The Los Angeles Dodgers had an amazing comeback in the bottom of the ninth inning on Friday, June 19th, against the Baltimore Orioles, thanks to a walk-off hit from Dalton Rushing. Friday’s series opener was Mookie Betts’ iconic Game 7 bobblehead giveaway, and on Saturday, attending fans are getting treated to a special Shaquille O’Neal bobblehead. Before Friday’s game, the Dodgers were dealt a major loss as Shohei Ohtani went on paternity leave for the birth of his second child. On Saturday morning, Ohtani and his wife announced the successful delivery of their second child.Jun 19, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing (68) celebrates after hitting a walk-off single against the Baltimore Orioles at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesManager Dave Roberts said Ohtani’s return was expected sometime this weekend, and indeed, the superstar is back to the top of the order. Dodgers lineup vs. Orioles on Saturday 1. Shohei Ohtani, DH2. Andy Pages, CF3. Freddie Freeman, 1B4. Mookie Betts, SS5. Miguel Rojas, 2B6. Tommy Edman, 3B7. Kyle Tucker, RF8. Alex Call, LF9. Dalton Rushing, CWith the Dodgers facing a lefty, Alex Call is getting the start over Ryan Ward, while Miguel Rojas steps in at second base for the matchup. Max Muncy gets a day off with Tommy Edman coming in, while Kyle Tucker is hitting seventh, the lowest spot he has batted since 2021. Additionally, all eyes will be on Andy Pages and Mookie Betts to hit the ball well and deliver against a favorable matchup.Who is pitching for the Dodgers?The Dodgers will have their best starting pitcher on the mound, Yoshinobu Yamamoto. After a period where Yamamoto was having command issues, he has absolutely gotten his sharpness up. At his best, he paints the ball all around the strike zone and keeps hitters guessing about what he is throwing as well. Jun 13, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) throws the ball against the Chicago White Sox during the fifth inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn ImagesHis pitch arsenal is bigger than most pitchers around the league, and when he can throw them all accurately, hitters are at his mercy. He is coming off a near no-hitter and a near-perfect game against the Chicago White Sox, and against the Orioles, he should be able to keep his success going.

Who is Sam Stevens? Meet American golfer in striking distance of lead at U.S. Open originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The U.S. Open leaderboard is filled with big names, but one of the tournament's biggest surprises has been Sam Stevens.While most of the field has struggled to solve Shinnecock Hills, Stevens has steadily kept himself in contention behind Wyndham Clark. He carried that momentum into Saturday, spending much of the round as Clark's closest challenger in second place.After J.J. Spaun's unexpected U.S. Open victory last year, Stevens is looking to make it back-to-back years with a surprise champion. To do so, however, he'll have to close out the tournament on one of golf's toughest courses.Here's what to know about Sam Stevens.MORE: Who has won the most U.S. Open titles in golf history?Who is Sam Stevens?Stevens is a golfer on the PGA Tour who has been a professional since 2018. After attending Oklahoma State, Stevens initially played on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica before joining the Korn Ferry Tour a few years later. Stevens has yet to win a tournament as a PGA Tour professional, but he has finished second a few times. In 2026, Stevens has two top-10 finishes, with his best result being a solo fifth at the Texas Children's Houston Open, and he has missed only one cut all year.Entering the U.S. Open, Stevens had played in seven major tournaments, with this being his fourth U.S. Open. He has yet to miss a cut in those seven appearances, but he hasn't finished better than tied for 23rd.MORE:Complete list of U.S. Open winners by yearSam Stevens PGA Tour winsStevens does not have any wins on the PGA Tour despite joining the tour in 2022. He does have two runner up finishes on the PGA Tour, once at the Valero Texas Open and once at the Farmer's Insurance Open.Stevens doesn't even have a professional win, despite spending time on both the PGA Tour Latinoamerica and the Korn Ferry Tour.MORE:Complete look at youngest U.S. Open winnersSam Stevens ageStevens is 29 years old and will turn 30 on July 4, 2026. Stevens is originally from Wichita, Kansas and spent four seasons at Oklahoma State University, where he played alongside Viktor Hovland.Sam Stevens Official World Golf RankingStenes is currently ranked 54th on the OWGR, but he spent much of the year in the mid-to-late 40s. His best OWGR came after this year's Waste Management Phoenix Open, when he rose all the way up to 39th in the world.

Ivory Coast’s chance to advance to its first-ever World Cup knockout round will have to wait, thanks to a powerful comeback from Germany behind a second-half brace from Deniz Undav.The Elephants are on a dream run, stunning Ecuador with a 1-0 win last week. And for a moment, it looked like they would do it again against European heavyweight Germany: Ivory Coast struck first, going up 1-0 in the 30 minute behind a great shot from captain Franck Kessié off the rebound.That unexpected scoreline held through the rest of the first half and into the start of the second, as the Germans simply couldn’t find their way past the Ivorian back line and keeper Yahia Fofana.In the 60th minute, German head coach Julian Nagelsmann tried to shake things up with a trio of substitutions. That ended up being a brilliant move: Eight minutes later, substitute Deniz Undav found Germany’s equalizer, hitting the volley off a great ball from Nadiem Amiri.Germany’s momentum didn’t let up after drawing level, but it took until stoppage time for the Germans to pull ahead. Once again, it was Undav in the right place, getting the turn to find the back of the net again and give Germany the win.This story will be updated.

June 14, 2026; Houston, Texas, U.S.; Germany's Deniz Undav celebrates scoring their sixth goal with Leroy Sane. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images On Thursday night, Mexico became the first team to clinch a spot in the knockout round at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.On Saturday, there is a chance for a team in Group E to join them.Entering Saturday’s two group stage matches, both Germany and the Ivory Coast have a chance to book a spot in the Round of 32. And, as the scheduling gods would have it, those two sides will meet in Toronto Saturday afternoon.Here are the clinching scenarios for Group E.Update: Deniz Undav’s goal in stoppage time for Germany broke a 1-1 tie against the Ivory Coast, and booked a spot in the Round of 32 with Germany’s 2-1 win. Germany will win Group E if Ecuador draws or loses to Curaçao later tonight. What are the Group E standings?Here are the current standings in Group E after Ivory Coast-Germany:TeamWDLGFGAGDPointsGermany20092+76Ivory Coast1012203Ecuador00101-10Curaçao00117-60What are the next Group E matches?Four matches remain in Group E, starting with a pair on Saturday, June 20. All times listed are Eastern. Saturday, June 20Germany 2, Ivory Coast 1Ecuador vs. Curaçao, 8:00 p.m.Thursday, June 25Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast, 4:00 p.m.Ecuador vs. Germany, 4:00 p.m.What are the current scenarios for Group E?Here is what you need to know entering the matches on Saturday, June 20, starting with the tilt between Germany and the Ivory Coast.GermanyGermany can book a spot in the Round of 32 with a win, and could win the group with a win and some help. If Germany beats the Ivory Coast, they will book a spot in the Round of 32 as one of the top two teams in the group.However, if they win, they will clinch the group if Ecuador draws or loses to Curaçao. More on this when we discuss the tiebreaker scenarios. The winner of Group E will play a third-place team from Groups A, B, C, D or F in the Round of 32.Ivory CoastThe Ivory Coast has a similar path to winning the group on Saturday. If they win on Saturday, they are into the Round of 32 as they are guaranteed to finish in the top two of the group. If they beat Germany, then they will clinch Group E and take on a third-place team from Groups A, B, C, D or F provided Curaçao does not beat Ecuador.CuraçaoOn the other side of the coin, Curaçao can be eliminated on Saturday with a loss to Ecuador, and an Ivory Coast win or draw against Germany.EcuadorEcuador also faces elimination on Saturday. If they lose to Curaçao, and Germany wins or draws against the Ivory Coast, then Ecuador is eliminated. What about tiebreakers?Now we get to the tiebreaker scenarios that come into play with Group E, starting on Saturday, June 20. Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year. If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.That brings us to the scenarios entering play on June 20, and we will use Germany as the first example. As noted above, Germany clinches Group E with a win against the Ivory Coast, provided Ecuador does not beat Curaçao. With a win against the Ivory Coast, Germany would move to six points in Group E play.But if Ecuador beats Curaçao, they would have three points, and since Germany and Ecuador play in the final match of Group E play, under these tiebreakers Ecuador could still win the group. In this scenario, if Ecuador goes on to beat Germany, both teams would have six points in group play, but Ecuador would have the “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned,” and would win the group. But if Ecuador loses or ties against Curaçao, then this tiebreaker cannot come into play.This is also why the Ivory Coast needs a win, plus a Curaçao loss or tie, to clinch Group E.

PHILADELPHIA — The Mets have not won three games in a row since late in May when they closed out a series with the Reds with a win and then swept the Marlins.In the month since, the Mets have found themselves treading water, with a 8-8 record in June.The Mets have a chance to capture their third straight win and a series victory over the rival Phillies at 7:15 p.m. on Saturday night at Citizens Bank Park.The club shook off back-to-back losses against the Reds by toppling them 9-1 in the series finale and then surging past the Phillies in a 6-4 win on Thursday night.The Mets will be tested in their quest as they take on left-hander Cristopher Sanchez, who is on the short list for the National league Cy Young award about three months into the season. Sanchez is 8-3 with a 1.82 ERA in 15 starts this season. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in 13 of those outings.The Mets will counter with Freddy Peralta, who is 5-5 with a 3.90 ERA in 15 starts, including a 1.30 WHIP and 81 strikeouts in 83 innings. On the heels of giving up a season-high six runs against the Cardinals, Peralta responded by holding the Braves to one run on five innings and securing the victory in his last start.Check back for more updates and analysis as the Mets and Phillies play the second game of their series on Saturday night:What time is NY Mets vs Phillies game today?Time: 7:15 p.m.What channel is NY Mets vs Phillies today?TV: FOXHow to stream NY Mets vs Phillies game todayStreaming: MLB.TVNY Mets, Phillies starting pitchers todayMets: Freddy Peralta (5-5, 3.90 ERA)Phillies: Cristopher Sanchez (8-3, 1.82)This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets vs Phillies live score, updates and highlights today

Sophia Dunkley put ‘tough’ times behind her to lead England closer to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals with a 38-run win over Scotland. Dunkley, who replaced injured captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, was dropped three times on the way to 57 as England set Scotland a mammoth total at Headingley. Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson then hit a flurry of late boundaries in a 61-run partnership from just 21 balls to help England to 200 for the second time in the tournament.A positive start to Scotland's chase soon gave way to steady England wickets as Sophie Ecclestone picked up her 150th wicket in T20 internationals. “It was great to get back out there on the pitch,” Dunkley said. “Obviously, we are wishing Nat all the best and want her to get out there as quick as possible, but it was great to be out there and most importantly get the win for England. “It is never nice [not to play], it is always disappointing and – with it being a home World Cup – you would bite your arm off to go and play for England out there. It has been a little bit tough, but we have got an amazing squad and a lot of depth, and it is a great squad to try to get into.” Having chosen to bowl, Scotland got off to a great start as Kirstie Gordon, who played for England at the 2018 World Cup, opened the bowling against her former side and dismissed Amy Jones first ball.Dunkley survived three dropped catches (Reuters)That brought Dunkley to the crease and she lived nine lives, first being dropped by Priyanaz Chatterji on four from 10 balls, as the all-rounder put down a difficult diving grab. That freed Dunkley up and she crashed the first six of the game three balls later, before ending the powerplay on 43 from 25. Danni Wyatt-Hodge was out for seven from the very next ball as Gordon picked up one of her easiest wickets. The spinner had the chance for more in the over, but Dunkley was put down on 43 by Katherine Fraser and then 45 by Megan McColl in the space of two balls. Dunkley reached her 50 off 33 balls before she eventually departed for 57, as Hannah Rainey held on to a catch in the deep off the bowling of Kathryn Bryce. Rainey, who was only in Scotland’s squad as an injury replacement, then bowled Alice Capsey for 40 from 25 balls to pin England back to 110 for four. Gordon was back in the game again as she took the catch to dismiss Heather Knight for 25 Chatterji’s first wicket of the tournament. However, the former England player then conceded 21 runs off her final over to see her figures slide to two for 30. Dunkley added: “She [Kirstie] was a pretty fiery character on the pitch, I thought she bowled really well. She bowled really tight lines, she was quite hard to hit at the start of the game. Dani Gibson (30 not out) and Freya Kemp (39 not out) provided late power-hitting to boost England’s total.Kirstie Gordon (right) impressed against her former nation (Getty)Scotland started the only way they could, attacking England and they moved to 32 without loss at the end of the third over. However, Fraser tried one shot too many and was bowled by stand-in captain Charlie Dean for 23 from 13. Scotland were one run ahead of England at the end of the powerplay but England’s Sophie Ecclestone made an immediate impact to bowl Kathryn Bryce for six and earn her 150th T20I wicket. Ecclestone (2/23) had another as she bowled Darcey Carter for 29 as the opener fell short of her batting heroics against the Windies, and Scotland slipped to 64 for three. Kemp and Gibson combined again as the former caught Megan McColl off the bowling of the latter, before Gibson pocketed Sarah Bryce on the boundary for 34 and Kemp got the wicket of Chatterji. Pippa Sproul and Gordon put on 47 for the seventh wicket but Scotland fell short of their goal as England edge towards the semi-finals. Follow the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at https://www.icc-cricket.com

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 13: Manel Kape of Angola prepares to face Brandon Royval in a flyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on December 13, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is live TONIGHT (Sat., June 20, 2026)with UFC Vegas 119, streaming live online via Paramount+. The event happens inside META APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.UFC Vegas 119 PreviewLast week was weird because of the bonkers White House card. Things are back to normal now. That means largely forgettable fights with unrecognizable fighters at the UFC APEX.Yay!All snark aside, the main event tonight is top quality. Manel Kape vs. Kyoji Horiguchi should produce a new title challenger at Flyweight. This is also a rematch from 2017, when Horiguchi submitted Kape in the RIZIN ring. Both men are riding good win streaks with a couple of exciting finishes. This should be good.The co-main event is Navajo Stirling vs. Ion Cutelaba. Stirling will try and keep his hype, and undefeated record, pristine in this fight against the wily veteran. Cutelaba will try cause a shock, just like he did to Oumar Sy last time out (re-live that here).Rounding out the main card is Hyder Amil vs. Christian Rodriguez, Melsik Baghdasaryan vs. Murtazeli Magomedov and Vinicius Oliveira vs. Andre Fili. If you can pick two of those guys out of a line-up you can call yourself a hardcore mixed martial arts (MMA) fan.The featured “Prelim” is Andre Lima vs. Kevin Borjas. Lima is one of the best fighters on the card. He’ll look to go 12-0 tonight. Bia Mesquita is also among the best fighters on the card. She’ll look to go 8-0 against Melissa Mullins.UFC Vegas 119 Start Date and TimeWe’re back to our usual schedule now that we’ve switched the White House for the Warehouse. Check out the Paramount+ timings at META APEX below:UFC Vegas 119’s “Prelims” will begin at 5 p.m. ET.UFC Vegas 119’s main card is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET.All of UFC Vegas 119 airs on Paramount+, which you can stream here.The live blog here starts rolling below at 5 p.m. ET. Come in and say hi!UFC VEGAS 119 QUICK RESULTSMain card125 lbs.: Manel Kape vs. Kyoji Horiguchi205 lbs.: Ion Cutelaba vs. Navajo Stirling145 lbs.: Christian Rodriguez vs. Hyder Amil145 lbs.: Melsik Baghdasaryan vs. Murtazali Magomedov145 lbs.: Vinicius Oliveira vs. Andre FiliPrelims125 lbs.: Andre Lima vs. Kevin Borjas135 lbs.: Bia Mesquita vs. Melissa Mullins125 lbs.: Mitch Raposo vs. Allan Nascimento145 lbs.: Michael Aswell Jr. vs. Gaston Bolanos170 lbs.: Levan Chokheli def. Leon Shahbazyan by TKO (punches), round 1 (0:23)135 lbs.: Luana Santos def. Karol Rosa by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) 145 lbs.: Shane Collins def. Otari Tanzilovi by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)UFC VEGAS 119 PLAY-BY-PLAY UPDATESPrelimsLeon Shahbazyan vs. Levan Chokheli: Chokheli made Shahbazyan look like a guy they just pulled out of the crowd. He hurt him with the first leg kick he threw (which barely landed) and then rifled off a combo which included a brutal body shot to fold Shahbazyan and get the lightning quick TKO win.WASTING NO TIME 😳Levan Chokheli only needed 23 seconds to get the RD1 finish![ #UFCVegas119 | LIVE NOW on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/lE0Ab1LBil— UFC (@ufc) June 20, 2026Official decision: Levan Chokheli def. Leon Shahbazyan by TKO (punches), round 1 (0:23)Karol Rosa vs. Luana Santos: Total domination from Santos. Her grappling looked on point tonight and she completely overwhelmed the veteran Rosa. She racked up almost twelve and a half minutes of control time. She didn’t do much damage, at all, but it was an impressive performance nonetheless.Official result: Luana Santos def. Karol Rosa by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Shane Collins vs. Otari Tanzilovi: That was a fun scrap to open the card. Tanzilovi got some takedowns, but didn’t do much with them. Collins was able to hurt and tire Tanzilovi out on the feet with some creative striking and also snapped on a handful of submission attempts. Collins might be a fun addition to the Featherweight rankings.Official decision: Shane Collins def. Otari Tanzilovi by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)Live stream begins at 5 p.m. ET. ..For more UFC Vegas 119: “Kape vs. Horiguchi” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.

Wide receiver recruit Amare Patterson, who is a member of the class of 2027, has announced his commitment to the North Carolina Tar Heels over the South Carolina Gamecocks, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and Georgia Bulldogs. "I will be taking my talents to North Carolina," Patterson said upon announcing his commitment. Patterson plans to major in architecture and build affordable housing in college. Patterson valued the consistency since North Carolina offered him on May 26. The Tar Heels heard that Patterson committed to them earlier in the week on Wednesday. He joins a North Carolina recruiting class under coach Bill Belichick that is ranked No. 49 in the country. Patterson is the Tar Heels' No. 16 commitment in the 2027 recruiting cycle. He is North Carolina's top commitment in the 2027 class. The four-star pass catcher plays high school football and runs track for Bluffton High School in Ridgeland, South Carolina. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound receiver is ranked as the No. 173 recruit in America, per 247Sports. Patterson is the fifth-best recruit in South Carolina and the No. 25 wide receiver in the country. The Bluffton star is the highest ranked wide receiver in South Carolina.Patterson ran a 10.5-second time in the 100-meters. The pass catcher has elite speed and is shifty in the open field. During his junior year in high school, Patterson turned some screen passes into touchdowns and produced 48 receptions for 877 yards and 10 touchdowns. Patterson is a big play waiting to happen and has the potential to take his game to another level at UNC.Follow UGA Wire on Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) or Threads for more Georgia football coverage! This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: 4-star WR Amare Patterson announces commitment

One of the top prep baseball players to ever come out of Lane County is headed back to Corvallis for a high-profile coaching role.Andrew Moore, a former North Eugene pitching star who went on to play in the big leagues, was announced June 20 as Oregon State's next pitching coach. The 2012 OSAA Class 5A player of the year, Moore was an All-American hurler for the Beavers.“Andrew is a Beaver through and through and I am excited to bring him and his family back to Corvallis,” Oregon State coach Mitch Canham said in a press release. “He excelled on the mound during his playing career and has established himself as a well-respected and exceptional pitching coach during his time in professional baseball. Oregon State’s pitching will benefit immensely from his addition to the coaching staff and I can’t wait to see him back in the Orange and Black.”Moore returns to Oregon State after three seasons as a pitching coach in the Cleveland Guardians system. Most recently, Moore led the staff for the Columbus Clippers, Cleveland's Triple-A affiliate. Moore played for the Beavers from 2013-15 and tallied a 27-9 record in 51 appearances, including 48 starts. During his three seasons at OSU, he accumulated a 2.10 earned run average — third-best in program history. “I am very excited to be back in Corvallis and compete for a National Championship along a fantastic coaching staff at a place that has meant so much to me,” Moore said in a press release. “I’m ready to get to work with this special group of young men who are ready to achieve great things on and off the field in Corvallis. We’re going to continue having Oregon State as being a nationally premier pitching program.”Following his junior season, Moore was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the second round of the 2015 MLB Draft. He went on to play seven professional seasons. He made his Major League debut with the Mariners in 2017 and carried a 5.34 ERA in 11 appearances that season.Moore also made a big-league appearance with Seattle in 2019 and spent time in the Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers organizations.At Oregon State, Moore will be building a pitching staff from scratch as he replaces longtime pitching coach Rich Dorman, who was recently hired for the same role at the University of Florida.The Beavers' All-American sophomore right-hander, Dax Whitney, is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 MLB Draft. But he underwent season-ending ulnar collateral ligament surgery this spring and is expected to miss his entire junior year. Oregon State's other two weekend starters — juniors Ethan Kleinschmit and Eric Segura — are expected to declare for the 2026 MLB Draft. Mid-week starter Trey Morris and reliever Zach Edwards recently announced they have committed to transfer to Florida.Jarrid Denney is a sports reporter for The Register-Guard. He can be reached at jdenney@registerguard.com or on X @jarrid_denneyThis article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Former North Eugene star Andrew Moore hired as next OSU pitching coach

Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast: super sub Undav’s brace secures round of 32Germany snatched a late 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast to secure a place in round 32 as they emerged winners of Group E.Ivory Coast looked as though they might shock Germany through Franck Kessie after 30 minutes, but their hope was short lived as Julian Nagelsmann’s side equalised half hour later.Two goals from super sub and former Brighton forward Deniz Undav, including his last-gasp winner in the 94th minute, were enough to overcome Ivory Coast to progress to the knock out after securing all three points.As it happenedGermany dominated the opening five minutes, creating chances through Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala but neither were able to convert.Havertz later came close again with a header, but his effort was well saved by Yahia Fofana,Ivory Coast responded through Wilfried Singo, whose effort was blocked by Nathaniel Brown, while Nico Scholotterbeck went down to ground after taking a knock.The German defender briefly left the field for treatment, leaving his side down to ten men for two minutes, before returning shortly after a medical assessment.Shortly after Germany had a goal by Aleksandar Pavlovic ruled out for a foul on Fofana before the first hydration break.Despite dominating possession, Germany fell behind after the half-hour mark when Franck Kessie gave Ivory Coast a 1-0 lead, following an assist from Yan Diomande.Germany responded through Havertz to make it 1-1 but the goal was disallowed following a foul on Odilon Kossounou.Julian Nagelsmann made one change at the start of the second half with Antonio Rudiger replacing an injured Schlotterbeck.Ivory Coast started the second half brightly, edging possession in the opening ten minutes against Germany.They came close to doubling their lead when Amad Diallo fired his chance over the crossbar.Germany only had three shots at goal at the hour mark and missed a big chance through Havertz following a corner.Germany’s patience paid off, with substitute Deniz Undav equalizing just eight minutes after his introduction to make it level at 1-1.Ivory Coast suffered a late setback in the match when Singo was forced to come off with a hamstring injury ten minutes before full-time, he was replaced by Guela Doue.The defender looked distraught on the bench, with concerns that the injury could potentially rule him out of the remainder of the tournament.Ivory Coast looked to hold onto their equaliser, but Germany had other ideas, as Undav struck in the dying minutes of added time to make it 2–1 and win the group for his country to their opponents dismay.For more detailed reports, reaction, and analysis of the World Cup as it happens, head to our website and favourite our page on OneFootball.

Celtics, Spurs, Heat and Bucks could battle for Pistons $60 million trade candidate originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Detroit Pistons took a step in the right direction in 2025, as J.B. Bickerstaff's young squad won 60 games, were the No. 1 seed in the East, and won a playoff series over the Orlando Magic before falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Round 2.However, with the Pistons now in their window to compete for a title, the team could look to retool the roster a bit this summer, and one move they could make is trading center Isaiah Stewart.Stewart has been a solid role player for Detroit since entering the league as the No. 16 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft. However, the Pistons desperately need to add more perimeter shooting, and with Paul Reed emerging as a viable backup big man behind Jalen Duren, Stewart has become expendable."League sources say Detroit Pistons big man Isaiah Stewart is available. The Pistons, in search of additional shooting and playmakers, appear ready to rely on seventh-year big man Paul Reed in an increased role," The Athletic's Sam Amick reported.Celtics, Spurs, Heat, and Bucks reportedly interested in StewartWith Stewart on the trade block, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reports that four teams have shown interest in acquiring the 25-year-old center.Those teams are the Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, and Milwaukee Bucks.Boston will be in the market for a big man, as Nikola Vučević is set to hit free agency, and the Celtics are incredibly thin at center. Stewart would be a logical trade target to bolster the front court and a potential backup plan for Boston if they can't get Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Bucks.It is worth noting that Stewart's small 6-foot-8 frame for a center could scare away Boston and other interested teams. Though Stewart is tenacious and can stretch the floor at a viable level, his size could raise some concerns in a full-time starting role.Speaking of the Bucks, it wouldn't make sense for them to make any trades until after the Giannis situation is sorted out. However, they could target Stewart to replace Antetokounmpo as the franchise heads toward a rebuild.San Antonio and Miami aren't in desperate need of front-court help, but Stewart could still play valuable minutes for both teams. Like the Celtics, the Heat could pivot toward a trade for Stewart with Detroit if they fail to land Antetokounmpo.Overall, if the Pistons do trade Stewart, they should get solid value back, as the New York native is one of the better backup bigs in the sport and has the versatility to play power forward and center.

Few footballers are as intrinsically associated with their hometown as Dan Burn but, if only for a day or two, the boy from Blyth had a taste of what it is like to be American. The giant from the north-east might have been the biggest cowboy in the Midwest; or the tallest, anyway.Burn is 34, probably at his only World Cup and determined to savour it. He has had a bit of downtime between England’s win over Croatia and their clash with Ghana. A man who spent the last World Cup in an Airbnb in Newcastle, while his house was being renovated, has found a different way to occupy himself now. Along with Harry Kane and Djed Spence, he went to watch the Kansas City Royals, seeing manager Thomas Tuchel throw the ceremonial first pitch in their game against the St Louis Cardinals. Burn has gone even more native than that. “Last night Ella Langley was playing so I had my cowboy hat and cowboy boots on,” said the centre-back. “I went and got kitted out. I thought if you were going to do it, do it properly. Luckily, there’s no photos flying about.”Others may consider that a shame; an image of Burn in a Stetson could have been iconic. He had his captain and goalkeeper Jason Steele for company at a gig. Some of Kane’s American influences are well known, and the forward is looking forward to heading to Boston, to the stadium where Tom Brady picked out many a pass as the quarterback for the New England Patriots. But, Burn revealed, Kane is also a fan of one of the most American genres of music. “We have a record player in the hotel and he did a captain’s pick and there was a lot of country in it,” he said. “We got asked to go and watch Ella Langley.” Dan Burn of England looks on during an England training session (Getty)Sadly Kane did not share Burn’s sartorial sense on a night out. “I was the only person suited and booted with cowboy hat and boots and all the lot,” said the defender. “We missed the last three songs because we had to be back for curfew which I was a bit gutted about because they are her three best ones.” England's Dan Burn plays darts during a press conference (PA)If nothing else, it proves at least one England international who plays for a north-east club has abided by curfews of late. It may be damning Burn with faint praise, though, to suggest that one of the reasons Tuchel took him was because he was sure to prove a good tourist. Yet Burn’s good humour forms part of his appeal. So does his realism. He wants to play but knows his role. Tuchel clearly enjoys his company but has also showed an honesty.“He takes the mick out of me but I like it,” said Burn. “When he called me up, he said I probably wouldn’t be starting.” Without entering the fray, Burn witnessed Tuchel’s transformative team-talk after 45 minutes against Croatia. “People have said he gave us a rocket but it was the opposite,” he said. He missed Anthony Barry’s revelatory interview with ITV at the break but has known Tuchel’s assistant for longer than most. They were together at Wigan and Burn said: “There’s no grey areas with Baz and the manager. They are not going to beat around the bush.”England manager Thomas Tuchel throws a ceremonial first pitch before the game at the St. Louis Cardinals vs Kansas City Royals (Reuters)Tuchel’s clarity as a communicator means he has told Burn the kind of situations when he could be called upon, allowing the defender to visualise them. One is if England need a goal, when they could summon a sizeable figure for his ability at set-pieces. Burn scored the goal that won Newcastle their first major trophy since 1969. It allowed him to imagine becoming the man who brings England glory. Kane may be a likelier candidate but Burn deadpanned: “Me and Harry are quite similar in our technique and goalscoring prowess, so it is only natural we are compared. In all seriousness, I know I don’t get many goals but the goals I do get tend to be important. I’d love it to be a World Cup final winner, last minute.”Even before then and even without taking the field, his World Cup has brought memorable moments, some of them musical, some from country stars and some alongside his country’s stars. The England fans belted out Oasis’ Wonderwall after Croatia were beaten in Dallas. Burn enjoyed it. “Wonderwall was an amazing moment, a special moment,” he said. “If that's every game it's going to be amazing.”

Newcastle United have rejected a bid from Tottenham Hotspur for midfielder Sandro Tonali.It is understood an offer worth about £80m was turned down earlier this week.BBC Sport previously reported Spurs manager Roberto de Zerbi was a long-time admirer of Tonali and that the club were exploring the finances of a deal for the 26-year-old Italian.However, their opening proposal was declined by Newcastle, who are in a strong position to command a greater fee closer to £100m as Manchester City and Arsenal monitor developments.Newcastle have already sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona, but the club's chief executive, David Hopkinson, has previously made it clear they will only trade players on "our terms".Tonali is effectively contracted until 2030 after he signed a new deal during his 10-month betting ban to repay the faith the club showed in him.The current market might also work in Newcastle's favour, if a bidding war ensues, given the valuations of midfielders elsewhere.Manchester City had a second bid worth about £120m rejected by Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson, while relegated West Ham want up to £80m for Mateus Fernandes.Analysis - Shift in approach from Spurs but Newcastle unmovedThere may have been scenes of celebration at full-time at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after De Zerbi's side avoided relegation on the final day of the season.But there was a recognition internally that the club must never find themselves in such a dire position again.Chief executive Vinai Venkatesham vowed "change is happening" in an interview with BBC Sport in May, and there has certainly been a shift in approach.Spurs have already spent £52m on defender Jan Paul van Hecke, which would have been an unimaginable prospect once upon a time, given he had just one year left on his contract at Brighton.They have also looked to capitalise on their revenue by adapting their wage structure, and signed Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers before the window even officially opened.Although Spurs' opening gambit was unsuccessful, this approach for Tonali also marks a shift for a club who have never spent more than £65m on a player.However, it was rather telling that the bid was swiftly rejected by Newcastle.In a week when Newcastle lost out to Liverpool in the race to sign Spain winger Victor Munoz, it would have been damning if Spurs succeeded with their opening bid for Tonali.It is clearly going to take a great deal more to tempt Newcastle to cash in.Latest Newcastle news, analysis and fan viewsAsk about Newcastle - what do you want to know?

Since Colorado hired Deion Sanders in December of 2022, expectations have been raised, but aside from the 9-4 2023 season, they largely have not been met.Sanders and the Buffaloes are trying to change that this season, embracing the negativity and using it as motivation.Phillip Dukes from The Scoop with Dukes podcast joined the DNVR Buffs crew to talk about his recent visit to Boulder and shared his thoughts on the vibe in the building for Colorado.Put in cleaner terms, Dukes said CU is having a "Screw 'em" type vibe."You hear what people are saying, you read the headlines, we are seeing the naysayers, we are seeing everything that you could possible say about this program," Dukes said about Colorado's mentality. "Why we won't win, why recruiting sucks, why Boulder is not a destination program."pic.twitter.com/AszyLIHOtR— Deion Sanders Jr (@DeionSandersJr) June 20, 2026The Buffs have adopted the right attitude, focusing on themselves and not letting outside negative opinions overtake their belief.Colorado could do with some lighter expectations, and that seems to be the case heading into the season, with the program's projected win total the lowest in the Big 12.But make no mistake about it, Sanders' program wants to win and is set up to do so in 2026, but it is taking any criticism in stride.Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads, and Instagram.Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football sets an embrace the doubters vibe for 2026 season

Collin Gillespie shined this past season for the upstart Phoenix Suns. Early in his second go-around with the team, the former Villanova guard helped fill the void of an injured Jalen Green. He thrived in a larger role, so much so that he maintained a meaningful presence in the Suns’ rotation the rest of the 2025-26 campaign.The 6-foot-1 guard, who embodied the grit that made Phoenix a surprise playoff team a year after it said goodbye to Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, more than doubled his scoring average, clocking out with 12.7 points, 4.6 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game as a third-year NBAer.The Suns reportedly aren’t letting one of their spark plugs get away in free agency. Gillespie intends to sign a four-year, $48 million deal to return to Phoenix, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Saturday.Another NBA insider, Jake Fischer, reported Saturday that Gillespie’s long-term contract is fully guaranteed. It arrives after the soon-to-be 27-year-old backcourt scrapper played this past season on a minimum salary and his first three seasons out of college on two-way deals.Once undrafted, Gillespie is now a valued part of the Suns’ future.This story is being updated.

“Pete’s Boys” from 60 years ago rekindled friendships, stirred memories and got a firsthand look at the amenities enjoyed by today’s Florida State football players.Yet it was the enduring bond and shared experiences that continue to define the group.“We didn’t realize how tough it was at the time, but it made us better players and better men,” said Bill Cappleman, 79, a quarterback who rewrote the Seminoles’ record book from 1967-69, in an interview with the Tallahassee Democrat on Saturday, June 20. “We were 17- and 18-year-olds trying to figure things out and what to do with our lives.“It was so great to reconnect.”About 100 attendees, including roughly 45 former players and coaches, returned to Tallahassee June 19-20 for a long-anticipated reunion honoring coach Bill Peterson’s teams of the late 1960s — a stretch widely regarded as the foundation of Florida State’s rise to national relevance.The reunion was held at The Lodge at Wakulla Springs, the same site where those teams stayed the night before home games at Doak Campbell Stadium.A centerpiece of the weekend was a three-hour session Friday devoted to revisiting — and good-naturedly poking fun at — the personalities and stories that defined Peterson’s program.Former assistants Joe Gibbs and Bobby Jackson were among those who spoke, sharing memories that ranged from humorous to deeply emotional. Both had preserved many of those stories over the years, writing them down for moments like this.“What the coaches had to say, how emotional they were about their time at FSU and how special it was — that stood out,” said Cappleman, who lives in Panama City. “We had a lot of fun with Coach Pete’s stories. Everyone loved him and respected him.”Remember when? FSU football's Lane Fenner remembers infamous 'no catch' vs FloridaNole Nostalgia: FSU legend Ron Sellers recalls ‘60s era, impact of coaches, teammates'Pete's Boys' tour FSU's new football facility, renovated Doak Cappleman and Howell Montgomery, a defensive back from Blountstown, were roommates at FSU – and have remained close over the years.Montgomery also thoroughly enjoyed the reunion and reconnecting with former teammates – some he had not seen since his playing days even though the group has held previous reunions. There was a sense of urgency for this gathering as most players are in their late 70s, early 80s."We are all getting old," said Montgomery, who turns 79 next month, with a laugh. "We were all kind of gimpy. But I think everyone really enjoyed it. Many of us spent four years together, and we went through hell and everything together – you really couldn't get any closer."That camaraderie became a focal point as players compared their era with today’s — one often described as far more chaotic and selfish. The transfer portal and NIL have reshaped the game, altering both its identity and the sense of loyalty within it."With all that is going on, you just don't build that athlete love you have for each other," Montgomery explained. "I don't think they can develop what we had." Added Cappleman: "I don't see how it can be that same (closeness). A lot of situations are one-and-done. You are not going to have the camaraderie that we had with players and coaches. They are not going to get together and tell all these stories (we told this weekend) somewhere down the line." The group also toured the Seminoles’ new $138 million standalone football operations facility, followed by a walk on the field at renovated Doak Campbell Stadium. The day concluded with lunch at Bowden’s restaurant in College Town."Honestly, I haven't seen anything like it," Montgomery said of the operations facility. "We didn't even have a true weight room; that whole place was just unreal. The difference between then and now is tremendous. I couldn't get over how clean, pristine it is."While proud of their accomplishments and the role they played in shaping FSU football history, the group remains Seminoles for life, still pulling for the program’s resurgence under coach Mike Norvell after consecutive losing seasons.“With the technology and facilities, it’s a fantastic opportunity for these young men,” Cappleman said. “I like Mike and hope he and the team are successful.”Jim Henry is Tallahassee Democrat sports editor. Email him at jjhenry@tallahassee.com.This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: From Wakulla Springs to Doak: ‘Pete’s Boys’ shaped FSU football

Two-goal Deniz Undav was Germany's hero (Cole Burston)Germany reached the World Cup knockout phase for the first time since 2014 with a dramatic come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast on Saturday.Substitute Deniz Undav scored twice, including the crucial goal four minutes into injury time, triggering a massive roar from the overwhelmingly pro-German crowd of 43,000 in Toronto.Germany had not advanced from the group stage since winning the 2014 tournament in Brazil, and coach Julian Nagelsmann had been under huge pressure to make that breakthrough.He paid tribute to Undav's clinical finishing -- and said it was "not out of the question" that he could start the next game against Ecuador."That was great for him. You can't get more decisive than that!" Nagelsmann told MagentaTV. Germany were chasing their opponents in the first half and the Ivorians surged ahead when Franck Kessie struck in the 30th minute.Kessie turned in from close range following strong work by teenage Ivorian phenomenon Yan Diomande, who is in the sights of some of Europe's top clubs, including Liverpool.The Germans thought they had found the net twice in the first half.Nathaniel Brown's corner in the 21st minute was knocked into the net by Aleksandar Pavlovic, but Paraguayan referee Juan Gabriel Benitez immediately called it back, adjudging that Pavlovic had fouled Ivorian goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.Then, in the 38th minute, German forward and Arsenal star Kai Havertz had the ball in the net, but that too was disallowed, this time because of a foul by Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala.When the second half began, the Germans applied relentless pressure.The Ivorian defence held firm until the 68th minute, but ultimately the Germans broke through when Undav volleyed in a cross by Nadiem Amiri.His second, thanks to an assist from Felix Nmecha, sent Nagelsmann and the German crowd into wild celebrations as the Germans snapped a string of disappointments at the last two World Cups."Winning mentality, team spirit -- we had exactly what you need to be successful in a tournament," Germany defender Jonathan Tah said. "We never gave up, we kept going no matter what. The guys coming off the bench brought energy. Deniz deserves a special mention, outstanding!"The Ivorians have never advanced at a World Cup, but may still move on with a win over debutants Curacao in their final group stage match.bs/gj/nf

AUDIO:View LinkVIDEO:On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani, Mehedi Hassan, Hridyam Arora:Denzel Dumfries’s performance vs SwedenWhat happened with Turkey??Vinicius Jr at his best!Endrick getting into the rotationBrahim Diaz and Morocco looking goodAnd more!Did you enjoy this podcast? Get a ton of bonus content exclusively on Patreon.com/ManagingMadrid.The site is run by a small team that works tirelessly around the clock to make it into what it is today. Your contributions will allow us to continue to have a real and full-time presence in keeping this website, and it’s podcasts, going.Hosts this week:Kiyan Sobhani (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@KiyanSo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)Mehedi Hassan (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MhassanFootball⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)Hridyam Arora (⁠⁠@hridarora22⁠⁠)

Frustration for Amad as Ivory Coast crash to heartbreaking loss vs Germany Manchester United forward Amad was unable to inspire the Ivory Coast as they fell to a painful late 2-1 defeat to Germany in their second World Cup clash.Edged outSomewhat against expectations, the Ivory Coast took the lead in the 30th minute through Franck Kessie, who was on hand to fire home after Amad had been unable to get a clean shot away.The match hung in the balance as both teams had their moments. Then, in the 68th minute, substitute Deniz Undav met Nadiem Amiri’s cross to restore parity and end Ivory Coast’s stubborn resistance.The Elephants created chances, the clearest of which came to Simon Adingra. Unfortunately, he miscontrolled the ball, giving a Germany defender the opportunity to step in and win possession.Undav then rubbed salt in the wounds deep into stoppage time, slotting home a tidy finish to break Ivory Coast hearts.Amad was his nation’s hero in their opener against Ecuador, scoring a late winner that earned him a starting berth. However, he was unable to replicate that impact in what proved to be a tightly contested affair.The United man was on the pitch for 75 minutes before he was taken off and replaced by Simon Adingra.Amad’s performanceAmad managed to find his teammates with 17 of the 18 passes he attempted (94% individual pass accuracy). Two of these were key passes.He had only one shot and squandered a big chance, but it didn’t prove costly as Kessie was there to slot home and put Ivory Coast ahead.The United star touched the ball 35 times. He embarked on five dribbles, failing to complete any of them – an area he will be desperate to put right before the nation’s next World Cup outing.Amad made four defensive contributions. He won both tackles he put in and made four recoveries. He delved into nine ground duels but came out on top just twice.(Stats obtained from Sofascore)Amad and his teammates are next in action on Thursday when they face Curacao in Philadelphia.Featured image Michael Reaves/Getty online pollsThe Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

Two retired New York City Sanitation Department workers, friends since grade school, dusted off a celebratory banner they carried in 1973, the last time the Knicks won a championship.

Luís Castro’s options to replace Arthur at GrêmioGrêmio is looking for a replacement for Arthur, who left the club after failing to reach an agreement on a contract renewal.Facing financial difficulties, the Porto Alegre side has the task of finding someone in the current squad to fill the spot left by the former captain.One of the names under consideration is Argentine midfielder Juan Nardoni, signed at the start of 2026 after a major investment by the board, and, now recovered from a muscle injury in his left thigh, he is currently ahead in the internal competition.Another option is Paraguayan midfielder Villasanti, who plays the so-called "box-to-box" role and has become a leader in Grêmio’s dressing room.Léo Pérez, Noriega, Tiaguinho and Dodi round out the list of players available to coach Luís Castro to compete for the vacancy left by Arthur.The next transfer window opens on July 20 and runs until September 11.This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

Collin Gillespie earned a healthy pay raise.Playing on a minimum contract after a couple of seasons on two-way deals, Collin Gillespie broke out last season: 12.7 points, 4.6 assists and 4.1 rebounds a game, shooting 40.1% from beyond the arc and setting the Suns franchise record for 3-pointers in a season with 232. More than that, Gillespie embodied the scrappy, defensive mindset that the Suns are trying to instill.That earned him a new four-year, $48 million contract with the Suns, reports Shams Charania of ESPN. The new CBA allows NBA teams to negotiate with their own free agents before the official start of free agency (June 30) and, as was widely expected, the two sides reached an agreement.This is a good deal for both sides. Gillespie gets his biggest contract and will make real NBA money, while the Suns keep a key part of their rotation on a very fair number.Phoenix was $17.5 million below the luxury tax line before this contract, so they still have some room to make other moves to round out the roster without crossing that line.

After falling five wins short of back-to-back ambitions, the Oklahoma City Thunder return to square one along with the rest of the league. Enjoying spotless roster continuity over the last few years, they're about to go through some roster shakeups around the complimentary pieces.Such is life in the NBA. You can't have the same group of guys together forever. Eventually, locker rooms change. New cast of characters shows up. Approaching a fork on the road, the Thunder might need to ship off some familiar faces — both for basketball and financial reasons.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are about to balloon OKC's payroll for the foreseeable future. The two-time MVP winner will soon start his next megadeal. Meanwhile, Williams and Holmgren are about to start their contract extensions they signed last summer fresh off an NBA championship.Because of that, the Thunder could ship out some role players. One is Aaron Wiggins. He has three years, $25.4 million left on his current contract — with a 2028-29 team option. Let's lay out the case for why OKC should and shouldn't shop the 27-year-old:Why the Thunder should trade WigginsSometimes, you just need a fresh start. Wiggins has had a storybook five seasons on the Thunder. We're talking absolute best-case scenario here. As the 2021 No. 55 pick, he worked his way from a two-way rookie to a role player on an NBA champion. At this point, he's carved out a spot in the NBA for the foreseeable future — something that rarely happens with guys taken in his draft slot. OKC got more than what it bargained for.But this past season showed Wiggins being buried on the depth chart. And it feels like there's no real chance for him to climb out of it, thanks to an abundance of talent being added. He regressed across the board. His 9.4 points on 43.1% shooting were a far cry from his usual efficiency in his first four seasons. His outside shot dropped to 35.6% from 3. And on defense, opposing teams exploited his weaknesses.All those variables combined together, that explains why Wiggins was outside of the rotation in the NBA playoffs. The Thunder kept hoping he'd eventually turn the corner. But it just never happened. The shot-making talent disappeared. Younger players like Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain usurped him. And with some talent redundancy there, it makes sense for OKC to cash in on its chips and ship him elsewhere. Not only to save a few bucks on their payroll, but also to open up minutes for the rest of the depth chart.It's a pretty cut-throat tactic to deploy, but odds are, Wiggins has played his best basketball years in OKC already. He's a great success story for their developmental program. One of the best, actually. He was a 12-point scorer in their championship season and showed he can up his outside volume while remaining efficient. He hit some big-time buckets en route to a Larry O'Brien trophy. And even had one of the best parade moments with his epic speech. But all good things come to an end. Role players usually don't stay at one spot their whole career.Why the Thunder should keep WigginsI mean, we can't seriously give up on Wiggins after one bad year, can we? Sure, Wiggins had a down season. No denying that. But we're talking about a guy who still shot 35.6% from 3 on 4.2 attempts. If that's a down year, then several teams should be lining up to acquire his talents. If that's the case, perhaps the Thunder should reconsider conducting a glorified salary dump for one of their bench pieces.Wiggins has shown he can remain reliable. He's played 70-plus games in three of his five seasons. That's gotta count for something. In a league where guys get injured during the marathon, being able to rely on a healthy role player is a blessing most take for granted. Zooming out, the 27-year-old has been a productive player more times than not. And at his age, you expect him to bounce back and return to playing at the peak of his powers.The Thunder ultimately were bounced out of the NBA playoffs because their offense dried up. It'd feel counterproductive to then get rid of one of their better bench scorers of this decade. I think Wiggins deserves some grace. He didn't sustain any career-altering injuries to suggest he won't return to form. His problems felt more mental than anything. If you're OKC, you owe him the chance to get over his case of the yips.On a sentimental value, Wiggins has built a strong bond with the OKC fanbase. He's one of the longest-tenured players at this point. The Thunder have seen him grow up from a late second-round pick to a legitimate NBA player. And with such a team-friendly salary, there's no real financial incentive to get off his deal. Give him one more year to figure things out. It'd be rather cruel to pull the plug this quickly after just a couple of bad months.Final verdictAs much of a gutpunch as it'll be, I think the Thunder should ultimately move on from Wiggins. As mentioned earlier, there are already a couple of other players who leapfrogged him. Mitchell and McCain are both younger players with room to grow. They're about to add another lottery pick plus more. They gotta get minutes somewhere. And trading away the 27-year-old is one of the cleaner ways to open up playing time.Wiggins being traded says more about OKC's depth than a detriment to him. With the Thunder about to see their payroll skyrocket for the rest of the decade, they gotta be more cognizant and careful with how they field out the rest of the roster. Looking at other examples across the league, the scary apron penalties have really limited how much teams can spend on their teams — even if the on-court success justifies a hefty tax bill.This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: The arguments for why OKC Thunder should, shouldn't trade Aaron Wiggins

On Saturday, the championship series of the 2026 College World Series begins with game one between North Carolina and Oklahoma, a thrilling showdown between two major institutions.Jun 17, 2026; Omaha, NE, USA; Oklahoma Sooners right fielder Dasan Harris (17) runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Georgia Bulldogs during the eighth inning at Charles Schwab Field. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn ImagesHow to Watch North Carolina vs. Oklahoma, College World Series Championship Series Game 1When: Saturday, June 20th, 2026Time: 8:00 PM ETTV Channel: ESPNLive Stream: Fubo (try for free)North Carolina’s path to the championship series has been a straightforward one, defeating Ole Miss 6-2 in its Omaha opener and West Virginia 5-2, before taking down the Mountaineers again 12-7 to reach the championship series. The Tar Heels had gotten off to a 12-1 start in that decisive game before West Virginia made things interesting over the final two innings. Oklahoma, meanwhile, had a likewise straightforward path to the championship series, defeating Alabama 9-0 in the opening game and then taking down SEC rival Georgia in back-to-back games, 4-3 and 11-4, to reach this exciting matchup against North Carolina. North Carolina will be favored in this matchup, as the Tar Heels went 53-12-1 this season, in comparison to Oklahoma’s 41-22 record on the campaign. North Carolina has never won a national championship in college baseball, while the Sooners have accomplished the feat twice, in 2006 and 2007. Game one between North Carolina and Oklahoma takes place on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET, and airs on ESPN, available to stream live on Fubo. Catch the College World Series championship action with a free trial this weekend.Live stream North Carolina vs Oklahoma Game 1 with Fubo: Start your free trial now!You can live-stream college baseball all season long with Fubo, which offers a free trial. Fubo carries all the sports channels you need, including nationally broadcast channels like ESPN, ABC, and the FOX Sports networks, as well as local team coverage networks. Never miss a moment of action.Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —

Immediately after Brendan Sorsby declared for the 2026 NFL Supplemental Draft this summer, many immediately pointed to the New York Jets as one of his top fits. If that is going to happen, it seems a lot will have to go right for New York.According to Brian Costello of the New York Post Sports, the Jets would likely only take a late-round flyer on Sorsby in the 2026 NFL Supplemental Draft. As a result, there’s a very good chance New York doesn’t get him.Related: Brendan Sorsby Landing SpotsThere is a lot of mixed reporting on Sorsby since Texas Tech parted ways with him and he declared for the seldom-used supplemental draft. Many NFL draft analysts agree he is a top quarterback prospect, one who is at the very least worth a Day 2 pick.Sorsby will reportedly hold a private workout in July at a Dallas-area high school, with the majority of NFL teams in attendance. The quarterback’s agent said earlier this week that 26 teams reached out to him to inquire about Sorsby.Related: Second QB-Needy Team Unlikely to Take Brendan SorsbyFrom a pure talent perspective, ESPN NFL Draft analyst Ben Solak evaluated Sorsby as a first-round pick who would be in the same range as the likes of Michael Penix Jr., Bo Nix and Ty Simpson as prospects. However, because he’s still relatively unpolished and there are now off-field concerns with the gambling addiction, he’s viewed as a Day 2 target.As of now, it seems like there is a very real chance that at least one team is either willing to bid a third or even a second-round pick on Sorsby. If only one team does, they will get him and forfeit that equivalent pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. If multiple teams bid the same round, the team with the higher priority in the supplemental draft order will get him.Based on all of the reporting that Sorsby is viewed as a Day 2 equivalent pick, the Jets’ reported intention of bidding a late-round pick will not be enough to get him. It is another sign that the front office and coaching staff are fully committed to Geno Smith for this season, with a long-term eye on the 2027 quarterback class.Related HeadlinesMarshawn Lynch Explains Creative Way He Avoided Going Broke Like Other Retired NFL GreatsNFL Referees To Have Reserve Unit To Replace Bad Refs During 2026 Season?What Christian McCaffrey Did for His Daughter Colette Left Olivia Culpo Joking About Her Future Boyfriend

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JUNE 20: Wyatt Langford #36 of the Texas Rangers is tagged out by Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres at third base during the fourth inning at Globe Life Field on June 20, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Texas Rangers scored four runs while the San Diego Padres scored six runs in ten innings.Miracles are real but be careful what you wish for. The Rangers didn’t allow a home run in the first inning for the first time during this entire homestand. Better yet, they didn’t even allow a run altogether in the first inning.In fact, today’s starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore made it all the way until the top of the third inning before allowing a run. Ultimately, that was the only run that Gore allowed in his six innings of work. Even though the Rangers scored nine runs yesterday in a show of defiance from the notion that they fold after trailing early in games, today they didn’t score until the bottom of the sixth when Wyatt Langford doubled in a run to tie the game. An inning later, Jake Burger broke the tie with a two-run home run to put Texas up 3-1.A two run lead in a 3-1 game heading into the eighth inning seemed like smooth sailing to a victory but the Rangers can’t use Jacob Latz for a multiple inning save every day so Cole Winn was tasked to be today’s setup man. Winn hasn’t had much success in that role, or any other this season, and he immediately coughed up the lead albeit with some poor defense behind him and an assist from Tyler Alexander as well. Luckily the Rangers left the inning with the game tied 3-3 but all that really did was make Mason Miller a looming adversary toward victory.Latz did eventually pitch a scoreless ninth on 13 pitches but the Rangers couldn’t manage a walk-off in the bottom of the inning which meant they played extra innings for just the third time this season.Having used their Latz bullet, in the tenth the Rangers had Joe Ross and the Padres had Miller so, uh, you can pretty much guess how that went. Ross walked the first hitter who was trying to give himself up with a bunt and then Manny Machado followed with a three-run home run, driving in his fifth of San Diego’s six runs.The Rangers scored their free Manfred Man off Miller but lost their fourth game in five tries on this homestand. It was also their first extra inning loss of the year in three instances. No first inning disasters for Texas today. They saved ’em for the first and only inning of extras.Player of the Game: It’s funny. Had the Rangers won 3-1 after Burger’s home run, I probably would have said Burger deserves the nod. But the Rangers lost so I’ll say Gore’s six innings of one-run ball after starting in place of Nathan Eovaldi seems more appropriate here.Up Next: The Rangers and Padres will close out the series tomorrow with neither team yet knowing who will make the start.The Sunday afternoon first pitch from The Shed is scheduled for 1:35 pm CDT and you can watch it on the Rangers Sports Network.

ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 20: Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves hits a walk-off home run in the ninth inning during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Truist Park on June 20, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images Box ScoreDespite two-hit games from William Contreras and Cooper Pratt and another quality start from Kyle Harrison (6 1/3 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 K), the Brewers dropped their second straight game to the Atlanta Braves — this time on a walk-off home run by Ozzie Albies.As expected, today’s game turned into a pitchers’ duel between Harrison and Braves starter Chris Sale. Sale allowed only two hits through the first five innings — singles by Contreras and Blake Perkins. Harrison was perfect through four innings, striking out six in the process, but Albies led off the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run.After getting two quick outs, Harrison then allowed another hit when Eli White hit a slow grounder to third. Joey Ortiz fielded it cleanly but took his time getting rid of the ball, allowing the speedy White to just barely beat the throw to first. The next batter, Joey Bart, flied out to deep center field to end the inning with the score 1-0, Atlanta.Luckily, the Brewers got that run back almost immediately. Joey Ortiz started the top of the sixth by striking out, but Jackson Chourio ripped a single into right field to give the Brewers a baserunner. Brice Turang then hit a grounder to Albies at second that should have been at least one out, but Chourio was running on the pitch and Albies couldn’t field it cleanly. He flipped it to second, but it was too late to get Chourio, so Turang reached safely on the fielders’ choice. That gave the Brewers runners on first and second with one out for William Contreras, who singled into right field to load the bases. Chourio may have been able to score on the play, but with Eli White charging the ball in right field, third base coach Matt Erickson elected to hold him at third.The decision paid off one batter later. Gary Sánchez lifted a sacrifice fly to right field that was just deep enough to bring Chourio home and tie the game at one run apiece.Next up was Andrew Vaughn, who swung at a low slider from Sale and hit a soft, looping line drive into no man’s land in center field. Neither Albies nor center fielder Michael Harris II were able to get there in time, so the ball dropped harmlessly onto the grass to give the Brewers a 2-1 lead.Vaughn’s RBI single came on Sale’s 101st pitch, which would also be his last of the night. Right-hander Didier Fuentes entered in relief and struck out Jake Bauers, pinch-hitting for Perkins, on a foul tip to end the frame.After a 1-2-3 sixth inning for Harrison, the bottom of the Brewers’ order started another rally in the top of the seventh. Garrett Mitchell lined out to start the inning, but Cooper Pratt singled into right for his fifth hit in the last four games. With Pratt on first, Ortiz perfectly executed a hit-and-run, poking a ground-ball single through the right side as Albies covered the bag. With Pratt on third, Ortiz at first, and still only one out, Chourio smoked a one-hopper right at third baseman Austin Riley. Riley made a nice play to pick the ball, but instead of coming up throwing to second he threw to first to retire Chourio. Pratt scored without a throw to give the Brewers an insurance run. Harrison returned for the seventh inning and retired the first batter he faced, Matt Olson, but then allowed a single to Ozzie Albies and a double to Michael Harris II. With Harrison at 85 pitches and the tying run in scoring position, Brewers manager Pat Murphy turned to Abner Uribe to escape the jam. Uribe induced groundouts from both Austin Riley and Dominic Smith to end the inning, but Albies scored on Riley’s grounder to cut Milwaukee’s lead back down to a run.Heading into the bottom of the ninth, neither team had scored again. Trevor Megill retired the Braves in order in the bottom of the eighth, and the Brewers were held scoreless in the top of the ninth despite another single and a steal from Pratt. Uribe and Megill had both already pitched, so Aaron Ashby came in for the save.Ashby struck out Drake Baldwin for the first out of the inning, but Matt Olson followed with a soft fly ball single into right-center field to bring the winning run to the plate in the form of Albies. Albies, who had already homered off Harrison earlier in the game, fouled off two pitches before laying off a curveball in the dirt.Ashby’s fourth pitch was hardly a mistake — a 98 mph sinker right on the outer edge of the plate — but Albies managed to get the barrel on it, lofting a high fly ball down the right-field line. The ball left his bat at just 94.4 mph, too soft to even qualify as a “hard-hit ball” per Statcast. But with the foul pole at Truist Park sitting only 325 feet from home plate, it cleared the fence for a walk-off two-run homer.In Murphy’s words, Albies’ second home run of the afternoon was essentially a “bloop hit.” Still, the Brewers had opportunities of their own to take advantage of the short porch in right and couldn’t capitalize. Sometimes, that’s baseball.Robert Gasser will get the ball tomorrow, facing off against Bryce Elder (5-4, 3.15 ERA) as Milwaukee looks to avoid the sweep. First pitch is scheduled for 12:35 p.m.

Jeremy Doku is ill and will miss Belgium's next game [Getty Images]Winger Jeremy Doku has been criticised for saying he wants to leave Belgium's World Cup camp to be with his wife when she gives birth to their first child.Doku's wife Shireen is due to give birth during the second week of July and he intends to return home even if the Red Devils are still in the tournament, which would then be at the quarter-final stage."It's my first child, so I ‌would ⁠definitely want to be there," the Manchester City forward, 24, told Reuters."If you ask me what I want, my answer is that nobody wants to miss the birth of their first child. But I also ​know that football ​involves many ⁠other considerations. "I know the federation supports its players and understands their situations. We'll see what we ​can do."However, Doku's plan to leave the USA and return home has brought fierce criticism from L'Equipe channel presenter France Pierron, who labelled a father "completely useless" at the time of their child's birth."The World Cup is an incredible joy," she said in a message posted to the Facebook page of French sports publication L'Equipe."There are hundreds of footballers who would kill to be in your shoes. It might never happen again in your life."You're living out a childhood dream, yet you're going to walk away from it all to attend the birth of your child - a disgusting moment, if you'll pardon the expression, where the dad is completely useless."'A baby is your entire life'Doku has received plenty of support online following Pierron's remarks - including from retired boxer Brahim Asloum, who won light-flyweight gold for France at the 2000 Sydney Olympics."A baby is your entire life. A World Cup is over when it is over," he wrote.Later on Saturday, Pierron released a statement on her X page in a bid to explain her comments and apologise for any offence caused."I was expressing a personal opinion, within the context of a contentious exchange," she said. "I understand that they may have shocked, hurt, or wounded some of you, and I am sorry for that."My intention has never been to minimise the place or role of fathers with their partner and their child."Belgium confirmed on Saturday that Doku will miss their second World Cup group match against Iran (20:00 BST) because of illness. Rudi Garcia's side drew their opening game with Egypt 1-1.World Cup fixtures and group standingsHow to watch the World Cup on the BBCEverything you need to know about the World Cup

As all eyes are on Philadelphia during the World Cup, FIFA Fan Fest is setting the stage for some local creatives."One of the many cool things about Fan Fest is that it has something for everyone. Our city is on the global stage and we couldn't be more happy to be in that space and welcome people from around the world," said Jonathan Todd, Director of Social Impact for Philadelphia Soccer 2026.Various artists and groups from the area will get their chance to be seen by international audiences throughout the coming weeks."For a once-in-a-generation experience like the World Cup being in Philadelphia, it's also a once-in-a-generation opportunity for these artists to perform for people from...all the way across the globe," said Todd.One of the groups featured is known as "Columbia Mi Corazón Es Tuyo.""We miss our country. And it's connecting with our roots... important for us to remember who we are, that we also belong here, to represent our culture here in Philadelphia and surrounding areas," said Lili Daliesso of Columbia Mi Corazón Es Tuyo.For more information, check out the video above.Also, check out their website.

🎥 Paraguayan pundit goes ballistic over Almirón's sending-offMiguel Almirón’s sending-off in Paraguay vs. Turkey became a talking point after he became the first player to see a red card under the “Prestianni Law.” Although not everyone took it well. A commentator on Paraguayan radio went berserk when he saw the red card, calling the referee a “thief” and accusing Infantino of “killing football.” See it for yourself. Given the situation, all we can say is: thank goodness Paraguay won. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

TORONTO, ONTARIO - JUNE 20: Deniz Undav #26 of Germany celebrates with teammate Nadiem Amiri #20 after scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Germany and Cote D'Ivoire at Toronto Stadium on June 20, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Ezra Shaw - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) | FIFA via Getty Images For the first time since 2014, the German national team is headed back to the knockout stage. Powered by VfB Stuttgart star Deniz Undav’s brace, the Germans escaped with hard fought 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast. After momentous failures in both 2018 and 2022, the German national team will enter the knockout stage of the tournament and — if the head coach does not get in the way — make some noise.That could be an issue, though, as Julian Nagelsmann continues to make some questionable decisions regarding his player selections. Undav, who has nine goals in his last eight games for Germany, started on the bench and still might not have a clear pathway into the starting XI. At some point, those kinds of decisions will work against the coach either in the locker room or on the field. Regardless, the Germans are back where they belong, among the world’s best teams. Now, the big question is — where do they go from here?Join the conversation!Sign up for a user account and get:New, improved notifications system!Fewer adsCreate community postsComment on articles, community postsRec comments, community posts

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman did not hold back when he first heard about a proposal from the league. As part of the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations, MLB issued its ideas to change the amateur draft process, which has generated a polarizing reception.In the proposal, no more high school players are allowed to enter the draft, the rounds are reduced from 20 to 12, and the signing bonus pool is cut in half. Players would need to enter the draft after their sophomore season of college baseball. For international players, there would also be a 12-round international draft. Jun 19, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) reacts after flying out during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesA reporter asked Freeman about the idea of totally overhauling the draft system, and he could not hide his displeasure.“That’s crazy to me,” Freeman said. “That’s all just a money issue,” Freeman said.“I think maybe now the fans will start seeing that it’s just money. Because that’s just cutting. It’s all about money.”Freeman came out of Orange El Modena High School in Orange, California, and was taken in the second round by the Atlanta Braves, where he played the first act of his storied career. What impact did coming out of high school have on Freeman?Jun 16, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) hits a single during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images“I loved coming out of high school,” he said. “It got me into the professional ranks. It got me into being able to develop into that organization and how they expect you to play. They believed in you at such a young age.”MLB’s proposal is only the league’s opening stance, and the MLBPA has already come out strong against the proposal.“Today, MLB made another set of proposals that are flat out bad for baseball, ones that would cripple the next generation of players and damage the future of our game,” the MLBPA wrote in a statement.“Players remain committed to bargaining in good faith and leaving baseball better than they found it – the league’s proposals fall woefully short.”The player’s association will fight against anything that delays the ability for players to enter the league and develop at a faster rater, though this adds another point of contention for these negotiations.

World number one Scottie Scheffler ignited his bid to claim the career grand slam after a one-under round of 69 made him the main threat to US Open third-round leader Wyndham Clark.The American is taking his first shot at trying to join the elite six-man club which Rory McIlroy was admitted to last year after winning the Masters.For two days Scheffler went under the radar after rounds of 72 and 68 but with a number of other multiple major winners who started the day in the top 10 struggling in the toughest conditions of the week at Shinnecock Hills, the 29-year-old breezed past them and into contention.His round, which started with back-to-back bogeys, included four birdies on the back nine – including a chip-in at the 14th and narrowly missing an eagle attempt at the 16th – and after dropping a shot at the short 17th he missed a four-footer for birdie at the last.It moved him to within five shots of 2024 champion Clark, who was one over through 13 holes of his round and six under for the tournament when the world number one finished up.McIlroy’s bid for a first US Open title since making his major breakthrough in 2011 collapsed after the turn after going out in a two-under 33.Three successive birdies from the fifth moved him to within four of Clark, who was just teeing off, but he overshot the green at the difficult 10th for the second successive day for the first of five bogeys on an inward nine of 40 and a round of 73 which left him three over and his hopes in tatters.

TORONTO, ONTARIO - JUNE 20: Leroy Sane #19 of Germany controls the ball against Christ Inao Oulai #26 of Cote d'Ivoire during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Germany and Cote D'Ivoire at Toronto Stadium on June 20, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images The ability to see the best in someone is a phenomenal quality. However, this quality might need some toning down and a serious reality check in the realm of sports.Germany faced Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) in their second game of the FIFA World Cup group stage. The first half saw an extremely underwhelming Germany and this set up an opportunity for Ivorian Franck Kessié to score. Germany managed to pull back and won the game by dint of a brace from substitute Deniz Undav.Following the game, manager Julian Nagelsmann delivered his thoughts on Leroy Sané’s performance. The former Bayern Munich star has been under fire for his performances with the national team. The insistence of the coach in starting him despite the same has been viewed as favoritism by many, who feel that the likes of Deniz Undav and perhaps even Nick Woltemade, deserve such chances more than Sané.Nagelsmann was quick to defend the winger, citing his highlights from the game. “He was extremely hard-working and won the ball back 6-7 times in the first half. We demand that from him,” he said, per @iMiaSanMia. “The spaces were very tight in the first half. He didn’t get a goal or an assist, but we didn’t sub him off for performance reasons, it was just to bring on freshness and dynamism with Jamie (Lewelling),” he concluded.Nagelsmann’s statements interestingly resemble that of most Bayern fans from a few years ago, who would have gladly defended Sané. However, one can only wonder if Nagelsmann really is capable of taking this team places if his standards for a decent performance are so poor. The bar is set so low, it might meet German fans’ hopes.Join the conversation!Sign up for a user account and get:New, improved notifications system!Fewer adsCreate community postsComment on articles, community postsRec comments, community posts

DETROIT — Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable was quite sure there would be no shenanigans Saturday afternoon at Comerica Park, as there were during Friday’s night’s game against the Detroit Tigers.“Yeah, I wouldn’t even call them shenanigans,” Venable said, correcting the reporter.So what’s the proper terminology for a Tarik Skubal meltdown in which the Tigers ace pointed at magic-wand man Mike Vasil and yelled at the White Sox dugout while leaving the mound and from the dugout?“I would say it was baseball,” Venable said. “Guys being competitive and a guy that had something to say and that was about it. Not a lot there and certainly not going to be anything that I expect to be a problem today.”As Venable predicted, there were no shenanigans Saturday in the Sox’s 4-1 loss to the Tigers on a gorgeous afternoon in Motown.It was just baseball, or at least the modern-day version of it with the Sox opting for a bullpen day without a fifth starter available.Sox left-hander Sean Newcomb pitched three scoreless innings in his first start, but the rest of the relievers couldn’t match his effort, and the offense was limited to four hits, including Sam Antonacci’s leadoff home run off Troy Melton, which turned out to be their only run.The Tigers, in must-win mode, have won the first two games of the series, leaving the Sox 1-4 on the trip. They haven’t won a road series since May 1-3 in San Diego.Players were visibly disconsolate afterward, the sign of a team that expects to win every day.“The loss hurts,” Antonacci said. “I don’t think last year or the year before it was like that. It was just show up, and maybe win or lose and go home and go about your day.”Antonacci, a rookie, wasn’t there, but he called it perfectly.With the Sox contending for a postseason spot, every day is now important, and the losing hurts more.But trying to win consistently without a fifth starter is like trying to navigate the Dan Ryan on an electric scooter. You can get by for a while, but there is always a chance for disaster.Venable said before the game that he hoped rehabbing Noah Schultz or another minor-leaguer would be available the next time the Sox need a fifth starter, saying “it’s not in our plans” to go with a bullpen day often.But does employing it Saturday point to a lack of starting depth in the system?“I think I just talked about how that changes throughout the year and certainly we’ve been at spots during this year in which we’ve had multiple guys you feel confident coming up,” Venable replied. “Right now some of those guys are hurt or working their way back. It’s just at a time right now where we don’t have it on this day, but we look forward to the next time having some guys we can lean on.”After Newcomb left in the fourth with a 1-0 lead, Venable leaned on Tyler Davis (three walks), Joe Rock (three runs on five hits and two walks in 2 2/3 innings) and Trevor Richards, who served up a solo home run to Dillon Dingler. Venable said they pushed Newcomb further than they were comfortable with and couldn’t go further.Newcomb, one of their most valuable relievers along with Grant Taylor, said he’d be open to being used in the fifth starter spot.“I’m open to opening, long open, long starter … whatever they want to call it,” he said. “I’m just hoping to pitch in a bunch of innings.”It’s worth a shot, considering what’s available at Triple-A Charlotte.The Tigers needed the win, and their fans are getting restless. Manager A.J. Hinch was booed loudly after sending in .138 hitting Jahmai Jones to pinch hit for Kerry Carpenter in the fourth after the lefty Rock replaced Davis with two outs and the bases loaded on three walks. And Hinch was jeered again after Jones struck out, bookending the booing and showing Tigers fans are perturbed over the team’s downfall.But the Tigers tied it in the fifth and scored two more off Rock in the sixth before Dingler’s home run in the seventh made it 4-1. Venable said he didn’t want to use Taylor too early. “We want to make sure we’re using him in the right spots, and it just hasn’t come up in the last few days,” he said.On the bright side, the Sox could get starting catcher Kyle Teel back during the next series after his 5-for-5 day at Triple-A Charlotte on Friday, which would be a significant addition to the lineup with both catchers struggling offensively. Drew Romo, hitting .144, went 0 for 4 and flied out to end it with two men on in the ninth.Venable wouldn’t give a hint about Teel’s return but said: “Part of him getting minor-league games under his belt is getting his timing at the plate. … It seems like he’s doing that.”As for Friday’s histrionics, it was just “good clean fun,” according to Vasil, who said he didn’t know what irked Skubal but assumed it was an accusation of sign-stealing.Vasil neither confirmed nor denied doing that, but it’s not against the rules to do so with your eyes, and the White Sox once employed a coach named Joe Nossek who had the reputation as the best sign-stealer in the game. It’s only illegal if you use video or do something like bang a garbage can, as Hinch knows well from his days in Houston.Vasil also claimed he wasn’t sure why Skubal thought he was stealing signs.“We started to get on base and, like I said, people get paranoid,” he said.Skubal never explained himself, saying he was “an emotional guy.”“I wear my emotions out there,” he said. “That’s how I play the game.”The Sox and Tigers had a sign-stealing saga at the end of the 2014 season when former Sox pitcher Chris Sale accused the Tigers of doing it one day in Detroit. The Sox had someone in the dugout use binoculars to spot a man in the bleachers they felt was relaying signs, but manager Robin Ventura never made an issue of it. Sale and Ventura engaged in a heated argument a few days later after Sale demanded Ventura call out the Tigers for the sign-stealing.Venable never actually accused the Tigers of saying the Sox were stealing signs but offered it as a possible explanation for Skubal’s antics.“Again, that’s us trying to figure out what they could have been upset about,” he said Saturday. “There was no indication that’s what it was. Usually when you see stuff like that, that’s the implication. But I don’t want to assume anything.”The trip ends Sunday with Davis Martin pitching in the finale before an important three-game showdown against the Cleveland Guardians at Rate Field.____