Jun 13, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates .first baseman Spencer Horwitz (2) reacts after being hit by a Miami Marlins pitch to force in the game winning run during the eighth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
On June 15, the Pittsburgh Pirates got blown out to the Athletics 11-2 on the road. The pitching struggled in that game with Jared Jones allowing eight hits and five runs. Carmen Moldozinski also struggled, allowing seven hits and six runs.
The big loss now drops the Pirates to 36-37 on the season which marks the first time they have been below .500 since March 31 when they lost to the New York Mets. The Bucs have now also lost eight of their past 10 games.
The Bucs have been on an absolute free fall since June going 4-9. A big reason because of that has been the pitching which has really struggled of late. Paul Skenes is having a shaky year to his standards. Some of his starts he looks like the Cy young pitcher we know, but there are other starts where he looks off his game.
Mitch Keller has an ERA of 5.14 and has allowed at least five earned runs in the last three starts. Bubba Chandler has also struggled of late for the Bucs with just a 2-7 record and a 4.76 ERA.
The offense has also been struggling, especially in the last four games. The Pirates haven’t scored more than three runs in the last four games, which resulted in a three-game sweep to the Miami Marlins.
The Pirates were in a wild card spot exactly a week ago, but they now find themselves two games out of the wild card. The team is also now in fourth place in the NL Central, being 5.5 games behind the Cardinals for second place and two games behind the Chicago Cubs for third place. The Milwaukee Brewers lead the division by 4.5 games with a 43-26 record.
The Pirates started off so hot to start the season, but it is safe to say that they have been wildly disappointing in the last couple of weeks. The Buccos need to play better and gain some momentum before the All-Star break, but if they can’t do that, then the playoff drought will continue in Pittsburgh.
CHICAGO (AP) — Pete Crow-Armstrong put his name in the Chicago Cubs’ record book next to Hall of Fame slugger Hack Wilson — and then nearly ruined the celebration at Wrigley Field.
Crow-Armstrong completed the first cycle by a major leaguer this season with a seventh-inning single Monday night, then was promptly picked off first base by Colorado Rockies reliever Brennan Bernardino in a one-run game.
“My excitement was a little short-lived,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell quipped after his team scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth for a 5-4 win.
Crow-Armstrong, who was a single short of the cycle Saturday in San Francisco, hit a leadoff home run in the first inning, tripled off the wall on almost the same trajectory in the third and doubled down the right-field line in the fifth.
When he came up again to lead off the seventh, the 24-year-old said he was more prepared for the moment than he might have been earlier in his career, or even earlier this season.
“Earlier, it probably made me a little nervous,” Crow-Armstrong said. “I felt like I ‘had to’ instead of ‘I get to’ hit in this really cool moment with this crowd of 40,000 pulling for me. I think I’m learning to use that to my advantage instead of me shaking in my boots when I’m up there and wanting to get the job done so badly. It’s also a regular thing at Wrigley. That happens a lot.”
With both Crow-Armstrong and the crowd fully aware of what was at stake, Crow-Armstrong lined a 1-1 fastball from Bernardino to right to finish the 13th cycle in Cubs history and only the second since 1993.
Just two Cubs center fielders have hit for the cycle since 1901: Crow-Armstrong on Monday and Wilson on June 23, 1930.
Crow-Armstrong was asked what that sort of history means to him.
“I know it’s a rare feat,” he said. “It’s hard to answer questions like those when the game just ended and I’m processing a lot. Maybe I’ll have a better answer tomorrow.”
Crow-Armstrong also added a key sacrifice fly in the eighth to cut the Rockies’ lead to 4-3.
“I absolutely put up great at-bats tonight and I’m proud of the production that I’ve helped have over the past few weeks,” he said. “But you saw it tonight: The game’s not over until it’s over. I did everything I could to help the team. But I also had a real lapse in focus and that really could have hurt us tonight. That’s what I’m talking about. Not going to dwell on that. Something so simple as someone gets in your ear and says that can’t ever happen again, and it can’t ever happen again.”
Crow-Armstrong has a 19-game on-base streak dating to May 26, hitting safely in 18 of those games. He’s batting .402 with seven doubles, three triples, seven home runs and 12 RBIs during that span.
“Watching him every day, he’s a player who overcomes your imagination,” Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga said through an interpreter.
HOUSTON — Colt Keith rediscovered his home run swing in Houston, swatting three round-trippers against the Astros.
Keith, who bats from the left side, hit a towering, two-out, two-run shot to right-center in the third inning, a two-run drive down the right-field line in the seventh, and an opposite-field solo homer in the ninth over the 19-foot left field wall at Daikin Park.
“I was up there and on-time for the fastballs tonight and I was able to do some damage,” Keith said after finishing with six RBIs in the Tigers’ 9-3 victory. “We all know they come in bunches in this game.”
The 24-year-old Keith hit 13 home runs in each of his previous two major league seasons, but had just one this year before his power display in Houston.
The only Tigers player younger than Keith to launch three home runs in a game was Hall of Fame outfielder Al Kaline, who was 20 when he did it on April 17, 1955.
“I see the ball well here,” said Keith, who was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the first. ”Definitely one of the best games I’ve had in my life. It was a lot of fun. We’ve just got to keep stacking days, and keep doing it and get back in this thing.”
The Tigers (30-42) have struggled for much of this season, but were six games out of the American League’s third and final wild-card playoff spot after the victory.
Max Muncy and Andy Pages of the Los Angeles Dodgers are the only other major leaguers to hit three homers in a game this season. Muncy did it April 10 against Texas and Pages accomplished the feat May 6 — also in Houston.
ST. LOUIS — After losing a perfect game in the seventh inning, Dustin May won the adulation of the Busch Stadium crowd and his St. Louis Cardinals teammates by closing out the most dominant performance of his injury-plagued career.
“This is about as good as I’ve felt in a long time,” May said after pitching a one-hitter in a 3-0 victory over the San Diego Padres.
The 28-year-old righty threw 69 strikes during his 101-pitch masterpiece, which he capped off with his ninth strikeout of the night.
May issued only one walk during his first complete game in 71 major league starts. Fernando Tatis Jr. drew a free pass leading off the seventh inning, followed two batters later by Manny Machado’s single to left field that broke up the bid for a no-hitter.
May, however, wasn’t flustered. He retired the last seven batters he faced, and his final pitch broke low and away so sharply that Tatis was unable to check his swing as the ball skipped off the dirt and into catcher Jimmy Crooks’ glove for strike three.
May (5-6) let out a triumphant roar and clenched his right fist as he skipped off the mound. He hugged Crooks and tipped his cap to the crowd before approaching teammates and coaches who’d lined up in front of the dugout to exchange high-fives.
One teammate dumped a chest of ice on him.
“After all the stuff I’ve been through in my career,” May said, “that was fantastic.”
May (5-6) became the first Cardinals starter this season to get an out in the eighth inning, something even he failed to do during a seven-inning, no-hit bid against Milwaukee last month.
May left that game in the eighth and took the loss after the Brewers rallied for a 2-1 victory on May 27. This time, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol left May in.
The pitcher was plagued by multiple arm injuries — and a life-threatening esophagus tear — early in his career. He accumulated just 101 innings pitched between 2021 and 2024, missing the entire 2024 season.
His first team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, traded him to Boston last season, and this season is his first with St. Louis.
May’s outing on Monday night marked the ninth complete game and sixth individual shutout in the majors this season.
The Cincinnati Reds will try to make it two in a row at home tonight as they host the New York Mets at the Great American Ball Park.
Both pitchers are having rough years, but there’s more reason for hope with Kodai Senga, which is why I’m taking New York to win in my Mets vs. Reds predictions.
Keep reading to see why I like the Mets, and get the rest of my free MLB picks for Tuesday, June 16.
Who will win Mets vs Reds today: Mets moneyline (-124)
While both pitchers have struggled this season, I can envision New York Mets starter Kodai Senga having a strong outing.
Senga gets whiffs on 29% of swings, a necessary tool against a Cincinnati Reds lineup that barrels up balls 10.3% of the time, the second-best rate in the majors.
Reds starter Brady Singer has an xERA of 5.80, and is striking out just 16.7% of batters. He isn’t fooling anyone, getting batters to chase only 27.6% of the time.
Analytically, Singer has been among the worst starters in the majors this season.
Even in a disappointing season, Senga’s forkball does present a unique challenge, and the Reds have yet to face the pitch — which Senga throws 23% of the time — this season. Senga looked strong in his final minor league start, allowing just one run and one hit in six innings.
These teams are well below league average in run production, and I’m happy to take the Under at 9 runs or more.
Ed Scimia's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 13-16, -3.84 units
Over/Under bets: 10-17, -7.59 units
Mets vs Reds odds
Moneyline: Mets -124 | Reds +106
Run line: Mets -1.5 | Reds +1.5
Over/Under: Over 9.5 | Under 9.5
Mets vs Reds trend
The Reds are 0-7 straight up in Singer’s last seven starts. Find more MLB betting trends for Mets vs. Reds.
How to watch Mets vs Reds and game info
Location
Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati, OH
Date
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
First pitch
7:10 p.m. ET
TV
SNY, Reds.TV
Mets starting pitcher
Kodai Senga (0-4, 9.00 ERA)
Reds starting pitcher
Brady Singer (2-6, 5.61 ERA)
Mets vs Reds latest injuries
Mets vs Reds weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
ST. LOUIS — San Diego pitcher Ron Marinaccio was issued a three-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for hitting Baltimore’s Gunnar Henderson shortly before the end of the Padres’ 9-3 victory over the Orioles.
Michael Hill, Major League Baseball’s senior vice president for on-field operations, concluded that Marinaccio intentionally hit Henderson with the pitch.
Padres manager Craig Stammen was suspended one game and fined an undisclosed amount in connection with that same play, Hill announced.
While Stammen elected to serve his suspension on Monday night, when San Diego visited St. Louis, Marinaccio chose to appeal. Hill said Marinaccio will be eligible to keep playing until his appeal process is complete.
Marinaccio hit Henderson with the first pitch of an at-bat, which occurred with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning and San Diego leading by six.
Marinaccio was ejected, and Stammen came out to argue and was tossed, too.
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 10: Fans celebrate an Atlanta Braves score during the third inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Truist Park on April 10, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
70 out of 162 games down, and it’s safe to say the 2026 Atlanta Braves (46-24) have been a much-needed balm after the last few years of underperformance. The injury bug and occasional offensive outages are still lingering, but the divisional cushion and current position atop MLB make it hard to complain.
The first round of All-Star voting hasn’t even concluded yet (braves.com/vote, btw) and we’ve already had some incredible moments to look back on. Including, but not limited to:
THE Big Dom Smith Moment to date, his walkoff grand slam on opening weekend
Walt Weiss on the West Coast with the form tackle heard ‘round the world
Three (3) separate instances of Michael Harris II pinch-hit heroics
Ronald Acuña Jr.’s second HR of the season sailing over the Green Monster for a grand slam
Matt Olson’s first walk-off as a Brave
I went with a family member to their first Braves game since they moved from Turner Field to Truist Park recently and got to hear some of their favorite game moments and experiences in the old ballpark. I, in turn, got to share some of the homers I’ve been lucky enough to see with my own eyes (Ronald’s 40th to make it 40/40, his first pitch back from injury last year, etc).
We asked the good people of Battery Power for some of their in-person highlights and favorite moments, and the Feed delivered some gems.
Nothing like October baseball
Cheers for Chipper
Not wins, but special all the same
Literal history
In the immortal words of dril: “the crack of the bat. the scent of a verdant field. The excitement of the crowd. These are the things that piss base ball fans off the most”
Funny and somewhat true, we also love all those things (and miss them dearly from fall to February). In what non-baseball enjoyers call a “grind”, we see heroes and villains rise and fall, witness feats of athleticism previously unseen, and partake in a pastime rich with history and memory. Thanks for sharing yours with us, Braves Country – we hope there’s many more exciting ones to come for Atlanta this year and beyond.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MARCH 30: Manager Matt Quatraro #33 of the Kansas City Royals and general manager and president of baseball operations J.J. Picollo talk in the dugout prior to the game against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium on March 30, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images
To get back to .500, the Royals would have to win about 58 percent of their remaining games. The current list of teams playing at or above that rate includes the Dodgers, Braves, Yankees, Brewers, and Rays. Last season, only four teams finished the year above that level. Can the Royals be a top-five team over the next 90 games? I think the answer is an emphatic no. With injuries to multiple position players, as well as members of the rotation and bullpen, there is no reason to believe this season is going to get back on track. That means it is time to plan for the future, and there are several things that need to happen to salvage something from 2026.
Decide where these players belong
Vinnie Pasquantino and Jac Caglianone are the two biggest names in this group. I like Matthew’s post on Vinnie, and I think I would go even further. Moving Jac back to first base immediately after Pasquantino went down says to me that the organization does not see him as the right fielder for the next half-decade. He has some range issues and is a large human being, so despite his arm, I think Cags should be viewed as the first baseman of the next contending Royals team. It may be that the Royals see it that way, too. That leads to some not-so-fun discussions about how to handle the fan-favorite cryptid who has been at first base for most of this season.
Next for me are Cole Ragans, Kris Bubic, and Luinder Avila. Do any – or all – of these guys need to end up in the bullpen? I do not know when, or if, Ragans and Bubic will return, but if they do, it might be time to consider their fragility a reason to take them out of the rotation. They know more than I do about each player’s health prospects, but their histories at this point make a reduced workload at least worth considering if it helps keep them on the field and maximize their value.
Avila is a different story. He is still not established, and I think he will eventually end up in the bullpen. For now, though, they have the luxury of using him as a starter for the rest of this season to see if he can figure it out. Let him start until he proves he can’t. Two of his last three trips out there showed some promise, though there are still walk-rate issues. Yesterday certainly pointed to some problems.
John Rave, Kameron Misner, and anyone else in the high minors whom the team thinks deserves a shot need to get one. Lane Thomas and Starling Marte need to spend as much time on the bench as possible. Even if they build some trade value, bench bats do not bring back blue-chip prospects. Rave deserves one more shot. Misner is probably a fourth outfielder at best, but they might as well make sure. Matthew Lugo? Peyton Wilson? Now is the time to give them an audition if there is any chance they could turn into solutions.
Trade deadline prioritization
Trading needs to be about maximizing the return this year, in my opinion, not maximizing the return with regard to 2027. I know they want to compete next year, and the Bobby Witt Jr. clock is ticking. However, the best prospects in the farm system are all in A-ball. Justin Lamkin may be a significant part of the 2027 team, so there might be some help on the way, but not much. The goal should be to restock the farm system at all levels, not just target players on the cusp of reaching the majors.
The Royals have players other teams will want in Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Bubic if healthy, Daniel Lynch IV, John Schreiber, and perhaps a few others. None of those players is likely to bring back a Top 100 prospect, so targeting lower-level players with higher risk and higher ceilings makes more sense this season.
Accountability established
Last season started horribly and was partially salvaged. This season started horribly and has completely flown off the rails. Someone is to blame. They cannot run this entire management team back. This type of evaluation should be happening all the time anyway, but in this case, I do not think you can sell fans on the idea that everyone is doing a great job and should be retained. Some people need to be fired—or reassigned, if the organization still values them.
Alec Zumwalt is the only one who, for me, 100 percent needs to be in a different position. He is five years into running the hitting program with very little to show for it. Bobby Witt Jr. is the only smashing success of his tenure, and I think he would have succeeded anywhere under any hitting coach. I would give Zumwalt the most credit for Maikel Garcia, who is now an everyday player, though he is not even close to last year’s level at the moment. Vinnie has gotten worse over time. Caglianone might be headed in the right direction, but Carter Jensen is not.
Then there is the laundry list of failures, including MJ Melendez, Nick Pratto, Drew Waters, and others. There are other coaches who might need to go as well. I know a lot of you have Matt Quatraro as the head that most needs to roll, but they need to change something, and they need to get it right.
The Royals cannot fix everything in one summer, but they can use the next three months to answer some important questions. If 2026 is going to be a lost season, the least they can do is make sure it is not a wasted one.
It’s another loaded slate on the diamond Tuesday, June 16, and my favorite MLB same-game parlay predictions begin at the top of the docket with the Philadelphia Phillies topping the Miami Marlins.
My top MLB picks wrap up in the late window with the Athletics set to run up the score on the Pittsburgh Pirates at Sutter Health Park tonight.
I’m also expecting Philly stars Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper to lead the way offensively. Schwarber has teed off on righties to the tune of a .380 wOBA and .319 ISO, and Harper has been every bit as good with respective .415 and .301 marks.
The Mets rank eighth in baseball in xwOBA over the past two weeks, after all, and New York star Juan Soto has been automatic against righties with a .420 wOBA and .290 ISO since the beginning of the 2024 campaign.
Still, Singer has picked up five or more strikeouts in four of his past six starts with his strikeout percentage climbing to 20.9% after posting a 13.1% mark through his first seven outings, so I'd recommend this SGP down to +400.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Looking to help those in need and score free Pittsburgh Pirates tickets while you're at it? This week, you're in luck.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are holding their 30th annual blood drive June 16 through June 18, with additional dates to donate blood scheduled in August. Those who donate will get ticket vouchers for upcoming Pirates games.
When is the Pittsburgh Pirates 2026 blood drive?
The Pittsburgh Pirates are holding a blood drive several days this week, with additional dates scheduled in August. Here's when you can stop by PNC Park's press conference room to donate:
Tuesday, June 16: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, June 17: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday, June 18: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 26: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 27: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Do I need an appointment to donate at the Pittsburgh Pirates blood drive?
Walk-ins are welcome, but it's recommended to schedule an appointment to donate blood. You can register ahead of time through the Pirates' website.
What games do I get tickets for if I donate blood at the Pirates blood drive?
Blood donors will get a voucher for two tickets for regular home season games, with the exception of Friday and Saturday games.
The voucher can be redeemed online at the Pittsburgh Pirates' website.
Where do Pittsburgh Pirates blood drive donations go?
The Pirates partnered with Vitalant, a nonprofit organization that collects blood from volunteer donors and then provides those donations to hospitals around the country.
Finch Walker is the Pittsburgh Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Walker at FWalker@usatodayco.com. Instagram: @finchwalker_. X: @_finchwalker.
The Philadelphia Flyers have landed goalie Joseph Woll in a big deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Flyers have announced that they have acquired Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit from the Maple Leafs in exchange for Samuel Ersson, Emil Andrae, and a 2026 third-round pick.
It is no secret that the Flyers have been looking for a boost between the pipes. Now, they have gotten just that by acquiring Woll. He should form a nice tandem with Flyers breakout goalie Dan Vladar.
In 39 games this season with the Maple Leafs, Woll had a 15-16-7 record, an .898 save percentage, and a 3.34 goals-against average. This is after he had a .907 save percentage in 2023-24 and a .909 save percentage in 2024-25.
Woll was among the top goalies in the rumor mill early on this off-season. Now, the Flyers are the lucky team that has landed the 27-year-old. In 117 career NHL games, he has a 63-43-9 record, a .906 save percentage, and a 2.94 goals-against average. He also has a .906 save percentage in 14 career NHL playoff games.
With Benoit, the Flyers are adding a big defenseman who plays with a physical edge to their blueline. In 73 games this season with the Maple Leafs, the 6-foot-4 blueliner posted six assists, 114 blocks, and 194 hits.
BREAKING: We have acquired goaltender Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit from Toronto in exchange for goaltender Samuel Ersson, defenseman Emil Andrae and a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Questions about Ersson's future in Philadelphia had been coming up for a while due to back-to-back tough seasons. In 33 games this campaign with the Flyers, he had a career-worst .870 save percentage and a 3.12 goals-against average. Now, he will be looking to bounce back after being traded to Toronto.
Andrae appeared in a career-high 61 games this season for the Flyers, where he had two goals and 13 points. He also appeared in four playoff games for Philadelphia this spring, posting one assist. The 24-year-old defenseman will now be looking to break out after getting this fresh start with the Maple Leafs.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded goaltender Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for goaltender Samuel Ersson, defeneman Emil Andrae and a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL draft.
Ersson, 26, comes to Toronto following his worst campaign of his four-year NHL career, posting a .870 save percentage and a 3.12 goals-against average across 33 appearances for the Flyers.
Andrae is the key piece of this trade for the Maple Leafs. He is what Toronto needs after a disappointing year of missing the playoffs and poor performances in the Leafs' back end.
As a 24-year-old D-man, Andrae brings youth and speed to the Maple Leafs' sluggish, slow, old and heavy blueline. The departure of Benoit sacrifices some physicality, but it's replaced by Andrae's ability to advance the puck.
Andrae has just 104 games played across parts of three years in Philadelphia. He played 61 games and recorded two goals and 13 points last year, with a plus-15 rating and averaged 15:20 of ice time in the regular season.
He also made four appearances in the post-season for the Flyers, putting up one assist and an average ice time of just 11:05.
Woll has spent parts of the last five years with the Maple Leafs, featuring in a total of 117 regular-season appearances and averaging a .906 SP and a 2.94 GAA.
The 27-year-old goaltender is coming off a down year with the Leafs, registering a .899 SP and a 3.34 GAA. Those are his lowest numbers since he entered the NHL in 2021-22.
Though he has a history of injuries, he is a solid goaltender when healthy, and his previous campaigns is an example of that.
In 2024-25, he had a career year, posting .909 SP and a 2.73 GAA. It was the most action he's seen in one season, participating in 42 contests and starting in 41 of those. Therefore, despite a passing campaign that wasn't up to his standard, there is still a good goaltender there in Woll.
As for Benoit, he's been with the Maple Leafs for the last three campaigns, known for his physical edge on the back end.
He wasn't the greatest in terms of puck skills and advancing the puck forward, but in the role of a depth defenseman, Benoit got the job done.
The 27-year-old blueliner has played 352 NHL games, 215 of which were with Toronto. Last season, he recorded six assists, averaged 17:18 of ice time, and registered a minus-22 rating, the fifth lowest plus-minus on the team.
Benoit is entering the final year of his three-year deal, which sees him earn $1.35 million against the cap.
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Josh Inglis' expert pick: Mets vs. Reds - Over 9.5
Price: 53¢ (-113) at Polymarket
Let's take the Over at Great American Ballpark, which grades out as the second-best park for runs today, per Ballpark Pal, aided by a bit of wind blowing out to left field.
The Cincinnati Reds hung a 12-pack in the opener last night and could keep the offense rolling against New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga, who is making his first start since a spine/arm injury.
Senga was getting crushed before landing on the IL, allowing 17 runs over his final 8 1/3 innings across three starts. His fly ball rate has also spiked this season, which is never ideal in this park.
On the other side, Brady Singer owns one of the worst HR/FB rates in baseball, and his 4.9 K/9 at home is a massive drop from his 8.3 K/9 mark on the road. THE BAT projections make this fair closer to -164 with 11.82 projected runs.
Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
How to watch: SNY, Reds.TV
Jon Metler's expert pick: Cardinals moneyline
Price: 52¢ (-108) at Polymarket
One team has the star power and the bigger names, but the other side is offering the value.
The St. Louis Cardinals are trading at 52 cents, while I make them closer to 56, giving us enough edge to back them in this spot. Michael King takes the mound for the San Diego Padres, and he leans heavily on his sweeping slider, which generates a ton of horizontal movement and is particularly effective against right-handed hitters.
The problem for King is that St. Louis is expected to feature five left-handed bats, and that slider tends to break into their barrels rather than away from them. I also love the way the Cardinals are constructed offensively. Their ability to alternate left-handed and right-handed hitters throughout the lineup makes it difficult for a pitcher like King to establish a rhythm.
With the handedness constantly changing from one at-bat to the next, King's pitch sequencing and location become more difficult to establish, limiting the effectiveness of his best weapon while creating a favorable matchup for St. Louis.
Time: 7:45 p.m. ET
How to watch: TBS
Neil Parker's expert pick: Mets moneyline
Price: 53¢ (-113) at Polymarket
Singer has surrendered the second-highest blast contact rate with the seventh-highest xERA among starters with at least 50 innings this season, so I’m anticipating an improving Mets offense to have success at the dish tonight.
The Mets rank eighth in baseball in xwOBA over the past two weeks, after all, and Senga was in complete command while fanning nine batters across six innings in his latest rehab start with Double-A Binghamton.
Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
How to watch: SNY, Reds.TV
Joe Osborne's expert pick: Pirates vs. A's Over 10.5
Price: 54¢ (-117) at Polymarket
Everything points toward a slugfest tonight at Sutter Health Park.
Pittsburgh Pirates righty Mitch Keller is in the middle of a brutal stretch, allowing 18 earned runs across his last three starts while carrying an ugly 8.70 ERA over his last six outings.
The A’s counter with Jack Perkins, who's primarily worked out of the bullpen. He owns a 6.20 ERA and hasn’t pitched beyond 4 2/3 innings all season. That’s bad news, with both bullpens also struggling, each posting ERAs north of six over the last two weeks.
Add in an A’s offense ranked second in OPS during those two weeks, Pittsburgh’s 15-4 Over run, and 10 mph winds blowing out, and the Over is the clear play.
Time: 9:40 p.m. ET
How to watch: SportsNet Pittsburgh, NBC Sports California
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Jun 14, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras (24) bats during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Brewers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
We’re back with another Reacts Survey, and this week we’re asking fans about the upcoming All-Star Game in Philadelphia!
While it seems all but guaranteed that we’ll see Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski in the big game, we’re wondering which other Brewer you’d most like to see make an appearance. We’ve narrowed it down to fellow starting pitcher Kyle Harrison, outfielder Jackson Chourio, second baseman Brice Turang, first baseman/outfielder Jake Bauers, and catcher William Contreras.
Harrison, 24, is putting together the best year of his career, as he’s totaled 65 2/3 innings over 13 starts for Milwaukee, pitching to a 2.47 ERA, 3.05 FIP, and 80 strikeouts — and that’s including a blow-up appearance where he allowed eight runs in just 2 1/3 innings against the A’s in Las Vegas.
Chourio, 22, missed the first month-plus of the season, but he’s been better than ever since returning, as he’s hitting .322/.370/.572 with nine homers, 11 doubles, 26 RBIs, 27 runs, and five steals across 35 games. He’s also fresh off an NL Player of the Week selection, as he slugged five homers and drove in at least one run in each of Milwaukee’s six games.
Turang, 26, got out to a red-hot start but has cooled off a bit in recent weeks. Even so, he’s hitting .261/.378/.457 with 10 homers, 14 doubles, 42 RBIs, 53 runs, and 12 steals across 65 games while also providing above-average defense. After finishing in 14th place in last year’s MVP voting, it only seems deserving that he should be an All-Star for the first time in his career.
Bauers, 30, is having a bit of a breakout year, as he has 1.7 bWAR over 60 games, easily the best mark of his career. He’s hitting .276/.374/.519 with 13 homers, 12 doubles, 46 RBIs, 40 runs, and five steals, as he’s started to make a few more starts in the outfield as Pat Murphy tries to get both him and the red-hot Andrew Vaughn in the lineup.
Finally, Contreras, 28, continues to be a leader on this young Brewer squad. While he has just 1.3 bWAR, he’s still hitting .295/.352/.411 with six homers, 12 doubles, 43 RBIs, 39 runs, and a steal while providing veteran leadership and leading the league in ABS challenges (his 88 as a catcher easily outpace the second-place Edgar Quero, who has 68).
MLB provided a voting update yesterday, and while pitchers (like Miz and Harrison) aren’t eligible to be selected via votes, all four of the position players mentioned here are within shouting distance:
Chourio: 15th among outfielders at 252,264 votes (current sixth place: Jordan Walker at 437,071 votes)
Turang: second among second baseman at 373,656 votes (current second place: Bryson Stott at 399,729 votes)
Bauers: fourth among first baseman at 207,276 votes (current second place: Matt Olson at 802,848 votes)
Contreras: fourth among catchers at 303,240 votes (current second place: Will Smith at 662,883 votes)
Which of these five would you most like to see in July’s All-Star Game? Weigh in below and stay tuned for results later this week!
On Tuesday, the Chicago Blackhawks and the NHL Alumni Association sadly announced the death of Kyle Calder, who played a decade in the NHL for five teams in total. His first and longest tenure was in Chicago, where he played in 359 games over parts of six seasons.
In those games with the Blackhawks, Calder had 85 goals & 125 assists for 210 points. For being a 5th-round pick (130th overall) in the 1997 NHL Draft, he sure carved out a nice career for himself.
Following his tenure with Chicago, he had stints with the Philadelphia Flyers, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Anaheim Ducks before retiring in 2010. Calder finished with 114 goals, 180 assists, and 294 points in 590 games played.
Danny Wirtz, the Chairman and CEO of the Blackhawks, had this to say about Calder following the tragic loss:
“The Chicago Blackhawks mourn the loss of Kyle Calder and extend our deepest condolences to Kyle's family during this extremely difficult and tragic time. Kyle approached life with the same passion, intensity and incredible dedication that defined his play. His commitment to the game remained strong long after his professional career ended, sharing his love for hockey with all generations of players through his work with Little Blackhawks, local youth teams and the Chicago Blackhawks Alumni Association. While Kyle's time with us was far too short, I'm comforted in knowing his legacy will live on for many years to come.”
The cause of death is not yet known. He was 47 years old.
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