Posts

Posted on

Trae Young to sign four-year extension to remain with Wizards

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 14: Trae Young #3 of the Washington Wizards looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics on March 14, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Washington Wizards guard Trae Young intends to sign a maximum contract extension to remain in the nation’s capital, ESPN’s Shams Charania reportedMonday.

The reported four-year, $212 million max contract comes days after Young declined his $48.97 million player option for the 2026-27 season.

Young’s cap hit will rise by roughly 5% in each season of his four-year, $212M contract extension with the Wizards, sources tell Bullets Forever. The contract culminates with a player option in Year 4.

ESPN reported that Young’s contract was “equal to the max he could’ve signed elsewhere,” which signals Young had a solid free agent market that forced Washington’s front office to offer more money than some originally expected.

Young’s market changed following the league’s updated lottery rules, which brought other teams into the mix. The Wizards signed Young at a comparative league value, giving him the maximum amount opposing teams could’ve offered in free agency.

Washington could’ve offered Young an additional $75 million but signed him for one less year and significantly less money.

Young, 27, was acquired by Washington in a January trade that sent CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert to the Atlanta Hawks. The nine-year veteran averaged 15.2 points and 6.2 assists while shooting 59.5% from the field across five appearances with the Wizards last season.

Young missed 67 games due to several injuries, most notably a quad contusion and an MCL sprain that forced him to miss nearly two months following the trade. Back irritation and another quad contusion caused Young to miss the team’s final 15 contests.

The Oklahoma product was selected with the No. 5 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft and led the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021. His best season came in 2021-22 when he averaged 28.4 points and 9.7 assists en route to All-NBA Third Team honors.

Michael Winger revealed on the Ryen Russillo Show that Washington’s front office ranked Young as the top 2026 free agent. Rather than wait for Young to decline his player option and test free agency, the Wizards used their abundance of cap space to acquire him via trade.

Wizards general manager Will Dawkins applauded Young’s court vision and said the organization acquired him to serve as the team’s floor general. With an extension inked, Young’s role is now official as the team’s PG of the future.

“You just see the playmaking, the scoring, the presence that he has for naturally moving and sharing the ball,” Dawkins said in March.

The four-time All-Star guard has averaged at least 25 points and nine assists per game five times in his career. There have only been 16 such seasons in NBA history.

Young led the league in assists three times and is the league’s current active leader in assists per game. He ranks third all time in that category behind Magic Johnson and John Stockton.

Dawkins also praised Young’s desire to be in Washington — a feeling Young shared during a recent appearance on “The Pivot” podcast.

“I wanted to go [to Washington],” Young said. “It’s not like [Atlanta] just shipped me to Washington. Because that wasn’t the case.”

Young projects as Washington’s starting point guard alongside Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr. That leaves openings in the team’s starting unit for two of the following players: Kyshawn George, Bilal Coulibaly, Tre Johnson and whoever Washington selects with the No. 1 pick.

No matter the starting lineup, Young believes the Wizards are ready to ascend behind their young core and group of veterans poised for a better season.

“I know our team is gonna be ready,” Young said on The Pivot. “We have young guys who have been through the rebuilding stage. They went through a lot of losing the last few years, and they’re tired of losing. I want to be there with them when we’re winning.”

Posted on

Oilers re-sign defenseman Connor Murphy to a 5-year, $20.5 million contract

The Edmonton Oilers re-signed defenseman Connor Murphy to a five-year contract worth $20.5 million on Monday.

The team announced the deal roughly 24 hours after extending center Jason Dickinson for the next five seasons at $20 million. Murphy and Dickinson joined Edmonton in separate deals from Chicago as pending unrestricted free agents ahead of the trade deadline in early March.

Murphy, like Dickinson, improved the Oilers’ ability to keep the puck out of their own net. Their goals-against average was 3.34 in the 62 games before acquiring them and dropped to 2.90 in the final 20 games of the regular season with them.

That number shot up to 4.33 in a first-round loss to Anaheim, though that also included goaltenders Tristan Jarry and Connor Ingram combining for a playoff-worst .866 save percentage.

General manager Stan Bowman could address the goaltending situation via trade or free agency, and he and the front office need to hire a coach after firing Kris Knoblauch, who led consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup in 2024 and ’25.

Re-signing Murphy, 33, is part of the organization’s commitment to being better defensively in an effort to finally get Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl their first championship after more than a decade in the NHL together. Murphy has skated in 840 games in the league with the Coyotes, Blackhawks and Oilers.

Posted on

White Sox activate C Kyle Teel from IL and send C Edgar Quero to Triple-A Charlotte

CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox activated Kyle Teel from the 60-day injured list on Monday and optioned fellow catcher Edgar Quero to Triple-A Charlotte.

Teel is expected to make his season debut in the opener of a three-game series against AL Central-leading Cleveland.

The 24-year-old Teel strained his right hamstring while playing for Italy in the World Baseball Classic. Then he hurt his right knee while playing for Charlotte on a rehab assignment.

Teel, a first-round pick in the 2023 amateur draft, was acquired by Chicago in the Garrett Crochet trade in December 2024. He hit .273 with eight homers and 35 RBIs in 78 games last year in his first action with the White Sox.

Teel spent four games with the Knights on his second rehab stint, going 8 for 16 with a homer and four RBIs.

The White Sox are back at home after going 1-5 on a six-game trip. They were one game back of the Guardians going into the series.

Quero has struggled at the plate in his second major league season, batting just .187 with two homers and 15 RBIs in 55 games. He was acquired in a July 2023 trade with the Los Angeles Angels.

Posted on

Panthers Protecting Top-10 Pick In 2026 From Blackhawks Changed NHL Landscape

During the 2025-26 season, it was revealed that the 2026 first-round pick that the Chicago Blackhawks received from the Florida Panthers in the Seth Jones trade was top-10 protected. It was initially believed not to be, but it was sorted out during the year. 

The reason that it was even a conversation was because of the fact that Florida was in the midst of a tough year, despite being the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions. Injuries to consequential players really brought them down, and that pick ended up being 9th overall. 

The first-round pick became a 2027 selection for Chicago when the 2026 pick became unavailable to them. That also pushed back a first-round pick that Florida promised to the Boston Bruins in the Brad Marchand trade back one year. 

On Sunday night, a trade was announced that shocked the NHL world. Florida acquired Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for draft picks. One of those was the top-10 protected pick that was going to go to the Blackhawks. 

Kyle Davidson allowing that pick to be protected changed the landscape of the entire league. Brady will join his brother, Matthew Tkachuk, and a healthy Florida Panthers team ready to make another Stanley Cup run, and having the 9th overall pick played a big role in that deal getting done. 

Did anyone think the Panthers would be in line for a top-ten pick when they acquired Seth Jones ahead of their second straight Cup run? No, they didn’t. That’s even more of a reason, however, to make sure that the pick isn’t protected just in case. Now, Florida has eyes on its third Cup in four years.

Next year, the pick is unprotected, but it is even less likely now that it will be a pick in the top third of the 2027 NHL Draft.

Multiple teams have and will be affected by this choice as the years go on. Not only are all the teams mentioned above going to be impacted, but anyone Florida plays and beats in the playoffs as a result of adding Brady to their lineup will be impacted.

There is also a chance that Ottawa flips some of those draft picks for help to replace Brady. They have come too far in their rebuild to let one trade request set the clock extremely far back. 

Not that it was ever likely, but Brady Tkachuk would have been an incredible addition for the Blackhawks due to his age, position, pedigree, and style of play, but it won't happen now. Instead, management led by Kyle Davidson must figure out their own play to add a star forward to pair with Connor Bedard on the top line. 

Image

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay up to date on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting on the article below on THN.com or by creating your own post in our community forum.

Posted on

The optics of the Dusty May hire

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - APRIL 11: Head Basketball Coach Dusty May of the Michigan Wolverines speaks on stage during the Michigan Men's Basketball National Championship celebration at Crisler Arena on April 11, 2026 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks have officially hired Dusty May out of the college ranks to guide the team and young star Cooper Flagg into the future. Merely two-and-half months after leading Michigan to the National Championship, May departs Ann Arbor to continue his meteoric rise through the basketball world.

Tyler Edsel has a must-read piece that will tell you all you need to know (and then some) about the Mavs’ new head coach. The tangibles and pedigree are objectively digestible. May is a winner who catapulted Florida Atlantic to heights previously unseen, then helped Michigan cut down the nets for the first time in over 30 years. There are, of course, some fears that go along with a college coach jumping to the NBA, as David Trink articulates by way of the historical track record of such occurrences.

Simply put, May is an unknown quantity in the NBA, despite his impressive track record. Despite that, I would strongly contend that it doesn’t matter. Putting aside the successes of his past and any speculation as to how his future in the NBA will play out, there is an entirely different perspective I can’t help but think about – this is a massive win for the Dallas Mavericks no matter what.

The Mavericks continue to announce their new world order

Weeks ago it was reported that Dallas touched base with both May and Duke’s Jon Scheyer, with both being deemed longshots. From there, news broke about a variety of NBA assistants that were in the running and it appeared likely that would be the direction the Mavs took. Dallas would not be getting a big name ready to make the jump. Then, out of nowhere, May was hired.

This is a massive get for the Mavericks and it comes at a perfect time. Virtually no one expected May to make a move to the NBA. He had it made for at least a few more seasons in Michigan after coming off the National Championship. Dallas’ pursuit of him (and Scheyer) were reported and then almost simultaneously dismissed as a pipe dream. Actually landing May is a statement by the organization.

Masai Ujiri was a breath of fresh air – a first step toward the Mavericks having a professional basketball front office for the first time in years. The immediate follow up was expected to be the always-controversial results of the Draft. No matter the selection, there would be both supporters and detractors. However, Dallas swerved everyone with what I personally view as an indisputable win as the follow-up to the hirings of Ujiri and GM Mike Schmitz. Dallas got their guy despite him being such a longshot, and as intangible as “the get” is, it comes with juice that indicates the new regime in Dallas can make waves. Yes, the production needs to be there on the court, but May has plenty of time to find success as the Mavs rebuild around Flagg. For now, Dallas’ newly minted front office getting “their guy,” who just so happens to be the biggest coaching name in basketball outside the NBA (until a few hours ago), is a huge win for the Mavs. If nothing else, it puts the Mavs in a favorable spotlight and continues to scrub the stain of the past regime as the Mavs further build good will with the fan base. If May’s talents translate to the NBA level (which personally, I feel they will), this hiring could be paying dividends for years to come.

I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.

Posted on

Monday Morning Minnesota: The “In Buck We Trust” Edition

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 20: Byron Buxton #25 of the Minnesota Twins reacts after hitting a grand slam homerun during the fifth inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on June 20, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jeremy Chen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Summer has officially started, and the Twins are feeling hot, with a 5-1 record last week! A sweep against the Rangers and a 2-1 series win over the Diamondbacks that was filled with homers and runs galore put the team at 38-41, only 3.5 games out of the AL Central lead behind two teams in Cleveland and Chicago that have dealt with significant injuries as of recent. Byron Buxton earned AL Player of the Week honors to start the week and added a couple more homers, including a grand slam against Arizona. He also reiterated his commitment to the team, telling Dan Hayes at The Athletic, “I don’t give a f—“ about trade rumors. Buxton currently sits second in the AL in homers, 6th in wRC+, and is a Gold-Glove caliber center fielder – sounds like a potential MVP candidate to me!

The Past Week on Twinkie Town:

  • Check out The Feed, where you can add your discussions about the Twins!
  • We’re starting a new segment called Daily Questions! Provide your opinion on the Twins and debate with the community!
  • Game threads and recaps are back! Commiserate with your fellow fans as we experience the season together.
  • Zach Koenig takes time to thank Byron Buxton for all his accomplishments over the last couple of years.
  • Aidan Thomas reviews the state of the catcher position in the Twins farm system.
  • With new faces showing up on the major league roster every day, Matt Monitto lists the remaining jersey numbers that have yet to be claimed in Twins history.

Elsewhere in Twins Territory:

  • Aaron Gleeman at AaronGleeman.com looks at the reliever that might be putting an end to the revolving door at closer.
  • Eleanor Hildebrandt at the Star Tribune provides context on why customer service at Target Field for today’s game might be a bit different, with concession stand workers going on strike.
  • Theo Tollefson at Zone Coverage checks in on outfield Alan Roden and how he’s playing now that he’s back from injury.
  • Betsy Helfand at the Pioneer Press looks at how Mick Abel’s setback impacts the Twins’ plan for the rotation.

In the World of Baseball:

  • The Yankees have maintained their lead atop the American League, with a two-game cushion over the Tampa Bay Rays. The Guardians and White Sox are separated by a game in the AL Central lead, while the Mariners continue to hold the top spot in the West. The Blue Jays now occupy the third wild-card slot.
  • The Dodgers, who are coming to town to face the Twins, are now tied with Atlanta for the NL Central lead. Milwaukee is 1.5 games behind, and the Cardinals, Phillies, and now Cubs have the three wild-card spots.
  • With all the recent Tarik Skubal trade rumors, Mike Petriello at MLB.com explains the simple reason why Skubal might remain in Detroit.
  • The MLB owners provided their latest proposal in the CBA battle, this time with a shocker of overhauling the draft process, most notably, making high-schoolers ineligible for the draft and implementing an international draft. Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan at ESPN have a deeper dive into the offer.
  • Dan Szymborski at Fangraphs looks at the financial impacts on players with the newest owners’ proposal.

Posted on

Lakers linked to Thunder guard Lu Dort as trade rumors heat up

Basketball players Aleksej Pokusevski of the Lakers and Lu Dort of the Thunder in action on the court.
The Lakers reportedly contacted the Thunder about Lu Dort as Oklahoma City weighs tough roster decisions before the NBA Draft.

The Los Angeles Lakers are scrambling for ways to improve a roster that was overwhelmed by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs, and one of the players who helped eliminate them may now be on their radar.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Lakers have reached out to Oklahoma City about the availability of veteran wing Lu Dort as they explore potential offseason upgrades.

The Lakers reportedly contacted the Thunder about Lu Dort as Oklahoma City weighs tough roster decisions before the NBA Draft. Getty Images

“I’m also told that the Lakers have called the Thunder about swingman Lu Dort’s availability,” Stein reported on his Substack.

The inquiry comes at a fascinating time for the reigning Western Conference powerhouse. Oklahoma City is facing a roster crunch with 15 players already under contract and two first-round picks in the upcoming draft. That situation has fueled speculation that the Thunder could consider moving Dort after exercising his $17.2 million team option.

Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs NBAE via Getty Images

The 27-year-old has long been viewed as one of the NBA’s premier perimeter defenders. He earned First Team All-Defense honors during Oklahoma City’s championship run in 2025 and has built a reputation as one of the league’s toughest assignments for opposing stars.

For a Lakers team that finished near the bottom half of the league defensively and struggled to contain Oklahoma City’s athletic wings during the postseason, Dort’s skill set is an obvious fit.

The challenge, however, is convincing the Thunder to move him.

While Dort’s offensive production dipped last season to 8.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, his defensive value remains significant. Oklahoma City still views him as a key contributor, and any trade would likely require meaningful assets from a Lakers team that is already limited in draft capital.

Luka Doncic #77 listens to LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers Getty Images

There are also questions about whether Dort’s offense would complement a roster built around Luka Dončić. After shooting better than 41 percent from three during Oklahoma City’s title season, Dort’s efficiency slipped considerably in 2025-26, raising concerns about spacing alongside the Lakers’ stars.

Still, the reported interest reveals Los Angeles’ priorities this offseason. The Lakers are expected to pursue defensive-minded wings and frontcourt help, with veteran centers Walker Kessler, Mitchell Robinson and Robert Williams III also reportedly on their radar.

Whether a deal ultimately materializes remains uncertain, but the Lakers have clearly identified the type of player that is on their radar.

Posted on

MLB Predictions and Moneyline Picks for Monday, June 22

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

With 13 games on the slate, there are a plethora of betting angles to attack. However, we've decided to deliver a moneyline pick for every matchup.

Find out what games you should add to your MLB picks for June 22.

MLB moneyline picks for June 22

MatchupPick
YankeesYankees
vs
TigersTigers		Yankees
-122
RoyalsRoyals
vs
RaysRays		Rays
-178
RangersRangers
vs
MarlinsMarlins		Marlins
-117
PhilliesPhillies
vs
NationalsNationals		Nationals
-111
AstrosAstros
vs
Blue JaysBlue Jays		Astros
+113
CubsCubs
vs
MetsMets		Cubs
-113
BrewersBrewers
vs
RedsReds		Brewers
-142
GuardiansGuardians
vs
White SoxWhite Sox		Guardians
-104
DodgersDodgers
vs
TwinsTwins		Dodgers
-148
DiamondbacksDiamondbacks
vs
CardinalsCardinals		Cardinals
-142
Red SoxRed Sox
vs
RockiesRockies		Rockies
+115
OriolesOrioles
vs
AngelsAngels		Orioles
-150
BravesBraves
vs
PadresPadres		Braves
+100

Prices courtesy of Polymarket as of 6-22.

Trade on the MLB at Polymarket!

Sign up now using our exclusive Polymarket promo code 'COVERS' (on your mobile app only) and get a $50 trading bonus after you deposit $50 to trade on any other event contracts — including MLB moneylines!

Sign Up Now at img src="https://img.covers.com/editorial/2026/polymarketlogo.png" alt="Polymarket" width="100" height="28" style="vertical-align: middle;"

*Eligible locations only

Expert MLB moneyline picks for June 22

Yankees vs Tigers: Yankees (-122)

Yankees win probability: 55%

I am not fading the Gerrit Cole train against this inconsistent Detroit Tigers lineup. While the offense has shown some life over the last few games, the New York Yankees have been rolling as well.

Tigers southpaw Framber Valdez has a sub-5.00 ERA at home this season, but he now draws a Yanks lineup filled with lefties who can handle left-handed pitching. I trust Cole & Co. offense to jump on Valdez early and build some insurance runs.

Royals vs Rays: Rays (-178)

Rays win probability: 64%

I do not care if this is the game in which the Kansas City Royals break out. This team has been a disappointment, and I have very little confidence in them right now.

Drew Rasmussen has been excellent, posting a 1.69 ERA, 0.69 WHIP, and a 2.44% barrel rate over his last five outings. The Tampa Bay Rays should be in a strong position to carve up Michael Wacha, who has a 5.58 ERA over his last five starts.

Rangers vs Marlins: Marlins (-117)

Marlins win probability: 54%

I have an MLB player prop from this game, but let’s cut to the chase: With Kumar Rocker on the mound for the Texas Rangers, I automatically lean toward the Marlins.

Over his last five starts, he is allowing 45% hard contact with a 5.25 ERA. Tyler Phillips has not been much better, but I trust the young Fish more in this spot at home.

Phillies vs Nationals: Nationals (-111)

Nationals win probability: 52%

I am not eager to fade the Philadelphia Phillies coming off a strong series against the Mets, especially with a potential Sunday Night hangover in play.

If the Washington Nationals can execute their game plan, they have a chance to get out to an early lead against Alan Rangel, while Foster Griffin works to keep things steady on the mound.

This sets up as a strong spot for one of baseball's more exciting offenses to get rolling. Washington’s right-hander has posted a 1.93 ERA over his last five outings, and it will be interesting to see if he can keep that form going in this matchup.

Astros vs Blue Jays: Astros (+113)

Astros win probability: 47%

Despite Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Dylan Cease being dominant this season, I think fading this Houston Astros lineup isn't a risk worth taking, given how well they have been seeing the ball over their last few games.

I am not overly concerned about Hunter Brown’s return turning into a disaster here, especially with Yordan Alvarez leading the way with an elite rating today. If he gets going, the rest of the offense tends to follow.

Cubs vs Mets: Cubs (-113)

Cubs win probability: 53%

The New York Mets return home after a Sunday Night Baseball loss, while the Chicago Cubs arrive with a full day of rest and momentum at the plate. 

Chicago’s offense has been clicking lately and will look to apply early pressure against Kodai Senga. Even with some uncertainty in the Cubs’ bullpen, the edge here is with their offense in this spot.

Brewers vs Reds: Brewers (-142)

Brewers win probability: 59%

The Milwaukee Brewers are in a strong spot in Cincinnati against Brady Singer, who enters with poor matchup grades in both wOBA and ISO.

Milwaukee’s lineup grades out elite on Batters-Box with five elite-rated bats and one strong hitter, giving them a clear edge at the plate. Singer has struggled at home this season, posting a 5.61 xERA and 5.33 xFIP while allowing 42.2% hard contact and a 14.1% barrel rate.

Milwaukee counters with Brandon Woodruff, who has been excellent on the road with a 2.84 ERA and 1.03 WHIP, limiting damage consistently with minimal hard contact. Despite the juice, Milwaukee looks like the side in a small park matchup.

Guardians vs White Sox: Guardians (-104)

Guardians win probability: 51%

The Chicago White Sox return home after cooling off from wins over the Dodgers and Braves, but Anthony Kay on the mound does not inspire much confidence.

The Cleveland Guardians counter with Gavin Williams, who has been steady of late. This matchup leans toward Cleveland behind the stronger pitching performance.

Dodgers vs Twins: Dodgers (-148)

Dodgers win probability: 59%

The Los Angeles Dodgers face Minnesota Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews, who has struggled badly against lefties with a 9.00 ERA, 7.01 xERA, and heavy hard contact allowed.

Los Angeles brings six elite-rated left-handed bats into a prime matchup. Even with Eric Lauer on the mound, this sets up as a strong Dodgers offensive spot.

Diamondbacks vs Cardinals: Cardinals (-142)

Cardinals win probability: 57%

The St. Louis Cardinals are in a strong spot at home against Merrill Kelly, who has struggled badly against lefties, allowing heavy hard contact, barrels, and elevated damage recently.

St. Louis brings an elite-rated lineup into a favorable matchup, while Andre Pallante has been steady at home. This sets up well for the Cardinals.

Red Sox vs Rockies: Rockies (+115)

Rockies win probability: 46%

I may have some Colorado Rockies bias in my blood, I will admit it. I just think this offense is scrappy, annoying in the best way, and always feels like they are in every game, no matter the score.

Right now, they have been seeing the ball really well over their last 30 at-bats vs. right-handed pitching. Five hitters are batting over .300, six have an OPS above .783, and six also carry an OBP above .333.

The Red Sox have been better lately, but I trust Colorado’s offense to be more consistent in this spot.

Orioles vs Angels: Orioles (-150) 

Orioles win probability: 60%

According to Batters-Box, the Orioles enter today with seven hitters carrying at least a strong rating against Angels left-hander Sam Aldegheri, who has been better at home this season.

However, over his last three outings, he owns a 7.00 ERA, 1.78 WHIP, a 14% walk rate, and a 14% strikeout rate. With a nearly fully elite-rated offense in this spot, it is hard to overlook the data.

Braves vs Padres: Braves (+100)

Braves win probability: 50%

What a game this should be, with both offenses running cold and both pitchers coming off some rough recent outings. I am typically anti-Padres due to their inconsistency at the plate, so I lean toward the more complete offense in this spot.

Despite their recent struggles, I still think the Atlanta Braves are the better team here.

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.

Posted on

Michigan, keep Josh Schertz on speed dial in case interim trial run fails

Michigan chose continuity. It also faced reality. Hiring a college basketball coach in late June is not ideal timing.

The Wolverines, according to multiple reports, will promote Mike Boynton Jr. to interim coach to succeed Dusty May, who’s leaving for the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks.

The key word in that sentence? “Interim.”

That suggests this is a trial run — as it should be.

What's next? Michigan has interim fix to Dusty May exit. But who could be long-term answer?

If Boynton can keep Michigan’s roster together, the Wolverines possess enough talent after signing an elite recruiting class to pursue another deep NCAA Tournament run. Achieve that, and Boynton can shed the interim label.

But, this job is too good for Michigan to commit to Boynton being anything more than a one-year experiment.

Never mind Michigan isn’t a blue blood, it boasts top-tier resources, and money matters more than ever in the buy-a-player landscape. If Boynton wobbles as interim, Michigan should open the job next spring to a full search that ought to attract top candidates.

Keep Saint Louis coach Josh Schertz on speed dial. Schertz would have been a natural heir to May if the job had opened two months ago.

The good news for Michigan? Schertz isn’t going anywhere between now and March. Schertz passed on Syracuse and NC State to stay at SLU — perhaps, because he figured something better would open if he showed patience.

Well, Michigan would fit the bill as something better.

Schertz and May are good pals, too. Before SLU faced May’s Wolverines in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Schertz spoke of his yearslong friendship with May, calling him “an incredible resource.”

“We’re always picking each other’s brain,” Schertz said then.

Josh Schertz would fit Michigan's past playbook of hiring Dusty May

May climbed the ladder from video coordinator to becoming best coach in college basketball. Schertz also knows how to grind. He spent more than a decade coaching in Division II before Indiana State smartly hired him.

Schertz would’ve been an appropriate and qualified successor to his friend. He’s more accomplished than Boynton, who proved a valuable assistant to May, but who made just one NCAA Tournament appearance in seven seasons coaching Oklahoma State, a tenure that quickly got sideways as the FBI investigated assistant coach Lamont Evans for taking bribes.

Schertz’s resume, by comparison, includes multiple D-II Final Fours, an NIT runner-up finish at Indiana State after the NCAA selection committee snubbed the Sycamores, and winning an NCAA Tournament game in his second season at SLU, while setting a school record for wins.

If Schertz outperforms Boynton this season, make the switch.

No need for Michigan to reinvent the hiring wheel. Hiring Schertz next spring would amount to dusting off the “Hire Dusty” playbook by targeting a coach who's proven himself in the NCAA Tournament, but who hasn't peaked yet. May took Florida Atlantic to the NCAA Tournament in consecutive seasons and reached a Final Four before Michigan plundered him. He needed just two seasons to take Michigan to the pinnacle.

Don't get distracted by Billy Donovan

Let Kentucky pine over Billy Donovan. Donovan’s past performance at Florida indicates potential for a high ceiling, but he last coached in college more than a decade ago. His inexperience within the landscape of NIL and transfer free agency would make him a riskier hire than you’d expect for someone with his resume.

Instead of Donovan, Michigan could target a savvy coach on the rise who’s won big without Michigan’s resources — someone like Schertz.

Schertz's brand of up-tempo, unselfish offense that tilts toward the 3-pointer suits the modern game.

“When you look at a lot of our metrics and analytics, we mirror each other (in style),” May said last season, while comparing his Wolverines to Schertz’s Billikens.

Put Michigan’s checkbook in Schertz’s hand, and see if he could replicate his friend’s success.

Mike Boynton is a low-risk trial move

Making Boynton the interim for this season amounts to a low-risk option. If he crushes it, keep him. If not, you’ve burned just one season, and Michigan would be positioned to pursue top candidates at a better stage in the calendar.

While I’d put Schertz near the top of the watch list, the list also should include names like Mark Byington (Vanderbilt), Ben McCollum (Iowa), T.J. Otzelberger (Iowa State) and Grant McCasland (Texas Tech). Like Schertz, they're in-their-prime coaches in their mid to late 40s or early 50s.

If this job had opened in April, I’d have hired any of those guys ahead of Boynton, but the job opened in late June.

That’s a recipe for an in-house interim coach — with a head coach watch list stashed away in Michigan’s top drawer.

Blake Toppmeyer is a columnist for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Josh Schertz makes sense at Michigan if Mike Boynton fizzles

Posted on

On this date in Penguins history: 2012 NHL Draft held in Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 22: A general view Consol Energy Center during Round One of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft on June 22, 2012 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

It was an electric night in Pittsburgh 14 years ago as the Penguins played host to the 2012 NHL Draft, which was held at PPG Paints Arena.

Then known as the Consol Energy Center, the arena was only a couple of years old and Pittsburgh had landed the NHL Draft for the first time since 1997, when it was held at the Civic Arena.

Heading into the 2012 NHL Draft, the Penguins had just flamed out of the playoffs in dramatic fashion, losing to the Philadelphia Flyers in a series that no one needs to be reminded of.

Pittsburgh was slated to pick 22nd in the draft, but a lot of drama was swirling ahead of the event and during the offseason in general surrounding the contract of pending free agent Jordan Staal.

When the opening night of the draft arrived, Ray Shero made his splash move, dealing Jordan Staal to the Carolina Hurricanes for the No. 8 overall pick that evening, Brandon Sutter, and Brian Dumoulin.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman certainly enjoyed the moment with his ability to hype up the crowd with his “and” thrown in there a couple times after the “for those of you in the building, you’ll be particularly interested.”

With the 8th pick, the Penguins selected defenseman Derrick Pouliot, who ultimately turned out to be a disappointment for Pittsburgh fans.

Brandon Sutter played three seasons for the Penguins and then was dealt by Jim Rutherford to Vancouver as a package that helped bring Nick Bonino to Pittsburgh.

Bonino and Dumoulin each won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in Pittsburgh.

In Carolina, Jordan Staal singed a 10-year deal worth $60 million, later adding another four years with the Hurricanes, now having played the second most games in franchise history.

Staal recently made history by becoming the oldest Conn Smythe Trophy winner while leading Carolina to the 2026 Stanley Cup.

Posted on

Knicks 2026 NBA Draft Primer: Targets, how free agency factors in, and more

A Knicks primer on the 2026 NBA Draft:

WHERE DO THEY PICK?

The world champs have the No. 24, No. 31, and No. 55 picks in this week’s draft.

Of note, the Knicks have been talking to teams about deals that include the No. 24 pick as recently as Tuesday morning.

WHO HAVE THEY WORKED OUT IN THE NO. 24 TO NO. 31 RANGE?

Michigan PF Morez Johnson Jr.

Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas

Duke wing Isaiah Evans

St. John’s big man Zuby Ejiofor

UConn forward Alex Karaban

Arkansas forward Trevon Brazile

Houston guard Emanuel Sharp

South Florida big Izaiyah Nelson

Virginia big Ugonna Onyenso

WHAT ARE POSITIONS OF NEED?

That depends on what the Knicks plan to do in free agency. 

Mitchell Robinson, Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson, Jeremy Sochan, Mohamed Diawara (restricted), Ariel Hukporti (restricted), Kevin McCullar Jr. (restricted) and Trey Jemison (restricted) are free agents. Jose Alvarado has a player option. Miles McBride is eligible for an extension.

Apr 30, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) shows emotion after a play against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena.
Apr 30, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) shows emotion after a play against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. / Brett Davis - Imagn Images

If Robinson and Shamet are back, the Knicks probably look at size on the wing or a player who can handle the ball. Ejiofor has some fans in the organization. If they think they are losing Robinson or Hukporti, maybe the Knicks draft a center? Tarris Reed Jr. from UConn would be a strong pick in New York’s range.

**Owner James Dolan said recently on WFAN that he doesn’t want to spend into the second apron. I have to think that Dolan was mistaken, referencing the penalties a team incurs when it is in the second apron for three out of five seasons. The Knicks would need to get into the second apron to re-sign Robinson and Shamet. So it wouldn’t make sense for the club to limit spending at below the second apron. Especially a team coming off of a championship whose best player (Jalen Brunson) took a pay cut to help build out the roster. If Dolan is serious about the second apron, it will significantly impact the Knicks’ offseason.

WHO HAVE THEY WORKED OUT IN THE NO. 55/UNDRAFTED FREE AGENT RANGE?

St. John’s forward Dillon Mitchell 

Miami guard Tre Donaldson 

George Washington center Rafael Castro 

Texas Tech guard Donovan Atwell 

Marshall forward Wyatt Fricks 

Missouri forward Mark Mitchell 

Alabama forward Amari Allen 

Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. 

Hofstra’s Cruz Davis

Here is a full list of players who worked out for the Knicks.

HOW DID THE KNICKS GET THEIR PICKS?

The No. 24 pick is their own first-rounder – which is a rarity for the franchise. As things currently stand, the next time the Knicks have their own first round pick is in 2030. They will send their 2027, 2029 and 2031 first-rounders to Brooklyn as part of the Mikal Bridges trade. They also have a first-round pick swap with the Nets in 2028.

The No. 31 pick is from Washington as part of the 2022 NBA Draft night trade of the No. 11 pick to Oklahoma City. The Knicks will get Washington’s second-round pick in 2026 and 2027 as part of that trade. The deal was executed as part of an effort to clear enough cap space to sign Brunson in free agency.

The No. 55 pick is New York’s own selection. Including the 2026 draft, the Knicks have at least six second-round picks in the next three drafts.

Posted on

Rui Hachimura could be ‘odd man out’ for Lakers in free agency

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 24: Rui Hachimura #28 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on after a three-point basket as teammates celebrates during the second quarter of an NBA game against the Orlando Magic at Crypto.com Arena on February 24, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) | Getty Images

While the Lakers are set to potentially have a lot of cap space this summer, it comes with a lot of moving parts attached.

That cap space is only created if the team renounces the cap holds on certain players — namely LeBron James — and only matters if they have players they want to sign or acquire via trade. It’s going to be a juggling act for the Lakers that could, and likely will, leave someone as the odd man out.

Could that be Rui Hachimura? The wing is set for a big payday after a strong regular season and playoffs as a shooter. In a recent piece for ESPN, Dave McMenamin revealed that some around the league wonder if Rui might have to look elsewhere for that payday.

The biggest unknown is swingman Rui Hachimura. The 28-year-old forward followed up a strong regular season (11.5 points per game on 51.4% from the field and 44.3% from 3) with a brilliant playoffs (17.5 points on 54.9% overall and 56.9% from 3) while playing on an $18.3 million expiring deal.

Several league sources told ESPN they believe Hachimura could be the odd man out and that he might need to explore the market to find a desired deal.

The market for Rui is almost certainly going to be at the mid-level exception, given how few teams have cap space. That will allow the Lakers an idea of what to expect in his next contract and plan accordingly.

But Rui and the rest of the free agents aren’t obligated to wait on the Lakers. If he wants a deal quickly while the team wants to wait to see how things across the league play out, that deal might have to come from some other team.

Having said all that, Rui sounded like someone who has enjoyed his time with the Lakers and the team appears to have interest in retaining him, so they could make him a priority in free agency and ensure a deal is done early.

However, things can change quickly in free agency, which could hurt the Lakers as much as it could benefit them.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

Posted on

Nationals Prepare To Do Battle With The Phillies In Perhaps Their Biggest Series In Years

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 1: Edmundo Sosa #33 of the Philadelphia Phillies tags out Daylen Lile #4 of the Washington Nationals attempting to steal second in the top of the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park on April 1, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 6-5. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

In a rubber match for the series yesterday afternoon, the Nationals hung around against the Rays, taking a 3-2 lead into the 7th inning, but were unable to hold onto it, as a Jonny DeLuca 2-run blast off Orlando Ribalta in the bottom of the 7th gave the Rays a 1-run lead they would hold onto for the 4-3 win. The Nats didn’t play bad baseball by any means this series, but still were only able to take 1 of the 3 games, bringing them to 40-38 on the season, now a half game back of the third wild card spot in the National League.

Heading home after a short weekend road trip, the Nats are now faced with what is, for my money, one of their most critical series of the entire decade so far. Having blown away everyone’s expectations so far for where they would be in the standings by late June, the Nats now will do battle with the Phillies in a 4-game set at home, one that could set the tone for the rest of the season.

Take 3 out of 4 (or better), and you bring yourself right next to or above the Phillies in playoff positioning, while sending a message this team is for real. Take only 1 out of 4 (or worse), and playoff dreams start to go back to “just wishful thinking”.

The Phillies are riding some good vibes into this series, having just taken the weekend series from the Mets, which included both a Bryce Harper cycle and a Kyle Schwarber 3 home run game in the 15-3 win on Saturday. The offense hasn’t always been there at times for them this season, with the 4th fewest runs scored as a team in the NL, but the pitching staff has been strong, led by Cy Young candidate Cristopher Sanchez.

Game One – Monday 6:45 PM EST

PHI: TBD

After sending down Andrew Painter a few days ago, who had an ERA that started with a 7, the Phillies will have to get creative with their pitching tonight. Fangraphs lists RHP Alan Rangel, who has a 3.99 ERA in Triple A this season, as the probable starter, though no announcement has come of him joining the big league club yet.

WSH: LHP Foster Griffin (7-2, 3.32 ERA)

Game Two – Tuesday 6:45 PM EST

PHI: Jesus Luzardo (6-4, 4.20 ERA)

WSH: RHP Zack Littell (6-6, 5.45 ERA)

Luzardo had one of his better outings of the season last time out, throwing 7 innings of 2-run ball and striking out 9 Marlins in a win

Littell has run into trouble in his last 2 outings after a string of good ones, giving up a combined 9 runs, including 4 over 5 innings against the Royals.

Game Three – Wednesday 6:45 PM EST

PHI: RHP Aaron Nola (3-4, 5.71 ERA)

WSH: RHP Miles Mikolas (2-6, 5.47 ERA)

Nola hasn’t always been reliable for the Phillies in 2026, but he got the job done his last time out, with 5 innings of 2-run ball against the Mets in a no-decision.

Mikolas had been rolling in the month of June, but he ran into trouble in his last start against the Rays, giving up 5 runs over 6 innings of work in a loss.

Game Four – Thursday 6:45 PM EST

PHI: LHP Cristopher Sanchez (9-3, 1.80 ERA)

WSH: RHP Cade Cavalli (4-4, 4.07 ERA)

After carrying a scoreless innings streak up to 50 2/3 innings, Sanchez has come back to Earth a little, which still means for him 6 innings of 1 run ball in a win in his last start.

After being moved back from his Friday start to Saturday due to illness, it was clear Cavalli wasn’t 100% still, giving up 2 runs and walking 3 batters over 2 2/3 innings pitched.

Start Off Strong

The Phillies have their rotation lined up for games 2 through 4 of this series, but not tonight, as they likely will call up a starter from Triple A and hope they can get them through enough innings to save the bullpen for the rest of the series. It is critical that the Nationals’ lineup gets going early tonight and forces the Phillies to go to the pen early and burn through arms. Secure a big win tonight, and you only need to take 1 of the next 3 to secure at least a series split.

Posted on

On The Horizon: Cubs vs. Mets series preview

The Cubs swept the Mets at Wrigley Field in April and outscored them 18-7 in the three games.

Perhaps seeing the Mets again can get the Cubs back on a winning track.

For more on the Mets, here’s Chris McShane, manager of our SB Nation Mets site Amazin’ Avenue.

The 2026 Mets are an unmitigated disaster. When they played the Cubs at Wrigley earlier this season, they were in the midst of their twelve-game losing streak, and the best thing I can say about them is that they’ve been somewhat better than that in the two months since that streak ended. Still, they haven’t done nearly enough to climb out of the hole they dug. Injuries to Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, and Clay Holmes have played a significant part in the team’s extremely underwhelming performance, but it’s pretty clear that the roster that David Stearns built for the 2026 season — one that cost well over $300 million — is deeply flawed. 

Things might not have been perfect if the Mets kept all of the big players they chose to move on from following the 2025 season, but it’s very hard not to dwell on the fact that the front office was very happy to let Pete Alonso walk and had no viable plan for replacing him. At the time of this writing, his 17 home runs and 119 wRC+ would have him tied for the team lead in home runs and second in wRC+ if he were still with the Mets. Did the Mets avoid some ugly years at the end of a long-term contract for Alonso? Sure. But it’s hard to give a damn about that when the team is owned by one of the richest people on the planet, one who happens to be building a casino in his team’s parking lot to get even richer.

As for this series, I can tell you that the Mets’ lineup can look functional in any given game, but when they get off to a slow start, they tend to take some of the weakest at-bats you’ve ever seen and go down silently. Of the four starting pitchers the Cubs will face, Nolan McLean and Sean Manaea are the better two at the moment. Both have had struggles at different points of this season but have been better of late. Kodai Senga, however, has been awful outside of his first two starts of the season, and Freddy Peralta is coming off the worst start of his career, one that left him with a 4.83 ERA that feels like the cherry on top of the Mets’ horrendous offseason.

Fun facts

The Cubs are two losses away from 200 against the Mets at New York, where they have won 186 and tied one, for a winning percentage of .484.

They had percentages of .556 (10-8) at the Polo Grounds and .470 (146-165-1) at Shea Stadium. At Citi Field, they are .537 (29-25), but .400 (4-6) since 2023. Last year, they lost two of three.

Their last sweep visiting the Mets was three games in 2022. Other recent sweeps were three games in 2019, four in 2018 and three in 2015.

The Cubs were swept in four games in 2016. In 2021, they lost three, then won the fourth.

In all 783 games between the teams, the Cubs have outscored the Mets by just four runs, 3,383-3,379. They lead the rivalry 402-379, with two ties.

(Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)

Probable pitching matchups

Monday: Shōta Imanaga, LHP (4-6, 4.26 ERA, 1.062 WHIP, 4.58 FIP) vs. Kodai Senga, RHP (0-5, 9.00 ERA, 1.875 WHIP, 6.81 FIP)

Tuesday: Edward Cabrera, RHP (4-4, 5.21 ERA, 1.396 WHIP, 5.15 FIP) vs. Nolan McLean, RHP (4-4, 3.67 ERA, 1.092 WHIP, 3.50 FIP)

Wednesday: Javier Assad, RHP (5-1, 3.89 ERA, 1.000 WHIP, 4.42 FIP) vs. Sean Manaea, LHP (1-2, 4.64 ERA, 1.344 WHIP, 3.75 FIP)

Thursday: TBD vs. Freddy Peralta, RHP (5-6, 4.83 ERA, 1.389 WHIP, 4.32 FIP)

NOTE: At the time this series preview posted, the Cubs did not have a starter listed for Thursday’s series finale. It would be Ben Brown’s turn, but it’s possible the team might activate Matthew Boyd from the injured list — he last pitched Saturday in a rehab start for Triple-A Iowa, so he’d be on four days’ rest — and save Brown to open the series in Milwaukee on Friday. As always, we await developments.

Times & TV channels

Monday: 6:10 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network, also streaming on Peacock (outside the Cubs and Mets market territories)

Tuesday: 6:10 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network

Wednesday: 6:10 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network

Thursday: 6:10 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network

Prediction

The Cubs have won six of their last nine, which is pretty good (especially after that 7-22 slide!). Meanwhile, the Mets are 5-7 in their last 12 games.

The Mets, though, are better at home (18-18) than on the road (16-25). And several of the pitching matchups here appear to favor the Cubs.

The Cubs really need to keep stacking series wins so I’ll say they will do that and win three of four.

Up next

The Cubs head to Milwaukee for a three-game divisional matchup with the Brewers beginning Friday evening.

Posted on

Rays series preview: Analytics has gone small ball

uMay 31, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. (25) bunts the ball during the seventh inning against Los Angeles Angels at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Pablo Robles-Imagn Images | Pablo Robles-Imagn Images

The Rays have been an analytical team for decades, maximizing the talent on their payroll-deprived roster for years. After five consecutive playoff appearances from 2019-23 that included a pennant, the team missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons. But they have rebounded this year with a terrific start using an old formula familiar to Royals fans – put the ball in play and make things happen on the bases.

The Rays and Royals are the top two teams in baseball in contact rate, but while the Royals have the second-highest flyball rate, the Rays put the ball on the ground with the fourth-highest groundball rate. The Rays also go the opposite way more than any team except the Brewers. They are eighth in stolen bases and Baserunning Runs, and have attempted and executed more sacrifice hits than any team in baseball.

That being said, they have only done slightly better offensively than the Royals. And they have faded lately after a hot month of May, going 7-11 this month.

Kansas City Royals (32-46) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (43-31) at Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL

Royals: 4.24 runs scored/game (21st in MLB), 4.81 runs allowed/game (20th)

Rays: 4.42 runs scored/game (16th), 4.31 runs allowed/game (11th)

Yandy Díaz is third in all of baseball in batting average at .326, and he is hitting .364/.439/.653 in home games. Junior Caminero is hitting .291/.417/.468 against lefties. Jonathan Aranda is a career .324/.324/.486 in 11 games against the Royals.

Speedster Chandler Simpson has a 10.8 percent strikeout rate, tenth-lowest among qualified hitters, and his 58 percent groundball rate is the highest in baseball. He is hitting just .125/.169/.125 over his last 19 games. Cedric Mullins has the highest flyball rate in baseball at 59 percent. Simpson is one of the best defenders in baseball in the outfield, by Outs Above Average, while Caminero is the second-worst defender at any position.

Drew Rasmussen has the 11th-highest strikeout rate and lowest walk rate among all qualified starters. His 2.59 ERA is second-lowest in the American League. He has a 49.3 percent groundball rate, ninth-highest among starters. Rasmussen has a 1.69 ERA over his last five starts, including striking out a career-high 13 batters on June 10 against the Red Sox.

Shane McClanahan missed the last two seasons due to injury, but the two-time All-Star has picked up where he left off. He has a 2.05 ERA in six home starts this year, and lefties are hitting just .133/.235/.178 against him. He had his shortest outing of the year his last time out, exiting in the fourth inning after giving up a career-high five walks. He has a 2.30 ERA in three career starts against the Royals.

Griffin Jax was a closer to the Twins, but the Rays have converted him to a starting pitcher. He has slowly ramped up, but has yet to go more than five innings in a start. Salvador Perez is just 2-for-17 (.118) in his career against Jax.

Ian Seymour is also a former reliever who has slowly ramped up to starting, pitching a season-high five innings in his last start against the Nationals. He mostly throws a changeup and sweeper, only mixing in his 91 mph fastball 22 percent of the time. Opponents are hitting just .171 against his sweeper with a 42 percent whiff rate.

The Rays’ bullpen has struggled with a 4.53 ERA and a 4.76 FIP. They do have the fourth-lowest rate of allowing inherited runners to score. Bryan Baker has been a terrific pickup, and his 19 saves are third-most in baseball. Kevin Kelly has a 58.9 percent groundball rate, 11th-highest among relievers. All-Star pitcher Craig Kimbrel has given up one run in three innings since joining the Rays following his release from the Mets.

The Rays are glad to be back at Tropicana Field after a year away when the stadium was being repaired following Hurricane Milton. They are 26-10 at home this year, by far the best home record in baseball. The Royals swept all three games in St. Pete last year, and have not lost a series here since 2022.