CINCINNATI, OH - JUNE 15: Chase Burns #26 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during the game between the New York Mets and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on Monday, June 15, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Colten Strauss/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Did the Cincinnati Reds catch a break when the New York Yankees opted to shuffle their starting rotation for the series finale? We’ll find out this afternoon!
The Reds were initially slated to face six-time All Star and former Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole in Sunday’s series finale, but manager Aaron Boone made the call to bump their rotation all back one day instead. The Yankees are in the middle of playing 16 games in 16 days, and that was enough to prompt the 1st place Yanks to ease the strain on the arms they’ll depend on as they make their playoff push later this year.
Instead, New York will roll out rookie Elmer Rodriguez, who’s made a trio of starts at the big league level and pitched well enough (4.15 ERA) in that time. MLB Pipeline ranked him the #2 prospect in the Yankee system in their most recent update (and #59 overall) on the back of a fastball he can throw up to 99 mph, so the Reds won’t be up against some nobody on the day – they just won’t be up against Gerrit Cole.
The Yankees, meanwhile, will be up against Chase Burns.
Burns has already accrued 3.9 bWAR so far in less than half the 2026 season, his mix of fastball/slider simply devastating to teams he faces. He’ll toe the rubber knowing a victory today would give the Reds a series victory on the road in the Bronx, and he seems like precisely the kind of guy you’d want your team to have on the mound knowing that’s what’s at stake today.
First pitch is set for 1:35 PM ET. Here’s how both clubs will line up to start:
Should the Philadelphia Flyers try to add a top-six center for the second consecutive offseason, a familiar foe in the Eastern Conference could provide one... at the right price.
North of the border, the Ottawa Senators, fresh off a first-round sweep at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes, are looking for moves they can make to give themselves a better chance at Stanley Cup contention.
Defensive depth has been a question mark, but they have a strong foundation, led by Tim Stutzle, Linus Ullmark, Brady Tkachuk, Thomas Chabot, and Jake Sanderson.
At center, Dylan Cozens, Shane Pinto, and Ridly Greig are all coming along nicely... and the Flyers reportedly have varying degrees of interest in all three.
"According to team sources, the Flyers have interest in Senators centers Shane Pinto, Dylan Cozens and Ridly Greig – in that order. DFO was told that the Flyers and Senators have had on and off trade talks going back to the 2024-25 season; per sources, the Senators were unwilling to move any of their pivots other than Josh Norris," NHL insider Anthony Di Marco recently reported for Daily Faceoff.
Pinto and Cozens are the two most attractive options of the three as the established top-six centers.
Pinto, 25, is coming off a career year, having scored 23 goals, 23 assists, and 46 points in 72 games for the Senators. He's the most expensive at a $7.5 million annual cap hit, though it should be noted that he has one goal in 10 career playoff games.
As for Cozens, he's the most established of the group, as well as the biggest.
The 6-foot-3 former No. 9 overall pick already scored 30 goals in his third NHL season with the Buffalo Sabres back in 2022-23, when he scored 68 points overall.
Cozens hasn't reached that peak since then, but he put together a nice 59-point campaign last season. Notably, the 25-year-old has four seasons remaining on his contract at a $7.1 million cap hit, and he will have a five-team no-trade list kick in next summer.
If the Senators become convinced that Cozens can't reach another gear by then, they could be motivated to strike a deal with the Flyers, even if the latter's preference really is Pinto.
Greig, son of Flyers scout Mark Greig, is more of a third-line center at this stage, though he is young at 23 years old and comes cheap with a $3.25 million cap hit.
The Flyers don't need to save the money, but they could cut corners on a future Noah Cates extension; both players have three seasons remaining on their contracts, but Cates is already older and more expensive.
At the same time, it goes almost without saying that the Flyers would not pursue a virtually pointless trade such as that.
Di Marco notes that "the Senators have shown on and off interest in Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen," and we can assume that this would be the starting point for any trade between the two teams.
Ristolainen's trade value should be going up after a strong playoff run with the Flyers, and that value should be even greater to a team like the Senators who wouldn't be forced to play him in a top-pairing role behind Chabot, Sanderson, and Artyom Zub.
The Flyers won't be unearthing the next superstar this summer, but it is becoming increasingly clear that they will, at the very least, have options to upgrade at the center position via trade.
If you were unaware that the Draft is this upcoming Tuesday, you aren’t alone. Wes is just as shocked! With the playoffs ending for the Pistons early in June, the NBA draft really seems to have snuck up on us with all the rumors and excitement surrounding potential free agents and trade targets for the Pistons to improve on last season’s 60-win pace. But, what about the draft? Sitting at pick #21, the Pistons should have a few very good, young players available for them to choose from. The guys brought in draft expert Stephen Gillaspie from No Ceilings NBA to break down all the potential players who could and should excite Pistons fans come Tuesday evening. Stephen breaks down all of Ebuka Okorie, Joshua Jefferson, Cameron Carr, Karim Lopez, Yaxel Lendeborg and more in this NBA draft deep dive!
We’ve got you covered for all this and more in this week’s episode!
Want to hear your voice on the Pindown? Call (313) 355-2717 and leave your question as a voicemail! The guys will play your message and answer your question on that week’s episode! All we ask is that you keep your questions to under 45 seconds.
Jun 12, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (7) throws to first base to complete a double play in the seventh inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Braves are running it back for the sweep against the Milwaukee Brewers on this Father’s Day Sunday.
The only batter on the Braves’ side who’s had experience against the Brewers’ Robert Gasser is Joey Bart, who’ll be batting seventh in the lineup. For the Brewers, Brice Turang has had his fair share of field days against Bryce Elder. In his 10 different appearances, he averaged .400 and a 1.100 OPS. He’s also the only one in the lineup that’s had a homerun against Elder.
Though the Braves have clinched wins in clutch performances in the other two games in the series, both teams were slower on offensive production, resulting in low-scoring games. Elder, who had a disappointing start last week, is looking to bounce back and hold the Brewers off the scoreboard, in hopes that the offense carries its weight early on.
It’s all happening at 1:35 p.m. EDT today at Truist Park.
The Knicks’ run to the 2026 NBA championship didn’t just ignite the city and break a half-century curse, it was one of the most dominant runs in recent history. After falling behind 2-1 to Atlanta in the first round, the Knicks rattled off 13 consecutive postseason victories, tied for the second-longest streak ever.
It’s fair to ask where this team ranks compared to other champions. Few plowed through their conference like these Knicks, and though they’ll have additional chances to run it back with this core, even this year alone may put them in a higher tier than most.
To narrow down the scope, we’ll focus on this millennium’s champions, the past 26 dating back to 2000. Let’s dive in.
New York’s best historic argument would be the statistical one. Its constant drubbing of Eastern Conference foes -- including wins by 51, 39 and 37 points in each of the first three rounds, respectively -- profiles it among the most dangerous squads in history.
Its average margin of victory topped any of the recent champions’, even the 2016-17 Golden State Warriors and 2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers, legendary teams that boasted through the postseason with only one loss apiece. They also topped the list in offensive rating, sneaking by the 2023 Denver Nuggets.
Its defensive metrics can’t stack up to the radically different era of the 2000s, though it boasted the best defensive rating of everybody in the NBA’s recent parity streak of no repeat champions. It finished on par with the 2005 San Antonio Spurs and 2019 Toronto Raptors for reference -- not as impenetrable as the peak Warriors or LeBron James’ Heat, but no slouches either.
Fans will often point to the strength of a champion’s opponents, and here the Knicks have a tough hill to climb. In terms of strictly regular season record, New York is in the bottom tier when compared to other champs, beating a couple teams that finished in the mid 40s.
Standouts include the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers that dethroned the 73-win Warriors, plus the early 2000s Lakers that had to fight through multiple high-50s winners. In New York’s defense, its final foe was a 62-win Spurs team, the second-toughest record any team trumped in the championship round within the past 26 years, with a nasty net rating to boot.
What about on-paper talent? People might have viewed Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart as far less of a super team mere weeks ago, but we’re effectively talking about an MVP-caliber player, two more top-25 guys, collectively four All-Star level players plus a couple star role players.
Unfortunately for New York, this isn’t much of a separator when stacked up against dynastic teams like the Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant-led Lakers, the four-time champion Spurs and most LeBron teams. Even one-offs like the 2008 Boston Celtics or 2004 Detroit Pistons are debatable.
But championships aren’t won on paper, they’re won on the court. Unfortunately, we won’t ever get to see these Knicks compete with the greats that came before them.
Were they able to, even the most optimistic of Knicks fans wouldn’t be able to expect an edge over the dynastic Lakers, Spurs and Warriors. That already puts them far behind in the rankings, though their talent and production would make them a good fight for the champions that didn’t reign over multiple seasons.
They have a strong argument for being one of the better teams since Kevin Durant left the Warriors and the NBA failed to find a repeat champion. New York topped Boston in last year’s playoffs when neither were at their peaks, routinely dominated Denver in recent years, and are deeper than the 2020 Lakers or 2021 Bucks.
Dig back further and things get murkier. LeBron’s earlier championship teams and Bryant’s latter-year Lakers certainly wouldn’t be easy.
Until we get a chance to see this group try to recapture its magic over the next few seasons, it will be hard to paint it in an appropriate historical context. What we know for sure was this was a standout run to the title from a standout collective of professionals, and the NBA should fear what they do next.
Even the Comiskey Park water fountain could not cool off red-hot Roy Sievers, who on this day 65 years ago clubbed two homers, including a pinch-hit grand slam.
1901 Already 29-20 and tied for first in the American League’s first season as a major league, the White Sox began a run of 10 straight wins with a shutout of the Philadelphia A’s, 4-0. Clark Griffith got the complete-game victory, his 10th win of the season.
By the end of the streak, the White Sox were three games up in the AL. From there, the White Sox were only tied or a half-game out of first for six game days the rest of the season, cruising to the first MLB AL pennant.
The 10 straight wins remain tied for the seventh-longest winning streak in team history, along with streaks in 1919, 1937, 1957, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1976 and 1981.
1942 White Sox pitcher and future Hall-of-Famer Ted Lyons won his 250th career game, beating the Red Sox, 6-5. (And a week later, Lyons would knock off the Yankees and Red Ruffing to tie Ruffing with 251 career wins.)
That season, Lyons only pitched on Sundays, and posted this incredible statistic:In his 20 starts that year he completed all 20 games! He went 14-6 with a league-leading 2.10 ERA.
At the end of the season, at age 42, Lyons joined the Marines and served for four years during World War II.
1956 It was either a case of great pitching, or terrible hitting, as it was dual one-hitters as the White Sox beat the Orioles, 1-0, in a game that took just 2:12 in front of a mere 4,581 at Comiskey Park. Baltimore starter Connie Johnson, a former White Sox pitcher, threw seven innings of one-hit ball, relieved by George Zuverink and his clean eighth inning. Meanwhile Jack Harshman of the White Sox went all nine innings and allowed only one hit.
The White Sox scored their run in the first inning, when Jim Rivera walked, stole second and scored on a double by Nellie Fox. Baltimore’s only hit came in the seventh inning, a double off the bat of Gus Triandos.
1961 The White Sox had a heckuva doubleheader sweep to run their winning streak to six games, walloping Cleveland. In the opener, Roy Sievers had a pinch-hit grand slam and an additional homer, giving him 16 round-trippers on the year. His seven RBIs fueled a 15-3 White Sox win. In the 11-1 nightcap, it was Al Smith’s turn to club two homers, also giving him 16 on the season.
Interestingly, the White Sox began action that day at 30-34, 9 ½ games worse than third-place Cleveland. This blistering June stretch — including a streak of seven straight and this current one, which would extend to 12 straight wins and be separated by a single loss, giving the White Sox 19 wins in 20 games — took the club from last place into fourth, their high-water mark for the season.
Two seasons later, Sievers would club a pinch-hit home run while playing for the Philadelphia Phillies, making him the first player ever with pinch-hit grand slams in both leagues.
1964 The White Sox dropped their ninth straight game on the season to the Yankees, 2-1, in 17 innings. It allowed New York to sweep a twin bill where the Sox scored only one run on the day (over 26 innings), having lost the opener, 2-0. The nightcap loss really hurt, because New York got the winning run home thanks to an error by infielder Al Weis.
The Sox would lose another one to the Yanks the next day (running the streak to 10 in a row), and the Yankees would sweep the four-game series, giving up just one run over 41 total innings. In fact, this was part of a run that saw the White Sox lose nine games to the Yankees over 11 days. Chicago finally won again vs. the Yankees … in August.
Strangely, the White Sox were 6-12 vs. New York in 1964, but the dozen head-to-head losses were very costly, because the Sox ended the season with nine straight victories but still finished one game behind the Yankees.
1973 White Sox pitcher Stan Bahnsen, a 21-game winner in 1972, threw one of the strangest shutouts in baseball history. Bahnsen beat the A’s, 2-0, at Comiskey Park. He allowed 12 hits and a walk in the process. The A’s left 10 men on base. It was two hits allowed short of the record for most allowed in a shutout.
1974 Hendersons were wild in an 11-7 win at Minnesota, as Ken Henderson clouted two homers and Joe Henderson earned his first major league victory. The Sox jumped out to a 7-0 lead after their second at-bats, and when “opener” Ken Tatum could not parlay a gift blowout from his offense into the five-inning minimum, handing a win to Joe. Joe went 4 1⁄3 innings in a bulk relief role, striking out seven, walking six and being charged with two runs that came in after he left the game. Interestingly, manager Chuck Tanner chose to forego his DH with Joe, choosing to keep the pitcher in the game and bat for himself rather than go to the pen; thus Henderson (fielder’s choice grounder to second base) and fellow reliever Cy Acosta (strikeout) both got rare ABs in the DH era in this contest.
The White Sox totaled 21 hits and raised their record to 30-31 (the club in fact hovered from May-on around .500, finishing right at 80-80-3. Carlos May went 5-for-5 with three RBIs and Ken went 3-for-4 with six driven in. Jorge Orta and Bill Sharp also had three-hit days.
2016 On the first pitch of the game Tim Anderson launched his first career home run, over the Green Monster in Boston, providing the GWRBI in a 3-1 White Sox win. It was TA’s 11th career game, and the first of his 98 MLB home runs.
Jun 20, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Cooper Pratt (12) reacts with catcher William Contreras (24) after scoring a run against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The Brewers are looking to avoid the sweep on Father’s Day afternoon in Atlanta, as the team has dropped a pair of low-scoring affairs in heartbreaking fashion. After Jackson Chourio was cut down at the plate as the tying run in the ninth inning on Friday evening, Ozzie Albies played hero for the Braves Saturday afternoon, hitting his second homer of the game just over the wall in right field for a walk-off win.
To avoid the sweep, the Brewers will send out lefty Robert Gasser. Gasser, 27, hasn’t quite been able to replicate the success of his 2024 rookie season across five starts this year, but he is coming off his best outing of the year. While he’s 0-3 with a 4.88 ERA and 24 strikeouts over 24 innings this year, he tossed 5 2/3 scoreless frames against the Guardians on Tuesday night, allowing a pair of hits and a pair of walks while striking out five in a no-decision.
Opposite Gasser is right-hander Bryce Elder. Elder, also 27 (actually exactly 12 days older than Gasser), is in his fifth MLB season, all with the Braves. He looked great in his first two seasons, pitching to a 3.17 ERA over 54 innings in 2022 and earning an All-Star selection with a 3.81 ERA and 128 strikeouts over 174 2/3 innings in 2023. He’s coming off a pair of rough seasons — he totaled -1.2 bWAR across 38 starts in 2024 and 2025 — but he’s looked much more like the Elder of early seasons this year, with a 3.15 ERA, 3.76 FIP, and 73 strikeouts over 88 2/3 innings. He got roughed up in his last outing, though, allowing six runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out two over four-plus frames.
Christian Yelich bats leadoff as the DH, followed by Jackson Chourio, Brice Turang, and William Contreras. Jake Bauers, Garrett Mitchell, and Sal Frelick follow, with Cooper Pratt and David Hamilton rounding things out behind Gasser.
First pitch is at 12:35 p.m. on Brewers.TV and the Brewers Radio Network.
The Blues have not found a saviour but five wins in as many AFL matches under Josh Fraser leaves them with an unusually difficult decision to make
Footy can turn quickly. One minute you’re seven goals up at the MCG. The next minute Kozzy Pickett is coming at you with bazookas under both armpits. One minute you’re walking into training with the snout of a microphone in your face, as you apologise for yet another fade out, and yet another coach sacking. The next minute you’re in a circle while one of your teammates belts out the club song on a harmonica.
Carlton really should have beaten GWS Giants by more on the weekend. In the first quarter, they kicked just one goal from 18 inside 50s. They squandered a lot of chances and had the worst of the whistle. But it was exactly the sort of game they would have found a way to lose two months ago.
(Original Caption) Yankee catcher Yogi Berra (left) has his glove rosined by pitcher Ed Lopat, who was to have pitched the September 29 game against Philadelphia at the New York Yankee Stadium. The Game was called because of rain, and will probably be played September 30, an open date.
The nature of baseball as a sport means that you need more than just a star or two to be a good team. Just look at the Mike Trout/Shohei Ohtani era Angels. Of course you need excellent players as well, but having solid players across the middle and backend of the roster is what turns a fine team into a contending one.
The 1950s Yankees are a good example of this. Of course, everyone remembers the likes of Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra, but they also had a great core of supporting players. One of those was players was pitcher Eddie Lopat, whose birthday it happens to be today. In his honor, let’s look back at his baseball career.
Edmund Walter “Eddie” Lopat Born: June 21, 1918 (New York, NY) Died: June 15, 1992 (Darien, CT) Yankees Tenure: 1948-55
Born in New York City in 1918, Edmund Walter Lopatynski — he later shortened the name in order to fit it in box scores — grew up a Yankees’ fan in the heyday of the Babe Ruth/Lou Gehrig Murderers’ Row teams, and dreamed of playing for the team. Coming up in the game, he played first base, getting passed over by the Giants at one tryout before getting signed by the Dodgers in 1936.
One problem with Lopat playing first base was that as he came through the minors, he wasn’t a particularly great hitter. His first taste of Class D minor league ball saw him hit .223 with just a .311 slugging. However, something else happened that year that would help Lopat find his way to the majors.
While warming up one day before a game, the catcher he was throwing with noticed Lopat was putting a little extra on his tosses. The manager came over and told Lopat to try throwing a curveball, and came away impressed. From that day forward, Lopat became a pitcher.
As you might expect for someone who switches disciplines like that, it took a little while for Lopat to get to the big leagues as a pitcher. He left the Dodgers’ minor league teams and bounced around a little bit, eventually joining the Little Rock Travelers in 1942. While his 5-foot-10 frame turned some teams off, eventually the White Sox were impressed enough and brought him in for the 1944 season.
After average seasons in Chicago in 1944 and ‘45, Lopat broke out in ‘46. That year, White Sox ace and future Hall of Famer Ted Lyons returned from military service and gave Lopat some tips. Lopat used that advice to put up seasons that were worth 4.0 and 5.5 rWAR in 1946 and ‘47. However, the White Sox as a team weren’t particularly going anywhere, and Lopat’s successes eventually caught the eye of his childhood team.
In February 1948, the Yankees acquired Lopat for a trio of players, and over the next eight seasons, Lopat became a very good mid-rotation arm, known as “The Junkman” for his success despite not a particularly flashy arsenal. While the Yankees lost out on the pennant in his first season there, they returned to the World Series in 1949. They won that won and then added four more in a row, five-peating from 1949-53. Lopat was especially massive in the 1951 World Series. He allowed just one earned run in 18 innings over his two starts that series. He pitched in the Game 2 and Game 5 victories, the first of which tied the series at one after the Giants had won the opener, and the second put the Yankees up 3-2, as they eventually won in six.
On an individual level, Lopat’s best season came in the final year of that five-peat. In 1953, he went 16-4 with a 2.42 ERA, winning the ERA title.
However the year after that, Lopat fell off, posting a below average ERA for the first time since his tenure with the White Sox. He then got off to another slow start the following year. While he was only in his 12th MLB season, his extended journey to the majors meant that Lopat was 37-years-old. That July, the Yankees traded him, sending him to the Orioles. Lopat appeared in 10 games for Baltimore that season, but he continued struggling and decided to retire after the 1955 season.
Following his playing career, Lopat quickly got into coaching. During his playing career with the Yankees, he had a reputation as being almost an assistant pitching coach, including helping the likes of a young Whitey Ford. After a couple seasons as the Yankees Triple-A manager, Casey Stengel brought him in as the official pitching coach for 1960.
Somewhat infamously, the Yankees fired Stengel after they lost the 1960 World Series, and Lopat also left in the aftermath. He later joined former teammate Hank Bauer with the Kansas City Athletics. Bauer couldn’t turn around that struggling franchise, and eventually Lopat was elevated to the manager job. He went 73-89 in 1964, but was let go after a 17-35 start to the ‘65 season.
After his managerial tenure, Lopat became a scout for a number of teams, including a stint back with the Yankees. He settled in Connecticut and lived there until he passed away from pancreatic cancer in 1992.
“Steady Eddie” wasn’t a Hall of Famer, or someone who would get his number retired. However, you need players like him in order to be a great team, and the Yankees were definitely that while Lopat donned the pinstripes.
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
Golden State Warriors' general manager Mike Dunleavy previews the upcoming NBA draft during a pass conference at Chase Center in San Francisco on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Photo by Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors enter next week’s NBA Draft facing one of the most important decisions of general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr.’s tenure. Armed with the No. 11 pick, does the front office keep the selection and add a young talent, or use it in a trade to either move around the draft board or acquire an established veteran?
If our latest SB Nation Reacts survey is any indication, Warriors fans have already made up their minds. According to the poll, 72% of fans believe Golden State should keep the No. 11 overall pick rather than use it in a trade.
It’s easy to understand why fans feel this way. The Warriors are coming off a disappointing 37-45 season and enter next year with more questions on their roster than answers. Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody are both expected to miss a big portion of the season after suffering significant leg injuries, while Stephen Curry and Draymond Green continue to battle Father Time as they approach their age-39 and age-37 seasons, respectively.
The aging roster and questions about the team’s overall talent level have also been reflected in the betting markets. FanDuel Sportsbook currently gives the Warriors +8000 odds to win the 2026-27 NBA championship, placing them well outside the league’s group of true contenders.
With those long odds, it makes sense why many fans appear to prefer a more measured approach. The No. 11 pick gives the Warriors an opportunity to add an inexpensive young player to a roster that badly needs an injection of youth, athleticism, and long-term upside. In a draft class widely regarded as one of the deepest in recent years, holding onto the selection may ultimately prove more valuable than chasing another short-term move.
Whether the front office agrees with its fanbase remains to be seen. But if the poll is any indication, Warriors fans would prefer to see Golden State use this year’s draft to strengthen both its present and its future.
The 2026 NHL Draft is quickly approaching in just five days and Free Agency begins in just ten days.
This means teams have ten days to re-sign expiring contracts.
One former Wild player re-signed a contract in a pretty cool way.
Nicolas Deslauriers won the Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes and during the team parade, he went up on stage with Canes' General Manager Eric Tulsky and announced a new contract.
The former Wild bruiser announced a two-year contract to stay in Carolina.
NIC DESLAURIERS JUST SIGNED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARADE 🔥🔥🔥
Deslauriers, 35, was the only trade acquisition for the Canes at the deadline. He played in seven games for the Hurricanes after being acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers for a conditional 7th-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.
The 6-foot-1, 218-pound left-winger, recorded one assist in seven regular season games for Carolina and played in just one playoff game during the Canes' run.
In his time with the Wild, Deslauriers played in 20 regular season games in 2021-22. He recorded three goals and 53 hits. In five playoff games, Deslauriers recorded 13 hits. He has played in six career playoff games. Five with Minnesota and one with Carolina.
He has now signed a two-year contract. The deal will pay Deslauriers $850,000 in 2026-27 and $900,000 in 2027-28.
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JUNE 20: Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres hits a three-run home run during the tenth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on June 20, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Diego Padres desperately needed a win like this one. After the heartbreaking end to the slugging match between San Diego and the Texas Rangers, the club regrouped quickly and forced the rubber match.
After getting into a 1-3 deficit in the seventh inning, the Padres tied it in the eighth and forced the game into extra innings. In the 10th, Manny Machado came up with runners on first and second and took reliever Joe Ross deep to left-center field.
That allowed the Friars to coast to victory despite Mason Miller giving up an unearned run in the bottom frame of the inning. They’ll need to show the same power they’ve displayed in the first two games to take the series.
Taking the mound
Nathan Eovaldi (TEX) v. Lucas Giolito (SD)
(I mistakenly wrote that Eovaldi was pitching on Saturday instead of starter MacKenzie Gore. The former is pitching in today’s rubber game, apologies.)
After turning in the best season of his career in 2025, Eovaldi has looked rough in ‘26 with a 4.23 ERA across 14 starts. Pair that with a 1.17 WHIP through 87 1/3 innings and it’s been tough for the righty.
Eovaldi’s looked better in his last seven starts, pitching to a 3.78 ERA, but it’s still been tough. He’s given up 10 runs across his last 18 2/3 innings. The Padres will hope to beat the Rangers’ starter to win the series.
Giolito has been inconsistent for the Friars but has looked marginally better lately. He’s surrendered six runs across his last 13 innings and owns a 4.56 ERA on the season.
San Diego decided to utilize an opener for starter Griffin Canning as well as Giolito in their last starts. It worked out decently for the right-hander, but he still allowed three runs against the St. Louis Cardinals. He’ll need to pitch better today against Texas.
Batter up!
Machado finally seemed to break out Saturday after a rough night at the plate in the series opener. He knocked in five of the Padres’ six runs and went 2-for-5. Jackson Merrill was also a powerhouse, going 3-for-5, and knocking in the game-tying run in the eighth inning.
Fernando Tatis Jr., 2B
Samad Taylor, RF
Manny Machado, 3B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Jackson Merrill, CF
Ty France, 1B
Gavin Sheets, 1B
Will Wagner, DH
Blake Hunt, C
Rodolfo Durán could be back behind the dish today but will likely sit to give Hunt a slightly longer look. The backstop went 0-for-3 yesterday in his MLB debut at the plate.
The offense has looked much healthier than it did last series. After scoring just eight runs in the Padres’ series against the St. Louis Cardinals, the lineup has put up 13 in just the first two games. It’s momentum that the club needs heading into their upcoming homestand.
Relief corps
Starter Walker Buehler has been one of the few consistent starters for the Friars in the last month. He’s looked resurgent in his most recent starts. After exiting in the sixth with the score knotted, 1-1, the Padres’ relievers were tasked with holding the Rangers.
Kyle Hart pitched well before Jason Adam allowed his second homer in as many nights. His command has been spotty as of late but he settled in to complete the inning. Adrian Morejon covered the final two innings beautifully, and Miller nailed down the save in the tenth.
That gives San Diego options in the rubber game. Ron Marinaccio, Yuki Matsui, David Morgan and Wandy Peralta will be available out of the ‘pen for the Friars. It seems likely that Peralta will be utilized as an opener after he opened for Giolito in his last start.
SPRINGDALE, AR - JULY 29: Trey Dombroski #26 of the Corpus Christi Hooks pitches during the game between the Corpus Christi Hooks and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals at Arvest Ballpark on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 in Springdale, Arkansas. (Photo by Ada Pipkins/Minor League Baseball)
Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below. Check out the previous day’s recap here.
AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (31-42) lost 6-5 (BOX SCORE)
Sugar Land jumped out to an early lead scoring 2 runs in the first inning on a Biggio solo home run and a run on an error. After the Isotopes scored 3 runs in the bottom of the first, Sugar Land retook the lead in the 4th on a Ferreras RBI double and Winkler RBI single. McPherson got the start and allowed 4 runs over 3.1 innings. The Isotopes responded with a run in the 4th and 5th to take the lead. Sugar Land tied the game in the 7th inning on an Alexander solo home run but the Isotopes took the lead again with a run in the bottom of the 8th. Sugar Land was scoreless in the 9th as they ended up falling 6-5;
Sam Carlson, RHP: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
J.P. France, RHP: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Roddery Munoz, RHP: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Alimber Santa, RHP: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (30-38) lost 2-1 (BOX SCORE)
The Hooks got on the board first on an Encarnacion RBI single in the second inning. Dombroski got the start for the Hooks and was solid allowing 2 runs over 5 innings. The pen was solid tossing 4 scoreless innings but the offense was unable to get anything else going as the Hooks fell 2-1.
Nic Swanson, RHP: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
A+: Asheville Tourists (18-49) lost 14-1 (BOX SCORE)
DeVos started for Asheville but struggled allowing 3 runs over 2 innings. The pen didn’t fare well either 10 runs over the next few innings. Thomas put Asheville on the board with a solo home run 5th inning. The Hot Rods got a couple more runs and the Asheville offense was quiet the rest of the way as they fell 14-1.
A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (33-34) lost 10-0 (BOX SCORE)
Carrera started for the Woodpeckers and went 5 innings allowing 6 runs while striking out 4. Gonzalez relieved Carrera and allowed 4 runs over 3 innings. The Woodpeckers offense was quiet all night collecting just 5 hits as they were shutout in the 10-0 loss.
Zack Wheeler has shown no signs of slowing down at age 36, still ranking in the 96th percentile in pitching run value and the 92nd percentile in chase rate.
The Philadelphia Phillies' ace has victimized batters with his four-seamer forever, and that trend is holding steady in 2026. Wheeler has recorded 25 strikeouts thanks to his four-seam fastball, and that’s a pitch the New York Mets struggle against.
The Mets have the eighth-highest K rate when facing the four-seamer from a righty (23.1%), while their swinging strike rate vs. that pitch is the seventh-highest in MLB (9.8%).
I’d play this up to -120 tonight.
Kyle Schwarber Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI (-130)
Kyle Schwarber had himself a game on Saturday with four hits, three homers, and six RBI. It was just another feather in the cap for the Phillies slugger, who’s batting .323 so far in June.
The left-hitting Schwarber is enjoying strong reverse splits once again, batting .292 vs. lefties with a massive 1.013 OPS, and he’ll enjoy squaring up against Mets southpaw David Peterson tonight.
Peterson goes to his sinker 28.9% of the time, and that’s a pitch Schwarber is mashing for a .407 average.
Give me this prop at any price up to -140.
Juan Soto Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI (-120)
The New York Mets may struggle against Wheeler, but Juan Soto has had some success against the Phillies veteran over the years.
Soto is batting .259 over 54 career at bats vs. Wheeler, and he’s cleaned up against righties this season, hitting .314 with a 1.063 OPS.
The Mets slugger is batting .356 over the last 15 days, which comes as no surprise given his impressive batting profile. Soto ranks in the 99th percentile in xSLG, 97th percentile in xBA, and 99th percentile in squared-up percentage — just to highlight a few stats.
Soto’s cashed this prop in six of his last nine outings, and I’ll play it to -125 tonight.
How to watch Mets vs Phillies and game info
Location
Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
Date
Sunday, June 21, 2026
First pitch
7:20 p.m. ET
TV
NBC/Peacock
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He has started five games against teams ranking in the bottom half of the league in OBP vs. righties. He posted a 1.72 ERA in those starts while averaging 6 2/3 innings of work.
Mets vs Phillies Over/Under pick: Under 8.0 (-105)
The Mets rank 29th in OBP and tied for 23rd in runs per game. They are not a good offensive team at the best of times, and it’ll be tough sledding against an in-form Wheeler.
The Phillies are more likely to do damage against David Peterson, but a ceiling game at the plate is still unlikely.
Philadelphia has struggled with lefties for much of the year, hitting just .223 and ranking 23rd in wOBA.
The Mets also have a very rested bullpen behind Peterson, so they’ll be well-equipped to put out fires as they arise.
Play to -115.
Todd Cordell's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 37-28, +1.15 units
Over/Under bets: 35-27-3, +4.69 units
Mets vs Phillies weather
Sunny skies and 80-degree weather will help give balls a little more pop tonight. Winds are expected to blow side-to-side.
Mets vs Phillies odds
Moneyline: Mets +165 | Phillies -200
Run line: Mets +1.5 (-120) | Phillies -1.5 (+100)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 (+100) | Under 8.5 (-120)
Mets vs Phillies trend
Philadelphia has hit the game total Under in 23 of the last 35 games (+11 units, 29% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Mets vs. Phillies.
How to watch Mets vs Phillies and game info
Location
Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
Date
Sunday, June 21, 2026
First pitch
7:20 p.m. ET
TV
NBC, Peacock
Mets starting pitcher
David Peterson (3-5, 5.91 ERA)
Phillies starting pitcher
Zack Wheeler (6-1, 2.01 ERA)
Mets vs Phillies latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Zack Wheeler Over 6.5 strikeouts
Juan Soto Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI
COVERS INTEL: Mets starter