The Maven wonders how Rangers fans feel about ex-Blueshirt bench boss Peter Laviolette getting the Kings head coaching gig.
Like many of Lavvy's NHL stints – remember, he broke in with the Islanders – Pete did some good things with the Rangers because he's got savvy, experience and a few other good qualities.
But he couldn't fix the Rangers clubhouse negativity and the fact that – whatever Pete's message – his troops reacted as if they had "heard that song before."
We wish him luck in L.A. but I don't expect any John Tortorella miracles!
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 02: Colt Emerson #4 of the Seattle Mariners makes a catch for the final out against the New York Mets during the ninth inning at T-Mobile Park on June 02, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In the last three weeks, Colt Emerson has made his MLB debut with the Seattle Mariners, notched his first MLB hit with a home run, hit his first career triple, hit three more home runs, and made some stellar plays at third base. Emerson still can’t legally buy a beer yet, but his scorching first three weeks in the league are a big part of the Mariners getting their season on track with winning streaks, home run-fueled comebacks, and walk-off victories at home. He’s become extremely important at work in a very short amount of time, so much so that when he was a late-scratch for Monday’s game with back tightness, the collar-tugging was palatable around Mariners-ville.
Hopefully it’s nothing a couple days off won’t fix, but before that happened, I asked y’all in the FEED last week to submit your hottest takes regarding Emerson’s ceiling and floor as player. What audacious heights will he reach? Will his lows be trench-like or simply pedestrian? Let’s review some responses and throw some rankings on them using my patented and very scientific Mariners Hot Take Ranking System:
Poster SomethingTotallyIllogical says:
“His three preseason ZiPs comps were the 20 y.o. seasons of Jurickson Profar, Roy White, and JP Crawford.
Profar, oscillation around replacement until steroids.
Roy White (1965-1979), 41 WAR career. First positive WAR in fourth season age 24. Median season 3 WAR, max 5.8.
JP, replacement level until arriving in Seattle age 24. Should be at 20 WAR career end-of-season. Median season 1.9 WAR, max 4.8.“
Hmmm, ZiPs here provides an interesting range of player comps with Profar being the floor, J.P. being the mid-to-upper range, and Roy White being a very high ceiling. Also, wow, Roy White. I was not familiar with your game! Dude played left field for 15 seasons for the Yankees, posted 6.8 WAR in 1970 while playing all 162 games. Sure, sign me up for that! Rating this take an IWAKUMA.
Poster jmozeika says:
“As a ceiling I kind of have him in the Corey Seager but healthy range (so less down years, and more longevity).. maybe 55 career fWAR. Maybe slightly better than Corey Seager because of his discerning eye and better plate discipline.
The floor? Maybe a pre-2021 JP Crawford. Good glove, but the bat for some reason just doesn’t stick. 1.5 to 2.0 fWAR during his prime years but falls out of usefulness as he ages out of his glove.“
Sure, healthy Corey Seager sounds smashing. I will also take that any day. And another J.P. mention but his not-s0-great seasons as his floor. Wouldn’t be terrible, but a bit disappointing given Colt’s hot start. Rating this take a BOSIO.
Poster aubrey94 says:
“ceiling I think J-Ram; there is no floor but I’ll say Adam Frazier.”
I’ve always wanted a Jose Ramirez on the Mariners. However, I do not want another Captain Slapdick. Bonus points for invoking the obvious LL floor meme. Rating this take as BRASH because it made me think of Colt knocking someone out like Ramirez did to Tim Anderson.
Poster volta-verve says:
“I think he could be a consistent 3/4 WAR guy. I expect him to be 10/20% better than league average with average or plus shortstop defense. His floor would be something like a league average batter with mediocre defense. His ceiling is unfortunately limited by his relative lack of power, but that could change if he grows into it. He’s only 20. Best case scenario, he starts hitting 20/25 homers a year with plus shortstop defense, which is more of a 5/6 WAR player.”
In terms of projections, I find this to be both quite rational and very exciting. A plus-defensive shortstop posting 3 to 6 WAR a season? Oh, so early career Alex Rodriguez is back? Spectacular. Giving this one an BRASH because having a shortstop who rakes feels like the dream of every roster builder that so rarely comes true.
Poster Rumdoodle says:
“Ceiling: Hall of Fame
Floor: Colt Emerson, Los Angeles Angel of Anaheim, Disneyland, California”
Well, someone had to say it. By it, I mean the Hall of Fame. Now that’s a ceiling. A very high one. Combined with a floor that can only be described as a fate worse than death, I have no choice but to brand this take with a sizzling CLIFF LEE. The highest highs and lowest lows.
All right, wrapping it up here. Thanks to everyone who contributed their thoughts. Let’s cross our fingers for no IL trip for our boy Colt and go Mariners!
The Cincinnati Reds visit the San Diego Padres this evening as they eye another victory behind ace Chase Burns.
With Burns on the mound and a favorable matchup looming for Cincy's offense, my Reds vs. Padres predictions have the road team prevailing at Petco Park.
Find out more in my MLB picks for Tuesday, June 9.
Who will win Reds vs Padres today: Reds (-119)
Chase Burns has put himself in the NL Cy Young conversation this year with a stellar 2.05 ERA and a 7-1 record. The Cincinnati Reds' right-hander has also pitched extremely well on the road this season, compiling a 2.71 FIP and averaging 12.30 Ks per nine innings against 1.80 walks per nine innings.
Meanwhile, the San Diego Padres are struggling immensely at the dish lately, carrying a .191 average and .109 ISO over the last seven days. They're not squaring up the baseball much right now, and San Diego's 23.9% strikeout rate is concerning against a guy like Burns.
On the other side, Lucas Giolito owns a 47.8% hard-hit rate across his last two appearances and an xERA north of six. The Reds have still generated a 38% hard-hit rate across their last six games, suggesting the Reds are capable of taking advantage if Giolito's struggles continue.
I'd play this up to -140.
COVERS INTEL: Giolito has walked 7.2 hitters per nine innings this season across four starts, so expect plenty of traffic on the basepaths tonight.
Reds vs Padres Over/Under pick: Over 7.5 (+105)
Giolito is far from reliable, and San Diego's bullpen owns a 5.10 xERA over the last week. More importantly, the Padres relievers have allowed a 50% hard-hit rate during that span.
As for Cincinnati, its bullpen has posted a 5.26 FIP over the last two weeks while walking 4.80 hitters per nine innings. Burns has pitched beyond the sixth inning just once this season, so the Reds' relievers will likely be asked to cover multiple frames as well.
Burns has also allowed two earned runs in each of his last two starts. Even if he pitches well, the bullpens can push this game Over.
Playable to -110.
Quinn Allen's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 21-18, +1.92 units
Over/Under bets: 22-16, +2.25 units
Reds vs Padres odds
Moneyline: Reds -119 | Padres +110
Run line: Reds -1.5 (+156) | Padres +1.5 (-163)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 (+105) | Under 7.5 (-125)
Reds vs Padres trend
Cincinnati has hit the game total Over in 27 of its last 40 games (+12.55 Units / 28% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Reds vs. Padres.
How to watch Reds vs Padres and game info
Location
Petco Park, San Diego, CA
Date
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
First pitch
9:40 p.m. ET
TV
Reds.TV, Padres.TV
Reds starting pitcher
Chase Burns (7-1, 2.05 ERA)
Padres starting pitcher
Lucas Giolito (2-1, 4.86 ERA)
Reds vs Padres latest injuries
Reds vs Padres weather
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.
The Atlanta Braves have been the league's most prolific road offense against right-handed pitching.
With the NL's best showing no signs of slowing down, my Braves vs. White Sox predictions expect their lethal attack to lead the charge against Erick Fedde tonight.
Let's break it all down with my MLB picks for Tuesday, June 9.
Who will win Braves vs White Sox today: Braves (-155)
Erick Fedde owns a 4.94 ERA, and the numbers under the hood are even worse.
He cannot miss bats, and that's a recipe for disaster against the Atlanta Braves, who are fourth in wOBA, second in SLG, and third in fly ball rate against right-handed pitchers.
Look for the offense to power Atlanta to victory. Playable to -165.
Braves vs White Sox Over/Under pick: Over 9 (-120)
Fedde has allowed a .322 average and .400 wOBA over his last five starts, the worst marks among any pitcher on today’s slate. He is heading for trouble against a Braves' offense that ranks second in OPS against right-handed pitching.
Meanwhile, the Chicago White Sox should get to Grant Holmes as well. He has conceded multiple runs against opponents who rank Top-20 in OPS vs. righties, and the Sox sit ninth.
Playable to -130.
Todd Cordell's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 25-21, -2.08 units
Over/Under bets: 21-23-2, -5.01 units
Braves vs White Sox odds
Moneyline: Braves -155 | White Sox +135
Run line: Braves -1.5 (-105) | White Sox +1.5 (-125)
Over/Under: Over 9.0 (-120) | Under 9.0 (+100)
Braves vs White Sox trend
Atlanta has hit the moneyline in 30 of its last 40 road games (+18.95 units, 36% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Braves vs. White Sox.
How to watch Braves vs White Sox and game info
Location
Rate Field, Chicago, IL
Date
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
First pitch
7:40 p.m. ET
TV
BravesVision, CHSN
Braves starting pitcher
Grant Holmes (4-2, 3.86 ERA)
White Sox starting pitcher
Erick Fedde (1-5, 4.94 ERA)
Braves vs White Sox latest injuries
Braves vs White Sox weather
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.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Los Angeles Angels first baseman Trey Mancini, a cancer survivor and former Baltimore slugger, had three hits in his first major league game since 2023 in a 5-4 loss to the Houston Astros in 10 innings.
Mancini delivered a run-scoring single in the second inning in his first at-bat. He singled again leading off the fourth before adding a third single in the eighth.
The Angels selected the contract of Mancini and put him in the lineup at first base against the Astros after placing infielders Vaughn Grissom (left oblique strain) and Adam Frazier (right elbow inflammation) on the 10-day injured list.
Mancini, 34, agreed to a minor league contract with the Angels in February, a deal that included an invitation to major league spring training. Mancini hit .273 with six homers, 29 RBIs and three steals for Triple-A Salt Lake this year.
Mancini has batted .263 with 129 homers and 400 RBIs over parts of seven seasons in the majors. He played parts of six seasons with the Orioles and hit a career-high 29 homers in 2019.
Mancini then missed the 2020 season after surgery to remove a malignant tumor from his colon. He made a successful return to the Orioles in 2021, and he won a World Series ring in 2022 after Baltimore traded him to Houston.
He spent part of the 2023 season with the Chicago Cubs. He has since played in the minor league systems of the Reds, Marlins and Diamondbacks.
Mancini opted out of a minor league deal with Arizona last July after batting .308 with 16 homers for Triple-A Reno.
The Angels also recalled infielder Denzer Guzman from Salt Lake and transferred infielder Yoán Moncada to the 60-day injured list.
Although the New York Yankees are road favorites, I am eyeing the underdog value with the Cleveland Guardians
The Guardians just proved their high-contact approach works against Gerrit Cole, and while Slade Cecconi is an inferior arm, the Yanks' offense is vulnerable without their captain in the order.
Read all about it in my Yankees vs. Guardians predictions and MLB picks for Tuesday, June 9.
Who will win Yankees vs Guardians today: Guardians moneyline (+105)
I backed the Cleveland Guardians in this same matchup already last week and don’t see a reason to change now. The Guardians got Gerrit Cole for four runs last, and their high-contact approach continues to exploit his limited room for error.
While Cole’s 2.49 xERA looks elite, that 22.0% ground-ball rate is a massive concern against a team that can elevate the ball, but more importantly, puts the ball in play with the lowest whiff rate in the sport.
Slade Cecconi won’t blow anyone away, but the New York Yankees are severely depleted without Aaron Judge. Play to -110
COVERS INTEL: Cleveland’s projected lineup has six hitters at a 13.8% strikeout rate or lower, giving the Guardians the contact depth to keep testing Cole’s low-whiff profile.
Yankees vs Guardians Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (-115)
My eyes are on the Over here, as both lineups possess a viable path to production despite the absence of Judge.
Slade Cecconi’s 4.47 xERA and mediocre 18.4% strikeout rate suggest the Yankees will have plenty of opportunities to put the ball in play and manufacture traffic on the basepaths.
On the other side, Cleveland can repeat their recent success against Cole by sticking to their established blueprint. I’m comfortable taking the Over up to 9 at +100.
Chris Hatfield's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 28-22, +5.71 units
Over/Under bets: 31-19, +15.02 units
Yankees vs Guardians odds
Moneyline: Yankees -112 | Guardians +108
Run line: Yankees -1.5 (+144) | Guardians +1.5 (-150)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-112) | Under 8.5 (+108)
Yankees vs Guardians trend
The Cleveland Guardians have covered the first five innings (F5) run line in 30 of their last 50 games (+9.55 Units / 17% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Yankees vs. Guardians.
How to watch Yankees vs Guardians and game info
Location
Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH
Date
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
First pitch
6:40 p.m. ET
TV
TBS
Yankees starting pitcher
Gerrit Cole (1-1, 2.00 ERA)
Guardians starting pitcher
Slade Cecconi (3-5, 4.92 ERA)
Yankees vs Guardians latest injuries
Yankees vs Guardians weather
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.
LAS VEGAS — Athletics third baseman Max Muncy came off the injured list after missing about six weeks with a fracture in his left hand.
The Athletics announced before their game against Milwaukee in Las Vegas that they had reinstated Muncy. They optioned infielder Darell Hernaiz to Triple-A Las Vegas.
Muncy was recovering from a fractured fifth metacarpal. He last played on April 25.
Muncy is batting .239 with a .308 on-base percentage, two homers, seven RBIs and two steals in 26 games.
Hernaiz batted .237 with a .318 on-base percentage, one homer, seven RBIs and three steals in 47 games.
Jun 5, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (40) hits a two run home run during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The Boston Red Sox have gotten everything they could have dreamed of when acquiring Willson Contreras.
I don’t think that is breaking news to anyone. Not only does he seem to be the only guy who gives a shit, but he has stabilized a position that became a real issue over the last few seasons. He hits for both average and power, plays superb defense, has displayed leadership qualities that are missing from other veterans, and he’s cool! It’s as good an addition as this franchise has made this decade, especially considering the fact they gave up three pitchers who haven’t contributed anything to the St. Louis Cardinals.
I wouldn’t exactly say that makes him untouchable, though…
Contreras isn’t just one of the club’s trade chips — Aroldis Chapman, Sonny Gray, Garrett Whitlock, Justin Slaten, Jarren Duran, and Masataka Yoshida can all go, too — but he’s undoubtedly the club’s best trade chip.
Contreras entered the week slashing .298/.391/.540 with 13 home runs and 39 runs batted in — with that .931 OPS ranking third behind Ben Rice (1.032) and Munetaka Murakami (.938). If we’re talking about right-handed bats, he might be the best and most affordable option on the market. Taylor Ward isn’t better. Byron Buxton would cost triple. Matt Chapman is having the worst year of his career. It’s an indisputable fact that your first baseman could fetch quite a package in a trade, which is why he’s more valuable to you as a trade chip than an everyday player.
Boston is straight up terrible, and despite the fact that the Sox are only a few games back in the race for that final playoff spot, there is little hope that postseason baseball will actually materialize for this club. If it somehow does, there’s even less hope that they can make a run to a title.
(As a quick aside, I’m of the belief that you play for championships. Making the playoffs just to say you made the playoffs is loser shit that should be saved for franchises like the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, and Las Oaklamento Athletics — not the Boston Red Sox.)
Contreras is technically under contract through 2028, which is why some folks view him as a long-term piece. I just view that as another reason why he’ll be worth more in a trade, as the incoming lockout and lack of true direction for this franchise make it far less likely that they’ll be ready to compete for championships by the end of it.
I don’t want to hear about how hard it has been to find a first baseman, either!
Triston Casas, Bobby Dalbec, Abraham Toro, and Dom Smith have ruined all of your brains! It’s actually quite easy, as is evidenced by Murakami taking an outrageously team-friendly deal in Chicago, Rafael Devers, Bryce Harper, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. all made the position change relatively easily. It’s not as hard as some have made it out to be.
I just want to see this organization tear things down from the studs, which means firing a few guys, trading others, and resetting the philosophy that has players fighting with coaches and ownership side-eyeing the front-office.
One way to kick things off with a bang? Trade the only guy who has made a difference for the better.
The Rangers are the only Major League Baseball team that has never hosted a Pride Night, an event commonly held during Pride Month to recognize and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. In 2026, the team’s schedule again does not include a themed Pride Night for this specific cause.
Instead, the team's community night schedule lists a "Faith and Family Night" on Thursday, June 18, in a game against the Minnesota Twins. The team is also set to recognize mental health awareness, military, first responders and healthcare workers in the month of June.
USA TODAY reached out to the Texas Rangers for comment on its community nights schedule and if there are plans to add a Pride Night in the future but has not heard back as of yet.
For its "Family and Faith Night" Rangers players will share personal testimonies of how faith impacts their lives both on and off the field, according to the MLB website. "Join us for a special afternoon of community, connection, and celebration," the event reads.
What is MLB Pride Night?
MLB Pride Night is a themed event hosted by many Major League Baseball teams during June, which is recognized as Pride Month. The games are designed to celebrate and support LGBTQIA+ fans, players and communities.
Pride Nights typically include special in-game programming such as ceremonial first pitches, LGBTQIA+ community recognitions, themed merchandise, ticket packages, and partnerships with local advocacy organizations. Some teams also use the event to spotlight nonprofit groups working on inclusion and equality initiatives.
While the structure and branding vary by club, MLB does not require teams to host Pride Night, so participation is left to individual franchises.
Has the Rangers franchise explained why it does not host Pride Night?
The Texas Rangers have not offered a specific explanation for why they do not host a Pride Night.
When asked about it, the franchise has generally responded with broad inclusivity language, emphasizing that the organization aims to make all fans feel welcome at the ballpark. However, it has not directly addressed the absence of a Pride Night or provided a stated policy rationale for not participating.
In a 2023 interview with NBC DFW, the team said: "Our commitment is to make everyone feel welcome and included in Rangers baseball. That means in our ballpark, at every game, and in all we do — for both our fans and our employees. We deliver on that promise across our many programs to have a positive impact across our entire community.”
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Josh Inglis' expert pick: Cardinals/Mets Over 7.5
Price: 52¢ (-108) at Polymarket
This is one of the best Overs on the board, with 9.44 runs projected and a fair price of -133 on Over 8. The weather is a major factor, with 15-mph winds blowing out to center field in what should be one of the better hitting environments of the day.
Freddy Peralta is a fly-ball pitcher with concerning HR/FB metrics, making him vulnerable in these conditions. On the other side, Dustin May has been getting squared up at one of the highest rates among MLB starters over the last 30 days and now faces a New York Mets lineup that ranks among the Top 8 in slugging over the last two weeks.
The St. Louis Cardinals aren't typically known for their power, but this matchup and ballpark environment should help elevate their offensive ceiling. With favorable weather, two pitchers carrying home-run risk, and strong projection support, this Over stands out as one of the best totals on the slate.
Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
How to watch: Cardinals.TV, SNY
Jon Metler's expert pick: Pirates moneyline
Price: 52¢ (-108) at Polymarket
You rarely get the chance to back the Pittsburgh Pirates at this price when Paul Skenes is on the mound, but that’s exactly the opportunity the market is giving us against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
On paper, the Dodgers appear to have a strong platoon advantage with left-handed hitters like Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Kyle Tucker, and Max Muncy in the lineup. In reality, Skenes is one of the few right-handed pitchers capable of minimizing that advantage. His elite sinker-splitter combination tunnels perfectly off a triple-digit fastball, with the splitter diving away from left-handed hitters.
That movement makes it extremely difficult to pull the ball with authority and helps explain why lefties are hitting just .194 with a .554 OPS against him. The Pirates are trading around 52-cent favorites, but I make them closer to 58-cent favorites in this matchup.
That gap is enough for me to back Pittsburgh at this price.
As a result, I'm anticipating the Chicago line to cash in on statistical correction against a struggling Sugano. Additionally, Cubs starter Colin Rea has surrendered a .191 batting average while allowing just seven runs across his past three starts, so I’m confident he can limit the damage enough for the Cubbies to pull away.
Time: 8:40 p.m. ET
How to watch: Marquee, Rockies.TV
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.
It was always clear, from the time the Cubs acquired Ben Brown from the Phillies in 2022 for David Robertson, that he had talent.
He’d dominate at a Cubs minor league affiliate, get called up and have some great outings, but then occasionally get hit hard. That was especially true in 2025, when Brown made 25 appearances for the Cubs (15 starts) and posted a 5.92 ERA, 1.439 WHIP and allowed 18 home runs in 106.1 innings.
He’d done somewhat better as a starter than as a reliever in 2024, but that was reversed last year, though his numbers weren’t really that good in either role.
It was said by me — and others — that if Brown were ever to become a top quality starting pitcher in MLB, he’d have to develop another pitch. Before this year, Brown threw almost exclusively a four-seamer and what was termed a “knuckle curve.” Here’s his pitch mix from 2025, a total of 1,759 pitches thrown:
That’s 95.5 percent of his pitches either being the four-seam fastball or curveball. Those were effective pitches, no doubt about it, but in my view — and the view of others — that’s a reliever’s arsenal.
Holmes helped Brown find a two-seam grip that worked. Brown’s goal, as relayed to FanGraphs’ David Laurila, was to get a “good distinction” between his four-seamer and two-seamer. He’s certainly done that.
Look at the difference in how he approached different hitters. This is 2025:
And this is 2026:
His curveball use is about the same year-to-year, but he’s reduced the four-seamer quite a bit, mostly replaced by the new two-seam fastball (or “sinker” as it’s sometimes termed).
The four-seamer went 97 miles per hour. The sinker was at 98. The pitching motion is basically the same — but look at the movement on the sinker. Chourio had no chance.
That’s the difference for Brown this year, I think. You can see that also in these two charts, the first from last year:
Now look at Brown’s movement chart from 2026 (to date):
You can see how the two-seamer increases Brown’s command of the strike zone. His K rate is down a bit this year, but so is his walk rate, and of course there’s the amazing stat of him not allowing a home run after Jacob Young of the Nats, the first batter to face him this year, took him deep. That’s 57 innings and 219 batters faced without allowing a homer. That’s just damn impressive.
That has led to these differences in Brown’s rankings in various categories. Last year, not very good:
This year, near the top in almost every category:
Congratulations to Ben Brown on his success, which in my view is absolutely because he put in the work to add to his pitch mix. At some point, the league might adjust to him and he’ll have to adjust back. But this success should build his confidence to the point that he can do that.
Maybe the Cubs just found the ace they needed. Pretty good stuff for a 33rd-round draft pick.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 7: Starling Marte #0 of the Kansas City Royals celebrates with third base coach Vance Wilson #17 after hitting a three-run home run against the Minnesota Twins during the fifth inning of the game at Target Field on June 7, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Major League Baseball is different every year. Some years there are multiple juggernaut teams. Some years there are multiple 100-loss teams. Some years, there are neither. Some years one or the other. It’s impossible to predict or time it out, so all MLB teams can do is try to put their best team forward and hope that it’s good enough to make it to the playoffs.
This year is one of the weirdest seasons in recent memory, because the American League is just going through it right now. We’re more than a week into June, and not a single AL team is on pace for 100 wins. The closest is the Tampa Bay Rays, who are on pace for 97. Now, we do have a team on pace for 100 losses—the Los Angeles Angels. Meanwhile, there are only five AL teams with a winning record, and only five AL teams with a positive run differential.
How’d this happen? Well, the National League is slurping up all the victories; that’s at least part of the story. At the moment, three NL teams are on pace for 102 or more victories, with the Braves on a stunning 110-win pace. Mostly, the AL just has bad teams, though.
But you might have noticed when I said that there are only five AL teams with winning records that that is one fewer than the total number of playoff spots remaining. Yes, right now the Texas Rangers are 32-33 and have the final Wild Card spot.
The natural question is…could the terrible American League be the Royals’ saving grace? Fangraphs seems to think there’s a chance!
Honestly, a one-in-ten shot feels…right? Sure, the Royals haven’t played well, which is primarily evidence that the team isn’t as talented as other teams in the league. But, like, if you prowl the Reddit threads and other SB Nation blogs, you’ll quickly find that just about nobody is having a good time. There are a lot of flawed American League teams out there. For the Royals to sneak into the playoffs with 82 wins is within the realm of possibility here.
We’ll know either way soon. The problem is mainly the traffic between Kansas City and a Wild Card spot at this point, but the Royals are about to open a six-game homestand against the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, whose route to the playoffs also goes through the Wild Card. After that, the Royals will have six games against the Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals, who have a combined run differential of +3. Going 8-4 over those 12 games would put the team at 35-43, which is a bad-but-not-terrible record and would probably bring them within five games of that third Wild Card spot—maybe even closer; I mean, they’re 5.5 games away right now.
I still think the likeliest course of action at this point is that the Royals rally somewhat but only end up with a 74-88 record or something, which is just not gonna cut it. But we still haven’t seen the yearly Bobby Witt Jr. Goes Nuclear show. The bullpen is not going to be the worst bullpen in the league for the rest of the year. You can probably expect like five guys on offense to have better second halves. And heck, even the Guardians don’t look all that secure at the top of the Central by the quality of their play.
It is frustrating that the Royals aren’t waltzing away with the division crown. Still, the AL being so bad provides some hope. Maybe the best case result for this team would be the 2013 Royals, who were nine games under .500 on June 4 and ended up with 86 wins. While this team has further to go to get to .500, they also probably won’t have to get to 86 wins to get a playoff berth.
Ultimately, it comes down to playing good baseball. Until the 2026 Royals can sustain good play for a few weeks, skepticism is warranted. It’s just more fun to hope for and root for a team when there’s a shot, and hey, the rest of the AL isn’t doing their jobs, either.
LEXINGTON, KY - MARCH 15: Infielder Tyler Bell (6) of the Kentucky Wildcats in a game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Kentucky Wildcats on March 15, 2026, at Kentucky Proud Park in Lexington, KY. (Photo by Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
2026 MLB Draft Preview: Tyler Bell scouting report.
The 2026 is about a month away — the first round kicks off on July 11, 2026 — so its time to start offering capsule looks at players the Texas Rangers could select with their top picks. The Rangers’ first round pick is at #16, their second round pick is at #54, and their third round pick is at #89.
Leading up to draft day, we will be doing writeups of some of the players who could end up getting selected by the Rangers with one of their first three picks. Today we are looking at University of Kentucky shortstop Tyler Bell.
Tyler Bell is a 6’1”, 190 lb. switch-hitting shortstop at the University of Kentucky. A draft-eligible sophomore, Bell turns 21 later this month. As a prep player out of Illinois, Bell was ranked just outside of the top 100 on the BA 2024 draft board, and was taken by the Rays with their supplemental second round pick that year at #66, one pick after the Rangers selected Dylan Dreiling. Bell did not sign, and was the highest pick in that draft not to sign, though Chris Levonas, taken one pick later by the Brewers, also went unsigned.
Bell is seen as having a solid approach from both sides of the plate, with a good, though not great, hit tool. He has decent power, with MLB Pipeline saying that he could be a 20 homer guy if he can lift balls more consistently. He profiles as someone with an average hit tool and average power, overall, though BP mentions that there’s a decent amount of swing-and-miss risk with him.
Defensively, Bell is a quality defender who is expected to be able to stick at shortstop. He gets praise for his athleticism and instincts in the field, with good hands and a solid arm. He played all the infield positions for Team USA last summer, and is viewed as being able to play the outfield as well. His speed grades out as average, though is expected to play up due to his instincts.
Bell was the Wildcats’ starting shortstop as a freshman, slashing .296/.385/.522 in 265 plate appearances, with 24 walks against 59 Ks. He was sidelined with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder early in the 2026 season, and there was a fear that he would miss the season. He missed relatively little time, though, initially returning as a DH before resuming playing shortstop, although he may need surgery on the shoulder later this year. He slashed .343/.510/.608 as a sophomore, improving his BB:K ratio to 30:36 in 194 plate appearances.
In the most recent Baseball America mock draft, Carlos Collazo has Bell going to the Braves at #9, also mentioning him in connection with the Orioles and A’s at 7 and 8, and suggesting he wouldn’t get past the Rangers if he makes it to them at #16. Jim Callis’s June 4 mock draft has Bell going to the Rangers at #16, mentioning him also in connection with a half-dozen other teams ahead of Texas and saying that the Rangers are Bell’s floor. Keith Law’s May mock draft has Bell going to the D-Backs at #15, one pick ahead of the Rangers. Kiley McDaniel’s May 29 mock draft has Bell going to the Marlins at #14, and links him with a number of teams before that, including referencing a “crazy” rumor that the Rays could take him for way below slot at #2.
Bell is not a sexy pick. The phrase used with Bell is “well-rounded,” as he doesn’t have any real weaknesses in his game, but doesn’t have any standout tools, either. He’s a high-floor guy, someone who would seem likely to move relatively quickly through the minors, but not necessarily someone who would be an impact player at the major league level. That said, someone who can play shortstop well and hit a little has value, especially when he profiles as having the versatility to play anywhere in the field if need be.
The Rangers have tended in recent years to target college players who have performed against quality competition, and the SEC has the highest quality competition in the college ranks, so Bell checks that box. They’ve also taken a number of players recuperating from injury in the last couple of years, expressing confidence in the team’s medical staff, and so the possibility of Bell needing shoulder surgery and being on the shelf until 2027 probably wouldn’t faze them.
As a draft-eligible sophomore, Bell has more leverage than most college players, and he’s already passed on a sizeable signing bonus once before, so there could be some signability risk there, though I don’t know how much he would realistically be able to improve his draft stock if he returned to Kentucky for his junior season.
The Yankees (39-26) and the Guardians (37-31) continue their series Tuesday night in Cleveland following a 7-5 win in ten innings for New York last night. With the win New York remains tied with Tampa atop the AL East, while Cleveland’s lead in the AL Central is now 1.5 games over the White Sox.
Monday’s opener saw the Yankees rally in the eighth to tie the game and then win it in the tenth. Cody Bellinger came through in the tenth with a two-run single. It was a back-and-forth game that featured home runs from each team on both sides—Paul Goldschmidt and Ryan McMahon homered for New York, while Angel Martínez answered with a two-run shot for Cleveland.
Minus Aaron Judge, New York still scratched out seven runs. MVP candidate Ben Rice has been the catalyst over the past ten games, hitting .341 with 14 hits, eight runs, and 11 RBI. After a horrific start to the season, Trent Grisham’s bat is warming up. With a couple hits last night, the veteran is hitting .382 average with a .447 OBP the last few weeks. Cody Bellinger has chipped in with a balanced stat line (.270, 2 HR, 6 RBI) in the last ten games. Cleveland’s recent offensive production has been less consistent, but Kyle Manzardo (.286, 2 HR in his last 10 games) and Steven Kwan (.268, 11 hits) have led the charge, with José Ramírez contributing situationally despite lower recent averages.
Tuesday’s pitching matchup features a clear contrast in profiles, with Gerrit Cole taking the ball for New York against Cleveland’s Slade Cecconi. Cole has looked sharp since his return, posting a 2.00 ERA and a sub-1.00 WHIP through his first few starts, limiting baserunners and providing length at the top of the rotation. Cecconi, meanwhile, enters at 3–5 with a 4.92 ERA and a higher WHIP, having allowed more consistent traffic and hard contact this season.
There are also several notable batter-vs.-pitcher trends to watch. From Cleveland’s side, José Ramírez has historically handled Cole exceptionally well, hitting .359 with three home runs and eight RBIs) against the Yankees’ ace. Kyle Manzardo (3-6 with 1 HR) has also had some success albeit in a smaller sample size. For the Yankees, a handful of hitters have had success against Cecconi, including Cody Bellinger (2-5 with a homer in prior matchups) and Ryan McMahon (.500 with two hits in four ABs including a home run).
Lets dive into tonight’s matchup and find a sweat or two.
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Game Details and How to Watch: Yankees vs. Guardians
Date: Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Time: 6:40PM EST
Site: Progressive Field
City: Cleveland, OH
Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, Prime Video, TBS, CLEGuardians.TV
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The Latest Odds: Yankees vs. Guardians
The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: New York Yankees (-123), Cleveland Guardians (+102)
Ryan McMahon has hit safely in 3 straight games (3-8)
Anthony Volpe is 1-16 (.063) in June
Ben Rice Is 0-5 in his career against Cecconi
Kyle Manzardo is 3-6 (.500) in his career against Cole
Jose Ramirez is 14-39 (.359) in his career against Cole
Steven Kwan is hitting .280 (7-25) in June
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Top Betting Trends & Insights: Yankees and Guardians
The Guardians are 36-32 on the Run Line this season
The Yankees are 32-33 on the Run Line this season
The OVER has cashed 34 times in Cleveland’s 68 games this season (34-34)
The OVER has cashed 29 times in the Yankees’ 65 games this season (29-32-4)
Expert picks & predictions: Yankees vs. Guardians
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Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s game between the Yankees and the Guardians:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Yankees on the Moneyline.
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Yankees on the Run Line.
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total OVER 8.5
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ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers finally seem to have some real momentum going in their first season under manager Skip Schumaker.
They have won three consecutive series for the first time. Two of those came even before two-time World Series MVP shortstop Corey Seager and outfielder Wyatt Langford returned from the injured list to play in the weekend series against Cleveland.
“You start winning series consecutively, you just start gaining momentum and things can really take off,” said third baseman Josh Jung, the team’s top hitter batting .313. “You’ve just got to continue that.”
Texas (32-33) goes into the opener of a three-game series at Kansas City with a chance to reach .500 for the first time since the Rangers were 16-16 on June 1. They only are two games behind AL West-leading Seattle, and in the final wild-card spot.
“We’ve been trying to get to that .500 mark and then go beyond that,” said Jacob deGrom, who has thrown 11 scoreless innings over his last two starts.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner is 3-1 with a 1.26 ERA in the six games he has pitched at home. He tossed six innings in a 10-0 win over Cleveland.
Almost even again
The Rangers were a season-worst six games under .500 before going 7-2 over their last three series — which was preceded by them being no-hit against Houston. They swept Kansas City at home, then won the first two of three games at St. Louis. That five-game winning streak is their longest this season.
“Our defense has really cleaned up ... much better the last 30 days, which has helped our pitching, and then our bullpen’s been really, really steady,” Schumaker said. “The offense has found different ways to win games. That’s just the bottom line. We’ve done different things.”
On the road again, but still a lot to play at home
Texas, which missed the playoffs each of the past two seasons after winning its only World Series title in 2023, is going into a stretch with 16 of 22 games on the road through July 1.
But after that, the Rangers will spend a lot more time at home. They play 44 of their final 75 regular-season games (59%) at Globe Life Field.
The returns of Seager and Langford
After missing 39 games because of a right forearm strain, Langford has reached safely in all three games since his return. That extended his on-base streak to 14 games, the longest for a Rangers player this season.
Seager was out 19 games with lower back inflammation before also getting activated. The shortstop snapped a career-worst 0-for-29 slump with a go-ahead home run in the sixth inning right after a double by Langford.
“It’s nice, me and Corey coming back,” Langford said. “Not only for the team, but for us personally just being back out there trying to help the team win.”
After hits in his first two games back, the 32-year-old Seager got a planned day off in the series finale against Guardians. He likely will get more of those after playing 41 of Texas’ first 42 games prior to his IL stint.
“He’s going to have these periodically as he starts building up back into his season,” Schumaker said. “The built-in off days are going to be crucial for him so we can get him for the remainder of the season. A healthy Corey Seager makes our team a lot better, so trying to avoid any more stints on the IL is the goal.”
COVERS INTEL: Giolito has walked 
