Jamie Jackson and Ed Aarons look ahead to the crunch Premier League meeting between Manchester City and Arsenal
Continue reading...Appreciate Garret Anderson's greatness – even if late Angels star strived to lay low
It would be a bit much to call Garret Anderson the last of his kind. That would draw too much attention to a guy who ducked the spotlight at every turn.
Anderson’s 17-year career is an almost perfect statement of both his greatness and his ability to deflect any attention toward his simple and highly trained focuses: His family, his commitment to play every single day, his ability to rake better than almost any other player in one of the game’s most potent offensive eras.
Looking for a guy who broke open Game 7 of the World Series with a bases-clearing double? That would be Anderson, whose rope into the right field corner off Livan Hernández launched the Anaheim Angels to their only World Series title in 2002, over Barry Bonds’ San Francisco Giants.
How about a player whose metronomic production churned out 1,146 hits between 1998 and 2003, trailing only Hall of Famers Derek Jeter and Todd Helton?
A Home Run Derby champion? An All-Star MVP? That was Anderson in 2003, where he outdueled Albert Pujols in the Derby finals.
Anderson, who died stunningly at 53, was a doubles hitter in an era defined by the long ball. He hit 261 of them in that glorious peak from 1998 to ’03, second in that span and again sandwiched by Hall of Famers in Helton and Jeff Kent.
Of course, all the while Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa and eventually Bonds were re-defining the home run record books, shrinking ballparks and commanding attention in a manner that didn’t seem real. (It mostly was not).
Garret Anderson stats only tell part of the story
Which made it all the easier for Anderson to avoid the radar like he avoided the injured list for so long. He ranks 50th all-time in two-baggers, accounting for 522 of his 2,529 hits – a highly impressive hit total yet also just shy of serious Hall of Fame consideration.
Kids, you want a modern comp? GA had some Freddie Freeman in him, albeit with a bit less power.
Yet getting past Anderson’s defenses was a challenge for news media. And if today's era is defined by drip checks and social media activations, Anderson might have been the king of anti-engagement back in the day.
Anderson was the son of a single mother who grew up in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley, moving frequently yet excelling athletically all the while. Anderson might have loved hoops even more than baseball, yet it was clear once the Angels drafted him in the fourth round in 1990 which route he would go.
He got his feet on the big league ground in 1995, part of a machinelike Angels offense that blew a 13-game lead to Ken Griffey Jr.’s Seattle Mariners. Not until their World Series year would the Angels get that close again, and more dynamic figures emerged around him.
Jim Edmonds was the slugging center fielder with a penchant for highlight-reel catches. Darin Erstad was the gritty hit machine, Mo Vaughn the huge free agent get and eventual disappointment.
Anderson was very quickly the old reliable, playing in 150 to 161 games from 1996 to 2003. As his track record solidified, there became a certain duality to GA: Avoiding the spotlight yet also fiercely proud of his accomplishments.
He took some heat for his self-preservation in the outfield, rarely leaving his feet and creating the impression he simply had a slower motor than the hyper-aggressive Erstad and, before him, Edmonds.
Then came Game 3 of the 2002 ALCS, when Anderson ended a 2-1 victory with a sliding catch in left field. Observers were stunned. Anderson was reticent, noting that yeah, that one mattered a bit more, even as his body language consistently belied his effort.
“If he was on a basketball court,” teammate Tim Salmon once said, “he’d be called smooth.”
Nope, the pride was always there. Anderson was never adversarial with the media but got cross with a reporter when a play he failed to make inspired the thought that Anderson was “disinterested.”
It wasn’t exactly a multi-day ripple, but GA was not pleased. And then, several weeks, maybe months later, baseball highlights were on in the clubhouse and an outfielder failed to make a play.
Anderson did not miss a beat from his corner of the room.
“Disinterested!” he said, displaying the memory of an elephant and the stubbornness required to survive in the big leagues.
So consistent was he that a slow start one year earned him the “What’s wrong with GA?” treatment from curious reporters. Anderson needed just five words to lay out the next several months.
“Talk to me in September,” he said.
Sure enough, the numbers were always there, and Anderson’s name always in the lineup, at least until April 2004. Shortly after signing a $48 million contract extension (Anderson seemed to take as much glee in keeping that under the radar as he did his lifetime security), he went on the injured list, a lack of strength befalling him.
He was eventually diagnosed with undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis. Of course, he still batted .301 but over just 112 games. He’d muster his third and final All-Star nod in 2005 and participated in four more playoff runs.
He’d play until he was 38, finishing with stints with Atlanta and the Dodgers. His greater lasting legacy might be his children, daughters Brianne and Bailey and son Trey.
His work on the field needs no apologies, not for a World Series champion, an elite professional hitter, a guy whose durability and production never gleaned headlines nor broke records, yet provided the foundation for a championship.
So take a moment to remember GA. Even if he might feel a little sheepish about it.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Garret Anderson stats: Angels star's greatness remembered after death
Blues Assistant Coaches Claude Julien, Mike Weber Will Not Return
The St. Louis Blues have started the process of reshaping their coaching staff.
On Friday, they announced that assistants Claude Julien and Mike Weber will not be brought back.
“I would like to thank Claude and Mike for their contributions during their time with the organization,” Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said in a statement. “With their contracts set to expire this summer, we wanted to give them the opportunity to move on to the next chapter of their coaching careers while we work to building a coaching staff that is best suited to lead our team moving forward.”
Julien, 65, joined the Blues as an assistant coach in the summer of 2024. The Blind River, Ontario, native helped guide the Blues to an 81-63-20 regular-season record during his tenure, along with a postseason appearance in 2025. Julien has more than 20 years of coaching experience, including NHL head coaching stints with the Montreal Canadiens from 2002-06 and 2016-21, New Jersey Devils in 2006-07 and Boston Bruins from 2008-17, winning the Stanley Cup in 2011.
Weber, 38, joined the Blues as an assistant coach in the summer of 2023. During his tenure, the Blues posted a 124-96-26 regular-season record and made a postseason appearance in 2025. The Pittsburgh native previously served as an assistant coach with the American Hockey League's Rochester Americans from 2020-23 and the Ontario Hockey League's Windsor Spitfires from 2018-20.
When Blues coach Jim Montgomery was brought in to replace Drew Bannister in November of 2024, he kept the assistants in place until now and will have the opportunity to bring in someone that he's had previous experience with, perhaps, or someone new that he hasn't worked with before but has some sort of experience with.
The Blues (37-33-12) concluded their season on Thursday with a 5-3 win against the Utah Mammoth, their fourth straight win, and fell four points short of reaching the Stanley Cup playoffs.
There will be more on these moves on Saturday when Armstrong, Montgomery and players address things at locker room cleanout for the and the start of the off-season.
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Why Kawhi Leonard's praise after play-in was extra sentimental to Draymond Green
Why Kawhi Leonard's praise after play-in was extra sentimental to Draymond Green originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Draymond Green has built a career on intensity, edge and embracing the spotlight — but he revealed why recent praise from Kawhi Leonard carried deeper meaning than most compliments ever could.
“Hall of Fame defender,” Leonard said of Green after the Warriors’ 137-131 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in Wednesday night’s NBA play-in game. “It was hard to even get shots up.”
Speaking on “The Draymond Green Show,” Green said Leonard’s postgame comments resonated because they came from someone he deeply respects after years of competing at the highest level.
“I was flattered,” Green said. “Ultimately, what matters to you the most is the respect from your peers. And not just any peer, the respect from the peers that you respect.”
Green made clear his admiration for Leonard extends well beyond one game.
“I got so much respect for Kawhi,” Green added. “Every time I play against Kawhi Leonard, I get better. And I’m so grateful for him as a competitor, because he brings the best out of me.”
Green explained that while NBA players often are viewed through the lens of fame and money, life in the league can be mentally draining under constant public scrutiny.
“Man, it’s hard,” Green noted. “You have a bad game, and people say you’re trash, you suck. They dissect your personal life. It’s hard.”
That is why Leonard’s praise stood out. Green and Leonard have battled for championships, Defensive Player of the Year honors and postseason success over the years, making the Clippers star’s words especially meaningful.
“To hear him say that about me — me and Kawhi battled for Defensive Player of the Year awards and championship rings,” Green explained. “And for him to say, ‘He’s a Hall of Fame defender’; that’s one of the greatest defenders ever saying I’m a Hall of Fame defender. Man, it meant so much to me.”
Green added that mutual respect is what allows competitors to acknowledge greatness in one another openly.
At the same time, Green emphasized slowing Leonard down was far from an individual accomplishment, crediting the Warriors’ team defense and coaching staff for making life difficult on one of the NBA’s elite scorers.
“You don’t lock down great players,” Green said. “Kawhi still had 21 points. You don’t shut them down. But what you do is you just try to make it hard.”
For Green, Leonard’s words served as a reminder that some of the most meaningful recognition comes from the opponents who know exactly how hard the battle is.
Thunder Lead Title Odds, Lakers Loom as Sportsbook Nightmare Entering NBA Playoffs
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The reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder enter this weekend’s playoffs as the clear betting favorites to go back to back, while the Los Angeles Lakers are dominating first-round series action.
Key Takeaways
- OKC is the best-case scenario for BetMGM in the futures market.
- The Lakers are the most-bet team to win a first-round series.
- Bettors are split on three Game 1 spreads this weekend.
Western Conference top seed Oklahoma City opened as a +240 favorite in BetMGM’s NBA champion market, and the Thunder have shortened to +140. Because of the low NBA title odds and bettors taking chances on long shots like the Lakers, the sportsbook will be in a good spot if the favorite holds serve.
“The Thunder are clear favorites to win the NBA Championship heading into the playoffs,” Anthony Parenti, BetMGM sports trader, said. “Among the true contenders, OKC is the best result on the futures market. The sportsbook is in the enviable position of getting to cheer for the favorite to win it all.”
BetMGM took more money on the San Antonio Spurs (+450) and more tickets on the Denver Nuggets (+1,000) than OKC, which is getting 10.9% of the bets and 15.5% of the handle. theScore Bet reported that the Thunder are leading the NBA champion market with 15.7% of the wagers and 15.8% of the money.
FanDuel reported a massive influx of wagers on the Lakers at +25,000 earlier this week.
Lakers long shots
Sportsbooks will be sweating the Lakers in many ways. Not only are the LeBron James-led West 4-seed BetMGM’s biggest liability in the futures market, but they’re also the most-bet team to win their first-round series with odds of +425.
The fifth-seeded Houston Rockets are -550 favorites that are only getting 8% of the tickets and 7% of the handle at BetMGM. The Lakers have taken 60% of the wagers and 80% of the money at theScore Bet, where L.A. is the only underdog with the majority of both categories.
However, the most-bet correct score market by handle is the Rockets in seven games at +825.
Heading into Saturday’s prime-time Game 1, the Lakers are 5.5-point underdogs and getting 68% of the bets at DraftKings. The Rockets have seen 54% of the handle in the series opener.
Series upsets?
Among the first-round matchups set before the play-in concluded, another BetMGM underdog drawing heavy action is the Portland Trail Blazers, who have attracted more than 80% of both tickets and handle at +1,000 to upset the Spurs in a best-of-seven series.
At theScore Bet, No.2 San Antonio has seen over 90% of the tickets and handle to take out No. 7 Portland. The closest first-round series by tickets at the operator is Cleveland Cavaliers-Toronto Raptors, which is nearly an even split. However, 90% of the money is backing No. 4 Cleveland.
The Cavs winning the series 4-0 with odds of +425 is the operator’s most-bet correct score for the market.
Bettors have taken a clear stance on the No. 2 Boston Celtics, hefty -900 favorites to get past the Philadelphia 76ers, who are getting less than 7% of the series handle at theScore Bet. The No. 3 New York Knicks (-270) are getting close to 90% of the money to eliminate the No. 6 Atlanta Hawks, while the No. 3 Nuggets (-340) have taken over 80% of the money to beat the No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves.
Game 1 splits
Aside from Lakers-Rockets, DraftKings bettors are currently split on two other Saturday Game 1 spreads. The Cavs (-8.5) are getting 69% of the handle, but 51% of the tickets have come in on the underdog Raptors.
The Nuggets have taken 54% of the wagers as 5.5-point favorites, but the T-Wolves are getting 60% of the spread handle in the series opener.
The Knicks are getting nearly 60% of the tickets and a dominating 84% of the handle as 5.5-point favorites over the Hawks. For Sunday’s games, the Celtics’ -12.5 and the Spurs’ -10.5 aren’t scaring off the majority of bets and money at DraftKings.
The Eastern Conference 1-seed Detroit Pistons await the winner of Friday’s Hornets-Magic play-in game, while the Thunder get either the Golden State Warriors or Phoenix Suns.
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.
3 Reasons This Ducks First-Round Draw Is One The Oilers Wanted
The Edmonton Oilers didn’t dominate the regular season, but they may have landed one of the most favorable first-round matchups in the bracket. Against a young and inconsistent Anaheim Ducks team, Edmonton enters the series with clear advantages in firepower, experience, and special teams.
While nothing is guaranteed in the playoffs, there are several reasons why the Oilers are widely viewed as the favorites heading into Round 1. This draw against the Ducks could be just what the team needed.
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Ducks’ Defensive Issues Play Directly Into Oilers’ Strengths
The Edmonton Oilers couldn’t have asked for a better stylistic matchup to open the playoffs. Simply put, the Ducks are terrible defensively. They ranked fourth-worst in the NHL in goals against and are the worst of the playoff teams. So too, their penalty kill ranked near the bottom among playoff teams — second only to the Ottawa Senators.
You can't be that bad in those areas and expect not to get scored on, and lots, by a dangerous team like Edmonton.
With Connor McDavid leading the league in points (winning the Art Ross Trophy for the sixth time) and Leon Draisaitl expected to return, the Oilers boast the NHL’s most dangerous power play. They were top five in goals for, goals for on the power play, and exceled in several offensive categories. Anaheim’s inability to suppress chances or stay out of the box could make this a short series.
Edmonton Is Peaking at the Right Time
The Oilers enter the postseason trending upward, having found another gear late in the season. While they struggled early by their own Cup-or-bust standards, the team came alive when things got serious. After the Olympic break, the team looked different. They weren't perfect, but the group that leaked chances and goals against, or got blown out by top-tier teams, disappeared.
McDavid is back to doing McDavid things, scoring at an almost unbelievable rate. Matt Savoie looks like a 20-goal guy, Zach Hyman is back and healthy, Connor Ingram has set a new baseline in goal, and the defense is suppressing chances against and keeping goals down. Add in the contributions of Evan Bouchard, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and the depth on this team, and Edmonton suddenly looks like a team capable of overwhelming opponents in waves.
Experience Gap Favors a Battle-Tested Oilers Team
While Anaheim’s young core brings energy and unpredictability, playoff hockey is often about experience — and that’s where Edmonton holds a clear edge. "Playoff hockey is unique," said McDavid. "It's a skill to win in the playoffs, and we feel pretty good about that, having that skill, having been there and won a lot of playoff games."
The Oilers have built a reputation for elevating their game in the postseason, finding ways to win. The Ducks, meanwhile, will have to learn how to win at this level. Despite intriguing pieces like Jackson LaCombe and a promising young roster, they limped into the playoffs without much momentum. There are questions about their readiness, especially as the physicality and intensity ramp up over the course of a seven-game series.
Edmonton understands what it takes this time of year, and that maturity could prove decisive. If the Oilers handle business as expected, this series could serve as a launching pad — not just to advance, but to build momentum for tougher matchups ahead against teams like the Vegas Golden Knights or Colorado Avalanche.
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Mets at Cubs: Lineups, broadcast info, and open thread, 4/17/26
Mets lineup
- Carson Benge – RF
- Bo Bichette – 3B
- Francisco Lindor – SS
- Luis Robert – CF
- Francisco Alvarez – C
- MJ Melendez – DH
- Marcus Semien – 2B
- Brett Baty – 1B
- Tyrone Taylor – LF
SP: Kodai Senga – RHP
Cubs lineup
- Nico Hoerner – 2B
- Michael Busch – 1B
- Alex Bregman – 3B
- Ian Happ – LF
- Seiya Suzuki – RF
- Moises Ballesteros – DH
- Carson Kelly – C
- Pete Crow-Armstrong – CF
- Dansby Swanson – SS
SP: Edward Cabrera – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 2:20pm EDT
TV: PIX11
Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
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Mets Notes: Juan Soto making more progress; Jorge Polanco dealing with wrist issue
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza shared updates ahead of Friday's series-opener against the Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago...
Juan Soto getting closer
Soto, who hasn't played since injuring his calf on April 3 against the Giants, is continuing to make progress.
The outfielder has been rehabbing at Citi Field with the Mets on the road, and is set to take live at-bats on Friday for the second consecutive day.
Additionally, Soto will be doing "high running intensity," which will include outfield work.
Speaking after Mendoza, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said the expectation is that Soto will be activated from the IL during the nine-game homestand that starts this coming Tuesday against the Twins at Citi Field.
Reading between the lines, it does not seem like a rehab assignment is going to be necessary before Soto returns.
Another malady for Jorge Polanco
Polanco, whose presence in the lineup has been sporadic lately because of an Achilles issue, is now dealing with right wrist soreness.
He went for an MRI on the wrist on Thursday, and the Mets are waiting on results.
As far as the Achilles, Mendoza said Polanco is "in a better place."
Depending on the results of the MRI and the situation with the Achilles, it's possible Polanco will ultimately be placed on the IL.
Polanco hasn't played since Tuesday, meaning the Mets can backdate a potential IL stint.
Rockets vs Lakers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Playoffs Game 1
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There are head-to-head battles that never go out of style.
King Kong vs. Godzilla. Coke vs. Pepsi. Me vs. Mushrooms.
And Kevin Durant versus LeBron James.
These two future Hall of Famers face off in Round 1 of the Western Conference playoffs.
Durant leads a young, promising Houston Rockets squad against LeBron and the Los Angeles Lakers’ skeleton crew, still playing without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Our Rockets vs. Lakers predictions look to Durant to do damage in the series opener, with my NBA picks taking KD to top his points prop on Saturday, April 18.
Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. ET from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, with the game airing on ABC.
Rockets vs Lakers Game 1 prediction
Who will win Rockets vs Lakers Game 1?
Lakers: The Houston Rockets are Game 1 road chalk, but if the Los Angeles Lakers are going to win at least one game in this series, it’ll be the opener.
LeBron James is fresh with a home-court edge, while the Rockets’ youngsters could shrink a little on the postseason stage.
It wouldn’t shock me if L.A. comes out swinging.
Rockets vs Lakers best bet: Kevin Durant Over 24.5 points (-110)
Editor's Note: This bet was placed Friday afternoon before Durant was listed as questionable for Game 1 due to a right knee contusion. That said, his points prop remains steady with some books dipping to 23.5 O/U. Keep an eye on our injury reports and X account for injury updates on Durant.
Kevin Durant didn’t go easy down the stretch. The 37-year-old powered the Houston Rockets to a 10-3 SU mark in his final 13 showings, averaging more than 27 points on 54.4% shooting.
To me, this Game 1 scoring total is criminally low, with two quiet efforts against the Los Angeles Lakers in mid-March anchoring this Over/Under. Durant put up twin 18-point performances on a combined 15-for-27 mark from the floor.
This L.A. lineup looks very different now.
The Lakers are without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, not only pulling the plug on L.A.’s offensive output but also leaving it with fewer options on defense.
LeBron James will be forced to guard Houston's bigger forwards, so Durant will draw checks from the likes of Jake LaRavia, Rui Hachimura, and Jared Vanderbilt. The 6-foot-11 small forward can shoot over smaller defenders while drilling 3-pointers when bigger ones can’t close out on the perimeter.
It’s been a minute since we’ve seen KD in the playoffs, but he’s always found another gear in the second season. He averages more than 29 points per postseason game for his career, and that production barely dipped in recent stops with Phoenix and Brooklyn.
Player projections sit as high as 27+ points from Durant in Saturday’s series opener. With the playoff spotlight shining a little bright for some of Houston’s young studs, he’ll set the tone right out of the gate.
Rockets vs Lakers Game 1 same-game parlay
If the Lakers have a shot at winning a game in this series, it’s this one.
Los Angeles is at home, rested and ready for the Rockets. Houston’s young lineup could get caught up in the postseason pressure, and this opener will be closer than oddsmakers expect.
LeBron James has been doing it all for L.A. since losing Doncic and Reaves. He’s been racking up assists, but the Lakers will need him to score more, and I’m not confident Los Angeles’ supporting cast can capitalize on those setups.
Rockets vs Lakers SGP
- Lakers +5.5
- Kevin Durant Over 24.5 points
- LeBron James Under 9.5 assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: The King and I
The old guard has the green light in this playoff opener.
I’m backing both James and Durant to exceed their points totals while fading their passing numbers, as they take center stage as scorers in Game 1.
Rockets vs Lakers SGP
- Kevin Durant Over 24.5 points
- Kevin Durant Under 4.5 assists
- LeBron James Over 25.5 points
- LeBron James Under 9.5 assists
Rockets vs Lakers odds for Game 1
- Spread: Rockets -5.5 (-110) | Lakers +5.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Rockets -220 | Lakers +180
- Over/Under: Over 207.5 (-110) | Under 207.5 (-110)
Rockets vs Lakers betting trend to know
Los Angeles has covered the spread in 11 of its last 13 home games (+8.80 Units / 62% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. Lakers.
How to watch Rockets vs Lakers Game 1
| Location | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA |
| Date | Saturday, April 18, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 8:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ABC |
Rockets vs Lakers latest injuries
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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.
Braves at Phillies Prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 17
The Atlanta Braves (12-7) visit the City of Brotherly Love to face the Philadelphia Phillies (8-10) for a three-game weekend series.
Atlanta is the only team remaining in the MLB that hasn't lost a series yet. The Braves lost the opener versus the Marlins, but won the next two to take the series. Atlanta is 4-3 on the road this season and won the previous two.
Philadelphia has lost its last two games and three of the past four entering this series. The Phillies' last three games combined for at least 13 runs, so the offense is starting to cook again, while the pitching staff hasn't lived up to the hype. Philadelphia's pitchers total for a 4.92 ERA (26th), while Atlanta's ERA ranks first at 2.93.
Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the information and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest details on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats and of course, our predictions, picks and best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.
Game details and how to watch Braves at Phillies
- Date: Friday, April 17, 2026
- Time: 6:40 p.m. EST
- Site: Citizens Bank Park
- City: Philadelphia, PA
- Network/Streaming: MLB TV
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team statistics and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
Odds for Braves vs. Phillies
The latest odds as of Friday:
- Moneyline: Atlanta Braves (-112), Philadelphia Phillies (-108)
- Spread: Braves -1.5 (+149), Phillies +1.5 (-181)
- Total: 9.5
Probable starting pitchers for Braves at Phillies
- Friday's pitching matchup (April 17): Taijuan Walker vs. Martin Perez
- Braves: Martin Perez
2026 stats: 14.1 IP, 0-1, 3.14 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 6 Ks, 4 BB
- Phillies: Taijuan Walker
2026 Stats: 14.2 IP, 1-2, 7.36 ERA, 1.91 WHIP, 12 Ks, 7 BB
Who’s Hot? Who’s Not?
- The Braves’ Dominic Smith is hitting .381 with 16 hits, 27 total bases and three home runs over 42 at-bats
- The Braves’ Michael Harris II is hitting .226 with 14 hits and 15 strikeouts over 62 at-bats
- The Phillies’ Brandon Marsh is hitting .290 with 18 hits, 28 total bases and 11 RBIs over 62 at-bats
- The Phillies’ Alec Bohm is hitting .145 with nine hits, 12 strikeouts, and five walks over 62 at-bats
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Braves at Phillies
- The Braves are 11-8 ATS this season
- The Phillies are an MLB-worst 4-14 ATS this season
- The Braves are 9-9-1 to the Over this season
- The Phillies are 10-7-1 to the Over this season
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Expert picks and predictions for tonight’s game between Braves and Phillies
Rotoworld Bet Best Bet
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday's game between the Braves and the Phillies.
- Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Phillies on the Moneyline.
- Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Phillies at +1.5.
- Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Over on the Game Total of 9.5
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Blue Jays vs Diamondbacks Prediction, Odds & Home Run Pick for Tonight's MLB Game
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With Arizona Diamondbacks SP Mike Soroka on the mound, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. should be able to get the Toronto Blue Jays' offense rolling tonight.
Read on to see why in my free Blue Jays vs. Diamondbacks predictions and MLB picks for Friday, April 17.
Blue Jays vs Diamondbacks predictions
Blue Jays vs Diamondbacks best bet: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Over 1.5 total bases (+100)
Michael Soroka is off to a great start with Arizona Diamondbacks this season, going 3-0 with a 2.87 ERA.
However, Soroka’s 5.79 xERA would suggest he’s been getting a little lucky out on the diamond. He gives up a lot of contact too, allowing the highest barrel rate in the majors at 22.9%, while sitting in the 46th percentile in xBA against.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leads the Toronto Blue Jays in barrel rate, and is 3-for-7 against Soroka with an OPS of 1.000.
Additionally, Vladdy handles the fastball well, batting .455 against the four-seamer, which is Soroka’s most utilized pitch this season.
COVERS INTEL: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has a 1.110 OPS against the entire Diamondbacks pitching staff.Blue Jays vs Diamondbacks same-game parlay (SGP)
Daulton Varsho is usually good for a hit. He’s recorded one or more hits in seven straight games and handles the four-seamer well.
Lastly, I’ll take Andres Gimenez to record a hit as well. He’s 3-for-8 against Soroka in his career and has at least one hit in four straight games heading into today.
Blue Jays vs Diamondbacks SGP
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Over 1.5 total bases
- Daulton Varsho Over 0.5 hits
- Andres Gimenez Over 0.5 hits
Blue Jays vs Diamondbacks home run pick: Andres Gimenez (+730)
I’ll make this a half wager, because Soroka hasn’t allowed very many home runs this season.
However, there is a good value wager in tonight’s home run market, and that’s Andres Gimenez, who is +750 to hit a home run tonight.
Gimenez is 3-for-8 against Soroka, with two of those hits leaving the yard.
The Jays’ shortstop has shown some sneaky power this season, especially against the four-seamer, where he owns a .727 SLG against, and it happens to be Soroka's most utilized pitch.
He also has a .983 OPS against right-handed pitchers this season.
2026 Transparency record
- Best bets: 5-12, -4.35 units
- SGPs: 2-15, -7.50 units
- HR picks: 3-14, -0.60 units
Blue Jays vs Diamondbacks odds
- Moneyline: Toronto +112 | Arizona -132
- Run line: Toronto +1.5 | Arizona -1.5
- Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5
Blue Jays vs Diamondbacks trend
The Blue Jays have hit the Over in 26 of their last 45 away games (+8.60 Units / 17% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Blue Jays vs. Diamondbacks.
How to watch Blue Jays vs Diamondbacks and game info
| Location | Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ |
| Date | Friday, April 17, 2026 |
| First pitch | 9:40 p.m. ET |
| TV | Sportsnet, Dbacks.TV |
| Blue Jays starting pitcher | Eric Lauer (1-2, 7.82 ERA) |
| Diamondbacks starting pitcher | Michael Soroka (3-0, 2.87 ERA) |
Blue Jays vs Diamondbacks latest injuries
Blue Jays vs Diamondbacks weather
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Felipe Lopez: The Secret Weapon’s Apprentice
How does a player go from being released by a last-place team to hitting .385 for the St. Louis Cardinals in the span of a single week? In this installment of Random Cardinal of the Week, Jim Plaza dives into the fascinating, “roller coaster” career of utility man Felipe Lopez.
A former top-10 pick and Silver Slugger winner, Lopez hit rock bottom in 2008 with a negative WAR and a mid-season release from the Nationals. But when he landed in the St. Louis clubhouse, something clicked. Under the mentorship of “The Secret Weapon” Jose Oquendo, Lopez didn’t just find his swing—he became a statistical anomaly. We look back at his legendary two-month sprint in 2008 where he played six different positions and posted a nearly 1.000 OPS, helping bridge the gap for a Cardinals franchise in the midst of a massive front-office transition.
In this episode, we discuss:
The Oquendo Effect: How Jose Oquendo rebuilt Lopez’s defense and mental approach to transform him from a “bust” back into a weapon.
The 2008 Hot Streak: A deep dive into the 43 games where Lopez hit an unbelievable .385 and became the ultimate La Russa-era Swiss Army Knife.
The 18th-Inning Hero: On the 16th anniversary of the feat (April 17, 2010), we recount the night Lopez stepped onto the mound against the Mets and threw a scoreless inning to save an exhausted bullpen.
The Transition Era: Where Lopez fit in the roster shuffle between the 2006 championship and the 2011 “10.5 games back” miracle.
Whether you remember him for his switch-hitting prowess or his lone career pitching appearance, Felipe Lopez’s story is a masterclass in resilience and the power of a second chance in The Lou. Listen now and subscribe to the Redbird Rundown for your weekly dose of Cardinals history!
Mets at Cubs Prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 17
The New York Mets (7-12) head to Wrigley Field for a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs (9-9).
Chicago is coming off a series victory against Philadelphia and has won three of the last four contests. In the past seven games and six days, Chicago's offense has been one of the hottest. The Cubs are hitting .292 over the last week (third-best) and tied 10th with 40 RBI.
The Mets are one of the coldest teams in the MLB. New York has lost eight consecutive games and have been outscored 44-12 in that span. New York ranks last in the MLB with a .169 batting average over the last seven days and second-fewest home runs (4).
Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the information and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest details on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats and of course, our predictions, picks and best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.
Game details and how to watch Mets at Cubs
- Date: Friday, April 17, 2026
- Time: 2:20 p.m. EST
- Site: Wrigley Field
- City: Chicago, IL
- Network/Streaming: MLB TV
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team statistics and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
Odds for Mets vs. Cubs
The latest odds as of Friday:
- Moneyline: Chicago Cubs (-150), New York Mets (+124)
- Spread: Cubs -1.5 (+119), Mets +1.5 (-144)
- Total: 10.0
Probable starting pitchers for Mets at Cubs
- Friday's pitching matchup (April 17): Kodai Senga vs. Edward Cabrera
- Mets: Kodai Senga
2026 stats: 14.0 IP, 0-2, 7.07 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, 19 Ks, 7 BB
- Cubs: Edward Cabrera
2026 Stats: 16.2 IP, 1-0, 1.62 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 13 Ks, 9 BB
Who’s Hot? Who’s Not?
- The Mets’ Francisco Alvarez is hitting .271 with 13 hits, 26 total bases and four home runs over 48 at-bats
- The Mets’ Francisco Lindor is hitting .184 with 14 hits, 16 strikeouts and 10 walks over 76 at-bats
- The Cubs’ Nico Hoerner is hitting .324 with 23 hits, 36 total bases and 18 RBIs over 71 at-bats
- The Cubs’ Michael Busch is hitting .148 with nine hits, 14 strikeouts, and nine walks over 61 at-bats
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Mets at Cubs
- The Cubs are 7-11 ATS this season
- The Padres are 7-12 ATS this season
- The Cubs are 11-6-1 to the Over this season
- The Mets are 8-9-2 to the Over this season
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Expert picks and predictions for tonight’s game between Mets and Cubs
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday's game between the Mets and the Cubs.
- Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Cubs on the Moneyline.
- Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Cubs at -1.5.
- Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Over on the Game Total of 10.0
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Which Phillies beatdown of the Braves was better?
This weekend, the first place Atlanta Braves come to Citizens Bank Park to take on a struggling Phillies team that is falling short in virtually every phase of the game. It’s been a rough go for the Phils, losers of their last three home series, a shocking development given they only lost three home series all last season.
Still, the Braves often serve as an elixir of sorts when the come to Philly. Atlanta has struggled at Citizens Bank Park over the last few years, 5-9 in Philadelphia over the last two seasons. And while this weekend’s clash is viewed as a marquee match-up, with two nationally televised games Saturday night on Fox and Sunday night on Peacock, they don’t hold a candle to some of the most recent postseason series these two teams have played against one another.
Of course, nothing will ever top the 1993 National League Championship Series. Watching John Kruk, Lenny Dykstra and Curt Schilling somehow find a way to outlast a 100+ win Braves team to advance to the World Series will be almost impossible to top.
But most recently, the underdog Phillies dominated Atlanta in two straight NLDS series. Both mirrored each other so closely and were filled with some of the greatest moments in franchise playoff history.
As we get ready for what will hopefully be a get-right weekend against the Braves in Philly, let’s improve the vibes a bit by remembering two series against our division rivals in which the Phils stepped up their game and sent a “superior” team home early for the winter.
2022 NLDS
After a surprising two-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Wild Card round, the Phillies entered Atlanta with absolutely no expectations of winning the series. After all, the Phils had barely snuck into the tournament as the third wild card, clinching on the final weekend and only thanks to an implosion by Milwaukee in the season’s final week.
With just 87 wins, the underdog Phillies finished 14 games behind the 101-win Braves. Atlanta had a run differential of +180, the Phils’ was +62. The Phils began the series by playing their 13th and 14th straight games on the road (they finished the regular season with an 10-game, three city road trip with two straight wild card games in St. Louis). However, fueled by jet fumes, adrenaline and Nick Castellanos’ three-hit, three-RBI day, the Phillies survived a late Atlanta rally to win 7-6. Of course, Castellanos’ game-saving slide in the 9th is the lasting memory.
The Phils lost Game 2 then came home for Games 3 and 4, the first postseason games at Citizens Bank Park since 2011.
Of course, the lasting memory from that series occurred in the 3rd inning against Spencer Strider, one of the most electric moments in CBP history.
Bryce Harper followed with a solo homer he murdered to deep right field, the offense added on, Aaron Nola shoved, and the Phils took a 2-1 series lead with a dominant 9-1 victory.
And the finally, in Game 4, the Phillies took advantage of an early Brandon Marsh 3-run home run and the early injury exit of Charlie Morton to crush Atlanta once again, 8-3. Of course, J.T. Realmuto’s inside-the-park home run added another log to the legendary fire of this series.
It would be hard to top the excitement and pure elation of this series, but the Phils did a pretty good job of copying it the following season.
2023 NLDS
After sweeping the Miami Marlins in two wild card games at CBP, the Phils met the Braves once again in the NLDS. Atlanta, again, was the division winner while the Phillies were the top wild card team, but the distance between the two in the NL East standings was the same.
Powered by one of the most productive offenses in MLB history, Atlanta slugged their way to an MLB-best 104 wins, besting the 90-win Phillies by 14 games in the division once again. But clearly, the Phils were in their head.
In Game 1, Bryce Harper went yard and seven Phillies pitchers combined to give up five hits and eked out a 3-0 victory over Spencer Strider, the NL Cy Young Award winner that season, surprising everyone with a quick 1-0 series lead.
It looked like they would take both games in Atlanta after jumping out to a 4-0 lead, but the Braves scored five runs in the 6th, 7th and 8th innings, the final two coming on a crushing Austin Riley two-run homer off Jeff Hoffman in the bottom of the 8th. And then, the craziness of the 9th inning, when Harper was doubled off first to end the game.
It was a painful moment as it happened, but it only set the stage for one of the greatest individual, in-your-face performances in Harper’s career. After Orlando Arcia was overheard in the clubhouse ridiculing Harper for getting doubled off first, Bryce decided to make it personal in Game 3.
Orlando Arcia and the Braves were officially in hell now, and would only experience another, deeper level a few innings later.
The Phillies destroyed Bryce Elder, Castellanos hit two bombs, and Nola once again stifled the Braves’ potent bats in a 10-2 rout.
Game 4 was closer, with Strider at his peak and Ranger Suarez trying to match him pitch-for-pitch. Suarez held Atlanta to one run over five innings, while the Phillies pecked away at Strider thanks to a Trea Turner home run and another multi-homer game from Castellanos, who was in the midst of the high point of his Phils career.
But it got sticky in the 7th. Holding a slim 3-1 lead, human fire starter Craig Kimbrel entered an loaded the bases with two outs. NL MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. stepped to the plate, looking to atone for a very quiet NLDS. With the count 2-2, Kimbrel left one out of the plate that Acuna destroyed to center field.
That’s when Johan Rojas entered the chat.
The Phillies finished the job in the 8th and 9th and took another NLDS from the heavily-favored Atlanta Braves.
Unfortunately, neither series led to a championship. The Phils would reach the World Series in 2022, but fell to the Astros in six games, and then collapsed following Game 2 of the NLCS against the Diamondbacks in ‘23.
They’ve never been the same since. But we have the memories of these Atlanta beatdowns in October.
So, which one is your favorite?
Just because you’re winnin’ don’t mean you’re the lucky one: Phillies vs. Braves series preview
Over the past couple of weeks, the Phillies have established a pattern: They’ll play well in one game of a three-game series and make a ton of mistakes in the others. They would do well to reverse that pattern – or even better, avoid the mistake-prone games altogether – because the first place Braves are coming to town this weekend.
Atlanta Braves
Record: 12-7, First place in National League East
The last time they met
The Braves visited Citizens Bank Park for a four-game set at the end of August 2025 and lost three of the four to put a serious dent in their playoff hopes. The opener was the Kyle Schwarber four home run game in which the Phillies squeaked out a 19-4 win.
What’s the deal with the Braves?
Their many injuries should have put a dent in the Braves’ chances this year, and ultimately, they might! But thus far, the Braves’ have been able to overcome their lengthy list of wounded players.
Their starting pitching has been excellent. All five of the pitchers currently in their rotation have ERAs under 4.00, led by Bryce Elder at 0.77 through four starts. Elder isn’t scheduled to start this series, but the guys who will go are Martin Perez, Chris Sale (he’ll face off against Cristopher Sanchez on Saturday), and Grant Holmes, and they’ve been strong too.
Offensively, the Braves are second in the NL in runs scored (behind the Nationals?). Catcher Drake Baldwin is building off last year’s Rookie of the Year campaign, and Matt Olson is hitting up to his usual standards. They’ve also gotten surprising offensive contributions from shortstop Mauricio Dubon. The two-time Gold Glover has been an adequate at best hitter through most of his career, but he’s batting .333 in the early going.
Featured Brave: Dominic Smith
As expected, the Braves’ best hitter in the early going has been designated hitter Dominic Smith. Wait, what?
Smith was once a top 100 prospect for the Mets, but aside from an oddly strong campaign in the shortened 2020 season (he finished 13th in MVP voting!) he never established himself as much more than a quad-A player. He’s spent the last few years bouncing around the league, and after an unimpressive season as a bench player with the Giants in 2025, he signed with the Braves as a free agent.
Serving as the team’s primary DH, he’s off to a hot start, batting .381 with three home runs. There’s a strong likelihood that this start is unsustainable (IYKYK) and in a few weeks, Smith’s numbers will be back into the ordinary realm. But who knows? Smith wouldn’t be the first player to experience an odd breakout campaign in his early 30’s.
What about the Phillies?
The offense has been inconsistent, the starting pitching has been disappointing, and the relief pitching has become leaky. But perhaps the most annoying thing about the Phillies’ recent play is the sloppiness. They’ve made a lot of poor plays in the field and baserunning mistakes. If they want to turn this around, that’s the first thing that they can clean up.
Non-Phillies thought
This should be quite the weekend for Philadelphia sports. Not only will the Braves come to town, but the Sixers and Flyers begin their playoff runs. Both the basketball team and hockey team are in a similar situation: They’re the underdogs in a series against a traditional rival who has largely gotten the best of them over the years. (This might be the best scenario for the fans. As I’ve learned, Philadelphia sports fans greatly prefer underdogs with lessened expectations.)
As a special cherry on top, this weekend is also Wrestlemania! Looks like I might need to set up multiple televisions, although the last time I did that was for game five of the NLDS and the Eagles on Thursday Night Football, and that night went very poorly.
Pennant year song battle
Everybody Wants You has been defeated! It’s a Mistake by Men at Work is our new title holder.
The next contender comes from 2008 and describes how the Phillies have too often looked this season: Clumsy by Fergie:
Vote now:
Closing thought
While I don’t think the Phillies are as bad as they’ve looked, nor are the Braves as good as they’ve played. And it’s still only mid-April, so things can – and probably will – change in a hurry. That said, it would be great if the Phillies could win this series and avoid digging themselves too deep of a hole early in the season.