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Guardians Minor League Recap: The Cooper Ingle Game

Columbus Clippers 7, Scranton RailRiders 5

Clippers improve to 39-31

Cooper Ingle had the game of his life on Thursday, going 4-for-4 with three home runs and a double to power the Clippers to victory.

Ingle has been getting reps in the outfield lately, but he did his damage this time from the catcher position.

The other top two Guardians prospects also had great games as Angel Genao went 3-for-4 and Ralphy Velazquez went 2-for-4.

Pedro Avila pitched well, allowing two runs on seven hits in 5.0 innings while striking out two and walking three.

Jack Leftwich and Franco Aleman both pitched scoreless innings while Ryan Webb allowed two runs and Trevor Stephan allowed a run from the bullpen. 

Akron RubberDucks 10, Altoona Curve 9
Akron RubberDucks 1, Altoona Curve 4

RubberDucks move to 34-31

In game one, Wuilfredo Antunez had a big game, going 2-for-5 with a triple and a double. Jose Devers went 2-for-3 with two walks, Conner Barstad went 2-for-4 with a walk, Luke Hill doubled and walked and Alfonsin Rosario walked three times. 

Rosario, Hill and Devers also stole a base.

A rehabbing Eric Sobrowski allowed two unearned runs without allowing a hit, striking out two and walking one in 0.2 innings.

Dylan DeLucia allowed two runs on five hits in 5.0 innings with four strikeouts and a pair of walks. 

In game two, Akron managed just five hits. Jacob Cozart went 2-for-4 with a double and Conner Barstad wetn 1-for-2 with a walk.

Starting pitcher Rafe Schlesinger allowed four runs on four hits with three walks and four strikeouts in 4.1 innings in his Double-A debut.

The bullpen was tremendous the rest of the way as Sean Matson, Reid Johnson and Adam Tulloch combined for 4.2 scoreless innings, but the offense couldnā€™t muster much.

Lake County Captains 4, Great Lakes Loons 5
Lake County Captains 3, Great Lakes Loons 2

Captains move to 37-27

Lake County scored four runs on three hits in game one with the big blow coming off the bat of recently-activated Welbyn Francisca, who blasted a three-run home run.

Bennett Thompson also went 1-for-2 with a walk.

Starting pitcher Braylon Doughty pitched decently, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits with seven strikeouts and no walks in 6.0 innings. 

Cam Schuelke pitched 1.1 innings, allowing an unearned run in the bottom of the eighth inning to take the loss.

In game two, Lake County won despite just collecting two hits. Thankfully both hits were big ones. Jace LaViolette had a two-run double while Nolan Schubart blasted his 15th home run.

Starting pitcher Jervis Alfaro allowed one run on four hits with three strikeouts and a walk in 5.0 innings. 

Hill City Howlers 3, Augusta GreenJackets 10

Howlers fall to 31-35

Hill City got taken out of this game early as Joey Oakie had a nightmare game, getting blistered for eight runs on three hits with seven walks and three strikeouts in just 1.2 innings.

Offensively, Dauri Fernandez tripled and scored a run.

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Where to watch Baltimore Orioles vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Friday, June 19

The Baltimore Orioles (35-41) open a three-game series against the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers, who are first in the NL West with a 48-27 record. The Los Angeles Dodgers are favored with a -199 moneyline compared to the Baltimore Orioles' +165. Starting pitchers are Trey Gibson for Baltimore, with a 5.91 ERA, and Roki Sasaki for Los Angeles, with a 4.76 ERA.

  • Baltimore Orioles: 35-41 (No. 4 in AL East)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers: 48-27 (No. 1 in NL West)

  • Spread: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5

  • Moneyline: Los Angeles Dodgers -199 (63.8%) / Baltimore Orioles +165 (36.2%)

  • Over/Under: 9.5

Baltimore Orioles: Trey Gibson (1-2, ERA: 5.91, K: 12, WHIP: 1.59)
Los Angeles Dodgers: Roki Sasaki (3-4, ERA: 4.76, K: 64, WHIP: 1.33)

Weather: 68Ā°F at first pitch

Ballpark: Capacity: 56,000 | Roof: Open | Surface: Grass

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LeBron James returning to Lakers ā€˜prevailing sentimentā€™ around NBA, Warriors a realistic option

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 9: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors high five after the game on April 9, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

While there has been much debate about what the future holds for LeBron James, the reality is that there have been only a few viable options.

It never felt realistic that he would move across the country for a likely retirement tour. Cleveland would need to do an immense amount of cap gymnastics to offer him anything more than a minimum contract. Ultimately, that leaves the Lakers and Warriors as the legitimate options.

And wouldnā€™t you know it, as free agency nears, it appears those are the top two options. On Thursday, Dave McMenamin of ESPN reported on a number of things about the Lakers, including where LeBronā€™s free agency stands just weeks away.

Still, the prevailing sentiment, according to more than half a dozen sources around the league, is that James will likely return to the Lakers if he comes back, with the Golden State Warriors presenting a realistic second option.

This comes on the heels of a different ESPN reporter, Marc Spears, reporting that LeBron was likely to return to the Lakers. Even if one-third of the league is supposedly tampering to ask about LeBron, thereā€™s been basically no indication heā€™s going to leave LA. In fact, the opposite is true.

Whatā€™s also true, though, is that the Warriors not only keep coming up, but no one is denying theyā€™re an option, either. They will, however, be limited in the contract they can offer LeBron, as McMenamin explained.

The most the Warriors, as currently constructed, would be able to offer James is the $15.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception, $37 million less than what he made last season.

The Lakers technically could offer James a maximum of three years and $182 million to stay, but nobody around the league expects the team to offer James anywhere close to that.

However, L.A. could beat the Warriorsā€™ offer with a deal in the $20 million to $30 million range, still re-sign Reaves and have money remaining to build out the rest of the roster.

The main selling point for the Warriors is the opportunity to play with Steph Curry and Draymond Green and thatā€™s about it. Jimmy Butler will be out half the season and while that core is fun on paper, theyā€™re not going to be competitive, and certainly not as compeitive as the Lakers with Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.

Is that really a compelling enough situation for LeBron to go to in lieu of the Lakers? Was the 2024 Olympics not a good enough final ride for LeBron and Steph?

All of this is working under the assumption we know LeBronā€™s thinking, which we donā€™t. But it really does feel like LeBron and the Lakers reuniting one more time is the likeliest outcome.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

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MLB Same-Game Parlay Predictions: Our Best SGP Picks for Friday, June 19

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The weekend is here, and Iā€™ve got a trio of MLB same-game parlay predictions for the loaded 15-game slate on the diamond Friday, June 19.

My top MLB picks are headlined by the rolling San Francisco Giants in the early window and wrap up with the Los Angeles Dodgers beating up on the Baltimore Orioles in the nightcap.

Today's best MLB SGP picks

GameSGP Odds
Giants SFG vs Marlins MIA+380
Cardinals STL vs Royals KCR+315
Orioles BAL vs Dodgers LAD+335

Giants vs Marlins SGP: San Francisco stays hot

The San Francisco Giants are rolling along an 8-5 stretch while averaging 5.6 runs per game and ranking fourth in wOBA and ninth in xwOBA.

In the opposite dugout, the Miami Marlins rank below average in both metrics during the same timeframe and are expected to piece together a bullpen game on Friday.

San Francisco, on the other hand, has sneaky righty Landen Roupp set to toe the rubber. He ranks in the 93rd percentile in hard-hit rate, with his 3.37 xERA and 3.44 xFIP both top-20 marks among qualified starters.

Still, because heā€™s only fanned six or more batters in one of his past five starts, the Under on his strikeout prop is a nice odds booster.

Finally, Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee sports an elite .325 batting average, and his 42.4% squared-up contact rate ranks seventh among qualified hitters.

I recommend backing this SGP down to +350.

  • Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: MIAM, NBCSBA 

Cardinals vs Royals SGP: McGreevy paves way to victory

St. Louis Cardinals righty Michael McGreevy has surrendered two runs or fewer in 10 of 14 starts this season while ranking in the 93rd percentile of fastball run value and 96th percentile in offspeed run value.

Heā€™ll likely face the Kansas City Royals without superstar Bobby Witt Jr. (knee).

The Cards are rolling at the dish with a top-ranked xwOBA while averaging 5.8 runs per game the past two weeks. Additionally, this serves as a bounce-back spot for go-to hitter Ivan Herrera.

Heā€™s mired in a 1-for-16 slump across the past five games after posting a sterling .371 wOBA and .372 xwOBA to start the season.

Finally, I anticipate the Royals will be off-balance against McGreevy without Witt anchoring their offense.

Because the shortstop paces the majors in WAR, his absence makes this SGP an advised play down to +300.

  • Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Apple TV

Orioles vs Dodgers SGP: Gibson struggles in L.A.

Los Angeles Dodgers righty Roki Sasaki sports a tidy 3.26 ERA at home, supported by an equally impressive 3.41 xFIP.

The Baltimore Orioles, on the flip side, havenā€™t traveled well with a 22nd-ranked road wOBA. 

Sasaki has also allowed just five hits across his past two home starts, and heā€™s surrendered four or fewer in four of his past five.

Turning to Baltimore rookie Trey Gibson, he brings a lackluster 6.62 xERA and 5.19 xFIP to the mound against a lineup pacing the majors in xwOBA across the past 30 days, so this SGP is in play down to +300.

Finally, Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy hits in the heart of the potent lineup and has posted an impressive .387 wOBA, .906 OPS, and .252 ISO against right-handed pitchers over the past three years.

  • Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: SNLA, MASN
Neil Parker's 2026 Transparency Record
  • SGP picks: 8-22, +6.0 units

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.

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MLB Player Props & Best Bets for Today, June 19

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Let's get this weekend off and running!

Tonight's MLB player props feature some of baseball's most exciting hitters. 

Best MLB player props today

Player PickOdds
Cardinals Alec Burleson Over 1.5 Total Bases-134
Astros Yordan AlvarezOver 1.5 Total Bases-111
Nationals James WoodOver 1.5 hits+runs+rbi-122

Alec Burleson Over 1.5 Total Bases (-134)

A player I love this evening can be found in a game your father will be unable to watch, the first Apple TV broadcast of the night between the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals.

I am in love with Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson tonight as he draws Royals right-hander Seth Lugo. The St. Louis slugger owns an elite rating in the current season dataset on Batters-Box and a strong rating in the default dataset. More importantly, his strong-rated trends are pretty mouthwatering.

In 40 strongly rated games:

  • 1+ Hit: 75%
  • 2+ Hits: 30%
  • Double: 25%
  • Home Run: 20%
  • Over 1.5 Total Bases: 52.5%

On top of that, Burleson has been seeing the ball extremely well, posting a .357 batting average, .964 slugging percentage, and 1.364 OPS over his last 30 plate appearances against right-handed pitching. During that stretch, he has also produced a 47.6% hard contact rate and a 28.6% barrel rate.

Lugo, on the other hand, has been getting knocked around by left-handed hitters this season. At home, he is allowing a 63.9% elevation rate, and over the last 60 left-handed batters he has faced, they own a .356 xBA, .699 xSLG, and .395 xwOBA while generating 49% hard contact and an 18.4% barrel rate.

I think this is a great spot to back a hitter who is not only seeing the ball exceptionally well, but also owns nearly 90% arsenal coverage against a struggling arm.

If you are not in the juice-paying business, I would consider taking his home run and double props individually for a little more value.

  • Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Apple TV

Yordan Alvarez Over 1.5 Total Bases (-111)

Yup, our boy, Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez.

He finds himself in a fantastic spot this evening against Cleveland Guardians right-hander Tanner Bibee. Alvarez not only carries an elite rating against Bibee, but he also owns 100% arsenal coverage against the entire pitch mix.

The Guardians starter has struggled mightily against left-handed bats this season, and things have not improved over his last 60 left-handed hitters faced. Those hitters have produced a .460 xBA, .944 xSLG, and .461 xwOBA, while generating 45.2% hard contact, a 21.4% barrel rate, and elevating the ball 64.2% of the time.

As for Alvarez, the big fella has been on an absolute tear. Over his last 30 plate appearances against right-handed pitching, he owns a .444 batting average, .852 slugging percentage, and a 1.352 OPS, while producing nearly 60% hard contact and a 27.3% barrel rate.

At this price, it is hard for me to pass up the most dangerous hitter in baseball when he is en fuego. I would play this up to -125.

  • Time: 8:10 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: SCHN, CLEG

James Wood Over 1.5 Hits, Runs, RBI (-122)

ā€œColby, are we really just running chalk today?ā€

Numbers talk. Good players are good for a reason.

James Wood is a good player, and today he is our guy as he finds himself in a strong spot against Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Griffin Jax. Much like Yordan Alvarez, Wood brings elite arsenal coverage, handling 87.1% of Jaxā€™s pitch mix.

He also clears this prop 51.11% of the time, backed by a sample of 135 elite ratings, per Batters-Box.

Wood is having a career year, and the recent underlying numbers are borderline diabolical. Over his last 30 at-bats versus right-handed pitching, he is posting a .360 batting average, .680 slugging, and 1.113 OPS, with a 50% hard hit rate and 11.1% barrel rate.

On the other hand, Jax has been allowing plenty of hard contact and high-quality contact. At home against left-handed hitters, opponents are lifting the ball nearly 71% of the time. 

Over his last 60 lefties faced, they are producing a 9.8% barrel rate while elevating the baseball 61% of the time. Those hitters also hold a .409 xBA, .591 xSLG, and .363 xwOBA.

I would play this up to -130, or take the plus money on his bases.

  • Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: RAYS, NATS
Colby Marchio's 2026 Transparency Record
  • Prop picks: 234-402-36, +8.7 units

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.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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Ron Francis joins Penguins in advisory role

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 18: Mario Lemieux, Ron Francis and Kevin Stevens look on during the jersey retirement ceremony for Jaromir Jagr before the game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Los Angeles Kings at PPG PAINTS Arena on February 18, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Penguins announced that Ron Francis is back with the organization as special advisor for hockey operations.

From the team:

The Penguins have named Ron Francis as Special Advisor, Hockey Operations, it was announced today by President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas.

In his new role, Francis will assist the Penguinsā€™ hockey operations leadership group with strategic planning, roster construction and optimization of all internal systems and processes to help further implement best practices within the organization. Francis will provide expertise and counsel during key events during the season including training camp, the NHL Draft, trade deadline and free agency, while also supporting the Clubā€™s minor league operations and Player Development staff.

ā€œRon has a deep affinity for the city of Pittsburgh and the Penguins. He cherishes his time spent here as a player where he had tremendous success and is an outstanding ambassador for the Penguins and the city of Pittsburgh,ā€ said Dubas. ā€œRonā€™s playing experience, management experience, and familiarity with the Penguins and Pittsburgh will be a great benefit to our organization and all members of our management team. We look forward to having a person of Ronā€™s experience and character in our front office as we continue to work to build the Penguins back into a perennial Stanley Cup contender.ā€

Francis, 63, most recently spent the past seven seasons with the Seattle Kraken organization, joining them in 2019 as their first General Manager in franchise history, holding that role until 2025 when he was promoted to President of Hockey Operations. While with Seattle, Francis oversaw the buildout of the Kraken from the ground up, spearheading the hiring of all members of their hockey operations department, the construction of their practice facility, their affiliation agreement with their AHL club, Coachella Valley, as well as the selection of their inaugural NHL roster via expansion draft.

Seattleā€™s best season under Francis came during their second in existence, the 2022-23 campaign, as the Kraken eclipsed 100 points, going 46-28-8 to finish fourth in the Pacific Division and earn the first Stanley Cup Playoff berth in franchise history.

Prior to his time in Seattle, the native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, spent 12 years in management with the Carolina Hurricanes (2006-18), holding various roles including Executive Vice President and General Manager (2014-18), Director of Hockey Operations (2011-14), Director of Player Personnel (2008-11), Associate Coach (2008-11), Assistant General Manager (2007-08) and Director of Player Development (2006-07).

While with the Hurricanes, Francis was part of the management group that acquired multiple key players via draft or trade that played integral parts on Carolinaā€™s 2026 Stanley Cup Championship team including Sebastian Aho (2015), Jacob Slavin (2012) and Jordan Staal (2012). 

The Penguins have built up a robust front office under Dubas, Francisā€™ experience as a general manager makes him a natural fit and value add on the managerial side as the Pens look to continue to reshape their team.

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Where to watch Boston Red Sox vs. Seattle Mariners: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Friday, June 19

The Boston Red Sox, fifth in the AL East with a 29-43 record, face the Seattle Mariners, who are first in the AL West at 39-37. Seattle is favored with a -132 moneyline compared to Boston's +111. Scheduled starting pitchers are Ranger Suarez for Boston, with a 3.21 ERA, and Bryce Miller for Seattle, with a 1.54 ERA.

  • Date: Friday, June 19

  • Time: 10:10 p.m. ET / 7:10 p.m. PT

  • Where: T-Mobile Park, Seattle, WA

  • TV Channels: Mariners.TV, KING 5, NESN

  • Live Stream:ESPN+, MLB.TV | Follow on Yahoo Sports

  • Boston Red Sox: 29-43 (No. 5 in AL East)

  • Seattle Mariners: 39-37 (No. 1 in AL West)

  • Spread: Seattle Mariners -1.5

  • Moneyline: Seattle Mariners -132 (54.6%) / Boston Red Sox +111 (45.4%)

  • Over/Under: 6.5

Boston Red Sox: Ranger Suarez (2-3, ERA: 3.21, K: 70, WHIP: 1.17)
Seattle Mariners: Bryce Miller (3-0, ERA: 1.54, K: 36, WHIP: 0.71)

Weather: 80Ā°F at first pitch

Ballpark: Capacity: 47,929 | Roof: Retractable | Surface: Grass

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MLB Expert Picks & Baseball Predictions June 19

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The weekend has arrived, as have our MLB expert picks for tonight!

We're calling for a Dodgers blowout of the Orioles, and a pitcher's duel in Arlington. 

Read on for our free MLB picks for Friday, June 19.

MLB expert picks for today

PickOdds
Neil Parker Neil Parker: Dodgers -1.5+100
Joe Osborne Joe Osborne: Padres vs. Rangers Under 7.5-122

Prices courtesy of Polymarket.

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    Neil Parker's expert pick: Dodgers -1.5

    Price: 50Ā¢ (+100) at Polymarket

    Baltimore Orioles rookie Trey Gibson brings a lackluster 6.62 xERA and 5.19 xFIP to the mound against a lineup pacing the majors in xwOBA across the past 30 days. The Los Angeles Dodgers counter with righty Roki Sasaki, and he sports a tidy 3.26 ERA at home, supported by an equally impressive 3.41 xFIP.

    Additionally, the Orioles havenā€™t traveled well and sport a 22nd-ranked road wOBA.

    • Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
    • How to watch: MASN, SNLA

    Joe Osborne's expert pick: Padres vs. Rangers Under 7.5

    Price: 55Ā¢ (-122) at Polymarket

    Everything points to a low-scoring game in Texas tonight, where strong pitching should overwhelm two struggling offenses.

    Jacob deGrom is in excellent form, allowing just four earned runs across his last four starts, and heā€™s been nearly untouchable at home with a 1.26 ERA through six outings. He draws a San Diego Padres lineup that ranks 27th in OPS against right-handed pitching over the past two weeks.

    On the other side, Randy Vasquez has been at his best on the road where he owns a 2.08 ERA, while Texas Rangers hitters rank 29th in OPS versus righties during that same two-week span and have scored three runs or fewer in five of their last six games.

    San Diegoā€™s bullpen deserves some love here too as they've been locking things down, posting a 2.28 ERA over the last two weeks.

    • Time: 8:05 p.m. ET
    • How to watch: Padres.TV, RSN

    More MLB best bets for today

    PickOdds
    STL/KC o9-115
    Read analysis in our Cardinals vs. Royals predictions.
    NYY -1.5-125
    Read analysis in our Reds vs. Yankees predictions.
    MIL -1.5+101
    Read analysis in our Brewers vs. Braves predictions.

    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.

    This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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    MLB Lineup Report: Bryce Eldridge has arrived, Spencer Horwitz leading off

    Staying ahead of lineup changes can be the difference between winning and losing in fantasy baseball. Here's what you need to know as we move toward the end of June.

    āš¾ļøĀ Baseball is back on NBC:Ā MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026! In addition to becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball, NBC Sports will broadcast MLB Sunday Leadoff, ā€œOpening Dayā€ and Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason, and much more.

    Arizona Diamondbacks

    Jordan Lawlar and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. recently returned from the IL. Lawlar has taken over center field with Ryan Waldschmidt back at Triple-A. Tommy Troy was the primary left fielder while Gurriel was out. Gurriel has started there just once in the three games since his return, plus one start at DH. Ildemaro Vargas' playing time has grown more sporadic as the team gets healthier.

    Athletics

    Lawrence Butler's playing time has ticked up with Brent Rooker sidelined, though he still sat against a righty Thursday. Henry Bolte is the primary center fielder but still isn't playing every day. Zack Gelof has started every game since May 3.

    Atlanta Braves

    Drake Baldwin returned this week, resuming leadoff duties against RHP and batting second vs. LHP. Mauricio DubĆ³n, Ha-Seong Kim, and Jorge Mateo are still splitting shortstop, but DubĆ³n is the only one who'll see time elsewhere on most days.

    Baltimore Orioles

    They've faced a right-hander every game since June 4, with three more lined up this weekend against the Dodgers, which has helped their lineup consistency. Over the past couple of weeks, Blaze Alexander has gotten more run at third base than Coby Mayo. Leody Taveras and Colton Cowser are soaking up most of the center- and right-field reps at Tyler O'Neill's expense.

    Boston Red Sox

    Jarren Duran was dropped to fifth last Friday, bumping Mickey Gasper into the leadoff role since then. Duran even hit fifth in a couple of games against righties that Gasper missed, so the move looks semi-permanent. Marcelo Mayer remains in a strong-side platoon even after moving to shortstop.

    Chicago Cubs

    Lots of consistency here lately. Moises Ballesteros was optioned to Triple-A on Thursday, which could mean more playing time for Matt Shaw in right field with Seiya Suzuki at DH.

    Chicago White Sox

    Sam Antonacci and Chase Meidroth continue to platoon at leadoff. Andrew Benintendi and Randal Grichuk are platooning at DH. Jacob Gonzalez essentially platoons with Luisangel AcuƱa, with Miguel Vargas and Colston Montgomery shifting around to accommodate.

    Cincinnati Reds

    Terry Francona continues to rotate at leadoff, with Blake Dunn and Edwin Arroyo getting the opportunities this past week. Noelvi Marte has started nine of 13 since being recalled from Triple-A. JJ Bleday has started every game since April 29.

    Cleveland Guardians

    Brayan Rocchio jumped from ninth to second or third with JosƩ Ramƭrez, Chase DeLauter, and Angel Martƭnez all hitting the IL. Gabriel Arias returned and is covering third base, so Rocchio isn't giving up shortstop. Travis Bazzana plays every day, but he sometimes drops from leadoff to the 4-6 range against southpaws. Steven Kwan has sat against three of the past four lefties they've faced.

    Colorado Rockies

    Cole Carrigg has played center field in all nine games since his call-up. Hunter Goodman plays nearly every day, ranking fifth in plate appearances among primary catchers.

    Detroit Tigers

    Gleyber Torres is back on the IL, opening up second base for Hao-Yu Lee. They've been consistent otherwise, with Matt Vierling, Wenceel Perez, and Jahmai Jones filling short-side platoon roles.

    Houston Astros

    Jose Altuve has gotten a couple of maintenance days since returning from the IL, but he's otherwise back and primarily hitting fifth. Jeremy PeƱa has been the leadoff hitter when healthy this year. Yainer Diaz returned from the IL this week.

    Kansas City Royals

    Carter Jensen and Lane Thomas are platooning at leadoff. Michael Massey platoons with Nick Loftin at second base, while Starling Marte and Kameron Misner share a platoon of their own.

    Los Angeles Angels

    Mike Trout hit the IL with a hamstring injury Thursday, and the Angels called up Christian Moore to replace him. Meanwhile, Vaughn Grissom returned from the injured list to reclaim first base, ending Trey Mancini's inspiring run back in MLB. Jo Adell hasn't posted the same high-end results as last year, but the totality of injuries on this team will keep him glued in the heart of the order as an everyday player.

    ā–¶ RELATED: Check out this weekā€™s Waiver Wire Watch

    Los Angeles Dodgers

    Tommy Edman made his season debut this week, playing third base against a lefty. He also hit leadoff, since Shohei Ohtani didn't bat that day. Ryan Ward and Alex Call are platooning in left field, while Alex Freeland has taken over the bulk of the playing time at second base.

    Miami Marlins

    Kyle Stowers is up to eight games (seven starts) at first base this season, adding some helpful eligibility. Xavier Edwards hits cleanup against right-handers, giving him more RBI opportunities than one would expect from a player with his skill set.

    Milwaukee Brewers

    Cooper Pratt was called up to take over shortstop with Luis Rengifo designated for assignment. David Hamilton (vs. RHP) and Joey Ortiz (vs. LHP) have split third base in the three days since.

    Minnesota Twins

    Royce Lewis has started all 11 games since being recalled from Triple-A, including eight at first base and two at second base. Kody Clemens is bouncing between first base and all over the outfield, hitting third most days. Trevor Larnach and Austin Martin platoon at leadoff.

    New York Mets

    Carson Benge has hit leadoff in every game since May 12. Mark Vientos has started just twice in the team's past 11 games. He's in a first base platoon with Jared Young, who bats cleanup against RHP.

    New York Yankees

    Paul Goldschmidt barely played to start the year, but he's hit 1-4 in every game this month. Jasson Domƭnguez is back off the IL and hitting in the top half of the order, playing right field. Spencer Jones is in center field against right-handers. Anthony Volpe's playing time is beginning to slip against righties. He essentially platoons with Jones, since Cody Bellinger and JosƩ Caballero can be moved around.

    Philadelphia Phillies

    Kyle Schwarber started at first base on Tuesday, but it looked like a one-off. Brandon Marsh and Bryson Stott continue to play every day, even against lefties. Adolis GarcĆ­a's IL stint makes it all but certain they'll trade for an outfielder at the deadline.

    Pittsburgh Pirates

    Spencer Horwitz has led off against every righty since May 24, and the team now heads to Coors Field for a weekend series. Bryan Reynolds has simply been fantastic this season, hitting third every day. Injuries to Konnor Griffin and Oneil Cruz are thinning the depth in a lineup that got off to such a promising start in 2026.

    San Diego Padres

    This lineup has struggled to score, but it's stayed consistent after spreading things out earlier in the year. Injuries and underperformance are the main culprits. They're an attackable offense when streaming pitchers.

    San Francisco Giants

    Bryce Eldridge has moved up to the two-hole against righties and hit third against the one lefty they've faced recently. There's a lot of lineup consistency at the moment, but Heliot Ramos' eventual return from the IL could throw a wrench into things. Casey Schmitt has been mostly in left field over the past month.

    Seattle Mariners

    Cal Raleigh and JP Crawford have returned from the IL. Crawford immediately reclaimed the leadoff job, but he's now at third base, with Colt Emerson sticking at shortstop. Dominic Canzone now bats cleanup against righties, though he remains in a strict platoon role.

    St. Louis Cardinals

    Lars Nootbaar is swinging the bat well and has taken over the five-hole against righties, platooning with Nelson Velazquez in left field. Blaze Jordan has started every game since being called up on June 12, usurping the hot corner from Nolan Gorman. Joshua Baez remains at Triple-A without a clear everyday role, but he's a must-watch for a call-up this summer.

    Tampa Bay Rays

    Chandler Simpson has fallen from leadoff to the bottom half of the lineup. Yandy DĆ­az is back to hitting first as a result, while Cedric Mullins has slid into the three-hole against right-handers. Austin Slater has joined the big-league club and starts against all lefties.

    Texas Rangers

    Wyatt Langford bats third against RHP and leadoff vs. lefties. Joc Pederson takes over leadoff against righties, as he has since May 12. Alejandro Osuna has taken over center field with Evan Carter sidelined.

    Toronto Blue Jays

    Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his fourth homer of the season on Thursday. This lineup badly needs him to heat up power-wise. Kazuma Okamoto's 15 homers are more than double the next-highest total on the team. George Springer has yet to play the field this season, tracking toward UTIL-only eligibility in 2027.

    Washington Nationals

    Curtis Mead is still sitting against some righties, but he bats second or third whenever he starts and often comes off the bench otherwise. Dylan Crews was recalled on May 19 and has sat just two games when healthy since then.

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    Should the Phillies Join the Bunt Parade?

    PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 05: Justin Crawford #2 of the Philadelphia Phillies bunts during the game against the Athletics on May 5, 2026 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

    I bought a pocket radio recently. Although itā€™s posed a few problems (reception for my favorite station is a bit shaky), itā€™s been a real joy to have it. It really doesnā€™t offer any advantages over streaming the stations digitally, but thereā€™s something charming about it, a tactile satisfaction in tuning it manually and hearing the voices emerge from the static. I sometimes use it to listen to baseball, of course, but Iā€™m not yet the sort of nerd who brings his radio to the ballpark (though I will be as soon as I get around to buying earbuds thatā€™ll work with it). That sort of appreciation for the old-fashioned and analog is growing, as anyone in the vinyl record business has noted. A similar appreciation for the joys of yesteryear is developing in baseball; it turns out that our delightfully crotchety and nostalgic sport can become even more so. You see, the bunt is back.

    As Ben Clemens of FanGraphs recently noted, 2026 is the Year of the Bunt. Bunts are more common than theyā€™ve been in years, and teams are getting an unusually large amount of value from those bunts. Thatā€™s in part the result of teams figuring out how best to deploy them. As Clemens noted, bunts with a runner on first, the other bases empty, and no outs, remain unfashionable, like Jell-O salads, but bunts in situations where you can get some real benefit from them are like vintage jeansā€” increasingly in demand.

    The Phillies, however, have not joined this trend (all stats prior to Fridayā€™s games). Theyā€™ve attempted just nine bunts this season, the second-least in baseball, and laid down just three of them for hits; only two teams have fewer. Contrast with the Rays, who lead baseball with a whopping 56 attempts and 21 hits. The Rays braintrust is famously savvy; if they think bunts are the future, thereā€™s good reason to believe it (though this point may be a bit less effective for this audience, given that Phillies fans are reminded of one of the Raysā€™ most infamous errors in judgment every fifth game). Tampa Bay is an outlier; the median number of bunt attempts this season is 22, and the median for bunt hits is 7. Still, that puts the Phillies decidedly behind average.

    The tiny number of bunts attempted so far means that any attempt to explore how good the Phillies are at bunting is going to fall prey to small sample size. Still, we can note that their success rate on bunts is 33.3%, which puts them squarely in the middle of the pack. The lionā€™s share of the Philliesā€™ bunt attempts and successes have come from Justin Crawford, who has two hits on four tries. The other bunt hit came from Brandon Marsh, in his lone try. Bryson Stott and Garrett Stubbs both tried twice, to no avail. No other Phillies have attempted to bunt.

    Of the Phillies who have joined Bunt Club this year, Brandon Marsh probably shouldnā€™t renew his membership. Heā€™s pretty fast (74th percentile sprint speed), and solid at bunting (7 for 22 in his career) but heā€™s hitting well enough that thereā€™s probably no need for him to lay down more. Bryson Stott might want to give it a whirl, though. Unsurprisingly for someone with his above-average speed, heā€™s good at bunting, having turned half of the 18 bunts in play across his career into hits. In the midst of a down season at the plate (.235/.291/.393, 87 wRC+), a successful bunt here and there would help him add more to the teamā€™s offense. The same can be said of Justin Crawford, whose blazing sprint speed (96th percentile) no doubt explains why heā€™s bunted more often this season than any other Phillie.

    What about the Phillies who havenā€™t attempted any bunts so far, though? Most obviously shouldnā€™t try it; theyā€™re either not fast enough, or would be better off just swinging. But there is one candidate who should perhaps ask if bunting is right for him. When you think about it, it is somewhat odd that the fastest Phillie hasnā€™t attempted a bunt this season. Actually, he hasnā€™t attempted a bunt at all since 2019. Said fastest Phil would be Trea Turner, of course. As the fastest player on the team, and the fifth-fastest in baseball this season, heā€™s got the legs for it (the fastest, if you were wondering, is the fittingly and marvelously named Henry Bolte, of the peripatetic Athletics). And heā€™s done well with bunting in the past. Heā€™s converted 9 bunts into hits out of 15 heā€™s put into play. 14 of those attempts came in 2018. He had no bunts at all in the first four seasons of his career. I assume that the explanation for the sudden change in 2018 lies with a managerial change: Dave Martinez took over for Washington that year and presumably put that strategy into place. I donā€™t know why it was suddenly abandoned afterwards; perhaps Turner was hitting well enough that the Nats felt it wasnā€™t necessary to do it anymore.

    But, unfortunately, he is not hitting well this season. With a .223/.274/.334 slash line, Turner has struggled mightily with the bat. Bunting isnā€™t going to be a solution to that: even if deployed frequently and successfully, it wonā€™t change the larger picture at the plate. Still, Turnerā€™s speed makes the bunt an arrow in his quiver, and thus that of the Phillies. If Trea Turner were born a few generations earlier, heā€™d have been bunting all the time. The fact that he was born in a bunt-shy era, though, certainly doesnā€™t mean he has to avoid it. You can live in the modern day and still appreciate the pastimes that are, or at least seem to be, truly past. At least thatā€™s what I tell myself before dropping $45 on a new record.

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    Zuby Ejiofor is built for the dirty work, making him a perfect fit for the Sixers

    WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 27: Zuby Ejiofor #24 of the St. John's Red Storm celebrates after a dunk against the Duke Blue Devils during the Sweet Sixteen round game of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at Capital One Arena on March 27, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images

    For the next month before the 2026 NBA Draft, weā€™ll take an in-depth look at different prospects here at Liberty Ballers and try to figure out which players would be the best fit for the Sixers at No. 22. Next up in this series is St Johnsā€™ Zuby Ejiofor.

    Ejiofor quietly put together one of the more impressive senior seasons in the country at St. Johnā€™s, emerging as one of the better defensive anchors in college basketball and a legitimate NBA prospect in the process. He was not a household name heading into the year, but his combination of length, motor and playmaking ability for a big made him impossible to ignore by the end of it. Most mocks have him going somewhere in the late first to early second round, but for a Sixers team that needs physicality, rebounding and energy off the bench, he is worth keeping a close eye on as the draft approaches.

    Profile

    2023-24 Stats: 37 games, 30 minutes, 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 2.1 blocks, 53.6% FG, 30.5% 3P, 71.8% FT

    Team: St Johns

    Year: Senior

    Position: PF/C

    Height & Weight: 6ā€™7.5ā€ | 245 lbs

    Born: April 20, 2004 (22 years old)

    Hometown: Garland, Texas

    Strengths

    Ejioforā€™s calling card is his defense, and it is not close. His combination of lateral quickness and a 7ā€™2ā€³ wingspan allows him to credibly guard one through five, switching onto guards on the perimeter without getting eaten alive and protecting the rim against bigger bodies. That kind of positional versatility is exactly what modern NBA rosters are built around. He anchored the St. Johnā€™s defense this past season, averaging 2.1 blocks per game and posting a 4.9 Defensive Box Plus/Minus, numbers that reflect just how disruptive he is as a rotational shot-alterer on and off the ball.

    His rebounding is equally impressive. He crashes the glass with an elite offensive rebounding rate driven by instincts, motor and length rather than size alone. The effort and instincts are there regardless of the matchup.

    Despite boasting impressive defensive intangibles, his playmaking ability is what really sets Ejiofor apart from other athletic, high-energy bigs. His comfort putting the ball on the floor and finding open teammates is a genuine differentiator. He averaged a career-best 3.5 assists per game as a senior, functioning well in dribble-handoff actions and short-roll situations, reading the floor and finding cutters reliably. Most players in his archetype are catch-and-finish guys. Ejiofor has shown flashes of something more, even leading St. Johnā€™s in assists for the season.

    As a finisher, he is efficient and decisive. He converts around 54% of his field goals overall, operates at 97% accuracy on dunks, and finishes close-range attempts at a 59% clip. He does not need plays drawn up for him to be productive.

    His combine showing in Chicago helped his cause. He shot the ball well enough to plant a seed of doubt in scouts who had written off his offensive range, and his athletic testing backed up everything the tape suggested about his mobility and explosiveness.

    Weaknesses

    At 6ā€™7.5ā€³ barefoot, Ejiofor lives in the tweener space that might make NBA teams nervous. He is not a true center against physical fives, and his wingspan only covers so much ground when a bigger body has established post position. That size gap shows up most in heavy traffic rebounding situations where length alone cannot compensate.

    As a four, the questions shift to whether he can consistently guard faster perimeter players away from the basket without losing his defensive edge. His versatility is his calling card, but tweener bigs can be exposed quickly at the NBA level when matchups get uncomfortable or a team runs a switch-heavy scheme. That said, the league has been trending bigger and longer for years now, which makes the tweener label at least somewhat subjective depending on who you ask.

    One of the bigger focal points offensively is his lack of floor spacing. He shot around 31% from three on low volume in college, making him a reluctant shooter that defenses can afford to sag off. Without that perimeter threat, his presence in the half-court can tighten the paint for teammates and limit offensive flow around him when the ball isnā€™t in his hands.

    He is best used as a finisher off rolls, cuts, and put-backs rather than someone you can run plays for when things slow down. He tends to back defenders down and work out of the post rather than operating as a vertical threat, which means longer and more athletic rim protectors can give him trouble when he is trying to generate his own look. That is a fine role, but it puts a ceiling on how much he can be asked to do. Teams drafting Ejiofor need to be clear-eyed about what they are getting: a high-floor, ready-now backup big who can impact winning immediately, but likely within a defined lane.

    Positional Fit

    Ejiofor projects most naturally as a backup center or small-ball five, though his tweener size ensures the positional conversation will follow him into draft night. The jumper is ultimately the variable that determines how the position question gets answered. If it develops into even a passable perimeter threat, defenses have to respect him on the floor and the positional limitations become far less relevant. If it does not, he risks getting squeezed out of the four by more switchable wings and out of the five by bigger, more physical bodies. How his skills translate are a real question, but his physical tools, athleticism and motor might make up for a lot of his deficiencies early on. In the right system, Ejiofor can carve out a role from day one with room to grow.

    Draft Projection

    Ejioforā€™s draft projection ranges quite a bit, with the higher end sitting in the mid-to-late first round, putting him right in line with where the Sixers are selecting at 22. Most mock drafts have him going in the late first round to a handful of contenders such as the Celtics, Cavaliers, Timberwolves and Nuggets. Ejiofor would slot in nicely with any of these teams, who are all in need of a versatile defensive big alongside their established talent.

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    2026 MLB Draft Preview: Hunter Dietz

    Arkansas Razorbacks' Hunter Dietz (32) pitches the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026. | Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

    2026 MLB Draft Preview: Hunter Dietz scouting report.

    The 2026 is about a month away ā€” the first round kicks off on July 11, 2026 ā€” so its time to start offering capsule looks at players the Texas Rangers could select with their top picks. The Rangersā€™ first round pick is at #16, their second round pick is at #54, and their third round pick is at #89.

    Leading up to draft day, we will be doing writeups of some of the players who could end up getting selected by the Rangers with one of their first three picks. Today we are looking at University of Arkansas lefthanded pitcher Hunter Dietz.

    Hunter Dietz is a 6ā€™6ā€, 235 lb. lefthanded pitcher who just wrapped up his junior year at the University of Arkansas. As a high schooler coming out of Calvary Christian High School in Clearwater, Florida, in 2023, he was seen as a potential top five round selection, but went undrafted due to signability issues. Dietz barely pitched his freshman and sophomore seasons due to injury issues, but was part of the Razorback rotation this year.

    Dietz is a great big guy who throws his fastball in the mid-90s, touching 98. He has a cutter that touches 90 which MLB Pipeline describes as plus, and which Keith Law says is his best pitch. He also throws a slider and a curveball, which are also see as potential plus pitches. His stuff this season was described as ā€œeliteā€ by Baseball America and ā€œspectacularā€ by MLB Pipeline.

    After facing seven batters his freshman year and seven batters his sophomore year, he threw 11 innings over seven games in the Cape Cod League last summer, striking out 13 batters and walking 12. This year, he logged 85 innings over 16 starts for Arkansas, with a 3.57 ERA, 131 Ks and 31 walks.

    Baseball America has Dietz at #41 on their board. MLB Pipeline has Dietz at #15 on their board. Kiley McDaniel puts Dietz at #24 on his top 150 list. Keith Lawā€™s rankings have Dietz at #13 on his board. Fangraphs does not have Dietz on their board. Baseball Prospectus doesnā€™t have Dietz on their top 30 draft board.

    In the June 8 Baseball America mock draft, Carlos Collazo has Dietz going to the Red Sox at #20, and also mentions him in connection with several teams before that, including the Rangers. The BA staff draft on June 15 has Dietz going to the Phillies at #36. Jim Callisā€™s June 4 mock draft has Dietz at #23 to the Cubs. Jonathan Mayoā€™s June 11 mock draft has Dietz to Boston at #20. Jim Callisā€™s June 18 mock draft has Dietz going to the Brewers at #25, but mentions him as a possibility as high as the Rockies at #10. Keith Lawā€™s May mock draft has Dietz going to the Marlins at #14. Lawā€™s June 10 mock draft also has the Marlins at #14 taking Dietz. Kiley McDanielā€™s May 29 mock draft has Dietz going to the Kansas City Royals at #30. Kiley McDanielā€™s June 18 mock draft does not include Dietz.

    As you can see, thereā€™s a big spread in where folks have Dietz ranked and where they see him going. He was referenced as a possibility in the back half of the top ten in a couple of the mock drafts, while other mocks, as you can see, donā€™t have him in the first round at all.

    In what has been a recurring theme with our profiles so far, if Dietz had been healthy during his college career, heā€™d probably be off the board when the Rangers are picking. The lack of track record and the injury history is worrisome, and, as with several others, what the medicals show when heā€™s at the Combine will be significant.

    Dietz has the build, stuff and repertoire to be a mid-rotation starter, and possibly better if he continues to tick up. His workload would need to be managed early on as a professional, and the injury risk is real, but the upside he offers would make him an intriguing gamble at 16.

    Previously:

    Liam Peterson

    Tyler Bell

    Aiden Robbins

    Jared Grindlinger

    Logan Reddemann

    Cooper Harris

    Justin Lebron

    Cameron Flukey

    Derek Curiel

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    Luke Weaver and the Metsā€™ bullpen continue to get it done

    Jun 7, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Luke Weaver (30) throws a pitch during the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images | David Frerker-Imagn Images

    The New York Metsā€™ bullpen has been a stable force for an otherwise disappointing club, and Thursday night in Philadelphia was no different.

    Led by Luke Weaverā€™s continued scoreless inning streak and another save from Devin Williams, the bullpen backed up starter Sean Manaea to secure a 6-4 victory. The win was an example of what this bullpen is capable of when given a chance to protect a lead.

    Weaver is in the midst of a career-best and MLB-leading 20-inning shutout streak that dates back to May 1. His current ERA (2.25) and WHIP (0.90) are at career lows, while the bullpen as a whole has been above league average.

    Focusing almost exclusively on his fastball, changeup, and cutter, Weaver is using his changeup at a career-high rate. The result has been the lowest hard-hit and sweet-spot rates of his career.

    A viral moment waiting to happen, Weaver has been the best offseason acquisition for the Metsā€™ front office, and heā€™s one of the few that hasnā€™t elicited groans from the Queens faithful. The bullpen is maybe the only portion of the roster thatā€™s clearly improved over last yearā€™s team that missed the playoffs.

    At the end of New Yorkā€™s brutal 12-game losing streak in April, Weaver offered perhaps the quote of the year in his postgame interview with SNYā€™s Steve Gelbs. A statement heā€™s been able to back up in resounding fashion.

    ā€œLook, people smell fear. Iā€™m not the biggest guy in the room, but I ainā€™t scared of nobody,ā€ he said. ā€œThatā€™s the attitude I try to take, and if I screw up, itā€™s on me, but at the end of the day Iā€™m going to sleep at night, and Iā€™m going to feel good about the effort I put in.ā€

    As solid as Weaver has been, he might not even be the Metsā€™ best reliever. According to WAR, that would be Huascar BrazobĆ”n, who has done everything the coaching staff has asked of him. Opening games for struggling starters, or coming in late with runners on, BrazobĆ”nā€™s hard-hit rate is in the 99th percentile, even better than Weaverā€™s.

    Williams has had some ups and downs in the closer role, including Thursday night, where he gave up a run and allowed the winning batter to the plate before notching his 11th save of the season. Another offseason addition, Williams has posted scoreless outings in 15 of his last 18 appearances.

    New York has enjoyed depth beyond Weaver, BrazobĆ”n, and Williams. AJ Minter hasnā€™t given up a run in his first eight innings since returning from elbow surgery, while Austin Warren has a 2.63 ERA across a career-high 27.1 innings pitched. Brooks Raley had been able to stay healthy and effective despite being in his age-38 season.

    The Mets can count on Weaver and the bullpen, but will they feel that way about the rest of the squad before itā€™s too late, if itā€™s not already? Getting a win in the series opener against the Phillies is helpful. Maybe take this series, go after the up-and-down Cubs, then rinse and repeat against Philadelphia at home as June winds down. It sounds simple, but itā€™s been so hard for this Mets squad to go on a run. If they ever do, this bullpen will be a big reason why.

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    Knicks stars mingle with A-listers at private club after championship parade

    An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns and fiancƩe Jordyn Woods at Chez Margaux after the team's championship parade in New York on Thursday, June 18, 2026. , Image 2 shows Knicks guard Josh Hart and his wife Shannon Hart at Chez Margaux after the team's championship parade in New York on Thursday, June 18, 2026. , Image 3 shows Adrien Brody and Knicks guard at Chez Margaux after the team's championship parade in New York on Thursday, June 18, 2026.
    The Knicks took the party from City Hall to Chez Margaux, a social club a few miles away, after their star-studded championship parade in New York on Thursday.

    The Knicks took the party from City Hall to Chez Margaux, a social club a few miles away, after their star-studded championship parade in New York on Thursday.

    Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns and fiancƩe Jordyn Woods, along with her sister Jodie Woods, were all smiles while partying with his teammates and friends at the private supper club, as seen in new photos.

    Knicks forward OG Anunoby was seen talking and laughing with Towns and Woods.

    Karl-Anthony Towns and fiancĆ©e Jordyn Woods at Chez Margaux after the Knicksā€™ championship parade in New York on June 18, 2026. BFA.com / BACKGRID

    They were singing along to ā€œCanā€™t Tell Me Nothingā€ by Kanye West in a video online.

    Other photos showed Knicks guard Josh Hart and his wife Shannon.

    He posed for a photo with actor Adrien Brody, who wore a brace on his right arm.

    Georgina Chapman was also there.

    Knicks guard Josh Hart and his wife Shannon Hart at Chez Margaux after the teamā€™s championship parade in New York on Thursday, June 18, 2026. BFA.com / BACKGRID
    The Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns and fiancĆ©e Jordyn Woods at Chez Margaux after the teamā€™s championship parade in New York on Thursday, June 18, 2026. BFA.com / BACKGRID
    Adrien Brody and Knicks guard at Chez Margaux after the teamā€™s championship parade in New York on Thursday, June 18, 2026. Sansho Scott/BFA.com/Shutterstock

    The party took place after an estimated 2 million people attended the Knicksā€™ ticker-tape parade, which started at Battery Park in Lower Manhattan and moved along Broadway through the ā€œCanyon of Heroes,ā€ ending at City Hall.

    Jordyn, Shannon and Ali Brunson, wife of Knicks point guard and MVP of the 2026 NBA Finals, Jalen Brunson, all joined the team atop their championship bus.

    The Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns and fiancĆ©e Jordyn Woods at Chez Margaux after the teamā€™s championship parade in New York on Thursday, June 18, 2026. BFA.com / BACKGRID
    Adrien Brody (C) and Georgina Chapman (R) at Chez Margaux after the Knicksā€™ championship parade in New York on Thursday, June 18, 2026. BFA.com / BACKGRID

    The Harts also shared some PDA amid the celebration.

    During a ceremony at City Hall, the Knicks received keys to New York City from Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

    The Knicks beat the Spurs in five games to clinch their first championship since 1973.

    Hart, Brunson and Hillman will host their ā€œRoommatesā€ podcast live at the Infosys Theater at MSG on Friday.

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    2026 NHL mock draft roundup: Best fits for Bruins in first round

    2026 NHL mock draft roundup: Best fits for Bruins in first round originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

    The Boston Bruins had a chance to make a top 10 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft if they had gotten the Maple Leafsā€™ first-round pick, but Toronto won the draft lottery and will pick first overall.

    As a result, Boston will get the Leafsā€™ first-rounder in 2027 or 2028 to complete the Brandon Carlo trade from March of 2025. This also means the Bruinsā€™ only 2026 first-round pick is their own selection at No. 23 overall.

    The Bruins really need a top-six center, particularly a No. 1 center. They donā€™t have one at the NHL level, although itā€™s possible that recent first-round picks James Hagens and/or Dean Letourneau could develop into that kind of player.

    The Bā€™s also need a right-shot defenseman. If you look at Bostonā€™s top 10 prospects, maybe one of them is a defenseman (Frederic Brunet). The rest are forwards. The organization needs more high-end skill on the blue line.

    Even though the Bruins have plenty of specific needs to address, they really should just take the best player available, regardless of position. Bostonā€™s prospect pool came in at No. 19 on The Athleticā€™s most recent rankings, which is a great improvement from being ranked No. 30 in those rankings in 2025.

    But the Bruins still lack elite-level talent in their system, so if a player falls to them at No. 23 and he has a high ceiling, itā€™s worth taking a shot on him. They took a home run swing on Letourneau at No. 25 in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft, and two years later, that pick is looking very nice for Boston.

    Which players should the Bruins target in the first round? Hereā€™s a roundup of predictions from recent expert mock drafts.

    Scott Wheeler, The Athletic: JP Hurlbert, LW, Kamloops (WHL)

    ā€œThe Bruins havenā€™t used a top-50 pick on a defenseman since 2017, and Iā€™m sure theyā€™d consider Bleyl. But Iā€™m not convinced he gets here, and if he doesnā€™t, Iā€™m not convinced that Jakub Vanecek, Adam Goljer, Juho Piiparainen or William HĆ„kansson fit in this range when there are likely going to be forwards who are hard to pass up on for their group. All of Hurlbert, Hextall, NovotnĆ½ and Maddox Dagenais would give them a future top-nine forward with a different look from James Hagens and Dean Letourneau.ā€

    Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic: Casey Mutryn, RW, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

    ā€œThe Bruins keep the Boston College pipeline active. Mutryn, who will be a BC freshman, aims to become the next version of James Hagens. Mutryn is a different type of forward than the explosive Hagens, but he projects to be a dependable middle-of-the-lineup wing/center with a pro game.ā€

    Corey Pronman, TheAthletic: Elton Hermansson, RW, Modo (Sweden)

    ā€œHermansson goes to the Bruins, who, after selecting James Hagens last year, continue to add talent and scoring to their farm system. Hermansson is extremely skilled, but his effort level can waver.ā€

    Mike Morreale, NHL.com:Ā Maddox Dagenais, C, Quebec (QMJHL)

    ā€œDagenais (6-4, 196), the son of retired NHL forward Pierre Dagenais, is known for his strong offensive toolkit. The left-handed shot added a welcome layer of physicality to his power game this season, something that would resonate well with Bruins fans. In 62 games, the 18-year-old had 62 points (30 goals, 32 assists) and 25 power-play points (10 goals, 15 assists), highlighting his effectiveness with the man advantage.ā€

    Ben Pope, Chicago Sun-Times: Elton Hermansson, RW, Modo (Sweden)

    ā€œHermansson is an eye-opening offensive talent who struggles with consistency.ā€

    Hannah Stuart, Bleacher Report: Elton Hermansson, RW, Modo (Sweden)

    ā€œSo who is Hermansson at his best? A highly skilled playmaker who can create in a variety of situations and who has especially been dominant against his own peer group. Driving play is second nature to him thanks to high-end handling abilities and the good facets of his skating; namely, his top speeds and the edgework that allows him to be slippery and elusive.

    ā€œHis skating posture could use some work, but thatā€™s what skating coaches are for. His physicality could use some improvement, and weā€™d like to see greater clarity on whether he can translate those creation abilities to the professional level.ā€