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Ronny Mauricio's walk-off hit gives Mets' fourth straight win after 4-3 defeat of Diamondbacks

Ronny Mauricio ripped a single to right field to score Francisco Lindor in the bottom of the 10th to give the Mets a 4-3 walk-off win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday afternoon at Citi Field. 

Mauricio, in his first at-bat of the season after being added to the roster with Juan Soto on the IL, fell behind 0-2 on two high fastballs from ex-Met Paul Sewald, before ripping a third that was right in the heart of the plate, 107.1 mph off the bat. He improved to 5-for-9 as a pinch-hitter with the first walk-off hit of his career. 

On a cold and blustery afternoon, New York won its fourth straight game, improving to 3-1 in Queens and 7-4 overall. Arizona fell to 5-6 on the year and is now winless in four games away from home.

- Freddy Peralta allowed a leadoff single to Ketel Marte, after getting squeezed on a 2-2 pitch at the knees, and a two-out walk, but got through with no damage on 22 pitches in the first. He was in a spot of bother with one out in the second after a Lindor error and a walk put two men aboard. But the righty got out of things thanks to a curious Jorge Barrosa sac bunt and Marte going down swinging on the changeup. After an 11-pitch, 1-2-3 third, Peralta got around a two-out bunt single for a 20-pitch fourth.

Peralta, who pitched in numerous deep counts, got back-to-back strikeouts to start the fifth before allowing a third single of the game to send pitching coach JustinWillard out for a visit. After issuing a walk on a 3-2 count, Peralta lobbied to get one more batter. He couldn't make it count as he lost control of a 1-2 curveball and plunked Gabriel Moreno to load the bases to end his afternoon.

Huascar Brazobán thought he got Adrian Del Castillo looking at a 1-2 changeup to end the threat, but an ABS challenge said otherwise. The very next pitch floated over the plate and was lined into right for a two-run single. Nolan Arenado followed with a broken-bat bloop double into center to plate another run before Brazobán finally ended the inning with the visitors ahead 3-2.

That closed the book on Peralta: 4.2 innings, three runs, three hits, three walks, one hit batter, and five strikeouts on 101 pitches (62 strikes).

- The Mets had the chance for a big inning in the first as Lindor and Bo Bichette singled through the right side of the infield and Jorge Polanco notched an infield hit to load the bases against Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen. But after Luis Robert Jr. went down swinging, Brett Baty’s sac fly to center was all the Mets could muster. Gallen settled in and got through five innings, allowing one earned run on five hits with four walks and five strikeouts.

- Lindor doubled the Mets’ lead with two down in the second when he got help from the wind on a drive to right that fooled Corbin Carroll for a double over his head. Francisco Alvarez, who walked with two outs, managed to score from first on a poor relay throw from the right fielder. 

Lindor, who was hitless in his last 10 at-bats entering the game, got a chance with two on and two down in the fourth, but popped out in foul ground on the first pitch from Gallen as he’s still looking for his first RBI of the year and finished 2-for-5 with a strikeout swinging.

- With the Mets down a run and one out in the eighth, Jared Young entered as a pinch-hitter with runners on the corners and got the job done with a sac fly to right.

- Polanco cracked a single to start the home half of the eighth inning and was lifted for pinch-runner Tyrone Taylor, sporting the No. 28 for the first time. Polanco finished 2-for-4 with a strikeout swinging.

- After his RBI sac fly, Baty bounced into a 3-6 double play to end the third and struck out looking at three straight after getting ahead 3-0 to end the fifth, before grounding a single up the middle to cover the corners with one out in the eighth.

- Robert, after striking out swinging in the first, had a patient day, walking the next two times he was up, but went down looking in the eighth, looking at three straight after getting ahead 3-0. He finished 0-for-2.

- Alvarez, after a 4-for-11 series in San Fran, hustled out a broken-bat two-out single in the fourth and finished 1-for-3 with a walk. 

- Carson Benge, who entered hitless in his last 18 at-bats, worked a two-out walk in the fourth, and after a pair of ground outs, drove a ball to the warning track to start the ninth, but it went for an out as Barrosa made a sliding catch in right-center, 387-feet from the plate. He finished 0-for-3. 

- Bichette finished the day 1-for-5 with a strikeout swinging.

- Mark Vientos went 0-for-3 with a strikeout looking before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the eighth. 

- Marcus Semien went hitless in four at-bats.

- Luis Garcia, after an eight-pitch, 1-2-3 sixth, got past a two-out double for a 15-pitch, scoreless seventh. The right-hander stayed in the game after taking a hard shot off his left forearm on a liner, 94.3 mph off Geraldo Perdomo's bat, when getting the second out.

Brooks Raley got the eighth and worked around a leadoff single from Arenado with two strikeouts. Devin Williams kept the score tied in the ninth despite allowing a pair of singles as he tallied two more strikeouts.

Luke Weaver, pitching with the free runner at second, fell behind 3-0 with two outs, but blew three straight fastballs past Tim Tawa for a 1-2-3 10th.

Combined: 5.0 scoreless innings, surrendering just four hits and no walks wth five strikeouts.

The two teams are back in action tomorrow afternoon with a 4:10 p.m. first pitch. 

David Peterson (4.66 ERA in 9.2 innings) gets the ball against right-hander Ryne Nelson (5.79 ERA in 9.1 innings).

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Ronny Mauricio's walk-off hit gives Mets' fourth straight win after 4-3 defeat of Diamondbacks

Ronny Mauricio ripped a single to right field to score Francisco Lindor in the bottom of the 10th to give the Mets a 4-3 walk-off win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday afternoon at Citi Field. 

Mauricio, in his first at-bat of the season after being added to the roster with Juan Soto on the IL, fell behind 0-2 on two high fastballs from ex-Met Paul Sewald, before ripping a third that was right in the heart of the plate, 107.1 mph off the bat. He improved to 5-for-9 as a pinch-hitter with the first walk-off hit of his career. 

On a cold and blustery afternoon, New York won its fourth straight game, improving to 3-1 in Queens and 7-4 overall. Arizona fell to 5-6 on the year and is now winless in four games away from home.

- Freddy Peralta allowed a leadoff single to Ketel Marte, after getting squeezed on a 2-2 pitch at the knees, and a two-out walk, but got through with no damage on 22 pitches in the first. He was in a spot of bother with one out in the second after a Lindor error and a walk put two men aboard. But the righty got out of things thanks to a curious Jorge Barrosa sac bunt and Marte going down swinging on the changeup. After an 11-pitch, 1-2-3 third, Peralta got around a two-out bunt single for a 20-pitch fourth.

Peralta, who pitched in numerous deep counts, got back-to-back strikeouts to start the fifth before allowing a third single of the game to send pitching coach JustinWillard out for a visit. After issuing a walk on a 3-2 count, Peralta lobbied to get one more batter. He couldn't make it count as he lost control of a 1-2 curveball and plunked Gabriel Moreno to load the bases to end his afternoon.

Huascar Brazobán thought he got Adrian Del Castillo looking at a 1-2 changeup to end the threat, but an ABS challenge said otherwise. The very next pitch floated over the plate and was lined into right for a two-run single. Nolan Arenado followed with a broken-bat bloop double into center to plate another run before Brazobán finally ended the inning with the visitors ahead 3-2.

That closed the book on Peralta: 4.2 innings, three runs, three hits, three walks, one hit batter, and five strikeouts on 101 pitches (62 strikes).

- The Mets had the chance for a big inning in the first as Lindor and Bo Bichette singled through the right side of the infield and Jorge Polanco notched an infield hit to load the bases against Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen. But after Luis Robert Jr. went down swinging, Brett Baty’s sac fly to center was all the Mets could muster. Gallen settled in and got through five innings, allowing one earned run on five hits with four walks and five strikeouts.

- Lindor doubled the Mets’ lead with two down in the second when he got help from the wind on a drive to right that fooled Corbin Carroll for a double over his head. Francisco Alvarez, who walked with two outs, managed to score from first on a poor relay throw from the right fielder. 

Lindor, who was hitless in his last 10 at-bats entering the game, got a chance with two on and two down in the fourth, but popped out in foul ground on the first pitch from Gallen as he’s still looking for his first RBI of the year and finished 2-for-5 with a strikeout swinging.

- With the Mets down a run and one out in the eighth, Jared Young entered as a pinch-hitter with runners on the corners and got the job done with a sac fly to right.

- Polanco cracked a single to start the home half of the eighth inning and was lifted for pinch-runner Tyrone Taylor, sporting the No. 28 for the first time. Polanco finished 2-for-4 with a strikeout swinging.

- After his RBI sac fly, Baty bounced into a 3-6 double play to end the third and struck out looking at three straight after getting ahead 3-0 to end the fifth, before grounding a single up the middle to cover the corners with one out in the eighth.

- Robert, after striking out swinging in the first, had a patient day, walking the next two times he was up, but went down looking in the eighth, looking at three straight after getting ahead 3-0. He finished 0-for-2.

- Alvarez, after a 4-for-11 series in San Fran, hustled out a broken-bat two-out single in the fourth and finished 1-for-3 with a walk. 

- Carson Benge, who entered hitless in his last 18 at-bats, worked a two-out walk in the fourth, and after a pair of ground outs, drove a ball to the warning track to start the ninth, but it went for an out as Barrosa made a sliding catch in right-center, 387-feet from the plate. He finished 0-for-3. 

- Bichette finished the day 1-for-5 with a strikeout swinging.

- Mark Vientos went 0-for-3 with a strikeout looking before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the eighth. 

- Marcus Semien went hitless in four at-bats.

- Luis Garcia, after an eight-pitch, 1-2-3 sixth, got past a two-out double for a 15-pitch, scoreless seventh. The right-hander stayed in the game after taking a hard shot off his left forearm on a liner, 94.3 mph off Geraldo Perdomo's bat, when getting the second out.

Brooks Raley got the eighth and worked around a leadoff single from Arenado with two strikeouts. Devin Williams kept the score tied in the ninth despite allowing a pair of singles as he tallied two more strikeouts.

Luke Weaver, pitching with the free runner at second, fell behind 3-0 with two outs, but blew three straight fastballs past Tim Tawa for a 1-2-3 10th.

Combined: 5.0 scoreless innings, surrendering just four hits and no walks wth five strikeouts.

The two teams are back in action tomorrow afternoon with a 4:10 p.m. first pitch. 

David Peterson (4.66 ERA in 9.2 innings) gets the ball against right-hander Ryne Nelson (5.79 ERA in 9.1 innings).

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Avalanche Clinch Central Division With 3–1 Win Over Blues, Lock Up No. 1 Seed in West

The Colorado Avalanche exacted revenge on the St. Louis Blues Tuesday night at Enterprise Center, securing a 3–1 win that clinched the Central Division title and locked them in as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference heading into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

With the playoffs set to begin on April 18, the Avalanche will face the lowest-ranked wild card team in the opening round. If the standings hold, Colorado would square off against the Los Angeles Kings.

Valeri Nichushkin led the way with a two-goal performance in his return from injury, bringing his season totals to 16 and 17. Martin Necas added his 37th of the year as his breakout campaign continues, while Scott Wedgewood turned aside 18 shots and battled through a frightening collision with Philip Broberg in the third period to help secure the win.

However, the Avalanche did not escape completely unscathed as Nazem Kadri suffered an injury in the second period after taking a shot in the left hand/wrist area. It was announced in the third period that he would not return to the game due to an "upper-body injury."

Robert Thomas, who had scored a hat trick against Colorado in their previous meeting and accounted for all three Blues goals on Sunday, netted St. Louis’ lone tally in this one. Joel Hofer, coming off a strong outing in that earlier win, was given another start by head coach Jim Montgomery but took the loss despite making 34 saves.

First Period

Just shy of the six-minute mark, Nazem Kadri and Sam Malinski helped generate sustained pressure on Hofer. Malinski found Kadri with a backdoor feed, but the timing was off by a split second, and the chance slid wide.

On the ensuing sequence, Brock Nelson nearly opened the scoring with a highlight-reel effort, toe-dragging around Colton Parayko before firing a wrist shot through his legs. Hofer, however, tracked the play well and snagged it with the glove.

The breakthrough came late in the frame when Nichushkin redirected a Devon Toews point shot off the post and in, giving Colorado a 1–0 lead with 3:49 remaining.

Necas then doubled the advantage with 28 seconds left, finishing a feed from Nathan MacKinnon in the slot and wiring a shot over Hofer’s glove to make it 2–0.

Toews was assessed a tripping penalty late in the period, but Colorado still carried a 2–0 lead into the intermission while outshooting St. Louis 17–2.

Second Period

Nichushkin struck again just 1:40 into the period, scoring shorthanded with a between-the-legs finish that completely fooled Hofer and extended the lead to 3–0.

Moments later, he broke in alone on a breakaway in search of a hat trick, but Hofer came up with the stop. Still, Colorado dictated play, hemming St. Louis in and maintaining relentless offensive zone pressure while the Blues struggled to find their footing.

The Avalanche continued to tilt the ice as the period wore on, holding a commanding 27–7 edge in shots with six minutes remaining in the frame.

St. Louis eventually responded when Jimmy Snuggerud set up Thomas in the slot. His initial attempt was denied, but he pounced on the rebound and beat Wedgewood to cut the deficit to 3–1.

Colorado went to the power play late in the period after Logan Mailloux was called for tripping Nichushkin on a partial break. No penalty shot was awarded on the play. The man advantage, however, was cut short when Gabriel Landeskog was whistled for tripping Pavel Buchnevich with 10 seconds left in the period.

Third Period

St. Louis, still fighting for playoff positioning, continued to push. Holloway created a quality look after slipping past Toews, but Wedgewood held his ground and made the save.

Midway through the period, a concerning sequence unfolded when Malinski’s trip on Broberg sent the Blues forward crashing into Wedgewood. The goaltender went down awkwardly and remained down for several moments before being tended to by the training staff. After some time to recover, he stayed in the game. Colorado’s penalty kill—best in the league entering the night—rose to the occasion and successfully killed off the ensuing minor.

With just over four minutes remaining, the Blues pulled Hofer for an extra attacker, but neither side could generate a decisive push in the closing stretch.

From there, Colorado managed the game effectively down the final minutes, closing out a 3–1 victory that not only avenged their previous loss to St. Louis but also secured their place atop the Western Conference. The Avalanche now turn their attention to Thursday’s matchup against the Calgary Flames at Ball Arena, where they’ll look to carry this form into the final stretch of the regular season.

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Gunnar’s two-run bomb caps late comeback over the White Sox, 4-2

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 6: Gunnar Henderson #2 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates a home run in the sixth inning of a game against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on April 6, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Two in a row. Write it down somewhere. Frame it, even! The 2026 Orioles, playing a 3:10 afternoon matinee in the cold because apparently, temperate weather is too much to ask of Chicago even in late April, have won consecutive games for the first time this season. They did so courtesy of a 4-2 Tuesday afternoon win led by six strong innings from Trevor Rogers, three perfect innings from the bullpen, and a late rally kickstarted by new guys Blaze Alexander and Taylor Ward and capped off by Gunnar Henderson’s two-run bomb in the eighth.

It could have been easier—I certainly wish, against the lowly White Sox, that it had been. Entering the eighth, Baltimore was down 2-1, a frustrating lack of production given they’d already posted five hits and been walked seven times by what cannot exactly be a great Chicago pitching staff. Nonetheless, the eighth inning turned the tables. With one out, the new guys set to work. Blaze Alexander started the rally with a double to right. Taylor Ward followed him with a game-tying double into the right field corner, easily scoring the runner, who came home with blazing speed. (Sorry.) The White Sox changed relievers to challenge Gunnar with a lefty. Right decision, but bad result: Gunnar hammered a high sinker into the bleachers, and this was a 4-2 game.

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Prior to that there wasn’t a ton of offense to report, although the hitters were not so much inept against Chicago’s Shane Smith (in the sense that many Orioles reached base) as inconsistent (in the sense that they didn’t score). Smith kept walking people—to wit, two in the first inning, two more in the second, plus a HBP of Blaze Alexander, and one in the fourth—but got enough strikeouts in key spots that he kept the O’s off the board. If I were Chicago’s manager, I’d say that five walks in 3.2 innings from my starting pitcher is not great, but Smith did allow zero runs and strike out eighth.

On that last, it feels like the Orioles’ team approach is partly to blame. When the starter is wild, it makes sense to take the walks. But it’s hard to deny, on a day the Birds struck out 13 times, that the approach is still frustratingly aggressive. In fact, every hitter in the starting lineup struck out at least once, except Alexander.

The one Orioles run prior to the eighth inning came thanks to yet another leadoff walk from Chicago. After Samuel Basallo took a free base, Tyler O’Neill was brought in to pinch-hit against lefty Sean Newcomb, and he delivered, with a well-timed single to advance Basallo to second. A groundout moved Basallo over, and Ryan Mountcastle plated the O’s first run with an RBI groundout off a big Newcomb curveball. Productive Outs for Orioles.

As for Orioles pitching, Trevor Rogers was very good today, which we’ve come to expect from our No. 1 starter, if not the rest of the rotation in April. The lefty went six innings, gave up two runs on six hits, struck out six, and walked none.

After a perfect two innings, he ran into some trouble in the third with two outs. With a runner on first, Rogers heaved a ball down the middle, and infielder Chase Meidroth served it into left field to put the White Sox up 1-0. A Lenyn Sosa single made it 2-0 immediately thereafter. This was a good piece of hitting where Sosa connected on a pitch maybe six inches off the dirt and golfed it into center field. I wouldn’t lay that one at Rogers’ feet. A popout ended the damage, and Rogers got through the fifth and sixth innings without great difficulty.

It wasn’t his prettiest start, given that Rogers needed 101 pitches to go six innings, but it’s a total luxury to have an ace who can pitch deep into games, especially given how unreliable the bullpen has been. Happily, that wasn’t the case today. Yennier Cano tossed a perfect seventh, including with one swinging strikeout. Grant Wolfram struck out two in the eight, but was lifted for Anthony Nunez after a HBP. Nunez threw a wild pitch, bringing up the faintest prospect of a blown inning, but with the count 3-2 against catcher Edgar Quero, he got a huge swinging strike three.

Closer Ryan Helsley then struck fear in our hearts with a leadoff walk in the ninth—apparently that’s just his thing now, as he’s walked a batter or more in his last three appearances. But that’s as nerve-inducing as things got: the O’s closer struck out Tristan Peters with 99 at the bottom of the zone, made slugger Munetaka Murakami swing through 100 at the corner, and got Derek Hill to fly out to the end the game. When Helsley is on, it’s simply beautiful stuff. Save No. 4, O’s win. Now everybody go party.

The Orioles are 5-6. This may not inspire visions of a ticker-tape parade come October, but they are, however improbably, sitting pretty in third in the AL East, just a game back of Tampa Bay at the time of this writing. It’s April, after all, and anything can still happen.

Who is your vote for Most Birdland Player today? Gunnar Henderson, who went 2-for-4 with the big bomb in the eighth? Blaze Alexander, who took one for the team, stole a base, started the rally in the eighth, and is hitting .320 in the nine spot? Your team ace, Trevor Rogers, who gave six good innings even on what was not his best day? Let us know in the comments.

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Game 11 Game Day Thread – Seattle Mariners @ Texas Rangers

Apr 1, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (left) has his glove checked by umpire Scott Barry at the end of the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images | Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

Seattle Mariners @ Texas Rangers

Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 7:05 PM CDT (105.3 The Fan / RSN, Victory+)

The Shed

RHP George Kirby vs. RHP Nathan Eovaldi

Today’s Lineups

MARINERSRANGERS
Brendan Donovan – 3BBrandon Nimmo – RF
Cal Raleigh – CWyatt Langford – LF
Julio Rodriguez – CFCorey Seager – SS
Josh Naylor – 1BJake Burger – 1B
Randy Arozarena – LFJoc Pederson – DH
Luke Raley – RFEvan Carter – CF
J.P. Crawford – SSKyle Higashioka – C
Dominic Canzone – DHJosh Smith – 2B
Cole Young – 2BEzequiel Duran – 3B
George Kirby – RHPNathan Eovaldi – RHP

Go Rangers!

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Suns Reacts Survey: Is Jordan Ott making the right move by benching his most consistent shooters?

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 26: Royce O'Neale #00 of the Phoenix Suns celebrates with Collin Gillespie #12 after making the go-ahead three-point shot against the Los Angeles Lakers during the final seconds of the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 26, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Suns fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott did something different in the team’s 120-110 win over the Chicago Bulls on Sunday. Collin Gillespie and Royce O’Neale were not in the starting lineup. With the squad mostly at full strength, Phoenix went with Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Jordan Goodwin, Dillon Brooks, and Mark Williams, with O’Neale and Gillespie, who have started the first and third most games for the Suns this year, respectively, coming off the bench.

Along with starting the game with the second unit, both played fewer minutes than they usually do. The change comes after Phoenix suffered two straight losses, including a 20-point defeat to the Charlotte Hornets, which prompted Ott to say everything was “on the table” after the game.

It’s not a surprise O’Neale went to the bench. With Dillon Brooks returning, O’Neale and the starting power forward spot looked to be Brooks’ once he got up to speed after returning from his broken hand. O’Neale and Brooks have both started together this year, but not many games with Jalen Green and Devin Booker both healthy.

Collin Gillespie starting the game with the second unit is a noticeable change in tactics from the Suns. Goodwin replaced him in the starting lineup. They both played 24 minutes, but Phoenix deciding to go with the more physical, better defending Goodwin signals a change in approach. Gillespie has been struggling with his shot since the start of March. He’s shooting 37% from the field and 36% from three; both well below his season averages.

As the Suns continue to get closer to the end of the regular season. Rotations and lineups should continue to tighten up to build some continuity. The team played just nine guys on Sunday. After being integral parts of the rotation in March, rookies Rasheer Fleming and Khaman Maluach didn’t play at all in the team’s last game. For a squad that has not been uniformly healthy all year, it’s noteworthy that the team is shortening its rotation when everyone but Haywood Highsmith is active.

Often in the playoffs, teams shorten their rotations. Pat Riley’s famous quote, “use eight, rotate seven, play six and trust five,” is the strategy many squads deploy when a best-of-seven series begins.

The Suns have four games left and three against Western Conference teams who will be in the top-six of the playoff standings. Another nearly clean injury report tonight against the Houston Rockets, the Suns will continue to show their cards on how their rotations look heading into the play-in and potentially the playoffs.

If Gillespie and O’Neale continue to come off the bench, would you agree with the decision? Why or why not?

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Dodgers vs. Blue Jays game II chat

Oct 31, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth inning during game six of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

The hero of last season’s World Series, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, returns to Rogers Centre to face the Blue Jays.

Tuesday Game Info
  • Teams: Dodgers at Blue Jays
  • Stadium: Rogers Centre, Toronto
  • Time: 4:07 p.m. PT
  • TV: SportsNet LA, TVA Sports & TBS
  • Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 (Spanish)

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Cavs might have full rotation available for matchup vs. Hawks

CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 19: Donovan Mitchell #45 and Dean Wade #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers high five during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on February 19, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers don’t have much to play for at this time of the season. They’ve secured home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs and don’t have much of a chance of moving up from the fourth spot to the third with three games left in the season. As of now, that doesn’t seem like it’s going to deter the Cavs from trying to finish strong.

The Cavs could have their full complement of players for Wednesday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks, which could be a preview for their first-round matchup. Cleveland has no players on the injury report due to rest.

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That said, Donovan Mitchell could be missing the game with an ankle injury. He twisted his ankle late in the win over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday and sat out against the Memphis Grizzlies the following evening. After Sunday’s game, he told reporters that his ankle was fine and that it wasn’t even worth asking him about. We’ll see if he’s able to go on Wednesday.

The Cavs might be getting two key players back for Wednesday. Both Dean Wade (ankle) and Jaylon Tyson (toe) have been upgraded to questionable. Wade has missed the team’s last seven games. Tyson has been absent for the last nine.

Thomas Bryant will be missing this game with a calf strain.

Unlike the Cavs, the Hawks do have something to play for. Three and a half games separate spots five through 10 in the Eastern Conference standings. The Hawks are likely to get the fifth seed, given they’re a game and a half up on the Toronto Raptors, but there’s a chance that they could fall into the Play-In Tournament depending on how the final three games go.

As such, Atlanta won’t be resting any of their rotation players either. Jock Landale is the only player on a standard contract who will be missing Wednesday’s game.

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Golden Knights And Islanders' Coaching Changes Do Not Surprise Mike Sullivan

Danny Wild-Imagn Images
Danny Wild-Imagn Images

The NHL world has been rocked by the two recent coaching changes. 

With just eight games remaining to go in the 2025-26 season, the Vegas Golden Knights fired Bruce Cassidy and hired John Tortorella. 

With just four games left, the New York Islanders fired head coach Patrick Roy and replaced him with Peter DeBoer. 

Mike Sullivan, who went through a change of his own last summer, departing the Pittsburgh Penguins after 10 years with the organization to join the New York Rangers as their new head coach, feels that the parity of the NHL has shifted team’s philosophy in how long to keep a coach for.

“All these circumstances are unique,” Sullivan emphasized. “It would probably be irresponsible for me to even weigh in on it because I'm not familiar with the circumstances. It's a competitive league. 

“There's more parity in the league than there's ever been. There's such a fine line between winning and losing, and it's hard to make the playoffs. I think the parody in the league, at the end of the day, is the biggest aspect of it. Those are the pressures that we all deal with. Those of us that are part of this business, that's what we deal with every day. It's what we sign up for.”

Sullivan has been coaching in the NHL for over 20 years, so while these two moves may shock other people, Sullivan remained unfazed by the noise surrounding these coaching changes. 

“I'm not gonna say it surprises me. No, it doesn't. Nothing surprises me in today's professional sports,” Sullivan said. “What I try to do and my position is I really don't get overly concerned about that stuff. You just try to focus on what's in front of you and your job, and you try to do it to the best of your ability.”

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Laying out for the blueprint for Lakers’ success without Doncic, Reaves

The Lakers are down after the regular season-ending injuries to star guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

But they’re not out. 

Already having clinched a playoff spot before Doncic (Grade 2 left hamstring strain) and Reaves (Grade 2 left oblique strain) suffered their regular season-ending injuries during last Thursday’s blowout road loss to the Thunder, the Lakers are guaranteed to play beyond Sunday’s regular season finale against the Jazz.

LeBron James brings the ball up against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half . AP

How much further they’ll play beyond the first four games of their first-round playoff series, and whether they’ll extend the season to give Doncic and Reaves enough time to return to the floor in the postseason, will depend on several factors.

The main one being whether they can find the right formulas and game plans to win during life without their star guards.

“We have to be diligent on the offensive end with our screening and still want to just have a paint-touch mentality,” coach JJ Redick said ahead of Sunday’s loss to the Mavericks. “Got to put guys in a position to do that, but our screening’s going to be a big part of that, our effort offense as well. We’ll play lineups that haven’t played together probably all season. Got to crash, got to run.”

The loss to the Mavericks, in which they scored 128 points but allowed the Mavericks to score 134 points in their first home win in over two months, showed there’s progress for the Lakers to make.

And with LeBron James missing Tuesday’s home game against the Thunder because of left foot injury management, in addition to Marcus Smart sitting out of the matchup for his eighth consecutive missed game because of a right ankle contusion, significant progress won’t be able to be made until Thursday’s road game against the Warriors at the earliest. 

Here are the factors the Lakers need to hone in on to maximize the team without Doncic and Reaves

Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick walks onto the court during a time out in the first half against the Dallas Mavericks. AP

The possession battle

Doncic and Reaves combined to average 56.8 points, 13.8 assists and 6.3 made 3-pointers per game for the Lakers during the regular season.

There isn’t a player, or even a collection of a few players, who can replicate or replace the statistical production the team’s star duo produced on a nightly basis.

But what the Lakers can do is improve even more on the margins. 

The Lakers have been one of the league’s better teams this season at winning the possession battle, but they can be even better. 

Already one of the league’s best teams at getting to the free throw line, a strength of Doncic’s and Reaves’, and not allowing many offensive rebounds or opponent free throws, the biggest way they can give themselves more bites at apple is from better offensive rebounding.

This can be achieved by playing bigger lineups more often, which they did against the Mavericks when they used Maxi Kleber as the 4 alongside either Deandre Ayton or Jaxson Hayes.

They have an above-average offensive rebounding rate when Kleber and Hayes share the floor, and become an elite offensive rebounding team when Kleber and Ayton are on the court together.

Transition defense

Getting stops has been an up-and-down challenge for the Lakers.

And a depleted offense won’t make things easier defensively.

But the Lakers can help themselves by consistently getting back on defense with more urgency compared to how they did against the Mavericks.

Their 12 turnovers, a very low mark, weren’t the problem. But the 21 points they allowed off turnovers made it a game of catch up.

Slow down

The Lakers are going to need all of the easy points they can get. 

But they also need to be strategic with how often they push the ball up the floor in transition offensively.

James is a one-man fastbreak, third in the league in transition points per game. 

And they have multiple players besides James, including Hayes, Ayton, Jake LaRavia and Rui Hachimura, who thrive offensively when getting up and down the floor.

But without the proper ball-handlers to feed them, the Lakers need to be careful with how often they push.

Mistakes in transition not only would prevent them from having offensive rebounding opportunities, but will spread their defense thin.

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Game #11 GameThread: Dodgers @ Jays

DUNEDIN, FLORIDA - MARCH 14, 2026: A closeup view of the 2026 spring training logo patch on a New Era Toronto Blue Jays hat prior to a spring training game against the Detroit Tigers at TD Ballpark on March 14, 2026 in Dunedin, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

Game two with the Godless Dodgers.

And the second loonie dog game of the season. I had one loonie dog when I was there a few year ago and I was really sick after. I haven’t had a hot dog since and I likely won’t every again (well, at least not until my kids put me in a home and I have no choice on what to it).

Generally, I can eat almost anything. But that time I couldn’t. And that was the day that Matt ate seven of them. I would have died. I don’t think he’d ever do that again either. That was also the night the Jays traded Marcus Stroman to the Mets for Simeon Woods Richardson and Anthony Key, which gave us stuff to talk about (in the moments I was in the washroom). Woods Richardson is a Twin now. Key is in Japan. Stroman is, well I don’t know where he is, he was a Yankee for some of last year

Go Jays Go.

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Game 11: Tigers at Twins

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - APRIL 02: Starting pitcher Taj Bradley #26 of the Minnesota Twins pitches during the 1st inning of the game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on April 02, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images

First Pitch: 6:40 PM CST

TV: Twins.TV

Radio: TIBN, WCCO 830, The Wolf 102.9, Audacy App, LosTwins.com

Know thine enemy:Bless You Boys

The Twins lineup will face a challenge against lefty Tarik Skubal tonight. Taj Bradley, please allow 0 runs for as long as possible.

Today’s Lineups

TIGERSTWINS
Colt Keith – DHByron Buxton – CF
Kevin McGonigle – 3BAustin Martin – LF
Gleyber Torres – 2BLuke Keaschall – 2B
Riley Greene – LFRyan Jeffers – C
Dillon Dingler – CVictor Caratini – 1B
Zach McKinstry – RFJosh Bell – DH
Spencer Torkelson – 1BMatt Wallner – RF
Parker Meadows – CFRoyce Lewis – 3B
Javier Baez – SSBrooks Lee – SS
Tarik Skubal – LHPTaj Bradley – RHP

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New York Yankees vs. The Athletics: Cam Schlittler vs. Aaron Civale

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Will Warren #98 of the New York Yankees in action against the Detroit Tigers at Yankee Stadium on September 09, 2025 in New York City. The Tigers defeated the Yankees 12-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images

A baseball season is long and arduous, so individually, 7-10 day stretches don’t define seasons. Every year, teams that will go on to contend for a World Series will look ghastly for a time, while teams in the cellar will mysteriously get hot. Baseball is unique in this way, as the season is long enough to absorb such body blows in either direction, while they can define seasons in other sports (except if you’re the Knicks, who randomly had a 2-9 stretch before getting back on the horse).

While many in the AL East are scuffling, the Yankees enter their fourth series of the season with a strong 7-2 record and open up a series against the (Sacramento) Athletics at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night.

Cam Schlittler will get the ball in his third game of the season, looking to continue a hot start. The 25-year-old has been almost untouchable through two starts, tossing 11.2 shutout innings without a walk and 15 strikeouts with his unorthodox fastball-heavy approach. After mixing in his sweeper, curveball, and slider more in his debut season, Schlittler is now throwing one of his three fastballs a baffling 89 percent of the time and has thrown a grand total of two sliders and zero sweepers so far. Will it bite him at some point? I’ll have to see it to believe it. He doesn’t seem fully built up yet, so expect somewhere between 80 and 90 pitches.

Former playoff foe Aaron Civale will make his second start of the year for the Athletics. If you remember the name, the 30-year-old was tasked with starting Game 5 of the 2022 ALDS for the Cleveland Guardians and lasted just a third of an inning in a losing effort. Since then, he’s bounced around from Tampa to Milwaukee to both Chicago clubs before signing a one-year, $6 million pact with the A’s this offseason. He allowed two runs in five innings in his lone start of the year in Atlanta thus far.

While one start isn’t nearly enough to tell what’s he up to this year, Civale has been more of a contact pitcher for much of his career, with his strengths as a pitcher being his ability to limit barrels and walks. He has at least six offerings to keep you off balance, including a near-equal mix of cutters and sinkers. His pitches play to both sides, so expect him to mix in his slider, curveball, and four-seamer to both sides, while his splitter is used against lefties. He’s historically been poor against the Yankees, last starting the series finale of last year’s Torpedo Bowl against the Brewers.

It’s a very usual lineup against a right-handed pitcher for the Yanks, with the exception of Amed Rosario batting seventh in the place of Ryan McMahon. Civale, for his career, has slight reverse splits, making the decision understandable given McMahon’s struggles.

2025 breakout star Nick Kurtz will lead off and look to get going out of a deep slump, followed by the red-hot Shea Langeliers and the lefty Tyler Soderstrom. Two 2025 All-Stars, Brent Rooker and Jacob Wilson, are also looking to break out of skids in the middle of the order, though Rooker is certainly feeling better after a two-homer Sunday that saw him walk off the Astros. Lawrence Butler, Max Muncy the Younger, Jeff McNeil, and defensive wizard Denzel Clarke round out the lineup.

How to watch

Location: Yankee Stadium — New York, NY

First pitch: 7:05 pm ET

TV broadcast: YES, NBCSCA

Radio broadcast: Talk 650 KSTE, A’s Cast (ATH), WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY)

Online stream: MLB.tv (out-of-market only), Gotham Sports App

For updates, follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

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Game 11: Reds at Marlins (6:40 PM ET) – Abbott vs. Alcantara

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 03: Noelvi Marte #4 of the Cincinnati Reds greets teammates on the field prior to the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Opening Day starter Andrew Abbott returns to the mound for the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night in Miami as the Marlins host the second game of this four game set. Former National League Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara will toe the rubber for the fish.

First pitch is set for 6:40 PM ET. Lineups are listed below for both teams.

Go Reds!

Today’s Lineups

REDSMARLINS
TJ Friedl – CFAustin Slater – RF
Matt McLain – 2BAgustin Ramirez – C
Elly De La Cruz – SSJakob Marsee – CF
Sal Stewart – 1BOtto Lopez – SS
Eugenio Suarez – DHHeriberto Hernandez – LF
Spencer Steer – LFConnor Norby – 1B
Tyler Stephenson – CXavier Edwards – 2B
Noelvi Marte – RFLeo Jimenez – DH
Ke’Bryan Hayes – 3BJavier Sanoja – 3B
Andrew Abbott – LHPSandy Alcantara – RHP
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Harris II absent & Baldwin set to DH in Tuesday lineup versus Angels

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 06: Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin (30) hits a single during an MLB baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels played on April 6, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

It’s time for what you’ve all been waiting for… the rosters are set, with some surprises to discuss.

The Atlanta Braves are determined to break their three-game losing streak in game two against the Los Angeles Angels, and Walt Weiss decided to shift some things in the lineup.

Drake Baldwin is keeping his slot as second in the batting order, but this time as DH. Jonah Heim will be entering his fourth game with the team, taking over as catcher, and if you’re wondering if you’re seeing things at centerfield… you’re not.

After unlucky appearances at the plate recently, Michael Hariss II has been omitted from today’s starting lineup, with Eli White taking over.

In honesty, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Austin Riley haven’t been producing what is expected either, but that’s where these opportunities count. Another opportunity is another day Braves’ fans can hope they make a complete turnaround—this is exactly what the team would need today to propel them forward with a win to shift the momentum. We’ll see if these changes make a difference.

Reynaldo López will be taking the mound to face the Angels.

Speaking of whom, notice a new but memorable name on the list? Mike Trout is back and set to bat second, taking centerfield for his bobblehead night with an attempt to lead his team to an extensive four wins in a row. In his past matchups against López, Trout has an OPS of 1.525 in his nine matchups.

Now, of course, this wasn’t a recent feat that was accomplished, but with this being his night, don’t be surprised if his performance shows a new level of dominance to keep that on-base percentage and average against him spiked.

Nolan Schanuel will be present to take over first base, and Travis d’Arnaud, who’s only been accounted for in two games this season so far, is also set to make his return as catcher, batting eighth in the lineup.

The Braves are trying to break a pattern, while the Angels want to continue theirs; only one team will get its wish tonight. We’ll tune in at 9:38 p.m. EDT and come see us as we discuss the aftermath.