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Pirates at Brewers Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for June 23

It's Monday, June 23 and the Pirates (31-48) are in Milwaukee to take on the Brewers (43-35). Braxton Ashcraft is slated to take the mound for Pittsburgh against Chad Patrick for Milwaukee.

The Pirates have lost three consecutive series with the latest coming against the Rangers. However, the Buccos won the series finale 8-3 behind big games from Tommy Pham (3 Hits, 3 RBI), Nick Gonzales (2 Hits, 1 RBI), and Spencer Horwitz (3 Hits, 3 RBI, 3 runs).

Milwaukee has won four straight games and seven of the past nine games, including yesterday's 9-8 thriller over Minnesota. The Brewers swept the Twins by scoring 35 runs over three games to the Twins' 14. The Brewers and Pirates split the first series of the season, 2-2 in Pittsburgh.

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 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 Pirates at Brewers

  • Date: Monday, June 23, 2025
  • Time: 7:40PM EST
  • Site: American Family Field
  • City: Milwaukee, WI
  • Network/Streaming: SNP, FDSNWI

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 Pirates at the Brewers

The latest odds as of Monday:

  • Moneyline: Pirates (+161), Brewers (-193)
  • Spread:  Brewers -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Pirates at Brewers

  • Pitching matchup for June 23, 2025: Braxton Ashcraft vs. Chad Patrick
    • Pirates: Braxton Ashcraft, (1-0, 1.54 ERA)
      Last outing: 2.0 Innings Pitched, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 2 Strikeouts
    • Brewers: Chad Patrick, (3-7, 3.50 ERA)
      Last outing: 5.0 Innings Pitched, 4 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts

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!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Pirates and the Brewers

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

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 Monday’s game between the Pirates and the Brewers:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Milwaukee Brewers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Pittsburgh Pirates at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Pirates at Brewers

  • Milwaukee has scored 43 runs in the last four games
  • Pittsburgh and Milwaukee are 2-2 against each other this season
  • The Brewers have won 4 of their last 5 home games against NL Central teams
  • The Under is 13-7-3 in the Pirates' matchups against NL Central teams this season
  • The Brewers have covered in 4 of their last 5 games for a profit of 1.26 units
  • Milwaukee has lost three straight when Chad Patrick and 6-10 overall this season
  • Pittsburgh has lost the past two when Braxton Ashcraft has pitched and are 3-4 overall this season

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Another Finnish D-Man Leaves Toronto For Europe

Finnish defenseman Topi Niemelä, 23, has signed a one-year contract with the Malmö Redhawks, the SHL club announced on Monday.

“Topi is a skilled defenseman who likes to contribute on offense,” said Redhawks GM Oscar Alsenfelt. “He’s really good on the power play, has a sharp first pass and good mobility on the ice. He is already at a high level in many parts of his game, but also has the potential for even more.”

At six feet and 181 lbs, Niemelä spent the past two seasons in the AHL playing in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, but his age, Alsenfelt’s words and the fact that he signed just a one-year contract seem to indicate that the Finnish defenseman views signing in Sweden as a strategic step back in his ultimate goal of reaching the NHL, rather than a permanent return to Europe.

“We have been looking for a defenseman with Topi’s profile and skill set, and he wants to come here because he sees a strong development environment with us,” said Alsenfelt. “He wants to get better and break into the NHL – and we will help him with that.”

Niemelä is the second Finnish defenseman in the Leafs’ organization to head back to Europe this off-season after Roni Hirvonen signed with Finnish club Kärpät Oulu a week ago. 

Leafs Prospect Returns Home To FinlandLeafs Prospect Returns Home To Finland Finnish defenseman Roni Hirvonen, 23, has signed a one-year contract with Kärpät Oulu, the Liiga club announced on Monday.

Coincidentally, Niemelä comes from Oulu in northern Finland and played for that city’s famous Kärpät club from his childhood through his early days as a pro until he was 21. Niemelä was chosen in the third round, 64th overall, by Toronto in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

Niemelä has 64 points and 48 penalty minutes in 177 career Liiga games and 70 points and 65 penalty minutes in 147 career AHL games.

If Niemelä returns to North America, it remains to be seen whether it will be in the Toronto organization or elsewhere. For now, the Leafs retain his NHL rights.

Niemelä joins a Malmö team that finished 10th in the SHL regular season last year and lost in the quarterfinals. The roster so far includes ex-NHLers Janne Kuokkanen, Robin Salo, Fredrik, Händemark and goaltender Marek Langhamer. It also includes prospects Eemil Viro (Detroit Red Wings) and Lauri Pajuniemi (New York Rangers).

Photo © David Kirouac-Imagn Images: Topi Niemelä playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2023 pre-season. 

Ex-NHL D-Man Moves From Czechia To SwedenEx-NHL D-Man Moves From Czechia To Sweden Czech defenseman Michal Kempný, 34, has signed a one-year contract with Brynäs IF, the Gävle-based SHL club announced on Friday.
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Islanders Goaltending Prospect Marcus Gidlöf Coming Over From Sweden For Development Camp

According to an interview conducted by HockeySverige, the most reputable hockey news site in Sweden, New York Islanders goaltending prospect Marcus Gidlöf shared that he will be attending the team's development camp. 

"They haven't had a development camp in previous years, but now they're going to have one, and then I'll go over there," Gidlof told HockeySverige (Swedish to English translation). 

Here's the original article:

Gidlöfs besked - inför NHL-campenGidlöfs besked - inför NHL-campenLeksands Marcus Gidlöf berättar om sina planer inför sommaren, och säsongen då SHL-klubben ser ut att inleda med tre målvakter.

Development camp will begin Monday, June 30 and will consist of three on-ice days before their Blue & White Scrimmage on July 2. 

Gidlof, a 6'6, 223-pound goaltender, was selected in the fifth round of the 2024 NHL Draft and had a very strong 2024-25 campaign. After a strong season with Leksands IF -- he posted a 1.73 GAA with a .924 SV% for the junior team before posting a 2.33 GAA with a .908 SV% for the main team -- he was loaned to Djurgardens IF for their playoff run.

He posted a 0.53 GAA with a .980 SV% in two playoff games, helping Djurgardens win the championship and get back to the SHL after being relegated in 2022. 

Gidlof also represented his country at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. 

Hockey DB 

Serving as Sweden's backup,  Gidlöf appeared in two WJC games, owning a 1.38 GAA with a .938 SV%. 

The 19-year-old will not be joining the Islanders organization yet, as he has committed to returning to Leksands IF for the 2025-26 season. 

With Jakub Skarek leaving the Islanders organization to go play in Liiga, the Islanders' goaltending prospect pool is a little thinner than it was a year ago.

At the NHL level, the Islanders have Ilya Sorokin and, if healthy, Semyon Varlamov. Then, it's Marcus Hogberg, Tristan Lennox, and Henrik Tikkanen.

Where Gidlof fits into the depth charts is yet to be determined. However, he has looked like a really talented prospect, possessing great size and athleticism. 

Islanders Development Camp Primer: Bring In The College KidsIslanders Development Camp Primer: Bring In The College KidsFor the first time since 2019, the New York Islanders will be holding a more traditional development camp.

Stay updated with the most interesting Islanders stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

PHOTO: David Reginek-Imagn Images

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Giants option struggling Tyler Fitzgerald to Triple-A, activate Justin Verlander

Giants option struggling Tyler Fitzgerald to Triple-A, activate Justin Verlander originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Giants made a significant roster move on Monday.

San Francisco optioned struggling second baseman Tyler Fitzgerald to Triple-A Sacramento and activated starting pitcher Justin Verlander from the paternity list, the team announced.

Fitzgerald has served as the Giants’ starting second baseman throughout the 2025 MLB season, and while he has played well defensively, is batting .230/.289/.320 with two home runs and 10 RBI in 200 plate appearances.

The 27-year-old broke out at the plate in the second half of the 2024 season, and carried that success with him throughout the offseason and into the spring, where he was named the starter.

It remains to be seen how long Fitzgerald will remain in Triple-A, but with infielder Casey Schmitt thriving in place of injured third baseman Matt Chapman, Schmitt eventually could slide over to second as an everyday option in place of Fitzgerald.

The Giants placed Verlander on the paternity list on Friday as the veteran pitcher and his wife, Kate Upton, welcomed their second child, son Bellamy Brooks Verlander, over the weekend.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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Ultimate Celtics draft guide: Mock drafts, best fits, highlights and more

Ultimate Celtics draft guide: Mock drafts, best fits, highlights and more originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The NBA Finals concluded Sunday night with the Oklahoma City Thunder defeating the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 to secure their first championship, and now all 30 teams will immediately shift to a marquee offseason event: The 2025 NBA Draft.

The draft begins Wednesday night in Brooklyn with the first round at 8 p.m. ET, then the second round will take place Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET.

The 2025 draft class is considered by most experts to be pretty strong, especially in the lottery. The No. 1 pick is widely expected to be Duke star Cooper Flagg, who has all the makings of a generational star. But he’s not the only highly-rated prospect in this group.

The Boston Celtics have the No. 28 pick in the first round and the second pick (No. 32 overall) in the second round. It’s very important for the Celtics to get at least one decent player from this class, given the fact that they are among the few teams in the second apron of the luxury tax.

Looking for a deep dive on the 2025 draft class and which players the Celtics might target? We’ve got you covered.

Here’s a roundup of NBC Sports Boston’s NBA Draft-related content from Insider Chris Forsberg and our entire team.

Chris Forsberg’s 2025 NBA Mock Drafts

Celtics Draft Fits series

More NBA Draft content

NBA Draft Highlights

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Gilgeous-Alexander guides Thunder to NBA glory

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander capped a dominant season as he led the Oklahoma City Thunder to the NBA Championship after beating the Indiana Pacers in game seven of the play-off finals.

The Canadian, 26, scored 29 points and had 12 assists in their 103-91 success over the Indiana Pacers in Oklahoma to clinch the series 4-3 - the first time since 2016 that the finals had gone to a deciding seventh game.

He was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) to add to his NBA regular season MVP award and scoring title, just the fourth player and the first since Shaquille O'Neal to achieve the rare treble in one season.

It is the Thunder's first title since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City from Seattle in 2008 after Seattle won the 1979 crown.

The Pacers lost key player Tyrese Haliburton to a leg injury just seven minutes into the contest when he slipped and fell while driving towards the basket, but still held a narrow 48-47 lead at half-time.

However, the Thunder, who with an average age of 25.6 are the youngest side to win an NBA Finals title since the Portland Trail Blazers in 1977, out-scored them 34-20 in the third quarter and pushed the lead out to as many as 22 points (90-68) in the fourth.

"It doesn't feel real, so many hours, so many moments, so many emotions, so many nights of disbelief," said Gilgeous-Alexander.

"It's crazy to know that we're all here. But this group worked for it, this group put in the hours and we deserved this."

"Our togetherness on and off the court, like how much fun we have, it made it so much easier. It made it feel like we were just kids playing basketball. It was so fun.

"We have a lot to grow, individually and as a group. I'm excited for the future of this team. This is a great start. I'm really excited for this team."

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with the ball
Gilgeous-Alexander made his NBA debut with the LA Clippers in 2018 [Getty Images]

The Thunder completed a franchise record 68-win season, just four years after they recorded only 22 victories across a Covid-shortened 2020-21 campaign, their first under coach Mark Daigneault, who took over in November 2020.

"They behave like champions, they compete like champions," said the 40-year-old, who has overseen a dramatic change of fortunes which saw the Thunder break through last season with a play-off appearance.

"They root for each others' success, which is rare in professional sports. I've said it many times and I'll say it one more time - this is an uncommon team and now they're champions.

"The whole run I've tried to help the guys just be who we are, and all we needed is to be who we are."

Agony for Haliburton

Tyrese Haliburton screams out in pain after picking up an injury
Point guard Haliburton screamed in pain as he fell to the ground injured [Getty Images]

The exit of Haliburton, who had scored three three-pointers in the first five minutes of the game, was a cruel blow for the Pacers.

The 25-year-old point guard had suffered a right calf strain in Game 5 which he had been playing through, but he screamed with pain as he fell to the ground and had to be helped off court.

"What happened with Tyrese, all of our hearts dropped," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said, adding that Haliburton was in the locker room at half-time "and he was very much a part of a group that believed that they could do this".

Carlisle added: "He will be back. I don't have any medical information about what may or may not have happened. But he'll be back in time."

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Why Mason Lohrei's new contract with Bruins is a win for both sides

Why Mason Lohrei's new contract with Bruins is a win for both sides originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Bruins entered the 2025 NHL offseason with a bunch of restricted free agents, and one of them just signed a new contract.

The B’s announced Monday they have signed defenseman Mason Lohrei to a two-year contract that carries a $3.2 million salary cap hit.

This is a reasonable number for both the player and team.

Lohrei gets a nice raise from his entry-level contract ($925,000 cap hit) and a chance to prove himself over the next two years. If he becomes the top-four defenseman and offensive-driving player many people expect, he’ll have a chance to really cash in not too long from now. And in two years, the league’s salary cap should be significantly higher.

The Bruins also did well to sign a key young player at a low salary cap hit for two seasons. They now have more time before having to decide whether to commit to Lohrei long term.

Lohrei is one of Boston’s best draft-and-develop stories in recent years. They selected him in the second round (pick No. 58) in the 2020 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut in 2023-24, and his first full campaign was 2024-25. Lohrei tallied 33 points (five goals, 28 assists) in 77 games this past season, along with 19:31 of ice time per game.

Lohrei’s offensive instincts, playmaking ability, shot and hockey IQ are all impressive. He needs to improve defensively, but there’s a lot to like about his skill set.

Now that Lohrei is signed, the Bruins can turn their focus to some other RFAs, including forwards Morgan Geekie, John Beecher, Jakub Lauko and Marat Khusnutdinov, among others.

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Jofra Archer ends four-year wait for a red-ball wicket: county cricket, day two – as it happened

[Meanwhile, at Blackpool, Ben Compton goes to his century-warm applause round the ground as he raises his bat to all corner in a window of bright sunlight.]

The stream cameras are showing surround-sound clouds and the commentators report rising damp. Just what Durham’s were dreaming on. Here come the players and the first over goes to…. Ollie Robinson.

Continue reading...
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Thunder join Warriors in exclusive NBA company after Finals win over Pacers

Thunder join Warriors in exclusive NBA company after Finals win over Pacers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Oklahoma City Thunder did something only the Warriors and two other NBA teams have done before.

By winning Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday at Paycom Center, Oklahoma City notched its 84th win (playoffs and regular season combined) of the 2024-25 season, something only three other teams, including Golden State in 2016, have done.

However, the Thunder’s 84th win came with a championship, while the Warriors lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games nine years ago after winning 73 games during the regular season, the most in NBA history.

After that heartbreaking 2016 Finals loss, though, Golden State once again climbed the NBA mountaintop and won the championship again in 2017. And again in 2018. And again in 2022.

Maybe a similar dynastic run is in store for the Thunder?

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Flyers Scouting Top Russian Prospects Ahead of NHL Draft

Landing Matvei Michkov in 2023 was a major success for the Flyers, to say the least. (Photo: Christopher Hanewinc, Imagn Images)

With the 2025 NHL Draft now less than a week away, the Philadelphia Flyers are continuing their due diligence down at the Gold Star Hockey Development Camp in Florida, which runs until June 26.

As reported by Hockey News Hub, the Flyers, led by GM Danny Briere himself, are watching the camp, which is being held at the Florida Panthers' practice facility in Fort Lauderdale, keeping a close eye on some of the top attending Russian prospects.

Some names at the camp include top goalie prospect Semyon Frolov, defenseman Maxim Agafonov, and winger Alex Zharovsky.

Frolov is beginning to gain some steam as a potential first-round selection, rivaling top North American goalie Joshua Ravensbergen in that regard.

Both Frolov and Zharovsky, an uber-skilled inverted right winger with a prototypical 6-foot-1 frame, were on my list of Russian prospects who could complement star Flyers sophomore Matvei Michkov (and potentially Maxim Shabanov, too).

All 32 NHL teams are said to be taking in Gold Star's camp ahead of the draft, though other notable names in league with Briere include the Panthers' Roberto Luongo and Washington Capitals scout Maxim Mayorov.

This camp, led by former NHLer Sergei Samsonov (a former teammate of Brad Shaw's), will put the potential Flyers draft picks through some drills and skills training in front of the attending teams in addition to some gym work at BARWIS Sports Performance Academy.

Of note: agent Dan Milstein, the leader of the Gold Star Hockey operation, represents Flyers prospects Nikita Grebenkin and Aleksei Kolosov, as well as former Flyers forward Andrei Kuzmenko.

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Should The Canadiens Take A Run At Tavares?

Pierre LeBrun recently revealed that the Toronto Maple Leafs and the John Tavares family had contract extension talks, and that the parties are far apart. According to reports, the pending UFA received an offer for a three-year contract with a $4 million average annual value (AAV). The soon-to-be 35-year-old center just played the last year of the seven-year contract with an $11 million cap hit he signed as a free agent back in 2018, when his presence on the free agent market had caused quite a stir.

Back then, Tavares had refused to meet with the Montreal Canadiens to hear their offer, but things might just be different this time around. When the Leafs were eliminated, Tavares was very clear about his desire to come back to Toronto, but this new development might have soured his enthusiasm.

Canadiens: Hughes Is Considering Every Possibility
Pronman Ignored Canadiens’ Demidov?
Former Member Of Canadiens’ Organization Wins Third Stanley Cup

On Sunday, we discussed the fact that the Canadiens were one of the interested teams in signing free agent Jonathan Toews. Still, they ultimately lost that battle, as the former Chicago Blackhawks captain opted for the Winnipeg Jets instead. If talks break down between Tavares and Toronto, he could be an interesting option to explore for the Canadiens.

He’s two years younger than Toews and just came off a 74-point season. Just like Toews, he was also a captain, although he was stripped of the captaincy in Toronto to give it to Auston Matthews. That was in no way an indictment of his leadership skills, but rather a way to place the team squarely in the franchise’s cornerstone’s hands. Of course, he doesn't have the same winning track record as Toews does however. 

The question is, however, what kind of cap hit would Tavares be after, and would he be willing to play for the Leafs’ oldest rivals, the Canadiens? We’ve seen Josh George block a trade from the Canadiens to the Leafs because he was too used to hating the Ontario outfit.

Like Toews would have been, Tavares would be nothing more than a temporary fix to the Canadiens’ center woes, but he would be an excellent placeholder until Michael Hage has had the time to develop and turn pro. In his last four seasons, the Mississauga, Ontario native posted 76, 80, 65, and 74 points, and it’s not hard to imagine him clicking with Ivan Demidov in Montreal.

One can also wonder if the veteran might decide to head south of the border after the salary dispute he had with the Canadian Tax Authorities. However, the case has recently been adjourned. When that happens, such cases often remain dormant. Still, it could have soured Tavares on the already higher taxes in Canada.

Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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Tyrese Haliburton sustained torn Achilles in Pacers' Game 7 loss: Report

Tyrese Haliburton sustained torn Achilles in Pacers' Game 7 loss: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Indiana Pacers’ worst fears were realized a day after they lost out on an NBA championship.

Star guard Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn right Achilles tendon in the Pacers’ Game 7 defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder Sunday night, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported.

Haliburton had suffered a calf injury in Game 5 of the NBA Finals but played in the Pacers’ Game 6 win in Indiana on Thursday. He opened Game 7 with nine points on three 3-pointers in the first seven minutes before falling to the floor with a leg injury. He was helped off the court and later ruled out for the rest of the decisive Game 7, which the Thunder went on to win 103-91.

The Pacers initially ruled it a “right lower leg injury,” but the diagnosis of a torn Achilles was the expected result.

Haliburton is one of several NBA stars to suffer a torn Achilles in the 2025 playoffs. Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum sustained one in the second round against the New York Knicks, while Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard sustained one in the first round against the Pacers.

It can take more than a full year for a player to recover from a torn Achilles, putting Haliburton’s status for the 2025-26 season in jeopardy.

Haliburton’s injury drew immediate comparisons to Kevin Durant, who tore his Achilles in the 2019 NBA Finals with the Golden State Warriors after dealing with a calf injury of his own. Durant missed the entire 2019-20 NBA season and returned to the floor to start the 2020-21 campaign with the Brooklyn Nets, ultimately waiting 18 months between games.

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Giants notes: Why Kyle Harrison, Jordan Hicks weren't with Red Sox this weekend

Giants notes: Why Kyle Harrison, Jordan Hicks weren't with Red Sox this weekend originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO — The Red Sox expect Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks to help them this season, but when they spent a weekend at Oracle Park, the only former Giant who could impact the three-game series was the man who will coach both men. Former Giants pitching coach Andrew Bailey now holds the same position in Boston. 

Harrison was optioned to Triple-A after the Rafael Devers trade was made, and Hicks was on the IL at the time. That’s still the case for the right-hander, who went down with toe inflammation on June 3. Hicks made a rehab appearance in Triple-A on Sunday and could be activated when the Red Sox return to Fenway Park this weekend. 

Hicks signed with the Giants to be a starter and still would like to have that role in the big leagues. But manager Alex Cora said the Red Sox plan to use him as a reliever.

“It’s another good arm that we’re going to have in the bullpen,” he said. “The bullpen the last month and a half has been amazing, and I think he’s going to fit right in and he’s going to help us win ball games.”

When Hicks is activated, the Red Sox will have the hardest-throwing bullpen duo in MLB history. In the pitch-tracking era, Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman and Hicks rank one-two in pitches thrown at least 103 mph. Chapman has hit triple-digits 109 times this year, while Hicks did it 28 times before getting hurt. 

Harrison was regularly back up to 96-97 mph before the trade, but he hasn’t pitched for the Red Sox organization yet. He threw a bullpen session in Worcester, Mass. on Wednesday to work on some tweaks the Red Sox would like to see. Harrison has been working on a sinker and cutter to complement his four-seamer and tested them out in a live BP session Saturday that was watched by head of baseball operations Craig Breslow. The expectation is that Harrison will join the big-league club at some point next month.

“We expect big things out of him, just like (the Giants) did,” Cora said. “It’s a special fastball. We saw it last year at one point. We’re excited about that.” 

Proud Papa

Justin Verlander went on paternity leave Friday so he could fly back to Florida and join wife Kate Upton for the birth of their second child, a son named Bellamy Brooks Verlander. Manager Bob Melvin said Verlander will be back in time to start Tuesday against the Miami Marlins.

Verlander came off the IL last Wednesday and gave up four runs — three earned — in 4 2/3 innings, and he said afterward that he was frustrated with his inconsistency in that outing. The active wins leader still is looking for his first with the Giants, and they’ll need him to find his form. They’ve lost some rotation depth over the past week.

It’s Going To Take Time

Now that Boston reporters are gone and Rafael Devers is through a full week with the Giants, Melvin probably won’t have to answer the “when will Devers play first” question every day. That’s good, because it’s going to be a while. 

Devers has been nursing minor groin tightness, something he was playing through before the trade. The Giants don’t want to push him too hard defensively until he’s fully healthy, because the bat is too important to their hopes. 

“Stretching over at first is maybe not the most comfortable thing for him,” Melvin said. “Obviously we want to keep him healthy, too, while learning the position.”

The groin issue doesn’t seem to be bothering Devers at all. He scored from first on Heliot Ramos’ double Sunday and recorded a sprint speed of 27.7 feet per second, which is considered slightly above average. 

Not Even Close

Devers is the only Giant who is anywhere near the top of his position in All-Star voting, but he’s also about 1.4 million votes behind Shohei Ohtani at DH, even with the carryover from his time on the American League ballot. The only other Giants to make the top 10 at their position are Matt Chapman (eighth) and Wilmer Flores (ninth at first base). It’s particularly grim in the outfield, where Heliot Ramos, an All-Star last year, ranks 19th among outfielders, four spots behind Michael Conforto, who is hitting .165 for the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

Finalists will be announced on Thursday, with Phase 2 of voting beginning next week. The All-Star starters will be announced on July 2 and the full rosters will be revealed July 6. 

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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From Haliburton's injury to KD trade, how NBA's wild Sunday impacts Celtics

From Haliburton's injury to KD trade, how NBA's wild Sunday impacts Celtics originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics’ 370-day reign as NBA champions ended Sunday. But even before the Oklahoma City Thunder outlasted the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the 2025 Finals, the NBA delivered an absolutely head-spinning final day that will have lasting repercussions on the league as a whole.

The Houston Rockets acquired Kevin Durant in hopes of chasing the new champs. The Pacers lost Tyrese Hailburton to an Achilles injury that potentially could sideline him for the entirety of the 2025-26 season.

How did the NBA’s wild day impact the Celtics? Let’s digest it all:

East feels even more wide open

You can’t help but feel for the Pacers. Not only did they endure a stomach punch of a Game 7 loss to the Thunder — a close game that got ripped open in the second half as Indy struggled with ball security in Haliburton’s absence — but the injury to their star guard now complicates their path to getting back to the championship stage.

In the span of less than two months, Haliburton, Jayson Tatum, and Damian Lillard all suffered Achilles injuries. The Pacers, Bucks, and Celtics have represented the Eastern Conference in four of the last five NBA Finals. If the conference felt wide open before Game 7, it feels especially outstretched as we wait for the league calendar to officially flip.

Every single playoff qualifier in the East last season should feel like it can win the conference next season. Some of that confidence will hinge on how rosters shake out this summer, but even the trio of teams that lost their stars to Achilles injuries can still compete given the state of the conference.

The Magic already loaded up with the addition of Desmond Bane. The Pistons still have room for a big swing. The Cavaliers are smarting from an early exit after dominating the conference. The Knicks still need a coach but are coming off the deep trek to the East Finals.

The East could be a lot of fun next season despite some star absences.

Another shoe to drop in Durant trade?

The Rockets acquired 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in this year’s NBA Draft, and five second-round picks.

On one hand, it’s a solid haul for a soon-to-be 37-year-old player who hasn’t been out of the second round of the playoffs since Golden State won back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019. But Houston maintained much of its core and is positioned to build off last year’s No. 2 finish in the West.

The big takeaways from a Celtics perspective: 

  1. Durant stayed out West, a relief in case a long-shot suitor like the Pistons or Raptors had emerged. 
  2. The Suns still must decide if Green is a part of their future, and there could be further wheeling and dealing as part of this swap that won’t be finalized until the new league year on July 6. The Celtics have motivation to try to offload money if they can wiggle into other teams’ dealings (though there are no obvious pathways in this current deal).

Chasing the Thunder

The Thunder are NBA champions. Massachusetts can take a small piece of the credit given all the local ties to the Thunder brain trust in general manager Sam Presti (Concord), assistant GM Rob Hennigan (Worcester), and head coach Mark Daigneault (Leominster). 

The bigger concern for the Celtics, and the rest of the NBA, is how OKC is set up for a sustained run as a title threat. As teams scramble to cut money and get their finances in order, the Thunder have the assets and financial flexibility to continue adding to their title squad. Or they can just ride it out with the current core, which should only get better with time. 

Of course, the last couple months have proven that injuries are the ultimate wild card to any NBA season. No year goes exactly to script. The Celtics were supposed to be on the title stage at the end of the 2024-25 season, but things changed in a hurry.

Still, as teams start building their rosters for the new season, all moves are pondered against the backdrop of how teams can compete with the Thunder moving forward.

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Sharks to host free 2025 NHL Draft viewing party at SAP Center on June 27

Sharks to host free 2025 NHL Draft viewing party at SAP Center on June 27 originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It’s almost that time, Sharks fans.

With San Jose set to make nine selections in the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft, Team Teal enthusiasts will have a chance to watch the Sharks make their two first-round picks, at Nos. 2 and 30, at SAP Center on Friday, June 27.

The team is hosting its third annual NHL draft viewing party at its home arena, providing Sharks fans and the community with a place to celebrate and watch the big night, free of charge. Event tickets are complimentary, and those who attend will be able to watch the draft’s first round on the SAP Center center-hung video board.

Here was the scene at last year’s draft viewing party after the Sharks selected Macklin Celebrini with the No. 1 overall pick.

The event will be hosted by Sharks in-arena personalities Emily Harlan and Danny Miller. Fans also will be able to take part in a meet and greet with NBC Sports California’s Alan Hoshida, host of Sharks Pre and Postgame Live, with a photo op at the news desk for the show. Other festivities at the draft viewing party include:

  • Games and family activities including face painting, a create-your-own-jersey rally towel station and a surf experience on the SAP Center Arena floor.
  • A Fan Cheer booth on the concourse with San Jose Barracuda in-arena host Aaron Fonseca.
  • Food and drink at concession stands located throughout the SAP Center concourse for a fee.
  • Fan photo opportunities with the Sharks Zambonis and the Shark Head.
  • Music from DJ Mario E.
  • Sharks mascot S. J. Sharkie and Frenzy from the San Jose Barracuda.
  • Members of the Coca Cola Tank Patrol, the Sharks in-game entertainment and promotions team.
  • Tabling activations will be hosted by the Sharks Foundation, San Jose Barracuda, Sharks Ice at San Jose, Coca-Cola, Mike Counsil Plumbing and TechCU.

Sharks alumni players, including Scott Hannan, Dan Boyle, and Tom Pederson, are expected at the event, and the Sharks Audio Network will stream audio live from SAP Center starting at 3:30 p.m. PT throughout SAP Center for fans to enjoy.

Doors for the viewing party will open at 3 p.m. PT for Sharks365 members and 3:15 p.m. for the general public. Fans who would like to attend the draft viewing party must claim their free tickets by clicking HERE. Close to 10,000 tickets already have been issued, per the Sharks, with a limited number of tickets remaining. Last year, more than 8,000 fans attended the Sharks draft viewing party.

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