PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper each homered for the second straight game and the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the New York Mets 6-2 on Sunday night.
The Phillies duo followed up their historic night on Saturday in which Schwarber hit three home runs and Harper hit for the cycle, by both going deep against the Mets again.
Schwarber launched a second-deck blast, a three-run homer off of Mets starter David Peterson in the second inning, for his Major League-leading 29th home run.
Harper finished with three hits, which included a solo shot, his 17th this season, and a double, giving him five extra base hits in the last two games.
Zack Wheeler (7-1) pitched 5 2/3 innings and allowed two runs and four hits with seven strikeouts as the Phillies won the weekend series from New York.
Philadelphia scored a pair of runs in the first inning without hitting a ball out of the infield. Peterson walked Trea Turner and Schwarber before a one-out infield single by Alec Bohm. Turner scored on a throwing error by Brett Baty on the play and Edmundo Sosa followed with another infield single that drove in Schwarber.
Carson Benge hit a solo homer in the third inning. Peterson (3-6) allowed five runs on six hits across four innings. The Mets have dropped four of their last six games.
Up next
Mets RHP Kodai Senga (0-5, 9.00 ERA) starts Monday opposite Chicago Cubs LHP Shota Imanaga (4-6, 4.26) to kickoff a four-game series.
Philadelphia has not announced a starter for the opener of a four-game series against Washington on Monday. LHP Foster Griffin (7-2, 3.32 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Nationals.
After walking to open the bottom of the third, Volpe was picked off first by right-hander Chase Burns.
Volpe was originally called safe on the play, but Cincinnati challenged the call and it was overturned.
Even before the ruling, Volpe argued with first base umpire Brian O’Nora that first baseman Sal Stewart blocked his path back to the base with his foot.
“I had nowhere to go,” Volpe said of the play. “In spring training, at shortstop receiving throws [to second base], we try to be spot on with that rule. It’s not from us. The league tells us.”
Volpe’s argument fell on deaf ears.
“He told me he didn’t want to watch [the replay] on the screen,” Volpe said. “He said the throw took him there. It’s up to him.”
To make matters worse, Ben Rice followed with a home run to give the Yankees a one-run lead.
New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe reacts after being picked off first base. Jason Szenes for the New York Post
“It’s a huge play in the game,” Volpe said. “It took a run off the board.”
The rule, Volpe added, also exists to help prevent injuries.
“You don’t want to mess up your shoulder sliding back into first,” the shortstop said.
Boone sympathized with Volpe but was not surprised by the outcome.
“By the letter of the law, he’s blocking the base,” Boone said. “Are you really gonna get that call very often? Probably not.”
The Yankees were still able to capitalize on Burns being slow to home plate to steal six bases — despite Burns having a good pickoff move. But their lack of hitting with runners in scoring position meant that none of those swipes led to a run.
The six stolen bases came from just three players, as Cody Bellinger, Jasson Domínguez and Jazz Chisholm Jr. each swiped a pair.
Only José Caballero was thrown out — and that’s because he overslid second base in the second inning and shortstop Edwin Arroyo kept the tag on him.
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The Yankees have stolen 80 bases this year, their most through 76 games since 2002.
But it wasn’t enough Sunday.
“As an infielder, you’ve got to be locked in on that rule,” Volpe said.
Two ex-NBA players were suspended by the BIG3 after an altercation during the first game of the season Saturday.
Lance Stephenson and Michael Beasley were ejected from the first game of the new league season and will now miss one game each for their actions after Beasley got into an incident with Dwight Howard.
Stephensen then followed it up by throwing punches at a member of the LA Riot after he threw another player down to the ground.
Both Beasley and Stephenson play for Miami 305 and were kicked out of the game.
Lance Stephenson went for punch in a BIG3 game against the LA Riot on Saturday night. X @Ballislife
Lance Stephenson wanted smoke with the whole LA Riot team!! Game called after altercation with both teams. pic.twitter.com/6Ya6pOpFYu
“After reviewing the incident, the league determined that their conduct fell short of the standards of professionalism, respect and sportsmanship expected of all BIG3 players,” BIG3 commissioner Clyde Dexter said in a statement announcing their suspensions. “Competition drives our league. We embrace physical play and welcome trash talk, however, fighting of any kind will not be tolerated. Protecting the integrity of the game and the safety of everyone on and around the court remains our top priority.”
In order for Miami 305 to ensure it has the four minimum players required to be available, the BIG3 will stagger their suspensions.
Beasley will serve his suspension during Week 3 of the season in Miami and Stephenson will be suspended during Week 2.
Michael Beasley gets into it with Dwight Howard, which leads to his ejection. X @ES_sportsnews
League founder Ice Cube also took to social media to apologize for the actions of the two players.
“Apologies to everybody watching the Miami 305 vs. LA riot on @CBS yesterday. We all wanted to see a great basketball game. That wasn’t it,” he wrote on X.
Stephenson played 10 years in the NBA, with the first seven being in Indiana.
He also spent time with the Lakers, Hornets, Clippers, Grizzlies, Hawks, Timberwolves and Pelicans, and averaged 8.6 points per game during his career.
Beasley spent 11 years in the NBA, with stops in the Heat, Timberwolves, Suns, Knicks, Bucks, Lakers, and Rockets, while averaging 12.4 points per game.
PHILADELPHIA — David Peterson barely gave his team a chance Sunday night, becoming the latest Mets starting pitcher to bury the team early.
Over the past week it’s a list that also included Kodai Senga and Freddy Peralta, both of whom also got knocked around early, creating a significant deficit. It’s getting too repetitive for the Mets.
On this night, Peterson surrendered five runs over the first two innings, sending the Mets to a 6-2 loss to the Phillies. The loss was their second straight, completing a 2-4 road trip.
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“It’s very tough to give up the lead right away,” Juan Soto said of the team’s starting pitching woes. “But it’s part of the game. We have just got to be better. We have got to play better baseball and go out there and execute.”
There isn’t much to like about the team, save for a bullpen that consistently gives the Mets a chance in close games. The Mets (34-43) just aren’t playing enough of them.
“The record is the record,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “For us, [starting pitching] is where it starts. Our job as a coaching staff is to help these guys get through it.”
In just his latest clunker, Peterson lasted only four innings and allowed five runs (one unearned) on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts over four innings. In three appearances this month the lefty owns a 12.15 ERA. His ERA for the season is 6.09.
Peterson walked Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber to begin his night before striking out Bryce Harper on a full-count pitch at his ankles. But Peterson still paid for the walks: Alec Bohm hit a grounder that went for an infield single, with Brett Baty’s errant throw bringing in the first run. Edmundo Sosa’s ensuing slow grounder to Bo Bichette went for an infield single, extending the Phillies lead to 2-0.
David Peterson delivers during the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Sunday, June 21, 2026. AP Photo/Chris Szagola
“I wasn’t too pleased with walking the two guys, but after that I felt I made an adjustment, challenged them in the zone, got some ground balls and weak contact,” Peterson said. “Kind of the way I finished, I felt like myself.”
Bryson Stott and Turner singled in succession to start the second before Schwarber launched a three-run homer that buried the Mets in a 5-0 hole. It was the fourth homer of the series for Schwaber, who blasted three in the Phillies’ 15-3 victory a night earlier. Schwarber has 29 homers only 77 games into the Phillies’ schedule.
“We obviously have not put ourselves in a situation we want to be in, but it’s not for lack of effort or lack of commitment,” Peterson said. “I think it’s just 1-26 getting the job done. At the end of the day, do we come away with the win or loss, and that is something that we all need to focus on, whether it’s pretty or not.”
Mets outfielder Carson Benge (3) hits a home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the third inning at Citizens Bank Park. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectPhillies’ Bryce Harper reacts to his solo home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, June 21, 2026, in Philadelphia. AP Photo/Chris Szagola
Carson Benge’s homer against Zack Wheeler in the third cut the Phillies lead to 5-1. The homer was the rookie Benge’s ninth this season. The inning concluded with Soto thrown out at second base by plenty attempting to stretch a single into a double.
Harper hit a line drive into the right field seats leading off the fifth against Austin Warren to give the Phillies a 6-1 lead. A night earlier, Harper hit for the cycle for the first time in his career.
A.J. Ewing’s RBI fielder’s choice in the sixth cut the Mets deficit to 6-2. Ewing was the final batter faced by Wheeler, who left to a standing ovation. Wheeler loaded the bases on walks to Benge, Soto and Jared Young. The inning concluded with Marcus Semien striking out against Jonathan Bowlen.
“[Wheeler] is a really good pitcher, and the reason he’s really good is he’s able to limit damage,” Mendoza said. “In order to beat guys like that, not only do you have to create traffic, but you have got to hit. Against arms like that, they get the lead, and it’s going to be hard.”
While it may be the offseason in Nashville, things haven't exactly slowed down around the hockey world. Between front office changes, free agent speculation, trade rumours, and plenty of action overseas, there was no shortage of headlines this week.
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 25: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns drives the ball against Aaron Wiggins #21 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 25, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Now, the reached into their bag of second round picks to grab a flier in the form of Aaron Wiggins:
The Oklahoma City Thunder are finalizing a trade to send guard Aaron Wiggins to the Atlanta Hawks for two second-round picks (Atlanta's in 2030 and the least favorable of Hawks/Lakers in 2032), sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/ypffJ3jMOk
Wiggins (no relation to Andrew of the Miami Heat) is a product of Oklahoma City’s great drafting and development program. A good wing athlete with some handles and shooting on offense, Wiggins is a career 38% shooter from deep as a role playing ‘3-and-D’ type for the Thunder.
Before the 2024-25 NBA season, Wiggins signed a five-year, $45 million extension that declines over the contract and has a team option in 2028-29. Effectively, the Hawks will owe him slightly over $17 million over the next two guaranteed seasons.
Wiggins thus far has topped out at 24.2 minutes per game way back in his rookie season but hasn’t been able to consistently crack a larger role with how deep and talented OKC’s rosters have been the past few years. It’s possible Atlanta gives him a chance to prove he can handle a bigger role.
A Flip Of The Subban Switch—Aug 20, 2018 - VOL. 72, Issue. 02 - Matt Larkin
IT’S A SLEEPY, SUNBAKED morning in Las Vegas, hours before the 2018 NHL Awards, where P.K. Subban will be unveiled as the cover model for EA Sports’ new video game, NHL 19. He saunters into the lobby of the Encore Tower Suites, shorts and T-shirt, wide-brimmed hat covering his eyes, the kind of outfit famous people wear to avoid detection. But that’s impossible for Subban. He’s unmistakable, and not just because he’s one of the NHL’s few black stars. It’s the smile, the raspy voice and, of course, the league’s most gregarious personality that make Subban pretty much allergic to hiding.
And so, when he enters the lobby, it takes about 0.4 seconds for a kid to notice him. He’s scheduled for hours of interviews upstairs to talk about the video game, and he’s arrived early to take a breath and prepare, but that opportunity disappears. Subban flicks the virtual “on” switch. He gives the youngster several minutes of his time, cracking jokes, taking selfies. Soon after that, he’s sprawled on a couch in a suite, snapping off one-liners, claiming he’s the best-looking guy to grace the video-game cover, sharing memories of cheating at PlayStation as a kid, hitting his brothers Malcolm and Jordan with pillows and mini-sticks.
THERE AREN’T A LOT OF PLAYERS THAT HAVE COME THROUGH THE GAME THAT WANT TO BE THEMSELVES
– P.K. Subban
He’s built such a brand as the game’s most interesting talker that people have grown to expect that out of him. It seems Subban never gets a chance to just…be. Table that idea to him, though, and he quickly fires it back, like he’s clearing a puck from his zone while patrolling the Nashville Predators’ blueline. “People who maybe aren’t like me might see it that way, but everyone’s got to be themselves,” he said. “So, what would be ‘on’ for someone is just normal for me. If I need a break from people, I take a break. If I don’t want to post something on social media, I don’t. But when you are with me, you’re going to get P.K.”
The whole world gets P.K. – not just his Predators teammates or fans watching him play Norris Trophy-caliber hockey year after year. If one word defines his personality, even more than funny, it’s “giving.” In a literal sense, he’s peerless in his philanthropic efforts, having famously pledged to donate $10 million to the Montreal Children’s Hospital while he played for the Canadiens. He’s also generous with his time every day. As Predators coach Peter Laviolette explains, he wants his troops at the rink ready for game-day preparations by 5:00 p.m., and Subban arrives at Bridgestone Arena at 4:45 p.m. on the nose to run Blueline Buddies, a program he created to unite an underprivileged youth and a Metro Nashville police officer before every home game in the hopes of building a positive relationship between at-risk kids and law enforcement. In addition to giving them tickets to the game and a meal, Subban carves out time to chat with the kid and the cop. He never misses it.
He’s a charitable man yet also a highly public man, and that doesn’t jive with typical hockey culture. No matter how beloved Subban is by people who watch the game from afar, snippets of evidence pop up throughout his career suggesting the old-guard inner circle rejects him. He was a much louder leader than Max Pacioretty in Montreal, but the majority of teammates voted Pacioretty over Subban for the captaincy in 2015. Less than a year after Subban’s pledge to the Montreal Children’s Hospital, Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin traded him – two days before his no-movement clause kicked in July 1. After a game between the Predators and Habs this past season, former teammate Brendan Gallagher ripped Subban for always “trying to make it about P.K. Subban.” After Subban joked about Sidney Crosby telling him he bad breath and tweeted a picture of a Listerine bottle during the 2017 Cup final, Subban was infamously unavailable to media before Game 6, prompting accusations the Predators had gagged him.
He’s a fun guy who loves to show his personality, and not everyone in hockey is comfortable with that yet. “Look at Jeremy Roenick, a guy who had a ton of personality, but he’s one of the best American-born players to ever play the game,” Subban said. “But people talk about his personality all the time. Maybe that’s just hockey. There’s not a lot of players that have come through the game that want to be themselves. It’s very easy to fall into the culture of how everybody talks and the way they walk. It’s a great culture, by the way, I love the game of hockey, but I’ve chosen to be myself.”
Subban believes NHLers are starting to show more exuberance. He singles out Connor McDavid’s on-ice displays of emotion as a sign that players are cracking open their shells. And if you talk to anyone from the Predators, who have one Cup final appearance and one Presidents’ Trophy since Subban arrived in the 2016 one-for-one Shea Weber trade, they have no problem accepting his grandiose presence because it doesn’t get in the way of his play. “You always hear P.K. talking,” said Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne. “But through the game he’s very focused, and he’s a very driven person. He’s not the loudest guy during the game, but in the locker room or anywhere like that before the game, he likes to stay loose and keep everybody else loose and have fun. So, he has a positive effect on us.”
For Laviolette, no one is immune to criticism, and that includes Subban. Protective of his player, he won’t reveal exactly what he and Subban talk about, but Laviolette insists it’s just standard hockey stuff, no different than what he discusses with any of his players about what they can do differently, how they can improve their game-to-game play and so on. There’s no sense he views Subban as a distraction. “He’s done a really good job of trying to manage his life, and it’s a busy life,” Laviolette said. “The things he does are different from other people. But for me, it always comes back to: Is he putting the time in during practice? Does he practise hard? Does he play hard? Is he a good teammate? And he’s been all those things in Nashville.”
Subban won the Norris Trophy in 2013 as the league’s top defenseman and has been a finalist two other times, including this past season. He’s a two-time first-team all-star, and he’s played in three All-Star Games. Yet most conversations about Subban concern who he is off the ice. It’s easy to forget what he’s capable of on it.
Since 2010-11, his first full NHL season, Subban is fifth among blueliners in points, trailing only Erik Karlsson, Brent Burns, Dustin Byfuglien and Keith Yandle. He ranks seventh in goals and eighth in points per game, too. This past season, Subban finished top-three in the league in primary points per 60 minutes 5-on-5. That’s particularly remarkable considering Ryan Ellis’ injury meant Subban played the first half of the season without his regular partner, Mattias Ekholm, and instead had to drag around a significantly older and slower Alexei Emelin. Those words may seem harsh, but the truth is right there in the numbers. Emelin’s 5-on-5 Corsi was three percentage points higher with Subban than without. He takes real pride knowing Laviolette can look at the whiteboard and pair him with anybody, whether it’s Emelin, the 32-year-old banger, or Ekholm, 28, the talented, rangy shutdown defender who forms a truly elite tandem with Subban.
YOU ALWAYS HEAR P.K. TALKING, BUT THROUGH THE GAME HE’S VERY FOCUSED, AND HE’S A VERY DRIVEN PERSON
– Pekka Rinne
Subban is known as an offensive juggernaut, but, among the 133 defensemen who played at least 1,000 minutes 5-on-5 in 2017-18, he had the 11th-highest defensive-zone start percentage and ranked in the top third for quality of competition. He generates tons of chances but also battles the opposition’s scoring lines. “For me, what has been really great about him has been his ability to defend, his ability to go back under pressure and break out pucks, his ability to take on other teams’ top performers and shut them down,” Laviolette said. “Defensively, he’s been a huge part of our team, and that’s probably a little underrated for what it is. He’s a terrific offensive defenseman, but his game on defense is equally good.”
The new guard, the millennials, the fancy-stats advocates know that about Subban, and the Norris Trophy voting tells us his excellence isn’t exactly overlooked. But there’s no denying conversations about him usually nudge aside his play and focus on his antics, like his trademark bow-and-arrow goal celebration. He’s a rare high-end player for whom the analysis doesn’t always involve actual hockey, and he notices it. “I would have to agree with that,” he said. “There are times when people like to talk about the personality and the celebrations and stuff like that, but before you can be that way, you’ve got to be able to back it up. We’re not talking about celebrations if I’m not scoring. A lot of times, when people pay attention to that, those people are just sloppy and don’t do their research. It’s very easy to say, ‘LeBron James has got to control his emotions.’ Well, yeah, but he’s getting emotional at a crucial point in the game, and he already dropped 44 points, so maybe you should talk about the fact he has 44 points, and he’s complaining to the ref because he hasn’t been on the foul line once the whole game.”
Attention anyone not doing homework on Subban: he’s doing homework on you. He reads what people write about him. He respects some of his detractors and dismisses others. Whether he takes criticism to heart depends on who it comes from. “It’s very easy to know people who do their research in the media and people that don’t,” he said. “You can just follow the trend of what people are saying, or you can actually do your research, get to know someone, follow their career, look at the numbers. The numbers don’t lie.”
So Subban will keep burying pucks with his heavy slapshot and rubbing it in haters’ faces, pulling arrows from his imaginary quiver. He knows he’s one of the sport’s highest-impact players on the ice. At the same time, he realizes he’s different. As he said, “on” is his normal. He follows more of an NBA athlete template, not because of the color of his skin but because he’s willing to build a brand for himself.
Subban takes that part of his career seriously. When Nashville’s season ended with a second-round Game 7 home loss to Winnipeg, he headed to Harvard University for a course called The Business of Entertainment, Media and Sports. Also present for the class: Boston Bruins’ Zdeno Chara, ex-NBA star Chris Bosh, former NFL defensive end Michael Strahan and U.S. Olympic gold-medallist skier Lindsey Vonn, who happens to be Subban’s girlfriend. They met at the ESPY Awards a year ago, “and the rest is history,” as he puts it.
The Harvard course is aimed at anyone in the talent industry looking to grow a business across multiple digital platforms, from actors to musicians to agents to athletes, and it introduces students to various case studies showing why some ventures succeed and others fail. A star-studded class roster spawned some fun photos and Instagram videos, naturally, but Subban was committed. He recognizes his potential for a long post-hockey career. Strahan, who became an analyst and talk-show host after retiring, is a great example to follow. “In today’s world, with pop culture, everything crosses now,” Subban said. “Nothing is in a specific lane. Unless it’s television for children and television for adults, everything else is sort of crisscrossing, and even that does, too. So, in the world of business, the more you know, the better, and I just had the opportunity. Hopefully for the next couple years in the off-season, I don’t have as much time to do things like that, but it was really, really good. I’m glad I did it.”
That statement is quintessential contradictory Subban. He’s devoted to having fun but obsessed with pursuing the Stanley Cup. He’s carefree and fun-loving while understanding his personality is a commodity he can market. He clowns around in the dressing room but also sacrifices his free time for noble causes. There’s no other P.K. Subban. Maybe that’s why he refuses to flip his ‘off’ switch. Being anything less than special would make him someone else.
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio (11) hits a double during the third inning of their game against the Cincinnati Reds Sunday, September 28, 2025 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. | Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Milwaukee Brewers are headed to Cincinnati to take on the Reds in what is the first of five out of six series to be played against NL Central foes heading into the All-Star break. While any series could technically “make or break” a season, this stretch of 21 games (18 of them against the division) over the next 21 days just feels more important.
Milwaukee is fresh off a disappointing series loss in Atlanta, as the Brewers lost the first two games by one run each before the offense exploded for nine runs in a win on Sunday. On the other side, the Reds are coming off a 4-2 week in which they took two of three from both New York teams — they outscored the Mets 26-12 at home to begin the week before outscoring the Yankees 14-8 in the Bronx over the weekend. Cincinnati sits in last place in the division, 9.5 games behind the first place Crew.
The Brewers are currently without pitchers Brandon Woodruff (expected to return for the series opener — more on him below), Logan Henderson (early July return), Jared Koenig (late June/early July), Coleman Crow (July), DL Hall (late July), Rob Zastryzny (late June/early July), Brian Fitzpatrick (TBD), Carlos Rodriguez (TBD), Angel Zerpa (out for season), and Quinn Priester (out for season). Outfielder Brandon Lockridge is the lone position player on the IL, and he’s reportedly close to a rehab assignment after a setback in the last few weeks.
The Reds are without position players Elly De La Cruz (expected to return either Monday or Tuesday) and Ke’Bryan Hayes (TBD), as well as pitchers Pierce Johnson (expected to return on Monday), Brandon Williamson (second half), Emilio Pagán (late June/July), Hunter Greene (July), and Graham Ashcraft (second half).
Jake Bauers leads the Brewer offense with 13 homers this year, with Brice Turang (11 homers) and Jackson Chourio (10 homers) right behind him. Chourio, Andrew Vaughn, and William Contreras lead the regulars in batting average, as Chourio is hitting .301, Vaughn is hitting .352, and Contreras is hitting .299 after a 4-for-5 day on Sunday. Gary Sánchez, Garrett Mitchell, Christian Yelich, Sal Frelick, Cooper Pratt, and David Hamilton also play key roles offensively, with Joey Ortiz and Blake Perkins rounding things out. As a team, the Brewers are hitting .256/.340/.394 (.734 OPS ranks ninth), with 68 homers (tied for 27th), 397 runs (third), and 75 steals (fourth).
Rookie Sal Stewart leads the Cincy offense with 14 homers this season, with JJ Bleday (13 homers), De La Cruz (12 homers), and Spencer Steer (12 homers) not far behind him. Speaking of De La Cruz, his return will be big for a Reds’ offense that has scuffled over the last month or so, as he’s hitting .280/.346/.509 and is always a threat to steal bags. Nathaniel Lowe, Matt McLain, Eugenio Suárez, Tyler Stephenson, and Dane Myers are the other regulars for the Reds, with Noelvi Marte, Blake Dunn, Will Benson, Edwin Arroyo, and Jose Trevino serving as depth. As a team, the Reds are hitting .229/.311/.395 (.706 OPS ranks 21st), with 96 homers (11th), 325 runs (22nd), and 59 steals (11th).
The Brewer bullpen is led by Aaron Ashby, who just took his first loss after 10 wins on Saturday evening. Grant Anderson, Abner Uribe, and Trevor Megill have also been effective, with Chad Patrick serving in a long-relief role. Joel Kuhnel, Drew Rom, and Craig Yoho serve as Milwaukee’s “B” bullpen as it stands. As a staff, the Brewers have a 3.45 team ERA (third), including a 3.37 starter ERA (fourth) and a 3.55 bullpen ERA (seventh). They’ve struck out 736 batters (first) over 670 2/3 innings.
Brock Burke and Sam Moll lead the Reds bullpen, as Burke has a 3.00 ERA and 31 strikeouts over 36 innings and Moll has a 3.19 ERA and 34 strikeouts over 31 innings. Tony Santillan has struggled to a 5.10 ERA, but Tejay Antone (2.75 ERA) and Caleb Ferguson (1.50 ERA) have both been effective. Zach Maxwell (9.90 ERA), Chris Paddack (6.04 ERA), and Chase Petty (4.41 ERA) have also struggled, and with Johnson expected to return, one of them seems like the most likely odd man out. As a staff, the Reds have a 4.58 team ERA (24th), including a 4.43 starter ERA (24th) and a 4.81 bullpen ERA (16th). They’ve struck out 597 batters (26th) over 678 innings.
Woodruff is slated to make his return in the series opener, as he’s missed nearly two months after a shoulder injury that became blatantly clear in his last start due to diminished velocity. For the season, he’s made six starts, totaling 30 innings with a 3.60 ERA, 3.97 FIP, and 25 strikeouts. In a pair of rehab appearances with the ACL Brewers and High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Big Woo totaled nine innings, allowing six runs on 10 hits and three walks while striking out 11. In 15 career appearances (13 starts) against the Reds, Woodruff is 7-4 with a 3.48 ERA and 106 strikeouts over 75 innings.
Singer, 29, has had a rough second season in Cincinnati after being acquired in the Jonathan India trade last offseason. After putting up a 14-12 record with a 4.03 ERA in 2025, he’s 3-6 with a 5.32 ERA and 6.15 FIP over 66 innings this season. He’s looked a bit better in his last two outings, though, allowing three runs on nine hits and four walks with 10 strikeouts over 11 innings in a win over the Mets and a no-decision against the Padres. Singer has made four career starts against Milwaukee — including three last season — with a 2-2 record, a 4.82 ERA, and 20 strikeouts across 18 2/3 innings.
Tuesday, June 23 @ 6:10 p.m.: RHP Brandon Sproat (1-4, 5.94 ERA, 5.52 FIP) vs. LHP Nick Lodolo (2-2, 6.12 ERA, 5.80 FIP)
Sproat has a 5.94 ERA and 5.52 FIP with 63 strikeouts across 63 2/3 innings this season, and he’s been about as inconsistent as those numbers indicate — he’s shown flashes of top-of-the-rotation stuff, but he’s also struggled with homers and walks. His last start was a microcosm of his season, as he went three perfect innings before allowing a pair of walks and a pair of hits — including a grand slam — in the fourth inning against the Guardians. He struck out six but exited after just 63 pitches in that fourth, as he dealt with cramps (something that seems to be a larger issue among Milwaukee’s young pitching staff). Sproat’s only appearance against the Reds came last year in his MLB debut while with the Mets. He took the loss in that one, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks with seven strikeouts over six frames.
Lodolo, who had the numbers of a top-of-the-rotation guy last season with a 3.33 ERA, 3.81 FIP, and 156 strikeouts, has struggled mightily in eight starts thus far this year, with a 6.12 ERA, 5.80 FIP, and 32 strikeouts over 42 2/3 innings. The 28-year-old lefty got roughed up big time against the Mets in his last appearance, allowing seven runs on 11 hits and two walks while striking out just two over 4 2/3 innings. Lodolo has made six career appearances (five starts) against Milwaukee, with a 1-1 record, 2.84 ERA, and 29 strikeouts over 31 2/3 innings.
Drohan has turned into a reliable five-inning guy for the Brewers over the last month, as he has a 3.40 ERA, 3.17 FIP, and 47 strikeouts over 47 2/3 innings this season. He took a no-decision in his last outing against the Guardians, going five frames with one run allowed on three hits and three walks, striking out three on 91 pitches. This marks Drohan’s first career start against Cincinnati.
Lowder, 24, is a former No. 7 overall pick who debuted at just 22 in 2024, pitching to a 1.17 ERA with 22 strikeouts over 30 2/3 innings that year. After missing all of 2025 due to injuries, he hasn’t looked quite the same in 2026 through 11 starts. He has a 4.82 ERA, 4.46 FIP, and 42 strikeouts over 52 1/3 innings. He took the loss in his last appearance against the Yankees, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks with five strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. Lowder made his lone career start against Milwaukee back in August 2024. He took the loss, allowing one run on two hits and four walks with six strikeouts across four innings.
How to Watch & Listen
Monday, June 22: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Tuesday, June 23: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Wednesday, June 24: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Prediction
The Brewers hit a tough rut in Atlanta over the weekend, but this Reds team has been struggling after jumping out to a hot start. I’ll take the Crew to win two of three to wrap up the road trip.
Tennessee forward Nate Ament (10) attempts a shot past Iowa State forward Blake Buchanan (23) during a NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game between Tennessee and Iowa State at the United Center in Chicago on March 27, 2026. | Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The 2026 NBA Draft is just around the corner, and where Tennessee standout Nate Ament lands is a curious question and a storyline to follow.
The 6-10 forward is a rare specimen, combining length with a variety of scoring tools, along with a capable outside shot. But so far, he hasn’t gotten the top-of-the-draft love that others have. At least that’s how the draft pundits have seen things.
Now, after months of waiting and projecting, the experts almost all seem to have him pegged for one particularly destination. Here’s where Ament lands in recent mock drafts.
Kevin O’Connor; Yahoo! Sports – No. 15, Chicago Bulls
Cameron Salerno; CBS Sports – No. 10, Milwaukee Bucks
Jeremy Woo; ESPN – No. 10, Milwaukee Bucks
J. Kyle Mann; The Ringer – No. 10, Milwaukee Bucks
Bryan Kalbrosky; USA Today – No. 10, Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee is a curious team, in that no one knows what’s going to happen with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks’ superstar is on the trading block, and just what their roster will look like with him is yet to be determined. A trade could go down at any point in time, and how the Bucks look is anyone’s guess.
The Bucks also happen to be a team that hasn’t worked out Ament yet, according to him. He went on Sportscenter last week, and he said the Bulls, Clippers, Nets, and Thunder are the four teams who’ve taken a closer look at him. Chicago picks at 4 and 15, the Clippers at 5, the Nets at 6, and the Thunder at 12 and 17.
The 2026 NBA Draft gets underway on Tuesday night at 8 pm ET at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Jun 21, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies infielder Bryce Harper (3) forces out New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) in the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
If you watched yesterday’s game, today’s game was pretty much the same game again, as the Mets fell to the Phillies 6-2 to lose the series in Philadelphia. Sure, the score was not quite as lopsided. But the story of the game was much the same, even down to the solo home run by Carson Benge. A potent Phillies lineup feasted on the Mets’ starter early, the Mets played poor defense, and the Phillies sent an ace-level pitcher to the mound able to cruise through the game and throw strikes, given more than enough cushion to work with.
After Zack Wheeler struck out the first two batters he faced, Juan Soto worked a nice at-bat, as is his wont, and made a bid for the Mets’ first hit, but Bryson Stott made an excellent diving play to deny him. The Mets’ defense did not do David Peterson the same favor in the bottom of the frame, but he didn’t do himself any favors either by walking back-to-back hitters to lead off the game. Bryce Harper then helped Peterson out by waving at ball four to strike out, but Alec Bohm then hit a slow bouncer to third base on which Brett Baty tried to make a leaping throw to first base, but threw it errantly, plating Trea Turner for the game’s first run. Edmundo Sosa then rolled a slow grounder to short, which he beat out for a hit to score Kyle Schwarber and give the Phillies a quick 2-0 lead. Peterson managed to navigate out of the rest of the inning without further damage, striking out Brandon Marsh and getting J.T. Realmuto to line out to first to end the inning. But, fear not, reader. Further damage will come.
The Mets made their best attempt at punching back in the top of the second when Jared Young and A.J. Ewing led off the inning with back-to-back singles. But Wheeler made quick work of Marcus Semien, Brett Baty, and Francisco Alvarez in order to quash the rally before you could even rub two sticks together to begin to kindle some hope. With one out in the bottom of the frame, Peterson gave up back-to-back base hits to Bryson Stott and Trea Turner. Kyle Schwarber strolled to the plate and friends, we’ve seen this movie before. You don’t have to have watched the game to know what happened next. He launched one into orbit, of course, to extend the Phillies’ lead to 5-0. And for the second consecutive night, the game felt over already with questions of who the Mets would even send out to the mound to finish this nightmare.
With a safe five-run lead to work with, Wheeler was able to fill the strike zone, but Carson Benge denied Wheeler and the Phillies the shutout with a solo homer with one out in the third to put the Mets on the board. The Mets may have gotten something cooking in that inning, as Soto laced a two-out single, but he tried to stretch it into a double and was thrown out by a mile, adding “incredibly embarrassing base running gaff” to the Mets’ growing list of indignities aired on national television for everyone to see.
As for who the Mets would send out to the mound to finish this nightmare, the answer turned out to be Austin Warren, who was greeted in the fifth with a solo homer by Bryce Harper to bring the Phillies’ lead back up to five runs. The Mets didn’t build any semblance of a rally until the sixth when Wheeler, pitch count crossing into triple digits, began to show signs of fatigue and walked the bases loaded with one out. Don Mattingly came out to the mound, but opted to leave Wheeler in for one more batter. A.J. Ewing hit it sharply, but on the ground to first, which scored Carson Benge from first base to bring the Mets within four. Jared Young was thrown out at second, but the Phillies were unable to turn two, prolonging the inning. Mattingly then finally made the pitching change, bringing in righty specialist Jonathan Bowlan, who promptly struck out Marcus Semien to keep the Mets from clawing their way back into the game.
José Alvarado worked around a two-out single by Luis Torrens to pitch a scoreless seventh inning. After Warren gave the Mets two innings of work, Brooks Raley came in to face the lefties at the top of the order in the bottom of the seventh and was able to navigate around a single by Bryce Harper and a hit by pitch to log a scoreless frame. Unfortunately that hit by pitch did end Edmundo Sosa’s night, as he was pinch run for after being plunked in the elbow area and went into the dugout to get some ice on what will surely be quite the shiner tomorrow morning, but hopefully nothing more severe. Orion Kerkering made quick work of the Mets in the eighth, needing just 11 pitches to complete a 1-2-3 inning and A.J. Minter similarly dispatched the Phillies in just nine pitches in the bottom of the inning. Despite throwing last night to get work in after not throwing for a week, Jhoan Duran was asked to finish the game for the Phillies in a non-save situation. He gave up a leadoff hit to A.J. Ewing, but then struck out the next three batters he faced to slam the door.
After awhile, one simply runs out of words to write about this team that haven’t already been written. Every time they build some semblance of momentum that makes you think maybe, just maybe, they have a miracle in them, they use the platform provided by the national stage to remind us all exactly who they are.
Big Mets winner: Jared Young, +6% WPA Big Mets loser: David Peterson, -27% WPA Mets pitchers: -27% WPA Mets hitters: -23% WPA Teh aw3s0mest play: A.J. Ewing’s leadoff single in the top of the second inning, +6% WPA Teh sux0rest play: Kyle Schwarber’s three-run homer in the bottom of the second inning, -14% WPA
Jun 17, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Colorado Rockies outfielder Cole Carrigg (16) makes a catch on Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (not pictured) during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images
The Colorado Rockies are fast approaching the midpoint of the 2026 season.
It’s clear this is a team doing some serious rebuilding, and with that comes moments of greatness and some moments of despair.
Here at Purple Row, we’re beginning work on our mid-season “State of the Position” series, which you can expect to roll out during the All-Star Break.
But we’re curious to hear from you as to the players who have most surprised you so far this season. You can decide if that surprise is a good thing or a not so good thing.
After splitting the first two games, the Mets failed to win the series-clinching game against the Phillies on Sunday night, 6-2 the final at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
The Mets record is now 34-43, last in the NL East division by 5.5 games and 6.0 games out of an NL Wild Card spot.
Here are the takeaways...
-- Former Met Zack Wheeler was on the bump tonight for the Phillies. The righty has been on fire lately, and he wasted no time getting to work on Sunday evening, generating swinging strikeouts to sit down Carson Benge and Bo Bichette before putting away Juan Soto on a groundout.
-- Mets southpaw David Peterson was handed the ball for this rubber match in Philadelphia. He opened the bottom of the first by walking Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber, but hung tough to strike out Bryce Harper on a 3-2 count. Mets third baseman Brett Baty cleanly fielded a sharply hit ground ball by the foul line, but his off-balance throw was wild. Alec Bohm reached first base safely and the speedy Turner took advantage of the misplay and came around to score. Moments later, Phillies utility player Edmundo Sosa legged out an infield single on a dribbler to Mets shortstop Bo Bichette. The first inning ended with the Phillies leading 2-0 after Peterson struck out Brandon Marsh and J.T. Realmuto lined out.
-- First baseman Jared Young batted cleanup for the Mets tonight, and started off the second inning with a single up the middle. A.J. Ewing kept things rolling by punching a Wheeler sinker into right field, moving Young to second base. Six pitches later, Wheeler and the Phillies defense were jogging back to their dugout with no harm done to the scoreboard. Third baseman Bohm recorded all three outs, handling a soft lineout from Marcus Semien, a pop out in foul territory from Baty, and a groundout from Francisco Alvarez.
-- With two men on and one out in the bottom of the second, Schwarber blasted a hanging breaking ball from Peterson 418 feet to deep right field. Schwarber's 29th home run of the season extended Philadelphia's early lead to 5-0. This was Schwarber's fourth homer in his last five at-bats, all of which came against the Mets during this series.
-- Benge cut into the lead with an opposite-field solo shot in the third inning. Soto singled to right-center field, but was gunned trying to stretch the hit into a double by Philadelphia center fielder Derek Hill for the third out.
-- After surrendering a double to Harper one batter after Schwarber's three-run blast, Peterson put away each of the next eight batters he faced, before being relieved ahead of the fifth inning by Austin Warren.
-- Peterson's final line of five runs allowed (four earned) on six hits in four full innings represents yet another rough outing for the lefty veteran, and his ERA climbs to 6.09 on the season as a result. He struck out five batters and walked two across 79 pitches.
-- The first batter Warren faced was Harper, who mashed a sweeper into the right field bleachers to make it a 6-1 ballgame. The right-handed reliever rebounded to get through the inning without allowing any further damage to the scoreboard.
-- Wheeler walked the bases loaded in the sixth inning while recording just one out. Phillies manager Don Mattingly called time to meet with his pitcher on the mound, giving him some words of encouragement and a pat on the back. Wheeler responded by getting Ewing to ground into a fielder's choice, with Benge scoring from third base on the play to make the score 6-2 Phillies. Ewing was the final batter Wheeler would face, and he was relieved by Jonathan Bowlan, who struck out Semien to end the inning.
-- Wheeler's solid start was 5.2 innings and 104 pitches long. He struck out seven and walked three, allowing two earned runs on four hits against his former ballclub.
-- Eric Wagaman was summoned as a pinch hitter in place of Baty. He was struck out by flamethrowing lefty reliever Jose Alvarado.
-- Brooks Raley handled the bottom of the seventh for the Mets. He got into some trouble in the inning, allowing a single to Harper and plunking Sosa with a pitch that got away from him, but he escaped unscathed after Brandon Marsh flied out to center field. A.J. Minter relieved Raley, and the lefty a conducted a clean eighth inning, retiring the side in order.
-- Bichette was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts on Sunday night. The shortstop struggled mightily across the entire series in Philadelphia, tallying just one hit in 12 at-bats.
-- The Mets offense couldn't come to life in the eighth and ninth innings, shut down by Orion Kerkering and Jhoan Duran, and the game ended 6-2 Phillies.
Game MVP: Bryce Harper
One game removed from a historic cycle, Bryce Harper notched everything but the triple on Sunday night, going 3-for-4 with one RBI.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JUNE 21: Rafael Devers #16 of the San Francisco Giants during the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on June 21, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Saul Martinez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Rafael Devers went from an 0-2 hole to working a key lead-off walk in the 9th.
He hadn’t done his job, per se. Devers didn’t knock a game-tying shot through the roof of Miami’s Loan Depot Park, a shot with the force and consequence of a pair of proton torpedoes colliding with a main reactor, effectively blasting that awful surf n’ turf fish bowl off the face of the earth while absolving thestar of his many sins at the plate so far. No, Devers did not hit a walk-off, 2-run homer with no one on base as a member of the visiting team — but he did get on base.
For the fourth time over the final five frames, San Francisco’s leadoff batter reached base. The previous three times, the offense did nothing with the opportunity. The 5th, 6th, and 7th innings ended with that runner standing in the same place he started, on first, twiddling his thumbs. The last time a Giants runner reached scoring position was way back in the 3rd inning.
Down 2-1, down to their final three outs, someone needed to make something happen. The issue of scoring had to be forced. So after Devers worked an admirable walk, Tony Vitello signaled for speedster Jonah Cox to take his place as a pinch runner.
That’s when the finger got wagged.
Seeing Cox make his way out onto the field, helmet on, Devers emphatically gestured back to Tony Vitello, trying to get his manager’s attention to tell him that he was staying put. The rookie slowed his trot down first, looked back to the dugout and back to the veteran Raffy, like a kid caught between two parents in an argument. Devers gave Cox a thumbs up, told him I’m good, I’m good as he nodded sheepishly, not wanting to impose himself on the base Devers had earned, nor wanting to return to the dugout against the wishes of his manager. Eventually the first base umpire stepped in, and Devers acquiesced, covering his face in the hollow of his helmet as he walked back to the dugout, muttering words meant for no soul to hear. In an attempt to calm himself, he stretched his arms out and exhaled. Bench coach Jayce Tingler greeted him with a butt tap that Devers rejected with a shimmy and squirm.
He was pissed.
Rafael Devers didn't want to be removed for a pinch runner after a leadoff walk to start the ninth pic.twitter.com/PR3DCOFd3M
Pissed about what exactly? As someone who notoriously does not talk to the media, we might never know. There was possibly a misunderstanding in which Devers, who had been dealing with some leg soreness over the weekend, felt healthy enough to run. I’m sure there’s an emotional cocktail of pride mixed with frustration rearing its ugly head here too. No, Raffy didn’t punch a hole through the roof. In fact, he had gone hitless in three official at-bats and flew out to center with two runners on in the 3rd. Zooming out a bit, yes, the team stinks, and he’s partially to blame for this stinkiness considering how off-and-on-and-off-again he’s been in what is shaping up to be the worst offensive season in his career. Devers wants to be a competitor, and neither he, nor his team, are competing. He worked a walk, but some pitches got by that he wanted back. He wanted a do-over, probably at all of it. Staying on the field was his way of getting a second chance at changing the game. Vitello said as much when asked about it after the game: he’d rather have players arguing to remain on the field than begging to be taken off of it (maybe we’ll get to that point sometime soon).
That’s a diplomatic approach to what many on the outside perceived as a dollar diva on a bad team showing up a rookie manager. We nearly witnessed a mutiny.
Tony Vitello addresses the odd situation with Rafael Devers in the ninth inning pic.twitter.com/DQnQkm3YRS
In terms of strategy, there isn’t much of an argument for Devers to stay at first. Sacrificing Devers’ bat for some basepath speed makes sense, especially if the plan was to steal second. From that vantage point, any hit that finds its way to the outfield would surely allow Cox to tie the game. If he advances on that first at-bat, the Giants heart of the order has three chances to force a bottom of the 9th.
Based on what Vitello said, that was the thinking. The only problem: Cox never broke for second. Jung Hoo Lee saw three pitches, flying out on the third, and the runner never even flinched towards second. Two pitches to Willy Adames, same deal. No attempt. Cox stayed at first and was routinely forced out on a game-ending double play. Devers could’ve done that! Maybe that’s what he was saying when he shooed away the pinch runner: It doesn’t matter. You ain’t going anywhere. You or me, we’ll both just be standing here when the game ends.
Considering what occurred, it’s only fair to question what happened. Was there a signal given on a specific pitch, a more general green light given, and the kid just couldn’t shift into gear? Or was the plan to see if an opportunity to swipe second presented itself, and if not, feel good about Cox’s ability to score from first on a double in the gap? Or was there no real plan at all? Just vague suggestions from the coaching staff that sound too much like wishes and hopes: Wouldn’t it be cool if you stole a base here? If only we could figure out how…
I guess this is the problem of a team in the middle of a long downward spiral — you can’t make heads-or-tails out of reality. Devers wagged his finger in the face of logic. He poo-pooed it. Then Cox took over and got stuck in a similar stagnancy. He had trouble remembering the number of outs before, this time, he touched first and blacked out.
It’s a sorry state of affairs made all the more sorry when next to excellence.
Logan Webb was excellent. Maybe not excellent excellent, but way better than a lot of other things we’re seeing done in a Giants uniform. Webb limited Miami to 2 runs (the most he’s allowed in a start since his return from the IL) on five hits while striking out 5 over 8 innings pitched.
Webb has gone 8 innings in each of his last three starts, becoming the first Giant to do so since Madison Bumgarner in 2015. He was nearly the first Giant since Juan Marichal in 1966 to throw 8 innings in three consecutive starts without giving up a walk, but Kyle Stowers broke his streak at 21.2 innings with two outs in the 4th.
A rare free base from Webb, and in keeping with the weekend trend, one that came back to haunt him when Otto Lopez punched a low liner past Luis Arraez into right-center. What looked like a simple single, setting up runners at the corners, just took forever to get wrangled and returned to the infield. Centerfielder Drew Gilbert, positioned towards left, had to sprint a long way and slide to keep the ball from getting past him. He overthrew his first relay man in his haste and Adames’s throw home was rushed and offline. Stowers scored easily from first to put Miami up for good.
It was probably this play that Vitello had in mind when he swapped Devers for Cox. A well-placed, hard-hit ball that doesn’t even need to roll to the wall can score a run — only for Miami, only if you’re Stowers. While the rest of his team scuffled against Webb, the lefty bat bested him twice. Before the walk, he ambushed a first pitch sinker in the 2nd for the first run of the game.
Casey Schmitt was the Giants’ off-brand Stowers, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. He’s now logged multiple hits in six straight games and gone 14-for-27 across his last seven. He punched in San Francisco’s only run off Miami starter Ryan Gusto with two outs in the 3rd.
With two outs in the 8th, he torched a Michael Petersen fastball 399 feet to dead center that most people in the building had thought tied the game. But the ball died at the warning track, knocked down by the stiff breeze of the stadium’s A/C.
Schmitt thought he had got all of it and then some. Shocked at the unfortunate turn, all Schmitt could do at inning’s end was hang his helmet and gloves on first base coach Shane Robinson and cry out in disbelief.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 19: Mike Soroka #34 of the Arizona Diamondbacks (right) talks to a trainer during the second inning of the MLB game against the Minnesota Twins at Chase Field on June 19, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. Soroka left the game in the second inning due to a leg injury. (Photo by Jeremy Chen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The injury bug struck again and Nelson is out. Who would you like to see be first in line to replace him?
James Attwood: Brandon Pfaadt. Pfaadt’s future is as a starter, whether that is as a #3 or as a #5, he’s still a starter for now. Pfaadt has also had some modest success at the MLB level, where the other candidates have not yet had the chance. Given that the team’s injury issues have gone critical, Pfaadt goes from mop-up duty in blowouts to mop-up duty in the rotation. They need a pitcher who can go 5-7 innings and they need him now.
samath: I think we’ll have seen Nelson’s spot in the rotation come up by the time this publishes, so it’s kind of a moot point.
Makakilo: In the minors, Brandon Pfaadt had time to stretch out and make minor tweaks to his pitching. It will be exciting to see his progress, even if his first starts are short.
DBacksEurope: “Like” is a push. Despite the ERA he has, I’m pretty high on Ryne Nelson. He has been a good rotation arm the past few years and between all those multimillion dollar arms we’ve seen the past seasons, probably one of the most reliable though not spectacular. I think it is a hard loss. He might get back at the end of the season, but with Nelson gone, an important member of the team is gone and it might costs us wins. Who do I want to see? Right now Yilber Diaz is the one. The most logical option is Pfaadt though I think Pfaadt is a sunk cost. Let’s see what the young arms have to offer.
Ben: I would like to see Corbin Burnes replace him, but that’s obviously not happening. I would have guessed that Brandon Pfaadt would be in line to replace him, but he’s only up to around 50 pitches in his last start. The same goes for Mitch Bratt, the highest pitching prospect who could reasonably step up, but is also coming back from injury.
Soroka left Friday night’s game early (ultimate result unknown at time of question writing). If he misses time, who should be the second in line to take over a rotation spot?
James Attwood: Soroka is headed to the IL. It’s just a matter of how long he will be there. If it is going to be for more than two or three starts, then it will be time to promote Mitch Bratt or Kohl Drake. Drake has been getting shelled in Reno, but that is not necessarily indicative of his talent. At the same time, if he has low confidence from getting shelled, he may need some more work.
samath: Wasn’t the point of sending Pfaadt down to Reno to get him stretched out so he could start again? If that’s really not possible, bullpen games until he’s ready?
Makakilo: If he misses time, I hope that Diamondbacks have been developing an out-of-sight but very talented pitcher in the minors that they can call up.
DBacksEurope: I think Soroka will be fine, that is what he said and what I want to believe. If we lose him too, well, the Diamondbacks are doomed.
Ben: In the alternate world where Burnes is still available, I’d pick him. Instead, it looks like it will be Jose Cabrera, who has made just three starts with Reno, who will at least initially take Soroka’s start. Maybe the team’s plan is to use Yilber Diaz in some kind of piggyback situation with someone else?
Is there a point where you would believe that the Diamondbacks need to reevaluate how they train their players due to ongoing injury, or does it all just come down to bad luck?
James Attwood: I think there is probably an argument to be made that the team needs to make some adjustments when it comes to rehabilitating players. This is far from a new phenomenon for Arizona. With the excessive pressure on the front office to win this year, and the lacks of organizational depth across the board, it may be that some timetables have been pushed forward a bit more than they should have been. Some of that is on players trying to get back or push through. Some of that is on the team for allowing them to.
samath: Eh, pitchers get injured all the time, MLB-wide.
Makakilo: First, an unsurprising fact. Then let’s consider three top-level views on team injuries.
UNSURPRISING FACT: The Dodgers lead the Majors in days lost to the injured list. “The Dodgers, who have had the oldest average age of MLB hitters in that span [2024 to 2026], and the game’s biggest payroll, unsurprisingly led the league in days missed on the big-league IL.” Per the following linked article.
VIEW ONE. Injuries are correlated to team age. Two 2026 facts from SpoTrac back that up that view. FACT 1. The Diamondbacks’ team age of 29.3 years ranked as 9th oldest (SpoTrac) FACT 2. The Diamondbacks’ cumulative injury cash payroll of $25.8 Million ranked as the 10th highest in the Majors (SpoTrac). VIEW TWO. Consistency over time enhances the effectiveness of procedures to minimize injuries. Backing that up are the following facts.
FACT 1. From 2024 to 2026, the Cardinals had the least days lost to the injured list per this article.
FACT 2. Roster Resource shows that 8 of the 9 players in the Cardinals batting lineup were drafted by the Cardinals. My conclusion is that whatever they are doing to prevent injuries has been consistently done over many years.
VIEW THREE. My view is that in 2025, the Diamondbacks had an injury problem. It may be obvious, but I strongly suspect the same will be said about 2026. Supporting that view: In 2025, the Diamondbacks lost 11.9 WAR, which was the 6th highest in the Majors, per this link to a FanGraphs article. https://blogs.fangraphs.com/which-teams-have-suffered-the-most-from-injuries/
DBacksEurope: It is probably a case of bad luck but the problem is that there is no strong starting pitching in the pipeline unless we acquire it from elsewhere. That is the problem the Diamondbacks need to address.
Ben: If Mike Hazen and the entire coaching staff is fired at the end of the season – a definite possibility if the team misses the playoffs again – then I’m sure everything about the staff will be reevaluated. But outside of that extreme situation, I think it has more to do with bad luck than anything else. I understand that these are athletes at the height of their capabilities, but Jordan Lawlar’s run down first base that eventually resulted in an IL-worthy hamstring pull looked about as routine as one could be. He even jogged off the field with no support. Afterwards, Torey remarked that Lawlar’s body might have some uniqueness to its soft tissue. I don’t quite know how the training and conditioning staff could have done anything differently that would have prevented an injury on that play.
The Owners took another big swing and announced their desire to change the MLB Amateur Draft (LINK). Thoughts?
James Attwood: I can think of few suggestions coming from the owners or the Commissioner’s Office that would be worse for the game than this proposal. It’s almost like the owners are actively trying to tear everything down.
samath: The owners are very straightforwardly trying to exploit the mess at the top of MLBPA to their own advantage, aiming to take a greater slice of the economic pie themselves. They’re ramping up their ask in these lesser-publicized areas like the draft in the hopes that MLBPA doesn’t have its act together in time, can’t contest all of these fronts, and is forced to give in somewhere. Whatever wisdom there is in things like an international draft, it’s swamped by a clear attempt to stop paying as much to the players, particularly young superstars.
Makakilo: My concern is that athletes without academic talent or inclination, will be forced to struggle in college, where they have no chance of success.
DBacksEurope: Unless you blow up the arbitration process, every proposal is bollocks. Players need to earn money when they are at their best I.e. the early years. We don’t want to see players into well of their 40s just because they got their fat contract when they were already over their top. Players and clubs should make sure that players get paid when they deliver value for money. So, that proposal isn’t addressing the real issue.
Ben: It’s a bit of a mixed bag leaning towards a bad deal in my opinion. On the positive side, the owners’ proposal to institute an international draft is badly needed. There’s not only blatant corruption throughout the current system, but there’s also significant abuse of children that has caused irreparable harm to innumerable families and communities.
But that’s pretty much the only positive I see in it. Every other part of the proposal seems geared towards reducing labor costs and minimizing the opportunities for players to earn a megadeal. I think I’ve pretty definitively demonstrated that I land on the side of labor for most of these discussions and this proposal does little to change my stance.
Mar 12, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) drives to the basket against Northwestern Wildcats forward Nick Martinelli (2) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
A few final notes before the draft:
With only 2 days to the NBA draft, the Suns have been playing things incredibly close to the vest, with rumors they might want to move up into the first round, and Gambo saying they’re more likely just to move up into the 30s.
Pavle Backo, whom I covered in my last article as a dark-horse candidate at 47, withdrew from the draft and will return to Europe.
Kellan Olsen of the Arizona Republic mentioned two more names I hadn’t covered as possibilities: Braden Smith and Nick Martinelli, who both make some sort of sense. They’re covered here.
I’ve continually been updating my mock draft tracker, and we’re up to 17 mock drafts included in the data set.
There are X players in the Suns range that I like for the team, and have some reasonable possibility of being at 47 right now: Jaden Bradley (6.5%), Trevon Brazile (10%), Ugonna Unyenso (26%), Braden Smith (21%), Izaiyah Nelson (44%), Nick Martinelli (49%), Bruce Thornton (56.4%). I expect the Suns will take one of them if they keep the 47th pick, unless someone else falls precipitously and unexpectedly (Baba Miller, Karaban Jefferson are possibilities)
I’ll be putting out a final article before the draft that you can use while watching it to see the results of the draft tracker, and see what players are likely to be available at higher draft positions if the Suns trade up.
My final draft articles will be after the draft to scout the players selected, and mathematically determine which mock drafts were the most accurate.
Nick Martinelli (Northwestern, Senior, SF/PF)
Nick Martinelli is a highly productive, polished, and physical 6’6.5″, 225-pound forward who emerged as a standout scorer and Big Ten standout at Northwestern. Projected as an early-to-mid second-round pick, he is highly regarded for his high basketball IQ, interior craftiness, and ability to score through contact without relying on elite athleticism.
Elite Scoring Touch: Martinelli is a craft left-handed scorer who thrives in the mid-post and short corners. He uses fluid footwork, fakes, and a reliable floater to score efficiently inside the arc, making him a major mismatch for slower defenders.
Physicality & Contact: Built with a strong, broad frame, he actively seeks contact and excels at drawing fouls, getting to the free-throw line nearly seven times a game.
Rebounding Gravity: He boasts a strong offensive rebounding percentage for a perimeter player, utilizing his motor and instincts to punish opponents on the interior.
Improved Shooting: He significantly improved his three-point shot throughout his college career, culminating in a highly efficient 41.7% from deep on respectable volume as a senior.
Weaknesses
Athletic Ceiling: He lacks an elite first step or explosive vertical pop, relying instead on a deliberate, “herky-jerky” pace. Translating this style to the NBA will require him to speed up his shot release and decision-making against longer, quicker defenders.
Defensive Versatility: There are questions about his ability to defend true wings or quicker guards on the perimeter, as well as how his frame will hold up against true NBA power forwards.
Offensive Creation: Lacks a highly creative handle and struggles to generate his own offense in isolation, relying mostly on set plays or put-backs.
Draft Range
Between 40 and undrafted, with a mean of 46.8 and a median of 45. He only went undrafted in one mock (CBS). There is currently a 49% chance he will be available at 47.
Why the Suns Should Take a Look
Martinelli knows how to score in multiple ways and has a high motor. His three-point shooting is likely to translate to the pros, and I think there’s a high probability he can latch on somewhere. Unfortunately, he doesn’t give the Suns the things the team desperately needs: size, rebounding, and defense at the 4. He’s a tweener forward who doesn’t rebound particularly well overall and is a slow-footed defender. Too slow to guard small forwards, too small to guard power forwards.
He’s basically Royce O’Neale. However, he’d be Royce O’Neale at one-tenth the cost. If the Suns want to dump O’Neale and want a much cheaper replacement, Martinelli fits that description. Overall, Martinelli seems like a high-floor, low-ceiling sort of player that will carve out a niche somewhere.
NBA Comparison
Georges Niang. Jaime Vasquez Jr. Royce O’Neale.
Braden Smith (Purdue, Senior, PG)
Braden Smith enters the 2026 NBA Draft as a highly polished, historic collegiate floor general after finishing his four-year career at Purdue as the NCAA men’s basketball all-time career assist leader with 1,103 assists. Standing at 5’10.25″ barefoot and weighing 166.6 pounds with a 6’3.25″ wingspan, he is a consensus second-round projection valued heavily for his elite playmaking, pick-and-roll IQ, and winning intangibles.
Elite Playmaking & Floor Generalship: Smith is an exceptional manipulator out of the pick-and-roll. He possesses masterful vision, consistently orchestrating modern half-court offenses and maximizing his teammates’ efficiency with an excellent 3:1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Dangerous Pull-Up Scorer: Defenses cannot simply drop against him; Smith is a lethal mid-range operator who converted 51.7% of his 147 pull-up two-point attempts in college. He features a quick, high-pacing release that helps offset his size.
Defensive Anticipation: Despite major physical limitations, he functions like a “cornerback” off the ball. He reads passing lanes cleanly, boasting a high 3.5% steal rate to generate vital extra possessions.
Intangibles & Polish: A two-time First Team All-American and Big Ten Tournament MVP, he brings a mature, mistake-free approach, superb leadership, and a competitive edge to second units.
Weaknesses
Severe Size Outlier: Barely scratching 5’10”, Smith faces a significant physical uphill battle in today’s NBA. He lacks the ideal size, vertical explosion, and length typical for modern guards, making him an automatic defensive target for isolation and switching schemes.
Lack of Rim Pressure: Smith struggles heavily to penetrate the teeth of elite defenses. He lacks the burst to consistently get downhill, recording zero career dunks and only 90 field-goal attempts at the rim across more than 1,300 minutes in his final collegiate season.
Below-Average Finishing: When he does attack inside, his lack of height and length creates high variance; his floater and touch around the basket took a noticeable efficiency step backward as senior-year length contested him.
Draft Range
Between 37 and 52, with an average of 42.8 and a median of 40. There is a 21% he will still be on the board at 47.
Why the Suns Should Take a Look
Smith has a lot of the intangibles the Suns are looking for: winning pedigree, toughness, motor, team-minded, and high IQ. He’s also got one elite-level skill that translates to the NBA: in this case, passing, ball handling, and decision-making. Smith’s a decent three-point shooter, which will keep defenses somewhat honest if he plays off the ball. He’s a pick-and-roll general and has the stop-and-pop mid-range game to make defenses pay if they use drop coverage. Despite his lack of size, at the collegiate level, he was at least an average, if not willing, defender.
It’s an open question if someone of his size still has a place in the game. However, Jose Alvarado played a key role in the Knicks’ championship run, standing only 5’11” in socks. If anyone has the savvy, basketball IQ, and work ethic to make it as a 5’10 PG in the NBA, it’s Smith. If he’s still at 47, he’s worth the risk. At the very least, he seems like a viable second or third-string PG who can give you 12 minutes of hustle and smart plays per night, which is a very Jordan Ott kind of player.
NBA Comparisons
Tyler Kolek. TJ McConnell. Tyus Jones. Chris Paul’s feel for the game
And that’s where we stand with only a few days remaining until draft night. Whether it’s a polished floor general like Braden Smith, a productive scorer like Nick Martinelli, or one of the other names still hovering around Phoenix’s range, there are viable options on the board. The bigger question may not be who the Suns like at No. 47, but whether they’re still picking there when the clock starts. Recent history tells us Brian Gregory is rarely content sitting still, and that uncertainty is what makes this draft so fascinating heading into next week.
Game called after altercation with both teams. 
