24 September 2014: Dodgers third base coach Davey Lopes consoles with Los Angeles Dodgers Second base Dee Gordon (9) [7422] after being pulled from the game during a Major League Baseball game between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Davey Lopes, the Dodgers infield fixture who spent over 50 years in baseball, died on Wednesday at age 80. Here are a few more remembrances of his life and career.
Lopes’ former teammates and fellow members of The Infield that played together for 8 1/2 seasons Ron Cey and Steve Garvey talked with Jack Harris at the California Post: “He controlled the game at times with his base-stealing capabilities,” Cey said. “He wreaked havoc on defenses … His contributions were immense.”
From former Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti, who hired Lopes to coach first base in Los Angeles: “Davey was a winner in life & on the field. After an outstanding playing career, he became a coach – the best 1st base coach I ever saw: secondary leads, pitch tips, cutting your steps 1st to 3rd…he looked and taught players to look for every advantage. 1 of 1.”
From former Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner: “Such a straight shooter and a great baseball mind. I’ll never forget being on 1st base for 3 or 4 pitches and him looking right at me and saying, ‘What the hell are you waiting for? Go!’”
From former Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp: “Thank you Davey for being one of the best mentors ever. I can still hear him saying ‘If you don’t steal this base right now, I’m gonna kick your ass!!’ Rest easy.”
From Tim Kurkjian’s article on baserunning at ESPN: “[Johnny] Bench said the best baserunner he ever saw was ex-Dodger Davey Lopes, who was adept at getting a good lead and reading the pitcher.”
Of the 82 major league players born in Rhode Island, Lopes has the fourth-highest Baseball Reference WAR (42.4), behind only Hall of Famers Nap Lajoie, Gabby Hartnett, and Hugh Duffy. Stephen Rosa for the Boston Globe wrote, “For many of us, Davey Lopes was more than a great athlete. He was an example. He was an inspiration. And for a lot of us, he was one of the first people who made success feel real.”
When it comes to Lopes, his impact on the team’s running game was undeniable. During his tenure with the team, the Phillies were the best baserunning team in baseball. It showed up in the traditional stats like stolen bases, where Lopes’ expertise in analyzing the opposing pitchers made them the most efficient team around (84% success rate). It also showed up in the other things that make baserunners good. Fangraphs tracks different advanced baserunning stats with their publicly available information. The Phillies of 2007-2010 were the best in several of these categories, including wSB (stolen bases and caught stealing runs above average – 43.8), speed score (5.3) and baserunning runs (77.5).
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 7: Daniel Susac #6 of the San Francisco Giants gets high fives in the dugout after scoring a run against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oracle Park on April 7, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Suzanna Mitchell/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning, baseball fans!
It’s another weekend of San Francisco Giants baseball, which means it’s time to figure out who was this week’s Player of the Week!
Personally, I’ve got to give this week’s honors to Daniel Susac! Not only did Susac have a three-hit game in last Thursday’s 7-2 win over the New York Mets, but he went and did it AGAIN in Tuesday’s 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies!
Those are great numbers for an individual game no matter who you are, but to do it twice in a week as a rookie? Yeah, people are definitely paying attention.
Way to go, Daniel!
Who is your pick for Player of the Week?
What time do the Giants play today?
The Giants continue their series against the Baltimore Orioles this afternoon at 4:15 p.m. PT.
MESA, ARIZONA - MARCH 06: Charlie Condon #66 of the Colorado Rockies looks on from his dugout at Hohokam Stadium prior to a game against the Athletics on March 06, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Kyle Cooper/Colorado Rockies/Getty Images)
Less than a week later, the Pirates — hardly a perennial contender — announced a nine-year extension that keeps him under contract through 2034.
That’s not just a prospect promotion. That’s a team deciding to be aggressive.
For an organization searching for relevance, the Pittsburgh Pirates are acting like a club that wants to compete now — trusting talent, accelerating timelines, and building around players as they prove ready.
And early on, it’s translating.
They’ve opened the season playing winning baseball — getting contributions from their young rotation (having Paul Skenes helps a lot) with just enough offense. It’s a small sample, and by June this could look very different.
But the intent is clear.
The Rockies are operating in a similar space: more competitive than projected, treading water behind just enough pitching and solid defense.
But where Pittsburgh had Griffin and pulled the trigger, Colorado has Charlie Condon (No. 1 PuRP) — and a lineup that still needs impact.
This lineup isn’t broken — but it’s still volatile
There are stretches where the Rockies’ offense looks competent — productive and capable of pressure.
Strikeouts persist. Walk rates are low. And a swing-first approach means consistency can disappear quickly. When the offense is on, it looks pesky. When it’s not, it stalls.
There have been bright spots, but production hasn’t been evenly distributed — and that’s where cracks show.
The outfield, in particular, has struggled.
Jordan Beck, Brenton Doyle and Jake McCarthy — the projected starting outfield heading into the season — have opened cold. The trio has gone a combined 13-93 (.139) with one home run and a 30% strike-out rate entering Friday’s game.
Troy Johnston and Tyler Freeman have hit, but much of their value comes from versatility and time spent in the infield, not as everyday outfield anchors. As a result, the outfield’s offense hasn’t stabilized and is still leaving a clear gap in production.
Mickey Moniak is the clear exception — but comes with a massive trade-off.
He’s off to a hot start at the plate, and his bat has been vital. But he shouldn’t be anywhere near a baseball glove. Moniak has struggled defensively throughout his career, and the metrics reflect it. If he’s a key offensive contributor from the grass, the Rockies are accepting defensive risk.
That’s not a sustainable equation.
Charlie Condon is ready for the next evaluation
Condon’s case doesn’t hinge on projection anymore.
He had a loud spring — driving the ball with authority — and has carried that into pro ball. He’s produced at every level, and the power stroke is showing up more consistently.
To begin the minor league season, Condon produced a two-homer, five-RBI game in Oklahoma City on March 29th. After a brief absence for a minor procedure to remove a cyst, he returned to Triple-A Albuquerque and picked up right where he left off:
The sample is small, but the takeaway is consistent: performance isn’t slowing his timeline. Condon is batting .286/.405/.976 through 35 at-bats.
And it’s not just the bat.
Condon offers real flexibility — capable of playing first base or right field, and even sliding into a right-handed DH role at times, potentially pairing with Mickey Moniak as part of a platoon. That kind of versatility makes it easier to find a path to at-bats, not harder.
Questions remain, sure. He struck out in 28% of his Double-A plate appearances in 2025, and evaluators still point to recognizing spin as the next hurdle. But those aren’t questions that get answered in Albuquerque. They get answered in the majors.
Condon may be the most immediate answer, but he’s not the only one pushing the Rockies toward a decision.
The next wave isn’t one player — it’s a mix
Zac Veen (No. 9 PuRP) feels like the incumbent, even after opening 2026 on the injured list (right knee contusion) and having a tepid start to his season. The version seen this spring looked stronger and more impactful, highlighted by a 468-foot walk-off — if that holds, he can change the lineup.
Cole Carrigg (No. 4 PuRP) offers a different profile; a versatile, high-energy contributor hitting .265 with eight stolen bases at Triple-A, with development centered on refining approach and reducing chase. He’s not the centerpiece. He’s a multiplier.
Timing still matters — even beyond incentives
This isn’t just about service time, but it’s not not about service time either.
MLB’s Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) rewards early promotions with a draft pick, but it comes with guardrails — Top 100 eligibility, award thresholds, and a one-pick-per-organization cap.
For Condon, the decision is likely more traditional: service time, where teams balance long-term control against present-day impact and development.
Some organizations still manage timelines carefully; others — like Pittsburgh with Griffin — are accelerating them. The Rockies are somewhere in between.
At some point, it’s about belief
The Rockies have taken real steps forward — they’re more competitive, the lineup has flashes, and there’s something worth building on.
But the next step is reinforcing that progress, not waiting on it. Development still matters, but the most important questions get answered against major league pitching.
If this team is going to reward the progress it’s already made, it starts by trusting the talent that can push it forward.
The Isotopes (6-7) fell 8-10 in El Paso, but the offense continued to show life. Blaine Crim led the way with three hits, including a home run, while Nicky Lopez stayed scorching hot with another three-hit game—pushing his line to .375 with a .929 OPS. Braxton Fulford also chipped in, going 2-for-2 with a home run after entering as a defensive sub in the sixth.
On the mound, Gabriel Hughes had a tough outing, throwing 84 pitches and allowing five runs over 4.1 innings.
The Yard Goats (3-4) couldn’t keep up in Reading, falling to the Fightin Phils 6-9. Connor Capel provided one of the few highlights, going deep to supply some early offense, but pitching told the story. Konner Eaton battled through 5.1 innings and was tagged for five earned runs, while Davison Palermo surrendered four more earned runs in just 1.2 innings of relief, putting the game out of reach.
The Indians (3-4) dropped a high-scoring game to the Hops. Jacob Humphrey led the way on offense with two hits and three RBIs, while Max Belyeu added two hits and two RBIs of his own — both staying hot early in the season. But despite the run support, pitching couldn’t hold up. Jackson Cox got the start and allowed four earned runs over four innings, though he did rack up eight strikeouts. The bullpen didn’t fare much better, with all three relievers surrendering multiple earned runs as the game got away.
Grizzlies (4-3) come up short against the Ports. Ethan Holliday went 2-for-5 and launched his first home run of the season, an encouraging sign as he looks to get going early in the year. On the mound, JB Middleton was excellent. He threw five innings of one-run ball with five strikeouts, continuing a strong start to his season — now allowing just two runs over his first nine innings
In this piece by the Denver Post, the Walton-Penner ownership group has purchased a significant minority stake in the Colorado Rockies, adding a powerful new financial partner to the franchise. While the Monfort family retains control, the move signals increased resources and potential organizational change. It’s a notable shift in ownership structure — and a clear sign of growing investment in the Rockies’ future.
In this piece by Sports Illustrated, Paul DePodesta frames the Rockies’ surprising early start less as a signal of success and more as a data point in a long rebuild. He emphasizes that the early competitiveness is encouraging but not definitive, stressing that the organization is focused on long-term development rather than short-term results. The takeaway: the Rockies may be playing better now, but in DePodesta’s view, what matters is whether that progress is sustainable over a full season.
In this piece by MLB.com, the Rockies are highlighted alongside the Pirates and Marlins as teams off to better-than-expected starts in 2026. It points out that while the early results are encouraging, it’s still very early — and whether this kind of play can hold over a full season is the real question. For now, the Rockies are showing signs of life, but like the others, they still have to prove it’s more than just a hot start.
Bruce Levine reports that Matthew Boyd will make a rehab start this coming week. More when we know more. We’ll see if Dylan Carlson makes it back to Triple-A.
Shōta Imanaga on the hill versus Carmen Mlodzinski. Let’s hope Mike Imanaga takes the day off. Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ were in the lineup, which was nicely balanced at the outset:
Nico Hoerner, 2B
Michael Busch, 1B
Alex Bregman, 3B
Ian Happ, LF
Seiya Suzuki, RF
Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF
Carson Kelly, C
Moisés Ballesteros, DH
Dansby Swanson, SS
Game Result:
Pirates 2, Cubs 0.
Shōta pitched well. He allowed the Pirates a big fat zero in 6.0 innings of work. Longtime Cubs nemesis Bryan Reynolds took Caleb Thielbar deep for a two-run homer in the sixth inning. That was it for scoring on this day.
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MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 15: Jaime Jaquez Jr. #11 of the Miami Heat drives against Keldon Johnson #0 of the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter of a preseason game at Kaseya Center on October 15, 2024 in Miami, Florida. 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. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This has been a fascinating NBA season in many aspects, but especially when it comes to the various awards races. Despite the regular season being almost complete, a handful of the biddings for these categories are coming down to the wire.
This year’s Sixth Man of the Year discussion is no exception. In most years, we usually have a pretty obvious candidate. However, this go around, injuries have forced some of the best bench guys to start too many games to qualify (i.e., Payton Pritchard).
With this said, the race has narrowed to two main candidates: Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Keldon Johnson. According to popular sportsbooks like FanDuel, they are the only two players with realistic odds of taking home the crown.
But which of these two gentlemen is most deserving of the award? Let’s take a look at the numbers.
The Box Score
Raw counting stats favor Jaquez. This season, he boasts a higher PPG, APG, and stocks (steals and blocks) per game, and his RPG (5.1) are nearly identical to that of Johnson (5.4). However, Jaime also plays nearly five more minutes per contest than Johnson, so it isn’t necessarily fair to compare these two without adjusting for playing time.
To do this, we will look at points per 75 possessions, rebounding rates (both offensive and defensive), assist rate, and stock rate. We also need to factor in efficiency. So, true shooting percentage is also included in the chart below:
When you look at it this way, Johnson is the superior scorer and rebounder, and he’s managing this higher scoring output on better efficiency. However, Jaquez’s role within the Miami Heat offense asks him to do a lot more creating for himself (his unassisted field goal rate is 14.7% higher than Johnson’s) and his teammates.
Jaquez’s steal/block rate is also higher than Johnson’s, but only by a slight margin, and that may be explained by the fact that the Heat tend to be a more aggressive defense than the San Antonio Spurs in general (Miami’s opponent turnover rate is 1.3% higher).
The Advanced Stats
As many of you know by now, the box score hardly ever tells the full story – even when you adjust for pace. A player’s numbers are only as good as their impact on winning, and history is littered with empty-calorie stat sheet stuffers (I’m looking at you Cam Thomas).
Dunks & Threes’ Estimated Plus-Minus is widely-viewed as the best publicly-available one-number metric because it incorporates tracking data. EPM gives Johnson the edge, as he ranks in the 73rd percentile leaguewide while Jaquez sits at just the 59th percentile.
But again, we need to add more context. One number metrics are limited to measuring how good a particular player is on their particular team. And as we’ve already established, Jaquez is generally asked to do more for the Heat than Johnson is for the Spurs, so he has more to live up to as far as impact metrics go.
So, we also need to point out how each team fares when these two wings are on the floor. When it comes to pure on-court rating, Johnson laps Jaquez (see chart below), which makes sense because Johnson plays on the far superior team (the Spurs have 20 more wins than the Heat).
That is why we also need to include on/off data (how well a team does when you are on the floor compared to when you are on the bench) to this analysis. Based on this, the Heat are better with Jaquez on the floor, while the Spurs are actually better when Johnson is on the bench.
History tells us that to win 6MOY of the year you absolutely need to be able to score the ball and you generally need to be on a good team. Since 2001-02, every player who has won the 6MOY award has averaged at least 13 PPG. In that same span of time, 19 of those 24 players (79.2%) played for teams that finished in the top four in their conference. The key exceptions to that last stipulation are Lou Williams (twice), Jason Terry (2008-09), Mike Miller (2005-06), and Antawn Jamison (2003-04), who all still played on teams that made the playoffs.
Both of these guys clear the 13 PPG threshold (although, in Johnson’s case, just barely). But Johnson has a clear edge as far as team success goes. His Spurs are one of the favorites to take home the NBA title, and they currently sit at second in the loaded Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Heat will need some play-in magic (maybe even against Orlando) to qualify for the postseason.
So, while they both are deserving of the recognition, it seems that history favors Johnson.
The stats in this story were updated before Friday’s games.
Managerial contract news: In short, there is no managerial contract news. Andoni Iraola and Mikel Arteta were both asked if either had been in talks with their respective employers during their pre-match press conferences and both men suggested they had not.
Iraola: “I’m sorry, I don’t have any news for you,” he said. “There has been no change on that side of things.”
Montréal Canadiens - 47-22-10 - 104 Points - 9-1-0 in the last 10 - Won 2 - 2nd in the Atlantic
Columbus Blue Jackets - 39-28-12 - 90 Points - 2-7-1 in the last 10 - Lost 1 - 5th in the Metro
Team Notes Per CBJ PR
Columbus split the first two games of its three-game road trip with a 4-3 SO win at Detroit on Tuesday and 5-0 loss at
Buffalo on Thursday. The club concludes its road portion of the regular season at Montreal on Saturday.
CBJ play their 16th and final back-to-back set of the season (18-7-5, .683) on Saturday (at Montreal) and Sunday (vs. Boston).
The team has earned points in 11 of its last 16 road games, ranking sixth-T in the NHL in points pct. since Jan. 11 (10-5-1, .656).
The Jackets have also earned points in 26 of their past 35 contests overall since Jan. 11 (21-9-5, 47 pts.).
The Blue Jackets play all four of their games this week against the Atlantic Division (1-1-0). The club has earned points in 19 of its last 24 games against the division dating back to Apr. 8, 2025 (14-5-5).
Columbus leads the NHL with a franchise-record 58 goals scored by defensemen in 2025-26 (58-135-193, 79 GP).
Player Notes Per CBJ PR
Charlie Coyle has tied his single-season career high in assists and tied for the second-most points of his 14-year NHL career with 18-38-56 in 79 games this season.
Adam Fantilli has set single-season career highs in assists and points with 23-33-56 in 79 contests this season.
Jet Greaves has earned points in 16 of his last 21 starts since Jan. 11 (13-5-3, 2.44 GAA, .910 SV% in 22 GP), ranking eighth among NHL goaltenders in GAA and ninth-T in SV% over that stretch (min. 6 GP).
Kirill Marchenko has posted assists in four of the past six games (1-5-6) and is the fifth player in Blue Jackets history with 25-plus goals in consecutive seasons (31 in 2024-25; 26 in 2025-26).
Mason Marchment has collected assists in four of his past five contests (1-5-6) and has 2-6-8 in his last eight games. He ranks second on the team in goals since making his CBJ debut on Dec. 20, 2025 (14-15-29 in 36 GP).
Zach Werenski set a new single-season franchise record with his 26th multi-point effort on Tuesday (1-1-2). He has recorded 22-58-80 in 72 games in 2025-26 and is the third American-born defenseman in NHL history with consecutive 80-point campaigns (Brian Leetch, 1990-91 - 1991-92 with NYR; Phil Housley, 1991-92 - 1992-93 with WPG).
Blue Jackets Stats
Power Play - 19.2% - 22nd in the NHL
Penalty Kill - 76.2% - 28th in the NHL
Goals For - 238 - 17th in the NHL
Goals Against - 244 - 22nd in the NHL
CanadiensStats
Power Play - 23.2% - 11th in the NHL
Penalty Kill - 78.1% - 20th in the NHL
Goals For - 271 - 7th in the NHL
Goals Against - 241 - 17th in the NHL
Series History vs. TheCanadiens
Columbus is 22-18-1-5 all-time, and 10-11-1-3 all-time in Montréal.
CBJ have recorded points in three of the last four meetings (2-1-1) and 12 of the past 18 since Mar. 28, 2019 (9-6-3).
Montreal has won the last five home games in the series (CBJ; 0-4-1) since a three-game road win streak for Columbus from Feb. 2, 2020-Feb. 12, 2022.
Each of the last four games have been decided by a single goal. Prior to that, seven-of-eight from Apr. 13, 2022-Nov.16, 2024, were decided by multiple goals.
The winning team has scored four-plus goals in 11 of the past 16 games since Nov. 19, 2019 (including SO goals).
The teams have combined for six or more goals in four out of the last five meetings and nine of the past 12.
CBJ have scored a power play goal in two out of the last three games of the series (2-of-6; 33.3 pct.).
The teams have combined for 60 shots or less in seven of the past ten meetings (57.0 avg.).
Who To Watch For TheCanadiens
Tage Thompson leads the Sabres with 38 goals and 78 points.
Rasmus Dahlin leads Buffalo with 52 assists.
Goalie Alex Lyon is 20-10-4 with a SV% of .907.
CBJ Player Notes vsCanadiens
Boone Jenner has 15 points in 26 games vs. the Sabres.
Zach Werenski has 19 points in 21 games.
Charlie Coyle has 24 points in his career against Buffalo.
Injured Reserve & Other Injuries
Brendan Smith - Lower Body - Missed 41 Games IR - OUT FOR THE SEASON
Damon Severson - Missed 7 Games - Upper Body - OUT FOR THE SEASON
Dmitri Voronkov - Missed 6 Games - Upper Body - OUT FOR THE SEASON
Mathieu Olivier - Missed 5 Games - Upper Body - OUT FOR THE SEASON
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 206
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This week, the Devils had back to back games against the two NHL team from Pennsylvania, the Penguins and Flyers. In their usual 2025-2026 fashion, the Devils came up short in both games. On Thursday night, the Devils lost to the playoff bound Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2. It was the second game in a row that the Devils have let up 5 goals against after Jacob Markstrom pulled out a miracle on Sunday, securing his first shutout of the season. One step forward, two steps back. With the season now officially over, and the Devils eliminated from playoff contention, Sheldon “flip a coin on if I’ll be here next year” Keefe decided to play Jacob Allen in net. Allen, trying to do his best Jacob Markstrom imitation, let up a goal less than 5 minutes into the first period to put the Devils in a 1-0 hole. The Devils showed some life in the 2nd period, with goals from Paul “thanks for the memories NJ” Cotter and Jack Hughes scoring goals, to help the Devils get within 1 goal by the end of the second period at 3-2. The Penguins would put the game out of reach for the Devils in the 3rd period with an early goal from Evgeni Malkin at 6:50 followed later by an empty net goal from Erik “how old is this guy?” Karlsson to seal the victory 5-2.
Last Red Wings Game
On Thursday, the Red Wings got a much needed win, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers, 6-3. The Red Wings currently sit 3 points behind the Ottawa Senators for the second wild card spot, with only 3 games to play. The desperation felt by Detroit is mostly self inflicted at this point. With their victory on Thursday, it marked only their 5th win in their last 15 games. John Gibson got the start in net against the Flyers, and will most likely get the start tonight against the Devils. Why, you ask? Gibson has now started an insane 16 of the last 17 games for Detroit. Barring injuries, it’s a safe bet that Detroit rides Gibson for the last 3 games of the regular season.
Dylan Larkin scored an interesting hat trick for Detroit, getting a power play goal, short handed goal and an even strength goal. I’m not sure if there’s a name for that, but it’s something that’s fun to see either way. Moritz Seider added a career best night for the Red Wings, with a 5 point night (1g, 4a). After the first period ended tied at 1-1, Detroit took control in the 2nd period and never looked back, scoring 3 goals, less than 5 minutes into the period. The Flyers knocked the lead down to 4-2 before the end of the period. However, the Red Wings would add 2 more goals less than 5 minutes apart in the third to put the game officially out of reach for Philadelphia.
Injuries, Roster for Tonight, Yada, Yada, Yada.
In case you missed it, Luke Hughes is done for the season, for his yearly off season surgery.
#NEWS: The New Jersey Devils have shut down D Luke Hughes to undergo a procedure and get a head start on rehab for the off-season. pic.twitter.com/YeZJcVMo1j
Grimace secured his first hole-in-one yesterday while playing golf, which is hopefully a good sign for his predictions and the Devils next year. He was in such a good mood, that he’s decided to make one final prediction for this season. The Devils will win tonight, 4-2. You heard it here first.
Grimace’s 2025-2026 Season Prediction record currently stands at 13-14-0.
Your Take
I don’t generally get much joy out of my favorite team playing spoiler. As I’ve said, it’s a sad consolation prize for not making the playoffs. However, I have to be honest here at the same time. Looking at Detroit’s record, and how they’ve only won 5 times in their last 15 games, and that they’re fighting for their playoff lives right now, I would definitely find joy in the Devils helping to put a nail in the coffin of their playoff dreams. Call me immature, but if my team isn’t going to make the playoffs, then the next best thing is Red Wings fans sharing our collective misery too. Feel free to leave your thoughts and comments below and thanks for reading!
In a shameless bit of non hockey related self promotion (approved by Chris – thanks Chris), I wanted to plug my brand new podcast on here, if any of you are interested in listening. We have a light hearted, fun discussion about any movies, music or video games mostly from the 1980s and 1990s. Please feel free to listen to us on any of the formats below and any feedback is welcome (positive and negative). Also, please follow us and subscribe, even if you think we stink. 🙂
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 10: Oneil Cruz #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates makes a diving catch against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning at Wrigley Field on April 10, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Pirates fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
This week’s question we asked you where Oneil Cruz should be playing for the Pirates. He has had a solid start at the plate with 4 home runs, 12 RBIs and .292 batting average but he has struggled defensively at center field with multiple errors. So we asked the readers where he should be playing and this was this week’s results.
So there you have it 42% of you guys believe Cruz should be the pirates DH instead of playing in the field. I agree with the results but the tough thing is what should the Bucs do with Marcell Ozuna then. Cruz continues top show that he is a liability at center field and a change might need to happen sooner rather than later.
As usual, don’t forget to drop by FanDuel’s MLB page. You can bet on all kinds of player props as well as the Bucs winning the Worlds Series (+5000) and also for them just making the MLB Playoffs (+164).
On Friday night, the Chicago Blackhawks held a ceremony to honor those who were named to the inaugural Blackhawks Hall of Fame.
The class of 2026 includes the 9 players who had their numbers retired before the 2025-26 season, two players who were voted in, and Troy Murray, who passed away in March.
The two players voted in came from two categories. The first was the “modern alumnus ballot” and the second was the “heritage alumnus ballot”.
Every player selected was a special part of the franchise’s first 100 years. Each player had something incredible about them that earned them this prestigious honor. Here is one thought per player that details why they are in the position that they’re in:
Troy Murray
Troy Murray embodied what it meant to be a Chicago Blackhawks player, alumnus, broadcaster, and ambassador. He was not born in Chicago, but he ingratiated himself as well as any athlete the town has ever seen.
Murray lost his long, hard-fought battle with cancer in March. Since then, the tributes, prayers, and love have been pouring in from the entire hockey community and beyond. There has been no shortage of proof of how special he was.
He is going in as a builder, which makes him the first builder to enter the Blackhawks Hall of Fame. Pat Foley said it best: he was never the best player on his team, but he was always one of the most important. Wearing a letter at every stop proves that.
With that said, Murray was also a very good player in all three zones. When he retired, very good would be an understatement when describing his impact on the franchise.
Glenn Hall
Glenn Hall is one of the greatest goaltenders in Blackhawks history. He didn't earn the nickname "Mr. Goalie" by accident. Hall passed away earlier this season at the age of 94, and the Blackhawks community has felt the outpouring of love and support.
Hall won the Calder Trophy as a rookie, the Vezina Trophy three times, the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks once, and had 502 consecutive goalie starts, an NHL record that holds to this day.
Pierre Pilote
Pierre Pilot was a defenseman for the ages during his time. Before a guy named Bobby Orr came around, Pilot was one of the standards for offensive defensemen. He won the Norris Trophy in three straight seasons from 1963 to 1965. He followed that up with two straight second-place finishes in 1966 and 1967.
In the final stretch of the original six days, Pilot helped the Blackhawks achieve a lot, including winning a Stanley Cup with them in 1961.
Keith Magnuson
Keith Magnuson didn't have the longest career of all time, but he played a key role on the team as a shutdown guy during the entire 1970s decade. Sometimes, it isn't about racking up all of the points, even back then. Magnuson was a winning hockey player who helped the Blackhawks transition into the post-Original Six era.
Chris Chelios
You know a guy was great for a franchise when he played with them for seven years, but wasn't his first team, and then moved on to play with their biggest rival for ten years after that. That was the case for Chris Chelios, who was one of the greatest defenseman in not only Blackhawks history, but NHL history.
With the Blackhawks, Chelios won two of his three Norris Trophies. Although his three Stanley Cups came away from Chicago, He was a big part of some incredible Western Conference powerhouses during his time with the Blackhawks.
In recent years, Chelios has returned to the Blackhawks to be around a lot more. His number was retired, and the fanbase fell back in love with this all-time great player, despite how his playing career with the Hawks ended. Being a Chicago kid certainly helps his case.
Bobby Hull
Bobby Hull is the greatest goal scorer in the history of the Chicago Blackhawks. A handful of players have come through and given him a run for his money in terms of pure offense, but his 604 career goals stand alone by a long shot.
Hull passed away in 2023, but the man known as "The Golden Jet" will always be remembered as an all-time great player.
Denis Savard
Denis Savard won the Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens in the 1990s, but his career was mostly spent with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Over 1000 of his 1338 points were in a Blackhawks sweater, making him one of the most prolific forwards in franchise history. The man known as "Savvy" was never a winner of an individual award, but he was one of the most entertaining players of his era.
In terms of pure "must-see-TV", Savard is near the top in the history of the franchise. When the puck was on his stick, you knew something amazing was going to happen.
Stan Mikita
Stan Mikita stands alone as the all-time leading scorer in Chicago Blackhawks history with 1467 points. His career was as decorated as any in the earlier days of the franchise. He won the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 1961, as did many of the players on this list, but his accolades don't end there.
Mikita won the Art Ross as the league's leading scorer four times, the Lady Byng twice, and the Hart Trophy once. For over two decades, with Chicago, Mikita was a consistent player. Despite having over 1400 points, he never had over 100 in a season, but you knew he would be one of the best players in the league every single year.
Tony Esposito
Tony Esposito played 13 games with the Montreal Canadiens in 1968-69, but he carried his rookie status into the following season, where he won the Calder Trophy as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks.
From there, "Tony-O" never played a game for another team. His career went for another 15 years, all with Chicago. That included three Vezina Trophies and five all-star appearances. He was truly one of the greatest that the game has ever seen, especially for his time.
Marian Hossa
Marian Hossa was the greatest free agent signing in the history of Chicago sports. They already had a good team that was in the Western Conference Finals when he arrived, and he pushed them over the edge.
After losing in the final twice with the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins, Hossa came to Chicago and won three Stanley Cups, solidifying him as one of the greatest two-way wingers that the game has ever seen.
Marian Hossa's game was like if you took Patrick Kane's offensive skills and combined them with the two-way prowess of Jonathan Toews. He sacrificed a little bit of offense to be a responsible player in all three zones, which made him a winning player.
Duncan Keith
Duncan Keith was elected with the "Modern" ballot, and rightfully so. He is the greatest defenseman to ever suit up with the Blackhawks. He played all but one of his NHL seasons with Chicago before riding off into the sunset with the Edmonton Oilers.
Not only did Keith win the Stanley Cup three times as Chicago's number one defenseman, but he also won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs in 2015. Those awards complement his two Norris Trophies very well.
When the Blackhawks were down a goal late, up a goal late, on the power play, or on the penalty kill, Keith was on the ice. He could play for half the game without breaking a sweat, and had a bit of nastiness to his game when he needed it.
The Blackhawks had a lot of firepower up front during their dynasty, but they would have won nothing without making Keith their second-round pick (54th overall) in 2022.
Steve Larmer
A wise man once said, "Retire 28." Although Steve Larmer's number is not being retired, at least not yet, he was the elected player from the "Heritage Ballot". It's fair to call him one of the most underrated players in franchise history.
Larmer was an outstanding Blackhawks player for a long time. He spent the first 13 years of his NHL career with the Chicago Blackhawks before a quick two seasons with the New York Rangers, where he would win the Stanley Cup in 1994.
Steve Larmer played in 1006 NHL games and had 1012 points, including 441 goals. In his first full season, he won the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie, and that was the first of 10 straight seasons in which he played all 80 games.
Sometimes, being a consistently great player who can play with other great players is the most valuable key to being a top NHL producer. Larmer was a great player who deserves all of the praise he is getting for the career that he had.
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The Florida Panthers will close out the road portion of their schedule on Saturday night against a division rival also having a frustrating season.
Florida has dropped each of the first four games of this five-game roadie and will try to salvage a win against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.
To be fair, while yes, the players on the ice will absolutely be pushing to end their weeklong expedition with a hard-earned victory, when looking at the bigger picture, it would actually more benefit the Panthers if they lost the game. In regulation.
The big reason why its better for Florida not to win at this point of the season, after being eliminated from playoff contention, is that if the Panthers finish in a position where they end up with a top-10 selection in this summer’s NHL Draft, they get to retain the pick despite having traded it to Chicago in last year’s Trade Deadline deal that brough Seth Jones to Sunrise.
Whether Florida keeps the pick or trades it, the higher that selection ends up being, the better.
When looking at the standings, the Panthers and Maple Leafs each have 78 points through 79 games, sitting as the sixth and seventh-worst teams in the league. Florida is seeded higher because they have more regulation wins.
In terms of lottery odds, this game holds pretty heavy implications.
The Seatle Kraken are one point behind the Cats and Leafs with a game in hand. They host the Calgary Flames on Saturday after beating the Vegas Golden Knights in a shootout Friday night,
Here are the Panthers projected lines and pairings for Thursday’s visit to Ottawa:
Carter Verhaeghe – Sam Bennett – Mackie Samoskevich
Jesper Boqvist – Eetu Luostarinen – A.J. Greer
Tomas Nosek – Cole Schwindt - Noah Gregor
Nolan Foote – Luke Kunin – Vinnie Hinostroza
Gus Forsling – Mike Benning
Donovan Sebrango – Marik Alscher
Tobias Bjornfot – Ludvig Jansson
Photo caption: Jan 6, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Troy Stecher (28) battles for the puck with Florida Panthers center Eetu Luostarinen (27) during the second period at Scotiabank Arena. (Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images)
Last year in the playoffs, the Montreal Canadiens were manhandled by the Washington Capitals. For most of the young Canadiens, it was a first taste of the playoffs and one they weren’t ready for. On Thursday night, against the Tampa Bay Lightning, which came to town intending to do exactly the same, the Sainte-Flanelle stood tall and refused to bow down.
The referees handed out 126 penalty minutes in that game, 71 of which were given to the Lightning. The Canadiens pushed back after every aggression, but they had the discipline not to go too far over the line. They played with physicality, but they remained in control.
Josh Anderson was flying out there and always ready to stand up to the opponents. He handed up, dropping the gloves with Declan Carlile and giving the 25-year-old a correction. He even ended up getting in Nikita Kucherov’s head with stealthy slashes, and Tampa’s ace took himself out of the game for two minutes when he tried to reciprocate.
We’ve been used to seeing a fast, high-scoring team this year, but the Canadiens showed they can play a different game, one that is highly suited to playoff hockey, and they did it against a team that has won more than its fair share of Stanley Cups over the recent years.
It might have only been one game, but to limit the Bolts to 18 shots and one goal while playing that kind of hockey was rather impressive. The talk of the town on Friday morning in Montreal wasn’t just Cole Caufield’s 50th goal; it was also the type of game the Canadiens played, and some even thought that the proverbial window of opportunity might be open for Martin St-Louis and his men now.
Saturday’s full slate is loaded with opportunity, and today’s MLB picks come down to identifying pitching mismatches, bullpen reliability, and situational spots early in the season.
From bounce-back offenses to teams leaving hitter-friendly parks, there’s value across multiple games if you’re willing to trust the numbers over the noise.
Let’s break down the top MLB picks and moneyline predictions for Saturday, April 11.
MLB moneyline picks for April 11
Matchup
Pick
Diamondbacks vs Phillies
-127
Marlins vs Tigers
-133
Pirates vs Cubs
-144
Twins vs Blue Jays
-104
Angels vs Reds
+117
A's vs Mets
+133
White Sox vs Royals
+144
Yankees vs Rays
-168
Nationals vs Brewers
-156
Giants vs Orioles
-104
Red Sox vs Cardinals
-122
Guardians vs Braves
-117
Rockies vs Padres
-150
Rangers vs Dodgers
-178
Astros vs Mariners
-133
Prices courtesy of Polymarket as of 4-11.
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Expert MLB moneyline picks for April 11
Diamondbacks vs Phillies: Phillies (-127)
Phillies win probability: 56%
Both pitchers are off to rough starts, but I trust the Phillies' offense to take advantage of Brandon Pfaadt's inability to strike anyone out.
Marlins vs Tigers: Tigers (-133)
Tigers win probability: 57%
The Tigers aren't exactly hitting the cover off of the baseball, but sooner or later, they'll need to start stringing together some wins. With an advantage on the mound, I'll take them at home.
Pirates vs Cubs: Cubs (-144)
Cubs win probability: 59%
The Pirates are still the Pirates despite an even-keel start, so give me the Cubs at home. Braxton Ashcraft is not as good as his early numbers suggest.
Twins vs Blue Jays: Blue Jays (-104)
Blue Jays win probability: 51%
The Twins are hot right now, but the odds suggest this is a game they lose. Blue Jays pick up the win behind a solid outing from Eric Lauer.
Angels vs Reds: Angels (+117)
Angels win probability: 46%
The Reds should not be the favorite over anyone right now, except maybe the Angels. However, the Angels offense has been better, so plus money is a steal.
A's vs Mets: A's (+133)
A's win probability: 43%
I do not trust the Mets. Neither should you.
White Sox vs Royals: White Sox (+144)
White Sox win probability: 41%
Both teams are struggling out of the gates, but I will fade Michael Wacha in this spot, as I do not think he's still a Major League-calibre pitcher.
Yankees vs Rays: Yankees (-168)
Yankees win probability: 64%
Max Fried is the Yankees' ace, and he will pitch them to victory.
Nationals vs Brewers: Brewers (-156)
Brewers win probability: 61%
The Nationals' entire pitching staff is awful, posting stats that are last in most major categories. The Brewers will do more than enough on offense to pick up the win.
Giants vs Orioles: Giants (-104)
Giants win probability: 51%
I'll take the Giants and Logan Webb over the O's and Chris Bassitt. Better pitcher, with two even offenses.
Red Sox vs Cardinals: Red Sox (-122)
Red Sox win probability: 55%
Ranger Suarez is not as bad as his early numbers suggest. The Cardinals once again struggle with production, so give me the Red Sox lineup to do plenty of damage against Kyle Leahy.
Guardians vs Braves: Braves (-117)
Braves win probability: 54%
These two teams may have near-identical records, but the Braves offense has been raking. I'll take them at home to pick up another win.
Rockies vs Padres: Padres (-150)
Padres win probability: 60%
See Rockies. Bet against Rockies. You'll win more often than not.
Rangers vs Dodgers: Dodgers (-178)
Dodgers win probability: 64%
See Dodgers. Bet Dodgers.
Astros vs Mariners: Astros (-133)
Astros win probability: 47%
To say the Seattle Mariners' offense got stuck in the starting gate would be putting it lightly. They are 30th in batting average, OBP, SLG, and OPS. The only reason they are not winless is that their pitching has been solid.
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.
SURPRISE, AZ - OCTOBER 18: DíAndre Smith #6 of the Scottsdale Scorpions slides into third base during the game between the Scottsdale Scorpions and the Surprise Saguaros at Surprise Stadium on Saturday, October 18, 2025 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Mets got three-hit by the Bisons in what was a pretty lackluster affair. Christian Arroyo continues his hot start to the season by driving in the Mets’ only run of the game, which was mercifully ended early by bad weather. At least potential bullpen churn pieces Anderson Severino and Mike Bauman looked alright.
The Rumble Ponies walked 13 times, scored 13 runs, and only collected eight hits in a trouncing of the Yankees’ Double-A club. Bryce Conley and Gabriel Rodriguez combined for the first six innings of five hits, one walk, no runs, and ten strikeouts. D’Andre Smith drove in five on two hits (a double and a triple).
Brooklyn finally got a dub in an extra-inning affair down the shore. John Bay, Corey Collins, and Colin Houck combined for three runs in the top of the tenth to secure the win.
Tommy Pham is trying to claw his way back to the bigs, and he went 0-2 with a walk in a lopsided loss to the Jays. Frank Camarillo went five innings, giving up three earned runs, but kept the Mets close until Joe Charles had what can only be described as one of the wildest innings you’ll ever hear about: Walk, wild pitch, walk, walk, wild pitch, walk, infield fly, wild pitch, single, got yanked.
Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders: L, 2-10 (7) vs. Durham Bulls; they were supposed to play a doubleheader but rain nixed the nightcap, so they’ll try to play two today in a single-admission twin bill beginning at 3:05pm ET
CF Jasson Domínguez 1-2, 2 BB, SB — only a single but he’s still doing his thing SS Oswaldo Cabrera 0-4, K, GIDP 2B Max Schuemann 0-3, BB LF Spencer Jones 0-2, 2 BB, K RF Yanquiel Fernández 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI — drove in Scranton’s only runs in first with double 1B Seth Brown 0-3 DH Ernesto Martinez Jr. 1-3, 2 K 3B Paul DeJong 0-2, BB C Payton Henry 0-1, BB, K C Ali Sánchez 1-1
Elmer Rodríguez 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 5 K, HR, WP, pickoff error Harrison Cohen 1.2 IP, 1 H, 5 R (5 ER), 3 BB, 2 K, HR, HBP, pickoff error (loss) — it was a 2-2 tie in the seventh; then it wasn’t Kervin Castro 0.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, HR
Double-A Somerset Patriots:L, 1-13 at Binghamton Rumble Ponies
SS George Lombard Jr. 1-4, 2 K RF Garrett Martin 1-4, K LF Jace Avina 0-4, 2 K 2B Marco Luciano 1-4, 2B, 2 K DH Coby Morales 2-4, 2B, RBI, 2 K, SB, CS — Patriots got some doubles but wasn’t their night 1B Nicholas Torres 2-3, 2B, HBP CF Kenedy Corona 0-3, BB, 2 K C Manuel Palencia 0-3, K, passed ball 3B Owen Cobb 1-3, 2 K
Xavier Rivas 2 IP, 5 H, 5 R (5 ER), 4 BB, 2 K, HR (loss) — woof Bailey Dees 1.2 IP, 0 H, 2 R (2 ER), 4 BB, 1 K, pickoff Hayden Merda 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 5 K — dynamite relief Kelly Austin 1.1 IP, 1 H, 3 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 0 K, HBP Diomedes Hernandez 0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 0 K
High-A Hudson Valley Renegades:L, 1-3 vs. Wilmington Blue Rocks
3B Core Jackson 1-4, 2 K, SB, HBP, throwing error SS Kaeden Kent 1-4, BB, SB 1B Kyle West 0-3, BB, RBI, K, SB C Eric Genther 1-3, BB, K, missed catch error DH Roderick Arias 0-3, BB, K, 2 SB, picked off — ‘Gades had the wheels but not much else RF Tyler Wilson 0-4, K — bottom five in the lineup went a combined 0-for-15; hard to win with three hits LF Josh Moylan 0-2, 2 BB, 2 K PR Cole Gabrielson 0-0 CF Camden Troyer 0-4 2B Connor McGinnis 0-2, 2 BB, K
Jack Cebert 7.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 8 K, HR, HBP (loss) — don’t often see minor leaguers pitching into the eighth these days, especially in April, but Cebert was efficient (92 pitches) and very good; hard-luck loss due to the early two-run shot he allowed Tanner Bauman 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, HBP Chris Veach 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Low-A Tampa Tarpons: W, 9-0 at Clearwater Threshers
SS Jackson Lovich 2-4, 2 2B, BB, 2 RBI, K, SB 3B Enmanuel Tejeda 0-4, BB, 2 K DH Engelth Urena 0-3, 2 BB, K LF Logan Maxwell 2-4, 2 HR, BB, 5 RBI, K, CS — big afternoon for the undrafted free agent out of Arkansas! CF Willy Montero 1-4, BB, 2 K RF JoJo Jackson 1-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 K — hit the hell out of his first homer of 2026 (106.1 mph, 390 feet) C Ediel Rivera 0-3, K, HBP, passed ball 2B Austin Green 0-3, BB 1B Hans Montero 0-3, K, HBP
Justin West 5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K (win) — 12 swings and misses, nice start Jose M. Rodriguez 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K — almost as many swings and misses (8) in fewer pitches! Pedro Rodriguez 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Yankee UDFA Logan Maxwell with his 2nd HR on the night.
I had tweeted out weeks ago coming into the year of the 2025 class, Logan Maxwell was a guy that struck me as a diamond in the rough sort of find in the UDFA market. Performs well against both splits and has no issue… https://t.co/oXqqTT7wc9pic.twitter.com/2bxNSKA9kv
Diamondbacks
Phillies
Marlins
Tigers
Pirates
Cubs
Twins
Blue Jays
Angels
Reds
A's
Mets
White Sox
Royals
Yankees
Rays
Nationals
Brewers
Giants
Orioles
Red Sox
Cardinals
Guardians
Braves
Rockies
Padres
Rangers
Dodgers
Astros
Mariners
