SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 26: Manager Don Mattingly #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies catches a foul ball during the third inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on May 26, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This week, we asked you the question about what kind of grade you would give Don Mattingly on the job he’s done this season. You answered.
It’s pretty funny that both times the team has made a managerial change in the early part of the season, the team has gone on a run and gotten themselves right. There hasn’t been much he has had to do in his tenure so far since a lot of the team’s improvement has been the players simply playing better.
It doesn’t hurt that his arrival as manager almost perfectly coincided with the return of Zack Wheeler from the injured list.
There is still a lot of questions to ask about what Mattingly will ultimately do differently when the chips are down. He’s clearly not afraid to use Jhoan Duran often, but what about in the dog days of summer? Will he start to save some bullets for a possible postseason run? One thing Mattingly did do differently was sit down Alec Bohm for a few days when he was struggling. Will Mattingly do the same with players like Trea Turner or J.T. Realmuto, players with a bit more cash in the bank account?
So far, though, he has done a fine job. No complaints about it.
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 05: Martín Pérez #33 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Friday, June 5, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kathryn Skeean/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
In a bit of a rough patch of play and missing two of their best bats in Ronald Acuna and Drake Baldwin, the Braves are hoping to be able to beat the Mets in game 2 of their series behind Martin Perez.
It appears likely that Sean Manaea will get some bulk innings for the Mets, though he came in after an opener in his last appearance before eating 4.0 innings. Manaea has been pretty good in this non-starting bulk innings role, with an xERA, FIP, and xFIP right around 4.00. He’s working with a pretty low-velocity arsenal at this point, but does have some pretty good extension. He’s working with some very horizontally moving stuff, primarily pitching off of his four-seamer, sinker, and sweeper, with a cutter and changeup sprinkled in on occasion. His walk and strikeout rates have been quite average, with a below average ground ball rate. Manaea is pretty average but not bad and a rough equivalent in quality to what Martin Perez has been this season. The hope is that the Braves’ offense can make something happen in the absence of a few of their stars.
Martin Perez will look to continue his relative success this season, as he has a great 3.00 ERA but an xERA, xFIP, and FIP all around 4.00, much like Manaea, but as a totally acceptable number for the fifth starter. He’s been getting it done with his changeup, using his sinker and cutter with a few four-seamers and curves mixed in. This feels like advantage Mets on paper, without Acuna or Baldwin and with roughly equivalent pitchers on the mound. Here’s hoping that some combination of a good/lucky Perez start and some real offense can make it happen.
The ball gets away from New York Knicks Patrick Ewing (R) as teammate Anthony Mason (L) blocks out New Jersey Nets Armon Gilliam (C) during the first half of their NBA game 20 December 1994 in New York. (Photo by MARK D. PHILLIPS and - / AFP) (Photo by MARK D. PHILLIPS/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
For the past 25 years, any remotely good New York Knicks team would eventually get compared to the 1990s Knicks. Makes sense, considering they were the most modern-era squad close to going the distance after New York last celebrated a title in 1973.
If you’re like me, you weren’t around back then. If you’re like my father, you weren’t either. So yeah, the ‘90s are the golden Knicks benchmark for contemporary NYK teams because that is what happens when a franchise spends 50-plus years mostly selling fans hope but ultimately dealing them pain. Alas.
Now, however, this comparison can’t make any more sense.
The 2026 Knicks will play Game 5 of the freaking NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs tonight, heading into it up 3-1, one win from their first championship since forever, and with a chance to topple the heights reached by both the 1994 and 1999 Knicks mobs.
As stupid as it might have sounded just two months ago, the Knicks are the favorites to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy when all is said and done, with FanDuel giving them -500 odds to the Spurs’ +385 entering Saturday’s matchup. See it to believe it!
The 1994 Knicks were the true big one. Patrick Ewing, John Starks, Charles Oakley, Anthony Mason, Derek Harper, all of them led by Pat Riley on the sideline, and coming off a 57-win regular season. The Finals run? Seven games against Hakeem Olajuwon’s Rockets. The ending? A title being close enough to hurt Knicks fans forever.
Then came 1999, the weirdest miracle run. After a shortened regular season following an infamous lockout, the Knicks entered the playoffs as a true underdog with the No. 8 seed out East, beat Miami, beat Atlanta, beat Indiana, and reached the Finals against 2026 dance partners the Spurs. By then, Ewing was hurt, and that was as damaging as what happened five years earlier, with neophyte Tim Duncan and admiral David Robinson pulverizing New York’s hopes in five outings.
These Knicks feel a bit different from those two historic squads in NYK lore. Those two Finals-bound teams were tough as nails, and while the current Knicks can put the clamps on anybody, there’s a distance there, and it’s fair to say that the Julius Randle-RJ Barrett stage of the roster was closer to that than the current version of it.
Jalen Brunson, as the face of the franchise, gives the Knicks the late-game guard those ‘90s teams never really had, in a clear contrast to the forward-and-big-heavy talent crammed into the past iterations of the winning Knicks.
Yes, Karl-Anthony Towns is in the paint these days, but you can’t even start to compare as he’s more of the finesse variety and gives New York a shooting touch who changes everything on the floor.
OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges are two of the best two-way wings in the Association and clear-cut models of modern basketball, compared to the grittier and darker and dirtier 1990s wrestling-ball.
Perhaps Josh Hart—with a s/o to Jose Alvarado too—is the latest remnant of that nearly glorious era, only just born 20 years after he should, but lucky to find his way to New York, blossomed into the Energizer Bunny we came to know and love.
The ’90s teams built the standard for Knicks toughness and togetherness, but they will always be remembered for coming oh-so-close, as endearing as they are and will ever be to our hearts.
The 2026 Knicks, however? Oh, boy, these dudes have a chance to cross all t’s and dot all i’s.
One more win, and the 2026 Knicks will forever stop being compared to the 1990s Knicks. They will pass them, put themselves on par with the golden ’70s Knicks, and force new comparisons for the near and distant future.
One miserable week doesn't erase six brilliant months, and Joe Sakic made it abundantly clear the Colorado Avalanche have no intention of confusing disappointment with disaster.
The Avalanche bulldozed the NHL on their way to the Presidents' Trophy, finishing as the league's highest-scoring team while allowing the fewest goals. For most of the season, they looked less like contenders and more like an inevitable champion.
Then came four games against the Vegas Golden Knights.
The sweep was ugly. It was frustrating. It was also, in Sakic's eyes, far too small a sample to justify detonating a roster built to compete for championships.
“We could panic and try and blow everything up and start all over,” Sakic told reporters. “But this team, what they’ve done over the course of the year, was pretty remarkable. Now, I want to give them an opportunity to try and do it again.”
That philosophy should shape every major decision the Avalanche make this summer.
You don't tear down a mansion because one toilet clogged.
For weeks, speculation has surrounded Colorado's unrestricted free agents, but Sakic's comments paint a much different picture than the one many fans expected.
If the general manager genuinely believes the Western Conference Final was little more than one terrible stretch against an elite opponent, there is little incentive to gut the supporting cast that helped produce a 121-point season.
That could mean a majority—if not all—of Colorado's unrestricted free agents return.
Nick Blankenburg proved to be a dependable seventh defenseman, Brent Burns showed he could still handle significant minutes at 41 years old, Brett Kulak brought stability to the blue line after arriving at the trade deadline, and Joel Kiviranta battled through multiple injuries to provide a steady, reliable presence even if the offensive production never fully materialized. Kiviranta also earned a spot on Finland's roster for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, where he represented his country alongside fellow Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen and former Colorado star Mikko Rantanen.
Keeping that group intact would align far more closely with Sakic's public message than pursuing wholesale change.
The bigger question belongs to restricted free agent Jack Drury.
According to DNVR's AJ Haefele, Drury declined multiple contract offers from the Avalanche during the season. That naturally raises concerns about whether negotiations could become complicated, but it doesn't necessarily mean the two sides are headed for a breakup.
Negotiations often become a game of patience.
And Colorado has a compelling comparable.
As The Hockey News' Stefano Rubino recently noted, the Minnesota Wild signed veteran center Michael McCarron to a six-year contract carrying a $3.33 million average annual value. Drury is smaller, younger and brings a completely different skill set, but his value to Colorado extends far beyond the scoresheet.
His faceoff numbers routinely climb above 60 percent, making him one of the NHL's most dependable specialists. Whether protecting a one-goal lead late in the third period or creating an offensive-zone possession after an icing call, Drury consistently wins critical draws that tilt games.
Fourth-line centers rarely command massive contracts, but elite defensive centers who dominate the faceoff circle are considerably harder to replace than many realize.
Finding common ground should remain a priority.
None of this means the Avalanche will spend the offseason standing still.
Sakic acknowledged the organization will examine every avenue to improve the roster, including the trade market. Without an abundance of premium draft picks, player-for-player hockey trades may become Colorado's preferred method of creating flexibility.
Ross Colton remains an obvious candidate.
The 28-year-old enters the final season of his four-year, $16 million contract, and Colorado explored moving him before the trade deadline without finding a suitable partner. His postseason usage also raised eyebrows after he was scratched for the first two games against the Los Angeles Kings before eventually returning to the lineup.
Valeri Nichushkin's future is another conversation that refuses to disappear.
At his best, Nichushkin is one of hockey's most dominant power forwards, capable of controlling games with his size, puck protection and two-way play. He is also signed through 2030 with a $6.125 million annual cap hit.
The challenge isn't talent.
It's availability.
Nichushkin missed the final five games of Colorado's first-round series against Seattle in 2023 after leaving the team for what the organization described as personal reasons. A Seattle police report later revealed an intoxicated woman had been discovered in his hotel room before Game 3.
Months later, he entered Stage 1 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, which carries no disciplinary penalty but requires inpatient treatment.
After returning and producing nine goals in eight playoff games, Nichushkin suffered another setback, failed a drug test and entered Stage 3 of the program, resulting in a suspension without pay for a minimum of six months.
Since being reinstated, however, there have been no additional incidents, and by all accounts he has remained in good standing while returning to the lineup.
That reality makes any decision involving Nichushkin far more nuanced than simply measuring goals and assists.
The Avalanche certainly have options this summer, but Sakic's comments suggest evolution rather than revolution.
Colorado does not believe its championship window has slammed shut.
Instead, the organization views the season-ending stretch as an outlier that interrupted what was otherwise one of the strongest regular-season performances in franchise history. But as has been reported extensively, it wasn’t simply a bad week. There were underlying issues that were exposed and never fully corrected, and addressing those gaps will be a priority moving forward—whether that means adding a young left-shot defenseman via trade, or injecting more size and physicality up front.
If the man in charge truly holds that belief, it’s unlikely he will overhaul a roster that spent six months proving it belongs among the NHL’s elite.
The Stanley Cup is days from being awarded, the NHL combine has concluded, and in the weeks prior to the NHL Draft at the end of June, the rumor mill has been churning under the surface, as we may be on the precipice of an explosive summer or a disappointing one in terms of player movement. Two high-profile players (Dylan Larkin and Darnell Nurse) have already requested trades from the teams that drafted them, and indications suggest there may be more to come.
The Anaheim Ducks are notoriously quiet, especially at this time of the year, keeping their cards close to their chest. As a result, their name has only been mentioned in speculation, but, in a refreshing change of pace, that speculation has focused on significant potential moves.
It appeared as though Ducks’ current assistant coach, Jay Woodcroft, was a finalist for the head coaching vacancy with the rival Los Angeles Kings. NHL insider, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, reported on Sunday that the list of finalists included Peter Laviolette, and Laviolette was ultimately hired on Monday.
The only head coaching vacancies remaining in the NHL are with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers. The Leafs are reported to have made contact with former Ducks head coach Dallas Eakins and are uninterested in Woodcroft. Both are former head coaches of the Edmonton Oilers, and thus their names haven’t appeared in rumors regarding that vacancy.
However, another former Ducks head coach, Mike Babcock, is reported to be the frontrunner for the Edmonton job, pending an NHLPA investigation into reported wrongdoing during his time with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023.
Lastly, San Diego Gulls head coach Matt McIlvane has been announced as assistant coach for the Boston Bruins and head coach Marco Sturm. Sturm was the head coach of Germany’s national team during the 2018 Winter Olympics, with McIlvane serving as his assistant.
McIlvane will fill the vacancy left behind by Jay Leach, who was announced as head coach of the AHL’s Hartford Wolfpack. The Gulls will now need to fill their head coaching vacancy, and Friedman suggested Gulls assistant coach Dave Manson may be in line for a promotion to the position.
Dylan Larkin
Following Larkin’s trade request from the Detroit Red Wings, he submitted an initial list of destinations he’d be willing to accept a trade to. The teams on the list have been in contention, with Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reporting them to be the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, and Vegas Golden Knights. Various other reports have suggested the Tampa Bay Lightning and/or Dallas Stars are on the list.
Since reports of his three-team list arose, Larkin has been requested by Wings general manager Steve Yzerman to expand his list. If his list were to expand, St. James and others have suggested the Ducks may be on that second list.
Elliotte Friedman reported that he, “had not heard Anaheim, but I’ve had people say to me, ‘Anaheim is a team that could do it.’” He went on to speculate during “NHL Tonight” that, “If it’s the Ducks, maybe you get Mason McTavish and something.”
Mason McTavish
McTavish continues to be the name that the national media discusses from the Ducks roster in terms of potential availability for a trade. The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun relayed on TSN Radio’s “Melnick in the Afternoon” on Wednesday that teams continue to call Ducks GM Pat Verbeek on his status.
“I really think there’s a chance he gets moved,” LeBrun said. “I think teams are obviously intrigued, given where he was drafted and his pedigree, but also concerned because they’re wondering what’s happening there. They want to know why the Ducks are taking so many calls on him.”
Auston Matthews
For the first time in Matthews’ career, the Toronto Maple Leafs failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2025-26. They are heading in a new direction, with a new front office, eventually a new coach, and the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
It had been reported that one of the Leafs’ goals, from ownership and the new front office, was to sell Matthews on a direction for the organization, and it would appear they have no intention of moving on from their captain in 2026.
However, that hasn’t stopped insiders like LeBrun from speculating on the matter. He reported the Ducks, along with the Kings and Utah Mammoth, had been keeping tabs on Toronto’s situation.
“So, unless something dramatic happens in the coming weeks, the Leafs captain will be back next season in Toronto,” LeBrun wrote in his “Rumblings” column on Wednesday. “That’ll be disappointing for a long list of teams that were keeping an eye on how things developed on the Matthews front, including the likes of the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, and Utah Mammoth.”
The Braves still have baseball's best record, but they've now lost three straight games, including Friday's series opener against the last-place Mets. Atlanta will try to even the series and set things right on Saturday.
With a favorable pitching matchup and more than two months of results, I like their chances.
My Braves vs. Mets predictions and MLB picks call for Atlanta to roll.
Who will win Braves vs Mets today: Braves run line -1.5 (+167)
The Atlanta Braves haven't lost more than three straight this season. Even with Ronald Acuna Jr. injured, Atlanta is hitting. They've scored 5 or more in four of the last six games. And they've allowed 3 or fewer in four of the last six as well.
The New York Mets'Sean Manea is making his first start of the season. In 14 games as a reliever, Manaea has a 5.02 ERA and the highest walk rate and WHIP of his career.
I'm looking for the Braves to tee off. If the run line is over +150, I'll give up the 1.5 to cash in.
COVERS INTEL: On six or more days' rest, Martin Perez has a 5.10 ERA and .287 average against. The only time he's worse is on short rest. For his career, Perez has a 4.23 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and a .272 average against when on schedule. That balloons to 5.13, 1.46, .286 when the schedule changes.
Braves vs Mets Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (+101)
The Mets have scored 12 runs in the last two games, although they've allowed 25 in their last four.
Atlanta starter Spencer Strider left Friday's game with an injury after three innings, and yet the Mets' bullpen may be in worse shape. New York used four relievers on Friday, and the Mets' pen has pitched 19.2 innings in the last three games, with a 5.49 ERA.
A Thursday rainout pushed Braves starter Martin Perez back a day. He has struggled as a starter when his routine changes. Marcus Semien, Juan Soto, and Bo Bichette are a combined .307 with .853 OPS against Perez. Take the Over if it's plus.
Shawn Krest's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 20-24, -2.99 units
Over/Under bets: 24-24, -1.43 units
Braves vs Mets odds
Moneyline: Braves +104 | Mets -108
Run line: Braves -1.5 (+170) | Mets +1.5 (-178)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 (+104) | Under 8.5 (-108)
Braves vs Mets trend
The Atlanta Braves have covered the Run Line in 36 of their last 50 away games (+23.75 Units / 39% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Braves vs. Mets.
How to watch Braves vs Mets and game info
Location
Citi Field, Flushing, NY
Date
Saturday, June 13, 2026
First pitch
4:10 p.m. ET
TV
BravesVision, SNY
Braves starting pitcher
Martin Perez (4-3, 3.02 ERA)
Mets starting pitcher
Sean Manaea (1-1, 5.02 ERA)
Braves vs Mets latest injuries
Braves vs Mets weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 12: Ildemaro Vargas #6 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates after Matt McClain #9 of the Cincinnati Reds was called out at first base to end the 8th inning at Great American Ball Park on June 12, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Of course the game where Jordan Lawlar makes his return to the field and then puts together a player-of-the-game performance would be pre-empted by Apple TV, leaving the majority of fans with no way to watch it. At least there was something else worth watching elsewhere last night as the USMNT kicked off their World Cup challenge with a convincing pounding of their South American rivals, Paraguay.
Diamondbacks News
June 6th, 2025 – D-backs are .500, and have Eduardo Rodriguez facing Nick Lodolo in Game 1 in Cincy
June 12th, 2026 – D-backs are .500, and have Eduardo Rodriguez facing Nick Lodolo in Game 1 in Cincy
Let's just hope we don't get the same outcome as last year….
Diamondbacks Grind Out Much Needed Win Eduardo Rodriguez was Houdini in the first inning and out of the game before finishing the third, having thrown 85 pitches and allowing two runs (one earned). But Jordan Lawlar and Nolan Arenado flashed some leather and the bullpen locked things down. The Diamondbacks’ offense, anemic of late, scraped together five runs and stopped the losing streak.
Eduardo Rodriguez’s Baffling Start 85 pitches. Eight outs. It was the shortest outing of the season by an Arizona starter giving up less than eight runs — Ryne Nelson’s 0.1-inning blowup being the shortest overall. Rodriguez only surrendered two, one of them coming from a throwing error from outfielder Jordan LAwlar.
Jordan Lawlar Returns, Helps Stop Skid with Glove, Bat, Legs Outside of a throw to third that took a short hop and ended up in the dugout, allowing an unearned run to score, the return of Jordan Lawlar could not have gone much better, or come at a better time.
Other Baseball News
Brewers’ Miz Hurls 15 K CGSO If he keeps pitching like he has been, Jacob Misiorowski is going to need to clear some space on his mantle.
Chase Dollander Expected to Undergo Tommy John Surgery Of course the first capable pitcher the Rockies have had in over a decade is now set to miss a year and change of work and there is no telling how he will return. The pain in Colorado just keeps getting worse.
Boone Says Chapman Not Owed Apology Aaron Boone fired back, responding to claims by Aroldis Chapman that he is owed an apology by Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman for removing him from 2022 playoff roster
Tarik Skubal will start in Cleveland against the Guardians on Saturday, just 38 days after undergoing surgery to remove a loose body from his left elbow. pic.twitter.com/exUwl4rFgF
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 12: Spencer Strider #99 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets at Citi Field on Friday, June 12, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Michael Mooney/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Well, the sad writing was brightly stenciled onto the proverbial wall last night, and there goes Spencer Strider to the Injured List, again:
The #Braves today recalled RHP Anthony Molina to Atlanta and placed RHP Spencer Strider on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. Additionally, C Drake Baldwin begins a rehabilitation assignment tonight with Triple-A Gwinnett.
Strider departs, perhaps temporarily, with a 127 ERA-, 131 FIP-, and 103 xFIP-. Despite the hope that he’d build on an extended but uneven stretch in the rotation after returning from a series of injury woes last year, his 2026 was similarly uneven, with him seemingly alternating between “really good” and “ah, nuts” on a start-to-start basis. In aggregate, the bad was worse than the good, and while a Strider without HR/FB issues would be a useful rotation piece (his aggregate 102 xFIP- last year, and 103 this year), it’s not clear whether he can avoid HR/FB issues given what’s transpired when he’s pitched. In any case, there’s now a bigger hurdle ahead of him, as his velocity precipitously declined amid mechanics-related command issues over the course of yesterday’s start, and now we’re in wait-and-see mode.
Anthony Molina has been a prime yo-yo candidate for the Braves this year. This will be his third time pulled up to the big league club, though he’s only made one appearance for the Braves. His performance as a swingman for Gwinnett has been pretty blah — an FIP and xFIP in the mid-4.00s — but he’s not really here to get outs while preventing runs, as the focus on any appearance he makes will be the former with little attention paid to the latter.
Stay tuned for… more bad news, but maybe the Braves will snap their skid later today in New York.
Dodgers vs White Sox SGP: Yamamoto chews up the Sox
The Chicago White Sox rank 27th in strikeouts and 30th in whiff rate against right-handed pitching. That sets up well for Yoshinobu Yamamoto to have a day.
He has averaged 7.4 punchouts and cleared this line in four of five games against teams ranking 16th or worse in strikeouts, posting a 1.59 ERA in such matchups.
Sean Burke allows a lot of contact to left-handed hitters. Kyle Tucker has hit safely in 18 of 20 games in which he faced a starter ranking 30th percentile or worse in contact allowed.
Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: SNLA, CHSN
See full analysis of this game in our Team vs. Team predictions.
Team vs Team SGP: Orioles lefties get to Vasquez
Randy Vasquez has allowed a .276 average, .359 xwOBA, and ranks in the 19th percentile in xSLG against left-handed bats.
Rutschman has averaged 2.5 H+R+R in games against righties who rank 50th percentile or worse in xwOBA vs. left-handed hitters.
Meanwhile, Basallo has cleared 1.5 H+R+R in 71.4% of such matchups – including all eight when the pre-game total was 9.0 or higher. This total sits at 10.0.
Look for Baltimore's bats to lead the way.
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Where to watch: SDPA, MASN
See full analysis of this game in our Team vs. Team predictions.
Team vs Team SGP: Snakes bite in Cincinnati
Rhett Lowder has allowed a .375 xwOBA against left-handed hitters, having a much harder time than against righties.
Corbin Carroll feasted on similar pitchers, recording multiple total bases in eight of his last 11 when facing righties, ranking 30th percentile or worse in xwOBA vs. lefties.
Ketel Marte’s expected stats are strong against righties, and the hitting conditions are favorable at Great American Ballpark.
This is a great spot for the Arizona Diamondbacks to score runs in bulk, putting them in a strong position to get a win.
Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: ARID, CIN
See full analysis of this game in our Team vs. Team predictions.
Todd Cordell's 2026 Transparency Record
SGP picks: 0-0, 0 units
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.
Troy Tulowitzki never got to reach MLB's mountaintop in his decade-plus career.
But he's looking to help Texas reach it at the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. The former MLB shortstop is in his sixth season serving as an assistant coach for the Longhorns, and his second under Jim Schlossnagle.
Texas, with Tulowitzki in the dugout, opens up play at the College World Series against No. 3 Georgia at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 13. The Longhorns are making their nation-leading 39th overall appearance at the College World Series, and their first since 2022.
Here's what to know on Tulowitzki:
Who is Troy Tulowitzki?
Tulowitzki is a former MLB shortstop-turned-college baseball coach at Texas. He is in his sixth season coaching at the college ranks.
Is Troy Tulowitzki on Texas baseball's coaching staff?
Yes, Tulowitzki serves as an assistant coach on Schlossnagle's staff at Texas. He was re-hired by Schlossnagle in 2024 when Schlossnagle bolted Texas A&M for Texas. Tulowitzki had spent four of the previous five seasons on former Longhorns coach David Pierce's staff as an assistant coach (2020-2022) and Director of Player Development (2024).
Tulowitzki is currently the Longhorns' hitting and infield coach.
"At the end of my career, all of these numbers and analytics were getting to be too much," Tulowitzki told Bob Nightengale on why he got into coaching. "I wanted something different. I always loved the college game, and getting them young, knowing the impact you can have on kids."
Since he arrived in the Forty Acers, the Longhorns have recorded the five highest home run totals in school history. In 2022, Texas smashed a program record with 128 homers, which broke the previous set by the Longhorns' 2010 roster of 81 homers.
Since 2022, the Longhorns have hit 91 home runs in 2023; 112 in 2024; and 85 in 2025. Casey Borba's solo home run in Game 1 of the Austin Super Regional vs. No. 11 Oregon gave Texas its 100th home run of the season. The Longhorns head into Omaha with 103 homers.
The Longhorns rank fourth in the SEC in batting average (.298) and slugging percentage (.521), while being tied for the second-highest on-base percentage in the league at .420, which is impacted by its SEC-leading 373 walks created.
Tulowitzki is a West Coast product through and through. A native of Santa Clara, California, Tulowitzki played three seasons at Long Beach State.
Troy Tulowitzki MLB career
Tulowitzki was drafted No. 7 overall by the Colorado Rockies in the 2005 MLB Draft. He played most of his 13-year career with the Rockies, where he earned all five of his All-Star selections.
Considered one of the premier shortstops at the time, Tulowitzki finished as the runner-up for National League Rookie of the Year to the Milwaukee Brewers' Ryan Braun in 2007 after hitting .291 at the plate with 177 hits, 99 RBIs and 24 home runs in 155 games played.
He was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in a blockbuster trade around the 2018 MLB Trade Deadline. He played for the Blue Jays for three seasons, hitting .250 in that span. He finished his career with the New York Yankees, but only appeared in five games for the Bronx Bombers in 2019 before announcing his retirement.
In his decade-plus career, Tulowitzki hit a career .290 at the plate and finished just shy of reaching 1,400 career hits.
"For as long as I can remember, my dream was to compete at the highest level as a Major League Baseball player … to wear a big league uniform and play hard for my teammates and the fans," Tulowitzki said in his retirement statement. "I will forever be grateful for every day that I've had to live out my dream. It has been an absolute honor."
He finished with two-time Gold Glove Awards and two Silver Slugger Awards, and logged three top-10 finishes in MVP Award voting in his career.
Mar 6, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Jack Drury (18) looks on during the game between the Stars and the Avalanche at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The month of June means time for preparations concerning the upcoming 2026-27 season. Now that both the Colorado Avalanche and their affiliate Colorado Eagles have seen their seasons conclude, action should heat up ahead of the new league year on July 1st.
One of the key decision points has to do with the depth of the organization, and specifically what to do about pending Restricted Free Agents as they are due qualifying offers by the end of the month, specifically June 29th. This year’s class is comprised of all forwards and is a larger than usual group for the organization to make a decision on.
One interesting wrinkle is that all of the following six players hold arbitration rights. Typically the Avalanche square away these files because they do not want to get into a negotiation where they don’t have all the leverage. The arbitration process could grant the players multi-year or one-way contracts especially if they have NHL experience, as several on this list do. We should see the Avalanche sign any of these players shortly if they are interested in keeping them as depth options, if not, a trade or simply a non-tendered qualifying offer might occur as the front office surely will want to limit their arbitration cases.
Avalanche Roster
Jack Drury is the clear headliner of this RFA group for Colorado. They would certainly like him to return but arbitration could prove costly. It’s quite telling there were rumors that Drury was already offered a contract extension near the trade deadline and he wasn’t interested in signing at that time. Drury had a solid first full season in Colorado with 27 points and 10 goals but didn’t quite stick on the third line as hoped. The lines of communication between both parties should be open again but how much can the Avalanche invest in a fourth line center when they already have Nicolas Roy on the books for $3 million next season? The Minnesota Wild’s recent signing of depth forward Michael McCarron to a six-year $3.3 million per year deal after scoring 17 points with a career high of 22 only inflates Drury’s comparables.
There’s several ways to interpret the 25-year-old Zakhar Bardakov’s tenure with the Avalanche. In his first year in the North America over the 2025-26 NHL season he dressed in 60 games, scored one goal and contributed nine assists, in an average of 7:12 minutes time on ice per game and held up well defensively with a 56.73% expected goals and 60.71% goal differential at even strength. Was he just another replaceable fourth line forward or is there enough encouraging results to bring him back? It wouldn’t take the Avalanche a lot of coin to retain Bardakov but after spending the entire postseason on in the press box it wouldn’t surprise if both parties wanted to move on.
Colorado Eagles
The safest best on a returnee from this list is Taylor Makar because of obvious familial reasons. He has taken a step forward in his first full season as a pro in his own right. The 25-year-old increased his production as the year went on and finished with 24 points in 52 regular season games and then six points in 17 playoff games. The Avalanche gave him 12 games as well, setting Makar up to spend more time in the NHL if they set their mind to it.
There should be a place in the NHL for Ivan Ivan but it might not be with the Avalanche. He was seen as more of an afterthought with nine games in the 2025-26 season after spending 40 games in the NHL the year prior. He had a good, and healthy, season in the AHL with 26 points in 66 games but really flourished in the postseason. Ivan’s 15 points in 17 games was second on the team and top five in the AHL, and without the benefit of any power play production. He lead the league with a +14 and took only one minor penalty in the postseason. Where Ivan goes from here should be very interesting.
SO NICE, YOU GOTTA SAY IT TWICE ✌️
Ivan Ivan wins it for the Eagles with just 50 seconds to play, shutting down the Wolves' late surge
Signed as a NCAA free agent two years ago, Chase Bradley hadn’t found his groove in the AHL until now. The 24-year-old posted only 23 points in 71 games last year, though 15 of those points were goals. He’s had injury troubles this year which limited Bradley to just 42 regular season games and 12 points. But this postseason was a different story as he scored five goals and five assists n 17 playoff games. With only two games of NHL experience, the Avalanche might move on but he got hot at the right time.
It was a tough season for 24-year-old Danil Gushchin after arriving in a trade from San Jose as he was limited to 49 regular season games and three in the playoffs mainly due to injury. He was productive when he was on the ice with 18 goals and 32 points. Despite spending the bulk of four seasons in the AHL, Gushchin is not yet a free agent and the Avalanche can retain his rights if they like for him to return.
Exceptions
At only 25-years old Matt Stienburg is not listed in the Eagles RFA category as he is a Group VI Unrestricted Free Agent because he didn’t meet the NHL games played requirement for the Avalanche to retain his rights. Other organizational depth players are entering the summer as with UFA status include forwards Jason Polin, Tye Felhaber, and Valtteri Puustinen.
May 8, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Brock Stewart (41) pitches during the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Brock Stewart started a minor league rehab assignment on Friday night in the California League. The Dodgers right-hander struck out a pair in one inning of work for Ontario in Lake Elsinore. He allowed a run on a pair of doubles, though the latter was a bloop shot to shallow left field. Stewart threw 18 pitches, and induced three swinging strikes.
“It’s not an arm thing, it’s a foot thing,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on June 6. “We’ve just got to make sure he can recover from the foot thing, covering first base, PFPs, because that’s what set him back last time.”
Player of the day
Jack Suwinski homered twice for Oklahoma City, part of a three-hit game in which the outfielder drove in four runs.
Suwinski has four home runs in four games so far in this interleague series, and during his six-game hitting streak has four three-hit games, hitting a robust .625/.643/1.292 during the streak.
The Drillers were walloped by double digits by the Wichita Wind Surge (Twins).
Mike Sirota walked in the sixth inning, extending his on-base streak to 51 games. Josue De Paula singled twice in the loss, accounting for 40 percent of Tulsa’s hits.
High-A Great Lakes
The Loons split a doubleheader with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers), both games decided by a 5-3 score.
Christian Zazueta struck out five in 3 2/3 innings in the winning nightcap, allowing one run.
Wisconsin climbed Jac(k)ob’s ladder in the first game, scoring two runs off starter Jakob Wright in the fourth inning and two more off Jacob Frost in the fifth, during a 3-1 Loons lead into a Great Lakes loss.
Right fielder Samuel Muñoz had a two-run single and walk in the first game. Cameron Decker hit a two-run home run in the second game.
Matt Lanzendorfer walked a pair to but the tying runs on base in the ninth inning of the nightcap, but struck out his final two batters to finish off the save.
Class-A Ontario
Once down 5-0, the Tower Buzzers rallied to beat the Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres).
Mairo Martinus tripled and doubled, and drove in the go-ahead run in the ninth with a groundout.
Easton Shelton hit a two-run home run, his team-leading 19th.
On the aforementioned bloop double in the fourth inning, left fielder AJ Soldra and shortstop Joendry Vargas collided in the outfield, and both were down for several minutes. Multiple trainers from both teams tended to the players, and Soldra had to be carted off the field. Vargas remained in the game.
Transactions
Triple-A: With Chuckie Robinson called up to the Dodgers, Oklahoma City got fellow spring non-roster invitee Griffin Lockwood-Powell to help share catching duties after two and a half seasons in Tulsa.
Double-A: Dodgers signed catcher Hayden Gilliland three days after he was released by the Toronto Blue Jays, and assigned him to Tulsa. The 24-year-old hit .228/.374/.380 with three home runs and five doubles in 28 games for High-A Vancouver this eason.
Jun 12, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger (21) is unable to make the catch against Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (40) during the fifth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Good morning, LSB.
The Rangers got thumped by the Red Sox last night.
Tarik Skubal’s five-week journey from operating table to a major league mound is complete.
The Detroit Tigers’ two-time American League Cy Young Award winner will make his first start since undergoing elbow surgery Saturday, June 13 against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Skubal underwent an innovative NanoScope surgical procedure May 6 to remove a loose body from his elbow.
The Tigers proceeded to lose 16 of 18 games and 21 of 26 after Skubal was idled, falling to the cellar of the AL Central. They rebounded to win seven of nine, escaping last place as Skubal’s return drew closer to reality.
Now, they take on the division rival Guardians while trailing the first place Chicago White Sox by eight games.
Here’s how to watch the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians on Saturday:
How to watch Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians
The Detroit Tigers take on the Cleveland Guardians in the second game of their three-game weekend series.
Date: Saturday, June 13
Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
TV: Detroit SportsNet, Guardians.TV, MLB.TV app
Location: Progressive Field (Cleveland)
Tarik Skubal stats
Skubal posted a 2.70 ERA in seven starts before the Tigers announced he required elbow surgery. While his strikeouts per nine innings (9.3) was down from his two preceding seasons, his strikeout-walk ratio improved to a career-best 7.50, as did his fielding independent pitching (2.11).
In his two Cy Young-winning seasons, Skubal was a combined 31-10 with a 2.30 ERA, 469 strikeouts in 387⅓ innings and a 0.91 WHIP.
Tarik Skubal contract
After winning his arbitration case against the Tigers, Skubal is earning $32 million in 2026. He is eligible for free agency after the season.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - MARCH 21, 2026: Conor Essenburg #34 of the Atlanta Braves bats during the third inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field on March 21, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Friday brought a ton of action with it as Atlanta’s minor league teams were in full action. Let’s get into it.
They needed extra innings to do it, but Gwinnett came away with a win on Friday, beating Jacksonville 5-4.
The Stripers bounced back from a less-than-stellar start from Austin Gomber, who tossed 2.2 innings while giving up three runs on four hits.
Trailing 1-0, Gwinnett tied things up in the top of the third as Jim Jarvis scored as Luke Williams reached via error to make it a 1-1 game. The Stripers took their first lead of the game in the top of the sixth. First, Williams scored on a Brett Wisely single to cut the deficit to 3-2 before Brewer Hicklen and DaShawn Kiersey Jr. scored on an Aaron Schunk double to give the Stripers a 4-3 lead.
Jacksonville tied things up in the bottom of the eighth and the Stripers failed to plate another run in regulation.
In the top of the 10th, Gwinnett benefitted from some misfortune on the part of Jacksonville to take a lead.
Luke Williams started the inning at second base before advancing to third on a wild pitch. After a Wisely walk, Williams scampered home on an incredibly wild pitch to give Gwinnett a 5-4 lead.
Rolddy Munoz came on in relief and despite a passed ball, he proceeded to sit down Jacksonville in order to get the save and preserve the win for the Stripers.
(28-30) Columbus Clingstones 6, (30-31) Pensacola Blue Wahoos 3
Columbus came out on the positive side of this one, beating Pensacola by three runs to inch closer to .500.
Lucas Braun got the start for the Clingstones on Friday and he put up a respectable outing as he went six innings, giving up two runs on five hits. He also issued a pair of walks and struck out four as well. It’s Braun’s second straight start of at least six innings pitched and two or less runs given up.
Braun got plenty of help at the plate as the Clingstones scored six runs on 11 hits on the night.
Columbus got the scoring started in this one as the Clingstones plated two runs in the bottom of the second. With two outs, Drew Compton and Tyler Tolve laced back-to-back singles before Keshawn Ogans singled home Compton for the first run of the game. Tolve proceeded to score on a Clohisy single to extend the lead to 2-0.
Will Verdung and Patrick Clohisy led the offensive effort as both guys tallied the only two extra base hits for Columbus — a double apiece. Verdung scored two of the Clingstones’ runs, while Clohisy registered two hits and two walks to his credit.
Briggs McKenzie’s first start at high-A might not have gone according to plan, but it wasn’t necessarily the lefthanders fault.
Across 1.2 innings pitched, McKenzie gave up four runs, only one of which was earned, while striking out two in the process.
McKenzie gave up a soft single in the second inning that was originally called an out, but was overturned despite no official challenge being conducted. He then gave up a pair of bunt singles and his defense committed an error behind him as Bowling Green tallied four runs in the frame. While it wasn’t great, it could have been much worse and it was good to see McKenzie’s composure through the inning.
At the plate, things got off to a scary start as Tate Southisene was hit in the helmet by a pitch. While it could have been much worse, Southisene stayed in the game and was thankfully okay.
Overall it wasn’t the strongest offensive performance for Rome as the Emperors failed to register an extra base hit in this one.
The first run of the game for Rome came in the top of the second as Mason Guerra singled home Isaiah Drake and Owen Carey to make it a 2-0 game. Then, in what was a weird set of circumstances, Colin Burgess reached on an error as the Bowling Green third baseman airmailed a throw to second base, which allowed Guerra to score all the way from first to extend the lead to 3-0.
Trailing 5-3, the Emperors actually tied things up in the top of the seventh thanks to an RBI-single off the bat of Eric Hartman and a run-scoring forceout from Owen Carey.
However, the Hot Rods tagged reliever Colin Daniel for three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to take an 8-5 lead, which held as the final.
(32-29) Augusta GreenJackets 13, (23-36) Myrtle Beach Pelicans 3
Conor Essenburg, CF: 2-3, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 4 R, 3 BB
Luis Guanipa, DH: 2-5, 2B, 4 RBI, 4 R, 3 BB
Juan Mateo, 2B: 3-5, RBI, R, BB
Alex Lodise, SS: 1-5, 2B, RBI, R
Cooper McMurray, 1B: 2-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB
Landon Beidelschies, SP: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 7 BB, 3 K
The Augusta offense showed up and showed out Friday as the GreenJackets tallied 13 runs on 15 hits to move to three games over .500 on the season.
Conor Essenburg led the charge with a pair of homers and four total RBI on the night to pace the offense. Essenburg also scored four runs while walking three times as well. Essenburg has been as good as advertised to begin his pro career, as he has homered five times in 97 at-bats while posting an OPS of .941.
— Augusta GreenJackets (@GreenJackets) June 13, 2026
Luis Guanipa also had a very solid day as the designated hitter went 2-5 with a double and four RBI. The biggest swing on the night for Guanipa came in the top of the second as he took a fastball above the zone and launched it into the left centerfield gap to clear the loaded bases to give Augusta a 7-2 lead. With his performance on Friday, Guanipa raised his season OPS to .871.
Leading 10-3, Augusta managed to tack on three more runs in their final at-bat. Austin Machado scored on a sacrifice fly from Alex Lodise, while Cody Miller scored on a Guanipa single — giving him his fourth RBI on the night. The final GreenJackets run came as Essenburg scored on an RBI-double from Cooper McMurray — who tallied two doubles on the night.
The one downside, if you could consider it that, is that Landon Beidelscheies — who tossed 4.1 innings of two-run ball — walked a staggering seven batters in the process.
This one got suspended in the bottom of the fifth inning due to rain with the FCL Braves trailing the FCL Rays 6-2.
Wuilinyer Tovar got the start on the mound and control issues continue to plague the 18-year-old as he issued four walks in 3.1 innings pitched. On the season, Tovar has walked 10 batters in 17 innings , but he has also struck out 13 over that same stretch.
At the plate, Mario Baez led the charge with a pair of RBI on the day, while Arlenn Manzanillo went 2-2 and scored both runs Baez drove in.
Despite putting up seven runs on 12 hits Friday, the DSL Braves will have to continue their search for a second win of the season.
Ezequiel Martinez got the start on the bump and limited the damage to two earned runs across 3.1 innings of work.
Sherrintley Da Costa Gomez continues to impress as the launched his second homer of the season on Friday while driving in three runs and going 3-4 at the plate. Through eight games, Da Costa Gomez is batting .364 with an OPS of 1.290 to go along with it.
Yassel Pena and Starlyn De La Cruz also had solid nights at the plate as well. Pena homered and went 2-3, while De La Cruz went 1-4 with two runs scored and a walk to his credit.
COVERS INTEL: On six or more days' rest, Martin Perez has a 
LAD vs 
CHW
SD vs 
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ARI vs 
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