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Burleson’s Power, Liberatore’s Curveball Lead Cardinals Over Padres 2-1

May 7, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson (41) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images | Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Matthew Liberatore gave the St. Louis Cardinals the strong start they needed to begin their west coast swing as his nasty curveball and a power surge from Alec Burleson made the difference in a victory over the San Diego Padres 2-1 late Thursday night.

Matthew Liberatore looked both shaky and nasty in the bottom of the first inning. After getting the first two outs, he walked Manny Machado. Fernando Tatis Jr. singled to left moving Machado to second and Xander Bogaerts singled to right scoring Machado and giving the Padres a 1-0 lead.

The St. Louis Cardinals bats were quiet until the top of the 4th inning when Alec Burleson turned on a Michael King pitch and jacked it over the right field wall with an impressive exit velocity of 111 mph tying the game 1-1.

After a 1st inning where he looked vulnerable, Matthew Liberatore shut the Padres down giving the Cardinals six strong innings only allowing the 1 earned run on only 3 hits with 6 strikeouts and 3 walks. Michael King was equally impressive for San Diego as he also pitched a solid six innings allowing only 1 hit, but that one hit was the one from Burleson that left the park.

The Cardinals would take the lead in the top of the 7th inning when Jordan Walker missed a home run by maybe a foot crushing a line drive off of the left field wall for a double. He then scored when Masyn Winn hit a ball down the right field line to a helpless-looking Nick Castellanos who stumbled toward the ball as it bounced past him and continued to the right field wall as Walker scored and Winn cruised into third base giving St. Louis a 2-1 lead.

George Soriano entered the game in the bottom of the 7th inning giving up an infield single to Tatis Jr, but he was thrown out by Pedro Pagés even though the tag by JJ Wetherholt was unsuccessfully challenged by the Padres. That caught stealing muted any potential Padres threat in the 7th inning.

The bottom of the 8th inning belonged to JoJo Romero. He had no problems with Ty France, Nick Castellanos or Rodolpho Duran shutting the Padres down 1-2-3. That helped the Cardinals from having to deal with super-reliever Mason Miller as San Diego brought in Jason Adam to handle the top of the 9th inning as they still trailed 2-1. He was greeted by Jordan Walker who hit a laser shot into left center that he turned into a hustle double. Nolan Gorman then worked Adam for a 9-pitch walk. Yes, miracles do happen. Unfortunately, Masyn Winn was unable to get a sufficient bunt down as the Padres were able to get the force at third base for the first out. Nathan Church hit a weak fly to left field for out number 2 with neither runner being able to advance. Pedro Pagés was retired for the final out shutting down the Cardinals 8th inning threat.

Riley O’Brien came in to close out the Padres in the bottom of the 9th inning. He was tasked with facing the top of the San Diego lineup. He quickly retired Merrill on a weak groundout to JJ Wetherholt. Miguel Andujar struck out and failed to use the ABS challenge that probably wouldn’t have saved him anyway. Manny Machado grounded out to Masyn Winn to end the game giving the Cardinals a tight victory.

The St. Louis Cardinals will send Michael McGreevy to the mound for Friday night’s contest against Griffin Canning. First pitch is scheduled for 8:45pm central time and will be an Apple TV exclusive so finding a free 7-day trial is your friend.

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Knicks, 76ers both facing injury concerns ahead of Game 3 with Joel Embiid a major question mark

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid sits on the bench in plain clothes with teammates during a game, Image 2 shows New York Knicks guard Josh Hart #3 has his hand checked by a trainer during the third quarter
The Knicks and 76ers are both facing injury questions ahead of Game 3.

PHILADELPHIA — The Knicks and the 76ers have major health questions as the Eastern Conference semifinal series shifts to Xfinity Mobile Arena on Friday night. 

The two centers, Joel Embiid and Mitchell Robinson, missed Game 2.

Robinson (illness) is probable to return and Embiid (sprained right ankle, right hip soreness) is questionable.

Knicks guard Josh Hart is also questionable due to a sprained left thumb. 

Joel Embiid is pictured during the 76ers’ May 6 loss. Jason Szenes for the NY Post

Hart suffered the injury late in the third quarter but was able to finish the game and play most of the final quarter. 

Of the three, Embiid is likely the biggest question mark.

On Tuesday, he woke up sore, 76ers coach Nick Nurse said, and the team determined after shootaround that day he wouldn’t be able to play.

Andre Drummond started in Embiid’s place. 

The oft-injured Embiid missed the first three games of the playoffs after undergoing an emergency appendectomy late in the regular season.

Josh Hart reacts during the Knicks’ May 6 loss. Charles Wenzelberg

In Game 1 against the Knicks, he struggled on the defensive end, and shot just 3-of-11 from the field while scoring 14 points in a blowout defeat. 

One key to the Knicks’ postseason run has been their ability to force turnovers.

Of the eight teams remaining, only the Thunder are forcing more in the playoffs.

The opposition is committing 15.6 per game against the Knicks.

That number is up from 14.4 during the regular season. 

It has been a major strength so far against the 76ers, who are averaging 18.5 turnovers in the two games.

Tyrese Maxey has turned it over 10 times, six coming in Game 2.

The Knicks have turned Philadelphia’s 37 turnovers into 48 points.

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Brendan Beck’s long-awaited big league debut with Yankees felt like a ‘dream’

Yankees Brendon Beck throws a pitch during the fifth inning of the Yankees and Texas Rangers game at Yankee Stadium.
Yankees Brendon Beck throws a pitch during the fifth inning of the Yankees and Texas Rangers game at Yankee Stadium on May 7, 2026.

Brendan Beck could have stopped playing long before Thursday arrived. 

A second-round pick out of Stanford in 2021, he did not make his professional debut until 2023 because of Tommy John surgery.

He pitched in just 10 games that season before a follow-up elbow procedure was required, which erased his entire 2024 season, too. 

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The 2025 campaign became the breakthrough, when the right-hander ascended all the way to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

And Thursday was the pinnacle, when he became a major league pitcher. 

Beck was called up for his moment and for a Yankees victory, contributing three-plus innings in which he allowed two runs in a 9-2 win over the Rangers in The Bronx. 

“You always want it to happen, and you think it’s going to happen,” the 27-year-old from Southern California said. “When it actually does, it’s still a dream.” 

Yankees pitcher Brendon Beck throws a pitch during the fifth inning of the Yankees and Texas Rangers game at Yankee Stadium on May 7, 2026. Bill Kostroun for the NY Post

The Yankees knew before Wednesday’s game that Ryan Weathers, who had been sick, would be scratched from Thursday’s start.

Beck, who had been up and down with SWB but was coming off a strong effort, was lined up to pitch Thursday.

So after an afternoon game in Worcester, Mass., on Wednesday, the Yankees told Beck to be ready depending upon the night’s events. 

As it turned out, Will Warren lasted four innings, and Yerry De los Santos, who could be and would be optioned, was needed for long relief.

Thus Beck was the best choice as a bulk pitcher, and SWB manager Shelley Duncan delivered the news in a hotel lobby. 

Beck packed his bag and had hopped in a car destined for New York by about 9:30 p.m.

His wife, who was in Scranton, raced to the city.

His parents, sister and brother — Tristan, who is in the Giants organization — all made red-eye flights from California to see the No. 21 Yankees prospect make his debut. 

Following opener Paul Blackburn, Beck let up a lot of hard contact — his first two at-bats were a 110.9-mph lineout from Jake Burger and 108.2-mph lineout from Evan Carter — and had location issues, walking three in three innings — but navigated through the Rangers lineup 1 ¹/₂ times with some help from his defense. 

Brendon Beck throws a pitch during the third inning on May 8. Bill Kostroun/New York Post

“Held his own out there. Gave us a chance to win,” manager Aaron Boone said of Beck. “Walked a few guys, and some of the hard contact found gloves, which was good. But he looked in control out there. Gave us just what we needed.” 

Ezequiel Duran’s home run in the third inning dented Beck, and he walked Alejandro Osuna in the fifth before Tim Hill entered and allowed Osuna to score.

But from there, Brent Headrick, Jake Bird and Camilo Doval locked down a game with which the Yankees ran away. 

A game that Beck has awaited for a long time. 

“I’ve been through a lot of stuff,” said Beck, who was optioned back to SWB after the game, “but I think everyone has things they have to overcome.” 

José Caballero was out of the starting lineup a day after getting plunked in the left elbow, which necessitated X-rays that came back negative, but entered the game in the eighth inning. 

Max Schuemann got the start at shortstop and went 1-for-4 with an RBI double, his first hit and RBI with the club. 

Cody Bellinger (3-for-4, two runs, a triple and two RBIs) is slashing .394/.465/.606 with runners in scoring position this season. 

Ben Rice did not play for a fourth straight game because of the left hand contusion he sustained Sunday.

Rice, who ran in the outfield before the game, has not done much baseball activity since sustaining the injury “because he hasn’t wanted to aggravate it,” Boone said. 

The Yankees still do not believe he will need an IL stint.

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Ex-Knick and NBA champion P.J. Tucker retires after 19 seasons

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows P.J. Tucker #17 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Trophy during their Victory Parade & Rally of the 2021 NBA Finals on July 22, 2021 at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Image 2 shows New York Knicks forward P.J. Tucker #17, shakes hands with New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges #25, as he checks into the game in the 4th quarter, as the Knicks beat the Celtics to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals
PJ Tucker

Former Knick and NBA veteran P.J. Tucker announced his retirement on Thursday, hanging up his sneakers after a professional basketball career that spanned parts of two decades. 

Tucker, 41, played three games for the Knicks during his final season in the NBA last year, and his career included time with the Raptors, Suns, Rockets, Bucks, Heat, 76ers and Clippers. 

“[Twenty] years being my job but 40 plus years of not being able to fathom doing anything other than it. So here’s to retiring from the NBA… because I will NEVER stop ballin,” he wrote on Instagram Thursday alongside a carousel of photos from across his career in the league.

New York Knicks forward P.J. Tucker shakes hands with New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges as he checks into a playoff game last season. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

The pinnacle of Tucker’s NBA career came in 2021 as part of the Bucks’ championship-winning team.

He was dealt from the Rockets to the Buckets before the trade deadline and appeared in 20 regular season games and another 23 in the playoffs. 

Tucker averaged 4.3 points in 29.6 minutes per game during the postseason. 

He was originally selected by the Raptors with the 35th overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft right out of high school, but failed to earn much playing time and eventually found himself in the G League. 

P.J. Tucker of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates with the Larry O’Brien Trophy during their Victory Parade & Rally of the 2021 NBA Finals on July 22, 2021 at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NBAE via Getty Images

The Raptors waived him in late March of his rookie season, and Tucker failed to find another NBA team to play for — kicking off a five-year run of playing overseas in Israel, Ukraine, Greece, Italy and Germany.

Tucker found his way back to the NBA in 2012 with the Suns. 

Over the course of his career, Tucker played in 886 NBA games and averaged 6.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 0.3 blocks per game.

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Lakers find offense, still fall in Game 2 vs. Thunder

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 7: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round Two Game Two of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 7, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Lakers once again saw a tight game turn into a double-digit loss on Thursday. LA held a lead midway through the third but again saw the Thunder pull away in the fourth to win by double digits, 125-107.

The purple and gold had one of its best quarters of the postseason in the second, outscoring OKC 35-30 to lead by one at the half. They held the lead through the early stages of the second half before the Thunder took over and never looked back.

Nineteen LA turnovers turned into 26 OKC points while the Thunder also had 17 second-chance points and 48 points off the bench.

LA missed their first two shot attempts from behind the arc to start. OKC went up by as much as seven until Rui Hachimura converted on a midrange jumper to get the Lakers on the board.

Isaiah Hartenstein was off to a hot start for the Thunder with six points. 

Hachimura was leading Los Angeles with five points, while LeBron was close behind with four. The Lakers surged on a 7-0 scoring run to tie the game. OKC had a quick response with their own 11-0 run. 

Los Angeles was now shooting 33% from the field.

Jaxson Hayes and LeBron stopped the bleeding with back-to-back shots in the paint. Hachimura then splashed a triple that cut the deficit to four at the end of the first. 

Jared McCain converted on a midrange jumper to open the second period. Ajay Mitchell provided a massive spark for the Thunder as he was up to nine points. Marcus Smart and Austin Reaves both knocked down much-needed 3-pointers for LA.

At the 7:50 mark, Oklahoma City was up by five. 

Mitchell poured in four more points before he was subbed out. Reaves converted on his second three-point play in this half. He was the first player on the Lakers in double figures with 13, a much better showing and effort than Game 1. 

Smart put LA up by one with four minutes left in the half. 

Los Angeles continued playing well, with Luke Kennard and Hachimura both draining threes. With 2:13 now left in the half, the Lakers were nursing a tiny lead. Both teams spent the last minute of the half exchanging the lead, with the purple and gold heading into the locker room up one. 

Chet Holmgren opened the second half with a jumper in the paint for OKC. Hachimura then continued his ridiculous shooting with another triple. Reaves scored on a midrange jumper before being fouled on the other end by SGA. The play was upgraded to a flagrant one along with Alex Caruso receiving a technical, so Reaves made three free throws in a row to give LA a five-point lead.

Lu Dort drained a 3-pointer to cut into the lead. 

Reaves responded with a triple on the other end. The Thunder then scored four of the easiest points to make it a one-point OKC deficit. Cason Wallace converted on two free throws to put Oklahoma up by one.

OKC was up by seven at the 4:04 mark. 

Everything was going in the way of the defending champs as they were on an extended 23-5 scoring run to give themselves a double-digit lead. The Thunder took full control, leading by 13 heading into the fourth. 

After a pair of turnovers, Hachimura opened LA’s scoring with his signature midrange jumper. Los Angeles cut the deficit to six with a 7-0 run, with LeBron scoring five points. 

The Thunder were forced to call a timeout. 

Out of the break, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored on a layup. The Lakers were keeping close, but their turnover count was now at 19. With seven minutes left, it was an eight-point deficit for Los Angeles. 

At the 5:53 mark, the Thunder were up by double figures after an 8-0 run.

The lead continued to grow as LA completely ran out of steam and didn’t have enough offense to keep it close. The Lakers waved the white flag with 2:14 left and down 17. 

Key Player Stats

LeBron finished with 23 points and six assists. Reaves ended with 31 points and six assists. Hachimura notched 16 points, shooting an impressive 6-10 from the field and 4-7 from three. 

Smart logged 14 points with five assists and four rebounds. Kennard had 10 points, Hayes scored six points to go with his three rebounds and two assists. 

Game 3 will be on Saturday against the Oklahoma City Thunder at 5:30 PM PT.

You can follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians.

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Taking a Look at the Exact Percentage Odds at Each Pick for the Utah Jazz in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery

One could argue that Sunday marks one of the biggest days the Jazz have seen in a long time, easily the biggest since the Jazz were in a very similar situation a year ago. While the 2026 NBA Draft has recently lost a lot of its depth, it remains incredibly strong at the top, and anyone lucky enough to select in the top four will be adding a potential franchise-changing talent. Last season the Jazz had the worst record in the association and held a 52.1% chance at a top four pick and a 14% chance at the number one pick. As we all know, the worst-case scenario came as the Jazz fell to the fifth pick before selecting Ace Bailey. This season the Jazz finished tied for the fourth-worst record with the Sacramento Kings, requiring a coin flip to decide who gets the tiebreaker. Luckily the Jazz won that coin flip, but what does that mean for the odds at each pick?

The Jazz have a 45.2% chance at a top four pick and an 11.5% chance at the number one pick, but it goes a little deeper than that. The worst-case scenario last year was falling to five. This year the worst-case scenario would be falling to eight, but that is very unlikely. Compared to last year, there was about a 48% chance we’d be selecting fifth. The odds for each pick are listed below.

  • First-11.5%
  • Second-11.4%
  • Third-11.2%
  • Fourth-11%
  • Fifth-7.5%
  • Sixth-27.1%
  • Seventh-17.9%
  • Eighth-2.4%

How do those odds make you feel? Hopeful? Nervous? Scared? Excited? The Jazz have NEVER moved up in the lottery, but there’s always a first time for everything. While the sixth and seventh positions are the two highest probabilities by quite a large margin, there’s still a 55% chance we won’t be picking seventh or eighth! So here’s to hoping Sunday is an amazing day for the Jazz and their future.

Everyone wear your lucky shirt on Sunday, and if that’s the same shirt you wore last year… get a new lucky shirt. If you have any superstitions, listen to them. Do anything you can to give the Jazz that edge on Sunday! The NBA Draft Lottery is this Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Mountain Time on ABC.

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Braves News: Dodgers on deck, starting rotation predictions, and more

May 4, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Eli White (36) is tagged out by Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) in the eighth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Atlanta Braves are coming off a series loss to the Seattle Mariners and have a challenging weekend ahead. After losing their first series of the season, the West Coast road trip has moved on to Los Angeles, where the Braves take on the Dodgers in a three-game set. 

Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, and Bryce Elder are each expected to start against a talented LA pitching staff. The Braves are tied for the best record in the league with 26 wins and 12 losses, while the Dodgers enter play with a 23-14 record. Fortunately, the Braves are 14-6 on the road, and this could shape up to be a great series should Atlanta’s performance remain consistent. 

The series gets underway Friday night at 10:10 ET.

More Braves News:

With an abundance of moving parts in the starting rotation, we discuss what the Atlanta pitching staff looks like in the near future. 

Tate Southisene continues his strong start with the Augusta GreenJackets after driving in three on Wednesday. More in the minor league recap. 

MLB News:

The Boston Red Sox have placed outfielder Roman Anthony on the 10-day injured list due to a sprained ligament in his finger. The move is retroactive to May 5.

The Philadelphia Phillies claimed right-hander Grant Holman off waivers from the Detroit Tigers and optioned him to Triple-A. 

Chicago Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd will undergo meniscus surgery and is expected to miss at least a month. Fortunately, the club does not expect a major meniscus repair. 

From the Feed:

After clearing waivers and being outrighted to Triple-A Gwinnett, the Carlos Carrasco saga continues. 

A Braves beat writer has joined The Athletic.

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Two Penguins To Represent Team USA At World Championship

One of the central topics of discussion on locker cleanout day last week was which Pittsburgh Penguins could, potentially, take the opportunity to represent their respective countries at the IIHF World Championship. 

And it looks like at least two of them are headed to Switzerland. 

On Thursday, the Penguins announced that forward Tommy Novak and defenseman Connor Clifton would both be representing Team USA for the tournament, which takes place from May 15-31 in Zurich and Fribourg. It will be the first appearance at the IIHF World Championship for both players, who had previously represented Team USA at the junior and under-18 levels. 

Novak, 29, registered 16 goals and 42 points in 82 games for the Penguins this season, which was his first full season in Pittsburgh after being dealt to the Penguins from the Nashville Predators before the 2025 NHL trade deadline. It's the third time in his NHL career that he recorded 40 points in a season, and he spent a good chunk of his season centering Evgeni Malkin and Egor Chinakhov on the second line.

Clifton, 31, is a pending unrestricted free agent and was dealt to Pittsburgh from the Buffalo Sabres during last summer's NHL Draft. Known for his physicality, Clifton led the Penguins in hits with 180 despite playing in only 50 games, and he had two goals and six points in those 50 games. 

The preliminary round for Team USA kicks off on May 15 when they face Switzerland.

Is This The Summer For The Penguins To Trade Their First-Round Pick? Is This The Summer For The Penguins To Trade Their First-Round Pick? After an expectations-defying 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins are picking later in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft - and it could open up some opportunities in the trade market this summer.

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!     

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Michael Porter Jr. says Cam Thomas’ ‘personality’ led to Nets downfall: ‘Doesn’t really talk to anybody’

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Brooklyn Nets player Michael Porter Jr. on the bench during a game, Image 2 shows Cam Thomas of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket against the Los Angeles Lakers
Michael Porter Jr. talked about Cam Thomas during a podcast appearance.

After Cam Thomas got dumped by both Brooklyn and Milwaukee this season, former teammate Michael Porter Jr. said it was more about attitude than ability. 

“There’s a lot more to the NBA and sticking around than just [scoring],” Porter said in a revelation that always seemed to escape Thomas. “For Cam, I think it was a mixture of he was frustrated with a lot of things, and also his personality … he doesn’t really socialize. He’ll come to the gym sometimes and he’ll say like two words all day, all practice. He doesn’t really talk to anybody. 

“I don’t think he does it in a way where he’s trying to be a bad teammate; I just think that’s him. But when it comes to a team being willing to pay you and come off that money and you’re a No. 1 option, it comes with so much more. I don’t know if he was willing to break out of his personality and be talkative and try to be a leader and bring guys together. I think that’s kind of what happened here in Brooklyn.” 

Porter was speaking on the “Road Trippin’ Show” podcast about a broad range of topics, including about him being a No. 1 option on a team. 

Michael Porter Jr. is picture during the Nets’ March 20 game. Jason Szenes for the NY Post

It’s a role that Thomas viewed himself capable of filling, and the young guard did average team-highs of 22.5 points and 24.0 points in the past two seasons for the Nets. But after rejecting multiple contracts from the Nets last summer — a two-year, $30 million deal with a team option, or a one-year, $9.5 million pact — he ultimately settled for the $5.98 million qualifying offer. 

In the end, Thomas managed just 15.6 points in an injury-marred campaign and got waived by Brooklyn. He got picked up by Milwaukee, but cut loose there as well. While he flashed the ability to get buckets, his shortcomings in terms of defense, playmaking, and — ultimately — self-awareness see him now unemployed. 

“I know he was frustrated about the contract the year before, and the fact that Brooklyn didn’t really pay him how he wanted,” Porter said. “He’s thinking talent-wise, he’s thinking as good as Austin Reaves, he’s as good as Jalen Green, he’s as good as this guy or that guy, and they’re getting paid $100 million contracts. So I understand that part. But I knew when he left Brooklyn, I’m like, man, over there in Milwaukee he better change a couple of these things or else it’s going to be tough for him. 

“And when he first got there, they were raving about him because he had a few good games. Doc Rivers was complimenting him and everything. And then I’m sure he had a bad game and kind of went back into his shell a little bit. It can come off like he has an attitude, but really that’s just him. And then I think from there it was downhill. But when it comes to being a basketball player and a talent, he’s up there with the best of them.” 

Cam Thomas drives to the basket during the Nets’ Feb. 3 game against the Lakers. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post

Porter added he may take as many shots as Thomas, “but the time the ball was in my hands was a fraction.” He expressed confidence he can be a top scorer on a contender, but says the Nets adding a backcourt playmaker — via the lottery, trade or signing — will let them take a step forward. 

“A No. 1 option on a championship-caliber team? I’m not about to sit here and say that I don’t think I can take on a big responsibility on a championship team, because I do, but I definitely would need some help with me,” Porter said. “If I got another guy over here who really is able to create and draw some attention, and now I’m getting two or three wide-open 3s a game, I think it would really help us.”

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Can anyone beat the Hurricanes? Why Carolina is 7-0 in the NHL playoffs

Can anyone beat the Carolina Hurricanes?

They improved to 7-0 in the 2026 NHL playoffs with a 4-1 road victory against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, May 7. And in doing so, they showed why they are so formidable.

A turning point occurred in the second period with the game tied 1-1. Taylor Hall rocked Philadelphia's Travis Sanheim into the boards.

"I was in a vulnerable spot and he decides to finish his check and it just felt like his hands drove my head right through the wall," Sanheim said. "I thought it was a pretty dirty play."

Hall was called for a five-minute major in order to trigger a review. A two-minute penalty was issued instead.

The Flyers weren't happy, but they still had a power play in order to break a tie. But 11 seconds later, it was the Hurricanes who broke the tie when Carolina forced a turnover and Jordan Staal fed defenseman Jalen Chatfield for a short-handed goal.

Here's why the Hurricanes are unbeaten in the playoffs:

They're hard to play against

Carolina plays an aggressive style that frustrates opponents. The 'Canes never trailed in the opening sweep of the Ottawa Senators and added to that in Game 1 against the Flyers.

But Philadelphia scored two quick goals in Game 2. No problem. The Hurricanes kept chipping away, tied the game and won 3-2 in overtime.

Philadelphia had a 5-on-3 power play in Game 3 and wasn't able to muster much.

Hurricanes have scoring depth

Thursday was Staal's night with a goal and an assist. It was his first goal of these playoffs.

The Hurricanes have more than enough scoring to go around.

Logan Stankoven is tied for the playoff goal lead with six. Hall has nine points and Jackson Blake has eight. Nikolaj Ehlers has goals in each of the past two games. They're unbeaten despite Andrei Svechnikov not scoring until Thursday.

Frederik Andersen is strong in net

Andersen had a regular season to forget with a 3.05 goals-against average and .874 save percentage. Brandon Bussi supplanted him at one point.

But coach Rod Brind'Amour went with the veteran Andersen in the playoffs, and it has paid off. Andersen has two shutouts and has given up two or fewer goals in each game. He's just the third goalie in the last 30 years to open 7-0.

The Flyers are banged up with Owen Tippett and Noah Cates unable to play. But unless the Flyers can figure out the Hurricanes, they, like the Senators, will be swept.

Then it comes down to whether the Hurricanes and Brind'Amour can get past the conference finals. The way they're playing, it's possible.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hurricanes beat Flyers to remain unbeaten in playoffs: Why they're 7-0

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Canes Stay Perfect: Hurricanes 4, Flyers 1

May 7, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) scores a goal against Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar (80) during the first period in game three of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

The Carolina Hurricanes extended their winning ways with a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night in the Xfinity Mobil Arena.

The Canes remain undefeated in postseason play and now lead this second round series, 3-0. They are 7-0 overall in these playoffs.

Going back to the regular season, they have won 16 of their last 18 games.

Frederik Andersen earned another win in goal and made 18 saves out of 19 shots.

The Flyers came out fired up and had several scoring chances early, but failed to convert. They hit the post a couple of times and the other times Andersen and the Carolina defense were both equal to the task.

Late in the period, Jordan Staal took a puck off the boards during a powerplay and tucked it past goalie, Dan Vladar to start off the scoring.

Trevor Zegras tied it up early in the second but that would be the only time they could get one past Andersen.

During a shorthanded opportunity a bit later in the period, Staal fed a wide open Jalen Chatfield who made no mistake as he gave the Canes a 2-1 lead.

At 3:52 into the third period, Andrei Svechnikov rifled in a one-timer to give Carolina a 3-1 lead. It was another powerplay goal for the Canes, who went 2-9 on the night.

K’Andre Miller and Jordan Martinook then got the puck to a streaking Nikolaj Ehlers and “Fly” broke in alone and roofed in a beautiful goal to virtually put the game out of reach.

Carolina’s balanced scoring made a statement in this game.

On the other side, the penalty kill was perfect, even during over a minute of a 5-3, disadvantage. This was due to a poor sportsmanship call on coach Rod Brind’Amour.

Obviously it was far from a perfect game but the Hurricanes did what they had to do for the win. It was another penalty filled fiasco at times. The Canes were called for 10 penalties while the Flyers were called for 15, but six of them were called with less than three minutes left in the game when the home team intentionally tried to rough up the Canes.

Carolina will look for another sweep as they face the Flyers for game four on Saturday.

Game Summary – https://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20252026/GS030223.HTM

Event Summary – https://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20252026/ES030223.HTM

Highlights –

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Cubs Minor League Wrap: South Bend beats rain, Lugnuts, 9-7

Mar 13, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Kane Kepley against the Chicago White Sox during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Right-handed pitcher Tyler Ferguson was acquired from the Athletics and sent to Triple-A Iowa.

Right-hander Kenten Egbert was promoted from High-A South Bend to Iowa.

Iowa catcher Casey Opitz was activated off the Development List.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were broadsided by the Columbus Clippers (Guardians), 4-2.

Connor Noland gave the I-Cubs a solid start, going five innings and giving up two runs on four hits. Noland did walk five batters while striking out five. One of the five walks issued was intentional.

Paul Campbell pitched the other four innings and got the loss after he gave up back-to-back solo home runs in the eighth inning. Campbell’s final line was two runs on three hits over four innings. He struck out four and walked no one.

Iowa managed just five singles in this one. First baseman BJ Murray was 1 for 3 with a walk.

A nice play on defense by second baseman Scott Kingery.

Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Smokies were harried by the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), 4-1.

Grant Kipp had an impressive start, allowing just one run on three hits over five innings. Kipp struck out eight and walked no one.

Jace Beck relieved Kipp and took the loss after he allowed one unearned run on one hit over two innings. Beck struck out four and walked one.

The Smokies only run came on a home run by first baseman Owen Ayers in the bottom of the second inning. It was Ayers’ ninth home run this year and third for Knoxville.

Ayers was 1 for 4.

Here’s the Ayers home run.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs nailed the Lansing Lugnuts (Athletics), 9-2.

Eli Jerzembeck’s High-A debut went about as well as the Cubs could have hoped for. Jerzembeck pitched three scoreless innings and gave up just one hit. He walked two, hit two and struck out three.

I don’t know if Jerzembeck would have be taken out anyways after 51 pitches, but the game was delayed 92 minutes by rain after three innings. Alfredo Romero took over when the rain stopped and he got the win. He gave up two runs on three hits over four innings. Romero struck out two, walked two and hit one batter.

South Bend scored nine runs on just seven hits and none of them were home runs. First baseman Cole Mathis had one of the two doubles, which drove home two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Mathis was 1 for 4.

Left fielder Kane Kepley went 2 for 4 with a walk and an RBI double in the sixth inning. Kepley also stole one base.

Center fielder Christian Olivo was 2 for 4. He scored twice and drove in two runners.

Shortstop Ty Southisene hit a two-run single in the fifth. He was 1 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base. He also scored once.

The Mathis double.

Southisene’s two-run single.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans boiled the Hickory Crawdads (Padres), 9-7.

Mason McGwire continued his strong start to the season by allowing three runs on six hits over four innings. Only one of the three runs McGwire allowed was earned. Most impressively, he struck out seven and walked just one.

Braylon Myers relieved McGwire and got the win. Myers gave up four runs on four hits over three innings. Myers struck out four.

Riely Hunsaker got his first career save by retiring all six batters over the final two innings. Hunsaker struck out one.

Catcher Logan Poteet hit a solo home run in the fourth, his fifth on the year. Poteet was 2 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored.

Center fielder Alexey Lumpuy clubbed a two-run home run in the sixth. Lumpuy was 1 for 5.

The Pelicans took the lead after they scored six runs in the eighth inning. They took the lead when shortstop Alexis Hernandez hit a two-run single in that inning. He was 2 for 5 with a stolen base.

Second baseman Jose Escobar was 2 for 3 with two walks. He scored one run.

Poteet’s home run.

Lumpuy’s home run.

The Hernandez two-run single.

ACL Cubs

Beating the Diamondbacks, 7-6 in the 7th.

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Hurricanes beat the Flyers 4-1 in Game 3, take a 3-0 series lead

PHILADELPHIA — Jordan Staal and Andrei Svechnikov scored on the power play and Jalen Chatfield added a short-handed goal, keying a special teams effort that helped the Carolina Hurricanes win their seventh straight playoff game, 4-1 over the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 3 on Thursday night.

The Hurricanes — who outshot the Flyers 30-19 —can complete their second straight postseason series sweep in Game 4 on Saturday in Philadelphia.

The Hurricanes — coming off a Game 1 shutout and a Game 2 overtime thriller — again rode the hot hand of Frederik Andersen in net to move to the brink of a sweep.

The Flyers, the last team in the East to clinch a playoff spot who then beat Pittsburgh in the first round, had a few sensational early looks at the net but again failed to finish and again failed on the power play. They had the worst power-play efficiency (15.7%) in the NHL this season and did not score with the man advantage in Game 3.

To make it worse, Chatfield scored to make it 2-1 in the second just 11 seconds into the Flyers’ power play with Taylor Hall in the box for boarding.

The Flyers hit Andersen with 15 shots during 19 minutes of overtime in Game 2 and whiffed on their chance at the win — and perhaps their best shot at making this a competitive series — when Travis Konecny missed a makeable look on a breakaway.

Konecny fired another clean look minutes into Game 3, only for Andersen to knock it away with his pads. Porter Martone, the Flyers’ teen sensation, rang the right side of the post moments later and two great chances at goals meant nothing on the scoreboard.

The Flyers still had a chance on the power play but were stymied and fell at that point to 1 for 12 in the series and 3 for 29 in nine playoff games.

The Hurricanes are too playoff tested, too veteran savvy to not capitalize on Philadelphia’s slow start.

Staal punched in a rebound in the first period for the 1-0 lead.

Trevor Zegras, a 26-goal scorer held without a point the previous four games, tied the game for the Flyers from one knee in the second period.

That was it for the Flyers. They went 0 for 5 on the power play while the Hurricanes were 2 of 7.

Svechnikov and Nikolaj Ehlers scored in the third period, the latter of which sent Flyers fans headed toward the exits.

NHL playoff history is still against the Flyers. Only four teams that trailed 3-0 in a seven-game series have come all the way back to win — the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs, 1980 New York Islanders, 2010 Flyers and 2014 Los Angeles Kings.

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Rays 8, Red Sox 4; Can they just keep playing the Tigers?

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 07: Greg Weissert #57 of the Boston Red Sox tosses his glove out of frustration in the dugout after pitching less than an inning in the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on May 07, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images) | Getty Images

I had a feeling this game wasn’t going to go the Sox way before it even started. To be fair, that isn’t saying much— most games haven’t gone the Sox way this year! But I knew the vibes would be off as soon as this came across the timeline shortly before the game started:

Garrett Crochet and Roman Anthony are the two most important players on the Red Sox. As fun as the sweep in Detroit was, it’s going to be really hard for this team to build any sort of momentum without those two guys healthy playing to the best of their abilities. Tonight’s game showed everyone precisely why that is. The lineup looked punchless, as any lineup with Trevor Story batting cleanup would. The pitching staff couldn’t get big outs when it mattered. And the Sox dropped a listless game to a team they’ll probably need to catch in the standings at some point this season if they’re going to make the playoffs.

Three Studs

Jake Bennett

Bennett didn’t exactly mow down the opposition. In fact, I would describe his outing as more of the “chugging along” variety. He generated just five swings and misses all night, but managed to keep it close, limit the walks, and pitch into the sixth. Look, folks, the word “stud” is relative tonight.

Tyler Samaniego

Like I said, we’re playing a little fast and loose with the studs. Samaniego faced just two batters, coming into the game after Greg Weissert coughed up two runs in the sixth. But he sat those two batters down, as he’s done to most guys so far this season.

Wilyer Abreu

He singled in the third and brought home a run on a sac fly in the eighth. That was enough to make him the most productive hitter in the Red Sox lineup tonight — by far.

Three Duds

Greg Weissert

To a certain extent, Weissert can console himself with the thought that he was BABIPed to death in the sixth inning, when he gave the Rays a two-run lead they would not relinquish on a couple of soft hits. But the fickle nature of the BABIP gods is precisely why it’s so important for relievers who come into tight games to strike dudes out. Weissert did not strike any dudes out, and walked a dude to boot. It’s not his year, folks, which is something that gets said about most middle relievers a few times throughout their mercurial careers.

Ryan Watson

Ryan Watson, on the other hand, cannot blame the cruel winds of fate for his performance. Watson entered the game in the seventh tasked with holding the Rays lineup at bay long enough for the Sox to get back in the game. The Rays sure looked happy to see him, as they hit him hard and often, putting the game out of reach.

Willson Contreras

There’s never a good time for a TOOTBLAN. But it’s hard to think of too many worse times for a TOOTBLAN than in the eighth inning of a three-run game with no one out and a runner on second. Contreras’s terrible decision to try to take second after singling while Jarren Duran held up at third base cost the Sox a chance at a big inning.

Play of the Game

I’m giving it to the back-breaking TOOTBLAN, the latest deflating moment in a season that’s already had too many.

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White Sox Minor League Update: May 7, 2026

Dru Baker drove in five runs in Charlotte’s rout of the Jumbo Shrimp. | Getty Images

Charlotte Knights 16, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 1
Not only did the Knights (18-18) make it back to .500, but they outhit the Jumbo Shrimp (18-18), 14-5, and went 7-for-16 with runners in scoring position. Charlotte’s pitching set the tone for the rest of the White Sox affiliates, striking out eight while walking just one, with the one run coming off an RBI double in the fifth, when the Knights already had a 10-run lead. Appearing for the seventh time this season and making his fifth start, Duncan Davitt tossed four scoreless with two hits, a walk, and two Ks. Earning his first win of the season, however, was righthander Jackson Kelley, shutting the Shrimp down for two scoreless.

Back to the red-hot offense. Half of the Knights hits were for extra bases — five doubles and two home runs — and they drew eight walks as a team while striking out 10 times. Nearly everyone got a hit tonight, but there were two guys that drove in more than half of the runs for the Knights: Dru Baker and Jacob Gonzalez. Baker’s first two came off an RBI single with the bases loaded in the fifth, and he then hit a three-run bomb the next inning, giving him five RBIs on the day.

Gonzalez accounted for four, off of a two-bagger and a homer, and Braden Montgomery was the only player that mashed three hits, also accounting for two of the doubles and runs batted in. These were Montgomery’s first extra-base hits in Triple-A, but he has overall adjusted well so far, holding down an .804 OPS in his 14 at-bat sample size.

Outside of Montgomery and Gonzalez, Ryan Galanie also went 2-for-4, with both of his hits being doubles. Galanie has been slugging like crazy since being promoted to Charlotte (.586 SLG), and has maintained an .881 OPS. It was a beautiful, well-rounded win for Charlotte. Hopefully, the big-league squad can follow in their footsteps and get back to .500.

Birmingham Barons 4, at Knoxville Smokies1
A prime six-inning start from lefthander Jake Palisch to begin a holistically outstanding performance from the Barons (14-15) pitching staff set them up for success in their 4-1 win over the Smokies (14-15). Left fielder Jacob Burke led the way for the Birmingham offense, posting three hits with a triple while driving in two runs. Burke has been hot at the plate recently, leading qualified Barons players with a 1.072 OPS (44 at-bats), four doubles, two triples, a homer and seven RBIs over the last 15 days.

A solo bomb for the smokies off of Palish was the lone run given up for Birmingham. After the five hits allowed during his start, the bullpen didn’t let up another the rest of the game, and Jairo Iriarte received the save. The bats did just enough to keep Birmingham in the game, though outside of Burke only Jordan Sprinkle recorded an RBI. As a team the Barons struck out 14 times while walking just three, and went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position with eight left on base; it’s a good thing the bullpen was on its A-game.

Winston-Salem Dash 7, Hudson Valley Renegades 3
Bouncing back after a blowout loss on Wednesday, the Dash (18-12) pushed seven runs across in as many hits while going 3-for-9 with runners in scoring position in Thursday’s 7-3 win over the Renegades (15-14). Righthander Gabe Davis tossed another excellent four innings, allowing one run on four hits while striking out seven. Davis now sits at a 1.80 ERA across 20 innings, and if he keeps this kind of efficiency up he will likely make a trip over to Double-A Birmingham sooner than later.

Driving in two runs apiece for the Good Guys were Ryan Burrows and Kyle Lodise, including a solo bomb from Burrowes in the fifth. T.J. McCants and Kaleb Freeman also joined the homer brigade, while the other extra-base hit was an RBI double from Grant Magill in the fourth. Despite giving up the most runs (two), Frankeli Arias ended up with the win for the Dash, and Garrett Wright followed it up with two hitless innings to end the game and establish the W.

Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 3, Columbia Fireflies 2(10 innings)
The Cannon Ballers (12-18) completed a late-game comeback against the Fireflies (14-16) to force extras, and pulled off the W, now having won four of their last five, 3-2. Kannapolis was outhit, 7-4, and Columbia essentially handed two runs and the game over to the Ballers in the final two innings.

D’Angelo Tejada led the eighth inning off with a double, and scored a couple batters later on a balk from the Fireflies pitcher, cutting the lead to one. In the bottom of the ninth, Marcelo Alcala lined an RBI double out to left, allowing pinch-runner Abraham Núñez to score all the way from first and tie the game.

Tejada poked a perfect sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the 10th, but wild pitch offense ended the game after the Columbia pitcher threw it away, allowing the Ballers to walk it off.

Making up for where the bats were lacking, the pitching staff walked just one batter, while combining for a whopping 15 strikeouts. Righthander Riley Eikhoff was solid for his six-inning start, racking up six Ks and allowing the two runs, but receiving zero run support in return. In his ninth appearance for the Ballers, Jackson Nove was nearly perfect in his two innings, adding five strikeouts to the tally. Closing it out, righthander Marco Barrios earned his fourth win of the season, also striking out another four in his two innings of work.