Sep 28, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) celebrates after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Last year, most people didn’t have the Bears being the 2025 NFC North Champions, but here we are. Chicago used a weaker schedule to their advantage and seemed to run into their division opponents at just the right time.
After a second-half meltdown at home to the Vikings to open the season and a beatdown by the Lions the following week, they righted the ship and stayed mostly on the winning side. Although they weren’t exactly blowing teams out. They were doing enough to get by under the new leadership of Head Coach Ben Johnson.
Just like every team, they lost players to free agency and the salary cap. They will have to reload just the same, but it might be a heavy task with the players they lost this past year, who were major contributors.
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Bears’ New Supporting Cast Raises the Stakes for 2026
The Bears have definitely been on an upward trajectory. If Caleb Williams continues his ascent, they could put players around him to make them a dangerous team for years to come.
Free Agency
The Bears have been aggressive in bringing in free agents over the last few years. With a young quarterback showing he could be a star in the NFL on a rookie contract, it becomes easier to retain him and bring in help.
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For the most part, the contracts haven’t been out of control, and they have even traded for players in key positions that help a young QB succeed. When Ryan Poles was hired as GM, it was the same year that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was hired by the Vikings.
Oct 9, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) warms up before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports.
Both were up for the GM job in Minnesota, and at first, it looked like Poles was getting schooled and that Adofo Mensah was the right choice for Minnesota. Years later, Poles is the better GM, with Adofo Mensah fired from his job in Minnesota. Here’s their free agency run in 2026.
Drew Dalman retired
Garrett Bradbury traded 2026 2nd round pick to Patriots
Linebacker Tremaine Edwards signed with Patriots
Safety Jaquan Brisker Signed with Steelers.
Safety Kevin Byard III Signed with Patriots.
Safety/Cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson Signed with Bills.
Cornerback Nahshon Wright Signed with Jets.
Safety Jonathan Owens Signed with Colts.
Defensive lineman Andrew Billings Signed with Cardinals.
Tight End Durham Smythe Signed with Ravens.
Receiver Devin Duvernay Signed with Cardinals.
Receiver Olamide Zaccheaus Signed with Falcons.
Offensive lineman Ryan Bates unrestricted free agent.
Receiver DJ Moore traded to Bills for 2026 2nd round pick
Safety Coby Bryant signed
Linebacker Devin Bush signed
Defensive lineman Neville Gallimore signed
Cornerback Cam Lewis signed
Receiver Kalif Raymond signed
Quarterback Case Keenum signed
Offensive tackle Jedric Wills Jr. signed
The Bears had a pretty decent free agency when it comes to signing new players. Bryant is a great safety, and Devin Bush is a solid linebacker. Bringing in Raymond strengthens the receiver crew as he worked with the staff when they were in Detroit.
Case Keenum is a solid veteran signing for the young Williams to lean on (and to back up his trailer if necessary *wink). Garret Bradbury had to be traded for. This only happened after they got one year from Drew Dalman, whom they had signed to a three-year contract after a stellar career in Atlanta, when he suddenly retired. The problem I see here is who they lost in free agency.
Was it too much, or who did they lose? Sure, Durham Smythe might have had some key block or catch during the year, but he wasn’t showing up like most of these guys were. Edwards, Brisker, Byard, and Wright all started for the Bears’ defense that was pretty good last year. Dalman was a huge get last year that should have solidified their line for years to come.
Most of the team’s wins were close games that a stable defense could have helped keep close, taking pressure off the young quarterback. Those are all solid players who are gone and not easily replaced. Moore is an outstanding receiver, and Duvernay and Zacchaeus are good receivers who stepped up in some big situations last season. Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III may become stars and are young, but that’s a lot of guys suddenly not there for Williams to have much trust in.
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Draft
With the success they had last year, you would think this draft would have been about filling a few holes and adding a little for the future. However, look at everyone they let go, especially in the secondary.
Nov 29, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) intercepts a pass against the Washington Huskies during the second half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
How can a team that lost that many starters be expected to pick up where they left off? My one thought was that perhaps they are anticipating Williams’ big contract, which his representation will start talking about at the end of this season, and that he will go into the fourth year of his rookie contract if his growth and success continue. Here’s who they picked up in the draft.
Round 1, Pick 25: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Round 2, Pick 57: Logan Jones, C, Iowa
Round 3, Pick 69: Sam Roush, TE, Stanford
Round 3, Pick 89: Zavion Thomas, WR, LSU
Round 4, Pick 124: Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
Round 5, Pick 166: Keyshaun Elliott, LB, Arizona State
Round 6, Pick 213: Jordan Van den Berg, DT, Georgia Tech
Thieneman fills a hole at the safety position right away, pairing him with Bryant. I don’t think Muhammed can jump right in at cornerback, and he and Lewis hold down a position that was highly discussed last year. Wright had a huge resurgence in Chicago after flaming out in Dallas and Minnesota, which didn’t give him a fair shake.
He parleyed that into a nice contract with the Jets. Jones will sit behind Bradbury until he’s ready. Bradbury was embattled in Minnesota as a 1st-round pick and also wrote a new narrative in New England. As only the Bears can do, they spent another draft pick on a tight end. Colston Loveland is an emerging star at the position, and Cole Kmet is no slouch. Roush might be an eventual replacement for Kmet when he gets too expensive or makes him expendable during training camp if he shines, but that’s a big ask of the rookie. He isn’t in a great spot to make an immediate impact.
The Bears’ draft wasn’t flashy enough to brag about, other than Thieneman, who could develop into a Harrison Smith-type player.
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Overall
The Bears won the North … barely. Williams seems to be the real deal with a strong running back group behind him and two legit receivers and tight ends. Ben Johnson has now had a full year to implement his offense, which might get even more interesting. His schemes may be enough to propel the team past the players they lost. Those close games strengthen a young team and improve cohesion with a veteran team.
Jan 22, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson answers questions during a introductory press conference at PNC Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images.
When you let all that veteran experience go on both sides of the ball and throw rookies in most spots, that’s a prescription for going backward. Even with the pieces they brought in, there are no guarantees. If Bradbury regresses and the defensive backfield doesn’t gel, or if Williams has a slump or gets injured, as most scrambling quarterbacks are known to do, there will be some angry Bears fans if those close wins turn into close losses.
They still are the team to beat in the North, but there is an opening for other teams to take advantage of. Their division opponents all boast strong defenses and players on both sides of the ball, making winning the division any easier this year. Similar to when the Lions lost Johnson to the Bears, the losses on Chicago’s roster may kill the momentum they built in 2025.
I’m a small-town boy with12 years in telecommunications and 13 years in radio but a lifetime as a Vikings … More about Tony Schultz
Every four years, the FIFA World Cup serves as the platform for young players to showcase their talent to the world. Ivory Coast’s Yan Diomande, who has already made a name among the top forwards in European football thanks to some exemplary performances for Bundesliga club RB Leipzig, is keen to take the next leap in his development as he fulfils his World Cup dream. As Ivory Coast prepare for their opening match of the campaign against Ecuador, Diomande is keen to redefine the definition of a ‘star player’, saying he is yet to reach his true potential.
“I think everyone somehow sees me as a star, but I do not see myself as a star,” Diomande said when asked about his growing profile. “For me, I am still the same person as before, since the first day I arrived here.”
The comment offers an insight into the mentality that has helped the young Ivorian emerge as one of his country’s most exciting talents. Despite becoming a key figure for the national team and attracting increasing recognition, Diomande remains focused on self-improvement rather than status.
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“That is why I try to fight every day to improve myself in everything, on and off the pitch,” he added.
The grounded approach has been shaped by a journey that began with a dream shared by countless children across Africa. Growing up in Ivory Coast, Diomande always envisioned himself playing on football’s biggest stage.
“As a little boy, when I started playing football in my home country, it was my dream to play in the World Cup, and now that dream is coming true,” he said. “I am happy and proud of myself because this was one of my biggest dreams since I was a child.”
Representing Ivory Coast remains his greatest source of pride. While many players speak about international football in professional terms, Diomande’s words reveal a deeply personal connection to the national team.
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“Today, playing for my country is something very special to me,” he said. “I give everything for my country – it is my country.”
Want To Play Against The Best: Yan Diomande
The 23-year-old believes the current Ivorian squad has every reason to approach the tournament with confidence. Rather than being intimidated by the world’s elite nations, he is eager for the challenge.
“I want to play against the best teams in the world: France, Brazil, Argentina,” he said. “We have great self-confidence and want to go as far as possible.”
Even as he dreams of testing himself against football’s superpowers, Diomande remains conscious of the work still ahead.
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“In football, it is not about age, but about mentality and talent,” he explained. “I am even more motivated to work hard because I can see what I am capable of and I can see my potential.”
That balance between ambition and humility also appears in the way he discusses African football legends. While many young Ivorians grew up idolising Didier Drogba, Diomande is careful to distinguish admiration from imitation.
“Drogba is a great player, but he is not the player I model myself on because we have different styles of play,” he said.
Yet his respect for the generation that paved the way is unmistakable.
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“Drogba, Yaya Toure and Samuel Eto’o are role models not only for me, but for everyone,” he said. “I believe they are role models for this generation of Africans and young players.”
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Tushar Deshpande’s Brilliant Final Act Ensures Thrilling Win For RR Over Gujarat Titans
The rules are simple. Each day there’s a new footballer and the challenge is to guess who they are in as few attempts as possible.
After each wrong guess you unlock a new clue. But, if you get your answer in as few guesses as possible, you get more points.
Three is a good score, four or five points is exceptional.
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So, take part in quiz number one and return for more tomorrow.
Today’s player and clues are set by BBC Sport’s Flora Snelson.
After more quizzes? Go to our dedicated Football Quizzes and Sports Quizzes pages and sign up for notifications to get the latest quizzes sent straight to your device.
Mauricio Pochettino had spent the past few days summoning belief in what the USA might achieve in the face of scepticism. Can they win the World Cup, he was repeatedly asked, to which his stock response was: “Why not? We can dream.” After this hugely impressive 4-1 win over Paraguay in Los Angeles, perhaps Pochettino’s task now is to manage inflated expectations, to temper America’s wildest dreams.
The first half in particular was 45 minutes of perfection, broken only by three minutes of needless hydration. One of America’s nagging concerns in recent years has been the lack of a ruthless striker but Monaco forward Folarin Balogun scored three times, one of which was ruled out for offside, and the last of which was a brilliantly composed and precise finish into the top corner of Orlando Gill’s goal.
That strike wrapped a half full of endeavour and spirit, but also technical quality and intelligent movement. Pochettino has spent most of his two-year reign as manager testing and tweaking, trying to find the right balance between attack and defence, between left and right, and here his team worked in seamless sync.
Sergino Dest was a constant threat on the right wing with his direct dribbling, while Paraguay’s right-back Juan Jose Caceres must have contracted the twisties trying to fend off Christian Pulisic on the opposite side. Pulisic offered creative spark and set up Balogun’s first goal before being replaced at half-time.
“I just got a bit of a kick in the first half, so I’m really hoping that it’s nothing,” Pulisic said after the game. “Taking a little bit of precaution today, but I’m hoping I’ll be fine the next few days.”
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USA’s reliance on Pulisic has often weighed heavily on this generation’s star player. His face has been all over billboards and on TV adverts here. But the performance of Balogun up front and Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie stitching moves together in the No 10 role suggested that responsibility will be shared around.
“It’s a dream,” Balogun after his World Cup debut. “It’s a dreamy night.”
(Reuters)
This World Cup is not just a test of the USA’s place in the game but a test of the game’s place in the USA. It is now the fourth most popular sport in America, with more fans than ever watching Major League Soccer and more children than ever playing the game. With a World Cup on home soil, there will never be a better platform for America to climb closer to the sport’s summit.
To be in LA over the past few days was to meet two different types of America. The majority only vaguely know the World Cup is happening and have no idea the US are playing in their own city or which players are on the team. They assume “Pochettino” is a type of coffee. It can feel like the World Cup has barely registered in a city this vast, like a damselfly landing on a water buffalo’s back.
But there are thousands of football fans if you look in the right places. US shirts, Mexico shirts, Argentina shirts, people passionate about the game and giddy its greatest show has arrived on their doorstep.
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“What is success?” Pochettino keeps being asked. Perhaps it is not a specific knockout round but a feeling, a moment, a late winner that grips the entire country, even those oblivious to what is going on right now. USA’s task here is not so much to win the World Cup as to take the country on an unforgettable ride so that in years to come, the words “that summer of 2026” transport them back to a moment in time when they felt something.
The job of this squad, a diverse band of brothers, is to connect with the American public, and this was the perfect start. The evening began with an opening ceremony and organisers provided all the bombast you’d expect, with a series of musical acts headlined by Katy Perry and a parade of national flags reminiscent of an Olympic Games. Iran’s flag was among the 48, although it was somewhat comical that the event’s MC called for “a round of applause for peace” before kick-off.
Mauricio Pochettino, Head Coach of the United States, celebrates (Getty)
There appeared to be almost as many Paraguay fans as US supporters inside this extraordinary spaceship of a stadium, almost as many vertical red and white stripes as horizontal ones, like the world’s most devilish game of Where’s Wally. Like several other games so far there were some empty seats which undermined the wisdom of Fifa’s ticketing policy, although several fans entering the stadium told The Independent they had paid around $1,000 for tickets, so Fifa may not miss a few going unsold.
Donald Trump did not attend but Tom Cruise, David Beckham, Brad Pitt, Halle Berry, Hilary Duff and Vince Vaughn were among the famous faces posted on giant screens with their names captioned beneath them, as they do here. What they witnessed was the standout performance of the tournament so far.
Pulisic danced into the box before drawing the mistake from Bobadilla for America’s first goal, and Pulisic was involved again down the left when he raced into space before squaring for Balogun to convert a sharp first-time finish. Balogun’s second goal was even better, shrugging off a defender before pausing just a moment and then spearing a shot into the top corner.
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Paraguay pulled a goal back in the second half through substitute Mauricio, but the US showed off their firepower in reserve when Gio Reyna came off the bench to swerve an arcing finish past Gill to seal three points.
“Poch has said many times, why not us?” added Balogun. “We have to believe. You can’t do anything if you don’t believe in yourself.” By the full-time whistle, there were no more disbelievers.
The head of the Palestinian Football Association is waiting in Mexico City for permission to enter the United States with other federation heads attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Jibril Rajoub went to the opening match between Mexico and South Africa on Thursday. But he is among several people accredited to attend the World Cup who have been denied visas or have yet to receive them from the United States.
“I don’t believe that it’s fair to use or to abuse and deny the right of all footballers all over the world to attend,” the veteran Palestinian political figure said in an interview with The Associated Press.
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The Palestinian team did not qualify for the World Cup, but FIFA typically invites the heads of football associations from around the world to the event every four years, which it frames as a celebration of global unity.
“Everyone will be welcome in Canada, Mexico and the United States for the FIFA World Cup next year. We are working exactly for that,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said last year.
The United States, however, has refused entry to delegates from a raft of countries, including a referee from Somalia and a photographer traveling with Iraq’s team.
Infantino said this week that FIFA had been trying to resolve visa issues but could not overrule the U.S. government.
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“We need to respect that we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
The U.S. State Department had no immediate comment on Rajoub’s visa, but last year implemented new restrictions on Palestinian passport holders, including on anyone who had been employed by the Palestinian Authority.
It revoked a visa to allow Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to travel to the United Nations General Assembly last September.
Rajoub and other Palestinian soccer officials have long argued that Israel violates statutes by allowing teams from settlements in the occupied West Bank play in Israel’s national league. They have pushed FIFA to sanction Israel, also decrying restrictions on the movement of Palestinian players and how war in the Gaza Strip has destroyed 80% of sports facilities there.
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Last month, Rajoub refused to shake hands with the head of Israel’s football federation at Infantino’s behest because he said the gesture would not heal wounds but instead whitewash Israel’s actions.
Rajoub pointed out that when Russia hosted the 2018 World Cup, it did not implement comparable visa restrictions for people who were invited to the tournament.
India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI Live Streaming: After a dominant win in the one-off Test, India are set to face Afghanistan in the first ODI of the three-match series on Saturday in Dharamsala. The spotlight will be on Rohit Sharma, who had a decent IPL season, although concerns over his fitness persist. Having nursed a hamstring niggle during the IPL, Rohit has now regained full fitness just in time for the series. Meanwhile, star batter Virat Kohli will miss the games due to a rare hamstring injury. With the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon, Shubman Gill and his team will be keen to test their squad depth against Afghanistan.
India are scheduled to play around 25 ODIs before the mega event, giving the team ample opportunity to experiment with players and combinations. However, the start to Gill’s ODI captaincy has not been smooth, with two losses in three series. Working alongside head coach Gautam Gambhir, Gill will be aiming to strengthen his influence in the dressing room.
Here are the live streaming and live telecast details of the India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI match:
When will the India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI match be played?
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The India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI match will be played on Saturday, June 13.
Where will the India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI match be played?
The India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI match will be played at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala.
What time will the India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI match start?
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The India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI match will start at 1:30 PM IST. The toss will take place at 1:00 PM IST.
Which TV channels will telecast the India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI match?
The India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI match will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network.
Where to follow the live streaming of the India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI match?
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The India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI match will be streamed live on JioHotstar app and website.
(All the details are as per the information provided by the broadcaster)
(With PTI Inputs)
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IPL 2026 | Delhi Capitals Wins By 6 Wickets Against Mumbai Indians: Redemption For Sameer Rizvi
Triple H is the Chief Content Officer at WWE, and under his creative regime, the Stamford-based promotion is gearing up to host Night of Champions 2026 and to build the two-night SummerSlam.
Given his position in the company, The Game possesses major decision-making power, which even includes taking the title off the star at any point if it’s necessary. The Hall of Famer might have to use power to take the title off a top WWE star.
Thanks for the submission!
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This week, SmackDown’s announcers broke the news that Ripley has injured her knee from her clash against Jade Cargill and is being medically evaluated. In a shocking turn of events, Triple H could come out and give fans the unfortunate news that the medical team has confirmed that The Nightmare is not fit and will need some time off to recover from her injury. Therefore, she would need to vacate her title with immediate effect by the next.
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If this happens, it will be a defining moment that shifts the trajectory of the blue brand’s women’s division. However, this is not the first time the company has faced such a situation.
They faced a similar incident back in 2024 with Ripley only, when she had to vacate her Women’s World Championship due to the shoulder injury, and her hiatus turned out to be a major opportunity for the company to build up the Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio romance; the rest is history.
That being said, the angle proposed above is speculative, and nothing has been officially confirmed.
Rhea Ripley takes shots at her former WWE faction
Speaking in an interview with Jesse James West, while explaining the origin of her nickname “Mami”, the Nightmare took shots at her ex-stable, The Judgment Day, by saying she got her nickname as she worked with a bunch of kids, and she often had to look after them.
“Mami? Yeah. But I pretty much had kids at work cause I was in a faction called The Judgment Day, and they were like a big bunch of kids, pretty much cause I had to look after them. Yes, that’s how Mami was born,” Ripley said.
That being said, it will be interesting to see what’s next for Ripley in the coming weeks with her injury scare.
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WWE star Ricky Saints made headlines a few days ago when fans believed he referenced AEW star Adam Copeland on the recent edition of Monday Night RAW. The Absolute star moved to the main roster and has immediately made a huge impact on the SmackDown roster. During his recent promo, he allegedly mentioned old nemesis Edge.
In 2023, Adam Copeland and Ricky interacted once on AEW Collision. While the former NXT Champion was cutting a promo on Bryan Danielson, he took a shot at the Rated-R Superstar. The latter didn’t stand the disrespect and immediately rained down multiple insults on the Absolute star. Fans reminisced about the infamous promo recently.
Ricky Saints recently appeared on RAW, where he talked about how he is ready for the King of the Ring tournament. When asked if he has an edge in the tournament, the former AEW star told Bryan Saxton not to ask about edge, taking a subtle shot at Adam Copeland.
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While speaking on Complex Graps, Ricky Saints said that he didn’t intend to take a shot at the former TNT Champion in his RAW promo.
“You know what’s so funny? I didn’t realize that at the time. No one will believe me so what’s the point in even trying to defend myself? But I just thought that was funny that I was like, ‘Wow, I didn’t even think of that. That is crazy,” he said. [H/T – WrestlePurists’ X]
Veteran Dutch Mantell claims Ricky Saints made Adam Copeland furious
The unscripted moment between Adam Copeland and Ricky Saints was viral on social media in 2023.
“It was a memorable interview. Looked like Edge got a little pi**ed off. He (Ricky Starks) said something ‘bug eyed’ to him (Edge). When I saw it, I said to myself, did this lead to something, are they just trading barbs? But nothing, they left it open. Not really interestingly open, they just left it open, period,” he said.
It will be interesting to see whether Adam Copeland comments on Ricky’s RAW promo.
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Jun 12, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets shortstop Bo Bichette (19) hits a solo home run in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Bo Bichette had two homers and tied a career-high with six RBIs Friday night for the host New York Mets, who beat the Atlanta Braves 7-5 in the opener of a three-game series between the National League East rivals.
The Mets have won two straight. Dominic Smith and Mike Yastrzemski laced run-scoring singles in the second, and Matt Olson hit a solo homer in the fifth. Ozzie Albies and Eli White each collected an RBI single in the eighth for the Braves, who tied a season-high with their third consecutive loss.
Bichette and Juan Soto went back-to-back in the first off Spencer Strider (4-2) before Bichette capped a two-out rally in the second with his third career grand slam.
Bichette added a sacrifice fly in the fourth for his second six-RBI game and his first since Aug. 4, 2024 when he also had two homers and six RBIs for the Toronto Blue Jays in a 15-1 win over the Colorado Rockies.
Five pitchers combined on a nine-hitter for the Mets. Cionel Perez (3-3) earned the victory by recording four outs in relief of starter Nolan McLean. Devin Williams gave up two hits over the last 1 1/3 innings to notch his 10th save.
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McLean was pulled after giving up two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out six and throwing 93 pitches in four innings.
McLean wriggled out of bases-loaded, none-out jam following the RBI hits by Smith and Yastrzemski, The rookie right-hander struck out Austin Wynns and retired Mauricio Dubon on pop-up to first before fanning Michael Harris II.
Strider gave up seven runs on six hits and one walk while striking out three over three-plus innings before he departed due to a sore right arm following a leadoff walk to MJ Melendez in the fourth.
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Strider retired four straight batters following Soto’s homer before running into trouble in the second. Melendez doubled and Luis Torrens singled off Strider’s glove before the right-hander plunked Carson Benge. Bichette homered just beyond the right field fence two pitches later.
The 2026 RBC Canadian Open continues on Saturday with the third round at TPC Toronto. You can find full RBC Canadian Open tee times for Saturday’s third round at the bottom of this post.
RBC Canadian Open tee times: What to know
After firing a second-round 63, American Ben James leads the charge at the Canadian Open’s halfway point with a 36-hole score of 10 under par.
The 23-year-old just completed his senior season at the University of Virginia and is riding some incredible momentum. The RBC Canadian Open marks James’ pro debut after earning his Tour card by finishing first in the PGA Tour University Ranking, and he’s leading the tournament by one shot after also qualifying for his third U.S. Open on Monday this week.
“I wasn’t really thinking about really results at all this week,” James said after his round. “Just worried about getting comfortable, making new friends and having fun, and just seeing where everything kind of falls. Just seeing where my game stacks up. Obviously I have some stuff to work on, just trying to see where everything goes. Because this is just the baseline, it’s my first professional debut. Obviously had a great two days, but just trying to get better.”
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It won’t be an easy task to earn a W in his first-ever event as a pro — especially considering the number of players within close proximity. There are 17 players within three shots of his lead, including Sam Burns (-9), Brooks Koepka (-8) and Sahith Theegala (-7).
James will tee off in the third round at 1:45 p.m. ET alongside Sam Burns.
You can watch Saturday’s third round of the 2026 RBC Canadian Open from 1-3 p.m. ET on Golf Channel followed by the CBS broadcast from 3-6 p.m. ET. PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ will provide exclusive early streaming coverage starting on Saturday at 7:45 a.m. ET, in addition to featured group and featured hole coverage.
Check out the complete Round 3 tee times and groupings for the RBC Canadian Open below.
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