ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 10: Fans celebrate an Atlanta Braves score during the third inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Truist Park on April 10, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
70 out of 162 games down, and it’s safe to say the 2026 Atlanta Braves (46-24) have been a much-needed balm after the last few years of underperformance. The injury bug and occasional offensive outages are still lingering, but the divisional cushion and current position atop MLB make it hard to complain.
The first round of All-Star voting hasn’t even concluded yet (braves.com/vote, btw) and we’ve already had some incredible moments to look back on. Including, but not limited to:
THE Big Dom Smith Moment to date, his walkoff grand slam on opening weekend
Walt Weiss on the West Coast with the form tackle heard ‘round the world
Three (3) separate instances of Michael Harris II pinch-hit heroics
Ronald Acuña Jr.’s second HR of the season sailing over the Green Monster for a grand slam
Matt Olson’s first walk-off as a Brave
I went with a family member to their first Braves game since they moved from Turner Field to Truist Park recently and got to hear some of their favorite game moments and experiences in the old ballpark. I, in turn, got to share some of the homers I’ve been lucky enough to see with my own eyes (Ronald’s 40th to make it 40/40, his first pitch back from injury last year, etc).
We asked the good people of Battery Power for some of their in-person highlights and favorite moments, and the Feed delivered some gems.
Nothing like October baseball
Cheers for Chipper
Not wins, but special all the same
Literal history
In the immortal words of dril: “the crack of the bat. the scent of a verdant field. The excitement of the crowd. These are the things that piss base ball fans off the most”
Funny and somewhat true, we also love all those things (and miss them dearly from fall to February). In what non-baseball enjoyers call a “grind”, we see heroes and villains rise and fall, witness feats of athleticism previously unseen, and partake in a pastime rich with history and memory. Thanks for sharing yours with us, Braves Country – we hope there’s many more exciting ones to come for Atlanta this year and beyond.
It’s another loaded slate on the diamond Tuesday, June 16, and my favorite MLB same-game parlay predictions begin at the top of the docket with the Philadelphia Phillies topping the Miami Marlins.
My top MLB picks wrap up in the late window with the Athletics set to run up the score on the Pittsburgh Pirates at Sutter Health Park tonight.
I’m also expecting Philly stars Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper to lead the way offensively. Schwarber has teed off on righties to the tune of a .380 wOBA and .319 ISO, and Harper has been every bit as good with respective .415 and .301 marks.
The Mets rank eighth in baseball in xwOBA over the past two weeks, after all, and New York star Juan Soto has been automatic against righties with a .420 wOBA and .290 ISO since the beginning of the 2024 campaign.
Still, Singer has picked up five or more strikeouts in four of his past six starts with his strikeout percentage climbing to 20.9% after posting a 13.1% mark through his first seven outings, so I'd recommend this SGP down to +400.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Looking to help those in need and score free Pittsburgh Pirates tickets while you're at it? This week, you're in luck.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are holding their 30th annual blood drive June 16 through June 18, with additional dates to donate blood scheduled in August. Those who donate will get ticket vouchers for upcoming Pirates games.
When is the Pittsburgh Pirates 2026 blood drive?
The Pittsburgh Pirates are holding a blood drive several days this week, with additional dates scheduled in August. Here's when you can stop by PNC Park's press conference room to donate:
Tuesday, June 16: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, June 17: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday, June 18: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 26: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 27: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Do I need an appointment to donate at the Pittsburgh Pirates blood drive?
Walk-ins are welcome, but it's recommended to schedule an appointment to donate blood. You can register ahead of time through the Pirates' website.
What games do I get tickets for if I donate blood at the Pirates blood drive?
Blood donors will get a voucher for two tickets for regular home season games, with the exception of Friday and Saturday games.
The voucher can be redeemed online at the Pittsburgh Pirates' website.
Where do Pittsburgh Pirates blood drive donations go?
The Pirates partnered with Vitalant, a nonprofit organization that collects blood from volunteer donors and then provides those donations to hospitals around the country.
Finch Walker is the Pittsburgh Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Walker at FWalker@usatodayco.com. Instagram: @finchwalker_. X: @_finchwalker.
The Philadelphia Flyers have landed goalie Joseph Woll in a big deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Flyers have announced that they have acquired Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit from the Maple Leafs in exchange for Samuel Ersson, Emil Andrae, and a 2026 third-round pick.
It is no secret that the Flyers have been looking for a boost between the pipes. Now, they have gotten just that by acquiring Woll. He should form a nice tandem with Flyers breakout goalie Dan Vladar.
In 39 games this season with the Maple Leafs, Woll had a 15-16-7 record, an .898 save percentage, and a 3.34 goals-against average. This is after he had a .907 save percentage in 2023-24 and a .909 save percentage in 2024-25.
Woll was among the top goalies in the rumor mill early on this off-season. Now, the Flyers are the lucky team that has landed the 27-year-old. In 117 career NHL games, he has a 63-43-9 record, a .906 save percentage, and a 2.94 goals-against average. He also has a .906 save percentage in 14 career NHL playoff games.
With Benoit, the Flyers are adding a big defenseman who plays with a physical edge to their blueline. In 73 games this season with the Maple Leafs, the 6-foot-4 blueliner posted six assists, 114 blocks, and 194 hits.
BREAKING: We have acquired goaltender Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit from Toronto in exchange for goaltender Samuel Ersson, defenseman Emil Andrae and a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Questions about Ersson's future in Philadelphia had been coming up for a while due to back-to-back tough seasons. In 33 games this campaign with the Flyers, he had a career-worst .870 save percentage and a 3.12 goals-against average. Now, he will be looking to bounce back after being traded to Toronto.
Andrae appeared in a career-high 61 games this season for the Flyers, where he had two goals and 13 points. He also appeared in four playoff games for Philadelphia this spring, posting one assist. The 24-year-old defenseman will now be looking to break out after getting this fresh start with the Maple Leafs.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded goaltender Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for goaltender Samuel Ersson, defeneman Emil Andrae and a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL draft.
Ersson, 26, comes to Toronto following his worst campaign of his four-year NHL career, posting a .870 save percentage and a 3.12 goals-against average across 33 appearances for the Flyers.
Andrae is the key piece of this trade for the Maple Leafs. He is what Toronto needs after a disappointing year of missing the playoffs and poor performances in the Leafs' back end.
As a 24-year-old D-man, Andrae brings youth and speed to the Maple Leafs' sluggish, slow, old and heavy blueline. The departure of Benoit sacrifices some physicality, but it's replaced by Andrae's ability to advance the puck.
Andrae has just 104 games played across parts of three years in Philadelphia. He played 61 games and recorded two goals and 13 points last year, with a plus-15 rating and averaged 15:20 of ice time in the regular season.
He also made four appearances in the post-season for the Flyers, putting up one assist and an average ice time of just 11:05.
Woll has spent parts of the last five years with the Maple Leafs, featuring in a total of 117 regular-season appearances and averaging a .906 SP and a 2.94 GAA.
The 27-year-old goaltender is coming off a down year with the Leafs, registering a .899 SP and a 3.34 GAA. Those are his lowest numbers since he entered the NHL in 2021-22.
Though he has a history of injuries, he is a solid goaltender when healthy, and his previous campaigns is an example of that.
In 2024-25, he had a career year, posting .909 SP and a 2.73 GAA. It was the most action he's seen in one season, participating in 42 contests and starting in 41 of those. Therefore, despite a passing campaign that wasn't up to his standard, there is still a good goaltender there in Woll.
As for Benoit, he's been with the Maple Leafs for the last three campaigns, known for his physical edge on the back end.
He wasn't the greatest in terms of puck skills and advancing the puck forward, but in the role of a depth defenseman, Benoit got the job done.
The 27-year-old blueliner has played 352 NHL games, 215 of which were with Toronto. Last season, he recorded six assists, averaged 17:18 of ice time, and registered a minus-22 rating, the fifth lowest plus-minus on the team.
Benoit is entering the final year of his three-year deal, which sees him earn $1.35 million against the cap.
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Josh Inglis' expert pick: Mets vs. Reds - Over 9.5
Price: 53¢ (-113) at Polymarket
Let's take the Over at Great American Ballpark, which grades out as the second-best park for runs today, per Ballpark Pal, aided by a bit of wind blowing out to left field.
The Cincinnati Reds hung a 12-pack in the opener last night and could keep the offense rolling against New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga, who is making his first start since a spine/arm injury.
Senga was getting crushed before landing on the IL, allowing 17 runs over his final 8 1/3 innings across three starts. His fly ball rate has also spiked this season, which is never ideal in this park.
On the other side, Brady Singer owns one of the worst HR/FB rates in baseball, and his 4.9 K/9 at home is a massive drop from his 8.3 K/9 mark on the road. THE BAT projections make this fair closer to -164 with 11.82 projected runs.
Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
How to watch: SNY, Reds.TV
Jon Metler's expert pick: Cardinals moneyline
Price: 52¢ (-108) at Polymarket
One team has the star power and the bigger names, but the other side is offering the value.
The St. Louis Cardinals are trading at 52 cents, while I make them closer to 56, giving us enough edge to back them in this spot. Michael King takes the mound for the San Diego Padres, and he leans heavily on his sweeping slider, which generates a ton of horizontal movement and is particularly effective against right-handed hitters.
The problem for King is that St. Louis is expected to feature five left-handed bats, and that slider tends to break into their barrels rather than away from them. I also love the way the Cardinals are constructed offensively. Their ability to alternate left-handed and right-handed hitters throughout the lineup makes it difficult for a pitcher like King to establish a rhythm.
With the handedness constantly changing from one at-bat to the next, King's pitch sequencing and location become more difficult to establish, limiting the effectiveness of his best weapon while creating a favorable matchup for St. Louis.
Time: 7:45 p.m. ET
How to watch: TBS
Neil Parker's expert pick: Mets moneyline
Price: 53¢ (-113) at Polymarket
Singer has surrendered the second-highest blast contact rate with the seventh-highest xERA among starters with at least 50 innings this season, so I’m anticipating an improving Mets offense to have success at the dish tonight.
The Mets rank eighth in baseball in xwOBA over the past two weeks, after all, and Senga was in complete command while fanning nine batters across six innings in his latest rehab start with Double-A Binghamton.
Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
How to watch: SNY, Reds.TV
Joe Osborne's expert pick: Pirates vs. A's Over 10.5
Price: 54¢ (-117) at Polymarket
Everything points toward a slugfest tonight at Sutter Health Park.
Pittsburgh Pirates righty Mitch Keller is in the middle of a brutal stretch, allowing 18 earned runs across his last three starts while carrying an ugly 8.70 ERA over his last six outings.
The A’s counter with Jack Perkins, who's primarily worked out of the bullpen. He owns a 6.20 ERA and hasn’t pitched beyond 4 2/3 innings all season. That’s bad news, with both bullpens also struggling, each posting ERAs north of six over the last two weeks.
Add in an A’s offense ranked second in OPS during those two weeks, Pittsburgh’s 15-4 Over run, and 10 mph winds blowing out, and the Over is the clear play.
Time: 9:40 p.m. ET
How to watch: SportsNet Pittsburgh, NBC Sports California
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Jun 14, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras (24) bats during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Brewers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
We’re back with another Reacts Survey, and this week we’re asking fans about the upcoming All-Star Game in Philadelphia!
While it seems all but guaranteed that we’ll see Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski in the big game, we’re wondering which other Brewer you’d most like to see make an appearance. We’ve narrowed it down to fellow starting pitcher Kyle Harrison, outfielder Jackson Chourio, second baseman Brice Turang, first baseman/outfielder Jake Bauers, and catcher William Contreras.
Harrison, 24, is putting together the best year of his career, as he’s totaled 65 2/3 innings over 13 starts for Milwaukee, pitching to a 2.47 ERA, 3.05 FIP, and 80 strikeouts — and that’s including a blow-up appearance where he allowed eight runs in just 2 1/3 innings against the A’s in Las Vegas.
Chourio, 22, missed the first month-plus of the season, but he’s been better than ever since returning, as he’s hitting .322/.370/.572 with nine homers, 11 doubles, 26 RBIs, 27 runs, and five steals across 35 games. He’s also fresh off an NL Player of the Week selection, as he slugged five homers and drove in at least one run in each of Milwaukee’s six games.
Turang, 26, got out to a red-hot start but has cooled off a bit in recent weeks. Even so, he’s hitting .261/.378/.457 with 10 homers, 14 doubles, 42 RBIs, 53 runs, and 12 steals across 65 games while also providing above-average defense. After finishing in 14th place in last year’s MVP voting, it only seems deserving that he should be an All-Star for the first time in his career.
Bauers, 30, is having a bit of a breakout year, as he has 1.7 bWAR over 60 games, easily the best mark of his career. He’s hitting .276/.374/.519 with 13 homers, 12 doubles, 46 RBIs, 40 runs, and five steals, as he’s started to make a few more starts in the outfield as Pat Murphy tries to get both him and the red-hot Andrew Vaughn in the lineup.
Finally, Contreras, 28, continues to be a leader on this young Brewer squad. While he has just 1.3 bWAR, he’s still hitting .295/.352/.411 with six homers, 12 doubles, 43 RBIs, 39 runs, and a steal while providing veteran leadership and leading the league in ABS challenges (his 88 as a catcher easily outpace the second-place Edgar Quero, who has 68).
MLB provided a voting update yesterday, and while pitchers (like Miz and Harrison) aren’t eligible to be selected via votes, all four of the position players mentioned here are within shouting distance:
Chourio: 15th among outfielders at 252,264 votes (current sixth place: Jordan Walker at 437,071 votes)
Turang: second among second baseman at 373,656 votes (current second place: Bryson Stott at 399,729 votes)
Bauers: fourth among first baseman at 207,276 votes (current second place: Matt Olson at 802,848 votes)
Contreras: fourth among catchers at 303,240 votes (current second place: Will Smith at 662,883 votes)
Which of these five would you most like to see in July’s All-Star Game? Weigh in below and stay tuned for results later this week!
On Tuesday, the Chicago Blackhawks and the NHL Alumni Association sadly announced the death of Kyle Calder, who played a decade in the NHL for five teams in total. His first and longest tenure was in Chicago, where he played in 359 games over parts of six seasons.
In those games with the Blackhawks, Calder had 85 goals & 125 assists for 210 points. For being a 5th-round pick (130th overall) in the 1997 NHL Draft, he sure carved out a nice career for himself.
Following his tenure with Chicago, he had stints with the Philadelphia Flyers, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Anaheim Ducks before retiring in 2010. Calder finished with 114 goals, 180 assists, and 294 points in 590 games played.
Danny Wirtz, the Chairman and CEO of the Blackhawks, had this to say about Calder following the tragic loss:
“The Chicago Blackhawks mourn the loss of Kyle Calder and extend our deepest condolences to Kyle's family during this extremely difficult and tragic time. Kyle approached life with the same passion, intensity and incredible dedication that defined his play. His commitment to the game remained strong long after his professional career ended, sharing his love for hockey with all generations of players through his work with Little Blackhawks, local youth teams and the Chicago Blackhawks Alumni Association. While Kyle's time with us was far too short, I'm comforted in knowing his legacy will live on for many years to come.”
The cause of death is not yet known. He was 47 years old.
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BOSTON, MA - MARCH 14: Trae Young #3 of the Washington Wizards looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics on March 14, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Trae Young is back in trade rumors just five months after the Washington Wizards acquired him.
Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported on Monday that while the expectation remains that Young will find a long-term deal with the Wizards, several teams, including the Miami Heat, are considering trade avenues to acquire the four-time All-Star guard.
While the expectation remains that Trae Young will find a new, longer-term agreement with the Wizards, sources say several teams — including Miami — are considering trade avenues to add the four-time All-Star guard, while Washington mulls its decision regarding next week’s No. 1…
This comes as the Heat continue attempts to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo — a player who’s also being targeted by the Boston Celtics.
Fischer said Young is another “big fish” target for Miami if it cannot land Antetokounmpo. Kawhi Leonard and Ja Morant were also listed as options for Miami.
Young maintained last week on “The Pivot” podcast that he wants to remain in Washington and take the team’s young core to the next level. However, a move is possible if the price is right.
It remains likely that Young signs a multi-year extension to stay with the Wizards. But if that plan fails, there are a few ways this could play out.
Sign and trade
Miami is a peculiar organization.
It seems every offseason, the Heat is involved in trade negotiations for a star player, yet never actually land said star player. Wizards fans lived this in 2023 when Miami was the frontrunner to land Bradley Beal before the Phoenix Suns swooped in and acquired him.
Reports indicate that this could happen again with Antetokounmpo, which would open Miami as a possible suitor for Young.
Fischer reported that teams would consider “trade avenues” to specifically add Young and didn’t mention the possibility of Young exploring his options in free agency. For a trade to work, Young would either have to opt in to his $48.9 million player option or opt out, become an unrestricted free agent and sign a deal with Washington before the sides initiated a sign and trade, which is the more likely option.
Miami has several large salaries that would need to be included in a potential Young trade. That doesn’t include Bam Adebayo’s $49.5 million salary because Pat Riley said Miami is never trading its star center. That leaves Tyler Herro ($33 million) and Andrew Wiggins ($30 million) as trade pieces.
One of those two players must be included for monetary reasons.
Herro has one year and $33 million remaining on his rookie extension. Wiggins has a $30.1 million player option for the 2026-27 season that he would have to opt into to initiate a trade.
Herro, the younger and more talented of the two, makes more sense for Washington. But that doesn’t necessarily make sense for Miami, because a Young-Adebayo duo isn’t much better than a Herro-Adebayo duo. And if the Heat trade Herro, they’re essentially replacing him with Young and running back a roster that went 43-39 and missed the playoffs last season.
That’s why shedding Wiggins’ salary makes more sense for Miami. But if the Wizards take on the $30.1 million expiring contract of a 31-year-old forward who doesn’t fit their timeline, they would likely require additional compensation.
Enter the No. 13 pick, which, if attached to a player like Wiggins in a potential sign-and-trade for Young, could prove enticing enough for Washington.
If the package is Wiggins’ expiring salary plus the No. 13 pick for Young, that means the Wizards essentially turned CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert into a lottery pick, which would be incredible asset management.
Could Young leave in free agency?
Fischer noted that the renewed interest in Young could position him to command a salary on his next deal “approaching the similar maximum contract he enjoyed with Atlanta,” which was a five-year, $215 million deal.
Trae Young, sources say, is among the crop of “big fish” backup targets for the Heat if Miami cannot land Giannis Antetokounmpo, in addition to Kawhi Leonard and Ja Morant.
The renewed interest in Young could well have the current Wizards guard in position to command a salary… https://t.co/8suo676TZj
This signals Young’s camp could use the renewed interest as leverage in extension talks with the Wizards. However, Young only maintains that leverage if the alternative to an extension is him opting out and signing as a free agent with the Heat or another team.
The issue is that it’s unlikely Miami can afford Young on a salary close to the maximum contract he was on in Atlanta, or the maximum contract — $212.9 million over four years — he can sign as a free agent this summer, if they keep both Wiggins and Herro.
Miami currently has ~$33 million in luxury tax space. They are ~$40 million under the first apron and ~$52 million under the second apron.
Factoring in the projected salary for the No. 13 pick, which is $5.7 million at 120% of the rookie scale, Miami falls to just $27.3 million under the luxury tax, $34.3 million under the first apron and $46.3 million under the second apron.
If Young opts out and signs with Miami on a similar deal to the one he signed with Atlanta, the Heat would not only be above the luxury tax but would also creep above the first apron and flirt with reaching the second apron.
Washington could lose Young for free if he opts out and signs elsewhere, but that remains unlikely. That’s why a trade, as Fischer mentioned, is the more likely avenue if a team like Miami attempts to acquire Young.
Why Young’s departure remains unlikely
The most likely avenue remains Young reaching a multi-year extension to stay with the Wizards.
Wizards general manager Will Dawkins said the team acquired the All-Star guard to be their floor general. And Young has maintained his desire to be in Washington. He said last week he wanted to come to the Wizards when he discovered he would be traded.
Trae Young said he wanted to come to the Wizards when he discovered he would be traded last season.
“I wanted to go [to Washington]. It’s not like [Atlanta] just shipped me to Washington. Because that wasn’t the case.”
Young has a June 23 deadline to exercise his $48.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season. That falls on the same day of the NBA Draft, where Washington owns the No. 1 pick.
Clarify will emerge over the next week on not only Young’s future but also Washington’s future as a monumental decisions remains at No. 1.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JUNE 09: Luis García Jr. #2 of the Washington Nationals bats during the game between the Washington Nationals and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Bryan Kennedy/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
We have talked a lot about the Nats offense this season, and for good reason. Between the star duo of James Wood and CJ Abrams, as well as supporting pieces like Curtis Mead, Jacob Young and Daylen Lile, the boys have gotten a lot of love here. However, one player I have not talked much about is Luis Garcia Jr., and I want to change that.
He has flown under the radar this year, but since the start of May, Garcia has been one of the Nats best run producers. Garcia has 29 RBI since the start of May, and 23 of those have come since May 24th. He always seems to come through with runners on base, and has been a great combination of contact and power in this Nats lineup.
Luis García Jr. has 23 RBI since May 24, tied for the most in Major League Baseball. pic.twitter.com/K9JykCRTWy
— Nationals Communications (@NationalsComms) June 16, 2026
After a rough April, questions loomed about Garcia’s future with the team. Yohandy Morales and Abimelec Ortiz’s performances in AAA put the pressure on Garcia, who moved to first base this year. However, in May he hit .288 with an .818 OPS. In June, his average is only .222, but 7 of his 10 hits have been XBH, which is why he has an .833 OPS.
At this point, we know who Luis Garcia Jr. is. He has a unique blend of contact skills and power. However, his awful approach prevents him from being a truly great hitter. That has remained the case this season, with Garcia chasing 42% of the time and walking just 3.4% of the time. Despite a solid .259 batting average, his OBP is just .283.
Just because he does not walk does not mean he is a bat hitter. Garcia still has an OPS in the mid .700’s and is on pace for 22 homers and over 100 RBI. The lack of plate discipline is quite frustrating, but that is just part of the package at this point. His ability to hit some of those bad balls makes it more palatable.
Luis García Jr. is on pace for his first 20+ home run season.
From a pure WAR perspective, Garcia is nothing special. He has 0.3 fWAR and 0.6 bWAR. His bat is slightly above average and he does not provide much value in the field or on the bases. However, his ability to drive in runners and be a presence around the Nats star duo does give him some value.
Another thing that Garcia has been doing to give him value comes off the field. When you are around the team, you can tell that Garcia is one of the leaders. Despite having just turned 26, Garcia is the longest tenured Nat and one of the veterans in the clubhouse. He debuted as a 20 year old back in 2020, so he has seen a lot in the league at this point.
One thing Garcia seems to do well is keep the guys loose. He always has a smile on his face, and is one of those guys that realizes baseball should be fun. Garcia is always chatting at the end of the bench and is the ringleader in the Nats new sunflower seed home run celebration.
While the leadership is great, you do need to provide value on the field. The best way Garcia does this is by driving in runs. He has been money in big moments. With the bases loaded, Garcia Jr. is 7/12 this season with 18 RBI. His average with RISP is all the way up at .317.
Garcia does not try to do too much with runners in scoring position. Rather, he just wants to get the bat on the ball and find green grass. He only has one homer with RISP, but he always seems to come through with that RBI single that scores two runners. That is exactly what he did last night.
I am still not sure if Garcia is in the Nats long term plans. His lack of plate discipline or defense really cuts into his value. However, he has been a solid ball player this year, especially since the start of May, where he has an .823 OPS. Garcia hits the ball very hard and makes a ton of contact. Even with his warts, there is value in that profile, especially with runners in scoring position.
CINCINNATI — Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz could go on a rehab assignment this weekend if the next couple of days go according to plan.
De La Cruz — who has been sidelined since June 1 due to a right hamstring strain — ran the bases and took some infield grounders before a night’s game against the New York Mets. He will run the bases again before a final decision is made.
Manager Terry Francona said the likely rehab assignment would be to Triple-A Louisville, which is at Gwinnett. The Reds’ Single-A affiliate in Dayton also is on the road.
“I mean Triple-A is always probably the best because of competition, but trying to work through just what’s the easiest,” Francona said.
De La Cruz left the May 31 game against the Atlanta Braves with right hamstring tightness after he had a base hit in the fifth inning. He had a streak of appearing in 276 consecutive games snapped, the sixth-longest streak for a Reds player in the expansion era (since 1961). His streak began on July 30, 2024.
Before going on the injured list, De La Cruz was batting .280 with 12 home runs.
“We’ve talked to him several times because the one thing I don’t want him to ever feel is one that we’re not listening to him and two that we don’t want him to play. We’re dying for him to play,” Francona said. “I just don’t think you can do what’s right when it’s convenient. That’s the best way and I think down deep, I think he understands. I just think he wants to play desperately and I respect that a lot. He really just wants to play.”
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - JUNE 09: Aroldis Chapman #44 of the Boston Red Sox walks on the field prior to the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Alex Zadorozny/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Sean McAdam, one of the most experienced reporters on the Red Sox beat, recently wrote that it was “nearly impossible” to imagine Craig Breslow surviving this season as the Red Sox CBO. While that certainly feels true at this juncture, he is only third on this list of front office executives facing the most pressure leading up to this year’s trade deadline. (Buster Olney, ESPN)
What’s so interesting about Breslow’s precarious job security is that he can point to many offseason moves that have unquestionably been smashing successes. The Willson Contreras trade is foremost among them, as Contreras is on pace to hit 38 homers, obliterating his previous career-high of 24. “I’m not looking to put the pressure on myself to get to 30 [home runs], or to get to some number,” he said. “[T]here’s still a lot of season left, but I feel good at the plate, try to make contact, and if I get to 30, thank God.” (Avery Hill, Boston Globe)
Another move that’s worked out is Wilyer Abreu getting at-bats against left-handed pitching. His success is not a coincidence. “Five or six days per week, November into February, he practiced by initially using little more than a traditional pitching machine. Instead of putting the machine on the mound, he shaded it off to the first base side “to exaggerate the angle” of a real lefthanded pitcher. ‘As close as I can, literally behind my back,’ he said. ‘Try to work the angle.” (Tim Healey, Boston Globe)
But despite the success they’ve had this season, neither Contreras or Abreu is going to start the All-Star Game. In fact, with the first round of voting under way, no Red Sox player is even close. (Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald)
If Craig Breslow does decide to sell at the deadline, who are the Sox’ most likely trading partners? Look to the Padres as a good fit for Jarren Duran and the surprising White Sox as a good fit for Sonny Gray and Aroldis Chapman, says one analyst. (Jim Bowden, The Athletic)
But while Gray, Chapman, and possibly Contreras are already considered to be amongst the biggest potential prizes of the trade deadline, some executives are pushing back on the idea that the Red Sox will get a haul for any of them. “I think a lot of these players have a chance to be difference makers, but here would be my questions if acquiring any of them,” one NL executive said. “You have to treat Sonny and Aroldis as one-year deals, and that’s a big buyout. Would you pay Sonny $20 million for the rest of this year? Aroldis will almost certainly opt out…Duran would be a sell-low [option] at this point; he has struggled to hit even though he has had some power.” (Mark Feinsand, MLB.com)
But don’t talk to Sonny Gray about being traded. He says he’s not remotely paying attention to any of that:
NEW YORK — The NHL is beginning an investigation into Mike Babcock’s resignation as coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets in September 2023 before he coached a game for them, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the investigation is being done privately. All coaching hires are subject to league approval.
The Players’ Association requested the investigation after word emerged that the Edmonton Oilers were interested in hiring Babcock. The league wanted to wait until after the Stanley Cup Final ended before delving into it, and that happened with Carolina defeating Vegas for the title.
Babcock resigned from the Blue Jackets less than three months after taking the job. At the time, Babcock’s requests for personal photos from players in an attempt to get to know them drew criticism as an invasion of privacy.
The union reviewed the situation, but the NHL dropped its planned investigation of the situation when Babcock stepped down.
Babcock, who turned 63 on April 29, has not coached a game in the league since being fired by Toronto 23 games into the 2019-20 season. He coached Detroit to the Stanley Cup in 2008, reached the final with the Red Wings in ’09 and Anaheim in ’03, and helped Canada win back-to-back Olympic gold medals in 2010 and ’14.
Once considered one of the best in the profession, former players have spoken out about Babcock’s old-school tendencies that some say can be considered bullying.
A report surfaced after the Maple Leafs fired Babcock that he had asked a player to share his ranking of teammates from hardest- to least-hardest working and then shared that with the rest of the group. Former Red Wings player Johan Franzen told a Swedish outlet that Babcock was the worst person he had ever met and said at one point he was terrified to go to the rink.
The Oilers are looking for a replacement for Kris Knoblauch after firing him following their first-round playoff exit, despite back-to-back trips to the final before that. They asked Vegas for permission to speak to recently fired coach Bruce Cassidy, but the Golden Knights rejected that request because he remains under contract through next season.
A patch on the sleeve of batter Spartanburger catcher Malcolm Moore (27) before the game with the Hub City Spartanburgers and Winston Salem Dash at Fifth Third Bank Field in Spartanburg, S.C. July 4, 2025. | Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Malcolm Moore, the Texas Rangers’ first round draft pick in 2024, has been promoted from high-A Hub City to AA Frisco, it was announced today.
Moore, a 22 year old catcher, had a disappointing 2025 season, as he slashed .195/.300/.276 on the year, primarily at high-A Hub City, while missing time due to a fractured thumb. He also played 17 games in the Arizona Fall League, slashing .231/.275/.328.
Moore returned to Hub City to start the 2026 season and initially got off to a slow start before heating up. He has slashed .300/.387/.542 in 217 plate appearances for Hub City this year, with 10 homers, 20 walks and 42 Ks while throwing out 33% of baserunners. He joins fellow 2024 draftees Dylan Dreiling, Rafe Perich, Keith Jones II, Dalton Pence, Eric Loomis and Joey Danielson on the Frisco roster.
The Roughriders have an 11 a.m. game today, and I would guess Moore will be in the lineup.
King has compiled a 7.64 xERA and 6.81 FIP across his last two starts while allowing an alarming 2.84 home runs per nine innings. He also owns a 38.6% hard-hit rate during the last month.
St. Louis should generate offense against King, while Pallante is well positioned to keep a struggling Padres lineup in check.
I'll play this pick up to -130.
COVERS INTEL: The Cardinals have an impressive 48.7% hard hit rate over their last seven games, suggesting this matchup against a struggling King is a perfect spot to keep raking.
Padres vs Cardinals Over/Under pick: Under 8.5 (-125)
Despite King's recent struggles, he's worked into the sixth inning in three consecutive starts, limiting the amount of bullpen exposure.
San Diego's relief corps has been elite, posting a 2.30 ERA and 3.36 FIP over the last week while allowing just 0.66 home runs per nine innings.
As for St. Louis, Pallante typically pitches into the fifth or sixth inning. While the relief corps owns a 4.46 xERA over the last two weeks, the unit enters extremely well-rested after Dustin May threw a shutout on Monday.
Run line: Padres -1.5 (+170) | Cardinals +1.5 (-186)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 (+113) | Under 8.5 (-117)
Padres vs Cardinals trend
The Padres have hit the Under in 24 of their last 40 games (+6.50 Units / 15% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Padres vs. Cardinals.
How to watch Padres vs Cardinals and game info
Location
Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
Date
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
First pitch
7:45 p.m. ET
TV
TBS
Padres starting pitcher
Michael King (4-5, 3.46 ERA)
Cardinals starting pitcher
Andre Pallante (7-4, 3.88 ERA)
Padres vs Cardinals latest injuries
Padres vs Cardinals weather
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COVERS INTEL: The Cardinals have an impressive