Summer's here, and the time is right for doffing in the seats.
A cavalcade of young, sweaty youths have overtaken Major League Baseball stadiums from coast to coast, extending a trend that has its roots in the bleachers of college football stadium.
"Tarps Off," as the kids call it, first gained traction in October 2025, when a harmless bet resulted in an Oklahoma State fan removing his shirt and twirling it amid a section of lifeless fans at a football game, according to crowd behavior anthropologists.
Soon, the act spread to Wisconsin and UCLA and North Carolina and Virginia Tech, young men channeling a sentiment originally expressed in Petey Pablo's first single from his 2001 debut album:
North Carolina, raise up. Take your shirt off, twist it 'round your handSpin it like a helicopter
How 'Tarps Off' came to MLB
Naturally, "Tarps Off" went into hibernation during the winter, yet emerged in the most unlikely of places: Denver's Coors Field.
Barely two months after Punxsutawney Phil allegedly cursed us with a few more weeks of winter, fans of the sad-sack Colorado Rockies brought the tradition to the big leagues on April 8, with a singular fan in Section 329 going guns out as the club aimed to complete a sweep of the Houston Astros.
Soon, a group of young men huddled around the iconic purple row that marks one mile above sea level at the ballpark. The crowd swelled. The Rockies won.
And "Tarps Off" was a thing.
'Tarps Off' goes mainstream
The trend soon accelerated thanks in part to the superstitious culture surrounding baseball. When members of the Stephen F. Austin club baseball team populated a section in the 200 level of Busch Stadium at a May 15 game and the Cardinals rallied for a 5-4, 11-inning walk-off win over the Kansas City Royals, manager Oliver Marmol couldn't help but notice.
And correlate the shirtless bros with a team W.
"Whoever started that in right field, I'll do whatever I need to do to make sure they come every game," Marmol said after the game, in something of a preamble to the Tarps Off Constitution. "Because that was awesome. Not only them, but everybody that showed up today. That was a fun environment."
Marmol didn't stop there, inviting the pectoral preeners into the Cardinals clubhouse and offering to buy tickets to any fan wanting to "sit in the right field loge and bring the energy."
'Tarps Off': What's next?
That created a wave of "Tarps Off" movements. In Anaheim, where "Sell the team!" and "Arte sucks!" chants became de rigueur as owner Arte Moreno pilots the franchise to its 11th consecutive losing season, the chant gained extra spice when paired with the shirtless crowd.
Now, it's been seen in virtually every ballpark, with various between-innings dance cams honing in on men of all ages pumping their fists and waving their shirts and ramping up their Vitamin D intake. It is sure to be a summertime staple, particularly as temperatures reach triple digits and a day at the ballpark becomes not unlike a good schvitz in the sauna.
At some point – and perhaps that point has arrived – it will be viewed as a little too tired, too contrived, too 2025. At the same time, in an era when sports leagues and franchises are shaking down municipalities for new stadiums that expand luxury areas while squeezing out the cheap seats and creating scarcity that drives up ticket prices, "Tarps Off" truly belongs to the people.
The lords of the loge. The vamps of the view section. Even if the practice, rooted in spontaneity, is now remarkably mainstream.
Corbin Carroll delivered the game-winning RBI in the ninth inning for Arizona to beat Colorado, 2-1, in Thursday's series opener. Friday's matchup is the second of a four game series.
The Diamondbacks have extended its winning streak to five consecutive games. In the last week (six games), Arizona is hitting an MLB-best .300 with the second-most hits (60). The Diamondbacks managed four this yesterday and eight walks to eight strikeouts as an offense.
Colorado is in a rough patch with three straight losses and four of the past five. The Rockies pitching staff has a 5.03 ERA (23rd) over the last week and has the second-highest amount of walks (29) in that span (six games). Colorado has been outscored 17-5 in the last three games and 33-22 in the previous six.
Let’s dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game details & how to watch Rockies at Diamondbacks
Date: Friday, May 22, 2026
Time: 9:40 PM EST
Site: Chase Field
City: Phoenix, AZ
Network/Streaming: MLB TV
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
The Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll is hitting .282 with 46 hits and 90 total bases over 163 at-bats
The Diamondbacks’ James McCann is hitting .203 with 12 hits and 17 strikeouts over 59 at-bats
The Rockies’ Troy Johnston is hitting .324 with 48 hits and 67 total bases over 148 at-bats
The Rockies’ Ezequiel Tovar is hitting .206 with 34 hits and 48 strikeouts over 165 at-bats
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Rockies at Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks are 30-19 ATS this season, ranking third-best
The Rockies are 27-24 ATS this season
The Diamondbacks are 25-22-2 to the Over
The Rockies are 27-23-1 to the Under
The Diamondbacks are 15-8 ATS at home, ranking second-best
The Rockies are 14-12 ATS on the road and 9-17 on the ML
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Rockies and the Diamondbacks
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Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday's game between the Rockies and the Diamondbacks:
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Diamondbacks on the Moneyline.
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Anyone who’s ever played pick-up basketball knows the frustration of Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley.
Have you ever started a game red-hot only to have one of your random teammates ice you out and start jacking threes?
It happens at the YMCA, and it also happens in the pros, as Cleveland cooled a sizzling start from Mobley with a barrage of 3-point misses in Wednesday’s loss to the New York Knicks.
My Knicks vs. Cavaliers predictions recognize the scoring potential for Mobley in Game 3 — even if Cleveland doesn’t — and our NBA picks are taking him to top his scoring prop on Saturday, May 23.
Knicks vs Cavaliers Game 3 prediction
Knicks vs Cavaliers best bet: Evan Mobley Over 15.5 points (-125)
Evan Mobley came out guns blazing in Game 2, scoring 14 points in the first half — just a bucket shy of his O/U of 15.5.
However, Mobley wouldn’t score again. His usage dipped from 21.4% in the 1H to an embarrassing 5.3% in the final 24 minutes.
While the New York Knicks did a better job denying the Cleveland Cavaliers’ bigs, Cleveland is at its best when Mobley gets going, and it needs to keep the 7-footer involved.
Mobley will enjoy an uptick in scoring at home, and his Game 3 projections sit as high as 18 points.
COVERS INTEL: Evan Mobley went 6-for-8 from the floor in Game 2 and did not attempt a single shot in the second half. The last four times he failed to reach double-digit FGAs (without injury), Mobley bounced back with performances of 14, 17, 23, and 25 points in the following game.
Knicks vs Cavaliers Game 3 same-game parlay
At least the Cavaliers get to sleep in their own beds before Game 3. Cleveland looks tired, and head coach Kenny Atkinson is outclassed against a loaded Knicks attack and a crafty Mike Brown. New York has been excellent on the road, boasting a 4-1 SU mark as a visitor in the playoffs.
Mobley had topped his scoring total in five straight games before going MIA in the second half of Game 2 — falling just two points shy of his O/U. He left points at the foul line, and Cleveland needs to focus on getting him touches, as we’ve seen the Knicks struggle against talented bigs in the postseason.
The athletic forward hasn’t been as active in the offense as he works his way back from a tender hamstring, but he’s one player who doesn’t shrink in enemy territory. Anunoby scores almost two points more per game on the road and has averaged 26.7 points per game in three road playoff games.
Should this spread hold up, New York will be an underdog for just the 20th time all year. The Knicks are 11-8 ATS in the previous 19 games as a pup, with the final score playing Under the total in 14 of those 19 outings. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Cavaliers.
How to watch Knicks vs Cavaliers Game 3
Location
Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
Date
Saturday, May 23, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
ABC
Knicks vs Cavaliers latest injuries
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Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies wait to play as it rains on the at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Aug. 13, 2025. | Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The St. Louis Cardinals weekend series versus the Cincinnati Reds will have to wait until Saturday as the team just announced that Friday night’s game has been postponed due to weather. Saturday will now see a double-header (weather permitting, of course) with the first game being at 12:10pm central time and the night game scheduled to start at 6:10pm central time. Both games viewable on Cardinals.tv.
When NHL teams are searching for a new head coach, just like the Toronto Maple Leafs are after firing Craig Berube, there's a common theme of a range of candidates coming from a coaching carousel.
Typically, veteran coaches who get relieved land on their feet with another team in short order. It happened to Peter DeBoer when he was fired by the Dallas Stars last off-season, and hired by the New York Islanders at the tail-end of the past regular season.
Jay Woodcroft spent this past season as an assistant coach of the Anaheim Ducks. He has played a role in the young Ducks having a breakout season, especially offensively.
Woodcroft has looked after the Ducks' power play and is an offense-minded coach. That would explain the rapid and impressive growth of Anaheim's young star forwards, such as Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier and Beckett Sennecke.
Before joining the Ducks at the start of this past campaign, he was the head coach of the Edmonton Oilers for parts of three seasons.
He was hired by Edmonton midway through 2021-22 and was let go 13 games into the 2023-24 campaign. Therefore, Woodcroft only led the Oilers for one full year in 2022-23.
Nonetheless, he had a good year with the Oilers, leading that team to a 109-point finish and a 50-23-9 record.
He has experience in managing superstars in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, which would translate to coaching Auston Matthews and William Nylander. Woodcroft also got to work alongside a future Hall of Fame coach in Joel Quenneville this past year.
It's also worth noting that Toronto is Woodcroft's hometown.
Dean Evason has much more experience as an NHL head coach compared to Woodcroft, but the 61-year-old isn't exactly a veteran, as he's coached 378 regular-season games in his career.
Nonetheless, he's spent parts of seven seasons as a coach in the NHL, with his time shared between the Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets.
Evason's first stint was with Minnesota, which lasted three full campaigns after leading the Wild bench for 12 games in 2019-20 as the successor to Bruce Boudreau. Since then, Evason led the Wild to the post-season in every campaign, except in 2023-24 when he was fired after a 5-10-4 start to the year.
In 2024-25, he joined the Blue Jackets and coached them to a very respectable fourth-place finish in the Metropolitan Division. Columbus missed the playoffs by just a pair of points in the standings, but the team's effort following the loss of Johnny Gaudreau was inspiring.
Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell felt that he needed to make a coaching change 45 games into the following season, and Rick Bowness came in to replace Evason.
Drew Bannister wasn't a head coach in the NHL for a very long time. In fact, he only coached the St. Louis Blues for 76 outings between 2023-24 and 2024-25.
Bannister's tenure as the head coach of the Blues started when he was named the interim bench boss when Berube was fired, and coached the final 54 games of that season. He ended that year with a respectable 30-19-5 record.
When the next season rolled around, Bannister stayed on board after inking a two-year contract extension, removing his interim tag. But just 22 games in with a 9-12-1 record, Jim Montgomery became available after losing his job with the Boston Bruins, and Blues GM Doug Armstrong jumped on the opportunity to bring him in.
That move came at the cost of Bannister's job, before he really had the chance to coach at the NHL level.
Before becoming the head coach in St. Louis, Bannister led from behind the bench for the AHL's Springfield Thunderbirds. In his stint with the Thunderbirds, he guided them to a Calder Cup final appearance in 2021-22.
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Vegas Golden Knightscaptain Mark Stone took the ice for morning skate ahead of Game 2 of the Western Conference Final. He has missed the last four postseason games with a lower-body injury.
Per Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella, he will miss a fifth straight game. Tortorella confirmed that Stone is OUT for Game 2.
All signs pointed to Stone missing Game 2. At morning skate, the team did not do line rushes, but Stone participated in drills. He stayed out on the ice with the scratches and hung back when they headed off. Once Stone was the only player on the ice, he skated laps around the rink with Golden Knights skills coach Sean Ferrell for several minutes.
Stone has been out since Game 3 of the Golden Knights’ Second Round series against the Anaheim Ducks. He played just 4:24 before suffering a non-contact injury in the first period. He returned to the bench during the second period, but after testing his legs during a TV timeout, slammed his stick down and headed down the tunnel.
This is the first time Stone has been on the ice with the full team since his injury, although he did skate with the scratchesprior to Game 1. This could be a positive development as the Golden Knights continue on in the Western Conference Final against the mighty Colorado Avalanche.
Charles Barkley must’ve forgotten he’s an ESPN guy now.
The “Inside the NBA” co-star, who used to be seen on TNT broadcasts before the show moved over to the Worldwide Leader this season, criticized ESPN’s lead NBA insider Shams Charania after he broke news on social media about the NBA MVP award before the official league announcement.
“(Amazon) paid $2.5 billion for the next 11 years. I think they deserved an exclusive. I think the NBA should be embarrassed that that got out. “You know, you can’t charge these networks that much money and then don’t give them some exclusives on some things. I mean, I just think that’s unfair.”
The NBA was scheduled to announce Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the NBA MVP during its Amazon Prime Video studio show on May 17, but got scooped by Charania at 9 a.m. ET, citing multiple sources.
Gilgeous-Alexander won the MVP award cleanly, as a panel of 100 media members gave him 83 first-place votes for 939 voting points overall to claim his second straight award.
Nikola Jokic came in second place with 10 first-place votes and 634 points — the second straight year he’s been runner-up to SGA.
May 15, 2018; Chicago, IL, USA; NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum hands Phoenix Suns player Josh Jackson the number one pick card during the 2018 NBA Draft Lottery at the Palmer House Hilton. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
The offseason continues to roll along. Days keep falling off the calendar, and somehow we’re already nearly a month away from the 2026 NBA Draft. Yes, technically it’s still over a month away, which is the funny part about the NBA calendar. The season flies by, then once the offseason hits, time suddenly starts moving like you’re standing in line at the DMV.
That said, we’re officially at the point where draft conversations start taking over the landscape. We begin scouting prospects, building boards, and debating which direction the Phoenix Suns should ultimately take. They have a pick this year, albeit the 17th pick in the second round and 47th overall, but it still presents an opportunity. An opportunity to grow, an opportunity to develop, and an opportunity at hope. Sure, Paul Millsap is probably the best player ever drafted at 47, but maybe that changes. Maybe this year’s pick will be impactful for Phoenix.
Before we can arrive at a definitive answer of which way we think the Suns should go, I think it’s important to first understand what paths actually exist for Phoenix and why those paths matter. Because this isn’t simply about identifying a prospect and calling it a day. There are multiple layers attached to this conversation. Roster construction. Financial limitations. Development timelines. Prospect evaluation. Organizational direction. All of it intertwines together when you’re trying to determine what the Suns should do next.
So let’s talk about it.
Understanding Phoenix’s Roster Picture
Before we even begin exploring who might be available at pick 47, it’s important to first understand who and what the Phoenix Suns currently are from a roster construction standpoint entering this offseason.
This is a team coming off an unexpectedly successful season in which they won 45 games and, quite honestly, still left plenty on the table. Between injuries and a handful of late-season collapses, Phoenix realistically could have been a 50-win team. When you combine that with the messaging from the organization about continuity and development being priorities, there really isn’t a ton of wiggle room attached to this draft class from the Suns’ perspective.
You already have Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming entering their sophomore seasons on guaranteed contracts. Koby Brea returns on a two-way deal. Add Oso Ighodaro and Ryan Dunn into the equation as third-year players, and the youth movement is already alive and well in Phoenix. With Devin Booker leading the way alongside Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green, the Suns largely appear set on the identity they want to carry into next season.
There are still obvious questions surrounding the futures of Collin Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin, and Mark Williams, especially when you factor in the financial implications of retaining all three. We still don’t fully know how aggressive Phoenix wants to be relative to the luxury tax and first apron.
When you look at the roster holistically though, it feels like there may only be one true open roster spot available if the organization successfully brings back the players it wants to retain. That likely leaves Amir Coffey as the odd man out, especially considering Haywood Highsmith is already on a non-guaranteed contract that Phoenix can choose to keep active.
Could the Suns use that roster spot on the 47th pick? Absolutely. Could they leave it open in case they move Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, or even Jalen Green in a trade? Sure.
Still, if Phoenix keeps the pick and drafts at 47, the most likely outcome is that player spends significant time on a two-way contract and in the G League. That’s typically what happens with selections in this range, especially when you consider Isaiah Livers will no longer be eligible for a two-way deal next season. And realistically, if the Suns move Allen or O’Neale, they probably aren’t bringing back two players in return. More likely it’s one smaller contract paired with draft compensation.
Phoenix also values flexibility. The organization has consistently preferred keeping that 15th roster spot open throughout the season, and we saw them operate that way last year. If one of their two-way players starts to pop (a la Jamaree Bouyea), that flexibility allows the team to convert them later without having to make a corresponding move.
So that’s where the Suns currently stand from a high-level roster construction perspective. Now comes the harder question. What path should they actually take in the draft?
Three Directions the Suns Could Take
Perhaps it’s rudimentary to say, still, the Phoenix Suns really only have three paths in this draft.
They can trade up.
They can trade out.
Or they can simply make the pick.
Hey, I never said every offseason decision facing Phoenix was overly complicated. This one is actually pretty straightforward.
We’ve already discussed the possibility of trading into the first round, especially with the Oklahoma City Thunder reportedly exploring moving one or both of their first round picks in exchange for future draft capital. If that’s truly the case, Phoenix could probably find a willing partner if it decides moving up is the correct path.
That changes the conversation entirely, though. The 47th pick is most likely a two-way developmental player. If you trade into the lottery range, or even the middle of the first round at 12 or 17, that player immediately occupies a standard roster spot and becomes part of your NBA roster infrastructure moving forward.
We learned from last season that the organization is not interested in automatically handing rotation minutes to young players simply because of draft status. Players still have to earn those opportunities, which honestly is a healthy organizational approach. At the same time, if you trade up that aggressively, there has to be a legitimate developmental plan in place. You need a pathway for that player to realistically become part of the rotation in the near future.
With cap limitations tightening and future draft capital already somewhat limited, Phoenix cannot afford to move up simply for the sake of moving up. If they trade into the first round, it essentially signals they’ve identified a prospect they believe fits both the short-term and long-term vision of the organization, and they’re fully committed to developing him. Otherwise, you’re burning future assets without maximizing the value attached to the move.
There’s another path we really haven’t discussed much either, the possibility Phoenix simply trades out of the draft entirely.
I don’t personally view that as the most likely scenario because the Suns will have an open two-way slot available, and it would make sense to use pick 47 to take another developmental swing. Still, the possibility exists. Maybe Phoenix moves Royce O’Neale and receives a smaller contract and future draft compensation in return, with the 47th pick included in the deal. Unlikely. Still possible.
Maybe the organization simply decides that the current roster is largely complete, aside from some fringe adjustments, and prefers to defer draft capital to create more flexibility in future seasons. The Suns still own a 2027 first round pick, albeit one tied up in swap complications and worst-of-the-worst protections. If Phoenix wants another season to evaluate exactly who and what this roster is before making larger decisions next offseason, moving this year’s second round pick for future value could make some sense.
Then there’s the simplest option of all. Keep the pick. Draft someone at 47, bring him in on a two-way contract, and continue leaning into internal development. Honestly, that still feels like the most likely outcome. Which naturally leads us to the next philosophical thought exercise.
Talent vs. Fit
This is always one of the more fascinating draft conversations. Are you somebody who drafts purely based on talent and the best prospect available? Or are you somebody who believes certain positions can become oversaturated, leading you to prioritize organizational fit and immediate need instead?
Personally, in most situations, I value talent over fit. The one major exception for me was the 2017 NBA Draft, when I felt adding Josh Jackson was duplicative of T. J. Warren, while De’Aaron Fox sat there on the board as a young point guard who matched the same, dare I say, “timeline” as Devin Booker. But generally, I will always lean toward talent over fit because fit is temporary, while talent can become permanent.
If you pigeonhole yourself into falling in love with a prospect simply because he checks a current organizational need, it becomes an incredibly narrow way to view roster construction. Especially when you’re talking about players on rookie scale contracts. At that point, you’re potentially standing in your own way by drafting the puzzle piece that fits today rather than the player who could someday become the puzzle master.
That said, pick 47 doesn’t necessarily carry the same weighted philosophical debate because that player is not expected to contribute immediately. These conversations feel much heavier when discussing lottery picks, although even there, I still prefer drafting talent first.
When you start looking at the range around 47, there’s a real possibility that some guards become available who intrigue the Suns. Jeremy Fears Jr. and Jaden Bradley are two names that have surfaced recently. If Phoenix believes one of those players is the best talent available at 47, then that’s the direction they should go, even if the current guard room already feels crowded.
Because again, the expectation is not that this player contributes immediately. The expectation is that maybe, two or three years down the line, he develops into something meaningful. And honestly, who exactly the Suns will be two or three years from now is impossible to know.
Now maybe you’re somebody who values fit more heavily, and that’s perfectly fine. It’s a philosophical preference. One I personally disagree with, still a valid philosophy nonetheless. If that’s your approach, then maybe you target a player who fills a positional need for Phoenix today. I just wouldn’t recommend approaching pick 47 through that lens.
Whoever the Suns select, there is almost certainly spending significant time with the Valley Suns in the G League next season, developing reps and refining their game. Realistically, that player is going to have little to no immediate impact on the current roster construction of the Suns.
So, from a high-level philosophical standpoint, this is where the Phoenix Suns currently sit and the paths that lie before them.
A lot can still happen between now and draft night. Phoenix could make a trade or two to open additional roster spots, which would naturally alter the organization’s overall draft approach. Maybe they decide to accelerate parts of their timeline and aggressively pursue a move into the lottery. Maybe they remain patient and continue leaning into continuity and internal development. There’s still plenty of time for any of those scenarios to unfold.
The draft begins at 5 p.m. Arizona time on June 23, and if the Suns stand pat, the more important date for Phoenix fans is probably June 24 at 5 p.m., when the second round officially begins. That’s when Phoenix enters the conversation, assuming they keep the 47th overall pick and decide to continue investing in the slow-burning process of internal development.
The 2026 Western Conference Finals feature three very particular players: (1) a tall, lanky unicorn of a player who can move like a guard and shoot lights out from long range; (2) an explosive point guard (drafted fourth overall in his class) who is a triple-double threat on any given night; and (3) a left-handed, six foot five guard (drafted in the top 3 of his class) who comes off the bench but immediately makes an impact when he steps foot on the floor. Did we just describe the 2012 Oklahoma Thunder or this latest iteration of the San Antonio Spurs?
If you look closely enough at anything, you can often cherry pick eerie similarities between two different things. Give me an hour with a cup of coffee, and I can absolutely mirror The Godfather to Gabby’s Dollhouse: Cakey Cat is such a Fredo Corleone. Of course, the 2026 Spurs are not exactly the same as the 2012 Thunder. However, it shouldn’t be too uncanny to see the type of players NBA GMs prefer (e.g., height and length, athleticism, work ethic, basketball IQ, etc.). If anything, Stephon Castle is more DJ Catnip than Michael Corleone, but if you try to convince me that Victor Wembanyama isn’t Sonny Corleone with the way he threw them sharp elbows in the last round then don’t bother reading my modernized Godfather fan fiction where Google Maps takes Sonny on a faster, alternate route and he avoids the tollbooth massacre.
All of that is to say teams (and good front offices, at least) gravitate toward certain types of players and roster constructions. In the case of both the Spurs and the Thunder of the 2000 teens (I’m workshopping that one, it’s not the best. Life was easier when we could just say the ’60s, ’80s, and ’90s), they gravitated toward a generational centerpiece player who forced mismatches based on his very unique physical build and offensive skill set. Next, it only seemed natural to pair this rainbow unicorn with a point guard that can get him the ball and be their own scoring option when need be. The rising star that comes off the bench who happens to be left-handed is just a happy coincidence that both the Spurs and Thunder share. But if Dylan Harper shows up next season in a full on lumberjack beard, all bets are off that we aren’t living in a mirror universe designed to irritate big market NBA teams like the Lakers and Knicks.
At least that’s where I hope the similarities end. The infamous breakup of the big three in OKC reads like an NBA Greek tragedy in terms of “what could have been.” Sure, they ran into the Heatles, but what if Harden never left for the Rockets? What if Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook buried the hatchet and instead buried more teams in the playoffs? Watching every iteration of the Spurs from the ’99 Twin Towers to the 2014 Beautiful Game/Foreign Legion, you see the different types of teams they faced, defeated, lost to, etc. Of those teams, the Durant/Westbrook/Harden Thunder were particularly scary. Guarding them was a nightmare that I’m sure kept a lot of head coaches up at night. When Kawhi Leonard clawed the ball away from a screaming down the lane Russell Westbrook in the final moments of overtime in Game 6 of the 2014 Western Conference Finals, I let out a guttural cry of glee, relief, and sports exorcism. Revenge against the Miami Heat cannot happen without going through this scary Thunder team just like Michael couldn’t take revenge on the other crime families without going through his own family betrayal (looking at you, Salvatore Tessio).
Mind you, this is year one of this current iteration of the San Antonio Spurs. At the time of this article, they are tied 1-1 with the 2025 defending champion Oklahoma Thunder. They are the underdogs (like their mirror-verse 2014 Thunder counterparts), and while the series already is and will be memorable, at this current trajectory it does not look like this will be the last time these two teams meet. Sure the pieces around the main characters might change, but given what we’ve seen so far from both teams, both the Spurs and the Thunder are destined to clash again. Two of the smallest market teams consistently rising to the top is no accident. Ping-ponging lottery luck does help a lot. Castle falling to fourth helps a lot. But what teams do when certain basketball players are available to them plays a significant part in their success.
It goes to say how much nature (player skills and talents, draft lottery position) and nurture (team culture, front office) both having to coalesce just right to produce the perfect product we see on the court. Even if 2012 doesn’t seem that far away (oh my goodness, it’s 14 years ago!), it was a different time then—whereas it seems today we have more access to players’ thoughts, opinions, and feelings thanks to social media. Maybe the tension between the Thunder’s big three were obvious to teammates and people around the team, but we just weren’t as aware because “clickbait” and “engagement farming” weren’t as prevalent yet. Maybe it was all a nothing burger in that the tension was trivial because in the end a player might just want more money, a different environment, or be the main character on his own team—all of which are reasonable reasons to leave a team.
Knowing how the Spurs operate and based on what fans see from this current Spurs team, we are mostly (cautiously optimistically) confident that these players will be together for a while. And as a personal fan of De’Aaron Fox, don’t take this article to be De’Aaron Fox erasure. We’re seeing how his absence impacts the team because his presence would certainly help decrease turnovers, stabilize the offense, provide another body to match the insane depth of the Thunder, and be the closer that the Spurs need. Fox is 28 years old. He’s on his own personal basketball journey. He led the plucky but fun 2023 Sacramento Kings team against the Golden State Warriors in Round 1 where they ultimately lost a Game 7 to the Warriors. Now, he’s on the same ride with these young Spurs hoping to punch a ticket to the NBA Finals. This team has already out-kicked its coverage in terms of playoff expectations, and there are still obstacles like Fox and Harper’s health, but the biggest obstacle remains the same: the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The more things change, the more they remain the same. That’s a direct quote from CatRat. If your six-year-old daughter doesn’t make you watch Gabby’s Dollhouse, then you can just take my word for it and not bother fact-checking me.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 27: T.C. Bear of the Minnesota Twins waves a flag prior to the game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on Sunday, April 27, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by James Vigil/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The first matchup of the Red Sox and Twins, in Minnesota, was memorable for two things: Garrett Crochet getting hit so hard he’d eventually land on the IL, and the big breakout (of 2026) for Connelly Early. As they flew home to host the Tigers, the Red Sox stood at a 7-11 record, the opposite of the Twins at 11-7. Boston would then go 15-20 while Minnesota would post a 12-20 record. It’s hard to say the Sox are the “hot” team but they are 12-10 since Chad Tracy replaced Alex Cora, which looks better. How much difference any of the coaching changes actually made is unclear. Perhaps unknowable. Was Jarren Duran really a .500 OPS guy? Probably not! Could Alex Cora “fix” him? Well if he could it was going to take a few weeks because we’re still barely into the upswing, should it continue.
Minnesota is helped by the strong start, a rejuvenated Byron Buxton, and being in the AL Central. As of Thursday May 21st the Twins were just 6.0 games out of first and 1.5 games out of a Wild Card. The Red Sox sit 11 back of the first place Rays, though are just 2.0 away from a Wild Card spot. Even the Chicago White Sox (25-24) and Texas Ranger (24-25) – the teams with the 2nd and 3rd Wild Cards – aren’t running away with it. Boston remains a hot week away from changing the narrative of 2026.
Rookie Connor Prielipp is the first starter for the Twins this series. Only 5 starts into his major league career, the 25-year-old southpaw was originally drafted by Boston in the 37th round of the 2019 draft. He would decide to go to college and the Twins would take him in the 2nd round in 2022. He’s allowed 1 or 2 earned runs in each of his starts, although did allow an addition 3 unearned runs against Cleveland for a total of 4 on the day. He’s battled injuries in college and the minors but works off a four-pitch mix lead by a min-90s fastball, a curveball, slider, and changeup. He’ll face Payton Tolle. What more is there to say? Tolle is coming off 8.0 masterful innings against the Braves. He’s five starts into his 2026 call-up and has seemed dominant at times. Simply “very good” at others.
Saturday is a mixed bag of unknowns. This is likely a Brayan Bello start for Boston. TBD…Total Bello Destruction? Unless they use an opener. I don’t know what that is. Typical Bello Dazzlement? Bello’s ERA sits 7.16 against a FIP of 6.06.
The afternoon game on Sunday is the old vets, granted Bailey Ober is six years younger than Sonny Gray but he’s the veteran of this Twins staff. He’s having a good, healthy 2026. Just skip a start ago he tossed an 89 pitch shutout of the Miami Marlins. He’s not going to blow hitters away (17.2% strikeout rate) but also isn’t handing out free passes (7.3% BB rate). Hitters are slashing just .208/.273/.368 agsint him and hitting the ball with an average exit velocity of just 86.5 miles per hour. The Nationals tagged him for 6 ru5 runs in May and Boston got 4 facing him in April during the series at Target Field, but those are the blemishes. Sonny Gray will need to be on his game. With back-to-back 6.0 inning, 1-run starts he aims to do just that. In his two most recent starts since coming off the IL, Gray has looked more like his old self while striking out 6 and 9, respectively. Grey had trouble against the Twins in April in a 4.0 inning, 5-run affair but both he and the Twins were in different places back then.
Byron Buxton has 15 home runs and 4 steals this season. He’s stayed hot since Boston last saw him.
On the plus side for Boston, Ryan Jeffers is the only Twin to even have 7 homers and he just hit the IL.
The talented but often injured and now slumping Royce Lewis was optioned to Triple A.
Kody Clemens has 4 homers and is hitting .240/.333/.421. With Friday also being a bobblehead of his dad maybe Rocket will be in town for both occasions? He’s come to watch Kody at Fenway before after all.
Josh Bell stole his first base since 2018 and has 1 on the year. His career high is 2 so, watch out.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Friday, May 15: Connor Prielipp (2.88 ERA / 4.19 FIP) vs. Payton Tolle (2.05 ERA / 3.21 FIP)
Saturday, May 16: TBD (— ERA / — FIP) vs. TBD (— ERA / — FIP)
Sunday, May 17: Bailey Ober (3.63 ERA / 4.30 FIP) vs. Sonny Gray (2.93 ERA / 3.73 FIP)
ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 16: José Soriano #59 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches during the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday, May 16, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Tom Wilson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
It is clear to see what the Washington Nationals need in the present and the future. The Nats need pitching, and badly. This Nationals offense has shocked the baseball world by leading the entire sport in runs scored through 51 games. However, they have also allowed the most runs in baseball, which is why they are under .500 despite their elite offense.
The Nats starting rotation has not gotten the job done this season. Cade Cavalli has been solid, and Foster Griffin was fantastic before his last couple starts. However, Griffin is a free agent after the season, and there is not much behind those guys. There also are not many surefire solutions to the rotation on the farm. Jarlin Susana and Travis Sykora are extremely talented, but both have missed the whole season. The next best pitching prospect is Miguel Sime Jr., who is just 19 and is years away.
At some point, the Nats are probably going to have to make a big move for pitching. Why not do it sooner rather than later? I came up with three pitchers that the Nats could go after that all have multiple years of control after this one. They are three different profiles as well. Jose Soriano is the potential ace of the future that would require a blockbuster package. Reid Detmers is the upside play who has untapped potential. Finally, Carmen Mlodzinski would be a rotation stabilizer who can be very reliable.
The first pitcher I want to talk about is the big fish, Jose Soriano. If Paul Toboni were to bring him in, it would be like when Mike Rizzo traded for Gio Gonzalez. Soriano has been one of the best pitchers in the American League for an awful Angels team. With two years of control after this one, Soriano would be a prime trade candidate.
If the Nats wanted to hold onto CJ Abrams and maximize his timeline, Soriano would be a great player to trade for. The right hander is on the same free agent timeline as Abrams. Soriano has a 2.44 ERA and 3.12 FIP in 66.1 innings, averaging over 6 innings per start. He throws an upper 90’s fastball and gets a ton of ground balls while also getting strikeouts. Soriano has high octane stuff that might be even better than Cade Cavalli’s.
Soriano is also just 27 years old, so he would be a great fit with this group. He and Cavalli would be a high quality one-two punch at the top of the rotation. It would not be Scherzer and Strasburg levels of elite, but it would be very good. Along with his fastballs, Soriano has two swing and miss secondaries, with his curveball and his splitter. Both get whiff rates at a 45% clip.
I am going to be honest, this is not very realistic and it would take a big prospect package. A package of Ronny Cruz, Luke Dickerson, Landon Harmon and Ethan Petry could be what it takes to get Soriano out of Anaheim. Paul Toboni may not have the stomach to give up that kind of haul this early into his process. However, if he really believed that this group is ready to make a run in 2027 and 2028, this would be an option worth considering.
Another Angels starter worth monitoring is Reid Detmers. After a successful season in the bullpen, Detmers moved back in the rotation this year. On the surface, it seems like the move has not gone that well. Detmers has an ERA over 5 on the season.
However, the under the hood metrics are fantastic. Detmers has a 3.08 FIP and 3.24 xERA. It is worth pointing out that Detmers has historically underperformed his underlying metrics, but it is clear he is getting unlucky right now. The lefty is striking out over 25% of hitters while walking under 8% of batters.
The Angels are not known as a savvy organization, so maybe the poor surface level stats have convinced them Detmers is not the answer. If so, the Nats should jump all over this opportunity. Detmers could provide similar results to Soriano without costing as much. A package of Luke Dickerson and Ethan Petry could potentially be enough to get him out of Anaheim.
I really like Detmers’ stuff. His bread and butter is his fastball/slider combination. The heater has a ton of ride at the top of the zone and the slider is his put away pitch. Detmers also throws a gorgeous 12/6 curveball. His best curveballs look like Kershaw’s. He also mixes in a changeup. It is a well rounded mix that I think the Nats could get the best out of. With two years of control after this one, Detmers would be a fun arm for the Nats to grab.
The last arm I want to talk about is a little more boring. Carmen Mlodzinski does not have the flashy stuff of Soriano or Detmers. However, he has been a quality piece of the Pirates pitching staff for a little while now. He has a 3.40 career ERA in 235.2 career innings. With how many pitchers the Pirates have though, Mlodzinski may not have a permanent home in the Pirates rotation though.
The metrics have been split on him this season. He has a 3.96 ERA, a 3.00 FIP, a 4.66 xERA and a 3.89 xFIP. That is a lot of variance, but I think the truth is he is a high-3’s arm. The Nats desperately need reliable arms like that, especially ones with three years of control after this one.
Mlodzinksi’s best pitch is his splitter, which is his most used pitch. He throws it 27.8% of the time, and batters are only hitting .206 against it this season. The righty throws a sinker and a 4-seamer to have multiple fastball looks. He also throws a curveball, a sweeper and a slider, but none of his breaking balls are standout pitches.
I think the 27 year old Mlodzinski would be a good piece in the middle of a rotation. What the Pirates would want in return could be interesting. They want to win now with Paul Skenes, so they would ask for someone more big league ready. If Toboni wants to give up on one of Dylan Crews or Brady House, this could be the type of deal he may put them in. The Pirates need more offense and the Nats need more pitching, so this type of swap would make sense.
This is more of a thought exercise than anything, but it would be fun if the Nats did some sort of soft buy either at the deadline or in the offseason. It really seems like they are ahead of schedule. However, they still have glaring needs. I think it would be smart if the Nats used their deep farm system and pool of young players to address some of these needs. It will probably not happen, but I wonder if Paul Toboni is thinking along these same lines.
MESA, ARIZONA - MARCH 03: Pedro Ramirez #75 of the Chicago Cubs bats during the second inning of a World Baseball Classic exhibition game against Team Italy at Sloan Park on March 03, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cubs today announced that one of their top prospects, 2B/3B Pedro Ramírez, has been promoted to Chicago to make his major-league debut. In a corresponding move, infielder Matt Shaw has been placed in the injured list with lower back tightness.
The Cubs signed Ramírez in January of 2021 out of Venezuela for a $75,00 bonus. He signed at the same time and place as fellow Venezuelan Moisés Ballesteros. Since then, Ramírez has been working his way up the minor leagues with a steady, contact-oriented bat, plus speed and an good glove at second and third base. This year, in Triple-A Iowa, he’s started to hit for power with a career-high nine home runs already. In 43 games in Iowa, Ramírez hit .312/.395/.547 with the nine home runs, 19 stolen bases and 40 RBI. This development saw him showing up on several Top 100 prospect lists for the first time.
Ironically. Ramírez hasn’t played since Sunday because of an illness. One assumes he feels better now.
Shaw goes on the IL with back tightness after hitting .242/.291/.400 and playing a lot more than many of us thought after the Cubs signed Alex Bregman in the offseason.
Ramírez is not in the starting lineup today, but he is at Wrigley Field and ready to play.
Outside of Payton Pritchard’s 32 points in Game 4, the bench was largely ineffective in Round 1. Pritchard was the only bench player to score 10-plus points multiple times in the series. The C’s had one or zero bench players score in double-digits in five of the seven games.
Building a stronger supporting cast around Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White needs to be a priority for Boston this offseason, and one of the most cost-effective ways to do that is making a good draft pick in Round 1.
The C’s own the No. 27 overall pick in the first round. Some examples of notable players taken in that slot over the last 15 years include Nikola Jovic (Heat, 2022), Cam Thomas (Nets, 2021), Robert Williams III (Celtics, 2018), Kyle Kuzma (Nets, 2017), Pascal Siakam (Raptors, 2016), Bogdan Bogdanović (Suns, 2014) and Rudy Gobert (Nuggets, 2013).
Here’s a list of potential Celtics targets in Round 1 based on recent predictions from experts in 2026 NBA mock drafts.
“Peat was a hot topic at the combine, as teams expressed concern over what appeared to be fully reworked jump-shot mechanics as he struggled in shooting drills. The door remains open for him to return to Arizona, which would give him additional time to solve those issues, with his shot viewed as the primary factor holding him back from having a solid NBA career. Whether he figures it out, his future might ultimately be as a small-ball five, a role that would allow him to use his strength and skill to his advantage while mitigating the potential negative impact of his shot.
“If Peat stays in the draft, teams picking in the 20s will have to consider investing in his development, noting his winning history, sturdy frame, and potential two-way versatility, provided he starts to make open jumpers. The Celtics have done a strong job with internal development and could view this as a value opportunity if he falls.”
“As good as Neemias Queta was all year, the Celtics clearly need to upgrade at center. Maybe Reed could be that choice. Reed is a throwback center who played at his best on the biggest stage on UConn’s way to the national title game. He does all the dirty work inside the paint as a finisher, rebounder and shot-blocker. But beyond his ability to screen and pass, he wasn’t all too comfortable on the perimeter as a shooter or defender. That story might have changed at the Draft Combine, though, since on multiple occasions Reed looked more nimble moving his feet outside, which could be the key to unlocking his potential.”
“If Mara wasn’t a part of this draft, the hoops world might be raving about Suigo’s measurements instead. After all, the “Italian Wemby” measured a tick below 7’3″ without shoes and displayed a 9’6″ standing reach with a 7’5.5″ wingspan.
“Suigo isn’t super nimble or twitchy, and he doesn’t offer a ton of self-creation, but at his size, he offers an impressive blend of passing feel, shooting touch and above-the-rim finishing. If the Celtics don’t want to cover the cost of Nikola Vučević’s free agency, Suigo could be a fun pivot.”
“Allen is a versatile wing who has both skill and toughness. He can handle, pass, and is a better shooter than his numbers indicate. Allen is a high-volume wing rebounder who is the type of competitor who should mesh well with Joe Mazzulla and ultimately realize his defensive potential. There is, however, still a possibility that he returns to school.”
“The Celtics might need to go big with this pick, with few options available on the free-agent market or on the current roster. This pick could be traded, of course, but as it stands, Boston will have some choices based on whom falls to them. Ejiofor came in with a 7-foot-2 wingspan at the combine, and an 8-foot-11 standing reach, offsetting his 6-foot-7.5 height measurement. He finished last year strong. Ejiofor is a fast-rising center who needs offensive work but plays with energy and physicality. He averaged 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks last year.”
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 15: Spencer Arrighetti #41 of the Houston Astros gestures as he leaves the game in the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Daikin Park on May 15, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TODAY’S GAME: The Houston Astros (20-31) and Chicago Cubs (29-21) will begin their 3-game series this afternoon at Wrigley Field.
RHP Spencer Arrighetti (5-1, 1.50 ERA) will take the mound for the Astros as he takes on RHP Jameson Taillon (2-3, 4.97 ERA).
Houston Area Connection: Both of today’s starters grew up in the Greater Houston area. Arrighetti is a 2018 graduate of Cinco Ranch High School (Katy, TX) while Taillon is a 2010 graduate of The Woodlands High School (Woodlands, TX).
SPENCER’S GIFTS: Since making his season debut on April 15, RHP Spencer Arrighetti has been one of the top starters in the Majors. For the season, he is 5-1 in just 6 starts with a 1.50 ERA (6ER/36IP) and a miniscule .176 opp. avg….
Since April 15, he is T-1st in the AL in wins.
Model of Consistency: Arrighetti has allowed 1 ER or less in 5 of his 6 starts and 2 ER or less in all 6 starts.
Last Start: Arrighetti took a no-hitter into the 8th inning in his last start on May 15 vs. TEX, which ended in a 2-0 win (7.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R).
VS. THE CUBBIES: The Astros took 2 of 3 vs. the Cubs in the only series between the two clubs last season (June 27-29 at Daikin Park).
The Astros last visit to Wrigley Field was a 3-game series in April of 2024 (3-gm sweep by CHC). The Astros are 7-5 in their last 4 series vs. the Cubs (since 2019).
All-Time: The Astros are 385-338 all-time vs. the Cubbies. Their 385 wins vs. them are their 2nd-most vs. any opponent (404-455 vs. CIN).
First Game Ever: The very first official game of the Houston franchise was vs. the Cubs on April 10, 1962, when the Colt .45s defeated the Cubs, 11-2, at Colt Stadium, behind a CG win by LHP Bobby Shantz.
IN THE DAYTIME: Today is the 2nd of 4 consecutive scheduled day games for the Astros. Wednesday’s series finale at MIN had a 12:40 p.m. start and all 3 games this weekend at Wrigley Field will begin at 1:20 p.m.
The last time that the Astros have played 4 consecutive day games was April 2-6 of last season (source: Elias).
ROADIES: Today is the 3rd game (1-2 thus far) of a 10-game, 3-city road trip for HOU. HOU went 1-2 at MIN on the 1st stop of the trip.
After this series in CHC, they travel back to Texas for a 4-game series vs. the Rangers at Globe Life Field (Mon.-Thurs).
ROAD WARRIORS: The Astros have been one of the AL’s top hitting teams on the road in 2026.
Entering today’s game, HOU leads the AL in road batting avg. (.267) and OBP (.336) while ranking 2nd in SLG (.412) and OPS (.749).
RARE VISIT TO WRIGLEY: The current series marks just the 2nd visit to Wrigley Field for the Astros since 2013. The 2013 season is when the Astros were moved to the American League.
ROSTER MOVES: The Astros have selected RHP Alimber Santa (#72) from Triple A Sugar Land.
The Astros optioned RHP Jayden Murray to Triple A Sugar Land following Wednesday’s game.
RHP Cody Bolton cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple A Sugar Land yesterday.
THERE IS A SANTA: RHP Alimber Santa has been outstanding for Triple A Sugar Land this season. In his 18 relief appearances, Santa is 4-2 with a 1.42 ERA (3ER/19IP), allowing just 10 hits in his 19.0 innings of work for a .159 opp. avg. He had not allowed a run in his last 6 app. (5.2 IP).
PEN PALS: As a group, the Astros bullpen has had decent run of success recently.
Since May 8, they have a combined ERA of 3.48 (16ER/41.1IP).
Individually, several relievers are currently pitching well:
–RHP Bryan Abreu: 0.00 ERA in last 6 outings (6 IP, 0 R).
–RHP AJ Blubaugh: 2.18 ERA in last 8 outings (12.1 IP, 3 ER).
–LHP Bryan King: 1.74 ERA in last 9 outings (10.1 IP, 2 ER)
–LHP Steven Okert: 1.29 ERA in last 7 outings (7.0 IP, 1 ER) and has 7 K’s in his last 3.1 IP (3 app).
BRYAN’S SONG: After a slow start to his season, RHP Bryan Abreu has not allowed a run in his last 6 outings, covering 6.0 IP (3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 SO).
In his last 8 appearances, Abreu has posted a 1.12 ERA (1ER/8.0IP) with 9 K’s.
THE BIG OH: LHP Steven Okert punched out all 3 batters that he faced last night, giving him 7 K’s in his last 3.1 IP (3 app.). He has not allowed a run in his last 5 app. (5.1 IP).
AIR YORDAN: Yordan Alvarez is batting .309 with 11 doubles, 15 HR, 31 RBI and a 1.017 OPS (.412 OBP/.605 SLG).
In the AL, he ranks first in total bases (112), 2nd in OPS and SLG, 3rd in OBP, T-4th in HR and 5th in batting avg.
EE-SOCK: Wednesday night’s HR for Isaac Paredes was #97 in his career. He needs 3 more HR to become the 4th MLB player born in Mexico to reach 100 career HR.
ON THE LEADER BOARD: As a club, the Astros currently rank T-2nd in the AL in hits (422), 3rd in batting avg. (.246) and SLG (.404) and 5th in OPS (.725).
WALKER, TEXAS HAMMER: 1B Christian Walker has been one of the top hitting 1st basemen in the AL this season, ranking among all AL leaders in several offensive categories. He is 2nd on the club in HR (11) and T-1st in RBI (31).
Among the AL leaders, Walker ranks T-8th in RBI (31), T-10th in HR (11), 9th in total bases (90) and 11th in SLG (.489).
APPLE TV: Wayne Randazzo, Dontrelle Willis and Heidi Watney will call the action for today’s Apple TV. telecast.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 2021 – RHP Lance McCullers Jr. strikes out four batters in the 1st inning in a start against the Rangers in Arlington. He fans Nathaniel Lowe, Adolis García, Joey Gallo and Khris Davis consecutively in the frame, with Gallo reaching safely on a wild pitch.
McCullers becomes the fifth Astros pitcher since the year 2000 to record four strikeouts in an inning and the first since RHP Ken Giles did so in 2016.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Friday, May 22, 1:20 p.m. CT
Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
TV: Apple TV
Streaming: Apple TV
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
The Colorado Avalanche will try to even their Western Conference finals series against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2. The Golden Knights won the opener 4-2. The Colorado Avalanche are favored with a -201 moneyline compared to the Vegas Golden Knights' +166. The over/under for this matchup is set at 6.5 goals.
How to watch Vegas Golden Knights vs Colorado Avalanche
COVERS INTEL: Evan Mobley went 6-for-8 from the floor in Game 2 and did not attempt a single shot in the second half. The last four times he failed to reach double-digit FGAs (without injury), Mobley 
