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Braves at Mets Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for June 26

It's Thursday, June 26 and the Braves (37-42) are in Queens to take on the Mets (47-34). Grant Holmes is slated to take the mound for Atlanta against Griffin Canning for New York.

The Mets leveled the series after yesterday's 7-3 win. Juan Soto was fantastic. He went 2-4 with two home runs and two RBI.

Yesterday's win was just the second Mets win in the 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 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 Braves at Mets

  • Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025
  • Time: 7:10PM EST
  • Site: Citi Field
  • City: Queens, NY
  • Network/Streaming: SNY, FanDuel Sports Network South, FanDuel Sports Network Southeast, MLBN

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 Braves at the Mets

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Braves (-110), Mets (-110)
  • Spread:  Mets 1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Braves at Mets

  • Pitching matchup for June 26, 2025: Grant Holmes vs. Griffin Canning
    • Braves: Grant Holmes, (4-6, 3.71 ERA)
      Last outing (Miami Marlins, 6/21): 5.2 Innings Pitched, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 5 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts
    • Mets: Griffin Canning, (7-3, 3.91 ERA)
      Last outing (Philadelphia Phillies, 6/21): 5.0 Innings Pitched, 3 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 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 Braves at Mets

  • The Mets have lost 4 of their last 5 games against teams with losing records
  • The Under is 14-8-1 in the Braves' matchups against NL East teams 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!

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

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 Thursday's game between the Braves and the Mets:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Atlanta Braves 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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Benches clear in Giants game after Wilmer Flores exchanges words with Marlins

Benches clear in Giants game after Wilmer Flores exchanges words with Marlins originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

With the Giants on the verge of being swept by the Miami Marlins on Thursday at Oracle Park, an already tense series finally hit a breaking point in the bottom of the seventh inning.

San Francisco first baseman Wilmer Flores, who normally is easygoing but hasn’t recorded a hit in four games, contributed to his eventual 0-for-5 day with a check-swing strikeout. After he took issue with the call and said something to first base umpire Carlos Torres, Flores then exchanged words with the Marlins’ dugout and had to be held back by home plate umpire Alfonso Márquez before the benches cleared.

It has been a frustrating series for the Giants, and one that has seen its fair share of drama. After the Marlins hit three Giants batters in Wednesday’s game, Thursday’s starting pitcher Hayden Birdsong plunked Miami’s Otto Lopez in the first inning and forced Márquez to issue a warning to both teams. Marlins manager Clayton McCullough was ejected for arguing the decision.

All the chaos still led to another loss for the Giants, who were swept by the Marlins in a 12-5 defeat despite a pair of valiant comebacks in the last two games of the series. Flores made the final out of the game after popping out to Marlins catcher Nick Fortes.

All San Francisco fans can do is hope the fire from Thursday boils over into the Giants’ next series against the White Sox in Chicago.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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K'Andre Miller's Future, The Oilers' Messy Situation, And More NHL News

Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

1. If I'm Chris Drury, I'd trade K'Andre Miller even up for the Kings' Vladislav Gavrikov and figure that I won the deal.

2.  If I'm Leafs' boss Brad Treliving I'd tell John Tavares, "Nice, knowing you, Pal, but get yourself a deal somewhere else."

3. Somewhere in Florida, my friend Paul Maurice is musing, "Lundell, Luostainen, Marchand –  what an Everything Line that is – 57 points in the playoffs."

4. A Figure Filbert in Edmonton is still wondering what this means: "Connor McDavid: Four even-strength points in the Cup Final and minus-7."

5. I know what it means: As superhuman as McD, Inc. happens to be, hockey's greatest player can be reduced to human over a six-game series.

6. Apart from questionable goaltending, Oilers GM Stan Bowman had better wake up to the fact that Darnell Nurse and Evan Bouchard are as overrated in the DEFENSE department as any D-Pair between here and Lower Slobbovia.

7. Or as pal Glenn (Chico) Resch notes re Bouchard, "Does he have defensive hockey sense, awareness and really understand the danger of many of the dangerous defensive moves he puts himself into? No."

8. As we speak, it would not surprise me if McDavid was seriously exploring his options to leave Edmonton.

9. I wonder when Mike Sullivan will decide to pick a captain. Maven Round Table Member Harvey (Hutch) Cohen already has fingered Adam Fox.

10. "The captaincy," Hutch explains, "would give Fox the incentive to concentrate on his defensive play, and his PP quarterbacking. Sort of a Do-as-I-Do setup. I'd give the A's to Vin Trocheck and Will Cuylle."

11. Not that it matters that much – except to The Maven – but I'm still waiting for the Peter Laviolette farewell media schmooze. It would have been intriguing to get Lavvy's take on the toosh-kicking Drury did to him.

How A Rangers Fan And Others Should Handle The Avalanche Of RumorsHow A Rangers Fan And Others Should Handle The Avalanche Of RumorsWith the annual NHL Entry Draft just around the corner and free agent frenzy not far beyond, the rumor machine is going absolutely nuts. 

12. My theory was that the Panthers would fall victim to ATTRITION in 2024-25 but the Cats were so resilient that they destroyed my maxim. 

13. How astonishing are The Champs? They've played more than 300 games in the past three years and already are tabbed to win another Cup next spring.

14. That's why you should pay attention to Aleksander Barkov when he warns the civilized world: "I don't see us slowing down!"

15. Up For Debate Department: "We're a Dynasty now," Matthew Tkachuk. To  that – with  the four-Cup Islanders in mind – I suggest to Matty; That's Your Weakness Now."

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NHL Rumor Roundup: An Offer Sheet For Bouchard? Tomas Hertl To The Hurricanes?

Signing Evan Bouchard to a new contract is among this summer's priorities for the Edmonton Oilers. The 25-year-old puck-moving defenseman is an RFA with arbitration rights coming off a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.9 million. 

Bouchard is in line for a significant raise that could reach $10 million annually. The Edmonton Journal's David Staples cited NHL insider Brian Lawton suggesting Bouchard could receive an offer sheet if the Oilers fail to sign him quickly.

An offer sheet for Bouchard is possible if he's open to signing one. That seems unlikely given his recent comments about staying in Edmonton to win the Stanley Cup. 

Assuming the Bouchard camp seeks $10 million annually, it would likely take an offer sheet of $12 million per season to tempt him. However, most teams with the cap space and the four first-round picks that could afford to pitch that offer aren't anywhere close to Stanley Cup contention. They include the San Jose Sharks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Anaheim Ducks. 

Lawton made his comments before the Oilers traded Evander Kane and his $5.125 million for next season to the Vancouver Canucks. With Kane gone, they now have over $17 million in cap space, which should be enough to sign Bouchard to a big raise while leaving enough for other roster needs. Meanwhile, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reports Viktor Arvidsson and his $4.4 million AAV could be next on the trade block. 

Evan Bouchard (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

Meanwhile, the rumor mill was buzzing on Tuesday over the possibility of a major trade involving the Vegas Golden Knights. The Hockey News’ Julian Gaudio cited Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects reporting “some smoke out there,” claiming the Carolina Hurricanes were preparing to acquire Golden Knights' center Tomas Hertl.

Trading Hertl would clear the Golden Knights' share ($6.75 million) of his $8.125 million average annual value through 2029-30. He has a full no-movement clause until July 1, when it becomes a three-team trade list.  It would stoke recent conjecture suggesting they're the favorites to sign Mitch Marner when the Toronto Maple Leafs right winger becomes a UFA on July 1. 

However, Robinson later reported the Hurricanes didn't have any deals in place and weren't closing in on anything at present. Since then, the Golden Knights' cap space has shrunk by $2 million with their recent signing of Reilly Smith, and could drop by another $2 million once Brandon Saad is re-signed.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

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Yankees’ Max Fried continues to make case to start the All-Star Game after reaching 10 wins

CINCINNATI — Aaron Boone still has a couple weeks before deciding who will be the American League’s starting pitcher for the All-Star Game.

It could end up being one of his own players.

Max Fried became the first pitcher to reach 10 wins this season in the New York Yankees 7-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

“It’s down the road. We’ll see. He’s making the case though,” Boone said about Fried’s chances to start the midsummer classic on July 15 in Atlanta.

The left-hander allowed one unearned run and four hits while striking out seven to improve to 10-2.

Fried is the third Yankees pitcher since 1962 to be the first in the majors to reach double-digit victories, joining CC Sabathia in 2011 and Tommy John in 1979.

“I guess it’s cool but we’re all here just trying to win games. A lot of it is credit to my teammates. It’s nice, but that’s more of a team stat than an individual one,” said Fried about reaching double digits in wins.

Fried signed a eight-year, $218 million contract with the Yankees last December and has excelled in his first year in pinstripes. He quickly became the staff’s ace after Gerrit Cole was lost for the season during spring training due to Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

Fried has four games this season where he has gone at least seven innings and not allowed an earned run, tied with Detroit’s Tarik Skubal and San Diego’s Nick Pivetta for most in the majors.

He’s second in the majors with a 1.92 ERA and 108 innings.

“Ever since (Cole) went down he’s shown us why they paid him what they paid him and why he’s the guy we thought he was going to be. Especially someone who I played against for four or five years, to play behind him now is amazing,” third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. said. “I always give him his prop and his flowers, but now he can take them any time he wants.”

The 1.92 ERA is the third-lowest by a Yankees’ pitcher is his first 17 starts with the club since earned runs became an official stat in both leagues in 1913.

Fried has allowed two or fewer earned runs in all but two starts. He has been even more dominant after Yankees’ losses, going 8-1 with a 0.93 ERA in 10 starts.

“I mean 10 wins in half a season, it’s not easy to do in any era, especially now. But that’s just a testament to how good and efficient he’s been,” Boone said. “Whether it’s coming off a loss or extending a streak, his consistency has been great.

“I told him again today ‘just watching you more and more, I would not have wanted to hit off you.’ He’s got so many weapons out there and there’s just so much movement to all his pitches, he’s been terrific.”

Fried getting the start in the All-Star Game would carry more importance after he played eight seasons in Atlanta before coming to New York. Fried though knows that decision remains a couple weeks away.

“I’ve got a handful of starts to go before the break. A lot can happen between now and then. Just focused on the next one in five or six days. I will deal with it when it gets here,” he said.

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Marlins at Giants Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 26

It's Thursday, June 26 and the Marlins (33-45) are in San Francisco to take on the Giants (44-36). b is slated to take the mound for Miami against Hayden Birdsong for San Francisco.

Yesterday, the Marlins won game two of the series 8-5. That marks the second straight win over the Giants and their third win in a row.

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 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 Marlins at Giants

  • Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025
  • Time: 3:45PM EST
  • Site: Oracle Park
  • City: San Francisco, CA
  • Network/Streaming: NBCS BA, FanDuel Sports Network Florida

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 Marlins at the Giants

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Marlins (+144), Giants (-172)
  • Spread:  Giants -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Marlins at Giants

  • Pitching matchup for June 26, 2025: Janson Junk vs. Hayden Birdsong
    • Marlins: Janson Junk, (2-0, 2.60 ERA)
      Last outing (Athletics, 6/20): 5.0 Innings Pitched, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts
    • Giants: Hayden Birdsong, (3-1, 3.25 ERA)
      Last outing (Boston Red Sox, 6/20): 4.1 Innings Pitched, 4 Earned Runs Allowed, 7 Hits Allowed, 1 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 Marlins at Giants

  • The Giants have won eight of their last 10 home games against teams with losing records
  • The Under is 4-1 in the Marlins' last five matchups against National League teams
  • The Marlins have covered the Run Line in four straight road games against the Giants

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 Marlins and the Giants

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 Thursday's game between the Marlins and the Giants:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the San Francisco Giants 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 staying away from a play 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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ESPN expert sees French star as best second-round fit for Celtics at No. 32

ESPN expert sees French star as best second-round fit for Celtics at No. 32 originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The 2025 NBA Draft resumes Friday night at 8 p.m. ET in Brooklyn, and the Boston Celtics will be one of the first teams to make a pick.

Due to a previous trade, the Celtics own the No. 32 overall selection — the second overall pick in Round 2.

After taking Spanish wing Hugo Gonzalez with the No. 28 pick in the first round, it would make sense for the Celtics to target a big man with their second-round pick.

Which power forward or center makes the most sense for the C’s?

ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony published an updated second-round mock draft Thursday, and he projects Boston taking French big man Maxime Raynaud, who played four seasons at Stanford.

“After competing in France alongside his good friend (and now San Antonio Spurs star) Victor Wembanyama in his youth, Raynaud has developed into a legitimate NBA talent,” Givony wrote in his analysis.

“He might be a late bloomer, but he fits a coveted mold with his size and shooting ability, which gives him a quicker path to a role at the next level than some players who will be drafted before him. How he performs defensively will be something to watch early, as floor spacers like him can play an important role in the NBA.”

Raynaud’s ability to shoot 3-pointers (34.7 percent as a senior) and rebound (10.6 boards per game as a senior) would make him a good fit in Boston’s frontcourt. And with veteran centers Al Horford and Luke Kornet both set to become unrestricted free agents next week, depth at center is something the C’s need to prioritize with their last pick in the draft.

Our Celtics insider Chris Forsberg likes Raynaud’s outside shooting, but also has some concerns about his defense.

“French 7-footers are all the rage in the NBA, and this one improved in each of his four seasons at Stanford,” Forsberg said, as seen in the video player above. “Offensively, he thrives at attacking closeouts. Can he hit 3-pointers? Oui, oui. Raynaud shot 35 percent from beyond the arc as a senior.

“There are questions about whether he’ll fit defensively at the NBA level, and he’s going to have to improve his foot speed to stay on the court. Still, he could fall in the range the Celtics are scheduled to pick at No. 28 and No. 32.”

If the Celtics don’t see Raynaud as a fit, other quality frontcourt players who are still available include Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner, Auburn center Johni Broome, Arkansas power forward Adou Thiero and Villanova center Eric Dixon.

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City of Sunrise holds pop-up drone show to honor Panthers' Stanley Cup victory

The Florida Panthers have called Sunrise their home since opening Amerant Bank Arena in 1998.

On Wednesday night, the city held a pop-up event to honor the Panthers’ second straight Stanley Cup championship.

Hovering over the Sunrise City Hall campus was a drone show that featured the leaping Panthers logo and, of course, the Stanley Cup.

There were more than 600 drones used in the event.

Several families of Panthers fans were there to witness the spectacle. 

You can check out the show in the video below, posted by the city of Sunrise on Facebook:

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Photo caption: Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; The Florida Panthers pose for a photo with the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

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Marlins' Dane Myers destroys bat in epic meltdown after strikeout vs. Giants

Marlins' Dane Myers destroys bat in epic meltdown after strikeout vs. Giants originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Miami Marlins center fielder Dane Myers let his frustrations boil over during Thursday’s game against the Giants at Oracle Park.

As his team rallied with two outs in the top of the fifth, Myers struck out after three consecutive swing-and-misses against San Francisco reliever Spencer Bivens — and the outfielder unleashed his anger on his bat after whiffing on an 82 mph sweeper to end the inning.

Though the Marlins held an 8-5 lead over the Giants at that point, the strikeout brought Myers to 0-for-3 on the day after going 0-for-4 in each of Miami’s previous two wins over San Francisco.

Perhaps the new bat Myers will have to use during his next plate appearance will help him break out of his slump.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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Max Scherzer calls his return for the Blue Jays a good check mark

CLEVELAND — Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer pitched five innings and gave up three runs in his first appearance for the Toronto Blue Jays since March.

“That’s a good check-mark sign,” Scherzer said. “Maybe something that you look for as you’re coming back and as you’re ramping back up. So good in that regard. In terms of actually pitching, a little rusty. I could execute better. I pitched good, I didn’t pitch great.”

Scherzer gave up six hits and three walks on 83 pitches with four strikeouts after recovering from an inflamed right thumb that caused him to go on the injured list. The Blue Jays wound up losing 5-4 in 10 innings to the Cleveland Guardians.

The next step will be determined based on how his thumb feels because thumb problems can lead to shoulder issues.

“It’s been frustrating as heck to be dealing with this for really the third straight year,” Scherzer said. “I finally get back out here get pitching again get that adrenaline boost. you just don’t get that in the minor leagues.”

The 40-year-old Scherzer threw his most pitches since last July 25, throwing 55 of 83 pitches for strikes. He gave up a two-out double in the fourth, and a pitch-clock violation led to one of his walks.

“I made a bad pitch, so I’m not going to blame that on the clock,” Scherzer said.

Scherzer finished with a scoreless fifth inning and a 4-3 lead.

He signed a one-year deal, $15.5 million with the Blue Jays in February. He left his Toronto debut against Baltimore on March 29 after three innings because of soreness in his right lat muscle. The next day, Toronto put Scherzer on the injured list because of inflammation in his thumb.

The Blue Jays declared Scherzer ready to return after he threw 30-40 pitches in a bullpen session.

Scherzer gave up two runs, struck out four and walked none over 4 1/3 innings in the second of two rehab starts for Triple-A Buffalo and struck out eight in 4 1/3 scoreless innings for the Bisons in a home start against Worcester before that.

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Dodgers at Rockies Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 26

It's Thursday, June 26 and the Dodgers (50-31) are in Denver to take on the Rockies (18-62). Clayton Kershaw is slated to take the mound for Los Angeles against Austin Gomber for Colorado.

The Dodgers had another high-scoring game against the Rockies last night. They won 8-1 and have scored at least 8 runs in three straight games.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out six batters in 5.0 scoreless innings. Max Muncy had a massive night at the plate. He went 2-4 with a home run and six RBI.

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 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 Dodgers at Rockies

  • Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025
  • Time: 3:10PM EST
  • Site: Coors Field
  • City: Denver, CO
  • Network/Streaming: Rockies.TV, SportsNet LA

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 Dodgers at the Rockies

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Dodgers (-288), Rockies (+230)
  • Spread:  Dodgers -1.5
  • Total: 12.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Dodgers at Rockies

  • Pitching matchup for June 26, 2025: Clayton Kershaw vs. Austin Gomber
    • Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw, (3-0, 3.31 ERA)
      Last outing (Washington Nationals, 6/20): 5.0 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts
    • Rockies: Austin Gomber, (0-1, 8.38 ERA)
      Last outing (Arizona Diamondbacks, 6/20): 4.2 Innings Pitched, 9 Earned Runs Allowed, 12 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 0 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 Dodgers at Rockies

  • The Dodgers have won 5 of their last 6 road games, while the Rockies have lost 16 in 20 at home
  • 4 of the Rockies' last 5 games have gone over the Total with Austin Gomber as the opener
  • The Rockies have failed to cover the Run Line in 7 of their last 9 home matchups against the Dodgers

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 Dodgers and the Rockies

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 Thursday's game between the Dodgers and the Rockies:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Los Angeles Dodgers 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 under on the Game Total of 12.0.

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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Tampa Bay Rays' Wander Franco found guilty in sex abuse case, receives 2-year suspended sentence

Tampa Bay Rays' Wander Franco found guilty in sex abuse case, receives 2-year suspended sentence originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Wander Franco, the suspended Tampa Bay Rays shortstop charged in a sexual abuse case, was found guilty on Thursday but received a two-year suspended sentence.

Franco was arrested last year after being accused of having a four-month relationship with a girl who was 14 at the time, and of transferring thousands of dollars to her mother to consent to the illegal relationship.

Franco, now 24, also faced charges of sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking.

Judge Jakayra Veras García said Franco made a bad decision as she addressed him during the ruling.

“Look at us, Wander,” she said. “Do not approach minors for sexual purposes. If you don’t like people very close to your age, you have to wait your time.”

Prosecutors had requested a five-year prison sentence against Franco and a 10-year sentence against the girl’s mother, who was found guilty and will serve the full term.

“Apparently she was the one who thought she was handling the bat in the big leagues,” Veras said of the mother and her request that Franco pay for her daughter’s schooling and other expenses.

Before the three judges issued their unanimous ruling, Veras orally reviewed the copious amount of evidence that prosecutors presented during trial, including certain testimony from 31 witnesses.

“This is a somewhat complex process,” Veras said.

More than an hour into her presentation, Veras said: “The court has understood that this minor was manipulated.”

As the judge continued her review, Franco looked ahead expressionless, leaning forward at times.

Franco, who was once the team’s star shortstop, had signed a $182 million, 11-year contract through 2032 in November 2021 but saw his career abruptly halted in August 2023 after authorities in the Dominican Republic announced they were investigating him for an alleged relationship with a minor. Franco was 22 at the time.

In January 2024, authorities arrested Franco in the Dominican Republic. Six months later, Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list, which cut off the pay he had been receiving while on administrative leave.

He was placed on that list because he has not been able to report to the team and would need a new U.S. visa to do so.

While Franco awaited trial on conditional release, he was arrested again in November last year following what Dominican authorities called an altercation over a woman’s attention. He was charged with illegally carrying a semiautomatic Glock 19 that police said was registered to his uncle.

That case is still pending in court.

After the ruling, Major League Baseball issued a brief statement noting it had collectively bargained a joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy “that reflects our commitment to these issues.”

“We are aware of today’s verdict in the Wander Franco trial and will conclude our investigation at the appropriate time,” MLB said.

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Report: Kings committed to Domantas Sabonis, who hasn't requested a trade

Report: Kings committed to Domantas Sabonis, who hasn't requested a trade originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Change seems inevitable for the Kings this offseason under the leadership of new general manager Scott Perry.

While so much remains unknown about the roster moving forward, it appears one cornerstone piece of Sacramento’s magical 2022-23 season will stick around for the long run.

Despite rumors circulating about potentially moving on from All-Star center Domantas Sabonis, The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported Wednesday, citing team and league sources, the Kings continue to signal a commitment to their All-Star center.

“While Sabonis’ frustration with the organization’s handling of the [De’Aaron] Fox saga has been well-chronicled, league sources say Sabonis has not asked for a trade and has had positive early discussions with Perry regarding the Kings’ aspirations for this summer,” Amick wrote.

Sabonis is owed a combined $140.3 million over the next three seasons.

In just over three seasons with Sacramento, Sabonis has averaged 19.2 points on an efficient 59.7-percent shooting from the field and 38.8 percent from 3-point range, with 13.2 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 34.9 minutes.

If the Kings remain committed to their Lithuanian big man, it could be time to part ways with other parts of their core, such as DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine or Malik Monk.

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Assessing Mets with half of season over: The good, the imperfect, and what's to come

The Mets' win over the Braves on Wednesday at Citi Field marked the halfway point of the season, and New York remains in strong shape.

With a 47-34 record, the Mets are on pace to finish the year at 94-68.

They trail the Phillies by a half game for first place in the NL East and are holding the top Wild Card spot in the National League.

New York has never reached the postseason three times in a four-year span. That would change if they get to the playoffs this year following their run to the NLCS in 2024 and entry as a Wild Card in 2022.

Let's assess how things are going for the 2025 Mets and what's to come...

The good

On May 27, we dissected how things were going for the Mets at the one-third mark of the season. At that point, Juan Sotowas still finding his footing in his first year in Queens. Now, he's again a menace at the plate, looking like the absolute best version of himself.

Over his last 25 games and 109 plate appearances dating back to May 30, Soto is hitting .333/.486/.774 with 11 home runs, 20 RBI, 24 runs scored, and 24 walks. Soto's OPS for the season is up to .899 and he is on pace to finish the season with 38 home runs.

Also catching fire has been Brandon Nimmo, whose OPS was a paltry .676 on May 27. Now, it's up to .770, and Nimmo is in the midst of a 28-game stretch where he's slashing .315/.378/.556 with seven homers and five doubles.

Along with Soto and Nimmo, Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Jeff McNeilhave been huge bright spots for an offense that has very been top-heavy lately (more on that in a bit).

The starting rotation (more on that in a bit as well) is being largely held together right now by Clay Holmes (2.97 ERA) and David Peterson (2.98 ERA), and got a jolt from the returning Frankie Montas earlier this week.

Montas, who had struggled while rehabbing in the minors, fired 5.0 shutout innings against Atlanta, with a lively fastball that sat around 97 mph and topped out at 98.

Jun 24, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Frankie Montas (47) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Citi Field.
Jun 24, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Frankie Montas (47) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Citi Field. / Brad Penner - Imagn Images

As far as the bullpen, while there have been some hiccups -- due in part to the rotation not providing enough length -- it has remained largely strong.

Edwin Diaz(2.05 ERA, 0.94 WHIP) has been dominant, Jose Butto hasn't allowed an earned run since May 27, and Ryne Stanek has been solid since May 2 (3.86 ERA). Reed Garrett had a really rough outing on June 20 against the Phillies, and was twice victimized by the Braves recently when trying to clean up other relievers' messes, but the underlying numbers -- 2.32 ERA, 2.62 FIP, 11.3 strikeouts per nine -- remain very good.

New York's team defense has also been above league average, at 12 DRS (defensive runs saved). The biggest bright spots defensively? Lindor, Brett Baty, Tyrone Taylor, and Luis Torrens.

The imperfect

There's no way to ignore the 1-10 stretch the Mets just went on that exposed their three main issues.

The starting pitching is not going deep enough (and put the team in early holes a lot during their funk), the bullpen has been overworked because of it, and the bottom of the lineup has not done nearly enough.

The Mets were pacing at 99-63 at the one-third mark and are now on pace for 94 wins -- a drop that's notable but not the end of the world. By storming out of the gates, New York built a cushion big enough to withstand the kind of swoon they seem to be starting to come out of.

One of the main culprits behind the aforementioned swoon? A hamstring injury to Kodai Senga(who was leading the majors in ERA when he got hurt), an elbow injury to Tylor Megill, and the struggles of Paul Blackburn -- who has allowed 10 runs (seven earned) in 8.1 innings over two starts while filling in for Senga.

Max Kranick also went down with an elbow injury, further hampering an already-overworked relief corps.

Meanwhile, there has been regression from Huascar Brazoban, who allowed four runs against the Braves on June 19 and almost singlehandedly cost the Mets the game against Atlanta on June 24 when he walked the bases loaded while trying to protect a three-run lead in the sixth inning.

Then there's Francisco Alvarez, who was recently sent down to Triple-A Syracuse due to struggles on both sides of the ball.

The most glaring thing regarding Alvarez was what he was doing behind the plate. There were failures to block pitches in the dirt, game-calling issues, and one egregious situation where he didn't know which base to throw to during a rundown that ultimately cost the Mets a game.

Speaking earlier this week, president of baseball operations David Stearns said the improvements they want Alvarez to hit in the minors are "not statistical." If Alvarez -- who hit a 452-foot home run the day before he was demoted -- can iron things out, he could possibly make a big impact in the majors down the stretch.

What's to come

The Mets are about to get some serious reinforcements.

New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos (27) reacts after his solo home run during the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field
New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos (27) reacts after his solo home run during the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field / Vincent Carchietta - Imagn Images

First to return will be Mark Vientos, who finished his rehab assignment on Wednesday and whose activation from the IL is imminent. Vientos' overall numbers aren't great, but he hit very well from April 17 until going down on June 2, with a .785 OPS to go along with six homers and four doubles over 36 games.

Vientos will help lengthen the lineup, and it will be further fortified when Jesse Winker is back. Winker is set to begin a rehab assignment this weekend.

Sean Manaea, whose rehab was paused for a few days due to a loose body in his elbow, is set to make his final rehab start next week and could possibly be activated when the Mets face the Yankees in early-July at Citi Field. As far as Senga, he is already throwing off the mound and a rehab assignment is on the horizon.

New York could also see the debut of Nolan McLean this summer, whether it comes in the starting rotation or in the bullpen. McLean has been terrific this season in Double-A and Triple-A. And out of all of the Mets' top pitching prospects, McLean seems to be the one most ready to make an impact at the big league level.

As far as Jonah Tong, who is awaiting what seems at this point to be an overdue promotion to Triple-A, it would be a bit of a surprise if he debuted this season. But if he keeps toying with hitters once he reaches Syracuse, all bets should be off.

It's the trade deadline, though, that could bring the Mets the fortifying pieces they need in advance of a playoff run.

The most obvious targets would be a center fielder (Cedric Mullins?) or a third baseman (Eugenio Suarez?). The Mets should also be seeking back-end bullpen help. And if they determine the rotation has a missing piece, that should be a hole they fill as well.

The Mets have the high-end prospects to strike a blockbuster deal if they so choose, but they also have the kind of prospect depth that should help them pull off a handful of medium-impact trades without having to deal any of their best minor leaguers.

No matter what, the Mets are set up well as they attempt to take the next step (or two) after their magical run to the NLCS last season.