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Phillies vs Nationals Prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for June 23

The Nationals (41-38) won the series opener, 4-1, versus the Phillies (42-36) behind two home runs and well pitched outing by Griffin Canning. The Nationals and Phillies are tied at two wins apiece in their season series.

Curtis Mead and Luis Garcia Jr. both hit homers in the Nationals win on Monday. James Wood scored twice and Washington took the first of a four-game series. Washington is 6-3 over the last nine games, but 2-3 in the past five games. In the last week, the Nationals' pitching staff is sporting a 3.98 ERA (16th) and .281 OBA (24th). Washington has been outscored 23-21 over the last six games and ranks 23rd in OBP (.296).

Philadelphia has now dropped three of their past four series openers, but they have won three straight times when it comes to the second game of a series. The Phillies only squeezed out five hits Monday and one run, which is lightyears off from their 21 runs over the two games prior. The Phillies lone run was a Brandon Marsh homer, which was the 10th for Philadelphia over the past week, ranking fifth in the MLB.

Let’s dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Phillies at Nationals

  • Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
  • Time: 6:45 PM EST
  • Site: Nationals Park
  • City: Washington, DC
  • Network/Streaming: MLB TV

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Phillies at the Nationals

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Moneyline: Philadelphia Phillies (-163), Washington Nationals (+135)
  • Spread: Phillies -1.5 (-101), Nationals +1.5 (-120)
  • Total: 8.5

Probable starting pitchers for Phillies at Nationals

  • Tuesday's pitching matchup (June 23): Jesus Luzardo vs. Zack Littell
  • Phillies: Jesus Luzardo

2026 stats: 85.2 IP, 6-4, 4.20 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 97 K, 27 BB

  • Nationals: Zack Littell  

2026 Stats: 71.0 IP, 6-6, 5.45 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 41 Ks, 23 BB

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not

  • The Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber is hitting .252 with 72 hits, 29 home runs and 52 RBI over 286 at-bats
  • The Phillies’ Adolis Garcia is hitting .195 with 45 hits and 84 strikeouts over 231 at-bats
  • The Nationals’ James Wood is hitting .273 with 82 hits, 20 home runs, and 49 RBI over 300 at-bats
  • The Nationals’ Jacob Young is hitting .229 with 54 hits and 47 strikeouts over 236 at-bats

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 Phillies at Nationals

  • Philadelphia is an MLB-worst 29-49 ATS
  • Washington is an MLB-best 49-30 ATS
  • Philadelphia is 40-33-5 to the Under, ranking third-best
  • Washington is 47-29-3 to the Over, ranking second-best
  • Philadelphia is 14-22 ATS on the road, ranking second-worst
  • Washington is 20-19 ATS at home

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Nationals and the Phillies

Rotoworld Bet 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 Tuesday's game between the Nationals and the Phillies:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Nationals on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Nationals at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Under on the Game Total of 8.5

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)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
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Thoughts on a 4-3 Rangers win

Jun 22, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Jakob Junis (16) leaves the game in the 8th inning against the Miami Marlins as manager Skip Schumaker (55) takes the ball at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Rangers 4, Marlins 3

  • That was a productive way to start a lengthy road trip.
  • After Kumar Rocker had the best outing of his career roughly a monthly ago in Colorado, throwing 7.2 shutout innings while striking out seven after coming in behind an opener, I confidently predicted that the Rangers would do that again his next time out.
  • The Rangers did not, in fact, do that again his next time out. Rocker was generally fine his next four starts, then got knocked around last week against the Twins, allowing seven runs, including two in the first.
  • With a 9.69 ERA in the first inning of games coming into his start against Miami, compared to a 2.89 ERA in every other inning, Skip Schumaker went back to the opener well, having Tyler Alexander pitch the first inning, with Rocker following him.
  • It is safe to say that it worked out well.
  • After an uneventful 1-2-3 first from Alexander, Kumar Rocker pitched innings two through six, and did so in impressive fashion.
  • Rocker faced 19 batters. He threw first pitch strikes to 16 of the 19. He struck out 9 of the 19. He allowed no walks, and gave up just two hard hit balls.
  • Rocker’s slider has long been his money pitch, and Rocker had it working in spades Monday against the Marlins. He threw 39 sliders, resulting in 23 swings and 3 called strikes. 17 of the 23 swings against the slider resulted in whiffs, a remarkable 74% swing-and-miss percentage on the pitch.
  • That’s the most whiffs off a slider that a major league pitcher has generated this season — Dylan Cease and Tatsuya Imai are next, at 15.
  • Rocker went most slider/cutter, using his sinker and fastball just 18 times combined, and not throwing the changeup at all. The two pitch mix was working for him.
  • The Marlins did get two runs off of Rocker. One came on a single-advance on ground out-wild pitch-sac fly sequence. The other came when Otto Lopez doubled with one out in the sixth, then came around to score on an Xavier Edwards triple. Edwards almost had an inside-the-park homer when Alejandro Osuna had misadventures fielding the ball in left field, but was thrown out at home.
  • Overall, it was an outstanding outing for Rocker. Okay, yes, two runs in five innings isn’t outstanding, but if he pitches like he did in this game every time out, the Rangers will be in great shape.
  • The Rangers didn’t take the lead for good until after Rocker left the game, so he didn’t get the W, though W’s for pitchers are outdated and not that meaningful. Robby Ahlstrom, who had an 8 pitch, 1-2-3 seventh, did get the W. Its his second career win, with the first coming retroactively, also in relief of Rocker, in the game where Rocker was pulled with two outs in the fifth and the official scorer originally awarded the win to Latz. That was originally changed to a win for Ahlstrom and a save for Latz.
  • Speaking of Latz, he once again was asked to get a save of more than three outs, coming in with a two run lead with two outs in the eighth in relief of Jakob Junis. Latz allowed a double, allowing a run to score and putting the tying and go-ahead runs at second and third.
  • I was nervous. I’ll admit it. Its okay. You can admit you were nervous, too.
  • But an intentional walk was followed by a groundout, Latz retired the side in the ninth, and there was joy in Miami.
  • Just, you know, not for the Miami fans.
  • It was another game where you feel like the Rangers should have scored more runs than they did. A bunch of baserunners, a homer and a couple of doubles…there should have been more than four runs to cross the plate, right?
  • The homer was by Ezequiel Duran, who came into the game in a 3 for 30 skid. He needed that.
  • Brandon Nimmo had three hits and a walk, and we like that.
  • Alejandro Osuna was thrown out at home trying to score in the fourth on a two out Elias Diaz single, and I thought he should have been called safe due to the Marlins’ catcher blocking the plate, but what do I know.
  • Texas is back to 2 games under .500, and a game back of WC3. Wild Card Fever…catch it!
  • Tyler Alexander topped out at 91.7 mph on his sinker. Kumar Rocker reached 95.9 mph on his sinker, averaging 94.2 mph. Robby Ahlstrom’s fastball maxed out at 95.1 mph. Jakob Junis’s sinker touched 93.3 mph. Jacob Latz hit 96.6 mph with his fastball.
  • Jake Burger had a 111.4 mph line out. Elias Diaz had a 109.3 mph groundout. Brandon Nimmo had a 107.5 mph single, a 105.8 mph double and a 101.6 mph single. Alejandro Osuna had a 106.6 mph double. Joc Pederson had a 104.7 mph single. Ezequiel Duran had a 103.4 mph homer and a 100.7 mph GIDP. Wyatt Langford had a 102.5 mph groundout.
  • One down, nine to go.
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2026 NHL Draft: Defensemen targets for the Penguins

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JUNE 6: Wesley Royston #129 and Xavier Villeneuve #21 await testing at the 2026 NHL Scouting Combine at the LECOM Harborcenter on June 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

Piggybacking off the earlier look into the forwards that could make sense for the Penguins to consider with the 22nd pick in Friday’s NHL draft, let’s take a turn to the blueline.

Be it coincidence or preference, Kyle Dubas has only drafted one defenseman in the first round since he became a general manager in 2018 (the year Toronto took Rasmus Sandin 29th, from – surprise, surprise, the Soo Greyhounds). The last five first rounders Dubas has made (Rodion Amirov [RIP], Brayden Yager, Ben Kindel, Bill Zonnon, Will Horcoff) have all been forwards. Forwards have also been the first pick Dubas made in 2019, 2021 and 2022 when his first selection of the draft was in the second round of those respective years. (He did take a defenseman, Harrison Brunicke, with his first selection of 2024).

Tendencies can sometimes be broken, but that might be worth keeping in mind when handicapping who the first pick of the Pens will be. You wouldn’t go wrong betting on a forward in most years, but there are some intriguing options on the blueline to consider as well.

Xavier Villeneuve 

Villeneuve could be the most polarizing prospect in the whole 2026 class. The Athletic’s recent feedback from NHL scouts included such snippets on him as, “the size and lack of willingness to defend scares the hell out of me” and from another “a bit one-dimensional and still questionable risk management”, a third saying “he can look like a mess. Bad defensive reads. A lack of strength to defend” yet another saying “Villeneuve is really bad defensively”. There was more along those lines, you get the picture.

What Villeneuve has going from him getting beyond the flaws is a very dynamic ability to impact the game as an offensive defenseman. He skates like the wind with excellent edge work. He sees the ice well and can make plays like few other. He performed incredibly well in off ice combine testing, showing that he’s one of the best pure athletes in the class. Villeneuve’s style doesn’t make fans of everyone, his positives are bright even if the negatives can be glaring at times, themselves.

To add to the consternation about his game, Villeneuve didn’t have a great draft season where he dealt with injuries and what some saw as a lack of progress in his season when he did play, including a shaky playoff when he likely wasn’t 100% in his return from an injury. Despite the unimpressive season, Villeneuve has such an extreme talent level which has kept him considered in the range to being a late-first round pick. He’ll have some teams that won’t rate him that way due to the question marks and style concerns with the lack of defensive dimension in his game, but he has his fans too.

It’s difficult to say if this is a player the Penguins are truly interested in, because this type of profile is so unique. In this day and age smaller defensemen like Quinn Hughes and Lane Hutson can thrive, yet other high-risk styles like Erik Brannstrom and Ty Smith end up mostly fizzling out. NHL teams strive for game-breakers, yet they also risk drafting a new-age Marc-Andre Bergeron (tiny, dynamic, power play weapon but little else of value). And, who knows, an M-A Bergeron comparison could even prove generous for Villeneuve.

The Pens added three defensemen in the top-100 picks of the 2025 draft, the average size of the trio being over 6’3″ and 200 pounds. Is that the profile they are going to want to stick to, or conversely have they built enough there to expand their horizons to seek something different and go in the direction of skill?

Villeneuve would be an intriguing pick, if only to show the Pens are willing to take on a large degree of tolerance to look for a big swing that could add a significant player to the roster, hedging against the chance that it flames out. Drafting a player with low-end compete and questionable on ice work ethic would be something of a deviation from the profiles of most players selected recently, and could also prove to be a little too risky at 22nd overall when the prospect pool has so many other needs and possibilities to add more of a sure thing. Taking Villeneuve will be the bold move someone will make, whether or not that will be the Penguins is questionable at best.

Tommy Bleyl

Bleyl could be seen as a more moderate version of Villeneuve. Both are nearly the same size (5’11” and about 165 pounds), Bleyl adds a difference in being a right shot defender. Unlike Villeneuve who was seen as having a stagnant season in 2025-26, Bleyl is coming into the draft with his stock on a rapid and massive rise. NHL’s Central Scouting had a 4th/5th round grade on Bleyl at the beginning of the season, he ended up being the 17th ranked North American skater in the final rankings that has him looking at a possible first round selection.

Bleyl’s strength is his skating and offensive ability, he also led the QMJHL in assists from his defense position which speaks to his ability to read and develop plays in the offensive zone. He does have concerns about his overall strength and how his transition to playing in the pros will go defensively, but is considered to be a better gap and positional defender than Villeneuve (which might not be saying that much).

Dubas and the Pens love to stockpile right shot defenders, and they don’t have many in the mold that can lead the rush and could be potential power play options in the NHL. Bleyl offers that dimension and would also make for a good debate to be picked, should he be available at 22.

Ryan Lin

Lin is a player with a lot more detail, maturity and well-roundedness in his game compared to Villeneuve and Bleyl. Being closer to 180 pounds, he’s got a more pro ready body type as well. As such, the Penguins sitting at No. 22 might not be in position to draft Lin. Getting him might require moving up the board a handful of picks, which can be a challenging exercise, though not an impossible one.

Scott Wheeler says of Lin, “Lin does almost everything at a high level, executes the small things extremely well and plays the game with a rare quality, maturity and detail for a D his age. He steers play with his quiet efficiency, feel for the game, puck-moving, A-level hockey IQ, good skating (he could use another gear in straight lines, but his footwork, pivots, edges, surfing, etc., are all high-end), a great stick offensively and defensively, and head-on-a-swivel defensive play and reads (shoulder checks, positioning, etc.). He’s comfortable in any situation and playing with anyone, and excels on both special teams”.

Corey Pronman used Sandin as a comparable to Lin, which depending on how the Pens’ brass sees it would certainly make Lin fit the profile of players that they’ve been interested in previously. The big question here looks more about availability within the Pittsburgh pick rather than concerns about the player. Should Lin still be around at 22, you’d have to think he was a player that will be under heavy, heavy consideration from Pittsburgh.

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Beyond that, the Pens could make what would be considered a reach at 22 for a defender like Jakub Vanecek or Adam Goljer but neither fit the profile of a player that Dubas has selected previously in the first round. Based on the strengths of this draft, there are better defenseman at the top-half of the first round, then a gap in talent. (Wheeler has five defensemen selected in a recent mock in the top-14, then only one from pick 15-24). Based on the overall talent pool, the back-end of the first round is shaping up to be more forward-heavy, which could suggest that Pittsburgh will be adding to that area with their first pick.

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Ahead of the draft, Raptors fans show love for Collin Murray-Boyles

Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Collin Murray-Boyles embraces girlfriend Chloe Kitts after being selected as the ninth pick by the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

CMB, all-rookie, all-awesome defender extraordinaire has won himself many fans in Toronto with his dominant interior presence and playoff rising. The former Gamecock was taken 9th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Raptors, and quickly proved himself to be playing well above the standard for most rookies.

While additions like Trayce Jackson-Davis and a potential big man in today’s draft, it is clear that the Raptors have been making moves to try and make up for their unstable roster of centres. Much has been said about Jakob Poeltl’s injury woes and gargantuan contract, but less noise has been made about the pros of committing to a small ball roster with Boyles at centre.

In a recent survey by SB Nation, 69% of respondents believed that the sophomore should enter Toronto’s starting lineup, with an additional 16% agreeing, only in the case of Jakob Poeltl being moved.

A measly 15% believe that the rookie should continue coming off of the bench, and I could not agree with these individuals less. Boyles has proven himself to be not only an asset, but someone who the Raptors should try taking a gamble on by giving a starting job. And, speaking of gambling, this post is sponsored by FanDuel.

Last season proved that Toronto is not yet in a position to contend with the best teams in the east, so taking more time to try and develop young players while attempting to sort out a functional centre rotation could be well worth it. CMB’s combination of raw power and defensive tenacity is extremely valuable, whose worth in the starting lineup might only be outweighed by a real stretch big, capable of protecting the rim and scoring without clogging the paint. Until the Raptors have a guy like that at hand, betting on Boyles might be where the smart money goes.

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Mets Morning News: Mother Nature saves Mets from another loss

Jul 1, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; Fans walk in the rain out side Citi Field. The game between the New York Mets and the Milwaukee Brewers was postponed due to impending weather. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Meet the Mets

Mother Nature offered the Mets and their long-suffering fans a much-needed reprieve from terrible baseball by pouring buckets of water upon the tri-state area, which resulted in last night’s game being postponed. The Mets and Cubs will play a split-admission twin bill on Wednesday.

Francisco Lindor will suit up for the Syracuse Mets in another rehab game today. After that, he could return on Wednesday, or possibly on Thursday after a day off, if all goes well.

Lindor’s return means it’s now or never for the Mets to get back in the race, explains Anthony DiComo.

Juan Soto currently ranks sixth in All-Star voting among National league outfielders.

Ken Rosenthal doesn’t think it would be smart for the Mets to move on from David Stearns this offseason, saying, “He just needs to make better decisions.”

The team’s starting pitching woes is making consistency impossible, laments Laura Albanese.

Clay Holmes is just focused on returning to the Mets with trade rumors and his injury clouding his future.

The Mets are offering 26% off tickets for the homestand. to celebrate the Knicks’ 2026 championship. To add to the Knicks-centric celebrations this week, the club will have Mike Breen, Jose Alvarado, and Game 4 hero OG Anunoby throw out the first pitch throughout the homestand. The latter will throw out the first pitch to Jose Reyes during the Sunday finale.

Around the National League East

Matt Slater wrote about the consensus feeling among Phillies fans towards the World Cup.

The Marlins fell 4-3 to the Rangers to halt their four-game winning streak.

The Nationals defeated the Phillies 4-1 in an NL East showdown. In the process, they climbed to within 1.5 games of second place Philadelphia.

The Braves were blanked 1-0 by the Padres.

Around Major League Baseball

Shohei Ohtani recently welcomed his second child, and he celebrated by helping the Dodgers get back to No. 1 on the MLB Power Rankings.

The MLB.com staff looked at some first-time Home Run Derby participants they’d like to see this year.

Anthony Castrovince showed us what we’ve learned so far at the season’s midway point.

Drew Kaufman and Rob Terranova provided all the information we need to know before this week’s Draft Combine.

We got another update on All-Star balloting. The big surprise is Ernie Clement of the Blue Jays leading all American League players in voting. Clement trails only Ohtani in voting overall.

Pete Crow-Armstrong and Logan Gilbert were named National League and American League Players of the Week, respectively.

The Angels released Taijuan Walker after just five games.

Brandon Woodruff came off the IL last night and started against the Reds.

Mike Petriello argued that Tarik Skubal’s future may depend on how the Tigers fare against the Yankees, whom they play six times in the next ten games. Detroit got off to a good start on that stretch by beating the Bronx Bombers 5-3.

In defeat, Gerrit Cole suffered the roughest outing since his return from the IL.

The Royals topped the Rays 2-1.

The Blue Jays doubled up the Astros 4-2.

The Brewers outlasted the Reds 2-1 in 10 innings.

The Dodgers beat the Twins 2-1. Eric Lauer pitched six hitless innings for Los Angeles behind an opener to help the Dodgers pick up their 50th win of the season. On the downside, Kyle Tucker exited the game with back spasms and is officially listed as day-to-day, and Dalton Rushing exited the game and entered concussion protocol after taking a foul ball off the face mask.

The White Sox scored two in the bottom of the ninth after allowing two in the top of the ninth to walk off the Guardians 6-5. Sam Antonacci played hero with a two-run single off Cade Smith.

The Cardinals beat the Diamondbacks 3-2.

The Orioles beat up the flailing Angels 6-1.

The Rockies scored three in the ninth to stun the Red Sox 3-2. They ended the game with eight straight hits and a walk off that we haven’t seen in 20 years.

There was no shortage of suspense in yesterday’s MLB calendar, as it was the closest day of games in nearly 37 years.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Brian Salvatore previewed the team’s series against the Cubs, which was supposed to begin last night but will instead kick off tonight after yesterday’s rain out.

Linus Lawrence provided a Monday Stat Party.

This Date in Mets History

Ron Hunt became the first Met to start an All-Star game on this date in 1964.

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Mets vs. Cubs: How to watch on SNY on June 23, 2026

The Mets begin a four-game series against the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field on Tuesday night at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.

Mets Notes

  • Carson Benge is slashing .290/.333/.548 (.882 OPS) with two homers, one triple, and six runs scored over his last seven games. Dating back to April 23, Benge is hitting .296/.350/.471 (.821 OPS) with eight homers in 53 games
  • Juan Soto is leading the National League with a .974 OPS and 171 OPS+
  • Luke Weaver hasn't allowed a run since April 30, a span of 18 appearances during which he has allowed 10 hits in 20 innings while walking four and striking out 25
  • Kodai Senga hasn't pitched beyond the fourth inning in any of his last four starts

Today's Lineups

CUBS
METS
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What channel is SNY?

Check your TV or streaming provider's website or channel finder to find your local listings.

How can I stream the game?

The way to stream SNY games is via the MLB App or MLB.tv.

In order to stream games in SNY’s regional territory, you will need to have SNY as part of your TV package (cable or streaming), or you can now purchase an in-market SNY subscription package via MLB or Amazon. Both ways will allow fans to watch the Mets on their computer, tablet or mobile phone.

How can I watch the game on my computer via MLB?

To get started on your computer, click here and then follow these steps:

  • Log in using your provider credentials. If you are unsure of your provider credentials, please contact your provider.
  • Link your provider credentials with a new or existing MLB.com account.
  • Log in using your MLB.com credentials to watch Mets games on SNY.

How can I watch the game on the MLB App?

MLB App access is included for FREE with SNY. To access SNY on your favorite supported Apple or Android mobile device, please follow the steps below.

  • Open “MLB” and tap on “Subscriber Login” for Apple Devices or “Sign in with MLB.com” for Android Devices.
  • Type in your MLB.com credentials and tap “Log In.” 
  • To access live or on-demand content, tap on the "Watch" tab from the bottom navigation bar. Select the "Games" sub-tab to see a listing of available games. You can scroll to previous dates using the left and right arrows. Tap on a game to select from the game feeds available. 

For more information on how to stream Mets games on SNY, please click here.

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Atlanta Braves News: Tarik Skubal, Drake Baldwin, More

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 22: Grant Holmes #66 of the Atlanta Braves throws to first base during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on June 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

While the product on the filed for the Braves is having some ups and downs at the moment, it appears many around baseball continue to think Atlanta is clearly a contender. And for some, the Braves are the contender that could make the most sense as the landing spot for coveted pitcher Tarik Skubal. While there is no proof the Braves have actually inquired on Skubal, Bob Nightengale discussed how the Braves could make sense as a trade partner for the Tigers. It would clearly be the biggest in-season acquisition Alex Anthopoulos has made in his time as the Braves’ head decision maker.

Braves News

The offense once again did not show up in a 1-0 loss to the Padres, despite plenty of chances to win.

Mark Bowman addresses the offense in his latest article, including Drake Baldwin going through the worst offensive stretch of his career. However, Atlanta remains confident they will endure the struggles and the offense will get going again soon.

Both Drake Baldwin and Ozzie Albies are in a good spot to start the All-Star game at their respective positions.

The latest MLB Draft profile for the Braves from Matt Powers is Arkansas catcher Ryan Helfrick.

Mauricio Dubon makes it clear he is open to an extension with the Braves.

Sandy Leon is back with the Braves on a minor league deal.

MLB News

Colorado beat the Red Sox in historic fashion.

The White Sox used a walk-off victory to once again take the top of the AL Central.

Sonny Gray could be open to a trade if the Red Sox become sellers.

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With Three First-Round Picks, What Will Blues Do?

ST. LOUIS -- In what will be his last final time at the helm as general manager of the St. Louis Blues guiding the NHL Draft, Doug Armstrong will for the second time in four years have three first-round picks barring trade.

And true to form, in years past, Armstrong has always maintained the mantra that the Blues, who currently have pick Nos. 11, 15 and 29, the ladder two acquired from the Detroit Red Wings and New York Islanders, respectively, pick the best player available on their board when their selection arrives.

They even did such when they had the 10th, 25th and 29th picks in Nashville in 2023. But will that be the case this time? This time, the Blues, who have missed the Stanley Cup playoffs in three of the past four seasons, should they make their selections, may be looking at organizational depth.

Should they pick more what they need rather than what they may deem the best player should that player on their board be available?

"I don't want to say what we won't do because then we'll end up doing it," Armstrong said Monday. "But I think we want to get some variety in our picks if possible. We've drafted heavily defensively lately and our organizational depth chart could use players in a couple different slots. We don't want to ask the scouts to jump out of a block to get a position, but we do want to talk about taking a position within a block, if that makes sense.

"So if we have five players in one block that we see somewhat similar, we might say, 'Hey, we're lacking in this area, can we move him up? Tell me the difference between moving up and if this guy's at the top and this guy's at the bottom of the block, is the positional difference great enough?' And that's things that the group will discuss over the next four days. It's a fun four days because our job is to go through every scenario that we can think of and then we get to the draft and then the first phone call is something we never thought of. That's what we like to call in our group, the crazy Ivan's. We've got to be ready for the crazy Ivan's."

The Blues selected Carbonneau, a forward, at No. 19 a year ago; defenseman Adam Jiricek was the 16th pick in 2024. They have focused on the defense position in the later rounds more so in the past couple seasons, so the forward slot, center or wing (preferably a big, powerful one) sounds like the preferred choice at No. 11.

But in a draft where there doesn't seem to be a clear-cut choice past probably Gavin McKenna going to the Toronto Maple Leafs first overall, imagine the scrambling when it gets into the teens when the Blues may make their pick?

"It's probably a couple players wider, but we see a distinction, and then we see probably not a lot greater than other years but more the just the number of players in that group of eight, nine, 10," Armstrong said. "... I think it's exciting, especially when you have the number of first-round picks that we have. Our amateur scouts have put a lot of work in since the trade deadline making sure we're prepared to select that 11, 15 and 29 to move up a few slots, to move into the late teens, early 20s. There's a lot of different options that we have and obviously the landscape has changed in the NHL regarding player movement, so our pro scouts are excited over that part. Everybody's excited for this week to see how it unfolds."

If the Blues don't pick in their positions, what would it take to move up? The Ottawa Senators, who acquired the ninth pick on Sunday from the Florida Panthers in the Brady Tkachuk trade, sound like they're open for business should the Blues want to move up a couple spots. Do the Blues trade picks for young players? All options are on the table.

"That's the one constant. That hasn't changed in our game," Armstrong said. "You let people know what you're considering to do and then that's probably a Thursday-Friday thing more than it is a today thing for the teams looking to move and for the teams looking to move up. There's very rarely much movement in that area. I think going from 11 to two, three or four would be seismic, and I haven't seen a seismic move like that in a long time. But maybe moving up two or three slots with our available picks is something. Then you have to weigh that with what you're giving up to move up. I haven't seen a lot of difference from this year. I'm not saying there won't be a difference, but that usually comes Thursday night and early into Friday morning as people have to make real decisions."

When Armstrong said "seismic," it likely means the Blues aren't in a position to pay the price of what it would likely cost to get into the top five. Their best bet is somewhere getting to perhaps No. 8 (Winnipeg Jets), maybe No. 7 (Seattle Kraken) but that's about as high as it sounds without giving up a boatload.

"Maybe Toronto, maybe San Jose this year. There's been teams, Dallas went to four ... usually go through a lot of pain to get that pick," Armstrong said. "So when you're lucky enough to win a lottery, you haven't gone through (just) six months of pain to earn a top three or four pick. I think there's always a difference in ... there's a line usually at every draft and that line is usually at three or four. Sometimes it's at one when it's a [Connor] McDavid. Sometimes it's a two or three. This draft seems to have more volatility to it where you've seen at least, I've seen at least four players go one, but I've seen nine players probably in the top five. That has more variety to it than I've seen in the past. So there could be a little more movement this year because of that variety. We have nine on our list and someone has three and then you make that move. You work in your blocks, I guess."

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2026 NBA Draft: Arizona primed to climb all-time 1st round pick list

arizona-wildcats-basketball-2026-nba-draft-history-picks-ranking-history
Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Carter Bryant stands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the 14th pick by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Arizona has been having men’s basketball players drafted since before the NBA was a thing.

The first Wildcat selected to play pro ball was Linc Richmond, who in 1948 was taken in the 4th round of the Basketball Association of America Draft, though he returned to the UA for one more season and never played professionally. The BAA and National Basketball League would merge a year later to form the National Basketball Association (NBA).

The first UA player to get drafted into the NBA and play was Leon Blevins, a 7th-round pick in 1950 who appeared in two games for the Indianapolis Olympians.

All told, Arizona has had 79 NBA/ABA draft picks, a number that will go up by at least two this week. And with Brayden Burries a lock to go in the 1st round Tuesday, while Koa Peat could join him later on, the Wildcats also are set to climb the list of schools with the most first-rounders.

The UA currently ranks 8th all-time, with 27. That’s one behind Indiana, which isn’t likely to add to its total, giving Arizona the chance to move up to 7th if Burries and Peat both go in the first round.

Kentucky is No. 1, at 60, with Duke right behind it with 59 and then North Carolina (55).

Arizona last had consecutive drafts with a 1st-round pick in 2017 (Lauri Markannen) and 2018 (Deandre Ayton). It’s had multiple first rounders on five occasions, most recently in 22nd when Bennedict Mathurin went 6th overall and Dalen Terry 18th.

Assuming he doesn’t fall out of the top 14, Burries would be Arizona’s 18th lottery pick.

Though they aren’t likely to hear their names called during the first round, Wednesday’s second round could see as many as three UA players (Tobe Awaka, Jaden Bradley and Anthony Dell’Orso) get picked. The only time Arizona has produced four draft picks in one year was in 2001 when Richard Jefferson went 13th overall to the Houston Rockets while Gilbert Arenas, Michael Wright and Loren Woods were all 2nd-round selections.

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NBA mock draft 2026: Final projection after Giannis trade lands Bucks another lottery pick

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 22: Darryn Peterson #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks celebrates during the second half against the St. John's Red Storm in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The tape has been watched, the numbers have been crunched, and the 2026 NBA Draft cycle is finally coming to a close. The draft begins on Tuesday night with the Washington Wizards on the clock with the No. 1 overall pick. By now, everyone has an opinion on this class.

Read why we believe Cameron Boozer is the top overall player in this class. Check out our final big board that ranks the 60 best prospects available. Read our in-depth profile of Caleb Wilson to hear about the past, present, and future of the draft’s most explosive athlete.

Now it’s time for our final mock draft. There’s some movement since our last mock over the weekend with the Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster delivering the No. 13 overall pick to the Milwaukee Bucks via the Miami Heat, and Brooklyn Nets reportedly leaning a new way with the No. 6 overall pick. We’ll have more analysis on what’s changed going into draft night after the table.

PickTeamPlayerPositionSchoolClass
1Washington WizardsAJ DybantsaWingBYUFreshman
2Utah JazzDarryn PetersonGuardKansasFreshman
3Memphis GrizzliesCameron BoozerForwardDukeFreshman
4Chicago BullsCaleb WilsonForwardNorth CarolinaFreshman
5Los Angeles ClippersKeaton WaglerGuardIllinoisFreshman
6Brooklyn NetsMikel Brown Jr.GuardArkansasFreshman
7Sacramento KingsDarius AcuffGuardHoustonFreshman
8Atlanta HawksKingston FlemingsGuardLouisvilleFreshman
9Dallas MavericksBrayden BurriesGuardArizonaFreshman
10Milwaukee BucksNate AmentForwardTennesseeFreshman
11Golden State WarriorsAday MaraForwardMichiganSenior
12Oklahoma City ThunderYaxel LendeborgCenter/ForwardMichiganSophomore
13Milwaukee BucksLabaron PhilonGuardAlabamaSophomore
14Charlotte HornetsMorez Johnson Center/ForwardWashingtonWashington
15Chicago BullsHannes SteinbachCenterMichiganFreshman
16Memphis Grizzlies (via Magic)Bennett Stirtz GuardIowaSenior
17Oklahoma City Thunder (via 76ers)Karim LopezForwardNZ BreakersBorn 2007
18Charlotte Hornets (via Suns)Dailyn SwainWingTexasJunior
19Toronto RaptorsChristian AndersonTexas TechGuard Sophomore
20San Antonio SpursCameron CarrBigHoustonFreshman
21Detroit Pistons (via Wolves)Ebuka OkorieWingBaylorJunior
22Philadelphia 76ersAllen GravesBigKentuckySophomore
23Atlanta Hawks (via Cavs)Jayden QuaintanceGuardStanfordFreshman
24New York KnicksChris Cenac Jr.ForwardSanta ClaraRS Freshman
25Los Angeles LakersJoshua Jefferson ForwardIowa StateSenior
26Denver NuggetsKoa PeatForwardArizonaFreshman
27Boston CelticsSergio De LarreaGuardValenciaBorn 2005
28Minnesota Timberwolves (via Pistons)Isaiah EvansGuardDukeSophomore
29Cleveland Cavaliers (via Spurs)Henri VeesaarBigNorth CarolinaJunior
30Dallas Mavericks (via Thunder)Meleek ThomasGuardArkansasFreshman

Here’s what changed since our last mock:

  • The Nets now take Mikel Brown Jr. over Darius Acuff: The tea leaves are suggesting that Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. will be Brooklyn’s pick at No. 7. This would be wonderful news for the Sacramento Kings, because they reportedly covet Arkansas’ Darius Acuff at No. 7.
  • It feels like the Hawks will choose between Kingston Flemings and Aday Mara: Atlanta has already re-signed C.J. McCollum, but it was only a one-year deal. Flemings is almost unanimously viewed as a better prospect than Mara. I don’t think this will be that difficult of a call for the Hawks. Flemings is the pick for this mock.
  • I was tempted to put a Michigan man at No. 9, but stuck with Brayden Burries: Basically everyone’s mock draft has Dallas taking Burries. I thought about putting Yaxel Lendeborg or Morez Johnson here as the Dusty May hire, but ultimately decided to finish the drill.
  • The Warriors go with Aday Mara, and the Thunder go for Yaxel Lendeborg: Mara just feels like such a great fit for Steve Kerr’s system given his fantastic passing ability, and the Warriors also need a big man. Yaxel to OKC is perfect. He was telling me about dreaming of playing with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander back in March.
  • The Bucks have options at No. 15: Milwaukee brought in Labaron Philon for a workout during the pre-draft process, so I’m assuming they like him. The other guys they brought in for workouts are already gone in this projection (Acuff, Brown, and Lendeborg), and I doubt Cenac is a realistic option here. The Bucks already have two pretty good guards in Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr., and they also added another developmental guard in Kasparas Jakucionis in the Giannis trade. Morez Johnson and Karim Lopez could also make sense here.
  • I have no idea what the Bulls do at No. 15: I think Chicago would run to select Morez Johnson or Aday Mara, but both are off the board in this projection. I have Hannes Steinbach tabbed here. He’s one of my favorite players in the class (No. 10 on my final board), but he’s not exactly the defensive anchor the Bulls need next to Caleb Wilson long-term. It’s worth noting the Bulls added another center on Monday by taking on Nic Claxton from the Nets in the three-team Julius Randle deal. I have no idea which way new top executive Bryson Graham would be leaning if the board breaks like this.
  • Chris Cenac falls: I put Cenac top-20 a couple days ago, but that feels a bit too rich. He feels like a little bit of a project as a toolsy big man who needs to develop both physically and mentally right now. Cenac drops to the Knicks at No. 24 in this mock while San Antonio goes with a more ready-made contributor in Baylor wing Cam Carr.

How to watch the 2026 NBA Draft

Here’s how to watch the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft:

Date: Tuesday, June 23

TV and streaming: ESPN

Time: 8 p.m. ET

The second round will begin at the same time and on the same network on Wednesday, June 24.

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How to watch the 2026 NBA Draft

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 25: Khaman Maluach of the Phoenix Suns speaks to the media after being drafted tenth overall during the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 25, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Maluach was drafted by the Houston Rockets then traded to the Phoenix Suns. 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 Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) | Getty Images

What: Coverage of the NBA Draft

Who: Malika Andrews, Jay Bilas, Bobby Marks, Brian Windhorst, Shams Charania

When: Tuesday and Wednesday, June 23rd and 24th, at 5 p.m. Arizona Time. Tuesday is the first round, and Wednesday is the second.

Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York

TV: First Round: ESPN, ABC. Second Round: ESPN

As of right now, the Phoenix Suns have just the 47th pick in the draft, yet Bright Side is staying prepared with East Coast Correspondent at the Barclays Center, ready for the action.

The Washington Wizards will be picking first, where they’re widely expected to take either Kansas’ Darryn Peterson or BYU’s AJ Dybantsa. Picking second is Utah, which is likely to take whoever the Jazz don’t want of the two, or Duke’s Cameron Boozer.

After trading their first-rounder to the Charlotte Hornets during the 2025 trade deadline to get rid of Jusuf Nurkić, Phoenix looks to be without a first-rounder for the first time since 2023. In the first round last year, Phoenix selected Center Khaman Maluach 10th after reacquiring their first-rounder when they dealt Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets. In 2024, they selected Ryan Dunn 28th after trading their 22nd overall pick to the Denver Nuggets for the rights to draft Dunn.

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St. John’s Zuby Ejiofor addresses ‘crazy’ Knicks scenario before NBA Draft

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 27: Zuby Ejiofor #24 of the St. John's Red Storm looks on during the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament game against the Duke Blue Devils at Capital One Arena on March 27, 2026 in Washington, DC. Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The New York Knicks are entering the NBA Draft as reigning champions for the first time in 53 years, back when the event saw 178 players getting drafted as New York City hosted it.

This time, the Knicks are holding picks No. 24, No. 31, and No. 55, but they might not have all of them by the time the draft starts on Tuesday night, with the second round taking place on Wednesday.

The front office keeps exploring options to maximize their financial room, and if they ultimately have to draft someone, those options would then include adding depth in the frontcourt or some sort of microwave-shooting combo-guard-wing who can come off the pine and bag a bunch of points quickly.

One of the prospects in the Knicks’ radar, also profiled here at P&T as part of our draft coverage, is St. John’s standout, Zuby Ejiofor. The senior was one of the more productive big men in college basketball this past season.

On Monday, SNY’s Ian Begley reported that Ejiofor “has some fans in the organization,” signaling at least internal consideration as New York shapes its draft board.

“If Robinson and Shamet are back, the Knicks probably look at size on the wing or a player who can handle the ball. Ejiofor has some fans in the organization. If they think they are losing Robinson or Hukporti, maybe the Knicks draft a center? Tarris Reed Jr. from UConn would be a strong pick in New York’s range.”

Ejiofor himself addressed the possibility of landing in New York during an appearance on the “Eye on the Storm” podcast, referencing his experience playing at Madison Square Garden while at St. John’s.

“I think it would definitely be crazy (to land in NYK). Obviously, the Johnnies’ fanbase and New York has showed me a lot of love. So if that does happen, I don’t even know how you guys would react, I mean, you guys would go absolutely nuts.

“Obviously, having been there at St. John’s and played at MSG, and then you tie in with the fact that New York just won the championship, so I think it would be a win on both sides if it does happen.

“It’s going to be definitely chaos, not just for me but my family as well—they’re going to go absolutely insane.”

Ejiofor, who averaged 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game this past season, has built his resume as a physical, high-energy forward with defensive versatility, earning multiple Big East honors.

His size remains a point of evaluation at the next level, as he’s a bit of a tweener caught in between the three and five without a very defined frame, but his production and motor have kept him in the late first-round to early second-round range.

According to the NBA Draft Network’s consensus big board, Ejiofor would be drafted at No. 28, with the highest projection putting him at No. 21 and the lowest at No. 37, but most of them falling within the 27-29 range.

With draft night just a few hours away, Ejiofor’s connection to New York and the organization’s reported interest place him firmly among the names to watch. Not to mention a certain whiff the Knicks might have the perfect opportunity to fix on what could be a historic June 23 in the franchise’s history.

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For Giannis, for everything: A tribute

Basketball: NBA Finals: Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) victorious holding NBA Finals MVP Trophy and Khris Middleton holding Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after winning game and series vs Phoenix Suns at Fiserv Forum. Game 6. Milwaukee, WI 7/20/2021 CREDIT: Greg Nelson (Photo by Greg Nelson/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X163696 TK1)

Here’s to draft night swings and freakish things: chase-down blocks and coast-to-coast dunks. Here’s to the no-look dimes. 

Here’s to Bradley Center, to hitching rides with strangers. To smoothie tweets, jaw-dropping feats. Here’s to the Nic Batum comps. 

Here’s to nicknames, to the fire, to Mike Dunleavy Jr. Here’s to the walk-off at the Garden, to MIP turned MVP—and DPOY. Here’s to All Star, to All-NBA.

Here’s to the posters. To Chris Bosh, Serge Ibaka. Kosta Koufos and Aron Baynes. Here’s to Nikola Vucevic, to Flagg and Gafford. Here’s to breaking orbit, to Tim Hardaway Jr. 

Here’s to the playoffs. To the climb. To conference finals heartbreak and Bubble embarrassment. Here’s to the opportunity for redemption. And seizing it.

Here’s to the Heat, to the Nets, to the Hawks, and to the Suns. Here’s to the glory of ‘21. Here’s to recovery, to being superhuman. 

Here’s to the Finals. To back-to-back 40s, to iconic moments: “shot blocked by Antetokounmpo!”, “stolen by Holiday… Antetokounmpo throws it down!” Here’s to Mike Breen. To fifty-pieces at the drive thru. 

Here’s to the other voices. To Marques and to Lisa. To Ted and to Dave. Here’s to the pop-up zone, to Jon McGlocklin. Here’s to Mr Jim.

Here’s to the mentors. To Velliniatis and Saratsis, Tough Juice and Pachulia. Here’s to J-Kidd and Prunty and Sweeney and Ham. Here’s to Coach Bud.

Here’s to the brotherhood. To Khash and Splash, to Jrue and Planet Pat. Here’s to the dawgs. To the vets. To names and faces we forget.

Here’s to franchise records, rewriting the books. To 64, to game balls, to no failure in sports. Here’s to the NBA Cup. 

Here’s to the features. Articles and trading cards, documentaries and biopics. Here’s to the lore, the mythology, the mythos. Here’s to transcendence.

Here’s to family. To fathers and to mothers. To brothers by your side, always by your side. Here’s to dad jokes and kids. To moments shared, to memories made.

Here’s to calves and ankles, soleus strains and hyperextensions. Trainers tables to trade rumours. Here’s to the blood, the tears; the hurt and the grind. Here’s to all of it. 

Here’s to you, Giannis. 

For everything. 

NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 27: Giannis Antetokounmpo of Greece qals towards the stage after he was drafted #15 overall in the first round by the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2013 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 27, 2013 in in the Brooklyn Bourough of New York City. 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 Mike Stobe/Getty Images) | Getty Images
CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 20: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks goes up for the dunk against the Cleveland Cavaliers at The Quicken Loans Arena on December 20, 2013 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 2013 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
MILWAUKEE, WI – DECEMBER 11: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots against the San Antonio Spurs on December 11, 2013 at the BMO Harris Bradley 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 2013 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
MILWAUKEE, WI – OCTOBER 26: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks fights Nicolas Batum #5 of the Charlotte Hornets for a loose ball during the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center on October 26, 2016 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. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Apr 30, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy (34) looks on after being knocked down by Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) (not pictured) during the second quarter in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
MILWAUKEE, WI – JANUARY 29: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks slam dunks the basketball on Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat during the game at BMO Harris Bradley Center on January 29, 2016 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. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) | Getty Images
MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 20: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dunks over Aron Baynes #46 of the Boston Celtics during the second half of game three of round one of the Eastern Conference playoffs at the Bradley Center on April 20, 2018 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Nov 4, 2018; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks against Sacramento Kings center Kosta Koufos (41) in the third quarter at the Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
TORONTO, ONTARIO – MAY 25: Norman Powell #24, Fred VanVleet #23, and Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks react to a shot during the second half in game six of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Scotiabank Arena on May 25, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Claus Andersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 06: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks exits the game after an injury during the second quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 06, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) | Getty Images
BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 19: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks high-five after Round 2, Game 7 on June 19, 2021 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2021 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 14: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks blocks a shot by Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half in Game Four of the NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum on July 14, 2021 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. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Basketball: NBA Finals: Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in action, catching ball for dunk from alley-oop pass vs Phoenix Suns at Phoenix Suns Arena. Sequence. Game 5. Phoenix, AZ 7/17/2021 CREDIT: John W. McDonough (Photo by John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X163695 TX1)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 20: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a free throw to score his 50th point in Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns at Fiserv Forum on July 20, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Bucks defeated the Suns 105-98. 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 Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) | Getty Images
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 22: Giannis Antetokounmpo celebrates with the Larry O'Brien trophy and Finals MVP trophy during the Milwaukee Bucks 2021 NBA Championship Victory Parade and Rally in the Deer District of Fiserv Forum on July 22, 2021 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. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
MILWAUKEE, WI – JULY 20: Milwaukee Bucks Analyst Marques Johnson hugs Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks after Game Six to win the 2021 NBA Finals on July 20, 2021 at the Fiserv Forum 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 2021 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
MILWAUKEE, WI – FEBRUARY 18: (L-R) Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 and Caron Butler #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks share a laugh on-court during the game against the Orlando Magic on February 18, 2014 at the BMO Harris Bradley 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 2014 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
MILWAUKEE, WI – NOVEMBER 23: Head Coach Jason Kidd of the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 stand on the sidelines during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at BMO Harris Bradley Center on November 23, 2015 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. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) | Getty Images
PHOENIX, AZ – JULY 8: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks, Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks and Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks help Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during Game Two of the 2021 NBA Finals on July 8, 2021 at Phoenix Suns Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 2021 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 17: (L-R) MarJon Beauchamp #3, Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 and Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrate with the championship trophy after the Bucks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 to win the championship game of the Emirates NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena on December 17, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
BURBANK, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 22: (L-R) Giannis Antetokounmpo, Mariah Riddlesprigger, and family attend the world premiere of Rise at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California on June 22, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) | Getty Images for Disney
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 21: (L-R) Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kostas Antetokounmpo and Alex Antetokounmpo attend the Rise press junket at The Hollywood Roosevelt in Los Angeles, California on June 21, 2022. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) | Getty Images for Disney
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 23: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks sustained an apparent injury on the bench during the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Fiserv Forum on January 23, 2026 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. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
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Chicago Cubs news — PCA, Rea, Shaw, Boyd

Today’s Reflections

With a rainout Sunday and a night game on Monday (which ended up getting rained out), PCA-Mania is continuing (not complaining!). Everybody has a slightly different take, but Brett Taylor’s article is a must-read.

Speaking of PCA-Mania — I’m quite aware that the All-Star Game has lost 98 percent of the allure it had when I was a kid. But I’m rather shocked as to the recent results of voting for PCA. I can only think that it is that bad weekend+ he had with fans and his reaction to it that is holding him back. And the overall malaise of the Cubs. But I thought it would shock some (smart) people into voting for the first time in a while, like myself, and make a difference. I’m hoping that when it comes time to pick the reserves or injury replacements, PCA will be the first outfielder taken. Read the story at the bottom of the PCA section and go vote.

Just like Ben Brown’s great pitching performance was overshadowed by the offensive onslaught Friday, Matt Shaw’s three-run homer was overshadowed by the bullpen’s collapse Saturday. So here’s shout-out to him. Also, when Seiya Suzuki got hurt, he was on an impressive defensive run in right field. Shaw took over the spot and there has been no drop-off. A cap-tip to him for that as well.

I’m sorry, but I don’t remember who asked what would it take to acquire Sonny Gray. A couple of options are listed below.

A very interesting Cub-take from Carson Kelly about the new catching style and its results. It was brought up last week by this article by the Athletic {$}.

And this speaks for itself:

I’ll let you get to reading, but remember — Go Vote!

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More PCA-Mania:

Trade Talk:

Assorted (and painful) stories:

Saturday’s game and wrap-up of short Blue Jays’ series:

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Food For Thought:

Jack de Keyzer is a British-born Canadian blues guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and producer.[1] He has twice won the Juno Award, Canada’s highest musical honour and seven times received Maple Blues Awards, including for Blues Album of the Year in 2000 and the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001. Real Blues Magazine crowned him Live Act of the Year in 2001 and named him Guitarist of the Year twice.

As a solo artist, he has released eleven CDs and one DVD and has appeared as a session guitarist on hundreds of recordings. As a session guitarist, he worked with Etta James, Otis Rush, John Hammond, Jr., Ronnie Hawkins, Duke Robillard, Robert Gordon, Willy Big Eyes Smith, Bo Diddley, and Blue Rodeo.

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