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Flyers vs Penguins Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NHL Playoffs Game 1

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The Battle of Pennsylvania is on for the first time since the 2018 postseason, with the Philadelphia Flyers visiting the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena tonight.

My top Flyers vs. Penguins predictions are calling for Philly to continue its late-season surge with a low-scoring road upset in Game 1.

Read more in my NHL picks for Saturday, April 18.

Puck drop is set for 8:00 p.m. ET, with the game airing on ESPN and Sportsnet.

Flyers vs Penguins Game 1 prediction

Who will win Flyers vs Penguins Game 1?

Philadelphia Flyers: The Flyers put it all together down the stretch with an NHL-best 15-5- 1 run, including going 9-2 on the road while allowing just 2.63 goals per game.

As a result, I like Philly pulling off the road upset in Game 1, especially considering Pittsburgh closed out with a middling 10-8-3 record.

Flyers vs Penguins best bet: Under 6.5 (-130)

The Philadelphia Flyers were dominant defensively at five-on-five down the stretch with the fewest goals against and second-fewest expected goals against per 60 minutes during their NHL-best 15-5-1 run after the March 6 trade deadline. 

Excellent defense will be critical against the Pittsburgh Penguins because the Pens paced the league in goals per 60 minutes and team shooting percentage at 5-on-5 during the same result.

I’m anticipating the solid Philly defense to help kick-start statistical correction to the shooting efficiency from Pittsburgh and pave the way to this total going Under the number in Game 1.

Flyers vs Penguins Game 1 same-game parlay

The Flyers received a huge boost with Porter Martone joining the team down the stretch, and he’s collected 10 points – four goals — across his first nine NHL games, including hitting the scoresheet in each of the past six.

Martone projects to jump the boards with veterans Christian Dvorak and Travis Konecny, and the trio has posted a 57.1% shot share at five-on-five. So, with Konecny dropping to a 1.5 shots total, this is the perfect spot to target him after recording just seven shots across his final six games of the regular season.

Konecny frequently trades at a 2.5 shots total, and he recorded two or more shots in 51 of 77 regular-season games.

Flyers vs Penguins SGP

  • Flyers moneyline
  • Porter Martone Over 0.5 points
  • Travis Konecny Over 1.5 shots

Flyers vs Penguins Game 1 goal scorer pick

Travis Konecny (+270)

Flyers winger Travis Konecny only scored twice across his final 13 games of the regular season despite recording 3.67 individual expected goals and 14 high-danger scoring chances while averaging 18:20 of ice time and jumping the boards with the No. 1 power-play unit.

Konecny's 7.4 shooting percentage during the skid was also way below his 17.7% mark through the first 64 games of the season.

Flyers vs Penguins odds for Game 1

  • Moneyline: Philadelphia +125 | Pittsburgh -150
  • Puck Line: Philadelphia +1.5 (-183) | Pittsburgh -1.5 (+183)
  • Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+105) | Under 6.5 (-130)

Flyers vs Penguins trend

Philadelphia has won 18 of its last 25 games (+15.20 Units / 56% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Flyers vs. Penguins.

How to watch Flyers vs Penguins Game 1

LocationPPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
DateSaturday, April 18, 2026
Puck drop8:00 p.m. ET
TVESPN, Sportsnet

Flyers vs Penguins latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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On The Horizon: Cubs vs. Mets series preview

This Cubs homestand is an old NL East flashback — Mets and Phillies! Just like it was the 1970s or 1980s again.

Obviously, that’s just a bit of nostalgia. In the meantime, this seven-game homestand seems important for the Cubs to begin to set a tone at Wrigley Field, where they are just 4-5 so far this year.

Here’s more on the Mets from Chris McShane, manager of our SB Nation Mets site Amazin’ Avenue.

If you wanted to draw up a nightmare season for David Stearns, it would pretty much look exactly like this. We keep reminding ourselves that it’s still incredibly early, but you can’t help but worry that this will be a lost season when your team loses eight games in a row by the middle of April. And even with the lineup being the team’s biggest problem right now, it felt all too fitting that Devin Williams had his first terrible outing as a Met in the team’s series finale in Los Angeles, turning a game that would’ve involved Edwin Díaz coming in for a save opportunity against the Mets into a blowout that no longer required his services.

Not every player who Stearns jettisoned is off to a hot start, but of the five new faces that were in the Mets’ lineup on Opening Day, only Luis Robert Jr. is hitting above league average so far this season. The rotation has major question marks after David Peterson’s recent run of bad starts and Kodai Senga’s particularly awful start his last time out. And after emphasizing run prevention early in the offseason as the team said goodbye to Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, and Jeff McNeil, the Mets’ defense looks anything but sharp as there are several players learning new positions on the job.

Things can’t get much worse than they are right now, but there’s no optimism about this team at the moment.

Fun facts

The Cubs’ next win against the Mets will be their 400th in the rivalry, which began in 1962. They have lost 379 and tied two, for a winning percentage of .513. While the Cubs have earned 20 more wins, in all 780 games they have been outscored, by seven runs, 3,372 to 3,365.

They are 213-181-1, .541, vs. the Mets at home, but lost two of three each of the last two seasons and are 5-8 since 2022.

(Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)

Probable pitching matchups

Friday: Edward Cabrera, RHP (1-0, 1.62 ERA, 1.140 WHIP, 3.22 FIP) vs. Kodai Senga, RHP (0-2, 7.07 ERA, 1.714 WHIP, 3.80 FIP)

Saturday: Jameson Taillon, RHP (0-1, 4.86 ERA, 1.260 WHIP, 6.28 FIP) vs. Freddy Peralta, RHP (1-1, 3.86 ERA, 1.143 WHIP, 3.92 FIP)

Sunday: Javier Assad, RHP (1-1, 8.10 ERA, 1.600 WHIP, 5.76 FIP) vs. David Peterson, LHP (0-3, 6.41 ERA, 1.831 WHIP, 3.36 FIP)

Times & TV channels

Friday: 1:20 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network, MLB Network (outside the Cubs and Mets market territories)

Saturday: 1:20 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network, MLB Network (outside the Cubs and Mets market territories)

Sunday: 1:20 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network

Prediction

As Chris McShane noted above, the Mets are an absolute mess right now, having lost eight in a row. They’ve been outscored 44-12 in those eight games.

I’d like to see the Cubs keep that streak going. Let’s just say two of three here.

Up next

The Cubs meet the Phillies again, this time at Wrigley Field. It’s a four-game series beginning Monday evening.

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Senators vs Hurricanes Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's NHL Playoffs Game 1

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The Ottawa Senators' torrid pace post-Olympics has set them up for a first-round clash with the Carolina Hurricanes, with Game 1 taking place on Saturday, April 18 at Lenovo Center.

My Senators vs. Hurricanes predictions and NHL picks suggest that, despite the Hurricanes advancing past the first round in five consecutive seasons, fans may be in for a closer series than many anticipate thanks to the exploits of Ottawa players like Dylan Cozens.

Senators vs Hurricanes Game 1 prediction

Senators vs Hurricanes best bet: Dylan Cozens Over 0.5 points (+115)

Dylan Cozens finished the regular season third in scoring for the Ottawa Senators, registering a point in five of his last six games.

He notched a multi-point performance in a 6-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on April 5, and had four points in two games against them this season.

Perhaps more importantly, the Yukon native strung together a four-game point streak to help secure a second consecutive postseason berth for the Sens.

Furthermore, his 28 shots in the month of April are nine more than his closest teammates, a testament to his level of confidence right now.

Senators vs Hurricanes Game 1 same-game parlay

Taylor Hall has been one of Carolina's most productive forwards post-Olympics. The 2010 first-overall pick ranks fourth on the team with 21 points in 23 games since the break, ending the regular season notching eight points across the final six games.

Both him and Cozens are generously priced at +115 to hit the scoresheet in Raleigh on Saturday.

The Senators, similarly red-hot since Milan, have failed to cover the spread against the Hurricanes just once in their last five meetings. Heading into Game 1, they've covered the spread in six straight and in seven of eight games in April.

Senators vs Hurricanes SGP

  • Dylan Cozens Over 0.5 points
  • Taylor Hall Over 0.5 points
  • Senators +1.5

Senators vs Hurricanes Game 1 goal scorer pick

Andrei Svechnikov (+195)

Andrei Svechnikov has scored in six of his last seven games, hitting his stride at the perfect time.

The 2018 second-overall pick led the 'Canes with eight playoff goals last season, and has scored in three straight games against Atlantic Division opponents. He scored against the Senators on April 5.

Four of his last six goals have come via the power play, which matches up well against the Sens' abysmal 29th-ranked penalty kill.

Senators vs Hurricanes odds for Game 1

  • Moneyline: Senators +125 | Hurricanes -145
  • Puck Line: Senators +1.5 (-200) | Hurricanes -1.5 (+165)
  • Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-140) | Under 5.5 (+120)

Senators vs Hurricanes trend

This matchup has hit the Over in three of the last four games, with the winner scoring at least four goals in eight of the last nine. Find more NHL betting trends for Senators vs. Hurricanes.

How to watch Senators vs Hurricanes Game 1

LocationLenovo Center, Raleigh, NC
DateSaturday, April 18, 2026
Puck drop3:00 p.m. ET
TVESPN, SN

Senators vs Hurricanes latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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Catholic schools Notre Dame, Villanova to open hoops season in Rome with men's-women's doubleheader

Notre Dame and Villanova will play a men's and women's basketball doubleheader to open the season in Rome, Italy, a matchup the Catholic schools are promoting as a chance to celebrate their shared mission and heritage.

The jointly hosted event scheduled for Nov. 1 will include “special programming that brings together academics, athletics and spirituality,” Villanova said in its announcement.

“From academic engagement and cultural immersion to shared worship and athletics, this journey offers a profound opportunity to grow in mind, body and spirit," said the Rev. Peter Donohue, Villanova's school president.

The schools said Pope Leo XIV, an Augustinian friar and Villanova alumnus, was the inspiration for scheduling the game.

Those attending the Italian excursion will have the opportunity for a shared Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, a planned papal audience with Pope Leo XIV before the games and private tours of the Vatican Museums.

The men’s game will air nationally on Fox at 9:30 a.m. Eastern, with the women's game broadcast on FS1 at noon.

College teams playing overseas is expected to become more common amid a growing influx of international talent. Twenty-three of the 62 players on Final Four rosters listed a foreign country as their hometown, and NCAA data shows the number of international players on D-I rosters (888) has more than doubled since 2010.

Games in Croatia and Serbia are in the works and planned for November as part of a new College Basketball International Series launched by Intersport and Rochelle Management Group.

___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

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Dodgers vs Rockies Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight's MLB Game

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The Los Angeles Dodgers head to Coors Field for a four-game series with the Colorado Rockies beginning Friday night.

Tyler Glasnow gets the nod for the visitors in the series opener, while Tomoyuki Sugano toes the rubber for the home team.

My Dodgers vs. Rockies predictions and MLB picks for Friday, April 17 see a low-scoring game unfolding in frigid conditions.

Who will win Dodgers vs Rockies tonight: Dodgers (-291)

The Los Angeles Dodgers are a warranted heavy favorite given their advantages over the Colorado Rockies in starting pitching, relief pitching, and hitting. 

Tyler Glasnow has strong underlying metrics (2.60 xERA, 2.83 FIP) and a 107 Stuff+, whereas Tomoyuki Sugano has a worrisome 4.98 xERA and 5.39 FIP. Sugano’s 82 Stuff+ ranks 178th out of 184 pitchers who have started a game. 

L.A. has the more effective and better-rested bullpen after Thursday’s off day. Its lineup is tops in the league against right-handed pitching (135 wRC+), whereas Colorado lags well behind (80 wRC+). 

Covers COVERS INTEL: Glasnow has dominated the Rockies, holding their projected lineup to just three hits in 29 at-bats (.103) with 15 strikeouts.

Dodgers vs Rockies Over/Under pick: Under 9.5 (-107)

The Rockies have cashed the Under in 12 of their 19 games this season. With temperatures between 35 and 40 degrees at Coors Field, Friday could be another low-scoring contest. 

Glasnow, combined with a well-rested bullpen, should limit a punchless Rockies lineup.

Sugano managed to outperform his underlying metrics a year ago (4.64 ERA, 5.79 xERA), and that’s been the case again through three starts (2.16 ERA, 4.98 xERA). 

He’ll certainly experience regression given his .136 BABIP and 100% left-on-base rate, but his surface-level statistics (four earned runs in 16 2/3 innings) indicate that he’s at least in good form.

JD Yonke's 2026 Transparency Record
  • ML/RL bets: 4-5, -0.62 units
  • Over/Under bets: 5-5, -0.26 units

Dodgers vs Rockies odds

  • Moneyline: Dodgers -291 | Rockies +240
  • Run line: Dodgers -1.5 | Rockies +1.5
  • Over/Under: Over 9.5 | Under 9.5

Dodgers vs Rockies trend

The Rockies have cashed the Under in four of their last five home games. Find more MLB betting trends for Dodgers vs. Rockies.

How to watch Dodgers vs Rockies and game info

LocationCoors Field, Denver, CO
DateFriday, April 17, 2026
First pitch8:40 p.m. ET
TVSportsNet LA, Rockies.TV
Dodgers starting pitcherTyler Glasnow
(1-0, 4.00 ERA)
Rockies starting pitcherTomoyuki Sugano
(1-0, 2.16 ERA)

Dodgers vs Rockies latest injuries

Dodgers vs Rockies weather

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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Is Steph Curry playing today vs. Suns? Latest update on Warriors' star

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry put on an all-time performance Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers, and proved anyone and everyone who ever doubted him, or the Warriors, wrong again.

Curry scored 35 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with under a minute left in the game, to lead Golden State to a 126-121 victory to eliminate the Clippers and set up a game against the Phoenix Suns for the No. 8 seed in the West.

He left it all on the floor, putting in 36 minutes of work. The Warriors and their fans are leaning on Curry to repeat that performance against Phoenix on Friday, April 17. It's not a matter of will he do it, but whether his body will allow him.

Will the Warriors have their best player available in the NBA Play-In game against the Suns? Here's what to know:

Will Steph Curry be available vs. Suns in NBA Play-In game?

Curry has battled a nagging knee injury throughout the season, but it seems that he's not feeling any pain, or significant enough pain to keep him from competing for a chance at the 2026 NBA Playoffs.

Curry was not on the injury list and appears to be healthy and available to play against the Suns on April 17, according to the NBA injury report, as of 8:30 p.m. ET on April 16.

Steph Curry injury history

Curry missed 27 regular-season games from Feb. 3 to April 2 with patella-femoral pain syndrome, a bone bruising in his right knee. The persistent pain sidelined Curry until late in the season as he geared up for a postseason run.

Curry returned on April 5 against the Houston Rockets, appearing in three of the Warriors' final five regular-season games. The rest prepared him for a battle with the Clippers in a do-or-die situation.

There was an early scare in the game after Curry went to the locker room in the first quarter. It was unclear as to what happened, but concern crept in as Curry missed time with Golden State during the regular season due to what the team previously told USA TODAY Sports was runners' knee.

Curry returned to the game at the 7:59 mark of the second quarter. It was like nothing happened. He showed up when his team needed him most, connecting on a 3-point shot with 50 seconds left to lead the way to victory.

Curry celebrated by passionately screaming and stomping his feet so hard, it appeared he nearly rolled his ankle, but the grip from his retro Nikes, a pair of Kobe IV Protros, held.

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3-2-1 Pop Quiz: Giannis Antetokounmpo

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 05: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Fiserv Forum on April 05, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The season might be over (at last), but that doesn’t mean your interest wanes—or the coverage stops. With this in mind, we present to you our end-of-season player pop quizzes. Each quiz focuses on a single Buck, posing three “totals” based questions, two “advanced stats” based questions, and one “obscure” question about their 2025-26 campaign. Six questions, total. For the culture. So, are you truly the Bucks sicko you think you are? Dip your feet in the water with Milwaukee’s all-time best player, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and find out.

Season in a snippet

Giannis made noise this year, mostly for all the wrong reasons. On the court, he was his typical dominant self. But, for the first time in his career, he was off the court more often than he was on it thanks to a litany of lower limb injuries—groin strains, calf strains turning to soleus strains, ankle injuries, and hyperextensions. The result: a career-low 36 games after playing at least 61 games in each of his previous 12 seasons—and investigations into the Bucks’ decision to “tell [him] to not play.” Unlucky number 13, huh?

Of course, other noise started prior to the season—leading us to reflect on his Bucks legacy—and discussion about his future popped up like weeds throughout the season. Despite Giannis confirming his commitment to Milwaukee in January and again in August, the rumours persisted, leading to Bucks’ owners publicly declaring he will be extended or he’ll be traded this offseason. And now, here we are, with all of this taking its toll and a majority of Bucks fans ready to trade Giannis regardless of what he wants.

Tantalising totals

(1) “Point-Giannis” garnered much attention prior to the season. How many times did he have double-digit assists?

Click to reveal answer Twice, vs. Charlotte (18) and Denver (11).

(2) Giannis had 40+ points just twice this season, both in the first nine games. Which teams were these against?

Click to reveal answer Cleveland (40) and Chicago (41).

(3) True or false: Giannis had more games with zero blocks than he did games with one or more blocks?

Click to reveal answer True, 19 games of zero vs. 17 games with one or more.

Atypically advanced

(1) True or false: Giannis’ PER this year was a career high?

Click to reveal answer True, 32.6 this year vs. 32.1 in 2021–22.

(2) True or false: Giannis had a career-high usage percentage this year?

Click to reveal answer False, 37.0% this season vs 38.8% in 2022–23.

Obscure optics   

(1) Which other Buck did Giannis pair up with to form his best two-man lineup (with a +8.5 net rating)?

Click to reveal answer Cole Anthony.

How did you fare? Share your score in the comments and don’t forget to drop your thoughts along with it—which stat stands out?

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Yankees Rivalry Roundup: Jays lose again, tough day in the West

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 16: Joey Ortiz #3 of the Milwaukee Brewers hits a RBI sacrifice bunt against the Toronto Blue Jays during the seventh inning at American Family Field on April 16, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Yankees were Mike Trout-ed once again on Thursday. The future Hall-of-Famer walked twice and homered for the fifth (!!) time of the series. Against a not-great Angels team, the Bombers could only manage a split in the four-game series at home. But, life goes on, as does other action around the American League. Let’s take a look at what happened on Thursday.

Toronto Blue Jays (7-11) 1, Milwaukee Brewers (10-8) 2

For a second consecutive game, the Blue Jays lost to the Brewers by a score of 2-1. Toronto actually put a tally in the run column first in this one, when Taylor Heineman laid down a perfect safety squeeze to kick off scoring in the third inning. The Brewers manufactured a run of their own an inning later, thanks to a Luis Rengifo sacrifice fly, but outside of that, the bats were quiet on both sides.

That was thanks, in large part, to excellent starting efforts on the mound. Patrick Corbin tossed 5.2 innings of one-run ball, striking out six for the Blue Jays. Out of the other dugout, Milwaukee’s Darren Sproat produced a remarkably similar line over 6.2 frames. Both starters allowed one run on four hits while striking out six.

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In the spirit of how this game shaped up, the decisive run came via some small ball once again. This time, a retaliatory squeeze bunt from Joey Ortiz scored the go-ahead run for the Brew Crew in the seventh inning. As things would have it, that would be the play that decided the game, as the Jays dropped another one, 2-1.

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Houston Astros (8-12) 2, Colorado Rockies (6-12) 3

With the loss Thursday, the Astros officially lost the season series with the Rockies, a deal every other team in the Junior Circuit would happily sign up for. Houston jumped out to an early lead thanks to RBI hits from Yordan Alvarez and Joey Loperfido, but that would be all the noise the Houston bats would be able to make.

Following that, Colorado’s bulk guy Chase Dollander was terrific, allowing just one hit and striking out nine across 5.1 scoreless innings out of the ‘pen.

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The Rockies made their charge in the middle innings, with runs in each of the third through fifth innings. An RBI knock and a run-scoring double play sandwiched Hunter Goodman’s fifth homer of the season, a solo shot in the fourth inning off of Houston’s Ryan Weiss.

By dropping another game, to the lowly Rockies no less, the Astros find themselves knotted up in last place in the AL West.

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Seattle Mariners (8-12) 2, San Diego Padres (13-6) 5

Right down there with the Astros in the West basement is the Mariners, who took a lost to an NL West opponent on Thursday as well.

Luis Castillo struggled in his fourth outing on the season, as the Padres plated four runs in the first inning, and the right-hander eventually exited in the sixth inning having walked three and allowed seven hits. The damage San Diego did early came thanks to a couple of timely hits, punctuated by Fernando Tatis Jr.’s two-run single to make it 4-0.

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On the mound for the Dads, Walker Buehler did a nice job across five innings of work, allowing just a pair of runs and striking out seven. The Mariner’s lone action on offense came in the sixth, when Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez each managed RBI singles, but it wasn’t enough to match the early output of the Padres.

Like the Astros, the M’s drop to 8-12, and find themselves in a bit of a hole to kick off the 2026 season.

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Other Games

Detroit Tigers (10-9) 10, Kansas City Royals (7-12) 9: The Tigers took home a slugfest to crawl above .500 on Thursday. Five different Detroit batters recorded multiple hits in this one, which included three from Riley Greene and a two-run blast from Dillon Dingler. The Royals staged a comeback in the seventh, scoring six runs led by a three-run dinger from Salvador Perez. Suddenly trailing 9-7 in the last of the ninth, a clutch double from Greene tied the game up, and he was later scored thanks to Colt Keith’s walk-off knock.

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Cleveland Guardians (11-9) 4, St. Louis Cardinals (10-9) 2: Contrary to the other AL Central winner on Thursday, the Guardians took one home thanks largely to some terrific pitching. José Ramírez led the scoring charge with a two-run blast in the first, but the story of the night was Parker Messick. In his 11th career start, the lefty delivered his finest work, ultimately taking a no-hitter into the ninth inning against the Cardinals. He finished on the hook for two runs in the ninth, but he pitched a near-perfect eight innings, allowing just two hits and striking out nine in the win.

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Mariners News: Colt Emerson, Ichiro, and Justin Turner

Aug 6, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs first base Justin Turner (3) is safe at home plate as Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) makes a late tag during the seventh inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images

Good morning everyone and happy Friday!

The Mariners dropped the series finale to the Padres last night, completing San Diego’s sweep in the first leg of the 2026 Vedder Cup. The team heads back home to open a new series tonight against the first-place Texas Rangers.

As we’re now 20 games into the season, which AL West team are you the most afraid of moving forward? The Rangers are in first place, though the Angels are seeing a rejuvenated Mike Trout, the A’s are an up-and-coming team that might be more competitive than expected, and the Astros are…also there.

In Mariners news…

Around the league…

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Elephant Rumblings: White Sox Coming To Sacramento

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 16: Nick Kurtz #16 of the Athletics hits a double that scored three runs in the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 16, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Morning everyone and welcome to another Friday!

Yesterday the A’s wrapped up their four-game series with the Texas Rangers, splitting the series and remaining in a tie atop the AL West. Not the best outcome but certainly not the worst. Now these two teams will split up and face a couple other teams before seeing each other again next weekend in Texas. Who will be in first place at that point?

Looking ahead to the next series, we welcome the Chicago White Sox to town for a weekend three-game set. Chicago has been one of the worst teams in baseball history over the past two seasons, and while they are back at the bottom of the AL Central with a 6-13 record they seem to have a bit more fight in them than the past couple of years. Can’t ever take a game for granted but the A’s should have the goal of taking at least two of three against the South Siders, with a sweep being the ultimate goal.

Tonight’s game will feature right-hander Aaron Civale on the bump for what will be his fourth start in an Athletics uniform. He’s gotten off to a terrific start with his new team as he’s gone at least five innings in each of his starts, which is exactly what the team was hoping for. They’re probably surprised at Civale’s ability so far this season to avoid giving up runs: he’s allowed just three baserunners to cross home plate in 15 2/3 innings of work. The team will be hoping he can keep that up against Chicago, who will be sending fellow righty Davis Martin to the mound to kick off the series for them. Martin has been arguably their best starter in the early going as he’ll bring a 2.50 ERA in three starts so far this year.

After that Friday night matchup it’ll be Luis Severino versus Erick Fedde on Saturday afternoon followed by a matchup between Jeffrey Springs against Noah Shultz on Sunday. That’ll be Schultz’s second career major league game so an excellent chance to jump on a fresh-faced rookie. The pitching matchups favor the Athletics all series but you still gotta go out there and play the games. Severino has had major home struggles so perhaps Saturday is the day he can begin turning that around.

On another note, two of the organization’s top pitching prospects got starts yesterday and did not disappoint. Left-handers Jamie Arnold and Gage Jump both had Thursday assignments and both posted quality outings. Jump, pitching at Triple-A Las Vegas and making his third start, collected eight strikeouts against just one walk in 4 1/3 innings of work. He allowed a pair of runs on four hits but he’s still sporting a pristine 2.61 ERA through three (short) starts. The team is clearly being cautious as they ramp up the young lefty but this was his longest outing of the year as he got up to 80 pitches. The current major league rotation is full and no one other than Severino is truly struggling so there’s no obvious opening but the team must be happy with how Jump is handling his first taste of Triple-A. Maybe if Jacob Lopez’s struggles get worse the team may elect to press fast forward towards the future a little earlier than expected.

As for Arnold, the 22-year-old southpaw had an even better performance a level lower in Double-A. In 3 1/3 innings of work (remember, slow ramp up for these two) Arnold punched out 7 of the 10 outs he collected, not allowing a run compared to just one walk. Many expected Arnold to be a fast riser through the system and so far in his first three starts as a professional, he hasn’t done anything to dispel that belief. It’s starting to feel like a foregone conclusion that we will see not only Jump at some point this season but Arnold as well. We’ll see if the A’s get aggressive with these two if they’re still in a playoff race but the smart money would be on seeing these guys in the Green & Gold sooner than later.

That’s all we have today everyone. Game tonight at 6:40. Until then, have a great day everyone!

A’s Coverage:

MLB News and Interest:

Best of X:

Lopez’s leash getting shorter?

Disappointing considering he needs every hit he can possibly get. He had time for jokes earlier this week about his lack of hitting skills, but this wasn’t funny to watch:

ICYMI:

Tough way to see your no-no end, even if you’re just a rookie:

Who else misses Stephen Vogt?

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Mats Sundin Linked To Possible Maple Leafs Return As Report Reveals Management Talks in Toronto

The search for a new head of hockey operations for the Toronto Maple Leafs continues, and word has surfaced that a franchise legend might be in the mix. TSN’s Chris Johnston reports that Mats Sundin is currently in Toronto to meet with the club regarding a potential role within the team’s new management structure.

This is not the first time Sundin has been linked to a possible increased role with the organization. The Hockey Hall of Famer attended the Leafs’ training camp in 2024, where he spent nearly a week engaging in activities that went far beyond typical alumni appearances. During that time, he traveled with the roster to an exhibition game against the Montreal Canadiens.

Following Brendan Shanahan’s departure in 2025, many believed his position might be replaced by a role that is not as involved in day-to-day roster decisions as a general manager would be. This shift comes after MLSE CEO Keith Pelley parted ways with GM Brad Treliving on March 30, 2025, following a disappointing season where the Leafs went 32-36-14 and missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade.

While Sundin typically prefers a quiet life in Sweden, he was asked about a potential return to the game when the club visited Stockholm for the 2023 Global Series. At that time, he notably did not dismiss the idea as he had in the past. Sundin’s return would bring significant goodwill to a franchise currently struggling to find its identity. Over his 18-season NHL career with the Leafs, Quebec Nordiques, and Vancouver Canucks, he amassed 564 goals and 785 assists across 1,346 games.

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Knicks vs. Hawks: 3 keys for New York in Game 1 of first-round playoff series

The Knicks' playoff run begins on Saturday night when they open the first round against the hot Atlanta Hawks. 

Game 1 will be a feel-out process for both teams, but the Knicks will need to take care of the glass and defend the three-point line well to take early control of the series.

Here are three keys to the series opener...

Getting Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns going early

New York’s All-Star tandem of Brunson and Towns is a lethal one-two punch. Both are capable of carrying New York’s offense for long stretches on their own. But as we’ve learned, there is power in teamwork.

One of the largest criticisms at times is the lack of synergy they have in playing together. As this season wore on, we saw both players build chemistry and unite. Down the stretch of New York’s wins against the Hawks and the Boston Celtics last week, the Brunson and Towns two-man game hummed. 

Towns has a massive physical advantage in this series. The Hawks are guarding him with center Onyeka Okongwu and beyond the 6-10 starter, there’s not many other viable defenders for Atlanta to use. They could go to Jalen Johnson or one of their wings, but Towns and the Knicks should be able to handle any defensive strategy from the Hawks.

After establishing a pick-and-roll offense that works with Brunson and Towns, it would be less than ideal to go backwards now. New York should lean into their two stars more during this run.

Control the boards

The Knicks were seventh in offensive rebound rate this season. They owe that top-10 finish almost entirely to Mitchell Robinson.

In the seven-footer’s 1,175 minutes, the Knicks collected 39.5 percent of their misses, per NBA Stats, a figure that would lead the NBA. In 2,776 minutes with Robinson on the bench, that number dropped to 29.8 percent, a more pedestrian 17th in the league.

Against this smaller Hawks lineup, the Knicks should increase Robinson’s playing time after he averaged just 19.6 minutes in 60 games.

Dec 5, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) grabs a rebound in the first quarter against the Utah Jazz at Madison Square Garden.
Dec 5, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) grabs a rebound in the first quarter against the Utah Jazz at Madison Square Garden. / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Head coach Mike Brown might need Robinson to crack 25 minutes, a number he reached just seven times all season. That could mean more double big lineups with Robinson and Towns.

In New York’s win last week against Atlanta, the Hawks had 19 offensive caroms. So it’s not a guarantee that the Knicks will automatically outrebound the Hawks. Controlling the glass on both ends will be important to controlling the pace and slowing down Atlanta’s up-tempo offensive attack.

Contain Hawks' three-point shooters

The Knicks did not defend the three-pointer well this season, giving up the fifth-most three-point attempts to opponents per 100 possessions, and allowing teams to shoot 36.2 percent from three, 20th in the NBA.

The Hawks are dangerous on the perimeter, finishing fifth in three-point shooting percentage (37.1 percent) in the NBA this season. They have several players on the roster capable of going off.

Specifically, containing Nickeil Alexander-Walker should be a top priority for the Knicks. The Most Improved Player of the Year candidate erupted for 36 points in New York’s last game against Atlanta, knocking down seven trifectas.

Okongwu has evolved into a stretch-five. He made 37.6 percent of his threes this season. Veteran CJ McCollum is a career 37.5 percent shooter from deep, and Johnson shot a respectable 35.2 percent from behind the arc. 

Most of Atlanta’s core rotation can do damage from deep. And if they knock down shots from outside, they all are capable of putting the ball on the floor and driving to the rim. With the Hawks looking to run, they will be searching for transition three-point attempts.

New York’s wing trio of Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart will be relied upon to defend the perimeter better and get out to shooters to secure the win.

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Jaylen Brown and Jrue Holiday are teaming up one more time

Boston, MA - January 26: Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday and Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown greet each other before the game. The Boston Celtics played the Portland Trail Blazers at TD Garden on January 26, 2026. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images

BOSTON — Jrue Holiday’s two-year tenure in Boston technically ended in May. After he was traded from the Celtics to the Trail Blazers, Jrue and his wife, Lauren, packed up their family and moved to Portland, where the two-time NBA champion would join a younger, up-and-coming squad hoping to punch their first ticket to the playoffs since 2021 (spoiler alert: on Tuesday, they did just that).

But, though they physically left the city last summer, the Holidays’ off-court impact in Boston hasn’t waned. In fact, their philanthropic collaboration with Jaylen Brown — which started a year and a half ago — is only growing.

How Jrue Holiday impacted Boston in two years

Holiday only spent two years in Boston, but it’s hard to describe his stint as anything other than a massive success. After earning All-Defensive honors and shooting a career-high 42.9% from three in the Celtics’ title year, he served as a pivotal part of the dominant 2024 championship run, responsible for key steals and defensive stops.

But off the court, his impact in the city extended even deeper than his on-court play, though much of his philanthropic involvement flew under the radar. Just a few months after the successful title run, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, and Lauren Holiday together launched the Boston Creator Accelerator, an incubator aimed at supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs in the Greater Boston Area.

The Accelerator provided 10 creators with monetary grants totaling $1 million — as well as mentorship, resources, and direct access to Brown and the Holidays.

Year 1 of the partnership was an undeniable success. The Boston Creator Accelerator invested in ten startups, including the: Future Master Chess Academy, a chess academy for underserved communities that focuses on lifelong skills; Little Cocoa Bean Company, a cafe that creates culturally diverse and nutritious food for toddlers and kids; PYNRS, a streetwear-inspired performance running apparel company, and Everybody Gotta Eat, a food culture and catering company, among others.

Brown, who launched Boston XChange last season in hopes of supporting entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities, was thrilled to collaborate with the Holidays.

“Sometimes, you’re asking other guys, they’ve been advised not to be involved because of whatever reason, I don’t know,” Brown said last season. “But Jrue and Lauren Holiday are great people. They’ve been doing this everywhere they go.”

It’s true: The Jrue and Lauren Holiday Foundation has operated in five cities since its launch in 2020: Los Angeles (Jrue’s hometown), Indianapolis (Lauren’s hometown), New Orleans (where Jrue played for seven years), Milwaukee (where Jrue won his first NBA title), and, now, in Boston.

In its first four years, the fund awarded grants of $25,000 to $50,000 to more than 150 Black-owned businesses and charities, while providing mentorship and resources that oftentimes far exceeded the financial support. Since launching, the monetary investment and hands-on support have continued to grow.

Though Jrue Holiday now lives in Portland, he’s investing in yet another Boston Accelerator Fund co-hort

For Lawyer Times, a lifelong chess player and instructor who had doubled as a post office worker for more than 40 years, the financial investment allowed him to retire from his day job and go all-in on the Future Masters Chess Academy. Lawyer’s wife, Angela, credits Brown and the Holidays for their unwavering belief in the vision.

“The Holidays have such a giving spirit,” Angela Times said. “They just want to create community and bring people together.”

Since joining the Boston Creator Accelerator, the Academy’s annual revenue increased from $50,000 to $300,000, said Renee King, who helps lead the Jrue and Lauren Holiday Fund.

“They all attribute it to the training the village that was wrapped around them, with the resources from all of the partners,” King said.

The initial cohort’s success has compelled Brown and the Holidays to bring in an additional cohort for Year 2. With the playoffs around the corner, they’re together investing another $1 million into ten businesses, with applications closing on April 21st.

Urina Harrell, the CEO of Vox Pop Branding, has long worked on the marketing side of the JLH Fund.  

“This is a true partnership between the JLH Fund and the Boston XChange,” she said.

King said that Jrue and Lauren never considered ending their investment in the Boston community just because he was traded.

“Their ethos has always been any city that we are, that we’ve inducted into the JLH, we’re still locked into those cities, regardless of if they’re there to play,” King said. “They’re just used to the fact of like, this is what they were put here for, right? They come in, they touch lives, and then they go; they get pulled to another place, to do the same. We were still going to be locked in on Boston.”

Jrue Holiday and Jaylen Brown have influenced lawmakers on Capitol Hill

The Boston Creator Accelerator could have ramifications that extend far beyond the city; the start-up has also helped inform a new piece of legislation that is pending in Congress, the SPARK Act to Supercharge Minority Entrepreneurship Nationwide. The bill, introduced in February, is meant to spur entrepreneurship and increase access to capital and resources for underserved entrepreneurs nationwide.

“Yes, this is a great pilot. But, the work that’s being done here is being used to shape policy, and we know once we shape policy, then that’s the bigger ripple effect, right?” King said. “Like, we can help more people, because that’s the goal. The goal is to have more people coming together to help more businesses that are creating solutions that all of our entire world needs.”

For now, Boston will continue to benefit from the athletes’ private investment. And, King said it’s been a wonderful city to work in, in large part because of how collaborative the partners that Brown and the Holidays have brought in have been. That list includes

“You have so many folks who are just willing to work together, from government, private institutions, the athletes — it was a very good ethos,” King said. “It was a great place for this pilot to launch, to grow it, because you had so many things within that space that you could pull together. And the energy from everyone, the community around pulling it together was really great.”

Applications close on April 21st, and interested entrepreneurs can apply here.

“We’re looking forward to adding more people to the family,” King said.

The Trail Blazers’ playoff run begins on Sunday against the San Antonio Spurs. As the team’s fourth-leading scorer, Holiday will be a crucial part of the team’s upset chances. Across the country, the Celtics begin their playoff run the very same day.

But Jrue Holiday and the city of Boston will forever be linked — even if the Hall of Fame guard never again dons Celtics green.

“Once you’re in the family, you’re always in the family,” King said. “That’s literally the ethos.”





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Raptors vs Cavaliers Same-Game Parlay for Today's NBA Playoffs Game 1

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Opening round series can often be duds in the NBA Playoffs. This Round 1 pairing of the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers can be something better.

Game 1 of what should be a very tight series tips off in Cleveland on Saturday, and I’ve got a same-game parlay that draws options from interesting situations and circumstances for both teams.

Here are my best Raptors vs. Cavaliers predictions and NBA picks on April 18.

Our best Raptors vs Cavaliers SGP for Game 1

The Cleveland Cavaliers draw first blood at home against a Toronto Raptors team that has been cursed in the opening contest of the playoff series. The Raptors are 4-12 SU in Game 1 outings since 2014. Cleveland has the inside-out scoring and tightens the bolts on defense when it has to.
 
Not all fans may be familiar with the Cavaliers’ Dean Wade. However, the 6-foot-9 forward plays an important role in how Cleveland will defend Toronto. He’s expected to jump into the starting lineup and log more minutes than his standard 21 per game. 

When Wade gets 25+ minutes of floor time, his rebounding rate soars over five boards per game.

Scottie Barnes will draw plenty of touches for Toronto, especially if point guard Immanuel Quickley is limited (questionable). When he went down in March, Barnes became the Raptors’ primary ball handler, and his assist production spiked.

He’s dished out seven or more dimes in eight of his past dozen outings.

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MLB Player Props & Best Bets for Today, April 17

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It’s a jam-packed 15-game slate across the majors today, and I’ve dug deep to find the top MLB player props. I’ll include CJ Abrams, Andy Pages, and Yordan Alvarez. 

Read more in my MLB picks for Friday, April 17. 

Best MLB player props today

Player PickOdds
Nats CJ Abrams1+ RBI+185
Dodgers Andy Pages1+ runs-110
Astros Yordan Alvarez1+ runs-150

CJ Abrams 1+ RBI (+185)

CJ Abrams is off to a red-hot start this season. He’s hitting .371 in 18 games with six home runs and 19 RBI, which ranks second in the big leagues.

The youngster has collected an RBI in three of his last five contests, and the Washington Nationals will face San Francisco Giants righty Logan Webb tonight. 

Webb has struggled out of the gates, posting a 5.25 ERA so far. While Abrams is just 2-for-14 lifetime against Webb, he’s driven in two runs.

Webb gave up four earned runs last time out, and Abrams is the engine of this Nats offense. Eight of his RBI have come at home as well. 

  • Time: 6:45 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: NBCSBA, Nationals.TV

Andy Pages 1+ runs (-110)

Andy Pages has been one of the biggest surprises of this young season so far. He leads the MLB in batting average, hits, and RBI.

The Cuban-born outfielder has been coming across the plate himself a lot more lately, however, recording a run in two of his last three games. Pages has five hits across his last five appearances as well.

He’s putting himself in a great position to let his teammates do their thing and drive him in. Pages and the Los Angeles Dodgers are at Coors Field tonight taking on the Colorado Rockies. L.A. is hitting .283 with RISP. 

  • Time: 8:40 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: SNLA, Rockies.TV

Yordan Alvarez 1+ runs (-150)

A healthy Yordan Alvarez is simply good for the game. The slugger is a force to be reckoned with offensively, and he’s doing it all right now. He’s hitting .328 with seven homers, 18 RBI, and 16 runs.

Alvarez has come across the plate four times over the last three games. The Cuban also has four hits during that span, and he’s up against Kyle Leahy of the St. Louis Cardinals tonight. Alvarez is 2-for-2 lifetime vs. Leahy with two hits.

The Astros are also batting .264 with RISP. 

  • Time: 8:10 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Cardinals.TV, SCHN

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.