May 25, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski (32) throws a pitch during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski first caught the attention of Phillies fans when he was named to the 2025 National League All-Star team. The selection was somewhat curious because Miz (Sorry for the nickname usage, but I’m not typing out Misiorowski every time) was a rookie with only five career starts. And it was annoying for Phillies fans since they had two veteran pitchers in Cristopher Sanchez and Ranger Suarez who merited inclusion over the rookie.
"I love the kid, but he's made five starts."@AJPierzynski12 sides with what Phillies players had to say when asked about Jacob Misiorowski making the All-Star Team. pic.twitter.com/1PltYf99h4
The best competition in baseball this season might be between Sanchez and Miz to see which of them starts the All-Star Game. Miz fans will point to his higher strikeout rate and minimally lower ERA. Sanchez fans will (correctly) counter that he has a higher WAR due to throwing more innings (Miz has never pitched in the eighth inning of a major league game), walking fewer batters, and having a worse defense behind him.
There’s no shame in being the league’s second-best pitcher, so Miz should be proud to get the ball after Sanchez gets the start. It’s not like this is a tough decision for NL manager Dave Roberts. With the game in Philadelphia, does he really want to choose someone besides Sanchez and have the starting pitcher get booed by the crowd?
The Phillies can help their ace’s chances on Friday night when Miz is scheduled to start. The Phillies haven’t done all that well against flamethrowing phenoms in recent years, but they had some success when they saw Miz last season, scoring three runs in 4.1 innings.
Bryce Harper was certainly not impressed by the velocity.
Bryce Harper takes Misiorowski dead center.
One of those few instances where the pitch velocity is faster than the exit velocity.
It’s hard to say that any one MLB franchise is the most irrelevant, but the Brewers are probably on the short list. Back in 1998, when MLB needed a team to switch from the American League to the National League, they went with the Brewers, figuring nobody in the AL would miss them. (And as far as I can tell, they haven’t.)
Much like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Milwaukee originally got their franchise by stealing one from Seattle, but unlike the Thunder, the Brewers haven’t rewarded their new home fans with a championship.
The Seattle Pilots, 1969. They were an expansion team that played only one season before relocating to become the Milwaukee Brewers in 1970. The franchise was founded due to a rapid expansion spurred by the loss of the Kansas City Athletics. pic.twitter.com/A7aYV8thFs
Franchise great Paul Molitor did win a World Series MVP award, but that’s probably not especially comforting for Brewers fans since he did it as a member of the Blue Jays. (Boo!)
As for this year’s team, they’ve established a 3.5 game lead in the NL Central, which means they’re likely headed back to the playoffs. And they’re just as likely to once again lose once they get there. At least the Phillies gave the Dodgers a good fight in the NLDS. The Brewers pretty much rolled over in the NLCS, scoring a total of four runs in the sweep.
The Brewers are somewhat annoying in that they seem to lose a key player or two every offseason and still come back and make the playoffs. They traded Freddy Peralta to the Mets in the offseason, and while Peralta has been a bit disappointing in New York (LOLMets), the Brewers’ pitching staff hasn’t missed him much.
Also, the Brewers retired the number for Bud Selig, which ew, no. When you do something like that, your franchise doesn’t deserve to ever win a World Series.
Last week’s question: In the first ever game between the Phillies and White Sox, future Phillie Kenny Lofton delivered a game-winning hit. Chappdaddy got it right.
This week’s question: The Phillies’ first game at Milwaukee’s American Family Field (nee Miller Park) was a 10-4 win on August 14, 2001. Which Phillie had three hits in that game?
Additional thought about the series
The Phillies have been doing well in the series when both Cristopher Sanchez and Zack Wheeler make starts, while the others haven’t gone as well. Sanchez will start on Sunday, but they’ll need to hope that Andrew Painter and Aaron Nola can deliver quality starts the other two days.
Nola has good career numbers against the Brewers, but most of the success against them has come at home. He has a 4.60 ERA in Milwaukee. Some of that was skewed by last year’s start in which he was knocked around for five runs in the first inning, but sadly, there’s nothing about Nola’s performance this season to think that we won’t see a repeat of that.
The New York Yankees, ranked second in the AL East with a 41-26 record, face the Toronto Blue Jays, who are third in the AL East with a 33-36 record. The game is essentially a pick'em, with Toronto at -115 and the Yankees at -105. Starting pitchers are Ryan Weathers for New York, with a 3.86 ERA, and TBD for Toronto.
How to watch New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Pittsburgh (35-34) and Miami (34-35) meet at PNC Park for a three game weekend series in the heat. Miami won four out of seven games last season when the two met, but Pittsburgh took two out of three at home.
Miami has won five straight games and eight of the past nine. The Marlins are currently riding their longest winning streak of the season as the offense has been ripping lately. Miami is hitting .292 over the last five games (2nd) and has nine stolen bases (3rd) to go along with 27 RBI (T-7th). The Marlins also hold the MLB's best ERA in the last seven days at 1.80 with a 1.89 OBA.
The Pirates are coming off a series loss to the Dodgers and have now lost five of the past six games. Pittsburgh ranks 29th in ERA (6.70) over the past seven days (five games) and 28th in the past 15 days (6.14 ERA over 12 games). The Buccos have been struggling but are tied for third in the NL Central and 2.0 games ahead of last place. Pittsburgh was dealt some bad news when Oneil Cruz went on the IL with a broken hand. The offense is hitting .243 (19th) over the past five games with eight home runs (T-6th).
Let’s dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.
Game details & how to watch Marlins at Pirates
Date: Friday, June 12, 2026
Time: 6:40 PM EST
Site: PNC Park
City: Pittsburgh, PA
Network/Streaming: ESPN / MLB TV
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
The Marlins’ Otto Lopez is hitting .344 with 93 hits, 5 home runs and 30 RBI over 270 at-bats
The Marlins’ Jakob Marsee is hitting .205 with 47 hits and 61 strikeouts over 229 at-bats
The Pirates’ Bryan Reynolds is hitting .265 with 64 hits, 7 home runs, and 40 RBI over 245 at-bats
The Pirates’ Marcell Ozuna is hitting .193 with 36 hits and 60 strikeouts over 187 at-bats
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Marlins at Pirates
The Marlins are 34-35 ATS
The Pirates are 34-35 ATS
The Marlins are 39-27-3 to the Over, ranking seventh-best
The Pirates are 40-27-1 to the Over, ranking sixth-best
The Marlins are 14-16 ATS on the road
The Pirates are 16-19 ATS at home
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Marlins and the Pirates
Rotoworld Bet Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday's game between the Pirates and the Marlins:
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Marlins on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Marlins at +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Over on the Game Total of 8.5
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
This was meant to be a rebuilding year for the St. Louis Cardinals. After finishing six games under .500 in 2025, they traded away established veterans like Willson Contreras, Sonny Gray, Nolan Arenado, and Brendan Donovan in the hopes of kick-starting a rebuild around their young roster. In a competitive NL Central division, many expected them to be the doormat for at least the 2026 season. Not that the Cardinals' hitters paid attention or cared.
"We are a young group of guys, but I think a lot of it is our mentality," said rookie outfielder Nathan Church. "We're never out of the game, and we're always going to compete, no matter what the score is. I think having that mentality, one through nine, is what's leading to our success."
It's been a surprising amount of success on the offensive side for the Cardinals. Heading into Friday's games, they rank 9th in strikeout rate (21.1%), 9th in Win Probability Added by the offense, 12th in wRC+ (103), 13th in hard-hit rate (40.3%), 14th in runs scored (298), and 14th in OPS (.715). That has the Cardinals eight games over .500 and currently sitting in a playoff spot despite having only one hitter in the starting lineup who's older than 27: Lars Nootbaar, who has played a total of six games this season.
The Cardinals have four hitters with a wRC+ over 110 this season: JJ Wetherholt, a 23-year-old rookie; Ivan Herrera, a 26-year-old in his first year as a starter; Alec Burleson, a 27-year-old elder statesman; and Jordan Walker, a 24-year-old former top prospect who is finally breaking out. In fact, in many ways, Walker is the perfect example of what makes this young Cardinals offense tick.
Jun 2, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) reacts after hitting a one run single against the Texas Rangers during the seventh inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Once the No. 4 ranked prospect in baseball heading into the 2023 season, Walker had a solid MLB debut, hitting .276/.342/.445 in 117 games in 2023 with 16 home runs and seven steals. However, he wasn't able to build off that over the next two years. In 2024, he hit .201/.253/.366 with a 28.1% strikeout rate and was limited to just 51 MLB games. He got more of an opportunity in 2025, but hit .215/.278/.306 in 111 games with just six home runs and a 31.8% strikeout rate. To many, it seemed like Walker would become another top prospect who failed to live up to expectations, but Walker never wavered. He kept putting in the work with the firm belief that he would produce at the level he believed he was capable of.
“Walker deserves 100 percent of the credit," Cardinals manager Oli Marmol told MLB.com during this week’s Mets series. "This game is hard. He is the one going out there and actually putting it together, having an approach and being consistent. To go from getting beat up the last couple of years to where he is at mentally and physically at the moment, he deserves the credit.”
Marmol expounded on that before Thursday's season finale, suggesting that Walker's confidence has "freed him up to just be an athlete and go out and compete, and we're seeing it in all aspects of his game."
We're also seeing a similar development up and down the Cardinals' lineup. The hitters pride themselves on their preparation and their faithfulness to a plan, believing that putting in the work before stepping out onto the field will give them a crucial mental freedom once the game begins. Even in Walker's offseason work on his swing, he mentioned that he and [assistant hitting coach] Casey Chenoweth discussed their plan for his approach beforehand and then "started hitting off the machine, not thinking much about mechanics at all."
That dedication to a plan carries over into the day-to-day aspects of the regular season as well. Especially because this is a young offense, Marmol and his coaching staff have really stressed the importance of gameplanning and thinking through your approach before ever taking the field or stepping into the batter's box.
"I think there's a lot of teaching, anytime you have a younger group, as far as like just setting up the framework for how you want them to look at a game plan, when to veer from it, the communication in game, what that looks like," explained Marmol before the series finale against the Mets. "They're continuing to get better and better at that. Our hitters meetings are pretty interactive, where it's not just [Cardinals hitting coach Brant Brown] talking to the group but them speaking into it, and what their plan is. Each hitter goes through and describes what their plan is that day and what they're trying to do against that specific pitcher, but that continues to evolve as far as how well these guys in-game are making adjustments and communicating those adjustments."
That aspect of gameplanning has been the biggest change for some of these young hitters as they rise from the minors to the big leagues.
"You definitely learn really quickly here that you have to just dive deep and be a really good chess player," explained Church, who had 65 plate appearances with the Cardinals last season but won a starting job this year and is hitting .253/.286/.399 with five home runs, 18 RBI, and four steals in 48 games. "In the minors, you kind of get away with stuff, but big leaguers are smart. They do their homework on hitters. Not saying minor league pitchers don't do that, but just trying to understand what the best pitchers are trying to do [against you]."
May 14, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring the go-ahead run against the Athletics during the ninth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
That was seconded by rookie second baseman JJ Wetherholt, another top prospect, who won a starting job in spring training and has impressed with a .248/.354/.388 slash line in 62 games while producing nine home runs, 43 runs scored, 28 RBI, and two steals.
"In the minors, guys are more pitching to their game plan," he explained. "Obviously, the aces of the teams, they make a name doing what they do, so they're gonna do that, but in Triple-A, they're not really game planning too much, just a little bit. Here, it's more of a game plan, so each guy's getting pitched to their weaknesses, and so they'll spend more time scouting that. After that, once the league finds out that you're gonna swing at every slider in the dirt on a two-strike count, you're just gonna see that nonstop."
The hitters' meetings are a great chance for the young hitters and coaches to discuss the tendencies they've been seeing and the ones that they expect to see. Even the youngest MLB players have been playing this game at a high level for long enough that they can identify when a pitcher is attacking them differently, but leaning on coaches and the data they can collect to get specifics is often newer for young hitters.
"I would say the coaches will definitely know [how we're being pitched] because they do a ton of work at just looking out at all of our bats and all the data and things like that," admitted Wetherholt. "I'll definitely have that conversation, like, 'Hey, guys, I'm obviously getting more fastballs in, or getting more sliders down,' and then we'll talk about that and how we want to combat that. If it's a problem, you've got to address it."
Which leads to yet another aspect of hitting that can be challenging for younger hitters: in-season adjustments.
Offseason preparation may be more grueling and time-consuming, but it also feels less pressurized. Even if a hitter is altering their swing or approach, they have five or six months in the offseason to tear things down, construct a plan for rebuilding whatever process they're focused on, and then build it back up with regular checks and tweaks along the way. That's a luxury you don't have in the regular season when you have to not only identify if you're being pitched differently or if there's an issue with your swing, but what the change is and how to combat it, all while still preparing for your game that night. Sometimes, like with Jordan Waker, that can take years to figure out.
"I try and [make adjustments] as quickly as possible, like every at-bat, honestly, is what I try," stated Church. Wetherholt was a bit more temperate, suggesting that, "if you get pitched consistently from back-to-back teams, then you know there's something that people have found that they want to go towards."
Identifying the issue is the first step of the problem, but finding ways to address it during the grind of an MLB regular season is another challenge altogether.
"There's still some stuff that you can do early on in the day, like in the routines where you're working with some mechanical things," admitted Wetherholt. "It's not going to be anything crazy, but we'll talk about just making slight adjustments in the routine, and then, when you get on the field, you're just in compete mode. If anything, a lot can be pitches that you're trying to swing at and hunt, you know, if there are certain pitches that are giving you trouble, try to lay off those, so make those day-to-day adjustments."
Those are the adjustments Wetherholt has already had to make as a rookie. He came out of the gates well, hitting .256/.378/.479 with seven home runs, 27 runs scored, 16 RBI, and four steals in his first 31 MLB games. He then hit a rough patch once the calendar turned to May, slashing .182/.308/.236 with one home run, six RBI, and a 12/7 K/BB ratio in 14 games, but has been able to claw his way back, hitting .286/.351/.357 with one home runs, 10 runs scored, two steals, and a 9/7 K/BB ratio in 17 games since May 19th.
After that first month of the season, it seemed like pitchers started attacking Wetherholt inside more often (7% inside), and also realized that the rookie has a passive approach they could take more advantage of. Up until May, Wetherholt only had a 48% true first pitch strike rate (that excludes first pitch hits, so only when he goes down 0-1 in the count). In his cold stretch in May, that rose to 56% as pitchers found locations in the strike zone early on where Wetherholt didn't feel like offering.
However, from May 19th on, Wetherholt's early ball in play rate has jumped 4%, and his true first pitch strike rate has fallen back to 43%, while his early called strike rate has gone from 21.6% to 19.7%. These are not monumental changes, but are the small, incremental ones that Wetherholt talked about. He noticed that pitchers were being more successful at stealing first pitch strikes against him, so he got a little bit more aggressive, likely in certain areas of the zone where he knew he could still make good contact, and put more balls in play early to avoid falling behind.
"He's just very steady, especially for his age," explained Marmol. "You would think he's been in the league for a while, just the way he handles the ups and downs, and the day-to-day aspect of what we do. There's a certain demeanor to him, a presence, that's just pretty calming. He doesn't ride the highs and lows. It's pretty impressive."
It's impressive and emblematic of an entire lineup filled with young hitters who have tons of confidence and trust in one another.
"I think a lot of it is just having more confidence in myself and just not trying to do too much," said Church about the success of the team's young hitters.
Wetherholt also mentioned the closeness of the lineup: "We all have good relationships, just talk back and forth, hitting-wise. I've talked with [Nolan Gorman] a lot this year, and that's been a ton of fun. And then obviously guys like [Jordan] Walker and Masyn [Winn] are kind of more my age, that helped show me the ropes, but it's just been definitely a combined effort."
A combined effort built on communication and preparation. The Cardinals' hitters will tell you that they don't think too much about their statistics, and they won't be lying. They trust in their gameplanning and know that, if they prepare the right way, they continue to pile up the only stat that matters, wins.
Make no mistake, the Miami Heat are still considered the clear frontrunners to land Giannis Antetokounmpo. If you put trust in such things, it's worth noting that Tyler Herro — one of the primary players who would head to Milwaukee in any deal — has unfollowed the Heat on social media.
"I have heard Boston is shopping people around a lot right now. That Boston is making calls, Boston is open to trading anybody besides Jayson Tatum. And that doesn't necessarily mean they land Giannis at the end of the day but I do believe, based off all the conversations I've had, is that the Celtics are in on Giannis. And if they are making a push on him and that this seems to be currently a two-team race with Milwaukee to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo."
Everyone talking about Boston is using a lot of qualifiers — "if they are making a push" — so the question becomes how much of this is smoke and how much is fire? Is Milwaukee trying to drum up a bidding war or flush out other suitors besides Miami? Or, is Boston really interested? Is Jalen Brown in play to be traded coming off an All-NBA season where he averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game? If the Celtics are in, they pose a serious challenge to the Heat as frontrunners.
Minnesota? Orlando? Bucks want clarity
When any trade deadline gets close, we start to see the real offers from teams. What teams are serious, which are not, and what is genuinely on the table.
To this point in the summer, the market outside of Miami for Antetokounmpo has been softer than expected. With the deadline nearing, the Bucks are looking for that from teams on the fringes of the conversations, such as Orlando and Minnesota, reports Sam Amick and Eric Nehm at The Athletic.
Per league and team sources, the Bucks appear to be seeking clarity from several suitors as to what they would actually be willing to offer before making a final decision. The Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic, the sources say, are known to be among them. The Portland Trail Blazers are known to have interest in trading for Antetokounmpo, but it appears more likely — if the Bucks have their way — that they would be involved as a third-team as a way for Milwaukee to regain control of some of the picks they lost in the Damian Lillard trade in 2023.
Minnesota is not likely because, unless Antetokounmpo changes his stance, he does not want to go West (don't forget, he has leverage in these talks because he only has one more guaranteed year on his contract and teams trading for Antetokounmpo will want him to sign an extension, he can tell them he will not).
That said, the Bucks may like what the Timberwolves can offer, The Athletic reports. The Bucks are eying Naz Reid, Terrence Shannon Jr. and two first-round picks. The sticking point is two-way forward Jaden McDaniels — the Bucks want him, and the Timberwolves say he is not available. All of this is moot if Antetokounmpo doesn't want to go West, even to a team with Anthony Edwards.
Orlando is interesting, a team on the rise in the East, but with questions about whether they have a true No. 1 shot creator and bucket getter who can get them a ring. The Magic are expected to let new coach Sean Sweeney try to figure out the Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner puzzle rather than blow it up for Antetokounmpo or anyone else, league sources told NBC Sports. However, if they decide to get in the mix, they can put together an impressive offer.
Teams don’t fully trust Bucks
At the February trade deadline, Bucks general manager Jon Horst listened to trade offers for Antetokounmpo for the first time. However, other teams ultimately felt he was just gauging the market; he wasn't serious about making a deal, league sources told NBC Sports at the time. That widely held belief is an issue for the Bucks now, Amick and Nehm report at The Athletic.
Yet there is, the sources say, a sense of distrust from some teams because of how the Bucks handled trade discussions around Antetokounmpo at the deadline... It was, in the eyes of some, a fact-finding mission that was intended to set the stage for the summer to come. As such, sources say some teams are imploring the Bucks to come to them with all the final details of an offer that they would accept rather than going back and forth. The hope, of course, is that taking that tact would minimize the locker-room impact of the rumor mill.
Good luck with slowing the rumor mill.
Other Antetokounmpo trade notes
• Keep this thought from friend-of-the-site Keith Smith in mind on how the Antetokounmpo trade to Miami would ultimately be structured.
I've said this before, but worth putting here too:
If the Heat make a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, it's to their benefit to send out more salary than they take back. That way they avoid a first-apron hard cap. That gives them more wiggle room to build out the roster.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, ranked first in the NL West with a 44-25 record, face the Chicago White Sox, who are first in the AL Central with a 36-31 record. The Los Angeles Dodgers are favored with a -170 moneyline compared to the Chicago White Sox's +140. Starting pitchers are Roki Sasaki for the Dodgers, with a 4.03 ERA, and Anthony Kay for the White Sox, with a 4.40 ERA.
How to Watch Los Angeles Dodgers vs Chicago White Sox
Jalen Brunson is playing the highest-stakes basketball of his life in the NBA Finals between the Knicks and Spurs, and answered the call with his biggest performance yet in a pivotal Game 4.
He scored 36 points on 12-for-25 shooting from the field, grabbing five rebounds, dishing seven assists, and coming away with three steals in a narrow victory in which he hit two of the most clutch shots.
Brunson's night should be a relief to Knicks fans who watched him struggle through the first three games.
In Game 1, it took him 31 shots to get to 30 points, he shot 28 percent for 20 points in Game 2, and while he had solid efficiency in Game 3, his process, turnovers, and defense left much to be desired.
If Brunson is playing more like his past two games (and entire playoffs) than the first two of the Finals, the Knicks are in exponentially better position to close this series out and win their first NBA championship in over half a century.
Here’s what San Antonio has done to disrupt his rhythm, how he got it back, and what that means for Game 5...
The Spurs have maintained the strategy of not letting Brunson get any comfortable looks. He’s pressed 94 feet down the court by the defensive demon Stephon Castle, and his favorable matchups are choices of guys many inches taller than him or Defensive Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama.
They’ve had Wembanyama lurking in the paint and are switching or blowing up enough off-ball actions to deter the Knicks from their Karl-Anthony Towns-centric offense, which opened up Brunson’s off-ball game. His free catch-and-shoot or cutting attempts have been few and far between, with only a couple of set plays opening things up for him.
With Brunson largely on the ball, he has consistently seen coverages forcing him to try and score in the packed paint, make the perfect dish-out or hit tough pull-ups. Picks are largely switched among wings, or if Wembanyama is the low man, he’s in a drop that covers twice the space of a normal player.
In the former scenario, that essentially just leaves Brunson playing one-on-one ball, which was much less of a problem against the Cleveland Cavaliers than the defensive-minded Spurs. San Antonio has done well not to allow easy blow-bys, and is packing the paint any time Brunson comes near it.
The reason the first two games were such stinkers was due in part to Brunson growing accustomed to this defense and its individual members, and he’s slowly come to find his angles and attack points on each defender. There were a lot of early forced misses playing into the isolation-ball, where he settled for looks that are available any time in this series.
Defenders are also keeping entirely attached to Brunson if he does get a step, essentially begging him to get into his foul-drawing bag. This can distract him from taking normal in-rhythm shots, or take him out of the game if there’s a tough whistle, like in Games 1 and 2.
It’s no surprise his best games have come when he’s successfully drawn eight and 11 free throws instead of four and five, respectively, in the first two games. Brunson began punishing the Spurs for their physicality in Game 3, and getting Castle into foul trouble may have swung Game 4.
Jun 10, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) looks on in the second quarter against the San Antonio Spurs during game four of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. / Brad Penner-Imagn Images
When he’s off a pick and Wembanyama is waiting, the defensive stalwart is up high enough to dissuade Brunson’s mid-range game. On the series, Brunson is only 6-for-26 from his favorite range on the court, a major win for the Spurs' defense.
New York’s shaky spacing and Brunson’s inconsistent playmaking have made this even tougher.
If there aren’t clear passing lanes and the paint is filled with bodies, Brunson simply stalls and passes the ball, which has been a regular occurrence.
This is why the insertion of Jose Alvarado in the fourth quarter of Game 4, and Brunson’s relentless attack on Wembanyama helped open things up. With their anchor out in rotation and another threat carving into the lane, Brunson has had clearer windows to his spots and teammates.
San Antonio is satisfied giving him pull-up threes, one key weak point in their scheme, but without a rhythm behind it Brunson struggled to convert attempts in Games 1 and 2. As he got going in the paint in the latter two games and was more selective about his looks, his three-point shot went in at a much better efficiency at home.
Brunson and the Knicks can use all of this to ensure a solid strategy going into Game 5.
To start, the Knicks can try to force the Wembanyama switch or just bring him into continuous action to run him ragged and get him out of the paint.
The officials may dictate how much Brunson can leverage the Spurs' physicality early - if he can catch Castle on a couple of fouls, it will give him some room in his in-between game. Start off with some clean rim attacks and free throws, and the pull-up game will open up from deep.
Towns has also had big games this series. If the Knicks can get his game flowing more, Brunson could be the beneficiary away from the ball. Of course, this is assuming the Spurs keep with their current approach.
The Spurs have thrown the occasional traps and doubles, but may press the button fully to keep the ball out of Brunson’s hands in this do-or-die game. Perhaps they have Wembanyama always switch to goad him into more tough pull-ups.
Whatever happens, the Knicks have proven they can win with or without Brunson playing his best offensive game. He has been lights out in the clutch and is surrounded by talent starved for this one final win -- let’s see if they can capture it.
The Buffalo Sabres could be on the hunt for some forward help this summer. This is especially so if they are unable to re-sign top pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) forward Alex Tuch.
When looking at players who can hit the market on July 1, Boston Bruins forward Viktor Arvidsson could be an interesting player for the Sabres to bring in on a short-term deal.
Arvidsson showed this season with the Bruins that he can still make an impact. In 69 games this season with the Bruins, he posted 25 goals, 29 assists, 54 points, and a plus-20 rating. With numbers like these, he would have the potential to be a nice addition to the Sabres' middle six and power play if signed.
Arvidsson's experience also adds to his appeal, as he has played in 91 career playoff games. With the Sabres being a team on the rise looking to contenders, bringing in a veteran who has been on multiple long playoff runs like Arvidsson could interest them.
Ultimately, if Arvidsson hits the market on July 1 and the Sabres are unable to bring back Tuch, the Bruins winger could make sense for them to bring in on a short-term. Yet, even if Tuch stays, Arvidsson could be good to have around in a third-line role for more secondary scoring.
We took a while, but after a month or so off we’re back to asking you about the White Sox and baseball at large vis SB Nation Reacts surveys. This time around, with the White Sox in the catbird seat at the one-third season mark, we issued a straightforward (if unexpected, just a month ago) one:
Woof, lookee what a weak American League and surprisingly strong White Sox team does to a fan base’s confidence! The wild thing is, since we issued the survey, the White Sox have extended their MLB-best run to nine of 13 and moved into first place!
The national questions this week were a little bit fun, a little bit not. First, best hitters in baseball:
No White Sox? OK, OK, no White Sox.
Then, it was (ugh) labor concerns:
Just as things are getting good for us again. Sigh.
Did you miss out on this round of questions? No worry, sign up here to participate in our weekly emailed surveys, and have your White Sox voice be heard!
Thoughtful reporter Hannah Beam enumerated several Rangers front office blunders, starting with the man behind the bench.
"The Rangers paid for the privilege of hiring the highest-paid coach in the league. And what did they get out of it last season, Sullivan had a record of 34-39-9. But that's not on Sully, that's on the man who built the roster."
The Knicks' highly-successful roster-builder, Leon Rose, even took time to write a serious letter to his fan base: "To be successful in the NBA," Rose wrote to fans in 2020, "you need the best talent, a tireless work ethic, a winning culture and a total commitment to the development of both the individual and the team."
Beam: "Six years later, he was standing in Cleveland, watching his team reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. The man was in tears, but he'd earned them!"
Like all of us who care – and who have watched the Knicks pull off playoff miracle after miracle – we are left wondering why the Rangers can't match their brethren's success.
"The blueprint is right across the MSG hall," Hannah Beam concludes. "Same building. Same owner. For his Knicks, he finally figured out – you hire the right person and then get the heck out of the way,"
Then, one final Hannah Beam pause: "Last question: can the Rangers find their Leon Rose before Igor Shesterkin runs out of time?"
The Dodgers (44-25) continue their swing through the Midwest tonight as they open a series in the Windy City against the surprising AL Central-leading White Sox (36-31).
The Sox have won seven in a row at home including a pair earlier this week against the NL East-leading Braves. Chicago is one of five American League teams sporting a positive run differential for the season at +10. As positive a stat as that is for Chicago, LA’s run differential is +143 after their series win in Pittsburgh in which they scored 28 runs for the three games.
However, both teams are trending similarly of late. Each is 6–4 over their last 10 games, with comparable offensive production:
Dodgers: .269 team average, have outscored opponents by 14 runs
White Sox: .270 team average, outscored opponents by 9 runs
Tonight’s expected pitching matchup features:
Dodgers: Roki Sasaki (RHP)
3–3 record, 4.03 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 60 K
White Sox: Anthony Kay (LHP)
5–1 record, 4.40 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 46 K
Sasaki brings more swing-and-miss upside, while Kay has been more effective in the win column despite less dominant peripherals. Kay’s challenge will be navigating a Dodgers’ lineup that ranks among MLB’s best in on-base percentage and overall production, while Sasaki faces a Chicago lineup that has been more opportunistic than explosive.
Given recent trends, Sasaki’s ability to control early innings could be critical—Chicago has leaned heavily on momentum and situational hitting rather than overwhelming pitching matchups.
Hot Hitters (Last 10 Games)
Dodgers
Shohei Ohtani: 18-for-41, 3 HR, 9 RBI
Andy Pages: Team leader in HR (15 total) and major power threat [espn.com]
Ohtani is the clear tone-setter for LA BUT he left the series finale against the Pirates early. There has been no confirmation as of publication as to his availability for tonight. Pages flies under the radar somehow but continues to provide middle-of-the-order pop.
White Sox
Miguel Vargas: 11-for-39, 3 HR over last 10 games
Vargas has been Chicago’s most dangerous recent bat, especially in terms of gap-to-gap power and run production.
What to Watch Tonight
Contrast in styles: Dodgers bring lineup depth and power (5.3 runs/game), while the White Sox excel in situational hitting and close-game execution.
Home-field edge: Chicago’s strong home record (22–11) and active home winning streak make this more competitive than the records suggest.
Prior to the season, you would never have said this will be a competitive series. The Dodgers have the statistical edge across the board, but the White Sox counter with home momentum, a recent winning trend, and timely hitting. If the game turns into a higher-scoring affair, it favors Los Angeles; if it stays tight and situational, Chicago has a real shot to take yet another step forward in their surprising season.
Lets dive into tonight’s matchup and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.
Game Details and How to Watch: Dodgers vs. White Sox
Date: Friday, June 12, 2026
Time: 7:40PM EST
Site: Rate Field
City: Chicago, IL
Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, Sportsnet LA, CSN
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
The Latest Odds: Dodgers vs. White Sox
The latest odds as of Friday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: LA Dodgers (-162), Chicago White Sox (+134)
Spread: Dodgers -1.5 (+105), White Sox +1.5 (-126)
Total: 9.0 runs
Probable Starting Pitchers: Dodgers vs. White Sox for June 12
White Sox: Anthony Kay Season Totals: 61.1 IP, 5-1, 4.40 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 46K, 26 BB
Who’s Hot? Who’s Not! Dodgers vs. White Sox
Kyle Tucker – 3-12 vs. Pirates earlier this week
Freddie Freeman has hit in 6 straight games (9-21) and 8 of his last 9 (14-36)
Colson Montgomery has hit safely in 3 straight games (3-11)
Andrew Benintendi is 2-13 in his last 5 games
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Top Betting Trends & Insights: Dodgers vs. White Sox
The Dodgers are 36-33 on the Run Line this season
The White Sox are 39-28 on the Run Line this season
The OVER has cashed 31 times in LA’s 69 games this season (31-38)
The OVER has cashed 39 times in the White Sox’ 67 games this season (39-26-2)
Expert picks & predictions: Dodgers vs. White Sox
Rotoworld Bet Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s game between the Dodgers and the White Sox:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Dodgers on the Moneyline.
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Dodgers on the Run Line.
Total: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Game Total OVER 9.0
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 12: Larry Nance Jr. #22 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots during the third quarter against the Washington Wizards at Rocket Arena on April 12, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: The Cavaliers defeated the Wizards 130-117. User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Larry Nance Jr. might have been a great fit with this version of the Cleveland Cavaliers in previous years. But last season, nearly all of his value came in the form of locker room leadership. That’s somewhat underwhelming.
All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.
Regular Season Stats
3.7 points
2.7 rebounds
1.0 assists
42% FG
33% 3PT FG
46% FT
The Cavs have sorely needed a player like Nance to reinforce the frontcourt behind Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Athletic, 6’9” forwards with plus wingspans haven’t fallen their way very often this decade. Add a touch of playmaking and three-point shooting, and Nance should have fit like a glove.
Sadly, injuries and Father Time have caught up to Nance. He’s not the same athlete he was in previous years, no longer providing a vertical threat around the basket and having trouble moving his feet defensively. Those are two skills he couldn’t afford to lose.
Cleveland couldn’t find any use for Nance. He wasn’t an effective pick-and-roll partner or defender, and he even regressed as a three-point shooter. Nance shot just 33% from deep after consecutive seasons shooting above 40%. At no point in the season did it feel like Nance’s jumper was going to return. That, again, is a skill he couldn’t afford to lose.
Nance appeared in just 35 games, racking up DNP’s as the on-court results spoke for themselves. Cleveland was 9.5 points worse per 100 possessions when Nance was on the floor. That ranked in the 11th percentile.
Now let’s be fair and offer the positive spin.
Nance hasn’t been fully healthy recently. He only played 24 games in the ‘24-25 season due to hand and knee injuries. He then tweaked his knee again at the start of the ‘25-26 season, only to then strain his calf a few weeks later. You can argue he never got his feet under him in Cleveland — and that a full summer of recovery could offer rejuvenation.
A healthier version of Nance might be on the table. The Cavs could talk themselves into that possibility as a low-risk, moderate-reward gamble. Of course, this most recent season wouldn’t leave anyone feeling great about a winning outcome.
Nance deserves credit for taking his lumps in stride. This wasn’t an easy season for him if he expected to play real minutes. Still, he never complained about DNP’s and remained a positive influence in the locker room. It’s easier than you think to grow resentful. Nance avoided that and brought nothing but good vibes off the floor.
It’s possible my expectations were too high for Nance. After all, he was a late addition on a veteran minimum contract. Maybe it’s unfair to grade him as if he were going to play meaningful minutes this season.
Still, it’s impossible to deny that I was disappointed.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 24: Isaiah Joe #11 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Four of the NBA Western Conference Finals on May 24, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
As things currently stand, the Dallas Mavericks have two picks in the first round of the NBA Draft later this month, namely their own #9 and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s #30. In what is clearly a deep draft, the Mavs would do well to get as many bites of the apple as possible to build around Cooper Flagg, and the Thunder are an excellent candidate to help them out.
Joining me for this potential transaction are MMB’s Jack Nowicki and Bryan Porter.
The trade proposal
The Mavericks use their Traded Player Exception (TPE) and their 2026 #30 pick (which ironically belonged to the Thunder originally) to move up to #17 by way of taking on the contract of Isaiah Joe.
The discussion
Mike: I like this trade a lot. I am very hopeful the Mavs will actually take advantage of the TPE. If they can get an improved pick while retaining all other tradable assets, that is a major win and possibly the best asset management this franchise has demonstrated in years. If we could do OKC a favor by taking that salary off their books and they reciprocated by helping us jump 13 spots in this year’s draft, we ought to be sending a limo north to pick Joe up.
Brian: Yeah, I’d love to upgrade in this way and make use of our TPE to absorb a deal like this to move up in the draft. If I could quibble with it a bit, I would rather Aaron Wiggins than Joe because he’s bigger and cheaper, but the lesser of the two is probably the only one OKC considers accepting a deal like this for if they can’t move them into someone else’s space.
Jack: This would be an amazing trade for the Mavericks for multiple reasons. First, moving up to #17 allows them to take another blue chip player that could compliment #9, with Stanford guard Ebuka Okorie being my first choice. Second, adding another useful role player that fits next to Cooper Flagg is a large bonus, as Joe is an elite shooter who could open driving lanes for both Kyrie Irving and Flagg. I agree with Bryan’s point on preferring Wiggins, but I believe the Thunder would want to move Joe instead. Overall this is the type of opportunistic trade the Mavericks should be seeking this offseason.
Bryan: As slanted as this is towards us, considering Joe has some value and could probably net OKC a couple of second round picks on his own, the real question is how much would you comfortably add to this deal to make it happen? A second round pick? Two? Maybe a player would be too much, considering the idea is to cut money on OKC’s end.
Mike: I’m hoping OKC’s loss in the Western Conference Finals changed their thinking. If they repeated, I could have seen them paying out the nose to largely stay together. Now, I feel like ditching $11M would be very appealing to them. If we had to add a second round pick (even two), I’d generally be very open to that. That said, OKC certainly must realize they have a plethora of picks in the near future and not enough roster spots for them. I’d like to believe they’d be inclined to swap spots. And Jack, your commentary makes me want this to happen even more now! Switching gears, I suspect one or more of P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall and Klay Thompson are moved this offseason. Closing thoughts to each of you on which of the three you’d prefer it being, assuming Joe is incoming?
Bryan: Washington is the one that makes the most sense. He likely has the highest value of the three, has reached the highest individual peak over the last two years and is still only 27 years old on a good, long term contract. Also his particular archetype should be very enticing to teams like OKC, the Spurs, etc. with versatile offensive bigs like Victor Wembanyama, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Nikola Jokic, contenders need big, defensive forwards who can hit corner threes, attack off the catch, be defensive playmakers, etc. His skillset is very much in demand right now.
Mike: I feel like Thompson is surely gone either way – I just can’t imagine he’d want to stick around for a rebuild. Ironically, Joe would be a solid one-to-one replacement for him in a lot of ways. That said, this trade proposal makes moving Washington sensible. I’d hate to see it as a fan, but in practical terms, this trade brings back value without moving player assets, and Washington could bring a lot back and really bolster this proposed trade if he was moved in a separate transaction. I also have an unsubstantiated hunch that Marshall sticks around here to take some of the offensive load off Flagg and whatever rookie(s) are added.
Join the conversation in the comments section below!
I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.
Although the World Cup is starting to take center stage, another day on the diamond awaits, and there's no shortage of value to be found at Polymarket!
Spearheaded by another dominant outing from Jacob Misiorowski, here are our favorite MLB picks for Friday, June 12.
Sign up now using our exclusive Polymarket promo code 'COVERS' (on your mobile app only) and get a $50 trading bonus after you deposit $50 to trade on any other event contracts — including MLB expert picks!
Sign Up Now at img src="https://img.covers.com/editorial/2026/polymarketlogo.png" alt="Polymarket" width="100" height="28" style="vertical-align: middle;"
*Eligible locations only
Jon Metler's expert pick: Dodgers moneyline
Price: 60¢ (-150) at Polymarket
Roki Sasaki may have stumbled out of the gate this season, but over the last 30 days, he's looked every bit like the ace the Los Angeles Dodgers expected. During that stretch, he's posted a 10.73 K/9, a 1.48 ERA, and a 2.29 xFIP, establishing himself as one of the most dominant starters in baseball.
At first glance, Chicago White Sox southpaw Anthony Kay appears capable of creating matchup problems for Los Angeles because of the number of left-handed bats in the Dodgers' lineup. However, this isn't a typical lineup when it comes to platoon splits.
Freddie Freeman has spent his entire career producing against left-handed pitching at nearly the same level as he does against righties, and Kay's sweeping slider isn't nearly as effective against hitters like Kyle Tucker, whose flat swing path matches up well against that pitch shape.
Los Angeles deserves to be a bigger favorite here, and I make the Dodgers closer to 63 cents in this matchup.
Additionally, Alcantara’s first-inning numbers (5.14 ERA with a .758 OPS allowed) are skewed because all eight runs he’s surrendered came across just three games.
Ashcraft, meanwhile, checks in with an absolutely elite .169 batting average and .414 OPS allowed in the opening frame across his 21 career starts.
Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
How to watch: Marlins.TV, SportsNet Pittsburgh
Joe Osborne's expert pick: Brewers -1.5
Price: 53¢ (-110) at Polymarket
Jacob Misiorowski is on an insane tear, allowing just one earned run across his last seven starts and helping the Milwaukee Brewers cover the run line in six of those outings.
The Philadelphia Phillies counter with Andrew Painter, whose 6.21 ERA reflects a difficult season that has included several rough road starts. Meanwhile, Milwaukee's offense is firing on all cylinders, leading MLB in both runs scored and OPS over the past week.
Add in the Brewers' elite offensive production at home and Philadelphia's struggles on the road, and Milwaukee is well-positioned to win by multiple runs tonight.
Time: 7:40 p.m. ET
How to watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia, Brewers.TV
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.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 3: Jalen Brunson #11 and OG Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks talks to the media during Game One of the 2026 NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs on June 3, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE(Photo by Sharon Chi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The New York Knicks are one win away from their first championship since 1973. You read that right, folks.
That also means it is officially time to argue about the Finals MVP award, which will likely be handed out at around midnight on Saturday.
The Knicks lead the Spurs 3-1, are beating them up and down, left and right, and without any sort of help from the refs, and not only that, but they are about to get beatified after a miraculous Game 4 in which they came back from a 29-point deficit and got the Hand of God on their side.
At this point, we all have a pretty clear idea of who’s who in the race for the Finals MVP. Jalen Brunson is the 1A superstar even though Becky Hammon would never be able to deal with that. The Knicks won’t have arrived at MSG with a 2-0 lead had Karl-Anthony Towns not played at the top of his powers for a couple outings. Victor Wembanyama looked good, then great, then dirty, and is not even remotely close to being the Alien we were sold, at least on winning terms.
But man, oh man. Are we in for another underdog Finals MVP a la Iggy or Cedric Maxwell? OG Anunoby, step in.
OG'S TWO-WAY IMPACT 🔥
▪ Clutch block on one end trailing by 1 ▪ Game-winning putback on the other end
Excuse me if you are a Brunson stan—understandable, we all are—or if you don’t agree with me, but with four games in the rearview mirror, Anunoby leads this race.
Although FanDuel sides with you and still has Brunson as the best-odds candidate at -115 compared to OG’s +230, the proof is in the pudding as oddsmakers are finally placing Ogugua in a hunting position.
So far, OG has put together the best combination of production, efficiency, defense, and most importantlymomentum heading into a potential title-clincher.
Through four Finals games, OG is averaging 23.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 58% from the field, 55.6% from three, and 92% from the line. That is already absurd, but Anunoby still had his moment waiting for him in G4 as he dropped 33 points on 10-for-15 shooting, hit 7 of 9 threes, blocked De’Aaron Fox’s dumb layup attempt late, and ultimately went on to win the game himself by tipping in Brunson’s miss with 1.2 seconds left to finish the largest comeback in Finals history.
Brunson has had a kinda tough Finals for his standards. That said, he remains and will ever be an obvious candidate to win the award simply because the Knicks run through this little big-headed man, and the Spurs are spending more time trying to stop him than doing anything else.
Brunson is averaging 29.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.0 steals, and his 36-point Game 4 kept the Knicks alive long before Anunoby finished it. The case against him is down to his awful efficiency during the past four games. Brunson is shooting 39.6% from the field—six other Knicks have better averages—and 34.5% from three—worst than Josh Hart’s 35.7% clip—while his one-man tendencies have gotten the offense a bit stagnant at times.
Still, this is the classic true superstar and team-leader pick, so you can never rule him out. Plus, it’s fair to say we have yet to watch a bona fide Brunson game this series, and he might be saving it for last.
Victor Wembanyama in the 4th Quarter:
10:41 Missed alley oop layup 10:40 Missed tip shot 10:37 Made FT 10:37 Missed FT 9:38 Missed floater 9:36 Missed top shot 9:33 Made two point shot 8:51 Missed alley oop layup 8:21 Missed jump shot 3:31 Made jump shot 1:47 Missed FT 1:47… pic.twitter.com/CzdCvwvxI8
If Brunson might get the benefit of voters, you bet Wembanyama would do the same if the Spurs pull off the historic 3-1 comeback. Not happening, so not even discussing it, let alone after all this crap went down in the last week… Sorry, not sorry.
Not gonna lie here: Towns looked like my Finals MVP pick after the first two games of the series, both ending in road wins at San Antonio.
KAT’s size, shooting, rebounding, and work against Wembanyama on both offense and defense gave the Knicks their early lead and pretty much put the Spurs to bed. Towns is averaging 15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and a block per game, which keeps him in the conversation, but the award has started to move away from him of late.
Right now, if you ask me, I’d hand it to the one and only OG. Brunson can still take it with a strong Game 5, and a closeout performance like we’re accustomed to watching him put together could easily swing the whole thing. KAT? Still probable if he has an OG-like experience shortly.
So, who do you have winning the award? Let us know in the comments section below, and Let’s Go Knicks!
