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Phillies vs. Royals picks: Cristopher Sanchez may dominate in matinee

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Some days, especially in the slower summer season, I have to search a bit for what I want to write about. Then there are days like Monday where there’s a random MLB matinee out of the blue, and that basically tells me where I’m headed. The Phillies close a series in Kansas City behind ace lefty Cristopher Sanchez with a 2:10 ET first pitch. Not too often we see a Monday series finale.

Phillies vs. Royals MLB same-game parlay

  • Philadelphia money line
  • Under 1.5 first-inning runs
  • Alt Under 10.5 total

FanDuel SGP price: +153

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It looked there for a minute that Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski could run away with the NL Cy Young Award, and he’s still the -225 favorite. But he was just hit hard in a major rarity last Thursday in a loss to Cincinnati and that got Sanchez a bit closer on the DraftKings oddsboard, where he’s now priced +240 to win the hardware. And if Sanchez dominates today, which seems somewhat likely considering the Royals are an almost comedically bad 6-20 vs. southpaws, then they might be nearly neck-and-neck. Those 20 losses to southpaws lead the majors and the six wins are tied for the fewest. 

Sanchez (10-3, 2.00 ERA) was roughed up himself two starts ago to fall out of the Cy Young lead but was back in form last Tuesday when he beat the visiting Pirates with seven shutout innings and only three hits allowed. The impressive effort came despite Sanchez dealing with a small cut on the top of his left thumb with some blood splattered on his white pants.

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“It happens sometimes when I throw the changeup,” Sánchez said via the team’s interpreter afterward. “It’s no big deal.”

It was the 29-year-old’s eighth outing this season not allowing an earned run. But because he’s usually such a big favorite, you would only be up $176 if you had wagered $100 on Philly to win each of his 18 starts.

We may well see Sanchez start next Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Philadelphia as he has been named to the squad for a second time. Obviously, “the Miz” has a case to start as well and Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy has said that Misiorowski will stay in the rotation heading into the break.

That means he is due to go Tuesday in St. Louis and then Sunday in Pittsburgh. If he does pitch Sunday, then he wouldn’t pitch in the ASG on such short rest. Sanchez’s final pre-break start is scheduled for Saturday in Detroit, so he should be OK for an inning in the Midsummer Classic in his own ballpark. 

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For today, the SportsLine Projection Model forecasts Sanchez at 6.7 innings pitched, 6.9 strikeouts, 5.7 hits allowed and 1.9 earned runs. At DraftKings, he has been given over/under totals of 19.5 outs recorded and 6.5 Ks. There five Phillies on the NL All-Star squad thus far, tying the Dodgers for most, and I’m hoping one of them, Kyle Schwarber, competes in the Home Run Derby. And I might like him today for a dinger — see below. 

Sanchez’s lone career start vs. Kansas City didn’t go well as he took a no-decision in Philly on Aug. 5, 2023, allowing six earned runs over five innings, but Sanchez wasn’t near the pitcher he is now back then. One Royals hitter does have good career splits off him in Lane Thomas, who is 6-for-12 with two doubles, but he’s having a bad year.

So are the Royals overall, sitting last in the AL Central and having dropped eight of 10 – they did win 5-2 Sunday to snap a four-game skid. I’m not sure that manager Matt Quatraro makes it through the season. The last time I saw a sportsbook post next MLB manager fired odds, he was tjhe -130 leader. Kansas City currently has three lineup regulars on the injured list. All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt (.290, 12 HR, 36 RBI, 30 SB) is having another fine year and is +500 to win AL MVP.

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Lefty Noah Cameron (4-6, 4.95) starts on the mound. He has been obliterated in back-to-back starts by the Rays to see his season ERA climb from 4.20. The only pitcher who has been a bigger money loser than Cameron (minus-$844) has been Chris Paddack (minus-900), who is no longer even in the majors after being released by a couple of teams.

Cameron has struggled at home with a 5.44 ERA, although he is 3-2 at Kauffman Stadium. His lone start vs. the Phillies came in his 2025 rookie season when Cameron won at Citizens Bank Park, allowing two runs over seven. JT Realmuto and Schwarber both hit solo homers off him in the first inning but the Royals rallied. Cameron has given up 10 dingers this year and Schwarber, the big-league leader with 30 home runs, is +353 to go yard today. That’s a pretty fair number. 

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Weather shouldn’t be a major factor as while it will be 85 degrees or so at first pitch, winds are apparently blowing in a bit. Just such an apparent pitching mismatch. Almost incredibly, the Phillies have won 14 of their last 16 one-run games. The model has Philadelphia winning 4.6-3.7. 

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Chelsea sign notorious World Cup star from sister club Strasbourg

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Chelsea have signed Argentina international Valentin Barco from sister club Strasbourg on a seven-year deal.

The 22-year-old, who played seven times for Brighton including six Premier League appearances during the 2023-24 season, becomes the seventh arrival of new manager Xabi Alonso’s reign.

A versatile player who can be used in central midfield as well as his regular position of left-back, Barco was in the Argentina squad that finished as runners-up at the World Cup, winning his fifth cap in the 3-1 group-stage win over Jordan.

He moved to Strasbourg initially on loan from Brighton in 2024 but signed permanently a year later having helped the club to qualify for the Conference League.

In all he made 53 appearances for the Ligue 1 side.

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He was involved in a heated exchange with England’s Jude Bellingham immediately after his side’s 2-1 World Cup semi-final win in Atlanta, with Bellingham appearing to clip Barco around the head. An unused substitute, the Argentinian had earlier run onto the pitch to celebrate after Enzo Fernandez had equalised.

Valentin Barco (right) was involved in a viral heated exchange with Jude Bellingham after the World Cup semi-final
Valentin Barco (right) was involved in a viral heated exchange with Jude Bellingham after the World Cup semi-final (AP)

He is expected to join up shortly with his new team-mates on their tour of Australia and Hong Kong.

It continues a busy summer in the transfer market for Chelsea as they look to remodel under Alonso.

On Saturday they confirmed the signing of veteran striker Danny Welbeck from Brighton, following the signings of Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix and Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa.

Marco Palestra, Emmanuel Emegha and Geovany Quenda have also been signed.

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Nigeria Finishes as Africa’s Top Nation at Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

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Team Nigeria finished the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as Africa’s highest-ranked nation after winning 24 medals.

Nigeria ended the Games in seventh place on the final medal table with 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze medals.

The performance saw Nigeria finish ahead of several traditional sporting nations, including Jamaica, Wales, Malaysia and South Africa.

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However, Nigeria’s overall medal haul was lower than its performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where the country won 35 medals.

The 24 medals in Glasgow represent a drop of 11 medals, while the 10 gold medals were also two fewer than the 12 gold medals won in Birmingham.

Australia topped the final medal table with an impressive 70 gold medals, followed by England and Canada.

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South Africa was the second-best African nation, finishing 11th with seven gold, 11 silver and 10 bronze medals.

Kenya finished 13th with three gold, four silver and five bronze medals, while Mauritius placed 15th with one gold, two silver and one bronze.

Cameroon finished 16th with one gold, one silver and three bronze medals. Uganda won two silver and one bronze medal to finish 27th, while Namibia placed 29th with one silver and two bronze medals.

Ghana finished 30th with one silver and one bronze.

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Other African countries that won medals were Lesotho, Zambia, Gabon, Rwanda and The Gambia.

A total of 13 African nations won at least one medal at the Games.

Although Nigeria’s medal tally was lower than in Birmingham, finishing as Africa’s number one nation once again highlights the country’s strength across different sports and its place among the Commonwealth’s leading sporting nations.

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Moses Itauma ranks one man above all others as the hardest hitting heavyweight ever

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Moses Itauma has weighed in on the hardest hitting heavyweight of all time debate, naming a formidable puncher who ended his career with a 92% knockout-to-win ratio.

When it comes to discussing the most powerful heavyweights in boxing history, fans will often mention Mike Tyson, George Foreman, Earnie Shavers and Deontay Wilder.

Tyson was particularly ruthless before and during his first world title reign, which came to an end when he suffered a stunning stoppage defeat to James ‘Buster’ Douglas in 1990.

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Foreman, too, was capable of delivering highlight-reel knockouts at the top level, as evidenced by his stoppages of Joe Frazier and Ken Norton in 1973 and 1974, respectively.

As for Wilder, it could be argued that, while boasting a 95% knockout-to-win ratio, he, unlike ‘Iron’ Mike and ‘Big George’, does not have the resume of an all-time great.

In terms of raw power, though, prodigious talent Itauma has told DAZN that he believes Shavers is the greatest heavyweight puncher of all time.

While never winning a world title, the ‘Black Destroyer’ fought in an era that was brimming with world-class operators, including Hall of Famers Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes.

And while he did, of course, lose to both of those champions, Shavers nonetheless gave a tremendous account of himself on each occasion.

Two of his most notable stoppages came against Norton and Joe Bugner, with this generation’s Itauma clearly an admirer of the American’s career.

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And with the 21-year-old swiftly becoming a prolific knockout artist in his own right, perhaps he will eventually be mentioned in the same breath as Shavers, Tyson, Foreman and Wilder.

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Tottenham consider Victor Osimhen as striker search continues

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Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly considering a move for Victor Osimhen as they look to strengthen their attack ahead of the new season.

Spurs are searching for a new striker, with manager Roberto De Zerbi keen to improve his forward line. Richarlison’s future at the club is also uncertain.

Victor Osimhen scored his 17th goal of the season to help Galatasaray win 1-0 against Alanyaspor in the Turkish Super Lig on Sunday.Victor Osimhen scored his 17th goal of the season to help Galatasaray win 1-0 against Alanyaspor in the Turkish Super Lig on Sunday.

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Reports on Sunday claimed that Osimhen has emerged as a new name on Tottenham’s transfer wishlist.

The Nigerian striker has been linked with a move to the Premier League for several years. Chelsea were strongly interested in him two years ago, but talks broke down in the final days of the summer transfer window.

Osimhen is now at Galatasaray and is reportedly keen to move to the Premier League. According to CaughtOffside, personal terms are not expected to be a problem, with the 27-year-old said to be open to joining Tottenham.

Victor Osimhen scored twice as Galatasaray beat Trabzonspor 3-0 to win the 2024/25 Turkish Cup on Wednesday night.Victor Osimhen scored twice as Galatasaray beat Trabzonspor 3-0 to win the 2024/25 Turkish Cup on Wednesday night.
Victor Osimhen

Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur claims Tottenham have made an opening offer of between £50 million and £55m for the Super Eagles striker.

However, Galatasaray are reportedly looking for around £65m before agreeing to sell Osimhen.

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It remains unclear whether Tottenham will make a serious move for the Nigerian, but De Zerbi is expected to push for a new striker before the transfer window closes.

The Spurs boss also admitted on Saturday that Richarlison’s future remains uncertain.

“I like him as a player, as a guy,” De Zerbi said after Richarlison scored a late winner against Chelsea in Sydney.

“He has an unbelievable attitude and behaviour, but in the end we have to respect what he wants to do. We all know what he wants to do.

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“But for me, he’s still an important player because it’s not so easy to find another striker like Richarlison. He scores goals. He scored 12 goals last season, not through luck, because he knows how to score.”

With Richarlison’s future still unclear, Osimhen could become an attractive option for Tottenham as they look for a proven goalscorer.

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Terence Crawford predicts a ‘bloodbath’ if William Zepeda faces one world champion next

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Terence Crawford is excited about the prospect of William Zepeda potentially facing one man in particular next.

Zepeda cemented his status as one of the best 135lb fighters on the planet when he won the vacant WBC lightweight title on Saturday with a unanimous decision victory over Lamont Roach.

It saw the Mexican star return to winning ways after a defeat to Shakur Stevenson last year, and hand Roach just the second loss of his professional career, having drawn with Isaac Cruz and Gervonta Davis in his last two bouts.

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Crawford was in attendance to witness Zepeda’s victory, and speaking on the TNT broadcast following the bout, he praised the performance of the new champion.

“Zepeda caught me off guard. I wasn’t ready for that. I was looking for a straight come forward type fighter, but from round one I said ‘damn look at his movement.’

“Look at his footwork. His distance, his range, his angles, his faints, his jabbing, his counter ability, his punch placement. How he was controlling the fight. Roach would hit him with a good shot, but he would eat it and come right back.”

The TNT panel then discussed a potential clash between Zepeda and current unified super-featherweight world champion Emanuel Navarrete, and Crawford made it perfectly clear what a war he thinks that could be.

“That’s CTE at its finest. You talk about a bloodbath, it’s a bloodbath waiting.”

Three-weight world champion Navarrete added the IBF super-featherweight title to his WBO crown when he defeated Eduardo Nunez back in February, and may be interested in the chance to claim gold in a fourth division by moving up to take on Zepeda.

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Chelsea Green’s husband reacts after she becomes the interim WWE Women’s Champion at SummerSlam 2026

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Chelsea Green’s biggest career victory at WWE SummerSlam 2026 received an immediate reaction from someone who knows her journey better than anyone else. Shortly after Green captured the Interim Women’s Championship, her husband, Matt Cardona, took to social media to celebrate the historic moment.

The Interim WWE Women’s Championship was introduced after reigning champion Rhea Ripley suffered a torn meniscus while successfully defending her title against Jade Cargill in their rematch at Clash in Italy. Ripley had originally won the championship by defeating Cargill at WrestleMania 42, but her injury forced the sports entertainment juggernaut to crown a temporary champion until she is medically cleared to return.

Following Adam Pearce’s announcement that Ripley would miss SummerSlam, WWE held a series of qualifying matches on SmackDown. Tiffany Stratton, Jade Cargill, Charlotte Flair, Chelsea Green, and Lash Legend all earned spots in the high-stakes Five-Way Ladder Match.

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The championship bout lived up to expectations. Late in the match, Tiffany Stratton appeared close to victory before Green shoved the ladder, sending her crashing onto the other competitors outside the ring. Moments later, B-Fab and Michin tried to stop Green and assist Cargill, only for The Queen to intervene as the action descended into complete chaos.

After Flair and Cargill neutralized one another at the top of the ladder, Green recovered while the rest of the field was down. She climbed the ladder uninterrupted and unhooked the championship to become the Interim WWE Women’s Champion.

While Matt Cardona did not compete at The Biggest Party of the Summer, he shared a congratulatory message on X after watching The Hot Mess climb the ladder and secure the championship on Night Two of SummerSlam.

“Here is your winner and NNNEEEWWW @WWE Women’s Champion…my hot wife…@ImChelseaGreen!”

Chelsea Green can now call herself Interim Women’s Champion, but her reign comes with a major challenge waiting in the future. Once Rhea Ripley returns from injury, the two stars will eventually collide in a Championship Unification Match to determine the undisputed titleholder.

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