MLB faces Justice Department investigation over Pride cap controversy
Major League Baseball is under a Justice Department investigation following controversy over Pride-themed caps. San Francisco Giants pitchers wrote Bible verses on rainbow caps, prompting a warning from MLB and a statement from the Department of Justice questioning a “double standard” for “Black Lives Matter” patches versus religious inscriptions. This follows the York Revolution losing a game due to players rejecting Pride jerseys, highlighting issues of free speech and religious freedom within sports.
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I’m glad we didn’t take the running line yesterday at the baseball game. We had the under eight for the game between the White Sox and the Tigers, and it ended 4-3. The Tigers got the win, but as I mentioned, it wasn’t justified for Detroit to be -250, even with Tarik Skubal on the mound. Today we move on to Chicago’s National League team as the Cubs host the Blue Jays.
The Toronto Blue Jays are a team I’ve written about probably more than most teams in the league. That’s not a complaint or anything, I just happen to see a lot of value in their games. Most of that is because when they are favorites, they are not big favorites given their 37-39 record and the series of injuries to their pitching staff. When they are dogs, they are usually quite small puppies that offer little value, but that means that the opponent’s favorite is not too high priced.
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Pete Crow-Armstrong #4 of the Chicago Cubs rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning during the game between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Saturday, May 30, 2026 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Ali Overstreet/MLB Photos via Getty Images) (Ali Overstreet/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
The Blue Jays were bombed by the Cubs yesterday and will need a good start from Patrick Corbin today. The once highly touted pitcher is just 2-3 with a 4.57 ERA and 1.48 WHIP. He had a decent year with the Rangers, but appears to be struggling again, as he did in his time with the Nationals. Corbin is a little more reliable on the road, as he has pitched 10 more innings and allowed three fewer runs on the road than at home, leading to a 3.57 ERA. He hasn’t given the Blue Jays much of late, going just 11.2 innings in three starts and allowing 11 runs on 17 hits. The Cubs hitters are very strong against him, hitting .316 against him.
The Cubs are one of the most frustrating teams to watch this season. Maybe I’m just saying this as a fan of the team, but they’ve had two 10-game winning streaks and also a 10-game losing streak. Since May 9, the team is 13-24. Sure, some of that can be attributed to injuries to their pitching staff: They only have two healthy starters since the start of the year. But most of this should focus on hitting the club. Nico Hoerner is hitting .238, Ian Happ is at .228 and Dansby Swanson is a pathetic .177.
Ernie Clement of the Toronto Blue Jays hits a three-run home run during the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles in Toronto on June 6, 2026. (Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)
Still, the Cubs brought out the bats yesterday, and Pete Crow-Armstrong looks like the five-tool player of the first half of last season. If they can get some pitching going, maybe they will be the dominant team we saw earlier this year. Today’s starter is Colin Rea, who hasn’t been very good this month. He made three starts, allowing 19 hits and 13 earned runs in 14.2 innings pitched. However, he has been much better at home with a 3.03 ERA in five starts (six appearances). Blue Jays hitters haven’t seen much of him, but they are hitting .176 against Rea in 17 at-bats.
There is a clear gamer element to playing in this one. The bad news, however, is that it’s not on the list of options, so you may have to request it or find it in a different book other than DraftKings. Michael Conforto was 12-for-36 against Corbin with seven extra-base hits, including five home runs. I’d play it with 2+ total bases and a home run, as long as you can get +200 or more for the bases and +700 for the home run.
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Pete Crow-Armstrong #4 of the Chicago Cubs reacts after being hit by a pitch in the eighth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on May 17, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Michael Hirschuber/Getty Images)
If you can’t find him, or they never release him (but I have to imagine they’ll give options once they add him to the lineup, and they absolutely should, given his history), I still have a play. I’m taking the Cubs at -130 here. Rea isn’t the most reliable, but he should at least be decent here, and the Cubs will have a fresher bullpen. Give me the Cubs to win this one.
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