SEATTLE — Just before Big Dumper put a thump into a soaring flyball, a smattering of “MVP! MVP!” chants broke out from behind home plate.
Given the way Cal Raleigh’s season has started, perhaps the Mariners’ catcher is wholly deserving of such high praise. With a solo shot during Seattle’s latest victory, 2-1 over the Minnesota Twins, Raleigh upped his total to a major league-leading 23 home runs.
“He’s having an excellent season, not only offensively but also defensively,” teammate Randy Arozarena said, with bench coach Manny Acta translating. “What he’s doing right now, it’s great because he’s carrying our offense pretty much.”
That’s no exaggeration on Arozarena’s part. And what Raleigh is doing is also unprecedented.
The 28-year-old backstop from North Carolina with the funny nickname became the first catcher in major league history to reach 20 home runs before the end of May. His 22 home runs entering June tied for the second-most in Mariners history behind only Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., who had 24 in 1997.
“He just continues to grow and mature in this game,” said Mariners manager Dan Wilson, a former catcher who was on that Seattle team in 1997. “And the pace that he’s on right now with home runs — and he’s not just hitting home runs, he’s still just hitting the ball hard.
“You add that to what he does behind the plate in a game like this — whew, he’s a real special player and he’s doing it all right now.”
According to Baseball Savant, Raleigh ranks eighth among big league catchers in Fielding Run Value.
He also has more home runs than Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge. So it’s no wonder Raleigh has already been worth 3.3 Wins Above Replacement, per baseball-reference.com, less than 60 games into the season for the AL West-leading Mariners (32-26).
“I just wish that he continues to stay healthy and (has) a very long career,” Seattle pitcher Luis Castillo said, with Acta translating. “Because it’s a lot of fun right now.”
Salvador Perez of the Kansas City Royals holds the big league record for home runs in a season by a catcher with 48 in 2021. Raleigh is on pace for 64 this year, which would break the American League mark of 62 set by Judge in 2022.
Sure, there’s still a long way to go in 2025.
But, awfully impressive numbers for someone playing such a demanding and taxing position, where offense is often considered a luxury rather than a requirement.
“Sometimes it’s not playing harder, it’s playing smarter,” said Wilson, a major league catcher for 14 years. “And he continues to play smart baseball whether it’s behind the plate or at the bat. He’s coming up huge for us all over the place.”
LOS ANGELES — Ryan Yarbrough picked up a dazzling World Series ring from his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. Then he went out and beat them.
The New York Yankees starter pitched one-run ball over six innings, struck out a season-high five and blanked the Dodgers’ top four hitters in a 7-3 win.
“I feel like I’m in a really good place right now and really trying to continue that,” Yarbrough said. “I’m having a lot of fun.”
The 33-year-old left-hander made 44 relief appearances between the Dodgers and Blue Jays last season. The Dodgers designated him for assignment on July 29 and the next day traded him to Toronto.
So even though he wasn’t around for their World Series victory over the Yankees last fall, Yarbrough earned a ring. He accepted it from Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes behind home plate during batting practice.
“Trying to keep that a little discreet, especially with where we’re at now, but kind of cool to be able to get that,” Yarbrough said.
He signed a one-year, $2 million deal with New York in March and is 3-0 with a 2.83 ERA this season.
Making his first career start against the Dodgers, Yarbrough recorded 17 swings-and-misses — including seven with his sweeper.
The top four hitters in Los Angeles’ lineup had produced at least one hit in every game this season. That is, until Shohei Ohtani, Teoscar Hernández, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith combined to go 0 for 14 in the series finale against Yarbrough and the Yankees.
New York manager Aaron Boone has called Yarbrough a throwback, noting his 6-foot-5 frame creates a “funky” angle for hitters.
“He’s got a lot of ways to get you out. Just when you think he’s slowing you down, slowing you down, he’s able to speed you up enough,” Boone said. “It feels like it’s hard to get a bead on him.”
It certainly was for Ohtani. He struck out on five pitches ranging from 70-86 mph in the first inning, when Yarbrough retired the side in order. Later, he set down 13 of 15 batters before exiting.
“He’s not going to light up the radar gun, but all his pitches feel like they get on you,” teammate DJ LeMahieu said. “His fastballs look like they get on you and his off-speed looks extra slow. He’s got good stuff and he knows what he’s doing out there.”
Yarbrough conceded his familiarity with his ex-teammates helped, too.
“It was just a matter of execution and keeping them off balance and not putting them in counts where they can really hunt for certain pitches,” he said.
It was also a big night for LeMahieu, who had his first four-hit game since 2021. He drove in two runs and raised his batting average to .239.
The second baseman had three singles and a double on a night when Aaron Judge was the only Yankees player without a hit.
“I feel good. Good to get some results,” LeMahieu said.
LOS ANGELES — Yankees outfielder Jasson Domínguez jammed his left thumb on a stolen base and was removed from a 7-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
New York closer Luke Weaver wasn’t able to pitch at all because of a sore hamstring.
Domínguez walked and swiped second with a headfirst slide in the fifth inning. He came around to score on DJ LeMahieu’s one-out single, but was lifted for a pinch hitter in the sixth.
“He couldn’t really swing,” manager Aaron Boone said. “It was (serious) enough for him to come out of the game.”
The 22-year-old rookie left fielder was expected to have tests in New York.
Boone initially planned to use Weaver in the ninth with the Yankees ahead 7-3.
“He had finished warming up and then when he went to stretch felt something in the middle of his hammy, so we had to kind of make a switch on the fly,” Boone said. “Hoping it’s not too serious.”
Tim Hill retired the side in order in the ninth as the Yankees avoided getting swept in a series for the first time this season.
It's Monday, June 2, and the Angels (26-32) are in Boston to take on the Red Sox (29-32). Tyler Anderson is slated to take the mound for Los Angeles against Richard Fitts for Boston.
Yesterday, the Red Sox picked up the win against the Atlanta Braves. It was a game that saw all of the action in the first inning. The Red Sox took a 3-1 lead into the second inning and held on to win 3-1.
Garrett Crochet was phenomenal. He struck out 12 batters in 7.0 innings and only gave up one run on five hits.
The Angels lost 4-2 yesterday against the Cleveland Guardians. After dropping the series to the Guardians, the Angels have now lost three series in a row.
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 tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game details & how to watch Angels at Red Sox
Date: Monday, June 2, 2025
Time: 7:10PM EST
Site: Fenway Park
City: Boston, MA
Network/Streaming: NESN, FanDuel Sports Network West
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Odds for the Angels at the Red Sox
The latest odds as of Monday:
Moneyline: Angels (+127), Red Sox (-152)
Spread: Red Sox -1.5
Total: 9.0 runs
Probable starting pitchers for Angels at Red Sox
Pitching matchup for June 2, 2025: Tyler Anderson vs. Richard Fitts
Angels: Tyler Anderson, (2-2, 3.39 ERA) Last outing (New York Yankess, 5/27): 6.0 Innings Pitched, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 3 Strikeouts
Red Sox: Richard Fitts, (0-2, 2.70 ERA) Last outing (Milwaukee Brewers, 5/27): 3.0 Innings Pitched, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 2 Strikeouts
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Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Angels at Red Sox
The Angels have lost 4 of their last 5 games
Each of the Angels' last 3 road games with the Red Sox have stayed under the Total
The total has gone under in 3 of their last 10 Red Sox games
The total has gone under in 3 of their last 10 Angels games
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Angels and the Red Sox
Rotoworld Best Bet
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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 Angels and the Red Sox:
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Boston Red Sox on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Los Angeles Angels 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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Boston Red Sox right-hander Richard Fitts will look to snap a historic losing streak when he takes the mound for Monday’s series opener against the Los Angeles Angels.
Fitts, who made his MLB debut last September, has posted an impressive 2.21 ERA over his first eight career starts (40.2 innings). Unfortunately for him, the rest of the club hasn’t held up its end of the bargain.
According to WEEI’s Joe Weil, Fitts is the first pitcher in MLB history to have an ERA under 3.00 with his team going 0-8 through his first eight career starts since ERA became an official stat in 1913.
Richard Fitts is due for a Sox win (hopefully tonight!).
2.21 ERA in 40.2 IP, but somehow the 1st pitcher in MLB history to post an ERA below 3.00 with his team going 0-8 through his first 8 career starts since ERA became official in 1913 (per Elias).
Five of Boston’s eight losses in Fitts’ starts have either been decided by one run or extra innings.
Looking beyond the losses, Fitts has been a bright spot for the underwhelming Red Sox rotation. The 25-year-old has a 2.70 ERA through four starts this season. He tossed three scoreless innings in his return from the injured list last Tuesday in Milwaukee. (Boston lost 5-1.)
The Red Sox acquired Fitts and reliever Greg Weissert in their 2023 trade with the New York Yankees in exchange for outfielder Alex Verdugo. The deal was a win for Boston as Verdugo struggled in his lone season in the Bronx, then departed in free agency for the Atlanta Braves.
Fitts’ first pitch for Monday’s game at Fenway Park is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.
It's Monday, June 2, and the Rockies (9-50) are in Miami to take on the Marlins (23-34). Germán Márquez is slated to take the mound for Colorado against Max Meyer for Miami.
After a 5-3 loss yesterday against the Mets, the Rockies have now lost eight games in a row. Their last win was a 3-2 win back on May 23rd. The Rockies' 9-50 start is the worst start in the modern era.
The Marlins are hoping to cash in on the misfortunes of the Rockies and pick up a series win. They are last in the NL East and have won just four of their last six games.
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 tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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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 Rockies at the Marlins
The latest odds as of Monday:
Moneyline: Rockies (+164), Marlins (-197)
Spread: Marlins -1.5
Total: 8.0 runs
Probable starting pitchers for Rockies at Marlins
Pitching matchup for June 2, 2025: Germán Márquez vs. Max Meyer
Rockies: Germán Márquez, (1-7, 7.13 ERA) Last outing (Chicago Cubs, 5/27): 6.0 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 7 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts
Marlins: Max Meyer, (3-4, 4.53 ERA) Last outing (San Deigo Padres, 5/27): 3.1 Innings Pitched, 4 Earned Runs Allowed, 7 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 0 Strikeouts
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 Rockies at Marlins
The Marlins have won 4 straight home games against the Rockies
The Marlins pitcher Max Meyer has an ERA of 3.86 in his last 5 home starts on the mound
With Max Meyer opening the Marlins are up 1.58 units on the Run Line at loanDepot park in 2025
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Rockies and the Marlins
Rotoworld Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Monday's game between the Rockies and the Marlins:
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Miami Marlins on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Colorado Rockies at +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 8.0.
Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
On May 10 for Double-A Binghamton, Mets prospect Jonah Tongwas perfect -- literally.
In 6.2 innings against the Reading Fightin Phils, the 21-year-old didn't allow any base runners, or much contact at all as he struck out a season-high 13 batters in what was an utterly dominant performance.
But with Tong on a bit of a pitch count, he was replaced for the final out of the seven-inning game, which was secured by TJ Shook as the Rumble Ponies completed the perfect game.
While Tong was untouchable that night, he said that his stuff did not feel as unhittable as it looked -- at least early on.
“Honestly, no. I remember the first batter I think I went to a full count. I think it was Robert Moore, and I was like 'Oh, we’re gonna grind through this one.' Then I was just thinking just take it pitch-by-pitch, try to fill it up," Tong told SNY. "At times I didn’t do that. But it just kind of went really smooth, felt like I was getting really good rhythm.
"And when I went for my seventh inning I was like 'Oh, I got something pretty good going right now.' I was looking at the lineup, and I was like 'Oh sh-t, I think I have a perfect game going on.' And obviously the next two batters I go 3-2 on them and extend the at-bat, and then I’m out of the game. It was really cool. The thing I’m happiest (about) is the no walks with it. I was pretty locked in the entire day. Try and replicate that."
As Tong continues a meteoric rise that saw him excel across three minor league levels in 2024 during what was his first full professional season, he has taken it up a notch this season with Binghamton, where he has a 2.25 ERA and 1.06 WHIP, with an eye-popping 72 strikeouts and only 23 hits allowed over 44.0 innings spanning seven starts.
Tong, a native of Canada, was selected by the Mets in the seventh round of the 2022 MLB Draft. And he's now at the point where he's on the national radar, recently entering the MLB Top 50 prospect lists for The Athletic and ESPN.
And Tong is staying grounded through it all.
After a first season of pro ball he said was challenging due in large part to all the day games in the punishing heat in Florida, the right-hander is in a groove for Binghamton, with him crediting his offseason work and some natural progression as the reason for his success.
Jonah Tong pitching for the Brooklyn Cyclones. / George Napolitano/Brooklyn Cyclones
"This past offseason was just a continuation of the one prior, where it was just focus on your strengths – making sure we’re executing there at a high level," Tong explained. "And then also just getting in the weight room, making strides there. I think that kind of really helped blend into this year. I know my average fastball velo went up, and it’s more consistent, which has been huge.
"It’s just seeing how pitches play up now. Obviously, you can't always get away with stuff. But I feel like right now my fastball is playing really well. I’m really happy to see that. And just continuing to develop the slider and seeing where we’re going with that. That’s been a huge focus."
Tong will always lean on the heater, which he referred to as his "bread and butter," but his entire arsenal is impressive -- including a 12-to-6 curve ball and a developing slider.
Let's have Tong take us through his pitch mix:
"Fastball is always gonna be my bread and butter. Been throwing that same exact thing since I was a kid. I have a lot of faith in it. Big spots – any spot, really, you’re probably gonna see it at some point. Next is my curve ball. It’s kind of my go-to offspeed at times. It’s something I’ve done since I was younger. It’s a bigger shaped breaking ball, it’s slower. Goal with that is just a pitch I can land in the zone, and then expand later in the counts.
"And then my changeup has been probably the pitch that’s seen the biggest strides, although not a whole lot has changed except grip adjustment. So it’s making lower IVB more consistently. So it’s just more depth to it. And that’s been a huge pitch this year. It’s probably been my most consistent strike pitch – especially for my offspeed offering, which has been huge for me. And then my slider is my newest addition. Right now we’re tinkering with shapes, so I can’t really tell you what exactly is happening. We’re tinkering with a few things, but really happy with the progress of that."
As Tong has continued to succeed in Binghamton, he said he's noticed an approach from the hitters that's "a little more refined" than the one used by the guys he faced last year in Brooklyn, noting that he has to "think through the game a little bit more" due to the smaller margin for error.
He also had a chance earlier this season to pick the brain of fellow prospect Nolan McLean, who dominated for Binghamton before being promoted to Triple-A Syracuse, where he has hit the ground running.
"He is awesome. Really down to earth guy. Never too high, never too low," Tong said. "Loved watching him pitch. His advice was always pretty straightforward. It was 'Hey man, go out there, throw your best stuff and go have fun with it.' Never taking something too seriously, which I think I’ve tried to take in. He can speak better on this than I can, but I really just admired that approach and tried to emulate that a little bit.
"Now, he’s got some of the best stuff I’ve ever seen, so he’s gonna do great things. I tried to talk to him as much as possible. Another guy is Jack Wenninger – he’s my roommate. Talk to him a lot. Always chirps me about some stuff, but it’s always in good fun. I love watching him pitch. Same thing with Zach Thornton, Jonathan Pintaro. We have a really, really, really good staff here and it’s easy to want to do better every time you go out there just because of how these guys are pitching."
Jonah Tong #38 of the New York Mets throws a pitch during the first inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 16, 2025 in West Palm Beach, Florida. / Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images
When it comes to what's next for Tong, it's getting to a point where you can squint and see him in the big leagues for the Mets. That's unlikely to come this season, but Tong impacting the major league club in 2026 seems likely.
Walks have been a bit of a bugaboo for Tong recently, with him issuing four free passes in each of his last two starts after limiting the bases on balls to three or fewer over his prior six starts.
And when asked what he needs to work on the most in order to make the next two jumps -- first to Syracuse and then to the Mets -- limiting the walks was what Tong focused on.
"The most obvious one for me is the walks right now," he said. "They’re definitely there. I do think – and I’m really confident -- that they’re not always gonna be there. It’s just more getting my feet wet and getting into the season. Last year happened for me right out of the gate, and this year it’s just a little bit slower when it comes to that.
"It’s just being more consistent, and knowing that when I’m in the zone we’re gonna have a lot of success. And just feeling confident in that. So I think just being in the zone early and often, and having the ability to put away hitters is something I’ve shown I can do – I just need to do it a little more consistently."
Growing up, Tong and his dad would look at YouTube videos of big leaguers, and said he could probably name 100 pitchers that they focused on. But as far as one pitcher Tong most enjoyed watching and says he's compared to the most, it's Tim Lincecum, who was a strikeout machine during his heyday while winning two Cy Young awards for the Giants.
"The one that everyone always sees is Tim Lincecum. Loved how he threw. They called him The Freak for a reason," Tong noted. "I would say mechanics-wise, that’s probably the one I’m most similar to, although it’s not even intentional. ... but Tim Lincecum is probably the most obvious one to me."
While Tong continues to refine things while working toward his MLB debut and decompresses by playing MLB The Show (he estimates that his record in the game is a tragic 8-19), he hasn't yet allowed himself to think about what it will be like to take the mound at Citi Field as a Met.
"No, not really. It’s always nice to dream," he said. "It’s always nice to imagine yourself out there. I’m trying to live up to just being where my feet are. I’ll let everybody else get excited about that. For me, I’m just really focused on one day at a time. I know eventually I’ll get into that position, but don’t know the timetable. So I’m just gonna take each day as it is."
One thing Tong has thought about is his possible warm-up song, with him joking about the fact that during the first interview he ever did, he didn't know who Celine Dion -- a world-famous native of Canada -- was.
But when Tong reaches the big time, it won't be Dion's voice booming through the speakers.
"I really love Burn It to the Ground by Nickelback," he said. "My goal throughout my career is to do Canadian artists. Not sure how that will change, but that’s been probably my favorite song. I know my dad really wants me to play This Means War by Nickelback, so maybe we’ll sneak that in for him. But not really sure yet."
As hockey fans await the start of the Stanley Cup final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers, some pundits are pondering Connor McDavid's future in Edmonton.
McDavid has a year remaining on his contract and will be UFA-eligible next July. The Oilers can sign their 28-year-old captain to an extension on July 1.
Larry Brooks of the New York Post acknowledged that McDavid could re-sign “without fuss or muss” this summer, becoming the first Oilers icon to spend his entire NHL career in Edmonton. However, he also wondered if No. 97 might follow the example of former Oiler Mark Messier and head to the New York Rangers next summer with or without a championship.
Bruce Arthur of the Toronto Star noted the dream of McDavid returning home to Toronto hasn't died for some Maple Leafs fans. He thinks the only way that happens is if the Oilers' superstar wins the Stanley Cup this year and decides he needs a bigger challenge, like helping the Leafs end their 58-year Cup drought.
Arthur admits the notion is a long shot. So is Brooks' idea of McDavid signing with the Rangers.
In Messier's day, the Oilers' dynasty was dismantled because their eventual-bankrupt owner couldn't afford to maintain a Cup contender in an era without cost certainty. Today, the Oilers are a contender with stable, deep-pocketed ownership, playing under a salary cap system with revenue sharing that allows them to retain their biggest stars.
Prediction: the Oilers sign McDavid this summer to an eight-year extension, making him the NHL's highest-paid player starting in 2026-27.
Meanwhile, speculation persists over whether Mitch Marner re-signs with the Toronto Maple Leafs or tests the UFA market on July 1.
The Toronto Star's Gord Stellick believes the Vegas Golden Knights will aggressively pursue the 28-year-old right winger this summer. He claimed they weren't happy with their second-round post-season exit and could shed some aging players for younger talent.
The Hockey News’ Julian Gaudio cited Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman claiming the Golden Knights discussed a trade last summer involving Marner with the Golden Knights. He believes it fell through because the Leafs wanted defenseman Shea Theodore as part of the return, and there was no guarantee that Marner would agree to the move.
Speaking of the Golden Knights, Damien Cox suggested the Leafs should follow Vegas' example by trading futures for players who can help them win the Stanley Cup. He also advocated re-signing Marner, as his departure would hurt their offense and special teams play.
Given GM Brad Treliving's recent remarks about changing the Leafs' DNA, Marner's return seems unlikely. Assuming he does and Treliving follows Vegas' example, there's no guarantee they would reach the same level of success as the Golden Knights.
In an unexpected but welcomed announcement on Monday morning, the Ottawa Senators revealed they signed defenceman Tyler Kleven to a two-year contract worth an average annual value of $1.6 million.
The terms of Kleven's deal represent a bridge deal that can bring the defenceman to restricted free agency at the conclusion of the 2026-27 season.
The Fargo, North Dakota native was slated to be a restricted free agent this summer, but with his signing, the Senators have taken one of their biggest internal items of business off their agenda.
Kleven took marked steps in his development in his first full NHL season. He tallied four goals and added six assists in 79 games while exhibiting strong defensive habits that continued to progress as the season went on.
According to Evolving-Hockey's 'total defence' (DEF) metric that combines a player's defensive contributions at five-on-five and while shorthanded into one single value, only Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub compiled more defensive value for the Senators than Kleven in 2024-25.
Most of Kleven's minutes were sheltered because he played on the third pairing in favourable matchups, but it is worth noting that Sanderson and Zub led the Senators in average shorthanded ice time per game, while Kleven only logged 19 minutes and 46 seconds of shorthanded ice time all season for an average of 15 seconds per game.
Should Travis Green and the coaching staff afford Kleven more defensive responsibilities and allow him to play regularly on the penalty kill, he should have a real opportunity to create more value for himself and the team. There is also the fact that Kleven spent most of his minutes playing alongside relatively inefficient partners in Nik Matinpalo, Jacob Bernard-Docker and Travis Hamonic.
Irrespective of who his partner was, the Senators tended to be on the wrong side of the shots (CF%), shots on goal (SF%), total goals (GF%), and expected goal (xGF%) battle.
A deeper look under the hood via HockeyViz, however, reveals that Kleven had strong isolated defensive metrics.
In the postseason, Kleven looked incredibly comfortable defending, but equally, there was a poise with the puck to elude the forecheckers and create extra time and space to generate clean exits.
His postseason play was an eye-opening performance that helped foster a belief that there is another level to his two-way game that he can reach more consistently as he gains experience and his confidence continues to grow.
Having a more effective partner would also benefit Kleven, and there is every reason to believe that will happen in 2025-26. With news that Nick Jensen had surgery this offseason to correct an undisclosed lower-body injury, it is widely believed the Senators are looking to add a right-shot defenceman to guard against the possibility that Jensen either will not be ready to start the season or may not be able to return to the level that he demonstrated in the first three months of the season.
If Kleven were a natural right-shot, he would certainly merit consideration for a top-four role. Heck, he may still get it if the asking prices in the free agent and trade markets are prohibitively expensive. With so many other organizations electing to use left-shot defencemen rather than overpay for lesser alternatives because of their handedness, the Senators could follow suit. They could pair Kleven with Chabot before targetting strong defensive left-shot options like Jon Merrill or Calvin de Haan in free agency.
The likelihood of the top-of-the-class free agents choosing Ottawa as a destination is small, but the path of using Kleven on his off-side would prevent the organization from having to overpay on the trade market as well. With an already thin farm system and the loss of their 2026 first-rounder as punishment for the organization's involvement in the Evgenii Dadonov scandal, moving a ton of futures or valued pieces off the parent roster may not be desirable.
It all depends on the return.
If the Senators find that right-shot alternative, however, it will allow Kleven to remain on the third pairing, where he would likely partner with the returning Jensen. Even if it takes time for Jensen to return to his pre-injury level, he represents a significant improvement over the alternatives.
Whereas Kleven's partners last season were more of the prototypical third-pairing sorts, Jensen is a hardworking defender who can skate and move the puck effectively - which, in theory, would create a balanced duo and give the organization three strong pairings to build off.
The Boston Celtics could go in several different directions with the No. 28 pick in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft.
Center is probably the team’s most glaring roster need to address. Veterans Al Horford and Luke Kornet are both able to become unrestricted free agents this summer. Kristaps Porzingis has played well for Boston when healthy, but he’s also missed 65 regular season games since becoming a Celtics player two years ago.
So it would make sense to bolster the depth in the frontcourt with this pick.
One option if the C’s want a center is Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner. He averaged 19.1 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 34.2 percent from 3-point range last season. He also averaged 2.7 blocks per game at 7-foot-1 and 270 pounds.
Creighton's Ryan Kalkbrenner reminded NBA teams of his tremendous tools and rim-running, floor stretching potential at the Priority Sports pro day in Chicago.
4x Big East defensive player of the year has a 7'6 wingspan and 9'4 standing reach. pic.twitter.com/640Z0TzqC0
Michigan center Danny Wolf is another mid-to-late first-round prospect to consider, too. He averaged 13.2 points and 9.7 rebounds per game for Michigan after transferring from Yale. He’s 7-foot and 250 pounds.
A case also could be made to just take the best player available. Either way, the Celtcs just need another player who can step in and play right away. A wing who can create his own shot and defend multiple positions would be helpful for Boston’s roster as well. You can never have enough 3-and-D wings.
The C’s have an expensive roster as a second apron team, so there aren’t many good options for them to add talent to their roster. The most cost-effective method is the draft, which is one reason why making a good pick at No. 28 is so important for the Celtics.
Which players should the Celtics consider with the No. 28 pick in the first round? Here’s a look at recent projections from expert mock drafts after last Wednesday’s deadline for players to withdraw their names from eligibility in the 2025 draft.
“The Celtics may not have multiple first-round picks in this draft, but their salary cap situation and Jayson Tatum‘s Achilles tendon tear make them one of the teams to watch. Penda, who can play either forward position, offers defensive versatility and a solid basketball IQ. His shooting does need to improve, but Boston should have the options around him to help compensate for that issue.”
“Thiero is a slasher with a jacked frame and an explosive first step, but he has severe limitations on offense as a shooter. If he’s able to figure out the shot, then his length and versatility would make him a classic 3-and-D role player. The Celtics have had good success at improving shooters, so he’d be a fair bet at this spot, considering his other strengths are tailor-made for their system.”
“Danny Wolf made a strong, final pitch to scouts against Auburn, finishing with 20 points and a number of eye-opening highlights that showcased his creation and shotmaking.
“Though his three-point numbers might not indicate shooting improvement, he added a pull-up and step-back to his repertoire this year. A 7-footer who made 21 dribble jumpers, served as Michigan’s lead playmaker and still averaged 9.7 boards and 1.4 blocks is bound to entice a number of teams.”
“A French prospect putting together a strong season with Le Mans, Penda checks several boxes as a long forward who can score inside and out and match up well physically defending multiple positions. He could give Boston some long-term flexibility as it enters a potential transition year next season.”
“Kalkbrenner could easily go in the top 20 given he’s over seven-feet tall and shoots 34.4 percent from three. He won Big East Defensive Player of the Year four times and has the makings of a Boston Celtic written all over him.”
There is all sorts of buzz about how this could be one of the biggest, wildest NBA offseasons ever. Here are just some of the latest rumors.
“Mutual interest” between Raptors, Antetokounmpo
It's no secret that Toronto Raptors decision maker Masai Ujiri has long had an interest in bringing Giannis Antetokounmpo north of the border, but that has never been an option.
"I don't know if it will happen but I do know there is mutual interest between Antetokounmpo and the Raptors. The wild card is cost." Add to that this comment from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on his Hoop Collective Podcast:
"The Raptors are a team that is starting to make noise within the league about looking for a big fish... There are some teams that sniff the ability to make a move and I think Toronto is one of those teams."
If Antetokounmpo demands a trade but wants to stay in the East (one of the rumors out there), then the Raptors have a chance. Their offer can pair a bigger-salaried player, such as Brandon Ingram or RJ Barrett, with some promising young players, such as Grady Dick and Ochai Agbaj. Additionally, the Raptors control all their own picks, so they could potentially select three (or more). I'm not sure if that offer would win the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes (and a third team likely gets involved to make the numbers work), but it's a legitimate offer.
The ball is now in Antetokounmpo's court. Does he demand a trade at all? If he does, what, if any, restrictions does he put on it? Stay in the East? Does he give a list of specific teams it has to be? There are more questions than answers, but Toronto could be a landing place for Antetokounmpo.
Pistons interested in Naz Reid, Myles Turner
The Detroit Pistons are looking for a floor spacing big man to run some pick-and-pop plays with Cade Cunningham, and they have their eyes on Minnesota's Naz Reid and Indiana's Myles Turner, reports Marc Stein in his newsletter.
Turner is about to play in the NBA Finals and is a key part of the Pacers' offense with his pick-and-pop play off Tyrese Haliburton. The league-wide expectation is that he won't really hit the open market and will re-sign in Indiana (likely on an Isaiah Hartenstein-sized deal).
Reid is a more interesting case. He is expected to opt out of his $15 million player option for next season, seeking a raise and the security of a multi-year contract. Minnesota is battling cap issues and would go deep into the second apron to bring back its three major free agents Reid, Julius Randle and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. That has led to considerable speculation that Reid could hit the open market, as he is alsoseeking a larger role. In that context, Detroit appears to be a good fit. It's something to watch.
Rockets looking to trade No. 10 pick
You can never have too many good young players... except the Houston Rockets kind of feel like you can. This is a team so deep that last year's Summer League standout Reed Sheppard had a hard time finding minutes. So when it comes to the No. 10 pick, the Rockets would rather trade it than keep it, reports Kevin O’Conner of Yahoo Sports.
"League sources expect the Rockets to look into trading this pick, whether it's a trade way up, a trade out for a star, or a trade out for a group of future picks similar to what the Spurs received from the Timberwolves when they moved up for Rob Dillingham last year."
The Rockets have a wealth of young players and picks to trade in order to go after Giannis Antetokounmpo or any other star that becomes available. The No. 10 pick is likely a part of any of those packages.
Zion Williamson not untouchable. Maybe.
The vibe from people close to the Pelicans is that new decision-maker Joe Dumars plans to keep Zion Williamson and become the latest executive to try and build around him. However, don't think of Zion as untouchable, reports Kevin O’Conner of Yahoo Sports.
"There are no untouchables in New Orleans. League sources say the Pelicans are gauging the market for everyone on their roster. They very well could end up keeping their core pieces, namely Zion Williamson, but it appears the Pelicans are looking into taking different paths this summer depending on what opportunities become available."
While there is trade interest in Zion, it's not expected to be a strong market, considering his contract and injury history, plus the latest personal life scandal surrounding him does not help matters. Some teams would take him in a favorable deal, but they are not willing to go all-in to acquire him. Which means expect Zion to be in New Orleans next season. Still, the door to a trade is open if one of the teams that misses out on Antetokounmpo comes calling with a big offer.
Bulls eying Egor Demin in draft
BYU's Egor Denim is maybe the most polarizing player in the draft. His supporters will point out he is the best passer in this class and as a 6'8" point guard with an excellent feel for the game he could lead a team. His detractors were not impressed with his 10.6 points a game on 27.3% from 3 — his shot needs a lot of work.
Apparently count the Bulls as backers as they reportedly are eyeing him as the No. 12 pick, reports Joe Cowley at The Chicago Sun-Times. That is a lot higher than we had Demin going in the latest NBC Sports Mock Draft, where he fell to the Wizards at No. 18. (For the record, we had the Bulls taking French forward Noa Essengue as someone who could play well off Josh Giddey.) However, by No. 12 in the draft teams should consider taking a big swing, and if the Bulls believe in Demin's potential, then go for it. We can discuss the Bulls' quality of player evaluation in recent years another day.
While Lane Hutson got most of the media attention when it came to Montreal Canadiens’ rookies, Emil Heineman was no slouch either. The Swedish winger, drafted 43rd overall by the Florida Panthers, was acquired in the Tyler Toffoli deal with the Calgary Flames in February 2022. Although he took some time to reach the NHL, he was worth the wait.
In his first full season in the NHL, Heineman showed he is ready to do whatever it takes to help his team win, even if it’s not the most glamorous job. Martin St-Louis put him on the fourth line alongside Jake Evans and Joel Armia, and the 23-year-old took to the job like a fish to water.
Unfortunately for the youngster, he suffered a freak injury when he was hit by a car in Utah in early January, which derailed his production in what had been a very respectable offensive season for a fourth-line player. The accident sidelined him until February 22, and once he returned, he could only muster a single point in 21 games, compared to 17 points in the first 41 games. In the end, he scored 10 goals and recorded eight assists in the regular season, totaling 18 points.
While his ten goals were most welcome on a team that has struggled for offensive production in the past, it’s not his offensive input that was the most valuable to the Canadiens, but his forechecking abilities. In just 62 games, he landed 173 hits, the fourth most on the team and the highest average per game with 2.79.
Heineman utilizes his 6-foot-2, 198-pound frame effectively to land punishing hits and dispossess opponents’ defensemen. He also has the speed necessary to get possession of the puck and feed it to his linemates.
Overall, I believe the youngster deserves a B+ for his performances this season. It’s not easy for a European player to adapt to the North American style of play, and Heineman was able to do it flawlessly after just one season in the AHL. His ability to perform with consistency allowed him to beat the likes of Joshua Roy for a spot in the NHL, and he never looked back.
After the Canadiens’ elimination in the first round, he was called upon to represent Sweden at the World Championships, where he recorded three points in 10 games and finished the tournament with a plus-2 rating and a bronze medal.
Photo Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
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Zack and Dominique Wheeler are expecting their fourth child any day now and the Phillies have adjusted their rotation this week as a result.
Wheeler had been scheduled to start Tuesday in Toronto, which would have also lined him up for the final game of the Phillies’ road trip this week in Pittsburgh.
Instead, the Phils will start Cristopher Sanchez, Mick Abel and Jesus Luzardo in Toronto Tuesday through Thursday. Starters for the Pirates series are TBD.
The Phillies’ off-day Monday allows for Sanchez to move up a spot while still pitching on the standard four days’ rest. Same with Luzardo on Thursday.
Abel will pitch the middle game, his second big-league start. The 23-year-old right-hander will remain in the Phillies’ rotation until Aaron Nola is ready to return from an ankle sprain, which could mean two starts. Taijuan Walker has shifted to the bullpen, where he’ll stay.
The Phillies bring a four-game losing streak to Toronto but hope to receive the jolt of Bryce Harper’s bat back in the lineup after five straight absences. Harper was hit in the right elbow by a 95 mph fastball last Tuesday and was swollen and sore for days before hitting in the cage over the weekend.
No Wheeler will make the series more difficult against a Blue Jays club that has won a season-high five straight games and is in the midst of its best offensive period of 2025, having scored 39 runs the last four.
The French wildcard Lois Boisson defeated the third seed Jessica Pegula to reach the French Open quarter-finals and send shock waves around Roland Garros. The 22-year-old, ranked No 361 in the world, stunned the American 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 to the delight of the Court Philippe-Chatrier crowd.
Boisson’s only real claim to fame before the tournament this year was when Britain’s Harriet Dart complained to an umpire about her, saying “tell her to wear deodorant”.
There was no justification for the driver’s rash and futile act of retribution at the Spanish Grand Prix
There was no justification for Max Verstappen’s rash and futile act of retribution at the Spanish Grand Prix, when he deliberately drove into the side of George Russell’s car. The world champion knows it and on Monday he admitted as much with something of a mea culpa on social media. Yet it also must be considered that it is part and parcel of what makes Verstappen so competitive, albeit in this case in an entirely unedifying and self‑defeating fashion.
Angry and frustrated at a sequence of events in Barcelona, including having to cede a place to Russell, Verstappen surrendered to his baser instincts. Having pulled over to give the place to Russell, he clearly then felt a point had to be made and accelerated back up the inside to collide with the Mercedes.
