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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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BRAVES
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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)
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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)
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NBA mock draft roundup: The latest projections for Sixers with draft a week away

NBA mock draft roundup: The latest projections for Sixers with draft a week away  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The NBA draft’s first round is exactly one week away. 

Here’s our third mock draft roundup for the Sixers,  who hold the No. 3 pick and have high-stakes decisions ahead: 

ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo

VJ Edgecombe, Baylor 

Givony: “Edgecombe takes over this spot from Ace Bailey in ESPN’s mock draft after a positive visit to Philadelphia, where sources say he made a strong impression in a private workout as well as in meetings with the front office and ownership. He appears to be ‘the leader in the clubhouse’  currently, with Bailey losing momentum after refusing to visit, initially unsatisfied with his search for a proven pathway to development. However, Bailey is scheduled to work out in Philadelphia at the end of this week, and we’ll see if he’s able to sway the tides in his favor.

“… Surrounding the hyper-explosive Edgecombe with prolific 3-point shooters such as Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, Quentin Grimes and Paul George could add another dimension to the Sixers’ offense, especially if the team buys into the development of his passing ability long term.” 

NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Clark reported Bailey is set to meet with Sixers executives Thursday and have a private workout with the team Friday. Throughout the pre-draft process, there’s been an array of opinions on the 18-year-old’s game and potential. 

Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman

VJ Edgecombe, Baylor 

Wasserman: “VJ Edgecombe versus Ace Bailey has been a debate all season long. Fit could potentially give Edgecombe the edge or tie-breaker for Philadelphia, as he’d give the lineup different/needed elements of explosion, defensive quickness and feel compared to Bailey.

“Rival teams think the Sixers could be more drawn to Edgecombe’s athleticism and superior analytics, as well as his encouraging shooting development. He averaged the same amount of three-point makes as Bailey, who was supposed to be much further ahead in that department.”

Edgecombe and Bailey’s bottom-line three-point numbers were indeed very similar. Bailey went 47 for 136 beyond the arc (34.6 percent) and Edgecombe was 52 for 153 (34 percent). 

NBC Sports’ Kurt Helin, Raphielle Johnson and Noah Rubin

VJ Edgecombe, Baylor 

Johnson: “In the eyes of many, the draft begins with the 76ers at No. 3. While Philadelphia may move down in the draft, staying put could net the team an attractive piece for the future. Rutgers’ Ace Bailey is a possibility, but so is the ultra-athletic Edgecombe, who would provide a dimension the current 76ers’ perimeter rotation lacks. The 6-foot-5 guard does not need the ball in his hands to be impactful on offense, and defensively, he’s a high-level competitor. Edgecombe does need to become a more efficient offensive player, but Philadelphia has the talent to compensate for that.”

The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie

Vecenie has the Sixers making two first-round deals: “The Sixers trade No. 3 and Andre Drummond to the Hornets for No. 4 and No. 33; the Sixers then trade No. 4 and Eric Gordon to the Wizards for No. 6 and No. 18.”

He’s got the team taking Duke wing Kon Knueppel at No. 6 and Michigan center Danny Wolf at No. 18. 

Vecenie: “Philly is both bringing in top prospects for workouts and seeing what’s available on the market. The Sixers are looking to contend now, but league sources say they wish to bridge the gap between eras of players on their roster and potentially provide cheaper production. If someone comes in and blows their doors off, maybe they keep the pick. If not, they have options.

“With these two trades, they end up with No. 6, No. 18, No. 33 and get off the Drummond and Gordon deals as they look to re-sign Quentin Grimes and Guerschon Yabusele. It’s not a massive haul, but it’s extremely helpful. And at No. 6, they get the guy I’d have at the top of their board at No. 3 in Knueppel, a bigger shooter who is competitive and tough. He has a case as the best shooter in the class along with (Tre) Johnson, and his overall game was more impactful this season. He also has more ball skills than you think, especially in ball screens, and was better defensively than he got credit for being. He gives them more roster flexibility and versatility off the bench, as I think he can play the two and three fairly easily.”

Knueppel wasn’t miles off a 50/40/90 freshman season for Duke; he shot 47.9 percent from the floor, 40.6 percent from three-point range and 91.4 percent from the foul line. Wolf’s a skilled big man who posted 13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game last year. 

Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor

O’Connor also projects the Sixers to move down in the draft: “Sixers send the third pick and Kelly Oubre (player option) to the Pelicans for the seventh pick, a 2026 Pacers 1st (top-4 protected) and Herb Jones.”

At No. 7, the Sixers go with Duke center Khaman Maluach in Yahoo’s latest mock.

O’Connor: “Trading down would solve a lot of issues: pick up an additional asset or two (an elite defender in Herb Jones plus one future first in this case) while just moving down for a player the Sixers might want to take with the third pick anyway. … Maluach is capable of erasing shots at the rim and shadowing quick guards on the perimeter. These skills would make him an intriguing fit alongside Joel Embiid early in his career in double-big lineups. Plus he could serve as a backup too. Beyond dunking lobs, he’s a work in progress on offense with a lack of seasoning as a screener, shooter and creator. But he displays a shooting touch that hints at a much higher upside, not too different than Embiid when he entered the NBA. Such a raw skill-set should come as no surprise since the South Sudan native didn’t start playing basketball until he was 13.” 

Outside of Al Horford’s single season in Philadelphia, the Sixers have not regularly rolled out two-big units with Embiid. If they drafted Maluach, we imagine the idea would be hoping the 18-year-old can contribute some in the present, especially in the event Embiid’s left knee troubles continue, and grow into a strong center of the future. 

CBS Sports’ Kyle Boone 

Ace Bailey, Rutgers 

Boone: “I wouldn’t be terribly surprised if Philly considers other players here such as VJ Edgecombe, Tre Johnson or Kon Knueppel. But most view the draft dropping off in talent *after* Bailey — even if his prospect profile is a bit more volatile than others. He’s a big wing and talented shot-maker with tremendous size and athleticism.”

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Could Georgiev Be The Answer to Detroit's Goalie Problem?

Former Stanley Cup champion Alexander Georgiev will be a free agent and could be a target for a Red Wings team hungry for help in net.

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The Red Wings goalie room could use some retooling. 

After finishing bottom 12 in goals against average as a team last year, it's no surprise that one of the focuses for Steve Yzerman and company is goaltending help, according to Daily Faceoff's Jeff Marek. 

We've seen how quickly some teams can turn around their goalie rooms like the Colorado Avalanche this past season. They brought in Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood to restore stability in goal, trading away former All-Star and Stanley Cup champion Alexandar Georgiev, who was sent to San Jose for Blackwood in an early December deal.

More NHL:Panthers' Sam Bennett Signals To Fans Likely Extension

The Avalanche went from the third-worst goals against average in the league at 3.55 to fifth-best in the NHL and this left Georgiev on the outside looking in.

The 29-year-old Russian netminder had his numbers further trampled on when starting games for one of the league's worst defences in San Jose. Georgiev is seemingly not returning to the Sharks next season and will be available as an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. 

He finished with a brutal .875 save percentage and a 3.88 goals against average through 31 appearances with San Jose, marking last season as his career-worst.

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

This is a netminder that had a 40-16-6 record with a 2.53 goals against average just three seasons ago and can still be a difference making goaltender in the right system. 

New Detroit bench boss Todd McLellan has a history of inserting solid defensive structures in wherever he goes and could make the Red Wings taking a low-cost flyer on Georgiev a good idea. 

More Red Wings: 3 Free Agent Defenceman That Detroit Should Target

Before this past season, Georgiev led all NHL goalies with 78 wins over the previous three years, posting a 2.77 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage during that span.

Some believe he was only successful due to Colorado's system and that the numbers are inflated but McLellan may be able to create a structure that works for him, if he was to sign in Detroit. 

McLellan’s defensive schemes played a key role in the LA Kings finishing with a top-nine defence during his five-year tenure, much like his seven seasons with the San Jose Sharks, where his ranked top six in defence. 

It's an option that the Red Wings will surely take into consideration as Georgiev is still relatively young at 29 and could work as a perfect spacer for the team as they wait for high end prospect Sebastian Cossa to develop. Until then, Georgiev would have the highest upside potential of any goalie in Detroit's current group.

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

It's Wednesday, June 18 and the Angels (35-37) are in Bronx to take on the Yankees (42-30). Jack Kochanowicz is slated to take the mound for Los Angeles against Ryan Yarbrough for New York.

The Angels have taken the first two games of this four-game series, 1-0 and 4-0, as the New York offense has gone cold recently. The Yankees are on a season-long five-game losing streak and have scored four total runs in that span with three-straight donuts.

Aaron Judge only has one hit in the past four games, but luckily Giancarlo Stanton made his season debut in this series and has four hits in eight at-bats (three singles, one double) for the Yankees.

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 Angels at Yankees

  • Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
  • Time: 7:05PM EST
  • Site: Yankee Stadium
  • City: Bronx, NY
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNW, AmazonPV

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 Angels at the Yankees

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Angels (+182), Yankees (-223)
  • Spread:  Yankees -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Angels at Yankees

  • Pitching matchup for June 18, 2025: Jack Kochanowicz vs. Ryan Yarbrough
    • Angels: Jack Kochanowicz, (3-8, 5.53 ERA)
      Last outing: 4.1 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 2 Strikeouts
    • Yankees: Ryan Yarbrough, (3-1, 3.96 ERA)
      Last outing: 4.2 Innings Pitched, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 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 Angels and the Yankees

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 Angels and the Yankees:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the New York Yankees on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Los Angeles Angels at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under 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 Angels at Yankees

  • The Yankees have won 12 of their last 20 home games against teams with losing records
  • The Yankees' last 5 versus the Angels have stayed under the Total
  • The Yankees have failed to cover the Run Line in 5 of their last 6 games
  • The Yankees are 8-7 on the ML when Ryan Yarbrough pitches this season
  • The Angels are 6-8 on the ML when Jack Kochanowicz 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)
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Report: OHL Goaltender Austin Elliott Will Not Attend Maple Leafs Training Camp, Unsure How Rumor Started

London Knights goaltender Austin Elliott is reportedly not joining the Toronto Maple Leafs for training camp after all.

After a 31-save showing in the Memorial Cup Final against the Medicine Hat Tigers, the Ontario Hockey League posted to X that the 21-year-old had earned an invite to Maple Leafs training camp in the fall.

"London Knights goaltender Austin Elliott has been a key difference maker this season," the OHL wrote, "and he earned a free-agent invite to the Maple Leafs training camp this off-season!"

However, that's actually not the case.

According to The Athletic's Joshua Kloke, Elliott has said he has not been invited to Toronto's training camp, adding he will attend Dallas Stars development camp this summer. "No plans right now to attend Leafs camp and no idea how the Leafs rumour started either," Kloke posted to X.

It wasn't a rumor, but a post on social media from the OHL which ignited the fire.

Maple Leafs Invite Knights Goaltender Austin Elliott To Training Camp After Memorial Cup TitleMaple Leafs Invite Knights Goaltender Austin Elliott To Training Camp After Memorial Cup TitleLondon Knights goaltender Austin Elliott has a ticket to an NHL training camp this fall.

Elliott finished this year with a 52-3 record, his best season ever in junior hockey. He joined the Knights following parts of four seasons with the WHL's Saskatoon Blades, where he struggled to keep his save percentage above .900.

Each of Elliott's three losses came at different points of the year: one in the regular season, one during the OHL playoffs, and one at the Memorial Cup.

After joining London in October, Elliott found his footing behind a strong Knights team and finished the season with a .924 save percentage, the best among OHL goaltenders. His save percentage dropped in the OHL playoffs, but climbed back up during the Memorial Cup, concluding the tournament with a .943 save percentage through five games.

Why Two-Time Stanley Cup Champion Brad Marchand Is Exactly What The Maple Leafs NeedWhy Two-Time Stanley Cup Champion Brad Marchand Is Exactly What The Maple Leafs NeedWhile Brad Marchand was celebrating his second Stanley Cup victory, Florida Panthers teammate Sam Bennett  spoke to Sportsnet during their lap around the ice. Bennett waxed poetic about the veteran pest. "We just followed his lead,” Bennett said. While Sam Bennett had a strong playoff performance, what the  37-year-old Marchand managed to do in a very short time with Florida was remarkable. He exhibited the perfect combination of will and skill that was required to win all four rounds of a grueling postseason.

The University of Massachusetts Lowell commit was an all-star at the tournament. He was also awarded top goaltender honors after stopping 31 of 32 shots in the Knights' Memorial Cup win over Medicine Hat.

Only two players from London's championship-winning team will now be at Toronto's training camp in September: 2023 first-round (28th overall) pick Easton Cowan, who dominated the OHL this year, and forward Landon Sim, who has a one-year AHL deal with the Toronto Marlies.

Elliott, however, has a history with Toronto; the goaltender participated in Maple Leafs development camp in the summer of 2023. Also at that camp were Toronto goaltending prospects Artur Akhtyamov and Vyacheslav Peksa, plus invites Rastislav Elias, Luke Cavallin, and Samuel St-Hilaire.

Maple Leafs Prospect Roni Hirvoven Signs One-Year Deal In Finland — What's Next For Toronto's Other Finnish Prospects?Maple Leafs Prospect Roni Hirvoven Signs One-Year Deal In Finland — What's Next For Toronto's Other Finnish Prospects?Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Roni Hirvonen is returning home to Finland.

It appears Elliott will only have training, plus the Stars' development camp this summer, before starting his college hockey career in Lowell, Massachusetts.

(Photo credit: @LondonKnights / X)

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Maro Itoje to captain British & Irish Lions for first time in Argentina warm-up

  • XV features Marcus Smith, Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith

  • Tadhg Furlong also has the chance to prove his fitness

Maro Itoje will captain the British & Irish Lions for the first time in their non-cap international against Argentina in Dublin on Friday.

The England skipper Itoje leads a starting XV that features Marcus Smith at full-back and will be directed by England half-backs Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith.

This story will update

Continue reading...
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Red Sox legend Martínez criticizes Ortiz over Devers relationship

Red Sox legend Martínez criticizes Ortiz over Devers relationship originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Bay Area has been able to capitalize on two star athletes’ souring relationships with their respective former teams.

A disgruntled Jimmy Butler got his wish granted and was moved to the Warriors at the NBA’s February 6 trade deadline after tensions increased between him and Miami Heat president Pat Riley. Meanwhile, the Giants were able to do the same with left-handed star slugger Rafael Devers, who had a fallout with the Red Sox over his role with the team.

But there also was speculation that Devers was a bad teammate and a bad influence in the Red Sox clubhouse, which quickly was shut down by Baseball Hall of Famer and former Red Sox star Pedro Martínez.

“I was shocked, just like everybody else,” Martínez said in a recent interview (h/t BR Walk-Off). “I was shocked, because if you try to sell to me, knowing Rafael Devers, that Rafi is a bad teammate, or he’s not a team player, you’re lying.

“You’re going to tell me he’s a bad influence in the clubhouse? He’s not. Does he want to play every single day? Yes, that’s probably why he was mad.”

Devers played third base for the first eight years of his MLB career before Boston moved him to DH this season to make way for Alex Bregman, whom the Red Sox signed to a three-year, $120 million free-agent contract this past offseason. But after Triston Casas sustained a ruptured left patellar tendon in early May, Devers was asked to play first base, which he declined.

Martínez also called out Red Sox icon David Ortiz for his recent remarks about Devers, in which “Big Papi” pointed to Devers’ ego as what led to the relationship with Boston tarnishing and judged Devers for his communication, or lack thereof, with him.

“The organization is always going to be there,” Ortiz reiterated in an interview with The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal published on Monday. “Players come and go. As a player, sometimes you’ve got to put your ego aside and understand that once you get paid, you’ve got to find a way to do what you’re told. 

“That’s a message for all young players who think they turn out to be bigger than the game. I’m not saying that Devers was like that. He’s humble. He’s a good kid. But sometimes when you’re young and immature, you (don’t realize that).”

Ortiz also told MLB insider Hector Gomez that Devers has “communication problems” and “almost never returned my messages.”

Martínez believes Big Papi should’ve kept those comments to himself and addressed Devers privately.

“Big Papi also made a mistake in spring training by speaking in front of the cameras about some of the things that he needed to tell Devers,” said Martinez. “And just like I said before, that should’ve been handled in-house. Big Papi should’ve gone out with Devers to talk about those things, not really openly speaking in the field, because the cameras are able to pick up everything that we say.”

“That was the first mistake from Big Papi. The other thing is I don’t like to hear those comments after things happen like that,” Martinez continued. “I would’ve loved for Big Papi to come over, grab Devers, go to a restaurant, go to his house, throw a barbecue, and talk to Devers in his house.”

Martínez was also critical of the way things played out publicly between Devers and the Red Sox.

“The thing got mishandled from the get-go,” Martínez said. “This should’ve been handled by baseball people, not front office people, not leaking it to the media, not having a back-and-forth between the media, and [manager] Alex [Cora], [president] Sam Kennedy and [chief baseball officer Craig] Breslow.”

The Giants officially introduced Devers on Tuesday, just a few hours before his San Francisco debut against the Cleveland Guardians. The blockbuster move included the Giants parting ways with left-handed starter Kyle Harrison, righty Jordan Hicks, outfield prospect James Tibbs III and low-level minor-league pitcher Jose Bello.

While the vibes were high in San Francisco, Martínez didn’t appreciate how the Red Sox handled their presser discussing the trade.

“The press conference that they held the other day didn’t help it at all because you hear the front office, Sam Kennedy, Breslow, and all those guys, talking about the situation,” Martínez said. “They talked about championships and stuff like that, but it’s not just the championships. It’s not what we have done, it’s understanding the human inside the uniform. That’s what nobody probably understands about Devers. How was he feeling when you were telling him dump your glove? Was he offended? Was he feeling funny about not being treated like somebody that could be worth a position in the infield?

“I think there was a lot of miscommunication, but it should’ve been handled by baseball people. People that have been there, that understand what it’s like to wear the uniform and at the same time be a human. I don’t think they did the best job at doing that.”

In a separate interview with “Talkin’ Baseball,” Martínez backed his feelings toward the trade and was saddened to think about how it potentially could impact Boston’s future.

A player’s reputation is everything, but the same applies to an organization and those running it.

“Everybody is looking around to see what’s going on with Boston, and we went from probably being the most I would say lovable team in the last 20 years to probably one of the teams that everybody’s going to be looking at in the future and saying, ‘If they treated Devers [or] Chris Sale that way, if they disrespected Jon Lester that way, free agents are going to be looking at Boston in a different way,’ ” Martínez said.

“That’s what I’m concerned [about], that the culture that we left — [Dustin] Pedroia, [David Ortiz], Manny [Ramirez], Jason [Varitek], all of those great players that went through the organization, is going to disappear. And people are going to start looking at Boston as a bad organization. An organization that doesn’t respect the players. And that I would hate to see, because we went from being one of the most popular teams in the last 25 years to probably being one of the most hated teams in all of baseball, and I don’t want to see that.”

When Martínez was asked about Breslow’s comments, in which he stated that he believes the Red Sox will have “won more than we would’ve otherwise” after trading Devers, he couldn’t help but laugh.

“No, I don’t [agree],” he said. “In baseball, there’s always one thing that’s going to keep you humble. If you don’t show me the numbers that say the team is going to be better without Devers and the new guys that [the Red Sox] are getting in the trade, then I don’t have a reason to believe that.”

Well, it’s clear which side Martínez stands on. And while he’ll forever be rooting for the Red Sox, he’s clearly upset with how they handled the stunning trade and the direction they’re going.

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Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper headline 19 players invited to 2025 NBA Draft green room

The NBA has invited 19 players to the green room for the 2025 NBA Draft next week, June 25 and 26.

These are players expected to be drafted in the first round — the NBA surveys team front offices before choosing whom to invite to the green room. Still, there is a risk of a player from this list falling down the board, which can get awkward.

Here are the 19 players known to be invited, via Jonathan Givony of ESPN (in alphabetical order):

• Ace Bailey
• Carter Bryant
• Egor Demin
• VJ Edgecombe
• Noa Essengue
• Jeremiah Fears
• Cooper Flagg
• Dylan Harper
• Kasparas Jakucionis
• Tre Johnson
• Kon Knueppel
• Khaman Maluach
• Liam McNeeley
• Collin Murray-Boyles
• Asa Newell
• Derik Queen
• Will Riley
• Thomas Sorber
• Nolan Traore

Five more players could get invites, according to Givony.

Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper are the clear No. 1 and No. 2 picks in this draft, but then things open up with potential trades and differing opinions on players.

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Harrison reacts to Giants' Devers trade that sent him to Red Sox

Harrison reacts to Giants' Devers trade that sent him to Red Sox originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It’s been a whirlwind 72 hours for Kyle Harrison, to say the least.

The young left-handed pitcher, originally scheduled to start for the Giants against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday at Dodger Stadium, was scratched from his outing shortly before first pitch after San Francisco agreed to send him to the Boston Red Sox in a blockbuster trade for superstar slugger Rafael Devers.

Once the deal was finalized, Harrison, before he could join his new team, was demoted to Triple-A Worcester, where he will begin his Red Sox career before potentially joining Boston’s starting rotation later this season.

The 23-year-old spoke to reporters for the first time since the trade after the WooSox game against the Buffalo Bisons on Tuesday, and he shared how he found out he had been traded.

“I was out on the field, getting ready for ‘Sunday Night Baseball.’ Just crazy,” Harrison said. “They were like ‘You need to go talk to the manager real quick.’ I was like ‘Alright.’ Next thing you know, I’m here …

“The first moment I was like, ‘Man, why are they bugging me 20 minutes before? Maybe they got a little insight or trick where they want me to attack [the Dodgers].’ No, it was the complete opposite, and I was getting shipped off. It was a cool experience to go through and say goodbye to all the teammates.”

Harrison characterized the days since the trade as “crazy,” and although he has not fully processed the career-altering move yet, believes his inclusion in the blockbuster Devers trade speaks volumes to how highly the Red Sox thought of him.

“Probably still haven’t processed it yet, to be honest,” Harrison shared. “Like I said, I’m looking at it [and] taking it day by day. Happy I’m here and looking to get settled in here and see where it takes me.

“Obviously a player of that magnitude I’ve watched growing up, so it’s kind of cool to see. It just speaks to how much they believe in the package in return. Just excited to go out there and show these people what I can do.”

Harrison’s new pitching coach at the major-league level, Andrew Bailey, who previously served as Giants pitching coach from 2020-2023 before leaving to join the Red Sox, is excited to reunite with Harrison in Boston.

“Love Harry, he’s awesome,” Bailey told NESN’s Jahmai Webster prior to Boston’s game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday. “Great person, first and foremost. For a young guy, being drafted at an early age like that, total pro, surrounds himself with the right people. Goes about work the right way, fire competitor, wants the ball every fifth day. Red Sox Nation will grow to love him and I’m excited to have the opportunity to watch him compete, to work with him and watch him continue to grow into a superstar in this league.

“He’s got an elite four-seam, the vertical approach angle on it is off the charts. Excited to get him back up here and get to work and watch him continue to shove.”

It remains to be seen how long Harrison will remain in Triple-A before returning to the big leagues with the Red Sox, but when that time comes, he will be excited to continue his MLB career with his new team.

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