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Scripps Sports Basks in Florida’s Hot Hockey Market

No one outside of the defending champion Florida Panthers or the Tampa Bay Lightning has benefited more from the Sunshine State becoming the center of the hockey universe than Scripps Sports.

The division of the E.W. Scripps Company picked up the exclusive local broadcast rights for the Panthers last summer after the team won its first Stanley Cup, utilizing owned-and-operated affiliate stations in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Fort Myers.

Brian Lawlor, president of Scripps Sports, hailed the first season in South Florida as a success, with the metrics to back it up.

“I think our ratings for the Panthers in season one were up 150% (over last season on FanDuel Sports Network Florida), so we more than doubled our audience,” he said in a phone interview. “Heck, the Panthers ratings were higher rated than the (Miami) Heat in the playoffs. That was really interesting. And that certainly wasn’t the case a couple of years ago.”

In their last season with FanDuel Sports Network Florida (formerly Bally Sports Florida) in 2023-24, the Panthers averaged 6,804 households (a 0.39 household rating) per regular season game in the Miami market, according to Nielsen’s live-plus same day data.

Yet based on Comscore live-plus same day data for games on WSFL (Ch. 39 in Miami) this season, the Panthers pulled in 16,972 households and a 1.34 rating. Furthermore, their games averaged 7,922 households in West Palm Beach (WHDT Ch. 9) and 1,592 households in Fort Myers (WFTX Ch. 36). Comscore did not measure FanDuel Florida last season.

The Panthers pact came together a season after Scripps became the local rightsholder for Vegas Golden Knights games. Vegas was also coming off its first Cup win when it signed with Scripps. The Golden Knights provided a blueprint for how the network would work with various teams in their local markets, with the wider local reach on free TV and a partnership for streaming access.

Florida’s run, which has done wonders for the team’s business, was eye-catching for the rival Lightning as well. Last month, the Bolts announced their own deal with Scripps affiliates, which includes a streaming partnership with ViewLift.

“I think Tampa has been watching what we’ve been doing for a couple of years,” Lawlor said. “They had an out in their contract with FanDuel, and they said, ‘Hey, we see the success you had in Vegas and in Florida, and we have a really loyal fan base.’ They’ve sold out more than 300 consecutive games in Tampa. So they’re a lot like Vegas, a really deep, loyal fan base, big brand. Visibility for them is everything.”

Of course, the Florida sun will set at some point, as the Panthers and Lightning won’t always be title contenders. However, even dour seasons aren’t a huge concern for Scripps, which makes its money during the regular season and not the playoffs. Postseason trips would include rights to air the first round locally that are shared with either national broadcaster (ESPN/ABC or TNT/TBS/truTV), but nothing further.

“Every one of the teams we have has a great fan base and an engaging product,” Lawlor said. “We’re selling our sponsorships to health systems, car dealers, attorneys—and they’re local. Coke isn’t a sponsor of any of our broadcasts, but the local companies are. They’re all about the fan engagement and the visibility in the local market. And that doesn’t change whether you know you’re the Stanley Cup champion or you wind up a couple of games short of the playoffs.”

Although playoff games don’t generate much revenue for the local affiliates, there was frustration in some circles about local partners sharing playoff games with national broadcasters. A similar agreement in the NBA came to an end after that league’s first round ended in early May. That frustration is amplified by the fact that U.S. ratings for this NHL postseason are significantly down across the board.

Lawlor believes the NHL is prioritizing reach over exclusivity, something that not only benefits the Panthers and other teams, but also the local media partners that are still providing pregame and postgame playoff coverage beyond the first round.

“I haven’t looked at the Panthers’ [data] this week, but when I was meeting with the Golden Knights, the games on our local outperformed TNT and ESPN combined,” Lawlor said. “They reached 62,000 households in Vegas [in the first round]. When the Golden Knights went to the second round, when it was only on TNT, 38,000.

“ESPN or TNT/TBS, those guys still only reach 60% of the households in the U.S. You’re still missing a significant amount of the audience.”

While Scripps is sitting pretty in Florida, it is also hoping to be fully engaged in Utah going into its third season with the team now known as the Mammoth. Scripps affiliate KUPX (Utah Ch. 16) broadcasted games for the formerly named Utah Hockey Club, yet Comcast chose to not carry the affiliate, keeping Xfinity subscribers in the state from watching the games.

“We understand that Comcast has taken that position in some markets, although they seem to be working some of that out,” Lawlor said. “Looks like MSG, they’ve got worked out. Now they’ve got Chicago worked out.

“We have recently re-engaged with them again now that the season’s over, and I am hopeful that maybe they’ll bring a different spirit to this next round of discussions.”

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Jonathan Toews Expects To Have New NHL Home By 2025 NHL Draft

The Chicago Blackhawks had a magical run with Jonathan Toews on their roster. The 3rd overall pick in the 2006 NHL Draft turned into a player who has the Selke Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy, two Olympic Gold Medals, a World Cup of Hockey championship, and three Stanley Cups. 

To say that Toews has had a decorated career would be an understatement. Unfortunately, his time in Chicago didn’t end as he would have liked. The team decided they were not interested in returning him after the 2022-23 season. Due to health issues, he hasn’t played since. 

Now, it is all but certain that Toews is going to make a comeback. With rumors swirling for a few months now, it sounds like he is nearing a decision. According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, Toews will have his new team selected before the 2025 NHL Draft. 

David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) on XDavid Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) on XJonathan Toews is starting to narrow down his options and I'm told he plans to make a decision by the NHL Draft. He can't officially sign with a team until July 1, but can agree with a team in advance. https://t.co/k1aGMGS8dL

Toews can’t officially sign a contract with a team until July 1st, but a deal can have an agreement before becoming official. He has been in contact with many teams, but true contenders make the most sense. 

There is wonder as to what Toews will bring to the table when he returns. If he slotted into the right spot of a good lineup, there is no doubt that he will benefit his new team both on and off the ice. 

This is one of the best captains, in terms of leadership, in the history of the NHL. He also spent over a decade with other incredible leaders like Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Patrick Sharp, and Marian Hossa. A team looking to get over the edge in the playoffs needs a guy like Toews.

He was also still a good hockey player the last time he stepped on the ice. Toews is going to give you an honest effort defensively, score some goals, win face-offs, and be there for his teammates. Whoever gets him will hit a home run with a depth signing of a former superstar. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

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Wimbledon lifts prize pot to £53.5m but tells players more money is no quick fix

  • All England Club says welfare concerns need different solution

  • World’s top players had asked for greater prize money at slams

The All England Club has insisted that it has listened to the complaints of leading tennis players regarding prize money compensation but it believes the solution to player issues lies in greater changes to the structure of the sport.

The prize money fund for the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, which begins on 30 June, will rise to £53.5m, a 7% increase on last year’s prize money and double the amount awarded in 2015. The men’s and women’s champions will receive £3m at this year’s edition, while players who lose in the first round will earn £66,000.

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If Alex Pietrangelo Is Injured, How Could The Golden Knights Replace Him?

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Kaedan Korczak (6) warms up before a game against the Edmonton Oilers at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo could miss some or even all of the 2025-26 season, dealing with an injury, leaving a gaping hole in the Golden Knights' blue line that needs to be filled.

This season wasn't too kind to Pietrangelo. On top of dealing with injuries and illnesses, he showed signs of losing a step despite a strong start to the season. As a whole, the 2024-25 campaign was nowhere near a failure for the 35-year-old, but one that he likely believes he's better than. 

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman's update on Pietrangelo came as a surprise, but it provided a bit of clarity on what Pietrangelo has been enduring.

Replacing a two-time Stanley Cup winner will be difficult, but GM Kelly McCrimmon and HC Bruce Cassidy will need to find a way to do so. 

From Within The Organization:

Kaedan Korczak has been waiting for his opportunity to step into the Golden Knights' lineup as a full-time NHL player, and if Pietrangelo is out for an extended time, no current Golden Knights player is better suited. Over the past two seasons, Korczak has played in 66 games, scoring one goal and 19 points. The 24-year-old has a 6'3, 203 lbs frame that he can use to defend the front of his net, and the foot speed to avoid forecheckers, making him the most logical replacement. 

With Shea Theodore Out, Can A Young Golden Knights Defenseman Step Up?With Shea Theodore Out, Can A Young Golden Knights Defenseman Step Up?Shea Theodore is listed as week-to-week and the Vegas Golden Knights will need someone to step into the lineup and fill the void; could it be Kaedan Korczak?

Ben Hutton is a veteran left-handed defenseman who's been with the Golden Knights since 2021. In his time in Vegas, the 32-year-old has played 141 games, scoring eight goals and 33 points. Whenever called upon, Hutton plays his role with ease and does everything the Golden Knights need of him.

Lukas Cormier is the youngest option and the player furthest from providing the stability Pietrangelo does, but his high-end skill could be a valued asset on the Golden Knights' backend. The 23-year-old is just 5'10 but is a smooth skater with offensive instincts to match. He's gathered just two games of NHL experience up to this point, but has routinely shown in the AHL that he is hungry for an NHL opportunity. 

Via Trade:

Rasmus Andersson, Connor Murphy and Justin Faulk headline the right-handed defenseman who could be available this offseason via trade.

Andersson would be the priciest of the three, but he is also the closest to replacing Pietrangelo that they can find. His chemistry with Noah Hanifin when the pair played together on the Calgary Flames was outstanding, and it could help Hanifin reach the heights the Golden Knights believe he can. With one year remaining on a $4.55M cap hit, Andersson wouldn't break the bank. 

Murphy is a 6'4 defenseman who defends the rush efficiently and moves the puck very well at just $4.4M. He, too, has just one year remaining on his contract but would slot in nicely alongside any of the Golden Knights' left-handed defensemen. 

Of the three, Faulk is the least defensively responsible defenseman but makes up for it with his offence. On a $6.5M contract for two additional seasons, the 33-year-old could quarterback the second unit and provide 30+ points. 

Free Agent Targets:

Aaron Ekblad, Dante Fabbro, Brent Burns and Cody Ceci are just a few of the available unrestricted free agents who could be available on July 1. 

The Golden Knights are very familiar with Ekblad. A physical defenseman whose offensive game never translated as some thought, but it hasn't stopped him from being effective on the defensive end. He'd add serious grit and physicality to the Golden Knights' blue line. 

Fabbro had struggled to hold down a roster spot in the NHL for several seasons, but after he was claimed off of waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets, his game came to life, and he proved to be a fantastic partner for Zach Werenski. 

Burns is now 40 years old and is showing multiple signs that age is catching up to him, but still, he's a shot threat from the blue line who could add a fair bit of offence if he is sheltered away from difficult 5-on-5 matchups.

Ceci played big minutes for the Dallas Stars in the playoffs, and at times, it proved costly. Playing second or third-pairing minutes suits Ceci very well, and the Golden Knights could provide him just that. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

REPORT: Penguins and Canadiens Showing Interest In Golden Knights DefensemanREPORT: Penguins and Canadiens Showing Interest In Golden Knights DefensemanVegas Golden Knights defenseman Nicolas Hague could be available in a trade this offseason and is beginning to garner plenty of interest, now coming from the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Montreal Canadiens, according to Nick Kypreos.
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Jonathan Toews Looking To Make His Decision Prior To The Draft; Jets Considered a Favourite

Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) plays in his last game as a Blackhawk against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Three-time Stanley Cup winner, Conn Smythe Trophy winner, and former Chicago Blackhawks centre Jonathan Toews is planning a return to the NHL, and a recent report states that Toews is looking to make his decision prior to the 2025 NHL draft, and the Winnipeg Jets are considered one of his possible landing spots.

The report came from David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, and he mentioned that Toews and his agent, Pat Brisson, are fully engaged in contract discussions with teams despite Toews being unable to sign with a team until July. 1. The NHL draft begins on Jun. 27, which means Toews could have a contract in line with a team in two weeks.

A native of Winnipeg, MB, Toews is garnering a lot of interest from several teams. Still, at the moment, Pagnotta believes the Jets and the Toronto Maple Leafshave shown the most interest and are considered the favourites to land the 37-year-old.

"The three-time Stanley Cup champion is expected to ink a short-term contract, likely one-year, that may be painted with various goal-oriented bonuses, such as games played and points totals," said Pagnotta. 

Toews last played in the NHL after the 2022-23 season and revealed, at the time, that he would be stepping away from the game primarily due to the effects of long COVID and chronic immune response syndrome. After spending two full seasons away from the game of hockey, he believes the training he's done has him back in shape and ready for a return to the NHL. 

In his final season before stepping away, Toews scored 15 goals and 31 points in 53 games, another step in the wrong direction. Despite that, Toews has all the makings of a defensive centre. Throughout his illustrious NHL career, Toews was one of the best two-way centres in the NHL, scoring a career-high 35 goals and 81 points in the 2018-19 season, while winning a Selke Trophy in the 2012-13 season. 

At this stage of his career, relying on the former third overall pick of the 2006 NHL draft to drive a line offensively would have a team underwhelmed. Playing him in a third-line role, with some penalty kill and power play time, would get the best out of him. Combining what he can provide on the ice with his known leadership, Toews could be a piece that helps a lot of teams get over the hump in the playoffs, including the Jets. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Jets stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

Winnipeg Native and Three-Time Stanley Cup Champion Jonathan Toews Eyeing NHL Return; Jets Considered Front RunnerWinnipeg Native and Three-Time Stanley Cup Champion Jonathan Toews Eyeing NHL Return; Jets Considered Front RunnerJonathan Toews hasn't played an NHL game since the 2022-23 season and is now 37 years old, but he is determined and believes he is ready to return to the NHL.
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ICYMI in Mets Land: David Peterson's shutout, plus five prospects having breakout seasons

Here's what happened in Mets Land on Wednesday, in case you missed it...

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Remembering Detroit’s Emotional 1998 Stanley Cup Game 4 Win: Yzerman Hands Cup to Konstantinov

Remembering the powerful moment when Steve Yzerman handed the Stanley Cup to Vladimir Konstantinov after Detroit’s 1998 Game 4 win—just as the Oilers face the Panthers in Thursday night’s Game 4 showdown.

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As the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers prepare to face off in a critical Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday night, the intensity is reaching its peak. With the stakes higher than ever, it could be a potential turning point in the series for the Oilers as they can tie up the series or the Panthers could take a commanding 3-1 series lead.

Fans across the hockey world are locked in with anticipation surrounding this game bringing to mind some of the most memorable Game 4 moments in Stanley Cup history and for Detroit Red Wings fans, one stands above the rest. 

Before the puck drops in Edmonton, we’re taking a look back at the unforgettable 1998 Game 4 that sealed a championship and delivered one of the most emotional moments the sport has ever seen.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

It was June 16, 1998, in the nation’s capital. The Detroit Red Wings were on the brink of back-to-back Stanley Cups with a 3-0 series lead over the Washington Capitals heading into Game 4. Unlike the previous year’s dramatic six-game battle against the Philadelphia Flyers, 1998 was a suffocating series where the Red Wings rarely gave the Capitals an edge.  

Game 4 was about more than just winning the Cup, it was about honoring Vladimir Konstantinov, the beloved teammate who had suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident the year before. Every shift was played with him in mind, and the team was determined to win not just for themselves, but for Vladdy.

In the first period, Detroit’s prolific offence went to work as Doug Brown kicks off the game with a power play goal that gave the Red Wings the momentum early. Martin Lapointe goes on to add what would be the game-winning goal with a booming slap shot from the top of the zone.

Capitals forward Brian Bellows did what he could to get his team back into it with a goal. But it wasn't enough as Sergei Fedorov and Doug Brown score two more power play goals, sealing the 4–1 victory and completing the series sweep.

As the final horn sounded, the Red Wings chucked their gloves as high as they could and poured over the boards. longtime captain Steve Yzerman hoisted the Cup for the second straight year but when it came time for his first handoff, he did something unforgettable.

Out of the tunnel came Konstantinov, wheeled onto the ice in his chair by teammate Slava Fetisov. He was back on the ice, draped in his jersey, surrounded by his teammates. Yzerman skates straight to him and without hesitation, places the Cup in Konstantinov’s lap. 

The moment brought tears to eyes across the hockey world. Teammates crowded around, many visibly emotional. This was no longer just a win but vindication and a gesture that this team’s journey was bigger than the sport of hockey. 

Yzerman was later awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the playoffs after recording six goals and 18 assists for 24 points in 22 games. Despite winning the award for the first time in his career, the spotlight was another man who couldn't speak yet said everything without words.

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Tigers at Orioles Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for June 12

It's Thursday, June 12 and the Tigers (44-25) are in Baltimore to take on the Orioles (27-39). Tarik Skubal is slated to take the mound for Detroit against Dean Kremer for Baltimore.

The Orioles beat the Tigers, 10-1, yesterday to snap a two-game losing streak. This is the rubber match with the series tied at one apiece.

The Orioles are 2-3 over the last five games, which followed up six-game winning streak for Baltimore. Detroit is 6-4 to start June, while Baltimore is 6-3 overall.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Tigers at Orioles

  • Date: Thursday, June 12, 2025
  • Time: 6:35PM EST
  • Site: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
  • City: Baltimore, MD
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNDT, MASN2

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Tigers at the Orioles

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Tigers (-189), Orioles (+157)
  • Spread:  Tigers -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Tigers at Orioles

  • Pitching matchup for June 12, 2025: Tarik Skubal vs. Dean Kremer
    • Tigers: Tarik Skubal, (6-2, 2.16 ERA)
      Last outing: 7.2 Innings Pitched, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 8 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts
    • Orioles: Dean Kremer, (5-6, 4.98 ERA)
      Last outing: 5.1 Innings Pitched, 5 Earned Runs Allowed, 8 Hits Allowed, 1 Walk, and 2 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Tigers and the Orioles

Rotoworld Best Bet Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) likes a sprinkle on Spencer Torkelson in the AL Comeback Player of the Year market:

"Right now, Jacob DeGrom (-160) leads the field for AL Comeback Player of the Year, but if he gets injured, Spencer Torkelson (+420) will be the new favorite or co-favorite. This award has mostly been a two-player race with a third poking his head, like Byron Buxton (+1000) or Mike Trout (+6500), but Torkelson has remained a steady favorite alongside DeGrom and doesn't have quite the injury history."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Thursday’s game between the Tigers and the Orioles:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Detroit Tigers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Baltimore Orioles at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Tigers at Orioles

  • The Tigers have won 4 of their last 5 road series
  • The Under is 4-1 in the Orioles' last 5 home games
  • Baltimore is 5-8 when Dean Kremer pitches this season
  • Detroit is 9-3 when Tarik Skubal pitches this season

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Elite, up-tempo offense? Sure. But it's Pacers' high-pressure defense that has them up 2-1 in NBA Finals

INDIANAPOLIS — It started on the opening play of the game: Andrew Nembhard met Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, out high on the pick-and-roll and was into his body. When the Thunder star made his move and drove, Nembhard was still right there, drew an offensive foul when SGA hit him in the head with his off-arm.

That play set the tone for the night. As much as the Pacers are known for their free-flowing up-tempo offense, they lead the NBA Finals 2-1 because they played an elite defensive game Wednesday night.

"We've put an incredible amount of work into becoming better defensively," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. "We're still not great. But we're way better than we were. It's taken tons of work. It's taken tons of, you know, it's constant relationship building. It's a difficult system. And it just requires a lot of sacrifice."

Nembhard was at the heart of that defensive improvement, spending 8:39 of the game guarding Gilgeous-Alexander and holding him to 2-of-7 shooting in that time. He wasn't alone, Aaron Nesmith had a strong defensive game. One of the quiet sparks of the night was Ben Sheppard coming off the bench in the first half and playing fantastic defense on SGA, holding him to 1-of-4 shooting in the 2:39 he was on him.

Nembhard or whoever was guarding SGA were up in the body of the MVP all night, meeting him much higher on the court than Game 2.

"I didn't think they really changed their schemes very much. I just thought they were sharper with the physicality and the pressure," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. "Their physicality was stronger than our force in a lot of those possessions."

"I think in Game 2 specifically, if you watch a lot of my coverages, I did a poor job of being at the level [of the screen]," Haliburton said. "I was back and then he could come off and he had so much space… I thought that was something we really had to clean up coming into today."

"They were aggressive. They were high in the pick-and-rolls," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "They were, like Coach said, more aggressive, more forceful… They were higher tonight in the pick-and-rolls. They were above the screen. When you come off it, you got to go backwards."

It wasn't just the defense on Gilgeous-Alexander. Myles Turner had five blocked shots on the night and dominated his matchup with Chet Holmgren late.

Then there was T.J. McConnell, who fired up the crowd with three hustle-play steals of inbounds passes (and five total steals on the night).

"When T.J. is playing with that type of energy, I mean, obviously the crowd loves him," Pascal Siakam said. "So it's great for us because every time he does something good, they go crazy."

This Pacers defense didn't come out of nowhere. While they struggled on that end (and in general) in the first couple of months of the season, after Jan. 1, they became a top-10 defensive team in the league. After the All-Star break, the Pacers ranked eighth in the league defensively, boasting a 111.5 defensive rating.

In their two wins this series, the Pacers have held the Thunder to an offensive rating of 107.9 and 107.3, in the one loss it was 126.

If the Pacers can bring that same defensive effort in Game 4 and keep Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder on their heels, they have the chance to take command of this series.

It's going to be all about their defense.

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Giants reunite with Alexander, sign reliever to minor-league contract

Giants reunite with Alexander, sign reliever to minor-league contract originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Giants reunited with a familiar face.

San Francisco signed veteran left-handed relief pitcher Scott Alexander to a minor-league contract on Tuesday, according to the team’s official transaction page.

Alexander, who pitched for the Colorado Rockies this season, posting a 6.06 ERA with six strikeouts and seven walks in 16 1/3 innings before his release on May 27, previously was with San Francisco for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

In 72 career appearances with the Giants (12 starts), Alexander posted a 3.70 ERA with 41 strikeouts and 12 walks in 65 2/3 innings pitched.

The Giants’ bullpen has been excellent this season, but currently only has one left-handed reliever in Erik Miller. Alexander should provide proven left-handed relief depth should San Francisco need it at some point.

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Yankees at Royals Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for June 12

It's Thursday, June 12 and the Yankees (41-25) are in Kansas City to take on the Royals (34-34). Will Warren is slated to take the mound for New York against Seth Lugo for Kansas City.

New York goes for the sweep today after winning the first two of the series against Kansas City, 10-2 and 6-3. The Yankees high powered offense has been led by Aaron Judge who homered in both games of the series.

The Yankees have won five of the last six with Warren on the mound compared to the Royals who have dropped the past three with Lugo.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Yankees at Royals

  • Date: Thursday, June 12, 2025
  • Time: 7:40PM EST
  • Site: Kauffman Stadium
  • City: Kansas City, MO
  • Network/Streaming: YES, FDSNKC, MLBN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Yankees at the Royals

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Yankees (-147), Royals (+123)
  • Spread:  Yankees -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Yankees at Royals

  • Pitching matchup for June 12, 2025: Will Warren vs. Seth Lugo
    • Yankees: Will Warren, (4-3, 5.34 ERA)
      Last outing: 5.1 Innings Pitched, 4 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 Hits Allowed, 4 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts
    • Royals: Seth Lugo, (3-5, 3.46 ERA)
      Last outing: 5.0 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Yankees and the Royals

Rotoworld Best Bet Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) likes sprinkles on Aaron Judge to hit .400 by the All-Star break (+1300) and the season (+5500):

"Aaron Judge is currently hitting .394 and no Yankee has ever hit .400 let alone the last MLB player being Ted Williams in 1941. Judge is ripping this season and hitting .364 this month with nine hits through nine games.

Judge hit .364 in May too, so he will need to step it up a little but a date with the Red Sox, Angels, Orioles, Reds, and Athletics over the next five series — I see a lot of hits coming for Judge, so I played the +1300 for .400 by the All-Star break and sprinkled +5500 for the season."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Thursday’s game between the Yankees and the Royals:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the New York Yankees on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Kansas City Royals at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Yankees at Royals

  • The Yankees have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against AL Central teams
  • 7 of the Royals' last 8 games (88%) have gone over the Total
  • The Yankees have covered the Run Line in 5 of their last 6 matchups against the Royals

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Báez, Hinch Chase Redemption With AL-Leading Detroit Tigers

BALTIMORE — When the low-budget Detroit Tigers broke camp in Lakeland, Fla., this spring, manager A.J. Hinch bitterly complained about the lack of a starting center fielder.

Espousing the “all for one” philosophy his team has been playing with during the first half of the season, Hinch went to veteran infielder Javier Báez, in the fourth year of a six-year, $140 million free-agent contract, and asked him to make the switch to the outfield. Báez said yes, despite not having played center field since 2015 in winter ball—and for 33 games thus far this season, it’s worked out.

“I’m just trying to help in any way,” Báez said after Tuesday’s game at Camden Yards. “Everything’s getting better for us this year as a team. The only difference for me is that I’m healthy. I’m making adjustments.”  

Báez, who had right hip surgery this past September to alleviate chronic back inflammation, was back at shortstop Tuesday night as the Tigers opened a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles; he made a series of stellar defensive plays and contributed an RBI single as Detroit won, 5-3. His intermittent conversion and .269 batting average is only one good reason why the Tigers—not the big-market New York Yankees—own the American League’s best record at 44-25 even after a 10-1 drubbing by the O’s on Wednesday night.

“It was really taking an incredibly gifted baseball player with great feel and introducing him to a new position so he could help us win,” Hinch said about Báez on Tuesday night. “He did an incredible job. Center field was a big issue coming out of camp, and it turned out to be a big strength.”

The Tigers are Major League Baseball’s anomaly this season, making more out of less than any other team in either league. Behind the pitching of 2024 American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, the Tigers own a seven-game spread over second-place Minnesota in the AL Central, the widest in any of the six divisions. Skubal, with his 6-2 record and 2.16 ERA, is slated to take the mound for the Tigers on Thursday.

This is not the result any longer of a small sample size, with the season nearing its halfway mark. Sure, there’s still a long way to go before the playoffs in October, but the Tigers are doing it with $156.2 million—the 19th-ranked payroll for tax purposes, according to Spotrac—less than half of what the top-ranked Los Angeles Dodgers are spending at $405.4 million.

The division itself is the lowest-spending in MLB. Below the Tigers, Minnesota is spending a 20th-ranked $151.5 million, Cleveland is 25th at $122.3 million and the lowly Chicago White Sox are 29th out of the 30 MLB teams at $86 million. Only the Miami Marlins, with an $84.7 million payroll, are lower than the White Sox. The entire AL Central is spending a combined $686.7 million.

Compare that with the National League West’s spending of $1.25 billion and the AL East putting up $1.1 billion for players this season, and the AL Central is getting a lot of bang for its buck. Three of the division’s other four teams are in contention for the league’s three Wild Card slots, with the 17th-ranked Kansas City Royals at $170.7 million the farthest away right now two games back. The White Sox, who set a record for futility last season with a 41-121 record, are still getting what they’re paying for. They’re 23-45—20.5 games behind the Tigers.

Hinch doesn’t concern himself with the team’s salary decisions.

“The good thing about my position is that I don’t have to worry about that,” he said. “I do know my job on the field is to make the most out of these guys, and leave the payroll and other aspects of that to the people upstairs.”

Hinch has always been adept at that. He took over the Houston Astros in 2015 after a 92-loss, fourth-place finish in the AL West. By 2017, he led them to a World Series win over the Dodgers. The Astros had an eight-year run to either the AL Championship Series or beyond that ended this past postseason, but Hinch wasn’t around for all of them. He was ensnared in the Astros sign-stealing debacle, fired by owner Jim Crane and suspended for a year by Major League Baseball after the Astros lost the 2019 World Series to Washington. 

The Tigers gave him a lifeline, and now, like Báez, he’s on a mission to prove that prior iterations in his career were not a fluke.

“I’m proud to be here,” Hinch said. “I don’t downplay what happened to me in Houston. I take responsibility for my part in all that. I’m just trying to be a good manager for these guys.” 

He sees similarities to his Astros teams and the current Tigers, who lost 85 games when Hinch took over in 2021, and last year made the playoffs with 86 wins. After losing a tough AL Division Series to Cleveland in five games, Detroit now seems poised to take the next big step.

“In terms of a team learning to grow up, that is similar,” Hinch said. “In terms of having a ton of young talent, that is similar. After we made the playoffs last year I talked to the team about once you play in October, you want to play in all of them. Guys had really good offseasons and came back ready to go. That’s a similarity I’ve also experienced already.”

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Giants at Rockies prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 12

Its Thursday, June 12 and the Giants (40-28) are in Denver to take on the Rockies (12-55).

Hayden Birdsong is slated to take the mound for San Francisco against Antonio Senzatela for Colorado.

The Giants won their second in a row against the Rockies and seventh in a row overall last night rallying for seven runs in the final two innings to come from behind and knock off the Rockies, 10-7 Wednesday night. Willy Adames went 3-3 at the plate and drove in three runs to pace the attack.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Giants at Rockies

  • Date: Thursday, June 12, 2025
  • Time: 3:10PM EST
  • Site: Coors Field
  • City: Denver, CO
  • Network/Streaming: NBCSBA, COLR

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Giants at the Rockies

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Giants (-219), Rockies (+179)
  • Spread:  Giants -1.5
  • Total: 11.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Giants at Rockies

  • Pitching matchup for June 12, 2025: Hayden Birdsong vs. Antonio Senzatela
    • Giants: Hayden Birdsong (3-1, 2.55 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/6 vs. Atlanta - 4.1IP, 2ER, 2H, 5BB, 5Ks
    • Rockies: Antonio Senzatela (1-10, 6.68 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/6 vs. Mets - 4IP, 0ER, 3H, 4BB, 2Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Giants at Rockies

  • The Giants have won their last 3 road games, while the Rockies have lost 5 straight overall
  • In his last 5 starts, Antonio Senzatela has an ERA of 10.00
  • After a dismal start to June (1-22) Willy Adames is 4-7 over his last 2 games
  • Mike Yastrzemski is riding a modest 3-game hitting streak (4-9)
  • Hunter Goodman has hit in 8 straight games (15-35)

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for today’s game between the Giants and the Rockies

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Thursday's game between the Giants and the Rockies:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the San Francisco Giants on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Colorado Rockies at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 11.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Reschny's performance vs. 2024 top prospect should have Flyers' eye in first round

Reschny's performance vs. 2024 top prospect should have Flyers' eye in first round originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The 2025 NHL draft is a huge one for the Flyers’ rebuild.

Not only does Danny Briere have a lot of high-round picks at his disposal, but he also could be creative in how he uses them.

“There are all kinds of possibilities here,” the Flyers’ general manager said in April. “I think it’s really exciting going into it. It’s powerful to have so many picks like that. I think a lot of teams will be wanting to have discussions with us to make some things happen — teams that don’t have picks or teams that want to tweak things.”

So it’s a busy time for the Flyers leading up to the draft, which will be held June 27-28. The first round is Friday at 7 p.m. ET, while Rounds 2-7 are Saturday starting at noon ET.

“There are really good players in this draft,” TSN director of scouting Craig Button said May 27 in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. “Maybe people say it’s not a good draft; I’m not buying it. I think this draft has got lots of good players.”

The Flyers are slotted to make 11 picks, including three first-rounders and four second-rounders. Their first-round selections will come at No. 6 (own pick), No. 22 (Sean Walker trade) and either No. 31 or 32 (Oilers trade).

Before the draft arrives, we’re breaking down first-round targets for the Flyers.

Next up:

Cole Reschny

Position: Center
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 180
Shoots: Left
Team: Victoria

Scouting report

Despite being a smaller forward, Reschny is adept at going to the hard areas or attacking open ice to make plays.

As a pass-first guy, he racked up 92 points (26 goals, 66 assists) over 62 regular-season games for a Royals team that went 40-17-11 in 2024-25. He also had a plus-42 rating and won 56.4 percent of his faceoffs.

“I think he’s a two-way all day long, I think he would be an excellent second-line center,” Button, a former NHL GM and scout, said. “He can put up points, he can play defense, he can be on the penalty kill.”

Reschny is slotted as the 13th-best player in the draft on Button’s list. What surely caught the eye of NHL clubs was his prolific run in the WHL playoffs. And who it came against.

The 18-year-old center delivered 25 points (nine goals, 16 assists) in just 11 games and went toe to toe with Berkly Catton during the second round. Catton, a big-time scorer down the middle, was the eighth overall pick by the Kraken last summer. Reschny gave him a battle.

“When you get to the point of evaluating them in the playoffs and you see what he did, it’s not the NHL, but there’s a semblance,” Button said. “You get to watch him play and how he handles playing against a top player that’s going to be an NHL player. Well, now you get an opportunity to evaluate closer to what it could look like in the NHL for Cole Reschny.”

Catton had 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) as his Spokane club came back from a 2-1 series deficit to beat Victoria in six games. Reschny finished the series with 13 points (five goals, eight assists).

“This playoffs, showing what he can do against a really top player in Berkly Catton,” Button said, “I think it gives NHL teams more confidence that, boy, this guy’s a good player.”

Reschny will have to fend off the undersized concerns and eventually prove he can score consistently against pros. But his quickness and instincts in tight spaces are promising.

He’s ranked at No. 25 overall on EliteProspects.com and is the 25th-rated North American skater by NHL Central Scouting.

“I think that his brainpower is big, his competitive level is big,” Button said. “When you have a player that can do so many different things in the game and do it well, they’re not easy to find.”

Cole Reschny
(Kevin Light/Victoria Royals)

Fit with Flyers

If Reschny is available within the range of No. 22, he’d be a real solid pick for the Flyers.

He can scale a lineup, which is appealing, and he’d have the chance to help fill an organizational void at center. Reschny and Jett Luchanko would give the Flyers back-to-back playmaking pivots in the first round. While both are not big and have second-line upside, the more options a team has, the better.

“Everybody thinks it’s easy to find a second-line center,” Button said. “No, it isn’t.”

More targets

• Hagens is ‘Matt Duchene type of player’ who could be on Flyers’ radar at No. 6

• Flyers would probably love if Barkov-like prospect is available at No. 6

• ‘Fascinating,’ 6-foot-5 center has tons of intrigue for Flyers at No. 6

• Younger brother of Flyers prospect is ‘complete’ center and option at No. 6

• ‘David Krejci-like’ center with plenty of upside would give Flyers good decision

• Could a 6-foot-6, ‘just blossoming’ defenseman be a fit for Flyers at No. 6?

• Will Flyers grab prospect with ‘really, really unique’ combination at No. 6?