The Minnesota Wild (2-2) welcomed back Mats Zuccarello and Yakov Trenin against the Dallas Stars (2-2) for Game 5 after their injuries.
Unfortunately for the Wild, one of their top defensemen blocked a shot in the second period and did not return.
Under two minutes into the second period, Jonas Brodin took a shot from Mikko Rantanen off the skate and was laboring.
Brodin, 32, skated off and then went down the tunnel. He did not return for the rest of the second period and is not on the ice for the third period.
The Wild have Matt Kiersted, Daemon Hunt and Jeff Petry in the wings. If Brodin can’t go for Game 6, Hunt seems like the most plausible option.
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 10: Ethan Roberts #39 of the Chicago Cubs pitches in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on April 10, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cubs claimed left-handed reliever Doug Nikhazy off of waivers and assigned him to Triple-A Iowa. Infielder Ben Cowles was designated for assignment.
Left-hander Jackson Brockett was promoted from Low-A Myrtle Beach to High-A South Bend.
Shortstop Yahil Melendez was promoted to Myrtle Beach from Mesa.
Jordan Wicks made a rehab start today and he was greeted with a leadoff home run and things didn’t get much better from there. The first four batters reached and then after a ground out to first, Wicks gave up a three-run home run. Overall, he gave up five runs in the first inning and one more solo home run in the second.
The final line on Wicks was six runs on seven hits, including three home runs, over two innings. Wicks walked one and struck out no one. I suppose in his defense, the wind was howling out to dead center. In fact, Iowa allowed six home runs total and hit four themselves.
Ethan Roberts pitched the fifth inning on a rehab assignment and gave up a home run to the first batter of the inning. But then he settled down and struck out the next three batters to end his day.
Minnesota native center fielder Brett Bateman led off the top of the third inning in front of his family and connected for his first home run of the year. Bateman was 1 for 3 with a walk and a stolen base.
Third baseman BJ Murray singled after Bateman’s home run and then second baseman James Triantos clobbered a two-run home run. It was Triantos’ fourth on the year. Triantos went 1 for 3 with a walk and Murray was 1 for 4.
In the sixth inning, left fielder Kevin Alcántara crushed his ninth home run of the year with the bases empty. Alcántara was 1 for 4.
Finally, Hayden Cantrelle took over for Ben Cowles at shortstop when Cowles was designated for assignment mid-game. Cantrelle hit a solo home run in his only time at bat in the top of the ninth. It was Cantrelle’s second this season.
Iowa had five hits today. Four of them were home runs.
Bateman’s home run.
The hometown kid Brett Bateman gets his first Triple-A home run and gets the I-Cubs on the board! pic.twitter.com/xIfSgHE216
Kenton Egbert started and gave South Bend three scoreless innings, permitting three hits. Egbert struck out one and walked no one, so he kept the ball in play.
Brayden Spears took over for Egbert in the fourth inning and got the win. Spears allowed a solo home run to the second batter he faced, but that was the only hit and the only run he gave up over three innings. Spears walked one and struck out one.
Jackson Kirkpatrick had an ugly save in the ninth. First, he loaded the bases with no outs on two hit batsmen and a walk. After getting a strikeout, he walked another batter to force in a run. But with the tying run on second and just one out, Kirkpatrick got a second strikeout and a grounder to second base to end the game.
DH Cameron Sisneros hit his third home run of the year with the bases empty in the fifth inning. Sisneros went 1 for 2 with three walks and two runs scored. One of the three walks was intentional.
First baseman Cole Mathis was 2 for 4 with a double and a bases-loaded walk in the fourth inning for the Cubs first run. Mathis also scored once.
Shortstop Miguel Olivo was 3 for 4 with an RBI double.
Some great defense for Matt Halbach at third base. He was 1 for 5.
Starter Noah Edders went four innings and allowed just two runs, both unearned, on five hits. He struck out two and walked no one.
Daniel Avitia pitched the next three innings and allowed four runs in the seventh inning, coughing up the Birds 6-2 lead. Avitia’s final line was four runs, three earned, on three hits over three innings. Avitia struck out four, walked one and hit two batters.
Eli Jerzembeck was activated off the injured list, pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth inning and got the win. Jerzembeck allowed no hits, but he did walk three while striking out five.
Shortstop Ty Southisene broke up the 6-6 tie with an RBI double in the bottom of the eighth. Southisene went 1 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base.
First baseman Michael Carico hit a solo home run in the second inning. It was his third of the year. Carico finished the night 1 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored.
Next up, catcher Logan Poteet went back-to-back with Carico to make it 2-0. Poteet was 1 for 3 with two walks.
In the fifth inning, DH Eli Lovich connected with the bases empty for his second home run of the year. Lovich was 2 for 4 with two runs scored.
Apr 28, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder Javier Baez (28) goes down with an injury against the Atlanta Braves in the fifth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
After a pit-stop on the way down I-75 for three games and some questionable “chili,” the Tigers continued south to visit the red-hot Atlanta ball club for the opener of a three-game series on Tuesday night. The Tigers’ bats ran cold, two key players left the game with injuries, and they dropped the opener to the tune of a 5-2 tally.
Making his sixth start of the season for the Tigers was Casey Mize, and he’s looked good in his last couple of starts before tonight. Arguably, his April 17 outing in Boston was one of the best of his career: 6 2/3 shutout innings, three hits, one walk and seven strikeouts? By the stat of Game Score — a rough index to try and determine how good a start is — that was a 74, the highest of his career, one above a stellar start in 2021 against the Mariners. (There are some names in that box score, eh?)
Facing Mize and the Tigers was lefty Martín Pérez, making his fourth start (against two relief appearances) for Atlanta this year. He spent nine years in the Rangers’ rotation before bouncing around a little: some time with the Twins, another stint in Texas, and the south side of Chicago last year. He didn’t make Atlanta’s big-league roster out of Spring Training, but was quickly recalled from Triple-A and has had some nice appearances so far. He’ll give you some innings, won’t dominate you too often, generally limits home-run power and, while he used to be an extreme ground-ball pitcher early in his career, has become much less so recently.
On the first pitch of the bottom of the first, Ronald Acuña Jr. smacked a double to the wall, but Mize was able to get the next three batters and strand him at third. He then sawed-through the next three batters in the second, including featuring that right-on-right splitter that, earlier in his career, he’d use primarily against lefties alone.
Meanwhile, Pérez was pulling the string with his changeup more than a kid with a new Chatty Cathy doll: he struck out both Spencer Torkelson, Kevin McGonigle and Jahmai Jones (three hitters on heaters lately) with straight change-ups right down the middle. You know what I said about not dominating teams? Well, he had it tonight.
Atlanta got on the board first with a pair of doubles to start the bottom of the third inning, by Mike Yastrzemski and Acuña to put the home team up 1-0, and let the record show that I spelled Yastrzemski right without looking. The next batter, Drake Baldwin, hit a dribbler up the first-base line; Mize fielded the ball and tossed underhand to first for the out, and he came up limping, favouring his right leg, and that was it for Mize; it was later reported that he had some “right groin tightness.”
Brant Hurter, who’s been used as a multi-inning reliever, came on for Mize and gave up a sacrifice-fly liner to score Acuña for a 2-0 lead.
Dillon Dingler managed the first Tiger hit with one out in the fourth, despite getting three on base before that via the base-on-balls. Alas, Dingler was stranded there after Riley Greene flew out and Torkelson struck out.
Hao-Yu Lee started the fifth with a double, and Javier Báez hit a grounder to shortstop. The throw to first was high, and Báez figured he could get underneath a tag by sliding into first base — which is never a good idea, kids — and ended up twisting his right ankle. He had to be taken off the field on a cart, but if you can have a little hope here, he was seen wiggling and moving his ankle around while on the cart.
(I don’t want to have to point this out, but… that belt of Báez looks a little too Zubaz-ish for my liking. IYKYK.)
After Gleyber Torres walked, McGonigle hit a long fly ball to right, but it was caught halfway up the wall for the third out and the threat was extinguished.
Pérez, whose pitch count was pushed up by a few long at-bats, was out after five innings and Didier Fuentes, a young right-hander from Colombia, took over and he had his slider working overtime, scattering a Greene walk harmlessly amid three quick outs. The Tigers struck out less than the Braves in this one, and hit the ball pretty solidly for the most part, but they neglected to hit them where they ain’t.
Burch Smith took over for Hurter to start the sixth, facing the heart of the order. He got Matt Olson to strike out swinging, and after walking Ozzie Albies, he got Michael Harris II to ground into an inning-ending double play. Smith carried on into the seventh, and with two outs he gave up a double to Mauricio Dubón, who scored on a Yastrzemski single just over Torres’ glove to make it 3-0. But then Chris Fetter paid Smith a visit, whispered some sweet nothings into Smith’s ear, and he struck out Acuña on three pitches.
In the top of the eighth McGonigle singled and Dingler doubled, putting runners on second and third with two outs and bringing Greene to the plate as the tying run. Alas, Greene struck out looking on a pitch that barely nicked the corner of the strike zone, and the inning was over.
Tyler Holton relieved Smith in the bottom of the eighth, and the Georgians tacked-on a pair of runs but-quick: with one out Olson doubled and Albies smacked a fat changeup over the fence for a 5-0 lead.
Torkelson came up first in the ninth inning for one last chance to extend his home run-hitting streak, but he grounded out to third; fun while it lasted. After Colt Keith singled, Wenceel Pérez hit his second home run of the year to get the Tigers on the board, but that would be the final scoring action of the game.
How about that Spencer Torkelson fellow? Five straight games with a home run last week, and still didn’t win American League Player of the Week. That honour went to the A’s Carlos Cortes who went 13-for-24 with three dingers, which is fine, I guess. That Torkelson: he don’t get no respect, I’ll tell ya.
After Sunday’s game, the Tigers as a team had the third-highest OPS (and OPS+) in the American League. Detroit’s OPS was .750, with an OPS+ of 106; if you don’t like anything related to OPS, the Tigers were fourth in batting average (.253; league-average is .239, which still boggles my mind).
First Alex Cora in Boston, then Rob Thomson in Philadelphia: managers are getting fired left, right and centre! Who do you have next on your list?
On this day in 1900, Dutch astonomer Jan Oort was born. He’s probably most famous for lending his name to the Oort Cloud, the spherical repository of tiny, icy bodies past the Kuiper Belt that most likely is the source of comets. But an argument could be made that his calculations regarding the rotation of the Milky Way, and the conclusion that there must be a lot of unseen (i.e., “dark”) matter kicking around, was the most important in the broader science of cosmology.
You know it’s a big game when Kylie Jenner is back in her place next to boyfriend Timothée Chalamet on celebrity row at Madison Square Garden.
Jenner sat alongside her Knicks superfan beau between fellow actor Ben Stiller and his wife Christine Taylor. SNL alums Tina Fay and Tracey Morgan were on the other side for the Knicks 126-97 Game 5 win over the Hawks in the team’s first-round series.
It was Jenner’s first appearance this postseason, as she was not with the “Marty Supreme” star at MSG for Game 2.
Tracy Morgan, Tina Fey, Timothée Chalamet, and Kylie Jenner watching Game 5 between the Knicks and Hawks. Getty ImagesKylie Jenner is all smiles as she sits next to her boyfriend Timothee Chalamet on celebrity row during Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball game in the second quarter at Madison Square Garden JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
He wrote “Got it done” after the Knicks beat the Hawks in Game 4. It was misinterpreted as a reaction to the shooting that took place at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which ended around the same time.
The Post also spotted “Vampire Dairies” star Paul Wesley and fiancée Natalie Kuckenburg walking into The World’s Most Famous Arena for Game 5. Rangers legend Mark Messier and “The Sopranos” star Eddie Falco were also in the building to cheer on the Knicks.
Plenty of the usual Knicks alums were also in-house, including John Starks, Patrick Ewing, Stephon Marbury, Walt “Clyde” Frazier, Bernard King, Carmelo Anthony and Latrell Sprewell.
Cam Skattebo and his girlfriend Chloe Rodriguez sit on celebrity row during Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball game in the first quarter at Madison Square Garden JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POSTBen Stiller and Spike Lee celebrate during the game between the Knicks’ Game 5 game against the Hawks in the first round of the NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2026 at Madison Square Garden. NBAE via Getty ImagesRangers alumni Henrik Lundqvist and Mark Messier on celebrity row JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
Giants running back Cam Skattebo and girlfriend Chloe Rodriguez were also in the house, along with singer Rauw Alejandro.
Spike Lee, as usual, was in his customary seat in the first row.
The Knicks went on to win behind 39 points from Jalen Brunson to grab a 3-2 series lead and push Atlanta to the brink.
Apr 24, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Colorado Rockies left fielder Jordan Beck (27) celebrates with center fielder Brenton Doyle (9) and outfielder Troy Johnston (20) after defeating the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
With the first month of baseball in the books, there have been plenty of surprises across the league. From surprise contenders to fallen favorites and from managers on the hot seat to unexpected performers, the 2026 season has been full of surprises. While things are certain to shift as the long season drags on, here are some of the surprises as April draws to a close:
Up-and-Comers
As you’re well aware, it took your Colorado Rockies 68 games to get their 13th win in 2025. They’ve already hit that mark in April at 13-16.
The Athletics are setting out for a better 2026. Not expected to do much after a 76-86 season, they’re currently holding onto first in the AL West at 15-13.
The Cincinnati Reds are also exceeding expectations. Thought to finish near the bottom of the NL Central, they’re leading the way right now with an 18-10 record.
Underperformers
From an American League pennant to fourth in their division, the Toronto Blue Jays are struggling out of the gate, currently at 12-15.
The Boston Red Sox, a Wild Card team just last season, are among the worst in the league at 11-17 and just fired skipper Alex Cora and several other staff.
The NL East looked like it would yield a number of contenders. The Braves sit at 20-9, but every other team in the division has a losing record. Among the most disappointing are the Philadelphia Phillies (who were the 2-seed in the NL last postseason but are now a league-worst 9-19) and the New York Mets (projected to contend with a loaded roster but join the Phils at 9-19). This led to another firing today, with Philadelphia moving on from manager Rob Thompson.
The preseason PECOTA standings thought highly of the Kansas City Royals, projecting them to finish with 84 wins at first in the AL Central. So far, they’re in last at 11-17.
Big Time Players
The Chicago White Sox needed something positive, and they got it. In his first year in the MLB, Munetaka Murakami is showing off the power that made him a star in Japan. He leads the league in home runs with 12.
A pair of New York Yankees sluggers are also in the top five for home runs. Aaron Judge (11 HR) makes a familiar appearance on the list, but he’s joined by teammate Ben Rice (10 HR) who is having a breakout season after showing flashes last year.
Contributing to Cincinnati’s hot start mentioned above is a potential breakout star in first baseman Sal Stewart. He came into the year at 22nd on MLB’s Top 100 Prospects list and has started the season with a bang, leading the league in RBI and is slashing .291/.385/.602.
A lot will change in the remaining games on the path to 162, but what’s caught you by surprise the most in this young season? Whether it’s one of the rising or falling teams above, a player crushing it, or a superstar not living up to expectations, what’s happening that you didn’t expect to see? Let us know below!
BOSTON (AP) — Joel Embiid was even better in his second game back.
And that was good enough for the Philadelphia 76ers to avoid elimination in their first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics.
Less than three weeks after an emergency appendectomy knocked Embiid out for the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs, the Sixers center scored 33 points as Philadelphia beat Boston 113-97 in Game 5 on Tuesday night.
“He was dominant. Especially the second half, he was extremely dominant,” said Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey, who had 25 points and 10 rebounds. “He did a really good job of just inserting himself. I was proud of him tonight, man. That’s the dominance that you go into a playoff game with: He did that.”
Joel Embiid goes up for a shot during the 76ers’ Game 4 win over the Celtics on April 28, 2026 in Boston. NBAE via Getty Images
After scoring two points in the first quarter on 1-of-6 shooting, Embiid scored 13 in the second, 10 in the third and eight in the fourth, when the Sixers went on a 12-0 run to turn a three-point lead into a 15-point runaway.
“I feel like he had too many easy baskets,” said Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, who scored 22 points. “We’ve got to make him work. … Tonight he got a bunch of easy baskets, and I feel like that propelled him.”
Paul George had 16 points and nine rebounds for the seventh-seeded Sixers, who lost Games 3 and 4 at home to fall behind 3-1 in the series before returning to Boston to keep their season alive.
Jayson Tatum had 24 points and 16 rebounds and Neemias Queta had eight points and 14 boards for the Celtics, who will try again to eliminate the Sixers back in Philadelphia in Game 6 on Thursday night. Game 7, if necessary, would be back in Boston on Saturday.
Tyrese Maxey goes up for a layup during the 76ers’ Game 4 win over the Celtics on April 28, 2026 in Boston. NBAE via Getty Images
“No need to put any extra pressure on ourselves,” Brown said. “There’s enough of that as it is.”
Earlier Tuesday, Celtics president Brad Stevens was named NBA Executive of the Year for the second time in three seasons after disassembling the team that won it all two years ago and getting Boston back to the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Celtics did it despite missing Tatum for all but 16 regular-season games as he recovered from a torn Achilles tendon.
The Sixers missed the playoffs last year after seven straight postseason appearances, but earned the No. 7 seed this year with a victory over Orlando in a play-in game. After losing by 32 in Game 1, they coasted to a win at Boston in Game 2 but then lost both at home — with another 32-point blowout in Game 4 on Sunday, despite Embiid finishing with 26 points and 10 rebounds in his first game since April 6.
“Our fans deserve a win at home. We lost a tough one, then we got blown out of the water,” Maxey said. “After that performance that we put on last time in front of our fans, that was a disgrace and it was unacceptable.”
The Celtics led by 11 in the second quarter and held a 13-point edge early in the third. Both times Philadelphia rallied within a basket, using a 15-3 run to make it 66-65 Boston midway through the third.
It was still a one-point Celtics lead heading into the fourth, when George hit a 3-pointer to give Philly its first lead since the first quarter. After a pair of 3-pointers by Sam Hauser kept Boston close, Hauser fouled Quentin Grimes while he was shooting a 3; the three free throws started the Sixers on a game-ending 19-5 run.
Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe of the Philadelphia 76ers high five during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2026 NBAE via Getty Images
“We got a little rocky start there in the third,” Sixers coach Nick Nurse said. “But then we really, really got going. And then once we closed the gap, we we’re pretty solid.”
Boston scored just 10 points in the fourth quarter on 3-of-22 shooting after making almost half its shots in the first 36 minutes.
“When you have empty possession, empty possession, and you’re not getting stops, it’s frustrating,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 26: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers at bat during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium on April 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Sun/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Dodgers at the moment have their second three-game win streak of the season. They also have a five-game win streak (April 3-7) and a four-game win streak (April 13-17).
The designated hitter bats leadoff for Los Angeles, per usual.
BOSTON — Joel Embiid scored 33 points, Tyrese Maxey had 25 points and 10 rebounds, and the Philadelphia 76ers avoided elimination, beating the Boston Celtics 113-97 in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series on Tuesday night.
Paul George had 16 points and nine rebounds for the seventh-seeded Sixers, who lost Games 3 and 4 at home to fall behind 3-1 in the series before returning to Boston to keep their season alive.
Game 6 is back in Philadelphia on Thursday night, when the Sixers will try to force the series to a decisive seventh game in Boston on Saturday.
In his second game back from an emergency appendectomy,Embiid helped rally Philly from a 13-point, third-quarter deficit. After scoring 13 points in the second quarter, he added 10 in the third as the Sixers went on a 12-0 run to turn a three-point lead into a 15-point runaway.
Jayson Tatum had 24 points and 16 rebounds for Boston and Jaylen Brown scored 22.
That sentiment was echoed by head coach Dan Muse as well during training camp and throughout the regular season.
"He's gained some really good experiences in his career so far, and he's obviously still a relatively young guy," Muse said of Šilovs earlier this season. "I think those things, they seem to all kind of stack up. To have that [AHL Calder Cup run] that he had last year, and then to have the playoffs before, and then you also look at some of the different experiences that he's had in international play... you look at it and see he's not that old.
"He's got all these things already, and you own those now. You own those experiences, and you carry them with you."
And, through two playoff games in which the Penguins have faced elimination, he sure has carried that with him.
After making the post-season for the first time in four years, the Penguins went down 3-0 in their first-round series against the Philadelphia Flyers with Stuart Skinner between the pipes. Although Skinner - a veteran who has been to two Stanley Cup Finals with the Edmonton Oilers - hadn't really done anything to contribute to his team's deficit in the series, Muse made the bold decision to change goaltenders for Game 4 with Pittsburgh's season on the line.
Well, it worked. Šilovs entered Game 4 and stopped 28 of 30 Flyers' shots on goal, and he followed that up with an 18-for-20 performance in a 3-2 Game 5 win on Monday for the Penguins. Through two games, he has a .920 save percentage and, like Skinner in the first three games, has made several key saves on odd-man breaks and high-danger shots from Philadelphia.
This is in pretty stark contrast to the stretch run of the regular season, when Šilovs went 8-5-0 with a pedestrian .871 save percentage in his 13 appearances following the Olympic break. Many were questioning the decision to turn to Šilovs in Game 4 because of his struggles nearing the end of the regular season.
But, as he has always done, Šilovs has found a way to lock in and elevate when the stakes are the absolute highest - and that's something he revels in.
"Just the atmosphere to play," Šilovs said. "It's meaningful hockey. Everyone goes their hardest. You know you're playing for something, and you know there's an ultimate goal to do something, and it's fun to play, to be a part of it."
The sentiment from his coach regarding Šilovs's big-game prowess hasn't changed since his words earlier this season, either.
"Having those experiences, I think, definitely helps. Both of our guys have had a lot of big-game experience at different points and at different levels, so you have that," Muse said. "But, then, I also think with [Šilovs], it's just that he's a really competitive guy. I think he's somebody who just, naturally, he loves the big moments, he loves big games. So, I think that's just a little bit of who he is as a person."
Šilovs's teammates are pretty confident in their 25-year-old rookie netminder, too, who led the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks to a Calder Cup Championship last season with a .931 save percentage and performed well in the NHL playoffs for the Canucks two seasons ago.
"He's been making huge saves," veteran forward Bryan Rust said. "He's been calm back there making saves, the same thing he's been doing all year - coming to work every day, working hard, smile on his face."
The most impressive thing about Šilovs's first two games, too, is the situation he walked into. It's one thing to sub in due to injury, like he did against the Nashville Predators in the first round in 2024, closing out the series with a shutout and then giving Vancouver a chance through seven games against the high-octane offense of the Oilers in the second round.
But to come in when his team is down 3-0, quite literally in need of a win to survive? And not just a win, but four wins in a row? That kind of pressure can fold some goaltenders, especially ones as generally inexperienced as Silovs.
That's not happening here. His experience and performances in the NHL and AHL playoffs - as well as his international resume - show a proven track record of success in high-pressure environments, and he continues to make big saves when the Penguins are in dire need of them.
"Amazing," three-time Stanley Cup winner Kris Letang said. "Obviously, he comes up big. [Philadelphia] got really quality looks, and a couple breakaways in the last game, too, and he is pretty composed back there.
"It's tough to come in and face them for three games. You have to come in and do the job. I thought he played well."
Of course, there is still a lot of runway left in this series. The Penguins have made it 3-2, but that means they still need to survive two more elimination games in order to keep their Stanley Cup hopes alive and move on to face the Carolina Hurricanes in the next round.
They are taking it one day, one game at a time, and they see this situation as an opportunity. And having two goaltenders they are able to rely on if things start to get a bit dicey is something that no one takes for granted.
Apr 25, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Arturs Silovs (37) celebrates win with teammates against the Philadelphia Flyers in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
Captain Sidney Crosby thinks Šilovs has done an excellent job handling that responsibility.
"We have confidence in both guys. I mean, they've proven it throughout the season," Sidney Crosby said. "I think Arty's done a great job when they've applied pressure, and when we've made mistakes, he's been there to bail us out. That's gonna happen. You're not going to play a perfect game, and you're going to have to rely on your goalie to make those saves. You don't want to make him work too hard, and I think for the most part, we've done a pretty good job of that.
"We're always trying to make his job a little easier, and when we haven't, he's made some great saves and shown a lot of poise."
As for Šilovs? He's just enjoying the opportunity, taking it in stride, and using the emotions of playing in these must-win games as fuel to put his best game on the ice.
"It's an exciting opportunity," Šilovs said. "I think playing in the playoffs is the most fun you could ever have, and we've been waiting for a whole season to get to this point. So, just enjoying every minute of it."
The fourth inning concluded Tuesday with a standing ovation from much of the small crowd at Citi Field, perhaps wondering if what it just witnessed was real.
But this wasn’t a mirage. The Mets sent 10 batters to the plate in the inning and scored seven runs. Frustration turned to smiles. The Mets had it all together for a night.
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The big inning propelled the Mets to snap a three-game skid with an 8-0 victory over the Nationals before an announced crowd of 33,622 that was much smaller.
In getting swept in three games by the Rockies over the weekend, the Mets scored only four combined runs to continue their season-long offensive woes.
Clay Holmes concluded his dominant April by pitching six shutout innings in which he allowed three hits and one walk with six strikeouts. The right-hander’s ERA dipped to 1.75 before Tobias Myers and Craig Kimbrel finished it.
Now the Mets need momentum. They began this homestand with a series victory over the Twins, and anything less against the underwhelming Nationals will only increase the volume on calls for manager Carlos Mendoza’s firing.
New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto (22) two-run home run during the fourth inning when the New York Mets played the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at Citi Field in Queens, NY. Robert Sabo for NY PostNew York Mets shortstop Bo Bichette (19) hits a sac fly during the fourth inning when the New York Mets played the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at Citi Field in Queens, NY. Robert Sabo for NY Post
“It’s going to take that daily showing up and doing what we can to be a little bit better,” Holmes said. “I don’t think one day good or bad is really going to change much. I think it’s really having a long-term view if we really want to get where we want to go.”
The offensive fireworks included Juan Soto’s first homer since returning from the injured list last week. Soto’s two-run blast punctuated the Mets’ wild outburst in the fourth against Zack Littell.
Bo Bichette homered on the first pitch in the bottom of the first to get the runaway started. The blast was Bichette’s second this season.
“It sets the tone, first pitch of the game,” Mendoza said. “You want to get the guys going and the last thing you want — I am not going to say panic, but the fact we get the break, loosen it up, which is good to see.”
Jorbit Vivas’ error was the big play in the fourth that launched the Mets’ seven-run explosion. With the bases loaded, Vivas misplayed Marcus Semien’s grounder, allowing two runs to score. Carson Benge’s ensuing two-run single gave the Mets a 5-0 lead. Ronny Mauricio singled to continue the rally before Bichette hit a sacrifice fly. Soto cleared the fence in left-center for his second homer this season, a two-run blast that widened the gap to 8-0.
New York Mets pitcher Clay Holmes (35) throws in the fourth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Queens, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“I appreciate the effort that the guys put in,” Soto said. “After the Marcus ground ball everybody took great at-bats and getting base hits. Bo bringing the [run] with the sacrifice fly, it was really cool to see.”
MJ Melendez’s single started the big inning and walks to Mark Vientos and Brett Baty loaded the bases ahead of Vivas’ error.
“I think we all felt it there, like this is the break we have been looking for,” Mendoza said. “Not only that, just to be able to cash in, that is like the next step there … just putting guys on base, a couple of walks set up that situation. We were able to create traffic, which is something we weren’t able to do as of late.”
Soto also gave credit to Holmes following the right-hander’s impressive performance. Holmes has pitched at least five innings and allowed two runs or fewer in each of his six starts this season.
“He’s been doing it since last year,” Soto said. “No surprise what he’s been doing. He’s a grinder. He’s been putting in the work every day, so I am really happy to see that.”
Somerset Patriots shortstop George Lombard Jr. #3, scores during a game against the Reading Fightin' Phils.
ARLINGTON, Texas — George Lombard Jr. is suddenly on the doorstep of the big leagues.
The Yankees have promoted their top prospect to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, a source confirmed on Tuesday night, after he crushed the first month of the season at Double-A Somerset.
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Lombard, who turns 21 on June 2, was batting .312 with a .971 OPS in 20 games at Somerset after going through some growing pains in 108 games there last year.
The Yankees believe that the shortstop — who has also played some occasional third base — is already ready defensively for the big leagues, but they wanted to see his bat catch up to his glove.
Lombard has impressed in each of the last two springs, as a non-roster invite to big league camp, both with his talent and his character.
The son of a former big leaguer (and current Tigers bench coach), Lombard has often been lauded for his “off-the-charts” makeup and baseball IQ.
It may not be long before the organization’s first-round pick in 2023 makes it to The Bronx — the only question, now — he is just one level away from the major leagues, is how soon it happens.
Somerset Patriots shortstop George Lombard Jr. scores during a game against the Reading Fightin’ Phils. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Giancarlo Stanton was back in a familiar spot Tuesday, with familiar feelings about it.
The veteran DH officially landed on the 10-day injured list with a low-grade right calf strain, and while a Monday MRI exam revealed he was not dealing with something more severe, that did little to temper his frustration with going on the IL for an eighth straight season.
“At this point, there’s no real peace of mind if you’re going to be out,” Stanton said before Tuesday’s game at Globe Life Field. “It’s better [that] it won’t be a long time, but out again is not ideal.”
Stanton was not yet sure how long he might be out, indicating that he would have a better gauge of that during the upcoming homestand once he started to move around more.
“It’s good that it’s not high-grade, but at the same time, you got to make sure it doesn’t happen again and you don’t re-aggravate it,” Stanton said. “Just got to be smart with it.”
The 36-year-old is still able to hit, but has not tried running since sustaining the injury Friday. The first day he is eligible to come off the IL is May 5, though it remains to be seen whether he will be ready that soon.
“Hopefully it’s not something that’s long, but obviously [Stanton] has had some of these lower-body issues before,” manager Aaron Boone said. “We’re just going to listen to that and certainly not rush anything. Hopefully it’s on the shorter side of things.”
Angel Chivilli, who flew back to New York to undergo tests after being placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday, will not throw for at least three weeks because of a shoulder injury.
Boone did not have the exact diagnosis, but said the reliever “had some acute and chronic stuff going on in there,” which will keep him from being a bullpen option again at least until June.
José Caballero started the season a perfect 10-for-10 in stolen bases, but since is 1-for-4 over his past four games. He went 0-for-3 in Tuesday’s win and did not have a steal attempt.
“We certainly want to be smart all the time, but that doesn’t mean we’re not going to take some chances and take some risks sometimes,” Boone said. “I trust in his ability to execute out there and certainly don’t want him to shy away. We need him to play out there with that kind of confidence and swagger and have that continue to be part of his game — not to say we don’t want to be as smart as we can in certain spots.”
The Yankees called up utility player Max Schuemann on Tuesday as a roster replacement for Stanton.
Schuemann was likely just making a one-day cameo, since the Yankees will have to open a roster spot again Wednesday to make room for Elmer Rodríguez being called up to make his MLB debut.
Anthony Volpe played in another rehab game Tuesday with Double-A Somerset, and is scheduled to play another Wednesday before the Yankees decide his next steps.
The Tigers are holding their breath about Javier Báez.
Báez exited in the fifth inning of Detroit’s game in Atlanta after sliding awkwardly at first base, leaving the field on a cart.
The center fielder rolled over on a first-pitch changeup from Braves lefty Martin Perez, sending a ground ball to shortstop. Mauricio Dubon threw high to first, though, and to avoid a tag from first baseman Matt Olson, Báez attempted to slide feet-first into the bag but appeared to injure the lower part of his right leg after going past the base.
Javier Báez was carted off the field after an awkward slide into first base.
Báez was helped off the field by first base coach Anthony Sanders and assistant athletic trainer Kelly Rhoades, who got him into a cart.
Wenceel Pérez came into the game to replace Báez.
Báez finished the game 0-for-2 before leaving.
Detroit had not announced what Baez is dealing with, but did say starting pitcher Casey Mize exited the ballgame with right groin tightness after yielding two runs over just 2 1/3 innings.
Báez has played center, short and second base this year and is hitting .256 with a .670 OPS through 78 at-bats.
Javier Báez of the Detroit Tigers strikes out during the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on April 25, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Getty Images
Earlier this season, manager A.J. Hinch said Báez was looking more like his old self on the diamond after struggling through much of his six-year, $140 million contract he signed with Detroit before the 2022 season.
“I just think he’s like a kid again,” the skipper said. “He likes playing out there, but I don’t see an energy boost or a difference in him as much as I see a willing teammate go out and fill a void that was unfortunately open.”
Rockets star Kevin Durant won’t be available for Game 5 of the Lakers-Rockets first round playoff series on Wednesday.
Durant was ruled out due to a left ankle sprain, the same injury that sidelined him for Games 3 and 4.
Kevin Durant will miss Wednesday’s Game 5 of the Lakers-Rockets first round series in the NBA’s Western Conference playoffs. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
He suffered the injury during the Lakers’ Game 2 win on April 21 in Los Angeles.
Durant also missed Game 1 of the best-of-seven series because of a right knee contusion.
He made his return in Game 2, but the Lakers beat the Rockets, 101-94, with Durant suffering the ankle injury late in the game before missing both matchups in Houston.
Houston star Kevin Durant, who led the Rockets in scoring at 26 ppg this season, will miss Game 5 vs. the Lakers Wednesday night recovering from a left ankle injury. NBAE via Getty Images
Durant was the Rockets’ leading scorer for the 2025-26 season, averaging 26 points in 78 games.
“Talking to him about it is tough when you play the amount of games he has this year, really one game due to the ankle injury, and playing the minutes that he did and competitor that he is and commitment that he’s made to the team with a lot of guys being in and out this year,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said ahead of Game 4. “And so unfortunate for us and him that he’s missing this time of year, but it’s hard, no doubt, for a guy that wants to play and plays as much as he does to be out at this point in the season, this is very tough. So feel bad for him and our team in general. But like I said, we’ve proven we can do it without him.”
Game 5 of Lakers-Rockets will tip off at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena.
The story before the game was Cleveland top prospect Travis Bazzana was recalled to help kickstart a struggling Guardians offense which had posted a 95 wRc+ over the past two weeks. While Bazzana did his part to help matters drawing two walks, Nick Martinez and comapny caused trouble and bothered everybody in the Cleveland lineup limiting the Guardians to three hits and six baserunners in the shutout.
For awhile, this game had the feeling of a Spider-Man meme in action as both Martinez and Tanner Bibee were trading blows from the mound as both hurlers were attacking the zone with their full arsenals, albeit with different approaches. Bibee genereated 12 whiffs in the game and the Rays consistently pushed him into 18+ pitches per inning despite doing little against him in the first four innings. Bibee’s challenge was made easier when Junior Caminero fouled a ball off his face and had to leave the game after his first plate appearance. In-game reports have Caminero with a bruised jaw and day-to-day, and it’s likely he is sitting for tomorrow’s getaway game. The workload caught up to Bibee in the 5th inning when he walked Taylor Walls on six pitches and later allowed back-to-back singles to Ben Williamson and Jonathan Aranda to plate the game’s only run. The bullpen got the final 12 outs for Cleveland with nary a scare, leaving Rays pitching to do some heavy lifting.
Martinez was incredibly efficient this evening as he left the game after a leadoff walk to Bazzana in the 8th inning despite throwing just 78 pitches. Martinez had faced 25 batters to that point, so proactively getting in front of the fourth time through the order penality was the right call by Kevin Cash. However, the opportunity cost was Ian Seymour coming in and yet again walking his first batter on five pitches only because the umpire gifted a strike one call on the 4th pitch. That set up the sacrifice bunt by Brayan Rocchio and an intentional walk to Steven Kwan to load the bases. Seymour then found his command and struck out Chase DeLauter on three pitches allowing Cash to then lift Seymour for Kevin Kelly who kept Jose Ramirez in the yard, barely, to end the inning.
Cole Sulser came in to pitch the 9th and things got a little hairy with a two-out double by Angel Martinez which nearly left the yard and an intentional walk to Bazzana, but Sulser rebounded to strike out George Valera on three pitches to secure his first save and the Rays sixth consecutive win.
Getting back to Martinez, he has simply been incredible for the Rays this season with his efficiency and his results. He has now limited opposing batters to a .196 average swith 31 baserunners in 31 innings and just 3 home runs allowed. This was his fourth quality start on the season and he has yet to allow more than two earned runs in any outing. Martinez, no doubt, took notes watching Steven Matz go changeup heavy as Martinez leaned on his own changeup to keep the batters off balance all evening. DeLauter had the only solid contact off Martinez with a single in the first inning, but nobody else was able to get to Martinez in the rest of the outing. If you are a fan of pitching without gas, these last two nights have been an absolute pleasure to watch by the two free agent vets the front office targeted this winter.
Drew Rasumssen goes to the bump in the getaway game tomorrow, which cannot thrill the Guardians after what they have gone through these past two games. Let’s hope Junior’s jaw is good and he is back in the lineup when the club returns home to kick off a six-game homestand against the Giants and Blue Jays. Pitching and defense have won many a game for this franchise over the years, but tonight was truly about the pitching because Martinez rocked up on the mound and rocked the mound (Right).
Apr 28, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) and Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) work for the ball in the second quarter during game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images
The Boston Celtics returned home to TD Garden Tuesday night to try and close out their first round series against the Philadelphia 76ers. Boston led through three quarters, before the Philadelphia 76ers made a stunning comeback to take the lead at the start of the 4th quarter. Philly would go on to dominate play in the 4th quarter as the scoring dried up for the C’s, they lose another game at home in this series, 113-97.
With no injuries, both teams had a full compliment of players to start the clash. Philadelphia got out to an early 10-6 lead as both teams struggled to shoot the ball to start the contest. In the first 6 minutes of action, Boston was just 4-11 from the field, missing their first 5 three-point shot attempts. Jayson Tatum’s first score came seven minutes into the game, as the Celtics seemed very tentative in the close-out matchup.
Payton Pritchard was the first player off the bench for the home team, as Sam Hauser took an early seat, scoreless after 6 minutes of action. Boston took the lead with 3 minutes to go in the first quarter as Jaylen Brown muscled into the key to score and was fouled over rookie VJ Edgecombe.
Baylor Scheierman checked into the game late in the first quarter and hit the team’s first triple of the night off a Pritchard assist. Payton Pritchard scored his first points of the night with a mid-range fadeaway jumper. Jordan Walsh joined Vucevic, Pritchard, Brown, and Scheierman on the court to end the quarter as Tatum got a rest. A Nikola Vucevic dunk in a wide-open 76er lane gave the Celtics a 23-21 lead after one quarter. The C’s would take that all day after shooting a dismal 1-10 from downtown in 12 minutes of play. The 76ers weren’t much better, going just 3-13 as both teams were slogging it out in a low-scoring affair.
Tatum returned alongside White, Garza, Walsh, and Pritchard as Joe Mazzulla mixed up the rotations to start the second quarter. Embiid was called for an offensive foul, setting a pick on Jordan Walsh to start the quarter. Pritchard danced into the lane past two defenders and drew a second foul on Embiid. Pritchard drove once more on a broken play for Philly; he got a wide-open layup for his seventh point of the game.
Jayson Tatum stole the ball on the baseline and went coast to coast as Boston took a seven-point lead, 32-25. Jordan Walsh and Luka Garza took a seat as Vucevic and Scheierman returned for Boston. Vucevic immediately sunk a triple from the top of the key, his second field goal of the game, crediting Tatum with a behind-the-back assist to the big man. White got into the lane to score his fourth point of the game on a finger roll layup; Vucevic got the assist with a nifty pass on the play.
Boston took a 10-point lead with seven minutes to go in the half; Jaylen Brown had a block attempt on Embiid and was whistled for a foul at the nail. He would hit both free throws to cut it to eight. Tatum stepped into a pull-up triple for his eleventh point; Pritchard would register his fifth assist.
Brown drove and drew Embiid on a collapsing drop coverage play; JB pivoted and swung the ball to Vooch, who was wide open for another three-pointer. Philly was hanging around as Boston had some fumbles and turnovers in the middle of the quarter. Andre Drummond made a pair of free throws to cut Boston’s lead to just two points. Brown drove and dished to Queta for a loud two-handed dunk. A Jayson Tatum corner triple came on a broken play, which handed the C’s a seven-point lead. Nick Nurse came off the bench and was upset with the referees as they took a timeout.
Philly got the lead back to 2 points; Jaylen Brown had a sweet turnaround two-pointer over Paul George to answer. JB drilled his first triple of the game with 30 seconds left in the half; his heat check three was his eleventh point of the night. Queta had a third foul on Embiid to end the half, he would take a seat in foul trouble. Boston is up by seven, 57-50, at the half.
Jaylen Brown dunked it home on a cut through the lane to open up things in the third. Queta was whistled for another foul, his fourth of the night, as coach of the year Joe Mazzulla elected to get Vucevic back into the game. Jaylen Brown hit one of two from the line after an Oubre foul, Boston up 64-58. Jordan Walsh scrapped with Embiid down low on a loose ball retrieval, he provided a spark as a Jaylen Brown replacement. Embiid was dominating the paint for Philly; he had 23 of the team’s 65 points with 6 minutes to go in the third.
Tatum converted a big three on an offensive rebound for Boston; Maxey matched him with a deep triple of his own. Payton Pritchard’s first three of the game came on a corner look in front of the 76ers bench, the guard wasting no time to tell them about it. On the same play, Embiid was clutching his knee and went to the change rooms. Luka Garza got fouled on a trailing layup attempt as the Boston crowd found full voice after a predominantly quiet first half. The C’s are back up by 8 points as Garza converted both free throws.
Both teams hit triples, as Embiid returned to the game for Philly. Jaylen Brown attacked the paint and scored over Embiid with a layup. Tatum also took on Embiid and scored on a hook shot in the paint for Boston. The Celtics would lead by just one point, 86-85, after Maxey hit a desperate three-point jumper with the shot clock expiring.
Paul George gave the 76ers the lead on a three-pointer to open the fourth; JB whistled for an offensive foul on the next play down the court for Boston. The Celtics had back-to-back turnovers to start the 4th quarter as Scheierman passed it wide to Derrick White.
Sam Hauser swished home a corner triple as Brown drove and drew two defenders, Boston down one, 89-90. Hauser hit another three-pointer on a relocation play; he was the only player to score for Boston in the fourth. JB drove and passed it to Queta, who skied to tip it in on a roll to the bucket. Philly was still up 3 points with six minutes to go in the game.
An Embiid turnaround over Queta gave the 76ers an eight-point lead, as it looked like the series might shift back to Philadelphia. Boston had just eight points in 8 minutes as they couldn’t hit a shot. Jayson Tatum finally went to the line with two and a half minutes to go, but Boston was already down by 12 points.
The series now shifts back to Philadelphia as they host Game 6 on Thursday in another must win game.
NHL Must Address Jamie Benn After String of Dangerous, Uncalled PlaysJamie Benn's dangerous, uncalled playoff antics continue. The NHL faces pressure to address a pattern of reckless plays impacting star players.
