Sports
Series at sliding A's could be just the boost the Nationals need
Jul 6, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals designated hitter James Wood (29) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a grand slam during the fifth inning against the Houston Astros at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images The Washington Nationals haven’t been part of the postseason since winning the 2019 World Series, but they hope to kick off a run toward a berth when they resume play after the All-Star break against the struggling Athletics on Friday night at West Sacramento, Calif.
The Nationals have experienced six straight losing seasons since Stephen Strasburg’s pitching highlighted the championship run.
Washington is four games behind the Miami Marlins for the third wild card in the National League with All-Stars James Wood and CJ Abrams leading a spirited charge.
“I’m proud of this group,” Nationals rookie manager Blake Butera told reporters, according to mlb.com. “Coming into this season, everyone was throwing around the word ‘rebuild’ and ‘a couple years away,’ or whatever it might be. The fact that we’re talking about whether we’re going to be buyers or sellers at the (Aug. 3 trade) deadline shows a lot.
“These guys in the clubhouse have done a lot to get to this point that we are at today. We still have a lot of work that needs to be done, but overall I’m happy with the way these guys come out ready to play every single day.”
Wood, a 6-foot-6 right fielder, has 28 homers and 64 RBIs and leads the majors by a wide margin with 89 runs scored. Abrams leads all NL shortstops in homers (20) and RBIs (67).
A problem area for Washington has been a bullpen which has a major league-worst 27 blown saves. In fact, the Nationals blew late leads in all three games while being swept by the New York Yankees entering the break.
Overall, Washington has dropped six of its last eight games.
The Athletics lost their last nine games before the All-Star break as their wild-card hopes took a huge hit.
The Athletics were outscored 24-2 while being swept in a three-game set by the host Chicago White Sox leading into the break.
The A’s scored just six runs in their past six games. The offensive attack is struggling with All-Star first baseman Nick Kurtz (right thumb) on the 10-day injured list and two-time All-Star designated hitter Brent Rooker (left knee) done for the season.
The pitching also has been suspect, and the club designated right-hander Aaron Civale for assignment on Wednesday.
The Athletics’ 5.20 ERA is second worst in the majors, ahead of the Colorado Rockies (5.44).
The A’s haven’t decided whether or not they will be sellers at the trade deadline. General manager David Forst said the upcoming performances will dictate that issue.
“This is a critical time,” Forst told reporters, according to mlb.com. “It’s not unrealistic to say, ‘If we play really well over the next three or four weeks, we could get back into the wild card or even division race.’ The conversation about the deadline will evolve over the next two weeks.”
Rookie left-hander Gage Jump (3-4, 3.51 ERA) will take the mound for the Athletics in the opener of the three-game set.
Jump, 23, has dropped three straight starts and has a 7.43 ERA during the stretch. He lost to the Chicago White Sox on Saturday when he gave up one run and five hits over 5 2/3 innings.
In his previous two starts, he was hammered for 11 runs (10 earned) and 19 hits over just 7 2/3 innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins.
Right-hander Cade Cavalli (5-4, 3.83) starts for the Nationals.
Cavalli, 27, received a no-decision against the Yankees on Sunday when he gave up two runs and four hits over six innings.
Cavalli’s lone appearance against the A’s came in 2025. He gave up three hits in 4 1/3 scoreless innings and wasn’t involved in the decision.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Twins, Cubs enter series hoping All-Star break didn't cool them off
Jul 1, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Colin Rea (53) delivers the ball during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images The Chicago Cubs entered the All-Star break on a red-hot streak.
After a few days off, they will hit the play button and try to pick up from where they paused the action.
The Cubs will welcome the Minnesota Twins to open a three-game interleague series beginning Friday night at Wrigley Field. Chicago was 34-34 on June 10 but finished the final month before the break on a 20-8 run to jump 12 games above .500.
Now comes the more intense part of the season as the Cubs eye a postseason run.
“We’re OK with where we’re at,” outfielder Michael Conforto said. “We’re still hungry to play better. … We feel like we haven’t played up to our potential yet.”
Chicago sits five games behind the first-place Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central. The Cubs are counting on a big second half to reach the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
“The way I look at it is we’re in such a good place and I feel like we haven’t played that well yet,” shortstop Dansby Swanson said. “There’s been a lot of guys, offensively, underperforming from what they’re used to. You could even say that about the pitching side.
“There’s so much room for this team to continue to grow and get better and play better, and it’ll be a fun second half.”
Minnesota will look to spoil the Cubs’ fun this weekend.
The Twins also entered the All-Star break on a high note after winning nine of their final 13. They won back-to-back games against the Los Angeles Angels just before the break to climb within one game of .500. Minnesota sits three games back of the American League Central lead and is in the thick of the AL wild-card chase.
That might not seem like a big deal for some teams, but it’s great news for Minnesota, which entered the season with low expectations. A strong resumption of the season after the All-Star break could help management decide to be a buyer at the trade deadline instead of trading away veterans as it did a season ago.
For the moment, general manager Jeremy Zoll is watching and waiting.
“There’s still a lot of games left to unfold and teams aren’t really making those declarations (about who is available) until the last possible minute,” Zoll said. “And in turn, you need the full market to develop to be able to have things happen.
“So we’re continuing to evaluate things. The team is on a nice run here. … So we’re really excited about that to continue to progress and hopefully have a good showing … and go from there.”
Cubs right-hander Colin Rea (7-5, 4.75 ERA) will take the mound to start the series. He is 5 1/3 innings shy of reaching the 100-inning milestone for the fourth straight year.
In two career starts against Minnesota, Rea is 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA.
The Twins will counter with right-hander Bailey Ober (6-3, 4.40), who will make his second start since returning from the injured list. He allowed one run on three hits in five innings of a 5-2 loss against the Cleveland Guardians on July 9.
Ober, who was on the IL with right elbow inflammation and a mild flexor strain, has never faced the Cubs in his career.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Whitecaps-Fire match postponed due to air quality conditions
Jul 16, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Soldier Field and the Chicago skyline are obscured by wildfire smoke. A planned soccer match between the Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps FC was rescheduled due to poor air quality conditions in the Chicago area. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images Thursday’s match between the Vancouver Whitecaps and host Chicago Fire was postponed until Oct. 6. The local air quality was deemed to be too dangerous for players and fans to attend the outdoor event at Soldier Field, as Chicago and much of the Great Lakes area has been impacted by wildfire smoke.
The match is the only scheduled meeting between the Whitecaps and Fire this season. The rescheduled Oct. 6 date sits between a bye week for the two clubs, as Vancouver and Chicago each weren’t slated to play between Sept. 26 and Oct. 10.
“We share our fans’ disappointment, especially given the excitement surrounding our first match back following the FIFA World Cup break and the anticipation of welcoming more than 40,000 fans to Soldier Field,” said Chicago president of business operations Dave Baldwin.
“While we know this decision is disappointing, health and safety must come first,” Baldwin added. “We appreciate our fans’ understanding and look forward to welcoming them back soon.”
The delay means that MLS hiatus for the World Cup will extend a bit longer for the two clubs. The Whitecaps and Fire each had their last regular-season match on May 23. Vancouver will now return to action on July 22 in a road match with FC Cincinnati, while the Fire visit Inter Miami on the same day.
–Field Level Media
Sports
MLS-leading Nashville out to extend Atlanta United's struggles
May 17, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar (10) celebrates with forward Warren Madrigal (41), midfielder Bryan Acosta (6) and midfielder Ahmed Qasem (37) after scoring a goal against Los Angeles Football Club during the second half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images With the best record in MLS as the season resumes, Nashville SC is in go-for-it mode.
Ahead of its home match Friday night against Atlanta United, Nashville has added to an already formidable roster by signing Tunisian winger Elias Saad and 21-year-old midfielder Famara Camara of Senegal.
Already stocked with four All-Star selections — the most of any team — Nashville (10-1-3, 33 points) beefed up its attacking arsenal by acquiring Saad from FC Augsburg of the German Bundesliga.
Nashville owns a plus-20 goal differential, second only to Vancouver (22), and is top five in MLS in goals scored (31), fewest goals against (11) and possession (55%).
“We are an exciting team,” coach BJ Callaghan said. “We are a team that wants to attack. We play exciting games.”
Hany Mukhtar (six goals, five assists), Sam Surridge (nine goals), Andy Najar (five assists) and goalkeeper Brian Schwake (35 saves, six clean sheets) are the team’s All-Stars. It’s the fifth selection for Mukhtar, the second apiece for Surridge and Najar and the first for Schwake.
While Nashville is riding high into the second half, Atlanta (3-9-2, 11 points) is stuck in 14th in the East, seven points out of the final playoff spot. There’s time for Atlanta to make a push but not a lot to indicate that it can.
Its 14 goals are tied for last in the 30-team league and goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos has conceded 23 goals while making 34 saves. Outside of Aleksey Miranchuk’s five goals, no one else has tallied more than two.
Like Nashville, Atlanta has added to its roster after the break. Chilean defender Paulo Diaz and Paraguayan defender Junior Alonso figure to shore up weaknesses on the backline. Alonso helped his country shock Germany in the round of 32 at the World Cup.
Atlanta chief soccer officer and sporting director Chris Henderson said Alonso is a hard-working defender.
“He’ll add solidarity and stability to our backline,” Henderson said. “He’s a natural leader.”
–Field Level Media
Twins, Cubs enter series hoping All-Star break didn't cool them off
Whitecaps-Fire match postponed due to air quality conditions
