On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
The Boston Red Sox are grasping at straws these days.
Boston is trying anything and everything to win games, and that includes facial hair and grooming tactics.
The Red Sox fell to 30-35 on the season on Friday with a 9-6 loss in the Bronx to the first-place New York Yankees. Boston’s starter Walker Buehler surrendered five runs in the first inning, continuing a horrid habit for the Red Sox, who now have a first inning ERA of 12.83 in 2025 (a Major League Baseball record).
New York’s explosive day at the plate featured three hits (including a home run) from Jazz Chisholm Jr. and three hits from leading American League MVP candidate Aaron Judge. Paul Goldschmidt also went yard.
Boston’s troubles weren’t just on the mound. The Red Sox committed two errors, adding to their pile of 57 errors on the season (most in MLB).
As injured Red Sox All-Star Alex Bregman watched the loss unfold from the dugout, he must have been thinking what all Red Sox fans have been thinking lately … someone, something has got to change.
Then, to get that change underway himself, Bregman disappeared into the recesses of the clubhouse and shaved off his Tom Selleck-style mustache (yes, in the middle of the game) and returned to the dugout with a new face and, perhaps, a new outlook on Boston’s season.
NESN captured the Bregman grooming decision, posting “before-and-after” videos to X with the caption, “Did Breggy shave mid game? Anything to shift the mojo. Absolute GAMER.”
Amazingly, Boston did regain some of its mojo as the game wore on.
Rookie Marcelo Mayer hit the first home run of his MLB career (410 feet), and Rafael Devers also homered.
It still wasn’t enough, although Boston’s offensive surge did force the Yankees to use bullpen depth, something which could impact the remainder of the weekend series.
More must-reads:
- Yankees manager provides major update on Aaron Judge's injury
- Injured Phillies pitcher takes big step toward return
- The 'MLB mascot names' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Yankees manager provides major update on Aaron Judge's injury
New York Yankees star Aaron Judge missed Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies with an elbow injury, and the slugger is now headed to the injured list. The Yankees fell 9-4 to the Phillies on Saturday at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y., which marked their third consecutive loss. Judge played in Friday night's 12-5 loss to Philadelphia, but Aaron Boone announced before Saturday's game that Judge was dealing with an "elbow issue" and would sit out. Following his team's latest loss, Boone shared some new information about Judge's injury. Judge has been diagnosed with a flexor strain, but the Yankees believe he can return in less than two weeks. When Judge returns to the lineup, Boone said it will initially be as a designated hitter. Judge is having an outstanding season. He entered Saturday batting .342, which is the best mark in baseball. The reigning American League MVP has 37 home runs, 85 RBI and a 1.160 OPS. The Yankees are now six games behind the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays and fighting to remain atop the wild-card race. It goes without saying that they are hopeful Judge will be able to return as soon as possible.
Los Angeles Lakers Officially Sign Basketball Legend's Son
Augustas Marčiulionis played all four seasons of his college career for St Marry's. He finished last year with averages of 14.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.3 steals per contest while shooting 44.6% from the field and 34.7% from the three-point range in 35 games. On Saturday, the Los Angeles Lakers officially announced that they had signed the 23-year-old (and three others). Via The Los Angeles Lakers: "The Lakers have signed guard RJ Davis, forward Eric Dixon, forward Arthur Kaluma and guard Augustas Marčiulionis." Marčiulionis went unselected in the 2025 NBA Draft last month. Trevor Lane of Lakers Nation reported more details about the signings. Via Lane: "I’m told these are exhibit 10 deals. Exhibit 10s have the ability to be converted to two way contracts. Brings these players into camp with the Lakers to let them compete. E10s also provide a bonus if, after being waived, the player signs with South Bay and stays for at least 60 days" Marčiulionis is also the son of Basketball Hall of Famer Šarūnas. Via ESPN Jonathan Givony (on June 26): "The two-time WCC player of the year missed the pre-draft process with a foot injury but will be healthy in late July. Son of hall of famer Šarūnas Marčiulionis." In the past, the Lakers have done an excellent job of developing undrafted players such as Austin Reaves and Alex Caruso. Via Ballislife.com (on June 13): "HBD Sarunas Marciulionis! The Lithuanian legend was a master of the euro step getting by defenders with his behind the back move."
Kings withdraw two-way qualifying offer to second-year forward
The Kings have withdrawn their two-way qualifying offer to forward Isaiah Crawford, making him an unrestricted free agent, according to RealGM’s official NBA transaction log. Crawford signed a two-way deal with Sacramento last July after going undrafted out of Louisiana Tech. The 23-year-old logged just 46 total minutes in 15 games at the NBA level as a rookie, but was a key part of the rotation for the Stockton Kings in the G League, posting averages of 13.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.2 steals in 31.5 minutes per game across 37 outings, with a shooting line of .471/.401/.789. Crawford received a two-way qualifying offer from the Kings last month, making him a restricted free agent, and the deadline for teams to unilaterally withdraw those QOs passed on July 13. However, qualifying offers can still be rescinded with the player’s consent, so Crawford signed off on the move him to make him unrestricted. The Kings have signed a pair of players – Dylan Cardwell and Isaiah Stevens – to two-year, two-way contracts since the new league year began on July 1. Rescinding Crawford’s qualifying offer suggests the team has other plans for its third two-way slot.
'In what world does this make sense?’: Oilers and $63M forward
According to some, throw out the idea that the Edmonton Oilers should pursue Max Pacioretty. A veteran forward who has earned over $63 million over the course of his NHL career has yet to sign an NHL contract and was recently mentioned in a post by David Staples as a possible fit. In a recent post, the Journal noted, “All of the top NHL unrestricted free agents have already signed contracts, but there’s one big name player still available that makes good sense for the Edmonton Oilers to pursue.” Responses have been varied, with a few quite vocal about the Oilers not following Staples’ advice. “In what world does this make sense?????” writes a commenter on a recent post for The Hockey Writers. Another commenter wrote, “Pacioretty is a good journeyman player but he is injury prone now, late in his career. Oilers might be lucky to get 40 games out of him. They should look elsewhere instead of taking a chance on Patches.” Tyler Yaremchuk of Oilers Nation chimed in and said, “He scored five goals in 37 games last year with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Can’t stay healthy, very old, very slow.” Yaremchuk then went on a rant, listing several Oilers forwards who would be better than Pacioretty. What About Pacioretty on a PTO? Is there any reason that a team that is looking to get younger and faster, and move out depth pieces that were older and less productive than expected, would revert back to last summer’s strategy? It seems like an odd choice on the surface. Something would have to happen that would make giving Pacioretty a look risk-free. That means only a PTO. Even at that point, should he agree, it would require him to be willing to sign a two-way contract for the league minimum.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
