Nilan re-shared a photo from Monday of the two inside Montreal’s Bell Centre ahead of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final series between the Canadiens and Hurricanes.
“You never know when you’re going to see someone for the last time Rest in Peace MonAmi,” Nolan posted, with the last word translating to “my friend” in French.
Nilan and Lemieux played together on the Canadiens for four-plus seasons, beginning in the 1983-84 season until the 1988 trade that sent Nilan to the Rangers.
They helped the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup in 86, the only Cup Nilan won in his career and one of four Lemieux enjoyed in his 21 seasons.
It appeared the two remained friendly 40-plus years later, with Nilan originally posting Monday the photo from Game 3 featuring the two sandwiching former teammate Sergio Momesso.
Claude Lemieux carries the torch in the opening ceremony of Game Three of the Eastern Conference Final between the Canadiens and the Hurricanes at the Bell Centre on May 25, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. NHLI via Getty Images
One of his sons found him around 3 a.m. in the warehouse of the Lake Park, Fla. furniture store owned by Lemieux and his wife Deborah — Andros Home, per wpbf.com — after those close to him became worried that he had not come home, according multiple outlets.
Lemieux began his career with Montreal before heading to the Devils and then the Avalanche, winning two and one Cups with the franchises, respectively — and also played for the Coyotes, Stars and Sharks.
Lemieux and Nilan as part of the Canadiens’ 1987-88 roster. New York Post
He scored 379 goals and tallied 407 assists in 1,215 career games.
“Today is a dark day for the Canadiens family and the entire hockey community. I wish to express my most sincere and deepest condolences to Claude’s family and loved ones,” the Canadiens said via Geoff Molson, the owner and CEO of Groupe CH. “A fierce competitor who rose to the occasion in big moments, Claude was a relentless, courageous, and tenacious player who led the team to the highest honors. He embodied the very essence of being a Montreal Canadiens player. Today we mourn the untimely passing of one of our champions. Our thoughts are with his family on this difficult day.”
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for free and confidential crisis counseling.
It’s no secret that the White Sox only resumed their winning ways after Munetaka Murakami suited up for them. | (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
As the most recent member of the 20 jacks club, Munetaka Murakami has proven that he’s the real deal. As the first rookie ever to blast 20 homers before June, Murakami quickly progressed from winning over White Sox fans’ hearts to gaining national traction. In less than two months, his name is already getting thrown around with Kyle Schwarber, Yordan Alvarez and Aaron Judge in home run champion conversations.
Although the Sox have cleared the .500 bar, it’s much easier and more tempting to focus on the future than bask in a present where the Cubs are fighting to stay out of the NL Central cellar. Even two months out from the trade deadline, the biggest question still remains: What does Murakami’s future on the South Side look like now that it’s clear his big-league career isn’t going to peter out anytime soon?
Least Desirable and Least Likely: Traded at the Deadline No matter the return, losing Murakami in July would be the biggest blow to the team and fans.
Murakami appears to be outplaying his 1.8 WAR in multiple ways. He’s the AL leader in runs scored (42), at-bats per home runs (9.8), and home runs (20, of course), while sitting in the Top 5 for qualified AL hitters for a number of categories:
Slugging percentage (.561)
OPS (.936)
RBIs (40)
Walks (42)
Putouts (380)
Range factor per nine innings (8.44) at first base
Even if his production level isn’t steady for the rest of the season, the Sox won the first Crosstown series at home thanks to two Murakami tanks, so the first $17 million of his contract has already paid itself off. Clearing Murakami’s locker from the clubhouse wouldn’t kill the vibe or run production, but it would significantly stunt it.
Plus, there’s no reason to be greedy. Stocking up on Triple-A players when the Sox currently have four Top 100-ranked prospects and two highly-underrated players in Jacob Gonzalez and Ben Peoples isn’t just stingy, it’s illogical.
Jerry Reinsdorf can’t avoid the truth: Chicago can’t afford to lose Murakami before 2028.
Most Lucrative and Least Expected: Contract Extension While Murakami may not garner the same degree of international following, keeping him in a Sox uniform would be the most lucrative option for the front office.
Murakami has undoubtedly been the best free agent investment the White Sox have made since perhaps the beloved Jermaine Dye in 2004. The Japanese Babe Ruth has played a significant role in increasing the Sox’s average game attendance by 12% (roughly 2,300 fans). White it may seem small, attendance revenue exponentially increases with each attendee. Taking Capitol City Now’s $62.37 estimated cost per fan per game, the estimated revenue from those 2,300-ish fans is roughly $145.5k, and that’s excluding merchandise sales. With Murakami’s salary sitting at about $105k per game he plays this season, the increase in attendance more than covers his bat in the lineup. Factoring in increased merchandise sales and media sharing revenue from international and domestic fans, the front office is sitting on a decent financial cushion that grows with each game the Sox win.
Keeping average attendance the same, the Sox can afford to pay him $23.5 million AAV. For a guy that could potentially lead the Sox to a winning season, it’s hard to see why the Sox wouldn’t cough up another $3.5 million and replace Murakami with Andrew Benintendi’s contract that expires in 2027.
Even with a 32.% strikeout rate and just over 42% whiff rate, the Sox aren’t getting shortchanged on Murakami. Until he proves otherwise, there’s no incentive or motivator to not give him an extension.
Most Expected: No Contract Extension Fans are already begging future Sox owner Justin Ishbia to keep Murakami on the team beyond 2030, but one can only keep their head in the clouds for so long. Coming back to earth, Murakami will serve his two years while Sox fans soak up every moment of it before the Dodgers or Yankees swoop in winter 2027 and snag him for $250 million over seven years. But is this really a horrible outcome?
Barring significant injuries or a multi-month slump, Murakami’s price will inevitably be high heading into free agency. Because there are too many salary uncertainties surrounding free agency with the new CBA negotiations underway, it’s safe to assume that the Sox won’t be able to meet Murakami’s asking price, even if there’s a salary floor. Best-case scenario, the Sox drop more than $30 million on a guy that can’t hit better than .220 and whose home run output tampers to 20 in one season. Worst-case scenario, Murakami becomes the next Luis Robert Jr. and misses more than half of the season from injuries. And we all know how that one is going.
When the 2026 MLB Draft begins July 13 in Philadelphia ahead of the All-Star Game, UC Santa Barbara right-handed pitcher Jackson Flora is expected to be one of the first names taken off the board.
That moment will launch his professional career, which will likely begin in late July or early August, once he signs, either at his new team's spring training complex or rookie ball, or even both.
Fans still have some time to watch and scout the projected top-5 pick at the collegiate level, as the 6-5 right-hander has helped lead UC Santa Barbara to the NCAA Baseball Tournament.
Flora has taken a big jump in his development this season, transforming into one of the top pitching prospects at the mid-major level while also taking on a larger workload on the Gauchos' pitching staff, which is top 10 in ERA and WHIP.
He enters the postseason 11-0 in 15 starts (two complete game shutouts) with a nation-leading 1.05 ERA. A semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, the highest individual honor handed out in college baseball, Flora has 124 strikeouts this season and has held opponents to a .169 batting average in 94 1/3 innings of work.
Here's what to know about Flora's MLB draft projections and more as UC Santa Barbara competes in the Austin Regional of the NCAA Baseball Tournament this weekend:
Jackson Flora MLB draft projections
Flora is projected to be a first-round draft pick by MLB draft analysts.
Here's a breakdown of exactly where MLB draft analysts have Flora being taken:
MLB Pipeline has Flora as the No. 4 overall prospect and the No. 1 pitching prospect in the upcoming MLB draft.
His fastball has a 70 scouting grade — an individual tool used with the MLB draft, where players are graded on a scale of 20-80 in different categories — according to MLB Pipeline. Flora's other scouting grades include a 55 for his slider, his changeup and command. He has an overall scouting grade of 60, which Major League Baseball defines as "above average."
As noted by USA TODAY, the scouting grades assigned to a player are usually based on what the player will eventually develop into rather than where they stand at the time of being drafted or early on in their professional career.
"Flora's combination of size and arm strength should intrigue most teams. The 6-foot-5 right-hander already offers premium velocity, with a fastball that sits in the 96-97 mph range and regularly touches triple digits, with good shape, carry and armside ride to it. He'll employ two different sliders, both of which can flash plus. There's a slower 78-81 mph sweeper with a lot of horizontal depth and also a harder, more gyro-like traditional slider, thrown 86-89 mph. He has plus feel to spin and just needs to gain a little bit more consistency with shape. His hard changeup is coming along, a kick change with downer splitter depth that now flashes plus.
"A solid strike-thrower who maintains his velocity, Flora might not have the same feel to pitch Bremner had, but he's more physical than his predecessor. He's posting every week for the Gauchos and has separated himself more than any college arm in the class, so he should fly off the board early in the first round."
Jackson Flora stats
Here's a year-by-year look at Flora's stats at UC Santa Barbara:
2024: 3-2 record with a 3.82 ERA and five saves in 47.0 innings pitched with 40 strikeouts and 25 walks
2025: 6-3 record with a 3.60 ERA in 75.0 innings pitched with 86 strikeouts and 17 walks
2026: 11-0 record with a 1.05 ERA in 94 1/3 inning pitched with 124 strikeouts and 30 walks
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 17: The Athletics mascot Stomper watches the baseball game between the Athletics and the San Francisco Giants at Sutter Health Park on May 17, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Somewhat of a big deal has been made of the fact that the Yankees have built up their solid record so far mostly on the back of below .500 teams. That leaves them somewhat in an interesting conundrum this weekend. This weekend the Yankees will face the Athletics, who come in at 27-29. A Yankees’ series win would send the former Oaklanders further under .500. An A’s series sweep would get them back above .500, but would continue to hamper the Yankees’ record against those teams.
Just on position alone, this would be a solid series victory for the Yankees, should they get it. The Athletics are in second in the AL West, it’s just that no one in that division has exactly been impressive this season. However as we saw in New York a couple weeks ago, the A’s are a perfectly solid team with some good players capable of doing damage.
Before the action gets going later tonight, here’s a look at the expected pitching matchups for this weekend.
Friday: Carlos Rodón vs. Luis Severino (9:40 pm ET)
Rodón’s still only made three starts since coming off the injured list, but he is coming off his best one so far, allowing just one run in five innings against the Blue Jays. His main issue this season has been walks, and those were still an issue for him, as he issued three. In fact, he’s only allowed eight hits in 13 innings, and has struck out 17, so if he can cut back on the walks, he could really be cooking.
For the season, Sevy’s numbers grade out as a bit better than average, but he’s had his ups and downs. That being said, other than a bad outing against the Giants on May 16th, he’s had more ups than downs. Since April 24th, he has a 2.92 ERA and a 3.37 FIP over his last six starts.
Saturday: Ryan Weathers vs. J.T. Ginn (10:05 pm ET)
After a rough spring training and an up and down first couple outings, Weathers has gotten into a zone and his acquisition is starting to look like a very good one. Following one outing where he flirted with a no-hitter, Weathers shutout the Rays for seven innings last Sunday, eventually allowing Aaron Judge to hit a walk-off homer. He’s only allowed more than two runs in an outing once in the last month and a half, and he has a 2.48 ERA in that time.
Ginn is in his third season in the big leagues, and while the first two were both below par, he’s been very good so far in 2026, posting a 3.19 ERA. That being said, he can run into some trouble with walks. In his last start, he lasted just 2.1 innings despite not actually giving up a hit. That’s because he managed to issue six free passes in that time and was already over the 70 pitch mark.
Sunday: Will Warren vs. TBD (4:05 pm ET)
A major reason that the Yankees’ rotation has been one of, if not the tops, the best in baseball is that they’ve gotten good production out of the backend arms like Weathers and Will Warren. Only once this season has he given up more than three earned runs in a game. (Slight asterisk on that, as there was a game in which he allowed four, all just ended up scored unearned.) One negative you could jot down is that even in a good run throughout May, his longest outing is just 6.1 innings. That’s still a perfectly solid start, but he does tend to nibble a bit, occasionally leading to his pitch count knocking him out earlier than his numbers could suggest.
The A’s haven’t announced any starter for Sunday at time of writing. Starter Aaron Civale recently hit the injured list with a shoulder injury, leading to the A’s needing to shuffle some things around. Jacob Lopez has nine starts on the season, with the most recent being back on May 19th, so he seems like a potential option, but a bullpen game could be another option.
Three years ago, Justin Lebron faced the uncertainty of whether he would be selected in the MLB Draft from a deep class of Florida high school shortstops or would honor his commitment to play college baseball at Alabama.
After helping Alabama to three consecutive NCAA Baseball Tournament appearances, Lebron is expected to cash in his childhood dream of playing professional — and is projected to be drafted as one of the top players in the draft pool.
In his time in Tuscaloosa, Lebron — no, he is not related to four-time NBA champion LeBron James — has developed into one of the top players in the country. He entered the season as a potential No. 1 overall pick, but has been jumped over by the likes of UCLA's Roch Cholowsky.
That said, Lebron has still produced an impressive junior campaign for the Crimson Tide, who open up the Tuscaloosa Regional of the NCAA Baseball Tournament at 7 p.m. ET, Friday against Alabama State, with a team-leading 16 home runs.
He's also a menace on the basepaths with his speed. He is one of two players in the country to have at least 38 stolen bases and only been caught once this season.
Here's what to know on Lebron's MLB projections and more as the Crimson Tide begin their Road to Omaha in the NCAA Baseball Tournament:
Justin Lebron MLB draft projections
Lebron is projected to be a first-round draft pick by MLB draft analysts, with most projections coming between picks No. 7 and the mid-teens. Alabama has not had a top-20 pick since the Kansas City Royals selected Joe Vitello with the No. 7 overall pick in 1991.
Here's a breakdown of exactly where MLB draft analysts have Lebron being taken:
MLB Pipeline has Lebron as the No. 9 overall prospect and the No. 2 college-ranked shortstop in the upcoming MLB draft.
His hitting has a low 45 scouting grade — an individual tool used with the MLB draft, where players are graded on a scale of 20-80 in different categories — according to MLB Pipeline. That 40-49 grading for hitting is defined by Major League Baseball as "below average." He has higher scouting grades of 60 for his power, arm, running and fielding. He has an overall scouting grade of 55, which is defined as "average."
As noted by USA TODAY, the scouting grades assigned to a player are usually based on what the player will eventually develop into rather than where they stand at the time of being drafted or early on in their professional career.
Here's MLB Pipeline's scouting report on Lebron:
"The only knock on Lebron is a tendency to chase pitches out of the zone, especially breaking balls. But he's also making strides with his approach and two-strike plan and could develop into an average hitter, which would make him an All-Star. He has added 15 pounds and significant bat speed in college, giving him well-above-average raw power from the right side of the plate, and he also has good feel for driving balls in the air.
"All the rest of Lebron's tools grade as plus, as does his makeup, and some evaluators think he's even better than that as a defender despite an uncharacteristically erratic spring. He has a quick first step that allows him to steal bases and cover plenty of ground to both sides at shortstop. He can make any throw needed from anywhere at short and would be an asset anywhere on the diamond."
Head to NBC and Peacock this Sunday for an exciting slate of MLB action. It all starts at 12:00 PM ET with an MLBSunday Leadoff matchup featuring the Toronto Blue Jays vs Baltimore Orioles on Peacock and NBCSN. Later, at 7:00 PM ET, the Chicago Cubs take on the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday Night Baseball. See below for additional information on how to stream both games.
This weekend's series, which begins Friday, marks the first meeting between the Cubs and Cardinals this season in one of baseball's most historic rivalries. Chicago won the 2025 season series 8-5 and leads the all-time series 1,281-1,226-19.
Jason Benetti, three-time NL MVP Albert Pujols, and 12-year MLB pitcher Jim Deshaies will be in the broadcast booth for this week’s Sunday Night Baseball game.
Bob Costas will host the pregame show alongside Anthony Rizzo, who will also provide “Inside the Pitch” commentary from the batter’s perspective during the game.
MLB Sunday Leadoff is a weekly Major League Baseball showcase featuring live Sunday daytime games. It highlights marquee matchups throughout the regular season and streams primarily on Peacock, with some games also airing across NBC Sports and NBC.
MLB Sunday Night Baseball is a weekly primetime Major League Baseball showcase, featuring marquee matchups each Sunday night during the regular season. The games air on NBC and Peacock and anchor NBC Sports’ Sunday night programming lineup.
On Sunday, July 5, all 15 MLB games will be presented nationally across Peacock and NBC as part of a special all-day “Star-Spangled Sunday” showcase.
NBC Sports will also stream one out-of-market game each day of the 2026 MLB season nationally on Peacock. Telemundo Deportes will present all NBCUniversal-produced MLB games in Spanish, with Universo televising all games broadcast on NBC.
How to sign up for Peacock:
Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You’ll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC and Bravo hits for whatever suits your mood.
Why are some MLB games unavailable to stream on Peacock?
Due to territorial blackout restrictions, select regular season, special event, and Postseason games may be unavailable on Peacock. Television territory blackout restrictions apply regardless of whether a Club is home or away and regardless of whether a game is televised in that Club's home television territory. For more information visit, Peacock’s Help Center.
As someone who talks to, consumes, and is adjacent to a lot of Mavericks diehards and take artists, the overwhelming sentiment around Dallas’ drop in draft positioning is that it was a worst-case-scenario outcome. Whether it is a complaint about the process or a statement regarding the quality of players past the eighth pick, the opinions thrown at me are far from indifferent. And yet, here I am, a Mavericks blogger, season ticket holder, and fan for life, feeling completely removed from that group. In fact, I find myself a smidge on the other end where cautious excitement lives. Maybe the last 15 months have numbed my senses, but the Mavericks check a lot of boxes that make a lower draft pick an annoyance, not a hindrance.
The hard part is done
The Mavericks won the lottery a year ago. They selected Cooper Flagg first overall in 2025, and the only thing clearer than the direction of the franchise is the speed at which the train is moving. Finding your version of Flagg is something that teams spend decades doing, and the Mavericks have been without a centerpiece for maybe three months in the last 28 years. If Dallas were constructed like Brooklyn or Washington or Utah, where they have a collection of young guys without the head of the snake, then dropping out of the top eight the way Dallas did may have been more agonizing. But if the Mavericks were in that position, meaning they hadn’t gotten Flagg last season, we may all be devoid of feelings anyway.
The 9th pick cannot be bad if the draft is deep
As far back as last summer, draft scouts and experts alike have touted the 2026 draft as one of the deepest in recent memory. If that is true, then the 9th overall pick cannot simultaneously be a doomsday scenario. The question now turns to how well the Mavericks can assess talent, and, as our very own Matt Martinez highlighted, new General Manager Mike Schmitz has a very good track record at doing just that.
Plenty of top 10 picks do not pan out. They can’t, or every team would be a superteam.
There have been a number of gems between picks nine and 16 in recent years. In 2025, Cedric Coward was selected 11th, and Derik Queen 13th. The 2024 draft saw Matas Buzelis go 11th and Jared McCain 16th. Even in 2023, a similarly top-heavy draft, Cason Wallace, Dereck Lively II, and Keyonte George all went from 10 to 16. Jalen Williams, the number two option on the defending NBA Champion, went 12th in 2022. That was one pick before Jalen Duren, who was the starting center on a 60-win Detroit team. That is nine guys who went between 10th and 16th in the last four drafts that have all contributed to playoff teams or been standout rookies. There will be plenty of talent available to the Mavericks at nine; they just have to find it.
There are options
The thing about owning a pick is that you do not have to use it. Dallas is familiar with this sentiment, as they have just one of their own first-round picks after this year until 2032. So while it is true that the player of their dreams may fall to number nine, there are also a plethora of avenues they can explore if that doesn’t happen. Maybe the guy they really want is available at five, and the Clippers agree to trade back four spots to acquire one of the Mavericks’ veteran wings. Or maybe Dallas thinks their guy will be there later in the lottery, so they trade back to 12 with Oklahoma City and grab the 18th pick as well.
The Mavericks aren’t in a bind to hit a home run at nine. They have flexibility with where they go. A dud would be bad, but getting on base is just fine. The draft never goes according to consensus, and the talents never perfectly align with projections. Dallas now has very smart people in its war room, and we have to trust that they’ll make the right play.
They didn’t sacrifice a winning culture
The loudest frustration I heard over the last few months was regarding the lack of conviction in Dallas’ process to tank. Intentionally losing was obviously a huge talking point this season, so much so that Adam Silver made fixing it the number one off-season priority. The flagrancy with which some teams tanked this year was shocking, and the Mavericks essentially doing it the “natural” way, by being organically bad, was highlighted in a way it may not normally have been.
The Mavericks made a decision to keep general manager Nico Harrison through the start of the year. As soon as that choice was made, there was never going to be a smooth ride. Dallas going all-in on a tank was only possible with a complete reset last summer, and the fact that they opted out of that doomed their chances from the start. They were 7-26 after February 1st! They were really bad after the decision to move on from the last year was made. Dallas was faced with an impossible situation, and, unsurprisingly, was a mess of an organization.
They chose to play hard and try to win every night. Now, with a new coach on the way, those habits will carry over and should place them a step or two above where they would be had they made the call for a punt. Now, they can enter the draft with a clean conscience, a top franchise cornerstone, and a trust that the new regime will find the correct pieces to build with.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 27, 2026: Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernández (37) gingerly walks back to the dugout after injuring a hamstring running to first base in the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on May 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
On Tuesday, Kiké Hernández was forced to exit early and was placed on the injured list just two days after making his season debut. On Wednesday, another Hernández got bit by the injury bug.
Teoscar Hernández departed Wednesday’s game after suffering a left hamstring strain while trying to beat out a ground ball in the bottom of the second inning. Hernández was placed on the injured list on Thursday, with Ryan Ward being called back up from Triple-A Oklahoma City to fill his spot, per Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times.
He sustained a left hamstring strain and is headed to the injured list, manager Dave Roberts said after the game. Hernández, after undergoing preliminary testing Wednesday, was scheduled for imaging Thursday. The Dodgers planned to recall outfield/first base prospect Ryan Ward, a person with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly confirmed Thursday morning.
While the Dodgers received bad news regarding both the Hernández’s injuries, reliever Evan Phillips is right on track in his recovery process. Sonja Chen of MLB.com notes that Phillips is set to begin his rehab assignment after throwing another two live outings, putting him on pace to return in July.
“It’s really good to see,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Evan’s a guy that’s very focused and determined, and he’s going to do everything he’s supposed to do to get back. And to potentially have him back is a big weapon that we’ve missed for quite some time, and I miss seeing him around. … I depended on him a lot when he was active, so to get him back is going to be a big boost to everyone.”
Tommy Edman is now in the midst of his rehab assignment, as the Dodgers announced on Monday prior to their 5-1 win over Colorado. Edman went 1-3 in his Triple-A season debut on Tuesday.
The injuries to both Kiké and Teoscar Hernández have allowed Hyeseong Kim to receive more playing time, as the speedster finished Wednesday’s game in left field, a position foreign to him at the big league level.
For Kim, the goal is simply to focus on contributing on a nightly basis at the highest level rather than worry about decisions outside of his immediate control, notes Doug Padilla of the Orange County Register.
“As a baseball player, it’s my job to produce, so I’m always focused on producing numbers, and just given the situation, I try not to think about it too much,” Kim said through an interpreter. “Just keep working hard and keep producing as best I can.”
May 28, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) celebrates while running the bases after hitting a grand slam against the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | Eric Canha-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Braves were firing on all cylinders as they collected a series win after Thursday’s 10-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox. Chris Sale was solid, throwing five innings of two-run ball. He issued three walks and struck out eight.
Ronald Acuña Jr. showed a major sign of life and launched a grand slam in the sixth inning to blow it open. Together, the Atlanta lineup tallied 11 hits.
The Braves look to chase this momentum into this weekend’s series against the Cincinnati Reds.
More Braves News:
Owen Murphy collected eight strikeouts for the Gwinnett Stripers on Wednesday. More in the minor league recap.
We continue to remember Bob Horner, this time, for his four-homer game in ‘86.
The Detroit Tigers placed righty Kenley Jansen on the injured list with pelvic inflammation. He has been dealing with groin/abdominal issues for the past few weeks.
From the Feed:
ESPN’s Jeff Passan comments on the initial CBA proposals. Which do you like best?
Gabriel Chiarot is headed to the 2026 Memorial Cup Final. The 2025 fifth-rounder is currently playing for the Kitchener Rangers, who booked a spot in the championship game after going 3-0 in the tournament's round-robin. Chiarot has already found the back of the net in Kelowna, as through his first three games, he has recorded a goal, an assist and six shots on goal.
Kitchener entered the tournament as favourites to lift the historic trophy. The Rangers won the OHL championship this year and have only lost two games since the start of the playoffs. In speaking with The Hockey News, Chiarot explained Kitchener's mentality heading into Sunday's Memorial Cup Final.
"We came in with the mindset that we're the best team here, and we're gonna win it all," said Chiarot. "I think we've done exactly that to this point. Obviously these teams are pretty good, but we know we're the best, and we just have to play like it."
Since the Rangers finished first in the round-robin, they gained an automatic berth into the Memorial Cup Final. This means the team will get four days off before facing off in the championship game. Overall, Chiarot and his teammates are not concerned about the extended break, as they faced similar situations throughout the 2026 post-season.
"We kind of dealt with this a little bit during the OHL playoffs. Sweeping a team in four games, and then having to wait a week to play the next round. So we're kind of used to stuff like this. But I think just not trying to think too much about the game, and what the stakes are. I know it's tough, especially for older guys. It could be their last game ever in junior hockey. So just try not to think too much of it, and just think of it as another game."
Being on a championship team can help with a prospect's development. Being exposed to high-stress situations early in their careers can help prepare a player for a future long post-season run at the pro level. When asked about some of the lessons he has learned over the past few months, Chiarot spoke about the benefit of being on a championship-winning team.
"Just learning how to play in these high-stakes games. Obviously, this is the biggest stage in junior hockey across Canada. Just learning how to be resilient through these tough games, and play with the lead, without the lead, things like that."
As for the Canucks, there have been some significant changes since Chiarot was drafted and signed his entry-level contract with the organization. This includes Henrik and Daniel Sedin taking over as Co-Presidents of Hockey Operations. Chiarot already has some experience working with the Sedins as they were on the ice with him at both Development and Training Camp last season.
"Going on the ice with them for Development Camp there, they're really skilled players, and it showed. They know a lot about the game. They've played for a long time in the NHL, and they've accomplished a lot of great things. They know what they're doing, and I think the belief in them is really high from Canucks fans and the organization."
Another person whom Chiarot had the chance to work with is current Abbotsford Canucks Head Coach Manny Malhotra. Last year, Malhotra not only helped out at Development Camp but was also behind the bench for Vancouver in their two-game 2025 Prospects Showcase against the Seattle Kraken. Chiarot has fond memories of working with Malhotra, who is the rumoured favourite to take over the Canucks' open Head Coach position.
"He's a tough coach. He praises his players a lot, and I think he does a good job of keeping everyone in check. We skated with him as well. He was my coach for the Prospects Tournament in Everett. Nothing but good things to say about him. He was great to me."
Gabriel Chiarot of the Kitchener Rangers (Photo Credit: Steve Dunsmoor/CHL)
As for Chiarot as a prospect, it is clear that he impressed Vancouver last year. It is not often that late-round picks sign ELC's right out of Training Camp, but that is exactly what happened with Chiarot. When asked about his development plan with the organization, Chiarot detailed what the Canucks wanted him to work on this past season.
"I think the main goal was to continue playing my game and not try to change my game into something I'm not. So I think I've done a good job of that this year. There's a little bit of talk about getting my agility better, and things like that, but the main focus was to just continue to play the way I play."
The big question for Chiarot is what happens next season. He is AHL-eligible, but could also head back to the OHL for one final season. At the moment, though, Chiarot remains focused on the task at hand, which is lifting the Memorial Cup on Sunday night.
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NBC and Peacock have got you covered with another thrilling Sunday slate of baseball action. The excitement begins at 12:00 PM ET with an MLBSunday Leadoff matchup featuring the Toronto Blue Jays vs Baltimore Orioles on Peacock and NBCSN. Later, at 7:00 PM ET, the Chicago Cubs take on the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday Night Baseball. See below for additional information on how to stream both games.
After making consecutive playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024, the Baltimore Orioles entered last season with high hopes, but finished last in the AL East with a 75-87 record. 2023 Manager of the Year Brandon Hyde was fired mid-season after a 15-28 start.
The Orioles, now under first-year manager Craig Albernaz, are looking to find stability, although questions remain surrounding their rotation.
The Toronto Blue Jays look to build off of last season's World Series run that fell just one win shy of the title.
Matt Vasgersian joins Hall-of-Famer Jim Palmer, 2016 World Series champion Dexter Fowler, and reporter John Fanta in the broadcast booth this on Sunday.
How to watch Toronto Blue Jays vs Baltimore Orioles:
MLB Sunday Leadoff is a weekly Major League Baseball showcase featuring live Sunday daytime games. It highlights marquee matchups throughout the regular season and streams primarily on Peacock, with some games also airing across NBC Sports and NBC.
MLB Sunday Night Baseball is a weekly primetime Major League Baseball showcase, featuring marquee matchups each Sunday night during the regular season. The games air on NBC and Peacock and anchor NBC Sports’ Sunday night programming lineup.
On Sunday, July 5, all 15 MLB games will be presented nationally across Peacock and NBC as part of a special all-day “Star-Spangled Sunday” showcase.
NBC Sports will also stream one out-of-market game each day of the 2026 MLB season nationally on Peacock. Telemundo Deportes will present all NBCUniversal-produced MLB games in Spanish, with Universo televising all games broadcast on NBC.
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For the first time in over two weeks, the Mets had the day off yesterday, but they’re set for a three-game series against the Marlins this weekend at Citi Field.
While the Mets avoided falling to their lowest point below .500 in the David Stearns era with their win on Wednesday, Tim Britton and Will Sammon take a look at the long-term problems facing the organization.
Longtime hockey executive Lou Lamoriello once recruited then-17-year-old Bobby Valentine to play for a Cape Cod baseball team he was managing, and the two remain friends to this day.
The Cubs scored seven runs in a win over the Pirates, giving them a second-straight win after ending their ten-game losing streak against Pittsburgh one day earlier.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 06: Matt Wallner #38 of the Minnesota Twins celebrates his walk-off home run with Edouard Julien #47 against the Arizona Diamondbacks on August 6, 2023 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
One of the key components of that turnaround? A surge of contributions from what looked to be the “next wave” of offensive talent: Royce Lewis, Alex Kirilloff, Matt Wallner, Jose Miranda, Ed Julien, Trevor Larnach, & Ryan Jeffers. Alongside Byron Buxton & Carlos Correa, this looked to be the core group to lead the next-gen Twins to a run of success.
In just three years, it has crumbled. Yes, Pohlad ownership deserves a lion’s share of the blame. But the on-field talent—or lack thereof—from that once-hyped group has been startling. To be fair, Jeffers has found consistent success 2024+ (alas, he is now out with a hamate bone fracture). For the most part, so has Trevor Larnach (297 G, 1118 PA, .257 BA, .752 OPS, 2.6 WAR).
The rest? Well (all numbers 2024+ with the Twins)…
Lewis: 219 G, 847 PA, .225 BA, .682 OPS, 1.0 WAR (recently demoted to AAA)
Kirilloff: 57 G, 178 PA, .201 BA, .653 OPS, -0.6 WAR (currently retired due to chronic back issues)
Wallner: 213 G, 788 PA, .214 BA, .775 OPS, 1.4 WAR (recently demoted to AAA)
Miranda: 133 G, 465 PA, .275 BA, .735 OPS, 1.4 WAR (left MN after ‘25 and has not been seen in The Show since—recently released from a minor league deal with San Diego)
Julien: 158 G, 509 PA, .208 BA, .623 OPS, -0.9 WAR (traded to Colorado after ‘25 and currently posting a -0.8 WAR in Denver thus far in ‘26)
It is almost mind-boggling to consider how spectacularly each of those players flamed out since that postseason run. Sure, the books aren’t closed on all of them yet—but their overall contributions have been negligible after that initial fellowship.
This is a big reason why the likes of Luke Keaschall, Austin Martin, & Brooks Lee (plus prospects Culpepper, Rodriguez, & Jenkins looming) have been asked not only to contribute, but to do so in major starting roles.
Because instead of setting a solid roster floor offensively, the young ‘23 gang crashed through into the basement. Quite frankly, it is amazing the ‘26 Twins are as competent & competitive as they are considering how quickly the personnel plans have changed in just two-and-a-third seasons.
Contract status: 2026-27: $49.5 million; 2027-28: $53.5M; 2028-29: Player option for $57.4M.
The Lakers’ Luka Doncic (77) won the NBA scoring title for the second time in his career. NBAE via Getty Images
Skinny:Doncic reestablished himself as one of the league’s best players during the regular season before missing the playoffs due to a left hamstring strain. He won the scoring title for the second time in his career, becoming the first Laker since Kobe Bryant (2006-07) to accomplish the feat, and earned All-NBA first-team honors for the sixth time in his eight-season career.
LeBron James
Stats: 20.9 ppg, 7.2 apg, 6.1 rpg
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
LeBron James navigated multiple changes within the Lakers’ offensive hierarchy this season. NBAE via Getty Images
Skinny:James continued to redefine what the latter stages of a player’s career can look like, earning an All-Star selection for a record-extending 22nd season. He navigated multiple changes within the team’s offensive hierarchy — from the co-second option to second option to third option — before closing the season in a primary role after the regular-season-ending injuries to Doncic and Austin Reaves. James was the Lakers’ best player during the first-round playoff series victory over the Rockets.
Austin Reaves
Stats: 23.3 ppg, 5.5 apg, 4.7 rpg
Contract status: 2026-27: Player option for $14.9M.
Austin Reaves (15) has a player option for $14.9 million with the Lakers. NBAE via Getty Images
Skinny: Reaves’ All-Star-caliber season was hampered by injuries, including the oblique strain that sidelined him for the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs. His return during the first round helped get the Lakers over the hump against the Rockets, and he started to regain his rhythm toward the end of the second round against the Thunder. He’s due for a significant pay raise this summer.
Deandre Ayton
Stats: 12.5 ppg, 8 rpg, 1 bpg
Contract status: 2026-27: Player option for $8.1M.
Skinny: The playoffs perfectly captured Ayton’s season with the Lakers. He was an integral part of their first-round series win on both ends of the floor, showcasing the two-way value he can bring. But against the Thunder, he was a nonfactor at best and a detriment to the Lakers at worst.
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Contract status: 2026-27: Player option for $5.4M.
Skinny: Smart was the emotional and hustle tone-setter for the Lakers during a season he provided a reminder of what he can bring to the floor after two forgettable seasons with the Grizzlies and Wizards.
Rui Hachimura
Stats: 11.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
Skinny:Hachimura continues to grow as a shooter, knocking down a career-high 116 3-pointers and shooting a career-high 55.6% on midrange shots. He averaged a playoff career-high 17.5 points during the postseason, once again elevating his play when it matters most.
Jake LaRavia
Stats: 8.2 ppg, 4 rpg
Contract status: 2026-27: $6M.
Skinny: LaRavia had his biggest role on the best team he’s played on so far through four NBA seasons. His durability (82 regular-season games played) and tenacity were positive, but he had the worst 3-point shooting season of his career (32.1%) and was too timid offensively in the playoffs.
Luke Kennard
Stats: 8.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.2 apg
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
Skinny: Kennard led the league in 3-point shooting percentage for the third time in his career. A pre-trade deadline acquisition, Kennard provided reminders that he brings more than just shooting to the table during the final stretch of the regular season.
Jaxson Hayes
Stats: 7.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
Skinny: Hayes had the most efficient scoring season of his career (75.6% shooting) and his highest scoring season in his third year with the Lakers. He continues to improve with his screening and not fouling, being the ideal lob threat to play alongside Doncic.
Jarred Vanderbilt
Stats: 4.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg
Contract status: 2026-27: $12.4M; 2027-28: Player option for $13.3M.
Skinny: Vanderbilt showed a willingness to shoot more corner 3s in 2025-26. But the results were shaky. And he’s still a subpar finisher at the rim, which makes it challenging to keep him on the court alongside a center despite his defensive skills.
Vanderbilt showed a willingness to shoot more corner 3s in 2025-26 AP
Maxi Kleber
Stats: 2 ppg, 2 rpg
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
Skinny: Kleber struggled to stay healthy and was the clear third big man in the rotation. He hasn’t played more than 50 games in a regular season since 2021-22.
Nick Smith Jr.
Stats: 6.2 ppg
Contract status: 2026-27: Team option for $2.5M.
Skinny: Smith earned a standard NBA contract after starting with the Lakers on a two-way deal but didn’t factor into the playoff rotation. His season highs of 25 points and six assists in the Nov. 3 win over the Trail Blazers was his best game.
Bronny James
Stats: 2.9 ppg, 1.2 apg
Contract status: 2026-27: $2.3M; 2027-28: Team option for $2.5M.
Skinny:The younger James received more playing time toward the end of the season after the injuries to Doncic and Reaves, even factoring into their playoff rotation. He grew as a defender and shooter.
Dalton Knecht
Stats: 4.2 ppg, 1.1 rpg
Contract status: 2026-27: $4.2M; 2027-28: Team option for $6.5M.
Skinny: Knecht’s deficiencies outside of scoring/shooting have prevented him from having a bigger role since being the Lakers’ first-round pick in 2024.
Adou Thiero
Stats: 1.9 ppg, 1.1 rpg
Contract status: 2026-27: $2.2M; 2027-28: Team option for $2.5M.
Skinny:The rookie forward wasn’t healthy to start the season, dealing with swelling in his left knee after surgery from before he was drafted by the Lakers. But by season’s end, he was in the playoff rotation, showcasing the athleticism the team needs. But he’s still raw and has many areas to improve..
JJ Redick
Contract status: Signed through 2029-30 season.
Skinny:Redick has led the Lakers to back-to-back 50-win seasons, including 53 in 2025-26, which was the franchise’s most in an 82-game season since 2010-11.
Welcome to Inside the Suns, your weekly deep-down analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team. Each week, the Fantable — a round table of Bright Siders — gives their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news.
Fantable Questions of the Week
Q1: If the Suns could trade their 2027 1st round pick (least favorable of Cleveland, Minnesota, and Utah) for a late 1st rounder in this year’s draft, would you do it?
Diamondhacks: Beyond 2026 being a “strong class”, my principal insight on drafts involves beer, so I’ll say “No” to a swap. Or to any transaction I have insufficient visibility into. I’d also recommend this hands-off approach to similarly challenged hoops fans. But if you’re addicted to this sort of thing, a recent prospect breakdown by Brynn-Tannehill might be a good place to start assessing the landscape.
Ashton: I think it is pretty safe to assume that Cleveland and Minnesota would be the least favorable picks that probably turn into a late first-rounder in 2027 anyways. By allowing a late first-round pick in the 2026 draft is the preferable option due to the strength of the draft. But I am not overly impressed with what the mocks are saying at the back-half of the draft. I am assuming this pick would fall somewhere between 26 and 30. If it is 20 and above, the better.
Also, I am writing this on Thursday, when the deadline to declare for the NBA draft closed Wednesday night. I now have a better idea of who is returning to college, and that resets the mock draft boards. The main takeaway is that there’s still good talent at those late round picks in the 2026 and 2027 drafts, looks a lot stronger with a boatload of 2026 second rounders opting back into college. The 2026 47th pick is not going to be worth Jack.
But like speculating on the draft, and it would be boring to just consider the 47th pick in June. So sign me up for more options in the heat of summer. Brynn Tannenhill can write an article about it.
But where does the money come from to sign a two-year guaranteed contract for a first-rounder for a team that is already toeing the repeater tax? Let’s say 3 million is added to payroll. By keeping the 2027 pick, the can is kicked down the road to reset the repeater tax clock and another incremental increase in salary cap. That gives MI a bit more flexibility in spending his hard-earned cash.
It is a tougher question than most would think.
Rod: If there’s someone there that they want this year and they can find a trade partner, even if they had to throw in the 47th 2nd rounder, I’d do it. I can’t see that 2027 pick ending up higher than maybe 24th/25th, and there’s no way of knowing if they might be able to get a better player next year if they wait. To me, that’s a relatively cheap deal and one I’d much rather make than trade away any of the few Suns’ 1st rounders that they still own. But, unless there’s someone there that they really want, there’s no valid reason to trade up to the 1st round.
Q2: Between the 1992-93 Suns and the 2004-05 Suns teams (both 62-20), which of the two do you think would perform best in today’s NBA?
Diamondhacks: Stylistically, D’Antoni’s squad more closely resembled a modern team, successfully pushing the volume three onto an unsuspecting league. But I suspect that advantage and breakneck pace wouldn’t flummox modern opponents quite the same. Because everyone defends (and shoots) the three better now, which might effectively ‘steal’ D’Antoni’s thunder.
Speaking of Thunder, Westphal’s team defended better and was probably a bit more balanced overall. They had more rebounds, blocks, a lot more steals and, perhaps most surprisingly, scored more points and dished more assists than the transformative MVP Steve iteration. So against modern competition, I’d lean towards 93.
Ashton: It must be summertime to consider this question. Look, I am probably the youngest poster on the Fantable (we all know it is not OldAz) and the 92-93 Suns have a special place in my heart. It is where I truly began to follow the Suns in earnest as a know-it-all 19-year-old and thus leading to my current sports watching addictions and streaming subscriptions.
What I wouldn’t give to see the 92-93 Suns in today’s NBA. But what this question should really ask is who is refereeing the game? And that is where NBA development has occurred. Flop fouls and foul baiting to get to the free-throw line. Barkley is not going to flop for anyone. Add that more three-point shooting and fewer post-ups would probably doom this team.
I think Steve Nash and his circus dribbling, passing, and shooting would win the league. Yes, that team had some fouling issues of their own, but in more of a more pace-and-space league, 7SOL would set the pace and not let the other teams defend in space.
Rod: I had a tough time making up my mind on this one. Both teams were great; my vote goes to the 1992-93 Suns. It was really close, though, as each had points that kept me going back and forth between them. Overall depth and defense were the final factors in my decision.
The 2004-05 team really didn’t have great bench depth and was 17th in defense while the 1992-93 team had a stronger bench and was 9th in D. Either of the starting lineups would probably play great in this era but, the faster pace of today’s game (and yes, today’s game is actually played at a faster pace than the 2004-05 7SOL team played at) just favors teams with deeper rosters.
Q3: If you could magically add either Charles Barkley or Amar’e Stoudemire in their primes to the current Suns roster, which would you choose?
Diamondhacks: By most standards, Barkley’s prime (way back in Philadelphia) was a little more robust, but also twenty years earlier than Amare’s, and the league evolved a great deal in that interim. That’s the first conundrum of any magical teleportation. Were Chuck’s stats better because he was definitively the better player, or because the average NBA player wasn’t quite as advanced back when he played? I think it’s clearly some of the latter and less clearly some of the former.
In any case, we’re talking about the most serious interior ass kickers in Suns history. Chuck’s passing and shot creation for teammates probably put him over the top for me. Even if he was only 90% superstar and 10% Dillon Brooks. Amare was 100% ballplayer.
Ashton: Another whimsical question, and it bleeds off of Q2.
And again, I would pay good money to see Barkley bang against the top centers and forwards in the league. Barkley vs. Wemby? Barkley vs. Jokic? Hell, pick your dream match-up. My wallet would be picked clean just to see those battles.
But it goes back to pace and space, and Amar’e fits the bill as the defending teams would be forced to sag off players to defend the rim (and earth) shaking shattering dunks. Sign me up for that too.
Okay, these hypothetical “what-ifs” will probably force me to watch YouTube highlights for the rest of the day. It will be interesting to see what the comments say, as I may change my mind.
Rod: As much as I loved Amar’e, I’m picking Sir Charles here. Barkley was better with great players around him, but he was great all by himself and was just a more versatile player than STAT, also more of a leader. I think that would make him more valuable in today’s game, which leans toward positionless basketball.
As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!
Suns Trivia/History
On May 30, 1976, after getting down 0-2 against the Boston Celtics in the 1976 NBA Finals, rookie center Alvan Adams scored 33 points and grabbed 14 rebounds along with 2 steals and a block to lead the Suns to a 105-98 Game 3 victory in Phoenix. The Suns took control from the start, building a 52-38 lead at the half and held on for the win despite a late run by the Celtics in the 4th quarter. A total of six Suns players had 2 steals in this game for a total of 12 vs just 5 for the Celtics. Paul Westphal added 22 points and 6 assists.
May 30, 1976: Boston's Kevin Stacom and Ricky Sobers of Phoenix are ejected for fighting in the second quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
On June 1, 1993, Dan Majerle set a then-playoffs record by sinking eight 3-pointers during the Suns’ 120-114 win over Seattle in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals. Majerle finished the game with 34 points and was 8 for 10 from three (80%) and made 70.6% of his FG attempts. The rest of the Suns team took only 2 shots from three and went 1 of 2. Sir Charles (Barkley) led the Suns in scoring with 43 points while adding 15 rebounds and 10 assists…without even attempting a three-point shot. Tom Chambers was the only other Sun to make a three in the game.
On June 3, 2021, the Suns defeated the LA Lakers 113-100 on LA’s home court in game 6 of their 1st round playoff series to progress to the 2nd round. Devin Booker led all scorers with 47 points while adding 11 rebounds for his first-ever playoff double-double.
On June 4, 1976, the Suns lost Game 5 of the NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics 126-128 in the first triple-overtime game in NBA Finals history. That game came to be called “the greatest game ever played,” and Gar Heard’s buzzer beater at the end of the second OT to tie the game and send it into a third OT was dubbed “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World”. Gar Heard set a then Finals record by playing 61 minutes that night. This record stood until Kevin Johnson broke it 17 years later when he played 62 minutes in the Suns’ triple OT win against the Chicago Bulls on June 13, 1993.
Important Future Dates
Mid-June (date TBD) – Teams can begin negotiating with their own free agents (following the Finals) June 23 – NBA Draft First Round, 8 ET (ABC/ESPN) June 24 – NBA Draft Second Round, 8 ET (ESPN) June 30 – Teams can begin negotiations with all free agents July 1 – Official start of the 2026-27 league year and moratorium period July 6 – Moratorium ends, official free agent contract signings can begin July 9-19 – NBA 2K Summer League 2026 in Las Vegas Late September (dates TBD) – NBA Training Camps open