Crystal Ball Picks Blog

2026-06-02

WNBA Week in Review: Fever Slide, Clark-White Moment, Nneka Ogwumike Makes History

Indiana's 4-4 slide hit a new low with a blowout loss to Portland and a sideline moment between Caitlin Clark and coach Stephanie White that everyone is still talking about. Plus Nneka Ogwumike makes history.

2026-06-01

Denny Hamlin Wins 2026 Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville After Start Penalty

Denny Hamlin jumped the start, served a pass-through penalty, and still came back to win the 2026 Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville in a JGR 1-2-3 finish.

2026-06-01

2026 NBA Finals Preview: New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs

The New York Knicks carry an 11-game win streak and one of the most dominant playoff runs in recent memory into the NBA Finals. The San Antonio Spurs have Victor Wembanyama. Game 1 is Wednesday in San Antonio.

2026-06-01

2026 Stanley Cup Finals Preview: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Vegas Golden Knights

The Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights meet in the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals. One team is nearly perfect. The other has been here before. This is going to be a series.

2026-06-01

USMNT vs. Senegal: Christian Pulisic Scores in 3-2 World Cup Warm-Up Win

Christian Pulisic scored his first USMNT goal since 2024 and added an assist as the United States beat Senegal 3-2 in Charlotte. Folarin Balogun came off the bench to score the winner.

May 2026

35 posts▼

2026-05-31

MLB Week That Was: Braves, Rays, Dodgers Roll While Cubs Keep Sliding

The Braves, Rays, and Dodgers are separating from the pack. The Cubs keep sliding. And Jacob Misiorowski gave baseball one of the wildest velocity performances of the year.

2026-05-31

NBA Week That Was: Knicks Sweep Cavs, Spurs Beat Thunder in Game 7

The New York Knicks swept the Cavaliers with a +262 point differential over 11 straight wins. The San Antonio Spurs fought back from 3-2 down to beat OKC in Game 7. The NBA Finals are set.

2026-05-30

NHL Week That Was: Stanley Cup Final Set, Vegas Sweeps, and Saying Goodbye to Claude Lemieux

The Vegas Golden Knights swept the Presidents' Trophy-winning Avalanche. The Carolina Hurricanes closed out Montreal in five games. The Stanley Cup Final is set, and the hockey world lost one of its own.

2026-05-27

Early WNBA 2026 Check-In: Expansion Teams Are for Real, and the Standings Have Already Surprised Us

The Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo have exceeded expectations in their first WNBA season. The Atlanta Dream are off to a hot start, and Breanna Stewart is reminding everyone why she is still one of the league's standard-setters.

2026-05-26

USMNT 2026 World Cup Roster: Reyna, Zendejas In; Luna Out

Mauricio Pochettino names the USMNT 2026 World Cup roster, with Gio Reyna and Alejandro Zendejas included while Diego Luna and Tanner Tessmann miss out.

2026-05-25

Daniel Suarez Wins Rain-Shortened 2026 Coca-Cola 600 for Kyle Busch

Daniel Suarez wins the rain-shortened 2026 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte after a two-tire call, becoming the first Mexican-born driver to win the race.

2026-05-24

MLB Week That Was: Bryan Torres Debuts, Guardians Roll, Braves Stay Hot

Bryan Torres homers in his MLB debut after 11 years, Cleveland's streak ends against Zack Wheeler, and Atlanta stays near the top in the May 17-23 recap.

2026-05-23

2026 NBA Conference Finals Week 1: Brunson, Wembanyama, Thunder Bench

Jalen Brunson leads a Knicks comeback, Victor Wembanyama makes history, and OKC's bench swings Spurs-Thunder in this 2026 NBA Conference Finals recap.

2026-05-23

2026 NHL Conference Finals Week 1: Vegas Stuns Colorado, Canadiens Roll

Vegas takes a 2-0 lead on Colorado without Cale Makar, while Montreal hands Carolina its first playoff loss in this 2026 NHL Conference Finals recap.

2026-05-20

WNBA Week in Review (May 14-20): Rickea Jackson's Season-Ending Injury and Angel Reese's Atlanta Impact

The WNBA's early season took a gut-punch with Rickea Jackson's torn ACL. Meanwhile Angel Reese is already making her mark in Atlanta, Caitlin Clark is on fire, and the expansion teams are holding their own.

2026-05-19

2026 NHL Conference Finals Preview: Hurricanes vs. Canadiens and Avalanche vs. Golden Knights

The 2026 NHL Conference Finals are set. Carolina faces a surging Montreal team fresh off a Game 7 overtime win, and Colorado meets a Vegas team built for deep playoff runs. Matchups, storylines, and my picks.

2026-05-19

2026 World Cup Dark Horses: Morocco, Turkiye, Japan and the Latest USMNT News

Three weeks out from the 2026 World Cup, here are the dark-horse teams worth watching and the latest USMNT news, including the injury that changes Mauricio Pochettino's roster calculus.

2026-05-18

Denny Hamlin Banks $1 Million at Dover in Historic First All-Star Race at the Monster Mile

Denny Hamlin won the 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover, his third consecutive Cup win at the Monster Mile and second career All-Star victory. A million-dollar statement in a non-points race.

2026-05-18

2026 NBA Conference Finals Preview: Knicks vs. Cavaliers and Thunder vs. Spurs

The 2026 NBA Conference Finals are set: Knicks-Cavaliers in the East and Thunder-Spurs in the West. Matchups, storylines, and my picks.

2026-05-17

MLB Week That Was: Braves Beat Cubs, Mets Take Subway Series, Reds Keep Sliding

The Braves took down the Cubs to strengthen their hold on the NL, the Mets won the Subway Series, and the Reds kept sliding. A busy week around baseball.

2026-05-16

2026 NBA Conference Semifinals Recap: Knicks, Thunder, Spurs Advance as Cavs-Pistons Goes 7

The Knicks and Thunder swept into the conference finals, the Spurs closed out Minnesota in six, and Cavaliers-Pistons is heading to a decisive Game 7 in Detroit.

2026-05-16

2026 NHL Conference Semifinals Recap: Hurricanes Roll, Avalanche Advance, Sabres Force Game 7

Carolina keeps sweeping. Colorado survives a dramatic Game 5 in OT. Vegas closes out Anaheim in six. And Buffalo stormed into Montreal and forced a Game 7.

2026-05-14

2026 NFL Schedule Release: Please Stop Predicting Team Records

Every May, the NFL schedule drops and the internet immediately tells you exactly how every team will finish. Here is why those predictions are mostly meaningless and what the schedule release is actually good for.

2026-05-12

Christian Pulisic: Difference Maker or Passenger for the USMNT at the 2026 World Cup?

Christian Pulisic is on the cover of Time and stuck in a long scoring drought. Which version of the USMNT star will show up on June 12?

2026-05-12

WNBA at 30: Where the League Started and Where It's Heading

The WNBA turns 30 in 2026. From 8 teams and an uncertain debut to a multibillion-dollar media era and 15 franchises, here is how the league got here and where it goes next.

General

2026-05-11

Crystal Ball Daily: A Daily Score Prediction Game for Sports Fans

Predict the final score of one featured game each day, earn points for accuracy, and climb the Crystal Ball Daily monthly leaderboard.

2026-05-10

MLB Week That Was: Misiorowski Makes History, Cubs Surge, Correa Out

Jacob Misiorowski sets a starter velocity record, the Cubs keep rolling, Carlos Correa's season ends, and Luke Raley powers Seattle in MLB's May 3-9 week.

2026-05-10

Shane van Gisbergen Wins Watkins Glen Again: 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Recap

Shane van Gisbergen won the 2026 Go Bowling at The Glen for the second straight year. Full NASCAR Cup recap, top finishers, standings, and what comes next.

2026-05-09

2026 NBA Playoffs Conference Semifinals Recap: Brunson, Wembanyama, Cade and OKC Take Over

Knicks one win from a sweep, Wembanyama putting on a historic show, the Pistons stunning the Cavaliers, and the Thunder rolling. A full 2026 NBA conference semifinals recap.

2026-05-09

2026 NHL Playoffs Conference Semifinals Recap: Marner Hat Trick, Hurricanes 7-0, Avalanche Surge

Mitch Marner's natural hat trick steals the week, the Hurricanes keep rolling at 7-0, and Colorado and Montreal-Buffalo deliver the biggest Round 2 storylines. Full NHL conference semifinals recap.

2026-05-06

Caitlin Clark vs. Paige Bueckers: Why the May 9 WNBA Matchup Matters

Caitlin Clark vs. Paige Bueckers is the headline matchup of WNBA opening weekend. Breaking down the ESPN rankings debate, their college history, and what May 9 means for the league.

2026-05-05

USMNT World Cup 2026 Group D Preview: Paraguay, Australia, and Turkiye

A full USMNT Group D preview for the 2026 World Cup, breaking down Paraguay, Australia, and Turkiye with key players, strengths, weaknesses, and predicted order of finish.

2026-05-04

2026 NBA Playoffs Round 2 Preview: Picks and Predictions for Every Series

Full 2026 NBA Playoffs Round 2 preview with picks and predictions for all four series. OKC vs Lakers, Spurs vs Timberwolves, Pistons vs Cavs, and Knicks vs 76ers.

2026-05-03

Golden Knights vs Ducks 2026 NHL Playoffs Round 2 Series Preview

Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks Round 2 series preview for the 2026 NHL Playoffs. Can the Ducks pull off another upset? Matchup breakdown, key storylines, and our series pick.

2026-05-03

Sabres vs Canadiens 2026 NHL Playoffs Round 2 Series Preview

Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens Round 2 series preview for the 2026 NHL Playoffs. Two young rosters, two great stories, and a goaltending battle that could define the series.

2026-05-02

MLB Week That Was (April 26–May 2, 2026): Braves Dominate, Managers Fired, and a Rookie Making History

MLB week in review for April 26 to May 2, 2026. The Braves are baseball's best team, a White Sox rookie is making history, two managers got fired, and Randy Johnson got his number retired.

2026-05-02

2026 NBA Playoffs Week 2 Recap: Game 7s, Blowouts & Key Takeaways

Full recap of Week 2 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, including Game 7s, blowouts, comebacks, and key takeaways from every series.

2026-05-02

2026 NHL Playoffs Week 2 Recap: Oilers Eliminated, Sabres Make History, Round 2 Set

Full recap of Week 2 of the 2026 NHL Playoffs, including NHL playoff results, series updates, the Oilers' elimination, Buffalo's historic win, and Game 7 previews.

2026-05-02

Avalanche vs Wild 2026 NHL Playoffs Round 2 Series Preview

Colorado Avalanche vs Minnesota Wild Round 2 series preview for the 2026 NHL Playoffs. Matchup breakdown, key storylines, and our series pick.

2026-05-02

Hurricanes vs Flyers 2026 NHL Playoffs Round 2 Series Preview

Carolina Hurricanes vs Philadelphia Flyers Round 2 series preview for the 2026 NHL Playoffs. Matchup breakdown, key storylines, and our series pick.

April 2026

30 posts▼

2026-04-30

USMNT 2026 World Cup Preview: Group D, Roster Outlook, and Realistic Expectations

Can the USMNT make a deep run at the 2026 World Cup on home soil? Full breakdown of Group D, roster predictions, Pulisic's form, projected lineup, and how far this team can realistically go.

2026-04-29

Alex Cora Fired by Red Sox After 17-1 Win: What Went Wrong in Boston

The Red Sox fired Alex Cora hours after a 17-1 win over Baltimore. Was it really a manager problem, or a roster problem in Boston?

2026-04-28

Phillies Fire Rob Thomson After 9-19 Start: Don Mattingly Won't Fix the Real Problem

The Phillies fired Rob Thomson after a 9-19 start and named Don Mattingly interim manager. But this looks like a roster problem, not just a manager problem.

2026-04-28

WNBA 2026 Season Preview: Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Expansion Teams, and Title Favorites

The WNBA turns 30 in 2026. Caitlin Clark is back, Paige Bueckers enters Year 2, Azzi Fudd arrives, and Portland and Toronto debut.

2026-04-27

Why NFL Draft Grades the Day After Are Meaningless

Every April, analysts hand out NFL Draft grades before players take a single snap. Here is why those instant grades tell you almost nothing.

2026-04-26

MLB Week That Was: Cora Out in Boston, Dodgers Power Surge, Phillies Collapse

Alex Cora is out in Boston, the Dodgers are on a historic power pace, and the Phillies are collapsing. Here is everything that mattered in MLB this week.

2026-04-25

2026 NBA Playoffs First Round Recap: Lakers Up 3-0, Hawks Shock Knicks, Spurs Win Without Wemby

Week 1 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs is in the books. The Lakers are one win from a sweep, the Hawks are stunning New York, and the Spurs are for real. Full recap inside.

2026-04-25

2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round Recap: Avalanche, Flyers, Hurricanes Up 3-0

The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are one week in. Three series are on the brink of sweeps, and two major upsets are brewing. Here is the full Week 1 recap.

2026-04-24

Miami Dolphins 2026 NFL Draft Round 1 Recap: Kadyn Proctor, Chris Johnson, and Fan Reaction

Miami's Round 1 is in the books. The Dolphins land Kadyn Proctor and Chris Johnson, and fans already have strong opinions on both picks.

2026-04-23

2026 FIFA World Cup Guide: Dates, Host Cities, Format, Schedule, and Key Storylines

The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs June 11-July 19 across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Dates, host cities, format, and key storylines.

2026-04-22

Miami Dolphins 2026 NFL Draft Preview: What Miami Should Do at Picks 11 and 30

Miami Dolphins 2026 NFL Draft: picks 11 and 30, biggest needs, and the Round 1 plan that gives this rebuild an actual foundation. Grier, Tua, and McDaniel are gone.

2026-04-21

2026 NFL Mock Draft: Top 5 Picks, Sleeper QB, and One Prospect Who Could Fall

Our 2026 NFL Mock Draft: top 5 picks, a sleeper QB to watch, and one prospect who could slide on draft night. The 2026 NFL Draft begins April 23 in Pittsburgh.

2026-04-20

NASCAR Bracket Challenge: A Free Fantasy Picks Game for Cup Series Fans

Free NASCAR Bracket Challenge: pick head-to-head Cup Series driver matchups, earn upset bonuses, and compete on a leaderboard — a new bracket every four races.

2026-04-19

Mets Lose 11 Straight: How It Ranks Among MLB's Worst Losing Streaks

The Mets have lost 11 consecutive games in 2026. Here's how the streak ranks against the worst losing streaks in MLB history — and how close they are to the record.

2026-04-19

MLB Week That Was (April 12–18): Pirates Lead NL Central, Mets Losing Streak Hits 10

Pirates quietly lead the NL Central at 12-8. Mets hit 10 straight losses. Twins surging, Astros in freefall, and a Braves-Angels brawl. 2026 MLB season week 2 recap.

2026-04-17

2026 NBA Playoff Preview: First Round Picks and My Championship Prediction

The 2026 NBA playoffs tip off tomorrow. Here are my picks for all 8 first round series, my Conference Finals predictions, and my bold championship pick.

2026-04-17

2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Predictions: First Round Picks and Championship Pick

2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs predictions for all 8 first round series, Conference Finals picks, and who I think lifts the Cup. My full NHL playoff predictions inside.

2026-04-16

2026 NASCAR Point System and Playoff Format: The Chase Explained

The 2026 NASCAR Chase format explained: playoff rules, points system, and how 16 drivers compete over the final 10 races for the championship. No more eliminations.

2026-04-15

Dianna Russini Lost Her Job. Mike Vrabel Lost Nothing. That's a Problem.

Dianna Russini resigned from The Athletic after photos with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel surfaced. He called it laughable and went back to work. Why is only one of them paying a price?

2026-04-14

The NBA Play-In Is Here Again — And I Still Don't Buy It

The NBA Play-In Tournament tips off this week. More playoff basketball sounds great in theory — but does a team that finished 8 games under .500 really deserve a shot at the postseason?

2026-04-12

5 Straight Losses — What Is Going On With the New York Mets?

The Mets have dropped 5 in a row — 1-run heartbreakers, blowouts, pitching collapses, hitting droughts, defensive miscues. They've done it all. So what happens next?

Features

2026-04-11

Challenge Friends in Sports Picks: How Crystal Ball Picks Makes Every Game Personal

Crystal Ball Picks turns game predictions into one-on-one matchups. Pick a sport, challenge a friend or Crystal Ball AI, lock in your picks, and see who called the games better.

2026-04-10

Relax, Heat Fans — Pat Riley, Coach Spo, and Heat Culture Aren't Done Yet

Yes, the 2025 Miami Heat season has been frustrating. But Pat Riley, Coach Spo, and Heat culture are still the reasons to believe — and one big move this summer could change everything.

2026-04-07

Is It Time for Pat Riley and Coach Spo to Move On in Miami?

The Miami Heat have been mediocre for years, barely sneaking into the 2025 NBA playoffs through the play-in. As a Heat fan, the hard question has to be asked — is it time for Pat Riley and Coach Spo to move on?

College Basketball

2026-04-07

Michigan Took the Title — And My Call Your Shot Pick Was Spot On

Michigan defeated UConn 69-63 in a hard-fought national championship game. We called it — and the Crystal Ball Picks app paid out the bonus points to prove it.

2026-04-06

Florida Panthers Eliminated: 2026 NHL Playoff Picture & What It Means

The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers have been eliminated from playoff contention. As a Panthers fan, it stings — but the 2026 playoff picture just got a whole lot more interesting.

College Basketball

2026-04-05

UConn vs Michigan Prediction: Why the Wolverines Are the Team to Beat in the Championship

The 2026 Men's National Championship is set — UConn vs Michigan. Here's the full breakdown and why we're riding with the Wolverines to cut down the nets.

College Basketball

2026-04-05

My Pick for the 2026 Women's National Championship: South Carolina vs UCLA

The Women's National Championship tips off Sunday at 3:30 PM. Here's my pick and why I'm riding with the South Carolina Gamecocks.

2026-04-04

MLB 2026 Early Surprises: Who's Turning Heads One Week In

One week into the 2026 MLB season and there are already some eyebrow-raising stories. The Marlins are flying, the Red Sox are struggling, and the Brewers are quietly making noise.