Former Cavaliers big man Channing Frye isn’t shy to show confidence in his championship-winning team from the 2016 NBA Finals.
In an interview feature by Bleacher Report highlighting “How 2016 Cavaliers Made the Greatest Comeback in NBA History,” Frye said it didn’t matter who they played in Game 5, the Cavaliers were going to win the game.
“I am a firm believer that even if Draymond [Green] was there, we would have still put that belt on ’em,” Frye said. “Unless he would have grown two more arms, and 6 more inches, no.”
Ex-Cavaliers center Channing Frye said it didn’t matter whom the Warriors had on the court during the 2016 NBA Finals. USA TODAY Sports
It’s been 10 years since Cleveland ignited the infamous 3-1 Warriors blown lead in the NBA Finals.
In that game, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving each had 41 points and combined for nine 3-pointers.
The Warriors’ Draymond Green was suspended for Game 5 after picking up his fourth flagrant foul of the postseason. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Green was suspended for Game 5 after picking up his fourth flagrant foul of the postseason, forcing him to watch next door from the old Oracle Arena at the Oakland Coliseum because he was not permitted to be in the building.
With no Green on the court, the Cavaliers went on to win, 112-97. Cleveland then won Game 6, 115-101, and then Game 7, 93-89, making it one of the greatest series comebacks in NBA history and bringing LeBron James his first NBA title as a member of the Cavaliers.
Frye recalled one of the advantages Cleveland had was when Andrew Bogut and Festus Ezeli went down in the series, making it easier for them to attack the rim and play more physically.
Channing Frye has fond memories of the 2016 NBA Finals. X/@@BleacherReport
With Golden State having no big man on the court and no Green, who was the Defensive Player of the Year the season before, it gave James and Irving a major advantage on the court.
“I don’t know what happened with those boys; they went to the moon,” Frye said. “And I said, watching that firsthand, ‘Hell, no.’ “
Frye went on to compare the speed that James and Irving were playing as similar to a character in an anime.
“Total respect to Golden State, but it was like two sword fighters,” Frye said. “You just hear the noise, and then they’re over there, and you’re like ‘Damn, when did that happen?’ “
May 24, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Umpire Scott Barry (87) walks off the field during a rain delay during the game between the Washington Nationals against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
New York Knicks game analyst Monica McNutt is on an apology tour after she questioned why superstar singer Taylor Swift was at Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Speaking with TMZ Sports, McNutt addressed the viral hot-mic moment and the wave of Swiftie backlash that followed June 11, saying that she was "wrong" about Swift not being a Knicks fan.
"Swifties, I appreciate your passion. I said what I said," McNutt said. "And here's the deal, if I'm wrong. I am wrong, apparently, because she's got an OG Amar'e Stoudemire jersey."
"I misspoke. I did not know. But here's the deal, context, I literally just did a piece on celebrity row. I've been with this organization for five years. I know these folks. Ben Stiller. His wife, Christine (Taylor). Spike Lee. All of them. Fat Joe," she added.
McNutt offered additional clarity, telling the outlet that she had not seen the "New Romantics" singer at a Knicks game this year, or last year.
"And we just saw her in Cleveland with her fiancé (Travis Kelce). Obviously, Travis supports the Cavs. She didn't have any Knicks paraphernalia, so I did not know of her Knicks loyalty. But shoutout, T-Swift. We can be united in orange and blue, like, it's fine."
McNutt's backpedaling came less than 24 hours after she was caught dissing Swift to fellow Knicks colleague Tyler Murray shortly after spotting her: "She's not a Knicks fan. Get outta here, girl."
Taylor Swift's support of Knicks predates appearance
Unbeknownst to some, including McNutt up until recently, Swift has been a Knicks fan for a while. In a 2014 interview with TIME, Swift opened up about her love of the Knicks shortly after she moved to New York City.
Responding to a comment made by TIME correspondent Jack Dickey about how bad the Knicks were doing then, Swift made it clear that her love of the team didn't depend on how well they're playing.
"I love them, though," Swift said. "Why does that matter?"
Swift told TIME that her interactions with Stoudemire and his then-wife Alexis at the Met Gala helped cement her love of the Knicks, noting that the couple were the "most normal people at that event, every single time."
"I talk with them and hang with them every time I’m there. So I’ve always had this sort of love of the Knicks, just because Amar’e is so cool," Swift said.
"And also I performed at the Knicks’—at Madison Square Garden’s—Kids Talent Competition at halftime when I was 12 or 13. And ever since then I’ve had this kind of sparkly, magical opinion of Madison Square Garden and the Knicks, since they let me sing when I was a little kid," Swift added.
Swift, who donned a "Stevie Knicks" tee, was one of a dozen A-listers spotted rooting for the Knicks on June 10. She sat courtside with Haim sisters, Alana and Este, who were also wearing shirts with Knicks-related puns.
Andrei Svechnikov scored twice and Sebastian Aho added a second-period goal in a breakout game for Carolina’s top-line performers, helping the Hurricanes beat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 on Thursday night to move within a victory of winning the Stanley Cup.
Captain Jordan Staal added his fifth goal in the series on a night when Carolina overcame multiple hiccups from these playoffs, from a shaky power play to being outplayed in the second period of this series. And there had been the waiting game for Aho and Svechnikov — two roster mainstays in an eight-year postseason run — to find a better offensive groove.
And there had been the waiting game for Aho and Svechnikov — two roster mainstays in an eight-year postseason run — to find a better offensive groove.
It all came together in Game 5, with Svechnikov’s short putaway at the post on the power play giving Carolina a 4-1 lead midway through the third period. And unlike most multi-goal leads in what has been a wild and thrilling series, this one held up, with Brandon Bussi finishing with 22 saves in his second career postseason start.
That gave the Hurricanes a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 6 is Sunday night in Las Vegas, with the Hurricanes playing for the chance to hoist the Stanley Cup for the first time since coach Rod Brind’Amour captained them to the title in 2006.
Pavel Dorofeyev scored twice for Vegas, finding the net for the first time since Game 1 of the Western Conference Final sweep of Presidents’ Trophy winner Colorado. Carter Hart entered this one as the first goaltender in Stanley Cup Final history to give up at least four goals in each of the first four games, then did it again to continue a difficult series while finishing with 20 saves.
Vegas had twice before been in a 2-2 series in these playoffs, in the first round against Utah and the second round against Anahaim. Both times, the Golden Knights won Game 5 and then closed out the series in Game 6.
This time, they’ll have to win on home ice to force the series back to Carolina for a Game 7 on Wednesday night. And they’ll have to take two in a row against a Hurricanes team that hasn’t suffered consecutive losses since mid-January.
Vegas played much of the night without center William Karlsson, who was being checked out on the bench for an apparent upper-body injury. Karlsson skated to the tunnel midway through the second period and didn’t return.
Jun 11, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals second baseman Michael Massey (19) fields a ground ball during the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
The Rangers series started out so promising, but the Royals dropped the final two games of the series, including a 4-2 loss on Thursday afternoon. The game started after a delay of over two hours over concerns relating to local storms, although no rain ever fell at the stadium. The Royals managed just six hits and three walks, while falling to 28-40 on the year.
Royals starter Michael Wacha had some early struggles, but was able to save the taxed bullpen by giving the team seven solid innings. Brandon Nimmo got to him in the first with an RBI double to put the Rangers on the board. The Rangers put runners at the corners in the third, and former Royals catcher Elías Díaz lay down a perfect bunt that allowed Ezequiel Durán to scamper home from third. Corey Seager made it 3-0 Rangers with a solo home run to lead off the third.
Royals hitters battled back against Rangers starter Kumar Rocker. They loaded the bases in the third inning, but Michael Massey grounded into a double play. The twin killing did bring home Kansas City’s first run of the game, and Kameron Misner picked him up with an RBI single, his first hit since being called up. But Nick Loftin grounded out to end the threat.
The Royals chased Rocker out of the game in the fifth with a Bobby Witt Jr. single, but rookie reliever Robbie Ahlstrom quickly ended the inning. In the sixth, Evan Carter singled home another run to make it 4-2, Rangers.
Beck Way provided two solid shutout innings with four strikeouts, a sorely-needed performance for this bullpen. The Royals dropped five of their six games to the Rangers this year, getting outscored 36-21.
The Royals continue the homestand by hosting the Houston Astros, starting on Friday night.
Jun 11, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) collides with Kansas City Royals catcher Carter Jensen (22) as he scores a run during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
The Texas Rangers scored four runs while the Kansas City Royals scored two runs.
Methinks the Rangers were feeling a tad aggrieved today with the Royals making the call to delay the game for more than two hours to protect their depleted pitching staff. Despite the sun staying out the entire time, the thought of a potential shower caused KC to halt the game before it even began because they couldn’t afford to have their starter exit early after a delay.
It never rained, meaning we all sat around waiting for no reason. That’s probably especially annoying for the Rangers as they’re in the midst of a stretch where they’re playing 23 games over the next 24 days and are in the middle of a road trip with a flight to catch.
Perhaps peeved, the Rangers scored a run apiece in each of the first three innings with some aggressive sends on the bases. That aggressiveness was a mixed bag as, by the end of the game, three Rangers were thrown out trying to take an extra base at third base.
Though they couldn’t break through with a big inning to perhaps get today’s starter Michael Wacha out of the game early, they did pressure the Royals with 11 hits overall on the day and ultimately held the Royals to just two runs while never trailing.
Despite those two KC runs, the Rangers also erased a few threats from they Royals by turning three double plays. Texas got 4.1 scoreless innings from the bullpen — including two more hitless innings from Jacob Latz, who struck out three — with starter Kumar Rocker lifted after 4.2 innings despite being at just 83 pitches as they decided to avoid letting him face the Royals’ middle-of-the-order left-handed hitters a third time in a one run game at the time.
With the win, the Rangers claimed their fourth series in a row to, yes, once again reach .500. Now the new goal is getting over the hump.
Player of the Game: A day after a miserable game for Corey Seager, the team’s sputtering superstar contributed a couple of hits, including a third inning solo home run for Texas’ third run.
Seager also singled and scored on a double by Brandon Nimmo for the game’s first run in the top of the first inning. Seager isn’t very swift these days, and wasn’t even running very hard, so it was an aggressive send even as KC right fielder Lane Thomas kind of kicked the ball around in the corner.
For his trouble, Seager got smacked in the face on a collision with catcher Carter Jensen at the plate. Luckily, he stayed in the game and the Rangers finished off another series win in June.
Up Next: After a later than expected end to their getaway game, the Rangers jet off to Boston to open a series against the Red Sox on the east coast beginning tomorrow night. RHP Jack Leiter is expected to make the start for Texas opposite RHP Sonny Gray for Boston.
The Friday evening first pitch from Fenway Park is scheduled for 6:10 pm CDT and will be aired via the Rangers Sports Network or locally on CW33.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 09: Logan Stankoven #22 celebrates a first period goal with Jaccob Slavin #74 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Four of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 09, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Now with the series tied 2-2, this Stanley Cup Final series between the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes can go anywhere. Will Carolina have the upper hand with momentum coming home or will Vegas continue to score goals at will?
In another game of back and forth action, Carolina lost the lead and then completed the comeback in a 5-3 Game 4 victory. Jordan Staal scored two goals including the game winner. Vegas got their team leading 14th goal from Brett Howden but it wasn’t enough as Carolina squeezed out the win in the third period.
We're all tied up heading into Game 5… Who's taking the series lead? 👀
Mitch Marner continues to lap the field in production with 29 points, nine more than his closest teammate. Are we seeing another Conn Smythe resume built regardless if the team ultimately wins or loses?
Projected Lineup
Ivan Barbashev — Jack Eichel — Pavel Dorofeyev
Brett Howden — William Karlsson — Mitch Marner
Tomas Hertl — Colton Sissons — Mark Stone
Cole Smith — Nic Dowd — Keegan Kolesar
Brayden McNabb — Shea Theodore
Noah Hanifin — Rasmus Andersson
Dylan Coghlan — Jeremy Lauzon
Carter Hart
Adin Hill
Carolina Hurricanes
The storyline for the home team is their move to Brandon Bussi in net. He started Game 4 and that is expected to continue tonight in Game 5. Another wild turn of events is that Frederik Andersen hasn’t been on the ice and isn’t dressing as a backup. The assumption is he’s nursing an injury now and Pyotr Kochetkov is next in line should anything happen to Bussi.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 10: Samad Taylor #0 of the San Diego Padres hits an RBI single during the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Petco Park on June 10, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was arguably the worst loss of the season, with the San Diego Padres losing the second game of the Cincinnati Reds series in the ugliest way possible. Squandering multiple opportunities, adding to their many baserunning gaffs, swinging through pitches in the middle of the zone, and Manny Machado continuing his league-worst hitting.
They followed that with a win in the third and final game of the series. Fernando Tatis Jr. and newcomer Samad Taylor have sparked the team in recent games and highlighted that in the eighth and ninth innings of the game. Taylor, Jase Bowen, and most recently, Will Wagner, have combined to give the offense a boost that hasn’t always translated into wins but has certainly provided some excitement.
The series against the New York Mets highlighted how bad the offense has become. And not just the offense. The pitching, baserunning and defense have all been shaky in recent weeks. With everyone placing so much attention on the inept offense, the rest of their poor play has largely gone unaddressed.
Since May 27, the starters have supplied three quality starts, with the latest in the series finale versus the Reds. Michael King went 6.2 innings with three runs allowed (all on home runs) and seven hits. He was the first starter to go six or more innings with only three or fewer runs allowed since Walker Buehler on June 2.
The bullpen has been great at times, but has been overworked with the short performances by the starters. The pressure placed on them has resulted in a 3.90 ERA, ninth best in MLB. Closer Mason Miller hasn’t been used as a closer much and has been trying to keep the deficit the same or to buy time for the offense.
Playing those two losing teams over the past six games, the Padres salvaged a home stand split and now have a 35-32 record, good for second place in the NL West and 7.5 games behind LA. They cling to the last Wild Card spot by a half game.
Freddy Fermin
The Padres lead catcher had the worst OPS in baseball before hitting back-t0-back-to-back home runs over three days. He added a double and a single to have seven RBI in that span and is hitting .263 over the past seven games. With backup Rodolfo Duran hitting .103 in 29 at-bats and Luis Campusano not yet on his rehab assignment, Fermin needs to be a contributor at the bottom of the lineup.
Samad Taylor, Jase Bowen, and Will Wagner
With the loss of Ramón Laureano, the release of Nick Castellanos, and paternity leave for shortstop Xander Bogaerts, the three players who were brought up to fill in are distinguishing themselves in a short sample size.
Taylor, 27, has had some brief cameos with two other teams over the past three seasons. He is fast, aggressive on the base paths, and knows how to bunt. Taylor has been referred to as the spark plug since his arrival. His enthusiasm and exuberance are noticeable. He also has a double, three walks, five RBI, and two stolent bases in the four games he has played.
Bowen, 25, is making his major league debut and is being used as a pinch hitter, a pinch runner, and an occasional defensive replacement while he gets his feet under him.
Wagner, 27, was acquired last season and had a brief cameo with the team at the end of the year. He started this year injured, with an oblique strain, and came back to rehab with El Paso. He came off the IL on May 7 and has been used as a DH in his two games played. His left-handed bat has had more major league experience than bench player Sung-Mun Song and he has a career .265 average. Wagner can play all infield positions besides shortstop and has significant DH experience.
It would not be a surprise to see Wagner staying and Bowen sent down when Bogaerts rejoins the team Friday in Baltimore.
Fernando Tatis Jr.
Tatis has been hitting and got his first home run at Petco Park in the finale of the Reds series. It was the game-winning, walk-off hit that sent the Padres on their road trip in a happier frame of mind. Over his past 15 games, Tatis has a .381/.418/.524 batting line with two home runs and five RBI. The offense is a marked improvement, but his base running is leaving a lot to be desired. He was thrown out again on Tuesday and is currently 15-for-23 on stolen base attempts. The eye test indicates that Tatis is making bad decisions and might be trying too hard to make something happen.
Manny Machado
Watching Machado swing a bat these days is painful. He is missing fast balls right down the middle of the plate, fouling off pitches in his hitting zone and just watching fat pitches go by. It is becoming concerning that he has not been able to pull out of this slump. His .172 batting average is the worst in baseball. He isn’t getting on base either with an OBP of .253 with 27 walks in 238 at-bats.
His K rate is 22.6%, up from 19.3% in 2025 but his chase rate is at an all-time high (31.2%). His batted-ball stats show that he is making more weak contact with more ground balls than previously in his career. Machado has achknowledged that he his still working to fix whatever the issue is that has caused this season-long slump but there is the inevitable conversation regarding age that has popped up around baseball.
At 33-years-old, it is to be expected that his bat speed is dropping but his home runs sit at 11 and is about average for this time in the season. He is hitting the four-seam fastball the best of all the pitches he has seeen but the sinker, slider and sweeper are all getting by him at a high rate.
Jackson Merrill
The centerfielder has had two hits in each of the past two games, including a home run, and has begun to get opposite field hits again. He has four RBI for June after having only six RBI for the whole month of May. His batting average is up to .207.
Padres sign Nick Pratto
Former No. 1 draft pick of the Kansas City Royals, first baseman Nick Pratto, signed a minor league deal with the Padres this week. He was released by the Texas Rangers on Tuesday and signed with the Padres on Wednesday. Pratto played for the Royals in 2022 and 2023 but has been in the Royals and Rangers minor leagues since then.
A player who spent the first month of the season in the Rangers development program, Pratto has power but a history of swing-and-miss in his career. He was assigned to the El Paso Chihuahuas and will provide depth at first base.
Injury updates
RHP Matt Waldron (brachialis injury) has begun working his way back and threw a live BP on Tuesday. He begins a rehab assignment this weekend.
RHP Germán Márquez has had two starts with Triple-A El Paso and has not allowed a run in 6.1 innings of work.
DH Miguel Andujar has not gone on the injured list this season but has twice dealt with a reoccurence of a hamstring issue he has had throughout his career. In both instances of aggravating his left hamstring, Andujar has been day-to-day while pinch hitting off the bench.
Jake Cronenworth has been with the team during the last week and is feeling better but has no timeline for a rehab assignment yet.
Luis Campsano reported having no lingering issues with his broken toe but has yet to begin a rehab assignment. He has been on the injured list since May 7.
CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 10: Braden Montgomery #24 of the Chicago White Sox doubles in the eighth inning during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Kyle Sheridan/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Is this game going to happen? Usually I can’t wait for the game, but as I noted in the preview, this has been the least … any positive adjective I can conjure up series so far. Maybe this game gets postponed due to weather? If it doesn’t, maybe the Braves can actually beat the White Sox?
Fellow Knicks fan John McEnroe, seated next to David on Celebrity Row at Madison Square Garden, told the ESPN crew on “NBA Today” on Thursday that the “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star was ready to head for the exit when all hope looked lost for the Knicks.
“We were sort of a little negative at 71-42,” the former tennis star and ESPN analyst said. “He was like, ‘Let’s get outta here.’ He was like, ‘Let’s get outta here.’ I go, ‘Larry, listen, over the years it hasn’t come up the way we expected [as Knicks fans].’ You know, I’ve blown a couple [of] big leads in my life….It was sort of like, ‘Here we go again, we’re gonna lose this. Something bad’s gonna happen.'”
arry David and John McEnroe attend Game Four of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on June 10, 2026 in New York City. Getty Images
But McEnroe said he tried to get David to be a bit more positive in the face of an uphill battle for the Knicks.
“I said, ‘Larry, let’s get positive here. If they get it down [from 29] to 25, 21, 18, it’s 15 at the end of the [third] quarter.’ This type of stuff. ‘Let’s keep it positive,'” McEnroe continued. “That’s the most positive I’ve ever been at a game, and I’ve been at a lot of sporting events over the course of my 56 years of coming to Knicks games when I was 8 years old.”
The shocking comeback 107-106 Knicks win has put the team one win away from their first NBA title since 1973, whipping Knicks fans everywhere into a frenzy.
Karl-Anthony Towns celebrates with OG Anunoby as the Knicks beat the Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on June 10, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“I’ve never felt the energy in a crowd at Madison Square [Garden]. We used to play a big tennis event there [the season-ending Masters] and nothing’s ever come close to that. No one left after an hour,” McEnroe said.
The interview was the second viral moment for David after video posted to social media showed the star nearly collapsing after Josh Hart missed a layup that would have given the Knicks a lead late in the fourth quarter.
May 6, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Jhonny Pereda (5) and starting pitcher Bryan Woo (22) exchange words with manager Dan Wilson after the second inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images | Kevin Ng-Imagn Images
Personally, I hate the series in Baltimore every year about as much as Andrés Muñoz. The weather sucks no matter what time of year it is, the Mariners never seem to score many runs (especially when George Kirby is on the mound for some reason), the injury bug always seems to bite in Oriole Park specifically, and the constant monotone let’s-go-O’s chant gives me a headache by the third inning. And this year it’s four games? Get the entire out of here. Thankfully this is the last game of this curséd series.
Lineups:
Happy news: Colt Emerson returns to the Mariners lineup for the first time since Detroit.
Roster moves:
A new face has joined the bullpen shuffle after Domingo Gonzalez’s rough outing yesterday, with the Mariners selecting righty Michael Rucker. Read more here.
Also, in case you missed it, Miles Mastrobuoni is up with the team as Matt Brash went on the IL with Ryan Bliss returning to Tacoma. It’s a rough shake for Bliss, who was steady in his short stint with the Mariners, but with J.P. Crawford on the shelf the Mariners need Mastro’s positional flexibility.
Injury updates:
Positive news on J.P. Crawford; he wasn’t even able to hold a bat as of a couple days ago, so this is an improvement.
J.P. Crawford takes his first grounders (at 3B) since landing on IL, and Mariners suddenly have yet another hotshot SS prospect. pic.twitter.com/uMkdLynxUV
The news on Matt Brash isn’t as good. Dan Wilson wouldn’t give a timetable for his injury, saying just that he’ll likely be down “longer” than his last stay on the IL with a similar injury, when he was down for 18 days. Brash has flown back to Seattle for further evaluation.
No real update on Brendan Donovan, who remains in Arizona rehabbing at the Mariners complex.
Today’s game information:
Reminder that today’s game is on ESPN.
Game time: 4:05 PT
TV: ESPN, with Kevin Brown, David Ross, Adam Ottovino and Buster Olney
Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports, with Gary Hill Jr. and Shannon Drayer
I told you this team could still hit. I told you this team still had good hitters.
And I’m telling you right now — and you can come back to this recap if I’m right, or if I’m wrong — that the 2026 Cubs are going to start winning again and still make a run at a postseason berth.
Seiya Suzuki smacked a grand slam and Alex Bregman and Carson Kelly also homered. The Cubs pounded out 10 hits and defeated the Rockies 9-3. The nine runs were as many as they’d scored in their previous four games combined, three of which were defeats.
This one started out like Wednesday evening’s game. The first nine Cubs went down in order. Meanwhile, Rockies catcher Brett Sullivan homered in the third to give the Rockies a 1-0 lead. Thoughts of “Didn’t we see this game yesterday?” filled my head.
For Suzuki, that was his third home run already this month. More from BCB’s JohnW53:
Suzuki’s grand slam, the third of his career, was the Cubs’ second this season. Moises Ballesteros did it on April 27 at San Diego. That one also put the Cubs in front, 5-3, but they lost, 9-7.
The Cubs hit five last year, the last by Suzuki on Sept. 26 at home vs. the Cardinals. They hit six in 2024 and have hit 339 in the regular season during the Modern Era (began 1901) and 363 since 1876, first year of the National League.
Suzuki’s today was the 154th of the 363 on the road. Two of the previous ones were at Coors Field, by Henry Rodriguez in 1998 and Sammy Sosa in 2002. This was the Cubs’ 71st game at Coors since Sosa did it on Aug. 11, 2002.
That seemed to awaken a Cubs dugout that had looked morose for most of this series. The Rockies scored a run in the bottom of the fourth off Edward Cabrera to cut the lead to 4-2, but the Cubs extended the lead in the fifth.
A weird play happened in the top of the sixth. Nico Hoerner led off with a single. Then Moisés Ballesteros hit a ball that clearly hit behind him in the batter’s box and then hit him in the leg. That’s a foul ball.
The Rockies threw the ball to second and first while Hoerner and Ballesteros didn’t move — because the ball was clearly foul. The umpires let the double play stand, as I do not think those plays are reviewable, even though Jim Deshaies said on the broadcast that they should have asked for a crew chief review. Craig Counsell got himself tossed on that play, his second ejection of the year. When the video is reviewed, the umpires will learn that they got it wrong. Fortunately, this had no impact on the final score.
Cabrera was removed with one out in the bottom of the sixth, having allowed five hits and two runs, with five strikeouts, a much better outing than the one last Friday against the Giants. The Cubs got two pretty good starting pitcher outings at Coors Field from Cabrera and Shōta Imanaga, and that is, I think, a good sign going forward. Hoby Milner entered and got the second out, then gave up a couple of hits and Phil Maton was summoned to get out of the jam.
The Cubs extended the lead to 8-2 in the seventh. With one out, PCA hit a ball that for most people would be a single, but he hustled it into a double. That wound up not mattering when Bregman launched one [VIDEO].
The long ball was Kelly’s first since April 18, a span of 34 games and 121 plate appearances. Overall Kelly’s still hitting pretty well, but perhaps this will turn the power switch back on for him.
Tyler Ferguson, recalled because Trent Thornton hit the paternity list this week, finished up. Sullivan homered off Ferguson, his second of the game, but Ferguson finished up with this strikeout [VIDEO].
Since a player can spend a maximum of three days on the paternity list, Thornton, who went on the list before Tuesday’s game, will likely return Friday, with Ferguson heading back to Triple-A Iowa.
One more thing of amusement in this game: Moisés Ballesteros stole a base. No, I am not making that up. He walked with two out in the fourth and then took off:
— Northside Soundtrack (@CHC_DataDrive) June 11, 2026
Ballesteros had a few steals in the minors — including five last year at Iowa — but that was his first steal attempt in the big leagues. Might be his last, who knows? Hope they got the base for him.
As I said, I believe this team still has good hitters. They showed signs of life in this game. Let’s hope that continues. There are still 93 games remaining. More on the Cubs’ big bat day from John:
Carson Kelly’s homer, the Cubs’ third of the day, ended a streak of 41 games in which the Cubs had not hit more than two home runs, since smacking three in a 12-4 loss to the Dodgers at Los Angeles on April 25.
The 41-game drought was their third longest of its kind since 2000. The longest was 54 games, in 2010, followed by 44 in 2022.
The Cubs have hit three homers this year in six games, two homers in 16, one homer in 23 and none in 19.
The Cubs will open a three-game series in San Francisco Friday. I’ll be attending these games if anyone from here is around. Friday’s starter for the Cubs is TBD — perhaps Javier Assad? — and Landen Roupp will start for the Giants. Game time Friday is 9:15 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network.
While the ongoing drama between Dylan Larkin and the Detroit Red Wings regarding his future with the club continues to sort itself out, another question on the minds of Red Wings fans is regarding the status of prospect goaltender Sebastian Cossa.
Cossa, whom the Red Wings selected in the first round (15th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft, still has only a single game of NHL experience under his belt, which came in December 2024.
He had a tremendous regular season for the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2025-26, but found himself outplayed by Michal Postava down the stretch, and watching from the bench in the Calder Cup Playoffs as Postava started every game.
Meanwhile, Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt, whom they selected five picks after Cossa, helped lead his club to a first-round Stanley Cup Playoff upset of the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Quarterfinal.
Additionally, Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes, whom the club selected in the fifth round (136th overall) in 2020, has now been the club's starter two straight seasons in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the latter of which resulted in a berth in the Eastern Conference Final.
While making an appearance on the "Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer" podcast, Cossa's agent Gerry Johannson, who works with The Sports Corporation player agency, was asked when he believes his client will finally get his breakthrough.
"Is Sebastian Cossa chomping at the bit to see what he could do and get an opportunity like Wallsted and like Dobes did?" asked Stauffer.
"That's really when in our business, that's where the rubber hits the road," Johansson responded. "We know Sebastian Cossa is a very, very good goalie. He's certainly on par with Wallstedt and Dobes, and (St. Louis Blues goaltender) Joel Hofer is another one of our guys; he's developed really nicely.
"But in our business, nothing is equal," he continued. "Everybody has a different opportunity and different challenges, and the timing is different. You have to stay patient, but there's no question in our mind that Cossa is top shelf. He's as good as any of these young guys out there.
Yeah, something is going to happen, and he will get his opportunity. Not sure how exactly, but we'll worry about that later. But it's going to happen."
Stauffer then asked Johansson if he's in regular contact with Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman regarding his client, who is a pending restricted free agent, and he answered in the affirmative.
"Yep, talked to Steve," he said. "He's a restricted free agent too, so there's no huge rush. But we've had regular contact with Steve.....we've definitely had good chats with Steve, and we'll continue to.
But on a separate note, the kid's a good goalie, a really good player, and a great kid. He's going to get his opportunities; it's just a matter of when, and it's going to be soon."
This season with the Griffins, Cossa went 26-8-4 with a 2.33 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage.
He is no longer waiver exempt, and would almost certainly be claimed by another club if he were to be made available.
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ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 05: Oneil Cruz #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Friday, June 5, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kathryn Skeean/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ offense took another major hit this week.
Already without shortstop Konnor Griffin due to a forearm injury, the middle of the order will lose one of baseball’s lone 30/30 candidates for the foreseeable future.
On Wednesday, the Pirates placed center fielder Oneil Cruz on the 10-day injured list.
Cruz was scratched from the lineup on Tuesday due to recurrent left-hand discomfort and was initially viewed as only day-to-day.
Additional tests revealed that Cruz is suffering from non-displaced fractures in his fourth and fifth metacarpals in his left hand.
It’s a significant loss for the Pirates and their star center fielder, who is playing the best of his career.
Cruz ranks second in the National League in steals (21), tied for fifth in runs scored (45), and seventh in RBI (44).
Kevin Gorman of the TRIB reported that Cruz is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks.
Cruz was seen in the dugout on the TV broadcast with a cast on his hand. Cruz suffered the injury during the Pirates’ road series against the Atlanta Braves.
Through 64 games, Cruz is slashing .264/.350/.472 with 10 doubles and 14 home runs.
The Pirates recalled Billy Cook to replace Cruz on the 26-man roster, but recalled outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez on Thursday.
Valdez made his MLB debut on May 22 and has hit 13 home runs in Triple-A Indianapolis over 192 at-bats.
The 22-year-old may see significant playing time with Cruz out and profiles best defensively in right. Pittsburgh opted to recall Valdez over Jhostynxon Garcia, who can play all three outfield positions and was sent back to Triple-A earlier this week.
Esmerlyn Valdez homers in his first at-bat at PNC Park!
Valdez had two hits in 16 at-bats, both home runs, in his first stint with the Pirates in May. To make room on the roster, the Pirates transferred Davis Wendzel to Indianapolis.
Overcoming Cruz’s absence will be a challenge as the Pirates (34-32) fight for a wild card in the National League.
The Pirates are going to need Valdez, Jake Mangum, and other lesser-established players to step up and keep the Pirates in the running until Cruz comes back.
May 18, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (35) reacts with designated hitter Pete Alonso (25) after hitting a home run against the Tampa Bay Rays in the seventh inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Both Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo are back in the Orioles lineup tonight against the Mariners. Rutschman will ease back into action as the designated hitter, while Basallo will return to the starting lineup after being available off the bench.
Taylor Ward, Colton Cowser and Leody Taveras will handle the outfield duties. Coby Mayo will get the start at third base with Gunnar Henderson playing to his left. Jackson Holliday will bat ninth and play second base after delivering a grand slam last night. Pete Alonso will bat cleanup and play first base.
The Orioles can split the four-game series with a win tonight. The game will be televised on ESPN.
