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Page Not Found  The 29-year-old, who missed over seven months due to a cruciate ligament tear in 2024 and has had several knee and hamstring injuries this season, was forced off during City’s 2-1 win over Arsenal on Sunday.  #Page

Page Not Found The 29-year-old, who missed over seven months due to a cruciate ligament tear in 2024 and has had several knee and hamstring injuries this season, was forced off during City’s 2-1 win over Arsenal on Sunday. #Page

The 29-year-old, who missed over seven months due to a cruciate ligament tear in 2024 and has had several knee and hamstring injuries this season, was forced off during City’s 2-1 win over Arsenal on Sunday.

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NBA officiating is in crisis mode, and the players have a point <div id="zephr-anchor"><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The NBA may or may not have an officiating crisis. But it definitely has a crisis of confidence, which is the only kind that matters.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Even in the age of big data and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGbIrmC-L9o">AI-generated LeBron songs</a>, we still do not have a reliable way to track if an NBA game was officiated well. This isn’t automatic balls and strikes; we’re talking about whether Giannis Antetokounmpo’s elbow intentionally struck Al Horford in the head during that poster dunk, if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander initiated contact when his defender stupidly jumped at a pump fake for the 19th time, whether Jaden McDaniels gave Jamal Murray adequate landing space on his shot despite every player jumping different distances when they shoot and McDaniels understandably is not staring at Murray’s feet when he’s shooting a three. That kind of stuff.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">So people<a href="https://x.com/c2_cooper/status/2047296371800092675?s=46"> clamor for accountability</a>. Players freak out, including Devin Booker saying in a press conference that Alex Caruso asked the ref to call a technical on Booker <a href="https://x.com/mrbuckbucknba/status/2047160072631984471?s=46"><em>and he just did for some reason? </em></a>Fans of teams that feel they got jobbed lose it, demanding changes (what changes?), oversight (how?) and to please please <em>please </em>stop allowing Gilgeous-Alexander to magnet-pull himself to a defender and get two free throws!</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">But refereeing is such a stupid concept that there is no possibility to improve, only to complicate. Sure, we have <a href="https://official.nba.com/2025-26-nba-officiating-last-two-minute-reports/">Last Two Minutes reports</a>, but those are simply compiled by other referees offering a different interpretation with the assistance of slow-motion replay — or as I like to call them, <em>completely useless </em>since no referee could ever review every single call of the last two minutes in slow-mo in real time lest they want to make the game completely unwatchable.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Refereeing basketball games is not an exact science; in fact, it’s probably not a science at all. When you consider all the contact, all the dust-ups, all <a href="https://x.com/clutchpoints/status/2047155473775030295?s=46">the arm-flailing</a>, all <a href="https://x.com/BrickCenter_/status/2047154558439502244?s=20">the pump-fake magnetism</a> and <a href="https://x.com/protectedpick/status/2047135133086716249?s=46">all the floppity flops</a>, officiating this environment is far closer to oil painting than it is mathematical proofs. Fouls are interpretations of a fluid game in which contact is legal, and referees must use words like “wind-up,” “follow-through,” “incidental,” and “reckless” (what does any of that mean?) to determine if something is a foul, a flagrant, a technical or nothing at all.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">In short, there is really no way to officiate a sport where contact is <em>kind of </em>legal<em>. </em>It’s not like football and hockey (which have plenty of officiating problems), where contact is <em>mostly </em>legal and something has to be fairly heinous to result in a foul for being <em>too </em>physical; basketball allows contact <em>to a certain extent. </em>What that extent is has evolved over time, such as throwing elbows, hand checking, the block-charge and more fun stuff we all complain about. All NBA refs are really doing is trying to keep the game safe and reasonably fair; an impossible task, but one they are heroically trusted with anyway.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The NBA has thus complicated officiating to no end, only watering the roots of an issue that have continued to grow. A blatantly incorrect reading of this situation is that the Oklahoma City Thunder foul-bait more than any other team — <a href="https://www.teamrankings.com/nba/stat/free-throws-attempted-per-game">they were 17th in free throw attempts per game this season</a>. Nor is it statistically provable to say that teams foul-bait more than ever, as team <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_stats_per_game.html">fouls-per-game has gone down sharply in recent NBA history. </a></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">But teams have exploited the infinite complication of officiating to great effect, notably how pace, size and explosive super-athletes can create impossibly subjective interactions. Gilgeous-Alexander bears the brunt of this criticism, given that <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/1110576/nba-awards-picks-mvp-rookie-coach-of-the-year-roy-dpoy-all-nbateams">he’s likely about to be the league’s back-to-back MVP winner</a>, but he wasn’t even first in free-throw attempts this season. Everyone does it, and I think we really peaked with 2022 Giannis Antetokounmpo, who, for two playoff rounds, barreled into Nikola Vucevic and Grant Williams and whoever else dared to oppose him with impossible speed, power and extreme arm-angles that were <em>always </em>some kind of foul. On who? On Giannis? Who knew.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The root problem is that a shooting foul is the most valuable offensive action in basketball. With league-average shooting percentages, two free throws have an expected point-value of 1.57, while a three-pointer is worth 1.08 points and an at-rim look worth 1.20 points (<a href="https://fansided.com/author/ianlevy/">shoutout to Ian Levy</a> for pointing this out to me; it changed my life). If you can get your free-throw percentage up above average (>78 percent), now we’re really cooking something spicy. Gilgeous-Alexander shoots 88 percent from the line, so <em>by far </em>his best option on every possession is to get to the line.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Like with tanking and the draft lottery, if the NBA’s rules provide a clear best option to succeed, smart players and teams will always figure out how to maximize their return. It’s like when the MLB figured out walks were actually good — whatever macho man mentality (and steroids) sustained the “always swing and swing for power” world died in the darkness wrought by sabermetrics and taking a 3-1 fastball that’s a little high.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The NBA public freaking out about officiating these playoffs doesn’t actually want fewer fouls, they just want fouls to feel <em>like fouls </em>— you know, things that aren’t allowed, rather than the calculated, orchestrated manipulations of a subjective rule set and mathematical reality that they have become. A fix would be a point of emphasis from officials that <em>radically </em>expands the scope of “who initiated contact” and categorically refuse to call fouls when the offensive player visually initiates the interaction.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">But we all know how that would end: teams and players would reset, take some time to analyze the situation and then find whatever the new best way to get to the free-throw line is. Short of a literal <em>free-throw quota</em>, an insane idea that would turn the game into gladiatorial combat, teams will figure out how to foul-bait even if foul-baiting is outlawed. But an emphasis against offensive player-initiated defensive fouls would be a good start, given that this is all a visual question anyway — as said before, the total number of fouls has decreased in recent years. We’re solving a crisis of <em>confidence, </em>not an actual crisis.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Sports have their own built-in honor codes that are unique and deeply personal, but not flopping is generally agreed upon as lame by the people of the world. And those same people will shed blood, sweat and tearful Tweets when they believe the sanctity of the game they love is under assault. Maybe it isn’t, but it looks like it is. And keeping up appearances is key.</p></div></div> #NBA #officiating #crisis #mode #players #point

Deadspin | Quinn Hughes open to contract extension with Wild  May 11, 2026; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) skates with the puck against the Colorado Avalanche during the second period in game four of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Grand Casino Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images   Quinn Hughes made a tremendous impact during his half season in Minnesota, and the standout defenseman is interested in a contract extension with the Wild.  The older brother of New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes made headlines when he was traded from the Vancouver Canucks to the Wild on Dec. 12, 2025.  A captain with the Canucks, Quinn Hughes did not disappoint in Minnesota, amassing 53 points (five goals, 48 assists) in 48 games. He also led the NHL in ice-time average in the regular season (27:44 per game).  Hughes continued his production in the postseason, putting up 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 11 games and a plus-10 rating. He led Minnesota to a first-round upset of second-seeded Dallas before the Colorado Avalanche ousted the Wild in five games.  “I really like it here. I would definitely be open to re-signing. We’ll see what (general manager) Billy (Guerin) wants to do,” Hughes said Friday. “We’re 36 hours removed (from elimination). I’m not sure I’m ready to get into details, what they would look like.”  Hughes will be entering the final season of his six-year, .1 million deal, but can sign an extension with Minnesota on July 1.   All three Hughes’ brothers (Luke is a defenseman with the Devils) are represented by agent Pat Brisson. Jack is signed through 2030 and there has been speculation that Quinn would sign a three-year deal so both brothers could sign with the same team in advance of the 2030-31 season.  “Between brothers, there’s so many conversations. But we haven’t had any specific (conversations) about this,” Brisson said. “Those are possibilities. I’m not going to deny the fact.”  Hughes plans on remaining in Minnesota for at least part of the summer as he decompresses from a year with three teams, including his stint as a member of the gold-medal winning United States Olympic ice hockey squad.  “I think I can say that I really like it here,” Hughes said of Minnesota. “I love the team. I love the city and the fans. Just being in that locker room, it’s a special group. It’s an amazing state, so passionate about hockey.  “From a mental aspect, a lot has happened this year. I never let myself process it or let my hair down a little bit,” he said. “It’ll be nice to just go home, process the whole year and get some rest.”  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Quinn #Hughes #open #contract #extension #WildMay 11, 2026; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) skates with the puck against the Colorado Avalanche during the second period in game four of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Grand Casino Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Quinn Hughes made a tremendous impact during his half season in Minnesota, and the standout defenseman is interested in a contract extension with the Wild.

The older brother of New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes made headlines when he was traded from the Vancouver Canucks to the Wild on Dec. 12, 2025.

A captain with the Canucks, Quinn Hughes did not disappoint in Minnesota, amassing 53 points (five goals, 48 assists) in 48 games. He also led the NHL in ice-time average in the regular season (27:44 per game).

Hughes continued his production in the postseason, putting up 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 11 games and a plus-10 rating. He led Minnesota to a first-round upset of second-seeded Dallas before the Colorado Avalanche ousted the Wild in five games.

“I really like it here. I would definitely be open to re-signing. We’ll see what (general manager) Billy (Guerin) wants to do,” Hughes said Friday. “We’re 36 hours removed (from elimination). I’m not sure I’m ready to get into details, what they would look like.”


Hughes will be entering the final season of his six-year, $47.1 million deal, but can sign an extension with Minnesota on July 1.

All three Hughes’ brothers (Luke is a defenseman with the Devils) are represented by agent Pat Brisson. Jack is signed through 2030 and there has been speculation that Quinn would sign a three-year deal so both brothers could sign with the same team in advance of the 2030-31 season.

“Between brothers, there’s so many conversations. But we haven’t had any specific (conversations) about this,” Brisson said. “Those are possibilities. I’m not going to deny the fact.”

Hughes plans on remaining in Minnesota for at least part of the summer as he decompresses from a year with three teams, including his stint as a member of the gold-medal winning United States Olympic ice hockey squad.

“I think I can say that I really like it here,” Hughes said of Minnesota. “I love the team. I love the city and the fans. Just being in that locker room, it’s a special group. It’s an amazing state, so passionate about hockey.

“From a mental aspect, a lot has happened this year. I never let myself process it or let my hair down a little bit,” he said. “It’ll be nice to just go home, process the whole year and get some rest.”


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Quinn #Hughes #open #contract #extension #Wild">Deadspin | Quinn Hughes open to contract extension with Wild  May 11, 2026; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) skates with the puck against the Colorado Avalanche during the second period in game four of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Grand Casino Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images   Quinn Hughes made a tremendous impact during his half season in Minnesota, and the standout defenseman is interested in a contract extension with the Wild.  The older brother of New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes made headlines when he was traded from the Vancouver Canucks to the Wild on Dec. 12, 2025.  A captain with the Canucks, Quinn Hughes did not disappoint in Minnesota, amassing 53 points (five goals, 48 assists) in 48 games. He also led the NHL in ice-time average in the regular season (27:44 per game).  Hughes continued his production in the postseason, putting up 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 11 games and a plus-10 rating. He led Minnesota to a first-round upset of second-seeded Dallas before the Colorado Avalanche ousted the Wild in five games.  “I really like it here. I would definitely be open to re-signing. We’ll see what (general manager) Billy (Guerin) wants to do,” Hughes said Friday. “We’re 36 hours removed (from elimination). I’m not sure I’m ready to get into details, what they would look like.”  Hughes will be entering the final season of his six-year, .1 million deal, but can sign an extension with Minnesota on July 1.   All three Hughes’ brothers (Luke is a defenseman with the Devils) are represented by agent Pat Brisson. Jack is signed through 2030 and there has been speculation that Quinn would sign a three-year deal so both brothers could sign with the same team in advance of the 2030-31 season.  “Between brothers, there’s so many conversations. But we haven’t had any specific (conversations) about this,” Brisson said. “Those are possibilities. I’m not going to deny the fact.”  Hughes plans on remaining in Minnesota for at least part of the summer as he decompresses from a year with three teams, including his stint as a member of the gold-medal winning United States Olympic ice hockey squad.  “I think I can say that I really like it here,” Hughes said of Minnesota. “I love the team. I love the city and the fans. Just being in that locker room, it’s a special group. It’s an amazing state, so passionate about hockey.  “From a mental aspect, a lot has happened this year. I never let myself process it or let my hair down a little bit,” he said. “It’ll be nice to just go home, process the whole year and get some rest.”  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Quinn #Hughes #open #contract #extension #Wild

The lengthy MLB season provides a sample size that’s meant to favor averages over abnormalities. Hot- and cold-streaks blend together as weeks become months. But the weight of those games can also fall victim to entropy as months become years. The long summers are tests of endurance and commitment as much as talent. The San Diego Padres finished just three games behind the Dodgers in the 2025 division race, and the Toronto Blue Jays pushed them to seven games and extra innings last November.

The thin line between dynasty and disappointment will be carved out over the next 120 games. FanDuel has odds on the NL West Division winner, which is an opportunity to prognosticate on the predictive ability of the first 40 games, and which performances will propel their team to a division title.

The Dodgers (-900) are heavy favorites to remain atop the division, with a deep roster that’s built to weather a long season. But their offense is still struggling midway through May. Shohei Ohtani is enduring his first cold streak, going hitless between starting pitching assignments for the first time in his career. Andy Pages (9 HRs, 35 RBI) and Max Muncy (11 HRs, .917 OPS) have been pacing an offense that’s welcoming back Mookie Betts this week. They’ve been able to afford patience with their bats because Ohtani, Justin Wrobleski, Tyler Glasnow, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are anchoring an elite starting rotation.

The Padres (+800) have caught the Dodgers in the standings despite a slow start from their offense, ranking 25th in wRC+. Michael King (2.76 ERA) and Randy Vasquez (3.05 ERA) have held together a starting rotation that suffered key injuries early, including to projected Opening Day starter Nick Pivetti. Xander Bogaerts has kept the offense afloat while Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Jackson Merrill are working back to their expected averages.

The Diamondbacks (+3000) have had a slow start, but the betting lines still see potential in their young talent that made a run to the World Series in 2023. Corbin Carroll is building back up to his all-world production after a broken hand, and they recently promoted top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt. It’s not any of the young guys but 34-year-old Ildemaro Vargas who’s been leading the offense thus far, posting a .331 average with 7 HRs and 28 RBI.

The Giants (+5000) have a top-10 payroll and a brand new manager getting his first taste of the MLB. Rafael Devers has been a disappointment, but Luis Arraez has been a bright spot, along with Landen Roupp and Logan Webb on the mound.

The Rockies (+30000) are just 9 games back from first place now, but the lines expect that number to grow closer toward last season’s line, when they finished 50 games back.

#West #odds #Padres #payout #huge #close #division #race #Dodgers">NL West odds: Padres payout would be huge in close division race with Dodgers  The last time the Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t win the NL West Division was 2021, the year after winning the World Series. The Dodgers have now won the last two World Series, and they’ve backfilled their roster churn by upgrading to star players through free agency and their own stellar farm system.The lengthy MLB season provides a sample size that’s meant to favor averages over abnormalities. Hot- and cold-streaks blend together as weeks become months. But the weight of those games can also fall victim to entropy as months become years. The long summers are tests of endurance and commitment as much as talent. The San Diego Padres finished just three games behind the Dodgers in the 2025 division race, and the Toronto Blue Jays pushed them to seven games and extra innings last November.The thin line between dynasty and disappointment will be carved out over the next 120 games. FanDuel has odds on the NL West Division winner, which is an opportunity to prognosticate on the predictive ability of the first 40 games, and which performances will propel their team to a division title.The Dodgers (-900) are heavy favorites to remain atop the division, with a deep roster that’s built to weather a long season. But their offense is still struggling midway through May. Shohei Ohtani is enduring his first cold streak, going hitless between starting pitching assignments for the first time in his career. Andy Pages (9 HRs, 35 RBI) and Max Muncy (11 HRs, .917 OPS) have been pacing an offense that’s welcoming back Mookie Betts this week. They’ve been able to afford patience with their bats because Ohtani, Justin Wrobleski, Tyler Glasnow, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are anchoring an elite starting rotation.The Padres (+800) have caught the Dodgers in the standings despite a slow start from their offense, ranking 25th in wRC+. Michael King (2.76 ERA) and Randy Vasquez (3.05 ERA) have held together a starting rotation that suffered key injuries early, including to projected Opening Day starter Nick Pivetti. Xander Bogaerts has kept the offense afloat while Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Jackson Merrill are working back to their expected averages.The Diamondbacks (+3000) have had a slow start, but the betting lines still see potential in their young talent that made a run to the World Series in 2023. Corbin Carroll is building back up to his all-world production after a broken hand, and they recently promoted top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt. It’s not any of the young guys but 34-year-old Ildemaro Vargas who’s been leading the offense thus far, posting a .331 average with 7 HRs and 28 RBI.The Giants (+5000) have a top-10 payroll and a brand new manager getting his first taste of the MLB. Rafael Devers has been a disappointment, but Luis Arraez has been a bright spot, along with Landen Roupp and Logan Webb on the mound.The Rockies (+30000) are just 9 games back from first place now, but the lines expect that number to grow closer toward last season’s line, when they finished 50 games back.  #West #odds #Padres #payout #huge #close #division #race #Dodgers

NL West Division winner, which is an opportunity to prognosticate on the predictive ability of the first 40 games, and which performances will propel their team to a division title.

The Dodgers (-900) are heavy favorites to remain atop the division, with a deep roster that’s built to weather a long season. But their offense is still struggling midway through May. Shohei Ohtani is enduring his first cold streak, going hitless between starting pitching assignments for the first time in his career. Andy Pages (9 HRs, 35 RBI) and Max Muncy (11 HRs, .917 OPS) have been pacing an offense that’s welcoming back Mookie Betts this week. They’ve been able to afford patience with their bats because Ohtani, Justin Wrobleski, Tyler Glasnow, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are anchoring an elite starting rotation.

The Padres (+800) have caught the Dodgers in the standings despite a slow start from their offense, ranking 25th in wRC+. Michael King (2.76 ERA) and Randy Vasquez (3.05 ERA) have held together a starting rotation that suffered key injuries early, including to projected Opening Day starter Nick Pivetti. Xander Bogaerts has kept the offense afloat while Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Jackson Merrill are working back to their expected averages.

The Diamondbacks (+3000) have had a slow start, but the betting lines still see potential in their young talent that made a run to the World Series in 2023. Corbin Carroll is building back up to his all-world production after a broken hand, and they recently promoted top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt. It’s not any of the young guys but 34-year-old Ildemaro Vargas who’s been leading the offense thus far, posting a .331 average with 7 HRs and 28 RBI.

The Giants (+5000) have a top-10 payroll and a brand new manager getting his first taste of the MLB. Rafael Devers has been a disappointment, but Luis Arraez has been a bright spot, along with Landen Roupp and Logan Webb on the mound.

The Rockies (+30000) are just 9 games back from first place now, but the lines expect that number to grow closer toward last season’s line, when they finished 50 games back.

#West #odds #Padres #payout #huge #close #division #race #Dodgers">NL West odds: Padres payout would be huge in close division race with Dodgers

The last time the Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t win the NL West Division was 2021, the year after winning the World Series. The Dodgers have now won the last two World Series, and they’ve backfilled their roster churn by upgrading to star players through free agency and their own stellar farm system.

The lengthy MLB season provides a sample size that’s meant to favor averages over abnormalities. Hot- and cold-streaks blend together as weeks become months. But the weight of those games can also fall victim to entropy as months become years. The long summers are tests of endurance and commitment as much as talent. The San Diego Padres finished just three games behind the Dodgers in the 2025 division race, and the Toronto Blue Jays pushed them to seven games and extra innings last November.

The thin line between dynasty and disappointment will be carved out over the next 120 games. FanDuel has odds on the NL West Division winner, which is an opportunity to prognosticate on the predictive ability of the first 40 games, and which performances will propel their team to a division title.

The Dodgers (-900) are heavy favorites to remain atop the division, with a deep roster that’s built to weather a long season. But their offense is still struggling midway through May. Shohei Ohtani is enduring his first cold streak, going hitless between starting pitching assignments for the first time in his career. Andy Pages (9 HRs, 35 RBI) and Max Muncy (11 HRs, .917 OPS) have been pacing an offense that’s welcoming back Mookie Betts this week. They’ve been able to afford patience with their bats because Ohtani, Justin Wrobleski, Tyler Glasnow, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are anchoring an elite starting rotation.

The Padres (+800) have caught the Dodgers in the standings despite a slow start from their offense, ranking 25th in wRC+. Michael King (2.76 ERA) and Randy Vasquez (3.05 ERA) have held together a starting rotation that suffered key injuries early, including to projected Opening Day starter Nick Pivetti. Xander Bogaerts has kept the offense afloat while Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Jackson Merrill are working back to their expected averages.

The Diamondbacks (+3000) have had a slow start, but the betting lines still see potential in their young talent that made a run to the World Series in 2023. Corbin Carroll is building back up to his all-world production after a broken hand, and they recently promoted top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt. It’s not any of the young guys but 34-year-old Ildemaro Vargas who’s been leading the offense thus far, posting a .331 average with 7 HRs and 28 RBI.

The Giants (+5000) have a top-10 payroll and a brand new manager getting his first taste of the MLB. Rafael Devers has been a disappointment, but Luis Arraez has been a bright spot, along with Landen Roupp and Logan Webb on the mound.

The Rockies (+30000) are just 9 games back from first place now, but the lines expect that number to grow closer toward last season’s line, when they finished 50 games back.

#West #odds #Padres #payout #huge #close #division #race #Dodgers

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