Sports News – Page 933 – Worldwide Sports News

Max Strus’s 2025-26 season was definitely not the plan either the Cleveland Cavaliers or Strus envisioned. However, the Cavaliers needed Strus for the postseason, and from that perspective, he was up to the task.

Regular Season Stats

11.2 points
5.4 rebounds
2 assists
44.3% FG
40.2% 3PT FG
77.8% FT

Late last August, it was announced by the Cavaliers that Strus underwent surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his left foot. It was initially estimated he would be sidelined for three to four months. Well, one setback after another, it became a real concern whether Strus would even be able to suit up for the Cavaliers at all this past season. Then, it was announced with 12 games left in the regular season that Strus would be able to get some minutes under his belt before the postseason.

Strus did his best to make up for lost time in his return. Against Dallas, Strus was running around like a man on fire. His lack of conscience resulted in a 7-9 shooting night (6-7 from three), ending with 24 points and eight rebounds in 23 minutes.

While it wasn’t like the Cavaliers were a Strus away from being a title team, he is one of the more adaptable players on the roster. Strus is someone who isn’t just a one-dimensional offensive player, which plagues more of the team’s role players. His ability to operate as a secondary ball handler, get defenders to bite on pull-ups, and try on defense are little things that add to his well-rounded game.

Strus, in his limited 12 games in the regular season, scored in double digits six times. Not too shabby for someone who missed the first 85% of the season. It felt like Strus was able to fast-track his ramp-up period in time for the Cavaliers to make a serious playoff push.

In the postseason, Strus had pivotal performances as the Cavaliers made their run to the Eastern Conference Finals. Strus couldn’t find a rhythm against the Knicks, but neither could anyone on the team. However, in the first two rounds, Strus was tasked, along with Dean Wade, with guarding the bigger-bodied ball handlers like Scottie Barnes and Cade Cunningham, and performed admirably.

Strus is far from an elite defender; however, he did a great job of hustling enough to stay on their hips and playing the role of on-ball pest. Offensively, Strus provided enough with his movement shooting and as a secondary ballhandler.

When you take the one-thousand-foot view of Strus’s season, it is incredible that a guy who could not play for 70 games to start the season was able to step into 25+ minute playoff games for a month and a half. Strus has always been an emotional leader of the Cavaliers. He is someone who has an edge that the team can respond to. This year showed just how valuable he is.

Grade: A-

June 22, 2026

Texas Rangers lineup for June 22, 2026

Jun 21, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder Wyatt Langford (36) hits a three run home run against the San Diego Padres during the third inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Texas Rangers lineup for June 22, 2026 against the Miami Marlins: starting pitchers are Tyler Alexander for the Rangers and Tyler Phillips for the Marlins.

Texas starts their final really long road trip of the season today in Miami. Its a 10 game, 10 day trip, and if the Rangers go .500 in the next ten games, I think we’d call it a success. A pair of Tylers are functioning as openers today. Tyler Phillips, you may recall, was originally a 16th round draft pick of the Rangers all the way back in 2015.

The lineup:

Pederson — DH

Langford — CF

Jung — 3B

Nimmo — RF

Burger — 1B

Duran — SS

Osuna — LF

Diaz — C

Lopez — 2B

5:40 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are +110 underdogs.

June 22, 2026

Series Preview: Guardians at White Sox

Aug 5, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Umpire Malachi Moore tries to separate Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) and Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson (7) after Ramirez slid into second with an RBI double during the sixth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

The Guardians and White Sox will determine who is the early AL Central leader over the next three days

The Guardians are 41-37 with a -7 run differential, 23rd in wRC+ at 92 (70 wRC+ since Jose Ramirez went down), tenth in baserunning runs above average at 2.4, 11th in Defense at -6.1, eighth in starting pitching ERA at 3.81 (4.15 FIP), and tenth in bullpen ERA at 3.76 (3.71 FIP).

The White Sox are 39-37 with a -4 run differential, 13th in wRC+ at 102, 19th in baserunning runs above average at -1.6, 13th in Defense at -7.3, 20th in starting pitching ERA at 4.53 (4.41 FIP), and 18th in bullpen ERA at 4.30 (4.41 FIP).

The Guardians will have to outpitch the White Sox to win this series and keep scores low.

MATCHUPS:
Game One, Monday, 7:40PM ET: Gavin Williams, RHP 3.83 (4.03 FIP) vs. Anthony Kay, LHP 4.61 ERA (5.32 FIP).
Game Two, Tuesday, 7:40PM ET: Parker Messick, LHP 2.70 ERA (3.21 FIP) vs. Sean Burke, RHP 3.89 ERA (3.97 FIP)
Game Three, Wednesday, 2:10PM ET: Tanner Bibee, RHP 4.03 ERA (4.66 FIP) vs. Erick Fedde, RHP 4.46 ERA (5.60 FIP)

The Guardians need their three best pitchers to actually pitch like it this week. Time to show what you’re made of, Gavin, Parker and Tanner. The boys need ya.

Watch out for Sam Antonacci 130 wRC+, Miguel Vargas 127 wRC+, Tristan Peters 121 wRC+, Colson Montgomery 120 wRC+, and Chase Meidroth 103 wRC+ on the White Sox. Also, Randal Grichuk is hitting well at the moment and I’m not sure what to make of that. Chicago better avoid Travis Bazzana, Kyle Manzardo and Brayan Rocchio… and that’s about darn it.

Here goes nothing, folks.

June 22, 2026

Reds shake up bullpen with return of Pierce Johnson

CINCINNATI, OH - MAY 23: Pierce Johnson #52 of the Cincinnati Reds looks on during the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeffrey Dean/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The Cincinnati Reds finally welcomed back some proven reinforcement to their overworked bullpen on Monday afternoon ahead of their series against the Milwaukee Brewers in Great American Ball Park.

Veteran righty Pierce Johnson was activated off the 15-day IL, while the Reds also chose to select the contract of righty Julian Garcia from AAA Louisville. Making way on the active roster were Zach Maxwell, who was optioned back to AAA, and Chris Paddack, who was designated for assignment.

The Reds announced the moves on Twitter.

The #Reds today announced the following transactions: pic.twitter.com/NKScK8KGDI
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 22, 2026

Johnson last pitched for the Reds on May 26th, landing on the injured list with an elbow issue shortly thereafter. He only pitched in a single game on rehab with Louisville, allowing a run on two hits (with a strikeout), but apparently that’s enough for the club and the 35 year old to know that he’s ready once again to tackle big league hitters.

Garcia, though, is a whole different story. The 31 year old will be making his big league debut the moment he takes the mound in a Reds uniform, a former 10th round pick out of Metro State in Denver who spent most of the 2024 and 2025 seasons pitching for the Kansas City Monarchs in indy ball. While at Louisville this year, though, the slide-piece specialist strug out 54 in just 35.2 IP while pitching to a 3.03 ERA, and even has been good at limiting walks (12) in a way no other Reds reliever can really claim. Obviously, it will be quite the story to follow to see if the Reds have uncovered a diamond in the rough with him.

As for the other moves, Maxwell struggled mightily in this stint with the Reds and will return to the minors to sort things out. Paddack, meanwhile, will almost certainly move on to another organization after being signed to help rescue the starting rotation in May when it was dealt a number of costly blows. His role had been reduced to mop-up duty after his final start on May 29th, and pitching out of the bullpen did no favors to him or to the Reds. He will, though, potentially go down in Reds lore for teaching Chase Burns a new changeup, something that was on full display on Sunday in the Reds victory over the New York Yankees in the Bronx.

June 22, 2026

Drake Baldwin, Ozzie Albies poised to start at 2026 All-Star Game after second vote update

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 27: Ozzie Albies #1 and Drake Baldwin #30 of the Atlanta Braves smile before the game against the Kansas City Royals at Truist Park on March 27, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Are you tired of the Hamilton-adjacent cosplays yet? Well, Braves Country isn’t throwing away its shot to send some Braves to the All-Star Game. But some help may be needed.

With three days left remaining in Phase 1 of voting, Major League Baseball has released the second balloting update for the 2026 All-Star Game in Philadelphia. As of last week’s update, five Braves were poised to advance.

Much is the same in this update, which is what we like to see.

Our recently-returned reigning ROY Drake Baldwin and recent walkoff hero Ozzie Albies lead their positions at catcher and second base, respectively. Baldwin, sporting a cumulative 1,755,668 votes, has a decent lead over LA’s Will Smith. If a late push to get J.T. Realmuto in at his home field happens, he’s more than welcome to fight it out with Smith. We love the Drake.

Things are much tighter in the race for second base. Ozzie’s holding at first with just shy of a million votes, but is nearly 200,000 votes above Phillie Bryson Stott in second, and just over 300,000 votes separate him from Luis Arraez of the Giants in fifth. The Ozzie Albies game came with a relentless push to vote Ozzie, and our short king could use your support.

Matt Olson remains (criminally) in second place with Freddie Freeman in first for NL first basemen, but is still poised to advance to Phase 2. If a last-minute comeback for Bryce Harper in voting sinks this for Matty O… I don’t even want to think about it.

The outfield has the one mildly unpleasant update. Ronald Acuña Jr.’s current placement on the IL may be dampening his All-Star voting for the outfield. He’s slipped from second place to third behind Andy Pages and Brandon Marsh. The latter has surged but has a slim ~40k lead. Michael Harris II is right there behind Ronald at fourth. Both would still advance to Phase 2, but of course we’d much prefer to see Acuña Jr. earn the starting spot in the OF over a Phillie, right?

TL;DR: Baldwin and Albies are in line to start at catcher and second base for the National League, while Olson, Acuña Jr., and Harris II are in good shape to advance to Phase 2 of voting.

As for our other Braves, Austin Riley surged in voting a little to overtake Nolan Arenado to be third for third baseman. The gap between him and Alec Bohm isn’t impossible to close, but it could be tough to find 300k+ votes. Ha-Seong Kim, Dominic Smith, and Mauricio Dubón all remain at the same spots as last update in their positions (sixth, third, and eleventh, respectively). Full vote totals can be found here.

The marching orders seem clear to me: help secure Ronald’s spot in the Midsummer Classic and keep voting Braves. Consider submitting your five daily votes today through Wednesday while we’re waiting around all day for these Pacific Time games. Phase 1 of the voting ends at 12:00 p.m. ET sharp on June 25. Finalists will be announced at 6:00 p.m ET that same day and Phase 2 begins on June 29.

June 22, 2026

The Pros And Cons Of The Maple Leafs Acquiring Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky This Off-Season

Entering the week of the 2026 NHL draft, there's been some new speculation surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs and the next assignment for GM John Chayka to improve the team this off-season.

With already trading away Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit to the Philadelphia Flyers, and acquiring Darren Raddysh from the Tampa Bay Lightning and signing him to a new contract, another move appears to be on the cards, potentially.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman has connected the Maple Leafs to Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky as a possible move this off-season on the 32 Thoughts podcast.

"Wouldn't shock me if (Bobrovsky) ended up being their guy potentially," Friedman said on the podcast.

With that speculation, what would it look like if Toronto really acquired Bobrovsky? Well, here are some pros and cons of a potential marriage between the Maple Leafs and the two-time Vezina Trophy winner.

Pros

There has been some movement and discussions around the Maple Leafs' goaltending depth and pipeline.

For starters, Woll is no longer on the Leafs roster from that aforementioned trade with the Flyers. However, Toronto received goaltender Samuel Ersson, as well as defenseman Emil Andrae, in that trade.

Regarding Ersson, it doesn't seem like the Leafs are fully committed to him, as the Swedish netminder is a pending RFA and hasn't put up great campaigns in the NHL since his debut season in 2022-23.

Why The Maple Leafs May Decide To Not Tender Newly Acquired Goaltender Samuel Ersson A Qualifying OfferWhile acquiring Samuel Ersson adds an intriguing young goaltender to the pipeline, his looming arbitration rights and Toronto’s crowded crease mean the Maple Leafs might just walk away.

"Even though (Toronto) traded for Ersson, I'm not convinced they keep them," Friedman mentioned.

If the Leafs are looking to let go of Ersson, Friedman sees the Panthers taking him off their hands since both their goaltenders are pending UFAs.

"I wonder if (Florida) look at a guy like Ersson because it doesn't sound like Toronto is married to him," he said.

So, business from that perspective could be handled in some way.

Aside from the convenience it could bring to both parties, bringing in a netminder of Bobrovsky's stature and experience could have a positive impact on Toronto's goaltending department.

It would be specifically effective for the development of 24-year-olds Dennis Hildeby and Bobrovsky's fellow countryman, Artur Akhtyamov. Both Hildeby and Akhtyamov will be looking to break into the NHL soon, whether that's with the Leafs or somewhere else, and Bobrovsky could be the perfect mentor for the Toronto Marlies' Calder Cup-winning tandem.

Maple Leafs Assistant GM Ryan Hardy Explains Akhtyamov Playing More Than Hildeby With MarliesWhile the Toronto Marlies have an outstanding goaltending tandem, Artur Akhtyamov has had the net for the majority of the AHL Calder Cup playoffs. Toronto Maple Leafs assistant GM and Marlies GM Ryan Hardy explains how it got here.

That leaves Anthony Stolarz, the remaining NHL goalie for the Maple Leafs. There's an easy connection between Stolarz and Bobrovsky, as they were teammates in Florida and won the 2023-24 Stanley Cup together.

Though Bobrovsky saw most of the action in that regular season and post-season, they were an excellent tandem together. If the Maple Leafs go on to acquire Bobrovsky's talents, they would have a couple of Cup winners in their crease for 2026-27.

Cons

Although Bobrovsky has multiple honors in a career that will likely be acknowledged by the Hockey Hall of Fame someday, the Russian goaltender is getting up there in age. Bobrovsky will turn 38 years old before the start of the 2026-27 campaign.

In addition to that fact, he is reportedly looking to sign a six- or seven-year contract and seeking as high as $42 million on that next deal. Bobrovsky's expiring contract paid him $10 million per season and was a seven-year agreement.

Part of this could be because Panthers GM Bill Zito signed Brad Marchand to a contract extension last off-season, who was the same age as Bobrovsky now. Marchand ended up signing a six-year ticket at $5.25 million per season. Now Bobrovsky is seeking similar treatment.

Bobrovsky's reported demands come after one of the worst campaigns of his 16-year NHL career. He posted a .877 save percentage and a 3.07 goals-against average in 52 games for the Panthers. That is indeed the lowest SP he's ever recorded, and the second-worst GAA.

On a broader scale, among NHL goaltenders who played a minimum of 40 games last season, Bobrovsky has the third-worst SP, only behind Kevin Lankinen and Jordan Binnington.

Also, he can indeed help guide the young pair of goaltenders from the Marlies, but the truth is Bobrovsky would be taking one of their spots on the NHL roster.

So, with a mix of his age, reported contract demands and his play from last season, acquiring Bobrovsky this off-season may not be the answer for the Maple Leafs.

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June 22, 2026

Dallas Mavericks fans are worried about the NBA Draft

DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 29: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks speaks during a press conference after being named the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year at American Airlines Center on April 29, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. 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. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Last week’s survey centered around the upcoming NBA Draft, which takes place over two days this week, Tuesday and Wednesday. Dallas picks 9th in the draft, a maddening position considering how bad the team was this year.

The first question was a simple yes/no question about your concern level about the availability of players in the draft for the Mavericks when they select in the first round.

A slight majority says yes, they are concerned. That’s the group I fall in, but if you’re hopeful and like the quality of players available in the range Dallas picks in, I get it. There’s a lot of interesting players, so maybe I need to relax.

The second question asked if you want the Mavericks to try to trade up.

A slight majority said no to this question which tracks with the first question. If you believe in Dallas and the players in the range, there’s no need to trade up. Hint, I want them to trade up but know they don’t have the assets to do so.

The third question asked whether you wanted Dallas to trade down (and, theoretically, acquire more assets).

Only two in five fans want Dallas to trade down. The majority of fans seem to want Dallas to stay put and draft whoever is there. Man I get it but this is the last time Dallas has a lottery pick they control maybe for the decade. If you want to place a bet on who the Mavericks might draft, or anyone else in the NBA, you can do so via our partners at FanDuel. It’s fun, I recommend it.

The national poll asked questions about the NBA Finals.

2 out of 3 fans enjoyed the Knicks title fun; count me as one of them. But begrudgingly.

This question is stupid and heavily influenced by Knicks fans. Brunson shouldn’t have beeb allowed to walk, but trading Luka is worse. Come on now.

Most fans think the Thunder come back with a fury and I have to agree.

Look forward to another poll later this week!

June 22, 2026

From opt-out to mega deal: Trae Young secures $212M with Wizards

It turns out Trae Young won’t be going anywhere.

Just days after he reportedly declined his $49 million player option, Young reportedly plans to sign a four-year, $212 million contract to remain with the Wizards, as the team looks to elevate itself into contention.

The Wizards also hold the No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 NBA Draft, whose first round is set for Tuesday, June 23.

Young, 27, played just 15 games last season and averaged 17.9 points and 8.0 assists per game. The Hawks traded him in early January, and Young played just five games for Washington, as he dealt with a quad injury. The Wizards, who were in a race for the bottom, also didn’t press the issue and were happy to let Young and Anthony Davis, another acquisition, recover from their injuries.

Now, the Wizards can pair Young with Davis, 2024 No. 2 overall pick Alexandre Sarr and whoever the franchise ends up with Tuesday night.

Young also has the chance to establish himself as the clear leader in the locker room, as the Wizards do have a trio of younger guards who could look to him as a model: Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson and Bub Carrington.

That could be magnified further if the Wizards opt to select Darryn Peterson out of Kansas with the top selection Tuesday night.

On the other hand, if Washington chooses to select AJ Dybantsa from BYU, Young’s play-making ability could free up Dybantsa to play off the ball more as a slasher.

Either way, the Wizards, who finished with the NBA’s worst record at 17-65, suddenly appear like a team that’s poised to make a leap in 2026-27.

Young, a four-time All-Star, led the NBA in assists two seasons ago with 11.6 per game.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trae Young lands four-year, $212M Wizards deal after opting out

June 22, 2026

How The Tkachuk & Samoskevich Trades Impact The Vancouver Canucks

The hockey world was stunned on June 21 when news broke of Brady Tkachuk being traded to the Florida Panthers from the Ottawa Senators, fetching Ottawa a grand total of four draft selections — 9th and 25th in 2026, a top-10 protected first-round selection in 2029, and a second-round pick in 2027.

Where this gets intriguing is the consideration of the picks regarding Ottawa’s future. The Senators made the post-season for the first time in seven years in 2025, though both last year and this year’s playoff runs ended in the first-round. Whichever players the team picks up at 9th and even 25th during this year’s draft will definitely become impact players — but only time will tell how long it takes them to.

This is where the Vancouver Canucks come in.

Vancouver has found their name embroiled in trade chatter throughout the past few weeks, with the names most mentioned being veteran players like Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, and Jake DeBrusk. Some reports have even tied specific players to certain teams, such as Pettersson and the St. Louis Blues.

One specific report from two weeks ago, made by Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen, suggested that the Senators had been interested in potentially acquiring DeBrusk.

From the standpoints of both teams, especially now that Ottawa has a tidy crop of three first-round draft picks, a deal for DeBrusk would work pretty well. A consistent 40 to 45-point player, DeBrusk can chip in to Ottawa’s offence without having the expectation of being one of the team’s key pieces.

In this scenario, the other trade Florida conducted on June 21 works decently in the Canucks’ favour.

Prior to acquiring the younger Tkachuk, the Panthers flipped forward Mackie Samoskevich to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for the 25th pick, now Ottawa’s, as well as a conditional second-round selection in 2027.

There are two obvious differences in what DeBrusk and Samoskevich could provide a different team with.

For one, DeBrusk evidently demonstrates more of an immediate impact offensively. The forward was still able to put up back-to-back 40+ point seasons with the Canucks, even when they finished 32nd in the league this year. He’ll fit decently with the Senators’ window, which appears open now.

Samoskevich, on the other hand, is much younger. A middle-six forward, the 23-year-old logged back-to-back 30-point seasons in the NHL since playing in his first full season in 2024–25. With youth comes the potential to become a big-time producer later on down the road — but for a team like Ottawa, having a proven goal-scorer is something that would help the Senators’ puzzle feel closer to completion.

Mar 9, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser (6) stick checks Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk (7) as Tkachuk scores on this shot in the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Where this impacts the Canucks is dictating the right package for a player like DeBrusk. If Ottawa is still interested, they’ve got a good chunk of assets they can now use to potentially acquire the Canucks winger, and maybe even another player, if it works well for both sides. When looking at what Samoskevich fetched Florida, it wouldn't be unreasonable to suggest that DeBrusk could also command a first-round pick from the Senators — likely 25th if not moved as part of a package.

At the end of the day, however, as much as Vancouver would likely jump at the opportunity to grab another first-round pick in this year’s draft, the Senators will probably want to use the assets acquired in the Tkachuk package to make a big splash and acquire a bigger-impact player. If they do decide to go down the route of obtaining secondary pieces that can produce offensively, a trade with the Canucks for DeBrusk could be one to look out for.

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:

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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.

June 22, 2026

MLB Home Run Predictions Today: Best HR Prop Bets, Picks, Parlay & Odds for Monday, June 22

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A new week brings a fresh slate of opportunities!

I'm backing Shohei Ohtani, Jake Bauers, and Kyle Stowers to go deep in my favorite MLB player props and home run predictions for Monday, June 22.

Best MLB home run props today

Player to hit a HR	Odds
Shohei Ohtani	+201
Jake Bauers	+324
Kyle Stowers	+445
💲Today's HR parlay	+6832

Home run pick: Shohei Ohtani (+201)

The No. 1-rated hitter on the slate having a very “meh” price tag to leave the yard makes complete sense. If you can find a boost, this is the prop to use it on. Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani has strong trends when elite, especially in the home run department. In 133 elite-rated road games on Batters-Box, Ohtani has left the yard 28.57% of the time.

On top of that, he's posting a near 70% elevation rate while generating 77% hard contact and a 31% barrel rate over his last 30 road plate appearances.

Ohtani draws Minnesota Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews, against whom he has nearly 90% arsenal coverage. Matthews owns one of the weakest pitcher ratings on the slate and has struggled badly against lefties. Over his last 60 lefties faced, he carries a 9.00 ERA and 7.01 xERA while allowing 48% hard contact, a 16% barrel rate, and a 70% elevation rate.

If you want extra protection on Ohtani, adding his double makes sense. I expect him to boom tonight against Matthews.

Time: 7:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: MNNT, SportsNet Los Angeles

Home run pick: Jake Bauers (+324)

Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers has been producing more hard contact than anyone in baseball over his last 30 plate appearances, generating 77% hard contact and a 15.4% barrel rate vs right-handed pitching. Zooming out to his last 60 plate appearances, he still holds a 73% hard contact rate and a 13.3% barrel rate, while posting a .596 SLG and a .428 wOBA.

This evening, he draws Cincinnati Reds right-hander Brady Singer, a matchup he sees well with 82% arsenal coverage. At home this season, Singer owns a 5.61 xERA and 5.33 xFIP, allowing 42.2% hard contact and a 14.1% barrel rate to opposing hitters. Those bats have produced a .280 xBA, .527 SLG, and .380 xwOBA.

Bauers’ batting average has been a bit low despite consistently barreling the ball. He feels due for extra bases tonight, whether it's going into the stands or one off the wall. Either way, this is a strong spot for power production, with the double worth a look as insurance.

Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: CINR, BREW

Home run pick: Kyle Stowers (+445)

Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers enters today with one of the best matchup ratings in this game, while having one of the best home run trends when elite. In 21 elite ratings at home, the Marlin homers 28.57% of the time.

Stowers has been on a tear over his last 10 games, generating 63.2% hard contact, a 26.3% barrel rate, and elevating the ball 63.2% of the time. He also owns a .667 SLG, 1.109 OPS, and .471 wOBA in that stretch.

Stowers draws Texas Rangers starter Kumar Rocker, against whom he has nearly 70% arsenal coverage. Rocker enters today with the worst hard contact rating on the day, giving up the most among today's starters. He has also consistently struggled against left-handed hitters, who over his last 60 faced are producing 51% hard contact, a 12.2% barrel rate, and a 67% elevation rate.

With Rocker allowing a ton of hard contact and elevation, and Stowers producing it at a high level, +445 is a price worth backing Stowers at.

Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: MIAMI, RSN

Colby Marchio's 2026 Transparency Record

HR picks: 62-208, +18.5 units

Today’s HR parlay

Shohei Ohtani	Bet Now +6832
Jake Bauers
Kyle Stowers

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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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.

June 22, 2026

The Best Cards to Buy in 2026 Bowman Baseball Right Now

2026 Bowman delivered another deep 1st Auto class, and these are the names I keep coming back to at their current market prices. This is not a checklist of the most expensive or highest-ranked cards in the set. Instead, it is a breakdown of where the true value lives right now, profiles whose tools and raw upside completely outrun what the market is asking.

Every player highlighted below is a bet on projection rather than a finished stat line. We are targeting loud raw power and impact among the bats, alongside a mix of ceiling and pitchability among the arms. Some are high-upside swings while others represent steadier bets, but each is a foundational 1st Bowman Chrome autograph I would happily buy at today’s number and hold. A handful of honorable mentions round out the group as cards I like just a notch below my primary targets.

What follows is a short, honest read on each: the profile, where the bat or arm is trending, and the role I expect them to grow into.

About the Author:Andrew Dahl is the founder of Prospect Pulse, the ultimate Bowman Chrome Market Edge platform for serious collectors. Built specifically for 1st Bowman Chrome Auto hobbyists, Prospect Pulse provides live eBay auction tracking, comp-based pricing, and portfolio tools powered by an analysis of over 400,000+ sales across 2,000+ prospects.

Edward Florentino

Hobby Ranking (courtesy of @BigBobsCards): #5
Avg Price: $108

Florentino is a big, long-levered corner outfielder with a projectable 6-foot-3 frame. His plus raw power is the clear carrying tool, supported by elite-for-his-age exit velocities and a left-handed swing built for natural loft. This allows him to lift the ball with pull-side authority to all fields. The hit tool is advanced for his age, anchored by high in-zone contact and patient, disciplined plate appearances that drive strong walk totals, though his bat can occasionally be tested up in the zone.

Defensively, he profiles best in right field, where his average arm strength fits the position, though first base remains a realistic fallback as he continues to fill out. He runs efficiently on the bases and has posted high steal totals, but his pure footspeed will likely settle into an average grade as he matures physically. He projects as a middle-of-the-order corner regular whose offensive ceiling carries the profile.

Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Speed: 45 | Field: 50

2026 Bowman Chrome-Edward Florentino-1st Bowman On Card Base Auto-Pirates - Picture 1 of 2

Justin Gonzales

Hobby Ranking (courtesy of @BigBobsCards): #30
Avg Price: $59

Gonzales is a towering, right-handed corner outfielder whose carrying tools are massive raw power and a cannon of an arm, built on a tight-end frame that is still filling out. He pairs an advanced, disciplined approach with surprising contact ability for his size, showing a willingness to work counts and utilize the opposite field. Sharpening his recognition of secondary pitches is the next crucial step to letting the bat play to its full potential.

The thump is entirely real, featuring top-of-the-charts exit velocities to all fields; flattening a groundball-heavy bat path will be the key to turning that raw juice into over-the-fence game production. He moves adequately for his size without being a true base-stealing threat, and his arm fits cleanly in right field. He projects as an everyday corner power bat once his swing decisions fully catch up.

Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Speed: 45 | Field: 45

2026 Topps Bowman Chrome Justin Gonzalez Bowman 1st Base Auto CPA-JG Red Sox - Picture 1 of 2

Roldy Brito

Hobby Ranking (courtesy of @BigBobsCards): #54
Avg Price: $35

Brito is a compact, twitchy switch-hitter whose elite speed headlines a well-rounded set of tools from an athletic, up-the-middle frame. His carrying asset shows up immediately on the bases; his aggressive, high-volume stealing has prompted the organization to leverage his speed by sliding him from the middle infield out to center field.

At the plate, he pairs above-average bat-to-ball skills from both sides with sound, patient swing decisions, peppering line drives gap to gap while his game power climbs steadily toward average over-the-fence impact. Defensively, he handles multiple spots up the middle and in the outfield, where his actions and range play well even if his arm offers only modest carry. He projects as a dynamic everyday regular and table-setter, with his speed and feel to hit anchoring the profile.

Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Speed: 65 | Field: 55

2026 1st Bowman Chrome Roldy Brito Prospect Base Auto Autograph RC SP Rockies - Picture 1 of 2

Juan Sanchez

Hobby Ranking (courtesy of @BigBobsCards): #98
Avg Price: $28

Sanchez is a big-framed, 6-foot-3 right-handed infield prospect whose calling card is loud, projectable power from a balanced swing. Signed by Toronto out of the Dominican Republic, he debuted with a thunderous 2025 line and has been pushed aggressively to full-season ball at just 18 years old, where his impact bat plays best inside the zone.

The hit tool is the ultimate swing factor here: his contact output can come and go as he adjusts to stateside arms, but the in-game thump projects as a true offensive driver. A plus arm anchors his defensive value and points toward a comfortable long-term home at third base, complemented by steady hands and reliable actions on the dirt. He is a station-to-station runner who will not lean on his legs. He projects as a power-hitting corner regular if the bat matures.

Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Speed: 40 | Field: 45

2026 Bowman Chrome Prospects Juan Sanchez 1st Bowman Chrome On Card Auto - Picture 1 of 2

Dasan Hill

Hobby Ranking (courtesy of @BigBobsCards): #26
Avg Price: $12

Hill is a projectable 6-foot-5 left-hander whose lanky, still-filling frame and dramatic velocity climb give him one of the loudest arms in the minor leagues. The fastball is the headliner, sitting mid-90s and touching triple digits with real carry up in the zone. It pairs beautifully with a changeup that flashes plus, featuring heavy fade and a near-50% miss rate at its best.

His low-80s sweeper provides a second genuine swing-and-miss weapon with sharp two-plane bite, while a high-70s curveball serves as an effective chase offering. Hill misses bats at every level, posting strikeout rates north of 30 percent throughout his climb. The walk rate remains the gating skill, and tightening his strike-throwing is the central focus of his development. He projects as a mid-rotation starter if the command sharpens, with a high-leverage left-handed bullpen role as a fallback.

Grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Command: 45

2026 Bowman Chrome Dasan Hill 1st Bowman Base Auto #CPA-DH Minnesota Twins - Picture 1 of 2

Honorable Mentions

Marek Houston

Hobby Ranking (courtesy of @BigBobsCards): #160
Avg Price: $21

Houston is a tall, athletic shortstop whose calling card is plus defense, characterized by smooth, easy actions, deft hands, an excellent internal clock, and the slot versatility to fire accurate throws from any angle—even when off-balance. He pairs that elite glove with a disciplined, contact-oriented bat, working a short, direct stroke to control the strike zone and spray line drives gap to gap.

His present strength points more toward a doubles-and-on-base profile than over-the-fence thump, meaning the hit tool and approach will carry his offensive value. On the bases, he is an above-average runner with the instincts to steal in volume, and his accurate arm deepens the defensive package. He projects as an everyday shortstop whose glove anchors the profile while a steady, professional bat keeps him in the lineup.

Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Speed: 55 | Field: 60

David Shields

Hobby Ranking (courtesy of @BigBobsCards): #24
Avg Price: $15

Shields is a projectable 6-foot-2 left-hander with a graceful, repeatable delivery and a feel for pitching well beyond his teenage years. His calling card is command: he locates all three offerings to both sides of the plate and pounds the zone with elite efficiency. His fastball sits around 90 mph with life and natural deception, playing up through extension and pinpoint placement rather than overpowering velocity, leaving plenty of room for more as he matures physically.

The low-80s slider is his best secondary offering—a swing-and-miss breaker that anchors the arsenal—while his circle changeup has grown into a real weapon with armside fade. He misses bats in bunches and limits free passes despite being young for his level. He projects as a back-end starter, with mid-rotation upside if the fastball velocity ticks up.

Grades: Fastball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Command: 60

David Davalillo

Hobby Ranking (courtesy of @BigBobsCards): #84
Avg Price: $8

Davalillo is a lean, control-driven right-hander whose profile is anchored by a plummeting low-80s splitter that grades as a true out-pitch. The offering kills spin and falls off the table, generating a spectacular swing-and-miss rate in the mid-to-upper-50 percent range. His fastball sits in the low-90s and can reach the mid-90s, but it works primarily because of his command and his ability to change eye levels rather than pure velocity.

A sweeping slider gives him a reliable second breaking offering, and he rounds out a deep mix with a curveball, changeup, and cutter, throwing all of them for strikes with advanced sequencing and feel. His strike-throwing is a genuine carrying trait, evidenced by elite walk rates as he climbed into the upper minors. He projects as a high-floor back-end starter whose splitter and command let the entire profile play up.

Grades: Fastball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Splitter: 65 | Command: 55

The Bottom Line

Step back and a clear pattern emerges: every name on this list is a bet on tools and projection rather than a finished stat line. Because the professional samples are still small, we are buying the physical frame, the carrying tool, and the upward developmental arrow—not a proven track record.

Among the bats, the through-line is real raw power and impact from the international ranks, with the hit tool acting as the crucial swing factor that determines how much of that power translates into games. Among the arms, the choice splits between raw projection and velocity in Dasan Hill, versus advanced pitchability and command in David Shields and David Davalillo.

What makes the timing work right now is the price. Most of these cards have seen their market values settle just over five weeks after release. Historically, this is the exact window where you want to buy a foundational 1st Bowman Chrome autograph. If even a couple of these profiles click, there is far more room above today’s prices than below them.

June 22, 2026

Luka Dončić texted Jalen Brunson after the Knicks won the NBA Finals

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 18: Former Dallas Mavericks teammates Luka Doncic #77 and Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks pose for a portrait before the NBA All-Star Game as part of NBA All-Star Weekend on Sunday, February 18, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

As far as all-time fumbles by a franchise go, the Mavericks going from having a young backcourt pairing of Luka Dončić and Jalen Brunson to having neither and nothing to show for it is near the top of the list.

It’s two of the more inexplicable moves in recent NBA history. Dallas watched Brunson excel throughout the 2021-22 season, including the playoffs, and let him walk. Then, two-and-a-half years later, they handed Luka on a silver platter to the Lakers.

Despite both being done dirty by the Mavs — or maybe even because of it — Brunson and Luka have kept a friendship throughout the years. So, when Brunson was on the verge of an NBA title in the Finals, Luka reached out to him, as he recently confirmed in a Spanish interview with the YouTube channel DrafteadosNBA.

Luka says Jalen Brunson is a winner on the court and great guy.
– Did you congratulate JB on his win?

“Of course. Before the last game I said to him “One more” and then when he won I congratulated him and he texted me back, I thought he had a lot of messages”

YT/DrafteadosNBA pic.twitter.com/REPpHzbN1e
— Luka Updates (@LukaUpdates) June 16, 2026

Given how close he is with so many past and current teammates, it really seems like Luka is one of the best guys in the league. From Brunson to Dorian Finney-Smith to Kyrie Irving to Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves, Luka has so many teammates he’s close with.

Luka did an interview in Slovenia where he revealed he did not watch the Finals, but mainly because the games came on in the middle of the night. He was clearly paying attention to the scores and cheering on his former teammate.

The hope is that, next spring, it’s Brunson sending texts to Luka encouraging him to finish off a Finals win and congratulating him on his first title.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

June 22, 2026

Trae Young to sign four-year extension to remain with Wizards

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 14: Trae Young #3 of the Washington Wizards looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics on March 14, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Washington Wizards guard Trae Young intends to sign a maximum contract extension to remain in the nation’s capital, ESPN’s Shams Charania reportedMonday.

BREAKING: Trae Young intends to sign a four-year, approximately $212 million deal to stay with the Washington Wizards, with a player option in Year 4, sources tell ESPN. The four-time NBA All-Star declined his $49M player option for a long-term commitment ahead of free agency. pic.twitter.com/BAGANqomo0
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 22, 2026

The reported four-year, $212 million max contract comes days after Young declined his $48.97 million player option for the 2026-27 season.

Young’s cap hit will rise by roughly 5% in each season of his four-year, $212M contract extension with the Wizards, sources tell Bullets Forever. The contract culminates with a player option in Year 4.

ESPN reported that Young’s contract was “equal to the max he could’ve signed elsewhere,” which signals Young had a solid free agent market that forced Washington’s front office to offer more money than some originally expected.

Young’s market changed following the league’s updated lottery rules, which brought other teams into the mix. The Wizards signed Young at a comparative league value, giving him the maximum amount opposing teams could’ve offered in free agency.

Washington could’ve offered Young an additional $75 million but signed him for one less year and significantly less money.

Young, 27, was acquired by Washington in a January trade that sent CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert to the Atlanta Hawks. The nine-year veteran averaged 15.2 points and 6.2 assists while shooting 59.5% from the field across five appearances with the Wizards last season.

Young missed 67 games due to several injuries, most notably a quad contusion and an MCL sprain that forced him to miss nearly two months following the trade. Back irritation and another quad contusion caused Young to miss the team’s final 15 contests.

The Oklahoma product was selected with the No. 5 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft and led the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021. His best season came in 2021-22 when he averaged 28.4 points and 9.7 assists en route to All-NBA Third Team honors.

Michael Winger revealed on the Ryen Russillo Show that Washington’s front office ranked Young as the top 2026 free agent. Rather than wait for Young to decline his player option and test free agency, the Wizards used their abundance of cap space to acquire him via trade.

Wizards general manager Will Dawkins applauded Young’s court vision and said the organization acquired him to serve as the team’s floor general. With an extension inked, Young’s role is now official as the team’s PG of the future.

“You just see the playmaking, the scoring, the presence that he has for naturally moving and sharing the ball,” Dawkins said in March.

The four-time All-Star guard has averaged at least 25 points and nine assists per game five times in his career. There have only been 16 such seasons in NBA history.

Young led the league in assists three times and is the league’s current active leader in assists per game. He ranks third all time in that category behind Magic Johnson and John Stockton.

Dawkins also praised Young’s desire to be in Washington — a feeling Young shared during a recent appearance on “The Pivot” podcast.

“I wanted to go [to Washington],” Young said. “It’s not like [Atlanta] just shipped me to Washington. Because that wasn’t the case.”

Trae Young said he wanted to come to the Wizards when he discovered he would be traded last season.

“I wanted to go [to Washington]. It’s not like [Atlanta] just shipped me to Washington. Because that wasn’t the case.”

(🎥 via @thepivot) pic.twitter.com/5FVUGwRg6O
— Greg Finberg (@GregFinberg) June 10, 2026

Young projects as Washington’s starting point guard alongside Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr. That leaves openings in the team’s starting unit for two of the following players: Kyshawn George, Bilal Coulibaly, Tre Johnson and whoever Washington selects with the No. 1 pick.

No matter the starting lineup, Young believes the Wizards are ready to ascend behind their young core and group of veterans poised for a better season.

“I know our team is gonna be ready,” Young said on The Pivot. “We have young guys who have been through the rebuilding stage. They went through a lot of losing the last few years, and they’re tired of losing. I want to be there with them when we’re winning.”

June 22, 2026

Oilers re-sign defenseman Connor Murphy to a 5-year, $20.5 million contract

The Edmonton Oilers re-signed defenseman Connor Murphy to a five-year contract worth $20.5 million on Monday.

The team announced the deal roughly 24 hours after extending center Jason Dickinson for the next five seasons at $20 million. Murphy and Dickinson joined Edmonton in separate deals from Chicago as pending unrestricted free agents ahead of the trade deadline in early March.

Murphy, like Dickinson, improved the Oilers’ ability to keep the puck out of their own net. Their goals-against average was 3.34 in the 62 games before acquiring them and dropped to 2.90 in the final 20 games of the regular season with them.

That number shot up to 4.33 in a first-round loss to Anaheim, though that also included goaltenders Tristan Jarry and Connor Ingram combining for a playoff-worst .866 save percentage.

General manager Stan Bowman could address the goaltending situation via trade or free agency, and he and the front office need to hire a coach after firing Kris Knoblauch, who led consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup in 2024 and ’25.

Re-signing Murphy, 33, is part of the organization’s commitment to being better defensively in an effort to finally get Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl their first championship after more than a decade in the NHL together. Murphy has skated in 840 games in the league with the Coyotes, Blackhawks and Oilers.