Breaking Down First 9 Weeks in MLB + NFL Players Needing a Big Year and U.S. Chances in its World Cup Group
And for the first time in years, the upcoming NFL Draft is loaded with quarterbacks.
In Today’s Issue: Keon Coleman, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Abdul Carter, Davis Martin, Jordan Walker, Shohei Ohtani, Arch Manning, Dante Moore, CJ Carr, Jayden Maiava, Trinidad Chambliss, Christian Pulisic, Kimi Antonelli, George Russell, Tommy Paul, Lorenzo Sonego, Hailey Baptiste, Wang Xiyu, Alex Michelsen, Nishesh Basavareddy, Taylor Fritz, Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic, Joao Fonseca, Rafael Jodar, Elena Rybakina, Iga Swiatek, Mirra Andreeva, Angel Reese, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, and Mark Daigneault.
WHAT TO READ
NFL teams have short memories, so which players need to have a big season or risk being cast aside? NFL.com names Bills inconsistent wide receiver Keon Coleman, five quarterbacks 30 and under (including two on the same team), and Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, who will be competing with Abdul Carter for snaps. Read the breakdown to see why franchises could be giving up on 11 players after the season if they don’t turn things around. (Nick Shook, NFL.com)
CBS Sports breaks down how the MLB season has played out so far, including a look at where the postseason bracket stands and the league’s biggest winners and flops through the first nine weeks. The two biggest surprise teams? In the AL, it’s the White Sox and starter Davis Martin, and Jordan Walker and the Cardinals are exceeding expectations in the NL. Read about how the AL would have a sub.-500 team in the playoffs if the season ended today and why Shohei Ohtani has a real race for NL MVP. (Mike Axisa, CBS Sports)
After two of the weakest quarterback draft classes in recent memory, 2027 looks like it will be a quarterback-forward year. From projected No. 1 pick Arch Manning at Texas to Oregon’s Dante Moore, Notre Dame’s CJ Carr, USC’s Jayden Maiava, and Trinidad Chambliss getting a sixth year at Ole Miss, there are a lot of signal callers to watch. Read about the 22 college quarterbacks that NFL teams are expected to scout most this upcoming season. (Jordan Reid, ESPN)
The U.S. kicks off its World Cup campaign on June 12th against Paraguay in Los Angeles. The Americans announced their roster today, and the picks went as expected. USMNT star Christian Pulisic is hoping to shake off his current slump and an international goalless drought that extends to 2024. The U.S. is expected to win its group, which along with Paraguay includes Australia and Turkey, but Team USA hasn’t advanced to the quarterfinals since 2002. (Associated Press)
Kimi Antonelli won his fourth race in a row at the Canadian Grand Prix over the weekend and has now been on top of the podium in every race but the opener, when Mercedes teammate George Russell took the checkered flag. The 19-year-old Antonelli is 43 points ahead of Russell in the driver’s championship, while Mercedes is 72 clear of Ferrari in the constructor standings. Read about how Russell, who was expected to beat his young teammate before the year began, could improve with lower expectations. (Laurence Edmondson, ESPN)
WHAT TO WATCH
All Day — French Open coverage on TNT: American matchups to watch today include No. 24 Tommy Paul vs. Lorenzo Sonego, No. 26 Hailey Baptiste vs. Wang Xiyu, and an all-USA matchup between 21-year-olds: Alex Michelsen vs. Nishesh Basavareddy, who upset No. 7 Taylor Fritz in four sets in the first round. Also in action: No. 2 Alexander Zverev, No. 3 Novak Djokovic, and rising youngsters Joao Fonseca and Rafael Jodar for the men, and No. 2 Elena Rybakina, No. 3 Iga Swiatek, and No. 8 Mirra Andreeva on the women’s side.
8pm — Hurricanes vs. Canadiens on TNT: Montreal just can’t seem to win at home in this postseason, as the Canadiens dropped their third straight and fifth in six games in front of some of the most passionate fans in all of sports. Carolina has the advantage back in the Eastern Conference Final, up 2-1. (CAR -142, MTL +120)
9pm — Dream vs. Lynx on USA: The addition of Angel Reese is paying off early for the Dream, as Atlanta is a WNBA-best 4-1 and Reese leads the league with 11.4 rebounds per game. The Lynx won 91-90 when these teams opened the season with a matchup in Minnesota. (ATL -2.5, Total: 164.5)
WHAT TO TRACK
With No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz out of the French Open and Wimbledon with a wrist injury, Kalshi has odds on a player other than the Spaniard or No. 1 Jannik Sinner winning a Grand Slam for the first time since Novak Djokovic won the 2023 U.S. Open (his 24th major championship). The prediction market gives it a 50% chance, nearly 20 points above the January low and 13 points under the April high.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“If you look at any playoff series that goes to six games, at least, there’s going to be some tough games. We had a tough game the other night. This team does a great job of just coming back in the next day in a very neutral way, taking whatever the lessons are, applying them forward and getting into the next opportunity.”
— Thunder coach Mark Daigneault after his team won Game 5 to take a 3-2 lead. The series heads back to San Antonio on Thursday.
See you tomorrow,
Abe