LAS VEGAS — Athletics third baseman Max Muncy came off the injured list after missing about six weeks with a fracture in his left hand.
The Athletics announced before their game against Milwaukee in Las Vegas that they had reinstated Muncy. They optioned infielder Darell Hernaiz to Triple-A Las Vegas.
Muncy was recovering from a fractured fifth metacarpal. He last played on April 25.
Muncy is batting .239 with a .308 on-base percentage, two homers, seven RBIs and two steals in 26 games.
Hernaiz batted .237 with a .318 on-base percentage, one homer, seven RBIs and three steals in 47 games.
Jun 5, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (40) hits a two run home run during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The Boston Red Sox have gotten everything they could have dreamed of when acquiring Willson Contreras.
I don’t think that is breaking news to anyone. Not only does he seem to be the only guy who gives a shit, but he has stabilized a position that became a real issue over the last few seasons. He hits for both average and power, plays superb defense, has displayed leadership qualities that are missing from other veterans, and he’s cool! It’s as good an addition as this franchise has made this decade, especially considering the fact they gave up three pitchers who haven’t contributed anything to the St. Louis Cardinals.
I wouldn’t exactly say that makes him untouchable, though…
Contreras isn’t just one of the club’s trade chips — Aroldis Chapman, Sonny Gray, Garrett Whitlock, Justin Slaten, Jarren Duran, and Masataka Yoshida can all go, too — but he’s undoubtedly the club’s best trade chip.
Contreras entered the week slashing .298/.391/.540 with 13 home runs and 39 runs batted in — with that .931 OPS ranking third behind Ben Rice (1.032) and Munetaka Murakami (.938). If we’re talking about right-handed bats, he might be the best and most affordable option on the market. Taylor Ward isn’t better. Byron Buxton would cost triple. Matt Chapman is having the worst year of his career. It’s an indisputable fact that your first baseman could fetch quite a package in a trade, which is why he’s more valuable to you as a trade chip than an everyday player.
Boston is straight up terrible, and despite the fact that the Sox are only a few games back in the race for that final playoff spot, there is little hope that postseason baseball will actually materialize for this club. If it somehow does, there’s even less hope that they can make a run to a title.
(As a quick aside, I’m of the belief that you play for championships. Making the playoffs just to say you made the playoffs is loser shit that should be saved for franchises like the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, and Las Oaklamento Athletics — not the Boston Red Sox.)
Contreras is technically under contract through 2028, which is why some folks view him as a long-term piece. I just view that as another reason why he’ll be worth more in a trade, as the incoming lockout and lack of true direction for this franchise make it far less likely that they’ll be ready to compete for championships by the end of it.
I don’t want to hear about how hard it has been to find a first baseman, either!
Triston Casas, Bobby Dalbec, Abraham Toro, and Dom Smith have ruined all of your brains! It’s actually quite easy, as is evidenced by Murakami taking an outrageously team-friendly deal in Chicago, Rafael Devers, Bryce Harper, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. all made the position change relatively easily. It’s not as hard as some have made it out to be.
I just want to see this organization tear things down from the studs, which means firing a few guys, trading others, and resetting the philosophy that has players fighting with coaches and ownership side-eyeing the front-office.
One way to kick things off with a bang? Trade the only guy who has made a difference for the better.
The Rangers are the only Major League Baseball team that has never hosted a Pride Night, an event commonly held during Pride Month to recognize and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. In 2026, the team’s schedule again does not include a themed Pride Night for this specific cause.
Instead, the team's community night schedule lists a "Faith and Family Night" on Thursday, June 18, in a game against the Minnesota Twins. The team is also set to recognize mental health awareness, military, first responders and healthcare workers in the month of June.
USA TODAY reached out to the Texas Rangers for comment on its community nights schedule and if there are plans to add a Pride Night in the future but has not heard back as of yet.
For its "Family and Faith Night" Rangers players will share personal testimonies of how faith impacts their lives both on and off the field, according to the MLB website. "Join us for a special afternoon of community, connection, and celebration," the event reads.
What is MLB Pride Night?
MLB Pride Night is a themed event hosted by many Major League Baseball teams during June, which is recognized as Pride Month. The games are designed to celebrate and support LGBTQIA+ fans, players and communities.
Pride Nights typically include special in-game programming such as ceremonial first pitches, LGBTQIA+ community recognitions, themed merchandise, ticket packages, and partnerships with local advocacy organizations. Some teams also use the event to spotlight nonprofit groups working on inclusion and equality initiatives.
While the structure and branding vary by club, MLB does not require teams to host Pride Night, so participation is left to individual franchises.
Has the Rangers franchise explained why it does not host Pride Night?
The Texas Rangers have not offered a specific explanation for why they do not host a Pride Night.
When asked about it, the franchise has generally responded with broad inclusivity language, emphasizing that the organization aims to make all fans feel welcome at the ballpark. However, it has not directly addressed the absence of a Pride Night or provided a stated policy rationale for not participating.
In a 2023 interview with NBC DFW, the team said: "Our commitment is to make everyone feel welcome and included in Rangers baseball. That means in our ballpark, at every game, and in all we do — for both our fans and our employees. We deliver on that promise across our many programs to have a positive impact across our entire community.”
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Josh Inglis' expert pick: Cardinals/Mets Over 7.5
Price: 52¢ (-108) at Polymarket
This is one of the best Overs on the board, with 9.44 runs projected and a fair price of -133 on Over 8. The weather is a major factor, with 15-mph winds blowing out to center field in what should be one of the better hitting environments of the day.
Freddy Peralta is a fly-ball pitcher with concerning HR/FB metrics, making him vulnerable in these conditions. On the other side, Dustin May has been getting squared up at one of the highest rates among MLB starters over the last 30 days and now faces a New York Mets lineup that ranks among the Top 8 in slugging over the last two weeks.
The St. Louis Cardinals aren't typically known for their power, but this matchup and ballpark environment should help elevate their offensive ceiling. With favorable weather, two pitchers carrying home-run risk, and strong projection support, this Over stands out as one of the best totals on the slate.
Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
How to watch: Cardinals.TV, SNY
Jon Metler's expert pick: Pirates moneyline
Price: 52¢ (-108) at Polymarket
You rarely get the chance to back the Pittsburgh Pirates at this price when Paul Skenes is on the mound, but that’s exactly the opportunity the market is giving us against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
On paper, the Dodgers appear to have a strong platoon advantage with left-handed hitters like Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Kyle Tucker, and Max Muncy in the lineup. In reality, Skenes is one of the few right-handed pitchers capable of minimizing that advantage. His elite sinker-splitter combination tunnels perfectly off a triple-digit fastball, with the splitter diving away from left-handed hitters.
That movement makes it extremely difficult to pull the ball with authority and helps explain why lefties are hitting just .194 with a .554 OPS against him. The Pirates are trading around 52-cent favorites, but I make them closer to 58-cent favorites in this matchup.
That gap is enough for me to back Pittsburgh at this price.
As a result, I'm anticipating the Chicago line to cash in on statistical correction against a struggling Sugano. Additionally, Cubs starter Colin Rea has surrendered a .191 batting average while allowing just seven runs across his past three starts, so I’m confident he can limit the damage enough for the Cubbies to pull away.
Time: 8:40 p.m. ET
How to watch: Marquee, Rockies.TV
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 - MAY 8: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers runs on the court before the game against the New York Knicks during Round Two Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
On Monday, the Sixers introduced Mike Gansey as their new president of basketball operations. He didn’t reveal much about his vision for the team, but it seemed clear he was going to do his best to build around the team’s “Big 4” while creating a more harmonious environment within the franchise.
Gansey won’t have much time to settle with the 2026 NBA Draft just weeks away followed quickly by free agency. As Gansey said, it’s imperative for the Sixers to nail their pick at 22 and then find the proper pieces to complement the team’s top-four players in free agency.
Hit me with your questions in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer as many as possible.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 08: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks looks on during the second quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 08, 2026 in New York City. 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 Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Let’s get this straight and get rid of the most stupid part of this whole story even before we get started: Jalen Brunson is not why the NBA Finals are now a series.
Brunson surely is not a problem—any problem—for the Knicks, no matter how you look at it, let alone after a run that saw the Knicks put together 13 consecutive wins only disrupted once but a couple of neophytes playing out their minds.
If next October there is a banner hanging from the MSG rafters, you damn better believe that’s mostly ‘cause of the arrival of the promised guard in Manhattan.
Hell, you don’t even need to go so far away into the future, and just check the present of the New York Knickerbockers: the Garden is back hosting the Finals for the first time since freaking 1999. The second-greatest run in postseason history, winning 13 in a row, exists only because Brunson once decided to put pen to paper when he was unemployed in the summer of 2022. The Knicks hadn’t had a captain since forever after “Captain Clutch” came and conquered and got that capital C virtually stitched on his chest.
We all stopped wandering the point-guard-searching desert that we started to explore all the way back in the early aughts, only because of Brunson’s homecoming.
All of that said, the Knicks need hella more from Jalen Brunson right now.
Dirty Victor entered the NBA Finals as the clear-cut favorite to win the Finals MVP award. Two punches in the mouth were all oddmakers needed to flip the odds, placing Brunson on top and Karl-Anthony Towns close below. As things stand after the Game 3 loss, FanDuel is still listing JB as the favorite to get the award at +105, with Violent Vic back in second place at +165.
That tells you everything about how important, impactful, and well-regarded Brunson is, even when he’s clearly, definitely, soundly not at the top of his game.
It’s not that Brunson needs to score more points, necessarily. Brunson scored 32 in Game 3 and led the Knicks at it. He dropped 20 in Game 2 and 30 in Game 1. Overall, he’s averaging 27.3 points per game, the most in the series only behind Kung-Fu Wem’s 29 PPG. The totals are fine, the averages are alike.
The problem is how hard Brunson is working to get them, how many possessions are dying in the process, and how different the offense looks when the ball sticks to No. 11 for too long and for far subproductive and stagnant stretches.
"…We just wanted to stand and watch one guy dribble a ton…"
“I liked some of the looks, but I also think we were pretty stagnant,” Brunson admitted after Game 3. “There’s definitely things that we can learn from. Especially with our approach when we start the game and with the way we start the half, I don’t think we did well and I don’t think I did well, either.”
Through three Finals games, Brunson has taken 81 shots to score 82 points. He’s hoisting 27 FGA per game to anybody else’s 20 at most. JB is 30-for-81 from the field, a meager 37.0% compared to his regular-season 46.7% and even 46% in the playoffs—games against SAS included.
Brunson has 15 assists against 13 turnovers—again, not disastrous by ordinary standards but surely down by Brunson’s own bar of nearly seven dimes a pop against barely a couple of turnovers.
Jalen Brunson’s Shot Chart – NBA Finals through Game 3
Game 3 saw Brunson finish with 32 points, five rebounds, and five assists, but he also had five turnovers and took 25 shots in a 115-111 loss to the Spurs inside MSG, the first finals game in the Mecca since 1999. No other Knick attempted more than 13 (OG) shots, with Towns and Hart both taking 10, and nobody else reaching double-digit FGA.
“Offensively, we were as stagnant as I’ve seen us all year,” Brown said after the loss. “We just wanted to stand and watch one guy dribble a ton, and then when the ball got passed, there were no quick decisions by the guy receiving the basketball. You have to be smart, you have to do a good job taking care of the basketball, you have to move the ball and move bodies, and we’ve done that quite a bit but we didn’t do a good job of it tonight, which helped with the 13 turnovers… the turnover situation, the free throw situation, and our attention to detail about keeping them out of the paint and taking away the vertical threat, not good tonight.”
Coach Mike Brown did not name Brunson directly, obviously, but the “we watched one guy dribble a ton” note was more than enough.
“[Jalen Brunson has] been the focus of the Spurs’ defense and he’s mostly had to work hard just to get tough shots… but the focus on Brunson has created opportunities for his teammates, and they’ve stepped up and made big plays and big shots.”@johnschuhmann examines how the… pic.twitter.com/tT5uPHj2mn
The Knicks’ best version during this postseason run, as surprised as it had all of us, has not been Brunson playing savior each and every possession. Far from it. It has been Brunson as the closer with Towns as the frontcourt hub in a delightful 1A-1B two-man punch that left the NBA world in awe—yet still hating and not trusting the Knicks, for some reason they only now—and the likes of Anunoby, Hart and Mikal Bridges punishing opponents on both ends of the floor with everyone making simple decisions and embarrassing rivals.
That team won 13 straight playoff games. That team moved the ball and played the best Knicks basketball we’ve seen in a million years. That team made San Antonio chase, but there were signs of concern slowly but surely percolating of late, with New York escaping Texas unscathed but close to burning them.
San Antonio deserves credit because they are bullying Brunson like absolute brutes. They are making him work more than he’s done all postseason long. They have size, they have perfected MMA moves, and they are physically abusing JB and whoever is in front of them, with no official punishment. Kudos to them.
But the Knicks still lead the Finals 2-1. The Knicks still have home court advantage. The Knicks can still win three games before the Spurs get two, and we all know that’s a virtual clinching of the title.
It’s really two, but in all honesty, all New York needs is one more win. And if they want to get there easily and in front of their fans inside the Garden walls, there is nothing the Knicks need more right now than the Jalen Brunson we all have come to know and enjoy for the past four years.
"The most important thing is that we were going to learn regardless, because we knew there were things that we were going to have to improve on going into the next game"
Jalen Brunson talks about the Knicks learning from their first loss in a month and a half: pic.twitter.com/ew5dIuZRTt
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 18: John Calipari poses for a photo with former Kentucky players during the NBA All-Star Game as part of NBA All-Star Weekend on Sunday, February 18, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
If you’ve ever played NBA 2K, you’ve likely tried to assemble a team of players solely from your favorite college team. For some schools, such an exercise ends up with a super team. For most other teams, it’s impossible to create.
Today, we’re going to rank each school that’s capable of putting together a starting five using NBA players, as well as players expected to be drafted in the upcoming draft.
29. Washington State: Cedric Coward, Klay Thompson, Jaylen Wells, Mouhamed Gueye, Isaac Jones
Thompson is obviously the headliner in an otherwise dreadful team compared to the rest of the teams who are capable of putting together a starting five.
28. Arkansas: Darius Acuff, Anthony Black, Moses Moody, Bobby Portis, Daniel Gafford
Acuff appears to have the signs of a potential star in the making. Black and Moody are also valuable bench pieces in the pros.
27. Auburn: Isaac Okoro, Jabari Smith Jr, Dylan Cardwell, Johni Broome, Walker Kessler
Kessler and Smith are nice NBA players, but Auburn’s team lacks depth, high-end talent and guard play.
26. Virginia: Ty Jerome, Trey Murphy III, De’Andre Hunter, Ryan Dunn, Jay Huff
The Cavaliers have sent a ton of wings to the NBA, but not many guards or centers. This team would be versatile but would lack scoring punch.
25. Pittsburgh: Bub Carrington, Blake Hinson, Mouhamadou Gueye, Steven Adams
Pitt has produced Carrington, Adams, and not much else. However, they technically still have enough to field a starting five, so they get to be included on this list.
24. Marquette: Kam Jones, Tyler Kolek, Jimmy Butler, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Oso Ighodaro
Marquette’s list of pro players is thin, but they have enough to make a starting five and have Jimmy Butler to provide some star power.
23. UConn: Stephon Castle, Jordan Hawkins, Liam McNeeley, Andre Drummond, Donovan Clingan
Castle is an emerging star. Clingan, Hawkins and McNeeley are still young and have quite a bit of potential. The Dan Hurley connection to the NBA is starting to grow.
22. Florida: Tre Mann, Walter Clayton Jr, Bradley Beal, Dorian Finney-Smith, Al Horford
Florida has had as much success as anyone in recent years. However, not many of their players have turned into NBA stars. Of the Gators’ potential starting five, only Beal moves the needle much.
21. North Carolina: Coby White, Cole Anthony, Cameron Johnson, Harrison Barnes, Caleb Wilson
The Tar Heels used to put more players in the NBA than anyone. However, this list is yet another indication of just how far things have fallen at North Carolina.
20. Tennessee: Jaden Springer, Julian Phillips, Dalton Knecht, Tobias Harris, Grant Williams
Despite Tennessee being a legendary program run by a well-known coach, the Volunteers haven’t produced a ton of NBA talent in recent years. Harris and Williams are serviceable bigs, while Knecht is an intriguing young player, but there isn’t much depth here.
Keegan Murray is a solid starter at the NBA level, and Stirtz may develop into an intriguing player. However, the rest of them are rotational players at best.
White is a household name, but many fans may be unfamiliar with the rest. Colorado has enough players to field an NBA starting five, but just barely.
17. Maryland: Aaron Wiggins, Kevin Huerter, Derrick Queen, Jalen Smith, Bruno Fernando
Playing Queen at the 3 would be tough sledding for the Terrapins, but a majority of the NBA players from Maryland are centers. Maryland tends to only produce centers and shooters in the NBA.
The potential of George and Edgecombe could push this group much higher on the list in the coming years.
13. Michigan State: Jase Richardson, Max Christie, Miles Bridges, Jaren Jackson Jr, Draymond Green
While fierce defenders and led by a star in JJJ, the Spartan alumni would struggle in the backcourt compared to the rest of the list. Richardson is largely unproven at the NBA level, and only Harris could even be considered to take his place.
12. Florida State: Terance Mann, Devin Vassell, Scottie Barnes, Jonathan Isaac, Patrick Williams
Headlined by Barnes, the FSU alums would be one of the stingiest defensive squads on the list.
11. Michigan: Jordan Poole, Tim Hardaway Jr, Duncan Robinson, Franz Wagner, Aday Mara
Franz is the undisputed star of this team, which is heavy on scoring and severely lacking on defense. I could have included any of Michigan’s three projected lottery picks this year, but went with Mara since center is a sore spot for the NBA Wolverines.
The Villanova Knicks are in full effect here, as Brunson, Bridges and Hart anchor this squad. Villanova doesn’t send many bigs to the NBA, but its guards and wings can match up with just about anyone.
USC has one of the better front courts on this list and has some solid depth. They won’t wow anyone, but this is a capable group.
7. Texas: Tre Johnson, Kevin Durant, Jaxson Hayes, Myles Turner, Jarrett Allen
Texas has one of the most talented rosters available in our hypothetical world. The problem is they are nearly all bigs. Floor spacing would be a problem.
6. UCLA: Jrue Holiday, Russell Westbrook, Norman Powell, Zach Lavine, Jaime Jaquez Jr.
UCLA has sent a plethora of guards to the NBA in recent years. While we had a few bigs to choose from, none are worthy of starting over the five listed above.
Leaving Brayden Burries off this starting five was tough to do, but I give the edge to Green and Mathurin for now. The Wildcat front court is one of the best you’ll find.
4. Gonzaga: Jalen Suggs, Andrew Nembhard, Rui Hachimura, Domantas Sabonis, Chet Holmgren
Mark Few has created an NBA factory. Not only do the Zags have a solid starting five, but we had to leave players such as Corey Kispert, Brandon Clarke and Julian Strawther off the list.
3. Kansas: Darryn Peterson, Gradey Dick, Andrew Wiggins, Christian Braun, Joel Embiid
We don’t yet know what Darryn Peterson will be in the pros. However, if he is a star, this could be one of the best groups of any team on this list. Embiid is one of the best players in basketball when healthy.
2. Duke: Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, Brandon Ingram, Paolo Banchero, Zion Williamson
The list of Blue Devils in the NBA is comically long. This starting five doesn’t even include Kon Knueppel, Cooper Flagg, Jalen Johnson and RJ Barrett. From a pure basketball stylistic perspective, this group would be very, very tough to beat.
1. Kentucky: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyrese Maxey, Devin Booker, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis
The Wildcats are the winner of this exercise by a sizable margin. Choosing a starting five was nearly impossible, as I had to leave Karl-Anthony Towns, De’Aaron Fox, Jamal Murray, Julius Randle, Tyler Herro and others off the list. No other school’s alumni are beating Kentucky’s.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 7: Starling Marte #0 of the Kansas City Royals celebrates with third base coach Vance Wilson #17 after hitting a three-run home run against the Minnesota Twins during the fifth inning of the game at Target Field on June 7, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Major League Baseball is different every year. Some years there are multiple juggernaut teams. Some years there are multiple 100-loss teams. Some years, there are neither. Some years one or the other. It’s impossible to predict or time it out, so all MLB teams can do is try to put their best team forward and hope that it’s good enough to make it to the playoffs.
This year is one of the weirdest seasons in recent memory, because the American League is just going through it right now. We’re more than a week into June, and not a single AL team is on pace for 100 wins. The closest is the Tampa Bay Rays, who are on pace for 97. Now, we do have a team on pace for 100 losses—the Los Angeles Angels. Meanwhile, there are only five AL teams with a winning record, and only five AL teams with a positive run differential.
How’d this happen? Well, the National League is slurping up all the victories; that’s at least part of the story. At the moment, three NL teams are on pace for 102 or more victories, with the Braves on a stunning 110-win pace. Mostly, the AL just has bad teams, though.
But you might have noticed when I said that there are only five AL teams with winning records that that is one fewer than the total number of playoff spots remaining. Yes, right now the Texas Rangers are 32-33 and have the final Wild Card spot.
The natural question is…could the terrible American League be the Royals’ saving grace? Fangraphs seems to think there’s a chance!
Honestly, a one-in-ten shot feels…right? Sure, the Royals haven’t played well, which is primarily evidence that the team isn’t as talented as other teams in the league. But, like, if you prowl the Reddit threads and other SB Nation blogs, you’ll quickly find that just about nobody is having a good time. There are a lot of flawed American League teams out there. For the Royals to sneak into the playoffs with 82 wins is within the realm of possibility here.
We’ll know either way soon. The problem is mainly the traffic between Kansas City and a Wild Card spot at this point, but the Royals are about to open a six-game homestand against the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, whose route to the playoffs also goes through the Wild Card. After that, the Royals will have six games against the Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals, who have a combined run differential of +3. Going 8-4 over those 12 games would put the team at 35-43, which is a bad-but-not-terrible record and would probably bring them within five games of that third Wild Card spot—maybe even closer; I mean, they’re 5.5 games away right now.
I still think the likeliest course of action at this point is that the Royals rally somewhat but only end up with a 74-88 record or something, which is just not gonna cut it. But we still haven’t seen the yearly Bobby Witt Jr. Goes Nuclear show. The bullpen is not going to be the worst bullpen in the league for the rest of the year. You can probably expect like five guys on offense to have better second halves. And heck, even the Guardians don’t look all that secure at the top of the Central by the quality of their play.
It is frustrating that the Royals aren’t waltzing away with the division crown. Still, the AL being so bad provides some hope. Maybe the best case result for this team would be the 2013 Royals, who were nine games under .500 on June 4 and ended up with 86 wins. While this team has further to go to get to .500, they also probably won’t have to get to 86 wins to get a playoff berth.
Ultimately, it comes down to playing good baseball. Until the 2026 Royals can sustain good play for a few weeks, skepticism is warranted. It’s just more fun to hope for and root for a team when there’s a shot, and hey, the rest of the AL isn’t doing their jobs, either.
It was always clear, from the time the Cubs acquired Ben Brown from the Phillies in 2022 for David Robertson, that he had talent.
He’d dominate at a Cubs minor league affiliate, get called up and have some great outings, but then occasionally get hit hard. That was especially true in 2025, when Brown made 25 appearances for the Cubs (15 starts) and posted a 5.92 ERA, 1.439 WHIP and allowed 18 home runs in 106.1 innings.
He’d done somewhat better as a starter than as a reliever in 2024, but that was reversed last year, though his numbers weren’t really that good in either role.
It was said by me — and others — that if Brown were ever to become a top quality starting pitcher in MLB, he’d have to develop another pitch. Before this year, Brown threw almost exclusively a four-seamer and what was termed a “knuckle curve.” Here’s his pitch mix from 2025, a total of 1,759 pitches thrown:
That’s 95.5 percent of his pitches either being the four-seam fastball or curveball. Those were effective pitches, no doubt about it, but in my view — and the view of others — that’s a reliever’s arsenal.
Holmes helped Brown find a two-seam grip that worked. Brown’s goal, as relayed to FanGraphs’ David Laurila, was to get a “good distinction” between his four-seamer and two-seamer. He’s certainly done that.
Look at the difference in how he approached different hitters. This is 2025:
And this is 2026:
His curveball use is about the same year-to-year, but he’s reduced the four-seamer quite a bit, mostly replaced by the new two-seam fastball (or “sinker” as it’s sometimes termed).
The four-seamer went 97 miles per hour. The sinker was at 98. The pitching motion is basically the same — but look at the movement on the sinker. Chourio had no chance.
That’s the difference for Brown this year, I think. You can see that also in these two charts, the first from last year:
Now look at Brown’s movement chart from 2026 (to date):
You can see how the two-seamer increases Brown’s command of the strike zone. His K rate is down a bit this year, but so is his walk rate, and of course there’s the amazing stat of him not allowing a home run after Jacob Young of the Nats, the first batter to face him this year, took him deep. That’s 57 innings and 219 batters faced without allowing a homer. That’s just damn impressive.
That has led to these differences in Brown’s rankings in various categories. Last year, not very good:
This year, near the top in almost every category:
Congratulations to Ben Brown on his success, which in my view is absolutely because he put in the work to add to his pitch mix. At some point, the league might adjust to him and he’ll have to adjust back. But this success should build his confidence to the point that he can do that.
Maybe the Cubs just found the ace they needed. Pretty good stuff for a 33rd-round draft pick.
LEXINGTON, KY - MARCH 15: Infielder Tyler Bell (6) of the Kentucky Wildcats in a game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Kentucky Wildcats on March 15, 2026, at Kentucky Proud Park in Lexington, KY. (Photo by Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
2026 MLB Draft Preview: Tyler Bell scouting report.
The 2026 is about a month away — the first round kicks off on July 11, 2026 — so its time to start offering capsule looks at players the Texas Rangers could select with their top picks. The Rangers’ first round pick is at #16, their second round pick is at #54, and their third round pick is at #89.
Leading up to draft day, we will be doing writeups of some of the players who could end up getting selected by the Rangers with one of their first three picks. Today we are looking at University of Kentucky shortstop Tyler Bell.
Tyler Bell is a 6’1”, 190 lb. switch-hitting shortstop at the University of Kentucky. A draft-eligible sophomore, Bell turns 21 later this month. As a prep player out of Illinois, Bell was ranked just outside of the top 100 on the BA 2024 draft board, and was taken by the Rays with their supplemental second round pick that year at #66, one pick after the Rangers selected Dylan Dreiling. Bell did not sign, and was the highest pick in that draft not to sign, though Chris Levonas, taken one pick later by the Brewers, also went unsigned.
Bell is seen as having a solid approach from both sides of the plate, with a good, though not great, hit tool. He has decent power, with MLB Pipeline saying that he could be a 20 homer guy if he can lift balls more consistently. He profiles as someone with an average hit tool and average power, overall, though BP mentions that there’s a decent amount of swing-and-miss risk with him.
Defensively, Bell is a quality defender who is expected to be able to stick at shortstop. He gets praise for his athleticism and instincts in the field, with good hands and a solid arm. He played all the infield positions for Team USA last summer, and is viewed as being able to play the outfield as well. His speed grades out as average, though is expected to play up due to his instincts.
Bell was the Wildcats’ starting shortstop as a freshman, slashing .296/.385/.522 in 265 plate appearances, with 24 walks against 59 Ks. He was sidelined with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder early in the 2026 season, and there was a fear that he would miss the season. He missed relatively little time, though, initially returning as a DH before resuming playing shortstop, although he may need surgery on the shoulder later this year. He slashed .343/.510/.608 as a sophomore, improving his BB:K ratio to 30:36 in 194 plate appearances.
In the most recent Baseball America mock draft, Carlos Collazo has Bell going to the Braves at #9, also mentioning him in connection with the Orioles and A’s at 7 and 8, and suggesting he wouldn’t get past the Rangers if he makes it to them at #16. Jim Callis’s June 4 mock draft has Bell going to the Rangers at #16, mentioning him also in connection with a half-dozen other teams ahead of Texas and saying that the Rangers are Bell’s floor. Keith Law’s May mock draft has Bell going to the D-Backs at #15, one pick ahead of the Rangers. Kiley McDaniel’s May 29 mock draft has Bell going to the Marlins at #14, and links him with a number of teams before that, including referencing a “crazy” rumor that the Rays could take him for way below slot at #2.
Bell is not a sexy pick. The phrase used with Bell is “well-rounded,” as he doesn’t have any real weaknesses in his game, but doesn’t have any standout tools, either. He’s a high-floor guy, someone who would seem likely to move relatively quickly through the minors, but not necessarily someone who would be an impact player at the major league level. That said, someone who can play shortstop well and hit a little has value, especially when he profiles as having the versatility to play anywhere in the field if need be.
The Rangers have tended in recent years to target college players who have performed against quality competition, and the SEC has the highest quality competition in the college ranks, so Bell checks that box. They’ve also taken a number of players recuperating from injury in the last couple of years, expressing confidence in the team’s medical staff, and so the possibility of Bell needing shoulder surgery and being on the shelf until 2027 probably wouldn’t faze them.
As a draft-eligible sophomore, Bell has more leverage than most college players, and he’s already passed on a sizeable signing bonus once before, so there could be some signability risk there, though I don’t know how much he would realistically be able to improve his draft stock if he returned to Kentucky for his junior season.
LAS VEGAS — In a Stanley Cup Final filled with more twists and turns than a Six Flags roller coaster, it’s difficult to imagine what more could be in store when the Carolina Hurricanes visit the Vegas Golden Knights for Game 4.
There certainly is plenty at stake.
Should the Golden Knights win and take a 3-1 series lead, they will be in an almost unbeatable position. Teams with such an advantage in the final are 38-1, the one defeat occurring 84 years ago when Detroit lost a 3-0 lead and fell to Toronto.
A Hurricanes victory would not only even the best-of-seven series, but regain home-ice advantage potentially with two of the three remaining games in Carolina.
Good luck trying to predict where this series will go. What largely was expected to be a high-checking, low-scoring championship round has been wide open at times, with each team capitalizing on the other’s mistakes. The teams have combined to score 25 goals, the highest total through three games in the final since the New York Islanders and Minnesota North Stars had 30 in 1981.
There have been blown leads of at least two goals in each game. Vegas rallied from such a deficit in Game 1 and Carolina did it in Game 2.
Then came the real doozy in Game 3 when the Golden Knights led 4-0 well into the third period before the Hurricanes scored three goals in a record 39 seconds. Carolina eventually forced overtime, but the Golden Knights won in double OT when Shea Theodore bounced a puck off the boards that caromed off goalie Brandon Bussi’s skate.
Because of course it did.
Bussi, who hadn’t played in two months, entered in the third period after coach Rod Brind’Amour had seen enough of Frederik Andersen. The Golden Knights couldn’t figure out Bussi until that final wacky shot, so he might start in Game 4. Brind’Amour said he knows who will start, but isn’t letting on.
The Yankees (39-26) and the Guardians (37-31) continue their series Tuesday night in Cleveland following a 7-5 win in ten innings for New York last night. With the win New York remains tied with Tampa atop the AL East, while Cleveland’s lead in the AL Central is now 1.5 games over the White Sox.
Monday’s opener saw the Yankees rally in the eighth to tie the game and then win it in the tenth. Cody Bellinger came through in the tenth with a two-run single. It was a back-and-forth game that featured home runs from each team on both sides—Paul Goldschmidt and Ryan McMahon homered for New York, while Angel Martínez answered with a two-run shot for Cleveland.
Minus Aaron Judge, New York still scratched out seven runs. MVP candidate Ben Rice has been the catalyst over the past ten games, hitting .341 with 14 hits, eight runs, and 11 RBI. After a horrific start to the season, Trent Grisham’s bat is warming up. With a couple hits last night, the veteran is hitting .382 average with a .447 OBP the last few weeks. Cody Bellinger has chipped in with a balanced stat line (.270, 2 HR, 6 RBI) in the last ten games. Cleveland’s recent offensive production has been less consistent, but Kyle Manzardo (.286, 2 HR in his last 10 games) and Steven Kwan (.268, 11 hits) have led the charge, with José Ramírez contributing situationally despite lower recent averages.
Tuesday’s pitching matchup features a clear contrast in profiles, with Gerrit Cole taking the ball for New York against Cleveland’s Slade Cecconi. Cole has looked sharp since his return, posting a 2.00 ERA and a sub-1.00 WHIP through his first few starts, limiting baserunners and providing length at the top of the rotation. Cecconi, meanwhile, enters at 3–5 with a 4.92 ERA and a higher WHIP, having allowed more consistent traffic and hard contact this season.
There are also several notable batter-vs.-pitcher trends to watch. From Cleveland’s side, José Ramírez has historically handled Cole exceptionally well, hitting .359 with three home runs and eight RBIs) against the Yankees’ ace. Kyle Manzardo (3-6 with 1 HR) has also had some success albeit in a smaller sample size. For the Yankees, a handful of hitters have had success against Cecconi, including Cody Bellinger (2-5 with a homer in prior matchups) and Ryan McMahon (.500 with two hits in four ABs including a home run).
Lets dive into tonight’s matchup and find a sweat or two.
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Game Details and How to Watch: Yankees vs. Guardians
Date: Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Time: 6:40PM EST
Site: Progressive Field
City: Cleveland, OH
Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, Prime Video, TBS, CLEGuardians.TV
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The Latest Odds: Yankees vs. Guardians
The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: New York Yankees (-123), Cleveland Guardians (+102)
Ryan McMahon has hit safely in 3 straight games (3-8)
Anthony Volpe is 1-16 (.063) in June
Ben Rice Is 0-5 in his career against Cecconi
Kyle Manzardo is 3-6 (.500) in his career against Cole
Jose Ramirez is 14-39 (.359) in his career against Cole
Steven Kwan is hitting .280 (7-25) in June
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Top Betting Trends & Insights: Yankees and Guardians
The Guardians are 36-32 on the Run Line this season
The Yankees are 32-33 on the Run Line this season
The OVER has cashed 34 times in Cleveland’s 68 games this season (34-34)
The OVER has cashed 29 times in the Yankees’ 65 games this season (29-32-4)
Expert picks & predictions: Yankees vs. Guardians
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Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s game between the Yankees and the Guardians:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Yankees on the Moneyline.
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Yankees on the Run Line.
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ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers finally seem to have some real momentum going in their first season under manager Skip Schumaker.
They have won three consecutive series for the first time. Two of those came even before two-time World Series MVP shortstop Corey Seager and outfielder Wyatt Langford returned from the injured list to play in the weekend series against Cleveland.
“You start winning series consecutively, you just start gaining momentum and things can really take off,” said third baseman Josh Jung, the team’s top hitter batting .313. “You’ve just got to continue that.”
Texas (32-33) goes into the opener of a three-game series at Kansas City with a chance to reach .500 for the first time since the Rangers were 16-16 on June 1. They only are two games behind AL West-leading Seattle, and in the final wild-card spot.
“We’ve been trying to get to that .500 mark and then go beyond that,” said Jacob deGrom, who has thrown 11 scoreless innings over his last two starts.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner is 3-1 with a 1.26 ERA in the six games he has pitched at home. He tossed six innings in a 10-0 win over Cleveland.
Almost even again
The Rangers were a season-worst six games under .500 before going 7-2 over their last three series — which was preceded by them being no-hit against Houston. They swept Kansas City at home, then won the first two of three games at St. Louis. That five-game winning streak is their longest this season.
“Our defense has really cleaned up ... much better the last 30 days, which has helped our pitching, and then our bullpen’s been really, really steady,” Schumaker said. “The offense has found different ways to win games. That’s just the bottom line. We’ve done different things.”
On the road again, but still a lot to play at home
Texas, which missed the playoffs each of the past two seasons after winning its only World Series title in 2023, is going into a stretch with 16 of 22 games on the road through July 1.
But after that, the Rangers will spend a lot more time at home. They play 44 of their final 75 regular-season games (59%) at Globe Life Field.
The returns of Seager and Langford
After missing 39 games because of a right forearm strain, Langford has reached safely in all three games since his return. That extended his on-base streak to 14 games, the longest for a Rangers player this season.
Seager was out 19 games with lower back inflammation before also getting activated. The shortstop snapped a career-worst 0-for-29 slump with a go-ahead home run in the sixth inning right after a double by Langford.
“It’s nice, me and Corey coming back,” Langford said. “Not only for the team, but for us personally just being back out there trying to help the team win.”
After hits in his first two games back, the 32-year-old Seager got a planned day off in the series finale against Guardians. He likely will get more of those after playing 41 of Texas’ first 42 games prior to his IL stint.
“He’s going to have these periodically as he starts building up back into his season,” Schumaker said. “The built-in off days are going to be crucial for him so we can get him for the remainder of the season. A healthy Corey Seager makes our team a lot better, so trying to avoid any more stints on the IL is the goal.”
JUPITER, FLORIDA - MARCH 19, 2026: Gavin Fien #8 of the Washington Nationals bats during the first inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on March 19, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
When Gavin Fien was drafted by the Rangers 12th overall, he was listed as a shortstop. However, most evaluators expected him to slide over to third base. When the Nats traded for Fien in the MacKenzie Gore trade, fans envisioned a third baseman of the future. There has been a plot twist though. Gavin Fien has exclusively played in the outfield this season.
This season, Fien has played 22 games. In those games, he has played 10 in right field, 7 in center field and 5 at DH. I get the sense that most fans still view Gavin Fien as an infielder, but that view should change. Nats fans should look at Fien as an outfield prospect now.
Interestingly, Gavin Fien has not played a single inning in the infield this season. Really think fans should think of him as an outfielder now
Before the season, people were wondering what the Nats would do with all their shortstop prospects. The great thing about shortstop prospects is that they have the athleticism to move all around the diamond. At the beginning of the year, Fien, Devin Fitz-Gerald, Luke Dickerson and Coy James were all grouped as shortstop prospects. However, none of those guys have played much shortstop this year.
Things have sorted themselves out, with Fien being an outfielder, Fitz-Gerald being a second baseman and James being a third baseman. All three have bright futures, but not at shortstop. For Fien, I think right field is a nice fit for him. Fien is not slow, but he is a bit stiff for the infield. What he does have is a cannon of an arm, which should play well in right field.
The fact he is in the outfield at such a young age is slightly surprising, but it is not a total shock. In his draft report, MLB Pipeline mentioned that the corner outfield or first base was a possibility for Fien. Teams that liked Fien were drafting the bat, not the glove.
Speaking of his bat, Fien has been on a roll at the plate lately. He struggled in a very small sample size, and then got hurt. Once Fien got back, he has been quite productive, especially lately. This past week he was the Carolina League player of the week, with a .500 batting average and an insane 15 RBI’s. Getting 15 RBIs in a week is tough to do at any level.
NEWS: @FXBGNats standout and @Nationals No. 8 prospect Gavin Fien was named Carolina League Player of the Week for his performance last week
For a while, Fien’s numbers were in a rough spot, but this week has changed that. For the season, Fien is now hitting .235 with a .731 OPS. He also has 3 homers and 24 RBI in 22 games. These are not otherworldly numbers by any means, but for a first year guy out of high school who dealt with an injury, this is very respectable. I expect those numbers to continue to climb as he keeps adapting to pro ball.
We are starting to see the version of Gavin Fien that showed up at the Spring Breakout game. In that game, Fien put on a show, lacing doubles into the gap at will. Well, he is back to doing that and it is fun to watch. Some of his best swings remind me a little bit of Ryan Zimmerman.
— Fredericksburg Nationals (@FXBGNats) June 7, 2026
While he is not going to stick at third base like Zim, Fien has that sort of offensive ceiling. He still has some kinks to sort out in his swing, but the youngster has an exciting combination of hitting ability and power. The strikeout rate of 29% is higher than expected, but his overall contact rate of 74.6% is actually pretty good. That makes me think the strikeout rate is destined to come down. He may need to be more aggressive early in counts though.
Fien has not had the type of season to propel him onto top 100 lists like a Devin Fitz-Gerald or Seaver King, but he is getting on track. I think Fien is poised to have a strong finish to the season. With Eli Willits gone, I wonder if he gets some reps on the infield as well.
It has been an odd season for Fien, but he is coming around. The Nationals need outfield prospects in the lower minors, and they found one in an unlikely source. Right now Gavin Fien is the top outfield prospect in the Nationals organization.
LAS VEGAS — The line to get into the Golden Knights’ practice stretched well outside the door at the rink, and Vegas fans have had plenty to celebrate in its team’s nine seasons.
Back in the Stanley Cup Final for the third time, the Golden Knights are two victories away from winning their second championship in four years.
Carolina will have plenty to say about whether the Golden Knights get there, and the Hurricanes will try to even the series at 2-2 and reclaim home-ice advantage when the teams meet in Las Vegas. A win by the Golden Knights puts them in a commanding position.
Hockey historian Eric Zweig said Vegas is on the short list of top expansion franchises in NHL history, and another Stanley Cup should put the Golden Knights in the conversation as the best.
“It’s hard to compare,” Zweig said. “Frankly, in a 32-team league — I guess it was only 31 when they started — anything you do now is harder than it had to have been before. It just is. There’s so many more rounds of playoffs to go through. There’s so many more teams that you have to be better than to get there.”
The Golden Knights have a locker room full of players who have lifted the Stanley Cup, and their experience especially is valuable when the goal of winning it again is so close.
“I think it goes a long way,” said forward Brett Howden, who has a playoff-leading 13 goals. “Just the experience that we have in his locker room, the leadership, the way we’ve gone through adversity, the way our team stays composed. It just speaks volumes to our locker room.”
Howden was on the 2023 team that won the Cup, but there are a number of notable players still chasing their first title. Players such as Mitch Marner, Rasmus Andersson and Tomas Hertl.
Hertl came close in 2016 with San Jose, reaching the Cup Final before losing in six games to Pittsburgh. The Sharks made the Western Conference Final in 2019 — along the way eliminating the Golden Knights in seven games — before falling to St. Louis in six games.
“In the third season when I got to the Cup, I was like, ‘I’ll be right back,’” Hertl said. “You have a couple of good runs. You have a couple of years missing the playoff. You’re like, ‘Will it ever come again?’ You come here and it’s a great team in the first two seasons. We’ve been in the playoff, but we never get far. And now we’re sitting there, we have two wins to the Cup Final.
“Hopefully, we finish this the right way and it will be remembered forever.”
And, likely, among the greatest expansion franchises.
Zweig said the Golden Knights already are in the company of the Flyers, Islanders and Oilers.
— Philadelphia entered the league in the 1967-68 season and made the playoffs in its first two seasons and three of its first four. The Broad Street Bullies won the Cup in 1974 and 1975 and lost in the Final in 1976.
— New York debuted in the 1972-73 season and began a 14-year streak of making the playoffs in its third year. That included winning four Cups in a row starting in 1980.
— Wayne Gretzky-led Edmonton was part of the World Hockey Association merger with the NHL in 1979 and made the postseason in each of its first 13 years in the new league. That included five Cups over seven seasons, though the last in 1990 didn’t include The Great One, who was traded to Los Angeles two years earlier.
The New York Rangers and Blues are other expansion franchises that could be considered. The Rangers began play in 1926 and made the playoffs in 15 of their first 16 seasons and won three Cups. St. Louis was part of a new six-team division in 1967, and by winning it the first three years automatically made the Cup Final. The Blues were swept in all three series.
“There’s been so much expansion since the ‘90s,” Zweig said. “Vegas is head and shoulders above all of those.”
The Golden Knights aren’t overly concerned about history, but they are trying to survive what has been an unexpectedly high-scoring series against the Hurricanes filled with whiplash-inducing momentum swings. The Golden Knights just as easily could be down 2-1 or even 3-0 in this series, but they overcame an early two-goal deficit in the opener and escaped in double overtime of Game 3 after blowing a four-goal lead.
“There was no panic,” coach John Tortorella said. “The only way I can explain it is (the players) get it, they’ve been there. A lot of this team has won and gone through the process of going through playoffs, and they rely on that. I think they challenge themselves. It isn’t a physical skill, it’s a mental skill, and we have that. I don’t know if we win the series, but I know we have that in this organization.”
