CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 18: Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) celebrates after hitting a home run during the eighth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Guardians on April 18, 2026, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Hello, friends.
In yesterday’s edition of the Bird Droppings, Tyler Young began by saying, “The Orioles offense is having a weird weekend in Cleveland.” They’re still doing it. They lost on Saturday to add another weird game to the pile, one in which they had only four hits all game (actually out-hitting the Guardians) but also struck out 16 times, with Pete Alonso and Colton Cowser each collecting the ol’ golden sombrero. It wasn’t great. Check out Andrea’s recap of the game for more of the not-so-lovely totals.
This was a game that was winnable, if not for the total lack of offense beyond each of Leody Taveras and Gunnar Henderson hitting a solo homer. Dean Kremer turned in the minimum quality start, six innings with three earned runs allowed, with all of the damage coming on one swing. Annoying to get beaten by the #9 hitter getting a three-run homer. Still, if the offense was performing according to expectations, that’s good enough to win. They just… aren’t.
If you’re inclined to make allowances for the Orioles this weekend, it is worth noting that yesterday’s Guardians starter, Gavin Williams, was pretty darn good a year ago and so far this year has been on an even greater form for recording strikeouts. He brought a 2.38 ERA into yesterday’s game. It’s not like getting rocked by some random joker who came in with a 9 ERA. Still, it doesn’t feel good.
Although the Orioles are, at least, successfully mounting some comebacks to fight off this feeling somewhat, there are still a lot of games where it feels like not enough has changed since last year’s set of problems. It’s too early to say they haven’t fixed them. We are 13% of the way through the season. It’s just, it would feel better if it seemed like they had fixed some of them – especially if guys like Colton Cowser and Coby Mayo were looking capable at the plate instead of… whatever they are doing.
Today is a new day and a chance to start writing a different story. Not that it will be easy to do this. Another Guardians starter who’s been good so far this year awaits. This one is Joey Cantillo, a lefty with a 2.61 ERA through his first four starts. Are we going to get the whopper lineup with Johnathan Rodríguez as the cleanup hitter again all because it’s a lefty? The Orioles also have a lefty going on the mound in the form of Trevor Rogers. Last year’s ace wasn’t too good last time around. Hopefully it goes better. The finale is set to start at 1:40 Eastern. It’s going to be cold over there in Cleveland.
Rico Garcia’s hitless streak to open the season (Orioles.com) People are noticing that Rico Garcia has been very, very good, which means his excellent streak is definitely going to end today.
In their 21st game last year, the Orioles were figuratively slaughtered on Easter against the Reds, getting pasted by a 24-2 margin. Every Oriole who pitched in the game, starting with Charlie Morton and ending with backup catcher Gary Sánchez, gave up at least three runs. They fell to 9-12 after this blowout loss.
There are a pair of former Orioles who were born on this day. They are: 2008-09 reliever George Sherrill, and 1997-99 pitcher Scott Kamieniecki. Today is Kamieniecki’s 62nd birthday, so an extra happy birthday to him.
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday to you! Your birthday buddies for today include: Declaration of Independence signer Roger Sherman (1721), Al Capone investigator Eliot Ness (1903), actress Ashley Judd (1968), and baseball Hall of Famer Joe Mauer (1983).
On this day in history…
In 1713, the reigning Holy Roman Emperor, Charles VI, who at that point had no living male children, issued the Pragmatic Sanction of 1713 to state that his titles, including the throne of Austria, could be inherited by a daughter. In spite of this, a seven-year conflict called the War of the Austrian Succession broke out after his death.
In 1775, colonial militias clashed with the British military in battles around Lexington and Concord in present day Massachusetts, the first substantial battles in what ultimately became a successful war for American independence.
In 1861, a mob of secessionists attacked army troops who were marching through Baltimore. 17 people were killed during this rioting, among them five soldiers. These were the first Union soldiers killed in some kind of hostile action of the Civil War.
In 1995, the federal office building in Oklahoma City was bombed. There were 168 people killed by this act of domestic terrorism, including 19 children who were six or younger.
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And that’s the way it is in Birdland on April 19. Have a safe Sunday. Go O’s!
Sunday’s 15-game slate offers some intriguing value spots that the markets may not have fully priced in.
We’ve got several starting pitchers due for regression against lineups that underlying metrics suggest are primed to break out, while some seemingly weaker starters are actually performing better than the surface numbers indicate.
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Expert MLB moneyline picks for April 19
Tigers vs Red Sox: Tigers (+117)
Tigers win probability: 46%
Framber Valdez is one of the best arms in this game. Boston sits at 8-11, and being favored at -122 is a market mistake.
Tigers plus money offers strong value.
Royals vs Yankees: Yankees (-150)
Yankees win probability: 60%
This matchup features shaky starting pitching, and I expect a slugfest.
That being the case, the Yankees have better hitters, while Kansas City has been brutal on the road.
Giants vs Nationals: Giants (-122)
Giants win probability: 55%
Miles Mikolas has been highly inefficient.
Robbie Ray has been good thus far, and we’ll eat the juice and roll with Ray and the Giants to hammer Mikolas today.
Rays vs Pirates: Rays (+117)
Rays win probability: 46%
Shane McClanahan is coming off his best start of the season, while Mitch Keller is coming off his worst.
The Rays' sticks have been solid and are worth backing at plus-money.
Orioles vs Guardians: Guardians (-122)
Guardians win probability: 55%
Joey Cantillo is the real deal, while Trevor Rogers boasts a .404 xFIP.
Cantillo is a fireballer, and the Orioles’ top-10 strikeout rate should get overwhelmed by the young lefty and the Guardians’ bats.
Brewers vs Marlins: Brewers (-104)
Brewers win probability: 51%
We have two fireballers on the hill this afternoon, along with a low total.
Jacob Misiorowski has been prone to the long ball, but I’m backing the Brewers' bats against Eury Perez and his command issues.
Reds vs Twins: Reds (+104)
Reds win probability: 48%
Believe it or not, Cincinnati has been more effective away from Great American Ballpark.
Bailey Ober has struggled to find any consistency, and Minny's bats won’t save him today.
Cardinals vs Astros: Cardinals (+122)
Cardinals win probability: 45%
Mike Burrows has struggled mightily to begin the season.
The Cardinals can score runs, and Matthew Liberatore will pitch decently enough to give the Cardinals' bats a chance to pull off the road upset.
Mets vs Cubs: Cubs (-113)
Cubs win probability: 53%
David Peterson and the Mets have both been brutal this season.
I’ll back the home team and its surging offense as short home favorites.
Dodgers vs Rockies: Rockies (+261)
Rockies win probability: 28%
We have two starters prone to the long ball, and two lineups full of sticks to capitalize on it.
The Rockies have a plus .500 mark at home, and there is no way I am backing Roki Sasaki at Coors.
Hold your nose and take Colorado.
White Sox vs Athletics: Athletics (-156)
Athletics win probability: 61%
Jeffrey Springs has been dynamite for the Athletics, while Noah Schultz is a rookie coming off a tough start.
The A’s are a more consistent offense with a better bullpen. Back Springs and the Athletics bats today.
Padres vs Angels: Angels (-104)
Angels win probability: 51%
Mike Trout seems to have found his stroke, and the Angels are scoring runs in bunches.
Michael King’s underlying metrics suggest he could get lit up today, while Reid Detmers numbers are solid.
Rangers vs Mariners: Rangers (+117)
Rangers win probability: 46%
Mackenzie Gore’s numbers are better than they already suggest, and the Mariners' offense will give Bryan Woo little support.
Texas has been heating up on offense, and I’ll take the Rangers at good value.
Blue Jays vs Diamondbacks: Blue Jays (+113)
Blue Jays win probability: 46%
Although Toronto’s offense is riding the struggle bus, Ryne Nelson surrenders nearly two bombs per nine.
Let’s bet on the Jays' offense turning things around this afternoon.
Braves vs Phillies: Phillies (-107)
Blue Jays win probability: 52%
Andrew Painter and his 2.20 xERA look solid, whereas Clay Holmes’ xERA is two points higher than his ERA.
The Phillies' bullpen is also elite, so I’ll back Painter and the bullpen to get the job done tonight.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The New York Yankees look for a series sweep when they host the Kansas City Royals this afternoon. New York starter Ryan Weathers has thrown better than his numbers suggest, and my Royals vs. Yankees predictions anticipate a comfortable win for the Bronx Bombers. Find out more in my MLB picks for Sunday, April 19.
Who will win Royals vs Yankees today: Yankees -1.5 (+165)
Ryan Weathers doesn’t need to be perfect today — he just needs to be better than Cole Ragans, and that bar isn’t especially high.
Ragans walks nearly 15% of the batters he faces, and the Kansas City Royals bullpen has been leaking runs, posting a 6.08 ERA with 1.55 home runs allowed per nine innings.
The moneyline price is solid, but the run line is where the real value lies.
COVERS INTEL: The Royals’ bullpen ranks bottom five in MLB with a 4.67 xFIP and a ninth-worst 4.25 SIERA.
Royals vs Yankees Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (+100)
Ragans has command issues and is prone to the long ball. When he exits early, the Kansas City bullpen has been a disaster, and this Yankee lineup is beefy, having already scored 17 runs in this series.
The Yankees will feast, but Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia are no pushovers either, both posting xwOBAs above .350 against a mediocre Yankees bullpen.
Runs are coming from both sides, poor weather be damned. Back the Over.
Phil Naessens' 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 2-3, -0.85 units
Over/Under bets: 3-1, +1.94 units
Royals vs Yankees odds
Moneyline: Royals +122 | Yankees -127
Run line: Royals +1.5 (-200) | Yankees -1.5 (+165)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 (+100) | Under 8.5 (-120)
Royals vs Yankees trend
New York has covered the run line in four of its last five meetings with the Royals. Find more MLB betting trends for Royals vs. Yankees.
How to watch Royals vs Yankees and game info
Location
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Date
Sunday, April 19, 2026
First pitch
1:35 p.m. ET
TV
Royals.TV, YES
Royals starting pitcher
Cole Ragans (0-3, 3.78 ERA)
Yankees starting pitcher
Ryan Weathers (0-2, 4.29 ERA)
Royals vs Yankees latest injuries
Royals vs Yankees weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The Detroit Tigers evened up their four-game series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Saturday with a 4-1 win behind an ace performance by Tarik Skubal and his 10 strikeouts.
The victory brought AJ Hinch’s squad back above the .500 mark and within a half game of the American Central Division lead, behind the 12-10 Cleveland Guardians; they are also tied with the Minnesota Twins at 11-10. Not that the standings mean too much early in the season, but it always feels good to be trending toward the top.
On Sunday, the two teams will play Game 3 in a faceoff between a pair of big-name southpaws. Detroit has Framber Valdez on the mound, having given the Tigers many quality innings so far this season, up against Garrett Crochet, who has not been quite as good as his talent level would suggest.
Take a look at how they match up below.
Detroit Tigers (11-10) vs. Boston Red Sox (8-12)
Time (ET): 4:35 p.m. Place: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts SB Nation Site:Over the Monster Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Game 22: LHP Framber Valdez (1-1, 3.75 ERA) vs. LHP Garrett Crochet (2-2, 7.58 ERA)
Apr 18, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Felix Reyes (29) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run in his first major league at bat during the second inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Calling up Felix Reyes was an idea that someone in the front office had in order to give the offense a spark. “Moribund” is an adjective that isn’t used enough, but it’s accurate in describing what the Phillies’ offense has been of late. Reyes hitting a home run on the first strike he saw was impressive, but it being against Chris Sale and to the opposite field was super impressive.
This photograph of Rick Monday saving the American flag, taken by James Roark of the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, was lauded by Times columnist Jim Murray as "the most famous picture of its kind since the flag-raising at Iwo Jima." (Herald Examiner / Associated Press)
There are the great moments we saw, and then there are the great moments we feel we saw. We have heard about them, seen them, talked about them so often that we feel like we were there, even if we might not have been alive at the time.
For generations of Dodgers fans, Vin Scully was our historian, with words so memorable we feel as if we lived those experiences, so perfect fans repeat them to this day.
In 1965, for the Sandy Koufax perfect game: “There’s 29,000 people in the ballpark and a million butterflies.”
In 1988, for a walk-off home run by the hobbled Kirk Gibson in the World Series: “In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened!”
In 1990, for the Fernando Valenzuela no-hitter: “If you have a sombrero, throw it to the sky!”
On April 25, 1976, for perhaps the only time in the 67-year career of the best broadcaster in baseball history, Vin Scully didn’t know quite what to say.
“There’s two of them,” Scully said. “All right.”
Two people had run onto the field at Dodger Stadium, in the middle of the game. That was not entirely unusual in the disco era. A woman nicknamed “Morganna the Kissing Bandit” hopped fences and interrupted games to smooch players.
But this was something unfamiliar. Tension was in the air. Three seconds of silence, then Scully resumed his narration, his voice flat for the first sentence, rising with incredulity in the second and with exclamation in the third: “I’m not sure what he’s doing out there. It looks like he’s going to burn a flag.
“And Rick Monday runs in and takes it away from him!”
“It just happened in 10 seconds,” Dodgers historian Mark Langill said. “Fifty years later, we’re still talking about it.”
It was the play that defined an already distinguished career. On Saturday, the 50th anniversary of the day he rescued the American flag, the Dodgers will honor Monday before they play the Chicago Cubs — the team for which he played on that day in 1976.
The flag itself — presented to Monday two weeks later by Dodgers general manager Al Campanis — will be on display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, as America celebrates its 250th birthday.
Monday, who served in the Marine Corps reserves during his major league career, has used the flag to raise money for veterans and their families, but he never has loaned it for a long-term exhibition.
Seldom does a day pass without someone coming up to Monday to say thank you, or to shake his hand.
“It is nothing that he seeks out,” said Charley Steiner, Monday’s partner on Dodgers broadcasts for 22 years. “Whether we’re at Dodger Stadium or on the road somewhere, people will just come up and say hi.
There was nothing flashy in the rescue. Monday leaned down, grabbed the flag without breaking stride, and delivered it to pitcher Doug Rau in the dugout. He returned to his position in center field, serenaded by a standing ovation.
Fred Claire, the Dodgers’ publicist at the time and later the general manager, sent word to the scoreboard operator to display a congratulatory message. When Monday came to bat in the next inning, the scoreboard read: “RICK MONDAY … YOU MADE A GREAT PLAY.”
Said former Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley: “It’s one of the great moments in Dodger history.”
That moment came courtesy of a guy wearing a Cubs uniform, but Monday grew up in Santa Monica and delivered his spontaneous commemoration of Flag Day in the year of America’s bicentennial.
“It all came together,” Steiner said. “The hometown kid, visiting from Chicago, doing what he did at that time in American history, it was just an unbelievable confluence of events.
“And then, lo and behold, he becomes a Dodger. And he has been a Dodger ever since.”
After the 1976 season, the Dodgers traded Bill Buckner to the Cubs for Monday, who played the final eight years of his career in Los Angeles. He was the first player drafted in the first-ever baseball draft in 1965, a two-time All-Star and 1981 World Series champion that might have been best remembered for hitting the home run that lifted the Dodgers past the Montreal Expos in the 1981 National League Championship Series.
Best remembered, that is, if not for the flag rescue that elevated him from a ballplayer to a hero.
“Whether you’re a casual fan or an avid fan, you know of that moment if you grew up as a fan in Los Angeles,” Hall of Fame president Josh Rawitch said.
And beyond. Steiner, who was news director of a radio station in Hartford, Conn., that day, said Monday’s play instantly made headlines on the East Coast. President Ford called Monday after the game.
In 2006, the U.S. Senate formally presented him with a proclamation of appreciation. Two years later, President George W. Bush invited him to the White House.
Rick Monday stands near a flag he rescued from being burnt by protesters at Dodger Stadium during a news conference on Capitol Hill on June 14, 2006 in Washington. The news conference was held on Flag Day to support the proposed Flag Protection Amendment. (Mark Wilson / Getty Images)
The award-winning photograph of Monday swiping the flag, taken by James Roark of the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, was lauded by Times columnist Jim Murray as “the most famous picture of its kind since the flag-raising at Iwo Jima.”
“It about as unique a moment in U.S. baseball history as there’s been,” Rawitch said, “and I think that’s probably why people connect to it.”
Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, but that game was on the schedule. History, yes, but no surprise. Same when Bush threw out the first pitch during a World Series game in New York after 9/11.
The father and son that invaded the field at Dodger Stadium that day never have spoken publicly about why they did. But all was not well in America in 1976, in the aftermath of the unpopular Vietnam War and the presidential scandal that was Watergate, and beset by soaring gasoline prices amid crisis in the Middle East.
We hear echoes of all three themes today. In an Ipsos poll released this month, a majority of Americans said the country’s best days are behind us and said we are “splitting apart” as a nation.
However, 80% said military veterans reflect “core America values,” including service and commitment to the greater good. And, among a list of icons that included the Statue of Liberty and the White House, respondents most often selected the U.S. flag as the one they associated most closely with America.
Perhaps Monday and his flag can help renew a sense of national unity, borrowing from the astonishment that pervaded Scully’s voice that day in 1976, once he finally figured out what was happening: “I think a guy was going to set fire to the American flag. Can you imagine that?”
It turned out to be a great call after all. In 2022, as soon as he learned Scully had died, Monday listened to Scully’s call one more time.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 17: Ben Rice #22 of the New York Yankees crosses home plate following his two-run home run in the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium on April 17, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Yankees finally got some home cooking going on Saturday, putting a beatdown on the Royals to the tune of 13 runs while Will Warren made it a worry-free day tossing seven innings and striking out 11 batters. Cody Bellinger slugged two home runs on the day, Ben Rice made it three straight days with a bomb, and Amed Rosario continued to earn his starting time with another homer to round out the long balls. Now the team sits a win away from a sweep that would turn the homestand overall into a decent one when it started off incredibly rocky.
While we wait for the finale to start up, let’s run through what’s in store for the day. Scott profiled Dom Hamel before he went up against his old organization in Scranton’s doubleheader yesterday, and Andrew goes over the latest scores from around the AL in the Rivalry Roundup. Nick wishes Scott Kamieniecki a happy birthday and goes over his Yankees career in the early ‘90s, Estevão looks around the AL landscape and sees some expected contenders floundering leaving a path to the top for the Yanks, and after the game John will have the weekly social media spotlight featuring plenty from Jackie Robinson Day.
Today’s Matchup
New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals
Time: 1:35 p.m. EST
Video: YES Network, Royals.TV
Venue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Questions/Prompts:
1. What do you make of Will Warren’s gem? Was it just a nice surprise, or will he find his way into the sixth and seventh innings more frequently?
2. Can Ben Rice make it four straight games with a homer?
SNY | John Flanigan: Will Warren dominated the Royals Saturday, holding them off the board into the seventh inning to continue an encouraging start. “The four-seam was really playing well,” Aaron Boone said of his second-year starter. “He got a lot of swing-and-miss, the changeup was good today too, I just think it was the overall mix — it was good to see him take that lead and run with it, really good job.” Warren has pitched to a 2.49 ERA through five starts, building on a campaign in which he finished eighth in AL Rookie of the Year voting last year.
NY Post | Greg Joyce: The offense also played its part in making the win a rare comfortable victory. Cody Bellinger led the charge with two homers, as the lineup overall coasted to 13 runs. This outburst came against left-hander Noah Cameron, a particularly encouraging sign as the team had entered play with a .535 OPS against southpaws, second-worst in baseball.
ESPN | Jorge Castillo: Aaron Boone threw some cold water on anyone anticipating a rapid return from Gerrit Cole, who made his first rehab start on Friday against Double-A Somerset, indicating he will need “several more” rehab outings first, with a return expected by early June. “Nothing’s imminent here,” the Yankees manager noted. “We’ll be disciplined and make sure we take the right amount of time.” Cole threw 44 pitches across 4.1 innings, and his fastball was sitting around 95 mph. Carlos Rodón still appears ahead of Cole, even though he won’t begin his rehab until this week.
SNY | John Flanigan: Saturday’s rout was also a showcase for Ben Rice, who’s begun 2026 proving the predictive nature of analytics which indicated he was profoundly unlucky last season. Boone sat lefty-masher Paul Goldschmidt against the left-handed Cameron and the gambit paid off, with Rice crushing a 398-footer lefty-on-lefty to notch his third straight game with a home run. After the game, his OPS sat at 1.224, second-best in baseball.
NJ.com | Bob Klapisch: Day games at Yankee Stadium have been kicking off a little later than in years past this season. At the request of several veterans, including Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees pushed their start times back from 1:05 to 1:35 with the goal of allowing more time for recuperation and preparation. The seemingly minor change has had a noticeable impact. “It’s a 100 percent improvement,” said Stanton. “For some guys, the extra sleep in their prep. For other guys, they use time here getting treatment. I like it. The extra half hour feels like an hour.”
Ottawa Senators (44-27-11, in the Atlantic Division) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (53-22-7, in the Metropolitan Division)
Raleigh, North Carolina; Monday, 7:30 p.m. EDT
LINE: Hurricanes -148, Senators +124; over/under is 5.5
NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Hurricanes lead series 1-0
BOTTOM LINE: The Carolina Hurricanes host the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the NHL Playoffs with a 1-0 lead in the series. The teams meet Saturday for the fifth time this season. The Hurricanes won the previous matchup 2-0.
Carolina has a 30-10-2 record at home and a 53-22-7 record overall. The Hurricanes are 19-4-3 in games decided by a single goal.
Ottawa is 44-27-11 overall and 21-16-5 on the road. The Senators have a 25-14-1 record in games they have fewer penalties than their opponent.
TOP PERFORMERS: Sebastian Aho has scored 27 goals with 53 assists for the Hurricanes. Logan Stankoven has eight goals and five assists over the past 10 games.
Dylan Cozens has 29 goals and 30 assists for the Senators. Drake Batherson has four goals and four assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Hurricanes: 8-1-1, averaging four goals, 6.8 assists, 3.4 penalties and 7.4 penalty minutes while giving up 2.2 goals per game.
Senators: 6-3-1, averaging 3.4 goals, 5.1 assists, 3.6 penalties and 8.9 penalty minutes while giving up 2.4 goals per game.
INJURIES: Hurricanes: None listed.
Senators: Tyler Kleven: day to day (upper body), Nick Jensen: out for season (lower-body).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Philadelphia Flyers (43-27-12, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (41-25-16, in the Metropolitan Division)
Pittsburgh; Monday, 7 p.m. EDT
LINE: Penguins -152, Flyers +127; over/under is 5.5
NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Flyers lead series 1-0
BOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Flyers visit the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the NHL Playoffs with a 1-0 lead in the series. The teams meet Saturday for the sixth time this season. The Flyers won 3-2 in the last matchup.
Pittsburgh is 41-25-16 overall and 13-5-9 against the Metropolitan Division. The Penguins have scored 290 total goals (3.5 per game) to rank third in NHL play.
Philadelphia has a 43-27-12 record overall and a 13-9-5 record in Metropolitan Division games. The Flyers have a +one scoring differential, with 240 total goals scored and 239 conceded.
TOP PERFORMERS: Anthony Mantha has 33 goals and 31 assists for the Penguins. Rickard Rakell has seven goals and two assists over the past 10 games.
Owen Tippett has 28 goals and 23 assists for the Flyers. Porter Martone has scored five goals with six assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Penguins: 5-5-0, averaging 4.5 goals, 7.6 assists, 3.3 penalties and 7.8 penalty minutes while giving up 3.3 goals per game.
Flyers: 7-3-0, averaging 3.6 goals, 5.6 assists, 3.4 penalties and 6.8 penalty minutes while giving up 2.5 goals per game.
INJURIES: Penguins: Filip Hallander: out (leg), Caleb Jones: out for season (shoulder).
Flyers: Rodrigo Abols: out (ankle), Nikita Grebenkin: out (upper body).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 11: Jordan Walsh #27 of the Boston Celtics guards Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the game on November 11, 2025 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Tyrese Maxey may not be on the level of a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, or even Jalen Brunson, but in a first round series against Philadelphia, the Celtics will get an opportunity to test their top-5 defense. When going up against a great player, there are two schools of thought: let them get theirs and shut everybody else down, or cut off the head of the snake and the body will die.
For Boston, they might be able to do both.
When asked about defending Maxey, head coach Joe Mazzulla said, “He can score at all three levels. He can get layups. He can get pullup twos. He can get great separation on threes. We have to be disciplined on what we’re taking away and what we’re willing to live with and we gotta be great at the things we can control, and we need elite individual defense throughout games which our guys are capable (of).”
In four games against the Celtics, the 76ers’ All-Star averaged 30 points and nearly nine assists. He’s a shifty guard that can surprisingly score the ball in the restricted area at such high speeds. With a pullup trigger behind the arc and a float game against rim protectors, he represents the type of player that gives Boston the most difficulty and the largest threat to upset them in Round 1.
The Celtics and 76ers split the first two meetings of the regular season with Maxey going off in both, shooting 52.5% from the field (61.1% from three). However, he benefitted from Joel Embiid’s presence on the floor. After appendectomy surgery, the big man is unlikely to play in the series, so Maxey becomes the de facto engine of Philly’s offense.
In the final two regular season games, Mazzulla seemed to change tactics a bit. In what became a common theme throughout the year, he tasked one of his young wings — Hugo Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, or Ron Harper Jr. — to take on the opposing team’s best player. At times, that meant covering any of the topflight MVP candidates, including Victor Wembanyama.
Mind you, this is a team that fields Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White.
Maxey’s counting stats didn’t change much (26 points and seven assists per game), but his efficiency dropped dramatically. He made just a third of his shots and his free throw attempts dropped.
In that November showdown, Jordan Walsh had a breakout game defending Maxey. The Celtics would ultimately lose 102-100, but that would start a 19-game stretch with Walsh in the starting lineup. He’s had a late season renaissance in March and April, so don’t be surprised if he’s the first line of defense against the 76ers point guard.
What Walsh might give up in slight of frame, he makes up for in length and measured pursuit. Maxey hit just 5-of-17 — 1-for-9 with Walsh as the closest defender — in that November tilt with the Celtics playing predominantly in drop covering and Walsh recovering off screens and using his 7’2 wingspan to disrupt Maxey’s driving game.
In the most 76ers-Celtics regular season finale in March, Scheierman took the Maxey matchup in one of his final games as a starter before Tatum’s return. Again, Maxey shot an inefficient 12-of-34 and 3-of-10 with Scheierman as the primary defender.
Scheierman has undoubtedly improved as a one-on-one defender, but Maxey’s off night might be more a victory of team scheme over individual accomplishment. As CelticsBlog’s Nik Land pointed out earlier in the week, in Boston’s fourth meeting with Maxey, they opted to ice pick-and-rolls in order to maintain their defensive shape of protecting the rim and being ready to rebound:
While Philadelphia’s offensive identity is driven by rim pressure and isolation creation from Maxey, Boston’s defensive structure has consistently shown the ability to absorb that pressure, disrupt driving lanes, and tilt the possession battle in their favor. The Celtics’ emphasis on rebounding, physicality, and versatile perimeter defenders has repeatedly translated into control over both tempo and shot volume.
Neither Walsh or Scheierman are expected to start in Game 1 and undoubtedly, Boston will throw a myriad of coverages against Maxey to keep him on his toes. You have to imagine that Derrick White will get his healthy share of reps. With their size and strength, Brown and Tatum will also match up with Maxey from time to time.
As the perceived weakest link in the starting five, Sam Hauser will probably get targeted a few times during the series and he understands the difficulty in containing him.
“He’s a really good player obviously. He’s getting close to 30 a game. What makes him really good is that he’s super fast and he can stop on a dime. That’s hard to guard,” Hauser said. “He creates a lot for his team, but we’ll do our best to make it as difficult on him. It’s not going to be perfect every time — he’s definitely going to score some buckets — but if we’re making him work for it, that’s a win for us.”
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 10: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on April 10, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trailblazers took very different paths on their way back to the playoffs after prolonged droughts. San Antonio far exceeded expectations, a 62-20 season that no one saw coming, built on the talents of a young core that appears to have skipped a step or two in just Victor Wembanyama’s third season. Portland on the other hand had a challenging season, the most profound challenge being a head coaching change in just the 2nd game of the season following Chauncey Billups being put on indefinite suspension by the NBA following his arrest in a federal gambling investigation. Billups was replaced by none other than former Spur and 2014 NBA champion Tiago Splitter. The rookie Splitter, who had only joined Billup’s staff in June and had never been a head coach before this season. has been credited with holding down the fort in Portland, leading them to both a 6-game improvement from last season and their first playoff berth since 2021. That playoff trip was sealed with a clutch victory on the road in Phoenix in the Western Conference 7/8 seed game.
Which brings both teams to San Antonio tonight for the final game of the 2026 Playoff’s first weekend. While San Antonio won the season series 2-1 and come into this series as a heavy favorite, there are still some unknowns. Most notably, Victor Wembanyama missed all 3 regular season meetings between the two squads, with San Antonio winning both games at the Frost Bank Center. With Wemby in the fold for the first time all season against Portland, in San Antonio’s first home playoff game of the Victor Wembanyama era, the Blazers will really have their work cut out for them if they want to steal Game 1.
San Antonio Spurs (0-0) vs Portland Trailblazers (0-0) April 19 2026 | 8:00 PM CT Watch: NBC | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM) Line: San Antonio -10.5
Spurs Injuries: None
Blazers Injuries: None
What to watch for
Tonight will feature plenty of players getting their first taste of the postseason, but Victor Wembanyama’s first ever playoff start is the main reason everyone is interested in this one. The French phenom has been everything fan’s hoped they were getting when he was drafted in 2023 and more, both as a franchise player and as a human being, so it’s not too surprising to see him leading San Antonio back to the playoffs so quickly into his career. He and Portland’s frontcourt have yet to see one another, but you can be sure that Wembanyama will make it a point to both get acquainted with fellow 7-footer Donovan Clingan early and that San Antonio’s defense is locked in from the jump.
Tonight’s game will feature 13 players making their playoff debuts, with 7 coming from the Spurs and 6 for the Blazers. That means there could be some chaos early on as both teams look to settle the butterflies that presumably come from playing in an NBA playoff game for the first time. Being at home for Game 1 should go a long way in making sure that San Antonio is the one who settles in first. Notably for the Spurs, tonight is current longest-tenured Spur Keldon Johnson’s first ever playoff game!
Deni Avdija has been a breakout player for Portland this season. The 6’8 small forward had a career year in his 6th season, averaging career-best marks in points (24.2), field goal attempts (16.1), assists (6.7), and both free throw attempts (9.2) and percentage (80%). It was his 41 point outburst during the Play-In game in Phoenix that kept Portland within striking distance in a tough environment. Avdija’s and-1 on a layup with 15 seconds left put the Blazers up for good.
2-time NBA champion Jrue Holiday might be on the back-9 of his NBA career, but the 16-year vet was a key contributor in steering the ship in Portland this season. He missed a stretch of 27 games in November and December with a calf injury, but has been on the court more or less consistently since making his return in January. Long known as one of the NBA’s premier wing defenders, Holiday’s influence on that end went a long way for the Blazers in the second half of the season, as they finished just outside the top 10 in defensive efficiency for the year. It’ll be a treat getting to see Spurs’ guard Stephon Castle face off with the experienced veteran and champion Holiday in his first postseason action.
If you’d like to, you may follow along with the game on our Twitter profile (@poundingtherock) or visit our Game Thread!
LeBron James is looking for a fifth NBA championship of his career [Getty Images]
The Los Angeles Lakers shrugged off their injury worries to make a winning start to the NBA play-offs.
The 18-time champions were without key players Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Maxi Kleber but 41-year-old LeBron James produced another fine display in a 107-98 win over the Houston Rockets.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks were the other winners on day one of the play-offs, while the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic won the play-in tournament to book their places.
James controlled the floor while racking up 19 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds against a Houston side who lost key man Kevin Durant to injury just before play started.
"It's just our play-off mentality," Lakers coach JJ Redick said.
"You can't worry about who's in or out of the line-up. It's our gameplan. It's our standards. It's how we play, and we've built towards that.
"I thought our guys just responded well and met the moment. That's the biggest thing. You've got to meet the moment in every game, and we were able to do that."
Luke Kennard continued to step up as a starter with a career play-off high 27 points as the Lakers took the opening game in the best-of-seven series.
Durant, 37, has a bruised knee and could return for game two on Tuesday night.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 18: Gabe Speier #55 of the Seattle Mariners hands the ball to manager sm6 during the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park on April 18, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Olivia Vanni/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Dan Wilson managed to shut down the Rangers just long enough.
The Mariners snapped a pair of losing streaks on Saturday. They entered the day having lost four straight games. They also entered the day having lost four straight to the Rangers, dating back to last week’s sweep in Arlington. With another strong start from George Kirby and some timely hitting to boot, the Mariners secured a 7-3 win, beginning what they hope is the slow climb from their hole in the AL West.
The offense finally had a few things go their way, racking up seven runs on 11 hits and three walks. They picked up five of their runs on hits that snuck through a drawn-in infield with the Rangers defending against a runner on third. They got another run on a towering solo home run from Luke Raley, his fifth of the season.
But it was Wilson’s bullpen management that caught my eye Saturday. It was pretty much flawless, despite increasingly tricky circumstances. Wilson and his coaching staff used nearly all their relievers, and seemed to perfectly pair each for the situation in the game.
Decision #0: Furious George Kirby
Bullpen management, of course, starts with the starter. Kirby took the mound for the fifth time this season and was solid once again. He pounded the zone with fastballs and expanded the zone with sliders — a strategy that’s helped him dominate this Rangers’ lineups in the past. It worked for the most part: Kirby got 14 whiffs on 51 swings (27%) and five strikeouts; he also got 12 grounders to raise his ground ball rate to a league-leading 60.2%.
But Kirby struggled with efficiency at times. He allowed seven hits, two walks, and frequently pitched with men on base.
“I kind of feel like I wasted a lot of pitches, got in some deeper counts, forced a couple of those guys on,” he said after the game.
There were a few tough-luck moments for Kirby. In the fourth inning, he gave up a hard single to put a runner on first with one out. The next batter ripped another hard grounder up the middle. This might have been a double play, but the ball instead hit Kirby in the pants and ricocheted into no man’s land for a single.
Kirby walked the next batter to load the bases with one out. He faced Ezequiel Duran, who took a 2-2 pitch just off the edge of the strike zone. Kirby, perhaps in equal parts desperation and frustration, challenged the called ball. ABS confirmed the ump’s ruling to work the count full.
In the past, Kirby might have unraveled after this series of misfortune. Instead, he ramped up and threw a perfect, 96 mph fastball up and in. Duran jammed a shallow fly out to center. Kirby then faced Kyle Higashioka, who hit a go-ahead homer off him last week, and got him to fly out as well.
Kirby said he’s been working on his composure in these moments, where the game isn’t quite going his way. He said it’s about trying to stay in control, not do too much, and simply attack.
“They just keep coming up, opportunities to get better and learn from it,” he said. “You just gather your breath, or just take a couple quick exhales, get yourself going to kind of get your body right for the moment you’re in.”
The only run Kirby allowed was a solo shot in the sixth inning. With his workload maxed out, a two-out single ended his day. Wilson turned to the bullpen.
Decision #1: Matt Brash gets an out
Matt Brash was the first reliever in the game on Saturday. He entered with a runner on first and two outs, with the Mariners up 3-1. The leverage index read 1.03.
The leverage index is a measure of how “on the line” a game is during an at bat, given the inning, score, outs, and men on base. Basically, it reflects the stakes of the game. Everything 0.85 and below is low leverage, and everything 2.0 and above is high leverage. The mushy middle is medium leverage.
The game was low leverage when Kirby began the sixth inning, with the Mariners holding a three-run lead and nobody on base. After the homer and single, the game progressed to medium leverage. The moment the game shifted from low to medium leverage, with Kirby at 96 pitches, Wilson turned to Brash — the Mariners’ second best righty reliever.
Now, one could argue this was maybe a better moment for Eduard Bazardo — the Mariners’ third best righty reliever — to face the Ranger’s nine-hole hitter in Higashioka. But had Higashioka reached base in any capacity, the game would have moved firmly into high leverage with the top of the order coming up. Given the minimum three-batter requirement, Bazardo would have been required to stay in the game, and the Rangers could have taken the lead before Wilson could make another change.
Instead, Wilson turned to Brash as contingency against a potential high-leverage spot. It worked. Brash threw just six pitches to dispatch Higashioka with a groundout, and the Mariners’ lead held.
Decision #2: Gabe Speier faces the leadoff lefties
The Mariners picked up another run in the bottom of the sixth, meaning they lead 4-1 in the top of the 7th. The game was back to low leverage.
Wilson turned to Gabe Speier, (arguably) his best lefty out of the pen to face the top of the Rangers’ order. One could argue maybe Wilson should have stuck with Brash after his quick work in the previous inning. But the top of the Rangers’ lineup — Brandon Nimmo and Corey Seager — are both very good lefty batters.
Wilson said that handedness matchup was the main consideration in turning to Speier. But he also noted the move keeps Brash available for Sunday’s game, which wound up looking quite prescient on a day where nearly every Mariners’ reliever pitched.
“I think we really felt with the lefties that that was Gabe’s inning, and he came out and did what he does. I think with our guys you also have to weigh rest. You have to weigh what’s tomorrow, and what’s beyond tomorrow. So all those things you have to throw in the hopper and come up with the best decision you can at that point. But yeah, we really felt like that was Gabe’s inning.”
Now, I’m not always a fan of thinking ahead in bullpen management. Wilson’s predecessor, Scott Servais, often espoused was (something to the effect of), “Win today’s game first,” when referring to bullpen decisions, and I generally agree with that. But this move was a good example of the range of considerations a manager faces when dealing with their bullpen. Wilson made the decision to sacrifice an arm in the game to get the better matchup while still saving an arm for the next game. It was a shrewd move that worked out given the context to that point.
But Wilson also got hit with a consequence of that decision: sometimes the bird in the bullpen just doesn’t have it. Speier struggled. He got Nimmo to strikeout but then walker Seager and later walked Jake Burger.
With the game back to medium leverage, Wilson opted for a fresh arm.
Decision #3: Break glass for Eduard Bazardo
Eduard Bazardo entered the game. He also wasn’t quite sharp, immediately walking Josh Smith to load the bases and progress the game to high leverage.
Maybe one could argue Wilson could have stuck with Speier and trusted him to escape, though I’m not sure I’d buy that after 24 not-great pitches. There’s also a case that Wilson could have gone with Jose Ferrer, though that would sacrifice the handedness advantage (Bazardo is a bit better against righties for his career).
I think this was probably the right move, and it wound up OK. Bazardo got Josh Jung to fly out to escape the jam he and Speier created.
Decision #4: Sticking with Bazardo
The game remained 4-1 heading into the eighth, with the game back in low leverage. Wilson stuck with Bazardo to face the 7-9 batters in the Rangers’ lineup.
Again, there’s some question about whether Bazardo, having struggled with his command in the previous inning, was the best choice. But given Kirby’s abbreviated outing, the decision to save Brash for Sunday, Speier’s struggles, and the Mariners three-run lead with the bottom of the Rangers’ order coming up — and given Ferrer threw 20 pitches Friday — Wilson was out of medium leverage options.
Bazardo wasn’t quite sharp. He walked the leadoff batter to move the game to medium leverage. Then he got a fly out and a pop out to push the game back to low leverage.
With two outs, a runner on first, and Bazardo at 21 pitches, Wilson turned to the pen.
Decision #5: Jose Ferrer to face the leadoff lefties
Wilson went with Ferrer to face the lefties at the top of the Rangers’ order.
Again, maybe one could argue Ferrer should have been the choice to begin the inning. But given his workload the night and the situation in the game, Ferrer appeared to be something of a last resort. When the situation required that last resort, Wilson was ready.
Ferrer gave up a weak bloop single to Nimmo but got Seager to groundout to end the thread.
Decision #6: Cole Wilcox to close out the blow out
The Mariners scored three times in the bottom of the eighth to extend their lead to 7-1, effectively ending the game. Wilson turned to Cole Wilcox, who’s impressed early but is firmly a “low leverage” arm. It was the ideal spot to get him some work without much on the line.
Unfortunately, Wilcox quickly raised the stakes. He gave up two singles and a walk to load the bases with one out. He got the second out with a sac fly to make the game 7-2. but gave up a double to make the game 7-3. Wilcox then walked the nine-hitter Higashioka to load the bases and bring the tying run to the plate in Nimmo.
Decision #7: Andrés Muñoz, the redeemer
Wilson turned to Muñoz with the game back in medium leverage. Muñoz had a rare meltdown in his last outing in San Diego, giving up five runs and eventually the game. He’s looked just off early in 2026 and has struggled with command over the last week.
But he looked sharp Saturday, quickly punching out Nimmo on four pitches to end the game.
This was essentially flawless execution from Wilson in what wound up being a tricky game to manage. The game was rarely in jeopardy for the Mariners, who finally strung together some hits on offense, but it was very often in jeopardy of being in jeopardy. Wilson had manage a comfortable lead and a starter who couldn’t get through six innings and a trio of relievers who didn’t quite have it. He made seven correct — or at least “defensible” — decisions at each inflection point, and the Mariners held on.
“Those are the things you sort of try to walk through ahead of time and try to make a plan. And sometimes it doesn’t go to plan and you end up in a weird situation,” Wilson said after the game. “Definitely it’s been a while for a couple of guys in the bullpen. (Brash) hadn’t been out there in a while and (Speier), really, too. So it was nice to get those guys in the game and I thought they threw the ball well. Good to get them rolling. But you have to weigh all those things when you’re making decisions. We try to do that as much as we can ahead of time and then follow the plan.”
There’s not a single number to say whether a manager is making the right calls to the bullpen, but Saturday’s game outlined Wilson’s general strategy. He operates with a hierarchy of relievers and turns to them based on the “leverage” in the game. Presumably, the hierarchy and the leverage are set by the front office, and it’s Wilson’s job to execute that plan within the context of the game and season.
To his credit, Wilson has been very good at this in broad strokes. His best relievers, generally in rank order, have pitched in the biggest spots — this year and last year. Muñoz, for instance, was the highest-leverage reliever in the game last year. It’s also worth noting the Mariners got significantly more WPA from their bullpen in 2025 than their context-neutral performance would indicate. Remember, the Mariners pitching was something of a mess last year, with an injured rotation often exiting early, requiring a 2 1/2-man bullpen asked to pick up four or five innings each night. Wilson was often forced to punt games early rather than using a leverage arm to protect a narrow deficit in the fifth inning. But when the Mariners did hold a late lead, Wilson was ready with Muñoz and Speier (and eventually Brash) to the shut the door.
Of course, that changed in the ALCS when Wilson made the infamous decision to go with Bazardo over Muñoz, which wound up being the final note for the 2025 Mariners. But it was a rare mistake for Wilson, who’d threaded the needle with a below average pitching staff all season.
Again, there isn’t a single number to summarize whether Wilson or any manager is good at deploying relievers. For instance, last year I was able to say pretty confidently lthat the Mariners extreme dependence on pinch hitters wasn’t working (and I’m a bit disappointed to see so many pinch hitters again to start 2026). But it’s not as easy to say whether the Mariners are getting all they could out of their bullpen. As we saw Saturday, there are plenty of variables that change in real time, and relievers can be a bit finicky. Still, Wilson does seem to know who his best arms are and when to use them. Sometimes, it even works out.
It’s all about second chances when Trevor Bauer tugs on a Long Island Ducks jersey on opening night.
After years of playing in Mexico and Japan, the polarizing “outcast” 2020 Cy Young winner returns to the mound in America for the first time since his bombshell 194-game MLB suspension in 2022 over sexual assault allegations, which the former Dodger has vehemently denied and was never criminally charged for.
“I don’t really think about image rehabilitation, because I think I have a fine image with the fans, baseball players, coaches, front offices, all that stuff,” he told reporters Saturday.
“My image is what it is. I don’t control my image.”
The highly anticipated outing will be Tuesday when the independent Atlantic League Professional Baseball team opens at home against the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars — and fan response has been “outstanding,” according to Ducks president Michael Pfaff.
“We had a huge increase in ticket sales for opening night,” Pfaff said. “There were a few thousand tickets purchased around his start.”
While a member of the Dodgers, Bauer was accused in 2021 of punching and choking a woman during sex, which he previously said was “wholly consensual.”
He was initially given a 324-game suspension by MLB in April 2022, which was reduced after an appeal.
“I felt like I’m kind of an outcast for a while now,” Bauer admitted.
The 35-year-old added that he’s “communicated with all 30 teams” in Major League Baseball, but “there are things that are completely out of my control” regarding a prospective return.
“There’s no question about talent or effectiveness if I were to come back,” said Bauer, who added, “I think I’m a better pitcher in a lot of ways now than I was.”
Long Island Ducks pitcher Trevor Bauer throws a pitch during a bullpen session on April 18, 2026. Corey Sipkin for New York Post
Pfaff is hopeful that playing for the Ducks — a team that previously signed divisive pitcher John Rocker, among other star-caliber talents like Daniel Murphy — will be a pivotal step in Bauer’s redemption arc.
“This league has existed for 28 years to give players like Trevor the showcase that they deserve to get back to Major League Baseball or to get better opportunities in the game,” Pfaff said.
Crowds roared for the righty during a Saturday fan fest with spectators wearing Bauer jerseys from the Dodgers and his international teams.
“Even just seeing people standing outside of the clubhouse before games start in spring training” has brought joy to the now stateside pitcher, who is eager to play in front of friends and family.
“I feel like he was kind of wronged,” said Erik Stanton, the dad of an adult daughter who was hoping to get Bauer’s autograph at Fairfield Properties Ballpark ahead of the spring training game. “I feel like some guys have done worse.”
Long Island Ducks pitcher Trevor Bauer talks with Gavin Collins during a bullpen session. Corey Sipkin for New York Post
Still, fan Cheryl Geller isn’t thrilled and said, “I look at him a little differently,” after her husband, Bruce, recently explained Bauer’s past to her.
California’s Joe and Stacy Green, a married pair on vacation in New York City, made an impromptu drive out to Islip after hearing Bauer would be showing his face. He had mentored their son, Max Green, a former ALPB pitcher for the Lancaster Barnstormers.
Bauer remembered Max while briefly chatting with his parents near a bullpen entourage of supporters.
Stacy described Bauer as a “good guy,” and Joe said, “he’s been treated wildly unfairly.”
Lindenhurst grandpa Vinny Moran added, “Hopefully he can get back in the major leagues.”
Trevor Bauer signs autographs for fans before a spring training game. Corey Sipkin for New York Post
“He got railroaded out,” said Moran, who brought his daughter and two granddaughters to the ballpark Saturday and gladly would bring them back to see him play.
Bauer said he signed with the Ducks at the last minute, only to realize its new owner is a Texas Rangers-adjacent company, Rev Entertainment. He chalked up the connection to nothing more than “a cool fact.”
The focus for Bauer isn’t on any benchmark stats, but rather “to help guys” on the roster.
“I want to be good in the clubhouse with teammates,” he said.
Bauer will also be filming a “Hard Knocks”-style day-in-the-life YouTube vlog throughout the season that will offer a behind-the-scenes peek at his day-to-day.
Trevor Bauer talks to the media during an introductory press conference after signing with the Long Island Ducks on April 18, 2026. Corey Sipkin for New York Post
“I’ll be mic’d up for all the games,” he said, “so you’ll kind of get a really unique insight into what I’m thinking on the mound — and what I’m thinking afterwards.”
His presence hasn’t been a distraction to the team but instead a major motivator, manager Lew Ford said.
“It’s early, but I think the guys, we could feel there’s an energy,” Ford said. “We’re going to have some fun this year — and we’re going to win some baseball games.”
Ducks 26-year-old outfielder Matt Hogan is stoked to get to know his new teammate.
“What can’t you learn from a guy like that? That’s a guy who’s been through it,” said the former White Sox minor leaguer from Plainview. “He knows pretty much everything you could possibly know about baseball. … I’ve had the chance to talk to him briefly so far, and he’s just a tremendous guy. He’s really nice. I look forward to getting to know him better.”
Bauer said he has no intentions of staying in the shadows, either.
“I’d love to get out into Long Island and see some baseball around the community that’s not here at the stadium, and just interact with fans,” he said.
DET
BOS
KC
NYY
SF
WSH
TB
PIT
BAL
CLE
MIL
MIA
CIN
MIN
STL
HOU
NYM
CHC
LAD
COL
CWS
ATH
SD
LAA
TEX
SEA
TOR
AZ
ATL
PHI
COVERS INTEL: The Royals’ bullpen ranks bottom five in MLB with a 4.67 xFIP and a ninth-worst 4.25 SIERA.
