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The Los Angeles Dodgers are leaning all the way into their villain era heading into the trade deadline, and frankly, they've earned the right. With Roki Sasaki dealing and a roster built to suffocate the competition, L.A. is asking the league a simple question — what's wrong with being the bad guy? Nobody in baseball has a good answer right now.
Across the Atlantic, the Eddie Howe situation at Newcastle is getting louder. Former midfielder Dan Gosling put it plainly on BBC Radio Newcastle, saying discontent has been building since last season and that the club keeps landing second and third choice targets. Gosling's words carry weight — Howe delivered two Champions League qualifications, and the fanbase feels the front office hasn't matched that ambition.
And in the American League, the Tarik Skubal trade conversation is the hottest story at the deadline. Rarely does a pitcher of his caliber become available mid-season, and the names being floated as historical comparisons — C.C. Sabathia, Max Scherzer — tell you everything about the stakes here. Whoever lands Skubal reshapes the entire pennant race overnight.
That's your play-by-play. Sports Desk, back to the booth.
