Yankees vs Phillies Prediction, Picks & Odds for Sunday Night Baseball

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

The Philadelphia Phillies may be strong home favorites on Sunday Night Baseball as they look to avoid a sweep at the hands of the New York Yankees, but I expect a close game.

Cristopher Sanchez has been one of baseball’s best starters this season, but his July form has been wobblier. Will Warren gives Philadelphia a scoring path, too, which is why I’m also playing the Over.

Here are my Yankees vs. Phillies predictions and MLB picks for Sunday, July 26.

For a deeper dive into this prime-time clash, check out tonight's Yankees vs. Phillies props.

Who will win Yankees vs Phillies today: Yankees +1.5 (-137)

I'm zagging from my season-long general outlook of fading New York Yankees arm Will Warren... at least a tad. It may seem like an odd time to do it with Philadelphia Phillies arm Christopher Sanchez on the mound, but we have to look at what's happening presently.

Sanchez is still excellent. However, July has been rough: a 7.47 ERA + 1.98 WHIP across 16 innings. He's already matched last year's 31 barrels allowed, and his barrel rate has jumped from 5.7% to 8.4%

You don't need me to tell you that New York is built to succeed against that. Play this to -150.

Covers COVERS INTEL: Cristopher Sanchez's sinker is the Yankees' clearest attack point: it has allowed a .371 xwOBA and 56% hard-hit rate despite his excellent overall production.

Yankees vs Phillies Over/Under pick: Over 7.5 (-121)

I like the Over, and I'd play it to -135. It's the only direction you can go if you feel the Yankees cover because Warren won't be spotless.

Sanchez’s recent issue has been contact volume, and the Yankees are a good option to expose that. Their 9.7% barrel rate and 135 home runs give them a direct path if his July command or location issues continue.

Warren brings the Philly side into play. His 4.50 xERA and .415 xSLG are a problem against a lineup with a 9% barrel rate and .411 xSLG.;

Chris Hatfield's 2026 Transparency Record
  • ML/RL bets: 40-35, +7.47 units
  • Over/Under bets: 43-34, +11.01 units

Yankees vs Phillies weather

Yankees vs Phillies odds

  • Moneyline: Yankees +165 | Phillies -178
  • Run line: Yankees +1.5 | Phillies -1.5
  • Over/Under: Over 7.5 | Under 7.5

Yankees vs Phillies trend

How to watch Yankees vs Phillies and game info

LocationCitizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
DateSunday, July 26, 2026
First pitch7:20 p.m. ET
TVNBC, Peacock
Yankees starting pitcherWill Warren
(7-4, 4.00 ERA)
Phillies starting pitcherCristopher Sanchez
(12-4, 2.71 ERA)

Yankees vs Phillies latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Padres score, score some more to beat Marlins, 7-2

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JULY 25: Jackson Merrill #3 of the San Diego Padres slides home safely past Liam Hicks #34 of the Miami Marlins in the eighth inning of the game at loanDepot park on July 25, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Randy Vasquez got the start over JP Sears for the San Diego Padres against the Miami Marlins on Saturday, but it was Sears who came away with the win after 3.1 innings of scoreless baseball where he allowed just one hit with one walk and three strikeouts. The duo of Vasquez and Sears completed six innings allowing just one run and the Padres offense scored seven runs on 11 hits to beat the Marlins, 7-2.

Vasquez well, but it was a bit of a surprise when the team announced he would be making the start over Sears who was the scheduled starter. Vasquez completed 2.2 innings and allowed one run on one hit with two walks. He did not record a strikeout. Vasquez worked into and out of trouble in the first inning with walks to the first two Miami batters, but a ground ball double-play got him two outs, and the lead runner advance to third base. Vasquez then induced a flyball from Xavier Edwards for the third out of the inning.

The Padres broke the scoreless tie in the top of the third inning when Ty France hit a two-out two-run single to score Jake Cronenworth and Manny Machado. France tried to stretch his single to a double and was thrown out just after Machado crossed the plate to give San Diego a 2-0 lead. The Marlins plated a run in the bottom of the third to make the score, 2-1 but the Padres continued to score and added to their lead in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings with five runs. Miami was able to add a run in the bottom of the eighth off Matt Waldron, but that was all the right-hander would allow over his two innings of work to end the game.

Jackson Merrill was the offensive leader for San Diego, finishing the day 3-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored, but it was his defense that created a buzz. Kyle Stowers hit the third single in the bottom of the eighth inning for Miami which scored Esteury Ruiz but Merrill scooped up the ball and threw a dart to Machado at third base who tagged out Otto Lopez for the second out of the inning, leaving Stowers as the lone man on base at first. Waldron induced a groundball out from the next Marlins batter to end the inning.

France also contributed at the plate for the Padres, which could be bittersweet depending on what the team decides to do at the trade deadline. France finished 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored and is now hitting .283 on the season. His recent performance as helped San Diego remain in and win games, but it also may be enticing other teams to consider adding him to their roster if the Padres make him available.

San Diego has taken back-to-back games from Miami and will go for the series sweep, which would bring them back to .500, today at 10:40 a.m.

Padres News:

Baseball News:

  • Salvador Perez hit a home run to help the Kansas City Royals beat the Detroit Tigers and became the all-time home run leader for the Royals, passing George Brett.

Breaking down Jaylen Brown’s extension options with the Sixers

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 11: Jameer Nelson, Nick Nurse and Jaylen Brown attends a game between the Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers on July 11, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Choi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Jaylen Brown hasn’t even been on the Sixers for a month. We still haven’t seen him play in a Sixers uniform. Yet the Sixers already have a tough decision to make with him.

On July 26, Brown becomes eligible to sign a one-year extension worth no less than roughly $68.9 million. He’s only eligible to sign that deal between July 26 and the preseason, though. Once the regular season begins, he will not be able to sign an extension again until next summer.

Brown’s upcoming extension talks likely contributed to the urgency that the Celtics felt to move him this offseason after their failed pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo. Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens didn’t admit to that, but he did say “the path looked a little bit more challenging with 70% of our cap and such a high percent of our usage tied into two players.”

As we’ve covered before, the Sixers were already pot-committed to that model, so the upgrade in terms of ability, age, health and availability from Paul George to Brown is arguably worth two first-round picks and then some. But is it worth committing to that model beyond 2029?

Let’s walk through each of Brown and the Sixers’ extension options between now and the expiration of his contract after the 2028-29 season.

This summer: 1-year extension

Had Brown stayed with the Celtics, he would have been eligible for a two-year extension this summer. But once he got traded, he was limited to having a four-year deal for the next six months, including the years remaining on his current contract. That means he can only tack on one more year come July 26, not two.

It’s far too early to make an accurate prediction for the 2029-30 salary cap. But under the current collective bargaining agreement, a player’s max salary for any given season can never be less than 105 percent of what they earned the previous year. Since Brown is set to earn $65.6 million in 2028-29—his age-32 season—his max in 2029-30 would start no lower than nearly $68.9 million.

However, that comes with one major caveat. The current CBA is set to run through 2029-30, but either side can opt out after the 2028-29 season—the year Brown’s current contract is set to expire. If there’s a new CBA in place by the time Brown’s contract expires, the Sixers might want to know what team-building restrictions they might be risking if they continue to assemble a pricy roster.

Brown isn’t the only major deal coming off the Sixers’ books that summer. Both Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey are set to become unrestricted free agents in 2029, although it’s tough to imagine the Sixers allowing that to happen with the latter. VJ Edgecombe will also be a restricted free agent if he doesn’t agree to an extension during the 2028-29 offseason.

Depending on what happens with the CBA, 2029 could be a reset year both for the Sixers and the league at large. With that in mind, it’s hard to imagine the Sixers committing a huge portion of their cap space that far in advance to someone whom they’d never even see play with the rest of the core.

Next summer: 3-year extension

Brown technically would become eligible for a two-year extension with the Sixers in January, six months after the trade. However, since he has multiple years remaining on his deal, he can only sign an extension before the start of the regular season. So, if he doesn’t sign a one-year extension by October, he won’t become extension-eligible again until next summer.

At that point, Brown would be able to add three years and at least $223.2 million to his deal. At a minimum, it could be structured along these lines:

  • 2029-30: $68,889,740
  • 2030-31: $74,440,920
  • 2031-32: $79,912,100
  • Total: $223,202,760

Brown would be going into his age-33 season at the beginning of this deal. With Maxey and Edgecombe also heading into new contracts that season—and with Embiid possibly coming off the Sixers’ books—that is a lot of money for someone heading away from his prime.

Perhaps Brown proves to be the Sixers’ missing piece this season, guides them to a championship, quashes any concerns about what analytics might say about him and fully justifies that price tag next summer. If so, the Sixers would likely be happy to pay it.

But if the concerns from the Celtics and the analytics community pan out in Philadelphia as well, it might be less clear whether the Sixers should sign up for three more years of a 35 percent max for Brown.

Summer of 2028: 4-year extension

Perhaps the Sixers and Brown both decide to take this decision down to the wire. Brown is a vice president of the NBPA, so he’ll have an early read on how CBA negotiations are going and the major areas of conflict between the two sides. (It’s easy to guess one of them.)

At this point, the Sixers will be able to negotiate both with Maxey and Edgecombe on new extensions as well. Since all three will be interconnected decisions—as will Embiid if they have interest on bringing him back again—it’d be easiest from their standpoint to coordinate those decisions simultaneously.

This would be Brown’s best chance to cash in before he reaches free agency, too. The first three years would be the same as his three-year extension, but he’d add an extra $85.4 million in his age-36 season to bring the total value of his deal north of $300 million.

  • 2029-30: $68,889,740
  • 2030-31: $74,440,920
  • 2031-32: $79,912,100
  • 2032-33: $85,423,270
  • Total: $308,626,030

Given how the George experience went for the Sixers, they’ll likely be gunshy about shelling out that kind of cash for someone heading into his mid-30s unless Brown forces their hand in the next two years. Perhaps they can find a middle ground that’s below his 35 percent max but still compensates him handsomely over the coming years. That would be the optimal outcome from the Sixers’ perspective, if nothing else.

With a new CBA guaranteed to be in place no later than the 2030-31 season, most teams around the league figure to keep their books as clean as possible at the turn of the decade, no-brainer keepers notwithstanding. They should feel zero urgency to sign Brown to an extension with that in mind. Brown should likewise be curious about potential changes to the CBA before deciding on his long-term future.

The Sixers and Brown have plenty of time between now and when his contract expires after the 2028-29 season to hammer out an extension. Even though he becomes eligible to tack on an extra year to his deal on July 26, neither side should feel any pressure to get something done before the start of this season.

Unless otherwise noted, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball Reference. All salary information via Spotrac and salary-cap information via RealGM.

Follow Bryan on Bluesky.

Morning Flurries: Cale Makar’s summer job revealed

DENVER, COLORADO - FEBRUARY 22: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche looks for an opening against the Las Vegas Golden Knights in the second period at Ball Arena on February 22, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

While waiting to sign his mega contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche, superstar defenseman Cale Makar is keeping busy along with PWHL star Hilary Knight as they took the time to try out some hockey gear from Bauer. One of the tidbits revealed in the video is that Cale changes out his skates to new ones every four to five games.

Time to circle the calendars as word on the street is hinting that the NHL trade deadline will fall on Monday, March 1st next year. This is due to the regular season beginning and ending earlier starting next season.

More former Avalanche players are getting new jobs this summer. Now Stanley Cup champion Jack Johnson is leaving the Vancouver Canucks organization to help the women’s hockey program at Ohio State.

Andrew Agozzino recently announced his retirement from hockey and also already has a new gig with the Utah Mammoth. The former Avalanche forward joins the Tucson Roadrunners staff.

MLB Trade Deadline: Red Sox send Connelly Early to Nationals for Curtis Mead

Well, the MLB Trade deadline has officially kicked off. Just before midnight on Saturday night, the Boston Red Sox and Nationals agreed on a deal for two young MLB regulars, with the Red Sox sending left-handed pitcher Connelly Early to the Nationals for infielder Curtis Mead.

While this trade surprised many people when it was initially reported last night, it's worth digging into why each team would make this deal and whether or not the trade makes more sense once you look a little closer.

What are the Nationals getting with Connelly Early?

The consensus on social media is that the Red Sox made an awful trade. It can be easy to see why. Early flew up prospect boards in 2025 after having a fine 2024 season where he posted a 3.99 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 30.8% strikeout rate in 103.2 innings in High-A and Double-A. He started 2025 in Double-A and was electric over 71.2 innings, so he was promoted to Triple-A, where he made just six starts before the Red Sox called him up due to injuries in their MLB rotation. In four MLB starts, he posted a 2.33 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 36.7% strikeout rate, and even started a postseason game, and his legend began to take off.

The truth about Connelly Early is a bit less rosy, even without considering his current elbow injury.

This season, he has a 3.44 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 23.8% strikeout rate in 91.2 innings. His walk rate has gone back up to 8.7%, and his chase rate induced has fallen to 31.3%. Those aren't alarming numbers by any means, but they're more in line with the pitcher he was in the minor leagues and not the one we saw for five MLB starts last year, where he posted a 36.7% chase rate and just a 5.1% walk rate.

Early has a deep arsenal of pitches and the foundation to be a really strong MLB starting pitcher for many years. He can attack righties with a four-seamer, changeup, curve, and slider, while lefties get a sinker, four-seamer, and sweeper. The sweeper has the makings of an elite whiff pitch to lefties, but Early has struggled to find a true out pitch versus righties. Right now, his best swinging strike rate pitch to righties is his four-seamer. The curve and slider both have below league-average swinging strike rates to righties, and he rarely uses the slider in two-strike counts while the curve has a league-average PutAway Rate. The issue with relying so much on elevated four-seamers to swinging strikes against righties is that when Early misses his spots, as he has a few times this year, the pitch can be hit hard. Early has allowed a 23.8% HR/FB rate on the four-seamer against righties this year, which is well above the 19.9% league average.

Early's approach is also geared towards chase, which makes sense when you have plus stuff. His first-pitch strike rate is just average, and his 43.4% zone rate is below the 45% league average for starting pitchers this season. That can work when hitters are consistently offering at your pitches outside of the zone, but hitters have adjusted to Early this season. He still has a solid 32.8% chase rate, but that's only slightly above average, and his PutAway Rate is just 20.1%, which is still above the 19% league average but way down from the 30% mark he posted in a limited sample last season. All of that explains why Early is still producing whiffs but has struggled to make last year's strikeout upside as hitters have adjusted to him.

Connelly Early zone

Pitcher List

The Red Sox obviously felt they had the starting pitching depth with Jake Bennett emerging this season and prospect Anthony Eyanson tearing up Double-A in the same way Early did last season. That, plus Johan Oviedo starting to throw bullpens again after a flexor strain, and Brayan Bello starting to look stronger in bulk relief outings, made the Red Sox feel OK with dealing away a controllable left-handed pitcher. The Nationals will gladly take Early and pair him with Cade Cavalli at the top of their rotation for years to come. If they can also re-sign Foster Griffin in the offseason, they would have a solid three-man core that features young arms with plus stuff and a veteran who can pound the zone with a deep pitch mix and elicit weak contact. It's a move that makes tons of sense for a Nationals organization that also has Brady House and Yohandy Morales at Triple-A, waiting to fill in that third base role.

What are the Red Sox getting with Curtis Mead?

For starters, we need to move away from the "Curtis Mead was designated for assignment" discourse. It's true that it happened, but it doesn't really have any bearing on him as a player or prospect.

After being signed by the Phillies out of Australia in 2018, Mead was later traded to the Rays for Cristopher Sanchez. Yes, that Cristopher Sanchez. Mead then spent five years in Tampa Bay's organization, where he hit .298 in his minor league career and was the 33rd-overall prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, heading into the 2023 season. For many reasons, which we'll get to, Mead was unable to consistently break into the Rays' lineup and was traded to the White Sox for Adrian Houser at last year's trade deadline. The White Sox gave Mead a few chances last season before designating him for assignment this offseason, where he was scooped up by the Nationals.

And now we're in the present day. Mead is just 25 years old and has finally been given a regular starting job. He's hitting .254/.352/.500 in 327 plate appearances with the Nationals, with 17 home runs and six steals. He has a 10.8% barrel rate and a 42.3% hard-hit rate, while showing an elite understanding of the strike zone, with an above-average chase rate and a nearly 12% walk rate. He also has tremendous contact ability, with just a 6.5% swinging strike rate to go along with a 92% zone contact rate. We can say it's a "small sample size" of 87 games with the Nationals, but this was also the hitter that Mead was in the minors which made him a top prospect. The understanding of the strike zone and elite contact ability have always been there.

The power is the new development, and much of it feels real.

For starters, the Nationals changed his stance, narrowing his feet a little bit and opening up his stance. This is the same approach that the Brewers took with Brice Turang before he experienced a power surge. The narrower stance can allow hitters to load up on the back half a bit more when the stride, and the open stance can make it easier for hitters to clear their hips on the swing, both of which should lead to more power. The open stance also can lead to more pulled balls, which is what is happening with Mead. His pull rate has gone from 34.3% last year to 48.6% this year. His Pull Air% has also jumped from 15.7% to 22.5%.

Curtis Mead

Statcast

That's clearly something that caught Boston's eye with the Green Monster looming as an inviting target in left field. Just this season, we've seen Willson Contreras raise his pull rate to a career-high 53.1%, which has helped fuel a career-best .941 OPS and .261 ISO. Contreras is also hitting .291, which would be his best batting average in a full season by about .015 points. The Red Sox clearly see a similar boost for Mead by playing in Fenway Park, and while there has been much discussion about Mead being a "short-side platoon," that is really just tied back to how the Rays used him. Mead has an .817 OPS and .242 ISO against right-handed pitchers this season. There is no platoon here.

The biggest question is where does Mead play defensively? The Nationals have been using him at third base, and his -1 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) isn't terrible, but his -4 Outs Above Average (OAA) paints a different story. He has displayed poor range at third base and would be a major downgrade from Caleb Durbin, who has been tremendous at third base for Boston this year despite playing mostly second base as a prospect. However, it's possible that the Red Sox can keep Durbin at third base. In 108.2 innings at second base with the Rays last season, Mead had an OAA of 2 and a DRS of 2. His range graded out slightly above average, and he had a Fielding Run Value of 1. That's obviously a small sample size, but the Rays were able to get league-average defense out of Mead at second base last year, possibly due to positioning, which is something the Red Sox could duplicate. Of course, the Red Sox could also use him as their primary designated hitter for the remainder of the season as well.

Final Trade Takeaways

Despite the initial reaction that this was a gross overpay for the Red Sox, it actually looks like a pretty fair swap. Both teams get a young, controllable player in a position of need. Early undoubtedly has the higher upside and could be the ace of the Nationals staff in time, but the Red Sox need more offense right now, and they feel good about their pitching coming up behind Early in the ranks. Mead has legit offensive tools that could make him great at Fenway Park for the next four years, but the Nationals also have good, young third basemen behind him and another player in Luis Garcia who they also have no defensive home for.

This feels a bit like both teams got what they needed.

Reynaldo López and Shane Baz set to square off in Braves-Orioles rubber match

CINCINNATI, OH - MAY 31: Reynaldo López #40 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on Sunday, May 31, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Colten Strauss/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

A closely-fought series between the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves and the currently-hot Baltimore Orioles will come down to the Sunday matinee game, as Reynaldo López will be looking to make a bounce-back start in order to help potentially push the Braves to another series win.

López will be entering this game fresh off the heels of one of his worst starts of the season so far, which is when he got tagged for five runs over 4.1 innings against the Padres. It would be easy to chalk it up to it simply being a case of the Padres playing the Braves tough as usual but that start came ten days after López got hit hard by the Cardinals for four runs over five innings, so it could be a case of López running into a real rough patch.

With that being said, one thing that appears to be aberrant when comparing López’s most recent start to the past is the fact that he walked three batters against the Padres. That was his season-high for walks and when you consider that he’s got a 3.45 BB/9 so far this season, that could be an indication that we’re not going to see Reynaldo walk as many batters this time around.

Then again, the Orioles are one of the best teams in baseball when it comes to coaxing walks out of opposing pitchers (their 10.2 percent walk rate leads the American League and is tired for third place in all of baseball with the Dodgers) and they’ve been especially good at it during this successful month for them so far, as they have the best walk rate in all of baseball (11.4 percent) during the month of June. If the last start was an aberration for López then he’ll certainly have his work cut out for him trying to prove it against this particular lineup.

Conversely, the Orioles will be starting Shane Baz, who hasn’t walked a guy since the fifth inning of his start on July 7 against the Cubs. Ever since then, he’s thrown 10.2 innings and struck out 15 batters while only giving up six hits and three runs. With that being said, his defense did let him down a bit in their showdown earlier this week against the Red Sox, which is when Baz only gave up one earned run but ended up seeing four Red Sox base runners cross home plate while he was on the mound after the O’s committed three errors during his appearance.

Those errors proved costly as the Red Sox ended up winning that game by one run and the Braves know all-too-well what effect defensive gaffes can have on a game after what happened last night, so maybe defense will be a priority during today’s game as well.

Despite Baltimore’s current overall record, a win for the Braves today would be pretty big in terms of recent performances. Atlanta’s coming off of a successful homestand to start the second half and could get their first road trip of this crucial portion of the season off to a good start with a win against an Orioles squad that has been playing a lot better lately than what their overall record indicates. The offense will have to figure out a way to get Shane Baz to crack and Reynaldo López will have to figure out a way to keep the Orioles from walking their way into dangerous situations against Atlanta, so this’ll certainly be an intriguing game to watch with the series on the line. Let’s see what happens, folks.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Sunday, July 26, 1:35 pm ET

Location: Camden Yards, Baltimore, MD

TV: BravesVision

Streaming: MLB.tv

Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan

Vancouver Canucks 2025–26 Report Card: Arshdeep Bains

Welcome to the 2025–26 installment of The Hockey News - Vancouver Canucks’ Player Report Card Series. Throughout the off-season, THN will conduct a deep dive into how each member of the Canucks performed throughout the 2025–26 season. Today’s article will focus on forward Arshdeep Bains. 

Bains’s 2025–26 Season Review 

Bains entered the 2025–26 season as one of a few players looking to push for a roster spot with a strong pre-season effort. Coming off 13 NHL games in 2024–25, as well as a Calder Cup win with the Abbotsford Canucks, Bains looked primed to try and fill a depth role at the NHL level. 

Despite strong efforts from a variety of forwards including Braeden Cootes, Linus Karlsson, and Max Sasson, Bains ended up being one of the depth forwards that made the Canucks’ opening-night roster. He collected one assist in the team’s opening-night effort and followed that up with another helper two games after. 

While he did begin the season with Vancouver, Bains didn’t quite find an even amount of playing time by the time mid-November came around. By mid-December, the forward was placed on waivers and sent back down to Abbotsford, with Bains not getting another call-up until the beginning of January. His final NHL game of the season was played on January 17 against the Edmonton Oilers. 

Upon returning to the AHL in December, Bains provided Abbotsford with a solid two-way presence that the team had sorely missed with their lineup absences from injuries and NHL call-ups. He scored a goal and an assist in his first game back with the AHL Canucks, racking up three goals and three assists in his first five games with the team. 

Throughout the remainder of the 2025–26 season, Bains stuck with Abbotsford. He finished the year with 11 goals and 13 assists in 34 games played, coming seventh on his team in points and tying Chase Wouters for fifth in goals scored. 

Bains also managed to set some new franchise records for Abbotsford during the 2025–26 season. He scored a short-handed goal against the Henderson Silver Knights on February 20 to set Abbotsford’s new record for total points scored by an AHL Canuck with 149. As it stands, Bains’ record is now 160, which he can build on if he returns to Abbotsford next season. The forward has also tied former defenceman Christian Wolanin for the team’s franchise high in total assists collected with 109. 

Bains’s 2025–26 Letter Grade 

Bains managed to build on his 2024–25 season campaign in 2025–26, playing in 28 games and scoring a goal and four assists. He also continued to make his mark at the AHL-level, setting new records for Abbotsford while contributing consistent offence. That said, the forward still requires a bit of work regarding effectiveness when it comes to making a full-time jump to the NHL. Given the route Vancouver is expected to go in through the next few seasons, a strong pre-season and training camp effort in 2026 could help Bains get the opportunity he’s looking for. 

Bains gets a C+ for his performance in 2025–26. 

Dec 11, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Arshdeep Bains (13) handles the puck against the Buffalo Sabres in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Dec 11, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Arshdeep Bains (13) handles the puck against the Buffalo Sabres in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Canucks 2025–26 Letter Grades 

Liam Öhgren

Kirill Kudryavtsev

Victor Mancini

Filip Chytil

Braeden Cootes

Nikita Tolopilo

Elias Pettersson (D)

Marco Rossi

Kevin Lankinen

Thatcher Demko

Jake DeBrusk

Drew O’Connor 

Aatu Räty

Max Sasson 

Tom Willander

Linus Karlsson 

Zeev Buium

Brock Boeser

Filip Hronek

Elias Pettersson 

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.

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site:

Former Canucks Defenceman Pettersson Speaks On Trade To New York

3 Canucks Prospects Will Take Part In The 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase

Vancouver Canucks 2025–26 Report Card: Liam Öhgren

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 Hockey News
The Hockey News

Sabres Made Right Decision Bringing Back Gritty Forward

Earlier this off-season, the Buffalo Sabres signed forward Beck Malenstyn to a six-year, $17.5 million contract extension. The 28-year-old was a pending unrestricted free agent but ended up re-signing in Buffalo instead of testing the market. 

While this is a long contract for a bottom-six forward, the Sabres made the right call bringing back Malenstyn.

Malenstyn's hard-nosed style of play, speed, and strong defensive play make him a very important part of the Sabres' forward group. Playoff teams need heart-and-soul players like Malenstyn, so it is certainly good news that he will be staying in Buffalo as the Sabres look to build off their great 2025-26 season. 

Furthermore, with the salary cap continuing to go up, Malenstyn's $2.92 million cap hit is not too high for what he provides. The 28-year-old will continue to be a key part of the Sabres' bottom six and make them a difficult team to go up against when he is on the ice. 

In 81 games during this past season with the Sabres, Malenstyn posted seven goals, seven assists, 14 points, and a career-high 282 hits. If he can continue to play a solid defensive game and provide a lot of grit, it would be significant for a Sabres club that is looking to continue to get better. 

If Kirby Dach Is In A Kirill Marchenko Trade, Don Waddell Should Hang Up Immediately

The Columbus Blue Jackets just can't stay out of the news cycle. 

News came out yesterday from RG.org's Daria Tuboltseva that there is still smoke surrounding the CBJ's Kirill Marchenko, saying that he will be traded soon and that two teams are aiming to land the winger. Montreal has apparently been trying to land Marchenko for weeks and is still in the mix. Utah might be the other team interested in Marchenko as well, from what we're hearing. 

With Montreal seemingly the frontrunner to land Marchenko, fans and some people in the media have begun speculating on a return. We even did one here at THN-Columbus a few weeks ago, which you can read below.

Kirill Marchenko Trade Scenario #1: Montréal CanadiensKirill Marchenko Trade Scenario #1: Montréal CanadiensWith Kirill Marchenko unlikely to extend in Columbus, let us take a crack at a trade scenario.

Most of the trades that people have brought up involve guys like David Reinbacher and/or Michael Hage. But the player people seem always to bring up is forward Kirby Dach. 

If Kirby Dach's name is brought up, GM Don Waddell should immediately hang up and move on to the next team. There shouldn't be any arguments either. 

Dach is a former 3rd overall pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2019. After playing 152 games for the Blackhawks, he was traded to Montreal by Chicago for a 1st-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft and a 3rd-round pick in 2022 July 7, 2022.

He totaled 19 goals and 59 points in 152 games. 

Since his trade to Montreal, he's played in 154 games. He's scored 32 goals and totaled 77 points. His best year as a pro was the 22-23 season, which was his first in Montreal, in which he scored 14 goals and totaled 38 points. 

He hasn't had the best career for someone drafted third overall, and it sounds like the Canadiens fans may be hoping that Montreal GM Kent Hughes will try to get rid of his $3,600,000 per season salary, which is set to expire after next season. 

Don Waddell should not accept salary dumps in any Kirill Marchenko trade. He has said he wants NHL players who can step in and fill the role that would be vacated by the player leaving. In this case, it would be a top-line winger. 

Obviously, we're not naive enough to think the Canadiens would trade any of their top-line players for Kirill Marchenko, but players that they don't have room for on the NHL roster, such as David Reinbacher, or a soon-to-be NHLer like Michael Hage, would be a perfect return. 

But Kirby Dach should not be in any return for Kirill Marchenko. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more!

Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News and never miss a story.

Let us know what you think below.

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.

Yankees potential trade target: Adrian Morejon

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 12: Adrian Morejon #50 of the San Diego Padres pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the seventh inning at Petco Park on July 12, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Good left-handed pitching is something no team will ever turn down, and at this year’s deadline, the Yankees could benefit from exactly that. While the Padres are not necessarily out of the playoff hunt, any divisional hopes are all but gone, and sitting below .500 at this juncture with five teams ahead of them for the last Wild Card spot in the Senior Circuit, it may be in their best interest to sell.

Dominant closer Mason Miller is obviously the star attraction in the bullpen. But with three full years of team control after 2026 and reasonable hopes of contending again next year, San Diego does not necessarily have to move him unless they’re blown away by an offer akin at least within shouting distance of what they gave the A’s for Miller last year.

He’s not the only standout reliever in their ’pen though. Adrian Morejon could be a prime candidate to join the Yankees. The once highly-touted prospect out of Cuba has settled into a relief role, and has thrived over the last few seasons. With free agency looming this winter, the Padres could shop the 27-year-old lefty as a rental, shipping him out to a contending team in need.

2026 Statistics (Thus Far): 48 games, 55.1 IP, 8-2 W-L, 1 save, 3.25 ERA (127 ERA+), 2.40 FIP, 2.47 xFIP, 27.9% K%, 6.2% BB%, 1.10 WHIP, 1.8 fWAR, 0.8 rWAR

2026 ZiPS Rest-of-Season Statistics: 24 games, 24.0 IP, 3-2 W-L, 3.21 ERA, 2.84 FIP, 25.8% K%, 7.4% BB%, 0.6 fWAR

Between 2024 and ‘25, Morejon pitched in 135 games, managing an impressive 2.42 ERA with a 2.52 FIP that backed it up. Although his role may not be what was expected in his minor-league days, he’s turned himself into a durable and reliably good option out of the bullpen.

In 2026 to this point, he’s been just about as good. Getting plenty of work, pitching in 48 games and working over 55 innings, the lefty has maintained a steady 2.40 FIP and is striking out more batters than he ever has, at a 27.9 percent clip. With a walk rate that has remained steady, Morejon has essentially been at peak form for the last three seasons while taking on a significant workload out of relief.

The start to Morejon’s career was not a seamless one, as he pitched just 75 innings with an ERA north of five in his first five combined seasons in the majors, including three different seasons where he stuck around for less than 10 innings of work. That 2023 season was a major leap for the lefty, however, and he hasn’t looked back since. With a multi-year track record of success now behind him, he becomes an attractive trade target at this year’s deadline, and one that may not break the bank, considering his forthcoming free agency.

The lefty throws hard, and boasts impressive peripherals across the board, so stretches of real dominance are never out of the question. He’d be a major boost to any bullpen, and the Yankees are no different. With Tim Hill largely disappointing in 2026, Morejon could pair nicely with Brent Headrick, who’s been terrific from the left side for the Yankees this season. Even regardless of pitching hands, Morejon is simply an impact arm to bring out of the ‘pen, and if the Yankees look to that area to improve at the deadline, he could make some sense.

He has been linked as a possible target for the Yankees, and the Padres make sense as natural trade partners at this year’s deadline. San Diego may be poised to move multiple relievers before August 3rd rolls around, and Morejon would make sense for any team looking to bolster the bullpen. His four-pitch mix has proven successful in his role, and next to the otherworldly Miller, the lefty would be a much cheaper option. With Morejon’s velocity and swing-and-miss stuff all moving in the right direction, he has a solid chance of being a true impact arm if put in the right position.

Morejon is now in the midst of a third straight year of high-level pitching out of the San Diego bullpen, and with 2026 being his final year before hitting the open market, he will more than likely be on the move at the deadline. He’d be of use to any Major League roster, and if the price is right, the Yankees may pull the trigger on the talented lefty.

Penguins Have One More Free Agent Forward Option Left

The Pittsburgh Penguins have added multiple new forwards to their roster this off-season, including Andrei Kuzmenko, Nick Robertson, Hendrix Lapierre, and David Gustafsson. 

But could the Penguins look to add one more forward before the start of the season? 

When looking at Pittsburgh's current forward group, it is fair to argue that they could use another winger with skill. Because of this, one remaining free agent that could make sense for the Penguins to take a chance on is Patrik Laine. This is especially so if the sniper ends up being open to the idea of signing a professional tryout (PTO) agreement. 

If the Penguins invited Laine to training camp on a PTO, he would give them another scoring forward to consider. While the 28-year-old winger has suffered multiple injuries over the years, he has shown that he can make a real impact when healthy. Keep in mind, he has hit the 30-goal mark three times in his career and easily would have more if he stayed healthier in past seasons. 

Laine was limited to only five games last season with the Canadiens due to injury trouble. Yet, during the 2024-25 season, he posted 20 goals and 33 points in 52 games with Montreal. With this, he showed in a recent season that he can still put the puck in the net, and he could be worth taking a flier on for Pittsburgh because of it. 

It will be interesting to see if the Penguins bringing in Laine on a PTO or even a one-year contract from here. 

Cubs vs Pirates Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's MLB Game

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

The underdog Chicago Cubs (+113) can earn a series victory when they face the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 3 of their three-game series at PNC Park.

Braxton Ashcroft's underlying metrics are shaky, and my Cubs vs. Pirates predictions and MLB picks expect a Cubs sweep today, 

Who will win Cubs vs Pirates today: Cubs moneyline (+114)

The markets are pricing this game off Jameson Taillon's 5.41 xERA and 1st-percentile barrel rate, but three factors point the other way.

Braxton Ashcraft relies on chase (37.2%, 96th percentile), yet he draws a Chicago Cubs lineup that rarely expands the zone and owns an 11% walk rate the past two weeks.

Taillon's fly-ball profile is better protected at PNC Park, especially with Pete Crow-Armstrong's +20 Outs Above Average patrolling center, while the Pittsburgh Piratescorner outfield defense sits at a combined -8 OAA.

Add in a Pirates lineup that chases enough to feed Taillon's sweeper, and I play the Cubs to -105 today.

Covers COVERS INTEL: Ashcraft's four-seam fastball is his most-used pitch at 31.9 percent, and it's been hit for a .290 average, .519 slugging, and a .330 xwOBA with a negative run value.

Cubs vs Pirates Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (-116)

It will be warm and dry for the first pitch, and both starters are hittable. Taillon carries a 14.4% barrel rate with 22 home runs in 72 innings and rarely sees the sixth inning.

Ashcraft has served up eight home runs in his last five starts and allows a 90.5 mph average exit velocity and meets a Cubs lineup walking 12.4 percent over the past two weeks.

That puts this in the bullpen's hands early, and Pittsburgh's relievers have walked 10.4% over the same stretch after emptying out Saturday night.

Scoring runs is what these teams do when they meet, as the Over is 7-3 in their last 10 games. I’d play this to -130.

Phil Naessens' 2026 Transparency Record
  • ML/RL bets: 9-12, -1.01 units
  • Over/Under bets: 9-10, -2.45 units

Cubs vs Pirates weather

Warm and dry with light winds blowing out to right field. 

Cubs vs Pirates odds

  • Moneyline: Cubs +108 | Pirates -117
  • Run line: Cubs +1.5 (-186) | Pirates -1.5 (+163)
  • Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-117) | Under 8.5 (+104)

Cubs vs Pirates trend

The Over is 7-3 in their last 10 head-to-head meetings. Find more MLB betting trends for Cubs vs. Pirates.

How to watch Cubs vs Pirates and game info

LocationPNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
DateSunday, July 26, 2026
First pitch1:35 p.m. ET
TVMARQ, SNP
Cubs starting pitcherJameson Taillon
(2-5, 5.38 ERA)
Pirates starting pitcherBraxton Ashcraft
(9-4, 3.95 ERA)

Cubs vs Pirates 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.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Kiké Hernández to return Tuesday, Edwin Díaz on Wednesday

Los Angeles, CA - April 14: Dodgers teammates Kike Hernandez and Edwin Diaz celebrate with Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Miguel Rojas (72) after Rojas scored a run during the eight inning of an MLB game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

The Dodgers are looking to end their road trip with a record of 7-2, and they’ll be treated with a pleasant surprise once they begin their upcoming homestand on July 28.

Kiké Hernández has played just two games this season, but he will be back on Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners after missing two months due to an oblique issue. Closer Edwin Díaz, who has pitched just six innings this season, will be activated on Wednesday after missing over three months due elbow surgery to remove loose bodies. Both updates were reported by David Vassegh of AM 570 on Saturday.

Hernández has appeared in five games with the Oklahoma City Comets during his current rehab assignment, going 6-18 with a home run, while Díaz has accumulated one inning over two appearances with Oklahoma City.

Links

Dodgers fans were disappointed by the first half results from Kyle Tucker, as the outfielder limped into the All-Star break with just seven home runs while slashing .244/.341/.375. His opening to the second half wasn’t any prettier over the six games against the Yankees and Phillies, but he has found his groove at the plate against the Mets.

Tucker had the deciding home run on Friday in a 4-2 win, and he started the scoring on Saturday with another home run, the first time he’s hit home runs in two consecutive games as a Dodger. Tucker spoke with Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports following the Dodgers’ 4-3 win over New York, where he discussed the struggles he’s faced this year while acknowledging the support he’s received from his teammates and staff.

“Our coaching staff and the players that we have on this team is unbelievable. Everyone is so supportive of each other and just wanting each other to help. It’s a team sport, and we want to get to the end of the season and win a World Series.”

Shohei Ohtani was scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday, but lingering issues in his left knee flared up and the two-way superstar is now shut down from throwing.

Dave Roberts expects Ohtani to return to pitching during the regular season, but the team will not move forward with his throwing once he is 100 percent clear to continue, notes Bill Ladson of MLB.com.

“We are not going to move forward [as far as throwing off a mound] until he feels 100 percent confident and we feel 100 percent confident that we should do it,” Roberts said. “He just doesn’t feel 100 percent. I think the last ‘pen that he had, there was a little bit of regression. We want to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

Bowen Byram Will Be Blackhawks’ Undisputed Number One Defenseman

The Chicago Blackhawks have made some major moves this off-season, and none have been bigger than adding Bowen Byram via a trade that they made with the Buffalo Sabres. 

Byram was the 4th overall pick by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2019 NHL Draft, one spot after the Blackhawks selected Kirby Dach 3rd overall. 

After parts of four seasons and one Stanley Cup with the Avalanche, Byram was traded to the Sabres before making his way to Chicago in 2026.

Upon his arrival, the Hawks gave him a six-year extension with an average annual value of $12.5 million. As of now, when it kicks in after the 2026-27 season ends, Byram is set to become the highest-paid defenseman in the NHL with this deal that runs through 2032-33. 

Now, Byram has his chance to become a number-one defenseman in the NHL. Not only did he earn the opportunity with his play, but he is now on a roster where he won't be living in someone else's shadow. 

Byram played behind Cale Makar in Colorado and Rasmus Dahlin in Buffalo. There were other good defensemen around him as well, but they were the catalysts offensively, eating those big minutes at even strength and on the power play. 

In Chicago, Byram will lead a blue line with support from guys like Alex Vlasic and Wyatt Kaiser, while other young players like Artyom Levshunov and Sam Rinzel continue their development. 

"He is going to be one of the best defensemen in the league," Connor Bedard said of Byram. "He's always shown that. When you play behind Cale [Makar] and [Rasmus] Dahlin, it's not easy to take their spot. Just for him to get the opportunity to be that [number] one and prove himself in that way, he's one of the most skilled players in the league. His motivation to prove that is unbelievable. His excitement to be with us is great for the team."

Byram's most important teammate sees a desire to be great as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks, so you'd think that it rubs off on everyone around him.

After years of being great despite limited opportunity playing behind some of the greats in the game, the door is open for him to show what he can do as the top guy in the lineup at that position. 

Image

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay up to date on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

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 on the article below on THN.com or by creating your own post in our community forum.

MLB Predictions and Moneyline Picks for Sunday, July 26

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

We have a 15-game MLB slate for today that will surely keep us interested throughout the day.

Our Sunday MLB moneyline card is filled with solid plus-money markets, and a few short favorites that we will attack. 

Read on for our MLB moneyline predictions and MLB picks for Sunday, July 26. 

MLB moneyline picks for July 26

MatchupPick
GuardiansGuardians
vs
RaysRays
Rays
-127
Blue JaysBlue Jays
vs
Red SoxRed Sox
Red Sox
-127
DiamondbacksDiamondbacks
vs
NationalsNationals
Diamondbacks
-117
BravesBraves
vs
OriolesOrioles
Orioles
-108
CubsCubs
vs
PiratesPirates
Cubs
+122
DodgersDodgers
vs
MetsMets
Mets
+150
RoyalsRoyals
vs
TigersTigers
Royals
+156
PadresPadres
vs
MarlinsMarlins
Padres
+117
AstrosAstros
vs
White SoxWhite Sox
Astros
-100
RockiesRockies
vs
BrewersBrewers
Rockies
+257
AthleticsAthletics
vs
TwinsTwins
Athletics
+144
RedsReds
vs
CardinalsCardinals
Reds
+117
MarinersMariners
vs
RangersRangers
Mariners
-104
AngelsAngels
vs
GiantsGiants
Giants
-122
YankeesYankees
vs
PhilliesPhillies
Phillies
-133

Prices courtesy of Polymarket as of 7-26.

Trade on the MLB at Polymarket!

Sign up now using our exclusive Polymarket promo code 'COVERS' (on your mobile app only) and get a $50 trading bonus after you deposit $50 to trade on any other event contracts — including MLB moneylines!

Sign Up Now at img src="https://img.covers.com/editorial/2026/polymarketlogo.png" alt="Polymarket" width="100" height="28" style="vertical-align: middle;"

*Eligible locations only

Expert MLB moneyline picks for July 26

Guardians vs Rays: Tampa Bay Rays (-127)

Rays win probability: 56%

Drew Rasmussen provides a steady baseline, though Parker Messick starting for Cleveland brings some variance. Still, Tampa Bay's pitching metrics over the last two weeks stand among the league’s elite, featuring a 3.37 xFIP and a 20 percent K-BB rate. 

Cleveland holds the offensive edge, but Tampa’s late-inning bullpen depth at home creates solid value.

Blue Jays vs Red Sox: Boston Red Sox (-127)

Red Sox win probability: 56%

Kevin Gausman always brings brand recognition, but Toronto’s lineup has hit a massive slump, producing a meager 69 wRC+ over the last 14 days.  Boston’s bullpen is firing on all cylinders with a slate-best 1.51 ERA.

Questioning Boston's starter Payton Tolle being in the rotation is reasonable, but Toronto’s bats are currently too cold to trust on the road.

Diamondbacks vs Nationals: Arizona Diamondbacks (-117)

Diamondbacks win probability: 54%

Arizona’s offense is flat-out raking right now, posting a dominant 136 wRC+ and a .504 slugging percentage over the last fortnight. Miles Mikolas sits on the other side with a bloated 5.01 xFIP and low strikeout output.

At short road odds, backing Arizona’s bats offers tremendous value.

Braves vs Orioles: Baltimore Orioles (-108)

Orioles win probability: 52%

Reynaldo Lopez usually draws heavy betting interest, but Atlanta’s overall pitching has shown vulnerabilities lately with a 4.28 xFIP. Meanwhile, Baltimore quietly holds a sharp 3.73 SIERA over the past two weeks.

Taking the Orioles as narrow home favorites at Camden Yards is a solid situational angle that must be exploited. 

Cubs vs Pirates: Chicago Cubs (+122)

Cubs win probability: 45%

Pittsburgh holds the home-field advantage, but the matchup between Jameson Taillon and Braxton Ashcraft remains tight. Chicago’s underlying offensive production (118 wRC+ vs. 100 wRC+) and bullpen metrics carry the overall statistical advantage.

Grabbing the Cubs at a plus-money price on the road provides strong value.

Dodgers vs Mets: New York Mets (+150)

Mets win probability: 40%

Emmet Sheehan versus Freddy Peralta makes for an intriguing matchup, but the prediction markets offer an appealing price tag for the home team. New York’s bullpen actually out-grades Los Angeles over the last two weeks in both ERA- and SIERA.

Backing the Mets at +150 delivers solid value. 

Royals vs Tigers: Kansas City Royals (+156)

Royals win probability: 39%

Framber Valdez on the bump gives Detroit a notable edge, but the heavy home market price opens up opportunity on the visitor. Kansas City’s offense has struggled lately, yet Valdez is occasionally prone to control hiccups.

At a generous +156 payout, taking a shot on the road underdog makes sense.

Padres vs Marlins: San Diego Padres (+117)

Padres win probability: 46%

Miami enters as a surprising home favorite despite a lineup-wide offensive drought, managing just a 70 wRC+ over the last 14 days. San Diego continues to produce high-level contact, posting a 134 wRC+ and .475 slugging mark.

Getting the Padres at plus-money with Walker Buehler pitching is arguably the top value spot on the card.

Astros vs White Sox: Houston Astros (-100)

Astros win probability: 50%

This matchup sits at flat pick 'em odds on the board. Houston’s bullpen leads the entire slate with an elite 23.4 percent K-BB rate over the last two weeks.

Backing Ronel Blanco and the Astros at even money against a struggling White Sox lineup (85 wRC+) is a strong position.

Rockies vs Brewers: Colorado Rockies (+257)

Rockies win probability: 28%

Milwaukee commands massive home chalk in this spot. Colorado’s offense remains limited with a 74 wRC+, but Milwaukee’s bullpen has shown command issues with elevated walk rates, and Jacob Misiorowski can occasionally struggle with location.

At a massive +257 payout, targeting the high-variance road underdog is the sharp play.

Athletics vs Twins: Athletics (+144)

Athletics win probability: 41%

Joe Ryan is always tough to beat at Target Field, but Minnesota carries a heavy market premium price. The Athletics' lineup has quietly put together respectable power numbers over the last fortnight.

Fading the inflated line on the home favorite and taking the A's at +144 offers a solid risk-reward play today. 

Reds vs Cardinals: Cincinnati Reds (+117)

Reds win probability: 46%

Busch Stadium is always a tough venue, but St. Louis ranks dead-last in offensive production over the past two weeks with a painful 60 wRC+. Cincinnati brings significantly more isolated power with a .231 ISO.

Backing Andrew Abbott and the Reds as road underdog is where the value lies today. 

Mariners vs Rangers: Seattle Mariners (-104)

Mariners win probability: 51%

Betting against Jacob deGrom requires caution, but Texas’s overall bullpen metrics have cratered recently, sitting at a 166 ERA and 5.15 xFIP. Seattle’s pitching group remains far more reliable with Logan Gilbert taking the ball.

Getting Seattle near pick 'em odds (-104) offers strong value.

Angels vs Giants: San Francisco Giants (-122)

Giants win probability: 55%

An unannounced starter for San Francisco adds intrigue, but the Angels' lineup remains stagnant, posting an 86 wRC+ and a lightweight .099 ISO over two weeks. San Francisco’s bullpen boasts a 3.92 SIERRA across the past 14 days, and at -122, the park environment and bullpen depth heavily favor the home side.

Yankees vs Phillies: Philadelphia Phillies (-133)

Phillies win probability: 57%

In a prime-time national TV slot, Will Warren starting for New York leaves the door open for Philadelphia, particularly with the Yankees hitting just .210 over their last 14 games. Cristopher Sanchez and the Phillies bullpen carry a sharp 3.18 ERA.

At -133, backing the home club is a great play to close out Sunday.

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.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.