The postseason atmosphere in Denver won’t be confined to the seats inside Ball Arena this spring.
In a move aimed at extending the playoff experience beyond the building’s walls, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment announced plans to transform the area surrounding the arena into a large-scale, open-air viewing and fan engagement space for both Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets home playoff games.
Chopper Circle, the main thoroughfare bordering Ball Arena between 9th and 11th streets, will be closed during all home playoff dates to accommodate the expanded footprint. The space will operate under two different identities depending on the event: “Avs Alley” for Avalanche games and “Base Camp 5280” for Nuggets contests. Each will feature a 20-foot outdoor video board broadcasting the game live, along with DJs, food trucks, beverage stations, team mascots, dance teams, and sponsor activations.
Both fan zones are scheduled to open two hours prior to game time and remain active throughout the duration of each contest. For example, ahead of Game 1 of the Nuggets’ first-round series against Minnesota, Base Camp 5280 is set to open at 11:30 a.m. local time for a 1:30 p.m. tipoff. Avalanche playoff scheduling—and corresponding Avs Alley dates—will be finalized following the conclusion of the NHL regular season.
Access to both areas will be free through the first two rounds of the playoffs, though fans must secure a digital pass for entry. Notably, possession of a game ticket does not guarantee admission to the outdoor zones, and separate passes are required even for those attending the game inside the arena. Conversely, fans without tickets are welcome to attend the outdoor viewing experience, space permitting.
Organizers indicated that admission fees could be introduced in later playoff rounds, with proceeds directed to Kroenke Sports Charities. The organization previously generated more than $1.1 million during similar postseason initiatives tied to the Avalanche’s 2022 Stanley Cup run and the Nuggets’ 2023 NBA title campaign.
The location is accessible via Denver’s RTD rail system, with the Ball Arena–Elitch Gardens stop serving as the primary transit point. Standard event parking rates will remain in effect for all playoff games.
The initiative underscores a broader effort to turn downtown Denver into a centralized postseason hub—one that caters not just to ticket holders, but to an entire fan base looking to share in the moment.
LeBron James will play in a record-tying 19th postseason when the Lakers host the Rockets on Saturday in a first-round playoff series opener. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
Bright lights, big stage, same LeBron.
Unmoved by postseason pressure, superstar LeBron James said he doesn’t plan to change his preparation ahead of the Lakers’ playoff opener against the Houston Rockets on Saturday. Approaching his record-tying 19th postseason appearance, James has reason to believe in his well-established routine.
“Nothing changes for me from the regular season to the postseason,” James said, “besides just making even more heightened focus.”
The consistent approach that guided him through 23 regular seasons puts James in position to star in another high-stakes game as the Lakers (53-29) chase the franchise’s 18th NBA championship. James will command almost the entire spotlight with guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves still sidelined.
The 41-year-old, 22-time All-Star has never had a problem with being a leading man.
“I think a lot of the great players, the best players, what they're addicted to is being the showman,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said, referencing Stephen Curry’s fourth-quarter heroics that pushed the Golden State Warriors over the Clippers in a thrilling play-in game Wednesday night. “And being on the stage and giving a performance. …
"One of the reasons they're great and they're able to be the showman so consistently is because they recognize [that] to be the showman, I have to do all the things necessary to then go on stage and perform at my best. And that's the commitment with LeBron that I've talked about so often.”
The stage is set for a star-studded first-round series with James and Houston’s Kevin Durant. The Rockets' superstar rose to fifth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list this season. He and James, the league’s all-time leading scorer, have 76,037 combined regular-season points, more than the rest of the Lakers' roster combined (57,341).
“He’s the head of the snake,” James said of Durant. “But it’s the Houston Rockets and they have some damned good players on that team.”
Durant has the support of two-time NBA All-Star center Alperen Sengun, who is averaging 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game. James leads the Lakers alone. They’re without Doncic (hamstring) and Reaves (oblique) indefinitely.
Since Doncic and Reaves were injured, James assumed the primary role in the Lakers' offense and has delivered 25.5 points, 11 assists and 6.8 rebounds per game. Battling the emotional toll of Doncic’s and Reaves’ injuries, James set the tone for the Lakers’ strong finish to the regular season with his vocal leadership and strong play, Redick said. His teammates are falling in line.
“He’s been in the playoffs I don’t know how many times,” Lakers guard Bronny James said. “So he’s won series, won Finals, I think we just need to have our mind open and ears open and listen to whatever he says because he knows the most."
Lakers star LeBron James and coach JJ Redick discuss strategy during a game against the Clippers this season. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
After years of competing against each other in the NBA and with each other on the international stage, Durant said earlier this season that the Miami Heat version of James was the hardest player he's ever had to guard. James said every version of Durant feels like an impossible matchup.
The 37-year-old scores in bunches and does it efficiently, Redick said. Durant hasn’t shot worse than 50% from the field in a season since 2011-12. Now in his 18th season, Durant played the second-most total minutes of any player this season, trailing only 23-year-old teammate Amen Thompson.
“He’s a guard in a big man’s body,” Lakers guard Marcus Smart said. “I’m 6-3 and he’s 7-foot so he has that advantage and that’s what makes it tough, because he’ll shoot right over top of you it seems. But playing him the years that I have played him — and last month — it definitely gives you insight of what to expect.”
Durant averaged 18 points, 5.5 rebounds and three assists in two losses to the Lakers in March. He shot 55.6% from the field but had 11 total turnovers. The Lakers, who often double-teamed Durant to take the ball out of his hands, forced 36 turnovers in the two wins.
The Lakers expect the same defensive pressure from the Rockets, who are ranked sixth defensively. Guards Reed Sheppard and Thompson both rank in the top 10 in the league in total steals with 122 and 119, respectively.
Smart and guard Luke Kennard have taken larger ball-handling responsibilities along with James to offset the loss of Doncic and Reaves. Bronny James is in line for rotation minutes in the Lakers’ shorthanded backcourt. The 21-year-old guard has played in 10 consecutive games, the longest stretch of his young NBA career, averaging 6.6 points, two assists and a steal with seven-for-17 shooting from three-point range in the five games since Doncic and Reaves were injured.
Getting to share the court with his son, whether in regular-season games, practice or now the postseason, is “the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my career,” the elder James said.
With his future unknown beyond this season, James pledged all season to stay in the moment. The Lakers hope to make this postseason one last.
“The moment is all we have,” James said. “At the end of the day, that’s all that matters.”
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 30: Ryan Weiss #51 of the Houston Astros pitches in the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Daikin Park on March 30, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Houston Astros (8-11), who enter tonight’s game on a seven-game home winning streak, look to secure a series sweep tonight in the finale of their three-game series vs. the Colorado Rockies (6-12).
Astros starter RHP Ryan Weiss (0-2, 7.36 ERA) will transition from the bullpen to the rotation to make his first Major League start tonight as he opposes the Rockies and their opener RHP Juan Mejia (0-2, 5.40 ERA).
TONIGHT’S STARTER: RHP Ryan Weiss, who’s made five relief appearances this season, is back pitching in the United States in 2026 after spending the last two seasons in the KBO.
He made 46 career starts in Korea for the Hanwha Eagles and posted a 3.16 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP and 305 strikeouts in 270.1 innings over those two seasons.
The Astros signed him to a Major League deal in December.
VS. THE ROCKIES: The Astros were swept by the Rockies last week in a three-game series at Coors Field (April 6-9), which was the Astros first sweep at the hands of the Rockies since a four-game series from May 28-31, 2012. After the 2012 season, the Astros have not lost a season series against the Rockies, winning seven times and splitting twice.
FLEET WEEK HOUSTON: In honor of Fleet Week Houston, a ceremonial first pitch will be thrown out by U.S. Navy Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Tarren Foreman from Lufkin, Texas. A special Play Ball Call will be made by Admiral Karl Thomas, Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.
TONIGHT’S SPECIAL GUESTS: Astros closer LHP Josh Hader will host a group of kids from BEAR at Thursday’s game as a part of his Hader’s Heart program. The group will also get to experience BP and talk with Hader on the field prior to the game.
TAXI SQUAD ADDITION: The Astros have added RHP Peter Lambert to the Major League Taxi Squad.
A former Rockie, Lambert has spent his 2026 season at Triple A Sugar Land, posting a 1.84 ERA (3ER/14.2IP) in three games (two starts).
ON THE OFFENSIVE: The Astros lead the American League in several key offensive categories: Runs, AVG, OPS, OBP, SLG, Total Bases
THE ORDER: The Astros have used 19 different batting orders in their 19 games so far this season.
Only LF Yordan Alvarez has started every game in the same spot in the batting order (batting second).
HOT START: LF Yordan Alvarez ranks first in the AL in extra-base hits (13), total bases (48), OPS (1.250), SLG (.762) and OBP (.488), ranks tied for first in walks (17), tied for second in RBI (17), tied for third in doubles (6), and tied for fourth in batting average (.333) and runs scored (15).
MR. 2000: 2B Jose Altuve has appeared in 1,994 career games and is looking to become the third player in franchise history to reach 2,000 career games, which would join him with Craig Biggio (2,850) and Jeff Bagwell (2,150).
Only four active players have reached 2,000 career games: Andrew McCutchen (2,274), Carlos Santana (2,212), Freddie Freeman (2,197) and Paul Goldschmidt (2,081).
HARD TO HIT: RHP Kai-Wei Teng, just the second Taiwanese-born player to appear with the Astros in their history, has held opponents to 5×34 on the season for a .147 opponent average.
Overall, Teng has gone 1-0 with a 2.79 ERA (3ER/9.2IP), a 0.93 WHIP and 11 strikeouts in 9.2 innings in relief.
ON THE MEND:LHP Bennett Sousa (left oblique strain) is currently on a rehab assignment with Double A Corpus Christi and is next scheduled to pitch tomorrow for the Hooks…Sousa was an integral member of the Astros bullpen in 2025, posting a 5-1 record with four saves and 2.84 ERA (16ER/50.2IP) in 44 appearances.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Thursday, April 16, 7:10 p.m. CST
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: Space City Home Network
Streaming: SCHN+
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; KTRH 740 AM; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
SUNRISE, FLORIDA - JUNE 24: Sunny Mehta and Bryan McCabe of the Florida Panthers celebrate their Stanley Cup victory in Game Seven of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 24, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This hire certainly happened a lot quicker than I was expecting. However, with the New Jersey Devils needing to make tough decisions around the front office and behind the bench this offseason, I think it needed to happen quickly. Had Mehta been hired two weeks from now, the coaching market might look different than it does now, or it at least would have taken him longer to make evaluations of the remaining staff. The sooner Mehta can get to work, solidify his staff, and prepare for the NHL Draft and contract negotiations, the better.
The Devils have hired former professional poker player Sunny Mehta to head their new analytics department. YES! [Fire and Ice]
Needless to say, this has been a long time coming. And some of his work while working with the Devils then was pretty impressive! Jared wrote yesterday,
While with the Devils in 2016, Mehta’s model had Jesper Bratt ranked as the #3 player in that year’s draft class. Fast forward a decade later and only four players from that class have had more points in the NHL than Bratt….#1 overall pick Auston Matthews, former lottery picks Matthew Tkachuk and Clayton Keller, and second rounder Alex DeBrincat.
Bratt went 162nd overall in the draft that season.
With the Devils in serious need of not just people who are capable of identifying hidden talent, but people in decision-making roles who seek out the bold move, this puts me at ease for the upcoming Draft. While Mehta has not worked with the New Jersey scouting department up to this point, that might not be a terrible thing. He has been working as an Assistant General Manager for the Florida Panthers, and I am sure he has kept tabs on the 2026 Draft Class in his own right. He will take his analytical mindset to the Draft, and his decisions on the roster will be driven much more by established and significant data than vibes and feelings of what a real hockey team looks like.
In his 6 seaons w/ the Florida Panthers, Mehta worked closely with coaching staffs & scouts on trade deadlines, free-agent evaluations & amateur scouting. He's regarded as one of the NHL's early and most influential analytics executives https://t.co/ddaLPnSbtX
But do not be fooled into thinking that Sunny Mehta has his eyes glued to an Excel sheet and does not know anything about the game of hockey being played on the ice. He is not just a poker player turned hockey executive. He is a New Jersey native. He is a Devils fan. He was there when the Devils were not just good, but a dynasty. He knows what good hockey looks like.
#NJDevils GM Sunny Mehta: "This is a dream come true for a New Jersey kid."
You might still be wondering: surely, the Devils will hire a more traditional President of Hockey Operations, right? Well, according to Ryan Novozinsky (who is leaving the Devils beat), Sunny Mehta has the “decision-making power in hockey ops,” meaning they will not hire anyone with him to guide him in his role.
Sunny Mehta is the one hire, I'm told. So no two-person structure up top for the #NJDevils.
Perhaps this was a request by Mehta in negotiations, who might not want to be in the shadow of a former player or NHL legend, such as Brenden Shanahan, who was linked to the Devils in rumors for that role. Perhaps the Devils valued the fact that Mehta has already been an Assistant General Manager for a few years, and that he has been in front offices for 12. Or, maybe, the two-headed operation rumor was just a rumor, and the Devils had no intention of doing something like that after Tom Fitzgerald was fired. I could have seen them keeping him around in a President, but I think the idea loses most of its utility when expanding the field of candidates. Having a GM who is comfortably implementing their vision was always the most important aspect of this search, and someone else in the President role could complicate that. So, I am rather unbothered by this particular development.
Mehta is scheduled to be introduced at Prudential Center on Tuesday at 3 p.m. I assume it would have been Monday, but Bruce Springsteen is scheduled that evening at The Rock so it'll be a tad busy in Newark.
When Sunny is introduced to Devils fans next week, I hope that he lays out a vision for the team. He already mentioned in his first statement that he believes the Devils have a good, young core. Knowing that he built his career in hockey through analytics, I highly doubt that he is going to be someone who wants to move Nico Hischier for an older, likely declining player or a winger. The Devils still have one of the best top six center duos in the league, and Sunny does not read to me like a guy who would give that up for a mere identity change. Rather, he seems like someone who is going to look for players to match Nico Hischier’s and Jack Hughes’s skills. (Never mind that Nico takes a million faceoffs and takes a ton of contact in those dots, and that he is one of the most prolific board battle winners in the league, for those advocating for a Tkachuk trade.) Additionally, I would expect the answers on the blueline and in net to be largely driven by analytic profiles.
Still, Mehta was a fan of the 1990s and 2000s Devils and has helped build the present-day Florida Panthers roster. I would expect him to keep the roster plenty capable of handling themselves in the physical game. The way I see Sunny, given his time in Florida, is someone who can find the players who can handle the NHL game while having solid analytic profiles. There is a balance to skill, athleticism, and physicality that is needed for players to reach their full potential in the league, and Mehta seems to understand that.
Too often, the Devils teams of the last three years have seemed imbalanced. Jack Hughes only just recently started playing on a line, with Jesper Bratt and Connor Brown, where both wingers can keep up with his speed and decision making. Too often, one of his wings just has not fit on the line well. Ondrej Palat’s struggles were well-documented. Fitzgerald gave a good shot with Tyler Toffoli, but his much-slower pace made that line a bit suboptimal (and looking back, to this point, Toffoli probably should have played with Hischier, who does not always want to go at a breakneck pace). Erik Haula slowed down too much to play a top six wing role. And Timo Meier has not been a fit there, either.
The problems have only been worse in the bottom six, except this season when Arseny Gritsyuk and Cody Glass got hot down the stretch. The third and fourth lines of the last few years have generally lacked identities, often reduced to just trying to play survival hockey, which came to a head this season when Paul Cotter and Luke Glendening had some of the worst defensive results in the league among fourth lines. I would expect to see lines that look like they are playing on the same team as 13 and 86. I would expect to see wingers who are defensively responsible enough to allow players like Luke Hughes, Dougie Hamilton, and Simon Nemec to play aggressively in the offensive zone. If you feel like 2022-23 was the last time the Devils had a bottom six with an identity, I think you might be relieved soon. I might not think Mehta will build a roster as focused on grit as someone like Jamie Langenbrunner, but the days of bottom six floaters who play to pray that they can block shots at a standstill in the defensive zone should be well-behind us.
With that, I look forward to Tuesday’s conference.
Apr 16, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) hits a two-RBI single against the Texas Rangers during the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images | Dennis Lee-Imagn Images
The Athletics entered the fourth and final game of their series against the Texas Rangers seeking a third straight win and a series victory, but the Rangers instead earned a split with a 9-6 win in a wild, wind-swept finale.
Making his second home start of the season, A’s left-hander Jacob Lopez was sharp early, only throwing 25 pitches, striking out two and allowing just one walk over his first two innings. Rangers right-hander Jack Leiter was similarly sharp, issuing just one walk to A’s designated hitter Shea Langeliers in his first two innings of work.
The Rangers broke through in the third. With one out, shortstop Ezequiel Duran doubled, and right fielder Brandon Nimmo followed with an RBI single to make it 1–0, but Lopez retired the next two hitters to limit the damage.
The A’s attempted to answer back immediately. With two outs in the bottom of the third, second baseman Jeff McNeil was hit by a pitch and then Langeliers got the A’s first hit of the game, a single to left. First baseman Nick Kurtz walked to load the bases for left fielder Tyler Soderstrom, who smacked a hard line drive that Nimmo caught in right field to end the hosts’ two-out rally. Through the first few innings, A’s hitters made plenty of hard contact off of Leiter, but failed to score.
Lopez worked around a leadoff double by Josh Jung to keep the Athletics deficit at one. The bottom of the fourth was another wasted scoring chance for the “Green and Gold”. After Carlos Cortes and Lawrence Butler singled, Leiter buckled down, getting the next two hitters to groundout to escape another jam unscathed. It marked the second-straight inning in which the A’s left multiple runners in scoring position.
In the fifth inning, Lopez lost his command, issuing three straight walks. With the bases loaded, Rangers first baseman Jake Burger continued his strong series with a sacrifice fly to double the lead to 2–0. The Rangers left two runners on as Lopez got third baseman Josh Jung to fly out to end the inning.
In the bottom of that inning, the A’s finally broke through against Leiter. Langeliers walked and then with two outs, Soderstrom hit a ground-rule double to right. Shortstop Jacob Wilson blooped a two-RBI single to right field.
Lopez turned in arguably his best start of the season, only allowing two runs on three hits in five innings. In the sixth inning, A’s manager Mark Kotsay turned things over to his bullpen. Right-handed reliever Luis Medina quickly gave up the lead in his highest-leverage relief appearance of the season. Second baseman Josh Smith’s RBI double scored Joc Pederson, who had walked, to tie the game at three apiece.
The Rangers’ momentum carried over to the seventh. Facing A’s reliever Scott Barlow, Jung hit a fly ball that the wind carried over the short right-field fence for a go-ahead two-run home run. Barlow followed the home run by walking the next two batters, continuing the team’s issues with walks.
The A’s threatened in their half of the seventh, opening with back-to-back singles, but two Rangers relievers combined to retire the next three hitters. In the bottom of the eighth, the wind that hurt the A’s earlier helped them. The Rangers intentionally walked Langeliers, choosing to pitch to Kurtz with the bases loaded and two outs. Kurtz hit a fly ball that left fielder Wyatt Langford lost in the wind as it dropped in front of him. All three runners scored on the misplay, giving Kurtz a bases-clearing hit and the Athletics a 6-5 lead heading into the ninth.
Three outs away from taking the series, the hosts turned to right-hander Justin Sterner for the save opportunity. The decision backfired as the Rangers scored four runs on four hits against Sterner, responding to the A’s three-run frame the inning prior. The tying run scored on Sterner’s throwing error after he fielded a bunt and threw to third, where the ball was not caught by third baseman Darell Hernaiz. Texas added insurance runs before the Athletics came up empty in their final at-bats.
The Athletics will look to bounce back quickly as the Chicago White Sox arrive in Sacramento for a three-game weekend series to close out the home stand. Aaron Civale will make his first home start of the season, as he seeks to carry over his road success to Sutter Health Park. Civale will be opposed by White Sox right-hander Davis Martin, who is 2-1 with a 2.50 ERA.
DENVER, CO - APRIL 6: Juan Mejia #47 of the Colorado Rockies delivers a pitch in the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Coors Field on April 6, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Colorado Rockies are riding a season-high six-game losing streak as they prepare for their series finale against the Houston Astros. Despite woes from multiple sources—starting pitching deficiencies, injuries, and a sputtering offense—the games have been close.
The Rockies could use a win tonight, not only to snap their losing streak but also because of what lies ahead: a four-game weekend wraparound series against the dreaded Los Angeles Dodgers. A loss tonight could open the Rockies up to the possibility of an 11-game losing streak… or worse.
With difficult outings from José Quintana and Michael Lorenzen eating into the bullpen, and Kyle Freeland on the injured list, the Rockies find themselves mixing things up on the mound. As such, they’ll be utilizing an opener tonight.
That opener will be right-handed reliever Juan Mejia. Mejia currently holds a 5.40 ERA over seven appearances and 8.1 innings this season with four walks and just five strikeouts. After impressing during the World Baseball Classic for the Domincan Republic, Mejia has struggled to find his footing. His last time out—at the beginning of this Houston series—he pitched a scoreless inning but also gave up two hits. Prior to that he had given up three earned runs in 0.1 innings against the Padres.
The Houston Astros also appear to be running a bullpen game this evening, and right-handed reliever Ryan Weiss will make the start for them. Weiss currently holds a 7.36 ERA over five appearances with 15 strikeouts over 11 innings of work.
Weiss has just one career appearance against the Rockies and it did not go well for him. Earlier this season at Coors Field he gave up seven runs—six earned—on eight hits and two walks over 2.2 innings. Weiss’ primary offering is a four-seam fastball that averages 95.7 MPH, and his secondary pitches consist of a sinker, a changeup, and a sweeper. He also throws the very occasional curveball.
Not just a hit TV series of the -70s, but the number of pitches the White Sox staff needed today
The automatic ball/strike system sure was a White Sox buddy this afternoon.
That is, until a time came when even your friends couldn’t help enough.
The Rays tried to be friendly, too, leaving 14 runners on base. That is, until the Sox pitching staff decided it was unfair not to let them score.
The first three White Sox hitters had three of their five hardest hit balls of the day, totaling 324.2 mph, but nothing came of it. That was all the excitement of the first two innings.
Then the early ABS help was huge. First, Edgar Quero got two balls changed to strikes against Yandy Diaz with the bases loaded in the top of the third, leading to an inning-ending pop up. Then, in the bottom of the inning, Miguel Vargas successfully challenged what would have been strike three and then plunked the next pitch 380 feet and over the left field fence:
The Sox and Anthony Kay politely allowed their guests to tie the game in the top of the fourth, as the bottom of the Rays order went walk-single-single. But in the sixth, Chase Meidroth led off with a double off Griffin Jax and his ERA of eight or so, and Quero scored him on a ground-rule double:
Of course, that called for courtesy to visitors again, so Grant Taylor put two on in the seventh and Sean Newcomb gave up a tying RBI single.
Still, the White Sox kept counter-punching. In the top of the eighth Everson Pereira got a hanging sweeper from Kevin Kelly, who had come into the game with another eightish ERA, and didn’t miss:
Ergo, Sox held another lead, 3-2, just three outs away from an actual win and closer Seranthony Domínguez stalking to the mound. Unfortunately, it only took Domínguez three pitches to toss a gopher ball to Junior Caminero to tie the game, and THEN proceeded into quite the meltdown for a big-bucks closer, needing 32 pitches to get through a third of an inning and leave the bases loaded. That brought in Lucas Sims, who played the gracious host to the tune of walking in two runs and handing the Rays a 5-3 advantage.
In the bottom of the ninth, Andrew Benintendi led off with a walk that would have been strikeout except the Rays were out of challenges, not being as good as Quero at that newfound art (which he used nicely many times during the game, until his fortune ran out), but then it was pop-up, ground out, pop-up and the game was over.
The White Sox only left seven on base, half the Rays total, as they garnered eight hits and four walks. Then again, Rays pitchers got through the game on an economical 142 pitches despite all that activity, 80 pitches fewer than the Sox staff somehow felt obliged to use — but then, they didn’t walk seven and strike out 10.
The sweep drops the White Sox to worst in all of baseball, as they pack up for a trip to Sacramento to start a series with the A’s.
A seismic clash between City and Arsenal, Tottenham need leadership, and could Eddie Howe recall Yoane Wissa?
Josh King learned of the difficulties that come with being a Premier League player at Liverpool on Sunday. The 19-year-old was withdrawn at the break after a tough first half at Anfield as Marco Silva wanted to change things when two goals down. It will be interesting to see how King reacts to the half-time hook when he is next called upon, whether he uses it as inspirational fuel or sees it as an undeserved irritation because he was not solely to blame for Fulham being behind. Silva will have a quandary over whether to start the youngster again or leave him stewing on the bench, offering a further reminder of what is required at the top level. King has impressed over the season and, sometimes, at this stage of a player’s development, it is a good idea to see what lessons are learned from a challenging moment. Will Unwin
Brentford v Fulham, Saturday 12.30pm (all times BST)
With the Philadelphia Flyers gearing up for their first round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, they have announced a series of roster moves.
The Flyers have announced that they have assigned Jacob Gaucher, Anthony Richard, Oliver Bonk, David Jiricek, Hunter McDonald, and Aleksei Kolosov to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Gaucher played in four games this season with the Flyers, where he had zero points and a minus-1 rating. In 67 games with Lehigh Valley this season, he has 20 goals and 36 points.
Richard was held off the scoresheet in his lone appearance for the Flyers this season. In 64 games this campaign with the Phantoms, he has 18 goals and 44 points.
Bonk made his NHL debut for the Flyers against the Montreal Canadiens on April 14, where he had one goal and one assist. In 45 games this season with Lehigh Valley, he has six goals and 19 points.
Jiricek made his Flyers debut against the Habs, where he had two penalty minutes and an even plus/minus rating. In 14 games with Lehigh Valley since being traded to Philadelphia by the Minnesota Wild, he has two goals and 13 points.
Like Bonk, McDonald made his NHL debut for the Flyers against the Canadiens. He recorded his first career NHL assist in the contest and had four penalty minutes. In 63 games this season with the Phantoms, he has six assists and 90 penalty minutes.
As for Kolosov, he had a 0-2-0 record, a 4.00 goals-against average, and an .830 save percentage in four games for the Flyers this season. He has a 15-21-4 record, an .895 save percentage, and a 2.98 goals-against average in 38 games this season with Lehigh Valley.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 20: Max Strus #1 jokes with Jaylon Tyson #24 of the Cleveland Cavaliers gestures before game one of the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs against the Miami Heat at Rocket Arena on April 20, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This is it.
The last eight years for the Cleveland Cavaliers will come down to the next eight weeks. From LeBron James leaving town that jumpstarted a rebuild featuring Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. To acquiring Donovan Mitchell in 2022 to start their contention window. To multiple playoff failures, including last year’s catastrophe against the Pacers. To Garland being traded for James Harden in February.
This is without a doubt the most crucial, critical, important…you get the point. There is a lot riding on this Cavs playoff run. They have arguably their deepest and most talented roster of the Mitchell era. They have the experience now with a battle-tested group that is adding someone with 174 playoff games of their own in Harden. Now is the time for them to break through, and it starts with the Toronto Raptors on Saturday.
With that comes tough lineup decisions, and it will be on head coach Kenny Atkinson to push the right buttons. This is what his rotation should look like against the Raptors.
Starters: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
This lineup projects to be the most reliable and complete unit that Atkinson will put on the floor against Toronto. The sample size is extremely small with this group, but in the 75 possessions this five has shared the court, the Cavs have a +38.9 net rating.
Not much needs to be said about Harden and Mitchell. They are the orchestrators of the offense and are one of the more lethal backcourts in the league.
Wade, Mobley, and Allen have been Cleveland’s three best defenders for quite some time now. Their length, size, and switchability make them an extremely tough trio to get past on that end. In the 364 possessions those three have together this season, the Cavs have a 99.4 defensive rating. For a team that struggled on the defensive end at times this year, leaning on your best defenders will help alleviate those concerns.
Bench: Sam Merrill, Max Strus, Keon Ellis, Jaylon Tyson
The bench unit may not have as much size as the starters, but Atkinson will be able to stagger the minutes between the nine he ends up deciding on.
Merrill and Strus bring a lot of shooting, movement, and overall toughness that Cleveland is going to need from their role guys. Strus especially has a lot of playoff experience and has proven a willingness to do the dirty work and make winning plays.
Ellis has shown that he can be an absolute defensive menace for the Cavs. He is great at putting pressure on the ball, getting deflections and steals, and has enough length to disrupt ball-handlers. His offense has been a pleasant surprise as well, as he is knocking down nearly 36% of his threes and shooting 49% overall from the field.
The last spot should go to Tyson. When Cleveland was struggling early on in the season, he was one of the lone bright spots. His development into a key role player has been nothing short of amazing for the Cavs. His synergy with Mitchell in the short roll, his ability to knock down threes, and just playing with 110% effort every play is what Cleveland needs. All of the bench guys I mentioned have the toughness, spacing, and tenacity that make them the essential bench pieces.
Cutting Dennis Schroder from the initial rotation was a tough decision, but Schroder has struggled for the most part since he arrived in February. He’s shooting only 40% from the field and 29% from three. Atkinson could turn to him in spot minutes, and Schroder has enough defensive activity and veteran experience to be called upon at times, but he should not be a nightly fixture in the playoffs.
The Cavs have the star power and depth to make a run. It will be on Atkinson to push the right buttons against the Raptors and hopefully beyond. But this is how he should start out.
Detroit Tigers third baseman Kevin McGonigle (7), right, and second baseman Gleyber Torres (25) celebrate a 2-RBI double from left fielder Riley Greene (31) during the ninth inning against Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In a game marred by delays, it looked like the Royals would take the series finale against the Tigers to avoid the sweep, and this after trailing by five runs midway through the game.
Unfortunately, the top of Detroit’s lineup had other plans.
The game started after an hour-plus rain delay. Detroit struck first in the bottom of the second when Spencer Torkelson doubled to left, scoring Matt Vierling. Not very long after, the Royals tied it in the top of the fourth when Bobby Witt Jr., who doubled to lead off the inning and then moved to third on a very long fly ball by Vinnie Pasquantino, scored on an infield single by Carter Jensen.
By the end of the game, the Royals, who had greatly struggled scoring runs and hitting with runners in scoring position lately, finished 5-for-10 with RISP. Bobby Witt Jr., who had only scored one run entering today’s contest, scored three times.
Royals starting pitcher Kris Bubic ran into trouble in the fifth inning, which the Tigers entered winning 2-1. By the end of the frame, Bubic was out of the game and Detroit had extended their lead to 6-1 thanks in large part to a two-run home run by catcher Dillon Dingler off reliever John Schrieber. In all, Bubic lasted only 4-and-2/3 innings while allowing five earned runs on six hits and three walks to go along with three strikeouts. He did not look sharp.
The Royals didn’t fold, though, instead chipping away at the lead. In the top of the sixth, Bobby Witt Jr. once again led off the inning with a double and once more moved to third on a fly out by Pasquantino, who hit several hard ball outs during the game. Bob ended up scoring his second run of the game on a sacrifice fly by Salvador Perez, who roped a screamer to left that Riley Greene caught sliding.
6-2, Tigers.
Alex Lange entered for the Royals against his former team, and while he allowed a runner to reach third, escaped the sixth with the score intact. In the next half-frame, the top of the seventh, the Royals bats busted open as the team batted around while scoring six runs to take a 8-6 lead.
The fun started with a lead-off double by Jonathan India who scored when Jac Caglianone singled up the middle on a ball that hit the second base bag. It was Cags’ first RBI of the season. I’ll note here that in the fourth, Cags, who had three hits and a walk yesterday with an outfield assist, nailed a runner at the plate for yet another outfield assist. Couple of good days for the youngster.
Lane Thomas then pinch-hit for Michael Massey, today’s starting left fielder. Thomas drew a four-pitch walk. Kyle Isbel then sacrificed Cags and Thomas over. The lineup flipped and Maikel Garcia drove in Cags to cut the lead to 6-4.
Bob followed with a check-swing infield single that scored Thomas and made it a one-run game. Pasquantino lined out to bring up Salvy with two on and two out. After completely whiffing on an 86-MPH cutter right down the middle, Perez battled back, and on the 10th pitch of the at-bat, ended up on one knee as he corked a go-ahead three-run homer to left. Thus ended an 0-for-22 with RISP skid for Salvy. 8-6, Royals.
KC – Salvador Perez 3-run HR (3) ⚡ Go-ahead HR ⚡
📏 379 ft | 💨 97.9 mph | 📐 36° ⚾️ 85.1 mph changeup (DET – LHP Tyler Holton) 🏟️ Out in 30/30 MLB parks
Immediately, the fourth and final delay of the game took place as rain briefly poured. About 40 minutes later, the game resumed, as Carter Jensen singled, but India fanned to end the big inning.
Nick Mears entered for the Royals, and hoo boy, was that an adventure. Kevin McGonigle tripled to start and scored on a foul-out by Kerry Carpenter. 8-7. Isbel then robbed Dingler of extra bases with a fantastic sliding catch at the wall. After giving up another hit, Mears escaped with the Royals clinging to the lead.
Not much happened for either team in the eighth. Daniel Lynch IV kept the Tigers at bay and the game headed to the ninth. In the top half, Pasquantino finally hit a hard ball fair, and it went out for his first homer of the season. The Royals had their insurance run, and Lucas Erceg came out to close down the game.
Erceg couldn’t do it. He allowed the first two batters to reach, on a single and walk, respectively. He then struck out Carpenter and induced a line-out by Dingler. Two down.
Next up, Riley Greene, who on the payoff pitch lined one down the first-base line. Torres scored easily from second with McGonigle not too far behind him. Erceg slapped his glove in frustration.
The game ended in the next at-bat as Colt Keith singled home Greene. Cags had a chance to get him, but Greene slid in ahead of the throw. Ballgame: 10-9 Detroit.
Now the Royals are 7-12 and begin a three-game trip to the Bronx tomorrow night against the Yankees.
Today’s game was great, and it would’ve been fantastic to write about a Royals win to staunch the bleeding and move them to 8-11. Instead, the Royals are suddenly five games below .500 and don’t return home until Monday.
Giants first-time manager Tony Vitello, who was a college coach at Tennessee last year, told reporters after the game he didn't see what caused the disagreement between his closing pitcher Erik Miller and Reds rookie Sal Stewart, who was struck out to end the game.
"I looked up and everything was going on," Vitello said. "I know the guys were joking but Miller doesn't say much to anybody, so I don't know who talked first between those guys, or if it's one-sided, but I think something was said. You know, maybe people reacted because of what went on early in the game. I didn’t have a great view."
Feb 28, 2026; Sarasota, Florida, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (99) throws a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
The big league team may be off, but we got a full slate of minor league games including a pair of rehab appearances. Spencer Strider makes his first rehab appearance, while Sean Murphy makes his second appearance. Let’s take a look at who is playing around the organization today.
Former Yankees prospect Oswald Peraza had himself some series against his former team.
The infielder helped lead the Angels to an 11-4 win over the Yankees on Thursday afternoon with a home run and three RBI that helped Los Angeles split the four-game series.
And while his teammate Mike Trout will get the headlines for his five-homer performance in the series, you can't overlook what Peraza did against the Yankees. His former manager, Aaron Boone, certainly didn't.
Peraza got the scoring started out of the cleanup spot with a two-run shot off of Max Fried to give the Angels a 2-0 lead in the first inning. But he wasn't done; his game-tying double in the sixth knocked Fried out of the game, and led to the four-run inning that gave the Angels the lead for good.
In the four-game set, Peraza started just three but went 5-for-10 with two home runs and four RBI, while playing his usual slick defense at third base. As Boone said, it was the type of offensive performance they hoped for when he eventually came up to the bigs.
“A lot of good memories here,” Peraza told the media before the series began. “It’s business, it’s baseball. Now I’m with the Angels and enjoy every day.”
While he found playing time with the Angels last season, he struggled offensively. This season, however, he's gotten off to a much better start. He has four home runs this season (18 games) when he had five all of last year (106 games), and has launched three longballs over his last five games. Overall, he's slashing .368/.478/.947 (7-for-19) with four runs, two doubles, three home runs, six RBI, four walks and two stolen bases over his last seven games.
"He looked like what we were excited about several years ago," Boone said after the game. "And then obviously, went through a couple of years of struggling. He’s super talented, always has been. He’s fast-twitched, has power, can run and can do all those things. Clearly, in as good a place as he’s been in a few years. And he absolutely hurt us in this series."
"He looked like what we were excited about several years ago...he's super talented, always has been. He absolutely hurt us this series."
Peraza joined the big league club at the end of the 2022 season and was 15-for-49 (.306) in 18 games. That offseason, there was a lot of hype surrounding Peraza and Anthony Volpe as the next generation of Yankees infielders. However, Volpe outplayed Peraza that spring and won the starting shortstop job. With DJ LeMahieu and Josh Donaldson on the roster at the time, Peraza's path to the club was blocked.
The Venezuela native would get his shot that season, but struggled at the plate, going 33-for-173 (.191) in 52 games. Peraza would start the 2024 season in the minors, but injuries and offensive struggles kept him from seeing any time with the big league club.
Peraza would get his biggest chance with the Yankees in 2025, but it was more of the same for the infielder. He slashed .152/.212/.241 with an OPS of .453 across 71 games with New York before he was ultimately traded to the Angels for a minor leaguer and international money.
Apr 16, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (6) reacts after hitting a two-run home run against the Athletics during the seventh inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images | Dennis Lee-Imagn Images
The Texas Rangers scored nine runs while the Sacramento River Athletics scored six runs.
Brother I don’t know what that was. It was barely even baseball.
Anyhow, the Rangers dropped like ten popups and nearly lost a ridiculous, blustery finale in not-Oakland before the potential shame of blowing a 5-3 lead on a bases clearing popup kicked in and they scored four runs in the 9th to escape Yolo County with a series split.
Player of the Game: Josh Jung had three hits, scored twice, drove in two and had the most wind-aided dong you’ll ever see. It was his first homer of the year.
Up Next: The Rangers continue traveling north along the West Coast with their weekend destination bringing them to Seattle for their second look at the hated Mariners. RHP Jacob deGrom will make the start for Texas in the opener against RHP Logan Gilbert for Seattle.
The Friday evening first pitch from T-Mobile Park is scheduled for 8:40 pm CDT and you can catch it via the Rangers Sports Network.
