SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 27: A general view of the New York Yankees playing against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on March 27, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants wrap up this three-game series against the Athletics this afternoon from Oracle Park.
Taking the mound for the Giants will be Landen Roupp, who will enter today’s game with both a chorus of boos and a 4.15 ERA, 3.00 FIP, with 89 strikeouts to 33 walks in 80.1 innings pitched. His last start was in the Giants’ 4-3 loss to the Miami Marlins on Friday, in which he allowed two runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts and a walk in six innings.
Taking the mound for the A’s will be left-hander Jeffrey Springs, who enters today’s game with a 5.55 ERA, 5.71 FIP, with 72 strikeouts to 27 walks in 82.2 innings. Springs also leads the league in the most home runs allowed this season with 21. His last start was in the Athletics’ 12-11 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday, in which he allowed six runs on four hits with four strikeouts and four walks in three and two thirds innings.
While the 2026 NBA Draft is now in the rearview mirror, the Lakers are still making roster moves. A move they made June 25 is sure to bring a lot of smiles to basketball fans.
Jon Chepkevich ofDraft Express broke news on Thursday that the Lakers have signed Robbie Avila to an Exhibit 10 contract after Avila wasn’t drafted.
This contract means that Avila has agreed to a one-year, nonguaranteed deal for the league minimum salary with the Lakers.
Former Saint Louis forward Robbie Avila (right) signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Lakers. AP
This Exhibit 10 contract can also be converted to a two-way contract, which would then result in any bonus money (which can reach up to $75,000) becoming guaranteed.
Avila is a 22-year-old, 6-foot-10 center who played his first two college basketball seasons at Indiana State before transferring to Saint Louis.
He averaged 12.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game with the Billikens during his senior season, which was enough to earn him A-10 Player of the Year honors.
Avila has become a college basketball fan favorite because of his unique, eccentric look. He doesn’t have the typical body type of a basketball star, plus the glasses he wears on the court have provided several hilarious nicknames, including “Cream Abdul-Jabbar” (which is fitting, now that he’s with the Lakers).
Now Los Angeles didn’t sign Avila because it would go over with fans. He’s a versatile forward who is an excellent passer for his size and position. Plus, Avila shot 41% from 3-point range during his senior season and 37.9% from 3 throughout his college career, which shows he can expand the floor.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - JUNE 25: Junior Caminero #13 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates his third home run of the game against the Kansas City Royals during the eighth inning of a baseball game at Tropicana Field on June 25, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In an ugly display of baseball futility, the Royals dropped the series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays, 13-2. The Rays, utilizing their bullpen for the entire game, didn’t allow a Royals hit until the ninth inning when Carter Jensen hit a two-run home run, extending his hitting streak to 15 games.
There really isn’t anything else positive to say about the Royals today. They stunk. They slept through this game on both sides of the ball. The Rays totaled 15 hits, four of which left the yard, and another two went for doubles. Royals pitchers, led by starter Seth Lugo, struck out only five and walked two.
Just a pathetic display of baseball from the Royals.
Things went south pretty quickly. In the bottom of the first, after Jonathan Aranda singled with one out, Rays third baseman Junior Caminero took Lugo deep on a hard-hit, towering flyball to left field. 2-0, Rays.
It stayed that way until the bottom of the fourth when Victor Mesa Jr. hit his third home run of the season, this one a three-run homer.
5-0, Rays.
Meanwhile, the Royals offense looked awful against opener Casey Legumina and then Ian Seymour. Seymour dominated the Royals–the lefty pitched 6-and-2/3 innings, struck out seven, walked one, and surrendered zero hits. He picked up the win to improve to 4-1 as the Rays win their second consecutive game to improve to 45-33 on the season. They are second in the AL East, 2.5 games back of the Yankees, while also holding the top Wild Card spot.
Lugo, clearly, didn’t pitch as well. He stayed in a bit longer and gave up another home run to Caminero and then another run for funsies. On the day, he pitched five innings, gave up seven hits, struck out three, walked two, and allowed seven runs, all earned. He’s now 3-5 with a 4.18 ERA. What a tantalizing trade piece.
Just because Lugo left the game didn’t mean Caminero was done, though. He hit another home run, this one a three-run shot off, uh, Tyler Tolbert, to make it 13-o in the eighth. Today marks Caminero’s first career three-home-run game. I doubt it’s his last. That dude is good.
There’s never been a no-hitter and an individual with 3 HR in the same game
With Junior Caminero, the Rays are the 2nd team in at least the expansion era (1961) to have an 8+ inning no-hit bid and an individual 3-HR game in the same game, joining 6/27/25 CIN
The Royals finally gained a baserunner in the sixth when Starling Marte worked the first of his two walks on the day. He added another in the ninth before scoring on Jensen’s homer off the Husk of Craig Kimbrel.
Not much else to say. The loss drops the Royals to 34-48. An ugly loss during an ugly season.
That’s Thursday morning baseball for you. If you watched today’s game, go do something fun now. You deserve it.
As the night closed on the second round of the NBA Draft, the New York Knicks, fresh off their NBA Championship, finally made (and retained) two draft picks. However, that's a story for another time. The real story is that, during the NBA Draft, the Knicks acquired the draft rights to three international players, which means that the Knicks now hold the draft rights to 19 different international players.
Yes, you read that right. The Knicks hold the draft rights to 19 different international players. If you wanted to follow Basketball Reference’s leadand only count active players, the Knicks hold the rights to 13 international players. No other NBA team currently holds the rights to more than four.
So what are the Knicks doing? Is there a benefit to them holding the draft rights to this many players?
In short, no. Having the draft rights to international players does have a benefit, especially for a team like the Knicks, who are relatively cap-strapped, since they don't want to go over the second apron. If you have the draft rights to an international player, you can technically have that player as part of your organization without having to pay them. So if you, like the Knicks, drafted a 20-year-old guard from Germany and didn't want him to count against your salary cap, you could keep him in Germany for another year or two and allow him to grow and develop his game without having to count him towards your salary cap. Those players could then come stateside to be a part of your team or be used in a trade as a little sweetener. For the player who is retired, like some of the players the Knicks have the rights to, there's no real reason beyond the team simply not wanting to renounce the rights.
For the Knicks, it's grown into something else. One of the players they acquired the draft rights to this season is 39 years old and was drafted back in 2009. The Knicks also retain the rights to three players who are over 40 years old, including one who is 43 years old now and was drafted back in 2005.
So, who are these players the Knicks have the draft rights to, and will any of them ever play in the NBA?
New York Knicks International Draft Rights
James Nnaji
Nnaji is one of the few players fans may know on this list because he made headlines when he enrolled in college and played at Baylor despite having already been an NBA draft pick. He averaged just 1.4 points and 2.1 rebounds in 18 games for the Bears. Nnaji was taken by the Pistons with the first pick in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft. He was almost immediately traded to Boston and then Charlotte within two days. The Knicks acquired him in October 2024 as part of the Karl-Anthony Towns deal. He's just 21 years old and still an active player who played for the Knicks in summer league last year.
Rokas Jokubaitis
There was a lot of hype around Jokubaitis from long-suffering Knicks fans. The Knicks originally drafted the Lithuanian point guard with the fourth pick in the second round back in the 2021 NBA Draft. He has played in the summer league for the Knicks twice, averaging 9.8 points and 3.8 assists in 2024-25. He's just 25 years old, but he no longer seems like a realistic option to ever play for the Knicks.
Melvin Ajinca
Ajinca was originally drafted by the Knicks in the 2024 NBA Draft and immediately traded to Dallas. Two nights ago, the Mavericks traded the 21-year-old French forward back to the Knicks. He played 63 games for ASVEL Basket this past season, averaging 6.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.9 assists while shooting 36.6% from the field. Even though he's young, he's a long shot to ever play for the Knicks.
Hugo Besson
Besson is one of the youngest players on this list and is currently active. The 25-year-old French point guard was drafted by the Pacers in the 2022 NBA Draft and immediately traded to Milwaukee. The Bucks then traded his rights to the Knicks in February of last season, along with Delon Wright. Besson played in the summer league in 2024-25 and played 23 minutes a game in Turkey this season, averaging 11.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 46 games.
Tadija Dragicevic
Dragicevic is the first of the 40-year-olds that we'll discuss (I'm 41, so this is an OK topic of conversation). The 6'9" Serbian power forward was originally drafted by the Jazz in 2008 and has since had his rights traded four times. The last of which was a 2020 trade from Houston to New York. Dragicevic was 34 years old at the time the Knicks acquired his rights.
Bojan Dubljevic
Dubljevic is a Montenegrin power forward who was originally drafted by the Timberwolves in 2013. They traded him to Portland six years later, and then the Knicks acquired him from Portland in 2023 when he was 31 years old. Even then, he was not going to come play in the NBA, and that's even less likely now at 34 years old, even though he is still playing in Spain and averaging 20 minutes a game with 7.4 points and 6.4 rebounds a game.
Axel Hervelle
Hervelle is 43 years old and was drafted by the Nuggets in the second round in 2005. He was traded to the Rockets in 2009 and then later acquired by the Knicks in 2020 when he was 37 years old.
Ognjen Jaramaz
Jaramaz is one of the few players originally drafted by the Knicks. The Knicks took the Serbian shooting guard with the 28th pick of the second round in the 2017 NBA Draft, and he played in NBA summer league for them that season. He played in the Adriatic League this season, averaging 6.5 points and 2.2 assists per game at 30 years old.
Petteri Koponen
Koponen is one of the only first-round picks on this list. He was drafted by the 76ers with the 30th overall pick in 2007 but was immediately traded to Portland. Portland traded him to Dallas in 2011 before the Knicks acquired him in June 2024, when he was 36 years old.
Sergio Llull
Llull is one of a few international players the Knicks acquired the rights to from the Rockets in 2020, along with Austin Rivers. The Spanish point guard was originally drafted by the Nuggets in 2009 and was immediately traded to Houston. Lull is still playing in Spain at 37 years old and is also an Olympic Silver Medalist.
Luka Mitrovic
A Serbian power forward, Mitrovic was drafted by the 76ers in the 2015 draft and was traded just a month later to the Kings. The Knicks acquired the 33-year-old last June in a trade with the Clippers that also sent Mohamed Diawara to the Knicks in exchange for Kobe Sanders. Mitrovic played summer league for Sacramento in 2016-17 and is currently playing in Moscow, where he averaged 5.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists this season.
Mojave King
King is a 24-year-old guard from New Zealand who was drafted by the Lakers in the second round in 2023 and has already been traded four times. The most recent of which was when the Rockets dealt him to the Knicks just two days ago. He played in the G League back in the 2023-24 season and averaged 11.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while playing in Australia this season. He did shoot 41.1% from beyond the arc, but he still seems like a long shot to ever make it to the NBA.
Brad Newley
Newley is one of the 40-year-olds to whom the Knicks own the draft rights. The 41-year-old was originally drafted by Houston in 2007 and traded 10 years later to the Lakers. The Knicks then acquired his draft rights in 2022 when he was 36 years old.
Emir Preldzic
The Turkish forward owns the honor of being the most traded player on this list. He was originally drafted by the Suns in the 2009 NBA Draft and has been traded seven different times. The Knicks acquired him in 2021 from the Suns when he was 33 years old. At 38 years old now, it's safe to say that Preldzic is not coming over to the NBA.
Nikola Radicevic
Radicevic was another Denver draft pick, originally selected in the 2015 draft and traded five years later to the Pistons. The Knicks acquired the 32-year-old back in 2022 in a deal that sent Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel to the Pistons. Radicevic is playing in Lithuania and averaged 8.3 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.0 rebounds in 21 minutes per game.
Juan Pablo Vaulet
Vaulet is relatively young for this list at 30 years old. The Argentine forward was drafted by the Hornets in 2015 and immediately traded to the Nets. He was traded back and forth between the Nets and Pacers a couple of times, and then traded from the Nets to the Knicks in July of 2024. He is still playing in Europe and averaged 10.3 points and 4.4 rebounds in 20 minutes per game this season
Latavious Williams
Williams is the lone American on the list. The 37-year-old was drafted in the middle of the second round of the 2010 NBA Draft by the Heat and immediately traded to the Thunder. The Thunder traded him to the Pelicans in 2015, but he was traded to the Knicks in the Jose Alvarado deal this year. Williams has played 11 international games in the last two seasons, including eight games this season in Venezuela.
Wang Zhelin
Zhelin is a Chinese center who was originally drafted by the Grizzlies in 2016. The Knicks acquired the 32-year-old from the Lakers in 2022 in exchange for the rights to Louis Labeyrie (more on that below). Zhelin is still playing in China and averaging 11.2 points and 6.6 rebounds a game.
Chinemelu Elonu
Elonu is 39 years old. The 6'10" 235-pound (maybe when he played) Nigerian center played at Texas A&M from 2006 to 2009 and was a 2nd round pick of the Lakers in the 2009 NBA Draft. The Knicks just acquired his draft rights last night.
Louis Labeyrie
Labeyrie is a fun one because the Pacers drafted him in 2014 and then immediately traded him to the Knicks. The French forward actually played in the Summer League for the Knicks, but never came over to join the team. They traded him to the Lakers in 2012, but clearly coveted his draft rights again, so the Knicks traded for the 34-year-old during this year's draft. He played in France this season and averaged 5.9 points and 4.1 rebounds in 20 minutes per game.
After trading Bowen Byram and Michael Kesselring already this off-season, the Buffalo Sabres should be looking to add at least one more defenseman this summer. While they brought in Louis Crevier from the Blackhawks in the Byram trade, Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn are also pending UFAs for Buffalo.
Now, the Sabres are being linked to a Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman.
According to The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta, the Sabres have had trade discussions with the Maple Leafs about Brandon Carlo.
With the Sabres needing another right-shot defenseman, it makes sense that they have a defenseman like Carlo on their radar. When playing at his best, the veteran blueliner is a solid stay-at-home top-four defenseman. Because of this, he would have the potential to be a nice pickup for a Sabres club that needs blueline help.
If the Sabres acquired Carlo, he could slot well on their second pairing with Owen Power. He would also offer them a clear option for their penalty kill because of his defense-first style of play.
In 55 games this past season with the Maple Leafs, Carlo posted zero goals, seven assists, and a plus-4 rating.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 28: Monkey D. Luffy One Piece/TOEI Animation is seen during 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 28, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy's) | Getty Images for Macy's
One date that was curiously absent from the 2026 Dodgers home schedule filled in just before Memorial Day: almost one year to the day, the Straw Hat Pirates of One Piece will make their return to Dodger Stadium.
Straw Hats, it’s time. ONE PIECE Night returns to the ballpark on 7/2!
By all accounts, last year’s festivities were enjoyed by most. We at True Blue LA got far more mileage than expected with last year’s announcement and subsequent festivities, with one major point that we will focus on in a moment.
Last year, the Dodgers and Toei Animation did a joint press release. This year, the Dodgers have largely been mum on the specifics, but one would expect another drone show, intro video, and features around the ballpark on July 2nd.
Frankly, it would be shocking not to see something similar on July 2. As an aside, in the video, Luffy wears 56 as a bit of a Japanese pun – “go” means five, “mu” means six, and the fruit that gave Luffy his stretchy powers is called the Gomu Gomu no Mi (The Gum Gum Fruit).
The theme night will again include a Dodgers-branded signature straw hat, similar to the one Luffy wears, now for the first 52,000 ticketed fans instead of 40,000. The main newsworthiness of last year’s event is the same draw for this year’s event: this year’s promotional card for the One Piece trading card game.
Using last year as an example of why this news is a big deal, it’s not every day that the Dodgers give away a promotional item that last year’s model is still selling for two and a half to five thousand American dollars online.
First, the character is generally known as Luffy (pronounced Loofy, not Luff-y — don’t be Michael Kay), not Monkey; it’s Japanese.
Second, last year, the Dodgers gave away a promotional trading card on One Piece night: a promotional card compatible with the One Piece trading card game, featuring Monkey D. Luffy holding a baseball in a Dodgers uniform.
— One Piece Merch News (@OPMerchandise) July 4, 2025
Here is what I reported at the time:
To the unaware, the card, featuring art from the manga’s creator, Eiichiro Oda, looks like a simple trading card. However, over the past couple of years, games like the One Piece card game and the Pokémon Trading Card Game have developed subcultures centered on collecting rare cards from randomized packs.
These packs, which were originally sold for less than $10 per pack, now sell for significantly more (think anywhere from $25 to $500 or higher per pack). This explanation is generalized for brevity. It is not hyperbole to point out that some of these cards are valued and sold in excess of $1,000 per card…
…Still, after checking online, seeing that secondary sellers are selling the Luffy promo card for an average of $350-$500 is shocking. While prices have dipped from the initial frenzy, I would not expect prices to approach something reasonable until the market crashes.
The market did not crash, dear reader, as much as fans of the One Piece card game would have wanted it to.
The price of the 2025 Luffy Dodgers promo just kept going up and up, as the market for a limited-edition, one-off promotional card clearly demonstrates supply and demand. Now, the 2025 Luffy Dodgers promo card cannot be found in mint condition for sale for less than $2,250. Seeing prices for a mint condition of this card in excess of three thousand dollars is not uncommon.
Capitalism, everybody! For the nuances of how the economies of trading card games and the like work, see the attached link.
The Dodgers have announced that each ticketed fan will be limited to one set of items, as last year, the folks doing the giving away were a bit overwhelmed, per reports, which is odd considering how adroitly they handled themselves during multiple Shohei Ohtani giveaways, but such is life.
Consider the following pullquote as an informal public service announcement:
If you are going to the July 2nd game, do not throw the promotional card away or sell the card to anyone asking for it. I would bring a book, and stash the card in there for safekeeping, but you do you.
Author’s note: Taking this advice does not create privity between yourself and the author, true blue la, sbnation, or any subsidiary of vox media, inc.
Do I expect this year’s card to be comparable in value to last year’s version? Honestly, no.
This year’s card is not as striking as last year’s card, and in these matters, aesthetics matter.
Next, I think the cat is out of the bag, and the situation is eerily similar to the speculation bubble in American comic books that nearly nuked pre-Disney Marvel. This argument needs context, so we must rely on movie critic Bob Chipman for the analogous on-point argument.
The contents of the video essay are predictably evergreen for any overvalued asset.
The reason why last year’s card will always be inherently more valuable than this year’s card is the small number of promotional cards that survived that night at Dodger Stadium. Most of the fans that attended 2025’s One Piece night thought they were getting a couple of ticky-tacky baubles, not something that could potentially be sold for consequences-level money.
Now, people know better, as word (and articles like this one) has gotten out; by definition, more promotional cards will survive, which will increase supply, lower demand, and potentially save us all from a part three in 2027.
I suddenly envisioned a future in which I would have to write a synopsis of One Piece for a non-anime baseball audience. While I am having this existential meltdown, you might be having a different thought. If you don’t have tickets to this game, you might be suddenly inspired to see the spiraling San Diego Padres for some reason. Accordingly, you might be tempted to pick up game tickets for Dodger Stadium on July 2.
This article serves as a public service announcement on that front, too.
Game tickets for 7/2 cost how much?!?
Do you like paying NLDS prices for game tickets in July? Why do I ask? Well…
The embedded Bluesky post is not a typo; the lowest price seat from the team is $376. These seats are in the upper deck. Prices get exponentially worse from there. Not “NBA Finals in New York for the first time in a generation” bad, but still astronomical for a summer regular-season game.
In comparison, the following night, the lowest price seat from the team is $81. The secondary ticket market is similarly overheated, with the lowest prices just shy of $400.
From anecdotal evidence, the ticket prices for the game shot up by a third once the existence of this year’s promo card was confirmed. Do I expect ticket prices for this game to drop? No, if anything, I expect the opposite.
Now, if one wanted to avoid this upcoming madness, one could make a tidy little profit by reselling one’s game ticket. One just might do that; I couldn’t possibly comment.
There is a hidden advantage to sitting this out: the likely confusion that will likely bleed into that night’s broadcast, especially if the game is a blowout.
Would I enjoy Joe Davis and Orel Hershiser trying to decipher this madness on the telecast? Very much so. Would I enjoy listening to Stephen Nelson try to explain this madness to Rick Monday on the radio? Very much so. Would I enjoy Eric Karros harrumphing in confusion at the festivities? Less so, but fun can still be had in this scenario.
I would hope for a blowout in either direction to ensure that Nelson/Tim Neverett and Monday have no choice but to fill time by talking about it.
Will noted One Piece fan Shohei Ohtani enjoy the festivities? Probably. Regardless of whether you are going, want to go, want to flee, or you should flee, you cannot claim that you were not told.
PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 19: Nick Boyd #2 of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts while playing the High Point Panthers during the second half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors have signed undrafted free agent guard Nick Boyd out of Wisconsin to an Exhibit 10 contract, per ProMondo Sports (presumably his agency). Boyd was actually ranked higher in Sam Vecenie’s draft rankings for The Athletic than Warriors second-round pick Lajae Jones (53 vs. 99). Exhibit 10 deals are non-guaranteed but include small bonuses (less than $100,000) designed to incentive players to join a team’s G-League affiliate when they likely do not make the team. Exhibit 10 contracts primarily function to help NBA teams fill out their rosters, which expand to 21 in the offseason for summer league and the preseason. Each team is allowed up to six Exhibit 10 contracts. They may be converted to a two-way deal prior to the start of the regular season as well.
Boyd spent the first four years of his college career at Florida Atlantic, where he was recruited and played under new Dallas Mavericks head coach Dusty May. Boyd came off the bench as a freshman, but redshirted his sophomore year to focus on his development. He was the team’s starting point guard when he returned, helping them on their Final Four run in 2024. He saw his playing time decline the following season, however, and he transferred to San Diego State.
After one season as a floor general in the Mountain West, Boyd transferred to Wisconsin. In his lone season in a Power-Four conference, Boyd’s production exploded. He led the Badgers in scoring, averaging 20.7 points per game, while averaging 4.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game on 48.0%/36.5%/83.0% shooting. They finished the season 24-11 and ranked 25th in the final AP poll.
Vecenie describes Boyd as an “Undersized but crafty floor general who gets paint touches but is already 25.” Boyd is limited by a 6’1 frame and 6’2 wingspan and no elite tools. He is a solid driver and finisher for his size and has flashed above-average catch-and-shoot ability, but has struggled as a pull up shooter. He is a good passer with decent vision, but is not exceptional.
With LJ Cryer already on a two-way contract, it seems like Boyd would have an uphill battle to a two-way deal or roster spot unless the Dubs fail to sign another ball handler in free agency and opt to promote Cryer to the active roster.
The Cubs have played 40 home games, just short of half the season total of 81. (It would have been just above half if not for Sunday’s rainout at Wrigley Field.)
Here are some attendance numbers for the season to date.
The Cubs have sold 1,397,964 tickets for the 40 dates. That total ranks sixth in MLB, behind the Dodgers, Blue Jays, Padres, Phillies and Yankees. The per-date average of 34,949 ranks ninth, behind the Dodgers, Padres, Yankees, Blue Jays, Phillies, Giants, Mets and Braves, in that order.
The average is likely going to go up with better weather and a holiday weekend matchup coming up against the Cardinals. All of those games are likely sellouts. The somewhat low average for this time of year can be at least partly attributed to having to start the home season with five games in March and also to mostly lousy weather through April and May.
Here are two charts from BCBer Lifetime Cubs Fan, who’s been helping me out with these attendance posts for several years.
As you can see, the average attendance for the first 40 dates this year is below that for 2024 and 2025. Only 2023, when the team started out poorly and there was little postseason expectation, shows up below this year. Again, this average will likely increase for the rest of the season. However, to get to the three million mark, the Cubs would have to average 39,074 for the remaining 41 dates. That’s not impossible, but it would require a near-sellout for almost all the games. Most likely, the Cubs will not make it to three million tickets sold this year. They barely crossed it last year at 3,017,983. Before that, the last three million attendance season was 2019 (3,094,865).
Here are some pricing trends for Saturday games in the bleachers for the rest of the year.
One thing you’ll notice right away is that there are only six Saturday dates remaining. Three of them, though, are against opponents who should draw big crowds — two vs. the Cardinals and the Aug. 1 date vs. the Yankees, which, as you can see, is generating top prices on the secondary market. If the Cubs continue to contend, or perhaps even move closer to first place in the NL Central, the Saturday games against the Reds and Pirates might generate more interest.
The Saturday, July 18 game vs. the Twins is when the Cubs plan celebrations of the 2016 World Series champions, with quite a number of those players returning. As that date gets closer and the Cubs begin to promote it, I’d think that could also create more demand for tickets that day.
We’ll have another attendance update later in the season.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 10: Mitchell Parker #70 of the Washington Nationals pitches against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the ninth inning of a major league baseball game at Oracle Park on June 10, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
To say that the Nationals’ bullpen has been bad might be the understatement of the century. They’re not just struggling, they’re performing at a level so poor that they redefine the definition of a “bad bullpen”.
The group consistently posts some of the worst pitch-based metrics in Major League Baseball, continuously displaying its ineptitude in all facets of the game. Stranding inherited runners, missing bats, and even just the act of throwing statistically above-average pitches are all areas where Nats’ relievers have yet to find any semblance of success. For a team that has maintained its structural belief that a pitcher’s “stuff” is more important than the number on the radar gun, they have sure found a way for their entire bullpen to thrive in neither aspect.
MLB social media feeds have been flooded in recent days with videos, statistics, and discourse surrounding the pitiful Washington bullpen, highlighted by their back-to-back collapses against the division rival Philadelphia Phillies. The realization of how unprecedented the Nationals’ bullpen failures are has extended from the fanbase within the nation’s capital to that of all 30 clubs. You would be hard-pressed to find any major baseball social media company that isn’t at least mentioning how bad they have been in 2026.
The Nationals have had 46 save opportunities this season.
Through all the doom and gloom of the repeated blown saves and missed opportunities, however, the Nats sit 1 game above .500 and just 2.5 games back of a Wild Card spot, in a year where nobody thought they had even the slightest of chances to do anything meaningful.
I’m not here to tell you that the 2026 World Series will feature the Nats, and I’m not going to go on the record and make any guarantees about where they will stand in the playoff race after 162 games, but this is a franchise that was viewed by many as entering yet another rebuild mere months ago. The offensive surge powered by James Wood and CJ Abrams, combined with the leaps taken by offensive role players and crafty starters, has seen this team’s contending window go from a far-off dream to a reality that is getting closer by the day.
The feeling that these blown saves have put in the hearts of Washington fans is truly agonising, there’s no questioning that. Even in sadness, that feeling is one that the fanbase hasn’t felt in years. It’s not the begrudging acceptance of another year down the drain; it’s a byproduct of the hope that has been re-instilled and has thousands of fans living and dying with every game this team plays.
For every late-inning rally the bullpen gives up, there’s a 2-run home run by Curtis Mead to take a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the 6th and get Nationals Park rocking. For every unfathomable meltdown by a reliever, there are 7.1 sparkling innings by Foster Griffin to lower his ERA to 3.15 and earn his 8th win of the year.
The story of the 2026 Nationals is far from over, and maybe it does end up as being defined by a bullpen that sets MLB records for the worst reasons. But, at the exact halfway point of the 162-game regular season, I’m choosing to view this year’s narrative as one of belief and passion that could see this team playing meaningful baseball in October far sooner than most fans could have guessed just a short time ago.
The Hoffmann Family had their first press conference as owners of the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday morning.
David Hoffmann, Geoff Hoffmann, and Greg Hoffmann discussed a variety of topics, including their belief in Kyle Dubas and Dan Muse, the TV network situation, the ECHL affiliate situation, their goals for the Penguins, and so much more.
They're just two days removed from getting unanimous approval from the NHL's Board of Governors to buy the Penguins from Fenway Sports Group.
Here are three takeaways from their 20+ minute conversation with local reporters:
1. They are all in on Kyle Dubas
While the Hoffmann Family loves hockey, they recognize that Kyle Dubas is one of the top executives in the NHL and want him to have the final say. They want to give Dubas the support he needs to make whatever moves necessary to improve the team.
"Kyle, we think, is a particularly talented executive in the league, and that was one of the things that attracted us about making the investment, especially at this point in time," Geoff Hoffmann said. "We fully support him in his vision for the organization, and we're prepared to give him the resources that he needs to be as successful as we can possibly be as an organization."
Dubas is going into his fourth season as the general manager and president of hockey operations and is now an alternate governor of the Penguins. The new owners love the work that he has done and want to see it continue.
2. They are committed to Pittsburgh
Obviously, there's a very long and storied history with the Penguins in Pittsburgh, and the Hoffmann Family wants to see that continue under their watch. They told reporters that they are committed to the city and that the Penguins will be in Pittsburgh for a very long time.
"It is a storied franchise in a lot of different ways," Geoff Hoffmann said. "There's certainly been some ups and downs, I think, on the business side of the organization, and I'm here to tell you that has come to an end. We are long-term thinkers. This is not an investment for us, as you think about a financial investment. This is a commitment to a city. It's a commitment to an organization. The Penguins are going to be in Pittsburgh and always going to be in Pittsburgh as long as the Hoffmanns are part of it, and the Hoffmanns plan to be a part of this for generations to come."
"We are really well-positioned, not only to continue the trajectory that the organization is on currently, but to make the investments that are required to remain competitive and to create an incredibly special fan experience, which is something that we're focused on, too. We want this to be great for the community of Pittsburgh and for all of our fans."
This is an ownership group that's in it for the long haul and again comes across as a group of true hockey fans. They've built a lot of success with the ECHL's Florida Everblades and will now try to do it in the NHL.
3. The Penguins' ECHL affiliate is likely to change
This topic came up multiple times during the presser, and David Hoffmann confirmed toward the end that the family would "100%" like to see the Everblades become the Penguins' new ECHL affiliate.
"100%," David Hoffmann said. "I think they would run me out of Naples if they're not. We already have people wearing Penguins jerseys at our games, so I think the high expectation levels, that's going to happen. We want to do that."
Assuming that goes through, it would end the Penguins' affiliation with the Wheeling Nailers after 29 years. It's the longest active agreement between an NHL and ECHL team.
It's easy to win an opening presser, but I thought the family said all the right things and came across as really genuine. Now it's on them to back up their words with actions.
Knicks second-round draft pick Jack Kayil has earned nothing but praise from his peers overseas.
The Germany native has spent the past season with Alba Berlin, his hometown team, and was second on his team in points per game (12.3) and assists (3.5) at 19 years old.
His coach, Pedro Calles, though, was more impressed with his maturity and the way his leadership style commands respect from his teammates than his stats.
Jack Kayil, right, poses for a photo with NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum after being selected by the Houston Rockets in the second round of the NBA draft. AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura
“We are talking about a 19-year-old guy, but his mind and body aren’t those of a 19-year-old. This is the first thing that got my attention,” Calles told Basketball Champions League.
Fellow Alba Berlin guard Martin Hermannsson was also impressed with Kayil’s body at such a young age, saying his strength, athleticism and ability to get to the basket are special.
Kayil uses his 6-foot-5 frame to create separation from his defenders and sees the court as a playmaker.
“A big guard with real on-ball creation ability,” NBA Draft analyst Matt Babcock said. “If he develops more consistency as an outside shooter, it should help unlock the next level of his game.”
Jack Kayil of Alba Berlin dribbles against Neno Dimitrijevic of FC Bayern München during the Easycredit BBL Playoff Final Game 4 match between Alba Berlin and FC Bayern München at Max-Schmeling-Halle on June 19, 2026. Getty Images
This season, Kayil became the youngest to win the Basketball Bundesliga Best Young Player award, beating out established NBAers Franz Wagner and Dennis Schroder.
Despite the recognition, Hermannsson said Kayil just keeps working, always listening to anyone who offers advice and comes in early to practice to get individual work in.
“He’s not taking his talent for granted, and he’s not just thinking that everything will fall in his place,” Hermannsson said. “He’s really working for everything he has, and that will take him a long way.”
Kayil’s off-the-court qualities are what those around him seem to note first.
Alan Ibrahimagic, Germany’s coach at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, raved about Kayil’s personality and his ability to put basketball aside to connect with his teammates.
As team captain, Kayil helped lead Germany on a magical run to the tournament championship before falling to the United States.
That selflessness can, however, be a weakness for Kayil on the court, Ibrahimiagic said.
“Sometimes he’s a little bit too unselfish: he always tries to find another teammate before looking at himself. He could be a much better scorer than he is right now. But with that said, he’s one of the best two-way guards in Germany,” the German coach said.
NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum and Jack Kayil pose for a photo after being selected during the 2026 NBA Draft. NBAE via Getty Images
Along with knowing when to take the shot himself, both Hermannsson and Ibrahimiagic think Kayil would benefit from calming himself down in games. Something that should come with experience, the Alba Berlin guard said.
For as good at playmaking as Kayil was this year, he also led his team with 2.3 turnovers a game.
Ibrihimiagic also noted that if the game slows down for the Knicks’ second-round pick, it could improve his shot-making.
“He needs to get into the point guard mindset of running the team, controlling the next play, thinking always one step ahead: getting the ball to the ones who need it and getting others to the right spots, reading the game earlier and better,” Hermannsson says.
Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver announces the ninth pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. after he was selected by the Dallas Mavericks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
With the 2026 NBA Draft officially in the books, it’s time to round up the grades and see how the collective media thinks your Dallas Mavericks did. The Mavericks draft can best be described as perhaps, polarizing? Morez Johnson Jr., for how good he is, was not ninth on most boards (13th on the consensus board), leading to the fair assumption that Dallas reached on the pick. But, grabbing Sergio de Larrea where they did was a very shrewd move.
All in all, on our live show Tuesday night, I gave the Mavericks a C+ for the work they did. I almost feel as if an incomplete grade is more suitable for the work they did, however. The rest of the roster is awfully redundant with Johnson Jr., and to a degree, Cooper Flagg. There are still transactions that need to be done over the coming days and weeks, and until that’s done, it is a bit unfair to judge the front office. However, if the roster looks and is balanced this way in October, it’ll be a different conversation.
Now that my amateur grading is out of the way, let’s see how the assembled media graded the Mavs.
Our first shocker of the draft! The Mavericks just stole Dusty May away from Michigan, and now he’s bringing one of the top players from his national championship team to his new pro home. Johnson is super long and super strong, he’s an awesome play finisher, a good rebounder, and I believe he might be the best defender in the class. You can make the argument that his upside is capped because he’s a little short for a center, and he doesn’t yet shoot threes, but I think he’s a dog who is additive at either the four or the five. The Mavs just got a lot tougher around Cooper Flagg.
Sergio de Larrea: B
Tall pick-and-roll ball handler who can throw some really nice passes when he’s not sloppy with his turnovers. He shot it well this year, and gives the Knicks another guy who can run offense to take some pressure off Jalen Brunson. Update: De Larrea is going to Dallas.
Odds to win Rookie of the Year
The Fanduel Sportsbook currently has Morez Johnson at +10000 to win Rookie of the Year. Your favorites are Cam Boozer (+240), AJ Dybantsa (+400) and Darryn Peterson (+400). Are these odds telling you how good each of these guys will be as a pro? Perhaps not. But it is a good representation of what oddsmakers feel like they will produce in year one. If you had to pick someone to win, who would it be? And of Morez in particular, do you feel these odds are fair?
Hollinger’s analysis: Surprise! I’m a fan of Johnson but not quite at this level. I think his offensive limitations are a bit much to select him in the top 10 in such a strong draft. He also has some positional questions on this roster since the frontcourt is so loaded already. Shockingly, he goes ahead of his two Michigan teammates (Aday Mara and Lendeborg), both of whom most had rated higher throughout the draft cycle. Obviously, you wonder how much influence newly hired coach (and former Michigan head coach) Dusty May had on all this.
Sergio de Larrea: A
Hollinger’s analysis: I love this pick for Dallas. I had De Larrea in my top 15 and think teams slept on him while he was hugely productive in Spain the past two years. The Mavs gave up two seconds to move up from No. 30 and make sure they got him, which I see as a justifiable investment given the talent cliff that hit basically right after this pick. He’s a Bogdan Bogdanović-type guard with good size who can shoot and pass and should help Cooper Flagg whether he’s on or off the ball.
New Mavs coach Dusty May brings in a Michigan player to Dallas. Morez Johnson was one of the biggest winners of the combine, measuring bigger than expected with massive length, well-rounded athleticism, and simultaneously reaffirming the shooting gains we saw this year. Johnson is long and powerful with an NBA-ready body and rugged physicality to match. He is a two-way rebounder and a versatile defender who can not only guard ball-screens in multiple ways but also be switchable inside-and-out.
Johnson is not a creator and doesn’t project as being more than a complementary piece offensively. Shooting is also still largely unproven with a total of 12 3-pointers in two college basketball seasons. He can provide some secondary rim protection, but doesn’t project as a primary shot-blocker at the NBA level.
Sergio de Larrea: B
A big guard and advanced passer with excellent perimeter size, de Larrea has the potential to play multiple positions. He has a good feel for the game and ability to navigate and make reads off ball-screens. Dictates his own pace and rarely gets sped up. Made notable strides as a shooter and became a reliable floor-spacer, albeit with a fairly elongated release that is powered primarily through his upper body.
De Larrea has some athletic limitations that are exacerbated by playing upright with limited bend or flexibility in his body mechanics. He struggles to get all the way to the rim, especially in the half-court. Also a limited finisher in traffic. Relies on his size and IQ defensively, but has had similar struggles to hold his own on that end of the floor in EuroLeague play.
The single most important goal for Dallas this offseason was to give Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg a long-term running mate. By selecting Johnson, the Mavs added toughness, familiarity and size in a forward who played for new Mavs coach Dusty May last season at Michigan. There was debate about who would be the first Michigan player off the board, and it ended up being Johnson — who was one of the biggest risers of the draft cycle. But does he have the upside to justify the No. 9 pick? De Larrea, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard from Spain who played important minutes for a Valencia team that was one of the EuroLeague’s best, should fit well as a complementary piece around Flagg and Kyrie Irving. Lawal is a freakish athlete who can run the floor and finish at the rim. He will have to embrace a defensive identity to stick in the NBA.
The “Michigan Mavericks” added Johnson one day after hiring former Wolverines coach Dusty May.
Johnson’s relentless energy as a defender and rebounder was crucial to Michigan’s NCAA championship run, and he has tried to expand his scoring profile by experimenting with a 3-point shot.
If that progress sticks, this pick could look amazing in hindsight. Dallas desperately needed more young talent to reorient its roster around last year’s No. 1 pick, Cooper Flagg, and Johnson fits the bill as a player who can capitalize when defenses load up on Flagg.
De Larrea, a big guard who played professionally in Spain last season, and Lawal, a forward from Virginia Tech, fall into the flier category. May will have multiple years to turn around the Mavericks, but Tuesday was a good start.
Despite this likely being the Dallas Mavericks’ best chance to pair Cooper Flagg with a star given the ownership and swaps of their future first-round picks, the Mavs ignored their biggest need.
Flagg and Dereck Lively II should be viewed as the franchise’s frontcourt moving forward, especially if the latter can stay healthy. Dallas suffered from horrible guard play all year and needed a playmaker to help set the table for Flagg, not force him out of position.
Johnson, although a good defender, is limited offensively and is going to need to take a frontcourt spot. With Brayden Burries going one spot later and a run of four potential All-Star guards in front of them, the Mavs should have done all they could to move up a spot or taken the Arizona product instead.
De Larrea potentially fills this need, although he was talked about as a draft and stash option when the New York Knicks originally made the selection at No. 25. This was the Mavericks best chance to add a high-upside guard to grow alongside Flagg and they messed it up so new head coach Dusty May could take one of his Michigan players, a move that’s not going to age well.
Just a few days after the Bucks chose the Heat’s trade package for Giannis Antetokounmpo over the Celtics’ offer headlined by Brown, the Timberwolves traded for another player instead of Brown.
Celtics Jaylen Brown guarded by Mitchell Robinson. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
The Timberwolves acquired Ball and Josh Green for Naz Reid, one first-round pick and three first-round pick swaps and three second-round picks.
The Bucks’ previously opted for Miami’s offer built around young players and first-round draft picks over the Celtics’ package centered on Brown.
That Brown would be mentioned in another trade in such quick fashion only raises questions about whether he will be with the team come Opening Night this fall.
Boston President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens did not give a concrete answer on whether the guard would remain with the team earlier in the week.
The Timberwolves acquired LaMelo Ball over Jaylen Brown. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“Jaylen Brown is a big part of us,” Stevens told reporters Tuesday night. “I don’t want to predict the future. I look at it as this is our team.”
Brown shined this past season while serving as the team’s No. 1 option for most of the year with Jayson Tatum sidelined, calling it his favorite season of his career.
He finished fourth most in the NBA with 28.7 points per game.
Celtics Small Forward Jalen Brown Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
There is at least one possible trade partner that could still make sense for the Celtics, though.
The Celtics have long been interested in the Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley, according to SI’s Chris Mannix, and could use a good frontcourt presence to help deepen the roster.
Brown would provide Cleveland with another capable scorer alongside Donovan Mitchell and James Harden.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - JUNE 25: Victor Mesa Jr. #25 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates his home run against the Kansas City Royals in the dugout during the fourth inning of a baseball game at Tropicana Field on June 25, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Rays were looking to wrap up their four-game homestand against the Royals with a split series, and they would have to do it bright and early, so hopefully they all had their coffee before the game. The Rays had Casey Legumina in an Opener role on the mound, up against Seth Lugo for the Royals,
Legumina got things going with a three-up, three-down first. In the home half, the Rays wasted little time getting on the board. Jonathan Aranda got a one-out single, followed by a home run from Junior Caminero to set the tone for the game. Two outs followed, but the Rays had the early lead.
Legumina’s job was done after one out in the second, and Ian Seymour stepped in to take over the bulk innings role. He got the next two outs to send the Royals back to the dugout. In the home half, Victor Mesa Jr. made wise use of an ABS challenge to earn himself a walk, but he ended up stranded, and no runs scored.
The Royals went 1-2-3 again in the third, and if the Rays’ pitching staff keeps this up, it won’t matter how early this game started because it’ll be done by lunch. The Rays, meanwhile, went 1-2-3 themselves in the bottom of the inning.
By the fourth, it was starting to look like a bit of a pattern as the Royals once again went down in order. Cedric Mullins got a two-out single in the bottom of the inning, then stole second base. The Rays won another meaningful ABS challenge, this time a challenge by the Royals, sending Taylor Walls to first with a walk. Mesa Jr. then came out and like he wanted to get his opportunity back after being left on base in the second, he hit a three-run homer.
The Royals went three-up, three-down in the fifth. In the bottom of the inning, with two outs, Caminero came out and got his second home run of the game.
They weren’t done yet, though. Richie Palacios singled, then advanced to second on what feels like a made-up thing, but is a real rule, and got the free base thanks to a disengagement violation. It worked out great for the Rays, because Chandler Simpson then singled and brought Palacios home.
In the top of the sixth the Royals got their first baserunner of the game with a one-out walk to Starling Marte, but two quick outs followed to leave him stranded. Seth Lugo’s day was done for the Royals, probably for obvious reasons, and he was replaced by Matt Strahm, who came in and got the Rays out in order.
The Royals went 1-2-3 again in the seventh. The Royals dipped back into their bullpen for Connor Seabold, who gave up a leadoff double to Yandy Diaz, followed by a double to Aranda to score the runner and bump the score up to 8-0. Three outs in a row followed to end the inning.
In the top of the eighth the Royals went down in order. Seymour has looked incredible today, really dialled in, very in control. The Royals made another pitching change in the home half, bringing in Tyler Tolbert. He gave up back-to-back singles to Mullins and Taylor Walls. A groundout from Hunter Feduccia scored Mullins, and then a pinch-hitting Nick Fortes came in for Yandy Diaz and singled, scoring Walls. But if you thought the Rays were going to go easy on the Royals with a ten-run lead, think again. Aranda singled. Then Caminero, bless him, hit his third home run of the game.
Palacios snuck in with a single, but the Rays weren’t able to score any additional runs. The score heading into the ninth was 13-0.
Seymour’s day was done, fairly. He went 6.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K on 90 pitches. Craig Kimbrel came in from the bullpen and gave up a leadoff walk to Marte. Then with one out, the no-hitter that had lasted through 8.1 innings was over as Carter Jensen hit a two-run homer, ending both the no-hit bid and the shutout. Kimbrel got out of the inning with just the one slip-up, unfortunately it was a big one. The Rays still walked away with the win, though, and the series split 2-2.
Now that the 2026 NBA Draft is behind us, scouts and executives fully shift their evaluation focus to the 2027 NBA Draft and a new crop of players.
12 months away from when these prospects will actually hear their names called, it is nearly impossible to predict which players will emerge at the top of the next class. Experts feel the upcoming class is not nearly as loaded at the top as 2026 was with AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer.
However, there are still plenty of talented prospects who will soon make a name for themselves at the next level in college basketball and overseas.
