Sports
Homer-happy Giants provide challenge for Ben Brown, Cubs
Jun 5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman (26), right, high fives San Francisco Giants second baseman Luis Arraez (1) and designated hitter Bryce Eldridge (8) after he hits a grand slam against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images The San Francisco Giants will look to continue their road offensive onslaught against a pitcher who has allowed just 11 earned runs all season when they face Ben Brown and the Chicago Cubs in the continuation of a three-game series Saturday afternoon.
Having scored 12 and 18 runs in wins in two different National League Central cities in the past two days, the Giants will attempt to build their first four-game winning streak of the season and support struggling right-hander Landen Roupp (5-6, 4.22 ERA).
Matt Chapman, Willy Adames and Casey Schmitt did just that for starter Robbie Ray on Friday, each contributing a pair of home runs in an 18-3 victory that marked the Giants’ biggest run count at Wrigley Field in 65 years.
Chapman did the most damage to Cubs starter Edward Cabrera and five relievers on Friday, hitting a grand slam and a three-run homer as part of a career-best, eight-RBI day.
After making Wrigley Field the 32nd major league venue he has homered at, Chapman said a trip during which he’s had 10 hits in eight games is a team effort.
“It’s fun to hit with guys on base,” he told a television audience from the field after the win Friday. “We’ve been having fun, and we’re just trying to keep a good thing going. The offense seems to be contagious right now.”
The Giants launched seven home runs on Friday, a day after hitting two in a 12-9 defeat of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Little has come easily against the Cubs’ Brown (2-2, 1.92) this season. The right-hander threw a season-best seven innings in his most recent start, a 6-1 win at St. Louis last Saturday during which he limited the Cardinals to one run and three hits.
His only career head-to-head with the Giants came in a 3-1 home loss on May 7, 2025, in which he gave up all three San Francisco runs in five innings.
The Cubs have failed to take advantage of the start of a 22-game stretch against the Athletics, Giants, Colorado Rockies, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets — all sub-.500 clubs. Chicago lost two of three games to the A’s, and then the opener with the Giants.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said no one game or one series is more important than another.
“We’ve got a job to do,” he told reporters Friday, “and I don’t think it changes where we’re playing, who we’re playing, what time of the year it is. And that’s how you have to approach this.”
Roupp will take a personal six-game winless streak into his 13th start of the season. He’s coming off his worst outing of the year, tagged for eight runs and eight hits in four innings in a 16-2 loss at Milwaukee on Monday.
He will face the Cubs for the second time in his career, having suffered a 9-2 loss at Wrigley Field on May 5, 2025, in which he allowed two earned runs (four total) in five innings.
Seiya Suzuki contributed a two-run single to the Cubs’ win over Roupp last season. He’s homered in two of Chicago’s past three games.
– Field Level Media
Sports
Caitlin Clark returns as Fever continue road trip at Sparks
Jun 24, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) celebrates a made shot in the first half against the Phoenix Mercury at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images The sputtering Los Angeles Sparks will try to snap a three-game losing skid on Wednesday when they welcome the visiting Indiana Fever.
Caitlin Clark (back) will be on the floor Wednesday before sitting out in the second part of a back-to-back against the Phoenix Mercury. She has missed the past two games.
Indiana (12-8) is entering the second matchup of a four-game road swing. Indiana began its Western Conference tour on Sunday with the first of book-ending games against Las Vegas. The 84-68 Fever win marked their third victory in the last four outings – one of which includes a 111-87 blowout of Los Angeles on June 27.
Kelsey Mitchell scored 26 points in last month’s rout of the Sparks (8-11) and had 27 in Sunday’s 84-68 defeat of the reigning WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces. Mitchell’s 21.9 points per game are second-most in the league, just ahead of Clark’s 21.2.
The Fever were without Clark in the previous meeting against Los Angeles, as well as the start of the road trip in Las Vegas due to a back injury sustained in a June 24 loss to Phoenix. The prolific combo guard, whose 8.2 assists per game rank second in the league..
“Obviously, from a health standpoint, just getting back into it, I would assume I’d be on a minutes restriction (Wednesday). Still hopeful of a little bit more than 20 if I’m able to go,” Clark told The Indianapolis Star. “Hopefully, I feel good after the game versus Los Angeles and then will be available in (Las) Vegas (on Sunday).”
Fellow All-Star Aliyah Boston (right leg) will sit out against the Sparks and play against the Mercury, according to Fever coach Stephanie White.
Indiana was relying on Boston to help pick up some of the scoring slack.
After her 18-point, 10-rebound double-double in Las Vegas, Boston is averaging 17.1 points and 8.6 boards per contest.
Boston faces a Los Angeles interior in Dearica Hamby and Nneka Ogwumike who have carried the load in the absence of Kelsey Plum. Plum, who is averaging 23.9 points per game, suffered a lower left leg injury in mid-June and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
Despite Hamby’s 53 points over the last three games, and Ogwumike’s 52 points in that same span, the Sparks have struggled to find consistent offensive contributions elsewhere. The result are three consecutive losses of 18-plus points after Monday’s 82-64 loss at home to Seattle.
Los Angeles shot a dismal 5-of-29 from 3-point range, and no Sparks’ scorers other than Hamby or Ogwumike notched more than eight points.
“That’s what I’ve said many times: the best thing about this league, also the hardest thing… but the best thing is that you have to turn the page,” Los Angeles coach Lynne Roberts said. “We’re going to play a good Indiana team…We’ve got to turn the page and just keep plowing through.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Caitlin Clark (back) in action vs. Sparks, will sit Thursday
Jun 24, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) dribbles the ball while Phoenix Mercury guard Lexi Held (10) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark has been cleared to play in Wednesday night’s road game against the Los Angeles Sparks after a two-game absence due to back issues.
Clark will play in the front end of a back-to-back and then sit out Thursday’s game at the Phoenix Mercury. Fellow All-Star Aliyah Boston (right leg) will sit out against the Sparks and play against the Mercury, according to coach Stephanie White.
Clark exited a 111-109 home loss against the Mercury on June 24 and hasn’t played since. That is the same contest in which the fist of Phoenix star Alyssa Thomas landed on Clark’s throat after the latter had fallen to the court. Thomas drew a one-game suspension from the league.
Clark is averaging 21.2 points and 8.2 assists in 17 games. She has made 44 3-pointers at a 34.4% clip.
Boston is averaging 17.1 points and 8.6 rebounds in 19 games. Boston has hit 23 treys while making a stellar 45.1%.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Aces aim to beat expansion Fire for second time
Jul 5, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) drives against the Indiana Fever in the second quarter of their game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images The defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces are obviously a different team without four-time MVP A’ja Wilson on the floor.
Wilson has missed the Aces’ past three games with an ankle injury, which includes a 93-85 defeat to the New York Liberty on June 30 in the Commissioner’s Cup championship game and an 84-65 defeat Sunday to visiting Indiana.
The seven-time All-Star center could be closer to a return as she is listed as questionable for Las Vegas’ road contest against the expansion Portland Fire on Thursday night.
“We are trying to find ways to win basketball games,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said of Wilson’s injury. “We have had to play small a little bit more, and we have had to scrap, but it is not just her points. It is her gravity and her pull.
“Her presence gets other people open, and now we are in a situation where people are really cheating off some players. We have to do a better job of finding space and moving the ball.”
The Aces (15-6), who entered Wednesday’s play tied with Minnesota atop the league standings, made news off the court this week when they waived polarizing backup guard Chennedy Carter, who was averaging 12.2 points per game.
The Aces didn’t give a reason for the move with Carter, who appeared in 13 of 21 games. Carter was playing for her fourth team in five WNBA seasons.
The expansion Fire (9-12) snapped a three-game skid with a 77-72 victory Saturday at Seattle as Carla Leite scored 20 points and had four assists.
At one point, the Fire had five of their six rookies on the floor together.
“My philosophy as a coach is trusting younger players. So I think it’s something I actively kind of want to do,” Fire coach Alex Sarama said.
Guard Karlie Samuelson (left middle finger) is questionable for Portland after missing the past three games.
This will be the second meeting between the Aces and Fire this season. Host Las Vegas won 105-89 at June 11 as Wilson scored 32 points and Leite led Portland with 18.
–Field Level Media
Caitlin Clark returns as Fever continue road trip at Sparks
Caitlin Clark (back) in action vs. Sparks, will sit Thursday
