The St. Louis Blues have signed goaltender Will Cranley to a one-year, two-way contract extension, Blues president of hockey operations and GM Doug Armstrong announced today.
The 24-year-old was a 2020 sixth-round pick of the Blues and has spent the past three seasons bouncing between the ECHL and the AHL, and was set to become a restricted free agent (RFA) on July 1.
The 2025-26 season was Cranley’s best season to date. In the AHL with the Springfield Thunderbirds, he posted a respectable .892 save percentage in 10 games, while in the ECHL with the Florida Everblades, he recorded a .915 SP in 18 games. He had previously never posted a save percentage above .900 in either the ECHL or AHL.
His AHL career numbers show a .890 SP in 13 games and a .896 SP in 74 ECHL games.
Prior to joining the Blues organization, Cranley was a netminder in the OHL, where he posted a .881 SP in 117 career games across five seasons.
While his numbers have never been eye-catching and often look rather disappointing, Cranley boasts a 6-foot-4 frame and is still quite young for a goaltender. He may never make it to the NHL, but organizational depth in the minor leagues is valuable, and retaining homegrown talent in that role is a necessity.
Cranley’s contract will see him paid $850,000 at the NHL level, with a minor league salary of $95,000, according to Puckpedia. Due to his age and lack of NHL experience, Cranley will become a Group 6 RFA at the end of the 2026-27 season.
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CLEVELAND — For one inning, it appeared as if all the breaks were going the way of Cleveland starting pitcher Tanner Bibee.
Despite giving up a leadoff homer for the second straight game, the right-hander left with a lead for the first time in 13 starts this season and finally got run support as the Guardians led the Boston Red Sox 4-3 going into the seventh inning.
Instead, Bibee had a front row seat as the bullpen had one of its worst innings of the year as Boston rallied for a 9-4 win.
That put Bibee at the top of a couple of lists no starting pitcher wants to join.
Boston’s six runs in the seventh inning en route made Bibee the 12th opening day starter since 1976 to make at least 10 starts and not earn a win before June, according to Sportradar.
He has the most starts without a win before June and is the fourth with at least 12. The others were Colorado’s Kyle Freeland (2025), Miami’s José Ureña (2018) and Atlanta’s Carl Morton (1976).
Bibee also is the first pitcher in Cleveland’s 125-year franchise history to go winless in his first 13 starts.
“I’ve said this in the past. I don’t have any control over it. All I can do is go out there, try to throw up some zeros and whatever happens, happens,” said Bibee, who is 0-7.
Bibee’s seven losses are tied for the second most among among the 12 opening day starters. His 4.57 is the fourth lowest.
“Wins and losses don’t matter for starting pitchers. It’s not a stat that means anything. So I know he’s not worried about it and we’re definitely not worried about it,” catcher Austin Hedges said.
Bibee bounced back after Jarren Duran connected on the fifth pitch of the game and drove it into the right-field stands, the fourth time he gave up a leadoff homer this season. He allowed only one hit in the second through fourth innings before the Red Sox loaded the bases with one out in the fifth. Mickey Gasper tied it at 2-all with a sacrifice fly to drive in Marcelo Mayer and Wilyer Abreu’s RBI single gave Boston a 3-2 lead.
However, the Guardians rallied.
Cleveland scored twice in the bottom of the fifth on José Ramírez’s RBI double after Boston left fielder Masataka Yoshida lost track of the fly ball in the sun. Chase DeLauter’s single drove in Ramírez. They loaded the bases with two outs when Stuart Fairchild struck out and unsuccessfully challenged the called third strike.
That left the Guardians without a challenge for the rest of the game, which would come back to haunt them.
Bibee retired the Red Sox in order in the sixth. He threw 90 pitches, including 62 strikes, and allowed three runs and six hits with five strikeouts and one walk.
The Guardians bullpen couldn’t hold the lead. Tim Herrin seemed poised to escape a bases-loaded jam with a fastball on the outer corner to Abreu on a full count, but home plate umpire Austin Jones called it a ball, allowing Connor Wong to score and tie it at 4-all.
The inning unraveled as Boston had three straight hits and added five more runs to take control of the game.
Cleveland has the third-worst challenge rate on ABS at 44.4% (59 for 133). The league average is 52.6%.
“I mean, it’s frustrating, but that’s on us. We shouldn’t have lost our challenges. It’s what they’re there for, and we’ve got to take accountability and be better at it,” Hedges said.
Bibee was a fifth-round pick by Cleveland in the 2021 amateur draft. He went 22-12 with a 3.25 ERA in his first two seasons in the majors and was second in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2023. He was also the third Cleveland pitcher since 2000 with at least 10 wins in each of his first two seasons in the big leagues. Hall of Famer CC Sabathia (2001-02) and Shane Bieber (2018-19) are the others.
However, Bibee is 12-18 with a 4.33 ERA in 44 starts since signing a five-year, $48 million contract during spring training last year.
“We haven’t scored a lot of runs when Tanner’s been on the mound, even in some of the starts in which he’s pitched exceptionally well,” general manager Chris Antonetti said. “I think as we look forward, we’ll start to see more of those outings in which he’s pitching more effectively than maybe some of those other hiccup.”
Bibee remains confident he can turn his season around. Manager Stephen Vogt said Bibee’s changeup showed improvement after he allowed seven runs in three innings against Washington.
He has six quality starts this season with the latest being the fourth in his past five games.
“You want to win games, but I feel like it’s important to know pitching; you’re playing a completely different sport than the other nine people in the field. So it’s just figuring out what the kind of self-evaluation of it,” Bibee said.
Since 1990, only one side had ever successfully defended the Champions League – Real Madrid, who won three in a row between 2016 and 2018. Paris Saint-Germain’s victory in the final on Saturday elevates them to a new tier of the pantheon. No bad side has ever won the European Cup or Champions League, but only great sides have ever retained it.
Arsenal pushed them much closer than Inter had in losing in the final the previous year, and there is always something slightly unsatisfying about a victory on penalties, but the quality of this PSG cannot be denied. They put six past Bayern in the semi-final – their superiority far greater than the one-goal aggregate margin would suggest. It was a similar story in the quarter-final, in which a 4-0 aggregate victory didn’t really reflect how much better they were than Liverpool. And while Chelsea may think they were slightly unlucky to lose the first leg of their last-16 tie away to PSG 5-2, the 3-0 result in the second leg was a devastating assertion of authority: three goals scored by an almost bored opponent apparently just as they felt like it.
This is an extract from Soccer with Jonathan Wilson, a weekly look from the Guardian US at the game in Europe and beyond. Subscribe for free here. Have a question for Jonathan? Email soccerwithjw@theguardian.com, and he’ll answer the best in a future edition.
May 30, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (11) comes up with a leg injury during the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images | Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images
The 2026 Kansas City Royals are an indisputably bad baseball team. On pace for an eye-watering 102 losses, they have one of the worst bullpens and one of the worst offenses in baseball. They run into a bunch of outs on the bases. They have lost 16 out of their last 19 games one month after losing 11 of 13. This isn’t just a good team playing poorly. We crossed that Rubicon a long time ago.
The big question: why? Why is the team bad, especially when lots of people thought that the Royals would be competitive – maybe even a playoff team – this year? Well, after such a protracted string of losing, general manager J.J. Picollo finally talked to MLB.com about all the losing. And wouldn’t you know it, but no one’s at fault here. Everyone’s doing great. According to Picollo, the front office accomplished their goals in the offseason.
“We felt like there’s a core here that we could rely on for offense,” Picollo said. “Surrounding them with a deeper, better group and more balanced group was the goal. I think we did that.”
Oh, and it’s not the coaching staff at fault either, either. They’re doing a great job, and besides, changing staff in the middle of the year doesn’t do anything, silly.
“I have a lot of confidence in our staff,” Picollo said. “You can go back and look at all the historical research on changing coaching staffs. There’s not a lot of strong data on changing coaching staffs mid-season leading to what you need to do. It appeases the fanbase because you’ve made a change, but we have to be logical in our thinking.”
We’ve already established that the front office did a great job assembling the team, so player quality isn’t the issue here. What about player attitude and teamwork and camaraderie? The good news is that’s not a problem, either.
“Is the work getting done?” Picollo said. “Are the [coaches’] conversations productive with the players? Are they still eager to get to the ballpark and learn and work and play? Are they motivated? Right now, all of my observations are: Yes, they are. If anything, they’re saying, ‘I’ve got to be more accountable, I’ve got to be better. I’m the one not executing.’”
At this point, we’re getting pretty thin on reasons why the Royals are on a 102-loss pace in June. According to Picollo, it’s not the front office, it’s not the coaches, and it’s not the players. No one is responsible for the state of Royals baseball right now. So if no one is responsible, something else must be at fault. And I fear we are going to hear more and more excuses about this being an injury-bit season, especially after Maikel Garcia’s hamstring injury from Saturday’s game.
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 30, 2026
It is true that the Royals have had their fair share of injuries this season. Closer Carlos Estévez pitched one game this year and has been sidelined with injuries since. Second baseman Jonathan India had season-ending shoulder surgery at the end of April. Starting pitcher Cole Ragans first went on the injured list in early May and had a setback during rehab. Fellow starting pitcher Kris Bubic went on the injured list in mid-May, too. Newly acquired reliever Matt Strahm hit the injured list in mid-May, as did Nick Mears a few days ago. And though we don’t know how long Garcia could be out, hamstring injuries are fickle and he could be out anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months.
But I don’t buy this excuse and you shouldn’t either, even though I’m sure the team will use it for why they’re selling at the trade deadline and at the end of the year when the Royals finalize a 90-something loss season.
The main reason is that the Royals have had objectively fewer injuries compared to other teams. Spotrac keeps a list of total players, total days, and cash total per days missed for the injured list by team. Kansas City ranks 20th in total players on the IL (10, median of 14), 20th in total days missed on the IL (392, median of 518) and 19th in cash total per days missed ($8.49 million, median of $11.1 million).
And the other reason is that most of the guys who have landed on the injured list are players who the Royals should have expected not to stay healthy all year. Estevez is 33 and his fastball velo has been declining since 2022. Strahm is 34 and his fastball velo has also been declining since 2022. India’s shoulder injury was well known to the club, and he’s only averaged 131 games played per year prior to this season. Ragans only made 13 starts last year. Bubic only made 20 starts last year.
Are injuries a factor to this season? Yes they are. But the Royals don’t play in a vacuum; they are playing other teams who are also dealing with injuries, and most other teams have had more injuries. But the Royals have backed themselves into a corner here with answering the core question of why they’re bad. According to Picollo, the Royals may have the second worst record in all of baseball despite a solid roster, good coaching, and prepared players. It doesn’t add up.
BOSTON, MA - MAY 28: Mauricio Dubón #14 of the Atlanta Braves prepares to bat prior to the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Thursday, May 28, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Atlanta Braves are off to one of their hottest starts in franchise history and with no shortage of reasons for this early success.
Atlanta’s pitching staff weathered injury storms while a resurgent offense is once again among the best in Major League Baseball after a pair of challenging seasons in the run-scoring department.
While marquee players like Matt Olson, Drake Baldwin, and Michael Harris II have thrived over the first two months, a significant portion of the lineup’s overall success owes to roster construction and versatility – two areas that plagued the club in recent years.
No player better exemplifies those qualities than Mauricio Dubón.
“He’s really been a huge part of this early success,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said.
As Atlanta won 40 of its first 60 games, Dubón drew starts at five different defensive positions, serving primarily as Atlanta’s starting shortstop over the first six weeks while Ha-Seong Kim recovered from an offseason hand injury.
Acquired from the Houston Astros in exchange for slick-fielding but light-hitting shortstop Nick Allen over the winter, Dubón quickly established himself as an essential member of his new team and one of general manager Alex Anthopoulos’ savviest moves.
Dubón, who turns 32 in July, was already known for his excellent fielding, having won a pair of gold gloves at the more recently established utility position, a category introduced in 2022.
“I always told my wife that if I can just play one position, I know I can win a gold glove,” Dubón said. “Then Rawlings came up with the utility gold glove, and I ended up winning two of those. It’s something that I take pride in. For me, it’s always just trying to help the team win.”
Dubón’s knack for chipping in at the plate has also impressed the Braves over the first two months.
Though his season slash line of .250/.307/.370 may not jump off the stat sheet, Dubón has been at his best with runners in scoring position. He is batting .327 with a .920 OPS and 27 RBIs in those 54 plate appearances and quickly established himself as one of the team’s best clutch hitters.
Having a versatile player to plug in anywhere is a weapon that makes Weiss’ job that much easier. In addition to playing multiple defensive positions, Dubón has also started at least one game in every spot in the batting order except for third already this season.
“He just keeps performing regardless of where he’s at,” Weiss said. “That’s not easy to do. There’s a really short list of guys that can do what he does – a guy that can play major-league caliber, really gold-glove defense at shortstop, and then go do the same in center field or left field.”
In his career, Dubón has appeared in at least 20 games at every defensive position except for catcher, the one spot he has yet to see action. He’s played outfield the most, with 365 games, followed by 214 at second base, 137 at shortstop, 53 at third base, and 26 games at first base.
Though most players typically like to have a single position to call home, Dubón has moved around to great effect in his eight-year career with the Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros and now with Atlanta. He has come to realize that the ability to play anywhere makes him one of the most valuable players on any team he suits up for.
“Early in my career, people told me that it has value, then the arbitration process comes and it shows that it doesn’t,” Dubón joked about his defensive versatility. “Then little by little you start playing, winning games and meaningful baseball, (and) it does matter. It’s something that I’m proud of. It’s pretty cool being one of the unique guys in the league that is able to do that.”
Building a well-rounded roster has opened more than a few doors for the 2026 Braves, giving Weiss plenty of levers to pull throughout the game. It is one of the many reasons the club has authored 20 come-from-behind wins, the most in MLB this season.
Dubón was picked up over the winter, the first of a series of moves to create a capable group of reserves. Atlanta then signed veteran outfielder Mike Yastrzemski to a two-year deal with the aim of improving a position group which was among the least productive in baseball a year ago.
Other newcomers include infielder Jorge Mateo, who is swinging the bat well and can play multiple positions while providing elite speed off the bench, as well as spring-signing Dominic Smith, who quickly showcased his value at the plate in the designated hitter spot.
Adding all of that up, the Braves are sitting on one of the best reserve pools since the days of Martin Prado, Omar Infante, Eric Hinske and the like from about a decade and a half ago.
Though Kim is back from injury and back in the fold at shortstop, his slow start at the plate continues to create opportunities for at-bats for Mateo. Dubón, meanwhile, has played more outfield with Harris and Ronald Acuña Jr. each hobbled by leg injuries at different times – and with Jurickson Profar unavailable thanks to a 162-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs, his second in as many years.
Weiss has done a fine job of finding opportunities to let his reserve and role players contribute this season. Unlike some of the others, Dubón isn’t as dependent on matchups and platoon splits because he can provide great defense wherever he plays. That along with his penchant for being involved in rallies will lead Weiss to be creative about keeping his super-utility guy in the mix somewhere.
“I’d imagine looking down the road that he’ll bounce around a little bit more, because I want to keep him involved,” Weiss said. “He’s a plus defender all over the field and there aren’t guys out there like that. And he’s gotten huge hits for us, clutch hits. Seems like every time he comes up in a big spot, he comes through.”
Beyond the tangible impact he is having on the Braves, the bilingual Dubón also comes highly regarded as a quality teammate and competitor – a player who helps keep the entire club connected. Those “glue guys” as they are known in the game are critical pieces of a winning team.
“It’s high energy every day,” Weiss said of what Dubón brings. “He’s very well-liked in there and language is never a barrier with him. He connects with all the groups, and that’s important. I talk about winning players and he’s certainly that. He’s got the winning pedigree. He was a big part of a championship team in Houston. I’ve said this before, but that goes a long way with me. He’s been a great addition.”
Dubón, who won the 2022 World Series with the Astros is a big proponent of the team culture the Braves have established and believes that an unselfish kind of baseball can pay serious dividends over the course of a long season.
“I think everybody knows each other and we’re playing for each other,” Dubón said. “We have fun going out there and that’s the biggest thing. Everybody gets along and everybody goes out there and is having fun right now. Everybody is pulling for each other. If one guy doesn’t do it, the other guy will… At the end of the day, we want to win, and we want to win a World Series. I think the biggest thing is trying to help each other out.”
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 20, 2026: Ryan Sloan #97 of the Seattle Mariners throws a pitch during the third inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Fields of Phoenix on March 20, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Tacoma Rainiers
The Rainiers are in the midst of a major slide, dropping all six of their games this week after winning just one the week prior. Having now dropped eleven games under .500, Tacoma will have to bounce back in the second half if they hope to get a seat in the playoffs this fall.
After missing most all of the season thus far, Miles Mastrobuoni has officially returned to game action and has been rehabbing with the Rainiers this week. Though it’s unclear at the immediate moment if he’s a candidate to earn his way back on to the big league roster immediately following his rehab stint, because he is out of minor league options, the M’s brass will have to make a decision on whether they want to keep Mastrobuoni in the organization. Perhaps his positional versatility is preferable to Patrick Wisdom’s one-dimensional bat-first profile, but already with a glut of lefties, it’s possible the team will prioritize the handedness advantage Wisdom carries for this roster. It’s a storyline to monitor with big league ramifications.
A popular name amongst writers of the site, utility man Brock Rodden hit the IL this week with a hamstring injury. It sounds as though it’s relatively minor and he’ll be out for just a week or two, but already shorthanded offensively, the Rainiers will have to muster up some additional production at the plate if they hope to stop this skid they’ve been on the past two weeks.
Arkansas Travelers
The Travs dealt with some weather problems this week and only managed to squeeze in five of the six games this series, but with some truly dynamic pitching performances from the rotation’s top stars, the two wins they did manage to lock down were must-see TV. Tulsa’s six game win streak has knocked the Travs down to second place in the standings, but just a game and a half back, Arkansas is well positioned to reclaim their spot atop the division and clinch the first half title.
Ryan Sloan was unreal tonight. Final line: 6IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 11K, 18 whiffs, 61 pitches, 46 strikes. That was a pleasure to watch. pic.twitter.com/VTNI0OBGPG
Turning in his best start as a professional, Ryan Sloan worked six perfect innings against Frisco and tallied eleven punchouts, dominating opposing hitters from the very first pitch. The young righthander has been dialed in over his last four starts and features a sub-two ERA across those outings, commanding the zone beautifully and striking out a healthy amount of hitters. Having turned 20 in January of this year, Sloan’s age-adjusted success at Double-A is rather remarkable and makes him one of the best pitching prospects in all of baseball; if his past month is any indication of what’s to come, Sloan could easily pitch his way into the conversation of being a top-ten prospect leaguewide.
Kade Anderson was awesome again. Final line: 5.1IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, 9K, 16 whiffs, 74 pitches, 53 strikes.
Rotationmate Kade Anderson was his usual self on Friday night, working five and a third innings of two-hit baseball. Anderson punched nine tickets on the afternoon and did not surrender any free passes, pushing his K:BB ratio up to a gaudy 67:7 mark for the season. Anderson is arguably the top lefthanded pitching prospect in baseball, and having the one-two punch of he and Sloan puts the Mariners in rarified air with regard to their minor league pitching talent. Most organizations would bend over backwards for one player of their caliber; having two elite pitching prospects waiting in Double-A after promoting an elite 20-year-old shortstop is bordering on an embarrassment of riches, and M’s fans should be incredibly optimistic about the future of this ballclub.
Everett AquaSox
Everett dropped the series four games to two this week, unable to muster up enough offense to best the lowly hops. Everett’s star studded lineup has been central to their success this season, but the usual suspects responsible for the production struggled to find their footing. Hopefully a return to form is in the cards for their upcoming series against a league-leading Eugene squad.
Slugging catcher Josh Caron has been torching the ball recently. Launching three homers in five games this week, Caron finished May with an even .900 OPS on the month and has raised his season mark to .866. Caron’s aggressive approach at the plate has led to him striking out far more than you’d hope to see at the Hi-A level, but if he’s able to maintain this level of pop on his ascent through the minor leagues, his positional value and albeit one-dimensional production might just be enough to get him to the majors in a backup role. It seems likely he’ll finish the season in Everett, but perhaps the M’s prefer to challenge the young backstop with an aggressive promotion to Double-A this summer.
Having officially taken to his new role of backend reliever, Christian Little has been superb for the Frogs this season, and it looks as though a promotion to Double-A is in his not so distant future. Laying claim to a 0.90 ERA on the year, Little worked four clean innings across two outings this week and got the Frogs out of some big spots. A hard-throwing righthander, Little is striking out 35.1% of the batters he’s facing and walking 11.4%, good for a 3.08 FIP. Having already lost Brock Moore to promotion, it seems likely the AquaSox will be losing yet another reliever to the Texas League in the coming weeks.
Inland Empire 66ers
The 66ers only managed to snag a single win this week, dropping the series convincingly to an excellent Lake Elsinore team. It’s been tough sledding for the 66ers in their first year as a Mariner affiliate, and though there have been some breakout performers mixed throughout the roster, it’s largely been a disappointing season.
Teddy McGraw is back on the mound! Joining the 66ers on his minor league rehab assignment, McGraw logged two clean outings this week as he builds his body back up. McGraw has an extensive injury history and will certainly be handled with an abundance of caution, but when he’s been on the mound, there are very few pitchers in this system that can match his raw ability. Hopefully a move to the bullpen is able to keep him healthy with some more frequency.
Mason Peters threw it well again. Final line: 3.2IP, 2H, 0R, BB, 6K, 12 whiffs, 71 pitches, 49 strikes.
In the first 9 professional starts for Peters: 1.56ERA, 34.2IP, 23H, 7BB, 51K. pic.twitter.com/h3JOMODx7C
Mason Peters continued his dominant 2026 season against the Storm, starting the lone win on the week for the 66ers. Working 3.2 innings and fanning six, Peters lowered his ERA to 1.56 and showed off his dynamic array of offerings all afternoon. His splitter was a true weapon for him and gives him an ideal pairing for his wide assortment of breaking balls. Everett is a tough place to pitch, but considering his level of dominance in the California League, it seems like a promotion is more than justified for the young lefthander.
ACL Mariners
Shortstop Nick Becker launched his first homer of the season this week and raised his OPS up to .846 across his first 20 games. Becker pairs a highly projectable frame with game-changing speed and sits second in the ACL with a flawless 15 bags thus far. Becker’s swing is a bit stiff and probably needs a bit of fine tuning to be fully maximized, but given his immense tools and young age, he remains one of the more tantalizing talents present in this system.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 29: MJ Melendez #1 of the New York Mets celebrates his tenth inning game winning two run home run against the Miami Marlins at home plate with his teammates at Citi Field on May 29, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images
MONDAY
Nolan McLean became the first Met to allow 16+ runs in a two-start span since Jerad Eickhoff in July 2021.
TUESDAY
Juan Soto hit his fourth home run on a pitch at 97+ mph, giving him the most in MLB this season. (source: Sarah Langs / MLB)
David Peterson became the first Met to surrender 11+ hits in a game since Luis Severino against the Brewers during his first start as a Met on March 30, 2024.
WEDNESDAY
Eric Wagaman notched his first Met hit by blasting one of only six Mets home runs at 110+ mph and 415+ ft this season, joining one from Mark Vientos, one from Brett Baty, one from Ronny Mauricio, and a pair from Juan Soto.
FRIDAY
The Mets earned their seventh extra-inning win of the season in just their 57th game. The 1971 Mets are the only team in franchise history to record more extra-inning wins (9) through their first 57 games.
MJ Melendez became the first Met pinch-hitter to hit a walk-off home run since Jesse Winker against the Orioles on August 21, 2024.
Mark Vientos hit his 61st career home run before turning 27 years old, moving him into a tie for 13th place among Mets leaders before their 27th birthday. The man he tied? Lee Mazzilli, who was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame Saturday afternoon. Vientos doesn’t turn 27 until December, so he’s currently on pace to reach 8th place on that list by the season’s end.
The Mets scored four runs in the first inning, making it their second-biggest first inning of the year behind…well, their literal first inning of the year on Opening Day against Paul Skenes and the Pirates, in which they scored five runs.
SATURDAY
Christian Scott earned his first major league win in his 16th career start. No other pitcher in franchise history had gone more than 12 starts without a win, and no pitcher in baseball had gone their first 15 starts without a win since Liam Hendriks in 2011-12. Hendriks finally got a win in his 18th big league start.
Carson Benge recorded his fifth three-hit game in just his 55th career game. Only one Mets left-handed hitter recorded more three-hit games within their first 55 career games: Jeff McNeil, who had 7. TJ Rumfield is the only other rookie this year to have accomplished the feat, with one of his five three-hit games coming at Coors Field against the Mets on May 6. (If you’re curious, the modern era record belongs to Joe DiMaggio, who recorded three hits in 12 of his first 55 games.)
SUNDAY
Carson Benge became the fourth Met to hit a leadoff homer this season along with Francisco Lindor, Bo Bichette, and Juan Soto. It’s the first time the Mets have had four different players hit a leadoff homer since 2004, when Kaz Matsui hit five and Eric Valent, Jeff Keppinger, and Mike Cameron each hit one.
The Mets also became just the third team to have four different players hit a leadoff home run before their 60th game, joining the 2025 Yankees and the 2007 Rays. (source: Sarah Langs / MLB)
Juan Soto hit the Mets’ first grand slam of the season, and their first since he took Charlie Morton deep in Detroit on September 1, 2025.
Soto became the 14th Met to record nine home runs in a 15-game span, joining: Frank Thomas, Tommie Agee, Lee Mazzilli, Gary Carter, Darryl Strawberry, Jeff Kent, Robin Ventura, Carlos Delgado, Carlos Beltrán, Lucas Duda, Yoenis Céspedes, Pete Alonso, and most recently, DJ Stewart.
The Mets swept the Marlins for the first time since July 29-31, 2022. It was the first time they swept the Marlins at Citi Field since a four-game sweep on August 5-7, 2019.
Miscellaneous Mets stat of the week:
The Mets are 13-11 on days when the Knicks are playing in the NBA Finals.
May 30, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) talks with guard Dylan Harper (2) in the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder during game seven of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Back in August, in the midst of the Spurs third offseason with Victor Wembanyama, I wroteabout the state of the franchise and how the Spurs were progressing on their way back to the top of the proverbial NBA ladder.
Since the summer of 2022, the San Antonio Spurs have gone through four phases of the NBA life cycle; The Teardown, The Rebuild, The Playoffs and The Contenders. In August, the storied franchise was sitting at the start of The Playoff phase after seven years without a postseason appearance. Brian Wright and the front office made the requisite moves to signal they were ready to break their playoff-less streak. What happened next was unforeseen by everybody, even by the most optimistic of Spurs believers.
On Wednesday night, the five-time NBA Champions will be hunting for their sixth when the basketball world assembles in the Alamo City for Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals. So how did one of the youngest and least experienced teams go from a playoff hopeful to a championship favorite in the span of just ten months? Let’s take a look.
The emergence of the new best player in basketball
It’s hard to call it an emergence when once upon a time on NBA Draft lottery night, the great Adrian Wojnarowski called Victor Wembanyama “the greatest prospect in team sports history”, but after a blood clot halted his second season in the league, Wemby came back with a vengeance this year. All-Star, All-NBA first team, Defensive Player of the Year, All-Defense first team and third in MVP were just some of the accomplishments that the French phenom accumulated in his age 22 season.
What allowed the Spurs to make it to their seventh NBA Finals was that in the biggest games and on the biggest occasions, they had someone who not just only embraced the responsibility of the moment but demanded it. From his game-winner against the Phoenix Suns to clinch their playoff spot, to his 39-point performancein Game 3 in Minnesota, to his masterpiece of a Game 1 against the defending champions, every time San Antonio has called, Vic has answered.
There’s been a lot of reasons the Spurs have exceeded expectations but none bigger than the 7’5” alien.
The fearless duo that doesn’t care how young they are
Were the Spurs lucky last May when for the third straight time, the lottery gods blessed the franchise with another top 4 pick (which, under new lottery reform, won’t happen again for anyone else)? Yes, but that’s not for them to worry about. They just did what they were supposed to do and added guard Dylan Harper, the second-ranked prospect, to their already young talented core.
At the same time, reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle was out to prove a point. The two guards were like two peas in a pod with not just how they played on the court, but in their drive for success. Castle made a major leap in year two, becoming a more efficient scorer while levelling up his already elite perimeter defense.
For Harper, after an up-and-down start in his first forty-one games, the flip switched for the New Jersey native, and with each passing week he was becoming a star in front of our eyes. Unstoppable getting to and finishing at the rim, under control with the ball in his hands and a stern and reliable defender.
But the biggest point of difference that turned the league on its head was the improvement from three-point range from the two young guards. From shaky shooters to 40% in the blink of an eye, and their confidence was as high as ever to finish the regular season.
A lot of questions were then asked heading into their first playoff run. Would they be able to meet the moment? Would they wilt under the pressure? Would they get figured out? The answer is a resound YES. Every time they have met with someone or something in front of them, they have just gone right through them, literally.
Buying in with only one goal in mind
To win any championship, everyone must be on the same page. If one person goes rogue, it can shift the dynamics, and there goes your chance at glory. You need selfless players who are willing to sacrifice personal numbers and recognition for the betterment of the team.
This Spurs team has good people. There’s De’Aaron Fox, who for five years was a 25-5-5 guy but has routinely sacrificed to help the growth of the aforementioned fearless duo. Then there’s the longest-tenured Spur Keldon Johnson, who has averaged 22 points a game in this league, buying into his role as a sixth man. And don’t forget Devin Vassell, who has had a million different roles over his six seasons, but has never complained once and now makes all the winning plays.
It doesn’t take just one player. It takes a village, and the Spurs have one heck of a village. With Wemby ascending to the top of the mountain, Castle and Harper breaking the mold of what young guards should look like, everyone embracing their role for the good of the team, and Mitch Johnson and his coaching staff rising to the occasion, everything clicked into place and here the Spurs are, back at the top of the NBA ecosystem.
So what now? Well, in the words of the legendary Tim Duncan:
Do the Boston Red Sox have their shortstop of the future in top prospect Franklin Arias?
If that question prompted an eye roll, we understand. We asked the same question when Marcelo Mayer was in Boston’s farm system, and the No. 4 overall draft pick hasn’t yet lived up to his lofty expectations in the majors. While Mayer has been an outstanding defender wherever he’s been asked to play on the infield, his bat has been a disappointment.
There’s reason to believe Arias will be different. Throughout his minor-league career, Mayer never had the numbers that Arias is putting up this season. Left-handers have always given Mayer trouble, but Arias has hit well against both lefties and righties.
It shouldn’t be long before Arias is promoted to Triple-A, and we shouldn’t rule out a potential MLB debut later this year. Here’s a closer look at how he and the rest of the Red Sox’ top 10 prospects (via SoxProspects.com) have fared so far in 2026:
1. Payton Tolle, LHP
2026 stats: 2-0, 3.00 ERA, 1.067 WHIP, 4 BB, 19 SO (three starts at Triple-A Worcester); 2-2, 2.61 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 11 BB, 46 SO (seven starts for Boston)
Tolle has been excellent so far in his second stint with the big-league club. The 23-year-old has been one of Boston’s most consistent arms since being called back up last month, so it shouldn’t be long before he graduates from these prospect rankings and becomes a mainstay in the rotation.
As good as Tolle has looked, he’ll be even better once he takes the next step with his off-speed stuff. He threw 54 four-seam fastballs, 26 sinkers, and 11 cutters with only two curveballs and one changeup during his most recent start vs. the Atlanta Braves.
The sky is the limit for Tolle if he can start getting hitters off balance with his secondary pitches.
2. Franklin Arias, SS
2026 stats: .331/.402/.624, 12 HR, 31 RBI, 15 BB, 22 SO (41 games at Double-A Portland)
MLB ETA: Late 2026
Franklin Arias has done nothing but rake this year in Portland. The 20-year-old wasn’t known for his pop before this season, but he has already set a new career high with 12 homers while keeping his OPS above 1.000.
MLB prospect evaluators have taken notice, including Keith Law of The Athletic. Law put Arias at No. 3 in his top 50 MLB prospects list.
Franklin Arias (@RedSox) clears the Maine Monster 🔥
MLB's No. 11 prospect homers for the third time in his past two games for the Double-A @PortlandSeaDogs.
While it’s Arias’ power that has helped him earn national recognition, his plate discipline remains elite. He’s struck out only 22 times with 15 walks in 179 plate appearances. In the field, he still looks like a future Gold Glove shortstop.
It probably won’t be long before Arias earns his promotion to Triple-A, and if all goes well there, we could see him debut in the majors later this year.
3. Anthony Eyanson, RHP
2026 stats: 1-0, 1.35 ERA, 0.660 WHIP, 9 BB, 50 SO (five starts at High-A Greenville; three starts at Double-A Portland)
MLB ETA: 2027
Eyanson was promoted to Double-A Portland after dominating in his five starts at High-A Greenville. The 2025 third-round pick out of LSU has stayed sharp with the Sea Dogs to earn the No. 21 spot in Law’s top 50 prospects list.
— Portland Sea Dogs (@PortlandSeaDogs) May 26, 2026
Eyanson, 21, is rising through the minor league ranks even quicker than Tolle did in 2025. He also has a more complete arsenal than Tolle with a high-90s fastball, a wipeout slider, a killer 12-6 curveball, and a splitter he has utilized more recently and found success with.
If he continues to perform at this level, Eyanson could get the Tolle treatment and join the MLB club sometime in the second half.
4. Kyson Witherspoon, RHP
2026 stats: 0-3, 5.55 ERA, 1.542 WHIP, 21 BB, 36 SO (nine starts at High-A Greenville)
MLB ETA: 2027
Witherspoon’s first professional season probably hasn’t gone the way that he hoped. The first-round pick out of Oklahoma has struggled with his command through his first nine starts at Single-A, though it appears he’s turning a corner.
Over his last two starts, Witherspoon has allowed just one earned run across 9.1 innings pitched. He struck out 10 hitters in that span, including a six-K performance with 19 whiffs on May 24:
That's 19 swings-and-misses for Kyson Witherspoon 👀
Witherspoon still has the ceiling of a future top-of-the-rotation arm. If he builds off his last two starts and improves his command, that All-Star potential should be on display throughout the second half of his season.
5. Marcus Phillips, RHP
2026 stats: 0-3, 9.00 ERA, 1.958 WHIP, 20 BB, 29 SO (Eight appearances, seven starts at High-A Greenville)
MLB ETA: 2028
Like Witherspoon, Phillips has struggled with his command and has yet to showcase his potential in the pros. The 33rd pick in the 2025 draft has walked an alarming 7.5 batters per nine innings this season. He had control issues while at Tennessee as well, so this isn’t totally surprising.
Phillips is a physical specimen at 6-foot-4, 250 pounds. He has impressive stuff, including a high-90s fastball and a wipeout slider that generates plenty of whiffs. There’s a lot to be excited about with the 21-year-old despite his less-than-ideal start.
Strikeout number three for Boston Red Sox prospect Marcus Phillips in High-A. pic.twitter.com/Pny1v8KoG4
2026 stats: 3-2, 1.83 ERA, 1.049 WHIP, 6 BB, 37 SO (Eight starts at Triple-A Worcester); 1-1, 4.35 ERA, 1.452 WHIP, 4 BB, 4 SO (Two starts for Boston)
Bennett made his big-league debut on May 1, allowing just one run over five solid innings against the Houston Astros. His second outing didn’t go as well, as he let up four runs in 5.1 IP.
Still, Bennett proved that he’s a more-than-servicable starter when Boston’s rotation needs reinforcements. The 25-year-old’s stuff isn’t what anyone would call electric, but he has found a way to fool hitters and put up impressive numbers in Worcester:
— Red Sox Player Development (@RedSoxPlayerDev) May 28, 2026
7. Justin Gonzales, RF
2026 stats: .287/.371/.480, 7 HR, 27 RBI, 17 BB, 31 SO (40 games at High-A Greenville)
MLB ETA: 2028
The 6-foot-5, 270-pound Gonzales continues to impress in Greenville. The 19-year-old has eight doubles and two triples to go with his seven homers so far this season, and he still hasn’t unlocked his full potential at the plate.
Once Gonzales learns to elevate the ball more consistently, he’s going to be a problem. At his age, with his raw power and impressive hit tool, he might be the most exciting hitter in Boston’s system. He’ll be fascinating to watch as he rises through the minor-league ranks.
Justin Gonzales unloads on his 6th home run of the year for the High-A @GreenvilleDrive 🚀
2026 stats: 0-0, 1.93 ERA, 0.857 WHIP, 4 BB, 17 SO (three starts at High-A Greenville)
MLB ETA: 2028
The 19-year-old Valera was one of Boston’s most hyped prospects heading into the season. He reached 102 mph with his fastball while posting impressive numbers across three High-A starts, but he suffered a devastating elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery.
Valera had earned a spot in Baseball America’s Top 100 before his injury.
9. Dorian Soto, SS
2026 stats: .254/.315/.299, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 6 BB, 19 SO (17 games at Florida Complex League)
MLB ETA: 2029
Soto has gotten off to a slow start this season in rookie ball. While the 18-year-old Dominican has exciting upside at the plate, he tallied only two homers last year and has yet to hit one over the fence through 17 games this season.
This shouldn’t be a concern. The switch-hitting Soto remains one of Boston’s most exciting young talents, and it’s just a matter of time before he starts to put it all together.
10. Henry Godbout, SS
2026 stats: .277/.410/.492, 7 HR, 14 RBI, 22 BB, 27 SO (34 games at High-A Greenville)
Before the season, prospect expert Ian Cundall of Baseball America identified Godbout as a breakout candidate for 2026. The second-round draft pick out of Virginia has lived up to the hype.
Godbout has continued to showcase his impressive hit tool, and his power has been a positive development. The 22-year-old maxed out at nine homers with Virginia and already has seven through 34 games at High-A.
The bat-to-ball skills are already elite. If the power is here to stay, Godbout should rapidly ascend through the minors:
RALEIGH, N.C. — A big smile filled Rod Brind’Amour’s face after he and the Carolina Hurricanes finally reached the Stanley Cup Final, busting through the roadblock that stopped them so many times in his first eight seasons as coach.
“Oh really? That’s surprising,” captain Jordan Staal said. “Just kidding.”
Across the country hours earlier, John Tortorella refused to answer a question about what he was like 22 years ago when he coached Tampa Bay to the Cup. The following day, he was in no mood to compare himself to Brind’Amour.
“No nostalgia, and I’m not talking about the other team,” Tortorella said.
Gruff in that setting, Tortorella is more understanding with Vegas Golden Knights players as their coach, and while he and Brind’Amour differ in age and experience levels, their similarities run far deeper. They are demanding and believe in a lot of the old-school elements of hockey that lead to success in the playoffs.
“John Tortorella, you have to block shots: If you’re not blocking the shot, you will not play,” said Mike Rupp, who played for Tortorella with the New York Rangers from 2011-13. “He doesn’t care who you are. You will not play. It’s the first thing he’ll tell you. I guarantee that the first thing Torts said is ‘You will block shots.’ I’m sure Rod would say the same thing.”
Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin has been around for Brind’Amour’s entire tenure and won Olympic gold with Tortorella on the U.S. coaching staff. That experience gave him a small glimpse of why players he talks to rave about Tortorella.
“Torts was an assistant coach there, so he was fairly quiet, so I don’t know his fully coaching style,” Slavin said. “But I do know he’s passionate about the game. He loves his players.”
Rod Brind’Amour
Two decades ago, Brind’Amour captained Carolina to the Stanley Cup. He played there four more seasons before hanging up his skates in 2010 and worked seven years as an assistant before getting promoted to head coach in 2018.
The Hurricanes have made the playoffs all eight seasons with Brind’Amour in charge and won at least a round every time. This is the furthest they’ve gotten since the ’06 Cup run.
“Roddy’s been unbelievable,” Staal said. “Talk about a guy that will never give up and will always stay with it. It’s been such a pleasure to play in front of him.”
It is not always a pleasure to play Brind’Amour’s style, which relies on being relentless, predictable and pressuring opponents. Not everyone fits the mold, which resembles the way the now 55-year-old conducted himself on the ice over 1,600 NHL games as a two-way center with faceoff prowess.
“Carolina plays to Rod Brind’Amour’s identity,” said retired goaltender Cory Schneider, who like Rupp is now at NHL Network. “He’s got their attention. It’s easy to tune a guy out. Playing that way is not fun all the time. It’s not easy. And these guys still do it for him, so I think that’s a great sign that his message isn’t growing stale and that they still buy in to what he’s preaching.”
John Tortorella
Tortorella is 67 and running a bench for a sixth NHL team. He is only two months into coaching the Golden Knights after the abrupt firing of Bruce Cassidy in late March.
They reeled off seven of eight wins to finish the regular season, with players saying Tortorella helped get their swagger back. Tortorella is enjoying working under general manager Kelly McCrimmon and for owner Bill Foley.
“How lucky am I?” Tortorella said. “Came to know the players better now, found a way to get through the three rounds and now playing for the Stanley Cup, just, I shake myself sometime. I’ve certainly pinched myself. When I wasn’t coaching when the season started to what the second half of the year has brought, I can’t thank the people enough that has given me an opportunity.”
Ray Ferraro, now an ESPN analyst after playing more than 1,300 games from 1984-2002, likened Tortorella’s evolution to parenting. Tortorella has adapted to modern players and what they need.
“I don’t know why anybody would think John would coach the same way as he did in Tampa,” Ferraro said. “The players today, the younger people want to know why. They just told us, ‘Go stand there,’ and you’d be like, ‘I don’t even really know what I’m doing here.’ But that’s what you would do because that’s what you were told. And now there’s so much more detail in the way that the game is coached, and part of that detail is the why.”
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The NBA Finals rematch New York has waited 27 long years for is finally here.
Starting Wednesday, June 3, Jalen Brunson’s Knicks are going head-to-head with Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs in the second-coming of 1999’s Big Dance.
If you’d like to be there, tickets are available for all three potential Knicks home games at Madison Square Garden. They’re scheduled to go down:
At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find on tickets for MSG contests was $3,808 including fees on SeatGeek.
While prohibitively expensive, there really is nothing like playoff basketball at the Garden.
New York Post social media guru Olivia Silio attended a number of games over the Knicks’ 11-game postseason win streak and told us “MSG makes you feel like you’re a part of history…the roar of the crowd, the fans jumping up and down after every shot, the celebrities hyping up the crowd, the MSG organist leading the chants, the announcer after every point.”
Should you attend a game in San Antonio, prices start at $1,000 including fees for games at the Spurs’ Frost Bank Center.
Want to go?
Make sure to use promo code NYPOST10 for $10 off purchases over $250 at checkout (Editor’s Note: this discount is only valid for users’ first purchase on SeatGeek).
Over the course of the 2025-26 regular season, the Knicks and Spurs met three times; New York won two of those three contests (including the NBA Final in December).
There’s a little more on the line than that, though.
“They definitely want to beat me and I want to kick their a–,” Knicks Head Coach Mike Brown — who was a Spurs assistant from 2000-03 — said in a press conference. “I love them and you can always love them before and after.”
Gear up.
We’re in for hoops history.
For more information, our team has everything you need to know and more about seeing the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals below.
New York Knicks NBA Finals home game tickets
A complete calendar, including all announced Knicks NBA Finals home game dates and the best prices on tickets, can be found here:
New York Knicks NBA Finals home game dates
Ticket prices start at
Game 3 Monday, June 8
$4,258(including fees)
Game 4 Wednesday, June 10
$3,808(including fees)
Game 6 Tuesday, June 16 (if necessary)
$5,043(including fees)
San Antonio Spurs NBA Finals home game tickets
All Spurs playoff home game dates at the Frost Bank Center and the cheapest tickets available can be found below.
San Antonio Spurs home game dates
Ticket prices start at
Game 1 Wednesday, June 37:30 p.m.
$1,000(including fees)
Game 2 Friday, June 57:30 p.m.
$1,297(including fees)
Game 5 Saturday, June 13 7:30 p.m.
$1,742(including fees)
Game 7 Friday, June 197:30 p.m.
$3,983(including fees)
Knicks playoff home game giveaways
Silio also let us know that there are some perks to attending games at MSG.
“The first home game of the series, you’ll go home with a souvenir t-shirt, commemorating the game,” she said.
“Other games have ‘Always Knicks’ towels for fans to keep as well as interactive arena bracelets, used for light shows and hyping up the crowd. Another bonus is you may see your favorite actor, singer or athlete, rooting alongside you.”
About Knicks-Spurs
As noted above, the Knicks and Spurs played three times this year.
In their first contest, the stakes were high. New York and San Antonio met in the championship game of the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup on Dec. 16. OG Anunoby dropped 28 points while Brunson netted 25 and ended up winning MVP for the in-season tourney.
“This is great and we’re going to enjoy this,” Brunson said. “But once we leave tomorrow, we’re moving on.”
Game number two — just a good, old-fashioned regular season showdown — saw Julian Champagnie score 36 and lead San Antonio to a surprise, come-from-behind 134-132 victory on New Year’s Eve.
When the elite clubs played a third time, New York stomped on the Spurs and walked away with a commanding 114-89 blowout. Mikal Bridges scored 25 while Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart chipped in double-doubles.
Notable storylines swirling around the Finals are center Mitchell Robinson’s broken left pinky finger, whether Anunoby and/or Hart will be able to stop Wemby, New York’s week of rest versus San Antonio’s non-stop schedule following their seven-game bloodbath with the Oklahoma City Thunder and NYC local ties for Spurs players Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle.
This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
The Dodgers (38-21) and Diamondbacks (31-27) meet at Chase Field for the second series of the season between the two. Los Angeles swept Arizona to open the year and is 6.5 games ahead of the Diamondbacks for the NL West lead.
Arizona is on a three-game losing streak at the hands of Seattle to follow up a season-long five-game winning streak. The Diamondbacks were outscored 15-8 to Seattle and lost two of the three contests in extra innings. When the Dodgers and Diamondbacks teams met in March, Arizona was outscored 16-8. The Diamondbacks offense wasn't cooking then and isn't lately with a .196 batting average over the last five games (27th).
Los Angeles has won seven of the past eight games and finished May 18-10 overall. The Dodgers offense has been hot and outscored their opponents 56-21 over the last eight games. In the previous week (5 games), the Dodgers are hitting .317 as a team (3rd) with the most home runs (15) and third-fewest strikeouts (32).
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 the how to catch first pitch, 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.
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Game details & how to watch Dodgers at Diamondbacks
Date: Monday, June 1, 2026
Time: 9:40 PM EST
Site: Chase Field
City: Phoenix, AZ
Network/Streaming: MLB TV
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 Dodgers at the Diamondbacks
The latest odds as of Monday:
Moneyline: Los Angeles Dodgers (-168), Arizona Diamondbacks (+139)
The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani is hitting .280 with 58 hits and 102 total bases over 207 at-bats
The Dodgers’ Kyle Tucker is hitting .242 with 50 hits and 45 strikeouts over 207 at-bats
The Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll is hitting .287 with 58 hits and 108 total bases over 202 at-bats
The Diamondbacks’ Geraldo Perdomo is hitting .224 with 43 hits and 30 strikeouts over 192 at-bats
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 Dodgers at Diamondbacks
The Dodgers are 32-27 ATS
The Diamondbacks are 35-23 ATS, ranking fourth-best
The Dodgers are 34-22 to the Under, ranking second-best
The Diamondbacks are 28-27-3 to the Over
The Dodgers are 17-11 ATS as the road team, ranking fourth-best
The Diamondbacks are 16-10 ATS as the home team, ranking fourth-best
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks
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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 Diamondbacks and the Dodgers:
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Dodgers on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Dodgers at -1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Under on the Game Total of 9.0
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MESA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 20: Denzel Clarke #1, Lawrence Butler #4 and Max Muncy #3 of the Athletics take batting practice during a spring training workout at HoHoKam Stadium on February 20, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Justine Willard/Athletics/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Another year, another tough month of May that saw the Athletics struggle and knock us down in the standings. It wasn’t as bad as last year when the team lost pretty much every game that month but it was a tough month for the Athletics regardless. Big changes are on the horizon as the team needs to wake up and slap themselves out of this slump. Will they be able to do that now that the calendar has finally flipped to June?
The upcoming changes are hoped to provide the spark that can flip things around for this team. So what do we have to look forward to this coming month of June? Some questions to ask yourself.
1. How long of a leash does Lawrence Butler have?
The right fielder signed a massive contract extension last year that guaranteed him $65 million over the next five years. At the time he was coming off an impressive second-half of the 2024 season that saw him hit .302/.346/.597 with 20 home runs over the final 73 games that year. He looked like an emerging star and the A’s locked him in before he got any more expensive. He was the second recent A to sign an extension, just a couple months after Brent Rooker got his own deal.
His first full big league season did not go smooth however. While he made it into 152 games and became the first Athletic with a 20-20 season since Coco Crisp, his rate stats fell across the board. Perhaps some of that can be attributed to injury. He dealt with what was at the time diagnosed as a patellar strain in his right knee that ended up being a partial tear, and the stats bore than out. Pre All-Star Butler was hitting .251/.326/.433 but slashed just .203/.268/.351 post-break, and general manager David Forst said he was playing through that issue over the final weeks of the season. He ended up having surgery on that knee (as well as a PRP injection in his other knee) just days after the conclusion of the season.
The hope was that him getting an early start on his rehab and recovery would give him enough time to get ramped up for this season. Instead he was held out of action for the majority of Spring Training, only making it into just four games before the start of the season. He was reportedly facing pitchers and getting at-bats behind the scenes, but that isn’t the same as game action.
The short spring may be a big reason why Butler is hitting just .164 right now. It could be he’s trying to play through an injury to one or both of his knees again, or he just didn’t have a normal offseason so things are out of whack for him right now. Either way it’s getting harder and harder to see him in the lineup on a regular basis when he looks this lost at the plate right now. At the same time it’s hard to see a guy getting paid that much money ride the bench and the staff feel the only way out of this slump is hitting his way out of it. The A’s will need to make a decision one way or another, whether that be an IL placement or asking him to spend some time in the minor leagues to get his bat right. And the A’s would be smart to get to that decision sooner rather than later.
2. What happens at third base when Max Muncy is healthy?
Since injuring his hand back on April 25th after a HBP, the former first rounder has been on the shelf recovering from a fracture. He’s slowly begun to ramp up baseball activities in recent days and has officially begun his rehab assignment. The 23-year-old went 2-for-3 with a home run and 3 RBI on Saturday as the Aviators’ DH before an 0-for-2 showing on Sunday while in the field at third base.
While he’s been out the A’s have given the bulk of the playing time at third base to Zack Gelof, who has taken advantage of his opportunity at a brand new position. The former second baseman is hitting .259/.304/.432 with six home runs and six stolen bases. Perhaps the biggest change for him is he’s not striking out nearly as much as he did the past couple years. He dropped it from 45.5% last season all the way to 24.7%, which would be a career-low for the young infielder. On top of that he’s now got some outfield experience under his belt in addition to learning third base at the big league level. It’s been a successful start to his 2026 season and the A’s would like to keep his bat in the lineup some way.
The way things stand the A’s have a few options. Since both bat right-handed they don’t form a perfect platoon at third base. They could try to continue splitting reps at the hot corner, with Gelof filling in at other positions on days he’s not at third. But that just adds another thing for these young players to deal with.
Another option would be to just give the job to one of them on a full-time basis. Small sample caveat but Gelof has been the better hitter this year between the two. Neither have provided Chapman-esque defense at third so the A’s need production with the bat out of that spot. That said, Gelof is also much more positionally versatile; Muncy has experience at second base, but Gelof has that plus outfield experience now. It wouldn’t be impossible for Mark Kotsay to find spots in the lineup for both of them on any given day, should he so choose.
And a third, perhaps more extreme option would be to make a permanent change at the keystone. Offseason addition Jeff McNeil has had his moments but is only hitting .251/.323/.335 with two home runs this year and the left-handed hitter has predictably struggled against lefties this season. And they don’t make great platoon partners either. Gelof has actually fared better against right-handed pitching in his career. In fact, Gelof is really bad against left-handed pitching, hitting just .167/.244/.257 against them in his career versus a .250/.305/.449 line against same-handed pitching. They could still try out a platoon but history doesn’t indicate that’ll work.
If the A’s are getting ready to shake things up, getting Muncy back into the fold will come at a cost to someone else on the roster. How the A’s balance and juggle playing time on the infield will be fascinating to watch.
3. Can any other young pitchers make an impact for the staff?
The A’s have already promoted one of their top pitching prospects in Gage Jump. They’re set to promote another in Kade Morris, who looks like he’ll be making his major league debut this coming week in the series finale against the Cubs. Mason Barnett has already made his big league debut and pitched for the A’s this year.
The A’s are down two of their three veterans right now, just optioned Jacob Lopez, and are more or less being pressed into giving these younger options their chances. It’s not unheard of for the A’s to get great results from their young pitching that leads them to contention, but with the big bats in the lineup slumping right now the A’s are desperate to get production out of rookies more than usual.
They’ve gotten that and then some with J.T. Ginn, who is looking like he’s breaking out in a huge way for the Athletics. But while Ginn has been a surprising arm, so has fellow righty Luis Morales but for the wrong reasons. A member of the Opening Day rotation, he is now pitching in relief in Triple-A. That’s not the outcome anyone wanted but there’s still plenty of time for him to figure things out and the A’s will almost certainly need him again before this season is through.
Behind them the depth really begins to thin. Righty Jack Perkins has starting experience but has been in a relief roll all season, and not exactly thriving in it. Barnett certainly should be an option again soon enough. We shouldn’t hold our breath for a big promotion for Jamie Arnold. After all, he only has 10 starts in Double-A and while he’s flashed his potential he’s also showing some rookie growing pains. Perhaps he could be a left-handed option out of the ‘pen if the A’s are in contention but unlikely. A more likely name is someone like Braden Nett, who is finally healthy and pitching again for the Aviators. Or perhaps a forgotten name in Luis Medina, who is looking good in the bullpen but was once considered a building block for the rotation.
If the A’s are going to turn things around they’re going to have to do it short-handed for a while while Severino and Civale are hurt. The A’s have spent years accumulating this pitching talent just for this scenario. Now it’s time to see if any of these young arms step up to the challenge in the dog days of summer.
New York Yankees. 1945 (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images/Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images) | Sporting News via Getty Images
After Babe Ruth made the No. 3 jersey famous, Bud Metheny would become the one of the last New York Yankees to wear the number before it was retired. Outside of being a fun bit of trivia, Metheny would go on to build a legacy far greater than simply being another person to wear an iconic jersey.
Arthur Beauregard “Bud” Metheny
Born: June 1, 1915 (St. Louis, MO) Died: January 2, 2003 (Virginia Beach, VA) Yankees Tenure: 1943-46
Metheny was born and lived in St. Louis through his childhood. His family would move to Virginia as he entered his teenage years, and it was there he would star on the baseball team at Calverton High School. Ironically enough, this move was a bit of a homecoming for Metheny as his mother’s family claimed to be descendants of Pocahontas.
After high school Metheny attended college at William & Mary. While playing for William & Mary, the Yankees signed Metheny to a contract that came with an agreement to allow him to finish his degree. Metheny earned his teaching degree in 1939 and would later earn his master’s in education in 1952. His reputation as a good person and star athlete while in college would open doors later in life as well as earn him a spot in the William & Mary Hall of Fame.
Upon graduating, Metheny headed to Kansas City to play in the American Association professional league that summer. A left-handed hitter and outfielder, Metheny impressed to the tune of a .315 average in 95 games. However, this success came at a cost as Metheny injured his knee sliding and missed two months of the season, later requiring surgery in the offseason. This injury would turn out to be the biggest blessing in disguise that Metheny could receive — though it would take some time for that to be realized.
Metheny added some weight during the recovery period from his surgery and used his extra force to have another solid season in 1940, this time for the Newark Bears of the International League. The Bears would win the Junior World Series that season. After the season ended, Metheny made an effort to shed those pounds from the last offseason and was able to lose around thirty pounds.
However, losing weight would have negative effects on the diamond. In 1941, back with Kansas City, Metheny struggled and saw his batting average drop over 60 points and only hit three home runs which dropped his slugging from .451 in 1940 to .307.
Following the worst season of his baseball life Metheny was able to turn things around in 1942. Now 27 years old and married to his college sweetheart, Frances Davis, Metheny slashed .296/.363/.460 which was good for a .823 OPS. The eighteen home runs that season launched him onto the Yankees’ radar, and they picked him up for the next season.
The 1943 season would prove to be the year that Metheny’s baseball dream would come true. Metheny played sparingly over the first two months of the season, but at the start of the summer he found himself right in the middle of the regulars playing a lot of right field as several of his teammates were selected for service in World War II. Metheny was rejected for military service due to the knee surgery he had a few years prior.
Making the most of his opportunity, Metheny played in 103 games, making 86 starts, while batting .261 with nine home runs. The Yankees would win the pennant and face the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. Metheny played in two games and got one hit as the Yankees won the series in five games.
Next year would not be as kind to Metheny or the Yankees. Metheny started 128 games between right and left field but saw his average fall to .239. Although he hit a career-high 14 home runs, he also led all American League outfielders with 11 errors.
Metheny held his role heading into the 1945 season and started 126 games, this time all in right field. In his age-30 season, Metheny hit .248 with eight home runs. The Yankees finished fourth in American League, and the writing was on the wall for Metheny heading towards the 1946 season as the Yankees were set to welcome back Joe DiMaggio and others following their service time.
When the club left spring training in 1946 Metheny was with them. However, it did not last long as after three pinch-hit appearances, Metheny was sent down to the minors. He would never play at the highest level again. His final career numbers, all with the Yankees, include 344 hits, 31 home runs, and 12 stolen bases. Two years later, Ruth’s (and Metheny’s) No. 3 was worn for the last time by outfielder Cliff Mapes before the Yankees officially retired the number on June 13, 1948, his final public appearances at Yankee Stadium. The Great Bambino died two months later.
Back in the minors Metheny would spend the rest of the 1946 season through the 1950 season as a player and then a player manager. While still playing in 1947, Metheny was recruited a second time by his old college coach to a teaching and coaching position at Old Dominion University.
It was at Old Dominion that Metheny would build his legacy. Metheny coached the baseball team to a 423-363-6 record in 32 seasons at the helm. He was named the NCAA Eastern Regional Coach of the Year in 1963 and 1964, and in 1980 led the Monarchs over the University of Virginia to win the Virginia State Championship. Additionally, Metheny coached the basketball team to 16 winning seasons and a 198-163 record and served as the athletic director for a time.
After such a long career, Metheny was honored with the baseball complex named after him. This changed in 2024, but the field is still named in his memory. Additionally, Metheny was inducted into the Old Dominion University Sports Hall of Fame in 1983. The baseball team to this day still wears pinstripes at home as a nod to Metheny and his tenure with the Yankees.
When it was all said and done, Metheny was a member of the William & Mary Hall of Fame, the Old Dominion University Hall of Fame, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, and the American Association of College Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame. On January 2, 2003, Matheny passed away in the afternoon just a few hours after his wife of 61 years passed in the morning.
Happy birthday Bud!
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 31: James Wood #29 and CJ Abrams #5 of the Washington Nationals celebrate after winning a game against the San Diego Padres at Nationals Park on May 31, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Nationals went 16-12 in the month of May. It was the team’s best month since August of 2023. At 31-29, this Nats team enters June sitting over .500 and looking like a team on the rise. I wanted to dive into the biggest factors that are driving this turnaround.
In April, the Nats were a good offensive team, but terrible pitching and defense led to a 12-15 month. Fans wondered what this team would look like average pitching. Well, they have gotten their answer, as the Nats posted a 4.04 ERA in the month of May. The rotation really turned things around, especially towards the end of the month. Pitching was a big reason why the Nats finished the month with three straight series wins over teams with a record above .500.
Washington's rotation the last six games: 1.00 ERA (4 ER/36.0 IP), 39 SO/7 BB
— Nationals Communications (@NationalsComms) May 27, 2026
Veterans Miles Mikolas and Zack Littell had the biggest turnarounds this month. Both looked like over the hill arms who could not stop allowing homers in April. Mikolas and Littell both had ERA’s in the 8’s for the month. However, in May, the pair both posted ERA’s below 3. Blake Butera often had them pitching after an opener, and the strategy has worked.
You also have to credit 30 year old pitching coach Simon Mathews for helping guide these veteran arms. It can be tough for a young first year coach to get through to struggling veterans. However, Mathews has done just that. It is also a testament to Mikolas and Littell that they are willing to accept new information deep in their careers from a guy who is so young.
While the pitching has improved, the offense is still the star of the show. James Wood is the engine of the operation at the top of the lineup. He leads the NL in plate appearances, walks, runs, on base percentage, OPS and OPS+. Wood hit .311 this month, showing an ability to get hits consistently, along with his light tower power. He is playing like a legitimate MVP candidate this season.
James Wood DEMOLISHES his 16th HR of the year at 113.8 MPH 🚀
As Nats fans, we have been spoiled by all the transcendent young hitters that have come through this organization. We had Bryce Harper and Juan Soto, and now we have James Wood. At 23 years old, Wood is on that sort of trajectory right now. The last item on his checklist is to keep up these kinds of performances for a full season. With the Nats playing more competitive baseball, I imagine it is easier to stay motivated and come to the ballpark ready to roll.
A lot of the things I said about Wood also apply to CJ Abrams. While Abrams does not have the same sort of upside as Wood, the 25 year old is also coming into his own. Abrams has gotten off to fast starts before, but he has never been this good for this long. Through 2 months, Abrams has a .294 batting average with a .933 OPS.
However, Wood and Abrams were both rolling in April. In fact, both had slightly higher OPS numbers in April compared to May. Despite the Nats two stars “only” putting up OPS numbers in the .900’s instead of over 1.000, the offense was even better.
That comes down to improvement from the supporting cast. This month Wood and Abrams finally got a right handed hitting running mate that was producing near their level. Curtis Mead became a surprise star in the middle of the Nats lineup this month. He posted an OPS over .900 for the month, and on the season, his OPS is over .850.
The former top prospect is earning himself more and more playing time. After the game yesterday, a reporter asked Blake Butera who the last players to leave the stadium are. Butera said that Wood, Abrams and Mead are usually the last three he sees around. This work ethic has helped Mead become a full time player this month. Once Brady House got sent down, he assumed the role as the everyday third baseman.
Mead has helped make this lineup a whole lot deeper. As have guys like Luis Garcia Jr. and Jacob Young who have been productive at the plate this month. Young showcased a whole new side of his game, hitting five home runs in May. Entering this season, Young only had 5 homers in his entire career.
However, the biggest May breakout has to be Keibert Ruiz. As Fangraphs put it, Ruiz rose from the ashes. It is an appropriate way to put it. Ruiz had been dreadful for the last two seasons on both sides of the ball. In April, he was playing better defense, but was hitting just .178 with a .480 OPS.
The switch hitting catcher totally flipped the script in May though. He hit .379 with a wild 1.107 OPS. After meeting with the coaching staff, as chronicled in a great article by Spencer Nusbaum, Ruiz started swinging harder and hitting the ball with more impact.
Three weeks ago, over a dozen coaches, trainers and executives gathered for a meeting with Nats catcher Keibert Ruiz.
He entered the room with self doubt.
He left with a plan to become one of the best catchers in MLB. Free and unlocked: https://t.co/iKYePSRUuH
Ruiz has always possessed great bat to ball skills, but it did not matter because he did not hit the ball hard. This month he is pulling the ball in the air a ton and hitting it with more impact. That is the reason why he had 12 extra base hits in May. He was just roasting balls down the line, often for doubles or homers.
This is the most fun I have had watching the Nats since 2019. There is a new energy and confidence to this team that you can see. Even when you are in the locker room, you can tell the vibe is getting stronger. The team added a table in the middle of the room, where you often see guys playing chess or cards. Players are always talking to each other about baseball related things or just life things. It is great to see a team come together.
There is a lot of season left, and this team is still a long shot for the playoffs, and unlikely to finish above .500. However, I have optimism that in a couple years, we can look back on this month and pinpoint it as the moment where everything started to come together.
St. Louis Blues Have Seven RFAs This Off-SeasonThe St. Louis Blues will have seven restricted free agents this off-season, highlighted by Jonatan Berggren and Matthew Kessel.
