Chicago Cubs update: Ethan Roberts, Jacob Webb, Hoby Milner

You probably did not expect to see Hoby Milner’s photo with this weekly post, but here we are. | David Banks-Imagn Images

This weekly feature, which normally posts on Mondays, is running today because Monday was a holiday and there was a day game to keep our minds occupied, not that the result of that day game was any good.

This edition of “who’s hot, who’s not” includes the games of the recently-completed homestand and doesn’t include the numbers from Monday’s game.

Here’s who was hot and not for the Cubs during the six-game homestand, during which the Cubs went … 0-6.

Three up (and it wasn’t easy to find three!)

Ethan Roberts moves up in the Circle of Trust

At age 28, and after multiple injuries, Roberts appears to have finally figured things out. He did allow a run this past week, the first one he’d given up all year, but that was all over the 4.2 innings he threw against the Brewers and Astros.

For the season, Roberts has an ERA of 0.73 and a WHIP of 0.892. He’s allowed only five hits, four of them singles, in facing 45 hitters.

The Cubs could use some more reliable relievers, so this is a good sign.

Jacob Webb continues his scoreless streak

Webb, who had a rough start to his season, threw a scoreless inning against the Brewers and Astros, one against each, and now has not allowed a run in his last five outings and only one run in his last nine, for a 0.00 ERA and 0.727 WHIP in May, with two walks and 13 strikeouts in 11 innings.

Again, reliable relievers are what this team needs and Webb looks like he could be another one.

Hoby Milner continues to baffle hitters

Look at Milner’s velocity chart:

I mean.. how does a pitcher in 2026 get hitters out throwing like that?

And yet, Milner does. He had scoreless outings against both the Brewers and Astros, and this month he has a 1.08 ERA and 0.960 WHIP in eight appearances covering 8.1 innings.

Here, he strikes out Milwaukee’s Blake Perkins on a ridiculous changeup [VIDEO].

You’ll notice that all three of the “up” players are relievers. That’s because, well, you don’t want to hear about Cubs starting pitching over the week and the offense batted .163/.269/.245 (30-for-184) in the six games with 56 strikeouts. Yikes.

I will give one positive mark to Pete Crow-Armstrong. Even though he had a rough week overall, in the series against the Astros he batted .286/.538/.714 (2-for-7) with a home run and five walks, including his first-ever three-walk game in the major leagues. If PCA can continue to coax walks, his entire offensive game is raised.

Three down

Uh-oh, Shōta Imanaga

After Imanaga had a really good start to 2026, posting a 2.32 ERA over his first nine starts with just five home runs allowed in 54.1 innings, last week made those numbers way, way worse. In two starts this past week against the Brewers and Astros, Imanaga had a 13.08 (!) ERA, 1.935 WHIP and four home runs served up in just 10.1 total innings.

Let’s hope he figures it out before his next start, which should come up Friday in St. Louis.

Alex Bregman’s offense has vanished

Bregman got off to a slow start and some attributed it to — well, maybe “new team,” “cold weather,” other possible reasons.

The weather is getting warmer and now Bregman has two months as a Cub and last week, his offense pretty much disappeared. He batted .174/.269/.174 (4-for-23) with one walk and five strikeouts. As you can see by the SLG equalling the BA, none of the hits were for extra bases. In fact, Bregman has only four XBH in May in 84 at-bats — three doubles and a home run.

He’s still playing quality defense, though. Check out this nice pick and throw he made on Sunday [VIDEO].

Somehow, Bregman is still a 1.0 bWAR player, suggesting he could have a decent WAR season… if he starts hitting. Like, now.

Seiya Suzuki also looks lost at the plate

Suzuki went 2-for-4 in each of the first two games against the Brewers, but then went 0-for-13 in the last four games of the homestand before Craig Counsell gave him a day off on Monday (other than a PH appearance, in which he struck out).

Perhaps the (mostly) off day will help him reset.

The Royals need to play smarter

Maikel Garcia is thrown out at third
KANSAS CITY, MO - MAY 07: Maikel Garcia #11 of the Kansas City Royals is thrown out at third base in the fifth inning of an MLB game between the Cleveland Guardians and Kansas City Royals on May 7, 2026 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

In baseball, there is only one finite resource. We can argue endlessly about which is more exciting, a perfectly executed bunt single or a smash through the hole, a triple or a home run. But none of that matters for winning games as much as managing that one resource as effectively as humanly possible.

Outs.

In 2005, there were 1620 sacrifice bunts. In 2025, there were only 560. Some of that is because pitchers stopped hitting after 2021, but that just goes to emphasize the point more. If you don’t already have an automatic out at the plate, a sacrifice is a bad baseball play. An extra base is almost never worth an out.

Need more evidence? Check out these run expectancy matrices. Runner at first with no outs? That averaged 0.87 runs in 2025. But a runner at second with one out? 0.67 runs. The numbers are similar the entire way across the matrix. Giving up an out for a base always reduces the number of runs you can expect to score every time. This makes sense if you think about it logically, too. A sacrifice bunt means sacrificing an opportunity to add another runner to the bases or to even drive in the run(s) in that plate appearance. There are an infinite number of bases to be gained in a 9-inning baseball game, but only ever 27 outs.

This goes beyond sacrifice bunts, though. The biggest revelation of the Moneyball Athletics teams was that OBP is more valuable than batting average. How can that be when a hit might be more than a single, but a walk only ever gets you to first base? Because a walk still represents not giving up an out. As long as you still have outs, you’ve still got a chance to win a game. Not giving them away is, therefore, the most important thing. But the Royals, even as they seem to be more analytically inclined than in years past, still don’t seem to get this.

Let me post a quote from an answer given by manager Matt Quatraro during a recent post-game press conference (emphasis mine):

[…] Our offense has to be predicated on some of the aggressiveness on the bases and sometimes you’re going to make those outs.

The Royals have used statistical analysis to determine that bringing in the fences would likely help the team play better. They spent the off-season chasing players with good on-base percentages, which has led to a team OBP of .313 – the highest they’ve had since 2015. But their analytic abilities seem to falter when it comes to the value of an extra base compared to an out despite the fact that run expectancy matrices have existed since before the Royals were even a team.

Earlier in that quote, Quatraro pointed out that the Royals don’t hit bunches of home runs. This misses the point badly. Because every time you make an out on the bases, it represents one fewer plate appearance the team can take in that inning and the entire game. The 2015 Royals had an unofficial slogan of “keep the line moving” because they also didn’t hit home runs, but they didn’t make terrible outs on the basepaths and so were able to keep getting on base and eventually force those runners home. But, hey, fewer plate appearances also means fewer opportunities to hit those home runs. So there’s that, too.

The Royals’ front office and coaching staff are not stupid. These people know baseball well. Most of them more than any of us. But that’s just why it is so painful to see them make judgments so lacking in basic logic. You don’t have to be a baseball genius to know that if you’ve got a highly limited resource like outs, you shouldn’t give them away without a darn good reason.

Donovan Mitchell confirms injury status after Cavs playoff elimination

May 25, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots in the first quarter against the New York Knicks during game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images

CLEVELAND — There were stretches throughout the postseason when Donovan Mitchell didn’t quite look himself. The burst and explosiveness to the basket weren’t there like we’ve become accustomed to in the past. So much so that it led to commentators speculating that maybe he was injured.

Mitchell has been asked repeatedly throughout the postseason about whether he was injured. He’d shrug the questions off every time. He was asked again after the Cleveland Cavaliers’ season-ending Game 4 loss to the New York Knicks, and his answer was mostly the same.

“Everybody’s beat up,” Mitchell said after scoring 31 points. “Everybody’s got something. It is what it is. I looked fine today, right? So if you’re out there between those lines, it doesn’t really matter. I’m fine.”

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With the season over, there’s no reason to try to cover up a possible injury. It’s worth taking Mitchell at his word when he says this.

Mitchell has pointed to himself and the team being worn down after the previous two losses. That’s something that they could’ve avoided.

“The two series before having to go seven, that’s our fault, we did that to ourselves,” Mitchell said. “That puts you in a tough position against a team that’s not only been to the conference finals, knows what that takes, but also has the rest, mental preparation, and then on top of that, having Game 1 happen, and we didn’t execute, that’s on us, and we couldn’t control that, that’s what happened.”

Mitchell also noted that there’s a “mental toughness” that’s needed to play their best this late in the playoffs. “Physically, we’re all beat up, everybody’s beat up.” The issue was the “mental focus” not being there at times, which led to costly turnovers.

Mitchell and this Cavs group achieved more playoff success than they have at any point in the past eight years. However, that success also showed how much farther this group needs to go if they want to be the ones lifting a trophy on their home floor.

Why AJ Dybantsa might be the perfect franchise player for Washington

Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) drives against Texas Longhorns forward Nic Codie (10) in the second half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

The 2026 NBA Draft is coming up in less than a month. And with the Washington Wizards holding the No. 1 pick, they have a chance to get a true franchise player for the rest of the 2020s into the 2030s. The consensus No. 1 pick is former Brigham Young star AJ Dybantsa. And here, let’s be DMV Dybantsa-stans for a second and say why he is the perfect franchise player for Washington.

Dybantsa fits the prototype of a future superstar scoring wing

The league has increasingly revolved around big perimeter creators. Teams spend years tanking and rebuilding, hoping to find a player like this. Dybantsa projects as a 6’8″-6’9″ wing who can create offense, defend multiple positions, and eventually carry an offense late in games. Washington has not had perimeter talent of that caliber in …. a long time.

Yes, John Wall was an elite floor general. Yes, Gilbert Arenas was elite offensively in the 2000s. But the Wizards need someone who has the potential to be a future Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic or even Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Dybantsa is the prospect closest to reaching that level of potential.

If Dybantsa reaches even 80 percent of his ceiling, the Wizards suddenly have the most important asset in the NBA right now: a true franchise wing.

The Wizards desperately need star power and marketability

As you know, the NBA brought back John Tesh to play “Roundball Rock,” not to show Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen dominate with the Chicago Bulls. Now, it’s to show LeBron James, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama dominate with their teams.

How many times did you hear “Roundball Rock” every two minutes on WRC-TV, our local NBC station show Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly? None.

It’s not just that the Wizards were bad in 2025-26. The Wizards have been systemically bad or irrelevant. Remember 2013-14 when the Wizards made the playoffs? Sure the playoff games were on national TV, but during the regular season? They had NO games on ESPN or TNT. So it shouldn’t be surprising that the Wizards are left out of a lot of national TV games when they have:

  • 0 conference finals appearances since 1979
  • 0 50-win seasons since 1979
  • Poor attendance and weak national TV relevance compared to similar large NBA markets

A true superstar changes revenue, ticket sales, jersey sales, sponsorships, and national relevance. If Dybantsa becomes a 25-points-per-game caliber scorer, that changes the entire trajectory of the franchise for the next decade. And we’ll get to see John Tesh play his song at Capital One Arena too.

The Wizards are probably drafting Dybantsa anyway

Well, let’s look at the betting market with our partners at FanDuel. Remember to play responsibly.

Anyway, when we are looking at who could win the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder, the San Antonio Spurs and the Eastern Conference Champion New York Knicks, the Thunder, Spurs and Knicks all have a wing player in Gilgeous-Alexander, Wembanyama and Jalen Brunson, respectively, who Dybantsa could be like in the future.

Hopefully, Dybantsa isn’t a late bloomer like Brunson. And yeah, the Thunder are the favorites per FanDuel’s odds. We should be seeing odds on the Wizards’ selection at No. 1 as we get closer to the NBA Draft itself. And if those odds were out there, they’d still say that if the draft was right now, Dybantsa is playing for Washington this fall given what most NBA draft gurus are thinking.


Now, this is just one piece singing praises to Dybantsa. There are three players whom the Wizards COULD pick at No. 1. So, let me ask you all. Do you think Dybantsa fits the perfect franchise player profile for Washington? Let us know in the comments below.

Editor-in-chief: POBO candidates, Knicks in the Finals, NBA Draft looming

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 26: Bob Myers looks on during the 2025 NBA Draft - Round Two on June 26, 2025 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

It’s been a minute, friends.

After some time to digest things, I’m back with a mailbag. We’ll make this a weekly thing again now that the Sixers’ offseason is in full swing — with a lot of business to attend to.

The most important first step for the Sixers is finding a new president of basketball operations. It appears Bob Myers has narrowed it down to four reported candidates — Mike Gansey (GM, Cleveland Cavaliers), Matt Lloyd (GM, Minnesota Timberwolves), Nick U’Ren (GM, Phoenix Mercury (WNBA)) and Jameer Nelson, the only internal candidate.

The positive, in my humble opinion, is there are no retreads on this list. Myers appears to be targeting people behind the curtain who are due for a turn running their own team. Nelson feels least likely, but all indications suggest he will have a large role in the organization, no matter who gets the POBO role. The three external candidates seem to have good track records as far as scouting, something the Sixers desperately need either for their current roster or their eventual rebuild.

As far as the current playoffs, the New York Knicks have already emphatically punched their ticket to the Finals while the WCF return to Oklahoma tied at 2-2. Anything you’re gleaning from the playoffs? Feeling better or worse about the current Sixers?

The NBA Draft is also less than a month away. The Sixers have the 22nd overall pick and need as much depth as possible. We’re going to start our prospect previews in earnest next week, but I’ve been cramming, so hit me with any of your draft questions!

Anything else on your mind? Hit up the comments.

Premier League 2025-26 season review: our predictions v reality

We picked Liverpool as champions, Chelsea as challengers and tipped Brentford and Sunderland to go down. Oh dear

What we predicted: Mikel Arteta vowed this would be a “big summer” after finishing as runners-up in the Premier League for a third season in succession and the new sporting director, Andrea Berta, has delivered on a number of signings in his first transfer window. The question now for Arsenal supporters is whether Martín Zubimendi, Christian Nørgaard, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres, Cristhian Mosquera and Kepa Arrizabalaga can help them take that elusive final step to becoming champions for the first time since the Invincibles in 2004.

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Astros vs Rangers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's MLB Game

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The Texas Rangers will look to rebound following an ugly blowout loss to the Houston Astros in their series opener. 

My Astros vs. Rangers predictions expect the home team to turn things around quickly and even things up Tuesday night.

Let's break it all down with my MLB picks for May 26. 

Who will win Astros vs Rangers today: Rangers moneyline (-135)

The Houston Astros are riding a four-game winning streak while the Texas Rangers have dropped four in a row. Even so, the underlying data favors the Rangers offense of late.

The Astros own a .290 wOBA, .652 OPS, and 35.1% hard hit rate over their last six games. 

Despite getting no-hit Monday, the Rangers have fared better in each category over the same period. They are sporting a .333 wOBA, .757 OPS, and 39.4% hard hit rate.

Jack Leiter has also out-performed Jason Alexander in ERA, FIP, xFIP, and K%, making the Rangers a buy up to -140.

Covers COVERS INTEL: In this game, four of the Top-5 batters in OBP vs. righties this month play for the Rangers.

Astros vs Rangers Over/Under pick: Under 8 (-110)

Globe Life Field is very pitcher-friendly, and that’s evident looking at the Rangers’ home numbers. They rank 29th in wOBA vs. righties at home compared to third on the road

The Rangers are not the kind of team that will blow up a lesser pitcher, which will allow for Jason Alexander to grind out some innings.

Conversely, the Astros are hitting .205 against righties over the past two weeks and now find themselves in a pitcher-friendly park. Leiter’s xERA is a full run lower at home, setting him up for a quality start.

Play the Under to -115.

Todd Cordell's 2026 Transparency Record
  • ML/RL bets: 18-16, -3.08 units
  • Over/Under bets: 16-17-1, -3.51 units

Astros vs Rangers odds

  • Moneyline: Astros +110 | Rangers -130
  • Run line: Astros +1.5 (-175) | Rangers -1.5 (+150)
  • Over/Under: Over 8 (-110) | Under 8 (-110)

Astros vs Rangers trend

The Rangers have hit the game total Under in 20 of their last 25 home games (+15.7 units, 57% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Astros vs. Rangers.

How to watch Astros vs Rangers and game info

LocationGlobe Life Field, Arlington, TX
DateTuesday, May 26, 2026
First pitch8:05 p.m. ET
TVSCHN, RSN
Astros starting pitcherJason Alexander
(1-0, 7.30 ERA)
Rangers starting pitcherJack Leiter
(1-4, 4.61 ERA)

Astros vs Rangers latest injuries

Astros vs Rangers weather

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Ex-MLB star Wander Franco granted judicial pardon despite being found guilty of sexual assault

Wander Franco in a white button down walks out of a courthouse between two people as onlookers reach out
Former Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco leaves court Monday after his retrial on charges of sexually abusing a minor in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. (Ricardo Hernandez / Associated Press)

Wander Franco is guilty of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl in 2023, a judge in the Dominican Republic made clear Monday.

Yet in his next breath, the same judge ruled that the former Tampa Bay Rays star shortstop will not be sentenced to prison because he was a victim of blackmail and extortion by the girl’s mother.

Celebrity justice in the D.R. can be perplexing, and Judge José Antonio Núñez admitted as much. But he also contended that the judicial pardon he granted Franco was the result of “logical and legal reasoning.”

“It seems contradictory to declare criminal responsibility and, at the same time, exempt him from punishment,” Núñez said. “The court has granted Wander Franco a judicial pardon due to the particular circumstances that made him a material victim, but not a legal one.”

The court found that the girl’s mother extorted thousands of dollars from Franco. The woman was sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of commercial sexual exploitation of a minor and money laundering.

Read more:Rays' Wander Franco found guilty in sex abuse case, receives two-year suspended sentence

The odds are long that Franco will return to Major League Baseball any time soon. The fact that the court found him guilty of repeatedly having sex with a minor puts him squarely in violation of MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.

The league is in the midst of an investigation into Franco’s conduct.

“We respect the legal process and the decision issued by the court,” the Rays said in a statement. “This is a serious matter, and our thoughts remain with those affected by the case.

“The Rays will continue to cooperate fully with Major League Baseball as it completes its review under the league’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. Out of respect for the legal process and all parties involved, we will have no further comment at this time.”

Franco’s situation serves as a cautionary tale for MLB teams that hand out long-term contracts years before players become free agents. The Rays signed a 20-year-old Franco to an 11-year, $182 million deal in November 2021 after he batted .288 with 30 extra-base hits in 70 games as a rookie.

Franco appeared on his way to stardom during a stellar 2023 season, but according to court filings he carried on a relationship with the 14-year-old victim for several months.

Read more:A star pitcher at USC, he was cut after six years in the minors. Then Banana Ball came calling

An investigation was launched in August of 2023. Franco was arrested Jan. 1, 2024, after failing to appear before Dominican authorities who sought to interview him.

Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list early in the 2024 season, voiding his contract.

Franco was found guilty in a June 2025 trial. Although prosecutors sought a five-year prison sentence, he was given only a two-year suspended sentence by Justice Jakayra Veras.

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

An appeals court in December ordered a new trial, which took place Monday and resulted in his pardon.

“Thank God for everything,” Franco said as he embraced his mother, Nancy Aybar, after Judge Nuñez announced the pardon.

As he departed the courthouse, Franco was asked by a reporter how he felt.

“I feel calm,” he said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

How Knicks in NBA Finals, World Cup 2026 could collide in NY — and cause absolute chaos

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows A
The 2026 NBA Finals and the FIFA World Cup 2026 could clash in New York and New Jersey for some commuters.

Summer in New York City took on a whole new meaning when the Knicks reached the 2026 NBA Finals.

After completing a four-game sweep of the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals Monday night, the Knicks brought the NBA Finals back to Madison Square Garden for the first time since 1999.

The Knicks have nine days off before the series begins June 3, and will face either the San Antonio Spurs or the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Outside Madison Square Garden Knicks fans celebrate winning Game 4 of the Eastern conference finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers to advance to the NBA Finals on May 25, 2026. Aristide Economopoulos for NY Post

The Western Conference finals is tied at 2-2 heading into Tuesday’s Game 5.

The New York/New Jersey area is already going to be congested as one of the hosts of the World Cup starting June 11, with MetLife Stadium hosting the World Cup final on July 19.

There could be commuting chaos at New York Penn Station for fans on Tuesday, June 16 — when a potential Game 6 of the Finals could take place at The Garden on the same day France and Senegal will be playing a World Cup match at MetLife Stadium, which was temporarily renamed New York/New Jersey Stadium for the tournament.

If the NBA Finals reaches a Game 6, the Knicks will host their opponent at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Outside Madison Square Garden and New York Penn Station Knicks fans celebrate winning Game 4 of the Eastern conference finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers to advance to the NBA Finals on May 25, 2026. Aristide Economopoulos for NY Post

The France-Senegal matchup is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET.

Despite being hours apart, fans returning from the World Cup match and fans heading to a potential Game 6 could be in for a nightmare commute.

New York Penn Station and NJ Transit have made major changes for commuters.

A “We are New York New Jersey” banner is displayed at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on May 9, 2026 ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. AFP via Getty Images

During the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium, New York Penn Station will restrict access for New Jersey Transit commuters for four hours prior to kickoff in order to safely accommodate the high volume of match-day travel.

New Jersey-bound trains from Penn Station will prioritize those who have World Cup match tickets.

New Jersey Transit advised commuters not attending a match to avoid traveling on match days unless travel is essential.

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Knicks fans flooded 7th Avenue outside of Madison Square Garden after New York’s 130-93 Game 4 clincher in Cleveland.

NYPD had their hands full as some fans climbed street lights, brought brooms to the pavement and stood on top of subway structures.

Jalen Brunson of the Knicks handles the ball during the game against the Cavaliers during Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Finals on May 25, 2026 in Cleveland. NBAE via Getty Images

Imagine just how raucous it would be with Knicks fans near New York Penn Station during the NBA Finals and the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Yankees vs Royals Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's MLB Game

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The New York Yankees will look to extend a lengthy streak tonight when they face the Kansas City Royals in the second of a three-game set.

The Bronx Bombers have simply owned the Royals. Yesterday's comeback win gave New York its 12th straight win over Kansas City, and I like them to make it 13 straight tonight in impressive fashion.

Read all about it in my Yankees vs. Royals predictions and MLB picks for Tuesday, May 26.

Who will win Yankees vs Royals today: Yankees -1.5 (-120)

As has become the case in Cam Schlittler starts, I’m not overthinking this. The New York Yankeesare my runline play, and I’d take them to -144.

Schlittler owns a 2.60 expected ERA, top 9% of MLB, and he forces hitters into mistakes with a 95th percentile chase rate.

The path against him is discipline plus loud contact, but the Kansas City Royalsdon’t profile that way. They are average in barrel rate at 8.5% and chase rate at 30.2%.

Against a starter with few obvious holes, average is not enough. The Yankees roll. 

Covers COVERS INTEL: Cam Schlittler has managed a 1.50 ERA despite having a breaking ball run value in the bottom 32 percentile of the sport which tells you just how impressive the rest of his arsenal has been.

Yankees vs Royals Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (-115)

For the second straight game in this series, I’m nearly identical to the market with a projection of 8.8 runs, but I still lean Over 8.5 and would play it to -122.

Bailey Falter serving as an opener creates a spot where the Yankees can attack early. The only top-10 barrel rate team Falter has faced this season was the Atlanta Braves who hit him hard with two earned runs in three innings.

The Royals’ rested bullpen arms do not scare me either, with hard-hit issues across the group. Yankees do the heavy lifting, Royals find two.

Chris Hatfield's 2026 Transparency Record
  • ML/RL bets: 22-19, +2.56 units
  • Over/Under bets: 26-15, +13.34 units

Yankees vs Royals odds

  • Moneyline: New York -210 | Kansas City +170
  • Run line: New York -1.5 | Kansas City +1.5
  • Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5

Yankees vs Royals trend

The New York Yankees have covered the Run Line in 28 of their last 50 away games (+10.85 Units / 20% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Yankees vs. Royals.

How to watch Yankees vs Royals and game info

LocationKauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO
DateTuesday, May 26, 2026
First pitch7:40 p.m. ET
TVYES, Royals.TV
Yankees starting pitcherCam Schlittler
(6-2, 1.50 ERA)
Royals starting pitcherBailey Falter
(0-1, 9.82 ERA)

Yankees vs Royals latest injuries

Yankees vs Royals weather

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Cardinals vs Brewers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's MLB Game

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The Milwaukee Brewers have struck gold with Kyle Harrison, and he's in a prime spot against the St. Louis Cardinals tonight.

My Cardinals vs. Brewers predictions expect the southpaw to stifle St. Louis' offense to cover the spread while also hitting the Under with our MLB picks for Tuesday, May 26.

Who will win Cardinals vs Brewers today: Brewers -1.5 (+123)

The Milwaukee Brewers will win this game, but I do not like the moneyline juice at -178 or worse. 

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Michael McGreevy is playing with fire, and his 2.40 ERA is fool's gold. He boasts an expected ERA of 5.86 (ninth percentile) and relies on opponents hitting the ball directly at the defenders behind him.

So far, that's been successful... but it isn't sustainable. Not when he's getting barreled in the 18th percentile with a 41.1% hard-hit rate (37th percentile). Eventually, that hard contact will translate into some crooked numbers.

What the Brewers lack in power, they make up for with contact and speed. 

Even if McGreevy continues to outpitch his peripherals, the St. Louis bullpen owns a 4.41 ERA (22nd in MLB) and a 20.2% strikeout rate (25th). Ideally, this line doesn't go any shorter, but I'd play it to +115.

Covers COVERS INTEL:Kyle Harrison’s Milwaukee glow-up features 95th-percentile strikeout and hard-hit rates. Trust his elite swing-and-miss profile to lock in both the Brewers -1.5 and Under 7.5.

Cardinals vs Brewers Over/Under pick: Under 7.5 (+105)

Harrison was always a pitcher with promise. The lefty raced through the San Francisco Giants system, showed flashes of success after reaching the majors in 2023, but never lived up to his potential. He was one of the key pieces sent to Boston in the Rafael Devers trade, but was unceremoniously dumped to Milwaukee for Caleb Durbin this offseason.

Well, as has become custom, the Brewers have unlocked the version of Harrison that Giants fans caught glimpses of. Unlike the aforementioned McGreevy, everything looks good under the hood, as well.

Harrison's 1.77 ERA isn't sustainable, but an xERA of 2.96 tells us that he's not suddenly going to transform into a pumpkin. The southpaw is inducing chase and whiff at strong levels, and the Cardinals' offense has been woefully wobbly of late after punching above its weight class to start the season.

Jordan Walker, Ivan Herrera, and Masyn Winn have all handled lefties well this season, but Walker also has a near-30% K-rate against southpaws. Given Harrison's leveling up and the Brewers' solid bullpen behind him, I like the Under to -105.

Jason Wilson's 2026 Transparency Record
  • ML/RL bets: 1-0, +0.67 units
  • Over/Under bets: 1-0, +1.05 units

Cardinals vs Brewers odds

  • Moneyline: Cardinals +170 | Brewers -178
  • Run line: Cardinals +1.5 (-133) | Brewers -1.5 (+127)
  • Over/Under: Over 7.5 (-117) | Under 7.5 (+113)

Cardinals vs Brewers trend

The Milwaukee Brewers have covered the run line in 30 of their last 50 games (+14.10 Units / 23% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Cardinals vs. Brewers.

How to watch Cardinals vs Brewers and game info

LocationAmerican Family Field, Milwaukee, WI
DateTuesday, May 26, 2026
First pitch7:40 p.m. ET
TVCardinals.TV, Brewers.TV
Cardinals starting pitcherMichael McGreevy
(3-3, 2.40 ERA)
Brewers starting pitcherKyle Harrison
(5-1, 1.77 ERA)

Cardinals vs Brewers latest injuries

Cardinals vs Brewers weather

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Jonas Vingegaard obliterates Giro d’Italia rivals with stage 16 win in Swiss Alps

  • Dane collects fourth stage victory of this year’s race

  • Gall comes in second, with Hindley in third place

Jonas Vingegaard underlined his dominance on uphill finishes at the Giro d’Italia, launching a solo attack on the climb to Carì to claim victory on stage 16. It was the Dane’s fourth stage win of the race and further tightened his hold on the leader’s jersey, with overall honours now looking increasingly assured.

On Monday’s rest day, Vingegaard declared his desire to win a stage while wearing the pink jersey, and quickly followed up that promise in Switzerland on the 113km ride from Bellinzona. His lead at the top is now more than four minutes.

Continue reading...

Where to watch Colorado Rockies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Tuesday, May 26

The Colorado Rockies, ranked fifth in the NL West with a 20-35 record, face the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are first in the NL West with a 34-20 record. The Los Angeles Dodgers are favored with a -235 moneyline compared to the Colorado Rockies' +190. Starting pitchers are Kyle Freeland for Colorado, with a 7.04 ERA, and Eric Lauer for Los Angeles, with a 6.69 ERA.

  • Date: Tuesday, May 26

  • Time: 10:10 p.m. ET / 7:10 p.m. PT

  • Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA

  • TV Channels: SportsNet LA, Rockies.TV

  • Live Stream:ESPN+, MLB.TV | Follow on Yahoo Sports

  • Colorado Rockies: 20-35 (fifth in NL West)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers: 34-20 (first in NL West)

  • Spread: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5

  • Moneyline: Los Angeles Dodgers -235 / Colorado Rockies +190

  • Over/Under: 9.0

Colorado Rockies: Kyle Freeland (1-5, ERA: 7.04, K: 35, WHIP: 1.70)

Los Angeles Dodgers: Eric Lauer (1-5, ERA: 6.69, K: 26, WHIP: 1.49)

Series: Game 2 of 3 (series tied)

Weather: 62°F at first pitch

Shutting Down The Montreal Canadiens Watch Party In Gatineau Was Just Smart Business

One of the Senators' biggest goals, as a business, is to try to build a bigger fan base on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River. But the recent shutdown of a Habs fan watch party in Gatineau isn't earning them much goodwill at the moment.

Local Montreal Canadiens fans were invited to a viewing party on Saturday to watch Game 2 of the NHL Eastern Final at the Slush Puppie Centre in Gatineau, where 400 of the 4000 seats had been sold at $13 apiece.

Organizers got the okay from TVA Sports, whose TV feed they would be using, but they didn't run it by the NHL or the Senators. So, shortly after tickets went on sale, the league intervened, telling the organizers that holding a Montreal Canadiens-based event of this scale in Gatineau is in violation of the Senators' exclusive territorial marketing rights.

Now, according to the Globe and Mail, there's a petition making the rounds to push back against the league's decision to shut the event down. The paper says the petition has nearly 6,500 signatures so far.

Naturally, organizers were disappointed by the decision, as was the charity involved. The Globe and Mail reported that the money from the event, after costs, was slated for Le Boulev’Art de la Valle, a local mental health organization, which could have received as much as $20,000 from the event.

The plan is to eventually present the petition to the league and the Senators, presumably with hopes of approval for events like this, if not this year, then in the future. The Canadiens are still alive this spring, trailing the NHL Eastern Final 2-1 after dropping back-to-back overtime games to the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Senators are in a tricky spot.

They'd like to build a bigger fan base in Gatineau, and it obviously doesn't serve them well to allow another NHL franchise, one of their heated rivals, to be celebrated by thousands at a big event right in their backyard. It literally helps to get Ottawa-area hockey fans super excited about an NHL product that isn't theirs.

Critics have suggested that the Sens are being petty, and what's more, if they had allowed the watch party to go ahead, there probably wouldn't be this much talk about the event, nor would there be negative Globe and Mail headlines about hockey fan petitions being shoved in their face, or charities missing out.

In the short term, I would agree that this probably set back their goal of building support in Quebec more than allowing the party would have. 

But this is a long-term decision that comes with short-term pain, and like ripping off a bandaid or yanking out a tooth, the Sens will soon be glad they did it.

If the Senators had played nice and looked the other way on this event, then there's another one just around the corner. And another, and another, and another.

Without a hint of hyperbole, it could evolve into a Gatineau tradition; NHL customers gathering by the thousands in Senators' territory to celebrate an NHL product that isn't Ottawa's. Local TV stations will then beam the images of the Habs fan party into every Ottawa-Gatineau living room and social media account.

If territory doesn't matter, maybe the Branchaud-Brière complex will want to host a Montreal Canadiens fan fest this summer. Maybe the new rink at Lansdowne will one day be a good spot for some Habs preseason games. Let's beam Habs-Bruins games into the Ottawa market at the same time as a Sens-Penguins game.

With apologies to charity groups, who receive millions from the Sens Community Foundation every year, but allowing major promotion of the Montreal Canadiens in the Ottawa market won't help the Senators with their long-term goal of flipping Gatineau.

Admittedly, it's an extremely tall order hat that probably requires a downtown rink and a championship, but why make it harder than it has to be?

The NHL wisely and fairly set up territorial rights to protect its 32 member teams and help each of them have success in the geographical market directly around them.

The question shouldn't be 'Why didn't the Senators allow this?' It should be 'Why would they?'

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News

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Where to watch New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Tuesday, May 26

The New York Yankees, ranked second in the AL East with a 32-22 record, face the Kansas City Royals, who are fourth in the AL Central with a 22-32 record. The New York Yankees are favored with a -200 moneyline compared to the Kansas City Royals' +165. Starting pitchers are Cam Schlittler for the Yankees, with a 1.50 ERA, and Bailey Falter for the Royals, with a 9.82 ERA.

  • New York Yankees: 32-22 (second in AL East)

  • Kansas City Royals: 22-32 (fourth in AL Central)

  • Spread: New York Yankees -1.5

  • Moneyline: Kansas City Royals +165 / New York Yankees -200

  • Over/Under: 8.5

New York Yankees: Cam Schlittler (6-2, ERA: 1.50, K: 75, WHIP: 0.86)

Kansas City Royals: Bailey Falter (0-1, ERA: 9.82, K: 6, WHIP: 2.86)

Series: Game 2 of 3

Weather: 83°F at first pitch