Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING NEWS: 6.24.26

Jun 24

The Takeout will go on a three-week hiatus beginning Monday while my daughter participates in dance nationals in Orlando and then Dance World Cup in Dublin, Ireland. Send Dublin and/or Galway recommendations.

Lynx play at Mystics tonight trying to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time this season.

Both NHL and NBA Draft weeks got off to a blockbuster of a start. Bill Guerin won’t sit long very long, no doubt.

The Americans play Türkiye on Thursday in the final group play game, a contest that doesn’t matter to either team. It’s a chance to rest some players before the round of 32. The U.S. will play next Wednesday in San Francisco against a third-place team to be determined.

KPMG Open starts at Hazeltine in Chaska tomorrow. May try to get out there this weekend to watch a round.

Wolves Trade Randle; Re-Sign Dosunmu; Nori New Coach in Portland

The Karl Anthony Towns trade will officially go down as a bust. With Donte DiVincenzo facing a long road back from injury with no guarantees he’ll play again in Minnesota, the Wolves cut ties with Julius Randle late Monday, sending him to Brooklyn in a three-team trade that brought Minnesota an early second round pick and caused them to miss the first round of the draft entirely.

The deal also saved the Wolves around $45 million. Tim Connelly promptly re-signed Ayo Dosunmu to a five-year, $112 million contract that will be official soon. Dosunmu carried the Wolves while Anthony Edwards was out in the post-season, showing flashes of brilliance. It’s a lot of money to pay for a guy who was a sixth man on two teams, but I expect him to play a much larger role.

Speaking of larger roles, this move should put Naz Reid right into the starting lineup for the first time in his career.

The trade gives the Wolves more flexibility to do more, although with their core signed, that’s doubtful.
The Wolves also lost extremely likable assistant coach Micah Nori, who is the new head coach in Portland. Can't say I remember seeing a head coach, especially a new one, sign a one-year contract, but Portland for sure has trust issues after a coach being under federal indictment for participation in a gambling ring.

Twins Face Ohtani Trying to Avoid Sweep

The Twins must beat international superstar Shohei Ohtani on the mound in order to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers. It’s Ohtani and Joe Ryan on the mound tonight at Target Field.

The Twins were flying high just 48 hours ago, going 6-1 in their last seven, before a 2-1 loss Monday to L.A. and then a 12-3 debacle last night. Ryan was supposed to start that game but was sick. The Twins essentially conceded in the fourth inning, when journeyman reliever Austin Voth, just called up from St. Paul, was left in the game for a three-run inning despite the Dodgers hitting multiple balls VERY hard off him.

The Wild Card margin is suddenly two games at the official halfway point of the season.

The Twins have an off day Thursday before the Rockies come to town this weekend.

Tell a friend to sign up for The Takeout today: https://cutt.ly/5jc87CG

Sponsor The Takeout

Sponsorship packages are available! The Takeout is a great spot to advertise your small business. Get thousands of eyeballs on your product every month. E-mail ryanstanzel@gmail.com