Sports
NYCFC M James Sands returns from loan, inks extension
Nov 2, 2024; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; FC Cincinnati forward Yuya Kubo (7) battles New York City FC midfielder James Sands (6) for the ball in the first half in a 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One match at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images New York City FC midfielder James Sands returned from his loan to Germany’s FC St. Pauli and signed a contract extension.
The team announced Thursday that the 25-year-old is under contract through 2029-30 with an option for 2030-31.
Sands joined St. Pauli in January 2025 and recorded one goal and one assist in 35 matches across all competitions.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome James back to New York City,” sporting director Todd Dunivant said. “James has been an important part of this Club’s history, has proven himself in this League, and now brings top European experience. As we continue to build our core roster, James will be a vital member of our group moving forward.”
Sands has recorded one goal and five assists in 143 appearances across all competitions with NYCFC since 2017.
“I’m really excited to be back with the club,” Sands said. “… New York City has been with me every step of the way. Now it’s my turn to give the best years of my career back to the club. From day one, I’ve had a great connection with the fans, and I’m looking forward to keeping that going.”
Sands was New York City’s first homegrown signing in 2017 and helped the team capture the MLS Cup in 2021.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Guardians Injuries Could Change Cleveland's Trade Deadline Plans
It was an exciting start to the season for the Cleveland Guardians. They jumped out to an early lead in the AL Central, quickly pulling away from who they thought would be their biggest competitors, the Detroit Tigers.
They were even 5-0 against the team they had faced in the playoffs the prior two years. Then, in the blink of an eye, things got ugly. Jose Ramirez, Chase DeLauter, and Angel Martinez, the team’s 1-2-3 hitters, all went down in the same game.
Any team losing the top of their order would be a problem, but it especially hurts when the 27th-ranked scoring offense loses the top of their order.
Jose Ramirez is impossible to replace. Even in a down year, he already had generated 2+ WAR, and will always be the heart and soul of the Guardians lineup, and maybe even the city of Cleveland.
Luckily, Gabriel Arias was just activated off the IL, and he will fill in at 3B for the time being. He’s not Jose, but he has been a 99 OPS+ so far this season, meaning he’s essentially been a league-average hitter. He’ll also provide some pop in a lineup that’s in desperate need of power.
DeLauter and Martinez aren’t nearly as good as Ramirez; however, finding an outfielder to replace them in the Cleveland organization will be far more difficult. Petey Halpin makes his return from AAA, but I would be shocked to see him add much offensive support. Steven Kwan, Stuart Farichild, and Daniel Schneeman fill out the rest of an outfield that is the worst offensively in the sport.
Kahlil Watson is also getting the call from Columbus after slashing .255/.333/.436 with 12 HRs in AAA. He might be able to provide support to a struggling offense, but these injuries cause far bigger concerns.
Cleveland was looking like a potential buyer at the trade deadline, but I don’t see that happening now. The Guards are 25th in baseball in total home runs, and desperately need to add some power to the middle of their order.
Rhys Hoskins and Kyle Manzardo haven’t done enough to drive in runs, especially being a part of an offense that is 8th in baseball in walks. I fear that with these injuries, Cleveland’s front office is going to be far too comfortable to sit out at the trade deadline.
Jose Ramirez won’t be sidelined for the entire season, and you’ll only get so many more elite seasons out of him in his age-33 season and beyond. The Chicago White Sox are your only real competition in the AL Central, and I think you’d be insane not to try to make this roster better.
They have a war chest of talent spread throughout their minor league system, so you can easily buy at the deadline without completely stripping down your farm system.
It’ll be an interesting few weeks in Cleveland, and if they can keep the ship afloat, maybe they still make a big trade at the coming deadline.
Sports
Best Super Bowl Bets to Make Before NFL Training Camps Begin
Jun 2, 2026; Woodland Hills, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay during organized team activities at Rams Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Why on Earth would anyone want to bet on the Super Bowl in June, before the preseason gets underway? The answer to that is simple: to make more money when you win. But who do you want to bet on now? Well, I’ve got a few ideas on Super Bowl bets you want to make before the preseason.
This market is a great one for line shopping at this time of year. While the odds for the favorites may not differ much, you can find some significant discrepancies with long shots and dark horses (odds via BetMGM).
My Favorite: Los Angeles Rams +500
The Rams had the No. 1 scoring offense last year and made a good defense even better by acquiring Myles Garrett. So, naturally, they became the betting favorite to win Super Bowl 61. But why bet on them now? Because of the 2023-24 Kansas City Chiefs.
In June, prior to the preseason that year, they had +650 odds of winning Super Bowl 58. While there was some fluctuation in their Super Bowl 58 odds throughout the preseason and most of the regular season, their odds never got longer than +650 until the final two weeks of the season.
The moral of the story is this: bet on them now because there is a solid chance their odds may never get longer than they are now. Betting on them now maximizes your potential winnings.
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My Dark Horse: Kansas City Chiefs +1500
Stealing Kenneth Walker III away from the Seahawks was a masterful move and gave them an enormous upgrade at the position. Assuming he picks up where he left off, defenses will have to gameplan to stop the run. This will, of course, make playing so much easier for Patrick Mahomes.
The only problem, we don’t know when or if Patrick Mahomes will play. With him, they are contenders. But without him…there’s always next year.
Honorable mention: Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals
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My Longshot: Minnesota Vikings +5000
Why waste your money on one of these? Easy—because sometimes they win. You know, like last year.
Last June, the Patriots and Seahawks both had +6600 odds of winning Super Bowl 60. Had you bet on the Seahawks in June last year, your $100 wager would have won you $6600. But since you waited until prior to the Wild Card game, you only won $375 off a $100 wager.
Last season, the Vikings had a solid defense, but J.J. McCarthy could never get the offense rolling. If he starts this season, your money is lost. But if Kyler Murray gets the nod and he lives up to his potential while working with Jordan Addison, Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and Aaron Jones, Minnesota could absolutely be the next rags-to-riches story in the NFL.
Honorable Mention: Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints
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Sports
First round of U.S. Open resumes after 2-hour fog delay
Jun 13, 2018; Southampton, NY, USA; General view of the first fairway as fog rolls in during Wednesday’s practice round of the 118th U.S. Open golf tournament at Shinnecock Hills. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images The first round of the 126th U.S. Open was paused for two hours on Thursday morning due to fog.
Play at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., was suspended at 7:05 a.m. ET, approximately 30 minutes after the first group teed off.
When the horn sounded, only 14 players had completed a hole.
Golfers initially were told to hold in place for 15 minutes, but soon were summoned to the clubhouse given the visibility issues.
Play resumed a little after 9 a.m. ET.
A 60% chance of precipitation and wind gusts approaching 36 mph are in Thursday’s forecast.
–Field Level Media
Guardians Injuries Could Change Cleveland's Trade Deadline Plans
Best Super Bowl Bets to Make Before NFL Training Camps Begin
