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Dillon Brooks, Underdog market 'Unethical Hoops' based on children's board game

Game night for hoop heads just got a lot more entertaining.

Underdog and Phoenix Suns guard Dillon Brooks collaborated to unveil a new board game called "Unethical Hoops".

It's essentially a basketball-themed version of Operation, a children's and family board game produced by Hasbro and Milton Bradley where players act as "doctors and surgeons" using tweezers to carefully remove ailments and add correct organs to the patient on the board without triggering the buzzer.

However, Brooks' version with Underdog, Unethical Hoops, takes aim at Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The name of the game is to steal basketballs from the back-to-back MVP, using tweezers, but the catch is you can't make contact with him, if you do, you're whistled for a foul and it's the next player's turn.

Similar to guarding Gilgeous-Alexander, or the modern NBA player, the board game features a bunch of foul-baiting tactics to look out for when defending the offensive player. Board game tactics favoring the ballhandler includes the head snap, shoulder bump, push off, lean in, hook and cook, rip through, don't reach, phantom contact and leg kick.

"Head snap. A lot of people do that. Hook, was James Harden's move. Push off, try this. You know I don't foul," Brooks said as he demonstrated how to play the game in a video released by Underdog.

Brooks on the next steal attempt, set off the official and was called for a foul.

"Foul. Next player's turn," Brooks said. "Get yours ... play your game with your friends and family, and get reacquainted with the new foul-baiting from The Villain".

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the basket against Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks.

How to get Underdog's Unethical Hoops board game

This satirical board game is available at www.unethicalhoops.com.

As part of Underdog's promotion, there were 100 board games made, according to their website. To have a chance to win, you must download the Underdog app, which will direct users how to apply for the game. Winners will be announced May 29.

"Shai has made hoops all about foul baiting and now you're stuck guarding him in Underdog's new board game," their website said. "Don't get baited. Steal the ball without getting whistled."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Underdog. Dillon Brooks unveil Unethical Hoops, in a shot at SGA

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Arrighetti, Vazquez Lead Astros Over Cubs 4-2

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MAY 20: Christian Vazquez #2 of the Houston Astros hits an RBI single against the Minnesota Twins in the second inning at Target Field on May 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Spencer Arrighetti continued to put up zeros and battery mate Christian Vazquez drove in a pair as the Houston Astros (21-31) slipped past the Chicago Cubs (29-22) 4-2 at Wrigley Field.

Arrighetti did not get deep in this game, but he did throw 5 innings of shutout ball in earning his 6th win in 7 starts this year. He lowered his ERA to 1.32. He allowed 2 hits, 4 walks and struck out 5. He also hit 2 batters, with one of them being Alex Bregman.

Christian Vazquez got things started with a solo HR in the 3rd off Cubs starter Jameson Taillon (L, 2-4). Vazquez also had an RBI single in the 4th, which followed an RBI groundout by Zach Cole to give the Astros a 3-0 lead.

Brice Matthews laced an RBI single in the 5th for the Astros fourth run. The Astros would get 4 earned runs off Taillon today in 4.2 IP, on 8 hits and a walk. Taillon struck out 5.

The Cubs made it interesting in the 6th when Pete Crow-Armstrong drove a 2-run homer to right off Steven Okert. The one-out blast chased Okert from the game in favor of Enyel de los Santos, who gave the Astros 5 clean outs to get them to the eighth.

Bryan Abreu came on in the 8th, and got the first 2 outs before getting into trouble. He hit Carson Kelly and then walked Pete Crow-Armstrong, which led to manager Joe Espada summoning Bryan King.

Abreu’s fastball velocity continues to be well below his norms from past seasons, and he used it sparingly. His fastballs registered 92.4 MPH, 93 MPH, 92.7 MPH, 94.6 MPH. He threw 14 pitches, including 10 sliders. He only threw 6 pitches for strikes.

King escaped the inning, working around an error by SS Jeremy Pena, without allowing a run to score. He then pitched a 1-2-3 9th for his 5th save.

The Astros look to claim the series tomorrow with RHP Kai-Wei Teng (2-3, 2.61) vs. the Cubs RHP Colin Rea (4-2, 4.98). Game time 1:20 pm.

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Game Thread #48: Milwaukee Brewers (29-18) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (31-19)

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Logan Henderson throws during the first inning of their game against the New York Yankees Sunday, May 10, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. | Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Brewers are coming off quite a high, as earlier this week they swept their biggest division rival, the Cubs, and moved back into first place in the NL Central. This weekend, they’ll look to keep the momentum going as they face off with the NL West-leading Dodgers in a rematch of last year’s National League Championship Series. (Check out Harrison’s series preview here.) In game one of this three-game series, the Brewers will send Logan Henderson to the mound to face off with lefty Justin Wrobleski.

Henderson is having another good season in 2026 after he impressed in five major league starts in 2025. He’s been especially good since rejoining the Brewers’ rotation in May. After a spot start in early April didn’t go especially well, Henderson went back to the minors, but since returning on May 3, he’s got a 2.81 ERA in three starts (16 innings) and an eye-catching 20:2 strikeout-to-walk ratio. In his most recent outing, Henderson picked up a win and went five innings, allowed one run on six hits while striking out seven and walking one.

Wrobleski is having a sort of bizarre season. The results are good: he’s 6-1 with a 2.49 ERA. But Wrobleski is striking out batters at an alarmingly low clip; with 27 strikeouts in 50 2/3 innings, he’s averaging just 4.8 strikeouts per nine innings, a number that would be good if it were the 1930s. The major league evidence we have suggests that Wrobleski isn’t much of a strikeout pitcher as a starter — in 2024, when six of his eight appearances were starts, he averaged 6.4 strikeouts per nine. What’s a bit confusing about it, though, is that when he was mostly relieving in 2025, he averaged a solid 10.3 K/9. In any case, don’t expect many strikeouts tonight, as the Brewers are one of the better teams at not striking out regardless of who they’re facing. Wrobleski also recently had one of the stranger outings I can think of in recent times: on May 10, he threw 8 2/3 innings, but in a game in which he allowed seven runs, all earned. He threw only 100 pitches, but it’s still not something you see every day.

The big news out of Milwaukee this evening: The Brewers are using a lineup they’ve used already this season, which ends a streak of 47 consecutive unique lineups to start the year. Pat Murphy, for what it’s worth, claims he was unaware:

The lineup is the same as it was on Monday, and it worked then: that’s the game in which the Brewers put eight runs on Shota Imanaga and won 9-3. This lineup includes Christian Yelich at DH, an outfield of Jake Bauers, Jackson Chourio, and Sal Frelick and an infield that goes Luis Rengifo, Joey Ortiz, Brice Turang, and Andrew Vaughn from left to right. William Contreras is behind the plate. The Dodgers, as they tend to do these days, boast at least three and maybe four Hall of Famers at the top of their lineup with Shohei Ohtani followed by Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Kyle Tucker. The back of their lineup includes Andy Pages, Max Muncy, Teoscar Hernández, Dalton Rushing, and Hyeseong Kim.

A brief note of good news from the minors: Luis Peña starts a rehab assignment in Arizona today.

First pitch in Milwaukee is at 6:40 p.m. on Brewers TV and the Brewers Radio Network!

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NBA executives say Malachi Moreno and Milan Momcilovic should return to school

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 22: Milan Momcilovic #22 of the Iowa State Cyclones shoots against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at Enterprise Center on March 22, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images

The 2026 NBA Draft is nearly one month away, and the Kentucky Wildcats are awaiting a couple of big decisions that would complete their roster for the upcoming season.

Jeff Goodman, a basketball analyst at The Field of 68, took to Twitter on Friday after speaking with 10 NBA executives and getting their takes on a handful of players: whether they should keep their names in for the NBA Draft or head back to college. Wildcats fans will like this one.

The poll included rising big man Malachi Moreno and UK transfer target Milan Momcilovic.

Moreno had nine votes to head back to college and just one vote to keep his name in the draft.

The Kentucky native would be the centerpiece of the Wildcats 2026-27 roster, as he’s projected to have a breakout season in Lexington. If Mark Pope can get Moreno back, the Cats will have one of the most skilled lineups in the nation.

Now for 6-foot-8, Wisconsin native, Momcilovic. The NBA executives were unanimous in their decision, giving all 10 votes in the direction that he should head back to college.

If Momcilovic does return to college, the Wildcats will have to pull out the blank check. Isaac Trotter of 247 Sports gave a number projection of what his NIL value would look like. “It’s hard to leave $6 million on the table, and I think he’d get a number in that ballpark,” Trotter said.

If the Wildcats were able to get both of these players for next season they could very well become a true title contender.

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Thunder vs Spurs Same-Game Parlay for Tonight's NBA Playoffs Game 3

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The Western Conference finals have not disappointed, with the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs giving NBA bettors thrilling finishes as the series swings to Texas for Game 3.

Let’s keep the blood pumping, and the best way to do so is with some Thunder vs. Spurs predictions.
 
Despite injury concerns, I like San Antonio to show up at home on the slender shoulders of Victor Wembanyama. But don’t discount this other 7-footer on Friday night.

Here are my best NBA picks and SGP predictions for Thunder vs. Spurs on Friday, May 22.

Our best Thunder vs Spurs SGP for Game 3

SGP leg #1: Spurs moneyline

The San Antonio Spurs left OKC with a split and now control home court in the Western Conference finals. Injuries to the backcourt are under the microscope, with De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper questionable but the Oklahoma City Thunder will likely be without star Jalen Williams.

San Antonio had a rotten outing in Game 2 yet still hung around. If the Spurs can clean up the turnovers, they’ll take the win in Game 3. San Antonio is tough at home, especially when coming off a loss, going 13-2 SU in those scenarios.

SGP leg #2: Victor Wembanyama Over 25.5 points

Victor Wembanyama got worn down by physical defense from OKC center Isaiah Hartenstein in Game 2 and got to the foul line only twice despite a lot of questionable contact. Wemby was passive and didn’t attack the interior like he did in Game 1.

Getting some rest and playing at home resets the Spurs’ 7-footer, whose projections call for as many as 27+ points. And if Fox and/or Harper sit out, Wembanyama carries even more of the scoring load.

SGP leg #3: Chet Holmgren Over 1.5 threes

With Williams likely sidelined with a nagging hamstring injury, the Thunder need their 7-footer to snap out of it. Chet Holmgren hasn’t had great success against the Spurs all season and has been quiet in two WCF games, seeing his minutes shrink in Game 2.

Holmgren’s outside shooting is especially important to OKC, allowing it to stretch the San Antonio defense and pull Wembanyama away from the rim. Chet knocked down two triples in Game 1 and gets his looks from long range on Friday night.

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See our full Thunder vs Spurs Game 3 preview

Get Jason Logan's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Thunder vs. Spurs predictions for Game 3.

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Gamethread 5/22: Guardians at Phillies

May 20, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies infielder Alec Bohm (28) hits a home run against the Cincinnati Reds in the sixth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Here are the lineups. For the Phillies:

For the Guardians:

Let’s talk about it.

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Thunder vs Spurs Expert Picks & Game 3 Best Bets

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The Western Conference Finals continue this evening as the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs battle for the series lead in Game 3.

Our NBA experts have you primed for tip-off at the Frost Bank Center, delivering our best NBA picks for Friday, May 22.

Thunder vs Spurs Expert Picks Tonight

PickOdds
Jon Metler Jon Metler:
SpursWembanyama o25.5 points		-112
Jason Logan Jason Logan:
ThunderHolmgren o1.5 threes		+110
Joe Osborne Joe Osborne:
SpursSpurs -1.5		-112

Odds courtesy of bet365.

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Jon Metler's expert pick: Victor Wembanyama Over 25.5 points

Price: -112 at bet365

I could make this bet purely about Victor Wembanyama, but for me, it’s really about the injury report. Jalen Williams left Game 2 with a hamstring injury and is officially listed as questionable for Game 3.

Personally, I think he’s closer to out than truly questionable, and his potential absence would be significant when it comes to defending Wembanyama.

Williams is an elite perimeter defender who can slow down the San Antonio Spurs at the point of attack while also switching onto Wembanyama — or even defending him outright — thanks to his 7-foot-2 wingspan.

On the other side, De'Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper are both listed as questionable for San Antonio, but I believe both are more likely to play. If the Spurs have Fox, Harper, and Stephon Castle available, they’ll have three guards capable of constantly breaking down the Oklahoma City Thunder defense, forcing rotations, and creating easy opportunities for Wembanyama around the rim.

I price Wembanyama closer to -165 to clear this total in Game 3.

Jason Logan's expert pick: Chet Holmgren Over 1.5 threes

Price: +110 at bet365

Chet Holmgren got a wake-up call in Game 2, with OKC coach Mark Daigneault opting to sit his 7-footer in crunch time. 

With Williams either out or limited (hamstring) tonight, the Thunder need Holmgren to snap out of his San Antonio-induced funk and at least stretch the Spurs’ defense with his outside shooting.

Oklahoma City has been aggressive in attacking the interior, and he had success on drives in Game 2. If San Antonio sells out to stop those close looks, kickouts to Holmgren give him wide-open 3PA.

Chet was 0-for-2 from distance over 27 minutes in Game 2 after hitting two triples in the opener. He’s knocked down two or more 3-pointers in six of his 10 postseason outings, and I like the plus-money on Over 1.5, especially with Chet logging his usual workload.

Joe Osborne's expert pick: Spurs -1.5

Price: -112 at bet365

The Spurs have been automatic in bounce-back spots for months, going 11-0 SU since January 15th in games following a loss. That trend has carried into the playoffs, where San Antonio is 3-0 off a defeat with victories by 12, 38, and 29 points.

Expect a much cleaner effort back on their home floor after coughing up 44 total turnovers in the first two games in OKC. Despite being in a tough road environment in those games, the Spurs still owned the better effective field goal percentage.

More Thunder vs Spurs Game 3 picks

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

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

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Canadiens vs Hurricanes Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight's NHL Playoffs Game 2

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After a dominant 6-2 statement win in the opener, the Montreal Canadiens look to take a commanding 2-0 series stranglehold tonight in Carolina. 

If you’re hunting for an edge on the ice, our top NHL picks and Canadiens vs. Hurricanes predictions for Saturday, May 23 are banking heavily on another monster performance from rising star Juraj Slafkovsky.

  • UPDATE: Added prediction for who will win & goal scorer pick.

Canadiens vs Hurricanes Game 2 prediction tonight

Who will win Canadiens vs Hurricanes Game 2?

Hurricanes: While Montreal impressed in Game 1, the five-on-five numbers still tilted in Carolina’s favor. The Hurricanes generated 2.87 expected goals and 27 shots despite recording 82 shot attempts, so I’m anticipating a similar push leading to a Game 2 win for Carolina.

Canadiens vs Hurricanes best bet: Juraj Slafkovsky Over 0.5 points (-150)

Game 1 was a statement from Montreal Canadiens winger Juraj Slafkovsky.

Not only did the budding star rack up three points, but he and linemates Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield were also the only Montreal trio to drive five-on-five possession, producing a 63.3 Corsi For percentage.

The Carolina Hurricanes are going to push back Saturday, but I’m still expecting the Habs to generate offense. Slafkovsky has posted an elite 4.06 points per 60 minutes across the past six games, making this prop playable up to -160.

Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen was never going to maintain his .950 save percentage across the first two rounds moving forward, so Game 1 stands as a potential sign of things to come in the Carolina crease.

Canadiens vs Hurricanes Game 2 same-game parlay

In addition to Andersen looking shaky in the series opener, Habs No. 1 Jakub Dobes has had his own spells of inconsistency this postseason, allowing at least three goals in seven games.

I also fully expect the Hurricanes to generate more high-quality scoring chances in Game 2. Carolina produced just 2.87 expected goals in the series opener after averaging 3.72 per 60 minutes through the first two rounds of the playoffs.

Returning to Slafkovsky, he’s recorded three or more shots in five games while posting a high-end 18.78 shot attempts per 60 minutes during the highlighted six-game heater.

Canadiens vs Hurricanes SGP

  • Over 5.5
  • Juraj Slafkovsky Over 0.5 points
  • Juraj Slafkovsky Over 2.5 shots

Canadiens vs Hurricanes Game 2 goal scorer pick

Jackson Blake (+290)

Hurricanes winger Jackson Blake paces the club in expected goals this postseason (4.02), and he was also tops in the metric in Game 1 against the Habs.

Meanwhile, Blake and linemates Logan Stankoven and Taylor Hall posted an impressive 67.7 CF% at five-on-five. 

I price this prop in the +240 range, so the +290 odds have my full attention.

Canadiens vs Hurricanes odds for Game 2 tonight

  • Moneyline: Montreal +165 | Carolina -200
  • Puck Line: Montreal +1.5 (-150) | Carolina -1.5 (+130)
  • Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-125) | Under 5.5 (+105)

Canadiens vs Hurricanes trend

Carolina has won 19 of its last 25 games (+11.30 Units / 28% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Canadiens vs. Hurricanes.

How to watch Canadiens vs Hurricanes Game 2

LocationLenovo Center, Raleigh, NC
DateSaturday, May 23, 2026
Puck drop7:00 p.m. ET
TVSportsnet, TNT

Canadiens vs Hurricanes latest injuries

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.

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Dodgers Post podcast: How Shohei Ohtani made statement with two-way heroics

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Andy Pages of the Dodgers running on the field after hitting a sacrifice fly, Image 2 shows Shohei Ohtani in a Dodgers uniform clenching his fist and yelling

Shohei Ohtani’s slump is over.

His statement game in San Diego this week made sure of that.

On the latest episode of the Dodgers Post podcast, that’s what California Post baseball writers Dylan Hernandez and Jack Harris discuss.

They break down Ohtani’s ever-evolving usage, how he seems to feel about it, and why Wednesday’s game –– in which he hit a leadoff home run and pitched five scoreless innings –– was so important at this stage of the season.

Later, the two also break down Andy Pages’ epic battle against Padres closer Mason Miller on Tuesday night, and why it felt like such a seminal early-season moment in this Dodgers’ campaign.

They also review the Dodgers’ overall play during their series win over the Padres, which put the club back in first place in the standings.

After a slow start to the season, Shohei Ohtani is back as a two-way star after a dominating week at the plate and on the mound.
AP Photo/Gregory Bull
Andy Pages’s sacrifice fly following an incredible nine-pitch at-bat against Padres star Mason Miller got the Dodgers the win on Tuesday night.
AP Photo/Gregory Bull

And as always, they finish with predictions for this upcoming week, as the Dodgers head to Milwaukee for a three-game series against the Brewers.

All that and more on this latest edition of Dodgers Post.

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Anthony Volpe out of the lineup as Jose Caballero makes injury return in telling Yankees sign

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows New York Yankees' Anthony Volpe holding a baseball bat and helmet after striking out, Image 2 shows A New York Yankees player throwing a baseball as a Milwaukee Brewers player slides into second base
Anthony Volpe was out of the lineup for the Yankees' game against the Blue Jays on Friday.

José Caballero is healthy again, and as Aaron Boone indicated when he first went down with a fractured right middle finger, Caballero remained the starting shortstop Friday against the Rays in The Bronx — with Anthony Volpe still on the roster, but not in the lineup.

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How the Yankees plan to utilize Volpe remains to be seen, since he didn’t play any position besides shortstop in his minor league rehab assignment nor after he was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before he got the call to the majors to replace the injured Caballero.

Volpe had some encouraging games at the plate and defensively — as well as on the bases — but he entered Friday hitless in his last eight plate appearances with three strikeouts and botched a double play ball at short in Thursday’s loss to Toronto.

Caballero had impressed through his first 40 games with all aspects of his play.

Anthony Volpe reacts after striking out during the Yankees’ May 21 loss. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post

The Yankees expected him to be a pest on the bases and to hold his own on offense and at short before Volpe returned from offseason surgery on his left shoulder and reclaimed the starting shortstop job — with Caballero reverting back to the super-utility role he was acquired last year from Tampa Bay to play — but Caballero instead provided above average defense and was a spark in the lineup on an everyday basis.

All that led Boone to say, when Caballero went on the IL, that he would likely get his job back upon his return to health.

José Caballero makes a throw during the Yankees’ May 10 game. Getty Images

“He’s played as well as anyone out there,’’ Boone said at the time. “That would be my expectation.”

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How to watch Thunder vs. Spurs NBA Playoffs Game 3 for free: Start time, livestream

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An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Two basketball players, one in a white Spurs jersey and one in a blue Thunder jersey, stand close together on the court, ready to play

Things are all tied up in San Antonio going into Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.

The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the San Antonio Spurs 122–113 in Game 2 even the series up 1-all. Newly crowned league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shook off a quiet Game 1 to contribute 30 points and 9 assists, while veteran Alex Caruso provided a huge 17 points off the bench.

Despite the victory, injuries quickly became the defining story of the game for both sides; the Thunder lost star forward Jalen Williams early to a recurring hamstring injury, and the already short-handed Spurs lost guard Dylan Harper to a leg injury in the second half. Both players are listed as game time descisions tonight.

NBA Western conference finals: what to know
  • What: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs
  • When: May 20, 8:30 p.m. ET
  • Where: Frost Bank Center (San Antonio, Texas)
  • Channel: NBC
  • Streaming: DIRECTV (try it free)

The next game in the Western Conference Finals is scheduled for Sunday night in San Antonio.

Thunder vs. Spurs start time:

Tonight’s (May 22) Game 3 between the Spurs and the Thunder is scheduled to start at 8:30 p.m. ET.

How to watch Thunder vs. Spurs for free:

If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to stream the game for free.

DIRECTV is our top pick for watching basketball live for free — its five-day free trial includes NBC (plus nearly every other channel you’ll need for the rest of the NBA postseason). When the trial is over, you’ll pay as low as $44.99/month and gain access to over 90 live channels.

TRY DIRECTV FOR FREE

Sling TV is another affordable way to watch TV live and stream NBA games; its Select plan includes NBC and starts at $19.99/month.

NBA Western Conference Finals schedule

  • Game 1: Spurs 122, Thunder 115 (OT2)
  • Game 2: Thunder 122, Spurs 113
  • Game 3: Friday, May 22 (8:30 ET, NBC/Peacock)
  • Game 4: Sunday, May 24 (8 ET, NBC/Peacock)
  • Game 5: Tuesday, May 26 (8:30 ET, NBC/Peacock)
  • Game 6: Thursday, May 28 (8:30 ET, NBC/Peacock)*
  • Game 7: Saturday, May 30 (8 ET, NBC/Peacock)*

* if necessary

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Ronald Acuña leads off for the Braves against the Nationals

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 19: Ronald Acuña Jr #13 of the Atlanta Braves high fives teammates after scoring during the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on May 19, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) | Getty Images

In a matchup of the top two offenses so far in MLB this season, the Atlanta Braves will be taking on the Washington Nationals. The Nationals have continued their strong offensive showing leading MLB in runs and doubles while being fourth in OPS.

The Braves are right behind them scoring the second most runs while being second in OPS trailing the Dodgers by .002. The Braves are also second in HRs, first in hits, and first in slugging percentage.

What will be interesting in the game today is the Braves have Elder pitching, who has a 2.01 ERA but the Nationals were originally supposed to have Miles Mikolas pitching with a terrible 6.91 ERA. Mikolas has the fourth worst ERA of any pitcher with at least 40.0 innings pitched, while Elder is in the top ten best. However there was a change and Richard Lovelady will be getting the start with his much better 3.61 ERA in 20.2 IP.

It is a bit unfortunate for the Braves that the pitching change happened because Michael Harris has been great in his eleven at-bats against Mikolas with a .455 average and 1.000 OPS. Matt Olson has two HRs and a 1.067 OPS in fifteen at-bats, and Austin Riley has a .278 average and .816 OPS in eighteen at-bats. It is a much different story with Lovelady because no one has faced him in more than two at-bats.

Before the lineup was dropped, the biggest question was whether Ronald Acuña would be in the lineup. He apparently had a bone bruise yesterday, but wanted to start tonight.

With who the Braves are facing tonight, and Acuña’s history of struggling against Mikolas, it would not be a shock if the Braves decided to rest him for a game.

Turns out Ronald Acuña was good enough to start and will lead off and play RF.

As for the Nationals and their hot offense, their best players will be in the lineup for them tonight with James Wood leading off and C.J. Abrams hitting cleanup.

Garcia has had fourteen at-bats against Elder and has been successful with a .357 average and .971 OPS. Abrams leads the team with sixteen at-bats and has a .912 OPS against Elder.

First pitch is at 7:15 EDT.

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Golden Knights vs Avalanche Anytime Goal Scorer Predictions & Parlay for Game 2

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The Colorado Avalanche will look to even their series with the Vegas Golden Knights on home ice Friday night.

They're heavily favored to do just that, which is why my Golden Knights vs. Avalanche goal scorer predictions lean towards the home team.

Let's dig deeper into my NHL picks for May 23.

Golden Knights vs Avalanche goal scorer predictions for Game 2

Player to scoreOdds
Avalanche Nathan MacKinnon-110
Avalanche Nazem Kadri+265
Golden Knights Jack Eichel+215
💲Goal scorer parlay: Nathan MacKinnon, Nazem Kadri, Jack Eichel+1200

Goal scorer pick: Nathan MacKinnon (-110)

Nathan MacKinnon posted a game-high nine shot attempts in the series opener while logging more ice time than any other Colorado Avalanche forward.

Head coach Jared Bednar did his best to make life easier on MacKinnon, starting 10 of his shifts in the offensive zone (compared to two in the defensive zone) and keeping him on for 18 offensive zone draws. No forward on the team had more.

The Avalanche can't afford to go down 0-2 heading back to Vegas, so I expect this will be a "kitchen sink" game. MacKinnon could flirt with 24-25 minutes in regulation alone.

For reference, MacKinnon has averaged 5.4 shots on 10.3 attempts over his last 10 playoff games when playing 24+ minutes.

Given the remarkably strong volume he's likely heading for, MacKinnon has a strong chance of finding the net.

Goal scorer pick: Nazem Kadri (+265)

Nazem Kadri was a force in the series opener. The Avalanche generated more shot attempts, scoring chances, and expected goals with him on the ice than any other forward on the roster. He lived in the offensive zone, and tested Carter Hart often as a result.

Kadri had five shot attempts, four shots on goal, and a couple rebound looks during his 5-on-5 minutes. He was also credited with Colorado's only Grade A chance on the power play.

He was a thorn in the side of the Vegas Golden Knights, and the Avalanche will be able to chase the same matchups again in Game 2 with last change on home ice.

Not to mention, Kadri ranks first on the Avalanche in shots on goal, scoring chances, and high-danger looks over their past four home games.

Goal scorer pick: Jack Eichel (+215)

The Golden Knights led for the majority of Game 1, and never trailed, so Jack Eichel wasn't ever under much pressure to force the issue offensively and take chances.

Even so, he still led the team in 5-on-5 scoring chances. They just didn't find the net.

Eichel leads the team in attempts (70), shots (38), and has generated 5.03 expected goals yet scored only one goal. He's getting looks consistently but has been held back by a 2.63% finishing rate.

He scores on more than 10% of his shots year after year so this is a string of bad luck more than anything performance related. The tide is going to turn sooner rather than later, and a better performance from the Avalanche in Game 2 would force Eichel to shoot more frequently.

Golden Knights vs Avalanche anytime goal parlay (+1200)

  • Nathan MacKinnon
  • Nazem Kadri
  • Jack Eichel

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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