sizemore as his interim repl...

<p>The Chicago White Sox dismissed manager Pedro Grifol and named Grady Sizemore as his interim replacement, the team announced Thursday.</p><p>The White Sox also fired bench coach Charlie Montoyo, third base coach Eddie Rodriguez, and assistant hitting coach Mike Tosar.</p><p>Chicago is 28-89 on the season and snapped a 21-game losing streak Tuesday against the Oakland Athletics. However, the club lost again Wednesday in the series finale versus the A's.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"As we all recognize, our team's performance this season has been disappointing on many levels," general manager Chris Getz said in a statement. "Despite the on-field struggles and lack of success, we appreciate the effort and professionalism Pedro and the staff brought to the ballpark every day. These two seasons have been challenging. Unfortunately, the results were not there, and a change is necessary as we look to our future and the development of a new energy around the team."</p><p>Grifol was in his second season at the helm of the White Sox. He led the team to a dismal 61-101 record in his first campaign.</p><p>He accumulated an 89-190 record as Chicago's skipper.</p><p>"Grateful to Jerry (Reinsdorf), Rick (Hahn), and Kenny (Williams) for the opportunity," Grifol told <a href="https://x.com/CST_soxvan/status/1821565619650670992">Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times</a>. "I have health and a loving family. I have a spiritual foundation that gives me incredible strength, peace, and freedom. This won't break me. As a matter of fact, it only motivates me.</p><p>"The next thing I do in my life, I will do it for the love and passion I have for this game and for the sole purpose of serving others."</p><p>Sizemore served as Chicago's major-league coach under Grifol before being promoted into his new role.</p><p>The former star retired from MLB at 32 after injuries derailed his promising career. Sizemore made three All-Star teams over an eight-year stretch with the AL Central rival Cleveland franchise.</p><p> </p><p> </p>

ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 14: Grady Sizemore #24 of the Tampa Bay Rays hits in the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Global Life Park in Arlington on August 14, 2015 in Arlington, Texas.

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White Sox hire Sizemore as interim manager after firing Grifol

The Tennessee Titans are bringing in veteran safety Quandre Diggs on a one-year contract worth up...

<p>The Tennessee Titans are bringing in veteran safety <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/50171" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/50171">Quandre Diggs</a> on a one-year contract worth up to $5 million, according to <a href="https://x.com/RapSheet/status/1820241626704294316">NFL.com's Ian Rapoport</a>.</p><p>Diggs' deal guarantees $3 million with additional bonuses based on playing time and performance, Rapoport adds.</p><p>The Seattle Seahawks released the 31-year-old in March. He posted a career-best 95 tackles during the 2023 campaign and had one pick.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Diggs has racked up 24 interceptions while playing five years each with the Detroit Lions and Seahawks.</p><p>The three-time Pro Bowler is set to compete for a starting free safety role with incumbent <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/161841" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/161841">Elijah Molden</a>. Molden is entering his fourth year with the Titans.</p><p>The move reunites Diggs with long-time Seattle teammate <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/83128" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/83128">Jamal Adams</a>, who's competing for strong safety duties alongside <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/109234" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/109234">Amani Hooker</a>.</p><p>Tennessee went 6-11 last year, finishing last as the only team with a losing record in the AFC South.</p>

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 30: Quandre Diggs #6 of the Seattle Seahawks defends in coverage during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2023 in Arlington, Texas.

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Report: Titans, Quandre Diggs agree to 1-year deal

It can't be fun playing for the Chicago White Sox, who are in the midst of a franchise-record 15-...

<p>It can't be fun playing for the Chicago White Sox, who are in the midst of a franchise-record 15-game losing streak and might set a new modern-era record for losses. And yet two days before the MLB trade deadline, All-Star left-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12246" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12246">Garrett Crochet</a> seemingly made it more difficult for himself to get out of the South Side, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3043560" href="https://thescore.com/news/3043560">reportedly</a> demanding a contract extension in order to pitch in the postseason. Why would he do that?</p><p>The 25-year-old is having a Cy Young-caliber breakout campaign, authoring a 3.23 ERA and league-leading 2.42 FIP over 114 1/3 innings in his first season as a starter. But his odds of securing a new deal from a new employer in the middle of the season have to be zero.</p><p>Surely, then, with no team willing to meet the demand, his trade value tanked. Right?</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>White Sox general manager Chris Getz's comments after the deadline suggest otherwise.</p><p>"Garrett has had strong interest from clubs for obvious reasons," Getz <a href="https://x.com/CST_soxvan/status/1818434767152349474">said</a> Tuesday, adding that the White Sox "were having discussions with clubs up until the last hour."</p><p>Getz's explanation is an interesting one since the former big-league journeyman was quick to say he was "surprised" by Crochet's demands. He even criticized the young lefty.</p><p>"That's not exactly the tactic that I would've taken, being a former player, quite honestly," Getz said Monday.</p><p>Of course, Getz, still in his first full year as the club's GM, hit three homers over his mostly forgettable MLB career and would've never been afforded an opportunity to use a tactic like this to secure his financial future. In fact, between getting drafted in 2005 and retiring after 2014, Getz accrued 1.4 WAR in the majors, according to FanGraphs. This year alone, Crochet boasts 4.1 WAR.</p><p>And that's really what this all comes down to. Crochet wasn't thinking about his trade value, or which team might no longer be interested in him because of his request, or even how this demand would be perceived by his current employer. He was thinking, rightly, about himself, while pitching for one of the worst teams ever assembled.</p><p>Crochet is a 25-year-old flamethrower enjoying a breakout campaign who already missed an entire season due to Tommy John surgery. While the stigma around UCL reconstruction has dwindled somewhat, it's still no guarantee that pitchers bounce back from it, and repeat procedures continue to be viewed as steps toward forced retirement.</p><p>The former first-rounder has been nothing short of incredible for the abysmal White Sox, but he's making $800,000 this year - less than teammate Dominic Leone, for instance - and is beholden to salary suppression via arbitration for the next two seasons before being eligible to test free agency in 2027.</p><p>In 2015, a different All-Star pitcher who had missed the previous season due to Tommy John attempted to impose a 180-innings limit on himself. With his team - the New York Mets - hurtling toward postseason contention, he wound up waiving that demand due to pressure from within and outside the organization, and threw a total of 216 innings, including the playoffs. After that, Matt Harvey was never the same. He fell short of 100 frames the next two seasons, sustained multiple injuries, including thoracic outlet syndrome, and attempted a series of comebacks with multiple teams.</p><p><strong>Harvey's career regular-season performance</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th>IP</th>
<th>ERA</th>
<th>FIP</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>2012-15</td>
<td>427</td>
<td>2.53</td>
<td>2.65</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2016-21</td>
<td>539 1/3</td>
<td>5.92</td>
<td>5.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>That is an incomplete, oversimplified story of Harvey, but it serves as a cautionary and necessary tale for young pitchers. Don't risk further injury before you are able to earn financial security.</p><p>Crochet was not only right to make what some may see as a controversial demand, but he must do everything he can to prevent himself from becoming the next Matt Harvey.</p>

ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 16: Garrett Crochet #45 of the Chicago White Sox reacts after pitching during the 94th MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.

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Was Crochet right to demand an extension?

The 2024 MLB Draft starts July 14. Here are the names you need to know before the event gets unde...

<p><em>The 2024 MLB Draft starts July 14. Here are the names you need to know before the event gets underway, why you need to know them, and projections on when we might hear their names called.</em></p><h3>Travis Bazzana, 2B, Oregon State</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636267/cropped_GettyImages-2156292387.jpg?ts=1720548880" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636267/w220xh124_GettyImages-2156292387.jpg?ts=1720548880 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636267/w320xh180_GettyImages-2156292387.jpg?ts=1720548880 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636267/w640xh360_GettyImages-2156292387.jpg?ts=1720548880 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636267/w768xh432_GettyImages-2156292387.jpg?ts=1720548880 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636267/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2156292387.jpg?ts=1720548880 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Age</strong>: 21<br><strong>Height</strong>: 6-feet<br><strong>Weigh</strong>t: 199 lbs<br><strong>B/T</strong>: L/R</p><p><strong>Reason to know him</strong>: The No. 1 prospect on MLB Pipeline.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Bazzana can make history as the first-ever Australian to go in the first round of the draft - and nobody would blink twice if his name gets called to start the event. The 21-year-old tore the cover off the ball after joining OSU this season, posting a 1.479 OPS with 28 homers and 16 steals over 60 games. While his most likely landing spot in the majors is second base, he could have the defensive ability to manage center field.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Who will draft Bazzana?" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-4fCvs" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/4fCvs/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="333" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><h3>Charlie Condon, OF/3B, Georgia</h3><p><strong>Age</strong>: 21<br><strong>Height</strong>: 6-6<br><strong>Weigh</strong>t: 216 lbs<br><strong>B/T</strong>: R/R</p><p><strong>Reason to know him</strong>: Firmly one of the big four of the class. Elite power.</p><p>After being undersized out of high school and going undrafted, Condon took his talents to Georgia. He's since grown to a towering 6-foot-6 and bloomed into an elite slugger, hitting 33 homers over 47 games. While he's gotten regular reps both at third base and in center field, he likely projects as a corner outfielder or first baseman in the majors.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Who will draft Condon?" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-atluT" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/atluT/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="332" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><h3>Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP, Florida</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/632769/cropped_GettyImages-2156409928.jpg?ts=1718318871" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/632769/w220xh124_GettyImages-2156409928.jpg?ts=1718318871 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/632769/w320xh180_GettyImages-2156409928.jpg?ts=1718318871 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/632769/w640xh360_GettyImages-2156409928.jpg?ts=1718318871 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/632769/w768xh432_GettyImages-2156409928.jpg?ts=1718318871 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/632769/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2156409928.jpg?ts=1718318871 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Age</strong>: 21<br><strong>Height</strong>: 6-5<br><strong>Weigh</strong>t: 250 lbs<br><strong>B/T</strong>: L/L</p><p><strong>Reason to know him</strong>: Prolific slugger, Gators' all-time homer leader. Arguably the most MLB-ready of the class.</p><p>As it stands, there's very little that Caglianone would have to prove in the minors as a slugger. He's the most MLB-ready prospect in the class. However, some see him as a potential two-way star and, if he's going to get developed as a left-handed pitcher as well, he'll need time. It'll be fascinating to see how early his name gets called, analyze how quickly he could progress through that particular system, and hear what position(s) he gets drafted under.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Who will draft Caglianone?" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-PX3Wm" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/PX3Wm/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="332" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><h3>JJ Wetherholt, SS, West Virginia</h3><p><strong>Age</strong>: 21<br><strong>Height</strong>: 5-10<br><strong>Weigh</strong>t: 190 lbs<br><strong>B/T</strong>: L/R</p><p><strong>Reason to know him</strong>: Might go first overall. Most well-rounded skill set of big four.</p><p>Wetherholt is a highly polished hitter who won the D1 batting title and Big 12 Conference Player of the Year. His chance to go first overall largely depends on what the Guardians want to do in this year's draft. In what might be called an underwhelming class, Wetherholt poses an interesting under-slot option while playing a premium defensive position.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Who will draft Wetherholt?" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-nssKP" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/nssKP/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="332" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><h3>Hagen Smith, LHP, Arkansas</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636270/cropped_GettyImages-2155205782.jpg?ts=1720549321" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636270/w220xh124_GettyImages-2155205782.jpg?ts=1720549321 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636270/w320xh180_GettyImages-2155205782.jpg?ts=1720549321 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636270/w640xh360_GettyImages-2155205782.jpg?ts=1720549321 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636270/w768xh432_GettyImages-2155205782.jpg?ts=1720549321 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636270/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2155205782.jpg?ts=1720549321 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Age</strong>: 20<br><strong>Height</strong>: 6-3<br><strong>Weigh</strong>t: 225 lbs<br><strong>B/T</strong>: L/L</p><p><strong>Reason to know him</strong>: Top pitcher on the board.</p><p>Smith's fastball tops out at 100mph, and the lefty is what scouts dream of. He's improved his control and posted a very impressive 161-to-34 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 84 innings pitched this past year.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Who will draft Smith?" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-uOflQ" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/uOflQ/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="332" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><h3>Chase Burns, RHP, Wake Forest</h3><p><strong>Age</strong>: 21<br><strong>Height</strong>: 6-3<br><strong>Weigh</strong>t: 210 lbs<br><strong>B/T</strong>: R/R</p><p><strong>Reason to know him</strong>: Top right-hander on the board.</p><p>Burns and Smith are head and shoulders above the rest of this year's pitching class. Any team targeting pitching early will leap to the podium to call their names. While Smith is rated slightly higher, Burns' 191-to-30 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 100 innings is better than the lefty's.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Who will draft Burns?" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-2Agir" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/2Agir/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="332" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><h3>Nick Kurtz, 1B, Wake Forest</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/580749/cropped_GettyImages-1493631872.jpg?ts=1686515135" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/580749/w220xh124_GettyImages-1493631872.jpg?ts=1686515135 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/580749/w320xh180_GettyImages-1493631872.jpg?ts=1686515135 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/580749/w640xh360_GettyImages-1493631872.jpg?ts=1686515135 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/580749/w768xh432_GettyImages-1493631872.jpg?ts=1686515135 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/580749/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1493631872.jpg?ts=1686515135 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Eakin Howard / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Age</strong>: 21<br><strong>Height</strong>: 6-5<br><strong>Weigh</strong>t: 240 lbs<br><strong>B/T</strong>: L/L</p><p><strong>Reason to know him</strong>: Might be the most MLB-ready.</p><p>If Caglianone does get drafted as a two-way player or winds up in an organization that's in no rush to get him to the big leagues (as many early picks are), Kurtz is the most likely slugger to make a quick jump to MLB. Because he plays first base, he has less to work on defensively than he would at other premium position and posted a 1.235 OPS with 61 homers throughout college without ever really faltering. </p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Who will draft Kurtz?" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-pPpre" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/pPpre/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="332" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><h3>Cam Caminiti, LHP, Saguaro HS (Ariz.)</h3><p><strong>Age</strong>: 17<br><strong>Height</strong>: 6-2<br><strong>Weigh</strong>t: 195 lbs<br><strong>B/T</strong>: L/L</p><p><strong>Reason to know him</strong>: Ken Caminiti's cousin. Very polished high-school arm.</p><p>Caminiti is an exceptional prospect beyond being the cousin of former NL MVP and three-time All-Star Ken Caminiti. A prep lefty with elite strikeout acumen entering the draft a year earlier than expected, the 17-year-old could hear his name called very early in a pitching class that's not especially exciting.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Who will draft Caminiti?" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-MUfy3" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/MUfy3/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="332" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><h3>Jurrangelo Cijntje, RHP/LHP, Mississippi State</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636272/cropped_GettyImages-2154341665.jpg?ts=1720549518" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636272/w220xh124_GettyImages-2154341665.jpg?ts=1720549518 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636272/w320xh180_GettyImages-2154341665.jpg?ts=1720549518 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636272/w640xh360_GettyImages-2154341665.jpg?ts=1720549518 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636272/w768xh432_GettyImages-2154341665.jpg?ts=1720549518 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636272/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2154341665.jpg?ts=1720549518 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Age</strong>: 21<br><strong>Height</strong>: 5-11<br><strong>Weigh</strong>t: 200 lbs<br><strong>B/T</strong>: S/S</p><p><strong>Reason to know him</strong>: 🚨 Ambidextrous pitcher 🚨</p><p>An ambidextrous pitcher hasn't reached MLB since reliever Pat Venditte, who made his most recent big-league appearance in 2020. Cijntje will look to make a more lasting impression than Venditte, though, as he has the stamina and stuff to handle a starter's workload.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Who will draft Cijntje?" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-1Gfb9" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/1Gfb9/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="332" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><h3>Noah Franco, LHP/OF, IMG Academy (Fla.)</h3><p><strong>Age</strong>: 18<br><strong>Height</strong>: 6-3<br><strong>Weigh</strong>t: 205 lbs<br><strong>B/T</strong>: L/L</p><p><strong>Reason to know him</strong>: Top-rated legitimate two-way prospect.</p><p>While Caglianone might be considered a two-way prospect, he'll most likely make his way to the majors as a slugger. That leaves Franco, No. 92 on MLB Pipeline, as the top-rated legitimate two-way prospect. Like Caminiti, he reclassified to be eligible for the draft one year earlier than expected, and a team looking to create the next Ohtani will jump at the opportunity to select a player like Franco and give him an extra year in its system to develop him to meet the organization's needs.</p><p><strong>Where he'll go:</strong></p><p><strong>theScore</strong>: 116th overall (SF)<br><strong>MLB Pipeline</strong>: 2nd round or later<br><strong>ESPN</strong>: 2nd round or later<br><strong>The Athletic</strong>: 2nd round or later<br><strong>Baseball America</strong>: 2nd round or later</p>

SEATTLE, WA - JULY 09: A detail view of the MLB Draft Logo during the MLB Draft presented by Nike at Lumen Field on Sunday, July 9, 2023 in Seattle, Washington.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/27762428/related

MLB draft: 10 names to know and where they'll go

It's been just over one year since Paul Skenes was drafted first overall by the Pittsburgh Pirate...

<p>It's been just over one year since <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17521" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/17521">Paul Skenes</a> was drafted first overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2023 MLB Draft. Since then, he's not only made the major leagues, but been so dominant that it looks like he's ready for another call-up to a more difficult league. On Friday, he was validated even further and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2938804" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2938804">named</a> the All-Star Game's starting pitcher for the National League.</p><p>It's almost unfathomable that, twice already in his young career, Skenes has been sent to the mound and has refused to allow a hit. On Thursday, he was removed from his second no-hitter through 11 games due to pitch count in a bid to become the 25th rookie in MLB history to complete the feat.</p><p>Here's how his starts have looked:</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Date</th>
<th>Opponent</th>
<th>IP</th>
<th>K</th>
<th>BB</th>
<th>ER</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>May 11</td>
<td>Cubs</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>May 17*</td>
<td>Cubs</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>May 23</td>
<td>Giants</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>May 29</td>
<td>Tigers</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>June 5</td>
<td>Dodgers</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>June 11</td>
<td>Cardinals</td>
<td>6.1</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>June 17</td>
<td>Reds</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>June 23</td>
<td>Rays</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>June 29</td>
<td>Braves</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>July 5</td>
<td>Mets</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>July 11*</td>
<td>Brewers</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><em>* denotes no-hit bid</em></p><p>Skenes' first-half stats are relatively official now, as he won't play again before the All-Star break. So, it's time to ask: are baseball fans witnessing the beginning of a generational career?</p><p>Here's the full list of pitchers with a sub-2.00 ERA and more than 85 strikeouts over their first 11 career starts:</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pitcher</th>
<th>IP</th>
<th>K</th>
<th>BB</th>
<th>ERA</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Skenes</td>
<td>66.1</td>
<td>89</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>1.90</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>That's it. That's the list.</p><p>Let's now drop the ERA stipulation and include any rookie pitcher with at least 85 punchouts through 11 starts.</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pitcher</th>
<th>Year</th>
<th>IP</th>
<th>K</th>
<th>BB</th>
<th>ERA</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Kerry Wood</td>
<td>1998</td>
<td>64.2</td>
<td>98</td>
<td>35</td>
<td>2.92</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hideo Nomo</td>
<td>1995</td>
<td>74.1</td>
<td>96</td>
<td>40</td>
<td>2.30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Herb Score</td>
<td>1955</td>
<td>81</td>
<td>92</td>
<td>58</td>
<td>3.22</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>José DeLeón</td>
<td>1983</td>
<td>82</td>
<td>91</td>
<td>33</td>
<td>2.52</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Skenes</td>
<td>2024</td>
<td>66.1</td>
<td>89</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>1.90</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Masahiro Tanaka</td>
<td>2014</td>
<td>78.2</td>
<td>88</td>
<td>12</td>
<td>2.06</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dwight Gooden</td>
<td>1984</td>
<td>67.1</td>
<td>87</td>
<td>33</td>
<td>3.07</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Stephen Strasburg</td>
<td>2010</td>
<td>63.2</td>
<td>86</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>2.97</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Eagle-eyed fans of the sport will note that Wood, Nomo, Score, and Gooden all won Rookie of the Year in their respective leagues, which bodes well for Skenes. Strasburg likely would've won the award if he wasn't placed on an extremely controversial innings limit.</p><p>However, the list is interestingly devoid of Hall of Famers. There are many pitchers with incredibly impressive careers on there, but they lacked the longevity required to make it to Cooperstown.</p><p>That's a crucial distinction to make as baseball fans enjoy the opening stanza of Skenes' hopefully long and storied career. The discourse around teams instituting pitch-count limits isn't slowing down, with some fans still clamoring about the arbitrary century mark. Considering that's almost certainly why Pirates fans have been deprived of watching Skenes throw a no-hitter, the ire is somewhat warranted. But Pittsburgh can't care about that; it needs to continue doing what's best for the young ace.</p><p>Wood, atop the list above and the only pitcher on there with more strikeouts in fewer innings than Skenes, remains a particularly cautionary tale. As a 20-year-old rookie, Wood infamously tossed a 20-K gem but needed 122 pitches to pull it off. It was before we knew about the potential damage that could cause, so it's hard to fault the Cubs too much. But he missed the final month of that campaign with elbow soreness and never really showed that level of dominance again due to injuries throughout his career.</p><p>The answer to whether or not Skenes is generational hinges upon whether or not his longevity can be maintained.</p>

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Is Paul Skenes already a generational pitcher?

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie right-hander Paul Skenes was named the starting pitcher for the Nationa...

<p>Pittsburgh Pirates rookie right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17521" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/17521">Paul Skenes</a> was named the starting pitcher for the National League All-Star team.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Your NL <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AllStarGame?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AllStarGame</a> starting pitcher: Paul Skenes ⭐<br><br>As announced on the <a href="https://twitter.com/dpshow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DPShow</a>, the <a href="https://twitter.com/Pirates?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Pirates</a> rookie gets the nod in his first All-Star Game! <a href="https://t.co/M9QFgH5s1O">pic.twitter.com/M9QFgH5s1O</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1811786542236516679?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The news comes on the heels of Skenes dominating the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday. He was removed from a no-hit bid with 11 strikeouts and one walk over seven innings.</p><p>With 11 career MLB starts, it's the fewest games any All-Star has ever played, according to <a href="https://x.com/SlangsOnSports/status/1811789717702066338">Sarah Langs of MLB.com</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 22-year-old is also the sixth-youngest pitcher to ever start the exhibition contest.</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pitcher</th>
<th>Year</th>
<th>Age (Year.Days)</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Jerry Walker</td>
<td>1959</td>
<td>20.172</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fernando Valenzuela</td>
<td>1981</td>
<td>20.281</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dwight Gooden</td>
<td>1986</td>
<td>21.241</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mark Fidrych</td>
<td>1976</td>
<td>21.334</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vida Blue</td>
<td>1971</td>
<td>21.350</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Skenes</td>
<td>2024</td>
<td>22.048*</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><em>* Skenes' age when game begins on Tuesday</em></p><p>Skenes, who was drafted first overall in the 2023 MLB Draft just over one year ago, is also only the fifth rookie to be named an All-Star Game starting pitcher. He joins Fidrych and Valenzuela, as well as Dave Stenhouse and Hideo Nomo.</p><p>Skenes made his MLB debut in May and has been remarkable ever since, authoring a 1.90 ERA and 2.58 FIP over 66 1/3 innings.</p><p>Now, the rising star is ready to face the best the AL has to offer. </p><p>"I'm guessing it's gonna be (Gunnar) Henderson, (Juan) Soto, and (Aaron) Judge," he told "<a href="https://x.com/dpshow/status/1811793213969084816">The Dan Patrick Show</a>" on Friday. "They're all pretty dang good players so I'll be focused on getting them out by one by one."</p><p>The Midsummer Classic is scheduled for Tuesday, July 16 at 8 p.m. ET at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.</p>

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 17: Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on while pitching during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Friday, May 17, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.

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Pirates' Skenes named NL All-Star starting pitcher

We offer our takeaways following each race weekend this year and continue the 2024 schedule with ...

<p><em>We offer our takeaways following each race weekend this year and continue the 2024 schedule with the British GP.</em></p><h3>Moments that decided the race 👀</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636071/cropped_GettyImages-2161020415.jpg?ts=1720381518" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636071/w220xh124_GettyImages-2161020415.jpg?ts=1720381518 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636071/w320xh180_GettyImages-2161020415.jpg?ts=1720381518 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636071/w640xh360_GettyImages-2161020415.jpg?ts=1720381518 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636071/w768xh432_GettyImages-2161020415.jpg?ts=1720381518 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636071/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2161020415.jpg?ts=1720381518 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Mario Renzi - Formula 1 / Formula 1 / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Hamilton seizes the opportunity, breaks his drought</strong></p><p>It was a weekend that had everything you'd want in a grand prix, and more.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>There were constant battles for P1. Rainy conditions forced an additional pit stop midway through the race. Four different drivers held first place at different times. And records were broken, ending with Lewis Hamilton winning his ninth British Grand Prix. Hamilton's victory ended the longest drought of his storied career, a 56-race winless streak dating back to the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. He's the sixth winner of a Grand Prix this season, which is the most in over a decade.</p><p>Hamilton held onto his second-place position after qualifying P2 before momentarily moving ahead of teammate George Russell with the onset of the rain during Lap 18. But Lando Norris passed both of them once the rain took hold, and Russell retired due to a water system issue.</p><p>Hamilton switched to softs on Lap 39 and, after a costly slow pit stop by Norris during Lap 40, sped down the straight to take back his lead. The Brit then held off both Norris and Max Verstappen in the final 12 laps to take the victory and demonstrate that he still has the pace and mindset to rise to the occasion.</p><p>The midseason is where you start to see the champions rise and others stagnate. The Silver Arrows have been rising, as their front wing upgrades in Monaco have resulted in improved aerodynamics. Mercedes technical director James Allison also noted before the Canadian GP that there were more enhancements to come.</p><p>Mercedes has managed to avoid the strategic and miscommunication problems that have plagued both Ferrari and McLaren. The Silver Arrows' back-to-back wins for the first time in over two seasons have shown they're in consistent, competitive form.</p><p><strong>McLaren fumbles another win</strong></p><p>McLaren can only walk away from the British Grand Prix wondering what if after squandering another opportunity.</p><p>A compound of errors from both driver and pit wall saw McLaren finish third and fourth in a race where the team was first and second at one point.</p><p>Problems began at the start when Verstappen overtook Norris. By the time Norris got past Verstappen on Lap 15, he was nearly five seconds off the leaders. He grabbed the lead on Lap 20, while Oscar Piastri slid into second as the rain began to fall.</p><p>But it all started to go wrong shortly after.</p><p>With the rain increasing on Lap 27, McLaren made the call to pit Norris but leave Piastri out for an additional lap. While a timely double stack would've been impossible, the time lost would've still been less than when Piastri stayed out on slick tires on a wet track. Piastri was over 11 seconds slower than Verstappen - who pitted two laps earlier for intermediates - through the first two sectors of his lap.</p><p>Then, Norris lost his lead in the next pit stops. He stayed out one lap longer than Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen and came out behind Hamilton for the lead. At first glance, it looked like an error on the pit crew. But the McLaren driver lost valuable seconds after missing his marks in the pit.</p><p>However, Norris ultimately finished third behind Hamilton and Verstappen due to strategy (more on this below). The pit wall opted for a set of soft tires despite having an extra set of medium tires, which Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen didn't have. As a result, Norris finished 7.5 seconds off the win and was overtaken by the Dutch world champion, who was on fresh hard tires.</p><p>Despite having a very competitive car since Miami, McLaren hasn't added to its win despite Red Bull, Mercedes, and even Ferrari doing the same.</p><p><strong>F1 seems better than ever</strong></p><p>It's not hyperbole to say that the year has progressed almost perfectly at the halfway point of the season.</p><p>Formula 1 has made a concerted effort with new regulations, including spending caps, to improve parity. It seemed like it'd be the same old at first with Verstappen winning five of the seven races and finishing first in every qualifying.</p><p>But through 12 chapters, F1 fans have been treated to six different winners from four different teams. Tuning into a grand prix is no longer a foregone conclusion. The teams behind Red Bull have also done an impressive job at closing the gap themselves with midseason upgrades.</p><p>There's still a ton to race for when F1 resumes in Hungary two weeks, including first place. It'd be pretty foolish to bet against Verstappen clinching his fourth straight title down the back half of the campaign, but only 61 points separate second-place Norris from eighth-place Hamilton. That seems to be what the FIA, drivers, and fans all want to see.</p><h3>Driver of the Day 🙌</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636058/cropped_GettyImages-2161020141.jpg?ts=1720373160" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636058/w220xh124_GettyImages-2161020141.jpg?ts=1720373160 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636058/w320xh180_GettyImages-2161020141.jpg?ts=1720373160 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636058/w640xh360_GettyImages-2161020141.jpg?ts=1720373160 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636058/w768xh432_GettyImages-2161020141.jpg?ts=1720373160 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/636058/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2161020141.jpg?ts=1720373160 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Bryn Lennon - Formula 1 / Formula 1 / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Hamilton</strong>: It was a record-breaking race for Hamilton in Silverstone. The Brit surpassed Michael Schumacher for the most ever Grand Prix wins at a singular circuit. In his 344th start, Hamilton became the first driver in the history of F1 to win after their 300th and the oldest driver to win a race in the 21st century. To top it all off, he extended his record for the most wins of all time with 104. It was a storybook final home Grand Prix for Hamilton and Mercedes, one of the most decorated partnerships in the history of the sport.</p><h3>What were they thinking? 🤔</h3><p>There were a few poor strategy calls from McLaren to pick from, but it was one decision in particular that likely threw away another win for Norris. After going back and forth with Norris on the radio, McLaren opted to follow Hamilton's lead and fit soft tires for the final stint despite having fresh mediums available. Oddly, McLaren put a fresh set of medium tires on Piastri for the final stint. Looking at their stints, it's obvious that the mediums were the right call.</p><p><strong>Final stint race pace:</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Driver</th>
<th> Tire</th>
<th> Average Lap Time</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Lando Norris</td>
<td> Soft</td>
<td> 1:30.124</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Oscar Piastri</td>
<td> Medium</td>
<td> 1:29.394</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Despite the Australian being 17 seconds off Norris when emerging from the pits, he ended up just 4.8 seconds off Norris at the checkered flag. Fitting the medium tires on Norris was likely the difference between him standing on the third step of the podium and winning his home Grand Prix.</p><h3>They said what? 🗣️</h3><p><strong>Hamilton on his race win</strong>: "I've never cried from a win. ... I can't stop crying! It's been since 2021, every day getting up, trying to fight, to train, to put my mind to the task and work as hard as I can with this amazing team. ... There's definitely been days between 2021 and here where I didn't feel like I was good enough, or whether I was going to get back to where I am today, but the important thing is I had great people around me continuing to support me."</p><p><strong>Toto Wolff on Hamilton winning his final British GP with Mercedes</strong>: "Fantastic. You couldn't have written it better for our farewell at the British Grand Prix. That was great. ... It's like a fairytale, how we leave the British crowds there with the most successful British driver ever."</p><p><strong>Norris on McLaren falling short of victory</strong>: "Should we (have) won a race today? Yes. Did we? No. I'm not going to be happy. We lost points to Max, so I'm not happy. I'm not going to be happy. It's where we deserve to be now, we're fighting the guys at the top."</p><p><strong>Russell on his shocking DNF and another potential podium lost</strong>: "Yeah, really disappointed. ... Everything was under control at the beginning in the dry, then very challenging conditions in the damp. I started losing power, and next thing I had to retire the car. So yeah, really disappointing."</p><p><strong>Verstappen on battling back from a P4 start to a second-place finish</strong>: "It didn't look great at some point. I was really thinking, 'Are we going to finish fifth, sixth?' But we made the right calls. Going from the slicks to the inters, and then also from the inters back to the slicks, I think it was every time the right lap."</p><p><strong>Norris on which race he wants to win the most</strong>: "Silverstone. My home race. It's where I grew up. It's the track I remember watching first off in Formula 1 back in 2006, 2007. But it's just the feeling you get from the people there supporting you beats anything to do with history of Monaco or importance of place."</p><p><strong>Russell on himself, Norris, and Hamilton being fastest in qualifying</strong>: "The crowd give(s) us all so much energy, the three of us. I don't think Silverstone could have dreamt of the three Brits in the top three. So, honestly, the support, we just absolutely love it, and we can't wait for the race."</p><p><strong>McLaren boss Zak Brown on ongoing spat with Red Bull</strong>: "We need to have respect for regulations, and we've seen there be lack of respect, whether it's financial regulations or, you know, sporting, on-track issues with fathers and things of that nature. And I just don't think that's how we need to go racing, and we need to guide our drivers on what's right or wrong."</p><p><strong>Former F1 champ Sebastian Vettel on Hamilton's win via Instagram</strong>: </p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">📲: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Seb5?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Seb5</a> : Goat Congrats Lewis<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BritishGP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BritishGP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Vettel?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Vettel</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hamilton?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hamilton</a> <a href="https://t.co/9dUw7R0hOK">pic.twitter.com/9dUw7R0hOK</a></p>— Sebastian Vettel Updates (@ocsebvettel) <a href="https://twitter.com/ocsebvettel/status/1809980738982563926?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>What's next?</h3><p>After a short summer break, the season resumes July 21 with the Hungarian Grand Prix getting underway at 9 a.m. ET at the Hungaroring.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Drivers' standings" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-oBEli" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/oBEli/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="945" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Constructors' championship " aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-CpPyK" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/CpPyK/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="569" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure>

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British GP takeaways: Don't call it a comeback, Lewis never left

Nate Diaz is the BMF after all.  The 39-year-old bested his old nemesis Jorge Masvidal via majori...

<p>Nate Diaz is the BMF after all.</p><p>The 39-year-old bested his old nemesis Jorge Masvidal via majority decision (95-95, 97-93, 98-92) in a 10-round boxing match on Saturday at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.</p><p>The fight was a rematch of a November 2019 mixed martial arts bout between the two at UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden. Diaz lost to Masvidal after a doctor's stoppage due to a cut in the third round, giving the latter the inaugural BMF belt. </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Diaz is now 1-1 as a boxer after losing to Jake Paul last year. The former UFC star called out Paul for a rematch following his victory over Masvidal on Saturday.</p><p>"I'm going to beat Jake Paul's f-----g ass," Diaz <a href="https://x.com/ESPNRingside/status/1809833163260117261">said</a> in his postfight interview in front of a raucous California audience that supported him all night.</p><p>Masvidal, meanwhile, said the judges must've been influenced by the crowd supporting Diaz throughout the bout and added he was open to a rematch.</p><p>"I thought I won," Masvidal said, per <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/2024/7/7/24193479/nate-diaz-exacts-revenge-with-majority-decision-win-over-jorge-masvidal-in-back-and-forth-battle">MMA Fighting's Damon Martin</a>. "I thought I hit the harder shots. We can do it again, we're 1-1. We'll find a place and do it again. I definitely thought I landed more meaningful shots."</p>

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JULY 06: (L-R) Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz during round nine of their cruiserweights fight at Honda Center on July 06, 2024 in Anaheim, California.

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Diaz beats Masvidal in boxing rematch of 2019 UFC bout

<p><em>We offer our takeaways following each race weekend this year and continue the 2024 schedule with the Austrian GP.</em></p><h3>Moments that decided the race 👀</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635416/cropped_GettyImages-2159818562.jpg?ts=1719899157" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635416/w220xh124_GettyImages-2159818562.jpg?ts=1719899157 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635416/w320xh180_GettyImages-2159818562.jpg?ts=1719899157 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635416/w640xh360_GettyImages-2159818562.jpg?ts=1719899157 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635416/w768xh432_GettyImages-2159818562.jpg?ts=1719899157 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635416/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2159818562.jpg?ts=1719899157 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Bryn Lennon - Formula 1 / Formula 1 / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Norris, Verstappen come to blows</strong></p><p>What looked like a predictable 1-2 podium between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris ended up with two damaged cars, a race retirement, and perhaps a fractured friendship between the two rivals.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>It all boiled over at Turn 3 on Lap 64. With Norris increasingly on the tail of Verstappen, the McLaren driver made a move on the outside of the Red Bull before Verstappen slightly crept his car back left. The contact left both drivers with punctured tires, forcing them to the pits.</p><p>The stewards determined Verstappen moving to the left before the corner caused a collision and ruled him "predominantly at fault." He was penalized with a 10-second penalty, leaving him to finish fifth after pitting for new tires. However, Norris received a crueler punishment, being forced to retire from the race and surrendering 10 points to Verstappen, more than he would have if he finished second.</p><p>Though the incident itself fell solely on Verstappen according to the stewards, there was a lot of blame to go around for the events leading to the incident. Red Bull's uncharacteristic slow 6.5-second pitstop on Lap 51 wiped out a 7-plus-second lead and put him in the jaws of Norris. It was a costly mistake from Red Bull as without it, perhaps the clock runs out on Norris - who had a pace advantage on his final stint - before any potential collision could happen.</p><p>Norris also was served a black and white flag warning for track limits in his chase. The British driver attempted many opportunistic moves but made a critical mistake on Lap 59 when he went off track when overtaking Verstappen. A five-second penalty seemed inevitable, but the decision came late. It's not unreasonable to believe a timely enforced penalty would have negated the need for a tense wheel-to-wheel battle.</p><p>While the collision handed victory in Austria to Mercedes' George Russell, it also turned the Verstappen-Norris rivalry on its head. The duo have raced as friendly combatants maybe for the last time. The gloves are now off.</p><p>"I just expected a bit more from him," Norris said after the race.</p><p><strong>Russell the benefactor</strong></p><p>While we wait to see if Norris and Verstappen can salvage their friendship, Russell gets to celebrate.</p><p>It's been a long drought for the once-dominant Mercedes. The last time the Silver Arrows sent a driver to the podium's top step was way back in Sao Paulo in 2022 when Russell led a Mercedes 1-2 finish alongside Lewis Hamilton.</p><p>Perhaps most importantly, the victory shows some maturity from the 26-year-old Russell, who figures to be Mercedes' top driver in mere months once the seven-time champ Hamilton officially jets for Ferrari.</p><p>"You've got to be there in the end to pick up the pieces, and that's where we were," the young Brit said after spending the vast majority of the race in a distant third place before taking it home thanks to the Norris-Verstappen spat.</p><p>Once that happened, it wasn't clinical for Russell, either. He still had to hold off a hard-charging Oscar Piastri on newer tires, but he ultimately beat the young Aussie by nearly two seconds.</p><p>That's a version of Russell that F1 fans haven't seen nearly enough of at this point in his career and that Mercedes frankly needed to see. Remember, back in 2023, we witnessed Russell put his car in the wall on the final lap in Singapore while staring down a podium finish at worst and what could've easily been a victory. Earlier this year, Russell made a similar miscue, ramming the barrier on the penultimate lap of the Australian GP while attempting to chase down Fernando Alonso for a sixth-place finish.</p><p>When the pressure is on, Russell, now in his third year with Merc and sixth in F1, has lacked poise. On Sunday, though, that wasn't the case. Faced with an imminent Hamilton-less future, that's music to Toto Wolff's ears.</p><h3>Driver of the Day 🙌</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635266/cropped_GettyImages-2159952689.jpg?ts=1719805313" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635266/w220xh124_GettyImages-2159952689.jpg?ts=1719805313 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635266/w320xh180_GettyImages-2159952689.jpg?ts=1719805313 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635266/w640xh360_GettyImages-2159952689.jpg?ts=1719805313 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635266/w768xh432_GettyImages-2159952689.jpg?ts=1719805313 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635266/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2159952689.jpg?ts=1719805313 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jayce Illman / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Nico Hulkenberg</strong>: It was a true team weekend for Haas, and Hulkenberg led the way. Starting from P9, he slowly chipped away at his competitors with help from teammate Kevin Magnussen to land P6. After Magnussen made a mistake near the beginning of the final lap, the German driver deliberately let Red Bull's Sergio Perez pass him. Hulkenberg then took advantage of the slipstream Perez created to overtake the Mexican driver and reclaim P6. He earned his highest grid position since 2019 when he drove for Renault. The American constructors have shown glimmers of hope throughout the past couple of races. With Hulk proving that he can defend and pass a Red Bull, the drivers' championship may soon reflect the squad's improvements.</p><h3>They said what? 🗣️</h3><p><strong>Norris on if friendship with Verstappen can be salvaged after their collision:</strong> "It depends what he says. If he says he did nothing wrong, then I will lose a lot of respect for that. If he admits to being a bit stupid and running into me and being a bit reckless in a way, then I will lose only a small amount of respect for him. It's a tough one to take when fighting for the win. I was trying to be fair from my side, and he just wasn't."</p><p><strong>Verstappen on how to address the incident:</strong> "We will talk about it. Not now. It is not the right time. Better to cool down. We are racing drivers. Lando and I, we have a little age gap, and that is why we never really raced against each other in lower categories unlike some of the other drivers. But we will move on."</p><p><strong>McLaren team principal Andrea Stella on who is to blame for the incident between Verstappen and Norris:</strong> "I see that the entire population of the world would know who is responsible, except for a group of people."</p><p><strong>Wolff on bothering Russell over team radio while in a braking zone:</strong> "That was the dumbest thing I have done in 12 years at Mercedes. I will forever be ashamed of this. You look at where you message the driver. You don't do it on braking or high-speed corners. But I didn't look at where he was, and I saw (Verstappen and Norris) taking each other out, and I just emotionally pushed the button and said: 'We can win this.'"</p><p><strong>Verstappen on the ongoing feud between his father Jos and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner:</strong> "(It's) not nice - not for myself, not for my dad, not for Christian, not for the team. ... This scenario could have been avoided."</p><p><strong>Verstappen on whether he will drive for Red Bull going forward despite the ongoing feud between Jos and Horner:</strong> "Yes. We're already also working on next year's car, you know. I think when you're very focused on that, that means that you're also driving for the team."</p><p><strong>Piastri on a podium finish not being enough:</strong> "There's a lot of what-ifs and maybes. Obviously, starting from yesterday, I know it's only my fourth podium in F1, so close to a win, it hurts. I think second half of the race, we were coming on pretty strong. I am happy with another podium. When it's that close, you can't help but hurt a bit."</p><h3>What's next?</h3><p>The races keep rolling on as we head to Silverstone for the British Grand Prix on July 7 at 10 a.m. ET.</p><p>The circuit's featured three different winners - Verstappen (2023), Carlos Sainz (2022), and Hamilton (2021) - over the last three races. Hamilton's won seven of the last 10 British GPs.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Drivers' standings" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-7LMmA" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/7LMmA/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="866" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Constructors' championship" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-J2JY4" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/J2JY4/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="478" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
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Austrian GP takeaways: Max-Lando feud gives Russell moment to shine

The Philadelphia 76ers and free-agent forward Paul George have agreed to a four-year, $212-millio...

<p>The Philadelphia 76ers and free-agent forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olybbm/players/1889" href="https://www.thescore.com/olybbm/players/1889">Paul George</a> have agreed to a four-year, $212-million contract, sources told <a href="https://x.com/wojespn/status/1807678190078308537">ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski</a>.</p><p>The deal includes a player option for 2027-28, <a href="https://x.com/wojespn/status/1807678536812986453">Wojnarowski</a> adds.</p><p>The Los Angeles Clippers, George's former team, stated Sunday that there was a "<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2934047" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2934047">significant</a>" gap in contract negotiations and that the nine-time All-Star wasn't expected to return to the club.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>George, 34, averaged 22.6 points with 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 47.1% last year over 74 games in his final season of a five-year tenure with the Clippers. He originally landed in L.A. via trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder for a package that included <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60411" href="https://www.thescore.com/nba/players/60411">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</a> and five first-round picks.</p><p>Over his 14-year career, George is averaging 20.8 points, 6.3 boards, and 3.7 assists while shooting 44% from the field and 38.5% from deep.</p><p>The Sixers have been busy in free agency thus far, also bringing in <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/12400" href="/nba/players/12400">Andre Drummond</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/199" href="https://www.thescore.com/nba/players/199">Eric Gordon</a> while re-signing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37666" href="/nba/players/37666">Kelly Oubre Jr</a>. Entering Sunday, Philadelphia had just three players signed to its roster.</p><p>Philadelphia entered the 2023-24 campaign as championship hopefuls but ultimately flamed out in the first round in a tightly contested matchup against the New York Knicks. George will now form a Big Three in Philly alongside former MVP <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/31932" href="/nba/players/31932">Joel Embiid</a> and ascendant superstar <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93855" href="https://www.thescore.com/nba/players/93855">Tyrese Maxey</a>.</p><p>Much like Embiid, George has had his fair share of injury issues in recent years, suiting up in more than 56 games just once during his Clippers tenure. He's made the All-Star Game in all eight seasons he's played at least 74 contests.</p><p>The Orlando Magic had also expressed interest in the six-time All-NBA forward.</p>

DALLAS, TX - APRIL 28: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers celebrates during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during Round 1 Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2024 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE

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Report: 76ers, Paul George agree to 4-year, $212M contract

The Philadelphia 76ers and guard Kelly Oubre Jr. have agreed to a two-year, $16.3-million extensi...

<p>The Philadelphia 76ers and guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37666" href="https://www.thescore.com/nba/players/37666">Kelly Oubre Jr.</a> have agreed to a two-year, $16.3-million extension that includes a player option for the 2025-26 season, sources told <a href="https://x.com/wojespn/status/1807651247861772422">ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski</a>.</p><p>Oubre, 28, is coming off his first season with the Sixers, averaging 15.4 points and five rebounds while shooting 44% from the field in 68 games (52 starts).</p><p>The 76ers also <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2934129" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2934129">reportedly</a> agreed to terms with free-agent star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olybbm/players/1889" href="https://www.thescore.com/olybbm/players/1889">Paul George</a> on a four-year, $212-million contract.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Oubre will be entering his 10th season, averaging 13.1 points, 4.5 total boards, and 1.1 assists over 595 career games.</p>

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 28: Kelly Oubre Jr. #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball during the game against the New York Knicks during Round 1 Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2024 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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

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Report: Oubre sticks with Sixers on 2-year, $16.3M deal

Jonathan Marchessault is slated to become an unrestricted free agent when the market opens at noo...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2870" href="https://www.thescore.com/nhl/players/2870">Jonathan Marchessault</a> is slated to become an unrestricted free agent when the market opens at noon ET on Monday after being unable to come to terms with the Vegas Golden Knights, <a href="https://x.com/PierreVLeBrun/status/1807634269134565541">TSN's Pierre LeBrun</a> reports.</p><p>The 2023 Conn Smythe winner is the franchise's leader in goals (192), assists (225), points (417), game-winning goals (32), and games played (514).</p><p>As a result of seemingly being prepared to move on from Marchessault, the Golden Knights are showing interest in pending UFA <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1152" href="https://www.thescore.com/nhl/players/1152">Steven Stamkos</a>, sources told <a href="https://x.com/frank_seravalli/status/1807635028114829597">Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff</a>. On Saturday, Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2933391" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2933391">said</a> Stamkos will test free agency.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Marchessault is a founding member of the Golden Knights, joining the team in 2017 via the expansion draft after being left unprotected by the Florida Panthers. In early 2018, the 33-year-old signed a six-year, $30-million contract with Vegas that is now expiring.</p><p>He was an integral part of the 2023 Stanley Cup-winning roster, becoming only the 10th undrafted player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy after scoring 13 goals and tallying 12 assists throughout the playoffs.</p><p>Marchessault is coming off a 42-goal campaign during which he played all 82 games and added 27 assists.</p><p>He'll be considered one of the top players available when free agency opens.</p>

DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 05: Jonathan Marchessault #81 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates off the ice after being defeated by the Dallas Stars in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the American Airlines Center on May 5, 2024 in Dallas, Texas.

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Report: Marchessault hitting open market after not renewing with Vegas

Major League Baseball announced changes to the Home Run Derby that will take effect during this y...

<p>Major League Baseball announced changes to the Home Run Derby that will take effect during this year's event on July 15.</p><p>The biggest change is to reintroduce "outs" and limit participants to a pitch count.</p><p>In the first round and semi-finals, contestants have 3 minutes to hit as many homers as possible on a maximum of 40 pitches. In the finals, the time limit will be reduced to two minutes with each hitter getting up to 27 pitches to work with. In every round, each slugger will be given one timeout.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Players will also get three bonus outs per round and earn an additional out if they hit a homer that travels at least 425 feet during the bonus period. Any swing not resulting in a homer will count as an out.</p><p>This year's event will also feature a new format for the first round, with the eight contestants all competing against each other and the four players with the most homers advancing to the semis. The slugger who hits the most dingers will face the player who hit the fourth-most in the next round while the two-seed and three-seed will also face off for a shot at the finals.</p><p>The event also ditched its extra-time tiebreak format in the first round and the winner of a draw will be decided by the longest homer.</p><p>The league originally eliminated "outs" in 2015, which was met with acclaim from viewers, but hitters commented on its frantic pace over the past decade.</p><p>Eight players will compete in the league's marquee All-Star event, which will be held in Texas, one day before the Midsummer Classic. Baltimore Orioles shortstop <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12258" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/12258">Gunnar Henderson</a> became the first to commit to the event on Sunday.</p><p>He made the announcement while mic'd up during the Orioles game against the Texas Rangers on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball:</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">getting our popcorn ready <a href="https://t.co/g9jPGz9Drd">pic.twitter.com/g9jPGz9Drd</a></p>— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) <a href="https://twitter.com/Orioles/status/1807562182990684594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Toronto Blue Jays first baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8267" href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/players/8267">Vladimir Guerrero Jr.</a> won last year.</p>

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JUNE 28: Gunnar Henderson #2 of the Baltimore Orioles bats against the Texas Rangers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 28, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland.

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Henderson commits to HR Derby as MLB tweaks format

Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez claimed the WBC junior bantamweight belt from Juan Francisco Estrada on a d...

<p>Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez claimed the WBC junior bantamweight belt from Juan Francisco Estrada on a devastating body shot in the seventh round Saturday night at the Footprint Center in Phoenix.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">BAM FOLDS ESTRADA WITH A BODY SHOT AND IT'S OVER IN 7 🤯🤯🤯🤯 <a href="https://twitter.com/DAZNBoxing?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DAZNBoxing</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EstradaBam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EstradaBam</a> <a href="https://t.co/JgZPK1FoyU">pic.twitter.com/JgZPK1FoyU</a></p>— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) <a href="https://twitter.com/MatchroomBoxing/status/1807285140504367523?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The 24-year-old Rodriguez improves to 20-0 with 13 knockouts. Following the victory, the undefeated star said he wanted the winner of the upcoming fight between Kazuto Ioka and Fernando Martinez in an attempt to unify the division. Ioka currently owns the WBA belt while Martinez possesses the IBF title.</p><p>However, the 34-year-old Estrada said he plans to exercise his rematch clause and face Rodriguez again to try to reclaim the WBC championship.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Rodriguez and Estrada both scored knockdowns in the electric fight. Estrada landed a brutal combination - ending in a hard right hand - in the sixth round, becoming the first to floor Rodriguez.</p><p>Rodriguez staggered Estrada in the third round and knocked him to the canvas in the fourth before eventually putting him down for good in the seventh.</p><p>While they didn't end up factoring into the equation, the scorecards indicated a draw through six rounds. Rodriguez led 58-54 on Steve Morrow's card and trailed 57-56 on Javier Camacho's card while Robert Tapper had scored it 56-56.</p>

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 29: Juan Francisco El 'Gallo' Estrada (L )and Jesse Bam Rodríguez (R) fight during their fight for Estrada's WBC and Ring Magazine super flyweight titles at Footprint Center ahead of the 'Gallo' Estrada and Jesse 'Bam' Rodríguez title fight at Footprint Center on June 29, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona.

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'Bam' Rodriguez takes Estrada's WBC belt on 7th-round KO

Patrick Williams is intending to stay with the Chicago Bulls on a five-year, $90-million pact, Sh...

<p>Patrick Williams is intending to stay with the Chicago Bulls on a five-year, $90-million pact, <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1807267350401400898">Shams Charania of The Athletic</a> reports.</p><p>The deal can't be made official with the restricted free agent until the league moratorium expires on July 6, <a href="https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/nba/chicago-bulls/bulls-patrick-williams-poised-to-continue-partnership/573279/">K.C. Johnson of NBC Chicago</a> adds.</p><p>The 22-year-old spent the past four seasons with the Bulls after getting selected fourth overall in 2020.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Williams underwent season-ending surgery on his right foot back in February, limiting him to 43 games. He averaged more than 27 minutes over those contests, posting 10 points and 2.8 defensive boards.</p><p>Over 213 career games, the power forward is averaging 9.7 points and 4.2 total rebounds while shooting 41% from deep.</p><p>Williams made the 2020-21 All-Rookie Team after starting 71 games. Since then, though, he's been a starter in only 104 tilts, partly due to various ailments.</p>

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 25: Patrick Williams #44 of the Chicago Bulls at Crypto.com Arena on January 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, 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.

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Report: Williams intends to sign 5-year, $90M deal with Bulls

The Edmonton Oilers and president of hockey operations and general manager Ken Holland mutually a...

<p>The Edmonton Oilers and president of hockey operations and general manager Ken Holland mutually agreed not to renew his contract, which was set to expire Sunday, the team announced Thursday.</p><p>Oilers CEO of hockey operations Jeff Jackson will serve as acting GM, though he said he has no intention of holding the title permanently. Jackson added that there's no timeline for finding Holland's replacement, but he's already contacted some candidates.</p><p>Multiple teams are <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/oilers-expected-to-allow-gm-ken-hollands-contract-to-expire/">reportedly</a> expected to approach Holland about roles he'd consider, though the 68-year-old executive will take some time before deciding his next move.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Holland said last offseason that he'd honor the final year of his contract but didn't reveal his intentions beyond 2023-24.</p><p>The news comes on the heels of the Oilers losing in the Stanley Cup Final in seven games to the Florida Panthers.</p><p>"Over the past five seasons as general manager, Ken has not only built the Edmonton Oilers into one of the NHL's best teams, he has also established a deeply rooted foundation of success and a culture of winning that will continue well into the future," Jackson said. "Thanks in large part to Ken's outstanding work, Edmonton has become a destination city for players around the National Hockey League."</p><p>Edmonton hired Holland in May 2019, and the Oilers reached the postseason in all five of his seasons. While Holland inherited most of the team's core, he drafted <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/8601" href="https://www.thescore.com/nhl/players/8601">Philip Broberg</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9214" href="https://www.thescore.com/nhl/players/9214">Dylan Holloway</a>, traded for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1993" href="https://www.thescore.com/nhl/players/1993">Mattias Ekholm</a>, and signed <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1723" href="https://www.thescore.com/nhl/players/1723">Zach Hyman</a> as a free agent during his reign.</p><p>However, Holland was criticized for other moves, such as <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3124" href="https://www.thescore.com/nhl/players/3124">Darnell Nurse</a>'s extension and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2858" href="https://www.thescore.com/nhl/players/2858">Cody Ceci</a>'s signing.</p><p>Holland is already a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. He famously served as the architect of the dynastic Detroit Red Wings teams that won four Stanley Cup championships under his tenure - three while he was GM and executive vice president of hockey operations and a fourth while he was still the assistant GM.</p><p>The NHL draft is set to begin Friday, while free agency opens Monday.</p>

EDMONTON, AB - OCTOBER 06: President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Ken Holland of the Edmonton Oilers speaks at the podium during the first round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft at Rogers Place on October 06, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The 2020 NHL Draft was held virtually due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

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Oilers, Holland agree not to renew contract

Max Verstappen won Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, holding off pol...

<p>Max Verstappen won Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, holding off pole-sitter Lando Norris.</p><p>The championship leader has now won two races in a row, finishing as the victor for the Canadian GP as well. Spain marks Verstappen's seventh victory of the season through 10 races.</p><p>Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton rounded out the podium, finishing third. He's now claimed at least one podium in 18 straight seasons. It's also the seven-time champ's 198th career finish inside the top three.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>This is Verstappen's third consecutive victory in Spain. That ties him for third-most at the track with Jackie Stewart, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, and Mika Hakkinen. Hamilton and Michael Schumacher are tied for the lead at the circuit with six wins.</p><p>With the result, McLaren's Norris now sits second in the championship for the first time in his young career. He leapfrogged Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who now sits two points back.</p><p>George Russell jumped out into an early lead on the first lap but ultimately crossed the line fourth, narrowly keeping Leclerc behind him over the final few laps. Leclerc's teammate Carlos Sainz finished sixth.</p><p>McLaren sophomore Oscar Piastri placed seventh, ahead of Verstappen's teammate Sergio Perez in eighth.</p><p>The pair of Alpines led by Pierre Gasly rounded out the points in ninth and 10th.</p><p>The Spanish GP kicks off a tripleheader for F1, with the Austrian GP next weekend and Silverstone immediately after.</p>

BARCELONA, SPAIN - JUNE 23: Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing, Second placed Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren, Third placed Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes and David Jackson, Oracle Red Bull Racing Systems Design Group Leader celebrate on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 23, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain.

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Verstappen holds off Norris, wins Spanish GP

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