May 23, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Chicago White Sox right fielder Jarred Kelenic (24) hits a double against the San Francisco Giants during the fifth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Good morning and happy Monday everybody! Sorry about the late links! Traffic, am I right?
The Mariners offense took advantage of windy conditions in Sacramento while the piggyback tandem of Luis Castillo and Bryce Miller stifled the A’s offense to cruise to a comfortable 9-2 win. The squad will look to secure a series win behind Emerson Hancock tonight at 6:40!
In Mariners news…
The Mariners may have won a nice and easy one last night, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t bumps in the road. Luis Castillo started the game and pitched four innings allowing two hits and no runs. Upon learning that he was being lifted to get Bryce Miller into the game for his leg of the piggyback start, Castillo was visibly upset.
Another look at Luis Castillo after learning that his night was done.
Can’t recall ever seeing this kind of frustration in his nearly four years with the Mariners.
"We knew that was part of the plan, and you've got to respect what his decision was." pic.twitter.com/goDRAmc262
Bryce Miller said in a post game interview that he finds the whole situation to be “not very comfortable.” Miller went on to say that he’s grateful for any chance he gets to pitch, but it seems clear that the team’s solution to too many good pitchers, however logical it might be, is having some dire human consequences.
Around the league…
Three Houston Astros pitchers, led by Tatsuya Imai, combined to no-hit the Texas Rangers in Arlington last night. Imai started with six innings, allowing four walks before Steven Okert came in and pitched the seventh, allowing a walk. Alimber Santa pitched the last two innings to close out the effort, securing a pretty unethical looking 9IP, 0H, 0R, 5BB, 4K line.
Part of me wants to say it’s time for Craig Kimbrel to hang it up, but gosh darn it if the man doesn’t keep finding work! Aging or not, something about Kimbrel ending up in the Rays pitching lab terrifies me.
The Chicago White Sox designated outfielder Jarred Kelenic for assignment yesterday, becoming the third team to cut bait with him since his debut. Kelenic is rapidly running out of options in the big leagues, but as a loud and out Jarred Kelenic supporter, I do truly hope he manages to land on his feet with another team, Although, I have a sneaking suspicion there’s only one team left that might try it, and I don’t like the sound of “Jarred Kelenic, Los Angeles Angel,” all that much.
The Kansas City Royals are shutting down Cole Ragans rehab assignment for a few days. Ragans is working back from a left elbow impingement and had a good outing in Triple-A Omaha over the weekend, but didn’t feel right in the days following.
Just as soon as the Eastern Conference Finals began for the Cleveland Cavaliers, it ended.
The Cavaliers were swept by the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. Now they begin to plan for next season as they try to go even further in the playoffs because Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert was not satisfied with the outcome
“We took a step ahead this spring, but we are nowhere near where we need to be. I can’t thank the fans enough for the support this year. We will dig in all summer and do everything we possibly can to take the next step. We will grind until we get there,” Gilbert wrote on X. “Congrats to the @nyknicks, and best of luck in the Finals.”
Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert AP
The Cavaliers have now made the playoffs for four straight seasons, and this year, expectations were higher than ever. Cleveland boasted the highest payroll in the league and had superstars across the roster
Forward Evan Mobley and guard Donovan Mitchell led the charge at the beginning of the season. Then the Cavaliers acquired James Harden in a blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Clippers on February 4th.
With that roster, the Cavaliers finished fourth in the Eastern Conference, eventually taking down the 1st-seeded Detroit Pistons in seven games to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. But that is where the playoff run ended.
For the players, it was a disappointing end to a good season. However, some viewed it as motivation for next year.
“I have no doubt that this group can get there,” Mitchell said after the game four defeat on Monday. “I’ve said that all year. The biggest thing is you just use it as a learning lesson. It’s a tough learning lesson, but now we know.”
Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell NBAE via Getty Images
Other star James Harden reiterated that he would be open to returning as the guard enters free agency this offseason.
“Definitely want to be here,” Harden said on Monday. “I think we found something. It’s tough. It’s not ending how we wanted to, but I think we found something.”
Cavaliers guard James Harden NBAE via Getty Images
While it is not a foregone conclusion that the same core will run it back next season, Cavalier fans will hope that the team can take the next step.
The Carolina Hurricanes have taken a 2-1 series lead over the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference Final after a 3-2 overtime win on Saturday.
But before they won the game, they nearly lost it as it looked initially like they had fallen into a 3-2 hole midway through the third period.
After some extended zone time by the Canadiens, Noah Dobson tried to thread a pass across the slot and a diving Nikolaj Ehlers accidently deflected it into his own net.
DOBSON SCORES IT AND BLOWS THE ROOF OFF THIS PLACE 🔥🚨
It looked like the Hurricanes were going to let a game in which they controlled slip away, but Carolina challenged the play for offside.
After review, it was determined that Cole Caufield had just barely entered the zone ahead of the puck, bringing the goal back and setting the stage for the Hurricanes to eventually win the game.
Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour credited his staff and their prior experience after the game for getting the call right.
"All teams, they're on it," Brind'Amour said. "As soon as an entry goes in, they're already buzzing you if it's close, but I give credit to [Video Coach Chris Huffine] because that's a bit of a tricky one because are you dragging it in and all that. We obviously went through that with Jordo already, which helped us be real confident that that was going to be offside. They did a great job there. Obviously that's a huge point in the game."
Goal was overturned due to Jordan Staal having possession but NOT control of the puck before he crosses the line.
In Game 2 of the first round series against the Ottawa Senators, the Hurricanes themselves had a goal called back for offside as Jordan Staal was deemed to have not had control of the puck on a close play entering the zone.
It was seeing how that play was ruled by the league that gave the Canes the confidence they needed to make the call to challenge the play in Game 3.
"That was an interesting point in the game," said Taylor Hall "In the end, it's offside, so shouldn't have really even turned into a play. It's nice that they got it right and that was a nice break for us. We felt like we had control of the game and you have to make sure that we win those ones and we ended up doing that."
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Former San Jose Sharks forward Scott Sabourin is staying in Tampa Bay for at least one more season.
Earlier this week, Lightning General Manager Julien BriseBois announced that the team had reached an agreement with Sabourin on a one-year, two-way contract extension.
Sabourin previously spent two seasons as a member of the San Jose Sharks organization, signing with the team during the summer of 2023 and departing as a free agent during the summer of 2025. The gritty winger appeared in just four games at the NHL level for the Sharks, failing to record a point and picking up nine penalty minutes during that span.
The majority of his time in the Sharks organization was spent with the San Jose Barracuda of the American Hockey League. With the Barracuda, he played 127 games, scoring 28 goals and 52 points while racking up a whopping 303 penalty minutes.
In his first season with the Lightning, the 33-year-old earned an opportunity to fill in at the NHL level when the team was struck by the injury bug. In 26 games for the Bolts, he scored a goal and had four assists along with his 89 penalty minutes. He also played 24 games for their AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch.
Sabourin earned a bit of a pay raise with his new contract, as his NHL salary increased from $775k to $850k for the 2026-27 season. He'll once again be a pending unrestricted free agent next summer.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 21: Spencer Strider #99 of the Atlanta Braves delivers during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on May 21, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Spencer Strider’s last outing for the Atlanta Braves was against the Miami Marlins on Thursday (5/21), making that his longest outing since coming off the IL this season. He pitched for 6.1 innings, allowed three runs on four hits and struck out nine batters.
So far, he’s been producing as someone getting back to the swing of things, gaining two wins across his four outings, and boasting a 3.00 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. He also, however, has a total of 12 batters walked in his return this month so far, so that will be something he’ll need to decrease against the Boston Red Sox, who might be struggling heavily on offense with an average of 3.7 runs per game, but can take advantage of drawing walks to secure their runs on the board.
The Ohio native is looking to continue his strong stint to kick the series off, but he’ll need the offense to follow suit and have a complete turnaround from their last series against the Washington Nationals.
Boston’s Ranger Suarez will be facing the Braves, currently holding a 2.40 ERA and 1.01 WHIP across his (2-2) nine games pitched.
If there’s a pitch that the Braves’ offense needs to look out for, it’s his 90.6 mph sinker. The lefty is dominant with it and takes up 30% of his arsenal. Against left-handed hitters, he touches the pitch almost 50% of the time, and it lands almost securely in the zone. He lowers it to around a 24% usage against righties.
The Braves’ offense will need to put on a show to blank the Sox early on and give Strider a quality game, but if they continue where they left off against the Nationals and Suarez gets the best of them, there might need to be a shakeup in the game plan for the remainder of the series.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 20: JJ Bleday #22 and Sal Stewart #27 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrate after scoring on a two-RBI double by Nathaniel Lowe #31 (not pictured) in the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on May 20, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Nathaniel Lowe swatted a walk-off homer against the Detroit Tigers and future Hall of Famer Kneley Jansen on the night of April 24th, the final swing in a roller-coaster 9-8 victory. In that game, the Cincinnati Reds had overcome a 5-0 deficit only to give it back with a 3-run Top of the 8th by the Tigers, with Lowe rectifying things with one mighty cut in the Bottom of the 9th.
It was a game that’s something of a microcosm of the Reds season so far. It was a 1-run win. It featured the bullpen forking over the lead. It also featured dingers a-plenty, with Lowe socking two and Matt McLain swatting a pair in one of his precious few good games of the season.
Aside from that, it was something of a nondescript outing in the annals of baseball history. A good win, an entertaining one, but merely one data point in the billions of data points we’ve got in this great game’s vast history.
If you choose that data point to look closer at the offense of the Cincinnati Reds, though, you’ll begin to see something that’s both spectacular and completely unheard of through the lens we viewed their brutal start to the 2026 season as a team.
Counting that game, the Reds have played 28 games since dawn on April 24th, 2026. And since dawn on April 26th, zero teams have hit more homers than the 41 the Reds have launched. Zero! Their .191 ISO in that span ranks 3rd behind the New York Yankees and Washington Nationals (both at .194). Their .435 SLG ranks 2nd behind only the Bronx Bombers (.440), while their .333 wOBA similarly ranks behind only that of the Yankees (.341).
It’s not fluky, either – at least by xwOBA. The Reds sport the 2nd best expected wOBA in the game in that span at .340, ahead of the Yankees (.339) and behind just the Los Angeles Dodgers (.344). That’s right – for over a month of the season, it’s been the Reds sandwiched between the behemoths on both coasts for the honors of being the single best offense in the sport.
It’s a cherry-picked date, obviously. It’s also a date that fully encompasses the evolution of the regulars in the lineup, however. Each of Lowe and JJ Bleday have assumed almost daily use in that time, with Bleday having not even been a part of the offense since being called up for the first time on April 25th. We’ve also seen the gradual phasing out of TJ Friedl and Ke’Bryan Hayes, with the latter eventually landing on the IL over the weekend with lingering back problems. In other words, it’s cherry-picked, but pretty accurately overlaps with the Reds beginning to eschew their strict defense-first lineup decisions in favor of letting their big bats bat early and often.
The Houston Rockets enter the NBA offseason with a definite desire for improvement because of the general belief that the previous season was disappointing. Despite having the highest expectations heading into the season, the Rockets were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the second year in a row, and while Houston could run it back next season, hoping a healthy Steven Adams and Fred Vanvleet with another season of devolopment for the young core would be enough, I think it would be foolish to not consider making a trade if the price is right. Additonally over the weekend, insider Marc Stien said this:
“There is a belief in some corners of the league that Atlanta, Houston, and Portland all have legitimate trade interest in Brown.”
Enter Jaylen Brown, a 29-year-old guard/forward coming off the best season of his career, and helping to lead the Boston Celtics to the second-best record in the Eastern Conference despite superstar Jayson Tatum’s absence for much of the season. Brown has always been the Robin to Tatum’s Batman, as fans and media alike always seem to view Tatum as the star of the Celtics, and Jaylen Brown as his co-star, but this season showed that Brown could lead his own team. There has been a lot of discussion about Brown and the Boston Celtics possibly splitting ways during the past month. The Rockets have organizational ties to Brown through head coach Ime Udoka, who coached Brown during Udoka’s only season as head coach of the Celtics in 2021–2022.
Brown averaged 47.7 percent from the field, 34.7 percent from outside the arc, 79.5 percent from the free throw line, 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. When the teams were announced on Sunday, Brown was chosen to the All-NBA team even though he made the Second Team. In addition, Brown finished sixth overall in the MVP competition. The Rockets have enough salary to pay Brown’s $53.1 million salary by trading Clint Capela, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun.
Now, for what everyone wants, my opinion. I am on board with trading for Jalyn Brown IF the price is right. If Boston asks for Amen Thompson, I am hanging up the phone faster than you would hang up a call from that one relative asking for money. I would, however, give up one of Alperen Sengun or Kevin Durant. Now, obviously, Houston just traded for Durant last summer, but all Houston really gave up was Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the draft rights to Khaman Maluach, and some second-round picks. With that being considered, Houston did not really give up too much for KD, so while it would be unfortunate to pivot off him after only one season, it makes sense. Additonally, I would obviously at the moment rather give up Durant than Sengun, as Sengun is younger and allows the team to have young talent for after Brown retires. Sengun does have shortcomings: he can’t shoot from three, and he is not the best defender, but I would rather keep the player who is able to play another 5-10 years than the one who has maybe two or three years left at most.
What do you all think? Should the Rockets trade for Jaylen Brown? How much is too much to give up? Let me know, and as always, be sure to check back at The Dream Shake for all your Houston Rockets news needs.
Another former member of the San Jose Sharks organization could be heading overseas.
Defenseman Calen Addison spent part of one season in the Bay Area, playing in 60 games for the Sharks and now he could be going to the Russian Kontinental Hockey League.
Mike Grier brought Addison into the mix early in the 2023-24 season in an attempt to get more offense from the Sharks' defense, and while he did do that to an extent, there were some glaring holes in his game that ultimately resulted in the Sharks opting not to submit a qualifying offer in order to retain his rights at the end of the season.
Considering the Sharks only gave up a fifth round draft pick and Adam Raska, who has also gone overseas to continue his career at this stage, there was very little lasting impact to making the trade with the Minnesota Wild.
During his 60 games wearing teal, Addison scored a single goal and registered 12 points. Since leaving the Sharks, he's been a journeyman at the American Hockey League level and has played for three teams in two seasons.
Reports from Russia's Sport-Express state that Dynamo Moskva has shown interest in signing the 26-year-old defenseman, but nothing is official at this point in time. Over the course of his NHL career, Addison scored six goals and tallied a total of 50 points in 152 games spread across four seasons.
If Addison signs with Dynamo, he will join current Sharks prospect Yegor Rimashevsky who the organization drafted in the seventh round of the 2023 NHL Draft.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - OCTOBER 26: Assistant Coach Mitch Johnson and Head Coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs speak to each other during the game against the Houston Rockets on October 26, 2024 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 (Photos by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals was without a doubt the Spurs’ worst showing of the playoffs, and possibly even their worst game of any capacity since January. After a blistering 15-0 run to open the game, the law of averages came back with a vengeance, and they showed very little fight or urgency the rest of the way as the Thunder quickly recovered to take over the game and regain homecourt advantage.
This Spurs team has proven to be resilient all season, so it wasn’t too surprising to see them make adjustments and come out more determined in Game 4, which they won comfortably. However, there’s more to the story than that. As was revealed by De’Aaron Fox in the postgame show following Game 4, none other than Gregg Popovich made a locker room appearance immediately after Game 3, and let’s just say anyone who had not had the privilege of playing for him (or didn’t for long enough) can now say they’ve had the full Pop Experience.
De'Aaron Fox said Gregg Popovich came into the Spurs' locker room after the Game 3 loss:
"That was the first time he walked into the locker room and was like, 'Nah, that's BS. That's not how we play basketball.' Obviously, he had some choice words for us." pic.twitter.com/CaZSIcfXxL
Pop officially resigned as head coach last summer after suffering a stroke early in the 2024-25 season but is still President of Basketball Operations and has been seen around practice plenty of times, as he also does physical therapy at the Spurs’ facility at The Rock at La Cantera. But as Fox said, this was the first time he came storming into the locker room after a game, and they knew what they were in for before he even said a word. From players to coaches, staff and even General Manager Brian Wright, everyone listened with appropriate fear as El Jefe told them their performance “was BS” and “not how we play basketball”. He’s still the same ol’ Pop.
Someone who can relate and was often on the other end of Pop tongue-lashings was former Spurs champion Danny Green, who was often credited with being willing to take his wrath and improve from it, just like Pop’s original target: Manu Ginobili. But even Green jokingly told Sports Center that he was scared of Pop then, still is now, and he felt for the current Spurs over what that experience must have been like.
Danny Green on what Pop’s speeches are like and how big a presence he has on the team:
“A huge presence. I mean it doesn’t go away. He’s just one of those guys that you’re fearful of regardless of age or health.
That being said, just because Pop still has a presence doesn’t mean Mitch Johnson is just some nice, soft-spoken guy (since he’s always lost his voice by the time we hear from him) who is simply following orders. His sideline demeanor may not be as pronounced or dramatic, but he comes from the coaching tree of Pop and was his chosen predecessor for a reason. He and his staff still coach the game, call the plays and make adjustments, and they’ve done a masterful job all season. Before Game 4, they appeared to make the switch from “make everyone but SGA beat us” to “make SGA and no one else beat us,” and it worked well. Defensive rotations were more crisp, and on offense, there were more pick-and-rolls and an asserted effort to get Victor Wembanyama the ball on the move instead of too many forced drives and iso-ball.
Also, like Pop, Mitch is not afraid to coach his players hard, from his star all the way down. Rookie forward Carter Bryant may have gotten “the Pop Experience” just like the rest of his teammates after Game 3, but he also experienced what Green and many other Spurs often did on the sidelines during Game 4, when Mitch got on him hard after a couple of careless fouls, including biting on an SGA pump fake and barreling into Jaylin Williams on the fast break for a charge. Bryant has had some bright moments in these playoffs, but it has also understandably been a massive learning curve for him, and despite the team being up big in that moment, he appeared on the brink of tears.
Carter Bryant appeared to have tears in his eyes after his coach yelled at him following a turnover pic.twitter.com/bBVIo5wI8i
However, there’s another invaluable experience he got in that moment that Green and plenty other Spurs also experienced: the team’s unselfish superstar jumping in with leadership and words of encouragement to balance things back out. In Green’s day, it was Tim Duncan who would help perk his teammates back up after they experienced the Wrath of Pop. For Bryant, it was Wemby who came over to encourage him on after he felt the Wrath of Mitch. Different coaches, different stars and different role players, but the same culture lives on.
The narrative this postseason has been that the Spurs are ahead of schedule, and based on preseason predictions, that is true. However, it’s not just talent alone that has gotten them two wins away from the Finals, but also coaching, leadership and a completely egoless roster. If that sounds like the Spurs of Pop and Tim, it’s because it is, but even if those two still have a presence and plenty of influence within the organization, this is now the Spurs of Mitch and Wemby, and they are ready to build upon the legacy their predecessors created — from winning all the way down to being yelled at. It’s the Spurs way.
If the Colorado Avalanche season were a boat at sea, the vessel would be taking on water with the feeling of impending doom as the choppy waters of a series sweep loom over the horizon. A journey that started in the waters of Los Angeles could come to a sinking halt in the desert of Las Vegas, as the Golden Knights have a 3-0 series lead with a chance to advance to the cup final tonight.
Colorado seems battered and bruised from the quest, as Cale Makar is clearly not healthy, and Nathan MacKinnon and Valeri Nichushkin were hobbled in game three.
The team from the Mile High City also appears morally drained after blowing their first third-period lead to lose game two and a 3-0 first-period lead in game three. In fact, in game three, Colorado failed to register a shot in the last 12+ minutes of the final frame despite getting a power play at one point.
Vegas has been sippin’ pina coladas like a prize fighter as their (hard-earned) luxury yacht rolls into port for another night of dominance. The Avalanche have had zero answers to what Las Vegas has brought to the table, and so for the Golden Knights, the focus will be more of the same.
Will the Avalanche end the suffering and go quietly, or will they put up a fight?
Colorado Avalanche: 8-4
The Opponent: Vegas Golden Knights (11-4)
Time: 7:00 p.m. MT
Watch: ESPN+, ESPN
Listen: Altitude Sports Radio, 92.5 FM
Colorado Avalanche
What can I really say about where the Avalanche stand today ahead of game four? A lot.
For starters, it feels like Nathan MacKinnon either got some incredible treatment over the last 36 hours or he will, at a minimum, be hobbled this evening after he took a puck to the outside of his right knee in game three. The impact was substantial enough to bench MacKinnon for most of the third period outside of one pointless power play appearance.
I don’t say pointless because MacKinnon shouldn’t be out on the power play, but he was clearly unable to make any explosive movements and was basically ineffective.
This leads me to an adjustment I hope to see from Bednar. I don’t think riding your clearly wounded top guys into the ground is going to do anything but accelerate losing.
The approach we saw in game three just came off desperate as the top group waved off a timeout just to inevitably be too gassed to stave off an open net attempt.
Moreover, it explains why the end of game three was so lifeless.
Only one team in NHL history has come back from down 3-0 beyond the quarterfinals, and that was the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs.
Saying things have changed since then is incredibly reductive, but back then, Leafs head coach Hap Day chose to bench the team’s leading scorer and a veteran defender to make his lineup younger, faster, and better equipped to play 60 minutes of playoff hockey.
Here are three keys to victory for the Colorado Avalanche:
Effort every second of every shift.
A commitment to sacrifice and teamwork
Patience and pride.
It’s desperation time for the Avalanche (although I’d argue it has been for at least two games), and they will have to lean into that to avoid the sweep. That means controlling what they can control, and that starts with effort.
Speaking of effort, you clearly aren’t going to skill it up to a victory against this Vegas team, so to win, Colorado will have to buy into sacrificing offense for defense, grinding in the corners and below the goal-line, and crashing the net.
The approach that’s required right now isn’t a pretty one. It’s not gonna land anyone on ESPN’s top ten or make an end-of-year highlight reel. The Avalanche will have to trust themselves, prepare for battle, and play for the logo on the front of their jerseys.
Note: I have italicized the individuals who are a bit questionable tonight. We haven’t gotten the real word on either Nichushkin or MacKinnon’s status, and Cale has dealt with stuff all postseason.
Nothing has been reported, but it feels like the right time to give MacKenzie Blackwood a chance in game four.
Vegas Golden Knights
When John Tortorella took the reins in Vegas, he talked a lot about just getting out of the way with this Vegas group, which has an established cup-winning core and a cupboard full of talent. It’s apparently exactly what was needed to right the ship in Vegas.
Good goaltending has also helped, as Carter Hart is on a Jordan Binnington-like run here in the 2026 playoffs. His success has been largely instrumental in Vegas’ commitment to the counterstrike approach, as he’s backstopped the group well when Colorado has earned the seldom-seen high-danger look.
Vegas is in comfortable territory right now, but won’t just take the foot off the gas this close to getting back to a cup final.
Here are three keys to victory for the Golden Knights:
Stick to the plan.
Play to win.
Ride momentum.
Vegas’ approach is undefeated against the team that many (along with Carolina) viewed as a shoo-in for the Cup Final. As the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
With this sort of series lead, it’s human nature to let up a little bit, seeing as only four teams have ever come back from being down 3-0 in the NHL’s 109 seasons. That gives the Avalanche ~ a 3.7% chance of realizing a reverse sweep.
That’s the sort of unlikelyhood that can seep into the little habits, but as we know in Colorado, habits are fleeting and must be nurtured even when the going is good. Or else.
The Golden Knights have done very well at getting and keeping momentum when it matters most. The first goal hasn’t mattered as much as the last goal in this series because Vegas doesn’t come out of their game when behind.
Fans watch on as Knicks guard Jalen Brunson shoots a 3-pointer at Madison Square Garden during Game 2 vs. the Cavaliers on May 21, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
The cheapest ticket for Game 3 at MSG on June 8 costs $3,686 at SeatGeek including fees, at the time of writing.
For Game 4 two days later, the cheapest ticket costs $3,543 at SeatGeek.
TickPick revealed after the Knicks secured their sweep of the Cavaliers in the conference finals Monday night that the get-in prices for Games 3 and 4 were $3,745 and $3,464, respectively, which would be “the most expensive NBA tickets on record.”
If the Finals reaches six games, fans would have to fork up over $4,984 at SeatGeek for that June 16 clash.
It’s a stark contrast to 10 years ago when Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors faced off in the 2016 NBA Finals and the average price to get into those games was $880.
Last year, when the Thunder and Pacers clashed, the average ticket price was $1,147, according to TickPick.
A view of Madison Square Garden during Game 2 of the Knicks vs. Cavaliers series. Getty Images
For some, that price could be worth it. For younger Knicks fans, this is first time their team has reached the Finals and the 27-year gap shows it’s not a lock to happen again anytime soon.
The Knicks have dominated since falling behind 2-1 to the Hawks in the first round, winning 11 straight games thanks to their back-to-back sweeps of the Sixers and Cavaliers.
Jalen Brunson led the way against the Cavaliers, bringing home Eastern Conference finals MVP honors. He’s averaging 26.6 points and 6.6 assists per game this postseason.
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But the dominant playoff run was a team effort.
Josh Hart had a crucial Game 2, scoring 26 points in a 109-93 win.
Bench spark plug Landry Shamet went 11-of-12 from deep during the conference finals, which broke an NBA playoff series record.
Center Karl-Anthony Towns has averaged a double-double throughout the playoffs.
Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts during Game 2 against the Cavaliers. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Even if not all Knicks fans can get into Madison Square Garden during the Finals, Knicks fever will still be felt all through the city and beyond.
The New York Yankees (32-22) and the Kansas City Royals (22-32) continue their three-game series tonight at Kauffman Stadium.
The Yankees enter tonight’s matchup against the Royals looking to build on last night’s 4-3 come from behind win. Anthony Volpe drove in the winning run with a clutch two‑run single in the ninth inning. Bobby Witt Jr.’s had broken a 2-2 tie with a home run in the eighth, but Kansas City closer Lucas Erceg could not hold the lead for Kansas City. The win was the Yankees’ twelfth in a row against the Royals.
Tonight, the Yankees hand the ball to Cam Schlittler, who takes the mound with a stellar 6–2 record and a 1.50 ERA. The Royals, meanwhile, are expected to deploy a bullpen game, leaning on a mix of relievers after Michael Wacha’s strong seven‑inning effort last night.
Offensively, the Yankees will look to ride the hot bats of Cody Bellinger (hits in three straight games and seven of his last eight) and Anthony Volpe (6-20 over his last six games). For the Royals, Salvador Perez and Bobby Witt Jr. continue to anchor the offense. Perez tied the game in the sixth with his 136th career homer at Kauffman Stadium, matching George Brett’s stadium record, while Witt’s eighth‑inning blast briefly put Kansas City ahead. Still, the Royals struggled with runners in scoring position, going 0‑for‑7 in key spots—an issue they’ll need to correct to keep pace tonight.
Lets dive into tonight’s matchup and find a sweat or two.
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Game Details and How to Watch: Yankees vs. Royals
Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Time: 7:40PM EST
Site: Kauffman Stadium
City: Kansas City, MO
Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, YES, Royals.TV
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The Latest Odds: Yankees vs. Royals
The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: New York Yankees (-205), Kansas City Royals (+168)
Spread: Yankees -1.5 (-125), Royals +1.5 (+104)
Total: 8.5 runs
Probable Starting Pitchers: Yankees vs. Royals for May 26
Ryan McMahon has 5 extra base hits in May (65 ABs)
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Top Betting Trends & Insights: Yankees and Royals
The Royals are 23-31 on the Run Line this season
The Yankees are 26-28 on the Run Line this season
The OVER has cashed 23 times in KC’s 54 games this season (23-31)
The OVER has cashed 22 times in the Yankees’ 54 games this season (22-29-3)
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Expert picks & predictions: Yankees vs. Royals
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Tuesday’s game between the Yankees and the Royals:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Yankees on the Run Line.
Total: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 8.5.
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Though Cleveland advanced to the Eastern Conference finals without LeBron James for the first time in almost 35 years, its unceremonious exit – and how arduous this whole postseason run seemed – has clouded what path the team should take in the weeks and months ahead.
The Cavaliers took perhaps the biggest swing of any team this year at the NBA trade deadline, flipping oft-injured 26-year-old Darius Garland for durable 36-year-old James Harden to pair with Donovan Mitchell in the backcourt. Cleveland had the most expensive roster in the league. Whether it worked – or can work – is up for debate. The final impression this season was a dud.
Harden said in the aftermath he is committed to remaining with the Cavaliers. Mitchell told reporters he has "no doubt this group can get there." They each expressed faith in coach Kenny Atkinson and the organization. They preached patience after only a few months with Harden in the fold.
How that statement manifests itself could change the landscape of the entire NBA offseason, with the Cavaliers possessing perhaps the largest range of outcomes of any team in the league. They could stay the course, blow it up, or go for broke. These are the pressing questions facing the franchise:
Will Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers sign new extension?
Mitchell just made his first trip to the conference finals in his ninth NBA season, and fourth with the Cavaliers. But there's a fork-in-the-road for the two sides, despite Mitchell's statements in the wake of Monday's loss that he remains committed to Cleveland.
The 29-year-old is eligible to sign a four-year extension worth as much as $272 million this offseason. He could also wait until next year and be eligible to sign a five-year deal worth as much as $350 million. If he chooses the latter path, he'd essentially play next season as a looming free agent because of the $54-million player option for 2027-28 in his current contract.
Are the Cavaliers comfortable devoting that much to a player who might not be a No. 1 option for a championship contender right now? The uncertainty shouldn't immediately invite trade rumors, especially given Mitchell's positive tone after being swept out of the playoffs. But there's a forthcoming negotiation that will determine how much Cleveland wants to spend to hitch its wagon to Mitchell for the foreseeable future.
What's next for James Harden, Cavaliers?
Harden has a $42.3-million team option on his contract for the 2026-27 season, but multiple reports at the trade deadline suggested Harden would not have agreed to be dealt to the Cavaliers without an understanding that he would be retained beyond this season.
He had another bumpy postseason, with a few notable performances in the first two rounds that got overshadowed when Knicks star Jalen Brunson feasted on him in the Eastern Conference Finals. Taking on Harden at his team option price tag would likely hamper what else the Cavaliers can do this offseason. A more team-friendly salary point, likely in exchange for an extra year or two on a new Harden contract, is expected to be the outcome.
That will tie Cleveland to Mitchell and Harden as a tandem. Harden sounded confident it can work.
"Definitely want to be here," Harden told reporters after Game 4. "I think we found something. It's tough. It's not ending how we wanted to, but I think we found something."
Will Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson be back?
Atkinson is just one year removed from winning NBA coach of the year, but his viral analytics moment before Game 4 reinforced his underwhelming performance on the sideline during the playoffs.
Telling reporters that Cleveland "analytically" won two of the first three games of the Eastern Conference Finals will go down in infamy among the more inopportune quotes uttered by a coach during a postseason series. It happened less than a week after Atkinson's timeout usage, or lack thereof, was questioned after the Cavaliers blew their 22-point lead in Game 1.
Cleveland was also taken to Game 7 in both the first round and conference semifinals after having a chance to end both series in Game 6. The accumulation of wear and tear, according to Atkinson, took its toll on the roster in the Eastern Conference Finals. Given Gilbert's postgame edict and expectations, Atkinson's leash appears to be short whether he keeps his job going into next season or not.
Can Cavaliers land LeBron James or Giannis?
These are the ultimate wild cards for this Cleveland offseason, and the most unlikely scenarios. One relies on James being generous. The other would be a huge bet on the present, potentially at the expense of the franchise's long-term fortunes. But James is a free agent and Giannis Antetokounmpo is reportedly on the trade market. One
In Evan Mobley, Cleveland has a young star the Milwaukee Bucks might be interested in taking back as a centerpiece in exchange for Antetokounmpo. The Cavaliers previously showed no interest in doing that. Did the Knicks sweep change their thinking?
James, meanwhile, has the option to add a closing chapter to his career by returning to Cleveland one more time. It would almost certainly have to come on a significant hometown discount given how much money the Cavaliers have committed. But if James is searching for another title and wants to leave the Lakers, he'd have an easier path in the Eastern Conference.
The past 48 hours for the Colorado Avalanche haven’t been the best. You're down 3-0 to the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Finals with Cale Makar coming back from an upper-body injury, only to have Nathan MacKinnon go down with a knee injury. Now, the media and fans are all considering whether, if the team loses Game 4 or the series, management should make a coaching change.
The pressure and rumors only continue; now, not only is there speculation about shaking up your head coach and coaching staff, but your General Manager could be leaving for a rival organization to take on a larger role this offseason.
Chris MacFarland To Music City?
On May 23, Jonah Sigel, writer for the Toronto Star, put out a post on X/Twitter that stated that he is hearing that the Nashville Predators will name Avalanche General Manager, Chris MacFarland, as their new Vice-President of Hockey Operations this summer, an upgrade over his current position with the Avalanche.
If true, won't go over well in Toronto, lots of buzzing out there the @PredsNHL will name @Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland as their new VP hockey operations, a promotion over GM role he currently has... Could be interesting
— Jonah Sigel | Sports media + streaming (@yyzsportsmedia) May 23, 2026
It's a serious upgrade and change of role considering where the Predators are right now with the state of their team. With a lot of expiring contracts, veterans who still have term on their deals, and nine combined picks from rounds 1 and 2 over the next three seasons, it's a team that needs clarity on where its franchise is going, and it needs to start this summer.
It does line up with the plans the Predators tend to make this summer, as current GM and President of Hockey Operations Barry Trotz announced earlier this season that he would step down from both roles to retire.
This past season, the Predators began the process of finding the right candidate to replace Trotz. A plethora of names have been reported as those they want to talk with, including former New Jersey Devils GM and President Tom Fitzgerald, Florida Panthers assistant GM Brett Peterson, Dallas Stars assistant GM Scott White, Carolina Hurricanes assistant GM Darren Yorke, and Edmonton Oilers assistant GM Bill Scott.
So the Predators are willing to talk to anyone and everyone they can get an accepted request from, but is the initial report true? Do the Predators tend to take MacFarland from the Avalanche? Is there any other source that can back it up?
Avalanche Are Safe, For Now
It didn’t take long for Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman to report 32 Thoughts: The Podcast to help break down the situation and elaborate further. The main point Friedman raised is that, right now, the Predators are not permitted to talk to MacFarland, and no deal is in place for him to sign when the season is over and jump ship immediately.
As much as the Predators have him as a key figure in their job search, nothing is set in stone, even with Friedman saying that a “done deal” is “way, way, way, premature”.
As of right now, aside from the two reports for Friedman and Sigel, there have been no other reports from insiders or announcements by the two organizations that have made it publicly clear that an interview request has occurred. Nothing is set in stone, and until a report or announcement is made, MacFarland’s position with the team is safe, though there isn’t much the team can do to stop him from leaving.
Management can block anyone from requesting access to speak to him for any managerial positions. When someone is under contract with the team, the team can hold them to their contractual obligations. Just look at what the Golden Knights are doing with Bruce Cassidy. Denying teams like the Edmonton Oilers and other teams in the conference from requesting to talk to him to hire him as their next coach.
Avalanche Doesn’t Really Have Full Control Of The Situation.
Make what you want of the reports; it all comes down to whether Nashville really wants MacFarland and whether he feels the same about an upgrade in position. If he does, the Avalanche can’t really do anything about it.
If the team really values MacFarland, there isn’t a higher title to give him. That would mean firing Sakic as President of Hockey Operations and giving MacFarland that title, but I doubt they will do that. They already made that move to keep both members after they won the Stanley Cup in 2022, bumping Sakic to President of Hockey Operations and moving MacFarland from Assistant GM to GM.
The only other factor is MacFarland's loyalty to the franchise. Whether he would really leave a contending championship team he helped build for a rival franchise in the division that's on the brink of a complete rebuild. It would obviously be a great opportunity and a promotion many might take if put in that situation, but would he be so quick to leave after just getting promoted a couple of years ago?
Obviously, every Avalanche fan would love to see him and the team issue a statement thanking the Predators for their interest while committing to the Avalanche for the future. Only time will tell whether the reports prove true and whether more changes will come to the Colorado Avalanche this summer.
Craig Kimbrel wasn't out of work for long, and he even got a nice boost in the standings.
Kimbrel, 37, signed a major league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, May 26, The Athletic first reported, just four days after the New York Mets designated him for assignment. Ranked fifth on the all-time saves list, Kimbrel posted a 6.00 ERA in 14 appearances for the Mets and did not earn a save.
But ninth-inning chances might be more plentiful with Tampa Bay, and the Rays are in first place in the American League East, and not the cellar of the National League East. Tampa Bay has mixed and matched with veteran right-hander Bryan Baker recording 14 saves, but lefty Ian Seymour and a half-dozen others have saved games.
The Rays could use the immediate help - they played 13 innings on Monday in losing 7-5 to the Baltimore Orioles.
Kimbrel's 440 career saves are second among active players, trailing Detroit's Kenley Jansen, who has saved 483 games. The Rays will be his 11th major league team, and his eighth in the past six seasons.
