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Report: Canadiens Have Rangers Star Center On Their Radar

The Montreal Canadiens reportedly have their eye one of the NHL's top trade candidates. 

According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, the Canadiens are keeping an eye on New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck in the trade market. 

"Speaking of Montreal, by the way, I mean, they’re being pretty aggressive calling around to figure out the market when it comes to being able to upgrade their top-six forward group. They’re monitoring Vincent Trocheck for sure and see where that goes," LeBrun said.   

The Canadiens having Trocheck on their radar is not surprising. It is no secret that they need a boost at the second-line center spot, and he is one of the top centers in the trade market right now. Because of this, it would make sense if they made a real push for him. 

If the Canadiens signed Trocheck, he would give them a top-six center who produces strong offense, works in all situations, and plays a gritty game. His stats from this past season show this, as he had 16 goals, 37 assists, 53 points, and 193 hits in 67 games with the Rangers in 2025-26. 

It will be intriguing to see if the Canadiens land Trocheck, but the fit looks good on paper. 

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NHL Has ‘Zero Concerns’ About Drawbacks of Decentralized Draft

Gavin McKenna is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the NHL Draft, and when his name is called in Buffalo, N.Y., on Friday night, he will embrace his family, receive cheers from the sold-out crowd and shake hands with league commissioner Gary Bettman. But for the star left winger, meeting the group that’s actually selecting him, the front office of the Toronto Maple Leafs, will have to wait.

That’s because the NHL switched its draft to a decentralized format last year. The league used to have decision-makers and other personnel from all 32 of its teams gather on the floor of wherever the marquee offseason event was held, which NHL president of content and events Steve Mayer called a “who’s who of hockey.”

Now, the franchises run their draft operations remotely from their home cities, similar to how it’s done in the NFL, the NBA and MLB.

Teams were eager for a change, finding the travel burdensome and the schedule too hectic to focus on roster preparations, with the league’s awards ceremony, the end of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the start of free agency unfolding in a few weeks’ time. Having competing franchises all in the same room also raised privacy issues, and Mayer said there were discussions on how potential moves could be visually tipped off. So after conducting a vote with its general managers, who polled their respective organizations, the NHL opted to shake the event up.

But shifting the format didn’t necessarily make things easier. While travel expenses went down for the individual franchises, the decentralized draft costs the NHL more, largely because of how technologically intensive it is. In addition to year-over-year improvements in presentation, the league has to manage broadcast feeds from 32 different locations, transmit data back and forth, and coordinate trades and selections, all in real time.

And Mayer isn’t shy to admit the NHL didn’t get everything right in the first year of decentralization. During the 2025 draft, the league had selected prospects proceed into a “Hockey House,” which had giant LED screens so they could immediately talk to their new teams. Yet it proved to be hit-or-miss as to whether the content was compelling, and it came with a bunch of tech issues. So the NHL scrapped it for this year.

The league also vastly underestimated how much space it needed for the event, even without the teams present, moving from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles in 2025 to KeyBank Center in Buffalo, where the Sabres play, for this draft.

Difficulties aside, Mayer has “zero concerns” about how the draft will play out this year. In fact, he’s extremely bullish on the atmosphere since Buffalo is geographically close to Toronto, which holds the top overall pick for the first time since the Maple Leafs drafted Auston Matthews in 2016. “It is going to be a pretty big moment for sure,” he said.

Mayer acknowledges the NHL player-selection event doesn’t match its NFL counterpart, but then, what does? “It’s hard to compare the NFL,” Mayer said. “I mean, that’s another level, but I put our draft absolutely up against any of the other drafts from the other major leagues for sure.”

As it is, the NHL’s event is generating plenty of commercial opportunities. The league has consistently been adding more elements, such as additional signage and screens, produced player profiles and celebrity activations, giving “our sponsorship team many, many more opportunities to sell,” he added.

The overall growth of the hockey draft has made it more attractive and beneficial to partners, like Upper Deck, which holds the title sponsorship for the event.

“The draft that used to be a business meeting is no longer a business meeting,” Mayer said. “It’s a spectacle, it’s an event, it’s a very sellable item, not only to the spectators in Buffalo, but people that watch it around the world and around the globe and especially for us in North America.”

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Knicks summer league schedule announced

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 19: Dink Pate #28 of the New York Knicks dunks the ball during the game against the Washington Wizards during the 2025 NBA Summer League game on July 19, 2025 at the Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The New York Knicks’ 2026 NBA Summer League schedule in Las Vegas features four preliminary matchups starting July 10. All 30 NBA teams participate in the 11-day showcase.

The Knicks’ preliminary Las Vegas schedule is as follows (all times Eastern):

  • July 10: vs. Brooklyn Nets (6:00 PM)
  • July 11: vs. San Antonio Spurs (6:00 PM)
  • July 13: vs. Detroit Pistons (4:00 PM)
  • July 16: vs. Golden State Warriors (7:00 PM)

Following these games, teams will advance to the Summer League playoffs. Semifinals will take place on July 18, and the Championship game is scheduled for July 19.

The Knicks’ roster is likely to feature newly drafted rookies Jack Kayil and Tyler Nickel alongside several familiar young players. Pacôme Dadiet, Ariel Hukporti, Tyler Kolek, Mohamed Diawara, and Kevin McCullar Jr. are all expected to see significant minutes as New York evaluates its young talent ahead of free agency. Take a break from the pool to watch the Summer Knicks, why dontcha?!

Go Knicks

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NHL trade tracker LIVE: Who changed teams during 2026 draft weekend?

The lead-up to the 2026 NHL Draft has been full of trades.

Though this is a deep draft, picks were shipped for more immediate help and even more players could be moved this weekend.

So far, the Florida Panthers have acquired Brady Tkachuk and Garnet Hathaway, the Chicago Blackhawks shipped out the No. 4 overall pick for Bowen Byram and the Washington Capitals landed Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou. Valeri Nichushkin, William Eklund, Michael Kesselring and Simon Nemec also moved teams.

According to reports, Jason Robertson and Mason McTavish were being shopped.

Here's a live look at trades and other transactions that happened during the 2026 NHL Draft weekend:

More: NHL mock draft 2026: Who's taken after Gavin McKenna in first round?

Maple Leafs trade Samuel Ersson to Senators

Toronto will receive a 2027 fifth-round pick for Ersson, who they acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers earlier this month in the Joseph Woll trade. Ersson is a pending restricted free agent and the Senators will need to make him a qualifying offer to retain his rights.

Islanders defenseman Tony DeAngelo gets two-year deal

The pending unrestricted agent is staying with the Islanders on a two-year deal with a reported $4.5 million cap hit. DeAngelo had 35 points in 76 games in his second season with the Islanders and 10th in the NHL.

Jets listening to offers on Connor Hellebuyck

Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff confirmed he has been listening to offers on star goalie Connor Hellebuyck. “As an organization, it’s incumbent on me to listen,” he said. He didn't answer whether the U.S. Olympic gold medalist has asked for a trade or if there is if a timeline for making a deal. Hellebuyck is under contract through 2031. “What I’ve been hearing hasn’t made me act,” he said.

Jason Robertson turns down Kraken offer

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that the Stars gave Seattle permission to talk to Jason Robertson and he turned down the team's offer for about $15 million a year. Robertson can become a restricted free agent on July 1.

Sharks getting offers on No. 9 overall pick

Sharks general manager Mike Grier said this week he had been getting calls about the No. 9 overall pick and a few others on the No. 2 pick.

Blues have four first-round picks

After trading Kyrou, the Blues have four picks in the first round, including back-to-back at 15 and 16. Could they potentially package some of those picks to move up in the draft, or to go after another team's player?

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL trade tracker LIVE: Who changed teams during 2026 draft weekend?

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Blues Reportedly In Two-Team Race With Rangers To Land Ducks' Mason McTavish

According to multiple reports, most recently from TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, the St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers are the two teams that have made offers to the Anaheim Ducks for center Mason McTavish.

The Blues have been linked to McTavish for quite some time now, and they could be in the final stretch run of a deal.

LeBrun reports that the Ducks are currently in talks with both teams about their offers. The Blues’ offer reportedly centers on draft picks, notably the 11th overall pick in this year’s draft. For the Rangers, their trade package involves a roster player.

LeBrun also mentions that the Ducks would likely use the picks they acquire from the Blues, if they agreed to the trade, to acquire players who can help their roster now, as they don’t want to be viewed as sellers. 

For the Blues, landing McTavish would solidify their center core. Robert Thomas would remain the No. 1 center while McTavish and Dalibor Dvorsky make up the middle six. 

McTavish is 6-foot-1 and 219 pounds and would look to be an offensive center with the Blues. The 2025-26 season was poor for McTavish, but the prior season, he notched 22 goals and 52 points in 76 games.

While McTavish would have a higher offensive responsibility, Dvorsky would be tasked with defensive duties. 

Report: Blues Attempted To Trade For Stars' Jason Robertson; Wasn't Willing To Sign In St. LouisReport: Blues Attempted To Trade For Stars' Jason Robertson; Wasn't Willing To Sign In St. LouisThe St. Louis Blues reportedly offered the Dallas Stars a package of multiple first-round picks for winger Jason Robertson, but Robertson was unwilling to sign in St. Louis.

Although they wouldn’t be playing on the same line, they would complement each other and allow their strengths to shine. 

At just 23 years old, McTavish is still developing his game and hoping to improve. At this point in his career, McTavish has played 304 regular-season games and 10 playoff games. He has experience in everyday NHL life, but a change of scenery could help him rediscover his game and play like the former third-overall pick of the 2021 NHL draft. 

The 11th overall pick is a steep price to pay for a player coming off a career-worst season, but if the Blues were hoping to land a forward like Tynan Lawrence, Wyatt Cullen, or Viggo Bjorck, trading for McTavish, who is five years older, provides them with more security. McTavish is an established NHLer, and while those three forwards project well, there is still uncertainty surrounding them. 

LeBrun does indicate that teams could circle back and rejoin the McTavish trade discussions, but as of now, it’s a two-horse race between the Blues and Rangers. 

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Carlos Mendoza thanks Mets, fans in statement following departure as manager

The Mets' disastrous first-half of the season finally reached it's tipping point on Friday morning, as the team announced that they've fired manager Carlos Mendoza.  

Mendoza was in the midst of his third year at the helm in Queens. 

Behind an absolutely magical turnaround, he led them to an 89-73 finish and an NLCS appearance as a rookie manager during the 2024 season. 

But Mendoza Mets would miss the postseason after a second-half collapse last year, and that disappointment carried over to this season after a winter of wholesale changes. 

New York holds a 34-47 record following their ugly four-game series sweep at the hands of the Cubs. 

Though things didn't end as Mendoza or the Mets hoped, the skipper penned a statement on Friday afternoon thanking Steve and Alex Cohen, David Stearns, Mets fans, and everyone throughout the organization. 

"New York will always hold a special place in my heart," he wrote. "I leave with tremendous gratitude, pride in what we accomplished together, and confidence that the future of this organization is bright. I wish the Mets and their fans nothing but success in the years ahead." 

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Yankees Sequence of the Week: Ryan Weathers (6/24)

DETROIT, MI - JUNE 24: Ryan Weathers #40 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Comerica Park on June 24, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Yankees rebounded from a recent three-game losing streak to secure the final two games of their series against the Tigers. They couldn’t keep that momentum rolling into the series opener against the Red Sox as countless mental errors piled up en route to a 6-3 loss. As such, we have to go back to that series at Comerica to find a candidate for Sequence of the Week, that distinction belonging to Ryan Weathers in the rubber game.

We join Weathers with two outs in the bottom of the second on Wednesday. Paul Goldschmidt led off the game with a home run off Tarik Skubal, but Weathers handed it right back with a Spencer Torkelson double, Hao-Yu Lee walk, and Zach McKinstry RBI single. That put runners on first and second with the score tied, 1-1; every run crucial with the back-to-back reigning AL Cy Young on the mound for the home team.

With the nine-hole hitter Jake Rogers at the plate, it becomes imperative that Weathers go right after him and halt the early rally here to avoid turning the lineup over to AL Rookie of the Year frontrunner Kevin McGonigle. Weathers starts Rogers with a first pitch sweeper, Austin Wells setting a target on the outside edge as they attempt to steal a called strike one.

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Instead, Weathers pulls this pitch down and in, and it lands a full two feet away from his intended aim of back-dooring the pitch. Had he landed a fastball in the zone before this, there’s a much higher chance that Rogers would have chased this pitch, but as a first pitch offering, there was nothing to set it up.

Despite failing to execute that sweeper to his spot by a wide margin, Weathers tries the same backdoor tactic again.

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He’s lucky that Rogers gives up on this pitch early, because it ends up right down the middle for a called strike. Had Rogers been sitting on another breaker, there’s a good chance he would have crushed this pitch having gotten a good look at its movement profile on the prior pitch.

Now that Weathers has shown Rogers two straight off-speed pitches that break toward the batter, he has the situation set up to start a changeup down the same tunnel as the sweeper he just threw so that he can fool Rogers with a pitch that now breaks away from him.

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The process is sound but the execution not so much. He yanks this changeup just like he did with the first pitch changeup, and it ends up well below the zone for ball two. The pitch starts as a ball out of Weathers’ hand and only travels farther away from the zone, making for a straightforward take from Rogers.

This pitch wasn’t as poorly executed as the result might suggest, and it appears has found the right seam orientation at release based on the sharp, late breaking movement downward. The pitch must have felt good coming out of his hand, because he shakes off Wells to get back to the changeup.

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This one is an absolute doozy, as evidenced by Rogers spinning out and falling into the dirt as he whiffs wildly over the top. He’s obviously selling out for the fastball here, and is made to look silly by an absolutely disgusting changeup.

After seeing such an out of control hack from Rogers, the only logical choice would be to try to replicate that pitch.

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Weathers throws the perfect changeup, on the corner down and away with wicked sinking and fading movement. Even if Rogers takes this pitch, it’s called strike three. However, that’s a moot point as Rogers once again swings and misses super early and over the top as if he is anticipating a fastball. Weathers strands both the runners, giving his offense the chance to grab the lead again as Goldschmidt crushed his second homer and Jasson Domínguez went yard off Skubal as he continues to look much improved batting righty.

Here’s the full sequence:

Weathers needed this turnaround start badly having allowed at least five runs in four of six starts before this game. In allowing one earned run across six strong innings, Weathers’ ERA sinks back below four, Weathers crucially keeping the ball in the yard amid his home run issues. Weathers and Will Warren are currently fighting for their spot in the rotation with Max Fried’s return from injury on the not-too-distant horizon, and a performance like this is certainly a mark in Weathers’ favor.

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A look at the 2026 Cubs at the season’s halfway mark

Let’s look at the season this way for a moment.

If, on Opening Day, I had told you the Cubs would be 44-37 after 81 games, you’d have probably been a bit disappointed. That’s an 88-win pace, which is good, but fewer wins than last year and probably not enough to win the NL Central.

The thing is, I think a lot of Cubs fans are hugely disappointed in the team right now. They’ve generated enough offense, I’d think, to win more games than that. They currently rank sixth in MLB in runs with 399 (and they’re only 10 runs behind the third-ranked Pirates). That’s just less than five runs per game. Generally, if you can score around 800 runs in a season, you’re going to win 90+ games.

Except if the pitching staff isn’t doing its job, you’re not. And this pitching staff has been riddled with injuries. I don’t need to recount all of those to you, you are quite familiar with them. And right now, the team has allowed 362 runs, which ranks 16th, exactly league average. What’s worse, though, is that they have served up 123 home runs, most in MLB. The A’s are second at 120, and as you know, they play in a minor-league park that’s known for long balls.

The weirdest part about this very odd Cubs season is how they got to 44-37.

First 16 games: 7-9, 73 runs scored, 69 allowed
Next 23 games: 20-3, 142 runs scored, 90 allowed
Next 29 games: 7-22, 93 runs scored, 151 allowed
Next 13 games: 10-3, 91 runs scored, 52 allowed

That is…

I mean, what team does that in half of a single season? That’s a .500 club for a couple of weeks, the best team in baseball for three weeks, the worst team in baseball for four weeks, and the best team again for two weeks.

Hitting? Pitching? As you can see, it’s both. During the 20-3 streak, the team averaged more than six runs a game and allowed fewer than four. Then they spent nearly a month scoring only a bit more than three per game (and scored 1 run or fewer nine times), but also allowed 5.2 per game.

In the current 13-game stretch, they’re back to pounding the ball — seven runs scored per game — and also have had solid pitching, allowing four per game.

Where does this team go from here?

Acquiring David Peterson will help. As has been written elsewhere, he’s an extreme ground ball pitcher who will be helped by the Cubs’ elite infield defense. We just spent four days watching how bad the Mets infield defense is (and that’s not a one-year problem, either).

But clearly, the team needs another starting pitcher, too. Today we stand 38 days from the trade deadline. The Mets, incidentally, should be one of the teams selling, and Freddy Peralta pitched well enough Thursday (and for most of the season) that he should be a Cubs trade target. Peralta, too, would be helped by the Cubs defense. There are other pitchers out there that I’m sure Jed Hoyer & Co. are targeting.

They could use some relief help, too. If I’m Hoyer I’m on the phone with my old buddy Craig Breslow in Boston, seeing what it would take to get Aroldis Chapman. Hey, it worked 10 years ago. Chapman isn’t the pitcher he was in 2016, but he is still an effective MLB reliever and he could close games in Daniel Palencia’s absence.

Other than that, the offense has begun to click again. If the team can get Alex Bregman, Seiya Suzuki and Michael Busch going, it could be a real juggernaut in the season’s second half.

That second 81-game stretch begins tonight in Milwaukee. Hopefully this Cubs team can play better against the Brewers than they did last month in Chicago.

As always, we await developments. Go Cubs.

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Three reasons Caleb Wilson won’t repeat Coby White’s Chicago Bulls experience

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 23: Caleb Wilson poses for a photo during the 2026 NBA Draft - Round One on June 23, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Melanie Fidler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

UNC’s connection with the Chicago Bulls has been a fascinating one over the last 40+ years. In 1984, the Bulls selected Michael Jordan as the third overall pick in the NBA Draft. Things went extremely well to say the least, and ultimately Jordan went on to become arguably the greatest NBA player of all time. In 2019, the Bulls drafted Coby White as the 7th overall pick in the draft, and while White himself eventually became the NBA player most UNC fans thought he could be, things were a trash heap as far as the Bulls organization goes. While Jordan won six NBA titles, White only made it to the NBA Playoffs once with the Bulls, only to get smoked by the Milwaukee Bucks.

That brings us to today: Caleb Wilson was selected with the fourth-overall pick to the Bulls, becoming just the third Tar Heel to be drafted by the franchise. The question, though, is will Wilson be set up for success better than White was? Or will he be resigned to play in the Play-In Tournament against the Miami Heat for the next six years? Let’s take a look at three reasons why things could play out a lot better for Wilson from an organizational perspective. Let’s start at the top and work our way down.

Arturas Karnisovas has left the building

When Coby White was drafted, the Bulls front office comprised of Gar Forman and John Paxson, who were in the middle of their villain era with the city of Chicago. After letting Jimmy Butler walk because they didn’t want to pay him a super max contract, things went downhill with the team at record speeds, and there was no immediate sign that things would get better. After drafting White, the duo known as GarPax would try to build a team around Zach LaVine, but ultimately after missing out on the playoffs four years in a row, Jerry and Michael Reinsdorf decided to make some changes.

In comes Arturas Karnisovas, and to speed things up, let’s just say things didn’t get a whole lot better. While things weren’t completely bad with AK, he still was not able to help Billy Donovan build a playoff team. The final straw was earlier this year when AK traded Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu for second round picks, and the Reinsdorfs had enough. Now the Bulls have Bryson Graham, who is widely respected for his ability to identify talent. He has said and done all the right things so far, and he has done the one thing that none of the names mentioned previously were willing to do: committed to a real rebuild. Caleb Wilson is the first building block in what will be a multi-step plan to finally return the Bulls to the NBA Playoffs.

Wilson won’t have to deal with Jim Boylen

When Coby White entered the league, Jim Boylen was the Chicago Bulls head coach. To put it nicely, Boylen was one of the worst NBA coaches that the league has ever seen. He stunted White’s growth by playing inferior talent over him, utilizing bizarre offensive and defensive schemes, and in general proving that he had no idea what he was doing. Again, that is putting it nicely. Boylen finished his head coaching career with a 39-84 record before getting fired and replaced by Billy Donovan, who while was a much better coach that helped develop White into a much better player, didn’t have the front office support to get the Bulls very far.

After deciding that he no longer wanted to coach for the Bulls after his contract was up, Donovan was replaced by former interim Portland Trailblazers head coach Tiago Splitter. While he only coached the Blazers for a short amount of time, he gained a ton of respect from the locker room, and just about every player hoped that he would stay. Carolina Hurricanes and now Portland Trailblazers owner Tom Dundon had other plans, though, and decided not to retain Splitter, so he decided to take his talents to the Windy City.

Splitter has a reputation for developing/getting the most out of his players, and many credit his efforts in getting the Blazers to the NBA Playoffs. If the same holds true in Chicago, there’s no doubt that we will see Wilson shine under the Bulls’ new leadership. It’s unfortunate that White got the short end of the stick, but Wilson will be led by a promising head coach.

Wilson’s role will be clear

The thing that bothered me the most about the Coby White situation in Chicago is that his role changed just about every year. After being buried on the bench under Boylen, he eventually found more playing time at point guard, and under Donovan he would bounce back and forth between point guard and shooting guard. While that sounds normal, it was who he was playing next to and what he was being asked to do that just never felt right.

With Caleb Wilson, though, it is hard to imagine that he will not have a defined role under Splitter. The Bulls drafted Wilson as the guy they want to build around in their rebuild, and there’s no ambiguity when it comes to what he can and can’t do. Splitter knows he’s getting a guy with a high motor who lives above the rim and can defend his tail off, and he hopes to develop him into a guy that can also stretch the floor and potentially create for others. And because the team is in a rebuild, the only pieces that are almost guaranteed to stick around for the next 2-3 years are Wilson, Matas Buzelis, Noa Essengue, and Dailyn Swain. Barring any big surprises, Wilson will likely become the franchise player, and he could develop into an All-Star when it’s all said and done.

From the outside looking in, it’s easy to see why anybody would be uneasy about Wilson getting drafted by Chicago. But it’s a new day in the Windy City in just about every way, and Wilson has a chance to do something special in one of the best markets in the NBA. For that to happen, the Bulls will have to do their part and not go back to their old ways.

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If not now, when? Phillies vs. Mets series preview

May 8, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; New York Mets first baseman Mark Vientos tosses his bat after hitting a solo home run in the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Phillies could have easily been swept by the Washington Nationals. They generally played poorly for most of the four-game series, but thanks to some late-inning magic against a garbage fire bullpen, they ended up winning the series.

Speaking of garbage fires, there’s the New York Mets. Since defeating the Phillies last Thursday, they’ve lost six games in a row, some of them in embarrassing fashion. But hey, at least some people in the stadium managed to enjoy themselves.

However, if there’s one thing the Mets have been able to count on in recent years, it’s beating the Phillies at Citi Field. The Phillies have lost ten straight games at the stadium including two games in the 2024 NLDS. With the Mets in freefall, if the Phillies can’t find a way to win a game this weekend, it seems possible that they might never win there again.

…..And as I was writing this, it was announced that the Mets have fired manager Carlos Mendoza.

This is not a positive development for the Phillies, as the Mets may likely experience a “new manager bounce” this weekend. On the other hand, it gives me a reason to use this clip:

Opposition research: Mark Vientos

In 2024, the Mets thought they had a young star on their hands. In his first full season, Mark Vientos put up an OPS of .837 with 27 home runs. And he went on to destroy the Phillies in the NLDS, going 9-16 with two home runs.

He’s continued to perform well against the Phillies. Last year, he batted .313 with two home runs against them, and in the series last week, he was 2-5 with a homer. However, he hasn’t hit all that well against anybody else in that time, and combined with horrendous defense, he’s been one of the least valuable players in the league.

Things aren’t trending in Vientos’ direction either. He’s batting just .179 in June and went 1-10 in the series against the Cubs.

Defensively, the Mets accepted that he couldn’t hack it at third base so they moved him to first this season. However, he’s proven to be equally bad there, committing a league high six errors. Mets fans are now openly pining for Pete Alonso.

Does any of this mean that he won’t have a few big hits against the Phillies this weekend? Of course not!

Hating on the Mets

There’s not that much I can write about the Mets that their own fans haven’t already said.

Let’s see what Mets fan Jerry Seinfeld has to say about that.

Trivia

Last week’s answer: The three relievers to earn wins in the Phillies’ sweep of the Mets in September 2007 were Tom Gordon, Antonio Alfonseca, and Geoff Geary. MG77 and Morris Buttermaker each named one of them.

This week’s question: The Phillies last win at Citi Field was a 12-2 romp on September 20, 2024. Which Phillie had four hits and four RBIs in that game?

Vote for the Phillies! Just not necessarily the ones you expected

It’s kind of hilarious that Brandon Marsh, Alec Bohm, and Bryson Stott have all reached the second round of All-Star voting while Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber did not. While Marsh clearly deserves inclusion on the team, it wasn’t that long ago that fans wanted both Bohm and Stott traded away for anything they could get. (Can you imagine the reaction at the end of April if someone told you that Alec Bohm might be an All-Star?)

Harper and Schwarber both have a good chance to be named to the team as reserves, although they could always get excluded due to the “every team gets a guy” role and whether or not Dave Roberts feels he has to choose a rookie with six starts under his belt.

Additional thought about the series

Late inning comebacks are really fun, and the Mets also do not have a great bullpen. (Sure, it’s better than the Nationals’ relief group, but I don’t think it’s possible to be worse.) That said, it wouldn’t be a bad thing for the Phillies to simply get out to an early lead and sustain it for the entire game.

They should have an opportunity to score early runs. The Mets are calling up rookie Zach Thornton to start one game, and it seems likely either Kodai Senga or Christian Scott will get the ball at some point. Either way, the Phillies won’t be facing a top-notch array of pitchers this weekend.

I am slightly worried that the Mets can’t possibly continue to play as poorly as they have been, and they might be somewhat motivated by getting their manager fired. On the other hand, the Phillies can’t keep losing every game at Citi Field, right? In the end, while I’d love to see the Phillies extend the Mets’ misery, I think I’d be happy if they can come away with one win this weekend. That’s not too much to ask for, right?

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Two-start pitchers: Tarik Skubal headlines a plethora of elite options as we turn the page to July

Hello and welcome to the 14th installment of our weekly two-start pitcher article for the 2026 MLB season.

I will continue to be here every Friday to highlight some of the best two-start pitcher options in fantasy baseball leagues for the upcoming week providing my insights and recommendations on which options should be started or benched.

The fantasy baseball season is a marathon, not a sprint. As we creep toward the All-Star break, it’s easy to fall into bad habits and not spend as much time on teams that have struggled out of the gate, but now is not the time to panic or give up. Keep putting in the work and plugging away, striving to improve each week, and you’ll reap rewards at the end of this season.

This is a living document, so we'll update the options below as the weekend moves along.

Before we get into it, we'll start with a couple of notes on situations that may be unresolved or teams that may not have a two-start pitcher lined up for the upcoming week:

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Someone from the Cubs is likely to make two starts next week (vs. Padres, vs. Cardinals), but as of Friday afternoon we still have no idea who that will be. It won’t be Colin Rea or Matthew Boyd, that much is sure. With Edward Cabrera (hamstring)and Ben Brown (neck) hitting the injured list though, the Cubs are going to have to get creative. Both Javier Assad and Shota Imanaga pitched in Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Mets, so one of them is likely to get the ball on Monday with the other going on Tuesday. That leaves Jordan Wicks and David Peterson to try to get through the weekend on Saturday and Sunday against the Brewers in Milwaukee. Imanaga is an every-week start regardless of whether or not he goes twice. Assad would be much more appealing if he’s lined up to start Monday.

The Astros have shifted to a six-man rotation, at least for the time being, so with six games on tap for next week none of their hurlers are scheduled to pitch twice. If anything changes, or if someone gets skipped this time through, Peter Lambert would be the beneficiary and he would get a two-start week (vs. Twins, vs. Rays).

The Royals only play five games next week, so unless they plan on skipping someone in their rotation, no one is going to get a two-start week. If they do decide to adjust their rotation, Noah Cameron pitches on Tuesday and would draw the two-start week (vs. Rays, vs. Phillies). We’ll update here if anything changes.

The Mets are currently rolling with a six-man rotation and only have six games on the docket, so it’s unclear if anyone is going to pitch twice. They also canned manager Carlos Mendoza on Friday morning, so major changes to the rotation could be coming. Nolan McLean is scheduled to pitch on Monday and would draw the two-start week (at Blue Jays, at Braves) if the Mets do shake things up. There’s no actionable takeaway though as McLean should be an every week start in all leagues regardless of matchup.

Going Twice…

Note: Probable pitchers as of June 26 and are subject to change.

American League

▶ Strong Plays

Tarik Skubal, Tigers, LHP (at Yankees, at Rangers)

Since returning from the injured list, Skubal hasn’t been quite as good as he has been over the past two seasons – posting a 4.96 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a 21/2 K/BB ratio over 16 1/3 innings in his three starts. He has served up six home runs during that stretch, a trend that’s unlikely to continue as he continues to shake off the rust. You can’t sit Skubal for a two-start week, even if it includes a matchup against the Yankees in New York. With the Tigers’ playoff hopes sinking by the day, he’ll have the added motivation of auditioning for interested clubs over his next few starts as the trade deadline approaches.

Ranger Suarez, Red Sox, LHP (vs. Nationals, at Angels)

The Red Sox as a club have been a major disappointment this season, but there has been nothing disappointing about what free agent acquisition Ranger Suarez has given them. Through 15 starts he holds a brilliant 2.83 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and an 84/25 K/BB ratio across 82 2/3 innings of work. He should be an every week start in all formats, so just sit back and enjoy the added production from a two-start week. As a bonus, the matchups fall in his favor this week and he’s likely to finally tally his fourth victory of the season.

Jacob deGrom, Rangers, RHP (at Guardians, vs. Tigers)

As the old adage goes, as long as deGrom is healthy enough to take the mound, he’s an elite option and should be locked into all fantasy lineups. That has been the case once again this season as the 38-year-old hurler has registered a 3.55 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and a 106/20 K/BB ratio across 88 2/3 innings through his first 16 starts. Just sit back and enjoy the added production from a two-start week this time around. He represents one of the top overall plays on the board this week.

Parker Messick, Guardians, LHP (vs. Rangers, vs. White Sox)

The 25-year-old southpaw has enjoyed tremendous success in his rookie campaign, going 7-4 with a 2.67 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and a 101/29 K/BB ratio across 94 1/3 innings through his first 16 starts. He seems to be getting better as the year goes on also, striking out at least nine batters in each of his last two starts – including a matchup against the White Sox. Those that have Messick should be using him every week, so there’s no real actionable takeaway here. He’s easily one of the top options on the board for this week.

Bryan Woo, Mariners, RHP (vs. Angels, vs. Blue Jays)

Woo hasn’t been quite as dominant as we have come to expect from him this season, pitching to a pedestrian 4.26 ERA with a strong 1.04 WHIP and a 92/18 K/BB ratio over 93 innings. His issues have come on the road recently, giving up five or more runs in each of his last three outings away from T-Mobile Park. Fortunately for fantasy managers, he’ll make two starts at home this week against offenses that rank in the middle of the pack. Expect Woo to do some work at correcting that ERA this week. It should be all systems go in all leagues for the Mariners’ right-hander.

Trey Yesavage, Blue Jays, RHP (vs. Mets, at Mariners)

So far, so good for Yesavage through his first 11 starts on the season. The 22-year-old right-hander holds a strong 3.56 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and a 58/30 K/BB ratio over 60 2/3 innings. It’s not quite the elite production that he flashed at the end of the 2025 season, but it’s been more than good enough for fantasy managers. He should be an every week start in all fantasy leagues until he gives us a reason to think otherwise. You just get the bonus of double the production and a pair of strong matchups to boot this week.

Griffin Jax, Rays, RHP (at Royals, at Astros)

Since making the jump to the Rays’ rotation at the end of April, Jax has put together a 2.40 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a 43/13 K/BB ratio over 45 innings in his 11 starts. That’s pretty great work. It’s even better when you account for most of the damage coming in one six-run disaster against the Tigers. Otherwise, he has allowed two earned runs or fewer in each of his other 10 starts. Look for the good times to continue this week, making Jax a very strong option in all leagues.

Ryan Weathers, Yankees, LHP (vs. Tigers, vs. Twins)

It has been exciting to see what Weathers can do when he’s able to stay on the mound. Through 15 starts on the season, he boasts a solid 3.95 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and a 95/24 K/BB ratio across 86 2/3 innings. He went through a tough stretch in late May through early June where he allowed five or more runs in three straight outings, but has righted the ship with two very strong outings his last two times out. One of those was against the Tigers who struggle mightily against left-handed pitching and who he’ll take on once again on Monday. He’s an easy start in all leagues this week.

Sean Burke, White Sox, RHP (at Orioles, at Guardians)

Burke has done a very nice job for the White Sox this season, posting a solid 3.71 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and an 87/30 K/BB ratio over 87 1/3 innings of work through his first 16 appearances (12 starts). He enters this two-start week in especially good form, allowing just one run in each of his last two starts while registering a 14/2 K/BB ratio over 13 2/3 innings against the Yankees in New York and the Guardians at home. Go ahead and ride the hot hand here as Burke looks like a very strong play in all league sizes this week.

Tanner Bibee, Guardians, RHP (vs. Rangers, vs. White Sox)

Despite the fact that he has won just two games on the season, Bibee has pitched very well overall – compiling a 3.78 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and an 81/29 K/BB ratio across 95 1/3 innings. Winning games is going to continue to be a struggle while the offense is without Jose Ramirez, but Bibee looks to be a rock solid option in all formats with two home starts on the docket. He should be started in all leagues without hesitation.

▶ Decent Plays

Gage Jump, Athletics, LHP (vs. Dodgers, vs. Marlins)

This one is tough and really depends on what you’re looking for. Jump has been one of the breakout stars of the 2026 season so far, registering a 2.06 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and a 35/10 K/BB ratio over 35 1/3 innings through his first six starts for the Athletics. The major problem this week is that he’s making both of his starts at home in West Sacramento, and the first one comes against the vaunted Dodgers’ offense. The strikeouts are going to be there regardless, and I think he easily soars into the double digits there for the week. That’s probably enough to use him in 15 teamers already. Just understand that there’s more ratio risk involved here than we’re used to seeing from Jump this season.

Shane Baz, Orioles, RHP (vs. White Sox, at Reds)

It has been a rough go for Baz as of late, giving up 11 runs (10 earned) over 17 innings in his last three starts. During that stretch he saw his ERA climb from 4.09 to 4.31. Now he has to battle a couple of offenses that hit well against right-handed pitching and his second start comes in a strong hitting environment in Cincinnati. If you’re not worried about ratios and want to use Baz as a full volume play to attack wins and strikeouts, that’s probably fine in all league sizes. Good ratios from him would just be a bonus this week and shouldn’t be the expectation.

Zebby Matthews, Twins, RHP (at Astros, at Yankees)

Aside from the inflated ERA, Matthews has done a nice job through his first eight starts for the Twins, compiling a 1.19 WHIP and a 39/11 K/BB ratio over 49 1/3 innings while notching three victories. Two disaster starts against the Tigers and Pirates – both on the road – are what has brought down his overall line. He’s coming off of a strong start at home against the Dodgers, which should inspire some confidence. He has struggled on the road though and now has to take on a pair of strong offenses in hitter’s parks. I could really go either way with this one. I’m fine betting on the talent winning out here, but be aware that one of these starts could turn into another seven-run explosion.

▶ At Your Own Risk

Ryan Johnson, Angels, RHP (at Mariners, vs. Red Sox)

Johnson has been pretty disastrous overall this season, registering an 8.84 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and a 15/9 K/BB ratio over 19 1/3 innings through his first six appearances (three starts). He did flash his upside his last time out though, firing six innings of one-hit, shutout baseball with eight strikeouts against the Orioles. Is that a trend that can continue this week? That’s up to you and your risk tolerance to decide. The matchups are actually pretty good and the strikeouts should be there even if he does struggle. I could understand taking the plunge in 15 teamers.

Erick Fedde, White Sox, RHP (at Orioles, at Guardians)

Maybe the White Sox are onto something having Fedde work behind an opener instead of as a traditional starter. Over his last four bulk outings, he holds a 2.20 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and a 14/6 K/BB ratio over 16 1/3 innings. He’s not giving you much length and he’s never really been an asset in strikeouts, so unless you’re hunting for wins it’s really tough to see the upside, especially with the WHIP damage that Fedde is likely to inflict.

National League

▶ Strong Plays

Braxton Ashcraft, Pirates, RHP (at Phillies, at Nationals)

Ashcraft has been an absolute stud for the Pirates and for fantasy managers through his first 16 starts on the season. He sits at 7-3 with a 3.07 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and a 107/22 K/BB ratio across 96 2/3 innings. For someone who was undrafted and plucked off the waiver wire in the majority of leagues, that’s excellent work. He enters his two-start week in good form also, having allowed just four runs in total over his last three starts while posting a 10/0 K/BB ratio in last week’s victory over the Mariners. There’s no reason that he should be sitting on any benches this week, start him with complete confidence.

Eduardo Rodriguez, Diamondbacks, LHP (vs. Giants, vs. Brewers)

Rodriguez was supposed to have made two starts this past week, but Thursday night’s rainout threw a wrench into those plans and pushed back his second outing. It’s not all bad though, as the rejuvenated southpaw gets to make a pair of home starts including a stellar draw against the Giants to start the week. He’s still an every week start in all leagues until he gives us a reason to think otherwise.

Sandy Alcantara, Marlins, RHP (at Rockies, at Athletics)

This one is fascinating to try to decipher. Alcantara has pitched decently overall this season, as his overall line has been dragged down by four disastrous outings in which he was shelled for six runs or more. Since the calendar flipped to June though, he has delivered five straight quality starts, lowering his ERA from 4.66 to 4.01 in the process. You’d like to think that trend continues this week, but he has to pitch in the two most hitter friendly ballparks in all of baseball in Coors Field and Sutter Health Park. When Alcantara is going well he can succeed in any environment and I’m inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt here. I’d throw caution to the wind and start him in all formats this week.

Eric Lauer, Dodgers, LHP (at Athletics, vs. Padres)

As we mentioned last week, the Dodgers finally get a seven-game week this week which means that Lauer is scheduled to make two starts. Any time we get a Dodgers’ pitcher going twice they’re a must-start for fantasy purposes. Since joining the Dodgers, Lauer has posted a brilliant 2.54 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and a 16/8 K/BB ratio across 28 1/3 innings. He was even used as a bulk reliever his last time out, which only adds to his win equity if that trend continues. He’s a very strong streaming option in all leagues this week.

▶ Decent Plays

Grant Holmes, Braves, RHP (vs. Cardinals, vs. Mets)

Overall this season Holmes has done a decent job for the Braves, posting a 4.17 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and a 65/37 K/BB ratio over 73 1/3 innings through his first 15 starts. He hasn’t made it out of the fifth inning since June 6 though and has really struggled with his command his last two times out. If he can get through five innings, he’s always a threat to earn a victory with the Braves’ offense backing him, but he hasn’t looked sharp recently. The matchups are good enough that I’d still probably roll the dice with him in 15 teamers and hope for the best. In 12’s it would really depend on what alternative options I had available.

Brandon Sproat, Brewers, RHP (vs. Reds, at Diamondbacks)

The overall numbers for Sproat this season have been underwhelming, but it looks like he actually may be rounding into the form that piqued the interest of fantasy managers coming into the season. The 25-year-old right-hander has allowed three earned runs or fewer in three of his last four starts and he’s coming off of a brilliant outing against the Reds in Cincinnati where he allowed just one hit and struck out 10 batters over six scoreless frames. The talent has always been there, and I’m inclined to roll with him until he shows any signs of slowing down.

Aaron Nola, Phillies, RHP (vs. Pirates, at Royals)

It’s disappointing to see what has become of Aaron Nola, who was once an ace-level option for fantasy purposes. Now, he’s nothing more than a source of strikeouts. He holds a miserable 5.58 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over 80 2/3 innings on the season, with his 82 punchouts the only thing that’s keeping him on the fringe of mixed league consideration. The matchups are intriguing enough this week that I’d be willing to go back to the well here. If he secures a victory and gets 10 strikeouts, it’ll be well worth the potential ratio hit.

Shane Drohan, Brewers, LHP (vs. Reds, at Diamondbacks)

Drohan has pitched well for the Brewers this season, registering a 3.12 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and a 52/17 K/BB ratio across 52 innings in 16 appearances (six starts). The ceiling isn’t terribly high here, but I don’t think there’s a major risk of ratio damage either if rolling him out for two starts. He should get you somewhere in the range of 8-12 strikeouts while posting decent ratios and giving you a shot at a victory. If you’re trying to stream two-start pitchers to add volume, he makes for a very attractive target this week.

Bubba Chandler, Pirates, RHP (at Phillies, at Nationals)

Could it be that we’re finally starting to see Chandler put it all together and figure out how to have sustained success at the big league level? Small sample size caveat, but over his last four starts, the right-hander has posted a 2.82 ERA and an 18/8 K/BB ratio over 22 1/3 innings, going at least five innings and surrendering two earned runs or fewer each time. The talent has never been in doubt, so I’m tempted to ride the hot hand here and roll with him in all leagues for this two-start week.

Rhett Lowder, Reds, RHP (at Brewers, vs. Orioles)

If you’re desperate for volume in deeper leagues and looking to gain ground in wins and strikeouts, Lowder isn’t the worst dart throw. His overall line on the season doesn’t look very appealing, but he has allowed just eight runs over 16 2/3 innings over his last three starts, going at least five innings and striking out at least five batters in all of them. That included a matchup against the Brewers his last time out. I think he could get you 10+ strikeouts and a shot at a victory this week, though his WHIP will probably leave a lot to be desired.

Tyler Mahle, Giants, RHP (at Diamondbacks, at Rockies)

It could be my own personal bias here, but I’m still desperately clinging to hope that Tyler Mahle can turn his season around and be the pitcher that we all thought he could be. He sits at 1-7 with a 5.49 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over 62 1/3 innings on the season. That’s terrible. The only category that he has been an asset in is strikeouts with 61. The matchups are tough too, taking on a pair of divisional opponents in extreme hitter’s parks. So why the optimism? After a long stint on the injured list, Mahle looked sharp this past week, firing 5 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball against the Athletics. It’s not much to go on, but it’s just enough that I’ll probably buy back in and roll the dice in 15 teamers.

▶ At Your Own Risk

Eury Perez, Marlins, RHP (at Rockies, at Athletics)

We saw mixed results from Perez in his first start back off of the injured list, as he allowed just one run on three hits over 4 2/3 innings against the Rangers. He only struck out one batter in that start though and was pulled after only 68 pitches. It was probably just the Marlins easing him back into action and he should be able to work deeper when he takes the mound on Tuesday. The problem is that he has to pitch at Coors Field and Sutter Health Park this week which is horrifying considering his issues giving up the long ball. There’s a chance he slides through unscathed this week, but the chances of him doing serious damage to your ratios are extremely high. I’d only use this one in leagues where I could handle the ratio damage or where I was in a tough spot and needed to take these types of chances.

Kyle Leahy, Cardinals, RHP (at Braves, at Cubs)

Leahy has struggled to find consistency this season, posting a middling 4.24 ERA, a catastrophic 1.51 WHIP and a 62/28 K/BB ratio over 76 1/3 innings through his first 15 starts. If the matchups were better, I’d consider him as a streaming option for his two-start week, but taking on the Braves and Cubs on the road is a bit terrifying. If your ratios are already in shambles and you don’t care about the WHIPping that he’s likely to provide, go ahead. Otherwise, I’d lean towards other alternatives this week.

JP Sears, Padres, LHP (at Cubs, at Dodgers)

Sears has pitched well in his lone start with the Padres this season and now gets another opportunity to pitch out of the rotation with Lucas Giolito heading to the injured list. He may wind up having some mixed league value at some point over the next few weeks, but these matchups are particularly brutal, having to take on the Cubs and Dodgers on the road. If you want to throw caution to the wind and hope for the best, go right ahead. Just understand the ratio risk you’re incurring when doing so.

Nick Lodolo, Reds, LHP (at Brewers, vs. Orioles)

Thus far, 2026 has been a season to forget for the Reds’ 28-year-old southpaw. In nine starts, he holds a miserable 5.59 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and a 38/18 K/BB ratio across 46 2/3 innings. That’s simply not going to cut it for fantasy managers. If there’s a glimmer of hope, he went four scoreless innings his last time out against the Brewers and struck out six. Maybe that’s him finally rounding back into form? Even so, he’s very difficult to trust at the moment, especially if you can’t even count on him going five innings. He’d leave him shelved if possible.

Griffin Canning, Padres, RHP (at Cubs, at Dodgers)

I had such high hopes that Canning could be a viable mixed league option once he was healthy enough to join the Padres’ rotation. He has been anything but. Through 10 appearances (eight starts) he sits at 1-5 with a hideous 7.38 ERA and 1.66 WHIP with 43 strikeouts in 42 2/3 innings. Maybe in neutral matchups you could talk yourself into using him as a volume option, but these matchups are the polar opposite of neutral. Having to battle the Cubs at Wrigley Field and the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium is simply asking for ratio damage. Stay away from this one.

Miles Mikolas, Nationals, RHP (at Red Sox, vs. Pirates)

Every time that Mikolas is scheduled to make two starts, he stares at fantasy managers from the waiver wire and tries to entice them into rolling the dice. It’s almost never a good idea. The 37-year-old hurler holds a 5.24 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and a 44/17 K/BB ratio over 77 1/3 innings on the season and has won a grand total of two ballgames. The upside in wins and strikeouts is low, and the risk of ratio damage is high. Do with that what you will.

Kyle Freeland, Rockies, LHP (vs. Marlins, vs. Giants)

Never Rockies. Especially not for two starts at Coors Field, regardless of how good the matchups look. Freeland owns a horrendous 7.50 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and a 61/17 K/BB ratio over 72 innings on the season. He has allowed five or more earned runs in three of his last five starts. There’s just no reason to do it. Stay far, far away.

Sean Sullivan, Rockies, LHP (vs. Marlins, vs. Giants)

Never Rockies. Especially not for two starts at Coors Field, regardless of how good the matchups look. Sullivan owns a horrendous 8.25 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and a 7/7 K/BB ratio over 12 innings on the season. There’s just no reason to do it. Stay far, far away.

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The LaMelo Ball backlash has gone too far

CHARLOTTE, NC - APRIL 14: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots a free throw during the game against the Miami Heat during the 2026 SoFi Play-In Tournament on April 14, 2026 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

LaMelo Ball feels like the most polarizing player in the NBA. His highlight reel is a thing of beauty, full of dazzling passes, daring crossovers, and pull-up shooting with range that only Steph Curry can rival. Of course, Ball can also be a maddening player. His shot selection is exasperating when the ball isn’t going through the net, his on-ball defense can be atrocious, and there are many examples of his audacious passes turning into unforgivable turnovers.

The Charlotte Hornets made a stunning decision to trade Ball on Thursday morning, sending him to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid, one future first-round pick, three future first-round swaps, and three second round picks. Most of the mainstream media outlets believe the Wolves are crazy for making this deal. ESPN gave Minnesota a D+ for the trade, The Athletic said it was an A- for the Hornets and a D+ for the Wolves, and Yahoo! gave Charlotte an A and Minnesota a C. Michael Wilbon said Ball isn’t as valuable as Reid.

It sure seems like the perception of Ball off the court is impossible to untangle from his production on it for most analysts. Ball has earned a reputation as the NBA’s clown prince for his reckless driving, his ridiculous tattoos, and his penchant to speak in slang that confuses older people. Ball isn’t actually that young anymore, he turns 25 years old just before the season, but he still feels like a caricature of everything older people don’t like about Gen Z.

The character assassinations on Ball are a little bit perplexing considering his Charlotte teammate Miles Bridges seems to face less pushback despite some horrifying domestic violence charges. It also overlooks that LaMelo is something of an analytical darling who left a massively positive influence on winning for the Hornets last season.

The Hornets started last season 11-22. After that, they finished 33-16 with the best net-rating in the NBA. With a better supporting cast around him, Ball trimmed some of the fat in his game, stayed healthy, and turned in an incredible season. When Ball was on the court, the Hornets out-scored teams by about eight points per 100 possessions — when he was off, Charlotte essentially played teams even. When Ball shared the floor with Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller, Charlotte was +15.1 per 100 possessions. When Ball sat and the other two played, Charlotte was negative 7.4 per 100 possessions.

In fairness, Charlotte put up some electric numbers with Coby White in place of Ball last season, but that was in a much, much smaller sample of minutes. White now takes over for Ball as Charlotte’s starting point guard after inking a new three-year extension. White is good, and he plays a more reliable game than Ball, but it feels like Charlotte also significantly lowered its ceiling in the process.

My favorite all-in-one NBA stat is EPM. LaMelo Ball was the 12th best player in the NBA by that metric last year. The other all-in-ones love LaMelo, too.

What makes Ball so good in these stats? It mostly comes down to his ability to improve his team’s scoring efficiency when he’s on the floor. Ball’s scoring efficiency is below-average on an individual level with 54.6 percent true shooting last year, but Charlotte finally figured out he could still drive an efficient offense if they loaded up on offensive rebounders. Moussa Diabaté became a revelation for Charlotte last season because he can grab Ball’s misses. Besides creating second-chance points, Ball’s passing also leads to efficient scoring chances. He had 4.8 rim assists per 100 possessions last year, which ranked in the 92nd percentile of the league. He ranked in the 93rd percentile in “teammate effective field goal percentage on potential assists.”

While he’s not really a good defender, Ball is a great defensive rebounder (99th percentile among guards), and he’s surprisingly quick to loose balls.

The Hornets were so good in the second half of the season that it’s shocking they decided against giving the team another chance. It’s even more surprising because Charlotte really didn’t get all that much back in return for him. The Hornets essentially only got one real pick swap (in 2028) and one first-round pick along with Reid because of complications with the other swaps.

How will Ball work out in Minnesota? I’m not sure. The Wolves are very thin in the front court now after dumping Julius Randle and Reid. I wish they had a bigger player on the wing than Ayo Dosunmu. Dosunmu is a personal favorite of mine as someone who has closely followed his career since he was in high school, but the five-year, $112 million contract they promised him before the Ball trade immediately felt like an overpay.

The Wolves are still going to be underdogs against the Thunder and Spurs next season, but at least they have more variance in a potential matchup with either after trading for Ball. LaMelo and Anthony Edwards are two of the most high-volume pull-up three-point shooters in the NBA. Minnesota will try to beat OKC and San Antonio by bombing away from three. Maybe they can actually pull off an upset if those shots drop in a short series.

I’ve been a LaMelo apologist for his entire career. When his dad started the “JBA” during his high school years, I was the only media member in the gym in Chicago to watch him play. I also rated LaMelo as my No. 1 prospect coming into the 2020 NBA Draft. While Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton have probably been better so far, Ball has still been damn good when he plays.

When he plays carries a ton of weight — and it’s the most sensible reason for why Charlotte traded him. Ball averages 48 games played per year. He was mostly healthy this past season with 72 games played, but it’s possible he has chronic ankle injuries that will prevent him from being a full-time player moving forward. LaMelo’s brother Lonzo tragically saw his body break down at an early age. Hopefully those damn Big Baller Shoes don’t cut short LaMelo’s career, too.

The Hornets will look like geniuses if LaMelo keeps getting hurt. They know his body better than anyone, so maybe I shouldn’t doubt them. It’s just that if LaMelo stays healthy, he can make magic happen. He is a borderline superstar player by the advanced stats, not just the highlights, and he clearly had a big impact on winning for Charlotte last year.

The Hornets were primed to be the most fun to watch this season with LaMelo in the lineup. Maybe Charlotte will still be real good with Coby White and rookie Christian Anderson running the show, but it feels like they just lowered their ceiling in a big way.

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Friday Jays Notes

Jun 25, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Ernie Clement (22) tags out Texas Rangers catcher Kyle Higashioka (11) at second base to complete a double play during the sixth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Happy Friday. I’m getting ready to be away for the weekend doing the bike ride. Thanks to very generous people I’m up to $4,052 raised, 21st our of 362 riders.

There isn’t much for Jays news. Jamie Campbell is reporting that Adam Macko is being recalled from Buffalo. No word on who is being shipped out.

The team is three games under .500 and I don’t think I’d bet that they’ll ever be over .500 the rest of this season.

Ernie Clement has been named to the All-Star team receiving the most votes of any AL player, which is pretty cool. And there will likely be more Blue Jays on the AL team. There are Jays ‘finalists’ at every position. Most of them clearly don’t deserve to be All Stars, but often, when you let people vote, you don’t get the best candidate winning. Obviously, we vote a lot up here in Canada.

The Mets and Bo Bichette are in Toronto on the weekend and they have fired their manager. The Mets are 34-47, deep in last place in the NL East and 9.5 games back of the Wild Card. That and a $358 million payroll (and a $124 million luxury tax bill) will get a manager fired. So Carlos Mendoza is looking for a new job and Andy Green gets the job of trying to get the team going.

I hate when we play against teams who have just fired their manager. The players seem to work hard for the new chief.

The owners have made a new proposal for the players, which they know will be rejected. In it:

  • New contracts for free agents can only be five years long for guys switching teams (and for $202 million at the most) and six years for players staying with their team (and for $265 million at the most).
  • No deferred money allowed anymore.
  • Qualifying offers will disappear.
  • Players will be able to become free agents at age 30 if they have five years of MLB playing time.
  • Minimum salary will go up to $1 million for players with two or more years of service time.

I always wonder why owners think they have to protect themselves from themselves but that’s where we are.

Have a good weekend

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REPORT: Detroit adds shooting to their backcourt

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 04: Isaiah Joe #11 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball against Og Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden on March 04, 2026 in New York City. 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 Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Oklahoma City Thunder have traded wing Isaiah Joe to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for two future second-round picks.

With the move, Detroit adds a much-needed movement shooter to complement Cade Cunningham. Joe averaged 11.1 points in just 21.2 minutes per game last season while knocking down 42.3 percent of his six three-point attempts per game. Fresh off helping Oklahoma City win a championship, the 26-year-old gives the Pistons another proven floor spacer and playoff-tested rotation player.

Joe has spent six NBA seasons with the Thunder and 76ers, averaging 8.2 points and 2.1 rebounds across 392 regular-season games. Of his 71 appearances last season, only nine came as a starter. With Duncan Robinson projected to open the season in Detroit’s starting lineup, and Daniss Jenkins also in the backcourt mix, Joe is expected to carve out a significant role off the bench for J.B. Bickerstaff.

The Pistons engineered a remarkable worst-to-first turnaround under J.B., finishing with an Eastern Conference-best 60-22 record. Cunningham emerged as an MVP candidate while leading Detroit to its first playoff appearance in nearly two decades. The Pistons rallied from a 3-1 deficit to eliminate Orlando in the opening round before falling to Cleveland in a grueling seven-game Eastern Conference semifinal.

For OKC, the move continues a reshaping of its championship roster. After also dealing Aaron Wiggins, the Bolts have turned the two veterans into four future second-round picks, adding even more draft capital to an already hefty collection of assets.

Acquiring Joe isn’t a move that transforms Detroit into a championship-caliber team, but it’s a smart piece of business. He is an efficient role player with championship experience whose movement creates open looks, and he will burn defenses that overload Cade. For the price of two future second-round picks? Nice pick-up.

From a Knicks perspective, we’re reminded that the Eastern Conference is still in flux. Teams are looking for every possible edge to challenge the WORLD CHAMPION NEW YORK KNICKERBOCKERS. This move brings Detroit closer to the finish line, but it doesn’t push them over. Consider it a solid marginal upgrade for a team intent on giving Cunningham some relief and keeping him happy in the Motor City.

Go Knicks.

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Pistons add sharpshooter Isaiah Joe, send OKC two 2nds

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 24: Isaiah Joe #11 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Four of the NBA Western Conference Finals on May 24, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Detroit Pistons addressed a glaring need for a reliable perimeter threat by agreeing to trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder sharpshooter, Isaiah Joe, ESPN reports. In exchange, the Pistons will send OKC two second-round picks. The Thunder will also save $76 million in luxury tax penalties by getting Joe’s salary off their books, per Yossi Gozlan.

Joe has shot better than 40% from three each of the past four seasons, all with the Thunder. He has attempted at least six threes per game the past two seasons. He becomes a critical three-point threat for a Pistons team that wants to provide as much space as possible around Cade Cunningham, and knew they needed a player like Joe, especially if they plan to also build around Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren as part of a young core.

There is still a lot of optionality on how Detroit is going to be able to execute this move as either an above-the-cap team or below-the-cap team. The earlier trade of Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies for three second-round picks gave them much needed flexibility as they navigate the desire to add a player like Joe (with one or two more additions likely to come), navigate whether they will retain fellow sharpshooter Duncan Robinson or waive him (only $2 million of his salary is guaranteed) in order to free up cap space, and the ongoing negotiations with restricted free agent Jalen Duren.

Much like Duncan, Joe is ideally a bench player who creates ample spacing and can knock down deep shots in a variety of ways. He ranked second in the NBA in catch-and-shoot threes per game of those with at least five attempts, knocking down 43.1%. He shot 39% above the break and 53.5% from the corners this season. With his high, quick-release and good body control, he also has the ability to hit threes off of movement and on quick relocations.

As detailed by Harrison Hamm at Only Down One, Joe was able to form a remarkable two-man game with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and I think many of those lessons can be applied to a new pairing with Cade Cunningham.

Ideally, this addition would mean Detroit has two great two-point shooters in both Joe and Robinson. Neither is an ideal defender, but both are lethal offensively. Of course, that depends largely on how the rest of Detroit’s offseason goes. Robinson could be shipped in a deal or waived as Detroit continues to search for a dangerous sidekick, likely at the shooting guard or power forward spots, to pair alongside Cunningham.