Sports
Sacramento group unveils bid for MLB expansion franchise
Mar 7, 2026; Miami, FL, United States; Nicaragua manager Dusty Baker (12) looks on before the game against the Netherlands at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Sacramento is making its pitch for an expansion franchise in Major League Baseball.
Regional leaders near California’s capital city formally unveiled a bid on Thursday. The group tossed out “The Sacramento Pitch” in a release from the Greater Sacramento Economic Council that boasted about a “fully entitled 50-acre stadium site” and nearly $2 billion in public and private funds, as well as land.
“When MLB moves forward on expansion, Sacramento will be impossible to ignore,” said Mark Friedman, founder and chairman of Fulcrum Property and board chair of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council.
“We have the market, the site, the capital, and the community. Sacramento is ready to compete — and Sacramento is ready to win,” Friedman said.
Sacramento is the No. 20 media market in the United States. Of the markets ahead of it, only one — Orlando-Daytona Beach — does not have an MLB team.
The Athletics are playing their home games for a second straight season in West Sacramento, Calif. Their temporary home is Sutter Health Park, a minor-league stadium that effectively holds the fort until the A’s state-of-the-art ballpark in Las Vegas is completed in 2028.
“This is a defining moment for West Sacramento, and we’re ready,” West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero said in a news release. “Major League Baseball is already seeing firsthand the passion, energy, and civic pride that exists here. This region offers a practical and achievable path for long-term MLB success, and we have the financial capacity, community support, and clear vision needed to bring Major League Baseball permanently to West Sacramento. We’re built for this. We’re ready. Bring it on.”
Preliminary plans call for a stadium to be constructed near, or at, the site of Sutter Health Park.
In addition to politicians, “The Sacramento Pitch” features former San Francisco Giants manager Dusty Baker and former MLB player and Sacramento native Derrek Lee.
“I have always believed Sacramento is a major league city. Throughout my career, I’ve traveled across the country, and there’s something different about the people here. This community truly loves baseball,” Baker said in a news release. “For more than a century, this region has built a proud baseball legacy and developed generations of Major League Baseball players. I could not be more excited for the prospect of bringing a permanent MLB team here.”
The Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay (then-Devil) Rays were MLB’s last expansion teams. They debuted in 1998.
Commissioner Rob Manfred has said he would like to have two expansion cities chosen by 2029, one in the West and one in the East.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Steelers assistant coach out over violation of club policy
Jun 7, 2021; Costa Mesa, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers special teams coordinator Derius Swinton III during organized team activities at the Hoag Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The Pittsburgh Steelers and Derius Swinton II, a senior assistant coach for special teams, have split over a violation of club policy, ESPN reported Friday, citing league sources.
Swinton, 41, was hired in the offseason to the staff of new head coach Mike McCarthy for what was to be his 16th season in the NFL.
Swinton spent the past three seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, becoming the interim special teams coordinator when Tom McMahon was fired in Week 10.
He has worked for 10 NFL teams. He was special teams coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021 following stints with the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals.
Swinton’s NFL career started in St. Louis, where he was the Rams’ special teams quality control coach from 2009-11.
The Steelers have yet to confirm Swinton’s departure, nor did ESPN specify the policy he reportedly violated.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Ian Poulter plays on torn meniscus, surgery set for September
Ian Poulter tees off on the ninth hole Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, during day one of the LIV Golf Indianapolis tournament held at The Club at Chatham Hills in Westfield, Indiana. Ian Poulter said he needs surgery after tearing his meniscus while hopping up two steps at LIV Golf Virginia earlier this month.
Poulter didn’t let the injury impede him on the golf course on Thursday, as he shot a 4-under 66 in the first round of LIV Golf Korea at Asiad Country Club. The co-captain of Majesticks GC followed with a 2-over 72 on Friday to reside in a tie for 13th place, six strokes in back of leader Talor Gooch.
“I tore my meniscus Thursday of Virginia just hopping up two steps, so went for an MRI when I got back from Virginia, and yeah, I’m going to have to have surgery in September,” Poulter said Thursday.
Poulter, 50, admitted that he wasn’t sure he’d be able to compete in Korea.
“Bizarrely I have no sensation throughout the golf swing that there’s anything wrong with it,” he said. “I sense it when I’m walking downhill, steep downhills. I’m just edging it a little bit. But look, I’m going to have to strengthen that leg. It’s not affecting my golf in any way, shape or form.
“I just have to be reminding myself that I can’t go and play paddle tennis or do anything stupid or hop up steps like I did a couple of weeks ago. Walking in straight lines and being super sensible is not something I’m used to doing.
“Look, I feel good. I feel great. The body feels good. We’ll deal with that at some stage.”
Poulter has yet to win an individual LIV Golf event since joining the upstart league in 2022. He has 17 professional wins, including three on the PGA Tour.
–Field Level Media
Sports
MLB Betting Picks for Friday, May 29: Phillies and Marlins Featured
May 23, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (L) and third baseman Alec Bohm (R) slap hands after scoring during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images A light MLB slate two consecutive days sets the stage for the full Friday night menu in baseball.
There are several key series to keep an eye on, including a pair in the National League. The Chicago Cubs (31-26) seek their third consecutive win, facing the St. Louis Cardinals (29-25) in an NL Central battle.
Out west, the Philadelphia Phillies (29-27) square off with the Los Angeles Dodgers (36-20) in a playoff rematch at Dodger Stadium.
We’ll break down two plays for the Friday action. Remember to monitor the odds throughout the day, as the sides and totals market is constantly changing.
Here are the free MLB picks for Friday, May 29. Odds Courtesy of DraftKings.
Best MLB plays today
- Marlins F5 (-104) at Mets
- Phillies (+100) at Dodgers
Marlins F5 (-104) at Mets – 7:10 p.m. ET
The Marlins (26-31) swept the Mets at home last week as the two NL East rivals meet tonight at Citi Field. Miami P Max Meyer owns a tremendous 10-1 record in the first five innings, which includes leading New York, 4-0 last Saturday through five frames in a 4-1 win.
Freddy Peralta has led through five innings in three of 11 starts this season for the Mets, including a 1-3-2 mark in his last six home outings. New York is 2-6-1 in the first five innings of the past nine games.
Meyer has tossed at least five innings in nine consecutive games and has not allowed a run in the opening five frames in this stretch. Let’s go with the Marlins to continue their domination of the Mets and back them in the first five innings.
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Phillies (+100) at Dodgers – 10:15 p.m. ET
Philadelphia (29-27) faces Los Angeles (36-20) for the first time since getting knocked out in the NLDS last season. The Phillies started their west coast swing with a three-game sweep of the Padres, highlighted by a pair of shutouts. Tonight, Zack Wheeler heads to the mound as the Phillies are 6-0 in the right-hander’s six starts, while owning an ERA of 1.67.
The Dodgers cruised past the Rockies for a three-game sweep, extending their winning streak to five games. Left-hander Justin Wrobleski hasn’t lost consecutive starts this season after allowing five runs in five innings against Milwaukee. Wrobleski owns a 13.7% strikeout rate, which sits in the fifth percentile in MLB.
The Phillies are 11-2 in their last 13 road games since May 1, after starting 4-8 in their first 12 outings away from Citizens Bank Park. Wheeler didn’t face the Dodgers last season, but I expect a strong showing from him to continue his dominance and the Phillies to get revenge for their playoff loss.
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Report: Steelers assistant coach out over violation of club policy
Ian Poulter plays on torn meniscus, surgery set for September
