A First Look at Next Season's NBA Odds + Today's Top Bets Across MLB and Tennis

In today’s newsletter…

• Leading Off: Your first look at next season’s NBA odds

• Top 10 Bets: Baltimore has allowed only 3 runs per game since May 30

• Player Profile: Messi is +230 to score or assist in today’s Club World Cup matchup

• Matchups: 10 batter vs. pitcher stat breakdowns

• Overtime: The top 10 NFL Draft picks are finally all signed

As has become tradition here, we don’t let the champagne dry on a championship before looking at next season. But at least according to FanDuel, June 2026 in the NBA could look similar to last night, as the Thunder are pretty heavy favorites to repeat at +220. The Cavaliers (+800) and the coachless Knicks (+900) follow the champions.

After their blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant was announced on Sunday, the Rockets (+900) jumped up to tie New York odds-wise. The Celtics and Magic (+1300), Timberwolves and Lakers (+1400), Nuggets (+1600) and Clippers (+2400) round out the initial top 10. And for what it’s worth, with the Durant trade the Suns fell to an eight-way tie for the worst odds to win the title at +50000.

With Tyrese Haliburton’s status for next season not looking good after his Achilles injury last night, the Pacers currently have the 15th-best odds to win at +4500, ahead of the Pistons (+6500) and behind the Warriors (+2700), Spurs (+2900), Mavericks (+3200) and 76ers (+3300).

—Abe Rakov

Braves’ Schwellenbach Sports a 3.26 ERA Across 96.2 Innings to Start His 2nd Big League Season

By Chris Farley

Baltimore Orioles moneyline (-130 at Bovada and FanDuel)
Since May 30th, the Orioles are 17-8 straight up, climbing out of the bottom of the American League but still trailing by margin in the AL East. One massive improvement is their pitching and defense, which has only allowed three runs per game since the same date, but they still own one of the worst team ERAs in the majors (4.94). On Monday they'll start Trevor Rogers (3.12 ERA), who has only pitched 8.2 innings this year but will look to correct a two inning appearance where we allowed five hits to the Rays. They're fortunate that Texas will start Patrick Corbin (3.91 ERA), the former National who hasn't been terrible but isn't in a great spot in 93-degree Baltimore weather. A routine fade during his tenure in D.C., we don't trust him against an O's squad that's 7-2 at home the past month.

Atlanta Braves moneyline (-130 at BetOnline)
The Mets finally broke their seven-game mid-June losing streak thanks to an offensive explosion against the Phillies, but they're in a subpar spot again on Monday. The Braves are one of the only outfits that can claim great success against their rival, already up 3-0 in the season series and allowing just five runs in their first three meetings. On Monday they'll roll out Spencer Schwellenbach (3.26 ERA over 96.2 innings), the second-year starter who's turned out to be as steady as any thrower in their bullpen. A steady 1.12 home runs per game and 71% left-on-base rate is better than his counterpart, Paul Blackburn (6.92 ERA over 13 innings), a guy who's been hit 18 times in four games (13 innings). We like Atlanta's streak to continue.

Yankees vs. Reds over 10 runs (-110 at FanDuel)
Whenever journeyman minors pitcher Allan Winans has stepped into the big-leagues, it hasn't been a good look. In 2023 he went to the mound for the Braves and frequently lost command, sporting a 5.29 ERA over 32 innings. In 2024 he was immediately smoked, blasted with homers and accruing a 15.26 ERA over just 7.2 innings. Needless to say, we don't exactly trust the 29-year-old, who will get his first start in pinstripes this season. On the other side, Nick Lodolo is a very solid starter (3.71 ERA, 1.11 WHIP over 85 innings), but we expect massive regression from a Yankees' offense that's sub-top-10 in nearly every offensive category other than homers in June. Cincinnati will be 91 and humid on Monday; let 'em rip!

LA Angels moneyline (+104 at BetOnline)
After winning the series 2-1 against Seattle, Boston failed to follow through against San Francisco (1-2) and now they turn to southern California for their next battle. The Angels have not been very good this season, but in June they're top-5 in home runs (27) and they've won seven of their last 13, at one point beating the mighty Yankees in three straight contests. They'll start Jack Kochanowicz (5.38 ERA), who's been shaky but showed great command in two recent starts (9.2 innings) against the Orioles and Yankees, permitting just four runs. The Red Sox will start Walker Buehler (5.95 ERA over 59 innings), who still hasn't found his form in Boston and posts a poor 1.83 home runs per nine innings heading into this affair.

Washington Nationals moneyline (+139 at Bovada)
Posting offensive and defensive statistics outside the top-10 across every major category, the Padres' offense takes a real dip against left-handed pitchers: 16th in runs, 17th in RBIs, and 20th in batting average. Washington will start leftie Mitchell Parker (4.59 ERA over 80.1 innings) in this battle, and Parker has looked formidable lately. Dismissing a dumbfounding loss of form against Miami (six runs in 3.1 innings), the 25-year-old has shown solid command, giving up only eight runs in his last four starts. Washington has had an awful June (4-16), but can show better against Stephen Kolek (3.59 ERA over 52.2 innings), a guy who permitted 13 hits and eight runs in his past two starts. We like the Nats, who have been frisky lately, at a phenomenal price.

Tennis

Naomi Osaka vs. Olga Danilovic over 22.5 games (-106 at FanDuel)
Osaka has really struggled to find any semblance of the once-elite form that won her four Grand Slams. This season she's 17-7 overall with not many notable wins to speak of. At any point, a player of her caliber could have her breaking out moment, and here and there we see signs of her old form. Historically she's not a great grass player anyway (21-18 in her career), and pales in comparison to her prowess on hard courts (65.88%). Enter Olga Danilovic. The Serbian has looked great in two qualifiers and recently she made shockwaves at the French Open, beating Leylah Fernandez and Danielle Collins to push through to the third round. Osaka's need for better results and Danilovic's current from is a recipe we like for a contentious, long match.

Victoria Azarenka 2-1 (+280 at FanDuel)
At her best, Victoria Azarenka was one of the best tennis players that the women's singles division has ever seen. A two-time Grand Slam winner, she was the world's #1 and the most formidable foe for Serena Williams for years, but now she's a shell of what she once was. This year she's only won six out of 15 matches, and at the French Open she got booted early by Sofia Kenin. Still, her career record on grass is great (68.32% win rate), and her qualifying win over Victoria Kudermetova was impressive. And she's fortunate to get Laura Siegemund in the next round, who's older (37) and far less inclined on the surface (51.72% win rate in her career). Azarenka should win, but we doubt it'll come easy.

Ons Jabeur 2-0 (-110 consensus)
Maya Joint is an exciting up-and-comer in the tennis world, just 19 years old and already nearly in the top-50 (currently 51st) in the WTA rankings. This year she's had some impressive wins over names like Ajla Tomljanovic, Viktorija Golubic, Sofia Kenin and Donna Vekic. Her aggressive style and powerful returns make her a dangerous opponent for anyone, but her lack of experience is a real weakness in this match. Ons Jabeur's success on grass is well-documented (73.83% in her career), and her quest in Berlin came to a harsh end thanks to an equally gifted player on grass: Marketa Vondrousova. Still, Jabeur can outsmart and out-maneuver Joint at an event where she was a finalist in 2022 and won in 2021.

Learner Tien vs. Justin Engel over 2.5 sets (+120 at FanDuel)
The centre court finale on Monday pits 19-year-old Tien against 17-year-old Engel, a display of the talented future of men's tennis. The German has competed mostly in Challenger circuits, i.e. not among the top-100 players (Engel currently ranked 219th). Regardless, a highly impressive 57 aces in just eight pro-games and some highlight moments this year are signs of a rising star. Learner Tien is far more experienced but hasn't had a stellar year (8-13 overall). But grass should suit his game, particularly his unique spin-serve. Either way, Tien's form hasn't been good enough to completely fend off Engel's reckless abandon and dynamic skill level, not to mention the two have never met and adjustments will need to be made. We love a three-set barnburner to finish the day's action.

NBA Future

Lakers to win 2026 NBA Championship (+1600 at DraftKings)
We predicted that the Lakers might be an early out in this year's NBA playoffs, which turned out to be true, but we can't say we feel similarly about next season. LeBron James continues to deny Father Time and has maintained his production even at 40 years old (24.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 8.2 assists last season). With Luka Doncic by his side for a full season, they can create a juggernaut. Doncic has reportedly lost a ton of weight (and pictures prove it's true) already this offseason, Dorian Finney-Smith will be healthy for training camp, and the Lake-show have a deep supporting cast of veterans and two-way studs. With the organization changing ownership, we could see more aggressive transactions to create an even more dangerous superteam to immediately garner success. Don't underestimate this squad next year.

Messi Will Be Available for Club World Cup Matchup Despite Playing with Pain Last Time Out

Name: Lionel Messi
Team: Inter Miami CF
Position: Forward
Today’s Matchup: vs. Palmeiras in the Club World Cup
2025 Stats: 14 starts (1 sub), 11 goals, 7 assists, 71 shots

Past 5 Games

• vs. FC Porto: 1 goal, 2 shots, 1 shot on target

• @ Al Ahly: 5 shots, 2 shots on target

• vs. Columbus: 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 shots, 2 shots on target

• vs. Montreal: 2 goals, 1 assist, 7 shots, 2 shots on target

• @ Philadelphia: 1 goal, 3 shots, 2 shots on target

Potential Bets

• Anytime goalscorer: +350

• To score or assist: +230

• Total shots: 4 or more (-150), 5 or more (+145)

• Shots on target: 1 or more (-340), 2 or more (+130)

Angels’ d’Arnaud Doesn’t Have Full-Time Starting Job But is 7-15 in His Career vs. Buehler

• Travis d’Arnaud (Angels) vs. Walker Buehler (Red Sox): 7-15, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3 BB, 1 K

• Pete Alonso (Mets) vs. Spencer Schwellenbach (Braves): 4-11, 1 2B, 1 BB, 2 K

• J.P. Crawford (Mariners) vs. Bailey Ober (Twins): 4-11, 1 2B, 2 BB, 2 K

• Alex Verdugo (Braves) vs. Paul Blackburn (Mets): 4-12, 2 2B, 1 RBI

• Luis Arraez (Padres) vs. Mitchell Parker (Nationals): 4-6, 2 RBI

• Paul Goldschmidt (Yankees) vs. Nick Lodolo (Reds): 4-8, 1 2B, 2 HR< 3 RBI, 1 K

• Tyrone Taylor (Mets) vs. Spencer Schwellenbach (Braves): 4-8, 2 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 K

• Adolis Garcia (Rangers) vs. Trevor Rogers (Orioles): 3-6, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 K

• Cody Bellinger (Yankees) vs. Nick Lodolo (Reds): 4-9, 1 RBI, 1 K

• Marcus Semien (Rangers) vs. Trevor Rogers (Orioles): 3-7, 1 2B, 2 BB, 1 K

In the News 

• Travis Hunter finally agreed to a contract with the Jaguars, and now all top-10 NFL Draft picks have been signed.

• LSU won its second Men’s College World Series in three years.

• Real Madrid is expected to welcome back Kylian Mbappe for its Club World Cup matchup against Salzburg on Thursday.

• Inter Miami could qualify knockout round of the Club World Cup.

• How did the Rockets get Kevin Durant so easily?

What to Watch (times are ET)

• 7:40pm: Mariners vs. Twins on FS1

• 9pm: Inter Miami vs. Palmeiras on TBS

• 9:30pm: Red Sox vs. Angels on MLB Network

Photo of the Day