Yankees’ Jasson Dominguez shows learning curve in left field

NEW YORK — The Martian is tracking down fly balls on Mother Earth.

Maligned for dubious defense when the New York Yankees first moved him to left field last year, Jasson Dominguez made their best catch of the early season when he robbed Salvador Perez of an extra-base hit in a 4-1 win over the Kansas City Royals.

Dominguez leaping, backhand grab at the warning track of Perez’s 106.4 mph, 347-foot drive had a 60% catch probability, according to MLB Statcast. That was the lowest of any Yankees catch this season.

“Got a good jump on it, the speed, the action of the ball,” Dominguez said. “At that point, you don’t even know how tough. You just come get it.”

He added a running catch to the glove side on the warning track of Jonathan India’s 102.9 mph shot in the sixth.

“Those are two really good ones. What I like is the ease in the routes and the ease that he’s getting to those balls,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “I feel like that’s where he’s really — even since the start of the season, I feel like he’s grown and just the right footwork, the right move to the ball, and that’s when you’re going to start to see his range with his speed show up.”

Nicknamed “El Marciano” as a teenager in the Dominican Republic for his out-of-this-world talent, Domínguez signed with the Yankees as a 16-year-old in 2019 for a $5.1 million bonus.

A center fielder as he moved through the minors, he made an instant impact at the plate two years ago. But following his shift to left, Dominguez's defensive struggles in left made highlight shows in 2024 and ’25.

“He talks about winning a Gold Glove,” said Luis Rojas, the Yankees third base and outfield coach. “I think he has the tools to do it and we just got to keep working.”

The switch-hitting Dominguez was promoted to the Yankees on Sept. 1, 2023, and became the fifth-youngest player to homer in his first plate appearance, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. He had four homers and seven RBIs in his first eight games, then tore a ligament in his right elbow and had Tommy John surgery that Sept. 20.

He returned to the minors last May 14, but was sidelined between June 15 and July 26 by an oblique strain and was limited to two homers and four RBIs in 18 late-season games with New York. He made 13 appearances in left field and four in center, and struggled to a minus-3 Outs Above Average, according to Statcast.

Dominguez reported early to spring training and worked on defense at the Yankees minor league complex with minor league outfield and infield coordinator Dan Fiorito and minor league infield and outfielder coordinator Ryan Hunt. Dominguez was criticized by Yankees fans when he lost Colt Keith’s fly ball in the sun on Feb. 23 against Detroit, then let Andy Ibanez’s shot one inning later drop for an RBI scoring double. A ball by Philadelphia’s Edmundo Sosa fell for an RBI double on Feb. 27.

“It didn’t look great. There was a little noise about it,” Rojas said.

Adjusting to left was a slow process. Boone said Dominguez would be fine with time as he learned to judge balls.

“Left field is nothing like center field. Center field you get less action,” Rojas said. “The sound. The exit velo(city), those things, the more accurate he’s going to be with his reads and the routes and the angles that he needs to take to the ball according to a kind of action the ball is going have off the bat.”

Jazz Chisholm Jr. understood what Domínguez was going through. An All-Star second baseman in 2022, Chisholm was moved to center field by Miami from 2023 until he was traded last summer to the Yankees, who shifted him to third and then moved him back to second this spring training.

“You hear a crack of the bat and you might think it’s 110 miles per hour and it’s 86 miles per hour,” he said. “It’s making that adjustment with your eyes and always being ready out there. I would say that and first step.”

Dominguez is hitting .229 with one homer and five RBIs. Boone has removed him for a defensive replacement or pinch hitter in five of 12 left-field starts.

Dominguez's Outs Above Average has improved to 0 this season and the latest game boosted his defense from the 18th to 36th percentile. He’s confident he will get better.

“I had a tough moment at first,” Dominguez said, “but I knew with the reps it would be good.”

Blue Jackets Must Beat Flyers To Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

© Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images

The Columbus Blue Jackets have done the impossible — they’ve battled back and now have a real chance at making the playoffs. 

Over the last week, they’ve avoided elimination with some strong wins, along with help from the Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Chicago Blackhawks, who all beat the Canadiens in their last three games.

If the Blue Jackets can beat the Philadelphia Flyers tonight, they’ll move to just one point behind the Canadiens.

The Canadiens play the Carolina Hurricanes tomorrow night. If they win, the Blue Jackets will officially be eliminated. However, if they lose, it sets up a chance for Columbus to jump them in the standings — if they can win their final game on Thursday against the New York Islanders.

It all starts with a win tonight. Failure to do so means the end of their unbelievable push for the postseason. All eyes will be on the game tonight against the Flyers.

Werenski Snubbed In Player Poll Despite Norris-Caliber SeasonWerenski Snubbed In Player Poll Despite Norris-Caliber SeasonThe NHL and NHLPA released the results of their 2024-25 player poll — always a fun look at what the players think around the league. But this year, there were some decisions that left a lot of people scratching their heads. Blue Jackets' Zach Werenski Nominated For King Clancy Memorial TrophyBlue Jackets' Zach Werenski Nominated For King Clancy Memorial TrophyThe NHL has officially announced the 32 nominees for the 2025 King Clancy Memorial Trophy, and representing the Columbus Blue Jackets is defenseman Zach Werenski. Gaudreau Brothers: Sean Higgins Trial UpdateGaudreau Brothers: Sean Higgins Trial UpdateSean Higgins, the man accused of killing Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau while drunk driving, was back in court on Tuesday. 

Why Star Forward Mitch Marner Was Named Maple Leafs' Nominee For King Clancy Memorial Trophy

Mar 8, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitch Marner (16) reacts after his second goal in the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The NHL announced its 32-team nominees for the 2024-25 King Clancy Memorial Trophy on Tuesday, and representing the Toronto Maple Leafs is star winger Mitch Marner.

If he wins the award, Marner would join Curtis Joseph (1999-2000) as the only other Maple Leaf to win the trophy in franchise history. His most recent nomination is the second of his nine-year NHL career, with the last nod coming during the 2019-20 season at just 23 years old.

Presented annually, the King Clancy Memorial Trophy honors the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution to his community.

Nominees are chosen by their respective teams, and the final winner is selected by a committee of senior NHL executives. As per the NHL website, the winner will receive a $25,000 donation to a charity of their choice, along with an additional $20,000 grant eligible to support a community initiative through their NHL club.

The King Clancy Trophy was handed out for the first time following the 1987-88 season, with Lanny McDonald winning the award. 

Here is the full list of nominees across the NHL:

Anaheim Ducks: Radko Gudas

Boston Bruins: Charlie McAvoy

Buffalo Sabres: Alex Tuch

Calgary Flames: Jonathan Huberdeau

Carolina Hurricanes: Jordan Staal

Chicago Blackhawks: Connor Murphy

Colorado Avalanche: Devon Toews

Columbus Blue Jackets: Zach Werenski

Dallas Stars: Matt Duchene

Detroit Red Wings: Jeff Petry

Edmonton Oilers: Darnell Nurse

Florida Panthers: Aleksander Barkov

Los Angeles Kings: Kevin Fiala

Minnesota Wild: Frederick Gaudreau

Montreal Canadiens: Nick Suzuki

Nashville Predators: Ryan O'Reilly

New Jersey Devils: Jack Hughes

New York Islanders: Matt Martin

New York Rangers: Adam Fox

Ottawa Senators: Brady Tkachuk

Philadelphia Flyers: Garnet Hathaway

Pittsburgh Penguins: Kevin Hayes

San Jose Sharks: Mario Ferraro

Seattle Kraken: Jaden Schwartz

St. Louis Blues: Colton Parayko

Tampa Bay Lightning: Victor Hedman

*Toronto Maple Leafs: Mitch Marner

Utah Hockey Club: Alexander Kerfoot

Vancouver Canucks: Quinn Hughes

Vegas Golden Knights: Jack Eichel

Washington Capitals: Tom Wilson

Winnipeg Jets: Adam Lowry

Marner has been a notable presence in the Toronto community, particularly through his charitable work with the Marner Assist Foundation. The foundation’s mission is focused on generating sustainable change for children and youth by supporting social care, health, education, and environmental initiatives. Through the foundation, Marner has supported numerous efforts aimed at improving the lives of young people and families across Ontario. This includes hosting the annual Marner All-Star Invitational, which has raised over $2 million since 2018, with the next event to occur this July.

Among his notable contributions, the 27-year-old has partnered with the Salvation Army for many years, helping provide toys and funding for the annual ‘Toy Mountain’ around the holiday season to children in need. 

Why Mitch Marner’s Decision to Limit Media and Dictate Terms of Interviews at his Charity Event Shows he may not be cut out for the Maple Leafs AnymoreWhy Mitch Marner’s Decision to Limit Media and Dictate Terms of Interviews at his Charity Event Shows he may not be cut out for the Maple Leafs AnymoreLeafs star welcomed sports media to promote his Marner Assist Foundation in the past, but with questions surrounding his future with the club swirling, he’s changed course.

Marner has also worked with Second Harvest FEMAP (First Episode Mood and Anxiety Program) to tackle food insecurity and mental health challenges among youth and families in London, Ont., and surrounding areas. From organizing food drives to supporting mental wellness programs, Marner is an excellent choice for nomination as he’s continued to leverage his platform to give back to the community.

On the ice, Marner has taken on a leadership role among the ‘Core Four,’ representing the team as an assistant captain. The forward plays in all areas of the ice, oftentimes placed in every situation – even as a defenseman. Whether it be on the power play, penalty kill, blue line, or when the team needs a goal, he’ll be on the ice.

‘I Enjoy It Back There’: Maple Leafs’ Mitch Marner Shines On Both Ends Of The Ice, Scores Overtime Winner After Taking Shifts On Defense‘I Enjoy It Back There’: Maple Leafs’ Mitch Marner Shines On Both Ends Of The Ice, Scores Overtime Winner After Taking Shifts On DefenseMitch Marner was doing it on all ends of the ice on Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens. 

Marner is currently one point shy of a new career-high, leading the Maple Leafs in points (99) with 26 goals and 73 assists – also tying him for fifth in the NHL in points alongside Connor McDavid. Playing in a contract year, Marner has two games to potentially hit the 100-point mark for the first time in his career before gearing up for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

Nashville Predators Place Defenseman On Waivers

Marc Del Gaizo (© Steve Roberts-Imagn Images)

The Nashville Predators have placed defenseman Marc Del Gaizo on waivers,  PuckPedia reports.

Del Gaizo, 25, has two goals, nine points, 51 blocks, 70 hits, and a minus-4 rating in 45 games this season with the Predators. This is after he had three assists, 20 hits, and a plus-2 rating in his first nine career NHL games with the Predators last season. 

Del Gaizo has also spent a decent amount of the season down in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Milwaukee Admirals. In 30 games with the AHL squad this campaign, he has eight goals, 12 points, and a plus-10 rating.

Del Gaizo was selected by the Predators with the 109th overall pick of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. In 54 career NHL games over two seasons with Nashville, he has two goals, 12 points, 90 hits, and a minus-2 rating. 

Recent Predators News 

New Predators Forward Michael Bunting Is Heating UpNew Predators Forward Michael Bunting Is Heating UpAt the 2025 NHL trade deadline, the Nashville Predators acquired forward Michael Bunting and a 2026 fourth-round pick from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenseman Luke Schenn and forward Tommy Novak. Schenn was then quickly flipped by the Penguins to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick. Predators Call Up Promising Prospect DefensemanPredators Call Up Promising Prospect DefensemanThe Nashville Predators have announced that they have recalled defenseman Ryan Ufko from their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. In addition, the team announced that Ufko will make his NHL debut during the Predators' April 14 contest against the Utah Hockey Club. Predators Top Prospect Is Heating Up In AHLPredators Top Prospect Is Heating Up In AHLNashville Predators prospect Joakim Kemell is considered one of the team's most promising youngsters. The 20-year-old forward is continuing to develop his game at the American Hockey League (AHL) level with the Milwaukee Admirals and is in the middle of a solid season that saw him play in the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic.

Canucks Quinn Hughes Nominated For The 2025 King Clancy Trophy

Apr 12, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) handles the puck against the Minnesota Wild in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes has been nominated for the 2025 King Clancy Trophy. The annual award is presented “to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.” All 32 teams nominated a player, with the winner receiving not just the trophy but also a $25,000 donation to the charity of their choice.

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site:

Top Five At 15: The Final Five Canucks, April 2025

Canucks Kudryavtsev & Tolopilo To Make NHL Debuts Against The Sharks

The Weekly Rewind: Vancouver Canucks Recaps From April 7 To April 13, 2025

The Kind Clancy Trophy has been awarded to three Canucks in the past. Trevor Linden won in 1997, while Henrik Sedin took home the trophy in 2016. Henrik won the award a second time in 2018, but this time, alongside his brother, Daniel Sedin, as the NHL recognized all the work the twins had done in the community during their careers.

Hughes has developed into a leader on and off the ice. He started the Team 43 campaign, which donates tickets to local first responders in BC. Hughes has also developed into a superstar in the NHL and will finish this season as the team's leading scorer despite missing 14 games due to injury.

2024-25 King Clancy Memorial Trophy nominees:

Anaheim Ducks: Radko Gudas
Boston Bruins: Charlie McAvoy
Buffalo Sabres: Alex Tuch
Calgary Flames: Jonathan Huberdeau
Carolina Hurricanes: Jordan Staal
Chicago Blackhawks: Connor Murphy
Colorado Avalanche: Devon Toews
Columbus Blue Jackets: Zach Werenski
Dallas Stars: Matt Duchene
Detroit Red Wings: Jeff Petry
Edmonton Oilers: Darnell Nurse
Florida Panthers: Aleksander Barkov
Los Angeles Kings: Kevin Fiala
Minnesota Wild: Frederick Gaudreau
Montreal Canadiens: Nick Suzuki
Nashville Predators: Ryan O'Reilly
New Jersey Devils: Jack Hughes
New York Islanders: Matt Martin
New York Rangers: Adam Fox
Ottawa Senators: Brady Tkachuk
Philadelphia Flyers: Garnet Hathaway
Pittsburgh Penguins: Kevin Hayes
San Jose Sharks: Mario Ferraro
Seattle Kraken: Jaden Schwartz
St. Louis Blues: Colton Parayko
Tampa Bay Lightning: Victor Hedman
Toronto Maple Leafs: Mitch Marner
Utah Hockey Club: Alex Kerfoot
Vancouver Canucks: Quinn Hughes
Vegas Golden Knights: Jack Eichel
Washington Capitals: Tom Wilson
Winnipeg Jets: Adam Lowry

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

The Hockey News

What we learned as Verlander, Giants suffer windy loss to Phillies

What we learned as Verlander, Giants suffer windy loss to Phillies originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX SCORE

PHILADELPHIA — Justin Verlander makes no secret of the fact that he wants to join the 300-win club at some point. Right now, the Giants pitcher is having more trouble than he expected in his bid for his first in orange and black. 

The Philadelphia Phillies put four runs on Verlander’s line, knocking him out with a string of singles in the sixth, when Verlander extended his pitch count. He ended up taking the loss as the Giants fell 6-4 in the second game of a four-game series Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park. 

The Phillies’ lead was three heading into the top of the eighth, but the Giants pushed back. 

Singles by Heliot Ramos and Willy Adames got their dugout stirring, and Jung Hoo Lee yanked a 100-mph sinker from lefty reliever Jose Alvarado into right. The Giants had the tying run on first with no outs, but went down in order from there, and again in the ninth.

Here are three takeaways from a loss that dropped the Giants to 12-5.

“He’s The Fastest Kid Alive”

There was a stretch of about 20 minutes in the middle of the game when it seemed the Phillies thought they were still playing spring training games — and the Giants were happy to take advantage. 

Verlander walked two of the three batters he faced in the bottom of the third, but Trea Turner was cut down trying to steal second and Bryce Harper inexplicably tagged on a fly ball to deep center. Lee made a strong throw to end the inning.

In the top of the fourth, Matt Chapman and Wilmer Flores caught Jesus Luzardo napping and executed a double-steal. Both scored right away on a single by Casey Schmitt, with Flores sliding in safely in part because J.T. Realmuto didn’t try to put down a tag on a close play at the plate. 

The steal was Flores’ first since 2021 and just the sixth of his MLB career. He now has five-and-a-half months to try and get another one and set a career-high at the age of 33. 

The Wait Continues

Through four starts, Verlander remains stuck on 262 career wins. He entered the sixth Tuesday with a 3-2 lead, but back-to-back singles by Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos got the Phillies going. Randy Rodriguez was warming up in the bullpen, but manager Bob Melvin stuck with Verlander, who initially looked like he would get out of the jam.

Verlander induced a pop-up to left from Realmuto, but Ramos was shading over toward the left-center gap to account for the craziest wind the Giants have seen this season. Ramos might have thought the ball would float back to him, but it never did, dropping in front of him after he ran 108 feet toward the line and went into a slide. That tied the game, and Alec Bohm’s single gave the Phillies the lead on Verlander’s final pitch.

The oldest player in the majors threw 104 pitches and hit 95 mph in his final inning, but again the results weren’t really there. Verlander gave up eight hits and walked three, and the four earned runs in 5 2/3 innings left him with a 6.75 ERA on the season. 

No Longer Perfect

Hayden Birdsong’s 0.00 ERA disappeared in the bottom of the seventh when Harper hit a high fly ball that landed five rows into the seats in right. Birdsong tried to sneak a 3-0 slider across the inner half to get back in the count, but Harper was ready for it. 

It was interesting that Birdsong was even in the game, and a sign that he truly is being treated like a normal reliever, at least for the time being. Birdsong had just one day of rest after pitching at Yankee Stadium in Sunday’s win; his previous outings came on three, three and five days of rest. Given how good Birdsong has been, Melvin likely figured that was his best way to keep it a one-run game.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

2025 NBA Playoffs Betting: Futures bets, odds, picks for Conference and NBA Finals

Many are claiming the NBA Playoffs are as wide open as they have been in recent memory. Is that true? Oklahoma City put together the most dominant regular season since the 1990-91 Chicago Bulls with Michael Jordan. The Celtics and Cavaliers finished with a combined 125 wins and finished atop the East by a whopping ten games better than their nearest "rivals". Not sure how wide open the chase for the Larry O'Brien Trophy really is.

Let's ask the experts at NBC Sports who follow the Association with a magnifying glass what they expect in the postseason. Who do they believe wins the conference finals, who claims the NBA Championship, and what player jumps to the forefront of conversations on talk shows and social media as the playoffs unfold. We have thrown in the odds where it is appropriate.

NBA Eastern Conference Winner

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports): Celtics (-145) over Pacers (+2200)

"It's very easy to see Boston versus Cleveland and 99% of the world will pick it, which doesn't mean it's wrong because I agree it's the most likely outcome, but the Cavaliers play at the 10th-quickest tempo this season and that plays right into how Indiana plays (7th-quickest). With the Bucks Damian Lillard dealing with a blood clot and a 4-2 series win over Milwaukee last season, I think the Pacers can advance in the first round and give the Cavaliers a run for their money in the second round. I will go out on a limb here and go with the Pacers versus Celtics in hopes the Eastern Conference isn't as vanilla as Cleveland versus Boston."

Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper): Cavaliers (+210) over Celtics (-145)

"Clear tier difference between the top two and everyone else in the East and with some questions about Boston's health and depth I'll back the home court team with the stronger offensive closing five in the Cavs."

Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk): Celtics (-145) OVER Cavaliers (+210)

"I'd love to be adventurous here, but these two teams were head and shoulders better than anyone else."

Raphielle Johnson (@raphiellej): Celtics (-145) OVER Cavaliers (+210)

"Boston and Cleveland have been the two best teams in the East by a comfortable margin. It's difficult to see that changing in the playoffs."

Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas): Celtics (-145) OVER Cavaliers (+210)

"The Eastern Conference is top-heavy. The Celtics and the Cavs are miles better than any other team in the East. The Celtics have a deep team, probably the deepest in the NBA. Mix in their ability to shoot threes and lock down on defense; they are going to be hard to beat over a seven-game stretch."

**odds listed are to win the Eastern Conference

NBA Western Conference Winner

Dalzell: Lakers (+600) OVER Clippers (+1200)

"Whoever the No. 7 and 8 seeds are, they will be hot picks to make a run in the West, especially if they are Golden State and Memphis, which makes each round all that more difficult for the No. 1 and 2 seeds. If there is a shakeup, both of the Los Angeles teams could make a run. The Thunder lost in the second-round last year, and the Rockets haven't made the playoffs since the 2019-20 season, and we forget how young these teams truly are. Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers are white-hot at the right time and the LeBron James and Luka Doncic duo has worked out well, so I will go with the best outcome for the NBA's ratings (and LeBron's career)."

Dinsick: Thunder (-140) OVER Lakers (+600)

"The Thunder put a bow on their historic season with a clean run through the Western Conference and get some revenge on Luka and the Lakers in the process."

Helin: Thunder (-140) OVER Warriors (+750)

"A second-round series between the Lakers and Warriors might be the best series of the playoffs."

Johnson: Thunder (-140) OVER Lakers (+600)

"As long as the Warriors take care of Memphis and earn the 7-seed, the top half of the bracket breaks well for OKC. The bottom half will be wild, but the LeBron/Luka/Reaves trio should come through."

Thomas: Lakers (+600) OVER Thunder (-140)

"The Thunder are the deserving favorite. However, since the Luca Doncic acquisition, the Lakers have gone 1-1 with the Thunder. The experience is on the side of the Lakers, with Doncic and LeBron James making deep runs in the playoffs. If there’s a team to beat the Thunder, it will be the Lakers."

**odds listed are to win the Western Conference

NBA Champion

Dalzell: Celtics (+190) OVER Clippers (+3000)

"I think the Celtics' road to the Finals will pan out to be easier than the Thunder's and if Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis can stay healthy, I think Boston is a tough out for anyone in the West."

Dinsick: Thunder (+165) OVER Cavaliers (+650)

"On the back of the best defense in the NBA in a decade, the versatile Thunder and their MVP engine SGA lift the trophy in a thrilling series against the Cleveland Cavaliers."

Helin: Thunder (+165) OVER Celtics (+190)

"Trust the regular season."

Johnson: Celtics (+190) OVER Thunder (+165)

"As long as Jaylen Brown's knee doesn't give him any trouble, Boston remains on top."

Thomas: Celtics (+190) OVER Lakers (+1400)

"The Boston Celtics will win the NBA Championship this season. They are second in offensive rating and fourth in defensive rating. Their ability to outscore their opponents from the three-point line, while defending at a very high level, reminds me of the Splash Brothers Golden State Warriors teams. They have multiple superstars who can carry the offensive load on any given night. They also have the sixth man of the year and a deep and battle-tested bench. It’s hard to repeat as champions, but this Celtics team will probably do just that."

NBA Player to Breakout in 2025 Playoffs

Dalzell: Jalen Green, Houston Rockets

"With the Rockets being the No. 2 seed, they'll face Ja Morant or Steph Curry in the first round which puts the 23-year-old Green in the spotlight and in 1-on-1 situations. Everyone is talking about Amen Thompson, but Green signed a three-year extension earlier this season and could show everyone why with a few 30-point games this postseason."

Jalen Green is +9000 to win WCF MVP and +30000 to win Finals MVP.

Dinsick: Austin Reaves, LA Lakers

"Amazingly, Austing Reaves is the 6th most efficient player (+3.1 offensive EPM this season) in the Western Conference playoff field and with the gravity of Luka Doncic creating additional space for Reaves, he should help the Lakers make the Western Conference Finals this season."

Austin Reaves is +6000 to win WCF MVP and +13000 to win Finals MVP.

Helin: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

"Detroit is going to drag Brunson and KAT into every pick-and-roll possible, and Cunningham will thrive finding space in the midrange."

Cade Cunningham is +15000 to win ECF MVP and +50000 to win Finals MVP.

Johnson: Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets

"As good as he's been since moving into the starting lineup, the playoffs will introduce Thompson and his versatile skill set to a wider audience. He's ready for his close-up."

Amen Thompson is +16000 to win WCF MVP and +50000 to win Finals MVP.

Thomas: Luka Doncic, LA Lakers

"Without a doubt, the Lakers are the team to watch for me. This is a team that went from fighting for a play-in spot to being the No. 3 seed in the West after the Luca Doncic trade. Let’s not forget that Doncic and Kyrie Irving helped bring the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals with a team full of role players. Now, Doncic is paired with Lebron James, still playing at an all-NBA level, and Austin Reaves, who has taken the next step in his NBA development."

So, while chalk basically held with this group of experts, there were a handful of surprises/reasons to tune in and enjoy the ride right through to its conclusion when the Larry O'Brien Trophy is awarded in June.

The Hockey News Big Show: This Is Canada’s Best Chance At Ending The Stanley Cup Drought In Years

Image

The Hockey News Big Show is back to discuss some of the biggest NHL and hockey topics

This Is Canada’s Best Chance At Ending The Stanley Cup Drought In Years by The Big ShowThis Is Canada’s Best Chance At Ending The Stanley Cup Drought In Years by The Big Showundefined

Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and Ryan Kennedy discussed in this episode:

3:01: The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars are locked in for a first-round matchup. Here’s what to expect and the series prediction.

7:48: The Winnipeg Jets clinched the Presidents' Trophy as the regular-season champions. Since 1986, only eight of the 37 Presidents' Trophy winners have won the Stanley Cup. Do you believe in the curse?

11:01: What has impressed you most about Winnipeg's season, and more importantly, can they continue it in the playoffs?

13:55: For the first time in NHL history, the Bruins, Penguins and Rangers have all missed the playoffs. Which team will make it back into the playoffs? What moves do they need to make to get there?

17:14: This year's Stanley Cup playoffs could likely feature five of the seven Canadian teams. It would be the first time five Canadian teams have made it since 2017. Is this the year since 1993 we see the Stanley Cup brought back to Canada?

21:08: Which team has a better chance of winning the Cup between Toronto and Winnipeg?

21:59: We've got a few new faces making it into the playoffs this year. Which player who has never been in the playoffs are you most excited to see get their first taste of playoff hockey?

24:12: Which player is a bigger loss for their team heading into the playoffs: Mattias Ekholm for the Oilers or Oliver Bjorkstrand for the Lightning?

28:07: Reports out of Boston indicate that no changes are expected in the Bruins’ front office, so it looks like Don Sweeney and Cam Neely are here to stay. Is this good or bad for Boston? Could we see any other team making changes at the top and firing a GM? 

32:19: Ivan Demidov had an impressive NHL debut, with one goal and one assist. Could he be the next Guy Lafleur?

34:52: Logan Couture is not expected to continue his NHL playing career. He played 15 years, all for the San Jose Sharks. Where does he rank among all-time Sharks greats?

36:37: The NHLPA Player Poll was released today – 630 players were asked to name the league's most complete player. Sidney Crosby finished slightly ahead of Aleksander Barkov. Agree or disagree?

39:29: What’s your favorite NHL Stanley Cup playoff tradition?

Watch the full episode here.   

Subscribe to The Hockey News Big Show on your preferred platform.

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Jonathan Aranda's power, Shane Smith's changeup, and speed in LA

As the early season dust has settled and more of the obvious breakout players and impact rookies are unavailable, we need to look a bit deeper to find gems on the waiver wire.

Fear not, becausethere are still a handful of gems that are widely available and have the chance to be difference-makers in both the short and long term.

MLB: NLCS-Los Angeles Dodgers at New York Mets
Eric Samulski talks to David Peterson about his healthy offseason and the changes he made for 2025

Here are three players that are under 40% rostered on Yahoo leagues that you should strongly consider adding.

If you want a larger list, Eric Samulski wrote his extended waiver wire pieceon Sunday.

Jonathan Aranda, 1B Rays

(19% Rostered on Yahoo)

The Rays’ offense erupted for a whopping 16 runs on Tuesday and Aranda was directly in the middle of that onslaught. He went 2-for-5 with a double, two runs scored, two RBI, and three batted balls hit harder than 104 mph.

Games like this have become the norm for Aranda this season, who leads all qualified hitters with a .395 batting average and trails only Aaron Judge with a 1.158 OPS.

It’s great to see him succeeding in what’s finally been his first real chance to play regularly. Still fresh off his ‘prospect’ status, Aranda is 26 years old and has taken over 1,000 plate appearances at Triple-A with a .959 OPS down there.

He was also a borderline league-average hitter through his first handful of times up with the Rays that came over the last three years.

The best of which was last season, when he cut down his strikeout rate, had one of the best barrel rates in the league over a nearly 100 batted ball sample, improved his max exit velocity from 108.0 mph to 110.4 mph, and began to pull the bulk of his fly balls.

Now, practically no one in the league is hitting the ball as hard and as consistently as Aranda. He’s in the 95th percentile or better in hard-hit rate, barrel rate, and average exit velocity. Again, he’s improved upon his max exit velocity, up to 111.4 mph, and pulling a greater share of his fly balls than last season in what’s still a small sample.

A key reason for this additional step forward is improved pitch selection. Aranda has always been able to take his walks, but sometimes was caught in between which pitches he should be swinging at. That often made him too passive on pitches in the strike zone.

So far this season, he’s swinging more often at pitches in the zone overall and more at pitches in the heart of the zone while offering at fewer in the shadow of the zone or on the edges. It feels like something has clicked in a big way with his pitch selections.

The only thing holding Aranda’s fantasy value back is the Rays’ strict platoon plan for him. He is yet to play a game against a left-handed pitcher this season and likely won’t get many opportunities to do so.

That makes it a bit annoying to manage him in weekly leagues, knowing he will miss a game or two every week. Still, his breakout feels real and he’s quickly moving himself up the ranks of first basemen.

Shane Smith, SP White Sox

(15% Rostered on Yahoo)

An early-season surprise with a 2.04 ERA through three starts in his first taste of major league action, Smith has a few big things going for him right now.

First off, his changeup may be one of the nastiest pitches in the league. It’s averaging a cool 90 mph with plus-plus drop. So much so that sometimes Statcast mismarks the pitch as a curveball.

And visually, it’s stunning.

That pitch alone is enough for Smith to stifle any left-handed batter, and it has so far with a 3.1 Run Value per 100 pitches, third-highest in the league for a righty starter’s changeup.

Past that pitch, the White Sox have shown that they trust Smith to work relatively deep into games. He completed six innings in two of his three starts and worked 5 2/3 innings in his other, which is great for his fantasy value.

That being said, he’s clearly paid a third-time-through-the-order-tax. Of the 14 total batters he’s faced for a third time in a particular game, seven have reached base and four have come around to score.

While that’s cause for mild concern, the White Sox seem willing to throw him in the pool and see if he can actually swim. Mostly because they took him in the Rule 5 draft this offseason, so either he stays on the 26-man roster for all 162 games or must be returned to the Brewers.

Also, what else do they have to lose? They are dreadful with no end in sight. May as well give your new pitcher – who has a true outpitch and roster mandate – the chance to see if he can figure things out himself on the fly. It’s not like they have a better option to start anyway.

Still, Smith has some more things to prove before he’s a slam-dunk type of starter. Besides his changeup, the rest of his repertoire leaves a bit to be desired.

His fastball has some natural cut – which also helps him against left-handed batters – but just average velocity. He has a tight slider that’s totally fine, and flashes a curveball with plus-drop. He also showed a sinker for the first time in his most recent start.

His strikeout rate sits at just 17.6% through his three starts and tells us he’s a huge candidate for ERA regression.

Overall, it’s just OK stuff that plays up because of one fantastic pitch and what’s been very good command so far. He gets a bump in fantasy value as the White Sox allow him to pitch relatively deeply into games and is worth a roster spot in certain leagues on the chance he can build on this early season success.

Hyseong Kim, 2B LAD

(10% Rostered on Yahoo)

For as hot as the Dodgers started the season, they’ve been nearly as cold over the past week and a half. As of Tuesday morning, they’re 4-6 over their past 10 games while scoring just 3.4 runs per contest.

A key reason for this blip has been the total lack of production from the bottom of their lineup.

Max Muncy is stuck in a 1-for-15 stretch and has struck out in more than 40% of his PA this season. Andy Pages went through a 1-for-25 stretch, had a two-hit game, and is now 1-for-14 since. Enrique Hernández is struggling too and has only been a better than league-average hitter one time in the last seven seasons.

Not to mention, the Dodgers are both one of the slowest and worst defensive teams in the league in the early going. They rank fourth-worst in average sprint speed and second-worst in Outs Above Average as a team so far.

So, it would make sense for them to promote the surging Kim from Triple-A to give their roster a much needed infusion of athleticism and challenge that struggling trio for playing time.

Kim has already hit three home runs with Oklahoma City – including a 462 ft monster shot – along with seven doubles, a triple, and four stolen bases. He’s also spent time at shortstop, second base, and center field: two positions of need for the Dodgers and one where Mookie Betts could use an occasional day off without Miguel Rojas needing to take an at-bat.

It would make a lot of sense for them to demote Pages so he can get himself right in Triple-A and call Kim up to take his spot. If so, he would be a must-add player as a member of the Dodgers’ lineup with serious stolen base upside and enough power to not be a zero there.

For now, he’s worth a short term stash if you can afford the roster spot for a few days in preparation.

NBA Players to Split $35 Million for 2025 Playoff Bonuses

The NBA playoffs tip off this week with the Oklahoma City Thunder coming in as the slight favorite over the Boston Celtics to win the title, with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers the next top picks.

The Thunder were the NBA’s youngest team and also had one of its lowest payrolls, but Thunder players can earn an NBA-high $12.4 million in total bonuses if they win the title after posting the best record in the NBA.

NBA players have the highest salaries in U.S. pro sports by a wide margin. The same holds true come playoff time.

Players on NBA playoff teams will divvy up $34.7 million this season, with each team receiving a chunk based on how far their teams go. The total is up $1 million from last year.

Teams earn more for each round they advance, and the NBA also factors in regular-season standings in its playoff pool, with an added bonus of $869,345 for the best record among all 30 teams. Players will receive anywhere from $466,263—roughly $30,400 per player based on a 15-player roster—to potentially $12.4 million ($828,000 per player) for the NBA champion if it is the Thunder, who finished the season 68-14.

Clubs that finished as the seventh or eighth seed do not receive any bonuses for their regular-season records, and players on those teams would earn $719,000 if they made a historic run to lift the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. The Houston Rockets in 1995 were the lowest-seeded team to win the NBA Finals, doing it as a six seed.

Teams do not earn anything for the play-in tournament beyond their regular-season salaries, which are typically paid out over 12 months.

The NBA playoff pool is up 3% over last year after a 25% bump the previous season when the new collective bargaining went into effect. The CBA reads: “A Player Playoff Pool for each Salary Cap Year in an amount equal to the greater of: (i) $31,014,350 multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is BRI for the Salary Cap Year immediately preceding the then-current Salary Cap Year and the denominator of which is BRI for the 2021-22 Salary Cap Year, and (ii) the amount of the Player Playoff Pool for the immediately preceding Salary Cap Year.”

Last season, playoff bonuses rose between 12% and 17% for each round, except for the NBA champion, whose payout was boosted 79% to $8.55 million, up from $4.78 million.

The amount NBA players earn in the playoffs is much higher than those in the NFL, NHL and MLB.

The NFL uses part of the playoff gate revenue to fund its player postseason pool. Players earned $49,500 to $54,500 during the first two weeks of this year’s playoffs, per their CBA. Player paychecks jumped to $77,000 for the conference championship games. The Super Bowl was worth $171,000 for each player on the winning team and $96,000 for ones on the losing side. The maximum a player could earn during the playoffs was $357,000.

The MLB playoff pool, also culled from playoff ticket revenue, was a record $129.1 million last year, thanks to a pair of big market teams—the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees—in the World Series. The Dodgers split up $46.5 million among the players, with each receiving $477,441.

The NHL playoff pool is $23 million this season, up 4.5% from last year. The Florida Panthers shared $6.54 million in 2024, while the runner-up Edmonton Oilers got $3.78 million. The rest of the NHL playoff breakdown included $2.06 million for each team that lost in the conference finals, $859,375 for those out in the semifinals, and $429,688 for each team that fell in the first round. The New York Rangers won the Presidents’ Trophy, which carried a $859,375 bonus their players.

The average NBA salary is more than $10 million, led by Stephen Curry at $55.8 million. Forty-nine NBA players earned at least $30 million in salary this season before incentives, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($35.9 million) and Isaiah Hartenstein ($30 million) on the Thunder. The playoffs serve as pocket change for those guys. But a pair of players on their playoff roster, Dillon Jones and Jaylin Williams, earned less than $3 million this season. An NBA title would bump each of their seasonal pay more than 30%.

Sign up for Sportico's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Bucks' Damian Lillard 'has significantly improved' but will miss start of playoffs due to injury

For the second year in a row, the Milwaukee Bucks will start the playoffs with one of their two stars on the bench.

The important news (and good news) is that "Damian Lillard has made significant improvement on his deep vein thrombosis in his right calf," the Bucks announced Tuesday. However, he will not be cleared to play on Saturday when the Bucks tip off the playoffs in Indiana, according to multiple reports.

"Damian's most recent weekly scan shows that his injury has significantly improved which will enable him to move ahead safely with increased basketball activity," Bucks General Manager Jon Horst said in a statement. "Damian's health remains our No. 1 priority. We have followed strict protocols and will continue to do so. We are pleased with the positive news about Damian's progress."

Lillard has been doing some shooting and light running, but not full contact in practice yet as he works toward a return. First-round series can drag out with stretches of multiple days off (only the date and time of the first game of this series is officially set). We also don't know exactly what Lillard's recovery timeline is (there may not be one, this is a relatively unique situation). This means that it's possible Lillard will return later in the series.

This season, Lillard averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists a game, shooting 37.6% on 3-pointers. This season, the Bucks still had a very strong +9 net rating in the minutes that Giannis Antetokounmpo was on the court but Lillard was out. However, Antetokounmpo can't play every minute, and in the minutes he and Lillard were both out the Bucks had a -2.4 net rating. Milwaukee was 3-1 against the Pacers in the regular season.

Mavericks vs. Kings Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for April 16

Dallas Mavericks vs. Sacramento Kings Preview 

It’s Wednesday, April 16, and the Dallas Mavericks (39-43) and Sacramento Kings (40-42) are all set to square off from Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

The Mavericks will be happy to win this game and make it to the playoffs, after shipping away Luca Doncic before the trade deadline.

The Mavericks are currently 17-25 on the road with a point differential of -1, while the Kings have a 4-6 record in their last ten games at home. 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Mavericks vs. Kings live today

  • Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2025
  • Time: 10:00PM EST
  • Site: Golden 1 Center
  • City: Sacramento, CA
  • Network/Streaming: ESPN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Mavericks vs. Kings

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Odds: Mavericks (+162), Kings (-195)
  • Spread:  Kings -4.5
  • Over/Under: 215 points

That gives the Mavericks an implied team point total of 106.64, and the Kings 108.99.
 
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Wednesday's Mavericks vs. Kings game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

 Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) is betting Dallas +5…

Dinsick: “Expecting a close game and Mavs shooting and defense to keep them inside the number in the 9/10 western confernce matchup”

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) is betting on under 55.5 1st quarter points…

Dalzell: “This will have intensity from the tip. The first quarter Unders went 4-2 to 57 or fewer points in the play-in last season. I will be on all the first quarters Unders this season too.”

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections 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 today’s Mavericks & Kings game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Dallas Mavericks at +4.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under on the Game Total of 215.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Mavericks vs. Kings on Wednesday

  • The Kings are 3-6-1 against the spread in their last 10 games
  • The Mavericks are 3-7 against the spread in their last 10 games
  • The over is 3-7 in the last 10 Kings games
  • The over is 5-4-1 in the last 10 Mavericks games

 
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 NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: 
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) 
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) 
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Montreal Needs to Take it One Game At a Time

Image

The Montreal Canadiens and their fans are big Philadelphia Flyers fans today, especially Matvei Michkov, you know, that other Russian star prospect. The Columbus Blue Jackets are rolling into Philadelphia tonight to play a team that wants to finish the season strong. On a high note and they have been playing better hockey.

The Flyers are 5-3-2 in their last 10 and the Jackets are 6-4. The difference here could be goaltending. The Flyers will likely go with Sam Ersson, who is good and played fine in their last overtime loss. Will he play his best game, I think so, but even his best games mean one or two goals you wonder if he could have played differently or better. 

The Jackets are going with the hot hand. Jet Greaves who has won three in a row. He was in the AHL and now he’s back in the NHL and he seems different. At 24, he’s only played 19 games in the NHL. 

I’ve seen the Flyers pull out some weird wins before. They’ve played strong games against the Capitals and Stars in losses. They could do it because they’re trying to finish strong and interim coach Brad Shaw has been a breath of fresh air for the players. Never think something is all sewn up. This is sports and this is why they play the games. 

I think the Blue Jackets will win and so does Brendan Gallagher