The Masters 2026: day one golf updates from Augusta National – live

️ Latest news from the first round at Augusta National
Official Leader Board | Follow us on Bluesky | Mail Scott

While we’re on the subject of blowouts, spare a thought for poor Carlos Ortiz. The 34-year-old Mexican is making just his second start at the Masters, and his first since 2021. A tie for fourth at last year’s US Open at Oakmont shows the man has proper major-championship game, but Augusta National is capable of besting any man, and Ortiz has suffered a nightmare start. A drive into the creek down the left of 2. A fluffed splash out of a fairway bunker at 5. He’s started 5-7-5-4-6, a run of three bogeys and two doubles. At +7 through 5, he’ll already be wishing he was back in the clubhouse, and a par at 6 to snap that disastrous run won’t do much to help his mood.

It’s also the 30th anniversary of this. Oh Greg.

Continue reading...

Champions League review: a brilliant Georgian, Bayern’s regret and Arsenal refind their faith

This week’s quarter-finals provided some classic action as this season’s competition hurtles towards its conclusion

Bayern Munich had not won at the Santiago Bernabéu since May 2001, when they beat Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final on their way to becoming European champions. Tuesday night’s match changed all that. The 29th Champions League meeting between the teams lived up to its heavyweight billing, though Bayern, superior on the night, may rue their failure to extend their 2-1 lead. Real Madrid meanwhile could point to Manuel Neuer making nine saves – not bad for a 40-year-old. “We won’t win the competition without more of these kinds of performances,” said Bayern manager Vincent Kompany of his keeper. Big trophies are rarely won without great goalkeepers and Neuer continues to play like an all-time great. Bayern’s second goal was a trademark finish from Harry Kane, who made the difficult look easy. The goal will also have calmed England fans’ fears that their captain will arrive at the World Cup suffering from his usual summer malaise. A word too for Luis Díaz and Michael Olise, Bayern’s brilliant wingers whose performances brought back memories of the club’s modern greats Franck Ribéry and Arjen Robben. Kompany’s team were commanding in Madrid, but may fear the backlash from the 15-times champions, the kings of comebacks.

Continue reading...

YouTube Gold: Paul Westphal Had It All

LANDOVER, MD - CIRCA 1978: Paul Westphal #44 of the Phoenix Suns looks on against the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1978 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Westphal played for the Suns from 1975-80. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Duke great JJ Redick stirred things up a while back when he said guys like Boston Celtic Bob Cousy were “plumbers and firemen” in the off-season and couldn’t play in today’s NBA.

He had a point to an extent: although Cousy had phenomenal court vision, he was small by today’s standards, and if you watch any video at all, you’ll realize quickly that, like just about everyone else in his era, Cousy’s off-hand was very weak when it came to ball handling.

Cousy retired in 1963. In 1972, just 10 years later, the Celtics drafted Paul Westphal out of Southern Cal, and his skill set was entirely different.

Cousy said he learned to pass like a prodigy out of necessity, but he never developed his off-hand. In fairness, in the 1950s and ‘60s, he didn’t really need to.

Westphal, by contrast, was probably the greatest ambidextrous talent at that point in basketball history, and remains one of the finest to this day.

Westphal could basically do whatever he wanted on a basketball court. He was offensively brilliant, and his defense was good, too.

In 1975, the Celtics traded him to Phoenix, and he led the Suns to the NBA Finals against his old team, losing 4-2. Game 5, however, was extraordinary, going to triple overtime before the Celtics prevailed, 128-126.

Westphal had many career highlights, as you’ll see, but his greatest play ever may have been this stunner from the third overtime in that triple OT classic loss to Boston. It’s hard to believe anyone could take a shot like that, under that kind of pressure, much less hit it.

Go to the DBR Boards to find Blue Healer Auctions || Drop us a line

Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk up for vast PSG challenge but admits season ‘unacceptable’

  • ‘No one gives us a chance … we have to show the fight’

  • Champions League first-leg loss was side’s 16th of season

Virgil van Dijk has compared the scale of Liverpool’s task against Paris Saint-Germain to that against Barcelona in 2019 but conceded belief may not be as strong in Arne Slot’s team amid an “unacceptable” season.

Liverpool require another remarkable Anfield comeback to salvage their Champions League aspirations after losing the first leg of their quarter-final against PSG 2-0 on Wednesday. The scoreline flattered the Premier League champions, who were outclassed at the Parc des Princes, yet Van Dijk is “100%” convinced the tie can be transformed on home soil. Memories of Barcelona in 2019 fuel the captain’s conviction.

Continue reading...

Mets Daily Prospect Report, 4/09/26: I’m seeing double here. Two double headers!

Mar 3, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Jonah Tong (21) delivers a pitch against Nicaragua during the first inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Triple-A: Syracuse Mets (5-6)

Game One: Buffalo 2, Syracuse 0 / 7 (BOX)

Jack Wenninger was good in game one of the double header, giving up one earned run (and one unearned) over four and a third innings pitched, striking out five. He did walk three, which is a fair bit in four plus innings, but he was good overall. Unfortunately, the Buffalo pitching was better, giving up five hits and walking three in a shutout. Nick Morabito continued his strong start, collecting two of the five hits.

  • RF MJ Melendez: 1-2, BB
  • DH Nick Morabito: 2-3
  • LF Ryan Clifford: 1-3, 2 K
  • 1B Jose Rojas: 1-3
  • SS Vidal Bruján: 0-3, K
  • CF Cristian Pache: 0-3, K
  • 2B Jackson Cluff: 0-2, BB
  • C Hayden Senger: 0-2, BB, K
  • 3B Yonny Hernández: 0-2, E (1)
  • RHP Jack Wenninger: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 1 WP, L (0-1)
  • RHP Daniel Duarte: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
  • RHP Dan Hammer: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

Game Two: Buffalo 4, Syracuse 3 / 7 (BOX)

Jonah Tong got the ball for game two and got off to an inauspicious start. Tong, he clear top pitching prospect in the Mets organization (now that Nolan McLean has graduated beyond prospect status), gave up a two run home run in the first inning, and buckled down right after. He went five innings with the only hit he surrendered being that home run. He struck out seven on the day.

The Mets took a lead in the third, with MJ Melendez getting them started with an RBI double. Christian Arroyo singled him home to tie it, and Ryan Clifford scampered home on a wild pitch to give the Mets a 3-2 lead.

Tong handed the ball to Austin Warren to protect his lead and, well, he did not, surrendering a two run home run in the eighth, which put Syracuse behind for good.

  • LF MJ Melendez: 1-4, R, 2B, RBI, 3 K
  • CF Nick Morabito: 1-3, K
  • 1B Ryan Clifford: 0-2, R, BB, 2 K, E (2)
  • 3B Christian Arroyo: 1-3, RBI, 2 K
  • DH Jose Rojas: 0-2, BB
  • SS Jackson Cluff: 0-2, BB, 2 K, SB (1)
  • RF Ji Hwan Bae: 0-3, 2 K
  • C Ben Rortvedt: 1-1
  • PR-C Hayden Senger: 0-2, R, 2 K
  • 2B Yonny Hernández: 1-3, K
  • RHP Jonah Tong: 5.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 1 HBP
  • RHP Austin Warren: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, BS (1), L (0-1)

Double-A: Binghamton Rumble Ponies (3-1)

Game One: Binghamton 11, Somerset 3 / 7 (BOX)

Binghamton’s bats were on fire in this one, with everyone save for Jacob Reimer and JT Schwartz. Chris Suero hit a home run, A.J. Ewing continued his torrid pace, and everyone else did more than enough to contribute. Jonathan Santucci was far from untouchable, surrendering three runs, three hits, and walking four over four innings, but he did strike out eight. The bullpen trio of Jordan Gerber, Carlos Guzman and Felipe De La Cruz combined for three no-hit innings, with Gerber surrendering the only base runners (two walks and a hit by pitch).

  • CF A.J. Ewing: 2-4, R, SB (3)
  • SS Marco Vargas: 1-3, 2 RBI, BB, K, SB (2)
  • 3B Jacob Reimer: 0-3, R, BB, 2 K
  • C Chris Suero: 1-4, R, HR (2), 2 RBI, 2 K
  • RF Eli Serrano III: 2-4, 2 R, 3B, K
  • LF Jose Ramos: 3-4, R, RBI, K, SB (1)
  • DH D’Andre Smith: 1-3, 2 R, BB, K
  • 1B JT Schwartz: 0-2, R, BB
  • 2B Wyatt Young: 2-3, 2 R, 2B, HR (1), 6 RBI, BB
  • LHP Jonathan Santucci: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 8 K
  • RHP Jordan Geber: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP, W (1-0)
  • RHP Carlos Guzman: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, W (1-0)
  • LHP Felipe De La Cruz: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Game Two: Binghamton 2, Somerset 1 / 7 (BOX)

Game two had a much different vibe than game one, as it was a tense and low scoring affair. Binghamton got off to an early start, leading 1-0 after one when Jose Ramos forced a run home with a ground out. Zach Thornton gave up his only run of his strong outing in the second, surrendering a RBI ground out of his own. That 1-1 score held until the seventh, as both Thronton and Somerset starter Chase Chaney were great. Jose Ramos drove in his second run of the day, this time a walk off solo home run to sweep the double header.

An interesting note: A.J. Ewing played second base today, as normally he patrols center field. It will be worth noting how he moves around the diamond.

  • 2B A.J. Ewing: 1-3, R, 2B, K
  • 1B Jacob Reimer: 1-3, 2B, K
  • DH Eli Serrano III: 0-2, K
  • RF Jose Ramos: 1-3, R, HR (1), 2 RBI, K
  • C Kevin Parada: 0-2
  • CF D’Andre Smith: 0-2, K
  • 3B Nick Lorusso: 0-2
  • LF Matt Rudick: 0-2
  • SS Wyatt Young: 0-2
  • LHP Zach Thornton: 5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
  • RHP Douglas Orellana: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
  • RHP Ben Simon: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, W (1-0)

High-A: Brooklyn Cyclones (0-4)

Jersey Shore 10, Brooklyn 3 (BOX)

The Brooklyn Cyclones are doing their best 2024 Mets impression, as they dropped another game to start the season. Tanner Witt did not have it, giving up six runs and walking four in his lone inning. He did strike out the side, though!

The Cyclones only managed four hits, though Kevin Villavicencio did homer.

  • 2B Mitch Voit: 1-5, 4 K
  • RF John Bay: 0-2, 2 BB
  • SS Antonio Jimenez: 0-4, 2 K
  • DH Daiverson Gutierrez: 0-2, R, BB
  • 3B Colin Houck: 1-4, 2 K
  • C Ronald Hernandez: 0-3, R, BB, K
  • 1B Trace Willhoite: 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI, K
  • LF Vincent Perozo: 0-4, 3 K
  • CF Kevin Villavicencio: 1-4, R, HR (1), RBI, K
  • RHP Jonathan Jimenez: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, L (0-1)
  • RHP Garrett Stratton: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
  • RHP Tanner Witt: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
  • RHP Hoss Brewer: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
  • RHP Juan Arnaud: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

Single-A: St. Lucie Mets (2-1)

POSTPONED (WET GROUNDS)

Rookie: FCL Mets (0-0)

NO GAME (SCHEDULE)

STAR OF THE NIGHT

Jonah Tong

GOAT OF THE NIGHT

Tanner Witt

Orioles news: Orioles sweep, Eflin has Tommy John

Apr 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Rico Garcia (50) and catcher Adley Rutschman (35) celebrate after the game aga9nst the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images | Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Good morning, Camden Chatters.

Turns out there are no problems with the Orioles that a series against the Chicago White Sox couldn’t fix.

The O’s took full advantage of their matchup against the perennial worst team in the American League, completing a three-game sweep with yesterday afternoon’s 5-3 win. In typical Orioles fashion, the club made its fair share of frustrating mistakes, including an embarrassing two-error play by Kyle Bradish on a toss back to the mound that allowed the White Sox to score the go-ahead run. But for the third straight game, the Orioles ultimately proved less inept than their woeful opponent, and eked out another close victory. Check out Andrea SK’s recap for the all the details.

Sweeping the White Sox isn’t necessarily a sign that the Orioles are surging back to life, but it’s not meaningless. You can only play the team that’s in front of you, and the O’s did well to take care of business against a club they should beat. The win got them back to .500 for the road trip and for the season. Incredibly, at 6-6, the Orioles are tied for the fourth-best record in the AL. Only three teams — the Yankees, Guardians, and Rangers — have winning records right now. Just your daily reminder that it’s still very, very early in the season.

While the series in the Windy City continued to expose some of the Orioles’ flaws — sloppy defense, erratic offense, and some mightily struggling homegrown players — there were some promising developments that helped wash away the stink of their previous three-game set in Pittsburgh. This was the first series in which all three O’s starting pitchers worked at least five innings (it’s a low bar, yes, but you gotta start somewhere). Gunnar Henderson surged to life with three extra-base hits, including two homers. Taylor “Two Bags” Ward ripped an astounding five doubles in the three games. And the O’s bullpen was excellent, allowing just one run in 11 innings. There’s something to build from.

Can the Orioles continue the positive vibes against a team that’s not the White Sox? We’ll find out. After today’s off day, they’ll return to Camden Yards for an interleague weekend series against the Giants, a team that’s also struggling but is ostensibly better than the Pale Hose. Their Saturday tilt will pit the Birds against San Francisco ace Logan Webb, so good luck to the O’s offense as they try to figure things out.

Links

Why is Taylor Ward Orioles’ leadoff hitter? | MAILBAG – BaltimoreBaseball.com

Heck, at this point I would write Taylor Ward’s name into all nine spots in the lineup.

Kyle Bradish owns ‘childish’ lapse during Orioles win, says it ‘will not happen again’ – The Baltimore Banner

Good on Bradish for taking accountability for his foolish defensive play, and good on Craig Albernaz for immediately talking to him about it. The O’s clearly don’t want to be bad at defense. Whether they’ll actually improve, well…

On Opening Night in Bowie, the Chesapeake Baysox also break out new performance center – Steve Melewski

The Orioles’ Double-A affiliate has a spiffy new performance center with state-of-the-art batting cages and much more. I love that the O’s are investing in things like this. It’s a drop of the bucket for the organization that can make a huge difference for the players.

Eflin undergoes ligament-reconstructive elbow surgery in Texas – School of Roch

The sad but expected news about Eflin was announced yesterday. It’s a terrible turn of events for a guy who had fought so hard to come back this year and was expected to be a big part of the team. Maybe an Eflin reunion with the Orioles will be in the cards someday.

Orioles birthdays and history

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Three former Orioles were born on this day, including 2021 five-game righty and Ben McDonald’s nephew Mac Sceroler (31), pitcher-turned-outfielder-turned-pitcher-again Adam Loewen (42), and right-hander and NPB legend Dennis Sarfate (45).

On this date in 1959, the Orioles turned a triple play, becoming the first team in MLB history to do so on Opening Day. It happened in the bottom of the fifth against the Senators, with first baseman Bob Boyd snaring an Ed FitzGerald liner and then doubling off the runners at both second and first base. Despite the nifty play, the Orioles lost, 9-2.

Random Orioles game of the day

On April 9, 1987, the Orioles beat the Rangers, 8-6, to win the rubber game of their season-opening series in Baltimore. Ken Gerhart, Fred Lynn, and Ray Knight each hit their first home run of the season, Cal Ripken was 2-for-5 with a double, and all nine batters in the O’s lineup contributed a hit and/or RBI. The O’s built up an 8-2 lead before the Rangers rallied late to make things close, but Don Aase retired the final three batters to secure the win.

2026 Bluebird Banter Top 40 Prospects List: Tom’s Pref List

BBB Top 40 Prospects logo, it is a Blue Jays logo hatching out of an egg with a circular banner that says Bluebird Banter Top 40 Blue Jays Prospects

Today, I have a list of guys who I personally find interesting as deep sleepers in the Jays system. These are all distant or very flawed players, but I think they have something that might lead them to have a role at some point in the future.

Michael Mesa received the second highest bonus of the Jays’ 2026 International Free Agent Class. The Dominican outfielder has a smooth left handed swing geared for loft, with burgeoning power. He’s an average runner, with the potential to see time in all three outfield spots. This is purely a bet on talent, as Mesa hasn’t even had a chance to appear in the Domincan Summer League yet.

Jackson Wentworth was a fifth round pick out of Kansas State in 2024. He spent all of last season at A+ Vancouver, posting middle of the road results over 26 starts. It’s a deep arsenal of pitches, with a fastball at 90-94 and touching 96, a solid average change-up, and a cutter, slider and curve that can blend into each other, ranging from 80-88 or so. None of it is plus, although if he were to move to the bullpen and get into the mid 90s more regularly the arsenal would be a bit more imposing. I just like the combination of repertoire depth and solid command. I could see him maturing into a #6 starter type, or carving out an MLB role as a middle reliever who can go multiple innings.

Eric Snow was drafted in the sixth round last year. He’s undersized at 5’8” and 190lbs, without loud tools, but he makes elite rates of contact and is a technically sound defender who can handle himself anywhere on the infield. He looks like a depth infielder, but you need that, and I think his well rounded game and hit tool give him a high probability of seeing some kind of MLB time.

Enmanuel Bonilla was a huge bonus signing in the 2023 International Free Agent Class, getting most of the Jays’ bonus pool that year. He hasn’t worked out, failing to get to his calling card power in games while striking out way too much. This is just me not wanting to give up on tools and pedigree in a guy who just turned 20 two months ago. This is his last chance, though. Either he’ll actualize some of the hitting talent that got him signed as a teenager, or be out of consideration.

Irv Carter has climbed the ranks slowly since being picked in the fifth round back in 2021. In 2025, he made 27 appearances as a multi-inning reliever for A+ Vancouver, posting ugly surface stats (a 5.67 ERA) but striking out 62 against 20 walks and allowing just a 69% contact rate. Carter doesn’t throw hard, sitting in the low 90s, but he has a slider and change that both flash above average and solid average command. He’s another guy I could see pitching himself into a depth role, able to get through a lineup once with feel and a complete repertoire in spite of a lack of big stuff.

Elaineiker Coronado was a big bonus signing in the 2025 International Free Agent class. He has no power at all, posting a 6% hard hit rate in the DSL last summer, and his narrow 5’10” frame doesn’t exactly look primed to pack on muscle. On the plus side, he has everything else. A terrific contact hitter, he has an uncommon eye for a hitter of his type and age. If the bat doesn’t get knocked out of his hands at higher levels, he should be a significant OBP threat. In the DSL, his .504 mark was one of the five best in the last five seasons for everyday players. He’s also a plus runner with good hands who projects as an above average glove, although a weak arm likely limits him to second base. Coronado is a study in how good a prospect can be with a true bottom of the scale grade on one of his most important tools, and I’m very interested to see how he fares as he moves over to the US this year.

Dusty Baker pours out his soul, pens emotional autobiography 'Crossroads'

It was Dusty Baker’s secret ritual after virtually every home game when he managed the Houston Astros, but one night, he was caught red-handed by Astros infielder Mauricio Dubon.

Dubon, who was in his car, couldn’t believe what he was seeing, and quietly approached Baker.

Baker, startled, told Dubon he has been doing this for years, but pleaded with him not to tell a soul. It’s a secret he desperately wanted to keep.

Baker, with zero fanfare, fed the homeless every night after Astros games. He would take the leftover food in the clubhouse that normally would be thrown away, drove out of the parking lot, and stopped under the Interstate 69 underpass.

He would get out of his truck, take out the food that he put in packages, and gave it to the homeless. Other times he would drive downtown, and look for a woman he called, “Mama,’’ who lived in a cardboard box. She would disperse the servings of food to other homeless.

“I was driving home and saw him do that one night,’’ said Dubon, now an infielder with Atlanta “and I couldn’t believe it. But Dusty promised me I wouldn’t tell anyone. He didn’t want any publicity. He didn’t want any cameras. He didn’t want to embarrass the homeless.

“That’s what kind of man he was, someone who was so instrumental to my career, and really in my life. I’ll never forget him. That man believed in me before I believed in myself. I’ll always be grateful for what he did for me.’’

Baker, who said the Astros discouraged him from feeding the homeless in case someone got sick, possibly leaving them open to a lawsuit, but refused to stop. It made him feel good knowing what it meant for the homeless, sharing the same high-quality food the ballplayers ate each night.

It also made him think of his late brother, Vic, who suffered from manic depression and was homeless himself, dying in 2019 at the age of 63.

“Every time I fed them,’’ Baker says, “I would think of Vic. And when I went downtown, I would give four or five meals to 'Mama,' who lived in a well-kept homeless person box. She took pride in what she had. I would give her the food, maybe five or six meals, and she would divvy it out.

“I didn’t think she even knew who I was, but one time we lost, and she said, 'Dusty, ya’ll have got to play better than that.' I was busted.’’

The story can now be shared with Baker, 76, now working as a special adviser for the San Francisco Giants. He wrote his autobiography, "Crossroads," with author Steve Kettman, which will be released on June 9 by Crown Publishing.

Baker talks about life growing up in Riverside and Sacramento, California, signing with Atlanta in 1968 against his father’s wishes, mentored by the iconic Hank Aaron, a playing career that resulted in a 1981 World Series championship, a stellar managerial career which should result in a Hall of Fame election in December, and a life in which he had perhaps the widest array of friends of anyone in baseball from presidents, dignitaries, musicians, and yes, the homeless.

“The Lord wouldn’t have put me all of those places in my life, and at different times for no reason,’’ Baker tells USA TODAY Sports. “My dad used to tell me, 'It’s not yours to possess, it’s your position to share and help others.' You re-live some of the stuff that you’ve suppressed, bringing to the forefront. There’s stuff you need to talk about, not only for yourself, but other people.

“A lot of people need some hope and lessons in perseverance. A lot of people out there are hurting. I’d like to be an inspiration to those people.’’

The book took two years to write, and hundreds of hours of interviews with Kettman, pouring out his emotions, piece by piece.

“Things that have been on my mind a long time,’’ Baker says. “Sometimes you get tired of being politically correct all of the time. So, I got to say what I feel. If you’re 80, people look at you like you’re some bitter old man because you’re telling the truth.

“Sometimes, people have what they call unresolved anger. Sometimes, it comes out after being in there for a long time. It doesn’t come out very much, but sometimes you need to clear your soul and your spirit. And every once in a while, you don’t feel your spirit.

“That scares me when I don’t feel it, so I cleansed it.’’

Baker wanted to make sure that he didn’t come across as bitter or angry in the book, but wanted to share his life experiences, knowing that it would not only help people understand who he is, but also be an inspiration.

“I had to really look back on some parts of my life that are painful,’’ Baker said. “I wanted to do that with honesty and grace. I never wanted to come across as an angry man because that is not who I am. Yes, I have anger in me, but it comes out only if I’m provoked.’’

Baker, the only man to manage five different teams to the postseason, insists he is done managing in major-league baseball, although he is open to the 2028 Olympics. He put the uniform on for the first time since the 2023 MLB season this spring when he managed Nicaragua in the World Baseball Classic after close friends George Santiago and Marvin Benard told him what it would mean to the country.

Baker loved every minute of it, and even though they failed to get out of pool play, he wouldn’t trade the experience for the world.

“I really, really enjoyed it,’’ Baker said, “even though we didn’t win. The Nicaraguans are such good people. They showed me so much love. It meant a lot to me with [political activist] Marcus Garvey and all of the history there.

“I’m motivated to go out back and help them with their program. They’re on their way, and I’d love to be part of it.’’

Dusty Baker smiles from the dugout while managing Nicaragua in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

For now, Baker is hoping to do his part in helping turn around the Giants’ franchise. They haven’t had a winning season since 2021, and after leaving spring training with lofty hopes that they can return to the postseason, they have gotten off to a 5-8 start, and are in last place in the NL West.

While rookie manager Tony Vitello, the first person to go directly from the college ranks to being an MLB manager, is the one taking the most heat, Baker preaches patience. He believes it will turn.

Besides, he says, considering the Giants’ schedule to open the season, did anyone really think they’d get off to a torrid start. The Giants’ first 13 games have been against the New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies, with the Baltimore Orioles and Cincinnati Reds on deck.

“You’re always looking at the schedule when you’re a manager,’’ Baker said, “and that’s a tough stretch of games, especially coming out of spring training. There are so many uncertainties with the lineup, the bullpen, the starting staff. It takes time.

“It’s tough, too, when you’re a first-year manager because people don’t know what to expect. Most managers have a track record, so it gives you more leeway. But Tony will be all right.

“The big thing now for him is to not look at the past. You can’t change what happened. Just get back to .500, and then you can take a deep breath and go from there.’’

Besides, Baker knows a first-year manager who wound up doing all right for himself.

Baker had no managerial experience when he was hired by the Giants before the 1993 season. He won 103 games his first year, and wound up winning 2,183 games over 26 seasons, reaching the postseason 13 times, including the last four seasons of his career.

He is expected to be elected in December to Baseball’s Hall of Fame by the contemporary era committee, along with Bruce Bochy, who won three World Series championships with the Giants. It could be quite the Giants celebration next summer with Buster Posey, Giants' president of baseball operations, also expected to be voted in by the BBWAA in January.

Baker has too much going on to even think about that for now, but he did make it clear that no matter what happens, “Crossroads’’ will stand on its own.

“This is a long book already, and I know I still left out a lot of stuff,’’ Baker says. “But I don’t like sequels. So, this is it.

“I put a lot of effort into it, so I hope people enjoy it.’’

Follow Bob Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dusty Baker pens autobiography as Baseball Hall of Fame beckons

Who's the next Yaxel Lendeborg? Best mid-major players in the transfer portal

When the maize-and-blue confetti fell on Michigan men’s basketball after its 69-63 win against UConn in the 2026 NCAA Tournament championship game on Monday, one season came to an end.

At midnight, less than an hour after the Wolverines finished off their victory, another began.

The day after the title game, the transfer portal opened, sending the more than 360 Division I teams into a rush to start assembling their rosters for next season — whether it’s trying to hold onto their own players or trying to nab difference-makers from other teams.

For players outside of the sport’s power conferences, the portal is an opportunity to earn a bigger payday from a bigger program while getting to showcase your game on the sport’s biggest stages. This time a year ago, Yaxel Lendeborg was an all-conference standout at UAB before entering the portal, signing with Michigan and becoming the centerpiece of a Wolverines team that won the program’s first national championship in 37 years.

While having that kind of impact isn’t a realistic bar for any mid- or low-major star, there are dozens of players available from the sport’s smaller leagues who can be all-conference performers at the Power conference level and lift their new programs to the NCAA tournament.

Who are some of the players poised to help some of the country’s best teams next season? Here’s a look at the best mid- and low-major players available in the transfer portal:

Best mid-major players in the transfer portal

Note: Players from the Mountain West and Atlantic 10 were not considered for this article

Paulius Murauskas, Saint Mary’s

Murauskas is the No. 7 player available in USA TODAY’s transfer portal rankings for a reason: The 6-foot-8 Lithuanian averaged 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game for a 27-win Saint Mary’s team last season. It’s possible the first-team All-West Coast Conference honoree follows former Gaels coach Randy Bennett to Arizona State, where he was hired last month to replace Bobby Hurley, but he’ll be sought after by virtually any deep-pocketed program searching for a skilled big man.

Alex Wilkins, Furman

This time a year ago, Wilkins was a zero-star prospect coming out of high school in Massachusetts. Quite a bit has changed since then. As a freshman, the 6-foot-5 guard averaged a team-high 17.8 points and 4.7 assists per game for a Furman squad that won the Southern Conference. In the NCAA tournament, the No. 24 player in USA TODAY’s portal rankings showed he could compete against elite competition, scoring 21 points and making eight of his 15 shots in a competitive game against eventual national runner-up UConn. He’ll be more than just a quick rental, too, with three years of eligibility remaining.

Christian Hammond, Santa Clara

Another first-team All-WCC selection, Hammond was the leading scorer on a Santa Clara team that was a miracle heave against Kentucky away from advancing to the second round of the NCAA tournament. The 6-foot-4 guard, the No. 34 player in USA TODAY’s portal rankings, averaged 15.6 points per game while shooting an efficient 48.4% from the field and 39.3% from 3. He’s a sophomore, too, giving him two more years of eligibility.

Tyler Lundblade, Belmont

The reigning Missouri Valley Conference player of the year was one of the top shooters available in the portal. The former walk-on made 40.6% of his 3-pointers despite having a high shooting volume, with 8.8 attempts per game from beyond the arc. As a graduate transfer, the 6-foot-5 Texas native didn’t even have to wait for the portal to open before deciding on his next stop, signing with Rick Barnes and Tennessee on April 2.

Jaquan Johnson, Bradley

Johnson took an enormous leap from his freshman to his sophomore season, improving his scoring average from 6.6 to 16.9 points per game to help him earn first-team All-MVC honors. He is only 5-foot-11, which could cause some problems against bigger, more athletic competition in a major conference, but his all-around production is impressive, with 3.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.6 steals per game. He was named the MVC most improved player and made the league’s all-defensive team.

Drew Scharnowski, Belmont

The 6-foot-9 Scharnowski, the No. 50 player in USA TODAY’s portal rankings, was a first-team all-MVC selection after averaging 10.7 points, six rebounds and 2.6 assists per game as a sophomore for a Bruins team that went 26-6. He was a strong presence down low, too, with 1.3 blocks per game. It’s possible he follows former Belmont coach Casey Alexander to Kansas State, but the Wildcats won’t be alone in vying for his services.

Wes Enis, South Florida

A former standout at Division II powerhouse Lincoln Memorial and the son of former Penn State and NFL running back Curtis Enis, Enis made the most of his first season at the Division I level. He averaged a team-high 16.2 points per game for a South Florida team that made its first NCAA tournament appearance in 14 years.

Though his season ended on a dour note, with him missing 13 of his 15 shots and all 11 of his 3-pointers in an NCAA tournament loss to Louisville, the No. 47 player in USA TODAY’s portal rankings is among the most talented offensive players available. Enis is reportedly entering the portal with a “do not contact” tag, heightening the expectation he’ll join former South Florida coach Bryan Hodgson at Providence.

Larry Johnson, McNeese

Coming out of high school, Johnson was sought after by some of the same kinds of programs who are now chasing after him. He was a top-60 recruit in the 2024 class who signed with Creighton, but did not play for the Bluejays during the 2024-25 season. He ended up at McNeese, where the 6-foot-4 guard averaged 17.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game as a freshman while shooting 49.2% overall and making the All-Southland Conference first team.

Gavin Doty, Siena

Doty did just about everything he could for Siena to try to pull off a stunning 16-over-1 upset over Duke in the NCAA tournament, scoring a team-high 21 points in a 71-65 first-round loss. The 6-foot-5 sophomore led the Saints in scoring at 18 points per game and was an excellent rebounder for someone his size, pulling down a team-high 6.9 boards per game. He didn’t waste much time in the portal, committing to follow former Siena coach Gerry McNamara to Syracuse on April 7, the first day the portal was open.

Leroy Blyden Jr., Toledo

Blyden was a big get for a Mid-American Conference program as a three-star recruit out of Detroit. He more than lived up to that promise as a freshman, averaging 16.4 points, 4.5 assists, four steals and 1.8 steals per game. The 6-foot-1 Blyden very nearly led the Rockets to their first NCAA tournament since 1980, scoring 21 points in the MAC championship game before losing on a buzzer-beater against Akron.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 10 best mid-major basketball players in transfer portal

Plaschke: Broken Lakers need to shut down the season

Los Angeles, CA - April 07: Lebron James and Austin Reeves chat while on the bench as the Lakers and Oklahoma Thunder play at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Lakers start LeBron James, left, and Austin Reeves chat on the bench while sitting out the blowout loss to the Thunder on Tuesday because of injuries. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Barely a week ago, a charmed Lakers season screamed three words.

Deep playoff run.

Today, a jinxed Lakers season soberly whispers three very different words.

Shut it down.

With less than a month of games remaining, the Lakers season is done, finished, kaput.

Twisted and torn by the sudden same-day injuries to their two best players, the Lakers are broken beyond repair.

Read more:With their Big Three sidelined, Lakers lose to Thunder again in another blowout

They can’t win without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, and neither is coming back at full strength in time to save them.

They were wholly embarrassed in their first two shorthanded games and will wind up falling to a fourth or fifth seed with a first-round matchup looming against Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets.

They can’t beat the Rockets, they won’t beat the Rockets, and the season will officially and quickly and sadly end. It might end in something more palatable than a sweep — maybe they win a game? — but it’s going to end, and soon, and the Lakers need to reinforce their priorities before it does.

Shut it down.

Tell Doncic to stay in Spain for as long as it takes for that magic medicine to cure his strained hamstring. Tell Doncic his MVP-worthy season is DOA. Tell Doncic to begin getting ready for September.

The Lakers don’t need him showing up in three weeks trying to save this season on a limp and a prayer. They don’t need him risking a reinjuring of the hamstring that could affect his summer workouts and bleed into next season.

Lakers star Luka Doncic holds his head in his hands while reacting to a play against the Thunder.
Lakers star Luka Doncic reacts to a play during a blowout loss to the Thunder in Oklahoma City last week. (Cooper Neill / Getty Images)

Most experts agree it would be a miracle if Doncic would return at 100% in time to carry them through the first round of the playoffs, which start April 18. The Lakers don’t need him to be a miracle. They need him to be the cornerstone of a franchise that is being rebuilt in his image.

They don’t need him now, when he’s not going to save them anyway. They need him six months from now, to be healthy and in shape to lead them into their next era.

Shut it down.

The Lakers need to say the same thing to Reaves, who they’re going to give a boatload of money this summer to be their No. 2 star for the indefinite future.

They don’t need him to try to play with an injured oblique and make things worse. They don’t need him to gut it out. They need him to sit it out.

The fans aren’t going to like reading this. And the players aren’t going to like hearing it.

Read more:Inside Luka Doncic's high-stakes medical treatment and recovery plan

Just listen to Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks star who has been shut down since March 15 because the Bucks didn’t want his nagging injuries to worsen and affect either his trade value or his 2026-27 season.

“Like a slap in my face,” he told reporters recently. "I'm available to play today. Right now. I'm available. Do I look like I'm not available? … I don't know what game is being played right here, I just don't wanna be a part of it."

There is no game with the Lakers. Their new Dodger ownership group doesn’t play games. Their goal is to build a franchise that has sustainable success. Pushing all their chips into the middle for a team that doesn’t have a chance in hell is not building sustainable success.

You’ve seen how the Dodgers rest their players for six months to prepare themselves for the postseason, right. Shutting down the Lakers now is sort of this, in reverse. They’re punting in the playoffs to prepare themselves for next season.

Certainly, Doncic would take the news of a shutdown about as well as Antetokounmpo.

“I think he's, in my conversations with him, he's motivated to do everything possible,” said coach JJ Redick to reporters. “And I know for him, it's hard for him not to be on a basketball court. That's his happy place. And he's one of the handful of guys that really plays year round. And it's not just international competition. But he likes to be in the gym. He likes to be working on his craft. And I think it's hard for him. He wants to get back on the court."

Lakers forward LeBron James tilts his back as he reacts to a play against the Kings.
Lakers forward LeBron James reacts to a play during a win over the Kings last month at Crypto.com Arena. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

And no, LeBron James is not going to be happy either, trying to carry a team that seemingly isn’t trying. So what? Do you really believe he is going to take remarkably less money to stay on the Lakers next season? Do you really believe the Lakers want him back when they will have the cap space to trade for a player like, um, Antetokounmpo?

To leave James alone on a first-round island might be unfair, but the Lakers have kowtowed to him plenty in his eight years here. He’s just going to have to take one for the team, however briefly that team may be playing.

“It was a shot to the heart and the chest and the mainframe with Luka,” James told reporters. “I woke up from my nap and saw that [Reaves] news and was like, 'S—.'”

You know who else wouldn’t easily accept the news of a shutdown? That would be Redick, who, barely one week after being lauded as the first Laker coach since Phil Jackson to manage consecutive 50-win seasons, now finds himself again fighting for credibility.

Remember last year when Redick took heat for playing his starters the entire second half of a playoff loss to Minnesota?

He’s taking heat again this spring for playing both Doncic and Reaves in the second half of a blowout loss to Oklahoma City that sent both players to the injured list.

Lakers coach JJ Redick directs players during a blowout loss to the Thunder on Tuesday.
Lakers coach JJ Redick directs players during a blowout loss to the Thunder on Tuesday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

When Doncic was hurt the Lakers trailed by 32 and he had already looked injured after grabbing his leg in the second quarter. Reaves, meanwhile, spent much of the first quarter grabbing at his back.

Redick said both players were medically cleared and that they both insisted on challenging the league-leading Thunder in the second half.

“The group wanted to go for it in the second half,” Redick told reporters. “There was nothing leading into that game that would suggest either those guys were 'running hot.'’’

This was just the beginning of Redick’s bad week.

Jarred Vanderbilt was certainly running hot Tuesday night in a rematch against Oklahoma City after he was benched in the first moments of the second quarter. Vanderbilt accosted Redick on the court and had to be restrained. Redick ultimately responded by benching Vanderbilt the rest of the game and then not-so-subtly ripping him afterward.

“I think for all of us, you know, being undermanned, we’ve got to scrap and claw, we’ve got to all be on the same page, we got to be great teammates, we got to all play hard,” Redick told reporters. “Called a timeout to get him out of the game. And he reacted.”

One has to wonder about Redick’s connectivity with his players if one of them is unafraid to confront him on the court during the middle of a game.

One has to also wonder, again, about Redick’s big-game management style if he would allow his two best players to risk their health during a blowout.

Redick, who signed an extension in September that will keep him under contract until 2030, is not on the hot seat, not yet. But another spring meltdown will not endear himself to new owners who expect their coaches to be the calm face of the organization.

Then again, for everyone involved, there must be some grace granted in the wake of the incredible tension surrounding a team whose dream season just became a nightmare.

End the nightmare now. For the sake of the future of the franchise, shut it down.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things Lakers.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

14 Takeaways from Cavs 122-116 win over Hawks: ‘We’ve never wavered’

Apr 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates in the third quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t really have anything to really play for. Home court in the first round is secured, and they’re better off not moving up from the fourth seed to the third. Additionally, they’re facing the Atlanta Hawks for two of their final three games — their likely first-round opponent.

Those facts didn’t stop them from going all out and winning a back-and-forth game 122-116 on Wednesday.

This group with James Harden is still new. They need these reps.

“As talented as the guys that came in are, you still have to be able to have that chemistry and have that bond,” Donovan Mitchell said after pouring in 31 points. “That takes time.”

They also need experience in high-leverage games together. Even though there wasn’t much on the line for Cleveland, knowing how close the playoffs are and how well the Hawks are playing made this the perfect opportunity for a dress rehearsal.

Before the game, Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson was asked if he would go with a vanilla game plan against a potential first-round opponent. His answer was no. And the game showed that he meant it.

The Cavs pulled out several wrinkles that you usually only see in the playoffs. They decided to have Harden guard opposing center Onyeka Okongwu. They also drastically cheated off of Dyson Daniels and Jonathan Kuminga defensively in an effort to clog the paint. These are things that you’d expect to see in Game 1 of a playoff series.

Harden guarding Okongwumade sense and is worth revisiting in the playoffs.

Harden has enough strength to handle bigs in the post. He’s not going to get bullied for easy baskets. And hunting him out for post-ups gets you away from what you normally do, which is what happened here.

Okongwu put up 18 points on 7-10 shooting. Those are good numbers. However, the Hawks lost the 33 minutes he played by as many points. The offense wasn’t able to establish the same rhythm as they had an 83.6 offensive rating with Okongwu on the floor. That’s an absolute win for the Cavs.

The idea of using Harden to defend a big didn’t happen overnight. Atkinson has been looking at this for some time now. He mentioned last week that he’s been watching tape of Harden defensively, seeing how he’s guarded fours and fives in the past. That, presumably, inspired him to break that out here. This test run will likely encourage him to keep doing so.

The issue comes with figuring out the other matchups in front of Harden.

The Cavs tried a couple of variations before finding something that worked. Putting Evan Mobley on Jalen Johnson and Dean Wade on CJ McCollum slowed Atlanta down at the start of the third quarter, allowing the Cavs to get back into the game.

For as good of defenders as Mobley, Wade, and Jarrett Allen are, entirely flipping where everyone is on the court at the start of the possession does present some issues. Particularly regarding staying in front of Atlanta’s best scorers: Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

To the Cavs credit, they did a decent job with both, but more so with Johnson. Alexander-Walker did put up a team-high 25 points.

The Cavs’ game plan for Johnson was simple: make him a jump shooter and force him to finish around the basket. Cleveland mostly gave Johnson — who came into this game shooting 35.4% from three — clean looks from the outside. He didn’t make them pay, going 0-5 beyond the arc.

Around the rim is where the Cavs made it difficult. Johnson went just 2-6 on shots in the restricted area and 3-8 on attempts in the paint overall. This was due to how many defenders came over to help on his drives, and from making a team-wide effort to not let the Hawks attack in the open court.

Look at how well the defense — particularly Mobley — was able to help on these.

Support us and Let ‘Em Know with Homage!

Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can buy the Spida shirt HERE. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE.

The Cavs were able to turn the Hawks’ biggest advantage against them.

Atlanta is first in the league in points added in transition. On Wednesday, the Cavs held them in the sixth percentile for points added in transition.

Hawks head coach Quin Snyder spoke pregame about how he wants his team to continue playing fast in the playoffs. They still played their style; the Cavs just did it better.

Cleveland — who’s been a much more half-court oriented since the Harden trade — was in the 84th percentile in points added in transition this game. They did this by running off steals and defensive rebounds.

Allen still doesn’t look quite right. He mentioned when he returned to the lineup after his knee injury that he still wasn’t 100%. That was clear again as he didn’t appear to have the same burst we’ve come to expect from him.

Atkinson didn’t want to speculate postgame about Allen’s health, but he acknowledged it’s something the team is monitoring down the stretch. Even if the Cavs don’t rest their starters in the last two games, Allen might be the one exception to that.

Mitchell’s 31 points lifted the Cavs. He did this by relentlessly attacking inside as he went 8-11 on shots in the paint and generated six attempts at the free-throw line.

Earlier in the season, Mitchell mentioned that he was trying to keep from attacking the rim as much — instead opting to use the floater more. His goal was to be efficient with his scoring, but also with how he moved on the court, opting to use his athleticism only when needed.

The governor is off now.

“It’s that time,” Mitchell said. “If you play like that for 82 games, y’all probably won’t see me in a week or two weeks. It’s hard to do, especially at my size. So you gotta find ways to adapt.”

Mitchell has found ways to adapt and is a more complete scorer because of it. He’s completed a career-high 54% of his looks between four and 14 feet of the hoop. That’s good enough for the 97th percentile in the league. For comparison, he connected on just 39% of those shots two seasons ago. Most of that improvement comes from his floater.

Teams in the playoffs can often take away what you do best. Even though the Indiana Pacers didn’t keep Mitchell from scoring last postseason, they made him pay for every drive to the rim by continually knocking him down. This wore on him to the point that Mitchell didn’t have much left at the end of Game 2, when his team collapsed and essentially lost the series.

We don’t know how this will look in the postseason, but the changes he’s made to his game all season should allow him more counters when teams load up to stop him at the rim.

The Hawks didn’t have an answer for Mobley. He punished their wings as he put up 22 points on 8-15 shooting while going 6-10 at the free-throw line. This included converting 8-12 in the paint.

“The one thing I loved tonight was his post-ups,” Mitchell said. “He was trying to still get down to the rim as opposed to the fade that we’ve talked about for years. He’s being assertive.”

That assertiveness showed up most on the glass, where Mobley tied a career high with 19 rebounds.

“That was huge,” Atkinson said. “It’s usually a mentality change when these jumps happen. I think he switched it on.”

Atkinson still believes in Mobley’s upside.

Before the season, there was some discussion about Mobley leaping into the periphery of the MVP conversation after making the All-NBA second team last season. That didn’t happen. He struggled to adjust offensively to an increased role at the beginning of the year. He’s righted the ship and is playing much more similarly to last season now.

Even though this year hasn’t exactly gone as planned, there’s still reason to buy into Mobley reaching that tier.

“I believe desperately in Evan Mobley,” Atkinson said. “I think he’s got everything. He’s got all the tools and does it on both ends. I love [how] Koby [Altman] always says he’s a winning player. He’s coming into the NBA, and he’s won right off the bat. Not a lot of guys can say that.”

This was a statement win that showed what this team is capable of in the playoffs. They blitzed the second-best defense in the league since the All-Star break to the tune of 44 points in the third quarter. Even though they weren’t able to keep that pace going, it shows how immensely talented this group is, even if the consistency isn’t there yet.

“We’ve never wavered, right? Mitchell said. “I think, no offense to y’all, I think y’all have wavered on us a few times.”

We have wavered, and who could blame us?

Injuries, franchise-changing trades, and overall uneven effort have produced some drastic swings. But in the end, the Cavs have still found a way to grab 51 wins, and have an opportunity to get two more. They believe in this team and what they can accomplish in the postseason.

“I’ve always said, I’m very confident in this group,” Mitchell said.

In just over a week, we’ll start to find out whether that confidence is justified.

Islanders Gameday News: Some changes for DeBoer DeBut

Two guys getting new chances. | NHLI via Getty Images

The final four-game homestretch begins tonight for the chief combatants in the Eastern Conference lower-seeds playoff race. With 78 games down, the Islanders (89 pts.) host the Leafs, the Blue Jackets (90 pts.) visit the Sabres, the Senators (92 pts.) host the Panthers, and the Flyers (92 pts.) are in Detroit (89 pts.).

Technically, the Washington Capitals are also in this picture, winning last night to match the Islanders at 89 points but with one fewer game to go.

For the Islanders, whether this season sees playoffs or not, tonight is a significant one due to Pete DeBoer’s debut as their head coach.

And he has some changes in store, it seems: Mathew Barzal will be back at center and Max Shabanov will get a real chance. And in alignment with what I assumed but did not see when he was acquired, Brayden Schenn will skate on the wing, though you wonder if he’ll take more of the faceoffs than Barzal.

First Islanders Goal picks go here.

Islanders News

  • Quotes and rationale from DeBoer on his lineup and line choices, with heavy existing-staff input. [THN]
  • DeBoer brings a sense of urgency to these final four games, that was somehow missing from the preceding ones. [Newsday | Post]
  • DeBoer was optimistic Tony DeAngelo would return tonight, not a sentiment you always hear. [Post]
  • That would put DeAngelo back on a pair with Adam Pelech. [Isles]
  • Previewing tonight: It will be regular season game 1,262 for DeBoer as an NHL head coach. [Isles]

Elsewhere

  • The Leafs hobble in with three more injuries: Anthony Stolarz, Brandon Carlo and Dakota Joshua were all hurt Wednesday and will not suit up tonight. The Isles will face Artur Akhtyamov in net, making his first NHL start. [Sportsnet]
  • The durability of Stolarz, signed to a contract extension by Brad Treliving that hasn’t even kicked in yet, is a major concern for the Leafs. [Sportsnet]
  • Welp, James Hagens has signed with the Bruins, may make his debut Saturday. [NHL]
  • Ron Francis will leave the Kraken, which he currently serves as president. The founding GM of the franchise, has he delivered or is this an overdue “thoughtful transition?” [NHL | TSN]
  • Looking at some of this summer’s top draft prospects and their NHL comparables. [NHL]
  • Here are all the Masterton nominees. [Sportsnet]

Pens Points: Devil in the Details

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 08: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins directs a puck wide of Jake Allen #34 of the New Jersey Devils during the first period of a NHL game at Prudential Center on November 8, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Getty Images) | Getty Images

A win tonight against the New Jersey Devils and the Pittsburgh Penguins will qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2022. There are other clinching scenarios for the Penguins should they not be able to defeat the Devils later this evening, but if they can take care of business themselves in Newark, there won’t be any need to rely on help from other teams. On top of locking down a playoff spot, a victory tonight also aides the Penguins in keeping a tight grip on that second spot in the Metro division which guarantees them home ice advantage in the first round.

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET and will be broadcast on Sportsnet Pittsburgh.

Pens Points…

Nominees for the Masterson Trophy were announced on Wednesday and Anthony Mantha was chosen to represent the Penguins for the 2025-26 season. Coming off a major knee injury, Mantha signed with the Penguins in the offseason and rebounded to post career highs across the board. [Penguins]

When Mantha tore his ACL early in the 2024-25 season, there were real questions about how much of a future he had in the game of hockey. Turns out, his hockey future is still bright after his reemergence with the Penguins has proven he still has a lot left to give on the ice. [PPG]

Some good news in the injury department for the Penguins as it was announced on Wednesday that goaltender Stuart Skinner will travel with the team to New Jersey following a successful practice session as he works his way back from taking an errant puck to the face over the weekend that forced him out Sunday. [Trib Live]

Before the season started, Pensburgh ran an article asking if the Penguins making the playoffs or finishing in last place was a bigger surprise to come from this season. We believed a lot was going to need to break the Penguins way for a playoff appearance, but lo and behold, that’s how the season played out. [Pensburgh]

After a small bump in the road, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have returned to their winning ways, having stacked six straight victories with a weekend sweep of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms as they enter the final five games of the AHL season still comfortably in second place. [Pensburgh]

Sticking with the Baby Pens, there will be some fresh faces on the roster the next time they take the ice. Promising prospect Mikhail Ilyin has made his way over from the KHL and will join WBS along with 2025 draftees Quinn Beauchesne and Ryan Miller. [The Hockey News]

NHL News and Notes…

Alex Ovechkin let it be known on Wednesday that he will discuss his NHL future with his family following the season, meaning this weekend could be the final time Ovechkin not only plays in Pittsburgh, but it could also be the final chapter of his rivalry with Sidney Crosby. [NHL]

The Boston Bruins and 2025 first round pick James Hagens agreed to a three-year entry level contract that is set to begin right away. Hagens played six games with the Providence Bruins in the AHL after signing a tryout deal following the conclusion of his collegiate season with Boston College. [NHL]

Max Verstappen’s F1 future in further doubt with race engineer to leave Red Bull

  • Gianpiero Lambiase set to join McLaren after 2027 season

  • Verstappen has worked with Lambiase since 2016

Max Verstappen’s engineer Gianpiero Lambiase is to leave Red Bull to join McLaren in a shock move that throws further doubt on the four-time world champion’s future in Formula One.

Lambiase has worked with Verstappen since the Dutchman joined Red Bull in 2016 and has been at his side through the driver’s four titles, with the pair forging a close bond. Their radio interactions during races have been closely followed in what has been an enormously successful professional and personal relationship, sharing great joy and some blunt exchanges.

Continue reading...

How long can the Yankees keep their series-winning streak alive?

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: Manager, Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees looks on during batting practice before the game against the Miami Marlins at Yankee Stadium on April 4, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images

We’re three weeks into the season now, and the Yankees are off to a hot start at 8-3. They swept their opening series, won the next two dropping individual games, and have the chance to win another with the series finale against the A’s today. The AL East was looking asleep at the wheel for the first few weeks while the Yankees charged to the top, but some of them are starting to wake up and are getting back to .500.

While it’s a little early to predict the Yankees’ placement in the division at the end of the year off of just a handful of series, their current form is more than enough to look at the rest of the schedule and try to predict how they’ll be looking when April turns to May. The team has series with the Rays, Angels, Royals, Red Sox, Astros, and Rangers to close out the month, teams that range from middling to good in the early going. There’s a total of 20 games left in April including today’s finale, and a slim 2.5 game lead to hopefully expand on. How long can the Yankees keep their series winning streak alive, and where will they stand when the calendar flips?

Off the bat, the Yankees face a tough task in wrapping up this last game with the Athletics. The bats have been a bit could outside of Tuesday’s big eighth inning in this series, matching the weather in the city lately, but perhaps a getaway day game shakes that up. Then there’s an awkward one-series road trip to Tampa breaking up this homestand from another one, a perfect stumbling block if ever one could be designed. The Angels enter town for a four-game set, notoriously difficult to outright win, but a split for our purposes wouldn’t end the streak so if they make it to that point then there’s good odds it stays alive four more days. The Royals are no slouches, but they’ve only won a single series against the Twins thus far and don’t seem like a team that’s clicking yet — a perfect team to catch early in the year.

Realistically, the streak probably ends by the time the Yankees head back out on the road for a real trip, but if it’s alive then it’ll really get tested at the end of the month. The Red Sox may have started this season out poorly, but they found a bounceback opportunity against a strong Brewers team to win their first series — and frankly, regardless of how good either team is Yankees-Red Sox always manages to be a challenging matchup. Houston’s taken a stumble recently, but they’re also a nemesis that would love to get in the Yankees’ way, and Yordan Alvarez is back to mashing anything close to the zone. The Rangers represent the team with the best record at the moment of any opponent the Yankees will face this month, standing at 7-5 atop the AL West, and their pitching is good enough to compete in any series they enter.

The majority of these series are ones the Yankees should win, and that’ll set themselves up nicely to maintain their hold on the division lead. They’ve been given an early cushion thanks to their rivals starting off cold, and have a couple of them directly in their path to close out April too. I think if they can handle the Athletics today they’ve got a runway to keep the series streak going for a while, with Boston or Houston the most likely to ruin the fun. How long do you think the Yankees can keep the good times rolling?


Today on the site, Peter starts us off with the Sequence of the Week featuring Brent Headrick showing up with a solid showcase of pitch tunneling. Sam recaps the rest of the relevant AL action from Wednesday, as some of the Yankees’ rivals managed to get back on their feet. Jeff wishes a happy birthday to a fan favorite around these parts in David Robertson, and Michael gives us another minor league preview covering the Single-A teams in Hudson Valley and Tampa. After the game, Estevão discusses the upcoming roster shakeup as Luis Gil is set to rejoin the team and complete the five-man rotation while the likely cut candidate in Cade Winquest never managed to make it on the field.

Today’s Matchup

New York Yankees vs. Athletics

Time: 1:35 p.m. EST

Video: YES Network, NBCSCA

Venue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY