As Steph Curry enters his 18th campaign in the 2026-27 NBA season, he once again will be the Warriors’ focal point. But as Curry, two-time NBA MVP, 12-time All-Star and four-time champion, nears the twilight of his career, Warriors owner Joe Lacob wants to make sure Golden State maximizes the end of their superstar’s legacy.
In an interview with Lacob on “The TK Show,” the San Francisco Standard’s Tim Kawakami mentioned Curry’s remaining years and asked if the Warriors are trying to do everything they can to be competitive while he is still there, alluding to struggles the team could experience once Curry retires. And Lacob is not oblivious to the situation, acknowledging that he’s focused on keeping a Curry-led Warriors team among the NBA’s best.
“Yes, I am sensitive to it,” Lacob told Kawakami. “He might be around one year, two years, although he could be Lebron and be around at 45. We don’t know that either, he’s one of the most remarkably conditioned athletes, I would not put anything past him. But having said that, yeah, we understand that, and Draymond [Green] is older as well … it’s going to happen at some point, people are going to be done or leave or whatever. We are trying at all times to be as good as we can be.
“It’s never acceptable not to be the best team you can possibly be for your fans, for the franchise, for Steph, for everybody. We’re always trying to do that, we really are … we’re trying, and I wouldn’t make so many conclusions about what we’re going to be or how bad we’re going to be after either. Our intent is to be good at all times. …”
Winning their last title in 2022, the Warriors have shown that they can compete in today’s NBA and with Curry still playing at an elite level, they have a foundation for a win-now mindset. But entering 2026-27 without a new addition to the roster and missing the NBA playoffs last year, the clock is ticking on the team’s title window.
While Curry has expressed his desire to finish his career in Golden State, recent team struggles have led to trade rumors surrounding the Warriors guard, mostly involving contending teams. But if there is one thing that the Warriors have shown, it is that keeping Curry a member of the franchise for life is a top priority and that doing whatever it takes to win is something that Lacob and company are not afraid to do.
With left-hander Framber Valdez on the bump, the Detroit Tigers are a -122 moneyline favorite tonight against their AL Central rivals, the Cleveland Guardians.
With the struggling Foster Griffin on the hill for Cleveland, my Guardians vs. Tigers predictions are targeting Detroit in-form offense to thrive.
Read more in my MLB picks for Wednesday, August 12.
Who will win Guardians vs Tigers today: Tigers moneyline (-126)
Framber Valdez has been throwing the ball well for the Detroit Tigers. Across his last two starts, he owns a 2.37 FIP while not allowing a single home run.
Over the last month, Valdez also has a 3.79 FIP, and he now faces a Cleveland Guardians lineup that has struggled against lefties, posting an 88 wRC+.
As for Foster Griffin, he was lit up in his Cleveland debut last week, allowing five earned runs. Griffin also compiled a 5.74 xERA over his previous three appearances before that while still with the Nationals.
The Tigers are an offensive juggernaut right now, carrying a 130 wRC+ over their last 11 contests into tonight’s matchup. They also have a 100 wRC+ vs lefties.
Detroit has the edge. Play this pick up to -140.
COVERS INTEL: The Guardians have struggled to produce offensively on the road, posting an 86 wRC+ compared to a 103 mark at Progressive Field. That gives Valdez another matchup edge in Detroit.
Guardians vs Tigers Over/Under pick: Under 8.5 (-121)
This total sits at 8.5, and I'm liking the Under. While neither bullpen has been perfect lately, both offenses are showing very little power right now. Cleveland owns a .111 ISO over the last week, while Detroit sits even lower at .090 during that span.
The Tigers’ bullpen has been manageable with a 4.07 FIP over the last week while allowing 1.27 HR/9. Cleveland’s pen is more concerning with a 5.19 FIP and 7.25 BB/9, but the Guardians’ lineup has not shown enough thump lately to fully push this toward the Over.
With both offenses lacking power, this profiles as a lower-scoring game.
Play this pick up to -130.
Guardians vs Tigers home run prediction: Jo Adell (+510)
Jo Adell may only have one home run in his last seven contests, but he is smashing the baseball right now, even if it has not left the yard as often as he’d like. The slugger owns a 46.7% hard-hit rate and 20% barrel rate over the last two weeks.
What really stands out is the 20-degree average launch angle. Adell is consistently getting lift on the baseball, with a 60% fly-ball rate during that span. He has also smoked 10 homers off lefties this season and owns a .269 ISO against them.
Adell is a solid candidate to go yard.
Play this pick down to +500.
Quinn Allen's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 48-58, -17.92 units
Over/Under bets: 58-45, +6.31 units
Guardians vs Tigers weather
Weather at Comerica Park looks playable tonight after some earlier afternoon storm risk in Detroit. Conditions should be partly cloudy to mostly clear by first pitch, with temperatures falling from about 81°F at 7 p.m. to 72°F by 11 p.m. Overall, it looks mild with no major weather edge for scoring.
Guardians vs Tigers odds
Moneyline: Cleveland +117 | Detroit -122
Run line: Cleveland +1.5 (-186) | Detroit -1.5 (+170)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 (+113) | Under 8.5 (-117)
Guardians vs Tigers trend
The Detroit Tigers have hit the Moneyline in 24 of their last 35 games (+9.35 Units / 19% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Guardians vs. Tigers.
How to watch Guardians vs Tigers and game info
Location
Comerica Park, Detroit, MI
Date
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
First pitch
6:40 p.m. ET
TV
CleGuardians.TV, DSN
Guardians starting pitcher
Foster Griffin (12-4, 3.31 ERA)
Tigers starting pitcher
Framber Valdez (7-7, 4.17 ERA)
Guardians vs Tigers latest injuries
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 Chicago White Sox sit as a -148 home favorite on Wednesday night against the Cincinnati Reds, with first pitch scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET at Rate Field.
However, my Reds vs. White Sox predictions are backing Cincinnati as a road underdog behind a pitching matchup that is far closer than the price suggests.
Who will win Reds vs White Sox today: Reds moneyline (+134)
The Chicago White Sox have been the better team this season, but I don’t see enough separation in Wednesday’s pitching matchup to lay this price.
Luis Castillo owns a 5.30 ERA and is 0-3 with a 6.33 ERA over his last five appearances, including five earned runs in four innings in his White Sox debut.
Rhett Lowder’s 5.26 ERA doesn’t look much better on paper, but his recent work is far more encouraging. He's allowed only two earned runs in each of his last three starts.
Chicago deserves to be favored at home, but at +134, the Cincinnati Reds don’t need to be the likelier winner for there to be value. With Lowder trending up and Castillo trending down, I’d play this pick to +120.
Reds vs White Sox Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (-116)
Lowder’s recent improvement makes the Under tempting, but there’s enough volatility on both sides of this matchup to prefer the Over at 8.5.
Castillo is the biggest reason, pairing his 5.30 ERA with a 1.41 WHIP and a career-high home run rate.
Chicago punishes mistakes as one of baseball’s stronger home run clubs, hitting three solo homers in Tuesday’s opener. Cincinnati’s relief group has been one of the weakest in baseball, while Chicago’s just coughed up a three-run eighth-inning lead in the opener.
With two starters carrying ERAs north of 5.25 and shaky pens behind them, I like the number at 8.5, and I’d play this to -130.
Reds vs White Sox home run prediction: Sal Stewart (+474)
I’m chasing a Reds home run here because Castillo has been extremely vulnerable to the long ball, allowing at least two homers in three of his last four outings. His most-used pitch, the four-seam fastball, has become a liability.
Enter Sal Stewart, the Reds’ best four-seam masher, who slugs .643 against the pitch with a +14 run value. The rookie has 25 home runs this season and has gone deep six times in his last 22 games.
I love his price and I’d play this down to +400, at a half unit.
Reds vs White Sox weather
Weather at Rate Field leans hitter-friendly on Wednesday night, with warm temperatures and high humidity near 90%, one of the muggiest environments on the MLB slate. The ballpark already ranks among the best in baseball for home runs, so those conditions give a slight boost to offense and to the Stewart home-run pick.
Reds vs White Sox odds
Moneyline: Reds +134 | White Sox -148
Run line: Reds +1.5 | White Sox -1.5
Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5
Reds vs White Sox trend
Cincinnati has cashed the moneyline in seven of its last 10 games as a road underdog. Find more MLB betting trends for Reds vs. White Sox.
How to watch Reds vs White Sox and game info
Location
Rate Field, Chicago, IL
Date
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
First pitch
7:40 p.m. ET
TV
Reds.TV, CHSN
Reds starting pitcher
Rhett Lowder (4-7, 5.26 ERA)
White Sox starting pitcher
Luis Castillo (3-9, 5.30 ERA)
Reds vs White Sox latest injuries
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.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 07: Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler #45 reacts during the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Toronto Blue Jays on August 7th, 2026 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Who wins the rubbermatch today? Will Luis Arraez get a hit? Do the Phillies score more than 0-1 runs? Come find out starting 2:15 today with Zack Wheeler on the mound! Lineups:
We’re three-quarters of the way through the season, and while Drew Rasmussen and I really wanted the Yankees to trade for Reid Detmers at the deadline, there are two pitchers gunning for the AL Cy Young. New York’s Cam Schlittler has surpassed expectations for his sophomore season, and Dylan Cease has been just about the only watchable player on a bad Blue Jays team.
At time of writing, the two were separated by 0.1 fWAR, a difference that is quite literally negligible. Cease has done it in about 20 fewer innings, so on a per-inning basis he’s been slightly more valuable, but Schlittler leads the AL in innings pitched and I think that does matter, even in the five-and-fly era we find ourselves in. Although Cease is posting an insane 36.1-percent strikeout rate, Schlittler’s superior control means he’s a hair ahead in K-BB rate at 26.1 percent to 25.5 percent; I personally consider this to be the single most useful pitching stat.
To keep up the fun, they even mirrored each other in recent starts. Last Thursday at the Friendly Confines, Cease went seven shutout innings against a likely playoff team, striking out 10 against a single walk. The Jays lost. On Sunday, Cam went seven innings against a likely playoff team, allowing a single run, sitting down 11 on strikes while walking nobody, and the Yankees lost. It’s one of those strange things about baseball; position dictates the two men will never actually face off against one another, but they’re going blow-for-blow in a heavyweight fight.
There’s 40-ish games left this year, and that means about eight starts apiece for the two favorites. The question isn’t what they’ve done so far in 2026, it’s how they’ll close down the stretch. The big mark against Schlittler is his home runs, a symptom of throwing so many pitches in the zone — as of Tuesday morning, Cease put the ball in the zone 42 percent of the time, Schlittler 49 percent. It seems a major focus of the Yankee’s season has been making guys hit their way aboard, and while that’s worked for the most part, he’s allowed twice as many homers as his northern rival.
Now to Cease’s credit, one of the goals of his season seems to be controlling contact quality. He’s running the lowest barrel rate, average exit velo, fly ball rate, and second-lowest hard-hit rate of his career, exactly what you’d want to do to keep the ball in the yard. xFIP, which adjusts FIP to assume a normal home run rate, does expect some slight regression down the stretch, pegging him for a 2.68 mark instead of his current 2.40 ERA. This has less to do with any choices Cease is making, and more to do with the fact that it’s just unlikely for any pitcher to surrender so few home runs. (Indeed just yesterday, he gave up multiplehomers in a start for just the fourth time this year.)
We can try and map out who Schlittler will face down the stretch — it’s imperfect as the Yankees have a key series with Boston at the end of the month that Cam’s currently not tabbed to start in, and it might make sense for the club to shuffle the rotation around to make sure he makes an appearance over say, Will Warren. There’s also a persistent rumor that Carlos Rodón will return to the team, but hey I’ll believe that when I see it. Those caveats aside, Cam’s tabbed for four starts on the road, against the Blue Jays, Angels, Padres, and Diamondbacks. This is critical when we’ve seen him develop a pretty stark home/road split this season, with a paltry 1.10 ERA/2.39 FIP on the road, compared to a 3.95 ERA/2.95 FIP at the Stadium.
I also think the innings matter!
Cease has been more valuable on a per-inning basis, like I said above. On a 200-inning pace, Dylan would have a 6.9 fWAR season, Cam would be at “just” 6.3. But Dylan Cease isn’t going to throw 200 innings, averaging exactly six innings a start he may not make it to 180. If—and it’s a big if—Cam ends the season effectively tied with Cease across multiple metrics but has a clear lead across the AL in innings pitched, I actually think that makes him more deserving of the award.
Yes, yes, per-inning basis and all, but there’s a certain security you have when you know your pitcher is going to go deep into the game every fifth day. It brings stability to the rotation and nobody’s rotation stays healthy all season, it gives you more options the day before Cam’s start, where Aaron Boone can say “OK, let’s make XYZ move because Schlittler is probably pitching deep tomorrow.” It also gives you more options the day after, since the bullpen is probably a little more rested after the righty starts.
My biggest complaint with the rise of the bullpen game is that the more pitchers you use, the greater the chance that one guy just doesn’t have it that day. He slept funny the night before and his neck has a pinch, or he can’t get a handle on his slider, it’s not really his fault but he just doesn’t have it. The fewer pitchers you use, the fewer possible points of failure. Bulk does matter, to me.
With a quarter of the season to go, figuring out the home runs, the Yankee Stadium issue — which may be one and the same, Cam gives up 1.11 HR/9 in the Bronx and 0.70 away — and continuing to pitch deep into each start is the trifecta for a Cy Young season. Dylan Cease may see some regression, especially on the home run front, but you can’t win a major award by hoping the other guy slows down. I expect this to come right down to the wire, but hopefully Cam ends up on top.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JULY 10: Zebby Matthews #52 of the Minnesota Twins looks on with the Budweiser Clydesdales against the Los Angeles Angels on July 10, 2026 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
FIRST PITCH: 1240p Central TELEVISION: Twins.TV, presented by Progressive RADIO: WCCO 830 AM, KMNB 102.9 FM, Dan Gladden Radio Network, Audacy App KNOW THE FOE:Camden Chat
The Minnesota Twins walk into yet another rubber match as they look to take the series from the visiting Baltimore Orioles this afternoon. Winning this series will mean a sixth series victory in a row for the home nine as well as gaining a game against the Orioles as they are also in the hunt for the American League Wild Card race.
Shane Baz will take the mound for Baltimore. He faced Minnesota in the opening series of the season and went 5.1 innings en route to an 8-6 win for them. He gave up seven hits and four earned runs while striking out four and did not earn a decision in the game. The rest of his campaign has been good so far this year in a strong Baltimore rotation; he owns a 3.76 ERA/3.35 FIP over 23 starts, but his strikeout numbers are down compared to last year.
Minnesota will call upon Zebby Matthews to start today. He continues to stretch himself out from a season perspective has he’s already eclipsed his total number of innings pitched from last season. The Twins have won the last two games behind Zebby – both five-inning outings, both allowing three earned runs, both allowing two walks, and one game where he notched 10 Ks against the Seattle Mariners. He’s been dealing with a blister on one of his feet, so that is something on which to keep an eye. (That does not allow you to open the door to Twinkie Town After Dark!)
Los Angeles Dodgers chairman Mark Walter attends a press conference announcing a new partnership between the Los Angeles Dodgers and UNIQLO at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The partnership renames the Dodger Stadium playing field to UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium. (MediaNews Group RM)
Just days before Walter agreed to give up his role as Los Angeles’ controlling owner to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for $12.5 billion, it was reported that US prosecutors have been probing the businessman over the way billions of dollars had allegedly moved inside his companies.
The Securities and Exchange Commission alongside the US Attorney’s Office in Manhattan are investigating how around $16 billion in loans ended up in Walter’s conglomerate TWG Global balance sheets, according to the Wall Street Journal, with the feds exploring if any fraud had taken place.
Mark Walter’s sudden sale of the Lakers comes as he’s being looked into by federal investigators. MediaNews Group via Getty ImagesThe LA Lakers have been sold to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for $12.5 billion. NBAE via Getty Images
A spokesperson for TWG Global, however, has denied wrongdoing, insisting Walter and his companies have “always acted in good faith.”
“Those who have done business with Mark know him as honest and straightforward,” the rep said. “Nothing about these transactions was any different. We are confident these matters will be resolved favorably.”
Walter, a majority owner of the Lakers, is pictured with Jeanie Buss, minority owner of the Lakers. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
While Walter gained notoriety in the business world after co-founding Guggenheim Partners — a global investment and advisory firm — he’s become a known name in the sports landscape following his establishment of TWG Global.
Through the org., Walter’s acquired affiliations with the Dodgers, Chelsea, the LA Sparks and the Cadillac Formula 1 team, among others.
Follow the latest on the multibillion-dollar LA Lakers sale:
“Owning the Los Angeles Lakers has been one of the great honors of my life – an extraordinary investment, but what I will carry with me is the community, the fans, and a city that treats this team as family,” Walter said in a statement to ESPN following the news of the sale.
“I am grateful to Jeanie Buss, the Buss family, the players, and the staff for welcoming me into this chapter. The Lakers belong to Los Angeles, and I have every confidence the best is still ahead.”
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After last night's win, the Atlanta Braves (-175 moneyline favorites) look to secure the series win over New York Mets.
My Mets vs. Braves predictions and MLB picks for Wednesday, Aug. 12, see Atlanta pull off the win at home.
Who will win Mets vs Braves today: Braves moneyline (-175)
Not the sexiest price tag for the Atlanta Braves to come out on top, but I really like this spot.
Tyler Mahle has been lights out over his last five starts, posting a 2.73 ERA and 1.04 WHIP while doing a great job limiting hard contact and barrels.
On the other side, New York Mets southpaw Zac Thornton has some underlying metrics pointing toward regression. He owns a 2.52 ERA on the year, but his xERA sits at 4.11, according to HandiGraphs.
The Mets’ lineup has been seeing the ball very well over the last week, but with how well Mahle has been pitching, I think he can hold them down.
Plus, the Braves own a 114 wRC+, .333 wOBA and .762 OPS over their last 12 games.
I think this is a great spot for the Bravos.
COVERS INTEL: Five Braves hitters own an OPS above .956 over their last 30 plate appearances against left-handed pitching.
Mets vs Braves Over/Under pick: Under 8.5 (+101)
I am expecting a pitching duel this evening in Atlanta between Mr. Thornton and Mr. Mahle, as both pitchers have done an excellent job limiting hard-hit balls and, especially, barrels. Across both pitchers’ last five starts, their opponents have stayed under an 8.5% barrel rate.
Even with my concerns about Thornton’s expected numbers this season, he has done a spectacular job of not allowing opposing hitters to generate much hard contact against him.
Both offenses have been outstanding over their last 12 games, but if these pitchers are hitting their spots this evening, I expect runs to be at a premium.
Mets vs Braves home run prediction: Matt Olson (+325)
Another game with slim pickings for long-ball looks, but we’ll go with a bat that has been barreling up lefties a ton over his last 30 plate appearances against them.
That would be Braves slugger Matt Olson, who owns a 26.35% barrel rate, .714 SLG and .464 ISO during that stretch.
Despite the lefty-on-lefty matchup, Thornton has been allowing left-handed bats to produce a ton of hard-hit balls and barrel up his offerings at a 12.5% clip over his last 30 faced. During that stretch, those bats have a .296 xBA, .495 xSLG and .522 wOBA.
“But he homered yesterday.”
Okay? Junior Caminero went back-to-back days with a home run over the last two days. It means nothing!
If you’re looking for a Met, I’m leaning Francisco Alvarez. His barrel rate has been through the roof lately.
Colby Marchio's 2026 Transparency Record
Season Record: 387-752, -17.4 Units
Home Run Record: 97-346, +8.7 Units
Mets vs Braves weather
First pitch temperatures should be in the upper 80s, with a slight wind blowing out to left.
Mets vs Braves odds
Moneyline: New York +158 | Atlanta -175
Run line: New York +1.5 (-142) | Atlanta -1.5 (+124)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-112) | Under 8.5 (+101)
Mets vs Braves trend
The Atlanta Braves have covered the Run Line in 9 of their last 11 games (+9.75 Units / 78% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Mets vs. Braves.
How to watch Mets vs Braves and game info
Location
Truist Park, Cumberland, GA
Date
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
First pitch
7:15 p.m. ET
TV
SNY, BravesVision
Mets starting pitcher
Zac Thornton (3-2, 2.52 ERA)
Braves starting pitcher
Tyler Mahle (3-9, 4.83 ERA)
Mets vs Braves latest injuries
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 27-year-old star player, who was handed the keys to the franchise following LeBron James’ departure in free agency, broke his silence on the blockbuster ownership change in an upbeat social media post.
Dončić said he was “excited” to work with the Lakers’ new billionaire owners as he looks to lead the storied franchise back to NBA glory.
Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball against the Detroit Pistons. Getty Images
He didn’t waste any time making his statement on social media Wednesday morning in the wake of the historic Lakers sale.
“Being a Laker means everything to me, and I’m excited to get back on the court and bring a championship to LA,” Dončić wrote.
“I’ve gotten used to big changes over these last few years, but I know that no matter what, there is no limit to the potential of this iconic franchise. I look forward to meeting Josh and Bob so we can get to work building something special in LA together,” he added.
Being a Laker means everything to me, and I’m excited to get back on the court and bring a championship to LA. I’ve gotten used to big changes over these last few years, but I know that no matter what, there is no limit to the potential of this iconic franchise. I look forward to…
This is exactly the sort of statement that Lakers fans were hoping to see from Dončić, who is clearly optimistic about what this change in ownership will bring.
Most within the basketball community would agree that the Lakers roster isn’t championship-caliber right now. Then again, the team is definitely good enough to earn a spot in the postseason, and Dončić has proven countless times that he can dominate entire playoff series with his elite play.
To add, the Lakers can always acquire more players via trade during the season. And these new owners are clearly showing they won’t spare any expense bringing this franchise back to glory.
Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles during Game 2 of the second round of the NBA playoffs. NBAE via Getty Images
Follow the latest on the multibillion-dollar LA Lakers sale:
Billionaire Mark Walter is selling the Lakers just 14 months after purchasing a controlling stake in the celebrated franchise from the Buss family at a then-record $10 billion valuation.
The $12.5 billion deal represents a $2.5 billion jump in the Lakers’ valuation in barely a year and would again set a record for the largest sale of a US sports franchise.
The transaction still requires approval from the NBA Board of Governors and could take several weeks to complete, with the league’s next board meeting reportedly scheduled for September.
Walter, who will retain control of the Dodgers, is selling the Lakers while his Guggenheim Investments firm is under scrutiny from the US Attorney’s Office in Manhattan and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Federal investigators are examining how $16 billion in loans to companies tied to Walter, or his holding company TWG Global, ended up with insurance companies he owned after passing through a third party, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Kushner, 41, is the founder and managing partner of Thrive Capital and the son of US Ambassador to France Charles Kushner and brother of White House official Jared Kushner.
Iger, 75, served two stints as CEO of The Walt Disney Company, from 2005 to 2020 and again from 2022 until leaving the company in March.
Iger and his wife Willow Bay became controlling owners of Angel City FC in 2024.
Kushner and Iger had previously been part of a group pursuing a potential NBA expansion franchise in Las Vegas before opting to buy the Lakers.
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Max Muncy walked off the Royals (49-72) in a 5-4 comeback win for the Dodgers (72-49) on Tuesday night. Los Angeles has a chance to sweep the Royals before preparing for a four-game series versus Milwaukee.
The Dodgers have won two-straight and three of the past four following its season-long seven-game losing streak. In August, Los Angeles ranks 26th in ERA (4.95) and the offense has not cooked with 36 runs over 10 games (T-23rd) and a .251 batting average (12th).
Kansas City has now lost three consecutive games and five of the previous six. In August, the Royals own the second-worst ERA (5.67) with 57 runs allowed over 10 games and the second-worst WHIP (1.53), and fourth-worst OBA (.274). The Royals have allowed at least five runs in three-straight games and four of the past five.
Let’s dive into tonight’s 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 Royals at Dodgers
Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Time: 10:10 PM EST
Site: Dodger Stadium
City: Los Angeles, CA
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 Royals at the Dodgers
The latest odds as of Wednesday:
Moneyline: Los Angeles Dodgers (-207), Kansas City Royals (+192)
Spread: Royals +1.5 (-117), Dodgers -1.5 (-103)
Total: 9.0
Probable starting pitchers for Royals at Dodgers
Wednesday's pitching matchup (August 12): Eric Lauer vs Daniel Lynch IV
Freddie Freeman has recorded a hit in 17 of his last 20 games
Shohei Ohtani is batting .282 to start August (11/39)
Mookie Betts is hitting .257 in August (9/35)
Isaac Collins is hitting .154 in August (4/26)
Jac Caglianone is hitting .425 in August (17/40) with four home runs
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 Royals at Dodgers
Los Angeles is 49-71 ATS, ranking third-worst
Kansas City is 56-65 ATS, ranking fifth-worst
Los Angeles is 63-56-1 to the Under
Kansas City is 62-56-3 to the Under
Los Angeles is 20-38 ATS at home, ranking second-worst
Kansas City is 28-34 ATS on the road, ranking fifth-worst
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Dodgers and the Royals
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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 Dodgers and the Royals:
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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It feels cliche to ponder the possibility of the Pittsburgh Pirates shutting Paul Skenes down, even in what increasingly looks like another lost season for him and his team.
His overall numbers are far from bad relative to the rest of baseball. His 3.88 ERA is fine. His 2.99 FIP, which measures a pitcher’s effectiveness independent of the defense behind him, is very good. So is his 1.12 WHIP, which measures walks and hits per innings pitched.
Yes, his velocity is down, noticeably. Skenes topped out at 96.5 mph on Aug. 11, and his season average is at 96.8 mph on his four-seam vs a 98.2 mph average in 2025. No, he doesn’t look like the dominant Cy Young-caliber ace he was his first two seasons. And yes, that reality raises existential questions about the club’s future, specifically his future with it. He also hasn’t fully turned into a proverbial pumpkin the way the narrative around this team would sometimes have one think.
It nevertheless became a lot harder to ignore the signs that Skenes may not complete the season Aug. 11 in Miami. Manager Don Kelly pulled Skenes after just five innings and 65 pitches against the Marlins, though he said after the game that the decision wasn’t injury related.
The underlying stat line was deceptive. He allowed just one earned run while scattering five hits and a walk, but he needed Bryan Reynolds to rob Griffin Conine on his final pitch of the evening to avoid a two-run homer that would have given the night a very different feel.
Before the game, Kelly made one of his frankest acknowledgements yet that something is wrong without pointing specifically to the physical element.
“The league is adjusting back,” he told reporters. “Paul’s gonna have to fight to make the adjustment back to the league and find a way to adjust himself. Yes, the [velocity]’s down. I think command has been a bigger thing, at least for me. That could come from multiple things. From trying too hard to trying to be too perfect. Maybe trying to get that [velocity] back. You can’t just go get it. How does Paul make the adjustment back?”
Much has been made locally about Skenes’ workload, which this year included the early ramp up to the World Baseball Classic coming off a career-high at all levels of 187 innings during his Cy Young campaign in 2025.
He’d have to average more than seven innings per start the rest of the way to hit that number again, assuming he finishes at or near his total of 32 games started last year.
Through that lens, Kelly’s decision could be seen as a further attempt to manage the number downward. Continuing to allow Skenes the space to work through the necessary adjustments without overexposing him in increasingly meaningless games.
The Pirates didn’t score a single run of support Tuesday night, after all. The bullpen pitched four scoreless innings the rest of the way, so Skenes’ early departure made no practical impact on the outcome.
Perhaps we should expect more of that the rest of the way, as opposed to an outright shut down. Especially as the race for the final wild-card spot in the National League becomes increasingly bleak.
The Pirates are now six games back of the San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies, who are tied for wild card spots. The Marlins, Cardinals, Nationals and Reds all remain in front of them. And playoff odds via Fangraphs have almost halved again since Aug. 10. They now sit at 4.4%.
For his part, Skenes seemed to feel afterward that he’d made progress while demurring on the question of being pulled early.
POSTGAME: Paul Skenes on tonight's 2-0 shutout loss to the Marlins.
“I thought it was better in terms of attacking guys,” he told reporters. “Kind of making pitches earlier in the count.
“If I were the manager, I’d probably do it, too. [Kelly] walked me through everything and it all made sense. Yeah, wish I could have gone more, but it kind of is what it is.”
We also have the schedule for the four games on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January and four more on Presidents Day in February — which will include one of the most anticipated games of the year: LaMelo Ball's return to Charlotte. All of these games will be available on NBC and/or Peacock.
Here is the full broadcast schedule for those days.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
It's one of the most meaningful days on the NBA calendar, one where players are quick to talk about how proud they are to be taking the court — and there are some must-watch matchups that day.
The four games on Jan. 18, 2027 are:
• Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers (12 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock). Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren lifted the Pistons to the No. 1 seed last season, but they were bounced in the second round of the playoffs by Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and the Cavaliers. Detroit wants to take the next step forward this season, and this is a good measuring stick.
• Philadelphia 76ers at Atlanta Hawks (2:30 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock). Atlanta traditionally hosts a game on Martin Luther King Jr. Day — it is the city where the civil rights leader was born, raised and started his ministry. To celebrate him, what should be an improved Hawks team this season will be put to the test as they host LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey and the Philadelphia 76ers.
• Minnesota Timberwolves at New York Knicks (5 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock). The athletic, high-flying backcourt of Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball travels to Madison Square Garden to take on Jalen Brunson and the defending champion New York Knicks in what should be a highly entertaining showdown.
• Houston Rockets at Memphis Grizzlies (7:30 p.m. ET, Peacock). Memphis also traditionally hosts a game on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it is the city where he supported striking Black sanitation workers in 1968, and also where he was assassinated. The Grizzlies feature potential Rookie of the Year Carlos Boozer and company hosting Kevin Durant and the Rockets.=
President’s Day
There is a much anticipated slate of games on Presidents' Day, Feb. 15, 2027, including one everyone will have circled on the calendar. The games are:
• Minnesota Timberwolves at Charlotte Hornets (12 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock). LaMelo Ball returns to Charlotte, the only team he had known in the NBA until this summer, and a place where he was a fan favorite. Ball will feel the love from the Hornets fans (he did not ask out), but will that propel him to a win? Ball returns with Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert and a Timberwolves team looking to get back to the top of the Western Conference. Charlotte flipped this offseason to a team based around Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel.
• Philadelphia 76ers at Dallas Mavericks (2:30 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock). LeBron James faces his former teammate Kyrie Irving as the new-look 76ers head to Dallas to take on Cooper Flagg and the Mavericks. While LeBron vs. Irving grabs the headlines, on the court, Tyrese Maxey vs. Irving will be the matchup to watch.
• San Antonio Spurs vs. Miami Heat (5 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock). Victor Wembanyama vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo. A showdown of two of the best players in the league, although how Bam Adebayo and the rest of the Heat front line deal with Wemby may determine the game.
• Indiana Pacers vs. Golden State Warriors (7:30 p.m. ET, Peacock). Fans entering the season may be sleeping on a Pacers team that, with a healthy Tyrese Haliburton back at the point, could be better than the team that reached the NBA Finals two years ago. This is Haliburton's one trip to the Bay Area this season to face Stephen Curry and company.
It's a getaway day for some, and that's a perfect day to find some MLB player props and dig into what's not priced into the pitcher prop markets.
Drew Rasmussen and Eric Lauer will face offenses looking forward to a day off tomorrow, and their Overs are projecting well, while Zack Wheeler was pushed heavily in his last start and should lose some efficiency and leash today.
These are my favorite pitcher strikeout, pitcher props & MLB picks for Wednesday, August 12.
Best MLB strikeout props and starting pitcher picks today
Player
Pick
Odds
Drew Rasmussen
Over 5.5 strikeouts
+120
Eric Lauer
Over 4.5 strikeouts
+130
Zack Wheeler
Under 17.5 outs
+140
Strikeout prop: Drew Rasmussen Over 5.5 strikeouts (+120)
Drew Rasmussen might not go 100 pitches every start, but even with that 90-95-pitch leash, he can rack em up, and he's done so of late. Over his last three starts vs. teams with a big array of K%, the Tampa Bay Rays starter has 27 Ks over his last 20 innings. He has gotten to 5+ Ks in all but two of his last 11 starts since the start of June.
Tampa got a complete game with Nick Martinez last night, as the Athletics lineup has been one of the worst over the last two weeks and a bottom-10 team in K% over that stretch. THE BAT will never like Rasmussen's Overs because of that leash, but his range of outcomes and ability to smash his Overs separates him from other starters.
This price is tough to ignore for a K/inning guy who can get to six frames on a team that hates its bullpen and is looking to win a division.
The All-Star break was perfect for the right-hander as he has allowed just two runs over his last 25 innings and hasn't allowed a run in three straight games. He also gets an Athletics team that might be looking ahead to a day off on Thursday.
Time: 3:05 p.m. ET
Where to watch: NBCSCA, Rays.TV
Strikeout prop: Eric Lauer Over 4.5 strikeouts (+130)
Let's take a swing at another heavy plus-money Over K prop against a Kansas City Royals lineup that got carved up by another lefty last night in Blake Snell, who easily topped his 7.5 K prop with a 10-strikeout outing.
Eric Lauer is not Snell, but the Royals are a light-hitting lineup, and they're looking ahead to a day off tomorrow in California before heading to Anaheim.
THE BAT is projecting Lauer to go Over this number on 87 pitches with a fair price of +125, but the Dodgers should give him a six-inning leash with a pitch count that can reach the upper 90s. There’s a good chance he tops that projected pitch count today.
Lauer is also coming off a bad start at Wrigley, his worst as a Dodger, giving him some motivation on his side. The Los Angeles Dodgers could also be without three relievers today, including two lefties, which makes getting length from Lauer even more important.
I'm taking the Over and looking for Lauer to get through six innings with enough volume to cash this plus-money prop.
Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: SportsNetLA, Royals.TV
Pitcher outs prop: Zack Wheeler Under 17.5 outs (+141)
Sticking with the plus-money on these, this is my favorite fade of the day. Zack Wheeler is coming off an 116-pitch outing against the Blue Jays, which was the most he has thrown in over five seasons. Making that even heavier is that he threw just 110 combined pitches in his two previous outings.
His form has also fallen off that Cy Young pace, as he owns a 5.71 ERA since the break and has gone Over this number just once.
Looking at the Philadelphia Phillies' bullpen, there could be a quicker hook than usual, as all but one arm is available and the high-leverage guys need some work.
There are also some lefties in that St. Louis Cardinals lineup who could end Wheeler's day, with JJ Wetherholt and Alec Burleson in the mix. There should be five lefties in the Cardinals' lineup today.
I love fading pitchers coming off massive workloads, and the distraction about Wheeler not touching the rubber is just another thing that works in this Under's favor. This isn't a coin flip, but 45%-47% looks like the outcome.
Time: 2:15 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Cardinals.TV, NBCSP
Josh Inglis' 2026 Transparency Record
Prop picks: 10-13, -2.8 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.
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz may be in danger of missing the rest of the season because of his injured right thumb.
Manager Mark Kotsay told reporters before his team’s game against Tampa Bay that Kurtz needs to be in a brace for four weeks following a platelet-rich plasma injection on Aug. 4. Kotsay alluded to the fact that four weeks without mobility for Kurtz could make a return before the end of September difficult to envision.
Kurtz, 23, went on the injured list with a sprained right thumb on July 11 and returned two weeks later. He struggled at the plate following his return, going 1 for 18 in seven games. Kurtz was expected to see a hand specialist in Los Angeles.
The reigning AL rookie of the year is batting .256 with 21 home runs and 69 RBIs in his second season in the majors. Kurtz, a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was selected as an All-Star but unable to participate in Philadelphia because of the injury.
Ben Simmons is trying to make an NBA comeback at 30 years old after injuries kept him out of the league last season. The forward is training with the Australian national men’s basketball team in private runs this week with the hope of making the 2028 Olympic roster, and as videos from those sessions start to circulate, it’s time for one of modern basketball’s greatest late offseason traditions.
It feels like every offseason features videos of Simmons showing off an improved outside shooting stroke. This of course never actually holds when the games matter, as Simmons has made just five three-pointers in 383 career NBA games. I was worried that we’d never get another mid-August video of Simmons stroking jumpers in a pickup run again after his career stalled out last year, but I was wrong! Watch a shirtless Simmons connect from deep in the video below:
Simmons has legitimately never recovered from refusing to take an open dunk during Game 7 of the 2021 Eastern Conference playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks. Simmons was named an All-Star for the third consecutive season that year, but his body started to break down after repeated back and nerve injuries, and he’s never been able to rediscover his best level.
Videos of Simmons ripping jumpers in pickup runs have been circulating for a decade. Here’s a video from July 2019:
Fans clown Simmons for his broken jumper, but he was still a special talent at his peak. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Simmons was 2018 Rookie of the Year, earned two First-Team All-Defense nods, one All-NBA team, and three All-Star bids during his short prime. He was an elite defensive forward with incredible passing ability who could score in the open floor as well as any player in the league. His athleticism waned as the injuries piled up, and eventually he started to play scared offensively because he didn’t want to go to the free throw line. Still, Simmons ranks No. 2 in BPM and No. 4 in win shares per 48 minutes from the 2016 draft class to this day.
I wouldn’t count out a Simmons comeback. He could make sense on a team like the Boston Celtics that can surround him with shooters, using him as a passing hub, and unleash him on defense. While videos of made jumpers in an empty gym will always go viral for Simmons, the big question for his potential comeback is if he can get healthy enough to defend at a high level again.
Lots has changed in the NBA over the last decade, but Ben Simmons is still going viral for making threes in pickup runs. It’s kind of beautiful if you think about it.
COVERS INTEL: The Guardians have struggled to produce offensively on the road, 
Drew Rasmussen
Eric Lauer
Zack Wheeler