NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the Atlanta Hawks passes the ball during the game against the New York Knicks during Round One Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
While the Lakers have addressed their strongest need by reportedly trading for Walker Kessler, they still have gaps to fill in their roster.
Specifically, at the wing position. As currently constructed, the team lacks wings and needs more perimeter defense. Many players are already off the board, but there are still some quality wings on the market.
In a Wednesday night report, Dan Woike of The Athletic mentioned Jonathan Kuminga as a player the Lakers could acquire this offseason.
The team, according to league sources who were granted anonymity to freely discuss the Lakers’ offseason moves, is still seeking a young wing to help its perimeter defense. A high-upside swing receiving significant consideration, per league sources, is former Golden State Warrior and Atlanta Hawk Jonathan Kuminga, whose $24.3 million team option was recently declined by Atlanta.
The Lakers reportedly called the Warriors about Kuminga last offseason, so it’s no surprise they are still interested in his talent. Kuminga is an example of how quickly free agency can change.
The Hawks declining his team option was a surprise, and it doesn’t appear that Atlanta wants to agree to a smaller deal. So, he’s now one of the most intriguing unrestricted free agents.
Kuminga is a player with a ton of potential. So far, it hasn’t materialized into him becoming the best version of himself. His saga with the Warriors was exhausting, and when he got his fresh start in Atlanta, they clearly didn’t see enough to want to retain him.
Still, he’s a young wing and in need of some redemption. If he comes to the Lakers and has a breakout season, it could alter the trajectory of his career.
Besides his respectable defense, Kuminga is an all-around solid player. Last year, he averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. That level of production is hard to find in unrestricted free agency.
As usual, this will come down to money.
The Lakers have reportedly spent a ton by trading for Kessler and adding Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton and Sandro Mamukelashvili. However, if they can agree on terms, Kuminga would be a great pickup.
The Lakers need exactly what he can provide, and playing well here could lead to a bigger payday in the future. Malik Monk and Dorian Finney-Smith followed this path to success, and Kuminga could do the same if he so chooses.
The final game of the 2025-26 season was played on June 13, 2026, when the New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the Finals to capture their first championship since 1973. That celebratory moment felt like a lifetime ago.
In the past four weeks, the NBA Draft Lottery, NBA Draft, and free agency have all either concluded or commenced. There’s been plenty of roster movement — league-altering trades, agreed-upon free agency deals and more. And just as we try to catch our breat, the NBA Summer League is upon us. In the following sections, I’ll highlight 10 returning players who fantasy managers should pay attention to in the California Classic, Salt Lake City Summer League, and Las Vegas Summer League.
Carter Bryant — San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs’ young players accelerated their learning curve this past season and, as a result, finished way ahead of schedule with an NBA Finals berth. While Carter’s minutes per game weren’t very high as a rookie (11.1), he has a case for being included on that accelerated path, albeit comfortably behind the likes of Dylan Harper, his fellow 2035 draft classmate. He logged minutes in several big-time postseason games for the Spurs less than one month ago. And with the uncertain future of Harrison Barnes, Bryant has a chance to play a much larger role as a second-year player — even with Tobias Harris being added to the equation.
Bryant was already a notable performer in the 2025 Summer League and should be one of the better guys to lace them up during these offseason games. A good showing could give him a head start and a potential second-year leap, leading to greater fantasy value.
Carter Bryant SOARED through the air and finished this MONSTER dunk.
Once it was clear the direction Memphis was moving in last season — trading away Jaren Jackson Jr. and shutting down Ja Morant — Small got a chance to audition for a prominent role. His time to shine came after the All-Star Break, when he immediately logged a 16-point, four-steal performance before playing well over the next 20 games and posting averages of 13.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.1 steals and 1.3 steals on 50.8/45.7/84.2 shooting splits post-All-Star Break. With Morant departed to Portland via trade, there’s no clear starting point guard over in Memphis at the moment. A strong Summer League showing should provide fantasy managers confidence that, at the very least, Small returns as a nightly contributor off the bench. At best, he earns a full-time starting gig at point guard, which could equate to meaningful fantasy production.
Will Richard & LJ Cryer — Golden State Warriors
Jimmy Butler is recovering from ACL surgery. Moses Moody is also rehabbing a season-ending knee injury, while Gary Payton II remains a free agent. Whether LeBron James takes his talents to the Bay Area or not this offseason, the list of perimeter options becomes short once you get past Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, and De’Anthony Melton. This sort of roster construction, although far from complete, makes both Will Richard and LJ Cryer very intriguing second-year players.
Richard played a good amount as a rookie — fairly consistent minutes throughout — and had more than his share of opportunities to contribute along the way. Three-point shooting and playmaking are things he’ll probably need to shore up in order to make a leap in production and become a reliable fantasy option during the 2026-27 season. Cryer’s rookie campaign was the complete opposite — the undrafted rookie landed on a two-way contract and didn’t earn consistent rotation minutes until later in the season, when he mostly made his mark as an efficient, high-volume three-point shooter. How comfortable each player looks during these summer league games will be telling.
Ace Bailey — Utah Jazz
With the additions of Jaren Jackson Jr. ahead of the 2025-26 trade deadline and No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Darryn Peterson, Utah added to its mix of proven talent and high-upside players. Ace Bailey, heading into Year 2, fits more the latter description than the former, but he’ll want to stand out and turn some heads going into what could be a crowded 2026-27 regular-season rotation. It’s pretty simple: if you’re the Jazz, you want to see enough from Bailey to feel comfortable sending him home after a couple of games. Bailey’s play style is tailor-made for this Summer League type of environment. If he struggles here, it would come as a surprise, considering he performed well as a rookie and has the tools to blossom into a valuable fantasy contributor, provided his playing time and role remain intact and there is room for growth.
While Nolan Traore’s recent knee surgery will keep him off the court during the Summer League, Demin and Saraf will share backcourt responsibilities with the latest Nets first-round pick, point guard Mikel Brown. Brown’s arrival in Brooklyn as a top-6 pick in the 2026 draft instantly puts pressure on both players to rise to the occasion and perform at a level that prevents them from being in a situation where they could be cast out. Perhaps that way of thinking is premature and a bit extreme at this time of the year, but it’s not unfathomable, given the team’s draft investments at guard.
Demin and Saraf flashed more than a few times as rookies and finished the season as capable but inefficient scorers with some upside as playmakers. Their long-term fantasy value could tilt with each passing Summer League game.
Asa Newell — Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta spent a first-round pick on Newell around this time last offseason but didn't get much value from him over the course of the 82-game season. He thrived in the NBA G League and also proved to be an efficient scorer across his 44 appearances with the main team. The Hawks didn’t have a lot of frontcourt size last season, and as currently constructed, could still benefit from another big body off the bench to soak up minutes in the nightly rotation. Summer League feels like the perfect opportunity to turn some heads and instill some confidence in the front office that their frontcourt depth is viable. If that’s the role he ultimately lands in for the 2026-27 season, his fantasy upside should increase.
Nique Clifford — Sacramento Kings
Before the All-Star Break, Clifford appeared in 52 games, averaging 6.6 points and 1.7 assists in 21.3 minutes per game. After the break, those numbers doubled to 13.2 points and 4.0 assists (5.2 rebounds, as well) on much better 44.8/35.9/73.7 shooting splits over 23 games. The type of second-half progression that the rookie displayed is an encouraging sign heading into his sophomore campaign. Even with the addition of Darius Acuff Jr. via the draft, Clifford could still find himself in a strong position to succeed in the team’s backcourt rotation. So much so, he may even be a solid fantasy option if Zach LaVine is no longer in Sacramento’s plans.
Ryan will have a chance during this Summer League to carry the momentum from his end-of-season run into another opportunity to play NBA minutes this upcoming season. Albeit on a depleted Bucks team toward the end of the season that was no longer fighting for a playoff spot, the rookie showed some real NBA qualities down the stretch. He played only 11 games in total while on a two-way contract. Still, he was nearly a 20.0 points per game scorer over the final eight games of the season, while posting 54.0/47.9/95.2 shooting splits. It was a somewhat unexpected stretch that Ryan endured toward this season’s conclusion. Similar production would obviously become useful for fantasy managers if the role and production remained. But again, we could have more clarity on how big or small a role he could occupy come October, depending on how he performs over the summer.
The Belleville Senators coaching staff for the 2026-27 AHL season is now complete.
Last week, the B-Sens announced that interim head coach Andrew Campbell would return to the job in a full-time capacity after signing a three-year contract with the club. Campbell took over mid-season this year after the departure of David Bell.
GM Steve Staios talks about William Eklund, who's expected to pick up some of the offensive void left by Brady Tkachuk's sudden departure.
Campbell has retained assistant coaches Stefan Legein and goaltending coach Paul Gibson for their third seasons with the B-Sens.
But new to the staff this year is longtime NHL defenseman Joe Cirella, a veteran of 828 NHL games, most of them with the New Jersey Devils back in the 1980s. Cirella also played for Florida, the New York Rangers, Quebec Nordiques, and Colorado Rockies before winding up his career with a very brief stint in Ottawa in 1995-96.
For old schoolers, Cirella is the answer to a fine hockey trivia question: Name the last former member of the defunct Colorado Rockies to retire from the NHL.
Cirella played for the Rockies during their final season in Denver before the team relocated and became the New Jersey Devils. One of his teammates with the Rockies was former Sens head coach Dave Cameron, now the Ottawa 67s head coach.
Now 63, Cirella brings a wealth of coaching experience to Belleville's table, spending the past eight seasons with the Calgary Wranglers, the AHL affiliate of the Flames. He spent one season under rookie Wranglers head coach Brett Sutter before parting ways with the club at the end of the season.
Cirella was replaced on the staff last month by former Soo Greyhounds head coach John Dean.
Cirella's assistant coaching career also includes 13 seasons in the OHL with the Soo Greyhounds, Peterborough Petes, and Oshawa Generals. His only NHL coaching experience was his first season as a coach, shortly after retiring as a player, when he joined Florida's staff in 1997-98.
As a player, Cirella was a fifth-overall pick by the Rockies in 1981, right behind future Hall of Famers like Dale Hawerchuk and Ron Francis.
By Steve Warne The Hockey News
This article was first published on The Hockey News Ottawa Senators site. For full coverage of the Senators, check out one of the latest headlines below:
Toronto Blue Jay's Raul Mondesi (R) is greeted in the dugout by teammates after scoring on teammate Tom Wilson two-run RBI single against the Oakland Athletics' pitcher Mark Mulder in the second inning 10 May 2002 in Oakland, California. AFP PHOTO/John G. MABANGLO (Photo by JOHN G. MABANGLO / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOHN G. MABANGLO/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Twenty-four years ago today, the Blue Jays traded Raul Mondesi, along with cash, to the Yankees for Scott Wiggins. The return wasn’t significant—Wiggins only pitched three games for Toronto—but the true benefit was shedding Mondesi’s salary and removing an unhappy presence from the clubhouse.
Toronto had acquired Mondesi from the Dodgers in November 1999 by trading away Shawn Green. The Jays hadn’t wanted to part with Green, but he demanded a trade after the team hired Cito Gaston as hitting coach. Green and Gaston had a rocky relationship dating back to Green’s early days with the team, when Gaston was manager. Gaston encouraged hitters to pull the ball, while Green favored hitting to all fields—leading to some disagreements, as detailed in Green’s autobiography.
The Jays hoped Mondesi’s statistics would improve with a move from the spacious Dodger Stadium to the more hitter-friendly SkyDome. That improvement never materialized, and Mondesi was openly unhappy in Toronto. Complicating matters, he had a hefty contract and Toronto boasted three superior outfielders in Shannon Stewart, Vernon Wells, and Jose Cruz.
Why did the Yankees want him?
It wasn’t the Yankees’ front office that wanted Mondesi, but team owner George Steinbrenner. He instructed team president Randy Levine to call Jays president Paul Godfrey to get the deal done, as reported by the Guelph Mercury Tribune:
As Godfrey tells it, the Yankees were struggling with injuries to their outfield at the time, and a play one day led a TV announcer to wonder why Steinbrenner was doing nothing with Mondesi on the market.
“Within minutes, Yankees president Randy Levine called me and said he wanted to make a deal for an outfielder,” Godfrey recalled. “I didn’t think he meant Mondesi, since we’d already tried shopping him around. So I asked, ‘Why isn’t GM Brian Cashman dealing with our GM, J.P. Ricciardi?’”
”And Randy yells, ‘George doesn’t want those two guys involved, they’ll never get a God damn deal done, I’m on instructions from George to get this God damn deal done now.’”
So Godfrey asked for five minutes, called Ricciardi and explained that he had to do the deal with Levine (to which Ricciardi replied, “I don’t care, get rid of Mondesi immediately”), got a list of prospects to ask for, and eventually settled with Levine on pitcher Scott Wiggins in return.
Toronto included $6 million with Mondesi in the trade. They’d been trying to move him for some time, but found no takers. Fortunately for the Jays, Steinbrenner was undeterred by his own front office’s reluctance. With Paul O’Neill retiring after the 2001 season, the Yankees were searching for a big bat in the lineup.
Mondesi played a season and a half for the Yankees, hitting .250/.323/.453 with 27 home runs over 169 games. At the 2004 trade deadline, he was sent to the Diamondbacks. Mondesi played for three more teams before retiring from baseball after the 2005 season.
While it might be considered one of J.P. Ricciardi’s better trades, he actually played a minimal role in making it happen.
After his baseball career, Mondesi became mayor of San Cristóbal, but was later sentenced to 8 years in prison for corruption and mismanagement of public funds during his term in office. That term ‘mismanagement is wrong. Embezzlement would be a better word.
The Boston Celtics trading former Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers dramatically impacted NBA Finals odds at sportsbooks and NBA prediction market prices.
Key Takeaways
The 76ers are fifth in odds to win the NBA Finals at BetMGM.
Kalshi and Polymarket bumped the 76ers from 1% chance of winning the title to as high as 6%.
Reports suggest Brown wore out his welcome in Boston.
Brown, who spent his first 10 years in Boston was traded for Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-rounders Wednesday.
BetMGM shared with Covers that the 76ers were only +6,600 (1.5% implied chance) to win the Finals before the trade. They vaulted to +2,000 (4.8% chance), which is fifth on the board.
BetMGM also noted 35% of bets and 40% of money wagered in the NBA Finals futures market - both highest amounts - were on the 76ers. That represented roughly a 13-hour period from approximately 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday through 7 a.m. on Thursday.
A similar trend emerged in the Eastern Conference futures market. The Sixers moved from +2,000 (4.8% chance) to win the conference pre-trade to +700 (12.5% chance), drawing 54% of bets and 68% of the handle during the period after the trade was reported.
The Celtics did not enjoy the same surge in NBA championship odds. They fell from +700 (12.5% chance), the third-shortest amount and shortest in the East to +1,400 (6.7% chance). They also lengthened from +260 (27.8% chance) to +450 (18.2% chance) to win the conference.
The Sixers now have the second-largest share of tickets to win the title (8.8%), only behind the Golden State Warriors (15.7%). They’re also third in handle (9.4%), trailing the Oklahoma City Thunder (32%) and Warriors (12.5%).
Prediction markets adjust to trade
Just like sportsbooks, NBA prediction markets underwent significant changes after the Brown trade was reported.
Market data from Polymarket shows the Sixers jumped from 1.1% to 5.7% by Thursday morning, peaking as high as 6%. The Celtics dropped from 8% to 6%.
The Thunder (21%) and San Antonio Spurs (17%) are the obvious market leaders, followed by the defending champion New York Knicks (11%). The Celtics are still fourth, although the Sixers and Miami Heat (5.8%) are just behind.
Kalshi’s markets went through a similar adjustment. The Sixers went from 1% to 6% by 8 a.m. on Thursday, although they dropped back down to 4% during the two ensuing hours.
Kalshi also dropped the Celtics from 10% to 7%, which, like Polymarket, is fourth on the board.
The 2027 Finals are still about a year away, but Kalshi and Polymarket already reported approximately $10.5 million in total combined trades in their next champion markets.
Rivalry renewed
The Brown trade will add another chapter to the Celtics-76ers rivalry. The two teams will meet the customary four times during the regular season.
The 76ers recovered from a 3-1 deficit to eliminate the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs last year. Brown went on a livestream the following day and said Sixers star center Joel Embiid was a flopper.
Sources told The Herd's Colin Cowherd that Brown has a “disease” which made him think he was always the smartest in the room, leading to strained relationships in Boston.
NBA sources believe Jaylen Brown thinks he’s the smartest person in the room, per @colincowherd
“I had two NBA sources … two people in the league, one an executive, one a scout, say that Jaylen Brown has — it’s a disease. He suddenly thinks he’s the smartest guy in every room… pic.twitter.com/aBhgNSfXiF
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - APRIL 03: Toby Okani #5 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on during the game against the Toronto Raptors at FedExForum on April 03, 2026 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Knicks might be doing anything to bring in external players through free agency, but that’s reasonable considering how busy they are in filling out their Summer League roster.
New York announced its roster on Thursday morning, but I had already written this post and it’s going nowhere. So instead of revealing two signings, let’s consider this a meetup.
Today’s Casa Knicks entries are North Dakota forward Treysen Eaglestaff, who is joining after going undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft, and Westchester product Toby Okani is also expected to play with the SL squad in Las Vegas, giving the organization another long wing with pro experience.
Eaglestaff is a 6-foot-6 wing from Bismarck. He made his name in his hometown of North Dakota, where he spent three seasons and averaged 18.9 points as a junior, earned second-team All-Summit League honors, scored 40 points against Alabama, and dropped a Division I season-high 51 points.
He transferred to West Virginia for his final college season, starting 35 games and averaging 9.8 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 39.7% from the field and 34.3% from three. That dip in production helps explain why he went undrafted, but his size remains there, while he has good enough shooting mechanics and scoring touch as to earn a July look from the Knicks and perhaps land a minors deal from New York or another organization.
Okani (not to be confused with Ohtani) is a more familiar name. A 6-foot-8 wing from West Orange, New Jersey, he spent time with the Westchester Knicks last season (34 games, 12 as a starter) before earning a late call-up with the Memphis Grizzlies. In the G League, he averaged 5.6 points and 2.8 rebounds in 19.7 minutes, shooting 35.9% from the floor and 27.9% from beyond the arc. The free-throw shooting was even worse, with Okani bagging freebies at a 47.6% clip.
In the NBA, Memphis gave Okani six games, including four starts, and he averaged 10.0 points and 3.5 rebounds playing (somehow) 36.2 MPG. Before turning pro, Okani played at Duquesne, UIC, and West Virginia. His best college season came at UIC, where he averaged 11.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 2.0 blocks, earned MVC All-Defensive Team honors, and led the conference in blocks back in 2024.
The Knicks open Summer League play July 10 against the Brooklyn Nets, then face the Spurs, Pistons, and Warriors.
TORONTO, ON- SEPTEMBER 26 - Toronto fans might have figured out the equation for a Blue Jay world series as the play-off bound Toronto Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays 10-8 at Rogers Centre in Toronto. September 26, 2015. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) | Toronto Star via Getty Images
The Red Sox have player 85 games. They have 77 games remaining until the end of the season. But the real end of the season might just be the trade deadline.
In that respect, they have just 33 days remaining. That’s only 26 games. Sitting at 37-48, the Red Sox have some work to do to decide how they want to handle things. Is Sonny Gray available? Or Aroldis Chapman? Both? Are they in the market for a right-handed bat? Probably yes regardless of their playoff hopes.
In their favor for the season, the Yankees are in the midst of a 7-game losing streak. The Blue Jays just lost 5 straight – tied with the Sox’ (and Orioles’) longest losing streak of the year. The Rays longest losing streak is 4.
There are 8 series between now and the last day to make a move. There’s a short west coast trip to see the Angels and the White Sox and Mets on the way back east. Each of those is a 3-game series.
After the All-Star Break the Sox host the Rays (4 games), Orioles (3 games), and Blue Jays (3 games).
Then it’s back to the West Coast for 7 more games: 4 against the Athletics and 3 against the Dodgers.
Right now the Rays are leading the AL East with the Yankees 3.0 games back, the Jays 10.5, Orioles 12.0, and Red Sox 13.5 behind.
Caleb Durbin has 7 home runs while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has just 4. Durbin’s 6 June homers is the highest 1-month total for any month in his 2-year career. Vlad’s total is, of course, more of an aberration and as he will not reach free agency until 2040, the Jays have to hope he can uncover some Durbin-esque pop. He averages 29 home runs per 162 games. That’s 25 home runs in the remaining 3 months of the season. He’s currently on pace for just 8. With 75 games to go, Vlad needs a home run every 3 games instead of every 5.5. That’s a big power surge even for him, just to hit his average. To hit last year’s total of 23 that’s still a home run every 4 games. To reach his high of 11 home runs form 2025, Caleb Durbin needs 4 home runs in 3 months.
Jarren Duran has had a miserable season. But power-wise he has 12 homers and needs 4 to match his 2025 total. And just 9 – 3 per month – to reach his career high of 21 again. There was some worry about 20-homer power on the team and Willson Contreras is already at 18 dingers at around the halfway point. If only he had a little more help…
Remember the Jays being on a losing streak? Well, they took 2-out-3 against the Mets.
Even as the Red Sox look bad, the Mets are a notch worse. And they invested almost a billion dollars in their team with Juan Soto alone. The Mets have lost 51 games forming a club with the Angels, Giants, and Rockies as first to 50 losses this year. Of note, the Mets and Angels are 2 teams on the upcoming road trip. If there are any games to win, these 6 are top among them. And the Rockies won 2 games only through bullpen collapses that aren’t guaranteed. There was also a personal change at shortstop after some misplays by Marcelo Mayer.
Because the Red Sox are off on Monday, August 3 – along with many but not all teams, for example the Rays and Rockies will be playing – there won’t be any dramatics mid-game. If Aroldis Chapman is still on the team, the hugwatch will not be literally at the deadline. It might happen on August 2 if he’s still in the ‘pen at that point, assuming there was not a tremendous winning streak by the Sox to be solidly holding a playoff spot at the time. After all, he might as well get in the goodbye hugs.
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 20: Atlanta second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) and the entire Braves team celebrate after Albies hit a walk-off two-run home run to win the MLB game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Atlanta Braves on June 20th, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Every day, Pinstripe Alley offers updates on what the Yankees’ top American League opponents are up to through the Rivalry Roundup. The AL East is well-trodden ground there, but with the season at it’s mathematical halfway point, we’re going to take a peek around MLB as a whole and check in with each of the other five divisions. Who’s surprising? Who’s underwhelming? Who’s simply mediocre at the moment? Read on and find out.
(Note: Records and standings are up to date through games played on Tuesday, June 30th.)
First Place: Atlanta Braves (49-34)
Top Position Player: Matt Olson (2.7 fWAR)
Top Pitcher: Chris Sale (2.8 fWAR)
The first-place Braves were sitting pretty for the first two and a half months, but things took a turn for the worse in June. Sitting at 45-21 entering a series with the White Sox on the 9th, they blew a 4-0 lead that night and lost via walk-off in the 10th, sparking a miserable 4-13 slump to end the month that has shrunk their once gigantic 10.5-game lead to just 2.5 games over the surging Phillies.
The team’s most likely All-Stars on the hitting side are perennial stud Matt Olson at first base and the resurgent Michael Harris II. The latter has been a completely different player since facing the Yankees last July, entering that series as one of the worst regulars in the sport, but has now posted a 127 wRC+ across a full season’s worth of plate appearances since.
We’re not getting an MVP-caliber season from Ronald Acuña Jr., but he’s remained a force at the top of the lineup. You look at all the names on this offense and wonder how they’re statistically below average on the year, but the simple answer for that is just how putrid they were in June. The bottom has completely fallen out on Austin Riley’s bat at third base and even the regulars were going into huge slumps.
On the pitching end, it’s all about Chris Sale. The reigning NL Cy Young winner won’t go back-to-back, but it won’t be for lack of trying. His 2.10 ERA across 90 innings with a 23.6 K-BB% would be good enough to potentially start the All-Star Game in the American League, but goes under the radar with the sheer volume of talented arms in the Senior Circuit. Behind him, Bryce Elder and Grant Holmes have given them average production, Martin Perez has been steady as ever, and Spencer Strider continues to struggle with both health and productivity.
The one saving grace of the team in June was that they continued to have the best back-end relief trio in the sport. Robert Suarez, Dylan Lee, and Raisel Iglesias have combined for a 1.05 ERA across 96 innings. When these guys lead after six, the game is all but over. Having Didier Fuentes, Tyler Kinley, and Reynaldo Lopez as middle relief guys is an unreal strength for the best bullpen in baseball (2.76 ERA, 3.44 FIP, 3.8 fWAR)
Second Place: Philadelphia Phillies (48-38)
Top Position Player: Kyle Schwarber (2.6 fWAR)
Top Pitcher: Cristopher Sanchez (4.2 fWAR)
If I had a nickel for every time the Phillies woke up from an early-season stupor with a midseason managerial change, in which they fired one former Yankee for another former Yankee, to be one of the best teams in baseball, I’d have two nickels.
Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it’s happened twice.
Four years after canning former Yankees’ manager Joe Girardi for his bench coach, who also had that role in New York, they did it again. Rob Thomson faced the same fate that Girardi faced, losing his job to his bench coach, Yankees legend Don Mattingly. Since then, they’ve gone 38-19 and have gained eight games in the standings in five weeks with an 18-9 month.
It’s awfully rare for a team to be successful with its most valuable player via WAR being a primary DH, but when that player is on pace to hit 60 home runs, it sounds a lot more reasonable. Kyle Schwarber is worth every penny of his new contract, and he’s finally been joined by some of his teammates with Bryce Harper (143 OPS+) and Brandon Marsh (131 OPS+). Did you know Marsh has one of the highest BABIP in MLB history? If it works, it works.
They’re still not without major flaws offensively, though. Age might finally be catching up to Trea Turner’s bat (for real this time), while Bryson Stott, Alec Bohm, and JT Realmuto have been black holes offensively. Adolis García is done for the year, Justin Crawford can’t hit a beach ball, and they’re gonna need some reinforcements at the deadline to have a chance to compete in October.
Their pitching, on the other hand, can compete with anyone. Cristopher Sánchez’s unreal scoreless innings streak has defined a potential Cy Young campaign, while usual ace Zack Wheeler has looked great since a scary thoracic outlet syndrome injury. The concern is that, beyond Sanchez, Wheeler, and Jesús Luzardo, who else can step up? Aaron Nola’s now in Year 2 of being one of the worst starters in the majors, and Andrew Painter’s rookie year has been a nightmare.
Jhoan Duran leads the National League with 21 saves, and you’ll never guess who’s setting him up. It’s not the struggling José Alvarado; it’s former Yankee Tim Mayza! Orion Kerkering is having a great year after his miscue in the NLDS last year, but the rest of the bullpen is lagging behind. They’ll be looking for upgrades at the deadline.
Third Place: Miami Marlins (46-40)
Top Position Player: Otto Lopez (3.6 fWAR)
Top Pitcher: Max Meyer (2.3 fWAR)
Whoa, where did this come from? For the second straight year, the Marlins have awoken from an early-season slump to go ballistic in the summer. Once sitting 26-34 at the end of May, they’ve secured just their second 20-win month in franchise history (May 2012, 21) and suddenly find themselves in the thick of the wild card race. However you feel about Peter Bendix and his analytical approach, he’s put a destitute franchise on the path to success with no financial backing.
They’ve done it without 2025 breakout star Kyle Stowers as the focal point, as he’s been limited to decent production across 62 games. Xavier Edwards has been over .300 all season and is emerging as a top shortstop in the game, while Otto Lopez has been a WAR machine, leading MLB in hits with stupendous defense and baserunning. Recent call-up Joe Mack is starting to find his stroke behind the plate, while Liam Hicks has been an All-Star caliber DH for them.
It’s been a real breakout campaign for Max Meyer, who’s having an extremely quiet All-Star campaign with a 9-0 record and a 2.60 ERA. The 27-year-old has taken the mantle of ace from Sandy Alcantara, who’s been better than last year but remains a traditional workhorse with average numbers. Eury Perez has been up and down to complete their Big 3, but they’re looking for someone else to step up with an injury to Janson Junk and the failed Chris Paddack experiment.
The one thing holding them back, though, might be the fact that their closer’s ERA is nearly seven. Pete Fairbanks has been a disaster since coming over from Tampa, and even with four extremely productive set-up options in Michael Petersen, John King, Calvin Faucher, and Lake Bachar, they’ve refused to take him out of the closer’s role. You have to think the leash is being shortened with the team’s sudden playoff aspirations.
Fourth Place: Washington Nationals (44-43)
Top Position Player: James Wood (3.0 fWAR)
Top Pitcher: Cade Cavalli (2.1 fWAR)
Another pleasant surprise, the Nationals are above .500 entering July for the first time in almost a decade. We’ve heard about the baby steps for the last few years of developing a core that can figure things out, but the new regime really seems to be making strides in player development to put this franchise on the right path.
James Wood’s strikeouts continue to be a major issue, but he’s shaken off an early rut to once again be among the NL’s best outfielders. Keibert Ruiz has suddenly found the ability to hit after entering the year with a career 87 OPS+, Curtis Mead is finally living up to his prospect billing in his third stop, and Luis García Jr. had a surprising amount of pop in June. But no player has been more impressive than CJ Abrams, who despite defensive limitations, has been one of the best hitting middle infielders in the game this year.
The rotation starts strong, but drops off fast. Foster Griffin has come out of nowhere to lead the Nats, and Cade Cavalli is undergoing a major breakout of his own, but they’re followed up by the badly struggling Zack Littell, Jake Irvin, and Miles Mikolas. Cavalli, a former first-round pick in 2020, made news for the wrong reasons to close the month due to a spat with Boston’s Willson Contreras.
If anything can hold this Nationals team back from making a return to the postseason, it’s their depressing bullpen. They’re 26th in bullpen ERA at 4.99 and can’t seem to find anyone to effectively pitch in high-leverage situations. They had some impossible chokes this month against San Francisco and Philadelphia, as it seems like everyone but PJ Poulin and Brad Lord just can’t seem to get three outs.
Fifth Place: New York Mets (36-50)
Top Position Player: Juan Soto (2.6 fWAR)
Top Pitcher: Nolan McLean (1.8 fWAR)
What a mess. Injuries have certainly taken a toll on how awful this Mets season has been, but when you’re finding a way to bum out a city that enjoyed an NBA championship this month, that’s bleak. Carlos Mendoza paid for their sloppy, uninspired play with his job late in the month after Dansby Swanson and the Cubs swept them into the Stone Age.
The offense has been horrendous. Francisco Lindor just now returned from his second major injury of 2026, and his supporting cast has been abysmal. The progress Brett Baty showed in 2025 has been erased. Mark Vientos looks so lost compared to his 2024 form. The regressing bat of Marcus Semien didn’t improve at all. Luis Robert Jr. and Jorge Polanco are still on the shelf. Rookies AJ Ewing and Carson Benge can only do so much, as can Bo Bichette’s improved June after his disastrous first two months. The one guy who’s not slumping? The inevitable Juan Soto.
The rotation was never going to be the team’s strength, but they certainly expected a lot more from Nolan McLean (3.78 ERA, 3.58 FIP) and Freddy Peralta (4.53 ERA, 4.17 FIP), who were both expected to be ace-caliber arms this year. Clay Holmes will be out for a while with his broken leg, so while Christian Scott has done admirably since his promotion, Kodai Senga and David Peterson’s struggles are further accentuated. Well, I guess just Senga now, as Peterson got sent off to the Cubbies.
In the bullpen, a lot of Yankees fans have kept one eye on Devin Williams and Luke Weaver after they jumped ship in the offseason. While Williams has experienced the same ups and downs on a much less competitive team, Weaver has fully shaken off the struggles he had last year with 24 consecutive scoreless innings. He’ll be a high-leverage arm sold off at the deadline. Huascar Brazoban and Brooks Raley will also be enticing pieces for contenders who need bullpen help.
Jun 23, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Texas A&M Aggies left fielder Caden Sorrell (13) talks with Tennessee Volunteers second baseman Ariel Antigua (2) after colliding during the ninth inning at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
Just as I was trying to figure out who to write up next, Baseball America popped out their 5th mock draft, this time with a new name as the Phillies pick. It doesn’t sound like there’s sourcing for this or actual rumors of Phillies interest so much as there is “It’s the 36th pick. Who the hell knows? But this seems to be the type of player the Phillies might roll the dice on.” So, what the heck. It’s pick 36, who the hell knows what’ll happen.
Caden is a 21 year old 6’3″ 200 lbs Center Fielder from Texas A&M. He’s a left handed hitter with a pretty enticing mix of tools. In a common theme of recent profiles none of those tools is hitting (spoiler, I guess). In High School Sorrell was a Shortstop and his first 2 years in College he split time between the corner OF positions. He has a cannon for an arm, so RF is a solid fall back option if the can’t stick in Center in the pros. He’s a plus runner and should work fine in Center early in his career, but he has that Mike Trout Linebacker-ish frame that will probably eventually grow him out of Center and off into a corner with more average speed, but for now, at least, Sorrell can really get on his horse.
As a hitter Sorrell has a swing geared to hit home runs. He probably has 70 grade raw power and is eventually going to be fun to watch in home run derbies (albeit perhaps minor league ones). Same as I wrote about for Lebron earlier this week, his game power is just grade 55 or 60 because of his contact issues. He’s recorded exit velocities of 114 mph and better, which would be elite among MLB hitters. The first video below is Sorrell just committing extreme violence on baseballs. It’s a surprisingly quiet, lightning fast swing. Almost entirely rotational with no real stride and a small toe tap for timing. He has a 24% K rate and known struggles against non-Fastballs, I think there may be an Adolis Garcia/Jo Adell type ceiling here. He may not have quite the arm of Garcia and not quite the range of Adell, but the hitting issues look similar and I could see a .230/.295/.435 line regularly getting put out here. It’s probably a 2-3 WAR player, who may occasionally be worth 4 or 5 WAR, but is also probably going to have sub 1 WAR seasons when fans will be frustrated with him.
Look at pick 36, I’ll be thrilled with any player that makes the show and puts up a positive WAR. Even if it’s barely positive, and at least massive homers are fun. While I’m not sure there’s a star ceiling, Sorrell has dealt with some injuries in College and 2026 was his first fully healthy season, so if you’re looking for a silver lining, maybe there’s still a little ceiling to come with health letting him play and see more breaking balls.
Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin will continue to play in the NHL, giving him a chance to add to his record goal total and chase another Stanley Cup.
Ovechkin, who will turn 41 in September, signed a one-year contract Thursday, July 2. He will earn $1 million in salary, a $4.75 million games-played bonus (10 games) and a $3.25 million signing bonus. Ovechkin’s contract will carry an average annual value of $4.25 million.
"I’m back!" said Ovechkin. "Thank you to everyone for giving me and my family the time to make this decision. I’m healthy. I love playing hockey and competing to win. I’m excited to come back and join my teammates so we can fight for a playoff spot and have a chance to win. See you in September, DC!”
Ovechkin, who scored 32 goals last season at age 40, will join Sidney Crosby, Gordie Howe, Alex Delvecchio, Stan Mikita and Steve Yzerman as the only players in NHL history to play 22 seasons with one franchise. Ovechkin will also surpass Walter Johnson (21 seasons with the Washington Senators: 1907-1927) as the city's longest-tenured athlete.
"Our entire organization is thrilled that Alex has decided to continue playing," Capitals general manager Craig Patrick said. "Alex has proven year after year that he can produce offensively and that he is still the driving force of our team."
What went into Alex Ovechkin's decision
After the season and the final year of his previous contract, Ovechkin said he hadn't made up his mind about his future, but he did leave some hints.
First, he waved off the Pittsburgh Penguins when they came over to shake his hand after their final meeting of the regular season.
He also said in end-of-season media availability that his two sons wanted him to return.
"They're excited," he said. "They want me to come back because they love the city, they love the team, they love the boys."
After missing the playoffs for just the fifth time, he wanted to make sure the Capitals could be a contender.
The Capitals did their part, trading for Jordan Kyrou and then acquiring Alex Tuch in a sign-and-trade. When free agency began, they signed Boone Jenner and Vincent Desharnais.
"We are excited about the additions we made this offseason to bolster our lineup and make our group more competitive," Patrick said. "We believe that our roster is well balanced and will help create more opportunities for Alex to create offense and score goals. In addition, his presence in our locker room – especially with our young players – will continue to be an enormous boost for our organization and will help shape our team culture for years to come."
Everything came together and now Ovechkin is back to add to his records and chase others.
Alex Ovechkin records
Total goals: 929
Power play: 331
Empty net: 72
Game winners: 141
Overtime goals: 27
Goalies scored on: 189,
30-goal seasons: 20
40-goal seasons: 14
50-goal seasons: 9, tied for first
Records Alex Ovechkin still chasing
20-goal seasons: He's at 21 seasons, one behind Gordie Howe
Combined regular-season/playoff goals: He's at 1,006, 10 behind Gretzky.
Even-strength goals: He's at 593, 24 behind Gretzky.
Apr 14, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) wrists a shot on goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images
Russell LaBounty/Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images
ARLINGTON, Va. — Alex Ovechkin is returning for a 22nd NHL season after re-signing with the Washington Capitals.
The league’s career goal-scoring record holder inked a deal with a $1 million salary and bonuses worth an additional $8 million. Ovechkin turns 41 in September.
Ovechkin has 929 goals after scoring 32 last season. The Russian superstar broke Wayne Gretzky’s mark of 894 goals in April 2025.
He had said in recent months he was waiting until the offseason to decide whether to return or retire. Ovechkin in a news release sent out by the Capitals declared, “I’m back.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: Rui Hachimura #28 of the Los Angeles Lakers after missing a shot against the Oklahoma City Thunder the third during quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
While paydays are aplenty in free agency, the fluidity of it all can leave some on the outside looking in.
Despite the Lakers being swept out of the playoffs, Rui Hachimura came away a big winner after his postseason performance. Most predicted he would receive one of those paydays once the offseason rolled around as a result.
However, as we discussed on Wednesday, LA’s flurry of moves left him as the odd man out, as some had predicted. At the time, the Spurs were still a contender for him. However, San Antonio soon chose Tobias Harris on a two-year deal over Rui.
Now, Rui is still without a new contract and the teams that can and would have interest in him have dwindled significantly. The result, as Dave McMenamin of ESPN reported on Thursday, is people around the NBA wondering if he may be returning to Los Angeles after all.
That Hachimura remains unsigned caused several league sources to wonder whether the Lakers are planning some sort of trade or using the stretch provision on perhaps Jarred Vanderbilt or Deandre Ayton to be able to offer Hachimura more.
There are two reasons why this is still unlikely.
First, the Lakers would still need to do some reshuffling of the roster to shed one or both of Jarred Vanderbilt or Deandre Ayton’s salaries. That could come via an unlikely trade or by waiving and stretching one of them, with Vando being the far more likelier option.
Even if they are able to open up cap, there aren’t any realistic scenarios in which Rui signs a deal close to his value or the deal he was just on. Perhaps there’s an avenue where the Lakers sign him to a short-term deal with the premise of paying him more money in the future, but the end result of him being underpaid in year one remains the same.
For Rui to get to that point, the market would have to completely dry up on him, which is already close to happening, and he’d have to value being in LA with teammates and a staff he already has a report with as opposed to starting anew.
I won’t pretend to know Rui’s thinking in that aspect, but it does feel like things are still many steps away from that end point. A surprise trade or a new team being interested could change things quickly and Rui could sign a new deal elsewhere, still.
But after seeming like a done deal that he was gone on Wednesday, it looks like the door may still be cracked open.
Scott showed flashes with the Mets in 2024 during his rookie season, but his big league ascendance was short-lived due to an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery and kept him out for the entire 2025 season.
Now back at full strength, the 27-year-old has impressed since returning to the rotation.
In 45.0 innings over 10 starts, Scott has a 3.20 ERA (3.93 FIP) and 1.33 WHIP with 53 strikeouts in 45.0 innings -- a rate of 10.6 K's per nine.
Using mainly a four-seamer, sweeper, and cutter, Scott's arsenal has been remade a bit from his rookie season, when he was not yet using the cutter.
Scott's four-seamer has ticked up (averaging 95.5 mph this season after it averaged 94.2 mph in 2024), and his cutter has been especially effective -- with hitters slugging just .194 against it.
Following a somewhat alarming two-start blip in May where he allowed 16 runs (13 earned) in 9.0 innings, McLean has snapped back in.
In 34.0 innings over his last six starts, the young right-hander has a 2.65 ERA.
He's still battling his command at times -- as evidenced by the 17 walks he's issued during that span -- but he looks a lot more like he did during his rookie season and earlier this year.
McLean was especially impressive during his last start, firing six shutout innings against the Blue Jays while allowing five hits, walking two, and striking out seven.
Lindor is still searching a bit at the plate since coming off the IL, but it's starting to come.
Over his last five games, Lindor has a two homers, a triple, and a .967 OPS.
Apr 14, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Dodger Stadium. / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Lindor has been batting cleanup recently, with Carson Benge still entrenched in the leadoff spot.
The Braves are sinking
Because of a 5-13 record over their last 18 games, the Braves' lead over the Phillies in the NL East is down to just 2.5 games.
Atlanta is dealing with a rash of injuries, which hasn't helped matters.
In addition to being without Ronald Acuña Jr. and Sean Murphy, Atlanta's starting rotation is decimated -- with Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, AJ Smith-Shawver, and Joey Wentz all on the 60-day IL.
The Braves also recently lost high-leverage reliever Robert Suarez, who landed on the 15-day IL due to a forearm injury.
Matt Olson remains fearsome
With Acuña and Murphy out, and Austin Riley having a down season (he's hitting .207/.285/.332 with an OPS+ of 74), Olson is the most dangerous bat in Atlanta's lineup.
In his fifth season with the Braves, Olson is slashing .272/.342/.523 with 20 homers and 22 doubles in 84 games.
Michael Harris II is also having a standout year, with 14 homers, 13 doubles, and an .817 OPS -- the best mark he's had since his breakout rookie season in 2022.
Predictions
Who will the MVP of the series be?
Juan Soto
Despite a quiet series in Toronto, Soto still leads the NL with a .956 OPS.
Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?
Nolan McLean
McLean is locked in again.
Which Braves player will be a thorn in the Mets' side?
Ozzie Albies
Albies is having a bounce back year at the plate after struggling in both 2024 and 2025.
DETROIT, MI - JUNE 28: Hunter Brown #58 of the Houston Astros pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Comerica Park on June 28, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We asked. You answered.
The answers seem to indicate a common thread: Astros fans have more faith in Hunter Brown to have a dominant 2nd half than they do in Mike Burrows, Tatsuya Imai or Spencer Arrighetti to be even decent the rest of the season.
The poll was fashioned in such a way to flesh this out. Arrighetti leads the team currently with 7 wins, but he has struggled badly for a month. Imai has 5 wins, but it seems every time fans feel they are ready to trust his electric stuff that he suddenly has a complete loss of command and lays an egg. Lambert has 6 wins, has clearly been the most consistent of the pitchers not named Brown, but also has never had his current level of success at the major league level and it seems many fans are simply waiting for the bottom to fall out.
Meanwhile, Brown only has 1 win this season in the 25.1 innings that he has pitched this season.
Yet it was Brown most fans believed will finish the season with the most wins. That is a big indictment on fan sentiment towards an overwhelming majority of the rotation, and underscores the idea that despite the outfield’s offensive meekness, adding an impact starting pitcher at the deadline should be the team’s first order of business.
Thursday's MLB card is loaded with star power, and a few of baseball's biggest bats find themselves in favorable matchups.
Before locking in yourMLB player props, here are the hitters myMLB picksare targeting to leave their mark tonight.
Best MLB player props today
Player
Pick
Odds
Yandy Diaz
Over 1.5 total bases
-140
Shohei Ohtani
Over 2.5 hits + runs + RBI
+101
Max Muncy
Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI
-106
Yandy Diaz Over 1.5 total bases (-140)
A lot of people will be rushing to bet Junior Caminero tonight, given the six-game home run streak, but I think the veteran is the better option. Yandy Diaz checks more boxes than Caminero in my opinion.
First off, Diaz covers over 80% of Royals right-hander Stephen Kolek’s pitch mix. His arsenal grades out more than 50% below league average, per FanGraphs.
The only two above-average pitches in the mix are the fastball and sinker. Diaz against sinkers this season is hitting .414 with a 1.066 OPS and a .479 wOBA. Against fastballs, his expected batting average is still north of .300.
The Tampa Bay Rays veteran has also been generating an alarming amount of hard contact. Over his last 30 plate appearances against right-handed pitching, he owns a 71.4% hard-hit rate while hitting .320 with an .840 OPS and a .369 wOBA. Kolek at home against right-handed hitters is allowing a 40.5% hard-hit rate and nearly a 62% fly-ball rate.
I know this prop is super-juiced, but I would look for a boost, play his home run and double combo, or take him to record two hits.
Time: 7:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: ROYL, RAYS
Shohei Ohtani Over 2.5 hits + runs + RBI (+101)
Finally, some value!
The great one enters today with an elite rating covering 82.7% of Randy Vásquez’s entire pitch mix on Batters-Box. Tonight will mark Shohei Ohtani’s 314th elite rating over the last three seasons. In the previous 313, these are his records:
1+ hits: 74.44%
2+ hits: 33.87%
Home run: 29.71%
2+ total bases: 55.87%
2+ HRR: 66.13%
3+ HRR: 50.48%
Ohtani has surpassed this prop in six of his last ten elite-rated home games.
On top of that, the Los Angeles Dodgers slugger in his last 30 plate appearances against right-handed pitching, he owns a .346 AVG, .462 SLG, and .862 OPS. He's also generating a 50% hard-hit rate and a 9.1% barrel rate during that stretch.
For Vásquez, the last 30 lefties he has faced have produced a 57.7% hard-hit rate, 19.2% barrel rate, and 65.4% elevation rate. Those lefties own a .764 xSLG and .596 xwOBA in that span.
People forget, this can cash with one swing of the bat, and I already like him to go yard tonight. Do not pay juice for this... plus money only!
Time: 9:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: MLBN
Max Muncy Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI (-106)
Snagging this price for Max Muncy Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI in a spot that covers 88.9% of Randy Vásquez's pitch mix and grades out elite on Batters-Box is a gift.
Sure, in his last 30 at-bats against right-handed pitching, he has just a .214 average and .553 OPS, but across his last 90, he owns a .440 SLG, .777 OPS, and .343 wOBA.
In addition, in 95 elite ratings over the last three seasons, Muncy has cleared this prop 53.68% of the time, hitting it in five of his last 10 elite-rated spots.
With how poorly Vásquez has been against lefties, I think this is a strong price to back Muncy. I would not play it past -115.
Time: 9:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: MLBN
Colby Marchio's 2026 Transparency Record
Prop picks: 251-481, -20.2 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.
Raphielle Johnson
Yandy Diaz
Shohei Ohtani