Jun 24, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Javier Assad (72) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
In a season full of pitcher injuries, Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell has learned just how solid Javier Assad is.
The 28-year-old right-hander, who pitches Sunday in Chicago to try to stop a St. Louis Cardinals sweep, is 6-1 with a 4.53 ERA in 13 games (six starts).
The Cubs have four starters on the injured list and have had 13 pitchers total spend time on the IL this season.
“We have talked about guys getting opportunities, and certainly Javy has come in at a time when we really needed it and has delivered a couple of big starts, big performances,” Counsell said. “This is how you figure out how to stick in the big leagues. It hasn’t been all smooth for Javy; there have been bumps. You don’t know when you are going to get these opportunities so you have to stay ready.
“Javy just kind of keeps telling you, ‘I’ll be ready when I get the opportunity.’ “
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Assad won his last start June 24, a 10-3 victory over the Mets, giving up five hits and three runs in five innings. He struck out five and walked just two.
He has won three straight starts and the Cubs have won nine of his last 11 appearances.
“I feel really good with all my pitches,” Assad said. “My sinker is really helping, but I feel good with all my pitches. I feel my velocity has been really good. I’m trying to take advantage of every opportunity. I like to start, but I’m ready for anything.”
Assad is 24-13 with a 3.57 ERA in 91 career appearances, including 60 starts, since his major league debut with the Cubs in 2022.
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He is 1-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 10 games, including five starts, against the Cardinals.
St. Louis will counter with Matthew Liberatore. The 26-year-old southpaw is 4-5 with a 5.33 ERA.
After losing two straight, Liberatore beat the host Atlanta Braves 5-3 in his last outing, giving up one hit and one run in five innings. He walked four and struck out nine.
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Liberatore is 20-29 with a 4.77 ERA in 137 career outings, including 70 starts.
He is 2-1 with a 3.03 ERA in 11 outings (five starts) against the Cubs.
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol was honored to tell Jordan Walker that the outfielder had made his first National League All-Star team on Saturday.
“There was a lot of emotion in the room,” Marmol said. “We have been with him through the ups and downs, so it was nice to be able to tell him that today.”
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Walker is hitting .291 with 19 home runs and 63 RBIs. He has an .870 OPS.
The 24-year-old had never hit more than 16 home runs and never had more than 51 RBIs in one season (both in 2023). He even has more stolen bases (11) than he has ever had in one season since his major league debut in March 2023.
Walker, who was selected 21st overall by St. Louis in the 2020 MLB Draft, has a career OPS of .728.
St. Louis has won five of six and is in surprise contention for a playoff spot despite trading away most of their veterans in the offseason.
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Rookie second baseman JJ Wetherholt is a big reason why.
Wetherholt led off the game Saturday against the Cubs with a home run and reached base four times.
He is hitting .266 with 13 home runs and 36 RBIs. He has a .778 OPS.
The left-handed-hitting Wetherholt’s home run was to the opposite field.
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“Today was a good example of what I have been trying to do, work the back side of the field,” he said. “We are just excited. We wake up excited every day to play. We just try to end with a win.”
Nigerian sprint star Kayinsola Ajayi delivered a career-defining performance after winning the men’s 100m race at the Eugene Diamond League, equalling the Nigerian national record with an impressive time of 9.84 seconds.
Ajayi produced a brilliant display to overcome a strong field of world-class sprinters. The Nigerian crossed the finish line ahead of Jamaica’s Oblique Seville, who finished second in 9.89 seconds, while American sprinter Christian Coleman came third with a time of 9.95 seconds.
The outstanding performance handed Ajayi the biggest victory of his career and saw him equal Nigeria’s national 100m record, further confirming his growing reputation as one of the country’s top sprint talents.
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Ajayi’s success marks another major achievement for Nigerian athletics and strengthens his position among the world’s elite sprinters as the season continues.
India leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi came under scrutiny for his spell as the Men in Blue lost the second T20I of the five-match series against England. The clash was played at the Emirates Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester on Saturday, July 4.
Chasing 191, England’s Jacob Bethell top-scored with an unbeaten 76 off 46 balls, hitting five fours and as many sixes, as the hosts secured a four-wicket victory with an over to spare. For the Men in Blue, Bishnoi endured a disappointing outing, bowling three back-foot no-balls and conceding 60 runs in his four-over spell. In the process, he leaked 29 runs in the 17th over of the innings, which all but took the game away from the visitors.
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As Bishnoi endured a disappointing outing, here we look at the five worst bowling figures by an Indian bowler in a T20I match.
#5 Ravi Bishnoi (0/60)
At No. 5 on the list is Ravi Bishnoi, who registered one of the most expensive bowling spells by an Indian bowler in T20Is. The leg-spinner conceded 31 runs in his first three overs during the match against England in Manchester on July 4. He returned to bowl the 17th over with England needing 49 runs from the last four overs.
Jacob Bethell then took Bishnoi apart, smashing three sixes and a four in an over that cost 29 runs. The leg-spinner eventually finished with figures of 0/60 from his four overs as England sealed a four-wicket win with six balls to spare while chasing 191.
#4 Arshdeep Singh (2/62)
The Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati hosted the second T20I of the three-match series between India and South Africa on October 2. Put into bat, the hosts posted 237/3, with Suryakumar Yadav top-scoring with 61 off 22 balls.
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In response, David Miller smashed a century for the Proteas. The southpaw remained unbeaten on 106 off 47 balls, hitting eight fours and seven sixes, but could not guide his side over the line as they fell 16 runs short, finishing on 221/3. For the hosts, Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the bowlers, taking two wickets but conceding 62 runs in his four-over spell.
#3 Varun Chakaravarthy (1/64)
India spinner Varun Chakaravarthy endured a disappointing outing when the Men in Blue hosted England in the second semifinal of the 2026 T20 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 5. Riding on Sanju Samson’s 89 off 42 balls, India posted 253/7.
In reply, England’s Jacob Bethell starred with 105 off 48 balls, but his efforts went in vain as the visitors fell seven runs short, finishing on 246/7. Meanwhile, Chakaravarthy proved expensive for the Men in Blue, conceding 64 runs while taking the lone wicket in his four-over spell.
#2 Yuzvendra Chahal (0/64)
On February 21, South Africa and India faced off in the second T20I of the three-match series at SuperSport Park in Centurion. Asked to bat first, India posted 188/4, with Manish Pandey (79* off 48) and MS Dhoni (52* off 28) scoring fifties.
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Chasing 189, skipper JP Duminy remained unbeaten on 64 off 40 balls, while Heinrich Klaasen smashed 69 off 30 as the hosts secured a six-wicket victory with eight balls to spare. Meanwhile, Yuzvendra Chahal had a forgettable outing for the visitors, as Duminy and Klaasen took him apart, with the leg-spinner conceding 64 runs in his four-over spell.
#1 Prasidh Krishna (0/68)
India and Australia faced off in the third T20I of the five-match series on November 28, 2023, in Guwahati. Put into bat, the hosts posted 222/3, with Ruturaj Gaikwad starring with an unbeaten 123 off 57 balls, including 13 fours and seven sixes.
In response, Glenn Maxwell stole the show with an unbeaten 104 off 48 balls, smashing eight fours and as many sixes, as Australia clinched a five-wicket victory off the final ball. Meanwhile, seamer Prasidh Krishna had a forgettable outing, returning 0/68 in his four-over spell, which remains the worst bowling figures by an Indian bowler in a T20I.
Phoenix Fuel Masters’ Ricci Rivero during a game against TNT Tropang 5G in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—It’s not surprising that Phoenix guard Ricci Rivero will enter the PBA Governors’ Cup with a chip on his shoulder.
After all, he had a pretty good Commissioner’s Cup run, which his coach Charles Tiu certainly took notice.
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“Ricci’s been getting there. He knows the role I have for him and what I expect of him so I’m hoping he’ll be up for the challenge,” Tiu told the Inquirer on Saturday.
“Obviously, I want him to be a bit more consistent. That’s a challenge for him if he really wants to be considered as a star of this league, he has to be that on both ends.”
Rivero carried much of the Fuel Masters’ scoring load in the previous conference, scoring in bunches when it mattered most.
Unfortunately for him and the Fuel Masters, Rivero missed the latter part of the import-laden conference due to a finger injury.
Man Utd duo Matheus Cunha and Marcus Rashford are in World Cup action tonight and both could yet have a role to play at Old Trafford next season.
Marcus Rashford gave short shrift to a question about his future before England’s World Cup showdown with Mexico City, insisting his focus is solely on the Three Lions while he’s in North America.
Rashford wanted his future sorted before the tournament, but with no move confirmed and Barcelona signing Anthony Gordon instead, he has now put thoughts about club duty on the back burner.
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The 28-year-old’s camp have held positive talks with United ahead of a likely return in pre-season and the possibility of him being reintegrated into Michael Carrick’s squad is growing. Rashford wanted that Nou Camp return, but might now prefer to stay at Old Trafford rather than take another Premier League move.
His quality isn’t really in doubt, although if there is a question mark, it is over his ability to put together consistent performances. He contributed 14 goals and 14 assists for Barcelona last season, but also had a lengthy spell early in 2026 when he went off the boil and his performances dropped.
We are seeing a similar story in the World Cup. Rashford has had his moments, particularly off the bench, but having forced his way into the side, he could now see Gordon leapfrog him again after his two assists against DR Congo. Rashford was flat when starting in the last-32 tie.
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But he could certainly have a role to play for his boyhood club next season, with United in the market to strengthen their left-hand side. Patrick Dorgu can play on the wing, but could also revert to full-back, with competition needed for Luke Shaw.
The other regular left-winger under Carrick last season was Matheus Cunha, but he is showing during the World Cup that his versatility can be a strength as well. He started last term as a No. 10 in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1, then played on the left for Carrick.
He could still stand in for Bruno Fernandes in that attacking midfield role, but has played as a striker for Brazil and has thrived under Carlo Ancelotti, with three goals in the World Cup so far. With pace and direct attacking out wide through Rayan and Vinicius Jr, Cunha has been able to drop deep and link play, as well as proving a threat in the box.
The 27-year-old has only really filled that role for United during in-game charges by Carrick, who has preferred to pick Benjamin Sesko or Bryan Mbeumo as his No. 9, but it’s clear Cunha could play that role.
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If he did, Rashford is the kind of direct running left-winger that would work well with a striker who likes to get on the ball and play passes in behind. It’s a potential combination United could use next season.
For now, both still have their eyes on the biggest prize of all. Cunha’s Brazil face Norway in a tough last-16 tie tonight, before England’s daunting task in Mexico City.
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
Kylian Mbappe scored from the penalty spot as France overcame searing heat and stubborn defence to beat Paraguay 1-0 and set up a World Cup quarter-final against Morocco on Saturday.
Jonas Vingegaard took an early lead in his quest for a third Tour de France title as the Visma-Lease a Bike rider recorded the fastest time in stage one – a 19.6-km team time trial in Barcelona on Saturday. Last year’s runner-up Vingegaard, who won the race in 2022 and 2023, finished 12 seconds ahead of Slovenian rival Tadej Pogacar, who has won the Tour de France four times, including the last two editions.
Only a handful of unseeded players remain in both draws as we enter the second week of play in London
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The first week of Wimbledon has reached its conclusion. After 128 men and 128 women started the week with hopes of earning a grand slam title, the field has shrunk all the way down to 16 on both sides. Now, it’s time to see who can battle through the remaining field to take home the hardware.
The top seeds are both still alive and mostly unscathed. Jannik Sinner battled in his opening round match to five sets but has since steadied the ship. Aryna Sabalenka has won her first three matches in straight sets, but her competition level is about to go up a notch.
On the men’s side, there are 10 seeded players remaining and eight of them are paired together in the fourth round. On the women’s side, only two unseeded players have made it this far with great matchups expected to take place the rest of the way.
The Williams sisters’ return to competitive tennis as a duo was over before it started.
In their first Grand Slam doubles competition together in nearly four years, Serena, 44, and Venus, 46, were forced to withdraw from Wimbledon after Serena injured a knee.
Serena was injured during her singles return earlier in the week in a three-set loss.
Serena Williams and Venus Williams of the United States during their women’s doubles match at Arthur Ashe Stadium against Lucie Hradecká and Linda Nosková of the Czech Republic during the U.S. Open at the USTA National Tennis Centre Sept. 1, 2022 in Flushing, Queens, New York City.(Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
“I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles. Coming back to compete again has been a gift, and the opportunity to play alongside @venuswilliams once more meant the world to me. I did everything I could but unfortunately my knee just isn’t ready to compete,” Serena said in an Instagram post.
The post included images of four syringes that Serena said “shows the fluid they drained from my knee after my singles match.” An accompanying video showed her walking with strapping up and down her right leg and what appeared to be one of her daughters holding a cane for her.
However, with the U.S. Open approaching, Serena indicated she could play again somewhere else soon.
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“All I can say,” Serena said, “is stay tuned to a city near you.”
Serena Williams, left, meets her sister Venus Williams after their match during the third round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, in Flushing, N.Y., Aug. 31, 2018.( )
The Williams sisters were scheduled to play Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra. It was the only first-round doubles match that wasn’t scheduled earlier in the week, having been pushed back to give Serena more time to recover.
Serena was beaten 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 by 20-year-old Maya Joint of Australia on Tuesday in her return.
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The Williams sisters are six-time champions as partners in women’s doubles at Wimbledon. It was the first time they teamed up at Wimbledon since winning it in 2016. It was also the first time they had teamed up since the 2022 U.S. Open, which they lost in the first round.
Serena Williams and Venus Williams during their women’s doubles match at Arthur Ashe Stadium against Lucie Hradecká and Linda Nosková of the Czech Republic during the U.S. Open at the USTA National Tennis Centre Sept. 1, 2022 in Flushing, Queens, New York City.(Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
Ireland got their Nations Championship off to a winning start with a 33-31 victory over Australia this morning.
Played at a sell-out Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Andy Farrell’s men got the better of the Joe Schmidt-coached Wallabies as the sides produced a 10-try thriller.
Wallabies had half-time lead
With Ireland having problems in both the pack and the lineout, they were lucky to find themselves just five points behind at the half-way stage of the game.
Joe Schmidt’s side had opening half tries from Dylan Pietsch, Jock Campbell, Josh Canham and Ryan Lonergan.
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The visitors had scored five pointers through Cian Prendergast, Josh van der Flier and a crucial try from Jamison Gibson-Park just before the interval – which ultimately kept Ireland within touching distance of the Wallabies, who at that stage were very much in the ascendency.
Clarkson try give Ireland win
Man of the match Hugo Keenan crossed for an Irish try in the second half, with Tate McDermott doing likewise for the hosts.
The TMO disallowed a Dan Sheehan effort as James Ryan was adjudged to have been ahead of the player in possession.
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Ireland prop Tom Clarkson scored his second international try to put the men in green ahead on 77 minutes.
Australian replacement fly-half Ben Donaldson had an opportunity to snatch a victory for the home side when Bundee Aki was penalised with the clock in red.
The long range penalty attempt from Donaldson went to the right of the posts and wide to see Ireland claim an opening day success in the inaugural Nations Championship.
FARRELL: “THAT WAS A HELL OF A GAME” 🏉
Andy Farrell reacts after Ireland’s 33-31 win over Australia, praising the big moments, the fight after the break and Hugo Keenan’s huge tackle.
One of the Premier League’s most gripping personal feuds goes global on Sunday when Brazil face Norway in the World Cup last 16.
Norway’s irresistible force of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland comes up against Brazil’s immovable object in the shape of Arsenal defender Gabriel in New York New Jersey Stadium.
Haaland and Gabriel have been central figures as their clubs battle for domestic supremacy, creating a rivalry that regularly boils over into animosity.
The outcome of their latest confrontation will go a long way to deciding whether it is Brazil or Norway who advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face either England or Mexico.
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Former England striker Chris Sutton told BBC Sport: “For all the battling for the Golden Boot between the greats such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and Haaland, there have not been any great personal duels. Now we have one.
“This is the standout personal duel of the World Cup so far and make no mistake, it will have a huge bearing on the outcome of the game.
“It is the standout because of the bad feeling we know exists between the pair. I am sure there is a level of respect great players have for each other, but everything we’ve seen between them suggests they don’t like each other too much.”
Former England captain Alan Shearer is also relishing the confrontation between the pair, saying: “That will be a great battle because there is definitely a bit of niggle there.
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“They don’t like each other which is fine, you don’t have to like your opponent, and we have seen them have clashes before so that’s definitely one to look forward to.”
Adding further intrigue is the statistical quirk that five-time world champions Brazil have never beaten Norway in four attempts – drawing two and losing two.
This makes Norway the only side the Selecao have faced, but never won against.
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