SURPRISE, ARIZONA - MARCH 6: Kade Anderson #13 of the Seattle Mariners throws a pitch during a Spring Training game against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium on March 6, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Afforded the third overall pick in last year’s draft, the Seattle Mariners entered draft day with long odds of selecting Kade Anderson. The player many considered the best of the 2025 talent pool, Anderson was undoubtedly the best pitcher in college baseball last year and dominated opposing hitters all season long. In one of the more shocking draft day happenings of recent memory, both the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Angels passed on Anderson in favor of money saving options, sliding the left hander down to the number three spot for the Mariners to capitalize and secure a premium talent. A series of incredibly unlikely events needed to occur in order for Anderson to end up in the PNW, but fortunately for Mariners fans, that improbability became reality.
Almost a year ago, Kade Anderson was opening the season with LSU as an intriguing draft prospect.
Now he's striking out some of baseball's biggest stars.
Anderson possesses a level of polish most 21 year olds will never have on the mound, defining his success as a pitcher through deception, pitchability, and tunneling. His fastball, typically sitting around 93-94 mph, gets solid carry through the zone and is a perfectly fine offering, though its primary utility is to set up his excellent secondary offerings. His changeup kills velocity well and gets good fade to his arm side, serving as a weapon he can deploy against righties to get swing and miss. His slider, a sweeping breaker that’s in the mid to upper 80’s, is hellish on lefties and is probably his best overall pitch considering its raw metrics. Finally, Anderson has a curveball at his disposal, a pitch he can both bury for whiffs or sneak in early to steal a strike. The velocity isn’t going to jump off the page, but it’s enticing stuff nonetheless.
Raw “stuff plus” models anyone can seemingly screenshot and share are probably not going to like Anderson very much, but these numbers lack full context of what makes a pitcher good, and punishing a player that’s done nothing but dominate because of that would be foolish. How an arsenal works together, how deceptively it’s deployed, and where these offerings are located are just a few of the many factors that raw “stuff” models don’t account for, and they’re a big part of why Anderson is so dominant on the mound. Models can be helpful tools, but it doesn’t make them gospel.
Plus command with above average stuff from the left side is always going to play, and he’s proven that thus far in his brief introduction to professional baseball. Over his first two games for Double-A Arkansas, Anderson has pitched to a line of 9 IP/ 5 H/ 0 ER/ 17 K/ 3 BB, a truly ridiculous start to a career at a level where he’s ~3.5 years younger than the average player. Having already been the best pitcher in the SEC for a full season and now mowing through the Texas League, perhaps the likelihood we see a 2026 major league debut for Mr. Anderson is far more likely than it was six months ago. The organization doesn’t have to (nor should they) rush him to the majors, but if he forces their hand, Anderson would provide the team yet another home grown arm that could contribute to this team’s success for years to come.
Baseball, Professional - President And Mrs. Taft; General Clarence Edwards, 1910. Artist Harris & Ewing. (Photo by Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images) | Heritage Images via Getty Images
On April 14, 1910, William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the United States, made history, as he became the first US President to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. While attending Opening Day alongside his wife, Nellie, and Vice President James S. Sherman, the President threw the ball from the stands to Washington Senators starter Walter Johnson, officially opening the 1910 season. While this was an important moment in the history of baseball, affirming the importance of baseball to American culture and unofficially christening the game as America’s pastime, the attention that this act draws covers up the fact that Opening Day in 1910 was a weird and wacky day of baseball.
And so, 116 years later, let us dive deep into the New York Times and Baseball Reference archives and showcase what has been long been hidden by the Presidential first pitch.
Washington Senators 3, Philadelphia Athletics 0
Entering his age-22 season, Washington Senators ace Walter Johnson took the mound for his first of 14 Opening Day starts, and to say that his performance was worth the price of admission all by itself would be an understatement. The future Hall of Famer tossed nine scoreless innings, striking out nine, walking three, and allowing just one hit. According to most discussions of the game, albeit unreported in the Times recap from the next day, that one hit occurred when a fan fell onto the field in the seventh, causing right fielder Doc Gessler to trip.
I’m going to be honest, as a historian, this is where the Baseball Reference archives can be a tad frustrating, as they don’t do a great job citing their sources on their “This Day in History” pages. From what I can gather, pretty much every single reference to this event cites this page directly, as they tend to use the same verbiage — “Doc Gessler tripping over a fan who had spilled out of overflow seating,” but since the site does not cite its sources here, I can’t go any further back. Unfortunately, the New York Times appeared more focused on President Taft’s reactions during the game than it did on this one now-infamous event.
Fortunately, this is a prime example of why it’s important to collaborate in your research. While the primary sources I have access to did not discuss this event — my school libraries have access only to NYC-based newspapers — Andrew sent me the Washington Post article from that day, which not only confirmed the historicity of the event, but got us a quote from a disappointed Gessler: “Walter, I’m awfully sorry I could not get that fly, for I wanted you to let them down without a hit, but I couldn’t make it because I fell.”
For his part, “The Big Train” took it in stride, satisfied with the win; though it would take another decade for him to get his no-no.
Chicago White Sox 3, St. Louis Browns 0
Walter Johnson was not the only starter to flirt with an Opening Day no-no. At South Side Park in Chicago—in its final half-season before the yard that would be named Comiskey Park opened its doors—Frank Smith of the White Sox spun a complete-game shutout of his own. He struck out five, walked two, and allowed a singular, solitary hit: a leadoff single in the third off the bat of Ray Demmitt.
How did the White Sox score those three runs, you might ask? Well, the first came in the bottom of the fifth, courtesy of a Fred Payne single thorugh the left side of the infield. The second, meanwhile, was the result of a bases loaded hit batter, a situation which presented itself after a walk, single, and an E1 on a sac bunt attempt loaded the bases with nobody out. And the last, in the ninth, when Patsy Dougherty laced a two-out double to right and Billy Purtell drove a single up the middle.
Cincinnati Reds 1, Chicago Cubs 0 (10 innings)
Fred Beebe of the Reds and Orval Overall of the Cubs traded zeroes for 10 innings at the Palace of the Fans in Cincy, as the two pitchers combined for eight hits, eight strikeouts, and three walks. Frank Schulte was the only Chicago batter worth anything, as he recorded all three of his team’s hits; the rest of the lineup combined for just two walks.
The game, mercifully, came to an end in the 10th, as Mike Mitchell singled to center, reached second on an E5, advanced to third on a fly ball to right field, and scored on a Tom Downey single to left.
New York Highlanders 4, Boston Red Sox 4 (14 innings)
Twenty-five thousand people descended upon Washington Heights in what the Times described as “the largest and noisiest crowd that ever set aside all earthly cares to attend a ball game at American League Park.” And boy, was that crowd in for a treat. The Red Sox got the scoring going early, as Tris Speaker doubled in Amby McConnell, who had reached on an E5, in the top of the first, then tacked on two more in the third courtesy of a Harry Lord triple and a Speaker fielder’s choice. But down 4-2 heading into the bottom of the eighth, the Highlanders put together a rally that drove Eddie Cicotte from the game and tied things up at four apiece.
And there the score would stay, forever. Boston reliever Smoky Joe Wood and Highlander starter Hippo Vaughn—who wound up pitching all 14 innings for the not-yet-Yankees traded zeroes—with the Red Sox in fact managing to get just one run into scoring position in total after the fifth inning. Eventually, when “it was so dark that a ball sent into the air could hardly be seen, then Mr. Connolly, he’s the umpire, turned to the crowd and called the game on account of darkness.”
And so the game sits in the Baseball Reference archive, forever a tie. According to the BR Bullpen, this game saw the Red Sox wear “laced collars,” becoming the final team in baseball history to wear a collared uniform on a normal, not-throwback basis. It would also not be Vaughn’s last memorable extra-inning pitching performance, as his most famous game came in 1917 with the Cubs, when he and Cincinnati’s Fred Toney had dueling no-hitters through nine.
New York Giants 3, Boston Doves 2 (11)
The future Rivalry was not the only the matchup between New York and Boston that day. Up in Beantown, the Giants took on the Doves (the future Braves), in a game that went 11 innings. Giants starter Red Ames allowed just two baserunners — a hit-by-pitch in the first and a walk in the third, both of which put leadoff hitter Herbie Moran on first, and which was immediately followed up with Moran stealing second — until Bill Sweeney led off the bottom of the eight with a single. The Giants rapidly tied the game at two apiece, first by plating Sweeney when Fred Liese grounded into an E6-turned double play in the eighth, then stringing together a walk and two singles in the ninth. Dave Shean, however, stopped that rally in its tracks, by trying, and failing, to steal home.
The game then went into extras, with Herbie Moran working a walk to lead off the bottom of the 11th, then being advanced to second on a Peaches Graham bunt, to third on a Fred Beck groundout, and finally scoring on a Dave Shean single, as the he made up for his boneheaded attempt to steal home in his previous at bat.
Rather interestingly, the New York Times article on this game was written by Fred Tenney, identified as the “First Baseman of the Giants.” That was, technically speaking, true, as Tenney was with the team at the time, and had been the Giants’ first baseman the previous two seasons. However, he would never take the field with the team, wound up released in early May, and spent the majority of the season as the player-manager of the Lowell Tigers. According to SABR’s biograpy of Tenney, the first baseman was an avid writer, regularly penning articles for Baseball Magazine, the Sunday Post, and the Times.
There you have it! April 14, 1910: three extra-inning games, three shutouts, two one-hitters, a failed attempt at a walk-off steal of home, laced collars, and, assuming we believe the stories, a fan falling into the stands. Talk about a crazy day of baseball!
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 22: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 22, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Blazers defeated the Suns 92-77. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Who: Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Trail Blazers
When: 7:00pm Arizona Time
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center — Phoenix, Arizona
Watch: Prime Video
Listen: KMVP 98.7
Here we are. The Phoenix Suns are playing in their first ever play in game after a season that surprised a lot of people. The consensus coming in was that a successful year meant making the Play-In tournament, likely in the nine-versus-ten game, probably on the road. Instead, the Suns are hosting the seven-versus-eight game. It would take two straight losses for them to miss the postseason entirely.
The opportunity is right in front of them. Beat the Portland Trail Blazers tonight, and you’re the seven seed. You’re on a flight headed to Texas to face the San Antonio Spurs. But first things first. They have to deal with a Portland team that has been playing better basketball down the stretch. Phoenix is 11–11 in March and April. Portland is 13–8. Since the All-Star break, the Blazers are 15–11. The Suns are 13–14.
Phoenix handled Portland well during the regular season. They went 2–1 and created chaos defensively, averaging 15.3 steals across those three games. That matters, especially against a team that led the league in turnovers at 17.3 per night and coughed it up 19.3 times per game against the Suns. The Blazers also launch threes — 42.2 per game — third most in the league, but they sit near the bottom in efficiency at 34.3%. When those shots don’t fall, they crash. Hard. They’re second in the NBA in offensive rebounds at 14.1 and lead the league in second-chance points at 18.4. That’s where the pressure comes. Because the Suns give up 15.6 second-chance points a night, 22nd in the league.
And yet, none of that really matters now. This is about execution. This is about handling the moment. One game, real stakes, postseason on the line. Who settles in, who controls the chaos, who finishes. That’s what decides tonight.
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns
Grayson Allen — OUT (Left Hamstring Soreness)
Trail Blazers
Damian Lillard — OUT (Left Achilles Tendon)
Jerami Grant — QUESTIONABLE (Right Calf Strain)
What to Watch For
It starts with containing Deni Avdija.
If I asked you to guess where he ranks in the NBA in free throw attempts per game, where would you put him? Last season, he averaged 5.2 and ranked 28th in the league. This season, he’s found his lane attacking the basket. He’s third in the NBA, trailing only Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo, getting to the line 9.2 times per game and hitting 80.2%. Yikes.
So step one is clear. Limit his access to the paint and avoid fouling when he gets there. That’s been a problem for the Suns lately. They’ve allowed 51 points per game in the paint over their last 10 games. That’s where it starts. Slow down the guy who applies the most pressure at the rim.
Step two is protecting the defensive glass. As previously noted, the Trail Blazers are second in the league in offensive rebounding. The Suns are fourth in offensive rebounding themselves, but overall, Portland sits sixth in total rebounds while Phoenix is 20th. That gap shows up. That’s effort, positioning, and attention to detail. It has to be there tonight.
And the question is how. Portland is big. They are long. That’s not something the Suns consistently bring with their rotations. The size exists on the roster, but it hasn’t always been on the floor. So it comes back to Jordan Ott and how he manages those rotations, how he counters what Portland throws at them, and how he finds the right balance when it matters most.
Key to a Suns Win
The Suns have to be effective from beyond the arc. Phoenix finished 12th in the NBA in three-point shooting, hitting 36.1%. When you look at their games against the Blazers this season, the connection is clear. In the two wins? They shot 42% from deep. In the loss, they were at 25.7%.
Yes, that loss came without Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks, but the formula still holds. If the Suns are going to win, it comes down to balance. Effective three-point shooting. Strong point of attack defense. Limiting Deni Avdija getting downhill. Securing rebounds.
Portland is beatable. There’s a reason they finished 42–40 and are in this game. But the Suns have to turn Portland’s weaknesses into their strengths. The Blazers turn the ball over. That’s the pressure point. The Suns need to press, stay aggressive defensively, and create extra possessions. At the same time, they can’t get too handsy. They can’t give away easy points.
It’s about control. Dictate the pace, don’t let Portland impose theirs. If the Suns do that, they win.
Prediction
I’ve been in the arena for postseason games, for wins and losses, and there’s nothing quite like the Mortgage Matchup Center. The hope is that tonight that anxious feeling doesn’t creep in. But if it does, remember what this team has shown. They can come back. Even in those frustrating losses down the stretch, they were still within reach after falling behind by double digits more often than not.
So if you’re in the building tonight, don’t let that energy take over. I don’t think it will. The Suns have the best player on the court in Devin Booker. You can argue Deni Avdija had the better season, maybe he did, but he hasn’t lived in these moments the way Booker has.
Phoenix wins this one and advances to face the Spurs.
Jun 26, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Ryan Murray (28) celebrates with the Stanley Cup trophy after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning during game six of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
More than a decade into the return of a division-focused playoff format, the arguments persist about whether it is the best thing the NHL can do to determine a Stanley Cup champion.
For three years in a row from 2016-18, Sidney Crosby’s Pittsburgh Penguins faced Alex Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals in the second round and each time the winner of that series hoisted the Cup. Edmonton and Los Angeles met in the first round four years in a row from 2022-25.
This time, it’s the stacked Central Division drawing the attention. Colorado is the top seed in the West while Dallas and Minnesota have for months been on a crash course to start the playoffs against each other. That means that one of the top seven favorites — and one of the seven best regular-season teams — will be gone by Round 2.
“If you could pick, obviously you’d rather not do that,” Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger said. “But it’s kind of the hand you’re dealt and it hopefully makes it all the more fun.”
Since realignment in 2013-14, the league has returned to the format that was all the rage in the 1980s and early ‘90s days of the Patrick, Adams, Norris and Smythe divisions. Exceptions were made in 2020 to complete the playoffs during the pandemic and in ’21 when U.S.-Canada border restrictions led to an entire season of divisional play.
The top teams in the Eastern and Western conferences face the second wild card team, with the other division winner going up against the first wild card. In all the divisions — the Metropolitan, Atlantic, Central and Pacific — the second seed plays the third seed.
Because of that, only one of the Avalanche, Stars and Wild can reach the West final. The path through the Atlantic is treacherous for Buffalo, Tampa Bay and Montreal.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has defended the format and says it delivers the best first round in sports and helps deliver competitive races down the stretch. Critics say it guarantees that some of the league’s top regular-season teams are eliminated before what would be compelling conference championship showdowns.
“We had matchups decided last year the last day of the season,” Bettman said. “If you’re looking for stories, if you’re looking for intrigue, if you’re looking to be entertained, this format works for you.”
How the playoff salary cap works
There were years of complaints about teams stashing players on long-term injured reserve through the end of the regular season only to bring them back early in the first round.
The new labor deal includes a playoff salary cap for the first time. Until now, the cap went away entirely in the playoffs.
It is a factor this time, though it comes with a twist. Unlike during the season, when the entire roster has to fit under the $95.5 million ceiling, teams only have to make sure the lineup of 18 skaters and two goalies dressed is cap compliant; as many as 5-20 players on the roster but not playing on any given night do not count against the cap.
The league added a playoff cap calculator to its front office app to assist general managers and their staffs with the process. Each will need to submit its game roster to NHL Central Registry prior to puck drop to make sure the combined salaries don’t go over the limit.
All 16 NHL playoff berths are filled with three days left in the regular season.
But only three series have been determined and home ice hasn't been decided in one of those. No seed is set in the Pacific Division and the first and second wild-card seeds aren't nailed down yet.
Games Tuesday, April 14 could provide more clarity.
The Boston Bruins can clinch the first wild-card seed in the Eastern Conference and the idle Tampa Bay Lightning can clinch home-ice advantage in the first round. The Utah Mammoth could clinch the top wild-card seed in the West.
The biggest game, though, has no playoff implications. Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is playing in his season finale. The NHL's all-time leading scorer hasn't said whether he'll return for another season. ESPN is broadcasting what could be his last game in the NHL.
Here's what to know about the NHL standings, including the latest playoff bracket, Tuesday's clinching scenarios and the tiebreaker procedures for the 2025-26 season before the postseason begins on April 18:
Who's in the 2026 NHL playoffs?
Eastern Conference: Carolina, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Montreal, Tampa Bay, Boston, Ottawa
Western Conference: Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota, Vegas, Edmonton, Anaheim, Utah, Los Angeles
Who can clinch an NHL playoff seed today?
The Bruins will clinch the first wild card in the East if they beat the New Jersey Devils. That would set up a first round meeting with the Sabres. The Ottawa Senators would face the Carolina Hurricanes.
The idle Lightning will clinch second in the Atlantic Division and home-ice advantage in the first round if the Montreal Canadiens lose in regulation.
The Mammoth will clinch the first wild card in the West if they beat the Winnipeg Jets and the Los Angeles Kings lose. They'd also clinch if they get one point and the Kings lose in regulation. Utah would face the Pacific Division winner in the first round.
The Kings would finish as the second wild card if they lose in regulation and the Anaheim Ducks and Mammoth pick up at least one point. The Kings would face the Colorado Avalanche in the first round. The Kings could move into the third seed in the Pacific if they win on Tuesday and the Ducks lose.
NHL games today (Tuesday, April 14)
New Jersey at Boston, 7
Carolina at N.Y. Islanders, 7
Montreal at Philadelphia, 7
Washington at Columbus, 7, ESPN
Anaheim at Minnesota, 8
Winnipeg at Utah, 9
Colorado at Calgary, 9
Pittsburgh at St. Louis, 9:30, ESPN
Los Angeles at Vancouver, 10
NHL playoff standings
NHL Eastern Conference standings 2025-26
After April 13 games. x-clinched playoff spot. y-clinched division. z-eliminated.
Out of the playoffs: z-Washington Capitals (93), z-Columbus Blue Jackets (92), z-Detroit Red Wings (92), z-New York Islanders (91), z-New Jersey Devils (87), z-Florida Panthers (82), z-Toronto Maple Leafs (78), z-New York Rangers (75)
NHL Western Conference standings 2025-26
After completed April 13 games. x-clinched playoff spot. y-clinched division. z-eliminated.
Out of the playoffs:z-Nashville Predators (86), z-San Jose Sharks (84), z-Winnipeg Jets (82), z-St. Louis Blues (82), z-Seattle Kraken (79), z-Calgary Flames (75), z-Chicago Blackhawks (70), z-Vancouver Canucks (56)
NHL playoffs if they started today
NHL Eastern Conference playoff bracket
Here is how the Eastern Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended on April 13:
Carolina (M1) vs. Ottawa (WC2)
Pittsburgh (M2) vs. Philadelphia (M3) This series is set
Buffalo (A1) vs. Boston (WC1)
Tampa Bay (A2) vs. Montreal (A3)
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: M - Metropolitan Division. A - Atlantic Division. WC - wild card
NHL Western Conference playoff bracket
Here is how the Western Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended on April 13.
Colorado (C1) vs. Los Angeles (WC2)
Dallas (C2) vs. Minnesota (C3). This series is set
Vegas (P1) vs. Utah (WC1)
Edmonton (P2) vs. Anaheim (P3)
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: C - Central Division P - Pacific Division. WC - wild card
NHL tiebreakers: What is the first tiebreaker in NHL standings?
If two teams are tied in points at the end of the regular season, here are the tiebreakers:
Regulation wins
Regulation and overtime wins (ROW)
Total wins
Most points earned in head-to-head competition: If teams had an uneven number of meetings, the first game played in the city that has the extra game is excluded. When more than two clubs are tied, the percentage of available points earned in games among each other (and not including any odd games) shall be used to determine standings.
Goal differential
Total goals
When does the NHL regular season end?
The NHL regular season is scheduled to end on Thursday, April 16, with six games.
When do the NHL playoffs start?
The NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs are scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 18.
The Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets will close out their regular-season schedules in a matchup between two disappointed teams that had their sights set on the playoffs.
My Capitals vs. Blue Jackets predictions expect the home side to come out on top in a high-event game.
Let’s break down my NHL picks for Tuesday, April 14.
Capitals vs Blue Jackets prediction
Capitals vs Blue Jackets best bet: Blue Jackets moneyline (-145)
The Washington Capitals have controlled only 41.57% of high-danger chances at 5-on-5 over the last 10 games, ranking 31st in the league.
They’re consistently getting outplayed, and that should continue against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Their share of high-danger chances over the same span is ~10% higher than Washington’s, and they also have the added motivation of closing out their season on a high note on home ice.
Washington’s tendency to get out-chanced could be even more problematic with Clay Stevenson in net.
Stevenson is a 27-year-old journeyman with a .892 save percentage through four NHL starts, and he is unlikely to measure up to Jet Greaves at the other end of the rink.
Capitals vs Blue Jackets same-game parlay
Seven of the Capitals’ last 10 games have eclipsed the total, and that was with Logan Thompson — who leads the NHL in Goals Saved Above Expected — starting in nine of them.
With no stakes in tonight's matchup and a third-string netminder taking the crease, this sets up as a free-flowing contest where the offenses shine.
The Blue Jackets also tend to play in faster games, ranking sixth in 5-on-5 pace this season, which should create a better environment for scoring.
Capitals vs Blue Jackets SGP
Blue Jackets moneyline
Over 6.5
Capitals vs Blue Jackets odds
Moneyline: Capitals -105 | Blue Jackets -115
Puck Line: Capitals +1.5 (-250) | Blue Jackets -1.5 (+205)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+100) | Under 6.5 (-120)
Capitals vs Blue Jackets trend
Seven of Washington’s past nine games have featured at least eight goals. Find more NHL betting trends for Capitals vs. Blue Jackets.
How to watch Capitals vs Blue Jackets
Location
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Date
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Capitals vs Blue Jackets latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 22: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks and Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the game on OCTOBER 22, 2025 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The regular season has come to a close, and for the first time since 2019 (well, technically 2022 if you want to count the play-in), this is not the end of the line for the Spurs! After a 28-game turnaround from last season’s 34-48 to 62-20, the Spurs are headed to the playoffs as the second seed in the West and NBA overall. They will face the winner of tonight’s 7th vs. 8th seed match-up between the Phoenix Suns or Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the playoffs, with Game 1 already scheduled for 8:00 PM CT on Sunday regardless of opponent.
We’ll have plenty more when we know about that series, but in the meantime, I thought it would fun to look back at what was the most exciting regular season for the Spurs since 2016-17. In my mind, there were four parts of this season. The first is what I would consider the pre-NBA Cup (in Vegas) stretch, where the Spurs played well and showed they were on a new level but were having to patiently wait for a complete roster due to injuries. Then there was the December surge when they finally were healthy, followed by a January “slump”, and lastly, February and onward, when they started looking like a true contender.
We’ll look back at each part of the season and how it shaped what turned out to be one of the greatest regular season’s in Spurs history, beginning with:
Part 1: Oct. 22 – Dec. 10 (17-7)
Despite having doubters, the Spurs entered the season with high optimism. Victor Wembanyama made a triumphant return from deep vein thrombosis that had shortened his previous season to the All-Star break, and he was determined to make the most of it. He also got to open the season against the next great prospect to enter the NBA in Cooper Flagg, and Wemby dominated with a 40-point, 15-rebound performance, determined not only to remind everyone who he is, but also that despite the hype, the doe-eyed rookie was not on his level just yet. (Although he has proven he will be darn good. Everyone is watching the Wemby vs. Chet Holmgren rivalry, but keep an eye on this one, too.)
The Spurs would go on to win their first five games — a franchise record — by riding Wemby’s dominance, all while waiting for De’Aaron Fox to make is season debut following offseason finger surgery and a hamstring injury. He finally did nine games in, only for Wemby to then miss 12 straight games with the most dreaded two words in sports these days: calf strain.
Still, it may have been a blessing in disguise as it allowed Fox to integrate himself with the roster and gain their respect as the main ball handler. He averaged 25 points — 6.5 above his season average —and 6.5 assists during that stretch, with his best game being a memorable 114-112 OT win in Orlando, in which he had 31 points and 5 assists while showing why he was Mr. Clutch in 2023. As the cherry on top, the game was capped off by a hilarious Luke Kornet block-and-pose, who also showed his worth as Wemby’s best backup yet and quickly becoming one of the most underrated offseason acquisitions in the league.
The Spurs surprisingly went 9-3 in that timeframe without Wemby, including making the NBA Cup Tournament. That stretch concluded with a dominant 132-119 quarterfinals win in Los Angeles against a healthy Lakers squad that had already beaten them once this season, led by a dominant performance from Stephon Castle, who went toe-to-toe with Luka Doncic with a 30-point, 10-rebound, 6-assist performance. As good as the reigning Rookie of the Year was coming into the season, he made an even bigger leap than expected in his sophomore campaign, bringing plenty more optimism for the future.
Despite 50% of the first part of the season coming without Wemby, the Spurs were able to show off their depth and establish themselves as a force to be reconned with perhaps a season sooner than expected, and soon, they would have the entire league’s attention.
Check back tomorrow as we continue to walk down memory lane of an incredible regular season, and make sure to add more of your favorite memories from the opening stretch in the comments below!
The Washington Wizards finished the 2025-26 season with a 17-65 record — the worst in the NBA — in Brian Keefe’s second full season as the team’s head coach. The record looks bad, but it’s what the organization wanted this season, and in season’s past, while under Keefe’s leadership.
Keefe owns a 43-160 record in two-plus seasons in Washington, which marks the worst winning percentage (.212) in NBA history among coaches with at least 200 games coached. He’s been on the sidelines with for countless blowout losses, including Bam Adebayo’s 83-point night, and has lost 16 straight games on four separate occasions during his tenure.
But he also used nearly 50 different starting lineups this season and didn’t appear to have full control over his rotations as the Wizards tanked for the league’s worst record. He’s also well liked by the players and has developed the team’s young talent.
So, does Keefe deserve a shot at coaching the Wizards when they’re actually trying to compete? Or is it time to move on as the team enters a new phase of its rebuild?
Greg Finberg and Domo (@Domo8186 on X) discuss in the latest episode of “The Wizards Podcast.“
DENVER, CO - APRIL 6: Cam Smith #11 of the Houston Astros prepares to bat in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on April 6, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The latest news on the Houston Astros and from around MLB:
Carlos Correa is not making excuses for a 1-9 road trip:
Carlos Correa doesn’t want injuries to bean an excuse.
Ten games, nine losses, five injuries (Pena, Imai, Brown, Javier, Meyers) – it’s been rough
Eleven days, 10 games, nine losses and five injuries after it began, one of the most hellacious road trips in Houston Astros history is over – https://t.co/Z17hvuZ4o4
Despite the losing streak, Cam Smith has shown tremendous growth thus far:
While the Astros' road trip has been rough team-wise, Cam Smith has had some big moments that highlight his growth in his second big-league season. https://t.co/W7sjY1HfcI
Angels-Yankees gave us something not seen in 70 years:
Aaron Judge and Mike Trout hit 2 HRs apiece in Yankees' 11-10 victory over the Angels. The only other time two 3-time MVP winners homered twice in same game? Stan Musial and Roy Campanella in Brooklyn's 9-8 victory on Campanella's 3-run walk-off HR, June 21, 1956, per @OptaSTATS
This is an ugly situation, and the worst part of it is that he has to sue his own parents:
News: Alec Bohm’s legal team has requested a preliminary injunction amid his legal battle vs. his parents, seeking return of $500K+ to a brokerage account.
Also, Bohm has fired agent Scott Boras and re-hired Nick Chanock of The Team.
How a three-minute voice memo from Kiké Hernández to Andrew Friedman and a prompt Zoom call during MLB's winter meetings helped spark the Dodgers' pursuit of Edwin Díaz. This story is unlocked and free to read:https://t.co/1TegTXaSpQ
With the Philadelphia Flyers officially clinching a spot in the playoffs, they have called up five players from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms ahead of their season finale against the Montreal Canadiens.
The Flyers have announced that they have recalled Anthony Richard, Jacob Gaucher, Hunter McDonald, Oliver Bonk, and Aleksei Kolosov from the Phantoms.
The Flyers also shared that Bonk and McDonald will make their NHL debuts against the Habs.
Richard has appeared in 63 games this season with Lehigh Valley, where he has 18 goals and 44 points in 63 games. He played in 15 games for the Flyers last season, posting two goals and six points.
Gaucher has played in three games this season with Philadelphia, where he has zero points and a minus-1 rating. He has 20 goals and 36 points in 66 games with Lehigh Valley this campaign.
McDonald has six assists and 88 penalty minutes in 62 games this season with the Phantoms. The 6-foot-4 defenseman was selected by the Flyers with the 165th overall pick of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
Bonk is certainly a notable call-up, as he was selected by Philadelphia with the 22nd overall pick of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. In 44 games this season with the Phantoms, he has six goals and 19 points.
As for Kolosov, he has a 0-2-0 record and an .830 save percentage in four games for the Flyers this season. He also has a 15-20-2 record and an .898 save percentage in 37 games with the Phantoms this season.
With a berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs in hand, the Philadelphia Flyers have made a handful of roster moves to rest some key players.
On Tuesday morning, the Flyers brought up five players from the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms, with two set to make their NHL debuts.
Headlining the group is 2023 first-round pick Oliver Bonk, who is currently in the midst of his first professional season after some very productive years with the OHL London Knights.
After Dan Vladar's heroics on Monday night, prospect Aleksei Kolosov will be inserted into the lineup, presumably to back up Sam Ersson against the Montreal Canadiens Tuesday night and keep Vladar off the ice at all costs.
The Flyers will also be welcoming back center Jacob Gaucher, who played three games for the NHL squad in November, and veteran Anthony Richard, who scored six points in 15 games for the Flyers last season.
As for further lineup changes, the expectation is that David Jiricek will make his Flyers debut, with Alex Bump, Carl Grundstrom, Noah Juulsen, and Garrett Wilson also drawing in for Flyers players in need of a rest ahead of the playoffs.
Jiricek, 22, played 25 NHL games for the Minnesota Wild this season, with his last appearance coming back on Jan. 31.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - APRIL 11: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds steals second base during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Great American Ball Park on April 11, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants have finally run into a team they’re hitting better than here through the season’s first couple of weeks. If you ignore the Yankees series, the Giants are actually around a league average offense (96 wRC+) in their last 13 games. Meanwhile, the Reds are the worst in the National League (76 wRC+). According to FanGraphs’ measure of WAR, they’ve been exactly replacement level (0.0) over their last 14 games. Does this mean the Giants have a great shot in this 3-game series at the Great American Ball Park?
Sure. Anything’s possible.
They’ve also been a medicore pitching team, with a 4.10 ERA and 5.09 xERA. That’s because they have been walking hitters like crazy, to the tune of 5.04 per 9 innings over their last 125 innings. That’s the worst in the NL and fourth-worst in MLB. And yet, they’re 9-7 overall, with 5 of those wins coming on the road in Texas and Miami. They have a -16 run differential compared to the Giants -21. The Giants staff has walked hitters at too-high a rate as well, with a 4.18 BB/9 over their last 114 innings. That’s 21st in MLB and 10th in the NL.
On the full season — so, if we go back and include the Yankees series — the Reds have only outscored the Giants by 3 runs (54 to 51). They’re hitting as a team just .205/.298/.325 compared to the Giants’ .243/.288/.357. Their offensive leaders have been Elly De La Cruz (152 wRC+) and rookie Sal Stewart (178 wRC+). The only other player who comes close to league average (100 wRC+) is platoon bat Nathaniel Lowe (92 wRC+ in 23 PA).It’s a rough lineup here in the early going. The Giants counter that with Casey Schmitt (186 wRC+), Willy Adames (127), Matt Chapman (118), and Luis Arraez (106).
Rather than silo him in the players to watch section, I’ll talk about the Reds’ dynamic Elly De La Cruz right here, because he’s just 24 years old and is once again playing like an MVP-caliber player. He has 5 stolen based in his first 16 games of the season, an 11.1% walk rate and 27.8 strikeout rate. It’s doubtful he’ll sustain those rates through the season, but they’d both be career bests (his career averages: 9.5 BB% and 29.7 K%). He was projected to be a 4-to-5-WAR player and has already been worth 1.0 fWAR through the first 16 games of the season. That’s a 10-WAR pace. Also probably not sustainable, but worth mentioning here because he’s white hot right now.
The Great American Ball Park has been less a house of horrors here in the 2020s than it was in the 2010s when the Giants went 12-21. They’re 11-6 here in the 2020s and, as you’ll recall, the Giants got off to such a scintillating start last season because of the opening series in Cincinnati. A year later and the team feels considerably less surprising and brimming with possibilities, but who knows? Maybe another series win here will kick off a nice run of success. This series is a battle of old (the Giants) versus young (the Reds), with the Giants’ older lineup (28.9 on average) battling the Reds’ younger pitching staff (28.4) while the Reds’ young hitters (27.8) take on the Giants’ more veteran (30.2) staff.
Series overview
Who: San Francisco Giants (6-10) at Cincinnati Reds (9-7) Where: Great American Ball Park| Cincinnati, Ohio When: Monday & Tuesday at 3:40pm PT, Wednesday at 9:40am PT National broadcasts: None.
Sal Stewart: The 22-year old first baseman ended last season as the #3 prospect in the Reds’ system, according to MLB Pipeline. Indeed, the top three prospects from their system at the end of 2025 will be featured in this series, with Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder both scheduled to pitch.
He was a high school bat drafted in 2022 and, per Pipeline’s writeup:
Stewart’s advanced approach has been apparent from day one of his pro career. He carried a miniscule 15.7 percent career strikeout rate into the 2025 season and he’s walked as often as he’s struck out (138 BB vs. 139 Ks). He makes a lot of hard contact and can send line drives to all fields consistently against all kinds of pitching. Just 21 for all of this season [2025], he’s still learning to tap into his considerable raw power, with confidence it will come without him losing any of his hitability.
He hit 5 home runs in an 18-game cup of coffee last season (58) and slashed .255/.293/.545. He’s hitting .309/.435/.600 in the first 16 games and 69 plate appearances of this season. That includes 4 home runs, 4 doubles, and 13 walks against 10 strikeouts. No wonder Eno Sarris giddily selected his future over Bryce Eldridge’s when asked about it during the offseason.
Rhett Lowder: A sinker-slider-changeup guy whose fastball velocity (he does have a four-seamer, too) that sits in the 92-94 range. I’m thinking the right-handed Cade Povich, if you want a recent comparison to a Giants’ opponent. I’m interested to see how his 6.1 K/9 (though 3.74 FIP) plays against this Giants lineup. He missed all of 2025 with some elbow issues, but in 2024, he had a 1.17 ERA (3.10 FIP) in 6 starts (30.2 IP).
Eugenio Suarez: The veteran has yet to get it going in the early season with a .642 OPS through his first 16 games. He was a Red from 2015-2021 and since 2021 he’s his 163 home runs for 3 teams in 774 games. He has a career line of .244/.331/.516 with 15 home runs in 59 games and 245 PA against the Giants.
Giants
Jung Hoo Lee: Lee, like a lot of the Giants, got off to a fast start in Cincinnati last season, with a 3-for-10, a double, a stolen base, and a pair of walks in that season-opening series. He’s had a dismal start to 2026 (.185/.246/.315) and could really use a good series. Three right-handed starters in a park that favors hitters is a nice pairing of ingredients for a hitter.
Tyler Mahle: He was drafted by the Reds in the 7th round of the 2013 draft and spent his first 5 1/2 seasons with them, posting a 4.34 ERA in 117 starts. This will be the first time he’s ever faced his former team?! That seems impossible, so maybe I’m reading his Baseball Reference page wrong. Anyway, he has a career 5.02 ERA in 285.1 IP at the Great American Ball Park.
Patrick Bailey: Speaking of performance at GABP, the Giants catcher is just 1-for-27 in his career. That’s just 9 games, but it’s another strike against a backstop who certainly racks up strikes whenever he steps to the plate. There’s probably not a starting catcher controversy just yet, but we almost certainly figure to see Daniel Susac more often should Bailey’s bat maintain its sub zero temperature.
Tony Vitello watch
He’ll be going up against the legend Terry Francona, which might be interesting if the Giants are able to keep games close late. It’s not that the Great American Ball Park is Coors Field, but bullpen decisions will be important. Also, I wonder how much time Vitello has spent in Ohio. The Volunteers played Cincinnati, so maybe he’ll have a couple of old college stories to share during the media scrum.
Nike Basketball unveiled the new Nike LeBron Witness IX PE Monday, a player-exclusive colorway in honor of Bronny James. The shoe not only symbolizes the LA Lakers rising guard and his famous father, but also Bronny’s backstory as a survivor, who has overcome several obstacles in order to reach his NBA dream.
The new shoe, which is the second such shoe in the series, leans into restraint. It features a tonal upper layered with subtle textures. It has red accents and features the name “Bronny” on the toe and his logo on the heel.
The new Nike shoe symbolizes the LA Lakers’ rising guard Bronny James and his backstory as a survivor. APIt has red accents and features the name “Bronny” on the toe and James’ logo on the heel. Nike
Bronny James’ journey from son of arguably the greatest player in NBA history to rising star with the Lakers is not linear. After committing to University of Southern California for college, Bronny collapsed during an early-morning practice on July 24, 2023 inside USC’s Galen Center. He suffered a cardiac arrest that was later attributed to a congenital heart defect. James’ future in basketball was suddenly in doubt.
LeBron IX Witness PER for Bronny inspired by his recovery and journey back to the court. pic.twitter.com/NyR1VzgwKA
LeBron and Bronny James made history as the first father-son teammates ever to share the court in the NBA. Getty Images
Less than five months later, he returned to the court and made his collegiate debut with the Trojans. After his freshman season, he declared for the 2024 NBA Draft and was selected in the second-round at No. 55 overall by the Lakers. That October, LeBron and Bronny James made history as the first father-son teammates ever to share the court in the NBA.
This new sneaker lives in that space between what almost was and what now is.
The Witness IX PE becomes less about LeBron’s signature line and more about the upcoming evolution. A passing of narrative from one generation to the next and an example of Nike’s investment in the entire James family.
On April 3, the St. Louis Blues signed Colin Ralph to a three-year, entry-level contract, bringing the highly anticipated defenseman into the organization. He is finishing the 2025-26 season on an ATO with the Springfield Thunderbirds, as his ELC will kick in at the start of the 2026-27 season.
Ralph spent his two seasons following the NHL draft in the NCAA, first with St. Cloud State University as a freshman before entering the transfer portal and joining Michigan State University as a sophomore.
Michigan State was one of the favorites to win the National Championship, and although they did fall short, Ralph had a strong year.
Ralph won’t blow you away with his offense, as he finished this season with just one goal and 11 points in 37 games, but the 20-year-old is a stout defender and has quickly earned the trust of his coaches at every level.
With Michigan State, Ralph averaged nearly 21 minutes of ice time on a blueline that featured four other drafted prospects. Standing 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, Ralph has the frame of a physical defenseman, and he utilizes it to his advantage. Like Colton Parayko, his physicality might be his best trait in the NHL, but he has shown that his skating and puck-moving abilities are strong enough for the higher level.
His calling card in the NHL, and even in the AHL for the next couple of seasons, will be his defensive game. His size, reach, and defensive understanding are already at a high level, and he’ll be able to polish them in the AHL.
His short-term outlook is in the AHL, but if Ralph can continue to develop and work his way into the NHL, he’ll be exactly what the Blues will need. The 2024 second-round pick (48th overall) played his first three AHL games this weekend, failing to record a point.
While it is still no guarantee that Adam Jiricek, Theo Lindstein, and Logan Mailloux reach the levels some anticipate they will, if they meet expectations, the Blues will have three smooth-skating, puck-moving defensemen with plenty of offensive skill in their top four alongside Philip Broberg. As Parayko ages, they’ll need a replacement for him, and Ralph has the skill set to do so, rounding out the backend.
Ralph can be that defensive first defender who allows Jiricek, Lindstein, and Mailloux to thrive and play their own game.
The Blues have plenty of depth within their prospect pool, which means Ralph will have several competitors to deal with.
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SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 10: Manager Tony Vitello #23 and Drew Gilbert #0 of the San Francisco Giants watches practice during Spring Training at Scottsdale Stadium on February 10, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Suzanna Mitchell/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants have, somewhat unconventionally, only used 27 players this year, which means they’ve only made one move involving the Major League roster. That move was forced on them, after reliever José Buttó was placed on the Injured List, and replaced by Blade Tidwell.
It’s the time of the year where teams start to tinker with their rosters. Like the Giants, the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers have also used just one additional player; but the Colorado Rockies have used three, and the Arizona Diamondbacks four.
The Giants will likely make another pitching move before long, as relievers Sam Hentges (a lefty) and Joel Peguero (a righty) have both started rehab assignments after beginning the year on the IL. But where they really could use a move is on the offensive front. The Giants are, somewhat surprisingly, ninth in the Majors in batting average, but that’s where the good times end. San Francisco is 28th in on-base percentage, 24th in slugging percentage, dead last in walk rate, dead last in home runs, dead last in stolen bases, 29th in runs, 27th in OPS, and 27th in wRC+.
But the issue, of course, is that the Giants don’t have any quick fixes. The obvious solution to boost the offense would be to promote their top prospect, Bryce Eldridge, but even if the Giants thought he were ready (which I doubt they do), it still doesn’t really help things. Their best hitter this year has been Casey Schmitt, who has primarily been used as the DH, which is where Eldridge would need to slot in. Schmitt’s not going to displace Matt Chapman or Rafael Devers for obvious reasons, and Luis Arráez has been one of the team’s only good hitters this year, so he’s not getting displaced, either. Which means there’s no place for Eldridge.
Jesús Rodríguez is the other bat who could help the team, but similar concerns arise. The contact-heavy utility player is not going to take starts from Patrick Bailey or Arráez, and replacing Daniel “greatest hitter of all time” Susac isn’t something that needs doing.
The outfield is where the Giants really need some help, but it probably needs to come from Heliot Ramos, Jung Hoo Lee, and Harrison Bader remembering how to hit. The reinforcements there don’t seem likely to do much better: AAA Sacramento’s outfield is Grant McCray (who is in an awful slump), Will Brennan (a veteran with a large track record of being a below-average hitter in the Majors), Drew Gilbert (who isn’t lighting up the box scores and has been a very bad hitter in the Majors) and Victor Bericoto (who is still adjusting to the level).
So while most people are likely hoping for a move to come soon, it’s probably still a ways away for the Giants. But that won’t stop me from asking for your prediction of when it will occur, and who it will be.
Fall 2026
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$200
apolloluo1976 (IG) 
