HOUSTON -- When youre talking about the heroes of Independence Day, Yordan Alvarez wanted to make sure he gets his due.
Alvarez hit a two-run walk-off home run off Rays reliever Casey Legumina in th… [+1328 chars]

HOUSTON -- When you’re talking about the heroes of Independence Day, Yordan Alvarez wanted to make sure he gets his due.
Alvarez hit a two-run walk-off home run off Rays reliever Casey Legumina in the bottom of the ninth inning Saturday night to cap a two-hom…

MLB.com

All-Star starter Yordan's fireworks fuel Astros' wild comeback - MLB.com

Brandon Aiyuk keeps burning bridges.
He may have burned the one bridge that would have led him to the Commanders his former Arizona State teammate.
Earlier today, after posting an item regarding wh… [+1668 chars]

Aiyuk, Daniels apparently have some sort of beef now.

NBCSports.com

By going after Jayden Daniels, Brandon Aiyuk may be burning his bridge to the Commanders - NBC Sports

Thomas Tuchel has dismissed concerns over England's treatment in Mexico as they prepare to face the World Cup co-hosts - saying it had been "nicer than I expected" and that home fans were "friendly a… [+1758 chars]

Thomas Tuchel dismisses concerns over England's treatment in Mexico, saying it has been "nicer than I expected" and that home fans are "friendly and respectful".

BBC News

World Cup 2026: England head coach Thomas Tuchel on Mexico match - BBC

It took seconds for Darryn Peterson, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2026 NBA Draft, to show that all of the hype was warranted.
On the first play of the first possession of the Utah Jazzs summer leag… [+2963 chars]

Darryn Peterson led the Utah Jazz to a win over the Atlanta Hawks in Salt Lake City Summer League action.

Deseret News

Darryn Peterson was as advertised in his summer league debut for the Jazz - Deseret News

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Kylian Mbappé of France scored his 19th career World Cup goal, finding the net on a penalty kick in the Round of 16 against Paraguay on Saturday and moving within one of record hold… [+2353 chars]

Kylian Mbappé of France has scored his 19th career World Cup goal. He found the net on a penalty kick in the Round of 16 against Paraguay on Saturday and moved within one of record holder Lionel Messi of Argentina. Mbappé stutter-stepped on his way to his 19t…

Associated Press

Kylian Mbappé of France scores 19th career World Cup goal, 1 behind Golden Boot rival Messi - AP News

Shohei Ohtani will be joined in the National League's starting lineup by three teammates from the back-to-back champion Los Angeles Dodgers, Major League Baseball announced Saturday when it unveiled … [+5402 chars]

Shohei Ohtani will be joined by three Los Angeles teammates in the NL's starting lineup, while the Dodgers, Braves and Phillies will each send five players to the July 14 All-Star Game.

ESPN

Ohtani, Freeman lead Dodgers' four starters in All-Star Game - ESPN

After several penalty shootouts, drama and controversy, the World Cup's Round of 32 is finally over. What does the second round of the knockout stage have in store for us?
Co-host Canada got things … [+5976 chars]

Follow along here for the latest World Cup results, schedule updates, highlights and news as the knockout stage continues.

Yahoo Entertainment

France ousts Paraguay after World Cup Round of 16 kicks off with Morocco's rout of Canada - Yahoo Sports

The NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series races at Chicagoland Speedway for the first time since 2019 in the Cuervo 300 on July 4.
Connor Zilisch is on the pole after a rainout on July 3 canceled qualif… [+3465 chars]

The NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series season continues with the Cuervo 300 at Chicagoland.

Tennessean

NASCAR O'Reilly Series Chicagoland race live updates, highlights, leaderboard - The Tennessean

Mavrik Bourque signed a six-year, $33 million contract with the Nashville Predators on Saturday. It has an average annual value of $5.5 million.
A restricted free agent, Bourque was acquired by the … [+807 chars]

Forward was restricted free agent after being acquired in trade with Dallas

NHL News

Bourque signs 6-year, $33 million contract with Predators - NHL.com

KANSAS CITY Is there anything more patriotic?
Ten days after Independence Day, Major League Baseballs All-Star Game in the countrys 250th year will be played in Philadelphia, the nations birthplace.… [+6695 chars]

Brandon Marsh, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Cristopher Sánchez and Jhoan Duran will represent the Phillies in the 2026 All-Star Game.

Nbcsportsphiladelphia.com

Five Phillies named All-Stars for 96th Midsummer Classic at CBP - NBC Sports Philadelphia

Ticket prices for the United States highly anticipated round of 16 game against Belgium on Monday plunged by more than 30 percent before rebounding slightly early Saturday evening.
The get-in price … [+1829 chars]

The price for the final 2026 World ⁠Cup match in Seattle hit nearly $4,000 but dipped as low as $1,549 ⁠on Tuesday.

Al Jazeera English

Ticket prices plunge for USA-Belgium World Cup last-16 match - Al Jazeera

All the suitors who believe they have a realistic chance at landing LeBron James in free agency are “prepared to wait as long as it takes” to see where he’ll go, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fisc… [+1959 chars]

The star free agent may decide to finish his long career where it started.

hoopsrumors.com

Cavaliers May Be Emerging As Favorites To Sign LeBron James - HoopsRumors.com

The Christian Lundgaard Revenge Tour got its start Saturday as the Dane earned his first pole position of the season for Arrow McLaren during the same week he learned to expect his dismissal at the e… [+4002 chars]

The Christian Lundgaard Revenge Tour got its start Saturday as the Dane earned his first pole position of the season for Arrow McLaren during the same week he learned to expect his dismissal at the end of the year.

RACER

Lundgaard takes IndyCar pole at Mid-Ohio - RACER - Racing News

Once again, storms could hit the Chicago area Saturday, so heres the local radar to keep handy.
Saturday notes
<ul><li>ITS LIKE NIGHT AND DAY: The Cubs are 30-20 in night games this year vs. 19-19 … [+3558 chars]

The Cubs look to even up their series against the Cardinals.

Bleed Cubbie Blue

Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals preview, Saturday 7/4, 7:08 CT - Bleed Cubbie Blue

Jul 4, 2026, 05:41 PM ET
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti maintains he is not about to set up an "anti-Erling Haaland plan" when his side look to shackle the Manchester City forward and get past Norway … [+3273 chars]

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti maintains he is not about to set up an "anti Erling Haaland plan" against Norway at the World Cup.

Brazil don't have an 'anti-Erling Haaland plan' at World Cup - Carlo Ancelotti - ESPN

SEATTLE Make no mistake: Mauricio Pochettino is pure Argentine.
"I am 200 percent Argentine," he said, beaming. "I am not going to lie."
He grew up in a farming village some 250 miles west of Bueno… [+5145 chars]

On the Fourth of July, the USMNT's Argentine coach is leaning into life in his adopted country while leading a team that has given Americans something to ral...

From country music to a unifying World Cup run: Mauricio Pochettino's American journey - Yahoo Sports

This is the fourth time LeBron James has been a full-fledged free agent and yet again he's in the midst of a process that is best described as free agency as only he can do it.
In 2010: The (first-o… [+1182 chars]

To hopefully spice up your holiday barbecue

Substack.com

July Fourth NBA Trade + Free Agency Intel Special - The Stein Line | Substack

A record crowd of close to 180,000 people is expected to cram into Silverstone for the British Grand Prix on Sunday.
The remarkable attendance figure is a measure not only of Formula 1's growth as a… [+2104 chars]

Close to 180,000 people are expected to attend Sunday's British Grand Prix but auguries for a home win are not that good, writes Andrew Benson.

Record crowd hoping for home win - but will Antonelli 'disappear into distance'? - BBC

LONDON (AP) Iga Swiateks title defense at Wimbledon ended Saturday in a 7-6 (9), 6-2 third-round loss to 21-year-old Alexandra Eala, who continues to make history for the Philippines.
Eala is the fi… [+3123 chars]

Iga Swiatek’s title defense at Wimbledon has ended in a straight-set third-round loss to 21-year-old Alexandra Eala who continues to make history for the Philippines. Eala is the first Filipino player, male or female, to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam…

Eala upsets Wimbledon champion Swiatek in historic win for Philippines, No. 2 seed Rybakina also out - AP News

Joey Chestnut, who in the immortal words of ESPN sports reporter Jeremy Schaap is “the greatest eater in the annals of eating, in the annals of humankind, and food,” won his 18th title today at the a… [+837 chars]

Joey Chestnut won his 18th title today at the annual July 4th Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island, New York with 66 dogs.