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

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If the San Antonio Spurs want to punch their ticket to the Western Conference finals, this young squad needs to go into the belly of the beast and beat a veteran Minnesota Timberwolves team on its own floor.

My Spurs vs. Timberwolves predictions for Game 6 expect San Antonio to finish off a hurting Minnesota team, with stars De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama leading the charge on Friday night.

Here are my latest NBA picks for May 15.

Our best Spurs vs Timberwolves SGP for Game 6

SGP leg #1: Spurs moneyline

The San Antonio Spurs throw a lot at you. They had six guys score at least a dozen points in Game 5, and that depth is something the Minnesota Timberwolves' experience just can’t counter. 

Anthony Edwards is playing hurt, Julius Randle is ice cold, and Jalen McDaniels can’t avoid foul trouble. San Antonio matures before our eyes with a statement win on the road.

SGP leg #2: De’Aaron Fox Over 16.5 points

De’Aaron Fox has eclipsed this points prop in three straight games, and projections have him pegged for as many as 20 in Game 6.

Fox is doing damage inside and could see an even cleaner path to the paint with Rudy Gobert playing less and the T-Wolves trying to roll out a smaller lineup.

SGP leg #3: Victor Wembanyama Over 13.5 rebounds

Victor Wembanyama has topped his rebounding total in every outing in this series — outside of his early ejection in Game 4.

With his presence in the paint pushing Minnesota into poor outside shooting, there’s a surplus of misses to be wrangled.

Wemby has drawn at least 18 rebounding chances in each of those four games, converting them into 15+ rebounds.

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See our full Spurs vs Timberwolves Game 6 preview

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

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Pep Guardiola swears he’s not leaving Manchester City before contract ends

  • FA Cup final will be 24th trip to stadium as City manager

  • Spaniard aiming to win 17th major honour in decade

Pep Guardiola has described his ­decade managing Manchester City as “fucking fun”, and suggested Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea might not be the last time he leads the team out at Wembley.

While Guardiola’s contract expires in summer 2027, there is increasing expectation that he will depart the club in the close season. Saturday’s final will be City’s 24th cup appearance at the national stadium under the Spaniard, with Guardiola aiming to claim the 17th major trophy of his 10 years in charge.

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Is it Mikal Brown Jr. for Nets at No. 6 … or will Brooklyn try to move?

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 12: Mikel Brown Jr. looks on during the game during the 2026 NBA Draft Combine on May 12, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Melissa Tamez/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The NBA Combine is over. Agents’ pro days too. Chicago is in the past. Next come workouts and interviews which are likely underway. The process has a long way to go with the 2026 NBA Draft still five weeks away at the end of June. In meantime, all we have is mock drafts which at this point are mainly entertainment.

All that said, there is a creeping belief that the Nets have at least some interest in Mikal Brown Jr., the 6’5” Louisville combo guard whose prospects have gotten better with both a solid performance in Chicago, particularly at his pro day workout Thursday. Also concerns about his back injury which laid him low this past season have dissipated.

The Nets level of interest of course is a closely held secret or more likely still forming. The Nets despite the devastating drop in the Lottery five days ago, have a lot of options: they can move up, move down, add another first or in the most unlikely scenario move up into the top four where the franchise-changers they crave reside.

Brian Lewis on Friday suggested that indeed things remain unsettled but Brown has to be considered. Indeed, in the most recent mock, Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman has the Nets taking the 20-year-old Orlando native.

Whispers going around the combine suggest Nets general manager Sean Marks is open to moving up or down from the No. 6 spot. But if he stands pat, with the Nets having failed to land a top-four pick, there is a chance Brown — who dealt with a back injury as a freshman — has as much untapped talent as anybody else in the class.

Brown likes the possibility of moving to Brooklyn which has a basically a blank canvas.

“It would be a great opportunity right there,” Brown told Lewis. “Just continuing to build relationships with them as the time goes on and continue to talk to my family and my circle and my agent and the people behind me.

“It’s something that we’re definitely interested in, and looking forward to building a relationship with [the Nets].”

He noted that he met with the Nets contingent in Chicago but has yet to set up a meeting in Brooklyn.

What about the Nets surplus of guards? After all at one point or another last season, the Nets played their No. 8 pick, Egor Demin; their No. 19 pick, Nolan Traore; their No. 22 pick, Drake Powell; and their No. 26 pick, Ben Saraf, at the lead guard position.

“I feel like I can adapt to any situation, whether that’s being a guy or just being somebody that has to play off of somebody else, I can do that,” Brown said in a very typical response, adding. “Definitely just creating for others,” Brown said. “Obviously, I can shoot the ball well, but … I think I do a really good job of trying to get a feel for where my teammates like the ball at, where certain players like the ball at, and try to get to them right in that spot. So I think that’s what separates me.”

There are of course other guards in the mix at Nos. 5 through 10. Lewis describes them this way: “Illinois’ Keaton Wagler has the shooting, and Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr. has the craft and the polish. Arizona’s Brayden Burries has the height, and Houston’s Kingston Flemings has the defense and speed.“

Each also has a downside: Wagler’s lack of high level athleticism, Fleming’s size, Acuff’s lack of defense and Burries lack of a single elite skill. For Brown, it’s his injury. He says he feels fine.

“I feel amazing,” Brown said. “I was just focused on getting back to where I was before the season started. … I feel better than I have in a long time. I think teams got a good sample size of when I’m playing and what I can become. The medical stuff is going to come up, but I feel great right now. Honestly, I learned a lot with the injury on what I have to prioritize. So it helped me in a sense, the learning process of it. … It’s only going to get better from here.”

No matter what the Nets decide, don’t expect much news for a while. Last year, the first pre-Draft trade — the Pelicans’ decision to cast caution to the wind and trade up 10 spots to take Derek Queen — took place during the NBA Finals (a rarity.) In NetsWorld, Marks has a history of waiting till near the last minute to make his moves: In nine of the 10 Drafts he’s run as GM, he’s made a deal within 48 hours of the Draft. Last year, it was acquiring the 22nd pick which became Powell in a salary dump. Two years ago, it was the two trades with the Knicks and Rockets.

So, in the meanwhile, there will be a lot of speculation and likely a lot of movement around the league. As Brown told Lewis, “I honestly don’t pay attention to the mock drafts,” Brown said. “You never know where you’re going to go on draft night.” Probably smart.

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Yankees ace Max Fried out with elbow injury, what's next?

The New York Yankees placed Max Fried on the 15-day injured list Friday with what the team called a left elbow bone bruise. It will not be just a brief stint on the IL.  

While Fried told reporters he was encouraged by the imaging and that he doesn’t expect to need surgery, he will be shut down from throwing for a few weeks. The Yankees also said Dr. Neal ElAttrache will review the MRI on Thursday.  

Fried exited Wednesday's start against the Baltimore Orioles after three innings, having allowed three runs on five hits and a walk on 61 pitches. He described a hyperextension sensation in the elbow that had come and gone throughout the season before becoming impossible to pitch through.

The 32-year old left-hander has been excellent in 2026, posting a 3.21 ERA over 61 2/3 innings, the most in the majors this season. He signed an eight-year $218 million deal with New York in December 2024, the fourth largest contract ever given to a pure pitcher.  

Fried has dealt with a series of injuries throughout his career, including Tommy John surgery in 2014 as a minor leaguer with the San Diego Padres. He’s had recurring finger blisters in his early years with Atlanta. He’s also dealt with a concussion, a hamstring strain and left forearm neuritis.  

This is his first elbow injury since the Tommy John procedure more than a decade ago.  

The Yankees are hoping to get Gerrit Cole back in their rotation within the next few weeks. The 2023 Cy Young Award winner missed all of the 2025 season after Tommy John surgery and has at least one more minor league rehab start to go before returning.  

With both aces unavailable, the Yankees will be relying on Cam Schlittler, Carlos Rodon, Will Warren, Ryan Weathers and either Paul Blackburn, Ryan Yarbrough or Elmer Rodriguez to step in.  

The Yankees went into play Friday with the best team ERA in the American League (3.22) and the second best in the majors behind the Atlanta Braves. Their starting rotation has a 3.14 ERA, second best in the AL behind the Tampa Bay Rays and this in the majors.  

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Yankees' Max Fried sidelined with elbow bone bruise

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Texas Rangers lineup for May 15, 2026

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - MAY 12: Josh Jung #6 of the Texas Rangers singles against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning at Globe Life Field on May 12, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Texas Rangers lineup for May 15, 2026: starting pitchers are Jack Leiter for the Rangers and Spencer Arrighetti for the Astros.

The Rangers begin a 9 game road trip with a game in Houston. Corey Seager gets the day off.

The lineup:

Pederson — DH

Duran — SS

Nimmo — RF

Jung — 3B

Carter — CF

Burger — 1B

Osuna — LF

Higashioka — C

Foscue — 2B

7:10 p.m. Central start time. The game is a pick ‘em.

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Game #45: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 3: Braxton Ashcraft #35 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on May 3, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, May 15, 2026, 6:40 p.m. ET

Location: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA

Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, Sportsnet

Pitching Matchup: Aaron Nola (2-3, 5.14 ERA) vs. Braxton Ashcraft (2-2, 2.77 ERA)

The Pittsburgh Pirates are at home hosting the Philadelphia Phillies today at beautiful PNC Park.

Please remember our Game Day thread guidelines.

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BD community, this is your thread for today’s game against the Phillies. Enjoy!

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San Diego drops rubber match for first road series loss of the season

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 14: Griffin Canning #17 of the San Diego Padres pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning at American Family Field on May 14, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It was rough going from the first inning. The San Diego Padres had newcomer Griffin Canning on the mound, who had (mostly) impressed in his first two starts of the year. He did not impress this time around.

Canning issued four walks over just 1 2/3 innings of work, surrendering six runs to the Milwaukee Brewers. At the end of the first inning, the Padres had more hits (2) than the Brewers (1) but trailed 3-0. It was like that for most of the game, with the Friars failing to score until an RBI forceout in the ninth inning.

With San Diego now headed to Seattle to face the Mariners, they’ll need to get the offense going before they meet the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday. If they can’t do that, it’s going to be a rough week for the Friar Faithful.

Taking the mound

Emerson Hancock (SEA) v. Randy Vásquez (SD)

Hancock is off to a fantastic start to the season with the Mariners. He’s headlined a rotation full of elite pitchers who have made way for the breakout righty. Entering play on Friday, Hancock boasts a 3.21 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in 47 2/3 innings.

The Friars faced Hancock in their last series against Seattle, and he managed to hold them to two runs over six innings. San Diego ended up winning that game with a five-run ninth-inning rally, but Hancock wasn’t the cause of that. The offense will need to come alive if they hope to scratch some runs against the right-hander.

Similarly, Vásquez has been a breakout pitcher in the San Diego rotation. The righty sports a 3.05 ERA in 44 1/3 innings. The WHIP is a little high at 1.17, but he’s managed to strand the baserunners he picks up most of the time.

Vásquez also faced Seattle in that last series, but it went much worse for him than it did for Hancock. It was the right-hander’s first poor start of 2026, allowing four runs in the same number of innings. The Padres still ended up winning, but they’ll need a better performance from Vásquez this time around if they hope to save their beleaguered bullpen.

Batter up!

Manager Craig Stammen has been making his lineups as offense focused as possible lately, having Fernando Tatis Jr. play second base quite often so Nick Castellanos and Miguel Andujar’s bats can remain in the lineup. That hasn’t worked, so it’s possible they try something different in this series.

  1. Xander Bogaerts, SS
  2. Jackson Merrill, CF
  3. Miguel Andujar, DH
  4. Gavin Sheets, 1B
  5. Manny Machado, 3B
  6. Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
  7. Ramón Laureano, LF
  8. Sung-Mun Song, 2B
  9. Rodolfo Durán, C

I know, I know. Putting Machado in the fifth spot feels blasphemous. But he’s batting .190 on the year. He cannot keep hitting in the three and four spots as if that still makes sense. The same goes for Tatis, who has had an incredibly streaky start to the year mostly because of poor hitting mechanics.

Bogaerts and Merrill, on the other hand, have a career .429 and .400 batting average against Hancock. Sheets owns a 1.232 OPS. If they can show up tonight against Seattle, the San Diego starter might be able to pitch with a lead for the first time in a while.

Relief corps

With Canning unable to make it through two innings, Ron Marinaccio, Yuki Matsui and Matt Waldron covered the rest of the Padres’ loss on Thursday. The three pitched well, only giving up one run in that time frame.

Despite Stammen stating that Waldron will continue to pitch out of the ‘pen, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Waldron will be designated for assignment. Acee also reports that the Padres will call up reliever Alek Jacob to pitch out of the ‘pen until starter Lucas Giolito is added to the roster this weekend.

For tonight’s series opener, the high-leverage relievers are out in full force. Jason Adam, Jeremiah Estrada, Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon and Wandy Peralta are all available out of the ‘pen tonight. But, hopefully, Vásquez can pitch deep enough that Stammen won’t need to call on too many of those arms.

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NHL takes draft pick away from Golden Knights over media policy violation

The NHL came down hard on the Vegas Golden Knights for violating media policies after the team advanced to the Western Conference final.

Head coach John Tortorella didn't meet with the media after the series-clinching 5-1 win against the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday, May 14, and the dressing room wasn't opened to the media either, according to reporters.

The NHL said Friday it was taking a 2026 second-round pick away from the Golden Knights and was fining Tortorella $100,000. The league said the team had been warned before and that Vegas would be able to appeal the penalties. A hearing, if requested, would be held next week in New York.

The team said in a social media statement: "The Golden Knights are aware of today's announcement from the NHL regarding the postgame media availability following Game 6 in Anaheim. The organization will have no further comment."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Vegas Golden Knights lose draft pick for violating NHL media policy

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League Cracks Down on Golden Knights, Tortorella for ‘Flagrant Violations’ of Media Regulations

The Vegas Golden Knights caused quite a stir on Thursday night following their victory over the Anaheim Ducks. Despite this victory advancing the Golden Knights to the Western Conference Finals for the fourth time in team history, head coach John Tortorella declined to speak with the media following his team’s 5-1 win.

The reaction from the National Hockey League was swift and left no room for interpretation. The league found this unprecedented behavior unacceptable, and its retribution sets the standard that it will not tolerate this sort of thing in the future.

As a result of “flagrant violations of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Media Regulations,” the NHL brought the hammer down on the Golden Knights. The team will forfeit a second-round pick in the 2026 draft– a harsh punishment for a team in possession of very little draft capital.

Head coach John Tortorella has also been fined $100,000.

The NHL made it very clear in its issued statement that the Golden Knights have been warned about similar issues in the past.

“The imposition of these penalties comes after previous warnings were issued to the Club regarding their compliance with the Media Relations and other associated policies.”

The Golden Knights have the opportunity to appeal this decision to the Commissioner’s Office. If they choose to do so, that appeal will be held in person next week in New York.

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Chicago Cubs vs. Chicago White Sox preview, Friday 5/15, 6:40 CT

Friday notes…

  • SCORING… AND NOT: In their game at Texas last Friday, the Cubs scored seven runs in the first seven innings. They have scored five in 47 innings since then. For the season, the Cubs have scored in 120 of the 390 innings they have batted — 31 percent. They have scored one run in 64 innings and multiple runs in 56. The Cubs have allowed runs only 97 of 394 innings, less than 25 percent, including one run in 53 and multiple runs in 44. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
  • A BIT MORE ON SCORING: The Cubs are averaging exactly five runs per game: 220 in 44 games. They have allowed 4.02 per game, 177, just one run more than 4.00. Two of their wins have come by a score of 5-4: at San Diego on April 19 and at home vs. the Reds on May 4. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
  • THAT OTHER LEAGUE: The Cubs have a .518 winning percentage in their 587 games against American League teams since interleague play began in 1997. Only the Dodgers (.550) and Brewers (.520) have fared better. Just three more teams are above .500: the Braves (.517), Cardinals (.503) and Mets (.502). At AL parks, the Cubs are .488, ranking fourth behind the Braves (.520), Dodgers (.497) and Cardinals (.474). (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
  • WALKING THE WALK: Cubs hitters rank second in MLB with an 11.8 percent walk rate this season and their 204 walks this year are the most in the majors. They are averaging 4.64 walks per game, which would be 751 for the season. That would demolish the franchise record of 656, set in 2016.

Cubs lineup:

White Sox lineup:

Edward Cabrera, RHP vs. Sean Burke, RHP

Edward Cabrera was going along pretty well this year, then he got hit hard by the Rangers last Saturday. Of concern as well: After allowing no home runs in his first four starts covering 22.2 innings, he’s now served up seven homers in his last four starts, in 23.2 innings. This is not a trend you want to see continue.

Cabrera has also been better at Wrigley Field (3.60 ERA in five starts) than on the road (4.41 ERA in three starts). Small sample sizes here.

Last year, Cabrera held the Sox to one run in five innings at Rate Field, May 10. 2025. We’d take that tonight.

Sean Burke has made eight appearances for the Sox this year (six starts). The relief appearances were essentially “starts” following an opener. Coming off two good outings vs. the Nationals and Padres, Burke got lit up by the Mariners in his last start (six runs in 4.1 innings).

He made two starts against the Cubs last year and allowed eight runs (seven earned) in 9.1 innings. One thing he’s done better this year is cut down on his walk rate.

Here is the weather forecast for the area around Rate Field.

Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network. It’s also on Chicago Sports Network and WCIU-Ch. 26 with the Sox announcers.

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

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Gamethread 5/15: Phillies at Pirates

Apr 28, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft (35) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Phillies – winners of their last five series – will head to Pittsburgh to start a three-game series with the Pirates on Friday night.

The Phillies’ starting pitcher for the opener will be Aaron Nola. Nola is off to a rough start to the season at 2-3 with a 5.14 ERA.

He’ll be opposed by righthander Braxton Ashcroft. In his second big league season, Ashcraft is 2-2 with a 2.77 ERA.

Game time is 6:40 PM and will be televised locally on NBCSP.

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Is Homer Bush Jr. the most underrated prospect in the Rays system?

MONTGOMERY, AL - SEPTEMBER 11: Homer Bush Jr. #35 of the Montgomery Biscuits looks on during the game between the Knoxville Smokies and the Montgomery Biscuits at Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium on Thursday, September 11, 2025 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Photo by Natalie Buchanan/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)

On Thursday afternoon, Homer Bush Jr laced a line drive that just kept carrying. It quickly soared over the starting pitcher, Owen Murphy. The middle infields jogged lazily into shallow center field as they began to line up for a potential relay throw, but quickly realized it was not going to happen. Then center fielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr. watched helplessly as the ball cleared the center field wall for a two-run homerun.

There was nothing dazzling about the homerun. It had an exit velocity of 102.4mph and only traveled 379 feet. But it was already the second homerun in Triple-A for Homer Bush Jr. after hitting zero all of last season in Double-A.

A few days prior, Bush Jr. did not look on helplessly as a batter sent a towering flyball to deep right field. Bush Jr. tracked the ball, taking calculated steps as the right field wall quickly approached. The ball soared just beyond the right field wall, but Bush Jr. perfectly timed a jump and leapt up to snag the ball and take a homerun away from the opposing hitter.

The highlight reel play continued an impressive start to the season for perhaps the most underrated prospect in the Rays system.

The Rays originally acquired Bush Jr. during the firesale that was the 2024 trade deadline, where he was part of the return for reliever Jason Adam. Dylan Lesko and JD Gonzalez were also involved but both are struggling in the lowest levels of the Rays system. Bush Jr. is looking like he might turn into something for Tampa Bay.

Entering Spring Training, Bush Jr. was ticketed to be a starting outfielder for Triple-A Durham, where he would battle for playing time in center field with newcomers Jacob Melton and Victor Mesa Jr. Then, during a Spring Training game, Bush Jr. injured his thumb while making a diving catch. This led to him opening the year on the Injured List and unable to make his season debut until April 18th. He only rehabbed for one game in Single-A before moving up to Triple-A for the first time in his career.

Since arriving at the uppermost level in the Rays system, Bush Jr. has hit .329/.390/.443 with 2 HR over 84 plate appearances. Although it’s a small sample, that offensive production nearly mirrors what Bush Jr. has done throughout his minor league career, although he already has surpassed his homerun total from last season. In Double-A in 2025, he hit .301/.375/.360 without a homerun over 546 trips to the plate; Bush Jr. is also walking and striking out at nearly the same clip. Also, Bush Jr. is among the best base stealers in all of minor league baseball, swiping 57 bases in each of the past two seasons.

His offensive production is welcome, but the tools that will propel Bush Jr. to the big leagues are his speed and defensive capabilities.

Following the 2025 season, Bush Jr. was awarded a Minor League Gold Glove, officially recognizing him as one of the top three defensive outfielders in all of minor league baseball. In their latest rankings of Rays prospects, FanGraphs rated Bush Jr. as have 80-grade speed and potentially 60-grade fielding ability. Meanwhile, Baseball America had him at 80-grade speed and 70-fielding. He was considered the second fastest runner in the Rays organization behind Chandler Simpson.

Despite his success in 2025, Bush Jr’s lack of power at the plate led to him sliding down prospect charts. He was 22nd at our site, but didn’t make the Rays top 30, instead slotting in at 31st for Baseball America:

Bush looks like an NFL free safety, but that size and physicality is not apparent at the plate, where he hit zero home runs in 2025. He is a polished hitter with a well above-average glove in center field.

Rays Assistant GM, Kevin Ibach, reaffirmed that sentiment when discussing Bush Jr. at the end of last season.

“You look at his body, and he wouldn’t look out of place playing (for the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers),” Ibach said. “So while the impact hasn’t quite shown up in the offensive stat line, there’s optimism about some untapped power potential.’’

Bush Jr. has always looked like a hitter capable of tapping into some power but thus far the homerun stroke has more or less eluded him throughout his career. However, Triple-A has been kind to him thus far in a small sample, having already launched two homeruns and is currently slugging .443 entering play on Friday; that slugging percentage would be the highest of his professional career.

The Rays outfield situation right now is barren. Behind Jonny DeLuca on the Rays depth chart, Homer Bush Jr. might just be the next man up should there be an injury concern, as Jacob Melton is currently on the Injured List and Victor Mesa Jr is working his way from an injury suffered in mid-April.

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Golden Knights docked 2nd-round pick, John Tortorella fined $100K for breaking media rules

NEW YORK (AP) — The NHL docked the Vegas Golden Knights a second-round pick in next month's draft and fined coach John Tortorella $100,000 on Friday for violating media access rules after their series-clinching Game 6 victory at Anaheim on Thursday night.

Tortorella refused to speak to reporters after Vegas routed the Ducks 5-1 to move on to face Colorado in the Western Conference final. The Golden Knights also did not open their locker room in accordance with league and Players' Association-negotiated regulations.

The NHL in a statement announcing the punishment said the penalties for these “flagrant violations” come after previous warnings were issued to the Golden Knights. The team has been offered the opportunity to appeal to Commissioner Gary Bettman’s office in person at the league’s New York headquarters next week.

“The Golden Knights are aware of today's announcement from the NHL regarding the postgame media availability following Game 6 in Anaheim,” the team said in a statement posted to social media. “The organization will have no further comment.”

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL