Jun 7, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron (1) fields and throws to first for an out in Game 2 of the Super Regional between Alabama and St. John's at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. | Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
This is my least likely preview. Before the season Baseball America projected Lebron in the top 5 and even mentioned his potential to be #1 overall. Lebron responded to this lofty praise with easily his worst season yet. This included an eye popping 18 errors (that would be a roughly 50 error pace in MLB) and a batting average 55 points lower than either of his first 2 College seasons. Will he fall all the way to 36? Probably not because there’s Gold Glove potential and easy power, but I also wouldn’t rule it out as there are equal questions about the bat and there’s those 18 errors.
Lebron is a 21 year old, 6’2″ 190lbs right handed hitter from the University of Alabama with a pretty flashy tool set: Plus speed and arm, above average to plus power and above average to plus fielding and a somewhat questionable hit tool with plus bat speed and an approach to swinging Austin Powers would be overwhelmed by. As a defender Lebron brings great range and a cannon arm. The errors are a combo of the range getting him into the occasional error, but also that great arm’s accuracy can go a bit haywire at times. His tools should allow him to stay at Short, he’ll just need to clean up the throws and focus if he can clean up those items he could end up being a plus or better defender. His speed has also made him a big threat on the basepaths and he loves stealing bases. He’s been caught stealing TWICE in 3 years. Yeah, that’ll play.
Now onto his hitting and swing. Honestly, I love the swing. A small leg kick, he maintains his eye level pretty quiet setup and that plus bat speed. No changes needed in my opinion. The pitch recognition though is another story. Lebron loves to swing and he will expand the zone. He also struggles with breaking/off speed pitches. He doesn’t miss often on Fastballs, but he misses almost half of everything else. His raw power is probably double-plus, but game power gets held back a bit by the pitch recognition and contact issues. This feels like a guy the late 2000’s front office would kill for, it also seems like the type of hitter this team has had no luck developing. In the video below you get a great mix of game action showing a little of all the good thing Lebron can do.
I have very strong doubts Lebron gets anywhere vaguely close to 36. The tools are just too exciting and someone in the top 20 is probably going to roll the dice. Some Player Development Director will be convinced he can fix the issues. I wouldn’t even be surprised if Lebron dominates in A ball. His tools are probably going to be enough to overwhelm some talent there and, as you can see in the video, he feasts on high Fastballs, which he’ll see plenty of along with breaking pitches still a bit raw and similar to College. Double-A will be where he may first get exposed. But, man, that power in Reading’s homer prone park would be blast to watch, even if he only hits the Mendoza line with a 40% K rate.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 06: Griffin Canning #17 of the San Diego Padres looks on during the third inning against the New York Mets at Petco Park on June 06, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Padres fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Griffin Canning returned to the mound for the San Diego Padres in their series opener against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Monday night and there is no doubt that most of the Friar Faithful, if not all, were wondering how long he would last and how many runs he would allow before being removed from the game. To his credit, Canning lasted 4.1 innings and allowed two runs, which was enough to put the Padres in position to win, but the offense failed to produce, and the end result was a 3-2 walk-off win for the Cubs.
Canning has struggled throughout his time in San Diego and holds a 1-5 record with an atrocious 7.09 ERA. That is definitely not what any team wants to see from a member of its starting rotation. The fact that he remains in the rotation and continues to get starts is evidence of just how bad the Padres rotation is at this time. Walker Buehler has been arguably the most reliable starter of the group with Michael King lacking consistency and Randy Vasquez floundering with his recent performances. Lucas Giolito, German Marquez and Matt Waldron all joined Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove on the injured list and Yu Darvish was lost for the season before it ever began.
The hope is that Pivetta and Musgrove can return some time after the All-Star break, but how long after is unknown. Whether it is their returns or a trade deadline acquisition, Canning is squarely on the chopping block based on his numbers this season. His best start came on May 25 against the Philadelphia Phillies when he threw 6.2 innings and allowed three runs on three hits with two of those hits being home runs. Canning followed that performance with three consecutive five-inning outings but has not gone longer than 4.1 innings in the three outings since.
According to the results of this week’s Padres Reacts Survey on Gaslamp Ball, the Friar Faithful who participated in the poll have seen enough from Canning and are ready to let him go. Giolito’s recent addition to the injured list may have spared him for now, but if the Padres get any rotation help, Canning will be the first to pack his bags if the fans get their way.
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WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 19, 2026: Xavier Neyens #9 of the Houston Astros scores on a single hit by Chase Call during the seventh inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Miami Marlins at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 19, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Check out some prospects who have been hot in the system!
HITTERS:
Xavier Neyens – Neyens, the Astros first round pick last year, has put together a strong season so far. This week the 19-year-old hit .400 with 3 home runs and 9 walks in just 5 games. Overall this season, Neyens has a .900 OPS with 12 home runs for the Woodpeckers.
Albert Fermin – Fermin got the biggest international bonus the Astros issued out this year and is off to a really strong start in the Dominican Summer League. This week the 17-year-old hit .333 with a double, 2 home runs, 8 runs batted in and 3 stolen bases. He is hitting .368 this season.
Lucas Spence – Spence, who got off to a slow start, has really turned it on and earned a promotion to Triple-A. This week the outfielder hit .421 with 3 doubles, a home run, 7 runs batted in and a stolen bases. He’s hitting .370 over 22 games in the month of June.
Arturo Flores – Flores is a young catcher down in Fayetteville but has been doing some damage with the bat this year. After earning a spot on the list last week, he repeats here with another big week. The 20-year-old hit .438 with 2 home runs and 5 runs batted in. He has 11 home runs and a .851 OPS overall.
PITCHERS:
Ethan Pecko – After a slower start to the year, Pecko has been one of the best pitchers in minor league baseball in the month of June. This week the right-hander tossed 6 innings allowing 1 run while striking out 4. In June he has a 0.75 ERA allowing just 2 runs on 13 hits over 24 innings for Sugar Land.
Brett Gillis – Gillis has had some strong starts this season and after having his best start last week, he bested that outing this week. In his start for the Hooks, the right-hander tossed 7 scoreless innings allowing 3 hits while striking out 7. He has a 3.45 ERA this season in Double-A.
Bryce Mayer – Mayer has been solid this year and this week he turned in his longest outing of the season tossing 5.2 scoreless innings with 3 strikeouts in his start for the Hooks. Mayer has a 3.89 ERA with 62 strikeouts over 44 innings this season in Double-A.
Jackson Nezuh– Nezuh has done well racking up the strikeouts this season, though the ERA has been a little higher. This week he was great allowing just 1 hit and 1 run over 5 innings while striking out 9. Overall this season, the right-hander has 64 strikeouts over 53.1 innings.
There are some weeks where identifying a hitter of the week is a chore, and the best of the best still feels like scraping the bottom of the barrel. Other times, there are a dearth of options and it sucks to pass over someone who had one hell of a week because someone else had an even better one. This week was the latter. Nick Lorusso hit .300/.391/.750 with three doubles and two homers. John Bay hit .333/.455/.778 with two doubles and two homers. Nick Morabito hit .364/.417/.455 with two doubles and four stolen bases. Yonatan Henriquez hit .417/.417/.542 with three doubles and three stolen bases. Yonny Hernandez hit .571/.591/.762 with four doubles and two stolen bases.
Of those players, JT Benson really turned it up a notch. Benson has been on a tear since getting signed out of the indies earlier this year, but this week was especially impressive. I normally don’t like selecting players who didn’t play a “full week” (five or six games), but it’s hard to deny what he did this week; he had a 301 wRC+!
Offense is only about half of the equation of a player, and looking at Benson’s defense, he’s solid. The 24-year-old outfielder has average-to-above average speed and not only knows how to use it on the basepaths- where he has successfully stolen 13 total bases in 19 attempts this year and 33 in 38 attempts last season in the indies- but taps into it in the outfield as well. He is smooth out there, able to read the ball off the bat well, has a quick catch and release, and a strong arm. He has the combination of defensive skills that allow him to play all three outfield positions well enough, but he profiles best at this point in either left or right field for now due to a lack of reps and experience in center.
Daviel Hurtado
Week: 1 G (1 GS), 6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K (Single-A)
Daviel Hurtado had a solid week. Against the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, he had a solid quality start, allowing one run in six innings pitched, scattering a pair of hits, walking one batter, and striking out six. I wouldn’t necessarily classify that kind of start as exceptional, but given the rest of the pickings for this week among the Mets minor league pitchers, that was the best individual performance. Jonah Tong is the only other starting pitcher who had a quality start, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks with three strikeouts in six innings. Everyone else? Not so much.
The 18-year-old Hurtado was signed by the Mets on January 15, 2023 after the young left-hander left Cuba. A native of Havana, he had been involved in baseball in the city for years, playing on the U-12 and U-15 Cuban National Baseball Teams. In 2022, he and his parents took up residency in the Dominican Republic and the left-hander began the vetting process by Major League Baseball to establish his eligibility to sign with an MLB club. The process went smoothly and quickly and he was granted his eligibility to sign that year, but given that most clubs had spent the majority of their international bonus pool monies, Hurtado and his representatives elected to wait to sign until 2023, giving him a better opportunity to sell his talent and maximize his signing bonus. Having agreed to an informal agreement in the months prior, Hurtado signed with the Mets and the two sides came to official terms, agreeing to a $640,000 signing bonus.
The left-hander was assigned to the Dominican Summer League for the 2023 season, but did not actually pitch, as Tommy John surgery kept him off the mound all season. He finally made his professional debut in 2024 with the FCL Mets and posted a 6.32 ERA in 15.2 innings, allowing 15 hits, walking 10, and striking out 23. He remained in the Florida Complex League to begin the 2025 season, but was promoted to Single-A St. Lucie after roughly a month, allowing a single earned run with the FCL Mets in 19.0 innings over 5 starts, scattering 8 hits, walking 5, and striking out 25. He remained with the St. Lucie Mets for the rest of the season and posted a 2.70 ERA in 46.2 innings over 13 appearances, 7 of which were starts. He allowed 45 hits, walked 19, and struck out 50.
The Mets had the 21-year-old begin the season with St. Lucie, and after posting a 5.00 ERA in 9.0 innings over 4 appearances, promoted him to High-A Brooklyn. The southpaw shrugged off the malaise he was showing in St. Lucie and has pitched well with the Cyclones. In 6 starts, Hurtado has a 1.91 ERA in 28.1 innings, allowing 13 hits, walking 4, and striking out 24.
Hurtado is listed at 6’1”, 165-pounds and is well-proportioned and lean. He stands on the far first base side of the rubber and throws from a high-three-quarters arm slot with a high leg kick and a long arm action through the back. His mechanics flow and are loose and smooth, leaving him in excellent fielding position in his follow-through.
Hurtado’s four-seam fastball sits in the mid-90s, ranging 90-96 MPH; he added a little velocity to it this season, and it is up roughly 2 MPH as compared to last season. The pitch has a low spin rate for a four-seam fastball, 2,190 RPM, giving it less ride and more sink. Overall, the pitch has been very hittable, which lowers his overall ceiling and is why he was never given serious consideration on the 2026 Top Prospect list despite posting sterling surface-level numbers- that and the fact that he bears a striking resemblance to Oliver Perez. He has been throwing the pitch a bit less this season, in favor of his breaking balls a bit more, which can only help him right now. Hurtado’s two-seam fastball is almost identical to his four-seam fastball in every way, from velocity to spin rate to induced vertical break, except it generally gets a few more inches of arm-side horizontal movement, about ten inches to his four-seam fastball’s five.
The southpaw’s curveball sits in the mid-70s-to-low-80s, featuring 55 inches of vertical drop and 5-10 inches of horizontal movement, making it a loopy, slurvy 11-5 bender. His slider sits in the mid-to-high-80s, featuring 35 inches of vertical drop and 3-5 inches of horizontal movement, giving the pitch hop. The two breaking balls tunnel well with each other, the slower curveball featuring more overall movement and the faster slider featuring less.
Hurtado was throwing a budding changeup infrequently in 2025, but he has since scrapped it, barely throwing the pitch during in-game situations this season. Despite the lack of a changeup, he has generally been slightly better against left-handed hitters over the course of his career, but has not ever exhibited extreme platoon splits one way or the other, dominating lefties or struggling against righties.
Hurtado is not only able to command all of his pitches, but the left-hander has pinpoint control. He can throw in the zone and outside of it with confidence, though gets beaten with regularity when he lives inside of it for too long. The southpaw is at his best when he is able to nip the zone with his fastball and then expand the zone with his breaking balls, getting batters to get themselves out either by inducing weak contact or swinging-and-missing. Between the sink from his fastball and weak contact from his breaking pitches, the left-hander has maintained extremely favorable batted ball splits over the course of his young career. This year, Hurtado has maintained a 22.6% line drive rate, 57.0% groundball rate, and 20.4% flyball rate in his 37.1 innings with St. Lucie and Brooklyn combined.
I had an oh-duh moment while watching this one play out. I have to go back down the rabbit hole, because I don’t see anyone keeping the full total. I know this is 10 walk-offs. I’m pretty certain the number is three for road wins in their last at bat. But I don’t recall if there were any home wins with an eighth-inning winning run. That is technically the other way to win while scoring in your last team at-bat. 10 walk-offs already is amazing. 13 last chance wins is amazing. This team finds new ways to amaze me all the time.
I’ll probably change my opinion once or twice more, but I think I’ve decided that if the Cubs decide to only bring back one corner outfielder, it is Seiya. I love the loyalty, the longevity, the season over season consistency of Ian Happ. I love that he moved all over the field until they settled on a position for him. I love that he then won several gold gloves at that spot. Seiya is significantly improved in the field now too. He’s grown so much as a fielder and he’s quietly having a very good season there. The relationship between Seiya and Pete Crow-Armstrong feels special. I think when all of my internal ballots are counted, I’m about 53 percent in favor of Seiya. Well within the margin of error.
But yeah, the story of the game and these last three days and really this whole season is this team just finding a way to win. Just like that, they are essentially back on a 90-win pace (89.6). Will all the injuries, all of the slumps, this team somehow gets it done. Four Cub pitchers were used in this game. None of them were particularly impressive. The Cubs allowed 11 hits and two walks. It definitely felt like they were in trouble all night long. And yet, they yielded just two runs.
The Cubs couldn’t really get to Griffin Canning, finally chasing him with two runs allowed over 4.1 innings. But he’s fared so much worse lately than that. The Cubs put up 10 hits, four walks and had a batter hit. They managed three runs. Often not enough, but just enough on this night. To be fair, I’m pretty sure at least one more run would have scored had the game not ended there. I really thought that was a walk-off homer off of Seiya’s bat. It felt like he hit it pretty close to the spot where Javier Baez once reached the basket against Johnny Cueto to win a game 1-0 in the playoffs.
I said the Cubs needed to get at least one win in this series to make sure they at least split the season series with the Padres. That mission is accomplished. Now they get two shots to win this series and also the season series. Given that the two teams figure to compete for a Wild Card spot, that could matter.
This team is bonkers to cover, but I wouldn’t miss it. These three straight wins are absolutely wild. They’ve faced some really elite pitchers on good teams and countered with a bunch of scrap heap arms. And won. I’m watching potentially the ultimate collision of social media and real life. If this team wins 90 games (or more), social media will have been tap dancing all season long on Craig Counsell’s grave while he wins the NL Manager of the Year award. The Dodgers and Brewers are exactly who we thought they were. The Braves are more or less who we thought they were and the Cubs are running more of a MASH unit than a pitching staff. And every time the dust settles again, they are still standing. Still in the rear view mirror of the Brewers. Stalking like some campy 80’s horror-slasher movie villain.
This team has been so odd, winning more than half of their games either by scoring in the last inning or blowing out their opponent, that we basically haven’t nitpicked any decisions. Not at the micro level anyway. While I’m often a big fan of the aggressive fan and making the other team make a play, I hated the send of Dansby Swanson on the fly out double play in the ninth. I would have rather continued to have the bases loaded there, even though it also put PCA on third. It didn’t end up mattering, but I just wouldn’t have made that send.
What a time to be alive! Go Cubs.
Three Positives:
Pete Crow-Armstrong, the walking man? Two more singles, two more walks. That up to the minute on-base percentage is .370. In his age 24 season, he’s going to be a two-time All-Star, a two-time Gold Glove (first time platinum?), and will best his ninth place MVP finish of last year.
Shōta Imanaga. 6.1 innings, nine hits, no walks, two runs. Four strikeouts. Not his best outing, but a terrific one at that.
Seiya Suzuki. Two hits, one a double. Two runs driven in, one run scored. He was part of all three runs that scored. That will be one of the most well struck balls off of Mason Miller this year.
Game 85, June 29: Cubs 3, Padres 2 (47-38)
Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.
Sidekick: Trent Thornton (.134). IP, 3 BF, H, K (W 3-2)
THREE GOATS:
Billy Goat: Michael Busch (-.330). 0-4, BB
Goat: Miguel Amaya (-.183). 0-4
Kid: Ian Happ (-.144). 0-4
WPA Play of the Game: Seiya Suzuki’s walk-off “single” off the top of the wall. (.367)
Brewers Play of the Game: Michael Busch one play earlier, the fly out/thrown out at home double play. (.303)
Cubs Player of the Game:
Game 84 Winner: Bryse Wilson received 123 of 235 votes.
Rizzo Award Standings: (Top 5/Bottom 5)
The award is named for Anthony Rizzo, who finished first in this category three of the first four years it was in existence and four times overall. He also recorded the highest season total ever at +65.5. The point scale is three points for a Superhero down to negative three points for a Billy Goat.
Pete Crow-Armstrong +17
Michael Busch +15
Ben Brown +13.5
Trent Thornton +12.5
Carson Kelly +11.5
Edward Cabrera -9.5
Phil Maton -10
Dansby Swanson -12
Caleb Thielbar -13
Seiya Suzuki -14.5
Up Next: Game two of this three-game set. Matthew Boyd (2-1, 5.02) starts for the Cubs. JP Sears (1-0, 3.18) makes his second start of the season for the Padres. The 30-year-old veteran lefty made 27 starts last year for the A’s and Padres with a 5.04 ERA.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 09: Day'ron Sharpe #20 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Barclays Center on March 09, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 126-115. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Late last week, we got the news that former North Carolina men’s basketball player Coby White had agreed to a new deal with the Charlotte Hornets, who he had been acquired by in a trade last season. On Monday, we got more news that another Tar Heel had come to an agreement on a new contract. Yesterday, Day’Ron Sharpe reportedly agreed to re-up with the Brooklyn Nets for two years and $20 million, staying with the only NBA team he’s played for to this point.
Sharpe played at UNC from 2020-21. In his lone season in Chapel Hill, he averaged 9.5 points and 7.6 rebounds in 19.2 minutes per game. Those equated to some pretty impressive 19.8 and 15.8 per 40 minute numbers, leading to Sharpe being named an All-ACC Freshman that season. That and his obvious potential led him to get some pro love, leading to him declaring for the 2021 NBA Draft.
The Nets selected him with the 29th pick in that year’s draft and Sharpe has been a regular for Brooklyn since. For his career, he’s averaged 7.0 points and 5.9 rebounds as a bench player for the Nets. In recent years, as Brooklyn has begun a rebuild, he’s become even more of a regular for them. He put up career best totals pretty much across the board his past season, going for 8.7 points (on over 60% field goal shooting) and 6.7 rebounds.
In all likelihood, Sharpe will not get to be on a contending team over the two years of this deal, unless he and some others take some massive leaps. The Nets went 20-62 last year, and have traded away almost anyone on their roster who is any good, including Cam Johnson, who was sent to the Denver Nuggets before this past season. However, this contract will almost certainly give him a bigger role than he would have on a currently contending team. Having that bigger role could put him at a much more advantageous position when it comes to the contract he gets after this one, whether it be with the Nets or elsewhere. Sharpe would need to continue improving for that to be the case, but he’ll certainly get the opportunity to try.
As a fan of the NBA championship-winning team across town, I can’t personally say that I wish the Nets any success as a team. However, I certainly wish the best for Sharpe for this contract and any potential future ones.
They’ll face back-to-back Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal on Tuesday, and the Detroit Tigers are heating up at the dish with the sixth-ranked wOBA and xwOBA for the month of June.
I’m anticipating Skubal to cruise tonight, too.
His 2.59 xFIP is below his 2.74 mark across the past two years, and I’m anticipating statistical correction coming to his .287 BABIP and 74.3% strand rate because they’re worse than his .273 and 80.3% marks during his Cy Young campaigns.
Early is also eyeing statistical correction with his 3.59 ERA well below his 4.72 FIP, in addition to his unsustainably high 85.7% strand rate.
The Boston offense doesn’t move the needle with a 27th-ranked xwOBA in June and the sixth-lowest barrel percentage for the season, either.
Still, I expect Early to pitch well enough to contribute to this total going Under the number, and Nationals righty Cade Cavalli has allowed three runs or fewer in six of his past seven starts with a solid 3.57 xFIP.
This SGP is in play down to +315.
Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: NESN, NATS
Padres vs Cubs SGP: Chicago wins fourth straight
San Diego Padres lefty JP Sears posted an underwhelming 4.87 xFIP and a 12.9% strikeout-to-walk ratio across 58 2/3 innings entering 2026, so I’m anticipating him struggling against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday.
The North Siders have won nine of 11 while averaging 7.3 runs per game and ranking seventh in wOBA, and they also rank third in wOBA against left-handed pitchers for the season.
Still, this is another inflated total at Wrigley Field, and the teams combined for just five runs in similarly favorable hitting conditions Monday.
Chicago lefty Matthew Boyd is also set up for success in his second start back from knee and shoulder injuries. The Padres are 29th in wOBA against southpaws, and they’re 24th in xwOBA across the past 30 days.
I price the breakeven point of this SGP at +300.
Time: 8:05 p.m. ET
Where to watch: MARQ, SDPA
Neil Parker's 2026 Transparency Record
SGP picks: 9-27, +4.85 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.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 29: (L-R) Ceddanne Rafaela #3 of the Boston Red Sox, Willson Contreras #40, and Wilyer Abreu #52 score off a three-run home run hit by Contreras in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Fenway Park on June 29, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Life comes at you fast. The Red Sox, in the midst of a five-game win streak, remain deep under .500. And in a world in which the owners hadn’t spent the last 20 years devaluing the regular season in a blatant attempt to increase postseason revenue and justify slashing payroll, a team in the Red Sox’ position wouldn’t have any playoff hopes today. But this is 2026, and it’s legitimately possible that the American League’s third Wild Card could be swiped by a team that doesn’t even reach the .500 mark. (Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic)
Thus, the Red Sox, who looked dead and buried one week ago today, are now being called potential buyers at the trade deadline. Their biggest need is obvious: middle infield help. (Mark Feinsand, MLB.com)
Right now the middle infield help is coming in the form of Anthony Seigler, who has started at second base for 10 games in a row. Seigler has bounced back and forth between AAA and the big leagues throughout his young career. What helped him get back to the majors this time was resuming something he’d quit before: switch hitting. (Tim Healey, Boston Globe)
We know where they certainly don’t need help: the starting rotation. Red Sox starters have now thrown 12 straight quality starts, two shy of the club record set in 1988. “They’ve been phenomenal,” said Chad Tracy. “It’s very similar to my initial time here when we weren’t playing that well, but the starting pitching was so good that you always felt like you were going to look up in the sixth inning and think, ‘We’ve got a chance to win this game.’ I don’t think there’s too many managers who wouldn’t sign up for that.” (Sean McAdam, MassLive)
All the starters have contributed, but Payton Tolle in particular has been a big part of the streak. In fact, he now has teammates publicly lobbying to get him to the All-Star Game. “Just being in that conversation is amazing, but that’s kind of far out of mind for me,” he said. “I guess it doesn’t mean anything until it actually happens.” (Christopher Smith, MassLive)
Unfortunately, Garrett Crochet won’t be getting a second straight All-Star nod, and he continues to be frustrated by the mysteriously slow rehab process for what was initially thought to be a minor injury. While everyone involved still says there are no structural issues, they are now looking to last year to explain the injury. “I was still kind of experiencing that hangover from last year, and once I started throwing again, maybe my mechanics just weren’t in a great spot,” said Crochet. “And then as the buildup occurred, that just continued to get further from the norm.” (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
But the Sox could be getting back another couple of lefty pitchers soon. Jovani Moran will make another rehab appearance tomorrow and then potentially rejoin the big league bullpen. Patrick Sandoval has one more rehab start scheduled and will be reassessed by July 4, when his 30-day rehab clock expires. (Christopher Smith, MassLive)
Matt Arnold, Milwaukee Brewers president of baseball operations and general manager, listens as principal owner Mark Attanasio speaks with reporters Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona. | Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Brewers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
We’re back with another Reacts Survey, and we’re asking fans if they’d like to see the Brewers make a splashy move or continue their “take bites of the apple” approach at this year’s trade deadline.
The Brewers’ last truly “splashy” move came way back in 2008, when the team traded four prospects to Cleveland to get CC Sabathia. Sabathia then made 17 starts in less than three months, going 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA, 2.44 FIP, and 128 strikeouts over 130 2/3 innings, including seven complete games to help the Brewers sneak into the playoffs as the Wild Card.
Since then, the Brewers have made several smaller moves at just about every deadline, including the following moves in recent seasons under David Stearns/Matt Arnold:
2018: Acquired Mike Moustakas from the Royals, Joakim Soria from the White Sox, and Jonathan Schoop from the Orioles
2019: Acquired Jordan Lyles from the Pirates and Drew Pomeranz and Ray Black from the Giants; traded Jesús Aguilar to the Rays for Jake Faria
2020 (COVID-shortened season): Acquired David Phelps from the Phillies
2021: Acquired John Curtiss from the Marlins, Daniel Norris from the Tigers, and Eduardo Escobar from the D-backs
2022: Acquired Trevor Rosenthal from the Giants and Matt Bush from the Rangers; traded Josh Hader to the Padres for Taylor Rogers, Robert Gasser, Esteury Ruiz, and Dinelson Lamet
2023: Acquired Andrew Chafin from the D-backs, Mark Canha from the Mets, and Carlos Santana from the Pirates; traded Luis Urías to the Red Sox for Bradley Blalock
2024: Acquired Frankie Montas from the Reds, Nick Mears from the Rockies, Tyler Jay from the Mets, and Aaron Civale from the Rays
2025: Acquired Shelby Miller and Jordan Montgomery from the D-backs and Danny Jansen from the Rays; traded Nestor Cortes to the Padres for Brandon Lockridge
As you can see from that list, there are no mega-deals. The closest thing would be trading Josh Hader, which was big for the other team (the Padres) and more so seemed to just upset fans and even the clubhouse. With big trade candidates like Tarik Skubal, Luis Arraez, Casey Mize, Sonny Gray, Joe Ryan, and Aroldis Chapman (to only name a few) potentially available at the deadline, would you like to see the Brewers make a big move? Or would you rather they continue their “bites of the apple” approach?
Weigh in below and stay tuned for results later this week!
The Atlanta Braves own a strong 22-14 record vs. left-handed starters this season, and are -150 favorites to add to the win total today against the St. Louis Cardinals.
My Cardinals vs. Braves predictions and MLB picks see value in backing them to do just that on June 30.
Who will win Cardinals vs Braves today: Braves (-150)
The Braves are powerful but rank only 23rd in OBP against lefties. There may not be enough traffic to score the necessary amount to push this game Over the total.
I’d play the Under to -110.
Todd Cordell's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 46-35, +1.50 units
Over/Under bets: 43-34-4, +4.79 units
Cardinals vs Braves weather
Temperatures could reach the 90s, with a small amount of wind blowing out. Boost to the bats.
Cardinals vs Braves odds
Moneyline: Cardinals +130 | Braves -150
Run line: Cardinals +1.5 (-150) | Braves -1.5 (+130)
Over/Under: Over 9.0 (-120) | Under 9.0 (+100)
Cardinals vs Braves trend
St. Louis has hit the game total Under in 27 of its last 45 games (+9.40 units, 19% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Cardinals vs. Braves.
How to watch Cardinals vs Braves and game info
Location
Truist Park, Cumberland, GA
Date
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
First pitch
7:15 p.m. ET
TV
Cardinals.TV, BravesVision
Cardinals starting pitcher
Matthew Liberatore (3-5, 5.56 ERA)
Braves starting pitcher
Martin Perez (6-4, 3.00 ERA)
Cardinals 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.
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 15: John Collins #20 of the LA Clippers stands for the National Anthem before the game against the Golden State Warriors on April 15, 2026 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The NBA Draft is over. Mike Gansey and the new-look Sixers’ front office did well in selecting Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. 22nd overall.
There isn’t much rest for the weary as teams can begin speaking to free agents this week. On Monday, the team picked up their options on Dominick Barlow and Dalen Terry, while not picking up Trendon Watford’s. While the Sixers filled a hole on their roster by getting a backup lead ball-handler in Philon, the team has plenty of others.
“You look at our roster, we need help at every position, one through five,” Gansey said following the first round of the draft. “Obviously, we have the Big 4, but we need guys outside of them.”
As we all saw, the Sixers’ top-heavy roster was a big part of their undoing in the postseason. Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Paul George and Joel Embiid expended so much energy in the 3-1 comeback against the Celtics, they had nothing left — and got little help — when they got swept by the eventual champion Knicks.
One of the most obvious places they could look to upgrade is the four position. With how well George handled his wing assignments during the playoffs and the landscape of the position in free agency, it might make more sense to target a starting-caliber four than a wing. While Barlow gave the Sixers good minutes at the position last season, they could use an upgrade.
Over the last week or so, Tony Jones of The Athletic has continually brought up an interesting name: John Collins. Would that be possible? How would it look? Is it worth it? Let’s dive in.
Collins is entering his 10th NBA season, yet he’s still just 28 years old. He’s never been an All-Star, but he’s played in 541 games, starting 466 of them. He also took the floor for 29 playoff games with the Hawks (you might remember a few of those). After six years in Atlanta, he was traded to Utah in a cost-cutting move in 2023. He spent two seasons with the Jazz before going to the Clippers in the deal that sent Norman Powell to the Heat.
For his career, Collins has averaged 15.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 28.9 minutes per game on 54.6/36.9/78.9 shooting splits. At a minimum, he’s proven to be a starting-caliber four for almost a decade. His skillset is ideal in many ways for the Sixers. Collins will bring athleticism, rebounding, shooting and weakside rim protection.
He’s a highlight-reel dunk waiting to happen and would be an excellent pick-and-roll partner for Maxey, Edgecombe and Philon. He’s long been one of the better play finishers in the NBA and looked plenty spry this past season in Los Angeles. He’s a good cutter and has plenty of experience alongside high-usage players. Collins will also run the floor, which should make for exciting transition opportunities with the Sixers’ young guards.
His ability on the offensive glass (2.7 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes) and to sneak out to the corners for threes makes him an ideal option next to Joel Embiid. We all know of the issues Embiid has had with rebounding the last few seasons. Collins will help on the defensive glass as well (7.0 per 36 minutes), a sore spot for the Sixers, especially in the postseason. Other than one down season in Atlanta, Collins has typically been an above-average shooter from deep. He’s hit 39.1% of his triples over the last three seasons on decent volume (4.3 attempts per game).
At 6-foot-9 with a near 7-foot wingspan, Collins could even give Nick Nurse some minutes at the five depending on the matchup. It’s not a look you’d want to go to every night, but Collins’ physical profile does give Nurse a little more optionality with his lineups.
The on-court fit makes sense, but what about the financials?
It’s hard to know how Collins’ market will shake out. The deal he was previously signed to under the old CBA is unlikely to be available to him this time around. With the Sixers’ current cap sheet, they could theoretically sign Collins using the whole non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($15 million). Because the team is so top-heavy, they wouldn’t have space to do much else — which could mean Oubre and Quentin Grimes will be moving on. They’d also potentially have access to the bi-annual exception ($5.5 million), which could net them one player above the minimum. The rest of the roster would have to be filled out by vet minimums.
So, you’re looking at a starting five of Maxey, Edgecombe, George, Collins and Embiid. On paper, that’s one of the better starting groups in the NBA. On paper. The health of Embiid and George will determine how good that starting unit actually is.
The bench would be flawed but interesting.
As far as high-profile names go, the free agency market isn’t very ripe at center and the wing, but there are a few intriguing names the team could look to fill in the last few roster spots. Maybe you can throw the bi-annual exception at someone like Kenrich Williams and give a big like Nick Richards or Marvin Bagley III a minimum. Or flip that scenario and use the BAE on a big (someone like Jock Landale) and take a flyer on a minimum wing.
Hell, it’s not inconceivable for the Sixers to make the aforementioned moves while still having a little room to re-sign Oubre. He’d be coming back on a discount, and it would put the team right up against the first apron, but it would make for a fairly competitive roster in the East. Looking at all the reports this offseason, Grimes’ name has come up on more than one occasion, but there hasn’t been much regarding Oubre’s market.
So, would Collins be worth it? I’d vote yes — if the Sixers have the ability to follow a similar blueprint to what I laid out. If you can line up Collins’ contract to expire by the time Embiid and George are gone, all the better (for what it’s worth, the longest deal he can sign is four years at the NTMLE). Even if Collins gets a three- or four-year deal, it would be pretty easy to move a $15-million expiring contract when that time comes.
With this plan, you’re giving it a shot with this current group, while not using any premium future assets. It’s the best of both worlds and perhaps the best you can do while operating on two timelines.
The New York Yankees are -135 favorites to snap their five-game losing skid on Tuesday night.
With Cam Schlittler set to take on a struggling Detroit offense, my Tigers vs. Yankees predictions and MLB picks are backing New York to get back in the win column on Tuesday, June 30
Who will win Tigers vs Yankees today: Yankees moneyline (-135)
It’s not going to get any easier against Cam Schlittler. He's faced nine opponents who rank Bottom-10 in OPS vs. right-handed pitching this season, and owns a 1.34 ERA in those games. He's allowed more than a single run just once in that sample.
Conversely, Tarik Skubal has allowed multiple runs in five straight, including a couple of four-spots. The New York Yankees are missing key bats, but still have juice vs. lefties.
Playing Overs with a pair of elite pitchers on the mound is a scary proposition, but the circumstances call for it.
Temperatures are expected to approach the 90s in this game, making for perfect conditions for the ball to carry in an already hitter-friendly ballpark.
Neither offense has garnered great results of late, but the Tigers lead the majors in fly-ball rate this month, while the Yankees come in at eighth.
If the ball is consistently being put in the air in excellent hitter conditions, the runs should follow.
I’d play Over 7 to -130.
Todd Cordell's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 46-35, +1.50 units
Over/Under bets: 43-34-4, +4.79 units
Tigers vs Yankees weather
With temperatures in the high 80s, the ball should carry well in what is already a very hitter-friendly environment. Clear boost to the bats.
Tigers vs Yankees odds
Moneyline: Tigers +115 | Yankees -135
Run line: Tigers +1.5 (-190) | Yankees -1.5 (+160)
Over/Under: Over 7 (-115) | Under 7 (-105)
Tigers vs Yankees trend
Detroit has only hit the moneyline in 17 of its last 50 away games (-18.20 units, -33% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Tigers vs. Yankees.
How to watch Tigers vs Yankees and game info
Location
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Date
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
First pitch
7:05 p.m. ET
TV
TBS
Tigers starting pitcher
Tarik Skubal (3-4, 3.32 ERA)
Yankees starting pitcher
Cam Schlittler (8-4, 1.62 ERA)
Tigers vs Yankees 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.
PHOENIX — It wasn’t the first time a Giants starter learned of Tony Vitello’s plan when the first-year manager began to implement it or let it be known to the press.
Tyler Mahle first and foremost blamed himself for not realizing that his workload would be limited in his second start back from the injured list, or where his pitch count stood when the fifth inning began in Monday’s 5-4 loss to the Diamondbacks.
But these are things that shouldn’t require a pitcher to wonder, or even be especially alert.
The Giants, and Vitello, have a pitching coach, an assistant pitching coach and a director of pitching.
San Francisco Giants pitcher Tyler Mahle being removed from the game. Getty Images
But neither Justin Meccage, nor Christian Wonders, nor Frank Anderson, in addition to Vitello, apparently felt it was necessary to relay to their starting pitcher that he would only have 85 pitches to work with before he took the mound, or that he was 18 away from reaching that limit when the fifth inning began.
“I didn’t know the pitch count, or else I probably would have went about that [last] at-bat differently,” Mahle said. “I thought it was just going to be normal. But I guess I should’ve realized. It was my second start back. It’s not like I was going to throw 100 today.”
Mahle, however, was left to guess. And with that logic, he determined the best plan of attack against Ketel Marte with two runners already on base and one out in the fifth was to pitch around Arizona’s best hitter.
Marte had nine hits in 16 previous at-bats against Mahle, including three doubles and his third homer against him leading off the game. He added a second walk to his ledger on Mahle’s final five pitches, then came around to score on the bases-clearing double from Geraldo Perdomo that followed off Sam Hentges.
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tyler Mahle throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, June 29, 2026, in Phoenix. AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin
The three-RBI knock put the Giants in a 5-1 hole and they never recovered.
“I didn’t realize I was on a pitch limit of like 85 or whatever, so Ketel was up there and he’s done well against me, so I’m like, I’m not gonna give him anything to hit, and then walked him,” Mahle said. “And then I got taken out.”
For whatever surprise came over Mahle when he saw Vitello emerge from the dugout, it would have paled in comparison to the reaction from Logan Webb if his no-hit bid in Milwaukee had stayed intact much longer. Vitello said he planned to pull his ace, also in his second game back from the injured list, despite Webb’s (light-hearted) insistence that he would have gone all the way to 200 to finish the job.
Wires got crossed in Webb’s next start, resulting in him coming out after 99 pitches and Keaton Winn blowing a save and injuring his elbow in the process, pitching in his third straight game.
Now more than halfway into the first season of his unprecedented endeavor as the first college coach to take over a big-league club, Vitello has been asked a few times lately about lessons he’s learned.
A common theme in his answers has been how rare it is to get the entire team together in one room.
“Everybody’s on a different schedule,” he said the other day. “Getting the team on the same page is one of our responsibilities. I don’t want to say it’s tricky, but it’s definitely different than what it was from my prior experience.”
The issues go both ways: When a group of Giants pitchers decided they were going to protest the team’s Pride Night, Vitello said he had “no idea” that they were planning to write Bible verses on their caps, in violation of MLB’s uniform code, stirring a national controversy that has become a three-week distraction.
And it’s not like Mahle was the only player who didn’t have his head in the game Monday night. Victor Bericoto forgot the count and got caught meandering between first and second base, though there’s not much first base coach Shane Robinson could do about that one.
Does that communication sound “inadequate” or “not clear”?
After all, those were adjectives straight from Rob Manfred that the commissioner used to describe the Giants’ organization under Vitello and their equally green president of baseball operations who hired him straight from the college ranks, Buster Posey.
Remember the qualities Posey said he was looking for in Bob Melvin’s replacement? He wanted a manager who was “obsessive about the details.” Does this look like that?
You don’t even have to look that far into the past to find another example of a player expressing surprise at the manager’s decision to pull him from a ballgame.
San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello watches against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the eighth inning at Chase Field. Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
At least Mahle had the grace to put the blame on himself.
“Looking back, it was probably obvious that I wasn’t going to throw more than 15 pitches more than my last start after not starting for a few weeks,” Mahle said. “I didn’t even really think about it. It’s pretty normal to progress by 10, 15 pitches, so I should’ve realized that. And I didn’t realize where my pitch count was in that inning. I guess I did throw a lot in that inning.”
Mahle didn’t exactly do himself any favors when he walked the leadoff batter and gave No. 9 hitter Tommy Troy a two-strike fastball that was hittable enough for him to lift it into right field.
Before the fifth, he had been cruising since allowing a leadoff home run to Marte.
The pocket of the order starting with Perdomo was predetermined to be a target for Hentges, Vitello said, especially given Mahle’s pitch count. They were only expecting five innings from him in his last start against the Braves but needed only 70 pitches to make it through 5 ⅔.
“We were gonna go to 85 pitches with him, and I think he landed literally right there on the dot,” Vitello said. “That was the spot we were going to Sam, regardless. If [Mahle] would’ve rolled 1-2-3, he would’ve just started the [next] inning. It didn’t work out. He didn’t throw the ball as well as he did against the Braves.”
Whether or not that feedback was communicated to Mahle, however, was not clear.
And, as he learned, it’s not same to assume on this team.
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Grundstrom was set to become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday. The 28-year-old forward gave the Flyers a solid lift in a bottom-six role after starting last season with AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley. He was somewhat of an afterthought when he came to the Flyers in the October trade that sent Ryan Ellis’ contract to the Sharks.
But Grundstrom ended up playing 47 games for the Flyers. He recorded nine goals, four assists and a plus-7 rating in 11:51 minutes per game. He opened eyes with a heater in December, when he scored seven goals over an 11-game stretch.
The Flyers liked his speed and pace on the fourth line. He even played a little bit of center when needed. He added an assist in three playoff games.
With the Flyers’ trade of Garnet Hathaway last week, some opportunity opened for Grundstrom to return. He’ll give the Flyers a veteran depth option come training camp and some good competition for their young wingers.
VOORHEES, N.J. — The Flyers are bringing back Carl Grundstrom on a one-year, $1 million contract, according to a report Tuesday by TSN’s Darren Dreger.
Grundstrom was set to become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday. The 28-year-old forward gave the Flyers a solid lift in a bottom-six role after starting last season with AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley. He was somewhat of an afterthought when he came to the Flyers in the October trade that sent Ryan Ellis’ contract to the Sharks.
But Grundstrom ended up playing 47 games for the Flyers. He recorded nine goals, four assists and a plus-7 rating in 11:51 minutes per game. He opened eyes with a heater in December, when he scored seven goals over an 11-game stretch.
The Flyers liked his speed and pace on the fourth line. He even played a little bit of center when needed. He added an assist in three playoff games.
With the Flyers’ trade of Garnet Hathaway last week, some opportunity opened for Grundstrom to return. He’ll give the Flyers a veteran depth option come training camp and some good competition for their young wingers.
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