It may be the All-Star break, but there was no shortage of excitement in the MLB world this week. We witnessed All-Star Game history, and an indescribable performance by Kyle Schwarber. But don’t worry, we’ve got plenty more excitement on deck for the weekend. The Open Championship tees off today, and we’ve got your guide to the big names and even bigger questions. With weather looming at Royal Portrush, a stacked field and the Claret Jug up for grabs, golf’s final major could be the most unpredictable of the year.

Letter Rip!

< MLB >

Schwarbombs Stun in Swingoff

ASG MVP Kyle Schwarber Closes the Deal for the NL in a Historic All-Star Game

When the National League took a 6-0 lead, I wanted to turn the All-Star Game off. It seemed the outcome was decided as the American League players just couldn’t get their bats going. Fortunately, this job doesn’t allow me to turn games off when I think they might be over. And I’m so grateful for that. Not only did I get to watch an epic comeback by the AL – I got to watch the first home run swingoff in ASG history. But the home run swingoff wasn’t even the craziest part of the night. I got to see something I never thought I’d see. I watched Kyle Schwarber get a standing ovation in Atlanta. Crazy, right?

The NL got off to a hot start, scoring two runs in the first inning. From there, they continued to extend their league while the AL struggled to come up with an answer. Slowly but surely, the AL began to close the gap. By the top of the 9th, the NL held only a 2-run lead. Byron Buxton cut that lead down to one, thanks to a double from Bobby Witt Jr. After a pitching change, it seemed plausible the NL could hold on. The AL was down to its last out, and Steven Kwan had two strikes. But Kwan hadn’t had enough madness yet. He got a base hit and drove in an RBI to tie the score. When the NL couldn’t walk it off in the 9th, it was time for a swing off.

Home Run Swingoff

This was the first year we got to see the new home run swingoff in action. In the past, the All-Star Game would’ve just ended in a tie. And I get it. It’s called the All-Star break for a reason. It would make no sense to burn through pitchers or have guys swinging out of their shoes all for a fun, friendly matchup. But on the other hand, nobody likes a tie. 

The rules of the swingoff were simple. Each team got to choose three home run hitters who were allowed three swings each. Whoever had the most home runs by the end won. By the time Kyle Schwarber stepped up to the plate, the AL had a 3-1 lead. But those are rookie numbers for a player as clutch as Schwarber. He stepped up to the plate and went 3-for-3 like it was nothing. After that masterpiece, the AL couldn’t recover, and it was ballgame. Schwarber secured the NL the win, plus an MVP title for himself.

< GOLF >

The Open Championship Primer ⛳️

The Open Championship Tees Off at Royal Portrush This Morning

Golf’s final major is here already, and this one could go to anyone. While Scottie Scheffler is heavily favored (what else is new?), Rory McIlroy is just coming off a strong showing at the Scottish Open and thrives on links courses. Meanwhile, JJ Spaun is looking to prove his U.S. Open win wasn’t a fluke, and Sam Burns is out for revenge. As if that wasn’t enough, Jon Rahm is swinging the club “the best he has in over a year” and Bryson DeChambeau is still chasing redemption from Augusta. Like I said, the Claret Jug could be anyone’s this weekend, but Royal Portrush won’t make it easy. 

Royal Portrush

Royal Portrush is one of the best links courses in the world. With that being said, it’s certainly not one of the easiest. Golfers will need to be precise with their drivers this weekend and prepare to deal with tight fairways surrounded by thick rough. Unfortunately, it’s also not a course where you can hit an iron or 3-wood off the tee to play it safe. Since its recent remodel, the course plays at just under 7,400 from the tips. Getting the ball in the fairway may be a challenge, but the challenge doesn’t stop there. The course also features several elevated greens with false fronts, meaning the traditional links-style approach of landing it short is out of the question. As if its tee-to-green play wasn’t difficult enough, the course also twists and turns from hole to hole, which could end up being a major factor if wind and weather live up to expectations this weekend.

Weather Forecast

Expect a wet and wild ride. Tomorrow and Sunday are forecasted to bring the heaviest rain, with moderate wind swirling across holes all weekend. Players who can adapt and remain patient will have the edge.

Odds

S. Scheffler (+450), R. McIlroy (+700), J. Rahm (+1200), B. DeChambeau (+2000), X. Schauffele (+2500), L. Aberg (+2800), T. Fleetwood (+2800), C. Morikawa (+3000), V. Hovland (+3000), T. Hatton (+3000) | View a full list of odds here

* Odds subject to change 

Tee Times (Featured Groups)

4:47 AM: S. Burns, A. Potgieter, B. Koepka

4:58 AM: X. Schauffele, J. Spaun, J. Rahm

5:09 AM: S. Lowry, C. Morikawa, S. Scheffler

9:37 AM: R. Henley, T. Hatton, M. Woo Lee

9:48 AM: R. MacIntyre, B. DeChambeau, J. Rose

9:59 AM: J. Spieth, L. Aberg, V. Hovland

10:10 AM: R. McIlroy, J. Thomas, T. Fleetwood

For a full list of round 1-2 tee times, click here. 

< NEWS >

The Headlines 📰

• MLB Hits Home Run with All-Star Game Swing-Off in Exhilarating Midsummer Classic (CBS Sports)

• Bradley Beal Agrees to Buyout with Suns, to Join Clippers (ESPN)

• Schwarber has Another All-Star Bat Bound for Cooperstown (MLB)

• Commanders' Terry McLaurin 'Frustrated' Over Contract Talks, Unsure if he Will Report to Training Camp (NFL) 

• British Open 2025 Odds, Picks, Predictions, Props: PGA Expert Loves Jordan Spieth at Royal Portrush (CBS Sports) 

• Caitlin Clark Questionable for Fever with Right Groin Injury (ESPN)