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Why Cora prefers to sit Mayer and Anthony against LHP

Why Cora prefers to sit Mayer and Anthony against LHP originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

BOSTON — Alex Cora and the Boston Red Sox are taking it slow with their prized top prospects.

If Cora sticks with his current strategy, left-handed hitters Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony won’t see many at-bats against southpaws during their rookie seasons. The Red Sox manager has mostly benched Mayer against left-handers since his big-league promotion, and Anthony was lifted for pinch-hitter Rob Refsnyder in the 11th inning of his MLB debut Monday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Before Tuesday’s game at Fenway Park, Cora explained why he prefers to sit Mayer and Anthony against left-handed pitching, citing lefty mashers Romy Gonzalez and Rob Refsnyder as his go-to options in those scenarios.

“The lefties here are real lefties,” Cora said. “There’s stuff here, especially the guys in the bullpen. I truly believe that if you’ve got stuff, you’re gonna be here. You’re not gonna be in Triple-A or Double-A. So what they see here is different. …

“What Romy (Gonzalez) has done the last year and a half, he’s been amazing. Even yesterday, Ref (Rob Refsnyder) went into my office and he’s praising Romy like, ‘Man, this guy’s the best against lefties.’ … The kids, they understand. They know. I had a conversation with Marcelo in New York and today I talked to Roman about a lot of stuff, including pinch-hitting. They’re all-in to win. We will keep doing that.”

Anthony and Mayer will bat fifth and seventh, respectively, in Tuesday’s lineup against Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot. If Tampa Bay turns to a left-hander out of their bullpen, their nights could again end early.

“We’ve got a righty today, so they’re starting,” Cora continued. “We’re trying to actually play the game of how to protect them. They don’t see many lefties during the game, understanding that there’s a pocket up there with Jarren (Duran) and Raffy (Rafael Devers). If they bring the lefties for those guys, then it’s good for us. We’ll keep making adjustments and see where we’re at.

“Yesterday, if the game was tied (in the 11th inning), Roman was gonna hit. He’s seen that guy (Rays reliever Ian Seymour) in the minor leagues before, so let him hit, get the guy over. Probably were gonna pinch-hit with Ref later on, so you’ve just got to manage the game.”

Mayer’s numbers against lefties were significantly worse throughout his minor-league career, so the decision to sit him against southpaws isn’t all that surprising. That said, it would make sense to get him more accustomed to big-league left-handed pitching during a crucial development year for the former first-round draft pick.

Sitting Anthony against lefties is even more perplexing. The 21-year-old slugger has been unfazed by unfavorable matchups, posting a .955 OPS against left-handers this season at Triple-A Worcester and a .879 OPS against righties.

Cora attributes some of that success to a sizable talent gap between Triple-A and MLB left-handed pitchers.

“The good ones are here,” Cora said. “I’m not saying that’s what they did, I think they’re very talented and they’re here because they have earned the right to be in the big leagues. But yeah, there’s a big gap.”

Eventually, Mayer and Anthony will get to prove themselves against left-handers. For now, Cora and Co. will play it safe with the club still fighting to get back to .500 (32-36). Boston entered Tuesday nine games back in the American League East.

Anthony will look to earn his first MLB hit Tuesday in front of the Fenway Faithful. First pitch against the Rays is set for 7:10 p.m. ET.

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Bruins in rare spot with lots of draft capital to improve roster now, long-term

Bruins in rare spot with lots of draft capital to improve roster now, long-term originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Bruins are loaded with first-round draft picks. It’s a pretty unique situation for the B’s to find themselves in.

After all, the Bruins have not made first-round picks in back-to-back years since 2016 and 2017, and they’ve picked in Round 1 in just four of the last seven drafts.

But after dealing away several veterans at the March 7 NHL trade deadline, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney now has a high amount of draft capital to restock the team’s lackluster prospect pool. He could also use some of these picks in potential trade packages to acquire established talent that could help Boston get back into the playoff mix quickly.

In total, the Bruins could have five first-round picks and four second-round picks over the next three drafts:

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Sweeney was asked Tuesday during head coach Marco Sturm’s introductory press conference about the team’s draft capital.

“It’s always going to be what’s best for the organization. We’re in a unique position this year drafting in the top 10,” Sweeney said. “We haven’t been there for a significant amount of time. We’re excited about that. We have two second-round picks. Two first-round picks the following year. We’ve been an aggressive organization. Whether you want to point out fault in regards to trying to win and accomplish the ultimate goal, that’s what we’re here for.

“We will use the draft capital and try to improve our hockey club this year and moving forward in every capacity possible. It might be making the selection, but it won’t mean that we aren’t having conversations that say, ‘How do we improve our hockey club today and moving forward?’” 

The crown jewel of the Bruins’ draft picks is their 2025 first-rounder, which is No. 7 overall. The last time the Bruins’ own selection was in the top seven was 2006, when they took forward Phil Kessel at No. 5.

Would it make sense to trade the No. 7 pick? The only scenario in which dealing away this pick would be smart is if a young star under contract was part of the return package. That said, a strong case can be made for keeping this pick and using it to bolster a prospect pool considered by many experts to be among the worst in the league. In fact, the Bruins’ prospect pool ranked 30th out of 32 teams in Scott Wheeler’s latest evaluation for The Athletic in February.

The Bruins’ No. 1 need at the NHL level and throughout the organization is a top-six center. And luckily for the Bruins, the 2025 draft class is loaded with quality centers.

Players such as James Hagens (Boston College), Brady Martin (Soo Greyhounds), Jake O’Brien (Brantford Bulldogs) and Roger McQueen (Brandon Wheat Kings) could be available at No. 7 and give the B’s a future top-six center.

The Bruins will be busy on Day 2 of the upcoming draft, assuming they keep their picks. Boston owns two second-rounders — the St. Louis Blues’ pick at No. 51 and the Carolina Hurricanes’ pick at No. 61 — one third-rounder at No. 69 and one fourth-rounder (the Philadelphia Flyers’ pick at No. 100). Boston owns its fifth-, sixth- and seventh-round picks, too.

Sweeney has to balance building for the future while executing a short-term retool. He has the draft capital to travel both paths simultaneously. The real question is whether Sweeney and his scouts will pick the right players. The Bruins’ draft history during his 10-year tenure as GM has been subpar.

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Kraken’s Lane Lambert Talks Maple Leafs Tenure, Coaching Matthews and Marner Under Toronto Pressure

New Seattle Kraken head coach Lane Lambert's tenure as an associate coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs was one of the "most enjoyable years" he's had with a staff in the NHL.

The 60-year-old, who spent one season on Toronto's bench, spoke with TSN's Mark Masters on Monday afternoon about his time in the Maple Leafs organization and what made it such a special year of coaching.

"I thought it was a great experience. Original Six city, it was fun. And the passion the fans have, it was a very good experience," Lambert said. "I lived downtown, so I was right across the street from [the Rogers Centre] and was able to walk back and forth to the rink and whatnot, so just enjoyed my time there."

The Kraken head coach had not worked with Maple Leafs bench boss Craig Berube before last season. He called the Stanley Cup-winning coach someone that's great to work beneath.

"Very direct. You knew exactly what he wanted from you," he said.

"Just a lot of keeping things light under pressure, enjoying ourselves, doing things together outside of the game, kind of getting away from the game a little bit. And I think that was probably the main thing, it was just an enjoyable experience for me."

Maple Leafs Hire Derek Lalonde As Assistant Coach: What He Brings To Toronto's BenchMaple Leafs Hire Derek Lalonde As Assistant Coach: What He Brings To Toronto's BenchThe Toronto Maple Leafs officially announced on Friday the addition of Derek Lalonde to their coaching staff as an assistant. This move filled a  vacancy on head coach Craig Berube’s staff after associate coach Lane Lambert departed to become the Seattle Kraken’s new bench boss.

Lambert was responsible for Toronto's penalty kill during his one season with the club. Most days during the regular season, the former associate coach spoke passionately about the penalty kill during practice or morning skates.

While in charge, he transformed Toronto's penalty kill from 23rd in the league (76.9 percent during the 2023-24 season) to 17th (77.9 percent) in the NHL this past season. Lambert was also a big part of the Maple Leafs' defensive improvements following the additions of Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Brandon Carlo at the trade deadline.

"It's just about preparation and having the right structure, demanding the detail, and keeping players accountable. That's really the biggest side of it," said Lambert.

"But I think it's so important to make sure there's an understanding of why we're doing what we're doing, and today's player wants to know that, so we made sure that they did know that, and I thought the team did a pretty good job."

What's The Ideal Contract For Matthew Knies And The Maple Leafs?What's The Ideal Contract For Matthew Knies And The Maple Leafs?When the Toronto Maple Leafs plucked Matthew Knies out of the second round (57th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft, his potential was unknown.

The Maple Leafs lost in the second round for the second time in three years to the Florida Panthers. Toronto took the Stanley Cup Champions to seven games before being walloped out of the playoffs in Game 7.

"You have different moments in playoff series that you look back on and you say, 'Oh gee, maybe if this moment didn't happen, it'd be a different story,' and I think we have some of those moments," Lambert said.

"(Anthony) Stolarz getting hurt, the overtime-winning goal by (Brad) Marchand in Game 3 to stop us from going up 3-0. I thought we were well prepared for what they had. Clearly, we were in a position to win, and just didn't get it done."

After falling to Florida 6-1 in Game 5, Toronto extended the series with a 2-0 win in Game 6. The Maple Leafs had an opportunity to close the series out in front of their fans, but their season ended with a lopsided 6-1 loss.

Maple Leafs 2025 Offseason: Breaking Down Salary Cap Space and Free Agent PrioritiesMaple Leafs 2025 Offseason: Breaking Down Salary Cap Space and Free Agent PrioritiesThe calendar will soon flip to June and for the Toronto Maple Leafs, their focus will be on roster construction for the 2025-26 NHL season.

How did that happen?

"I'm sure you've asked Chief. I'm sure you've asked [Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving], all those guys," Lambert told Masters." I think they probably would've given you a good answer on that. I don't want to get into that."

Following the Maple Leafs' seven-game series against the Florida Panthers, a big talking point was the pressure of playing under the microscope in Toronto. Whilst Lambert said he didn't spend time watching TV or on social media, the pressure can still affect you. But he didn't feel it.

"I don't pay attention to social media, really. Turned the TV off when I got home (laughs). I think you can be affected by that if you let it," Lambert said.

"But the one thing I was told is, you're not going to be able to go to a restaurant without somebody saying anything to you. Never [happened]. If anybody knew me, which apparently they didn't, they were super respectful about it."

Report: Max Pacioretty 'Leaning Toward' Return To Maple Leafs After Toronto Expressed Interest In Keeping HimReport: Max Pacioretty 'Leaning Toward' Return To Maple Leafs After Toronto Expressed Interest In Keeping HimNearly three weeks after Max Pacioretty contemplated his NHL future in front of the cameras at Ford Performance Centre in Toronto, a reunion could be possible.

Auston Matthews' season was filled with ups and downs as he dealt with an injury for the entire year. The 27-year-old finished with 33 goals and 45 assists for 78 points in 67 games. Lambert was impressed with Matthews' attitude as captain in Toronto and his game in all areas of the ice.f

"There's a lot of things that impressed me about him, but I was most impressed with his team-first attitude and the fact that he plays a 200-foot game," he said. "I think he unfairly doesn't get considered in certain defensive categories or defensive awards, I should say in the NHL. I think as we go forward here, he's going to get more and more recognition."

Lambert was also moved by Mitch Marner, whose defensive intelligence struck a good chord with the former associate coach. Although Marner's future in Toronto remains up in the air, Lambert says the 28-year-old is a player who wants to win.

"He wants to be the guy on the ice to get the job done," Lambert said. "Obviously, we had some tough losses there, but it wasn't for a lack of will."

Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

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Canelo Álvarez to face Terence Crawford in Netflix-streamed Las Vegas megafight

  • Canelo v Crawford set for 13 September in Las Vegas

  • Fight to stream free for Netflix users, not pay-per-view

  • No venue confirmed yet; Allegiant Stadium in talks

Boxing’s most eagerly anticipated fight in years, the long-rumored showdown between Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford, will take place on 13 September in Las Vegas and stream globally on Netflix, organizers confirmed on Tuesday.

The summit meeting will match two of the most accomplished pound-for-pound fighters of the past decade in a cross-divisional clash with generational implications. Álvarez, the undisputed super middleweight champion who’s held titles between 154lb and 175lb, will defend his crown against Crawford, the unbeaten four-weight titleholder from 135lb through 154lb. Crawford will move up two weight classes to challenge the Mexican superstar in what has already been billed as the “fight of the century”.

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New Betting Odds Reveal Red Wings As Potential Landing Spot for Jonathan Toews

Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews aims return to NHL action next season with next team betting odds revealing surprising contenders. 

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The three-time Stanley Cup Champion with the Chicago Blackhawks, Jonathan Toews is looking to make a return to hockey. The reports came as Toews is coming back after battling a number of ailments including long COVID and Chronic Immune Response Syndrome. 

Toews was one of the league's best players in his prime with a dominant two-way game that labeled him as one of the best defensive forwards of his generation. Any team would be lucky to have his experience, veteran leadership and hopefully decent production on the scoresheet. 

No one knows where the now 37-year-old centre will go but new betting odds posted by several sportsbooks give us a subtle indication of where he might go. 

Jonathan Toews Next Team Betting Odds Per FanDuel Sportsbook

  • Winnipeg Jets +210
  • Toronto Maple Leafs +300
  • Colorado Avalanche +470
  • Vegas Golden Knights +650
  • Edmonton Oilers +1100
  • Tampa Bay Lightning +1500
  • Detroit Red Wings +1900
  • Anaheim Ducks +2200
  • New York Rangers +3400
  • Dallas Stars +4500
  • Los Angeles Kings +4500
  • Washington Capitals +4500
  • Minnesota Wild +4500
  • Florida Panthers +4500
  • New York Islanders +5000
  • Calgary Flames +5000
  • New Jersey Devils +5000
  • Chicago Blackhawks +5500
  • Carolina Hurricanes +5500
  • Boston Bruins +6000

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

The leader is Toews' hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba where he can play for a legitimate cup contender as well as be close to his family. One of the surprising names towards the top is the Red Wings, with the seventh-best odds at +1900, making them an intriguing option with one storyline in mind. 

Chicago's dynasty in the 2010s was highlighted by the dynamic duo of Toews and Patrick Kane. The duo hasn't played together since 2023 when Kane was dealt to the New York Rangers. A reunion would instantly become one of the league’s most compelling storylines and could give the Red Wings a dependable second-line centre option. 

It's been noted by several NHL insiders this off-season that the second line centre position will be one that many teams are looking to fill. 

The Red Wings are one of these teams in need with Marco Kasper and J.T. Compher being their only current options. Adding a player of Toews' caliber would be massive and would likely add some line chemistry by placing him with Kane once again. 

More Red Wings: Red Wings 2025 Free‑Agent Class: Breaking Down Patrick Kane, Alex Lyon and More

Detroit has just $23.1 million in cap space heading into the off-season, which means they'll potentially have a chance to land the longtime Blackhawks captain However, they could be outbid, as the Red Wings will likely need to prioritize their spending elsewhere such as re-signing Kane before exploring other free-agent additions. 

Kane remaining with the team could help entice Toews to join Detroit, offering him the chance to reunite with a familiar face while becoming part of a team trending toward playoff contention.

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Knicks have interest in trading for Kevin Durant: report

The Knicks, who are searching for a head coach to replace the fired Tom Thibodeau, are about to embark on an offseason where they try to add the finishing pieces to a roster that just finished two games shy of reaching the NBA Finals.

Could one of those pieces be a former MVP and all-time great?

According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, "the Knicks are definitely a team that is gonna have some interest in Kevin Durant. There are going to be a handful of them."

As far as what it would take for the Knicks to pry KD from the Suns?

"The way the Knicks get this done is Karl-Anthony Towns," Windhorst said. "It has to do with the trade rules. It has to do with stuff like that. The Knicks would have to trade three rotation players otherwise. Just keep that in mind when you dream of your Knicks trades."

Durant, who will turn 37 in September, has one year left on his contract -- with a cap hit of $54.7 million during the 2025-26 season.

He is set to become an unrestricted free agent after next season.

Towns, 29, is under contract for three more seasons. He has a cap hit of $53.1 million next season. That hit escalates to $57 million in 2026-27, and $61 million in 2027-28.

New York trading three seasons of Towns for one season of Durant would seem odd, unless they have a desire to clear Towns' contract off their books.

Durant, while nearing the tail end of his career, is still a dynamic player.

He averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 62 games this season for the Suns.

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Twins recall Simeon Woods Richardson for injury-thinned rotation

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins recalled right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson to start the opener of a three-game series against Texas, following two injury setbacks for their starting pitching.

Woods Richardson began the season in the rotation and went 2-2 with a 5.02 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 37 2/3 innings over eight appearances, including seven starts, before being sent down to Triple-A St. Paul on May 15 and making three starts for the Saints.

The Twins lost starters Pablo López and Zebby Matthews to shoulder injuries. López is the ace of a staff that ranks ninth in MLB starting pitching with a 3.64 ERA. He’s out for two to three months with a Grade 2 strain of the teres major muscle in the back of his shoulder. Matthews has a moderate strain of the subscapularis muscle in the front of his shoulder, is not expected to be out nearly as long as López.

Right-hander Travis Adams, who was recalled but did not pitch in a game, was sent back to St. Paul to make room on the roster for Woods Richardson, who went 5-5 with a 4.17 ERA in 28 starts last season as a rookie for the Twins.

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Rangers at Twins Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 10

It's Tuesday, June 10, and the Rangers (31-35) are in Minneapolis to take on the Twins (35-30). Tyler Mahle is slated to take the mound for Texas against Simeon Woods Richardson for Minnesota.

The Twins enter this series 7.0 games back from the Detroit Tigers. They have gone .500 in their last 10 games, but hope to find a spark against the Rangers.

The Rangers are just 11-22 away from home this season, and have lost seven of their last 10 games.

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 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 Rangers at Twins

  • Date: Tuesday, June 10, 2025
  • Time: 7:40PM EST
  • Site: Target Field
  • City: Minneapolis, MN
  • Network/Streaming: Twins.TV, Rangers Sports Network, Victory+

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 Rangers at the Twins

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Moneyline: Rangers (+102), Twins (-120)
  • Spread:  Twins -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Rangers at Twins

  • Pitching matchup for June 10, 2025: Tyler Mahle vs. Simeon Woods Richardson
    • Rangers: Tyler Mahle, (5-3, 2.02 ERA)
      Last outing (Tampa Bay Rays, 6/3): 5.1 Innings Pitched, 4 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 3 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts
    • Twins: Simeon Woods Richardson, (2-2, 5.02 ERA)
      Last outing (Baltimore Orioles, 5/14): 4.0 Innings Pitched, 6 Earned Runs Allowed, 8 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 4 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!

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

  • The Twins have won 4 of their last 5 series against the Rangers
  • The Under has cashed in the Rangers' last 4 games
  • The Rangers have covered in 4 of their last 5 games for a profit of 2.36 units

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 Rangers and the Twins

Rotoworld Best Bet

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

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

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

  • 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 Texas Rangers 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:

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  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Undrafted Otto Kemp gets 3 hits and sparks rally in 1st home game for Phillies

PHILADELPHIA — Otto Kemp wandered alone for about 20 minutes in his first trip to Citizens Bank Park — “people were (like) what is this guy doing in this place?” — when he spotted Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto. Hours before Realmuto would score the winning run in an extra-innings comeback — a run set up in large part by Kemp’s bunt single in the two-run rally — he found the rookie and showed him the way to the clubhouse.

“I kind of walked with him and let him take me,” Kemp said, laughing. “Just trying to enjoy it. Get the lay of the land. Every clubhouse is different. Enjoy the day. Enjoy the moment.”

Kemp’s improbable rise from undrafted Division II prospect out of Point Loma Nazarene University in California to signing a free-agent minor league deal with the Phillies in 2022 through four minor league stops finally brought him for the first time to Citizens Bank Park.

Not as a fan such as reliever Orion Kerkering, who had to scrounge for upper deck tickets as a prospect to watch the 2022 World Series. Or even former Phillies pitcher Tyler Phillips, who practically grew up at the ballpark as a diehard fan of the team.

Kemp saved his first trip to the ballpark for when he finally made the major leagues.

“I just tried to keep it special,” he said. “I just tried to keep it something that I get to do on the first day I get to the big leagues. It was kind of just a little bit of motivation to keep me pushing and get to this point.”

The 25-year-old Kemp’s push took him first to Pittsburgh when he was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley with slugger Bryce Harper on the injured list. Kemp made his third straight start, this one against the Chicago Cubs, and he finished 3 for 5 with an error, his first career hit and run scored.

Kemp said he hadn’t bunted since he played collegiate summer baseball for the St. Cloud Rox in 2021.

“I popped it up straight to the catcher,” he said with a laugh.

The seemingly lost art in baseball came right back to Kemp. It certainly helped that he told the Phillies coaching staff that, yes, he could in fact bunt.

Realmuto made it 3-all when he drove in the automatic runner with a single off Cubs reliever Daniel Palencia.

The Phillies then got two straight bunt singles, the first from Bryson Stott — a late-inning replacement after he was benched amid a 2-for-24 slump —and then from Kemp, who had the third of his first three big league hits in the game to set up the clutch swing from Brandon Marsh.

Marsh — batting just .228 on the season — delivered a 381-foot single to center that scored Realmuto for the 4-3 victory and snapped the Phillies’ five game losing streak. Marsh, a fan favorite with his stringy hair and ZZ Top-esque beard, said it was the first walk-off winner of his career at any level of baseball.

Kemp singled in the fifth for his first hit — he said he would frame the baseball — and scurried to third on Cubs starter Matthew Boyd’s errant pickoff attempt. Kemp scored on Weston Wilson’s RBI single for a 2-1 lead.

Kemp’s surprise call-up at around 11 p.m. in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the Iron Pigs played, turned into a whirlwind trip for him and his family and friends. Kemp had an early morning flight to Pittsburgh while his wife and dog drove from North Carolina and his parents scrambled to find a red eye from California and made it to the game just in time.

Kemp had his wife, his dad, three friends and his Point Loma college baseball coach Justin James and his family and friends at the game for the home debut.

“It’s cool to execute that bunt and get it down and thank him for raising me in a West Coast baseball program,” Kemp said. “He’s stoked. He’s just so fired up. Just to see me in that moment and out on that field, it’s cool for him to see one of his products and how he helped me get to this point.”

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Kemp could play first base and even the outfield the longer he stays in the majors. Kemp played all over the field this season at Triple-A, with 33 starts at third base, 17 combined starts at second and first base and seven starts in the outfield. It was all enough to impress Thomson and the Phillies’ front office.

“He’s looked comfortable. He’s got great composure,” Thomson said. “I really like the way he goes about his business.”

Kemp, a non-roster invitee to spring training this season, was slashing .313/.416/.594 with a 1.010 OPS, 49 runs, 14 home runs and 55 RBIs in 58 games for the Iron Pigs.

Going from unwanted in the draft to undeniable on the way to the majors came into focus over the last two seasons.

“Double-A was when it really clicked,” Kemp said. “Like this is when it can become a real possibility.”

As his new Phillies teammates bathed him in sports drinks and water to celebrate his three hits and the win, he soaked in the moment and how that possibility had indeed turned into a reality.

“I’ll have that Gatorade bath any day,” he said.

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Wild stats show Athletics rookie Clarke's immediate defensive impact

Wild stats show Athletics rookie Clarke's immediate defensive impact originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Denzel Clarke is earning a reputation around MLB.

The 25-year-old has been making spectacular catch after spectacular catch since earning his first call-up and debuting for the Athletics on May 23.

In just 16 big-league games, Clarke finds himself near the top of the list when it comes to Outs Above Average (OAA) for all MLB outfielders.

A 2021 fourth-round draft pick, Clarke has an eight OAA, which trails just Chicago Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong (11) and Boston Red Sox outfielder Cedanne Rafaela (10). What makes the number stand out so much is that those two players have played 66 and 63 games, respectively.

Clarke also has six Defensive Runs Saved in his first 125 innings played, which already places him among the top 15 outfielders this season.

It all started in Toronto, Clarke’s hometown, when he scaled the wall and robbed an Alejandro Kirk would-be home run.

Clarke followed that up with an incredible catch against the Baltimore Orioles – one that forced him to come out of the game – as he crashed into the wall in centerfield to rob extra bases from Jorge Mateo on Friday.

Clarke’s most recent catch, however, has gotten the most attention — from those who cover the league and from legends of the game, as well — after he robbed a home run from Angels’ Nolan Schanuel.

Torii Hunter, a nine-time Gold Glove-winning outfielder, knows a thing or two about playing defense, so earning the respect of someone like him is no small feat for Clarke.

“He continues to blow our mind,” Athletics pitcher Grant Holman said following Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels. “He’s unbelievable out there and it’s a really good feeling as a pitcher to know you’ve got a guy in centerfield who’s going to track everything down and even if you give up a homer, he’s going to bring it back.”

Additionally, Clarke’s grab has now even become a collector’s piece by Topps, who made his latest catch into a Topps Now card.

Following the game, A’s manager Mark Kotsay also gave Clarke his flowers.

“That’s about as far over a fence as you can get without going over and making a play,” Kotsay told reporters. “We talk a little bit about, you know, his range and the package is instinct, it’s reaction and it’s speed and he’s got them all.”

With it still being early on in the season and especially early into Clarke’s rookie year, there’s no telling what plays the outfielder still has in store for the Green and Gold.

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Roman Anthony changes jersey number after wearing No. 48 in debut

Roman Anthony changes jersey number after wearing No. 48 in debut originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

BOSTON — If you bought a No. 48 Roman Anthony jersey after the Boston Red Sox prospect’s MLB debut, you may want to find your receipt.

Anthony confirmed to Tokyo Sports Press’ Carlos Yamazaki on Tuesday that he will switch from No. 48 to No. 19.

“I wore (48) in spring, and wore 19 last year in Triple-A,” he told Yamazaki. “And then credit to Tom and those guys, called me this morning and ‘Hey, we’re gonna be able to get you 19.’ So I was super thankful for that.”

Left-hander Sean Newcomb wore No. 19 with Boston before being traded to the A’s on May 27. Other noteworthy players in Red Sox history to wear No. 19 include Jackie Bradley Jr., Koji Uehara, Josh Beckett, Gabe Kapler, and Fred Lynn.

Anthony, the No. 1 prospect in MLB, was promoted roughly three hours before Monday’s series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. The 21-year-old outfielder drove from Worcester to Boston and batted fifth in the Red Sox lineup, replacing the injured Wilyer Abreu in right field.

Donning No. 48, Anthony went 0-for-4 with an RBI, a walk, and a strikeout in his big-league debut. Primarily a left fielder in the minors, he committed a costly error in the fifth inning on a Yandy Diaz single that rolled past him in right field. The miscue allowed Brandon Lowe to score from first base and Diaz to get to third.

The Rays went on to win in 11 innings, 10-8. Anthony will hope for better results with his new number, including his first MLB hit, as the Red Sox aim to even the series.

First pitch for Tuesday’s game against Tampa Bay at Fenway Park is set for 7:10 p.m. ET.

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Roman Anthony goes hitless with RBI groundout in MLB debut for the Red Sox

BOSTON — Roman Anthony was in Worcester, waiting for the 275-mile bus ride that would take him to Allentown, Pennsylvania, for his next Triple-A game, when WooSox manager Chad Tracy told the team their departure would be delayed because someone might need to head an hour east to Boston instead.

“I didn’t really think anything of it, to be honest,” Anthony told reporters in the Red Sox dugout at Fenway Park before making his major league debut in Boston’s 10-8, 11-inning loss to Tampa Bay.

“I was just kind of waiting around in the food room with a few of the guys, and then all of a sudden he came out and just said, ‘Hey, you’re going to the big leagues,’” Anthony said. “From there on out it’s kind of been a little bit of a blur. But it was amazing. You dream of that every single day. So, to finally hear it was definitely awesome.”

Anthony, who played right field and batted fifth, received the biggest cheer of all during pregame introductions and then a standing ovation from the crowd of 31,422 when he came to bat in the second inning, with a runner on first and nobody out. He popped up to left field and got another cheer as he returned to the dugout.

In the fourth, he may have been robbed of his first major league hit when he lined a ball up the middle that hit pitcher Shane Baz — at 111 mph. It deflected to the third baseman, who made the throw to first for the out. Anthony also struck out looking with runners on first and second in the sixth and walked in the seventh.

In the ninth, with the crowd again on its feet, he came up with runners on second and third and hit a hard bouncer up the middle for an RBI groundout. He was due to lead off the 11th, but manager Alex Cora pinch-hit for him against left-hander Ian Seymour.

“It was nice to finally take the field, forget about all the outside noise and just be able to take the field with the guys,” he told reporters afterward. “Unfortunate we couldn’t get a win, but it was a good experience — good to just get the first one over with.”

Anthony fielded two balls easily in right field — a pair of singles in the fourth inning — but in the fifth he let a rolling ball go under his glove for a two-base error that led to an unearned run, giving Tampa a 3-0 lead.

“It just can’t happen,” he said. “It’s tough when you lose a game like that, you feel like that’s the reason we lost — little things like that. Just got to learn from it and be better.”

A 21-year-old second-round draft pick who went viral when he hit a 497-foot grand slam in Worcester, Anthony was the top-rated prospect in the minors before his call-up. He batted .288 with 10 homers and 29 RBIs in 58 games in Triple-A this season.

His accomplishments in the minors had Red Sox fans clamoring for his call-up, especially with the team languishing in fourth place in the AL East, 8 1/2 games behind the rival New York Yankees. But while fellow prospects Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer got the call, the Red Sox remained patient on Anthony until an injury to Wilyer Abreu left them needing another outfielder.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Mayer. “It’s been talked about for a very long time, and it’s kind of crazy that today’s the day that we’re all going to share the field together in the big leagues. I’m super excited. I think we have a really good team, and he’s just another great addition to that.”

Cora said he noticed something was wrong with Abreu after a game against the Yankees. When the team realized it would be more than a day or two, they decided to make the move and put Abreu on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain. The Red Sox made room for Anthony on the 40-man roster by designating first baseman/outfielder Ryan Noda for assignment.

“We’re trying to win ballgames,” Cora said. “The kid has done an amazing job getting ready for this moment. We’re excited. It’s a big day for the organization.”

Anthony perhaps was known only to the most dedicated fans before his homer that was the longest measured this year by Statcast, which tracks the major leagues, Triple-A and the Class A Florida State League. Since Statcast started tracking in the majors in 2015, only five home runs have gone farther, including Nomar Mazara’s 505-foot shot in 2019 for the Rangers.

After getting the promotion, Anthony had time to call his parents and siblings and an old baseball coach and gather most of his equipment — his own glove, a single bat and a borrowed pair of cleats — before driving down the MassPike to Boston. He arrived in Boston a few hours before game time and by 7:30 p.m. he was taking aim at the historic red seat that marks Ted Williams’ 502-foot homer that is the longest ever at Fenway Park.

“It happened quick. I think no matter when that call comes, nobody’s really expecting it,” he said before the game. “Obviously a little bit of a short notice. But, you know, better than being on the bus to Lehigh Valley right now.”

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Morosi proclaims Giants starters Webb, Ray as MLB's best one-two punch

Morosi proclaims Giants starters Webb, Ray as MLB's best one-two punch originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The story of the Giants’ 2025 season so far clearly has been its pitching.

Though their offense has left plenty to be desired, San Francisco has remained in NL West contention, thanks in large part to their league-leading bullpen. Because of that back-end dominance, the Giants’ rotation — which has been stellar as well — is flying a little under the radar.

Starters Logan Webb and Robbie Ray have been particularly dominant to the extent that many fans and analysts consider them MLB’s best one-two punch.

KNBR’s Murph & Markus posed that same question Tuesday in an interview with MLB reporter Jon Morosi.

“You certainly can,” Morosi responded. “… I think when you talk about the pure stuff and the ability to go deep in the games, and also to get outs in different ways — with Webb, we know what a great ground ball artist he is, and Ray has a swing-and-miss fastball. You got one lefty, one righty. It’s a really nice complement.”

Morosi considered some other teams both within the division (Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres) and across the MLB (Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies), but he ultimately sided with the Giants’ consistent duo.

“There is not a team, I believe, with a better one-two than what the Giants have right now with Webb and Ray,” Morosi concluded.

Both Webb and Ray rank among the top 20 qualified MLB starters in ERA, strikeouts, innings pitched and quality starts. Ray is coming off an incredible May, for which he won NL Pitcher of the Month, while Webb’s surging strikeout numbers are putting him in elite company in Giants franchise history.

The Giants’ rotation has the potential to get stronger, too; Three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander is currently on the IL and could bolster their pitching even more upon his return.

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