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A New Era of Twins Catching Prospects

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - MARCH 19, 2026: Eduardo Tait #20 of the Minnesota Twins catches during the first inning of a Spring Breakout game against the Philadelphia Phillies at the Lee Health Sports Complex on March 19, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

With Ryan Jeffers set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason and Victor Caratini on a moveable two year contract, there is plenty of uncertainty at the Twins catcher position going forward. While I would LOVE to see Ryan Jeffers get an extension, it is entirely possible that he hits free agency this winter or is even traded at the deadline if things don’t go well for the Twins over the next month and a half.

A major league baseball team’s plans for the future are in a constant state of change, and with questions rising about the catcher position going forward, the Twins have acquired a trio of intriguing catching prospects over the past 12 months, providing balance to their farm system and giving the organization some flexibility behind the dish.

Eduardo Tait

We begin with the most well-known of the catching prospects, 19-year-old lefty Eduardo Tait, who was acquired at last year’s trade deadline along with Mick Abel for Jhoan Duran. He is my 4th ranked Twins prospect and checks in at No. 42 on MLB Pipeline’s top 100 MLB prospects.

Tait is one of just three teenage catchers to reach High-A this season, and while he is batting just .211 with a .712 OPS, there is elite power potential. Eduardo Tait posted a max EV of 113.8 MPH in Single-A last season, which is off the charts for his age. High fly ball rates and an ability to drive the ball to all fields give him the potential to be one of the most prolific power hitters in the world. Only three teenagers in all of minor league baseball are topping his 11 home runs this season.

Eduardo Tait is a free swinger who has ran extreme chase rates throughout the low minors. Hit tool development will be very interesting as Tait has shown flashes of strong contact skills over stretches of time, but lacks consistency in that area. As a hitter, Salvador Perez is the easy comp for Tait given the light-tower power and aggressive approach with solid contact skills.

He doesn’t run well, and defensively, the blocking and receiving is a work in progress. His arm is plus and he pairs it with strong pop times. It’s tough to tell how the defensive skills will develop at his age, but the bat looks like it will absolutely play. Tait is a long ways out, but with elite raw power already showing up in-game, he looks like a future big league slugger.

Enrique Jimenez

The offensive production of Enrique Jimenez has been a sweet surprise for the Twins since they acquired him in exchange for Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak last July. After putting up solid numbers in 2.5 seasons of rookie ball in the Tigers org, Jimenez made his Single-A debut shortly after joining the Twins system, and he exploded. He played 34 games in Fort Myers, slashing .283/.450/.540 with 8 homers and a 23.8% walk rate. At 20 years old, he just recently got the promotion to High-A Cedar Rapids, joining fellow catching prospect Eduardo Tait.

Enrique Jimenez is a stocky 5’9” catcher with limited athleticism but a well-rounded offensive profile. He has posted a max EV of 107.2 MPH this year and projects to develop average raw power while his lofty swing and strong pulled fly ball rates allow him to maximize his power output. With the amount of elevation he gets in his swing, some whiff is expected, but Jimenez ran well above-average contact rates in Single-A while his extreme patience and mature approach allowed him to walk more than he struck out.

Defensively, he has an average arm with promising defensive actions behind the dish, giving him a good chance to develop into a major-league caliber catcher if the bat can get there. There’s a more limited ceiling with Jimenez than there is with Tait, but he has already provided exceptional production for his age and has no significant concerns in his profile at the moment. Projects well as a number two catcher in the big leagues.

Miguel Caraballo

After signing with the Giants out of Venezuela in 2025 and posting a 135 wRC+ in his first pro season in the DSL, Miguel Caraballo was traded to the Twins in exchange for Daniel Susac, who was a Rule 5 pick by Minnesota earlier that day. At just 17 years old, Caraballo has continued his production in the Florida Complex this season, producing big power numbers as he pushes towards full-season ball.

Caraballo is more lean than the other two, possessing some playable athleticism behind the dish and on the bases. He has a quick-trigger swing with some big loft and good bat speed, very much geared for power. He has posted high walk rates in rookie ball despite some questions about his swing decisions. His hit tool is fringy at best, but the power has enough potential to carry his offensive profile.

Defensively, Caraballo’s receiving is a work-in-progress, but he has a good arm and plenty of time to develop the more technical aspect of the position. His athleticism gives him a higher ceiling there, and could potentially allow him to shift into a corner outfield spot if he doesn’t work out behind the plate. He is a long ways out, but nearing Single-A at just 17 years old. The excitement is beginning to build.

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Evaluating Sharks' trade for defenseman Michael Kesselring: ‘A very good gamble'

Evaluating Sharks' trade for defenseman Michael Kesselring: ‘A very good gamble' originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Editor’s note: Sheng Peng is a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.

DETROIT — Everybody agrees that Michael Kesselring had a tough season.

But what’s Kesselring at his best? Three NHL scouts couldn’t quite agree.

The Sharks acquired the 26-year-old defenseman from the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday, along with the No. 27 pick in the 2026 Draft, in exchange for the No. 20.

According to Puckpedia’s Perri Pick Value Calculator, the value difference between those seven first-round draft spots is roughly a mid-second rounder, meaning that Kesselring did not come cheaply to the Sharks.

This, despite just two assists in 34 games and many healthy scratches for Kesselring this past season.

But Kesselring is just 26, enjoyed a breakout 2024-25 campaign with the Utah Mammoth, and is a mobile 6-foot-5 right-hander. There’s not a lot of those in the NHL. That season, Kesselring saw the equivalent of second-unit power play usage and notched seven goals and 29 points, averaging 17:41 a night.

Can he return to that form…or be better for the Sharks?

“Has top-four potential,” Scout No. 1 said. “Good size, moves well, has some upside.”

There’s a reason why the Sabres wanted Kesselring, along with winger Josh Doan from the Mammoth, in a 2-for-1 swap last summer for point-per-game winger JJ Peterka.

Scout No. 2, however, isn’t as enamored with Kesselring: “Long. Third-pairing, certainly not second-pairing potential. Maybe he kills penalties?”

Per Stathletes, Kesselring had some turnover issues with the Mammoth in 2024-25, sporting a team defense-worst 5-on-5 Neutral Zone Turnovers Per 60. His Pass Completion percentage was also position-worst.

Those numbers were worse in Buffalo.

“Offensive vision is very average,” Scout No. 3 said. “He can get busy with the puck sometimes but wouldn’t consider him careless.”

This scout came in on the middle about Kesselring: “Ideally, he’s a bottom-pairing guy, but there is upside.”

What does he like?

“Big, mobile, and has a decent puck game with a heavy shot,” Scout No. 3 said. “Two-way guy for me. Can play on a second power play unit.”

Kesselring did lead Utah blueliners with 150 shots in 2024-25. And according to Stathletes, he paced this position in 5-on-5 Stretch Carries Per 60, which are puck carries of 30-or-more feet, along with Carries Leading to Shots, his or off his pass.

So Kesselring has clear ability with lugging and distributing the puck, but also must learn to be more reliable with it.

Defensively, Kesselring did lead that Mammoth defense in 5-on-5 Puck Battles Won Per 60, so he’s effective with his size.

All three scouts agree that Kesselring should be an improvement for what was a below-average Sharks defensive corps last season.

“He’s a clear upgrade over what they had last year,” Scout No. 3 said. “Makes them better, for sure.”

How much better?

Scout No. 3 thinks that Kesselring circa 2024-25 would’ve been San Jose’s third-best defenseman last year, behind Dmitry Orlov and Mario Ferraro, and ahead of John Klingberg, Vincent Desharnais, Sam Dickinson, Shakir Mukhamadullin, and company.

That’s faint praise.

But the Sharks have just two blueliners signed right now, Orlov and Dickinson, and now, a pair of RFA’s in Kesselring and Mukhamadullin.

So this is Kesselring’s chance to establish himself as an everyday NHL player…or not. Just don’t expect him to change the complexion of a San Jose defense that needs lots more help. He’s a very good gamble, that’s all.

“Like the player. Fills a need for the Sharks,” Scout No. 3 said. “Still has a good amount of upside.”

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Kentucky Wildcats News: Jayden Quaintance Stock Dropping Ahead of NBA Draft

We’re just a few days away from the NBA Draft, and there are multiple storylines headed into Monday.

Will AJ Dybantsa go #1? What will the Oklahoma City Thunder do with two picks in the top 20? Will one of the teams in the top 5 trade out?

But another notable storyline headed into the draft is Jayden Quaintance, who is seeing his stock continue to fall. Some mock drafts have the former Wildcat falling as low as 25th overall after once being viewed as a near-certain lottery pick.

24 players received a green-room invite for the draft, and Quaintance was notably left off the list.

Jeremy Woo from ESPN has Quaintance going 25th to the Los Angeles Lakers, and noted the questions about Quaintance’s medicals could cause teams to pass on him.

“He is unanimously viewed as a first-round talent and is drawing consideration as high as the teens, but where he ends up might be predicated on how team doctors individually view his case,” Woo wrote.

The potential is certainly there for Quaintance to come in and be a strong rim protector off the bat, with the ability to be a lob threat on the offensive end. His defensive ability and potential could be enough for a team to take a chance earlier in the first round, but it looks like Quaintance might have to wait a little bit to hear his name called if things continue at this pace.

Tweet of the Day

UK is making a sizable investment in its new AD.

Headlines

What international scouts are saying about Nikola Kusturica – KSR

A lot to like about Kusturica.

Details on J Batt’s UK Contract – Herald Leader

A lot of incentives on the table.

Zoom Diallo bringing energy, leadership – Vaughts Views

Good to see from Kentucky’s new point guard.

CFP leaders facing questions over 24-team field – ESPN

Will the SEC and Big Ten agree on a 24-team playoff?

Ronaldo and Portugal stunned in matchup with Congo – Bleacher Report

An impressive showing by the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Latest on the Protect College Sports Act – Yahoo Sports

Interesting read for those paying attention to this piece of legislation.

Could we actually see LeBron as a Warrior? – CBS Sports

I think he ultimately ends up back in LA, but it’s on the table.

U.S. Open Predictions – SI

Who do you have winning?

Burrow says Bengals remind him of 2019 LSU – ESPN

Burrow is feeling confident heading into the season.

Updated NBA Mock Draft – Yahoo

Will Dybantsa or Peterson be the #1 pick?

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'Perfect appointment' – fan views as McInnes becomes Rangers manager

Your opinions
[BBC]

Rangers fans, we asked for your views on the departure of Danny Rohl and appointment of Derek McInnes as manager.

Here's what some of you said:

Heather: A true, dyed in the wool Rangers man. McInnes is in the mould of the great Walter Smith. I haven't been this excited for a Rangers team or season in years. Bring on the 2026/27 season.

Kenneth: Well he won't last long at Rangers as it's a different club, team and a different set of expectations. Rangers are expected to win, Hearts try to play to win. I doubt he will last till Christmas. He will be sacked because it's Rangers.

Matthew: Perfect appointment. He feels like the exact thing we've been missing, and his Scottish and Rangers identity is something we've been crying out for. He has proven in Scottish football that he can get the best out of his players, and that he is tactically astute. The most optimistic I've been in a long time.

John: Thanks to Rohl for his work and efforts. He appeared to be a good man and wish him well on his development. We now have a Scottish manager and a Rangers man. I personally would like to see a squad with a heavy Scottish core, the difficulty is offloading those who are surplus to our requirements. If this can be done, we will have a trimmer squad and the means to focus expenditure. Cannot wait.

Michael: Definitely the right man for the job and hopefully an appointment the fans will be patient with. I think he will hit the ground running but with so many squad changes needed, there could still be early issues but McInnes will get it right given a few transfer windows

Dave: The third manager in 12 months, time for someone to be given a good run at it. Lower the expectations of instant success and build a good team. Only then can Rangers hope to make a realistic challenge. I think McInnes could be the man to do it.

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Did You Know: Seattle Has Already Retired A Jersey Number

​The Seattle Kraken’s off-season is underway, and while the Vegas Golden Knights fell to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Finals, it felt like a good time to launch a new series: Did you know?

​This collection will feature articles about the Seattle Kraken, with facts, stories, and interesting tidbits fans may not know—or remember. ​

The past five seasons have produced several memorable moments. But the most interesting statistic is that, before the inaugural season even kicked off, the team had retired a jersey number. ​

The number that hangs in the rafters at the Climate Pledge Arena is 32.

​The story behind the retired number is that Kraken fans made 32,000 ticket deposits on the team's first day of existence. ​The team honored its fans by placing the number in the rafters of Climate Pledge Arena before its inaugural game. ​

At the time, Seattle Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke shared a message with fans before the first game.

"You did it. And we will never, ever forget," Leiweke said to NHL.com. "And tonight, we will retire the number 32. We will never forget what you've done. We will always be reminded that jersey flies from the rafters of this beautiful arena, and we honor you."

​The Kraken went on to lose 4-2 to the Vancouver Canucks in their home opener, after falling 4-3 to the Vegas Golden Knights in their first NHL game.

​The number not only represents the fanbase but also reflects that the Seattle Kraken are the 32nd team in the National Hockey League, added in 2021-22.

​In the last five seasons, the team made the playoffs once, in 2022-23.​

Number 32 remains in the rafters of Climate Pledge Arena, though it was never worn by a Kraken player.

​Leiweke had one more message for Kraken fans on that historic day: “Let’s go, Kraken!”​


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2025-26 Season In Review: Kris Letang

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 26: Kris Letang #58 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates in the third period during the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 26, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Vitals

Player: Kris Letang
Born: April 27, 1987 (Age 39 season)
Height: 6’ 0”
Weight: 199 pounds
Hometown: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Shoots: Right
Draft: Third round, 2005 NHL Draft, No. 62 overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins
2025-26 Statistics: 74 games played, three goals, 31 assists, 34 total points, minus-4
Contract Status: Two years remaining on a six-year. $36.6 million contract with $6.1 million salary cap number

Story of the Season

Letang is the one member of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ big three that has really started to show signs of age and slowing down.

While Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were still big-time contributors in 2025-26 and providing the Penguins with great value with their contracts, Letang simply did not. He has lost a step in his game and has not yet really adjusted to that, still having moments where he tries to play the way he did at his peak. It is not a good combination. While there were still some moments and individual games where Letang could put everything together and play like Kris Letang, those moments were few and far between.

The good news: Some of those moments came in extremely clutch situations, scoring overtime game-winning goals against both the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets to help give the Penguins key points in their push for a playoff spot against teams they were competing with in the playoff race. The game-winning goal against Columbus in late November capped off a two-goal third period comeback win for the Penguins that was one of their best wins of the season (and also one of their two multiple goal come-from-behind wins in Columbus this season).

Monthly Splits

via Yahoo!

Letang had a solid start to the season in October, recording six points with a plus-8 rating in his first 12 games of the season. He also had a solid December with nine points in 14 games. But his November and March were both especially bad, both offensively and in terms of giving up goals, and played a big role in his overall down numbers for the season.

Regular season 5v5 advanced stats

Data via Natural Stat Trick. Ranking is out of 11 defensemen on the team who qualified by playing a minimum of 150 minutes.

Corsi For%: 48.8 (6th)
Goals For%: 49.1 (9th)
xGF%: 50.0 (9th)
Scoring Chance%: 48.6 (9th)
High Danger Scoring Chance%: 49.6 (9th)
5v5 on-ice shooting%: 9.8 (9th)
On-ice save%: .904 (5th)
Goals/60: 0.00 (11th)
Assists/60: 0.83 (7th)
Points/60: 0.83 (7th)

There is not a lot to love here about Letang’s perfomrance.

He did not score a single goal during 5-on-5 play, saw a serious drop in his playmaking with the assists, and was no longer an overly effective player in terms of driving position.

Making things even worse, he seemed to be the common denominator for a lot of his partner’s struggles.

Sam Girard was significantly better and more productive when he was not paired with Letang.

Ryan Shea was significantly better and more productive when he was not paired with Letang.

The only defenseman that seemed to have any meaningful success with Letang this season was Brett Kulak in their 278 minutes of 5-on-5 hockey together.

In other words, the 2025-26 season was finally the season that Kris Letang played like the player that his harshest critics always thought that he was. It only took 18 years, but it happened.

Charts n’at

This chart speaks to the above that the decline has been real for Letang. His decade+ days of being a quality No. 1 defenseman are a memory and his WAR ranking and offensive impact has been in sharp decline lately.

However, not all hope is gone. Letang can still move the puck within the offensive zone really well to create shot and chance assists. He is good with in-zone offense once the puck gets that far. Being so low in exit success rates with the inability to carry the puck as well as failing to deny entries and prevent chances defensively shows some areas that have become drastically limited for Letang in the aging process. He also somehow managed to score zero 5v5 goals this season, a bit of an anomaly considering he’s scored 4-10 5v5 goals each season since coming back from next surgery in 2017.

Even at an older age, Letang’s skating and burst is still reasonably good relative to the rest of the league. As a notorious workout/fitness freak, there’s no doubt that Letang is doing all that he can to keep his body in as top of shape as possible. Gotta give him a lot of credit for that, and all his endless work in the gym has certainly paid off to help him keep some power in his skating, even late in his career.

Highlights

Questions to Ponder

The two biggest questions regarding Letang are whether or not he can rebound in any way this season and find a way to be productive in a smaller role, and whether or not he will actually be on the team next season?

Letang has always seemed like the most likely of the big three to play elsewhere, and the Penguins might be open to moving him and his contract if the opportunity presents itself. That does not seem likely for a variety of reasons, ranging from Letang having a full no-movement clause and having the ability to veto any trade he does not want, as well as the fact there simply may not be a huge market for a 39-year-old defenseman counting more than $6 million per season against the salary cap and coming off arguably the worst season of his career.

Ideal 2026-27

It still seems likely that Letang will be a Penguin, but he is going to need to adjust his style of play and his role is going to need to change. He does not need to be the focal point of the defense or be the player pushing the pace of play, mostly because he does not really possess the skating or skills to do that anymore. If he can play an 18-minute per night role in more sheltered situations, while chipping in the occasional 5-on-5 goal, there might still be something here that they can use. He just needs to know his limitations. The Penguins also need to know his limitations.

Bottom line

Letang is a giant in Penguins history and one of the best, most important players to play for the franchise. There may have been a handful of better defensemen to briefly play for the Penguins (Paul Coffey, for example), but Letang has had the greatest career of any Penguins defensemen with the Penguins. He has won three Stanley Cups here, scoring a game-winning goal in a Stanley Cup clinching game, and consistently been one of the best overall defensemen in the NHL. He is a borderline Hall of Famer. All of that will always be important, even if he is not that version of himself at this stage of his career.

Pensburgh Grade: D+

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2026 NBA mock draft: AI predicts every pick from the first round

There might still be a debate about the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The early consensus centered around BYU's AJ Dybantsa. The analytics reportedly favored Duke's Cameron Boozer. The speculation has now shifted to Dybantsa or Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, or perhaps all three still being considered, with less than a week until the Washington Wizards are officially on the clock with the first selection of the draft.

But AI hasn't wavered in terms of the top of the 2026 draft class. Since the draft lottery was conducted last month, and the Wizards, Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies wound up with the top three picks, Microsoft Copilot's AI chatbot has consistently churned out the same prospects for those first three choices when prompted by USA TODAY Sports.

The same is not true for most picks outside of the top four prospects (Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer and North Carolina's Caleb Wilson). There was again a shift in selections made in the first AI mock draft since the conclusion of the NBA Finals, particularly in the latter half of the first half, based on the latest intel.

Here's a breakdown of Microsoft Copilot AI's latest 2026 NBA mock draft, including the chatbot's reasoning for making each first-round pick:

NBA: Are Knicks favored to repeat? Early odds to win 2027 title

2026 NBA mock draft by USA TODAY Sports

You can compare AI's picks to the latest USA TODAY 2026 NBA mock draft by clicking here.

2026 NBA mock draft: AI picks entire first round

USA TODAY Sports asked Microsoft Copilot AI to generate a mock draft for the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft featuring only players eligible this year now that the NBA draft withdrawal deadline passed for college players. The chatbot was asked to base its selections on current mock drafts from reputable websites, as well as the latest intel on team needs, prospect analysis, pre-draft workouts and the most up-to-date draft withdrawal news.

Note: AI models still have issues with accuracy as seen in the mock draft below. Of particular note, Microsoft Copilot needed additional prompts after several picks were inaccurately assigned to teams. The average mock draft pick referenced for each player was compiled by USA TODAY Sports using 13 of the latest mock drafts from national websites around the country, including USA TODAY.

1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, BYU

  • Average mock draft pick: 1
  • AI analysis: "A franchise-caliber scoring wing with elite shot creation tools, Dybantsa gives Washington the highest ceiling player in the class."

2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, Kansas

  • Average mock draft pick: 2
  • AI analysis: "A dynamic lead guard with two-way upside, Peterson offers Utah a primary initiator to build around long term."

3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer, Duke

  • Average mock draft pick: 3
  • AI analysis: "Boozer’s polished offensive game and physicality make him a plug-and-play frontcourt centerpiece."

4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson, North Carolina

  • Average mock draft pick: 4
  • AI analysis: "Wilson’s defensive versatility and upside swing potential fits a Chicago team in talent acquisition mode."

5. Los Angeles Clippers: Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas

  • Average mock draft pick: 6
  • AI analysis: "Acuff brings explosive scoring and on-ball creation as a potential franchise point guard in a high-leverage slot."

6. Brooklyn Nets: Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville

  • Average mock draft pick: 7
  • AI analysis: "Brown’s scoring burst and rising pre-draft momentum make him one of the top offensive guard bets."

7. Sacramento Kings: Kingston Flemings, Houston

  • Average mock draft pick: 8
  • AI analysis: "With multiple guards in the same tier, Flemings gives Sacramento a high-upside playmaker without needing to trade up."

8. Atlanta Hawks: Nate Ament, Tennessee

  • Average mock draft pick: 10
  • AI analysis: "Ament’s size, shot creation and upside fit cleanly next to Jalen Johnson as Atlanta prioritizes building around versatile forwards and wing-driven offense."

9. Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries, Arizona

  • Average mock draft pick: 9
  • AI analysis: "Burries adds perimeter scoring and secondary playmaking to complement Cooper Flagg as Dallas reshapes its offensive hierarchy."

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Keaton Wagler, Illinois

  • Average mock draft pick: 5
  • AI analysis: "Wagler gives Milwaukee a needed infusion of shot creation as it balances contention with long-term backcourt planning."

11. Golden State Warriors: Aday Mara, Michigan

  • Average mock draft pick: 11
  • AI analysis: "Mara’s size and rim protection provide Golden State with a developmental anchor for its evolving frontcourt."

12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Hannes Steinbach, Washington

  • Average mock draft pick: 16
  • AI analysis: "Steinbach’s skill and versatility fit Oklahoma City’s model of adding multi-dimensional, high-IQ frontcourt players."

13. Miami Heat: Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan

  • Average mock draft pick: 12
  • AI analysis: "Lendeborg’s toughness and readiness align with Miami’s preference for plug-and-play contributors."

14. Charlotte Hornets: Labaron Philon, Alabama

  • Average mock draft pick: 15
  • AI analysis: "Philon gives Charlotte another dynamic guard to complement its fast-paced, offense-first identity."

15. Chicago Bulls: Cameron Carr, Baylor

  • Average mock draft pick: 17
  • AI analysis: "Carr’s athleticism and scoring upside give Chicago another developmental wing to grow with its young core."

16. Memphis Grizzlies: Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan

  • Average mock draft pick: 13
  • AI analysis: "Johnson adds physicality and rebounding to a Memphis roster that values frontcourt toughness and depth."

17. Oklahoma City Thunder: Karim Lopez, New Zealand Breakers (NBL)

  • Average mock draft pick: 14
  • AI analysis: "Lopez offers long-term upside and positional flexibility as Oklahoma City continues to stockpile versatile talent."

18. Charlotte Hornets: Chris Cenac Jr., Houston

  • Average mock draft pick: 20
  • AI analysis: "Cenac strengthens Charlotte’s interior defense as it builds out a more balanced roster."

19. Toronto Raptors: Dailyn Swain, Texas

  • Average mock draft pick: 22
  • AI analysis: "Swain’s two-way profile fits Toronto’s continued emphasis on length, defense and position-less basketball."

20. San Antonio Spurs: Jayden Quaintance, Kentucky

  • Average mock draft pick: 21
  • AI analysis: "Quaintance’s defensive ceiling and physical tools align with San Antonio’s patient developmental timeline."

21. Detroit Pistons: Bennett Stirtz, Iowa

  • Average mock draft pick: 18
  • AI analysis: "Stirtz provides steady playmaking and leadership to help organize Detroit’s young roster."

22. Philadelphia 76ers: Ebuka Okorie, Stanford

  • Average mock draft pick: 24
  • AI analysis: "Okorie adds scoring punch and guard depth for a Philadelphia team still prioritizing offensive firepower."

23. Atlanta Hawks: Christian Anderson, Texas Tech

  • Average mock draft pick: 19
  • AI analysis: "Anderson gives Atlanta another shot-creator to complement its evolving wing-driven approach around Jalen Johnson."

24. New York Knicks: Allen Graves, Santa Clara

  • Average mock draft pick: 23
  • AI analysis: "Graves’ versatility and feel project well into a complementary role for a Knicks team focused on depth."

25. Los Angeles Lakers: Koa Peat, Arizona

  • Average mock draft pick: 25
  • AI analysis: "Peat’s size and scoring upside offer the Lakers a developmental forward with long-term potential."

26. Denver Nuggets: Henri Veesaar, North Carolina

  • Average mock draft pick: 27
  • AI analysis: "Veesaar provides Denver with a skilled backup center option to support its frontcourt rotation."

27. Boston Celtics: Meleek Thomas, Arkansas

  • Average mock draft pick: 26
  • AI analysis: "Thomas adds another scoring guard to Boston’s rotation, reinforcing its depth and offensive versatility."

28. Minnesota Timberwolves: Isaiah Evans, Duke

  • Average mock draft pick: 28
  • AI analysis: "Evans’ shooting and wing scoring bolster Minnesota’s perimeter offense."

29. Cleveland Cavaliers: Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State

  • Average mock draft pick: 30
  • AI analysis: "Jefferson’s energy and versatility give Cleveland a flexible piece in the frontcourt."

30. Dallas Mavericks: Tarris Reed Jr., UConn

  • Average mock draft pick: 29 (appeared in 11/13 mock drafts)
  • AI analysis: "Reed adds interior size and rebounding to support a Dallas core headlined by Cooper Flagg."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA mock draft 2026: AI predicts entire first round of NBA draft

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Peeved NYC students, teachers, parents beg mayor to cancel school for Knicks parade: ‘This is once in a lifetime’

(Main) Knicks fans. (Inset) Sebastian Crosa.
Sebastian Crosa, 12, from Brooklyn, launched a Change.org petition, garnering over 3,000 signatures, begging Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the New York Department of Education to cancel school on June 18, amid the state Regents exams, allowing students, teachers and parents to attend the historic Knicks parade in celebration of their 2026 NBA Championship win.

While the Knicks are on parade, Sebastian Crosa will be working to get the grade. 

Rather than lining the streets of lower Manhattan Thursday — whooping for the 2026 NBA Champions, led by Jalen Brunson, Karl Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and his favorite player, Josh Hart — the middle schooler, 12, will be one of the thousands of devastated kids and teachers stuck inside classrooms due to the statewide Regents exams. 

The ticker-tape spectacle begins at 10 a.m., with tip-off near Battery Park before moving up Broadway through the Canyon of Heroes to City Hall, where Mayor Zohran Mamdani will present the Knicks with keys to the city. 

Sebastian Crosa, a 12-year-old Knicks superfan, is begging city and state officials to cancel school on June 18, allowing students to attend the monumental Knicks parade. Courtesy The Crosa Family

Follow The Post’s live updates from the Knicks Championship parade for the latest city chaos, celeb sightings and sports reaction.

It’s a sight that Crosa likely won’t be able to see in person. 

“It’s upsetting because, obviously, we’ve been waiting for this moment a long time,” Crosa, a Brooklyn public school student, exclusively told The Post. “The parade is really important, and everyone should be able to experience it.”

The seventh grader, with a bleeding heart of blue and orange, launched a Change.org petition this week, imploring Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mamdani and the state Department of Education to “cancel NYC schools on June 18 to allow students, educators, and all proud New Yorkers to participate in the parade and revel in this rare and momentous occasion.”

The Knicks secured a historic victory Sunday, trampling the Spurs to be crowned the 2026 NBA Champions. Charles Wenzelberg / NY Post

Crosa, who told The Post he only expected to receive 100 signatures in support of his plight, has garnered over 3,100 endorsements from equally outraged basketball buffs, hoping the powers-that-be have a last-minute change of heart.  

But the tween’s formal plea — drafted mere moments after the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs Sunday, reclaiming the title of world champs for the first time since 1973 — comes as a long shot following Mamdani’s announcement that class, as well as the Regents, will undoubtedly be in session during the ticker-tape festivities. 

“I know that many New Yorkers have built their entire lives around this team,” Mamdani said Monday. “And for our students … I will still encourage them to be studying hard for their Regents exam.”

The standardized end-of-course tests are given to high schoolers in grades 9 through 12 as a requirement for graduation. 

And while Crosa won’t be taking the exam this year, the Knicks fanatic is expected to be in his assigned seat for a full day of learning Thursday — unless, of course, his petition causes a buzzer-beater miracle the likes of Anunoby’s breathtaking Game 4 winning score. 

“I know it might be difficult for them to cancel school [or reschedule] the tests at this point, but I figured the petition was worth a shot,” said the tenacious tyke, a self-crowned “leader” among his peers. “The whole city needs this and wants this. So somebody had to do it.”

Colleen and husband Eduardo wish their boys were free to enjoy the hoopla this Thursday. Courtesy The Crosa Family
Students, such as Crosa, are expected to attend a full day of school on Thursday, as statewide Regents testing will be underway. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Colleen, 47, mom to Crosa and younger brother Lucas, 10, says she’s proud her eldest boy is “fighting for what he believes in,” but “disappointed” that he and other students have to fight for their right to party in the first place. 

“This generation of kids has gone through a lot of historical events and moments that have been difficult,“ said Colleen, a clinical psychologist. “This is a historical moment of joy, unity and perseverance that they can finally celebrate.

“While I don’t think that these [parade and school scheduling] decisions were made lightly or without thoughtfulness, I am disappointed.”

Crosa told The Post he’s stunned his petition received so many signatures from supporters and fellow Knicks enthusiasts near and far. Courtesy The Crosa Family

She and her Knicks-loving family are not alone. 

Peeved parents and educators alike are echoing Crosa’s day-off appeal across the internet. 

“This message is for Zohran Mamdani,” began one Knicks extremist, an NYC teacher known exclusively online as @Subwayratmom, in her cyber supplication. “Zo…I feel that you, as the mayor, have the power to either cancel school, cancel Regents or move the parade. 

“We have to teach until June 26, and that’s a really long time in teacher years,” she continued. “And we’re ready to be outside.” 

Sharon, a mother whose daughter will be neck-deep in Regents testing while more than 1.25 tons of confetti fill the Big Apple skies, separately begged, “Due to this win, all the kids and adults would like to be at the parade. Reschedule the Regents, please.”

Molly Vozick-Levinson, 39, a director at a private preschool in Manhattan, isn’t bound by the do’s and don’ts of the DOE, nor are her students — some of whom are still in diapers — being forced to take state exams. 

Still, the lifelong Knicks lover tells The Post that it’s “irresponsible” for city and state officials to “tempt” students to skip the Regents by scheduling the parade on a school day. 

Molly Vozick-Levinson, a preschool executive, plans to ditch her desk early Thursday in hopes for a glimpse at Brunson and the Knicks on parade. Courtesy of Molly Vozick-Levinson

“Some kids might be tempted to skip their exams, because they think that they might fail anyway,” said Vozick-Levinson. “It’s a huge temptation: ‘If you skip your exams, making the wrong choice for your education, you will get to do something fun.’

“That just seems irresponsible to me,” said the administrator, admitting, however, that she plans to skip out of work early to revel in the fanfare. “I just want to breathe the same air as the New York Knicks. If I get a glimpse of at least one Knick, I’ll be so happy.”

Laverne Mickens, 53, a fourth-grade teacher and Brooklyn native, not only agrees that locals should skip out on their responsibilities, but she’s encouraging it. 

“Take state exam or see the Knicks parade — like, are you serious?” said Mickens, whose husband, Cory, will be in attendance while she cares for their disabled sons. “Skip school and call out of work — this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Mickens urges New Yorkers to skirt their duties and attend the “once-in-a-lifetime” parade. Courtesy of Laverne Mickens

“The last time they won, I’d just been born 53 years ago,” Mickens, a college scholarship specialist, raved. “You don’t know if they’re going to win next year, or if this will ever happen again. 

“You better go to that parade.”

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Here’s how to watch the Knicks ticker-tape parade live for free at home

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An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Knicks celebrate after defeating the Spurs to win the NBA Championship, Image 2 shows New York Knicks fans celebrate in Times Square

The NBA championship celebrations are nowhere near over, as New York Knicks will take part in a time-honored NYC tradition for the first time in franchise history.

A ticker-tape parade will be thrown in honor of the champs up downtown NYC’s iconic Canyon of Heroes, where many other championship teams have been celebrated throughout the year. It could end up being the largest in the city’s history.

Follow The Post’s live updates from the Knicks Championship parade for the latest city chaos, celeb sightings and sports reaction.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the parade‘s date shortly after Game 5’s final buzzer on Saturday. In a later press release, the mayor said, “We have dreamed of this moment for generations. This Thursday, our city will rise to the occasion.”

knicks ticker-tape parade: what to know
  • When: June 18, 10 a.m. ET
  • Where: Canyon of Heroes (New York, New York)
  • Channel: CBS, NBC, FOX 5, ABC7 New York
  • Streaming: DIRECTV (try it free)

It’ll be sunny and slightly humid as the team makes its way up Broadway on floats (and a custom truck, in Mitchell Robinson’s case). In addition to every member of the championship team and coaching staff, the floats will also feature past Knicks icons Walt “Clyde” Frazier and Patrick Ewing.

Some celebrity row mainstays, like Spike Lee and Ben Stiller (who confirmed to Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart that he and HBO are working together on a documentary about this season), will be in attendance as well.

Following the parade, the team will receive the keys to the city from Mayor Mamdani in a ceremony at City Hall. The TV voice of the Knicks, Mike Breen, will emcee the ceremony; Alicia Keys is set to close it out with a performance of “Empire State of Mind.”

When is the NY Knicks championship parade? What time does the Knicks parade start at?

Today’s (June 18) Knicks ticker-tape championship parade is expected to begin around 10 a.m. ET.

Knicks championship parade TV channels

If you live in the New York area, you can watch coverage of the Knicks ticker-tape parade on all local news networks — CBS New York, NBC New York, FOX 5 and ABC7 New York — in addition to the Knicks’ TV home, MSG Network.

How to watch the NY Knicks championship parade for free

DIRECTV is our favorite service for watching TV live for free. Right now, you can take advantage of a five-day free trial before saving $30 on your first month. We recommend the Choice plan, which includes all of the local news and sports networks like MSG as part of its 125+ channels.

TRY DIRECTV FOR FREE

If you live outside of the New York area, you can tune in to the Knicks championship parade using the NBC New York News channel with a Peacock Premium Plus ($16.99/month) subscription.

Knicks championship parade route

The Knicks championship parade will start around Battery Park and travel about one mile north up Broadway. The parade will end at City Hall, where a ceremony will take place afterward.

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Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.

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Islanders News: Prospect scrimmage, anyone?

“You’re all worthless and weak!” | Getty Images

I read something recently quoting somebody else who said your favorite World Cup (the soccer version) is the one that happens when you’re about 8-13 years old or so, because it’s when things still feel magical but before you grasp how cynical and corrupt FIFA is and how the world is in general.

All that aside, if you appreciate soccer at all, then the World Cup — even this bloated, peace-prize-for-toddler-favors version — is still fun as hell, for the coming together of cultures sharing party moments in celebration of a stupid game. Scots taking over Fenway Park, Uzbeks bouncing in a small group surrounded by tens of thousands of Colombians. A DR Congo fan standing still for the entirety of each match. Tourney favorite Spain running into Cabo Verde having its 2010 Jaro Halak moment. Jerry Jones keeling over somewhere, hopefully. (No?)

It will for sure pacify me until the NHL draft and free agency begins, at least.

There’s not a whole lot of news on that front just yet, but it’s coming, surely.

(P.S. Thanks to all for the encouraging words on Bear and the fun nerding out on handedness in Wednesday’s thread.)

Islanders News

Hockey’s just around the corner! Sort of not really but kind of. The prospect camp Blue-White scrimmage is on July 1, and maybe Gavin McKenna will be there after we trade Bailey, Donovan and a 5th to get him. [Isles]

Elsewhere

  • The Knights have hired their latest coach, promoting their AHL guy. [NHL]
  • And in their benevolence, they actually allowed fired coach Bruce Cassidy to talk to one team. [Sportsnet]
  • However, that team was the Maple Leafs, who just hired former Kings coach (and Isles assistant) Jim Hiller. Son of Bourne talks himself into thinking that’s a fine hire. [Sportsnet]
  • Hiller vows to make the Leafs fun again. [Sportsnet]
  • TRADE: Buffalo moved up from 27 to 20 in the draft by sending Michael Kesselring to San Jose. [NHL]
  • Jamie Langenbrunner joins the Predators’ new front office. [TSN]

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Cavs 2026 mock draft roundup: Cleveland could be targeting a Spanish wing

VALENCIA, SPAIN - APRIL 30: Sergio de Larrea of Valencia Basket gestures during the EuroLeague Play Off Game 2 match between Valencia Basket and Panathinaikos Aktor Athens at Roig Arena on April 30, 2026 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo By Irina R. Hipolito/Europa Press via Getty Images) | Europa Press via Getty Images

The NBA Draft is barreling closer to us. The Cleveland Cavaliers have the 29th pick in this year’s draft. Let’s take a look at who the experts have them taking in our latest mock draft roundup.

Yahoo Sports – Sergio De Larrera

Kevin O’Connor’s latest mock draft has the Cavs opting for the 6’5” 20-year-old out of Spain. O’Connor writes:

Keon Ellis and Dean Wade will be free agents this summer, and Max Strus will be in one year. It may be time for the Cavaliers to get a wing — one with more skill — in the developmental pipeline alongside Jaylon Tyson. De Larrea is a tall playmaking guard with major feel and a knockdown jumper who thrives within team concepts. He suffered a dislocated shoulder that ended his 2024-25 season and removed him from draft boards, but it ended up a blessing in disguise since he returned with a bigger role and stronger production for a great team in the EuroLeague. With size, smarts, and defensive versatility, he could carve out a role in the NBA if his international skill can translate.

De Larrea played 28 league games for Valencia this past season. He averaged 9.7 points, 3.7 assists, and three rebounds per game in 18.3 minutes per outing. He did this on .443/.407/.833 shooting splits.

The question here is fit. The Cavs need more options on the wing — no one will argue with that — but they preferably need ones that are 6’7” or over. The Cavs have plenty of undersized wings that are naturally shooting guards, but can shift up to the three. They don’t have anyone whose best position is the three. Even Wade, their starting small forward in the playoffs, is best suited to play a different position.

De Larrea could be the best prospect available at this spot, but it’s fair to wonder whether this team needs another undersized wing.

ESPN – Tarris Reed Jr.

Jeremy Woo has the Cavs taking a 22, 6’11 center from UConn. Woo writes:

After making a strong case for himself by putting up three 20-plus-point games in the NCAA tournament, Reed has built momentum on the workout circuit and is trending toward the late first round. His mix of length, physical heft, rebounding instincts and offensive skill make him an appealing plug-and-play role player, and he should appeal to contending teams.

Frontcourt depth is an obvious area of need for the Cavs as they try to maximize their current window, making this an intriguing fit.

Reed averaged 14.7 points and nine rebounds per game while shooting 60.7% from the field for the Huskies.

Having another big would be incredibly useful. The Cavs haven’t really had a competent third center in the Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley era. Reed could be the answer, although it’s fair to point out that he wouldn’t be the cleanest fit.

Ideally, you’d want a third big who could play alongside both Allen and Mobley. For a big to be able to do that, they would need to be able to space the floor offensively. Reed doesn’t do that. He’s taken just seven triples in 136 college games. And as a 58.2% free-throw shooter, it doesn’t seem like this is an untapped skill.

Reed is a good and talented player. He just might not be the most ideal archetype for a backup big, which is becoming a theme in this latest round of mock drafts.

Bleacher Report – Sergio de Larrea

Jonathan Wasserman also has the Cavs taking De Larrea. Wasserman writes:

Sergio de Larrea is currently producing for Valencia in the EuroLeague playoffs, which is why he couldn’t attend the combine.

He’s now put together consecutive years of accurate three-point shooting and strong playmaking rates, and is sure to draw first-round consideration.

Shooting and playmaking are things the Cavs could use. This may be the best bet from a talent perspective. However, it would be nice if the Cavs had more people on the roster between 6’7” and 6’9”.

As of now, it seems like momentum is picking up for De Larrea to be the Cavs’ selection late in the first round.

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Has David Bednar shaken off his early struggles?

Jun 4, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher David Bednar (53) pitches against the Cleveland Guardians during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Things are going well for the Yankees right now, all things considered. Even though the team is without their top hitter in Aaron Judge and one of their top pitchers in Max Fried, alongside a few other regulars in the lineup that could really be helping them out. Despite this, they’re sitting in first place in the AL East with the best record in the AL overall and have won four straight and eight of their last ten games. The team is rallying much like the 2019 team did when they were besieged by injuries, and they’ve gotten key improvements from some early slumpers.

One such area that the team has gotten a boost from has been the back of the bullpen, with David Bednar having not allowed a single run since exactly a month ago on May 18th. The Yankee closer has gotten into eight appearances since then, pitching 8.2 scoreless innings and striking out 11 while walking three and giving up four hits. His ERA has gone from north of five to a more stable 3.64 mark in the meantime, and outside of his multi-inning outing on June 8th Bednar has only been pushed into 20 pitches or more once during this stretch. The only knock you could give against his performance is that only three of these outings have been save opportunities, with one seeing Bednar enter in a tie game and the rest being big leads, but Bednar has converted all three of those saves and he earned the win in that tie game that went into extras.

The bullpen has been the weak spot of the roster all season, and Bednar’s sharp form would be a welcome reprieve from sweating out the Houdini acts he’s put the team through in the first couple of months on top of the other pain points in the ‘pen. One nice stretch of play might not be enough to shake the memories of Bednar’s tightrope act though, especially when shades of it could be seen in his last outing against Toronto when he was set up with a five-run lead but made it a little hairy with two loud pieces of contact to put runners on second and third. Bednar escaped that jam without any damage of course, but had that been a tighter contest I think it’s fair to say we’d all have been sweating as soon as the inning led off with a hit. On top of that, Bednar has only been put into back-to-back games twice during this run, and the second time it occurred is where the drama could’ve kicked off had the offense not erupted in the top of the inning.

There’s still a fair amount of pitchers in the bullpen that cause stress every time they take the mound this season, but as of late Bednar hasn’t been one of them. The team will be looking for reinforcements over the course of the next month or two, and the ‘pen is a prime candidate to see a couple of new faces, but Bednar’s recent play should keep him firmly in control of the closer’s role. Should the team be comfortable with that and look to add to their bridge to Bednar, or should they still consider swinging big for an arm that could step into the role should Bednar get into a funk again? Let us know what you think.

Before the Yankees go for the sweep tonight, we’ve got a full slate of stuff going on here. Josh starts us off with a look at the new AL MVP landscape with Aaron Judge all but guaranteed to fall short this time and Shohei Ohtani over in the NL now. Then Matt covers the Rivalry Roundup with the Rays crucially getting swept by the Dodgers, Jeff wishes one-time Yankee Félix Heredia a happy birthday, and Jonathan examines Gerrit Cole’s first five starts of the season to see how the former Cy Young winner has adapted post-Tommy John. John makes the case for Jasson Domínguez to hit leadoff for the Yankees, and Sam outlines what success would look like for Spencer Jones’ rookie season to round things out.

Today’s Matchup

New York Yankees vs. Chicago White Sox

Time: 7:05 p.m. EST

Video: YES Network, Chicago Sports Network

Venue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY

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Brett Callahan and John Peck keep hitting in SeaWolves’ loss

Rochester Red Wings 6, Toledo Mud Hens 5 (F/11)(box)

The Mud Hens battled through a bullpen game only to run out of pitching in the 11th inning, losing via walkoff to the Red Wings.

Woo-Suk Go got the start and went two innings. He surrendered a pair of runs on four hits and a walk, striking out five.

The Hens turned the tables pretty quickly. In the top of the fourth, Max Anderson led off with a walk and Eduardo Valencia doubled him to third with one out. Anderson scored on a Trei Cruz ground out, and Corey Julks singled in Valencia to tie the game.

In the fifth, Jace Jung led off with his 11th homer and two batters later, Cal Stevenson followed suit for a 4-2 lead.

Unfortunately the offense ran out of steam after that, and the bullpen leaked a run in the sixth and Matt Seelinger blew the save in the bottom of the ninth.

In the 10th, with Tyler Gentry starting at second base, Cal Stevenson flew out to right field, allowing Gentry to tag and take third, where he’d score on a wild pitch. That was all they’d get, and Seelinger couldn’t prevent the run in the bottom half. The Hens failed to push across a run in the 11th, and Gentry had to pitch, allowing a walkoff single on a 37 mph slider.

Jung: 2-4, R, RBI, HR, K

Valencia: 2-4, R, 2B, BB

Go: 2.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, BB, 5 K

Coming Up Next: The series is tied up heading into a 6:45 p.m. ET start on Thurday.

Harrisburg Senators 11, Erie SeaWolves 6 (box)

Former Tigers prospect Josh Randall spun a solid game against the SeaWolves on Wednesday, while Lael Lockhart Jr.’s outing fell apart late and the bullpen collapsed.

The SeaWolves did strike first, as singles from Justice Bigbie, Izaac Pacheco, and Aaron Antonini produced a run in the second inning.

Meanwhile, Lockhart rolled through the first three innings without much trouble, but he allowed a solo shot in the fourth and then three more runs in the fifth. Chris Meyers answered back with his third home run in his last three games in the sixth, but Wandisson Charles allowed two runs in the bottom half for a 6-2 lead.

In the seventh, the SeaWolves made a bigger push as Antonini led off with a double and scored on a one-out triple to the wall in center from Brett Callahan. John Peck doubled in Callahan to make it a 6-4 game, but that was all they’d get.

Meyers doubled and scored in the eighth, and Peck tripled and scored on a Bigbie ground out in the top of the ninth, but Tyler Owens gave up a run in the seventh and then four runs in the eighth as the Senators pulled away.

Peck: 3-5, R, RBI, 2B, 3B, K

Meyers: 2-3, 2 R, RBI, 2B, HR, 2 BB

Callahan: 2-5, R, RBI, 3B, K

Pacheco: 1-3, 2 BB, 2 K

Lockhart (L, 1-1): 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 2 K

Coming Up Next: The series is tied, with first pitch on Thursday set for 6:30 p.m. ET.

West Michigan Whitecaps vs. Lansing Lugnuts (cancelled)

They were washed out in West Michigan on Wednesday and the game cancelled. It’s a 6:45 p.m. ET start on Thurday night.

Dunedin Blue Jays 9, Lakeland Flying Tigers 5 (box)

The Flying Tigers swung the bats pretty well on Wednesday, but the pitching wasn’t there as the Blue Jays made it two in a row.

Cash Kuiper got the start, and he gave up a run in the first and two more in the third. In the bottom of the second, Anibal Salas and Jack Goodman singled and both scored on Hunter Dobbins triple. Jordan Yost was hit by a pitch, stole second, and scored on a Nick Dumesnil single in the third.

So it was all tied up at that point and stayed that way until the sixth when Salas smoked a drive over the right field wall for his fifth home run.

Unfortunately, in the seventh Antonio Florida and then Jan Carabello combined to surrender five runs as the Blue Jays seized control for good.

Beau Ankeney added a solo shot, his eighth on the year, in the eighth inning. Jatnk Diaz was wild in the ninth and gave up a run before this one ended.

Salas: 3-4, 2 R, RBI, 2B, HR, K

Kuiper: 3.1 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 6 H, BB, 4 K

Coming Up Next: They’ll match up again at 11:00 a.m. ET on Thursday.

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Oddsmakers Think the Flames Will Be One of the NHL's Worst Teams

The Calgary Flames haven't played a game of the 2026-27 season.

According to oddsmakers, they may not need to.

If the early Stanley Cup futures are any indication, the betting market has already reached a harsh verdict on Calgary's chances, essentially labeling the Flames as one of the NHL's least likely contenders. At +35,000 odds to win the Stanley Cup, only one team is viewed as having a slimmer path to hockey's ultimate prize: the Vancouver Canucks at +40,000.

It's a staggering level of skepticism.

For perspective, a $100 wager on the Flames would return $35,000 in winnings if they somehow lifted the Cup next June. Even a single dollar would turn into $350. Those aren't simply underdog odds—they're rebuild odds.

And it's difficult to argue with the logic.

Calgary's 2025-26 campaign unraveled almost immediately. A disastrous 2-8-2 start in October buried the club before Halloween, forcing the organization to confront reality months earlier than expected. By season's end, the Flames had finished 34-39-9 with 75 points, ranking 29th overall and narrowly avoiding the league's basement only by holding the regulation-wins tiebreaker over the New York Rangers.

Rather than chase an unlikely playoff spot, management committed to a different direction.

Rasmus Andersson was moved in January. MacKenzie Weegar followed in February. Nazem Kadri departed in March. What began as a veteran-heavy roster gradually transformed into a team prioritizing tomorrow over today.

The makeover may not be finished.

Alternate captain Blake Coleman is entering the final season of his contract, and with Calgary firmly in transition, his name continues to surface as a logical trade candidate. If the organization remains committed to accumulating assets, another familiar face could be gone before opening night.

That's why the betting market isn't buying a surprise turnaround.

The Flames aren't simply being projected as a team that misses the playoffs. They're being viewed as a franchise still in the early stages of constructing its next competitive window.

Around the rest of Canada, the outlook is considerably brighter. The Edmonton Oilers opened at +1,100, the Ottawa Senators at +1,600, the Montreal Canadiens at +2,200, the Toronto Maple Leafs at +4,000 and the Winnipeg Jets at +5,000.

Sitting atop the board are the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes, who enter the summer as +750 favorites to repeat.

Of course, futures odds in June rarely tell the entire story. Trades, free agency, injuries and breakout seasons can reshape a franchise in a matter of months.

But for now, the message from oddsmakers couldn't be much clearer.

No team in the NHL is being given less of a chance than the rebuilding Vancouver Canucks—and the Calgary Flames aren't far behind.

Image
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Yankees news: Boone not ready to start Jones against lefties

Jun 16, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Spencer Jones (78) hits a solo home run against the Chicago White Sox during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images | John Jones-Imagn Images

NY Daily News | Gary Phillips: Since being called up again on June 5th, outfielder Spencer Jones has given the Yankees a strong .318/.423/.636 line with a 193 wRC+ in 26 plate appearances. His playing time against lefties, however, has been fairly limited. It’s understandable, since he struggled to the tune of a .663 OPS vs. southpaws in Triple-A this year.

The young slugger didn’t start on Wednesday with the lefty Anthony Kay on the mound for the White Sox. Manager Aaron Boone says his time might come at some point. “Yeah, I think so,” the manager replied when asked if Jones would get more chances vs. southpaws. “I’m sure at some point I’ll do that.”

“It really came down to Kay just being so good against lefties, and he’s had some struggles against righties,” Boone explained. The Yanks might not have time for experiments, but the only way for Jones to improve in this particular platoon situation is by being exposed to tough MLB lefties.

NY Post | Greg Joyce: The New York Knicks secured their first NBA Finals victory in 53 years last week, beating the San Antonio Spurs and making an entire city happy and proud. To celebrate, stars Jalen Brunson (the Finals MVP) and Josh Hart tossed out first pitches at Yankee Stadium before Wednesday’s game vs. the White Sox, in front of thousands of cheering fans.

NY Post | Greg Joyce: George Lombard Jr. exited Scranton’s game against Columbus on Tuesday, and yesterday we learned the severity of the injury that forced his hand — literally. Lombard sprained a couple of his fingers trying to tag out a runner at second base. There’s currently no timeline for Lombard to return to the lineup down in Triple-A, but the sooner that the Yankees’ top prospect can return to the field the better. Lombard figures to compete for a starting spot next year, but continued adjustments leading to consistent production at the plate was giving Lombard a shot at factoring into this year’s playoff push in the majors. If he’s on the sideline for an extended period of time then that bid gets put in jeopardy, though it seems like the Yankees have avoided a major blow with this one.

NJ Advance Media | Bob Klapisch: Gerrit Cole’s return to the Yankees after Tommy John surgery last year has been nothing short of amazing. Klapisch says that while others struggle to regain their velocity and command, Cole is back to his best already. The right-hander feels amazing on the mound, and that’s the biggest and most important takeaway. “I’ve kept us in every game so far, so it feels pretty good,” he said. “I’ve gotten some good length (in innings pitched), and been able to continue to build pitch counts and sharpen some stuff while competing.” The Yanks’ ace boasts a 2.57 ERA in five starts in 2026. Even his teammate Cody Bellinger says it’s been “amazing to watch.“