SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 20: Jarren Duran #16 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with Andruw Monasterio #32 after the game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on June 20, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jack Compton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
6 runs in 3 games! That’s all the Red Sox pitching staff surrendered over the weekend, as the Sox bounced back from a grim homestand to take a late-night west coast series. Granted, the Mariners are no one’s idea of an offensive juggernaut, and T-Mobile is no one’s idea of a lyric little bandbox. But that pitching wasn’t a mirage. The 2026 Red Sox genuinely do have a championship-level starting staff.
And, unfortunately, that’s what makes this upcoming trade deadline so tricky. . .
When looking ahead to the forthcoming trading frenzy, I believe in two things resolutely:
(1) The Red Sox should not remotely consider giving up any assets in any kind of “win now,” move. Yes, the American League is so bad that Cape Verde would be a Wild Card contender this year. And, yes, the Red Sox have the 6th-best run-differential in the league, indicating that they have the true talent-level of a playoff contender. But this roster is so poorly constructed that any kind of late playoff run would only distract from the real work that needs to be done to rebuild the roster and turn the team into a genuine contender. They are legitimately running out quad-A lineups on a nightly basis, and that’s not going to be easy to fix.
However…
(2) The Red Sox should plan and aim to be a genuine contender as soon as next season. When you have a pitching staff this good, you simply cannot let that go to waste.
And there’s the rub vis-a-vis the deadline. It’s easy enough to sell-off big league assets for far-away prospects. And it’s easy enough to sell-off prospects for win-now relievers. But the Red Sox need to do something a little more delicate: they need to sell-off pieces of their team who won’t be contributors in 2027 for players who will be.
This is not going to be easy, and I don’t trust Craig Breslow to pull it off. But that’s the challenge ahead.
Use this space to talk about whatever you want, be good to one another, and go Sox.
Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam said last month that he wanted to have the situation with the two-time league MVP settled before the June 23 draft. "Because if Giannis does play somewhere else, we've got to have a lot of assets. That's Jon's (GM Jon Horst) job to do. And if he's here, then you build the team differently," Haslam told reporters May 6.
The Bucks grasp the magnitude of moving the greatest player in franchise history, one who ranks first in points (21,531), rebounds (8,882), assists (4,484), blocks (1,088), triple-doubles (56) and games played (895). So the price to land him isn't going to be cheap.
With the clock ticking, a deal would have to come together pretty quickly.
ESPN insider Shams Charania was on "The Pat McAfee Show" to weigh in deeper on the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors.
"Bucks executives are literally right now in their offices figuring out which direction they're going to go," Charania said. "Because there are two offers right now that it's come down to at a serious and significant level.
"That's the Celtics offer, led by Jaylen Brown, who is a superstar, there's other additional pieces of that deal. Or an offer from the Miami Heat that consists of several players – players that you have control over on rookie-scale contracts, guys you can extend at a reasonable number and a surplus of draft capital."
"The Bucks are trying to navigate internally, which direction do we go?"@ShamsCharania expects Milwaukee to trade Giannis "as soon as today." 👀
Miami’s offer is pretty clear-cut: Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware and other younger players combined with draft assets that include the No. 13 overall selection in this year’s draft. The Heat have been the most active and consistent team in Antetokounmpo talks, going back to the February trading deadline, if not years earlier.
Celtics or Heat? Heat or Celtics? According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, "a split faction of Milwaukee’s decision makers, sources say, is deciding between Boston’s package for Giannis Antetokounmpo built around Jaylen Brown" or "Miami’s offer of younger pieces — featuring Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez — and multiple first-round picks." The established MVP candidate versus greater overall value is what this whole saga has boiled down to one day before the NBA Draft."
ESPN insider Shams Charania said on "Get Up" on Monday morning that Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to be traded before Tuesday's NBA draft.
"Sources tell me a trade and a resolution is coming for the Milwaukee Bucks with Giannis Antetokounmpo before the NBA draft on Tuesday night," Charania said. "The Bucks are in serious conversations with two finalists: the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics. Both teams are Giannis' preferred trade destinations, but both of these packages are different deals. The variance of these deals is dramatic."
ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports that even if the Celtics don't trade Jaylen Brown in a deal to get Giannis Antetokounmpo, they still might move him.
"I think the Celtics have taken a hard look in the mirror and they have decided, 'We weren't going to beat the Knicks,'" Windhorst said on "Get Up" on Monday morning.
Windhorst continued: "I am now speculating that if Jaylen Brown doesn’t get traded for Giannis, they may trade him somewhere else. So that is one of the things that has emerged. Now, Miami understands that Jaylen Brown is in there.; they can’t match that. Miami in recent days has gone out to try and recruit third and fourth teams to improve their offer."
The Heat know that Jaylen Brown is on the table, and are searching for 3rd and 4th teams to get involved to improve their offer for Giannis, per @WindhorstESPN
NBA insider Marc Stein reported overnight that the Boston Celtics could offer the Bucks a package headlined by five-time All-Star forward Jaylen Brown.
UPDATE: One league source, after my story published, told @TheSteinLine that the Celtics emerged from the weekend “with a real shot” to win this race with a Jaylen Brown-centric offer … adding that Milwaukee has considered going ahead even without a third-team facilitator. https://t.co/aaeQ1agUKX
However, sources reportedly told The Stein Line's Jake Fischer earlier this month that the Warriors have not factored into any recent trade talks for Antetokounmpo.
Could Timberwolves be a stealth candidate?
ESPN's Ramona Shelburne agreed with the overall leaguewide consensus that the Heat and Celtics are among the most likely destinations for Antetokounmpo. However, she floated another dark horse team into the mix: the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Shelburne highlighted a potential pairing with guard Anthony Edwards, "who's been successful in the playoffs, but has not gotten over that hump. You're on the clock with a superstar of that caliber in his 20s."
The Heat, Celtics, and Timberwolves are in a 3 team race for Giannis, per @ramonashelburne
"Right now it's really 3 teams you hear most about. The Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat.... For Boston, it would be the best player they could give Jayson Tatum to play… pic.twitter.com/PbxOYZd9rg
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JUNE 19: Dillon Dingler #13 and Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers high five against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park on June 19, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a promising start to the three-game set at home, the Yankees are coming off of a disappointing couple of games against the Reds. The last two days saw the Bombers plate just three runs in total, while giving up double digits on Saturday. But, they are right back on the horse, as they hit the road for a trio of contests in Detroit. The Tigers have had their flaws in 2026, but the Yanks will see the best of their pitching, likely having their hands full without the “A” lineup.
The Tigers have struggled mightily for much of the season, though they are on high note at the moment, coming off of a sweep of a better-than-expected White Sox squad at home. Despite that, they still have a 7.5-game deficit in the AL Central (trailing all but the Royals), and remain five games out of a Wild Card spot. The Cats will be fighting for everything the rest of the way if they want to return to the postseason — or at least make the case to ownership that nonpareil ace Tarik Skubal shouldn’t yet be traded ahead of free agency.
They’re currently missing two All-Stars from their 2026 club, Javier Báez and old friend Gleyber Torres, who are both on the IL. But rookie shortstop Kevin McGonigle is back on track in June with an .894 OPS following a bumpy second month in the big leagues. Riley Greene and Dillon Dingler are building their own cases for the Midsummer Classic, too. Detroit can absolutely punch a team in the nose, so the Yankees must be on their guard in enemy territory.
Monday: Gerrit Cole vs. Framber Valdez (6:10 pm ET)
After a red-hot start to his return from the injured list, Gerrit Cole has settled into a nice groove, and will be making his sixth start of the season to kick off this series. Since his return, the veteran has completed five innings in all but one of his outings, and the same rang true in his most recent start. On Tuesday against the White Sox, Cole struck out six in as many innings, while allowing a pair of runs. While he’s been very good on the whole, he’ll look for a classic Cole gem to start the week off right.
In the first season of a nine-figure deal, erstwhile Houston standout Framber Valdez has not quite had the start he or the Tigers likely hoped for. Despite ERA and FIP numbers that would be his worst since becoming a full-time starter, the lefty is coming off one of his better outings of the year. Against his old team last week, Valdez allowed just a single unearned run, while striking out six in a half-dozen innings. He last faced the Yankees in September of last year, when he allowed six runs and a pair of homers in five innings of work.
Tuesday: Carlos Rodón vs. Casey Mize (6:40 pm ET)
Following a strong start to his return from injury, Carlos Rodón has stuttered a bit in his more recent outings. Across his last two starts, the veteran lefty has allowed six earned runs in 11 innings against the Guardians and White Sox. The K’s are still there, as he notched seven in each of those starts, but he’ll look to limit hard contact to a greater degree in Detroit on Tuesday niht.
In his age-29 season, the Tigers are seeing the very best of their former number one overall pick in 2026. In what has been an undisputable career-year to this point, Casey Mize is boasting a 2.58 ERA and 2.66 FIP in 52.1 innings of work this year. After missing the first couple weeks of June, however, the 2025 All-Star struggled in his return, when he allowed three runs on six hits over 4.2 innings last week against the Astros. The righty should be back in full health now, however, and is sure to give the Yankees plenty of work to do come Tuesday.
Wednesday: Ryan Weathers vs. Tarik Skubal (6:40 pm ET)
The series finale finds Ryan Weathers taking the bump for New York. In what will be his 15th start of 2026, the 26-year-old will look to build on his bounce-back effort against Chicago last week, when he struck out eight across 6.1 innings of one-run ball. Prior to that, Weathers had allowed at least five earned runs in four of his previous five starts. He has also allowed eight home runs over his last four outings, a habit he’d certainly like to buck for the end of this series.
This three-game set wraps up with a lefty-lefty matchup, as the Tigers are set to send Skubal to the mound on Wednesday. At his best, the reigning two-time Cy Young Award winner is perhaps the best pitcher in the game, though he hasn’t quite been himself since returning from the IL on June 13th. He’s allowed five earned runs over his last two starts (10.1 IP), but that is also coming fresh off of a month-and-a-half layoff — and a groundbreaking elbow surgery that saw a pretty quick comeback from the ace despite the removal of loose bodies (well, body). His talent is nearly unmatched around the league, and he will undoubtedly present a challenge for the Yankees bats to close out the series.
Jun 20, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Cooper Pratt (12) singles against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Welcome to week 13 of our 2026 NL Central Power Rankings — let’s rank some teams!
1. Milwaukee Brewers (46-29); 3-3 this week; 95.6% chance to make postseason (FanGraphs)
The Brewers played .500 baseball this week, taking two of three against the Guardians in Milwaukee before dropping two of three in Atlanta over the weekend.
William Contreras led the offense with seven hits this week, including a four-hit day on Sunday. For the week, he batted .350/.435/.500. Cooper Pratt also had a nice start to his MLB career, going 7-for-19 with three steals as he has a five-game hit streak through just six games played. Christian Yelich, Brice Turang, Garrett Mitchell, and Jackson Chourio all homered.
Robert Gasser led the pitching staff with 12 strikeouts over 11 2/3 innings in his two starts this week, allowing two runs (1.54 ERA). Chad Patrick picked up a save and a win in two appearances to bounce back from a rough week, while Jacob Misiorowski and Kyle Harrison both turned in quality starts, though the Crew had no wins to show for it. Trevor Megill, Drew Rom, and Craig Yoho all had scoreless weeks for the bullpen.
The Crew is now headed to Cincinnati for three games with the Reds before an off day on Thursday. They’ll then return home to host the Cubs for the weekend.
2. St. Louis Cardinals (41-34); 3-3 this week; 47.2% chance to make postseason
The Cardinals took two of three at home against the Padres before dropping two of three to the Royals over the weekend for a 3-3 week.
JJ Wetherholt led the offense with 10 hits this week, including a pair of homers and a double. Masyn Winn also had 10 hits, including a homer and two doubles. Alec Burleson and Lars Nootbaar each added seven hits, and Jordan Walker picked up six hits, with Iván Herrera adding the only other homer for the Redbirds.
Dustin May made a pair of strats, and they could not have been more different. He tossed a complete-game shutout against the Padres on Monday, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out nine, but he was roughed up for six runs in just two-plus innings in Sunday’s series finale against the Royals, though his offense backed him to pull out the win. Andre Pallante went seven quality innings with two runs allowed and six strikeouts, while Ryne Stanek and Matt Svanson both had scoreless weeks for the bullpen.
St. Louis doesn’t have to travel far from Kansas City, as they’ll now play host to the D-backs and Marlins this week.
3. Pittsburgh Pirates (39-39); 3-3 this week; 37.9% chance to make postseason
The Pirates took two of three in Sacramento against the A’s but dropped two of three against the Rockies in Denver this weekend for a .500 week.
Bryan Reynolds turned in a huge week offensively, leading the team with 11 hits, including three homers and two doubles, driving in nine. Six other players added a homer apiece, including Spencer Horwitz, Brandon Lowe, and Ryan O’Hearn, who tied with Jake Mangum for second on the team with seven hits each.
Mitch Keller had a bit of an odd line in his appearance, as five runs scored over 5 1/3 innings, but just one of those was earned. He also struck out seven. Paul Skenes took the loss but had a quality start, allowing two runs over six innings with eight strikeouts. Braxton Ashcraft and Bubba Chandler also had quality starts, while Yohan Ramírez led the bullpen with four scoreless innings over three appearances.
After an off day on Monday, Pittsburgh will host the Mariners and Reds over the next week.
4. Chicago Cubs (40-37); 3-2 this week; 45.8% chance to make postseason
The Cubs took two of three against the Rockies at home before splitting two games with the Blue Jays, with Sunday’s series finale rained out and rescheduled for early August.
Pete Crow-Armstrong went off with four homers as part of an 11-hit week, including hitting for the cycle. Carson Kelly went 4-for-8 in limited chances, adding a homer and seven RBIs. Matt Shaw and Dansby Swanson also homered, while Ian Happ added six hits and Seiya Suzuki added eight, including three doubles.
Ben Brown went six innings with two runs allowed and four strikeouts, and Shota Imanaga and Javier Assad also turned in solid starts, going 5 2/3 innings with Imanaga allowing one run and Assad allowing two. Colin Rea went 5 1/3 scoreless innings in his start, and Ryan Rolison, Daniel Palencia, Hoby Milner, Phil Maton, and Gavin Hollowell combined for 8 2/3 scoreless innings for the bullpen.
The Cubs now head back on the road to face the Mets for four games before a visit to the Brewers over the weekend.
5. Cincinnati Reds (37-39); 4-2 this week; 7.6% chance to make postseason
The Reds had a nice week after a disappointing stretch, as they took two of three against the Mets at home before winning two of three against the Yankees in the Bronx over the weekend.
Spencer Steer and Eugenio Suárez each had two homers this week, while JJ Bleday, Tyler Stephenson, and Sal Stewart added a homer each. Stewart drove in a whopping 11 runs this week as part of a seven-hit week, including three doubles. Blake Dunn led the Reds with eight hits, and Edwin Arroyo added six hits.
Brady Singer turned in a solid five-inning outing with one run allowed and five strikeouts, while Chase Burns got a pair of wins, totaling 10 innings with just one run allowed and 14 strikeouts. Andrew Abbott also picked up the win, going five innings with one run allowed and six strikeouts. Tony Santillan went 2-for-2 in save opportunities with no runs allowed over three innings, and Chase Petty, Caleb Ferguson, and Tejay Antone combined for 9 2/3 scoreless innings for the bullpen.
Cincinnati now plays host to the Brewers for three games before an off day on Thursday. They’ll then take a road trip that begins in Pittsburgh for three games over the weekend.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 21: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets looks on during the game between the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Meet the Mets
Loser! You’re a loser! Are you feeling sorry for yourself? Well, you should be, cause you’re dirt! You make me sick! You big baby! Baby want a bottle? A big dirt bottle?
Bryce Elder’s ERA went up 56 points in one game as he gave up eight runs in his second inning of work to the Milwaukee Brewers in the Braves’ weekend-ending 9-4 loss.
Teoscar Hernandez is starting his rehab assignment tomorrow and it wouldn’t be out of the question for him to return to the big league Dodgers lineup by the end of the month.
This Date in Mets History
On this date in 1987, Tom Seaver abandoned his comeback attempt and retired as a member of the New York Mets.
We continue our series on possible areas where the Astros could add at the deadline. As a reminder, I am not recommending any addition at this point. This is more devil’s advocate. The Astros have been playing better of late and the race in the AL West is tightening. So, there will be more pressure to try to make that one key addition to get the team over the top. The problem is that there is probably only room for one addition given their proximity to the tax threshold and depleted minor league farm system.
Last Friday, we looked at the starting pitcher market. However, more important than the market itself is the expressed need for additions in that area. We can’t put the cart before the horse. We have to first look at the current roster and establish a need. Certainly you want to get good players to add to your roster, but it is that much better if those good players can actually be in a position of need. The question for Dana Brown and the Astros is which of those positions is the most acute need.
Anyone that has watched the offense knows that it is improved overall based on what we saw in 2025. However, Brown kept talking about adding to outfield offense all season in addition to adding left handed bats in general. Obviously, he failed to do that in general. So, you could really make a compelling argument that an outfielder is the most pressing need.
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
BPO
LF
.199
.281
.367
.648
.610
CF
.231
.291
.348
.639
.580
RF
.239
.319
.380
.699
.695
Total
.224
.298
.365
.663
.628
These are all standard numbers except for bases per out. As we saw earlier in the year, the league average for bases per out is .663. That is an entire league average, so it actually is worse than it appears. That league average includes catchers, shortstops, and second basemen who typically bring that overall average. In particular, when you look at the corner outfield positions, first base, and third base the league average is closer to .700.
The league average slash line at all positions is .243/.320/.400. So, when we compare the overall outfield production across the board we notice that the average hitter is considerably better than all of the Astros outfielders. If you take Yordan Alvarez out of the equation it gets particularly anemic. When you remove Alvarez from the totals, this is the worst Astros outfield offensively in franchise history. That is particularly true when you compare them with the league average.
So, when we look at the landscape, there are a number of outfielders that spotrac.com have listed as being available in trade. Again, I’m not necessarily advocating any of these and I have no idea whether the Astros are interested or not. We will look at two sets of numbers. We will look at the current slash statistics (AVG/OBP/SLG) and the Statcast estimates of where the player should be based on the level of contact (xAVG/xOBP/xSLG).
Jarren Durran
AVG
OBP
SLG
xAVG
xOBP
xSLG
2026
.210
.269
.388
.229
.288
.390
This is what we would call a buy low candidate. Durran was long rumored to be coming to Houston for Isaac Paredes but the deal never quite worked out. I’d have to imagine that some reasonable version of the deal is still on the table. The upside is clear on him as he was a nine win player just a couple of years ago. A large part of that comes on the defensive end. He is a Gold Glove level defender in both center field and left field, so the Astros could continue to play Cam Smith in right field and have at least two Gold Glove level defenders there. The bad news is that he might not be an offensive upgrade.
Byron Buxton
AVG
OBP
SLG
xAVG
xOBP
xSLG
2026
.273
.334
.588
.247
.308
.516
When you look at the Statcast numbers it feels like you are looking at Christian Walker. So, imagine adding a Walker level bat to a lineup that already features Alvarez and Walker. Of course, he is about the best asset the Twins have, so they will make you pay dearly for him. Assuming he can stay healthy he might be the best impact bat on the trade market. Like most of these guys, he is ready for free agency, so it would be a pure rental.
Bryan Reynolds
AVG
OBP
SLG
xAVG
xOBP
xSLG
2026
.285
.402
.474
.265
.382
.457
I’m down with OBP (yeah you know me), I’m down with OBP (yeah you know me). I’ve been a Reynolds fan for awhile, but there are some issues that come with getting him. He is signed through 2030 with an option for 2031. Second, this is his best season in awhile, so you will tied down to a guy that will be in his mid thirties that is likely to decline. A bet on Reynolds is a bet on a guy you want to play well now for this season and will just live with the contract from here on out.
Oneil Cruz
AVG
OBP
SLG
xAVG
xOBP
xSLG
2026
.264
.350
.472
.255
.341
.490
Spotrac lists him as a trade candidate. I am a little skeptical of that considering that he can’t become a free agent until 2029. Cruz came up as a shortstop and was converted to center field. It has been a troubling adjustment. He is sitting on -9 defensive runs saved as I write this. So, maybe you try him in left field if you acquire him. He adds 21 steals to these numbers and led the National League in stolen bases. A bet on Cruz is a bet on the awesome athleticism that is obviously present.
Taylor Ward
AVG
OBP
SLG
xAVG
xOBP
xSLG
2026
.253
.393
.345
.257
.397
.381
The Orioles season is in the crapper. Ward hasn’t been exactly what the Orioles had hoped, but he hasn’t been bad. His .737 OPS would be considerably better than anything the Astros are putting out there and Statcast shows he might be somewhat unlucky. Camden Yards has become a difficult place to hit home runs, so maybe he would be luckier in Daikan Park. Like Buxton, he will be a free agent at the end of the season, so hopefully would be cheaper in terms of player capital.
Putting it all together
The general idea would be to upgrade either center field or left field for the stretch drive. The Astros offense is generally average once you leave the warm embrace of March and April. So, you could make an argument that an upgrade in the outfield would be more meaningful than any other addition the Astros could make. Keep in mind that this is just the second article in a series. I’m not arguing for making any deal. It is just a glimpse into what might be possible if the Astros want to move in that direction.
Mar 14, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Chris Newell against the Chicago White Sox during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Three out of four Dodgers minor league affiliates won on Sunday.
Player of the day
Chris Newell had two singles in his last 30 at-bats before hitting two home runs to deliver a win on Saturday. Then the Tulsa outfielder hit two more home runs on Sunday, part of a three-hit day that also included a walk.
The Comets played catch-up all day, then scored twice in the ninth inning but left the tying run on second base in a loss to the Sacramento River Cats (Giants).
Austin Gathier had three hits. Noah Miller tripled and singled.
Jackson Ferris allowed three runs (two earned) in his 3 2/3 innings, and had more walks (four) than strikeouts (three) for the fourth time in 11 starts this season.
Double-A Tulsa
Down two runs in the ninth inning, the Drillers rallied for three runs for a road win over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Royals). Newell hit the first of five singles in the ninth-inning rally. Elijah Hainline’s single scored the winning run.
Two games after coming off the injured list, third baseman Logan Wagner hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning that provided just enough insurance for the Loons to hold for a one-run win over the Lake County Captains (Guardians).
Brooks Auger struck out a career-high nine in his four-inning start, and allowed just one run. He has 52 strikeouts against 15 walks to go with his 2.30 ERA in 31 1/3 innings, and a 39.7-percent strikeout rate.
Shortstop Emil Morales also homered for Great Lakes.
Class-A Ontario
Ching-Hsien Ko hit a two-run home run in the second inning that held up in the Tower Buzzers’ win over the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Angels).
Tyler Gough allowed one run in 4 2/3 innings in his start for Ontario, and Will Gagnon followed with three scoreless innings to keep the Quakes at bay.
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 06: The baseball cap of the Atlanta Braves sits in the dugout during the MLB game between the Pittsburg Pirates and the Atlanta Braves on June 6, 2026 at TRUIST Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Overall, it was another somewhat tough week for the Braves. However, despite another Sunday loss, the Braves did win the weekend in a pretty important series against the Brewers. That is certainly a needed positive. The Braves remain in a fine position, it now just needs to win another series to get back full momentum.
RHP Jared Jones of the Padres was struck in the elbow by a line drive and had to be removed from his start on Sunday. Jones returned to action earlier this year from elbow surgery.
The Yankees (46-30) and the Tigers (33-44) were the favorites to contend for the American League pennant at the start of this season. New York has maintained their status as a favorite to contend for a title while Detroit has struggled. That said, the Tigers may have turned a corner last week. Tarik Skubal is back after a stint on the injured list and the Tigers have responded with three straight wins. Tonight, the two teams open a three-game series in Motown.
Yesterday the Yankees dropped a 4-1 decision to the Reds. It was their second straight loss to Cincinnati as they dropped the series to the National League Central contender. The story of the two games can best be summarized by the following stat: the Yankees were 0-22 with runners in scoring position the last two days. Detroit completed their sweep of the White Sox with a 5-4 win in ten innings yesterday. The three straight wins pulled them within 7.5 games of Cleveland in the division and within five games of the final Wild Card spot.
Gerrit Cole (2-1, 2.57 ERA) takes the mound for the Yankees tonight. The veteran is throwing well allowing just 20 hits over 28 innings this season. Framber Valdez (3-5, 4.09 ERA) takes the bump for the Tigers. The veteran was special in his last outing allowing just a single unearned run over six innings against the Astros. Inconsistency has been the calling card of Valdez, though. He has given up four runs in two of his previous three and three of his previous five starts.
Over their last ten games, the Yankees are 6-4. They have hit.269 in those ten and bashed 17 home runs. Detroit is 5-5 over their last ten and the reason has been a lack of offense. They are hitting just .232 during that stretch.
Lets dive into tonight’s matchup and find a sweat or two.
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Game Details and How to Watch: Yankees vs. Tigers
Date: Monday, June 22, 2026
Time: 6:10PM EST
Site: Comerica Park
City: Detroit, MI
Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, YES, Tigers.TV
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
The Latest Odds: Yankees vs. Tigers
The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: New York Yankees (-136), Detroit Tigers (+113)
Spread: Yankees -1.5 (+128), Tigers +1.5 (-155)
Total: 8.5 runs
Starting Pitchers and their Stats: Yankees vs. Tigers for June 22
Cody Bellinger was 3-10 (.300) with 1 run scored over the weekend against Cincinnati
Ben Rice has homered in 2 of his last 3 games
Jose Caballero is 6-13 (.462) in his career against Framber Valdez in his career
Kerry Carpenter is 4-9 (.444) in his career against Gerrit Cole
Kevin McGonigle has hit safely in 7 straight games (8-25)
Riley Greene was 2-11 (.182) over the weekend against the White Sox
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Top Betting Trends & Insights: Yankees vs. Tigers
The Tigers are 37-40 on the Run Line this season
The Yankees are 38-38 on the Run Line this season
The OVER has cashed 34 times in games involving Detroit this season (34-39-4)
The OVER has cashed 35 times in games involving the Yankees this season (35-37-4)
Expert picks & predictions: Yankees vs. Tigers
Rotoworld Bet Best Bet
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s game between the Tigers and the Yankees:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Yankees on the Moneyline.
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Yankees on the Run Line.
Total: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 8.5
Joe Sakic didn’t say much at the end of Colorado’s season—and in hindsight, that silence might have said plenty.
You can certainly credit Sakic for the way he handled the Avalanche’s end-of-season media availability earlier this month, especially in light of recent developments across the Stanley Cup Final picture.
Typically, at the end of a season—particularly for teams that fall short in the playoffs—you get the full medical rundown: the bumps, bruises, injuries that shaped the outcome but only come to light afterward. Sakic didn’t go there. No list. No explanations. No built-in caveats.
In hindsight, it was a deliberate and effective choice to keep the discussion of injuries as minimal as possible. No excuses. The message was straightforward: everyone is expected to be healthy heading into training camp, and that was the extent of it. Whether a team chooses to disclose injuries publicly is ultimately its prerogative. In Colorado’s case, the organization opted for discretion, even if it meant fewer storylines for the media and more room for speculation.
That context becomes more interesting given what the Vegas Golden Knights have since revealed about their own playoff health situation. By all accounts, they were dealing with significant injuries of their own.
Captain Mark Stone played through a torn adductor. William Karlsson underwent surgery for a broken wrist that ultimately sidelined him for the final game of the Stanley Cup Final, a 3-0 loss that clinched the championship for the Carolina Hurricanes. Defenseman Noah Hanifin was managing an upper-body injury that, under normal regular-season circumstances, likely would have kept him out for roughly two months. Brayden McNabb, according to both teammates and management, battled through multiple injuries during the playoff run, including the facial injury he sustained in Game 2 of the Final that quickly made the rounds on social media.
Yet much of the conversation following Vegas’ sweep of Colorado in the Western Conference Final centered on the Avalanche’s injuries. And to be clear, they were real and they mattered. Several key players were clearly playing through issues, including Cale Makar, Artturi Lehkonen, Brent Burns, Sam Malinski, and Nathan MacKinnon, who took a puck to the knee in Game 3 and was noticeably limited afterward. However, he was held scoreless in the series, marking the first time in his playoff career that had happened in a postseason matchup.
But that’s the point.
Vegas was dealing with injuries, too—those are simply the ones they chose to acknowledge publicly. And even then, the focus remained on core pieces, not the full scope of what depth players may have been battling through behind the scenes.
Injuries, however, weren’t the reason Colorado lost control of the series.
The Avalanche surrendered leads in two of the four games, including a 3-0 advantage in Game 3 that ultimately swung the series. At that level, against a team as structured as Vegas, those moments matter more than any post-series injury ledger.
As Jared Bednar noted several times throughout the postseason, that’s exactly what makes the Stanley Cup so unforgiving. It’s not just talent. It’s not just cap construction. It’s not even just surviving four rounds. Everything has to align at the right time.
“It’s partly why I think it is the hardest trophy to win just because of the grind of it all,” Bednar said. “Not only do you have to be good; you have to be healthy, you have to be lucky, you have to be tough, playing through injuries.
“You have to be mentally tough, too, because it is a grind every day; every game is a Game 7. Every game feels like it is Game 7 because you need to win it.”
That reality makes Colorado’s playoff exit even harder to reconcile when set against what was, by almost every measure, the strongest regular season in franchise history.
The 2025-26 Avalanche finished with a franchise-record 121 points, surpassing the mark set by the 2000-01 Stanley Cup-winning team. They also captured the Presidents’ Trophy as the NHL’s top regular-season club and were dominant at both ends of the ice from start to finish.
Colorado led the league with 298 goals scored while allowing a league-low 197 goals against. Their plus-101 goal differential paced the NHL, and they finished first in both goals per game and goals against per game. On paper and over 82 games, no team was more complete.
That’s what makes the ending so difficult to process.
The Avalanche didn’t lose because they lacked talent. They didn’t lose because they weren’t an elite team. They lost a series where execution, structure, and in-game details ultimately decided outcomes—and Vegas, when it mattered most, was simply sharper in those moments.
In a playoff environment where margins are razor-thin, that’s often all the difference there is.
And if you're the Vegas Golden Knights, it came down to something much simpler: cleaner execution, tighter structure, and the ability to consistently take away the Avalanche’s biggest strengths when it mattered most.
But as the saying goes, there’s always next season.
When Mark Giordano’s 18-year playing career began to transition into its next phase, the veteran defenseman wasn’t entirely sure what the future held beyond his days on the ice.
Although he hasn’t suited up for an NHL game since the 2023-24 campaign, the long-time blue-liner never formally announced his retirement from professional hockey. But after going unsigned through the 2024-25 season, the 42-year-old local product began to realistically map out his next steps in the game.
That’s when Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving—who shares a long history with Giordano dating back to their days with the Calgary Flames—reached out with an opportunity to join the organization's player development pipeline with the AHL's Toronto Marlies.
“They called me a coaching advisor to start,” Giordano said.
What initially looked like a part-time player development role, however, expanded at a rapid pace.
Climbing the Coaching Ladder
Giordano immediately went to work mentoring the Marlies' young defensive corps—a natural fit for a man who won the Norris Trophy in 2019 and logged over 1,100 NHL games on the blue line. But a mid-season coaching shakeup within the organization accelerated his timeline.
When the Maple Leafs parted ways with NHL assistant coach Marc Savard and promoted Marlies assistant Steve Sullivan to the big club, a vacant spot opened up on John Gruden’s bench in the American Hockey League. Giordano seamlessly slid into the role on a full-time basis.
“I worked with the D a lot at the start of the year, I worked with the forwards and the power play at the end of the year. So I gained a lot of experience,” Giordano told The Hockey News amid the on-ice celebrations following the Marlies’ 2026 Calder Cup championship victory. “I think it was good for me to actually see it from a different point of view. I've always been on the D side my whole career. And I had a lot of fun. These guys were a cool group to be around and a really close group. I know everyone says that, but we really came together.”
Winning the Ultimate Prize
Giordano’s resume as a player is incredibly decorated. In addition to his top-defenseman honors, he captured a Spengler Cup and earned a silver medal with Team Canada at the 2008 IIHF World Championship. Yet, outside of those short tournament formats, a major professional championship ring had always eluded the veteran during his lengthy NHL career.
That missing piece of the puzzle is exactly what made watching Giordano hoist the Calder Cup so unique.
“I definitely have the coaching bug,” Giordano admitted. “I've played a lot of different roles, and I think that's where I can help these guys. I've played in the American League. I've been a healthy scratch. I've been a six-seven defenseman. I think my biggest asset to them is I've been in all those shoes.”
What’s Next?
As the Marlies prepare to celebrate their AHL title with fans at Real Sports on Monday, questions will naturally shift to what the future holds for Toronto's coaching staff.
With a Calder Cup now on his resume, a head coach like John Gruden will undoubtedly be in high demand for NHL bench vacancies down the road. But Giordano has quickly proven that he is far more than just a sounding board; he is a versatile mentor capable of contributing to all facets of the game.
It should shock anyone to see Giordano flourish in his role behind the bench. There's a reason he was named the first captain in Seattle Kraken franchise history when he was claimed in the expansion draft.
At 42, Giordano is still incredibly young in coaching terms, and his passion for the whistle is undeniable. While jumping straight into an NHL head coaching gig might be a stretch at this stage of his second career, it shouldn't surprise anyone if he lands an NHL assistant coaching job sooner rather than later.
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Former Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet once preached about protecting the guts of the ice. He wasn't wrong — but eventually, you need players who can attack through the guts of the ice, too.
That's why the debate between Caleb Malhotra and Ivar Stenberg has become so fascinating.
The Canucks need more than another center to fix this. They need players who can drive play through the middle of the ice for the next decade.
That doesn't mean they should pick one this draft.
Six months ago, this wasn't even a debate. If the Canucks landed the third-overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, Stenberg always felt like the obvious choice.
Today, Malhotra's rise has made that decision far less straightforward.
But at the end of the day, the best player available is still the right choice.
In this case, that's Stenberg.
The Case for Caleb Malhotra
When people talk about Malhotra, the first thing they mention is that he's the best center in this draft. You could even argue he and Viggo Björck have the best chance to become long-term first- and second-line centers from this class.
Honestly, if the Canucks somehow managed to get both, that would be the dream scenario.
But that's a story for another day.
The reality is Vancouver still needs help down the middle. Elias Pettersson has looked closer to a 50-point center than the 90-point version from three years ago, Marco Rossi still needs to prove he can be a permanent 2C on a contender, Filip Chytil is coming off another significant injury, and Aatu Räty and Braeden Cootes are still developing.
That's exactly why the argument for Malhotra is so compelling.
Watching Malhotra, it's easy to see a player who impacts every area of the game. His hands are elite. His reaction time is outstanding. He has high-end vision, a legitimate NHL shot, and competes every single shift.
Malhotra separates himself away from the puck. He's relentless on the forecheck, strong on the backcheck, wins battles, and impacts the game without needing possession.
That's why the Dylan Larkin comparison makes sense — not because he skates like Larkin, but because of the role: a trusted, all-situations center who drives play through all three zones.
Even if Malhotra never reaches that level, his floor still looks outstanding. At worst, you're getting a high-end 2C. At best, a legitimate No. 1 center.
The Canucks would still be getting an outstanding player if they called his name.
Why Stenberg Still Gets the Edge
Here's where the argument shifts.
If Stenberg is still available when Vancouver picks third, that's the pick.
This isn't about drafting the best center — it's about drafting the best player available.
And that's still Stenberg.
Watching the Swedish winger, it's easy to find yourself rewinding the tape. Not because of what he did with the puck, but because of what he saw before everyone else did.
That's what stands out the most. Stenberg doesn't force offence; he creates it.
He arrives early, protects pucks, wins them back, extends possessions and always seems to stay one step ahead. Those are NHL habits, and they're why his game should translate.
There's real substance underneath the skill.
Many scouts believe Stenberg has the second-highest offensive ceiling in this draft behind Gavin McKenna.
That's what makes him so intriguing. You don't often find players who combine elite offensive upside with pro habits away from the puck. He's just as comfortable creating off the rush as he is extending possessions below the goal line.
That's the type of player every team spends years trying to find.
When drafting third overall, that's exactly the type of upside worth betting on.
Malhotra projects as the player every coach wants.
Stenberg projects as the player every opposing coach has to game plan for.
That's the swing worth taking.
Jan 5, 2026; St. Paul, Minnesota, USA; Sweden forward Ivar Stenberg (15) scores an empty-net goal against Czechia during the third period in the final of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship ice hockey tournament at Grand Casino Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images
One Final Wrinkle
One final wrinkle came when the San Jose Sharks, who currently hold the second-overall pick, acquired Michael Kesselring.
Kesselring doesn't eliminate Chase Reid going second-overall, but it does give the Sharks another NHL-calibre defenceman. If Kesselring stabilizes part of San Jose's blue line, the Sharks may be more willing to pivot away from a defenceman like Reid and target a dynamic forward instead. That decision could completely reshape Vancouver's draft board at No. 3.
If that happens, Stenberg's chances of reaching Vancouver probably become much slimmer.
Still, the chances of Stenberg falling to Vancouver are a whole lot better than McKenna falling to No. 3.
The Final Pick
The Canucks need a center.
They just shouldn't draft one if they believe the best player on the board is still Stenberg.
If Stenberg is the better player, then the answer is simple; take the best player, and figure out the next center later.
This team isn't one player away from contending in the first place. There will be other opportunities to address the middle of the ice through future drafts, trades, or player development. That's a much easier problem to solve than finding another game-breaking talent.
If Stenberg becomes the player many believe he can be, nobody in Vancouver will care that he wasn't a center.
They'll just be glad the Canucks drafted the best player available.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
The Warriors possess the No. 11 pick in this month’s NBA draft.
Who they pick with their highest selection since 2021 could hold the cards to not only the final years of Steph Curry’s career but also the future direction of the franchise.
This week, we are profiling five possible prospects GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. could target.
Former Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. is on the Warriors’ NBA draft radar. Getty Images
Concluding with Part 5:
Morez Johnson Jr.
Age: 20
Position: Forward
Height/weight: 6-foot-9 / 250 pounds
School: Michigan
Why he’s a fit
The Warriors were so short on frontcourt depth at the end of last season that they signed a center to their G League team that ended the regular season playing real NBA minutes.
Charles Bassey and Golden State’s three other big men — Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis and Quinten Post — all have uncertain futures. Even if some combination of them returns, a player whose game and body are as developed as Johnson’s will find a way to contribute.
Johnson teamed up with Yaxel Lendeborg, another possible Warriors target, and 7-3 center Aday Mara, who could also go in the lottery, to form one of the most physically formidable front courts in the country while leading Michigan to a national championship.
Johnson’s switchability and physicality on defense may remind you of another player from around those parts. He also has the same kind of length that has helped Draymond Green — a Michigan State man — be an elite defender, with a wingspan measuring 7-3 ½.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr might be in need of some frontcourt depth, and Johnson would fit the bill. AP Photo/Jeff Chiu
Why he’ll last until No. 11
Johnson is the prototypical high-floor, low-ceiling player.
He doesn’t have a 3-point shot and hasn’t tried to incorporate one. He has the physicality to get to the rim and finish through contact but isn’t considered to have many moves in his bag.
That said, Johnson knows his skill set and doesn’t waste shots, setting an Illinois record for field-goal percentage as a freshman and shooting 62.7% mostly from close range at Michigan, where he averaged 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds while starting all 40 games.
That doesn’t mean he is always a smart decision-maker on offense: He committed more turnovers (53) than he dished out assists (48). Foul trouble has also been a problem, though his 3.7 per 40 minutes with Michigan was an improvement over his 5.6 per 40 as a freshman.
Just as he makes up his lack of height with brute force, Johnson’s defensive prowess helps overshadow his offensive shortcomings, though he’ll have to work on avoiding the whistle.
NBA comp: Isaiah Stewart
Johnson’s pure physicality means he won’t be overwhelmed by the NBA. He lacks the upside of other lottery talent but could be of immediate help for the Warriors’ defensive scheme.
OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 28: Brady Tkachuk #7 of the Ottawa Senators before a face-off during a game against the Colorado Avalanche on January 28, 2026, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
News Around the League
Senators send captain Brady Tkachuk to Florida Panthers after he informed them he would not re-sign with the team. [Ottawa Citizen]
Florida had made an earlier trade with the Seattle Kraken sending Mackie Samoskevich there for a first and second round pick. [Florida Panthers]
What will replace Hockey Night in Canada? Women’s sports! [CBC]
Jonathan Toews annnounces retirement after 16 seasons and three Stanley Cups. [NHL]
Colorado Avalanche News
Zach Stortini named as ECHL expansion franchise (and new Avalanche minor league affiliate) New Mexico Goatheads’ first head coach. [Colorado Avalanche]
ICYMI: Pros and Cons of Jared Bednar returning to the Avalanche bench. [MHH]
The Avs have lost another depth player; this time to the KHL as reports are surfacing that indicate Zakhar Bardakov is leaving for Russia. [Denver Sports]
Goodbye Ross Colton as he is now a member of the Nashville Predators reuniting with former Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland. [Sportsnet]
KANSAS CITY, MO - JUNE 19: JJ Wetherholt #26 of the St. Louis Cardinals throws during the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Friday, June 19, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Folks, I don’t think I got it today. I spent all of Thursday getting ready for a weekend trip, of course not giving myself enough time to do everything I wanted to do, so the entire day was hectic. I arrived at my destination that night, and then drank heavily for three straight nights. I am unfortunately saddled with the inability to sleep when I drink – I am a near guarantee to wake up at 5 or 6 in the morning and then struggle to go back to sleep. There is a bonus: I have avoided many a hangover because it hasn’t kicked in yet when I wake up. The downside is becoming a walking zombie.
Anyway, I drove home Sunday morning, but not to my house. It was Father’s Day after all. I drove straight to my parents house on something like a combined 15 hours sleep over the past three days. Actually 15 is probably optimistic. My dad got a JJ Wetherholt jersey and Masyn Winn bobblehead, so it was incredibly exciting when both hit homers in the 1st. I’m not kidding, we just finished giving him gifts and then the Cardinal game started not even five minutes later. I finally got home at 7 pm. And here we are.
So a quick article it is. But I don’t want to leave you with nothing so, some random observations for you
JJ Wetherholt’s ridiculous season
JJ Wetherholt is answer to the question: what if you just maxed out everything a baseball player does? JJ Wetherholt, at least in his first three months of professional baseball, has been an elite baserunner and elite fielder. It doesn’t matter what stat you use. He is +13 outs above average, which is quite literally 100 percentile among defenders according to Statcast. He is 95th percentile by baserunning value. He has 1.2 dWAR if you prefer Baseball-Reference. And his hitting isn’t bad either.
Wetherholt, now with 3.3 fWAR on the year, is on pace to have the best rookie season by a Cardinals player since Albert Pujols. And it’s pretty much equal to Pujols’ season. He’s on pace for 7.1 fWAR, Pujols had 7.2 fWAR. That’s a rounding error. I have comped him to Chase Utley before in sort of a pie-in-the-sky outcome – that is not a crazy comp. Utley was not a Hall of Famer caliber player because of his offense – well he sort of was – but he maxed out his baserunning and fielding value.
Ignore the power aspect – Citizen Banks Park is a much better park for homers than Busch Stadium, but even accepting that, Utley most likely has more power than Wetherholt ever will – if you look at the season by season wRC+ Utley had, it doesn’t feel THAT crazy anymore. Utley’s peak began with a 134 wRC+, which he followed with a 130 wRC+, and then a 150, then 134, 141, and 128 wRC+. Wetherholt still has work to do, since he’s “only” at a 127 wRC+ right now.
However, he is arguably getting unlucky. Maybe yesterday’s game fixes that. I don’t know. But he entered yesterday’s game with a .360 xwOBA and a .343 wOBA. His 3-5 day with two homers and a HBP rose his actual wOBA to .354. But you know, it probably raised his xwOBA too. Somewhat inexplicably his second homer carried an expected batting average of .030 while simultaneously being a homer in 19 parks. His single carried a .930 xBA and there’s no data on his first homer, but that was more of a no doubter. Point being, I think his xwOBA will still paint him as unlucky.
So that 130-140 wRC+ range doesn’t feel crazy, and we’re talking about a 23-year-old with 71 career games. While his baserunning and fielding really has nowhere to go but down, his hitting may not be a finished product. We really have a special player here.
Have faith in Masyn Winn
Even if I accepted that Masyn Winn was now an 80-85 wRC+ hitter carried by his defense, I have not really understood the discourse about replacing him. Let’s tackle positions that are actually a problem first. I don’t care if there are a lot of 3 win shortstops, that doesn’t make replacing him automatically easy. Wetherholt could most likely handle SS, but his greatest weakness is his arm, so he is very much not a guarantee that it would work and there’s very little chance he’s a better defender at SS than Winn.
I have also been very vocal in thinking he has more in the tank offensively. He’s still just 24-years-old. I don’t think his best offensive days are behind him. I also look at like this: we don’t need Masyn Winn’s bat to better. It’s almost a bonus. I think it can be better, but we’re not dependent on it being better. Winn will still be a valuable player and a worthy starter on a playoff caliber team even if his bat is what it is. Despite a slow start with the bat and with defensive numbers that I think will get better, he’s still nearly on pace for a 3 WAR season.
Is anybody else worried about Gordon Graceffo?
Graceffo is really working on a razor’s edge right now. He is not missing bats, he is walking too many, and he’s not really getting a lot of groundballs either. ERA is the only stat that makes him look good, the rest make him look… unplayable honestly. Every single one of them. His bad game on Thursday was a long time coming, and he has 4 walks to zero strikeouts in his last 3.1 innings of work. I had kind of assumed his advanced stats would start creeping towards his ERA at some point, and they really haven’t.
It’s interesting how much even the analytical fans will trust a good ERA, because I just haven’t seen a lot of talk about Graceffo. By literally any advanced stat and I genuinely think I’m using literally correctly here, we should trust Ryne Stanek more than Graceffo. We should trust Justin Bruhl more! Why can’t he miss any bats???
