Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING NEWS: 6.15.26
They’ll tell you three “Minnesotans” won the Stanley Cup with Carolina last night, but as KSTP’s Chris Long points out, only K’Andre Miller was born here (Saint Paul). Jackson Blake earns extra points for playing high school hockey in Eden Prairie - but he left early for the USHL and played at North Dakota…Mike Reilly was born in Chicago and played for the Gophers, and was a coveted collegiate free agent somehow all the way back in 2015 when he signed with the Wild.
The Knicks were +185 to win the NBA Finals when I told you they’d win prior to Game 1. Just saying…And if you’re not happy for KAT, kick rocks.
I’m not an elite soccer mind, but it sure is nice to have live sports that matter on around the clock. The Americans are making some sportsbooks nervous already - people love to bet on the old U.S. of A., especially after their 4-1 shellacking of Paraguay on Friday night. They play again Friday afternoon against Australia, which is also 1-0 after shocking Türkiye.
U.S. Open week is upon us, as Scottie Scheffler tries to complete the career grand slam.
Common sense prevailed, as Champlin Park senior Cal Ockuly can compete in today’s state baseball championship. Ockuly was set to leave for basic training this weekend, but the Marine Corps rightfully got some good press for letting him have one last hurrah.
Aces Stop Lynx’ Eight-Game Winning Streak
A’ja Wilson scored 24 points to ruin a career-high night for Olivia Miles, as Las Vegas took the Commissioner’s Cup lead in the West with a dramatic 100-97 win over the Lynx on Saturday.
Miles scored a career-best 29 points, and gave Minnesota a 97-96 lead with 24.5 seconds left. Miles and Courtney Williams each missed 3-pointers that would have tied the game in the waning seconds.
There are just two games left in the round robin section of the Commissioner’s Cup, meaning the Aces’ one-game lead in the West will be hard to overcome. Minnesota hosts 7-8 Portland tonight at Target Center.
Miles did have six of Minnesota’s 10 turnovers.
Twins Rally Past Cards for Series Win
The Twins got back over the .500 mark at home, rallying from down two runs in the seventh to beat the Cardinals 5-4.
Ryan Kreidler doubled in the winning run in the eighth inning as the Twins took two of three from St. Louis. Byron Buxton and Royce Lewis each had a run-scoring single an inning prior.
Taj Bradley, so good early in the year, has gotten roughed up, not lasting through the fifth in three straight starts. All told, the Twins starting pitching is obviously a problem. Friday, the Twins were down 3-1 before most fans had sat down for a 9-8 win, and Sunday it was 4-0 after two in a game the Twins rallied furiously to lose 9-6 despite loading the bases on the ninth.
The Twins visit Texas tonight to begin a series of very so-so teams.
Not great news from St. Paul, either. Shortstop Kaelen Culpepper, a consensus top 100 prospect, exited Saturday’s game with glute tightness. It’s not expected to be serious. Culpepper has 14 home runs for the Saints, and shouldn’t spend many more days in Triple-A.
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