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Cubs 10, Mets 3: Dansby Swanson homers twice and drives in seven. Also: Game 2 preview, 6:10 p.m. CT

This game looked tough due to the Mets young ace Nolan McLean starting. And in fact, it did not start out that way, with the Mets taking a 3-0 fourth-inning lead with two homers off Javier Assad.

But these are the suddenly offensively surging Cubs, and they hit three home runs and won the opener of the split doubleheader against the Mets, 10-3. Dansby Swanson led the home-run barrage with a pair, including a grand slam. It was the Cubs’ eighth win in their last 11 games.

Assad matched McLean with zeroes over the first three innings, though Assad got himself in trouble with a couple of walks in the second. He got out of that with a double play and then a strikeout of former Cub Jared Young [VIDEO].

The Mets got on the board against Assad in the bottom of the fourth. After a single by Bo Bichette, Young homered, followed by a long ball from Francisco Alvarez to give the Mets a 3-0 lead.

The Cubs, though, did not waste time coming back from that deficit. With two out in the top of the fifth, Pete Crow-Armstrong singled. Michael Conforto doubled him in to make it 3-1 [VIDEO].

The next hitter was Michael Busch, and it took just two pitches for him to go deep and tie the game [VIDEO].

More on Busch’s homer from BCB’s JohnW53:

Michael Busch’s fifth-inning home run was the Cubs’ 93rd of the year but 12th that tied the score.

It was just the fourth of those with a runner on base. Seiya Suzuki and Michael Conforto homered with two aboard, at home vs. the Reds and at the White Sox, respectively. Pete Crow-Armstrong did it with one on at home vs. the Reds. All came between May 4 and 17.

The last four had been with the bases empty.

Busch’s today was his third game-tying shot, matching PCA for the most. Alex Bregman and Ian Happ have hit two. The three-run blasts were the only ones by Conforto and Suzuki.

The Cubs have hit 25 go-ahead homers.

Assad finished five innings, allowing five hits and three runs. Really, the only mistakes he made were the home-run balls.

More on Assad’s outing from John:

Javier Assad’s start was the first by a Cub since 1901 of exactly 5.0 innings in which the pitcher gave up three runs on five hits, walked two and struck out five.

Ferguson Jenkins had two games with all the criteria except the two walks. They came a little more than three months apart, May 20 and Aug 23, 1983, both at home vs. the Reds, and he walked none in both.

Sixteen Cubs had starts with all the criteria but not five strikeouts. The most recent was by Edwin Jackson, at home vs. the Pirates, on June 20, 2014. He struck out eight, most in any of the 16 starts. Chris Volstead, with six on April 9, 2012, vs. the Brewers, was the only other one with more than four.

The Cubs then took the lead in the top of the sixth. With one out, Nico Hoerner doubled (good to see him hitting again!). One out later, Miguel Amaya singled, with Nico stopping at third.

Swanson then smashed this three-run homer [VIDEO].

Ryan Rolison threw a scoreless sixth and Caleb Thielbar, who has scuffled lately, threw a scoreless seventh.

Then Swanson and the Cubs put the game away in the eighth. Ian Happ and Hoerner led off the inning with walks. Pedro Alvarez laid down a successful sac bunt, moving the runners to second and third. Then Miguel Amaya was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Unload those bases, Dansby! [VIDEO]

For Swanson, this was the second seven-RBI game of his career and first as a Cub. More on Swanson’s slam from John:

Dansby Swanson’s grand slam was the fourth of his career and second as a Cub. The first was Aug. 26, 2024, at Pittsburgh.

It was the Cubs’ fourth this season and third in two weeks, after Seiya Suzuki on June 11 at Colorado and Carson Kelly on June 19 at home vs. the Blue Jays.

The Cubs hit five last year. Swanson’s was the last of six in 2024.

They have hit 365 in the regular season since 1876 and 341 since 1901. Swanson’s was No. 155 on the road.
They have been hit by 213 different players.

As noted on the Marquee broadcast, Swanson is the third Cub to have a three-run homer and grand slam in the same game. The others: Kyle Schwarber on July 28, 2019 against the Brewers and Derrek Lee on July 2, 2009, also against the Brewers. Perhaps this is a good sign for the upcoming Brewers series.

Through the game of last Tuesday against the Rockies, Swanson was batting .175/.281/.306. Over his last five games since then: .444/.500/1.222 (8-for-18) with two doubles, four home runs, 14 (!) RBI and just two strikeouts. He’s raised his season BA to .194 and his season OPS to .670 over that five-game span. Here’s hoping that hot streak continues.

Tyler Ferguson, who was called up as the 27th man for the doubleheader, finished up with two scoreless innings.

As you know, the injury to Ben Brown is yet another blow to a starting rotation that’s had almost nothing but injuries this year. They’ll have to scramble to find starting pitchers after Thursday (when Matthew Boyd returns from an IL stint) and Friday (when Colin Rea should go against the Brewers). But if the offense keeps clicking like this… maybe the Cubs can keep winning even while trying to cobble together a rotation.

The Cubs are now five games over .500 for the first time since May 30, meaning they’re 10-10 since then. Not great, but much better than they were in the 20 games previous to that (5-15). Things are trending in the right direction.

The rest of this post contains the particulars for the second game of today’s doubleheader. At the time of this recap lineups were not available for the nightcap, so please check BCB social media for the lineups. Here’s the pitching matchup and other info.

Shōta Imanaga, LHP vs. Sean Manaea, LHP

Shōta Imanaga’s tale of three seasons in one:

Phase 1, first nine starts: 54.1 IP, 2.32 ERA, 0.906 WHIP, 2.82 FIP, five HR
Phase 2: next four starts: 21.2 IP, 10.80 ERA, 1.521 WHIP, 10.16 FIP, 12 HR
Phase 3: next two starts: 10.2 IP, 0.84 ERA, 0.938 WHIP, 2.06 FIP, no HR

So which is the real Imanaga? Yes, the last two starts were against the awful Rockies, but Colorado does have some decent hitters and Shōta got out of Coors Field without allowing a home run.

So, ¯_(ツ)_/¯.

Imanaga’s last start vs. the Mets was Sept. 25, 2025 at Wrigley Field and trust me, you do not want to look at that boxscore link. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Imanaga has pitched against the Mets three times and one of those three was a seven-inning scoreless outing at Citi Field in 2024. Given his career ERA of 10.34 in those three starts, you can guess how awful the other one was.

Hopefully, Imanaga will channel that 2024 start today.

Sean Manaea has been mostly a reliever for the Mets this year until he was moved into the rotation replacing David Peterson, because Peterson had been mostly awful.

Manaea’s two starts have been pretty good — four earned runs in 11.1 innings and only one home run allowed in two games against pretty good hitting teams (Braves and Phillies).

He threw four innings against the Cubs April 17 at Wrigley Field, entering when the Cubs were ahead 7-3. By the time he was done the Cubs led 12-4 and, among other things, he had served up a two-run homer to Ian Happ.

More like that today, please.

Here is the weather forecast for the area around Citi Field.

Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network. It’s also on MLB Network (outside the Cubs and Mets market territories).

Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today.

MLB.com Gameday for Game 2

Baseball-reference.com game preview for Game 2

Please visit our SB Nation Mets site Amazin’ Avenue. If you do go there to interact with Mes fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.

The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.

You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).

At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.

The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.

You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.

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Dreger Reports Flames Exploring Trade Options for Connor Zary

The Calgary Flames dominated the NHL news cycle for much of Tuesday, acquiring Simon Nemec from the New Jersey Devils in a pre-Draft blockbuster. Just 24 hours later, the team is back making waves in the pond with breaking news from one of the NHL's top insiders, Darren Dreger, who says the club is actively shopping Connor Zary.

Instead of holding on to the 24-year-old center, it appears General Manager Craig Conroy is actively seeking trade options for Zary, who is two seasons away from hitting free agency at 26.

Initially drafted 24th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, Zary has yet to reach 20 goals in a season, with a career high of 14 in 2023-24, dropping to 13 and 12 over the past two seasons. Meanwhile, he was plus-12 in his rookie season, and is now a minus player with seasons of minus-7 and minus-4. 

A significant injury derailed his 2024-25 campaign, limiting him to only 54 games and 27 points. However, Zary was most likely going to post his best totals that year, but fate had other plans. Ultimately, that time off led to a slow start in 2025-26 with only two goals and four points in his first 25 games. 

Between the start of January and the end of the season, Zary only collected six goals and 12 points in 36 games to finish the year. 

As shocking as it is to hear that Conroy is actively shopping his young center, many amongst the fanbase have taken to social media to say they support the decision, hoping Zary can reach his potential with a fresh start somewhere else.

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A look at the first half of the season for the RailRiders

George Lombard Jr. of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders reacts during a Minor League Baseball game at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, United States, on May 22, 2026. (Photo by Dan Squicciarini/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images

Hard to believe, but the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders have reached the midpoint of their season.

The New York Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate wrapped up first-half play in the International League with a record of 37-37. That was good for 12th in the 20-team standings, 9.5 games behind the first-half champion Memphis Redbirds (47-28). The RailRiders began second-half play Tuesday with a six-game series in Indianapolis.

There were plenty of highlights during the first half. the biggest came June 5th at NBT Bank Stadium in New York when Brendan Beck and Carson Coleman combined to no-hit the Syracuse Mets, 4-0. It was the seventh no-hitter in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre franchise history and the third done in nine innings; the other four were seven-inning games.

Beck certainly is making a case as a contender for International League Pitcher of the Year. The right-hander, who is the Yankees’ No. 21 prospect, is tied for the league lead in wins with seven with Trenton Denholm of the Columbus Clippers and Memphis Redbirds reliever Luis Gastelum. He tops the league in ERA at 3.22; innings pitched with 81.0; and strikeouts with 86. He is second in WHIP at 1.04 and opponents’ batting average at .197. Twice during the first half, Beck was named the IL’s Pitcher of the Week: May 11-17 and June 1-8.

Another highlight came May 16th when Gerrit Cole made his final rehab start in his return from reconstructive elbow surgery in March 2025. Facing the Syracuse Mets, he pitched 5.1 innings and allowed one run on six hits with one walk and six strikeouts. He threw 86 pitches, 56 for strikes, and topped out with a four-seam fastball at 99.6 mph.

On April 29th, George Lombard Jr., the No. 1 prospect in the Yankees organization, was promoted to the RailRiders from Double-A Somerset. In his first month, Lombard struggled some batting just .192 (20-for-104) in 27 games in the month of May with five doubles, two home runs and 11 RBIs.

June has been a different story, however. He has hit safely in 11 of 14 games so far during the month, including his last nine, and is batting .306 (15 for 49) with seven doubles, two home runs and four RBIs. Unfortunately, he was placed on the injured list June 18 when sprained two fingers on his left hand during a game in Columbus when he had to reach into a sliding runner to field a throw on a stolen base attempt.

Several RailRiders were ranked among the league leaders at the midway point.

Right-hander Carlos Lagrange, the Yankees’ No. 4 prospect, ranks second in strikeouts (80), third in opponents’ batting average (.210), fourth in WHIP (1.29) and fifth in ERA (3.96). Lagrange is being converted from a starting pitcher to a reliever.

Relief pitcher Yovanny Cruz is tied for fourth in the league in wins with five out of the bullpen. He also has two saves.

Yanquiel Fernández is tied for seventh in home runs with 16 and tied for 13th in RBIs with 46. He is batting .253 (59-for-233) in 59 games and was the International League Player of the Week for May 18-24. With Fernández leading the way, the RailRiders hit 101 home runs in the first half to rank fifth in the league.

Despite currently being in the major leagues with the Yankees, Spencer Jones is eighth in the league with 48 RBIs. Oswaldo Cabrera leads the RailRiders with 68 hits, which is 16th in the league. In June, he has hit safely in 15 of 17 games and is batting .388 (26 for 67) and three doubles, three home runs and nine RBIs. Overall, he is hitting .266 (68 for 256) in 67 games with 10 doubles, one triple, seven home runs and 33 RBIs.

Jonathan Ornelas ranks ninth in the league in batting average at .311 (60 for 193) with 11 doubles, three triples, six home runs and 26 RBIs in 59 games.

Duke Ellis is second in stolen bases with 30, trailing only Braiden Ward of the Worcester Red Sox, who has 32.

Last season, the RailRiders won 17 of the first 20 games in the second half on their way to the second-half title and a berth in the International League Championship Series. They’re hoping that can happen again this season.

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Washington Nationals claim hard throwing sidearmer Justin Lawrence off waivers

DETROIT, MI - JUNE 09: Justin Lawrence #31 of the Minnesota Twins pitches during the game between the Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Izzy Rincon/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Clearly, Paul Toboni and the front office knew that they needed to shake up the bullpen in some way. It started with demoting Paxton Schultz for Carson Palmquist. Now, the Nats claimed veteran righty Justin Lawrence off waivers from the Twins. Lawrence has had a rough year, but has been successful in the past and has good stuff.

When you look at Lawrence’s stuff, it is easy to see the appeal. He averages 95.5 MPH on his fastball which comes from a side arm delivery. Having a sidearmer who throws in the mid to upper 90’s is really unique. Lawrence also has a sweeper that has a ton of break. Hitters are whiffing over 45% of the time against that sweeper. 

If you look at Lawrence’s 2026 numbers, this move is a bit baffling. The right hander has an ERA over 8 and a FIP over 7. Walks and home runs have been huge issues for the righty this season. Despite his putrid performance this season, clearly the front office sees something in him.

Lawrence also has some success in his past. Back in 2023, he posted a 3.72 ERA in 69 outings in the Rockies bullpen. A 3.72 ERA is normally not anything special for a reliever, but that is a really good number in Coors Field. His ERA+ that year was 134, meaning he was 34% better than the league average pitcher when you account for the home field. 

When he got out of Coors Field, Lawrence was outstanding when he pitched in 2025. He only appeared in 17 games due to injuries, but his ERA in 2025 was 0.51 in 17.2 innings. However, after a rough start for the Pirates this year, he was DFA’d. The 31 year old was picked up by the Twins, but things only got worse for him in Minnesota, allowing 12 runs in 6 innings.

For a Nats bullpen that desperately needs stuff, Lawrence can provide that. Even this season, he is striking out over 25% of hitters. When he is in the zone, Lawrence can be nasty. However, throwing strikes and missing barrels has been a problem this year.

I wonder what kind of tweaks the Nats will try and make with Lawrence. Maybe they see something mechanically that could help him find the zone more. His side arm delivery is probably tough to repeat when things aren’t going well. The Nats could also up his sweeper usage. Last year, he threw the pitch 50% of the time, but that number is down to 41% this year. The issue is, it is tougher to spam sweepers when you are constantly behind in the count.

Lawrence is out of options, so he will be joining the big league club right away. I would assume he will arrive tomorrow. This is another low risk flier from Toboni, but if Lawrence continues to be as wild as he has been, this experiment could be short lived. Hopefully the Nats can get Lawrence back to his best because his ceiling is high.

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Cubs add 2 more pitchers to injured list with Ben Brown, Edward Cabrera

NEW YORK — Ben Brown and Edward Cabrera were placed on the injured list, delivering two more blows for the pitching-depleted Chicago Cubs.

Cabrera was expected to get imaging after straining his left hamstring/adductor stretching for a throw at first base during a 9-6 win over the New York Mets.

Brown has a neck strain. He is 4-2 with one save and a 1.85 ERA for the Cubs, including 3-1 with a 1.70 ERA in eight starts since joining the banged-up rotation May 8.

The Cubs have six starters sidelined, though opening day starter Matthew Boyd (left meniscus) is scheduled to come off the injured list and start in Brown’s spot.

“We’re getting a guy that pitched opening day back for us, so that’s a big deal,” Craig Counsell said. “Those are important players to get healthy and get in your rotation.”

Jameson Taillon (strained left hamstring) is on the 15-day injured list. Counsell said the 34-year-old is progressing well and could throw off a mound soon.

Cade Horton is out for the year after having Tommy John surgery, while Justin Steele is on the 60-day IL recovering from his 2025 Tommy John surgery and a left flexor strain. General manager Jed Hoyer said Steele likely won’t return to the rotation this year.

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Yankees place Ryan McMahon on 10-day injured list with throat infection, recall Oswaldo Cabrera from Triple-A

Prior to their game against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night, the Yankees placed Ryan McMahon on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to June 22) with throat infection. 

In a corresponding move, the team recalled utility man Oswaldo Cabrera from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Wednesday's game will be Cabrera's first in the major leagues since he suffered a season-ending left ankle fracture on May 12, 2025.

Working his way back to the bigs, Cabrera was optioned to Triple-A at the end of spring training and has played 68 games with the RailRiders this season, hitting .271 with seven home runs, 10 doubles, and 35 RBI. Although, the switch-hitter has been on fire as of late -- hitting .331 with an .858 OPS over his last 45 games in the minors.

He will likely take over McMahon's spot at third base for the time being, having played a majority of his minor league games at the position (30). If manager Aaron Boone opts to use him in a different spot, it shouldn't be much of a problem as Cabrera has also seen action at first base, second base, shortstop (13 games), left field, and right field this season.

McMahon last played on June 21 and had been struggling at the plate, hitting just .176 with a home run and two RBI over his last seven games. Overall, he's hitting .210 with eight home runs, four doubles, and 23 RBI over 69 games.

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Sabres trading Alex Tuch to Capitals — who are giving him $84 million contract

Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates a goal against the Vancouver Canucks.
Alex Tuch #89 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates after scoring a goal on Thatcher Demko #35 of the Vancouver Canucks during their NHL game at Rogers Arena October 22, 2022 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Alex Tuch is heading to the nation’s capital — and getting a massive contract in the process.

The Capitals are acquiring Tuch from the Sabres in a sign-and-trade that will see him get an eight-year, $84 million contract, per multiple reports.

Buffalo, where Tuch spent five seasons and served as an alternate captain, will get a third-round pick as part of the deal, The Athletic reports.

Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) is stick checked by Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Kaedan Korczak (6) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, March 3, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes

Tuch, 30, was sent to Buffalo in 2021 as part of the trade that sent Jack Eichel to the Vegas Golden Knights. The hometown kid grew up in Baldwinsville, N.Y., about two hours from Buffalo, rooting for the Sabres.

In 360 games for Buffalo, he recorded 309 points, with three 30-goal seasons. His career with the Sabres was highlighted by a 79-point season in 2022-23.

This past season, when the Sabres broke their 14-year playoff drought, Tuch put up 33 goals and 66 points. He recorded seven points in six games in the first round of the playoffs against the Bruins, a series the Sabres won in six games. His production slowed down significantly in the second round against the Canadiens, being held without a point. The Sabres lost a heartbreaking Game 7 in overtime.

Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates after scoring a goal on Thatcher Demko #35 of the Vancouver Canucks during their NHL game at Rogers Arena October 22, 2022 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Getty Images

Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen said earlier Wednesday that he expected Tuch’s time with the team to come to a close. Tuch was set to become an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year on July 1. Both sides publicly expressed their desire to negotiate a new contract, but the gap was too wide.

On the other side, the Capitals have had an active week. They acquired forward Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. They now await Alex Ovechkin’s decision on whether he will retire before next season, a decision he is not expected to announce before July 1, per The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun.

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'Super blessed': Karim López makes NBA history as first Mexican-born first-round draft pick

Karim López is wearing a dark three-piece suit and tie while standing in front of the NBA draft logo
Karim López arrives for the first round of the NBA basketball draft on Tuesday in New York. (Adam Hunger / AP Photo)

Until Tuesday night, only one Mexican-born player had been an NBA draft pick. Eduardo Nájera was selected 38th overall in the second round by the Houston Rockets in 2000 and enjoyed a 12-year career as a backup forward with five teams.

Karim López joined him when the Detroit Pistons snapped him up at No. 21, making him the first Mexican-born first-round draft selection.

Lopez donned the Pistons’ cap handed to him by NBA commissioner Adam Silver, then was immediately traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.

López, a 19-year-old 6-foot-9 forward, became emotional when Silver announced the pick. He sobbed beneath the cap.

“It’s just super special,” he said. “I’m blessed. I mean, I have no words.”

Born in Hermosillo in the Mexican state of Sonora, López joined the prestigious Joventut Badalona youth academy in Badalona, Spain, at age 14 to accelerate his development. The academy counts former NBA players Ricky Rubio, Rudy Fernández and Raül López among its alumni.

During his post-draft television interview, he displayed a custom design inside his suit jacket: Mexico’s tricolor flag.

Read more:Lakers swap picks with Knicks, select wing Cameron Carr

“I just wanted to represent my culture, represent where I’m from, represent my faith, and just represent myself, basically,” López said. “Show who I am.”

Memphis clearly targeted López while adroitly obtaining five second-round picks in the process. They received three picks from the Pistons and two from the Oklahoma City Thunder in return for moving back from the No. 16 draft position.

Whether López fulfills his potential and becomes the fifth Mexican-born player to take the court with an NBA team remains to be seen. Reviews are mixed.

Draft experts John Hollinger and Sam Vecenie of the Athletic differed in their evaluation, with Hollinger giving the pick a thumbs-up while Vecenie expressed reservations.

“I had Karim López rated quite a bit higher than [the No. 21 pick] and was surprised to see him slide this far,” Hollinger wrote, giving the pick an “A” grade partially because the Grizzlies also collected the five second-round picks.

Read more:NBA draft: Clippers select Keaton Wagler at No. 5; AJ Dybantsa goes No. 1

Vecenie pointed out that López doesn’t shoot well and has defensive deficiencies, saying that his game might be better suited for European leagues than the NBA.

“I’m not sure how he gets on an NBA court early in his career,” he wrote. “I love his frame and physicality. I love that he rebounds and attacks with aggression. But I’m not sure he’s good enough without the ball to make an early impact in the NBA.”

Should López make the Grizzlies’ roster, he would join Horacio Llamas, Gustavo Ayón, Jorge Gutiérrez and Nájera as the only NBA players born in Mexico.

“It means a lot to me,” Lopez said. “It’s just a great opportunity for me and my country to have this platform and have this opportunity. So super blessed and definitely take it with a lot of pride.”

Noteworthy NBA players of Mexican descent born in the United States include former UCLA standout Jaime Jaquez Jr. and former Lakers reserve Juan Toscano-Anderson.

Jaquez averaged 15.4 points a game in 2025-2026, his third season with the Miami Heat. Toscano-Anderson played five seasons in the NBA — including winning a championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2022 — and now is with Pallacanestro Trieste of the top Italian league.
López is already a veteran of international basketball, having spent the last two seasons with the New Zealand Breakers in Australia’s top pro league. He averaged 11.9 points and 6.1 rebounds last season.

He will join No. 3 overall pick Cameron Boozer with the Grizzlies, who are rebuilding after finishing 25-57 and 13th in the Western Conference last season.

“A goal of mine is to hopefully reach young people in Mexico,” Lopez told ESPN in March when he declared for the draft. “Trying to grow the sport and inspire athletes and people in general to follow their dreams. Show people that it doesn’t matter where you’re from.”

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Yankees call up Oswaldo Cabrera, send Ryan McMahon to IL

PORT CHARLOTTE, FLORIDA - MARCH 17, 2026: dOswaldo Cabrera #95 of the New York Yankees in the field during the first inning of a spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park on March 17, 2026 in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

Waldo is officially back.

Yankees utilityman Oswaldo Cabrera, who hasn’t played a major-league game since fracturing his ankle early last season, is being called up by the organization to pitch in as third baseman Ryan McMahon was placed on the injured list with an throat infection. YES Network’s Jack Curry revealed the information on Wednesday morning. It will be the 27-year-old’s big chance to prove he is fully behind that gruesome injury suffered on May 12, 2025 in Seattle.

The capable yet inconsistent Cabrera is hitting .271/.330/.397 (88 wRC+) in 68 games with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders in 294 plate appearances. He has seven home runs and six stolen bases. It took the switch-hitter a while to get going, which is understandable after such a long layoff. In his first 23 games, he hit a highly disappointing .143/.207/.238 with a 13 wRC+.

In Cabrera’s last 45 games, however, he is hitting a robust .331/.386/.472 with a 123 wRC+. Evidently, he needed some time and reps to get into a rhythm, and the Yankees are taking advantage of his good run of form in Triple-A to promote him and have him help out in The Show.

Cabrera, who is sporting a phenomenal .397 batting average with a .967 OPS and three round-trippers in June, is also hitting .385 with a .965 OPS against southpaws, so he figures to get a lot of playing time in those situations in the Bronx. This also helps explain why Cabrera was selected for the promotion.

As for McMahon, Curry clarified that he hasn’t played since Sunday, so his IL stint will be backdated. He also suggested that it looks like a short stay on the shelf for him. The slick-fielding third baseman has a .210/.269/.360 line (75 wRC+) with eight home runs and 23 RBI in 69 games and 202 trips to the plate for the Yankees this year.

Update

The move is official.

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Blues Trading Kyrou Was A Mutual Parting Of Ways

ST. LOUIS -- It finally got to a point for Jordan Kyrou and the St. Louis Blues that perhaps it was best for both sides to get a fresh start.

That's what Blues general manager Doug Armstrong and Kyrou, who was a second-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, both acknowledged on Wednesday, a day after the Blues shipped Kyrou, who has five years remaining on a contract that pays him $8.125 million per season and a full no-trade clause, to the Washington Capitals for a package that brought forward Connor McMichael, 2025 forward prospect Milton Gastrin and a 2026 first-round pick (No. 16) back to St. Louis.

"Jordan and his agent and I, Dave Gagner and I go way back to Minnesota," Armstrong said. "We've become friends over the years.

"It just felt the last little while, he wasn't getting the role that he had probably wished some nights. (Jimmy) Snuggerud had taken a little bit over. We talked and they talked about a change might be good for everyone at this point. You want to make work so we waited and tried to find different avenues where everyone could get what they want out of it, but in the end, both sides just felt potentially exploring different options would be in everyone's interests, so we started down that process and got comfortable in putting Jordan in a spot ... because of his no-trade clause, he had the opportunity to make sure he was going to a team that he felt like he could have success in, and we felt we were getting a return we believe is equivalent is to the player that I believe that Jordan is, which I believe is a 30-plus goal scorer that's got excellent speed. It was just something everybody was comfortable with at this time."

Kyrou was a healthy scratch under Jim Montgomery multiple times at points last season, with the coach usually citing he needed more from the 28-year-old winger who has three straight 30-plus goal seasons under him and is one of the faster skaters in the league. And with the emergence of Snuggerud, and other players with a similar skillset in the pipeline, likely made it more of the likelihood that at some point, Kyrou would be asked to waive his NTC.

"I don't want to say we try and take longer than necessary, but I'm a big believer, I'd rather work through ups and downs with people," Armstrong said. "... The value I put in my mind on Jordan and the organization ... he's a three-time 30-goal scorer in this league. He's under contract in a league where contracts are starting to increase exponentially. He's a fixed cost. There was a lot of boxes that I thought Jordan checked and if I was another manager, I would think he has a lot of boxes that checked. He's a dynamic skater, he can score, he's got a contract, so we wanted to make sure we were hopefully getting a value in return of what we think he is and can be. As we were doing that, you always hope that things can change, and it works out here. There becomes a point where if both sides feel that to explore something, you should do it. That's our last avenue, not our first avenue."

Kyrou acknowledged himself a fresh start was probably best but in no way shape or form was he looking to get out of St. Louis. 

"Not really looking," he said. "I've loved St. Louis and have loved playing there, I've said it before. I've had a great time there and a lot of great memories in my career. Sometimes just people need a fresh start and a change of scenery.

"Definitely a crazy day for me. This is my first time getting traded, so I didn't really know what to expect. But a couple of days prior, I was hearing a couple of things. Then the day of, it was kind of just 'be by your phone.' My agent was calling me and there were talks back and forth. It took me pretty much all day to make a decision. It was definitely a tough decision. I've been in St. Louis for eight years and I've had an amazing time there. It was definitely a tough decision, but I'm excited to be joining Washington and having a fresh start here."

The Blues, who were 24th in the NHL averaging 2.8 goals per game a season ago, now must find out who can pick up the slack of Kyrou, who had 378 points (168 goals, 210 assists) in 488 games with the Blues; he dipped to 18 goals and 28 assists in 72 games last season.

"People are going to get the opportunity to pick it up," Armstrong said. "It's hard to replace. One of the things we're looking to build and organization, I'm bullish on (Justin) Carbonneau and on (Dmitry) Buchelnikov, the player we think will come over next year too (acquired from the Detroit Red Wings in the Justin Faulk trade). You're sometimes dealing from surplus too. Will we score as much this year, I don't know, but we also expect McMichael to come in and score. We think he's a good player. We think given an opportunity, he can be back to that 20-plus goal scorer. We expect him pick up and grow with some of these other guys that didn't have good years last year and need to play better. Maybe we can add some form of NHL players that can contribute with some of the assets that we have. I go back to the number of assets that we have added to our group over the last three trades, with all of them being except one, being a third-round pick or higher. The other one I think is the goalie that can go anywhere and still turn out well. It's not like we just added assets. I think we've added valuable assets and I think it gives this organization a great opportunity to get creative."

Blues Inquired About Trading For Brady TkachukBlues Inquired About Trading For Brady TkachukArmstrong admitted team was interested, not on player's list and "that's that." They have to find way to get on those types of players' listAt Long Last, Keith Tkachuk Inducted Into Hockey Hall Of FameAt Long Last, Keith Tkachuk Inducted Into Hockey Hall Of FameFormer Blue who spent his final eight-plus seasons in St. Louis with short stint in Atlanta, joins Patrice Bergeron, Carey Price, Pekka Rinne, Cindy Curley, and Brian Burke (builder category)With Three First-Round Picks, What Will Blues Do?With Three First-Round Picks, What Will Blues Do?In last go-round as GM, Doug Armstrong said picking at Nos. 11, 15, 29 could see team focus on organizational depth rather than "best player available," perhaps move up if possible, make deals for young players; all bets seem to be on table
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Joseph Woll, Simon Benoit Open Up On Emotional Departures From Maple Leafs Following Trade To Flyers

The phone call that changed everything came at an ordinary moment for Joseph Woll. 

The 27-year-old goaltender, a third-round 2016 draft pick who had spent the last decade inside the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, was sorting through his hockey card collection when the news arrived that he and defenseman Simon Benoit had been traded to the Philaddelphia Flyers.

“I think my initial reaction right when I got the call, as I imagine most people, was a lot of emotion. I’ve spent a long time in Toronto, so I was pretty sad to hear the news right when it happened. And went for a walk.”

The emotion lingered as Woll processed the end of his time with the only NHL organization he had ever known. Then a call came from his close friend and now-former teammate, Simon Benoit, who had also been dealt in the transaction. The excitement in Benoit’s voice helped reframe the moment.

“I didn’t know any details of the trade or anything,” Woll recalled. “I was really just focused on. At that point, I was thinking about leaving the Leafs, and Benny called me, and just the excitement of his voice, I think, really helped for me see how an unbelievable opportunity this was. And it was almost like from that initial reaction onward, there’s been, you know, almost a surplus of excitement on my part.”

For Woll, the trade marks the close of a journey that began when he was selected by Toronto in 2016. He spoke openly about what it meant to grow up inside the organization, to chase the dream he had carried since childhood, and to experience both the highs of playoff hockey and the lows of a difficult 2025-26 season.

“From when I was a kid it was my dream to play in the NHL and to be a great goalie. And to have the opportunities to play in Stanley Cup playoff games, to play in high pressure situations, to play as a starting goalie at times,” Woll said. “Ever since I was drafted to Toronto in 2016, I think that they’ve given me that opportunity. There’s been nothing but belief, support, and really just continually helping me to push to that spot. From the city, from the organization, to all my friends that I’ve made in Toronto, to my teammates. It’s been a very special, I believe, seven years with the organization and 10 of being a part of them since I got drafted. So even with all the positive and negative memories, I think it’s been a beautiful experience playing with them.”

Woll described the past season’s disappointment as part of a larger learning process that has shaped the goaltender he is today. He reflected on the ups and downs he witnessed and experienced since arriving in Toronto, including good runs, devastating losses, and a campaign that fell short of expectations.

“I think one of those things about goaltending, and probably like anything else in life, it’s a constant process that you’re honing your game over years and the big benefits I find in goaltending are experience,” he said. “Sometimes experience leads you to have positive outcomes, negative outcomes. And I think where a lot of the growth lies is in the negative outcomes, because that’s all a learning process and learning and honing your game is a continual thing. … It’s important not to take too much of that mindset because of what I’ve learned about myself, about the goalie I want to be from these experiences. … I think they were actually sometimes more beneficial than having success. Because it really pointed me in the correct direction.”

That growth included thriving in a tandem situation alongside Anthony Stolarz in previous seasons, learning he could step up when called upon, stay healthy, and prove his belief in himself through different roles,  including early NHL experience backing up Jack Campbell. Woll credited those Toronto years with giving him the perspective and resilience he carries forward.

Simon Benoit’s notification came after a workout at his cabin. The defenseman, who played three or four seasons with the Maple Leafs after arriving via trade, described the call as surprising but part of the job,  and said he was happy with where it sent him.

“It was the first time I spoke with (Maple Leafs GM John) Chayka,” Benoit said. “So obviously it was kind of surprising, but at the same time, it’s part of the job. I was just really happy where he sent me. So I was pretty excited for what’s to come.”

Benoit, who has a young child with his wife in Toronto, emphasized the personal roots he put down during his time with the organization and the warmth he felt from the people around him.

“They’re a good organization. They treated me so well. I have great memories for me, my wife, and my kid. Obviously, I have my kid there. So it’s always going to be special. And the guys there were just so welcoming to me. And we really had a good group. So it’s just going to be positive. And obviously, I’m bringing that baggage with me. And I learned a lot of stuff throughout those three or four years. So I’m going to be bringing that with me.”

One memory Benoit said he will carry with him is his overtime goal against the Ottawa Senators in Game 3 of their first-round plaoff series in 2025. 

“That was pretty exciting, obviously,” he said. “Playoffs are always fun. And I feel like it was my, I had the chance to play in my first playoffs with Toronto. And playoff hockey is so much fun. So I think I’ll just keep those moments.”

Benoit and Woll grew close during their overlapping years in Toronto. Often going out together on the road for dinners as part of a group that included Matthew Knies and former Leafs forward Bobby McMann.

Both players framed their departures as the closing of one chapter and the beginning of another.

“I know myself, I know my game more than I ever have before,” Woll said. “I’ve got a lot of experience under my belt and I’m excited for [what comes next]. Let my work speak for itself.”

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Why did Blackhawks trade for Bowen Byram? While baffling on paper, Chicago has to move

When the NHL draft lottery determined the Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks were the Nos. 1 and 2 picks, respectively, the NHL world recognized the Vancouver Canucks as the biggest losers. But the team just behind the Canucks in the order — the Chicago Blackhawks — were similarly left in the cold at No. 4.

Chicago made the stunning move to ship that pick to the Sabres for Bowen Byram, a free agent after the 2026-27 season, in a package that also involves the No. 45 overall pick and Louis Crevier being sent to Buffalo while the Blackhawks absorb Jordan Greenway. It's the first time since 2008 a team has shipped off a known top-five pick, making it a wildly risky move for Chicago.

REQUIRED READING: Bowen Byram trade grades: Blackhawks take big gamble moving top-5 pick

So why would the Blackhawks take such a desperate swing? The answer is that GM Kyle Davidson is, in a word, desperate. In the current iteration of the NHL postseason, it can be extremely easy to find yourself in purgatory. Teams can scratch and claw their ways to competing for a playoff spot until late February to early March, come up short of the playoffs after a push, and retool in the next offseason.

Retooling, however, isn't an option in this offseason. The free agent class is barren, with Rasmus Andersson and John Carlson likely set to get big contracts as the best defensemen available. And the Blackhawks have a former No. 1 overall pick in Connor Bedard that they have to build around now. Bedard is a restricted free agent, which means Chicago has exclusive negotiating rights with the 20-year-old budding star. But with the Blackhawks in a six-year playoff dearth, and an eight-year drought leaving out the shortened 2019-20 season, the trade for Byram is a swing made out of necessity verging into recklessness.

Why did the Blackhawks trade for Bowen Byram?

In short, Byram changes the timeline for the Blackhawks. At least, he hopefully does. When Chicago lost the first or second pick, it lost the chance to pick a player like Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg. That put Chicago in a position where it was drafting for need at No. 4, rather than the best player available.

The most likely picks in that slot would have been either Keaton Verhoeff out of North Dakota or Chase Reid from the Soo Greyhounds, both defensemen. While both will likely be solid blue-liners in their own right, it's hard to imagine either coming out of the draft as a top-four defenseman. That would set the Blackhawks back, and the Blackhawks don't have time for setbacks at this point. They were the last team in the Central Division last year and the second-to-last team in the league. With Jeff Blashill going into Year 2 and Chicago actively figuring out Bedard's future, there's a lot to hash out that a draft pick likely complicates.

Enter Byram, who will likely take point on a power play that ranked 29th in the league last season. He wasn't the main point-man in Buffalo — the Sabres had too many options for that — so this could present a new opportunity alongside Bedard.

To be abundantly clear: That does not entirely justify the move. It may rationalize it, but in the end, teams trying to speed up their rebuilds tend to fail. In a poetic bookend, the Blackhawks traded with the team who set the blueprint on how to fully rebuild. Now, they can only hope Byram becomes an immediate difference maker on one of their top pairings.

The Original Six problem

Hockey, arguably more than any other North American sport, places a lot of emphasis on team traditions. Floundering in obscurity as a relatively new franchise is treated differently than struggling as an Original Six team. If the Rangers, Red Wings, Canadiens, Bruins, Maple Leafs or Blackhawks struggle, it's simply viewed through a different scope.

So, with the Blackhawks in a six-year playoff drought, they don't have to look far to see what can happen. Indeed, they need only look at what's going on on the other side of I-94. The Detroit Red Wings are in a league-high 10-season playoff drought, and that's coming off a 25-year playoff streak. To make matters worse, their star Dylan Larkin's future is clouded with Larkin having requested a trade, they have no real options to immediately improve in free agency, and their first round pick has been shipped to the St. Louis Blues.

The New York Rangers may be entering an era of irrelevance of their own. While their situation isn't quite as dire, general manager Chris Drury tied up an outsized amount of money in the likes of J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck. It's likely going to take a few years to get that roster back into truly competitive shake, and that's making optimal moves.

In short, the Blackhawks' front office knows it needs to turn things around quickly. Byram gives the Blackhawks a top-four defenseman who will make an impact next year and doesn't tie up a bunch of money into a huge contract. So for Davidson, the hope will be to reset the clock for the time being and show Chicago, Bedard in particular, that the Blackhawks can be competitive again.

Connor Bedard contract negotiations

Bedard's contract negotiations as a restricted free agent are still ongoing, but the good news for Blackhawks fans is that — even amid increasing instances of players looking to move on to greener pastures — the Canadian star has voiced no interest in leaving Chicago.

Bedard has said very publicly he loves playing in Chicago, wants to be there for a long time and even wants to be the captain. However, the Blackhawks have to build a team that can win around Bedard. In that sense, it's good to try to get his foot in the door of the postseason and try to reload and be seriously competitive in 2027-28. That might not be the way it pans out, but the vision is there.

This feels like a desperate move, but the Blackhawks feel desperate. It's not a team that should be finishing near the bottom of any standings, and Chicago is at risk of feeling the worst thing it can feel about a team: Apathy. When the Blackhawks are good, the city is abuzz. Banners fly and fans excitedly starting talking about their seventh date with Lord Stanley's Cup. Some course correction from Davidson, who promised a full rebuild due to the Blackhawks' lack of developmental talent ahead of 2022, has been needed.

This move flies in the face of that. It undermines the desire for developmental talent, but to Davidson's credit, he really has tremendously helped the Blackhawks' prospect pool. Anton Frondell, Roman Kantserov and Nick Lardis are all waiting in the wings as scorers, with Frondell in particular looking like a possible Bedard linemate. But Chicago has desperately craved defense.

The greatest risk Davidson runs is being perceived the same way his predecessor Stan Bowman is in Edmonton now. Someone who lucked into a potentially generational talent and was unable to build around them long-term. Bedard is nowhere near his prime and he is still on the first page of his legacy with the Blackhawks, if they retain him for a new contract in the seven- to eight-year range. But this trade is the move of someone worried they'll only be in the foreword.

If Byram brings the Blackhawks back to the playoffs, it's a wash. But if they come up short, Byram walks and Davidson traded No. 4 for nothing, expect the microscope zoom to increase that much more.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Blackhawks Bowen Byram trade: Why move for defenseman is practical

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Wednesday afternoon game thread: at Angels, 4:07

Jun 19, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Trey Gibson (43) throws during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Our prolonged nightmare of west cost games is nearly over. After tonight, the Orioles will not be back on west coast time until late August, when they have a six-game stint in Sacramento and Denver.

Right now, the Orioles have gone 4-4 on this road trip. That’s not bad considering how it started in Seattle. A win today would make it a winning trip with a pair of series wins included. That one win either way doesn’t seem like a lot on paper, but it would certainly be a mental boost ahead of a flight home and then an off day on Thursday.

There is some good news! Blaze Alexander is back in the lineup for the first time since injuring his knee on Monday. The O’s could use his hot bat after the offense was quiet in their Tuesday night loss.

Still missing, however, is Jackson Holliday. This is his fourth straight game on the bench with a groin injury. His understudy, Jeremiah Jackson, has gone 3-for-12 in Holliday’s absence and has a solid .714 OPS against right-handed pitcher this year. So, the Orioles aren’t missing out on much offensively. But it seems like Holliday is essentially unavailable right now, leaving the Orioles shorthanded. If he is still ailing after the Thursday off day, an IL stint seems likely. The team can only backdate an IL stint by a maximum of three days. So the sooner they make that call the better.

It felt like Trey Gibson made some progress in his last start. Over five innings he allowed three runs and walked four, but he also struck out eight and kept the ball in the yard against the Dodgers. He’s a rookie and growing pains can be ugly. Right now, if he simply keeps the Orioles in the game and gives them five innings that should be viewed as a success.

Let’s go get a series win!

Orioles lineup

  1. Taylor Ward, LF
  2. Gunnar Henderson, SS
  3. Leody Taveras, RF
  4. Pete Alonso, 1B
  5. Samuel Basallo, C
  6. Colton Cowser, CF
  7. Coby Mayo, DH
  8. Jeremiah Jackson, 2B
  9. Blaze Alexander, 3B

RHP Trey Gibson (1-2, 5.81 ERA)

Angels lineup

  1. Nolan Schanuel, 1B
  2. Denzer Guzman, 3B
  3. Wade Meckler, RF
  4. Jorge Soler, DH
  5. Christian Moore, LF
  6. Donovan Walton, 2B
  7. Oswald Peraza, 2B
  8. Josh Lowe, CF
  9. Tyler Heineman, C

RHP José Soriano (8-4, 3.03 ERA)

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Yaxel Lendeborg reacts to being drafted by the Warriors

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: Yaxel Lendeborg speaks to the media after he is drafted eleventh overall by the Golden State Warriors during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images

In today’s Dub Hub:

The Golden State Warriors welcomed their newest addition to the team after selecting Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg with the No. 11 overall pick in Tuesday night’s NBA Draft. Shortly after being drafted, Lendeborg spoke with the media and shared his excitement about joining Golden State.

One of the biggest takeaways from Lendeborg’s first press conference as a Warrior was his initial thoughts on his new teammates. The forward jokingly admitted that he “used to hate Steph Curry” while growing up because of his fondness for former Cleveland Cavaliers star Kyrie Irving. Now, however, he appreciates the opportunity to be teammates with one of the greatest players in NBA history.

There is a similar dynamic at play with Draymond Green as well. Lendeborg spent last season at Michigan, which shares one of college basketball’s fiercest rivalries with Green’s alma mater, Michigan State. That history should make for an amusing pairing as Lendeborg discussed his excitement to learn from Green.

Despite the lighthearted comments, Lendeborg spoke highly of both veterans and appeared genuinely happy about the opportunity to learn from them. More importantly, his first interview as a Warrior offered an early glimpse into his personality. Lendeborg came across as an upbeat, personable, and competitive person who is eager to embrace this new opportunity — qualities that should make him a natural fit within the Warriors’ culture as he begins his NBA career.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Wednesday, June 24th:

Warriors News:

Kawakami: ‘He can play everything’ — How the Warriors locked in on Yaxel Lendeborg | The San Francisco Standard

One team source indicated that the Warriors had Lendeborg rated about even with Burries and only had Duke’s Cam Boozer clearly placed on a higher level in this draft.

That might or might not be some slight retro-editing of their true big board (they weren’t going to take a lead guard in this draft and that position dominated the top nine selections). But either way, the Warriors definitely always were very high on Lendeborg and definitely always weren’t so worried about his birthdate.

Even if Lendeborg was actually the fifth or sixth player on the Warriors’ board, this was a strong enough draft to make the selection a happy one. If Burries had slipped to 11, I imagine it would’ve been an even giddier draft room, and Burries, at 20, simply has more practical upside than Lendeborg.

Grading Warriors’ Yaxel Lendeborg selection with No. 11 pick in 2026 NBA Draft | NBC Sports Bay Area

Can Lendeborg be the Warriors’ OG Anunoby? Big wings who can play all over the court are every franchise’s best friend.

The Warriors could have shot for more potential. They chose production for their most important pick in over a decade. 

Grade: A-

Mike Dunleavy addresses the viral draft interaction with Warriors’ owner Joe Lacob

NBA News:

Round 2 NBA mock draft: Best available players, predictions | ESPN

Strengths: Lawal is one of the best all-around athletes in the draft, with a 45-inch max vertical. He’s a good rebounder who can block shots and play above the rim.

Weaknesses: His offensive skill is rudimentary and limits his ability to impact the game, and he is largely restricted to dunks and finishing plays around the basket. He’s more of a project than your typical 23-year-old prospect.

The verdict: Lawal is a late-blooming player who grew up in London and has made some strides with his all-around game over the past couple of years. His elite physical gifts make him an intriguing developmental pick, but he’s raw offensively and projects as a high-energy depth player at best.

Lakers and Austin Reaves agree on a $185 million extension, per ESPN’s Shams Charania

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Takeaways from Yaxel Lendeborg’s draft night interview

Lendeborg concluded, “I can do everything in my power to make sure my mom knows how much she means to me. I can make sure she understands that I’m so grateful for everything she’s done. And that all I’ve ever wanted was to be someone who my mom could be proud of, someone she is proud to call her son.”

I’m not crying, you’re crying.

Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.

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MLB Same-Game Parlay Predictions: Our Best SGP Picks for Wednesday, June 24

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Nothing like taking a few of my favorite MLB picks from tonight's slate and tossing them into a little Silly Goose Parlay. That is what SGP stands for, right? 

Either way, I found a few spots worth bundling together, so here are my favorite MLB SGP picks for Wednesday night's action.

Today's best MLB SGP picks

GameSGP Odds
Diamondbacks vs Cardinals+220
Athletics vs Giants+206
Brewers vs Reds+310

Diamondbacks vs Cardinals SGP: +220

Ketel Marte enters with an elite rating on Batters-Box, and when carrying that designation, he records a hit 72% of the time across a 133-game sample.

The Arizona second baseman has also been crushing left-handed pitching lately, posting a .680 SLG and 1.047 OPS over his last 60 plate appearances against southpaws while generating a 65% hard-hit rate and 13% barrel rate.

As for Matthew Liberatore, the matchup is far from ideal. The Arizona Diamondbacks do not feature a single hitter above the league average strikeout rate per Batters-Box, and Liberatore draws one of the weakest strikeout environments on the slate.

Arizona has maintained a strikeout rate below 18% over its last six, 12, and 21-game samples. Against left-handed pitching this season, the Diamondbacks own an absurdly low 7.8% strikeout rate, making life difficult for any pitcher relying on punchouts.

On top of that, Liberatore has also been getting tagged by right-handed hitters, with the last 60 he has faced producing a 49% hard hit rate, an 18.6% barrel rate, and a 62.8% elevation rate. Those hitters are sitting at a .357 xBA, a .671 xSLG, and a .427 xwOBA in that span.

I think the Diamondback come out on top here. 

  • Time: 7:45 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: CARD, ARID

Athletics vs Giants SGP: +206

Off the rip, getting Nick Kurtz to record a hit at better than -200 with 100% arsenal coverage against Tyler Mahle feels like a gift. Not to mention Shea Langeliers owns 82% arsenal coverage as well.

Both carry elite ratings on Batters-Box this evening and have produced strong results in those spots, recording a hit in roughly 70% of their elite-rated matchups.

With Mahle relying on his fastball nearly 50% of the time, this pitch mix should have Athletics hitters salivating. Even more concerning, roughly half of his arsenal grades below league average.

Add in four elite-rated hitters on the Oakland side, and I think the red-hot Athletics are in a great position to get after the struggling right-hander, who enters tonight with poorly rated wOBA, ISO, and hard contact metrics.

  • Time: 9:45 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: NBCSBA, NBCSCA

Brewers vs Reds SGP: +310

Both Brice Turang and Jake Bauers find themselves with elite ratings in the current season dataset on Batters-Box, where they own at least a 68% arsenal coverage against Rhett Lowder.

The Reds right hander has been allowing a 60% elevation rate to lefties at home. Over his last 60 left-handed hitters faced, he has allowed a 40% hard-hit rate, 15% barrel rate, and 65% elevation rate, while also carrying a .311 xBA, .627 xSLG, and .397 xwOBA in that split.

On top of that, the Milwaukee Brewers continue to be one of the most patient offenses in baseball, making this a difficult matchup for Lowder. Milwaukee owns the second highest road walk rate in the league this season and leads all teams with a 10.7% walk rate over its last 21 games.

The lineup also features several hitters with strong recent on-base profiles against right-handed pitching. Lowder's command has been inconsistent throughout the year, as he has issued walks at nearly a 20% rate across his last five outings.

Even with better numbers at home, recent trends suggest free passes could once again become an issue.

  • Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: BREW, CINR
Colby Marchio's 2026 Transparency Record
  • SGP picks: 236-436-36, -7.5 units

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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