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Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates preview, Thursday 5/28, 5:40 CT

Thursday notes…

  • WINNING FACTS: By winning last night, the Cubs avoided falling into fifth place in the division. The have been fifth after 13 days on which they played this season, but not since they were 11-9 on April 19. They have been fourth after four games, third after seven, second after 11 and first after 19. The Brewers have been first on 20 days; the Reds, on 19; the Pirates, eight; and the Cardinals, three. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
  • HITTING USUALLY MEANS WINNING: The Cubs’ 14 hits last night tied for their fifth most this season. They had 18 vs. the Phillies on April 23, 16 vs. the Rays on April 7, 15 vs. the Phillies on April 14 and 15, and 14 vs. the Mets on April 17 and the White Sox on May 15. All but the 18-hit game and 14 vs. the Sox were on the road. The Cubs won all those games. They are 16-1 this season when they have produced double-digit hits. The only loss was by 13-7 at Philadelphia on April 13, the day before the Cubs began their first 10-game winning streak. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
  • WEBB SPINNING: Jacob Webb, month of May: 11 games, 13 innings, 0.69 ERA, 0.769 WHIP, no home runs allowed, two walks, 18 strikeouts.
  • TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY: Kyle Hendricks throws a five-hit complete game and the Cubs defeat the Phillies 5-1 at Wrigley Field. The team improves to 33-14 and leads the NL Central by 5.5 games. It happened 10 years ago today, Saturday, May 28, 2016.

Cubs lineup:

The Pirates lineup was not available at posting time. Please check BCB social media for the Pirates lineup.

Colin Rea, RHP vs. Paul Skenes, RHP

After a pretty good start to his 2026, Colin Rea has been hit pretty hard in his last two starts, though the most recent one (last Saturday vs. the Astros) was decent — seven innings, four hits, three runs.

Rea has not faced the Pirates this year. Last year in three starts against them he had a 2.65 ERA and 0.941 WHIP and only one home run allowed in 17 innings.

Two current Pirates who hit him well are Nick Gonzales (5-for-12, a home run) and Bryan Reynolds (8-for-19, two doubles, two home runs).

It’s weird to see “3.00” as Paul Skenes’ ERA as he’s been below 2.00 most of his MLB career. He got pounded for five runs in less than an inning in his first 2026 start, largely due to a misplay by Oneil Cruz, then over the next eight: 1.09 ERA, 0.527 WHIP, 55 strikeouts and only five walks in 49.1 innings.

But then he got hit hard his last two times out: 15 hits and nine earned runs in 10 total innings, and his K rate dropped.

So maybe the Cubs are facing him at a good time for them.

Cubs teams have hit Skenes reasonably well. Their .737 OPS in seven games they’ve faced him is the best for any team that’s faced him more than three times. Same for the 2.94 ERA he has against the Cubs — worst for any team that’s faced him more than three times.

Thus… don’t assume this is a loss. The Cubs have done okay against Skenes in the past, and he’s coming off two (for him) bad starts. Fingers crossed.

Here is the weather forecast for the area around PNC Park.

Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network. It’s also streaming on Peacock (outside the Pirates and Cubs market territories, Pirates broadcast).

Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

Please visit our SB Nation Pirates site Bucs Dugout. If you do go there to interact with Pirates fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.

The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.

You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).

At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.

The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.

You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.

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Here’s how to watch Thunder vs. Spurs Game 6 for free: Time, livestream

New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change.

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

After a Game 5 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, the Oklahoma City Thunder are on the brink of a second NBA Finals appearance in two years.

In Game 5, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a performance worthy of his MVP title to help the Thunder secure a 127-114 victory, finishing with 32 points and 9 assists while converting 16 of his 17 free-throw attempts. The Thunder’s bench also contributed greatly, both offensively and defensively.

The Spurs got a strong 24-point effort from Stephon Castle and 22 points from Julian Champagnie in the loss, but Victor Wembanyama was held to just 4-of-15 shooting from the floor for 20 points as the Thunder’s physical frontline swarmed him all evening.

NBA Western conference finals: what to know
  • What: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs
  • When: May 28, 8:30 p.m. ET
  • Where: Frost Bank Center (San Antonio, Texas)
  • Channel: NBC
  • Streaming: DIRECTV (try it free)

Should the Spurs win tonight, the Western Conference Finals will move back to Oklahoma City for a winner-take-all Game 7.

Thunder vs. Spurs Game 6 start time:

Thunder vs. Spurs Game 6 is scheduled to tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET tonight, May 28.

How to watch Thunder vs. Spurs for free:

If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to stream the game for free.

DIRECTV is our top pick for watching basketball live for free — its five-day free trial includes NBC (plus nearly every other channel you’ll need for the rest of the NBA postseason). When the trial is over, you’ll pay as low as $44.99/month and gain access to over 90 live channels.

TRY DIRECTV FOR FREE

Sling TV is another affordable way to watch TV live and stream NBA games; its Select plan includes NBC and starts at $19.99/month.

NBA Western Conference Finals schedule

  • Game 1: Spurs 122, Thunder 115 (OT2)
  • Game 2: Thunder 122, Spurs 113
  • Game 3: Thunder 123, Spurs 108
  • Game 4: Spurs 103, Thunder 82
  • Game 5: Thunder 127, Spurs 114
  • Game 6: Thursday, May 28 (8:30 ET, NBC/Peacock)
  • Game 7: Saturday, May 30 (8 ET, NBC/Peacock)*

* if necessary

TRY DIRECTV FOR FREE

Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.

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Thunder vs Spurs Same-Game Parlay for Tonight's NBA Playoffs Game 6

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If the San Antonio Spurs need to draw inspiration to keep fighting in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals, perhaps “El Jefe” can arrange a team field trip to the Alamo. 

San Antonio is facing elimination at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday and this high-stakes showdown is the perfect setting for my Thunder vs. Spurs same-game parlay.

My NBA picks like San Antonio to force a Game 7 in a high-scoring finish, highlighted by star Victor Wembanyama.
 
For more analysis, check out my Thunder vs. Spurs predictions for May 28.

Our best Thunder vs Spurs SGP for Game 6

SGP leg #1: Spurs moneyline

The San Antonio Spurs have the third-highest homecourt net rating in the postseason and will warm up their cold shooting from Game 5 by getting back inside the Frost Bank Center.

The return to Texas will also help the Spurs tighten the screws on turnovers, which really hampered their offense in this series. The defense is doing a great job of slowing down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, which is like cutting the head off the snake.

San Antonio is 5-1 straight up coming off a loss this postseason and 20-6 SU in those spots overall.

SGP leg #2: Over 218.5

The Game 5 final smashed the closing total and could be a hint of where this series is headed in terms of scoring. Chet Holmgren finally woke up, and the Oklahoma City Thunder bench doesn’t allow much of an offensive dip, meaning San Antonio will have to score in Game 6.

The Spurs are at their best playing with pace, fueled by transition offense. These teams produced totals north of 230 in the regular season and that’s where we’re trending on Thursday.

SGP leg #2: Victor Wembanyama Over 27.5 points

After a 5-for-15 dud in Game 5 and bailing on the postgame presser, Victor Wembanyama is under the microscope in this do-or-die outing.

San Antonio’s coach and players are begging Wemby to be more aggressive, and while some models sit at 27 points with 18 FGAS, I expect 22+ shots from the 7-footer.

Wembanyama bounces back from quiet efforts, averaging 28 points in the last 21 games following 15 or fewer FGAs. Nine of those have hit 30+ points. 

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See our full Thunder vs Spurs Game 6 preview

Get Jason Logan's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Thunder vs. Spurs predictions for Game 6.

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NBA Championship odds

Stay up-to-date with the latest NBA Championship odds for each remaining team, as well as NBA title splits, betting trends, and the previous list of teams that have won the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

NBA Finals MVP odds

See what the current line movement and updates are in the NBA Finals MVP odds race, along with Finals MVP betting trends, favorite analysis, and recent superstars to receive this award.

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Never lose track of where each series sits with our live NBA Playoff bracket, as well as the updated prices for each team to win their respective series — round by round. 

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How Many Playoff Games Will the Knicks Win?

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Start spreading the news: the New York Knicks are in the NBA Finals.

While the Western Conference competitors — San Antonio and Oklahoma City — sort themselves out, the Eastern Conference champion Knicks sit with 12 total postseason wins and await their opponent for the Bill O’Brien Trophy.

New York will be an underdog in the NBA Finals, regardless of the opponent, and Kalshi is offering prediction markets on the Knicks’ total number of playoff wins when the smoke settles on the tournament.

Here’s a look at those NBA odds and what market makes the most sense to New York backers.

Knicks How Many Playoff Games Will the Knicks Win?

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Prediction markets have “Yes” 15+ wins listed with a 50% probability, which would get better if the Western Conference Finals go seven games.

The New York Knicks need 16 victories to win the title, and 15 would make it a thrilling seven-game series. We had one of those last year, with the Oklahoma City Thunder edging out the Indiana Pacers in a do-or-die finale.

New York will be the more rested of the two contenders, but barely avoided the “rust” spot in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals after an extended break. The Knicks needed to rally from 22 points down in the fourth quarter to win the series opener, en route to a sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

👍Go New York, Go New York, Go!

If you’re not as ambitious about the Knicks but give them plenty of respect for their postseason play, 14+ wins is trading with “Yes” as a 70% probability at Kalshi. This option pays out if the series goes at least six games, putting weight on the Knicks to win at home.

New York has been excellent in a star-studded Madison Square Garden this spring, owning a 6-1 record in the Mecca while boasting a playoff-best net rating of 16.1 at home.

I like this “Yes” option, as it pays $2 for every $1 investment at the current probabilities and doesn’t need the series to go seven games to win. Most NBA Finals go six games, and the Knicks have the personnel, star power, and coaching to make these matchups competitive.

👎No New York, No New York, No!

If you’re not buying into the Knicks’ postseason run and think whoever comes out of the West will squash a rusty New York squad, then “No” 13+ wins is paying a pretty penny.

This side of the market is essentially picking the Western champs to sweep the NBA Finals, which has occurred just nine times. The last time a title winner broke out the broom in the finals was when Golden State swept Cleveland in 2018.

If that happens to the Knicks in 2026, you’re looking at a current $12 win for every $1 investment. Again, this prediction market will fluctuate based on whether there’s a Game 7 in the WCF.

New York has won all three Game 1 outings so far in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, and the NBA Finals won’t tip off until June 3, putting the Knicks’ red-hot run on ice for more than a week.

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Father of Former Jets Forward Passes Away

On Thursday afternoon, the NHL Alumni Association announced the passing of former NHL all-star and noted tough guy, Claude Lemieux.

A four-time Stanley Cup champion and Conn Smythe winner, Lemieux's death was sudden, with reports indicating local law enforcement were responding to an attempted suicide at a business owned by Lemieux and family.

Photo by Dick Raphael/USA Today 
Photo by Dick Raphael/USA Today 

Just two nights prior, Lemieux had carried in the torch for the Montreal Canadiens in advance of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

He was just 60 years old.

A Quebec product, Lemieux went on to win the Stanley Cup with his hometown Canadiens, as well as with the Colorado Avalanche and twice with the New Jersey Devils.

"He was loved by his wife and four children, and on behalf of the Lemieux family, we kindly ask that everyone respect their privacy during this difficult time. Memorial service details to follow," the NHL Alumni Association wrote on Thursday.

Lemieux put up 1,777 penalty minutes in his 21-season career, while also managing 379 goals and 786 points in his 1,215 total games played. He also operated at a strong .68 point-per-game rate in the postseason. 

Lemieux's son, Brendan, spent four years with the Winnipeg Jets organization - suiting up for both the Manitoba Moose and the Jets. He later moved on to the New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings, before ultimately travelling to Switzerland, where he spent the past two seasons playing for HC Davos. 

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Claude Lemieux’s death came days after emotional Canadiens playoff appearance

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Claude Lemieux carrying the torch in the opening ceremony of Game Three of the Eastern Conference Final, Image 2 shows Claude Lemieux, a former Montreal Canadiens player, holds a torch and raises his arms triumphantly as he enters an arena, with people in the stands filming him

Claude Lemieux’s death came just days after he was back in the NHL spotlight.

The four-time Stanley Cup winner died at 60 years old, the league’s Alumni Association announced Thursday, after Lemieux was just at his former home arena — the Bell Centre in Montreal — on Monday night.

Lemieux carried out the ceremonial torch for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Canadiens and the Hurricanes.

Claude Lemieux holds a torch as he enters the arena before Game 3 of the NHL Eastern Conference final Stanley Cup playoff series between the Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes, Monday, May 25, 2026, in Montreal. Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP

He carried the torch through a tunnel of excited fans, who were cheering and filming him on his walk. Upon reaching the inside of the arena, he raised the torch and pumped his fist as fans roared for their former winger of seven years.

The death was ruled a suicide, as reported by TMZ after Lemieux was found at a family business Thursday morning in Florida.

Lemieux, a Quebec native, was drafted by the Canadiens in 1983 and spent the first seven seasons of his career in Montreal.

He won his first Cup with the Canadiens in 1986 before adding three more with the Devils (twice) and Avalanche.

“Today is a dark day for the Canadiens family and the entire hockey community. I wish to express my most sincere and deepest condolences to Claude’s family and loved ones,” Canadiens owner Geoff Molson said in a statement. “A fierce competitor who rose to the occasion in big moments, Claude was a relentless, courageous, and tenacious player who led the team to the highest honors. He embodied the very essence of being a Montreal Canadiens player. Today we mourn the untimely passing of one of our champions. Our thoughts are with his family on this difficult day.”

Lemieux also spent time with the Coyotes, Stars and Sharks.

He retired in 2009 for a second time following a comeback season with San Jose at 43 years old.

Claude Lemieux carries the torch in the opening ceremony of Game Three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Montreal Canadiens and the Carolina Hurricanes at the Bell Centre on May 25, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. NHLI via Getty Images

Montreal went on to lose 3-2 during an overtime period. They also lost Wednesday’s Game 4, 4-0.

With their backs against the wall, the Canadiens head to Carolina for Game 5 and if they force a Game 6, they will be back at Bell Centre for what would undoubtedly be an emotional scene.

The last time the Canadiens were in the Stanley Cup Final was in 2021, when they lost to the Lightning in five games. They last won the Cup in ’93.

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Thunder vs Spurs Expert Picks & Game 6 Best Bets

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The San Antonio Spurs will look to stave off elimination when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 tonight.

San Antonio is currently a 3.5-point favorite ahead of tip-off, and our Covers experts have you set with their best NBA picks for Thursday, May 28.

Thunder vs Spurs Expert Picks Tonight

PickOdds
Jon Metler Jon Metler: Spurs Fox o14.5 points-113
Jason Logan Jason Logan: Spurs Wembanyama o12.5 rebounds-112
Joe Osborne Joe Osborne: Over 219.5-110

Odds courtesy of bet365.

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Jon Metler's expert pick: De'Aaron Fox Over 14.5 points

Price: -113 at bet365

You can say what you want about De'Aaron Fox as a bettor, but I’m not passing on Over 14.5 points in this spot. The San Antonio Spurs are facing elimination at home, and this will already be Fox’s fourth game back from injury.

That matters because his minutes have been managed carefully all season, and we still haven’t really seen his full workload in this series due to multiple blowouts. Tonight will be different.

With the Spurs favored by only 3.5 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder, this could be the most competitive game Fox has played since returning, and that’s where his value rises. In close games, his usage climbs, the ball stays in his hands late, and his scoring ceiling increases dramatically. 

This feels like a spot where San Antonio leans heavily on Fox offensively, and I price him closer to -215 to clear this total.

Jason Logan's expert pick: Victor Wembanyama Over 12.5 rebounds

Price: -112 at bet365

Victor Wembanyama amassed a billion rebounds in the first two games of the series, but since then, he’s recorded a total of only 18 boards on 43 combined rebounding chances across the past three outings. 

The biggest difference is Wemby’s aggressiveness on the offensive glass. He stacked 14 offensive boards in the opening two games of the WCF but has pulled down only four rebounds on the offensive end over the last three showings. 

Wembanyama has looked tired and is playing too passively at times, especially in Game 5. The Spurs are begging their big man to be more aggressive in Game 6, and that means getting inside and crashing the offensive glass for putbacks. 

Game 6 models range from 12.3 rebounds to 15.5, with most projections sitting north of his current total.

Joe Osborne's expert pick: Over 219.5

Price: -110 at bet365

This pick still comes down to pace. Both teams have a shot volume in the first five games almost identical to their regular-season averages, and that’s been driving scoring throughout the series.

San Antonio put up 114 points in Game 5 despite shooting below their standard, thanks to generating 92 shot attempts. Back at home, I’d expect better efficiency from the Spurs, especially if they continue to get lots of quality looks.

On the other side, Oklahoma City has topped 120 points in three of the last four games. The Spurs have also gone Over in nine of their last 10 games, with those contests averaging 227.4 combined points.

More Thunder vs Spurs Game 6 picks

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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Victor Wembanyama Picks, Predictions & Best Bets for Thunder vs Spurs Game 6 on May 28

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Desperation matters.

The San Antonio Spurs showed the power of desperation in Game 2 of the last round, walloping the Timberwolves by 38 points to even the series. 

In fact, that model informs how I break down the Victor Wembanyama odds before Game 6 on Thursday, May 28.

Victor Wembanyama prop pick for Game 6

Victor Wembanyama best bet: Victor Wembanyama Over 1.5 threes (-180 at bet365)

That is a significant amount of juice. Let’s not deny that.

If uncomfortable with it, then bet 3+ threes at +170. That is in my portfolio tonight.

At either mark, the logic is as much about Wembanyama’s improved shooting at home as it is about his greater volume shooting at home. Both aspects have been true all three years of the San Antonio Spurs’ superstar’s career.

This season, Wembanyama shot 37.9% from deep at home, compared to 31.3% on the road, while taking 5.9 threes per game at home compared to just five per game on the road.

Look at this series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Wembanyama is 4-for-14 (28.6%) from beyond the arc in three games in Oklahoma City compared to 5-for-12 (41.7%) in two matches in San Antonio.

Defenses hardly bother Wemby’s deep shots. Simply enough, he is too tall.

His shot comes down to comfort and rhythm. Those are improved at home, creating distinct value in tailing him tonight.

Victor Wembanyama same-game parlay

Amid all the headlines of Wembanyama’s 41-point, 24-rebound Game 1 in the Western Conference Finals, we overlook that he had just 27 points in regulation. Realizing that, Wembanyama has fallen short of this points prop in four of five regulation games, even though he hit multiple 3-pointers in two of those four contests.

While that is counterintuitive, the reality is that Wembanyama affects a game in so many ways that his scoring does not always come via expected patterns.

Obviously, one of those ways is via blocking shots, and taking the Under on Wembanyama’s blocks prop is actually meant as a compliment to him. There will be fewer and fewer shots for him to challenge as the Thunder steer clear of the rim when he is around.

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MLB owners officially propose hard salary cap for baseball

Major League Baseball proposed a hard salary cap Thursday for the first time since 1994, which resulted in a players’ strike that cancelled the World Series, in their first proposal to the MLB Players' Association in New York.

MLB proposed a $245.3 million salary cap, including benefits, which is lower than eight current MLB clubs’ payroll, requiring a total reduction in payroll of $578 million.

In return, MLB proposed a $171.2 million salary floor, which would require 12 teams to increase their payroll by a combined $617 million.

In the last collective bargaining talks in 2021, MLB offered a four-tier luxury tax system beginning at $180 million, with also a salary floor at $100 million. It was flatly rejected by the union, and MLB implemented a lockout that lasted 99 days.

MLB's last lockout took place in the 2021-22 offseason.

In this proposal, MLB said that players would immediately receive 50% of baseball revenue and in future years. MLB revenue has increased by 247% since 2003, according to MLB calculations, while player payroll has increased by 149%.

The salary cap, MLB insists, would increase competitive balance in the sport.

“Ultimately the game is about hope and competition and too many fans in too many markets have too little hope their team has a fair chance to win," MLB spokesman Glen Caplin said in a statement. “Fans overwhelmingly support a salary cap and floor like in the other leagues because they don't believe a $446 million spending gap from top to bottom is a fair fight.

"Our salary cap and floor proposal levels the playing field while sharing baseball revenue with the players 50/50 as we grow the game together. Further, by sharing media revenue equally as part of our proposal, we can address another top fan concern of local TV blackouts. We look forward to working with the MLBPA during the bargaining process to continue improving the game for the fans.”

The union argues that competitive balance isn’t a problem considering that small-market clubs like the Milwaukee Brewers, Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians are currently leading their respective divisions. The Brewers, who reside in baseball’s smallest market, won the most games in MLB last season with 97, while winning the NL Central division for the third consecutive year.

MLB’s proposal also said that all revenue from local media will be centralized and shared equally among clubs while players will receive 50% of any increase in future media revenue with the national TV contracts expected to expire after the 2028 season.

The CBA is scheduled to expire on Dec. 1, and if no agreement is reached, MLB is expected to implement another lockout.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB payrolls for labor war with owners asking for hard salary cap

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Red Sox place Garrett Whitlock on the 15-day injured list with left knee inflammation

BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox placed reliever Garrett Whitlock on the 15-day injured list with left knee inflammation. The move is retroactive to May 25.

Whitlock last pitched against the Minnesota Twins. The right-hander told reporters that his landing leg slipped during his first warm-up pitch of the outing, resulting in a hyperextension.

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said Whitlock received a painkilling injection before Boston’s 8-0 win over Atlanta.

Whitlock has a 3.20 ERA through 20 relief appearances this season.

The Red Sox recalled left-hander Tyler Samaniego from Triple-A Worcester to replace Whitlock. Samaniego has posted a 1.04 ERA in 18 games for Boston this season.

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Why Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies, Morgan Rielly Remain NHL Trade Candidates

Defenseman Morgan Rielly and left winger Matthew Knies have been linked to trade rumors for quite some time now.

The Toronto Maple Leafs duo were recently included in an off-season trade board by The Athletic's Chris Johnston. In this trade board, Rielly was listed at No. 5, while Knies was slotted in at No. 12.

It's true, Rielly has a no-move clause on his contract, and Knies is one of the young stars who should help propel the Maple Leafs back into contention after a fallen season this past campaign. However, there are reasons as to why these two have been consistently linked to trade rumors.

Rielly, 32, is the longest-tenured member of the current Maple Leafs roster. He's gearing up for his 14th NHL season and is 49 appearances away from reaching the 1,000-game plateau.

Rielly would be the sixth player in Maple Leafs history to play 1,000 games for the franchise, and would surpass Mats Sundin on the list of games played in his next 30 regular-season games with Toronto.

However, despite the aforementioned no-move clause on his eight-year, $7.5-million-per-year contract, there is a real possibility that the veteran defenseman doesn't make it to the 2026-27 season with Toronto.

The Pros And Cons Of Maple Leafs Trading Either Joseph Woll Or Anthony StolarzThe Pros And Cons Of Maple Leafs Trading Either Joseph Woll Or Anthony StolarzThe Toronto Maple Leafs could have a surplus in the crease next season. If GM John Chayka considered it, what are the pros and cons of trading away either Joseph Woll or Anthony Stolarz?

"(Rielly) has previously been unwilling to consider waiving his no-movement clause but has since softened on that stance," Johnston wrote. "He still controls the process because of that mechanism in his contract, but a fresh start is looking increasingly likely."

Though Rielly and the Maple Leafs have been attached for the duration of his NHL career, there is an understanding that it could be beneficial for both sides to start fresh.

He hasn't performed up to expectations in the past two seasons. Rielly is coming off a 36-point campaign after playing 78 games for the Leafs, which is his lowest point total since the 2020-21 season, when he played just 55 games.

He also notched the second-worst plus-minus rating of his entire career (minus-18), and that includes the Maple Leafs' ugly years between 2013-14 and 2015-16.

Maple Leafs Reportedly Listening To Calls On No. 1 Pick, But Likelyhood Of Moving It Is SlimMaple Leafs Reportedly Listening To Calls On No. 1 Pick, But Likelyhood Of Moving It Is SlimWhile new Maple Leafs GM John Chayka is taking calls on the No. 1 draft pick, moving it would require an overwhelming offer.

As for Knies, he's been a real bright spot for the Maple Leafs as a young player who's been able to have an impact in the NHL. The 23-year-old is coming off another solid season, scoring 23 goals, as well as a career-high of 43 assists and 66 points.

In addition to his play on the ice, Knies is on a fair contract, earning $7.75 million through the 2030-31 campaign.

So why would Toronto consider moving off a young star like Knies, who can be a part of the solution in getting the Leafs back in the Stanley Cup playoffs?

It started at the NHL trade deadline back in March, when the rumblings of Knies potentially being moved came through. 

"(The Maple Leafs) felt he could bring back a bonanza of assets to reboot a program short on prospects and draft picks," Johnston said.

There's a real argument that Knies is the most valuable asset in the Maple Leafs' organization in terms of what Toronto can receive in a trade. In fact, it wasn't long ago that Johnston also reported that someone who works for an NHL team said they'd be willing to give up more assets for Knies than Auston Matthews.

What The Maple Leafs Reportedly Wanted For Matthew Knies At Trade DeadlineWhat The Maple Leafs Reportedly Wanted For Matthew Knies At Trade DeadlineKypreos reports that the Maple Leafs were looking for three different packages when it came to Knies.

In a system that doesn't have several outstanding prospects and assets to dispense, Toronto's front office might have to consider sacrificing its young star to stock the cupboards further.

Though the trade deadline incident was under Brad Treliving, current GM John Chayka has alerted the rest of the league that he's willing to have conversations about any player on the roster, except for Matthews.

Not to mention, on a team that has plenty of players with trade protection and clauses, Knies' contract doesn't include any of that language until 2030-31, when he has a 10-team no-trade list, according to puckpedia.com.

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Angels 7, Tigers 1: Wenceel Perez came through, but Tigers drop series

May 28, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder Wenceel Perez (46) celebrates after he hits a home run in the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The Tigers headed into their afternoon game with the opportunity to actually win a series for the first time in a long time. They had Jack Flaherty on the mound to pitch, up against Grayson Rodriguez for the Angels. It could be anyone’s game.

In the top of the first, Mike Trout got a one-out double, but two outs followed to leave him stranded. Colt Keith got a leadoff walk for the Tigers in the first. Then, with two outs, Riley Greene singled to put two men on, but the Tigers weren’t able to bring either runner home.

Flaherty got into a zone (specifically finding the zone pretty nicely), and got the Angels out in order. In the home half, with two outs, Wenceel Perez homered, putting the Tigers on the board first. It was the only run they’d get for the inning, but first run is always nice.

The Angels managed only a single baserunner in the third with a one-out single by Donovan Walton, but otherwise Flaherty kept the side in check. The Tigers went 1-2-3 in the home half.

The fourth inning was likewise uneventful as both teams were three-up, three-down.

By the fifth, Flaherty’s command was starting to look a little less precise, giving up a leadoff double to Jo Adell. A wild pitch by Flaherty advanced Adell to third, then Sebastian Rivero singled into left, scoring the first Angels run. Walton then singled. Zach Neto then doubled, bringing in another run, and I choose to believe this is all Tom Selleck’s fault for eating a plain hot dog during the broadcast. Mike Trout was intentionally walked to load the bases and the wheels were pretty much off of Flaherty at this point. Vaughn Grissom hit a sac fly, bringing in another run. At the halfway mark of the inning the Angels were up 3-1. The Tigers did little to claw their way back in the home half, getting only a two-out walk from Jake Rogers and no runs.

For some reason, Flaherty was still in the game in the sixth. He made it through the first two outs before being pulled. His final line for the game was 5.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 9 K on 91 pitches. He started strong and had some really good innings, but I think this game makes a perfect example of why Flaherty would be better suited to a 2-3 innings bullpen role instead of a traditional starter. We’ve seen similar performances from him this season. Drew Sommers came out of the pen to get the final out of the inning. In the bottom of the inning the Angels made a pitching change as well, bringing in Drew Pomeranz. He got the Tigers out in order.

Brenan Hanifee was the new Tigers pitcher for the seventh. There was an on-field pause as Rivero appeared to call for an ABS challenge, reconsidered in the middle of tapping his head, and tried to play it off like he didn’t tap his helmet, which resulted in a big discussion amongst the umpiring crew. The decision seemed to be that he didn’t challenge, which is silly, because he clearly did challenge (and would have won the challenge, too). Anyway, silliness. He struck out. With two outs, Neto singled. Neto then stole second and was called safe, but the Tigers challenged and the call was overturned to end the inning. José Fermin came in for the bottom of the inning. Zach McKinstry got a one-out walk, but a double play then ended the inning.

Ricky Vanasco came in for the eighth and gave up a leadoff walk to Trout. Grissom then doubled, bringing Trout home. Jorge Soler singled, scoring Grissom. Wade Meckler grounded into a force out, and was then swapped for a pinch-runner in Jose Siri. Siri got tagged out trying to steal second, and the Tigers were able to get the final out after that to keep the inning from getting too far out of hand. Sam Bachman was the newest Angels pitcher out of the pen and he gave up a leadoff double to Perez. With one out, Keith walked. A Kevin McGonigle groundout advanced the baserunners, then Dingler walked to load the bases. Greene struck out though, and the Tigers’ best opportunity for a comeback turned into a pot of LOBsters.

With two outs in the ninth, Walton singled. Neto walked. Trout doubled, scoring two more runs. The Tigers were down to their last chance in the bottom of the ninth and they’d do it against Ryan Zeferjahn. McKinstry got a one-out walk. One more out later, Perez walked (have a day, Wenceel). It didn’t matter, though, the Tigers weren’t able to right the ship, and they dropped the series. At least they got a win out of it yesterday to avoid the sweep.

Final: Angels, 7, Tigers 1

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NBA passes 3-2-1 NBA Draft Lottery reform

NEW YORK CITY - MARCH 25: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addresses the media following the Board of Governors meetings on March 25, 2026 at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, the NBA has passed a number of changes to the NBA Draft Lottery, effective for the upcoming 2026-27 season and lasting through at least 2029.

The “3-2-1” lottery moniker is a slight misnomer, as the bottom three teams will receive “2” lottery balls each. Spots four through 10 will receive “3” lottery balls each. The 9-vs-10 game teams will also receive “2” lottery balls each, and the losers of the 7-vs-8 games will receive “1” ball each. I guess the “2-3-2-1” lottery isn’t as catchy a title.

The lottery expanding from 14 to 16 teams is a significant change, as now teams can actually split the difference by making the playoffs and getting a chance in the lottery. The losers of the 7-vs-8 games will receive one lottery ball each, and the 9-vs-10 teams receive two lottery balls, so the two teams who win the second round of the Play-In Tournament (i.e. loser of 7-vs-8 vs. winner of 9-vs-10) will get to be in the playoffs and remain in the lottery. Basically, advancing to the playoffs from the 9- or 10-spot would grant you the same lottery odds as the worst team in the league.

Additionally, no one will be able to win the first overall pick in consecutive years or have three consecutive top-five picks. The vote passed 29-1, with the Memphis Grizzlies the only vote against.

Critics of this reform have argued this will actually lead to more tanking, as the four through 10 group is even more of an advantage than it was previously. You could imagine scenarios where teams tank even earlier to ensure they’re in that group, or tank extremely hard down the stretch to drop from the 11th or 12th spot to 10th. It also gets harder for teams that are just plain bad, not due to tanking, to life themselves out of it, which was the whole point of a draft lottery system in the first place.

What do you think? For, against, or indifferent on the new system?

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Tigers outfielder’s home run leaves fan covered in drink

A Tigers fan was in desperate need of a towel following Wenceel Perez’s home run on Thursday morning.

As the Detroit outfielder planted a Grayson Rodriguez fastball over the right field wall during the second inning of the Tigers’ tilt with the Angels at Comerica Park, a fan spectacularly spilled his drink all over himself as he made an attempt to snag the souvenir.

Broadcast footage from the matchup in Michigan showed the guy reached up for the ball with both of his hands, this despite one being completely occupied by a full beverage.

But as the ball came crashing down, it bounced off the guy’s cup and created a mess.

Detroit Tigers right fielder Wenceel Perez (46) hits a home run in the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Comerica Park. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Liquid spilled everywhere — including all down the man’s Tigers shirt. And, to add insult to injury, the ball ended up in another fan’s hands.

The man didn’t seem totally broken up about it, perhaps because the play did result in the Tigers getting a 1-0 lead.

A Tigers fan’s drink spilled everywhere after he failed to catch a home run ball in the Angels vs. Tigers game Thursday. JM Baseball

It’s the second time this series that there’s been a viral moment at the Detroit ballpark. During Wednesday’s game, the internet couldn’t stop talking about how Los Angeles designated hitter Jorge Soler was caught giving little-to-no-effort on a routine ground ball play.

The series will conclude following Thursday’ action, but with a few outs still left in the game, there somehow might be even more fodder for X users on the way.

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Discuss Opening CBA Proposals

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - APRIL 26: Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. talks with San Diego Padres Chief Executive Officer Erik Greupner and Major League Baseball Deputy Commissioner, Baseball Administration and Chief Legal Officer Dan Halem prior to a 2026 Mexico City Series game between the San Diego Padres and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu on Sunday, April 26, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

So, we have now been able to see an opening proposal from the MLBPA and from the MLB owners. Let us know your thoughts on these proposals below.

Jeff Passan on Twitter summarized MLBPA’s first proposal yesterday as such:

“An increase in base CBT threshold from $244M to $300M, A “competitive-integrity tax” for any team that does not spend $150M, Increasing minimum salary from $780,000 to $1.5M, Changes to the revenue-sharing system that would distribute more money from local television revenue but decrease the amount distributed from in-stadium revenue — to incentivize teams that win and draw larger crowds, Free agency for players who are 30 at 5+ years of service, Teams that receive revenue sharing forfeit portions of their checks depending on payroll levels. Recipients that win receive more money, Pre-arb bonus pool increases from $50M to $180M – $3M minimum tender in arbitration, Arbitration super 2s jump from 22% of players to 44%”

Jesse Rogers broke down the proposal for ESPN here.

Jorge Castillo broke down the league’s proposal from today for ESPN here. Jesse Rogers of ESPN summarized the highlights below on Twitter:

MLB proposed a hard salary cap to union officials today as part of the next CBA, sources tell ESPN. The salary floor for teams beginning in 2027 would be set at $171.2 million which includes player benefits with the ceiling at $245.3 million. The league’s proposal includes a 50/50 split of revenues with players as well as all revenue from local media centralized and then shared equally. As revenues go up, so too does the cap. Side note: If the union agrees to the concept of a cap, the league would be open to negotiating a host of things incuding phasing it in, a Larry Bird-esque rule and changes to free agency/arbitration etc, etc. Early stages here.

Let us know your thoughts on these proposals as baseball begins negotiations to see if a lengthy lockout/missed games in the 2027 season can be avoided.