Toronto Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement has a knack for making contact at the plate, and he is poised for another productive day offensively with Grant Holmes on the mound tonight for the Atlanta Braves.
That makes Clement Over 1.5 total bases my favorite play for today’s Blue Jays vs. Braves predictions and MLB picks for Wednesday, June 3.
Blue Jays vs Braves predictions
Blue Jays vs Braves best bet: Ernie Clement Over 1.5 bases (+130)
Ernie Clement enters Wednesday's matchup leading the American League with 70 hits while recording a hit in 14 of his last 15 games with a 1.041 OPS.
His hitting profile matches up well against Atlanta Braves starter Grant Holmes, who relies on his slider with a 48% usage rate against right-handed hitters.
Clement owns a .348 average and a .432 slug-rate against the slider.
Additionally, Holmes relies on getting consistent whiffs and chases on that slider to get his outs.
That’s hard to do against Clement.
Clement chases pitches outside the zone more than almost any hitter in baseball at a 44.9% clip; however, Clement sits in the 94th percentile in whiff and 99th percentile in strikeout rating. Which means he’s able to get to balls outside the zone and put them in play, which is why he owns a 75.3% chase-contact rate.
I’d play Clement Over 1.5 bases up to +120.
COVERS INTEL: Clement’s consistency at the plate has resulted in a 190 WRC+ over his last 15 outings, averaging 2.3 total bases per game.
Blue Jays vs Braves same-game parlay (SGP)
Nathan Lukes owns a .440 batting average and a 195 WRC+ in his last 29 at-bats since returning from the IL for Toronto and has cleared his 0.5 hits total in seven straight outings.
Another value bet is Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Under 0.5 strikeouts. He’s cleared this total 12 times in his last 15 outings and ranks in the 97th percentile in strikeout rate this season, with just a 13% K-rate against the slider.
Blue Jays vs Braves SGP
Clement Over 1.5 total bases
Lukes Over 0.5 hits
Gurrero Under 0.5 strikeouts
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Blue Jays vs Braves home run pick: Kazuma Okamoto (+425)
Holmes has given up 11 home runs this season, including four in his last two starts.
He’s allowing a lot of hard contact this year, ranking in the 17th percentile in hard hit rate this season, with six homers coming off his fastball.
Enter Kazuma Okamoto, who leads the Jays with 13 home runs, most of which off four-seamers, and has the hardest hit rate on the team, ranking in the 95th percentile in baseball.
2026 Transparency record
Best bets: 29-30, +3.85 units
SGPs: 12-47, +7.60 units
HR picks: 9-50, +1.3 units
Blue Jays vs Braves odds
Moneyline: Toronto +125 | Atlanta -145
Run line: Toronto +1.5 (-155) | Atlanta -1.5 (+135)
Over/Under: Over 8 (-120) | Under 8 (+100)
Blue Jays vs Braves trend
The Toronto Blue Jays have hit the 1st Five Innings (F5) Team Total Under in 20 of their last 30 away games (+10.35 Units / 29% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Blue Jays vs. Braves.
How to watch Blue Jays vs Braves and game info
Location
Truist Park, Cumberland, GA
Date
Wednesday, 6-3-2026
First pitch
7:15 p.m. ET
TV
BravesVision, SN1
Blue Jays starting pitcher
Patrick Corbin (2-1, 3.65 ERA)
Braves starting pitcher
Grant Holmes (3-2, 3.95 ERA)
Blue Jays vs Braves latest injuries
Blue Jays vs Braves weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
As the calendar flips from May to June, and the NHL Stanley Cup final has begun, the majority of significant transactions between now and the start of the 2026-27 season will likely take place over the course of the next four to six weeks.
The Anaheim Ducks find themselves in unfamiliar waters after what could be seen as their first successful season in nearly a decade. They enter the offseason with a projected $38.7 million in cap space, two core RFAs (Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier) to sign to big extensions, two secondary RFAs (Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger) on whom tough decisions will have to be made, and one to three areas on the roster potentially in need of upgrades.
Anaheim could now be seen as a desirable destination for players on the move. Even after RFAs are inked to new deals, the Ducks will still have considerable cap space to add quality players to their roster who could help them now and moving into a bright future.
After feasibly identifying three areas in need of an upgrade on the Ducks’ depth chart (right shot defense, second-line center, top-nine winger), now seems like a good time to identify paths in which general manager Pat Verbeek could go about adding to his group and numerous organizations’ situations they could target around the league.
I’ve decided to break this up by division, so we’ll take a look at some teams in the Central Division, which features three bona fide cup contenders, a couple of teams on the rise, and a couple potentially looking to reset a bit.
Disclaimer: This exercise is purely speculative. Some players mentioned have been previously reported to be in trade discussions, while others haven’t. This is intended to provide ideas on the type of players the Ducks could target this offseason.
(Alphabetical Order)
Colorado Avalanche
The Avs recently saw their spectacular season come to an unspectacular end, as the Presidents’ Trophy-winning club was swept in the Western Conference Final by the Vegas Golden Knights after dispatching the Los Angeles Kings and Minnesota Wild in nine total games through the first two rounds.
They only have a projected $2.29 million in cap space heading into the offseason, with just four NHL defensemen under contract. They’re likely going to have to subtract from their forward group to add to their blueline.
As one of the worst defensive teams in the NHL, it may benefit the Ducks to look for two-way, 200-foot forwards to fill gaps in their young core’s game. Artturi Lehkonen (30), Ross Colton (29), and Nicolas Roy (29) all have one year remaining on their current contracts and could fit that bill.
Lehkonen has an AAV of $4.5 million (12-team NTC), Colton has a $4 million AAV, and Roy’s is $3 million.
Another potential target Colorado could look to offload is Valeri Nichushkin (31), who is coming off his least productive season since 2020-21. He has four years remaining on his contract at a $6.125 million AAV.
The Avs will be forced to move some money out this summer if they intend to keep their contending window as open as possible. They’ll have a new general manager at the helm, as Chris McFarland is on his way to the Nashville Predators organization.
Dallas Stars
The Stars continue as one of the Western Conference’s elite clubs year after year, but haven’t been able to get over the hump and hoist the Stanley Cup. They enter the 2026 offseason with $10.1 million in projected cap space, but they’ll likely have to clear more space to fit in RFA winger Jason Robertson’s potential extension, which could result in a top-heavy depth chart.
Robertson (26) has been at the center of trade discussion and speculation for the last two summers now, remains without a contract, and is one year from UFA eligibility. If he's made available via trade, the Ducks have the pieces to acquire the Arcadia, CA native, despite his potential addition not necessarily filling a need for the Ducks.
If an extension is inked between the Stars and Robertson, other pieces in Dallas could entice Anaheim. Mavrik Bourque (24) broke out a bit in his second full season in the NHL and could fit nicely with the Ducks as a middle-six center. He’s an RFA this summer, and due to the Stars’ cap sheet, this is a perfect offer sheet scenario if a trade cannot be agreed upon.
Elsewhere in Dallas, Tyler Seguin (34) is in his mid-30s, expensive ($9.85 million AAV), has one year remaining on his deal, and is often injured, but when he’s on the ice, he’s remained productive. Verbeek values experience, and Seguin may require a valuable asset or two attached if the Stars intend to move on.
Lastly, an Ilya Lyubushkin (32) reunion could make sense, as he had chemistry with a rookie Pavel Mintyukov in 2023-24 before the former was traded. He has one year remaining on his contract with a $3.35 million AAV.
Similarly to Colorado, the Stars have difficult waters to navigate, as they push forward and accumulate as many “kicks at the can” as possible with their window wide open and their core in their primes.
St. Louis Blues
The Blues have been one of the most active and discussed teams in the NHL from the days leading up to the 2026 trade deadline to the present. They had the second-worst record in the NHL at the deadline, but finished strong and only missed the playoffs by four points.
Reports suggest the Blues will remain active as they look to stay competitive while making some changes to their core. Three of the biggest names who continue to appear on trade boards and in discussions are Robert Thomas (26), Jordan Kyrou (28), and Colton Parayko (33).
All three players would be immediate fits and impact contributors on the Ducks’ roster. Thomas is consistently one of the NHL’s top play creators and offers a premium two-way skillset, even killing penalties. Kyrou’s production took a bit of a dip in 2025-26, but he had three straight 30-plus-goal seasons prior, and he remains a forward who can make plays at high speeds and tilts the ice considerably. Thomas and Kyrou have matching contracts, with five years remaining at an $8.125 million AAV (full NTC).
Parayko could be the coveted ideal right-shot defense partner for the Ducks’ emerging star defenseman, Jackson LaCombe (25). He’s in the latter stages of his career, but the Canadian Olympian and Stanley Cup winner in 2019 is an immediate stylistic fit and is on an increasingly reasonable contract, with four years remaining at a $6.5 million AAV (full NTC).
At the trade deadline, a deal was agreed upon between the Sabres and Blues to send Parayko to Buffalo, but the defenseman was unwilling to waive his NTC. Reports have since come out that he was willing to waive for Anaheim or the Los Angeles Kings and that his preference may be for the Alberta native to remain in the Western Conference.
The Blues have built a quality prospect and young player pool despite not picking near the top of the draft. They can add significantly to that pipeline by moving on from some excellent players at every position who are firmly in their primes.
Many people around the league, from agents to executives, continue to believe that Antetokounmpo will end up in Miami when this saga finally comes to an end.
Pat Riley has made it clear Miami is big game hunting this summer. The Heat trade package for Antetokounmpo would be based around Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and up to three first-round picks, including this season's No. 13. That comes close to what the Bucks seek — a blue-chip young player and picks — and is same offer the Heat had on the table in February when talks got fairly serious (although league sources told NBC Sports at the time they weren't sure the Bucks were genuinely looking for a trade then, it was more guageing the market).
Milwaukee may be treating Miami as the deal it has in its back pocket while looking for a better one. Antetokounmpo will have a say in this, and it's fair to ask if he's paired with Bam Adebayo, but there is not much else around them, is that much better than the Bucks situation? But landing in South Beach still seems the most likely outcome.
Golden State Warriors
This is not happening. The one thing that is clear so far in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes is that the two-time MVP wants to stay in the East, and with that, the Warriors seem to be pulling back from the more aggressive stance they took at the trade deadline. From Jake Fischer at Bleacher Report.
"I'm not looking at Golden State really as a Giannis team either. I have been told that Giannis isn't exactly enamored with moving to the Western Conference in general, let alone going and being second fiddle to Stephen Curry."
Boston Celtics
This is a team that draws a lot of speculation, even though there doesn't seem to be a lot of heat coming from this fire, just a lot of smoke. As longtime Celtics reporter Steve Bulpett reported, there have been no direct talks between Boston and Milwaukee.
So why all the Boston rumors? Because people continue to LOVE the idea of splitting up Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, even if they won a title together. Also, after Boston was upset in the first round of the playoffs, Brown made comments that raised eyebrows while coach Joe Mazzulla talked about needing to put more pressure on the rim. Some people want to connect the dots.
The challenge is putting together a trade that actually works for everyone. It will involve at least three and probably more teams, as Amick and Nehm note at The Athletic. The third team is needed because how much the Bucks want 29-year-old Brown — a true star but one at his peak, not the young heart of a rebuild — is up for debate.
So while there is no doubting the ability of Boston’s All-NBA forward coming off a career year, he might not fit [Milwaukee's] timeline or, as rival executives have indicated, their desire to land that top-tier young player in this deal. Still, a multi-team deal in which Brown headed elsewhere could serve them very well in terms of other players and assets.
It may come down to this: Would Antetokounmpo push hard to make this happen? He wants to compete for a ring and him with Jayson Tatum would be that. If Antetokounmpo does push, what is Boston's true interest level?
Portland Trail Blazers (and the rest of the West)
This is not happening.
Multiple reports note that Antetokounmpo does not want to go West (and he has leverage with just one guaranteed year left on his contract, he can walk one year in). What Antetokounmpo wants is to contend, and Portland was a play-in team last season. League sources told NBC Sports the Trail Blazers rumors are more performative than reality, something by and for new owner Tom Dundon, showing fans how he cares about winning — "See how hard we are trying! Look what a good owner I will be!"
Antetokounmpo not going West means not only are Portland and Golden State out, but so are potential real suitors in Minnesota and Houston. I'd say the same about Oklahoma City, but its interest was always speculation from the outside by people seeking attention, not grounded in reality. OKC was never going in on Antetokounmpo.
The Mets are optioning Tong following his rough outing on Tuesday night in Seattle. The Mets are in need of a fresh arm out of the bullpen, making Tong an obvious choice to be sent down.
In a corresponding move, Joey Gerber was recalled.
Pitching in a bulk reliever role on Tuesday, Tong allowed five runs (four earned) in 3.1 innings, striking out four and walking two while throwing 83 pitches to record 10 outs.
The young right-hander has made three bulk reliever appearances for the Mets since getting called up in late May, pitching to a 3.60 ERA in 10.0 innings.
The Mets' rotation is still in a state of flux, with David Peterson and Sean Manaea bouncing between the rotation and the bullpen. So Tong could theoretically get called back up to pitch again in the near future, though he must remain in the minors for at least 10 days unless he's replacing an injured player.
LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 16: OG Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks looks to pass the ball as Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs plays defense during the game during the 2025 NBA Emirates Cup Final on December 16, 2025 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
At this level, a basketball series is always a chess game; and it would surprise no one that Victor Wembanyama who famously played chess in New York, is certainly looking at a tough, strategic series to finish this season.
I thought it would great to review what challenges the New York Knicks present, and come up with some creative, chess-like, strategies to help our young Spurs win the Larry O’Brien trophy.
These 2026 NBA Finals promise to be epic
Two very different teams, on two very different trajectories in the past few years if not the past few weeks.
In a chess game, it is often more important to analyse and design a strategy from your opponent’s perspective. Although the Spurs have home court advantage thanks to their 62 win season, as opposed to 53 for the Knicks, these Finals will be played strategically on these two awesome court designs.
The Spurs, after a hard reset via the lottery, have accelerated their return to contention in remarkable fashion, in less than three years after drafting Wembanyama.
The Knicks, on the other end, have patiently rebuilt their roster around Jalen Brunson.
One amusing thing these two teams share: a reluctance to disclose their respective star player’s real height. Is Victor really 7’3 or closer to 7’5? And Jalen? Genuinely 6’2 or more like 6’?
Another common trait: depth. During this postseason, both teams have leaned heavily on their benches. The Knicks have had their five starters scoring in double figures, the Spurs had six players.
The Knicks’ Strengths
CLEVELAND, OHIO – MAY 25: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks is defended by Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter in Game Four of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Rocket Arena on May 25, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jalen Brunson is a maestro. The ball stays in his hands a lot, but his offense is less self-centered than Doncic’s, he directs rather than dominates. His footwork is unmatched in the League, allowing him to find ways to score over or around players far taller than him, which is nearly everyone. On the defensive end, he has an uncanny ability to draw charges and calls himself the best “below the rim protector” in the game.
CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 23: OG Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks dunks the ball during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 23, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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
The second most important Knicks is OG Anunoby. The 28-year-old Englishman is peaking. Already a champion with the Raptors in 2019, he is averaging nearly 20 points this postseason while shooting 48% from three (mainly on corner threes) on 4.8 attempts per game, all while being arguably the Knicks’ best and most consistent defender, averaging 7 rebounds and 2.6 stocks.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MAY 25: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks shoots a three point basket during the game against the Indiana Pacers during Game 3 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals on May 25, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Then there is Karl-Anthony Towns. It seems like coach Mike Brown has unlocked a version of KAT we had never seen before, even in Minnesota. KAT leads the Knicks in rebounds and dishes out almost 6 assists per game, while also recording 2.6 stocks. And he has not abandoned his signature strength: an almost incomprehensible 49% from three on 3.2 attempts per game, cementing his case as the best-shooting 7-footer in the League.
This trio has been flying this postseason: efficient, defensively sound, and relentless. Special mention to Mikal Bridges, who after a rough start has shot 59% from the floor, and Josh Hart, their Swiss Army knife who leaves everything on the court every night.
The Knicks’s bench is not as deep as some other Conference Finalists, but Landry Shamet and Miles McBride can produce big buckets on any given night. Jordan Clarkson and Mitchell Robinson bring energy and spot minutes off the pine.
Expected Match-Ups
Brunson vs. Castle
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 16: Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs plays defense on Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks during 2025 Emirates NBA Cup Finals Game on December 16, 2025 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Ryan Stetz/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
On paper, this could be the key match-up of the Finals. Castle has shown he could hold the two-time MVP below his scoring average for most of the WCF but Steph has also struggled at times, particularly with turnovers when Fox was out with a high ankle sprain.
Brunson is the best in the business at drawing charges. If Castle is aggressive driving to the rim as he often does, Brunson will be waiting for him. As much as Castle can slow Brunson down, the reverse is equally true: a foul-trouble crisis for Castle would be devastating for San Antonio.
Hart vs. Wembanyama
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 16: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks and Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the game during the 2025 NBA Emirates Cup Final on December 16, 2025 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Many analysts predict Wembanyama will be assigned to Josh Hart, the least threatening offensive weapon in the Knicks starting five, allowing him to roam and wreak havoc defensively. I see more problems with this approach than benefits. Here is what I would do instead. Hart will be smart enough to apply pressure on the boards, he is an above-average offensive rebounder, and therefore he could keep Vic close to the hoop.
We saw against OKC, how Vic’s rebounds declined as he was assigned to doubling on SGA or running to the 3-point line. The Spurs need Wembanyama to own the paint, not just on offense but on the defensive end too, to avoid second chance points.
A Different Approach: My Preferred Match-Ups for the Spurs
Wembanyama on Anunoby
None of San Antonio’s starters can match OG physically, except Vic. If Wembanyama was able to battle Hartenstein and Caruso, he can contain OG, who is dangerous in transition, off the dribble, and from deep. Putting Vic on Hart might free him up to help, but OG would feast on anyone else guarding him. Julian Champagnie or Keldon Johnson are secondary options if needed.
Vassell on Towns
Devin Vassell’s defense on Chet Holmgren was stellar throughout the Western Conference Finals. KAT, much like Chet, spends a lot of time outside the paint. The two 7-footers share another similarity: they can be gotten into their heads, exposed mentally more than physically. Vassell has the discipline and focus to exploit that.
Champagnie on Hart
Julian’s rebounding has been impressive in the second half of the season and has carried into the postseason. Matching him with Hart could neutralize Hart’s offensive rebounding, which is one of his most dangerous and underrated contributions.
Castle on Bridges
Mikal Bridges is currently scorching. No one is better equipped than Castle to slow him down. And when Bridges’s shots aren’t falling, he can become a net negative for his team. Castle can put him in that box.
Fox on Brunson
That leaves DeAaron Fox on Brunson. Fox is San Antonio’s most experienced starter and has faced Brunson 17 times in his career.
Brunson will always be hard to stop. My strategy is to disrupt all the other Knicks starters and let Fox handle Brunson. These are the NBA Finals. Fox will rise to the occasion. He is about to become a max-contract player, while Brunson famously took a pay cut to give the Knicks front office room to build around him. This series is Fox’s moment as a Spurs.
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 16: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket as De'Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs plays defense during the game during the Emirates NBA Cup Final game on December 16, 2025 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Prediction
Spurs in 7
Victor Wembanyama will once again lead his team in points, rebounds, and blocks and will win the Finals MVP Trophy.
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 09: Jose Molina #26 of the New York Yankees looks on against the Minnesota Twins in Game Two of the ALDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 9, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In our current data-driven era of baseball, pitch framing has emerged as the single most impactful facet of catcher defense. Stealing strikes by presenting borderline pitches in the zone is a skill that far outweighs blocking dirtballs or stopping the run game in terms of overall impact. It took a while for front offices to fully realize that fact, but those who watched José Molina behind the plate probably had a good sense of the defensive revolution that had yet to come.
Molina was more than your average backup catcher and brother of possible Hall of Fame Yadi and eldest Bengie: he was a masterful framer and pitch-caller who helped teams win a few subtle nudges at a time. While he only played 181 games in pinstripes, his impact outweighed that modest total—and his tenure concluded with a World Series win.
José Benjamin Molina Born: June 3, 1975 (Bayamon, PR) Yankees Tenure: 2007-09
Molina was the middle child of three boys born into a baseball obsessed family—all of whom would grow up to become catchers in Major League Baseball. Bengie, the oldest, graduated high school the first year Puerto Rican players became draft-eligible, but ultimately went undrafted through both high school and college, leaving him disillusioned and ready to quit baseball in 1993. But José, whose own star was rising, intervened. José was set to try out for a pair of scouts for the Angels, and convinced Bengie to join him.
While José and Yadier had found their home behind the plate early on, Bengie only switched to the catching position as a result of this tryout. He didn’t have the footspeed to hack it as an outfielder or left-side infielder, but he’d shown promise as a catcher and the Angels signed him to a contract a few days after they had gotten a look at him. He had his younger brother to thank.
The same year he helped Bengie get into professional ball, José was drafted by the Cubs in the 14th round out of high school in Vega Alta. By the time the youngest brother Yadier was in his senior year of high school six years later, José had finally made the show with Chicago. He picked up his first two MLB hits in his debut against the Reds on September 6, 1999, then followed with his first RBI the following day.
Molina spent 2000 in Triple-A with the Cubs and was released at season’s end. Not content to finish with just 10 MLB games to his name, he signed with his brother’s organization, the Angels, in July of 2001. After earning another brief stint in the Majors that year, José would settle in as Bengie’s backup in July of 2002. Together, the Molina brothers would help the Angels capture their first and only World Series title in franchise history. José got into six playoff games, though he only received one at-bat.
José remained with the Angels mostly in a backup role for the next four full seasons and part of a fifth, even as Bengie departed to Toronto and the bat-first Mike Napoli succeeded him as starter. Despite a lack of thunder at the plate (he peaked in Anaheim with a 76 OPS+ in 2004), José’s defense made him sought after by other clubs seeking extra depth behind it. That included the Yankees, who, ahead of the 2007 Trade Deadline, acquired Molina for minor league pitcher Jeff Kennard. Molina would back up fellow Puerto Rico native Jorge Posada for the remainder of the year, while also hitting .318 in 29 games—not too shabby for a guy who usually didn’t hit much.
The Yankees fell painfully to Cleveland in the ALDS, then endured a down year by their lofty standards, missing the playoffs in 2008. That meant that the home run Molina hit on September 21st against Baltimore’s Chris Waters in the Yankees’ home finale would wind up as the very last home run in the history of The House That Ruth Built.
Molina played 100 games in 2008, the first time he had done so as a big leaguer, and he led the majors with a 44-percent caught-stealing percentage, nabbing an AL-best 33 of 42 baserunners.* Posada missed much of the year with a shoulder injury, and 36-year-old Iván Rodríguez only came aboard after the Trade Deadline. Pudge struggled and was not retained by the Yanks, but Molina continued on in the Bronx for 2009.
*More celebrated for his framing, Molina also had a good arm behind the plate, throwing out 36.8-percent of baserunners in his 15-year career.
Posada, of course, returned with a vengeance, hitting to a 125 OPS+ as the Bombers took aim at the Fall Classic. Molina, meanwhile, started serving as the personal catcher to new free agent acquisition A.J. Burnett—Burnett’s ERA with Molina behind the plate was over a run and a half better than with Posada, with whom he struggled to get on the same page. Manager Joe Girardi valued Posada’s bat, but he knew that to get the best out of his No. 2 starter, he had to sit the proud longtime Yankee in favor of the framing savant Molina.
The Burnett-Molina battery was up-and-down in their ensuing run to the World Series, but there were a few outstanding performances from A.J. In their first playoff game together, Burnett worked around erratic command to post six innings of one-run ball against the Twins in Game 2 of the ALDS. In Game 2 of the ALCS against the Angels, Burnett stifled the Halos to the tune of two runs on three hits over 6.1 frames.
Then came the duo’s finest work: World Series Game 2. Cliff Lee had overpowered the Bombers the previous night to give the defending champion Phillies a 1-0 series lead. The Yankees found themselves trailing in a series for the first time all postseason, and needed a big performance on the mound. They would get one from Burnett. Despite surrendering the initiative on an RBI single from Matt Stairs in the second, Burnett ensured the Phillies would get nothing more from him the rest of the night, striking out nine and completing seven dazzling innings. Four of those punchouts, including the pair he picked up in the seventh, came on pitches on the corners beautifully framed by Molina. The defensive whiz got an out on his own in the fourth as well, picking Jayson Werth off first base in the fourth.
Backed by that remarkable effort on the mound and behind the dish, the Yankees won Game 2 to tie the World Series. They went on to take Games 3 and 4 in Philadelphia and withstood a Game 5 blowup from Burnett on short rest to clinch their 27th title on their home field.
Molina would go on to play five more seasons in MLB—but he had played his last game with the Yankees. Those five years would, however, come with fellow AL East teams, giving the Yankees and their fans regular reunions with good ol’ José. First, the Blue Jays had him as a backup in 2010 and 2011 (peaking on offense in the latter with a 104 OPS+), then he finished up his career with three seasons (and almost 300 games!) with the Rays. This was right around the time that pitch framing became a little easier to quantify behind the scenes, and Tampa Bay felt that even though Molina was in his late thirties and would simply never hit much, he was still such a superb defender that it was worth making him their de facto starter.
Perhaps the best way to acknowledge what Molina brought to the table is to compare his annual Baseball Reference WAR to his FanGraphs WAR and Baseball Prospectus WARP. Baseball Reference does not incorporate framing, but the latter two sites have both done so since 2008.
Your mileage on framing might vary, but there’s no denying that Molina had a seismic defensive impact whenever he stepped behind the plate, especially in comparison to his non-fraternal contemporaries.
Molina featured on the second-place Team Puerto Rico in the 2013 World Baseball Classic—where he finally got to play with Yadi, now an All-Star with the two-time champion Cardinals—before retiring at the end of the 2014 campaign. He spent several years coaching in the Angels organization under GM Billy Eppler, who had helped bring him to the Yankees during his previous role as an assistant general manager. Since leaving in 2021, he’s skippered in the Mexican League and is currently the manager of Saraperos de Saltillo.
Molina’s defensive style was not totally of a piece with the framers of today. These days, MLB catchers are rather blatant with their frame jobs; since the strategy is so widely adopted now, one needn’t be overly subtle about it. Catchers like current Yankee starting backstop Austin Wells are quite proficient at stealing strikes. But they don’t quite do it as artfully as José Molina did. As Ben Lindbergh once detailed at Grantland, Molina was a true artisan of his craft, always positioned in the right spot to perfectly frame a borderline pitch, without having to move his glove more than a few inches. Growing up watching the Yankees clubs that Molina played on, I learned from early on that you can never have too many quality backstops.
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
With just over one-third of the 2026 MLB season in the rearview, the Mets find themselves in the same position they were in at the end of the 12-game losing streak that sent their season into a spiral they haven't emerged from.
They were nine games under .500 ahead of play on April 22, and they're nine games under .500 ahead of play on June 3 -- with a record of 26-35.
The Mets were better in May, going 16-12. But even amid a relatively positive month, they mixed in a five-game losing streak against the Marlins and Reds. And New York has started June by dropping two games to the Mariners, with the first loss due to a lack of offense and the second one due to poor pitching and sloppiness in the field.
So it goes.
It feels like the Mets have rescued their season from the brink a few times already, and it won't be a surprise if they do it again.
But the most important question isn't whether they can avoid slipping hopelessly out of it before June ends. Rather, it's whether the Mets can string together enough wins before the trade deadline to avoid becoming sellers in a year where they were expected to be World Series contenders.
As the Mets try to do that, let's assess what put them in this spot...
The bad
Underperformance and injuries have been the two key factors, but the one that has been the most glaring is the sloppiness.
The physical errors, including a leaky right side of the infield consisting of Mark Vientos and a badly regressing Marcus Semien, have been bad enough. But the mental ones, including being out of position, not backing up home plate, forgetting how many outs there are, or not coming forcefully enough through the bag on double plays, have been hard to figure.
In addition to the mistakes has been a seeming lack of accountability at times.
Not to pile on Vientos, but after going 0-for-4 on Tuesday (dropping his OPS to .633) and making a costly error at first base, he cited "bad luck" for his offensive struggles while noting he's got to give himself "a little bit of props." Regarding his defensive issues, Vientos said he feels he's been doing "pretty good" at first base. In actuality, he's been in the 8th percentile when it comes to OAA.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a player being positive and believing in himself. But Vientos' comments seemed peculiar given the circumstances -- and given his remarks earlier this season after he ran through a stop sign at third base.
When it comes to underperformance, it has hit a number of the Mets' key offensive pieces, with Bo Bichette's difficulties being the most painful.
May 23, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; New York Mets shortstop Bo Bichette (19) speaks to first baseman Mark Vientos (27) after this at bat against the Miami Marlins during the sixth inning at loanDepot Park. / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Bichette, who entered this season with a career OPS of .806, has a .570 OPS this season. It isn't rare for a player to have an adjustment period in his first season in New York and/or his first year with a new team after signing a big deal, but the drop-off from Bichette has been hard to fathom.
Brett Baty (83 OPS+ this year after a 110 OPS+ in 2025) has also regressed. Meanwhile, even though Francisco Lindor started to turn it on before going down with a serious calf injury on April 22, his OPS+ is just 91.
About those injuries...
The Mets have been decimated, with Lindor and Juan Soto being in the lineup together just 11 times this season -- Lindor suffered his injury during the game when Soto returned from a three-week absence due to his own calf injury that coincided with New York's big losing streak.
New York also lost Francisco Alvarez to a torn meniscus he sustained while swinging the bat, and has been without Jorge Polanco and Luis Robert Jr. for the majority of the season.
Both Polanco and Robert have checkered injury histories, making it fair to question David Stearns' team-building strategy. But it's also fair to note that the Mets being without four of their regular offensive players at the same time for a huge chunk of the season was not possible to forecast.
Also impossible to forecast was losing Clay Holmes to a fractured fibula after getting hit by a liner on May 15. At the time, Holmes had been New York's best starting pitcher and one of the best pitchers in baseball, with a 2.39 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 52.2 innings.
Holmes' absence, in addition to the struggles and injury issues of Kodai Senga and the inability of David Peterson to succeed in a starting rolehas thrown a rotation that already wasn't providing enough innings into a bit of disarray.
The good
Soto has been tremendous, slashing .296/.385/.574 with 13 homers in 44 games. His .959 OPS is tops in the National League.
Carson Benge, who essentially replaced the traded Brandon Nimmo in the lineup, has been terrific since getting acclimated to the majors.
May 27, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets left fielder Juan Soto (22) and center fielder A.J. Ewing (9) and right fielder Carson Benge (3) celebrate the victory against the Cincinnati Reds after the ninth inning at Citi Field. / Gregory Fisher - Imagn Images
In 37 games since April 23, Benge is hitting .309/.378/.475 while working impressive at bats, smacking the ball to all fields, and starting to hit for more power.
Benge's defense in right field has also been a plus, with him in the 72nd percentile in OAA and the 98th percentile in arm strength.
Speaking of defense, the emergence of A.J. Ewing in center field has been a sight to see. Ewing has been a flash in the outfield, laying out for improbable catches while being fearless going back on balls that result in him having to crash into the wall.
Jared Young (142 OPS+ in a small sample size) has also been a bright spot as he fills in at first base and DH.
In the rotation, Nolan McLean began the season on an All-Star track before hitting a two-game hiccup. But he started to right the ship his last time out, and is one of the most important players for the Mets going forward.
Christian Scott (2.97 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 11.3 K/9) has excelled in what is his first year back after having Tommy John surgery, and is emerging as a potential long-term answer in the rotation.
The bullpen has also been solid, especially Luke Weaver (who hasn't allowed a run since April), Brooks Raley (1.61 ERA), and Huascar Brazoban (2.35 ERA).
It's been a bit of a mixed bag for Devin Williams, but his ERA is badly skewed by a performance against the Marlins on May 24 when he allowed four runs in just one-third of an inning. Aside from that outing, Williams has been unscored upon in 13 appearances dating back to April 26. Overall, he has struck out 31 batters in 20 innings -- a rate of 14.0 per nine.
What's to come
The Mets should get Polanco back in a few days and could have Alvarez in the fold soon after.
Apr 22, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) watches his RBI double against the Minnesota Twins during the fourth inning at Citi Field. / Brad Penner-Imagn Images
When Polanco returns, he'll be mainly a DH, which could lead to a configuration where Young gets the bulk of the time at first base.
Lindor has been progressing and could theoretically be back in a few weeks, which would provide an enormous jolt to the offense.
Will the Mets still have a season to salvage by the time Lindor gets back?
If they're able to survive their current road trip and rise to the occasion when they return home to face the Cardinals and Braves, the Mets can still make something of this season. At the very least, they would make things interesting this summer and avoid a trade deadline sell-off.
If not?
This year would likely resemble the 2023 campaign, when the Mets traded Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, and others ahead of the deadline when they determined they were unlikely to reach the playoffs.
What that kind of sell-off would look like in 2026 is unclear, but it's fair to believe every pending free agent would be available. That includes Freddy Peralta and potentially Holmes, who has a player option for 2027.
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 4: Tracy Morgan and Jimmy Fallon hug after the game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks during Round Two Game One on May 4, 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The day is here. Game One of the NBA Finals. Unless you came to this party reallllly late, you know the dates and lengths: 27 years since New York’s last Finals appearance, 53 years since Walt and the Gang beat the league. My inner junior sportswriter is compelled to reference those numbers at the outset of this preview, and that’s fine. They remain impressive, even after inserting them into dozens of articles over the past months.
I am moved, too, to give other details. For instance, the likely starters (De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, and Victor Wembanyama for the home team; Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns for the visitors), and how the Knicks fared against San Antonio during the regular season—2-1, including the Emirates Cup win, which friggin counts!
The urge to write out per-game averages and shooting percentages is being resisted. You must have a good, general understanding of our team and the competition after three rounds of playoff basketball and endless media coverage. What is left to say? Wemby is tall and supernatural. Brunson is small and supernatural. The supporting cast is an impressive array of talented characters, with respected vets on our side and respected kids on theirs.
I feel obliged to mention that the Knicks are on a postseason rampage, winning 11 straight games and bludgeoning teams by more points than any other NBA team in playoff history. I should recommend that you ignore any biased hacks who dismiss the streak based on the quality of their opponents. The Knicks swept two postseason-qualifying NBA teams and would have taken the broom to the Hawks, too, if they had gotten their act together sooner.
Should I update you on Mitchell Robinson’s finger (you know as much as I do)? Or remind you how that kid from Brooklyn, Julian Champagnie, went nuclear on December 31 versus the Knicks, recording a career-high 36 points and setting a Spurs franchise record by drilling 11 three-pointers (on 17 attempts)? Or relay that a certain podcaster says the key to stopping Wemby is to tire him out by sprinting up and down the floor?
Maybe. But, friends, fans, and family, I am too deep in my feelings this morning to care about statistics.
Matthew Miranda (you know him, you love him) and I were recalling how the 1994 Finals gutted us. Turns out, I am still not healed from the loss to the Hakeem and the Rockets. When I sat with the memories last night, my stomach wrenched as if stabbed. An honest-to-goodness twist in the guts, after all these years! Memory lane is a thorny path, indeed.
June of ‘94 was a momentous month. I graduated from high school, put plans in place for summer and fall, and my beloved basketball team was in the NBA Finals. Life was looking pretty, pretty good. Then the Knicks lost Game Seven, and it became apparent that everything (life, plans, expectations) might not go so smoothly after all.
It didn’t, and it did. I survived college. Moved to Binghamton for a job and wound up with a family and a drinking problem. Got sober. Made friends. Did a ton of cool stuff. Remarried and expanded the family. Lost too many friends to count. Watched my babies become men. Etcetera. The details differ, but we each have a version of the highs and the lows. Along the way, I stuck with my Knicks. I groaned my way through so many lame seasons and players and coaches, all the while expecting / hoping / praying for the Knicks to win a championship in my lifetime. They came close in 1999 before falling to a different team from Texas, the Spurs. That makes the current Finals quite a special rematch, no? Almost as if divinely designed.
During the title drought, I assume that many of you thought, like me, They couldn’t go more than 35 years without a ring, right? Not 40, right? Not 50—right??? Tonight, as the Finals begin, we will each bring our own meanings, feelings, and history as fans to the game. For me, there’s a chance to heal a wound that opened in 1994. I am deeply grateful—and so damned lucky—to share the moment with all of you, who can understand. What a blessed life it has turned out to be.
Go Knicks!
Game Details
Who: New York Knicks (0-0) at San Antonio Spurs (0-0) Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2026 Time: 8:30 PM ET Place: Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX TV: ABC Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky
The Toronto Maple Leafs coaching search is getting more interesting. Sources say Patrick Roy and Peter Laviolette are a part of this weeks stage of the interview process.
Roy, who the Islanders hired on Jan. 20, 2024, was relieved of his duties back on Apr. 6, with just four games to go in the regular season. The Islanders have given Toronto permission to talk to Roy, who is still under contract, per David Pagnotta.
He led the Islanders to a 97-78-22 record over the better parts of three seasons, with one playoff berth. They fell to the now Stanley Cup finalist Carolina Hurricanes in five games during the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender previously coached the Colorado Avalanche from 2014-2016 before walking away from the position ahead of the 2016-17 season.
We'll see if Roy's motivating tactics are enough to sway recently appointeed general manager John Chayka into a gig, or at least, a second interview.
Oct 14, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Munenori Kawasaki (66) talks with the media in the club house at the end of game five against the Texas Rangers in the ALDS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Today marks Munenori Kawasaki’s 45th birthday.
Kawasaki spent two full seasons and part of a third with the Blue Jays, appearing in 201 games and posting a .242/.326/.301 slash line with a 1.6 bWAR.
He also spent time with the Mariners and Cubs, and, of course, enjoyed 12 seasons in Japan’s Pacific League.
But what truly made him a fan favourite wasn’t his play—it was his infectious personality.
Happy birthday, Munenori.
Today, Jose Molina celebrates his 51st birthday.
Molina was the quintessential good-glove, light-hitting catcher.
Over 15 big league seasons with five teams, Molina spent 2010 and 2011 with the Jays, appearing in 112 games and hitting .263/.323/.396 with 9 home runs—his best offensive numbers with any club (94 OPS+ compared to his career mark of 64). Maybe Cito’s coaching helped.
Across 947 MLB games, Molina hit .233/.282/.327 with 39 home runs, playing for the Cubs, Angels, Yankees, Jays, and Rays. His defensive prowess kept him in the majors—he threw out 37% of base stealers and was highly regarded by pitchers. His brothers, Yadier and Bengie, were also major league catchers. (Bengie, who arguably drew the short straw with names, also had a brief stint with the Jays.)
Happy birthday, Jose.
Nelson Liriano turns 62 today.
Liriano played for the Blue Jays from 1987 until midway through the 1990 season.
In his rookie year, he appeared in 37 games, hitting .241/.310/.342, and somehow even received a Rookie of the Year vote—perhaps for rescuing a writer’s cat from a tree.
In 1988, he played 99 games, hitting .264/.297/.333. The following year, he appeared in 132 games and played 3 more in the ALCS loss to the A’s. In 1990, after 50 games with the Jays, he was traded to the Twins for John Candelaria at the end of July.
Overall, Liriano appeared in 318 games for Toronto, batting .251/.311/.345 with 11 home runs, 44 stolen bases, and a 2.2 bWAR.
After leaving Toronto, he played for the Twins, Royals, Rockies, Pirates, and Dodgers. Over 11 seasons, he hit .260/.324/.366 with 25 home runs and 26 triples—an unusual feat to have more triples than homers over such a long career.
Liriano was essentially a replacement-level player: average defensively, a bit below average with the bat, but his reliability earned him 823 major league games.
That stretch of light-hitting second basemen—Garth Iorg, Manny Lee, and Liriano—helped explain why the Jays eventually traded for Roberto Alomar.
Happy birthday, Nelson.
It’s also Eric Lauer’s 31st birthday.
Lauer had a very good 2025 season but a terrible start to 2026, which led to his DFAed. The Dodgers picked him up, and he’s had two good starts for them. I see that he had a couple of his fastballs up to 94 mph, but was normally in the 92 range.
Tip-off is at 8:30 E.T., with doors opening at 7:30 p.m. The $10 tickets were snapped up quickly and sold out within an hour of the posting on Ticketmaster. Fans will be able to watch the game on Garden Vision and other screens inside the Garden.
It's a stark turnaround from what city officials were saying just a week ago as the Knicks were eliminating the Cleveland Cavaliers in a four-game sweep.
The New York City Police Department had to stop watch parties outside "The World's Most Famous Arena" during the Cavaliers series, claiming fans became unruly. On May 21, six people were arrested after more than 6,000 fans celebrated following New York's 109-93 victory over Cleveland in Game 2.
Crowds were seen jumping on top of subway entrances, climbing on police barricades, causing traffic problems, throwing bottles and just being an overall nuisance.
Fans can also participate in free watch parties outside of Madison Square Garden at Plaza33 and at SummerStage in Central Park. The team also said that additional Game 3 watch parties will take place at both venues when the Knicks return home to play on June 8.
The Dodgers (39-22) tied up the series with a 6-5 win on Tuesday, but have two games left with the Diamondbacks (32-28). Shohei Ohtani and Zac Gallen take the mound for game three of the four game series between the NL West opponents.
Los Angeles is 4-1 versus Arizona this season and have outscored the Diamondbacks, 23-17 in that five game span. The Dodgers are 2-2 in the past four games, but 8-2 in the last 10 as a bigger picture. If you go a little bigger to the previous 12 games, the Dodgers offense is hitting .270 as a team (5th) with 20 home runs (T-3rd) and 68 runs scored (4th). Los Angeles has scored at least four runs in eight of the last 12 contests.
Arizona is 1-4 in the last five games, but 6-4 in the past 10. The Diamondbacks are currently in a slump offensively. In that five game span, Arizona is hitting .207 (29th) with 18 runs scored (24th) and ranks 29th in OBA, SLG, and OPS. On the other hand, the pitching staff has held up their end of the bargain with a 3.83 ERA (12th) and 1.32 WHIP (15th).
Let’s dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game details & how to watch Dodgers at Diamondbacks
Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Time: 9:40 PM EST
Site: Chase Field
City: Phoenix, AZ
Network/Streaming: MLB TV
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
Odds for the Dodgers at the Diamondbacks
The latest odds as of Wednesday:
Moneyline: Los Angeles Dodgers (-198), Arizona Diamondbacks (+162)
The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani is hitting .293 with 63 hits and 111 total bases over 215 at-bats
The Dodgers’ Kyle Tucker is hitting .235 with 50 hits and 46 strikeouts over 213 at-bats
The Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll is hitting .289 with 61 hits and 115 total bases over 211 at-bats
The Diamondbacks’ Geraldo Perdomo is hitting .224 with 44 hits and 30 strikeouts over 196 at-bats
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Dodgers at Diamondbacks
The Dodgers are 32-29 ATS
The Diamondbacks are 37-23 ATS, ranking third-best
The Dodgers are 35-26 to the Under, ranking second-best
The Diamondbacks are 29-28-3 to the Over
The Dodgers are 17-13 ATS as the road team, ranking eighth-best
The Diamondbacks are 18-10 ATS as the home team, ranking fourth-best
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers:
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Dodgers on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Dodgers at -1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Under on the Game Total of 9.0
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Angels right fielder Jo Adell misplays a ball hit by Colorado Rockies' TJ Rumfield that hit him in the head and bounced over the fence for a home run during the fourth inning in Anaheim. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
Nothing could possibly generate a headline Tuesday night when the worst American League team — the Angels — played host to the perhaps the worst National League team — the Colorado Rockies.
Except. . .
This.
A fly ball conked Angels right fielder Jo Adell on the head and bounced over the fence for a home run, reminding fans of José Canseco’s similar gaffe 33 years ago.
The ball caromed back into the outfield and Rumfield momentarily stopped at second base. But the umpires confirmed the home run, coupling Adell with Canseco in numerous social media posts.
Canseco, the steroids-fueled, defensively challenged left fielder of the Texas Rangers, made a similar blunder on May 26, 1993, when a ball hit by Cleveland’s Carlos Martínez bounced off his head and over the wall.
Mike Trout presumably has witnessed every possible blooper, blunder and boo-boo in 16 seasons with the woeful Angels. The center fielder stood only a few feet from Adell when this one occurred and did not make himself available for comment afterward.
To his credit, Adell faced reporters.
“It looks like I’ve never played in the field before, which is disappointing, because it’s beyond the truth,” he said. “I’m the only one that really knows what happened. I was out there, and it happened to me, so it is what it is.
“It was kind of the icing on the cake, because I was [expletive] all the way around the whole day today.”
Adell was hitless in four at-bats, striking out twice, in the 8-2 loss that dropped the Angels to 23-39, the worst record in the AL.
The play was emblematic of Adell’s seven-year career with the Angels, who made him a first-round draft pick in 2017. At first blush, his lifetime Wins Above Replacement of 0.3 would indicate that he’s little better than the fictional minor league “replacement player” to which MLB players are compared in calculating the statistic.
Yet Adell’s physical tools and occasional highlights scream stardom. He shouldn’t be an ordinary Jo. The antithesis of the embarrassing episode Tuesday night came less than two months ago when he robbed the Seattle Mariners of three home runs in one game.
“It was the Jo Show,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said at the time. “This guy works as hard as anybody I’ve ever been around. His work ethic, attention to detail, his desire to improve every single day. To see him do that, I don’t believe you’ll see that again.”
Suzuki, who was Adell’s teammate in 2021 and 2022, likely never thought he would see a fly ball bounce off the outfielder’s head and into the stands, the Jo Show shifting to Oh, No!
“I saw the play, but for me, Jo’s made great strides defensively from when I played with him,” Suzuki said Tuesday. “And obviously, he had the night he robbed three home runs. It was a tough play tonight, but at the same time, the strides that he’s made defensively have been great.”
Adell was considered a defensive liability early in his career and was saddled with a four-base error in 2020 when a fly ball hit his glove and went over the fence. But he steadily improved and became a Gold Glove Award finalist in 2024.
That didn’t stop the “Tarps Off” throng of shirtless fans at Angel Stadium from chanting Adell’s name after the gaffe against the Rockies. For his sake, they likely will revert to imploring Angels owner Arte Moreno to “sell the team” soon enough.
Adell might have to stay away from social media forever, but he would like to forget the ball bouncing off his head as soon as possible.
“That’s what we have to do,” he said. “I mean, there’s really no other way around it. Let it fester and tumble over, but these are plays I’ve made hundreds and thousands of times. I’ve got to just keep going, and as a team, we’ve got to keep going.”
The New York Yankees are favored again at home tonight, but my Guardians vs. Yankees predictions believe this number looks too heavy.
Gerrit Cole has been excellent in two starts back from elbow surgery, but the Cleveland Guardians bring a contact-heavy approach that will make him work.
This is the same matchup idea I used last night against Cam Schlittler: New York is lining up another arm whose success leans on chase, command, and swing-and-miss.
Gerrit Cole has opened with just over 12 scoreless innings, but that level is not sustainable while he rebuilds after elbow surgery.
Again, Cleveland has the second-lowest whiff rate at 22.9% and rarely chase, so the Guardians can again put balls in play, lengthen at-bats, and make a taxed favorite uncomfortable.
COVERS INTEL:Cleveland’s lineup has four projected hitters with strikeout rates of 13% or lower: Jose Ramirez, Chase DeLauter, Brayan Rocchio, and David Fry.
Guardians vs Yankees Over/Under pick: Under 7 (+102)
I see this as good to -110.
Cole is still Cole, and even though the Guardians will make him labor, this is still a guy who has allowed zero barrels since returning, with a 2.19 expected ERA. Cleveland’s contact profile is more annoying than explosive, after all, last night was the first time they scored more than four runs in 13 games.
On the other side, Gavin Williams’ contact quality is the concern, but his power stuff (88th percentile run value fastball) gives him a cleaner path against a less dangerous Yankees lineup as Aaron Judge remains sidelined.
Chris Hatfield's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 26-21, +4.59 units
Over/Under bets: 30-17, +15.07 units
Guardians vs Yankees odds
Moneyline: Guardians +130 | Yankees -155
Run line: Guardians +1.5 | Yankees -1.5
Over/Under: Over 7.5 | Under 7.5
Guardians vs Yankees trend
The Guardians have hit the moneyline in 10 of their last 14 away games (+7.60 Units / 49% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Guardians vs. Yankees.
How to watch Guardians vs Yankees and game info
Location
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Date
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
First pitch
7:05 p.m. ET
TV
YES Network, CLEGuardians.TV
Guardians starting pitcher
Gavin Williams (8-3, 3.07 ERA)
Yankees starting pitcher
Gerrit Cole (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
Guardians vs Yankees latest injuries
Guardians vs Yankees weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The Arizona Diamondbacks will try to take the advantage in the third game of their series against the Dodgers, but to do so, they'll need to survive baseball's best player.
Shohei Ohtani is on the mound for L.A., and he'll also be at the plate. He's won his last three starts and homered in the last two, matching the number of home runs he's given up all season.
He's good, but the odds have been pushed to ridiculous heights. My Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks predictions and MLB picks try to find a way to earn by taking the D-Backs and the runs.
Who will win Dodgers vs Diamondbacks today: Diamondbacks +1.5 (+100)
Shohei Ohtani's great, but not unbeatable. He's lost two of his last five starts, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are just 5-4 in games Ohtani pitches. Bettors have Ohtani fever, though. The Dodgers are such favorites that they're impossible to bet on. Even giving up runs, L.A. is favored.
Getting even money and runs for the Arizona Diamondbacks is an easy call, although if the Arizona moneyline gets much higher—say +185—it's worth a flier on an outright upset. Even in a best-case scenario for L.A., Arizona will get two innings against a L.A. pen that has a 7.82 ERA and 1.97 WHIP in the last three.
COVERS INTEL: He's still been strong, but Ohtani has been more vulnerable in road games. The Dodgers have lost three of their four road starts, and he allows batters to hit 64 points higher and 100 points higher in OPS away from Dodger Stadium, and strikes out 3.7 fewer batters per nine innings.
Dodgers vs Diamondbacks Over/Under pick: Pick (Odds)
The Under looks appealing with Zac Gallen pitching much better at home than on the road this season. While his overall numbers are unimpressive, he has been far more effective in Phoenix, where opponents have struggled to generate consistent offense against him.
Arizona's bullpen is also in excellent form, posting a 1.69 ERA over its last three games and providing reliable support if Gallen can work through the middle innings. Recent results also favor a lower-scoring game, as both teams have scored five or more runs in only two of their last six contests.
Shawn Krest's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 19-21 -0.79 units
Over/Under bets: 21-23 -3.51 units
Dodgers vs Diamondbacks odds
Moneyline: Dodgers -178 | Diamondbacks +170
Run line: Dodgers -1.5 (-120) | Diamondbacks +1.5 (+100)
Over/Under: Over 9.5 (-110) | Under 9.5 (-110)
Dodgers vs Diamondbacks trend
The Arizona Diamondbacks have covered the Run Line in 28 of their last 45 games at home (+10.70 Units / 19% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks.
How to watch Dodgers vs Diamondbacks and game info
Location
Stadium, City, State/Province
Date
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
First pitch
9:40 p.m. ET
TV
DBACKS.TV, Sportsnet Los Angeles
Dodgers starting pitcher
Shoehei Ohtani (5-2, 0.82 ERA)
Diamondbacks starting pitcher
Zac Gallen (3-4, 5.16 ERA)
Dodgers vs Diamondbacks latest injuries
Dodgers vs Diamondbacks weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
COVERS INTEL: Clement’s consistency at the plate has resulted in a 190 WRC+ over his last 15 outings, averaging 2.3 total bases per game. 
