Brier Takeaways: Gushue’s experience shines in battle of The Rock — and more

This week was always going to be about Brad Gushue playing his final Brier in his hometown of St. John’s, trying to win his record seventh Brier tankard in the place he won his first back in 2017. 

However, it is nice to think about the future sometimes…

The folks of Newfoundland and Labrador got that on Monday night as Gushue took on his prodigy, Nathan Young, in an all-province showdown.

Despite the fact that both teams were technically the ‘good guys’ in the fans’ eyes, it was clear Gushue was receiving more love from the hometown, as expected.

Early on, however, the crowd had to give Young his props, given what he was doing against Gushue. In the first end, Young made a clutch draw to the pin against two to earn a single. 

In the second end, Gushue was set up to score five, but Young made a double runback double takeout while lying buried, so Gushue could only score two. 

Young’s hot start continued for the next two ends as well. He earned a deuce of his own in the third while forcing Gushue to a single in the fourth end to be tied 3-3.

The fifth end is when the experience that only a team like Gushue has with Mark Nichols, Brendan Bottcher and Geoff Walker took over. Gushue made a nice shot with his last, and Young gave up a steal of two. 

From there, the momentum changed, and Gushue’s team played outstandingly in the second half to earn the 8-5 victory in just nine ends. As a team, they shot 90 per cent.

Even though Young is in his third Brier (thanks to Gushue wearing the Maple Leaf for a couple years), he’s still the youngest skip in the field at 23. 

Obviously, nobody expects Young to have the same career path as Gushue, but it’s safe to say the future of curling on The Rock is in fine hands.

Jacobs is picking apart his opponents 

You have to feel for the rookie squad from Ontario in Jayden King. After facing the six-time Brier champion Gushue on Sunday, where his team lost 8-4, he had to get back on the ice to face the defending Brier and Olympic champion, Canada’s Team Brad Jacobs, on Monday morning. 

Jacobs, who, as a team, is looking more like the champions of the world with each day, sensed the situation King and his teammates were facing and went to work right away. In the first end, Canada easily converted with the hammer to score their deuce and jump out to an early lead. 

Even though Ontario had the hammer for the next five ends, it never really felt that way. Jacobs and his teammates, Marc Kennedy, Brett Gallant and Ben Hebert, made what felt like every shot, leaving Ontario chasing, much like their game against Gushue. 

After a steal and two blanks, Canada had a 3-0 advantage going into the fifth end. This is when the game fell apart for King, while for Jacobs, a piece of cake.   

With his final shot of the end, Jacobs made a sweet hit and roll to get perfectly buried and sit right on the button.

“That felt too easy,” Jacobs said, sliding the down sheet to his teammates to complement the ice they were playing on during the broadcast.

Canada ended up with a steal of three after King missed his final shot. Just to look at King’s stats and see he shot 63 per cent, doesn’t really do him justice. The level of difficulty he was facing when shooting, thanks to Canada playing a near-perfect game, shouldn’t go unrecognized.

Now at 4-0 on the week, it becomes harder to see a world where Jacobs doesn’t repeat as the champion this year.  

Nova Scotia loses game on weird decision

When Nova Scotia’s skip, Kendal Thompson, lies his head down on his pillow Monday night, he will still be thinking of the decision he made in the 10th end versus Quebec that cost him the game.

Nova Scotia was down 6-5 with the hammer, and after Quebec’s fourth-stone thrower, Felix Asselin, was heavy on his draw that landed in the back eight-foot, Thompson had two choices to earn his single to force an extra end. Either draw to the backing or play a soft-weight takeout. 

He chose neither. Instead, Thompson decided to get greedy and go for the win by scoring two. He attempted to play a thin triple takeout but flashed the shot anyway and gave up a steal of two to lose 8-5. To be honest, if Thompson hit the rock in the right spot, the angles didn’t look like the shot was there.

What’s more interesting is the fact that Thompson’s teammates, Stuart Thompson, Bryce Everist and Michael Brophy, seemed to agree with the decision rather than trying to change his mind. 

The result was massive as well. If Thompson had won, Nova Scotia would have been tied in the standings at 2-2. Now Thompson is 1-3, and Quebec is 3-1.

Pools separating contenders and pretenders

We’re at the midway point for round-robin play at this year’s Brier, and the contenders are starting to separate themselves from the rest of the competition.

In Pool A, it’s as expected. Both Brads (Gushue and Jacobs) remain undefeated at 4-0 and will probably stay that way until they face each other on Thursday afternoon in their round-robin finale. The third spot was always going to be interesting, and it looks to be a two-team race at this point. Quebec is 3-1, while Ontario is 3-2. Quebec still needs to face Jacobs, while King has already faced both Brads. 

When Ontario and Quebec face off on Wednesday, that will most likely decide the final playoff spot.

Meanwhile, in Pool B, it’s the veteran from Alberta, Kevin Koe, who’s been the most shocking so far, sitting at 3-0. Manitoba’s Matt Dunstone (3-0) and Saskatchewan’s Mike McEwen (3-1) are also holding down playoff spots at the moment. 

It feels like the only other team in the pool that has a chance is Manitoba’s Braden Calvert (2-1), but he still needs to face Dunstone and McEwen.

More from Sportsnet

Jacobs, Dunstone stay undefeated through four matches at Brier

Brier Takeaways: Ontario’s Jayden King earns respect from curling legends

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Japan has dominated the World Baseball Classic, winning three of the five tournaments held since 2006.

However, it’s the United States that far and away leads the World Baseball Classic odds, and it should come as no surprise given the roster it's put together. 

My World Baseball Classic prediction and betting picks break down my favorite plays for the 2026 tournament at prediction markets like Kalshi.

World Baseball Classic prediction

On Kalshi, a contract trading at 22 cents translates directly to a 22% implied probability of Japan winning the World Baseball Classic. In betting terms, you are essentially "buying" a win for $0.22 to receive $1.00 if Japan succeeds. This equals +355 when converted into traditional American odds.

Who will win the 2026 World Baseball Classic at prediction markets?

There is a reason the United States is trading at this high level. The Americans have a stacked lineup led by Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr.

The rotation features arguably the two best pitchers in baseball in Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal, and the bullpen is a nightmare for opposing teams with Mason Miller and David Bednar. 

That said, the United States has won the World Baseball Classic just once, and it is not the only stacked roster in this tournament. This makes it difficult to get behind Team USA at this price, given other teams like Japan and the Dominican Republic.

My prediction: Japan (22 cents)

Japan's roster is among the deepest in the world, blending MLB superstars with the elite of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). While Shohei Ohtani will focus exclusively on hitting this time, his presence as a four-time MLB MVP provides a psychological edge. Behind him, the pitching staff is terrifying: Fellow Dodger Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the 2025 World Series MVP, anchors a rotation that includes young phenoms like Hiroto Takahashi and Sawamura Award winner Hiromi Itoh.

Japan benefits from eight MLB players, including Munetaka Murakami (White Sox) and Kazuma Okamoto (Blue Jays), both of whom recently made the jump to the Big Leagues. With the first round and quarterfinals taking place at the Tokyo Dome, Japan enjoys a massive home-field advantage where they historically rarely lose. 

Their disciplined defense and situational hitting make them a nightmare in a single-elimination format, and with 15 returning members from the 2023 championship squad, their veteran composure is unmatched.

My sleeper prediction:Dominican Republic (19 cents)

The Dominican Republic can make the case that it has the best lineup in this tournament, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Juan Soto leading the way. If Cristopher Sanchez and Sandy Alcantara can anchor the pitching staff, the DR has the best value among the true contenders and is the team you should keep your eye on.

What is Kalshi and how does it work?

Kalshi is a federally regulated U.S. exchange where you trade directly on the outcome of real-world future events. Instead of traditional bets, you trade "Event Contracts" which are simple Yes/No questions like "Will the Eagles win this Sunday?" These events are priced between $0.01 and $0.99, and the prices reflect the market’s estimated probability of that event occurring. For instance, $0.55 equals a 55% chance. If your prediction is correct, the contract pays out exactly $1.00; if not, it settles at $0. Kalshi is essentially a stock market for reality.

How does Kalshi differ from sportsbooks?

In a sportsbook, you bet against the bookmaker, who sets fixed odds and takes a "vig," which is a kind of commission. On Kalshi, you trade against other users. This peer-to-peer prediction markets model means prices are driven by supply and demand, often resulting in fairer odds. Additionally, because these are financial derivatives, you can exit your position early. If your team takes a 14-point lead, the contract price will rise, allowing you to sell your "Yes" shares for a profit before the final whistle even blows.

Why should I wager on the World Baseball Classic at Kalshi?

Kalshi offers four unique advantages over traditional sportsbooks:

1. Flexibility: Unlike a "locked-in" bet, you can sell your contract at any time.
   
   
2. Transparency: You trade against other users, which can allow you to find better value.
   
   
3. Federal regulation: As a CFTC-regulated exchange, your funds are held in a secure, transparent environment.
   
   
4. Availability: Kalshi is available in many regions where traditional sportsbooks aren't yet legal.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.