Can the Spurs continue the trend of the visiting team winning every game in this year's Finals? Or will the Knicks bounce back and put aside any outside distractions to take a commanding 3-1 series lead?
The Vancouver Canucks have parted ways with Senior Advisor and Pro Scout Dale Tallon, according to Rob Williams of DailyHive.
On Monday, some noticed that Tallon’s name had been taken off the Canucks’ team staff page. Later, the Canucks confirmed to DailyHive that the former Canuck’s contract ends this season and that they would be opting not to renew it.
Tallon’s first stint in the NHL was with the Canucks, with the former defenceman playing for Vancouver for three years including their inaugural season in 1970. He then joined the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1973–74 season, also playing with the Pittsburgh Penguins from 1978 to 1980 to round out his playing career.
Vancouver brought Tallon on as a Senior Advisor and Scout in the 2022–23 season, occupying the role up until the end of this year. Previously, he spent time as Director of Player Personnel (1998 to 2003), Assistant General Manager (2002 to 2005), General Manager (2005 to 2009), and Senior Advisor (2009–10) for the Blackhawks. Later, he moved on to the Florida Panthers organization, where he acted as Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations (2010 to 2016), President of Hockey Operations (2016 to 2019), and General Manager (2010 to 2020).
March 7, 2008; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks former players Eddie Olczyk (left) Doug Wilson (24) and Dale Tallon (19) stand with Kevin Magnuson (3) during a ceremony honoring the careers of legends Bobby Hull (not pictured) and Stan Mikita (not pictured) before a game against the San Jose Sharks at the United Center. The Sharks beat the Blackhawks 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
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CHICAGO — Atlanta star right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. left a 6-5, 10-inning loss to the Chicago White Sox with tightness in his left hamstring.
Acuña pulled up and was limping after trying to beat out a grounder to Chicago third baseman Miguel Vargas in the fourth inning.
Eli White replaced Acuña. The Braves announced the initial diagnosis of the hamstring tightness.
It is Acuña’s second left hamstring injury of the season. He was on the 10-day injured list from May 3-18 with a strained left hamstring also suffered when attempting to run out a grounder.
Braves manager Walt Weiss said this injury does not appear to be as serious as the strained hamstring in May.
“It doesn’t seem as bad as the last one,” Weiss said, adding the team considers Acuña’s status to be day to day.
“We’ve got our fingers crossed, hoping this one is not too bad,” Weiss said.
Weiss said Acuña will have an MRI to determine the severity of the injury.
“It’s certainly not as bad as the the last one,” Weiss said. “It’s the same leg, but we’re gonna hold off and see how he feels tomorrow.”
Acuña told reporters after the game the injury did not feel as serious.
“This one ... I don’t really feel any pain, I just feel a little bit tight, so we’ll see what happens with the MRI tomorrow,” he said.
Acuña, the 2023 NL MVP and a five-time All-Star, also has suffered two serious knee injuries in his career. He suffered a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in May 2024. Acuña tore his right ACL midway through the 2021 season.
The 28-year-old Acuña is hitting .251 with seven homers and 22 RBIs.
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Spurs Game 4 computer picks
Dylan Harper Under 6.5 rebounds (-120)
Projection: 4.49 rebounds
Our prop projections rank this as a five-star play, showing a 26.48% EV edge. Yes, Dylan Harper snared nine rebounds in Game 3, but the market has gone too far the other way.
Seven boards is a high number, and our model sees him grabbing four or five.
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De'Aaron Fox Over 14.5 points (+100)
Projection: 16.92 points
De'Aaron Fox's efficiency has taken a hit in this series, but he's still taking double-digit shots in each outing. Our projections expect a similar night to Game 2, where he dropped 20 points on 75% shooting.
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Julian Champagnie Over 2.5 threes (+145)
Projection: 2.58 threes
Julian Champagnie is an excellent 3-and-D player for the San Antonio Spurs, and he's not afraid to shoot the rock. The wing has cleared this line in two of three games vs. the New York Knicks, and we're getting juicy odds for him to do so again.
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Knicks Game 4 computer picks
Jalen Brunson Under 27.5 points (-120)
Projection: 24.75 points
Jalen Brunson cannot find any real consistency against the Spurs. It took him 25 shots to reach 32 points on Monday, and our model projects he'll come close to 25 points tonight. Even a 27-point effort still puts him Under the number.
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Josh Hart Under 1.5 threes (-112)
Projection: 1.17 threes
Josh Hart drilled four threes for New York in Game 3 after hitting zero in the first two outings. Hart is a capable shooter, but the Spurs will place greater emphasis on shutting him down on the perimeter now that he's proven to be a threat.
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Karl-Anthony Towns Over 3.5 assists (-112)
Projection: 4.84 assists
Karl-Anthony Towns has the ball in his hands a lot throughout the game, and he makes the best read more often than not. His kickouts often lead to buckets, and our model sees him getting at least four dimes tonight.
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How to watch Spurs vs Knicks Game 4
Location
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Date
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Tip-off
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN/ABC
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We were traveling through southern Missouri last week. Interesting country. Super nice people. Loved the scenery.
On Highway 160, we drove past what appeared to be an old salvage yard, and on the chain-link fence was a sign that said:
Business closed
Do not enter
Dog will bite
I loved the simplicity of that sign. “Dog will bite” was a nice touch. I immediately thought about the 2026 Royals. If you think fans are not bought into their favorite team, think again.
What does that sign have to do with the current edition of the Royals?
For one, they are a bit of a salvage yard. Every offseason, the front office convinces itself that it can resurrect the careers of aging players on the downslope of the game. It rarely works out. I can think of a few in the past. Raul Ibanez worked out nicely. Same with Jeff Francoeur. They squeezed a few games out of Jose Lima. The problem is those guys last played here well over a decade ago. The Royals have a handful of those guys clogging up the roster.
Second, business does appear to be closed. This season has been a dumpster fire since Opening Day. Here we are, in the first week of June, and any playoff hopes we had before the season have long been vanquished. You’d think some heads would roll, but you’d be wrong about that. Ladies and gentlemen, this business appears to be closed.
Forget for a moment that they’re a terrible hitting team. Forget for another moment that their bullpen starts more fires than an arsonist. They run the bases worse than some of the 12-year-olds I’ve coached, and occasionally, they forget how to field the ball.
Say what you will, but they’re consistent.
The general manager who assembled this ill-fitting puzzle remains. So do the manager and coaches. And the scouting department. The hitting and pitching coaches seem to have lifetime employment. I’m exasperated. Are you exasperated?
I’m not sure if the team’s lack of performance will eventually affect attendance. Do not enter.
Will the dog bite? Doesn’t look like it. The Royals’ top dogs appear to be napping. GMJJ isn’t biting anyone. His comments to the media have taken on a surreal Baghdad Bob quality:
“I have a lot of confidence in our staff. There’s not a lot of strong data on changing coaching staffs midseason leading to what you need to do. It appeases the fan base because you’ve made a change, but we have to be logical in our thinking.”
Really? Are we even watching the same team? I write this when the Royals are mired in a brutal losing streak. Naturally, as the baseball Gods would have it, the story runs while the Royals are on a mini-heater.
Owner John Sherman could clean house, and perhaps he’s thinking about it. The losing has to be grating on him. He’s a Kansas City guy and a baseball fan. I can’t imagine that he’s happy with what he’s seen. So far, he’s not biting anyone yet, either.
I like Sherman. It’s fashionable right now to hate on wealthy people, but envy and jealousy are ugly emotions. Sherman and his wife are active in the metro community, and that’s admirable. I can remember a time after Ewing Kauffman’s death when we couldn’t find a local with enough money to buy the team. Sherman is a Kansas City guy, he has the wealth to own the team long term, and I don’t question his love for the Royals. We may disagree with his approach, but I’m glad we have him.
He takes some arrows for not spending enough on talent, but look at the Mets. Their owner has spent a pile, and where are they? As of this writing, the Mets are 29-36. Do you think their fans are happy?
If Sherman were to clean house, who would they hire as replacements? I have no idea. Even worse, do you trust the Royals’ decision-makers enough to believe they won’t screw it up worse?
Quick quiz: Who is the best GM the Royals have ever had? That would be Cedric Tallis, whose tenure ran from 1968 to 1974.
Who was their best manager? This is debatable. Many will say Ned Yost. He did win a World Series, but over his 16-year managerial career, he was just a .477 manager. My vote goes to Whitey Herzog, but Bob Lemon deserves some consideration.
Who was their worst manager? Take your pick; there are six or seven strong candidates.
Two years ago, I would have advocated for Terry Francona, but the Reds snapped him up. Prior to the season, I made a vow to myself that I wasn’t going to get emotionally involved with this team and was just going to enjoy the summer, win or lose. Easier said than done.
This road trip eventually led us to Kansas City. We went to the Arabia Steamboat Museum and loved every bit of it. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend making a stop. Kansas City has some terrific museums, and this one is as good as any in the metro area. The staff is top-notch.
On the drive to the museum, I got a chance to look over the future home of Royals Stadium. It’s hard to imagine all that concrete and metal somehow fitting into that space, but they’ll make it happen, and it’ll be terrific when it’s done.
I will miss Royals/Kauffman Stadium. Most of us will. It’s a special place, a place where many of us attended our first games. We’ve had our share of heartbreak, and there have been some fun times. The stadium itself is still beautiful, one of the best in the game, but it is in its 54th year of service, which is longer than Municipal Stadium stood. It’s funny, the memories we carry with a stadium.
I love driving east on I-70 and coming around the hill and catching sight of the stadium. It always takes my breath away for a few seconds.
In my mind’s eye, I still see Amos Otis running down fly balls. I see George Brett lacing a ball into the right-center gap and hustling out a triple. I see Hal McRae stroking the longest home run I’ve ever seen. I still see a ragtag group of Royals in 2009 mounting a rally through a rainstorm and overcoming an early Red Sox lead while drenched KC fans went wild and their equally drenched Red Sox brethren sat quietly, absorbing the loss.
Many of our older fans feel the same about Municipal. Every time I’m in the city, I drive to 22nd and Brooklyn. I can see Cookie Rojas and Freddie Patek turning two. I see Otis Taylor slugging Ben Davidson. I see Garo Yepremian kicking that field goal.
Someday, we’ll drive to I-70 and Blue Ridge Cutoff and see the memories.
About the new ballpark, the thing that concerned me during my drive to the Arabia was this: How is the team planning to move 20,000 to 30,000 fans in and out of the area 81 times a year?
Midwesterners are well known for their love of automobiles and driving to every event, especially those of us from out of town. We’re spoiled by Kauffman. Relatively easy access off I-70 and 435 into a series of enormous parking lots. Short walk to the gate. Piece of cake.
Local political leaders and Royals brass are working overtime trying to convince us that the light rail is the answer. Uh-huh.
About that rail. I’ve ridden a few in my life. Boston. Chicago. Denver. San Diego. One thing those rail systems have in common is that the line runs with minimal interference from traffic, and vice versa.
Not so with the KC rail line.
Driving north on Main, traffic and rail share the same lane for long stretches. How is that going to work on game day, when the streets are plugged with cars and SUVs looking for a parking garage? I can see impatient rail riders stranded behind a long line of slow-moving vehicles.
The KC rail seemed to function like a metro bus, stopping every few blocks to pick up or disgorge riders. The rail systems in other cities move people, rolling at least half a mile between stops. When their train stops close to where you want to be, you get out and walk the remaining distance.
San Diego’s, which to me is the gold standard of rail, stops directly outside of Petco Park and will disgorge hundreds of riders at a time. The stops are short and efficient. Traffic continues to move on either side of the rail line.
We rode the train into downtown Denver for a game a few summers ago. Coming in was relatively easy. Leaving after the game was a nightmare. Too many riders, not enough train. After that fiasco, I vowed never again. Next time, I drove in, paid to park in a lot, and walked a few blocks to the stadium.
Every train I saw in Kansas City only had three cars. You’re not moving tens of thousands of people efficiently with three-car trains. Most of the trains in San Diego pull eight to ten cars. They arrive on track that is separated from street traffic. Where they do cross the street, a guardrail drops, blocking vehicle and pedestrian traffic so the train can speed away.
Maybe there are places in Kansas City that have this safety feature. I didn’t see any.
Rail approaching the new ballpark from the south appears to have a cleaner shot. From Crown Center north, whew. That’s some ugly city planning. I can see that, short of tearing down a lot of buildings, there wasn’t much space to work with. Maybe an elevated line like Chicago uses would have been a better choice?
Regardless, it appears that the city has a ton of infrastructure work in front of it before this thing opens. Who knows? Maybe it’ll work like a Swiss watch. I have some serious doubts.
As with anything, time will tell. There will certainly be things about the new ballpark that we will grow to love. There will also be things that we curse to high heaven. Putting together a team that wins consistently will cure most of those travel and parking concerns.
Good luck finding someone to back down in this feud.
President Donald Trump continued the back-and-forth with Stephen A. Smith on Wednesday when he called the ESPN host “an arrogant fool” in an early morning social media takedown.
“Stephen A. Smith is an arrogant fool,” Trump posted to Truth Social. “A low IQ individual. In other words, he’s ‘dumb as a rock,’ and totally unqualified to ever think of running for high political office, or even low political office, for that matter! He’d get annihilated in a debate by the most incompetent of politicians. Joe Biden’s now ‘fabled’ performance would look great by comparison to anything that this loudmouth huckster has to offer, which isn’t much! Within a few weeks, they’d laugh him out of politics!!!”
Donald Trump called Stephen A. Smith “Dumb as.a rock.” REUTERS
“I’ve been approached by people on Capitol Hill,” Smith said in Las Vegas in 2025.
This Finals-centric feud started when Smith was highly critical of President Trump’s appearance at the Knicks vs. Spurs Game 3 of the NBA Finals when he sat in a MSG suite next to Knicks owner James Dolan.
“This president has no business showing up in New York City,” Smith said ahead of Game 3. “I am dead serious. It is selfish, it is narcissistic, it is ridiculous that he is coming to this game.”
Stephen A. Smith hasn’t been afraid to feud with President Trump. Getty Images for SiriusXM
“I think he’s a nice guy, but you need a certain aptitude to run for president,” Trump said.to OutKick “You need a high IQ. I’m not sure that Stephen has that. I don’t think he does actually.”
Though President Trump appeared to fall asleep during the game, which Smith noted in his retort.
President Donald Trump attends an NBA Finals playoff basketball game between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden in New York, Monday, June 8, 2026, with Kai Trump. AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein
“Guess what he was doing during the game, ladies and gentlemen? Go online, look at the videos,” Smith said. “I’m not gonna accuse of him of snoring because I wasn’t an ear shot, but the brother wasn’t awake.”
Smith then took a shot at Trump’s nickname for former President Joe Biden.
“If it was that important for you to be there, why did you look like you were asleep,” Smith continued. “Didn’t you call out former President Joe Biden, ‘Sleepy Joe’? Well, what should we call you?”
President Trump is not attending Game 4 of the NBA Finals due to a scheduling conflict.
Kale Clague’s Manitoba hockey chapter has come to a close.
After returning to the province where he spent the majority of his junior hockey career, the former Brandon Wheat Kings standout and Manitoba Moose defenceman is heading overseas, signing a two-year contract with Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg of Russia's KHL.
The move ends Clague’s brief stint in the Winnipeg Jets organization after signing a one-year, two-way contract last summer. Despite bringing NHL experience and offensive upside to the club’s defensive depth chart, the Regina product spent the entire 2025-26 campaign with the Moose.
Photo by Steve Sasaki/Game On Magazine
Clague, 28, remained a steady contributor from the back end, finishing the season with nine goals and 27 points in 67 games with Manitoba.
Although he did not receive a call-up to Winnipeg, Clague’s return to Manitoba represented a familiar stop in his hockey journey.
Before beginning his professional career, Clague spent four seasons with the Wheat Kings, developing into one of the Western Hockey League’s premier offensive defencemen. He was part of Brandon’s 2015-16 WHL championship team and became a major piece of the organization’s blueline before making the jump to the professional ranks.
Originally selected by Los Angeles in the second round (51st overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft, Clague worked his way through the organization and eventually made his NHL debut with the Kings. He later spent time with the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres, appearing in 94 career NHL games while recording two goals and 21 points.
While consistent NHL minutes proved difficult to secure, Clague became an established AHL defenceman.
Across stops with the Ontario Reign, Rochester Americans and Moose, Clague produced 39 goals and 165 points over 321 career AHL contests, consistently providing offence from the back-end.
His strongest offensive professional season came in 2024-25 with Rochester, where he recorded 10 goals and 39 points before signing with Winnipeg the following offseason.
The move to Avtomobilist provides Clague with a new opportunity and likely a larger role than the one available in North America. The KHL club officially added him from Manitoba on a two-year agreement, giving the puck-moving defender a chance to become an impact player overseas.
For Winnipeg, the departure removes one experienced option from the organization’s defensive depth chart. The Jets still have a number of younger blueliners pushing for bigger roles, but Clague represented a veteran presence capable of playing heavy minutes at the AHL level.
For Clague, the next step will come thousands of kilometres away from Manitoba - the province where he won a WHL title, developed into an NHL draft pick and most recently attempted to earn his way back to hockey’s highest level.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Houston Astros placed LaMonte Wade Jr. on the 10-day injured list because of a right hamstring strain, less than a week after the team signed the veteran utilityman to bolster its offensive production from the left side.
The 32-year-old Wade went 4 for 12 with one homer, two doubles and four RBIs in his first four games with the Astros after opting out of his deal with Triple-A Charlotte in the Chicago White Sox organization this month and signing with Houston.
Wade started in left field and hit an RBI double in the sixth inning of a 5-4, 10-inning win over the Los Angeles Angels, but hobbled into second base and was removed from the game.
“Wade is going to take a little bit longer,” Astros manager Joe Espada said before another game against the Angels. “His diagnosis is not encouraging, but we’re going to see how he progresses.”
Houston recalled outfielder Joey Loperfido from Triple-A Sugar Land to replace Wade on the roster.
Wade, who can play all three outfield positions and first base, is a .236 career hitter with 56 homers, 189 RBIs and a .734 OPS in eight major league seasons with the Twins, Giants, Angels and Astros.
“The quality of his at-bats, having that lefty bat off the bench … (it’s tough) to have that weapon taken away from us,” Espada said. “But we’ll get him treated and get him back in the lineup because I really liked what he was doing and the way he was going about it. It was a good piece.”
MIAMI, FL - JUNE 09: Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen (23) walks the dugout during the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Miami Marlins on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at LoanDepot Park in Miami, FL (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Diamondbacks News
Arizona’s Comeback Stymied Arizona managed to come back from a four-run deficit, tying the game up with a three-run eighth. Unfortunately, the bullpen had a rough afternoon and allowed four runs in the bottom of the inning.
Kayson Cunningham Moving Up Ladder Last year’s first pick in the draft and one of Arizona’s top prospects has managed to do something other highly-rated prospects of late have had trouble with, staying healthy and thus moving up quickly through the minors.
They Came to the U.S. for Baseball, Diamondbacks’ School Covers the Rest The development of Latin American players begins at the Diamondbacks Dominican Academy in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic. There, alongside constant baseball training, there is a strong emphasis on academic preparation.
White Sox are in Midst of Impressive Turnaround While there’s a long way to go in the 2026 season, at their current pace the White Sox could post this century’s second-largest improvement in winning percentage among the teams that lost at least 108 games two years prior.
DENVER — The Chicago Cubs are expected to be without starter Jameson Taillon until after the All-Star break due to a strained left hamstring.
The right-hander exited a game against San Francisco in the second inning. He was placed on the 15-day injury list before opening a three-game series with the Colorado Rockies.
Chicago made a series of moves, including reinstating outfielder/infielder Matt Shaw from the 10-day IL and recalling right-handers Ethan Roberts and Tyler Ferguson from Triple-A Iowa. The team also optioned designated hitter Kevin Alcántara to Iowa, while placing pitcher Trent Thornton on the paternity list.
The loss of Taillon is the latest blow to a pitching staff already without Matthew Boyd, Cade Horton and Justin Steele. Boyd, the Cubs’ opening-day starter, is nearing a return. He’s slated to pitch over the weekend in San Francisco.
The 34-year-old Taillon threw an inning, allowing a run, before departing in the second with the injury. He’s 2-5 with a 5.19 ERA.
“After the All-Star break, I think, would be what we’re shooting for,” manager Craig Counsell said. “The margins become ... it makes losing somebody else more daunting, obviously. So that’s just the way we’re at, and guys are going to have some opportunities for the next month or so, until we get to the All-Star break, because of it.”
Shaw is hitting .242 with three homers and 12 RBIs.
“Ready to help in any way I can,” Shaw said. “Whatever that looks like, whatever that kind of manifests into, whether it’s some of those late-inning pinch running situations, I look forward to those.”
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Josh Inglis' expert pick: Brewers/Athletics Under 13.5
Price: 45¢ (+122) at Polymarket
This series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Athletics has seen 41 runs through two games, but these totals are getting out of hand. Between Games 1 and 2, the total jumped from 10.5 to 13.5.
I don't see today's pitching matchup as any worse than last night's, which closed with a lower implied total. It's hot, but the hitting conditions aren't significantly better today either, so I don't agree with adding nearly a full run to the implied total.
Last night, both bullpens were taxed, but they're in much better shape today after relatively light usage on both sides. Milwaukee also has all of its high-leverage arms available, which should help keep a lid on the scoring.
Time: 9:05 p.m. ET
How to watch: Brewers.TV,NBCS California
Jon Metler's expert pick: Phillies moneyline
Price: 57¢ (-135) at Polymarket
Facing Max Scherzer makes it hard not to like the Philadelphia Phillies in this spot, especially given the gauntlet of left-handed bats at the top of their order.
While the sample size is still small this season, Scherzer has already allowed five home runs in 51 at-bats and is giving up a .314 average and 1.037 OPS to left-handed hitters. When you combine that with a Phillies lineup featuring Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, and Brandon Marsh in three of the top four spots, the matchup becomes even more concerning for him.
Scherzer's fading slider tends to leak into the barrels of left-handed bats and is particularly vulnerable in this park and against this type of lineup. Against that profile, his arsenal starts to look highly exploitable in this spot. At this price point, there’s a clear edge, as I make the Phillies closer to a 65-cent favorite against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Time: 7:07 p.m. ET
How to watch: NBCS Philadelphia, Sportsnet One
Joe Osborne's expert pick: Astros moneyline
Price: 49¢ (+102) at Polymarket
I'll happily fade the Los Angeles Angels following last night's win. One of their biggest issues all season has been stringing together victories, as they own an MLB-worst 8-17 record following a win.
Houston is also in a favorable matchup against left-hander Reid Detmers. The Houston Astros rank among the league's best offenses versus southpaws over the past month, and their current roster has produced an .802 OPS against Detmers across 94 at-bats.
While Detmers has put together a respectable season, the Angels are just 4-9 in his starts. Even if the game is close late, Houston holds a significant bullpen edge, boasting one of baseball's hottest relief staffs over the past few weeks.
Time: 9:38 p.m. ET
How to watch: Space City HN, FDSN West
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
For most of the last two decades, Mike Babcock's résumé has spoken louder than almost anyone else's.
More than 700 wins.
A Stanley Cup.
Two Olympic gold medals.
A World Championship.
A World Junior title.
For years, there wasn't much debate. Babcock was viewed as the gold standard behind the bench, a demanding coach capable of squeezing every ounce out of talented teams and star players, and one whose preparation and attention to detail helped him earn the trust of some of the greatest teams and players the sport has seen.
And, to be fair, the results backed up the reputation.
He took the Ducks to the Stanley Cup Final. He won it all with Detroit in 2008. Team Canada trusted him with Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews. Brendan Shanahan handed him an eight-year contract and the keys to the Maple Leafs' rebuild.
Few coaches in league history have accomplished more.
Which is what makes the other half of the story so fascinating.
Because for almost as long as Babcock has been winning hockey games, there have been stories.
Johan Franzén described him as the worst person he had ever met. Chris Chelios accused him of embarrassing and belittling players. Mike Modano was famously left sitting on 1,499 career games because Babcock wanted to reward younger players, a decision that Modano himself admitted still bothered him years later. Following his dismissal in Toronto, Mitch Marner revealed that as a rookie he had been asked to rank teammates by work ethic, only to have those rankings shared with the group, creating tension before Marner had even established himself in the league.
When Babcock was hired by the Blue Jackets in 2023, he spoke openly about reflection and growth, saying that time away from the game had given him a new perspective and helped him appreciate that today's players require a different approach than the one that worked twenty years ago. Days before training camp, however, allegations surfaced that Babcock had been asking players to show him photographs on their phones as part of a get-to-know-you exercise. Veterans Boone Jenner and Johnny Gaudreau publicly defended those interactions and insisted they had never felt uncomfortable, but concerns raised by younger players led the NHLPA to launch a review. Before Babcock coached a single game, he resigned.
Now, with reports linking him to the Edmonton Oilers' vacancy, the NHLPA has reportedly requested that the league conduct a formal investigation before Edmonton proceeds with a hire, which is a remarkable development considering Babcock hasn't coached an NHL game since 2019 and resigned from Columbus before his tenure even began.
Nobody questions his hockey knowledge. Nobody questions his preparation. Nobody questions his ability to organize a team and hold players accountable.
The question is whether Mike Babcock can stop creating problems that don't need to exist.
Because Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl aren't young stars trying to establish themselves anymore. They are veterans carrying enormous expectations after a shocking first-round exit to Anaheim, and the last thing Edmonton needs is another storyline competing with the pressure that already exists around the organization.
But perhaps the bigger concern isn't Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.
Those two have seen everything. They have security. They have stature. If they dislike something, they have voices powerful enough to make themselves heard.
Matt Savoie and Isaac Howard don't.
Neither does Beau Akey. Neither do the next wave of prospects trying to establish themselves in the NHL.
That's what made the Columbus episode so alarming in the eyes of the NHLPA. The issue was never whether Boone Jenner or Johnny Gaudreau felt comfortable sharing photographs from their phones. Veterans with established careers can navigate those situations differently.
It's the young player sitting in his first training camp, eager to make a good impression and uncertain about where the line exists between a request and an expectation, who occupies the minds of NHLPA officials.
Hockey has changed. The relationship between players and coaches has changed. And while Babcock's résumé remains one of the strongest of his generation, the modern NHL is asking a different question than it did fifteen years ago.
Winning games still matters, but how you treat people matters, too.
Maybe time away from the game has changed Mike Babcock.
People evolve. Coaches evolve. Plenty of successful leaders have learned from mistakes.
But if the Oilers are going to entrust some of the most important years of Connor McDavid's career—and the first years of Matt Savoie and Isaac Howard's careers—to a man whose downfall has repeatedly come not from a lack of hockey knowledge, but from his own inability to recognize where the line is, they need to be absolutely certain that the lessons of Toronto and Columbus have finally sunk in.
Because throughout a coaching career that includes a Stanley Cup, Olympic gold and more than 700 wins, Mike Babcock's toughest opponent has rarely been the team on the other bench.
More often than not, it's been Mike Babcock himself.
Powered by an elite offense, the Atlanta Braves own a sparkling 23-11 record on the road this season.
My Braves vs. White Sox predictions are backing the Braves to get back in the win column on Wednesday night.
Let's break it all down with my MLB picks for June 10.
Who will win Braves vs White Sox today: Braves moneyline (-150)
Chris Sale has posted a 2.81 xFIP over the past 30 days, which is the lowest mark among all of the day’s starting pitchers.
He struck out 29.1% of batters while completely neutralizing opposing power by keeping the ball out of the air (28.6 FB%) and limiting hard contact (26.6 HH%).
While Davis Martin is a quality arm, his xERA (3.68) is more than a full run higher than his ERA (2.61).
The Atlanta Braves rank first in OPS against righties on the road and should provide Sale with run support.
They have a lot of power that could cause Martin problems, especially if he’s rusty after eight days off.
As good as Sale is, the Chicago White Sox are an elite offense against lefties – they sit second in ISO and third in wOBA.
Play the Over to -115.
Todd Cordell's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 25-22, -3.63 units
Over/Under bets: 22-23-2, -4.01 units
Braves vs White Sox odds
Moneyline: Braves -150 | White Sox +130
Run line: Braves -1.5 (+115) | White Sox +1.5 (-135)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 (-105) | Under 7.5 (-115)
Braves vs White Sox trend
Atlanta has hit the Over in 17 of the last 25 away games (+10.40 units, 37% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Braves vs. White Sox.
How to watch Braves vs White Sox and game info
Location
Rate Field, Chicago, IL
Date
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
First pitch
7:40 p.m. ET
TV
BravesVsn, CHSN
Braves starting pitcher
Chris Sale (8-4, 2.23 ERA)
White Sox starting pitcher
Davis Martin (8-2, 2.61 ERA)
Braves vs White Sox latest injuries
Braves vs White Sox weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
MILWAUKEE — Outfield prospect Luis Lara signed a seven-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, who continue to work out long-term deals with some of their top minor league players.
The Brewers announced the deal runs through 2032 with team options for 2033, 2034 and 2035. The club didn’t disclose financial terms, but ESPN, MLB.com and the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported the agreement includes $31 million in guaranteed money.
The deal comes less than three months after the Brewers signed shortstop prospect Cooper Pratt to an eight-year, $50.75 million contract.
“Luis is an exciting young talent, and we’re thrilled to commit to him long term,” Brewers president of baseball operations Matt Arnold said in a statement. “He has proven to be one of the premier defensive outfielders in the minor leagues, and he has taken tremendous strides forward offensively this season. With support from ownership, we’re pleased to be able to lock in another key player for our future.”
The Brewers started this pattern of reaching long-term deals with heralded minor league prospects in December 2023 when they signed outfielder Jackson Chourio to an eight-year, $82 million contract. At the time, Chourio had no major league experience and only had played six games above the Double-A level.
Chourio made the Brewers’ big league roster the next year and has compiled more than 20 homers and 20 steals in each of his first two full seasons in the majors. He entered Tuesday batting .305 with an .846 OPS this year.
Now the Brewers have made a long-term commitment to another promising outfielder.
Baseball America ranks Lara as the No. 50 prospect in the game, while MLB Pipeline has him 91st. The 21-year-old entered Tuesday batting .338 with seven homers, 27 RBIs and 18 steals in 56 games with Triple-A Nashville this season.
Lara ranked second in the International League in runs (49) and on-base percentage (.447). He was tied for third in hits (69), was fourth in batting average and was tied for fifth in walks (39).
Last year, Lara won a Gold Glove as one of the top three defensive outfielders in the minors. During that 2025 season, he batted .257 with a .369 on-base percentage, two homers, 40 RBIs and 44 steals in 136 games with Double-A Biloxi.
Lara signed with the Brewers in January 2022 out of Venezuela.
Milwaukee added Lara to its 40-man roster and optioned him to Triple-A. The Brewers also transferred left-handed pitcher Brian Fitzpatrick to the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move.
Who will win Brewers vs A's today: Brewers moneyline (-104)
The Milwaukee Brewers offense is thriving lately. They have a 144 wRC+ over the last week while slugging 14 home runs across their last seven games. As a lineup, they're averaging a 43.1% hard-hit rate, which is absolutely phenomenal.
The Athletics send Jack Perkins to the hill as the opener tonight. While he likely won't be in there long, Perkins owns a 4.80 xFIP across his last three appearances while walking 5.14 hitters per nine innings. That's a dangerous combination against a Brewers lineup that is punishing mistakes right now.
The A's bullpen has actually performed relatively well lately, but a 3.68 xERA over the last two weeks still suggests Milwaukee should have opportunities to generate offense throughout the game.
Milwaukee, meanwhile, sends Brandon Sproat to the mound. He hasn't been perfect, but the Brewers don't necessarily need a dominant outing with the way their offense is swinging the bat right now. If Milwaukee continues generating hard contact at this rate, the visitors should have enough firepower to back their starter.
I'll play this pick up to -130.
COVERS INTEL: The Brewers own a .231 ISO over the last week, and their recent power surge should play well in the hitter-friendly conditions at Las Vegas Ballpark.
Brewers vs A's Over/Under pick: Under 14.5 runs (-108)
While Milwaukee's offense is capable of putting up crooked numbers, a total of 14.5 requires sustained production from both sides. The A's bullpen has quietly posted a 2.37 FIP over the last week, while the Brewers' relief corps has also been effective with a 3.04 xERA over that same span.
Perkins shouldn't be in there long, and while I do firmly believe the Brew Crew score runs here, the Athletics bullpen has shown the ability to keep games under control. The same can be said for Milwaukee's relief corps.
Milwaukee's offensive numbers are inflated after scoring 12 runs on Sunday and another 15 on Tuesday, hence the high total here. Unless both lineups continue producing at an unsustainable rate, 15 runs is a difficult number to reach.
I'll play this pick up to -140.
Quinn Allen's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 22-18, +2.77 units
Over/Under bets: 23-16, +3.30 units
Brewers vs A's odds
Moneyline: Milwaukee -104 | Athletics -100
Run line: Milwaukee -1.5 (+138) | Athletics +1.5 (-144)
Over/Under: Over 14.5(-104) | Under 14.5 (-100)
Brewers vs A's trend
The Milwaukee Brewers have hit the Moneyline in 28 of their last 40 games (+12.55 Units / 22% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Brewers vs. A's.
How to watch Brewers vs A's and game info
Location
Las Vegas Ballpark, Las Vegas, NV
Date
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
First pitch
9:05 p.m. ET
TV
Brewers.TV, NBC Sports California
Brewers starting pitcher
Brandon Sproat (1-4, 6.17 ERA)
A's starting pitcher
Jack Perkins (2-3, 6.19 ERA)
Brewers vs A's latest injuries
Brewers vs A's weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Spurs
Knicks
COVERS INTEL: