SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 06: Gavin Sheets #30 of the San Diego Padres hits a home run against the San Francisco Giants in the fourth inning at Oracle Park on May 06, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
St. Louis Cardinals (21-15) at San Diego Padres (22-14), May 7, 2026, 7:10 p.m. PST
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The Yankees are optioning Brendan Beck and, according to the NY Daily News' Gary Phillips, are set to call up Kervin Castro ahead of the team's road trip, which begins Friday night against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Beck entered the game in relief of opener Paul Blackburn and pitched three full innings, allowing two earned runs on two hits, walking three batters and striking out one. He threw 52 pitches, 28 of them strikes.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone brought in trusty southpaw Tim Hill to replace Beck with the team trailing 2-1. A sixth-inning explosion of offense would turn the tide for the Bronx Bombers, and they would eventually cruise to a 9-2 win, the team's sixth straight series win.
Beck will return to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, and in his stead, Castro will join the Yankees bullpen.
The Yankees chose Beck in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Stanford University. Beck's young career has been hampered by injury, and he did not pitch for the organization in both 2022 and 2024.
In spite of this, Beck has gradually climbed the ladder of the team's farm system, and made his MLB debut during Thursday afternoon's series-clinching home victory against the Texas Rangers.
Castro has not pitched in the MLB since 2022, when he appeared in 10 total games for the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs.
Since joining the organization in November of 2023, Castro has rebounded from UCL reconstruction surgery to impress mightily at the Triple-A level with the RailRiders.
The 27-year-old Castro has thoroughly earned the opportunity to stake his claim for a spot in a Yankees bullpen which -- at least on paper -- looks like one of the team's few weaknesses.
May 7, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen (23) throws against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
The Dbacks dropped the series finale and the series on Thursday afternoon as the Dbacks offense simply did not show up to the ballpark for the second straight game. Alex D’Agostino said it best on twitter: The Diamondbacks just lost a series in which none of their starters went less than six innings and no bullpen arm gave up a single run. Brutal.
The gut punch is also a silver lining of this series was that the starting pitching showed up. The starting staff was able to eat 19.1 innings in the 3 game set and allowed just 5 earned runs good for a 2.36 ERA. Maybe that meeting by Torey lit a fire under those guys? Most of this quality starting was due to ERod and Soroka as 4 of the 5 runs were given up by Gallen on Thursday. Gallen’s final line wasn’t terrible as he was atleast able to get through 6 IP, but they really needed Gallen to continue the momentum started by ERod and Soroka. A team that once used to count on Zac Gallen to be the stopper in a World Series contending rotation just a few seasons ago needed more Thursday and Gallen continued his trend of not being able to deliver. Jack Sommers said it best in a tweet, to paraphrase, Zac Gallen has a 4.70 ERA after 8 starts… last year 4.83 ERA… Very, very sadly this is just who he is now. It’s 41 starts.
Perhaps what is most frustrating watching Gallen pitch is that it still feels like the Zac Gallen of old is just within reach, and then he gives up a big inning. That big inning came in the 5th on Thursday. Gallen entered the inning having given up only 1 run in the game so far, and got 2 quick outs. Then with 2 outs he gave up a single, walked the next batter, and then gave up 2 consecutive singles and all of a sudden the Dbacks go from being up 2-1 to being down 3-2. Had Gallen been able to just get one more out and not walk guys and give up consecutive hits, this would have been a quality outing where the Dbacks could have potentially pulled it out despite only scoring 2 runs. So close, but yet so far.
The bullpen was simply outstanding this series pitching 7.2 scoreless innings of relief. That was continued on Thursday as Brandyn Garcia, Ryan Thompson, and Paul Sewald looked dominant. After the struggles this team has had over the past few seasons with the bullpen, I definitely believe this group deserves a shout out.
The real culprit in the series was the ‘big 3’ not being so big. In the 3 games Perdomo, Marte, and Carroll went a combined 6-29 batting .207 with just 4 RBI. Carroll was atleast able to hit his 5th HR of the season on Thursday, but it was just a solo shot. Overall the quality of at bats from this group needs to improve. Lots of unproductive quick outs. After Skenes went 8 innings yesterday, Keller needed just 84 pitches to get through 6 innings on Thursday as the Dbacks hitters were once again just making it too easy.
The New York Mets come to Chase Field tomorrow and this team really needs to show us something and get back over .500. They will face 2 more good starting pitchers on Friday and Saturday in Nolan Mclean and Clay Holmes who have been rolling so far this season and this offense needs to get back to seeing pitches, taking walks, and getting some traffic on the bases. They also need Ryne Nelson and Merrill Kelly to pick back up the torch that Gallen just fumbled and get this starting rotation back on track to where it was the past 2 days. Hopefully this team is in a much better position when I recap again next Tuesday!
Christian Scott is emerging as a bright spot for the Mets.
With the series win already in the bag entering today's make-up game against the Colorado Rockies, Scott was handed the start and delivered an impressive performance. He tunneled his four-seam fastball and cutter at high levels of both volume and effectiveness, combining for 71 of his 82 total pitches and 46 of his 52 strikes (per Statcast).
Scott struck out six Rockies batters, allowing just three hits and two walks. The lone run he surrendered came in the bottom of the fourth inning, when Rockies switch-hitting utility man Willi Castro laced a two-out single to right field to drive designated hitter Tyler Freeman home from second base.
Scott immediately bounced back to shut the door on the inning, freezing Jake McCarthy with a nasty sweeper for the punch-out, stranding the two Rockies left on base.
The following inning, with the Mets leading 2-1, Scott was pulled by Mets manager Carlos Mendoza after walking Rockies leadoff hitter Edouard Julien on four pitches. Mendoza summoned Huascar Brazobán from the bullpen, who promptly recorded the third out to end the fifth.
The Mets would eventually relinquish their lead, and with the score 2-2, Craig Kimbrel's nightmare eighth inning - culminating in a gargantuan grand slam off the bat of McCarthy - doomed the Mets to a 6-2 defeat, the team's 23rd loss of the season.
Despite the result, both Scott and Mendoza kept their chins up and dismissed speculation that Scott had more left in the tank when he was pulled.
In his postgame press conference, Mendoza explained that he "had a number of pitches in mind, and he pretty much went over [it]." It makes sense that the team is paying close attention to Scott's pitch count, given the fact that the 26-year-old righty missed the entirety of the 2025 season after going under the knife for combined Tommy John and internal brace surgery in September of 2024.
When asked how he felt about leaving the game in the fourth inning, Scott emphasized his "respect" for his manager's decision.
The ailing Kodai Senga's return to the Mets' starting rotation is still to be determined, and combined with the well-documented struggles of veteran southpaw starters David Peterson and Sean Manaea, Scott has a golden opportunity to stake his claim as a regular starter.
Through three starts on a strict pitch count, Scott's impressive 3.27 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 15 strikeouts through just 11 innings pitched should give Mets fans, coaches, and executives alike hope for the pitcher's present and future.
Carlos Mendoza said the Mets had a "number of pitches in mind" for Christian Scott today vs. the Rockies, which is why he wasn't given a chance to finish off the 5th pic.twitter.com/MHSomeGXxs
CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 28: Jacoby Brissett #7 of the Arizona Cardinals warms up prior to a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
While the speculation and discussion was fun for a little bit, today ended the flirtation with the Arizona Cardinals getting a 42-year old Aaron Rodgers.
Not that anything is official, but Ian Rapoport is reporting he will be with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026.
This coincides with Josh Weinfuss reporting that the Cardinals will make Jacoby Brissett their starter for the 2026 season and are working towards a contract that reflects that.
The Cardinals have named Jacoby Brissett as QB1, per @joshweinfuss.
— Polymarket Football (@PolymarketBlitz) May 7, 2026
Now the question becomes how much will that contract adjustment reflect his play and being an NFL starter for the team expected to be one of the two worst in the league?
Brissett since 2024 is 2-15 as a starter, and has helped the New England Patriots and Cardinals land top five NLF Draft picks in back-to-back drafts.
While high picks are invaluable, how much will that be worth to the Cardinals, especially with Carson Beck in tow and the Cardinals needing to find out what they have in Beck unless Brissett finds a way to start winning games.
The real question becomes, how many games do you expect Brissett to start in 2026 and what is that worth to the Cardinals as a organization?
With the Mets and Colorado Rockies tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the eighth inning on Thursday, manager Carlos Mendoza turned to veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel to keep the score intact.
However, things went sideways fast.
Kimbrel let up back-to-back singles and then walked Willi Castro to load the bases with no one out. New York was out of challenges, so Kimbrel or Francisco Alvarez couldn't challenge what was called ball four on a full count, as the pitch looked to clip the top of the zone. After that, Kimbrel allowed a grand slam to Jake McCarthy down the right field line as the Rockies took a 6-2 lead.
Mendoza and Kimbrel both thought reviews would reverse the call as the ball appeared to land in foul territory beyond the RF pole, but the call stood. Kimbrel said he was "hoping it was foul," but took the blame for missing on a couple of pitches that cost the team.
"On the home run pitch, it was just location. I was trying to go up and I yanked it down," Kimbrel said. "It really all started with the leadoff guy. I got ahead of him, tried to bury a breaking ball, left it up, gave him an opportunity to put it in play and got a hit. And then the hit-and-run.
"Just really, right there with first and third was trying to get a strikeout. Felt like I did, they didn't feel like he went on the check swing. Then it turned into a walk, which turned into a grand slam."
Mendoza was asked about the decision to go to Kimbrel, noting Luke Weaver was unavailable, and explained what he saw from the veteran right-hander.
"They were aggressive, especially on his fastball," Mendoza said. "Back-to-back singles to start the inning, and then obviously there was a walk there. Again, I think they were just pretty aggressive on his fastball. Got too much over the plate and they took advantage of it."
As for the grand slam being fair or foul, Mendoza said there wasn't a good camera angle to change the call on the field.
"It was close, especially from our angle," Mendoza said. "I couldn't tell. Whatever they called on the field, I was pretty sure it was going to stand. And then we called down, and Harrison said the same thing, there's not an angle there that you could tell fair or foul. It just didn't go our way there."
New York will look to put the loss behind them as they travel to Arizona and faces the Diamondbacks on Friday.
Betts has been dealing with an oblique injury that’s kept him out of action since April 4.
Betts has seen limited action this season, playing in just eight games. He's gone 5-of-28 at the plate with seven runs, seven RBIs and two home runs. He's walked four times.
The eight-time All-Star is scheduled to be in Oklahoma City for a rehab assignment with the organization's Triple-A affiliate. An announcement from the Oklahoma City Comets' official social media account states that Betts will play on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9.
The Dodgers have compiled a 17-12 record in the 29 games played without Betts. The Dodgers remain at the top of the National League West standings with a 23-14 record, splitting their last 10 games with a 5-5 record.
The 2026 NHL Entry Draft is less than two months away. Due to this and the draft lottery now passed, The Athletic's Scott Wheeler recently released his first 2026 NHL Mock Draft.
In it, Wheeler predicted that the Sabres will end up selecting forward Ryan Roobroeck as their first-round pick this year.
Roobroeck is a fascinating prospect who has shown plenty of promise at the OHL level. This was especially the case during the 2024-25 season, as he recorded 41 goals, 46 assists, and 87 points in 64 games with the Niagara IceDogs.
Roobroeck also had strong offensive numbers for the IceDogs during this season, posting 30 goals, 28 assists, and 58 points in 49 games. With numbers like these, it is clear that the 6-foot-3 winger has good upside.
While the Sabres are cementing themselves as legitimate contenders, it is still important for them to boost their prospect pool as they enter their window. Taking a gamble on a big prospect like Roobroeck would make sense for Buffalo if he is still available because of it.
It will be interesting to see if Roobroeck ends up becoming a Sabre at this year's draft. However, for now, the Sabres' focus is beating the Montreal Canadiens in the second round.
The NCAA will expand its DIvision I basketball tournaments from 68 to 76 teams next season. The change isn't expected to radically disrupt the familiar bracket for most casual fans. Here is a breakdown of some key numbers to know:
0 — The number of mid-major schools that advanced past the first weekend of either tournament the last two seasons.
1 in 9.2 quintillion — The estimated odds against picking a perfect bracket even before adding eight games to the mix.
4 — Games matching No. 12 seeds and No. 16 seeds in the opening round.
8 — The number of teams being added to each tournament (men and women). It's also the number of new games being added to each tourney.
15 — The number of years since the NCAA last expanded the tournaments (from 64 to 68 in 2011).
120 — Total number of games for the two tournaments over seven days between the bracket announcement and the conclusion of the secound round.
131 — As in $131 million, the amoung of new revenue the NCAA expects to share with tournament participants under the expansion.
300 — As in $300 million, the extra funding the NCAA expects to get from new advertising opportunities tied to expansion, including the addition of liqour ads that had largely been off limits.
2032 — The year the current $8.8 billion broadcast deal between the NCAA and partners like CBS, TNT and others expires, raising the potential for more change.
350,000 — As in $350,000, the value of a NCAA-distributed "unit' for a men's team that reached the tournament.
The Lakers have been without their leading scorer since April 2 when he suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain in a loss against the Thunder. Doncic missed the Lakers' remaining regular-season games and start of the postseason, including a first round, 4-2 series win against the Houston Rockets.
The Lakers advanced to face the Thunder in the conference semifinals, where they are down 1-0, following a 108-90 loss in Game 1 on May 5.
Doncic has been seen shooting at Lakers' practices. He told reporters after their Wednesday practice that he is doing "everything he can" to get back on the court and join the team in the playoff battle amidst a championship chase.
"I'm feeling good and working out every day, trying to come back," Doncic told reporters. "Right now, I'm running, but I haven't done any contact."
Luka Doncic’s first press conference since he injured his hamstring on April 2. He said his timeline to return to the #Lakers was 8 weeks. He’s ramping up. But still a ways to go. pic.twitter.com/Qux41bcTO0
A game to suit departing Stones, West Ham’s Pablo under scrutiny against Arsenal and Maddison can rouse Spurs
Liverpool have eased one self-inflicted headache by listening to their fans and scrapping plans to raise some ticket prices for the next three seasons. Anfield’s attention can now focus squarely on eradicating another as Arne Slot’s side seek to salvage a desperately poor season with Champions League qualification. Liverpool will secure a top-five finish should they beat Chelsea and Bournemouth fail to win at Fulham. Slot could not have hand-picked a better opponent to potentially complete the job than the shambles that is this Chelsea team, even taking into account his frontline injury-list. The visitors are a collection of individual egos who turn up when they feel like it, which is Wembley and the FA Cup on current evidence. Chelsea have lost seven successive league games only once in their history – from November to December 1952 – but could equal that unwanted record with defeat at Anfield. They have lost their last two away matches by a three-goal margin, conceded at least three times in four of their last five league games, and it would surprise no one if they decide to save themselves for the FA Cup final. Andy Hunter
Liverpool v Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times BST)
Guard Sam Merrill was ruled out for Game 2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Eastern Conference semifinals series against the Detroit Pistons Thursday night with a left hamstring strain.
Merrill was on the court testing the leg during warmups, according to reports, but the team announced he would not play after he returned to the locker room.
He exited Game 1 on Tuesday after just 6 minutes and 41 seconds. He underwent an MRI on Wednesday and did not practice. Now, the Cavaliers, already down 1-0 in the series, are facing Detroit’s defense without their best shooter.
That’s a big issue for the Cavs.
The Pistons basically dared the Cavaliers to beat them from outside in Game 1. Without Merrill, Cleveland struggled. The Cavs turned the ball over 20 times, and the Pistons converted that into 31 points in the 111-101 win. Donovan Mitchell and James Harden combined for 45 points but also combined for 10 of those turnovers.
Merrill shot 42.1% from 3 during the regular season and averaged a career high of 12.8 points. He is in the first year of a four-year, $38 million extension with Cleveland.
“You can’t replace what Sam brings,” forward Jaylon Tyson said Wednesday. "He’s a key piece of this team. Our best shooter. Somebody’s got to step up for him.”
Tyson, Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder figure to absorb the minutes. In Game 1 without Merrill, that trio shot 5-of-11 from 3 and combined for 22 points in 56 minutes
DETROIT, MI - MAY 5: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during the game against the Detroit Pistons during Round Two Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
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On Tuesday night, the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery was conducted. The Toronto Maple Leafs won the first overall pick, the San Jose Sharks won the second overall pick, and every non-playoff team was pushed down in reverse order of the standings.
The Vancouver Canucks dropped down to third, which means the Blackhawks ended up with the fourth overall pick. That isn’t the ideal outcome for either team, but both will still get an incredible prospect.
Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson confirmed that he is interested in the best player available, no matter what their position is, assuming he doesn’t trade the pick. This is how the draft could look for the 16 lottery teams with the Blackhawks selecting 4th:
1. Toronto Maple Leafs - Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State
Winning the draft lottery changed the entire off-season outlook for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Instead of trading Auston Matthews or Matthew Knies, they could add Gavin McKenna to play with them at even strength and on the power play. His skills are close to being NHL-ready, and he should be a star in short order.
2. San Jose Sharks - Chase Reid, D, Sault Ste. Marie
For a long time, Ivar Stenberg was a lock to be right there with McKenna for first overall. However, San Jose winning the second overall pick changes things a bit. They need prospect depth on defense, and there are three elite ones for them to think about here. Ultimately, Chase Reid's two-way game gets him compared to Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer. Only time will tell if he can be that good, but the base could make the Sharks think twice about passing him.
3. Vancouver Canucks - Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford
Vancouver needs help down the middle more than help on the wing. That may make them consider Caleb Malhotra, whose father Manny is the head coach for their AHL team, the Abbotsford Canucks. Caleb is a strong two-way centerman who has flown up the draft board this season because of his dominance with Brantford.
4. Chicago Blackhawks - Ivar Stenberg, LW, Frolunda
Ivar Stenberg falling to the Chicago Blackhawks is the best-case scenario for them, but it is very possible that they get him due to the circumstances ahead of them in the draft. Drafting Stenberg would give Anton Frondell a friend and World Junior teammate to play with, in addition to a winger who can make all of their centers more lethal.
5. New York Rangers - Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota
Keaton Verhoeff, who may have the highest offensive ceiling of any defenseman in the draft, would be perfect for the suddenly rebuilding New York Rangers. Learning from a star like Adam Fox would be great for his development, and he could be able to help them get back to winning sooner rather than later.
6. Calgary Flames - Carson Carels, D, Prince George
The Calgary Flames round out a clear top-six in the draft. Carson Carels, whether he's the first, second, or third defender drafted, is going to make the team that selects him very happy. The Calgary Flames could be the team of the decade in the 2030s with the rate at which they're building, and Carels would be just another great weapon.
7. Seattle Kraken - Alberts Smits, D, Jukurit
The Seattle Kraken would see a major improvement on their blue line in their organization if they selected Alberts Smits. They are desperate for star power there, and Smits could develop into a star. For a young player who was an Olympian for Latvia and was very good, he could be on an NHL roster quickly after being drafted.
8. Winnipeg Jets - Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert
The Winnipeg Jets did not expect to be in this spot after winning the President's Trophy in 2024-25. Now, they have a chance to add a great prospect with what they hope is a one-off top-ten pick. Adding Daxon Rudolph so he can develop in their system could help them sustain success once they get back on track.
9. Florida Panthers - Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University
Perhaps even more than the Winnipeg Jets, the Florida Panthers having a top-ten pick is shocking. The Chicago Blackhawks fully anticipated landing a second first-round pick from Florida in this draft, but their landing in the top ten pushes it back a year. Tynan Lawrence from Boston University would be a great get for them, as they could add another strong center to the mix.
Viggo Bjorck would be perfect for the Nashville Predators. He was one of Sweden's best young players alongside Stenberg and Blackhawks prospect Anton Frondell this year. Bjorck played a big role in Sweden winning Gold at the World Juniors, and now he has the opportunity to make waves as an NHL prospect.
11. St. Louis Blues - Oscar Hemming, RW, Boston College
Boston College has been pumping out first-round NHL prospects at a high rate for years now. Oscar Hemming is the best one coming out this year, and the St. Louis Blues make so much sense for a winger like him. Whether they trade Robert Thomas and/or Jordan Kyrou or not, Hemmings is a winger worth drafting and developing.
12. New Jersey Devils - J.P. Hurlbert, LW, Kamloops
The New Jersey Devils are always looking for new wingers to give a chance with Jack Hughes or Nico Hischier. J.P. Hurlbert, who will play for Michigan next season, would fit in well with New Jersey, which has been great at drafting Wolverines. At Michigan, Hurlbert should be one of the best players in college hockey and help lead a dominant team.
13. New York Islanders - Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor
The New York Islanders didn't get as lucky in this lottery as they did in the last one, but their pipeline of young players is very strong. Ethan Belchetz, out of Windsor, is another one to add to the mix.
14. Columbus Blue Jackets - Adam Novotny, LW, Peterborough
The Columbus Blue Jackets need to continue adding young forwards to the group if they want to sustain their success once they start to reach it regularly. Adam Novotny is good for them at 14.
15. St. Louis Blues via Detroit Red Wings - Brooks Rogowski, RW, Oshawa
The St. Louis Blues have yet another lottery pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, as they will add the 15th overall selection to their crop of young players. Here, it's Brooks Rogowski, another winger.
16. Washington Capitals - Ryan Lin, D, Vancouver
The future of Alex Ovechkin in the NHL is near the top of mind in the hockey world, but the Washington Capitals will be thinking about their organizational future when they come up to make the 16th overall pick in the draft. Ryan Lin of Vancouver is a great defenseman who could help their blue line's potential for years to come.
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DETROIT (AP) — Cleveland Cavaliers reserve guard Sam Merrill is out of the lineup with a hamstring injury against the Detroit Pistons in Game 2 of their second-round series on Thursday night.
Merrill was injured early in a Game 1 loss to the Pistons on Tuesday night. He had an MRI and was held out of practice on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old Merrill averaged 12.8 points during the regular season and scored in double digits twice in the seven-game, first-round series against the Toronto Raptors.
