Rays at Royals prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 26  —  It's Thursday, June 26 and the Rays (45-35) are in Kansas City to take on the Royals (38-42).  Shane Baz is slated to take the mound for Tampa Bay against Michael Lorenzen for Kansas City.

Report: Fan banned by MLB after heckling Dbacks' Ketel Marte to tears with barb about late mother  —  A fan who heckled Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte during a game against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on Tuesday night has been banned indefinitely from all major league stadiums …

Jacob deGrom flirts with a perfect game, then a no-hitter with the Rangers  —  BALTIMORE — When Jacob deGrom is at his best, the Texas Rangers believe he's the best pitcher on the planet.  —  The two-time Cy Young Award winner certainly is looking like his old self.

NBA draft: Mavericks make it official, take Cooper Flagg with No. 1 pick  —  NEW YORK — Cooper Flagg is the new Maine man in Dallas.  —  The Mavericks took the Duke forward with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft on Wednesday night, hoping they have found their next franchise superstar less than five months after trading one away.

Christian Moore hits tying, walk-off homers as Angels outlast Red Sox  —  Less than two weeks into his major league career, Moore ties the score with a homer in the eighth inning then hits a two-run, walk-off shot in the 10th for a 3-2 win.  Zach Neto leaves with a shoulder injury.

Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Aroldis Chapman is dominating in 16th season  —  In this week's Closer Report, Aroldis Chapman has been dominant in Boston as the 16-year veteran is turning in one of his best seasons yet.  Dylan Lee has worked his way into a share of the save chances in Atlanta.

Ronald Acuña Jr. of host Braves to compete in Home Run Derby on July 14 at Truist Park  —  NEW YORK — Ronald Acuña Jr. of the host Braves was announced Wednesday as the first of the eight hitters who will compete in the All-Star Home Run Derby at Atlanta's Truist Park on July 14.

‘Sharks in the water,’ but D-backs ‘not going to back down’  —  CHICAGO — Despite mounting injuries, Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen is still hopeful his team can stay in the playoff race in order for him to add players instead of subtracting them at the trade deadline next month.

MLB AL Comeback Player of the Year Predictions: Odds, expert picks, including Jacob deGrom and Byron Buxton  —  The American League Comeback Player of the Year market has been an intriguing race that is now showing heavy favoritism toward the Texas Rangers' Jacob deGrom at -260 odds per FanDuel Sportsbook and rightfully so.

Red Sox pitcher Kutter Crawford's off-field ‘accident’ requires season-ending wrist surgery  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Kutter Crawford had an off-field “accident” that requires season-ending surgery on his right throwing wrist, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said on Wednesday, adding that the 29-year-old wasn't doing anything “irresponsible.”