Celtics vs 76ers Prediction, Picks & Odds for NBA Playoffs Game 3

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If Joe Mazzulla had a fever, the cure wouldn’t be more cowbell. It would be more threes.

Despite the Boston Celtics coming out on the losing end of a shootout with the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, don’t expect their head coach to dial things back from beyond the arc heading into Game 3.

Mazzulla wants Boston to chuck it from deep, which makes the Over on 3-point player props a live market.

And while eyes swing to C's stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, my Celtics vs. 76ers predictions like Derrick White to find his touch from downtown.

Find out more in my NBA picks for Friday, April 24.

Celtics vs 76ers prediction

Celtics vs 76ers best bet: Derrick White Over 2.5 threes (+102)

The Boston Celtics went just 19-for-50 from 3-point land in Game 2, but it wasn’t like the Philadelphia 76ers were playing lockdown defense on the perimeter.

In fact, 24 of those 3-point attempts qualified as “wide open”, with no defender within six feet of the shooter. However, the Celtics cashed in only six of those opportunities from outside.

Although Derrick White is a collective 4-for-17 from beyond the arc against the Sixers, including a 4-for-14 count on 3-point attempts with a defender at least four feet away, he has no intention of shooting less.

“You got to have that confidence the next one’s going to go in and got to have that belief,” White told reporters ahead of Game 3. “I think if you get a good look or if it’s an open look, you’re hurting the team if you don’t take it. If you’re out there and you get a good look, you got to take it and knock it down.”

Given the way Philadelphia’s guards exploited Boston’s drop coverage on high screens in Game 2 (Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe were a combined 11-for-22 on 3-pointers), Friday’s game could see a surplus of triples from both sides.

That means ample opportunities for White to get right from deep, and his player projections for Game 3 all lean toward 3+ makes from downtown.

Celtics vs 76ers same-game parlay

Over the last three years, Boston boasts a 6-1 SU record following a loss in the playoffs. The Celtics’ shooting is set to get right, while the Sixers will come back to earth as Boston adjusts on defense.

Jaylen Brown registered 13.0 potential assists in Game 2, but the Celtics’ piss-poor shooting converted only four of those passes into assists. Brown finished with six dimes in Game 1, and since Jayson Tatum returned in late March, he’s averaged 5.5 assists on 9.7 potential assists per contest.

Celtics vs 76ers SGP

  • Celtics moneyline
  • Derrick White Over 2.5 threes
  • Jaylen Brown Over 4.5 assists

Our "from downtown" SGP: Weapons of "Mass" Destruction

Joe Mazzula will give his guys the green light from beyond the arc. The 76ers dodged several bullets in Game 2, with Boston unable to cash in on wide-open looks from long range. 

The Celtics won’t let those go to waste in Game 3, which could turn into a 3-point shootout given the 76ers' preferred approach.

Celtics vs 76ers SGP

  • Celtics -6.5
  • Over 215.5
  • Jayson Tatum Over 2.5 threes
  • Jaylen Brown Over 1.5 threes
  • Derrick White Over 2.5 threes

Celtics vs 76ers odds for Game 3

  • Spread: Celtics -6.5 (-110) | 76ers +6.5 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Celtics -300 | 76ers +240
  • Over/Under: Over 215.5 (-110) | Under 215.5 (-110)

Celtics vs 76ers betting trend to know

Boston is 59-13 SU and 51-21 ATS coming off a loss since the 2023-24 season, including 6-1 SU and ATS in the playoffs during that span. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. 76ers.

How to watch Celtics vs 76ers Game 3

LocationXfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
DateFriday, April 24, 2026
Tip-off7:00 p.m. ET
TVPrime Video

Celtics vs 76ers latest injuries

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Mets' Francisco Lindor talks calf injury: 'Definitely some level of concern'

Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor said that there is “definitely some level of concern” that the calf strain that landed him on the 10-day injured list could see him miss a decent stretch of the season, while refusing to give any indication of a timeline.

“I’ll be out for a minute, I don’t know how long,” Lindor told reporters outside the Mets’ clubhouse before Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Twins.

Lindor sustained the injury when he scored from first base on a double during the previous night’s win, adding that he felt the injury soon after he touched third base, and it wasn’t an issue before Wednesday’s game.

“I was in some pain, but gotta score,” he said, adding that after he got up from his slide, he was “encouraged” that he was able to walk off the field and down the tunnel to the clubhouse.

As far as when he will return, manager Carlos Mendoza said earlier that while a timetable at this junction is hard to pin down, the Mets “do know that he's going to be down for a while."

Asked directly if he felt he would be back this season, Lindor was emphatic: “A hundred percent. A hundred percent. Yeah, ah… yeah. It kills me not being on the field, but I trust the trainers, and I know they have good care here. 

"And I’ll be back, I’ll be back. Hopefully sooner rather than later.”

He added that he “hopes” to be back before the All-Star break, but this injury is “one of those that I gotta go through the process on a daily basis.” 

Lindor said he’s the kind of person who “doesn’t want to know timetables” or grades on the severity of the strain.

“It just plays with my head,” the shortstop said. “I trust the trainers here; we have really good trainers. I have really good people at the house as well that help me get back on the field, hopefully soon.”

On timetables, he added later that he would ignore any discussion of that. “Let’s just stay off that,” he said of any talk of dates. “I’m a person that live day by day, and I hate living in the future. So focus on what I got today, whatever we’re gonna do at some point today. And can’t wait to go watch the boys and win a game tonight.”

Asked later if he had a goal of when he’d like to be back, Lindor said, “The goal is to win the World Series. That’s the one goal.”

Lindor said he experienced a calf injury on his other leg during the offseason a few years back, and it “took some time.” But this time, he added, with a slightly hopeful tone, “I feel better today than I did last time, but we’ll see how everything goes.”

“Trust what’s happening on a daily basis,” he said of what he learned from the previous injury. “When it’s soft tissue stuff, you just gotta trust what’s happening that day and don’t worry about tomorrow.” 

Lindor said he hasn’t gone through the full details of how his initial rehab program will take shape over the coming days, but he trusts what the Mets have in the training room.

“It’s gonna be one of those where every day you just gotta show up and give 100 percent of what you got that day,” he said. “And understanding that rehab is not a linear thing, it’s gonna be ups and downs with that. The good thing is that we’re gonna be playing games and I’ll be supporting my guys.”

Of course, catching a good break just hasn’t been in the cards for the Mets or Lindor this season. His offseason began with elbow surgery and included a broken hamate bone that required surgery at the start of spring training

“It was a long offseason,” Lindor said. “With that being said, we’re athletes, we depend on our body, stuff like this happens, it’s part of the game, it comes with the territory. And you gotta toughen up and try to find a way to get healthy and be on the field. 

“Even though the last two weeks weren't the best for us, we were still going through the process and just loving each other and being there for each other, and there wasn’t a day that I took for granted being on the field.”

And the latest injury came on the day Juan Soto returned to the lineup after missing 15 games with a calf strain of his own, after Lindor had two hits and appeared to be breaking out of an early-season funk at the plate, and as the team finally snapped a miserable 12-game losing skid.

“Whenever I get to miss games, it’s disappointing, but, at the end of the day, I am super encouraged by what I saw yesterday,” he said. “I feel like the group is in the right direction and the guys are hungry, they’re ready to start winning games, and what you saw yesterday felt like it was a new day.

“...I’m looking forward to seeing what the guys are gonna be doing and me cheering them on and pulling for them. It sucks to be on the side, but I’ll be there with them, probably just as nervous as every fan out there. When you’re watching the games and not playing, I get more nervous than when I am actually playing.”

In the corresponding roster move, the Mets brought Ronny Mauricio back from Triple-A, and Lindor expressed his confidence that the 25-year-old can bring “a lot” to the table and help the team win in his absence.

“I’m looking forward to seeing him at shortstop and helping us win games. He’s a good player,” Lindor said of Muaricio. “He’s a great competitor, he brings a good energy, and he’s gonna play well. He played well in spring training, the day that he was here, he played well.

“For however many days I’m out, I know the team is gonna be in a good spot.”

Game 25: Yankees at Red Sox; Payton Tolle starts, Roman Anthony doesn’t

TV: NESN

First Pitch: 6:10 p.m. ET

The Red Sox are looking to salvage a series against their most hated rival on Thursday at Fenway Park.

The Yankees are looking to bury them.

Boston will roll out yet another interesting lineup in the series finale, as they remain without Roman Anthony (back soreness). Jarren Duran, who started to get things going during the middle game of the series, will return to the leadoff spot in what could be a sign of things to come:

New York hasn’t exactly been crushing the baseball all series, but the offense has put enough runs on the board to pull their weight in a series where the pitching staff has been superb.

Payton Toll will get the start for the good guys, having been called up to make it three consecutive left-handers in the series. Brayan Bello and Garrett Crochet were both pushed back and will start this weekend against the Baltimore Orioles. Tolle has a 3.00 ERA in 15.0 innings for Triple-A Worcester in 2026.

Cam Schlittler is probably going to be as annoying as he always is, which is to say he’ll strike out a ton of guys and then post something snarky on the internet afterwards. Schlittler has a 1.95 ERA this season, having struck out 36 batters in 27.2 innings.

Knicks at Hawks, Game 3: start time, TV, streaming, radio, game thread

Apr 20, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) controls the ball against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the first quarter of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The Atlanta Hawks (1-1) return home to defend home court against the New York Knicks.

Jock Landale (ankle sprain) has been ruled out.

Starting lineup:

  • CJ McCollum
  • Nickeil Alexander-Walker
  • Dyson Daniels
  • Jalen Johnson
  • Onyeka Okongwu

Please join in the comments below as you follow along.

Where, When, and How to Watch and Listen

Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA

Start Time: 7:00 PM EDT

TV: N/A

Radio: Sports Radio 92.9 the Game (WZGC-FM)

Streaming: Prime Video

Fantasy Basketball: Luka Dončić, James Harden among preseason rankings ‘hits’

Earlier this week, we took a look back on some of the players whose preseason rankings missed the mark, with some being more egregious than others. This column focuses on the "hits," with some making good on high expectations and others proving the skeptics correct. Rankings are an inexact science, to say the least, but they are fun to look back on. Leading the way are two ball-dominant guards who began the 2025-26 season in Los Angeles County.

NBA: Washington Wizards at Los Angeles Lakers
A look back at some of the players whose placement in our 2025-26 preseason Top-200 rankings missed the mark.

G Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers

Preseason rank: 4

Dončić being as productive as he was this season certainly wasn't a surprise, given the career track record. However, he finished as the league's scoring champion for the second time in his NBA career, averaging 33.5 points along with 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.6 steals and 4.0 three-pointers per game. Also leading the league in field goal, three-point and free throw attempts, and three-pointers per game, Dončić shot nearly 48 percent from the field.

Even with an average of four turnovers per game, the Lakers' star provided top-5 value in 8-cat and points leagues. Depending on what happens with LeBron James in free agency this summer, it's fair to ask if Dončić can crack the trio of Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama atop the 9-cat rankings in 2026-27.

G James Harden, Cleveland Cavaliers

Preseason rank: 17

Of course, the preseason rankings were compiled when Harden was still with the LA Clippers. Although his scoring average decreased by nearly five points after the trade from the Clippers to the Cavaliers, his efficiency improved. Harden shot 46.6 percent from the field post-trade, and his turnover average decreased.

As a result, Harden's offensive rating improved, which factored into him finishing the regular season as a top-25 player in 8-cat, 9-cat and points league formats. A productive run in the postseason may be all that's needed for Harden to solidify his future in Cleveland, with the front office potentially being willing to offer him an extension that did not appear to be coming from the Clippers.

F Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks

Preseason rank: 49

We thought highly of Flagg's fantasy potential going into the season, and the rookie forward did not disappoint. Appearing in 70 games, the Rookie of the Year favorite averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.9 blocks and 1.0 three-pointers while shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 82.7 percent from the foul line.

Head coach Jason Kidd's decision to start Flagg at point guard paid dividends for fantasy managers, especially with Kyrie Irving (knee) not playing and multiple other rotation players being limited due to injuries of their own. Even with Irving back in the fold next season, Flagg has top-25 fantasy potential.

F Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn Nets

Preseason rank: 57

Like many, we expected Porter's fantasy value to receive a boost with his move to Brooklyn, even if it meant that he had no chance of playing in the postseason. The lone negative for fantasy managers was the veteran forward's availability, or lack thereof, after the All-Star break. However, that does not erase what Porter did when available. In 52 appearances, he averaged 24.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 3.4 three-pointers while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 85.9 percent from the foul line.

Porter finished with career-best averages in points, assists and three-pointers. Hopefully, the Nets are in a position next season where the front office is willing to compete throughout the season instead of prioritizing its draft position, as Porter can be incredibly valuable to fantasy managers.

F Brandon Ingram, Toronto Raptors

Preseason rank: 76

The move from New Orleans to Toronto paid dividends for Ingram and those who had faith in him, as availability was no longer an issue. The 77 games were the most in a season for him since his rookie campaign, and the Raptors' wing earned his second All-Star Game appearance. Ingram averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.7 blocks and 1.8 three-pointers per game while shooting 47.7 percent from the field and 82.0 percent from the foul line. Providing sixth-round value in 8-cat formats, Ingram was a top-50 player in points leagues.

G Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics

Preseason rank: 82

Coming off a season in which he won NBA Sixth Man of the Year honors, Pritchard was well-positioned to offer greater value this season. Jayson Tatum (Achilles) was unavailable, and the Celtics bid farewell to multiple veterans in free agency or via trade. Pritchard began the season as a starter, but would return to a reserve role in early February, and his production never suffered.

He finished the regular season with career-high averages in points, rebounds and assists, and Pritchard has appeared in at least 79 games in each of his last three seasons. With Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White all under contract for next season, Pritchard's ADP is unlikely to crack the top-50, but he's proven himself capable of making good on top-75 expectations.

G/F RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors

Preseason rank: 159

Barrett has long been a superior option for points leagues than category leagues, and our preseason rankings were based on the latter. While the Raptors wing finished the season as a top-100 option in points leagues, he once again failed to crack the top-150 in category formats. Barrett's points, rebounds and assists decreased in comparison to his 2024-25 averages, which was too much for improvements in field-goal and free-throw percentage numbers to overcome.

With the Raptors having the aforementioned Ingram and Scottie Barnes under lucrative contracts, it will be interesting to see how this affects Barrett's standing going into the final season of his contract.

F/C Kyle Filipowski, Utah Jazz

Preseason rank: 152

Given Utah's priorities heading into the season, even with the front office insisting that they wouldn't tank, it would have been easy for some fantasy managers to be seduced by Filipowski's potential. However, playing time proved more challenging to come by than some may have expected, even after Walker Kessler went down with a season-ending injury. Appearing in 77 games, Filipowski averaged 23.4 minutes per appearance and accounted for 11.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.5 blocks and 1.0 three-pointers.

And in March, Filipowski averaged 26.3 minutes per game, which was not a big enough boost for managers hoping to benefit from his inclusion into their lineups for the fantasy playoffs. Regardless of what happens with Kessler, who will be a restricted free agent this summer, the Jazz still have Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. under contract for next season. That does not bode well for Filipowski's fantasy outlook.

Braves at Nationals series recap: Atlanta just keeps on cooking

Apr 22, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (23) celebrates with teammates celebrate after defeating the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images | Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images

A four-game series within the division on the road is always interesting. It was especially interesting considering that the Washington Nationals were heading into this series having scored the third-most runs in the National League (fourth overall) with a MLB-leading 22 of those runs coming in the first inning of their games played so far. It was clear that if the Braves were going to get greedy and think about winning this series, the pitching would have to perform.

Fortunately, Atlanta had a low bar to clear when it came to their pitching staff being better than Washington’s. That’s because as good as the Nationals had been at the plate, they had been just as bad on the mound. Considering how the Braves had been swinging the bat heading into this series, this did seem like a prime opportunity for Atlanta to keep on cooking at the plate and keep on putting some breathing room between themselves and the Phillies and Mets, who had both gotten off to very sluggish starts to begin this season.

The onus was seemingly on Atlanta’s lineup to out-slug CJ Abrams, James Wood and the rest of the potent Nationals lineup. Let’s take a look at how things went down over the past four games for the Braves:


Monday, April 20

Braves 9, Nationals 4

The Nationals scored two runs in the first inning because this is apparently they do, now. The Braves didn’t respond until the fourth inning, which is when Matt Olson cracked one out to dead-center field for a two-run shot that tied the game up at two. Daylen Lile then responded in the bottom half of the fourth with a solo shot of his own that gave the Nationals the lead and it sure seemed like we were in for a topsy-turvy game.

Fortunately, once the bullpen entered the game in relief of Bryce Elder (who was unfortunate to end up with four runs conceded as one of those came on an error), they were able to make sure that the Nationals didn’t do any more damage after that. That was a good thing since the Braves were able to eventually get to Jake Irvin for four runs (three earned as well) while he was out there for five innings. Unlike Atlanta’s ‘pen, Washington’s relief corps was unable to keep the Braves quiet.

A five-run sixth inning wound up being the turning point in favor of the Braves in this contest and then Atlanta added a couple more insurance runs in the ninth inning in order to cruise to a five-run victory. Drake Baldwin came up with the huge knock in the sixth that broke the game open, which isn’t surprising because this is Drake Baldwin we’re talking about. This ended up being a win on multiple fronts as Ronald Acuña Jr. withstood two HBPs (one of which was a scary one that smacked him on the wrist) and ended up escaping with no structural damage — he even started for the rest of the series.

Tuesday, April 21

Nationals 11, Braves 4

The Nationals scored three runs in the first inning because this is apparently what they do, now. Unfortunately for the Braves, Washington was far from done as they followed up on their first-inning damage with consistent offense that eventually crescendoed for them in the final two innings of this one. Reynaldo López got the hook in the second inning after giving up a homer to James Wood and a single immediately afterwards. The good news is that Jose Suarez, Dylan Dodd (who would unfortunately have to go on the IL the next night) and Aaron Bummer were able to keep the Braves in the game as they attempted to chip away at another early deficit.

Unfortunately, this game turned once Ian Hamilton and Joel Payamps entered the contest. They both gave up three runs in their appearances and that allowed the Nationals to pull away while the Braves were unable to keep up in order to make it a truly crazy slugfest. Instead, this was another example of how this Nationals lineup should be taken seriously and is going to win this team a fair share of ballgames via mashing their way out of any trouble. The Braves did mash their way into cutting the deficit to just one run in the fifth inning (with homers from Drake Baldwin and Eli White powering them forward) but that was as close as Atlanta got on this night.

Wednesday, April 22

Braves 8, Nationals 6

The Nationals scored four runs in the first inning because this is apparently what they do, now. This time, the Braves responded right away in order to back up the newly-recalled Didier Fuentes after he suffered another early-game ambush from Washington. The game was tied up at four runs apiece by the top of the second inning, as a two-run homer from Michael Harris II and a sacrifice fly from Ronald Acuña Jr. combined with a first-inning dinger from Drake Baldwin to bring the Braves back on level terms.

The Braves weren’t done crushing the ball, either. Money Mike got another crack at it in the very next frame and while this homer wasn’t as majestic as the one that he hit into the upper deck in the second inning, it still did the job done in putting the Braves in front at 5-4. Matt Olson got his turn in the next frame, as his big fly gave the Braves plenty of space and also doomed Zack Littell to a second-consecutive outing where he gave up at least eight runs. Oof!

Didier Fuentes only went three innings but his performance was encouraging enough to think that he’s absolutely got the stuff to eventually do well at the big league level. For now, he’s back down at Triple-A while consensus MLB Top 100 prospect JR Richie ended up getting a chance on Thursday afternoon.

Thursday, April 23

Braves 7, Nationals 2

The Nationals scored in the first inning because this is apparently what they do, now. Indeed, James Wood gave JR Ritchie a “Welcome to The Show” moment as he took the very first pitch that Ritchie threw as a big leaguer and promptly deposited it into the seats in right field for a leadoff homer. Fortunately, Ritchie proceeded to lock down the Nats from that point forward and ended up delivering a fantastic debut.

I think we’ll all take seven innings, seven strikeouts and just two runs allowed on five hits from a debuting rookie, won’t we? That’s exactly what we got from Ritchie who looked very, very good against a lineup that had been previously mashing the ball. If your only blemishes in your debut are giving up homers to the two best players that the Nats have to offer (CJ Abrams homered as well) then you are doing just fine.

This one actually stayed close while both starters were out there since Cade Cavalli was able to provide a sorely-needed stabilizing presence for Washington’s pitching staff. His only two blemishes came on a sacrifice fly from Ozzie Albies and an RBI single from Michael Harris II — whose day was unfortunately cut short after he had to leave the game in the middle of the seventh inning after feeling some tightness in his left quad.

By the time Mike had left the game, the Braves were in Washington’s bullpen and as we’d seen on multiple occasions during this series, Washington’s bullpen getting involved usually meant good news for Atlanta. Cionel Pérez was unable to maintain the 2-2 deadlock as the Braves broke out for three runs against him and eventually ended up plating four runs total in the seventh in order to turn the game on a dime. Hopefully Harris will be fine as well, since he had a big game (and a big series as a whole) and it’d truly be a shame if he had to experience a lengthy absence right when he’s starting to really heat up.

Ozzie Albies eventually added a solo homer of his own in the ninth inning to add some more breathing room and also cap off on a huge day at the plate for himself. That eventually led to ol’ Cookie Carrasco finishing things off in the ninth inning in order to gave the Braves a four-game series win on the road. Fantastic.


Going 5-2 on a seven game road trip that consisted of nothing but divisional games is like picking up a dollar bill on the floor that you forgot about. Winning a four-game series on the road is like picking up a tenner. Doing it against a divisional foe in the form of the Nationals is like picking up a twenty. You can upgrade that to a fifty dollar bill when you consider that the Marlins aren’t doing so hot, themselves, and both the Phillies and the Mets are currently spinning their wheels in the mud. The Atlanta Braves could not ask for a more ideal way to get this season started as they are heading in the right direction while the two other preseason conteners for the division are seemingly heading in the complete opposite direction.

You always have to take April results with a grain of salt since there’s so much baseball to be played but at the same time, we all know from experience that you’d much rather be in a position where you can simply just maintain your position for the rest of the season rather than having to spend weeks or even months trying to dig yourself out of an early-season hole. The Phillies and Mets are going to have to do some serious digging to get back to ground-level while the Braves are sprinting and putting an early gap between them and their two usual foes.

So while it’s tough to say what the long-term impact of this run of form for everybody in the NL east will be, it’s certainly great that the Braves are in the position that they’re currently in. They took care of business on this road trip, they’ve already gone 8-2 in the first 10 games of this 13-game NL East gauntlet and they’ll have a further opportunity to keep on kicking the Phillies while they’re down now that they’ve got a home series against Philadelphia coming up. It will be very important for the Braves to keep this run going in the same direction in order to make sure that any path back for the Phillies will be as difficult as possible.

For now, you’ve got to tip your cap to the Nationals for continuing to swing the bat very well. Their pitching staff may not be any good but it’s clear that Washington won’t be a doormat for teams to walk all over during this season. The quality of Washington’s offense and Miami’s pitching will likely make things tougher for the Braves within the division but that’ll also be just as annoying for New York and Philadelphia to deal with as well. This division is going to be an interesting one going forward but hey, as long as the Braves can find a way to stay on top of the pile then I think we’ll all take “interesting” over “frustrating.”

Texas Rangers lineup for April 23, 2026

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - APRIL 21: Josh Smith #8 of the Texas Rangers slides into the third base against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Globe Life Field on April 21, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Texas Rangers lineup for April 23, 2026 against the Pittsburgh Pirates: starting pitchers are Jacob deGrom for the Rangers and Bubba Chandler for the Pirates.

It is the rubber game of the series, and the Rangers are looking to bounce back from yesterday’s unpleasantness to take the series. Alejandro Osuna makes his season debut.

The lineup:

Nimmo — RF

Pederson — DH

Seager — SS

Burger — 1B

Jung — 3B

Carter — CF

Jansen — C

Smith — 2B

Osuna — LF

7:05 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are -160 favorites.

Michael Harris II leaves Braves-Nationals game with left quad tightness; expects to play on Friday

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 22: Michael Harris II #23 of the Atlanta Braves rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the second inning during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Alyssa McDaniel/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Michael Harris II has had a fantastic series as he has absolutely feasted upon the pitching that the Washington Nationals have served up for him. Hopefully, he’ll be able to take that with him back to Atlanta instead of the IL, as Harris has been removed from Thursday afternoon’s game ahead of the bottom of the seventh inning.

We’ll let you know later what’s going on, since it wasn’t exactly apparent what was going on with Harris while he was out there. He ran the bases fine, so maybe something tightened up on him while he was in the dugout? That’s as much speculation as I’ll give you.

We will continually update this post as the the situation continues to develop.

[UPDATE 3:10 p.m ET]: The Braves have described it as “left quad tightness.” Hoo boy. Keep your fingers crossed, folks.

[UPDATE 4:53 p.m. ET]: Money Mike talked to the media after the game and apparently the precautionary removal was just that: Precautionary. He’s feeling good and is expecting to play tomorrow. We’ll see if Walt Weiss gives him a breather in order to make sure he doesn’t exert it too much but as we just saw with Ronald Acuña Jr. and his scare, there’s a very good chance that we will indeed see Harris in the lineup for the series opener against the Phillies on Friday night.

Brewers come back but can’t hold on in 5-4 loss to Tigers

DETROIT, MI - APRIL 23: Abner Uribe #45 of the Milwaukee Brewers walks off the field after giving up the winning home run to Spencer Torkelson of the Detroit Tigers in the ninth inning at Comerica Park on April 23, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Brewers nearly won a pitching duel between Tarik Skubal and Brandon Sproat, but the bullpen couldn’t hold the lead. Milwaukee is now two games over .500 after dropping the final two games against Detroit.

Rookie standout Kevin McGonigle led off the bottom of the first with a double. Sproat got the next two batters to ground out, but his first pitch to Tigers cleanup hitter Riley Greene was a slow curveball that Greene crushed for a two-run homer. Not an ideal start for a team facing Skubal.

Skubal, one of the best pitchers in the game, did what he was expected to do against a top-heavy Brewers lineup. Through six innings, he’d allowed just four hits — two of them bunts — and one run. Skubal didn’t give up a single hit his first time through the order, but Milwaukee got on the board the second time around thanks to back-to-back doubles from William Contreras and Gary Sánchez in the fourth.

Meanwhile, Sproat also settled in after the first inning. He allowed just one other hit — a single to Javier Baez — through five innings, keeping it a 2-1 game.

Sproat retired Gleyber Torres to start the sixth, but walked designated hitter Colt Keith. With Greene coming up again, Pat Murphy pulled Sproat in favor of lefty Aaron Ashby — a move that didn’t pay off as Greene singled to advance Keith to third. Dillon Dingler then grounded into a forceout to make it a two-run ballgame.

As Skubal got deeper into the game, the Brewers started making him work more and more. David Hamilton and Brandon Lockridge had back-to-back bunt singles to start the sixth, but Brice Turang grounded out and Contreras hit into a double play to end the inning.

Milwaukee threatened again in the seventh. After Sánchez led off with a bloop single, Luis Matos went fishing for a changeup low-and-away, grounding it into right field to put runners on first and second.

The next batter up was Blake Perkins, who swung out of his shoes for strike one. He tried to lay down a bunt on the second pitch, a fastball, but it ran inside and he wasn’t able to get his hands out of the way. Strike two. Perkins took ball three high, then fouled off strike three. Skubal’s fifth pitch was a beautiful changeup that dropped just out of the strike zone, but Perkins held off to work the count full.

On the seventh pitch of the at-bat, Skubal tried to blow a high-and-inside fastball by Perkins, but he turned on it and sent it down the left field line for a double. Sánchez and Matos both scored, tying the game at 3 and prompting Tigers manager A.J. Hinch to come out and take the ball.

Lefty reliever Tyler Holton came in to face Luis Rengifo, who grounded out for the first out. Joey Ortiz, once again hitting with a runner in scoring position, came through with a single into left field. That put runners on the corners for David Hamilton, who grounded a single that scored Perkins and put the Brewers ahead by a run.

Trevor Megill came in for the seventh and got three straight groundouts. Angel Zerpa quickly recorded the first out of the eighth, but pinch-hitter Jahmai Jones tied the game with a solo home run. Milwaukee couldn’t score in the top of the ninth, so Abner Uribe came on to try and force extra innings. His first four pitches went for strikes, but the next three were balls, and Spencer Torkelson sent the eighth pitch into the bleachers for a walk-off home run.

The Brewers are back home tomorrow for a three-game set against the 14-10 Pirates. Paul Skenes will be on the mound for Pittsburgh opposite Brandon Woodruff. First pitch is 6:40 p.m.

Elias Salomonsson Returns As Moose Look To Save Season in Must-Win Game 2 Against Admirals

The Manitoba Moose are facing a must-win situation heading into Friday night as they prepare for Game 2 of their best-of-three American Hockey League playoff series against the Milwaukee Admirals.

Game 1 did not unfold the way Manitoba had hoped as the Admirals set the tone early, scoring twice in the opening period to seize control. One of those goals came from highly touted prospect Brady Martin, who recorded his first AHL playoff goal against Moose goaltender Thomas Milic. The moment added to Martin’s growing profile, coming just months after he was selected fifth overall in the 2025 NHL Draft by the Nashville Predators.

Milwaukee kept the pressure on in the second period, extending the lead to 3-0 and putting the Moose in a difficult position heading into the third. Manitoba showed some pushback late, managing to get on the board, but it was not enough to spark a comeback. The Admirals secured a 4-1 victory and a 1-0 lead in the series.

Now the Moose will need a much stronger effort to keep their playoff hopes alive.  There is some reason for optimism as top Winnipeg Jets defense prospect Elias Salomonsson is expected to return to the lineup, providing a boost on the blue line.

Salomonsson split his season between the NHL and AHL, recording five points and a minus-six rating in 32 games with Winnipeg, along with nine points and a minus-two rating in 29 games with Manitoba. 

Manitoba’s roster remains one of the most intriguing in the AHL, featuring several high-profile prospects including Colby Barlow, Brad Lambert, Brayden Yager, Thomas Milic and Salomonsson. For fans of the Jets, the Moose have become must-watch viewing, offering a look at the organization’s future core.

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Garcia to i.l., Gray up

SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 17: Peyton Gray #75 of the Texas Rangers poses for a photo during the Texas Rangers photo day at Surprise Stadium on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Robert Garcia has been placed on the 15 day injured list retroactive to April 20, the team announced today. To take his place on the active roster, the team has purchased the contract of pitcher Peyton Gray from AAA Round Rock. To make room for Gray on the 40 man roster, the Rangers have designated catcher Willie MacIver for assignment.

In addition, the team announced that Carter Baumler, currently on the injured list, is beginning a rehab assignment with Round Rock.

Garcia last pitched on April 16 — a week ago. He has been experiencing shoulder soreness, and the Rangers had held off on making on i.l. move as they felt there was a decent chance he would be recovered in time to avoid an i.l. stint. However, some combination of his shoulder not improving and the Rangers needing a fresh arm in the pen has resulted in his being put on the injured list now.

Gray, a 30 year old righthander, has never pitched in the major leagues. After being released by the Kansas City Royals in 2021, he pitched for Milwaukee in the independent American Association in 2022 and 2023, and pitched in the Mexican Pacific Winter League in 2023-24 and 2024-25. He spent the 2025 since with the Rangers, putting up a 3.58 ERA in 73 innings over 45 appearances between Frisco and (mostly) Round Rock.

Gray had an impressive camp this spring, and in 12.2 innings over seven appearances for Round Rock this year, he has yet to allow a run, and has 15 Ks against two walks.

MacIver was claimed on waivers by the Rangers over the winter, and has stuck around on the 40 man roster as a third catcher, in case one of the two major league catchers got injured.

As for Baumler, as a Rule 5 pick, I imagine the Rangers will not rush him on his rehab assignment, and so long as help in the majors isn’t needed, he’ll get several appearances in the minors on this assignment.

Reports: Milwaukee Bucks to hire Taylor Jenkins as new head coach

In what will lead to a fairly dramatic change in style of play, the Milwaukee Bucks are finalizing a deal to make Taylor Jenkins their new head coach, news first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania and Ramona Shelburne.

Jenkins has Milwaukee ties, he spent a season as an assistant coach for the Bucks under Mike Budenholzer in 2018-19, before taking the Memphis head coaching job. Jenkins spent six years as the Grizzlies head coach, and based on what he did there was considered by many around the league as one of the best coaches available this summer.

He will replace Hall of Famer Doc Rivers, who agreed it was time for him to step away as the Bucks coach.

In Memphis, Jenkins had a 250-214 record and helped develop the Grizzlies into a team that went to the playoffs four times in his six years (although he did not coach the team in the fourth of those appearances because the Grizzlies fired him late in the regular season).

Milwaukee set its sights on Jenkins early, and general manager Jon Horst, as well as team owners Wes Edens and Jimmy Haslam, traveled to Memphis to talk to him, something The Athletic first reported several days ago.

While they had a star in Ja Morant, Jenkins' Memphis teams were built around defense and winning the possession battle (for example, going hard after offensive rebounds). That's a departure from how Doc Rivers viewed the game. Jenkins' teams had Jaren Jackson Jr. during his Defensive Player of the Year run, serving as a rim protector, but also focused on things like taking away corner 3s.

What the team that Jenkins will be coaching looks like is a good question. It appears Milwaukee and Giannis Antetokounmpo are on a path to part ways — how much a new coach or a major roster overhaul can change that is up for debate — which means Milwaukee will start a rebuilding process. In Memphis, Jenkins and his staff proved good at player development, which will be a key part of what comes next for the Bucks.

Public Skate: Bruins vs. Sabres, Game 3

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 19: Elias Lindholm #28 of the Boston Bruins celebrates his goal with teammates Nikita Zadorov #91 and David Pastrnak #88 in the third period against the Buffalo Sabres in Game One of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at KeyBank Center on April 19, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Ben Ludeman/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

Game 3 is upon us, folks!

TD Garden should be jumping tonight, with the Bruins coming home from Buffalo with a split and playing their first home playoff game in a couple of years.

The Bruins were an excellent team on home ice this season, so here’s to hoping that continues.

If the B’s can make things start to snowball for the Sabres, some doubt/desperation may creep in for the relatively inexperienced (in the playoffs, that is) team.

Of course, those things are likely just talking points from people like me, as the Sabres remain a good team, one that hasn’t really played its best 60 minutes yet.

Anyways, that’s enough blabbering from me.

Bruins! Sabres! IN THE COMMONWEALTH!

Discuss.

Francisco Lindor's calf injury not short-term: 'He's going to be down for a while'

After exiting Wednesday's win over the Minnesota Twins early with left calf tightness, the Mets are placing star shortstop Francisco Lindor on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain. 

In a corresponding move, New York is recalling Ronny Mauricio from Triple-A Syracuse. 

Additionally, RHP Christian Scott is being recalled and will start Thursday's game; RHP Austin Warren was optioned to Triple-A following last night's game.

Lindor appeared to grimace while rounding third base in the fourth inning on Wednesday before sliding safely feet first into home plate. The shortstop headed straight to the tunnel and did not return to the field for the top of the fifth inning, as Bo Bichette moved to shortstop and Brett Baty entered to play third base.

Manager Carlos Mendoza spoke with reporters Thursday ahead of the game to discuss Lindor's injury, saying that the team will be without him "for a while."

"We still have multiple people looking at the imaging and the MRI and all that. We do know, obviously there's the injury there, and he's going to be down for quite a bit here," Mendoza said. "I don't think we are anticipating something like, we knew right away with Juan [Soto] that it was kind of like the best-case scenario and it was going to be on the short side of things. I don't think we're dealing with the same thing here."

Mendoza added: "It's hard to put a timetable. Because again, we got to wait. We do know that he's going to be down for a while."

The manager was also asked what the plan is defensively -- either keeping Bichette at third and having Mauricio at shortstop, or having Bichette to move back to his old position in some capacity. He reiterated the loose plan mentioned after Wednesday's game, saying they will keep Bichette at third and have Mauricio take over as the starting shortstop. 

"We could, but Mauricio is going to get an opportunity here to play," Mendoza said. "But yeah, depending on matchups, off days for some of the guys, Bo will slide over at times. But in the meantime, Mauricio is going to get a majority of the opportunities here at shortstop."

Mendoza then made it clear Mauricio could start against left-handed pitching going forward, with the occasional matchup change when needed. Mauricio owns a career .134 batting average against left-handers, going 11-for-82 over 42 games.

"He'll get some chances there," Mendoza said. "I'm going to pick what we consider good matchups for him from that side of the plate. But yeah, he'll start against lefties. But I will also not hesitate, if the game's on the line and it's a tough left-on-right matchup there and I have a better option on the bench, I'll probably shoot that bullet if I feel like we need to.

"I feel like it'll be case-by-case, but he'll face lefties."

It had been another slow start to the season for Lindor, but the injury comes at a time when it looked like he was turning a corner. Over his last seven games, Lindor was slashing .360/.386/.640 with two home runs, five RBI, a walk, and a stolen base. Through 24 games overall, Lindor has a .669 OPS, with all his home runs and RBI coming in the last seven games.

Mauricio, who has played in just two big league games this season (including his pinch-hit walk-off on April 7), is slashing .293/.349/.638 with a .987 OPS across 15 games in Triple-A. The 25-year-old is coming off his best game of the season on April 21, when he smashed three home runs to bring his season total to six and his RBI total to 13.

Mets place Francisco Lindor on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 22: Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets slides home past Victor Caratini #37 of the Minnesota Twins for a run in the fourth inning at Citi Field on April 22, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Mets have placed Francisco Lindor on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain, the team has announced. This news was expected after Lindor looked hobbled running the bases and scoring on a double by Francisco Alvarez in the fourth inning of last night’s game and subsequently did not return to the field in the fifth due to tightness in his calf. Lindor received an MRI today, which revealed a strain that is worse than the one Juan Soto suffered (also in his calf) that sidelined him for 15 games. Lindor is “going to be down a while,” according to manager Carlos Mendoza. There is currently no timetable for his return, but the Mets expect him to miss significant time.

This news is a huge blow to the Mets, who just got Juan Soto back and halted their 12-game losing streak. Though Lindor got off to his usual slow start in April which this year included some mental lapses in the field, he had just been heating up prior to the injury, putting up a 154 wRC+ over the past nine games with two home runs, four runs scored, and five RBIs, hitting lower in the order in Soto’s absence.

Ronny Mauricio has been called up from Triple-A Syracuse to take Lindor’s spot on the roster and is starting at shortstop in tonight’s series finale against the Twins at Citi Field. Mauricio had been up with the big league squad briefly when Soto first went on the injured list and went 1-for-4 with the one hit being his walk-off knock on April 7, which turned out to be the Mets’ last win before last night. While Lindor is sidelined, the Mets could opt to use Bo Bichette at his natural shortstop position, as they did in last night’s game after Lindor’s early exit, but Carlos Mendoza indicated that Mauricio is going to get the chance to prove himself as the team’s every day shortstop.

The Mets also made another roster move prior to tonight’s game, optioning Austin Warren to Triple-A Syracuse to make room on the roster for Christian Scott, who will make his season debut tonight. Warren stopped the bleeding after Devin Williams’ meltdown on Tuesday by striking out three straight batters. Though it wasn’t enough to save the Mets from defeat, it’s unfortunate that this heroic effort was rewarded with a demotion, but such is the life of an optionable reliever.

Tonight will be Scott’s first appearance for the Mets since undergoing hybrid Tommy John surgery with an internal brace in September of 2024 which cost him the entire 2025 season. Scott got off to a rough start in Triple-A Syracuse, but has been much better lately and is throwing even harder than he did prior to the UCL injury. Scott started nine games for the Mets in 2024 and pitched to a 4.56 ERA in 47 1/3 innings with 39 strikeouts and 12 walks. The Mets plan to keep a five-man rotation for now with David Peterson remaining in the bullpen.