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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is not going to advise Thunder on offseason moves

OKLAHOMA CITY — With the financial hammer of the NBA's tax aprons swinging their direction, the Thunder have some hard decisions to make this summer.

Whatever moves Oklahoma City's front office makes, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander does not plan on consulting with them.

"I will give zero input," Gilgeous-Alexander said after a crushing Game 7 loss. "I will let Sam Presti, the greatest GM ever, do his job."

With or without SGA's counsel, Presti has some tough calls to make. The Thunder need to get better — because the young Spurs are only going to get better — yet the Thunder's payroll is about to skyrocket as the max extensions for Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams kick in. It's a fine line to walk.

Go after Antetokounmpo? Mobley?

That need to get better has led to speculation that the Thunder might look at a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. While there's a lot of random speculation online, even the well-connected and respected Sam Amick at The Athletic floated it as something for the Thunder to consider. The idea is that OKC needs someone to match up better with Victor Wembanyama, and the Thunder do have good young players and a stockpile of picks, including two in this year's first round (Nos. 12 and 17), which is what Milwaukee wants in an offer. Amick also noted league sources told him the Thunder aren't interested.

Don't expect this — it's completely out of character for OKC and a questionable (at best) basketball fit.

Bringing in Antetokounmpo means "let's take the ball out of the two-time MVP's hands" and bring in a guy famous for not working well off the ball, considerably older than the core (31) coming off an injury-riddled season and wanting a max extension, who also would dramatically alter one of the best locker room chemistries in the league. Does that seem wise?

What everyone seems to be missing: The Thunder are not way behind the Spurs. Game 7 did feel like a passing of the torch, but this was a tight series, and if the Thunder had one (or both) of Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell healthy, or they got the win in Game 1, this article might be about what the Spurs need to do in the offseason. Also, Isaiah Hartenstein did a good job on Wembanyama this series and it's not like Antetokounmpo or anyone else would have done dramatically better.

Amick at The Athletic also mentions that the Thunder front office has long liked the Cavaliers Evan Mobley, but at his end-of-season press conference, Cleveland president Koby Altman made it clear his team had no intention of trading the former Defensive Player of the Year.

Decisions Thunder face

With the Holmgren and Williams rookie extensions starting, plus Gilgeous-Alexander already making $40.8 million (and his supermax extension kicks in for the 2027-28 season), Oklahoma City is about to jump up to being the most expensive team in the NBA — a team $28.6 million into the second apron next season as currently constructed (based on Spotac).

They also have three players on team options where they could save money.

• Isaiah Hartenstein, a $28.5 million team option. With how valuable he proved in the playoffs and going up against Wembanyama, Oklahoma City will want to keep him around. The smart move may be to negotiate with him, not pick up the option but then sign him to an extension for less per year but more total money (three years, $70-$75 million?).

• Lu Dort, $17.7 million team option. This will sting for Thunder fans, but is it time to move on? Not just because he struggled against the Spurs, but also because with Alex Caruso already locked up on an extension, with Williams healthy next season and Cason Wallace returning, there wouldn't be much pain in trading him. Or, just let him walk.

• Kenrich Williams, $7.1 million team option. Another case where if the Thunder decide they want to bring him back is the move to waive him and negotiate a contract for closer to the minimum?

Those are rather straightforward, but Presti is incredibly creative — just ask Gilgeous-Alexander. Which means he will think of something, but the tax aprons are coming for the Thunder the next few years, and it's going to be difficult to keep this team together as is.

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Garrett Wilson is rooting for the Knicks, but he won't be paying for NBA Finals tickets

The New York Knicks are back in the NBA Finals, for the first time since 1999. It's a reminder that the Jets haven't played in the Super Bowl since 1999.

Jets receiver Garrett Wilson is nevertheless happy for the Knicks and the New York fans. And the situation makes him even more determined to deliver a similar experience for Jets fans.

"The city deserves it, right?" Wilson told reporters recently. "And then when you see the way they receive it, it's just like, 'Oh, yeah, I mean, we wish it could happen every year, man.' Seeing the people, the way they get behind their team.

"I know Jet fans are, you know, like frothing at the mouth to cheer like that, and we want to give it to them. I personally want to give it to them, you know, the most. . . . Yeah, man, it's cool to see, and I'm glad I'm up here for it. I'm rooting the Knicks on like hell. And yeah, man, you know, that gives us a taste of what it might look like when we figure this thing out, which, you know, we're excited for the opportunity."

So will Wilson be going to one of the games? He laughed before saying, "Them jawn's expensive. So, not yet. I'm gonna be watching."

For Game 3 on Monday, June 8, against the Spurs, the cheapest ticket to Madison Square Garden on a popular reselling site that we won't mention (because they don't pay us to do that) is $4,486. Which Garrett could easily afford, given his average salary of $32.5 million.

The best seats for Game 3 are currently more than $28,000 each. Which he could still easily afford.

But here's the reality. If they lose, he'll wish he hadn't spent the money. And, if they win, that $28,000 will be gone forever. Even at $32.5 million per year, it's smart to not spend foolishly.

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5/31 Gamethread: Giants @ Rockies

Robbie Ray throwing a pitch
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 18: Starting pitcher Robbie Ray #38 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the third inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on May 18, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The San Francisco Giants are playing awful baseball, and have lost six straight. Now they’ll try to salvage a win against the Colorado Rockies in their series finale, before mercifully leaving the mountains … and taking on better teams. What could possibly go wrong?

Veteran left-hander Robbie Ray takes the mound for the Giants, with hopes of reversing his recent struggles. In 11 starts this year, the two-time All-Star is 3-6 with a 4.60 ERA, a 5.62 FIP, and 53 strikeouts to 29 walks in 58.2 innings. He’s been roughed up in his last three starts, including in his last outing, when he walked seven batters while allowing four runs in as many innings against the Chicago White Sox.

For the Rockies, it’s 28-year old right-hander Tanner Gordon, who makes his ninth appearance of the year. Gordon has mostly been used out of the bullpen for bulk innings, as this is just his second start. He’s 0-0 with a 5.85 ERA, a 4.08 FIP, and 33 strikeouts to seven walks in 32.1 innings. He got the start in his last game, and held the Los Angeles Dodgers to one run over five innings.

Enjoy the game, everyone. Go Giants!

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Game #59

Who: San Francisco Giants (22—36) vs. Colorado Rockies (22-37)

Where: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado

When: 12:10 p.m. PT

Regional broadcast: NBC Sports Bay Area

National broadcast: n/a

Radio: KNBR 680 AM/104.5 FM, KSFN 1510 AM

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More Thoughts On The Visit Of Adam Fox's 99 Year-Old Grandpa

Danny Wild-Imagn Images
Danny Wild-Imagn Images

When Rangers defenseman Adam Fox's 99-year-old grandfather visited The Maven last Tuesday in Israel with other family members, Mel Fox said something meaningful that I had forgotten to mention in previous stories.

Naturally, our conversation had drifted to the subject of his grandson Adam, the Norris Trophy-winning Blueshirt blueliner.

Adam learned his hockey on Long Island rinks and has had a meaningful influence on young kids who want to play an "Adam Fox Kind Of Hockey."

With that in mind, Grandpa Fox offered this thought: "Adam should be a role model for Jewish kids playing hockey."

In fact there were two previous Jewish defensemen who manned the New York blue line and were, in fact, role models but of a different kind and distant era.

The first was Alex "Kingfish" Levinsky, who Rangers boss Lester Patrick obtained from Toronto in 1934. Levinsky played only one season for the Blueshirts and then was traded to Chicago where Kingfish completed a successful ten-year NHL career.

The genuine Jewish role model for a defenseman was Hy Buller. Born in Montreal but raised in Saskatoon, Buller was discovered by a Ranger scout in 1950 as a raw teenager.

By the fall of 1952 the Rangers figured that their Eastern Amateur Hockey League farm team, the New York Rovers, could use Hy as well as his two Saskatoon teammates, Vic Lynn and Dave Livingstone.

Playing for the Rovers at the old Madison Square Garden on Eighth Avenue between West 49th and West 50th Streets, Buller, Lynn and Livingstone excelled. 

As a regular at Rover games, I watched the three Saskatoon prospects develop into solid pros. Lynn wound up skating for three Toronto Maple Leaf Cup-winners while Buller was signed by the Detroit Red Wings but failed in the Motor City.

Hy had two cups of coffee with the Wings in 1943-44 and 1944-45 before his demotion to the Hershey (AHL) Bears. 

"The NHL was a six-team league at the time," said Rangers press agent Herb Goren. "And Buller wasn't considered quite good enough at the time. He eventually wound up with the

AHL Cleveland Barons where he was considered the best defenseman not in the NHL."

The Rangers signed Buller in 1951 and he became an instant hit. A huge BULLER banner -- adorned with the Jewish Star of David was hung over the end balcony.

"In no time at all," added Goren. "He became one of the best offensive defensemen in the league; but he also was good in his own end of the rink."

Buller played three seasons with the Blueshirts, through the 1953-54 season before being traded to the Montreal Canadiens. But Hy nixed the deal and retired from hockey then and there. Stricken with cancer, Buller died in 1968.

Not until the arrival of Adam Fox had the Rangers carried another Jewish defenseman. His grand-day remembers when Adam and Boston Bruins ace blueliner Charlie McAvoy teamed up on young Long Island teams.

"Adam and Charlie were inseparable," said Grandpa Mel. "I was hoping that they both would wind up on the Rangers, but it didn't work out."

Mel Fox, all 99 years of him, will celebrate his 100th birthday in August. Date, time and place are still undecided but it would be neat if Adam and Charlie McAvoy showed up. Grandpa Mel would love that – two excellent role models if ever there was a pair.

Mel's birthday wishes: 1. Another Blueshirt Stanley Cup in his lifetime and 2. Another Jewish Ranger like grandson Adam.

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Colorado Rockies game no. 60 thread: Robbie Ray vs Tanner Gordon

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 25: Tanner Gordon #29 of the Colorado Rockies delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on May 25, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kyle Cooper/Colorado Rockies/Getty Images)

For the first time in over a month we can say this: the Colorado Rockies have not only won a series against an opponent and are now aiming for the sweep.

The Rockies started the series with a much-needed walk-off win thanks to a late-game rally and an Ezequiel Tovar home run. Then last night they continued to step on the gas by scoring eight runs before the Giants tallied their first. Now it’s time to see if they can finish the job.

The Rockies hope to bust out the brooms against the San Francisco Giants in their final series in May. That way they can leave a difficult month behind them and start June on a high note with some momentum.

On the mound for the Rockies is Tanner Gordon, who has officially been moved to full starting duty thanks to a litany of injuries to the pitching staff. The righty has been mostly used in bullpen or bulk relief duty this season, but is now coming off a strong outing in what was his first true start of the season. In five innings against the dreaded Los Angeles Dodgers, Gordon gave up just one earned run on six hits and a walk with three strikeouts.

On the bump for Los Gigantes is a familiar foe in veteran lefty Robbie Ray, who enters today’s contest with a 4.60 ERA and 53 strikeouts over his first 11 starts and 58.2 innings. He has struggled with his command this season, issuing 29 walks with a 4.4 BB/9 so far.

The former Cy Young winner and two-time All-Star has plenty of experience against the Rockies. However, the results are mixed. In 22 career starts against the Rockies, Ray holds a 5.24 ERA and has given up 19 home runs. He has strong strikeout numbers against Colorado with 142 punch-outs over 111.2 innings of work.

This season Ray has mostly four pitches, consisting of his primary four-seam fastball that averages 93.2 MPH, a slider, a changeup, and a knuckle curveball. The changeup has been his primary put-away pitch, but he has solid whiff induction in all three of his main breaking offerings. Ray also throws a very rare sinker. He’s used the pitch just 12 times this season, and for good reason. Opposing batters are both hitting and slugging .400 against it.

First Pitch: 1:10 PM MDT

TV: Rockies TV

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)

Giants SB Nation site:McCovey Chronicles

Lineups:

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The Spurs-Thunder series created a weird spot for Suns fans

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 30: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket against Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs during the third quarter in Game Seven of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on May 30, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

I’m not gonna lie, the past two weeks have been weird. Awkward. Icky, if you will. Because as the Western Conference Finals progressed, one thing became clear. I was rooting for the San Antonio Spurs to win.

Even typing those words feels awkward. The Spurs are a team I’ve “sports hated” for most of my life. They have left scars that will never heal over wounds that I will never forgive. They are a franchise that is responsible for creating some of the most depressing moments I’ve experienced as a fan.

They’re a franchise I’ve always found unbelievably lucky, because every time they’ve tanked, they’ve somehow been rewarded with a generational pick. Go back to 1996-97. David Robinson got hurt, and San Antonio decided they were going to lose in an effort to land the number one pick and take Tim Duncan out of Wake Forest. The Boston Celtics should’ve gotten that pick. San Antonio did.

And as a result, they won five championships. Plenty of those came at the expense of the Phoenix Suns. That’s the relationship so many of us older Suns fans have with San Antonio. It’s rooted in disdain, frustration, and that lingering feeling that the basketball gods always seemed to lean against Phoenix.

The Suns of the early 2000s were revolutionary. Phoenix changed the way the game was played. They still couldn’t get past the fundamental force that was the Spurs. The NBA didn’t need to hand San Antonio any favors, and somehow they still did. Amar’e Stoudemire and Boris Diaw were suspended for stepping off the bench in Game 4 of the 2007 Western Conference Semifinals, even though Tim Duncan had allegedly come off the bench earlier in the game after James Jones fouled Francisco Elson.

And those Spurs teams always seemed to toe the line of basketball ethics as they battered and bruised the Suns, kicking them in the balls and breaking their noses. So there will always be that feeling of sports hate when it comes to San Antonio, and it’s something I’ll never let go. They ruined countless moments during my 20s that should’ve been filled with elation.

All of that being said, in the 2026 Western Conference Finals, I was rooting for that team. The team that had once again played the tanking game and won, garnering another generational big man in the process.

Why? Because, quite honestly, the Oklahoma City Thunder are a team I simply do not enjoy watching. Yes, they’re talented. And Sam Presti has done an incredible job building that roster. What makes them tough to watch is everything else.

When we talk about ethical hoops, Oklahoma City feels like the opposite end of that conversation. They’ve fully embraced flopping and flailing, constantly hitting the floor in an effort to manipulate officials. And as somebody who watches a ton of basketball, it’s exhausting. It’s not a fun watch. I had zero interest in seeing that style of basketball on the NBA Finals stage, so I found myself pulling for the San Antonio Spurs.

And part of me genuinely likes what that Spurs team is. You saw it after Game 7 when Victor Wembanyama got emotional after winning the series. That’s the kind of competitive fire I like to see. Somebody invested. Somebody who cares. Somebody willing to lay it all on the line for his team in an effort to win. If Oklahoma City had won, I don’t know if there would’ve been tears. I don’t know if there would’ve been that kind of raw emotion. It probably ends with another corny interview and everyone acting like it’s business as usual.

What Oklahoma City has done to basketball feels embarrassing, because the desire to manipulate started feeling more important than the desire to be effective. And you saw it in the second half of Game 7. They clearly heard the national conversation, because for long stretches they weren’t falling on every possession or flopping through contact. Then they found themselves down 10, and suddenly it was right back to flop mode. And shame on NBC for not showing any of it. They didn’t want another viral clip making the rounds.

That’s what drives me nuts about Oklahoma City. “Flop Tarts,” is what I call them. And I’m glad I don’t have to watch them in the NBA Finals.

In the same breath, I’m happy I don’t have to root for the San Antonio Spurs anymore. It felt weird. It never felt natural, because every memory I have with that franchise pulls me right back to all the times their success felt tied to Phoenix coming up short. Those feelings don’t disappear. They stick with you. They always will.

So as we head into the NBA Finals this year, I’m pulling for the New York Knicks. There’s something special about seeing them have this opportunity, chasing their first championship since 1973. The league is more interesting when the Knicks are relevant. And for me, it feels a whole lot easier. No weird internal debate. No forcing myself to root for a team I’ve spent decades sports hating.

This one feels simple. Go Knicks.

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GameThread: Tigers vs. White Sox 2:10 p.m.

May 29, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder Matt Vierling (8) celebrates with third baseman Kevin McGonigle (7) after scoring against the Chicago White Soxduring the tenth inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

Detroit Tigers (22-37) vs. Chicago White Sox (31-27)

Time/Place: 2:10 p.m., Rate Field
SB Nation Site: South Side Sox
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Pitching Matchup: RHP Keider Montero (2-3, 4.09 ERA) vs. RHP Sean Burke (2-3, 3.90 ERA)

PlayerGIPK%BB%GB%FIPfWAR
Montero1055.017.66.832.74.180.7
Burke1160.021.76.435.13.401.4

Lineups

TIGERSWHITE SOX
Colt Keith – 3BSam Antonacci – LF
Kevin McGonigle – SSMiguel Vargas – 3B
Spencer Torkelson – 1BAndrew Benintendi – DH
Kerry Carpenter – DHColson Montgomery – SS
Riley Greene – LFChase Meidroth – 2B
Matt Vierling – CFJacob Gonzalez – 1B
Wenceel Perez – RFTristan Peters – CF
Zach McKinstry – 2BDrew Romo – C
Jake Rogers – CRikuu Nishida – RF

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Rebuild? In our moment of triumph?

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 27: Willy Adames #2 of the San Francisco Giants reacts after being tagged out by Aramis Garcia #35 of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the eighth inning at Oracle Park on May 27, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Should the San Francisco Giants initiate a formal, but modest rebuild with just a year and a half left on Buster Posey’s deal? On Wednesday, the San Francisco Standard’s Tim Kawakami made the case that they should, based solely on the results of April and May. Around here, I’ve seen people comment about how “this just isn’t the Giants’ year” and that it’s a simple case of cataclysmic bad luck, the flip side of the unrepeatable fluke of 2021 and, therefore, a rebuild isn’t warranted. Which idea makes the most sense?

Rebuild!

The Giants might be able to get some pretty good players in return for their players having, hopefully, just some down years. On the other hand, Kawakami’s argument is less than inspiring: because they got a bunch of average-at-best players at last year’s deadline for a pair of relievers, that means they could get better prospects for better players. Are they going to get players who are meaningfully better than the ones they got at last year’s deadline for 2-3 months of Robbie Ray and Luiz Arraez? It’s iffy. Robbie Ray has been replacement level at best this season and not many contenders need a second baseman.

He also admits that Chapman, Adames, and Devers would be tough to move this season, calling Chapman a “sunk cost.” I’m not convinced of that, which means trading Chapman might be a bit of a buy low but not one that would just be to get his contract off the books, which itself might be reason enough for teams to stay away, even if they think he’ll return to form once he gets away from San Francisco. But there’s also a chance that Chapman bounces back in a Giants uniform.

The other argument Kawakami makes is that there might be a lockout for 2027 and so the Giants might just need to reload for 2028. I’d argue that would be part of the calculation for teams acquiring Giants. Robbie Ray and Luis Arraez don’t have contracts beyond this year and so they have the most value (well, besides Casey Schmitt), but Chapman, Adames, and Devers getting a chunk of next year off just makes them that much older and past their primes come 2028. Why would anyone trade for that?

On the other hand, there’s Logan Webb, whose contract would end after 2028. If teams really do start figuring there won’t be much of a 2027, then the Giants would need to consider trading Webb *this* season to maximize a return. A season and a half of Webb would net more than just 1 season.

Teams that choose to rebuild usually do so when they’re out of talent at the major league level and need to rebuild their farm system. Once again, the Giants find themselves in the middle, having some major league talent and some minor league talent that’s up and coming. The minor league talent the team has is still 2-3 years away from making major league debuts, and if there’s a lockout that could be extended like what happened with the COVID season. And, because other teams might be factoring in a lockout, too, it might be more difficult to move high priced veterans than one would imagine. Still, moving the players on expiring deals and maybe Logan Webb would bring in a lot of talent. Those acquisitions, plus the talent rising through the system, plus the players added in this year’s draft might be enough to make this a brief rebuild window.

Don’t rebuild!

Since the 2026 Giants aren’t so different from the Giants of last year, and Buster Posey has spent the past two seasons putting together a WIN NOW team, I think the McCovey Chronicles community has it right that the Giants have the team that they want, they just don’t have the results they expected.

Now, I could argue that the Giants have never had the team that they thought they did. I’ll argue that because if you look at their record following their 19-12 start last season, they’re 84-105. They’re a bad team that has been a bad team, but they’ve been led by someone who practices the power of positive thinking, I guess.

Since this season is a dud that will guarantee the franchise goes five years without a winning season for the first time in its history, there really isn’t much upside to a teardown. That just prolongs the pain. Rafael Devers, Matt Chapman, and Willy Adames all being bad at the same time is bad luck but also not an indication that all three are cooked for the rest of their contracts. Next year (or 2028) is probably a better time to reassess, and with a salary cap likely in place soon, it makes sense to just let some things play out.

Giving a lot of playing time to “the kids” makes some sense, and we’re already seeing Bryce Eldridge play a bit more. Jonah Cox has been called up. Trevor McDonald pushed Tyler Mahle to the phantom IL. I’d like to see more experimentation on the pitching side as the lineup guys are still a few years away, but the point is that getting a new manager familiar with the league is probably done better with a roster that’s not a smoking crater. The Giants have only played like a smoking crater, well below the projections.

But here’s the reason that I am personally opposed to a rebuild: I don’t trust this front office group to pull it off. I think their draft & development strategy is working, but when it comes to the major league roster, there’s a stench of ignorance and desperation blanketing the whole thing. The notion that they could trade away talent to get talent that helps the roster in a big way sooner rather than later doesn’t make much sense to me. Sure, a pitching prospect and a draft pick for Patrick Bailey sounds great, but Patrick Bailey is also a known commodity while two non-major leaguers aren’t. Drew Gilbert and Jesus Rodriguez are big question marks. I get the calculation of taking some risks to increase the upside, but I’m not impressed by the risk hit rate during Buster Posey’s tenure, which is literally, what, signing Luis Arraez to play second base? The principles that led them to their current situation won’t change.

The current front office really thought they just had to do a few things differently to open up a window of contention for the organization. That hasn’t been the case. The Giants don’t really do rebuilds, except for those times when they have (2005-2008, 2019 & 2020), but this group wasn’t tasked with doing that. Posey is probably going to remake parts of the major league roster on the fly, sure, and count on Randy Winn and the farm system to give the major league roster some impact players in the next 2-3 years, but to call it a rebuild or even consider it one just doesn’t seem like a solid path. Plus, I don’t think the Giants can get much in return for their highest paid players — if anything at all — in which case, what’s the point?

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Game Thread LIX: Royals at Rangers

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - MAY 30: Bobby Witt Jr. #7 of the Kansas City Royals reacts after striking out against the Texas Rangers during the fifth inning at Globe Life Field on May 30, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Royals are in complete disarray. They have lost 15 of their last 18 games and are trying to avoid being swept for the third time in the last four series.

I don’t really have many positive things to say, Michael Wacha starts today, he’s been one of the few bright spots this season. With Maikel Garcia leaving the game yesterday with a pulled hamstring, it’s a different starting lineup for the Royals today.

Here are the starters behind Wacha.

The Rangers aren’t much better than the Royals and their three best hitters are injured right now, but they are still looking to sweep the Royals. They lost 3 of 4 at home to a bad Astros team before the Royals came to town.

Right hander Jack Leiter starts for them today. He made two starts against the Royals last season.

Here are the starters for the Rangers behind Leiter.

After this game concludes, the Royals are off to Cincinnati to play the Reds three times. First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m. CT, the game can be watched on Royals.TV

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Cubs vs. Cardinals NBC Sunday Night Baseball Bingo

It’s the last day in May and the first time this season the Cubs will be featured as the Sunday Night Game of the Week in 2026. It’s also the beginning of a whole new era of Sunday Night Baseball here at Bleed Cubbie Blue, with the game moving from ESPN to NBC this season.

Long time readers of the site will remember that this feature began as a way to at least have a bit of fun while ESPN’s original crews shared gems like “Javy Báez should be more boring” or Matt Vasgersian ranting about bachelorette parties in the bleachers while absolutely butchering the pronunciation of some player names. Credit where it is due, that broadcast got a lot better over time. The final crew of Karl Ravech, with David Cone, Eduardo Pérez, and sideline reporter Buster Olney was actually pretty excellent, but the Bingo game must go on!

So here we are, on a new baseball channel but with the same classic rivalry between the Cubs and Cardinals. That rivalry has spanned parts of three centuries, now, our little Bingo game can surely survive a broadcast channel change or two.

As always, make it a blackout game for a challenge, but I don’t really recommend making it a drinking game unless you’re looking to pass out before the end of the game itself. The game begins at 6:20 p.m. CT on the NBC broadcast channel in your area.

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Yankees Social Media Spotlight: Let the good times roll

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 25: Knicks fans celebrate winning the eastern conference championship against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 25, 2026 in New York City. The Knicks last reached the NBA Finals in 1999, falling to the Spurs, and are seeking their first championship since defeating the Lakers in 1973. (Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It’s Sunday once more, and you know what that means — it’s time for our weekly social media roundup! Ever since Aaron Judge dropped a home run into the short porch against the Tampa Bay Rays last Sunday, the Yankees have been on a roll — and yet, they are currently the second biggest sports story in the Big Apple. How have they responded on social media? Let’s find out!

I wanna party like it’s 1973

This past Monday, the New York Knicks completed a sweep over the Cleveland Cavaliers, punching their ticket to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. YES Network researcher/statistician James Smyth took advantage of the fact that ESPN had the Monday broadcast in Kansas City and made sure he was in attendance for the historic moment.

While there, he commented on the fact that the Cavs played “Sweet Caroline” down by…well, down by a lot.

CC Sabathia, meanwhile, took to Facebook to share his excitement.

Behind the NY

The Yankees released episode nine of Behind the NY this week, focusing on Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s charity fashion show.

Game Belts

Thanks to a few wins, the Yankees passed the game belt around quite a bit this week — but not as much as they should have, according to some reports. Online speculation originally suggested that the team left the belt in New York, and did not get it back until Wednesday. That, however, seems a tad outdated, because they’ve only shared the game belt a couple times this week.

Dave’s Thoughts

As always, Yankees radio voice Dave Sims took to Instagram to react to the Yankees’ games this week.

The Weather(s) Report

Ryan Weathers took to Instagram to post a photo dump of happenings from the past few weeks.

DJ LeMahieu, Manager

DJ LeMahieu had his debut as the manager of the Royal Oak Leprechauns, and guess who threw out the ceremonial first pitch? Former teammate Gleyber Torres! Now with the Tigers, he’s rehabbing from an oblique strain but had time to pop over to support his fellow erstwhile Yankees infielder.

Instagram Shenanigans

We wrap this week up with a few Questions of the Day.

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Game Thread: Tigers (22-37) at White Sox (31-27)

Rikuu Nishida is looking for another clutch RBI this afternoon | Matt Marton-Imagn Images

I’m still looking at 31-27 with some level of disbelief. I have typically been on the sunnier side than many of colleagues in prognosticating the future of the White Sox. It took until August 2024 for me to think that they really, truly had a chance at reaching 121 in the loss column. In 2025, I remained confident that they would keep it together enough to be an ordinarily bad 100-loss team, rather than maintaining the 2024-esque pace they played with for the first two months of that season. This year, I predicted they’d reach the 70-win mark for the first time in four seasons. Maybe they could make a second-half push for .500 ball if the midseason call-ups were just as effective as last season.

This, though? Even for my eternally hopeful brain, the idea that they would be better than .500 with a hold on a Wild Card slot as late as June felt ludicrous.

Perhaps the most surprising part is that while a LOT of important things have gone more right than I ever imagined — Murakami setting records, Colson Montgomery maintaining his 2025 pace, Miguel Vargas adding 3 mpg of bat speed and turning into a bona fide middle-of-the-order hitter, Randal Grichuk finding the fountain of youth, Davis Martin finally fulfilling my long-held fantasy of competing for a spot on an All-Star roster — there have still been plenty of duds that they’ve nonetheless overcome. The Opening Day starter was back in Triple-A after three games. The primary trade return for Luis Robert Jr. isn’t a major league-caliber player. Injuries have led to far more plate appearances from Jarred Kelenic, Derek Hill and Tristan Peters than anyone would have thought ideal. Erick Fedde remains completely washed, Noah Schultz struggled in his first action with the big club. Kyle Teel has yet to play and Edgar Quero has spent much of the last month seemingly on the verge of being demoted. Seranthony Domínguez has avoided many meltdowns but has already lost a secure grip on the closer job despite being signed for that exact purpose.

Yet here we are. The last time the Sox reached five games above the break-even mark was September 2022. Here’s the getaway day lineup we’re getting as they try to set themselves up to reach their highest water mark since the halcyon days of 2020-21. I can only presume that you, like me, are quite invested in Jacob Gonzalez’s first look on the South Side, given the absurd 19 homers he’s already cranked in Triple-A. If he can keep up anything close to like that, it’ll certainly go down as one of the more remarkable bust-to-boom prospect stories in recent memory.

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The Tigers, meanwhile, have treaded the opposite path and undergone an utter shitshow of a season in which they were division favorites and World Series contenders, and are instead racing towards a very early draft pick in 2027. At the moment, they are the worst team in the American League and tied with the Rockies for worst in all of baseball.

The Sox last swept the Tigers in 2023, which is not what I expected to find. That series was also in late May, and after winning the second game in walk-off fashion, they secured the sweep with a Jake Burger grand slam to end it. It may have legitimately been the high point of the 2023 season.

Here’s the lineup that the moribund Tigers will trot out today, in hopes of salvaging some pride:

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First pitch at Rate Field is at 1:10 p.m. CT. If you want to join us, broadcasts are available on CHSN (TV) and WMVP AM 1000 (radio), like always!

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Minor league update: Wheeling eliminated, WBS falls to 0-2

A Sunday update from the minor leagues:

Wheeling is out of the Kelly Cup playoffs. Pittsburgh’s ECHL affiliate bowed out in five games to the Florida Everblades. The Nailers had two players in this playoff run on NHL contracts, Emil Pieniniemi played first pair minutes and produced eight points (1G+7A) in the 15 games, goalie Taylor Gauthier ran out of gas this round but acquitted himself well with a 9-6-2 record, .922 save percentage and 2.23 GAA. Gauthier was signed late in the year to an NHL contract, he’s scheduled to be a free agent again after playing parts of the last four seasons in the Wheel. The Penguins might have some upward mobility next year for an AHL goalie spot if one of those goalies goes up and Maxim Pavelenko becomes a free agent. Rookie Gabriel D’Aigle is in the picture too, with his entry level contract starting next season that will likely see him get a heavy workload in the ECHL.

Up one rung on the ladder, it wasn’t good news for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the AHL Calder Cup playoffs. The Toronto Marlies took a 2-0 series lead in the best-of-seven with a Friday night Game 2 OT win. The game-winning goal wasn’t without controversy.

It took a post-play review, where AHL officials cannot make goaltender interference determinations, to end up crediting former Penguin Marc Johnstone with the goal. Weird play for Sergei Murashov to lunge for the puck and come up empty. The odd notion was Johnstone was credited with the goal from in front, and how it was determined that he didn’t contact the puck above the crossbar is probably an even bigger question.

The next three games in the series shift to Toronto, putting WBS in a big hole.

The Penguins have been dealing with difficulties, Owen Pickering has missed the last few games with injury (and isn’t expected back any time soon) and now Alex Alexeyev was out for Game 2, dropping the two most important left shot defenseman from the lineup.

The offensive output has struggled so far, Wilkes only scored one goal on 34 shots in Game 2 – after scoring only twice on goalie Artur Akhtyamov in Game 1. The Marlies are a veteran team, 28-year olds Alex Nylander and Michael Pezzetta were the goal scorers in Game 2 for Toronto, WBS will have to dig deep starting in Monday’s Game 3 to overcome their biggest challenge so far in the playoffs.

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Game 59 Game Day Thread – Kansas City Royals @ Texas Rangers

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - MAY 30: Brandon Nimmo #24 of the Texas Rangers reacts after scoring the winning run against the Kansas City Royals during the ninth inning at Globe Life Field on May 30, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Kansas City Royals @ Texas Rangers

Sunday, May 31, 2026, 1:35 PM CDT (105.3 The Fan / Rangers Sports Network)

The Shed

RHP Michael Wacha vs. RHP Jack Leiter

Today’s Lineups

ROYALSRANGERS
Carter Jensen – DHJoc Pederson – DH
Bobby Witt – SSJosh Jung – 3B
Vinnie Pasquantino – 1BBrandon Nimmo – RF
Salvador Perez – CJake Burger – 1B
Jac Caglianone – RFEzequiel Duran – SS
Isaac Collins – LFAlejandro Osuna – LF
Michael Massey – 2BKyle Higashioka – C
Nick Loftin – 3BNicky Lopez – 2B
Kyle Isbel – CFMichael Helman – CF
Michael Wacha – RHPJack Leiter – RHP

Go Rangers!

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Mets vs Marlins, 5/31/26: McLean vs King

Mets lineup

Carson Benge – RF
Bo Bichette – SS
Juan Soto – LF
Jared Young – DH
Mark Vientos – 1B
A.J. Ewing – CF
Brett Baty – 3B
Marcus Semien – 2B
Luis Torrens – C

SP: Nolan McLean – RHP

Marlins lineup

Xavier Edwards – 2B
Liam Hicks – C
Otto Lopez – SS
Kyle Stowers – DH
Jakob Marsee – CF
Connor Norby – 1B
Owen Caissie – RF
Esteury Ruiz – LF
Javier Sanoja – 3B

SP: John King – LHP

Broadcast info

First pitch: 1:40 PM ET
TV: SNY
Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2