Colorado Rockies vs. Milwaukee Brewers game thread: Brandon Sproat vs. Ryan Feltner

DENVER, CO - MAY 30: Ryan Feltner #18 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during the game between the San Francisco Giants and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Saturday, May 30, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Ray Bahner/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The Colorado Rockies (24-39) are back at Coors Field tonight to open a weekend series against the Milwaukee Brewers (37-23), coming off a Thursday off-day, just like they did last week.

That off-day started one of the stranger six-game stretches a team can have.

The Rockies played three at home against the reeling San Francisco Giants, then three on the road against the last-place Los Angeles Angels. They finished that stretch with a -6 run differential, lost the third game of each series by a combined 30-10, and still went 4-2 while winning both series.

I’m not sure what all of that means, but Renee Dechert’s line from the Angels series feels about right: “When two very bad baseball teams play a series, the stage is set for weirdness.”

The Brewers, however, are not the Giants or Angels. They are a decidedly good baseball team.

Milwaukee comes to Coors Field leading the National League Central. They are not a power-heavy offense — they rank 30th in home runs — but they create pressure, ranking third in on-base percentage, second in stolen bases, and sixth in runs scored.

They also pitch. Milwaukee’s starters rank third in ERA, fourth in WHIP, and first in K/9, while the bullpen ranks sixth in ERA and 10th in K/9.

For Colorado, Ryan Feltner makes his seventh start of the season and his second since returning from the injured list.

His first start back was excellent: 6.0 IP, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K on 63 pitches, 41 for strikes against San Francisco. It was an efficient return, but the overall profile is still finding its footing.

For the season, Feltner is 2-1 with a 4.85 ERA and 19 strikeouts over 26 innings. The home split has been better: 3.79 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in four starts at Coors Field.

Feltner has a deep six-pitch mix and solid velocity, with the four-seamer and sinker sitting around 95 mph. The concern is the contact on those two pitches, with opponents slugging .724 against the four-seamer and .571 against the sinker. The changeup has been the standout by expected results, with a .136 xBA, .194 xwOBA, and 55.9% whiff rate, but he does not throw it often to right-handed hitters.

Milwaukee will counter with Brandon Sproat, who enters at 1-4 with a 6.24 ERA and 52 strikeouts over 49 innings. The velocity is real, but Sproat has walked 27, allowed 10 home runs, and is still sorting through a mix that now includes a cutter.

Houston tagged him for five runs on six hits over 4 1/3 innings in his last start, when Sproat threw his four-seamer, sinker, and cutter for 78% of his 95 pitches. The four-seamer and sinker both averaged 96.1 mph, while the cutter averaged 92.2.

There is not much head-to-head history between the Rockies and Sproat, so the Friday splits are worth noting: Hunter Goodman is hitting .412 with three home runs and a 1.194 OPS in nine Friday games, while Ezequiel Tovar is hitting .333 with two homers and a .924 OPS in 10 Friday games. Both of Tovar’s Friday homers came in last Friday’s walk-off.

So, for this Friday, can the Rockies be patient, cash in, and keep it close long enough for a little Coors Field weirdness to matter?

And now to the details.

First Pitch: 6:40 pm MDT

TV: Rockies.TV

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)

BrewersSB Nation Site: Brew Crew Ball

Lineups:


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Altuve Returns! Astros vs. Athletics Game Discussion: 6/5/2026

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 16: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros bats in the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Daikin Park on May 16, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros (28-36) will continue their nine-game homestand tonight as they open a three-game series against the Athletics (30-32) at Daikin Park.

RHP Peter Lambert (4-4, 3.77 ERA) will make his ninth start of the year for the Astros tonight opposite the A’s and RHP Jack Perkins (2-2, 5.46 ERA), who’s making his first start of the season after beginning the year in the bullpen.

DRIVING THE LAMBO: Tonight’s Astros starter RHP Peter Lambert has been solid in his eight starts for the Astros, going 4-4 with a 3.77 ERA (19ER/45.1IP) with 43 strikeouts and a .207 opponent average.

Lambert pitched last year for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in the NPB, posting a 3.98 ERA (55ER/124.1IP) with 111 strikeouts in 23 appearances in Japan.

He began this season at Triple A Sugar Land (1.84 ERA in three appearances) before being called up to join the rotation on April 17.

VS. THE A’S: The Astros are hosting the A’s in Houston for their first series in the Bayou City since last July.

The Astros are 1-2 vs. the A’s in 2026 and are looking to reverse their luck vs. the A’s this season after going 5-8 against them in 2025. That marked the Astros first season series loss to the A’s since the 2020 season (3-7).

FROM THE TRAINER’S ROOM: The Astros have 10 players on the Major League Injured List

RHP Ronel Blanco (rt. elbow surgery) and RHP Hayden Wesneski (rt. elbow surgery) are continuing with their live BP progressions in West Palm Beach.

RHP Hunter Brown (rt. shoulder sprain) made his third rehab start last night working 4.1 innings on 57 pitches for Triple A Sugar Land at El Paso (SD). He allowed one run on three hits with four strikeouts.

RHP Cristian Javier (rt. shoulder strain) made his first rehab start on Wednesday night for Double A Corpus Christi vs. Arkansas (SEA) tossing 0.2 of an inning on 28 pitches.

RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (rt. shoulder inflammation) and LHP Bennett Sousa (lt. elbow inflammation) continue to advance in their throwing progressions.

LHP Brandon Walter (lt. elbow surgery) continues his throwing progression in West Palm Beach.

C Yainer Diaz (lt. oblique strain) continues baseball activity, including hitting BP on the field.

IF Braden Shewmake (rt. adductor strain) is in West Palm Beach beginning therapeutic exercises.

ON THE LEADER BOARD: DH Yordan Alvarez leads MLB in OPS (1.077), SLG (.649), and total bases (148), and leads the AL lead in batting average (.316) and HR (21).

Also in the AL, he ranks tied for first in extra-base hits (34), second in hits (72), second in OBP (.428), and tied for second in RBI (44).

WALKER, TEXAS HAMMER: 1B Christian Walker leads the AL in RBI with 45, which is one RBI more than teammate DH Yordan Alvarez (44), and ranks tied for sixth in the AL in homers (16).

Walker also has not committed an error in 63 games.

FIRE STARTER: SS Jeremy Peña is batting .328 (20×61) with three home runs, 10 RBI and an .874 OPS in 16 games since being activated from the IL on May 18. The Astros are 9-7 since his return.

SEÑOR CIEN: 3B Isaac Paredes hit his 100th career homer last night becoming just the fourth Mexican-born player in MLB history to the reach milestone, joining Vinny Castilla (320), Jorge Orta (130), and Aurelio Rodriguez (124).

Paredes just reached another milestone on Sunday, becoming the 10th Mexican player to reach 500 career hits.

TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1969 – The Astros select RHP James Rodney Richard with the second overall pick in the draft (Jeff Burroughs was selected first by the Washington Senators).

J.R. Richard would go on to post a 107-71 record in his 10 seasons in Houston and is the only pitcher in club history with two 300-strikeout seasons (1978-79).

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Friday, June 5, 7:10 p.m. CT

Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX

TV: Space City Home Network, SCHN2 (Spanish)

Streaming: SCHN+

Radio: KTRH 740 AM, KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)

Giants put historic thumping on Cubs in second straight scoring barrage

CHICAGO — It would be hard to say life is grand for the Giants, who still reside far closer to the Rockies in the standings than any other team, but it has begun to feel like it at times lately.

For the second time in as many games, the Giants loaded the bases and cleared them with one swing. A grand slam from Matt Chapman was the biggest blow delivered by San Francisco in an early-round knockout of the reeling Cubs, but it was hardly their only punch thrown in an 18-3 romp Friday to open the final leg of a three-city, 10-game road trip.

The Giants’ Matt Chapman celebrates after hitting a grand slam Friday against the host Cubs. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Building on a 1-0 win behind Logan Webb on Wednesday, the Giants have exploded for 30 runs and 39 hits their past two games. That has been more than enough to match their season-long winning streak of only three games.

Eric Haase’s grand slam was one of two homers the Giants slugged in the final game of their series against the Brewers, and they left the yard seven more times Friday — twice against a position player once the score was out of hand in the ninth.

Two came off the bat of Willy Adames, including one that left the Friendly Confines entirely, Chapman added a three-run shot to finish with eight RBIs, Jonah Cox got the first of his career against Carson Kelly, who also served up Casey Schmitt’s second of the game to increase his team-leading total to 15.

What it means

Chapman’s grand slam was the Giants’ sixth of the season, tied with the Angels for the major-league lead. Remarkably, every one of them has come since Harrison Bader’s against the A’s in Sacramento on May 17.

Entering this road trip, the Giants ranked near the top of the league in batting average but had converted those base knocks into the fewest runs in the majors.

The results have started to square themselves with three double-digit outputs on the scoreboard in eight games on this road trip. Putting aside their 19-6 win at Coors Field on Sunday, the 30 runs the Giants have scored their past two games are their most in any two-game span since 1944 — 14 years before the team moved to San Francisco.

Who’s hot

Adames began the barrage with one of the purest swings from a Giants batter this season on a knee-high, two-strike fastball from Cubs starter Edward Cabrera. The ball left his bat at 107 mph and didn’t come down until it cleared the left field bleachers, eventually finding the pavement of Waveland Avenue, 427 feet away.

The Giants’ Casey Schmitt rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the host Cubs. Getty Images

Chapman, who had one home run in his first 245 plate appearances of the season, has gone yard twice in his past 20 trips to the plate. Likewise, Adames has four on this road trip after entering it with only seven through his first 57 games.

As the left side of their infield has improved, so too has the rest of the Giants’ offense.

Since ending April in last place or close to it in practically every meaningful offensive statistic, the Giants have quietly been one of the majors’ better lineups.


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Since the start of May, the Giants have scored the seventh-most runs in the majors; their 116 wRC+ ranks fifth. And, safe to say, no team has hit more grand slams.

There was nothing quiet about their series opener against the Cubs.

Who’s not

For the fifth start in a row, Robbie Ray’s pitch count reached the 90s in the fifth inning.

For the fifth consecutive start, Giants pitcher Robbie Ray’s pitch count reached the 90s by the fifth inning. AP Photo/Geoff Stellfox

But, for the first time in any of them, it didn’t prevent him from being the pitcher of record.

Ray’s command problems persisted with five walks, but the Cubs failed to cash in any of them.

Up next

Who knows what’s in store next for these juggernaut Giants.

They will, at least, face a bit more of a challenge in Ben Brown, the Cubs’ scheduled starter, who has a 1.92 ERA in 17 games (five starts) this season. He’ll be opposed by Landen Roupp, who battled his lower back tightening up on him the last time he took the mound.

Edward Cabrera serves up 3 homers and the Cubs get thrashed by the Giants 18-3

I thought about it, I really did — just posting the final score here and tomorrow’s pitchers and that’s it.

So, here you go: The Giants crushed the Cubs 18-3 Friday afternoon in a rain-delayed contest at Wrigley Field.

There was some history made here, and I wanted to tell you about that, plus show you one play that might have ignited this rout.

First, that play. It happened in the fourth inning with the Cubs down just 2-0 and Giants runners on first and second with one out.

Bryce Eldridge hit a ball up the middle [VIDEO].

If Cabrera lets that ball go through, it probably goes right to Dansby Swanson, who’s in a position to turn an easy inning-ending double play. The score would have still been 2-0 going to the bottom of the fourth.

Instead, the bases are loaded. Matt Chapman was the next hitter. Could that have rattled Cabrera? Maybe, because two pitches later Chapman hit a grand slam and it’s 6-0 and you know the Cubs aren’t coming back from that.

About the slam, from BCB’s JohnW53:

The grand slam by Matt Chapman was just the second surrendered by the Cubs this season. The first was off Jameson Taillon, by Brandon Lowe of the Pirates, on April 12 — 49 games ago. That slam made the score 5-0 in the second inning. The Cubs won, 7-6, on Carson Kelly’s one-out, bases-loaded single in the ninth.

Unlike that day, the Cubs did not win this game.

Cabrera wound up serving up another homer in that inning, a two-run job, the third homer he allowed on the afternoon, to make it 8-0. After that and another single, he was removed for Phil Maton. Cabrera’s return to action, then, was not successful.

Maton managed to get through the fifth allowing just one run, but Hoby Milner got absolutely hammered by Giants hitters, allowing five hits and six runs, including a home run. Ethan Roberts relieved him and served up yet another homer, if you’re counting, it’s five. Milner’s season ERA went from 2.28 to 4.18 in this one outing.

Thus it’s 16-0 Giants going into the bottom of the sixth, and the Cubs have just two hits. They managed a run in the sixth when Seiya Suzuki walked (his third of the game). Ian Happ singled Suzuki to third and Carson Kelly drove him in [VIDEO].

So, no shutout for the Giants. Caleb Thielbar threw a scoreless eighth, and the Cubs put two up in the bottom of the inning. The first was on a solo homer by Suzuki, his ninth [VIDEO].

After that Pedro Ramirez singled and two outs later Miguel Amaya drove him in [VIDEO].

Giants manager Tony Vitello, a former college coach with no sense of occasion, lifted both Chapman and Willy Adames, both of whom had homered twice, before they had a chance for a third home run. There has never been a game with two players hitting three home runs. Could have at least had that history.

Chapman did have eight RBI. That matches the Wrigley Field record for anyone. Three visiting players had done it before Chapman: Orlando Cepeda of the Giants in 1961, Mike Schmidt of the Phillies in 1976 and Andre Dawson, when he was with the Expos, in 1985.

For some entertainment value, Kelly pitched the ninth inning. His first two pitches were deposited in the bleachers.

Pitch one [VIDEO].

Pitch two [VIDEO].

Kelly then got the next three hitters, two on infield popups, the third on a comebacker [VIDEO].

If you’ve lost count, that’s seven home runs hit by the Giants, one short of the franchise record. More from John:

This was the 12th game since 1901 in which the Cubs gave up at least seven home runs. It was the eighth since 2000.

The previous one was a 10-6 loss to the Diamondbacks on May 20, 2022. The two before that were against the Reds, 14-3 in 2010 and 12-7 in 2008. All three of those game were at home.

The Cubs served up eight homers twice, in an 11-inning, 13-12 loss to the Braves on May 28, 2006, and a 12-3 loss to the Tigers just three weeks later, on June 18.

It was also the most runs scored by the Giants at Wrigley Field since the first game of a doubleheader July 4, 1961. That was the game where Cepeda had eight RBI; he went 5-for-5. The 1961 Cubs were a horrid team that was in the first year of the awful College of Coaches experiment. They went 60-94. This year’s Cubs are, supposedly, better.

The home runs are more than just a concern. That’s 95 homers allowed by Cubs pitching in just 64 games, passing the Nationals (90 entering today) for the most in MLB. That would be 240 homers allowed for a full season, The franchise record is 235, set in 2021, and you know how bad a season that was. Let’s hope we’re not headed that way.

All you can do is pick up and try to win the next day’s game. Ben Brown will start for the Cubs and Landen Roupp will go for the Giants. Game time is again 1:20 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network.

Game 63 Game Day Thread – Cleveland Guardians @ Texas Rangers

Apr 6, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers left fielder Wyatt Langford (36) scores from second base during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Cleveland Guardians @ Texas Rangers

Friday, June 5, 2026, 7:15 PM CDT (105.3 The Fan / Apple TV)

The Shed

LHP Parker Messick vs. RHP Kumar Rocker

Today’s Lineups

GUARDIANSRANGERS
Travis Bazzana – 2BWyatt Langford – LF
Jose Ramirez – 3BCorey Seager – SS
Chase DeLauter – RFJosh Jung – 3B
Kyle Manzardo – DHBrandon Nimmo – RF
Rhys Hoskins – 1BEzequiel Duran – 2B
Daniel Schneemann – CFJustin Foscue – DH
Steven Kwan – LFJake Burger – 1B
Austin Hedges – CKyle Higashioka – C
Brayan Rocchio – SSMichael Helman – CF
Parker Messick – LHPKumar Rocker – RHP

Go Rangers!

Game #63: A’s at Astros Game Thread

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 30: Jack Perkins #50 of the Athletics pitches against the New York Yankees in the top of the ninth inning of a major league baseball game at Sutter Health Park on May 30, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Last night, the Athletics were three outs away from completing their first sweep of the Chicago Cubs since interleague play began in 2004. Instead, the team’s bullpen melted down yet again. The Cubs scored four runs in the ninth inning, rallying for a walk-off victory to salvage the series finale.

If the A’s had held on, they would have returned to .500 and gained ground in the division, as both the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers were off. After the game, the A’s traveled to Houston, where they will begin a three-game series against the Astros tonight.

However, right-handed reliever Joel Kuhnel will not be part of the roster. In the wake of yesterday’s poor performance, the A’s designated him for assignment and recalled right-hander Elvis Alvarado from Triple-A Las Vegas. Alvarado had been pitching well in the minors, though command remains the key question as he returns to the majors.

Right-hander Jack Perkins will make his first start of the season to kickstart the series. Since his promotion from Triple-A, the 26-year-old has pitched out of the bullpen, accumulating a 2-2 record with a 5.46 ERA, three saves and 33 strikeouts over 17 relief appearances. A’s manager Mark Kotsay moved Perkins, who started four MLB games last year, into the rotation following a series of injuries and ineffective performances among the club’s other starting pitchers. His performance will determine whether this is a one-time spot start or the beginning of a permanent role in the rotation.

Perkins has not pitched more than 4 2/3 innings this season, with his longest outing coming against the Mariners on May 25. Because he is not fully stretched out, the right-hander is unlikely to work much deeper than five innings, even if he pitches effectively.

On Monday, the A’s promoted right-handers Kade Morris and Mason Barnett from Triple-A Las Vegas, providing additional pitching depth for this road trip. With Morris slated to start tomorrow, Barnett could see action tonight in relief of Perkins.

The Athletics’ lineup for this evening’s matchup shakes out like this:

The A’s lineup remains relatively unchanged, led by leadoff hitter right fielder Carlos Cortes. With left fielder Tyler Soderstrom’s bat showing signs of life, the team needs more production from designated hitter Brent Rooker and second baseman Jeff McNeil.

Lawrence Butler continues to struggle offensively, and if his slump continues, the A’s may eventually have to consider a trip to Triple-A. With his current usage largely limited to pinch-hitting and defensive replacement duties, regular at-bats could be the best path to getting him back on track. For now, Cortes offers more consistency at the plate despite being a weaker defender, while Henry Bolte provides a stronger defensive option in center field.

As for the Astros, right-hander Peter Lambert will get the ball in the series opener. The 29-year-old has capitalized on an opportunity created by injuries throughout Houston’s rotation. Entering his ninth start of the season, Lambert is 4-4 with a 3.77 ERA, a 1.21 WHIP, and 43 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings.

Lambert enters on a two-game winning streak and is coming off a strong outing against the Brewers, allowing two runs on five hits over five innings. He is relatively unfamiliar to A’s hitters, with Zack Gelof the only current Athletic to have recorded a hit against him in his career.

As a result, the A’s lineup will need to stay patient and capitalize on mistakes. The more they can get to Lambert, the sooner they can reach the Astros’ bullpen, which has been nearly as inconsistent as the A’s relief corps this season.

And Houston’s starting nine:

The Astros have been playing better baseball lately and will welcome back second baseman Jose Altuve from the injured list, further strengthening their lineup. A’s pitchers must also be careful with left fielder Yordan Alvarez, who has hit the second-most home runs in the league.

Time to shake off last night’s collapse and get this series off to a winning start. Let’s go A’s!

Follow the Game:
Watch:
Athletics – NBCSCA

Listen:
Athletics – Talk 650 KSTE, A’s Cast


Aaron Judge alludes to play that started his stress fracture injury

Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees and Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 jog off the field during the game between the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on Sunday, April 26, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees and Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 jog off the field during the game between the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on Sunday, April 26, 2026 in Houston, Texas.

There might be more clarity on how Aaron Judge landed himself on the injured list with a stress fracture in his first rib.

On Friday, Judge shared that he believes he suffered the injury diving for a ball in Houston during an April 26 game.

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The dive happened on a ball that Jazz Chisholm Jr. ended up catching. The following inning? Judge homered.

Judge continued to play through discomfort for over a month before the pain became overwhelming last weekend in Sacramento.

The last game Judge played was the series finale against the Athletics on Sunday. Judge didn’t notify manager Aaron Boone of his discomfort until this past weekend.

The Yankees placed Judge on the 10-day IL on Friday, and he will be shut down for the next four-to-six weeks and then be reevaluated, per the team.

New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) in the dugout when the New York Yankees played the Cleveland Guardians Thursday, June 4, 2026 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY. Robert Sabo for NY Post

The Yankees said they expect Judge to be back this season, but the best-case scenario is likely a late July return, with mid-August more feasible.

“It’s definitely not what you want to hear,” Judge said of the injury on Friday. “We’ll take a little time to get healthy and get back at it.”

With Judge out for the foreseeable future, No. 6-ranked prospect Spencer Jones was called back up. Jose Caballero and Max Schuemann filled in at right field in the series against Cleveland this week.

Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees and Jazz Chisholm Jr. jog off the field during the game between the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on Sunday, April 26, 2026 in Houston, Texas. MLB Photos via Getty Images
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Despite the impact that Judge’s absence will surely bring, the team avoided the worst-case scenario. His injury does not appear season-ending, as was initially feared.

Judge was productive to start the season despite not being himself of late. He’s slashing .248/.375/.533 in his first 59 games. But since May 11, his production dipped, going 14-for-68 (.206) with just one home run, eight RBIs and 19 strikeouts.

Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, owner Steve Ballmer interviewed for role in Aspiration scandal

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Steve Ballmer at an NBA game, Image 2 shows Kawhi Leonard in an LA Clippers jersey during a game

NBA investigator interviews have begun for Los Angeles Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard and his uncle and business adviser, Dennis Robertson, per ESPN.

Leonard, Robertson, and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer are under investigation after a series of podcasts from the show “Pablo Torre Finds Out” revealed Ballmer’s company, Aspiration, was accused of receiving a $50 million investment from his personal LLC in September, 2021.

Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and star Kawhi Leonard have been interviewed for their roles in the Clippers-Aspiration scandal currently being investigated.
NBAE via Getty Images
Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and star Kawhi Leonard have been interviewed for their roles in the Clippers-Aspiration scandal currently being investigated.
NBAE via Getty Images

Shortly after the investment was made, Leonard and Aspiration agreed to an endorsement deal of $28 million. Torre recently revealed on Friday that in March of 2023, Ballmer invested another $10 million, which suggests these investments have been recurring.

According to the article by ESPN, the interview process has been lengthy. Ballmer and other Clippers executives have also sat in for interviews by the NBA’s private investigation team.

Before game 1 of the NBA Finals, this past Wednesday, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said that the investigation was far along and that he thinks they’re getting close to putting an end to it.

“The investigation is being conducted by a law firm independent of the NBA,” Silver said before Game 1. “I mean, yes, ultimately we are paying their bills, but they are doing the work independent of the league office. My instruction to them is we can’t be investigating forever, and at some point, we have to wrap it up, but at the same time, I think the most important thing is we get it right.”

Silver has not given a timeline for when the investigation will be finished, but did say the Clippers need “to understand what situation they are going to be operating under, and so do the other 29 teams.”

Since the allegations were made public, Ballmer and the Clippers have denied them and have remained adamant that there is no evidence supporting them.

In the article, ESPN says they have spoken to people in and close to the NBA about potential outcomes from the investigation, and that the NBA could receive some pushback from the National Basketball Players Association or from the other 29 owners.

NBA Finals Game 2 discussion

Jun 3, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby (8) and New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) reactsin the second half during game one of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Today is Game 2 of the NBA Finals. The New York Knicks are at the San Antonio Spurs again. Watch at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC or WJLA-TV in the DMV.

The Knicks lead the series 1-0, so we’ll see what happens tonight!

Orioles At Jays Game Thread

TORONTO, ON - JUNE 14: A Pride themed logo is displayed in the outfield to honor Pride Night before the Toronto Blue Jays play the Cleveland Guardians in their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on June 14, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Another Trey Day. It seems like a good day to get a win streak going. I’m hopeful.

And it is Pride Day. And the roof is open. Aall is good in the world. Or will be if the Jays win.

Apparently the Jays are moving Sean Keys up to Buffalo. He was doing great in New Hampshire, with a .285/.411/.581 with 14 home runs, 28 walks and 51 strikeouts in 49 games.

Lineups:

Today’s Lineups

ORIOLESBLUE JAYS
Taylor Ward – LFGeorge Springer – DH
Gunnar Henderson – SSNathan Lukes – RF
Adley Rutschman – CVladimir Guerrero – 1B
Pete Alonso – 1BDaulton Varsho – CF
Samuel Basallo – DHErnie Clement – 2B
Coby Mayo – 3BJesus Sanchez – LF
Colton Cowser – RFKazuma Okamoto – 3B
Leody Taveras – CFAndres Gimenez – SS
Jackson Holliday – 2BBrandon Valenzuela – C
Brandon Young – RHPTrey Yesavage – RHP

Go Jays Go

Braves vs Pirates chat and discussion: Martín Pérez vs Mitch Keller

ATLANTA, GA - MAY 24: Martín Perez #33 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the first inning during the game against the Washington Nationals at Truist Park on May 24 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jack Casey/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Atlanta Braves are starting their weekend series against the Pittsburgh Pirates where it looks like they may have lucked out and not have to face Paul Skenes who pitched on Wednesday.

Martín Pérez is easily having his best season since 2022 and will be facing Mitch Keller who is having his standard low fours ERA season that he seems to have every single season without fail. Both offenses have been good this season. The Braves have scored the third most runs in MLB and the Pirates have scored only four less to place them fourth.

The key for the Braves today will be to get to the bullpen as fast as they can where the Pirates clearly are weak placing eighteenth in MLB in reliever ERA.

First pitch is at 7:15 EDT

Lineup

Preview

Knicks-Spurs Finals Begins on Red-Hot Ratings Pace for ABC

The return of the New York Knicks to the NBA Finals after nearly 30 years in the wilderness coincided with the league’s most-watched game since before the COVID-19 pandemic. ABC’s coverage of Wednesday night’s Game 1 averaged 16.93 million viewers, setting the tone for the series.

The Knicks’ 105-95 victory over the San Antonio Spurs nearly doubled last year’s analogous Pacers-Thunder broadcast (8.91 million viewers), bettering that delivery by 90%. Per Nielsen, New York’s win peaked at 19.63 million viewers in the 11 p.m.-11:15 p.m. ET quarter-hour.

To further place the Game 1 deliveries in context, ABC’s TV turnout beat Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals by some 580,000 viewers.

All told, Wednesday’s broadcast drew the NBA’s largest audience since Game 6 of the 2019 Raptors-Warriors series averaged 18.59 million viewers.

Media buyers this week said that the average unit cost for an in-game commercial in Friday night’s game landed at some $800,000 per 30-second spot, and while scatter rates are significantly higher, much of the inventory was sold well before the playoffs got underway. That said, Disney’s ad sales team is looking at somewhere in the neighborhood of a $60 million night when Game 2 tips off.

Disney earlier this week confirmed that it has sold out all of the available guaranteed units in the Finals, but that some slots remain should the series proceed past Wednesday night’s outing in New York. At last count, 42 advertisers had suited up for this year’s installment of the NBA Finals.

ABC’s coverage of the Knicks-Spurs showdown continues Friday night at 8:30 p.m. ET.

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CSR Weekend Warriors: 6/5-6/7

Greetings, Panthers fans. Welcome to the weekend.

Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-football sports, you name it. As long as it’s allowed by the site’s ToS, it’s fair game here.

You know the drill.

This is now an open thread

Padres claw back on two homers, but fall short of win against Philly

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 4: Lucas Giolito #55 of the San Diego Padres throws a pitch in the bottom of the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on June 4, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Say what you will about the series finale on Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies, but the San Diego Padres showed some offensive fight. Despite not getting a hit until the sixth inning off of Phillies ace Zack Wheeler, the Padres managed to put up two runs in the seventh on a Manny Machado homer to make it a one-run game.

Unfortunately the bullpen (combined with Freddy Fermin’s poor defense) resulted in a three-run seventh inning for Philadelphia that pushed the score to 6-2. The Padres were close to a comeback in the ninth, with a Jackson Merrill homer making the score 6-4, Philly. But Phillies reliever José Alvarado recorded the final three outs.

It’s been a majorly disappointing stretch for the Friars the last few weeks. That being said, this series against Philadelphia was better than it seems. The Padres showed they could score runs, but the bullpen picked the wrong time to get shaky, giving up all three games to the Phils. As San Diego returns home to Petco Park, the Friars will need to rebound while facing the New York Mets this weekend.

Taking the mound

Christian Scott (NYM) v. Michael King (SD)

Scott has had a solid sophomore campaign with the Mets, posting a 2.97 ERA through 30 1/3 innings pitched. He hasn’t worked very deep into games. That’s likely due to New York giving Scott a rather short leash after he had a 4.56 ERA in his 2025 rookie year (47.1 IP).

After struggling at the beginning of May, Scott has turned things around. He’s surrendered just one run across his last 10 2/3 innings. He’s kept balls in the yard well, giving up just one home run this year. The Padres will need to get to Scott early.

King has been an ace for the Friars, though his stat line might not fully suggest it. He’s been saddled with a 3.18 ERA thanks to a few tough outings. For the most part, King has been a stalwart in the Padres’ rotation.

After one of the best starts of his career (7.0 IP, 0 ER), King has since given up nine runs across 9 2/3 innings of work. It’s been a rough go of it lately. King will be looking to rebound against a talented (but thus far unimpressive) Mets lineup.

Batter up!

Machado and Merrill both went yard in San Diego’s series finale on Thursday. Their breakouts (along with Tatis’ recent hot streak) would be incredible for the Friars’ offensive production.

  1. Fernando Tatis Jr., 2B
  2. Gavin Sheets, LF
  3. Jackson Merrill, CF
  4. Manny Machado, 3B
  5. Ty France, 1B
  6. Xander Bogaerts, SS
  7. Miguel Andujar, DH
  8. Jase Bowen, RF
  9. Rodolfo Durán, C

None of the Padres have had an opportunity to face Scott in the past, so they’ll have to figure him out on the fly. France has continued to prove his worth offensively, going 6-for-17 with three walks during this road trip.

Durán has turned into King’s personal catcher with Luis Campusano stuck on the injured list. After a short hot streak at the plate, Durán has cooled down lately. He’s been much better than his counterpart backstop, Freddy Fermin.

Relief corps

The bullpen was forced to pick up after Lucas Giolito’s shaky start. After giving up just one run across four innings, Giolito came back out for the fifth and surrendered a leadoff home run to Adolis García and a double to Justin Crawford. That forced manager Craig Stammen to turn to Yuki Matsui.

Matsui didn’t do much to limit the damage, walking Kyle Schwarber before getting two outs. With runners on first and third, Matsui made a crucial throwing error attempting to pickoff Trea Turner at first base. The error allowed Crawford to score from third.

In the seventh, Ron Marinaccio worked around a leadoff single to Alec Bohm for a scoreless frame. He was replaced by Adrian Morejon in the eighth and couldn’t get out of the inning. Wandy Peralta emerged from the ‘pen and finished out the inning.

That leaves some options for today, though the Friars certainly will be banking on King to return to form. Jason Adam, Jeremiah Estrada, Mason Miller and Bradgley Rodriguez are all available. They’ve all been high-leverage options for San Diego in the past.

Mariners Game #64 Preview and Discussion: SEA at DET, 6/5

Detroit Tigers left fielder Riley Greene (31) watches Seattle Mariners players celebrate on the field as he exits after 3-2 loss to Seattle Mariners in 15 innings at ALDS Game 5 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Do you like barrels? Hard hit balls? Dingers and gap-to-gap doubles? Too bad! We’ve got Bryan Woo facing off against Framber Valdez today. 174 pitchers have faced at least 500 batters since the start of 2024, and of them, Woo has the 6th lowest wOBAcon (damage on contact), and Valdez, the 23rd lowest.

On the other hand, each of them will be pitching in front of one of the three worst defenses in MLB, so maybe some balls will get through.

Lineups

Rob Refsnyder gets the nod over the hot-lately Patrick Wisdom, but nothing too fancy from Dan Wilson today as the Mariners face the lefty Valdez.

The Tigers, who also run a pretty platoon-heavy team, will go with their standard lineup against righties except for starting Zack Short over Wencel Perez. As a group, this collection of hitters has slashed .208/.240/.292 against Bryan Woo.

Game Info

First Pitch: 3:40 PDT
TV: Mariners TV
Radio: Old reliable
Game Thread Comment of the Day: To be determined!

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