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Tomljanovic accuses anti-doping chiefs of being out to get players after Vondrousova ban

  • Australian veteran says four-year ban is a ‘disgrace’

  • ITIA says strong testing means unpredictable timing

Ajla Tomljanovic has described the lengthy doping ban administered to Marketa Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon singles champion, as a disgrace and has accused the ­tennis anti-doping authorities of being out to get players even when they have done nothing wrong.

The International Tennis ­Integrity Agency announced on Monday that Vondrousova had been handed a four‑year suspension by an independent tribunal after the Czech player had refused to provide a sample to a doping control officer at her home last December at around 8pm.

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SB Nation Reacts Survey: The Returning Astros SP To Have Biggest Impact?

DENVER, CO - APRIL 08: Cristian Javier #53 of the Houston Astros pitches during the game between the Houston Astros and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Casey Paul/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

You can’t tell the story of the Houston Astros the last 3 seasons without addressing their historic amount of injuries, especially to the starting pitching.

Each of the past 2 seasons, the Astros depended on pitchers returning from injury, with less than optimal results.

This season is no different, and the team is counting on several starting pitchers to be able to return from injury and be productive members of the staff.

Among those returning starting pitchers, which one do you believe is likely to have the biggest positive impact on the team?

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Astros fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

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Rockets have a rich person’s problem

“Is this just not our year?”

These are never the words that an NBA fan wants to hear from their general manager. If a team is rebuilding, it goes without saying. If they’re competitive, it’s a brutal concession.

Yet, those were the words that came out of Rafael Stone’s mouth as the 2025-26 NBA trade deadline approached. The Houston Rockets were waving the white flag. That was confirmed when the deadline passed, and they did precisely nothing.

Was that the wrong move?

Rockets smart to hold at deadline

One frustrating quality a lot of fans share is that they seemingly rely on their team to bring them joy in their lives. They need the dopamine rush that comes with the notification: The Houston Rockets have acquired…

When they don’t get it, they’re mad. How could Rafael Stone just sit on his hands? Why did we acquire Kevin Durant if we’re not making a title push? How am I supposed to find the will to live if Coby White isn’t on this roster?

Here’s the problem: White was traded for Collin Sexton, Ousmane Dieng, and three future second-round draft picks. Ayo Dosunmu? Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and four second-round draft picks. Personally, I wanted the Rockets to get Jose Alvarado, but it feels like the Pelicans willingly sent him to his hometown New York Knicks.

That worked out pretty well for him.

You may be thinking: Sure, but the Rockets could have beaten either the White or Dosunmu packages. That is correct. They could have rendered those deals laughable.

They could have traded Alperen Sengun, and/or Amen Thompson for them.

Too much? Agreed. Do me a favor. Load up the trade machine, and identify the package the Rockets could have offered that was more than either the White or Dosunmu package, but less than “too much”.

Exactly.

The Rockets have a rich team’s problem: They (almost) only have premium assets. Houston has enough second-round draft capital to acquire a rotation player, but excluding Alvarado, both of the needle-moving guards that got moved at last year’s deadline fetched more than, say, Dorian Finney-Smith and all the second-round picks the Rockets could legally move.

Seriously. Is Finney-Smith and seven second-rounders (the most Houston can move) a better package than Sexton, Dieng, and four second-rounders? I’d rather take the flyer on Dieng.

Imagine this. Your friend has a Pokémon card (why not?) that he’s looking to sell. It’s worth $25. Your other friend is willing to give him $30 dollars for it, because he really wants it (because you are children, presumably). You also want it, but you only have $100 bills (because you are rich children, apparently), and about ten bucks in change. Do you want it badly enough to fork over $100?

You have enough for the card: In fact, you have too much for the card. That’s Stone’s issue:

So what’s the solution?

Rockets need to stay the course

Exactly what Stone has been doing: Nothing.

The Rockets don’t have a spare player that any team is trading multiple future seconds for. They have young players with first-round value and veterans who are either too integral to the team or not worth multiple future seconds. So, diversifying their portfolio by recouping some second-round equity is out.

Overpaying shouldn’t be an option. The Rockets could have offered Finney-Smith and a future first for White or Dosunmu. They’d have still not won the NBA championship, and now they’d be contemplating whether to keep either White or Dosunmu in free agency, and they’d be down one valuable future first.

Partly, this is a hole Stone dug for himself. He flipped four second-rounders for Steven Adams. That was good. Attaching two second-round picks to Usman Garuba and TyTy Washington just to make space for a Brook Lopez that never was, was not. The Rockets also moved a pile of second-rounders for Durant, which is hard to argue with.

It feels myopic to hold Stone’s feet to the fire over the two second-rounders he wasted on Garuba et al. The reality is that Stone has (mostly) already used the bulk of his second-rounders (relatively) well.

He’s got enough left to make a move for an Isaiah Joe, or a Klay Thompson, or a Malik Monk this summer. That’s about it. Largely, the Rockets will either have to focus on upgrading their rotation through the draft, or use their premium assets to make a blockbuster deal:

Luckily, they have lots of those.

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Three different prospects hold the key to the Toronto Raptors’ future

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 11: Jayden Quaintance #21 of the Kentucky Wildcats looks on prior to the first round of the 2026 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament against the LSU Tigers at Bridgestone Arena on March 11, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The NBA Draft has finally arrived. Here are three players that our Raptors HQ experts believe the Toronto Raptors should take at pick 19 to take the next step.

Jayden Quaintance

An awesome choice at this pick is Jayden Quaintance. Some draft projections have him going too early for Toronto to get, but other boards have him somewhere in the 20s. It would be totally possible for him to still be available to the Raptors, as some teams have concerns about an Achilles and meniscus tear he sustained last year. Of course, the Raptors have proven they’re patient and able to help rehab a player back into peak playing form.

His biggest asset is his defence (where have we heard that before). He’s big: six-foot-nine barefoot and 253 pounds with a standing reach of just over nine feet. With explosive strength and athleticism, he’s already a great rebounder, something that Toronto desperately needs. I’m imagining him and Collin Murray-Boyles sharing the court and collecting almost everything that comes off the boards. He also seems to have a motor, something that would fit well with what Toronto is building alongside guys like Jamal Shead and Murray-Boyles.

His offensive game is still a question mark (again, where have we heard that before), as he even struggles from the free-throw line. He shot 6-32 from long range during his college career, but did manage a 53 per cent field-goal percentage largely as a lob threat, operating in the paint, and rim running.

This could be a bit of a gamble, but Toronto got Ja’Kobe Walter at 19 two years ago, so perhaps this will be a lucky pick for the Raps. – Rebecca Schapelhouman

Chris Cenac Jr.

Chris Cenac would be my pick at number 19. Recently mocked as going 20th overall, the big man from Houston stands at 6’11, and has the potential to be the missing piece in Toronto’s offence. Not only is he a capable interior threat, but he has a great looking outside shot, adding some flexibility that the Raptors currently lack.
Cenac’s length exceeds that of other big men projected to be taken towards the middle of the draft, and while the Cougar is not known for his rim protection, extra height is never a bad thing when contending in the modern NBA. Having another centre could only help Toronto better navigate its murky situation at the 5, and with this draft relatively light on big men, grabbing him at pick 19 looks like the right way to go. A stretch big who is also capable on the boards does not come around often, so the front office should attempt to snap him up if he remains available.

Cenac’s ability to contribute offensively without being in the paint could open up offensive opportunities for RJ Barrett drives and Scottie Barnes post moves, allowing the stars to shine even more. Chris and Murray-Boyles could form an undersized “twin towers” duo, pairing the rookie’s lob threat with the sophomore’s interior presence. And considering the whispers about the Raptors trying to pick up Myles Turner, adding a true rebounding centre to balance out that deficiency could mean the difference as Toronto continues to shake up its roster. – Julian Apolinario

Christian Anderson

While I appreciate the idea of selecting a big man, I think the 2026 NBA Draft should be used to add someone who can contribute right away, especially if that prospect has an elite transferable skill. Texas Tech’s Christian Anderson is viewed by many analysts as the best shooter in this year’s draft. The Raptors were one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the league last season. It’s a perfect fit.

Anderson shot a blistering 41.5 per cent on 7.9 three-point attempts. While the Raptors selected Gradey Dick out of Kansas for his shooting prowess (40.3 per cent on 5.7 attempts), Anderson has something different. The film shows the six-foot-one guard harnessing a shooting-aura that blankets perimeter defenders with dread. Anderson has unwavering confidence and legitimate game-breaking range that fits on any contending NBA bench. The next time defences load up on Scottie Barnes or Brandon Ingram in the playoffs, Raptors fans will want Anderson to get 3-4 attempts at a clean look from three.

While it’s true that Anderson will be hunted on the other side of the court, Toronto has enough weapons to absorb any potential problems. What’s the point of having elite defensive geniuses like Barnes and Murray-Boyles or pesky on-ball defenders like Shead and Walter if they can’t hide an offensive explosion waiting to happen like Anderson? – Kristian Cuaresma

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Detroit Pistons, other NBA Draft rumors and open thread

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 19: Giannis Antetokounmpo #29 of the Milwaukee Bucks walks on the court during warmups before their game against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center on March 19, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah.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 Chris Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade has finally happened … and the Detroit Pistons were not involved. Yet. Despite weeks of speculation, when the Milwaukee Bucks superstar’s trade was broken by Shams Charania of ESPN, it involved just the two primary two teams — the Buck and Miami Heat. The Pistons were seen as a natural fit for and highly interested in Miami’s Tyler Herro, who did, indeed, get shipped in the deal. The Wisconsin native is currently slated to be a member of the Bucks, but the deal will not be made official until the new league year on July 6. That gives plenty of times for other organizations, including Detroit, to join the fray.

Elsewhere, the Chicago Bulls decided to sacrifice their cap space to take on Brooklyn Nets big man Nic Claxton in a deal that also saw the Minnesota Timberwolves jettison Julius Randle to the Nets. That opened up the flexibility for Minnesota to agree to a massive new deal for Ayo Donsunmu for north of $100 million. It also might also eat into the cap space for Brookyln, but I have heard there are structures that would allow them to do the deal without using cap space that I don’t quite understand.

If the Nets and Bulls are mostly out on major free agent acquisitions, that leaves the Lakers as the only potential threat, however minor, to lure Jalen Duren with a big offer sheet. I anticipate a multi-year deal for Duren to return to Detroit any day.

Donsunmu getting such a huge contract hints at the going rate for ball-handlers and scorers, which is precisely what Detroit is on the market for. In other words, it expensive.

That is why the Pistons are one of the “many” reported suitors for new Buck Tyler Herro, and why the cost for Detroit might have been as much as Isaiah Stewart, plus Ron Holland, plus stuff.

One other free agent target has also fallen off the board for Detroit with CJ McCollum agreeing on a deal to return to the Atlanta Hawks for another go-round. Oh yeah, and Aaron Wiggins was shipped off the OKC to save a boatload of cap space and put less pressure on them to deal Isaiah Joe, another Detroit target, though a trade might still be needed for financial reasons.

The Pistons currently have the No. 21 pick in the draft, and that feels like the range to be able to grab a skilled guard or wing. It also could present opportunities to draft another defensive-minded big if you really want to take all these Isaiah Stewart trade rumors to heart.

Langdon has said he’s more likely to trade up to get a targeted player than he is to trade down in the draft. We will see what happens.

If any other juicy rumors pop up, add them in the comments. If anything really interesting comes along that involves Detroit, expect that to get its own post.

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Braves vs Padres Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's MLB Game

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The Atlanta Braves visit the San Diego Padres tonight at Petco Park, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 p.m. ET. 

My Braves vs. Padres predictions are eyeing Griffin Canning to quiet Atlanta's offense and continue his improved form at home. 

Read more in my MLB picks for Tuesday, June 23.

Who will win Braves vs Padres today: Padres moneyline (+101)

The Atlanta Braves will hand JR Ritchie the baseball tonight, and the rookie has struggled lately. He owns a 6.70 FIP over his last 10 innings while allowing an alarming 46.2% hard-hit rate.

It doesn't get much better on the road, where Ritchie has posted a 5.24 FIP this season.

Griffin Canning hasn't been in peak form lately either, carrying a 5.46 xERA across his last five appearances. However, the right-hander has pitched considerably better at Petco Park, compiling a respectable 3.48 xFIP.

Atlanta's offense is also cold. The Braves were shut out in Monday's series opener and haven't scored more than four runs in a game since last Wednesday.

I'll play this pick up to -120.

Covers COVERS INTEL: The Braves own just a .120 ISO over the last week compared to a .166 mark on the season, suggesting their power production has cooled considerably.

Braves vs Padres Over/Under pick: Under 8.5 (-131)

There may be two inconsistent starters on the mound, but neither lineup is swinging the bats particularly well. Atlanta owns a 67 wRC+ over its last six games and is averaging just three runs per contest during that span.

San Diego has been slightly better offensively, but its .313 wOBA doesn't suggest a lineup capable of carrying this total on its own. Both bullpens have also been solid lately. Atlanta's relief corps owns a 3.59 xERA over the last week, while the Padres' pen has posted a stellar 2.51 ERA across the last two weeks.

Between the bullpen form and recent offensive struggles, the Under offers value.

I'll play this pick up to -140. 

Quinn Allen's 2026 Transparency Record
  • ML/RL bets: 29-24, +2.63 units
  • Over/Under bets: 31-21, +5.60 units

Braves vs Padres weather

Conditions at Petco Park should be fairly neutral tonight. Temperatures are expected to be around 70°F with 8.1 mph winds, 73.1% humidity, and virtually no chance of rain. The mild weather and light breeze shouldn't provide much assistance to either pitchers or hitters.

Braves vs Padres odds

  • Moneyline: Braves -108 | Padres +104
  • Run line: Braves -1.5 (+150) | Padres +1.5 (-170)
  • Over/Under: Over 8.5 (+113) | Under 8.5 (-117)

Braves vs Padres trend

The Padres have hit the Under in 16 of their last 22 games at home (+9.50 Units / 40% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Braves vs. Padres.

How to watch Braves vs Padres and game info

LocationPetco Park, San Diego, CA
DateTuesday, June 23, 2026
First pitch9:40 p.m. ET
TVESPN
Braves starting pitcherJR Ritchie
(1-2, 4.54 ERA)
Padres starting pitcherGriffin Canning
(1-5, 6.64 ERA)

Braves vs Padres latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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Washington Nationals ace Foster Griffin spun yet another gem

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 22: Foster Griffin #22 of the Washington Nationals pitches to the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Nationals Park on June 22, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After the game, Foster Griffin told me, “You are not done until the manager shakes your hand and says you are done”. Last night, that hand shake did not come until one out in the 8th inning. When Blake Butera took the ball from Griffin, the crowd that stuck through a long rain delay erupted in cheers.

It has been that kind of season for Foster Griffin. In his first season back from Japan, the crafty lefty has been an absolute horse for the Nationals. On the season, he has a 3.15 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 91.1 innings. That is borderline ace stuff, or at least high end number 2 starter production for a guy who signed for $5.5 million.

Griffin has had a lot of good outings, but tonight may have been his best. As he put it, there are only 4 or 5 outings across the season where everything is working, and tonight was one of those nights. Griffin was using his entire 7 pitch mix to perfection, and it baffled the Phillies. He tied his career high with 9 strikeouts.

While Griffin’s cutter is always his bread and butter pitch, it was particularly dominant tonight. He got 8 of his 17 whiffs on the cutter, which he threw 29% of the time. Seeing all his pitches work together was truly beautiful. As usual, he had his fastball and breaking stuff, but his changeup and splitter were also on point tonight. That changeup was just perplexing right handed hitters.

Foster Griffin has honestly been a true ace outside of back to back blowup starts in May. When he had those rough outings, there were questions about if the soft tossing lefty had been figured out. However, he has had his best month of the season so far in June. Griffin has allowed exactly one run in each of his four outings this month.

Griffin’s performances have left a real mark on his teammates as well. Luis Garcia Jr. was quick to remark that Griffin is impressive every time he pitches, not just tonight. He also said that you can rely on Griffin to go 6 or 7 innings almost every time out. Garcia is pretty spot on in this assessment, as Griffin has gone at least 6 frames in 8 of his last 12 outings.

Curtis Mead was very impressed by how Griffin kept the Phillies hitters off balance. He said that, “It felt like the swings (from Phillies hitters) were not as good as those guys are capable of”. Seeing what Griffin did to a lineup that thrashed the Mets the last couple days made this even more impressive. Kyle Schwarber has been on one of his home run binges, but Griffin made him look silly.

That has been a trend for Griffin. He just has hitters second guessing themselves with all of the different pitches he can throw. I am not saying he is Max Scherzer obviously, but last night felt like a Scherzer outing, even down to the solo homer he gave up. It has been a while since I have seen a Nats starter in such control of an outing that deep into the game.

One key part of Griffin’s outing is that he did not walk anyone. That has been a trademark for him all season, but especially lately. In his last 7 starts, Griffin has just 5 walks in over 40 innings. Just seeing a Nats pitcher not beat themselves while also having the stuff to beat opposing hitters just gives me so much joy.

The Nats will have an interesting decision to make with Griffin at the deadline. He is only on a one-year deal, so there is a chance he could be moved. However, with how the Nats are playing, moving him is not the lock that it may have been earlier in the season. As Spencer Nusbaum put it, Griffin is one of the faces of Paul Toboni’s trade deadline conundrum. 

It would be wrong for Toboni not to at least explore the market. However, I also think it would be a mistake for Toboni to not check in with Griffin’s representation to see what an extension would look like. With underlying numbers that are more average than elite and stuff that does not jump off the page, Griffin might be more valuable to the Nats than he is on the trading block.

A Griffin trade is still obviously on the table, but an extension for 2 to 3 years should be as well. It all comes down to where the Nats are sitting in a month and what Griffin’s number would be. I doubt teams would pay Griffin the way most 3.15 ERA guys are paid in assets or money. That could make an extension easier, but this could be the best we get from Griffin. Just look at Erick Fedde, who had a great first season back from Asia and regressed after that.

This will be a complicated decision for the Nats front office. However, that is not the main focus right now. Instead, let’s close out by talking about how brilliant the lefty has been for this team. He was a real under the radar pickup, but has been one of the steals of the offseason. It is tough to imagine where the Nats would be without Griffin, but they sure would not be in a Wild Card race.

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Former Maple Leafs President And GM Brian Burke Deserving Of Hockey Hall Of Fame Nod

When the Hockey Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2026 on June 22, Brian Burke’s selection in the Builders category felt both overdue and entirely fitting. The longtime NHL executive, whose fingerprints are on Stanley Cup success, franchise revivals, league discipline, Olympic hockey and a generation of media coverage, joins Patrice Bergeron, Carey Price, Pekka Rinne, Keith Tkachuk and Cindy Curley in the Hall. For Burke, it is recognition not just of titles won or drafts executed, but of a career defined by relentless engagement with the game at every level.

Burke’s path through the NHL reads like a map of modern hockey’s front-office evolution. He served as director of hockey operations for the Vancouver Canucks in the early 1990s before a brief stint as general manager of the Hartford Whalers. He then spent six seasons in the NHL’s league office as executive vice-president and director of hockey operations, where he became the league’s chief disciplinarian,  the man charged with interpreting and enforcing the rulebook during an era of evolving physical play and expanding scrutiny. That experience gave him a league-wide perspective few executives possess.

He returned to club management as president and general manager of the Vancouver Canucks from 1998 to 2004, helping stabilize and re-energize a franchise that had struggled for relevance. The Sedin twins, drafted and developed during his watch, became cornerstones of sustained success. From there Burke moved to the Anaheim Ducks as executive vice-president and general manager, guiding the organization to its first Stanley Cup in 2007,  a validation of his belief in building through a mix of high-end talent, physical identity and cap-aware roster construction.

It was in Toronto, however, where Burke became a daily fixture for those of us on the beat. Named president and general manager of the Maple Leafs on November 29, 2008, he took over a franchise desperate for direction and star power. He spoke bluntly about the team’s identity, the need for physicality, and the realities of competing in a salary-cap world.

When I joined the Leafs beat in 2011, Burke was still the GM and president. He was always approachable and available. He believed in what he called the “rules of engagement”  a straightforward philosophy he would articulate plainly: if you were asking questions to promote the team or seeking legitimate information about the organization, he would answer. There was no gatekeeping for its own sake. In an era when some executives viewed the media as an obstacle, Burke treated reporters as part of the ecosystem that helped sell the product. He understood that accessibility built trust and, ultimately, grew interest in the team. Practices, morning skates, off-day scrums, he was there, often holding court with the same candor he brought to the draft table or trade calls.

The Leafs did not reach the playoffs during Burke’s tenure, finishing with a 129-135-42 record across parts of five seasons before he was relieved of his duties in January 2013. Yet the foundation he helped lay — in scouting, player development and a willingness to accumulate draft capital — contributed to the infrastructure that later executives inherited. More than the wins and losses, what lingered was the way he conducted himself: honest, passionate, and never above explaining the “why” behind a decision.

After Toronto, Burke served as president of hockey operations for the Calgary Flames and later held the same role with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also served as general manager of the 2010 U.S. Olympic team that captured silver in Vancouver. In every stop, the through-line was the same: a commitment to the game’s integrity, player development and the business of selling hockey.

Even now, years removed from day-to-day management, Burke remains a visible and influential presence in Toronto. He continues to do the media rounds, offering sharp analysis on television and radio, while regularly attending games from the press box at Scotiabank Arena and showing up at practices. That continued engagement speaks to who he has always been: someone who loves the game too much to step away completely. Younger reporters and front-office staff still seek him out for counsel. His willingness to share hard-earned lessons has made him a de facto mentor in a league that too often treats institutional knowledge as disposable.

Burke’s induction is a reminder that the Hockey Hall of Fame honors builders in the fullest sense of the word. It is not only about championships or individual accolades, though he has both. It is about the cumulative impact on the sport, the franchises he stabilized, the players he helped develop, the standards he upheld in the league office, and the example he set for how executives can and should interact with the people who cover the game. In an industry that can feel increasingly guarded, Burke’s career stands as proof that openness and accountability are not liabilities. They are part of the job.

Burke is one of the most prominent advocates for LGBTQ+ inclusion in hockey and was the driving force behind the You Can Play Project, which operates under the philosophy that "if you can play, you can play"

He's the definition of a builder, and Burke's call to the Hall is well deserved.

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Winners, losers from Giannis Antetokounmpo trade to Miami

The Miami Heat got their man. Again.

Miami was the frontrunner to land Giannis Antetokounmpo going back to the February trade deadline — it was the most persistent suitor then, and it was one of the two teams standing in the end.

Milwaukee is trading Antetokounmpo to Miami for four players and three draft picks, but which team won this trade? And who were the losers?

Let's break it down. But first, a reminder of this trade.

Miami gets: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis
Milwaukee gets: Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, the 2026 No. 13 pick, Miami's unprotected first-rounders in 2031 and 2033, a 2030 pick swap, and Miami's 2033 second-round pick

Winner: Giannis Antetokounmpo

In the end, Antetokounmpo got his wish.

After 13 years in Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo was ready to leave the only team and city he has ever called home. From the outside, you could both see this divorce coming in slow motion — the traded and then misfires on draft picks sped up the process — yet still understand why Milwaukee had to stay on the path it had chosen.

For the second half of Antetokounmpo's Bucks tenure, the team kept making short-term, win-now moves — and it paid off with the 2021 championship. But when the bill for those moves came due in the past couple of years, Antetokounmpo realized he wanted another shot at a ring more than anything else. Antetokounmpo wanted out and to go to a place he believed he could contend, and that was no longer Milwaukee.

Miami was one of the teams on Antetokounmpo's short list. In the end, the star got traded to the place he wanted to go. NBA superstars almost always get where they want to go.

Now we'll see if this story ends happily ever after.

Winner (with work to do): Miami Heat

The bar is set high in Miami with these kinds of bold moves. After LeBron James made his decision and Miami landed him and Chris Bosh in 2010 free agency, the Heat appeared in the next four NBA Finals, winning two. After landing Jimmy Butler in 2019 free agency, the Heat appeared in two of the next four NBA Finals.

Miami has work to do to live up to those expectations — even with a healthy Antetokounmpo, the Miami Heat are not a contender today, as constructed.

However, they are a whole lot closer than they were when Charlotte eliminated them from the play-in two months ago.

Miami has been a star-driven franchise (dating back to Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal winning a ring together), and landing Antetokounmpo makes them both relevant and interesting again — and much better. While the Heat sent out some of their best young players to make this trade happen, this is still a solid roster: Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, a re-signed Norman Powell (he is a free agent but expected to return to the Heat), Andrew Wiggins, and Davion Mitchell are the starters, with Bobby Portis off the bench. That is a really good defensive roster and, while there are questions about having enough ball-handling and shooting, it's going to be a good team. Top six in the East, maybe top four, depending on health.

However, as New York showed in its run to the title, depth matters. That feels especially true when the guy the Heat just traded for has missed all or part of the last three playoffs due to injury.

Miami has a lot of work to do to round out this roster. Part of why Antetokounmpo wanted to go to Miami was trusting the organization to get those players and coach Erik Spoelstra to get the most out of them. Now the pressure is on to do just that because the expectations in Miami are sky high — exactly where Pat Riley wants them.

Loser: Boston Celtics

Technically, the Celtics are losers because they came in second in the bidding for Antetokounmpo. However, the bigger loss could be the franchise's relationship with Jaylen Brown.

Boston with Jayson Tatum and Antetokounmpo — who would put pressure on the rim and make the team less 3-point dependent, plus help the Celtics' defense — would have been a title contender. One could argue the Celtics offered the better trade package for Antetokounmpo because it returned an All-NBA star in his prime (Jaylen Brown), but Milwaukee preferred Miami's offer (something reportedly driven by Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam).

Reports out of Boston are that the Celtics are not shopping Brown and are not looking to trade him, he was available only for the two-time MVP Antetokounmpo. Except Brown went through this same thing a year before when it was Kevin Durant. It's fair of him to ask how much Boston really wants to keep him — Brad Stevens has some work to do to mend that relationship.

Losers: Milwaukee Bucks fans

Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best player in Milwaukee franchise history, and he just followed in the footsteps of the only other person who could lay claim to that crown — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — by forcing his way out of town.

This sucks for Bucks fans, who have been loyal to Antetokounmpo to a fault and are now going to watch their team rebuild for years — the return in this trade is a lot less than they might have gotten a year ago, or even at the trade deadline. And with the new draft lottery system, it's going to be even harder for genuinely bad teams to turn things around.

Antetokounmpo brought Bucks fans a title and some of the best years in franchise history, he will ultimately be remembered fondly. But the next few years are going to be rough.

Winners: NBA fans done with Antetokounmpo saga

The will-he/won't-he of Giannis Antetokounmpo potentially forcing his way out of Milwaukee has been going on for what seems the better part of a decade. Each time he would threaten to leave, the Bucks front office would make a grand gesture — getting Jrue Holiday (which led to a title) or landing Damian Lillard — and in the end, Antetokounmpo would re-sign with the Bucks. Then there would be about a one-year lull in the rumors before they would start back up again.

Finally, our long national nightmare is over — Antetokounmpo has been traded. This saga is over and he ended up with one of the league's glamour franchises. Bucks fans are left to pick up the pieces, but now the rest of NBA fans can move on… and figure out who is the next superstar whose future will become a constant topic of rumors and conversations.

Winner: Portland Trail Blazers

Trying to make a big splash, new Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon tried to push his team into the mix for Antetokounmpo, which was never realistic, but gave him good "look how much I want to win" PR to try to win over Portland fans unsure of him.

However, Dundon's team wins because Portland controls Milwaukee's 2029 first-round pick and holds first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030, all thanks to the 2023 Lillard trade. The one word of caution here is that, with the NBA's new lottery system and flattened odds, it's much harder to predict where those picks might fall and gauge their value. That said, Milwaukee is going to struggle for a few years, and Portland controls its draft picks for much of that period, which could work out well for the team in the Pacific Northwest.

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NHL & Islanders News: Mocking drafts; Beau-T day; Hall of Fame

Now that was a day. | Getty Images

The Islanders are just days away from adding another top prospect to their system, unless they trade their pick for a 30-year-old. The mock drafts overfloweth; someone rated between 10th and 18th will probably be theirs. It will be both brilliant and inexcusable, a steal and a reach.

Islanders News

  • This day in Islanders history: Anthony Beauvillier extends the series and closes the Coliseum with an OT winner. [Isles]
  • Here’s a mock draft with the Isles taking 6’5″ Swedish defenseman Malte Gustafsson, if OHL LW Ethan Belchetz and NCAA C Tynan Lawrence are off the board. [Athletic]
  • Here’s another saying Lawrence or else “two-way forward” Oliver Suvanto. [NHL]

Elsewhere

  • The latest Hall of Fame class was announced and no-brainer Patrice Bergeron is joined by Keith Tkachuk and Penne Rinne for some reason. (Brian Burke, too…by sheer volume, I suppose.) [NHL]
  • Rumblings on Dylan Larkin, Jason Robertson, the Panthers’ goalie conundrum and more. [ESPN]
  • More on the Brady Tkachuk trade, which Steve Staios confirmed came from a trade request. [NHL]
  • The “Real Kyper” trade board is updated with LOTS of names, many of them plausible, though no Islanders on the list. [Sportsnet]
  • Darren Raddysh talks about the poetry of returning home to Toronto, where fans will surely chase him out like he’s Larry Murphy within a couple of seasons. [TSN]
  • The Sabres have decisions to make with Bowen Byram and Alex Tuch. [TSN]
  • The Oilers have extended Connor Murphy for five years. [TSN] Not sure that and the Dickinson deal are the slam-dunk, defense-is-fixed moves they’re making it out to be. [TSN]
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Morning Flurries: Avalanche to play four preseason games

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - OCTOBER 21: The Colorado Avalanche stand during the singing of the national anthem prior to a game against the Utah Mammoth at Delta Center on October 21, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Eli Rehmer/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

You know the 2026-27 NHL season is right around the corner when dates start getting released. For now only four Colorado Avalanche ehhibition dates have been announced, though the rest of the schedule is expected sometime in July. Rumor has it that the NHL regular season will begin on September 29th after an abbreviated training camp and preseason.

Kicking off a big week of news, the NHL has announced their 2026 Hall of Fame class. Congratulations to Patrice Bergeron, Brian Burke, Cindy Curley, Carey Price, Pekka Rinne, and Keith Tkachuk!

It’s the offseason of change for the entire organization as the new ECHL affiliate New Mexico Goatheads have announced Zack Stortini as the first head coach of their expansion franchise. He was previously an assistant coach for the Tucson Roadrunners AHL squad.

Even more news about the Goatheads is confirmation they have revealed their new threads for the inaugural season. The slight nod to the Avalanche sweaters is a nice touch.

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Tuesday Posted & Toasted Notes

BRONX, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 9: The Bronx Zoo transforms into a vibrant display of autumn colors as fall foliage surrounds its animal habitats in New York, United States on November 9, 2025. Visitors enjoy the mix of wildlife and seasonal scenery, with golden leaves creating picturesque views across one of New York City's most famous attractions. (Photo by Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images) | Anadolu via Getty Images

Happy Tuesday from the basement. Temperatures are set to hit 99 F later today at the place I’m typing this thing from, so I guessed it’d be better to do it now before the keyboard melted. Such is life in sunny Spain, where summers are not as cool and fun as they look.

  • It’s Draft Day! Not that we care (that much) with the Knicks coming off winning the title, but SNY’s Ian Begley put together a comprehensive report of who’s worked out in New York, potential targets, and everything else for those watching on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
  • Most interestingly, and in the lone insider-like note included in his write-up, Begley named St. John’s forward Zuby Ejiofor as someone with “fans” within the Knicks organization. Color me excited, we’re finally getting Ron Artest!

“If Robinson and Shamet are back, the Knicks probably look at size on the wing or a player who can handle the ball. Ejiofor has some fans in the organization. If they think they are losing Robinson or Hukporti, maybe the Knicks draft a center? Tarris Reed Jr. from UConn would be a strong pick in New York’s range.”

  • The Knicks are set to sign the realest Frenchman hooper to a four-year, $10.5 million deal. Hooray!
  • Loud Monday night across the Association, with two All-Stars moving places in Giannis Antetokounmpo (destination Miami) and Julius Randle (back to New York, but the bad one).
  • As ClydeWingo pointed out on Monday night’s post-trade comments, and something I wasn’t aware of or simply had forgotten, Randle was seemingly key in the hiring of Tom Thibodeau as the man to lead the Knicks out of wherever the hell they were a few years ago, after Leon Rose asked him about it given his A1 role back then. Gotta love good ol’ Jules.
  • The Celtics balked at adding players to the Giannis deal, ended up submitting a one-for-one package built around Jaylen Brown and two first-round picks, failed to convince the Bucks, kept trying to ostracize one of their two superstars, and seem poised to move new-generation Carlos Boozer anyway, says ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. Windhorst argued that Boston has simply realized the Celtics don’t have enough to beat the Knicks as currently constructed, and the only way out of purgatory is by dealing Brown away and quickly. Music to my ears.

“The Celtics took a hard look in the mirror and decided, we weren’t going to beat the Knicks”

  • Windhorst surely was on a hot run yesterday, also saying that Brown “is accepting (the Celtics want to trade him) and realizes this is a chance to turn the page in his career and he may be getting his own team.” For the next chapter, tune in on whatever platform he streams his life so you get his take on it from the rawest possible source.
  • On Tuesday morning, ESPN’s Shams Charania brought the Knicks name back into the Giannis trade conversation. Remember when NYK was close to pulling it off a few months ago? Here’s some tiny additional details.

“Antetokounmpo pushed for a trade, with his reps making it clear that the New York Knicks were his preferred destination. The Bucks and the Knicks briefly engaged in discussions last summer, but New York never believed Milwaukee seriously considered trading its superstar. The Bucks, on the other hand, believed the Knicks’ offers were never serious enough.”

  • John Wall thinks it’s time.
  • Speaking of Carlos Boozer, he was a bit salty about his son Cameron undoubtedly not getting drafted with the No. 1 overall pick, but the No. 2 either. Have a great time in Memphis, Bozo.
  • The Knicks are going to need some depth next season, and if they really don’t cross the second apron, well, they will need to work the vet-min market with pinpoint accuracy and savviness. Helping New York, however, is OAKAAK Frank Ntilikina, who just left Olympiacos by mutual agreement. How we feeling?
  • Vegas has its first backer for an NBA franchise once expansion comes to fruition, and it’s the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights owner, Bill Foley, who is set to pony up as much dough as needed to bring hoops to Sin City. Years away, yes, but just for fun, if the expansion draft happened tonight, which eight players would you leave unprotected from the Knicks’ title-winning roster?

Knowing Leon Rose and how the Knicks have operated under his guidance, I was always (and still am) convinced they’d move their first-round pick, leaving us all waiting for something to enjoy on Tuesday night on the cold, and with no prospect to call one of ourselves. Anyway, I still think they will end up drafting someone at some point in the second round, and then the UDFA market will open for undrafted prospects.

That’s all for today, fellas. Exciting times ahead!

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Yankees Rivalry Roundup: Royals’ Wacha outduels Rays’ Rasmussen

Jun 22, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha (52) walks off the field after pitching the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

A 5-3 final score does not feel super lousy if you’re just hearing about it in passing. But if you watched any of the Yankees’ game last night in Detroit, it sure felt lousy.

A brief 1-0 lead was lost due to an ineffective Gerrit Cole, as he gave up an uncharacteristic nine hits and five runs, failing to get through five innings on 89 pitches. The Bombers bats didn’t do much against Framber Valdez, and only a two-run homer by Amed Rosario off Drew Anderson brought this back to a two-run game. Jasson Domínguez struck out with two on and two outs in the eighth, and that was the end of the Yanks’ last real threat. Bummer. The Yanks must get out of the muck today, or they’ll face a potential sweep and five-game skid at the hands of Tarik Skubal tomorrow.

The AL West-leading Mariners were idle on Monday, but here’s some of what else was going on around the Junior Circuit.

Tampa Bay Rays (43-32) 1, Kansas City Royals (33-46) 2

The Yankees’ two-game lead in the AL East remained intact because the Rays had their own lifeless showing in their own ballpark against an underachieving Royals team that didn’t have their best player at their disposal. Not great, Bob(by).

Fortunately for Kansas City, if they have any All-Star this year outside of Bobby Witt Jr., it’s starter Michael Wacha. He got to pitch Monday and handled the Rays pretty easily with seven innings of six-hit, one-run ball, pushing his innings total up to an AL-leading 101 through 16 starts. He only fanned five, but he made the right pitches in the counts he needed them, and this game was over in 2 hours and 13 minutes.

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Tampa Bay ace Drew Rasmussen drew the short straw of this pitchers’ duel and lost despite a fair outing of six innings with four hits and two runs allowed. He actually leads the AL in WHIP and BB/9 with a sterling 0.884 and 1.6 respectively. He did walk two yesterday though and the first quickly burned him at the beginning of the second. Lane Thomas doubled in Michael Massey to score the game’s first run in the second, and he moved to third on the play.

Rasmussen buckled down to retire the next three batters in order with two K’s. In the fifth however, KC struck out again, this time with small ball. Nick Loftin got a hit and stole second, and following Rasmussen’s second free pass of the evening, capable catcher Carter Jensen drove Loftin in with a single to center. Rasmussen ended the inning on the next two pitches, but the insurance run was helpful for Wacha, as the Rays plated their only run in the home half of the frame, Yandy Díaz doubling in Richie Palacios with two outs.

Wacha stranded Díaz on a groundout by Jonny DeLuca and retired six of the next seven batters to end his outing with ease. The Rays ran themselves out of a threat in the eighth when a pinch-running Victor Mesa Jr. got thrown out on a stolen base attempt with two outs and masher Junior Caminero at the plate, who generally has runners in scoring position already when he steps up to bat. Oops. Alex Lange tossed a perfect ninth for KC, nailing down the one-run win.

Other Games

Toronto Blue Jays (39-39) 4, Houston Astros (37-43) 2: The Jays got back to .500 for the first time since May 29th. Ace Hunter Brown made his second start off the IL for the Astros, and though he allowed just one run, he was worked through three innings, tossing 85 pitches — one of which left the yard on a Kazuma Okamoto homer. Somewhat amusingly, the rest of the Toronto runs against the Houston bullpen all came on sacrifice flies, the most important coming off the bat of Myles Straw in the seventh to break a 2-2 tie. Those count! Dylan Cease struck out eight in 5.2 innings of two-run ball, though Braydon Fisher got the win with four key outs in middle relief.

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Cleveland Guardians (41-38) 5, Chicago White Sox (40-37) 6: This was a spirited back-and-forth on the South Side! It was all Chicago for the first half and change, as Anthony Kay spun six shutout innings and a Randal Grichuk homer helped build a 3-0 lead. But Cleveland came alive with three in the seventh on three singles and two walks off reliever Grant Taylor. Sam Antonacci put the Pale Hose ahead with an RBI knock after the seventh-inning stretch, and manager Will Venable handed the lead to free-agent closer addition Seranthony Domínguez.

It’s been a bumpy road for Seranthony thus far in 2026 unfortunately, and he fell apart in the ninth. He walked Travis Bazzana and uncorked a wild pitch while Bazzana was already stealing, allowing the tying run to move up 90 feet. Patrick Bailey singled him in and Brayan Rocchio followed with an laser double to right. Bailey froze at third and Domínguez did fan Rhys Hoskins for the second out. But Chris Murphy entered and let Kyle Manzardo tie it up on a sacrifice fly that just barely scored Bailey upon replay review.

The more reliable Cade Smith had already thrown a scoreless eighth for Cleveland, and skipper Steven Vogt had no qualms about letting him go for the save in a second inning. Alas, the South Siders had one last rally in ’em. Braden Montgomery worked a one-out walk and Tristan Peters hit a check-swing/excuse-me double down the left field line to put two in scoring position. Pinch-hitter Jacob Gonzalez struck out swinging in his attempt to be the hero, but for the second time in three innings, Antonacci came through. Down to their last strike and in an 0-2 count, Antonacci took ball one, fouled two off, and then singled cleanly to center, scoring both Montgomery and Peters to walk off the Guardians. The two teams are in a virtual tie atop the AL Central.

Watch the full four-ish minute highlight package for this one! It’s a hoot.

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Braves 2026 Draft Candidate Gio Rojas Scouting Report

San Diego, CA - August 17: Gio Rojas pitches for the East team during the Dick's Sporting Goods Perfect Game All-American Classic at Petco Park on August 17, 2025 in San Diego, CA. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)

As we close in on the 2026 MLB Draft, the focus on who the Atlanta Braves are looking at for the ninth overall pick has come into focus a bit. Names like Georgia Tech outfielder Drew Burress, Arkansas catcher Ryder Helfrick, Kentucky shortstop Tyler Bell, and Florida prep lefty Gio Rojas seem to be the names most prominently linked to the club. Massachusetts prep lefty Brody Bumila is also a name that has received some buzz. My goal is to start to break down who these players are and their strengths and weaknesses to prepare you for the newest Braves prospect.

We will continue the series by looking at Florida high school pitcher Gio Rojas, the lone pitcher and prep player being prominently linked to the Braves at #9.

Bio

Name: Gio Rojas

Position: Left-Handed Pitcher

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 195

College Commitment: Miami

High School: Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS (Coral Springs, FL)

Previously Drafted: N/A

Bats/Throws: R/L

Stats

2024: 4-0, 0.66 ERA, 0.47 WHIP, 41 K, 3 BB, 7 H, 21.1 IP, 5 Games

2025: 13-0, 0.72 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 120 K, 16 BB, 35 H, 68 IP, 14 Games

2026: 11-1, 0.58 ERA, 0.66 WHIP, 124 K, 17 BB, 31 H, 72.2 IP, 13 Games

Fastball 60

Rojas has a big fastball up to 98 MPH from the left side, coming in with plenty of life. This is definitely a bat missing pitch that will grade out as a plus offering for him.

Slider 60

As good as his fastball is, the slider is his out pitch and comes in with very high spin rates. It’s just nasty and should be a pitch that will rack up the strikeouts for him as he continues to progress.

Changeup 50

Like many high school pitchers with a powerful arm, Rojas doesn’t use the changeup much in games because it actually gives his competition a better chance at being successful due to him taking something off his premium stuff. He does however have some feel for it and it should be a solid third offering for him – though this does take some projection to get to the average grade.

Command 55

Rojas is a strike thrower who has a chance to get to above average command in the future. He needs to clean up his mechanics a little bit, mostly by being more consistent all the time, but that is a coachable thing for an arm like him. Once that takes place, it’s not hard to see the 55 grade coming into play.

Overall

Rojas is a projectable, athletic young arm who only turns 19 about two weeks ahead of the draft. All of the ingredients are there for him to have top of the rotation potential. That is why he is not only the top ranked prep pitcher in this draft, but may even be the second best arm in this draft, behind only Jackson Flora.

He would almost certainly be an underslot option for the Braves at #9, but at the same time he wouldn’t come extremely cheap either. Even if you took the underslot out of things, he is probably my favorite option among the four most commonly linked players to the Braves – simply because he has the highest ceiling of those options.

Rojas ceiling is a potential ace, but with his stuff and command he also seems like a higher floor option than most prep arms. If the Braves did draft him I would count on him maybe seeing Augusta for a short stint this season, and he might get the chance to earn his way to Augusta in 2027 – similar to Briggs McKenzie from last year. He would potentially be a big league option mid-2029 at the earliest.

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This Week in the Minors: Kendry Chourio makes his Quad Cities debut

SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 20: Kendry Chourio #33 of the Kansas City Royals pitches during the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

This Week in the Minors is our weekly look at notable performances from all over the system, from big-name prospects and less-heralded guys alike. The mission is to answer this simple question: “Who had a good week?”

Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers (33-41, 13.5 games back)

The Storm Chasers split their series on the road in St. Paul. On the mound, Randy Dobnak, who the Royals traded for, made his first start with the organization. He went 4.1 innings, allowing 6 hits, 3 runs, walking 1 and striking out 5. Génesis Cabrera threw 3.1 innings of 2 run ball, both runs unearned, over 3 relief appearances, striking out 4 batters. Bailey Falter made a start, going 4 innings, allowing 3 hits, 2 runs, walking 3 and striking out 4.

At the plate, Abraham Toro had a great week, going 9-for-23, hitting 2 doubles, 2 triples and 3 homers, while driving in 10 runs. Oh, and he hit for the cycle, the sixth in modern Omaha history. Brandon Drury went 9-for-15, with 3 doubles, 2 homers, driving in 6 runs. Matthew Lugo was 12-for-29, with 3 doubles, 2 homers and 4 runs batted in.

The Storm Chasers return home to take on the Columbus Clippers this week. The series runs from Tuesday through Sunday.

Northwest Arkansas Naturals (29-38, 16 games back)

The Naturals lost 4 of 6 to the Tulsa Drillers, the best team in Double-A. At the plate, outfielder Connor Scott went 6-for-15, with a double and homer, also driving in 3 runs. Scott is a 26-year-old, from the Marlins organization, he was taken 13th overall in 2018. Rudy Martin was 7 for 21, Jack Pineda was 7 for 19 with a double and 5 runs batted in.

On the mound, Drew Beam was fantastic in his only start of the week, going 7.1 innings, allowing 2 hits, 1 run, walking 1 and striking out 5. Beam seems to finally have settled in at Northwest after getting promoted right before the season started from Quad Cities. Frank Mozzicato threw 4 scoreless innings over two relief appearances, allowing 2 hits, walking 5 and striking 5 batters out. Hunter Patteson made two starts, totaling 13 innings, allowing 6 hits, 5 runs, walking 3 and striking out 11. Patteson is a 26-year-old lefty out of Central Florida selected in the 5th round draft pick in 2022 by the Royals. He has a 5.22 ERA over 58.2 innings so far this season.

The Naturals hit the road, to take on the Springfield Cardinals this week. The series runs Tuesday through Sunday.

Quad Cities River Bandits (30-35, 10 games back)

The River Bandits lost 3 of 5 to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, with one game being rained out. On the mound, Kendry Chourio made his High-A debut after getting promoted from Columbia. The 18-year-old right hander went 4.2 innings, allowing 7 hits, 7 runs (5 earned), while striking out 10 batters. It was a mixed bag performance against the fourth best team in High-A. Elsewhere, David Shields went 5 innings, allowing 5 hits, 3 runs, walking 1 and striking out 10 hitters. It’s the second straight start for Shields with 10 strikeouts. Jordan Woods threw for the first time in a couple weeks, going 2 scoreless innings, allowing 1 hit, walking 1 and striking out 2. Emmanuel Reyes threw 6 innings of 2 run ball, allowing 7 hits, while striking out 5.

At the plate, Ramon Ramirez was 7-for-20, with a double and 2 homers, while driving in 5 runs. On the season, Ramirez is hitting .285/.360/.487. The 21-year-old catcher is in his first year at Quad Cities. Derlin Figueroa was just 1-for-16, cooling him down after a good start to June and an overall good month. Figueroa is slashing .277/.366/.564 with 15 homers this season. The first baseman is just 22 years old.

The River Bandits hit the road to take on the South Bend Cubs, one of the best teams in High-A. The series runs Tuesday through Sunday.

Columbia Fireflies (34-35, 5 games back)

The Fireflies lost 4 of 6 to the Hickory Crawdads. On the mound, Jose Gutierrez threw 7 innings, allowing 5 hits, 3 runs, striking out 4. Ryan McDonagh, a 20-year-old right hander from Canada, made his Low-A debut after getting promoted from Rookie Ball. In his start, he went 5 innings, allowing 1 hit, 2 runs, 2 walks, striking out 4.

At the plate, Josh Hammond went 8-for-18, with a homer and 2 runs driven in. Hammond is slashing .287/.349/.422 on the year. Sean Gamble went 6-for-16 with a pair of doubles and 3 runs batted in. Gamble in the month of June is slashing .292/.444/.438. Raising his season average all the way to .179, it’s good to see the Royals first round draft pick from last season starting to put things together.

The Fireflies stay on the road, taking on the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. The series runs Tuesday through Sunday.