All news

After what has been a blazing finish in Game 4, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers now move on to a best-of-three series in this showdown of the 2025 NBA Finals. However, this will be a must-win for both sides, as whoever wins Game 5 may end up being the one in full control for the rest of the series. It is worth noting that there are a total of 40 times that a team that ended up with a 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals went on to win the series. Nine of those that have gone 2-3 have managed to reverse it and win the series. That is a stunning 81.6% rating in the Finals, which just spices up the implications as it means that both teams will have to come up with elite performances to finish strong in Game 5. After all, nothing has been easy in the last four games. Fans have been treated to three clutch finishes, and the most recent one just showed that both teams have what it takes to go down to the wire. This just means that fans should look out for the intense spectacle that will take place in Paycom Center. Can the Pacers Win on the Road? Much has been asked of the Pacers in this series, but it is the fact that they can win on the road that has given them a massive chance to win big in most of the postseason. They have taken down massive giants one series after another, but it seems that this clash with the Thunder has hit them differently. At this point, Indiana walks in with a 7-3 record on hostile territory. The Pacers have been praised for being able to deter the massive pressure of playing against hostile crowds, beating higher-seeded teams, and defying the odds time and time again. Still, the Pacers are a massive threat, and this heart-pounding clash will not write itself without the Eastern Conference Champions bringing in the fight. “Stay in the moment,” said Pacers center Myles Turner, explaining the road approach. “It’s a hostile environment, and, in the end, this is what you dream of, playing in these environments with the highest stakes possible. I think that’s really what it is. We come together when moments get tough and just figure it out.” The Eye of the Storm The Thunder are a real threat at home, flexing a 9-2 record for the entire 2025 Playoffs. This says a lot about how the pressure rises on its opponents heading into Game 5. Paycom Center has earned a massive reputation for being loud – and it has intimidated visiting teams, while the Thunder roared along with its crowd whenever they come up with those fabled avalanches of scoring bursts. After all, OKC has won with a point differential of +21.5 at home this postseason. They have logged massive wins of 51 points (vs Memphis), 32 points (vs Denver) and 30 points (vs Minnesota) against three different teams in the West. Against the Pacers? A 16-point win in Game 2. Oklahoma City has found itself standing against adversity time and time again, and it is easy to say that the team has always endured and managed to claw its way back. They have done so again when they won in Game 4 on the road after being down 2-1. However, it is clear that this Game 5 is a must-win for the team, and they are not letting a chance to go up 3-1 pass by them.

Trent Williams is making his return to the San Francisco 49ers heading into the 2025 season, and he is not planning to repeat the same mistakes he’s made in the previous campaign. In fact, the left tackle even hopes to continue playing for as long as he can to ensure that he would get the best chances to win in their games and even prove that he is indeed one of the top players to watch as well. At the age of 36, Williams stands as a promising performer on the big stage for the 49ers, and it cannot be denied that he is also one of the aging players who is mulling retirement. However, it seems that he is holding back in that regard just yet – at least until he can cap off a promising feat that only a few NFL players manage to reach. This season isn’t new for Williams, who has played 14 runs and yet still continues to impress at a high level in the game. In fact, the left tackle has proven himself to be one of the most elite linemen in the league, and moving into the latter half of his 30s is a good note considering that he is still a top player in the league right now. Longevity Talks the Game Being in the league since 2010, Trent Williams has earned a pro-bowl nod in 11 straight seasons starting in his third year. The only time he saw that run end was in 2024, which was also the same campaign where he missed seven games due to an ankle injury that has been a huge issue for his career. Still, Williams has managed to break into First-team All-pro selections from 2021 to 2023. If you are not impressed, that latter feat came after he turned 30. It is easy to look at his achievements and give him his flowers. But knowing that he has done more and delivered even better, you can say that he has indeed deserves more credit with the way he continues to stay consistent and efficient in his career. "I would love to play until I'm 40," Williams said. “It's one of the things where I'm going to do everything possible to play as long and put a good product of football out there, and then, when it's not going my way, then I know. But I could play until I'm 41, you know, who knows? But that is a goal of mine. I'm definitely not going to retire with something left on the table." Considering that he can stay consistent at this point in his age, Williams does make a strong case to be one of the top players in the game right now. A Promise of Efficiency His age-37 season is set to unfold in the coming months. With Williams not slowing down just yet, it may be safe to say that he could still keep up the fire and continue elevating his play. "I just feel like I do myself and my teammates a disservice if I'm looking toward the end," he said. "I'm paid, people count on me to be here now. We got goals and aspirations as a team. I just don't think putting brain power toward that helps us get to where we want to go. On top of all that, maybe what drives Williams to stay on the hunt is the fact that he still lacks a specific hardware on his case. He has been in the All-Pro selections, but perhaps a Lombardi Trophy would do him well.

Rush Street Interactive is a world-renowned sports betting and online casino provider in the US - and it has just announced the launch of BetRivers Poker, which was previously only available in Pennsylvania, into three more US states: Delaware, West Virginia, and Michigan. Since it debuted last November in Pennsylvania, BetRivers Poker has garnered significant attention - and this multi-state deal creates a larger, more competitive network with more players, tournaments, and prize pools. Backed by poker legends Phil Galfond and Phil Hellmuth, the new BetRivers Poker expansion marks a milestone in regulated online gaming. Rush Street Interactive, Inc., a leading force in the US online casino and sports betting industry, has officially launched its BetRivers Poker platform in Michigan, Delaware, and West Virginia. This marks a major expansion from its successful debut in Pennsylvania in November 2024 and ushers in a new era for online poker by connecting players across four states. The newly unified BetRivers Poker network allows players from Pennsylvania, Michigan, Delaware, and West Virginia to compete together in a single player pool. This cross-state integration significantly enhances the poker experience by offering larger tournament prize pools, fuller cash-game lobbies, and more consistent gameplay. CEO applauds milestone in multi-state integration "The launch of a unified cross-state player pool significantly enhances the BetRivers Poker experience," said the Chief Executive Officer of Rush Street Interactive Richard Schwartz. "By expanding the network, we'll bring more players to our tables, offer a wider variety of games, and raise the stakes with larger tournament prize pools. We're thrilled to strengthen our poker footprint and deliver best-in-class competition and community-driven play across multiple states." Rush Street Interactive has confirmed that the platform will further expand to New Jersey later in the year, potentially adding another state to the growing poker network. Additionally, BetRivers Poker remains united with Rivers Casinos in Pennsylvania, enabling players to engage in both online and live events under one ecosystem. Designed by players, for players At the heart of BetRivers Poker is a commitment to the community that plays it. Industry veteran and poker pro Phil Galfond was instrumental in the platform's development, working closely with RSI to ensure gameplay, rewards, and features aligned with the needs of both new and seasoned players. "As poker players, we built this platform for the players - all of them," stated Galfond. "From brand-new poker players to seasoned pros, we focused on fairness, fun, unique features, and meaningful player rewards. I've been involved from day one to help shape BetRivers Poker into a platform that delivers the best possible player experience." Phil Hellmuth joins the team Adding even more star power to the brand, 17-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth has joined BetRivers Poker as an ambassador and content creator. Known for his competitive spirit and charismatic presence, Hellmuth aims to engage and grow the BetRivers player base through live events, digital content, and personal appearances. "I've won more bracelets than anyone in history because I know how poker players think, and BetRivers delivers what they want: real competition, big moments, and a championship experience," Hellmuth said. Features that stand out in the market BetRivers Poker offers an array of innovative features that enhance both casual and competitive play. These include: Vibrant avatars: Interactive, expressive avatars that respond to gameplay in real time Cub3d Sit & Go Tournaments: A fast-paced format where players can win up to 1500x their buy-in A player-centric interface: A design shaped by direct community feedback for intuitive navigation and smooth gameplay The platform supports a full range of poker formats including Sit & Go tournaments, cash games, and Multi-Table Tournaments, ensuring there's something for every skill level. BetRivers Poker is expanding its reach through robust media initiatives. Its long-running Poker Night in America show continues to captivate TV audiences, while the launch of PokerBratTV on YouTube - featuring Hellmuth and special guests - offers fans behind-the-scenes content, live-streamed games, and player interviews. Players now have the opportunity not only to watch poker legends but also to compete alongside them in real time, further bridging the gap between amateur enthusiasts and professional icons.

A warning to all users has been issued by the Maine Gambling Control Unit against all illegal and unregulated gambling apps and websites, including the controversial sweepstakes casino platforms. As everyone fully knows, online gambling is still illegal in the state of Maine, and the warning comes right after the NY Attorney General sent 26 cease and desist letters to sweepstakes casinos. Online gambling continues to evolve across the United States, but regulations vary drastically by state. In Maine, gambling regulators are taking a firm stance against certain online platforms. The Maine Gambling Control Unit has issued a public warning urging residents as well as visitors to avoid using illegal sweepstakes casinos and unlicensed gambling apps. "These sites may appear legitimate, but none are licensed or regulated by the state," said Milton Champion, executive director of the GCU within the Department of Public Safety. "No online casino, iGaming, or sweepstakes site is authorized to operate in Maine." The statement follows a growing national crackdown on sweepstakes-style gambling. Recently, New York's Attorney General sent cease and desist letters to 26 sweepstakes casinos, and Montana became the first state to officially ban sweepstakes gambling altogether. What's legal in Maine? Unlike many states with looser restrictions, Maine has drawn a clear legal boundary around online gambling. Currently, only three types of online betting are legal in the state: Online sports betting Fantasy sports contests Advance deposit betting for horse racing These activities are regulated under Maine law, with the GCU overseeing licensing and consumer protections to ensure fair play. Operators must adhere strictly to state regulations or risk legal action. Unregulated sites on the rise Despite these legal boundaries, the GCU has identified a troubling trend: unregulated websites and mobile apps that target Maine players. These platforms often masquerade as legitimate online casinos or sweepstakes games, but they operate outside of Maine's regulatory framework. A common example is Miss Cherry Fruits, a sweepstakes casino game accessible online. Like many similar platforms, sweepstakes casinos offer games that simulate traditional casino play - slots, roulette, blackjack - and often provide real-money payouts, gift cards, or prizes. Yet, these platforms are not licensed to operate in Maine and are not held accountable by the GCU or any state authority. Risks of using illegal gambling platforms Using unlicensed platforms carries significant risks. Without state oversight, there is no assurance that the games are fair or that user funds are secure. Should a player experience issues - such as account disputes, withheld winnings, or technical malfunctions - they have no legal recourse. The GCU emphasized that users participate in such activities entirely at their own risk. Consumers should be wary of platforms that are not explicitly licensed by Maine authorities. Other states grapple with sweepstakes regulation Maine isn't alone in confronting the complexities of sweepstakes casinos. States across the country are responding to the growing popularity - and associated risks - of these platforms. Louisiana, for example, is close to enacting a full ban. Senate Bill 181, aimed at eliminating sweepstakes gambling in the state, has already passed the Senate and is progressing through the House. Pennsylvania and New Jersey, which allow licensed online casinos, are also considering tighter rules to control unregulated sweepstakes platforms. As it stands, only seven US states have legalized real-money online casinos: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia. This fragmented legal landscape makes it difficult for consumers to know what's legal, especially when traveling or accessing platforms that operate across state lines. Support for Responsible Gambling As part of its public awareness effort, the GCU is also highlighting the importance of responsible gambling. For those struggling with gambling addiction or concerns, the agency encourages seeking help through state and national resources. Assistance is available through the National Problem Gambling Helpline, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, and the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Ultimately, Maine's gambling regulators stress the importance of caution when navigating online gaming platforms. Players are urged to verify the legitimacy of any site before engaging and to avoid platforms not licensed by the state.

No one would have pegged the Edmonton Oilers to steal one on the road against a gritty unit like the Florida Panthers. Instead, it ended up in another comeback victory for the Oilers, going back from 0-3 down to force OT and later win it to tie the Stanley Cup Final at 2-2 as the series returns to Edmonton once more. As with his Game 1 heroics, Leon Draisaitl played hero as he drilled the dagger for the Western Conference champions. The forward pulled off a stunning shot at 11:18 of overtime, completing the fabled Edmonton comeback to undo all the progress for the first four games of the series. Now it is a best-of-three heading back into Edmonton, where the Oilers will have home-ice advantage for the rest of the way. Fans at the Amerant Bank Arena were left stunned, while a small pocket of Oilers fans cheered out loud as they just saw their squad deny the Panthers a chance to get even closer to winning the Cup now more than ever. Now comes a crucial and pivotal Game 5 that will determine who will have the series advantage. The Comeback Story Matthew Tkachuk scored twice in a fast-paced first period for Florida – who was in control right from the opener and put up impressive attacks on Edmonton’s defense. Anton Lundell scored another goal at 19:18 with a wrist shot to make it a 3-0 lead. At that time, it looked like this was going to be another blowout for the Panthers as they had the same start in their Game 3 win. However, the Oilers were undaunted this time. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored the first goal with a snap shot coming off assists from Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. Darnell Nurse would then cut the lead to 3-2 with another snap shot at 12:47 in the second. Edmonton wrapped up their massive rally with a backhand shot from Vasily Podkolzin at 15:05, tying the score at 3-3. When no one expected it, Jake Walman found his way to score a slap shot at 13:36 of the third frame, giving Edmonton its first lead of the game. Fans were nervous for the rest of the game as the Oilers kept sending the puck back from the Panthers, and were even making close shots of their own to extend the lead. However, Sam Reinhart managed to tie the game with just a few seconds left to play in the game. His wrist shot went in, and now it sent the game to overtime for extra minutes. Another Heroic Day for Draisaitl Neither team had the upper hand in the game, and it was a slugfest as both squads could not find a scoring groove that would see them win. After a flurry of aggressive attempts from the Oilers, Draisaitl only had one hand on his stick, and yet he managed to slide the puck right to the net from the right face-off circle. Initially, the shot was off to begin with. However, it bounced right off the skate of Florida defenseman Niko Mikkola. That proved to be the winning deal as the buzzer lit up, signaling a stolen win by Edmonton – on the road. This is now Draisaitl’s second game-winner in the Stanley Cup Final – both coming in overtime. He had a total of four in the postseason, and six in the regular season. By his standards, this clutch play was nothing out of the ordinary.

The action never stops, and that is what the level of dedication that Carlos Alcaraz brings to the table as he now leads the latest odds for the upcoming ATP 500 in the HSBC Championships in London. After all, Alcaraz isn’t just a clay merchant, but also a menace on the grass courts as he is expected to dominate the scene. Alcaraz made his debut on the Queen’s Club back in 2023, and won the tournament at the same time. He is now slated to return to the tournament once more as he is chasing a lot of points to get back on the track for the world no. 1 spot, which is still dominated by Jannik Sinner – even after the latter’s defeat to the Spaniard. Defending champion Tommy Paul is also set to make his return in hopes of going back-to-back in the tournament. Finalist of the 2014 edition Grigor Dimitrov is also slated to make his presence felt in this year’s entry list. A lot of opponents for Alcaraz to consider are coming onto the big stage, and this is just the start of the grass campaign. Mulling Decisions Despite a promising performance after the five-hour showdown against Sinner in the French Open final, Alcaraz is considering his options for the ATP 500 tournament, consulting with his team to ensure he is fully prepared for the competition. After all, Alcaraz partied last year after winning in Paris, but this time he hopes to have a lead up tournament before the big game in Wimbledon. Alcaraz is set to defend another of his major titles in that big stage. The Spanish star wants to keep the momentum going, especially with that brewing rivalry against Jannik Sinner that is expected to continue to this stage of the season. "The plan is to play, but we'll make a final decision in a few days. We talked about it mid-tournament, and Carlos told us he was looking forward to going,” Alcaraz’s coach Juan Carlos Ferrero said of the intent to play in the Queen’s Club. “After these days of rest, on Thursday or Friday, we'll do a test to see how he feels physically and mentally. We're going to Wimbledon with great enthusiasm; Carlos loves playing there.” This was discussed between Alcaraz and Ferrero in the middle of the Roland Garros, which says a lot about the supreme confidence that he has been seeing in his games to even think about it in the middle of a high-stakes tournament. The Queen’s Club: By the Numbers According to the latest odds, Alcaraz stands with a -300 to win the HSBC Championships. Following him behind is Taylor Fritz at +600, and Jack Draper at +700. It is safe to say that these three players will be the top stars to watch in the tournament and will likely keep the show on the road with their elite performances. Paul is also slated to put in some massive performances of his own, but the odds have him pumped up all the way to +800. At this point, it is expected that there will be a lot of heavy battles on the way as the competition winds up to be a crucial set up heading into the big tournaments of the grass season. After all, this is indeed going to be quite a fantastic finish for Alcaraz should he play and win the rest of the way.

The Seattle Sounders have their eyes set on a bigger prize this season with the FIFA Club World Cup in their sights. However, it seems that midfielder Obed Vargas is slated to bring his talent on display in perhaps the biggest stage of his career with the hopes of showing his worth and earning some promising minutes. Much has been said about how the Seattle Sounders when it comes to playing at a high, competitive level in the MLS, and the sixth seed team is showing that they have what it takes to play against the best teams in the world. As the CWC comes to the United States, Seattle is one of the representing teams, and Vargas is expected to be clear for takeoff in these games. Considering how well he has played over the course of the season, it is worth noting that he’s still just 19. The Anchorage native has been on some good runs this season, and perhaps this is the time that he gets the exposure he needs to prove that he is a strong performer for the club. Spotlight on Vargas Vargas is expected to draw a lot of attention when the games begin as well, which comes this Sunday against Brazilian side Botafogo. There are rumors that European scouts and even sporting directors will be keeping an eye on him – more than any other player in the upcoming tournament. “At this point, what I’d say is I don’t know if there’s a club in the world that doesn’t know who he is,” Sounders general manager and chief soccer officer Craig Waibel told reporters of Vargas after a recent training session. “I mean, anyone who’s got analytics, he’s triggered and kind of set off the red alarms.” Considering that Anchorage isn’t much of a hotspot for soccer talent – with lots of hockey players focusing instead, it may be easy to sleep on what Vargas has to offer. But it is worth noting that Vargas is an accomplished player in his own right. After all, he’s won a total of four State Cups – even if it doesn’t offer the reality check compared to the competition in the mainland. Grounded and Humble Despite all the praises he has been receiving in his game, there are a lot of talks as to how Vargas downplays the value he brings to the table. After all, this seems to be what he’s all about – putting up a humble level of play to show how he remains grounded even he gets on the explosive level of play. “It's not the same as everywhere else. Not as many teams. Not as much competition. There are maybe four or five teams in the whole state,” said Vargas on his upbringing. “And so that kind of always kept me grounded, kept me humble because I knew I was the best player here in Alaska. But I didn't know how far that was going to get me.” Vargas is heading to his first FIFA Club World Cup, and it seems that the midfielder will be gaining some valuable experience that will make him a more rounded player on the field, which should help him improve his level of play too. Discipline is a strong suit for Vargas. Heading into the Club World Cup, this seems to be a needed trait as the Sounders hope to come up with impressive performances in that campaign.

After that tough loss in Game 2, the Indiana Pacers made use of home-court advantage as they rallied to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder with a crucial scoring stretch in the fourth quarter. Pacers come out on top with a 116-107 win, but most of all, a 2-1 series lead with still one more game to play in front of their home crowd. The Thunder led by 89-84 entering the fourth quarter, but the Pacers were undaunted by those leads – as they have been in the entire postseason. Indiana hammered and outscored OKC, 32-18 in the closing frame to put the game to bed, hampering the team on both ends of the floor all the way to the final buzzer. Fans in Indiana celebrated as they went on to win their first NBA Finals home game since 2000, which says a lot about the passionate fanbase that has its crowd roaring for most of the game. It was a blast, and now the Pacers are moving two wins away from their first NBA title with the hopes of showing that they can prove their worth as a dominant team in the league. A Pacers Burst As expected, Tyrese Haliburton stepped up his level of play after scoring just 31 points combined in the first two games. He flirted with a triple-double of 22 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds – and Indiana improved to a 20-1 record whenever he goes for 20+ points and 10+ assists for the team. But what made him more lethal was his ability to dictate the pace of the game, which certainly happened for most of the night. Pascal Siakam scored 21 points and nine boards, but it was the explosive bench performance from Bennedict Mathurin that proved to be the difference. The guard dropped 27 points in 22 minutes, along with TJ McConnell scoring 10 points that felt like more with the way he has impacted the game. The Thunder looked lost for most of the game and could not find answers to the surging Indiana offense, which is certainly the best that the game has seen since January. OKC did try to come up with some runs of their own, but the Pacers always clapped back and poked holes in the majestic OKC defense. The Bench Battle Indiana’s strength rests in its depth aside from its star power. In this Game 3 win, the Pacers outscored OKC in bench points at 49-18. That is a huge difference considering that both teams have been always lauded for having a deep rotation. However, the difference was that Indiana was playing at home – which was always a factor in bench performance. McConnell finished with five assists and five steals as well. Three of those steals came from the Thunder inbounding the ball. No player has ever managed to do that in an NBA Finals game, so the guard has certainly earned his spotlight. It is also the first time that we have seen the most points by a player off the bench with Mathurin dropping 27. The last time we saw an elite performance from a bench player was by Jason Terry back in 2011 against the Miami Heat. The bench battle has been the deciding factor for the series so far, and Indiana has won them twice, and now holds a 2-1 series lead.

Finally, when the time called for it, Aaron Rodgers landed with another team heading into the late phases of his career. It is the second week of June, and now the league is buzzing with Rodgers finally talking about how he could actually make an impact heading to his new team as he hopes to lead them to greatness. Rodgers has finally dropped his groove with some new threads – this time in the black and gold heading to the coming NFL season. The Steelers finalized that deal, securing the veteran quarterback’s services with a one-year, $13.6 million contract. It is worth noting that this one has been months in the making, and to have it fulfilled has been a breather for both sides. Of course, it was the most obvious move for Rodgers, and one can say that the Steelers are lucky enough to bring his services in while also heading for a shot at greatness one more time. Who knows, maybe this can end up in yet another promising playoff glory that will see him at the biggest stage of the game. Rodgers On the Rise To be fair, Rodgers had the Steelers waiting for so long – mulling his options and even entertaining offers from other teams. That definitely may have put him on a bad light, but it is safe to say that signing with the team evens it all up, and now he is ready to prove his worth once more. "A big attraction was Mike Tomlin," Rodgers told reporters on Tuesday following his first mandatory minicamp practice with the Steelers. "I've gone against him over the years. The way that the conversations went between him and I, whenever it was in March or April and the last Sunday when I called him was some of the coolest conversations I had in the game. So, he's a big reason of why I'm here and I'm excited to play for him." As a 20-year veteran in the NFL, Rodgers has it all lined up for him, and one can easily say that he has a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which should be enough to inspire him to play a little more better than he did in the past few years. After all, his seasons with the New York Jets was anything but impressive, and that has led to them abandoning him when the offseason came. Luckily, the Steelers are here to give him another chance. Can Rodgers Make an Impact? Rodgers is a player who has a lot of experience in the game – largely more than head coach Mike Tomlin’s mastermind tenure in Pittsburgh. At this point, it is all about putting up with him and allowing him to take his time to adjust. "Read his resume. We're excited about him being here," Tomlin said of Rodgers on Tuesday. "He's excited about being here. But we'll make no bold predictions. We're going to roll our sleeves up and go to work, and let our efforts do the talking." Fans are excited to see Rodgers play with his new teammates, including DK Metcalf, whom the star QB had the chance to work out with earlier in the offseason. Now this is a chance for Rodgers to show that he definitely has what it takes to prove his worth and deliver for the city of Pittsburgh.

Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal, Max Fried, and Zack Wheeler – are just a few names who are making waves in the current poll for the Cy Young award as they continue to elevate their pitching game with a whole new promising feel for their respective teams. But both Skenes and Skubal take the top spots on their respective leagues. Pitching is not an easy task for any player, let alone for those who continue to take the job at the helm. Still, that doesn’t stop the latest pitchers from shining at the top of the big stage to show their worth and elevate their level of play. In fact, both Skenes and Skubal have impressed well to top their respective leagues, showing how they have become elite pitchers this season so far. But the season is far from over, and there’s a lot of expectations that the season will bring out the best of the best from these pitchers while they help their respective clubs win. At this rate, nothing has surprised MLB fans more than the sudden rise of these elite pitchers now more than ever. A Skenes and Skubal Domination Tarik Skubal continues to be the runaway vote-getter in the American League as he continues to play at a high level. Let’s not forget the fact that he is also the defending Cy Young award winner, which says a lot about his strong potential to repeat as a winner again. He continues to be on an absolute tear with just one run allowed in the last 23 2/3 innings to lower his ERA to 2.16. On the other hand, Skenes has also been phenomenal in his games. His recent seven-pitch mix has allowed him to evolve faster than what he achieved in his massive rookie season, and now he continues to shine at a high level as one of the top pitchers in the National League. These two stars have been on the shining ground for today’s list, and it is easy to expect that they will be the ones to continue to dominate the game on the pitching side as they are seriously making some dominant performances now more than ever. Max Fried and Zack Wheeler also deserve some praise for their individual performances, and this should give them a strong chance to contend for the top spots. After all, it is still a long way to October. Setting Expectations At this rate, both Skenes and Skubal are poised to come up with a big win in the Cy Young awards on their respective leagues. Skubal has been quite the performer, but it is also worth noting that he has the highest first-place votes so far, which makes a lot of impressive note on the way he is performing right now. Skenes, on the other hand, also continues to shine bright on his own, and it is definitely his time to be a runaway winner for the Cy Young at this point. With the way his only rival – Yoshinobu Yamamoto – is playing right now, maybe Skenes indeed does have a chance to take the award home for himself and deliver a fantastic finish that he’s been waiting for. That said, there are still a lot of contenders to look out for outside of these two, and even Fried and Wheeler. The likes of Garrett Crochet, Hunter Brown, and Kris Bubic also round off the AL’s top performers, while Yamamoto, MacKenzie Gore, and Logan Webb also round up the NL’s list.

Circa Resort & Casino, located in downtown Vegas, has just announced that it plans to host the biggest 'slot party' in the world, scheduled on the 19th of July, 2025. The party, titled Slotapalooza (what else?) is slated to be a slot extravaganza filled with free merchandise and even $20,000 in free play. It will also have an open-air bar, a t-shirt giveaway, and many more. Downtown Las Vegas is set to electrify the slot-playing community with a unique event this summer. Circa Resort & Casino has just announced that it will host 'Slotapalooza,' promoted as "the world's largest slot party," on Friday, the 19th of July. This full-day celebration of slot machines will take place at the resort's vibrant second level, promising a high-energy experience for gaming enthusiasts and casual players. An all-day extravaganza of spins, sips, and surprises Running from 11 am to 9 pm, Slotapalooza will be held on the Cleopatra machines located by Circa Collections. The tournament is free and open to all guests aged 21 and over, with no pre-registration required - meaning anyone ready to press their luck can simply show up and play. Each participant will receive a single entry and a two-minute session to rack up the highest score. Players will be vying for a variety of exciting rewards, with the top competitor walking away with a choice between $2,500 in cash or a Game King Poker slot machine. Tens of thousands in prizes and free play The event will feature a whopping $20,000 in free slot play spread across the day, along with exclusive player merchandise and on-the-spot giveaways. In a particularly thrilling twist, 'hot seat' drawings will be held every 90 seconds for a total of 15 minutes during the 7 pm hour. During this high-energy window, $5,000 in free play will be handed out to lucky seated players. As an added perk, the top 50 qualifiers will share a pool of $15,000 in total slot freeplay, giving many participants a shot at a win. Evening entertainment with open bar and exclusive swag Slotapalooza isn't just about gaming - it's also a party. Starting at 7 pm, Circa will open an open bar for two hours, adding to the festive atmosphere. All seated players during this time will also receive a custom "1312 Club" T-shirt, adding to the collector-worthy swag available at the event. For seasoned slot players or those who just want to soak up the electric energy of a Las Vegas-style celebration, Slotapalooza is designed to offer something for everyone. Located at 8 Fremont Street, near the Fremont Street Experience canopy, Circa Resort & Casino has quickly gained a reputation for innovation and excitement. With its blend of modern amenities and classic Vegas flair, Circa serves as a fitting backdrop for a groundbreaking event like Slotapalooza. The venue's location in the heart of downtown ensures easy access for locals and visitors alike. Its Cleopatra slot machines, a fan favorite, will take center stage during the event. No sign-ups, no fees - just slot fun In true Vegas fashion, Slotapalooza keeps things simple. There's no fee to enter and no need to sign up in advance. All you need is to be 21 or older and ready to spin. With generous prizes, exclusive merchandise, and a lively party atmosphere, Slotapalooza promises to be more than just a slot tournament - it's a celebration of Las Vegas gaming culture. Whether you're in it to win big, score some free swag, or simply enjoy an unforgettable time on Fremont Street, Circa's Slotapalooza on July 19 is shaping up to be one of the hottest casino events of the summer. Don't miss your chance to be a part of what could be the world's largest slot party.