The Los Angeles Lakers have already spent all their money in free agency, but improvements still need to be made to the roster.
General manager Rob Pelinka was aggressive once the signing window opened and headlined the Lakers’ free agent deals with a four-year, $130 million contract for center Walker Kessler. The Lakers also signed guards Collin Sexton and Quentin Grimes as well as big man Sandro Mamukelashvili.
While those additions are strong individually, there’s much doubt surrounding how the team will jell as a collective. Moreover, there is still a glaring hole for a versatile wing defender.
With a glaring hole at wing, Rob Pelinka’s job isn’t done for the Lakers. Getty Images
The Lakers have been linked to free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga, who is coming off a 2025-26 campaign where he averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He shot 46.3% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc last season for the Atlanta Hawks.
The 23-year-old spent the first four seasons of his career with the Golden State Warriors, so the Lakers are quite familiar with the type of player Kuminga is. Joining the Lakers would be a good opportunity for Kuminga, who could serve as a starter or bench player in LA.
The organization saw several key players depart this offseason with LeBron James informing the Lakers he would not return for the 2026-27 season as well sharpshooter Luke Kennard and defensive specialist Marcus Smart signing elsewhere.
Their departures left the Lakers without multiple starters and one notable sixth man — Rui Hachimura.
Hachimura is an unrestricted free agent, yet remains unsigned unlike Kennard and Smart. The slow free agency process for Hachimura speaks volumes for the Lakers, who seem to be weighing their options in free agency.
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According to NBA insider Dave McMenamin, there are rumblings that LA is planning on making a potential trade or using the stretch provision to make an offer, which could be made to either Kuminga or Hachimura.
“That Hachimura remains unsigned caused several league sources to wonder whether the Lakers are planning some sort of trade or using the stretch provision on perhaps Jarred Vanderbilt or Deandre Ayton to be able to offer Hachimura more,” McMenamin writes.
Jonathan Kuminga and Rui Hachimura are viable options for the Lakers, but it will take some creative financial work from Pelinka to make it happen.Getty Images Jonathan Kuminga and Rui Hachimura are viable options for the Lakers, but it will take some creative financial work from Pelinka to make it happen.PSNEWZ/SIPA/Shutterstock
Currently, the Lakers don’t have the ability to sign another player, aside from a veteran on a league minimum. In order to make a considerable offer to Kuminga or Hachimura, the Lakers would have to execute a trade or waive Vanderbilt or Ayton.
Hachimura is coming off a strong playoff performance where he averaged 17.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. However, the current Lakers roster is lacking a versatile defender and the forward has notoriously struggled in that area.
But Hachimura gives the Lakers a solid three-point shooter who is coming off a postseason where he shot over 50% from three. There seems to be upside for both Hachimura and Kuminga, who is the younger option of the two.
If the Lakers want to continue infusing youth into the roster, Kuminga would be the obvious choice as he has the potential to develop into a solid two-way player at only 23 years old.
Pelinka will have to get creative in order to acquire more talent before the season begins, but it’s clear the path to do so will be challenging.
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 25: Henri Veesaar #13 of the Atlanta Hawks poses for a portrait during the Atlanta Hawks New Draft Picks Press Conference and Portraits on June 25, 2026 at Atlanta Hawks Practice Facility in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Joe Boatman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In an attention economy that rewards instant reactions, Henri’s remarkable slide down NBA draft board became one of the hottest social media content generators to come out of the two rounds. A projected late first round pick, a number of factors coincided to see 51 players selected ahead of the Estonian big man. Condemnation came fast. A sampling includes the following:
Via a UNC source: Henri Veesaar would have had at least a $5 million NIL deal had he returned. He left to chase being a first-rounder.
We're into the mid-40s and he's still waiting.
Easily the biggest mistake of the 2026 draft—and certainly one of the biggest in recent memory.
A few days ago, this blog looked at those issues and the potential fall-out for Henri. While the CBA between the NFL and its players’ union specifies salary slots through the entirety of the draft, the NBA’s CBA allows teams much more latitude with second round picks. The article noted the likelihood that Veesaar and his agent still secured a deal with some guaranteed years in the range of $2+ million or more, but that wouldn’t be known until the contracts details were released.
Well, those details are now public:
Henri Veesaar has signed a four-year, $9.3 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks, per sources.
Veesaar was the 52nd pick in the draft. The structure of the deal is the same as the 31st, 32nd and 35th picks in last year’s draft. pic.twitter.com/E3KV9tCnLX
The details of that contract are even better. It appears Veesaar receives three guaranteed years totaling more than $6.3 million. That’s a firm footing in the NBA and reflects a commitment by the Hawks to develop Veesaar over years versus throwing him into the fire in season one and seeing if he sticks. The money’s objectively fantastic for a 22-year-old. It’s exactly what Veesaar wanted when he decided to stay in the draft, a worst-case scenario that’s still pretty great.
Veesaar had this to say about his decision at the combine, before the two-round roller coaster put a national spotlight on him:
“Obviously, it’s tempting,” Veesaar said during the NBA combine this summer. “Like, there’s a lot of money being thrown around in college. It’s another year of going to school, being able to get ready for the NBA, but honestly getting thrown into the fire is the best way to learn. I had that as a freshman in college. I feel like I had the same one as going to Real Madrid when I was 15. You kind of get thrown in the practice with players that are older than you, better than you, more experienced than you. So you learn a lot quicker.”
As a basketball decision, Henri used what he knew of himself and what his agent knew of team interest to make a decision that turned out well for him. Yes, in the short-term, the financial difference seems notable. $1.4 million is much less than $5 million, making the first year shortfall north of $3 million. College basketball was willing to pay a player the NBA values as one of the 35 best coming into the league more than three times that much for a single year of service.
That says more about where college basketball is these days than Veesaar’s decision. Next season probably will have another Tar Heel or two evaluating similar decisions. The college game will offer more immediate money, while the NBA game offers the ultimate validation as well as long-term financial potential. A different player may weigh priorities differently, but it certainly ended well for Veesaar. Good outcomes for UNC players can only help the program moving forward.
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced that they have signed four more players to their roster including the re-signing of AHL playoff leading scorer Vinni Lettieri.
Lettieri returning to the organization is an absolute no-brainer for management. The 31-year-old veteran was a driving force behind the Marlies’ incredible run to capture the 2026 Calder Cup last month, putting up a stellar 26 points in 23 playoff games and scoring the championship-clinching goal against Chicago. He returns on a projected league-minimum two-way deal, giving the Leafs an experienced, high-energy injury replacement option who has 155 games of NHL experience under his belt.
Cole McWard (D) | 2 Years, $1.75 Million ($875,000 AAV)
This is where the contract structure gets interesting. According to PuckPedia, McWard has signed a straight one-way contract carrying an $875,000 annual average value. The 25-year-old right-handed defenseman split time in the Islanders system last year, getting a brief three-game look in the NHL. Giving a one-way designation to a player who will likely battle for a depth or Marlies spot shows Toronto sees a real upside in his puck-moving abilities—or at least wants to make him a more seamless option to carry on the main roster.
Henrik Rybinski (F) | 2 Years, $1.75 Million ($875,000 AAV)
Rybinski comes to Toronto with a ton of winning pedigree, having won back-to-back Calder Cups with the Hershey Bears in 2023 and 2024 before putting up 30 points last season. Per PuckPedia, his contract features a hybrid structure: it's a two-way deal in the first year (with a minor-league salary cap hit of $450,000) that automatically converts into a one-way contract for the second season. He brings excellent minor-league utility and a heavy internal push for the bottom-six forward spots.
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There have been times in recent weeks when the Yankees, essentially, have been bad at everything baseball, whether it’s fielding blunders that lead to unearned runs, poor pitching, or a vanishing offense that’s set some club records no one would want.
But it’s hard not to believe they’re better than that, especially with a run differential of plus-87 (all numbers are entering play Thursday), which is by far the best in the American League and is fourth overall. They recently surrendered first place in the AL East, but they have the second-best record in the league and only six MLB teams have more wins.
Yeah, there are complaints to be made, but overall, the product is pretty good, despite their recent losing streak. And that’s come while they played all of June without Aaron Judge, the game’s best offensive weapon. Other injuries have affected them, too, but they are still an obvious playoff team that might just be better than the sum of its parts.
So keep that in mind as we run through some grades for major Yankees. At the end, we’ll deliver marks for Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman, too, as well as an overall judgment. If you’re a pinstriped hierarchy hater, you will probably be disappointed.
Maybe you’ll get your last laugh this October. But you might just be watching your “favorite” team in the World Series.
Here are the grades...
AARON JUDGE
The Yanks are 12-15 without him. Pretty telling. His numbers (.907 OPS, for instance) weren’t up to his lofty standard, but we don’t know how much that stress fracture in a rib was bothering him.
He’s got 12 homers and 26 steals, but his OPS is only .708, below MLB average. There’s more in the tank here.
Grade: B-minus
AUSTIN WELLS
If he were qualified, his OPS would be the worst in baseball, by a lot.
Grade: F
CODY BELLINGER
True five-tool player whose glossy offensive season took a hit with a recent slump. His grade, too.
Grade: A-minus
JOSÉ CABALLERO
An agitator who has lots of defensive value at lots of different positions and plenty of verve on the basepaths. Sometimes gets more overall love because he’s not Anthony Volpe.
Best pitcher in the American League, even after getting clobbered in his most recent start. Full stop.
Grade: A
New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) in the dugout after being pulled from the game during the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park / Steven Bisig - Imagn Images
CARLOS RODÓN
Walks too many, but he’s very hard to hit.
Grade: B
RYAN WEATHERS
Eye-popping stuff, but he seems destined to join the bullpen mix once Max Fried is healthy.
Grade: C-plus
WILL WARREN
Rough June (5.49 ERA) clipped his grade, but he’s a consistent back-end arm.
Grade: B-minus
GERRIT COLE
First two starts made you dream, but a 6.12 ERA in June shows how the path back from injury doesn’t necessarily fastrack back to greatness. Yet, anyway.
Grade: C-plus
DAVID BEDNAR
Endured shaky moments, but he’s been hot lately (12 straight scoreless appearances).
Grade: B-plus
FERNANDO CRUZ
His splitter is one of baseball’s great pitchers. Brings nifty emotion, too.
Grade: B-plus
CAMILO DOVAL
Great stuff, right? Results less so – 4.96 ERA, career-worst 1.4 homers-per-nine. Bounceback would be huge for the Yankee pen.
The Yankees have the best odds in the American League both to make the playoffs and to win their division, according to FanGraphs. They are second in MLB only to the mighty Dodgers in terms of odds to win the World Series. Seems like they’re in a good place, regardless of how the online anti-Boone faction sees it, though Boone must find a way to keep these Yanks afloat while Judge heals. Boone, a player’s manager, is a solid front-facing executive for the Yankees. He delivers his positive worldview nightly (while some fans crave an eruption) and has navigated personalities and injuries thus far. If there’s a segment of fans who don’t like his message, does that really matter?
Grade: B-plus
May 5, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) signals for a pitching change during the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium. / Brad Penner-Imagn Images
BRIAN CASHMAN
See the above on their playoff odds. No one seemed to like the winter plan to mostly run it back from last year, since that meant there were no shiny new toys. But it’s worked. Cashman got Bellinger back, added Weathers to a nice pitching mix and re-signed Amed Rosario, a helpful platoon bat. Now he’s got more work to do – the Yanks need bullpen arms and perhaps a righty-hitting catcher. The bottom of the lineup sometimes seems like a hit desert. Cashman is always willing to attack the club’s weaknesses at the deadline. He’ll likely do it again now and that’s when a more crucial evaluation of the GM will take place.
Grade: A-minus
OVERALL
The Yanks are probably the best team in the American League, even if they got embarrassed last weekend at Fenway, have played poorly since, and have had other moments where it hasn’t looked pretty. They’ve missed Judge, Fried, Trent Grisham and Giancarlo Stanton, and seemingly are enduring another “June Swoon” (that’s carried into July, apparently) that so lights up social media. But it figures to be scary for the rest of the AL once they get their guys back and start playing better.
This culminates a week of grading the Mets’ disappointing first half of the 2026 season. Here are some individual grades for key players, then David Stearns and Carlos Mendoza, and finally a team grade.
JUAN SOTO
Without much protection in the lineup, Soto is putting up big numbers, including a .957 OPS that is second-highest in MLB and a .554 slugging percentage that is sixth. The only knock (besides missing 19 games due to injury) is that, like last year, he hasn’t been great in the clutch. Hitting only .205 w/RISP, but does have .421 on-base, and .500 on-base with two outs/RISP, which tells you he’s not getting much to hit in big spots.
Grade: A
CARSON BENGE
His growth as a hitter has been remarkable. The rookie went from being overmatched in April to a major contributor in May and June, learning to catch up with high velocity and gets the barrel to fastballs up in the zone. Should be a mainstay for years.
Grade: B +
A.J. EWING
Like Benge, one of the only reasons to watch the Mets since they nosedived. He brought energy upon his call-up in May with his speed and his defense in center field, and impressed at the plate with his short, quick swing. Early success leveled off when pitchers stopped trying to get him to chase, challenged him more in the zone, though his .855 OPS in his last 15 games is an indication he’s figuring it out. Leadoff hitter of the future.
Grade: B
May 21, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Mets left fielder Juan Soto (22) and center fielder A.J. Ewing (9) and right fielder Carson Benge (3) celebrate after defeating the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. / Brad Mills - Imagn Images
FRANCISCO ALVAREZ
Likely will never reach his once-hyped potential as long as he’s going to chase high fastballs, which he seems prone to doing in big spots, but he’s also not a bust. Great work ethic helped Alvarez return quickly from knee surgery. Provides some much-needed pop; has nine home runs in 57 games, including five in 20 games since his return. Still a young catcher at 24, with great energy behind the plate. But his bad habit of backhanding balls in the dirt has returned -- needs to clean that up again.
Grade: C
BO BICHETTE
Bat has come to life the last month or so, but numbers are still way down across the board. OPS is just .676 and his slow start was a huge reason the Mets’ offense tanked when the season fell apart early. Came with a rep as a clutch-hitting savant, with spectacular RISP numbers, and after a horrendous start, he’s started to deliver. Hitting .246 w/RISP, .721 OPS. And w/ 2 outs RISP, .270, .931 OPS.
Grade: D
MARCUS SEMIEN
However you want to frame the trade for Brandon Nimmo, as a needless salary dump or a way to clear space for young outfielders, Semien has been a major disappointment. His OPS + of 71 (major league average is 100) sums it up offensively. And metrics say his range at 2B has slipped dramatically. Only saving grace: he’s been pretty good in the clutch, with a .292 BA, .708 OPS.
Grade: D
FRANCISCO LINDOR
Has only played 30 games due to a calf injury. Got off to his typical slow start offensively. Weird part was the mental mistakes he was making early in the season, forgetting how many outs, mistakes on bases, etc.
Grade: Incomplete
New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) walks off the field after the top of the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field / Brad Penner - Imagn Images
CLAY HOLMES
The only pitcher who was dependable from start to start. Holmes’ outstanding first half was cut short by the line drive that fractured his right fibula. Had a 2.39 ERA, was perhaps on his way to an All-Star appearance.
Grade: A
NOLAN MCLEAN
Maybe expectations were too high, based on his excellence over eight starts late last season, but his inconsistency has been puzzling. The stuff is clearly there. The opposition is hitting just .204 against him, fourth-lowest among in MLB. Has big strikeout numbers. But has to learn to command his assortment of pitches, especially the high-spin breaking stuff, as mistake-pitches have cost him in many games, causing relatively high 3.78 ERA.
Grade: B –
FREDDY PERALTA
Most shocking underperformance of all for the Mets. Peralta’s ERA is 4.81, more than two runs higher than his 2.70 in Milwaukee last year. Even more notably, his ERA+ number of 157 was Hall of Fame level last year. This year it’s 86, well-below major league average. A lot of theories on why he’s not getting swings and misses at top of zone, as in the past, but too late for the Mets to figure it out. Almost sure to be traded at deadline.
Grade: D
CHRISTIAN SCOTT
He’s been solid in his return from Tommy John surgery, pitching to a 3.20 ERA in 10 starts, has bright future. Averaging fewer than five innings per start, missed time recently with hip impingement, so a lot still to prove.
Grade: B
KODAI SENGA
Mets gambled he would rebound. Instead looks like a lost cause, with his 9.09 ERA. Weird that he can be dominant for an inning here and then fall apart the next. Seems to be the definition of in his own head.
Grade: F
SEAN MANAEA
Give him credit for at least getting himself back to being useful, recovering lost velocity along the way. But at best he’s a fifth starter making $25 million a year. Turned out his 2024 dominance was lightning in a bottle.
Grade: D
Jun 12, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Devin Williams (38) is greeted by catcher Luis Torrens (13) after defeating the Atlanta Braves 7-5 at Citi Field. / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
DEVIN WILLIAMS
Early struggles contributed to Mets’ lost April, but he has turned his season around in a big way, looking like a lock-down closer again. Hasn’t had many save opportunities since the Mets haven’t had many late leads, but the air-bender change-up has been a dominant pitch again.
Grade: B +
LUKE WEAVER
On an all-time heater, with a streak of 24 straight scoreless innings. Hasn’t given up a run since April. With another year on contract, big question now is whether the Mets will trade him when his stock is high.
Grade: A
CARLOS MENDOZA
There wasn’t much Mendoza could do about the injuries and underperformance from several high-profile players, which is why he deserved the chance to weather the early-season storms, including that 12-game losing streak. But by last week, when the Mets fired him, it was clear something had to change.
And while Mendoza wasn’t the cause for all the losing, I thought he missed opportunities to hold players accountable, from Mark Vientos running through a stop sign and bragging about it, to David Peterson failing to back up a play (which brought strong criticism from Ron Darling on SNY), to stopping players from making poor challenges of the ABS system early in games, something that became a major issue. Perhaps Mendoza held guys accountable in private, but at some point I thought there needed to be some sign of strength publicly as the team was failing. Also, he seemed to manage more cautiously after his first season, going less by feel of individual games at times and more by the book regarding lefty-righty matchups, etc. I still thought he had a good feel for his players and communicated well with them, but he wasn’t without flaws.
Grade: C-
DAVID STEARNS
There’s no getting around it: the blame falls heavily on Stearns for this disastrous first half.
If he was going to break up the core, most notably by not re-signing Pete Alonso, he needed to make the right decisions on new players. Instead, he whiffed on key acquisitions, and perhaps most egregiously, gambled on players with a history of injuries like Jorge Polanco and Luis Robert Jr., who both spent most of the first half on the IL. He proclaimed run prevention would be a priority, but then wound up with key players playing new positions, most notably at first base, the position that hurt the Mets most both offensively and defensively.
In addition, he didn’t want to commit to long-term contracts via free agency to upgrade a starting rotation that fell apart in 2025, gambling instead on bounce-backs from Senga, Peterson, and Manaea -- another whiff. He did trade for Peralta, and while it wasn’t Stearns’ fault that the former Milwaukee Brewers star lost his mojo as a Met, it’s fair to say the President of Baseball Ops paid for not doing enough to change the makeup of the starting pitching. He did get the bullpen right, though that’s not very impactful when the Mets infrequently have leads in the late innings.
Grade: F
OVERALL
Finally, the team grade. I really try to avoid giving out failing grades because I think it diminishes the contributions that even the worst teams in baseball get from players who mostly work their tails off trying to produce and win games. But there’s no way around it in this case. The team with the second-highest payroll in baseball, the only team in the same financial stratosphere as the Dodgers, fell on its face in the first half, to the point where Steve Cohen said he fired Mendoza as much to put him out of his misery as anything else. As such, this is perhaps the most embarrassing half-season in team history, which is saying a lot for a franchise that unfortunately is known more for making the term “LOL-Mets” a part of our sporting lexicon than for its achievements.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 19, 2026: Kevin Alvarez #11 of the Houston Astros bats during the fifth inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Miami Marlins at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 19, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below. Check out the previous day’s recap here.
AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (39-44) won 3-2 (BOX SCORE)
Hendrickson started for Sugar Land and was solid allowing 2 runs over 5.2 innings. Sugar Land got on the board in the 6th inning scoring a run on a Salazar bases loaded walk. In the 7th, they took the lead on a Ferreras 2 run double. The pen was great tossing 3.1 scoreless innings as they closed out the 3-2 win.
Sam Carlson, RHP: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (WIN)
Logan VanWey, RHP: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Roddery Munoz, RHP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K (SAVE)
AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (36-41) lost 5-4 (BOX SCORE)
The Hooks got on the board in the first inning scoring a run on error. They got another run in the 2nd inning on a Holy solo home run. Hertzler got the start for the Hooks and tossed 4 no-hit innings. The game stayed 2-0 until the 7th with the Naturals scored 5 runs to take the lead. The offense got 2 runs back in the 8th on a Bush 2 run single but that would be it as the Hooks fell 5-4.
A+: Asheville Tourists (25-52) won 17-3 (BOX SCORE)
Asheville got on the board scoring 3 runs in the first inning on a Moss sac fly and Hernandez 2 run single. They blew it open in the third inning scoring 9 runs on a Moss RBI single, Daudet RBI single, Garcia hit by pitch, run on a passed ball, Thomas bases loaded walk, Ochoa groundout, Call 2 run double and Moss RBI single. They scored 4 more runs in the 5th on a Moss RBI single and Brown 3 run home run. Oakes got the start and had his best outing in Asheville allowing 1 run over 6 innings while striking out 4. In the 8th inning, Thomas connected on a solo home run. The pen allowed a couple of runs but the offense did more than enough as Asheville won 17-3.
Anthony Cruz, RHP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (39-38) won 11-5 (BOX SCORE)
Potter started for the Woodpeckers and went 3.2 innings allowing 3 runs. The Woodpeckers got on the board in a big way in the 4th inning scoring 6 runs on a Luciano solo home run, Wakefield bases loaded walk and an Alvarez grand slam. They got 4 more runs in the 5th inning on a Luciano RBI double, Vasquez RBI double and Wakefield 2 run single. Luciano added an RBI single in the 7th inning. Shoemaker allowed 2 runs over 4 innings in relief and Cassedy tossed a scoreless 9th as he closed out the 11-5 win.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 21: Payton Tolle #70 of the Boston Red Sox reacts in the dugout after the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on June 21, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Kevin Ng/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the playoffs expanded to six teams, it’s not surprising for the final spot to go to a team near .500. Just last year, the Cincinnati Reds won a tiebreaker over the New York Mets to grab the final spot at 83-79. In the good old days (before 2022), the San Diego Padres would have had the final spot at 90-72. The 88-90 win range just feels like an appropriate cutoff. Back in May, Matt outlined why the sixth playoff spot is “an abomination” and why the Red Sox were still very much in the playoff race.
Since May 21st, when this was written, the Sox have fallen from five-under .500 to eleven-under .500 after losing two of three to the Washington Nationals. They are 37-48 with 77 games to play. Out of context, that’s an insurmountable number of wins to make up from Independence Day forward. However, the fact that four of the six playoff spots in the American League are currently on pace for 85 wins or less is making this a wildly unique and extreme scenario.
Chicago White Sox: T-1st AL Central – 45-41, .523 (Pace: 85-77)
Cleveland Guardians: T-1st AL Central – 46-42, .523 (Pace: 85-77)
Texas Rangers: T-1st AL West – 45-43, .511 (Pace: 83-79)
Seattle Mariners: T-1st AL West – 45-43, .511 (Pace: 83-79)
Beyond that, the only two teams that feel like “a threat” are the Houston Astros (43-46, Pace: 78-84) and the Toronto Blue Jays (41-46, Pace: 76-86).
If there were only one playoff spot up for grabs that felt attainable, you’d have to assume that some team would go on a “19-and-4 in September” style run in the second half to make that spot unattainable like the Guardians did a year ago. The multiple spots available have somehow still kept the Red Sox projected playoff odds at 14%, according to Fangraphs. They are projecting the White Sox and Astros to tie for the final wild card spot at 79-83! Their projected win total for the Red Sox is 77-85, two games off of that pace.
If we go off of the current pace, the Red Sox would need to get to 83 games to tie, and 84 games to win the final playoff spot. It would take a record of 47-30 to get to those 84 wins. Of course, outside of a four-game sweep of the Yankees last weekend, there hasn’t been a single week this season that the team has given us reason to think that they could go on a run like that. Perhaps a road trip against the (slightly more) pathetic Angels and Mets can be a catalyst going into the All-Star Break.
In terms of the “worst” teams to ever make the postseason, MLB.com did a great recap a year ago of all of the teams that have made it with 85-wins or fewer. Never forget the 2006 Cardinals, who won their division with 83 wins back when only four teams made the playoffs in each league, and then went on to win the World Series.
Discuss in the comments, be good to each other, and Happy Fourth!
Minnesota Twins outfielder Trevor Larnach is hitting .417 over the last week, and he's came across the plate in four of his last six games. The Twins' leadoff hitter is a sparkplug, and he's reached base safely in six straight contests as well.
Larnach is coming off a three-hit performance, and, for what it's worth, the 29-year-old is also 2-for-7 lifetime against Gerrit Cole with a home run. The Twins also have 113 wRC+ over the last week. This lineup is producing, and Larnach is consistently putting himself in scoring position.
As for Cole, he hasn't been great since returning from injury, but the veteran consistently pounds the strike zone. He's cashed the Under in walks allowed in back-to-back outings.
Time: 7:05 p.m. ET
Where to watch: YES, Twins.TV
See full analysis of this game in our Twins vs. Yankees predictions.
Orioles at Reds SGP: Another Gem From Rogers
Baltimore Orioles starter Trevor Rogers is really settling in lately after a rough start to the season. The left-hander owns an impressive 2.52 FIP across his last five outings. During that span, Rogers has allowed just 0.29 HR/9 and 1.76 BB/9. He's consistently pounding the strike zone and inducing weak contact.
Rogers has cashed the Under in earned runs allowed in three straight appearances, and he's up against a Cincinnati Reds offense that is hitting just .230 over the last two weeks. Rogers also has hit the Under in hits surrendered in three straight outings.
Brady Singer is coming off a start where he allowed nine hits, and Gunnar Henderson enters this matchup swinging the bat well with two multi-hit games in his last three contests.
Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: MASN, Reds.TV
See full analysis of this game in our Orioles vs. Reds predictions.
Red Sox vs Angels SGP: Bennett Dominates Halos
Boston Red Sox rookie Jake Bennett has impressed since earning his call-up, posting a 3.27 ERA while compiling a stellar 1.51 xERA across his last two starts. Bennett hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in three consecutive outings.
He's also consistently limiting hard contact. The southpaw has allowed Under 4.5 hits in three straight, and opponents have just a 29% hard hit rate against him over the last month.
His ability to consistently pound the strike zone has also allowed the youngster to work deep into games, tossing six innings in back-to-back starts. He'll face a Los Angeles Angels lineup with just 67 wRC+ over their last six games and a poor .268 wOBA.
Time: 9:38 p.m. ET
Where to watch: NESN, ABTV
See full analysis of this game in our Red Sox vs. Angels predictions.
Quinn Allen's 2026 Transparency Record
SGP picks: 0-9, -9.00 units
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Jul 2, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder Evan Carter (32) slaps the hand of third base coach Corey Ragsdale (64) as he circles the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Detroit Tigers during the eighth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
On June 17, 2024, the Mavericks walked off the floor in Boston disappointed, but hopeful for the future. They had just made the NBA Finals for the first time since their fateful win in 2011, and although it was sad to see them lose, everything pointed to them being back sooner rather than later. They retooled that summer, got hot in late November, and suited up to play the Timberwolves that Christmas. Luka Doncic had battled some injuries that fall, but he was healthy on Christmas Day. Until he wasn’t. Doncic exited the game in the first half with a calf injury and never put a Mavericks uniform on again.
He is a Laker now. He has turned the page and played some of the best basketball of his career on the West Coast. But despite the fact that he plays in another city, it’s worth asking whether his heart is still in North Texas. In fact, it’s even worth asking if he’d ever return to North Texas and play for the Mavericks again. As my co-contributor Tyler Edsel and I have found, there is evidence to suggest he would, and we are going to lay out why and how that would happen.
The Motivation
As we approach a year and a half since the trade, the number of motivating factors to push Doncic out of his foster home has increased tenfold. Let’s start with the reason anyone wants to play anywhere: winning. Doncic’s Lakers just got ousted in the second round via a sweep by the Thunder, giving them one playoff series win in the last two seasons. Of those three series, Doncic has played in just one: a five-game loss to the Timberwolves last year. To say he is motivated by winning in the postseason would be an understatement, and since being traded to the Lakers, he hasn’t done that. Through no fault of his own, I might add.
And how do the Lakers turn around the disappointment of the last two seasons? Well, it starts with the roster. The roster building has been pinned to this offseason for quite some time. A person from the Slovenian superstar’s camp has said: “Ever since the trade, they’ve always told us: ‘summer of ’26. We’ll show you in the summer of ’26”. Well, it is the summer of ‘26. The Lakers have lost key pieces like Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Jaxson Hayes and likely Rui Hachimura. They have re-signed DeAndre Ayton and traded two unprotected first-round picks and $130 million over four years for center Walker Kessler, who has played just 63 games in the last two seasons. Not to mention, LeBron James has already stated his intent to play elsewhere.
In terms of additions, Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, and Sandro Mamukelashvili have signed multi-year deals with the team. Austin Reaves was just re-signed to a max contract, and while he is a similar fit alongside Doncic to NBA Finals teammate Kyrie Irving, the pieces around them do not compare. The Lakers have, effectively, one or two wings, and their bench leaves much to be desired. They will have to thread the needle for the next four months to build a better roster while they allocate north of 80 percent of the salary cap to Doncic, Reaves, and Kessler.
As long as Doncic is on the team, the Lakers will be good. We saw that with the Mavericks from 2020 to 2022. But good teams do not win championships. Doncic is entering his age-28 season, and the clock is ticking on his prime. The Lakers have effectively reset his career to 2021 or so with the roster they have assembled. He will be 29 by the time free agency in 2028 rolls around and his current contract is up. Depending on how the next two seasons go, Doncic could get disgruntled with the team he never asked to be on in the first place.
If he were to ever leave Los Angeles, he could theoretically go anywhere. But we know how much Dallas means to him. And now the Mavericks have the guy to make playing here again enticing. Cooper Flagg is a fantastic fit alongside Doncic and will only be 21 years old during the summer of 2028. The regime that ultimately threw him out will have been long gone, and time heals all wounds created by an oblivious owner. Doncic has said that Dallas will always be home, and that doesn’t leave you in a few years. He knows that he will be welcomed with open arms and given a chance at redemption.
Right now, this is all posturing. There are fragments here and there that you can piece together, but no real smoke. There is kindling for a fire, however. And starting with this summer, there is a real path to ignite the purple and gold in flames by the time Doncic has a chance to jump ship.
Christian Scott owns a 3.18 ERA with 38 strikeouts over his last seven starts, including six against the Phillies last time out on June 27
Francisco Lindor has homered twice in his last three games as he looks to get back on track since returning on June 24
A.J. Ewing is hitting .304 over his last seven games with four RBI and three walks
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No idea how much we’ll see Chase Ross with the Lakers in the next two weeks. | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Ah, yes, NBA Summer League, the time of the year when all the NBA sickos that don’t watch a single second of college basketball suddenly discover college players that we’ve been paying attention to for months if not years.
That’s the side value of Summer League. For our Marquette-centric purposes here, we’re keeping an eye on former Golden Eagles who are right on the fringe of an NBA roster, either on one side of the cut or another.
We will get at least one more game than listed below for every team. The Las Vegas format is “everyone plays four games, then decide a top four to create semifinals,” so there could even be two more games if any of the teams with Marquette players get that far. If they don’t finish top four, then there will be a consolation game for every team involved, so just one more than what is pre-scheduled. If the timing works out right, I’ll find a way to cram those extra games into this schedule eventually.
Because of how Summer League works — there’s more than just the Vegas event! — I have to publish this on Friday, July 3rd, even though Vegas doesn’t start until July 9th. That’s also why I have just one name on the list right now, because Vegas rosters aren’t 100% finalized for every team and for the moment, I’m only aware of one former Marquette player guaranteed to appear in Summer League. We’ll update as we can/need to……
We don’t have just traditional Vegas Summer League to keep tabs on for Ross and the Lakers. They’ll be in the California Classic one week earlier, which is why you’re seeing this schedule now instead of closer to when the Vegas event tips off. It’s possible that Ross’ usage during the three Classic games will tip the Lakers’ hand as to how much we should expect to see him when the action shifts to Sin City, but who can say for certain until the ball is tipped?
California Classic
July 3: vs Golden State Warriors Gold, 9:30pm (NBA TV, ESPNU, Prime Video) July 5: vs Miami Heat, 3:30pm (ESPN, Prime Video) July 6: vs San Antonio Spurs, 6:30pm (ESPNU, Prime Video)
Las Vegas
July 10: vs Oklahoma City Thunder, 9pm, Prime Video July 11: vs Dallas Mavericks, 7pm, ESPN July 14: vs LA Clippers, 7pm, Prime Video July 16: vs Chicago Bulls, 3pm, Prime Video
Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy throws to first base for the out during the fifth inning of Thursday's game against the San Diego Padres. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
As Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy moved fluidly through a chopper at the edge of Camelback Ranch’s infield grass and made a running throw to first, his offseason work started to snap into place.
He wasn’t thinking about the angle he took to the ball, or how to get into the right position to throw — or anything, really. He was just moving instinctively.
“That’s how I like to field it in my work, is not necessarily traditionally,” Muncy told The Times on Thursday. “I like to field it one-handed, sometimes off the wrong foot, sometimes off balance, and that’s what works for me really, really well. I just couldn’t get that into the game. And finally getting those first couple of balls [this spring] to go that way just made everything click in my head and gave me the freedom to know that I can do it when it matters.”
Muncy has put together an impressive all-around first half. His .871 OPS through Thursday leads NL third basemen. He’s on pace for his highest slugging percentage (.513) in five years. But he’s most proud of the work he’s put in on the defensive side.
“I felt like I would show flashes of this, but never the consistency,” Muncy said. “And so to be able to just do it on the consistent daily basis that I’ve been doing this year, that’s easily what I’m most proud of.”
Now, with that well-rounded body of work, he’s in position to claim the third All-Star selection of his career and first since 2021.
Muncy entered Stage 2 of All-Star fan voting this week as the favorite to claim the starting nod at third base, up against fellow finalist Alec Bohm. But voting totals reset, adding some unpredictability to the process. The All-Star starters are set to be revealed Saturday at 4:30 p.m. on Fox.
“In total, the player, the defense, the hitting, the slugging, I think this is the best version of Max,” manager Dave Roberts said. “I’m so happy that he’s leading the All-Star voting.”
Not only is this shaping up to be Muncy’s best offensive season since 2021, it’s the best defensive season of his career, regardless of position.
Entering this weekend’s series against the Padres, he had a fielding run value of plus-five runs, tied with the Giants’ Matt Chapman for the highest mark among third basemen, according to Statcast.
“He’s always been a hitter,” first-base/infield coach Chris Woodward told The Times. “And I think he took it upon himself to say, ‘I’m going to prove to everybody that I’m a really good defensive player,’ which he has been in his time here, but he’s just never had the opportunity to play one position.”
Though Muncy is in his 11th major-league season, and has played all around the infield for most of it, 2022 marked his first season making the majority of his appearances at third base. And 2023 was his first season moving there full time.
He was also limited by injuries in that span. For years, he still felt the effects of the elbow injury he suffered toward the end of 2021. And he strained his right oblique in each of the last two seasons.
“Third base was just a new position for me, and it just took time to learn it,” Muncy said. “And so just trying to get my work to translate into the game is a tough thing to do, and that’s kind of the secret to every aspect of baseball.”
Each infield position is unique, with its own quirks in footwork, angles and timing. Each has plays — like a slow-roller up the third baseline that requires a quick throw across the diamond — that no other position will encounter.
“When a righty gets around the ball, it comes off the bat a lot different than when a lefty gets around the ball,” Muncy said. “And it’s weird how that works, and it’s hard to explain, but that’s just the way it is.”
For much of Muncy’s baseball life he played on the right side of the infield, fielding pull-side contact from left-handed hitters and opposite-field contact from right-handed hitters. That was second nature.
“You have to completely flip that,” Muncy said of playing third base, “and understand which way it’s going to bounce, how it’s going to bounce, how it’s going to get to you. It just took years of experience to finally get to that point.”
Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts, left, and third baseman Max Muncy congratulate each other coming off the field after a defensive play against the Baltimore Orioles on June 19. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
Woodward has always been impressed by Muncy’s agility, surprised when the Dodgers first promoted him in 2018 (as he returned to the big-leagues for the first time since being released by the A’s the previous spring) and by how he moved at second base, despite an atypical build for a middle infielder.
Now, after an offseason with a new diet and training program, he may have leveled up that part of his game — even at 35 years old.
“In the past it was a good first step, and he couldn’t sustain his speed,” Woodward said. “And this year I think he can sustain the speed through the ball.”
Said Muncy: “I’m still beating the age curve for now.”
Woodward also noted how good Muncy is at staying on top of the mental side of the game, knowing how specific pitches to different types of hitters should change his positioning. That, along with regular communication, are some of the details that make the Dodgers infield look like it’s moving as a unit — or, as Woodward put it, an “NFL defense” because of the way they swarm to the ball.
The Dodgers’ infield defense as a whole has improved even from last season (No. 6 in fielding run value) to sit in the No. 3 spot in the majors (plus-17 runs) a little past the halfway point of the season.
Muncy unlocking even more potential in the hot corner is a big part of the Dodgers raising their defensive ceiling. That’s helped the Dodgers, who own the best record in the majors, create separation in the standings. But it’ll be even more vital in the postseason, when the margin for error is at its thinnest.
In All-Star voting, defense won’t be the determining factor. Muncy’s increased power at the plate is the far flashier aspect of his case to start the Midsummer Classic. But a well-rounded resume doesn’t hurt.
Muncy can picture it: his three children — Sophie Kate, who turns 5 this month, Wyatt James, 3, and Macie Grace, who was born in January — taking in All-Star weekend in Philadelphia, watching their dad represent the National League.
“Being able to have my kids experience the whole ordeal with me would mean everything to me,” Muncy said. “My oldest is kind of old enough now to remember these types of things, and so I think it’d be really special to just share that moment with them.”
The Milwaukee Brewers are sizable -155 favorites in their series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
With Kyle Harrison on the mound, my Brewers vs. Diamondbacks predictions and MLB picks are backing the Brew Crew to pick up a low-scoring victory.
Who will win Brewers vs Diamondbacks today: Milwaukee Brewers (-155)
Kyle Harrison gives the Milwaukee Brewers a pitching advantage almost every time on the bump. His consistency has been almost shocking, with the talented lefty conceding more than two earned runs once all season – in an extreme hitter-friendly park against the Athletics.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are excellent against lefties and yet it likely won’t matter. Harrison has allowed two or less in five of six games vs. Top-10 teams in OPS against lefties.
The Brewers rank fifth in wOBA vs. righties and Jose Cabrera’s indicators are worse than his counting stats. Harrison should get run support.
He has a solid, right-handed heavy bullpen behind him. That is important as the Diamondbacks are much more potent against left-handed pitching.
The Brewers are well-equipped to slow the Diamondbacks down. They will likely need a ceiling offensive performance to push this total Over the number, and we haven’t seen that as often of late – Milwaukee is tied for 20th in runs scored over the past two weeks.
Play the Under to -130.
Todd Cordell's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 47-38, -1.45 units
Over/Under bets: 45-36-4, +4.69 units
Brewers vs Diamondbacks weather
Arizona plays in a rarely opened dome so the weather has little to no impact.
Brewers vs Diamondbacks odds
Moneyline: Brewers -155 | Diamondbacks +135
Run line: Brewers -1.5 (+105) | Diamondbacks +1.5 (-125)
Over/Under: Over 9.0 (+100) | Under 9.0 (-120)
Brewers vs Diamondbacks trend
Milwaukee has hit the moneyline in 34 of the last 50 games (+12.05 units, 16% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Brewers vs. Diamondbacks.
How to watch Brewers vs Diamondbacks and game info
Location
Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
Date
Friday, July 3, 2026
First pitch
9:45 p.m. ET
TV
Apple TV
Brewers starting pitcher
Kyle Harrison (8-1, 3.60 ERA)
Diamondbacks starting pitcher
Jose Cabrera (0-1, 3.60 ERA)
Brewers vs Diamondbacks latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Carlos Lagrange of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders delivers a pitch during a Minor League Baseball game at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, United States, on May 22, 2026. (Photo by Dan Squicciarini/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
Among a flurry of moves the New York Yankees made Thursday involving the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, one jumped off the page:
Right-handed pitcher Carlos Lagrange placed on the seven-day injured list.
Lagrange is the Yankees’ No. 4-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline. He has spent the last month transitioning from the starting rotation to the bullpen with New York considering him as a possible big-league relief addition. Now, that has been put on hold with his trip to the IL.
Various reports indicate that Lagrange is dealing with a shoulder injury and set for an MRI. But after Thursday’s game against the Norfolk Tides at PNC Field in Pennsylvania, RailRiders manager Shelley Duncan said he didn’t think it was anything serious.
“With a guy like Lagrange, anything pops up, you’re protective of the guy,” Duncan said. “I don’t know the details, the little ones. But it’s nothing alarming.”
During the first two months of the season, Lagrange made 11 starts and had an 0-3 record with a 4.41 ERA]. He allowed 25 runs (24 earned) and 40 hits in 49 innings with 25 walks and 63 strikeouts. He impressed with a fastball that could reach 100 mph.
Lagrange was moved to the bullpen in June and the process of making him a reliever began. He earned his first Triple-A win at Syracuse on June 3rd, pitching four shutout franes with one hit, two walks, and seven strikeouts. He notched his first Triple-A save at Indianapolis on June 25th, working the final 1.1 innings and allowing one hit with two strikeouts.
However, in his last relief outing, also at Indianapolis on June 28th, Lagrange entered the game in the bottom of the seventh inning and the RailRiders leading, 4-1. He recorded just two outs and gave up five runs and four hits with two walks and one strikeout and took the loss, 6-5.
In seven relief appearances, Lagrange was 1-1 with one save and a 5.02 ERA. He allowed 12 runs (eight earned) and 13 hits in 14.1 innings with 8 walks and 20 strikeouts. Overall this season, he is 1-4 with a 4.55 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 63.1 innings. That K total ranks fifth in the International League.
Throughout the month, the Yankees and RailRiders were careful to space out Lagrange’s appearances. He pitched June 3rd, June 9th, June 14th, June 18th, June 21st, June 25th, and then June 28th. Duncan wasn’t sure if that contributed at all to his injury.
“It could be, but we don’t know,” Duncan said. “I’m sure it’s some we’ll dig into. When you transition from starter to bullpen, bullpen to starter, you have a different routine, different things. But we don’t know. We’ll look into it.”
Duncan also provided an update days earlier on the status of infielder George Lombard Jr. The Yankees’ top prospect has been on the injured list since June 18th. During a game June 16th in Columbus, he reached for a throw into a sliding runner on a stolen base attempt and suffered two sprained fingers on his left (catching) hand.
“It’s day to day,” Duncan said. “It’s nothing bad, but we don’t want to bring him back when it’s still sore and lingering. We want to bring him back when he’s 100 percent. So we’re taking our time with that and letting him go at his own pace.”
It remains to be seen how the injuries to Lagrange and Lombard will affect their status for the All-Star Futures Game on July 12th at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Both players were selected to the American League squad on Wednesday.
Elmer Rodríguez, the Yankees’ No. 2 prospect, had one of his best outings of the season Thursday night at PNC Field. He threw 6.1 quality innings and allowed three runs on eight hits with two walks and six strikeouts. He threw 93 pitches, 60 for strikes. Backed by four home runs, he earned the win, 7-3.
“I felt good from the start. I felt like I was attacking the hitters, comfortable throwing every single pitch,” Rodríguez said. “Obviously they got some hits and some tough spots, I kept attacking and feel like I got some good results.”
With two outs in the top of the third, Norfolk put together three consecutive singles to score its first run. The first two hits were slow rollers that found holes before Heston Kjerstad lined a hit to center field to knock in Enrique Bradfield Jr. and make it 3-1. But Kjerstad was thrown out trying to advance to second on the play to end the inning.
In the top of the sixth, Kjerstad hit the first pitch from Rodríguez out to center field for a home run to cut the Tides deficit to 3-2. Rodríguez then walked Ryan Noda with one out and allowed a two-out single to Mike Siani. But he came back and struck out Silas Ardoin on three pitches to end the threat.
“That leadoff home run in the sixth, sometimes you have to tip your cap to the hitters,” Duncan said. “That’s not easy to do. He’s aggressive in the strike zone first pitch, doing what we wanted to do to get ahead and he got a good piece of wood on it. It happens.
“But if you look at (Rodríguez’s) performance overall, he was attacking the strike zone, finishing hitters when he got to two strikes. That’s a recipe for success right there. He had good command of his fastballl tonight, breaking balls were pretty nasty. Excellent finishing pitches tonight. That was one of the best performances we’ve seen out of him, stuff-wise and command matched together. He had a real good outing.”
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