Dansby Swanson delivers as the Chicago Cubs edge the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3
Pete Crow-Armstrong and Ian Happ each had two hits for Chicago, which had dropped four of five before a 3-1 victory Saturday.
Next up is a big five-game series against major league-leading Milwaukee, beginning with a split doubleheader Monday at Wrigley Field. The Cubs are eight games back of the Brewers in the NL Central.
Chicago had runners on second and third with one out in the eighth when Isaac Mattson (3-2) issued an intentional walk to Nico Hoerner. Swanson followed with a flyball to right, driving in Carson Kelly.
Caleb Thielbar (3-3) got one out for the win, and Andrew Kittredge pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his first save.
Pittsburgh trailed 2-1 before Joey Bart lined a two-run double into the corner in left in the sixth. Ronny Simon's two-out single put runners on the corners, but Ben Brown escaped the jam when Spencer Horwitz bounced to second.
Chicago tied it at 3 on Carson Kelly's bloop single in the bottom half, driving in Seiya Suzuki. The Cubs had the bases loaded with two down, but Swanson flied to right for the final out of the inning.
Key moment
The Pirates wasted a prime scoring opportunity in the eighth. Batting with a runner on third and one out, Bart struck out swinging against Brown. Isiah Kiner-Falefa then walked before Thielbar fanned Ronny Simon for the final out of the inning.
Key stat
The Pirates went 3 for 13 with runners in scoring position and left 10 on base.
Up next
Pirates: RHP Paul Skenes (7-9, 2.13 ERA) starts Monday night in the opener of a three-game series against Toronto. RHP Kevin Gausman (8-9, 3.79 ERA) goes for the AL East leaders.
Cubs: There has been no announcement from the Cubs on their rotation for the Brewers series, but RHP Jameson Taillon (7-6, 4.44 ERA) is expected to come off the injured list and start one of the games.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ken Rosenthal sounds off on MLB salary cap idea
The post Ken Rosenthal sounds off on MLB salary cap idea appeared first on ClutchPoints. Over the offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers caused a stir with a historic spending spree. As LA hoarded talent, MLB grew concerned about audience disengagement. Some fans of smaller market teams became disillusioned, believing that the 2025 season was a foregone conclusion because the Dodgers won the winter. Every professional sports league strives for parity to keep fans engaged. While the NFL draft offers hope for fans of even the most dysfunctional teams, baseball's luxury tax hasn't quite had the same effect. And so, with the current collective bargaining agreement expiring after the 2026 season, rumblings of a potential MLB salary cap began. The MLB Players Association ardently opposes a salary cap. But even if it somehow was instituted, would a cap address the league's parity concerns? And just how serious are those concerns? MLB insider Ken Rosenthal pushed back on the idea that baseball suffers from a competitive balance problem. 'The sport has not been broken at any point. And it was not broken when the Dodgers were loading up… We've seen consistently over the years, small market teams compete at a high level,' Rosenthal explained. How bad is MLB's competitive balance problem? To illustrate the issue, Rosenthal pointed to the Milwaukee Brewers, who own MLB's best record. 'This will be, if they get there, [the Brewers'] seventh playoff appearance in the past eight years,' Rosenthal noted. 'I'm not saying the economic system in the sport is perfect. But what I'm saying is, to suggest that the salary cap is the only answer? That is just simply absurd,' he added Philadelphia Phillies' star Bryce Harper certainly agrees. The former MVP got into a heated confrontation with MLB commissioner Rob Manfred last month at the very mention of a salary cap. As Rosenthal suggests, teams with lower payrolls have consistently reached the postseason. However, when it comes to the World Series, only one team outside the top 10 in payroll for that season won a championship in the last 10 years. In 2021, the Braves (11th-highest payroll) beat the Astros (third highest) in the Fall Classic, per Spotrac. Five of the last 10 World Series winners boasted a top-five payroll for that season; the 2024 Dodgers (third), 2020 Dodgers (first), 2019 Nationals (fifth), 2018 Red Sox (first) and the 2016 Cubs (third). However, four teams outside of the top 12 in payroll have reached the World Series in the last decade; the Diamondbacks in 2023 (21st), the Rays in 2020 (26th), Cleveland in 2016 (22nd) and the Mets in 2015 (13th). The 2025 season offers additional hope for smaller market teams. Three of the six current division leaders fall outside the top 11 in payroll. The Astros are 12th in spending, the Tigers are 15th and the Brewers are 20th in team payroll.
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Trending 📉 📈 after NFL preseason Week 2, plus the latest on two Bengals' pass rushers
Inside: Key takeaways from preseason Week 2, plus an impressive turnaround from Cincinnati's first-round pick amid Trey Hendrickson trade rumors. This article is from Scoop City, The Athletic's NFL newsletter. Sign up here to receive it directly in your inbox. Let's start with Caleb Williams' nearly spotless first drive under Ben Johnson, when the Bears quarterback completed five of six passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. It was unlike anything we saw from Chicago last year. Play-action was used effectively. Dropbacks were timed with routes that had Williams hitting his receivers in stride just as he finished his drop. Completions were layups for Williams. It was the best start possible for Johnson's Bears, who may finally provide Chicago with the elusive combination of competence on both sides of the ball. These results came against the Bills' second-string defense, but the Bears' 38-0 win was as good as it gets. Raise another offseason banner. Other risers from preseason Week 2: 📈 Seahawks run game. Every running back dreams of the gaps that Klint Kubiak's outside-zone blocking scheme created during a 33-16 win over Kansas City. Seattle's backups had piled up 174 rushing yards by halftime. Everything was clicking for the Seahawks, albeit against a Chiefs defense missing key starters. Advertisement 📈 Ashton Jeanty gave the NFL its Welcome-to-Ashton-Jeanty moment when laying out a 49ers' corner on one of seven runs. He finished with 33 yards and a touchdown as the Raiders' offensive starters showed promise, scoring on both their drives. 📈 Cam Ward's final stats — 2/7 for 42 yards passing — are misleading, as his best throw was a perfect 25-yard pass that was dropped by his receiver, and two other passes should've been caught. The Titans will still struggle, but Ward looks the part so far. 📈 Colts' hope. Anthony Richardson showed the superhuman arm strength that would give any coach hope. Watch how effortlessly he completes this perfect 38-yard pass: A flag negated the play, but it counts for Richardson's competition against Daniel Jones, for which head coach Shane Steichen expects to name a winner soon. 📈 One Giant dilemma. Russell Wilson completed an 80-yard bomb that — if his receiver was Malik Nabers — would've gone for a score, but his next three drives ended with two punts and an interception. Jaxson Dart then led touchdown drives on two of his three series, finishing 14/16 for 137 yards and two touchdowns. It's now feels like a question of when, not if, Dart starts in 2025. As Dan Duggan writes, it's impossible not to be excited. 📈 Ravens' new kicker. Tyler Loop led The Athletic's list of Ravens who impressed this weekend, as the rookie sixth-rounder hit seven of eight, including two from plus-50. He's replacing Justin Tucker, who hit a career-low 73.3 percent of his attempts last season (32nd among qualifying kickers). 📈 Steelers' rookies. First-round defensive tackle Derrick Harmon was dominant and third-round running back Kaleb Johnson showed improved burst and vision, breaking off multiple runs of nine-plus yards. There's room to improve, but the pair leads Pittsburgh's stock report. 📈 Chargers' receivers. Second-round rookie Tre' Harris finished with six catches for 85 yards, while fifth rounder KeAndre Lambert-Smith caught two for 66 yards. Both made eye-catching toe-tap grabs, though Lambert-Smith joined the starters as Harris worked with backups. Here's Harris: 📉 49ers' health. Starting right guard Dominick Puni and two others joined a long list of 49ers missing time, including first-round DE Mykel Williams, DE Nick Bosa and nearly their entire receiver room. But hey, Brock Purdy and Ricky Pearsall were sharp, and Jake Moody hit a 59-yard game-winning kick. Advertisement 📉 2-0 Patriots. Down? Don't let a preseason win over Vikings backups fool you: Drake Maye missed throws, was nearly intercepted and watched his starting center struggle throughout. Two positives: rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson is a gamebreaker, and UDFA Efton Chism III might be their next great slot receiver. 📉 0-2 Panthers. A defensive holding penalty thankfully negated Bryce Young's first pass, which was intercepted by the Texans. It didn't get any better for the 24-year-old, as Young finished two series without a completion and the Panthers' starters gained three total yards. The Bengals have been actively engaged in trade discussions surrounding star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson for weeks, sources told me and my colleague Paul Dehner Jr. And, according to teams that have reached out, the Bengals aren't only seeking draft capital in return; they're also targeting defensive players in a potential deal for the 30-year-old. Cincinnati has told interested teams it is looking for a young defensive player and a future first-round pick in a trade package. One source I spoke with strongly believes that the Bengals could have netted a better draft pick had they moved Hendrickson in the spring. Many teams also face potential salary cap obstacles when it comes to paying Hendrickson the deal he wants this late into the summer. As a result, several playoff contenders that might have been potential trade partners aren't interested, at least at the Bengals' current asking price. And so Cincinnati's off-field drama drags on, and on. Back to you, Jacob. Shemar Stewart's impressive training camp is a bright spot amid the shadow of Hendrickson's contract dispute. As beat reporter Paul Dehner Jr. wrote, Stewart is everything they hoped for when drafting him at No. 17. His work ethic, burst and attitude led to either a pressure, sack, batted pass or tackle for loss in nearly every practice. Stewart is yet to be named the starter, but will take reps with the first team in tonight's game against the Commanders. Hopefully, we see him paired with Hendrickson. You can watch Stewart and the Bengals' starters at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, when Washington's starters are also expected to play a few series. The Athletic's watch guide is here. Andrew Luck should still be playing. 'I was gonna play until I was 40 or 45,' he told The Athletic's Zak Keefer, who shared the story of why Luck returned to football. From the 'Scoop City' Podcast: Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel share their plans for the Patriots. Scouting Jayden Daniels. The Commanders quarterback explained how he self-scouts after a record-setting rookie season. Hidden star. Josh Metellus is a safety who lines up among defensive tackles and stops the run like a linebacker. Today, Jourdan Rodrigue profiled the most interesting player in the Vikings' devastating defense. 📫 Enjoyed this read? Sign up here to receive The Athletic's free NFL newsletter in your inbox. Also, check out our other newsletters. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
The stars of MLB, the NFL and beyond who drove sports card sales to new highs in July
July was the biggest month in what is shaping up to be another big year for the trading card industry. According to CardLadder, which tracks trading card sales across online marketplaces, more than $308 million was spent on cards last month — and that's not counting all the in-person deals that happened as The National Sports Collectors Convention got underway in Chicago as July turned to August — the highest monthly total so far this year. Advertisement As by far the largest collectibles marketplace, eBay accounted for about 86 percent (about $266 million, by CardLadder's tally). So what were collectors buying, selling, and searching for in such big numbers? The answers tell a lot about the current state of the sports card market. According to eBay, the five most searched athletes on the platform are names that have dominated the list all year long: Michael Jordan, Jayden Daniels, Caitlin Clark, JJ McCarthy, and Shohei Ohtani. But while those names have firmly been atop the most searched list, some newcomers have been on the rise. Search interest in New York Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo jumped more than 190 percent from June to July and searches for 'Tetairoa McMillan auto,' referencing autographs from the Carolina Panthers' rookie receiver, shot up more than 300 percent, eBay says. In baseball, four rookies have seen significant increases in searches from March to July: And those searches for Kurtz have translated to big money moving into the Athletics' first baseman's cards. GemRate, which tracks graded card populations, has started compiling eBay sales data, which showed that Kurtz had the biggest increase in money shifting into his cards of any athlete in July. 1. Nick Kurtz: +$935k ($1.15 million total July sales, $2.12m YTD) 2. Hulk Hogan: +$840k ($960k, $1.8m) 3. Caitlin Clark: +$734k ($3.08m, $15.16m) 4. Michael Jordan: +$600k ($5.37m, $34.10m) 5. Shohei Ohtani: +$393k ($3.82m, $24.13m) 6. Ryne Sandberg: +$336k 7. Cal Raleigh: +$316k 8. LeBron James: +$286k 9. Tom Brady: +$270k 10. Patrick Mahomes: +$247k Some takeaways from this list: While Kurtz's spike was huge, his overall market is still relatively small. It will likely take a larger sample size of success to grow his market, especially since he's playing for the Athletics. … The deaths of Hogan and Sandberg prompted fans to pay tribute by adding to their collections. … Just a little more than half this list is active players, showing the power retired legends retain in the collectibles market. … Clark continued to be a force in the card market even as her second season in the WNBA has been hampered by injuries, showing that buyers still see long-term value with her. Advertisement What about the biggest drops in July? 1. Lamine Yamal: -$797k 2. Jac Caglianone: -$728k 3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: -$666k 4. Tyrese Haliburton: -$614k 5. Jacob Wilson: -$305k 6. Roman Anthony: -$283k 7. Connor McDavid: -$249k 8. Jalen Williams: -$208k 9. Chase Burns: -$197k 10. Drake Maye: -$128k Takeaways: While just 60 percent of the first list is active players, 100 percent of this list is active players, showing the more jarring fluctuations current athletes are subject to in the collectibles market. … This list also illustrates the cyclical and at often fickle nature of the sports card market. SGA, Haliburton, and Williams all saw drops after making big gains during the NBA Playoffs. The same goes for Yamal as European club soccer was in its offseason and McDavid with the NHL campaign ending. Buying increases during the season (raising prices) and drops in the offseason (lowering prices) — it's a common trend savvy buyers and sellers can take advantage of. … Then there's the churn of MLB prospecting that Caglianone, Wilson, Anthony, and Burns all fell victim to here. Prospectors like a hyped minor leaguer but once they reach the majors and they don't immediately play at a Hall of Fame level, it's on to the next guy. … Even though Yamal had the biggest drop, his sales were still significant. At $1.2 million, they were still higher than Lionel Messi's ($783k) and Cristiano Ronaldo's ($305k) combined. A look at which NFL players buyers are gravitating toward ahead of the new season is also informative: 1. Tom Brady: +$270k 2. Patrick Mahomes: +$249k 3. Joe Burrow: +$218k 4. Lamar Jackson: +$135k 5. Josh Allen: +$114k 6. Michael Penix Jr.: +$90k 7. Barry Sanders: +$88k 8. Ja'Marr Chase: +$76k 9. Anthony Richardson: +$70k 10. Jerry Rice: +$52k 16. Jeremiah Smith: +$44k Advertisement 17. Arch Manning: +$42k For full sales trends check out GemRate. Takeaways: Quarterbacks naturally dominate the list, but legends at other positions in Sanders and Rice show their staying power and perhaps the strength of nostalgia for their era right now in the collectibles world. Chase stands out as the only active non-QB. Buyers seem to be anticipating a big year from him and Burrow, who's ahead of Allen and Jackson on the list. … Maybe it's lack of faith in Daniel Jones, but the money going toward Anthony Richardson seems like a low-cost gamble on him finally fulfilling his rookie hype. Even at the reduced cost, whether it pays off or not is another question, though. … Smith and Manning are included here even though they're outside the top 10 to show the college players that speculators are consolidating around. … If you're wondering how McCarthy can be on the list of the five most searched athletes across all sports but not on this list, it's because his total sales have been consistently strong going back to the spring. A lot of football card buyers have high hopes for him this season and that started well before July. Following eBay's roll-out of extended bidding testing last month that is still ongoing, the company shared details of another new feature test that recently began: real-time auction updates via 'Live Activities' on iOS. 'The new feature will allow buyers to track the final 10 minutes of any auction via the iOS Live Activities feature,' eBay said. In other words, the days of having to set a separate timer so you can remember to track the final minutes of an auction after getting the '15 minutes left' notification may soon be over. This feature would keep those final minutes of an auction front of mind by surfacing them on your iPhone's lock screen. Some further details on the test from eBay: 'Our test of real-time updates via iOS Live Activities underscores our commitment to making auctions on eBay as seamless as possible,' said Adam Ireland, VP and general manager, Global Collectibles at eBay. 'From casual bidders to serious collectors, this feature keeps buyers in the action right up to the final moments.' The last part of that quote is particularly interesting. Should the lock screen auction updates and extended bidding both be fully implemented at some point, they could contribute to higher auction prices realized and thus higher card values across the board by keeping more bidders engaged and keeping bidding going for longer. The Athletic will provide further details on these potential features when they're available. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence in all our coverage. When you click or make purchases through our links, we may earn a commission. (Top image:) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
