28 Apr 2002: Third baseman Joe Randa #16 of the Kansas City Royals makes a throw to first but fails to get the out against the Baltimore Orioles at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Elsa/ Getty Images | Getty Images
Last night I went to a trivia night contest at a local bar and one of the questions was – what number are the three uniform numbers retired by the Royals all divisible by? (answer below*) Retired numbers are reserved for the greatest in club history. But we all have our favorites that weren’t necessarily Hall of Famers, All-Stars, and sometimes they’re not even starting players.
One of my favorite Royals of all-time was Joe Randa. Nicknamed “the Joker” for his wide smile while he batted, Randa was a sure-handed third baseman and a doubles machine who seemed to have a knack for clutch hitting. He was a bit quiet and unassuming, modest, and hard-working – and fans loved that. He returned the love, calling Kansas City his home, even after he was traded away early in his career. He returned and become a solid starter and key to one of the best offenses in club history. He never made an All-Star team, but he’s one of my favorite players – I was fortunate enough to write his biography for the Society of American Baseball Research.
I have had some other favorites that never even reached the fame of Randa. Rey Palacios, Rusty Meacham, Esteban German, Justin Huber, Nori Aoki, Tim Collins, and of course, Kila Kaaihue were all guys I rooted for to make it.
Who was your favorite under-the-radar Royals player of all-time?
*-Five. (#5 George Brett, #10 Dick Howser, #20 Frank White)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 04: Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber #12 is shown at bat during the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Diego Padres on June 4th, 2026 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The offense the Phillies have been trotting out this season has been putrid at worst, average at best. You know this is something that can be state with almost factual intent when people get excited about the team scoring six runs on Wednesday. There have been a few spurts here and there of competence, most notably the games that followed the firing of Rob Thomson. Even in those games, the lineup was mostly reliant on Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber going nuclear for a few weeks in a row. In most of the other games this season, the help received by those two has mostly come in the form of Brandon Marsh. Nary a helper can be found with any regularity.
It’s quite jarring to use leaderboards for different offensive categories and see where the Phillies are ranking. After Wednesday’s game, the top of the National League leaderboard did see this trio mixed in. There’s Kyle Schwarber, sixth in the NL in wRC+ (157). Hey, there’s Harper, hanging around the top fourteen names (140). Look, scroll just a hair further and you can find that junkyard dog in Marsh (132), mixed in with names that, preseason, you’d have never put him with, names like de la Cruz and Freeman.
It’s not that trio that have been the problem. It is the supporting cast that has let the team done. One could argue that a lot of the blame could be placed on one or two players, but it truly has been a collective effort of badneess on the two thirds of the lineup not producing. Take that same wRC+ leaderboard mentioned up top and flip it so that the lowest numbers are at the top and you will find not one, not two – not even three – Phillies names there. You’ll find FIVE Phillies regulars among the very bottom of the league in wRC+ – Adolis Garcia (66), Alec Bohm (67), Trea Turner (73), Justin Crawford (78), and Bryson Stott (78). Adjust the qualifications a bit to lower the required plate appearances to 110 – hi, J.T. (71)!
That’s not just horrid, that’s downright….offensive.
The Phillies’ offense is off to a historically terrible start. Coming into Tuesday’s three-game series against the Padres at Citizens Bank Park, their .224 team batting average is 2nd-worst in MLB (Padres, .218). Even in a season in which offenses throughout baseball are generally struggling, it is particularly terrible.
But even worse, their .224 average is the worst, through any team’s first 59 games in franchise history, of all time.
Folks, when you’re mentioned with wartime Phillies teams, that’s company that needn’t be kept. The unprecedented part is how bad it might get should these same players continue being this bad. In baseball history, there has only been one team that has had 5 or more players with 375 or more plate appearances and an OPS+ of 76 or less: the 1950 St. Louis Browns. As of right now, the Phillies have six regulars with an OPS+ less than 77.
It is just bad right now, the outburst on Wednesday notwithstanding.
The question becomes, can they change anything to make it better? Outside of radical personnel changes, that answer is probably no. Instead, the best change they can make is making sure the players that are hitting best are hitting the most often. That means having a lineup change imminent. As resistant as certain players are to do doing that, the struggle they have to score runs should have them lean towards doing as much as possible to take advantage of what they have working now.
Kyle Schwarber was the obvious choice to move into the leadoff spot, but he has a .609 OPS from that spot, a number that is almost 400 points lower than his accustomed second spot. On the flip side, Trea Turner has been better hitting second, clocking in with a .730 OPS from the spot. It’s unlikely the team would move Bryce Harper from his preferred third spot in the order, making Marsh the best option to hit behind him since he’s really the only one hitting well. It might be time to consider yet another move, this one maybe a bit more stark.
Marsh
Turner
Harper
Schwarber
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Marsh is not your typical leadoff hitter, yet drastic times, drastic measures, yada yada. He’s hit in the position a few games in his career, but mostly with the Phillies, he has been relegated (often rightfully so) to the second half of the lineup. The idea here is: if he’s on a career best hot streak this long into the season, why not ride it as long as possible? Sure, that bumps Schwarber all the way down to the cleanup spot, taking away the idea that a team should give their best hitters as many cracks at the plate as possible, but again – the team isn’t scoring runs often. Something different should be on the table.
If nothing else, it reinforces the dire need for a middle of the order right handed bat the team needs to add as soon as possible. The lack of production from Bohm, Garcia and Realmuto has made this doubly tough as it forces the team to shuffle deck chairs with the lineup card. Don Mattingly can rotate whoever he wants, wherever he wants, but if the team is going to continue to not hit, does it really matter?
Will they consider a lineup change? Probably not. There has been a lot of confidence emanating from the coaching staff that the players struggling will turn things around. There is plenty of time and history to indicate that might actually happen. Yet with a National League that has a surprising number of teams thinking they can get into the playoffs, banking wins now with a lineup constructed to better fit what they need could lead to a more secure playoff spot down the line.
As I said before, drastic times, drastic measures.
TORONTO, ON - CIRCA 1990's: An aerial view of the Toronto Skydome with the roof open during an American League game at the Skydome circa the 1990's in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo By MLB Photos via Getty images) | MLB via Getty Images
Today marks the 36th anniversary of the Blue Jays’ first game at the SkyDome.
The stadium officially opened a couple of days earlier with a gala event featuring Oscar Peterson and comedian Andrea Martin. On June 8, Rod Stewart performed the first concert at the venue. I wonder if he has changed his setlist since then?
I have a story about that first game. Thirty-two years ago, I was a much younger Blue Jays fan. Some of the Jays’ games aired on CTV, but locally, they decided to join the game in progress after the evening news. You can imagine my disappointment. After the news finally ended, instead of switching to the game, they aired a half-hour feature about the construction of Skydome and a tour highlighting the ballpark’s modern features—hot and cold running water, vintage popcorn from the first Exhibition Stadium game, quirky details like that.
By the time the broadcast finally switched to the game, it was already an hour and a half underway. Naturally, I was not pleased.
The Jays lost 5-3 to the Brewers. Jimmy Key pitched a complete game, allowing 9 hits and throwing 141 pitches—yes, 141 pitches in a loss. Cito Gaston wasn’t one for pitch counts. In Key’s next start, he lasted only 3 innings and allowed 5 earned runs. The bullpen had already logged 19 innings over three games in Boston prior to this one, so Key took one for the team.
To be fair to Cito Gaston, this was the only game that season in which a Blue Jays starter topped 140 pitches. Across MLB in 1989, there were 39 games where a pitcher reached that mark—Nolan Ryan led the way with seven, Roger Clemens had four, and Bobby Witt had two. No other pitcher had more than one such outing. John Farrell, a familiar name, threw 159 pitches against the Jays in a Cleveland loss. Unsurprisingly, 1989 was the last year Farrell would throw more than 100 innings. The highest single-game pitch count that season belonged to Nolan Ryan, who threw 164 pitches on September 12 against the Royals—and didn’t even finish the game.
Gary Sheffield drove in the game’s first run in the opening inning, scoring Paul Molitor—who notched the first hit—on a groundout.
The Blue Jays’ first runs and home run at SkyDome came courtesy of Fred McGriff, who launched a two-run shot that also brought home George Bell.
Our batting order was (what a terrific lineup):
Junior Felix RF
Tony Fernandez SS
Kelly Gruber 3B
George Bell LF
Fred McGriff 1B
Lloyd Moseby CF
Ernie Whitt C
Rance Mulliniks DH
Nelson Liriano 2B
Bell and McGriff hit homers. Kelly Gruber went 2 for 4 with a double.
After that game, the Jays sat at 23-32, sixth in the AL East and nine games behind the Orioles. Despite the slow start, the team rallied for a remarkable 76-41 run to capture the division title. That was the year Cito Gaston took over from Jimy Williams after 36 games and a 12-14 record, guiding the club to a 77-49 finish. A trade deadline acquisition of Mookie Wilson also energized the roster.
The new ballpark delivered a major revenue boost, with luxury suites starting at $150,000 and SkyClub seats fetching between $2,000 and $4,000.
SkyDome was met with rave reviews from both players and fans. Ernie Whitt even dubbed it the eighth wonder of the world.
Anne Murray performed the national anthems, just as she did for the inaugural Blue Jays game at Exhibition Stadium.
What are your memories of the early days of SkyDome?
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 02: DJ Herz #74 of the Washington Nationals pitches against the New York Mets during the third inning at Nationals Park on July 2, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Prior to the 2025 season, one of my bold predictions was that DJ Herz was poised to have a breakout season. Back in 2024, Herz showed swing and miss stuff, while throwing more strikes than expected. However, after a rough Spring Training, it was revealed that Herz had to undergo Tommy John Surgery.
Since then, the left hander has faded out of the picture and has become a forgotten piece of the Nats future. That is going to change really quickly though because Herz is back on the mound. This afternoon the 25 year old lefty made his first rehab start in Rookie Ball. Herz overwhelmed the FCL hitters he faced, throwing two perfect inning with four strikeouts.
DJ Herz just went 2 innings with 4ks and no hits or walks allowed.
No velocity data.
He would be huge for this rotation, im a big believer in his long term future as a good #3 in a playoff rotation. Maybe a slightly worse Gio comp.
Outside of just getting back on the mound, the most important thing out of this outing is that Herz did not walk anybody. In his minor league career, Herz had serious control problems. He has walked 5.88 batters per 9 innings in his MILB career. However, that did not stop him from being a successful pitcher because his stuff is so good.
In case you forgot, Herz has a dynamic arsenal. His fastball averaged 93.5 MPH but it plays way above the velocity. This is due to his deceptive delivery, his big extension down the mound and the elite shape of his fastball. In 2024, the whiff rate on his fastball was over 30%, which is bonkers for a heater that is only in the low to mid 90’s.
However, he was not known for his fastball in the minors. As Herz rose through the ranks, scouts buzzed about his changeup. The pitch has 10 MPH of velocity separation from his fastball and has great downward movement. It looks like the fastball most of the way before falling off the table.
That changeup got good results, but did not play like an elite pitch. Sometimes Herz would slow down his arm when throwing the changeup, which tips off the hitters. When he sells the pitch well, the changeup can be devastating. Herz’s third pitch is a slider which is not a special pitch on paper, but plays well off of the fastball and changeup.
When DJ Herz had his best stuff, he was absolutely electric to watch. There was an outing against the Marlins in 2024 where he struck out 13 and walked nobody. I think it was the most dominant outing from a Nats pitcher since Max Scherzer left DC. He had the Marlins hitters on a string.
The flashes of elite stuff is what made me so excited about Herz entering 2025. It also made his injury such a bummer. He has been out of the picture for nearly a year and a half now. However, now that he has started a rehab assignment, that puts the Nats on the clock. Pitchers rehab assignments can only be 30 days long. After the 30 days, the team will have to make a decision to either call Herz up to the big leagues or send him to AAA for more reps.
If Herz continues throwing the ball like he did today, that will become an interesting decision. At worst, I think Herz could be electric in that multi-inning relief role that Brad Lord and Mitchell Parker have been in. Herz would be an immediate upgrade over Parker in that role.
With Herz coming back from a serious injury, I do not think the Nats will throw him right back in the rotation. He will probably be eased in either in the minors or the bullpen. This is the first step of his rehab assignment, and we will see what is next. I would assume his next rehab start will either be in Low-A or High-A, unless the Nats like having him in the confines of West Palm Beach. Herz should steadily throw more pitches as he builds up, and will eventually face tougher competition.
This is something Nationals fans should be really excited about. If Herz can keep his walk rate in the 9-10% range that it was in 2024, he will be a piece of the Nats rotation moving forward. His 27.7% strikeout rate when we last saw him in the big leagues was elite, and would give this Nats pitching staff a new element. Herz can blow fastballs by hitters in a way most of these Nationals pitchers cannot.
As he continues his rehab assignment, I will be watching the walk numbers and the velocity once it is available. Those are the two things that will tell you how close Herz is. We did not see the velocity today, but Herz not walking anybody is a very encouraging sign. It shows that he is already feeling sharp, which is awesome to see in his first time back in game action.
The Nats pitching this season has not been great, but there is help on the way. Between Herz, Jarlin Susana and Travis Sykora, there are a lot of young arms on the mend right now. Herz will be the first to make an impact, and if he is at his best, that impact could be loud.
The league investigated the male fan after he allegedly heckled Brunson with profanities during Game 1 of the NBA Final. Brunson was so upset following the Knicks victory he was held back from approaching the fan by teammate Jose Alvarado and referee Scott Foster.
Now he doesn’t have to worry about that fan getting too close.
A fan accused of verbally harassing Knicks guard Jalen Brunson on Wednesday has been banned from sitting courtside for the rest of the NBA Finals. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Even though the fan could still sit elsewhere in the arena, a league source said he wasn’t expected to attend Friday’s Game 2 in San Antonio.
“The fan was not a season ticket holder and if he were to attend another game in this series, he would not be permitted to sit in courtside seats,” the league spokesman said.
After carrying the Knicks to victory with a clutch performance in Game 1, Brunson approached Foster to point out the heckling fan. The exchange went viral because Brunson appeared to get further angered by something said by the fan, and social media sleuths tried to implicate a courtside woman as the offending fan.
As The Post reported Thursday, the league was not investigating the woman. It identified the man as the heckler, investigated, and kicked him out of the front row until next season.
“I didn’t even see what happened,” Josh Hart said Thursday. “I heard something about it. I didn’t really see it. I don’t know. He’s always pretty calm, pretty composed. I’m sure the fans probably said something crazy to kind of get him going. I wish I could answer that a little bit better, but I didn’t see the interaction.”
Brunson wasn’t interested in discussing the exchange.
“I’m all good about talking about that,” Brunson said Thursday when asked if something was said that crossed the line. “All good.”
"Internet, help us find the banned fan. He can watch the rest of the finals at B-Dubs on us," Buffalo Wild Wings wrote.
Buffalo Wild Wings' response to the debacle drew widespread attention on social media; the post garnered 4.8 million views as of June 5. While some fans supported the restaurant, many people took issue with the chain's offer.
USA TODAY has reached out to Buffalo Wild Wings.
Social media rips Buffalo Wild Wings for offer to banned NBA fan
In response to Buffalo Wild Wings' post, many users criticized the chain for drawing further attention to the fan's actions.
"Bro what? I’ll never eat at BWW’s again if y'all reward this, one person said, calling the fan's actions illegal, dangerous.
Another user wrote: "This is completely insane and only empowering this behavior. Literally the exact opposite of what you should be doing."
Even retired NBA player Blake Griffin weighed in on the post, writing: "This ain’t it. @wingstop would never #notapaidpost." Buffalo Wild Wings competitor Wingstop replied and agreed with Griffin.
Not everyone was against the move. One user wrote, "sure he did something not cool but ay what a way to step in!"
Another responded: "It's amazing how many people are offended by a kid running onto a basketball court."
Fan arrested, banned from NBA arenas after running on court during Finals
In the fourth quarter of the game on June 3, a fan ran onto the court, interrupting play.
He was seen pulling his phone out to take a selfie with Wembanyama before security quickly swooped in and escorted him away. Wembanyama laughed, while nearby Knicks player Mitchell Robinson looked confused.
The next day, the NBA announced that the fan was arrested and is banned for life from all NBA arenas. A second individual involved in the incident was also banned from attending NBA games, the league said.
Contributing: Victoria Hernandez, Scooby Axson and Mark Giannotto, USA TODAY
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. Keep up with her on X @melinakh and Instagram @bymelinakhan.
There's been a development in the investigation of the courtside fan who was heckling Knicks star Jalen Brunson during Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday.
According to SNY's Ian Begley, a league spokesperson said that the fan will not be banned from the arena, but their access to courtside seats will be taken away.
"The fan was not a season ticket holder and if he were to attend another game in this series, he would not be permitted to sit in courtside seats," the statement read.
The NBA's investigation was solely focused on one fan, per Begley.
In various points of the opening game, Brunson could be seen going back and forth with Spurs fans in the front row near the scorer's table. Once the game ended with the Knicks defeating San Antonio, 105-95, Brunson was shown on the television broadcast approaching the group. Referee Scott Foster and Jose Alvarado intervened before the Eastern Conference Finals MVP walked away.
During Thursday's media availability, Brunson was asked about the fan interaction and the guard declined to go into detail.
"I'm all good about talking about that," Brunson said.
The Knicks will look to take a 2-0 series lead in San Antonio on Friday night.
Source confirms NBA is investigating fans sitting courtside for what they said to Knicks star Jalen Brunson. @ChrisBHaynes 1st on it. Brunson was talking to ref Scott Foster about fans after NYK’s Game 1 win. Video by @NBA_NewYork presents timeline here: pic.twitter.com/RETGyrR8T5
Feb 5, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) reacts after a foul in the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
One thing has been abundantly clear about Austin Reaves’ time with the Lakers: he loves Los Angeles.
He hasn’t exactly made it a secret that he wants to remain in LA. Every time he’s asked about free agency, he tries to take a stab at a diplomatic response, but somewhere along the way, he’ll make it known he loves being a Laker.
For fans who want to see him back, this is all great news. For Austin’s agents, it’s probably pretty awful!
All these comments haven’t exactly given Austin an edge in negotiations. If the Lakers know he badly wants to be in LA, how much are they going to leverage that in their contract offer?
It probably shouldn’t be a surprise, then, to see them trying to shift the narrative back around. On Thursday, Brad Turner of the LA Times appeared on Spectrum SportsNet and spoke about Austin’s impending free agency, revealing that he wants a max deal.
"Based on what I understand, what I keep hearing: Austin wants the max. Is he willing to give the Lakers a hometown deal? I'm not so sure about that" – @BA_Turner on Austin Reaves pic.twitter.com/tCMgicHEtY
Here’s a transcript of what Turner said for those without Twitter/X:
“He stands to make five years, $241 million, that’s from the Lakers if they offer him that deal. Or if he goes to a team like Chicago or a team like Brooklyn, he can get four years, $178 [million]. Those teams will kind of lurk around. Based on what I understand, what I keep hearing, Austin wants the max. Is he willing to give the Lakers a hometown deal? I’m not so sure about that. Maybe he does, but maybe he reps don’t want to.”
The end of this quote pretty accurately lays things out and shows where things stand. If it were up to Austin, it’d be much more likely that a hometown discount is on the table. But Austin’s agents are trying to do what’s best for him financially.
Given how things will shake out and the mechanisms of the CBA, it’s ultimately not really going to matter for the Lakers’ free agency plans what type of deal Austin takes. His cap hold is going to be so low relative to the deal he’s going to get that his deal is likely going to be one of the last things the team does in the order of operations this summer.
The only difference in his deal is how close it brings the Lakers to the second apron and how much money Mark Walter will have to fork over. The Lakers shouldn’t end up all that close to the second apron, so it’s only going to be the second part that matters all that much.
And if that’s the case, here’s to Austin getting as big a pay day as he deserves…and much bigger than the one he’s been angling for.
When the Knicks host the Spurs in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday, it will be the most expensive game in NBA Finals history — and very nearly sports history.
The cheapest ticket for the game, according to Seat Geek, is $9,006 and that’s for the upper bowl.
While courtside seats are not offered on ticket platforms, folks looking for one can place a bid on the NBA website. The highest bidder at time of publish has offered $500,000.
The cheapest ticket at MSG for game 3 of the NBA Finals is going for $7,500 in section 420. This is the view from that seat. pic.twitter.com/MA7XanR9FT
Madison Square Garden lit up after the New York Knicks beat the Boston Celtics. Christopher Sadowski
The tickets aren’t comparable to anything else in NBA Finals history, with tickets in Dallas for the 2024 finals being the second highest with an average of $1,965, per SeatGeek.
The MSG average right now for tickets sold stands at $7,149 — and that number just keeps rising.
In sports history, only Super Bowl 2024 between the Chiefs and 49ers surpasses the Knicks tickets with an average cost of $10,497, per SeatGeek.
Games 1, 2, and 6 at MSG all rank among the top eight in all-time average ticket price.
The Knicks fans’ obsession for the franchise’s first championship in 53 years has been clear throughout this playoff run.
The Knicks haven’t made it to the NBA Finals in 27 years, meaning at least 25% of the population of New York City wasn’t yet born, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. And they haven’t won a title since 1973.
Actor Timothee Chalamet watches from court side during game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Ticket prices surged from their $3,900 starting point Monday, per Front Office Sports, to over the $10,000 minimum after the Knicks took Game 1.
New Yorkers are starting to taste a championship and want a piece of it.
This has created a scramble effect on Wall Street, in Big Law, in real estate and among celebrities to just pay $10,000 or more.
“If you’re not there, you’re a loser,” Jaclyn Sienna India, founder of concierge agency Sienna Charles, told the Wall Street Journal.
India’s team has already spent as much as a staggering $176,000 for a single ticket, she said.
President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani will both attend Game 3 of the series.
Other celebrities like Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, Spike Lee, Ben Stiller and Tracy Morgan could also make their usual courtside appearances.
While the prices have skyrocketed, the views remain the same from the regular season.
The aforementioned $10,000 seats have the following view.
Screenshot of seat view from Row B25, Section 210 of Madison Square Garden. seatgeek.com
Others won’t be as lucky, with many of the seats in the back rows of the 200 level considered obstructed-view tickets.
The Chase Bridge completely blocks the view of the center-court scoreboard.
If the series goes past four games, Knicks fans dying to watch an NBA Finals game in person would spend less on flying to San Antonio for the weekend to see Game 5: tickets on SeatGeek for Frost Bank Center start at $1,711, with round-trip flights under $600.
With the MLB collective bargaining agreement set to expire on Dec. 1, the possibility of a lockout before the 2027 season looms. And early negotiations between the league and the union have not been promising.
On May 28, the league proposed a hard salary cap, which would be the first hard cap in MLB history and kick in for the start of the 2027 campaign.
Under the proposal, the hard cap would be $245.3 million, with a salary floor of $171.2 million. The floor would also be an MLB first.
Unsurprisingly, that proposal was a non-starter for the union.
Although it was just an opening proposal, a hard cap of $245.3 million feels quite low, given that the current CBT tax kicks in once a team crosses $244 million in yearly salary.
The Mets' current payroll is roughly $379 million, with the Dodgers leading the pack at around $416 million. Expecting teams to get under a figure of $245.3 million for 2027 borders on fantasy. Even something $100 million or so higher would be a very difficult ask for teams like the Mets and Dodgers.
Juan Soto, who signed the biggest contract in MLB history a few offseasons ago, recently weighed in on the labor talks.
"I don’t think that’s right, to have a cap," Soto told Will Sammon of The Athletic. "Baseball is doing great. We’ve been increasing every year. It’s been great for baseball. We are in the best moment in baseball right now in all kinds of ways. Why should we have a cap?"
While the $245.3 million cap number MLB proposed seems quite low, the floor of $171.2 million also feels like a level at least a handful of small-market owners would balk at, even though it should be easily doable.
The last labor negotiations -- in 2022 -- dragged out until the middle of March, with the season starting on April 7 as a result.
Julian Champagnie is a fascinating figure in the 2026 NBA Finals because he's the only player in the series who grew up in New York and then went to college in New York — and he happens to now play for the San Antonio Spurs.
So the fourth-year pro isn't just emerging as a valuable sharpshooter who was overlooked initially after going undrafted and being waived by the Philadelphia 76ers to begin his NBA career. He also might be a villain in his hometown if the Spurs manage to come back and win an NBA championship over the Knicks.
"I have a lot of friends who are New York fans and I would love to spoil their plans," Champagnie told reporters before the NBA Finals began.
Though the 24-year-old cooled off in the second half, he again proved to be a weapon for the Spurs. Here's what to know about San Antonio's Julian Champagnie in the 2026 NBA Finals:
Where is Julian Champagnie from?
Champagnie is from the Kensington neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York and went to high school at Bishop Laughlin in Brooklyn.
Champagnie has a twin brother, Justin, who also plays in the NBA. Justin Champagnie, who currently plays for the Washington Wizards, is listed at 6-foot-6 and 206 pounds.
Like his brother, Justin Champagnie was undrafted after two seasons at Pittsburgh. He just finished his fifth NBA season.
Julian Champagnie height
Julian Champagnie is listed at 6-foot-7 and 217 pounds on the Spurs roster.
Julian Champagnie college
Julian Champagnie stayed close to home in New York for college basketball by playing three seasons at St. John's.
Julian Champagnie jersey
Julian Champagnie wears jersey No. 30 for the San Antonio Spurs.
Julian Champagnie contract
Champagnie has one of the best contracts in the NBA at the moment in terms of bang for the buck. He signed a 4-year, $12-million contract in June 2023 after joining the team during the 2022-23 season off waivers as a two-way player. The deal features a team option for the 2026-27 season at a $3 million salary.
Julian Champagnie stats
Champagnie averaged a career-best 11.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game while shooting better than 38% from 3-point range during the 2025-26 regular season. He's averaging 11.5 points, 6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game on 40.2% 3-point shooting in the 2026 NBA playoffs.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 24: Martín Pérez #33 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the Washington Nationals in the first inning at Truist Park on May 24, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Brett Davis/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Braves were not able to get a sweep of the reigning AL champion Toronto Blue Jays yesterday, but they did win the series and look to take that momentum into the weekend series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Pirates are having somewhat of a surprising season this year with a .540 record, and a run differential of plus thirty-seven. They had Paul Skenes to build off of and went and added some bats in the off-season, but it would be hard for someone with a straight face to say they predicted this outcome so far this season.
Martín Pérez will be taking on the Pirates offense that has currently scored only four less runs than the Braves ranking them fourth in MLB. Unfortunately for Pérez, he has not faced many of these hitters much in his career. He has only seen six of the hitters on the Pirates’ current roster and none of them have more than nine at-bats against him. Brandon Lowe has those nine at-bats and Pérez has struggled a bit allowing a .333 average and .788 OPS against him. Old friend Marcell Ozuna has seven at-bats and has definitely had the edge in the matchup with a .571 average and 1.700 OPS.
On paper Pérez has been fantastic this year and has been way better than likely most expected with an ERA of 2.79. If his season ended today, that would be his best ERA in a season in his career. His strikeout rate of 20.5 would be his second best in a season. For his career he has averaged 16.5 percent. Interestingly, he has been able to do all of this with a fastball that averages 90.0 MPH, which is unheard of in today’s game.
The down side for Pérez is that his ERA is likely unsustainable. Players are hitting the ball hard against him 42.0 percent of the time which is far higher than his career 36.1 percent and ranks in the bottom 29.0 percent of MLB. He has also been aided by a BABIP against of .226 and a strand rate of 84.4 percent. All of this combined shows his expected ERA (xERA) to be 4.34. This xERA is not terrible for a fifth starter. In fact, it is the best he has had in a season since 2022. However, it is important to note that regression is likely coming and he is facing a potent offense tonight.
The Pirates will bring Mitch Keller to the mound that some would say has been an underrated pitcher for most of his career. He is not elite by any means, but he has gotten the job done many times and has been a steady arm for the Pirates for years.
Coming into this game Keller sports an ERA of 4.35, and a what is interesting is his xERA is almost exactly the same at 4.36. Basically, what you see is what you get with him. In 2024 he had the exact same ERA and xERA.
The Braves as a team have faced Keller quite a bit. Eight different players have faced him between eight and nineteen times. Of these players, the Braves core lineup has mostly had great success. Ronald Acuña has nineteen at-bats against Keller and has three HRs and 1.371 OPS in that span against him. Matt Olson has the exact same OPS as Acuña against Keller in twelve at-bats, and Austin Riley has an OPS of 1.055 in ten at-bats against him. Mauricio Dubón has also had success in ten at-bats with a .400 average and .955 OPS.
Michael Harris has struggled to a .500 OPS, and Ha-Seong Kim is hitless in eleven at-bats.
The key for the Braves today will be to get to the Pirates bullpen as soon as they can because their bullpen is a clear weakness with an ERA of 4.29, which is in the bottom twelve teams in MLB.
UPDATE: Added a +230 anytime goal scorer pick & who will win prediction!
The Carolina Hurricanes head west after evening the Stanley Cup Final, and they’ll look to make it two in a row with a win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 3 tonight.
My top Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights predictions and NHL picks for Saturday, June 6 call for Carolina to take Game 3 despite Vegas No. 1 Carter Hart showing off in his return to Sin City.
Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. ET from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with the game airing on ABC and Sportsnet.
Hurricanes vs Golden Knights Game 3 prediction today
Who will win Hurricanes vs Golden Knights Game 3?
Carolina Hurricanes: The Hurricanes rebounded in Game 2 to run over the Golden Knights with a 63.3 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five and winning the overall expected goals battle at 55.8%.
I’m also expecting improvement from Carolina starter Frederik Andersen, with his .837 save percentage and -2.18 goals saved above expected miles below the respective .931 and 15.48 marks he posted through the first three rounds of the postseason.
Hurricanes vs Golden Knights best bet: Carter Hart Over 26.5 saves (-115)
The Carolina Hurricanes have also dominated 5-on-5 possession with a 63.3 Corsi For percentage through the first two games of the series.
I am anticipating tidier work from Hart in the Vegas crease in Game 3.
He’s dipped to an .855 SV% with -2.49 GSAx to start the Stanley Cup Final, after all, so I’m fully expecting the statistical pendulum to swing back in Hart’s favor Saturday.
This prop has my attention at a -130 price, and I’d also play it at Over 27.5 saves to -120.
Hurricanes vs Golden Knights Game 3 same-game parlay
The drop in play from Carolina starter Frederik Andersen has gone too far to start the series, with his .837 SV% and -2.18GSAx miles below his respective .931 and 15.48 marks to start the postseason.
Improved play from Andersen, paired with the Hurricanes winning the 5-on-5 possession battle again, paves the way for Carolina to win Game 3.
Additionally, Carolina wingers Andrei Svechnikov and Nikolaj Ehlers both have excellent underlying numbers to start the series.
Svechnikov sports a high-end 64.3 CF% at 5-on-5, while Ehlers is even better with a 65.6% mark. Ehlers also has six shots on 15 attempts to tie for the team lead in both through two games, while Svechnikov has a statistical correction coming after recording just a single shot on nine attempts in the final.
Hurricanes vs Golden Knights SGP
Hurricanes moneyline
Andrei Svechnikov Over 2.5 shots
Nikolaj Ehlers Over 2.5 shots
Hurricanes vs Golden Knights Game 3 goal scorer pick
Andrei Svechnikov (+230)
Svechnikov has been held to a single assist and shot through two games of the finals despite racking up a team-high 0.8 expected goals and five high-danger scoring chances.
The Russian winger has also been limited to just three goals and a 6.8 shooting percentage this postseason, so considering he continues to skate in a go-to offensive role and leads Carolina with 7.07 ixG, I’m anticipating the scoring slump coming to an end in Game 3.
This prop shows value down to +200.
Hurricanes vs Golden Knights odds for Game 3 today
Moneyline: Hurricanes -110 | Golden Knights -110
Puck Line: Hurricanes +1.5 (-280) | Golden Knights -1.5 (+225)
Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-120) | Under 5.5 (+100)
Hurricanes vs Golden Knights trend
The Hurricanes have won 20 of their last 25 games (+13.20 Units / 32% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights.
How to watch Hurricanes vs Golden Knights Game 3
Location
T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, NV
Date
Saturday, June 6, 2026
Puck drop
8 p.m. ET
TV
ABC, Sportsnet
Hurricanes vs Golden Knights latest injuries
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.
The San Antonio Spurs will be playing desperate tonight after dropping Game 1 of the NBA Finals at home on Wednesday. Game 2 goes tonight at 8:30 p.m. ET, with the Spurs once again convincing 6.5-point favorites.
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Jon Metler's expert pick: Knicks +6.5
Price: -115 at bet365
The San Antonio Spurs enter Game 2 down 0-1 and already facing significant pressure. Falling behind 0-2 at home would be disastrous, and that urgency is clearly reflected in the NBA odds. Despite losing Game 1 as 4.5-point faves, the Spurs have been bet up from -6 to -6.5 for Game 2. Even after accounting for the expected bounce-back effort, I still can’t get to that number.
I make San Antonio closer to a 4.5-point favorite, which leaves value on the New York Knicks. Nothing I saw in Game 1 changed my outlook on this series. New York continues to hold several key matchup advantages, and I still believe they have a legitimate path to winning it all.
A big reason why is the frontcourt pairing of Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson. Both were exactly what the Knicks needed against Victor Wembanyama, minimizing his offensive impact while holding their own on the glass. I'm taking the points with the Knicks again.
Jason Logan's expert pick: Mikal Bridges Over 11.5 points
Price: -125 at bet365
Mikal Bridges did more damage with his defense in Game 1, but the Knicks can use his shooting touch when the Spurs crack down on Jalen Brunson in Game 2. Bridges is one of the better mid-range shooters for New York, and that’s been the perfect foil against San Antonio, as it likes to park Victor Wembanyama in the paint.
Bridges only scored nine points on 3-for-6 shooting in the opener, but has been a consistent contributor in the playoffs, scoring 12+ points in the nine games before Wednesday. His player projections all sit north of 11.5 points O/U, with most above 13 points and a ceiling flirting with 15 points tonight.
My number boils down to 13.5 points, which should have the Over 11.5 priced around -150.
Joe Osborne's expert pick: Knicks +6.5
Price: -115 at bet365
I'm not stepping in front of the Knicks right now. They've extended their historic playoff run to 12 straight victories, with 11 of those wins coming by double digits, and continue to reward anyone willing to back them.
After shaking off some early rust in Game 1, New York settled in and controlled the action, outscoring San Antonio by 17 points in the second half thanks to much more efficient shooting and forcing eight turnovers while only committing one.
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.
Shockwaves were sent through the NHL landscape on Thursday afternoon, hours before puck drop for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, when premier NHL insider, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, reported that Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (29) has requested a trade.
Through his 11-year career, the fleet-footed, detailed, 200-foot center has been the epitome of consistency and dependability. In 2025-26, Larkin scored 67 points (34-33=67) in 74 games while averaging 20:11 TOI per game, including 1:31 on the penalty kill.
Most NHL teams would, could, and/or should be interested in adding the 2026 Olympic Gold Medal-winning center to their top-six, and the Anaheim Ducks are no exception.
In 2026-27, Larkin will be entering the fourth year of an eight-year contract that carries an $8.7 million AAV and a full NTC. Larkin will ultimately choose his destination, but however much Detroit’s return may be lessened, it is unlikely Larkin will be traded for pennies on the dollar.
With uncertainty, both long and short term, at the center position behind franchise player Leo Carlsson, adding a player with Larkin’s skillset and pedigree seems like a tantalizing fit and could round out the Ducks’ forward group both on paper and on the ice.
Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek isn’t unfamiliar with Larkin, as the former was Detroit’s assistant general manager from 2019 until Feb. 2022, when he was hired as Anaheim’s GM. Verbeek has also been an active trade partner of his former employer, executing trades with the Wings in each of the last two summers.
As far as the potential pricetag for Larkin is concerned, the circumstances surrounding recent trades like Nazem Kadri to the Colorado Avalanche in 2026, Bo Horvat to the New York Islanders in 2023, JT Miller to the New York Rangers in 2025, and Tomas Hertl to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2024 could offer indications on what Detroit could receive in return for their now-former “heart and soul” player.
Where Larkin’s situation differs from those of the recent past, where players somewhat “hand-picked” their landing spot, is how seemingly endless the potential destinations are, given the lack of quality in the upcoming free agent class, ever-rising salary cap ceiling, and abundance of teams in need of a top-six centerman.
Mason McTavish (23) is a young piece whose name has been heavily discussed and speculated on among national media outlets as a player who could be on the move this offseason. If the Ducks were willing to move on from McTavish, it could give them an advantage, as not many teams could or would likely be willing to part with a player of his ilk in a deal like this.
Could a package of McTavish, a second tier prospct like Eric Nilsson or Lasse Boelius, and a first-round pick be enough for the Ducks to land Larkin? Impossible to say, but it would be somewhat surprising if the ultimate return were much more than that in terms of value.
With the Buffalo Sabres making the 2026 NHL Playoffs, Detroit is now the team with the league’s longest playoff drought, as they’ve missed the playoffs for the last ten seasons. On the surface, this potential package appears to be a standard “young roster player, prospect, and a first-round pick” deal. However, given Detroit’s situation and desperation to qualify for the playoffs, they may opt for more of a win-now approach when dealing their captain.
Ultimately, Larkin will be in control of where he’ll play the next five years of his career. For the Ducks, the question (aside from cost and fit) will be if they’ve done enough to become a destination for star players on the move. They took some significant steps in their build and made the playoffs for the first time in eight years. They offer a vastly different lifestyle from Detroit, given aspects like the weather and minimal media attention, and they offer a proven young core with seemingly limitless potential.
Verbeek enters the offseason with a projected $38.7 million in cap space, with the only true hole on the depth chart appearing on the right side of the Ducks’ blueline. Over half of that cap space will likely go towards hefty extensions for core pieces Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier. With a stockpile of picks, prospects, and young roster players, the Ducks are in as good a position as any to make a move of this magnitude this summer.
The 2026 NHL Draft Combine is underway in Buffalo, New York, which has become a marquee networking event on the NHL calendar, as all 32 teams will have front office representatives present for the week. Frameworks for deals could be discussed, and the next four to six weeks will likely be the busiest for transactions until 2026 training camps roll around.
