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Opposition research: Roki Sasaki

May 23, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

They don’t hand out MVP awards for the NLDS. But I believe the most valuable player in the Phillies’ playoff series against the Dodgers in 2025 was Roki Sasaki.

After dominating in the Japanese Pacific League in 2024, the Phillies pursued the young pitcher. But the appeal of playing on the west coast with countryman Shohei Ohtani was too much for Sasaki to pass up, and he joined the Dodgers. Adding insult to injury, the Phillies actually helped facilitate the signing.

He was regarded as the top prospect in baseball before the season began, but injuries limited him to just eight starts. However, he rejoined the team in September, and was moved to the bullpen where he pitched two scoreless innings in relief.

Heading into the playoffs, the bullpen was regarded as the Dodgers’ only potential weakness, but the addition of a hard-throwing fresh pitcher helped cover up that flaw nicely. He closed out the first two games of the series, and then in the pivotal game four, he pitched three perfect innings, setting up the Dodgers’ 11th inning victory.

The Dodgers hoped that he would rejoin the team’s rotation in 2026 and build upon that performance, but he’s been far from dominant this season. He’s got a 4.93 ERA, mostly due to high walk totals.

He’s scheduled to face the Phillies on Saturday night. Can the Phillies get some modicum of revenge, or will he once again dominate their lineup?

Trivia

Last week’s answer: Aside from Citizens Bank Park and American Family Field, the park that Rhys Hoskins has homered in the most is New York’s Citi Field. (I’m not 100% sure, but I’m pretty sure he was the last Phillie to actually hit a home run there.) MG77 was correct!

This week’s question: Who was the only Phillie to record a hit against Roki Sasaki in the 2025 NLDS?

Additional thought about the series

It’s extremely frustrating that the Dodgers can get subpar performances from star hitters Mookie Betts and Kyle Tucker and still be comfortably in first place. Because it’s the Dodgers, they just have Andy Pages step up and lead the National League in WAR.

And then there’s Shohei Ohtani. He’s having a good season, but it’s been a drop off from his numbers the past three years. (If he was on the Phillies, his .882 OPS might make some wonder if he was no longer elite.) The Phillies have done a good job keeping him in check in past matchups, and had the NLDS gone differently, his 1-18 performance in that series would have been the big story.)

His pitching may be receiving more attention than his hitting this season, since he has a 0.82 ERA. Some have said he’s been the best pitcher in baseball this season, but let’s not get carried away. Cristopher Sanchez has pitched 44.2 consecutive scoreless innings while Ohtani has pitched just 55 innings total.

They won’t face Ohtani on the mound this weekend, but they will presumably see him at the plate. Oddly, despite the Phillies’ overall success against Ohtani, Friday night’s starter Zack Wheeler hasn’t been able to get him out. Ohtani has reached base in five out his six plate appearances against Wheeler. So maybe it’s a good thing that Wheeler missed the playoffs last year? (Narrator: It was not a good thing.)

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Anthony Molina recalled ahead of Reds series opener, Carlos Carrasco DFA’d

DENVER, CO - May 1: Atlanta Braves pitcher Anthony Molina (61) pitches in the sixth inning during a game between the Atlanta Braves and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 1, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Despite garnering 14% of the vote in our alternative Player of the Game poll after the Braves were shut out in Boston, Carlos Carrasco has been designated for assignment for the third time this season. If the last two go-arounds are anything to go by, the minor league contract is piping-hot off the printer and his locker in Gwinnett is untouched, awaiting his return.

In all seriousness, his four innings of relief after Bryce Elder’s struggles on Wednesday were a gift that saved many of the arms in the bullpen. This is huge for our big three of Dylan Lee, Robert Suarez, and Raisel Iglesias, who will be especially well-rested ahead of this three-game set in Cincinnati since they weren’t needed in yesterday’s blowout.

In his place, the Braves have recalled a fresh arm in righty Anthony Molina, who will join the club for his second stint this season. His lone outing came in Colorado, where he pitched two perfect innings (with one walk allowed) before being optioned back down to Triple-A.

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How to watch San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City Thunder: TV, live stream info for Game 7 WCF

Head to NBC and Peacock this Saturday night to watch Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs go head-to-head with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. Live coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET on Peacock before transitioning to NBC and Peacock at 7:30 p.m. See below for additional information on how to watch the 2026 NBA Playoffs on NBC and Peacock.

Click here to sign up for Peacock!

RELATED:Thunder vs. Spurs – NBA WCF – Game 7 – predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends and best bets for May 30

San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City Thunder Game Preview:

With their backs against the wall on home court, Wembanyama and the Spurs were able to force Game 7. San Antonio never trailed in Thursday night's 118-91 win. Wembanyama had 28 points and 10 rebounds. Dylan Harper scored 18 points and 6 rebounds off the bench, and Stephon Castle finished with 17 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds.

“All of our focus and attention was on the defensive end,” Castle said. “I don't think scoring against them has been a problem for us. … So when we're focused on defense and we're getting stops and being able to get out of the run and get easy looks, it makes the game pretty simple for us.”

Gilgeous-Alexander was held to 15 points in the loss.

“Anything can happen in a Game 7,” said the two-time reigning MVP. “You have to go out there and be the better basketball team or your season is done.”

NBA: San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder
2026 NBA Playoffs: Bracket, schedule, scores, matchups for Conference Finals, including Thunder vs. Spurs
All the games — times, dates, where to watch — in one easy-to-check-out location.

How to watch San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City Thunder:

  • When: Saturday, May 30
  • Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
  • Time: 8:00 PM ET
  • TV Channel: NBC
  • Live Stream:Peacock
NBA: Playoffs-Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks
Knicks Mitchell Robinson breaks pinky finger on right hand, no timetable for a return
This is a blow to a Knicks team that otherwise was set to enter the NBA Finals healthy.

How to watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock:

NBC Sports will present up to 23 games in the First Round and 11 games in the Conference Semifinals across either NBC and Peacock, or Peacock and NBCSN. Playoff programming concludes with exclusive coverage of the Western Conference Finals on NBC and Peacock

Which playoff rounds will be available on Peacock?

Peacock’s NBA Playoffs coverage spans multiple rounds, including Round 1, the Conference Semifinals, and the Western Conference Finals, with coverage evolving as the postseason progresses.

Will Peacock show both Eastern and Western Conference playoff games?

Yes. During earlier rounds such as Round 1 and the Conference Semifinals, Peacock will carry a mix of Eastern and Western Conference playoff games.

How to sign up for Peacock:

Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for.

What devices does Peacock support?

You can enjoy Peacock on a variety of devices. View the full list of supported devices here.

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England in-tray: McCullum says he knows what went wrong in the Ashes – but can he fix it?

The England head coach has five key challenges to address in the buildup to next week’s first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s

For all that the series was obviously a failure, England were competitive for periods of most of the Ashes Tests. But McCullum has repeatedly conceded that in the key moments when matches tend to be decided his side have a habit of stumbling. The question is why, and on Friday he made the telling admission: “I thought some of our guys were more ready for the pressure that was coming in Australia than they [actually] were.” So he has had to reconsider how to best prepare for such intangibles. England were widely condemned for a lackadaisical buildup to the first Ashes Test but McCullum implied that his players’ problem was not down to poor preparation, but actually to poor, or insufficient, coaching. Given that the removal of pressure has always been at the very heart of his coaching philosophy, this is essentially an admission of failure. “That’s always been one of our things, to try and take pressure away from the guys,” he said. “[But] it’s going to land with some guys before it’s going to land with others, and our job is to make sure it lands with everyone a little quicker than maybe it has done.” McCullum is now clear that for his players to overcome pressure he does not just have to create good vibes, but also put in hard work. “It’s making sure we’re a little bit more drilled down on some of those tactics so the guys have got absolute clarity in those pressure moments, so that we can hopefully be able to handle those better than we have in the bigger series so far,” he said.

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Padres handed first sweep of ‘26 by former NLCS opponent

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 27: Walker Buehler #10 of the San Diego Padres pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Petco Park on May 27, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

No team has truly had the San Diego Padres’ number this year. The Philadelphia Phillies certainly did this week, becoming the first team of 2026 to sweep the Friars. Yet again, despite multiple scoring opportunities, the Padres couldn’t capitalize and found themselves unable to back starter Walker Buehler’s gem.

And Buehler did pitch a gem. He faced the minimum amount of batters before getting into the fifth inning, looking even better than Philadelphia ace Cristopher Sánchez (though the latter eventually won the duel).

This week has continued to prove true the belief that no matter how good your pitching is, you still need at least one run to win. The Padres have barely been able to get that lately. They’ll need to in order to right the ship against the Washington Nationals.

Taking the mound

Andrew Alvarez (WAS) v. Lucas Giolito (SD)

The 26-year-old Alvarez has been used sparingly by the Nats. He made his MLB debut in 2025, starting five games for Washington and pitching to a solid 2.31 ERA.

Alvarez has pitched in four games this year, though none of them has been a start. He’s got strikeout stuff, with 16 K’s racked up in just 12 2/3 innings pitched. The Padres will need to find a way to solve the young left-hander if they hope to put a stop to their recent losing streak.

Giolito has been a rotation stabilizer since joining San Diego’s rotation. He boats a 2.70 ERA after two starts. That’s honestly higher than it should be after looking stellar in both of his appearances.

The righty was signed to a small deal with the Friars after a prolonged free agency, and has only pitched 10 innings, but the upside is tantalizing. If he can limit Washington’s hot hitters like CJ Abrams and James Wood, Giolito will be well on his way to elite status.

Batter up!

Jackson Merrill looked completely different in Wednesday’s finale compared to Tuesday’s eyesore of a performance. He went 2-for-4 with a double and zero strikeouts after going 0-for-4 with two Ks on Tuesday. If that can last, him and Tatis could finally buoy this struggling Padres offense.

  1. Fernando Tatis Jr., 2B
  2. Miguel Andujar, DH
  3. Gavin Sheets, 1B
  4. Manny Machado, 3B
  5. Xander Bogaerts, SS
  6. Jackson Merrill, CF
  7. Ramón Laureano, LF
  8. Nick Castellanos, RF
  9. Rodolfo Durán, C

Andujar and Sheets have been unproductive since posting incredible first halves in the month of May. If the two are able to turn things around, it would be a major boost for the floundering Friars.

Machado has been the same, though certainly much more pronounced. He’s batting just .169, though hit two home runs across the most recent homestand. His batting average across his last seven games is a measly .083.

Relief corps

With the game scoreless in the fifth inning and Philly threatening to score, San Diego turned to its vaunted bullpen. It did not work out. Adrian Morejon came in and allowed both of Buehler’s runners to score, gifting the Phillies a 2-0 lead that wouldn’t be relinquished.

After that, Jeremiah Estrada, Jason Adam and Ron Marinaccio pitched in relief. Though Marinaccio surrendered a homer, the bullpen was otherwise its usual sterling self.

With the off day on Thursday, all of the ‘pen will be rested and available for the first time in a while. But Yuki Matsui, Mason Miller, Wandy Peralta and Bradgley Rodriguez will be the most rested after not pitching since Tuesday.

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Kuss climbs to Giro d’Italia stage 19 win as Vingegaard maintains overall lead

  • Kuss completes grand tour stage win trilogy

  • Vingegaard stays 4min 3sec clear of Gall in the GC

Teammates Sepp Kuss and Jonas Vingegaard dominated the high mountains for Visma-Lease a Bike on Friday as the former claimed a historic solo victory on stage 19 of the Giro d’Italia, and the latter firmly defended his overall lead.

By winning the brutal mountain stage atop Piani di Pezzè in the Dolomites, Kuss became the 116th rider to complete the Grand Tour stage victory trilogy, with the American adding an Italian success to wins at the Tour de France in 2021 and the Vuelta a España in 2019 and 2023.

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Claude Lemieux was part of Canadiens' torch ceremony days before death

Four-time Stanley Cup winner Claude Lemieux's death at age 60, on Thursday, May 28, is even more shocking because he was part of a public ceremony in Montreal days beforehand.

The Montreal Canadiens have had franchise legends carry in a torch before a game to fire up the crowd during their run to the Eastern Conference finals.

It was Lemieux's turn on Monday, May 25, before Game 3 of the conference finals against the Carolina Hurricanes. He was cheered as he slowly carried the torch into the arena, raised the torch and pumped his fist.

Lemieux achieved legendary status with the Canadiens during the 1986 playoffs when the rookie scored 10 goals, including four game-winners, to help Montreal win its first Stanley Cup championship since 1979.

The 1983 second-round pick had played only 19 NHL regular-season games to that point and only 10 that season, scoring once.

He would go on to establish himself as an NHL agitator and clutch playoff scorer, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP with the New Jersey Devils in 1995. He won two Stanley Cups with New Jersey, one with the Colorado Avalanche and one with the Canadiens.

Claude Lemieux cause of death

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said a family member found the body shortly before 3:30 a.m. in the rear warehouse of the Andros Home furniture showroom, reports the Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Network.

The sheriff's office said the man presumed to be Lemieux was found after he failed to return to his home. Sheriff's investigators secured the store as detectives from PBSO's Violent Crimes Division gathered evidence.

State business records list Lemieux as the registered agent for Andros Home, which incorporated in 2022.

The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office told USA TODAY Sports in response to an open records request that "all public records you have requested for Claude Lemieux are exempt from public records as specified under SB 474 - FS 406.135. (2) (c)."

The Florida statute cited by the medical examiner’s office was enacted in 2024 and exempts photos, videos, audio recordings and autopsy reports related to suicide victims from general public records requests.

Contributing: Jesse Yomtov, Palm Beach Post, Mark Giannotto

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Claude Lemieux took part in Canadiens torch ceremony days before death

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Highlights: Spurs show great resolve, rout OKC en route to Game 7

May 28, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots the ball over Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6) in the first half during game six of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images | Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images

Coming off a tough Game 5 loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Spurs returned home down 3-2 with their backs against the wall. Game 6 got off to a blazing start for the Spurs, as they outscored OKC 35-22 in the first quarter. With a more aggressive approach, the Spurs drained eight threes in the first, which is the most they’ve scored in a playoff quarter since 1998. However, OKC responded with a 31-25 second quarter and cut the Spurs’ lead to seven. In the third, the Spurs finally were locked in on both sides of the ball, going on a 20-0 run. The Thunder went almost eight minutes without a point. The Spurs outscored OKC 32-13 in the quarter and kept their pace up in the fourth. The Spurs ultimately won 118-91.

Victor Wembanyama led the way with 28 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and two steals. After shooting 4 of 15 in Game 5, Wemby started Game 6 with an aggressive mindset by draining three threes in the first quarter. 22 of his 28 points came in the first half, and he shut down OKC in the paint. The 22-year-old faced a lot of scrutiny after Game 5, but he responded with a reminder that there was a reason he was voted All-NBA First Team. If Spurs fans and NBA fans thought Game 6 Wemby was great, wait till his first-ever Game 7.

1st Quarter highlight tape! Wemby drains a pair of threes alongside swatting Jared McCain’s layup attempt off the glass!

STEPBACK! Wemby pulls out the stepback three over Isaiah Hartenstein for his third three of the quarter!

SPIN CYCLE! Wemby goes to work on Chet Holmgren by spinning off of him for the finish with the left hand!

Majestic! After the Spurs spread the ball around the perimeter, Wemby fakes out Hartenstein and uses his patience in the paint for the easy floater!

CAUTION: AREA 51 APPROACHING. Stephon Castle finds a hole in OKC’s zone defense by throwing up a lob to the sky for the one-handed Wemby jam!

Dylan Harper dropped 18 points (6-9 FG), six rebounds, and four assists in 22 minutes off the bench. After struggling the last couple of games, Dylan dropped his best game in the series since Game 1. Granted, he has been playing with an adductor injury. In Game 6, Dylan looked like he was at least 99% healthy. He showed off that quick first step and burst to the cup like Spurs fans have seen all year, and finished at the rim with finesse. If Dylan is healthy enough to have another game like this, it bodes well for the silver and black. Just a reminder: he’s only 20 years old.

DEFENSE TO OFFENSE! First, look at the hustle and disciplined defense Devin Vassell plays on this fastbreak. Dev stays vertical on the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander layup attempt, and blocks Alex Caruso’s putback attempt! The ball lands in De’Aaron Fox’s hands, and he throws it up for an open Dylan three in transition!

LOB DAGGER! Off the pick and roll, Dylan lobs it up to Luke Kornet for the high slam!

Stephon Castle dropped 17 points (5-10 FG, 7-8 FT), nine assists, five rebounds, and a steal. Steph played with control and shut down his opponents on defense. Ever since Fox returned in Game 3, Steph has only turned the ball over six times and has dished out 28 assists. He continues to play without fear, and his determination to get the paint by any means necessary provides scoring with either a tough bucket or a dime. The 21-year-old’s defense and his control will help determine the outcome of Game 7.

First points on the board! Steph drives into the paint and finds a wide-open Julian Champagnie for three! Julian has been solid these last two games, including 10 points (4-8 3PT), six rebounds, two blocks, two assists, and a steal.

LOOK OUT BELOW! Steph finds Carter Bryant, and he detonates with a two-handed slam!

Corner specialist! Steph finds Julian again open in the corner for the trey!

AND-ONE! Castle gets Jaylin Williams up in the air for the and-one finish!

Another drive, another tough bucket! Steph drives into the paint and finishes over Jalen Williams for two!

Devin Vassell dropped 12 points (4-7 3PT), two assists, one rebound, two blocks, and a steal. It has been said multiple times this postseason, but Dev has taken his game to another level throughout every playoff series. In this one especially, he has shown OKC that he does not fear them, and he continues to make every crucial momentum-building play for the Spurs. Besides his timely threes, he continues to be solid on defense. Whether it has been on the perimeter or in the paint, Dev has made a play. In terms of impact and efficiency, Dev is more than likely to make an impact in Game 7.

D3VIN! Dev knocks down the early three off the Steph dish!

ANOTHER DEV SWAT AT THE RIM! Dev denies Holmgren at the rim and shows him that he is not backing down!

SNIPER! Dev knocks down his fourth three-pointer of the game from the wing in transition!

When the Spurs were on the ropes, they simply returned a heavy blow. They were ready to respond after Game 5. They are showing the Thunder that they will not give up or waver. This was a total team effort on both sides of the ball, somehow more dominant than Game 4. This team’s confidence is through the roof heading to Game 7. Even though the odds are not in their favor with them going on the road and playing in their first Game 7 this season, lack of experience has not stopped this train. On Saturday, Spurs fans will witness if this young and resilient team can punch their ticket to the NBA Finals.

Finally, here are the full game highlights.

The best two words in sports: Game 7. This Saturday at 7:00 P.M. (CST) on NBC/Peacock, the Spurs face their toughest game of the entire postseason.

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The Grizzlies were the only team to vote against NBA’s new anti-tanking rules for this selfish reason

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows NBA Commissioner Adam Silver looks on during the MVP trophy presentation, Image 2 shows A man in a suit standing at a podium holds up a sign with the Memphis Grizzlies logo
NBA Tanking Grizzlies

Anti-tanking passed nearly unanimously, but the Memphis Grizzlies were the lone holdouts.

The new rules are proposed to get the NBA’s teams to be more competitive – to stop sitting their top players in an attempt to have a worse record and better chances at landing a top draft pick.

The Grizzlies voted against the new “3-2-1” anti-tanking proposal due to the provision prohibiting teams from securing top-five draft picks in three straight seasons, per ESPN.

Adam Silver declared war on tanking in the NBA. Getty Images

When the Grizzlies finally gave up on Jaren Jackson Jr.’s pairing with Ja Morant as playoff contenders earlier this year, they moved their star center in a trade that netted them three first-round picks.

They will receive the highest pick first-round among the Jazz, Cavaliers and Timberwolves next season, with Utah being the weakest link of the trio this past season.

Utah will No. 2 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft and also selected Ace Bailey No. 5 overall last season.

After acquiring Jackson, it’s possible the Jazz are a solid team for the first time in nearly a decade, but the Grizzlies acquired that 2027 pick with the hopes that it lands in the top five.

If Utah does have a bottom-five record, due to the new rules their pick would be executed as the sixth overall pick in the draft, despite the Grizzlies owning it.

The Grizzlies have had a tough go of it over the past few years, as Morant has dealt with off-court issues, including a suspension, and they’ve fallen apart in two of the last three seasons.

The Grizzlies voted against the NBA anti-tanking provision. NBAE via Getty Images

Memphis ended the season with a 25-57 record, though they played well the year before, finishing 48-34.

Their 2023-24 record was a disappointing 27-55.

There is also a chance that the Grizzlies opt to uproot their franchise by trading Morant and attempting to tank for a better draft pick next season, though the new lottery odds make this significantly less likely.

The worst three records in the NBA previously had a 14 percent chance of the top draft pick, which has been reduced to 5.4 percent with the new rules taking effect immediately.

The fourth- to 10th-best records will have an 8.1 percent chance to land the top pick.

The Grizzlies had even caught some strays from LeBron James, who said that his least favorite place to play was Memphis, an opinion that has been talked about around league circles for years.

Memphis had the worst attendance in the NBA last season.

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Former NHL great Claude Lemieux hanged himself as tragic new details emerge: authorities

Former NHL great Claude Lemieux hanged himself, authorities told The Post on Friday.

The 60-year-old New Jersey Devils hockey legend and four-time Stanley Cup winner was found by one of his sons in the back of the warehouse of his family’s furniture store in Lake Park, Fla., at 3:32 a.m Thursday after he never returned home, according to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office statement.

His daughter, Claudia, told The Post her heartbroken family had gathered in Palm Beach and was “meeting with a detective” Friday morning.

It wasn’t immediately clear which of Lemieux’s three sons, Brendan, Michael or Christopher, discovered his body at the shop, Andros Home, which sells “refined furnishings and architectural elements” in the seaside city, according to its website.

New Jersey Devils ice hockey legend Claude Lemieux died by suicide from hanging. AP Photo/Bill Kostroun
Lemieux’s body was discovered by one of his sons at their family business in Florida. Instagram / @brendan_lemieux
The 60-year-old four-time Stanley Cup winner was found in the warehouse of his family’s furniture store in Lake Park, Florida. Facebook/AndrosHomeDesign

The retired NHL champ won a 1995 Conn Smythe Trophy with the Devils, ranked ninth all-time with 80 postseason goals and was known for being an “enforcer” on the ice.

His suicide came just days after he carried the torch in Montreal’s Bell Centre to kick off Game 3 of the NHL’s Eastern Conference finals Monday.

Known as a ruthless “agitator,” Lemieux won the first of his four Cups with the Montreal Canadiens in 1986, then earned two more with the  Devils in 1995 and 2000 and one with the Avalanche in 1996.

“A clutch player on the ice and greatly appreciated by Devils’ fans off it, Claude’s impact in bringing the first-ever Stanley Cup to New Jersey will forever be remembered as one of the paramount performances in team history,” the Devils said in a statement Thursday.

“Widely respected throughout the NHL, both as a trusted agent and a valued colleague, Claude leaves behind a lasting legacy within our game that he gave so much to.”

Off the ice, records show Lemieux was cited for driving with a suspended license in Palm Beach Gardens in April 2025 and for speeding in January 2024 and paid fines.

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for free and confidential crisis counseling.

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Marlins vs Mets Prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for May 29

The Miami Marlins (26-31) and New York Mets (23-33) meet for the first time all season. The two are set for a three-game weekend series at Citi Field.

New York snapped a five-game losing steak on Wednesday with a 4-2 win over Cincinnati. New York is 2-7 over their last nine games, but they have Freddy Peralta on the mound, which has resulted in three wins over his last four starts.

Miami turns to Max Meyer tonight, which is the hot hand for the Marlins. Miami has won five straight with Meyer on the mound outscoring their opponents 33-9. Lately, Miami lost two straight, which broke up a season-long four-game winning streak.

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 Mets

  • Date: Friday, May 29, 2026
  • Time: 10:10 PM EST
  • Site: Citi Field
  • City: Flushing, NY
  • Network/Streaming: ESPN

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.

Odds for the Marlins at the Mets

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Moneyline: New York Mets (-115), Miami Marlins (-105)
  • Spread: Mets +1.5 (-185), Marlins -1.5 (+152)
  • Total: 7.5

Probable starting pitchers for Marlins at Mets

  • Friday's pitching matchup (May 29): Max Meyer vs. Freddy Peralta
  • Mets: Max Meyer

2026 stats: 60.2 IP, 5-0, 2.52 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 68 Ks, 22 BB

  • Marlins: Freddy Peralta

2026 Stats: 61.1 IP, 3-4, 3.52 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 63 Ks, 27 BB

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not

  • The Mets’ Juan Soto is hitting .301 with 43 hits and 83 total bases over 143 at-bats
  • The Mets’ Bo Bichette is hitting .225 with 51 hits and 42 strikeouts over 227 at-bats
  • The Marlins’ Otto Lopez is hitting .342 with 75 hits and 105 total bases over 219 at-bats
  • The Marlins’ Kyle Stowers is hitting .211 with 26 hits and 38 strikeouts over 123 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 Mets

  • The Mets are 21-35 ATS, ranking second-worst
  • The Marlins are 26-31 ATS, ranking ninth-worst
  • The Mets are 29-23-2 to the Under, ranking seventh-best
  • The Marlins are 34-21-2 to the Over, ranking second-best

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Marlins and the Mets

Rotoworld Bet Best Bet

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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 Marlins and the Mets:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Mets on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Mets at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Over on the Game Total of 7.5

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2025-26 Knicks' incredible playoff run is historic, no matter the finish

The Knicks are only four wins away from their first NBA championship since 1973, a long, aching wait that’s tortured generations of fans. Falling short of that goal, even to a Western Conference juggernaut in seven games, would be a disappointment offering no consolation prize to the mecca of basketball.

Still, it’s important to note that what the Knicks have accomplished on this run is nothing short of historic, no matter how it ends. They’ve already etched their names in the record books, whether a ring comes with it or not.

Since losing Game 3 of the first round in Atlanta, New York has rattled off 11 consecutive playoff wins, taking three straight against the Hawks before sweeping the 76ers and Cavaliers. That’s tied for the third-longest postseason winning streak in NBA history. One more win would tie the 1999 Spurs at 12, and three would pass the Warriors at 15. 

The wins alone are impressive -- over a Hawks team that had the third-best record in the NBA post-All-Star break, a Sixers team that had just toppled the Celtics with their three stars, and a Cavs team that has been a perennial top seed and acquired James Harden ahead of the deadline. 

But the way the Knicks have won has been in a category of its own.

New York avalanched these teams, with 10 wins coming by 11 or more points -- they beat Atlanta by 16, 29, and 51, before two additional 30-point victories over Philadelphia and another against Cleveland.

The degree to which the Knicks are skating by in the postseason is unmatched -- their 262-point differential in their 11 consecutive wins is the largest in any 11-game span in NBA history, regular season or postseason.

We’re at the stage where the competition is at its fiercest, every flaw is magnified, and the Knicks managed to look more dominant than any team ever. They also broke a few more records on the way.

No team has ever led by 47 points going into halftime of a playoff game until these Knicks did it against the Hawks in a closeout Game 6. A couple of games prior they tied the record for the most threes in a postseason game with 25.

Then there was Game 1 against Cleveland, when New York fell behind by as many as 22 points in the fourth quarter before improbably coming back and winning in overtime. That was the second-largest fourth quarter comeback in the history of the NBA playoffs, amid a streak of the greatest string of blowouts in the postseason.

The individual accolades haven’t met these standards after multiple record-breaking feats by Jalen Brunson in previous playoffs, but that’s kind of the point. The Knicks are truly playing team-first basketball, with each individual sacrificing to be the most optimal versions of themselves in pursuit of winning.

They haven’t even done it in one particular way. It took mid-series adjustments against the Hawks and Cavs to continue this run unabridged. Now the Knicks are in the Finals for the first time in 27 years, as the first NBA Cup Champions to do so, and the first team in franchise history to pull off multiple sweeps.

These things may not mean much at the moment to Knicks fans salivating over the Larry O’Brien trophy, and even less so if the Knicks were to lose. But after decades of toiling, failed promises, and broken rebuilds, it should.

Should New York fall short in the Finals, as tragic as that outcome would be to some, it shouldn’t take away from the magnitude of the run that got them there. Few teams have exhibited this type of command over a conference in such style, and that should be commended.

More than the streak and insane blowouts, the real history is the Knicks managing to break a quarter-century curse and rebuild themselves back into a contender with good management while finding the superstar hidden in plain sight. 

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MLB Expert Picks & Baseball Predictions May 29

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We're looking at even money (or better) plays for both of our favorite MLB picks heading into the final weekend of May.

Why should you back the Phillies tonight (vs. the Dodgers) and the Orioles against the Jays? Read on to find out!

MLB expert picks for today

PickOdds
Josh Inglis Josh Inglis: BAL ML+100
Jon Metler Jon Metler: PHI ML+108

Prices courtesy of Polymarket.

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Josh Inglis' expert pick: Orioles moneyline

Price: 50¢ (+100) at Polymarket

The Jays have the pressure of getting back to .500 today, but they’re also extremely shorthanded on the mound. Toronto is rolling with a bullpen game and is likely without its three best relievers in Tyler Rogers, Jeff Hoffman, and closer Louis Varland, all of whom pitched on back-to-back days — and Toronto hasn’t had a day off all week. Triple-A call-up Austin Voth will likely be asked to cover innings, and he owns a career 4.70 ERA across 360 MLB innings with 61 home runs allowed. This grades out as one of the biggest +EV plays on the board today, per THE BAT projections, which have a fair price around -188 on this moneyline. Reliever availability is a massive edge that doesn’t appear to be fully priced into the current number

  • Time: 7:05 p.m. ET
  • How to watch: MASN, SN1

Jon Metler's expert pick: Phillies moneyline

Price: 48¢ (+108) at Polymarket

This one is pretty simple: If the market is giving me plus money on the Philadelphia Phillies with Zack Wheeler on the mound, I’m going to hit the button every time. The Phillies are trading around 48 cents on the moneyline, but I make them closer to 53-cent (-113) favorites in this matchup. The Dodgers are built around veteran hitters who excel at working counts, drawing walks, and capitalizing on mistakes for extra-base damage. The problem is: That approach doesn’t work nearly as well against Wheeler, who owns an elite 1.91 BB/9 this season and rarely gives lineups free opportunities on the bases. He forces teams to earn everything offensively, and he does it while pitching efficiently enough to work deep into games and limit exposure to the bullpen.

  • Time: 10:15 p.m. ET
  • How to watch: Apple TV

More MLB best bets for today

PickOdds
Yankees -1.5+108
Read analysis in our Yankees vs. A's predictions
Pirates ML-134
Read analysis in our Twins vs. Pirates predictions

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

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

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Penguins Have Trade Target To Consider In Bruins Defender

The Pittsburgh Penguins will be a fascinating team to watch this off-season. After taking a major step in the right direction this season and making the playoffs, they will be looking to build on their momentum with a strong summer.

One area that the Penguins could look to upgrade is their blueline. When looking at trade candidates around the NHL, Boston Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei stands out as an interesting potential trade target for the Penguins to consider.

The fit has simply not been there between the Bruins and Lohrei. Because of this, the 6-foot-5 defenseman's name has come up in the rumor mill. With Lohrei being a big offensive defenseman who is only 25 years old, he would be an intriguing player for the Penguins to take a chance on. 

If the Penguins struck a deal for Lohrei, he could work on either their second pairing or third pairing due to his ability to play both sides. Furthermore, he would give the Penguins another option for their power play because of his offensive upside. 

In 73 games this season with the Bruins, Lohrei recorded seven goals, 19 assists, 26 points, 92 blocks, and a plus-17 rating. This is after he had five goals and 33 points in 77 games for the Bruins during the 2024-25 season. With numbers like these, he has shown promise, and it is possible that he could take another step forward playing on a team like the Penguins. 

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Cubs vs Cardinals Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's MLB Game

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Someone has to win as the -127 favored Chicago Cubs, fresh off a 10-game losing streak, meet the St. Louis Cardinals, losers of the last four.

These teams are separated by a half game, with the Wild Card cutoff line between them, so as if a historic rivalry wasn’t enough, both teams will be looking at this as a crucial series.

For as close as these two teams are in record and trajectory, the odds seem to be much more heavily slanted. That’s why my Cubs vs. Cardinals predictions and MLB picks are starting with a St. Louis victory.

Who will win Cubs vs Cardinals today: Cardinals moneyline (+115)

The St. Louis Cardinals are underdogs despite being the home team and being better over the last 10.

Andre Pallante's improved pitch mix has paid dividends, and he's allowed just two runs across 12 2/3 innings over his last two starts. In an even matchup with a more reliable starter, I’d take St. Louis and the plus-money odds.

The Chicago Cubs start Shota Imanaga, coming off two starts where he allowed 15 runs and five homers in 10 1/3 innings. On offense, Chicago has been shut out almost as many times (4) as they’ve scored five (5) over the last 18 games.

Covers COVERS INTEL: Historically, the fastball is the only one of Pallante’s pitches teams can hit, and he’s throwing it just 30% of the time, down from 44% last year. His breaking stuff is 93rd percentile, and he’s making batters guess wrong. They swing at pitches in the strike zone 63% of the time, down 5.2% from last year, and his chase rate has moved up 14 percentiles.  

Cubs vs Cardinals Over/Under pick: Under 8.5 (-130)

Chicago scored 17 in winning the last two in Pittsburgh, but neither team has been hitting it well this month. After entering the month in the Top 5 in batting, the Cubs rank 14th in MLB at the plate in May. 

Their OPS of .652 is down 128 points, and they’re batting 11% below league average in May. St. Louis is two spots lower in the May rankings and has dropped 61 points in OPS. They’re also 8% under the league average.  

While Imanaga has struggled lately, his underlying metrics are still among baseball’s best. This Cubs bullpen has also been solid, with a 2.88 ERA and 1.16 WHIP on the year.

Shawn Krest's 2026 Transparency Record
  • ML/RL bets: 16-20, -3.28 units
  • Over/Under bets: 19-21, -3.51 units

Cubs vs Cardinals odds

  • Moneyline: Cubs -130 | Cardinals +110
  • Run line: Cubs -1.5 (+135) | Cardinals +1.5 (-160)
  • Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5

Cubs vs Cardinals trend

The Cardinals have cashed the Under in 15 of their last 22 games for +9.5 units and a 39% ROI. Find more MLB betting trends for Cubs vs. Cardinals.

How to watch Cubs vs Cardinals and game info

LocationBusch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
DateFriday, May 29, 2026
First pitch7:15 p.m. ET
TVMarquee, Cardinals.TV
Cubs starting pitcherShota Imanaga
(2-3, 5.34 ERA)
Cardinals starting pitcherAndre Pallante
(3-2, 3.34 ERA)

Cubs vs Cardinals latest injuries

Cubs vs Cardinals 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.

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