MLB Expert Picks & Baseball Predictions June 19

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The weekend has arrived, as have our MLB expert picks for tonight!

We're calling for a Dodgers blowout of the Orioles, and a pitcher's duel in Arlington. 

Read on for our free MLB picks for Friday, June 19.

MLB expert picks for today

PickOdds
Neil Parker Neil Parker: Dodgers -1.5+100
Joe Osborne Joe Osborne: Padres vs. Rangers Under 7.5-122

Prices courtesy of Polymarket.

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    Neil Parker's expert pick: Dodgers -1.5

    Price: 50¢ (+100) at Polymarket

    Baltimore Orioles rookie Trey Gibson brings a lackluster 6.62 xERA and 5.19 xFIP to the mound against a lineup pacing the majors in xwOBA across the past 30 days. The Los Angeles Dodgers counter with righty Roki Sasaki, and he sports a tidy 3.26 ERA at home, supported by an equally impressive 3.41 xFIP.

    Additionally, the Orioles haven’t traveled well and sport a 22nd-ranked road wOBA.

    • Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
    • How to watch: MASN, SNLA

    Joe Osborne's expert pick: Padres vs. Rangers Under 7.5

    Price: 55¢ (-122) at Polymarket

    Everything points to a low-scoring game in Texas tonight, where strong pitching should overwhelm two struggling offenses.

    Jacob deGrom is in excellent form, allowing just four earned runs across his last four starts, and he’s been nearly untouchable at home with a 1.26 ERA through six outings. He draws a San Diego Padres lineup that ranks 27th in OPS against right-handed pitching over the past two weeks.

    On the other side, Randy Vasquez has been at his best on the road where he owns a 2.08 ERA, while Texas Rangers hitters rank 29th in OPS versus righties during that same two-week span and have scored three runs or fewer in five of their last six games.

    San Diego’s bullpen deserves some love here too as they've been locking things down, posting a 2.28 ERA over the last two weeks.

    • Time: 8:05 p.m. ET
    • How to watch: Padres.TV, RSN

    More MLB best bets for today

    PickOdds
    STL/KC o9-115
    Read analysis in our Cardinals vs. Royals predictions.
    NYY -1.5-125
    Read analysis in our Reds vs. Yankees predictions.
    MIL -1.5+101
    Read analysis in our Brewers vs. Braves predictions.

    Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
    Not intended for use in MA.
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    MLB Lineup Report: Bryce Eldridge has arrived, Spencer Horwitz leading off

    Staying ahead of lineup changes can be the difference between winning and losing in fantasy baseball. Here's what you need to know as we move toward the end of June.

    ⚾️ Baseball is back on NBC: MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026! In addition to becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball, NBC Sports will broadcast MLB Sunday Leadoff, “Opening Day” and Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason, and much more.

    Arizona Diamondbacks

    Jordan Lawlar and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. recently returned from the IL. Lawlar has taken over center field with Ryan Waldschmidt back at Triple-A. Tommy Troy was the primary left fielder while Gurriel was out. Gurriel has started there just once in the three games since his return, plus one start at DH. Ildemaro Vargas' playing time has grown more sporadic as the team gets healthier.

    Athletics

    Lawrence Butler's playing time has ticked up with Brent Rooker sidelined, though he still sat against a righty Thursday. Henry Bolte is the primary center fielder but still isn't playing every day. Zack Gelof has started every game since May 3.

    Atlanta Braves

    Drake Baldwin returned this week, resuming leadoff duties against RHP and batting second vs. LHP. Mauricio Dubón, Ha-Seong Kim, and Jorge Mateo are still splitting shortstop, but Dubón is the only one who'll see time elsewhere on most days.

    Baltimore Orioles

    They've faced a right-hander every game since June 4, with three more lined up this weekend against the Dodgers, which has helped their lineup consistency. Over the past couple of weeks, Blaze Alexander has gotten more run at third base than Coby Mayo. Leody Taveras and Colton Cowser are soaking up most of the center- and right-field reps at Tyler O'Neill's expense.

    Boston Red Sox

    Jarren Duran was dropped to fifth last Friday, bumping Mickey Gasper into the leadoff role since then. Duran even hit fifth in a couple of games against righties that Gasper missed, so the move looks semi-permanent. Marcelo Mayer remains in a strong-side platoon even after moving to shortstop.

    Chicago Cubs

    Lots of consistency here lately. Moises Ballesteros was optioned to Triple-A on Thursday, which could mean more playing time for Matt Shaw in right field with Seiya Suzuki at DH.

    Chicago White Sox

    Sam Antonacci and Chase Meidroth continue to platoon at leadoff. Andrew Benintendi and Randal Grichuk are platooning at DH. Jacob Gonzalez essentially platoons with Luisangel Acuña, with Miguel Vargas and Colston Montgomery shifting around to accommodate.

    Cincinnati Reds

    Terry Francona continues to rotate at leadoff, with Blake Dunn and Edwin Arroyo getting the opportunities this past week. Noelvi Marte has started nine of 13 since being recalled from Triple-A. JJ Bleday has started every game since April 29.

    Cleveland Guardians

    Brayan Rocchio jumped from ninth to second or third with José Ramírez, Chase DeLauter, and Angel Martínez all hitting the IL. Gabriel Arias returned and is covering third base, so Rocchio isn't giving up shortstop. Travis Bazzana plays every day, but he sometimes drops from leadoff to the 4-6 range against southpaws. Steven Kwan has sat against three of the past four lefties they've faced.

    Colorado Rockies

    Cole Carrigg has played center field in all nine games since his call-up. Hunter Goodman plays nearly every day, ranking fifth in plate appearances among primary catchers.

    Detroit Tigers

    Gleyber Torres is back on the IL, opening up second base for Hao-Yu Lee. They've been consistent otherwise, with Matt Vierling, Wenceel Perez, and Jahmai Jones filling short-side platoon roles.

    Houston Astros

    Jose Altuve has gotten a couple of maintenance days since returning from the IL, but he's otherwise back and primarily hitting fifth. Jeremy Peña has been the leadoff hitter when healthy this year. Yainer Diaz returned from the IL this week.

    Kansas City Royals

    Carter Jensen and Lane Thomas are platooning at leadoff. Michael Massey platoons with Nick Loftin at second base, while Starling Marte and Kameron Misner share a platoon of their own.

    Los Angeles Angels

    Mike Trout hit the IL with a hamstring injury Thursday, and the Angels called up Christian Moore to replace him. Meanwhile, Vaughn Grissom returned from the injured list to reclaim first base, ending Trey Mancini's inspiring run back in MLB. Jo Adell hasn't posted the same high-end results as last year, but the totality of injuries on this team will keep him glued in the heart of the order as an everyday player.

    ▶ RELATED: Check out this week’s Waiver Wire Watch

    Los Angeles Dodgers

    Tommy Edman made his season debut this week, playing third base against a lefty. He also hit leadoff, since Shohei Ohtani didn't bat that day. Ryan Ward and Alex Call are platooning in left field, while Alex Freeland has taken over the bulk of the playing time at second base.

    Miami Marlins

    Kyle Stowers is up to eight games (seven starts) at first base this season, adding some helpful eligibility. Xavier Edwards hits cleanup against right-handers, giving him more RBI opportunities than one would expect from a player with his skill set.

    Milwaukee Brewers

    Cooper Pratt was called up to take over shortstop with Luis Rengifo designated for assignment. David Hamilton (vs. RHP) and Joey Ortiz (vs. LHP) have split third base in the three days since.

    Minnesota Twins

    Royce Lewis has started all 11 games since being recalled from Triple-A, including eight at first base and two at second base. Kody Clemens is bouncing between first base and all over the outfield, hitting third most days. Trevor Larnach and Austin Martin platoon at leadoff.

    New York Mets

    Carson Benge has hit leadoff in every game since May 12. Mark Vientos has started just twice in the team's past 11 games. He's in a first base platoon with Jared Young, who bats cleanup against RHP.

    New York Yankees

    Paul Goldschmidt barely played to start the year, but he's hit 1-4 in every game this month. Jasson Domínguez is back off the IL and hitting in the top half of the order, playing right field. Spencer Jones is in center field against right-handers. Anthony Volpe's playing time is beginning to slip against righties. He essentially platoons with Jones, since Cody Bellinger and José Caballero can be moved around.

    Philadelphia Phillies

    Kyle Schwarber started at first base on Tuesday, but it looked like a one-off. Brandon Marsh and Bryson Stott continue to play every day, even against lefties. Adolis García's IL stint makes it all but certain they'll trade for an outfielder at the deadline.

    Pittsburgh Pirates

    Spencer Horwitz has led off against every righty since May 24, and the team now heads to Coors Field for a weekend series. Bryan Reynolds has simply been fantastic this season, hitting third every day. Injuries to Konnor Griffin and Oneil Cruz are thinning the depth in a lineup that got off to such a promising start in 2026.

    San Diego Padres

    This lineup has struggled to score, but it's stayed consistent after spreading things out earlier in the year. Injuries and underperformance are the main culprits. They're an attackable offense when streaming pitchers.

    San Francisco Giants

    Bryce Eldridge has moved up to the two-hole against righties and hit third against the one lefty they've faced recently. There's a lot of lineup consistency at the moment, but Heliot Ramos' eventual return from the IL could throw a wrench into things. Casey Schmitt has been mostly in left field over the past month.

    Seattle Mariners

    Cal Raleigh and JP Crawford have returned from the IL. Crawford immediately reclaimed the leadoff job, but he's now at third base, with Colt Emerson sticking at shortstop. Dominic Canzone now bats cleanup against righties, though he remains in a strict platoon role.

    St. Louis Cardinals

    Lars Nootbaar is swinging the bat well and has taken over the five-hole against righties, platooning with Nelson Velazquez in left field. Blaze Jordan has started every game since being called up on June 12, usurping the hot corner from Nolan Gorman. Joshua Baez remains at Triple-A without a clear everyday role, but he's a must-watch for a call-up this summer.

    Tampa Bay Rays

    Chandler Simpson has fallen from leadoff to the bottom half of the lineup. Yandy Díaz is back to hitting first as a result, while Cedric Mullins has slid into the three-hole against right-handers. Austin Slater has joined the big-league club and starts against all lefties.

    Texas Rangers

    Wyatt Langford bats third against RHP and leadoff vs. lefties. Joc Pederson takes over leadoff against righties, as he has since May 12. Alejandro Osuna has taken over center field with Evan Carter sidelined.

    Toronto Blue Jays

    Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his fourth homer of the season on Thursday. This lineup badly needs him to heat up power-wise. Kazuma Okamoto's 15 homers are more than double the next-highest total on the team. George Springer has yet to play the field this season, tracking toward UTIL-only eligibility in 2027.

    Washington Nationals

    Curtis Mead is still sitting against some righties, but he bats second or third whenever he starts and often comes off the bench otherwise. Dylan Crews was recalled on May 19 and has sat just two games when healthy since then.

    Should the Phillies Join the Bunt Parade?

    PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 05: Justin Crawford #2 of the Philadelphia Phillies bunts during the game against the Athletics on May 5, 2026 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

    I bought a pocket radio recently. Although it’s posed a few problems (reception for my favorite station is a bit shaky), it’s been a real joy to have it. It really doesn’t offer any advantages over streaming the stations digitally, but there’s something charming about it, a tactile satisfaction in tuning it manually and hearing the voices emerge from the static. I sometimes use it to listen to baseball, of course, but I’m not yet the sort of nerd who brings his radio to the ballpark (though I will be as soon as I get around to buying earbuds that’ll work with it). That sort of appreciation for the old-fashioned and analog is growing, as anyone in the vinyl record business has noted. A similar appreciation for the joys of yesteryear is developing in baseball; it turns out that our delightfully crotchety and nostalgic sport can become even more so. You see, the bunt is back.

    As Ben Clemens of FanGraphs recently noted, 2026 is the Year of the Bunt. Bunts are more common than they’ve been in years, and teams are getting an unusually large amount of value from those bunts. That’s in part the result of teams figuring out how best to deploy them. As Clemens noted, bunts with a runner on first, the other bases empty, and no outs, remain unfashionable, like Jell-O salads, but bunts in situations where you can get some real benefit from them are like vintage jeans— increasingly in demand.

    The Phillies, however, have not joined this trend (all stats prior to Friday’s games). They’ve attempted just nine bunts this season, the second-least in baseball, and laid down just three of them for hits; only two teams have fewer. Contrast with the Rays, who lead baseball with a whopping 56 attempts and 21 hits. The Rays braintrust is famously savvy; if they think bunts are the future, there’s good reason to believe it (though this point may be a bit less effective for this audience, given that Phillies fans are reminded of one of the Rays’ most infamous errors in judgment every fifth game). Tampa Bay is an outlier; the median number of bunt attempts this season is 22, and the median for bunt hits is 7. Still, that puts the Phillies decidedly behind average.

    The tiny number of bunts attempted so far means that any attempt to explore how good the Phillies are at bunting is going to fall prey to small sample size. Still, we can note that their success rate on bunts is 33.3%, which puts them squarely in the middle of the pack. The lion’s share of the Phillies’ bunt attempts and successes have come from Justin Crawford, who has two hits on four tries. The other bunt hit came from Brandon Marsh, in his lone try. Bryson Stott and Garrett Stubbs both tried twice, to no avail. No other Phillies have attempted to bunt.

    Of the Phillies who have joined Bunt Club this year, Brandon Marsh probably shouldn’t renew his membership. He’s pretty fast (74th percentile sprint speed), and solid at bunting (7 for 22 in his career) but he’s hitting well enough that there’s probably no need for him to lay down more. Bryson Stott might want to give it a whirl, though. Unsurprisingly for someone with his above-average speed, he’s good at bunting, having turned half of the 18 bunts in play across his career into hits. In the midst of a down season at the plate (.235/.291/.393, 87 wRC+), a successful bunt here and there would help him add more to the team’s offense. The same can be said of Justin Crawford, whose blazing sprint speed (96th percentile) no doubt explains why he’s bunted more often this season than any other Phillie.

    What about the Phillies who haven’t attempted any bunts so far, though? Most obviously shouldn’t try it; they’re either not fast enough, or would be better off just swinging. But there is one candidate who should perhaps ask if bunting is right for him. When you think about it, it is somewhat odd that the fastest Phillie hasn’t attempted a bunt this season. Actually, he hasn’t attempted a bunt at all since 2019. Said fastest Phil would be Trea Turner, of course. As the fastest player on the team, and the fifth-fastest in baseball this season, he’s got the legs for it (the fastest, if you were wondering, is the fittingly and marvelously named Henry Bolte, of the peripatetic Athletics). And he’s done well with bunting in the past. He’s converted 9 bunts into hits out of 15 he’s put into play. 14 of those attempts came in 2018. He had no bunts at all in the first four seasons of his career. I assume that the explanation for the sudden change in 2018 lies with a managerial change: Dave Martinez took over for Washington that year and presumably put that strategy into place. I don’t know why it was suddenly abandoned afterwards; perhaps Turner was hitting well enough that the Nats felt it wasn’t necessary to do it anymore.

    But, unfortunately, he is not hitting well this season. With a .223/.274/.334 slash line, Turner has struggled mightily with the bat. Bunting isn’t going to be a solution to that: even if deployed frequently and successfully, it won’t change the larger picture at the plate. Still, Turner’s speed makes the bunt an arrow in his quiver, and thus that of the Phillies. If Trea Turner were born a few generations earlier, he’d have been bunting all the time. The fact that he was born in a bunt-shy era, though, certainly doesn’t mean he has to avoid it. You can live in the modern day and still appreciate the pastimes that are, or at least seem to be, truly past. At least that’s what I tell myself before dropping $45 on a new record.

    Luke Weaver and the Mets’ bullpen continue to get it done

    Jun 7, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Luke Weaver (30) throws a pitch during the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images | David Frerker-Imagn Images

    The New York Mets’ bullpen has been a stable force for an otherwise disappointing club, and Thursday night in Philadelphia was no different.

    Led by Luke Weaver’s continued scoreless inning streak and another save from Devin Williams, the bullpen backed up starter Sean Manaea to secure a 6-4 victory. The win was an example of what this bullpen is capable of when given a chance to protect a lead.

    Weaver is in the midst of a career-best and MLB-leading 20-inning shutout streak that dates back to May 1. His current ERA (2.25) and WHIP (0.90) are at career lows, while the bullpen as a whole has been above league average.

    Focusing almost exclusively on his fastball, changeup, and cutter, Weaver is using his changeup at a career-high rate. The result has been the lowest hard-hit and sweet-spot rates of his career.

    A viral moment waiting to happen, Weaver has been the best offseason acquisition for the Mets’ front office, and he’s one of the few that hasn’t elicited groans from the Queens faithful. The bullpen is maybe the only portion of the roster that’s clearly improved over last year’s team that missed the playoffs.

    At the end of New York’s brutal 12-game losing streak in April, Weaver offered perhaps the quote of the year in his postgame interview with SNY’s Steve Gelbs. A statement he’s been able to back up in resounding fashion.

    “Look, people smell fear. I’m not the biggest guy in the room, but I ain’t scared of nobody,” he said. “That’s the attitude I try to take, and if I screw up, it’s on me, but at the end of the day I’m going to sleep at night, and I’m going to feel good about the effort I put in.”

    As solid as Weaver has been, he might not even be the Mets’ best reliever. According to WAR, that would be Huascar Brazobán, who has done everything the coaching staff has asked of him. Opening games for struggling starters, or coming in late with runners on, Brazobán’s hard-hit rate is in the 99th percentile, even better than Weaver’s.

    Williams has had some ups and downs in the closer role, including Thursday night, where he gave up a run and allowed the winning batter to the plate before notching his 11th save of the season. Another offseason addition, Williams has posted scoreless outings in 15 of his last 18 appearances.

    New York has enjoyed depth beyond Weaver, Brazobán, and Williams. AJ Minter hasn’t given up a run in his first eight innings since returning from elbow surgery, while Austin Warren has a 2.63 ERA across a career-high 27.1 innings pitched. Brooks Raley had been able to stay healthy and effective despite being in his age-38 season.

    The Mets can count on Weaver and the bullpen, but will they feel that way about the rest of the squad before it’s too late, if it’s not already? Getting a win in the series opener against the Phillies is helpful. Maybe take this series, go after the up-and-down Cubs, then rinse and repeat against Philadelphia at home as June winds down. It sounds simple, but it’s been so hard for this Mets squad to go on a run. If they ever do, this bullpen will be a big reason why.

    2026 MLB Draft Preview: Hunter Dietz

    Arkansas Razorbacks' Hunter Dietz (32) pitches the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala. on Friday, April 3, 2026. | Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

    2026 MLB Draft Preview: Hunter Dietz scouting report.

    The 2026 is about a month away — the first round kicks off on July 11, 2026 — so its time to start offering capsule looks at players the Texas Rangers could select with their top picks. The Rangers’ first round pick is at #16, their second round pick is at #54, and their third round pick is at #89.

    Leading up to draft day, we will be doing writeups of some of the players who could end up getting selected by the Rangers with one of their first three picks. Today we are looking at University of Arkansas lefthanded pitcher Hunter Dietz.

    Hunter Dietz is a 6’6”, 235 lb. lefthanded pitcher who just wrapped up his junior year at the University of Arkansas. As a high schooler coming out of Calvary Christian High School in Clearwater, Florida, in 2023, he was seen as a potential top five round selection, but went undrafted due to signability issues. Dietz barely pitched his freshman and sophomore seasons due to injury issues, but was part of the Razorback rotation this year.

    Dietz is a great big guy who throws his fastball in the mid-90s, touching 98. He has a cutter that touches 90 which MLB Pipeline describes as plus, and which Keith Law says is his best pitch. He also throws a slider and a curveball, which are also see as potential plus pitches. His stuff this season was described as “elite” by Baseball America and “spectacular” by MLB Pipeline.

    After facing seven batters his freshman year and seven batters his sophomore year, he threw 11 innings over seven games in the Cape Cod League last summer, striking out 13 batters and walking 12. This year, he logged 85 innings over 16 starts for Arkansas, with a 3.57 ERA, 131 Ks and 31 walks.

    Baseball America has Dietz at #41 on their board. MLB Pipeline has Dietz at #15 on their board. Kiley McDaniel puts Dietz at #24 on his top 150 list. Keith Law’s rankings have Dietz at #13 on his board. Fangraphs does not have Dietz on their board. Baseball Prospectus doesn’t have Dietz on their top 30 draft board.

    In the June 8 Baseball America mock draft, Carlos Collazo has Dietz going to the Red Sox at #20, and also mentions him in connection with several teams before that, including the Rangers. The BA staff draft on June 15 has Dietz going to the Phillies at #36. Jim Callis’s June 4 mock draft has Dietz at #23 to the Cubs. Jonathan Mayo’s June 11 mock draft has Dietz to Boston at #20. Jim Callis’s June 18 mock draft has Dietz going to the Brewers at #25, but mentions him as a possibility as high as the Rockies at #10. Keith Law’s May mock draft has Dietz going to the Marlins at #14. Law’s June 10 mock draft also has the Marlins at #14 taking Dietz. Kiley McDaniel’s May 29 mock draft has Dietz going to the Kansas City Royals at #30. Kiley McDaniel’s June 18 mock draft does not include Dietz.

    As you can see, there’s a big spread in where folks have Dietz ranked and where they see him going. He was referenced as a possibility in the back half of the top ten in a couple of the mock drafts, while other mocks, as you can see, don’t have him in the first round at all.

    In what has been a recurring theme with our profiles so far, if Dietz had been healthy during his college career, he’d probably be off the board when the Rangers are picking. The lack of track record and the injury history is worrisome, and, as with several others, what the medicals show when he’s at the Combine will be significant.

    Dietz has the build, stuff and repertoire to be a mid-rotation starter, and possibly better if he continues to tick up. His workload would need to be managed early on as a professional, and the injury risk is real, but the upside he offers would make him an intriguing gamble at 16.

    Previously:

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    Cooper Harris

    Justin Lebron

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    Zuby Ejiofor is built for the dirty work, making him a perfect fit for the Sixers

    WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 27: Zuby Ejiofor #24 of the St. John's Red Storm celebrates after a dunk against the Duke Blue Devils during the Sweet Sixteen round game of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at Capital One Arena on March 27, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images

    For the next month before the 2026 NBA Draft, we’ll take an in-depth look at different prospects here at Liberty Ballers and try to figure out which players would be the best fit for the Sixers at No. 22. Next up in this series is St Johns’ Zuby Ejiofor.

    Ejiofor quietly put together one of the more impressive senior seasons in the country at St. John’s, emerging as one of the better defensive anchors in college basketball and a legitimate NBA prospect in the process. He was not a household name heading into the year, but his combination of length, motor and playmaking ability for a big made him impossible to ignore by the end of it. Most mocks have him going somewhere in the late first to early second round, but for a Sixers team that needs physicality, rebounding and energy off the bench, he is worth keeping a close eye on as the draft approaches.

    Profile

    2023-24 Stats: 37 games, 30 minutes, 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 2.1 blocks, 53.6% FG, 30.5% 3P, 71.8% FT

    Team: St Johns

    Year: Senior

    Position: PF/C

    Height & Weight: 6’7.5” | 245 lbs

    Born: April 20, 2004 (22 years old)

    Hometown: Garland, Texas

    Strengths

    Ejiofor’s calling card is his defense, and it is not close. His combination of lateral quickness and a 7’2″ wingspan allows him to credibly guard one through five, switching onto guards on the perimeter without getting eaten alive and protecting the rim against bigger bodies. That kind of positional versatility is exactly what modern NBA rosters are built around. He anchored the St. John’s defense this past season, averaging 2.1 blocks per game and posting a 4.9 Defensive Box Plus/Minus, numbers that reflect just how disruptive he is as a rotational shot-alterer on and off the ball.

    His rebounding is equally impressive. He crashes the glass with an elite offensive rebounding rate driven by instincts, motor and length rather than size alone. The effort and instincts are there regardless of the matchup.

    Despite boasting impressive defensive intangibles, his playmaking ability is what really sets Ejiofor apart from other athletic, high-energy bigs. His comfort putting the ball on the floor and finding open teammates is a genuine differentiator. He averaged a career-best 3.5 assists per game as a senior, functioning well in dribble-handoff actions and short-roll situations, reading the floor and finding cutters reliably. Most players in his archetype are catch-and-finish guys. Ejiofor has shown flashes of something more, even leading St. John’s in assists for the season.

    As a finisher, he is efficient and decisive. He converts around 54% of his field goals overall, operates at 97% accuracy on dunks, and finishes close-range attempts at a 59% clip. He does not need plays drawn up for him to be productive.

    His combine showing in Chicago helped his cause. He shot the ball well enough to plant a seed of doubt in scouts who had written off his offensive range, and his athletic testing backed up everything the tape suggested about his mobility and explosiveness.

    Weaknesses

    At 6’7.5″ barefoot, Ejiofor lives in the tweener space that might make NBA teams nervous. He is not a true center against physical fives, and his wingspan only covers so much ground when a bigger body has established post position. That size gap shows up most in heavy traffic rebounding situations where length alone cannot compensate.

    As a four, the questions shift to whether he can consistently guard faster perimeter players away from the basket without losing his defensive edge. His versatility is his calling card, but tweener bigs can be exposed quickly at the NBA level when matchups get uncomfortable or a team runs a switch-heavy scheme. That said, the league has been trending bigger and longer for years now, which makes the tweener label at least somewhat subjective depending on who you ask.

    One of the bigger focal points offensively is his lack of floor spacing. He shot around 31% from three on low volume in college, making him a reluctant shooter that defenses can afford to sag off. Without that perimeter threat, his presence in the half-court can tighten the paint for teammates and limit offensive flow around him when the ball isn’t in his hands.

    He is best used as a finisher off rolls, cuts, and put-backs rather than someone you can run plays for when things slow down. He tends to back defenders down and work out of the post rather than operating as a vertical threat, which means longer and more athletic rim protectors can give him trouble when he is trying to generate his own look. That is a fine role, but it puts a ceiling on how much he can be asked to do. Teams drafting Ejiofor need to be clear-eyed about what they are getting: a high-floor, ready-now backup big who can impact winning immediately, but likely within a defined lane.

    Positional Fit

    Ejiofor projects most naturally as a backup center or small-ball five, though his tweener size ensures the positional conversation will follow him into draft night. The jumper is ultimately the variable that determines how the position question gets answered. If it develops into even a passable perimeter threat, defenses have to respect him on the floor and the positional limitations become far less relevant. If it does not, he risks getting squeezed out of the four by more switchable wings and out of the five by bigger, more physical bodies. How his skills translate are a real question, but his physical tools, athleticism and motor might make up for a lot of his deficiencies early on. In the right system, Ejiofor can carve out a role from day one with room to grow.

    Draft Projection

    Ejiofor’s draft projection ranges quite a bit, with the higher end sitting in the mid-to-late first round, putting him right in line with where the Sixers are selecting at 22. Most mock drafts have him going in the late first round to a handful of contenders such as the Celtics, Cavaliers, Timberwolves and Nuggets. Ejiofor would slot in nicely with any of these teams, who are all in need of a versatile defensive big alongside their established talent.

    Cubs roster move: Moisés Ballesteros optioned, Justin Dean recalled

    Justin Dean in the field for the Cubs during Spring Training 2026 | | Getty Images

    Moisés Ballesteros had an excellent start to his 2026 season, serving mostly as the Cubs designated hitter. Over his first 25 games this year, “Mo Baller” batted .387/.435/.710 (24-for-62) with five doubles, five home runs, 16 RBI and 12 runs scored.

    Unfortunately, he then went into an extended slump. Since that great start he’s batting just .128/.217/.170 (12-for-94) with one home run and 24 strikeouts in 34 games.

    The Cubs quietly optioned Ballesteros to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday’s off day, per the team’s transactions page.

    To replace Ballesteros on the 26-man active roster, outfielder Justin Dean was recalled from Iowa Friday.

    Dean is 29 and a career minor leaguer who played in 18 regular season games for the Dodgers last year, mostly as a defensive replacement and pinch-runner (only two plate appearances). He also played in 13 games for the Dodgers in last year’s postseason, all as a pinch-runner or defensive replacement.

    You might recall this play from Game 6 of the 2025 World Series [VIDEO].

    That’s Dean in center field for the Dodgers, putting his arms up to indicate the ball hit by Addison Barger of the Blue Jays was stuck in the wall. That prevented Toronto from scoring a run on that play, and the Dodgers eventually won the game (and the World Series).

    Dean wore uniform No. 1 for the Cubs in Spring Training this year and I assume he’ll continue to wear it when he makes his Cubs debut. Oddly enough, if he plays this weekend, that Cubs debut will be against the Blue Jays.

    As for Ballesteros, he absolutely has the talent to hit at the major league level. The league appears to have adjusted to him and now he’ll have to make adjustments himself. I believe he’ll do so and will be back at some point later this season.

    As always, we await developments.

    Why not another year of Eugenio Suárez?!

    SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 08: Eugenio Suarez #28 of the Cincinnati Reds blows a bubble-gum bubble during the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on June 08, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

    This week’s MLB Reacts question may well feature a classic case of striking while the iron is hot. Maybe, just maybe, we’ll look back on it later as an example of being irrationally exuberant at precisely the wrong time.

    Either way, this week we got some pretty definitive results!

    On Tuesday, we laid out the case that the projected roster of the Cincinnati Reds in 2027 sure looked like it could use a thumper, a big bat capable of playing corner infield defense given the holes existing both on their roster as-is as well as on the farm behind it. We also highlighted that in Eugenio Suárez, they’ve already got a franchise icon who is capable of providing just about all of that, whose mutual option for next year could maybe be reworked into a contract for the 2027 season.

    Of course, we also asked that the morning after Geno socked a pair of homers – one a grand slam – while driving in 6 runs in a 12-0 rout of the New York Mets. The timing seemed impeccable for some classic Geno love, and that’s precisely what happened.

    70% of respondents thought bringing back Geno for the 2027 was a good idea!

    In the two games since that two-homer night, Geno has gone 0 for 8 with 5 Ks. He’s hitting .212/.274/.376 on the season (a .651 OPS), with just 7 homers and 25 RBI through 47 games played. Baseball Reference values him at -0.5 bWAR, and FanGraphs concurs (-0.5 fWAR), and his 35th birthday is almost exactly one month away.

    Perhaps we’d get a markedly different result here if we’d asked on just about any other day of the 2026 season. But this week, after Monday’s game, it’s clear that Geno once again endeared himself to the Cincinnati Reds faithful, who wouldn’t mind seeing him back in the uniform again next year.

    MLB Reacts is brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook.

    South Side Sox Reacts: The White Sox … win the World Series?!?

    Writer error (yeah, Brett’s wearing this one) prevented the issuance of our customary White Sox question this week (it concerned the area on the roster to strengthen at the trade deadline), so we’ll table it for a week from now. But that doesn’t mean you didn’t get your national surveys this week, with some fun questions to weigh in on!

    The first national question … was a bummer. But timely, given Rob Manfred’s announcement on Thursday that MLB owners would seek to slash the MLB draft to 12 rounds (and along with it the bonus pool) and instituting an international draft as well. Just as the White Sox are getting back to winning, ominous labor issues loom over the game. A majority — but frankly, not a big enough majority — anticipated pinning the blame on ownership, which is (always) the correct answer. Presumably, a South Side fan base voted anti-owner at a clip much bigger than 58%:

    The second national question was much more fun, albeit predictable. It’s not looking good — nor should it — for the American League this year:

    Bless you crazies who tabbed the White Sox to go all the way. You gotta figure that Every Single One of the White Sox support votes came from this very site. STUFF THE BALLOT BOX BABY!


    Did you miss out on this round of questions? No worry, sign up here to participate in our weekly emailed surveys, and have your White Sox voice be heard!

    This week’s Reacts is brought to you by FanDuel.

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

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    The St. Louis Cardinals are small road favorites in Kansas City, priced -120 on the moneyline.

    My Cardinals vs. Royals predictions and MLB picks see value in backing the Redbirds to come out on top in a high-scoring affair on Friday, June 19.

    Who will win Cardinals vs Royals today: Cardinals moneyline (-120)

    Neither starting pitcher inspires much confidence — both have red flags that suggest regression is coming — so I’ll defer to the offenses and bullpens, where the St. Louis Cardinals look better.

    They sit 14th in SLG and 13th in runs, while the Kansas City Royals rank outside the Top 20 in both categories.

    The Cardinals are 19th in bullpen FIP while the Royals are 29th, giving them a pitching advantage after the first handful of innings.

    I think the Cardinals deserve to be bigger favorites, and would back them on the moneyline up to -130.

    Covers COVERS INTEL:Seth Lugo has posted a 42.6% hard hit rate over the last 30 days, fifth-highest among today's projected starters.

    Cardinals vs Royals Over/Under pick: Over 9 (-115)

    Seth Lugo is sporting a 3.86 ERA despite a 5.30 xERA. He has gotten much better results than deserved, and the Cardinals are capable of bringing him back down to earth.

    They sit 10th in wOBA vs. right-handed pitching this month and will benefit from playing in a hitter-friendly park.

    The alarm bells are ringing for Michael McGreevy, whose 2.99 ERA masks that he ranks in the 10th percentile with a 5.58 xERA.

    Kansas City ranks sixth in wOBA against righties in June and has performed better at home all year.

    Play the Over to -130.

    Todd Cordell's 2026 Transparency Record
    • ML/RL bets: 34-27, -0.65 units
    • Over/Under bets: 32-27-2, +1.69 units

    Cardinals vs Royals weather

    Temperatures in the low 80s are expected with slight winds blowing out. The bats will see a small boost.

    Cardinals vs Royals odds

    • Moneyline: Cardinals -120 | Royals +100
    • Run line: Cardinals -1.5 (+140) | Royals +1.5 (-160)
    • Over/Under: Over 9 (-115) | Under 9 (-105)

    Cardinals vs Royals trend

    St. Louis has hit the team total Over in 24 of its last 35 away games (+11.45 units, 27% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Cardinals vs. Royals.

    How to watch Cardinals vs Royals and game info

    LocationKauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO
    DateFriday, June 19, 2026
    First pitch8:15 p.m. ET
    TVApple TV
    Cardinals starting pitcherMichael McGreevy
    (3-5, 2.99 ERA)
    Royals starting pitcherSeth Lugo
    (2-4, 3.86 ERA)

    Cardinals vs Royals latest injuries

    Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
    Not intended for use in MA.
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    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.

    What will Romy Gonzalez’s role be for the Red Sox?

    Romy Gonzalez began a rehab assignment at Double-A on Tuesday.

    Prior to the season, I outlined the impact of Romy Gonzalez’s injury, combined with the Red Sox letting Rob Refsnyder go to Seattle. I worried that the lineup would struggle against left-handers without both of them. I should have also added that the lineup would struggle against right-handers without both of them.

    Sure, Gonzalez’ .978 OPS in 143 plate appearances against lefties would be welcomed. But his explosive bat was pretty good against everybody a year ago. Romy hit .286 with a .718 OPS against right-handers a year ago. Of players with 100+ plate appearances this season, the only Red Sox with a higher OPS than .718 against all pitchers are Willson Contreras, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu. Outside of these three hitters, no one is owed anything in terms of playing time going forward. This lineup team is broken.

    He could return during the upcoming road trip, but should be back for the Yankees series on Thursday, at the latest. As Gonzalez embarked on his rehab assignment, manager Chad Tracy said, “With the power potential and the thump with the bat, we’ve got to get him involved.”

    How involved, though? Gonzalez played second base on Tuesday and designated hitter on Wednesday. Tracy mentioned they’ll work him in at first base in the minor leagues to be the backup to Contreras at first base. In my mind, Romy should be an everyday player. Mix him in at shortstop during the rehab, where he has played 117 MLB innings defensively, so that he can shift over there if Marcelo Mayer (.588 OPS) continues slumping.

    Additionally, who should be the corresponding move? Andruw Monasterio plays all of the same positions that Gonzalez does, and over the past 30 days, he’s slashing .194/.242/.355 with a 42.4% K-rate. The Red Sox are also carrying three catchers, who have a combined total of 2 home runs and 19 RBI in 329 plate appearances. One of whom is Connor Wong, whose last home run came on September 8th, 2024 (!!!), and still has an option remaining.

    A reminder that a year ago, Romy had the seventh best batting average (.305) in all of baseball, out of players with 300+ plate appearances.

    How often do you think Romy should play, and who should hit the road? Discuss in the comments, and be good to each other.

    Justice department says it will investigate MLB amid Pride hats controversy

    Landen Roupp was one of several players to write a Bible verse on their hats during the San Francisco Giants’ Pride Night game.Photograph: Scott Marshall/AP

    The US justice department has launched a civil rights investigation into Major League Baseball after the league criticized three San Francisco Giants players who wrote Bible verses on their hats during the team’s Pride Night.

    Most of MLB’s 30 teams celebrate Pride month with a themed game to acknowledge the LGBTQ community and its baseball fans. During a 12 June game against the Chicago Cubs, pitchers Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker wrote Bible verses on their hats, which featured the Giants’ logo in rainbow colors, while pitcher Sam Hentges chose not to wear the themed cap at all.

    MLB said in a statement on Monday that writing on hats “violates our rules, and consistent with normal practice, we have warned the players about future violations.”

    Related: Professional baseball team cancels game after players refuse to wear Pride jerseys

    On Thursday, assistant US attorney general Harmeet Dhillon wrote a letter to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred saying the justice department had referred the league to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to investigate whether the discipline amounts to religious discrimination.

    “The Civil Rights Act prohibits MLB and its franchises from unreasonably burdening the rights of players with religious objections to serving as the League’s vehicle for pro-Pride messages,” Dhillon said in the letter. “Federal law is clear: employers must modify their uniform requirements to reasonably accommodate their employees’ exercise of religion.”

    Dhillon called MLB’s decision to allow players to wear Black Lives Matter uniform patches in 2020 a “double standard”. Andrea Lucas, the EEOC chair, reposted Dhillon’s letter saying the agency could not confirm the existence of a charge or investigation without a court filing or public resolution, but added: “Rest assured, however, that EEOC is committed to protecting the religious liberty of all workers.”

    Roupp said after the Giants’ game last week that the decision to write on his cap was not malicious and that there was “no hate at all”. Hentges said he did not appreciate being told to wear the cap for a cause he did not “morally support”.

    After MLB’s warning to the Giants players, vice-president JD Vance weighed in on X, saying: “Trump won we don’t have to do this anymore”, referencing Pride hats. Republican senator Josh Hawley wrote a letter to Manfred voicing his concerns over what he termed a “pattern of discrimination” against Christian players.

    The league has said that its warning about writing on caps has nothing to do with the content of the message, and that it has sent the same warning for Mother’s Day messages and names of family members.

    The controversy over Pride nights is not new in baseball. In 2022, several members of the Tampa Bay Rays refused to wear the team’s rainbow-themed logos in “faith-based decisions”. This week, it extended beyond the majors, as the independent league York Revolution forfeited a game after some of its players refused to don the Pride Night jerseys.

    The Giants released a statement after their Pride Night saying they are “proud to support Pride Night and the LGBTQ community” while also respecting that “individuals may make personal choices about participating in team activations” and apologizing for the “pain and anger [of] many in the LGBTQ+ community”.

    San Francisco has a large LGBTQ population and holds an important place in the history of American LGBTQ rights. The director of the city’s Pride efforts told NBC Bay Area that the moment was painful for many Giants fans.

    “I hate that it’s dividing us, this time of year I hope that we’re unifying people,” said Suzanne Ford.

    “It’s so ludicrous that this story is being spun that Christians are being discriminated against,” she added.

    Bryce Harper and the Burden of Great Expectations

    Sunday Night Baseball is coming to Citizens Bank Park this week when the New York Mets take on the Phillies at 7:20 p.m. ET in a game that can be seen on NBC and Peacock. Both teams got off to slow starts this season, but the Phillies have turned things around and still have designs on a long October playoff run.

    And if that happens, one of the main reasons will be due to the play of their first baseman Bryce Harper. Harper has accomplished an almost impossible task: he has lived up to extraordinary expectations. He was perhaps the most hyped position-player prospect in history, certainly the most hyped in the last 30 years.

    Harper has outperformed expectations. Remember, he was a mega-star before his first major league plate appearance. He went from child prodigy (he skipped the final two years of high school to concentrate on his baseball development) to one of the game’s most enduring superstars.

    Harper was the first player selected in the June 2010 draft. He won the National League MVP Award in 2015 with a season that would fit in nicely on the back of Ted Williams’ or Barry Bonds’ baseball card. Harper would capture another NL MVP Award with a different team six years later in 2021. In 2022, Bryce won the NLCS MVP, leading the Phillies to the World Series.

    It is the middle of 2026—Bryce’s 15th season in MLB. It is his eighth season in Philadelphia, since signing his 13-year contract in early 2019. He’s on pace for a 35-homer season. He’s slugging .496. His OPS is .860, and his OPS+ is 133 (not far off from his career 142).

    I appreciate all of this.

    Aaron Judge: Born April 26, 1992: 385 HR
    Bryce Harper: Born October 16, 1992: 378 HR

    Harper is six months younger than Judge and has virtually the same amount of home runs. Judge does have one more piece of hardware: he has three MVPs, and Harper has two.

    If Harper compares to one of the greatest right-handed batters ever (Judge), he also compares quite favorably to one of the greatest left-handed batters—Barry Bonds.

    Through 7,000 PA
    Bryce HarperBarry Bonds
    (through 9/6/24)(through 6/19/97)
    5,858AB5,755
    332HR346
    1,026BB1,143
    1,647H1,651
    .281AVG.287
    .389OBP.405
    .521SLG.545
    .910OPS.950

    Through their first 7,000 plate appearances, Bonds had won three MVP awards, and Harper two. Bonds had slightly higher average, on-base, and slugging percentages, but it was all close. Clearly on Hall of Fame tracks.

    You know what happened to Bonds. He didn’t decline after 7,000 plate appearances. He did the opposite, to an extreme degree. Harper has followed a more natural projection.

    After their 7,000th PA
    Bryce HarperBarry Bonds
    816AB4,093
    46HR416
    .268AVG.314
    .365OBP.494
    .504SLG.694
    .869OPS1.187

    We should be celebrating Harper for being this good this far into his contract, this far into his career.

    The two contenders for the “Most Hyped Position Player” entering MLB the last 50 years besides Harper were probably Alex Rodriguez and Bo Jackson.

    Bo was out of baseball by the time he was 31, a victim of a damaged hip.

    Alex’s name was linked to steroid use and admitted in 2009 to taking a banned substance when he arrived in Texas as a free agent in 2001. His name was linked to Biogenesis, a company investigated for providing performance-enhancing substances to players. Arod received a 211-day suspension and missed the entire 2014 season. He has not received much support for the Hall of Fame despite superb statistics.
               
    That’s the pattern that most of these prodigies follow. There are only a few paths. One is that the journey ends prematurely, due to the body breaking down. Another, as we saw with Rodriguez and Bonds, is prolonged greatness aided by performance-enhancing substances. The third is inevitability, where a player performs to high expectations, and then has a natural regression.
               
    That’s Harper.
               
    Harper has hit 15 home runs this season, a 5.1 HR% that would be his highest since 2021. Assuming the 33-year-old plays only six more seasons after this one, let’s be conservative and give him 18 more this season to end 2026 with 395. Now, project him for only 2,400 more at-bats through 2031 and a 4.7% HR percentage. That gives him 112 more home runs, meaning he would finish with 507 home runs.
               
    That’s 500 home runs without being suspended or widely suspected of cheating. That’s 500 home runs and (at least) a couple of MVP seasons and deep playoff runs while coming back from broken thumbs and Tommy John surgery and hamstring injuries along the way.
               
    More fighting back time: Bryce this season is striking out less and walking more than his career averages. He is performing well in the eighth year of his 13-year deal, which is remarkable given the number of long-term contracts which don’t work out in the end. Harper started 2026 with a memorable game-tying home run in the World Baseball Classic. Will he end one with a memorable October blast?
               
    This weekend, Bryce will face the Mets, a familiar opponent as Harper has spent his entire career in the N.L. East. Harper has hit 40 home runs against the Mets. Is that a lot?

    MLB: Cincinnati Reds at Philadelphia Phillies

    May 19, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3) on deck against the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

    Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

    Most HR vs. Mets

    60 — Willie Stargell, HOF
    49 — Chipper Jones, HOF
    49 — Mike Schmidt, HOF
    48 — Willie McCovey, HOF
    48 — Ryan Howard
    45 — Hank Aaron, HOF
    42 — Pat Burrell
    40 — Bryce Harper

    Harper has hit home runs against some terrific Mets pitchers: Johan Santana, current teammate Zack Wheeler, Bartolo Colon, Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, Max Scherzer, and Edwin Diaz.

    ▶ A few Father’s Day connections between the Phillies and Mets

    It’s Father’s Day every Philadelphia Phillies game:

    Don Mattingly’s son Preston Mattingly is the general manager of the Phillies. It’s hard to imagine a father-son duo operating a team as GM-manager. Wait, the son is the boss of the father?
               

    It’s nice that the Mets play the Phils on Father’ Day:

    Phillies’ TV announcer Tom McCarthy’s son Pat McCarthy is a radio broadcaster for the New York Mets.

    The most memorable Phillies/Mets game played on Father’s Day:

    The Phillies and Mets played on Father's Day--also June 21--in 1964. It was memorable.

    Philadelphia's Jim Bunning pitched a perfect game--only the fifth all-time...the first in regular season play since 1922....the first in the National League since 1880.

    Jim Bunning of course was a Hall of Fame pitcher (224-184, 3.27). He was a sidearm pitcher, mostly for the Tigers and Phillies. When he retired, he was second on the all-time strikeout list (only to Walter Johnson). Following his baseball career, he became a member of the United States Senate (from Kentucky) from 1999-2011. He passed away in 2017 at the age of 85. 

    A great use of ChatGPT is to find out exactly how many times since 1964 has Father's Day been on June 21. 2026 will be only the ninth time (1970, 1981, 1987, 1992, 1998, 2009, 2015, 2020, and 2026).

    Can lightning strike twice on the same date with the same franchises? Where’s Benjamin Franklin when you need him?

    Editors’ Note: Elliott Kalb - dubbed “Mr. Stats” decades ago by Marv Albert and Bob Costas - is the former Senior Editorial Director at MLB Network and a longtime contributor of research and information to NBC Sports’ telecasts.

    Cavs final report card: Jarrett Allen

    NEW YORK, NY - MAY 21: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots a free throw during the game against the New York Knicks during Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on May 21, 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

    There is something to be said about a player who just goes out every night and does what you expect them to do. Jarrett Allen is one of those guys for the Cleveland Cavaliers, even in a year where he saw his shot-making efficiency take a slight dip. Nevertheless, it was another positive season for Allen on both ends of the floor. The question now, heading into the offseason, is whether he will be on the roster next season.

    Regular Season Stats

    • 15.4 points
    • 8.5 rebounds
    • 1.8 assists
    • 63.8% FG
    • 10% 3PT FG
    • 70.9% FT

    For the sixth-straight season in a Cavaliers uniform, Allen averaged at least 13 points and eight rebounds per game. His offensive game is what it always has been, a rim-runner and paint janitor that can be relied upon to get up for the routine dunker spot lob. He profiled as an ideal fit next to James Harden in the starting lineup, feasting on the excellent pick-and-roll passing chops of the Cavs’ point guard. Sure enough, Allen’s stats ballooned after Harden arrived in Cleveland to round out an otherwise excellent season.

    Prior to the Harden trade, Allen was having a fairly underwhelming regular season for his standards. The shot-making efficiency was below his usually elite standards, and the rebounds had taken a step back as well. Allen’s defense has always been at least good, if not elite on certain nights. After the All-Star break, Allen’s defense did pick up in a meaningful way — falling in line with what was a career month of February. In fact, in that month, Allen averaged 22.3 points per game on 74 percent shooting, adding 11.5 rebounds per game and more than a block per contest with nine double-doubles.

    Another ho-hum, solid season for the Cavs’ starting center, but the story will always go back to postseason performances. The lights were not too bright for Allen in these playoffs, as he scored in double-digits in 13 games and notched a double-double in three of those.

    If there was a knock on Allen this past season, it would be that he was available for only 56 games, down from the full 82 he played the year prior. That is the lowest number of games played for Allen since 2021-22, despite playing 27.1 minutes per game. But Allen was very good in the games he played.

    Allen’s future will be the big topic of the offseason for the Cavs, as his contract is excellent value and he has a very high floor with generally good activity on both ends. It is fair to wonder if Allen’s play this past season impacts the front office’s plans to reshape the roster. The Cavs could, and likely will, run things back with the front court of Allen and Evan Mobley. That would not be the worst thing in the world, especially if the Cavs get another season like they just did out of Allen. Based on his career stats and consistency, assume more of the same for next year.

    Grade: B+

    Astros Prospect Report: June 18th

    CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - JULY 24: Ethan Pecko #20 of the Corpus Christi Hooks pitches during the game between the Amarillo Sod Poodles and the Corpus Christi Hooks at Whataburger Field on Thursday, July 24, 2025 in Corpus Christi, Texas. (Photo by Vanessa Buentello/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)

    Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below. Check out the previous day’s recap here.

    AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (31-39) lost 3-2 (BOX SCORE)

    Pecko got the start for Sugar Land and was great going 7 innings allowing just 1 run while striking out 5 batters. The offense got on the board in the 7th on a Price walk. They took the lead in the 8th on a Salazar RBI triple. VanWey allowed a run in the 8th as the Isotopes tied it. The game went to extras and in the 10th inning, the Isotopes walked it off as Sugar Land fell 3-2.

    Note: Ferreras is hitting .468 in Triple-A.


    AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (30-36) lost 11-7 (BOX SCORE)

    Hicks started for the Hooks but ran into some trouble allowing 6 runs over 4.2 innings. The offense got on the board in the first inning on a Spence solo home run. In the 3rd, they scored 3 more runs on a Spence 2 run home run and Brutcher solo home run. Holy added a solo home run in the 4th. The offense got 2 runs back in the 7th on Spence and Brutcher RBI singles but the pen struggled allowing 5 more runs as the Hooks fell 11-7.

    Note: Spence is hitting .377 in June.


    A+: Asheville Tourists (17-48lost 3-2 (BOX SCORE)

    Oakes got the start but struggled allowing 2 runs while retiring just 2 batters. Asheville got on the board in the first inning on a Call sac fly. Carr relieved Oakes and went 4.1 innings allowing 1 run. In the bottom of the 5th, Call connected on a solo home run. Unfortunately the game was called after 5 innings due to rain as Asheville fell 3-2.

    Note: Nunez is hitting .386 in June.


    A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (32-33) won 9-4 (BOX SCORE)

    Shoemaker started for the Woodpeckers and allowed 1 run over 3.2 innings. The offense blew the game open in the third scoring 8 runs on a Flores 2 run home run, a run on an error, a Cauro RBI double, Ramirez 2 run double, Gomez RBI single and Huezo RBI single. Mathiesen and Cassedy were solid in relief allowing 1 run each. There was about a 2 hour rain delay but the Woodpeckers were able to hold on for the 9-4 win.

    Note: Cauro is hitting .310 this season.


    Today’s minor league starters:

    SL: Josh Hendrickson – 7:35 CT

    CC: Cole Hertzler – 7:05 CT

    AV: Parker Smith – 5:35 CT

    FV: TBD – 6:05 CT