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Cardinals at White Sox Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, trends and stats for June 18

Its Wednesday, June 18 and the Cardinals (38-35) are in Chicago to take on the White Sox (23-50).

Sonny Gray is slated to take the mound for St. Louis against Sean Burke for Chicago.

St. Louis smacked Chicago, 12-2, last night to open the series. Brendan Donovan picked up 4 of St. Louis' 13 hits in the game. Edgar Quero had two hits in the loss for the ChiSox.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Cardinals at White Sox

  • Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
  • Time: 7:40PM EST
  • Site: Rate Field
  • City: Chicago, IL
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNMW, CHSN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Cardinals at the White Sox

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Cardinals (-190), White Sox (+157)
  • Spread:  Cardinals -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Cardinals at White Sox

  • Pitching matchup for June 18, 2025: Sonny Gray vs. Sean Burke
    • Cardinals: Sonny Gray (7-2, 3.84 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/12 at Milwaukee - 4.1IP, 6ER, 8H, 1BB, 4Ks
    • White Sox: Sean Burke (3-7, 4.71 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/11 at Houston - 3.2IP, 7ER, 8H, 1BB, 4Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Cardinals at White Sox

  • The Cardinals have won 4 of their last 5 on the road against AL Central teams
  • The Over is 19-13-3 in the White Sox's home games this season
  • The Cardinals have covered in 4 of their last 5 games showing a profit of 1.98 units
  • Brendan Donovan has at least 1 hit in 7 of his last 8 games (12-33)
  • Edgar Quero is hitting .359 (14-39) in June

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Cardinals and the White Sox

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Cardinals and the White Sox:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the St. Louis Cardinals on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Chicago White Sox at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Bobby Marks: D-White trade would command ‘Desmond Bane-plus' offer

Bobby Marks: D-White trade would command ‘Desmond Bane-plus' offer originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics will be forced to make some tough decisions this summer to get under the second apron of the luxury tax. If they want to accomplish that feat while maximizing their return, they could look to trade beloved guard Derrick White.

Boston must shed roughly $20 million in salary to get under the second apron threshold, and White will cost $28.1 million for the 2025-26 season. Although White played a critical role in the 2024 championship run and remains a key contributor, the Celtics could get an offer they can’t refuse. Judging by Sunday’s Desmond Bane deal, a White trade would bring a massive haul to Boston.

The Memphis Grizzlies traded Bane to the Orlando Magic for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four first-round picks, and a future pick swap. According to ESPN’s NBA front office insider and former Brooklyn Nets general manager Bobby Marks, it may take even more than that to pry White from the C’s this offseason.

“I think it would have to be a Desmond Bane-plus type offer,” Marks said of a potential White trade on NBC Sports Boston’s The Off C’season special. “I love Derrick White. Every team needs a Derrick White. I think his salary is really good at four (years) for 118 (million). I think he provides tremendous value for you. I think if you did a Jrue (Holiday) trade, you’re probably sliding him. He’s probably gonna play on the ball a little bit more.

“It’s hard for me because I do think you have to have high-level players around. Jayson (Tatum) is gonna return eventually, and he’s gonna return probably better than he was, that you still have to have high-level players still around him.”

That doesn’t sound like someone convinced a White deal will go down this summer. Trading Holiday, on the other hand, seems like a strong possibility. Marks mentioned the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks as potential fits for the 35-year-old guard.

According to Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor, the Celtics would prefer not to trade White or fellow star Jaylen Brown but are listening to offers on both players. For what it’s worth, NBC Sports Boston’s Celtics analyst Brian Scalabrine said there’s “no way in hell” White isn’t on the team next season and beyond.

Last season, White notched career-highs in points (16.4) and rebounds per game (4.5) while breaking the Celtics’ single-season record for 3-pointers made. He earned All-Defensive nods with Boston in 2022-23 and 2023-24.

Watch the full episode of The Off C’season with Marks, Chris Forsberg, Kevin O’Connor, and Drew Carter below:

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Former Ottawa Senators Executive Ryan Bowness Lands New NHL Job

Ryan Bowness didn’t stay on the market for long.

The former Ottawa Senators executive landed on his feet this week with the New York Islanders, who named him Assistant GM and Director of Player Personnel.

Bowness joins the Islanders after three seasons in Ottawa’s front office. Originally hired by former Senators GM Pierre Dorion in 2022, the up-and-coming young executive served as Assistant GM for two seasons before being promoted to Associate General Manager in 2024-25. The 41-year-old was also GM of the AHL's Belleville Senators.

The Senators did not issue an official statement regarding his departure in May or the reasons for the front-office change.

Report: Ottawa Senators Shake Up Front Office, Parting Ways With Associate GM Ryan BownessReport: Ottawa Senators Shake Up Front Office, Parting Ways With Associate GM Ryan BownessFor a team that’s only five days into its off-season, the Ottawa Senators aren’t wasting any time preparing for next season. On Monday, GM Steve Staios signed RFA defenceman Nik Matinpalo to a two-year extension. On Tuesday, according to Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch, the team parted company with associate GM Ryan Bowness.

Last month, Staios hired 52-year-old Matt Turek to take over at least part of Bowness’ portfolio, most notably as GM in Belleville. Staios and Turek worked together on Michael Andlauer's OHL team in Hamilton. Most recently, Turek was the club's GM, now located in Brantford.

The Islanders also did some recent executive house cleaning, replacing 82-year-old Lou Lamoriello with new GM Mathieu Darche. With the appointment this week, Bowness becomes one of Darche's first hires in a similar role to the one he had here.

Prior to Bowness' stint in Ottawa, the Halifax native spent six seasons in the Pittsburgh Penguins scouting department, including a stint as Director of Pro Scouting. He won a Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2017.

Before that, Bowness worked in the Winnipeg Jets/Atlanta Thrashers organization for seven years, holding a variety of roles including Pro Scout, Manager of Hockey Operations, and Manager of Player Development.

Communications Shift: Senators Now Play It Close To The Vest Under StaiosCommunications Shift: Senators Now Play It Close To The Vest Under StaiosIf the past week’s events have taught us anything about Steve Staios’ stewardship of the Ottawa Senators as general manager, it’s that he is incredibly guarded.

Bowness was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2001 NHL Draft. He played junior hockey in the OHL with the Brampton Battalion and Oshawa Generals, then continued his playing career at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax.

Ryan is the son of Rick Bowness, a longtime NHL coach who previously served as head coach of both the Islanders and Senators. In fact, Rick was the first head coach in modern Senators history when they returned to the NHL in 1992.

Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa

More Sens Headlines:

Would Kings Defenceman Jordan Spence Be A Fit With The Senators?
Still No Deal In Sight For Ottawa Senators Pending UFA Claude Giroux
Should The Senators Have Surrendered This Year's First-Round Draft Pick Instead?
Senators Bring Back First-Rounder For Second Tour Of Duty
Fashionably Late: Top 10 Ottawa Senator Draft Day Steals
Why The Notion Of Mitch Marner Signing With Ottawa Wouldn't Work

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Big League Advance Sues Franmil Reyes Over Unpaid Earnings Stake

Big League Advance Fund (BLA) on Monday sued former MLB outfielder Franmil Reyes for allegedly not paying 10% of his earnings as required by a player investment contract. 

BLA claims Reyes owes $404,908.87 in past due payments plus $298,749.13 in interest on those payments. He also allegedly owes a yet-to-be-determined dollar figure for when Reyes played in Japan’s Nippon League. BLA says Reyes hasn’t made a payment since Sept. 23, 2022, and that it has sent him multiple demand letters in hopes of resolving the dispute privately before having to file a lawsuit.

Through attorneys Lisa R. Hatfield and Max B. Walton of Connolly Gallagher, BLA’s complaint was filed in Delaware Superior Court. It contains only one claim, breach of contract, and asserts a straightforward argument. When Reyes was a 21-year-old outfielder for the San Diego Padres Single-A affiliate Lake Elsinore Storm in 2016, he and BLA signed an investment agreement in which BLA agreed to provide $301,840 to Reyes. In exchange, BLA obtained a 10% stake in Reyes’ professional baseball earnings provided he earned at least $100,000 in a year. 

The contract explicitly included earnings in MLB, the minor leagues and Nippon League, and covered salary, bonuses and other performance-based payments.

From 2018 to 2023, Reyes played for four MLB teams: the Padres, Cleveland Guardians, Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals. Reyes had several impressive seasons, including 2018 and 2021 when he blasted 37 and 30 home runs, respectively. He struggled in 2022 and 2023 before relocating to Japan. Now 29, Reyes has played for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters for the last couple of years. According to court documents, Reyes also resides in Japan.

BLA’s complaint mentions arguments in favor of player investment contracts, which are sometimes called third-party agreements. “Players,” the complaint asserts, “receive capital—not loans—they can use to, among other things, pay for food, housing, and training while working to secure a professional baseball contract.”  These funds can help players gain “the resources they need to help make their dream of playing professional league baseball a reality.” BLA also takes on some risk: if the player fails to advance and never hits it big, BLA will have made a bad investment. 

As Sportico has detailed, player investment contracts have also attracted criticisms. The MLS Players’ Association, for instance, has described them as “exploitative.” Relatively young athletes, some of whom lack substantial education, might later regret contracting away what could become many millions of dollars. 

Attorneys for Reyes will answer the complaint, attempt to rebut BLA’s allegations and raise defenses. 

An attorney familiar with player investment contracts told Sportico that Reyes signing in 2016 is a significant fact. More recent contracts normally contain arbitration clauses that keep disputes such as this one out of public view.

Sign up for Sportico's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Twins at Reds Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for June 18

Its Wednesday, June 18 and the Twins (36-36) are in Cincinnati to take on the Reds (38-35).

Bailey Ober is slated to take the mound for Minnesota against Nick Lodolo for Cincinnati as the Twins look to rebound following last night's 6-5 loss to the Reds.

Cincinnati managed just five hits on the night against Twins' pitching, but Will Benson and Jake Fraley collected three of the five hits and drove in four runs to pace the attack. The Reds have now won three in a row while Minnesota has lost five in a row.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Twins at Reds

  • Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
  • Time: 7:10PM EST
  • Site: Great American Ball Park
  • City: Cincinnati, OH
  • Network/Streaming: MNNT, FDSNOH

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Twins at the Reds

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Twins (-108), Reds (-111)
  • Spread:  Reds 1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Twins at Reds

  • Pitching matchup for June 18, 2025: Bailey Ober vs. Nick Lodolo
    • Twins: Bailey Ober (4-3, 4.40 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/12 vs. Texas - 4.2IP, 7ER, 6H, 6BB, 3Ks
    • Reds: Nick Lodolo (4-5, 3.76 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/11 at Cleveland - 3.1IP, 6ER, 5H, 2BB, 6Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Twins at Reds

  • Nick Lodolo has struck out at least 4 opposing hitters in every game since April 8
  • The Twins' last 4 games against the Reds have gone over the Total
  • The Twins have covered the Run Line in 3 straight road games against the Reds
  • Ty France is 0-10 in his last 3 games
  • Jake Fraley is 9-22 (.409) over his last 7 games

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Twins and the Reds

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Twins and the Reds:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Minnesota Twins on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Minnesota Twins at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Giants activate Verlander, Bailey from injured list

Giants activate Verlander, Bailey from injured list originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Two key Giants players will return for Wednesday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians.

San Francisco activated starting pitcher Justin Verlander and catcher Patrick Bailey from the 15-day and 10-day injured lists, respectively.

The Giants optioned catcher Logan Porter and right-handed pitcher Tristan Beck to Triple-A Sacramento as the corresponding roster moves.

Verlander has been sidelined since May 18 with a right pectoral injury, while Bailey has been out since June 7 with a neck strain.

In 10 starts this season before his injury, Verlander posted a 4.33 ERA with 41 strikeouts to 21 walks in 52 innings pitches. Bailey, in 180 plate appearances before his injury, batted .185/.246/.272 with one home run and 16 RBI.

The 42-year-old Verlander will start for the Giants on Wednesday against the Guardians.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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Buss family to sell Los Angeles Lakers to owner of Dodgers

Buss family to sell Los Angeles Lakers to owner of Dodgers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Buss family is entering an agreement to sell majority ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers to Mark Walter, the CEO of TWG Global and owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, sources familiar with the deal told NBCLA on Wednesday.

The deal, first reported by ESPN, has a valuation of about $10 billion, a source told NBCLA.

Walter is part of the ownership of other sports franchises, including the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA, Chelsea FC of the English Premier League and several auto racing teams.

NBCLA has reached out to the Dodgers organization for comment.

Jeanie Buss, who took over the Lakers after the death of her father Dr. Jerry Buss, will continue to serve as the team’s governor after the sale, an indication that the Buss family’s long history with the Lakers will continue.

The Buss family has owned the Lakers since 1979 when the late Jerry Buss bought the Lakers for $67.5 million in 1979. 

Magic Johnson, who led the Lakers’ “Showtime” era, took to social media and said Laker fans should be “ecstatic” about the new ownership, calling Walter “the best choice” and “best caretaker of the Lakers.”

“(Mark Walter) is driven by winning, excellence, and doing everything the right way. AND he will put in the resources needed to win!” Johnson said.

CNBC Media and Sports Reporter Alex Sherman agreed that having Walters with “deep pockets” will be beneficial for the Lakers franchise.

“He’s clearly willing to spend money on the Dodgers,” Sherman said, especially with the looming reality of LeBron James’ retirement. “If LeBron retires at some point, they’ll be obviously be in the market again for a marquee free agent to replace him.

“Having someone like Mark Walter in that chair, I think Lakers fans can rest easy, realizing the money is going to be no object,” Sherman explained,

This blockbuster deal will be the most expensive franchise sales in sports history after the Boston Celtics in March of 2025 were sold to William Chisholm, a lifelong fan, for a $6.1 billion valuation. 

The Lakers have won a total of 17 NBA championships, one less than the Boston Celtics for the most championships in league history. (18)

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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Diamondbacks at Blue Jays prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, trends, and stats for June 18

Its Wednesday, June 18 and the Diamondbacks (36-36) are in Toronto for Game 2 of their series against the Blue Jays (39-33).

Eduardo Rodriguez is slated to take the mound for Arizona against Eric Lauer for Toronto.

The Blue Jays rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth on back-to-back home runs by Bo Bichette and Addison Barger last night to take out the Diamondbacks in the series opener 5-4. Josh Naylor had two hits in the loss for Arizona.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Diamondbacks at Blue Jays

  • Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
  • Time: 7:07PM EST
  • Site: Rogers Centre
  • City: Toronto, ON
  • Network/Streaming: ARID, Sportsnet

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Diamondbacks at the Blue Jays

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Diamondbacks (-106), Blue Jays (-113)
  • Spread:  Blue Jays 1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Diamondbacks at Blue Jays

  • Pitching matchup for June 18, 2025: Eduardo Rodriguez vs. Eric Lauer
    • Diamondbacks: Eduardo Rodriguez (2-3, 6.27 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/11 vs. Seattle - 6.1IP, 2ER, 6H, 1BB, 5Ks
    • Blue Jays: Eric Lauer (2-1, 2.37 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/11 at St. Louis - 4.1IP, 2ER, 4H, 1BB, 4Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Diamondbacks at Blue Jays

  • The Diamondbacks have won 18 of 35 games following a loss
  • 6 of the Diamondbacks' last 8 games against the Blue Jays have gone over the Total
  • Josh Naylor is riding a 7-game hitting streak during which he is hitting .394 (13-33)
  • Bo Bichette picked up a couple of hits last night to snap a 1-12 streak at the plate

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Diamondbacks and the Blue Jays

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Diamondbacks and the Blue Jays:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Arizona Diamondbacks on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Arizona Diamondbacks at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Pirates at Tigers prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 18

Its Wednesday, June 18 and the Pirates (29-45) are in Detroit to take on the Tigers (47-27).

Andrew Heaney is slated to take the mound for Pittsburgh against Tarik Skubal for Detroit.

The Tigers won the series opener last night, 7-3. Javy Baez homered twice, and Casey Mize allowed two earned runs over six innings to earn his seventh win of the season as Detroit won their 47th game of the season.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Pirates at Tigers

  • Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
  • Time: 6:40PM EST
  • Site: Comerica Park
  • City: Detroit, MI
  • Network/Streaming: SNP, FDSNDT

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Pirates at the Tigers

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Pirates (+241), Tigers (-302)
  • Spread:  Tigers -1.5
  • Total: 7.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Pirates at Tigers

  • Pitching matchup for June 18, 2025: Andrew Heaney vs. Tarik Skubal
    • Pirates: Andrew Heaney (3-5, 3.33 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/12 at Cubs - 6IP, 3ER, 4H, 0BB, 7Ks
    • Tigers: Tarik Skubal (7-2, 1.99 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/12 at Baltimore - 7IP, 0ER, 3H, 2BB, 6Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Pirates at Tigers

  • The Tigers are 15-10 against the National League this season
  • The Total has cashed to the under in 23 of the Pirates' 36 road games this season
  • The Pirates have covered in 4 of their last 5 games showing a profit of 1.67 units
  • Tarik Skubal has struck out 6 opposing hitters in each of his last 2 starts and has not struck out fewer than 6 since April 20
  • Oneil Cruz is 3-19 (.158) over his last 5 games to drop his average to .200 in June

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Pirates and the Tigers

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Pirates and the Tigers:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Detroit Tigers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Detroit Tigers at -1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 7.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Celtics draft fits: Should C's trade up in first round for Cedric Coward?

Celtics draft fits: Should C's trade up in first round for Cedric Coward? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics aren’t scheduled to pick until late in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft, but that doesn’t mean good players won’t be available.

Boston currently owns the No. 28 overall selection. Most drafts, especially in recent years, have produced real talent at the end of the first round and early second round.

For example, the Indiana Pacers selected Andrew Nembhard with the No. 31 overall pick (first pick in Round 2) in 2022. He quickly emerged as a key starter for the Pacers and a huge reason why they’re in the NBA Finals right now.

Cam Thomas (No. 27) and Herb Jones (No. 35) were steals in the 2021 draft, and so was Jaden McDaniels (No. 28) in 2020.

Even though there’s typically talent in this range at the end of the first round, would it make sense for the Celtics to try to trade up in Round 1?

More Celtics Draft Fits:

One player in the 2025 draft class who might be worth trading up for if he falls a bit is Washington State guard Cedric Coward. Coward was going to transfer to Duke before declaring for the draft. Based on mock drafts, he is projected to go anywhere from the late lottery to the mid-20s in the first round.

And according to HoopsHype, Coward is one of the players the Celtics have worked out ahead of the draft.

Learn more about Coward and his potential fit with the C’s below:

Cedric Coward’s bio

  • Position: Guard
  • Height: 6-foot-6
  • Weight: 206 pounds
  • Birthdate: Sept. 11, 2003
  • Birthplace: Fresno, California
  • College: Washington State

Cedric Coward’s collegiate stats

  • 2024-25 (w/Washington State): 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 55.7 field goal percentage (six games)
  • 2023-24 (w/Eastern Washington): 15.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 56.5 field goal percentage (32 games)
  • 2022-23 (w/Eastern Washington): 7.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 68.3 field goal percentage (34 games)

Cedric Coward’s college accolades

  • 2024 Big Sky first team All-Conference

Cedric Coward’s highlights

Why Cedric Coward fits with Celtics

Coward has good length with a 7-foot-2 wingspan and plenty of athleticism. He shot 38.3 percent or better from 3-point range in each of the last three seasons, including a career-high 40 percent rate for the Cougars last season (six games).

The fact that he’s risen from Division III basketball to a potential lottery pick over the last three years is pretty impressive. He just keeps getting better and better.

Coward could be an effective 3-and-D player for the Celtics.

“Coward was set to transfer to Duke, but he elected to stay in the draft after a strong showing at the NBA Draft Combine in May,” our Celtics insider Chris Forsberg says in the video player above. “His only season at Washington State was limited to six games due to a shoulder injury, but he shot around 40 percent from deep in that small sample and his two prior college seasons at Eastern Washington.

“Having not played against elite competition, there is a question about how his game will translate to the pro level, but he has an NBA-ready frame. If the Celtics identify his traits as a match, they might have to move up from No. 28 to land him.”

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Mets at Braves prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 18

Its Wednesday, June 18 and the Mets (45-28) are in Atlanta to take on the Braves (32-39) in Game 2 of their series.

Paul Blackburn is slated to take the mound for New York against Chris Sale for Atlanta.

The Braves took the series opener last night, 5-4, in ten innings. Austin Riley stroked a sacrifice fly to walk it off for Atlanta in the tenth. The Mets led 4-1 after seven innings but could not close out the game.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Mets at Braves

  • Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
  • Time: 7:15PM EST
  • Site: Truist Park
  • City: Atlanta, GA
  • Network/Streaming: SNY, FDSNSO

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Mets at the Braves

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Mets (+154), Braves (-186)
  • Spread:  Braves -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Mets at Braves

  • Pitching matchup for June 18, 2025: Paul Blackburn vs. Chris Sale
    • Mets: Paul Blackburn (0-0, 6.75 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/13 vs. Tampa Bay - 0.1IP, 4ER, 4H, 0BB, 0Ks
    • Braves: Chris Sale (4-4, 2.79 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/9 at Milwaukee - 7IP, 1ER, 5H, 2BB, 11Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Mets at Braves

  • The Mets have won 4 of their last 5 road games against teams with losing records
  • The Over is 4-1 in the Braves' last 5 matchups against NL East teams
  • The Mets have covered the Run Line in 9 straight road games
  • Chris Sale has struck out 21 opposing hitters over his last 2 starts and has not struck out fewer than 8 in an appearance since April 25
  • Juan Soto opened the series last night going 2-3 with a home run to improve his batting average in June to .340

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Mets and the Braves

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Mets and the Braves:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the New York Mets at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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England opt for Ollie Pope at No 3 over Jacob Bethell for first India Test

  • Vice-captain gets the nod after 171 against Zimbabwe

  • The 21-year-old rising star featured against West Indies

Ollie Pope has retained his England place and will face India in the first Test starting on Friday, the 171 he scored against Zimbabwe last month having proved enough to hold off the emerging challenge of Jacob Bethell.

Bethell’s success in Pope’s No 3 slot during the three-match series in New Zealand over the winter, when he scored a half-century in each Test and averaged 52, appeared to have made the position his to lose.

Continue reading...
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Mets at Braves: How to watch on SNY on June 18, 2025

The Mets continue a three-game series with the Braves in Atlanta on Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. on SNY.

Here's what to know about the game and how to watch...

Mets Notes

  • Juan Soto is hitting .351/.519/.737 with six homers, four doubles, 19 walks, 12 RBI, and 18 runs scored over his last 17 games
  • Brandon Nimmo is hitting .304/.368/.532 with five homers, three doubles, 12 RBI, and 15 runs scored over his last 20 games
  • Paul Blackburn is starting on Wednesday in place of the injured Kodai Senga. It will be Blackburn's second start of the season. In his first one, he threw 5.0 shutout innings against the Dodgers in Los Angeles
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What channel is SNY?

Check your TV or streaming provider's website or channel finder to find your local listings.

How can I stream the game?

The new way to stream SNY games is via the MLB App or MLB.tv. Streaming on the SNY App has been discontinued.

In order to stream games in SNY’s regional territory, you will need to have SNY as part of your TV package (cable or streaming), or you can now purchase an in-market SNY subscription package. Both ways will allow fans to watch the Mets on their computer, tablet or mobile phone. 

How can I watch the game on my computer via MLB? 

To get started on your computer, click here and then follow these steps: 

  • Log in using your provider credentials. If you are unsure of your provider credentials, please contact your provider. 
  • Link your provider credentials with a new or existing MLB.com account. 
  • Log in using your MLB.com credentials to watch Mets games on SNY. 

How can I watch the game on the MLB App? 

MLB App access is included for FREE with SNY. To access SNY on your favorite supported Apple or Android mobile device, please follow the steps below.  

  • Open “MLB” and tap on “Subscriber Login” for Apple Devices or “Sign in with MLB.com” for Android Devices. 
  • Type in your MLB.com credentials and tap “Log In.”  
  • To access live or on-demand content, tap on the "Watch" tab from the bottom navigation bar. Select the "Games" sub-tab to see a listing of available games. You can scroll to previous dates using the left and right arrows. Tap on a game to select from the game feeds available.  

For more information on how to stream Mets games on SNY, please click here. 

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Phillies at Marlins Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for June 18

It's Wednesday, June 18 and the Phillies (43-30) are in Miami to take on the Marlins (29-42). Ranger Suárez is slated to take the mound for Philadelphia against Adam Mazur who is making his MLB debut for Miami.

Miami snapped Philadelphia's five-game winning steak with a 8-3 victory a day after the Phillies ended the Marlins' three-game winning streak. The Phillies are 6-2 in the past eight games, while the Marlins are 5-2 in the last seven.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Phillies at Marlins

  • Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
  • Time: 6:40PM EST
  • Site: LoanDepot Park
  • City: Miami, FL
  • Network/Streaming: NBCSP, FDSNFL

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Phillies at the Marlins

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Phillies (-198), Marlins (+163)
  • Spread:  Phillies -1.5
  • Total: 7.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Phillies at Marlins

  • Pitching matchup for June 18, 2025: Ranger Suárez vs. Adam Mazur
    • Phillies: Ranger Suárez, (5-1, 2.33 ERA)
      Last outing: 7.0 Innings Pitched, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 1 Walk, and 6 Strikeouts
    • Marlins: Adam Mazur, (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
    • Mazur is making his MLB debut

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Phillies and the Marlins

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday’s game between the Phillies and the Marlins:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Philadelphia Phillies on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Miami Marlins at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 7.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Phillies at Marlins

  • The Phillies have won 12 of their last 20 away games against teams with losing records
  • The Under is 21-14-1 in the Phillies' road games this season
  • The Marlins have covered in 4 of their last 5 games showing a profit of 1.41 units
  • Philadelphia is 5-3 on the ML when Ranger Suarez pitches this season

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
Posted on

Rockies at Nationals Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 18

It's Wednesday, June 18 and the Rockies (16-57) are in Washington to take on the Nationals (30-43). Germán Márquez is slated to take the mound for Colorado against Mitchell Parker for Washington.

Colorado hit a franchise record seven homers last night in a 10-6 win over Washington. The Rockies earned a season-long three game winning streak with that victory, while the Nationals are on. a season-long 10-game losing streak.

There were nine total homers in the game with six different Rockies hitting dingers and two Nats. Yesterday with the first game during the 10-game losing streak that Washington scored more than four runs.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Rockies at Nationals

  • Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
  • Time: 6:45PM EST
  • Site: Nationals Park
  • City: Washington, DC
  • Network/Streaming: COLR, MASN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Rockies at the Nationals

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Rockies (+144), Nationals (-172)
  • Spread:  Nationals -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Rockies at Nationals

  • Pitching matchup for June 18, 2025: Germán Márquez vs. Mitchell Parker
    • Rockies: Germán Márquez, (2-8, 6.62 ERA)
      Last outing: 5.0 Innings Pitched, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 7 Strikeouts
    • Nationals: Mitchell Parker, (4-7, 4.84 ERA)
      Last outing: 3.1 Innings Pitched, 6 Earned Runs Allowed, 8 Hits Allowed, 3 Walks, and 3 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Rockies and the Nationals

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday’s game between the Rockies and the Nationals:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Colorado Rockies at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Rockies at Nationals

  • The Rockies have won their last 3 road games, while the Nationals have lost 10 straight
  • Each of the Rockies' last 3 games at the Nationals have gone over the Total
  • The Rockies have covered the Run Line in 4 of their last 5 matchups against the Nationals
  • Colorado is 3-11 on the ML when German Marquez pitches this season
  • Washington is 7-7 on the ML when Mitchell Parker pitches this season

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)