ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 16: Grant Holmes #66 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Truist Park on June 16, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Braves are coming off a series win against the Brewers in which in the two wins were one run games. Tonight they will face another tough test where they have to travel out west and face a Padres team that is two games over .500 looking to prove that they are a legitimate playoff caliber team.
In the month of June the Braves are dead last in MLB with sixty-one runs scored, but the Padres have not done much better having scored sixty-nine which places them twenty-fifth. The difference will likely come down to the pitching. Grant Holmes who has an ERA over nine in his last two starts will be facing Michael King who currently has a 3.60 ERA but an xERA in the bottom 25.0 percent of pitchers.
Follow along in the comments below while you are sipping your coffee. First pitch is at 10:10 pm EDT.
After the ball got lodged behind the backboard with 8:22 remaining in the first quarter, Haliburton used a Fever court mop to poke it free so play could resume. After successfully completing the task, Haliburton gave a triumphant fist pump as the crowd applauded his efforts.
Haliburton is just returning the favor. Caitlin Clark and several Fever players, including Lexie Hull and Aliyah Boston, attended multiple NBA playoff games in support of the Pacers' run to the 2025 NBA Finals. Haliburton suffered a right Achilles tear in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals and subsequently missed the 2025-26 season.
Reach USA TODAY National Womenâs Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.
MIAMI, UNITED STATES - JUNE 22: Scotland fans during a Major League Baseball match between Miami Marlins and Texas Rangers at LoanDepot Park, on June 22, 2026, in Miami, United States. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images) | SNS Group via Getty Images
The Texas Rangers scored four runs while the Miami Marlins scored three runs.
The Rangers started a ten-game, three-series road trip in the middle of a stretch of 15 games in 15 days that will take them through June and beyond during their final road trip of the seasonâs first half. They did not, however, have a starting pitcher.
Instead Texas opted for an opener with Tyler Alexander pitching the perpetually terrifying first inning. The lefty reliever Alexander tossed a scoreless first frame to pave the way for bulk pitcher Kumar Rocker. This was the second time that the Rangers have elected to have Rocker come in after an inning for one of his outings.
If you recall, the last time they went down this avenue with Rocker, he responded with arguably his best appearances in the big leagues. Just over a month ago back on May 19, Rocker entered following an Alexander scoreless inning in Colorado and proceeded to shut the Rockies out over 7.2 innings.
Then the Rangers went back to using Rocker as a traditional starter for the next month where he has gone winless while sporting a 6.92 ERA during the month of June. Tonight, Rocker was equipped with the elusive F U slider that made him look like a potential MORP during his ascension in the minor leagues in 2024.
Though he didnât have the same length or leash as his tandem effort in Colorado, Rocker went five innings and allowed two runs on five hits with zero walks and nine strikeouts on just 76 pitches. Six of those strikeouts came via a swing and a miss on a slider.
Rocker left in a 2-2 game as the Rangers opened the scoring with a fourth inning via a two-run home run off the bat of Ezequiel Duran, but Miami got a run apiece in the fifth and sixth to even the score and prevent Rocker from being the pitcher of record.
Neither team scored after that until the Rangers were able to shake off a failed bases loaded opportunity the inning prior to plate a couple in the top of the eighth.
With the Ja(k)cobs Junis and Latz ready to be deployed with a two-run lead, it seemed like Texas was set up to cruise to a win but Junis let a couple reach so Skip Schumaker went to Latz for another four-out save but not before the Marlins scored a run in the bottom of the eighth to pull to within a run.
Latz made it through the ninth unscathed (though he needed 31 pitches tonight) as the Rangers started their road trip with a win to move to within two games of .500 again.
Player of the Game: Duranâs homer was obviously key in a one-run win but he also threw out a runner at the plate on a fantastic relay throw. However, itâs hard to argue with Rockerâs bulk work even if he was only used for five innings.
Rocker has now allowed two runs on eight hits and three walks with 16 strikeouts in 12.2 innings when used after an opener. Seems like something the Rangers should considering doing more often.
Up Next: The Rangers and Marlins will reconvene for the second game of this series tomorrow evening with a pitcher to be named (perhaps Jose Corniell?) for Texas opposite RHP Sandy Alcantara for Miami.
Tuesdayâs first pitch from loanDepot park is once again scheduled for 5:40 pm CDT and will be telecast via the Rangers Sports Network.
DETROIT, MI - JUNE 22: New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) talks with New York Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake (77) during the game between the Detroit Tigers versus the New York Yankees on Monday June 22, 2026 at Comerica Park in Detroit, MI. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
There are plenty of baseball games where you can pinpoint an individual moment to being what the result hinges on. There are others where things just always feel destined for a loss. Despite a close final score, Mondayâs game against the Tigers felt like one of the latter for the Yankees.
On the mound, Gerrit Cole did not have the best of days. He lasted just 4.1 innings, having given up five runs on nine hits and a walk. Some iffy defense made things a bit worse than they shouldâve been, but still, when your star former Cy Young pitcher has a sloppy day, things are always going to be tough.
Thatâs doubly so when the offense remains in a bit of a slump. Facing Framber Valdez, the Yankees managed just one run on four hits, striking out eight times. They made a bit of a late charge to make things a bit interesting, but they didnât do nearly enough. Add in a couple errors on defense, and not much went in the Yankeesâ favor as they fell 5-3 to the Tigers on Monday night.
The Yankees struck first, picking up a run in the second inning. With two outs in the inning, JosĂŠ Caballero worked a walk to keep the inning alive, and then stole second base. That put him in position to score when Ali SĂĄnchez doubled.
However, the Tigers got that run back and more a little while later. Zach McKinstry led off the bottom of the third with a triple, after he managed to split the outfielders in deep left-center field. That allowed him to come home when Kevin McGonigle grounded out. While Cole followed that ground out by getting the second out of the inning, he had trouble getting the third, allowing a Kerry Carpenter single and a Riley Greene walk. Spencer Torkelson and Colt Keith then both added RBI singles to give the Tigers a lead.
Detroit picked up another run off Cole in the fourth inning. Following a lead-off single and a delay caused by a Comerica Park dirt cam, McGonigle doubled home another run to increase the Tigersâ edge. Detroit then got Cole for one more run when Greene homered in the fifth. Cole ended up departing a few batters later, ending a day where he was far from his sharpest.
Valdez kept the Yankees off the board for the next little while, but they eventually managed to get something going against him. In the top of the seventh, SĂĄnchez reached base again, albeit painfully, as he was hit by a pitch that knocked him out of the game. However, getting that runner on base proved helpful as Amed Rosario then hit a two-run homer to get the Yankees back in striking distance.
The Yankees had a chance to further eat away at their deficit, putting a couple runners on in the eighth. They didnât take advantage of that though, and that ended up being curtains. The offense then went down in order in the ninth, dooming the Yankees to a defeat in the opener.
With the Yankees looking to bounce back and snap a three-game losing streak, they and the Tigers will continue their series tomorrow at 6:40 pm ET. Carlos RodĂłn will go for the Yankees, opposite Casey Mize for Detroit.
DETROIT â Whether he was most frustrated by a few pitches left over the heart of the plate, the inability to retire leadoff hitters, the Tigers finding some holes on him, or a pair of in-game delays, the problem was that Gerrit Cole had options.
Access the Yankees beat like never before
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.
On a third straight day when their offense was held in check, Cole got hit around more than he had all season as the Yankees dropped their third straight in a rough 5-3 loss to the Tigers on Monday night at Comerica Park.
Cole, who came into the night holding opposing hitters to a .196 batting average in his first five starts back from Tommy John surgery, got tagged for nine hits and five runs across 4 š/â innings.
He allowed the leadoff batter to reach in all five innings, including a home run in the fifth, as the Tigers (34-44) raced out to a 5-1 lead.
âI certainly made some mistakes, but the opposition is going to put pressure on you sometimes,â said Cole, who struck out five and walked one across 89 pitches. âThe reality is itâs not the try-hard league, itâs the get-it-done league, and we just didnât get it done tonight.â
Gerrit Cole walks off the mound during the Yankeesâ June 22 loss. AP Photo
Tigers lefty Framber Valdez, meanwhile, suffocated the Yankees (46-31) after they squandered some early chances, retiring the final 10 batters he faced across six innings. Amed Rosario belted a two-run shot in the seventh inning to pull the Yankees within 5-3, but that was as close as they would get.
The Yankees threatened by putting a pair of runners on base with two outs in the eighth inning, but the Tigers brought in Will Vest â a possible trade deadline candidate for the Yankees â who struck out Jasson DomĂnguez and then retired the side in the ninth.
After a strong stretch, the Yankees have now scored just six runs over their past three games and three or fewer runs in four of their past five games.
âI just think itâs part of the season,â Rosario said through an interpreter. âWeâve been there before. [Tuesday], we have a really good opportunity to tie the series and hopefully win this series. You canât really panic. You understand you go through some stretches like that, but looking forward to [Tuesday].â
Gerrit Cole throws a pitch during the Yankeesâ June 22 loss. Imagn Images
Since he returned from the injured list in late May, Cole has looked like his vintage self at times and more human at others, like Monday. There was an understanding all along that there would be some ups and downs as he settled back into pitching regularly for the first time since 2024, and that the Yankees would handle him with the long run in mind â as they did this turn by inserting Elmer RodrĂguez as a spot starter Sunday, giving Cole (and the rest of the rotation) an extra dayâs rest during a stretch of 16 games in 16 days.
But after RodrĂguez gave up three runs in four innings Sunday, Cole wasnât much sharper Monday.
Riley Greene rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the Tigersâ June 22 win. AP Photo/Paul Sancya
Ali SĂĄnchez â who left the game in the seventh inning after getting drilled on the right wrist by a 98 mph fastball that required tests â roped an RBI double that put the Yankees up 1-0 in the second before the Tigers took the lead for good in the third.
Zach McKinstry led off with a triple to the gap that left fielder JosĂŠ Caballero was unable to cut off before it bounced all the way to the wall.
McKinstry came in to score on a groundout that tied the game before the Tigers restarted a rally with two outs on a single and a walk.
Spencer Torkelson then blooped a single to center that made it a 2-1 game before Cole left an 0-2 fastball down the middle to Colt Keith, who lined it for a single and the 3-1 lead.
Yankees Merch Shop
WinCraft insulated can coolers
Team Effort driver head cover
47 Brand adjustable cap
Customizable jersey
Logo fleece blanket
14-ounce sculpted relief coffee mug
New York Post receives revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and when you make a purchase.
After a leadoff single in the bottom of the fourth, a six-minute delay ensued as an infield dirt camera in front of second base became exposed.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. tried to cover it up with dirt, but the grounds crew eventually came out to handle matters as Cole threw warmup pitches.
Cole retired the next batter before stud rookie shortstop Kevin McGonigle â on another 0-2 count â slapped a double to left field.
Caballero fielded it off the short wall but then hesitated on the throw and misfired home, his throw tipping off Rosarioâs glove and bouncing to the backstop as the Tigers went up 4-1.
âThey got nine hits and they just put a ton of pressure on us and played overall slightly better baseball,â Cole said. âThatâs just the way it broke tonight.â
Oct 29, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets General Manager Sean Marks looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
In the war room where it happens, on the eighth floor of HSS Training Center in Sunset Park, this is crunchtime, and not just for the Draft. Historically, Sean Marks makes most of his trades right around the Draft, not the trade deadline in February ⌠that is, if you donât count the superstar distress sales sending James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Kyrie Irving elsewhere.
So, we have now entered, once again, the âSean Marks Trade Zone,â the 48-hour window on either side of the Draft when in the past, a lot of has happened in that room. Before Monday night, nine years out the 10 heâs been GM, Marks has made at least one move in said zone: a trade, a signing, etc. Then shortly after 10 p.m. Monday, ET, he did it again. Why is the Draft so popular? Unlike the trade deadline, everyone and everything is available. And thereâs a deadline.
Some were small, but a few not so small, like trading the franchiseâs leading scorer, Brook Lopez, and the 27th pick, for DâAngelo Russell in 2017, or the 2024 combo of the Mikal Bridges trade with New York, after a 43-year hiatus, and the exchange of picks with the Rockets.
Hereâs the record.
2016
On the morning of the Draft, the Nets traded Thaddeus Young to the Pacers for the rights to Caris LeVert and a future second, which became Kessler Edwards in 2021 Draft. Youngâs wife at first said she couldnât believe it, having liked her time in Brooklyn, but then noted it was Woj who broke it.
2017
The Tuesday afternoon before the Thursday night draft, the Nets traded Brook Lopez and the rights to the 27th pick, Kyle Kuzma, to the Lakers for DâAngelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov. An extremely unpopular move at the time. Lopez had broken the Nets all-time scoring record on the last night of the season, but the Nets saw the move as âtransformative.â DâLo at the time was 21 years old and a former No. 2 overall pick.
2018
Nets traded Mozgov, two future second rounders and $5 million in cash to the Hornets for Dwight Howard who they waived. At first, it looked like the trade would finally end the âDwightmareâ that had consumed fans and the organization since 2012 when at the last minute the All-NBA center opted out of a trade that would have brought him to New Jersey. Nets saved $17 million in the deal.
2019
On Draft Night, the Nets traded the rights to Mfiondu Kabengele to the Clippers for a first rounder in 2020 and the rights to Jaylen Hands, a salary dump to prepare for the Clean Sweep and the need for cap space to pay KD, Kyrie and D.J. (A couple of weeks earlier, they had traded Allen Crabbe and two firsts, including the 17th pick in 2019, which turned into Nickeil Alexander-Walker, for Taurean Prince and a future second which turned into Marcus Zegarowski. Prince was a good friend of Durantâs.)
2020
The Nets, Pistons and Clippers did a three-team deal broken into two components, one two days before the Draft, the other during the second round on Draft Night. The Nets sent out Dzanan Musa, the rights to Hands, a future second, the rights to Saddiq Bey, getting Bruce Brown, Shamet and the rights to Reggie Perry in return.
2021
Two hours before the Draft, the Nets traded Landry Shamet to the Clippers for Jevon Carter and the 29th pick, giving the Nets two picks late in the first round. The pick was more important than Carter because without it, the Nets would have had to choose between Cam Thomas and DayâRon Sharpe. Instead, they were able to draft both ⌠and the rest, as they say, is history.
2022
The Nets had no picks but the ringer on the mobile phones were set at the highest volume. Brooklyn had no picks in the Draft. There was talk that another team had offered a first rounder for Cam Thomas but the Nets declined. Of course, the big news of the week was the report that Kyrie Irving had given the Nets a list of five teams heâd prefer if he and the Nets couldnât reach an agreement on an extension. Nothing evolved ⌠then.
2023
This one came a couple of days after the Draft: Cam Johnson, acquired in the February 9 trade that had sent Kevin Durant to Phoenix, agreed to a four-year, $108 million deal, higher than most pundits had expected but more than enough to scare away the competition. A few days later, Marks dispatched Joe Harris and Patty Mills along with three second rounders and big trade exceptions.
2024
It looked like a boring Draft Night. The Brooklyn Nets had no picks in either round of what looked like the worst selection in a quarter century. It was. Then, all of a sudden, things changed⌠big time. The Nets made two ginormous trades, one with the Knicks that sent Mikal Bridges across the East River to the Knicks, returning five first round picks, a first round swap and a second rounder, and a pick exchange with the Rockets in which the Nets got their 2025 and 2026 first rounders back and the Rockets both picks and swaps. The two were for all intents and purposes, one big deal that saw 10 picks and swaps change hands. It changed the trajectory of the franchise for years.
2025
The night before the Draft, in their first big salary dump of the off-season, the Nets facilitated a deal between the Celtics and the Hawks, the biggest piece being Kristaps Porzingis, and was rewarded with the 22nd pick the next night. The pick became Drake Powell; the cost $1.1 million in cash. The team also acquired Terance Mann and his $47 million, three-year deal. Then between the first and second nights of the Draft, the Nets traded their own second round pick, re-acquired in the Bridges trade, to the Suns for two future seconds, the first of which will be the Nets 43rd pick in Tuesdayâs draft. The was later folded into the seven-team trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Rockets.
In 2026? Weâve already seen the three-team trade that will bring Julius Randle to Brooklyn and send Nic Claxton to Chicago. Should we expect more? Of course.
An in-ground camera at second base produced the highlight of the Detroit Tigers-New York Yankees game on Monday, June 22.
During the series opener at Comerica Park, the small camera embedded in the dirt near second base worked its way up out of the ground, exposed enough to stop play. While it took half a dozen people on the field to kick and tap the camera to figure out what to do, the Detroit broadcast duo of Jason Benetti and Roman Dirks leaned into the bizarre moment.
The broadcast showed the rogue camera's footage of the up-close view of Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm trying to bury it as Benetti and Dirks hilariously narrated the standoff.
"Hey get away from me..... Quit stepping on me!"
"I'm just trying to do my job here."
As Chisholm started piling infield dirt over the camera and the view was like that of someone being buried, it got funnier.
"No! No! No! I can't see."
"This is an obstructed view seat now"
The delay paused the game with the Tigers leading 3-1 and Gerrit Cole on the mound. Detroit went on to win 5-3.
Jun 22, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha (52) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays in the second inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Michael Wacha went seven complete innings and gave up only one run in a 2-1 win over the Rays to open the four-game series. He was quite efficient â of those 21 outs in 7 innings, 16 of them were by strikeout (5) or groundout (11, including a double play).
The only truly punished mistake was in the fifth inning. Wacha left a changeup high to Yandy DĂaz, who just missed a homer off the left-center field wall. Isaac Collins played the ball off the wall pretty well, but with two outs, the runner on first, Richie Palacios, ran on contact and scored. That was the first time any Rays runner made it to or past third base the whole game. Indeed, it was actually the *only* time any runner made it to third base and beyond.
John Schreiber gave up a walk in the 8th, but that guy tried to steal second base and was thrown out by 35 feet. Or at least it seemed like it. That was the only threat the Rays mounted against the bullpen. Alex Lange handled the ninth without any sort of event, which was nice for a change.
The Royals offense managed to sequence things just right to squeak out those two runs for the win, because they actually had only four hits to the Raysâ six.
They had a chance to score in the first inning with a Maikel Garcia double off the catwalk. Jac Caglianone just barely missed bringing him in on a foul ball that was about 1 foot to the foul side of the line. Too bad. In the second, Michael Massey led off with a walk. Lane Thomas pulled a liner down the line that was just fair. About as fair as Caglianoneâs foul ball. It went deep into the corner, which allowed Massey to beat the throw home for the first run. I think I heard an announcer say the left fielder, Chandler Simpson, had a weak arm. It did not look like a strong throw to the cutoff man. Lane Thomas went all the way to third, but the Royals failed to bring him in. John Rave and Nick Loftin struck out, and Isaac Collins flew out to center field to end the inning.
In the fifth inning, Nick Loftin led off with a single and stole second base. Collins walked. Carter Jensen smoked a line drive up the middle and extended his hitting streak to 13 games. The throw from the center fielder was a bit off-line. Despite the 109mph rocket, Loftin scored because of the off-line throw for the second run. Cags hit a deep fly ball to the center field warning track for the final out and just missed extending his homer streak.
The Royals are now 33-46. The Rays fall to 43-32. They play again tomorrow at the same time, 5:40pm US Central.
ARLINGTON, TX - JUNE 21: Yuki Matsui #1 of the San Diego Padres celebrates with Rodolfo DurĂĄn #48 during the game between the San Diego Padres and the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Sunday, June 21, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tenley Wright/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Atlanta Braves (48-28) at San Diego Padres (39-37), June 22, 2026, 7:10 p.m. PST
Donât troll in your comments; create conversation rather than destroying it
Remember Gaslamp Ball is basically a non-profanity site
Out of respect to broadcast partners who have paid to carry the game, no mentions of âalternativeâ (read: illegal) viewing methods are allowed in our threads
Michigan head coach Dusty May reacts to a play during the first half of the NCAA national championship game against Connecticut at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Monday, April 6, 2026. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Michigan head coach Dusty May is leaving the Wolverines and heading to the NBA, becoming the Dallas Mavericks next head coach.
Here are the key takeaways from Mayâs departure.
Current college basketball climate swayed Mayâs decision
Matt Norlander of CBS Sports had some enlightening insight into a conversation he had with May back in April. Dealing with agents of transfer portal players and all the NIL dealings presently and the roster turnover that goes along with it are just some of the factors that influenced May heading to the Mavericks. Further, May wanted to test his chops in the NBA.
From CBS Sports
I remember how May stopped texting and looked up from this phone when I asked him: âDo you think youâll be coaching Michigan in three or four years?â
âNo,â he admitted. âI canât see myself doing this for too much longer.â
By that he meant: running a college basketball program when roster prices were increasing by 300% every year. The constant roster churn, the lack of the NCAAâs institutional control over college basketball, the way the system stole some of the fervor and celebration windows from Michiganâs coaching staff after pulling off one of the best seasons of the past two decades.
May told me he aspired to coach in the NBA someday. He craved to know if he could do it and felt compelled to eventually find out â especially if the state of college basketball was going to be perpetually chaotic. I left him wondering how long it would take for that day to arrive.
Warde Manuel has a habit of losing championship coaches
Jim Harbaugh won a national championship for the football program and then departed for the Los Angeles Chargers after Manuel said a contract was being worked at the podium of the national championship celebration. Manuel then did the same thing after Michigan basketball won the national championship, saying that a new contract with May was agred upon only for May to leave for the Mavericks a little over two months later.
Yet thatâs what the university has become under Manuelâs leadership. In both Mayâs and Harbaughâs cases, rumored contract extensions were on the table for them at the time of their departures. In fact, Manuel claimed at the national title celebration that he and May agreed to terms on a new contract. Itâs not abnormal for coaches to have aspirations beyond just winning a national title at the college level; Harbaughâs flirtations with the NFL were no secret, and the same was clearly true for May. It shouldnât matter, though, when your university is one of the best, richest and historic in the nation.
The Mavericks job is an appealing one
The Mavericks have a young star in Cooper Flagg and a still game-changing veteran in Kyrie Irving. The Mavericks have three picks in the NBA Draft, which starts on Tuesday, and the Mavericks could wind up drafting one or two Michigan players.
In coaching circles, the Mavericksâ job was considered appealing because of Flaggâs presence. The Mavericks are expected to go into next season with Flagg and Kyrie Irving as cornerstones. They control the Nos. 9, 30 and 48 selections in this weekâs NBA Draft.
They have discussed a variety of trade-back scenarios, including one, according to league sources, that would net Dallas the No. 16 pick that Memphis currently controls. Three Michigan players who suited up for May last season â Aday Mara, Morez Johnson Jr. and Yaxel Lendeborg â are expected to be first-round picks Tuesday.
BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 31: Kyle Bradish #38 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 31, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Fresh off taking two of three games on the road against the Dodgers, the Orioles are on the verge of possibly helping people to feel a little bit better about their fortunes. What is standing between now and that possibility occurring is a series against the Angels. The Orioles need to actually keep playing well now that they are playing a much worse team.
At every other turn this season, when presented with one of these opportunities, the Orioles have largely if not entirely wasted it. Thatâs why they bring a 37-42 record into this game. I keep bringing this up because it keeps amazing me: They havenât won more than three games in a row all season. They have had five separate three-game winning streaks and zero have gone to four games. Thatâs not even whatâs at stake tonight. Theyâve only won the last two. But they wonât be able to break that futility tomorrow if they donât extend the streak today.
These Angels have lost more games than any other American League team to date. Their best hitter, a resurgent Mike Trout, recently hit the IL. They were desperate enough that they recently had former Oriole Trey Mancini around for a handful of games. He got four hits in 13 at-bats, which is nice for him. Three of their six most frequent starting pitchers are on the IL, including former Oriole Grayson Rodriguez.
The Orioles are going to have to actually play well to make something good happen here. They are capable of doing that. They are also capable of not doing that. That is the frustrating thing about them this season. I would like it to go a better way tonight. That doesnât mean it will. Itâs up to the Orioles.
Note: The schedule of this west coast road trip is not kind to the availability of Camden Chat staff. The recap for this game will not be posted until I wake up and write it on Tuesday morning. Donât stay up waiting for it!
Orioles lineup
Taylor Ward â LF
Gunnar Henderson â SS
Pete Alonso â 1B
Coby Mayo â DH
Tyler OâNeill â RF
Blaze Alexander â 3B
Colton Cowser â CF
Jeremiah Jackson â 2B
Sam Huff â C
This is the lineup in support of Kyle Bradish. He was very good last time around!
Huff is catching after Samuel Basallo caught the four previous games. Heâs earned the day off. Jackson Holliday remains out of the lineup. Thatâs probably due to ongoing concern about his groin soreness, though the fact that the Angels are starting a lefty, Sam Aldegheri, surely also contributes.
Angels lineup
Zach Neto â SS
Nolan Schanuel â 1B
Jo Adell â RF
Jorge Soler â DH
Wade Meckler â LF
Denzer Guzman â 3B
Donovan Walton â 2B
Logan OâHoppe â C
Jose Siri â CF
Aldegheri, the Angels starter, was born in Verona, a location notably invoked in the opening lines of Shakespeareâs Romeo and Juliet:
Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona where we lay our scene, From ancient blood break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands uncleanâŚ
When I was in ninth grade, students had to memorize a 15-line portion of Romeo and Juliet and recite it in front of the class. A friend of mine read the 14-line opening sonnet that begins with the above and then, since that was only 14 of the 15 required lines, had to finish with the first non-prologue line: âGregory, oâ my word, weâll not carry coals.â Does that have anything to do whatsoever with this game? No, but it lives in my head forever.
A day after his NHL star sons joined forces in Florida, Keith Tkachuk was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday.
The Hall of Fame election was the icing on the cake of a âgreat weekend for the Tkachuksâ after Brady was dealt to the Panthers in a deal with the Senators that united him with his older brother Matthew in South Florida on Sunday, and also included a celebration for the duoâs gold medal at the Winter Olympics and a baptism, the Associated Press reported.
Keith waited 45 minutes to clue his family in on his good news after he got the call.
St. Louis Blues Keith Tkachuk keeps an eye on the puck during the second period against the Edmonton Oilers at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis on November 12, 2006. UPI
âI said, âHey, you guys want to have a beer together?ââ Tkachuk recalled. âAnd I told them and broke the news to them there.â
Keith played 18 years in the NHL, spending time with the original Winnipeg Jets and making the move with the franchise to Arizona when the club relocated in 1996. He played for the Blues and briefly for the Atlanta Thrashers.
He had 1,121 points in 1,290 games, which includes playoffs, while being part of the victorious 1996 United States team at the World Cup of Hockey and won silver during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.
âItâs been a crazy weekend, but this tops it off. ⌠This is the ultimate, for sure,â Keith said.
Keith joins Patrice Bergeron, Carey Price, Pekke Rinne, Cindy Curley and Brian Burke as part of the Hockey Hall of Fameâs class of 2026.
Keith Tkachuk celebrates with his son Matthew Tkachuk #19 of the Florida Panthers after the Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers in Game Six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 17, 2025. Getty Images
The trade of Brady to Florida ended speculation around his stay in Ottawa, which seemed uncertain, and united him with his brother on a team one season removed from winning back-to-back Stanley Cups.
âBrady is a dynamic competitor and one of the most physical and relentless forwards in the league. A proven leader and exactly the type of player we want in our locker room, he strives to make everyone around him better both on and off the ice,â Florida general manager Bill Zito said in a news release. âWeâre thrilled to welcome Brady to South Florida to join our group as we continue our pursuit of championship hockey.â
DETROIT, MI - MAY 3: Desmond Bane #3 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball during the game against the Detroit Pistons during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 3, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
A former TCU menâs basketball star is getting involved with his alma mater in a special advisory role.
Desmond Bane, a six-year NBA veteran and former first-round draft selection in 2020, has been named TCUâs chief basketball officer. In this role, Bane will serve as a special advisor to head coach Jamie Dixon and volunteer his time to the menâs basketball program. The role is described on TCUâs website as a mentorship role where Bane will âoffer guidance on career management and serve as a liaison to the NBA.â
â TCU Men's Basketball (@TCUBasketball) June 22, 2026
Bane, who currently plays for the Orlando Magic, averaged 20.1 points and shot 39.1 percent from 3-point range while starting all 82 games. Bane played his first five years with the Memphis Grizzlies. At TCU, Bane was a two-time All-Big 12 selection and still ranks as the Horned Frogsâ all-time leader in 3-pointers (249), wins (84) and games played (141). Bane also ranks third all-time in points with 1,784, third with 659 made field goals and fifth in 3-point accuracy at 43.3 percent. His No. 1 jersey was retired at TCU on Feb. 18, 2025.
As a freshman, Bane guided the Horned Frogs to the 2017 NIT Championship, the programâs first postseason championship. The following season, Bane led TCU to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 20 years while leading the Big 12 in 3-point accuracy at 46.1 percent. As a junior, Bane was an All-Big 12 Second Team selection and an USBWA All-District VII choice.
â TCU Men's Basketball (@TCUBasketball) June 22, 2026
As a senior in 2019-20, Bane averaged 16.6 points, which ranked second in the Big 12. He became the first TCU player to earn All-Big 12 First Team and also earned USBWA All-District VII and NABC All-District 8 honors. He never missed a game in his career and missed just one practice.
Jun 22, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Zach McKinstry (39) receives congratulations from Kerry Carpenter (30) after scoring in the third inning against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
The Tigers are going streaking as they took the first game of their series against the Yankees 5-3.
After sweeping the White Sox over the weekend, the Tigers were riding high as they invited the Yankees to come to town. The AL Eastâs top team, the Yankees werenât planning to go down quite as easily as the White Sox. The Tigers had Framber Valdez on the mound, but the Yankees had their big gun, in Gerrit Cole. While Cole only came back from the IL somewhat recently, runs would still be coming at a premium for the Tigers hitters tonight.
In the top of the first, Valdez got two outs before giving up a single to Paul Goldschmidt. Cody Bellinger then walked. This could have been a bad news situation for the Tigers, but Valdez got out of the jam. Kevin McGonigle, one of the most reliable bats in the Tigersâ lineup, singled to start the home half, but three outs then followed to leave him stranded.
The Yankees made another two-out move, with Jose Caballero walking. He then stole second. Ali Sanchez doubled, sending Caballero home and putting the Yankees on the board first. A groundout ended the inning, but the Yankees were up 1-0. Spencer Torkelson hit a leadoff double to start the bottom of the inning, but three outs in a row meant no comeback for the Tigers.
Goldschmidt got another single in the third with one out. A force-out off the bat of Cody Bellinger eliminated Goldschmidt. Valdez got the final out of the inning with no runs scored. Zach McKinstry tripled (!!) to start the home half. McGonigle grounded out, but it was enough to get McKinstry home and tie up the game.
A Colt Keith single brought home Greene, and by the time the final out of the inning came, with Outman, Gerrit Cole had been worn down considerably, and the Tigers were up 3-1. I also take back everything I said about runs coming at a premium against Cole, because⌠yeah.
Valdez got the Yankees out in order for the top of the fourth. In the home half, Hao-Yu Lee got a leadoff single and then there was a unique and lengthy break while the Yankeesâ infield all stared at Dirt Cam and it seemed like they might have tried to murder Dirt Cam. The ground crew had to come out and fix it. Truly gripping television, but Jazz Chisholm Jr. was invested.
Kevin McGonigle doubled, scoring Lee, and thanks to some sloppy fielding from Caballero, McGonigle reached third safely while everyone tried to find the ball behind home plate.
1) amazing player 2) great guy 3) from the Philly area 4) does this regularly 5) cares about the feelings of dirt cams
Valdez was really in his groove at this point, perhaps egged on by a need to avenge Dirt Cam. He got the Yankees out in order in the fifth. In the bottom of the inning while a crew of precocious 11-year-olds showed off their genuinely very fun signs (âNo sad backstory, I just want a signed ball.â) Riley Greene hit a solo home run.
The Tigers called for a review, citing catcher interference on Torkelson. This led to another lengthy game pause. It was interference, putting Torkelson on first. After getting the first out of the inning, Coleâs night was over. Paul Blackburn replaced him, and got the final two outs of the inning.
Valdez, in likely his last inning for the game, showed how killer his curveball was tonight, striking out two of the three outs for the inning, and leaving Anthony Volpe looking silly in an ABS challenge. The Tigers went 1-2-3 in the home half.
The day was over for Valdez after six, with a final line of 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K on 94 pitches. A really strong outing for him. Drew Anderson came out of the pen to replace him. With two outs, Ali Sanchez got hit in the wrist with a pitch and it looked incredibly painful. He was pulled from the game and Austin Wells came on to replace him at first. Amed Rosario then homered, and the game was suddenly uncomfortably close. The Tigers got the final out but the score was now 5-3. Ryan Yarbrough was the new Yankees pitcher in the bottom of the inning. He gave up a one-out walk to Riley Greene, but two outs followed.
With one out in the top of the eighth A.J. Hinch did the classic Drew-for-Drew bullpen swap, pulling Anderson for Sommers. Volpe singled with two outs, though the Tigers called for a review. The safe call was upheld. Chisholm Jr. hit a single right back to Sommers, nearly beheading him, and ultimately chasing him from the game. Hinch apparently decided to go for Vest to get the final out for⌠reasons? Vest came through in a pinch, though, and got the final out of the inning. In the bottom of the inning, James Outman walked. Lee then singled on a bunt back to the pitcher, to an empty first base and Yarbrough chased him down. The Yankees challenged the safe call, but it was really, really hard to see when the tag was applied. The dark uniform pants made it really hard to see, but the call was overturned and Lee was out. Volpe made a pretty impressive play to get the second out of the inning at first. The Tigers werenât able to bring home Outman, but they retained their lead heading into the ninth.
Vest was back out for the ninth. The third out of the inning was a called third strike on what was very clearly a ball, but the Yankees had no challenges left and thus lost the game. Sorry not sorry.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 07: Collin Gillespie #12 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against Aaron Holiday #0 of the Houston Rockets during the first half of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 07, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Thus far in free agency, Iâm absolutely loving what the Phoenix Suns are doing. They entered the offseason prioritizing the returns of both Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin, and theyâve successfully brought both players back on what I would consider franchise-friendly contracts. That is important on numerous levels. It sends a message to the rest of the league that if you come to Phoenix, put in the work, and develop within the organization, youâre going to be compensated for it. More importantly, it shows that the Suns are beginning to create an environment where players want to stay.
Gillespie could have chased more money. Goodwin likely had other opportunities available to him as well. Yet both chose to remain in Phoenix. Part of that is financial security. Part of that is opportunity. But part of it is also being part of a franchise that values you and puts you in a position to succeed.
For a team that continues to talk about alignment, identity, and development, these signings reinforce that message. And thatâs a very positive place for the Suns to be.
When you look at the Collin Gillespie contract, four years and $48 million, itâs exactly where I felt the contract would land. If you look at who the Phoenix Suns are today and who they might ultimately want to become, the Gillespie contract helps accomplish both the short-term and long-term goals of the franchise.
In the short term, the Suns are still trying to understand what it means to have Jalen Green on the roster. Yes, itâs not ideal to have someone who could be viewed as duplicative of Devin Booker, your highest-paid player. But in the same breath, he really isnât. Green is less of a combo guard and more of a true two guard than Booker. He also attacks the rim with far more frequency and aggression than Booker does.
In the modern NBA, where many teams employ two combo guards in the backcourt, having Green isnât the worst thing in the world. Iâd argue Bradley Beal was a much worse fit. A big part of that was the size of his contract and the existence of the no-trade clause.
Jalen Green is owed $72.3 million over the next two seasons, but the unfortunate reality for the Suns is that they only got 32 games to evaluate him last year. That simply wasnât enough time to fully understand how he fits in Phoenix and whether extending him down the road is the right decision.
Because of those injuries, the door opened for Collin Gillespie to earn more starting opportunities, and he took advantage of them. Make no mistake about it, he earned the contract he just signed with Phoenix. There are plenty of teams around the NBA that would love to have a player of his caliber. Heâs a quality three-point shooter, an aggressive defender, and somebody who competes every possession.
Did he begin to fade at the end of the season? Absolutely. It looked like shoulder issues, fatigue, and the grind of a long NBA season finally caught up with him. Thatâs understandable given the role he was asked to assume. Even so, when you look at the numbers, lineups featuring Gillespie alongside Devin Booker and Jalen Green actually performed well. Three guard lineups featuring that trio posted a +6.7 net rating and were a +46 overall in plus-minus.
I'm not a fan of the PHX 3-guard lineups, as it puts Brooks out of position, shrinks the defense, and limits interior scoring
That said, here is what Booker/Green/Gillespie lineups produced last year:
All that being said, I still believe the best path forward for Phoenix is utilizing Gillespie off the bench and fully leaning into the Booker and Green backcourt. The Suns need to find out exactly what that pairing can become. Doing so also allows Dillon Brooks to slide into his natural position at small forward, while giving the Suns flexibility at power forward. Whether thatâs a sophomore version of Rasheer Fleming earning those minutes, or Royce OâNeale once again stepping into the role to provide additional shooting, Phoenix has options.
Perhaps most importantly, theyâre all familiar faces. Yes, continuity is part of the short-term process, and bringing back both Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin helps accomplish that. But thatâs the beauty of the Gillespie contract.
Right now, he essentially serves in a T.J. McConnell-type role as a backup point guard, and heâs being paid similar money. If he continues to come off the bench, thatâs stability for your second unit. It gives the Suns someone who can play aggressively on both sides of the ball, shoot from the perimeter, and help maintain the teamâs identity when the starters sit. When you zoom out and look at the long-term landscape of the organization, thatâs where the real value of the contract comes into focus.
Letâs play out a hypothetical. Letâs say next season the Suns determine that Jalen Green next to Devin Booker isnât the right fit. That the overlap is real, and that moving Green with one year remaining on his contract becomes the best path forward. A player carrying a $36 million expiring contract should return assets, whether thatâs players, draft picks, or some combination of the two. At that point, you can slide Gillespie into the starting lineup.
Now your starting point guard is making an average annual salary of roughly $12 million. Thatâs tremendous value. Thatâs why this deal works for both the short-term and the long-term viability of the Suns. In the present, Gillespie provides stability, depth, and continuity. In the future, he gives the organization optionality if circumstances change. Those are the kinds of contracts good organizations make.
Thatâs why I like this deal so much. The Suns didnât simply retain a good player. They retained flexibility. They rewarded development. They reinforced continuity. And they did it without committing star-level money to a role player.
Maybe Gillespie spends the next four years coming off the bench as the steady hand running the second unit. If thatâs the outcome, the contract still works. Every good team needs players who understand their role, embrace it, and consistently deliver value. But if circumstances change, and they always do in the NBA, Phoenix now has options. If Jalen Green proves to be a long-term fit, Gillespie remains one of the better backup point guards in basketball on a manageable contract. If Green ultimately isnât the answer, the Suns already have a proven alternative in-house.
Thatâs what makes this deal feel different. It isnât solely about what Collin Gillespie is today. Itâs about what he allows the Suns to be tomorrow. Stability now. Optionality later. For a franchise trying to build something sustainable while navigating the realities of the second apron era, thatâs exactly the kind of contract you want on your books.
