ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JUNE 01: Griffin Jax #22 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts as Riley Greene #31 of the Detroit Tigers runs the bases after hitting a home run in the third inning of a game at Tropicana Field on June 01, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Which is more painful, losing a blowout? Or climbing back into a blowout and then losing by just one run?
From the Rays standpoint, this game felt like one of those punishments imposed by the gods in Greek myth. Like Sisyphus, on several occasions the Rays seemed poised to roll that boulder back up the hill, chipping away at the early Detroit lead, only to have it roll back down (as each Rays reliever allowed the Tigers to score yet again).
How did the Rays find themselves in this situation? Well, the “make Griffin Jax a starter” project hit a bump. In the first inning, the converted reliever gave up three base hits, one a very well-struck double, and two runs, before retiring the Tigers in the first inning.
But it turns out that was just the warm up. Because in the third innings Jax’s outing went from “a little shaky” to “full blown stinker.” He walked the leadoff batter and then proceeded to give up not one, not two, but three home runs. And this to a Tigers team that was ranked 29th out of 30 teams in runs scored this season. Imagine if he had been facing a team with a strong offense!
Jax was pulled after four innings (and six runs). The next man up was Trevor Martin, and bless him for getting through three innings and saving other arms, but he got into the home run game as well, giving up two solo shots.
Cole Sulser was tapped to pitch the eighth inning. The good news? No home runs. The bad news? He still allowed two more runs via base hits. In case you’ve lost count, that brought the Tigers total to ten.
It’s not like the Rays didn’t have their moments, and even more chances to have more moments. For one thing, they drew eight walks. That creates a lot of opportunities.
They also got two monster home runs, each with runners on base, and each providing a glimmer of hope that the Rays could come back.
First, Junior hit a two run homer in the fourth inning. That made the score 6-2, with a lot of innings to go.
Later, Ryan Vilade hit a three run homer in the sixth inning, which made the score 8-5, still with plenty of time remaining.
And these homers weren’t baby dingers either. Junior’s was 110.4 mph and it traveled 422 feet.
Here’s Vilade’s, which was 110.1 mph and traveled 438 feet.
Our final glimmer came in the eight inning. The Tigers walked the bases loaded, and then Nick Fortes drove in two runs with a double — a chopper up the third base line that took a lucky (for the Rays) carom — making the score 10-7. And Ben Williamson then singled home two more, and we were at 10-9.
Oh, if only Rays pitches could have stopped the bleeding at, say, eight runs!
As if the loss were not discouraging enough, the Rays lost two players to injury tonight. Taylor Walls left the game with a tight hamstring, a problem that had kept him out of the line up from time to time. And Chandler Simpson left after sliding into second base; it seemed that his batting helmet flew off an hit him in the mouth. There was a lot of blood, but presumably this isn’t a serious injury.
To the Rays: next time your opponents try to hand you a win, with eight walks and some spotty fielding, I’d advise you to take it.
Tomorrow Steven Matz takes the mound, let’s hope he has that last rough start in the rear view mirror.
With the 2026 NHL Draft approaching and free agency looming, the Edmonton Oilers face important decisions on several veteran depth pieces who are about to see their respective contracts expire. While the team has clear needs at goaltending and possibly top-six forward, bolstering the bottom-six and defensive depth can't and shouldn't be ignored.
Edmonton has let players leave in the past. In many cases, their decision to overlook what they had in-house didn't turn out well.
To avoid a repeat mistake, here are three players the Oilers should seriously consider bringing back this offseason:
1. Connor Murphy (Defenceman)
Connor Murphy was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks at the 2026 trade deadline and quickly became a steady presence on Edmonton’s blue line. The 33-year-old right-shot defenseman brings physicality, strong penalty-killing ability, and reliable top-four minutes.
Why bring him back?
He wants to stay, he's a reliable player, and he fits perfectly alongside a player like Darnell Nurse. As much as Murphy himself can be effective, what some fans like about him even more than his own skill set is that he brings Nurse up to a different level, allowing him to play a style of hockey that better suits him.
At a projected $3.5M–$4M AAV on a short-term deal, Murphy would provide stability without breaking the bank.
2. Jason Dickinson (Centre)
Another mid-season acquisition from Chicago, Dickinson excelled in a shutdown third-line role. An injury in the playoffs was the lone reason fans didn't get to see more of what he can provide for this Oilers roster.
The 31-year-old is a strong defensive forward who wins faceoffs, kills penalties, and provides quiet but effective two-way play. When it wasn't available against the Ducks, it became clear how much the Oilers could have used him in the lineup. Oh, and he's got a solid scoring touch, too. He's a former 22-goal scorer who should signs he maintains that ability.
Why bring him back?
Edmonton’s bottom six took a massive step back this past season. Dickinson proved he can handle tough matchups and help drive better 5-on-5 play. A 2–3 year deal in the $4M-$5M range would be value but not a hefty discount. Something below $4 million would be a no-brainer.
3. Kasperi Kapanen (Winger)
Few have made more out of an opportunity than Kapanen. Picked up off of waivers, not much was expected, but he's proven to be a solid fit, offering speed and scoring ability. There were health issues last season, but when he's in, he's solid. He's expressed a strong interest in returning to the Oilers after playing a depth role in 2025-26.
The 28-year-old Finnish winger can keep up with top players, but is gritty enough to play a bottom-six role if the team is stacked. He has penalty-killing ability and offers secondary scoring that the Oilers desperately need.
Why bring him back?
Kapanen is a low-risk, high-familiarity option. On a one- or two-year deal (likely $1.5M–$2M), he represents excellent value compared to chasing similar players on the open market.
Final Thoughts
Re-signing Murphy, Dickinson, and Kapanen would allow the Oilers to bring back players who more than earned their keep. Letting them walk will lead the Oilers to look for similar options on the free-agent market, bringing back unknown and potentially more expensive assets.
Stan Bowman has some tough calls to make, but these three should be near the top of his “priority” list.
Jun 1, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (30) celebrates a home run during the third inning against Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Pablo Robles-Imagn Images | Pablo Robles-Imagn Images
The Tigers collected a rare W tonight in their 10-9 win over the Rays.
It’s no secret that the Tigers have had a rough go of it over the past month. They just finished being swept by the White Sox, and the last thing anyone wanted to do after that was face the top team in the AL East. But the Tigers don’t get to make their own schedule, and there was no getting around it. They had Ty Madden on the mound to start the game, up against Griffin Jax for the Rays. The Rays have been inconsistent in the last few weeks, while they won against the Angels (who so recently swept the Tigers), they also got swept in a three-game series against the Orioles, so it’s anyone’s guess which version of the Rays Detroit would see to start the week.
Kevin McGonigle wasted no time getting things underway with a leadoff single, followed by a single from Dillon Dingler. A one-out double from Riley Greene brought both runners in to put the Tigers on the board early.
Yandy Diaz started the home half with a single, but three outs followed to keep the Tigers in the lead.
With two outs in the top of the second, Zach McKinstry singled, but the Tigers weren’t able to convert the baserunner because McKinstry got caught stealing second to end the inning. The Rays went 1-2-3 in the home half.
Things broke wide open for the Tigers in the third. McGonigle got a leadoff walk, then Dingler homered to bring him home. Kerry Carpenter followed that with a home run of his own. Then, for the first time since 2020, the Tigers went back-to-back-to-back as Riley Greene homered as well. At the end of the inning, the Tigers were up 6-0.
In the home half, the Rays lost shortstop Taylor Walls for undisclosed reasons, who was replaced by Oliver Dunn and also went 1-2-3.
The Tigers had their first three-up, three-down inning to start the fourth. Richie Palacios got a one-out walk in the home half, then one out later Junior Caminero hit a home run. Chandler Simpson followed that with a single, and Simpson is a serious steal risk. Simpson did indeed steal second on a wild pitch from Madden, but his helmet came off as he approached the bag and he was hit in the face when it bounced. He came up bleeding, and that was it for him in the game. One angle actually made it look like he lost a tooth. Ryan Vilade replaced him on the basepaths. Victor Mesa Jr walked, and that was it for Madden. Tyler Holton replaced Madden in a direct Ty-for-Ty swap. Holton got the final two outs of the inning.
To get the fifth going, Dingler got his second dinger of the night against new pitcher Trevor Martin. It’s the first time Dingler has ever had a multi-home run game.
With one out, Riley Greene singled, and then Spencer Torkelson got a free bag after getting nailed in the elbow with a pitch. Colt Keith grounded into a force out, eliminating Torkelson, and then Keith stole second, but the Tigers ultimately left two stranded. With one out in the home half, Diaz singled. The Tigers, however, turned a gorgeous double play to end the inning.
Hao-Yu Lee homered to start the sixth, and an overzealous Tigers fan in the stands might have nabbed it a wee bit early, but it was ruled a home run nevertheless. I want to suggest that the Tigers might want to hold onto a few of these home runs, but what the heck, let’s just go for it. Three outs followed the home run. Brenan Hanifee was the new pitcher for the home half, and he gave up a leadoff walk to Palacios. Caminero then made an ABS challenge to get himself a free walk as well. Ryan Vilade came in and homered, and suddenly the Tigers’ lead wasn’t looking as impressive anymore. Hanifee was done, replaced by Drew Sommers. He gave up a one-out walk to Cedric Mullins and collected the second out of the inning, but his command was all over the place and A.J. Hinch pulled him after facing the minimum three batters. With Kyle Finnegan on the mound, the Tigers did manage to get themselves out of the jam with limited damage and their lead intact.
Carpenter got a leadoff single to start the seventh. Greene walked to put two on. Three outs followed though, leaving the runners stranded. Yandy Diaz singled to start the bottom of the seventh. Palacios then grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Cole Sulser was the new Rays pitcher for the eighth. Lee singled, and then advanced to second on a sac bunt from McKinstry. With two outs, Dingler doubled, bringing Lee home and giving the Tigers another insurance run. Carpenter then doubled right down the third base line to score Dingler. A Greene strikeout ended the inning, but the Tigers had widened the gap. Beau Brieske came in for the home half of the inning and gave up a leadoff walk to Caminero. With one out, Mesa Jr. walked as well. Mullins walked to load the bases and that was it for Brieske. Will Vest came in and gave up a double to Nick Fortes, scoring two runs. A Ben Williamson singled scored two more runs, and suddenly that big lead was not looking nearly big enough as the Rays pulled within one. Diaz reached on a fielder’s choice that left both baserunners safe thanks to some ugly fielding from Lee, who was charged with an error for his bobble. A Jonathan Aranda groundout advanced the runners. By some miracle the Tigers made it out of the inning still clinging to the lead.
Garrett Cleavinger was on for the Rays in the ninth. With one out and an ABS challenge overturn for both teams, a pinch-hitting Jahmai Jones walked. The Tigers failed to add onto their lead in the ninth, so they would need their bullpen to keep the Rays from scoring any additional runs. Will Vest would stay in for the ninth and he managed to get the job done, getting the side out in order and holding onto the lead by the skin of their teeth.
SAN DIEGO, CA - MAY 23: Lucas Giolito #55 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the game between the Athletics and the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Ryan Levy/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The start of the 2026 season began with a Spring Training that resulted in San Diego Padres starter Joe Musgrove landing on the injured list with a surgically repaired elbow that wasn’t ready to pitch. Then, after four starts, Nick Pivetta was placed on the injured list with a flexor tendon strain of his right arm. Germán Márquez made six starts and was placed on the injured list with right forearm nerve discomfort. He had been inconsistent, at best, before that move.
Righty Matt Waldron, who had been spectacularly effective in Triple-A, was called up and was unable to put together any consistent success, often being hit hard. He was also placed on the IL. Reclamation project, Walker Buehler, started the season seemingly knowing that his command and control would be of utmost importance because of the diminished velocity after his two elbow surgeries.
Fortunately, Michael King and Randy Vásquez have remained healthy. They have both made all their scheduled starts but neither has been consistent and have had some outings that cause concern. Griffin Canning completed his rehab assignment and joined the rotation but has also had problems with consistency so far.
Considering the situation with the starters, it isn’t a surprise that the president of baseball operations, A.J. Preller signed free agent starter Lucas Giolito to a one-year, $2.8 million guaranteed contract on April 22. Giolito was still available after not signing during the offseason or during spring camp. He ended the 2025 season on the injured list with the Boston Red Sox and hadn’t pitched for them during the playoffs. He missed all of 2024 after undergoing UCL repair but bounced back with the Red Sox. His 10-4 record and 3.41 ERA as the No. 3 starter for Boston motivated him to bypass his $19 million option for 2026 and go on the free agent market.
The reason for his not having a contract before Spring Training isn’t known but it has been discussed that his asking price was too high, given that he ended the 2025 season on the IL with a sore elbow. Whatever the reason, Giolito was available in late April, and at a discount price.
What did the Padres get in Giolito?
In 2025, Giolito featured a 93 mph fastball that he threw 48% of the time. He threw his 86 mph slider 26% of the time, his 81.7 mph changeup 23% of the time and his 76.6 mph curveball 3% of his pitches. During his ramp-up in the minor leagues after signing in April (two games each with Single-A Lake Elsinore and Double-A San Antonio), Giolito totaled 17 innings pitched with a 4.76 ERA.
During the course of a normal spring camp, starters work up from pitching one or two innings to begin and progress up to 60-80 pitches and at least five innings before the end of their progression. With six weeks allowed, most starters are ready to pitch before spring camp is done and back off their pitch count in their last start.
The contract agreed to by the Padres and Giolito guaranteed that he be with the major league team by May 16. That only allowed time for the four starts in the minors. It became apparent in his first start with the Padres, on May 17 versus Seattle, that Giolito was not back to where he left off in 2025.
His fastball velocity is down 3 mph, as is his slider and changeup velocity. He has changed his pitch usage from a fastball-and-slider-dominant mix to a fastball-and-changeup-dominant mix. His curveball remains a show-me pitch at 3%.
Not surprisingly, his walk rate is up and his strikeout rate is down. The batting average against his fastball sits at .313 with a .555 slug. The groundball rate is sitting at 26.3% where he normally sits 35% and above.
Can Lucas Giolito recover his form?
The most optimistic answer is that the lack of a normal Spring Training, and only having four starts to prepare for his season, is responsible for his poor start to 2026. In his three games with the Padres, he has been unable to get past the fifth inning. His last start was 2.2 innings, allowing five hits and four walks for four runs. His command has not improved and seems to have slipped. There have been 11 walks in 12.2 innings with six strikeouts.
With less than a month to prepare and a contract that required his promotion, Giolito didn’t do himself or the Padres any favors. It could be argued that he might have been called up anyway, given the situation with the starting rotation.
The Padres have a significant lack of depth in the organization when it comes to starting pitchers. But with Canning and Giolito both working back from a not-normal spring preparation, the Padres are relying on King, Vásquez, and Buehler to carry the load. That’s a lot to ask considering King is working back after missing the majority of last season and Buehler is trying to reinvent himself as a starter.
The trade rumor mill is churning out leaks about Preller inquiring regarding more bullpen depth. It seems more likely that another starter or two would be a wiser choice if this team wants to try to stay in the running for a playoff spot this season.
Assuming the offense starts improving over the next month, it seems unlikely this group of starters will get the Padres to where they want to go. Hoping Pivetta and Musgrove are back this summer doesn’t seem like a good enough plan.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 21: General view of Chase Field before the MLB game on May 21, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks continue their long series on Tuesday night, the second of four games between the two teams this week at Chase Field in Phoenix.
Eric Lauer makes his second start for the Dodgers, after allowing one run in six innings last week at Dodger Stadium against the Colorado Rockies. The Diamondbacks punish left-handers, hitting .281/.341/.452 with a 120 wRC+ this season.
Right-hander Michael Soroka starts for Arizona, coming off a May that saw him allow only six total runs in his five starts and 30 1/3 innings, with 24 strikeouts and five walks.
Victor Wembanyama’s block numbers — he averaged 3.1 per game in the regular season and is averaging 3.5 per game in the postseason, both most in the NBA — don’t even properly reflect just how much of an impact he has inside. Because those don’t measure how many shots weren’t even taken due to his presence around the basket.
No player affects more shots than Wembanyama, the first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year.
The Knicks are averaging 53.3 points in the paint this postseason — most among all playoff teams. It has been a central part of their offense. Finding shots in the paint away from Wembanyama will be critical in the Finals.
“Obviously, you have to figure out how to get him out of the paint, how to run him, those little things,” Miles McBride said Sunday. “I feel like OKC did a decent job of that. But he’s a special player.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, right, blocks a shot by Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein during the second half of Game 4 in the Western Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series in San Antonio, Sunday, May 24, 2026. AP Photo/Darren Abate
“Honestly, what I think they do a great job … their guards put a lot of pressure on the ball handler, which is forcing him into Wemby. If you’re playing off the ball, not setting screens and allowing him to roam freely without being touched, it’s different if somebody is screening you and then you’re getting over things. So I feel like just being physical and bringing a presence to him and to their team.”
Wembanyama likely won’t actually spend most of his time matched up with Karl-Anthony Towns. It’s much more likely he’ll primarily guard Josh Hart, who is largely considered the worst 3-point shooter in the Knicks starting lineup. It would allow Wembanyama to camp in the paint and act as a roaming help defender, a strategy the Knicks have faced plenty this year. That’s why it’s so paramount Hart keeps Wembanyama honest with his 3-point shooting.
And it also means that Towns will have a much smaller defender on him. Outside of Wembanyama, the next-tallest Spurs starter is Julian Champagnie at 6-foot-7.
“I imagine Wemby won’t guard him as much,” coach Mike Brown said Monday. “They put a small on KAT quite a bit. Either way, whether Wemby is on him or a small is on him, we always wanna try to move KAT around. Hopefully we’ll be able to do that against San Antonio.”
Towns operating as a facilitator from the elbows emerged as a dangerous offensive system this postseason for the Knicks. That becomes much easier with a smaller defender on him.
Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) goes up for a shot as Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) jumps to defend during the fourth quarter. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
His ability to hurt the Spurs from the perimeter could force them to switch Wembanyama onto him, which in turn would help the Knicks drag Wembanyama farther out of the paint.
“Obviously, Karl’s shooting is something that anybody has to honor,” Landry Shamet said Monday. “That changes the game plan entirely; you have to prepare for that. Pick-and-roll with Jalen [Brunson] and KAT with the versatile shooting big who can also roll and make plays in the pocket, as well as he’s been passing the ball and facilitating, I can go on and on about what KAT brings to us. That’s a factor in itself.
“However they decide to match up with it, [there’s] gonna be pros to that, there’s also gonna be cons to that. Areas that we’re gonna try to exploit.”
For his own part, Towns doesn’t look at himself as the key to limiting Wembanyama’s defense. He pointed to the other end of the court.
Creating turnovers would certainly help the Knicks play fast and get out in transition. Wembanyama can’t be in the paint if the Knicks beat him down the floor.
“For me, it’s not even a personal thing,” Towns said. “For me, it’s about our team doing what we’ve been doing, which is playing high-level defense and utilizing those turnovers and the defense to get our offense going. As long as our team plays with that kind of energy and discipline and game plan and execution, we have a chance to win.”
There are different ways to accomplish it, but getting the giant out of the paint is the Knicks’ top priority.
May 20, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners starter Emerson Hancock (26) delivers a pitch during the second inning against the Chicago White Sox at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images | Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
The Mariners open up a series against the Mets. This will be their last homestand before a lengthy road trip that will keep the team away until the middle of the month. It’s also Pride Night at the ballpark, in case you’re wondering about the rainbow graphics.
Lineups:
The Mariners anticipate Mets starter Austin Warren to be an opener for a lefty, hence the righty stack in tonight’s lineup.
2004-ass Tumblr post lineup graphic:
News:
Dan Wilson informed the media Cal Raleigh will remain with the team until the end of the homestand, at which point they’ll have a better idea of whether he’ll return to Arizona for more rehab or stick around, perhaps in preparation to make some rehab starts, but emphasizes all of that is very preliminary. Cal did catch a bullpen today, though.
Good development. Cal Raleigh just came in from the bullpen in all his gear. He caught a pen.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 25: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers warms up in the on deck circle during the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 25, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers head to the desert to face the Diamondbacks.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 11: The Los Angeles Lakers lay out T-shirts before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round Two Game Four of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 11, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
While the Finals are set to start this week between the Spurs and Knicks, the Lakers are firmly into their offseason.
It’ll be an important one, kicking off with the NBA Draft at the end of June. After that, the franchise will head into one of the most important offseasons in recent memory as they look to build around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
Naturally, there are plenty of questions about the draft, free agency and the offseason as a whole. So, fire away with any of them. And if you have any questions about the young WNBA season, send them as well.
GRAND CANYON, AZ, UNITED STATES - DECEMBER 4: A general view of the Antelope Canyon, located on the Navajo Nation near Page, Arizona, United States on Dec. 4, 2024. (Photo by Rabia Iclal Turan/Anadolu via Getty Images) | Anadolu via Getty Images
Today’s Lineups
DODGERS
DIAMONDBACKS
Shohei Ohtani – DH
Ketel Marte – 2B
Andy Pages – CF
Corbin Carroll – RF
Freddie Freeman – 1B
Geraldo Perdomo – SS
Mookie Betts – SS
Nolan Arenado – 3B
Kyle Tucker – RF
Pavin Smith – DH
Will Smith – C
Gabriel Moreno – C
Max Muncy – 3B
Ildemaro Vargas – 1B
Miguel Rojas – 2B
Jorge Barrosa – CF
Alex Call – LF
Tommy Troy – LF
Emmet Sheehan – RHP
E. Rodriguez – LHP
Roster moves
The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves. The D-backs’ 40-man roster is at 40.
Reinstated from the 60-day injured list: INF Pavin Smith (left elbow inflammation)
Optioned to Triple-A Reno following yesterday’s game: INF/OF Tim Tawa
Transferred to the 60-day injured list: INF Carlos Santana (strained right adductor)
Smith’s season was barely under way – just two games played – before it went into the freezer, due to the elbow issue. The best part of two months later, after five games of rehab – one in the ACL, and then four with the Reno Aces at Triple-A. He went 7-for-17 there with a double, a walk and four strikeouts, but the main thing will be Pavin’s health. The team certainly needs him, whether it’s at 1B or, as tonight, as Arizona’s designated hitter. The D-backs currently rank 29th by OPS from first-base, at a mere .620 (MLB average is more than 150 points higher, at .777) and 27th at the DH (a woeful .580, compared to MLB average .725).
On that basis, the bar for Smith to be an improvement is pretty low. His career figure, now over 450 games, is .736. Which is about three hundred points higher than you’d think if you only looked at social media. Simply producing at that level would significantly boost either position, so let’s hope he can contribute immediately. We will need all the help we can find this series against the Dodgers, who have rebounded from a rough stretch, although they never dropped more than a half-game out of first place in the division. They have won seven of the last eight, to rebuild a 5.5 game lead in the NL West. They’re 14-3 since May 13, with a 2.09 ERA over that time. It won’t be easy.
While we’re here, some other health updates:
A.J. Puk will throw in Triple-A Reno tomorrow and Friday, per Torey Lovullo.
Jordan Lawlar is playing in the complex league today and tomorrow with eyes on joining Reno later this week.
Those first two will be the next roster moves to start thinking about. Both are on the 60-day IL, so we will need to figure out how to open up a 40-man roster spot for each of them, in addition to deciding who they will replace on the active roster.
SPRINGFIELD, MA - SEPTEMBER 11: Rick Adelman. speaks to the crowd during the 2021 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony on September 11, 2021 at MassMutual in Springfield, Massachusetts. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images
Rick Adelman, a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee who played for seven NBA seasons before becoming one of the game’s all-time winningest coaches, has died, the National Basketball Coaches Association announced Monday.
Adelman, the father of Denver Nuggets coach David Adelman, was 79. The cause of his death was not immediately announced.
“The Denver Nuggets were extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Hall of Fame Head Coach Rick Adelman,” the Nuggets said Monday night. “Our thoughts are with head coach David Adelman, the entire Adelman family and the many friends and loved ones that were lucky enough to know Rick.”
Rick Adelman won 1,042 games as an NBA coach, 10th-most in league history. Only four other coaches — Pat Riley, Gregg Popovich, Jerry Sloan and George Karl — coached more games and had a better winning percentage than Adelman, who took the Portland Trail Blazers to the NBA Finals twice and also was head coach in Sacramento, Houston, Minnesota and Golden State.
“Adelman will be remembered not only as a coach and a player, but also as a mentor to so many in the basketball community,” read a statement from the coaches’ association, which honored Adelman with its Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.
“Rick Adelman’s NBA coaching career has been highlighted by innovation, integrity and excellence,” Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said when the NBCA presented that award three years ago. “His teams always played to their strengths, and Rick always found subtle ways to reinvent NBA basketball to help his players thrive. His quiet, unassuming nature belies his impact as one of the great NBA coaches of all time.”
Adelman also played in the NBA from 1969 through 1975 as a point guard for five different teams — but found his calling as a coach.
The Kings, in paying tribute, said Adelman “will be remembered for the way he inspired those around him — with humility, integrity, kindness, and an unwavering belief in the power of teamwork.”
Adelman’s path to the NBA, as a coach, was unintentional.
He thought he would become a high school coach, though his lack of experience was a deterrent. He then started his coaching career at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon.
“We had great success there,” Adelman said in his Hall of Fame enshrinement speech. “The one thing I did not realize is Jack Ramsey was following my team.”
Ramsey was coaching the Portland Trail Blazers, and invited Adelman to interview when a position opened on his staff. Adelman worked under Ramsey for three seasons and Mike Schuler for 2 1/2 more, then took over as interim coach with 35 games left in the 1988-89 season.
“We had a team that was ready to win,” Adelman said in 2021.
Blazers owner Paul Allen told Adelman he could coach the 1989-90 season. The rest is history. Portland won 59 games that season with Clyde Drexler, Terry Porter, Jerome Kersey and Buck Williams leading the way, getting to the NBA Finals and falling to Detroit.
Adelman was off and running. He took the Blazers back to the NBA Finals two years later, falling then to Chicago. After his Portland era, Adelman coached two years at Golden State and then went to Sacramento — where he had eight winning seasons in an eight-year stint, with players like Vlade Divac, Peja Stojaković, Mike Bibby, Chris Webber, Jason Williams, Bobby Jackson and current Kings coach Doug Christie. And in those Sacramento years, Adelman was widely credited for running some types of offenses that the league had never seen.
“He was a brilliant strategist and teacher of the game, and an even better person,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said.
Adelman had 210 players appear in at least one NBA game for him.
“He actually challenged me and poured into trusting me,” 20-year guard Kyle Lowry said Monday night. “That was important for me. He didn’t have to. He could have done everything else, he could have played other players, but he believed in me. ... He just trusted his players. He just wanted to win. And if it wasn’t for him, I don’t know what career I would have. It’s a sad day.”
Among Adelman’s accomplishments: He engineered a 22-game winning streak with Houston in 2008, a run that is the fourth-longest in NBA history.
“Coach Adelman guided the Rockets with professionalism, integrity, and a deep commitment to the game,” the Rockets said in a release. “His role in leading the team during the 22-game winning streak in 2008 remains one of the most remarkable achievements in franchise history and will always be remembered by Rockets fans.”
The Blazers noted that not only did Adelman lead the team to the finals twice, but he was a player on the inaugural Portland team in 1970.
“Rick was one of the most influential figures in franchise history,” the Blazers said.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 31: Carson Benge #3 of the New York Mets reacts at home plate after his first inning home run against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on May 31, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Mets lineup
Carson Benge – RF Bo Bichette – SS Juan Soto – LF Jared Young – 1B A.J. Ewing – CF MJ Melendez – DH Brett Baty – 3B Marcus Semien – 2B Luis Torrens – C
SP: Austin Warren – RHP
Mariners lineup
J.P. Crawford – SS Julio Rodriguez – CF Josh Naylor – 1B Randy Arozarena – LF Luke Raley – RF Cole Young – 2B Rob Refsnyder – DH Mitch Garver – C Colt Emerson – 3B
SP: Emerson Hancock – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 9:40 PM ET TV: SNY Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 26: Kyle Freeland #21 of the Colorado Rockies delivers to the plate during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on May 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In a battle of the worsts of the Wests, the Los Angeles Angels will host the Colorado Rockies in the first showdown of a three-game series tonight.
The Angels (23-37) are currently in last place in the AL West, eight games back of the AL West-leading Mariners. The Rockies (22-38) are in the NL West basement, 10 games back of the division-leading Dodgers.
Both teams have struggled on the mound this season with the Rockies ranked last in MLB with a 5.39 ERA and the Angels at No. 28 with a 4.72 ERA entering Monday’s action. Colorado has struggled the most with starting pitching as they remain at No. 30 in MLB with a 5.83 ERA, while the Angels are worse out of the bullpen with a 5.08 ERA, which ranks No. 28.
The Rockies have gone 3-7 in their last 10 games as part of a brutal May where they went 8-20. The Rockies lost their first eight series in the month before edging the Giants 2-1 to close out May at Coors Field. The Angels have won six of their last 10, winning three series in a row over the Rangers, Tigers and Rays.
Kyle Freeland (1-6, 8.08 ERA) will be making his 10th start of the season on Monday night at Angel Stadium. May was no kinder to Freeland than it was the rest of the Rockies as he went 0-4 with a 12.46 ERA in five starts. The worst of those was the most recent when the lefty got shelled for eight runs on nine hits with four strikeouts and no walks in four innings in a 15-6 loss to the Dodgers in L.A. on May 26.
There’s reason to believe this trip to L.A. will go better. Freeland is 3-0 with a 2.40 ERA in five career starts against the Angels.
José Soriano (6-4, 2.65 ERA) will get the start for L.A. and has been the team’s best starter this season. In 71 innings, the 27-year-old RHP has registered 78 strikeouts, walking 31 in 12 starts. Soriano has only faced the Rockies once in his four-year MLB career, holding the Rockies scoreless in two innings in a 4-3 Rockies win in 2023 at Coors Field.
The series marks a short road trip for the Rockies, who will return to Coors Field on June 5 for a six-game home stand against the Brewers and Cubs.
Earlier on Monday, the Rockies made a handful of roster moves, calling up RHP reliever TJ Shook from Triple-A Albuquerque while sending struggling reliever Zach Agnos down to the Isotopes. Read more about the roster updates here.
First Pitch: 7:38 p.m. MDT
TV: Rockies.TV
Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM KOA Rockies Radio Network; KNRV 1150 AM (Spanish)
Former Knick Jamal Crawford, who is an analyst for NBC Sports and called the Western Conference Finals on NBC and Peacock alongside play-by-play man Mike Tirico and analyst Reggie Miller, takes a shot at some Q&A with Post columnist Steve Serby.
Q: Your thoughts on Wemby (Victor Wembanyama)?
A: Transcendent, generational. His off-the-court view of life, his point of view of life are even more impressive than the stuff you can see on the court. He’s just different. And we use the term different so much in today’s culture, but he’s even more different than the people we call different.
Q: How about on-the-court different?
A: He could do everything. Look how the game’s evolved. We saw a 6-[foot]-9, 6-10 in T-Mac (Tracy McGrady), and that kinda graduated to Kevin Durant, who’s 7 feet, did the stuff T-Mac did but even more efficiently, and now if you stretch it out even more and go 7-4, 7-5 with Victor Wembanyama, so with him, he can do all those same things, but he has a whole different altitude that he’s doing it from, being that tall. He is just something special.
Q: Why does the city love the Knicks so much?
A: That fanbase and the connection to the fanbase, it’s one of the truly remarkable things in sports — in any sport. They’re like how the Cowboys are loved, how the Yankees are loved, how the Lakers are loved. It’s a different type of love.
Here’s an example: I came to a game a couple of years back, playoffs against Cleveland. And when I left, it was like I played and I had 30 in the Garden the night before, the fans were going crazy. I’m like, “This is crazy, I have not played here in almost 20 years at that point, and they still show that kind of love.” Once A Knick, Always A Knick, and they truly make you feel that.
Q: Paint the picture for me what the city would be like if the Knicks won the NBA championship.
A: They’ll literally party for one year straight like it’s 1999. It would be IN-credible. I don’t mean 1999 as a real year, I mean 1999 that Prince was talking about. It’s gonna be crazy.
Jamal Crawford and Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs shake hands after the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game Seven of the NBA Western Conference Finals on May 30, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
Q: What impresses you most about the way the Knicks are playing?
A: They’re playing with a certain belief, like no matter the situation. no matter the outcome, they feel like they can win the game, like no matter how they start, if they get down during the course of a game, they play with a different belief. And the belief is like the strength in numbers. They’re believing that somebody will step up, somebody will provide a spark — obviously Jalen [Brunson] and KAT [Karl-Anthony Towns] and OG [Anunoby] and Mikal [Bridges] and Josh [Hart] — but then you’ll have Deuce [Miles McBride] come in, Mitchell Robinson to come in and get some offensive rebounds. They have so many different weapons, and they’re all pulling in the same direction, they have a different type belief in each other.
It’s really a championship-contending type belief.
Q: What makes Jalen Brunson unique?
A: I think most star players, superstar players, feel like they have to be the superstar all the time, and I think that he lets the game come to him and he lets other guys say, “Oh, they got it going, oh, this guy hasn’t taken a shot, oh, OK, I can kinda sit back and then take over for these next six minutes and give my team confidence.”
He just has a crazy, crazy feel of knowing what to do, how to do it and when to do it, and I think that’s what makes him special.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson #11, during the 1st quarter.
Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Q: What adjectives would you use to describe his game?
A: Smart … competitive … gritty … winner.
Q: So you’re not of the Becky Hammond belief that a small man cannot be the alpha champion?
A: No, I think anybody can be a champion. I think sometimes heart goes over height. I also think thinking quick on your toes and having supreme basketball IQ can negate even the biggest people.
Q: If the Knicks were to win, where would that place Brunson in Knicks lore?
A: Mount Rushmore, easy. And the funny thing about that is last season, before I started calling Knick games, I was watching the games and my wife was like, “Look, No. 11’s in the crowd, they’re wearing your number!” I said, “No, no, no (laugh), that’s Jalen Brunson’s number. I’m old news.”
Q: Does Josh Hart remind you of John Starks?
A: I think that No. 3 can be as beloved as Starks if they win a championship, that’s for sure. Yeah, he has some Starks, I think he has some Doug Christie in him when Doug was in Sacramento and just kinda made winning plays or whatever it took, he’ll guard the best player and he’ll provide toughness, he’ll provide extra ballhandling duties, he’ll provide a big shot.
Q: What impresses you about OG Anunoby?
A: That in chaos, he’s calm. When things are really going crazy or whatever, he can provide a big steal, a big rebound, a big shot, and I’m sure he has that internal fire, but on the outside, it looks just so calm, he’s kinda at peace with whatever he’s doing, a la Kahwi Leonard a little bit.
Q: What was your reaction when the Knicks traded for KAT (Karl-Anthony Towns)?
A: I told KAT, actually, I told KAT that he was gonna love it, he was gonna be beloved in New York ’cause I played with him in Minnesota. You can ask him, I was one of the first people that kinda said that to him. He’s so skilled, he’s so like transcendent in that way being a big guy who can do everything on the court. And I think that’s why him and Brunson work, to be honest with you. They both can float between 1A and 1B in the same game, in the same quarter, and they don’t care. There’s no ego in it. That’s what kinda helps make them special as well.
Q: When you played with KAT he was not the facilitator he is now, right?
A: No. At times he could see things. I was playing with a young KAT, I think I played with him the year he made his first All-Star game. He was kinda establishing himself as a player, as a scorer. I think he likes being the hub.
Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets drives to the basket defended by Jamal Crawford #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 in the first half during Game One of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 15, 2018 in Houston, Texas. Tim Warner
Q: Does Mikal Bridges look like the star player he used to be prior to the Knicks?
A: I don’t know if he looks exactly like a star player, but on this team I don’t think he has to be. I think he has to be shades of who he was at his best in different places — shades of Phoenix, shades of Brooklyn. I think all those different shades can show up at different times whenever the game calls for it, and I think he’s done that.
Q: What are your thoughts on the job Mike Brown has done and how well do you know him?
A: I know him well. I think he’s done a phenomenal job. Imagine the pressure of taking over a team that went to the Eastern Conference final. Anything not going further than that is like a fail, right? But he stepped up to the challenge. It was rocky at times during the season, it was like “What are we doing? We had Thibs,” and Thibs (Tom Thibodeau) did an unbelievable job, no shade to him whatsoever, he set the foundation. But Mike Brown’s kinda taken it up a notch and taken it to another level, and I think that’s what you’re seeing right now from the New York Knicks.
Q: Mitchell Robinson?
A: I think he brings something different to the game. I think his offensive rebounding, his numbers are like off the charts. His energy he plays with. Obviously, he can do better at the free-throw line, but everybody can do better at something. But what he does do, it brings a different type energy to the team. He’s tough too.
Q: How good is the Knicks bench?
A: I think they have specialists. Look at Deuce, you look at Shammy [Landry Shamet], look at Mitchell coming off as a specialist as well, just different guys who provide different things and right now, they seem to believe they can’t lose, and maybe one of the best things for everybody on the Knicks side if you’re a Knicks fan is the slugfest that the Spurs and the Thunder were in. Because now it provides you more rest, more recovery, and you’re getting like a full scout of both teams.
Q: Thoughts on Shamet?
A: Whenever he shoots with no hesitation, it usually goes in. When he’s like hunting his shot, he’s like, “Hey, I’m shooting it regardless,” he usually shoots it with more confidence. I think when he hesitates, that throws him off just a little bit.
Q: Tell me about Leon Rose.
A: Always been the same way, very laid-back, very professional. Very thoughtful. Very real and authentic. I was always very fond of Leon Rose, when he was an agent back when I was with Rick Brunson in 2003 with the Bulls. Rick was a client of Leon’s so I met Leon in passing then.
Jamal Crawford smiles before the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves against the San Antonio Spurs during Round Two Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
Q: What do you recall about Rick Brunson?
A: He had hair and he thought he was like The Man at the time, he was coming from the Knicks, and came with this swagger. And I actually shot with Jalen in the Berto Center. He was like 8 years old when he’d come up to visit.
Q: What are some of your favorite Knicks memories (2004-08)?
A: Absolutely scoring 52 in the Garden. Absolutely seeing superstars and actors coming to watch me play. And probably the most important thing is I never got booed in 4 ¹/₂ years and that was a big thing for me. At times we weren’t very good, and I never got booed, so I took that as a badge of honor.
Q: You mentioned celebrities — anybody in particular?
A: Jay-Z, who I knew a little bit before, but our relationship really grew. I remember going after I had a big game at the Garden early in the season in my first year, I saw Adam Sandler at Tao, and I knew he knew me ’cause he was just at the game when I had 25, so that was cool. I didn’t actually meet Heath Ledger, but he was at the game I had 52, and I got a letter from a friend that came with him to the game probably a few years ago now and he told me how it kinda helped Heath Ledger’s love for basketball watching me play.
Q: What was the key to you being such a great Sixth Man?
A: Getting over myself. It wasn’t about me. I had no problem letting others shine. I had no ego when I was coming off the bench. I just wanted to provide what I could provide in the game. And I’m like, this is really cool, I can just watch the game, make some adjustments before I actually go in and provide some extra punch to my team so we’re better.
Reggie Miller, Jamal Crawford and Mike Tirico talk to media before the game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game Six of the NBA Western Conference Finals on May 28, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NBAE via Getty Images
Q: Who gave you the J Crossover nickname?
A: My childhood friend David Hudson actually came up with it, and it just really stuck with my style of play and my initials, it worked out.
Q: You were the oldest player to score 50 points in a game.
A: Yeah, and the goal was only 25 that night. I just wanted to get 25 so it could be me, Kareem and Kobe to be that far in our career to score 25 three straight games. I had 25 going into the fourth quarter so I said, “Hey, I might as well let it rip.”
Q: How would you sum up your NBA career?
A: Unique. I think it was very unique. I wasn’t the main actor in the movie, but I was the actor who had smaller roles that you wanted to see more of, and he left an impression.
Q: Any regrets over not winning a ring?
A: No, you know what? I think my ring for me personally was actually playing in the NBA. As a kid, when I was 8 years old, it wasn’t to win a ring, it was just to make it. And I made it, and I played 20 years, and in some regards I left my mark on the game. So for me, I think that was my ring.
Trading for NHL players is a lot like playing the stock market.
Teams are always on the hunt for depressed assets who, for whatever reason, have underperformed in their current situation but may offer more potential value than the opportunity cost of acquiring them.
A quick glance around the league and several targets immediately come to the forefront. Injuries ravaged Michael Kesselring’s season in Buffalo, and he was frequently made a healthy scratch during the postseason. The hulking defenceman only played one game for the Sabres, logging 4:25 of ice time.
In Anaheim, Olen Zellweger and Mason McTavish were similarly made healthy scratches during the Ducks’ postseason run, the latter of whom has had his name surface in reports within the last week.
Sources indicated to Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch that thSenators were actively scouring the market for a top-six forward, and inevitably, the conversation turned to McTavish.
The 23-year-old centre had a relatively disappointing campaign with the Ducks in which he tallied 17 goals and 41 points in 75 regular season games. It was the fourth consecutive season in which McTavish surpassed 40 points, but the campaign represented a down year after he set career highs in goals (22) and points (52) the season prior.
Naturally, McTavish is going to generate extra interest because he was the third overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft and he is a local hockey product. His parents moved from Switzerland, where his father, Dale, played professionally, to Carp when McTavish was just eight years old. McTavish would play for the Ottawa Valley Titans and the Pembroke Lumber Kings before being selected fifth overall in the 2019 OHL Draft by the Peterborough Petes.
There is also the connection to Michael Andlauer and Steve Staios. The two acquired Mason McTavish when they ran the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs. And, in one of his first moves after becoming the Senators’ general manager, Staios hired Dale McTavish as a pro scout.
Beyond those connections, the idea of adding McTavish to the fold is intriguing on several fronts.
A lot of attention has been paid to the idea that the Senators need a quick winger for centre Tim Stützle. Especially in the playoffs, where every microcosm of the game is magnified, there were instances where it looked like the shifty German centre would attack the opposition’s end with possession, only to look for support and find none.
The NHL Edge data is not particularly flattering of McTavish’s skating ability.
He ranks below the 50th percentile in both his max skating speed and each speed-burst metric. His presence, however, would afford the organization the flexibility to consider using Dylan Cozens on the wing - a position where he flourished alongside Macklin Celebrini and Sidney Crosby at the World Championships. Cozens finished the tournament recording four goals and seven points in 10 games.
His max skating speed of 22.40 miles per hour ranked in the 84th percentile, while his 22+ miles per hour bursts ranked in the 91st percentile. Cozens had a resurgent 2025-26 campaign, scoring 28 goals and 59 points. They represented his highest totals since his breakout 2022-23 season in Buffalo.
Given the opportunity cost required to acquire a more proven scorer, it may benefit the Senators to target McTavish as a second-line centre and elevate an internal option like Cozens.
Perhaps the organization has suspicions that Cozens’ strong play in 2025-26 was primarily driven by the team’s structure and the fact that his most common linemate was Brady Tkachuk. If the physical, shot-generating Tkachuk is moved off Cozens’ wing and there are concerns that the centre will be hampered by that fact, it could make sense to use Cozens on the wing.
McTavish’s underlying metrics are a bit of a mixed bag to this point. Offensively, there are reasons to believe that his offence can play up.
According to HockeyViz, McTavish’s isolated offensive impacts were strong.
Hockeyviz.com
And, when he was on the ice, Anaheim did a significantly better job at generating chances.
Hockeyviz.comHockeyviz.com
The opposite can be said about his defence.
Hockeyviz.comHockeyviz.com
The defensive impacts make sense because the Ducks played a run-and-gun style. They ranked in the top five in shot generation at five-on-five, but gave up almost as many chances as they generated, with the fifth-highest expected goals allowed per 60 in the league.
McTavish played predominantly with rookie Beckett Sennecke and sophomore Cutter Gauthier, so given the team’s structure and the inexperience of his line, it is reasonable to understand why his line gave up its share of scoring chances. Granted, despite that rate, the line still generated 56.55 percent of the shots (CF%), 54.48 percent of the shots on goal (SF%), 56.21 percent of the total goals (GF%), and 58.65 percent of the expected goals (xGF%) per Evolving-Hockey.
The buy-in from the players in Ottawa under Travis Green’s watch has created strong structure and ushered in impressive underlying metrics for seemingly every player. With McTavish’s competitiveness, the hope would be that he could buy in and be part of the solution. His age would certainly align with the window created by the average age of the Senators’ young core.
His situation is reminiscent of what another high pick, Sam Bennett (fourth overall, 2014), experienced in Calgary. After some mildly productive years, Bennett was dealt, in his age-24 season, to the Florida Panthers for a 2022 sixth-round pick and Emil Heineman, along with a 2022 second-round pick. In Florida, Bennett flourished and became an important cog on two championship teams.
McTavish may not develop into Bennett, but the situations are similar. And for that, I believe there is enough under the hood to explore what it may take to bring the centre to Ottawa. The cost will assuredly be higher than what the Panthers paid for Bennett in 2021, but if the Senators perform their due diligence and find that the projected future value outweighs what they would have to give up now, it would make sense.
And if not McTavish, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Senators expand their search for a top-six forward beyond just wingers. If there is one common theme to Steve Staios and his management group, it is that they are diligent and will explore all of their options to make this group better.
