Volume 26:34

World Cup

It all comes down to two. Only Lamine Yamal’s Spain and Lionel Messi’s Argentina are still alive to win the World Cup. The Spanish and Argentinian squads meet tomorrow at New York/New Jersey Stadium in the World Cup Final. But how did they get here?

After a surprising 0-0 draw with Cape Verde, Spain took down Saudi Arabia 4-0, and Uruguay 1-0 to top their group. They followed that up with a 3-0 win vs. Austria. They ended Christiano Ronaldo’s international career with a 1-0 victory over Portugal. That set them up with a matchup against Belgium in the quarterfinals.

Argentina finished first in their group by beating Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. In their first knockout round match, Cape Verde then took them to extra time. However, Argentina was able to escape. After going down 2-0 to Egypt in the next round, Argentina scored three times very late to once again survive. That set up a match with Switzerland in the quarterfinals.

In the quarterfinals, France took care of Morocco 2-0. Spain defeated Belgium 2-1. Jude Bellingham dragged England past Norway 2-1. Argentina took down Switzerland 3-1. Spain’s world class defensive performence continued in the semifinals, as they beat Kylian Mbappe and France 2-0. Even after going down 1-0, Argentina beat England 2-1 with goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez late. That set up the Spain vs. Argentina World Cup Final.

NFL Offseason

Who’s been traded? Who’s been signed? What have been the biggest moves this NFL offseason? There is only one spot to begin–  Myles Garrett. In past years it has been rumored many times that Garrett would leave the Browns, but it never happened, until now. Garrett, who broke the single season sack record last season, was traded to the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams were already Super Bowl favorites. But now with Myles Garrett, their defense gets even better. The Browns received Jared Verse, a 2027 first round draft pick, 2028 second, and 2029 third rounder in exchange for the reigning DPOY.

Another big trade sent AJ Brown from Philadelphia to New England. Brown didn’t fit the Eagles culture and was unhappy, so they sent him to the defending AFC Champions for a 2028 first, and a 2027 fifth round pick.

Another huge move sent Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals. In exchange, the Giants got the tenth overall pick in the 2026 draft, which they used to select offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa from the Miami Hurricanes. This move helped the Bengals defense a lot, as they look to pair a finally competent defense with their top-tier offense.

Other free agent signings include: Kyler Murray to the Minnesota Vikings, Keneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs, Tua Tagovailoa to the Atlanta Falcons, Malik Willis to the Miami Dolphins, and Mike Evans to the San Francisco 49ers.

NBA Offseason

There have also been shocking moves in the early NBA offseason. Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of the NBA’s top players, had been rumored to be traded in past seasons. Like Miles Garrett of the NFL, this was the year the deal got done. Giannis and Bobby Portis were sent to Miami, in exchange for Tyler Herro, Jamie Jaquez Jr, Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis, and first round picks in 2026, 2030, 2031, and 2033, as well as a 2033 second rounder.

Another blockbuster move sent Jaylen Brown to the Phiadelphia 76ers from Boston. In exchange, the Celtics got Paul George, 2028 and 2031 first round picks, and 2028 and 2030 second rounders.

Ja Morant was sent from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Jerami Grant, Kris Murray, and one million dollars.

Lamelo Ball and Josh Green were sent to the Minnesota Timberwolves. In return, the Charlotte Hornets received Naz Reid, four first round picks, and three second round picks.

Austin Reaves also resigned with the Los Angeles Lakers for $184.7 million.

MLB

The MLB is just restarting the second half of the season after the All-Star break. Out of the break, there were a lot of blowouts: the Washington Nationals beat the Athletics 23-4, the Boston Red Sox remained hot, winning 10-0 over the Tampa Bay Rays, and the Atlanta Braves won 15-1 against the Texas Rangers.

The Rays and New York Yankees remain in a tight battle at the top of the AL East. Tampa holds a 2.5 game advantage over New York. But the Red Sox have won 11 straight games and now sit a .500 and only eight games behind the Rays. The Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays are at 47-51 and 45-52 respectively.

The Chciago White Sox are 51-45 and 0.5 games ahead of the 51-46 Cleveland Guardians atop the AL Central. The Minnesota Twins are 49-49 and third in the division. The Detroit Tigers are 45-52, and the Kansas City Royals are 39-59.

Out west, the Texas Rangers are 49-48 and lead the division, the Seattle Mariners are second at 48-50, followed by the Houston Astros (47-52), Athletics (41-56), and the Los Angeles Angels (38-60).

In the NL East, the Atlanta Braves are 56-40. But hot on their tail are the Philadelphia Phillies (three games behind), Miami Marlins (five games behind), and Washington Nationals (eight games behind). Meanwhile, the New York Mets are 41-57 and in last place.

The Milwaukee Brewers are 60-37 and lead the NL Central. The Chicago Cubs are in second at 54-43. The St Louis Cardinals 51-45, Pittsburgh Pirates 50-47, and Cincinnati Reds 44-52 follow.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are 62-36. They are the only team with a positive run differential in the NL West at +150. The Arizona Diamondbacks are at -14 run differential and in second, the San Diego Padres follow at -44 in third, and the San Francisco Giants are at –57 and in fourth. The Colorado Rockies are at -94 and have the 29th worst run differential in the league ahead of only the Athletics at -125.