Roldan wins Tour of Britain stage two in Saltburn as Faulkner takes overall lead

  • Kristen Faulkner takes green jersey from Kim Le Court

  • Cat Ferguson fourth in GC as Canadian rider wins stage

Mara Roldan pulled off a successful late breakaway on the steep approach to Saltburn-by-the-Sea, winning the second stage of the Tour of Britain Women by 12 seconds.

The 21-year-old, who hails from Canada’s Yukon territory, made a push for victory with 14km to go and held on to win ahead of Riejanne Markus (Lidl-Trek). British teenager Cat Ferguson (Movistar) finished fifth for the second stage in a row, just behind third-placed Ally Wollaston (FDJ-Suez) and Roldan’s Picnic-Post NL teammate, Megan Jastrab.

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Orioles at Athletics Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for June 6

It's Friday, June 6, and the Orioles (25-36) take on the Athletics (24-40). Dean Kremer is slated to take the mound for Baltimore against JP Sears for Oakland.

The Athletics avoided the sweep against the Twins yesterday with a massive 14-3 win. Max Muncy went 2-5 with a three-run RBI. 14 runs is the most the Athletics have scored in a game this season.

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 tipoff, 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 Orioles at Athletics

  • Date: Friday, June 6, 2025
  • Time: 10:05PM EST
  • Network/Streaming: NBCSCA, MASN 2, MASN+

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 Orioles at the Athletics

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Moneyline: Orioles (-131), Athletics (+111)
  • Spread:  Orioles -1.5
  • Total: 10.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Orioles at Athletics

  • Pitching matchup for June 6, 2025: Dean Kremer vs. JP Sears
    • Orioles: Dean Kremer, (5-5, 4.70 ERA)
      Last outing (Chicago White Sox, 5/31): 6.0 Innings Pitched, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 7 Strikeouts
    • Athletics: JP Sears, (4-5, 5.05 ERA)
      Last outing (Toronto Blue Jays, 6/1): 5.0 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 7 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 3 Strikeouts

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 Orioles at Athletics

  • The Orioles have a losing road record this season (13-19) but have won their last 4 games
  • 6 of the Athletics' last 7 home matchups with the Orioles have gone over the Total
  • The Orioles have covered in 4 of their last 5 games showing a profit of 1.88 units

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Orioles and the Athletics

Rotoworld 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 Friday's game between the Orioles and the Athletics:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Baltimore Orioles on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Athletics at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 10.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

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)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

RUMOR: Jakub Vrána Will Sign In Sweden

Czech winger Jakub Vrána, 29, has spent the last decade in North America, mostly in the NHL, but rumors are circulating both in Sweden and in Czechia that Sweden will be the next stop for the free agent.

Prior to heading overseas in 2015, Vrána played for Linköping HC from age 15 to 19, starting with the club’s U-16 team and progressing to the SHL, where he recorded 34 points in 98 games as a teenager.

Swedish website HockeyNews.se claims to have directly asked Linköping HC GM Peter Jakobsson about Vrána.

“There is contact. We’ve had a good relationship over the years,” said Jakobsson.

But while admitting interest, the GM stopped short of saying that a deal is imminent.

“We know what qualities he possesses, but right now it is an uncertain situation,” said Jakobsson.

While he played in Linköping, Vrána was chosen 14th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals. He established himself as a regular NHLer, recording 52 points in 69 games for Washington in 2019-20, and he regularly represented Czechia at the IIHF World Championships.

However, his career eventually became marred by injuries, declining play and a spell in the NHL’s Player Assistance Program. Over the last four seasons, Vrána has only played in 110 NHL games, recording 49 points. He was also unable to earn a spot on the Czech national team roster last spring, getting cut prior to the 2024 Worlds in Prague.

Overall, Vrána has 223 points in 406 NHL regular season games with the Capitals, Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators. He also has eight points in 38 playoff games, all with Washington, and was part of the 2018 Stanley Cup championship team.

Photo © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Swedish D-Man Returns Home On Long-Term ContractSwedish D-Man Returns Home On Long-Term Contract Swedish defenseman Gustav Lindström, 26, has signed a five-year contract with Djurgården, the Stockholm-based SHL club announced on Thursday.

SEC basketball offseason power rankings (Volume 1)

Arkansas head coach John Calipari returns four key players from last year's Sweet 16 run in 2025-26. (Photo by Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images) The deadline to withdraw from the NBA Draft has passed, players have moved to their new campuses, teams have started offseason workouts, and it seems, for the most part, rosters are set, barring any last minute additions from the European ranks.

Braves at Giants Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for June 6

It's Friday, June 6, and the Braves (27-34) are in San Francisco to take on the Giants (35-28). Spencer Schwellenbach is slated to take the mound for Atlanta against Hayden Birdsong for San Francisco.

Yesterday, the Atlanta Braves had a massive meltdown in the ninth inning. They were up 10-4 at the top of the ninth and gave up seven runs in the ninth and lost the game 11-10.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Alek Thomas both homered in the ninth for the Diamondbacks.

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 tipoff, 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 Braves at Giants

  • Date: Friday, June 6, 2025
  • Time: 10:15PM EST
  • Site: Oracle Park
  • City: San Francisco, CA
  • Network/Streaming: NBCS BA, KNTV

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 Braves at the Giants

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Moneyline: Braves (-135), Giants (+115)
  • Spread:  Braves -1.5
  • Total: 7.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Braves at Giants

  • Pitching matchup for June 6, 2025: Spencer Schwellenbach vs. Hayden Birdsong
    • Braves: Spencer Schwellenbach, (4-4, 3.13 ERA)
      Last outing (Boston Red Sox, 5/31): 6.1 Innings Pitched, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 11 Strikeouts
    • Giants: Hayden Birdsong, (3-1, 2.37 ERA)
      Last outing (Miami Marlins, 6/1): 5.1 Innings Pitched, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts

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 Braves at Giants

  • NL West teams have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against NL East sides
  • The Under is 27-16-3 in the Braves' matchups against National League teams this season
  • The Braves have failed to cover the Run Line in 5 of their last 6 games

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Braves and the Giants

Rotoworld 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 Friday's game between the Braves and the Giants:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the San Francisco Giants at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 7.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

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)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

NHL Nugget: The Stanley Cup Doesn't Just Celebrate Champions, It Survives Them

Here's today's NHL Nugget – this Weekend's Way Back When looks back at some of the memorable moments NHL players have had during their time with the Stanley Cup.

Whether it's letting a horse drink from the Cup or baptizing a child, the championship trophy has been through a lot in its history.

Brian T. Dessart takes fans on a distinctive ride through the historic-laden NHL with the #NHLNugget. Check out NHLNugget.com to find where to follow NHL Nugget on social media. And for past NHL Nuggets, click here.  

Promo image credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Video: South Korean broadcasters lose minds over Tyrese Haliburton's game-winning shot

Tyrese Haliburton is surrounded by teammates and camera operators as he leaves the court after winning Game 1.
Indiana guard Tyrese Haliburton leaves the court after providing another game-winning shot for the Pacers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Thunder on Thursday, in Oklahoma City. (Julio Cortez / Associated Press)

Anyone who is a fan of the Indiana Pacers or just a basketball enthusiast in general (minus those with a rooting interest in the Oklahoma City Thunder) has probably already watched Tyrese Haliburton's latest miracle shot from Thursday's Game 1 of the NBA Finals many, many times.

Get ready to watch it many, many more times.

The NBA has posted video to social media of Haliburton's game-winning jumper from South Korea's broadcast of the game on SPOTV, and the announcers' call of the magical moment is insane.

Read more:Pat McAfee identifies himself as the 'somebody' who 'embarrassed' John Mellencamp at Pacers-Knicks game

Simply put, they lose their minds.

Check it out. Don't worry if you don't speak the language — the unbridled enthusiasm coming from what sounds like a two-man broadcast booth requires no translation.

Seriously, the only other person who has ever screamed in such a manner was the Who's Roger Daltry in the epic climax to the 1971 classic "Won't Get Fooled Again."

The NBA also posted a clip of the clutch shot from ABC/ESPN's coverage of the game. Play-by-play announcer Mike Breen captured the excitement of the moment as well, although with a slightly less epic delivery than his South Korean counterparts.

Read more:'Stupid idea'? Charles Barkley says 'Inside the NBA' hosts may have another show on TNT

The Pacers hadn't led the entire game and trailed the heavily favored Thunder by nine points after Oklahoma City star and league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit a pair of free throws with 2:52 remaining in the fourth quarter. But Indiana clawed back behind five points by Andrew Nembhard down the stretch to set up Haliburton's shot that lifted his team to a 111-110 win.

It was the fourth time during these playoffs that Haliburton hit a shot in the final two seconds of regulation to either win the game or send it into overtime.

“This group never gives up," Haliburton said after Game 1. “We never believe that the game is over until it hits zero, and that’s just the God’s honest truth. That’s just the confidence that we have as a group, and I think that’s a big reason why this is going on.”

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Former Red Wings Defender Finds New Team

Gustav Lindstrom (Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images)

There is more turnover in an NHL offseason than in a game of beer league.

And the Detroit Red Wings have had their fair share of turnover, too. While the likes of Jake Walman are enjoying their first crack at the Stanley Cup with the Edmonton Oilers, other former Red Wings are seeking employment in different leagues.

Every Expiring Detroit Red Wings ContractEvery Expiring Detroit Red Wings ContractAll good things come to an end.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest newsgame-day coverage, and player features

On August 15th of 2023, the Red Wings traded Gustav Lindstrom to the Montreal Canadiens as part of a deal to bring in Jeff Petry. While that deal hasn’t worked out swimmingly for the Winged Wheel, it hasn’t been all roses and unicorns for the Canadiens.

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Lindstrom spent his 2023-24 season split between the Canadiens, Laval Rocket, and Anaheim Ducks. This past year, he only played for the Rocket, the Canadiens' AHL affiliate.

Earlier on Thursday, it was revealed that Lindstrom has signed a new contract. However, this one wasn’t for another NHL team.

Lindstrom has signed a five-year contract with Djurgarden of the SHL. The 26-year-old is a restricted free agent who is coming off a one-year $775,000 contract with the Canadiens organization. He collected 11 points in 42 AHL games.

Stability and consistency are essential to Lindstrom. He has played with six different teams in three different leagues over the past five seasons. With that volume of change happening around him, it’s no wonder he signed a five-year deal.

The NHL might not be in the cards anymore for the young defender, but at least he’s found a place to call home.

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Colorado Eagles Associate Head Coach Dan Hinote Joins Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced they have hired Colorado Eagles associate head coach Dan Hinote as an assistant coach. 

Hinote helped lead the Eagles to a 43-21-5 record this season, best in the AHL's Western Conference. The Eagles led the league in goals for and had an AHL-best +65 goal differential. 

The 48-year-old began his coaching career as an assistant with the Columbus Blue Jackets from the 2010-2011 season through the 2013-14 season. He transitioned to a pro scout for four seasons before joining the US National Development Program's U17 and U18 teams. He then joined the Nashville Predators as an assistant for four seasons from 2020-21 through 2023-24.

In his playing career Hinote recorded 38 goals and 90 points in 503 career NHL games with the Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues. He won the 2001 Stanley Cup with Colorado. 

He also posted 84 points in 144 career AHL games with the Hershey Bears, scoring 28 goals and 59 points in 55 games and being named an AHL All-Star in 1999-2000.  

Check out The Hockey News' Tampa Bay Lightning team site for more updates. 

Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' AHL Page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.      

Photo Credit: © Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

What to Expect as Two Top Flyers Prospects Prepare for AHL Leap

(Header/feature image courtesy of Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)

The confetti had barely settled when Denver Barkey and Oliver Bonk hoisted the Memorial Cup high—symbols of their London Knights’ unforgettable season. The Knights’ postseason run—which consisted of capturing a second consecutive OHL Championship and the storied Memorial Cup (which the Knights had lost out on last season)—was defined by grit, skill, and a relentless will to win, cemented their place in junior hockey lore.

Now, as the echoes of celebration fade, both Barkey and Bonk find themselves on the brink of an even bigger challenge: the jump to professional hockey with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Philadelphia Flyers’ top affiliate.

Two Stars, One Journey

Barkey and Bonk have been household names in London for some time, embodying the Knights’ brand of high-tempo, smart, two-way hockey. Barkey, a dynamic forward with electrifying speed and a nose for the net, played a pivotal role in driving London’s offense, contributing in key moments with both goals and timely defensive plays.

Bonk, meanwhile, anchored the blue line with poise and maturity beyond his years. His steady presence, coupled with a knack for making crisp outlet passes and jumping into the rush when needed, made him indispensable. (Not to mention his "Bumper Bonk" title—a nod to how crucial he's been to the Knights' powerplay in the bumper role, despite that not being a position given to defensemen.)

Yet, as they prepare to trade in their junior jerseys for the orange and black of Lehigh Valley, both players know the path ahead is steep.

The Adjustment Curve

For Barkey, the most immediate challenge is physicality. At 5’9”, he’s not the biggest player—and in the AHL, where seasoned veterans and bruising defenders lurk around every corner, Barkey will need to build strength without sacrificing the very speed and agility that make him special. His game thrives on quick bursts, elusiveness, and relentless energy. If he can find that balance—bulking up enough to handle the rigors of a grinding schedule while maintaining his trademark shiftiness—he’ll carve out a role quickly.

Barkey’s defensive game will also come under the microscope. In junior hockey, his anticipation and high motor allowed him to disrupt plays with ease, but the AHL is less forgiving. He’ll need to adjust to tighter checking, more structured systems, and the higher pace of decision-making. But those who’ve watched him closely know he’s more than up for the task—his hockey IQ is a calling card that should help smooth the transition.

For Bonk, the leap to pro hockey poses a different set of challenges. While his game is already defined by calmness and sound positioning, he’ll be tested by bigger, faster, and more physically mature forwards than he’s faced in the OHL. He’s not the most imposing defenseman in terms of size, but his stick work, angles, and composure under pressure have drawn praise. Still, he’ll need to sharpen his physical game—using leverage, timing, and anticipation to separate opponents from the puck without getting caught flat-footed.

Another area of growth for Bonk will be asserting himself offensively. In London, he showed flashes of quarterback potential on the powerplay, but the AHL is a different beast. Developing confidence with the puck at the blue line, making quick reads, and finding shooting lanes will be key to unlocking his next level.

What They Bring—and Why It Matters

Both Barkey and Bonk bring intangibles the Flyers’ pipeline has long craved. Barkey’s motor, offensive creativity, and fearless approach to the game will inject much-needed spark and versatility into Lehigh Valley’s lineup—and, eventually, the Flyers’. He’s the type of player who can dictate the pace of games, play up and down the lineup, and bring a refreshing pop and fizz to the offense.

Bonk, meanwhile, offers the kind of poised, two-way reliability that NHL coaches love. He’s not particularly flashy, but he consistently makes the right play and approaches the game with a wisdom and maturity far beyond his 20 years. His ability to read the ice, make smart decisions under pressure, and join the rush selectively gives him the look of a future top-four defenseman—exactly the kind of player the Flyers hope to build around.

A Stepping Stone, Not a Finish Line

The jump from junior to the AHL is often described as the hardest in a young player’s career—a proving ground where even the most talented prospects must learn to adapt, compete, and mature. For Barkey and Bonk, this season with the Phantoms won’t be about immediate stardom; it’ll be about building habits, refining their games, and learning what it takes to succeed in the pros.

They’ve already proven they can win together—now they’ll try to prove they can grow together. For Flyers fans eager to see the next wave of homegrown talent, there’s every reason to believe that Barkey and Bonk are up to the challenge. Their story is only just beginning.

The best and worst No. 3 picks in NBA draft history

The best and worst No. 3 picks in NBA draft history originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

If the Sixers keep the No. 3 pick in the NBA draft, they’ll hope to add to a long list of hits.

Ahead of the June 25 draft, we reviewed the history of the third pick and rounded up the many highlights and a few lowlights (no exact science).

In chronological order, here are the 16 best and four worst No. 3 selections in NBA history: 

Best 

He only played 26 NBA games, but we’ll give an honorable mention here to the multi-sport Dick Groat — eight-time All-Star shortstop, two-time World Series champion, 1960 National League MVP. 

Outside of ultra-clear cases, our list leans against current players. That’s the main reason Jaylen Brown, Bradley Beal and Evan Mobley aren’t on it. 

1954: Gene Shue 

Drafted by the Philadelphia Warriors, Shue became a five-time All-Star guard during his prime years with the Pistons. He went on to coach two Eastern Conference championship teams (the 1970-71 Bullets and 1976-77 Sixers) and won two Coach of the Year awards. 

1963: Nate Thurmond 

Thurmond averaged 18.6 points, 17.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.9 blocks from the 1964-65 through ’73-74 seasons. The Hall of Fame big man recorded the first quadruple-double in NBA history on Oct. 18, 1974 — 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists and 12 blocks. 

1977: Pete Maravich 

After a legendary career at LSU, “Pistol Pete” brought his trademark flair to the NBA. He led the league in scoring with the New Orleans Jazz in the 1976-77 season, posting 31.1 points per game. 

1980: Kevin McHale 

McHale never left the team that drafted him and put together a Hall of Fame Celtics career — two Sixth Man of the Year awards, seven All-Star selections, three championships. 

1981: Buck Williams 

Williams remains the Nets’ all-time leader in games played, win shares and rebounds. The ultra-durable power forward averaged a double-double (12.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per game) over his 17-year career. 

1982: Dominique Wilkins 

The Jazz drafted Wilkins but traded him to the Hawks months laterin exchange for John Drew, Freeman Williams and cash. Atlanta was quite pleased with the deal’s results; “The Human Highlight Film” turned into a nine-time All-Star and two-time dunk contest champion. 

1984: Michael Jordan 

The 1984 draft had three Hall of Famers in the first five picks — Hakeem Olajuwon (No. 1), Jordan and Charles Barkley (No. 5). The Sixers’ second pick of that draft, Leon Wood at No. 10, is a longtime NBA referee. 

1993: Penny Hardaway 

In Hardaway’s three Magic seasons with Shaquille O’Neal, Orlando went 167-79 and reached the franchise’s first NBA Finals. 

1994: Grant Hill 

Hill had a brilliant start to his career before facing a series of injury troubles. After being named co-Rookie of the Year with Jason Kidd, he was an All-NBA player for each of the next five seasons. 

1997: Chauncey Billups 

Billups didn’t make an All-Star Game until he was 29 years old and on his fifth team, but “Mr. Big Shot” became a Hall of Famer. 

2001: Paul Gasol 

Gasol transitioned very smoothly from Barcelona to the Grizzlies, earning the Rookie of the Year award. He won much more after being dealt to the Lakers, including back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010. 

2003: Carmelo Anthony 

The incredible top of the 2003 draft featured three Hall of Famers (Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade) and one obvious future Hall of Famer (LeBron James) within the first five selections. The class had five other players who made an All-Star Game in Chris Kaman (No. 6), David West (No. 18), Josh Howard (No. 29), Mo Williams (No. 47) and Kyle Korver (No. 51). 

2009: James Harden 

Harden won Sixth Man of the Year in his third and final season with the Thunder. As a Rocket, he transformed into the ultimate offensive hub and the 2017-18 MVP. 

2014: Joel Embiid 

Injuries have always been a significant part of the picture with Embiid, but his on-court credentials are awfully impressive — seven All-Star nods, two scoring titles, one well-deserved MVP. 

2017: Jayson Tatum 

Tatum’s one of six All-Star players from the 2017 class. Of course, No. 1 pick Markelle Fultz is not among them. 

2018: Luka Doncic 

Doncic has more than lived up to the pre-draft hype. At 26 years old, he’s got career averages of 28.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 8.2 assists. 

Worst 

1986: Chris Washburn 

Washburn made a mere 72 appearances in the NBA. Following a third failed drug test, the former NC State big man was suspended by the league for life.

1987: Dennis Hopson 

Hopson was a big-time scorer at Ohio State — 29 points per game his senior year — but could not carry anything resembling that production to the NBA. He averaged 10.9 points in 334 career games. Notable 1987 lottery picks below Hopson include Scottie Pippen, Kenny Smith, Kevin Johnson, Horace Grant, Reggie Miller and Muggsy Bogues. 

2006: Adam Morrison 

Morrison was a college sensation at Gonzaga. He tore his ACL during his second NBA preseason and wound up playing just 83 more games in the league. 

2015: Jahlil Okafor 

The former Process Sixer played in one game for the Pacers this season, which was his first NBA appearance in nearly four years.

Ex-NHL D-Man Jordan Gross Changes KHL Teams

American defenseman Jordan Gross, 30, has signed a one-year contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk, the KHL club announced on Friday. Gross played his first season in Europe last season in the KHL with Dinamo Minsk, where he recorded 42 points in 77 regular-season and playoff games.

“In his first KHL season after arriving from overseas, he proved that the increased attention was fully justified – sixth in in scoring among defensemen in the league and an excellent plus/minus are proof of that,” said Traktor GM Alexei Volkov. “Gross has a high hockey IQ, moves the puck well, and is capable of playing both on the boards and in open ice. With his arrival, the Traktor defense gets an established professional, ready to solve serious problems.”

Traktor Chelyabinsk finished first in the KHL’s Eastern Conference last year and was tied for third-best in goals against, so the team does not necessarily have serious defensive problems to solve.

Undrafted upon completing four years at the University of Notre Dame, Gross signed with the Arizona Coyotes late in the 2017-18 season and was immediately assigned to the Tucson Roadrunners of the AHL. Between 2018 and 2014, Gross has spent most of his time in the AHL but has also played 25 NHL games with the Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche and Nashville Predators.

Traktor’s roster includes veteran ex-New Jersey Devil Vladimir Zakharov and prospects Arseni Koromyslov (St. Louis Blues), Semyon Der-Arguchintsev (Toronto Maple Leafs), Matvei Guskov (Minnesota Wild) and Vasili Glotov (Buffalo Sabres).

Photo © Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

Former NHL D-Man Mark Friedman Signs Two-Year Deal In SwedenFormer NHL D-Man Mark Friedman Signs Two-Year Deal In Sweden Canadian defenseman Mark Friedman, 29, has signed a two-year contract to play for Rögle BK, the SHL club announced on Thursday.

Fantasy baseball two-start pitchers: Chris Sale leads the list of intriguing options for the week of June 9

Hello and welcome to the 11th installment of our weekly two-start pitcher article for the 2025 MLB season.

I'll be here every Friday to highlight some of the best two-start pitcher options in fantasy baseball leagues for the upcoming week, as well as some streaming options to keep in mind.

Thinking ahead with your weekly strategy can give you an advantage on the waiver wire and hopefully be a difference-maker in the standings at the end of the season.

This is a living document, so we'll update the options below as the weekend moves along.

Before we get into it, we'll start with a couple of notes on situations that may be unresolved or teams that may not have a two-start pitcher lined up for the upcoming week:

With Jonathan Cannon landing on the injured list with a back issue, there isn’t any clarity yet as to how the White Sox will replace him in their starting rotation. The most likely scenario would be for Bryse Wilson to step back into that role, as he threw 80 pitches over five innings out of the bullpen against the Tigers this past week and can handle the workload. He would line up for two starts (@ Astros, @ Rangers) and should be avoided at all costs even if he does get the ball.

The Royals are another team that I’m not real sure what they are going to do with their rotation just yet. Noah Cameron has simply pitched too well to be relegated back to Triple-A Omaha now that Cole Ragans has returned from the injured list. The guy who should really be booted out of the rotation is Michael Lorenzen, but there haven’t really been any rumblings of that yet. As of now, he’s lined up to pitch on Tuesday. Assuming Cameron stays in the rotation and they go six-man this trip through, no Royals’ pitcher would draw two starts. If they do the right things and boot Lorenzen, then Cameron would draw a two-start week vs. the Yankees and vs. the Athletics. If that were the case, he would make for an outstanding pickup wherever he’s available and he should be started in all formats.

We also don’t have certainty yet over how the Phillies will lineup their rotation next week. Zack Wheeler is currently away on paternity leave and could return to start at any time. If he returns at some point over the weekend, it would line up Cristopher Sanchez for two starts (vs. Cubs, vs. Blue Jays). Wheeler could slot in himself on Monday and draw the two-start assignment. The Phillies could also roll with Mick Abel on Monday and have Wheeler join the rotation later in the week. It’s a situation that’s still in flux that we’ll monitor throughout the weekend.

We don’t have any certainty from the Giants just yet either. Kyle Harrison is currently lined up to start twice – against the Rockies at Coors Field and against the Dodgers in Los Angeles – but Justin Verlander (pectoral) is nearing a return and could be an option to slot in at some point next week. If I knew for sure that Harrison would at least make that first start against the Rockies, I’d still be comfortable using him with the hope that he would actually miss the second start against the Dodgers to finish the week. We’ll monitor the situation through the weekend.
We are still waiting on word to see what the Rangers are going to do with their rotation next week as well after Kumar Rocker was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock following his rough return from the injured list. They could utilize their off day on Monday to skip that spot in the rotation, meaning Jack Leiter would line up for two starts (@ Twins, vs. White Sox) and would be a strong start in all formats. They could also call up a starter from Triple-A or go with some sort of bullpen game, in which case no one would draw two starts next week. Stay tuned as we’ll update this one throughout the weekend.

Without further ado, let's dig into the options for the week of June 9.

Going Twice…

Note: Probable pitchers as of Friday, June 6, and are subject to change.

American League

Strong Plays

Yusei Kikuchi, Angels, LHP (vs. Athletics, @ Orioles)

Kikuchi has had mixed results through his first 13 starts with the Angels, posting a solid 3.23 WHIP with a horrifying 1.59 WHIP and just under a strikeout per inning through his first 69 2/3 frames. Getting to take on the Athletics away from Sutter Health Park is an outstanding matchup and the Orioles have been among the worst offenses in all of baseball against left-handed pitching this season. Sure, things could go south and he could give your ratios a massive whipping, but this will be as good of a week as any this season to deploy Kikuchi. If you’re not starting him for this juicy double, there’s absolutely no reason to have him on your roster. I’d use him in any league where I had him and would be actively looking to add him to stream if he was available.

José Berríos, Blue Jays, RHP (@ Cardinals, @ Phillies)

Believe me, I know that it feels super uncomfortable trusting José Berríos. Seemingly every time that you do he ends up dropping a disastrous outing and inflicts serious ratio damage on your fantasy squad. He has been pitching extremely well as of late though, as he has allowed more than two earned runs just twice in his last eight starts – posting a 2.85 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and a 46/17 K/BB ratio over 47 1/3 innings during that stretch. The matchups are both tough, but I would trust the recent results and the track record and I’d be using the 31-year-old right-hander in all formats for the upcoming week.

Decent Plays

Jeffrey Springs, Athletics, LHP (@ Angels, @ Royals)

As expected, Springs has shown plenty of inconsistency in his first season following major surgery, mixing brilliant starts with disastrous outings seemingly at random. He has given up three runs or more in each of his last three though, including a brutal start against the Blue Jays in Toronto where he surrendered six runs in only two innings. The matchups aren’t intimidating in the slightest and it’s actually beneficial to have him pitch on the road twice instead of the bandbox that is Sutter Health Park. I’d probably take the risk and roll him in 15-teamers and may even try it in 12’s if I needed to make up ground in wins and strikeouts. Anything more shallow than that, and you should have more appealing options.

Luis L. Ortiz, Guardians, RHP (vs. Reds, @ Mariners)

Ortiz has had three rough outings through his first 12 starts on the season and has otherwise been very effective. He has pitched particularly well as of late, registering a 2.28 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and a 31/14 K/BB ratio over his last five starts. I think the chances of a blowup are minimal against the Reds and Mariners and even in the worst case scenario he’s going to approach double digit strikeouts over a two-start week. The pitching matchups work in his favor as well, as he’ll do battle against Wade Miley and Emerson Hancock in those two starts. I’m not quite bold enough to move him up to a strong play, but I do think that he’s worth using in all 12 and 15 team leagues and I may even kick the tires in shallower formats if I wanted to gain ground in wins and strikeouts.

Sawyer Gipson-Long, Tigers, RHP (@ Orioles, vs. Reds)

The 27-year-old right-hander made his highly anticipated return from Tommy John surgery this past week, giving up three runs on five hits over 3 2/3 innings against the White Sox. The good news is that his velocity was back up to pre-injury levels and he got 12 whiffs in the contest – most of them on his secondary offerings. He’s going to show inconsistency as he continues to work his way back, but there are a lot of reasons to be excited about Gipson-Long. Pitching for the Tigers he’ll be a threat to earn a victory each and every time out, and the matchups this week will be particularly strong taking on Cade Povich and Wade Miley. He’s likely to lose his spot in the rotation once Reese Olson, Alex Cobb or Jackson Jobe are ready to return, but for this week at least he looks like a very strong streaming option for his two starts.

Zebby Matthews, Twins, RHP (vs. Rangers, @ Astros)

While fantasy managers had been clamoring for the move for quite some time, Matthews hasn’t quite made as smooth a transition to the big league rotation as they would have hoped. He has struggled to a 5.21 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and a 25/8 K/BB ratio over 19 innings through his first four starts with the Twins. Fortunately, this looks like a good week for him to get back on track, as the Rangers and Astros are both in the bottom third of the league against right-handed pitching this season. Look for him to add to his win total and notch double digit strikeouts over his two starts on the week, making him an excellent streaming option in shallow formats and an easy start in deeper leagues.

Clarke Schmidt, Yankees, RHP (@ Royals, @ Red Sox)

Schmidt has been pretty consistent through his first nine starts on the season, registering a 4.04 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and a 50/21 K/BB ratio over 49 innings of work. He has allowed more than three runs just one time thus far and has gone at least 5 2/3 innings six times. Even with Jac Caglianone in the fold, we aren’t scared of a matchup against the Royals in Kansas City, though the Red Sox over the weekend present a much tougher challenge. The good news is that he’s very unlikely to deliver a disaster outing and tilt your ratios in the wrong direction and he should contribute double digit strikeouts over his two starts. He’s an easy start for me in 15 team leagues and I’d probably roll with him in 12 team formats as well.

Shane Baz, Rays, RHP (@ Red Sox, @ Mets)

One of the most frustrating pitchers to roster in all of fantasy baseball, Baz just hasn’t been able to deliver consistent results despite his premium arsenal. He holds a miserable 4.96 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and a 60/23 K/BB ratio across 65 1/3 innings through his first 12 starts on the season and has allowed three earned runs or more in six of his last seven outings. Ouch. The peripherals show that he has been getting a bit unlucky perhaps with a 4.32 xERA and a 3.95 xFIP. It’s not going to get any easier this week with matchups against the Red Sox and Mets on tap, both of them on the road. I’d still have a hard time benching him in 15 team leagues given the strikeouts that he provides and the fact that he could turn things around at any time but I think I’m trying to get him on my bench if I have any viable alternative options in leagues that are 12 teams or fewer.

At Your Own Risk

Cade Povich, Orioles, LHP (vs. Tigers, vs. Angels)

Has Povich pitched well this season? No. Has he pitched well recently? Also no. Are the matchups at least in his favor? Well, one of them is. The Tigers have pounded left-handed pitching this season, but the Angels have struggled badly against southpaws. If he survives the first start, there’s at least an opportunity that he could provide something resembling a useful week from a fantasy perspective. I can’t see myself trusting him in most 12 teamers, but I could see avenues toward doing so in 15 team leagues if I was in a tough spot in wins and strikeouts and needed starts.

Brayan Bello, Red Sox, RHP (vs. Rays, vs. Yankees)

Bello has always been long on promise and short on results and things haven’t been any different through his first nine starts of the 2025 campaign. The 26-year-old hurler has made it through five innings just four times in those nine starts though, and only once since May 2. If he’s not going to pitch deep enough into the game to earn a victory and is a liability in strikeouts anyways, it’s difficult to see much value in rolling him out there for a two-start week. Combine that with a brutal matchup against the Yankees to finish things out and I just can’t see this as a spot that I would like to roll the dice next week.

Ryan Gusto, Astros, RHP (vs. White Sox, vs. Twins)

This one I’m actually a bit torn on. Sure, on paper a matchup against the White Sox looks incredibly appealing. The problem is that Gusto struggled his last time out against the Pirates, so no matchup is safe for him. He has been brutal over his last five appearances, posting an 8.04 ERA, 2.30 WHIP and a 16/13 K/BB ratio over 15 2/3 innings. There’s also the risk that the Astros simply send him back to Triple-A Sugar Land and give Brandon Walter a real shot in their starting rotation. If the matchup against the White Sox was the second start of the week, I wouldn’t even be considering it with how poorly he has pitched as of late. As it stands though, I do think he has some viability in 15 team leagues as he should provide solid strikeout totals with a shot at beating the White Sox.

Emerson Hancock, Mariners, RHP (@ Diamondbacks, vs. Guardians)

Despite the fact that he has pitched well in each of his last two starts, Hancock still sports a troublesome 5.19 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and a 38/17 K/BB ratio over 50 1/3 innings on the season. If the matchups were better or if he had a higher strikeout rate, I may have tried to give him a shot given how well he has pitched as of late, but having to battle the Diamondbacks in Arizona and then take on the Guardians doesn’t seem like a recipe for success. I’ll simply avoid this one.

National League

Strong Plays

Chris Sale, Braves, LHP (@ Brewers, vs. Rockies)

While he hasn’t been quite as dominant as he was during his Cy Young award-winning season in 2024, Sale has been very good through his first 13 starts on the year, posting a 2.93 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 96/23 K/BB ratio across 73 2/3 innings of work. The only place that he has hasn’t helped fantasy managers is in the win department, with just three victories to his name. There’s a good chance that changes this week, especially with a matchup against Chase Dollander and the Rockies on tap for the weekend. You should be starting Sale every week in 100% of leagues, so there’s no decision to be made here, just enjoy the extra production that comes from a two-start week plus a glorious date with the Rockies.

MacKenzie Gore, Nationals, LHP (@ Mets, vs. Marlins)

Add Gore to the list of very strong two-start options in the National League for the upcoming week while things look pretty bleak overall on the American League side. The 26-year-old southpaw has been outstanding through his first 13 starts on the season, registering a 2.87 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and a 108/22 K/BB ratio over 75 1/3 innings. The only thing he has been lacking is victories, with just three thus far, but if he keeps pitching like this those will come in due time. In fact, there’s a good chance that he tallies one on Sunday against the Marlins. Gore should be an automatic start every week in all leagues, so there’s no decision to be made here, just an added bonus in weekly leagues that he’ll toe the slab twice.

Merrill Kelly, Diamondbacks, RHP (vs. Mariners, vs. Padres)

Kelly has quietly pitched incredibly well this season. He has registered a 6-2 record, 3.43 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and a 72/19 K/BB ratio across 76 innings through his first 13 starts, and those numbers are skewed by one disastrous outing in which he allowed nine runs over 3 2/3 innings against the Yankees in New York in early April. While the Mariners and Padres are both good teams, both have struggled against right-handed pitching this season, so there’s no reason to fear either matchup. He gets the benefit of making both starts at home and should be a relatively large favorite to earn a win against Emerson Hancock in that first outing. Start Kelly with complete confidence in all formats for the upcoming week.

Eury Pérez, Marlins, RHP (@ Pirates, @ Nationals)

It’s not often that you’ll see a pitcher listed as a strong recommendation in his first start back from Tommy John surgery, but Eury Pérez is no ordinary pitcher. We haven’t seen him pitch in the big leagues since the 2023 season where he posted a stellar 3.15 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and a 108/31 K/BB ratio over 91 1/3 innings. Fortunately, he gets a soft landing in his return, taking on the hapless Pirates’ offense in Pittsburgh before battling the Nationals in Washington. He also shouldn’t be facing workload concerns in his first start back as he had a lengthy rehab assignment and got up over 80 pitches his last time out. It’s likely that Pérez is already stashed in most leagues, but if he’s available in yours run to the waiver wire and grab him immediately. Not only should he be started for this strong two-step, he should remain a fixture in your fantasy squad’s rotation for as long as he remains healthy.

Freddy Peralta, Padres, RHP (vs. Braves, vs. Cardinals)

Peralta has pitched very well through his first 13 starts on the season, compiling a 2.92 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and a 75/29 K/BB ratio over 71 innings while snagging five victories. He’s an every week start in all formats regardless of matchup, so you’re definitely going to want to have him in there for his upcoming two-start week. The Cardinals and Braves both rank in the upper half of the league against right-handed pitching, but that’s no reason to shy away from Peralta for the upcoming week. He should grab double digit strikeouts with the solid ratios that you have come to expect from him with a decent shot at landing a victory as well. It should be all systems go here.

Matthew Boyd, Cubs, LHP (@ Phillies, vs. Pirates)

The 34-year-old southpaw has been a wonderful surprise for the Cubs this season. The results have been terrific – a 5-3 record, 3.01 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 70/16 K/BB ratio over 68 2/3 innings – but he has also shown durability and remained healthy through his first 12 starts. The first matchup is a tough one, having to battle the Phillies on the road, but the reward is getting to take on the woeful Pirates at home with a strong chance at earning a victory. I’d be rolling Boyd out in all leagues for this two-start week.

Griffin Canning, Mets, RHP (vs. Nationals, vs. Rays)

Canning has been a terrific addition to the Mets’ rotation this season, going 6-2 with a 2.90 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and a 57/26 K/BB ratio over 59 innings through his first 12 starts. Aside from the elevated WHIP, that’s elite production from a player who was scooped up in the later rounds of fantasy drafts. He bounced back from a couple of rough outings to fire six shutout innings in a victory over the Dodgers in Los Angeles. He gets a much nicer assignment this week, getting to battle the Nationals and Rays at home. It’s probably due to scars that he has inflicted in the past, but I’m still not trusting Canning as an every week starter in single start weeks, it depends on the matchup, but for this strong two-step I’m using him in all formats wherever I possibly can.

Nick Pivetta, Padres, RHP (vs. Dodgers, @ Diamondbacks)

Pivetta has been a tremendous addition to the Padres’ rotation through his first 12 starts on the season, going 6-2 with a 3.16 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and a 76/19 K/BB ratio over 68 1/3 innings. He has had just two rough outings all season, one at Coors Field where he gave up six runs in four innings and another against the Giants his last time out where he surrendered five runs in six frames. He has earned enough trust that fantasy managers should roll with him on most weeks regardless of matchups, but I’ll admit that the two opponents may make it tough on him this week. There’s greater ratio risk than you would normally expect from Pivetta, but I don’t think I’m able to get away from him for a two-start week, even with the difficult matchups.

Decent Plays

Colin Rea, Cubs, RHP (@ Phillies, vs. Pirates)

The overall line for Colin Rea looks decent enough this season, posting a 3.59 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and a 43/17 K/BB ratio over 57 2/3 innings. He was terrific in Thursday’s victory over the Nationals, firing 5 1/3 innings of shutout baseball in a bulk relief role after Drew Pomeranz had worked the first. If that’s going to be a theme going forward, it definitely increases Rea’s win equity, as making it through five innings isn’t always his strong suit. If he can survive the start against the Phillies he gets rewarded with a dream matchup at home against the Pirates to finish the week. That’s more than enough for me to trot him out there in both 12 and 15 team leagues.

Mike Burrows, Pirates, RHP (vs. Marlins, @ Cubs)

Burrows had been profiled in this space last week as he was lined up to start twice, but the Pirates kept Paul Skenes on regular rest and pushed Burrows’ second start back a day. With a seven-game week on tap, that’s not going to happen this week. While he has struggled overall since joining the Pirates’ rotation, he’s coming off of his best start – striking out six batters over 5 1/3 scoreless innings in a victory over Astros. He draws a dream matchup to start the week getting to battle the hapless Marlins before finishing with a tough assignment against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Is the reward from that first start enough to roll him for both? That’s the million dollar question. Personally, I’d probably bet on the talent and roll the dice unless I was in a position where I needed to prioritize ratios above everything else.

Mitch Keller, Pirates, RHP (vs. Marlins, @ Cubs)

Keller has performed about as expected this season, posting a 4.13 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and a 61/20 K/BB ratio over 76 1/3 innings. The problem for fantasy purposes is that he has won just one ballgame. That’s not likely to change much with the Pirates’ offense backing him though he does draw a terrific matchup against the Marlins to open the week. While strikeouts aren’t his game, he should approach double digits in that department over his two starts making him a worthwhile streaming option wherever he may be available. If you have Keller rostered and aren’t starting him for a two-start week that includes the Marlins, there’s no reason to keep him around.

Quinn Priester, Padres, RHP (vs. Braves, vs. Cardinals)

Some fantasy managers may have given up on Priester after he was blasted for seven runs over 4 1/3 innings against the Cubs on May 2. That would have been a mistake, because since that day he has registered a scintillating 2.51 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and a 19/10 K/BB ratio over 32 1/3 innings. He has also been working in a bulk relief role much more often lately, which gives him a greater likelihood of earning a victory. We don’t like the matchups all that much, but with as well as Priester has been throwing the ball as of late he’s very unlikely to hurt your ratios while providing a decent shot at a win and a handful of strikeouts. I’d roll him out there in all 15 team leagues without hesitation and would probably deploy him in 12 team formats as well.

At Your Own Risk

Wade Miley, Reds, LHP (@ Guardians, @ Tigers)

With Hunter Greene (groin) landing on the injured list, Miley will have an opportunity to step into the Reds’ rotation this week. He made seven starts in the minor leagues before being called up, registering a cringe-inducing 8.84 ERA, 1.86 WHIP and a 15/4 K/BB ratio over 19 1/3 innings. Inconsistency should be expected as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery, but with matchups against the Guardians and Tigers on tap, there’s really no reason to roll this dice here this week. He could somehow last five innings with a lead in one of those starts and earn a win, but the likelihood of him crushing your ratios feels significantly higher.

Chase Dollander, Rockies, RHP (vs. Giants, @ Braves)

We’re going to continue the theme of keeping all Rockies’ two-starts down in the bottom section, as it hasn’t really failed us yet. Dollander has shown some promise this season, but he has also compiled a troublesome 6.26 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and a 39/21 K/BB ratio over 41 2/3 innings of work through his first nine starts. He gets one decent matchup against the Giants, but he has to face them at Coors Field, then finishes his week with a tough one against the Braves in Atlanta. If the only thing that you care about is strikeouts and you can handle the ratio damage, be my guest. I just can’t in good conscience recommend doing so.

Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers, LHP (@ Padres, vs. Giants)

Kershaw had been lined up to make two starts this past week, but the Dodgers decided to slide Justin Wrobleski into their rotation on Friday to give the rest of their starters an extra day of rest. There’s no guarantee that the same thing won’t happen again this week, so be prepared for the possibility of just getting the one start against the Padres in San Diego. That being said, Kershaw hasn’t really shown much through his first four starts to make you think that he should even be worthy of consideration – posting a 5.17 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and an 8/9 K/BB ratio over 15 2/3 innings. He’s not working deep into games and he isn’t striking anyone out. I get that he pitches for the Dodgers, but if you take the name and the Hall of Fame resume out of the equation and just look at the on-field performance this season, no one would be rostering Kershaw at the moment. I’m staying away from this one.

Andre Pallante, Cardinals, RHP (vs. Blue Jays, @ Brewers)

Pallante seems to be holding onto his spot in the Cardinals’ rotation by a thread after getting lit up for seven runs on seven hits over 4 1/3 innings against the Royals on Thursday. He hasn’t provided good ratios and he doesn’t strike many batters out, which makes him a poor streaming option in most circumstances. The only potential saving grace here is that the Blue Jays and Brewers have both struggled against right-handed pitching, so the likelihood of a blowup isn’t as high as it would normally be. That being said, the Royals also struggle against right-handers and just took him to task his last time out. As much as I try, I just can’t get behind this one.

Streamer City

Here are a couple of my hand-picked streaming options for the upcoming week that are readily available in most fantasy leagues. I’ll track these results throughout the season so you can see how my recommendations have performed.

American League

Colton Gordon, Astros, LHP (vs. White Sox - Wednesday 6/11)

While Colton Gordon has struggled through his first four starts with the Astros this season, a matchup against the White Sox feels like the perfect elixir to get his season back on track. As long as he's able to get through five innings, he should have a decent shot at earning a victory in this spot while delivering a handful of strikeouts, which makes him a nice streaming option in deeper leagues. Gordon is currently rostered in only two percent of all Yahoo leagues.

National League

Bryce Elder, Braves, RHP (vs. Rockies - Friday 6/13)

We're going to stick with attacking our favorite punching bags in the Rockies and we'll do so with a quality right-handed arm. Elder gets the added benefits of pitching at home and going up against Carson Palmquist which should increase his already high likelihood of earning a victory in this spot. It's a bit surprising to see that he's rostered in just seven percent of all Yahoo leagues given the strong matchup that he has on tap.

Last Week's Review

Ryan Gusto, Astros, RHP (vs. Pirates - Wednesday 6/4)

It was a rough one for Gusto against the Pirates this week, giving up three runs on eight hits while failing to get out of the fifth inning. We pride ourselves on getting much greater returns from our streaming recommendations and will strive to do better going forward. Apologies.

Cal Quantrill, Marlins, RHP (vs. Rockies - Wednesday 6/4)

Quantrill pitched decently in a losing effort against the Rockies, giving up two runs on five hits over five innings while striking out a pair. While it wasn't terrible, we were hunting for a victory here and didn't get it, so this was a disappointing result.

French Open 2025 semi-finals: Alcaraz battles past Musetti, Sinner v Djokovic to come – live

Musetti 1-1 Alcaraz* How can you be sponsored by Nike and turn up in beige and cream? Someone needs to ave a word wiv someone. Up 15-0, Alcaraz plays the shot he missed on break point, a spiteful forehand down the line, but at 40-15 a hopeful and, dare I say it, lazy drop, gives Musetti a sniff. For all the good it does him: a backhand falls long and the champ looks good. Of course he does.

Musetti 1-0 Alcaraz (*denotes server) A netted forehand gives Alcaraz 0-15, then a long backhand restores parity and a good point for each players takes us to 30-all; already Musetti is under pressure. And when Alcaraz wallops a forehand from the backhand corner to the Italian’s backhand corner – exactly the kind of shot we talked about earlier – he can’t control his response and must now face break point. Alcaraz quickly manipulates the rally to open a passing lane down the line … only to hit the net, a let-off for Musetti. And from there, he closes out a highly necessary hold.

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