Game Thread #33: Milwaukee Brewers (18-14) @ Washington Nationals (15-19)

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Logan Henderson (43) throws in the bullpen during spring training workouts Sunday, February 15, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona. | Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

After yesterday’s win over the Nationals, the Brewers have now won three straight games. Right-hander Logan Henderson, Milwaukee’s No. 6 prospect, is on the bump today to try and make it four.

Henderson, who has a 1.02 ERA in 17 2/3 innings with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, was recalled earlier this morning. In a corresponding move, Easton McGee was optioned back down to Nashville.

Henderson has made just one major league appearance this season, tossing two innings in a loss to the Royals on April 4. He showed promise in limited time with Milwaukee last year, posting a 1.78 ERA across five starts. With Brandon Woodruff hitting the IL this weekend, Henderson could be in line for more than just a spot start.

Pitching for Washington is left-hander PJ Poulin, who sports a 4.11 ERA through 16 appearances for the Nationals. He’ll serve as today’s opener, with righty Zach Littell (7.85 ERA in 28 2/3 IP) likely to follow.

Brice Turang, who reached base three times in yesterday’s contest, will lead things off. He’s followed by catcher William Contreras, who now has nine hits over his last three games. Gary Sánchez, Jake Bauers, and Garrett Mitchell make up the heart of the order.

Brandon Lockridge, the only Brewer with a multi-hit performance yesterday, bats sixth. Rounding out the bottom of the lineup are Sal Frelick, David Hamilton (at third base), and Joey Ortiz.

Finally, some good news and bad news on the injury front. Rehabbing outfielder Jackson Chourio, who was expected to rejoin the Brewers tomorrow in St. Louis, left yesterday’s game in Nashville after fouling a ball off his foot. Luckily, he looks to have avoided a major setback. Per Todd Rosiak, X-rays came back negative, though it remains to be seen whether he’ll still be reinstated during the Cardinals series.

As for the bad news, Brewers manager Pat Murphy said today that reliever Angel Zerpa — who was placed on the IL earlier this week with forearm tightness — is “deciding whether or not to have Tommy John surgery.”

As usual, you can catch today’s game on Brewers.TV, WTMJ 620, and the Brewers radio network. First pitch is set for 12:35 p.m.

UPDATE: Turang is a late scratch due to illness. Luis Rengifo is now leading off and playing third base, with David Hamilton sliding over to second.

Reds option Rece Hinds to AAA Louisville

CINCINNATI, OHIO - JULY 08: Rece Hinds #77 of the Cincinnati Reds walks off the field after warming up before his MLB Debut game against the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park on July 08, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Two things have proven true so far for the Cincinnati Reds in this weekend’s series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The first, of course, is that walks will haunt. Cincinnati pitchers walked seven straight batters in Saturday’s 17-7 drubbing by the Buccos, the strike zone simply as hard to find as ships in the Bermuda Triangle.

The second, though, is that JJ Bleday looks like the JJ Bleday of old. Rather, he looks like the former Top 5 pick and guy who once socked 20 dingers in the big leagues for Oakland, a guy on whom the Reds can lean regularly in the outfield (at least against right-handed pitching).

As a result, we’ve seen Rece Hinds slip to the bottom of the Reds roster. His strikeout proclivity returned immediately when he was recalled to the big leagues in April after Noelvi Marte’s struggles, and they simply haven’t gone away. And with Bleday looking the part of the strong-side of potential platoon in the outfield, regular playing time for Hinds has completely evaporated. Given that playing every day was paramount for his development, according to Terry Francona earlier in the year, it simply stopped making sense for him to ride pine with the Reds at the big league level anymore.

So, on Sunday they optioned Hinds back to AAA Louisville, recalling Blake Dunn to be the last bench bat on the roster for his turn.

Of note in those notes is that RHP Pierce Johnson was placed on the bereavement list, and the recently optioned Zach Maxwell was recalled to take his place in the bullpen.

It’s a shuffle that hopefully will give the Reds the best options for Sunday’s series finale in Pittsburgh as the Reds look to salvage a game out of this otherwise dismal series.

Bitter Jaylen Brown calls out Joel Embiid for ‘flopping around’ after Celtics’ Game 7 loss

NBA players Joel Embiid of the 76ers and Jaylen Brown of the Celtics smile together after a playoff game.
Joel Embiid and Jaylen Brown appeared to share a friendly conversation before the latter called out the big man for "flopping."

Joel Embiid finally beat the Celtics in the postseason — and Jaylen Brown is not happy.

Embiid poured in 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in Philly’s Game 7 win as the Sixers stunned the Boston crowd at the TD Garden.

And following the Celtics’ season-ending defeat, Brown accused the 2022-23 MVP of “flopping around.”

“Embiid put a lot of pressure on us, on all our bigs and our guards. We didn’t really have an answer for him, Brown told reporters.

Joel Embiid (l.) and Jaylen Brown (r.) appeared to share a friendly conversation following the 76ers’ Game 7 win over the Celtics on May 2, 2026, before the latter called out the big man for “flopping.” NBAE via Getty Images

“We tried a bunch of different things. He’s a big body. He also was flopping around. He got some extra calls and they rewarded him for that, but that’s the league we’re in.”

Brown did not reference a specific call that he had a gripe with, though Embiid shot 37 free throws in the series — including 11 on Saturday. He also missed the first three games of the series following an emergency appendectomy last month.

Brown, meanwhile, was tasked with shouldering the Celtics’ offensive load with Jayson Tatum out injured in Game 7.

The Celtics’ Jaylen Brown (l.) guards the 76ers’ Joel Embiid (r.) during Game 7 of their first-round series on May 2, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images

He scored 33 points but needed 27 shots to get there, and also committed three turnovers.

Interestingly, Embiid and Brown were seen having a friendly embrace following the conclusion of the game.

The series win is the first time that Embiid has defeated the Celtics in the playoffs after defeats in the 2018, 2020 and 2023 postseasons.

Now, he’ll shift his focus to the Knicks after New York dispatched the Hawks in six games.

Today in White Sox History: May 3

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MAY 3: Jared Shuster #51 of the Chicago White Sox pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on May 3, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri.
On this day two years ago, the White Sox fell to 6-26. That was no fault of Jared Shuster, who was outstanding in his scoreless 3 ⅓ innings of relief work. | (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images)

1918
The White Sox set their record for biggest win in team history, trouncing the Tigers by 16 runs, 19-3. With a 6-0 lead in the second inning, the visitors put the game away early.

The club also set their record for most hits in a game, with 25. Buck Weaver paced the Pale Hose with a 5-for-7 day, all singles; Weaver tied the team record for most hits in a game, which has since been broken with six hits but on just five occasions since.

In fact, just six of the team’s 25 hits were for extra bases, and none for home runs. All 11 White Sox batters in the game — even pinch-hitters Shano Collins and Byrd Lynn — had hits in the game. As a team, the White Sox held a .532 batting average in the contest, striking out just one time.

One interesting note, Lynn subbed for Ray Schalk in the sixth inning of the game, just one of four appearances for the White Sox on the season — and the Tigers ran wild on him, with two steals of second base and two of third; presumably, with the White Sox up, 17-1, at that point, Byrd wasn’t even making throws on the attempts.

Starting pitcher Lefty Williams had one hit in the game and scored two runs, going the distance to move to 4-0 for the 6-4 White Sox.

This 16-run win margin was tied in 1919 and eventually broken, in 1921. This win at Detroit remains tied for the eighth-biggest trouncing the club history.

This single-game hits record (tied in 1922) stood until 1936, when the Sox tapped out 26 hits. It remains tied for the fourth-most hits in a game in White Sox history.


1954
With a two-hitter in a 14-3 trouncing at Philadelphia in the first game of a twin bill, Sandy Consuegra extended South Side stinginess to three consecutive games that began with Virgil Trucks with a one-hitter on May 1 and continuing with Bob Johnson spinning a two-hitter on May 2. The White Sox out-hit the Athletics, 17-2, with all three runs against Consuegra being unearned due to two White Sox errors.

In the nightcap, the White Sox saw their winning and low-hit streak snapped, surrendering seven to Philly in a 2-1 loss.


1968
It’s a dubious record, one that Tommy McCraw wishes never was set.

In the third inning of a game at Comiskey Park, McCraw made three errors against the New York Yankees. Two of them occurred when he couldn’t field ground balls, and the third was on a throwing error. New York scored all of their runs in that frame, beating the Sox, 3-2. All the runs were unearned, of course.


2005
With a comeback win over Kansas City, 5-4, the White Sox established a major league record by holding a lead in their first 26 games of the season. That broke the old mark, set by the Brooklyn Dodgers

After trailing all game, the White Sox took the lead on a Carl Everett double to right-center, scoring Scott Podsednik and Tadahito Iguchi with the eventual deciding tallies. The win improved Chicago to an MLB-best 19-7 record.

The White Sox would extend this record to 37 before playing a game in which they failed to hold a lead, in a May 15 loss, 6-2, to the Orioles at U.S. Cellular Field.


2011
A moribund Minnesota club stumbled into 42° Chicago and saw its starter, Francisco Liriano, toss a no-hitter at the punchless White Sox in a 1-0 squeaker.

Lirano shook hands with danger all night, walking six White Sox and punching out two. Even after the shutout, Liriano’s ERA stood at 6.61. Only one White Sox batter, reached as far as second base — Juan Pierre, after a walk and stolen base in the fourth inning. Chicago’s Edwin Jackson pitched nearly as well as Minny’s southpaw, giving up six hits but just one walk.

Believe it or not, that gem was the first no-hitter thrown by an opposing pitcher in the history of New Sox Park, at the time in its 20th season. The next summer, Liriano was dealt to the White Sox in attempt to fortify Chicago’s ill-fated division lead.


2024
With a 3-0 loss at St. Louis, the White Sox fell 20 games worse than .500, at 6-26. The club mustered just three hits, and one — an Andrew Vaughn double — for extra bases. Brad Keller had a mediocre outing for the loss, although Jared Shuster kept the White Sox close in the second half of the game with 3 1/3 innings of one-hit, scoreless relief, lowering his ERA to 0.93.

NHL Player Props & Best Bets for Today, May 3: Fortune Favors the Boldy

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The Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning close out their series in Game 7, while the Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild begin the second round tonight with Game 1.

My NHL player props highlight Brandon Hagel, Matt Boldy, and Lane Hutson.

Keep reading my NHL picks for Sunday, May 3, for the full analysis.

Best NHL player prop bets today

PlayerBet99
Lightning Hagel anytime goal+150
Wild Boldy Over 3.5 shots on goal-140
Canadiens Hutson Over 1.5 shots on goal+100

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(not available in Ontario)

Our best NHL player props for Sunday, May 3

Take a look at our best bets and expert analysis below.

Prop #1: Brandon Hagel anytime goal

+150 at BET99

Brandon Hagel has been an offensive force this series with six goals in six games, and at least one tally in each of the first four contests. The Tampa Bay Lightning forward is also getting tons of opportunities, ranking second on the team in ice time per game (25:21).

Tampa Bay’s power play is converting at just 15.4%, but the Lightning are getting plenty of chances. In fact, their 26 power-play opportunities are the most in the NHL this postseason.

Hagel has two goals with the man advantage and could add another tonight.

  • Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: CBC, TNT

Prop #2: Matt Boldy Over 3.5 shots on goal

-140 at BET99

The Minnesota Wild are in for a tough battle against the Colorado Avalanche, but they proved they could hang with the NHL’s top teams in the first round.

The Stars were among the league’s stingiest teams during the regular season, but Matt Boldy racked up 33 shots in six games during their series.

Boldy logged Over 3.5 shots in every contest vs. Dallas, and cleared it in each of his last three meetings vs. Colorado this season.

  • Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: TNT

Prop #3: Lane Hutson Over 1.5 shots on goal

+100 at BET99

Lane Hutson has been the best defenseman on either team this series, generating a ton of offense from the back end for the Montreal Canadiens.

Hutson’s 14 shots are tied for second on Montreal, while his 39 attempts lead the team by far. Hutson has logged Over 1.5 shots in four of six outings while skating over 28 minutes per game.

The Habs blueliner will come out flying in tonight’s must-win contest, and he’ll fire at least two pucks on net in Game 7.

  • Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: CBC, TNT

These props are available now at BET99, one of our best betting sites.

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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4/3 Gamethread: Giants @ Rays

Tyler Mahle reaching back to throw a pitch.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 28: Tyler Mahle #54 of the San Francisco Giants pitches in the first inning during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 28, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images

A miserable road trip is about to come to an end. The San Francisco Giants are in Florida taking on the Tampa Bay Rays for some breakfast baseball (for us watching from the west coast, that is … it’s the less appealing and less alliterative lunch baseball where the game is), and they’re hoping to salvage a win from an awful trip. To this point, the Giants are 0-5, have been shut out twice, have blown ninth inning leads twice, and have scored eight runs.

Tyler Mahle takes the mound for the Giants, as the righty makes his seventh start of the season. He’s 1-4 on the year, with a 5.87 ERA, a 5.47 FIP, and 29 strikeouts against 17 walks in 30.2 innings. He’s trying to bounce back from his last outing, when he opened the road trip by giving up five runs in as many innings to the Philadelphia Phillies.

On the other side is left-hander Steven Matz, who, like Mahle, is a veteran making his seventh start with his new team. Matz is 4-1 on the year, and has a 4.31 ERA, a 5.06 FIP, and 27 strikeouts to 11 walks in 31.1 innings. He’s coming off an excellent start, when he held the Cleveland Guardians to two runs in seven innings.

Enjoy the baseball, everyone. Go Giants!

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Lineups

Giants

  1. Heliot Ramos — LF
  2. Rafael Devers — 1B
  3. Casey Schmitt — DH
  4. Luis Arráez — 2B
  5. Matt Chapman — 3B
  6. Willy Adames — SS
  7. Jung Hoo Lee — CF
  8. Jerar Encarnación — RF
  9. Eric Haase — C

RHP. Tyler Mahle

Rays

  1. Chandler Simpson — LF
  2. Junior Caminero — 3B
  3. Jonathan Aranda — DH
  4. Ryan Vilade — 1B
  5. Jake Fraley — RF
  6. Ben Williamson — 2B
  7. Cedric Mullins — CF
  8. Nick Fortes — C
  9. Taylor Walls — SS

LHP. Steven Matz

Game #34

Who: San Francisco Giants (13-20) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (20-12)

Where: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida

When: 10:40 a.m. PT

Regional broadcast: NBC Sports Bay Area

National broadcast: n/a

Radio: KNBR 680 AM/104.5 FM, KSFN 1510 AM

New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles: Max Fried vs. Trey Gibson

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 16: Max Fried #54 of the New York Yankees warms up in the bullpen before the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 16, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The month of May has typically been kind to the Bronx Bombers in the Aaron Boone era. It’s early, but May 2026 has begun similarly. New York’s bats feasted on Orioles starting pitching the first two games of this series, grabbing five runs against both Cade Povich and Kyle Bradish. That’s typically a good formula for winning games, and win they have. Today they’ll get the benefit of their ace on their mound while facing a prospect making his MLB debut. On paper, they’re in good shape to win this unusual four-game wraparound series.

Fried was his typical excellent self on Monday in Arlington, throwing six scoreless innings against the Rangers, scattering four hits and two walks. Today’s game will mark his 40th start as a member of the Bronx Bombers—his first 39 have added up to a 2.71 ERA across 242.2 innings with 226 strikeouts to just 85 walks. I think he was a pretty good signing.

Max faced the Orioles twice last year, and the second start was among the finest of his career: a seven-inning scoreless masterpiece on September 18th in which he struck out 13 batters. Of course, the O’s now have Pete Alonso in the heart of their lineup; a player with plenty of experience facing Fried from their shared time in the NL East. Neither player really has the upper hand in the head-to-head matchup: Alonso’s hit to a .738 OPS in 42 at-bats.

Trey Gibson is the Orioles’ No. 3 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline, thrust into duty as usual starters Dean Kremer (nursing a quad strain) and Trevor Rogers (under the weather) can’t go. Gibson, a 2023 undrafted free agent from Yorktown, Virginia, has pitched to a 4.01 ERA in six starts at Triple-A Norfolk and has a similar 3.99 mark throughout his MiLB career. Considering that Gibson signed as a UDFA, he’s already been a big developmental success for Baltimore. He has a tough task ahead of him today, facing a Yankee lineup that has been in a groove, averaging just a hair under six runs per game over the past two weeks. Be on the lookout for Gibson’s trademark slider, known as the “death ball” for its tendency to break sharply downward.

There’s only one lineup change to report from Saturday’s game: Austin Wells draws back in at catcher for Escarra, who went 1-for-4 yesterday.

How to watch

Location: Yankee Stadium — Bronx, NY

First pitch: 1:35 pm ET

TV broadcast: YES | MASN

Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280, 98 Rock 97.9 FM, WBAL 1090 AM

Online stream: MLB.tv

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Washington Nationals vs Milwaukee Brewers 5/3 Game Thread

May 2, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman José Tena (8) doubles against the Milwaukee Brewers during the seventh inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images | Brad Mills-Imagn Images

The Nationals hung around with the Brewers all afternoon yesterday, but in the end, just couldn’t get the bats going, losing game two of the series 4-1, with a Brady House first-inning fielding error, which led to 3 runs, being all the runs the Brew Crew needed. The Nats will now look to avoid a sweep this afternoon, with PJ Poulin to kick things off as an opener for Zack Littell.

There is a multitude of changes in the Nats lineup, as there often is when they go from facing a lefty to a righty, with Curtis Mead, Brady House, and Joey Wiemer all hitting the bench. In their places are Luis Garcia Jr. at first base and batting second, Jose Tena at designated hitter and batting 7th, and Jorbit Vivas at third base and batting 8th. The biggest development from today’s lineup card is Jacob Young batting 3rd, perhaps looking to put some speed on the bases for CJ Abrams to drive in.

The order of the Brewers lineup shakes up today against the opener PJ Poulin and bulk man Zack Littell, but the composition is roughly the same, with Luis Rengifo at third base instead of David Hamilton, and William Contreras and Gary Sanchez swapping catcher and designated hitter from yesterday. Turang, who homered twice off Littell back in April, leads off, so the opener Poulin will allow the Nats to dodge those two meeting again at least once. 24-year-old righty Logan Henderson gets the ball for the Brewers, likely looking to go twice through the order before handing things over to the bullpen.

Game Info:

Stadium: Nationals Park

Time: 1:35 PM EST

TV: Nationals.TV

Radio: 106.7 The Fan

The Nationals haven’t played terrible baseball overall in 2026, but they have at home, with a 3-12 home record, worst in baseball by a good margin. They’ll look to avoid the series sweep today, and hopefully put up a better effort than they’ve shown in their first 15 home games of the year. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!

Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool: Premier League – as it happened

Manchester United confirmed their Champions League qualification as Kobbie Mainoo hit a winner against their rivals

“Thanks to the Isak injury, yet again Slot is forced to fight fires rather than just manage,” laments Ian Copestake. “Unless it is in January, I hope one day he will be able to say, ‘same team as last year.’”

Now that would be a turn up for the Trent.

Continue reading...

Mauricio Dubon moves to leadoff, Jose Azocar gets a start in Coors finale

DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 01: Mauricio Dubon #14 of the Atlanta Braves hits a 3 RBI triple against the Colorado Rockies in the eighth inning at Coors Field on May 01, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

With Ronald Acuña Jr. now on the Injured List with a hamstring issue, the Braves are reshuffling their lineup. Notable change #1: Mauricio Dubon is now the leadoff hitter. Notable change #2: with a lefty on the hill, Jose Azocar gets the start in right field. The rest of the lineup is kind of as expected against a lefty, though Michael Harris II isn’t starting such that Drake Baldwin can DH while Jonah Heim catches again.

The Rockies have also reshuffled their lineup, with Hunter Goodman DHing while Brett Sullivan catches, which has pushed Tyler Freeman out of the starting nine for another day.

This is a fun batter-versus-pitcher day. Ozzie Albies and Dubon have both hit Kyle Freeland well in 20+ PAs. Matt Olson hasn’t in double-digit PAs, but Austin Riley has. Even Azocar has faced Freeland before, meaning that everyone in the starting nine has except Baldwin. Collectively, it’s a .389 wOBA and .333 xwOBA against Freeland in 92 career PAs.

On the flip side, everyone in the Colorado lineup except TJ Rumfield and Ezequiel Tovar have faced Spencer Strider, though not in very many PAs. Collectively, it’s 28 PAs with a .247 wOBA and .250 xwOBA, and 12 strikeouts in those 28 PAs. We’ll see if Strider can replicate that level of success.

Astros vs. Red Sox Game Thread: Game 35, 5/3/2026

BOSTON, MA - MAY 02: Brice Matthews #0 of the Houston Astros celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run in the fourth inning during the game between the Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Saturday, May 2, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Natalie Reid/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

TODAY’S GAME: The Houston Astros (13-21) and Boston Red Sox (13-20) play the rubber match of this 3-game weekend series at Fenway Park this afternoon.

RHP Cody Bolton (0-1, 5.79 ERA) will start for the Astros vs. BOS LHP Ranger Suarez (2-2, 3.09 ERA). Today will be Bolton’s 1st career appearance at Fenway Park.

TODAY’S STARTER: RHP Cody Bolton is making his 3rd start and 5th app. overall this afternoon.

Bolton’s last appearance was in relief on Thursday in BAL (1 IP, 1 R).

Prior to his last appearance, Bolton had been on the IL due to mid-back inflammation, caused when he has struck by a line drive.

VS. BOS: Bolton earned his 1st career save on March 31 vs. the Red Sox, hurling the final 3.0 innings of the Astros 9-2 win (3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO).

Today will be his 1st career appearance at Fenway Park and his 4th career appearance vs. the Red Sox overall (all had been in relief).

THAT’S A WRAP: Today is the finale of a 6-game road trip (2-3 thus far) for the Astros.

HOU was 1-2 in BAL on the first stop of the trip.

HOMEWARD BOUND: Following today’s game, the Astros will fly back to Houston for a brief, 3-game homestand vs. the LA Dodgers (Mon.-Wed.).

VS. LAD: In their last meeting, the Astros swept the Dodgers in a 3-game series at Dodger Stadium (July 4-6), outscoring LA, 29-6 in the three games.

LOTS OF LEFTIES: The Astros will have faced LH starters in all 3 games of this series.

The last time they faced a LH starter in all games of a 3-game series was April 30-May 2, 2021 vs. TB (almost exactly 5 years ago).

The last time that HOU has faced 3 consecutive LH starters overall was Sept. 19-21, 2024 vs. LAA (4-game series). Source: Elias.

VS THE SAWX: The Astros swept the Red Sox in a 3-game series at Daikin Park earlier this season, Mar. 30-April 1, and are 4-1 vs. them in 2026. Over the past 10 seasons (since 2017), HOU is 34-23 (.596) vs. BOS overall.

TODAY’S ROSTER MOVE: The Astros have activated RHP Ryan Weiss from the Paternity List.

In a corresponding move, RHP Jayden Murray was optioned to Triple A Sugar Land.  

SPENCER’S GIFTS: With yesterday’s win, RHP Spencer Arrighetti, who is 4-0 with a 1.96 ERA, is the first Astros’ starter to earn a winning decision in each of his 1st 4 starts of a season since RHP Zack Greinke in 2019 (also 4).

Other Astros pitchers with streaks of at least 4 straight starts with a win to begin a season are: RHP Justin Verlander (2017-5 wins), RHP Roger Clemens (2004-7 wins), and RHP Dave Guisti (1965-4 wins).

DAYTIMERS: As a result of Wednesday night’s rainout in BAL, 4 of the 6 games on the Astros current road trip will have been day games.

HOU ended their last homestand with a day game, so they will have played 5 of 7 games in the daytime once they complete this road trip.

HIT PARADE: The Astros, who lead the AL in batting (.269), have reached double-figures in hits in each of the last 5 games, going 61×191 (.319) in that span. It is their longest streak since another 5-game streak, July 19-23 of 2025.

The last time that the Astros reached double-figures in hits in 6 straight games was Aug. 6-12, 2024.

The club record is 8 straight games, done several times (last: June 10-18, 2018).

Last night marked the 16th game in which HOU reached double figures in hits in 2026. Source: Elias.

TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 2022 – With a 4-0 win over the Mariners at home, Dusty Baker becomes the 12th manager in MLB history to reach 2,000 career wins.

In his 4 seasons as Astros manager (2020-23), Baker’s Astros advanced to the ALCS all 4 seasons, won 2 AL Pennants and a WS championship in 2022. His 2,183 wins as a manger overall rank 8th in MLB history.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Sunday, May 3, 12:35 p.m. CT

Location: Fenway Park, Boston, MA

TV: Space City Home Network

Streaming: SCHN+

Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)

Sunday afternoon game thread: At Yankees, 1:35

SARASOTA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 18: Trey Gibson #88 of the Baltimore Orioles poses for a photo during Spring Training photo day at Ed Smith Stadium on February 18, 2026 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It is an understatement to say that things have not gone well for the Orioles in New York this weekend. They have been outplayed at every turn over the last two games and it’s hard to imagine things turning around today.

Top Orioles pitching prospect Trey Gibson is in New York to make his Major League debut, which is exciting. But this Yankees lineup has been relentless and he might be in for a rude welcome to the big leagues.

On top of that, Max Fried is scheduled to pitch for the Yankees. Not only is Fried an ace, he’s a lefty. He has a 2.09 ERA and 0.803 WHIP. He doesn’t give up many homers. Heck, he doesn’t give up many hits.

I try to remain optimistic on a game-by-game basis. Any given day yadda yadda. But it’s very tough to do in this instance. Here’s hoping they surprise us.

Orioles lineup

Taylor Ward – LF

Adley Rutschman – C

Pete Alonso – DH

Tyler O’Neill – RF

Coby Mayo – 1B

Leody Taveras – CF

Jeremiah Jackson – 2B

Weston Wilson – 3B

Blaze Alexander – SS

Yankees lineup

Trent Grisham – CF

Ben Rice – 1B

Aaron Judge – RF

Cody Bellinger – LF

Jazz Chisholm – 2B

Jasson Domínguez – DH

Austin Wells – C

Ryan McMahon – 3B

José Caballero – SS

Let’s go O’s!


Royals vs Mariners Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's MLB Game

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The Kansas City Royals will look for a road series sweep on Sunday when they face the Seattle Mariners.

Cal Raleigh is day-to-day after being scratched before Saturday’s game, but MLB odds still have them favored regardless of his status. 

My Royals vs. Mariners predictions have MLB picks for the side and total for their game on Sunday, May 3.

Who will win Royals vs Mariners today: Royals moneyline (+105)

Seattle Mariners right-hander Luis Castillo has been getting rocked, ranking in the Bottom 10% in average exit velocity. 

That’s going to happen when your sinker loses 1.4 inches of both vertical break and drop. Add in command issues, and opponents posting an xBA of .299 and a .423 xwOBAcon, and it's been ugly for the veteran hurler.

The Kansas City Royals rank eighth in ISO and fourth in wRC+ over the past two weeks. I expect them to get some early runs against Castillo.

Kris Bubic is doing a good job of avoiding hard contact (75th percentile) and will help the Royals win their seventh game in nine outings.

Covers COVERS INTEL: Castillo is allowing a 30.5% line-drive rate, compared to an average of 22.6% over the past two seasons.

Royals vs Mariners Over/Under pick: Over 7.5 (-128)

Both teams are swinging with power, each ranking in the Top 10 in ISO over the past two weeks, and in the Top 5 in wRC+.

While yesterday’s pitching matchup was conducive to a lower score, this one isn’t. 

Bubic isn’t immune to issues, given his 0.80 HR/9 rate and a barrel rate of 9.5%, which has led to a .408 xSLG.

As long as this number stays below a flat 8.0, I like the Over, which is 14-8 in Seattle’s last 22 home games.

Jason Ence's 2026 Transparency Record
  • ML/RL bets: 2-5, -3.5 units
  • Over/Under bets: 5-2, +2.91 units

Royals vs Mariners odds

  • Moneyline: Royals +108 | Mariners -113
  • Run line: Royals -1.5 (+186) | Mariners +1.5 (-194)
  • Over/Under: Over 7.5 (-117) | Under 7.5 (+108)

Royals vs Mariners trend

The Kansas City Royals have hit the Moneyline in 6 of their last 8 games (+4.35 Units / 50% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Royals vs. Mariners.

How to watch Royals vs Mariners and game info

LocationT-Mobile Park, Seattle, WA
DateSunday, May 3, 2026
First pitch4:10 p.m. ET
TVMariners.TV, Royals.TV
Royals starting pitcherKris Bubic
(2-1, 3.74 ERA)
Mariners starting pitcherLuis Castillo
(0-2, 6.35 ERA)

Royals vs Mariners latest injuries

Royals vs Mariners weather

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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The historic numbers behind Sixers’ Game 7 win vs. Celtics

BOSTON, MA - MAY 2: Tyrese Maxey #0, Kyle Lowry #7 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers high five after the game against the Boston Celtics during the game during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Thirty-two times. That’s how many times the Celtics held a 3-1 series lead and won. Until Saturday.

The Sixers hadn’t beaten Boston in a playoff series since 1982. On Saturday night they ended that too, taking down the secon- seeded Celtics in a series Philadelphia had no business winning on paper.

The Celtics were 32-0 all time when holding a 3-1 series lead. The Sixers were 0-18 in the same spot. Both of those numbers changed in one night. It’s 32-1 and 1-18 now.

But the franchise history is only part of the story.

Tyrese Maxey & Joel Embiid

Maxey and Embiid were the first duo in NBA history to each record 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a Game 7. They combined for 17 of Philadelphia’s 21 fourth-quarter points and essentially willed this team to a victory.

Per ESPN Insights, they’re also just the third pair in NBA history to each put up 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a Game 7. The only others were Elgin Baylor and Jerry West in 1963, and Baylor alongside Wilt Chamberlain in 1970. The last time two players put together that kind of production in a Game 7 was over 50 years ago.

Maxey’s series as a whole deserves its own recognition. He’s been grinding with a decimated roster all year, playing through a finger injury and a splint, and consistently drawing Boston’s best defenders. Derrick White and Jordan Walsh were primarily tasked with slowing him down. It didn’t work. His assist to turnover ratio across the series tells the story best: 46 assists to just 9 turnovers in 286 minutes of basketball at a 27.6% usage rate. Maxey showcased elite ball security in this series.

VJ Edgecombe

Edgecombe had a strong closeout game in his own right. The 20-year-old finished with 23 points, six rebounds and four assists with a game-best +19 in a nine-point victory. Per Statmuse, he’s now the first rookie in NBA history with 20+ points, 5+ rebounds and 5+ made threes in a Game 7.

What made his night more impressive was the defensive adjustment he made on White. White was cooking early, scoring in double figures and hitting threes. Postgame, Nick Nurse noted that Edgecombe called his shot: “‘I got White and I’m gonna do better on him.’” The tape backed it up. White shot 3-of-13 in the second half, 1-of-9 from three, and Boston’s offense largely devolved into Jaylen Brown isolations.

Paul George

George’s time in Philadelphia has been rocky, dealing with injuries and a regular season suspension. But he’s been an impactful player since his return and was a major part of this series. He took on the tough perimeter assignments and made guys work for every shot. Offensively, he was equally impressive, shooting 55% from three on 40 attempts while averaging 17.4 points per game through the series.

Joel Embiid

Even Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged what changed things: “What changed the series is Joel Embiid came back and they’re a completely different team.” He averaged 28 points, nine rebounds and seven assists on 44.3% shooting across his four games. His scoring carried them through stretches, but his playmaking might have been the most underrated part. He finished the series with a 28-8 assist to turnover ratio, and the turnovers being down feels just as important as the assists being up.

The Sixers weren’t supposed to win this series. They did anyway. Next up is the Knicks in the second round, the second time in three years these two teams have faced off in the playoffs.

Resurgent Ducks giving fans reason to believe after knocking off Oilers

Ducks center Leo Carlsson (l.) celebrates his empty-net goal with Chris Kreider (20) during their Game 6 win over the Oilers on April 30, 2026.
Ducks center Leo Carlsson (l.) celebrates his empty-net goal with Chris Kreider (20) during their Game 6 win over the Oilers on April 30, 2026.

The scene from inside the Honda Center on Thursday said it all. There was the fist pump from goaltender Lukas Dostal. The sea of orange-clad fans, scattered across the seats, descending into a frenzy as the horn sounded and Game 6 — a 5-2 win to secure a first-round series win — ended. The dozen-plus Ducks flipping over the boards and gliding across the ice, starting a celebration absent from the franchise for nearly a decade.

“Unreal,” Dostal, who backstopped all four wins over the Oilers, told reporters from his locker room stall postgame, and that really was a fitting word to describe the statement they’d just made. Edmonton had advanced to the past two Stanley Cup Finals. The Oilers possess one of the game’s most dynamic players in Connor McDavid. But they ran into the buzz saw of the Western Conference, the Ducks suddenly relevant again well ahead of schedule. The last time Anaheim won a playoff series, Ryan Getzlaf was captain and topped 70 points for the final time in his career — back in the 2017 tournament, near the end of a stretch that included nine postseason berths in 12 years and one Stanley Cup.

So much has changed since then. A rebuild sucked the life out of Anaheim for so long. In many ways, a season like this would’ve certainly seemed unreal back in July. But behind a blend of veterans and youth on the roster, and with a controversial head coach behind the bench, the Ducks will start their series against the Golden Knights — whom they defeated in all three regular-season matchups — next week as one of eight teams left standing. They sit 12 wins from the second Stanley Cup in franchise history.

Ducks center Leo Carlsson (l.) celebrates his empty-net goal with Chris Kreider (20) during their Game 6 win over the Oilers on April 30, 2026. AP

“We’ve got a taste of playoff hockey,” Ducks coach Joel Quenneville told reporters after securing a spot in the conference semifinals, according to NHL.com. “Now, we get to experience another round, and I think this is healthy for us. … You don’t know how they’re going to play, but you’re certainly excited about what the upside is.”

The pieces that carried the Ducks in the opening round captured their balanced foundation. Defenseman Jackson LaCombe, 25 and a former second-round pick, led them with nine points, including one goal. Cutter Gauthier led Anaheim in goals against Edmonton with four, just as the No. 5-overall pick in 2022 — acquired from the Flyers in January 2024 after refusing to sign in Philadelphia out of college — did during the regular season (41 goals) too. Leo Carlsson, 21, added three goals against Edmonton. Beckett Sennecke, 20 and the No. 3-overall pick in 2024, chipped in a goal during his first taste of the postseason too.

“A lot of us young guys are learning a lot as we go along, and I thought we got better throughout the series,” LaCombe told reporters after the Edmonton series, according to The Associated Press. “It means a lot for us.”

And then there were the veterans. Troy Terry, the longest-tenured Duck at nine seasons who has seen it all, collected three goals. Chris Kreider, the longtime Rangers star shipped to Anaheim in the offseason when they overhauled their core, added one goal and five points. The Ducks also have Alex Killorn — who won a pair of Stanley Cups with the Lightning — and veteran defenseman Jacob Trouba too.

But even with all those pieces, both brimming with potential and already established, the Ducks were still an unpredictable team. They finished third in the Pacific Division with 92 points — eight wins and 12 points better than 2024-25 — but lost eight of 10 games to close the season. They only had four players with 20 or more goals during the regular season. And at the macro level, they’d hired and fired three different coaches since their last postseason appearance in 2018.

In the offseason, the Ducks hired Quenneville, who was previously banned and then reinstated by the NHL for how he handled the Blackhawks’ sexual assault scandal while coaching in Chicago, as head coach in a controversial decision met with plenty of backlash. They brought in centers Mikael Granlund and Ryan Poehling via free agency and trade, respectively. They added veteran defenseman John Carlson from the Capitals in a shocking deal at the deadline too.

Ducks players celebrate after defeating the Oilers on April 30, 2026. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

“It’s been a long time,” Terry told reporters recently, according to NHL.com. “We’ve had fans that have been super loyal. They’ve always showed up for us. They deserved this. A lot of us live in the Newport [Beach] area and, all of a sudden, you’re seeing cars with Ducks flags everywhere. You really start to see what this means to Orange County.”

And for at least two more nights, a scene familiar to Game 6 will unfold inside Honda Center. There will be the orange. The sellout crowd. Maybe a fist pump or two too. That’s what happens during a hockey revival, when an assortment of defensemen and forwards and goaltenders slowly capture the attention of a fan base and — with each dose of magic along the way — simply, and defiantly, refuse to let go.