Less than two weeks after the Orlando Magic let him go, Mosley is heading to New Orleans. The Pelicans are hiring him as their next head coach on a five-year deal, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Monday.
League executives at last week’s combine had been whispering for days that Mosley was the reason the Pelicans kept stalling their decision. New Orleans wanted him. They just had to see if he was ready to jump back in.
Clearly, he is.
It’s the first major coaching hire for Joe Dumars, the Hall of Famer who took over the Pelicans’ front office last April after a long run in Detroit. Dumars was a legendary Pistons player and then built a championship team as an executive. He came to New Orleans to do it again.
This hiring is how Dumars begins that process.
Mosley, 47, spent five seasons in Orlando, going 189-221 with the Magic. He built them into a legitimate defensive force. They were ranked second in the NBA in defensive efficiency last season. They made three straight playoff appearances under Mosley, but also three straight first-round exits.
The last one, a blown 3-1 lead to the Detroit Pistons, cost Mosley his job.
Before Orlando, Mosley spent 15 years as an assistant with Cleveland, Denver and Dallas before getting his shot as a head coach.
He inherits a Pelicans team still looking for stability after Willie Green was fired just 12 games into last season. They finished 26-56 overall, going 24-46 under interim coach James Borrego. Zion Williamson remains the centerpiece. Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen give him young pieces to develop.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 20, 2026: Ryan Sloan #97 of the Seattle Mariners throws a pitch during the second inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Fields of Phoenix on March 20, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Tacoma Rainiers
Tacoma managed to take the series by a score of 4-2 this week, besting Houston’s lackluster affiliate in Cheney Stadium. With a healthy amount of turmoil present within the major league roster, expect several of these Rainier players to be shuttling up to Seattle sooner than later.
In case you missed the news yesterday, top prospect Colt Emerson earned his way up to the majors yesterday. Prior to his promotion, Colt was in the midst of another solid week against Sugarland, launching his sixth homer of the season down the right field line. Congrats to Colt!
Perhaps the biggest “position battle” left with some minor league implications involves two current Rainier right fielders. Both Victor Robles and Brennen Davis looked good at the plate this week, with the former delivering a walkoff knock in the series-clinching contest on Sunday afternoon. Robles (5-15, 2B, 3BB, 2SB) is currently nearing the end of his rehab stint with the Rainiers and seems likely to be joining the team relatively soon, though Davis, whose contract stipulations require him to be added to the 40 man roster in the coming weeks, may be the odd man out despite superior numbers. Davis (7-25, HR, 2 2B) has injury concerns and no big league track record to speak of, but his presence in Triple-A will certainly light a fire underneath those ahead of him on the depth chart. His performance warrants a big league promotion; how much run the Mariners want to give the veterans ahead of him will ultimately dictate his seemingly inevitable debut.
Arkansas Travelers
What a run these Travs are on! Taking five of six from their instate rivals, Arkansas took down Northwest Arkansas in convincing fashion and moved into sole possession of first place in the Texas League North. There is an unreal amount of talent up and down this roster, and should this iteration of the team be the version that makes it into postseason play, they’ll be considered heavy favorites to take home the title.
First, the bad. Michael Arroyo was pulled from Saturday’s game with an apparent lower body injury he sustained running to first base. He walked off on his own, but he wasn’t in the lineup on Sunday. Hopefully it’s simply a precautionary move, but it’s something to monitor.
A second straight very good start for Ryan Sloan. Not a lot of hard contact off him today. Final line: 4.2IP, 5H, 0R, BB, 6K, 14 whiffs, 72-47.
Ryan Sloan has looked great in his last few starts, now settled in after a rough introduction to the Double-A level. Working another 4.2 innings this week, Sloan struck out six batters and walked just one, posting a zero in the run column despite working around heavy traffic. Sloan’s advanced feel for pitching is a major reason why evaluators view him so favorably; there are plenty of young arms that have incredible stuff, but his ability to deploy it effectively puts him in rare territory for someone his age. He’s an immensely talented player who looks to be moving in the right direction.
Lazaro Montes had a stellar week at the dish, looking exactly like the fearsome slugger we’ve grown to love over the last several years. Laying claim to an 8-24 week with three homers and a double, Laz has been displaying enough plate discipline to draw a healthy number of walks while still maintaining the gaudy power he’s possessed his whole life, allowing him to flourish at the plate against good Double-A competition. The strikeouts aren’t going anywhere; his optimal approach is that of a “three true outcomer”. Making that strategy work is what’s gotten him to this point, and it’s undoubtedly what’s going to get him promoted to the big leagues. It wouldn’t be a shock to see the Cuban slugger roaming right field in Tacoma at some point this summer.
Everett AquaSox
It was a series split for the Frogs this week, unable to best the pesky Canadians despite a far superior record. The lineup was relentless this week, and though the pitching has been a bit shaky as of late, this is still a very dangerous AquaSox roster that’s primed to do damage. They’ll have to catch a truly ridiculous Eugene team (they’re 30-9, 9 games up on the Frogs), but this roster has the talent to do it.
It has been exactly one month since the last time Felnin Celesten did not get a hit. At the conclusion of that game, Celesten was slashing .167/.293/.271 and struggling mightily. In the month since, he’s become unrecognizable. Now up to a .341 average on the season, the young shortstop has slashed .449/.537/.654 in the month of his hit streak and has taken home nearly every award the Northwest League can offer him. He seems destined for Arkansas in the coming months and should have every opportunity to thrive against improved competition.
Crushed. Brandon Eike now tied for the league lead in home runs. Best sound ever. pic.twitter.com/L05jjsT2I3
For all of the flashy prospect pedigree present on this team, Brandon Eike has arguably been the best hitter in this lineup. The right-handed corner infielder has displayed tremendous pop at the plate and currently sits second in both homers and OPS in the Northwest League. He strikes out quite a bit, but that number has been steadily falling in recent weeks, and his aggressive style at the plate plays a role in inflating that number as well. Whether he gets a chance at Double-A this season or not is yet to be seen, but with his current output exceeding just about everyone at the level, it’s hard to argue he hasn’t earned it.
Inland Empire 66ers
The 66ers had their best series of the season this week, taking all but one game against the Ports in Stockton. Inland Empire has clawed their way back up to .500 and will look to build on this resounding win, ideally establishing some long-term momentum moving forward. It hasn’t been easy so far, but there’s plenty of season left to get things turned around.
Korbyn Dickerson had been in a bit of slump in recent weeks, but he looked much better at the plate this week, showing off some extra-base thump alongside a bit of his speed on the basepaths. Launching an oppo homer in Friday Night’s contest, Dickerson remains one of the more intriguing “mid-tier” prospects within this system. His tools are a true separator; whether or not he can get them to their fullest potential on the field will ultimately decide how high he’s able to ascend through the ranks of professional baseball.
Mason Peters is good. Final line: 4IP, 2H, 0R, BB, 4K, 12 whiffs, 6 groundouts, 61-37. Lowers ERA at 1.93. pic.twitter.com/l6pHQj4cjk
Mason Peters continues to dominate the California League and has looked like the best pitcher at the level thus far. The slight left hander doesn’t overwhelm with his velocity, but his capacity for spin has left opposing hitters with little chance of doing damage against him and has led to a healthy amount of whiff in the early goings. Lowering his season ERA to 1.93, Peters owns a 38.3% K% and a 6.5% BB% across his first 28 innings of professional baseball and has shown little sign of slowing down. Everett is a notoriously tough ballpark on pitchers, but considering his dominance, a midseason promotion seems more than warranted.
ACL Mariners
It was a tough week for the big names on the Baby M’s roster, but Nick Becker is starting to come alive at the plate after a funky opening week. The whiff is still very high, but he’s also walking a ton and stealing seemingly every base he’s able to. It’s hard to draw any hard conclusions about players in the ACL as the level of talent ranges incredibly widely and leads to some bizarre stat lines, but if Becker is able to dial in the whiff a bit more, expect him to take off. He’s got the tools to dominate.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 10: Sandy Alcantara #22 of the Miami Marlins during the game against the Washington Nationals at loanDepot park on May 10, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Jasen Vinlove/Miami Marlins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s back to facing off against the usual suspects for the Atlanta Braves, as their 2026 train now rolls into familiar territory for the next week of baseball action. This includes four games with the Marlins in Miami and three games at home against the Nationals. This is certainly a golden chance for the Braves to continue to put some serious distance between themselves and their divisional foes but as you can imagine, these two teams aren’t going to just roll over for the Braves and get ran over.
Instead, this’ll probably be (here we go again) tricky for the Braves to navigate. The Marlins and Nationals are both going to provide a unique set of challenges that’ll be tough for the Braves to deal with but at the same time, it also helps that this Braves team has experience and knows what to expect from both Miami and Washington at this point. It’s time to take a further look into what’s in store for the Braves this week.
May 18-21: Miami Marlins
Current Record: 21-26 Projected Record (via FanGraphs): 75-87
The last time the Braves saw the Marlins was around this time last month when Miami made the trip to Cobb County. Miami actually took the first game in convincing 10-4 fashion before the Braves got it in gear and won the next two in order to clinch the series. Ever since then the Marlins have been on a bumpy road. They have series wins over the Cardinals and the Dodgers (in Dodger Stadium, no less) but ever since that run, it’s been pretty rough. They dropped three out of four against the Phillies at home and that began a 2-6 stretch that only abated once they took a series win over the Nationals. Now they’re entering this series with the Braves having dropped two straight series on the road and are essentially limping back home.
As far as their record goes, this isn’t particularly a case of a team that’s playing above or below their weight class. Their Expected W/L record and their Pythagorean W/L are an identical 22-25, which seems to suggest that this is just who the Marlins are at this point. Their pitching staff has a collective 103 ERA- with a 97 FIP-, which seem like totally middle-of-the-road numbers until you break it down by rotation and bullpen. That’s when you see that the starting pitching has actually not been great for Miami at all (118 ERA-, 104 FIP-) while the bullpen has been lights out (81 ERA-, 85 FIP-) when called upon. It’ll likely be crucial for the Braves to do their damage early because if they leave it too late, that late-game magic may be tough to conjure up against this bullpen in particular.
With that being said, it’s pretty difficult to avoid seeing the best of any given pitching staff during a four-game series and the Braves are going to have to deal with Max Meyer, Janson Junk and Sandy Alcantara, who have been Miami’s top starters so far. As far as Miami’s top three hitters go, the three guys to keep an eye on are Otto Lopez, Xavier Edwards and Liam Hicks. If the Braves can avoid getting beat by that trio while taking care of the rest of Miami’s underwhelming lineup (team wRC+ of 97) then this could be a productive four-game series for the Braves. A split is the bare minimum result, here.
Monday, May 18 at 6:40 p.m. ET (BravesVision, Gray TV) Tuesday, May 19 at 4:10 p.m. ET (BravesVision) Wednesday, May 20 at 6:40 p.m. ET (BravesVision) Thursday, May 21 at 6:40 p.m. ET (BravesVision)
May 22-24: Washington Nationals
Current Record: 23-24 Projected Record: 72-90
Well, here we are, a week before Memorial Day and the Nationals are still floating around .500. Washington is also on a bit of a NL East sojourn, themselves, as they’ll be coming to town after having hosted the Mets for four games (and the Marlins will be seeing the Mets while this series is going on, so there will be plenty of intra-NL East action this week). They’re actually having to scrape and claw for second place because the Phillies are proving that simply firing your manager apparently is the key to success and if I’m being honest, it likely won’t be long until the Nationals get left in the dust and have to fight with the Mets and Marlins for third place in the division.
That’s because not a lot has changed for the Nationals since the last time they ran into the Braves. Washington still has a top-10 offense according to team wRC+ (107) but their pitching staff is absolutely dreadful. Cade Cavalli is clearly their best starting pitcher, which is not a position you want to be in. In fact, none of their pitchers have yet to clear the 1.0 fWAR mark. For comparison’s sake, both Bryce Elder and Chris Sale have cleared that mark. Cavalli is at 0.9 fWAR and one he does clear that mark, he’ll likely be alone in that territory for a good, long while. The good news for the Braves is that they’ll likely avoid Cavalli since he’s currently slated to pitch the series finale against the Mets, so that could be good news for the Braves after dealing with Miami’s pitching staff.
Still, the Nationals have to be taken seriously because their lineup is no joke. CJ Abrams and James Wood have proved to be a fairly effective dynamic duo and Daylen Lile is also starting to establish himself as a dangerous big league hitter as well. Joey Weimer and Curtis Mead have also been very reliable for this team when called upon and then dealing with José Tena and Luis García Jr. won’t be a walk in the park either. If this goes how the first series in D.C. went then expect this to be a stressful affair where the Braves are going to have to swing the bat effectively every single night in order to come away with a series win.
Friday, May 22 at 7:15 p.m. ET (BravesVision) Saturday, May 23 at 4:10 p.m. ET (BravesVision) Sunday, May 24 at 4:10 p.m. ET (BravesVision)
The Knicks play in their second consecutive Eastern Conference Finals beginning Tuesday, when they take on a Cleveland Cavaliers team that is coming off seven-game series wins over the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons.
These two teams met, albeit under different circumstances, in the first round of the playoffs just three short years ago, and now get to reignite that rivalry with a spot in the NBA Finals on the line.
Here’s what to expect from the series and who we expect to advance...
The Cavaliers have one major question the 76ers also failed to solve against the Knicks: what do you do about Jalen Brunson? Both their starting guards are lackluster defensively, their wing options are shaky, and their bigs are better suited for the paint.
There’s a strong chance Cleveland deploys whoever out of Max Strus, Caris LeVert, or Dean Wade is on the floor on Brunson, who should be able to get to the paint with ease against these names. As far as individual matchups go, Brunson may have more pickings in this series than any of the previous ones, with almost any switch giving him a huge advantage.
Of course, he’ll need to execute and not fall too deep into the isolation hole. With how successful the motion offense and Brunson off-ball play has been, this shouldn’t be a concern.
If Cleveland decides to send extra bodies Brunson’s way, their backline defense can easily get stretched too thin between relying on their guards (who have now led their offense through two seven-gamers) and less mobile bigs to make plays three-on-four. Teams haven’t been able to employ this effectively thus far in the postseason, though Cleveland has some decent size to cause problems at least.
Speaking of wings, the Knicks have more advantages here, as OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges have been looking for their offense all postseason, and the Cavs don’t have clean matchups for them. Harden and Mitchell lack the instinct, one wing is likely on Brunson, and Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen will have to be really polished if switched on.
One measure New York will have to attack early is Cleveland putting a big on Josh Hart so they can roam the paint defensively. He’ll need to be ready to take and make threes, as well find timely cuts to punish them for this.
Karl-Anthony Towns has of course been the star of the Knicks' offense with his patience and playmaking, and will need to continue that streak against tighter passing lanes and longer arms inside. Where he and his fellow big man Mitchell Robinson can really win the series is on the glass.
May 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) controls the ball against New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the first quarter of game one of the eastern conference semifinal round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. / Brad Penner - Imagn Images
Cleveland has been one of the worst defensive rebounding teams in the playoffs, which plagued them against New York three seasons ago. Towns and Robinson could have the chance to bully them on the offensive boards again, and we could see more double-big lineups to press upon this edge.
On the flip side, the Cavs boast a ton of raw offensive talent that will push the Knicks defense to its limits. Mitchell and Harden are each capable of turning an entire game on their own, and will be probing New York’s pick-and-roll defense for holes.
Expect the Knicks to start Hart on Mitchell, Bridges on Harden, and Anunoby on Mobley. They could also switch their bigs so Towns is on Mobley, allowing Anunoby to ghost Allen and deal with most of the pick coverage.
A key here will be not falling for Harden’s foul-baiting and forcing him into tough jumpers and floaters instead of layups and easy assists. They’re going to try and get him in empty-side situations so the Knicks have a tough time helping on the roll, don’t expect traditional drop coverage too often.
If the Cavs are getting too much leverage on their star pick-and-rolls, the Knicks have the defenders to switch everything and try and force them to win one-on-one. Expect Brunson to be a major target again in screens and set plays, especially since he’ll have to chase sharpshooters in Strus and Sam Merrill.
Mobley stepped up as a shot-maker, averaging 17 points on 55 percent shooting from the field and 36 percent from three these playoffs, including some clutch buckets against Detroit. Anunoby and Towns can’t expect an easy matchup here and will need to work to limit him.
After their first three games, the Knicks have largely moonwalked through these playoffs, while the Cavaliers have scratched and clawed their way here. Was this a sign of asymmetric preparedness, or the strength of their foes?
We’ll find out for certain in a couple weeks' time, but for now it’s hard not to be impressed with the Knicks' precision and dominance in the face of the Cavaliers' inconsistent production. While anything can happen in the playoffs, one outcome seems much more certain.
Madison Square Garden Sports (NYSE: MSGS) has filed a Form 10 Registration Statement with the SEC for the proposed spin-off of its New York Rangers business from the New York Knicks, which currently both sit under the MSGS banner. In February, the MSGS board approved a plan to explore a split to unlock shareholder value.
The confidential filing does not ensure the split is completed. “Completion of the transaction would be subject to various conditions, including effectiveness of the Form 10 Registration Statement, any required league approval, receipt of a tax opinion from counsel and Company board approval,” MSGS said in its release.
The spin-off is expected to be structured as tax-free for shareholders, but there are other tax consequences to this deal.
A new federal tax law expands a 2017 tax provision that limited the compensation public companies could deduct for tax purposes. The 2017 provision capped the deduction at $1 million each for the CEO, CFO and the next three highest-paid officers. The new law expands the number of employees to also include the next five highest-compensated ones starting with the 2027 tax year.
An independently traded Knicks team would pay its top five executives and top five players $195 million—nearly 90% of that is to players—triggering $55.4 million in taxes, per Seaport Analyst Research Partners analyst David Joyce, after excluding the $1 million per employee in maximum compensation. The Rangers would incur a post-spinoff incremental tax of $19.8 million on $76 million in salaries.
“The spin enhances the possibility of raising capital, and [it] makes minority stake sales easier, as there are two distinct teams’ business models, which makes for a clearer investment vehicle,” he wrote in an April research note.
Sportico recently spoke with multiple investors who think MSGS owner James Dolan could move beyond just an LP stake deal and sell one of the teams outright. Someone familiar with the spinoff details pushed back on the premise of a control sale of either team. Sportico most recently valued the Knicks at $9.85 billion and the Rangers at $3.65 billion.
A spokesperson for MSGS declined to comment on the possibility of a control sale of one of the teams.
MSG Sports’ plan to potentially split the teams sent shares up 16% the day it was announced in February. MSGS shares are up 79% during the past year. The stock still trades at a 29% discount to Sportico’s $13.5 billion combined valuation for the Knicks and Rangers.
On Tuesday, the Knicks kick off their Eastern Conference finals series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. A series win would likely push the Knicks’ playoff revenue to at least $140 million. The Knicks last won the NBA title in 1973, while the Rangers’ last Stanley Cup win was 1994. The Rangers missed the playoffs this season for the second straight year.
The Dodgers (29-18) and Padres (28-18) meet for a three-game series at Petco Park as both enter two of the hotter teams in the MLB. This is the first meeting of the season between the NL West opponents.
Los Angeles is on a five-game winning streak after sweeping the Angels and taking two of four against the Giants. Over the past week, the Dodgers are hitting .254 (11th), while the pitching staff ranks second in ERA (1.83) with the best OBA (.171). Yoshinobu Yamamoto takes the mound for the Dodgers tonight and Los Angeles is 5-3 in his eight starts.
San Diego is coming off a three-game sweep of Seattle and have won four of the past five games. The Padres outscored the Mariners 17-7 in the series and scored 15 combined runs in the past two games. On the mound, Michael King will start for San Diego. King is coming off two straight games of one earned run and has two or fewer in seven out of nine games, but the Padres are 4-5 in his starts.
Let’s dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.
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Game details & how to watch Dodgers at Padres
Date: Monday, May 18, 2026
Time: 9:40 PM EST
Site: Petco Park
City: San Diego, CA
Network/Streaming: MLB TV
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Odds for the Dodgers at the Padres
The latest odds as of Monday:
Moneyline: Los Angeles Dodgers (-155), San Diego Padres (+128)
Spread: Padres +1.5 (-137), Dodgers -1.5 (+114)
Total: 7.5
Probable starting pitchers for Dodgers at Padres
Monday's pitching matchup (May 18): Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Michael King
The Padres’ Miguel Andujar is hitting .291 with 37 hits and 61 total bases over 127 at-bats
The Padres’ Jackson Merrill is hitting .206 with 35 hits and 49 strikeouts over 170 at-bats
The Dodgers’ Andy Pages is hitting .301 with 52 hits and 90 total bases over 173 at-bats
The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani is hitting .258 with 42 hits and 48 strikeouts over 163 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 Dodgers at Padres
The Padres are 20-25-1 ATS and to the Under this season
The Dodgers are 21-26 ATS and to the Under this season
The Padres are 6-4 ATS and 5-5 on the ML as a home underdog
The Dodgers are 14-8 ATS as a road favorite, ranking second-best
The Padres are 6-4 to the Over as a home underdog
The Dodgers are 11-11 as a road favorite
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Dodgers and the Padres
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Monday's game between the Dodgers and the Giants.
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Dodgers on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Dodgers at -1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Under on the Game Total of 7.5
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JUPITER, FL - MARCH 19: Devin Fitz-Gerald #3 of the Washington Nationals bats during the game between the Washington Nationals and the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on Thursday, March 19, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Jared Blais/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
A few days ago, MLB Pipeline updated their top 100 list, and for some reason, Devin Fitz-Gerald did not feature. They must regret that decision right now because the 20 year old Fitz-Gerald has been playing like a no doubt top 100 prospect. In his last 10 games, Fitz-Gerald has 7 home runs for the Wilmington Blue Rocks.
The craziest part is that Fitz-Gerald is not a prospect who is known as a slugger. Fitz-Gerald is known for having a highly polished hit tool as a switch hitting infielder. At 5’10 185 pounds, he does not look like a slugger, but is hitting like one. His strikeout rate is hovering around 15% and he rarely misses in the zone. Fitz-Gerald combines these skills with above average power as well.
One of my biggest risers/favorite prospects is 20 year old Devin Fitz-Gerald.
Fitz-Gerald’s home run power does not come from crazy strength or elite exit velocities. He is not like his Wilmington teammate Ethan Petry, who looks like your typical power hitter. Instead, Fitz-Gerald specializes at hitting the ball at good angles. He has mastered the art of pulling the ball in the air, which allows him to hit homers with the least amount of resistance.
His elite hit tool and ability to tap into every ounce of his raw power is why Fitz-Gerald is getting comparisons to Kevin McGonigle. That is very lofty praise, but it is something he deserves. McGonigle was one of the best pure hitters the minor leagues has seen in the last decade. We still need to see a bit more from Fitz-Gerald to throw that tag on him, but he is trending in that direction.
The numbers are absolutely insane for him. He is hitting .307 with a 1.073 OPS with 11 homers and 11 stolen bases as a 20 year old in High-A. Just as a reminder, Fitz-Gerald had only played in 10 games above rookie ball before this season. He is one of just four hitters with 10 homers and 10 steals in the minors, and the only one with a strikeout rate under 20%.
Devin Fitz-Gerald is 1 of 4 players in Minor League Baseball with at least 10 HR & 10 SB.
He's the only player on the list with a K% below 20% and he and Eric Hartman are the only two that are 20-years-old or younger.
— Running From The OPS (@OPS_BASEBALL) May 16, 2026
I am not sure those stolen base numbers will translate to the big leagues, but that is not the end of the world. The one knock on Fitz-Gerald is that he is not an elite athlete with flashy physical tools. However, he makes up for that with elite baseball instincts that he learned from his father, who is the coach at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, one of the best high school baseball programs in the country.
Those instincts make me believe that Fitz-Gerald could steal 12-15 bases in the big leagues despite only having average speed. Fitz-Gerald’s polished skills are his defining trait as a player. It is why he has a chance to hit 20-25 home runs in the big leagues despite only having average raw power. While Fitz-Gerald does not have the physical tools of a Ronny Cruz, at the end of the day, the numbers do not lie.
Wilmington is usually a very difficult place for batters to hit, but not for Fitz-Gerald. He is making it look easy. Power usually suffers for hitters at Wilmington, but Fitz-Gerald hits the ball at such good angles that he can find the shorter parts of the park. He also has the ability to make a ton of contact.
Another neat thing about Fitz-Gerald is that he is a switch hitter. It seems like players who grow up with fathers that are around the game are inclined to switch hit. Both Fitz-Gerald and Eli Willits grew up around the game and are switch hitters. Fitz-Gerald has been much better from the left side of the plate this season, but he did hit a grand slam as a righty last week.
Not a typo, Devin Fitz-Gerald has homered again and this time it’s a grand slam.
— Running From The OPS (@OPS_BASEBALL) May 14, 2026
He is just hitting .188 from the right side, but his OPS is still a solid .722 from that side of the plate. His numbers from the left side are totally absurd. He is hitting .343 with a 1.176 OPS as a lefty. For now, I am not too concerned with his relative struggles from the right side. He does not get as many reps as a righty, and he is still just 20 years old.
While Fitz-Gerald is a bat first prospect, he is not a bad defender either. His lack of elite athleticism or arm strength limits him, but his baseball instincts translate well to the field. He has played 15 games at second base, 9 games at shortstop and 8 games at third base. I think second base is the best fit for him, but Fitz-Gerald has the ability to play all over the infield. That versatility only adds to the Kevin McGonigle comparison.
If you do not have Devin Fitz-Gerald on your top 100 prospect list, you are just wrong. This kind of bat does not come around that often. He has a rare blend of hitting ability, power and patience. His swing is picture perfect and he is crushing baseballs in a pitcher friendly environment. For goodness sakes, he has 8 home runs since May 5th and had a run where he hit 7 in 8 games.
Devin Fitz-Gerald will be on our top 100 update. Switch hitter with such a smooth operation from both sides. Always in such great control of his timing and moves.
Entered today with a 173 wRC+. Now the third hitter in MiLB with at least 10 HR and 10 SB. pic.twitter.com/4zhr8t2EYA
With the way he is playing, Devin Fitz-Gerald is making the MacKenzie Gore trade a win just on his own. However, Fitz-Gerald was not the only exciting piece the Nats got in that deal. Gavin Fien, who was supposed to be the headlining piece, has been out for most of the season, but just returned to the lineup. He also has very exciting traits as a hitter. Fien hit his first home run as a pro the other day.
Yeremy Cabrera has also had a great start to the season. He tore up Low-A before getting promoted to Wilmington, where he is teammates with Fitz-Gerald. Abimelec Ortiz has not put up massive numbers, but his under the hood data has been quite good. Lastly, Alejandro Rosario will not pitch this season, but he did finally get his Tommy John Surgery. The last time we saw Rosario, he looked like an elite pitching prospect in 2024.
Paul Toboni has knocked that trade out of the park, and Devin Fitz-Gerald is the biggest reason why. He looks like one of the best pure hitters in the minor leagues, and was a great scouting job by the new regime. Fitz-Gerald had buzz last year, but got hurt, and only played 10 games above rookie ball. Evaluating him as a piece they needed to have was a great job. We are seeing why Paul Toboni was so high on Devin Fitz-Gerald. The sky is the limit for this kid and a promotion to Double-A feels like it is on the horizon.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 12: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after hitting a solo homerun during the third inning of a game against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on May 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Losses on the field mounted too, including Monday and Tuesday to the San Francisco Giants, giving the Dodgers four straight losses by at least four runs, something they hadn’t done since 90 years ago. Shohei Ohtani’s hitting slump continued, such that he was given a two-day respite at the plate. His gem on the mound started a winning streak, then his hitting helped continue it through the weekend when the Dodgers swept the Angels in Anaheim.
After getting outscored by 20 runs in their four-game skid, the Dodgers walloped the Giants and Angels 40-5 in a five-game win streak to end the week on a high note.
Batter of the week
Managing Shohei Ohtani’s workload will be a challenge this season, and this week saw him get his first actual rest day of the year. Ohtani didn’t hit when he pitched on Wednesday and didn’t hit on Thursday either. Despite being limited to five of the seven games offensively, Ohtani made his mark anyway with two doubles, a triple, and a home run, the latter snapping a string of 52 plate appearances without a long ball (directly after a 59-PA homerless skid). Ohtani this week hit .364/.462/.682 with a team-leading eight RBI.
Honorable mention goes to Teoscar Hernández, who ended a three-week drought of no extra-base hits with three doubles and a home run in his six games this week, and led the team with 11 hits.
Pitcher of the week
After a year and a half of rehab from his second Tommy John surgery followed by gradually building back up over the last few months of 2025, Shohei Ohtani has been fully unleashed on the mound from the get-go this year, with spectacular results. His latest gem was seven scoreless innings on Wednesday to beat the Giants, allowing only four singles and two walks with his eight strikeouts. That lowered Ohtani’s ERA to a major-league-best 0.82.
“He wants to be the best pitcher in baseball,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Right now, he’s doing it.”
Honorable mention goes to Roki Sasaki, who had by far his best MLB outing to date with seven strong innings to beat the Angels on Sunday. It’s the first time with the Dodgers a start lasted past six innings for Sasaki, who struck out eight and, for the first time in the majors, walked zero.
Week 8 results
5-2 record 45 runs scored (6.43 per game) 20 runs allowed (2.86 per game) .815 pythagorean win percentage
Year to date
29-18 record 248 runs scored (5.28 per game) 154 runs allowed (3.28 per game) .705 pythagorean win percentage (33-14)
Lopsided sweep: The Dodgers scored 31 runs in their weekend sweep of the Angels, while allowing just three, outscoring the Halos by 28 runs. Since moving to Los Angeles, that was their second-most lopsided run differential in a three-game sweep, behind only April 21-23 against the Reds in Cincinnati, in which the Dodgers scored 36 runs and gave up seven. Since 1958, the Dodgers have only two other three-game stretches in which they outscored an opponent by 28 runs, but they were not in the same series — July 10-16, 2021 (+30) and August 11-14, 2019 (+28).
“We have him in the organization, we’ll kind of do a deep dive on his swing to figure out of there’s some things we can unlock,” Roberts said Tuesday. “Then, if the opportunity presents itself, to get him up here.”
Sunday: For the first time as a pro Jack Dreyer is on the injured list, with left shoulder discomfort. Paul Gervase and Chayce McDermott were called up from Triple-A, and Barnes was optioned.
Sunday: With Snell and Tyler Glansnow sidelined, the Dodgers added starting depth by trading for Eric Lauer, and Brusdar Graterol was moved to the 60-day injured list after a setback in his rehab assignment.
After a pseudo-away series near enough to home over the weekend in Anaheim, the Dodgers hit the road for real this week while running the Kurt Bevacqua gauntlet, playing three games each in San Diego and Milwaukee against teams they’ve faced in the postseason once each over the last two years.
The Dodgers flipped the rotation a bit, with Shohei Ohtani bumped to Wednesday’s series finale at Petco Park, which lines him up to pitch directly before an off day (and likely two such weeks in a row). That means Emmet Sheehan on Tuesday, which will be the first start by a Dodgers pitcher on four days rest this season. The weekend rotation in Milwaukee is a guess, depending on how and when they decide to use newcomer Eric Lauer into the mix.
May 6, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles left fielder Taylor Ward (3) celebrates scoring a run in the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
With the MLB Draft only about two months away I thought it would be good to examine the history of the players selected with the picks the Atlanta Braves have in the 2026 MLB Draft. With the Braves picking 26th overall for their second first round selection, I decided to start by looking at the history of the 26th pick in the draft in the modern era – or since 1987.
Every player and the team selecting them are being listed, as well as their bWAR. At the end I will run down the hit to bust rate, and what the median WAR produced is – excluding players drafted after 2020.
Note that with the WAR, a N/A indicates that the player never made it to the big leagues, while a player listed at 0.0 is for players that did appear in a big league game and just had a neutral WAR.
Picks
1987.Red Sox-Reggie Harris, RHP, -0.1 WAR
1988.Tigers-Rico Brogna, 1B, -1.1
1989.Mariners-Scott Burrell, RHP, Did Not Sign (NBA)
1990.A’s-Don Peters, RHP, N/A
1991.A’s-Brent Gates, SS, 5.5
1992.Twins-Dan Serafini, LHP, -0.8
1993.Brewers-Kelly Wunsch, LHP, 3.1
1994.White Sox-Mark Johnson, C, 1.9
1995.Braves-Chad Hutchinson, RHP, Did Not Sign (Football)
1996.Red Sox-Josh Garrett, RHP, N/A
1997.Orioles-Darnell McDonald, OF, 0.9
1998.Orioles-Rick Elder, OF, N/A
1999.Cubs-Ben Christensen, RHP, N/A
2000.Indians-Corey Smith, SS, N/A
2001.A’s-Jeremy Bonderman, RHP, 4.9
2002.A’s-John McCurdy, SS, N/A
2003.A’s-Brian Snyder, 3B, N/A
2004.A’s-Richie Robnett, OF, N/A
2005.Red Sox-Craig Hansen, RHP, -1.9
2006.Dodgers-Bryan Morris, RHP, 2.7
2007.A’s-James Simmons, RHP, N/A
2008.Diamondbacks-Daniel Schlereth, LHP, 0.0
2009.Brewers-Eric Arnett, RHP, N/A
2010.Rockies-Kyle Parker, OF, -1.7
2011.Red Sox-Blake Swihart, C, -0.6
2012.Diamondbacks-Stryker Trahan, C, N/A
2013.Yankees-Eric Jagielo, 3B, N/A
2014.Red Sox-Michael Chavis, SS, 0.1
2015.Angels-Taylor Ward, C, 10.9
2016.White Sox-Zack Burdi, RHP, -0.8
2017.Rangers-Bubba Thompson, OF, -0.6
2018.Red Sox-Triston Casas, 3B, 2.2
2019.Diamondbacks-Blake Walston, LHP, -0.1
2020.A’s-Tyler Soderstrom, C, 3.7
2021.Twins-Chase Petty, RHP, -0.7
2022.White Sox-Noah Schultz, LHP, 0.2
2023.Yankees-George Lombard Jr., SS, N/A
2024.Yankees-Ben Hess, RHP, N/A
2025.Phillies-Gage Wood, RHP, N/A
Breakdown
Total Players Drafted and Signed 1987-2019: 31
Total WAR: 24.4
Average WAR: 0.8
Five Best Players: Taylor Ward (114 career HR), Brent Gates (.685 OPS), Jeremy Bonderman (200 starts), Tyler Soderstrom, Triston Casas
Total 20+ WAR: 0
Total 10+ WAR: 1
Total Who Failed to Reach MLB: 12 (Excluding Burrell, who didn’t sign due to the NBA)
Thoughts
The 26th pick has been pretty awful over the last nearly 40 years. The fact that Taylor Ward is by far the best player to come out of that pick, says everything. It’s also telling that the rest of the Top 5 players to be drafted with this pick include a guy with a sub-.700 OPS, a pitcher who was more about volume (200 starts) than production (89 ERA+), a 24-year-old, and a player who despite only being 26 hasn’t done anything for the past two years due to injury.
Things could really change in the next few years though. Tyler Soderstrom is a talented young slugger, Noah Schultz and George Lombard Jr. are among the top prospects in the game, and Chase Petty, Ben Hess, and Gage Wood are all prospects with potential. You could also add that Triston Casas and Blake Walston are still young, and if they are able to return to health, could still make an impact.
The odds aren’t in the Braves favor, with nearly 40% of the guys picked 26th failing to reach the big leagues, and there really only being one player in almost 40 years who became even a solid starter.
The Kansas City Royals snapped a losing streak with a win against the Cardinals, but one win does not erase the questions that have been building, and Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco are not shying away from any of them.
The episode opens with an honest assessment of where this team stands relative to expectations, with patience for certain management decisions wearing noticeably thin. The most pointed conversation centers on Jac Caglianone’s benching, which the hosts argue is being driven by questionable split-based reasoning. It is a lineup decision that invites a broader discussion about how the front office and coaching staff are evaluating talent and making in-game strategic calls.
The player analysis segment covers significant ground. Salvador Perez’s declining offensive numbers remain a concern, while Bobby Witt Jr.’s MVP-level resurgence offers one of the brightest storylines on the roster right now. The pitching staff also gets attention, with updates on Kolek, Lynch, and Falter rounding out a thorough look at where the staff stands heading into the next stretch of games.
One of the episode’s most technically rich segments is a deep dive into Caglianone’s swing mechanics, specifically his attack angle and swing path. Drawing on data from Baseball Savant and principles from Driveline Baseball, Jacob and Jeremy work through what adjustments could unlock his considerable potential and why getting his mechanics right matters for the long-term outlook of this lineup.
And yes, there is also a mystical mojo segment. The guys attempt to metaphysically uncurse the Royals, and it is exactly as entertaining as it sounds.
Just about anyone rooting for the New York Mets this season has been watching, waiting, and hoping that former All-Star Bo Bichette will break out at the plate and be himself. His first 46 games of 2026 are in the books, and the wait continues.
Bichette is coming off a brutal Subway Series, during which he went 1-for-12 and had an embarrassing error that helped the Yankees score a run. Bichette’s lone hit came in the ninth inning of a 7-6 comeback win Sunday. When he got to first base, he couldn’t help but crack a smile after finally breaking through with a knock.
A key part of the Mets’ offseason overhaul, Bichette’s signing helped ease the loss of several homegrown players. Landing him was seen as a consolation after missing out on Kyle Tucker. The Mets even secured Bichette at the last moment before the Phillies could. It seemed like signing a 28-year-old free agent out from under a division rival was a win for the front office.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns was quick to talk up his splashy free-agent signing.
“This is someone who has been one of the better and complete right-handed hitters in all of baseball, really since he entered the league,” Stearns said at Bichette’s introductory press conference. “Beyond that, it brings an intense competitor. Someone who never takes a play off, who never takes an at-bat off, and that can only help the group as a whole.”
But so far, the results have been near the worst-case scenario for a player who had an epic performance for the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series just seven months ago. Bichette is hitting .210/.262/.269 with a 54 wRC+. His calling card is producing with RISP (.330 for his career), but he’s hitting an abysmal 8-for-42 (.190) in those situations this year and has just four RBIs in his last 15 games. His .518 OPS against fastballs is the third lowest of any qualified hitter in MLB, significantly lower than his career number of .813. His line drive percentage (18.8%) is at a career low, while his ground ball rate (53%) is at a career high.
“The difference this year is that his bat angle is under 45 degrees and he has been under everything,” Keith Hernandez said on SNY. “Pitches that he should hit, he’s fouling back or swinging under and missing. I would get him in (batting practice) and tell him to focus on the top half of the ball.”
One of several frustrating aspects of the situation is that Bichette has been relatively healthy since joining the team and has yet to miss a game. He has dealt with lower-body injuries at various points in his career, including during the 2024 season, when he played 81 games. Unfortunately for the team, Bichette’s stats so far this season have resembled his injury-plagued ‘24 season rather than his best years that saw him be one of the most exciting hitters in baseball.
Bichette isn’t the first big-name player to come to Queens and struggle. Juan Soto had an .822 OPS (.946 career) and 20 RBIs in his first 46 games with the Mets. Francisco Lindor was even worse with a .589 OPS (.815 career) and 11 RBIs. Both Soto and Lindor settled in to be above-average hitters in those seasons despite their slow starts.
When Soto was struggling last year, Hall of Famer and former Met Pedro Martinez was quick to defend him, reminding people that there’s a person in the uniform and that there would always be an adjustment period after switching teams on a massive contract.
Perhaps Bichette is in a similar situation, where the mental side of his game still has to catch up with the physical side. His $42 million salary this season is quite a raise from the $17.5 million he made in his final year with Toronto. Bichette himself admitted to pressing in the season’s opening series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
“I didn’t anticipate it, but I definitely felt that wanting to have a moment not only for my teammates, but for the fans,” Bichette said. “That’s just something I have to manage. I guess I didn’t anticipate it affecting the way I play.”
Crushing injuries and poor offensive play across the lineup have only put more of a spotlight on Bichette’s cold start, as he and Soto are expected to carry the lineup daily. Despite setbacks, the Mets have momentum in May, notching a 10-5 record and winning four of their last five series.
Maybe his base hit late against the Yankees could be the start of a breakout. In the meantime, the Mets and their faithful will just have to wait for Bichette to find consistent success in New York.
May 17, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm (28) and first baseman Bryce Harper (right) celebrate after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
A 3-3 road trip to Boston and Pittsburgh was, for me at least, the bare minimum the Phillies had to do. Gaining some steam at home was great, but going to those two cities and laying some eggs would have left a sour taste. They had to at least go .500 to maintain that steam moving forward, but instead won five of six and again look like one of the better teams in baseball.
Deep down, we all knew this was going to be how it was with them. There’s simply too much talent to not be this good. It just looked like they all were struggling together, now they’re all on the upswing. Now they just need to maintain the momentum and take care of business at home this week.
Three up
Cristopher Sanchez – A lot of people don’t subscribe to The Athletic and I get it. However, I am one of those people that does, which means I can read this article each year, where it talks to different people around the game to try and determine who the actual Aces of the game are. Sanchez came in fifth, behind the names you’d suspect in Skenes, Skubal, Crochet and Yamamoto. However, Skenes and Skubal were placed in their own tier called “The Inner Circle”. I think it’s time to start putting Sanchez into that same conversation with those two, calling for his own placement in that “Inner Circle” of starters.
Kyle Schwarber – What more is there to say? Schwarber’s week was an incredible one and has arguably been the reason this team has moved back over .500. The starting pitching getting their act together is probably the biggest reason, but the offense was doing absolutely nothing during that 10 game rough patch. Seeing Schwarber get hot and vault himself to the top of the home run leaderboard has been a pleasure to watch.
Alec Bohm – Sometimes, a guy just needs a few days off to get his game going again. Rob Thomson had a lot of strong points to his game, but one of his weaker ones was sticking with players in the lineup when they clearly needed to come out of it. He believed that a player slumping needed to keep swinging his way out of the slump and a lot of times, that’s true. It was so blatantly obvious that Bohm needed a break, even for a day, and yet Thomson continued to put him in the lineup. Don Mattingly saw right away that Bohm’s poor production was hurting the team as well, so he sat him down to let him clear his head and he has a week where he collects nine hits in 25 plate appearances. Sometimes, it’s that easy.
Three down
Edmundo Sosa – Remember each time that we say, me included, how Sosa needs to play more and Bohm needs to play less? At the time, it wasn’t wrong. Bohm was horrid and Don Mattingly acted accordingly, sitting him down two games to get his head on straight. The only problem is – Sosa is in one of his own slumps right now and probably shouldn’t be playing much either. I think I know what the team should be looking for at the trade deadline.
J.T. Realmuto – It really does look like age has caught up to Realmuto offensively. As Matt Gelb pointed out, he’s missing fastballs in the zone badly this year. Even though his bat speed is fine, he’s just getting blown away right now. Will it change? Maybe. It had better.
Aaron Nola – There is only so much a person can defend a guy. I’ve been pro-Nola during these struggles last year and this, but even I can’t defend some of his recent performances. Even with the usual caveats of “lower your expectations!”, there is only so low one can go with him.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 11: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates with Jarrett Allen #31 against the Detroit Pistons during the third quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Rocket Arena on May 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Dinners should not be where revelations take place.
After a Saturday night meal, Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert told head coach Kenny Atkinson that Jarrett Allen was the team’s spark. Atkinson has since credited that conversation as a turning point. And while Gilbert was right, it’s a “no s***” observation. Frankly, the fact that it took a dinner with the owner to shift Atkinson’s worldview is the most concerning detail of Cleveland’s postseason run so far.
Because the evidence was already there. Repeatedly. In plain sight.
Game 7 against the Toronto Raptors was a blueprint. Allen’s presence was stamped all over the 114-102 win. Allen was physical, assertive, and finished at the rim. Donovan Mitchell, who was nowhere near his best that night, operated as a facilitator rather than a hero. The offense flowed. Cleveland advanced.
Then the series shifted to Detroit, and almost like the coaching staff hadn’t been in the building for Game 7, the focus reverted back to the star backcourt. Allen played just 18 minutes in Game 1, which is unacceptable even though he was dealing with foul trouble. He and Evan Mobley combined for only 11 points. Cleveland lost 101-111. The team spent the next several games trying to find Mitchell’s groove rather than building on what had just worked.
Games 2 through 6 against Detroit told the same story in rotating chapters. When Allen and Mobley were connected and involved, the offense had a logic to it. When Cleveland fell back into “let’s see if Mitchell has it” mode, and more often than not in this postseason, he didn’t, the offense siloed. James Harden became the primary facilitator by default. Mitchell forced. The life drained out of the building, and it seemed like the Cavaliers blew their chance at the Eastern Conference Finals.
The pattern was never subtle. Mitchell playing hero-ball, chucking up contested looks, is electric when they’re falling. When they don’t, it is the most aggravating form of basketball to watch, and it visibly drags him and everyone around him down with it.
Game 7 against Detroit confirmed what Game 7 against Toronto had already shown. From the opening possession, the bigs were going to be involved. Allen was set up immediately and converted. Mitchell ran the offense as a distributor, getting Mobley and Allen engaged early and keeping them there. The result was an offense that played with a coherence Cleveland rarely sustained for more than a few minutes at a stretch across either series; it produced a 125-94 blowout on the road.
When Mitchell drives and draws defensive bodies, it opens a dump-off lane for Allen or Mobley. Either they finish inside, or they kick out to Sam Merrill, Max Strus, or Harden for open looks. Allen and Mobley are too gifted offensively to exist solely as pick-and-roll partners. The offense becomes genuinely difficult to guard when they’re true options, not afterthoughts.
The Cavaliers have now won two Game 7s this postseason running this offense. They’ve also dropped winnable games in both series when they abandoned it.
Cleveland opens against the New York Knicks on Tuesday as significant underdogs, and they are heading into a road series against a deeper, well-coached team. The margin for error is thin. Reverting to Mitchell-first basketball when it isn’t working; burning possessions, flattening the offense, waiting for a hot streak that may not come, is a luxury they cannot afford.
The blueprint has been written twice now. Allen and Mobley at the forefront. Mitchell as the engine who makes everyone better, not the lottery ticket the team cashes in and hopes for the best. When this Cavaliers offense is a collective effort rather than an individual one, it is as good as anything left in these playoffs.
Atkinson shouldn’t need another dinner to figure that out.
The Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs open their Western Conference Finals showdown tonight in what on paper looks to be one of the most compelling Finals matchups in recent memory. The Thunder enter undefeated in the postseason, having swept both Phoenix and the Lakers, while the Spurs arrive with a little more wear and tear on the tires having lost a game in the opening round to the Trail Blazers and two games in Round 2 to the Timberwolves. Despite those three losses, this is the series NBA fans were hoping to get because despite Oklahoma City’s postseason perfection, San Antonio holds a clear edge from the regular season, winning four of the five meetings and doing so by an average margin of 11.75 points. Are the Spurs the Thunder’s kryptonite?
A major storyline centers on the star power on both sides. Oklahoma City is led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the two-time reigning MVP who averaged 31.1 points during the regular season and continues to control games with better than elite efficiency. The Spurs counter with Victor Wembanyama, the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year and one of the league’s most dominant two-way forces. Wembanyama has been central to San Antonio’s surge, with the team going 37–3 in his last 40 games with at least 15 minutes played. Their matchup—Wembanyama vs. Chet Holmgren—anchors the chess match of the series.
Health will also play a key role in Game 1. The Thunder expect Jalen Williams back after a hamstring injury that has kept the All-Star out of the lineup for the better part of the season. Williams offers a crucial scoring and playmaking option to their lineup. Meanwhile, the Spurs list De’Aaron Fox as questionable with an ankle issue, though he is expected to play; his effectiveness could swing the early momentum of the series although Dylan Harper has gotten better each game of the postseason. Both teams rely heavily on their perimeter creators, making these injury updates especially significant.
As mentioned, the regular-season series tilted heavily toward San Antonio: December 13 (111–109) – San Antonio win December 23 (130–110) – San Antonio win December 25 (117–102) – San Antonio win January 13 (119-98) – Oklahoma City win
No question the Spurs draw confidence from those regular season results, but a healthy and postseason-tested Thunder are decent favorites to advance to the NBA Finals against the winner of the Cavs/Knicks series.
Lets take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings 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 and How to Watch Live: Thunder vs. Spurs
Date: Monday, May 18, 2026
Time: 8:30PM EST
Site: Paycom Center
City: Oklahoma City, OK
Network/Streaming: NBC/Peacock
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Game Odds: Thunder vs. Spurs
The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Oklahoma City Thunder (-245), San Antonio Spurs (+200)
Spread: Thunder -6.5
Total: 220.5 points
This game opened Thunder -6.5 with the Game Total set at 217.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Thunder vs. Spurs
Oklahoma City Thunder
PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SG Luguentz Dort
C Isaiah Hartenstein
SF Jalen Williams
PF Chet Holmgren
San Antonio Spurs
PG De’Aaron Fox
SG Stephon Castle
SG Devin Vassell
PF Julian Champagnie
C Victor Wembanyama
Injury Report: Thunder vs. Spurs
Oklahoma City Thunder
Jalen Williams (hamstring) is listed as probable for tonight’s game
Thomas Sorber (knee) has been declared OUT of tonight’s game
San Antonio Spurs
De’Aaron Fox (ankle) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Luke Kornet (foot) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
David Jones Garcia (ankle) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Important stats, trends and insights: Thunder vs. Spurs
The Thunder are 38-7 at home this season
The Spurs are 33-13 on the road this season
The Spurs are 53-39-2 ATS this season
OKC is 44-45-1 ATS this season
The OVER has cashed in 50 of the Thunder’s 90 games this season (50-40)
The OVER has cashed in 42 of the Spurs’ 94 games this season (42-52)
Devin Vassell scored 10 or more points in each game of the Spurs series against the Timberwolves
Vassell pulled down 5 or more rebounds in 4 of the 6 games against Minnesota
Dylan Harper averaged 14.7 points, 6.2 boards, and 2.5 assists against Minnesota
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shot 47.1% from the field against the Lakers
This is the first month this year SGA is shooting under 50% from the field
Chet Holmgren averaged 20 points and 8.5 rebounds last round
Rotoworld Best Bet
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s Thunder and Spurs’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Thunder -6.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 220.5
NBC Sports’ Lead Betting Analyst Jay Croucher’s (@croucherJD) Series Prediction: Thunder in 7
"The Thunder will likely struggle to score in the halfcourt against Victor Wembanyama, who has found an extra gear in the playoffs, but expect the tipping point of the series to be 1) OKC having home court advantage, and 2) OKC generating just enough San Antonio turnovers to juice their own offense."
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PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 27: Harrison Brunicke #45 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates during the game against the St. Louis Blues at PPG PAINTS Arena on October 27, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Now it is time to look at some of the Pittsburgh Penguins young players that could break out in a big way for the 2026-27 season.
The candidates are mostly obvious, but how high should we be setting the ceiling?
Let’s dig into it a little bit,
Ben Kindel
The most encouraging development for the Penguins during the 2025-26 season was the emergence and rapid development of center Ben Kindel. From the moment he arrived in training camp and started to play in the preseason there was obvious reason for excitement and optimism. And then he delivered on that far sooner than anticipated by not only making the team as an 18-year-old in his draft year, and not only sticking around for the entire season and playoffs, but also making a sizable impact.
He was not a passenger.
He was one of the drivers of the team’s success for a good chunk of the season.
He did have some moments where he ran into a rookie wall, especially later on, but that is to be expected for a player that age going through that sort of grind for the first time.
At the very least, he looks like an NHL player. The question is what his long-term upside is, including in his second season.
To try and get an idea I pulled up comparable rookie seasons over the past 20 years. The criteria: 18-year-old forwards in their rookie season, scoring between 12 and 25 goals, and finishing with between 25 and 40 points. It eliminates the 18-year-olds like Sidney Crosby and Macklin Celebrini that were clearly on a different level, as well as the players that did not stick around long enough to contribute or simply did not contribute as much as Kindel did.
The comparable results were: Andrei Svechnikov, Cole Sillinger, Valeri Nichushkin and Evander Kane.
Kindel, Svechnikov and Nichushkin were the only ones that also exceeded a better than 50 percent shot attempt share in their rookie seasons, indicating an ability to drive possession.
It’s not exactly a big group of players to draw many conclusions or comparables from, which also kind of highlights how rare of a season it was for Kindel.
Svechnikov took a huge step forward in year two. Kane took a small step forward offensively. Nchushkin was limited to just eight games in his second season and took a few years to become an outstanding second-line winger. Sillinger took a massive step backwards and has not really taken a major step forward ever since.
It’s also not really an apples-to-apples comparison across the board because Svechnikov, Nichushkin and Kane are all wingers, while Kindel and Sillinger are the only centers on the list.
The ideal scenario here would be a Svechnikov-like jump offensively. But I am not sure he has Svechnikov’s shot, even if he might have the two-way game.
Sillinger is the example you do not want him to follow, but I also think his rookie year was significantly better and more well-rounded than Sillinger’s. Sillinger didn’t push play to the same degree that Kindel did and received slightly more favorable situations and matchups.
Kindel’s not likely to be a franchise-level player or star-level player. But that doesn’t mean he won’t be a really good, really important long-term piece. The sort of jump he takes next season will give us more insight into what that upside can be.
Harrison Brunicke
Brunicke’s 2025-26 season did not follow the path many people expected, getting playing time in the NHL, WHL and AHL. There’s been some concern that the Penguins didn’t really help his development this season by jumping him all around to three different levels, and having him sit for most of the first half of the season while they made a decision on him, but I’m not sure I agree with that take.
At the end of the day he is going to play more hockey games this season than he did in each of the previous two seasons.
He has also received a significant taste of pro hockey, including at the NHL level, and held his own as a 19-year-old.
He just wasn’t ready for full-time NHL action at that point. It’s okay. It happens.
He has been especially strong since getting an opportunity to play at Wilkes-Barre, including in the playoffs.
President of Hockey Operations/general manager Kyle Dubas has already made it clear that improving the team’s defensive play is going to be a huge priority this offseason, and I can’t think of a better place to start looking for that than internally with a player like Brunicke, even if it does not happen from the very start of the season.
Honestly, he checks every box for what the Penguins should be looking for on next year’s roster and would add youth, skating and a potential long-term defensive solution. He’s been a highly touted prospect from the moment he was drafted and has impressed at every step in the process.
They need somebody to emerge as a long-term piece on defense. Next year could be the start for him.
Sergei Murashov
There is not a young player in the organization that can change the Penguins’ timeline for contention more than Murashov.
I do not say that to put more pressure on the kid or raise expectations around him, but just to point out the reality of the situation and his position.
The Penguins farm system has improved significantly over the past few years in terms of depth and potential NHL players. But it is still lacking that one dude that can be a top-tier player. If Murashov reaches his ceiling, he could be that top-tier player. And given that he plays the most impactful position on the ice, and the one that can change an entire season for a team, he could be the most significant player they have.
That is what goalies do.
But goalies are also maddening, volatile beasts that can surprise in the best and worst ways. There are maybe five established goalies in the NHL that you should feel confident in from one year to the next. Or even within the same season.
Young goalies with no NHL track record are even more volatile and unpredictable.
The good news: Murashov looks NHL ready, at least in the sense that he has nothing left to prove in the AHL. He has dominated for two years down there, and entering play on Monday has a .938 save percentage this postseason in his first six games. He is almost certainly going to be in the goalie rotation next season with a chance to make a difference. I imagine there will be some rocky moments at times, but there is also the potential for a major contribution.
If they get back to the playoffs next season, my guess is he would be a big reason why.
Bill Zonnon
If you go back to the 2025 NHL Draft, the one Penguins player taken in the first round that seemed to get the most consistent praise for his game, and for being NHL-ready, wasn’t actually Ben Kindel, but instead Bill Zonnon. He’s been a favorite of prospect watchers all year and has received high-praise for his work ethic, two-way play and hockey IQ. He has done nothing but back all of that up on the ice in both the QMJHL and AHL. When it comes to the latter, he showed up having already learned the system on his own and was ready to be plopped into the lineup.
He then scored two goals in his first two games.
I don’t know if he will make the roster next season right out of training camp, but I could see a scenario in the middle of the season where he gets an opportunity and never returns to Wilkes-Barre.
