Mercedes lock out front row; Russell fastest by 0.068
McLaren’s Norris third and Piastri fourth; Hamilton fifth
George Russell took pole position for the Canadian Grand Prix to set up a fascinating battle with his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli who was in second in Montreal, after the pair endured a feisty flashpoint having clashed with one another on track in the sprint race that preceded qualifying.
Russell put in an inch-perfect lap of the circuit Gilles Villeneuve, as the very last of the cars on track to steal it in what was a gripping session, ultimately beating his teammate by just six-hundredths of a second to ensure Mercedes maintain their unbeaten record of five poles from five races this season.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 22: Ramón Laureano #5 of the San Diego Padres tosses his bat after hitting a home run against the Athletics during the seventh inning at Petco Park on May 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Diego Padres needed this. After only scoring five runs across their entire series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Friars put up seven runs with three homers against the Athletics. It was a barrage that felt warranted.
The Padres offense looked healthy as ever against the Seattle Mariners last weekend but went cold against their division rivals. It’s nice to see that some slug was rediscovered — especially from the struggling bats of Manny Machado and Ramón Laureano.
Starter Walker Buehler struggled with command, but managed to work around it, pitching five solid innings and surrendering three runs. But two of those came in the first inning and Buehler settled down after that.
With the game tied when Buehler exited, San Diego was forced to use their high-leverage relievers. That could affect the game today if Lucas Giolito doesn’t pitch as well as he did in his debut against Seattle.
Taking the mound
J.T. Ginn (ATH) v. Lucas Giolito (SD)
Giolito impressed in his 2026 debut, pitching five great innings before struggling to finish his sixth. His final line of three runs allowed doesn’t quite do justice to the fantastic start he had.
The right-hander was signed late into the season for a measly $3 million. He’s already impressed despite only making one start. If Giolito can continue that against the A’s tonight it would go even further toward his Padres resumé.
Ginn was an inning away from a no-hitter in his last start before the wheels fell off and the Athletics lost the game. He’s been one of the more impressive parts of the A’s lackluster pitching staff.
Through eight starts Ginn owns a 2.98 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 44 strikeouts. He’ll look to limit the Friars offense tonight after their power surge in Friday’s game.
Batter up!
Friday’s win was great for a lot of reasons, but chief of them was San Diego finally flashing some power. Four of their seven runs came via the long ball, with Machado and Laureano starting to break out of their slumps.
Fernando Tatis Jr., 2B
Miguel Andujar, DH
Gavin Sheets, 1B
Manny Machado, 3B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Ramón Laureano, LF
Jackson Merrill, CF
Nick Castellanos, RF
Freddy Fermin, C
Tatis is still without a homer, though he found other ways to be productive. He went 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored in last night’s game.
Merrill will likely be back in the lineup though he could continue to sit on the bench if the Padres want to play his injury safe. Bryce Johnson played in center last night and made several great defensive plays.
Relief corps
With the game close (and several innings to cover), the Padres used Bradgley Rodriguez, Adrian Morejon, Jason Adam and Jeremiah Estrada to finish out the game.
The quartet pitched fantastically, though Rodriguez floundered in the sixth, struggling to record the final out. Morejon was called on and finished the job.
For today’s matchup, the Friars will have Ron Marinaccio, Yuki Matsui, Mason Miller and Wandy Peralta available. Only Miller has been viewed as a high-leverage piece of the four, though Matsui has yet to allow a run this season.
So let me get this straight. After Friday’s loss to the Astros, here’s what Cubs manager Craig Counsell said he would do:
Cubs manager on team losing streak-“I think we have to do something different” said Craig Counsell after 6th straight loss” it feels like some at bats and confidence is shaken.Maybe a different look in the lineup, or a day off is needed.I think we are at point absolutely “
Pete Crow-Armstrong leading off, Nico Hoerner batting cleanup and Ian Happ getting a day off. That’s it.
That’s not a “different look,” in my view.
The Cubs, over the last two days, have added two of their top prospects to the 26-man roster: Pedro Ramirez and Kevin Alcántara. Why not start them, Craig. I mean, how much worse could it have been than the pathetic, three-hit offense the Cubs put on the field Saturday in a depressing 3-0 loss to the Astros?
Both players got pinch-hit at-bats, both made outs and Alcántara played a couple innings in left field. Big whoop.
Or why not do this?
Jenny, @RaysJoeMaddon's got your number. Tonight's #Rays batting order (by position) starts 867-5309: pic.twitter.com/m87PirbvKM
I mean, that was silly (and the Rays lost the game 8-1) but I mean, something, ANYTHING to get these guys to maybe have a little fun on the field. They sure don’t look like they’re having any.
Oh, the Cubs solved the RISP problem in this one by not having a single at-bat with runners in scoring position. The only time a Cubs runner got past first base was when Dansby Swanson and Pete Crow-Armstrong singled with two out in the third. Alex Bregman was at bat when PCA got thrown out trying to steal to end the inning [VIDEO].
The only other Cubs hit was a two-out single by Bregman in the ninth.
I’ve said many times that too much is made of lineup construction and I’ll stand by that but in a situation like this, where Counsell literally said he wanted to try “something different,” well, DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT! This wasn’t “different.” This was a proverbial “deck chairs on the Titanic” move.
Colin Rea deserved better, he made two mistakes, both of which were deposited in the bleachers by Christian Walker, a two-run homer in the first and a solo shot in the fourth. Rea threw seven solid innings, striking out four. He threw 98 pitches (56 strikes) [VIDEO].
The only Cubs pitcher this season before Colin Rea today to pitch at least seven innings and allow three or fewer earned runs was Shōta Imanaga, who has done it three times, throwing 7.0 innings in each. He gave up no, one and two runs.
Trent Thornton and Ryan Rolison both threw scoreless innings in relief. So that’s good.
PCA seems a man on a mission in this series, about the only Cub producing any offense. In the two games against the Astros he’s 2-for-6 with a home run and two walks and several nice defensive plays.
So the Cubs are still playing solid defense and in this one they got good pitching. It’s just the offense that’s completely disappeared.
More notes on this loss from John:
The Cubs have scored seven runs in the last five games.
They scored five in a five-game span May 9-14. That is their only span of five games with fewer than seven runs since they scored six April 28-May 3, 2022. They have played 677 games since then. ….. The Cubs have scored four runs in the last 40 innings and seven in the last 45.
Thus, Craig Counsell: When you talk about doing “something different,” please actually do that. I, personally, would like to see both Ramirez and Alcántara in Sunday’s starting lineup. Again: HOW MUCH WORSE COULD IT BE?
At least it was quick. At 2:18, this was the fastest game at Wrigley Field this year. The previous fastest: 2:30, March 30 vs. the Angels. Four other away games were faster than 2:18, the fastest: 2:10 vs. the Rays April 6 at Tropicana Field. Curiosity: The five fastest Cubs games this year are all losses.
The Cubs will try to salvage one game of this six-game homestand on Sunday. Shōta Imanaga will start for the Cubs and Peter Lambert goes for the Astros. Game time is again 1:20 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 23: Christian Walker #8 of the Houston Astros hits a two-run home run in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 23, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Sage Zipeto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Christian Walker homered in both of his first two ABs to drive in all 3 Astros runs, backing 6 shutout innings by Kai-Wei Teng as the Houston Astros (22-31) shut out the Chicago Cubs (29-23) 3-0 at Wrigley Field.
The Astros have now won 3 of their last 4 games, and 5 of their last 8. Houston sent Chicago to its 7th straight loss, and the Northsiders have now dropped 11 of their last 13 games since posting a 10 game win streak.
Teng (W, 3-3) allowed only 2 hits, walked 3, and struck out 6 while lowering his ERA to 2.19. He threw 56 of his 89 pitches for strikes. He got an incredible 23 called strikes, while also generating 10 swings and misses.
Walker drove a 1-0 slider from Cubs starter Colin Rea (L, 4-3) 376 ft to left center for a 2-run home run in the first. The blast was 105.5 MPH off the bat as Walker’s shot cut through the wind at Wrigley for his 12th HR of the season. Walker would then connect for his 13th HR in the 4th, a solo shot 369 ft to left center off a 3-2 sinker. The 105.6 MPH blast cut through the wind as sharply as the first one.
Steven Okert, Enyel De Los Santos, and Bryan King would finish off the 3-hit shutout, with King collecting his 6th Save.
In the top of the 6th, Yordan Alvarez had to be removed from the game mid-AB. Alvarez led off the inning, and before his AB he and manager Joe Espada had a long conversation, which was eventually joined by the team trainer. Yordan was allowed to take his AB.
After swinging and missing an 0-1 pitch, Alvarez took a long time to get in the batter’s box again and seemed to be in discomfort. Espada and the trainer came out again, and Alvarez was lifted for PH Zach Dezenzo. The Astros would later announce Alvarez left the game with a back spasm.
The Astros certainly hope Alvarez won’t be out long, as their injury-depleted roster has already been stretched past it’s limits and the team can ill-afford to lose it’s best hitter for a prolonged stretch.
Houston will go for the series sweep Sunday at 1:20 pm behind RHP Peter Lambert (2-4, 3.57), while the Cubs have not yet announced their starter for tomorrow’s game.
CHICAGO (AP) — Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez left Saturday’s game against the Chicago Cubs in the middle of an at-bat in the sixth inning because of back spasms.
After fouling off a pitch from Colin Rea to fall behind 0-2, Alvarez appeared to be in discomfort. Zach Dezenzo stepped in as a pinch-hitter, and swung and missed on the next pitch to complete the strikeout.
Alvarez was chatting with the training staff in the on-deck circle before the at-bat, his third of the game. The three-time All-Star is batting .300 with 15 homers and 31 RBIs.
ATLANTA, GA - MAY 22: Atlanta catcher Chadwick Tromp (39) celebrates after hitting an 11th-inning walk off single during the MLB game between the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves on May 22nd, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The rain came down in the middle of the second inning after threatening to do so since before the game started. Hang out here while we wait for the Braves and Nationals to re-start.
The tarp is on the field and we are currently in a rain delay. We will provide updates as soon as they are available.
The Yankees have signed RHP Peter Strzelecki to a minor league and assigned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.
Strzelecki, 31, has pitched in 77 big league games over his career with the Brewers, Diamondbacks and Guardians, but has not thrown a pitch in the majors since 2024.
In 11 appearances with the Guardians that season, Strzelecki pitched to a 2.31 ERA while striking out nine batters across 11.2 innings. For his career, Strzelecki pitched to a 3.44 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP and 86 strikeouts across 83.2 innings with one career save.
This year, Strzelecki was pitching in the Brewers' system before he was designated for assignment on May 17, and once he cleared waivers, he elected free agency.
With Triple-A Nashville, Strzelecki appeared in 16 games, pitching to a 4.12 ERA after allowing 10 runs (nine earned) across 19.2 innings.
LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 11: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round Two Game Four...
And Reaves’ latest comments make it appear he wants the same.
During a recent interview with TMZ Sports at LAX, Reaves was asked a variety of questions, including whether he wanted to “run it back” with the Lakers.
Austin Reaves told TMZ Sports he wants to “run it back” with the Lakers. NBAE via Getty Images
He quickly responded, “run it back” — suggesting he wants to return to the Lakers during an offseason in which Reaves could be an unrestricted free agent for the first time.
Reaves will become a free agent this summer once he declines his $14.9 million player option for 2026-27.
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He alluded to already having made that decision when asked whom the Lakers should go after during the offseason.
“I don’t know, I don’t get into all that,” Reaves said. “I’ve got to sign first … free agent.”
Reaves is expected to get a significant pay raise with his next contract — whether it’s with the Lakers or another team.
He’ll be eligible to sign a maximum five-year contract worth $241 million with the Lakers or a four-year, $178 million deal with another team.
Rob Pelinka, Lakers president of basketball operations/general manager, made it clear during a postseason media availability the franchise wants Reaves back.
“He started his journey here as a Laker and has made it very clear to us that he wants his journey to continue as a Laker,” Pelinka said. “And we feel the same way. We want his odyssey to continue to unfold in the purple and gold. There’s rules and timing to all of that, but I think both sides have made it abundantly clear that we want to work something out where he continues his prolific career here.”
Austin Reaves returned from an oblique injury and averaged 20 points for the Lakers in the postseason. NBAE via Getty Images
The 27-year-old Reaves is coming off averaging a career-high 23.2 points (49% shooting, 36% on 3-pointers), 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals during the 2025-26 regular season.
He averaged 20 points, 5.8 assists and four rebounds in six of the Lakers’ 10 playoff games after returning from a strained left oblique that sidelined him for the final five games of the regular season and first four playoff games.
Which lines up with comments Reaves made after the Lakers’ 2025-26 season ended with the four-game sweep by the Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals.
“Man, it would mean the world to me,” Reaves said. “I don’t know anything different. My rookie year, I had no idea what the hell was going on, and he basically took me under his wing and [gave] me every opportunity that I could ever ask for, trusted me. But further than the court, like building a real friendship — he obviously is into golf now, so we’re a lot closer. It’s been super fun, and I hope to continue to do that. He’s taught me a lot. I owe him a lot for my career. He’s given me confidence every single day.”
MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 3: The sneakers worn by Baylor Scheierman #55 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on April 3, 2026 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
Verdugo Hills, the fourth-place finisher in the Valley Mission League with a 10-18 record entering the City Section Division I playoffs, completed a remarkable turnaround on Saturday, winning its fourth consecutive playoff game to take home the Division I title with a 3-1 victory over Taft at Dodger Stadium.
No one was picking the Dons in this one. They had used their two best pitchers in a 10-inning semifinal win over top-seeded Sylmar. But coach Angel Espindola had a plan.
Anthony Velasquez threw a complete-game one-hitter while relying on his defense to make the routine plays and deal with six walks and only one strikeout. At the plate, the hero was first baseman Cutlor Fannon. He had an RBI double in the first inning and an RBI single in the seventh.
But there was drama in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Toreadors’ Victor Jara represented the tying run at the plate with two outs. He hit probably the hardest ball of the day to deep left field.
Moises Rodriguez of Verdugo Hills caught the final out in left for 3-1 win at Dodger Stadium to win Di City title. pic.twitter.com/2UNU6Xrxs1
“The last one scared me,” Velasquez said as he watched left fielder Moises Rodriguez stick out his glove running to catch it and start a victory celebration.
The catch by Moises Rodriguez that saved Verdugo Hills. Courtesy Interscholastic Films. pic.twitter.com/8KsqsPy5Mo
Rodriguez said he “felt all my emotions running through me” as he chased down the fly ball.
“It was surreal,” he said.
Espindola’s best coaching moment came in the bottom of the sixth inning. Taft drew consecutive walks from Velasquez with one out. Espindola went to the mound for a pitcher conference.
“Relax,” is what he told Velasquez.
Then Taft hit into an inning-ending double play.
Verdugo Hills’ fielders more than handled the Dodger Stadium environment. Catcher Miguel Wong threw out a runner trying to steal second. Outfielders Rodriguez, Jack Iafrate and Jessie Olmos combined to catch seven fly balls. And third baseman D’Angelo Duran and shortstop Ethan Sanchez were flawless on ground balls.
As for what happened in the playoffs, Rodriguez said, “We changed our perspective to playing baseball instead of doing baseball. It was let’s have fun.”
The New York Knicks are a runaway subway car in the Eastern Conference finals. The next stop is Rocket Arena for Game 3 with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
New York tries to put Cleveland in a 3-0 chokehold on Saturday, and my Knicks vs. Cavaliers predictions aren't standing on the tracks, taking the road team to win with an energetic performance from OG Anunoby.
Here are my latest NBA picks for Saturday, May 23.
Our best Knicks vs Cavaliers SGP for Game 3
SGP leg #1: Knicks moneyline
Homecourt may be the only edge left for the Cleveland Cavaliers. They’re outgunned on offense, outmatched in coaching, and running on fumes compared to a well-rested New York Knicks squad.
That difference is showing in the fourth quarters of both the previous two games. New York has been great on the road in the postseason, going 4-1 SU and ATS as a playoff visitor.
SGP leg #2: Evan Mobley Over 15.5 points
Evan Mobley should be miffed with his teammates. After exploding for 10 points in the first quarter and posting 14 points at the half, Mobley didn’t get a single shot off in the second half of Game 2.
Cleveland’s offense is at its best when it gets the bigs involved, and Mobley must be a priority in Game 3. Projections sit as high as 18 points on Saturday.
SGP leg #3: OG Anunoby Over 14.5 points
OG Anunoby has been taking it easy in the first two games of the ECF, as he's coming off a hamstring injury in Round 2.
When the going gets tough on the road for the Knicks, OG brings the energy to enemy territory. He’s been huge away from MSG in the playoffs and averages two points more on the road than at home for the year.
Anunoby is forecasted for as many as 17.5 points in Game 3.
Get Jason Logan's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Knicks vs. Cavaliers predictions for Game 3.
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The New York Knicks extended their Eastern Conference Finals lead to two games in front of a rapturous home crowd (and an equally invested star-studded celebrity row). Now, the series moves to Cleveland for two games in the Cavaliers’ home court beginning with tonight’s Game 3.
Unlike the dramatic fourth-quarter comeback in the series opener, the Knicks took control of a tight game just after halftime in Game 2, using a devastating 18–0 third-quarter run to break open a 53–53 tie and coast to their ninth consecutive postseason win, 109-93.
Josh Hart put in a playoff career-high 26 points with five 3-pointers. He was supported by Jalen Brunson, who shifted into playmaker mode, dishing out a playoff career-high 14 assists to go along with 19 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns dominated the interior with 18 points and 13 rebounds.
NBA Eastern Conference Finals: what to know
What: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks, Game 3
When: May 23, 8 p.m. ET
Where: Rocket Arena (Cleveland, Ohio)
Channel: ABC
Streaming: DIRECTV (try it free)
Game 4, which will happen no matter the result of tonight’s game, is a Memorial Day matchup set for Monday night.
Cavaliers vs. Knicks start time:
Tonight’s (May 23) Cavaliers vs. Knicks Game 2 is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. ET.
DIRECTV is our top pick for watching basketball live for free — its five-day free trial includes ABC (plus every other channel you’ll need for the rest of the NBA postseason). When the trial is over, you’ll pay as low as $44.99/month and gain access to over 90 live channels.
TRY DIRECTV FOR FREE
Sling TV is another affordable way to watch TV live and stream NBA games; its Select plan includes ABC and starts at $19.99/month.
This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.
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Jon Metler's expert pick: OG Anunoby Over 14.5 points
Price: -130 at bet365
The Cleveland Cavaliers need to force the ball out of Jalen Brunson’s hands; they can’t let him work in isolation against their perimeter defenders.
When that happens, OG Anunoby finds himself catching passes against a rotating Cavaliers defense that he can attack for easy buckets. This is all about working off Brunson’s gravity and defensive coverage while attacking the space Brunson creates for him.
I also love that this is Anunoby’s third game back for the New York Knicks, and there’s an opportunity for his minutes to ramp up in Game 3.
That’s significant because he’s being priced like a player who will only play low-30s minutes. I price Anunoby at -175 to clear this number, which is why I’m hitting the button.
Jason Logan's expert pick: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 1.5 threes
Price: +125 at bet365
The Knicks offense is a well-oiled machine at this point in the playoffs. With the Cavs blitzing Jalen Brunson, he’s finding open teammates for a ton of assists
Karl-Anthony Towns is taking plenty of 3-point attempts as he continues working out of the high post in the playoffs, dragging Cleveland’s size away from the paint with his outside shooting. That resulted in three made triples in Game 2.
Projection models call for a pair of treys from KAT in another win for New York.
Joe Osborne's expert pick: Knicks moneyline
Price: +115 at bet365
The Knicks are in the midst of a dominant playoff run, winning nine straight games, with eight of those victories coming by double digits. They have clearly been the sharper offensive team in this series, shooting the ball better than Cleveland while consistently controlling points in the paint.
New York has also been excellent away from home, posting a stronger playoff net rating on the road than at MSG. Meanwhile, the Cavs might be running out of gas after playing high-intensity games every other night since April 29 — a stretch of 12 games.
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.
Anunoby o14.5 points
