Good Morning! Here’s what happened in the world of sports on Wednesday, July 3.

MLB

Get ready for a lot of baseball in today’s special Fourth of July edition of The Remix… here are the highlights from last night’s games:

• Our first trade deadline domino has fallen… the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers acquired starting pitcher Aaron Civale from the Tampa Bay Rays to bolster their rotation.

• The coolest thing I saw yesterday was injured star Mookie Betts call four innings of the Dodgers game from the broadcast booth. As great as it was, I have a feeling it won’t happen again– the Diamondbacks won this game 12-4. After hitting two more long balls in this game, Arizona first baseman Christian Walker now has six home runs in eight games at Dodger Stadium this season.

• The Philadelphia Phillies keep rolling, beating the Cubs 5-3 last night. They’ve won eight of their last eleven games and boast the best record in all of baseball.

• Kansas City won 4-2 over the Rays. Royals center fielder Kyle Isbel was the hero, catching a ball up against the wall to save the game. 

• There aren’t too many bright spots these days for the Oakland Athletics. However, last night Joey Estes threw a complete-game shutout on just 92 pitches. The A’s beat the Angels 5-0.

• Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop ONeil Cruz is 6’7” and hits the ball harder than anyone. He’s clutch, too, coming up with a walk-off single in the 10th inning last night, leading the Pirates to a 5-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

TENNIS

I know this is America’s Day, but we’ve got to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible action taking place on the grass courts in London. So many highlights from day three:

• Jannik Sinner battled to a 7-6, 7-6, 2-6, 7-6 victory over Matteo Berrettini. High-quality stuff from both players, and an impressive win for the world number one.

• American tennis fans should learn the name Emma Navarro, who cruised to an impressive straight-sets win over Naomi Osaka.

• After struggling to start this year, it appears Francis Tiafoe has regained his form. The American rolled to a round two victory, setting up a can’t-miss round three against Carlos Alcaraz. Both players have commented on the “friendly rivalry.”

• Thanasi Kokkinais overcame a two sets to none deficit and saved four match points to upset the 17-seed Felix Auger-Aliassime. Tomas Machac dug himself out of a similar hole against David Goffin, and won the match even after going down 5-0 in the fifth set! It’s truly never over until it’s over.

• The upset of the day came from the veteran Italian Fabio Fognini, who took down eight-seeded Casper Ruud.

• Sonay Kartal has become the story of the tournament for the home crowd, winning her first ever Grand Slam matches– although her next opponent is Coco Gauff.

ALL-STARS

After two rounds of fan voting, the starters for the MLB All-Star game in Texas have been announced:

For the first time that I can remember, there’s really only one problematic pick. Patrially because Mookie Betts is injured, Trea Turner won the nomination at shortstop in the National League. Although he’s a fantastic player, I don’t think Turner deserves to be an all-star this year. It’s no knock against him– shortstop just happens to be the deepest position in the league.

Without further ado, here are my picks for the all-star reserves. Each team has to be represented by at least one player, which makes things tricky.

National League:

C: Will Smith (LAD), Patrick Bailey (SF)

1B: Freddie Freeman (LAD), Christian Walker (ARI)

2B: Brice Turang (MIL)

3B: Ryan McMahon (COL)

SS: Elly De La Cruz (CIN), CJ Abrams (WSH)

OF: Teoscar Hernandez (LAD), Brandon Nimmo (NYM)

DH: Marcell Ozuna (ATL)

SP: Ranger Suarez (PHI), Reynaldo Lopez (ATL), Tyler Glasnow (LAD), Zack Wheeler (PHI), Christopher Sanchez (PHI), Paul Skenes (PIT), Shota Imanaga (CHI), Chris Sale (ATL), Sonny Gray (STL)

RP: Ryan Helsley (STL), Robert Suarez (SD), Tanner Scott (MIA)

American League:

C: Salvador Perez (KC)

1B: Josh Naylor (CLE)

2B: Jordan Westburg (BAL)

3B: Rafael Devers (BOS)

SS: Bobby Witt Jr. (KC), Carlos Correa (MIN), Corey Seager (TEX)

OF: Jarren Duran (BOS), Riley Greene (DET), Kyle Tucker (HOU)

DH: Isaac Paredes (TB)

SP: Seth Lugo (KC), Corbin Burnes (BAL), Tarik Skubal (DET), Garrett Crochet (CHW), Logan Gilbert (SEA), Tanner Houck (BOS), Luis Gil (NYY), George Kirby (SEA), Ronel Blanco (HOU)

RP: Mason Miller (OAK), Emmanuel Clase (CLE), Carlos Estevez (LAA)

With apologies to Masyn Winn, Ryan Jeffers, Max Fried, and ten other guys who will end up on the roster anyway as injury replacements… there you have it! The full rosters will be announced Sunday night– we’ll see how much I get right.

NOTEWORTHY NEWS

A couple of hockey notes: First off, the Detroit Red Wings signed goal-scoring winger Vladimir Tarasenko to a two-year deal. Kudos to the Seattle Kraken, who hired Jessica Campbell as the first full-time female assistant coach in the NHL. Lastly, the St. Louis Blues signed defenseman Pierre-Oliver Joseph. This comes just a few days after the Blues traded for his brother Mathieu. I envision these Blues Brothers will have no problem getting to know each other.

LeBron James officially re-signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, agreeing on a two-year $104 million deal. Here’s a good piece of trivia at your Fourth of July parties– LeBron is now one of two players in the NBA with a full no-trade clause. The other? Bradley Beal.

PLAY OF THE DAY

We’ve got a little magic from Carlitos:

He makes that look way too easy.

TODAY’S BIG GAMES (all times Eastern)

TENNIS: Wimbledon, beginning at 6 AM on ESPN and ESPN+

• The Championships at the All-England Club continue, and there will undoubtedly be some fantastic tennis. But who are we kidding, you aren’t watching this today.

Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest: Noon on ESPN2

• The GOAT of competitive eating, Joey Chestnut, will not be participating in this year’s contest. A lot of people are asking if this even a sport. Personally, I think the lemonade chug that follows is more entertaining. Putting all that aside, if you’re a fan of tradition and want to watch a bunch of guys eat way too many hot dogs, today’s competition at Coney Island is here for you. Enjoy.

MLB: All 30 teams, all day long

• Even if it’s just for an inning, you have to take a moment today to enjoy America’s Pastime. Any team will do– just enjoy the ballgame.

SOCCER: Argentina vs Ecuador, 9 PM on Fox; LAFC vs LA Galaxy, 10:30 PM

• Lionel Messi is back as Argentina plays Ecuador in the quarterfinals of the Copa America. And to end your holiday evening, “El Traffico” kicks off at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles.

Happy Birthday, America. Enjoy the fireworks.