Mets star Juan Soto reacts to early CBA negotiations: 'Why should we have a cap?'

With the MLB collective bargaining agreement set to expire on Dec. 1, the possibility of a lockout before the 2027 season looms. And early negotiations between the league and the union have not been promising. 

On May 28, the league proposed a hard salary cap, which would be the first hard cap in MLB history and kick in for the start of the 2027 campaign.

Under the proposal, the hard cap would be $245.3 million, with a salary floor of $171.2 million. The floor would also be an MLB first.

Unsurprisingly, that proposal was a non-starter for the union.

Although it was just an opening proposal, a hard cap of $245.3 million feels quite low, given that the current CBT tax kicks in once a team crosses $244 million in yearly salary. 

There are currently eight teams that project to be above (with a handful well above) the luxury tax at the end of the 2026 season -- the Dodgers, Mets, Yankees, Phillies, Blue Jays, Braves, Cubs, and Padres.

The Mets' current payroll is roughly $379 million, with the Dodgers leading the pack at around $416 million. Expecting teams to get under a figure of $245.3 million for 2027 borders on fantasy. Even something $100 million or so higher would be a very difficult ask for teams like the Mets and Dodgers. 

Juan Soto, who signed the biggest contract in MLB history a few offseasons ago, recently weighed in on the labor talks.

"I don’t think that’s right, to have a cap," Soto told Will Sammon of The Athletic. "Baseball is doing great. We’ve been increasing every year. It’s been great for baseball. We are in the best moment in baseball right now in all kinds of ways. Why should we have a cap?"

While the $245.3 million cap number MLB proposed seems quite low, the floor of $171.2 million also feels like a level at least a handful of small-market owners would balk at, even though it should be easily doable.

The last labor negotiations -- in 2022 -- dragged out until the middle of March, with the season starting on April 7 as a result.

Julian Champagnie’s rise from unwanted to NBA Finals contributor

Editor's Note:Click here for live coverage and all the latest news from Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.

Julian Champagnie is a fascinating figure in the 2026 NBA Finals because he's the only player in the series who grew up in New York and then went to college in New York — and he happens to now play for the San Antonio Spurs.

So the fourth-year pro isn't just emerging as a valuable sharpshooter who was overlooked initially after going undrafted and being waived by the Philadelphia 76ers to begin his NBA career. He also might be a villain in his hometown if the Spurs manage to come back and win an NBA championship over the Knicks.

"I have a lot of friends who are New York fans and I would love to spoil their plans," Champagnie told reporters before the NBA Finals began.

Champagnie and the Spurs return to the court at Frost Bank Center on Friday, June 5 for Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Knicks, with San Antonio looking to even the best-of-seven series at one game apiece after New York took Game 1 on the road. Champagnie had five 3-pointers before halftime in the opener when the Spurs were at their best, on the heels of a strong performance in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Though the 24-year-old cooled off in the second half, he again proved to be a weapon for the Spurs. Here's what to know about San Antonio's Julian Champagnie in the 2026 NBA Finals:

Where is Julian Champagnie from?

Champagnie is from the Kensington neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York and went to high school at Bishop Laughlin in Brooklyn.

Who is Julian Champagnie's twin brother?

Champagnie has a twin brother, Justin, who also plays in the NBA. Justin Champagnie, who currently plays for the Washington Wizards, is listed at 6-foot-6 and 206 pounds.

Like his brother, Justin Champagnie was undrafted after two seasons at Pittsburgh. He just finished his fifth NBA season.

Julian Champagnie height

Julian Champagnie is listed at 6-foot-7 and 217 pounds on the Spurs roster.

Julian Champagnie college

Julian Champagnie stayed close to home in New York for college basketball by playing three seasons at St. John's.

Julian Champagnie jersey

Julian Champagnie wears jersey No. 30 for the San Antonio Spurs.

Julian Champagnie contract

Champagnie has one of the best contracts in the NBA at the moment in terms of bang for the buck. He signed a 4-year, $12-million contract in June 2023 after joining the team during the 2022-23 season off waivers as a two-way player. The deal features a team option for the 2026-27 season at a $3 million salary.

Julian Champagnie stats

Champagnie averaged a career-best 11.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game while shooting better than 38% from 3-point range during the 2025-26 regular season. He's averaging 11.5 points, 6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game on 40.2% 3-point shooting in the 2026 NBA playoffs.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Julian Champagnie is suddenly a name you need to know

Martín Pérez takes the mound for the Braves against the Pirates

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 24: Martín Pérez #33 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the Washington Nationals in the first inning at Truist Park on May 24, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Brett Davis/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Atlanta Braves were not able to get a sweep of the reigning AL champion Toronto Blue Jays yesterday, but they did win the series and look to take that momentum into the weekend series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Pirates are having somewhat of a surprising season this year with a .540 record, and a run differential of plus thirty-seven. They had Paul Skenes to build off of and went and added some bats in the off-season, but it would be hard for someone with a straight face to say they predicted this outcome so far this season.

Martín Pérez will be taking on the Pirates offense that has currently scored only four less runs than the Braves ranking them fourth in MLB. Unfortunately for Pérez, he has not faced many of these hitters much in his career. He has only seen six of the hitters on the Pirates’ current roster and none of them have more than nine at-bats against him. Brandon Lowe has those nine at-bats and Pérez has struggled a bit allowing a .333 average and .788 OPS against him. Old friend Marcell Ozuna has seven at-bats and has definitely had the edge in the matchup with a .571 average and 1.700 OPS.

On paper Pérez has been fantastic this year and has been way better than likely most expected with an ERA of 2.79. If his season ended today, that would be his best ERA in a season in his career. His strikeout rate of 20.5 would be his second best in a season. For his career he has averaged 16.5 percent. Interestingly, he has been able to do all of this with a fastball that averages 90.0 MPH, which is unheard of in today’s game.

The down side for Pérez is that his ERA is likely unsustainable. Players are hitting the ball hard against him 42.0 percent of the time which is far higher than his career 36.1 percent and ranks in the bottom 29.0 percent of MLB. He has also been aided by a BABIP against of .226 and a strand rate of 84.4 percent. All of this combined shows his expected ERA (xERA) to be 4.34. This xERA is not terrible for a fifth starter. In fact, it is the best he has had in a season since 2022. However, it is important to note that regression is likely coming and he is facing a potent offense tonight.

The Pirates will bring Mitch Keller to the mound that some would say has been an underrated pitcher for most of his career. He is not elite by any means, but he has gotten the job done many times and has been a steady arm for the Pirates for years.

Coming into this game Keller sports an ERA of 4.35, and a what is interesting is his xERA is almost exactly the same at 4.36. Basically, what you see is what you get with him. In 2024 he had the exact same ERA and xERA.

The Braves as a team have faced Keller quite a bit. Eight different players have faced him between eight and nineteen times. Of these players, the Braves core lineup has mostly had great success. Ronald Acuña has nineteen at-bats against Keller and has three HRs and 1.371 OPS in that span against him. Matt Olson has the exact same OPS as Acuña against Keller in twelve at-bats, and Austin Riley has an OPS of 1.055 in ten at-bats against him. Mauricio Dubón has also had success in ten at-bats with a .400 average and .955 OPS.

Michael Harris has struggled to a .500 OPS, and Ha-Seong Kim is hitless in eleven at-bats.

The key for the Braves today will be to get to the Pirates bullpen as soon as they can because their bullpen is a clear weakness with an ERA of 4.29, which is in the bottom twelve teams in MLB.

First pitch is at 7:15 EDT.

Game Info

Game Time: Friday, June 5th, 7:15 pm EDT

Location: Truist Park, , Atlanta, GA

Watch: BravesVision

Radio/Audio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan

Hurricanes vs Golden Knights Prediction, Picks & Odds for Saturday's Stanley Cup Final Game 3

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The Carolina Hurricanes head west after evening the Stanley Cup Final, and they’ll look to make it two in a row with a win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 3 at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 6.

My top Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights predictions and NHL picks call for Carolina to take Game 3 despite Vegas No. 1 Carter Hart showing off in his return to Sin City.

Hurricanes vs Golden Knights Game 3 prediction

Hurricanes vs Golden Knights best bet: Carter Hart Over 26.5 saves (-115)

Vegas Golden Knights starter Carter Hart has been exceptional at T-Mobile Arena with a .929 save percentage and 6.82 goals saved above expected (GSAx) across eight postseason games.

The Carolina Hurricanes have also dominated 5-on-5 possession with a 63.3 Corsi For percentage through the first two games of the series.

I am anticipating tidier work from Hart in the Vegas crease in Game 3.

He’s dipped to an .855 SV% with -2.49 GSAx to start the Stanley Cup Final, after all, so I’m fully expecting the statistical pendulum to swing back in Hart’s favor Saturday.

This prop has my attention up a -130 price, and I’d also play it at Over 27.5 saves to -120.

Hurricanes vs Golden Knights Game 3 same-game parlay

The drop in play from Carolina starter Frederik Andersen has gone too far to start the series, with his .837 SV% and -2.18GSAx miles below his respective .931 and 15.48 marks to start the postseason.

Improved play from Andersen paired with the Hurricanes winning the 5-on-5 possession battle again, paves the way to Carolina winning Game 3.

Additionally, Carolina wingers Andrei Svechnikov and Nikolaj Ehlers both have excellent underlying numbers to start the series.

Svechnikov sports a high-end 64.3 CF% at 5-on-5, while Ehlers is even better with a 65.6% mark. Ehlers also has six shots on 15 attempts to tie for the team lead in both through two games, while Svechnikov has a statistical correction coming after recording just a single shot on nine attempts in the final.

Hurricanes vs Golden Knights SGP

  • Hurricanes moneyline
  • Andrei Svechnikov Over 2.5 shots
  • Nikolaj Ehlers Over 2.5 shots

Hurricanes vs Golden Knights odds for Game 3

  • Moneyline: Hurricanes -110 | Golden Knights -110
  • Puck Line: Hurricanes +1.5 (-280) | Golden Knights -1.5 (+225)
  • Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-120) | Under 5.5 (+100)

Hurricanes vs Golden Knights trend

The Carolina Hurricanes have won 20 of their last 25 games (+13.20 Units / 32% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights.

How to watch Hurricanes vs Golden Knights Game 3

LocationT-Mobile Arena, Paradise, NV
DateSaturday, June 6, 2026
Puck drop8:00 p.m. ET
TVABC

Hurricanes vs Golden Knights latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Knicks vs Spurs Expert Picks & Game 2 Best Bets

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The San Antonio Spurs will be playing desperate tonight after dropping Game 1 of the NBA Finals at home on Wednesday. Game 2 goes tonight at 8:30 p.m. ET, with the Spurs once again convincing 6.5-point favorites. 

That spread is at the center of at least one of our expert NBA picks. Keep reading for more Knicks vs. Spurs predictions

Knicks vs Spurs Expert Picks Tonight

PickOdds
Jon MetlerJon Metler: Knicks +6.5-115
Jason LoganJason Logan: Bridges o11.5 points-125
Joe OsborneJoe Osborne: Knicks +6.5-115

Odds courtesy of bet365.

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Jon Metler's expert pick: Knicks +6.5

Price: -115 at bet365

The San Antonio Spurs enter Game 2 down 0-1 and already facing significant pressure. Falling behind 0-2 at home would be disastrous, and that urgency is clearly reflected in the NBA odds. Despite losing Game 1 as 4.5-point faves, the Spurs have been bet up from -6 to -6.5 for Game 2. Even after accounting for the expected bounce-back effort, I still can’t get to that number.

I make San Antonio closer to a 4.5-point favorite, which leaves value on the New York Knicks. Nothing I saw in Game 1 changed my outlook on this series. New York continues to hold several key matchup advantages, and I still believe they have a legitimate path to winning it all.

A big reason why is the frontcourt pairing of Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson. Both were exactly what the Knicks needed against Victor Wembanyama, minimizing his offensive impact while holding their own on the glass. I'm taking the points with the Knicks again.

Jason Logan's expert pick: Mikal Bridges Over 11.5 points

Price: -125 at bet365

Mikal Bridges did more damage with his defense in Game 1, but the Knicks can use his shooting touch when the Spurs crack down on Jalen Brunson in Game 2. Bridges is one of the better mid-range shooters for New York, and that’s been the perfect foil against San Antonio, as it likes to park Victor Wembanyama in the paint.

Bridges only scored nine points on 3-for-6 shooting in the opener, but has been a consistent contributor in the playoffs, scoring 12+ points in the nine games before Wednesday. His player projections all sit north of 11.5 points O/U, with most above 13 points and a ceiling flirting with 15 points tonight.

My number boils down to 13.5 points, which should have the Over 11.5 priced around -150.

Joe Osborne's expert pick: Knicks +6.5

Price: -115 at bet365

I'm not stepping in front of the Knicks right now. They've extended their historic playoff run to 12 straight victories, with 11 of those wins coming by double digits, and continue to reward anyone willing to back them.

After shaking off some early rust in Game 1, New York settled in and controlled the action, outscoring San Antonio by 17 points in the second half thanks to much more efficient shooting and forcing eight turnovers while only committing one.


More Knicks vs Spurs Game 2 picks


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Anaheim Ducks a Tantalizing Potential Destination for Red Wings Center Dylan Larkin

Shockwaves were sent through the NHL landscape on Thursday afternoon, hours before puck drop for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, when premier NHL insider, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, reported that Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (29) has requested a trade. 

Through his 11-year career, the fleet-footed, detailed, 200-foot center has been the epitome of consistency and dependability. In 2025-26, Larkin scored 67 points (34-33=67) in 74 games while averaging 20:11 TOI per game, including 1:31 on the penalty kill.

Most NHL teams would, could, and/or should be interested in adding the 2026 Olympic Gold Medal-winning center to their top-six, and the Anaheim Ducks are no exception. 

Offseason Preview: Anaheim Ducks Trade Partners/Targets, Metropolitan Division

Offseason Preview: Anaheim Ducks Trade Partners/Targets, Central Division

Offseason Preview: Anaheim Ducks Trade Partners/Targets, Atlantic Division

In 2026-27, Larkin will be entering the fourth year of an eight-year contract that carries an $8.7 million AAV and a full NTC. Larkin will ultimately choose his destination, but however much Detroit’s return may be lessened, it is unlikely Larkin will be traded for pennies on the dollar. 

With uncertainty, both long and short term, at the center position behind franchise player Leo Carlsson, adding a player with Larkin’s skillset and pedigree seems like a tantalizing fit and could round out the Ducks’ forward group both on paper and on the ice. 

Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek isn’t unfamiliar with Larkin, as the former was Detroit’s assistant general manager from 2019 until Feb. 2022, when he was hired as Anaheim’s GM. Verbeek has also been an active trade partner of his former employer, executing trades with the Wings in each of the last two summers. 

As far as the potential pricetag for Larkin is concerned, the circumstances surrounding recent trades like Nazem Kadri to the Colorado Avalanche in 2026, Bo Horvat to the New York Islanders in 2023, JT Miller to the New York Rangers in 2025, and Tomas Hertl to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2024 could offer indications on what Detroit could receive in return for their now-former “heart and soul” player.

Where Larkin’s situation differs from those of the recent past, where players somewhat “hand-picked” their landing spot, is how seemingly endless the potential destinations are, given the lack of quality in the upcoming free agent class, ever-rising salary cap ceiling, and abundance of teams in need of a top-six centerman. 

Mason McTavish (23) is a young piece whose name has been heavily discussed and speculated on among national media outlets as a player who could be on the move this offseason. If the Ducks were willing to move on from McTavish, it could give them an advantage, as not many teams could or would likely be willing to part with a player of his ilk in a deal like this. 

Could a package of McTavish, a second tier prospct like Eric Nilsson or Lasse Boelius, and a first-round pick be enough for the Ducks to land Larkin? Impossible to say, but it would be somewhat surprising if the ultimate return were much more than that in terms of value. 

With the Buffalo Sabres making the 2026 NHL Playoffs, Detroit is now the team with the league’s longest playoff drought, as they’ve missed the playoffs for the last ten seasons. On the surface, this potential package appears to be a standard “young roster player, prospect, and a first-round pick” deal. However, given Detroit’s situation and desperation to qualify for the playoffs, they may opt for more of a win-now approach when dealing their captain. 

Ultimately, Larkin will be in control of where he’ll play the next five years of his career. For the Ducks, the question (aside from cost and fit) will be if they’ve done enough to become a destination for star players on the move. They took some significant steps in their build and made the playoffs for the first time in eight years. They offer a vastly different lifestyle from Detroit, given aspects like the weather and minimal media attention, and they offer a proven young core with seemingly limitless potential.

Verbeek enters the offseason with a projected $38.7 million in cap space, with the only true hole on the depth chart appearing on the right side of the Ducks’ blueline. Over half of that cap space will likely go towards hefty extensions for core pieces Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier. With a stockpile of picks, prospects, and young roster players, the Ducks are in as good a position as any to make a move of this magnitude this summer. 

The 2026 NHL Draft Combine is underway in Buffalo, New York, which has become a marquee networking event on the NHL calendar, as all 32 teams will have front office representatives present for the week. Frameworks for deals could be discussed, and the next four to six weeks will likely be the busiest for transactions until 2026 training camps roll around. 

Offseason Preview: Anaheim Ducks Shopping List

Ducks’ Granlund, Solberg Win Medals at 2026 Men’s Worlds

Anaheim Ducks Offseason Rumor Roundup: 5/28/26

Mets vs Padres Prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for June 5

The San Diego Padres (32-29) and New York Mets (27-35) meet for the first time this season at Petco Park for a three-game weekend series. San Diego enters on their longest losing streak of the season, while New York is starting to warm up.

New York is 5-2 over the last seven games, which includes a four-game winning streak. The Mets are hitting .240 over the last week (20th) with nine home runs (9th) and a bottom 10 walk to strikeout ratio. The Mets have a day off after the Padres series, then six consecutive home games.

San Diego has lost five straight games and nine of the past 10. The Padres are coming off a six-game road trip that resulted in one win and five losses. San Diego has the second-worst batting average (.187) over the last five games and the fifth-most strikeouts (50).

Let’s dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Mets at Padres

  • Date: Friday, June 5, 2026
  • Time: 9:40 PM EST
  • Site: Petco Park
  • City: San Diego, CA
  • Network/Streaming: MLB TV

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Mets at the Padres

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Moneyline: San Diego Padres (-132), New York Mets (+109)
  • Spread: Padres -1.5 (+168), Mets +1.5 (-205)
  • Total: 7.0

Probable starting pitchers for Mets at Padres

  • Friday's pitching matchup (June 5): Christian Scott vs. Michael King
  • Padres: Michael King

2026 stats: 68.0 IP, 4-4, 3.18 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 65 Ks, 29 BB

  • Phillies: Christian Scott

2026 Stats: 30.1 IP, 1-0, 2.97 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 38 Ks, 16 BB

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not

  • The Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. is hitting .270 with 61 hits and 73 total bases over 226 at-bats
  • The Padres’ Manny Machado is hitting .174 with 37 hits and 58 strikeouts over 213 at-bats
  • The Mets’ Juan Soto is hitting .293 with 49 hits and 94 total bases over 167 at-bats
  • The Mets’ Bo Bichette is hitting .226 with 56 hits and 44 strikeouts over 248 at-bats

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Mets at Padres

  • The Padres are 34-27 ATS
  • The Mets are 36-26 ATS, ranking fifth-best
  • The Padres are 35-25-1 to the Under, ranking second-best
  • The Mets are 30-27-5 to the Under, ranking eighth-best
  • The Padres are 18-14 ATS at home
  • The Mets are 13-19 ATS on the road, ranking sixth-worst

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Padres and the Mets

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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 Friday's game between the Padres and the Phillies:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Mets on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Mets at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Under on the Game Total of 7.0

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NBA Offseason Trade/Free Agent Rumors 2026: Austin Reaves seeks max, coaching search updates

While the NBA Finals are drawing most of the headlines — especially with the Knicks in them, energizing America's media capital — the NBA continues to move toward the draft, and with that free agency and trade rumors are flying around. Here are some of the latest.

Austin Reaves to ask for max

One of the Lakers' offseason priorities is to re-sign Austin Reaves. He showed he was a great fit last season as the secondary shot creator next to Luka Doncic, averaging a career-high 23.3 points per game, plus he dished out 5.5 assists per night and shot 36% from 3-point range. The question is simply the years and money.

Reaves is going to ask for a max deal from the Lakers, reports Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times during an appearance on the Lakers’ cable network Spectrum SportsNet.

"Based on what I understand, what I keep hearing, Austin wants the max. Is he willing to give the Lakers a hometown deal? I'm not so sure about that."

Technically, he's only giving the Lakers a discount if another team is offering the max (or at least more than the Lakers), and we have yet to see that team emerge. Based on the NBA's latest projections given to teams, the Lakers can give Reaves a max of five years, $239.3 million (that is a couple of million less than the number commonly reported). Reaves gave the Lakers a huge break on his last contract, but this is the chance for the 28-year-old to get his generational-wealth contract, and, understandably, he is going to take all the money he can get.

He's also not going to get the max, not in a tax-apron NBA. This is a negotiation: his agent should come in asking for the max, while the Lakers will start the bidding lower, and the sides will look for middle ground. Reaves is a free agent, and the two teams with cap space — Brooklyn and Chicago — could come in with four-year, $177.4 million max offers. However, the Bulls already have Josh Giddey, and Reaves seems like a poor fit alongside him. Brooklyn may be interested, but they are giving the max to a franchise anchor player, and Reaves is good but not that.

In league circles, the expectation is that the Lakers and Reaves reach a deal, likely in the five-year, $200 million range (the Lakers could go lower, four years at $160 million, too).

The Times' Turner also said this, and it may be the most likely outcome with LeBron James this summer.

"I'm gonna throw this out there: Lebron comes back on a two-year deal at $25 million per season with a player option and a no-trade clause."

Kings want to trade star

Sacramento wants to get off of at least one of its three big contracts this offseason — Zach LaVine ($48.9 million), Domantas Sabonis (owed $94.1 million across next two seasons), or DeMar DeRozan ($25.7 million) — reports Kings Insider James Ham on the Locked on Kings podcast. He also thinks Sabonis is the most likely to be on the move.

"I think Domantas Sabonis, out of all of their larger contract players, still has the most value. He's got more value than Zach LaVine. He's got more value than DeMar DeRozan. He's got more value than Malik Monk."

Sacramento, maybe more than any team, is stuck with contracts that do not play well in the more fiscally conservative apron era. Sabonis is a good offensive center (in his last healthy season, he averaged 19.1 points and 13.9 rebounds per game), but this contract is way above market value for him, and other teams will want picks attached (unless it's a swap of bad contracts). LaVine and DeRozan are moving into the last year of their deals, so there may be a team looking to clear cap space in a year that has interest, but it would be limited.

Going to be an interesting summer in Sacramento.

Thunder not trading Holmgren

Overreaction is the name of the game for creators looking for clicks and podcast listeners, but the smart teams are more measured. The Knicks have been measured and patient, and look at them. The Spurs are the most patient organization in the league. Oklahoma City won a ring and was the No. 1 seed in the West three years running because it does not do rash, impulsive things.

Which means the Thunder are not trading Chet Holmgren this offseason and are not jumping into the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, reports Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman. Antetokounmpo is very expensive, seven years older than Holmgren, and hasn't been able to stay healthy long enough for a playoff run in years. The Thunder are not going to stand still, but they believe that if Jalen Williams and/or Ajay Mitchell were healthy, they would be playing in the NBA Finals right now. They are not about to break up a title team after one series loss.

That said, the tax apron is coming for the Thunder, and that could mean Lu Dort and other OKC fan favorites will be out the door.

Coaching search updates

• The Portland Trail Blazers are down to three candidates: Minnesota assistant Micah Nori, Boston assistant Tyler Lashbrook and Portland's interim (and technically current) coach Tiago Splitter, reports Marc Stein and Jake Fischer at The Stein Line. The search in Portland has been slowed a little because new team owner Tom Dundon also owns the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes, and they are in the Stanley Cup Final.

• The Chicago Bulls were high on Spurs assistant Sean Sweeney, but Orlando signed him (although he doesn't start work until after the NBA Finals). With that, the Bulls are expected to narrow down their list of candidates in the next week or so, reports Stein and Fischer. Among the names they said to watch are Bulls assistant Wes Unseld Jr., Thunder assistant Dave Bliss, current Trail Blazers coach Tiago Splitter, and the Pelicans interim coach for much of the season James Borrego. The Bulls reportedly did reach out to BYU coach Kevin Young, but those talks went nowhere. Hoopshype’s Michael Scotto also said to keep an eye on Hornets assistant Lamar Skeeter.

• The Dallas Mavericks reached out to a pair of college coaches — Duke's Jon Scheyer and Michigan's Dusty May — to "try to determine if there is any interest," Stein and Fischer report. Scheyer was Cooper Flagg's coach in the star forward's one year at Duke. Other names to watch include former Portland (and Atlanta and Milwaukee) head coach Terry Stotts, Minnesota assistant Micah Nori, Houston assistant Royal Ivey, Toronto assistant Jama Mahlalela and Boston assistant Tony Dobbins.

How to watch San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago Cubs

DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 31: Robbie Ray #38 of the San Francisco Giants pitches in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 31, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The San Francisco Giants head to the Windy City today to begin a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs.

Taking the mound for the Giants will be left-hander Robbie Ray, who enters today’s game with a 4.45 ERA, 5.40 FIP, with 59 strikeouts to 31 walks in 62.2 innings pitched. His last start was in the Giants’ 19-6 win over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday, in which he allowed three runs (one earned) on five hits with six strikeouts and two walks in four innings.

He’ll be facing off against Cubs right-hander Edward Cabrera, who enters today’s game with a 4.00 ERA, 4.46 FIP, with 47 strikeouts to 20 walks in 54 innings pitched. His last start was in the Cubs’ 5-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on May 20th, in which he allowed four runs (one earned) on four hits with two strikeouts and two walks in three innings.

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Game #64

Who: San Francisco Giants (25-38) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (37-22)

Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois

When: 11:20 a.m. PT

Regional broadcast: NBC Sports Bay Area

National broadcast: n/a

Radio: KNBR 680 AM/104.5 FM, KSFN 1510 AM

Yankees Mailbag: With Aaron Judge to miss significant time, what's next for NY?

The Yankees’ season changed dramatically Thursday evening, when the team announced that Aaron Judge has a stress fracture in his rib and will likely be out until after the All-Star break. Given that speculation around his injury evolved to include thoracic outlet syndrome, a stress fracture that just needs rest qualifies as a relief. But given that Judge is as crucial to his team’s fate as any player in baseball, it also qualifies as a problem.

We all have questions about exactly how the Yanks will cope with losing the best right-handed hitter of his generation. So let’s take a stab at a few of them now...

Cashman at the least has to call the Angels to see if their CFer might be willing to waive his no-trade, right? -- @kenwhitehepflc

I mean, I certainly would. I have long operated under the assumption that if Mike Trout was willing to be dealt, he would have been by now. But after the show Trout put on when the Angels were in town last month, the idea of adding him to the Yankees’ outfield mix is certainly enticing. I don’t think it will happen. I don’t think the Yankees need to go big replacing Judge. 

But I will say, Giancarlo Stanton is only under contract through next year if the Yankees do not pick up his 2028 option, and Trent Grisham is a free agent again this winter. They will have more outfield at-bats to give the next few years than they have in some time. So I think it’s fair to dream.

Have to tread water until he gets back, and the defense, situational ball - imagine? - and bullpen have to be sharp. -- @SMD_LS

Exactly. And the defense and ability to play situational baseball are why I think this team is better equipped to handle life without Judge than teams past. Though the advanced metrics do not reflect this, they are far peskier on the bases than slugging Yankees teams normally are. Only three teams have stolen more bases.

Aaron Boone indicated this week that they will probably be more aggressive on the bases with Judge out in order to create runs. In Jose Caballero, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Cody Bellinger,and others, they have personnel with the speed and know-how to make their running game a difference maker.

The bullpen being sharp is less of a sure thing, though the fact that the Yankees will add to it feels like one. 

And as for treading water, Jasson Dominguez is nearing his return from injury and will likely get some run in the outfield. Based on his play in spring training and during his brief major league stint, he looks like a capable producer. If Stanton continues his progress and can return, say, a week or so from now, that combination should be more than capable of keeping New York afloat until Judge and his power return to help them set sail again.

Mar 31, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) on second with a steal against the Seattle Mariners during the sixth inning at T-Mobile Park.
Mar 31, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) on second with a steal against the Seattle Mariners during the sixth inning at T-Mobile Park. / John Froschauer-Imagn Images

I think they’re now a 90-92 win team, which should easily be enough to secure a wildcard (perhaps the top WC). Come October, a healthy Judge + elite rotation + upgraded bullpen will definitely be a World Series contender. -- @BartAcocella1

Agreed. This is why I don’t think they need to make a big deal to replace Judge. As is, with that pitching staff and Max Fried on the way back, they are more than capable of surviving two months of less offensive firepower. I still think they will probably pursue an offensive upgrade behind the plate, and maybe now that happens sooner than it would have if Judge were healthy. But bullpen help should – and I’m sure will – be more of a priority than interim offensive help.

This team is built for October. The key is getting there healthy. If that’s as the first Wild Card instead of a division champion, fine. Their pitching is more than good enough to survive a short series if they have to play one. 

Even a few months without Judge do not necessarily change their potential. If they were going to get an injury to their superstar, I think this is one they would sign for: bones heal, soft tissue injuries linger. Stress fractures can be tricky, but I still think that, based on everything we know now, this injury does not ruin what is one of the more promising Yankees seasons of Boone’s tenure.

Dodgers vs Angels Prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for June 5

The battle of Los Angeles is on this weekend when the Dodgers (40-23) and Angels (24-39) meet for a three-game set. This will be the second series between the two as the Dodgers swept the Angels outscoring them 31-3 through three games.

The Dodgers are coming off a loss to the Diamondbacks, 3-2, losing on a solo homer in the ninth. Los Angeles is 9-3 over the last 12 games, but 3-3 in the past six. Shohei Ohtani received a day off yesterday and is expected back in the lineup for the series opener versus the Angels.

The Angels beat the Rockies, 11-4 on Wednesday, which followed up three straight losses. Los Angeles is 3-6 over the last nine games after they won a season-high four straight games. Both the Angels and Dodgers are top six in batting average over the last seven and 15 days.

Let’s dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Angels at Dodgers

  • Date: Friday, June 5, 2026
  • Time: 10:10 PM EST
  • Site: Dodger Stadium  
  • City: Los Angeles, CA
  • Network/Streaming: MLB TV

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Angels at the Dodgers

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Moneyline: Los Angeles Dodgers (-199), Los Angeles Angels (+163)
  • Spread: Angels +1.5 (-131), Dodgers -1.5 (+108)
  • Total: 8.0

Probable starting pitchers for Angels at Dodgers

  • Friday's pitching matchup (June 5): Reid Detmers vs. Roki Sasaki  
  • Angels: Reid Detmers

2026 stats: 68.0 IP, 2-5, 4.63 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 82 Ks, 22 BB

  • Dodgers: Roki Sasaki

2026 Stats: 51.0 IP, 3-3, 4.59 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 50 Ks, 19 BB

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not

  • The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani is hitting .301 with 66 hits and 114 total bases over 219 at-bats
  • The Dodgers’ Kyle Tucker is hitting .243 with 54 hits and 48 strikeouts over 222 at-bats
  • The Angels’ Oswald Peraza is hitting .283 with 49 hits and 80 total bases over 173 at-bats
  • The Angels’ Jorge Soler is hitting .220 with 47 hits and 76 strikeouts over 214 at-bats

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Angels at Dodgers

  • The Dodgers are 33-30 ATS
  • The Angels are 30-33 ATS
  • The Dodgers are 37-26 to the Under, ranking first
  • The Angels are 32-31 to the Under
  • The Dodgers are 15-16 ATS at home
  • The Angels are 14-18 ATS on the road

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Dodgers and the Angels

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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 Friday's game between the Angels and the Dodgers:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Dodgers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Dodgers at -1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Under on the Game Total of 8.0

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Elmo’s NBA Finals neutrality draws ire of Knicks fans: ‘Not rocking with you’

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows NEW YORK, NY - MAY 27:  Sesame Street Muppet 'Elmo' attends the Sesame Workshop's 13th Annual Benefit Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 27, 2015 in New York City.  (Photo by Paul Zimmerman/WireImage), Image 2 shows Fans gathered to watch the game on a big screen with Chase building in the background
Elmo Knicks

“Elmo causing NBA Finals drama” probably wasn’t on your bingo card.

The famed “Sesame Street” puppet is getting pushback from fervent New York basketball fans after wishing both the Knicks and Spurs well before Wednesday night’s NBA Finals Game 1.

“Elmo hopes both teams have fun,” the Muppet wrote on X before the start of the Finals.

Sesame Street Muppet ‘Elmo’ attends the Sesame Workshop’s 13th Annual Benefit Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 27, 2015 in New York City. WireImage

The post has since drawn over 12 million views and over a thousand comments, mainly from irate Knicks fans stunned Elmo wasn’t fully endorsing his hometown team before its first NBA Finals game since 1999.

Sesame Street is canonically a New York City street — the show was originally filmed in Manhattan before moving to Queens in 1993.

“Elmo this is the first time I’m not rocking with you. You gotta root for your city man!” X user @UTxJGTheDon replied in the comments.

“Hey man, you from Sesame Street, in the middle of New York City. You better be rooting for the Knicks!” another New York sports fan, @RonDeLaPena, wrote on X.

Several of the comments used colorful language not appropriate for the PBS show, and others used anatomical words to describe their feelings about the post.

Even with Elmo getting serious backlash, the Knicks rallied back from down 14 points in the third quarter to steal Game 1 of the Finals 105-95.

Knicks fans celebrate outside Madison Square Garden in Manhattan on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, during the first NBA finals game between the Knicks and the Spurs. (Robert Mecea for New York Post) Robert Mecea for New York Post

In the Knicks’ first Finals win in 27 years, Jalen Brunson stole the show with a game-high 30 points on 12-of-31 shooting.

Brunson struggled in the first half, but hit a clutch 3 to put the Knicks up 97-95 with under two minutes remaining, and they wouldn’t relinquish that lead.

Karl-Anthony Towns also starred in his first NBA Finals game with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Josh Hart grabbed 15 boards and added four steals despite only having three points.

Spurs star Victor Wembanyama couldn’t fit his footing, shooting just 6-of-21 from the field.

San Antonio aims to even the series Friday night at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Knicks-themed NYC subway entrance becomes latest viral tribute during team’s NBA Finals run

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows People on a city street in front of a blue building with flags, trees, and tall buildings in the background, Image 2 shows A family selfie with a man, woman, and two children, one aged 7 and one aged 4, on a New York City street with a subway station billboard in the background, Image 3 shows Kara Vangeli and Krista LaPlatney posing for a selfie in front of a subway station billboard

Even the MTA is hopping aboard the Knicks train!

A repainted blue-and-orange 34th Street subway entrance outside Madison Square Garden has become a viral sensation for Knickerbocker fans, who have been gathering in droves to snap a selfie with the colorful team tribute.

The station was clad in Knicks colors and adorned with basketball light fixtures on Monday to honor the New York team’s first finals appearance since 1999 – and has been drawing hordes of jubilant fans to the new monument since.

A revamped blue-and-orange 34th Street subway entrance outside Madison Square Garden has become Knickerbocker fans’ latest viral landmark. James Messerschmidt for the NY Post
Fans have been gathering in droves to snap a selfie with the colorful team tribute. Courtesy of Xavier Serrano

“As a fan and a native New Yorker, I’ve never seen anything like this before, where the city really recognizes the sports team,” said Richard Bird of Harlem, as dozens of fans took selfies at the station entrance Wednesday afternoon.

“The Yankees have been doing it for years, but [for] the Knicks, I’m saying it’s amazing.”

“I think [subway stations] should be painted all over the city,” said Cornelio Joseph, known as Beat of New York online. “It’ll elevate the culture,” the 33-year-old added, “and has to celebrate the message: to celebrate the Knicks.”

The subway station makeover comes as part of a citywide celebration, with Big Apple residents coming up with Knicks-themed bagels, lattes, cheesesteaks and even tattoos to celebrate the team.

Joseph noted the historic run has ignited a citywide camaraderie unlike any other – and the subway station revamp has become a viral representation of Big Apple pride.

The station was clad in Knicks colors and adorned with basketball light fixtures on Monday to honor the New York team’s first finals appearance since 1999 – and has been drawing hordes of jubilant fans to the new monument since. Courtesy of Xavier Serrano
The subway station makeover comes as part of a citywide celebration. James Messerschmidt for the NY Post

“If you’re a real New Yorker, you know the colors of blue and orange,” Joseph added. “I definitely think it brings unity.”

“Every time New York stays on top, it always unites the city,” remarked 22-year-old NYU student Andrew. “For [the team] to be down for so long, [and] for it to be back up again, that’s the difference.”

“In 2026, we’re divided on so many economic and political issues. Sports is something that we can all agree on,” said Matt Swirsky, a self-proclaimed “bandwagon” Knicks fan from Long Island.

Long Island residents Kara Vangeli, 40, and Krista LaPlatney (right), 40, take a selfie in front of the revamped blue-and-orange 34th Street subway entrance outside Madison Square Garden. Robert Miller for NY Post
Brooklyn resident Vinicio Moran, 36, and Queens resident Genesis Jerez, 30, take a selfie in front of the revamped blue-and-orange 34th Street subway entrance outside Madison Square Garden. Robert Miller for NY Post
MTA’s chief customer officer, Shanifah Rieara, said the transit system entrance will go back to its natural colors even if the Knicks win the NBA Finals Robert Miller for NY Post

“It’s great to see the city – just the excitement of people from different backgrounds all come together.” 

The selfie spot – which has even drawn Mayor Zohran Mamdani to pose outside with basketball fans – was painted overnight into Monday after being floated for about a week, the MTA’s chief customer officer Shanifah Rieara told The New York Times.

The makeover comes after several Knicks-themed celebrations within the subway system, from actor Tracy Morgan recording a themed announcement to Rapper Fat Joe guest conducting on the 1 train. 

The makeover comes after several Knicks-themed celebrations within the subway system. Courtesy of Xavier Serrano

At Penn Station, the lights now shine orange, white and blue in celebration of the finals clinch.

The transit system’s team pride isn’t limited to the Knicks, either: when the New York Liberty won a championship title in 2024, the MTA hung a banner in their honor, the Times reported.

Still, Rieara adamantly squashed any dreams of the entire transit system being re-painted in the near future, even if the Knicks clinch a championship win: 

Knicks fans snap photos of the blue-and-orange subway entrance near Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. Courtesy of Xavier Serrano
At Penn Station, the lights now shine orange, white and blue in celebration of the finals clinch. Courtesy of Xavier Serrano

“This is the only one,” she told the outlet. “Doing multiple sort of diminishes the experience.”

An MTA rep told The Post the 34th Street station entrance will remain blue-and-orange “until a time to be determined.

But Knicks fans are far from losing hope – on both a finals win and a city painted blue-and-orange.

“They need to make every train station like that,” argued Duane, 37, of Harlem.

“Especially when we win!”

Declawed: Mariners at Tigers Series Preview

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - JUNE 03: Riley Greene #31 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates with teammates after the Detroit Tigers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Alex Zadorozny/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The Mariners had their eight-game win streak snapped on Wednesday, but they maintained their 2.5 game lead over the Athletics with the series win over the Mets. Now the team embarks on their longest road trip of the season, a 10-day affair that will take them through Detroit, Baltimore, and Washington DC.  Thanks to this extended stretch of play without an off day, Seattle will be reinserting Bryce Miller and Luis Castillo into a six-man rotation.

GameTimeMariners StarterTigers StarterMariners Win%Tigers Win%
Game 1Friday, June 5 | 3:40 pmRHP Bryan WooLHP Framber Valdez51.3%48.7%
Game 2Saturday, June 6 | 10:10 amRHP Bryce MillerRHP Keider Montero53.1%46.9%
Game 3Sunday, June 7 | 10:40 amRHP Luis CastilloRHP Jack Flaherty49.7%50.3%
*Game odds courtesy of FanGraphs
OverviewMarinersTigersEdge
Batting (wRC+)108 (2nd in AL)96 (12th in AL)Mariners
Fielding (FRV)-14 (14th)-8 (11th)Tigers
Starting Pitching (FIP-)91 (4th)87 (2nd)Tigers
Bullpen (FIP-)86 (1st)102 (9th)Mariners

The Tigers entered the season as the favorite to win the AL Central. With two straight playoff appearances, a competitive showing in the ALDS against the Mariners last year, a bolstered starting rotation, and one of the top prospects in baseball ready to make his debut, it really looked like Detroit was ready to ascend to the top echelon of the AL. Things haven’t exactly gone to plan. Through the end of April, the team was hovering around .500 but battling for the lead in their division. Then, on May 4, Tarik Skubal was placed on the IL with bone spurs in his throwing elbow. Since then, the Tigers have gone 7-21 and have fallen all the way to the bottom of the standings in the AL.

PlayerPositionBatsPAK%BB%ISOwRC+
Gleyber Torres2BR15414.9%16.9%0.096122
Kevin McGonigleSSL26413.3%13.6%0.124130
Dillon DinglerCR23119.9%8.7%0.266130
Kerry CarpenterDHL12933.3%8.5%0.248117
Riley GreeneLFL26328.1%12.5%0.149146
Spencer Torkelson1BR24031.7%11.7%0.184102
Colt Keith3BL18020.0%5.6%0.06080
Matt VierlingCFR18017.2%8.9%0.15080
Wenceel PérezRFS15815.8%7.0%0.15051

While the injury to Skubal has gotten all the headlines, it’s actually the offense that can be blamed for a lot of the team’s struggles this year. The Tigers scored just 2.89 runs per game in May and scored more than five runs in a game just three times last month. Riley Greene, Dillon Dingler, and Kevin McGonigle have been the lone bright spots. Greene is in the midst of his best offensive season yet, though his BABIP is an unsustainable .439 and his power output has concerningly subsided. Dingler should be getting more attention if it weren’t for Shea Langeliers’ breakout overshadowing Dingler’s big step forward. The young catcher has already blasted 14 home runs and has already accumulated 2.5 fWAR. McGonigle has performed extremely well in his first taste of the majors and is currently the favorite to win the AL Rookie of the Year award. Detroit did just activate Gleyber Torres and Kerry Carpenter off the IL last weekend which means the lineup is pretty close to full strength now.

Probable Pitchers 

Updated Stuff+ Explainer 

PitcherIPK%BB%HR/FB%GB%ERAFIP
Framber Valdez67.218.3%8.5%10.1%47.6%4.394.18
Bryan Woo70.224.4%5.0%6.4%35.1%3.442.96
PitchUsage vRHBUsage vLHBVelocityStuff+Whiff+BIP+xwOBA
Sinker43.6%58.6%94.09778760.351
Changeup23.9%4.8%89.196791000.314
Curveball31.6%20.5%78.5117101640.296
Slider0.9%16.1%85.9

A familiar foe from his time in Houston, Framber Valdez signed a huge free agent contract with the Tigers this offseason. The idea was that he’d form a formidable one-two punch atop Detroit’s starting rotation with Skubal, though that hasn’t exactly played out as planned. Valdez has struggled a bit to start the year, though a 10-run meltdown against Boston is doing a lot of heavy lifting propping up his high ERA. Still, his strikeout rate and his groundball rate are the lowest they’ve ever been. Those were his two calling cards during his time with the Astros. For whatever reason, he’s allowing a bunch more contact, and the majority of it is in the air.

PitcherIPK%BB%HR/FB%GB%ERAFIP
Keider Montero6117.8%6.2%7.4%34.8%3.693.97
Bryce Miller2125.3%3.8%9.5%42.6%1.712.86
PitchUsage vRHBUsage vLHBVelocityStuff+Whiff+BIP+xwOBA
Four-seam22.1%41.2%94.292591270.319
Sinker42.4%4.9%94.6103821640.300
Changeup2.4%23.6%87.181791740.178
Curveball10.7%16.3%80.69160970.380
Slider22.4%14.0%85.4101801060.281

Keider Montero has been pressed into service as a core piece of the Tigers rotation this year. He’s spent most of the last two years bouncing between starting and relieving, but he’s performed admirably as a replacement for the injured Justin Verlander this year. He won’t overpower batters with stuff; instead he utilizes a deep repertoire well enough and manages to induce a lot of weak contact. His changeup is nearly impossible to square up, though it’s not good enough to induce swings and misses. Instead, batters pop it up or mishit it leading to lazy flyballs.

PitcherIPK%BB%HR/FB%GB%ERAFIP
Jack Flaherty57.225.8%11.8%10.3%31.3%5.314.4
Luis Castillo55.122.4%8.8%10.3%36.6%5.534.18
PitchUsage vRHBUsage vLHBVelocityStuff+Whiff+BIP+xwOBA
Four-seam50.9%47.5%92.5107911030.352
Sinker2.3%5.4%90.6
Changeup0.2%3.5%84.7
Curveball20.3%20.5%78.2105114910.297
Slider26.3%23.2%84.788861070.335

Jack Flaherty lives and dies by the feel for his breaking pitches. His fastball is decent enough, but when he can’t command his curveball or slider, it’s very easy for batters to focus on his heater and do damage. That’s been his issue to start this season. Through his first nine starts of the year, he was walking 15.9% of the batters he faced. Over his last four starts, he’s walked just three total. The other issue is that his breaking pitches just aren’t enticing as many chases out of the zone or as many swings and misses overall. All those issues have combined to balloon his ERA over five.


The Big Picture:

TeamW-LW%Games BehindRun DiffRecent Form
Mariners33-300.524+30W-W-W-W-L
Athletics30-320.4842.5-33W-L-W-W-L
Rangers30-320.4842.5+9W-W-W-W-L
Astros28-360.4385.5-39W-L-L-W-L
Angels24-390.3819.0-51W-L-L-L-W
TeamW-LW%Games BehindRun DiffRecent Form
Yankees37-250.597+7.0+93L-W-L-L-W
White Sox33-290.532+3.0+11W-W-L-L-W
Athletics30-320.484-33W-L-W-W-L
Rangers30-320.4849W-W-W-W-L
Blue Jays30-330.4760.5-7L-L-L-L-W
Orioles30-330.4760.5-37W-W-W-L-W

Both the Athletics and the Rangers won their respective series this week to keep pace with the Mariners. The Astros dropped their series against the Pirates and fell to 5.5 games back in the division. The A’s and Astros meet in Houston while the Rangers host the Guardians this weekend.

2026 NBA Finals Game 2 Best Bets, Predictions, Props, Odds, Futures: New York Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs

The New York Knicks rallied in Game 1, winning 105-95 and finishing on a 11-0 run, closing out a historic opening matchup of the 2026 NBA Finals versus the San Antonio Spurs. Jalen Brunson led the game in scoring with 30 points and could not be stopped down the stretch. The Knicks trailed by as many as 14 points as New York earned its 12th straight victory.

Knicks at Spurs (-5.5): O/U 215.5

Game 1 was a classic and featured plenty of runs by both teams. When looking toward Game 2, it's clear San Antonio is in a good bounce back spot given how poorly they shot and the lack of contribution from the bench.

San Antonio shot 11-of-43 from the three (25.5%) and 32-of-89 from the field (35.9%) in Game 1. Outside of Dylan Harper, the Spurs bench was even worse scoring four points and going 1-of-7 from the field (14.2%), 1-of-4 from three (25%) with two free throw attempts (one made).

Keldon Johnson won Sixth Man of the Year, but was nonexistent in Game 1 (3 points in 8 minutes), while Harrison Barnes somehow played 12 minutes (0 points). Luke Kornet (0 points) and Carter Bryant (1 point) didn't offer much either off the bench.

When Victor Wembanyama was on the sidelines, New York took advantage and that will have to change to some degree moving forward. San Antonio will have to figure out who outside of Harper can be trusted as the rookie played 28 minutes compared to a combined 34 minutes by the other four bench players.

I think the Spurs have a few players step up alongside Wemby in Game 2 on their home court and San Antonio will look night and day when it comes to their shooting percentages. Whether that comes from the bench, De'Aaron Fox, or Devin Vassell as examples. Give me San Antonio -5.5 out to -6. It's hard to imagine Jalen Brunson and New York playing any better down the stretch than they did in Game 1.

Pick: Spurs -5.5 (1 unit)

Knicks vs Spurs O/U 55.5 First Quarter Points

The first quarter of Game 1 went Under the 56.5 total and finished at 47 with poor shooting all around. To be fair, the Knicks had an extensive layoff of nine days and the Thunder were coming off four days of rest and Game 7 on the road.

Both teams will have a game plan moving forward and the outcome will be more points. New York shot 33.3% from the field (8/24) and 27.3% from three (3/11) with no free throw attempts in the first quarter of Game 1, while San Antonio shot 37.5% from the field (9/24), 33.3% from three (4/12), with six free throws attempts (five makes).

The Knicks did not receive a whistle early with three total free throws in the first half. I have my doubts that both teams start off slow in Game 2. I will take the First Quarter Over 55.5 points.

Pick: Over 54.5 Points (1 unit)

Season Record: 167-138-1 (54.7%) +18.31 units
NBA Finals Game 1 Record: 3-1 +2.59 units
NBA Finals Future Pick: Series Over 5.5 Games (2 units at -170 odds)

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