What I'm hearing about Giannis Antetokounmpo, other NBA players as draft nears  —  Deadlines tend to inspire behavior change.  —  Whether it's the end of the shot clock or the final seconds of a game, we've seen countless on-court examples of how that time element sparks something …

How Brewers' Jake Bauers conquered his fears to find All-Star form  —  LAS VEGAS — The Milwaukee Brewers' Jake Bauers would wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, grab a baseball bat, walk over to the mirror and just start swinging.  —  Over and over again, hours at a time, until exhaustion set in.

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Tottenham open Sandro Tonali talks with Newcastle  —  Tottenham Hotspur have opened talks with Newcastle United over a deal for Sandro Tonali.  —  The north London club are vying with Manchester City to sign Tonali if he leaves St James' Park — but by making club-to-club contact …

Protesting Giants say they were not pressured to wear Pride hats, weren't discriminated against  —  The four San Francisco Giants who declined to wear Pride Night hats last week say they were not discriminated against, and planned their protest for weeks.  —  MIAMI — Friday marked …

Mets' Freddy Peralta roughed up for 10 runs, Kyle Schwarber hits 3 homers in Phillies' rout  —  PHILADELPHIA — Kyle Schwarber homered three times, including twice in Philadelphia's eight-run third inning, and Bryce Harper hit for the cycle as the Phillies routed the Mets, 15-3, on Saturday night.

MLB Seeks Sweeping Draft Overhaul, Including End Of High School Eligibility  —  As part of the MLB and MLBPA's collective bargaining negotiations, Major League Baseball proposed on Thursday the elimination of high school draftee eligibility as part of a broader framework to significantly rework the amateur player acquisition system.

Tarik Skubal issues call to arms that it's put-up or shut-up time for Tigers  —  Detroit — If Tarik Skubal had his way, he would be wearing the Old English D into October this season.  —  But so much of that, as a pending free agent, is out of his control, especially as the Tigers continue …

Greene K's 6 through 4 innings in 1st rehab outing with ACL Reds  —  Chase Burns has been tremendous for the Reds in his second Major League season — his 2.01 ERA through 14 starts is fourth among qualified starters, and his performance has provided a huge lift to Cincinnati's starting rotation in the absence of ace Hunter Greene.

Justin Verlander uncertain in return: No reason to ‘delay any further’  —  HOUSTON - Right-hander Justin Verlander hasn't pitched for the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park since Aug. 20, 2017.  —  It has been nearly nine years.  —  The 3,227-day drought will end when Verlander throws his first pitch Sunday …

Transactions  —  Chicago Cubs recalled CF Justin Dean from Iowa Cubs.  —  Chicago Cubs optioned DH Moisés Ballesteros to Iowa Cubs.  —  Chicago Cubs sent LHP Doug Nikhazy outright to Iowa Cubs.  —  Chicago Cubs placed RHP Daniel Palencia on the 15-day injured list.  Right elbow inflammation.

Less than halfway through the season and it's clear the Red Sox should raise the white flag on 2026  —  The Red Sox are not salvageable this season.  And they had better not jeopardize next season by pretending otherwise in a manipulative attempt to keep Fenway Park as full as possible for as long as possible.