The New York Yankees, second in the AL East with a 34-22 record, face the Athletics, who are second in the AL West at 27-29. The New York Yankees are favored with a -153 moneyline compared to the Athletics' +127. Starting pitchers are scheduled to be Carlos Rodón for the Yankees, with a 4.15 ERA, and Luis Severino for the Athletics, with a 4.23 ERA.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 07: Nick Mears #31 of the Kansas City Royals looks on during the eighth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on April 07, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
The Royals’ bullpen took another hit on Friday when the team announced Nick Mears has been placed on the Injured List with right shoulder impingement. The Royals recalled reliever Eric Cerantola from Triple-A Omaha to replace him on the roster.
Mears pitched on Tuesday, giving up two walks and two hits among the six Yankees batters he faced in a 7-0 loss. The Royals already had relievers Carlos Estévez and Matt Strahm on the Injured List, in addition to starters Cole Ragans and Kris Bubic. Mears had appeared in 21 games this year with a 5.12 ERA and 15 strikeouts and 11 walks in 19.1 innings.
Cerantola had been up in a previous stint with the Royals, appearing in two games with five strikeouts, while giving up four walks and three runs in three innings.
DETROIT, MI - MAY 13: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers running down court in the game against the Detroit Pistons during Round Two Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 13, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a long summer ahead of them. The most pressing issue will be determining who belongs on the team next season. When asked if Evan Mobley will ‘definitively’ be back, Koby Altman gave a somewhat shaky response.
“Umm, yeah, I mean, he’s part of our future,” said Altman.
Altman’s comments are open to interpretation. At face value, and given his tone when answering, it almost sounds like Altman is dismissing the question altogether. Why wouldn’t Mobley be on the team next season?
Another reading would suggest that this question flustered Altman. His hesitation has been seen as less than reassuring to Twitter.
I’ll leave it to you, glorious Fear the Sword reader, to determine which side of the aisle you land on.
The rest of Altman’s answer dodges the question. He declines to comment on any speculation of trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo and goes on to praise Mobley for his growth in Cleveland.
“Since Evan’s been here, we’ve had the third-best record in the league,” said Altman. “All Evan has done is impact winning; he’s been remarkable for us.”
Mobley won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2025 and notched his first All-NBA and All-Star selections during the same season. But in his most recent campaign, Mobley failed to repeat any of those performances. Some have seen this as a regression, or at best, stagnation.
“He knows he needs to get better,” said Altman. “We’ve talked about the intangibles-not even skill stuff, the intangibles; how are we going to get stronger?”
It’s no secret the Cavs have been waiting for Mobley to make a superstar leap. That hasn’t happened yet, even if he showed some noticeable improvements in the playoffs this year. Pressure to win is mounting, and there are questions as to whether or not Mobley can do enough to push his team over the top.
Still, Altman saw growth in the playoffs and suggested he believes Mobley can get to where he needs to be.
“Mobley, you could argue, was consistently our best player throughout the playoffs,” said Altman. “He’s a franchise-caliber player, and we’re very fortunate to have him.”
The Carolina Hurricanes can advance to the Stanley Cup Final with a victory over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference finals. The Hurricanes lead the series 3-1. Carolina is favored in Game 5 with a -244 moneyline compared to the Canadiens' +199.
How to watch Montreal Canadiens vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ends up on the court after making a shot during Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against the San Antonio Spurs on May 20 in Oklahoma City. (Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander apparently isn’t amused by a new board game that pokes fun at the Oklahoma City Thunder star’s reputation for garnering foul calls at the hint of contact by an opposing player.
Last week, a lawyer representing the two-time reigning NBA MVP sent a cease-and-desist letter to sports prediction market and fantasy sports company Underdog that includes a demand for the destruction of all copies of the cheeky and extremely limited-edition game Unethical Hoops.
Done in the style of the children’s classic Operation, Unethical Hoops requires players to use tweezers to pull objects from tiny holes, with the slightest touch of a metal border setting off a buzzer indicating failure.
Instead of pretending to be doctors attempting to remove body parts from a patient, however, Unethical Hoops players act as members of an opposing basketball team trying to take the ball from a cartoon character who very much resembles Gilgeous-Alexander.
In this game, the buzzer represents the whistle of a foul-calling referee.
“Shai has made hoops all about foul baiting and now you’re stuck guarding him in Underdog’s new board game,” a description reads on the game’s website. “Don’t get baited. Steal the ball without getting whistled.”
In a letter dated May 22, attorney Eric Fishman of ArentFox Schiff LLP demanded that Underdog “immediately and permanently cease and desist from any and all use of Mr. Gilgeous-Alexander’s NIL in any and all media, including but not limited to your website (including the Unethical Hoops Website)... and any physical goods including but not limited to the board game advertised on the Unethical Hoops Website.”
The notice also calls for Underdog to “immediately destroy all physical goods or advertisements that use Mr. Gilgeous-Alexander’s NIL, including but not limited to the board game advertised on the Unethical Hoops Website,” as well as a promise never to use the star player’s name, image or likeness without his permission.
Fishman did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Times.
According to the Unethical Hoops website, which remains active more than a week after the date on the cease-and-desist order, only 100 copies of the game were made, to be given away to Underdog users. The giveaway ended as scheduled on Friday.
Underdog declined to comment on the matter other than to point out that the company has pulled comical stunts at the expense of members of the sports world.
“We’ve poked fun at Knicks and Lakers fans, the Red Sox owners, the Mets and more,” a spokesperson said via email. “We like to have some fun with whatever is in the sports fan zeitgeist.”
Gilgeous-Alexander is a four-time All-Star who led the league in scoring last season (2,484 points) and was second in scoring this season (2,117). He led the Thunder to their first NBA title last year and has them back in the Western Conference finals this year (the decisive Game 7 against the San Antonio Spurs is Saturday in Oklahoma City).
While one of the NBA’s biggest stars, Gilgeous-Alexander is often criticized for the number of favorable foul calls he receives — he has ranked second or third in the league for number of free throw attempts per game in each of the last four seasons and is currently second among all players in the 2026 playoffs with 9.8 a game — and the lengths he appears to go to in order to receive them.
After Game 2 against the Spurs, one NBA fan account on X wrote, “Shai flopped on every single shot attempt” and posted a video that showed seven such examples (Gilgeous-Alexander actually attempted 24 shots that night). The post has been viewed 22.7 million times.
Earlier this week, prior to Game 6 of the conference finals, another fan account on X posted a video “ranking all 44 times SGA fell on the floor while shooting during the 2026 playoffs from least to most egregious.” That post has been viewed 1.3 million times.
As the cartoon likeness of Gilgeous-Alexander states in the Unethical Hoops ad, “so much as breathe on me, I’m getting the call.”
The real-life SGA was asked during a TV interview after Game 3 in San Antonio about the “flopper!” chants that rained down on him at Frost Bank Center.
“It’s part of the game,” he said. “It’s nothing. I’ve been dealing with it for a long time. I don’t really hear it. I’m focused on what’s going on on the court.”
CINCINNATI, OHIO - MAY 23: Pitcher Chris Paddack #56 of the Cincinnati Reds looks on during game one of a doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park on May 23, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Chris Paddack has logged a pair of starts for the Cincinnati Reds since they picked him up as an emergency band-aid for their starting rotation, and he’s been perfectly fine in those outings. He’s thrown exactly 5.0 IP in each, allowed a total of 4 ER in those 10 IP, and has 8 strikeouts against just 4 walks.
That’s about as good as anyone could have hope for from him given how much he’d been shelled as a starter for the Miami Marlins, and the Reds will ask for more from him on Friday evening in Great American Ball Park as the roaring Atlanta Braves come to town.
To date, Atlanta boasts a collective .334 wOBA offensively, and that’s the third best mark of any club in the game (behind only the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees). They also have the most wins in the sport (38) and best win percentage (.667) of any team, and that’s enough to make any pitcher – let alone Paddack – shake in their boots a little bit.
Of course, the Reds offense has become something of a force itself lately, too. In fact, over the last 30 days it’s been Cincinnati’s offense (.322 wOBA) that’s been better than that of Atlanta (.315). So, maybe we’re just in-line for a good old fashioned shootout in GABP tonight.
Grant Holmes will start for the Braves, and first pitch is slated for 6:40 PM ET.
Here’s how the Reds will line up for this one, with Spencer Steer starting at 2B and Matt McLain out of the lineup to begin:
The New York Yankees are rolling and are the rightful favorites against the Athletics tonight.
Luis Severino’s walk and barrel issues give New York’s power-heavy lineup the cleaner scoring path, and that's why my Yankees vs. Athleticspredictions are laying the run line instead of paying the -155 moneyline tax on the Bombers.
Who will win Yankees vs A's tonight: Yankees -1.5 (+108)
I see the New York Yankees' run line price as generous and would play it down to -110.
Luis Severino’s contact profile is a bad fit against New York. His 45th-percentile hard-hit rate and 35th-percentile barrel rate are real concerns against a Yankees lineup built to punish mistakes, led by an MLB-best 11.1% barrel rate and an overall depth of hard-hitting bats.
Carlos Rodon also adds separation on the mound. His 2.96 expected ERA and .153 expected BA allowed point to a sharper current form than Severino’s, giving New York the cleaner starter and louder offense.
New York has a strong path to crooked innings, and the A's aren't a dead offense against left-handed pitching.
While Rodon’s contact profile is excellent, his 18.6% walk rate creates risk against an Athletics lineup with plenty of pop.
Severino is the bigger trigger. His high walk rate is also a risk factor in this matchup.
I project the Yankees to drive the total, and the A's to do enough to get this Over. I'd play this to -130.
Chris Hatfield's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 24-19, +4.56 units
Over/Under bets: 28-15, +15.34 units
Yankees vs A's odds
Moneyline: Yankees -155 | A's +145
Run line: Yankees -1.5 | A's +1.5
Over/Under: Over 9 | Under 9
Yankees vs A's trend
New York has covered the F5 run line in 31 of its last 50 away games (+9.50 Units / 16% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Yankees vs. A's.
How to watch Yankees vs A's and game info
Location
Sutter Health Park, Sacramento, CA
Date
Friday, May 29, 2026
First pitch
9:40 p.m. ET
TV
YES, NBC Sports California
Yankees starting pitcher
Carlos Rodon (0-2, 4.15 ERA)
A's starting pitcher
Luis Severino (2-5, 4.23 ERA)
Yankees vs A's latest injuries
Yankees vs A's weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
PORTLAND, OREGON - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Mitch Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs reacts with associate head coach Sean Sweeney during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on November 26, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It seemed bound to happen, but Spurs associate head coach Sean Sweeney is reportedly on the verge of accepting his first (and well deserved) head coaching gig. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Sweeney and the Orlando Magic are finalizing a deal for him to replace Jamahl Mosley as head coach, who was fired after a disappointing season and has since been hired by the New Orleans Pelicans.
BREAKING: The Orlando Magic are finalizing the hire of San Antonio Spurs associate coach Sean Sweeney as the franchise's new head coach, sources tell ESPN. Sweeney broke into NBA coaching in 2011 and now lands the Magic head job as a top rising candidate. pic.twitter.com/aV3Zj6l57k
Sweeney will finish the remainder of the postseason with the Spurs, including Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals tomorrow and, should they win, the Finals beginning on Wednesday, June 3.
After Mitch Johnson officially became the Spurs head coach last summer following Gregg Popovich’s retirement, he hired Sweeney away from the Dallas Mavericks as his “defensive coordinator”. Sweeney helped completely revamp the team on that side of court, and they went from a middling defense with Victor Wembanyama (and terrible without him) last season to one league’s top defenses this season. He is considered to one of the top X’s and O’s minds in the league, and it shows in the Spurs drastic improvements at all levels, from basics all the way up to their ability to shift schemes based on opponent or scenario. He no doubt played a huge role in their 28-game improvement from last season, and it will be interesting to see where the Spurs look to replace him.
The Magic will be a good launching point for his head coaching career. They are also a young, talented team with promising stars in Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs and one of the top defenses in the league, but they failed to meet expectations this season in large part due to injuries and offensive struggles, finishing 8th in the East and blowing a 3-1 lead to the Detroit Pistons in Round 1 of the playoffs. Other finalists for the position reportedly included former Bulls head coach Billy Donovan and Clippers assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy (whose brother, Stan Van Gundy, was the Magic’s coach from 2007-12 during their peak with Dwight Howard).
Before Sweeney joined the Spurs, he was Jason Kidd’s lead assistant in Dallas for four years, which included helping lead them to the Finals in 2024 with Luka Doncic. He began his NBA career in 2011 as a video coordinator for the Nets before becoming an assistant coach in 2013. He then had stints as an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks from 2014-18 and Pistons from 2018-21.
Good luck to Coach Sweeney, and thanks for helping make this team what it is today!
The stars are out in Southern California as the heavily favored Los Angeles Dodgers host the Philadelphia Phillies tonight, with the game to be broadcast on Apple TV at 10:15 p.m. ET.
With ace Zack Wheeler on the mound and a red-hot, fully rested bullpen behind him, my Phillies vs. Dodgers predictions are backing the visitors in a low-scoring contest.
Who will win Phillies vs Dodgers tonight: Phillies (+100)
This game offers a choice between fool’s gold and pure gold.
Fool’s gold: Los Angeles Dodgers starter Justin Wrobleski and his 3.07 ERA. He doesn’t make batters miss (second percentile whiff rate, fifth percentile K rate) or induce grounders (36.7%), so all that glitters ain’t.
Pure gold: Zack Wheeler, 1.67 ERA. It’s the third consecutive season his ERA is under 2.75. He limits free passes (88th percentile walk rate) and generates a 98th percentile chase rate.
The Philadelphia Phillies have been destroying southpaws (135 wRC+ in May) and face a hittable one, so I’d play it up to -105.
COVERS INTEL:With winds of 6-12 mph blowing out, Wrobleski’s high fly-ball rate (44.4%) is an issue against a Phillies lineup that makes loud contact (38% hard-hit rate against LHP this month).
Phillies vs Dodgers Over/Under pick: Under 8.5 (-120)
This spot makes for an appealing Under as both bullpens are fully rested following Thursday’s off day.
Philadelphia has an unreal 2.00 SIERA and 28.9 K-BB% in relief over the last 20 days. LA holds a 2.94 FIP in that span and recently had an incredible 38-inning scoreless streak from the bullpen snapped.
The Phillies have cashed the Over just nine times in 26 away games, whereas the Dodgers have done so 11 times in 28 home games.
Interim manager Don Mattingly has changed the Phillies’ identity, and they’ve gone 2-14 O/U in the last 16 games.
JD Yonke's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 16-17, -5.33 units
Over/Under bets: 26-9, +16.54 units
Phillies vs Dodgers odds
Moneyline: Phillies +105 | Dodgers -116
Run line: Phillies +1.5 (-205) | Dodgers -1.5 (+177)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 (-120) | Under 7.5 (+100)
Phillies vs Dodgers trend
The Phillies have hit the Under in six consecutive games. Find more MLB betting trends for Phillies vs. Dodgers.
How to watch Phillies vs Dodgers and game info
Location
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Date
Friday, May 29, 2026
First pitch
10:15 p.m. ET
TV
Apple TV
Phillies starting pitcher
Zack Wheeler (4-0, 1.67 ERA)
Dodgers starting pitcher
Justin Wrobleski (6-2, 3.07 ERA)
Phillies vs Dodgers latest injuries
Phillies vs Dodgers weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
If the St. Louis Blues are looking to maximize skill at pick No. 11, look no further than forward Wyatt Cullen.
Cullen is a dynamic offensive forward who is one of the most interesting players in the 2026 NHL draft class.
Cullen is the son of former NHL player Matt Cullen, and while that alone is interesting, the most intriguing element of his game is his recent growth spurt. In the past year or two, Cullen has grown several inches, and although wherever you read might post a different height, the upcoming NHL combine will soon confirm his height.
At the moment, Cullen is listed between six feet and 6-foot-2.
But outside of the shocking growth spurt, Cullen is an outstanding playmaker.
Playing with the USNDTP this season, Cullen posted 16 goals and 45 points in 40 games, and in USHL action with NTDP, Cullen posted six goals and 16 points in 15 games. At the U-18s with Team USA, Cullen posted three goals and a team-leading nine points in five games. His nine points ranked third in the tournament, as two players tied with 12 points.
Cullen’s game revolves around his skating. He is fast and agile, using his edge work to create space and protect the puck. He is a dynamic playmaker, always looking to make passes into high-danger areas.
Cullen’s skating is matched by his deceptive hands, which make him a threat in transition. Blending the ability to create offense in transition and on the cycle can make Cullen a very effective NHL player. While both elements need polishing, it’s not uncommon for a player as young as Cullen.
In fact, Cullen is one of the youngest players in the draft and narrowly made the cutoff, as he was born on Sept. 8, 2008, missing it by seven days.
The final part of Cullen’s game is that a scout believes he might be best deployed as a center. According to the Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis, he spoke to a scout who said, “(I was) talking to scouts that actually thought he was a center based off of how proficient he is in his own zone, how much time he spends there stealing the puck off guys to then just find out he’s actually a winger surprised a few people. That’s how good a game he has.”
The Blues are in desperate need of a highly skilled and possibly game-breaking forward. Cullen comes with less certainty than wingers like Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg, but with three first-round selections, the Blues can take a gamble on Cullen’s upside.
Cullen is set to join the University of Minnesota in the NCAA for the 2027-28 season.
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 24: Jorge Mateo #2 of the Atlanta Braves bats against the Washington Nationals in the eighth inning at Truist Park on May 24, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Brett Davis/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Braves have lost three of their last five games, and their offense has been a roller coaster. They scored seven and ten runs respectively in their last two wins, but scored zero runs twice and one run in the other game. Still, their offense ranks as second in MLB in total runs scored.
The Braves will have a chance to build on their ten run performance from yesterday when they face off against Chris Paddack who is struggling to a 6.86 ERA. His expected ERA (xERA) is much better at 4.32, but us still to a point that the Braves on paper should be able to tag him for some runs.
Mike Yastrzemski has done very well against Paddack in his career. In twenty-five at-bats he has three HRs, a .400 average, and 1.324 OPS. Ozzie Albie has been successful as well with a .364 average and 1.000 OPS in eleven at-bats.
A big question mark before the lineup card dropped was whether Dominic Smith would DH since Walt Weiss has been known thus far to not use the same lineup everyday. Smith has had a fantastic season, but has struggled to a .182 average against Paddack in eleven at-bats, but has a HR. Another lineup move that many likely had their eyes on was who was going to play SS. Jorge Mateo has been on fire by his standards this year. He has started nineteen games and has multi-hit games in eight of them. That being said, the reason he got the start yesterday was likely due to the pitcher being a lefty. Ha-Seong Kim has clearly struggled this season, but he also has not fully ramped up.
As it turns out, Smith did end up being in the starting lineup and will bat fifth. Mateo also got the start proven against the idea what Weiss may be using his as the main option for lefties moving forward. Chadwick Tromp will get the start a week after his walk-off magic in the eleventh inning.
Grant Holmes will take the mound the the Braves to face the Reds. No Reds player has faced Holmes more than seven at-bats, but most of the ones that have had success against him. Of the nine players to face him, six of them have at-least a .333 average.
TJ Friedl is the player to keep an eye on. In his four at-bats against Holmes, he has two HRs.
Interestingly, Freidl will be batting ninth against Holmes. As can be seen in the graphic above, the Reds will be wearing their city connect jerseys this evening.
The Braves look to jumpstart their offense tonight. First pitch is at 6:40 EDT
MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 3: The sneakers worn by Ousmane Dieng #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the game against the Boston Celtics on April 3, 2026 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
Australian goes down 0-6 6-2 6-2 6-3 to Jakub Mensik
No 8 seed will rue a golden chance to advance in Paris
Alex de Minaur was blown out of the French Open just when opportunity had knocked deafeningly for all the would-be contenders.
With Jannik Sinner’s sensational exit having made everyone believe their chance could be at hand, de Minaur’s enduring dream was this time dynamited by young Czech powerhouse Jakub Mensik 0-6 6-2 6-2 6-3 in the third round.
Undeniably a key factor in the Phillies’ turnaround after an atrocious start to the season, a recently recovered Zack Wheeler is winning the current round of a battle against Father Time by being one of the more dominant starters in the National League since his return to a big league mound in late April. Although it is not always the case, for Wheeler in particular, the level of dominance he has presented has been enough to make the Phillies unbeatable in his starts.
The Dodgers will be the seventh team to go up against Wheeler this season, and evidently the best he has faced. Los Angeles will try to accomplish what each of the previous six failed to do, which is to beat the Phillies, who are 6-0 in Wheeler starts.
Justin Wrobleski might not have been the first pick for such a lofty task, but the southpaw carries an edge in this particular matchup. The Phillies offense is redefining the meaning of “top-heavy,” with two-thirds of their lineup carrying an OPS of .656 or lower. Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Brandon Marsh have carried this offense, all three of them lefties. Now, Harper and Schwarber are scary hitters regardless of who they’re facing, but you’d still prefer a lefty there.
This lack of anything even remotely resembling a bit of depth is why Philly enters play on Friday with the fifth-worst team wRC+ in the sport, relying primarily on their pitching to carry this team.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 18: The mascot of the Seattle Mariners, Mariner Moose, gestures during the game between the Seattle Mariners and the Chicago White Sox at T-Mobile Park on May 18, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Maddy Grassy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Diamondbacks are the hottest team in baseball. Full stop. They have won nine of their last ten. They’ve done it with great starting pitching, better than average offense, and they’ve even mixed in some spectacular defense from time to time. Yes, it comes against two of the worst teams in baseball, but even when you’re playing bad teams, you still have to beat them, and to do so in such a stretch is both impressive and exactly what they needed to do. They’ve got to keep the momentum up against the top teams now, but this is exactly the kick start they needed.
They go from the bottom of the NL West, to the top of the AL West. The AL West is slightly less competitive than the NL West, though, so that isn’t as scary as it could be. The Mariners are currently first in their division, but that only requires a 28-29 record at the moment. They’re on a hot streak of their own, however. They just swept division rival Oakland. We’ll see which sweep of a sub-.500 team holds up more.
Game 1 — 5/29, 7:10 PM: Zac Gallen (-0.3 bWAR, 3-4, 4.80 ERA/85 ERA+, 1.43 WHIP) vs. George Kirby (1.0 bWAR, 5-4, 3.54 ERA/110 ERA+, 1.20 WHIP)
Someone should do the math on how much money each mediocre start costs Gallen. At the rate he’s going, it’s going to be a lot. His hopes of a bounce back campaign to secure the multi-year, nine figure contract is waning, and he just hasn’t done much of anything particularly of note this season. The month of May has been especially rough after a decent start to the season in April. He has given up more than four earned runs in three of his five starts so far, and gave up three in an additional start just for good measure.
George Kirby has had a solidly above average season so far, but he’s been on a bit of a downward trend lately. In seven of his first nine starts, he held opponents to two runs or less, and he did not give up more than four. He also has been consistently pitching into the sixth inning or longer. However, his last two starts against the Padres and the Royals have been out of the ordinary. HE gave up six earned runs to the Padres, and five runs, three earned, to the Royals. The Padres game he got bit by the home run ball, but the Royals it seems it was just the errors that held him back. The Diamondbacks have power, and they have the speed to force misplays, so they’ll be looking to recreate those games.
Game 2 — 5/30, 7:10 PM: Ryne Nelson (-0.3 bWAR, 2-3, 4.65 ERA/88 ERA+, 1.18 WHIP) vs. Bryan Woo (0.7 bWAR, 4-3, 3.82 ERA/102 ERA+, 1.03 WHIP)
Don’t look now, but Ryne Nelson has been actually rather successful in the month of May. He has an ERA of 2.36 for the month, with the crowning achievement being his eight innings of one run ball against the Rockies in his most recent start. The question becomes how sustainable it is. He has a FIP of 4.29 for the month, almost exactly two runs higher than his month of May ERA. The strikeouts are inconsistent, the walks are high, and he’s basically a guarantee for a home run per start. Not promising for long term success.
In 2026, Woo has had similar results to Kirby. About a month ago, Woo had back to back starts where he gave up seven and six runs repsectively, but beyond that, it’s been good starts. One thing to note, the only home runs he has given up this year came in those two previously mentioned bad starts. Other than that, he has kept the ball in the park all season long. He’s given up two walks in each of his last four starts, so he will give you those free base runners. The Diamondbacks should probably plan on building innings, not mashing home runs, for this one.
Game 3 — 5/31, 1:10 PM: Merrill Kelly (-0.1 bWAR, 5-3, 5.25 ERA/78 ERA+, 1.41 WHIP) vs. Bryce Miller (0.4 bWAR, 1-0, 2.25 ERA/176 ERA+, 1.00 WHIP)
After a very rough first four months, Merrill Kelly is starting to look much more like the Mainstay that we thought Hazen had signed this off season. In his most recent four starts, he has thrown at least six innings, twice going seven, and a complete game just for good measure. The Giants tagged him for a couple runs, three in their first start against him and two in their second, but nothing crazy. With how rough his first four starts were, it will take a while before the stats start to look better, but he’s making progress.
This will be Miller’s fourth game, but third start as his last appearance was actually out of the bullpen. Not much to go off of so far, of course, but early returns have been positive. He’s gone at least five innings in all of his appearances, including his relief outing, and he has yet to give up more than two runs.
Conclusion
We aren’t picking on the bottom of the standings anymore, so the Diamondbacks should expect the Mariners to put up a bit more of a fight. That being said, this is a division leader that is sub-.500. Still plenty of room for them to continue padding their win column. I expect them to take two out of three in fairly low scoring affairs.
COVERS INTEL:
