May 30, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Devin Williams (38) and catcher Hayden Senger (6) celebrate after defeating the Miami Marlins during the ninth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
On a day the organization inducted two beloved former Mets into the Mets Hall of Fame, the team followed the cermony with a complete 6-1 victory over the Marlins to win their third in a row.
Before the game, Lee Mazzilli and former manger Bobby Valentine were inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame with a lovely on-field ceremony. Perhaps it is fitting they inducted Valentine in this particular season. If we jump into the Wayback Machine to 1999, Valentine’s job was on the line after GM Steve Phillips spent big in the offseason and the team got off to a sluggish start. The team aqcuired a future Hall of Famer in the season prior, but they missed the playoffs by just one game. In the following offseason the general manager spent big, notably acquiring a third baseman, so they could compete with the Braves in the division and get themselves into the playoffs. Sound familiar?
One day after Valentine’s coaches got fired, the team went on a 40-15 tear to get themselves back into the playoff race and the rest is history. Will that happen with this team? Probably not, but with wins in short supply every step forward is crucial for this team to get back on track.
The main standout was Christian Scott who got the start and his first major league win. He gave up one run and struck out eight in five innings of work. He did walk two but he looked to be in complete control during his outing. He’s certainly come a long way from his shaky first start of the year, and with the question marks surrounding the rotation right now, he has brought some measure of stability.
After the Mets scored three runs in the fourth on a Mark Vientos RBI double and a Marcus Semien RBI single, the team added on with solo home runs from two unlikely sources- Jared Young and Hayden Senger, the first of his major league career. They tacked on another run when Juan Soto drove in Carson Benge and so the team comfotably held a five-run lead. But given how many times Miami came back in the series opener, to the point where the Mets had to win it in extras, the bullpen had to find a way to keep the pesky Marlins off the board.
This time the bullpen was up to the challenge. Cionel Pérez, Huascar Brazobán, Austin Warren, and Devin Williams were perfect and didn’t allow any runs between them.
Taking the series against Miami is a good start but they need to go for the sweep if this team wants to climb out of the cellar and, some how, some way, capture some magic from teams past. Ya Gotta Believe right?
Big Mets winner: Christian Scott, +18% WPA Big Mets loser: Bo Bichette, -12% WPA Mets pitchers: +30% WPA Mets hitters: +20% WPA Teh aw3s0mest play: Mark Vientos RBI double in fourth, +16.7% WPA Teh sux0rest play: Liam Hicks RBI single in fifth, -6.9% WPA
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MAY 28: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs warms up before Game Six of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Frost Bank Center on May 28, 2026 in San Antonio, 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. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much. The rule against trolling also applies to members of this site that visit other fan sites.
It’s the 101st game of the season (82 regular season games, 18 playoff games, and the NBA cup championship1) and there’s nothing to say that hasn’t already been said. It’s been an incredible series, with each team making adjustments and turning small strategic advantages into winning margins, until the other team responds and forces another round of adjustments. It’s been an emotional roller coaster for the fans of both teams, and they aren’t even playing the games. It’s hard to imagine how stressful this is for the team and staff, but they seem to be handling is well so far.
The Spurs stepped up with their best defensive effort of the season in the second half as they held the Thunder scoreless for eight minutes as the Spurs ripped off a 20-0 run and put the game away early. Victor Wembanyama and the starters had a long rest to finish the game and that should work in favor of the Silver and Black tonight. If Victor can have one of his high energy games tonight, that might be the key to winning the series and advancing to the finals. Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle have been great, with Harper looking at full strength in Game 6 after being hobbled for much of the series. De’Aaron Fox has been injured all series long, which has affected his scoring, but he’s making contributions in other ways as turnovers have been way down since he returned to the lineup. He could be the deciding factor tonight, but he’s also unlocking the games of his teammates, so I wouldn’t mind having Champagnie having a great night again. It’s a team effort. LET’S GO SPURS!
If the Spurs win tonight, they’ll play on June 3rd against the Knicks at the Frost Bank Center, and if they lose they have a whole off season to think about getting the best record in the league and locking up home court advantage for the playoffs.
That game is hard to remember that game since it didn’t count in the standings, but if the Spurs win tonight, I have a feeling that people will be talking about it a lot.
I wrote this whole thing about how Wembanyama is Superman (because he’s an alien) and Caruso is Lex Luthor (he’s bald, duh), but decided to edit it out because it was to comic-nerdy. Maybe next time.
Game Prediction:
We have a repeat of Game 1, with a double overtime thriller won by the Spurs with Wemby scoring 40+.
San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma Thunder, Conference Championship Round, Game 7 May 30, 2026 | 7:00 PM CT Streaming: Peacock TV: NBC Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - MAY 28: Josh Jung #6 of the Texas Rangers celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Houston Astros during the second inning at Globe Life Field on May 28, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Texas Rangers scored seven runs while the Kansas City Royals scored six runs.
The Rangers finally found one of those bad teams we’ve heard so much about!
After going up 3-0 through most of the game, the Rangers allowed four runs in the top of the seventh to erase a quality start from Kumar Rocker and even survived Chris Martin allowing a two-run home run to put KC up 6-3 heading into the bottom of the eighth.
After scoring a run in that frame to pull a tad closer before a baffling two-out bunt attempt with the tying runs in scoring position, the Rangers went Joc Pederson solo home run, two infield singles, and then a game-tying single from Jake Burger followed a game-winning soft shot single to right field from Ezequiel Duran.
Lucas Erceg got zero outs in the ninth and the Rangers came away with their first two-game winning streak at home since the first homestand of the month.
I can’t imagine there have been many games where both teams at the bottom of their league in scoring each have had a rally in which they got five consecutive hits in an inning but here we are. At least Texas’ came last as a final counter punch to take the game.
Player of the Game: Josh Jung had one of those infield hits that ignited the winning rally in the ninth. He also tied Burger for the team lead with three hits on the day, including a solo home run in the top of the first to help Texas pass the dreaded First Inning Test.
Up Next: The Rangers will try to close out the month of May with their first three-game winning streak since early April with RHP Jack Leiter expected to pitch for Texas against RHP Michael Wacha for Kansas City.
The Sunday afternoon first pitch from The Shed is scheduled for 1:35 pm CDT and you can watch it on the Rangers Sports Network.
May 30, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage (39) pitches in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images | Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images
Blue Jays 5 Orioles 6
All that really mattered happened in the bottom of the ninth:
Jeff Hoffman got the ninth, in what was a non-save spot. Hoffman got a strikeout, hit a batter, gave up a triple and single, scoring a run and putting the tying run to the plate. A double put the tying run on second. A walk loaded the bases. Another walk scored another run.
Connor Seabold, coming into a very bad spot, tying run on third, winner on second with just one out. The first pitch went through Heineman but not far enough to score the run. Then Seabold went 3-0, got back to 3-2 but walked in the tying run. Gotta make him swing. Next batter gets to 2-1 before he singles and that’s the game.
Just kill me.
Before that:
Trey Yesavage had all sorts of problems with the strike zone and yet only allowed one run in five innings. Giving up just one run, while walking seven is either amazing or very lucky. And there was some from aisle one and some from aisle two. Seven walks, but just two hits with four strikeouts. The Jays turned three double plays behind him (in the second, third and fourth innings). One of them was something I’ve never seen before, a ground ball down the third base line, that Okamoto picked up while touching third and threw to first to get the 5-3 double play.
Until Hoffman the bullpen was great:
Yariel Rodríguez Gave up a walk and a single but had a clean inning, with a strikeout.
Tyler Rogers went fly out, ground out, ground out.
Louis Varland, pitching in the eighth, went fly out, strike out, ground out.
On offense, the Jays had troubles with Brandon Young, until the fourth inning. Vladimir Guerrero started the inning with a single. Two outs later, Jesús Sánchez doubled him home and Ernie Clements singled Sánchez home, giving us the lead.
Two more scored in the eighth: Nathan Lukes and Vlad singled to start it. And, after a Daulton Varsho strikeout, Kazuma Okamoto doubled them home.
And one in the ninth. With two outs, Lukes walked and Vlad doubled him home (with the help of some crappy fielding in the outfield, Orioles outfielders are terrible).
We had 11 hits. Vlad had 4, Clement 2. Andrés Giménez and Tyler Heineman had 0 fors.
Jays of the Day: Yesavage (0.16 WPA), Clement (0.14), Sánchez (0.11), Vlad (0.10), Rogers (0.11), and Rodriguez (0.09)
Other Award: Hoffman (-0.51), Seabold (-0.47), Varsho (-0.14), Springer (-0.13) and Gimenez (-0.9).
Tomorrow, the month of May ends, and we have an earlier start (12:15 Eastern). Kyle Bradish (2-6, 3.86). On the Jays side, Spencer Miles will be the bulk guy.
A towering figure of playoff-era NHL hockey, Claude Lemieux is being remembered through a more complicated emotional lens in the aftermath of his death, as friends and colleagues describe the quiet burdens he may have carried away from the spotlight.
A Legacy Shadowed By Internal Struggles
Réjean Tremblay, a longtime Montreal hockey columnist and close friend of Lemieux for more than 30 years, suggested in an interview published Saturday that unresolved feelings tied to recognition and legacy weighed heavily on the former NHL forward.
“He always lived this as an injustice, a heavy burden to bear,” Réjean Tremblay, Montreal hockey columnist and friend who knew Lemieux for 30 years, told The New York Post in an interview published on Saturday, May 30, claiming that the late hockey star was “deeply sensitive to rejection” and, as a result, never got over the fact that he wasn’t inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame following his 2009 retirement.
“The sense of rejection ran deeper than one might have imagined,” Tremblay further claimed. “He took it very hard.”
The NHL legend was found dead on Thursday, May 28, by one of his three sons. He was 60. His death was later ruled a suicide.
Final Appearances, Reflections, And A Shifting Perspective
In the months leading up to his passing, Lemieux made several public appearances that now stand out in a different light to those reflecting on his final chapter.
On December 11, Lemieux attended the Panthers-Avalanche game at Ball arena where the organization honored its 1996 Stanley Cup-winning team, a group he played a key role on during his years in Denver. During the event, he briefly spoke with reporters and reflected on the evolution of the modern NHL, expressing appreciation for the league’s increased focus on player safety. He noted that today’s game was "cleaner” than during his playing days, when frequent on-ice fights and physical confrontations were a defining part of the sport.
“The National Hockey League mourns the passing of Claude Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup champion and one of the greatest big-game Players in hockey history,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. Lemieux — who played for 21 seasons in the NHL between 1983 and 2009 — is survived by his wife, Deborah, daughter Claudia, and sons Brendan, Christopher and Michael.
“I love you dad! My son [Luc’s] favorite person is going to watch from above for a while,” Lemieux’s son Brendan wrote via Instagram, breaking his silence in the wake of his father’s shocking death. “We will see you.”
The NHL star’s death came just three days after he made an emotional appearance at Game 3 of the NHL’s Eastern Conference Finals between the Montreal Canadiens and the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday, May 25, where he served as a torchbearer prior to puck drop. Lemieux played for Montreal from 1983 to 1990 and was a part of the 1986 Stanley Cup team alongside Patrick Roy.
“It’s possible that surge of love, that wave of love on Monday evening, triggered an emotion that was too intense,” Tremblay claimed to The New York Post, citing other friends of Lemieux, per the outlet. “It might have reawakened old pains, old suffering.”
Colombe Lacroix, another close friend of the hockey star who was reportedly at the scene with the surviving family on Thursday, per The New York Post, said Lemieux had been “going through a difficult time” and was allegedly “depressed” prior to his death.
“They didn’t expect that at all,” she added of the player’s death by suicide. “They never saw it coming. It’s so devastating, everyone is upside down.”
The widow of former Colorado Avalanche general manager Pierre Lacroix, who became close with Lemieux and his wife during his years in Colorado from 1995 to 1999, recalled a final personal moment shared with the former forward.
“I held Claude in my arms, and I said thank you for being there for me,” she told The New York Post on Saturday. “He left our world too soon and I hope he’s in a better palace and that he’s happy.”
The Cincinnati Reds look to level the series in Great American Ball Park against the visiting Atlanta Braves, a veritable juggernaut who claimed the opening game of the series 8-3 last night.
Brady Singer starts, and hopefully will not give up 3 homers for the third consecutive start.
Jared Young and Hayden Senger homered for the Mets on Saturday and Christian Scott threw five solid innings in a 6-1 victory over the Marlins in front of 38,552 at Citi Field.
The Mets have won three straight games and can complete a sweep of the Marlins Sunday afternoon. The victory upped the Mets record to 25-33, including a 15-12 mark in May.
Here are the key takeaways...
-- Scott matched his season-high with eight strikeouts and walked two, throwing 96 pitches (60 for strikes). Scott got 11 swings-and-misses, according to Statcast. Scott paid for one of the walks – he started the Marlins fifth by walking No. 8 hitter Christopher Morel, who entered the game with a .169 average. Morel later scored on a two-out RBI single by Liam Hicks. Over his last two starts, both against Miami, Scott has given up one run in 10.2 innings, a 0.87 ERA.
-- The fifth inning could’ve gone worse for the Mets, but A.J. Ewing came to the rescue. After Hicks’ run-scoring single, Otto Lopez followed with a deep drive to center that looked like potential damage. But Ewing sprinted back and toward right-center to snare the ball, a fine running catch for the final out of the inning. It was the second nice grab in the outfield by a Met – in the fourth inning, Carson Benge took away a potential extra-base hit from Kyle Stowers with a snare on the warning track.
-- The Mets, who had run into two outs on the bases in the second inning, scored three times in the fourth to take an early lead. Mark Vientos doubled in two runs after Juan Soto walked andYoungsingled with one out. One out later, Marcus Semien hit an RBI single and the Mets were ahead, 3-0. Soto’s walk extended his streak of reaching base to 14 games, dating back to May 14. Vientos has 19 RBI over his last 27 games.
-- Young, batting cleanup for the second time this season, smashed his first homer leading off the sixth inning against Miami reliever Lake Bachar. It was a long drive to right field.
-- Senger smacked his first career big-league homer with one out in the seventh inning, a shot to left field off Bachar. It was the 39th game of Senger’s MLB career and the homer came in his 93rd career plate appearance.
-- After allowing three runs across 5.1 innings on Friday night, the Met bullpen rebounded Saturday. Cionel Perez threw a scoreless sixth, Huascar Brazoban struck out the side in the seventh inning and Austin Warren threw a scoreless eighth to set the stage for closer Devin Williams in the ninth. Williams threw a 1-2-3 frame for his second consecutive scoreless outing.
Game MVP: Christian Scott
Scott delivered his second consecutive strong start against the Marlins, allowing one run and five hits across five innings and earned his first major league win after 16 starts.
The Spurs on Saturday defeated the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder 111-103 on the road in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, sending Victor Wembanyama to the Finals for the first time in his young career.
The 22-year-old, in just his third season since being selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, was named MVP of the series. Wembanyama, in his first career postseason, had 22 points and seven rebounds in the clincher as the Spurs reached the Finals for the first time since 2014.
“It means everything,” Wembanyama said on NBC after the win. “We want four more [wins]. We’re not done yet.”
The Spurs had seven players in double figures after shooting 17-for-40 overall from deep, with Julian Champagnie scoring 16 and Stephon Castle adding 16.
The Spurs got out to a quick start by shooting efficiently — led by Castle, who had nine early points — to take a 27-13 lead midway through the first quarter. The Thunder, who shot 3-for-13 from deep in the first and commit six turnovers, responded with a 7-0 run and pulled to within seven by the end of the first at 32-25.
The Thunder – behind a big quarter by Gilgeous-Alexander, who had 19 first-half points — pulled even with 2:15 left in the half on a 3 by Lu Dort that made it 49-49 and then took their first lead on a jumper by Jaylin Williams. The Spurs closed the half on a 7-0 run to take a 56-53 lead into the break.
The Spurs went on a 16-2 run midway through the third, capped by a Wembanyama 3, to open a 76-65 lead.
Early in the fourth quarter, De’Aaron Fox and Wembanyama hit back-to-back 3’s during a 13-4 San Antonio run to open a 97-86 lead with eight minutes remaining. The Thunder pulled within six and were on the fast break when the Spurs’ Luke Kornet, with Wembanyama on the bench, blocked Isaiah Hartenstein at the rim. Castle then followed with a jumper at the other end to push the lead to eight, and Champagnie followed with a 3 to make it 102-91.
Carson Wallace drained back-to-back 3’s to pull the Thunder within 107-101 with just over two minutes left. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a chance to make it a one-possession game on the ensuing possession but missed a 3. Castle then converted a putback at the other end to push the Spurs lead to 109-101 with one minute left to all but seal the win.
The Thunder, who swept the first two rounds of the playoffs, were denied the chance to become the first team since the 2017-2018 Golden State Warriors to win back-to-back titles. Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning back-to-back MVP, had 35 points in the loss. Chet Holmgren had just four points on 1-for-2 shooting.
The Spurs will have homecourt advantage in the NBA Finals, hosting Game 1 and Game 2, and if necessary, Game 5 and Game 7. Game 1 is set for Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. ET at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. Game 2 is Friday before the series shifts to Madison Square Garden for Games 3 and 4 on June 8 and 10.
The series will be a rematch of the 1999 NBA Finals, in which Tim Duncan and David Robinson led the Spurs to a 4-1 series win over Allan Houson, Latrell Sprewell and the Knicks.
The Spurs return to the NBA Finals for the seventh time, and first since 2014 when they defeated the Miami Heat for their fourth title in 15 years (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014). The Knicks swept the Cleveland Cavaliers to win the East and enter the Finals on an 11-game winning streak. They reach the Finals for the first time since 1999 and are seeking their first championship since 1973.
The series between the Spurs and Knicks is also a rematch of December’s NBA Cup final, which the Knicks won 124-113. The Knicks and Spurs split the regular-season series 1-1.
The Spurs on Saturday defeated the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder 111-103 on the road in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, sending Victor Wembanyama to the Finals for the first time in his young career.
The 22-year-old, in just his third season since being selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, was named MVP of the series. Wembanyama, in his first career postseason, had 22 points and seven rebounds in the clincher as the Spurs reached the Finals for the first time since 2014.
“It means everything,” Wembanyama said on NBC after the win. “We want four more [wins]. We’re not done yet.”
The Spurs had seven players in double figures after shooting 17-for-40 overall from deep, with Julian Champagnie scoring 16 and Stephon Castle adding 16.
The Spurs got out to a quick start by shooting efficiently — led by Castle, who had nine early points — to take a 27-13 lead midway through the first quarter. The Thunder, who shot 3-for-13 from deep in the first and commit six turnovers, responded with a 7-0 run and pulled to within seven by the end of the first at 32-25.
The Thunder – behind a big quarter by Gilgeous-Alexander, who had 19 first-half points — pulled even with 2:15 left in the half on a 3 by Lu Dort that made it 49-49 and then took their first lead on a jumper by Jaylin Williams. The Spurs closed the half on a 7-0 run to take a 56-53 lead into the break.
The Spurs went on a 16-2 run midway through the third, capped by a Wembanyama 3, to open a 76-65 lead.
Early in the fourth quarter, De’Aaron Fox and Wembanyama hit back-to-back 3’s during a 13-4 San Antonio run to open a 97-86 lead with eight minutes remaining. The Thunder pulled within six and were on the fast break when the Spurs’ Luke Kornet, with Wembanyama on the bench, blocked Isaiah Hartenstein at the rim. Castle then followed with a jumper at the other end to push the lead to eight, and Champagnie followed with a 3 to make it 102-91.
Carson Wallace drained back-to-back 3’s to pull the Thunder within 107-101 with just over two minutes left. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a chance to make it a one-possession game on the ensuing possession but missed a 3. Castle then converted a putback at the other end to push the Spurs lead to 109-101 with one minute left to all but seal the win.
The Thunder, who swept the first two rounds of the playoffs, were denied the chance to become the first team since the 2017-2018 Golden State Warriors to win back-to-back titles. Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning back-to-back MVP, had 35 points in the loss. Chet Holmgren had just four points on 1-for-2 shooting.
The Spurs will have homecourt advantage in the NBA Finals, hosting Game 1 and Game 2, and if necessary, Game 5 and Game 7. Game 1 is set for Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. ET at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. Game 2 is Friday before the series shifts to Madison Square Garden for Games 3 and 4 on June 8 and 10.
The series will be a rematch of the 1999 NBA Finals, in which Tim Duncan and David Robinson led the Spurs to a 4-1 series win over Allan Houson, Latrell Sprewell and the Knicks.
The Spurs return to the NBA Finals for the seventh time, and first since 2014 when they defeated the Miami Heat for their fourth title in 15 years (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014). The Knicks swept the Cleveland Cavaliers to win the East and enter the Finals on an 11-game winning streak. They reach the Finals for the first time since 1999 and are seeking their first championship since 1973.
The series between the Spurs and Knicks is also a rematch of December’s NBA Cup final, which the Knicks won 124-113. The Knicks and Spurs split the regular-season series 1-1.
Jared Bednar suddenly finds himself at the center of speculation, and if the Colorado Avalanche decide to make a change, half of Canada could be lining up to bring him home.
Silence From Colorado Continues
Bednar remains under contract with the Colorado Avalanche for one more season, yet his future has become one of the biggest unanswered questions of the NHL offseason.
Under normal circumstances, extending the longest-tenured coach in franchise history would feel like a formality. Bednar delivered a Stanley Cup championship in 2022, guided Colorado to a Presidents' Trophy this season, and has consistently kept the Avalanche among the league's elite contenders.
But playoff exits change the conversation.
Colorado entered the postseason with legitimate championship expectations before suffering a stunning sweep at the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final. The manner of the defeat has fueled debate about whether the organization needs a new voice behind the bench.
As of Friday afternoon, the Avalanche had yet to publicly address Bednar's status. No season-ending media availability has been announced, and the organization continues to operate in silence.
That uncertainty has only intensified the speculation.
Canada Could Be Waiting
If Colorado ultimately decides to move on, Bednar likely wouldn't spend much time unemployed.
The veteran coach has built one of the strongest résumés in hockey over the last decade, making him an immediate target for teams searching for leadership and stability.
According to NHL insider David Pagnotta, two Canadian franchises are already worth watching.
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers would both be "very curious" if Bednar hit the market.
Pagnotta made those comments during an appearance on the "Morning Cuppa Hockey" podcast with Jonny Lazarus and Colby Cohen.
The timing is notable.
There is a reason the coaching carousel has slowed. The Maple Leafs and Oilers remain without permanent replacements, and the possibility of Bednar becoming available could be enough to keep both organizations from pulling the trigger on another candidate.
If the Avalanche do make the difficult choice to move on, Canada could very well attempt to bring one of the game's premier coaches back north of the border.
For now, however, all eyes remain on Colorado.
The longer the Avalanche stay quiet, the more people wonder whether Bednar's future is already being decided behind closed doors.
May 28, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA;Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic (44) dribbles the ball past San Antonio Spurs guard Jordan McLaughlin (0) in the second half during game six of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
Then today is Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. The San Antonio Spurs are at the Oklahoma City Thunder. Tip off is at 8 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock)
The winner advances to the NBA Finals to face the New York Knicks, who swept the Eastern Conference Finals over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Enjoy the game!
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MAY 4: Kyle Leahy #62 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at Busch Stadium on May 4, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a thrilling Friday night victory full of St. Louis Cardinals home runs, game 2 of the rivalry will happen Saturday night at Busch Stadium as Kyle Leahy will make the start for the St. Louis Cardinals while the Chicago Cubs will ask Ben Brown to take one for the team. Saturday night’s game will be a national broadcast on Fox with first pitch scheduled for 6:15pm.
The Giants came into Saturday’s game against the Colorado Rockies licking their wounds from a gut-wrenching series-opening loss the night before.
San Francisco went into Friday’s ninth inning with a 6-3 lead, but ultimately lost 8-6 thanks to a couple of massive home runs by Colorado. It didn’t take long for the Rockies’ bats to get hot on Saturday, as they went up 2-0 in the first before tacking on a couple more in the fourth.
The Giants lost 8-3, extending their losing streak to five games and leaving first-year manager Tony Vitello wanting to see more pride in the team’s response to adversity.
“We need to take a little more pride, I think, in how we…It’s ideal to not have last night occur, but bounce back,” Vitello told the media. “I got the vibe like we were in a position to do that. The first six outs we had at the plate would say that, but getting in a hole makes it a little tougher after that.”
The Giants did get some late-game offense from Drew Gilbert, who cranked a two-run shot in the eighth, but it simply wasn’t enough.
The Rockies were peppering whoever was on the mound for the Giants in this one, as they racked up 14 hits as a team, with both Jake McCarthy and Kyle Karros going deep.
The Giants got just 3 2/3 innings out of starter Adrian Houser, as Vitello ended up using three bullpen arms to get through the night.
With yet another series loss taking place for San Francisco, they will have a chance to really show their “pride” on Sunday in the series finale. Veteran Robbie Ray will take the bump, looking to end his own two-game losing streak. As for the Rockies, they are expected to be handing the ball to Tanner Gordon.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MAY 23: A happy San Francisco Giants OF Harrison Bader (9) heads to the dugout after his grand slam in the game between the Chicago White Sox and San Francisco Giants on May 23, 2026 at Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA. (Photo by Larry Placido/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Will Brennan’s most recent stint with AAA Sacramento didn’t last long. A day after the San Francisco Giants optioned the veteran outfielder to make space for the returning Jung Hoo Lee, they called him back up to replace Harrison Bader, who returns to the 10-Day Injured List for a second stint this year. The Giants announced the news on Saturday, stating that Bader’s injury is left plantar fasciitis.
The news isn’t particularly surprising, as Bader exited in the ninth inning of Friday’s walk-off loss against the Colorado Rockies. He appeared to be walking gingerly, and was replaced in center field by Drew Gilbert, who is starting there for tonight’s game. Bader has struggled in his debut season with the Giants, as he’s hit .170/.198/.358 for a 52 wRC+ and -0.3 fWAR. His defense has been decent though, and he’s provided a few highlights, including a pair of grand slams last week. He’s also been hitting a bit better since returning from his first stint on the IL: in 15 games, he hit .222/.250/.519.
As for the left-handed hitting Brennan, this is his third time being called up this year. He’s played sporadically and not well, hitting 2-23 while seeing actions in 11 games, and amassing -0.5 fWAR. With Lee having returned, Casey Schmitt playing almost every day in left field, and Gilbert manning center — and with Victor Bericoto and Jesús Rodríguez on the bench — it seems unlikely that Brennan will see much playing time.
One was the first manager to guide the Mets to consecutive playoff berths and a heartfelt leader of the club’s efforts to help New York heal in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The other was a 1970s heartthrob, the burgeoning star who was the best thing – the only thing, maybe – about a Mets club that endured the self-inflicted “Midnight Massacre,” the painful nickname for the short-sighted 1977 day that saw the incomparable Tom Seaver, as well as slugger Dave Kingman, traded.
Bobby Valentine and Lee Mazzilli, who roomed together early in their Mets’ tenures, were inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame together in ceremonies Saturday afternoon that neatly covered separate eras in club history, a nifty day.
It also served as a reminder of how fascinating Met history is, even if it only dates back to 1962. It’s vital that the club continues its recent efforts to recognize it. Stories like Valentine’s and Mazzilli’s are franchise fabric and they’re worth celebrating like this.
It was fun to relive both of their careers on Saturday, whether it was Valentine’s fake-mustache-and-sunglasses disguise or Mazzilli’s “audacity to do basket catches four years after Willie Mays” had been a Met, as Valentine recalled. It’s OK – Mays was Maz’s hero.
There were, of course, moments that were poignant. Or hilarious. Mazzilli doted over his granddaughter, Sophia, nearly two years old, who walked onto the infield grass as he delivered his speech. He said he can’t wait to show her his plaque in the rotunda at Citi Field and hear her say, “That’s you, Grandpa.”
“Me, a grandpa,” Mazzilli said in a pre-ceremony press conference.
“Greatest gift in the world.”
Both men chuckled over an ad they once did, in full uniform, with Ed Kranepool and Joe Torre for Gillette Foamy. It greeted fans in the subway. “It was really cool,” Valentine said.
Both also were happy to go in together. It’s clear they share a deep bond and get a kick out of each other. When Mets manager Carlos Mendoza began his press conference – Valentine and Mazzilli were both in the room – by extolling the virtues of both, Valentine marched up to the table where Mendoza sat.
Once Mendoza was finished, Valentine said to the assembled crowd, “Wow, huh? No teleprompter.”
Then Valentine seemed to realize he probably shouldn’t be where he was. He asked aloud, “Am I supposed to be here?”
“No, you’re not,” Mazzilli hollered from the back, to laughs. “He did this when we roomed together,” Mazzilli added.
They have been friends since their roomie days in the 1970s when they “never sat in the room at nighttime,” Valentine revealed.
It would be hard to imagine Mazzilli, now 71, as a homebody, considering his outsize impact on the Mets of the late 70s and early 80s. He was a handsome first-round pick from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, who had played in the Gil Hodges Little League and chose baseball over speed skating, another sport in which he was a world-class talent.
Mazzilli was offered $30,000 to sign and ultimately got $50,000 after two months of haggling and began working his way through the Mets system. He debuted at 21 in September of 1976.
After Seaver and Kingman were dealt, “he was going to be the only thing people would come to the stadium for,” Valentine said. “The majority of fans were female, who just came to watch him run around the bases. The fans weren’t receptive to anyone but Lee because the others were replacements for Seaver and Kingman.”
For his part, Mazzilli noted that he learned some secrets of hitting by listening to Seaver and Jerry Koosman detail how they’d set up hitters. Mazzilli went on to become an All-Star in 1979, the year he batted .303 with 15 homers, 79 RBI and 34 steals.
In the MLB All-Star Game at the Kingdome in Seattle, Mazzilli became the first Mets player to hit a home run in the Midsummer Classic. His pinch-hit shot off Jim Kern in the eighth inning tied the score. In the ninth, Mazzilli drew a two-out, bases-loaded walk against Ron Guidry to force in the eventual winning run in the National League’s 7-6 victory.
Did he have a claim on the MVP Award? Perhaps. But it went to Dave Parker, who threw out two runners from right field.
Those weren’t Mazzilli’s only highlights, either. During his second tenure with the Mets, starting in the magical season of 1986, he had several memorable hits. After a pinch-hit, he scored the tying run in the famous comeback in Game 6 of the World Series. In Game 7, he delivered a pinch-hit single that started the winning rally.
May 30, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets former player and manager Bobby Valentine speaks during his Mets hall of fame induction ceremony before a game against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field. / Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Mazzilli even helped that ‘86 team when he was traded away before the 1982 season. The Mets sent him to the Texas Rangers for two pitchers. Ron Darling was one of them and the other, Walt Terrell, was later traded for Howard Johnson.
Valentine, now 76, is a Connecticut native who played part of two seasons for the Mets in 1976-77. But he made his real mark as their manager. He ranks third in team history with 536 wins stemming from his time at the helm from 1996-2002. His teams made the MLB postseason in 1999 and again in 2000. The 2000 team won the NL pennant, the Mets’ first since ‘86, and lost a hotly-contested Subway Series to the Yankees.
Valentine even worked in the minors for the Mets when some of their 1980s stars were learning the game and moving through the system. Valentine, who left to manage the Rangers in 1985, felt “connected” to that ‘86 Met team, even as he ached for his former roommate at USC, a Red Sox first baseman named Bill Buckner.
After 9/11, Valentine was a tireless helper when Shea Stadium turned into a staging area for supplies earmarked for Ground Zero. His nearby restaurant fed First Responders and he and his players tried to offer solace where they could. He’s done plenty since, too.
Saturday, Valentine tried to deflect some of the credit he got for those efforts, asserting both during the press conference and his on-field speech that not nearly as much would have gotten done without the coordinating work done by Jay Horwitz, now the Mets’ director of alumni relations and then their media relations head.
Valentine, like Mazzilli, wanted to be sure folks in his life got recognized for what they had meant to him. Family members of both ringed the podium where they delivered speeches.
Valentine’s shoutouts also included Lou Lamoriello, the Hall-of-Fame hockey executive, who coached him on a high-level team on Cape Cod, which got Valentine looks from big-time scouts. Lamoriello was on hand for the ceremonies, too, as well as former Mets such as Torre, Johnson, Edgardo Alfonzo, Mookie Wilson, John Franco, Al Leiter and Mike Piazza.
Mazzilli said he wouldn’t quite know how the day felt until he had taken it all in. While it was happening, though, it was clear that both men were enjoying it.
“It’s like coming back home,” said Mazzilli, the Brooklyn kid.
