Sports News – Page 245 – Worldwide Sports News

April 15, 2026

Early Starts for the NL East

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 12: Dominic Smith #8 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after hitting a two run home run during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Truist Park on April 12, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images

We spend all season covering the Phillies, their strengths, weaknesses, and storylines that will make up their season.

What isn’t always discussed is how other teams are doing, especially the teams around them, that can dictate how their season could play out.

The general theory for this series is that if you want to cover the 2026 Phillies properly, you have to cover what is around them as well.

The National League East is in a weird and fun state. The Braves are betting that 2025 was a fluke, the Nationals have begun a full-scale rebuild, the Marlins surprised people last year and might be ahead of schedule, and the New York Mets had as crazy an off-season as anyone can remember.

Atlanta Braves are full of surprises

The Braves are looking to prove their disastrous 2025 season was because of injuries and bad luck, not anything to worry about long-term. They carry themselves like a World Series contender but haven’t won the division the or a single playoff game in the last two seasons.

The off-season Spring training injuries also seemed like a death sentence for them. Ha-Seong Kim broke a finger tendon ice skating, Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep needed elbow surgery, Joey Wentz tore his ACL, and Spencer Strider strained his oblique. This is on top of Sean Murphy and Joe Jiménez missing the beginning of 2026 because of injuries from last season.

So if you mention all of that, then add on that the first 17 games have seen Ronald Acuña Jr. looking mostly mediocre and Austin Riley ice cold, it would make for an ugly start to the Braves season right?

Not so fast, they’re 10-7 with one of the best offenses in baseball, ranking third in wRC+, second in batting average, and second in slugging. The starting pitching has been ok outside of Bryce Elder, but the offense has slugged their way to first place early on.

Matt Olson and Drake Baldwin are leading the way as expected but they’ve gotten several role players to play key roles early on. Dominic Smith, someone who wasn’t supposed to make the team until Jurickson Profar got suspended, is hitting .353 with a 1.025 OPS.

Mauricio Dubon, acquired from the Houston Astros for Nick Allen, is hitting .339 with a .923 OPS. Jorge Mateo has generated offense when he’s gotten chances off the bench and so has Kyle Farmer.

So, as some of the stars have struggled, Acuña with a 104 OPS+ and Riley at 72, they’ve seen almost every other role player carry the weight.

While this is not going to last for them over 162 games, Dubon and Smith aren’t going to win batting titles or MVP trophies, there are still reasons to believe they can maintain the hot start at the plate.

Acuña and Riley will get going, Sean Murphy was set to begin his rehab assignment yesterday, and Ha-Seong Kim could be back in the middle of May. They should be good for reinforcements as some of the role players cool off.

While the results haven’t been there for Michael Harris II, there is a good process going on. It’s a small sample size but his barrel rate has increased by 7.2% and he is hitting the ball a lot harder. He was considered the Braves big lineup X-factor coming into the season and there are good signs for a rebound 2026.

The pitching staff is a different question mark. The leverage arms in Raisel Iglesias and Robert Suarez have looked good but the starting pitching staff looks depleted because of the injuries. Adding Strider back should help but Bryce Elder probably won’t hold up a 1.03 ERA the entire year.

The Marlins can hit?

Going into the season, it seemed like the Marlins profiled as a pesky offense at best with a strong pitching staff. However, baseball can get weird.

Jakob Marsee hasn’t broken out yet like Marlins fans have hoped for but there have been others. Owen Caissie looks like a strong get from the Cubs early on with a .822 OPS, Otto Lopez and Xavier Edwards have looked great up the middle, and Connor Norby is off to a hot start.

The pitching staff has been weird. Sandy Alcantara looks like a front-line starter again with more than a full year removed from elbow surgery but the rest hasn’t been great. Eury Pérez is walking too many hitters, Janson Junk and Max Meyer have looked fine in the middle of their rotation and Chris Paddack is bad.

The bullpen has been weird, too. Pete Fairbanks and Anthony Bender haven’t looked great as leverage guys but John King has looked great in five scoreless innings. Again, it’s still mid-April.

Given some of the unsustainable nature of their offensive results and how the pitching staff has looked, it might look more like a fun early season story than something bigger.

Nationals Rebuild

Griff McGarry did not make the Nationals but Joey Wiemer did and he’s hitting .364 with a 1.068 OPS. Their pitching staff is a mess but James Wood looks like a star.

As the season goes on, it will be more important for the Nationals to figure out who can be flipped to help the future or who can be building blocks for the next run.

CJ Abrams looks more like a piece that gets moved at the deadline. He’s only 25 but has already spent over three seasons in the big leagues. If he can sort of keep up his 191 OPS+ start, he could look like a nice player on a better team.

It’s early and I think the Mets are going to be good… however…

Francisco Lindor needed hamate surgery and has a .541 OPS to begin the year. Bo Bichette is playing a new position and it’s probably part of why he has a .569 OPS. Polanco has been battling an Achilles injury and can only DH. He’s at a .571 OPS. Juan Soto is hurt.

The Mets offense is going through it right now. Carson Benge cannot hit velocity now, Brett Baty is cold, Marcus Semien is cold.

Here is a better way to phrase it, if you’re not Francisco Alvarez and Luis Robert Jr, you’re either hurt or not hitting.

The pitching side hasn’t been amazing either in their 7-10 start. Freddy Peralta has given up some homers, David Peterson has looked bad, and Kodai Senga had a disaster start against the Cardinals. Luke Weaver has looked bad out of the bullpen and they called up Craig Kimbrel a few days ago. It’s not looking great.

This could be the low point of the Mets season. If it came in mid-June after a good two months, is anyone seriously talking about it? Who knows.

However, they play the Dodgers two more times and then the Cubs for three games. This start could get a bit uglier if things don’t pick up.

Given some of the stakes for them after missing the playoffs last season and having a demanding owner, they might want things to get better sooner rather than later.

April 15, 2026

2026 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 17

Reminder: I’m on vacation all this week and will be a little briefer than usual this week. Thanks for your patience.

The Cubs can’t quite get momentum going. But they are also staying away from a prolonged skid. They’re treading water in the early going while they try to get as much of the team pointed in the right direction as possible. It’s pretty unheard of for any team to get everyone producing in any sustained way across the whole roster. You just try to keep enough guys grooved in to continually win six or seven out of 10 games. The Cubs haven’t had a stretch like that yet. I’d be stunned though if they don’t get onto that kind of run.

Right at the very second I’m typing this, more than half the league is within two games one side or the other of .500. Only eight are three or more games away from .500. Half of those eight reside in the NL West where there are two teams off to very good starts, including the two-time defending champions who own the best record in the league. The West also contains two teams off to terrible starts.

Things are so bizarre right now that the Astros entered play Tuesday with the most runs scored but occupying last place in the AL West. One of the biggest problems of April baseball is that the bad teams often don’t just accept at face value that they are locked in to being bad. Most of the teams think if they catch a few breaks, that they have a chance to hang in the race. These teams will sort themselves out. But it’s going to take some time.

Increasingly, I think the early goal is to just not play yourself out of the race. The Cubs are a whopping two games out of first place behind the Reds and Pirates. If you believe that is in any way insurmountable, you are kidding yourself. This hasn’t been a glamorous start, but the Cubs could potentially take control of the division with one good stretch of baseball.

The Cubs have scored 42 runs over their last seven games. If we drop the top and bottom scores from that data set, it’s 32 runs over five games. The offense is warming up. I’m sure that has nothing at all to do with Alex Bregman starting to find some gaps with what has been pretty consistent solid contact this year. Unsurprisingly, I think this team can still be elite. Their going to need to sort out and probably add some pitching both internally and externally. But this team has pretty consistently been able to do that in season, so I’m optimistic.

Three Positives:

Alex Bregman, three hits and three runs driven in.
Michael Busch, two hits and two walks. Need that bat to get going.
Nico Hoerner, two hits and three runs driven in. He’s been the most used leadoff hitter and also leads the team in RBI.

Honorable mentions to so many guys, but hat tip to Colin Rea for a “quality start.” He was the bulk guy and allowed three runs over six innings.

Game 17, April 14: Cubs 10, Phillies 4 (8-9)

Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.

THREE HEROES:

Superhero: Alex Bregman (.210). 3-5, 3 RBI
Hero: Nico Hoerner (.157). 2-6, 3 RBI
Sidekick: Dansby Swanson (.118). 0-3, 2 BB, 2 R

THREE GOATS:

Billy Goat: Seiya Suzuki (-.180). 1-5, R
Goat: Jacob Webb (-.049). 0.1 IP, 3 BF, 2 H, 0 BB, ER, 0 K
Kid: Carson Kelly (-.049). 2-4, HR, BB, 3 RBI, 2 R, DP

WPA Play of the Game: Edmundo Sosa’s three-run homer with two outs in the second for the first three runs of the game. (.238)

*Cubs Play of the Game: Nico Hoerner’s two-run single with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth gave the Cubs a two run lead. (.191)

Cubs Player of the Game:

Game 16 Winner: Dansby Swanson received 74 of 104 votes.

Up Next: The Cubs close out the series in Philly before getting an off day. Shōta Imanaga (0-1, 2.81, 16 IP) starts for the Cubs. Jesús Luzardo (1-2, 6.23, 17.1 IP) starts for the Phillies. The Cubs have fared worse against lefty starters the last year plus. But Luzardo has already had starts where he’s allowed five and six runs in the early going. The one good start (1 ER) was at Colorado. The two bad ones were in Philly.

Win a series.

April 15, 2026

Coby White went nuclear for the Charlotte Hornets in last night’s Play-In Game

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 14: Coby White #3 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots the ball over Pelle Larsson #9 of the Miami Heat late in the second half during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Charlotte Hornets swinging a trade-deadline deal with the Chicago Bulls to bring Coby White back to his home state was immediately both an obviously great basketball move and a feel-good story, doubly so for those of us who are UNC fans. White, who of course spent one memorable year at UNC in 2019, added the kind of backup ballhandler that the Hornets had desperately needed throughout the first half of the season while seamlessly fitting with the team’s bombs-away approach from three-point range. He took a few games to get going after recovering from a minor injury, but by the end of the season, he was clearly an upgrade to the roster, averaging 18 points on 48/38/90 splits, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists in 21 minutes per game over the Hornets’ last 10 games. As both a microwave scorer and secondary point guard, he looked like exactly what they needed as they won 7 of their last 10 and made the postseason for the first time in four years. And who better to have on your team for the Play-In Tournament than the guy who, two years ago, put up 42 in a Play-In game?

I’m still not sure anybody saw coming what he would do next. The Hornets and Miami Heat were in a back-and-forth affair all Tuesday night, and White had been stifled for the first half and most of the third quarter. With 2 minutes left in the quarter, the Heat were up 1 after the Hornets had chipped away at a five-point lead. White took the ball up the key, went around a Ryan Kalkbrenner screen, and banked in a left-wing pull-up three. It wasn’t pretty, but it seemed to give him the mojo he needed. Two possessions later, the Heat’s Pelle Larson tripped over himself in the backcourt and lost the ball into White’s hands. He might have had a pass inside, but he decided to pull up from the top of the key instead: splash. The next possession, he beat Simone Fontecchio off the dribble and finished at the rim, and then finished his flurry with a buzzer-beating catch-and-shoot three that ended the quarter. In two minutes, he’d gone on an 11-4 run against Miami that put his team up 6. I wish I had a video of all four plays, but here’s the last two:

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For a lot of players, in a lot of games, that stretch would be the most noteworthy highlight they had. Not Coby White, not on this night. The Heat clawed back that deficit pretty early in the 4th and took as much as a 4-point lead with under 30 seconds to go. Charlotte’s Brandon Miller hit a 3, which made it possible for the Hornets to tie it after the Heat converted two free throws with 14 seconds left. And then Coby White did this:

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It was a fantastic bit of awareness by both him and the Charlotte coaching staff that a shot would have to go up immediately so that Miami couldn’t foul to both waste time and eventually force the Hornets into shooting 2 when they needed 3, and it’s also an obviously incredibly high degree-of-difficulty shot. But that kind of gamer is who Coby White has always been. The Hornets got the last stop they needed in regulation and ended up winning an exciting overtime, and White finished with a line of 19 points including 5/8 shooting from three, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals, recording a team-high plus-minus of +21 in a one-point game.

It is undeniably awesome to see Coby White back in the state where he set high school basketball records and led his college team to one of its most exciting regular seasons in recent memory, and still making incredible plays like he always has. The Hornets have been one of the NBA’s biggest success stories this year, turning around from multiple years of absolute futility, and on Tuesday night, he gave them exactly what they needed to not have that story cut short. He and Charlotte will be back in action on Friday as they try to put North Carolina’s professional team in the actual playoffs for the first time in a decade. Even if you’re not a Hornets or even an NBA fan, I assure you that Coby White remains just as fun to watch as you remember.

April 15, 2026

Don’t forget, the Magic were in on Paul George

It’s fun to play the “What if…” game sometimes in sports. Sometimes, certain scenarios are worth remembering in the event of future transactions that would serve as a reminder of one team’s initial interest in a particular player. If for nothing else, it creates some fun dialogue amongst fans.

As we prepare for Philadelphia’s clash with Orlando Wednesday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena, let’s rewind about two years to the summer of 2024. It was then that Paul George opted to walk right into the massive amount of cap space Daryl Morey had to negotiate with after finally being done with Tobias Harris and his huge contract. Do you remember who the reported runner-up to the Sixers in the George sweepstakes? In case you forgot, we wouldn’t blame you, but it was the Orlando Magic.

Orlando, not often thought of as a top free-agent destination in the NBA, was coming off a loss in the first round to Cleveland in seven games at the time. Rewind two more years and the Magic were busy drafting Paolo Banchero first overall in the 2022 draft and it didn’t take long for the Magic to ascend into postseason play. George was likely thought of as a veteran that still had some juice left to help Banchero and the rest of Orlando’s younger players mature while also helping them on the court in an effort to rise up to a higher position in the East.

Well, we know what happened and George picked Philly and barring an upset of either Boston or Detroit in the first round this year, the Sixers are going to go the first two years of George’s contract without winning a playoff series with George on the roster. Orlando has stayed in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference’s playoff seeds in the last two years without George and will have to figure out a different way to get out of NBA purgatory.

But what would the Sixers have done if George picked Orlando? Well, it seemed like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who ironically ended up in Orlando, would have been their next target. Caldwell-Pope didn’t get anywhere near the money that George got in the summer of 2024, and he also got one less year on his contract, but his three-year, $66 million contract flopped quickly for the Magic and they flipped him to Memphis last summer. The trade certainly came at a cost for Orlando who decided to add Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks and a 2029 first-round pick swap to bring in Desmond Bane from the Grizzlies.

It was certainly an understandable pivot from a Magic team looking to maximize every season they have Banchero under contract for, but think about if the Sixers were in that position. Philly already has outgoing first-round pick debts to Oklahoma City and Brooklyn that have not been paid. It simply would not have been possible for the Sixers to shed the final two years of a hefty deal to Caldwell-Pope while still adding a player like Bane to improve their chances of contending.

So, what would the Sixers have done with the rest of the money they would have saved from not signing George had they brought in Caldwell-Pope? It’s possible they would have just given more of it to Caleb Martin. Morey ended up landing Martin anyway, and then trading him in his first season with the Sixers.

Somehow, we have now landed in a world in which it was better to simply sign George than pivot to such alternatives that would have likely made the 2024-25 season even worse. Granted, the Sixers were able to survive all the losing last season by keeping their first-rounder and delaying the debt to Oklahoma City and drafting VJ Edgecombe. But just when you thought last season couldn’t have possibly gone worse, there’s a scenario in which it just might have and all it would have taken was George to have picked Orlando instead of Philadelphia.

To revisit an aforementioned point, maybe the Magic have seen the resurgence from George after his suspension this season. Perhaps it has served as a reminder for the Orlando brass of the player they thought they could get two years ago. Would the Magic possibly be interested in engaging with the Sixers and taking the final two years of George’s contract? It’s at least food for thought.

April 15, 2026

Line Combinations: Red Wings at Panthers

The 100th season of the Detroit Red Wings comes to a close on Wednesday as they take on the defending back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

It has been an emotional year for Red Wings fans, as the team will miss the playoffs for a tenth straight season, and in especially heartbreaking fashion.

Turning the page will not be easy for Detroit fans, but it will be necessary. Even if it is not what many want to hear, the future remains bright, and there will be glimpses of it on display in Sunrise.

Rookies Emmitt Finnie and Axel Sandin-Pellikka will look to finish their first NHL seasons on a strong note, while recent call-ups Carter Mazur and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård aim to make lasting impressions as they push to secure full-time roster spots next season.

Pending free agents and veteran players in Patrick Kane, James van Riemsdyk, and David Perron are also looking to make an impact as they head toward potential new contracts this July.

Although the Red Wings are out of the playoff race, this game still carries significance for the future of the franchise.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.

Detroit Red Wings’ Expected Line Combinations vs Tampa Bay (Monday)

Finnie – Larkin – Raymond

DeBrincat – Copp – Kane

Mazur – Compher – Perron

van Riemsdyk - Kasper - Brandsegg-Nygård

Edvinsson – Seider

Chiarot – Faulk

Johansson - Sandin-Pellikka

Gibson

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April 15, 2026

Chants of ‘1 more year’ follow Alex Ovechkin off the ice as retirement decision looms

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Alex Ovechkin hasn’t decided if his final NHL game already happened.

If it did, the Russian superstar made sure he got on the scoresheet.

Ovechkin assisted on Jakob Chychrun’s go-ahead goal during the third period of the Washington Capitals’ 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“It’s pretty cool. We tried to win, and we tried to finish the season on a good note,” he said.

Ovechkin — who led the Capitals to the Stanley Cup in 2018 — is in the final season of his contract. He has continued to reiterate that he will take some time to ponder if he will retire after 21 seasons and 1,573 regular-season games.

“I’m going to stay a little bit in D.C. I don’t know when we’re going to fly (back to Russia). ... I’ll talk with Carbs (coach Spencer Carbery), CP (general manager Chris Patrick), my family and go from there,” Ovechkin said during his 3-minute postgame remarks.

A large contingent of Capitals fans made the trip to Columbus and chanted “One more year” and “Ovi! Ovi!” during the final minute. He also got a standing ovation as he left the ice.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen. The fans who came here from D.C. and different spots to watch the game which was very nice,” Ovechkin said. “I could hear them cheering for me and screaming one more year.”

Ovechkin was on the ice for final 1:49 after the Blue Jackets pulled their goalie. His teammates tried to get him the puck for one final goal, but he was unable to control the puck when he had a clean look at the empty net.

“I wanted him maybe if this is it, to ice it with one more empty net. He had a good look at it. The puck just was rolling,” Carbery said.

If Ovechkin’s final game was against the Blue Jackets, it would be fitting. His NHL debut came on Oct. 5, 2005, against Columbus where he scored the first two of his record-setting 929 goals.

Washington got its third power play after Columbus’ Miles Wood was sent off for high sticking at 14:06 of the third period. Ovechkin had a couple chances for his favorite spot inside the left faceoff circle, but Blue Jackets’ goaltender Jet Greaves was able to make a great save on the first attempt.

The Capitals took the lead with 4:07 remaining on Chychrun’s shot from the slot. Ovechkin got the second assist, his 32nd of the season.

“It’s an honor. I think we all are trying to soak up everything we can all the time we have with him. We don’t know what’s in store, but it’s special to have these memories with him,” Chychrun said. “We all know what he does out there on the ice, but getting to know him off the ice has been even more special.”

On his opening shift, Ovechkin became the fifth player age 40 or older in NHL history to play in all 82 regular-season games. The last person to do it was Jaromir Jagr with the Florida Panthers in 2016-17. The others were Detroit’s Nicklas Lidstrom (2010-11), Anaheim’s Teemu Selanne (2011-12) and Tampa Bay’s Dave Andreychuk (2003-04). Jagr also did it with the New Jersey Devils in 2013-14.

It was the fifth time in 21 seasons Ovechkin has not missed a regular-season game.

Ovechkin led the Capitals this season with 32 goals and 64 points. He ended the season with a point in three straight games with one goal and two assists.

Washington finished two points shy of a playoff spot, the fifth time it has failed to reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs since Ovechkin was the top pick in 2004.

For those hoping Ovechkin goes at least one more year, he did leave a glimmer of hope.

“I hope it’s not my last game. I don’t know how exactly it’s going to happen, so we’ll see,” he said.

April 15, 2026

Alex Ovechkin weighs NHL retirement: 'Hope it's not my last game'

Alex Ovechkin's 21st NHL season ended on Tuesday, April 14, when the Washington Capitals were officially eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs. Now, all anyone wants to know is whether this will be the end to Ovechkin's NHL career.

Immediately after Tuesday's regular season finale, the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer sounded open to scoring more goals and coming back for a 22nd season.

"I hope it’s not my last game," Ovechkin told reporters after the Capitals' 2-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday, April 14.

Ovechkin, 40, reiterated his ultimate decision to continue playing in the NHL will occur this offseason, beginning with meetings after the season with coach Spencer Carbury, the Capitals' front office and owner Ted Leonsis. Ovechkin just completed the final season of a five-year, $47.5-million contract that he signed in 2021.

He told former Capitals teammate, T.J. Oshie during an ESPN interview before Tuesday's game, "It's going to be not an easy decision. Sometimes you want it, sometimes you don't."

This is the first time since 2023, and just the fifth time in Ovechkin's career, that the Capitals did not qualify for the NHL's postseason. Though Tuesday's finale had no playoff implications by the time the puck was dropped, Capitals fans in attendance in Columbus, Ohio in case it was Ovechkin's final game chanted, "One more year," and "O-Vi."

Ovechkin waved off the Pittsburgh Penguins when they attempted to do a postgame handshake line to honor their rival after the Capitals' home finale on Sunday, April 12.

"I don’t know what’s going to happen," Ovechkin told reporters on Tuesday, according to NHL.com. "The fans that came here from D.C. and from different spots to watch the game, it was very nice. I can hear their cheering for me and scream 'One more year!' So, that’s important, too. It shows lots of respect. So, thanks for the support."

Ovechkin appeared in all 82 games this season and once again led Washington with 32 goals and 64 points.

Carbury said there was a discussion in the Capitals' locker room Tuesday after the game about Ovechkin's uncertain future, but declined to discuss the details. Longtime teammate Tom Wilson got emotional while explaining Ovechkin has kept everyone in the dark at this point.

"He's doing his best job just to keep it normal," Wilson said. "He definitely doesn't want any extra attention. I mean, he's the man. However he wants to do it, I think he's going to let it go down. But right now, he's not tipping us. He's not telling us what's going on."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alex Ovechkin unsure about NHL retirement after Capitals finale

April 15, 2026

MLB Predictions and Moneyline Picks for Wednesday, April 15

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It’s Jackie Robinson Day across MLB, and with 15 matchups on the slate, every team takes the field carrying that history, wearing #42 in tribute as we reflect on his impact on and off the diamond.

As the league honors his legacy, we’re breaking down all of the action with our moneyline MLB picks for each matchup by blending today’s action with a nod to one of the most important figures in sports history.

MLB moneyline picks for April 15

Matchup	Pick
Diamondbacks vs Orioles	-151
Guardians vs Cardinals	-102
Red Sox vs Twins	+113
Royals vs Tigers	-126
Nationals vs Pirates	-178
Giants vs Reds	-102
Cubs vs Phillies	+124
Angels vs Yankees	+167
Marlins vs Braves	-167
Rays vs White Sox	-113
Blue Jays vs Brewers	-118
Rockies vs Astros	-179
Mariners vs Padres	-109
$Rangers$ Rangers vs Athletics	$Rangers$ +108
Mets vs Dodgers	-208

Prices courtesy of Polymarket as of 4-15.

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Expert MLB moneyline picks for April 15

Diamondbacks vs Orioles: Orioles (-151)

Orioles win probability: 59%

The Baltimore Orioles lineup is built to apply pressure from top to bottom, blending power with on-base ability. When they’re clicking, they force opposing pitchers into high-stress innings early, which can neutralize the Arizona Diamondbacks' rhythm on the mound.

The Orioles getting traffic on the bases can help their ability to string together extra-base hits, which becomes a major difference-maker.

Defensively, the Orioles also have the edge in terms of athleticism and range, which can quietly swing momentum by turning potential hits into outs.

Guardians vs Cardinals: Guardians (-102)

Guardians win probability: 49%

The Cleveland Guardians' biggest advantage is pitching depth and run prevention. Getting Slade Cecconi to work efficiently and keep traffic off the bases can force a St. Louis Cardinals lineup that can be inconsistent to string together clean, extended rallies.

That’s where the Guardians typically excel by turning games into low-scoring, high-pressure situations.

Red Sox vs Twins: Twins (+113)

Twins win probability: 46%

Pitching is the key here. If Simeon Woods Richardson can get ahead in counts and limit hard contact, it puts pressure on a Boston Red Sox lineup that can be dangerous but also streaky.

The Minnesota Twins may be behind the 8-ball against Red Sox starter Connelly Early, but the rookie southpaw hasn't gone deep into his starts, failing to finish the fifth in back-to-back outings. Boston's bullpen has a respectable 3.58 ERA, but the 5.10 xFIP suggests its luck may soon run out.

Royals vs Tigers: Tigers (-126)

Tigers win probability: 55%

Offensively, the Detroit Tigers don’t need to overpower; they just need to stay disciplined. Timely hitting and situational execution can exploit a Kansas City Royals squad that occasionally struggles to put hitters away.

Guys like Spencer Torkelson can capitalize with runners on base, and that’s often enough to swing the game.

Another key factor is game flow. If the Tigers grab an early lead, they can lean on their bullpen to shorten the game and keep Kansas City from finding rhythm late.

Nationals vs Pirates: Pirates (-178)

Pirates win probability: 62%

The Pittsburgh Pirates can manufacture runs with speed, situational hitting, and timely extra-base knocks.

With Mason Montgomery opening ahead of Carmen Mlodzinski on the mound, the Pirates need a composed outing between them. If they can limit damage and avoid big innings, it puts the burden on a Washington Nationals offense that has struggled with consistency. Keeping Washington from stringing hits together is key.

Giants vs Reds: Reds (-102)

Reds win probability: 50%

The Cincinnati Reds thrive on speed and aggression, and they can turn singles into scoring opportunities quickly by pushing the pace on the basepaths. That style can disrupt a San Francisco Giants pitching staff that prefers to stay in control and limit chaos.

Getting players like Elly De La Cruz on base early can immediately put stress on both the pitcher and defense.

Cubs vs Phillies: Cubs (+124)

Cubs win probability: 44%

The Chicago Cubs have a balanced offensive attack that blends power with on-base consistency. This is pivotal against a Philadelphia Phillies pitching staff that can be vulnerable when forced into high-leverage situations. If hitters stay patient and avoid chasing, it opens the door for crooked numbers.

Angels vs Yankees: Angels (+167)

Angels win probability: 38%

Offensively, the Los Angeles Angels have tapped into the long ball in 2026, leading the American League with 26 home runs in 18 games.

That includes opening last night's game against the New York Yankees with three big flies in the first inning. With Luis Gil looking rough around the edges in his first start of the season, allowing a home run and three walks in four innings, the potential is there for another early Halos lead en route to a victory.

Marlins vs Braves: Braves (-167)

Braves win probability: 61%

The Atlanta Braves benefit from depth. Whether it’s lineup production or bullpen support, they have more ways to sustain momentum throughout the game compared to a Miami Marlins team that often relies on smaller margins.

If Atlanta gets rolling early and forces Miami to play from behind, their combination of power and lineup versatility gives it a clear path to securing the win.

Rays vs White Sox: Rays (-113)

Rays win probability: 53%

Whether it’s a solid start on the mound or a bullpen-heavy approach, the Tampa Bay Rays are well-equipped to mix and match, keeping Chicago White Sox hitters off balance.

Tampa Bay consistently does the little things well by moving runners, taking extra bases, and limiting defensive mistakes, which can be the difference in a tightly contested matchup.

Blue Jays vs Brewers: Blue Jays (-118)

Blue Jays win probability: 53%

The Toronto Blue Jays have a league-best 18% strikeout rate, meaning the lineup sustains pressure from top to bottom, which can wear Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Chad Patrick down over the course of the game.

Patrick is a pitch-to-contact hurler who has found success in limited action to start the season, with a 0.73 ERA across 12 1/3 innings. However, his 4.30 FIP and 9.8% K-rate are worrying. The Blue Jays counter with prized offseason addition Dylan Cease, who gives Toronto the clear advantage.

Rockies vs Astros: Astros (-179)

Astros win probability: 63%

The Houston Astros work counts, hit for power, and punish mistakes. The Colorado Rockies' pitching staff is already poor (understatement), so a productive Houston lineup only makes matters worse.

On the mound, the Astros typically bring a clear advantage, even if Spencer Arrighetti isn't the most reliable arm in their rotation.

Mariners vs Padres: Padres (-109)

Padres win probability: 51%

When the San Diego Padres' middle-of-the-order bats get going, they’re capable of stacking extra-base hits and applying pressure on opposing pitching staffs.

While Seattle Mariners starter Emerson Hancock has thrived this season, his pitch-to-contact approach can result in some ugly results, as evidenced by his 4.90 ERA in 2025.

Rangers vs Athletics: Rangers (+108)

Rangers win probability: 48%

The Texas Rangers turn to Kumar Rocker to right the ship tonight, and he should have help from the lineup.

Despite losing last night, the Rangers have a decent road record (6-5) and have top performers like Brandon Nimmo, Jake Burger, and Corey Seager, who have combined for 11 home runs this season and have a prime setting at Sutter Health Park to do more damage against A's starter J.T. Ginn.

Mets vs Dodgers: Dodgers (-208)

Dodgers win probability: 67%

We get a double dose of Shohei Ohtani tonight, as he brings his fastball that has averaged 97.7 mph since last season, placing him in the 98th percentile among MLB starters. That kind of power plays up even more in familiar surroundings, where command and confidence tend to sharpen.

With that arsenal working behind him, Ohtani is well-positioned to neutralize the New York Mets once again and dictate the tone of the matchup from the start. He'll be anchoring the offense, too, so the Los Angeles Dodgers are understandably heavy favorites in Chavez Ravine.

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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April 15, 2026

Erik Spoelstra goes off on LaMelo Ball for ‘dangerous play’ that injured Bam Adebayo as possible NBA discipline looms

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows A basketball player in a black and red uniform holding a basketball, jumping over another player in a white and green uniform who has fallen to the ground, Image 2 shows Heat coach Erik Spoelstra objects to a call during the second quarter against the Hornets on April 14, 2026, Image 3 shows Heat center Bam Adebayo writhes in pain after getting tripped by the Hornets' LaMelo Ball in the second quarter on April 14, 2026

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was fuming over the injury to his star player, Bam Adebayo, in the second quarter of the team’s play-in loss to the Hornets Tuesday night.

Adebayo was tripped by LaMelo Ball just over a minute into the second quarter and did not return due to a lower back injury after falling hard to the court.

Ball fell after driving to the basket and grabbed Adebayo’s left ankle.

Is this a dirty play by LaMelo? pic.twitter.com/tPebBPDLDC
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 15, 2026

Spoelstra felt Ball should’ve been ejected from the game and put the onus on the referees, naming Curtis Blair and Zach Zarba, specifically.

“I don’t think it’s cute. I don’t think it’s funny. I think it’s a stupid play. It’s a dangerous play,” Spoelstra said after the game. “Obviously, our best player was out. I’m not making an excuse. The Hornets played great and they made those plays down the stretch. We had our opportunities to win.

“That’s a shame. [Ball] should be penalized for that. I don’t think that belongs in the game, tripping guys, shenanigans. Curtis was there. It’s his responsibility to see that, and if it’s not his responsibility then Zach’s got to see it. Somebody has got to see that. He should have been thrown out of the game for that. I don’t know [Ball] from anyone. There’s no place in the game for that.”

Heat center Bam Adebayo writhes in pain after getting tripped by the Hornets’ LaMelo Ball in the second quarter on April 14, 2026. AP

The NBA is reviewing the incident, insider Chris Haynes reported Wednesday, and a decision on potential discipline is expected before the Hornets’ next game on Friday.

“I apologize on that one. I got hit in the head, didn’t really know where I was, but I’mma check on him and see if he’s okay and everything,” Ball said after the game.

Ball ended up making the game-winning layup with 4.7 seconds left in overtime, giving ninth-seeded Charlotte a 127-126 win at home.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra objects to a call during the second quarter against the Hornets on April 14, 2026. Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Charlotte will visit the loser of Wednesday’s 76ers vs. Magic game with the final playoff spot in the East on the line, while Miami’s season is over.

Ball’s poor shooting kept the Heat in the game. The 24-year-old went 12-for-31 and was 2-for-16 from 3-point range. He finished with 30 points, 10 assists and five rebounds.

Adebayo had six points and three rebounds in 11 minutes.

April 15, 2026

The Brewers must make a change at closer amidst Trevor Megill’s struggles

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - APRIL 05: Pitcher Trevor Megill #29 of the Milwaukee Brewers in action during the game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on April 05, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images

On a night where Jacob Misiorowski felt like throwing up every time he threw a curveball, most of Brewers’ fandom felt the same way watching the latest Trevor Megill ninth-inning implosion this season that cost the team a chance to end their five-game losing streak.

It was the second straight outing for Megill where he gave up a crooked number in the ninth inning. Last Friday, in a tie game against the Nationals, Megill allowed four runs and struggled to field his position against a number of bunts. He got another opportunity on Tuesday, this time staked to a one-run lead, and allowed three runs.

The Brewers must make a change in the ninth inning.

Manager Pat Murphy was asked if he’d consider making a change and he said yes. When pressed on if he will make that change, Murphy said, “We’ll see. I don’t know for sure. I like to talk to other people about it. I mean, obviously you can’t have a guy go out there six times and three times not to do the job. The way he’s throwing the ball now, he doesn’t deserve it. But he can earn it back. But what are we gonna do? Who’s throwing the ball good back there that deserves it more? So we’ll figure that out. We won’t make those decisions after a heart wrenching loss like this.”

That’s certainly an understandable position for Murphy to take. He didn’t want to make a full declaration last night in the heat of the moment after a tough loss but instead wants to talk with his assistant coaches and come to a consensus and a plan for that ninth inning. Plenty fair, but the admission of considering it is enough to recognize that it probably should happen.

Megill, to his credit, spoke to reporters and was quite blunt about his performance.

“Just some dog(expletive) out there. That’s about it. Definitely way better than that. Pitches could be a lot better. Pitch execution could be a lot better. A lot of things could be better,” Megill said.

However, Murphy also raised another good point: Who do you replace him with? Abner Uribe would seem like the obvious candidate, but he gave up a run last night and struggled in the outing before, too. Angel Zerpa, who started strong, has also not looked as good of late. The leverage arms the Brewers have relied upon all seem very unreliable at the moment.

So, while you can move Megill off the closer’s spot, there may not necessarily be a ready-made replacement to take it over.

Murphy also wanted to defend Megill as well and spoke out about the fans booing Megill during that ninth inning.

“But the fans booing him after he saved 30 games for this team. A kid that’s been through all that he’s been through and what he did the year before to help us win the division and then what he did last year, and then came out with an arm injury and still pitched, and pitched one of the biggest innings of (NLDS) Game 5, and for them to be booing him up there. That’s just not, not our best fans. That’s for sure. We have great fans, but let’s remind them of that. Are they OK to be disappointed, but sometimes young men go through tough stuff. I was disappointed. And that those people wouldn’t support him when he’s going through that stuff. Does he probably care? No. Is it expected? That’s fine. But let’s not forget these aren’t machines out there. These are people. I thought that was in poor taste, but I’ve done things in poor taste, too.” Pat Murphy said.

The home fans booing their own players is never a good sign for anyone. The players, the fans, the coaches — no one is happy about the situation.

The only way to solve it, really is to play better and pitch better. Winning cures all.

The best way to get there has got to be to move Trevor Megill out of the closer’s spot for the time being. As Murphy said, he can earn it back, but the key word is “earn.” He’s not pitching well enough to deserve to keep it, despite what he did for the team last season. It’s a new year. The closer position, almost more than any other spot on the team, is a ‘What have you done for me lately?’ kind of position. What Megill did last year was great, no one can take that away from him. But with what he’s done lately, the Brewers need to make a change.

April 15, 2026

Unhappy Verstappen ‘has to be listened to’ over new rules, says F1 chief Domenicali

Red Bull driver outspoken about regulation changes
‘In a meeting he was very keen to give suggestions’

Formula One must listen to Max Verstappen’s grievances about the sport’s new regulations and their effects on racing, according to F1’s CEO, Stefano Domenicali. His intervention comes as key players hold meetings to consider adjusting the rules for the remainder of the season.

Verstappen has been outspoken in his dissatisfaction with the new formula and the part energy management now plays in preventing being able to race flat-out. The four-time champion is not alone in his feelings with other drivers also critical of the deployment and recharging of electrical energy.

April 15, 2026

Mets vs Dodgers Prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for April 15

The New York Mets (7-11) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (13-4) meet up on MLB TV for the final matchup of a three-game series in Los Angeles. The Dodgers won 2-1 yesterday and 4-0 on Monday.

New York is now on a seven-game losing streak and has been outscored 36-10 over that span. In the last seven days, the Mets rank 28th in batting average (.174) with the second-fewest walks (9), while the pitching staff owns a 5.02 ERA (17th) and the most strikeouts tossed (55).

Los Angeles is 4-1 over the past five games and 9-2 in the last 11 outings. The Dodgers' pitching rotation has the fifth-best ERA (3.26) and the offense has the best batting average (.279) with the most home runs (29). The Dodgers are 1-1 in Ohtani's starts this season with a 4-1 win and 4-3 loss.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

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

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Mets at Dodgers

Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Time: 10:00 PM EST
Site: Dodger Stadium
City: Los Angeles, CA
Network/Streaming: ESPN

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

Odds for the Mets at the Dodgers

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

Moneyline: Los Angeles Dodgers (-219), New York Mets (+179)
Spread: Mets +1.5 (-115), Dodgers -1.5 (-105)
Total: 8.0

Probable starting pitchers for Mets at Dodgers

Monday’s pitching matchup (April 13): Clay Holmes vs. Shohei Ohtani
Mets: Clay Holmes

2026 stats: 18.0 IP, 2-1, 1.50 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 12 Ks, 8 BB

Dodgers: Shohei Ohtani

2026 Stats: 12.0 IP, 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 8 Ks, 4 BB

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not!

The Mets’ Luis Robert Jr. is hitting .259 with 15 hits and 20 total bases over 54 at-bats
The Mets’ Francisco Lindor is hitting .194 with 14 hits and 14 strikeouts over 72 at-bats
The Dodgers’ Andy Pages is hitting .397 with 25 hits and 44 total bases over 63 at-bats
The Dodgers’ Alex Freeland is hitting .190 with eight hits and 14 strikeouts over 42 at-bats

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Mets at Dodgers

The Mets 6-12 ATS this season
The Dodgers are 10-7 ATS this season
The Mets are 7-9-2 to the Over this season
The Dodgers are 8-9 to the Over this season

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Mets and the Dodgers

Rotoworld Bet Best Bet

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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Dodgers and the Mets.

Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Dodgers on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Dodgers at -1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Over on the Game Total of 8.0

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April 15, 2026

Where to watch Los Angeles Angels vs. New York Yankees: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Wednesday, April 15

The Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees meet for the third game in their four-game series after splitting the first two. The Angels hit back-to-back-to-back homers while winning on Tuesday. Starting pitchers are scheduled to be Jack Kochanowicz for the Angels and Luis Gil for the Yankees.

How to watch Los Angeles Angels vs. New York Yankees

Date: Wednesday, April 15
Time: 7:05 p.m. ET / 4:05 p.m. PT
Where: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
TV Channels: Amazon Prime Video, FanDuel Sports Network West
Live Stream:ESPN+, MLB.TV | Follow on Yahoo Sports

Team records

Los Angeles Angels: 9-9 (No. 3 in AL West)
New York Yankees: 9-8 (No. 3 in AL East)

Odds

Spread: New York Yankees -1.5
Moneyline: New York Yankees -200 (63.9%) / Los Angeles Angels +165 (36.1%)
Over/Under: 10.0

Starting pitchers

Los Angeles Angels: Jack Kochanowicz (2-0, ERA: 3.24, K: 12, WHIP: 1.26)
New York Yankees: Luis Gil (0-1, ERA: 6.75, K: 2, WHIP: 1.50)

Weather: 78°F at first pitch

April 15, 2026

Montreal Canadiens Assign Forward Prospect To AHL

The Montreal Canadiens have announced that they have assigned forward Vinzenz Rohrer to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Laval Rocket.

Rohrer was selected by the Canadiens with the 75th overall pick of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He has spent each of the last three seasons overseas with ZSC Lions of the Swiss National League. Yet, with this news, Rohrer is set to begin his AHL career with Laval.

Rohrer appeared in 41 regular-season games this season with the ZSC Lions, where he had four goals and 12 points. He also had one goal and 33 penalty minutes in nine playoff games for the club this spring.

Rohrer's best season with the ZSC Lions was in 2024-25, as he had 15 goals, 10 assists, and 25 points in 52 games.

Rohrer will now be looking to impress with Laval. The 21-year-old forward has good upside, and it will be interesting to see how he performs at the AHL level from here.

April 15, 2026

NBA viewership up 86% over last season amid new media rights deal, league says

NBA viewership up 86% over last season amid new media rights deal, league says originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The numbers are in, and the NBA says Year 1 of its new television deals were a hit.

The league released numbers for the regular season on Wednesday, showing that 170 million people in the U.S. watched NBA games across the league’s four primary broadcast platforms this year — those being ABC/ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, NBC/Peacock and NBA TV.

Those numbers are the league’s best in 24 years, the NBA said, plus represented an 86% rise over last season.

Prime Video was part of the league’s television rights package for the first time this season and NBC/Peacock returned for the first time in a generation. The league signed a new 11-year, $76 billion-plus media rights deal in 2024 to show games on those two platforms along with ABC/ESPN and NBA TV.

Those deals kicked in at the start of this season.

Other highlights of the viewership numbers:

— NBA games across ABC/ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, NBC/Peacock and NBA TV had the the highest average viewership in 13 years, up 35% over last season.

— A total of 57 telecasts this season reached an average of 2 million viewers, the most since the 2011-12 season.

— People watched NBA games for more than 920 million hours, up 25% over last season and the most since 2011-12.

— The NBA’s social media channels generated a record 228 billion views this season, according to Videocites. That’s up 13% over last season.

— Attendance over the past three seasons in NBA arenas is higher than any three-season span in league history.

— Viewership for NBA Cup group play games was up 90% from last season.

— The audience for the All-Star Game on NBC, averaging 8.8 million viewers, was the largest for the league’s midseason showcase event since 2011.