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Best of the Week

The 20 most-read posts across every sport · Jan 5–11, 2026

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Fairleigh Dickinson vs. Chicago State Prediction: Spread, Total Points, Moneyline Picks – Thursday, January 8, 2026

The Chicago State Cougars (2-13, 0-2 NEC) are 2.5-point underdogs as they try to break a four-game losing streak when they visit the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights (4-11, 1-1 NEC) on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at Bogota Savings Bank Center. The matchup airs at 5 p.m. ET on NEC Front Row. The matchup has an over/under of 146.5. Fairleigh Dickinson vs. Chicago State Odds Fairleigh Dickinson odds to win: -133 Chicago State odds to win: +113 Spread: Fairleigh Dickinson (-2.5) Total: 146.5 ...

Bleacher Nation | Chicago Sports News, Rumors, and a Reasonable Level of Obsession · Jan 8 · 20 reads that week

Game Review: Passive third period costs Maple Leafs a point on Matthews’ record-setting night

First things first: Congratulations, Auston Matthews! “HE IS THE LEADING SCORER IN TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS HISTORY” Matthews 20th of the Season (421st Career Goal) vs Islanders 🔊 @Bonsie1951 @Jim_Ralph pic.twitter.com/5jfOIysXc8 — Maple Leafs Hotstove (@LeafsNews) January 4, 2026 We all knew this accomplishment was inevitable several years ago, and it became clear it would happen […] The post Game Review: Passive third period costs Maple Leafs a point on Matthews’ record-setting night appeared f...

Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs Hotstove · Jan 4 · 11 reads that week

Pirates miss out on Japanese third baseman Kazuma Okamoto

The Pittsburgh Pirates will have to pivot to new options at third base. According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Japanese third baseman Kuzuma Okamoto is signing with the Toronto Blue Jays. Okamoto’s posting window was set to close at 5 p.m. on Sunday. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported earlier on Saturday that the Pirates were […]

Pirates Blue Jays

Bucs Dugout · Jan 3 · 8 reads that week

Surprise! The Giants have increased their budget

This post could’ve been titled “Reassessing the Giants’ payroll situation for 2026” as a sequel to this post from earlier in the offseason, but it’s less interesting than the truth, which is that, based on what’s publicly known about the team’s expenses, the San Francisco Giants have committed to the largest Baseball Operations budget in […]

Giants

McCovey Chronicles · Jan 2 · 8 reads that week

Hanifan: The Heat’s biggest X-Factor isn’t a player, it’s a style

After three straight seasons as a bottom-third offense, the Miami Heat and head coach Erik Spoelstra spent much of the offseason not only uncovering, but drilling a completely new offensive style into the team. For most of Spoelstra’s previous 17 years with the Heat, they only knew one pace: A deliberate, methodical one, at that. […] The post Hanifan: The Heat’s biggest X-Factor isn’t a player, it’s a style appeared first on Hot Hot Hoops - Miami HEAT NBA Blog .

Heat

Hot Hot Hoops · Dec 30 · 8 reads that week

Pirates make flurry of roster and coaching moves

The Pittsburgh Pirates have made plenty of roster moves to shape the team before the heart of free agency begins. On Tuesday, the Pirates added six prospects to the 40-man roster and parted ways with five former big leaguers.  Pittsburgh selected the contracts of two position players and four pitchers, including power-hitting outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez. […]

Pirates

Bucs Dugout · Nov 20 · 8 reads that week

2026 Cubs Salary Arbitration Primer

2026 Cubs Salary Arbitration Primer 1/8 UPDATE :  The Cubs signed LHP Justin Steele (one year - $6.775M), RHP Edward Cabrera (one year - $4.45M), and RHP Javier Assad (one year - $1.8M) to 2026 major league contracts, thus avoiding the possibility of salary arbitration.  Because the contracts were signed to avoid the possibility of salary arbitration, the contracts are fully guaranteed. 1/7 UPDATE : The Cubs acquired RHP Edward Cabrera from the Marlins, and he is eligible for sala...

Cubs

The Cub Reporter (TCR) | A Chicago Cubs Blog · Jan 9 · 7 reads that week

Paid or Trade: Jake Meyers

What the Houston Astros should do with CF Jake Meyers has been one of the more polarizing topics for the last couple of seasons, now exacerbated by the fact the 29-year old centerfielder is coming off his best statistical season. Meyers’ value has never been higher, fresh of career highs at the plate that included […]

Astros

The Crawfish Boxes · Nov 21 · 7 reads that week

Raptors sweep season series against Atlanta Hawks

It feels like the 87th meeting between the Toronto Raptors and the Atlanta Hawks this season. In reality, it’s the fourth, but it feels like more. Especially given that these two teams played on Saturday and then Monday again, with no games in between. Before the game, Darko Rajakovic said he liked playing teams again […]

Raptors HQ · Jan 6 · 6 reads that week

Monday BP: Jung Hoo Lee community review

Good morning, baseball fans! Since the season ended, the McCovey Chronicles staff have been doing player reviews that go over each member of the San Francisco Giants’ 2025 season. Today, I’m going to continue our community reviews where we ask you all to weigh in on how you feel like each player did this year […]

Giants

McCovey Chronicles · Jan 5 · 6 reads that week

Rams-Cardinals: Matthew Stafford stakes his claim for MVP

That’s it. The regular season is over. The Los Angeles Rams (12-5) completed their final game with a 37-20 win over the Arizona Cardinals (3-14). The first three quarters weren’t pretty but it did not need to be. The Rams just needed to win. And they needed to find a renewed sense of energy. They […]

Rams Cardinals

Turf Show Times · Jan 5 · 6 reads that week

Hawks hang 25 threes but fall short against defending champion Thunder

The Atlanta Hawks suffered a seventh consecutive loss as they fell to a 140-129 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night at Paycom Arena. Without Trae Young and Jalen Johnson, the Hawks were led by Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s 30 points, while Onyeka Okongwu added 26 points and 14 rebounds. For the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander […]

Hawks Thunder

Peachtree Hoops · Dec 30 · 6 reads that week

49ers-Bears game thread: Which defense will get the most stops?

There will be no shortage of scoring between the San Francisco 49ers and the Chicago Bears on Sunday night football. The Niners offense has been the second-most explosive in the NFL since Brock Purdy returned to the lineup in Week 10. During that same stretch, the Chicago Bears have been impressive in their own right. […]

49ers Bears

Niners Nation · Dec 29 · 6 reads that week

Top Player Prop Bets for Nuggets vs. Timberwolves on December 25, 2025

Sportsbooks have set player props for Nikola Jokic, Julius Randle and others when the Denver Nuggets host the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena on Thursday at 10:30 p.m. ET. How to Watch Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Date: Thursday, December 25, 2025 Time: 10:30 p.m. ET How to watch on TV: ABC and ESPN Live Stream: Fubo Location: Denver, Colorado Venue: Ball Arena NBA Props Today: Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokić Props PTS REB AST 3PM 29.5 (Over: -104) ...

Nuggets Timberwolves

Bleacher Nation | Chicago Sports News, Rumors, and a Reasonable Level of Obsession · Dec 25 · 6 reads that week