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Oklahoma City Thunder lock up No. 1 seed for third straight season

For the third straight season, the Oklahoma City Thunder will finish as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.

For the second straight season, the Oklahoma City Thunder will finish with the best record in the NBA and have home court advantage for as long as they are playing.

All that came after the Thunder easily handled the Clippers on Wednesday night at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, 128-110. And those two stats above just begin to touch on what the Thunder have done:

• Oklahoma City is the first team with back-to-back best records in the NBA since the 2019-20 Milwaukee Bucks.
• OKC is trying to become the first team with back-to-back best records in the NBA and to win the NBA title since Michael Jordan's Bulls in 1996-97.
• Only five other teams have had three or more consecutive seasons with a No. 1 seed — most recently the 2015-17 Golden State Warriors — and those five teams all won multiple NBA titles in that stretch.
• This was the Thunder's 64th win. If they win one of their remaining two games, they will become only the third team with back-to-back 65+ win seasons, joining the peak Jordan Bulls and the Curry/Durant-era Warriors (again, teams that won multiple titles).

OKC didn't coast into this, it has won 19-of-20 down the stretch. It also has reached these records despite its second-best player, Jalen Williams, only playing in 33 games this season due to injury (plus the team has faced a lot of other injuries, having guys in and out of the lineup). Part of why the Thunder have pulled this off is that, to a man, they have bought into what coach Mark Daigneault is selling: focusing on yourself, on short-term improvement, and if you do that the big picture will take care of itself.

"I think the first thing for us is just making sure that we're taking care of our stuff," Daigneault said the night before, when the Thunder beat the Lakers. "It starts with how we're playing, the habits we're trying to sharpen what we're trying to get done. You go through the regular season, there's different opponents every night that present different challenges, but it always starts between you and yourself."

Oklahoma City will open the playoffs at home the weekend of April 18 against one of the teams that have fought their way out of the play-in (Phoenix, the LA Clippers, Portland or Golden State).

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Noa-Lynn van Leuven banned from women-only darts events by PDC transgender ruling

  • Van Leuven can no longer play in PDC Women’s Series

  • DRA report determines darts is ‘gender-affected sport’

Noa-Lynn van Leuven will be banned from competing in any of the Professional Darts Corporation’s women-only events with immediate effect after a ruling from the sport’s regulatory body stated only biological females can now compete in women’s tournaments.

The Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) has ruled that transgender women will no longer be permitted to compete in women’s events. Van Leuven can therefore no longer participate in the PDC Women’s Series, where she has won six titles, and will be prevented from also competing in the Women’s World Matchplay, which she was on course to qualify for this summer.

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Celtics vs Knicks Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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It is possible to have an NBA game in the final week of the season where both teams care and have incentive to win.

It may be rare, but that is very much the case tonight with the Boston Celtics heading to face the New York Knicks with hopes of clinching the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

My Celtics vs. Knicks predictions and these NBA picks are glad to consider legitimate rotations in a game with real stakes on Thursday, April 9.

Celtics vs Knicks prediction

Celtics vs Knicks best bet: Jaylen Brown Over 26.5 points (-115)

While the Boston Celtics are just about locked in as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks could technically still catch them. That would require the Celtics to lose out and the Knicks to finish 3-0, but neither thought is impossible.

So, for once this week, both teams may play genuine basketball with their actual rotations.

Perhaps more earnestly, New York has to worry about Cleveland snagging the No. 3 seed, and Boston has to continue reintegrating Jayson Tatum into the lineup. His 15 games thus far have been quite impressive, but the Celtics should want even more consistency before the playoffs.

It very well may be Tatum is firmly the No. 2 option for Boston all spring behind Jaylen Brown. Brown’s 28.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists this season deserve more praise. He took a team expected to meander and has it firmly in the No. 2 spot in the East. Brown gave Tatum reason to return, and that made the Celtics the Eastern Conference favorites (+165 at bet365).

Brown has cleared this prop in eight of his last 10 games, both exceptions coming by merely the hook.That kind of production should be immune to New York’s slowed pace, particularly since Boston works at nearly as slow a tempo by default.

Celtics vs Knicks same-game parlay

What Jayson Tatum is doing is somewhat absurd. This is not to take away from his recovery or subsequent production. But he is shooting just 41.9% from the field and 33.8% from deep, while averaging 21.6 points. He has cleared this prop only three times in his 15 games back.

Tatum is, understandably, more focused on rebounds and assists than points currently, which should serve to further boost Brown.

Taking this first-half Under is entirely an acknowledgement that these are the two slowest teams in the NBA.

Celtics vs Knicks SGP

  • Jaylen Brown Over 26.5 points
  • Jayson Tatum Under 24.5 points
  • First Half Under 111.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Tatum's Intentional Choices

This may look absurd, but realize Tatum has cashed this exact same-game parlay once in his last three games and came a point away from doing so an additional time in his last four games.

He is not driving with abandon. Instead, he is pulling up from deep, albeit with inconsistent results, while looking to impact the game beyond scoring.

Celtics vs Knicks SGP

  • Jayson Tatum Under 24.5 points
  • Jayson Tatum Over 3.5 3-pointers
  • Jayson Tatum Over 8.5 rebounds
  • Jayson Tatum Over 5.5 assists

Celtics vs Knicks odds

  • Spread: Boston +4.5 | New York -4.5
  • Moneyline: Boston +155 | New York -185
  • Over/Under: Over 216.5 | Under 216.5

Celtics vs Knicks betting trend to know

Boston has gone 10-5 against the spread this season with Jayson Tatum in the lineup. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Knicks.

How to watch Celtics vs Knicks

LocationMadison Square Garden, New York, NY
DateThursday, April 9, 2026
Tip-off7:30 p.m. ET
TVPrime Video, MSG

Celtics vs Knicks latest injuries

Not intended for use in MA.
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White Sox vs. Royals prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for April 9

The Chicago White Sox (4-8) travel to Kauffman Stadium on Thursday to open a four-game series against the Kansas City Royals (5-7). It's a matchup of two teams looking to snap modest losing streaks and move north in the American League Central standings.

Chicago heads on the road this weekend owning a 1-5 record away from the Windy City and riding a three-game losing streak. Along those same lines, the Royals are looking to snap a two-game skid of their own. KC is looking to continue what has been a dominant run at home against the ChiSox having knocked them off 14 straight times. Royals’ pitchers have allowed just 17 runs during their 14-game home winning streak against Chicago.

On the mound, Kansas City looks to veteran right-hander Seth Lugo (1-0, 1.59 ERA) to help get them back in the win column. Last season, the White Sox scored just three runs over 12 innings against Lugo. Opposing the veteran hurler will be left-hander Anthony Kay (0-0, 4.00 ERA), who is back in a big league starting rotation for the first time since 2021.

Offensively, the Royals will rely on Maikel Garcia, who has 13 hits over his last 10 games, and rookie Carter Jensen to spark their offense, which has struggled with runners in scoring position this season. For the White Sox, power hitter Munetaka Murakami, who has four home runs this season, will need to produce in a lineup that has scored just 41 runs this season (no team has scored fewer runs).

Lets dive into tonight’s matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game Details and How to Watch: White Sox vs. Royals

  • Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026
  • Time: 7:40PM EST
  • Site: Kauffman Stadium
  • City: Kansas City, MO
  • Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, CSNA, Royals.TV

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

The Latest Odds: White Sox vs. Royals

The latest odds as of Thursday courtesy of DraftKings:

  • Moneyline: White Sox (+153), Royals (-186)
  • Spread: White Sox +1.5 (-131) / Royals -1.5 (+109)
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable Starting Pitchers: White Sox vs. Royals

Pitching matchup for April 9:

  • White Sox: Anthony Kay
    Season Totals: 9.0 IP, 0-0, 4.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 5K, 6 BB
  • Royals: Seth Lugo
    Season Totals: 11.1 IP, 1-0, 1.59 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 10K, 2 BB

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not! White Sox vs. Royals

  • Rookie Carter Jensen is 5-14 over his last 4 games
  • Munetaka Murakami is hitting only .205 but has smacked 4 HRs
  • Bobby Witt Jr. is 5-15 over his last 4 games
  • Luisangel Acuna is 7-24 (.292) in April
  • Andrew Benintendi is 3-20 (.150) in April

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top Betting Trends & Insights: White Sox vs. Royals

  • The White Sox are 5-7 on the Run Line this season
  • The Royals are also 5-7 on the Run Line this season
  • The OVER has cashed just 4 times in the Royals’ 12 games this season (4-8)
  • The OVER has cashed 8 times in Chicago’s 12 games (8-4)

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions: White Sox vs. Royals

Rotoworld Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Thursday’s game between the White Sox and the Royals:

  • Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Royals on the Run Line.
  • Total: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Game Total UNDER 9.0.

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Marlins closer Pete Fairbanks returns after missing 3 games for child’s birth

MIAMI — Pete Fairbanks is back with the Miami Marlins after the reliever was away from the team for a few days for the birth of his child.

The veteran right-hander missed the first three games of Miami’s home series against the Cincinnati Reds but is available for the finale.

Fairbanks, who has recorded two saves this season, pitched the first inning of the Marlins’ finale against the Yankees on April 5 before leaving Yankee Stadium to be with his wife Lydia, who was scheduled to have labor induced.

Fairbanks threw a 27-pitch first inning, allowing three hits and a home run.

In a corresponding move, the Marlins optioned RHP Ryan Gusto to Triple-A Jacksonville.

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Where to watch Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Thursday, April 9

The Colorado Rockies (6-6, tied for second in the NL West) face the San Diego Padres (6-6, also tied for second in the NL West) in the first game of a four-game series. The Padres are favored with a moneyline of -190 and a spread of -1.5, with Randy Vásquez starting on the mound, boasting a 0.75 ERA and 11 strikeouts. Colorado’s starter is TBD.

  • Colorado Rockies: 6-6 (tied for second in NL West)

  • San Diego Padres: 6-6 (tied for second in NL West)

  • Spread: San Diego Padres -1.5

  • Moneyline: San Diego Padres -190 (62.6%) / Colorado Rockies +155 (37.4%)

  • Over/Under: 8

San Diego Padres: Randy Vásquez (1-0; ERA: 0.75; K: 11; WHIP: 1.00)

Colorado Rockies: TBD

Series: Game 1 of 4 (series tied)

Weather: 69°F at first pitch

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Where to watch Arizona Diamondbacks vs. New York Mets: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Thursday, April 9

The Arizona Diamondbacks (6-6), tied for second in the NL West, face the New York Mets (7-5), tied for second in the NL East, with the Mets favored at -160 odds. The starting pitchers are Eduardo Rodriguez for Arizona (0.00 ERA), and Nolan McLean for New York, with a 2.61 ERA. The over/under is set at 7 runs.

  • Date: Thursday, April 9

  • Time: 7:10 p.m. ET / 4:10 p.m. PT

  • Where: Citi Field, Flushing, Queens, NY

  • TV Channels: SNY, Dbacks.TV, MLB Network

  • Live Stream:ESPN+, MLB.TV | Follow on Yahoo Sports

  • Arizona Diamondbacks: 6-6 (tied for second in NL West)

  • New York Mets: 7-5 (tied for second in NL East)

  • Spread: New York Mets -1.5

  • Moneyline: New York Mets -160 (59.1%) / Arizona Diamondbacks +135 (40.9%)

  • Over/Under: 7

Arizona Diamondbacks: Eduardo Rodriguez (0-0; ERA: 0.00; K: 8; WHIP: 0.92)

New York Mets: Nolan McLean (1-0; ERA: 2.61; K: 12; WHIP: 0.87)

Weather: 44°F at first pitch

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Where to watch Athletics vs. New York Yankees: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Thursday, April 9

The New York Yankees, ranked first in the AL East with an 8-3 record, are favored with a -200 moneyline over the Oakland Athletics, who are 4-7 and ranked fourth in the AL West. Thursday’s rubber match comes after the Yankees took the first game of the series, and the A’s took the second.

  • Athletics: 4-7 (fourth in AL West)

  • New York Yankees: 8-3 (first in AL East)

  • Spread: New York Yankees -1.5

  • Moneyline: New York Yankees -200 / Athletics +165

  • Over/Under: 8

Athletics: Jeffrey Springs (1-0; ERA: 2.38; K: 9; WHIP: 0.97)

New York Yankees: Ryan Weathers (0-0; ERA: 4.50; K: 11; WHIP: 1.88)

Series: Game 3 of 3 (series tied)

Weather: 46°F at first pitch

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A Case For Isaiah Evans To Return To Duke

Just a few days into the offseason, Duke has already seen two rotation pieces—Nik Khamenia and Darren Harris—enter the transfer portal. What the Blue Devils haven’t heard yet are any decisions regarding the NBA Draft.

Cam Boozer is surely off to be a Top 3 pick. Dame Sarr and Pat Ngongba have challenging stay-or-go decisions to make. But interestingly, most reporters with inside knowledge of the Duke program, including The Athletic’s Brendan Marks, are operating under the assumption that Isaiah Evans will join Boozer in the draft.

Even a couple of years ago this would be a no-brainer decision for Evans, who is consistently projected as a first-round pick and tested the draft waters last season. But things have changed drastically. Case in point: recent reporting from Jeff Goodman stating that top wings in the portal could demand around $3 million dollars this offseason.

Even that number could be low, with some reports stating that John Blackwell—one of the top scoring guards in the portal and a potential Duke target—could fetch closer to $5 million.

Goodman’s reporting, coming directly from coaches, is likely more realistic than the reported number for Blackwell (potentially put out by his agent to drive up his asking price). Still, if you split the difference and say a player of Evans’ caliber would demand $4 million in NIL, you’re faced with a fascinating thought experiment.

That sum would exceed the first year of a Rookie Scale NBA contract for any player drafted below 15 overall. By the time you reach the mid 20s—where Evans is most consistently projected—a $4 million NIL payday would dwarf the first year of an NBA contract by more than $1 million dollars.

There are, of course, other factors to consider than the raw dollars. Many players enter the NBA as early as possible so that their second contract—the first chance to get a 9 figure payday—comes in their prime. But many players drafted in Evans’ range don’t even reach that second deal, with a 2018 study finding that the average career for players drafted in the 20s in the first round is much closer to 5 (the maximum length of a Rookie contract) than 10 years. A player like Evans certainly maximizes his career earning potential by entering the NBA as early as possible, but very few hit that ceiling.

There’s also a unique confounding factor to making a draft decision this year—the 2026 Draft is universally viewed as one of the best in recent memory, while the 2027 is seen as much weaker. Were Evans to return to Duke, likely making more money in the 2026-27 season than he would in the NBA, he might also jump up in the 2027 Draft. Moving up from the 25th pick to the 15th pick would be worth millions more over the length of a rookie contract.

Finally, there’s this: college players are now getting paid more than some of their NBA counterparts to play less than half of the games. At Duke, you play those games consistently in front of a national television audience, rather than the local sports networks of your average NBA contest. That’s less wear and tear on your body and an increased potential to build a brand that will yield lucrative endorsements now and into the future.

It’s highly likely this is nothing more than an interesting thought experiment given the various reports on Evans’ status. But more Duke players will face similar decisions like this as the college game continues to change. For college stars, it may soon be the case that—with the notable exception of surefire lottery picks—the best purely financial decision will be to forego the draft as long as possible.

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Diamondbacks vs Mets Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's MLB Game

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The Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Mets wrap up a three-game series at Citi Field on Thursday night.

New York had a four-game win streak snapped yesterday but my Diamondbacks vs. Mets predictions expect the home side to bounce back with a strong start from Nolan McLean. 

Here are my best free MLB picks for this NL clash on April 9.

Who will win Diamondbacks vs Mets today: Mets run line -1.5 (+145)

Arizona Diamondbacks lefty Eduardo Rodriguez has allowed eight hits and one run through 12 frames. However, he had an ugly 5.02 ERA with a 1.53 WHIP in 39 starts over the previous two years, so expect major regression.

The New York Mets are giving the pill to Nolan McLean who is one of the top pitching prospects in baseball. In 10 MLB starts going back to last season, McLean has a 2.16 ERA with a .189 OBA and 69 punchouts through 58 1/3 innings.

With the Mets also boasting better hitting metrics, I'm playing the run line.

Covers COVERS INTEL: McLean has a six-pitch arsenal that features a devastating sinker, a sweeper and curveball with elite movement, and a four-seamer that hits 98 mph.

Diamondbacks vs Mets Over/Under pick: Over 7.5 (+117)

The Mets have balance from 1-9 in their lineup and despite the absence of Juan Soto have been making good contact. Over the last week, they are batting .284 while slugging .405. 

Bo Bichette has come alive after a slow start to his season, while proven sluggers like Marcus Semien and Francisco Lindor will break out eventually. 

I expect them to have success against Rodriguez and an Arizona bullpen that is projected to be one of the worst in baseball. That has me leaning towards the Over 7.5. 

Rohit Ponnaiya's 2026 Transparency Record
  • ML/RL bets: 3-4, -1.88
  • Over/Under bets: 3-1, +1.75

Diamondbacks vs Mets odds

  • Moneyline: Arizona +150 | New York -156
  • Run line: Arizona +1.5 (-150) | New York -1.5 (+144)
  • Over/Under: Over 7.5 (+117) | Under 7.5 (-122)

Diamondbacks vs Mets trend

The Mets have covered the Run Line in 13 of their last 25 games (+3.55 Units / 13% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Diamondbacks vs. Mets.

How to watch Diamondbacks vs Mets and game info

LocationCiti Field, Flushing, NY
DateThursday, April 9, 2026
First pitch7:10 p.m. ET
TVARID, SNY
Diamondbacks starting pitcherEduardo Rodriguez
(0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Mets starting pitcherNolan McLean
(1-0, 2.61 ERA)

Diamondbacks vs Mets latest injuries

Diamondbacks vs Mets 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.

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.

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Canucks vs Kings Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NHL Game

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The Vancouver Canucks hit the road tonight to take on the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena, with puck drop scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET. 

Filip Hronek's playmaking is at a high level, and my Canucks vs. Kings predictions are eyeing him to collect another road apple tonight.

Read more in my NHL picks for Thursday, April 9. 

Canucks vs Kings prediction

Canucks vs Kings best bet: Filip Hronek Over 0.5 assists (+115)

Filip Hronek has been the Vancouver Canucks’ top facilitator this season, leading the team with 38 helpers. Twenty of those assists have come on the road, and the Czech native has cashed the Over in four of his last five appearances. 

Hronek has already notched four assists in April, and he’s also hit the Over in three contests in a row on the road. Hronek also plays on PP1 with the likes of Marco Rossi, Brock Boeser, and Elias Pettersson, three of the team’s best finishers. 

Six of his last seven assists were on the power play, and the Kings are struggling immensely without a man, ranking 30th in power-play kill percentage.

Canucks vs Kings same-game parlay

Jake DeBrusk had a quiet night against Vegas on Tuesday with just one SOG, but he did cash the Over in six of his previous seven games before that. DeBrusk is averaging 2.61 SOG per contest this season. 

Los Angeles is 11th in SOG allowed, but they just gave up 31 shots on target to the Predators, and DeBrusk has cashed the Over in three of his last four road outings. 

Elias Pettersson is averaging 1.73 SOG this season, and he’s averaging exactly 1.5 SOG against the Kings this season. 

The Swede has hit the Over in two of his last four on the road, and again, this Kings penalty kill is poor. If the Canucks get a few power plays, Pettersson can easily collect a couple of SOG with the man advantage alone. 

Canucks vs Kings SGP

  • Filip Hronek Over 0.5 assists
  • Jake DeBrusk Over 2.5 shots on goal
  • Elias Pettersson Over 1.5 shots on goal

Canucks vs Kings odds

  • Moneyline: Canucks +220 | Kings -275
  • Puck Line: Canucks +1.5 (-110) | Kings -1.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-125) | Under 6.5 (+105)

Canucks vs Kings trend

The Vancouver Canucks have hit the 2P Game Total Over in 6 of their last 10 games (+6.05 Units / 54% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Canucks vs. Kings.

How to watch Canucks vs Kings

LocationCrypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
DateThursday, April 9, 2026
Puck drop10:30 p.m. ET
TVSNP, FDSN-W

Canucks vs Kings latest injuries

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.

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.

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MLB average salary hits a record $5.34M as the Mets lead spending again

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball’s average salary rose 3.4% on opening day to a record $5.34 million, according to a study by The Associated Press, and the New York Mets topped spending at the season’s start for the fourth straight year.

Mets outfielder Juan Soto is the highest-paid player for the second consecutive season at $61.9 million and was followed by New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger at $42.5 million.

Philadelphia pitcher Zack Wheeler and Mets third baseman Bo Bichette tied for third at $42 million. Toronto first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was fifth at $40.2 million, just ahead of Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge at $40 million.

The Mets’ payroll of $352.2 million was just below the record $355.4 million they set in 2023 and up from $322.6 million last year. The Mets’ total is more than five times that of Cleveland, the lowest-spending team at $62.3 million.

The two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers were second at $316.6 million, down from $319.5 million last year. The Dodgers’ total would be $395.2 million if deals for nine players with deferred money had not been discounted to present-day value. The Mets have deals with deferred money with just three players and their total would be $360 million without discounting.

MLB’s average of $5,335,966 increased from $5,160,245 at the start of last season and has risen 28% under the five-year collective bargaining agreement that expires in December, an average of 5.6% annually.

The top five spenders were unchanged from last year, with the Yankees third ($297.2 million), followed by Philadelphia ($282 million) and Toronto ($269 million).

Six clubs had $250 million payrolls, up from four; and 10 teams had $200 million payrolls, an increase from nine.

Eight teams were under $100 million, up from five.

Detroit had the biggest increase, up $64.2 million to $206.7 million after signing pitcher Framber Valdez, re-signing Gleyber Torres with a qualifying offer and giving a big raise to ace Tarik Skubal via arbitration. Atlanta increased by $44.1 million, and the Chicago Cubs, Toronto and the Mets by just under $30 million.

Minnesota slashed payroll by $46.3 million from opening day last year to $96.5 million.

St. Louis cut its opening day payroll from $141.5 million to $100.4 million. The Cardinals’ spending includes $44 million it is paying Arizona and Boston as part of trades to get rid of Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras, plus just under $3.4 million to Arenado as the present-day value of a $6 million assignment bonus that originally had been deferred money owed in his contract and remains payable by the Cardinals in 2040 and ’41.

Other teams with big cuts included the Guardians ($40.2 million), Texas ($37.3 million) and Washington ($23.3 million).

Payrolls include the 942 players on opening day rosters and injured lists. They do not include players on the restricted list such as Cleveland pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, Atlanta outfielder Jurickson Profar and Philadelphia outfielder Johan Rojas.

They also don’t reflect players who started the season assigned to minor league teams such as Dodgers second baseman Hyeseong Kim and Toronto pitcher Yariel Rodríguez.

Baseball’s median salary, the point at which an equal number of players are above and below, rose to $1.4 million from $1.35 million and remained below the record high of $1.65 million at the start of 2015. Active rosters expanded to 26 players in 2021.

Average and median salaries decline over the course of the season as veterans are released and replaced by younger players making closer to the minimum. MLB calculated the 2025 final average at $4.61 million and the players’ association at $4.72 million.

There were 519 players earning $1 million or more, at 55% the same as last year.

Nineteen players earned $30 million or more, an increase of four; 74 were at $20 million, up from 66; and 168 at $10 million, down from 177.

Thirty-one players made the $780,000 minimum.

The top 50 players make 30% of the salaries, up from 29% in the prior two years, and the top 100 earn 49%, up from 48% last year.

The AP’s figures include salaries and prorated shares of signing bonuses and other guaranteed income. Payroll figures factor in adjustments for cash transactions in trades, signing bonuses that are the responsibility of the club agreeing to the contract, option buyouts and termination pay for released players.

MLB’s payrolls are based on 40-man rosters and fluctuate each day depending on roster moves.

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Where to watch Philadelphia 76ers vs. Houston Rockets: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Thursday, April 9

The Houston Rockets still have a chance to catch the Denver Nuggets for the Western Conference’s No. 3 playoff seed. The Philadelphia 76ers are trying to move into the East’s No. 6 seed and avoid the play-in tournament.

  • Philadelphia 76ers: 43-36 (No. 4 in Atlantic Division)

  • Houston Rockets: 50-29 (No. 2 in Southwest Division)

  • Spread: Houston Rockets -3.5

  • Moneyline: Houston Rockets -180 (61.2%) / Philadelphia 76ers +145 (38.8%)

  • Over/Under: 225.5

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NBA Playoff scenarios for Thursday, April 9: Boston can lock up two seed with win over Knicks

The playoff scenarios on the line Thursday night are not that thrilling, but there are games that will have big impacts on the final seeding. Here is what you need to know.

Playoff Scenarios

Boston clinches the No. 2 seed in the East and the Atlantic Division crown with a win over the Knicks. Boston is going to be the No. 2 seed and the Atlantic Division champ regardless — it would have to lose out and New York would have to win out to flip that — but it all can become official tonight.

Games to Watch

Miami Heat at Toronto Raptors, 7 p.m. ET, League Pass

Toronto is one of five teams in the East that can finish anywhere from No. 5 to No. 9, with just two games separating them. Toronto currently sits as the No. 6 seed, avoiding the play-in, but it needs wins to stay there and this is a critical one. Miami is likely to be the No. 10 seed, but it has a chance to climb a spot or two if it wins out. The Heat had a players-only meeting after their last loss, we'll see if that has any impact tonight.

Boston Celtics at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. ET, Prime Video

While Boston can lock up the No. 2 seed, this game matters more to the Knicks, which is now just half a game up on Cleveland, which sits fourth in the East. This game is a potential second-round playoff showdown, however, if Boston wins on the road it becomes much more possible it is not and Cleveland would jump up to third in the East by season's end.

Philadelphia 76ers at Houston Rockets, 8 p.m. ET, League Pass

Both teams are in a playoff chase and need wins. Philadelphia is currently eighth in the East but could finish anywhere from fifth to 10th depending on how the final three games shake out — the 76ers desperately need wins. Houston appears headed for a 4/5 showdown with the shorthanded Lakers in the first round, though it could finish as high as third (which would require an unlikely collapse by Denver). The Rockets need a couple wins down the stretch to have home court against the Lakers in the first round, the teams are currently tied.

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A’s roster moves: Jack Perkins recalled, Michael Kelly optioned

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 21: Jack Perkins #50 of the Athletics delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Target Field on August 21, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Athletics defeated the Twins 8-3. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The A’s announced a roster move on Thursday morning. The club has recalled right-hander Jack Perkins while optioning righty reliever Michael Kelly to Triple-A:

It looks like the club has settled on Perkins taking the rotation spot that was vacated by Luis Morales earlier this week. Perkins, who came into camp vying for a spot in the season-opening rotation, had a decent spring but was always a long shot to jump over someone else for a spot. Instead he began his season in Las Vegas with the Aviators, with whom he made three relief appearances lasting a total of just seven innings of work.

That means he’s likely going to be on a short pitch limit at least in the early going. It’s being speculated that he’ll work with JT Ginn, with one or the other piggybacking off the other. We’ll see how it works on Friday against the Mets.

To make room on the roster the club demoted right-handed reliever Michael Kelly to Triple-A. Kelly, who had been viewed as a potential late-game option for manager Mark Kotsay in the bullpen, has had a tough start to his season, allowing runs in three of his four appearances. The club needed a spot on the active roster for Perkins and Kelly drew the short stick this time. We’ll almost certainly be seeing him again later this season. For now he heads to Las Vegas to work on his stuff and staying ready for when the A’s need another arm in the ‘pen.