Celtics player spotlight: What's next for Horford as free agency looms?

Celtics player spotlight: What's next for Horford as free agency looms? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Al Horford was among the first major free agents to choose to join the Boston Celtics when he signed a max contract with the team in the summer of 2016. He has spent a total of seven seasons with the C’s, including each of the last four.

Horford has been instrumental in helping the Celtics go from a contender in the Eastern Conference to NBA champion last season.

He turns 39 on Tuesday, and with his contract soon expiring, what does Horford’s future in Boston look like? It’s one of the most interesting questions to begin the offseason.

His teammates very much want him to come back.

“You can’t replace Al,” Celtics guard Payton Pritchard told reporters at a press conference May 17. “So, I definitely hope we can get that figured out, because just his locker room presence alone is crucial. And then having him on the court, just for all the young guys to see how he goes about his business how professional he is, he’s just a leader. We definitely need him back.”

As we continue our “Celtics Player Spotlight” series, let’s recap Horford’s 2024-25 season and analyze how he fits into Boston’s lineup for 2025-26:

2024-25 Season Recap

The Celtics have managed Horford’s minutes in recent seasons, and that process has largely worked, because he’s been pretty durable for a big man in his late 30s. Horford averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.9 blocks per game, while shooting 42.3 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from 3-point range this past season. His 3-point percentage has decreased in each of the last two seasons, but he’s still a good shooter.

Horford ended up playing in 60 regular season games, and he started in nine of Boston’s 11 playoff matchups as Kristaps Porzingis battled a mystery illness.

Horford also remains a good one-on-one defender who can guard multiple positions and provide a shot-blocking presence inside. His defense in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers in March was a great example. Horford did a great job defending Luka Doncic and LeBron James.

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Horford isn’t an All-Star player anymore, but he’s very much a starting-caliber and versatile big man.

Contract details

Horford’s two-year contract (with a $9.5 million salary cap hit, per Spotrac) is set to expire, which will allow him to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Potential roles for 2025-26

Scenario 1: Horford re-signs with Celtics, remains backup center

Horford is best suited coming off the bench at this stage of his career. And if the Celtics have a healthy Kristaps Porzingis on their roster going into next season, it would make sense to have Horford be the first center off the bench.

Scenario 2: Horford re-signs with Celtics, starts at center

If Porzingis is traded in the offseason, Horford would be the best option to start at center. In this scenario, it would be beneficial for the Celtics to sign a free-agent center and/or re-sign Luke Kornet. The C’s cannot afford to have Horford be their only non-rookie center who’s capable of playing 20-plus minutes per game.

Horford actually played a little better offensively as a starter last season. He shot 37.2 percent from 3-point range in those minutes.

Scenario 3: Horford departs as free agent

Any contending team, especially one that’s close to a title but hasn’t won yet, could use a veteran like Horford who can shoot 3-pointers, defend at a high level and provide excellent leadership. Any team desperate for frontcourt depth would be wise to make a free agent pitch. ESPN’s Tim Bontemps recently made the case for the Knicks pursuing Horford in free agency, noting that he’d be an “unbelievable fit” for New York.

However, the last time Horford left Boston as a free agent following a disappointing playoff run was 2019 when he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. It was a disaster, and the Sixers ended up trading Horford after only one season.

Final thoughts

Horford is still a very good player. He’s an above average 3-point shooter and a strong defender. His leadership is fantastic, and his teammates and coaches love him. He is, in many ways, the perfect veteran to have on your roster.

In addition to Horford, veteran center Luke Kornet is also able to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Celtics should try to bring back at least one of them, because if they don’t, their frontcourt depth will be pretty rough.

Bringing back Horford on a team-friendly contract would be the best-case scenario for the Celtics, who must work around the constraints of being a second-apron team.

June 2, 2025

Padres eyeing Red Sox star Jarren Duran as trade target: Report

Padres eyeing Red Sox star Jarren Duran as trade target: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Could a Boston Red Sox team that entered the 2025 season with playoff aspirations become a seller ahead of the MLB trade deadline?

While it’s still too early to make that determination, at least one of Boston’s everyday starters is already drawing interest on the trade market: The San Diego Padres have Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran on their list of trade targets, The Athletic’s Dennis Lin reported Monday.

San Diego’s interest in Duran isn’t surprising; the Padres reportedly had the 28-year-old outfielder on their radar before the 2024 season, when he earned his first All-Star nod while leading Major League Baseball in doubles and triples. San Diego looks like a serious contender at 33-24 but has a weakness in left field, ranking 29th in the majors with a combined .530 OPS at the position.

The case for Boston trading Duran revolves around top prospect Roman Anthony, who has been tearing it up in Triple-A but remains in Worcester with Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu currently manning the Red Sox’ outfield.

If Boston feels it can sell high on Duran while freeing up an outfield spot for Anthony, that’s certainly a path worth considering.

What might work against a Duran-to-San Diego deal is the Padres’ lack of elite prospects. Outside 18-year-old shortstop Leo De Vries — the No. 3 overall prospect in MLB.com’s rankings — San Diego has just one other prospect in MLB.com’s top 50: catcher Ethan Salas (No. 29 overall). So, if the Padres are unwilling to move De Vries for Duran, it might be hard putting together a trade package that Boston would accept.

The Red Sox 3.5 games out of a wild card spot at 29-32 with Triston Casas out for the season and Alex Bregman on the injured list due to a strained quad. If they don’t show considerable improvement in June, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow should at least explore the possibility of selling ahead of the July 31 trade deadline, and Duran could be one of Boston’s most valuable assets.

From the Red Sox’ perspective, however, the Padres don’t seem like an ideal trade partner.

June 2, 2025

Blues Top Free Agent Target Should Be Panthers Center, Only At The Right Price

Should he become a UFA on July 1, Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett should be the St. Louis Blues' top target, but only at a certain price. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

ST. LOUIS -- Remember when Doug Armstrong spoke on locker clean out day, two days after the St. Louis Blues were eliminated by the Winnipeg Jets in Game 7 of the Western Conference First Round on May 4?

The Blues' general manager was asked about the team's potential plan for attracting new players to St. Louis, whether it be via trade or would there be some interest in signing free agents.

Armstrong indicated that there are players that could potentially be unrestricted free agents on July 1 that would be of interest to him.

A lot has been made of one particular potential UFA, who is a bit pre-ooccupied these days getting ready for the Stanley Cup Final in search of back-to-back titles, and for me, he would be at the top of my picks for Armstrong and Blues brass to target, and that's Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett.

But there's one caveat to it all.

There have been reports circulating that the 28-year-old (29 when next season starts), who had a regular-season career-high 26 assists and 51 points this past season, his 10th full one in the NHL, could receive offers -- should he hit the market -- upwards of $10 million per season on a new contract.

If that's the case, thanks but no thanks.

It's no secret the Blues need a No. 2/3 type of center, preferably a No. 2 behind Robert Thomas with Brayden Schenn, the warrior that he is, starting to get longer in the tooth and will be 34 when the 2025-26 season begins. Bennett could fit the bill of what the Blues could use: someone who has the skill set (has 20 or more goals in three of the past four seasons with the Panthers), is mean, strong, willing to play at the net front and physical (listed at 6-foot-1, 193 pounds).

Bennett's style of play seems to be more suited for the playoffs more so than the regular season, and with the Blues, he would certainly get more responsibilities to accentuate some of his finer points. But sorry, if I'm Armstrong, I'm not going anywhere near eight figures for Bennett if there's a bidding war. Not for someone who just reached 50-plus points in a season for the first time.

Bennett does have 16 points (10 goals, six assists) in 17 playoff games this season and 45 points (22 goals, 23 assists) the past three playoff seasons in 56 games shows he does come to play in the big games of the postseason.

Say what you will, and we will see should Bennett hits the market who will be interested and how much they're willing to pay, the Blues should definitely be among those, and I'm willing to give him Schenn's contract ($6.5 million average annual value) for seven years all day, any day, and I'd be willing to go as high as seven years, $49 million ($7 million AAV) with a full no trade clause if that's the sweetener needed and that's as high as I'd go.

If Bennett would be sold on St. Louis, and he has the right see the price go as high as can be, that would be my floor and ceiling. Our friends at capwages.com have a projected cap hit and term for Bennett at six years, $6,637,250 million AAV which is very comparable and fair; it falls into the window I think the Blues would be interested in and would mark a significant raise after Bennett finished a four-year, $4.425 million AAV he just finished with the Panthers.

The Blues have cap space to work with, and that's without potential interest in bringing back Radek Faksa and Ryan Suter, who can also be UFAs on July 1 and Joel Hofer can be a restricted free agent July 1, but for the right price, Bennett would fill a great void the Blues could use. It would give them a middle of Thomas, Bennett, Schenn and Oskar Sundqvist (or Faksa, if he re-signs), and of course Dalibor Dvorsky, the No. 10 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, could play a role in this as well. Pretty darn good and reliably experienced as the team moves into the next phase of what Armstrong called the "re-whatever."

The Blues have $15,515,293 in cap space at their disposal, according to capwages, which also includes Torey Krug's $6.5 million AAV on long-term injured reserve, but that doesn't mean they will be given the space to spend to the limit. Stay tuned.

June 2, 2025

Flyers Prospects Will Start Pro Careers as Winners After Claiming Elusive Memorial Cup

Flyers prospect Denver Barkey held the tournament joint-lead in scoring. (Photo: Anne-Marie Sorvin, Imagn Images)

Philadelphia Flyers prospects Denver Barkey and Oliver Bonk are your 2025 Memorial Cup champions, giving the WHL Medicine Hat Tigers the business in a 4-1 decision for the London Knights Sunday night.

Almost a year ago to the day, Barkey, Bonk, and the Knights were eliminated by the Saginaw Spirit in the 2024 Memorial Cup in a tightly contested 4-3 loss, but now that the Flyers duo has captured the elusive title, they'll begin their respective pro careers known as nothing but winners.

Barkey, for example, played in the playoffs in each of his four seasons with the Knights. He had 24 points in 20 games in 2022-23, 27 points in 18 games last year, and 20 points in 10 games this year.

In the Memorial Cup, the Flyers' former third-round pick was tied with Toronto Maple Leafs forward prospect Easton Cowan for the lead in scoring, with both players posting three goals, four assists, and seven points in five games.

Bonk, too, was impressive throughout his Knights career, especially when the stakes were elevated. Though he won't be much of a point-producer at the NHL level, Bonk had 11 assists in 21 playoff games in 2022-23, 16 points in 18 games last year, and 14 points in 17 games this year.

The second of the Flyers' two 2023 first-round picks finished with only two assists in this year's Memorial Cup run after having six points in four Cup games last year, but that's fine.

Bonk benefitted from a niche power play role that helped him elevate his scoring numbers on a strong London team. His role changed this season, and it'll help him in his adjustment to eventual NHL life with the Flyers.

This, combined with Barkey's high-flying scoring and tenacity, led the Knights to back-to-back OHL championships and the Memorial Cup that haunted them this time last year.

It's the perfect sendoff for two promising Flyers prospects who will officially enter the pros for the first time in a few months.

June 2, 2025

Max Fried Has Become Yankees’ Ace With Gerrit Cole Sidelined

LOS ANGELES — Despite Max Fried’s loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday night at Dodger Stadium, the left-hander has more than helped the Yankees overcome the absence of staff ace Gerrit Cole, who is sidelined for the season with an elbow injury.

Aaron Judge said he doesn’t know where the Yankees would be without Fried, like Cole a Los Angeles-area native.

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“I knew Max was always this good from just watching him on TV with the Braves, watching them on their World Series run, what he was able to do,” Judge said before the Yanks salvaged the finale of the three-game series with Sunday’s 7-3 win. “But now watching him up close you see the total package.”

Fried was supposed to give the Yankees a potent starting one-two pitching punch when he signed as a free agent this past offseason for eight years and $218 million. Cole then blew out his right elbow during spring training and had to undergo Tommy John ligament replacement surgery. He had missed nearly the first three months of the 2024 season with soreness in the same elbow.

Cole’s in the midst of nine-year, $324 million contract, and for the Yankees this year, his $36 million is dead money—salary guaranteed to a player not on the active roster.

He’s gone for the season until sometime into 2026 as he rehabs from a surgery that left a scraggly scar on that elbow. He’s on the trip to California and said he’s still in the strength and conditioning phase of his recovery. Picking up a baseball and tossing it is still down the road. The typical rehab from his kind of surgery could take as long as 18 months.

“I’m a little bit of a pragmatic type of guy,” Cole said. “I want to just take it a day at time, but I feel like everything is going fine right now. Part of the challenge of these long processes is not to get ahead of yourself.”

Meanwhile Fried, with ample help in the starting rotation from Carlos Rodon, has more than filled the gap. He went into Friday’s game with a 7-0 record and a league-leading 1.28 ERA. After a pair of Shohei Ohtani homers and a blown 5-2 lead, he took the 8-5 loss. His record fell to 7-1 and his ERA increased to 1.92, now good for fifth in the Major Leagues.

Fried wasn’t around last fall when the Yankees met the Dodgers in the World Series. He was still a member of the Atlanta Braves. But the results Friday night were much the same as Game 5 at Yankee Stadium when Cole was on the mound and the Yankees blew a 5-0 lead on a shoddy display of fifth-inning defense. They lost the series that night.

Judge dropped a liner to center, Anthony Volpe made a bad throw to third base, and Cole failed to cover first base on a Mookie Betts’ grounder to Anthony Rizzo.

Cole said that night that he would take the responsibility for the loss, but not the blame.

“I took a bad angle to the ball,” he said. “By the time it got by me I was not in position to cover first.”

With seven months and 3,000 miles separating the situations, Fried didn’t feel any better Friday night and the Yankees’ pitching collapsed on Saturday in a crushing, 18-2 loss.

“I thought the guys did a great job getting me an early lead,” Fried, who had forearm problems of his own last season and missed a month, said Friday night. “I just didn’t do the job. I’m a competitor and I want to go out here and win. We had a lead, and I gave it up a couple of times. It just doesn’t sit well with me.”

Asked if he liked that kind of spirit from Fried, Yanks manager Aaron Boone said Saturday: “I like everything about him.”

Boone feels the same way about Judge, who continues to pound the ball in what has been an historic first two months of the season that ended on Saturday. He hit .398 with 21 homers, 50 RBIs, 86 hits, 54 runs scored, a .490 on-base percentage and a 1.268 OPS.

Judge hit three first-pitch solo homers in the first two games of the Dodgers series, the type of performance of which the Yanks have become accustomed, two of them behind Fried.

“He’s been doing that all season, so it’s not surprising,” Fried said.

Even with Fried’s first poor outing of the season, he’s still has an 0.97 WHIP, 70 strikeouts in 75 innings and has allowed just 16 earned runs, 57 hits and 16 walks in his first 12 starts. Opponents are hitting .205 against him.

Like Cole, Fried has World Series experience. Cole pitched for Houston twice in 2019 and split his two starts as the Astros lost in seven games to the Washington Nationals. Two years later, Fried was on the mound for the Braves against the Astros in a deciding Game 6. He pitched six innings of no-run, four hit ball in a 7-0 championship-winning effort. By that time, Cole had already signed with the Yankees.

The fact that Cole went down after the Yankees signed Fried is no small consolation.

“Max has been a huge contributor to where we are right now,” Cole said. “Aaron having the season he’s had for us is always a driving force. He’s really steady Eddie every day and we’re lucky to have him. It’s just tough for me to sit here watching it. But that’s the hand I was dealt, and I’m trying to play it the best I can.”

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June 2, 2025

Steph ‘for sure' will consider TV role after NBA career ends

Steph ‘for sure' will consider TV role after NBA career ends originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Let the bidding wars begin.

Warriors superstar Steph Curry, in an exclusive interview with CNBC’s Alex Sherman for the network’s documentary “Curry Inc.: The Business of Stephen Curry,” which airs Wednesday at 6 p.m. PT and again at 9 p.m., revealed that he will consider a role in television upon the end of his iconic NBA career

“Oh, for sure,” Curry told Sherman. “I’ve seen guys go through it, a lot of ex-NBA guys who are behind the booth now, whether it’s commentating, in-studio – you’ve seen what Tom Brady is doing in the NFL, Draymond [Green] already has his path set up.”

Days after saying he won’t take his talents into the podcasting scene, Curry appears committed to staying around the NBA after hanging up his legendary No. 30 jersey. The 37-year-old’s consideration makes sense, as his father, Dell, has worked as a color analyst for the Charlotte Hornets’ television broadcasts for nearly 20 years, even after playing 16 seasons in the league.

There isn’t much – if anything – left for Curry to accomplish as a player. Of course, he wants a fifth NBA championship, but the greatest shooter of all time already has four to go with 11 All-Star and All-NBA nods, two MVP awards, a spot on the league’s 75th Anniversary Team and, after last summer’s heroics, an Olympic gold medal.

Working in TV seemingly would pose a new challenge for Curry. And that could be exactly what he wants once he’s done playing for Golden State and in the NBA.

“I will be more patient, I think, about what will be the right opportunity for me, because anything I do, I want to be all in on it,” Curry told Sherman. “And right now, just doing your homework on the different pathways and opportunities that might be available.”

Any network that lands Curry will be must-see TV. Though the megastar himself isn’t rushing anything, letting the cards fall as they may.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

June 2, 2025

Mets at Dodgers prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 2

Its Monday, June 2 and the Mets (37-22) are in Los Angeles to open a series against the Dodgers (36-23).

Paul Blackburn is slated to take the mound for New York against Dustin May for Los Angeles.

The weekend saw the Dodgers take two of three from the Yankees and the Mets sweep the Rockies in a three-game series. Highlights included three home runs from Max Muncy over the last two games for Los Angeles and Juan Soto getting his bat going with four hits in nine at bats including a pair of home runs.

Lets dive into tonight's matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Mets at Dodgers

Date: Monday, June 2, 2025
Time: 10:10PM EST
Site: Dodger Stadium
City: Los Angeles, CA
Network/Streaming: SportsNet LA, WPIX, MLBN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Mets at the Dodgers

The latest odds as of Monday:

Moneyline: Mets (+130), Dodgers (-156)
Spread: Dodgers -1.5
Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Mets at Dodgers

Pitching matchup for June 2, 2025: Paul Blackburn vs. Dustin May
- Mets: Paul Blackburn (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
  Last outing: 1st appearance since 8/23/24 at San Diego
- Dodgers: Dustin May (3-4, 4.20 ERA)
  Last outing: 5/27 at Cleveland - 5IP, 3ER< 4H, 2BB, 9Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Mets at Dodgers

The Mets' record in their last 10 games stands 8-2 as they have reclaimed first place in the NL East
In his last five home starts Dustin May has an ERA of 2.99
With Dustin May starting, the Dodgers are up 1.54 units on the Run Line at Dodger Stadium in 2025
Francisco Lindor went 6-11 with 3 HRs in the 3-game series at Colorado
Shohei Ohtani was 4-13 with 2 HRs against the Yankees this past weekend

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Mets and the Dodgers

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Monday's game between the Mets and the Dodgers:

Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Los Angeles Dodgers on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the New York Mets at +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

June 2, 2025

Philadelphia Flyers Officially Lose Signing Rights to 3 Recently Drafted Defense Prospects

The Flyers will need to completely reinvest in the defense position in the 2025 NHL Draft. (Photo: Anne-Marie Sorvin, Imagn Images)

With no new signings or contracts announced on Sunday, the Philadelphia Flyers have officially lost the signing rights to three recently drafted defense prospects, including two of Matvei Michkov's draft classmates.

According to PuckPedia, the Flyers lost these three players on June 1 due for two reasons. Players who were drafted in 2023 and played major junior hockey through their age 20 and players who were drafted from European Leagues in 2021 before turning 20 saw their signing rights expire Monday.

So, that means that Flyers defense prospects Carter Sotheran, Brian Zanetti, and Matteo Mann are all free to sign with other NHL teams.

Zanetti, 22, is signed with HC Lugano of Switzerland through the 2027-28 season, so his career in North America is unlikely to resume anytime soon. The left-shot defenseman was drafted 110th overall by the Flyers in the 2021 NHL Draft.

Flyers Trade Rumors: Wild 'Not Dying' to Deal Marco Rossi AwayRecent reports have connected the Philadelphia Flyers to trade discussions with the Minnesota Wild regarding free agent center Marco Rossi, but there is no serious progress made by the Flyers, or any other NHL team, on that front... yet.

As for Sotheran, the 135th overall pick in 2023, and Mann, the 199th overall pick in 2023, both players will be 20 years old on Sept. 15 and are eligible to re-enter the NHL draft if they wish.

With Sotheran and Mann out of the picture, the only Flyers defense prospects 20 years old or younger under contract with the team are Oliver Bonk, also drafted in 2023, and 2024 second-round pick Spencer Gill.

Right-shot defenseman Austin Moline, 19, is the last remaining defenseman on the Flyers' reserve list.

By all accounts, after taking their center of choice with the No. 6 pick, the Flyers are going to have to heavily reinvest in their defense in the 2025 draft later this month.

June 2, 2025

2026 Stanley Cup Odds: Oilers, Panthers Lead Early Contenders But One Unexpected Favourite Emerges

Vegas oddsmakers have released the first look at 2026 Stanley Cup futures, with the Oilers and Panthers leading the pack but one unexpected team is turning heads early.

As the hockey world anxiously awaits the puck drop for the 2025 Stanley Cup Final this Wednesday, the conversation is already shifting to next season and beyond.

Sportsbooks have released early betting odds for the 2026 Stanley Cup, giving fans and bettors a first glimpse into who the oddsmakers think are poised for glory, and who might need a miracle run.

More NHL: 2025 Stanley Cup Final Betting Preview: Oilers-Panthers Set for Epic Rematch

At the top of the odds board are the Carolina Hurricanes (+700), fresh off another dominant regular season and looking to finally break through for a cup. Close behind are the Florida Panthers (+750) and the Edmonton Oilers (+750), both teams loaded with star power and built to continue contending. The Colorado Avalanche (+850) and Dallas Stars (+900) round out the top five, continuing their runs as perennial contenders.

Full list of 2026 Stanley Cup Betting Odds per FanDuel Sportsbook:

Carolina Hurricanes +700
Florida Panthers +750
Edmonton Oilers +750
Colorado Avalanche +850
Dallas Stars +900
Vegas Golden Knights +1200
Tampa Bay Lightning +1600
Los Angeles Kings +1800
New Jersey Devils +1800
Winnipeg Jets +2200
Toronto Maple Leafs +2400
Washington Capitals +2400
Ottawa Senators +3200
New York Rangers +3200
Utah Mammoth +3400
Minnesota Wild +3500
St. Louis Blues +4700
Vancouver Canucks +5500
New York Islanders +6500
Calgary Flames +8000
Philadelphia Flyers +8000
Columbus Blue Jackets +8500
Nashville Predators +9000
Montreal Canadiens +9000
Detroit Red Wings +10000
Boston Bruins +12000
Buffalo Sabres +14000
Pittsburgh Penguins +28000
Seattle Kraken +35000
Anaheim Ducks +40000
Chicago Blackhawks +50000
San Jose Sharks +50000

More NHL: NHL Insider Reports Maple Leafs, Golden Knights May Have Discussed Marner Trade

While the favorites are largely the usual suspects, the real intrigue might lie at the bottom of the list particularly with the Anaheim Ducks.

Despite their +40000 long-shot odds, the Ducks are widely seen as a team to watch this offseason. With plenty of cap space and a clear mandate from general manager Pat Verbeek, Anaheim has publicly stated its desire to be aggressive in free agency and push for a return to the playoffs and they’ll have plenty of options.

More NHL: Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner Next Team Betting Odds Revealed

This summer’s UFA class is stacked with talent, including:

Mitch Marner (F, Maple Leafs)
John Tavares (F, Maple Leafs)
Aaron Ekblad (D, Panthers)
Sam Bennett (F, Panthers)
Brad Marchand (F, Panthers)
Nikolaj Ehlers (F, Jets)
Brock Boeser (F, Canucks)
Matt Duchene (F, Stars)
Mikael Granlund (F, Stars)
Vladislav Gavrikov (D, Kings)
Brock Nelson (C, Avalanche)
Pius Suter (C, Canucks)

In addition, several restricted free agents could be targets for trades or even offer sheets:

Matthew Knies (F, Maple Leafs)
Gabe Vilardi (F, Jets)
Evan Bouchard (D, Oilers)
Luke Hughes (D, Devils)
Noah Dobson (D, Islanders)
JJ Peterka (F, Sabres)
Lukas Dostal (G, Ducks)

As the league prepares for one of the most intriguing offseasons in recent memory, these early odds offer a fun but potentially temporary snapshot of the landscape. A few bold signings or blockbuster trades could turn a basement dweller into a dark horse overnight.

More Hockey: 2026 Winter Olympics – Men’s Ice Hockey Betting Odds & Team Outlooks

June 2, 2025

Canadiens: Potential First Round Pick – Malcolm Spence

There’s no shortage of talent up for grabs at the NHL draft this year, and by the end of the month, the Montreal Canadiens could potentially add 12 new prospects to their already overflowing cupboard. Of course, they are likely to trade some of their 12 picks, maybe even their first-round pick or picks, but if they keep one of their first-round selection, Malcom Spence could be an enticing option.

While he hasn’t been a massive points producer with the Eerie Otters, his production has grown every year since he was drafted second overall at the OHL draft in 2022, behind exceptional status player Michael Misa. Playing under a coach who valued defensive play in Stan Butler, Spence became a complete player, one who can have an impact at both ends of the ice and in all facets of the game.

Canadiens: What Demidov Learned So Far
Canadiens Farm Team Without Two Big Players For Game Three
Canadiens: Could There Be A Big Trade In The Works With Minnesota?

Thanks to his late birthday, the 6-foot-1, 203-pound teenager has had the opportunity to complete three seasons before finally being eligible for the NHL draft. The big left winger is an adept of physical play and can create havoc on the forecheck, a quality Martin St-Louis has been known to like from his players.

In his rookie season in Erie, he scored 42 points, followed by 62 as a sophomore and 73 in his draft year, becoming a point-per-game player. Ten of his 32 goals were scored on special units, with five coming on the power-play and five when down a man, leaving him a 22-goal output at five-on-five.

Furthermore, the youngster possesses good leadership qualities; he has been an alternate captain with the Otters since his sophomore season and has proven himself up to the task. He also appears to enjoy the spotlight. At the 2023 Hlinka/Gretzky final, he scored the golden goal. Being able to perform under scrutiny is a must in a market like Montreal.

He’s currently ranked 17th on the North American Skaters Final ranking of the NHL Central Scouting, but his projected rank varies tremendously depending on which mock draft you look at. TSN’s Bob MacKenzie has him at 16, while Craig Button put him at 15. THN’s Ryan Kennedy places him the highest at eight, while he’s only 24th on Tony Ferrari’s list.

He could still be available when the Canadiens’ turn comes up, and he’s worth considering since he appears to be well on his way to becoming a very complete player.

Photo credit: GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS / USA TODAY NETWORK

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June 2, 2025

Plaschke: Missed chance to sweep Yankees leaves Dodgers in a precarious spot

Los Angeles, CA, Sunday, June 1, 2025 - Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages. — Dodgers left fielder Andy Pages bobbles a hit by New York's DJ LeMahieu during the Dodger's 7-3 loss to the Yankees on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The desperation of a toasted Dodger Stadium made itself abundantly clear Sunday in the fourth inning of a sunburn against the New Yankees.

With mighty Yankee Aaron Judge huffing and puffing at the plate, a lone insistent chant emerged from a Dodger fan lurking in the shadows.

“Ko-be! Ko-be! Ko-be!”

Sorry. Nice try. But on this day, the Dodgers lacked all evidence of a Mamba Mentality.

Coming off two inspirational wins in this three-game weekend showdown against their American League twin, the Dodgers ate the broom.

A team that had finally seemed to figure out its pitching watched its ace fold.

A team whose offense had become balanced and deep could barely poke a soft-tossing journeyman utility starter who they once cut.

And, yeah, a team that does everything right did bits of everything wrong, a wild throw scoring a run, a wild pitch scoring another run, and a foolish stolen base attempt costing yet another run.

In all, it resulted in a 7-3 Yankees victory that left the Dodgers facing another stark set of numbers.

Baseball’s most talented team is 12-10 against legitimate championship contenders.

Baseball’s richest team is 28-23 since starting the season 8-0.

And now one of baseball’s most injury-plagued teams must strap back in for a four-game series against a first-place New York Mets team that has won seven of eight. Followed by three games in hot St. Louis. Followed by three games in angry San Diego. Followed by three games against the reborn San Francisco Giants. Followed by four more games against damn San Diego.

Whew. Gulp. A little Mamba would be nice.

That the Dodgers are facing this impossibly tough stretch would have made it extra sweet to sweep the Yankees, particularly coming 24 hours after beating them 18-2, and less than 48 hours after roaring back to beat them 8-5.

Everyone thought this defending champion Dodger team of gargantuan expectations had finally and permanently arrived.

Not so fast.

“When these guys came into town, I think we ramped up our focus, our approach, just the intensity,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts before Sunday’s game. “And it’s fortunately showed.”

And then it disappeared again, which has sort of been the Dodgers issue all season, right?

“We’ve got our guy going tonight,” Roberts also said, referring to Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a Cy Young candidate who had shut down the Yankees twice last season. “It’s going to be fun..”

And then it wasn't.

Roberts refused to change his positive tune afterward, maintaining, “For us, the takeaway is, we won a series, and that was the goal coming into this weekend.”

Yeah, but still...

Yamamoto had his second-worst stinker as a Dodger, surpassed by only his fumble of the division series opener last season against the Padres.

He gave up a career-high seven hits along with four runs in just 3 ⅔ innings, and didn’t have much help.

The Yankees quickly put the Dodgers on the ropes with a messy first inning, scoring one and loading the bases on, among other jabs, two walks and a wild throw home from left fielder Andy Pages.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts pulls starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto from the game. — Dodgers manager Dave Roberts pulls starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto from the game in the fourth inning against the New York Yankees on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

One inning later the Dodgers should have come back to take a 2-1 lead on Tommy Edman’s homer. But on the previous pitch, Pages, perhaps trying to make up for that lousy throw, was thrown out trying to steal third despite there being only one out.

One inning after that, Yamamoto went bust, walking Judge, giving up a two-run homer by Ben Rice, then yielding two singles to set up a run-scoring wild pitch.

It was all pretty scary stuff for a pitching staff working on such a precarious tightrope. There’s enough uncertainty in other places that the one arm they must be able to count on is the one attached to Yamamoto.

The four scheduled starters for the Mets series are Dustin May, Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin and Landon Knack. All have been both decent and struggling and the bottom line is, would you want to give the ball to any of them with your season on the line?

Honestly, the Dodgers need Yamamoto to be great, transforming a warm and sunny Sunday afternoon into a chilly missed opportunity.

His bad day was all the Yankees needed when the Dodgers’ vaunted four-man top of the lineup — minus an injured Mookie Betts — went hitless in 16 at-bats. A day after their offense banged out 21 hits, the stars can’t even raise a scratch on starter Ryan Yarbrough? How does that happen?

The Dodgers should have known all about Yarbrough. They had him for parts of the last two seasons, long enough for him to receive a World Series ring but not long enough to keep them from essentially releasing him before trading him.

The offensive struggles, which doomed late homers by Max Muncy and Pages, were epitomized by two middle-inning face plants.

Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas tags out New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells. — Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas tags out New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells on a stolen-base attempt in the seventh inning Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The Dodgers put two runners on in the fifth, but a Miguel Rojas line drive to center field was caught, only briefly summoning memories of when it wasn’t.

Then, the top of the order couldn’t get the ball out of the infield in the sixth inning, meekly disappearing on 13 pitches.

“It’s funky, it’s funky,” said Will Smith of his former teammate’s style, and he’s not talking about a cool funky.

There was some good news for the Dodgers on Sunday, Betts working out while wearing a shoe for the first time since fracturing his toe during a midnight bedroom stroll and, according to Roberts, handling the pain. This means he could be back soon and, even though he has lacked his usual offensive greatness this season, his return can’t come soon enough.

Betts met the media before the game to discuss it.

”Just going to the bathroom... whatever you picture, that’s exactly what happened,” he said. “I’m sure we all have fractured toes from stuff like this...Just clumsiness I guess.”

Two words, Mookie.

Night light.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

June 2, 2025

‘Not right’: Verstappen issues veiled apology for Russell crash at F1 Spanish GP

Four-time champion posts message on social media
Driver hit with penalty for Spanish Grand Prix collision

Max Verstappen has issued a veiled apology for his crash with George Russell by admitting it “was not right and should have not happened”. The four-time world champion was hit with a 10-second penalty by the stewards for causing a collision with Russell with two laps remaining of Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix.

Russell said he felt Verstappen’s move was deliberate and accused the Red Bull driver of letting himself down. He also suggested that Verstappen should have been disqualified. After the race, Verstappen refused to accept blame for the coming together and even sarcastically offered Russell a tissue after he was informed of his rival’s comments.

June 2, 2025

Celtics assistant GM Austin Ainge taking Jazz front office role

Celtics assistant GM Austin Ainge taking Jazz front office role originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Austin Ainge is reuniting with his father.

The Utah Jazz are hiring Ainge, the Boston Celtics’ assistant general manager, as their new president of basketball operations, the team announced Monday. ESPN’s Shams Charania and Tim Bontemps first reported Ainge’s hire.

Ainge is the son of former Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge, who left Boston in June 2021 and took over as the Jazz’s CEO of basketball operations and alternate governor later that year.

Austin Ainge first joined the Celtics organization in 2009, serving as head coach of the G League Affiliate Maine Red Claws (now the Maine Celtics). He moved to the front office in 2011, starting out as Boston’s director of player personnel before assuming the assistant GM role in 2019.

“We are thrilled for Austin as he embarks on his new journey with the Jazz,” Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said in a statement Monday. “He’s clearly ready for this next step, and I know how much he’s looking forward to leading a team.

“He’s obviously very bright and has experienced success as a player, coach and executive at various levels of the game. On top of that, he leaves no stone unturned – he’s a strategic thinker that’s motivated and is an extremely hard worker. We will miss him in Boston, but could not be happier for Austin and his family.“

The timing of Ainge’s departure is notable, as Boston faces a potentially franchise-altering offseason. The Celtics need to shed at least $20 million in salary to get under the second apron of the luxury tax, and Jayson Tatum’s ruptured Achilles — which could sideline him for most or all of the 2025-26 season — might convince Stevens to reset the roster in some capacity to avoid punitive roster-building and financial penalties.

Stevens and his front office now will need to make those decisions without Ainge, who gets the chance to serve in a prominent role for a franchise that features his father atop the masthead and a former Celtics assistant, Will Hardy, as head coach.

June 2, 2025

Penguins Roster Breakdown: Which Young Players Have Realistic Hopes Of Cracking NHL Roster Next Season?

Mar 30, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Ville Koivunen (41) takes the ice for his NHL debut against the Ottawa Senators at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Penguins are heading into the 2025-26 season with full intentions of having a youth movement on their NHL roster.

But, of course, a lot of that is dependent on who returns to the NHL roster next season.

As of now, there are four pending-unrestricted free agents - forwards Matt Nieto, Boko Imama, and Joona Koppanen as well as defenseman Matt Grzelcyk - and five pending-restricted free agents - forwards Connor Dewar, Philip Tomasino, and Vasily Ponomarev and defensemen P.O Joseph and Conor Timmins - who may or may not return.

But, barring any other moves in the trade market or free agency, here is a breakdown of which returning players remain under contract, how many roster spots - as things stand now - will be open for youth to fill, and which young players have the best shot at the NHL roster.

Who is already under contract?

Here are the NHL players - and their contracts - who are currently set to return next season, according to PuckPedia data:

Forwards

- Sidney Crosby: $8.7 million (UFA 2027)
- Evgeni Malkin: $6.1 million (UFA 2026)
- Bryan Rust: $5.125 million (UFA 2028)
- Rickard Rakell: $5 million (UFA 2028)
- Kevin Hayes: $3.75 million (UFA 2026)
- Tommy Novak: $3.5 million (UFA 2027)
- Danton Heinen: $2.25 million (UFA 2026)
- Noel Acciari: $2 million (UFA 2026)
- Blake Lizotte: $1.85 million (UFA 2026)

Defensemen

- Erik Karlsson: $10 million (UFA 2027)
- Kris Letang: $6.1 million (UFA 2028)
- Ryan Graves: $4.5 million (UFA 2029)
- Ryan Shea: $900,000 (UFA 2026)
- Vladislav Kolyachonok: $775,000 (RFA 2026/UFA Group 6)

Goaltenders

- Tristan Jarry: $5.375 million (UFA 2028)
- Alex Nedeljkovic: $2.5 million (UFA 2026)

---

Total number of contracts on the books for next season: 16

3 Amazing Stats Penguins' Sidney Crosby Can Hit Next Season Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby is one of the greatest players in NHL history, and he is showing zero signs of slowing down at 37 years old. The 2005 first-overall pick is still a dominant player at this stage of his career, and his stats this season effectively demonstrate that. The veteran center posted 33 goals and 91 points in 80 games this season.

How many spots will youth fill?

Well, if you're doing the math, if all 16 current returning contracts are accounted for at the start of the 2025-26 regular season - and if no pending-UFAs or RFAs return - the Penguins will have seven open roster spots.

But there's a good chance that, at least, a few pending-RFAs may return, and the team is likely to sign a few players in free agency. So, realistically, the Penguins should have anywhere between two and four spots for the taking.

And - lucky for them - they have some youth talent who should be battling for those spots.

2 Prime Penguins Breakout Candidates For 2025-26 SeasonThe Pittsburgh Penguins are currently retooling their roster as they look to become a playoff team again. Because of this, the Metropolitan Division club will be hoping that some of their young players will take a notable step forward in their development next season.

Who will be in the mix for a spot on the NHL opening night roster?

If you ask whoever the next head coach of the Penguins - or POHO/GM Kyle Dubas - this question, they'll tell you something along the lines of, "everyone is in the mix."

While this does hold some weight - and, occasionally, veterans get waived or jettisoned in some form to make way for youth - the reality is that there, more than likely, will only be a few spots wide open.

Here are some players to look out for in training camp:

The frontrunners

- F Rutger McGroarty: McGroarty technically did break camp last season and spent three games with the NHL club before getting optioned back to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) - Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate - but he really shined in his five-game stint at the end of the season on the top line alongside Crosby and Rust, recording a goal and three points in five games before a foot injury ended his season. He should have an inside track at making the team from the jump.

Apr 8, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rutger McGroarty (2) shoots the puck as Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy (5) defends during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

- F Ville Koivunen: Like McGroarty, Koivunen showed that he belonged at the NHL level at the end of the NHL regular season. He was nearly point-per-game with seven assists in eight games and split time between Malkin's and Crosby's lines - both of which he thrived on. He is, by all accounts, the heaviest favorite to land a forward spot on the opening night roster. And he's earned it.

- D Jack St. Ivany: Don't discount St. Ivany, who had a poor start to the 2024-25 season that led to a demotion in November. Unfortunately, he was out of action in WBS for nearly two months with an injury, but - upon return - he played quite well. With the right side being as thin as it is beyond Karlsson and Letang for the Penguins, St. Ivany has as good a shot as any in cracking the roster.

In Midst Of Whirlwind Season, St. Ivany Regains ConfidenceIt has been a whirlwind year for Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Jack St. Ivany.

- D Owen Pickering: Pickering, 21, earned a long look at the NHL level last season, registering a goal and three points in 25 games to go along with a minus-5. He saw some top-four minutes on a pairing with Letang, and - although his play fell off a bit before he was re-assigned to WBS - he showed he is more than capable of playing at the highest level.

The dark horses

- F Avery Hayes: Forget about Hayes at your peril. The 22-year-old winger recently signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Penguins, and he put up 23 goals and 42 points in 60 AHL games last season. He's feisty, he's clutch, and he's getting better and better each year, so don't discount the possibility of an impressive training camp earning him a spot.

Penguins Forward Prospect Earns Entry-Level Contract A potential key part of the Pittsburgh Penguins' future at the forward position earned himself a payday.

- F Filip Hallander: Now in his second stint with the Penguins' organization, Hallander, 24, is coming off of a breakout season for Timra IK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). He registered 26 goals and 53 points in 51 games and earned SHL Forward of the Year honors, and his strong two-way game shined as well. Hallander has the potential to be an NHL mainstay, especially if he has a strong training camp.

- F Tristan Broz: Unfortunately, a long battle with mononucleosis kept Broz, 22, out for two months during his first professional season. But he still recorded 19 goals and 37 points in 59 games, and the Penguins were impressed with his growth at the center position. His production slowed a bit post-recovery from mono, so - as long as he is healthy - he should have a shot at the NHL roster at some point next season, even if not straight out of camp.

- D Harrison Brunicke: Brunicke, 19, also missed a signficant portion of his junior season with the Kamloops Blazers due to a broken wrist. But he was the standout in training camp last season, and he impressed in a 10-game AHL stint at the end of the season for WBS, even working on the second pairing during the team's two playoff games over more seasoned veterans. If he has a training camp anything like last season - he was specifically named by Dubas as someone who could compete for a spot - he may just earn himself a nine-game NHL trial this time around.

Oct 4, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Harrison Brunicke (45) skates in on goal against Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Kuraly (7) during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The "long shots, but don't discount"

- F Sam Poulin: Realistically, players like Poulin and Valtteri Puustinen should have a leg-up on some of the younger guys because of production and prior NHL experience. Poulin had 19 goals and 43 points in 57 AHL games last season, but he was playing third-line minutes by season's end. Unless he is a standout at training camp, he's probably in the AHL. But he's still young enough at 24 that he could break out in a big way.

- F Mikhail Ilyin: Ilyin, 19, just signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Penguins on Saturday, and he was just the eighth teenager in KHL history to record at least 30 points in a season last year. There's a good chance that Ilyin will return on loan to the KHL's Severstal Cherepovets next season, but if he comes to North America, he will certainly be one to watch with his keen hockey sense, playmaking ability, and creativity.

Penguins Ink Forward Prospect Mikhail Ilyin To Three-Year ContractAfter some uncertainty surrounding his status, it looks like Pittsburgh Penguins forward prospect Mikhail Ilyin is coming to North America next season after all.

- F Atley Calvert: Learn the name, because the 22-year-old undrafted Calvert was quite the buzz in the organization last season. He registered 13 goals and 36 points in 38 ECHL games with the Wheeling Nailers before his AHL call-up, after which he turned in nine goals and 14 points in 26 games. He can score some goals, and he's flying a bit under-the-radar. Don't count him out.

- G Joel Blomqvist: The only reason Blomqvist is in this spot is because there are two goaltenders on the NHL roster who are, essentially, blocking any real chance of Blomqvist making the opening night roster. By all means, Blomqvist should be starting NHL games next season, but that largely depends on what happens with Jarry and Nedeljkovic. An injury that kept him out for most of the end of the AHL season didn't help his case, either.

Will Joel Blomqvist Be On Penguins' Opening Night Roster?Between injuries and inconsistency, the 2024-25 season was one of ups and downs for Pittsburgh Penguins goaltending prospect Joel Blomqvist.

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!

June 2, 2025

Tigers at White Sox Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for June 2

Its Monday, June 2 and the Tigers (39-21) are in Chicago to take on the White Sox (18-41). Jack Flaherty is slated to take the mound for Detroit against Jonathan Cannon for Chicago.

Detroit is 6-1 in the last seven games and have taken five of the last six series entering this matchup. Chicago has lost three straight and six of the past seven.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Tigers at White Sox

Date: Monday, June 2, 2025
Time: 7:40PM EST
Site: Rate Field
City: Chicago, IL
Network/Streaming: FDSNDT, CHSN

Odds for the Tigers at the White Sox

The latest odds as of Monday:

Moneyline: Tigers (-210), White Sox (+174)
Spread: Tigers -1.5
Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Tigers at White Sox

Pitching matchup for June 2, 2025: Jack Flaherty vs. Jonathan Cannon
- Tigers: Jack Flaherty, (3-6, 3.94 ERA)
  Last outing: 6.0 Innings Pitched, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 1 Walk, and 8 Strikeouts
- White Sox: Jonathan Cannon, (2-6, 4.15 ERA)
  Last outing: 5.2 Innings Pitched, 5 Earned Runs Allowed, 9 Hits Allowed, 1 Walk, and 4 Strikeouts

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Tigers and the White Sox

Rotoworld Best Bet

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Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Monday’s game between the Tigers and the White Sox:

Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Detroit Tigers on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Chicago White Sox at +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Tigers at White Sox

The Tigers are on a 10-game win streak at the White Sox
The Under is 4-1 in the White Sox's last 5 matchups against AL Central teams
The Tigers have covered the Run Line in 4 straight games at the White Sox

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

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Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)