ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 29: Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after hitting a two-run homer in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Truist Park on April 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Ozzie Albies Game was definitely played yesterday. There was his home run to take the lead. Then his error in the top of the next inning, which aided Milwaukee into BABIPing themselves into the lead. Then there was this home run to win the game in the ninth.
Ozzie describes this game as “one of his top two games” of his career. Well, that means he has another favorite game that is equal or greater than yesterday’s game. What is it then? An easy answer is Game 6 of the 2021 World Series. That one has a star on it in my book. But how does that World Championship game compare to a regular season game, even one that he had a big part of winning? I’m not sure it does, and I believe he is considering his personal highlights. Yesterday’s game that reminded me of this one was on August 11, 2021.
This game was one that the Braves had easily in hand, but allowed the Reds to tie the game late and take the lead in the eleventh inning. I remember having this game in the background as I was working day job tasks. The stadium had the energy of resignation, and the home run seemed to come from nowhere.
There’s also this wild game from June 8, 2023 with some other Mets killers in the booth. So what is Ozzie’s “top game”?
One specific area that the Blue Jackets should look to improve this off-season is their defensive depth. When looking at this year's pending unrestricted free agents, Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Ryan Shea stands out as an interesting potential target for them to consider.
When Sergei Bobrovsky decided that he didn’t want to play for the Columbus Blue Jackets any longer, fans were gutted. How could the best goalie to ever wear the Union Blue want to leave? He owns just about every organizational record there is for goalies, including games played, wins, goals-against, saves, shutouts, minutes played, and points scored.
First up will be the 2026 NHL buyout window. The first buyout period this year starts 48 hours after the Stanley Cup playoffs end. So, with Carolina ending it last night, clubs will start the process of figuring out if they wish to buy a player out, and that process must conclude by June 30th at 5pm ET.
According to BetMGM's odds, the CBJ are listed at +5000 to win the 2027 Stanley Cup. That's the 16th-best odds in the league. Other teams at +5000 are the Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers.
After being drafted 1st overall, Nash went on to sign his first NHL contract, a deal that was signed minutes before the deadline. That contract, at the time, was the most lucrative ever signed by an NHL rookie, valued at $1.2 million per season, with bonuses and incentives ranging from $8 million to $12 million.
When looking at this year's pending UFAs, one players who stands out as a potential option for the Blue Jackets to consider is Minnesota Wild forward Vladimir Tarasenko.
Adam Fantilli is the future of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and with him needing a new deal, many fans are worried that he won't get signed before July 1st, leading to an offer sheet that the CBJ won't be able to afford.
I'm here to tell you that there's nothing to worry about. At least, that's my humble opinion.
Former Columbus Blue Jackets forward and Cleveland Monsters Captain Ryan Craig has been promoted by the Vegas Golden Knights to be their next head coach. He replaces John Tortorella, who just took the VGK to the Stanley Cup Final. It was announced on June 16 that Tortorella would not be back to coach Vegas.
One way that the Blue Jackets could look to improve their group this summer is through free agency. There are some interesting pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs) who could hit the market on July 1, and one of them is Dallas Stars forward Michael Bunting.
"The league has completed its review of Mike Babcock's tenure in Columbus, and of certain alleged conduct associated therewith. Our investigation has concluded that, even in the light least favorable to Mr. Babcock, there is no current basis to restrict his employment in the league."
Everyone is the media expects and hopes GM Don Waddell does something to bolster the lineup. From trading up to trading down, to trading players, everything seems to be on the table.
When looking at this year's pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs), one player who could be an intriguing addition to the Blue Jackets' roster is Seattle Kraken forward Eeli Tolvanen.
The Blue Jackets have announced that they have signed defenseman Corson Ceulemans to a one-year, two-way contract extension. At the NHL level, the 6-foot-2 defenseman will have an $850,000 cap hit. He will have an AHL salary of $95,000.
Jake Christiansen has a lot to prove next season if he wants to remain a member of the CBJ. He'll be a UFA at the end of 26-27, and will be playing for his future.
Next Up For Columbus: The NHL Draft is on June 26 and 27 in Buffalo, where the CBJ will own pick #14.
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 15: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during Round Two Game Six of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 15, 2026 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Most of the time when we run these SB Nation Reacts polls at Canis Hoopus, I have a pretty good idea where the results are headed before the votes even start rolling in. It is a product of spending time in the comments section, and understanding the mood of Wolves Nation. There are certain questions where the answer feels almost preordained.
This week, though, I was caught a little off guard. Not necessarily by the winner, because the answer makes a painful amount of sense. What surprised me was the margin. We asked the Canis Hoopus faithful what the biggest thing standing between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the 2027 NBA title is, and the options were legitimate. We listed real, championship-level threats.
There was Oklahoma City, sitting there like the league’s fully weaponized basketball laboratory. The Thunder have the two-time league MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a championship already tucked into their belt, a roster that plays with relentless intensity, and more assets than just about anyone else in the league to keep tinkering, adjusting, and improving. They are young, loaded, battle-tested, and somehow still positioned to get better.
There was San Antonio, the team that ended Minnesota’s season in the second round and then kept right on moving. The Spurs are the reigning Western Conference champions, led by Victor Wembanyama. He headlines a young core that is still learning, still growing, and already ahead of schedule. That is the scary part. The Spurs were not supposed to be this far along this quickly, and yet there they were, sending the Wolves home and announcing that their timeline may not care about anyone else’s plans.
And then there were the newly crowned NBA champion New York Knicks, who now stand at the top of the league with Minnesota’s former franchise star Karl-Anthony Towns and the impossible-to-rattle Jalen Brunson leading the way. The Knicks did what the Timberwolves could not do. They took down San Antonio convincingly in the NBA Finals, winning the title and putting an end to one of the longest droughts in professional sports. That team is not going anywhere either. They have toughness, identity, star power, and the kind of championship validation that turns confidence into something more dangerous. If the Wolves can claw their way through the Western Conference gauntlet, there is every chance New York could be waiting on the other side.
Those are three extremely legitimate answers. Any one of them would have made sense. You could have voted Thunder, Spurs, or Knicks and defended the choice without breaking a sweat. But according to Wolves fans, none of those teams represented the biggest threat to Minnesota’s title hopes.
Neither did injuries, which is a little remarkable considering injuries absolutely helped cripple the Wolves this past postseason. Anthony Edwards was dealing with two bad knees. Naz Reid had the shoulder issue. Ayo Dosunmu was slowed by the calf. And most significantly for next season, Donte DiVincenzo will be recovering from a ruptured Achilles, leaving a major question mark hanging over Minnesota’s rotation before the 2026-27 season even begins. Ant, Naz, and Ayo’s issues should theoretically improve with an offseason of rest and recovery. DiVincenzo’s injury is different. Donte is not walking through that door in October ready to pick up where he left off. Whether Wolves fans see him at all next season remains very much up in the air, and even if he does return, it is fair to wonder when he will look anything like the version of himself this team expected to have.
For those who have watched DiVincenzo closely over the last two seasons, his absence cannot simply be waved away. It is easy to look at his role statistically and convince yourself that Minnesota can paper over the loss with Dosunmu, more minutes for others, or some clever reshuffling from Chris Finch. But Donte’s value was never just the box score. It was the toughness. It was the willingness to dive across the floor for a loose ball in January. It was the hustle plays, the defensive pressure, the edge, the three-point shooting, and the little bursts of energy that helped raise the team’s temperature when things started to drift. Anyone who thinks losing that will not matter does not fully understand what he brought to this roster. Going to war without the Big Ragu puts the Wolves behind the eight ball before the first game has even tipped.
And still, even with all of that, the injury bug was not the top answer.
No, Canis Hoopus voters overwhelmingly declared that the biggest thing standing between the Timberwolves and the 2027 NBA title is the Timberwolves themselves. When I put that option in the poll, I will admit, it was at least partially tongue-in-cheek. But the more you sit with it, the more obvious it becomes that the answer was not a joke at all. It was probably the most accurate option on the board.
If you understand this roster, if you have watched the Wolves at their best, you know there is enough talent here to compete with anyone. That is what makes the frustration so intense. This is not a team trying to convince itself it belongs in the conversation. This is not a scrappy overachiever hoping to steal a round. The Timberwolves have a top-tier superstar, elite defenders, versatile bigs, real depth, and enough shot-making to run with the best teams in the league when everything is connected. They have already proven they can beat Denver. They have shown they can hang with Oklahoma City. They took games from San Antonio despite being compromised. The ceiling is not imaginary. We have seen it. That is why the floor stings so much.
It starts, of course, with Anthony Edwards. He will be 25 when next season tips off, right on the doorstep of his prime, and at some point the conversation has to shift from what Ant might become to what Ant is willing to demand from himself and everyone around him. He has been through multiple NBA seasons now. He has played in multiple long postseason runs. He has seen what happens when a team tries to flip the switch too late. He has felt the physical toll of getting to the Conference Finals and the emotional toll of coming up short when the path is sitting right there in front of you.
A fully mature, fully locked-in Anthony Edwards may very well be the most dangerous weapon the NBA has to offer. That is not hyperbole. When he combines his athleticism, shot-making, defensive force, playmaking growth, and competitive fire, there are very few players in the league who can match the total package. The question is whether that version shows up consistently over 82 games and four playoff rounds. Is next season the year Ant stops saving his highest engagement level for the biggest opponents and starts setting the tone every night? Is this the year he stops drifting into hero-ball possessions when the offense bogs down and instead learns how to manipulate the entire floor like the best postseason performers do? Has the pain of the last few playoff exits burned into him what it actually takes to win a championship, not just in moments, but as a daily standard?
That is the next step. Not another highlight. Not another fourth-quarter explosion that makes everyone remember why he is special. The next step is leadership through consistency. It is setting the temperature in November so the team is not scrambling to rediscover its identity in April. It is understanding that the regular season is not a chore to endure, but the place where habits are built. It is realizing that the great ones do not simply rise to the moment; they prepare so relentlessly that the moment has no choice but to meet them.
Then there is Julius Randle, assuming he remains on the roster. There may not be a more fascinating, maddening, and important swing piece on this team. When Randle is right, he gives Minnesota something it desperately needs: a second offensive force who can create his own shot, bully smaller defenders, punish mismatches, and draw attention that opens the floor for everyone else. Peak Julius is not some theoretical concept. We have seen it. There are nights when he looks like exactly the kind of co-star Edwards needs, a bruising, playmaking, downhill force who makes the Wolves more physical and more difficult to guard.
But the issue has never been whether Randle can reach that level. The issue is whether he can live there often enough. Can he get out of his own way? Can he avoid the moodiness, the inconsistency, the possessions where the ball sticks and the offense turns into a wrestling match against five defenders? Can he be the reliable second option this team needs rather than a nightly mystery box? The Wolves do not need Randle to be perfect. They need him to be dependable. They need the version that wears opponents down, rebounds with force, defends with engagement, and understands that his greatest value comes when he is not trying to prove everything on one possession.
Jaden McDaniels faces a different kind of challenge. We saw against Denver what it looks like when Jaden turns defense into a personal vendetta. There were stretches where he looked like he was trying to remove Jamal Murray from the concept of basketball. That version of McDaniels is terrifying. The question is whether he can bring that edge night after night over the long grind of the regular season. Can he turn that playoff defensive intensity into an 82-game reign of terror on opposing offenses? Can he pair it with enough offensive aggression to punish teams that ignore him, get to his spots, and avoid becoming a corner statue waiting for the occasional kick-out three?
That matters because the Wolves are not at their best when Jaden is simply a defensive specialist. They are at their best when he is a two-way problem. When he is defending the other team’s best perimeter player on one end and then attacking with confidence on the other, Minnesota’s ceiling rises dramatically. He does not need to become a 22-point-per-game scorer. He needs to be assertive enough that opponents cannot treat him like a passenger.
The broader question is whether the entire team can finally get off the roller coaster. That was the theme of last season, and frankly, of too many stretches before it. The Wolves would look like a championship team one night and then spend the next game wandering around aimlessly. They would build a lead, then act personally offended by the idea of maintaining it. They would put an opponent on the ropes and then inexplicably step back, allowing the other team to breathe, regroup, and punch back.
That cannot be who this team is if it wants to win a championship. The small plays have to become non-negotiable. Rebounds. Rotations. Closeouts. Free throws. Taking care of the ball. Not letting a 14-point lead become a two-point game because everyone decided to chuck threes and stop defending. Not treating lower-tier opponents like optional homework. If the Wolves want a top seed, and they should, it cannot be because someone tells them home court is important. It has to come from pride, from competitiveness, from the desire to build habits that survive the playoffs.
Because yes, the Wolves have proven they do not need a top seed to win a series. They have won on the road, they have won as underdogs, and they have survived hostile environments. But that does not mean seeding does not matter. It does not mean habits do not matter. It does not mean you can sleepwalk through half the regular season and assume the best version of yourself will magically appear when the lights get brighter. The postseason exposes whatever you have been all year. If you have spent six months cutting corners, eventually the bill comes due.
That is why the poll result hit harder than expected. Wolves fans are not saying Oklahoma City is not dangerous or that San Antonio is not terrifying. They are saying that the Timberwolves already have enough to make the fight real. They are saying this team’s greatest obstacle is not talent. It is execution. It is maturity. It is consistency. It is whether the Wolves can finally stop being their own worst enemy long enough to become the team they have teased us with for the last three years.
Tim Connelly can and should make tweaks. The point guard situation still needs attention. DiVincenzo’s absence creates a real hole. The roster can be sharpened. There are moves that could matter enormously. But this is not a team that needs to be saved from itself by one massive transaction. The bones of a contender are already here. The superstar is here. The defensive infrastructure is here. The playoff experience is here. The question is whether the lessons have actually sunk in.
So when the summer ends, when the standings reset, when the new uniforms are hanging in the locker room and the Wolves get another crack at this thing, we will find out what kind of team they want to be. Are they going to sleepwalk through the regular season again, bide their time, flip the switch when they feel like it, and hope April adrenaline can cover up six months of bad habits? Or are they going to show up from the opening tip and announce that something has changed? That they have grown up. That they have had enough of almost.
In the end, that is what stands between the Timberwolves and true title contention. Not SGA. Not Wembanyama. Not Brunson. Not even the injury gods, cruel as they can be. The biggest obstacle is the man in the mirror, the nightly choice between discipline and drift, between maturity and excuses, between being a team that talks about championship standards and one that actually lives them.
The Wolves have the talent to win the title.
Now they have to decide if they are willing to become the team that does.
The NBA season may be over, but FanDuel Sportsbook has you covered for all of your betting needs, including the NBA draft and 2026-27 season futures. Wolves +3300 for the title, anyone?
Bryse Wilson of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs delivers a pitch during a Minor League Baseball game at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, United States, on May 22, 2026. (Photo by Dan Squicciarini/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
On Monday, the Phillies are going to try some things with their fifth starter’s spot.
Phillies, for now, are going with TBA as their Monday starter in Washington. That is when they'll unveil the plan for the No. 5 spot. Could be Alan Rangel. Could be Bryse Wilson. Could be you.
Outside of the possibility that a mere fan could walk onto the field and start hurling whatever assortment of junk he/she could think of at James Wood, the Phillies will be showing their hand as to their plans. Maybe they’ll give Bryse Wilson another crack at the job, maybe it’ll be Rangel.
Maybe it’ll be the vaunted “bullpen game”, with one of these two names acting as the bulk man for the game.
In your eyes, what’s the ideal thing for the Phillies to do? The purist in me wants a starter, whether that be Wilson or Rangel, to start the game and give them an actual start, but if they deem a bullpen game to be the option, who am I to judge?
The St. Louis Cardinals surpassed expectations for the first third of the season but things have gone back towards that low baseline in recent weeks. With minimal support brought in to help a makeshift starting rotation, it should not be surprise that the holdovers from the previous season have been pretty much as anticipated. Outside of Dustin May, the rest of the staff has been passable at best but are becoming a cause for concern in the unexpected competitive season in St. Louis.
In this fact-finding season, a rotation overhaul is unlikely outside of a May trade, but there are plenty of arms deserving of a look at the major league level so they can start to find their place within the organization’s future plans. This means that pitchers like Kyle Leahy and Matthew Liberatore may have a leash with no end in sight as the Cardinals try to make it through the dog days of the season. In a different season, their stay in the rotation could be numbered, but the current Cardinal team is in no rush to make major changes with the short-term in mind.
Cardinals can turn to Brycen Mautz and Quinn Mathews to support the struggling rotation
Through the Memorial Day checkpoint the Cardinals were sitting seven games over .500 and doing it with a starting rotation that measured as 27th-best in the league by FanGraphs fWAR. It never truly felt that bad though, especially because the offense checked in at 6th-best, scoring 4.57 runs per game to narrowly outpace the 4.55 runs per game given up by the pitchers. In recent weeks, the rotation has failed to provide both quantity and quality innings, causing a renewed call for Leahy and Liberatore to be removed from the rotation and support the also struggling bullpen.
This year, Leahy was given the Liberatore treatment and I go back and forth to how long it is going to last. He is older than Libby without the prospect pedigree, so a season-long leash may not be in the cards if Leahy is unable to work deeper into the game. In order for him to be removed from the starting five, there will have to be someone knocking on the door for a consistent run as a starter. As of today, I believe that the biggest rotation turnover will still come in the form of a May trade, meaning there may only be one spot like that open for the season.
As a Tommy John survivor, I wish continued health to the pitching staff, but an injury could also create an audition spot for a minor league arm to stake a claim to next year’s rotation. If and when May is traded, the likeliest option to slot right into his spot is Hunter Dobbins, who has had some success over a couple major league cameos this season. That move would of course keep Libby and Leahy both in the rotation, but if either of the two is demoted to the relief corps, Brycen Mautz and Quinn Mathews should begin their showcase for 2027.
While Mautz could get the first shake, he has struggled with his command in his last few starts, walking 16 batters in 18.1 innings since being sent back down after his debut. Because he is stretched out and may profile as a reliever in the long-term, I would rather Mautz fill the hole left by a JoJo Romero trade or a Justin Bruihl transaction. Mautz could be used in different situations out of the pen this year and then focus on the rotation again in the offseason.
This leaves my choice for a half-year showcase to be Quinn Mathews. After winning the organization’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year award in 2024, the lefty looked to be on a fast track to the majors after pitching at all four levels that season. Mathews ran into trouble with his command and shoulder last season and took a step back in the prospect rankings after seeing his walk rate more than double. He was still able to limit the overall damage as opposing hitters hit .218 against Mathews, allowing him to finish with an ERA under four on the year.
If you have been reading my last couple articles, I point to the Rule 5 protection being a major talking point for multiple pitchers at the upper level of the minors. Mathews is not exception as he will need to be added to the 40-man roster this offseason and that is a foregone conclusion to happen if he does not make it to the majors this year. Service time and MLB salary be darned in my opinion and at the first chance of an extended major league look, Mathews should be near the top of the list to be promoted. Even if his command and consistency falter to a point, giving him a longer run (if the season is lost) could be better for his development rather than continuing to strikeout Triple-A hitters.
I have had this view on Cardinal pitching prospects for a bit now as I want pitchers to use their bullets at the major league level, especially with the rate that the minor league staff has been hit with injuries. If a pitcher is “close” like Mathews is, really just needing to refine his command, the major league coaching staff should have their eyes on him daily so they can work to develop him best to the major league game. That is why I am also against short stints in the bigs for prospects, because that leaves little time for them to learn and adjust to the next level and has to be difficult both physically and mentally.
If the Cardinals continue to compete this year, the minor league trio mentioned could still theoretically provide a prospect boost to the team but would be tough to count on in October. I am room temperature on adding to the rotation at the deadline, depending on who is brought in and what prospect capital is sent out. As a fan, I want the team to win and I would attempt to get to Busch Stadium for a playoff game, but I still think this team is a year or two ahead of schedule and standing pat outside of quickly expiring asset deals is the best course of option this year.
That's maybe the most heard piece of analysis around the 2026 NBA Draft. The top four teams (Washington, Utah, Memphis, Chicago) are not trading down or out of those spots, and they are going to select the top four players (AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, Caleb Wilson) in whatever order.
From there, anything could happen — and that includes trades, too. There will be plenty on draft night. Let's break down some of the trade rumors already and ones we might see during the first round of the NBA Draft.
Will Clippers trade No. 5 pick?
While there was a lot of talk about this early, it likely isn't happening, according to the latest reports. The Clippers did explore the market for trading their pick, league sources told NBC Sports, and they should as a team at a crossroads — retool and continue to try to win now around Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland, or start to rebuild to whatever is next. That uncertainty fueled speculation that Lawrence Frank and the front office might trade the No. 5 pick in favor of a win-now player.
Instead, the Clippers are now operating like a team that is going to keep the pick, reports Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. What would it take to get the Clippers to change their mind about that? Multiple first-round picks — especially in outlying years, picks the league can't take away in any punishment tied to the Aspiration scandal (we're all still waiting to see how that plays out) — and young players. Oklahoma City has the assets, but isn't likely to send them to Los Angeles.
The strongest buzz in league circles is that the Clippers will use that pick on Keaton Wagler out of Illinois, or maybe Mikel Brown Jr. out of Louisville. However, when the Clippers have made big moves in recent years — including trading away Ivica Zubac this season — they have come out of the blue. This is not a leaky organization, and with that anything could happen.
Oklahoma City wants to trade up
Just what the rest of the league wants to see, the Thunder with another elite young player.
That's likely going to happen one way or another. Oklahoma City controls the No. 12 (via the LA Clippers) and the No. 17 (via Philly) picks in this draft, and the Thunder are looking to package those picks, possibly with something else (a future pick or player on a minimum deal such as Thomas Sorber), to move up in this draft, according to multiple reports (most recently ESPN’s Marc Spears). Maybe to the Bucks' pick at No. 10, or even Atlanta at No. 8 can be in play — OKC has the depth of assets to make that happen if they want to.
The Thunder have been linked to three Michigan players: Morez Johnson Jr., Yaxel Lendeborg, and center Aday Mara. While at least one of them is very likely on the board at No. 12. However, if the Thunder have eyes on one of them in particular — specifically Johnson — they very likely will need to trade up to get him. While there very much is a "don't help out the Thunder" sentiment around the league (Darryl Morey apparently didn't get the memo), teams have to do what is in their own best interest, and if the Thunder makes a good enough offer, they will be able to get their man. And get even deeper and better.
Also, league sources have told NBC Sports that if the Thunder keep the No. 12 pick and use it, look for them to trade out of the No. 17 pick.
Does Miami trade No. 13 pick for Giannis?
To say it's the worst-kept secret in the NBA suggests it's still a secret. It's not. Miami is trying to send the No. 13 pick to Milwaukee as part of a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo (one that will include three or four teams if it all comes together).
Milwaukee has been acting for a month like a team that will have multiple lottery picks in this draft. (There was speculation they would try to package those picks to move up, but none of the top four teams are selling.) The only question now is if the trade happens. If it does, Milwaukee will pick tenth and thirteenth in the first round.
Warriors might trade down
While the Thunder are looking to trade up, the Warriors might be open to trading down out of the No. 11 pick, reports Brett Siegel at ClutchPoints. He also said the Warriors would love to add a second first-round pick later in the teens.
If the Warriors keep the No. 11 pick, they have been heavily linked to Arizona guard Brayden Burries, except there is little chance he is still on the board at that point. After that, they also like the Michigan trio of Lendeborg, Mara and Johnson.
If the Warriors use their pick, this remains a win-now team in the Stephen Curry era and they will want a player who can contribute now, not a project.
Chicago looking to trade up
It's not just the Thunder looking to move up; the Chicago Bulls — with the No. 15 pick plus two early second-rounders (36 and 38) — are looking to move up, specifically to get Michigan's Mara, reports Siegel of ClutchPoints. There's logic to that. The Bulls traded Nikola Vucevic midseason to Boston and Zach Collins was on an expiring deal, the Bulls need their center of the future and Mara would be a great fit with Josh Giddey. The question becomes, do they have enough to offer a team like the Bucks or Warriors to move up in the draft? It's something to watch.
Boston, Denver, Minnesota want to trade up
Denver, Boston and Minnesota are set to pick at the end of the first round — picks No. 26, 27 and 28, respectively — as happens to good teams with good records.
However, all three are looking for ways to move up in the first round, reports Jake Fischer at The Stein Line. To do that would require attaching a player or a future draft pick of real value — teams are not eager to trade into the back end of the first round — but these picks could be part of a larger deal. Boston, for example, is listening to calls about Derrick White (even if it's unlikely they move him).
Denver is looking to add youth and athleticism to its young core (which is why they likely re-sign Peyton Watson), and moving up in the draft could help with that. Boston also is looking to add depth to a roster it expects will contend for the East crown and a title next season. A good draft pick helps both those teams, but can they afford to move up to make it happen?
Fischer adds if Minnesota keeps the pick (a swap with Detroit, which has Minnesota's No. 21 pick) general manager Tim Connelly may take Spanish guard Sergio de Larrea.
Jun 20, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) talks to MLB home plate umpire James Hoye (92) in the ninth inning during a game against the Minnesota Twins at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Bryce Harper is the 7th player in the expansion era (1961) with a cycle within the first 5 innings of a game, joining:
8/3/2015 Adrian Beltre 10/2/2009 B.J. Upton 6/18/2000 Mike Lansing (1st 4) 8/25/1995 Gregg Jefferies 4/22/1980 Ivan DeJesus 7/8/1970 Jim Ray Hart@EliasSportshttps://t.co/LO2nJ9SX1Y
Ozzie Albies is the first Braves player with multiple home runs in a game including a walk-off homer since Justin Upton on 4/6/13 https://t.co/exWZx6e1Tq
The Eiffel Tower has 108 stories and 1,710 steps. However, visitors climb up to the first platform. Not a fan of stairs? Don’t worry – there are two elevators on the Tower.
Rice is the oldest food we still eat today.
In 2003, scientists recovered 15,000-year-old burnt rice grains in Korea. This makes rice the oldest known food that we eat till the present.
Originally, tennis was played with bare hands.
During the 12th century, Tennis was first played in France. The game was played by using your palm to hit the ball back to your opponent.
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 18: Isiah Kiner-Falefa #2 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates while scoring after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning during the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Thursday, June 18, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Natalie Reid/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Hey, remember that one-step-forward-two-steps-back pattern of injury recovery we discussed just three days ago? It’s back! Three games into his rehab assignment, Romy Gonzalez missed yesterday’s game with hip flexor soreness. The Red Sox are “collecting information” on the injury before determining next steps. (Chris Cotillo, MassLive)
And, unfortunately, Romy’s setback comes just as the Red Sox lose another infielder. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, the much-maligned offseason acquisition who has been on the team’s better hitters of late, was placed on the 10-day IL with left forearm inflammation. There is some concern, however, that said inflammation could actually be a broken bone. He underwent an MRI yesterday in Seattle, and will undergo a CT scan when the team returns to Boston on Thursday. (Tim Healey, Boston Globe)
Thankfully the infield is not a totally lost cause. After playing the first two months of the season as arguably the worst hitter in all of baseball, Caleb Durbin has turned this around in June, hitting .271/.294/.583 with 4 homers. (Aaliyan Mahammed, NESN)
Aroldis Chapman has never needed to turn anything around — he’s been one of the very best relievers in baseball for most of his career, and certainly from the moment he put on a Red Sox uniform. And now he’s on the verge of becoming the all-time leader for strikeouts by a reliever. (Daniel Yanofsky, NESN)
But don’t get too attached to Chapman. The 2026 team is still headed towards “massive sell-off” territory as it parallels another recent and disappointing season: 2014. “The dynamics are almost eerily familiar: A team coming off a ‘restoration’ year and believing that an emerging young core had created a title window. An offensive collapse that occurred in no small part because of a power deficiency, and because unestablished big leaguers weren’t ready. A waste of pitching excellence. The early realization that anticipated contention could give way to a massive selloff.” (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
Chapman is nearing the end of his career, while Connelly Early is just at the beginning of his. Maybe that’s why he needed a pep talk from Carlos Narvaez (Hey! He is still on the team! That’s great.) in the first inning of last night’s game. (Josh Kirshenbaum, MLB.com)
There are plenty of mismatches on today’s MLB schedule, and some value to be found on MLB home run props.
My MLB player props for Sunday, June 21 include Brandon Lowe and James Wood.
Read on for my full analysis.
Best MLB home run props today
Player to hit a HR
Odds
Brandon Lowe
+218
James Wood
+288
Home run pick: Brandon Lowe (+218)
Coors Field is the most homer-friendly venue in the majors with a 112 Park Factor, and Brandon Lowe will have plenty of opportunity to go yard this afternoon.
The Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman has hit 14 of his 18 dingers vs. right-handed pitching, and Colorado Rockies starter Michael Lorenzen provides a favorable matchup.
Lefties like Lowe are batting .403 vs. Lorenzen this season, while the 34-year-old has surrendered 1.5 HR/9.
The Rockies bullpen has also been susceptible to the long ball, giving up 44 homers this year — tied for third most in MLB.
I’m playing Lowe up to +210.
Time: 3:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: SportsNet Pittsburgh, Rockies.TV
Home run pick: James Wood (+288)
James Wood hit 31 dingers last season, but the 23-year-old is already up to 20 home runs in what’s shaping up to be a true breakout year.
The Washington Nationals slugger ranks among the top percentile in the majors in xSLG, average exit velocity, and barrel %, so it’s no surprise how often he’s going yard.
Tampa Bay Rays starter Nick Martinez has given up 1.7 HR/9 over his last three appearances, while the team’s bullpen has allowed 47 dingers – second-most among all clubs.
Wood provides solid value at anything north of +275.
Time: 1:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Nationals.TV, Rays.TV
Chris Faria's 2026 Transparency Record
HR picks: 8-24, +1.82 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.
Mitchell Marsh smashed 60 off 28 balls as Australia completed a 3-0 T20 series sweep over Bangladesh on Sunday, to win by seven wickets in Chattogram on Sunday.
Apr 23, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) tagged out Boston Red Sox right fielder Wilyer Abreu (52) in the second inning stealing second base at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images
The New York Yankees, even with their current absences, are a formidable squad. It’s with that established that we can open ourselves to acknowledging some undeniable truths about who this team is, how it got here—and a particularly significant sequence of games that began during their road trip to end May with a couple of series against the Royals and Athletics.
As of the start of play on Saturday, only four teams in the big leagues have won at least 45 games, listed in the following order of descending winning percentage: Dodgers, Braves, Yankees and Brewers. What first stands out about this list of top contenders is that only one of them plays in the American League, but that’s not necessarily what we’re here to talk about. The focus lies on the Yankees’ path towards an outstanding record being unlike the other three.
While the Dodgers, Brewers, and Braves are averaging 28.3 wins against teams over .500, the Yankees have only 14 of those, and in fact, have a losing record (14-15) against said teams. The lowest single total out of the other three belongs to the Dodgers with 26 wins and 17 losses. While there is a simple math problem in that the Yankees have faced fewer teams with a winning record than these other three, partially due to being in the AL, they also feature the worst winning percentage of the bunch in those games.
Currently, the Yankees are as depleted as they have been all season long, especially offensively, with Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Trent Grisham all hurt. And even on the pitching staff, while one might be glad of Gerrit Cole’s return, not having Max Fried is a blow that would hurt even the strongest of clubs. The initial hit of not having Judge didn’t generate a stumble, but inferior production is inevitable in the long run with the Yankee captain out.
If we go back to that series against the Royals at the end of May and move forward all the way through the end of an early homestand in July with the Twins coming to town, the Yankees will have faced only two teams currently with a record above .500 in a span of 12 series. Those two series were against the Guardians and one versus the White Sox in which the Yankees, to their credit, won six out of nine games.
Part of what helps drive a team’s record in a given season, particularly such an established contender as the Yankees are, is timing. Here, we see an instance where timing seems to be working in their favor. This is not about their contending status being a byproduct of an easy schedule; it’s not about them even needing this easy run to make it through this injury crisis unscathed. It just so happens that when they’re at their weakest or nearing that, from a roster talent standpoint, the Yankees got the ideal schedule to minimize the damage. In fact, if we want to get picky about reasons for such stark splits, the Yankees’ struggles in one-run games may help justify their issues against quality opposition, having lost eight of 20 in games decided by one run.
Following this series against the Reds at home, the Yankees will play the Tigers, Red Sox, Tigers again, and then the Twins before they come up against the Rays in Tampa. These are 13 straight games against opponents under .500; the only way this would be an easier run was if it had come before Tarik Skubal’s return to the mound. This stretch may just help the Yankees retain control of the AL East ahead of their next matchup with the Rays. Again, this isn’t to say that the Yankees are in pole position because they got lucky. They’ve just seemingly timed their worst injuries at the best possible stretch in their schedule.
May 22, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Bryce Elder (55) in action against the Washington Nationals in the second inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Happy Father’s Day! And another baseball Sunday as the Atlanta Braves look to close out the series with a sweep against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Bryce Elder, currently boasting a 3.15 ERA, didn’t have the best outing last week against the Mets, allowing 10 hits, six runs and only two strikeouts across four innings. The game plan is the same— striking early—no pun intended. It’s the execution, however, that will be in question.
Robert Gasser for the Brewers is holding a 4.88 ERA and 1.38 WHIP. So far, across his five games, he’s yet to get any wins. He’s hoping today will change that.
The lefty has been utilizing adjustments this season to work on his efficiency with his fastballs; however, he hasn’t been known to consistently target the strike zone. With the Brewers’ slow offensive production this series, the Braves, who haven’t shown much difference, could use Gasser’s lack of execution to their advantage.
That’s only…if…the bats decide to wake up to close out the series.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 20: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting a two run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on June 20, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This was the third home run for Kyle Schwarber in the game. The Phillies defeated the Mets 15-3. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Meet the Mets
Freddy Peralta had the worst start of his career and the Mets got walloped by the Phillies 15-3 at Citizens Bank Park. If you missed this gem of a Mets game, first of all, god bless. But Bryce Harper completed his first career cycle by the fifth inning, Kyle Schwarber hit three home runs, and Zack Short pitched the eighth inning and was the only Mets pitcher in the game to not be scored upon; that tells you about all you need to know.
Though perhaps a rather ironic read after last night’s loss (which came after this was published), at Newsday Laura Albanese wrote about how recent events in sports give Mets fans reason to hope for an unlikely turnaround.
Laura also penned a feature about the Mets’ bullpen—one of the sole bright spots of the season—and their competition to throw the most “Clay innings,” named for Clay Holmes.
Francisco Lindor logged a single in his first rehab appearance on Friday for Double-A Binghamton. He is slated to play again today for either Binghamton or Triple-A Syracuse.
The Nationals’ defense shined, as they held off the Rays to win 4-3.
CJ Abrams changed his offseason routine, diet and workout approach. He and the Nationals are seeing dividends as he shows a level of maturity that his coaches, family, and teammates had not seen before.
The Braves beat the Brewers by the same 4-3 score, thanks to Ozzie Albies’ walk-off home run.
The Marlins put up a four-run fourth inning en route to a 6-3 victory over the Giants in Miami, getting a little help from the Giants’ defense, which committed four errors in the game.
In honor of Father’s Day, Manny Randhawa of MLB.com wrote about a painting that captures Freddie Freeman’s iconic World Series moment with his dad in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series.
The Red Sox placed Isiah Kiner-Falefa on the injured list yesterday with left forearm inflammation. In his place, they called up Anthony Seigler from Triple-A Worcester.
The Yankees have called up top pitching prospect Elmer Rodríguez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start today.
This Date in Mets History
It was Father’s Day on this date in 1964 as well. And a Phillies pitcher threw a perfect game against the Mets at Shea Stadium. Hopefully that doesn’t happen again today!
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Oklahoma City Thunder 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
Remember when the Los Angeles Lakers hired former Duke star JJ Redick? There were a lot of people who predicted failure, that he had no experience, that they should have gone after a more established coach, say, Sam Cassell, or Kenny Atkinson, or UConn’s Dan Hurley, for whom they were ready to open the vault.
In the end, despite the controversy, they hired Redick, and he’s panned out pretty well.
In his first season, Redick won 50 games, and this past season, he won 53. In both seasons, the Lakers finished first in the Pacific Division.
His career record now stands at 164-103.
That’s all very impressive, but even more so when you consider that this team is in a long and slow transition. LeBron James is still an amazingly effective player at 41, and he works hard to maintain his presence, but he’s not the player he was a few years ago. He doesn’t work as hard on defense as he used to, and he’s not feared in the way he once was.
Ideally, this should be Luka Doncic’s team now, but Doncic has historically been poorly conditioned, and there are those who believe that, at 27, he may have already peaked.
When you get past those two, 29-year-old Austin Reaves is getting 34.5 minutes per game, then it’s Marcus Smart, who is 32, with 28.5 mpg. Rui Hachimura pulled 28.3, De’Andre Ayton is pulling 27.2, from former Demon Deacon Jake LaRavia handled 25.2 and former Blue Devil Luke Kennard, got 32.6 minutes.
Redick has done a tremendous job with a team handling what could be a difficult transition, and an uncertain future for both stars (James for age and Doncic, essentially for durability).
In one sense, the best thing for L.A. would be if James finished his career elsewhere. He’s making $52.6 million, while Doncic is getting $54.1. Additionally, Reaves will be a free agent, and while the Lakers would like to keep him, it will be difficult to keep three guys who all want big money. Who do you let go?
We’d argue for the guy who will be 42 next year. James has had a great career, but he’s going to be a free agent as well, and at this point in his career, the math is inexorable. They simply can’t pay him what they have. We could imagine him going to Dallas for a year to mentor Cooper Flagg, or perhaps the San Antonio Spurs for similar reasons, but to stay with L.A., he’d likely have to take a big pay cut.
The Lakers won’t pick in next week’s NBA Draft until the 25th pick, which could mean a shooter like Duke’s Isaiah Evans, or a risky pick like Jayden Quaintance or Koa Peat.
If James left, they would have a good bit of money to pursue free agents, like possibly Detroit’s Jalen Duren or former Blue Devil Gary Trent.
L.A. has always been a magnet for great players, and they could pull that off again via free agency. It’s just a question of the fit.
In other words, while Redick has done a tremendous job with the players he’s had, improvement for L.A. is going to be more on GM Rob Pelinka, who, to be kind, has a reputation for not being entirely straightforward.
It’s possible he could find some talent that slips through the draft, which could happen to former Blue Devil Maliq Brown, but L.A. has just one draft pick and not that many assets they could get a good return on. And given Pelinka’s reputation, that is even more complicated.
Aug 4, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington looks on before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The 2026 MLB Draft is right around the corner on July 11-12, and MLB insider Ken Rosenthal believes the Bucs could be willing to trade a competitive balance pick ahead of the draft.
Teams that acquire them would gain not only an additional selection in the upcoming amateur draft, but also extra bonus pool money.
Competitive balance picks are the only ones that can be traded in the draft. Pittsburgh owns one of them which is the 34th overall pick. According to Rosenthal rival clubs believe the Pirates are open to trading it.
In the past two seasons a team has traded a competitive-balance pick for a reliever, establishing precedents for the kind of deal the Pirates could end up making.
The Washington Nationals did it in 2024, trading away third baseman Cayden Wallace and the 39th overall pick for right hander Hunter Harvey.
While last year the Tampa Bay Rays traded the 37th overall pick to the Baltimore Orioles for right hander Bryan Baker.
The team also is willing to trade prospects. And it is not limiting their search for potential upgrades to bullpen help, though that is the club’s biggest area of need. You can expect Pittsburgh to be aggressive during the draft and the Trade deadline which is August 3 because of how close they are in the playoff race.
The Buccos already made a move Thursday night by trading away catcher Joey Bart for right handed pitcher Hunter Stratton from the Atlanta Braves. Bart was a nice piece for the team but there is a higher need right now for relief pitching and you would assume that will not be the last move made by the Bucs.
I think this could be a beneficial move for Pittsburgh who needs to think about the second half of the season. If trading away a competitive balance pick means you can get a relief pitcher who can make an immediate impact, then Pittsburgh should definitely consider it.
Brandon Lowe
James Wood
