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Trump remembers Claude Lemieux as ‘tremendous’ supporter after NHL legend’s suicide

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Claude Lemieux waves in an arena, with the Stanley Cup nearby, Image 2 shows US President Donald Trump speaking with hands extended, alongside Marco Rubio at a cabinet meeting

President Trump called four-time Stanley Cup winner Claude Lemieux a “tremendous” supporter in a tribute to the NHL legend following his suicide death.

“Claude Lemieux, a true legend of the game, and one of the fiercest competitors hockey has ever seen, has passed away,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Thursday.

“Claude was a friend to the family, and a tremendous ‘Trump’ supporter.”

Claude Lemieux is honored at the Colorado Avalanche 30th anniversary on Dec. 11, 2025. NHLI via Getty Images
Former Montreal Canadiens player Claude Lemieux holds a torch as he enters the arena before Game 3 of the NHL Eastern Conference on May 25, 2026. Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP

Trump gushed over Lemieux’s achievements on the ice – particularly the four Stanley Cup wins he achieved with Montreal, New Jersey, and Colorado.

“Claude will be missed by all who love winning and toughness,” Trump signed off the post, including a MAGA hashtag.

Lemieux, 60, was found dead by his adult son in the warehouse of a furniture store owned by his family in Florida at around 3 a.m. after they became concerned he had not returned home, TMZ first reported.

Lemieux’s son Brendan, a professional ice hockey player in Switzerland, paid tribute to his dad on Instagram. He said, “I love you dad! My son’s favorite person is going to watch from above for a while. We will see you.”

Brendan, 30, shared a photo taken on the ice – where Claude was seen beaming as he held his grandson. 

Brendan previously told USA Today in 2014 following the NHL draft that his dad was his “biggest role model on and off the ice.”

President Donald Trump dedicated a Truth Social post to “tremendous” supporter Claude Lemieux. AFP via Getty Images

“I’m proud of the career he had,” he said. 

“I’m proud of the way he played, how hated he was. I just love that about him. I definitely want to follow in his footsteps. I want to be the guy that can step up and be that playoff performer.”

The late NHL star’s daughter Claudia Lemieux, 28, shared a remembrance from the New Jersey Devils, for whom her dad played two stints from 1990 through 1995 and then again in 1999-2000. 

Claude Lemieux played for a number of teams during his career — including the New Jersey Devils. AP Photo/BILL KOSTROUN

“No words to express the level of devastation we feel,” she wrote under the post on her Instagram Story. “I love you forever daddy. Forever your only girl.”

The Devils described Lemieux, who was nicknamed “Pepe,” as a “clutch player on the ice” and someone who was “widely respected throughout the NHL – both as a trusted agent and valued colleague.”

“Claude leaves behind a lasting legacy within our game that he gave so much to,” the Devils said.

Claude Lemieux holds up the Stanley Cup after the Montreal Canadiens won in 1986. Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images

During his stellar career, Lemieux won his first Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens in 1986 before scooping the prize with the New Jersey Devils in 1995 and Colorado Avalanche the following year.

He won his fourth Stanley Cup in 2000 after re-signing with the Devils. 

Lemieux, who became a player agent after he retired, scored 80 postseason goals, the ninth-most all-time.

Lemieux recorded 379 goals and 407 assists in 1,215 regular-season games, and had 158 points in 234 playoff matches.

Claude Lemieux with his son, Brendan. Instagram / @brendan_lemieux

He played 1,449 regular-season and playoff games with six different teams from 1983-2009, finishing with Phoenix, Dallas and San Jose.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman called Lemieux “one of the greatest big-game players in hockey history.”

With Post wires

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for free and confidential crisis counseling.

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Will Nate Ament be available at nine for the Mavericks? Should they consider taking him?

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 27: Nate Ament #10 of the Tennessee Volunteers dribbles the ball against Milan Momcilovic #22 of the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half of a NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Sweet Sixteen game at the United Center on March 27, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. The Tennessee Volunteers won the game 76-62. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

You’ve heard it a thousand times: “The 2026 NBA Draft is deep.” But how deep does it go, and who will be available by the time the Dallas Mavericks are on the clock with the ninth overall pick? There are tiers in this draft. The first four picks are the obvious standouts from this past season: AJ Dybantsa, Cam Boozer, Darryn Peterson, and Caleb Wilson. The next tier of players gets more muddled and can vary depending on the specific team’s needs (and who you talk to). The fifth through 10th spots are the ones experts don’t agree on, but the talent is there. That tier includes names like: Keaton Wagler, Darius Acuff Jr., Mikel Brown Jr., Kingston Flemings, Brayden Burries, and Nate Ament. There hasn’t been as much chatter about Ament, but he’s a prospect worth taking a deep dive into.

The basics

Nathaniel Ament, born December 10, 2006, enters this year’s draft as one of the top forwards available. The 19-year-old was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players entering the 2025 college basketball season. Ament led the Tennessee Volunteers to a 25-12 record, averaging 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.

He grew up in Manassas, Virginia, and initially attended Colgan High School. He scored a mere 53 points his entire freshman season. After an underwhelming start to his high school career, Ament busted out of his shell as a sophomore, scoring 18.2 points per game and adding 9 rebounds. Following his sophomore season, he transferred to Highland School in Warrenton, Virginia. In his junior year, he showcased his ability to be elite on both ends of the floor, averaging 19.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.0 blocks, and 3.7 assists per game. Following his standout season, he signed a shoe deal with Reebok. His senior season did not disappoint as he averaged 18.9 points per game, 10.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks. Ament was named the 2024–2025 Virginia Boys Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year, earning him a spot in the 2025 McDonald’s All-American game. The Virginia standout led Highland to a 39-6 record and the Virginia Independent School Athletic Association Division I state championship.

Ament was highly coveted as he entered college and ultimately committed to Tennessee after receiving offers from Duke, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Louisville. The Tennessee Volunteers made it to the elite eight in the 2026 NCAA tournament, but got routed by Michigan 95-62. In his final game, Ament had one of his worst showings of the season, posting 7 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. After the season, he was named second-team All-SEC and All-Freshman Team. While he may not be considered at the top of this draft class, his talent has been recognized leaguewide entering the 2026 draft.

The good

Ament is the type of forward the modern NBA team covets. The 6’10, 210-pound Volunteer is a long and fluid forward who is a rare blend of size, perimeter skill, and versatility. He also has a natural feel for the game that’s hard to teach. His size allows him to shoot over defenders with relative ease. He’s listed at 6’10 but has a 7’1 wingspan and 9’ standing reach. Although his shooting numbers weren’t great this year, he showed significant improvement as the season went on. On 16.7 points per game, Ament shot 40% from the floor (4.9 makes/12.3 attempts per game). His 3-point shot needs some work at just 33% (1.3 makes/3.9 attempts per game). He’s around average or a touch above average from the free-throw line for a forward at 79%.

Although the numbers don’t look ideal, Ament’s upside is legitimate. His shot is still a little raw, but his technique is there and just needs some fine-tuning and more volume. He shows a strong feel for the game with composure and awareness, operating comfortably facing the basket. He’s also showcased a great touch on fadeaway jumpers and mid-post scoring situations, where he often exploits mismatches. He shot 43% in the midrange with a 45% effective field goal percentage.

Ament is also very coordinated for his size, and that allows him to handle the ball and make plays in ways uncommon for his frame. He’s shown flashes of point-forward qualities, as he’s able to grab-and-go in transition, make reads on the move, and facilitate in space. He’s an ideal hybrid for a positionless NBA. In 30 minutes per game, he averaged only 2.3 turnovers per game. For his usage rate and position, you’ll take those numbers all day long.

The room to improve

What scouts get excited about with Ament, they also get a little nervous about. His shooting consistency and efficiency are key concerns, as reflected in his 40% field goal and 33% three-point shooting splits. Injuries have played a part and impacted his rhythm and development, particularly a right leg injury in February that sidelined him for four weeks until the SEC tournament. But injuries happen in the NBA, too, and if he can’t find a solid footing with his shot, he won’t reach elite status. His total shooting percentage should ideally be around 45%, and his three-point percentage in the 35-37% range as a forward.

Ament’s foot speed is adequate but not a strength, which can make it more challenging to consistently create separation off the dribble and fully maximize his ball-handling ability. Drives are more effective when he has momentum, but he can struggle to generate speed and separation from a standstill in half-court situations.

Defensively, he’s good, but there are still some concerns — particularly guarding in space and navigating screens, where his foot speed and strength are tested. The NBA has stronger, faster, and more mobile athletes. If Ament wants to at least be an average defender in the NBA, he’ll need more quickness, especially laterally, trying to stay in front of the league’s best offensive players.

Fit with the Mavericks

Outside the top four to five prospects, the player a team takes will hinge more on the specific needs of the team, rather than talent alone. For that reason, choosing Nate Ament with the ninth pick may not make a ton of sense for the Mavericks, unless they choose to trade someone like P.J. Washington for more future picks (remember, Dallas doesn’t own their own first-round pick again until 2031). The Mavericks are in desperate need of more guards and shooting, and there will likely be better options still available at nine. Ament isn’t a guard, and his shooting is spotty. As they currently sit, the Mavericks have P.J. Washington, Marvin Bagley III, Dwight Powell, Tyler Smith, and Daniel Gafford listed as power forwards. Of course, many of those guys interchangeably play center, too, but you get the point. Size is not a problem for Dallas. Ament will be a great fit for many teams, just not this one.

Player comparison

Ament is frequently compared to players like Jabari Smith Jr. and Jonathan Isaac. This past season for the Rockets, Smith Jr. averaged 15.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists on 45.0%, 36.3% from three, and 77.5% from the free throw line. He’s known for his ability to face up and shoot over the top of defenders, finding crafty ways to drive and score, and he can hit the occasional three. While he’s not a franchise-altering player, Smith Jr. has been a solid piece for the Rockets as they’ve rebuilt themselves into a West contender. Jonathan Isaac has similar characteristics but is a touch more defensive-focused than Smith Jr. Isaac does a lot of his damage inside and on short shots in the post. At his peak, Isaac averaged 11.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. He shot 47.0% from the floor, 34.0% from three, and 77.9% from the free-throw line. Isaac has been a solid anchor on both ends of the floor for the Magic as they’ve returned to prominence in recent years.

No matter what type of player he evolves into, Ament has the promise of being at worst a solid role player and at best an elite two-way guy that any team needs to win a championship.

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2026 NBA Draft scouting report: Bennett Stirtz

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Bennett Stirtz (14) shoots against Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

There are always several players in the NBA Draft who just know how to play the game at a high level. They make the right plays, are always in the right spots, and are efficient in almost everything they do. This year, one of those players is Bennett Stirtz out of Iowa. Stirtz has an amazing combination of ball skills, shooting ability and high IQ that makes him one of the more solid point guard prospects, and he could help any team with what he provides.

It’s a list of things that Stirtz does well, but the thing that jumps out the most that will help him at the next level is his play in the pick-and-roll. Whatever Iowa needed Stirtz to do out of that play, he executed it and made something out of it. He knows how to create easy shots for himself, whether that’s getting crafty and going to the rim or creating a shot on the perimeter. He averaged 19.8 points per game, and it’s safe to say most of his points came out of the pick-and-roll.

When it comes to his playmaking, his assist numbers don’t do him much justice (4.4 per game), but he makes the right play. He hits the roller with a perfect pass, or he might make a skip pass to an open shooter. These are the type of intangibles a team would want, and Stirtz has it on offense.

What makes him even more of an efficient prospect is his shooting numbers. He shot 36% from behind the arc, and in his junior season with Drake, he shot 40%. That should be enough to show that he can knock it down at a high level, and in different situations. Though he thrives in pick-and-roll, he was also good playing off ball, and his catch-and-shoot ability worked well in Iowa. Unfortunately, when it comes to creating his own shot, Stirtz falls short in that category, but if he’s doing everything else right on offense, it may not be a big issue for teams.

The reason for his lack of shot creation is attributed to his athleticism. When looking at the mix of guards that are projected to go in the lottery, they all have some sort of speed, strength, or twitch that helps their game. As for Stirtz, he just doesn’t have that extra burst, which could limit him on offense if you’re asking him to go get a bucket in isolation.

His lack of athleticism also bleeds into the other side of the ball, where he can be taken advantage of at the point of attack. He’s not the worst defender, but Iowa usually sat him in the corner against the opposing team’s worst offensive player, which is what might happen at the next level. The thing is, camping him in the corner at the next level isn’t going to work all the time, especially if teams are looking to attack him.

Of course, the other thing that is always questionable about prospects is their age, and Stirtz will be 22 years old on draft day. At the end of the day, Stirtz has the skills to play at the next level, and age shouldn’t deter teams away from drafting him.

The Hawks could look at Stirtz as a guy to draft late in the first round. The two areas of need for them are guard and center, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he were on their draft board. He seems like a guy who would fit in perfectly in Quin Snyder’s system, but his lack of shot creation may be something that could make them lose interest.

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Open Thread: A tale of two Wembys

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MAY 24: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates during the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Frost Bank Center on May 24, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Eighty-two regular season games. One Emirates Cup Final. Five games in round one of the playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers. It took six games to eliminate the Minnesota Timberwolves. And last night the Spurs evened the Western Conference Finals at three games apiece.

By my count —and I am a math teacher after all — that is 100 games.

The Spurs are heading back to Oklahoma City in a winner-take-all Game 7. Their 101st game.

Basketball 101.

The biggest factor for the Spurs in wins versus losses comes down to Victor Wembanyama.

In Games 1 and 4, the Spurs won when Wemby scored over 30 points. In the losses in Games 2, 3, and 5, Victor scored 21, 26, and 20 respectively.

Last night in Game 6, Wembanyama scored 22 points in the first half. He ended the night with 28 points, but he played sparingly in the second half as the Spurs pushed the game out of reach during the 3rd quarter.

By comparison, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 points in Game 6 and sat out the entire 4th quarter. This is the second loss in a row at the Frost Bank Center where Mark Daigneault has kept his MVP out of the final frame.

The Spurs did a fantastic job in the elimination game of limiting SGA to just three free throws. Over the series, they have frustrated his shooting game, forcing him to score from the line. Reducing his trips to the charity stripe paired with the Spurs defense on him has been paramount in taking the series to a Game 7.

Meanwhile, both teams have suffered injuries.

From the Spurs side, De’Aaron Fox have been pushing through a high ankle sprain, and though he’s not a hundred percent, he is able to steer the ship when needed. Dylan Harper also suffered a right adductor injury. He played through but was not producing. If Game 6 was any indication, Harper is better and ready to battle.

For the Thunder, Jalen Williams (J-Dub) has missed much of the Western Conference Finals with a hamstring injury. Though he came off the bench in Game 6, he scored only 1 point in ten minutes of playing time.

The Thunder have also utilized Alex Caruso as a difference maker. Other than the doule-overtime loss in Game 1, Caruso scored 17, 15, and 22 in the Thunder victories, a key component to their success. But in the losses they endured in San Antonio, Caruso scored 0 and 7 respectively.

While the Spurs have exhibited balance all season — they were close to having eight players averging double figures in the regular season — their wins and losses in this series align with Victor Wembanyama.

So the real question is, which Wemby will hit the hardwood in Oklahoma’s capital Saturday night?

Victor has made his intentions clear. He shares his emotions readily and he does not hide his frustration when he does not perform at his best. But this is win or go home.

He will be the focal point of the Thunder’s defense. He should expect double teams and clogging in the paint, which is an asset when he’s dishing to Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, and De’Aaron Fox, provided they are hitting open threes.

The version of him from Games 3 and 5 that looked winded, missed shots, and hung around the three-point line instead of making a play for the paint cannot step onto the court Saturday night.

It is imperative the same confident superstar that came out of the gate hitting threes in Game 6 dominates the reigning champions. For 48 minutes, the Spurs must execute.

For most on the team, this is just another in the series of “firsts” they have experienced this season.

Victor has to impose his will to ensure this is the first of many.

Welcome to the Thread. Join in the conversation, start your own discussion, and share your thoughts. This is the Spurs community, your Spurs community. Thanks for being here.

Our community guidelines apply which should remind everyone to be cool, avoid personal attacks, not to troll and to watch the language.

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Phillies News: Cristopher Sánchez, Bryce Harper, Salary Cap

May 27, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sanchez (61) waves to the fans after the Phillies beat the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images | Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Well, Friday is here. The Phillies are about to start a three-game set in Los Angeles. Tonight’s start time is 10:15. Tomorrow night’s is earlier…. by five minutes. Break out the coffee.

Onto the links.

Phillies news:

Cristopher Sánchez is extraordinary. You knew that. But you probably didn’t know all of these facts about how he’s putting himself in the history books.

The Phillies have played well under Don Mattingly, but there’s still a major roster problem.

Did you want to know more about Bryce Harper’s toothbrushing technique? No? Well, here’s more info anyway.

MLB news:

The owners have officially proposed a salary cap to the players.

Want to know more about the stars of the future? Here’s the top 200 2026 draft prospects.

Will Tarik Skubal be traded?

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Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Bryce Eldridge grabs starting job, Jacob Gonzalez promoted

Welcome to Waiver Wire Watch, our weekly fantasy baseball waiver wire guide. We’ll be doing things a little differently this season, with Eric Samulski publishing the initial waiver-wire article on Friday afternoon. Then James Schiano updates it every Sunday to make sure you get the most up-to-date information.

The premise of the article is pretty straightforward. We’ll give you some recommended adds each week based on recent production or role changes. When we list a player, we’ll list the category where we think he’ll be helpful or the quick reason he’s listed. We hope this helps you determine whether the player fits your team’s needs. Not every “trending” player will be a good addition for your specific roster.

To qualify for this list, a player needs to be UNDER 40% rostered in Yahoo! formats. We understand you may say, “These players aren’t available in my league,” and we can’t help you there. These players are available in over 60% of leagues and some in 98% of leagues, so they’re available in many places, and that can hopefully satisfy readers who play in all league types.

⚾️ Baseball is back on NBC: MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026! In addition to becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball, NBC Sports will broadcast MLB Sunday Leadoff, “Opening Day” and Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason, and much more.

MLB: Houston Astros at Miami Marlins
Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Josh Hader nearing return, Kenley Jansen departs with groin injury
Jorge Montanez breaks down the last week in saves from around the league with updated closer rankings.

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Hitters

JJ Bleday - OF, CIN (43% rostered)

(ELITE TOOLS, HUGE BREAKOUT)

Bleday is yet to show signs of slowing down and the Reds have shown their absolute trust in him by starting him in 26 consecutive games, including five of which against left-handed pitchers. The power development feels real with a career-high in bat speed and that’s translated to hard-hit and barrel rates that are All-Star caliber. Add in a great contact rate, plate discipline, and home games at Great American Ballpark and it feels shocking that he’s rostered this sparsely. He’s the 11th-ranked outfielder over the last 30 days according to the FanGraphs Player Rater and shouldn’t be left on any waiver wires.

Gabriel Moreno - C, ARZ (36% rostered)

(BAT SPEED RISER)

Despite middling production so far (three home runs, .252 batting average, and a .716 OPS) Moreno is swinging the bat harder than he ever has. That plus a solid contact rate gives him a potential path to being a top-10 catcher from this point forward.

Jake Burger - 1B, TEX (29% rostered)

(EVERYDAY PLAYER, POWER OPTION)

Quietly strong of late, Burger has done well to put a horrible first chunk of the season behind him with a .256/.322/.488 in May with five home runs. His swing and miss was trending way down too before spiking again over the past week. Still, the Rangers have nudged him back towards the heart of their lineup on most days and he’s an underrated run producer.

Sam Antonacci - 2B/3B/OF (25% rostered)

(SPEED THREAT, EVERYDAY PLAYER)

Antonacci continues to be productive while working out of the lead-off spot for the White Sox ahead of their strong middle of the order. He’s also finally found his groove as a base stealer with four stolen bases over the last 10 days without being caught. Over his last 30 games, he has a .320 batting average, .398 on-base percentage, scored 20 runs, stolen seven bases, and it just feels like he does something useful every single day.

Colt Emerson - SS/3B, SEA (24% rostered)

(ELITE PROSPECT PEDOGREE, EVERYDAY PLAYER)

The 20-year-old rookie has notched five extra-base hits in his first week of big league action despite not having a barrel yet. His plate discipline has flashed as a plus tool though with both league average swing and zone-swing rates, very low chase and whiff rates, and a high zone-contact rate. His power nor speed will likely carry him to fantasy stardom in year one, but there’s enough talent here to generate value.

Curtis Mead - 1B/2B/3B, WSH (20% rostered)

(POST-HYPE BREAKOUT, EVERYDAY PLAYER)

With Brady House being sent to the minor leagues, Mead has taken over as the Nationals’ everyday third baseman. He’s started there in eight of nine games entering play on Friday, including four in a row. Just a lefty-masher through the first few months of the season, he’s now getting regular reps against righties too and hasn’t missed a beat. So far, his 11.1% barrel rate is more than double his previous career-high. At the same time, his 45.5% hard-hit rate, 16.6% strikeout rate and 13.8% walk rate are also excellent. He was a highly-ranked prospect not too long ago and should be considered in more leagues with his multi-position eligibility and strong underlying stats.

Sunday update: Mead homered on Friday, then was out of the starting lineup Saturday against right-hander Michael King. He still came in as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning and wound up with a walk, double, run scored, and two RBI.

Spencer Horwitz - 1B, PIT (17% rostered)

(POINTS LEAGUE HERO)

More of a points league play without much power or speed, Horwitz and his .842 OPS have flown under the radar. He’s also walked more than he’s struck out so far this season, started against the last two lefties the Pirates have faced, and hit lead-off against the last three righties.

Bryce Eldridge - 1B, SFG (6% rostered)

(EVERYDAY PLAYER, HUGE PROSPECT)

Promoted just for a part-time role so far, Eldridge has started eight of 10 games entering play on Sunday. The more consistent at-bats may be helping him find his footing too, as Eldridge’s swing-and-miss is trending down while he still hits as hard as anyone else in the league. He also has a double in consecutive games and the same number of walks as strikeouts over this same eight game stretch. Also, a recent foot injury for Harrison Bader clears up the Giants’ playing-time jumble a bit more with Casey Schmitt switching to the outfield every day. Now is a great time to scoop Eldridge and hope a true hot streak follows.

Jacob Gonzalez - 2B/3B, CWS (6% rostered)

(LATE PROSPECT BREAKOUT)

The White Sox promoted Gonzalez to take Munetaka Murakami’s roster spot, who will miss four to six weeks with a hamstring strain. A former first round pick, he’d never clicked in the minor leagues and didn't look like a future big league regular. This season, he’s found significantly more power than ever and that converted into a 1.088 OPS at Triple-A with 19 home runs and 8 stolen bases across 52 games. That was supported by an elite 113.6 mph max exit velocity and a very high barrel rate, hard-hit rate, 90th percentile exit velocity, and the rest of his power metrics. He’s in the lineup on Sunday afternoon as their first baseman, so he seems like a one-to-one Murakami replacement during this audition. Still just 24 years old, this profile in a starting role needs more attention.

Nathaniel Lowe - 1B, CIN (5% rostered)

(STRONG-SIDE PLATOON, HOT STREAK)

Struggling to secure a full-time role despite torching right-handed pitching all season, Lowe remains red-hot. He has a .910 OPS over his last 30 games with eight home runs. More encouraging lately, he slid over to first base from designated hitter when Eugenio Suarez coming off the injured list and Spencer Steer displacing Matt McLain at second for a few games. There are still a lot of playing time quirks to work out in the Reds’ infield, Lowe is just proving too productive to keep being sat.

Blake Dunn - OF, CIN (1% rostered)

(LEAD-OFF HITTER, EVERYDAY PLAYER)

While the Reds’ infield is a bit of a mess, opportunity abounds in their outfield. Dunn has seized said opportunity with seven straight starts, the last four of which have come out of the lead-off spot. There’s been a rotating door atop their order all season and Dunn could grab that spot with some more hot hitting. He’s also a solid defender and has 99th percentile sprint speed, so there are plenty of ways which he can contribute.

Sunday update: Dunn hit lead-off for Cincinnati in all three of their games this weekend. He's locked in there.

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pitchers

Zebby Matthews - SP, MIN (47% rostered)

We’re trying not to get fully roped back in with Zebby. His results have been phenomenal though through three starts with a 2.37 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, better than league-average strikeout rate, and practically no walks. At the same time, practically all of his pitches have slightly worse movement profiles than last season and they’re missing fewer bats in the process. All of this aside, he’s facing the Pirates, Royals, and Tigers over his next three starts. So, he’s probably worth a flier on that alone.

Reid Detmers - SP/RP, LAA (46% rostered)

This one is difficult to rationalize. Sure, his 4.57 ERA is ugly and will likely turn a huge subset of managers off immediately. Digging a bit past that, his 1.14 WHIP tells us better times are coming. His 21.1 K-BB% tells us that probably some really good times are coming. On top of it all, he’s coming off a 14 strikeout, eight inning masterpiece against the Angels last Sunday where he showed off the best command of his slider that he has possibly had all season. It was truly dominant, forcing 12 of his 23 total whiffs and allowed him to push his changeup – which has flashed despite being inconsistent – more to the background. He will likely need his whole repertoire to definitively take that next step, but it’s all so close to clicking.

Sunday update: Detmers struck out seven Rays across five innings to earn the win on Saturday. He also walked three and allowed three runs in a not-so-efficient start. Again, he didn't have great feel for his changeup nor the same command of that slider from his 14-strikeout gem.

Jacob Latz - SP/RP, TEX (35% rostered)

No Rangers reliever besides him Latz secured a save since April 12th. That’s great, and uptick his stuff has seen since moving to the pen has made him a viable late-inning option. Now, the team has to pull their weight and actually put him in position for some save opportunities.

Anthony Kay - SP, CWS (22% rostered)

Kay has completed at least five innings while allowed two or fewer runs in all six May starts. His fastball has above average velocity for a left-handed pitcher and a deep mix with a sinker and sweeper for lefties plus a cutter and changeup for righties. That’s a repertoire that should be effective against any type of hitter, just be aware that Kay has an incredibly low 16.3% strikeout rate and doesn’t miss many bats.

Troy Melton - SP/RP, DET (21% rostered)

Finally back after suffering an elbow sprain this spring, Melton impressed in his season debut last Sunday. He allowed just two hits and one run across 5 1/3 innings against the Orioles with three walks and three strikeouts. He struggled to put hitters away, but showed off why we’re high on him with a 96 mph fastball that lived at the top of the zone and deep array of secondary pitches that worked off it. Against righties, he mixed that fastball with a sinker as dual primary options and played a cutter and slider off them. Against lefties, that fastball led the way with that same slider and a splitter. The command on that splitter specifically wasn’t quite there yet, hence the struggling to put hitters away, and he still worked into the sixth inning. There’s lots of potential here.

Sunday update: Melton didn't miss many bats, but navigated his way through seven strong innings against a quality White Sox lineup. It's really odd to say that — and is not really true anymore with Murakami going on the shelf — but Melton did well to keep them at bay with lots of well-located fastballs and sliders. He's still looking for his splitter consistency and has still been this effective through two starts.

Christian Scott - SP, NYM (19% rostered)

Scott finally recorded his first major league win on Saturday after 16 starts that spanned two full years because of an absence from Tommy John surgery. His fastball, sweeper combination is devastating and has helped him to an above average strikeout rate. There are still some struggles putting away left-handed batters and he’s yet to record an out in the sixth inning yet, despite his pitch-count rising from around 80 to near 100. The key for him is still the development of his splitter, which he threw a bit more against lefties in his last two starts.

Walbert Ureña - SP, LAA (18% rostered)

Ureña is a bit inconsistent in nature as a changeup-first righty. We can see that through his high 1.38 WHIP yet low 2.58 ERA. That changeup does have better than a 50% whiff rate against same-handed hitters though and his sweeper flashes plus. He just tends to nibble which leads to walks and long innings and general trouble. He is facing the Rays on Friday night and the Rockies at home next week, so now is probably a good time to take a shot on him.

Sunday update: Ureña tossed a quality start on Friday against the Rays allowing one run over six innings with three walks and five strikeouts. He continues to get more comfortable with his sweeper against right-handed batters and is facing the Rockies at home later this week.

Spencer Miles - SP/RP, TOR (16% rostered)

With the Blue Jays’ starting pitchers dropping like flies all season, Miles has been stretched out into a bulk reliever. He had a solid last outing allowing three hits and one run with one walk and three strikeouts across 4 1/3 innings against the Marlins to earn the win. That was his second straight appearance of at least four innings and he threw at least 63 pitches in each plus 56 the outing before that. The velocity of both his fastball and sinker have stayed steady around 95 mph as he’s stretched out and his curveball and slider are a formidable duo against hitters from either side of the plate. He has plus command, too. This is definitely someone to pay attention to.

River Ryan - SP, LAD (13% rostered)

A great stash option, Ryan just had another stellar start at Triple-A going six innings without an earned run and striking out eight. Eric Lauer is currently in the Dodgers rotation and could be unseated by Ryan any moment now.

Kyle Finnegan - RP, DET (12% rostered)

Kenley Jansen left his last outing with a groin injury, so it seems as if Finnegan will jump into the closer role for the Tigers. His 1.75 ERA would suggest he's ready for the challenge, but he's walked more batters than he's struck out so far and could falter if he's even given the chance. Otherwise, Drew Anderson (2% rostered) earned their last save this past Sunday and has a nearly 30% strikeout rate this season working mostly as a multi-inning fireman. He could be the best option here. Of course, the Tigers need to actually win some games for any of this to matter.

Sunday update: Finnegan was called on for the save on Friday night and blew it. Then, Anderson came in for the next one in the 10th inning with a one-run lead and gave up two runs to blow his as well. It could be anyone's save chance next.

Trevor McDonald - SP/RP, SFG (11% rostered)

McDonald had been impressive filling in for Logan Webb in the Giants’ rotation. Yet, when Webb returned Friday, it felt like McDonald could’ve been the odd-man out despite looking like a quality big leaguer. Instead, the struggling Tyler Mahle was placed on the IL with a hamstring strain which will keep McDonald in the rotation. He has a devastating sinker with plus drop from his low-slot release as a righty that he’s thrown 60% of the time and has helped him force a better than 60% ground ball rate. He’s also found more glove-side movement on his slider this season and it has a 42% whiff rate against right-handed batters. His changeup misses bats against lefties, but gets crushed whenever they put their bat on the ball. Still, this heavy ground ball approach will keep him relevant and any growth in changeup command or quality could make him a stud sooner rather than later.

Gage Jump - SP, ATH (10% rostered)

One of the league’s top pitching prospects, the Athletics promoted Jump for his major league debut this past week and it was a bit of a mixed bag. Pitching at home against the Mariners, he allowed nine hits and four runs with five strikeouts across five innings. His stuff was better than that though. His calling card is a 96 mph fastball with serious vertical action that should live at the top of the zone and miss bats doing so. The only qualified left-handed starters with a fastball velocity that high are Jesús Luzardo, Payton Tolle and Tarik Skubal, so he’s already in great company. Along with that heater, Jump has an array of breaking balls – tight slider, sweeper, and curveball – that should give him multiple weapons against hitters from each side of the plate. He leaned on the curveball more at Triple-A, but opted for more of the sliders in his debut. Plus, a smattering of changeups. This is big league stuff, the only issue is his home park in Sacramento is one of the most difficult to pitch in. Still, it’s worth rostering him just for those road starts.

David Sandlin - SP/RP, CWS (9% rostered)

The jewel of this week’s piece, Sandlin made light work of the Twins in his debut allowing one hit and one run across six innings with four strikeouts and zero walks. Funny enough, both that hit and run came on the second pitch of his career when Byron Buxton launched a solo home run. After that, it took him just 59 pitches to record 18 consecutive outs. That’s outrageous efficiency underscored by standout stuff. He’s a power pitcher with an upper-90s fastball from a flat release angle that has solid vert and missed bats in the zone. Also, he had no fear throwing it in the zone, which is how he was able to get in and out at-bats so quickly. That heater is flanked by a power curveball that comes in around 83 mph with tiger movement than most hooks. He commanded it quite well too, getting seven called strikes with it while also forcing a handful of ugly chases when he took it out of the zone. Those two were most of the show accounting for 45 of his 61 total pitches, but he flashed a cutter, changeup, sinker, and sweeper too that each looked like they could be quality offerings. He should have runway in this rotation with Noah Schultz heading to the injured list and has the stuff to make a huge impact. Just be advised that he never threw more than four innings in the minors and this was only the second time he threw at least 60 pitches in a single outing, so he’ll need to continue to be hyper-efficient to get similar length until he builds up more.

Tony Santillan - RP, CIN (9% rostered)

Santillan’s grip on the Reds’ closer role tightened with Graham Ashcraft headed to the 60-day IL. They haven’t converted a save opportunity in nearly two weeks, but Santillan got that one and is still regularly pitching reasonably late close games. He’s likely the reliever to roster in Cincinnati while Brock Burke (1% rostered) could grab a save if lefties are coming up late.

Scott Barlow - RP, ATH (2% rostered)

Barlow has converted save opportunities in the Athletics’ last two victories. Two appearances ago, he bailed Hogan Harris (9% rostered) out of trouble in the ninth inning and then Jack Perkins (6% rostered, no saves in May) in the following save. Maybe next time he gets to start the ninth cleanly rather than tight rope out of it due to another pitchers’ mess.

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Game 58 Preview: Tigers hit the road for 3-game series at White Sox this weekend

The Detroit Tigers had a chance to claw back a few wins this week at home against the Los Angeles Angels. Instead, they lost their seventh straight series, taking just one of three from the visitors, and are now back in a tie for last place in the American League with that same Halos squad.

Next up for the Motor City Kitties is a trip to the Windy City to take on the Chicago White Sox, who currently sit in the AL Central’s second-place position behind the Cleveland Guardians at two games over .500. The Pale Hose are coming off a four-game series win over the Minnesota Twins at home, having taken three of four.

The Tigers will have right-hander Troy Melton on the mound for his second start of the campaign to open things up. The 25-year-old went 5 2/3 innings in his first appearance, allowing one run on two hits and three walks while striking out three en route to a win over the Baltimore Orioles.

Melton faced the ChiSox twice last year, once as a starter and once in relief. In the former role, he tossed five shutout innings on just one hit and no walks en route to a 1-0 victory on Aug. 13.

The home team will send fellow righty Erick Fedde, who has struggled mightily this season, to the bump to do battle. The 33-year-old’s most recent outing in relief on the road against the San Francisco Giants was particularly foul, giving up eight runs on 10 hits (one home run) and two walks while striking out three over 3 1/3 frames.

Fedde’s previous appearance against Detroit last year on May 20 was not particularly impressive either. He gave up four runs on five hits (two home runs) and no walks while striking out two over five innings of work, earning a no-decision in a 5-4 loss.

Take a look at how the two match up on Friday night.

Detroit Tigers (22-35) vs. Chicago White Sox (29-27)

Time (ET): 7:40 p.m.
Place: Rate Field, Chicago, Illinois
SB Nation Site:South Side Sox
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network

Game 58: RHP Troy Melton (1-0, 1.59 ERA) vs. RHP Erick Fedde (0-5, 5.47 ERA)

PlayerGIPK%BB%GB%FIPfWAR
Melton15.213.613.631.33.600.1
Fedde1049.114.39.236.26.31-0.5

MELTON

FEDDE

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Checking on the St. Louis Cardinals at the 54-game mark

Old-school baseball guys think the 60-game mark is where a team needs to re-assess where they are at versus what they thought they had coming out of spring training. Tony LaRussa used to say (maybe he still does) that teams need to shoot for a record of 30-30 or better, re-assess and go from there. I like 54 games because of the symmetry of being exactly one-third of the season. Either works, I suppose.

What did we think they were back in March?

To assess and re-evaluate, it pays to re-visit what the expectations were coming out of Spring Training.

  • People were concerned about the offense, particularly the power. Where would it come from?
  • The bullpen was expected to be a strong point. The rotation? A question mark, but likely no worse than 2025.
  • The defense was expected to be a bit better with returning players to their more comfortable positions such as Burleson (to first) and Gorman (back to third).
  • Overall, while the opinions varied widely, most expected a slightly sub-.500 team, with many in the high 60’s and low 70’s for wins. A few optimists thought 85 wins was doable.

How has it played out to-date, relative to the first 1/3 of 2025 season?

One way of looking at it is to compare this year to last year’s team at the same point in time. Not a totally valid comparison, because in between, they subtracted talent from the MLB roster and added it to the MiLB pipeline. But perhaps instructive, nonetheless. Indulge me. By the numbers…

Metric20252026
Wins3029
Losses2425
RS256235
RA216245
ERA3.594.27
xERA4.344.87
RunDiff40-10
Off WAR8.26.8
Pit WAR6.31.7

Last year at this point, the Cardinals were 30-24, in 2nd place, 3 games out in the division and 1 game behind in the WC race. They carried a +40 run differential with 246 RS and 216 RA. This year, at the same point, they are 29-25, 4.5 games out in the division and tied for the last wild card spot with many. The carry a -10 run differential, with 235 RS and 245 RA.

They have backslid offensively, not surprising given that they traded away 3 line-up stalwarts with no real upgrade. They have also backslid a fair bit in run prevention (in spite of unloading 2 less than productive starters). The offensive improvement shows up mostly in the HR total (at 60, up from 49 at this point in 2025). Overall offensive WAR to-date is 6.8 as opposed to 8.2 last year. This point-to-point comparison may not be totally valid, as the first third last year was the nadir of offensive production in 2025, led by Donovan, Nootbaar, Burleson and Contreras. There was significant fall-off from Donovan and Nootbaar in the latter 2/3 of the 2025 season and the team that finished 2025 was not the same as the one that started.

On the pitching front, last year’s team had accumulated 6.3 fWAR by this point. This year’s team? 1.7 fWAR. Remarkable that they are only 1 game off last year’s pace. Speaking of pace, I like to read that the current team is on pace for 87 (ish) wins. By that thinking, last year’s team was on pace for 90 wins. Except they weren’t. Pace isn’t a reliable predictor of baseball outcomes, with one data point in support being that 90-win pace team finished with 78 wins. Now, I’m not predicting a similar collapse this year, just that multiplying the current win total times 3 is about as good a predictor of the future as flipping a coin.

What has gone well?

Well, we have enough data now to have moved past small sample size in most metrics, except defensive ones like OAA and DRS. What can we discern?

  • Jordan Walker has it in him. This has gone almost as well as anyone could have reasonably hoped. I can’t overstate the impact this has not only on this year’s team, but on long-term planing.
  • JJ Wetherholt is the real deal. Offense, defense, baseball acumen.
  • These two are the two main difference between 2025 and 2026 and they are impactful differences.
  • The team dynamic and sequencing has been better this year. Random stuff, bound to normalize? Hard to say, but some luck is created by things like good baserunning and good defense and other things tougher to measure.
  • Burleson and Herrera are hitters. The four above begin to form an offensive core, that while incomplete, is a solid base to start from.

What has not gone well?

  • Nolan Gorman remains stuck offensively, although his defense has been a pleasant surprise. Mostly the lack of power is the primary concern.
  • Masyn Winn hasn’t progressed offensively. Simple as that. He is only 24. There is time.
  • Victor Scott II seems mostly lost, although his xwOBA has been steadily improving the last 3 weeks. Both his offense and defense are below par for what is needed from him.
  • The bullpen is not good.
  • The bench is … not good. The manager tells us that through his refusal to play them. I’m convinced they didn’t even take Saggese on the road trip.
  • Upper-level long-term minor league pitching injuries continue to bite. Henderson, Hence, Roby, Fitts make up a good chunk of the AAA talent that was to emerge this summer. We won’t see them until next year.

What remains to be determined?

  • On the bright side, answers are formulating. That helps decide the direction. Some things are better, some things worse, but now they know (or have a good idea) where the holes really are that aren’t fillable with a prospect who just needs runway.
  • Are we still confident that Winn is a core member? (I am, but I hear rumblings…)
  • What is Nolan Gorman?
  • What is Nathan Church?
  • What about the AAA talent (Baez, Crooks, Jordan)? Are they MLB ready? Are they answers?
  • Has so much pitching been set back that 2027 really isn’t a realistic year to expect emergence?

How might we modify the outlook for the rest of the year?

Do we have enough data to re-calibrate our expectations of the season. Have you seen enough to update your expected W-L?

I came into the season think 78 +/- wins would probably be where this team lands. I’m not inclined to come off that view. If I was, I’d probably reduce my win expectancy a bit. They’ve done better in the first third than I expected, but I don’t think that translates into more success in the next two-thirds. Why?

  • Offensively, their fortunes are fundamentally tied to Wetherholt, Walker, Burleson and Herrera being top 20th percentile hitters all season. If they can avoid slumps and injuries, this could happen, but that is asking a lot. If it doesn’t happen, things could get rough quickly.
  • Bullpen-wise, I don’t see a pathway to fix the bullpen in a meaningful way. I do expect Leahy to end up back there, but there just isn’t much coming from Memphis. No power arms that I can see.
  • Starting pitching-wise, they are who they are. Reliable, steady, low wattage. Enough to keep them in most games, not enough to win if their offense slumps at all. Similar to the core offensive pieces, they don’t have the depth to withstand slump or injury. Similar to the offensive core, if slump or injuries arise, things could get rough quickly.
  • The trade deadline will do what slump and injury may not, in that it could well deplete what pitching depth there is as Stanek, May, Romero represent expiring contracts that smart teams move for future value. Youngsters may be poised to arrive around that time, but holding their own might be the optimistic outcome.

Could they contend?

Sure. Baseball is funny. And random at random times and in random ways.

Nootbaar could come back hale and hearty. Baez could emerge as a force. This would be a deep line-up then, with six “plus” hitters in addition to league average Gorman and Winn. Better than most, I’d say.

The pitching could improve and avoid injury. A deep line-up could overcome some of the rougher parts of the pitching equation. But that bullpen….

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Orioles news: A winning streak snapped

BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 28: Jackson Holliday #7 of the Baltimore Orioles bats in the second inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 28, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Good morning, Camden Chatters.

The good vibes of the Orioles’ sweep of the first-place Rays did not carry into their next series, at least not for the opener. The O’s slipped back to five games under .500 with their 2-1 loss to the Blue Jays, as their offense, which had plated 26 runs in three games against Tampa Bay, was held to nothing more than a Coby Mayo solo homer by graybeard Patrick Corbin and three Blue Jays relievers.

It was a very winnable game, thanks to one of Chris Bassitt’s strongest outings of the year, but a lot of little things went wrong. The O’s didn’t capitalize on some scoring opportunities, both through bad luck — such as scorching liners by Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson that went directly into infielders’ gloves — and dumb baseball, most notably Pete Alonso getting picked off first base to quash an eighth-inning rally. Craig Albernaz’s bizarre decision to eschew his best reliever, Rico Garcia, and instead turn to the struggling Anthony Nunez to face the top of the Jays’ lineup in the eighth turned out predictably poorly. Check out Mark Brown’s recap of all the action.

Oh well. You can’t win ’em all, and the Orioles are still 5-2 on this homestand. But they can’t rest on their laurels anytime soon. They’ve still got a bit of a hole to climb out of to get back to the .500 mark, and they’re facing nothing but division opponents for the next nine games, including the Blue Jays six more times and the Red Sox thrice. The Birds have been playing better baseball of late, and they’ve at least avoided tanking their season by Memorial Day like last year’s Orioles did, but it’s going to take a longer stretch of success before we can take them seriously as contenders.

Even after dropping the opener, the Orioles have a chance to make a statement against the defending AL champions, struggling as they may be. A series win is still on the table, but we’d settle for a split. Let’s see the O’s offense come back to life, and most of all, we need to see the Trevor Rogers of 2025 instead of whatever this 2026 monstrosity is. He’s on the mound tonight, and there’s no time like the present for Rogers to start turning his season around.

Links

Jon Meoli: A change in philosophy jump-started the O’s pitching development just in time – The Baltimore Banner

The O’s are changing the way they draft and develop pitchers. I would hold off on saying it’s “jump-started” their pitching development, though. Let’s see a few of these guys have sustained success in the majors first.

Bassitt keeps rotation on roll in Orioles’ 2-1 loss (updated) – School of Roch

My random thought from watching Bassitt last night: this guy really stretches the limits of the pitch clock, huh? On pretty much every pitch he starts his delivery with like half a second left on the clock, yet he manages never to get any violations. Bassitt likes to live dangerously, I suppose.

Questions about Orioles’ bullpen| MAILBAG – BaltimoreBaseball.com

For once, I agree with one of the readers. Why is Keegan Akin still on the team?

For O’s Taylor Ward, is lower bat speed impacting his home run totals? – Steve Melewski

Ward’s power outage has been one of the more surprising developments of the season. Melewski delves into what might be going on.

Luck strikes twice! O’s fan snags two balls in two innings – MLB.com

At least there’s one fan who had more luck than the Orioles did last night.

Orioles birthdays and history

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Five former Orioles were born on this day: utility guys Tyler Nevin (29) and Jerry Hairston Jr. (50), outfielder Eric Davis (64), and right-handers Fred Holdsworth (74) and Dyar Miller (80).

On this date in 1970, Mike Cuellar became the first — and still only — Orioles pitcher to strike out four batters in one inning. In the bottom of the fourth against the California Angels, Cuellar started the inning with a strikeout of Alex Johnson, but a passed ball by Elrod Hendricks allowed him to reach first. Cuellar then racked up Ks of Ken McMullen, Tommie Reynolds, and Jim Spencer. At the time, Cuellar was only the fourth pitcher in American League history to accomplish the feat, but it has since been done 45 more times by AL pitchers, including 18 in the past 10 years. Yet somehow no other Oriole has done it.

And in 2013, the O’s gave up three homers in one game to the Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman — but still won, 9-6, thanks to four homers of their own, including two by Chris Davis.

Random Orioles game of the day

On May 29, 2015, the Orioles pulled off a walkoff win over the Rays, 2-1. In front of a sellout crowd of 45,505 at Camden Yards, starter Miguel González delivered an incredible outing, going eight innings and giving up just one run — with a Steven Souza second-inning homer his only blemish — but the O’s offense didn’t answer quickly enough to get him a win. The Birds trailed for most of the game, getting shut out through six by future Oriole Nate Karns, before Chris Davis launched a game-tying homer in the seventh.

In the bottom of the ninth, singles by Travis Snider and Davis set up J.J. Hardy, who grounded a base hit through the left side to score pinch-runner Everth Cabrera and send the fans home happy. The win was Buck Showalter’s 400th as Orioles manager.

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DitD & Open Post – 5/29/26: Pepe Edition

15 Mar 2000: Claude Lemieux of the New Jersey Devils looks on from the wall during a game against the Dallas Stars at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Stars defeated the Devils 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire /Allsport | Getty Images

Here are your links for today:

Devils Links

Claude Lemieux has passed away at the age of 60:

“Lemieux, nicknamed ‘Pepe,’ played 21 years in the NHL, winning the 1995 Conn Smythe Trophy and the four Cup titles — two with the New Jersey Devils and one each with the Colorado Avalanche and Montreal Canadiens. His 80 playoff goals rank ninth in NHL history and his 158 points are tied for 27th. Lemieux played 1,215 regular-season games, scoring 379 goals and 786 points and amassing 1,777 penalty minutes.” [The Athletic ($)]

Defensemen updates:

“The Devils have a lot of pieces in place, but also some major holes to reconcile. Here’s where the Devils stand going into the 2026-27 season.” [The Athletic ($)]

“A new deal won’t be cheap, even if Hischier takes a team-friendly discount. What could his next contract with the Devils look like?” [Devils on the Rush ($)]

Hockey Links

Stanley Cup Final schedule:

“Former Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy called it ‘upsetting’ in a podcast Thursday that he can’t interview with other clubs after Vegas management declined reported requests by Edmonton and Los Angeles. ‘There were two teams that asked,’ Cassidy said on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast. ‘It’s public knowledge now, and I would like to talk to them. I want to go to work. I’m a hockey coach.’” [Associated Press]

“For one reason or another, there are many young players who would benefit from a trade to a team that is interested in letting young players flourish. Here are a dozen such candidates:” [ESPN]

Vegas taking the Western Conference Final was a shocking result. Where does that series win rank among recent surprise playoff sweeps? [Daily Faceoff]

An interesting idea: “The NBA’s board of governors voted overwhelmingly Thursday to change the league’s draft lottery format beginning with the 2027 NBA draft, the league announced. The new format expands the lottery from 14 to 16 teams, including the 8-seed in each conference’s playoff picture, and adds anti-tanking measures where the bottom three teams are dealt lesser chances for the No. 1 pick while flattening odds for teams that do not qualify for the playoffs or the play-in tournament.” [ESPN]

Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.

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Suzuki Named 48th Top NHL Player In 2026

The Hockey News released its list of the Top 100 NHL players this season in April, and four Montreal Canadiens have made the list. Yesterday, we covered Juraj Slafkovsky, who’s 94th on the list. Today, we look at the second Hab on the list, which is at number 48: Captain Nick Suzuki.

THN justifies his presence at number 48 because he’s the number one center the Canadiens have been looking for for years, adding that his chemistry with Cole Caufield and Slafkovsky is sublime. The magazine also praises the playmaker because he has racked up five 20-goal seasons in a row.

The Canadiens Are Not There Yet
Canadiens' Dobes Deserved Better
Former Canadiens Forward Claude Lemieux Passes Away At 60

I find this ranking highly debatable. This season, Suzuki put up 101 points, a career mark, which was good for sixth overall in league scoring. That’s 20 more points than Tage Thompson, who lands in 32nd place after putting up 81 points in 81 games. Granted, offensive production shouldn’t be the only criterion to make the Top-100 ranking, and that’s exactly why Suzuki should be higher on the list.

All season long, he has had the toughest matchup, being pitted against the opponent’s top line more often than not and yet, on top of producing a career year offensively, he has earned a Selke Trophy nomination as the top defensive forward. Rumblings around the league are that he will likely win the trophy as well.

Since he was given the C in Montreal, becoming the youngest captain in Canadiens history, Suzuki has led by example on and off the ice. He’s put the team on his back in 2025-26, almost taking it single-handedly to the playoffs. For an encore, he was selected to represent Canada at the Olympics and was highly praised by coach Jon Cooper on the international stage before returning to lead the Habs to the playoffs.

While he might not have been all that productive at even strength in the playoffs, he’s still third in scoring with 16 points in 18 games. Granted, the list was published before he led Montreal through two playoff rounds and eliminated both the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Buffalo Sabres, but that just goes to show how good a player he has become.

The fact that he’s the third-best Canadiens player on the list is surprising. One could argue that Suzuki is the glue that holds this Habs’ team together, and while journalists from other markets are starting to take notice of what he accomplishes since the Olympics, he’s still grossly underestimated. He can attack, he can defend, he can do anything the coach wants him to do, and having such a Swiss army knife kind of player on your roster is any coach’s dream.

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.  

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Friday’s Brotherhood Playoff News & Links

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MAY 28: Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Six of the NBA Western Conference Finals on May 28, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

In Thursday’s Brotherhood Playoff Action, San Antonio smoked Oklahoma City, 118-91, to even the Western Conference Finals at 3-3.

The Spurs just punked the Thunder. There’s really no other way to put it, and keep in mind that OKC is a great defensive team, and San Antonio is ridiculously young.

Jared McCain got the start again, and he finished with 13 points, 6 assists, and 2 rebounds.

For his part, Mason Plumlee got 5 minutes and had 1 rebound.

Game 7 will be on Saturday, and that’s going to be worth tuning in for.

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Who will make NBA Finals? Spurs and Thunder ready for Game 7 showdown

The San Antonio Spurs have forced the Oklahoma City Thunder to a Game 7 in the NBA’s Western Conference finals.

San Antonio went wire-to-wire in Game 6 to secure a 118-91 victory on Thursday, May 28 at home.

The Thunder managed to sweep their first two series of the postseason before running into the team that caused problems for them during the regular season. The Spurs got the best of the Thunder in four of five meetings during the regular season, including a 117-102 victory on Christmas Day.

Victor Wembanyama has led the way for the Spurs and did again Thursday, producing a double-double with 28 points and 10 rebounds in Game 6. He went 10-for-21 from the field, including 4-for-9 shooting from the 3-point line, in 28 minutes of play.

“We played together and passed the ball,” Wembanyama said. “We trusted the game plan as always.”

NBA playoff takeaways: Victor Wembanyama makes his case as real MVP as Spurs force Game 7

The Spurs had a dominant third quarter, outscoring OKC 32-13. San Antonio produced a 20-0 scoring run during the quarter.

“I think we need to be consistent (on defense),” Wembanyama said. “I think outscoring them 20-0 is not a realistic projection … but we want to be consistent.”

Wembanyama played a big role in the team’s defense and had three of the team’s seven blocks.

Stephon Castle has also held his own on defense against the two-time reigning MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder star struggled to find a rhythm throughout the game on Thursday.

He was held to 15 points after shooting just 6-of-18 from the field and going 0-for-5 from long range in 28 minutes of play. Gilgeous-Alexander was 3-for-3 from the free-throw line.

“A lot of the shots I’m shooting I’ve taken plenty of times before and felt good,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “They’re just not going in. It’s too late in the season to abandon (my shooting style) now.”

The Thunder will have home-court advantage but Gilgeous-Alexander knows it will take more than that to defeat a determined Spurs team.

“We are a motivated group and accept the challenge ahead,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. ”Anything can happen in a Game 7.

“It's win or go home. Playing in your building is nice but it doesn’t really mean anything. You have to be the better basketball team.”

When do Thunder and Spurs play Game 7?

The Thunder will host the Spurs in Game 7 at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Saturday, May 30 at 8 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Spurs, Thunder ready for Game 7 showdown in Western Conference finals

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NHL & Islanders News: What the Isles still need

We got two pieces, at least. | Getty Images

As we wait for news of who Vegas will meet in the Stanley Cup final (surely Carolina, no?), June is just around the corner, which means the draft, RFA decisions and prep for the UFA period with a thin class will be underway.

What the Islanders do, with two top-grade assets but a lot of holes, is of course continually on our minds and discussed a bit in one of the quotes and links below.

Islanders News

Maybe DeBoer could unlock Barzal more consistently, or help Horvat maintain his level of play from this past season. But even if they each bump up a slot, it still leaves the team without a franchise forward.

  • The Islanders have an incredible Calder winning defenseman and a Vezina finalist in net. Here are the other major pieces they need to contend, preferably sooner than later. [Athletic]
  • With the cap rising and the UFA market very thin, there will be “massive attempts” at big trades. Also: “My understanding is that New York Islanders GM Mathieu Darche has indicated to Lee’s agent, Neil Sheehy, that the team does have interest in re-signing Lee but that it needs to make a few other moves before it can go down that road.” [Athletic]
  • Bo Horvat reflects on a long year. [Isles]
  • Mark Recchi discusses his four favorite leaders, including two Islanders legends in Bryan Trottier and Zdeno Chara. [Athletic]
  • On the ties between Bobby Valentine and Lou Lamoriello. [Newsday]
  • Danny Nelson and the U.S. were eliminated by Canada at the Worlds. [THN]

Elsewhere

  • How Mitch Marner went from Toronto playoff goat to Vegas Conn Smythe contender. [Sportsnet]
  • Former NHLer and Conn Smythe winner Claude Lemieux has died at 60, reportedly by suicide. (Trivia note: he was technically Islanders property at one point, as he was part of the three-way Steve Thomas-Wendel Clark trade, which is officially listed as the Islanders sending Thomas to the Devils for Lemieux before flipping the notoriously dirty pest to Colorado for Clark.) [Post] Patrick Roy is among those mourning his death. [Post] He had just rallied fans in the pre-game hype in Montreal for Game 3. [Athletic]
  • Bruce Cassidy is pretty unhappy that the Knights are blocking him from talking to other teams about coaching openings, and Vegas is unapologetic. [Athletic | Sportsnet | TSN]
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Malachi Witherspoon knocked around in Flying Tigers loss

Columbus Clippers 10, Toledo Mud Hens 3 (box)

The Hens pitching staff was shelled on Thursday, while the offense couldn’t capitalize much on six walks given up by the Clippers.

Troy Watson got the start and was clobbered for four runs and knocked out of the game with one out in the second inning. Yoniel Curet took over and settled things down through the third inning in a nice performance. Curet arguably has the best stuff on the staff and is still actually a prospect still 23 years old, so outings without walks are a step in the right direction for him.

The Hens got on the board in the bottom of the third when Ben Malgeri drew a two-out walk and stole second base. Max Clark pulled a grounder through Clippers’ first baseman Ralphy Velazquez to drive in Malgeri and make it a 4-1 game.

Woo-Suk Go took over from Curet and kept the Clippers off the board in the fourth. In the bottom half, Eduardo Valenica led off with a single. Jace Jung struck out, but Corey Julks walked and Tyler Gentry singled to load the bases. Cal Stevenson grounded out, scoring Valencia, and Andrew Navigato smoked a line drive single to center field to make it 4-3 Clippers, but that was all they’d get.

Go cruised through the fifth, but they tried to squeeze a third inning out of him and he immediately gave up back-to-back doubles and a walk before Jack Little took over. Little allowed two more of Go’s runners to score for a 7-3 Clippers lead.

Little and then Luke Ritter gave up three more runs in the late innings while the Hens offense missed a few opportunities.

Clark: 1-3, RBI, 2 BB, K, SB

Malgeri: 1-4, R, BB, K, SB

Watson (L, 1-1): 1.1 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, K

Go: 2.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, BB, 4 K

Coming Up Next: It’s a 7:05 p.m. ET start on Friday night in Toledo.

Chesapeake Baysox 12, Erie SeaWolves 3 (box)

Kenny Serwa and Tanner Kohlhepp were the Baysox’s main victims in this one as Michigan State grad and Orioles’ second rounder last year, Joseph Dzierwa, punched out nine SeaWolves in his start.

Serwa gave up five runs, three earned through three innings of work. Kohlhepp couldnt’ miss a bat, giving up four runs in the fifth.

It was already 9-0 when the SeaWolves got on the board. Izaac Pacheco led off the fifth with a double and E.J. Exposito drew a walk. Bennett Lee and Brett Callahan struck out, but Peyton Graham lined a single that was misplayed into a double to center field to plate both runs. Callahan would later double in the seventh, and an error on the play scored Exposito to make it 9-3.

First baseman Andrew Jenkins tossed the ninth. Enough said. One of the few bright spots was reliever Moises Rodriguez, who tossed 1.1 innings of scoreless ball to keep his ERA at 2.22 on the year. Rodriguez high-powered sinker makes him the next Jason Foley, but he’s still got to improve his command to get there.

Graham: 1-5, 2 RBI, 2B, K

Callahan: 1-4, 2B, BBf, K

Serwa (L, 1-6): 3.0 IP, 5 R, 3 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 3 K

Coming Up Next: It’s a 6:05 p.m. ET start on Friday with the Baysox up 2-1 in the series.

Lansing Lugnuts 6, West Michigan Whitecaps 1 (box)

Carlos Lequerica was rocked in relief, while Andrew Sears made another rehab start with the Whitecaps in yet another loss.

The Whitecaps’ offense got speedy infielder Woody Hadeen back from the injured list, and they churned out 10 hits and drew four walks, but couldn’t come through with runners in scoring position. At least that’s a change from watching their bullpen blow leads.

Things were promising early on. Samuel Gil tripled with two outs in the first and Bryce Rainer pulled a ground ball through the right side for a 1-0 lead. In the second, Cristian Santana walked but was cut down at the plate trying to score on a Junior Tilien double.

Sears wasn’t real sharp in terms of command, but he didn’t have much trouble with the Lugnuts until giving up an RBI double in the third that tied the game 1-1.

Carlos Lequerica took over to get the final out of the third, but walked the first two hitters in the fourth and went on to give up five runs, capped by an Ali Camarillo three-run shot.

The Whitecaps had plenty of baserunners the rest of the way but just could not buy an RBI knock.

Lucas Elissalt’s usual start day accomodated Sears rehab outing, and the right-hander was really good, throwing four scoreless frames without a walk, striking out four.

Rainer: 3-4, RBI

Hadeen: 1-3, 2 BB

Sears: 2.2 IP, ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 2 K

Elissalt: 4.0 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 4 K

Coming Up Next: It’s a 7:05 p.m. ET start in Lansing on Friday. The Lugnuts lead the series 2-1.

Palm Beach Cardinals 9, Lakeland Flying Tigers 3 (box)

Malachi Witherspoon was crusining early on but ran out of gas and was rocked by a pair of homers as his outing ended in this one.

Carson Rucker opened the scoring in the top of the second with a missile to center field for his sixth home run.

Witherspoon leaked a run in the third, and gave up a Trevor Haskins solo shot in the fourth. Still, he was racking up plenty of strikeouts and routine ground balls until the fifth. He gave up a solo shot, and then a single before Andrew Pogue took over. Pogue allowed the inherited runner to score and then gave up two more runs to make it a 6-1 Palm Beach lead.

In the sixth, Sergio Tapia drew a leadoff walk, and a Jude Warwick sac bunt and then a Jesus Pinto single got Tapia to third. A Beau Ankeney sacrifice fly scored Tapia to make it 6-2. Anibal Salas added a solo shot in the seventh. The bullpen leaked three more runs in the late innings.

Rucker: 1-4, R, RBI, HR, 2 K

Salas: 1-4, R, RBI, HR, 3 K

Witherspoon (L, 2-1): 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 6 K

Coming Up Next: The Cardinals are up 2-1 in the series going into a 6:30 p.m. ET start on Friday.

FCL Yankees 2, FCL Tigers 1 (box)

Jhonan Coba made an excellent, though curiously short outing, but the Tigers didn’t swing the bats well in this one. They got an early lead when Maikol Orozco was hit by pitch, and a rehabbing Jack Penney drew a walk. Cris Rodriguez singled in Orozco for a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately, Jake Bushnell allowed a pair of runs in his 3.1 innings of work and the Tigers couldn’t answer back.

Penney: 1-2, 2B, BB

Rodriguez: 1-4, RBI, 3 K

Hrustich: 1-1, BB

Coba: 2.0 IP, 0 R, 0 H, BB, 3 K

Bushell (L, 0-1): 3.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 5 K