The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade situation appears to be moving slowly because the Bucks have not yet found an offer they are ready to accept.
Milwaukee has been in talks with the Heat for months, with Antetokounmpo open to signing a contract extension if he were traded to Miami, according to ESPN.
That has kept the Heat firmly in the mix, but it has not been enough to push a deal over the line.
Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts on the court in the second half at Madison Square Garden in New York, Friday, November 28, 2025. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
The Bucks have reportedly continued to discuss possible packages with other teams as they weigh whether Miami’s offer is strong enough to move on from the face of the franchise.
Miami’s package has improved since the trade deadline and could be built around the No. 13 pick in next week’s NBA Draft, Tyler Herro, rotation players and prospects.
Herro would be one of the more notable pieces in a possible deal, not only because of his scoring ability but also because he is a Wisconsin native who would bring local ties to Milwaukee.
Still, the Bucks are not under pressure to take the first workable offer.
Any Antetokounmpo trade would likely reshape the team’s direction for years, and Milwaukee appears to be taking time to see whether a better package develops.
The Celtics are also viewed as a possible landing spot, with Antetokounmpo reportedly willing to sign an extension if he were moved to Boston.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 in a game against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
But that route comes with complications.
Boston has typically preferred to keep major roster moves quiet and is not known for operating in trade situations where a player’s camp has a major role in the process.
Antetokounmpo and his representatives have reportedly tried to have some involvement in discussions, which could make a Celtics pursuit more difficult.
There is also the issue of what Boston would have to give up.
Adding Antetokounmpo would also likely force Boston to rethink parts of its playing style, given how different his game is from the perimeter-heavy structure the Celtics have relied on.
Another factor is the possible size of the deal.
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro #14 drives to the basket as New York Knicks guard Miles McBride #2 defends during the first quarter. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
If Milwaukee decides to trade Antetokounmpo, the Bucks may need a third or fourth team involved to help move players, redirect assets or manage salary. That kind of structure can make negotiations slower and harder to complete.
For Miami, the appeal is obvious. The Heat would get the superstar they have been chasing and could build around Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
For Boston, the upside would be significant, but the cost and complications would be just as large.
Mitchell Robinson #23 of the Knicks defends against Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the second quarter.
Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
For Milwaukee, the decision is about more than choosing between two offers. The Bucks have to decide what kind of return would be enough to justify moving their franchise cornerstone — and whether they are ready to start the next phase without him.
That is why the talks have dragged.
Miami has a clearer path, Boston remains a major name to watch and Antetokounmpo’s willingness to extend in either place gives both teams reason to stay engaged.
But until the Bucks see an offer they believe matches the scale of the decision, the trade saga is likely to continue.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 12: Jake Bauers #9 of the Milwaukee Brewers runs out a double during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on May 12, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The titans of small market midwest teams tangle for a three-game series in Milwaukee this week.
The Guardians are 38-32 with a -3 run differential, 22nd in wRC+ at 94, seventh in baserunning runs above average at 2.8, 12th in defense at -6.1, sixth in starting pitcher ERA at 3.80 (4.16 FIP), and 11th in bullpen ERA at 3.68 (3.61 FIP).
The Brewers are 43-26 with a +112 run differential (second-best in MLB behind the Dodgers), third in wRC+ at 107, 10th in baserunning runs above average at 2.1, 21st in defense at -14.8, third in starting pitcher ERA at 3.40 (3.49 FIP) and eighth in bullpen ERA at 3.51 (3.52 FIP).
On paper, this matchup doesn’t look quite as one-sided as the run differential would indicate, but it does require the Guardians to hit the ball better than they have in recent weeks to compete. The Brewers hit extremely well in the clutch with a 130 wRC+ with runners in scoring position and a 107 wRC+ in high leverage situations, while the Guardians have only an 84 wRC+ with RISP and an 83 wRC+ in high leverage.
MATCHUPS:
Game One, Tuesday, 7:40PM ET: Robert Gasser, LHP 6.38 ERA (7.24 FIP) vs. Slade Cecconi, RHP Game Two, Wednesday, 7:40PM ET: Brandon Sproat, RHP 5.70 ERA (5.55 FIP) vs. Gavin Williams, RHP Game Three, Thursday, 2:10PM ET: Shane Drohan, LHP 3.59 ERA (2.72 FIP) vs. Parker Messick, LHP
The Guardians definitely look to be getting a break here in the projected pitching matchups. Now, to see if advance scouting can help them adjust to some starting pitchers whom they have not seen before so they can take advantage.
The Brewers are led at the plate by Andrew Vaughn 172 wRC+, Jackson Chourio 161 wRC+, Jake Bauers 148 wRC+, Gary Sanchez 139 wRC+, Brice Turang 134 wRC+, Christian Yelich 116 wRC+, Garrett Mitchell 114 wRC, and William Contreras 113 wRC+.
The top Guardians hitters currently known to be healthy are Brayan Rocchio 113 wRC+, Travis Bazzana 111 wRC+, David Fry 106 wRC+, Kyle Manzardo 105 wRC+ and Rhys Hoskins 100 wRC+. Hopefully, Chase DeLauter’s 110 wRC+ can be added to the list above. We will know shortly!
It has been a rough June so far for Guardians’ hitters. If they can right the ship after a couple days off, this could be a fun series. If the June swoon continues… it won’t be pretty given the firepower of the Brewers’ offense.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 29: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski (70) pitches in the second inning during the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies on May 29, 2026 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. (Photo by David Dennis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Justin Wrobleski takes the mound on Tuesday night against the Tampa Bay Rays at Dodger Stadium, just the second time this season a Dodgers pitcher has started on four days rest.
The left-hander is coming off a start last Thursday of 4 2/3 innings in Pittsburgh, an early exit spurred by both a four-run fifth inning and taking a comebacker off his right hamstring during the frame. It marked the first time in 11 starts this season Wrobleski has failed to complete five innings.
Wrobleski is second on the Dodgers with 73 1/3 innings, and in his starts has averaged 6.3 innings. His four starts of at least seven innings is second on the team, behind only Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Wrobleski has completed at least six innings eight times in 11 starts.
Going deep has been a hallmark of the Dodgers’ six-man rotation this season, averaging an MLB-best 5.75 innings in their real starts (excluding the bullpen game on May 15 in Anaheim), with a sparkling 3.13 ERA.
Eric Lauer allowed a two-run home run in the first inning and another run in the second in Monday’s series opener, but remained in the game to complete six innings with nothing else on the board. I likened this to a classic Randy Wolf start, allowing early runs but still managing to deliver a quality start. I thought this might be more apocryphal than real, though Wolf in 2009 with the Dodgers did have threedifferentstarts in which he allowed three runs in the first two innings but finished at least six innings with no other runs allowed, so my memory hasn’t completely left me just yet.
Lauer has two qualify starts in his four starts with the Dodgers, and the team leads the majors with 41 quality starts this season, seven more than any other MLB team. The Dodgers had 52 quality starts all of last regular season, but had 10 in the postseason, the most by any team since the 2013 Detroit Tigers.
Wrobleski has seven quality starts this season, and the Dodgers have won six of those games. As a team the Dodgers are 29-12 (.707) in games they get a quality start. MLB as a whole this season is 486-208 (.700) in such games.
It stands to reason teams are successful in such games. Starters pitching deeper means less wear and tear on the bullpen, and more rested relievers are likely to be more effective. That’s the kind of symbiotic relationship that can build a winning streak, or perhaps spur a losing streak.
The Dodgers haven’t had a losing streak for over a month now, not since losing four straight from May 9-12. But they haven’t had any kind of streak for a week and a half. They’ve alternated wins and losses for their last nine games, and haven’t posted consecutive wins since June 5-6 against the Angels.
MLB warned Giants pitchers after Bible verses appeared on Pride Night caps during Friday's game.
Major League Baseball has issued warnings to four San Francisco Giants pitchers after three players wrote Bible verses on their Pride Night caps and another wore an entirely different hat during the team’s annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
Starter Landen Roupp and relievers JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker took the field during Friday’s game against the Chicago Cubs with Bible verses written on their rainbow-themed Pride Night caps.
The trio included the inscription “Gen 9:12-16,” a passage referencing God’s covenant with Noah and the rainbow as a sign of that promise.
Left-hander Sam Hentges, meanwhile, opted to wear the Giants’ standard black cap with the orange “SF” logo instead of the Pride Night version.
MLB warned Giants pitchers after Bible verses appeared on Pride Night caps during Friday’s game. John Hefti-Imagn ImagesSan Francisco Giants relief pitcher Sam Hentges (31) pitches the ball against the Arizona Diamondbacks Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
MLB said the players violated the league’s uniform policy, which prohibits writing or displaying messages on apparel or playing equipment.
“The writing on the cap violates our rules and consistent with normal practice we have warned the players about future violations,” MLB said in an initial statement.
The league later clarified that the warning was procedural and unrelated to the content of the messages.
“To be clear, this routine verbal warning not to wear the hat in future games is not disciplinary and had absolutely nothing to do with the content of the message,” MLB said Tuesday. “We respect players’ right to free expression. However, writing of any kind, with any message, is prohibited.”
San Francisco Giants relief pitcher JT Brubaker throws in the sixth inning of the MLB game between the San Francisco Giants Tannen Maury/UPI/Shutterstock
MLB noted it has issued similar warnings in the past for messages referencing family members or holidays, including phrases such as “Dad” and “Happy Mother’s Day, I Love Mom.”
After the game, Roupp said the Bible passage reflected his religious beliefs.
“It’s just about God’s covenant and a promise that he makes to us that, you know, his faithfulness and his mercy,” Roupp told reporters when asked about the Bible passage. “That’s just kind of something I believe in, and I stand firm in that, and I’m thankful we live in a country where, you know, we have the freedom to believe what we want … and express what we want.”
San Francisco Giants pitcher Ryan Walker (74) throws a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectPride month celebration at Oracle Park on June 12, 2026 in San Francisco, California. Pride month celebration at Oracle Park on June 12, 2026 in San Francisco, California. Getty Images
Hentges spoke to the media a day and explained his stance, “It’s just something that I feel like I was forced to support when I don’t morally support it. There wasn’t hatred behind it. I think that’s kind of something that’s misinterpreted,” he said. “I don’t hate the LGBTQ community. It’s just something I believed and talked with teammates and family, and they supported it.
Giants manager Tony Vitello said the pitchers’ decisions were not discussed beforehand and described them as personal choices.
The Giants later released a statement reaffirming the organization’s support for Pride Night and the LGBTQ+ community while acknowledging that some fans felt “pain and anger” stemming from the players’ actions.
The team said those decisions do not change its commitment to inclusion and creating a welcoming environment for all fans.
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The Cubs managed to eke out their ninth walk off win of the season last night at Wrigley Field. It may seem weird to describe a huge win as “eked” out but that is how it felt. The Cubs entered the eighth inning with eight hits on the night, but four of them were Pete Crow-Armstrong’s cycle. When Caleb Thielbar surrendered a home run to Cole Carrigg in the top of the frame it seemed liked a foregone conclusion that the Cubs were about to suffer yet another agonizing defeat.
They managed to scrap together a win, however, aided by the control problems that have plagued the Rockies’ bullpen. But it was a subdued PCA who came to the mic to talk about the game, despite having just hit for the first Cubs cycle at Wrigley Field in 33 years:
Given the Cubs’ hot start to the season and recent struggles, it’s easy to see why PCA wants more. Considering he was picked off of first base in a one-run game after completing the cycle in the seventh inning, it’s easy to understand why he was more subdued than celebratory. While all of that is valid, today I’m going to make the case that PCA should go a little easier on himself. There have been some remarkable improvements in his game this season, specifically on the plate discipline side.
The book on PCA coming into the season is that he is an historically elite defender in centerfield with exceptional speed and a hit tool that can best be described as variable. He’s got an incredibly high ceiling and a very low floor, as you can see from his 15-game rolling wOBA throughout his career (as a reminder, wOBA is just a fancy on-base percentage that gives you more credit for extra base hits than walks):
You can see just how hot PCA has been recently relative to his past performance. This 15 game stretch is even better than his first half last season, which had PCA setting a pace for a 40/40 season before ultimately “settling” for a 30/30 season. You probably see another thing in that graph, specifically that the lowest points of the graph have started creeping every so slightly higher.
That’s a massive development for PCA, because if he can move the floor closer to the .300 wOBA rank from the .169 wOBA mark he set at his lowest point last season he’s not just an All-Star, he’s a superstar. To be clear, no one expects his wOBA to remain in the .583 stratosphere he’s currently living in, that will come back to Earth, but if that floor can move up he’ll be much more likely to avoid the collapse he saw at the end of last season in future campaigns.
There are a few statistics that indicate this could be a real development and not a small sample size mirage. Through PCA’s first two full seasons (2024-25), he had 1,057 plate appearances and slashed .243/.287/.443 with a wOBA of .307. For reference, the league average slashline and wOBA in 2025 was .245/.315/.404 and .313. That makes PCA a basically average hitter off the 2025 baseline for the most part with the glaring exception of his on base percentage, which was pretty far below the league norm for the first two seasons of his career.
So far in 2026 through 309 plate appearances PCA is slashing .277/.351/.493 with a wOBA of .364. This season’s league averages for those numbers are .243/.319/.398 and .320, indicating there has been a slight increase in on-base percentages across the league (possibly as a result of the ABS system, but I admit I’m speculating there), but PCA’s improvement this season is a massive step forward from the league average.
You can also see these improvements in PCA’s Statcast cards by comparing 2025 and 2026:
In 2026 PCA is walking 7.8 percent of the time. That’s still below the league average of a 9.1 percent walk rate, but it’s a massive improvement over his prior career mark of 4.7 percent. Taking more walks makes it more likely PCA will get a pitch to do damage on, which probably accounts for at least some of his slugging improvement this season relative to the first two seasons of his career.
A note of caution is required here because it does take a certain number of plate appearances to demonstrate that a player has actually improved a skill. That said, Fangraphs has done some in-depth look at when particular stats stabilize and on-base percentage tends to stabilize right around 300 plate appearances. PCA has 309 plate appearances this season.
PCA is still just 24 years old. He can and will improve and change his approach at the plate as he gets more exposure to the league. While he could regress to his prior sub-.300 OBP ways, here’s hoping this particular change sticks. If it does, PCA could be a historically good centerfielder with above average plate skills across the board. That’s a special player, indeed.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 14: Greg Weissert #57 of the Boston Red Sox looks on as he walks to the dugout during the sixth inning of a game against the Texas Rangers on June 14, 2026 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Everyone loves to hate a relief pitcher. Even the best teams have a “oh great, here comes this guy” guy in the bullpen. For the Boston Red Sox in 2026, that’s Greg Weissert. For some reason, Weissert is the Red Sox’s go-to guy to get out of a jam. That’s partially because they want to save Garrett Whitlock and Aroldis Chapman for later innings, and partially because he possesses qualities that should help him with traffic on the bases. Emphasis on should. Which is why I put it in italics, but I’m emphasizing it again because it’s that important.
What are those qualities, you might ask? Well, for starters relievers, it’s his sinker. Last season, against right-handed hitters, his sinker returned a 57% ground ball rate and 32% ideal contact rate. His four-seam managed a 15% swinging strike rate and 20% putaway rate. His slider also produced strikeouts in nearly one-third of two-strike counts against righties. Those factors combine to give him one pitch to produce ground balls, and two others to use to put away righties away. Against lefties, his changeup racked up ground balls while his four-seam was a reliable strike-getter and avoided hard contact. In 67 innings, Weissert posted a 2.82 ERA and, because I know you’re wondering, allowed 25% of inherited runners to score (54th of 174 qualifiers).
2026 hasn’t gone nearly as well. His ERA sits at 3.67, his strikeout rate is actually up 3.4% while his walk rate remains consistent, but his batting average against is up from .224 to .252. Inherited runners have also been a well-documented problem, with 50% scoring (173 of 205 qualifiers, although the qualifying number is kinda weird, which puts some guys with very few inherited runners on there. Either way, his mark isn’t good.)
Over the last few weeks, things have started to come together for Weissert. He hasn’t allowed an earned run and has stranded all three of the runners he’s inherited over his last five outings. He’s also struck out 7 of 18 hitters and only walked 1. Is it a case of a streaky reliever hitting a hot streak, or are there actual changes?
In this case, it’s a case of a streaky reliever having a good five-game stretch. That’s all. End of article. Thanks for the click.
I’m just messing around to increase my word count. There have obviously been changes, that’s why I’m writing this. Here’s a look at Weissert’s release point from the beginning of the season through his outing on May 28.
And here’s a look from May 29 through today.
You’ll notice there are two clear groupings in the first picture and just one in the second. At first, I thought Weissert was shifting back and forth, trying to find a spot on the mound that would work for him, but as I started digging deeper, I noticed he was actually shifting from side to side based on the hitter. Here are back-to-back hitters against the Minnesota Twins on May 22nd.
Against lefties, he’d stand on the first base side of the rubber, whereas he’d stand on the third base side of the rubber against righties. I still haven’t fully figured out horizontal approach angles, but I’d imagine the numbers say that this is the “optimal” approach for Weissert.
Unfortunately, the numbers are only numbers, and the player has to execute the game plan. Weissert already has a cross-body delivery, which tends to lend itself to inconsistency in command. Asking him to throw from multiple release points is just another variable that makes hitting spots harder. Check out his sinker locations over these two time frames.
It’s a small sample, but there are fewer pitches over the heart of the plate, and the ball is generally down in the zone. The weighted on-base average against the pitch in his first 24 appearances was .327; over his last five, it’s .199. The expected wOBA numbers line up with the actual nearly 1:1, as well.
I won’t run through every pitch, but I will look at them as a whole. In his first 24 outings, 35% of his pitches were either over the heart of the plate or in the “waste” zone. Those pitches are the best to hit, or almost wholly uncompetitive. The only positive outcome he’s had on one of those “waste” pitches this season is this whiff by Miguel Andujar for a strikeout. Every other pitch in that area has either been a ball or a hit by pitch. The pitches over the heart of the plate have a .353 xwOBA against them.
Since he’s shifted back to the first base side of the rubber full-time, he’s cut down on those pitches. Again, it’s a smaller sample, but only 30% of his pitches have been thrown to those zones. He’s living on the edges more, keeping the ball down, and it’s working out for him, at least for now.
Weissert isn’t all of a sudden going to become an elite reliever. He’s 31-years-old and has been up-and-down between Triple-A and the Majors for the last five seasons. Nobody is asking him to be elite, though. He just needs to be the bridge to the high-leverage arms, working one or two innings at a time. Now that he’s back to the first base side of the mound and his release points can remain consistent, he should be a steadier presence in the bullpen.
The Mets are designating infielder Vidal Brujan for assignment, reports SNY MLB Insider Chelsea Janes.
It is likely that Zack Short, who was claimed off waivers on Monday, replaces Brujan on the active roster.
Brujan, 28, struggled in limited playing time for New York this season, reaching base twice in 13 plate appearances.
Short, whose positional versatility is similar to Brujan's, played 10 games for the Mets in 2024 and has since had stints with the Red Sox, Braves, Astros, and Tigers.
The Toronto Maple Leafs made a big trade on Tuesday with the Philadelphia Flyers, exchanging defensemen and goaltenders, along with a third-round pick going Toronto's way.
There are four players in this trade, but the centerpiece in terms of the return for Toronto is Emil Andrae. In fact, this trade alone has checked off multiple boxes for GM John Chayka and the Maple Leafs.
"It allowed us to create some flexibility," Chayka said of the trade on Tuesday.
Toronto's brass recognized that goaltending depth is a strength in the organization. Meanwhile, the Leafs defense could use a tweak or two as they struggled to break the puck out cleanly last season and finished with the second-most goals against in the NHL.
Acquiring Andrae satisfies a couple of needs for the Maple Leafs. That includes his ability to get up the ice, move the puck, and be a mobile defenseman. Those are all attributes that are limited in Toronto's back end ahead of this trade with Philadelphia.
"Emil Andrae is a player that I've watched for a number of years," Chayka said. "Smart, competitive player, helps us break the puck out more efficiently, a good puck-mover that can also join the rush."
Another perk to bringing in Andrae to the Leafs' roster is his age. The 24-year-old defenseman immediately becomes the youngest D-man on the team's regular roster, with 29-year-old Philippe Myers being the next youngest on that blueline.
"We're getting a good, young 'D,'" Chayka said. "We could use some more defense in that age group."
Andrae was drafted in the second round of the 2020 draft at 54th overall. The Swedish 5-foot-9 defenseman played 61 games with the Flyers last season, posting two goals and 11 assists for 13 points.
While averaging 15:20 of ice time in the regular season, Andrae finished with the second-best plus-minus rating at a plus-15 with Philadelphia. Only Noah Cates finished with a better rating, with a plus-26.
The addition of Andrae certainly checked multiple boxes as Chayka and the Maple Leafs kick off their off-season on the trade front, but the 2026 third-round pick that they also received isn't nothing.
Chayka was able to add another draft pick to Toronto's cupboards. The organization now has eight picks for the 2026 draft, four of which are coming in the first three rounds.
With plenty of work still to do, the reasoning behind a trade like this is reasonably clear.
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Three San Francisco Giants pitchers sparked controversy during the team’s annual LGBTQ+ Pride Night at Oracle Park by inscribing Bible verses on their team-issued caps, which featured a rainbow logo. The incident gained the attention of Vice President JD Vance, who publicly weighed in on the matter via social media.
In a reposted response to the Sports Illustrated social media post, Vance said, “Trump won; we don’t have to do this anymore.”
Pitchers Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker, and Ryan Walker each altered their Pride Night caps by writing Genesis 9:12-16 next to the rainbow logo. This passage from the Bible describes God placing a rainbow in the sky as a sign of his covenant with humanity after the flood.
In recent years, these verses have become popular among Christian athletes seeking to reclaim the rainbow as a religious symbol, rather than as the widely recognized symbol of the LGBTQ+ community. Last season, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw made a similar statement by writing the same verses on his team’s Pride cap.
Major League Baseball responded by formally warning Roupp, Brubaker, and Walker that their actions violated the league’s strict uniform policy, which prohibits players from making unauthorized alterations to team-issued gear.
MLB chief communications officer Pat Courtney confirmed in a statement that the writing on the caps was a clear breach of league rules. He reiterated that the players had been cautioned not to repeat the offense.
“Dad, there will never ever be enough words in the world to describe how incredibly lucky I was to have you as my dad,” Madison wrote. “Never in a million years would I have thought this day would come. There will forever be a void in my heart, but forever a spot just for you.
“The father, husband, son, man, friend, coach, hockey player, and everything in between that you were is truly indescribable. The lessons you taught me, the strength you showed me, and the person you pushed me to become every single day- I carry all of it with me.
Former Chicago Blackhawks forward Kyle Calder and his daughter, Madison Calder. Instagram/Madison Calder
“Thank you for being my biggest fan through every stage of my life. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. I would give anything for one more conversation, one more hug, one more ‘I love you,” or to hear your voice one more time.
“I love you more than anything in the world to the moon and back infinitely. Save me a spot on the ice, Dad. I know you’re skating around in heaven cheering all of us on from above. Fly high 6/15/26. Love, your Annie.”
Kyle Calder #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during NHL game action on February 3, 2004 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Getty Images
Calder was selected by the Blackhawks in the fifth round (No. 130) of the 1997 NHL Draft and played in 590 career games, including 18 Stanley Cup playoff games, with the Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks.
His best season was 2005-06 with the Blackhawks when when the forward set NHL career highs in goals (26) and points (59) in 79 games.
Chicago Blackhawks’ Kyle Calder (C) celebrates his goal with teammates Alex Zhamnov (13) and Phil Housley in Game 1 of their Stanley Cup playoff series against the St. Louis Blues at the Savvis Center in St. Louis, Missouri April 18, 2002. REUTERS
“The Chicago Blackhawks mourn the loss of Kyle Calder and extend our deepest condolences to Kyle’s family during this extremely difficult and tragic time,” Blackhawks owner Danny Wirtz said in a statement.
“Kyle approached life with the same passion, intensity and incredible dedication that defined his play. His commitment to the game remained strong long after his professional career ended, sharing his love for hockey with all generations of players through his work with Little Blackhawks, local youth teams and the Chicago Blackhawks Alumni Association. While Kyle’s time with us was far too short, I’m comforted in knowing his legacy will live on for many years to come.”
Calder last played with the Ducks in the 2009-10 season.
He retired after playing 27 games for Bakersfield of the ECHL in 2011-12.
After that, Calder remained involved in youth hockey and coached teams in Chicago, Los Angeles and Boston since 2018.
It is rare to make five changes after winning by more than a hundred runs, but this has not been a normal week between Tests for England
These past 10 days must have been curious for New Zealand’s cricketers, as their restful mid-series downtime was occasionally interrupted by news of England’s latest convulsions. “I guess it probably wasn’t necessarily what we were expecting,” deadpanned their captain, Tom Latham.
At least most of his own side got a chance to relax. “A lot of guys have had some good family time, they’ve had a bit of time off to refresh the bodies, refresh the minds and get ready for what we’ve got coming up,” Latham said. “We’re not necessarily used to a big break like that, but guys did their own thing, some guys got away. So we’re ready to go.”
The Chicago White Sox open a three-game set with the New York Yankees tonight at Yankee Stadium, with N.Y. listed as a -145 favorite despite Aaron Judge being shelved with a fractured right rib.
My White Sox vs. Yankees predictions and MLB picks for Tuesday, June 16 expect Chicago to pull off the upset.
Who will win White Sox vs Yankees today: White Sox moneyline (+129)
Former New York Yankees man Josh Donaldson said it simply recently in an interview about Aaron Judge’s absence:
It’s not the same team.
I agree with him and will be playing the Chicago White Sox moneyline down to +100 tonight.
Gerrit Cole’s 6th-percentile whiff rate serves as a massive red flag because it means he still doesn’t have his best stuff.
Chicago’s offense is well-positioned to take advantage, with Miguel Vargas (.398 xwOBA) along with Randal Grichuk (.388 xwOBA) flashing elite expected production.
Conversely, Davis Martin’s 88th-percentile chase rate should play well.
White Sox vs Yankees Over/Under pick: Over 7.5 (-120)
While both hurlers boast xERAs under the 4.00 mark, their underlying contact metrics suggest some looming trouble.
Gerrit Cole's 4th-percentile ground ball rate is a concern against a lineup with sneaky power. On the other side, Davis Martin faces his own hurdles with a 9th-percentile hard-hit rate allowed, surrendering loud contact at a 46.5% clip.
Even with Judge sidelined, the Yankees still have Ben Rice and Cody Bellinger to provide pop, while the Chicago lineup features a trio of bats sporting xSLG marks over .530.
Play to -130.
Chris Hatfield's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 29-25, +6.46 units
Over/Under bets: 33-21, +14.82 units
White Sox vs Yankees odds
Moneyline: White Sox +124 | Yankees -144
Run line: White Sox +1.5 (-178) | Yankees -1.5 (+146)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 (-122) | Under 7.5 (+100)
White Sox vs Yankees trend
The White Sox have hit the team total Over in 34 of their last 50 games (+16.30 Units / 28% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for White Sox vs. Yankees.
How to watch White Sox vs Yankees and game info
Location
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Date
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
First pitch
7:05 p.m. ET
TV
CHSN, YES
White Sox starting pitcher
Davis Martin (9-2, 2.41 ERA)
Yankees starting pitcher
Gerrit Cole (1-1, 2.45 ERA)
White Sox vs Yankees latest injuries
White Sox vs Yankees weather
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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 19: José Caballero #72 and Amed Rosario #14 of the New York Yankees high five after the game against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium on April 19, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Heading into play on Tuesday, the Yankees will remain alone atop the American League East. Although their margin over the Rays is not a large one, their standing is a testament to their resilience through some difficult times on the health front. The team’s best player, and one of the best the sport has ever seen, Aaron Judge, is on the shelf for an extended time once again.
While Judge’s absence is obviously the most glaring for the Yankees at the moment, it is far from the only one. With a list of guys currently on the injured list, and some already having spent time there, the offense is turning into an all hands on deck situation. Not unlike the scrappy bunch that helped lead the Bombers back in 2019, this year’s squad may be in need of a similar boost from unexpected contributors.
In 2019, the Yankees won 103 games in the regular season, and made it to Game 6 of the American League Championship Series. While the World Series is always the goal, it was undoubtedly a successful season for the team. Despite all of the highs of that team, Judge missed 60 games, Giancarlo Stanton missed almost the entire season (18 games played), and multiple players who enjoyed huge 2018 seasons, Aaron Hicks, Miguel Andujar, and Didi Gregorious, all played half a season or less. The training staff was busy all year, and yet, the Yankees comfortably won over 100 games, and were within a couple wins of making the Fall Classic. While there is a lot that goes into a season-long saga, the surprising contributions from players like Mike Tauchman, Gio Urshela, and DJ LeMahieu made a huge impact. On top of that, partial seasons of really high quality ball from the likes of Cameron Maybin, Luke Voit, and Mike Ford were the cherry on top.
While asking for that many surprises would be wishful thinking, the 2026 Yankees will likely need some unsung heroes to step up in the absence of some of the roster’s bigger names. Aaron Judge is on the shelf until later on in the summer, and Giancarlo Stanton has only played in 24 games and just suffered a setback in his recovery. Meanwhile, last year’s big surprise Trent Grisham has found his way to the IL along with starting catcher Austin Wells, who also has had a miserable start to the year with the bat for good measure. It’s clear the production from these players, and any more who may miss some time, will need to be made up. While this is the case for any team that has realistic hopes for success, the question remains: who will do this for New York this time around?
Some of the make-up effort is already clear at this point of the season. Ben Rice is establishing himself as an high-caliber All-Star type, with a 172 wRC+ and 19 homers in just 65 games this season. While Rice taking a step forward is not necessarily a shock, to have it happen to this degree certainly helps with the absence Judge and company. After a miserable start, Ryan McMahon has heated up significantly over the past month, and would be a major boost if he could return to somewhere near peak form. José Caballero and Amed Rosario have done their part in occasionally limited roles, and feel like guys pulled directly from that 2019 vibe. Several infield spots for this team aren’t locked down by any means, regardless of injuries, so the continued success of Rosario and Caballero could be hugely beneficial. Veteran re-signee Paul Goldschmidt has also been experienced a pleasant renaissance, posting a 149 wRC+ and nearly matching last season’s home run total in just 45 games. If his low cost deal can help to keep some thump in the lineup in lieu of the absences, all the better.
While the unforeseen contributions that have already happened are fine and good, what’s to come is perhaps even more important. The Yankees can hope for the continued success of these guys, but it can’t necessarily be counted upon. Jasson Domínguez just recently returned, homering over the weekend, and the Yankees will have to hope his long-awaited breakout is on the horizon. Highly-touted prospect Spencer Jones has also been underwhelming since his call-up, and if the club can see some improvement as he adjusts to big league pitching, and if he can tap into the enormous power he’s known to possess, he could be a difference-maker.
This Yankees team has already enjoyed this phenomenon on the pitching side. When Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón were set to miss significant chunks of time to begin the season, the likes of Will Warren, Ryan Weathers, and primarily Cam Schlittler all did their part in maintaining one of the league’s strongest rotations. To this point, the Yankees have a team wRC+ that is second-best in the league, but with plenty of absences locked in, including some long-term ones, the continued success of these young up-and-comers, unproven role players, and veterans will be vital to a potentially successful season, just as it was in that highly entertaining 2019 campaign.
Jalen Brunson celebrating the Knicks championship with an officer nearby.
One uncomfortable moment involving Rick and Jalen Brunson and a Texas deputy sheriff after Game 5 of the NBA Finals in San Antonio has begun making the rounds on social media as the Knicks celebrate their historic championship.
In the video, Jalen greets and poses for a photo with a man as a Bexar County deputy sheriff approaches the scene behind them.
The deputy sheriff then appears to push Jalen, seemingly indicating to him that he must get out of the way.
Jalen Brunson #11 and Assistant Coach Rick Brunson smiles with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after the game against the San Antonio Spurs during Game 6 of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 13, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
"Don't push him"
–– Rick Brunson after deputy sheriff pushes Jalen Brunson during Knicks celebration in San Antonio pic.twitter.com/BDEmD1CukM
Jalen turned to the deputy sheriff, appearing annoyed and responding before his father Rick — an assistant coach with the Knicks — came in and said, “Don’t push him.”
In the background of the video, viewers can see a woman respond to the deputy sheriff, seemingly saying “He’s the Finals MVP.”
The moment came amidst in-arena celebrations of the Knicks’ first championship in 53 years.
They clinched their third title in franchise history — and first in 53 years — on Saturday with a 94-90 win over the Spurs at Frost Bank Center.
Brunson received the Bill Russell Trophy for Finals MVP shortly after putting up 45 points in a heroic closeout game performance.
Jalen Brunson celebrating the Knicks championship with an officer nearby. NBA_NewYork/X
The win sent New York into a celebratory frenzy as the city watched the Knicks celebrate over a thousand miles away in Texas before flying back home late that night.
Rick Brunson, now an assistant coach with the Knicks, is a former player himself, having spent parts of three seasons in New York from 1999-2001.
The elder Brunson was a part of the last Knicks team to make the Finals in 1999. That year, coincidentally, the Spurs defeated the Knicks in five games for their first title in franchise history.
Braden Montgomery’s debut was more than anyone could have expected. | (Jayden Mack/Getty Images)
This stretch of games had it all. A long-awaited MLB debut, a thrilling walk-off win against the best team in baseball, and almost having a perfect game thrown against them. This week, the White Sox made a statement to the entire league that they can compete in big ways.
The week started with the National League-leading Atlanta Braves arriving in Chicago. Brandon Eisert opened for Erick Fedde, who each gave up two runs apiece. Matt Olson accounted for the Braves’ first three runs with a pair of homers. A fourth run scored on an error. Down 4-0 in the top of the third, things were starting to feel like they might get out of hand. Enter Miguel Vargas, whose 16th home run of the season cut the Braves’ lead in half. The rest of the game and all the highlights from Tuesday are dedicated to Braden Montgomery.
In the fourth inning, the right fielder knocked his first MLB hit and pushed across his first RBI to bring the White Sox within one. It would be rookie Jacob Gonzalez to tie it in the seventh and take the game to extras.
In the top of the 10th inning, the Braves pulled ahead 5-4. This is when the cinema started. With two outs and the tying run on third base, Braden launched a line drive into the right field bullpen to light the pinwheels and send fans home thrilled. Letting the kids play is really paying off.
Wednesday was the pitchers’ duel that we had all been waiting for. Chris Sale, who was traded by the White Sox to the Boston Red Sox back in 2016, made his sixth start against his former team. In those six starts, the southpaw was 2-2, struck out 47 batters, and owned a 2.91 ERA. Sale may be reaching his elder years in the league, but there doesn’t seem to be much slowing him down. His 16th year in the league is quickly shaping up to be a career year, posting just a 2.31 ERA in 13 starts and hitting 99 mph in Wednesday’s game.
Facing off against him was Davis Martin. This year’s ace was coming off his worst start of the season and desperately needed a bounce-back start. Bounce back he did. The righthander carved through the Braves lineup, going six innings, giving up no runs, and striking out six. The start brought his ERA back below 2.50 and hopefully righted the ship.
Sale, who allowed only two earned runs, did earn the loss in the second game of the series. The only scoring in the entire game for the home team happened in the bottom of the fourth inning. The frame opened with a Montgomery double. The now traded Derek Hill plated the newly minted right fielder on an RBI single. Then Hill came around to score on a very exciting ground out by Luisangel Acuña.
The Braves’ lone run scored in the bottom of the seventh inning on a fielding error by Vargas. As someone who did not want to see our lead diminished and who has the third baseman on her fantasy team, the error was not received well. A locked-in Seranthony Domínguez and Bryan Hudson more than made up for it as Will Venable’s squad secured a series win against the best team in baseball.
It did not matter that Thursday’s game was postponed until August 20. The season series against an incredibly solid squad has been secured. It should be noted that this rainout does mean the White Sox will play 16 games in a row in August, but we will cross that bridge when we get there. The more important thing was to focus on the World Series-winning Dodgers coming to town.
The big headline ahead of this series was Shohei Ohtani leaving Thursday’s game with knee inflammation. It appeared we might catch a break and not have to face one of the greatest hitters in the game. This was true for Friday’s series opener. One would think the message to the team would be to take advantage of this, and it seemed they took the hint.
Not only did the offense score eight runs against Roki Saski and Blake Trinen, but Anthony Kay was the only White Sox pitcher to give up any runs to the LA squad. Kay, who was coming off a start where he gave up six runs to the Phillies, gave up just two runs over his five innings of work and struck out seven. Who would have thought!
Everyone on the offense, except for Gonzalez, recorded a hit in the 8-2 victory. Vargas and Chase Meidroth lead the effort with three hits apiece. This made me very happy for my fantasy baseball team. Andrew Benintendi notched his seventh homer of the year with two outs in the bottom of the first to start the scoring, and Tristan Peters brought the scoring to a finish in the bottom of the fifth with his second triple of the year. It was a great start to the weekend.
Do you know what kills the vibe of a weekend? Watching the opposing pitcher carry a perfect game into the eighth inning and a no-hitter into the ninth. Yoshinobu Yamamoto entered Saturday with 2.68 ERA and 6-2 record. After 8 1/3 innings on 109 pitches, seven strikeouts, and no walks, the 27-year-old righty left the game with a 2.52 ERA and a 7-2 record.
It’s hard to win a game when you can only score one run in the bottom of the ninth inning. It is even harder to win a ballgame when your pitching staff gives up seven runs. Sean Burke did not show up with the same magic as Yamamoto. The game started with a home run from Ohtani, who returned to the lineup in the leadoff spot. Max Muncy added insult to injury, hitting two long balls against South Side pitching.
Had the team ended the week 3-2, I would have been happy. Instead, the Chicago White Sox gave fans the shock of the decade with a six-run sixth inning. The highlights of the sixth inning offense were three long balls. The first homer came from Sam Antonacci, the left fielder’s second home run of the year and first to leave the ballpark, tying the game at one. The second by Colson Montgomery (finally, a good hit after a rough week) made the lead more comfortable, bringing the score to 4-1. Meidroth’s two-run shot took a game-tying grand slam off the table, making it 6-1.
Relief pitching almost spoiled it, giving up one run in each of the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings. In fact, Domínguez faced the go-ahead run in the final frame on two occasions. A force out and a strikeout of Freddie Freeman finally ended the threat and secured the win and the White Sox’s eighth home series victory in a row!
This week was one worth celebrating. It took the South Side squad all the way up to sixth in MLB’s power rankings. A position well earned. However, there are problems with the pitching staff that this front office desperately needs to address. The issue is not how the team has been playing in Bridgeport, but rather how they have been performing on the road. Just how bad is it?
When the White Sox are in the comfort of their own home, the pitching staff ranks sixth in MLB with a 3.41 team ERA and is tied for first with the Tampa Bay Rays with 24 wins. When the show is taken on the road, it is a completely different story. The hurlers are 14-21 with the league’s third-worst road ERA of 5.30. A friendly reminder: each team has to play the same number of games at home as on the road. An almost two-point difference in ERA and significantly fewer road wins are not a recipe for sustained success.
With that being said, Bob Nightengale reported this week that Chris Getz is going to be aggressive at the trade deadline. Now, this is Bob, so I take what he says with a grain of salt, but this makes sense given what was just discussed above. There are clear holes in the pitching, and acquiring a solid starter or two could go a long way toward getting this team across the finish line. May I suggest making a play for Tarik Skubal or Dustin May? If injuries continue to pop up with Colson and other key members of the offense, it also might behoove them to snag a veteran slugger. Time will tell. Getz appears to have a few prospects to entice teams with down on the farm.
Another test is on the horizon with an away series against both the Yankees and Tigers this week. Here’s to hoping something starts clicking with the pitching staff while they’re in the Bronx and it carries over to the visit at Comerica.
6/15/26. Love, your Annie.” 
COVERS INTEL: Martin’s 
