The New York Yankees, ranked second in the AL East with a 39-26 record, face the Cleveland Guardians, who are first in the AL Central with a 37-31 record. The New York Yankees are favored with a -120 moneyline compared to the Cleveland Guardians' +110. Starting pitchers are Gerrit Cole for the Yankees, with a 2.00 ERA, and Slade Cecconi for the Guardians, with a 4.92 ERA.
How to watch New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Guardians
Date: Tuesday, June 9
Time: 6:40 p.m. ET / 3:40 p.m. PT
Where: Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH
TV Channels: TBS, Guardians.TV Presented by Progressive, WKYC 3, Amazon Prime Video
I'm looking to get in and get out of a few games this evening by attacking the YRFI/NRFI market for my MLB picks.
Both Sox games immediately caught my attention this afternoon, and so did the matchup out in Las Vegas. A few strong spots stand out on the board tonight, so let's dive into my best NRFI/YRFI predictions for June 9.
Eric Fedde takes the mound for the White Sox this evening, sporting a 9.00 first-inning ERA after allowing eight runs across eight starts.
Opposing hitters own a .294 batting average, .824 slugging percentage, and 1.118 OPS against him in the opening frame. Over his last five starts, the White Sox right-hander has posted a 68.4% elevation rate and a 2.21 HR/9.
Grant Holmes gets the ball for Atlanta, and he has struggled in the first inning as well, allowing eight runs on 10 hits through 12 starts. Over his last five outings, Holmes has surrendered plenty of hard contact, giving up a 51.4% hard-hit rate and a 12.9% barrel rate. He also owns a 2.10 HR/9 and a 62.9% elevation rate during that span.
Using the current season timeframe on Batters-Box, these lineups feature six elite-rated bats and three additional hitters with strong ratings. That gives us nine total bats in favorable spots to do damage at the plate this evening.
Both teams also rank inside the top 10 in YRFI percentage. The Braves own the second-highest road YRFI rate at 39.39%, while the White Sox rank 10th overall at 32%.
With this being the best number available, I'd be comfortable playing it up to -125 if needed.
Time: 7:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: CHSN, BravesVsn
Red Sox at Rays: NRFI (-135)
I am all over both Sox games today, but for this pick, I want NO RUNS.
The Red Sox southpaw enters today having allowed just two runs through eight games, both coming on solo home runs. Aside from that, he has surrendered only one other hit during that span. Over his last five outings, he has done an excellent job limiting hard contact while posting a 0.61 HR/9.
On the other side, Martinez has put up similar numbers over his last five appearances, allowing just 36.5% hard contact with a 6.7% barrel rate, while carrying an elite 2.4% walk rate.
Through 12 games this season, the first inning has been where the Rays right-hander has shone most, sporting a 0.75 ERA and allowing just one run.
Offensively, we only have to worry about two hitters with strong matchup ratings: Yandy Díaz and Junior Caminero. Both profile well against left-handed pitching, but I'm willing to take that risk given the edge the starting pitchers hold in this matchup.
Polymarket is currently offering the best price on this prop, so I would aim to find a number as close to that as possible.
Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: RAYS, NESN
Brewers at Athletics: NRFI (+150)
Someone is going to see this and want to chirp me, so I'll make it real easy for you: it's @ColbyMBets.
Now, back to why you're here, the logic.
First of all, yes, I am aware of the elevation in this matchup. I saw the fireworks last night. However, at this price, I think we're getting some real value on the Milwaukee Brewers and Athletics to stay scoreless through one inning.
On the bump for Milwaukee is left-hander Robert Gasser (great pitcher name), who, despite a lower ground-ball rate, isn't allowing much hard contact. Through his first couple of starts this season, opposing hitters own just a .192 xBA and .335 xSLG against him.
On the other side, Athletics right-hander J.T. Ginn has been dealing over his last five outings, posting a 1.59 ERA while carrying a 42.6% ground-ball rate.
Opposing hitters are producing just a 38.2% hard-hit rate and a 5.9% barrel rate, while owning a .197 xBA. Through 11 appearances this season, Ginn has posted a 1.64 ERA in the first inning, allowing only two runs on nine hits.
People are going to harp on the elevation because it's second only to Coors Field, as if Coors has never had a scoreless first inning. If I'm wrong, it won't be the first time, and it certainly won't be the last.
At +150, the price is simply too sexy to pass up.
Time: 10:05 p.m. ET
Where to watch: NBCSCA, BREW
Colby Marchio's 2026 Transparency Record
2026 MLB Record picks: 197-345-29, +1.30 units
What is a NRFI prediction?
NRFI (No Run First Inning) and YRFI (Yes Run First Inning) picks add a thrilling twist to the start of an MLB game. A NRFI pick is a prediction that no runs will be scored in the first inning. You're predicting that the starting pitchers for both teams will get through the first inning without allowing any runs, whether by striking out batters, inducing ground balls, or through solid defensive play.
A YRFI pick is the exact opposite. You're predicting that at least one run will be scored in the first inning. In this case, you’re hoping for an early offensive burst such as a leadoff walk, a timely hit, or even a home run.
NRFI and YRFI picks add excitement to the early part of a game and offer immediate gratification for those looking for a quick resolution.
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.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are entering the summer with several pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs). Now, three of them have been ranked among the NHL's best pending UFAs.
Mantha was given the No. 8 spot, and it is pretty easy to understand why. While he had a disappointing post-season for the Penguins, he thrived during the regular-season. In 81 games this campaign with Pittsburgh, he recorded 33 goals and 64 points. After a season like this, he will generate a lot of interest if he tests free agency.
Skinner landed the No. 20 spot on Johnston's list. When noting that he is one of the top pending UFA goalies who can test free agency this summer and has a ton of playoff experience, he should have a good amount of suitors. In 50 games this season split between the Edmonton Oilers and Penguins, he had a 23-17-9 record, an .888 save percentage, and a 2.92 goals-against average.
As for Shea, he was given the No. 23 spot on Johnston's rankings. The 29-year-old just had a breakout year for Pittsburgh, setting new career highs with six goals, 29 assists, 35 points, and a plus-30 rating. Now, he is due for a new contract, and he should land himself a very nice raise. That remains the case whether he re-signs with the Penguins or signs elsewhere.
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 26: The Milwaukee Bucks round 1 pick 23 during the 2024 NBA Draft - Round One on June 26, 2024 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Kostas Lymperopoulos/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Bucks fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
At last month’s draft combine, there was some intel that the Bucks were operating as if they’d have “multiple picks” in this month’s NBA Draft. Now, the rumor didn’t specify whether or not they’d necessarily be first-round picks, but naturally, the first place many minds jumped to was that the Bucks would net an additional first this month in a Giannis trade. However, there are some viable other options Milwaukee has in the first round.
There is a possibility they could trade down this year to obtain a future draft pick. For example, I’ve read some scuttlebutt online that OKC is interested in trading up from 12. If the Bucks are willing to move down two spots, perhaps they could receive one of the two firsts the Thunder controls next year (they also hold swap rights on a third and could receive a fourth if the Spurs somehow fall to 16th or lower). Milwaukee doesn’t have firsts in 2027 or 2029, but it seems like when this happens, the team trading up sends a first-rounder they own for the following year.
A likelier scenario with the Thunder is swapping no. 10 for their picks at 12 and 17, which came to them courtesy of the Clippers and Sixers. Charlotte is another possibility: they have their own pick at 14 and Orlando’s at 18. If either team wants to trade up, the Bucks should definitely listen. This is a loaded draft, and many of the prospects projected after about ninth could end up anywhere. If the Bucks are zeroed in on a particular guy, he might end up falling to them at 12th anyway, and then they’d have another mid-first selection to do with as they please.
I encourage you to read more about these names in our ongoing community draft board series. But for now, what should the Bucks do: stand pat or move down and pick up another selection?
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JUNE 07: Ezequiel Duran #20 and Justin Foscue #14 of the Texas Rangers salute each other after a game against the Cleveland Guardians at Globe Life Field on June 07, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Season Record: 32-33
Week Record: 4-2
Series Record: 10–10, 1 split
GAME 60: 2-1 Win @ St Louis Cardinals
GAME 61: 7-4 Win @ St Louis Cardinals
GAME 62: 3-5 Loss @ St Louis Cardinals
GAME 63: 3-2 Win vs Cleveland Guardians
GAME 64: 0-6 Loss vs Cleveland Guardians
GAME 65: 10-0 Win vs Cleveland Guardians
The Rangers had one of their best weeks of the season. Starting the week off with a win streak that extended to five games, the longest of the season. Texas went 4-2 for the week and won three series in a row, again, the longest streak of series wins for the season.
Currently the Rangers are just a game under .500 and second place in the division. They outscored their opponents 25-18 and managed to get hits together with runners in scoring position.
Dare I say, they look good?
For what it’s worth, this time last year the Rangers were 30-35
On Tuesday, they’ll start a quick, six game road trip. First to Kansas City to play a team they very recently swept to kick off the series and game winning streak.
They will then go to Boston to play a team that is far below .500 and hopefully keep up a continued streak.
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 08: Alec Bohm #28 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates the win with Brandon Marsh #16 after the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on June 8, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On April 26, the Phillies lost to the Atlanta Braves, 6-2. The lonely two runs scored by the team were thanks to a home run by Kyle Schwarber, but it felt like an exercise in futility. Aaron Nola had given up six runs in the initial two innings of the game, a game that was closed out not by the intended trio of Orion Kerkering-Brad Keller-Jhoan Duran, the plan that the team had put forth earlier in the year, but instead by Tim Mayza-Chase Shugart-Nolan Hoffman. It was a Sunday and Chris Sale was on the mound, so right handed hitters dominated the lineup, with Edmundo Sosa, Dylan Moore and Felix Reyes all getting the start. Alec Bohm had a .412 OPS after the game.
The team was then 9-19.
The vibes were low.
Fast forward to today.
The Phillies are six games over .500 and they have possibly the leading Cy Young candidate in Cristopher Sanchez, another starter in Zack Wheeler that might join Sanchez in the top five in voting, a potential group five All-Stars in Sanchez, Wheeler, Schwarber, Duran and Bryce Harper with Brandon Marsh looking more and more a choice every day. They’re beating good teams again, playing capable offense and being supported by (mostly) good starting pitching at the front and the aforementioned trio at the end.
It was the perfect time to ask a question that had to do with the playoffs since, well, we’re in June and it’s time to being considering such things.
Ask that question earlier in the year and it’s more than likely that the results would be flipped, if not decidedly so, in the other direction.
It truly is amazing what some good play will do not only to a team that isn’t playing particularly well, but for a fanbase that is so caught up in the daily doings of the team. Scroll back even though these very pages and you will sense the doom and misfortune that had fallen on us all. The gamut was run between the very last shreds of optimism to even a total and complete rebuild. Now this poll has the team making the playoffs with time to spare?
Vincent Perozo of the Binghamton Rumble Ponies enters the field before a Minor League Baseball game at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, United States, on May 16, 2026. (Photo by Dan Squicciarini/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
Venezuelan catcher Vincent Perozo was signed on July 2, 2019, the first day of the 2019-2020 international free agent signing period. He missed the 2020 due to the coronavirus cancelling the minor league season and made his professional debut in 2021, skipping over the Dominican Summer League completely and playing with the FCL Mets. Battling through a shoulder injury for much of the season, the backstop appeared in 18 games and hit .173/.349/.269 with 1 home run, 0 stolen bases in 2 attempts, and 10 walks to 21 strikeouts. He began the 2022 season promoted to Single-A St. Lucie but only spent about a week there before being sent back down the Florida Complex League. He appeared in 36 games for them and hit .283/.387/.475 with 4 home runs, 1 stolen base in as many attempts, and 11 walks to 32 strikeouts. He was promoted back to the St. Lucie Mets at the end of August and went 3-14 with a double and a homer, giving him a .129/.200/.323 batting line in 9 games with St. Lucie with 1 home run, 1 walk, and 8 strikeouts. He remained in St. Lucie for the 2023 season, spending the entire year there, and hit .226/.322/.381 with 8 home runs, 1 stolen base in 2 attempts, and 32 walks to 103 strikeouts in 88 games. The Mets had the 21-year-old repeat the level in 2024 and the youngster regressed, hitting .173/.280/.229 in 78 games with 10 doubles, 1 home run, 4 stolen bases, and drew 27 walks to 81 strikeouts.
Perozo began his fourth consecutive season with St. Lucie and was a bit better this time around, hitting .259/.376/.378 in 58 games with 9 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs, 3 stolen bases in 7 attempts, and 25 walks to 42 strikeouts. He was promoted to High-A Brooklyn in August and finished the season with the Cyclones, hitting .167/.265/.200 in 20 games with 2 doubles, 0 home runs, 2 stolen bases in 4 attempts, and 5 walks to 19 strikeouts.
The backstop began this season with Brooklyn, but has bounced all over the Mets’ minor league system since the beginning of the year, filling in wherever needed. Perozo was promoted to Triple-A Syracuse for a single game in mid-April, was then sent to Binghamton for a pair of games, and then sent back to Brooklyn. In mid-May, he returned to Binghamton in what appears to be his actual, permanent assignment.
At the plate, the left-handed Perozo stands square at the plate, standing tall and holding his hands low. The 5’11”, 170-pound backstop has a smooth, uppercutty planar swing that gives him good coverage low in the zone but makes him weak to pitches upstairs. When he connects with a ball, particularly low balls, he shows unexpected power, but his aggressive approach at the plate has led to an elevated strikeout rate, depressed walk rate, and a great deal of poor contact. Perozo is having more success now in Binghamton than he has almost anywhere, and it is no coincidence that his Pull% is down slightly, his Cent% and Oppo% are up, his Line Drive rate is up, and his groundball rate is down.
Behind the plate, Perozo will never be a standout defensive catcher because his arm is only average at best, but scouts and evaluators give him good grades for his mobility behind the plate, framing and receiving abilities, and his ability to work with his pitchers.
Frank Camarillo
Week: 1 G (1 GS), 6.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K (High-A)
So-Cal native Frank Camarillo was drafted by the Mets in the thirteenth-round of the 2025 MLB Draft, the 403rd overall pick overall. A right-handed pitcher who attended the University of California: Santa Barbara, Camarillo did not have that many innings under his belt when selected. In 2023, his freshman year, he appeared in 4 games in total, allowing 2 runs on 8 hits and a walk over 2.2 innings, striking out 2 batters. In his sophomore season, he appeared in 13 games and posted a 7.97 ERA in 20.1 innings, allowing 27 hits, walking 12, and striking out 18. In his junior year, he posted a 6.53 ERA in 20.2 innings over 8 games, allowing 25 hits, 8 walks, and 19 strikeouts. While he supplemented the innings he pitched by pitching in collegiate summer leagues, he still had only 98.2 innings of work under his belt prior to being drafted- and with poor results, to boot.
The Mets did not have the right-hander appear in any games for the rest of 2025, and when the 2026 season began, assigned him to the Single-A St. Lucie Mets. The 22-year-old appeared in 7 games for them, starting all 7, and was serviceable, posting a 4.35 ERA in 31.0 innings, allowing 27 hits, walking 11, and striking out 28. Near the end of May, he was promoted to the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones and has since made 3 starts with them, allowing 7 earned runs in 17.2 innings, good for a 3.57 ERA, while allowing 17 hits, walking 4, and striking out 8. Altogether, he has a combined 4.25 ERA over his first 10 professional starts, allowing 44 hits, walking 15, and striking out 36 in 48.2 innings.
With a pronounced high leg kick, the 6’4”, 210-pound right-hander throws from a high-three-quarters arm slot, dropping down and pushing off the mound with a decent amount of extension. His repertoire consists of a fastball, slider, changeup and splitter. By and large, he uses his fastball almost half of the time, his slider and changeup almost half that, and his splitter sparingly.
His fastball- which statcast registers as a distinct four-seam fastball and a distinct two-seam fastball, which may actually only be a two-seam fastball or a four-seam fastball, based on its characteristics- sits in the mid-90s, ranging 90-96 MPH. With a low spin rate hovering around 2,000 RPM, the pitch has slightly above-average vertical drop and horizontal movement compared to other fastballs, as the magnus force its spin produces is not strong enough to counter the force of gravity. When thrown up in the zone, the pitch produces slightly above-average induced vertical break readings- as high as 18 inches while playing with the St. Lucie Mets- due to the fact that Camarillo releases the ball from a flat approach angle thanks to his extension off the mound and arm slot.
His slider sits in the low-to-mid-80s, ranging 81-85 MPH. It, too, features a low spin rate, giving it gyroscopic break that results in an average amount of vertical drop but almost no horizontal movement. His changeup sits in the same velocity band and features as much vertical drop as his slider, but with much more horizontal movement, averaging about 18 inches while he was pitching in St. Lucie. His splitter is very seldom used, only seeing action a handful of times per game, but it has been his most effective strikeout pitch. Sitting in the high-70s-to-low-80s, the pitch has averaged 1,000 RPM when used, causing it to absolutely fall off of the table with sharp, sudden vertical drop.
All in all, Camarillo does not have high-octane strikeout stuff, which is why he has been a bit hittable in both St. Lucie and Brooklyn. He gives up a lot of line drives and a lot of pulled flyball contact, which is not optimal- but may be hidden in Brooklyn to a degree, where the stadium is extremely tough on left-handed hitters.
Karl-Anthony Towns and Victor Wembanyama get tangled up on a play during the fourth quarter of Monday night’s game.Photograph: Al Bello/Getty Images
Knicks coach Mike Brown had harsh words for the officials about what he characterized as inconsistent foul calls in New York’s 115-111 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 of the NBA finals.
The Spurs took 24 free throws to the Knicks’ eight in the second half Monday night at Madison Square Garden. Fourteen of San Antonio’s attempts came in the third quarter, when New York took just three. In the final period, frustrations boiled over: the Knicks were whistled three times in the opening 64 seconds, and within three minutes they were in the bonus.
Brown opened his postgame news conference with comments about the officiating and returned to the topic several times. The teams will meet again in New York on Wednesday for Game 4.
“I don’t complain much. I never thought I’d see that in an NBA finals game, and I saw it tonight. That’s tough to overcome when you’re playing against a great team, Brown said. “San Antonio won the game. I’m giving their head coach and their players a lot of credit. But as a team, if you take away the fouls and the free throws that should have, in my opinion, been a little bit more even, again maybe we fouled that many times but they fouled, too. And it’s not shown at the end of the day on this box score.”
“I talked to [the officials], and they said, well, this is a foul, this is a foul,” he added. “That’s the question I had with them is, you’re right. Maybe we did foul. But they fouled, too. If they do this in Game 4 where it’s 24-8 in the second half, it’s going to be tough for us to win.
“The story is going to be there. But there are some controllables that we did not do a good job of doing. We allowed them to hit first at the beginning of the game. We allowed them to hit first in the beginning of the second half. We turned the ball over and we were stagnant offensively and we allowed them to get to the paint, and we did not pay attention to detail to what we are supposed to do defensively.”
Victor Wembanyama, who led the Spurs with 32 points, had nine free-throw attempts, tied with New York’s Jalen Brunson for the most of any player. A play in which the 7ft 4in center shoved the 6ft 2in point guard but did not result in a whistle drew criticism from Knicks fans on social media after the loss, the team’s first in more than two months.
Brunson was blunt when asked about the play: “Whatever you saw is what you saw.”
Video of Victor Wembanyama-Jalen Brunson shove
Officiating has been a storyline of these NBA finals. Across the three games, the Spurs have averaged 28 free-throw attempts to the Knicks’ 20.3. Several foul calls – including ones that were successfully overturned after challenges by both teams – swung the momentum in key moments during Game 3.
Knicks players did not have the same vocal criticism as Brown after the result. They pointed to their 13 turnovers, off which the Spurs had 21 points.
“That ain’t cost us the game. Turned the ball over. Didn’t execute. Didn’t do what got us 13 straight wins in a row. That’s how you lose a game. We didn’t do what we’ve been doing for 13,” Karl-Anthony Towns said. “We decided to do something different, and it ain’t going to work. Throwing the ball away is a clear indication of how you’re going to lose the game, especially in the playoffs.”
Brunson echoed that sentiment.
“I think we turned the ball over a lot, first and foremost, and also we were fouling a lot and put them at the line about 30 times,” he said. “With our live ball turnovers, got them out in transition. They were definitely capitalizing off of those.”
For one night at least, Mike Brown didn’t have the golden touch.
The Knicks coach earned some blowback after his decision to sit superstar Jalen Brunson for 7:11 spanning the end of the third quarter and the start of the fourth quarter in Monday’s Game 3 loss.
Brunson exited with the Knicks trailing by one and returned with the team losing by five points in its eventual 115-111 defeat that sliced its NBA Finals series lead to 2-1.
Mike Brown coaching the Knicks during Game 3. Getty Images
Added CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn: “I don’t want to second guess Mike Brown too much. The last time I did that he won 13 in a row. But it felt to me like the game swung when he took Jalen Brunson out with foul trouble with 4.5 minutes to go in the third. Needed to dominate those (Luke) Kornet minutes, couldn’t without JB.”
Brown has been a wizard with his in-game decisions during this magical Knicks run, often finding the right combinations and being rewarded with stellar play from his backups.
It’s always tricky when starters encounter foul trouble, though, and it’s fair to wonder if he waited perhaps a little too long to insert Brunson back into the game after he picked up his fourth foul.
The Knicks trailed 79-78 at the time when he exited with 4:29 left in the third quarter, a key moment since the Spurs also took out Victor Wembanyama at the same time.
The Spurs took advantage when Jalen Brunson wasn’t on the court. AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin
The Spurs are more vulnerable during those moments when Kornet spells Wembanyama — he played 9:16 on Monday — and that opens chances for the Knicks.
The Knicks managed to hold court in the remainder of the third quarter to trail by one point, 92-91, entering the fourth, meaning they gained on ground with Wembanyama on the bench.
The start of the fourth then swayed the game.
The Spurs, with Wembanyama back in the fold, grabbed a 96-91 lead before Hart entered the game with 10:36 remaining, and Brunson entered 1:18 later.
The Knicks did not score their first basket of the period until 8:30 remained in the contest, which cut the deficit to 98-93, and they did not work their way back to within three points until the final minute.
They shot just 7-for-27 in the final quarter.
“I liked some of the looks, but I also think we were pretty stagnant. There’s definitely things that we can learn from,” Brunson said of the fourth quarter. “Especially with our approach when we start the game and with the way we start the half, I don’t think we did well and I don’t think I did well either.”
Tracy Morgan, Tina Fey, Christine Taylor, Ben Stiller, Timothee Chalamet, and Josh Safdie look on during Game 3 between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden on Monday night. Boardroom's Ellis Buery sat right behind Celebrity Row to catch the action. (Erick W. Rasco / Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
(Set Number: X164894 TK1)
Second row. First NBA Finals at MSG since 1999. Timothée Chalamet saved his outfit just for this. Here's how the night went from Boardroom's point of view.
It's 12:20 AM, and I just got home from Game 3 of the NBA Finals. And even though the New York Knicks lost a tough battle to the San Antonio Spurs to kill any hopes of a potential sweep, this was easily one of the best nights of my life. From getting to Madison Square Garden three hours early to (basically) becoming best friends with Timothée Chalamet, here's how it all went down.
I arrived at MSG around 5:30, and getting in was by far the worst part of the night. With President Trump in attendance, security was tighter than at any Knicks game I've ever been to — barricades and police five blocks out, and a metal detector at 29th Street just to get near the arena. I'd arrived early enough to skip the second screening, but I could see thousands of people down 32nd Street who weren't so lucky. After about an hour, we were finally let in, and the "Let's Go Knicks" chants rolling out the doors were just a preview of how loud New York was going to get.
Inside, I hit the over-the-top Delta Lounge, where I bought a hat and a jacket while Joe Budden shopped beside me. The spread was unreal: sushi, porterhouse, and lobster roll stations, the usual burgers and hot dogs, two bars, and help-yourself bowls of candy. I wasn’t hungry, so I just grabbed some popcorn and headed down to my seats.
My dad and I were in the second row, seats we never could have swung on our own. They were a gift from a friend of my dad's, and I still can't fully wrap my head around it: Comparable seats were going for north of $40,000 each, and a pair of Celebrity Row seats a few feet away had just sold for $1 million at a charity auction. I'll never forget that kind of generosity.
The last time the Knicks made it this far, these same Spurs sent them home. Now, here we were again, same two franchises, same building, 26 years later. I knew I was sitting in the middle of history; what a blessing to be at the first NBA Finals game at the Garden since 1999.
Right in front of us, pregame was the NBA on ESPN crew — Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, and Draymond Green. Then, Celebrity Row filled in, and it felt like flipping through a Knicks Fan Hall of Fame: Ben Stiller, Tracy Morgan, Tina Fey, Spike Lee, and Chalamet right in front of me; Rick Pitino, Justin Tuck, and Jadakiss right behind. Hov himself wasn't far off — for once, I knew what Jay-Z meant when he said he was Spiked-out! I could almost trip the referees! I complimented Timothée on his outfit; he dapped me up and said he'd been saving it for this game. I got selfies with Tina, Ben, and Timothée — the highlights of my night.
After the initial rush settled in, the Knicks and Spurs began to star warming up, and man, these guys do NOT miss in person. But as the game clock inched closer and closer to tip-off, things got intense. Sitting that close, I could hear and see everything: Spike Lee screaming at the refs, every foul they missed, the play calls guys shouted to each other. Every basket, we shot up and cheered; every whistle, we let the refs have it, and after a while, it stopped feeling like I was surrounded by larger-than-life figures and started feeling like I was just watching the game with my friends.
Up close, you could see the strain on the faces of Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson — the effort etched into their faces, how badly they wanted this. I could even watch the sweat drip off Victor Wembanyama's face. Then the first half ended, the lights dropped, and when I looked to my left — not five feet away — there was Cardi B, surrounded by the Knicks City Dancers, about to launch into her halftime show.
Look, I'm not here to give you a play-by-play as to how the second half played out. We all know what happened. The Knicks lost a close one that came down to the final few possessions, the kind of game that leaves you staring at the floor of the arena for a few extra minutes just trying to process it.
That's basketball. That's New York.
Eventually, my high came crashing down as I walked out. But then I reached the main entrance, heard the crowd chanting "Knicks in 5," and just like that, I was right back to as happy as I've ever been.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 08: Samad Taylor #0 of the San Diego Padres bunts in a run on a suicide squeeze during the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Petco Park on June 08, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
If you managed to stay up late enough on Monday to watch the Cincinnati Reds lose to the San Diego Padres, I applaud you. I apologize to you for your pain and suffering, but I applaud you for your diligence.
The Reds are an absolute mess right now. Depending on the depth of your parameters, you can claim they’ve been a mess for a whole lot longer time frame, but lately they’ve been proponents of some of the worst-played baseball I can remember. Their pitching, for the most part, has been awful – particularly in the bullpen, where it’s been a turnstile of pitchers out-of-options and on the fringes. The hitting has been untimely.
And, on Monday in San Diego, it was their defensive fundamentals that got the laugh-tracks going.
During a 7th inning rally, the Padres once reached on three consecutive bunts, the first two being labled ‘singles’ while the final one officially going into the books as an error by reliever Tejay Antone. At least one of the singles could’ve been labeled an error on a number of different Reds. Defensive indifference? Defensive incompetence? Whatever it was, it blew open a game that, to that point, had been controlled rather well by starter Andrew Abbott, who allowed just a lone earned run through 6.0 IP before being tasked with beginning the 7th by manager Terry Francona in a move that backfired almost instantly.
3 straight bunts by the #Padres, this one by Fermin and there are STILL no outs! Fielding error by Reds' Teejay Antone pic.twitter.com/GbuD4CYHk4
To be quite clear, the Reds offense scored just 2 runs on the night, the latest in a run of poor offensive form that has seen their roaring May crumble into a brutally austere June. The bullpen, to its credit, at least kept the ball on the infield (even if the Pads, by design, took advantage of that). Even poor Zach McCambley, who came on to pitch the Bottom of the 8th, at least threw strikes and mostly hit his spots before an inability to get guys out led to a 30+ pitch inning in which he was gassed and punished by the end.
All told, it was a 6-2 loss for the Reds, another game in which they both led late and lost.
They’re really finding new, impossible ways in which to lose these days. Now, they’re 3 games under .500 and at risk of flushing this entire season down the toilet before the middle of June.
Hall has generated 21 shot attempts and nine scoring chances at 5-on-5, most among all Hurricanes players.
The Hurricanes have dominated the run of play during his minutes, winning the shot-attempt battle 58-28 and controlling a team-high 66.68% of expected goals.
I see a lot of value in backing Hall and would play him to get a point up to -130.
Game 4 Prop #2: Jalen Chatfield Over 1.5 blocks (-130)
Jalen Chatfield is being thrown to the wolves against the Vegas Golden Knights. He has logged the second-most ice time of any Hurricanes player while seeing extreme defensive usage.
Nobody has started more shifts in the defensive zone, nor been on the ice for more defensive zone faceoffs. Chatfield is being spoon-fed difficult assignments and starting a lot of sequences in his own zone.
That has led to an uptick in blocked shots. He has blocked multiple in nine straight, including three or more in each Finals game.
Playable to -150.
Game 4 Prop #3: Noah Hanifin Over 2.5 blocks (+135)
Noah Hanifin has been on the ice for 91 shot attempts in 62 minutes at 5-on-5. He is bleeding shots — and blocking plenty of them along the way.
He blocked four shots in each of the first two games and still picked up two blocks despite missing a good chunk of Game 3 with an injury.
Hanifin played a regular shift during overtime periods, suggesting he should see his normal usage moving forward.
This is a generous price for someone who has cleared this line in four of the past five games he played.
Bet to +125.
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Bob Myers was pleased Monday to watch Mike Gansey field his first questions as the Sixers’ president of basketball operations.
He was also candid about the fact that Gansey is taking control of a flawed team.
Myers, the president of sports for Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, spoke minutes after Gansey’s introductory press conference and identified a broad problem with the Sixers.
“We’ve got to find an identity,” Myers said. “We just don’t have one. That may be a harsh thing to say, but look at the numbers. We were not elite offensively or defensively. If you’re going to win at the highest level, you’ve got to be great at something. We have the capability. We have the players and some of the talent. But in order to see what we are, we’ve got to be on the court. You have to have a consistent product on the floor and then you find out.
“And maybe that’s not good enough. Maybe it is. But we’ve got to figure out, ‘What are we? What can we stand on as a team?’ Some teams stand on both. Some teams are great offensively and defensively. But we’ve got to be great at one of them at least, and we’ve got to find out which one of them it is. And to get there, we’ve got to have guys on the court.”
The 2025-26 Sixers were indeed middling on both offense and defense. According to Cleaning the Glass, the team ranked 17th in offensive rating and 17th in defensive rating outside of garbage time.
However, Joel Embiid’s unending injury woes made it tricky for the Sixers to maintain any positive momentum. Their longest winning streak of the season was five games. The Sixers were 24-14 when Embiid played in the regular season and 21-23 without him.
“You can’t consistently develop habits and you can’t really develop an identity with that many starting lineups,” Myers said, “with that much change. … (Head coach Nick Nurse) has great ideas. … We have to become great at something. But the good news is there’s talent. We have talent. We have to find something that we can stand on that you know when you’re playing the Sixers, you’re going to have a problem either going up against their offense or (their defense).”
Nurse had suggested at training camp that the Sixers would be a speedy, guard-centric group. His vision appeared to be Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe as heavy-minutes starters, Quentin Grimes and Jared McCain as offensive weapons off the bench, and less concern than the typical team about the defensive deficiencies that come with smaller lineups.
“We’ve got two really, really good young studs in Tyrese and VJ, and then we’ve got Joel and Paul (George),” Gansey said. “Those are the four we start with. And obviously, when they play, we’re pretty good. You can see how they worked against Boston in the playoffs. We’ve just got to dive into those four and get them on the floor together. … We’ve got to stay healthy. And then try to add some depth and get better in other areas.”
The Sixers have had a few somewhat stable stylistic traits in Nurse’s three seasons.
They’ve valued winning the turnover battle and performed well in that area. The Sixers’ worst rank for offensive turnover percentage was 11th in the 2024-25 season. They’ve been a top-10 team in defensive turnover percentage every year.
For a variety of reasons, defensive rebounding has remained a glaring weakness. The Sixers have often ceded size at multiple positions and their turnover-hunting approach has tended to mean the team is a bit more vulnerable on the defensive glass.
As Gansey and the Sixers’ front office think about depth options, there’s no question they’ll have rebounding and three-point shooting in mind.
“I can give you a general answer and say that every team is like that, but we struggled in some of those areas,” Myers said. “So it’s acknowledging what you’re good at and what we need to work on. Clearly, the rebounding, especially defensive rebounding, is an area of concern and we need to get better. How can we get better? Is that personnel, is that technique, is that strategy? … Again, is this why we do it — because it’s not easy. It’s difficult.
“These answers are not simple. You wake up in the middle of the night thinking about these things. And when you get fortunate enough to win, it’s all that work and toil that make it worth it. But there’s nothing more challenging than winning. You can’t buy championships. You have to go through it together. Each decision you make, each transaction you make is hopefully moving in that direction. But that’s why you do it. That’s what makes it fun.”
This postseason has had a prevailing subplot in Victor Wembanyama’s ascent— not only as the 22-year-old cements himself as the face of the NBA, but also how the young superstar is trying to find his edge on the court. That manifested itself with an elbow to Naz Reid against the Timberwolves, and reared its head once more on Monday night against the Knicks.
Wemby was jostling with Jalen Brunson at the top of the key, and decided to throw him to the ground like he was nothing.
Brunson was obviously astonished that this even happened, because one would think that a fist-shove like this would at least warrant a whistle. I call it that, because I don’t really know how to define this move. It’s not really a push, it’s not a punch — it’s a fist-shove. Of course Wemby had to invent an entirely new way to foul someone.
We could call this him getting the superstar call, but it was wholly bizarre that he was able to get away with this against Jalen Brunson of all people. It’s not like he was manhandling someone off the bench or a role player — it was star-on-star violence. Now, while it is quite funny to see anyone get ragdolled like this, the refs definitely shouldn’t have swallowed their whistles here.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 08: Jeffrey Springs #59 of the Athletics pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers during the second inning of a game at Las Vegas Ballpark on June 08, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Happy Tuesday A’s fans!
Yesterday was a wild affair in our future home city. The Athletics’ kicked off their Las Vegas homestand with a contest against the Brewers and it was a wild one. The hitter-friendly ballpark lived up to its reputation as both teams combined for 34 hits, 29 runs, and 11 (!) home runs. Seven of those came off the bats of the home team. No lead in this ballpark is safe, no matter how large it is. If there’s a field where massive comebacks can and do happen, it’s this one. They were on the losing end last night but it was a barrage that was lots of fun regardless, and fans got their money’s worth with a four-hour, 14-minute game time.
The temperature at first pitch was a balmy 87 degrees, with the city hitting triple-digits earlier in the afternoon. A’s players, fans, and coaches will all need to get used to that because that’s going to become the new normal during the coming summers. The new ballpark is going to have a retractable roof and under-seat AC for the fans so it shouldn’t be miserable all the time. One can’t imagine them opening the roof during the middle of summer so how the ball flies in the stadium when the roof is closed will be a huge thing to watch when the park opens up. It’s hard to say exactly how the park will play on the field until we get some baseball on it, but all indications are that it’s going to be a hitter’s dream, a complete 180 flip compared to the Oakland Coliseum and its massive foul territory and marine layer.
Who else is excited to see what Round 2 looks like tonight? The A’s could certainly use an extended performance out of scheduled starter J.T. Ginn, and he may be the type of pitcher that can keep runs down in Las Vegas. As a groundball-focused pitcher Ginn will do his best to get his infield defense to work and keep the ball down and in the park. After using seven pitchers yesterday the team can’t really afford a short start from Ginn or else dip into the minor leagues for some fresh arms. Last night was just the first of six games in the future home so hopefully Mark Kotsay knows to do his best to keep his bullpen fresh for the rest of the series.
First pitch is at the same time tonight, folks. 7:05, and based off last night we may have another long evening ahead of us. Until then, have a great day everyone.
— Chad Pinder’s Burner (@sadAssleticsfan) June 8, 2026
Ha!
If a reverse unicorn is a home run in only 1 of 30 stadiums. What’s this called? Impossible? Because Jonah Heim just hit a ball that’s a home run in 0/30 stadiums pic.twitter.com/vwwwMBx7oy
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- Braves vs. White Sox YRFI
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- Red Sox vs. Rays NRFI
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- Brewers vs. Athletics NRFI
Taylor Hall
Noah Hanifin 
