Sports Week Ahead: MLB Deadline Pressure, WNBA’s Return and a Loaded Sunday Viewing Guide
As Major League Baseball contenders enter their final full week before the August 3 trade deadline, nearly every game carries two meanings: what happens in the standings and what it might persuade a front office to do next.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Braves have separated themselves at the top of the National League, while the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees are locked into a tight American League East race. Meanwhile, the WNBA is preparing to resume its regular season following an energetic All-Star weekend, NFL teams are opening training camps, and NASCAR’s Brickyard 400 headlines a busy Sunday schedule.
This national sports report reflects verified information available as of Sunday, July 26, 2026.
Top Story
MLB’s trade deadline is turning every series into an audition
The 2026 MLB trade deadline is scheduled for Monday, August 3, at 6 p.m. Eastern, giving contenders a little more than one week to strengthen their rosters for the stretch run. MLB’s official deadline coverage continues to separate completed transactions from reported discussions, an important distinction during a period when the rumor mill can become louder than the actual transaction wire.
The standings explain why this deadline could become especially active.
The Dodgers entered Sunday with MLB’s best record at 67-38. Milwaukee led the National League Central at 65-39, while Atlanta stood at 61-43 in the NL East.
In the American League, Tampa Bay led the East at 61-43, two games ahead of the Yankees at 59-45. The Chicago White Sox held a narrow AL Central lead at 54-49, while the Texas Rangers led a crowded AL West at 53-51, just ahead of Houston, Seattle and several clubs still close enough to remain involved.
That creates pressure on teams in three different categories:
Clear contenders such as Los Angeles, Milwaukee and Atlanta can pursue help designed for October.
Bubble teams such as Texas, Houston, Seattle, Boston and Cleveland must decide whether a short winning streak is enough to justify acquiring talent.
Potential sellers must determine whether moving experienced players now creates more long-term value than holding onto them through the season.
The next seven days could answer those questions without a single executive stepping to a microphone. The standings will do plenty of talking.
News Around the League
WNBA All-Star weekend ends with Jonquel Jones taking MVP honors
Team Spoon defeated Team Coop 129-122 in the WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday, July 25.
New York Liberty center Jonquel Jones was named the game’s MVP after recording 22 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell led all scorers with 28 points for Team Coop, while Caitlin Clark contributed 17 points, five assists and five 3-pointers for Team Spoon.
The regular season resumes Tuesday, July 28.
Minnesota remains the league’s benchmark at 22-6, followed in the Western Conference by Golden State at 19-8, Las Vegas at 18-8 and Dallas at 18-9.
Indiana leads the Eastern Conference at 17-10, with Atlanta close behind at 16-10 and defending contender New York at 15-12.
Those records make Thursday’s Liberty-Aces matchup and Sunday’s Fever-Lynx meeting two of the most revealing games of the coming week.
NFL training camps open across the country
All 32 NFL teams are scheduled to begin training camp by Tuesday, July 28. The league’s “Back Together Weekend” fan events are scheduled for Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2, giving fans their first broad look at new draft picks, free-agent additions and position competitions.
There are no NFL preseason games scheduled between July 26 and August 2, so the week’s football news will center on practices, depth charts, contract situations and confirmed injuries rather than game results.
One significant development involves San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan. The 49ers confirmed on July 25 that Shanahan was injured in a Northern California vehicle accident that occurred July 14. The team said the injuries were not life-threatening and that Shanahan would have limited participation as training camp begins.
Reports containing additional details about his injuries should be attributed to those reports rather than treated as separate team-confirmed information.
NBA offseason movement remains enormous, but not every reported deal is complete
The NBA’s official offseason tracker lists a dramatic collection of completed trades and signings, including Giannis Antetokounmpo’s move to Miami, Ja Morant’s move to Portland and LaMelo Ball’s move to Minnesota.
The league also lists Victor Wembanyama’s five-year extension with San Antonio as officially announced.
However, the tracker continues to label the reported Kawhi Leonard trade involving Toronto and the Los Angeles Clippers as on hold and based on multiple reports. Fans should not treat that transaction as completed unless the teams or league formally announce it.
That distinction matters. A social media graphic is not a transaction receipt.
Patrick Kane returns to Chicago
The NHL’s official free-agent tracker lists Patrick Kane’s return to the Chicago Blackhawks on a two-year, $16 million contract, announced July 25.
The move follows Chicago’s five-year, $75 million extension with Connor Bedard, announced July 20. Together, the contracts give the Blackhawks a combination of franchise history, veteran creativity and young star power as they continue rebuilding their roster.
Players and Teams to Watch
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers own baseball’s best record, but the trade deadline is not simply about fixing weaknesses. Elite teams often use it to create insurance against injuries and increase matchup flexibility for the postseason.
Their weekend series against Boston begins Friday, July 31, and ends with a nationally televised Sunday night game.
Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees
Tampa Bay’s two-game lead in the AL East leaves very little breathing room. The Yankees can shift the division’s temperature with one strong week, beginning with Sunday night’s game in Philadelphia.
Both teams have enough at stake to remain central figures in deadline discussions.
Minnesota Lynx
At 22-6, Minnesota has created the clearest separation in the WNBA standings. Sunday’s matchup with Eastern Conference-leading Indiana offers another test against a high-profile opponent with perimeter scoring and considerable national attention.
Jonquel Jones
Jones’ All-Star MVP performance was more than an exhibition highlight. New York is 15-12 and still chasing Indiana and Atlanta in the East. Her interior scoring, rebounding and playmaking will be vital when the Liberty visit Las Vegas on Thursday.
Texas Rangers and Houston Astros
The Rangers lead the AL West at 53-51, but Houston is only one game below .500 at 52-54. Their series beginning Friday could directly influence whether either club becomes more aggressive before the deadline.
NFL rookies and position-battle quarterbacks
With no preseason games during the seven-day period, practice reports will shape early expectations. Fans should place greater weight on official team announcements and full practice participation reports than isolated clips from individual drills.
Games to Watch
All times are listed in Central Time. Broadcast assignments remain subject to regional restrictions or late changes.
3M Open Final Round
Event: PGA Tour 3M Open
Date: Sunday, July 26
Start time: Early coverage at 12 p.m. CT; CBS coverage at 2 p.m. CT
Venue: TPC Twin Cities, Blaine, Minnesota
Broadcast: Golf Channel, followed by CBS
Why it matters: The final round offers FedExCup points and a valuable late-season opportunity for players fighting to improve their postseason position. The tournament runs July 23-26 and carries an $8.8 million purse.
NASCAR Brickyard 400
Event: Brickyard 400
Date: Sunday, July 26
Start time: 1 p.m. CT
Venue: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Speedway, Indiana
Broadcast: TNT and truTV; streaming on HBO Max
Why it matters: Indianapolis is one of NASCAR’s most recognizable venues, and the race also serves as the championship round of NASCAR’s 2026 In-Season Challenge. The Cup Series event is scheduled for 160 laps and 400 miles.
New York Yankees at Philadelphia Phillies
Date: Sunday, July 26
Start time: 6:20 p.m. CT
Venue: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia
Broadcast: NBC and Peacock
Why it matters: The Yankees are chasing Tampa Bay in the AL East, while Philadelphia remains within striking distance of Atlanta in the NL East. It is also a nationally televised matchup between two clubs facing meaningful deadline decisions.
Racing Louisville FC at Angel City FC
Date: Sunday, July 26
Start time: 8 p.m. CT
Venue: BMO Stadium, Los Angeles
Broadcast: ESPN and the ESPN app
Why it matters: The game closes the NWSL’s Sunday schedule and gives both teams a nationally televised opportunity to gain ground as the regular season enters an important summer stretch.
New York Liberty at Las Vegas Aces
Date: Thursday, July 30
Start time: 9 p.m. CT
Venue: Michelob ULTRA Arena, Las Vegas
Broadcast: Prime Video
Why it matters: Las Vegas enters the second half at 18-8, while New York is trying to climb from third place in the Eastern Conference. The matchup features several of the league’s most accomplished players and could provide an early preview of a postseason series.
Texas Rangers at Houston Astros
Date: Friday, July 31
Start time: 7:15 p.m. CT
Venue: Daikin Park, Houston
Broadcast: Space City Home Network and Rangers Sports Network; out-of-market streaming through MLB.TV, subject to blackout restrictions
Why it matters: The Rangers and Astros are separated by only two games in the standings. A rivalry series immediately before the deadline could alter the AL West race and each front office’s approach.
Indiana Fever at Minnesota Lynx
Date: Sunday, August 2
Start time: 12 p.m. CT
Venue: Target Center, Minneapolis
Broadcast: ABC
Why it matters: This is a meeting between the WNBA’s Western and Eastern Conference leaders. Minnesota enters the week with the league’s best record, while Indiana has an opportunity to measure itself against the current standard.
Boston Red Sox at Los Angeles Dodgers
Date: Sunday, August 2
Start time: 6:20 p.m. CT
Venue: UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
Broadcast: NBC
Why it matters: Los Angeles owns MLB’s best record, while Boston remains involved in the American League playoff chase. The game concludes a three-game series on the night before the final day leading into the trade deadline.
What Fans Should Know
The most important deadline during this reporting window is not a game time. It is MLB’s August 3 trade deadline at 6 p.m. Eastern.
Fans should expect trade reporting to accelerate, but completed deals should be confirmed through MLB, the clubs involved or official transaction records. “Interested,” “monitoring” and “linked to” do not mean a player has been traded.
WNBA teams return from the All-Star break Tuesday. Player availability can change between morning shootarounds and tipoff, so official team injury reports should be checked on game day.
NFL training-camp clips provide an early look at players, but they rarely tell the entire story. Rotations, contact limitations and scripted practice situations can make a single highlight misleading.
Broadcast information can also change. Local blackout rules may apply to MLB.TV, while some WNBA and NWSL games require specific streaming subscriptions.
Opinion: What Happens Next
The MLB trade deadline will dominate the national sports conversation.
The Dodgers, Brewers and Braves have enough separation to shop from positions of strength. The more fascinating decisions belong to teams such as Texas, Houston, Seattle, Boston and Cleveland, where one series can make the difference between buying help and protecting future assets.
The most compelling basketball game of the week is Liberty-Aces on Thursday, but Indiana-Minnesota may be the better measurement of where the WNBA’s balance of power stands.
At Indianapolis, the Brickyard 400 remains the best single-event television option Sunday. NASCAR at the Speedway usually produces pressure with a concrete wall around it.
Sources and Full Links
Major League Baseball
“MLB Trade Rumors and 2026 Trade Deadline News”
Updated July 25, 2026
https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-rumors-trades-and-signings
Major League Baseball
“Tracking Every Deal Made Before the Trade Deadline”
Updated July 26, 2026
https://www.mlb.com/news
Major League Baseball
“MLB Schedule: August 2, 2026”
Accessed July 26, 2026
https://www.mlb.com/schedule/2026-08-02
WNBA
“Rapid Reactions: 2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game”
Published July 25, 2026
https://www.wnba.com/news/rapid-reactions-2026-att-wnba-all-star-game
WNBA
“2026 WNBA Schedule”
Accessed July 26, 2026
https://www.wnba.com/schedule
Indiana Fever
“2026 Indiana Fever Schedule”
Accessed July 26, 2026
https://fever.wnba.com/schedule
NFL
“NFL Training Camps for 2026 Season Open This Week”
Published July 24, 2026
https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-training-camps-for-2026-season-open-this-week
ABC News
“49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan Injured in Car Crash, Team Says”
Published July 25, 2026
https://abcnews.com/Sports/49ers-head-coach-kyle-shanahan-injured-car-crash/story?id=135085778
NBA
“NBA Offseason: Every Free Agency Deal, Extension and Trade for All 30 Teams”
Updated July 26, 2026
https://www.nba.com/news/nba-offseason-deals-2026
NHL
“2026-27 NHL Free Agent Tracker”
Updated July 25, 2026
https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/free-agency/free-agency-signings-nhl-2026-27
NASCAR
“2026 NASCAR Cup Series Schedule and Race Information”
Accessed July 26, 2026
https://www.nascar.com/nascar-cup-series/2026/schedule/
NASCAR
“How to Watch NASCAR in 2026: Weekly Listings Guide”
Updated July 2026
https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2026/7/05/nascar-tv-guide/
Associated Press
“Sports on TV for Sunday, July 26”
Published July 26, 2026
https://apnews.com/article/golf-061f287225d441a23498e8b5d8198fc3
National Women’s Soccer League
“Matchweek 14 Preview: A Spirited Week Ahead”
Published July 23, 2026
https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/matchweek-14-preview-a-spirited-week-ahead
PGA Tour
“3M Open: Facts and Figures”
Published July 21, 2026
https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/latest/2026/07/21/3m-open-facts-and-figures-tpc-twin-cities-blaine-minnesota-2026