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Two-start pitchers: Paul Skenes headlines a smattering of quality options heading into the third week of May

Hello and welcome to the seventh installment of our weekly two-start pitcher article for the 2026 MLB season.

I will be here every Friday to highlight some of the best two-start pitcher options in fantasy baseball leagues for the upcoming week providing my insights and recommendations on which options should be started or benched.

It feels like we just drafted our teams, yet the weather is warming up around the league and balls are starting to fly out of the ballpark with more regularity as we steamroll into the middle of May.

We now have actual actionable data that we can use to make decisions on these pitchers, as most of them have taken the mound five or six times already. A pitcher can get lucky and post quality results despite poor underlying numbers through a couple of starts, but it’s much more difficult to sustain that over a longer stretch of time.

This is a living document, so we'll update the options below as the weekend moves along.

Before we get into it, we'll start with a couple of notes on situations that may be unresolved or teams that may not have a two-start pitcher lined up for the upcoming week:

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It’s possible that someone could make two starts for the Braves next week (vs. Cubs, vs. Red Sox), but I’m not even sure they know who it would be at this point. They skipped Grant Holmes on Wednesday, opting to go with Martin Perez in that spot instead. Either of them could pitch on Tuesday and wind up pitching twice. It’s also possible that JR Ritchie could start on Tuesday and he could wind up pitching twice. The most likely scenario, has further chaos ensuing there with each of those options taking the ball once and no one ending up with a two-start week. We’ll update here if we get any further clarification throughout the weekend.

We aren’t quite sure what’s going to happen with the Royals in regards to the availability of Cole Ragans this week, which throws their rotation into flux. It’s possible that he overcomes his “pitcher’s elbow” that he’s battling and is able to take the ball on Tuesday, which would line him up for a two-start week (at White Sox, at Cardinals). It’s also possible that he winds up on the injured list and someone else makes those starts. We could also see SethLugo start on regular rest on Tuesday and wind up with the two-start week. Stay tuned.

Another rotation that’s in flux is the Angels following the injury to Yusei Kikuchi. It’s possible they could promote someone from Triple-A Salt Lake to start in his place on Monday, or that Alek Manoah could potentially be ready to return from the injured list. Those options would potentially line up for two starts (at Guardians, vs. Dodgers), though with those matchups it’s not an avenue that we would want to explore anyways. It’s also possible that the Halos simply go with a bullpen game on Monday.

Going Twice…

Note: Probable pitchers as of May 8 and are subject to change.

American League

▶ Strong Plays

Ryan Weathers, Yankees, LHP (at Orioles, at Mets)

We’re finally seeing what Weathers can do when he stays healthy over a prolonged stretch and it has been glorious. The 26-year-old southpaw holds a pristine 3.03 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 45/10 K/BB ratio over 38 2/3 innings through his first eight starts. That’ll absolutely play in all leagues. He gets a pair of quality matchups this week and is benefited by both of them being away from the cozy confines of Yankee Stadium. Weathers represents one of the top overall options on the board this week.

Bryan Woo, Mariners, RHP (at Astros, vs. Padres)

Woo has dealt with a bit of bad luck through his first eight starts, leading to an elevated 4.02 ERA, but his 1.00 WHIP and 38/8 K/BB ratio hint that better things are on the horizon. This lines up as a very strong week for the 26-year-old hurler as he should be able to pick up his third win while pling up ample strikeouts and working to bring down that inflated ERA. He's an easy start in all leagues.

Jeffrey Springs, Athletics, LHP (vs. Cardinals, vs. Giants)

Springs has excelled through his first eight starts for the Athletics this season, registering a 3.87 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and a 39/12 K/BB ratio across 44 frames. He has one disaster in there against the White Sox (seven runs in five innings), but otherwise has been pretty consistent each time out and effective both home and on the road. I don’t love that both starts are coming at Sutter Health Park, but getting to take on the Giants in one of them makes up for that. I’d be starting Springs with complete confidence in all leagues for this two-start week.

George Kirby, Mariners, RHP (at Astros, vs. Padres)

Kirby has been outstanding through his first eight starts for the M's this season, posting a 2.94 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a 39/12 K/BB ratio over 52 innings. We'd ideally like to see a few more strikeouts, but the extra volume from a two-start week will more than make up for that. He should be an automatic start in all leagues this week and each week going forward.

▶ Decent Plays

Peter Lambert, Astros, RHP (vs. Mariners, vs. Rangers)

Through his first four starts, Peter Lambert has pitched like he wants to keep his spot in a depleted Astros’ rotation. The 29-year-old hurler has registered a stellar 2.42 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and a 23/11 K/BB ratio across 22 1/3 innings. The 3.34 xERA is pretty favorable as well. Now he gets to make two starts at home against familiar divisional foes, both who rank in the middle of the pack against right-handed pitching. I couldn’t go quite as far to say Lambert is a great start for this week, but he’s completely viable and someone that I would be happy to use in leagues of all sizes.

Brandon Young, Orioles, LHP (vs. Yankees, at Nationals)

We have seen a mixed bag from Young through his first four starts in the O’s rotation. He has had one brutal start where he was lit up for 10 runs (four earned) against the Astros. Otherwise, he has won each of his other three tries with decent overall results. If he wasn’t forced to battle the Yankees to start the week, I’d even go as far to say that he’s a sneaky streaming option in shallower leagues. If you’re trying to make up ground in wins and strikeouts, I do think there’s viability to using Young this week. My apologies if he gets pummeled by the Yankees though.

Joey Cantillo, Guardians, LHP (vs. Angels, vs. Reds)

Aside from his questionable WHIP (1.37), Cantillo has been terrific in eight starts for the Guardians this year with a 3.43 ERA and 37 strikeouts over 39 1/3 innings while picking up a pair of victories. The Angels and Reds both rank in the upper half of the league against southpaws, but both matchups coming in Cleveland helps to balance that out. He also draws strong opposing pitching matchups here, so his chances of earning that third win look pretty high this week. I’d be comfortable starting Cantillo in both 15 and 12-team formats this week.

Bailey Ober, Twins, RHP (vs. Marlins, vs. Brewers)

Ober continues to defy logic and put up decent results despite his limited velocity this season, posting a 4.19 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 32 strikeouts over 43 innings. I still believe there’s a correction coming here at some point, but I don’t hate using him as a streaming option while things are going well. A pair of home matchups against the Marlins and Brewers aren’t anything to worry about, giving him a nice shot at earning a victory this week with six or seven strikeouts. That’s perfectly fine to use in all leagues if you have a spot available and need volume.

▶ At Your Own Risk

Erick Fedde, White Sox, RHP (vs. Royals, vs. Cubs)

It has flown a bit under the radar, but Fedde has actually pitched pretty decently in his return to the White Sox. Through his first seven outings, he holds a respectable 3.79, a downright useful 1.13 WHIP and a 24/13 K/BB ratio over 38 innings. He has yet to win a game, but that’s more the fault of the White Sox’ offense than it is Fedde. The matchups are a mixed bag, with the Royals grading out positively before finishing the week with a tough battle against the Cubs. The issue is that if you’re streaming fringe starters, you’re usually looking for wins or strikeouts – or preferably both. Fedde hasn’t offered either this year. That isn’t to say that he can’t sneak a win in one of these starts, but you’re fighting an uphill battle. If you’re desperate for options in 15-teamers, I could see going here.

Jack Flaherty, Tigers, RHP (at Mets, vs. Blue Jays)

How the mighty have fallen. Flaherty was always a lock for fantasy purposes during his two-start weeks, but these days he can’t locate his fastball and owns a flabbergasting 1.65 WHIP to go with his 5.56 ERA and league-leading 26 free passes and five hit batsmen. He has also yet to win a game, despite pitching for the Tigers. The strikeouts are the only thing he has provided of value with 42 punchouts in his first 34 innings. The only glimmer of hope here is that he posted a 10/1 K/BB ratio over five innings against the Red Sox his last time out. If you believe there is more of that to come, you can roll the dice and use him for two starts here. Just don’t come back complaining when he throws your ratios into a blender.

Brayan Bello, Red Sox, RHP (vs. Phillies, at Braves)

Bello has been an unmitigated disaster for the Red Sox through his first seven appearances on the season, posting a miserable 7.44 ERA and 1.93 WHIP over 32 2/3 innings. The one thing that you’d expect from Bello, strikeouts, haven’t even been there with just 24 punchouts on the year. He probably saved his rotation spot his last time out with seven strong innings of one-run ball against the Tigers. Is that enough to trust him going forward? For me, it’s not. The Phillies’ offense has been heating up against right-handed pitching and the Braves crush everyone these days. Rolling out Bello for two starts is just screaming for ratio damage.

Lance McCullers Jr., Astros, RHP (vs. Mariners, vs. Rangers)

Remember when McCullers opened the second with one great start and everyone thought he could be back to being a viable fantasy option? Good times. He now sports a 7.41 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 34 innings and only continues to get the ball every fifth day because the Astros don’t have enough healthy arms to field a rotation otherwise. While the matchups are decent and there’s a chance he could sneak through here with strong strikeout numbers and a chance at a win, I’m not subjecting my ratios to the risk that he provides. If you want to gamble, more power to you.

National League

▶ Strong Plays

Paul Skenes, Pirates, RHP (vs. Rockies, vs. Phillies)

While many first and second round fantasy selections have been busts through the first eight weeks or so of the season, Skenes has been the exception. The star right-hander boasts a scintillating 2.36 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and a 46/7 K/BB ratio across 42 innings while securing five victories already. Fantasy managers should never consider benching him for any matchup, especially for a two-start week that includes a home tilt against the Rockies. He has been perhaps the best pitcher in all of baseball through his first eight starts on the season and he’ll get a chance to improve upon those numbers as the top overall play on the board this week.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers, RHP (vs. Giants, at Angels)

It’s rare that we get a week where a Dodgers’ pitcher is lined up for two starts given that they’re rolling with a full six-man rotation, but it looks like Yamamoto will get the honor next week with a pair of juicy matchups to boot. He has been exceptional through his first seven starts, registering a 3.09 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and a 40/10 K/BB ratio over 43 2/3 innings. He’s locked into fantasy lineups every week regardless of matchups, but this will be one of the few weeks where he’ll provide you with double the volume. On a week that looks scant for quality options, Yamamoto looks like one of the best plays on the board this week

Freddy Peralta, Mets, RHP (vs. Tigers, vs. Yankees)

Peralta has been as good as advertised through his first eight starts in a Mets’ uniform, compiling a 3.12 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a 43/18 K/BB ratio across 43 1/3 innings. He’s an easy start for fantasy managers each and every week, so there’s no decision point here, though the matchups are going to be tough this week. He gets the benefit of both starts being at home, but has to tangle with a pair of strong offenses in the Tigers and the Yankees. He should be used in all leagues regardless of the poor matchups, just understand that his ratios may check in a bit higher than we’re used to seeing this week.

Zack Wheeler, Phillies, RHP (at Red Sox, at Pirates)

So far, so good for Wheeler through his first three starts since returning from the injured list, posting a 3.12 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and an 18/6 K/BB ratio over 17 1/3 innings. If he can keep that up, Phillies’ fans and fantasy managers everywhere will be thrilled with the overall results. The Pirates actually rank as one of the better offenses in baseball against right-handed pitching this season while the Red Sox check in as one of the worst. This looks like a prime week for Wheeler to add a win to his ledger while piling up double digit strikeouts.

Robbie Ray, Giants, LHP (at Dodgers, at Athletics)

Like his rotation-mate Logan Webb, Ray draws a brutal set up matchups for his two-start week, having to battle the Dodgers in Los Angeles and the A's in West Sacramento. Unlike Webb though, Ray has been great this season, posting a sub-3.00 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP with 40 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings. The ceiling is lower than you'd like this week given the poor matchups, but that's no reason to sit one of the best left-handed pitchers in baseball. Make sure to start him in all leagues this week.

▶ Decent Plays

Eury Pérez, Marlins, RHP (at Twins, at Rays)

With as good of stuff that he has, it’s frustrating to see Pérez sitting with a 5.01 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP over his first 41 1/3 innings on the season. The hope remains that as he gets further removed from his injury, the consistency will come and the results will improve. This looks like a good week for him to bring those ratios down with a pair of road matchups against middling offenses. He has punched out six or more batters in each of his last four starts, so even in the worst case scenario, he should deliver 10+ strikeouts here with a shot at a win. You have to trust the process and use him in all formats for this two-start week.

Logan Webb, Giants, RHP (at Dodgers, at Athletics)

Webb hasn't exactly pitched like an ace through his first eight starts on the season, registering a troublesome 5.06 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and a 42/15 K/BB ratio across 48 innings. Now he draws a brutal two-start week where he has to battle the Dodgers in Los Angeles before taking on the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. Yikes. Even with the poor performance and the difficult matchups, I have a hard time sitting Webb for a two-start week. You have to give him time to correct the ratio damage that he has already inflicted. The worst thing you can do is sit him and have him win a game with strong ratios and plus strikeouts on your bench. It may be a tougher click than usual, but keep him active this week.

Michael Soroka, Diamondbacks, RHP (at Rangers, at Rockies)

The overall line for Soroka on the season doesn’t look great, with a 4.14 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 37 innings, but a lot of that damage was done in one eight-run disaster against the Brewers in Milwaukee. He also gave up four runs against the Phillies in Philadelphia. In his other five starts (all at home), Soroka has allowed two or fewer earned runs each time. Is the home/road thing a trend or simply small sample variance? That’s for you to decide. The Rangers and Rockies both rank middle of the pack against right-handed pitching and that second start will be at Coors Field. In 15-teamers, I feel confident enough that I’d probably roll him out there. In 12’s, it would really depend on what type of alternative options I had available. That home/road split though would definitely be in the back of my mind though.

Chad Patrick, Brewers, RHP (vs. Padres, at Twins)

Patrick has actually been a bit of a disappointment this season, posting a 3.45 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and a 20/16 K/BB ratio over 31 1/3 innings. He has really struggled to throw strikes consistently and isn’t working deeply into games, which hurts when he isn’t working behind an opener. With the added volume of a two-start week, you probably still want to be using him in all formats, but the overall upside here this week is much lower than I would’ve expected from Patrick a couple of weeks ago.

Colin Rea, Cubs, RHP (at Braves, at White Sox)

Aside from a tough matchup against the Dodgers where he was shelled for six runs, Rea has done a really nice job since joining the Cubs’ rotation. Overall he holds a 4.03 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and a 35/12 K/BB ratio across 38 innings while notching four victories. The WHIP is a problem for sure and having to battle the Braves in Atlanta to open the week isn’t ideal. A home matchup against the White Sox to finish the week helps to offset that. I think he’s fine as a streaming option if looking to add volume for the purpose of making up ground in wins and strikeouts. Just understand that he could actively be hurting your WHIP while he’s in there.

Brady Singer, Reds, RHP (vs. Nationals, at Guardians)

Usually a viable streaming option in two-start weeks, Singer hasn’t quite been as reliable this season. Through eight starts, he holds an unhealthy 5.63 ERA and 1.64 WHIP over 38 1/3 innings. He has a strong track record of success, though his 5.78 xERA and 4.58 xFIP show that he has more or less earned that brutal line so far this season. He has been much better in his three starts at home, which could bode well for that soft matchup against the Nationals to start the week. The Guardians’ lineup isn’t intimidating either though, so I don’t hate traveling on the road to face them. My gut tells me that he should be a decent option this week, that he should approach double digit strikeouts while having a shot at earning a victory and avoiding any major blowups. That flies in the face of the numbers we have seen thus far though. I’d probably take the plunge in 15’s while leaving him on the shelf for 12’s.

▶ At Your Own Risk

Michael Lorenzen, Rockies, RHP (at Pirates, vs. Diamondbacks)

The “Never Rockies” mantra was seemingly built for fringe options like Lorenzen. There’s just no reason to go here in home or split weeks. Could he sneak past the Pirates with a decent outing, sure, but you can’t like his chances of silencing the Diamondbacks at Coors Field on Sunday. There isn’t enough upside in that veteran right arm to justify the ratio risk that you would be taking on by using him for these two starts. Just say no, there are better options available.

Matt Waldron, Padres, RHP (at Brewers, vs. Mariners)

While he was terrific his last time out, Waldron holds an unappealing 7.71 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 18 2/3 innings in his first four outings for the Padres this season and is far too inconsistent to trust for fantasy purposes. Maybe in the deepest of leagues if you're desperate for volume and need to chase strikeouts, otherwise he's a clear player to avoid this week.

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Mets have reportedly talked to teams about Freddy Peralta

Freddy Peralta throws a pitch in a road grey Mets uniform

The Mets have talked to several teams about trading Freddy Peralta, per a report from Bruce Levine of The Score Chicago, who adds that the team sees June 1 as a target date for either getting back in the playoff race or moving Peralta. Levine followed that up by clarifying that the Cubs, who he named in the initial report, hadn’t spoken directly to the Mets about Peralta.

The concept behind the rumor is plausible, as it would probably make sense for the Mets to move their pitchers on expiring contracts sooner rather than later if the team doesn’t think it’s going to contend. And while it could make sense for the Mets to work out a contract extension with Peralta, it’s hard to see the team committing to seven or eight years, a number that the 29-year-old floated during spring training.

Through his his first eight starts as a Met, Peralta has a 3.12 ERA and a 3.73 FIP, and he’s thrown 43.1 innings for an average of just over five-and-one-third innings per start. The Mets acquired him and fellow right-handed pitcher Tobias Myers in a trade with the Brewers that sent prospects Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat to Milwaukee.

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Where to watch New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers Game 3 NBA playoffs: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Friday, May 8

The New York Knicks will try to take a commanding 3-0 lead over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series. The Knicks won the first two games. The 76ers are favored by 1.5 points in Game 3. Joel Embiid is listed as questionable for Game 3.

  • Spread: Philadelphia 76ers -1.5

  • Moneyline: Philadelphia 76ers -121 (52.4%) / New York Knicks +101 (47.6%)

  • Over/Under: 213.5Series schedule, results

Game 1:Knicks 137, 76ers 98
Game 2:Knicks 108, 76ers 102
Game 3: New York at Philadelphia (Friday May 8, 7 ET, Prime Video)
Game 4: New York at Philadelphia (Sunday May 10, 3:30 ET, ABC)
Game 5: Philadelphia at New York (Tuesday May 12)*
Game 6: New York at Philadelphia (Thursday May 14)*
Game 7: Philadelphia at New York (Sunday May 17)*

*if necessary

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Boston Celtics Daily Links 5/8/26

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 28: The sneakers worn by Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers before the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 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

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Brendan Donovan activated from IL to bolster Mariners offense

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - APRIL 7: Brendan Donovan #33 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates with teammates after hitting a solo home run against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field on April 7, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Seattle Mariners announced Friday that they have activated UTIL Brendan Donovan from the 10-day injured list. Correspondingly, they’ve optioned C Jhonny Pereda back to Triple-A Tacoma. One sharp game in Double-Arkansas was proof enough on his rehab stint for the Mariners to activate Donovan, who should immediately slot back in atop the M’s lineup for their series against the Chicago White Sox.

Donovan’s return also should have an impact on the defensive woes of the Mariners, albeit not clearly a dramatic one. Leo Rivas can recede into his bench role once more, hopefully smoothing some of the overexposure he’d suffered in recent weeks. Donovan has been an adept defender in his career as a utility man, but will likely handle everyday work at third base once more. He’s been historically sat against tough lefty arms, but the M’s aren’t flush enough to easily shelve him for their existing righty bats.

Pereda’s demotion suggests Seattle expects Cal Raleigh to return behind the dish imminently. Raleigh has not hit with any acumen in the past few days since a side issue sidelined him for a few days. While his MRI appeared clean, it’s been tough sledding for the Big Dumper. Mitch Garver has also caught consecutive games for the first time since early August of 2023 as a member of the Texas Rangers.

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Knicks vs 76ers Computer Picks: Our Best Player Prop Projections for Game 3

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The Philadelphia 76ers return home in desperate need of a spark down 0-2, leaning on the energy of the Wells Fargo Center crowd as they try to claw back into the series. 

For Game 3 against the New York Knicks, our NBA player prop projections are locked in, highlighting several high-value opportunities identified by the model.

By analyzing the data against current market lines, we’ve identified where the strongest edges exist.

These 76ers vs. Knicks predictions are driven by numbers instead of guesswork.

If you’re building your card, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Friday, May 8.

Knicks vs 76ers computer picks for Game 3

Knicks Knicks76ers 76ers
Brunson o26.5 points
-112		George o2.5 3-pointers 
-135
Towns u11.5 rebounds
+100		Oubre Jr. o11.5 points
-125
Hart o4.5 assists
-135		Maxey o6.5 assists
+120

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Knicks Game 3 computer picks

Jalen Brunson Over 26.5 points (-112)

Projection: 28.17 points

Jalen Brunson has been a driving force for the New York Knicks, helping them jump out to a 2–0 series lead over the Philadelphia 76ers. He was incredibly efficient in Game 1, shooting 67% from the field en route to 35 points, then followed it up in Game 2 with 26 points on 43% shooting.

He’s either cleared this prop or landed just short of it in recent outings, and he looks like he's well in position to keep that production rolling as the Knicks head to Philadelphia for Game 3.

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Karl-Anthony Towns Under 11.5 rebounds (+100)

Projection: 11.97 rebounds

Karl-Anthony Towns has posted 6 and 10 rebounds in Games 1 and 2 as the Knicks head on the road, and the task won’t get any easier on the glass in a hostile Philadelphia environment where the crowd will be eager to rattle him.

After falling short of this rebound line even at home in New York, it’s fair to expect an even tougher night trying to get there on the road in Philly.

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Josh Hart Over 4.5 assists (-135)

Projection: 4.83 assists

Josh Hart is currently listed as probable for Game 3 with a thumb injury, but if he’s cleared to play, expect him to be heavily involved on both ends as he looks to impact the game in whatever way the New York Knicks need.

From a production standpoint, Hart has consistently delivered in this area, clearing his assists line in 5 of 8 playoff games so far. He’s also recorded six assists in each of the first two games of this series against Philadelphia, reinforcing his steady playmaking presence.

Even with the thumb issue in the background, the expectation is that he continues facilitating and keeping the offense moving without much drop-off in involvement.

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76ers Game 3 computer picks

Paul George Over 2.5 3-pointers (-135)

Projection: 2.74 3-pointers

Paul George has been knocking down shots from beyond the arc with consistency. After drilling 67% of his threes in Game 1 against the Knicks and opening Game 2 on a heater with five made triples, he’ll look to stay aggressive from deep.

With that kind of rhythm already established, he should be even more inclined to keep firing from three-point range in front of the Philly crowd and push past this prop line.

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Kelly Oubre Jr. Over 11.5 points (-125)

Projection: 12.89 points

After putting up 12 and 19 points in Games 1 and 2 against the Knicks, Kelly Oubre Jr.’s scoring line looks well within reach. Philadelphia will need his offensive output — and then some — to help keep New York in check.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet oubre jr. Now at bet365!/span

Tyrese Maxey Over 6.5 assists (+120)

Projection: 6.56 assists

Whether Joel Embiid suits up for Game 3 or not, Tyrese Maxey will be the focal point in Philadelphia’s effort to keep their season alive and they’ll need him to do a little bit of everything.

Getting his teammates involved will be key to slowing down the Knicks, while also easing some of the scoring burden on his shoulders. That balance should work in Maxey’s favor with so much being asked of him.

The more Maxey leans into his role as a facilitator, the better chance the 76ers have of keeping New York off balance and less locked in on their primary playmaker.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet maxey Now at bet365!/span

How to watch Knicks vs 76ers Game 3

LocationXfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
DateFriday, May 8, 2026
Tip-off7:00 p.m. ET
TVPrime

Not intended for use in MA.
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Pacific Northwest Sportswatch Daily Listings

(All times Pacific)
Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts
Saturday, May 9
COLLEGE BASEBALL
9:30 p.m.

Oregon at UCLA — BTN

SOCCER (MEN'S)
10:30 p.m.

MLS: Sporting Kansas City vs. Portland Timbers — Apple TV

MLS: San Diego vs. Seattle Sounders — Apple TV

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV.

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Bucks owner Jimmy Haslam addresses Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors and trade possibility

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 10: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks sits by the court before a game against the Brooklyn Nets at Fiserv Forum on April 10, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Milwaukee Bucks face a difficult decision this offseason regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo and his future with the franchise. Antetokounmpo could be seeking a trade to a team closer to competing for a championship as he enters his 30’s and the Bucks’ attempts at remaining competitive have fallen short, especially after a 50-loss campaign that saw Milwaukee miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season.

What the Bucks are saying about Giannis

Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam spoke about Antetokounmpo’s future and what to expect from him to reporters, including Athletic insider Eric Nehm:

“Listen, Giannis has brought Milwaukee its second championship and the first in 50 years. He’s a phenomenal player. He’s a phenomenal person. He’s arguably one of the best basketball players in the world, and we will do what’s best for Giannis and what’s best for the organization… We don’t know whether Giannis will stay with us or not, but we’ll work through that with Giannis in the coming weeks.”

The Bucks appear to be putting the ball in Giannis’ court, at least publicly. If he wants to stay, the Bucks aren’t going to rush trading him away. As Haslam mentioned, he is one of the greatest players in franchise history, and the Bucks would be silly to trade him for a number of reasons. The owner also told reporters that if the decision is to trade him, they want to have it settled by the draft:

“I just think before the draft is a natural time, right? Because if Giannis does play somewhere else, then we ought to get a lot of assets, and it’s (general manager Jon Horst‘s) job to do it. If he’s here, then you build the team differently.”

Why the Bucks should trade Giannis

The Bucks could benefit from a trade as it will force them to start over with a clean slate to get the rebuild started. Antetokounmpo’s value may not be higher than what it currently is, so the Bucks should cash in and acquire a pillar or two that will help them lay the foundation for what the future of the team will look like. It’s not an easy decision to make and the Bucks have delayed this move for as long as possible, but they may be reaching the end of the road.

Why the Bucks should keep Giannis

Very few legends stay with one team their entire career, and it says something if the Bucks were capable of doing that with Giannis. It would help create a culture that could last way beyond the time Giannis plays his final game with the Bucks. This isn’t to say that once Giannis stops playing in Milwaukee, he won’t be remembered for his time with the franchise, but it will add an extra bit of legacy, satisfaction, and respect around the league if he were to stay with the Bucks for his entire career. The Bucks want to keep Giannis as long as possible, but their willingness to do right by their superstar is a sign of respect in itself, and the team has doubled down on that sentiment many times over the past several years.

Has Giannis played his final game with the Bucks? Chime in in the comments section below.

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Thunder vs. Lakers – Game 3 Round 2 NBA Playoffs – predictions: Odds, stats, trends and best bets for May 9

When last we saw the Lakers they were surrounding the Game 2 officials following their 125-107 loss to the Thunder. LA led that game at the half by a point but was outscored 68-49 in the second half to fall down 2-0 to OKC in the best of seven series.

Did they have a reason to gripe to the officials? There is no doubt that every game presents subjective situations. However, the larger question is will they get the calls they need to climb back into a series in which they are obviously the lesser team? Or does their attempt to question the game officials – which could easily be viewed as an attempt to intimidate them – merely showcase desperation? The Lakers need a spark and frankly, it matters not how they get one.

We will see the results on display Saturday night in Los Angeles for Game 3 of this Western Conference series.

The Thunder will take the court with immense confidence. They are 6-0 in the playoffs and on ethe verge of basically ending this series against the Lakers. Game 2 saw Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren led the way for the Thunder with 22 points apiece. Jared McCain had 18 in 18 minutes off the bench as OKC flexed in the second half to take the two games to none lead in the series. Austin Reaves had 31 and LeBron James 23 in the loss for LA. The supporting cast simply has not been good enough for the purple and gold.

Lets take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.

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

After 24 years, the NBA is back on NBC and Peacock, combining the nostalgia of an iconic era with the innovative future of basketball coverage. The NBA on NBC YouTube channel delivers fans must-see highlights, analysis, and exclusive and unique content. 

Game Details and How to Watch Live: Thunder vs. Lakers

  • Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
  • Time: 8:30PM EST
  • Site: crypto.com Arena
  • City: Los Angeles, CA
  • Network/Streaming: ABC

Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA 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!

Game Odds: Thunder vs. Lakers

The latest odds as of Friday courtesy of DraftKings:

  • Moneyline: Oklahoma City Thunder (-375), Los Angeles Lakers (+295)
  • Spread: Thunder -8.5
  • Total: 211.5 points

This game opened Thunder -8.5 with the Game Total set at 208.5.

Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule! 

Expected Starting Lineups: Thunder vs. Lakers

Oklahoma City Thunder

  • PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
  • SG Luguentz Dort
  • C Isaiah Hartenstein
  • SG Ajay Mitchell
  • PF Chet Holmgren

Los Angeles Lakers

  • PG Marcus Smart
  • SG Austin Reaves
  • C Deandre Ayton
  • PF Rui Hachimura
  • SF LeBron James

Injury Report: Thunder vs. Lakers

Oklahoma City Thunder

  • Jalen Williams (hamstring) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
  • Thomas Sorber (knee) has been declared OUT of tonight’s game

Los Angeles Lakers

  • Luka Doncic (hamstring) has been declared OUT of tonight’s game
  • Jarred Vanderbilt (finger) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game

Important stats, trends and insights: Thunder vs. Lakers

  • The Lakers are 30-14 at home this season
  • The Thunder are 32-10 on the road this season
  • The Lakers are 49-40-1 ATS this season
  • OKC is 43-44-1 ATS this season
  • The OVER has cashed in 48 of the Thunder’s 88 games this season (48-40)
  • The OVER has cashed in 45 of the Lakers’ 90 games this season (45-45)
  • Chet Holmgren was 7-11 from the field including 3-5 from deep
  • Lu Dort scored 3 points in Game 2
  • Dort has failed to reach double digits in scoring in the playoffs this season
  • Jared McCain scored 18 points in 18 minutes in Game 2
  • McCain was the game’s top 3-point shooter knocking down 4 (in 5 attempts) for the second straight game
  • Deandre Ayton pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds
  • Marcus Smart had 5 assists in Game 2 and has 12 for the series

Rotoworld Best Bet

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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
 
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections 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 Saturday’s Thunder and Lakers’ game:

  • Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline
  • Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Thunder -8.5 ATS
  • Total: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Game Total OVER 211.5

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar! 

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 NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: 

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The Hockey Show: Steve Levy On Draft Lottery Fallout, Toronto Highs And Lows, Calling Endless Games

There was a lot to get to on this week’s episode of The Hockey Show.

Between the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the NHL Draft Lottery and a couple new hirings in Toronto, co-hosts Roy Bellamy and David Dwork had plenty to sink their teeth into.

Joining the show to chat about it all was NHL on ESPN host and play-by-play voice Steve Levy.

The boys got Steve’s take on the situation in Toronto, the overall continuing effort by Canadian teams to re-claim the Stanley Cup, the amazing playoff atmospheres in Montreal and Buffalo, Connor McDavid’s future in Edmonton and lots more.

In addition to current league talk, Steve was also asked about some of his biggest and most memorable calls, including a pair of five overtime Stanley Cup Playoff games.

This week’s wins and fails included an awesome marketing idea at Bell Center, an odd quote by Lightning Head Coach Jon Cooper, a major brain fart by Ducks forward Jackson Lacombe the Buffalo Balde Gang getting a run for their money.

You can check out the full show and interview in the videos below:

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Canadiens Select 6-Foot-3 Forward In New Mock Draft

The Athletic's Scott Wheeler recently released his first 2026 NHL Mock Draft. With the Canadiens' first-round pick, he had the Habs selecting forward Simas Ignatavicius. 

Ignatavicius is a big, 6-foot-3 forward with good upside. The 18-year-old forward spent most of this season with Geneve Servette of Switzerland's National League, where he had seven goals, six assists, 13 points, and 43 penalty minutes in 52 games. He also played in eight Swiss League games for HC Thurgau this season, where he had seven goals and 11 points. 

Overall, Ignatavicius has shown promise, and he would have the potential to be a very solid addition to the Canadiens' prospect pool if they drafted him this summer. While the big forward would not be ready for the NHL immediately after his draft year, the potential for him to become an impactful NHL player later down the road is certainly there.

It will be interesting to see who the Canadiens end up taking in the first round at the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. However, they, of course, are currently focused on their second round series against the Buffalo Sabres. 

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Cole Ragans placed on the Injured List

CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 08: Cole Ragans #55 of the Kansas City Royals exits the game after being injured during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on April 08, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Royals announced they have placed pitcher Cole Ragans on the 15-day Injured List with left elbow impingement. Ragans exited his start on Wednesday after four innings with what was reported as soreness and tightness in tricep and the back of his elbow. Anne Rogers reported he had “valgus extension overload”, also known as “pitcher’s elbow” that can result from repetitive throwing. Yordano Ventura suffered a similar injury in 2014 and missed one start. Bailey Falter is also suffering from the same injury and has been out since April 3.

Ragans had twice had Tommy John surgery in his career – in 2018 and 2019, when he was with the Rangers. He told reporters on Wednesday, “I know what I’ve been through, the elbow stuff. I know it’s not what I’ve been through before.” Ragans has battled injuries throughout much of his career so far, missing half of last season with a rotator cuff strain.

To replace Ragans in the rotation, the Royals recalled pitcher Stephen Kolek, who gave the Royals six innings on Tuesday, allowing just three runs. In six starts with the Royals over the last two seasons Kolek has given them six Quality Starts, defined as outings with six or more innings, with three or fewer runs allowed.

The Royals also recalled pitcher Steven Cruz from Triple-A Omaha and returned Eric Cerantola to the Storm Chasers. Cerantola made his Major League debut on Wednesday, and appeared in two games this week, allowing three runs in three innings. Cruz has given up eight runs with seven strikeouts and four walks in five innings in a previous stint with the Royals this season.

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Avalanche vs Wild Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight's NHL Playoffs Game 3

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  • UPDATE: Added a +240 anytime goal scorer pick!

Matt Boldy is shooting the lights out in the playoffs, leading all players with 37 shots on goal.

My Avalanche vs. Wild predictions expect the volume to remain strong in what's essentially a must-win Game 3 at home.

Let's break it all down with my NHL picks for Saturday, May 9.

Puck drop is set for 9 p.m. ET from Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, with the game airing on TNT and Sportsnet. 

Avalanche vs Wild Game 3 prediction today

Avalanche vs Wild best bet: Matt Boldy Over 3.5 shots on goal (-135)

Matt Boldy was one of the league's best shot-generators during the regular season, and the Minnesota Wild forward has seen his volume skyrocket further in the playoffs.

Boldy leads all players with 37 shots on goal, good for an average of 4.6 per game. He is averaging nearly nine shot attempts and has recorded at least seven in all eight games. The volume is incredibly consistent.

Now he is back home, where he has gone Over in all three playoff games while attempting double-digit shots in two of them.

Desperate for a win to get back in the series, the Wild will be heavily reliant on their star sniper.

Avalanche vs Wild Game 3 same-game parlay

Boldy has piled up 11 points through eight playoff games and put forth more multi-point performances (three) than zeros (two). He also hit the scoresheet in all three home dates.

If Boldy threatens the net with at least four shots, there is a good chance he will produce.

It's all about Nathan MacKinnon for the Colorado Avalanche. The Wild allowed the fourth most shots to centers this year, and MacKinnon has taken full advantage.

Regular season included, MacKinnon has averaged 5.66 shots on target while going Over 3.5 in all six meetings.

Avalanche vs Wild SGP

  • Matt Boldy Over 3.5 shots on goal
  • Matt Boldy Over 0.5 points
  • Nathan MacKinnon Over 3.5 shots on goal

Avalanche vs Wild Game 3 goal scorer pick

Ryan Hartman (+240)

Ryan Hartman leads the Wild in scoring chances (28) and high-danger opportunities (21) during the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Scott Wedgewood sports the second-lowest high-danger SV% among goaltenders still playing. Hartman is a likely candidate to take advantage.

Avalanche vs Wild odds for Game 3 today

  • Moneyline: Avalanche -125 | Wild +105
  • Puck Line: Avalanche -1.5 (+190) | Wild +1.5 (-230)
  • Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+105) | Under 6.5 (-125)

Avalanche vs Wild trend

Boldy has eclipsed 3.5 shots in eight of his last 10 home games. Find more NHL betting trends for Avalanche vs. Wild.

How to watch Avalanche vs Wild Game 3

LocationGrand Casino Arena, Saint Paul, MN
DateSaturday, May 9, 2026
Puck drop9:00 p.m. ET
TVTNT, Sportsnet

Avalanche vs Wild latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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Minor League roundup, May 7: Daniel Susac’s rehab is dingerific

View from behind of Daniel Susac swinging.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 7: Daniel Susac #6 of the San Francisco Giants hits a triple against the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning at Oracle Park on April 7, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brandon Vallance/Getty Images) | Getty Images

There are five San Francisco Giants Minor League Baseball teams in-season right now — the Dominican Summer League season doesn’t start for a few more weeks — and all five were in action on Thursday. It was a fun, fun day, so let’s jump straight into it.

Link to the 2026 McCovey Chronicles Community Prospect List (CPL)

All listed positions in the roundup are the position played in that particular game.

News

A bit of a catcher carousel on the farm. Major Leaguer Daniel Susac (No. 20 CPL) began a rehab assignment with AAA Sacramento and, in return, Sacramento returned Ty Hanchey to High-A Eugene. Eugene also activated Jancel Villarroel (No. 42 CPL) off the Injured List and, with those 2 returning, released Luke Shliger, their 6th-round pick in 2023. Completing the carousel was Zach Morgan, who was moved from AA Richmond to Sacramento.

Richmond also placed RHP Brad Deppermann on the 7-Day IL, while welcoming in LHP Dale Stanavich, who was moved up from the Arizona Complex League as he looks to get his season actually started.

AAA Sacramento (19-15)

Sacramento River Cats beat the Reno Aces (Diamondbacks) 6-3
Box score

The Giants offense is catastrophically awful. You know the things I’m about to tell you, but I’m telling you them anyway, for emphasis: the Giants are below league average in batting average; the Giants are dead last in on-base percentage; the Giants are 28th in slugging percentage; the Giants are dead last in runs per game by more than half a run; the Giants are dead last in home runs hit, with 7 different teams at least doubling their total.

They’ve already called on their reinforcements in Sacramento when they called up Bryce Eldridge (No. 1 CPL) and Jesús Rodríguez (No. 16 CPL) on Monday. But now there are new reinforcements on the way, as Daniel Susac (No. 20 CPL) began his rehab assignment on Thursday. Playing at designated hitter, Susac picked up right where he left off in the Majors before getting injured: he came to the plate 4 times, he left with a hit 3 times, and he cleared the fence 2 times.

Suffice to say, Susac’s rehab isn’t going to last very long if it looks like that, and the Giants offense stands to benefit from his return. I don’t envy Tony Vitello figuring out how to make the Susac/Rodríguez/Patrick Bailey catcher triad work, but sadly I’m not getting paid millions of dollars to make those decisions. Either way, it will be great seeing Susac back in San Francisco, and my guess is he’ll be activated by the time the Giants start their series with the Dodgers on Monday.

He wasn’t the only reinforcement to go deep, either, as center fielder Harrison Bader led off the first inning with a big fly, which was great to see. Bader, who finished 1-4 with a strikeout, is deeper into his rehab than Susac — this was his 3rd game with the River Cats — but is probably further away from getting activated. He professed a desire to have a lengthy rehab stint to make up for the time he lost in Spring Training, and given how bad he was before hitting the IL this year, I’m guessing the Giants are more than inclined to accommodate that.

It wasn’t just the Major Leaguers who did work, though, as third baseman Buddy Kennedy had yet another delightful game, hitting 2-4 with both a home run and a double, giving him dingers on back-to-back days.

Kennedy has been consistently excellent all year, and now has a .920 OPS, a 147 wRC+, and just a 13.7% strikeout rate. What a nice emergency depth piece he is to have around.

On the pitching front, LHP John Michael Bertrand did something you very rarely see in this era: he pitched deep into a game and didn’t record a strikeout. Bertrand went a whole 6.1 innings in this one, and didn’t strike out any of the 27 batters that he faced. He had strong control all game, with just 1 walk issued, but allowed 7 hits (including a home run), which tagged him for 3 earned runs.

A 28-year old who was taken in the 10th round in 2022, Bertrand has the funkiness and ground ball rate (50.9%) to potentially get outs at the next level, but it still is jarring seeing someone strike out so few people. On the year, he’s struck out just 17 of 152 batters, en route to a 4.64 ERA and a 6.18 FIP.

RHP Dylan Smith continued his strong season, as he tossed 1.2 no-hit innings with 1 walk and 3 strikeouts. The 2021 3rd-round pick by the Tigers, who was acquired at the start of the season, is down to a 2.13 ERA and a 3.40 FIP. He’s walking way too many batters (5.7 per 9 innings), but striking out quite a few as well (10.7 per 9), while running a 53.8% ground ball rate. That underscores how good he’s been, as all of the damage against him came in 1 blow up performance; he hasn’t allowed a run in his other 8 appearances. He’s on the 40-man roster, so could be an option in the MLB bullpen soon.

AA Richmond (23-6)

Richmond Flying Squirrels beat the Akron RubberDucks (Guardians) 5-4
Box score

A day after beating Akron 5-4 thanks to a magical 9th inning rally, Richmond again beat Akron 5-4 …. this time while withstanding a nearly-magical 9th inning rally by their opponent.

Fresh off of being named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Month for April, RHP Darien Smith had his worst start of the year … which highlighted just how great his season has been, because it was a pretty nice start!

Smith allowed 2 runs in 4.2 innings, which marked the 1st time this year he’s ceded multiple runs in a game. But he did a decent job throwing strikes, and had a delightful 6 strikeouts against just 1 walk. The damage came on the hit front, where he only gave up 4, but that included both a home run and a double.

That was a change of pace for Smith, a 26-year old undrafted free agent in his 2nd season. He’s had some issues with walks this year, but has mostly done his damage by limiting hits: in 29.2 innings this season, the Southeastern alum had allowed just 18 hits. He’s only ceded 4 extra-base hits all year, though 3 of them have been home runs, which is part of why his FIP (4.18) is so dramatically behind his majestic ERA (1.52).

Smith gave way to LHP Dale Stanavich, who made his Richmond debut. Stanavich, a 26-year old who was taken in the 8th round in 2022 by the Marlins, signed a Minor League deal with the Giants at the start of the season, and took a few weeks to debut. He made a pair of appearances in the ACL, before getting sent up to AA, a level he excelled at last year before running into troubles in AAA.

It was strikeouts that led Stanavich to success in AA: between stints there in 2024 and 2025, he had a stunning 100 strikeouts in just 68 innings. And the switch from the Southern League to the Eastern League didn’t seem to change that: in Stanavich’s Squirrels debut he faced 5 batters and struck out 4 of them, with the other being a walk. That’ll play!

Also nice relief outings from RHPs Manuel Mercedes and Dylan Hecht, who have been having tough seasons, while RHP Cameron Pferrer had another difficult outing that ballooned his ERA to double digits.

No crazy days on offense, but a lot of good ones. There were 5 different players in the lineup who reached base multiple times, including a trio of hitters who had multi-hit games: designated hitter Parks Harber (No. 17 CPL), shortstop Aeverson Arteaga, and catcher Adrián Sugastey.

Harber hit 2-4 with a double and 2 strikeouts, as he continues to get up to speed following a lengthy injury absence to start the season. Not surprisingly, Harber has been striking out quite a bit — a predictable situation given his tardiness to start the season, and the fact that swing-and-miss has always been a little bit of a struggle for him. He’s rocking a 32.7% strikeout rate to start the year, and that will certainly need to come down at some point. But the strikeouts aren’t keeping him from racking up the hits: he has a .327 batting average, and in 11 games already has 7 doubles (though he’s still looking for his 1st AA home run).

Arteaga hit 2-3 with a double, though he also committed his 4th error of the season. The stunning renaissance continues for the 23-year old, who has raised his year-over-year OPS by more than 400 points, from .508 to .929, and his wRC+ by nearly 100 points, from 49 to 144. What a recovery!

As for Sugastey, he hit 2-4 as he continues to show great bat-to-ball skills. That’s never been a question for the 23-year old from Panama, but his struggles to hit for power and draw walks have been. Those issues remain this year, which is how he has just a .669 OPS and a 72 wRC+ despite a .267 batting average.

High-A Eugene (22-7)

Eugene Emeralds lost to the Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays) 3-2
Box score

Eugene has been an exciting team this year, but this was a boring game. Not a lot to highlight or talk about. The best performance came from the piggy-backing starter, RHP Niko Mazza, who continues to show off dramatic improvements with his strikeout stuff. Mazza struck out a whopping 7 batters in just 3.2 innings, and now has 12.7 Ks per 9 innings … after having just 8.7 in his debut last year at a lower level. Where did that come from?!

Some of it has come from just committing to being more wild, it seems, as Mazza has taken a step backwards in the control department, where he already wasn’t good. That was certainly the case on Thursday, when he walked 4 batters, which brought his walks per 9 up to a staggering 7.4. He is certainly living on the extremes of not putting the ball in play, for better and for worse!

If Mazza can control the walks, he’ll become very, very good, as the 2024 8th-round pick has been nearly unhittable this season. He allowed just 1 hit in his 3.2 scoreless innings, and has now allowed just 12 hits in 22 innings. That’s resulted in a stellar 2.86 ERA, though the walks have pushed his FIP to 4.12.

Things weren’t so good for the 1st starter, LHP Tyler Switalski. The 22-year old struck out 5 batters in just 3.2 innings, but that’s where the good news ended, as he also allowed 6 hits, 3 walks, and 3 runs. After being virtually unhittable to start the year, the 2024 16th-round selection has fallen on some hard times. Check the dramatic splits:

First 3 games: 12 innings, 4 hits, 0 runs, 22 strikeouts
Next 3 games: 14.1 innings, 17 hits, 10 runs, 14 strikeouts

Most notably, Switalski has now given up 4 home runs, after allowing just 3 all of last year, which was his debut season. Still and all, it’s been a very encouraging year for the West Virginia alum, who has a 3.42 ERA and a 4.14 FIP. After striking out just 7.6 batters per 9 innings last year (in Low and High-A), Switalski has pumped that number all the way up to 12.3 … while also lowering his walks per 9 from 3.7 to 3.1.

Not much on offense, where the Ems only had 5 hits on the day. First baseman Jakob Christian (No. 40 CPL) had the only extra-base hit, as he went 1-4 with a double and a strikeout, as he continues to hit the ground running. Christian missed the 1st month of the year with an injury, but has had no rust to shake off: through 5 games, he’s hitting 7-14 with 4 doubles, 2 walks, and just 3 strikeouts. The strikeouts are the thing to keep an eye on: the 2024 5th-round pick can do serious damage with his right-handed bat, but has had a huge strikeout issue so far in his career.

Third baseman Walker Martin had a nice game, hitting 1-3 with a walk and his 8th stolen base of the year, though he also struck out once and committed his 10th error of the season. After a nice start to the season, his numbers have started to head in the wrong direction, as he has a .722 OPS, a 106 wRC+, and a 31.6% strikeout rate.

Low-A San Jose (18-12)

San Jose Giants lost to the Fresno Grizzlies (Rockies) 12-8
Box score

Thursday was a mixed bag for the Baby Giants, as it was a game where one of their stars shone very, very, very brightly …. while one of their other stars almost single-handedly lost them the game.

Let’s start with the bad, which transpired on the mound: in his 1st start since an 8-strikeout masterpiece, RHP Argenis Cayama (No. 13 CPL) was unable to make it out of the 1st inning. He gave up a single on his very 1st pitch, and that was a sign of what was to come: the next batter homered, the next batter doubled, the next batter homered, the next batter singled, and then Cayama walked 2 to load the bases. He finally settled in with a pair of ground outs — both of which scored runs — before allowing another walk, throwing a wild pitch, issuing another walk, and getting yanked from the game.

In all, Cayama gave up 6 hits, 3 walks, and 7 runs in just 0.2 innings, didn’t record a strikeout, and threw just 20 of 35 pitches for strikes. And with that, his ERA nearly doubled in 1 game. Bad games happen, though, and if you want to know how much of an outlier this one was, Cayama entered the contest with 30 strikeouts against just 1 walk. Time to shake it off.

But the great performance was nearly as great as Cayama’s blow up was bad, and it came from the predictable player: shortstop Jhonny Level (No. 3 CPL). Level continued his assault on Cal League pitchers, going 2-3 with a 3-run home run, 2 walks, and 1 strikeout.

The 19-year old switch-hitter has now had multiple hits in 13 of the 25 games he’s played in this year, and is at or near the top of the Cal League ranks in nearly every statistical category. A .997 OPS and a 147 wRC+ are blissful as is, but they only get better when you add in the 16.7% strikeout rate, the strong defense at shortstop, and the whole being more than 2 years younger than his average peer thing.

You really couldn’t ask for a better start to the season than the one Level has had, and his 16 extra-base hits have left no doubt that his lack of height does not mean a lack of power. I’m guessing the Giants will be plenty patient with him, but I’m also guessing the “when do we promote this guy?” discussions have already commenced.

The other star was someone who is heating up in a huge way: third baseman Dario Reynoso, who hit 1-2 with a solo home run and 2 walks. After failing to go deep in his 1st 30 games with San Jose, Reynoso has now put the ball over the fence 4 times in the last 6 games, including 3 days in a row. He’s on fire!

The recently-turned 21-year old is rocking a 1.011 OPS and a 157 wRC+, with a hilarious 22.1% walk rate (high walk rates have always been a part of his profile). His strikeout rate is a still-concerning 29.5%, though it’s worth noting that that figure represents a notable improvement over last year at both Low-A and the ACL.

Right fielder Jose Astudillo, on the other hand, has never had a strikeout issue, and that continued on Thursday, when he went 2-3 with a hit by pitch. A recently-turned 22-year old from Venezuela, Astudillo started the season late but has hit the ground running: in 5 games, he’s 7-18 with 2 walks and just 1 strikeout, though he’s still searching for his 1st extra-base hit.

Those were the stars, as no one really had a great game on the mound after Cayama’s brutal start. RHP Ben Bybee had a nice game though, in his 2nd career outing. It wasn’t as good as his professional debut — 3 no-hit innings is hard to top — but last year’s 8th-round selection showed off some nice stuff by striking out 4 batters in 3.1 innings. The 22-year old from Arkansas also allowed 3 hits, 1 walk, and 1 run, and threw 29 of 43 pitches for strikes.

Arizona Complex League (1-3)

ACL Giants beat the ACL Reds 7-6 (11 innings)
Box score

It has taken no time at all for shortstop Luis Hernández (No. 6 CPL) to prove that he is the real deal. The real deal who deserved to be the No. 1 ranked international signee this year. The real deal who deserved to skip the Dominican Summer League and come to the states as a 17-year old. The real deal who is worth dreaming on.

Hernández’s 4th professional game was his best, as he hit 3-5, drew a walk, and smashed a solo home run. He’s 5-16 with 3 home runs, 2 walks, and just 2 strikeouts to start his career. That seems …. really good. Really good for a 19-year old first baseman, but really good for a defensively-gifted shortstop who turned 17 in December. As with Jhonny Level’s hot opening weeks, we’re going to need to see this maintain for a while before we start dreaming about early promotions, but … my goodness. You just don’t see this often at all.

Hernández was far and away the bright spot in this game, as he was the only player with an extra-base hit. But there were other good performances as well. Catcher Yohendry Sanchez hit 2-5 with a walk and a strikeout, as the 19-year old is 5-9 to start his stateside career. Third baseman Yulian Barreto went 1-4 with a walk, a hit by pitch, and a strikeout (though he also had an error), and is 5-12 with 2 walks and 2 hit by pitches as the 18-year old begins his 2nd season, and his first in the US.

Second baseman Josuar González (No. 2 CPL) hit 1-4 with a strikeout as he tries to shake off the rust of missing a chunk of the spring with a hamstring injury. The 18-year old switch-hitter has been slow-played to start the year due to that injury, as he’s yet to play a full game. This was the 1st time in his career that he played a defensive position other than shortstop, as he and Hernández are going to split time at the six, though it’s worth noting that González is probably the strongest defensive shortstop in the system.

Only 1 pitching day that stood out, but it sure did stand out, as RHP Chen-Hsun Lee was dynamic. A 24-year old from Taiwan, Lee is finally healthy: the Giants signed him in 2023, but he appeared in just 4 games before being shut down, and missed all of 2024 and 2025. He struggled in his 2026 debut, but not in his follow-up on Thursday, when he allowed just 1 hit in 3 scoreless innings, while striking out 6 batters. Yup, that works!

Home run tracker

5 — Jhonny Level — [Low-A]
4 — Dario Reynoso — [Low-A]
3 — Buddy Kennedy — [AAA]
3 — Luis Hernández — [ACL]
2 — Daniel Susac x2 — [AAA]
1 — Harrison Bader — [AAA]

Friday schedule

Sacramento: 6:45 p.m. PT vs. Reno (SP: Carson Whisenhunt)
Richmond: 4:05 p.m. PT vs. Akron (SP: Cesar Perdomo)
Eugene: 6:35 p.m. PT vs. Vancouver (SP: Luis De La Torre)
San Jose: 7:00 p.m. PT vs. Fresno (SP: Braydon Risley)

Reminder that almost all MiLB games can be watched on MLB TV

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Dodgers welcome NL-best Braves to Dodger Stadium

After an uneven .500 road trip, the Dodgers return home to Chavez Ravine to welcome one of the best teams in MLB, the Atlanta Braves. The Braves are tied with the surging Chicago Cubs and the New York Yankees for the best record in baseball.

The Dodgers offense, who has been hot and cold, will start off with a tough challenge right off the bat. The Braves will send Chris Sale to the mound on Friday night. Sale is 6-1 with a 2.14 ERA and has allowed one run or fewer over at least six innings in six of his seven starts this season, including his last outing in Colorado when he allowed one run on three hits with a season high 11 strikeouts. Over his last four starts, Sale is 4-0 with 33 strikeouts and just seven walks. It will be a real test for the offense which is coming off a game in which they scored 12 runs but still isn’t quite firing on all cylinders.

Emmet Sheehan will take the mound for the Dodgers and is coming off a start in which he allowed three earned runs in the first inning against St. Louis. He has one career start against the Braves which was in 2023 where he allowed one run on three hits over four innings.

Braves first baseman Matt Olson is leading the National League in homers, with four of his 13 coming in the last six games. Second baseman Ozzie Albies has been hot as of late, owning a .386 BA with a 1.115 OPS over his last 15 games. The Braves as a team lead the NL in home runs with 55.

Some things could be in the Dodgers’ favor. The Braves are coming off their first series loss of the season to the Mariners in Seattle this week. Atlanta also hasn’t fared well at Dodger Stadium in recent years, with the Dodgers taking 21 of 27 games, including playoffs. The Braves swept the Dodgers in 2023 at Dodger Stadium but have lost their last seven games there. Chris Sale also hasn’t historically performed well against the Dodgers, having a 1-2 record with a 6.65 ERA lifetime, and in his two starts in L.A. he’s 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA.

Friday game info
  • Teams: Dodgers vs. Braves
  • Ballpark: Dodger Stadium
  • Time: 7:10 p.m.
  • TV: SportsNet LA
  • Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)