May 16, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) receives congratulations from right fielder Jesus Sanchez (12) after scoring in the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
The rubber match of a three-game weekend series against the Toronto Blue Jays took place on a sunny, summer-like Sunday afternoon in Detroit. Alas, the Tigers dropped the finale and thus the series by a 4-1 score.
Jack Flaherty made his tenth start for the Tigers, and his troubles have been well-documented this season. His troubles can begin with a lack of control, putting hitters on via hit or walk, and then he loses his concentration and all hell breaks loose. He needs to be able to re-focus when he gets rattled; anyone who’s ever played baseball knows how big the mental side of the game is. As Yogi Berra once observed, “Baseball is ninety percent mental; the other half is physical.”
The veteran Kevin Gausman made his tenth start for Toronto today. He’s been his normal, dependable self; in his fifth season in Toronto he’s consistenly turned out seasons with a 3-4 ERA, roughly 180 innings pitched, a WHIP of about 1.1, and about one home run surrendered per nine innings. You could set your watch by this guy.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who has been in a massive slump, laser-beamed a too-inside fastball over the left field fence for a 1-0 Toronto lead with one out in the first. Daulton Varsho followed with a double off the top of the right-field wall, and Jesús Sánchez singled to centre to put runners on the corners. A wild pitch scored Varsho to put Toronto up 2-0, and you really had to wonder if the first inning was going to spiral out of control for Flaherty. But after a flyout pushed Sánchez up to third, Ernie Clement grounded out to shortstop to end the inning.
The Blue Jays added another pair of runs in the top of the third: Guerrero singled, scored on a Varsho triple, who then scored on a Sánchez sacrifice fly. When the dust settled it was 4-0.
Aside from dealing with Guerrero and Varsho, though, Flaherty was actually pretty good today; his final inning saw him get a couple of flyouts and a strikeout. His final line: 6 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 4 K. Notably, he didn’t walk anyone; while his command certainly wasn’t as crisp as it could’ve been, not walking anyone was a big step up.
The Tigers couldn’t get a lot going on offence while Flaherty was pitching, though: there were some singles scattered around, but getting a runner past first base proved to be too much of a challenge. For example: in the sixth, Dillon Dingler got his second hit of the day, a single to centre with one out. But then Colt Keith flew out and Riley Greene struck out, and that was that.
Burch Smith relieved Flaherty in the seventh, and he gave up a harmless single to Davis Schneider but that was all. He carried on to the eighth and got Guerrero to fly out, and Enmanel De Jesus took over to face Varsho, the lefty, who he walked. A pair of flyouts ended the inning, though.
The Tigers got their first runner past first base in the bottom of the eighth: Wenceel Pérez led off with a single, and with one out Kevin McGonigle singled, putting runners on the corners. Dingler walked to load the bases, and Jahmai Jones was called-upon to pinch hit, and he hit a slow grounder to third base; Clement got one out at second but it was hit too slowly for a double play, allowing a run to score to make it 4-1 with two out.
Alas, Greene then grounded out to second and the side was retired. That was a big-league squander, for sure.
De Jesus carried on into the ninth and got a pair of quick outs; Brandon Valenzuela singled up the middle, but Schneider grounded out to second for the third out.
Submariner Tyler Rogers came on for Toronto in the ninth. I was once watching a minor-league game and a submariner came into the game; I watched him warm up and thought to myself, “How in the world does anyone get a hit off someone like this?” Well, on the first pitch he threw to a batter he cracked a home run, so clearly I don’t know anything about anything. Anyway, on this particular afternoon, Matt Vierling walked, and a Gage Workman grounder to shortstop was initially called a double play but upon review was just a forceout at second. But Zach McKinstry flew out to centre for the second out, and Torkelson struck out looking to end the game.
On Monday the Tigers travel to Cleveland to start a four-game series with the team that currently leads the American League Central, which looks these days like a division that’s allergic to winning records.
Ty Madden, who was hit on the forearm on a comebacker Friday night, was placed on the Injured List; Will Vest returned to the Tigers in his place.
As has been the case all weekend, there were plenty of Blue Jays fans that made the trip down the 401 to Detroit to see their team play on real grass. Me, I always go down the 402 instead and cross at Port Huron, because that London-to-Windsor stretch on the 401 is easily the most boring stretch of highway on the continent.
This weekend in Canada is the Victoria Day long weekend, in which we celebrate the birthday of a monarch who’s been dead for 125 years. Her birthday was May 24; the holiday is celebrated on the Monday in May which is either on, or just before, May 24th. It’s the unofficial start of the summer season in Canada: there are fireworks, trips to the cottage, and ritualistic animal sacrifices all across the country. It’s great.
May 17, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the second inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
With Zack Wheeler going against Paul Skenes, it looked like we were in for a pitcher’s duel on Sunday. And that’s exactly what we got for five innings or so. But eventually, Skenes faltered while Wheeler stayed strong, and the Phillies emerged with a 6-0 victory over the Pirates that completed a sweep and put them above .500 for the first time since.
The aces were dominating through the first four innings. Each team had just one hit, and it looked like it might come down to which ace blinked first.
In the fifth, Skenes was the one who blinked. Adolis Garcia led off the frame with a walk, and advanced to third on a J.T. Realmuto single. A Justin Crawford groundout got the Phillies’ first run home, and a Trea Turner single brought home the second.
For most teams, that’s about as much as they can hope to get off Skenes in a given game, but the Phillies weren’t done. Bryce Harper started off the fifth with a blast to centerfield to make it 3-0.
Alec Bohm and Brandon Marsh followed with hits to chase Skenes from the game and gave the Phillies a crack at the Pirates’ much less imposing bullpen. Pirates’ reliever Isaac Mattson began his stint by hitting Garcia (his second HBP of the day, maybe he owes the Pirates money?) and allowing an RBI double to Bryson Stott.
Unlike Skenes, Wheeler continued to cruise. He came close to giving up a run in the sixth when a hit by Brandon Lowe was originally ruled a home run, but review showed it was a double aided by fan interference.
Aside from that, Wheeler was never seriously threatened. His final tally: Seven innings, zero runs, four hits, one walk, and eight strikeouts.
The Phillies tacked on a run in the eighth on a Bryson Stott laser of a home run, and it felt like they were rubbing it in the Pirates’ faces a bit.
It was a great weekend for the Phillies in Pittsburgh. They had a massive comeback on Friday night and then recorded two dominating wins behind two of the best pitchers in baseball. The biggest winner of the weekend might by Cristopher Sanchez, who might have seized the unofficial title of “best pitcher in the National League” from Skenes.
The Phillies will try to keep the good times going on Monday as they return home to face the Reds. Andrew Painter will be on the mound, and the hope is that maybe he learned a thing or two from watching his ace teammates over the weekend.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 17: Kyle Manzardo #9 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates with teammates after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field on May 17, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As the Rivalry Weekend comes to a close, the Ohio Cup returns to Cleveland for now. In Game 3 of this weekend series, the Cleveland Guardians took the series closer and the series from the Cincinnati Reds.
Gavin Williams was given an additional day of rest after switching his spot in the lineup with Joey Cantillo. Gavin had another fantastic quality start today, throwing 6.0 innings with 2R, 8H, 0BB, and 7Ks on 93 pitches, giving the Guards bullpen a nice reprieve to end the week.
Gavin was given plenty of run support to ease some stress from his start. The Guardians decided to not play Guards Ball and to host a mini-HR derby.
In the bottom of the first José Ramírez drew a one-out walk, a mistake on Brady Singer that would be immediately punished. Chase DeLauter watched a sinker go over the plate for strike one. The next pitch, an inside slider, was launched 371 feet to right field for a quick two-run home run to start the game.
In the bottom of the third, Chase DeLauter hit a one-out single to center to reach base. Kyle Manzardo took a page from CDL and launched his own two-run home run, 382 feet to right.
Brayan Rocchio got in on the home run fun. In the bottom of the fourth, with one-out, Rocchio worked a 2-2 count then slapped a sweeper low and over the plate 388 feet to right center.
In the bottom of the fifth, with a new pitcher on the mound, Kyle Manzardo slapped a first pitch, one-out home run 406 feet to right center for his second home run of the game!
Tim Herrin came on to pitch the seventh inning. His only base runner was a one-out walk to Matt McLain. Other than that, Herrin struck out 3 to retire the side. The bottom of the seventh saw the return of more home runs!
Travis Bazzana hit a one-out single, but was caught stealing second as he over slid the bag. Steven Kwan drew a two-out walk and Angel Martínez tacked on his own two-run home run to put the Guardians up 8-2 over the Reds.
Codi Heuer replaced Tim Herrin in the top of the eighth. He had a similar outing to Herrin’s. His only baserunner was a walk to Sal Stewart. Heuer struck out the first two batters and got a pop out to retire the side with only 13 pitches.
The bottom of the eighth started with Rocchio being hit by pitch. José finally got in on the home runs with a fly ball to center, hit 407 feet to score two more runs.
All of Cleveland’s runs came on home runs today. When is the last time this team has scored double digits, solely on home runs? With this team having felt on the precipice of a offensive breakout for seemingly weeks now, but just falling short, maybe they just needed some warm weather to get things going.
Codi Heuer closed it out for Cleveland, giving up a one-out single and double. Matt McLain ran himself into an out as Blake Dunn made his way to third.
The Guards did allow another run late in the ninth on a misplayed ball by Daniel Schneemann. It didn’t matter for long as Cleveland got the final out to close it on this game.
If today was a preview to what this summer will look like as the heat and humidity climbs, I am quite excited.
25 years ago, in our Mar 9, 2001 issue No. 26, vol. 54, we focused on a pair of Russian stars named Alexei. One was a current Senators star and the other was a future one, and Ottawa's memories of both men are mixed.
Alexei Yashin and Alexei Kovalev are both remembered for their high skill level, but also for their high maintenance.
In the 2000-01 season, two years after Yashin finished second in Hart Trophy voting, and one year after he skipped the entire Senators season in a contract holdout, he finished 12th in NHL scoring with 88 points in 82 games.
Pittsburgh's Alexei Kovalev was still nine years away from his one season in Ottawa, and finished fourth in NHL scoring with 95 points in 79 games. Of course, he had the benefit of playing with Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr.
Drake Batherson talks about his respect for the way Brady Tkachuk handled some of the non-hockey issues that came his way this season.
Joe Starkey wrote about Kovalev, who had his best season that year, following his years of underachieving with the New York Rangers. Bruce Garrioch wrote about Yashin's welcome return to the lineup after a contract holdout the season before.
Here's a little hockey time travel, back to 2001.
KOVALEV THRIVING IN PITTSBURGH
By Joe Starkey
He just takes the puck with one or two guys on top of him and can take it to the net. That makes any player look good, when you can stickhandle with two guys on your back and get the puck to the net and be able to shoot. That’s what he does. He takes it to the net from anywhere.
Alexei Kovalev’s many critics are forgiven. Kovalev has no time for resentment or revenge. No time to rub it in. He’s too busy torturing opposing goaltenders to worry about his critics.
Besides, they’re all hanging out in the same closet these days and are difficult to reach.
“I don’t want to show anything to anybody,” says Kovalev, Pittsburgh’s “other” star right winger. “I’m not that kind of guy. I want to prove to myself that I can be a better player.”
Amid all the excitement surrounding Mario Lemieux’s comeback and Jaromir Jagr’s chase for a fourth consecutive scoring title, Kovalev has quietly put together a career season. One might say this 28-year-old with a pilot’s license is just starting to fly.
“I feel I can do a lot more,” he says. “And here I am.”
All those people who said Kovalev didn’t shoot enough? Through 59 games he was tied with Colorado’s Joe Sakic for second in the league in shots with 235.
All those people who said Kovalev would never score 30 goals? He bagged No. 30 on Feb. 7 against Philadelphia, part of a two-game binge in which he netted consecutive hat tricks. Through 60 games he had 36 goals and 70 points, both career highs.
Oh, and all those people who said Kovalev doesn’t understand that the object of the game is to put the puck in the net? Well, we called one of them - and Neil Smith still loses his mind when he thinks back to Kovalev’s days as a New York Ranger.
He was the GM during the Kovalev years (1992-98) and as much as Smith adores Kovalev, he doesn’t back down from any of the statements he made toward the end of Kovalev’s stint in Manhattan.
“Alex obviously didn’t understand that putting the puck in the net is actually what wins hockey games,” says Smith, now a consultant with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. “I know it seems simple, but Alex really didn’t get it. It doesn’t matter how tough we are, how good we’re able to kill penalties, how fast we are, what our average age is. What does matter is that the number underneath our name has to be bigger than the other guys’, which means that all that matters is we have to put the rubber disc into the other guvs’ net.”
Alexei Kovalev is finally getting all the right bounces.
If it seems like Smith needs a tranquilizer now, imagine how he felt watching Kovalev circle around like a malfunctioning satellite, spinning into infinity, attempting to beat the same defenseman three times but rarely attempting a shot on goal. That happened often.
“He grew up playing keepaway hockey with the kids in his neighborhood - him versus everybody,” Smith says. “The objective wasn’t to score, but who could keep the puck. He carried that right into the NHL.”
The easygoing Kovalev had no hard feelings when Smith first made the critical statements. He still doesn’t. “Maybe Neil said something at the end, but he did a lot of good things for me, too,” said the native of Togliatti, Russia. “He kept me on the team when (coach) Mike Keenan wanted to trade me the year we won the Cup (1994).”
Kovalev rang up 21 points in 23 playoff games that year, but failed to build on it, never managing even 60 points as a Ranger.
Smith finally gave up on Kovalev on Nov. 25, 1998, shipping him to the Penguins along with $2.5 million and center Harry York in exchange for Petr Nedved, Chris Tamer and Sean Pronger. That move helped the bankrupt Penguins meet payroll. Three years later, Kovalev is ready to break the bank. He’s in the final year of a contract that pays him $2.3 million this season.
Kovalev also found freedom in Pittsburgh. In New York, nobody wanted to blame Wayne Gretzky or Mark Messier for the team’s failures. Kovalev was next up.
“Here, he’s a whole different player,” says Kevin Stevens. “You leave him alone and he’s a top-10, top-15 player in the league, a phenomenal talent.”
Kovalev’s rise actually started last season, when he produced a careerbest 26 goals and 66 points. This season, he was leading the team in ice time (23:48 per game), game-winners (eight) and shorthanded goals (two) and was tied for the lead in power play goals (nine).
Besides snooting more, another factor in Kovalev’s success is having familiar, steady linemates in Robert Lang and Martin Straka. But the biggest reason for his breakthrough is his coaches have given him the freedom to be himself.
“They let me play the game I love to play and it made a big difference,” he said.
Smith couldn’t be happier to see Kovalev enjoying so much success. One thing Kovalev never lost in New York was his love for the game. Not even at the end, on the day Smith traded him.
“I said, Alex, I’m sorry, but I have to do what I have to do,’” Smith said. “And do you know what he said? He said, ‘That’s OK, Neil, I’m still going to be able to play hockey. I just won’t be playing in New York.’ He didn’t have the reaction I thought he’d have. What’s life and death to Alexei Kovalev is playing hockey. He loves to play.” □
COMRADES IN ARMS
Friends and former teammates in Russia, Alexei Kovalev and Alexei Yashin have been best known for their ability to infuriate - Kovalev by not living up to his potential, Yashin by not living up to his contracts. This season they are making amends with inspired performances. Come this summer, it’s payback time. ■
YASHIN'S RETURN TO OTTAWA
By Bruce Garrioch
He’s one of the most talented players I’ve ever seen. He can do things with the puck that are amazing. In junior he was unbelievable. It’s good to see him playing well and having success. He’s a good player and a good guy. You like to see him enjoy playing.
Alexei Yashin’s comeback has been nothing like the celebrated one by Mario Lemieux in Pittsburgh. Instead, the Ottawa Senator had to get back in the good books by proving himself all over again.
After spending a year on the run from the final year of a contract that pays him $3.6 million this season, the star center gave up the fight last summer when an Ontario court judge ruled Yashin’s only choice was to honor his deal.
But now the boos which rained down on him during the pre-season have mostly turned to cheers. And while some critics suggested the Senators were better off without Yashin, he has, after a mediocre start, reemerged as an elite player. A noted patron of the arts, Yashin realizes the truest test is in his performance.
“When I put on the No. 19 jersey I always play with all my heart,” he says.
“I’m here and I’m going to do my best for the Ottawa Senators. I always do the best I can do whenever I step on the ice. Sometimes the points are not always there, but that doesn’t mean I’m not trying.”
The questions started the warm September afternoon Yashin stood on a podium in the bowels of the Corel Centre, wearing his new leather pants and acting defiant as he talked about his return.
He came back to the Senators as a man with a lot to prove, and prove it he has. Determined to make $8-to-$10 million next season, he recently passed Marian Hossa for the club scoring lead after trailing him by as many as 15 points.
Were it not for the sluggish start, Yashin would be on pace for a career year. As it is, he’s on pace for 86 points, just eight fewer than he had in 1998-99, when he was a Hart Trophy finalist.
“The guy is just playing really well,” says Ottawa goaltender Patrick Lalime. “I don’t know what has happened, maybe he has gotten confidence from putting so many by me in practice. It has helped him to score again.”
With the playoff drive entering its final stages, Yashin was the club’s hottest player with 16 goals and 25 points in 19 games as of Feb. 23.
“To me, he has been our best player,” says Ottawa coach Jacques Martin. “What we’re seeing now is that his game is getting back to the level of where it was before he left.
“The one thing we’ve talked about with him is using his shot. He has a great shot and I didn’t think he was shooting the puck enough. If you look at the great players in this league, they shoot the puck a lot.” Yashin had 187 shots through 60 games, 20th in the NHL.
He has never missed a game because of injury, but Yashin has a checkered past because of contract disputes that have made him and New Jersey-based agent Mark Gandler two of the most unpopular people in Ottawa.
Yashin finished his rookie season in 1992-93 with 79 points, then held out of training camp the next year until a bonus structure was put in place to get a new contract.
That resulted in another dispute which ultimately got GM Randy Sexton fired before his replacement Pierre Gauthier signed Yashin to a five-year, $13-million contract midway through 1996-97.
“He has been no trouble whatsoever,” says captain Daniel Alfredsson of Yashin.
“I think we all realize that if he’s giving it everything he has, then we’ve got a better chance of winning as a team.
That’s all we want.”
Says Yashin: “All I’ve ever wanted for this team is to have success. I feel good about the position that we’re in, but we have to keep playing well as a team.”
It’s no coincidence Yashin’s game improved the day Mario Lemieux madehis return to the pittsburgh lineup. The Pens’ star has always been a source of inspiration for the Ottawa center.
Following a game Dec. 30 at Mellon Arena, Yashin asked Lemieux for one of his sticks. The stick arrived withspecial words attached and is in a special place in his Ottawa home.
“When you see these great players and you see what they can do, it makes you want to play better,” Yashin says.
Or at least as good as he was playing before. And that’s a whole lot better than anyone in Ottawa imagined possible. □ ■
The 2026 NBA playoffs has reached its penultimate stage with the conference finals next up.
Out West, it’s a matchup that’s been highly anticipated for a long, long time. The No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder will battle the No. 2 San Antonio Spurs. Both teams are stacked with depth and quality and are arguably the two best teams in the league. It might just be the real final series.
The Eastern Conference will feature the No. 3 New York Knicks and No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers. New York has been the best in the conference so far, while the Cavaliers are coming off a Game 7 blowout road win over the top-seeded Detroit Pistons.
So, which matchup combination would be the best for the NBA Finals? Let’s rank the four possibilities from least to most entertaining:
4. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
While it’s unique, the winner would likely be too predictable. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell, Alex Caruso, Jared McCain and more should be too much for a Cleveland core that is anchored by Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Max Strus. Mitchell and Harden are the main players who can create magic, but need to be more consistent. Doing so enough times to take down Oklahoma City in four games…seems too much to ask.
3. San Antonio Spurs vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
A similar scenario likely unfolds here. Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, Keldon Johnson, Julian Champagnie, Devin Vassell and more are a tough balance to take down. Cleveland won both battles this season with both matchups in December, but one did not feature Wembanyama. The two teams are different now, and San Antonio theoretically eliminating Oklahoma City should be enough momentum to defeat an inferior Cleveland side — unless Mobley and Allen rise to slow Wembanyama for four wins. It’d also be a new winner from last season regardless of the result.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New York Knicks
The Knicks take both of the top spots due to being the superior team in their conference. Barring a shock collapse, they should go through vs. Cleveland. So that puts Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby, among others, against Oklahoma City. Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren, Mitchell, Williams, and Caruso are the key Thunder pieces. The series likely comes down to Gilgeous-Alexander vs. Brunson. The back-to-back MVP should be the preferred victor, which would also make Oklahoma City back-to-back champions.
1. San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks
No repeat bid on the line and two of the NBA’s most storied franchises hoping to end title droughts? This arguably is the best matchup. San Antonio’s drought since 2014 is undoubtedly shorter than New York’s wait since 1973. But that makes the stakes even bigger for Brunson and Co. to stamp themselves in the history books. They’d have to do so against a deep Spurs side that is anchored by Wembanyama, who is looking to make his own history at age 22 and in just his third season. San Antonio would also need Fox to stay consistent, but interest in this possibility should be the highest.
ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 16: Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) gets high fives after scoring a run during the MLB game between the Los Angeles Dodgers versus the Los Angeles Angels on May 16, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Dodgers look to sweep the Angels on Sunday. Roki Sasaki faces Grayson Rodriguez.
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 5, 2026: Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36) gestures a three with his fingers as Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) sinks a three point shot over Philadelphia 76ers center Adem Bona (30) late in the fourth quarter at Crypto.com Arena on February 5, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Despite being one of the league’s very best at it this season, shooting threes still isn’t really Rui Hachimura’s “thing.” In fact, he downright doesn’t like it.
When Rui joined the Lakers, he was known as an efficient mid-range scorer. However, in a league where shots were being pushed to the rim or the 3-point line, a high-volume mid-range scorer would get lost in the void if he didn’t adapt.
It’s hard to understate how impressive Rui’s development has been from range. With the Wizards, he shot just 35.6% from three in his three-and-a-half seasons. In the same span with the Lakers, he’s a 41.5% shooter from range.
The greatest shooting stretch of Rui’s season came in the most recent playoffs when he shot a sizzling 33-58 (56.9%) from range in 10 games. After the Lakers were eliminated, Rui spoke about his shooting and gave a shoutout to a former Lakers assistant coach for his improvement.
“Shout out to coach Phil [Handy],” Rui said. “Phil Handy, he was the one that talked me through a lot of stuff, what I can do to stay in this league. Not only this team, but stay in this league. I can make an impact on this team, especially. The first thing that he talked about is 3-pointers.
“I think that was the biggest thing for me because, honestly, I don’t like shooting threes. That’s not my thing for me. For me, I don’t really like it. But with the team situation, how [head coach] JJ [Redick] coaches, he wants me to shoot a lot of threes. It was a different game for me, but I had to do it. That was the biggest thing that I think changed.”
Left mostly to his own devices in Washington, Rui was 3-point adverse. His 3-point rate — the percentage of his field goal attempts that were threes — was just 23%. In Los Angeles, it has increased each year, peaking at 43.9% during this regular season and 47.5% in the playoffs.
Similarly, in Washington, shots from 10 feet to the 3-point line — or roughly the mid-range area — comprised 32.2% of Rui’s shot diet. With the Lakers, that number has dwindled to 20.1%.
The Lakers actually acquiesced some this season with Rui’s mid-range volume increasing after back-to-back seasons where it was under 17%. Still, he’s predominantly shooting 3-pointers now and is really good at them.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Eric Lauer #56 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 15th inning in game three of the 2025 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Lauer was in a similar position on the depth chart in Toronto, and said after the use of an opener before his April 17 game, “It’s definitely different. To be real blunt, I hate it. I can’t stand it.” More from SportsNet:
“It messes with your pre-game routine,” he said. “We’re creatures of habit. It changes the rhythm and routine. It’s a little harder to time things out…
“You can make it work the best you can. Hopefully, it’s not something that we will continue doing. But that’s above my pay grade.”
It didn’t help that Lauer wasn’t pitching well for the Blue Jays. After a strong 2025 season, this year he struggled with a 6.69 ERA and 5.82 xERA in eight games, including six starts. He struck out 26 and walked 16 in his 36 1/3 innings, with his 11 home runs atop the American League when he was designated for assignment on Monday.
In his eight-year career with the Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, and Blue Jays, Lauer has a sparkling 2.69 ERA in 15 games, including 13 starts against the Dodgers, with 69 strikeouts and 27 unintentional walks in 77 innings. That includes 5 2/3 scoreless innings in two appearances in the 2025 World Series, pitching in Games 1 and 3.
Lauer is making $4.4 million this season after losing his salary arbitration case in the offseason, with about $3.17 million remaining. He’ll be a free agent at season’s end.
To make room for Lauer on the 40-man roster, pitcher Brusdar Graterol was moved to the 60-day injured list. Graterol, working his way back from 2024 shoulder surgery, pitched in four rehab games for Triple-A Oklahoma City before getting shut down this week after pitching on Tuesday.
Graterol tweeted on Saturday, “Baseball is not easy. But it’s no reason to give up. LFG.”
Baseball is not easy
But it's no reason to give up. LFG
— brusdar graterol (@BrusdarGraterol) May 16, 2026
Tiny Elversberg seal first promotion to Bundesliga
Roma took a huge step towards returning to the Champions League by beating Lazio 2-0 in a feisty derby which finished with both teams down to 10 men, while Napoli won 3-0 at Pisa to secure a top-four spot.
Gianluca Mancini smashed home two headers from corners, one in each half, at the Stadio Olimpico to move Roma up to fourth thanks also to Juventus’s shock 2-0 home defeat by Fiorentina.
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 14: The tarp on the field before the Saturday afternoon MLB game between the Colorado Rockies and the Atlanta Braves on June 14, 2025 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
In the middle of the sixth inning of a game where the Atlanta Braves were firmly in control of things against the Boston Red Sox, the skies suddenly opened up. First, they were able to play through a bit of hail but once they went out there for the bottom of the sixth inning, the bottom completely fell out and the grounds crew was forced to stop play.
The tarp is going on the field and we are currently in a rain delay. We will provide updates as soon as they are available.
They’re not anticipating this to be a long delay (just one of those pop-up storms) but there’s still a pause in play. We’ll let you in on any updates that may come up soon, so stay tuned.
UPDATE [3:24 p.m. ET]: The tarp is already coming off of the field so I’d imagine that play will resume shortly.
UPDATE [3:33 p.m. ET]: Straight from the Braves TV crew, they’re planning to restart the game at 3:40 p.m. ET.
UPDATE [3:49 p.m ET]: It’s a bit later than expected but the game should be starting shortly after you read this. Let’s see if the Braves can hold on!
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 8: Miles McBride #2, Jalen Brunson #11, Josh Hart #3 and Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks look on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round Two Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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
Once upon a time I was a grad student, a Chinese food delivery driver and a New York Jets fan, and therefore poor, hustling and doomed. That year —2004 — the Jets had been good, though. Really quite good, and “good” was a word my father and I avoided like the plague when it came to Gang Green. But we’d both seen enough to know these Jets were not the same old Jets.
It wasn’t just how much they were winning (by Jets standards), but how they looked winning. Shaun Ellis and Jonathan Abraham combined for 20.5 sacks. Curtis Martin was incredible. Santana Moss was the home run threat. Chad Pennington was a good quarterback and a Jet, both at the same time, an event rarer than Big Bangs. By the time they met 15-1 Pittsburgh in the second round I’d told everyone I knew to remember they heard it from me first: the Jets would win.
They didn’t. Doug Brien missed two field goals in the last two minutes that would’ve won the game, sending the Jets to an NFL-record third straight overtime game, a bridge too far.
Today, three graduate programs and many pant sizes later, I am a writer, a Knicks fan and a socialist, and therefore poor, happy and hopeful. This year’s Knicks are the rich man’s ‘04 Jets, with the only kicking they’ve had to deal being them kicking some Hawk and Sixer ass all over the ****ing place. Since then they’ve had over a week to rest, recover, practice, and watch the Cavaliers and Pistons go the full 12 rounds. For a few more precious days, Knicksville is all love and light.
So let’s have fun with it. Say a genie told you you get one very specific wish: what one single play would you want the Knicks to win the title via? To go down in history as the most famous moment in franchise — nay, league history?! A halfcourt heave? A rejection at the rim? Another tedious video review?
Here are my contenders. What are yours?
BREAKAWAY DUNK
Oklahoma City. June. Game 7. Tie game. Thunder have the ball in the dying seconds. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander beats his man off the dribble, never noticing another defender swoop in for the swipe, go the length of the floor and throw down the title-clinching dunk. Who should it be?
Bear in mind this dunk will be both the greatest moment of your life and a highlight replayed more than any in human history. So for me it comes down to two choices: Mitchell Robinson and Deuce McBride. Mitch is the longest-tenured Knick and a real rim-rocker given an open runway. To win the title on a Mitch breakaway would be poetic and powerful.
But I gotta go with Deuce. He’s number two on the longevity trip, already a legendary Knick, if not a legendary NBAer, period. How many players have ever heard their name chanted as often as McBride has — in all 30 arenas? And when Deuce gets some runway, he can get up and go get it.
Little man dunks age better than bigs’. You ever see those NBATV commercials that are five-second highlights super slow-motioned and stretched into 30-second spots? Deuce dunking would look better there than Mitch. Advantage: McBride.
FACIAL
Karl-Anthony Towns is a bit too Kevin Knox for me when he winds up for a big slam; odds are there’s going to be any result other than an and-one. If Mitch were driving for the title-winning dunk, the defense would tase him before they’d let him anywhere near the rim. Mikal Bridges has his moments.
But it’s gotta be OG Anunoby. Like NEO from The Matrix, OG seems to have figured out godhood. If you’re 6-foot-8, 240 pounds, a plus 3-point shooter and leap like a pogo stick on flubber, there aren’t too many bipeds around who can stop you. Honestly, my throat is still hoarse from screaming at this two years ago. After John Starks’ “The Dunk,” this may be my favorite Knick dunk ever.
And while I think I have a pretty fertile imagination, I cannot remotely envision what kind of emotional response — if any — Anunoby would flash after winning the title on a facial. I’d sure like to find out.
HALFCOURT DUNK
Think it’s impossible? At any point in your life prior to a couple weeks ago, would you ever have considered it possible that the Knicks would replicate Golden State’s Steph Curry/Mark Jackson/Steve Kerr troika with Jalen Brunson/Tom Thibodeau/Mike Brown? Imagine telling yourself that four years ago. And what is dunking, if not possibility persevering?
So let’s say the Knicks force a turnover in the dying seconds of Game 7, score tied, and whoever’s dribbling up the floor, fueled by adrenaline (and Mike & Ike’s, if it’s Josh Hart), gathers, take two steps and zip explodes through the air like horizontal lightning, dunking just as the clock expires.
I gotta go with Bridges. He’s already so long to begin with, I can picture his limbs stretching and stretching into forever, como Mister Fantastic. Also intrigued by Hart here, mainly because it doesn’t seem like something he should be able to do, which is the foundation of everything Hart’s game is about.
HALFCOURT HEAVE
The 1980 season was the NBA’s first with the 3-point line. Had it existed 10 years earlier, the Knicks might have lost the 1970 Finals.
I’d say it’s high time the basketball gods paid New York back with interest for that little miracle. What if, down two with time expiring, a Knick were to launch from 60-feet out and make the shot? Beggars can’t be choosers, but these days we’re dreamers, and dreamers can. Who would you wanna see make it?
Color this bitch basic, but I say Brunson. Not only because he’s so good or so easy to root for, but because with all the sacrifices he’s made in leading this franchise to where they stand today, as selfless a player and teammate as he seems to be, it’d feel deserved. For him and for us.
REGULAR 3-POINTER
KAT. For the same reason why if I were a Mavs fan in 2009 I’d pick Dirk and if I were a Thunder fan in 2016 I’d pick Durant. Small dudes look cooler dunking. Big dudes look cooler nailing 3s.
FREE THROWS
Mitch. Don’t overthink it. If Mitch went to the line with zero seconds on the clock with the Knicks down two and he made both, God would manifest in the lane, gesture to the heavens and say, “We kept your seat warm.”
PAINT BLOCK
Jose Alvarado. Is this even a question??
3-POINT BLOCK
When Mitch first broke into the league, he was such an electric puppy he tried to block every shot the other team took, including 3s. And he blocked a TON of 3s; dunno if the league tracks blocked 3s, but around 2019, 2020 there’s no way anyone in the league came close to him.
Also, nothing gets me as pumped as a fan or when I’m playing than stuffing someone. I’m too old now, haven’t played in years. But even when I play 2K, every time I go to block someone’s shot I end up all contorted in my chair with my leg kicked out as I go for the stuff. If the Knicks won the title on a Mitch blocked 3, the orgasm would kill me. What a way to go.
DRAWING A CHARGE
If you don’t think someone lying flat on their back is an emotionally stirring way to end a series . . .
The obvious choice here is Brunson; no one would begrudge you. But I’m going with Jordan Clarkson. When Clarkson signed last offseason, he had two primary reps: unabashed gunner and pretty boy fashionista (photo credit: NY Post).
When he first fell out of the rotation, I armchair quarterbacked it as inevitable. He’s a gunner joining a team who’ll never need him to be their primary or secondary or even tertiary scorer. Probably shouldn’t have signed here. Now he’s a rotation regular as the bastard love child of TJ McConnell’s fullcourt defense and Hart’s offensive rebounding. What could be a more perfect microcosm of Clarkson’s reinvention than him lifting the Knicks to the title not with a bucket, but a fall?
AND-1
Ironically, the last Knick I’d pick here is Brunson, as for whatever reason he’s the worst great free-throw shooter I can remember. Since coming to New York, Brunson’s missed 352 free throws combined in the regular-season and playoffs and I swear the number should be double that. I’ve never seen anyone who shoots as well as he does and gets to line like he does seemingly miss as often as he does.
This is really a question of which Knick you most trust to drain the title-winning free throw, rather than miss and send them to an overtime you know they’ll lose?
It should pro’ly be KAT, but for better or worse I grew up watching the Knicks feature the best shooting big man in all the land, and when it came to pressure-time free throws Patrick Ewing had me more anxious than a lemur in a room full of rocking chairs. I could see KAT’s shot rimming out, the Knicks go on to lose and it becomes like a Bill Buckner thing for him. No thanks. I’ll go with Bridges. His DGAF is pretty specific, and seems to rub a lotta people the wrong way, but it’s absolutely perfect for this spot.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 27: LeBron James #23 and Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers smile during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 27, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The LeBron James era of the Los Angeles Lakers has featured lots of turnover. Lots and lots of turnover.
For years, the constant was LeBron James and Anthony Davis. One player who worked himself into that mix and, eventually, became the new constant was Austin Reaves.
No player on the roster has more experience alongside LeBron. Reaves’ entire career has played out alongside LeBron, from undrafted rookie to his superstar ascent this season.
Throughout it all, LeBron has been a mentor for Reaves, something that hasn’t gone unnoticed by the latter. Following LA’s loss to the Thunder to end their season, Reaves was asked about possibly playing one more season with LeBron and what he’s meant to his career.
“It would mean the world to me,” Reaves said. “My rookie year, I had no idea what the hell was going on and he took me under his wing and has given me every opportunity that I could ever ask for, trusted me. But, further than the court, building real friendship…He’s taught me a lot.
“I owe him a lot for my career, like I said. He’s given me confidence every single day.”
Austin Reaves is 13 games away from being the most common teammate of LeBron James through his Lakers tenure. He currently ranks second behind Anthony Davis.
Reaves (284) and Davis (296) and the only players during LeBron's Lakers years to play more than 250 games alongside him
Reaves also used the example of LeBron coming up to him after his game-tying three in Game 4 came up short and offered him words of encouragement, saying that “speaks to the character that he has.” The bond between the two has been strong for years with the signs of it showing even very early in Reaves’ career.
Against the Grizzlies in just his second season, Reaves was handed the ball down the stretch in a memorable Game 1 win as he led the Lakers to a pivotal win with big shot after big shot. In the years since, Reaves has talked about that moment shifting the dynamic between him and LeBron as well.
Ironically, at this point in both of their careers, it’s not Austin who controls the Lakers offense with LeBron riding in the passenger seat — or even back seat when Luka Dončić is also healthy — to him. Reaves’ career path may have played out just the same regardless of LeBron’s involvement, but it’s certainly helped him become someone the Lakers are set to both make a centerpiece of the franchise and give a big payday to.
Maybe Reaves can pay for a couple rounds of golf this summer.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 12: Adrian Houser #12 of the San Francisco Giants pitches during the first inning of a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on May 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s series finale time, as the San Francisco Giants take on the Oakland/Sacramento/Vegas Athletics for the third game of the series. I’m writing this before the first game, so here’s hoping that the Giants are going for a sweep, or at least a series win today. But who knows! You, probably.
If the scheduled starters have held over these few days, then it’s righty Adrian Houser for the Giants and lefty Jeffrey Springs for the A’s. Houser is making his ninth start, and is 1-4 with a 5.79 ERA, a 5.63 FIP, and 23 strikeouts to 14 walks in 42 innings. Springs is making his 10th start, and is 3-3 with a 4.22 ERA, a 4.21 FIP, and 44 strikeouts to 15 walks in 49 innings.
The Colorado Avalanche finally got the kind of update every playoff team spends May desperately hoping to hear: relief instead of bad news.
Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar struck an optimistic tone Sunday afternoon, saying he expects all of Colorado’s banged-up regulars to be available for Game 1 against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday to open the Western Conference Final.
Reinforcements Arriving At The Right Time
Defenseman Sam Malinski and winger Artturi Lehkonen both missed Games 4 and 5 against Minnesota, while superstar defenseman Cale Makar appeared visibly battered during the series-clinching Game 5 victory. Makar briefly left the game before gutting through the remainder of regulation and overtime, continuing to battle both hip and shoulder injuries.
Bednar says “I think everyone’s going to be available for Game 1, but we’ll see” regarding injured guys.
Asked earlier if Malinski is trending towards being available for G1 and he said “yes.”
Makar has not practiced over the last couple of days, though Bednar’s confidence Sunday suggested the organization believes its franchise cornerstone is trending in the right direction.
Veteran defenseman Brent Burns has also been absent recently, but indications are pointing toward a return sooner rather than later. Malinski was the lone injured regular spotted practicing Sunday, while Makar, Lehkonen and Burns remained off the ice.
Surviving The Grind Of Playoff Hockey
At this stage of the postseason, nobody is healthy — only available.
The Avalanche still need eight more wins to lift the Stanley Cup, and surviving this time of year often comes down to which teams can endure the physical damage piling up beneath the surface. Colorado at least appears to be getting critical reinforcements at the perfect time after expending enormous emotional and physical energy clawing past Minnesota in one of the wildest series of the playoffs.
Now the focus shifts entirely to Vegas.
Colorado is off Monday before likely returning to practice Tuesday, when the statuses of Makar, Lehkonen, Burns and Malinski should come into even sharper focus ahead of Game 1.
If there’s one player that hasn’t disappointed on the Montreal Canadiens' roster in the playoffs this season, it’s Lane Hutson. Despite only being 22 years old, the sophomore defenseman is playing like a seasoned vet and leads by example every day on the ice, whether it’s at practice or in game action.
Throughout 13 games, the youngster has 13 points and leads the Canadiens in points, but what’s even more impressive is the fact that he has a plus-three rating. Hutson plays well on both sides of the puck, and when he gets dispossessed or gives the puck away, he backchecks like a man possessed to fix his own mistake.
The team’s other top players have been on the ice for more than their fair share of goals. Nick Suzuki is minus-five, Cole Caufield is minus-seven, and Juraj Slafkovsky is minus-eight. While plus-minus doesn’t always accurately reflect what’s happening on the ice, in these playoffs, there’s no denying that the first line has been struggling defensively. In the last two games, the opponent’s first goal has been set up by their turnovers in the defensive zone. Slafkovsky’s missed clearance on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres was eerily similar to Caufield’s on Thursday.
In the Canadiens’ disappointing performance on Saturday night, the blueline had 10 attempts on net. Unfortunately, only one of those shots made it to the goalie, but that’s partly because he has learned to take advantage of the traffic in front of the opposing goaltender. He puts the puck on net and tries to set up his teammates for deflections, something he didn’t use to do as much.
In 13 games so far, the rearguard has averaged over 25 minutes of ice time. Martin St-Louis is using him in all situations. He quarterbacks the first power play and gives it more punch with his mobility and ability to dish passes everywhere on the ice. He also has a knack for buying himself more time and space, dancing along the offensive blueline all the while preparing his next move.
Even when the Canadiens are down a man, Hutson doesn’t get a break, as he’s an important piece of the second penalty-killing unit. Martin St-Louis wasn’t keen on using him in that situation early on in the season, but he has proven that he can handle it and shows no sign of slowing down, no matter how much time he spends on the ice.
If the Canadiens are to eliminate the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night, they’ll need Hutson to lead his team into battle once again.
