The Chicago Cubs’ rotation has already been beaten up this season, which means they’re handing the ball to journeyman pitcher Colin Rea for his first start of the year in the rubber match of this series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Tampa counters with Joe Boyle, who is hoping to be the Rays' latest reclamation pitching project.
My Cubs vs. Rays predictions and MLB picks break down this interleague matchup with the first pitch scheduled for 6:40 pm ET at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, April 8.
Who will win Cubs vs Rays today: Rays (-110)
The Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays enter this rubber match with matching 5-6 records, but I like the home team to improve its record tonight.
The Rays' lineup, led by Junior Caminero and Jonathan Aranda, is off to a great start. Tampa Bay ranks sixth in OPS and fifth in wRC+ and gets a solid matchup against the Cubs’ Colin Rea.
The veteran right-hander has pitched to a 4.26 ERA in two relief appearances this season. And if Rea can’t go deep into the game, he hands the ball to a bullpen that ranks next-to-last in xERA.
COVERS INTEL: Current Rays hitters have combined for a .356 xAVG and a .609 xSLG vs. Rea.
Cubs vs Rays Over/Under pick: Under 8 (-110)
Joe Boyle spent the better part of the last three seasons toiling away with the Athletics, but the Rays saw something in the 26-year-old right-hander, and the early results have been impressive.
Boyle has allowed four earned runs on eight hits while striking out 16 over his first two starts with Tampa.
The Cubs' bats have been a little slow to get going, ranking 22nd in batting average and 16th in wRC+.
Even though I like the Rays to do some scoring, the Cubs won't do enough to send this one Over the total.
Andrew Caley's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 3-2, +0.7 units
Over/Under bets: 3-2, +0.8 units
Cubs vs Rays odds
Moneyline: Cubs -110 | Rays -110
Run line: Cubs -1.5 (+155) | Rays +1.5 (-185)
Over/Under: Over 8.0 | Under 8.0
Cubs vs Rays trend
The Cubs have only covered the Run Line in 16 of their last 45 away games for -17.00 Units and a -30% ROI. Find more MLB betting trends for Cubs vs. Rays.
How to watch Cubs vs Rays and game info
Location
Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL
Date
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
First pitch
6:40 p.m. ET
TV
Marquee, RAYS
Cubs starting pitcher
Colin Rea (0-0, 4.26 ERA)
Rays starting pitcher
Joe Boyle (0-0, 3.18 ERA)
Cubs vs Rays latest injuries
Cubs vs Rays weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza provided some updates prior to Wednesday’s game with the Diamondbacks…
On the plans for the rotation
Mendoza previously indicated that the team may consider turning to a six-man rotation as they work through a long stretch of games without an off-day in the early-going, but that will not be the case.
The skipper indicated that they could still go that route at some point down the line, but they will continue to lean on their current five starters this next turn through.
“We just want to keep guys with their routines,” he said. “If we need to go that route we will, but as I’m sitting here we’re not planning on going to a six-man, just keeping everyone on their normal routines and in a good place.
“It’s still early, but we don’t see it as a necessity right now to go that way.”
The Mets’ current group certainly has performed well early on, entering this week with the third-best ERA in the National League (3.13) through two turns in the rotation.
That means that Sean Manaea will remain in his role working out of the bullpen for now.
"Nothing changes there," the skipper said. "Ideally use all of his pitches when we need to, but if we need to use him for 35 or 40 we will do it, too, because if he went the way he threw 70+ pitches the last time it wouldn’t affect him short-term."
Carson Benge’s at-bats
The youngster was on fire during spring training to land a spot on the team, but he’s struggled thus far to carry that success over to the regular season.
With another hitless effort on Tuesday, Benge is now stuck in an 0-for-19 stretch over his past six games.
Despite the quiet showing, Mendoza was encouraged by his at-bats in the victory.
“Even though he didn’t get the results, he had better at-bats,” he said. “A couple of balls that he hit hard -- one up the middle and one in the gap that they made a good play on. It’s just for a young player going through stretches like this when you first get to the big leagues it isn’t easy, but I thought he’s handling it very professionally.
"It goes to show you the type of person and type of player he is. Even when he’s 0-for-whatever, in his mind it’s what can I do today to help the team win? That’s been the message -- get good pitches, hit the ball hard, don’t chase results. The way you play defense, every time you get on base you’re impacting, you’re helping us, and he's gotta keep going."
Winners of the first two games in this four-game series, the Minnesota Twins (5-6) take the field against the Detroit Tigers (4-7) in a key early-season battle between the American League Central rivals.
The Minnesota Twins beat the Detroit Tigers 4–2 on Tuesday night at Target Field, riding a decisive fifth inning and another dominant start from Taj Bradley. After being held scoreless through four innings, the Twins broke through against Tigers’ ace Tarik Skubal, pushing across all four of their runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Bradley allowed one run on six hits while striking out 10 over 6⅓ innings on the way to improving to 2–0. Skubal, the two‑time reigning AL Cy Young winner, struggled surrendering four runs on eight hits in just 4⅔ innings. Ryan Jeffers delivered the biggest swing of the game with a two‑run double, while Josh Bell added an RBI double. Detroit chipped away late, getting RBI hits from Kevin McGonigle in both the seventh and ninth innings, but the rally fizzled before Detroit could complete the comeback.
Tonight, Detroit sends Framber Valdez to the mound while the Twins hand the ball to Bailey Ober. Valdez is at his best when he’s commanding the bottom of the zone, forcing quick contact and limiting damage. It is imperative that the Twins stay patient at the plate and work the count against the former Houston ace. Minnesota counters with Bailey Ober, whose success hinges on strike‑throwing and extension from his 6’9” frame. Ober’s ability to change eye levels and stay ahead in counts will be tested by a Detroit lineup that prefers to hunt pitches early.
Offensively, the Twins will try to generate traffic for middle‑order hitters and avoid chasing Valdez’s sinker below the zone, while the Tigers aim to stay patient against Ober and capitalize on mistakes up in the strike zone.
Lets dive into this afternoon’s matchup and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch: Tigers vs. Twins
Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Time: 7:40PM EST
Site: Target Field
City: Minneapolis, MN
Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, Fox Sports 1, Tigers.TV, Twins.TV
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
The Latest Odds: Tigers vs. Twins
The latest odds as of Wednesday courtesy of DraftKings:
Twins: Bailey Ober Season Totals: 8.0 IP, 0-0, 6.75 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 5K, 3 BB
Who’s Hot? Who’s Not! Tigers vs. Twins
Gleyber Torres is 1-12 over his last 3 games
Spencer Torkelson has at least one hit in 3 of his last 4 games (4-10)
Riley Greene is 1-13 over his last 4 games
Minnesota is hitting .211 as a team
Byron Buxton is 2-8 over his last 2 games after going hitless in his previous 18 ABs
Royce Lewis is 3-17 (.176) in April
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Top Betting Trends & Insights: Tigers vs. Twins
The Tigers are 4-7 on the Run Line this season
The Twins are 6-5 on the Run Line this season
The OVER has cashed 5 times in the Tigers’ 11 games this season (5-5-1)
The OVER has cashed 4 times in the Twins’ 11 games (4-6-1)
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Expert picks & predictions: Tigers vs. Twins
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday’s game between the Tigers and the Twins:
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Tigers on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the Tigers on the Run Line.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Game Total UNDER 8.0.
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The 2018-19 NBA season was a tough one for the Boston Celtics. They went into that campaign with championship expectations, but for many reasons, that goal wasn’t achieved.
The C’s playoff run ended in a five-game loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference semifinals. A few months later, Kyrie Irving and Al Horford left in free agency.
It was also a difficult season for Jaylen Brown. He took a huge step in his development during the 2017-18 season, especially in the playoffs when he played a prominent role with Irving and Gordon Hayward sidelined due to injuries. The Celtics advanced all the way to Game 7 of the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals.
Brown saw his playing time and many of his stats decrease in 2018-19. He also went from making 70 starts in 2017-18 to just 25 in 2018-19.
During that offseason, Brown reached out to NBA legend and friend Tracy McGrady and asked for his advice on the situation. McGrady helped convince Brown to stay in Boston. T-Mac saw the potential Brown and Jayson Tatum had as an elite duo.
“It’s fascinating,” McGrady said. “He’s very intelligent and a guy you suspect (would) have all the answers because he’s a student of the game and he wants all the information. For him to reach out to me to just come sit down and have a conversation, because it was heavy on his heart and his mind, and what he wanted to do.
“For me, it was just (being) the voice of reason because I’m not emotionally connected to Boston. I’m not emotionally connected to anything with Boston. My connection is with him and trying to give him the best advice as possible.
“I saw it was an opportunity — you’ve got another player with you in Jayson Tatum, and the dynamic that you guys have created could be very dangerous, and given the organization and their winning ways, and them putting the necessary pieces around you guys — you’ve always been close when you’ve been together.
“It was just a matter of them figuring it out and working together and how they were going to pull everybody else up to get over that hump and win a championship. It ultimately happened, and he was the MVP of (that series). And now these guys have another opportunity to do that.”
Brown staying in Boston worked out perfectly. He has become an All-NBA player, and this season he is a legitimate MVP candidate. Brown and Tatum led the Celtics to their long-awaited Banner 18 with an NBA Finals triumph over the Dallas Mavericks in 2024. Brown also was voted Finals MVP.
With the 2026 playoffs on the horizon, Brown and Tatum have a chance to win their second title together over the next few months. The C’s are the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, and a lot of experts consider Boston to be the favorite to win the Eastern Conference.
Also in this episode:
Who would win in their prime? T-Mac or JB?
Where Brown fits in the MVP race
The relationship the two have built over the years, including career guidance in 2019
His thoughts on Jayson Tatum’s remarkable return
Who are the biggest threats in the East?
The impact Tatum has made to the roster, rebounding, defensively
A look at who could come out of the play-in round to face the Celtics as the 7th seed
Garrett Wilson didn’t give up on the NHL as he went nearly seven straight years playing in the minors.
And he certainly didn’t give up on his teammates, most of them prospects and vying for the next level.
Wilson looked after them.
“I just wanted to take care of the younger guys,” he said three and a half weeks ago, “because I got taken care of when I was younger.”
The 35-year-old winger was rewarded last month with an NHL contract and his first game since the 2018-19 season. His blend of selflessness and stick-to-itiveness has made him the Flyers’ nominee for the 2025-26 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.
The nomination was voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association’s Philadelphia chapter. The Masterton Trophy is an NHL award given annually to “the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to ice hockey.”
“I am very proud to see Garrett recognized as a nominee for the NHL Masterton Trophy,” general manager Danny Briere said in a statement released by the team Wednesday. “Garrett’s commitment to the Flyers organization and journey in hockey is a true testament to his dedication and pure love of the game. He helped establish a level of professionalism and has made a profound impact with the young players in our system for the last six years. His return to the NHL this season speaks volumes about his character and he has earned everything that’s come his way.”
Wilson has been a part of AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley’s leadership group over the last six seasons. The Flyers have seen a lot of their key young pieces come through the Phantoms. Wilson has been teammates with guys like Tyson Foerster, Cam York, Emil Andrae, Alex Bump, Denver Barkey and Nikita Grebenkin, among others.
“I knew my role, I’ve been there six years,” Wilson said. “The rebuild and the new prospects coming in, I really wanted to make sure to take care of them. Because when I was a young guy, I had lot of good leaders taking care of me. So kind of pass down that to them. Just teach the guys how to be pro every day, how to act around the rink, how to take care of the trainers and the staff. I just try to lead by example.”
Wilson has done so as a tough, hard-nosed player who stands up for his teammates. He’s now with the Flyers for their playoff push and has appeared in two games. Prior to this season, Wilson’s last NHL game was April 16, 2019, in the playoffs with the Penguins.
As time went on in the minors, he wasn’t sure if he’d ever play in the NHL again.
“There was definitely a bit of doubts,” Wilson said last Thursday. “Once you sign the AHL deal, you’re kind of restricted to just playing in the AHL. I got the chance to come to training camp, had [professional tryout offers] and that. I just tried to stay positive, go down there, I liked the role I had down there of taking care of the younger guys and showing them the pro game. A lot of the guys, they’ve graduated to here.”
And now Wilson has had the chance to be their teammate again.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are effectively locked into the No. 6 seed out West, so they will trot out a lineup tonight that looks nothing like what will be seen in the playoffs.
The Orlando Magic are the lucky beneficiaries. Apologies to all fans of the Hornets, 76ers and Raptors.
My Timberwolves vs. Magic predictions and NBA picks expect exactly one key piece of Minnesota’s rotation to shine on Wednesday, April 8, and that's Rudy Gobert.
Timberwolves vs Magic prediction
Timberwolves vs Magic best bet: Rudy Gobert Over 11.5 points (-115)
This spread has moved a bucket today, because it is more and more clear that Minnesota may coast the rest of the week.
Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels are both recovering from knee worries. The Timberwolves have declared Mike Conely out for rest, Ayo Dosunmu out to tend to a right calf injury, and Julius Randle out amid “right hand soreness.”
Gobert is listed as questionable, “rest.” Expect him to play.
Why? Because he should rest the final two games of the regular season. One more flagrant foul from Gobert elicits a two-game suspension that would roll over into the postseason. Minnesota should not risk that in either of its last two games. So given Gobert is likely to rest to close the week, expect him to play tonight and to play genuine minutes.
With so much other production removed from the Timberwolves’ lineup, genuine minutes from Gobert should result in more field-goal attempts than usual.
Timberwolves vs Magic same-game parlay
Get ready to learn about Zyon Pullin, NBA bettors. He played three minutes in last night’s Timberwolves’ win at Indiana. The second-year guard has not played even five minutes in a game this season, but it is distinctly possible he plays 10+ minutes tonight.
Perhaps Pullin does not see such action, but that mere possibility should underscore how unseriously Minnesota is taking this game.
Timberwolves vs Magic SGP
Magic -5 1H
Magic -9.5
Under 228.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Sit Suggs
The Timberwolves not worrying about tonight should lead to the Magic easing up in certain areas, and no piece of the Orlando rotation needs rest more than Jalen Suggs does. He is clearly playing through injury, if not injuries, as the Magic try to claw their way out of the Play-In Tournament.
Timberwolves vs Magic SGP
Magic -5 1H
Magic -9.5
Under 228.5
Jalen Suggs Under 13.5 points
Timberwolves vs Magic odds
Spread: Timberwolves +9.5 | Magic -9.5
Moneyline: Timberwolves +300 | Magic -380
Over/Under: Over 228.5 | Under 228.5
Timberwolves vs Magic betting trend to know
Orlando has won three straight games outright, each of them vital as the Magic sit tied for No. 7 in the East with life ahead of the Play-In Tournament only a game away. Find more NBA betting trends for Timberwolves vs. Magic.
How to watch Timberwolves vs Magic
Location
Kia Center, Orlando, FL
Date
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN North, FDSN Florida
Timberwolves vs Magic latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 17: Sean Murphy #12 of the Atlanta Braves looks on during the seventh inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on August 17, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Last night, Walt Weiss told the assorted Braves media that catcher Sean Murphy would be heading on a rehab assignment as soon as Friday. While we knew that Friday would be the day, we didn’t know which of the four Braves minor league teams that Murphy would be playing for as he makes his final preparations to return to Atlanta’s squad following offseason hip labrum surgery.
We now have an answer to that. Per a press release from the Braves and the Gwinnett Stripers, Sean Murphy will be playing at Gwinnett Field this Friday as the Stripers take on the Nashville Sounds from the Milwaukee Brewers organization.
Return of the Murph‼️
2023 All-Star and #Braves catcher Sean Murphy is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment in Gwinnett THIS FRIDAY, April 10th, presented by @NorthsideHosp.
Here’s an excerpt from the Stripers’ press relase on the matter:
Murphy, on Atlanta’s 10-day injured list (right hip labrum repair), is scheduled to play in Gwinnett’s 7:05 p.m. game that night vs. Nashville at Gwinnett Field.
The 31-year-old Murphy will begin his third career rehab assignment with the Stripers. He played in four games with the club in 2024 while out with a strained left oblique, and three games in 2025 while working his way back from a left ribcage fracture. In seven career games with Gwinnett, he’s batting .250 (7-for-28) with one double, three home runs, six RBIs, and an .883 OPS.
In case you’re interested in watching or keeping track with the game, you can watch on Bally Sports Live (link here) and you can listen on My Country 993 WCON-FM (link here). We still don’t know the exact date of Sean Murphy’s return to the Braves but as long as this is happening, a return is certainly imminent. We’ll see what happens.
PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 03: Kyle Bradish #38 of the Baltimore Orioles in action the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 3, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It is Kyle Bradish day for the Orioles, and hopefully that is a good thing. Prior to the start of this season, you’d have bet for sure that it was, as the one-time Top 5 Cy Young Award finisher has been a dark wizard on the mound, even after missing time for Tommy John surgery. In the spring, Bradish said he felt healthier than he had in a long time, and expectations were high to match. Yet so far in two starts he’s 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA, having yet to complete five innings in either outing while walking a highly atypical 6.23 hitters per nine innings. The velocity is back, just not the control. The White Sox, though, are probably about as good a matchup as Bradish could ask for right now: think of it as an extended spring training. A strong performance here would go a long way toward settling the question of whether the right handers’ early-season struggles are a sign of something concerning or just early-season noise.
The Orioles batters face Sean Burke (0-1, 3.60 ERA, 12 K in 10 IP), who has looked considerably better than his rotation-mate (and yesterday’s starter) Shane Smith this season. Burke was something of a Dean Kremer-tier pitcher for the White Sox last year (4-11, 4.22 ERA, 133 K in 133.1 IP), but he’s off to a nice start in 2026, with 12 strikeouts and no home runs allowed across his first 10 innings. The key for Burke is his four-seam fastball: he relies on swings-and-misses with the heater, but his changeup is a threat, too. Burke could be a real challenge for this free-swinging Orioles lineup, which has been somewhat stymied by hard throwers this year.
The Orioles come in fresh off a win yesterday against these same White Sox, taking a 2-0 lead in the series and in a position to sweep today. A win would put this team back at .500 and give them something to feel good about heading into their next two series, rare clashes against two NL West teams, the struggling Giants and about-as-good-as-the-Orioles Diamondbacks.
Mar 29, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher MacKenzie Gore (1) throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Despite flashes of electric stuff, Shane Smith struggled with command in Wednesday’s start, prompting a move to Triple-A. | (Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
Shane Smith, the South Siders’ 2026 Opening Day starter, was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday. Smith’s demotion comes after his start on Tuesday, where he flashed some of that nasty swing-and-miss stuff we saw for stretches last season.
Smith was still erratic, however. He walked five Orioles, plunked a sixth, and burned through 99 pitches in 3 2/3 innings. Despite failing to end the fourth inning, Wednesday was still Smith’s longest outing of the year. That kind of tells you everything you need to know right there.
The issues are easy to diagnose. Smith has completely lost the ability to spot his fastball. Compare his 2025 heat map to 2026:
At his best, Smith features one of the liveliest four-seam fastballs in baseball. The pitch can overpower hitters even when they are sitting on it. Smith also added 1.3 inches of rise to his four-seamer early in 2026, which could help generate more swings and misses in the strike zone. None of this does a pitcher any good, however, when he’s constantly missing wide of the zone.
James Fegan got Smith and some of the White Sox development staff to talk about the fastball issues on Monday, and I was struck by this quote from Brian Bannister:
“He lost some of the qualities that made him unique,” Bannister said. “He had this unique little step forward that threw hitters off on their timing, and then he would speed up right after that to go slow, fast. You get some visual deception in a way that Tarik Skubal does.”
This isn’t the first time Bannister has talked about “visual deception” this season. Bannister is one of those guys who is always looking for the next big thing; in 2024 and 2025, he bet on the kick changeup and was correct. He’s now wagering on “funky,” a concept that has long been a staple of Japanese baseball culture but has grown more en vogue recently in MLB, from the more obvious (Nestor Cortes’s double leg kick) to the more subtle, like Shane Smith’s herky-jerky tempo from last year. The organization even has a term for them: “residuals.”
Smith took it upon himself over the offseason to regulate his windup tempo — we’re left to infer that Bannister hadn’t communicated his philosophy of funk to his pitchers before the offseason — and in doing so, he took away a piece of what made him a budding star last year. It’s like taking the loud parts out of “Smells Like Teen Spirit”—now the song is just some mumbly guy playing two notes over and over.
While an early-season demotion does not seem so bleak after last year’s extended Spring Training, where Colson Montgomery got his groove back, it also doesn’t instill much confidence in a ballclub when the Opening Day starter can’t make it to Tax Day. It’ll be up to the White Sox brain trust to get Smith back to the funk.
The Central Division and Metropolitan Division title races have been settled but the other two NHL division races are tight.
After games on Tuesday, April 7, the Tampa Bay Lightning, Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens are tied atop the Atlantic Division with 102 points each. In the Pacific Division race, the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights are tied with 88 points and the Anaheim Ducks are one point back at 87.
So which team has the edge for the division title and which would finish second and have home-ice advantage in the second round?
That comes down to tiebreakers.
Here's an explanation of NHL tiebreakers and how they will affect the 2026 playoff races:
NHL tiebreakers: What is the first tiebreaker in NHL standings?
If two teams are tied in points at the end of the regular season, here are the tiebreakers:
Regulation wins
Regulation and overtime wins (ROW)
Total wins
Most points earned in head-to-head competition: If teams had an uneven number of meetings, the first game played in the city that has the extra game is excluded. When more than two clubs are tied, the percentage of available points earned in games among each other (and not including any odd games) shall be used to determine standings.
Goal differential
Total goals
How NHL tiebreakers affect the Atlantic Division race
The Lightning and Sabres entered Wednesday's game tied with 39 regulation wins, so that would go to the second tiebreaker. Tampa Bay leads 44 to 42 in ROW, giving it the division lead. The Canadiens have only 32 regulation wins and can't catch the other two teams in that category, so they'd have to finish ahead of the Lightning and Sabres in points to finish first or second in the division.
Buffalo plays on Wednesday and Thursday, April 9, while Tampa Bay visits Montreal on Thursday.
How NHL tiebreakers affect the Pacific Division race
Edmonton leads Vegas 30-28 in regulation wins and in ROW 39-35, so the Golden Knights will have to finish with more points or regulation wins than the Oilers to win the division. Anaheim has only 24 regulation wins.
How NHL tiebreakers affect the race for the Eastern Conference top seed
The Carolina Hurricanes have 106 points, but if the Lightning or Sabres can catch them, they have three more regulation wins than the Hurricanes.
How NHL tiebreakers affect the Eastern Conference wild-card race
The Boston Bruins (96 points) and Ottawa Senators (92) hold the two spots, with four other teams within five points of Ottawa. The Senators have the most regulation wins in that group (35) with only the Washington Capitals (33) able to catch them in that category, but they're five points back. Ottawa would take the first wild-card slot if they and Boston are tied in points at season's end.
How NHL tiebreakers affect the Western Conference wild-card race
The Utah Mammoth (88 points) are trending toward finishing with the first wild-card spot. The Nashville Predators (84) are sitting in the second wild-card spot, but they have played one or two more games than their closest pursuers: the Los Angeles Kings (83), San Jose Sharks (81), Winnipeg Jets (80) and St. Louis Blues (78).
The Kings currently have only 19 regulation wins, so they'd lose out in the event of a tie. The Predators have 27, the Sharks have 25, the Jets have 27 and the Blues have 29. The Sharks have the most ROW at 35 if it comes down to a second tiebreaker.
Nashville and Winnipeg are currently tied in regulation wins and ROW, but the Predators have three more total wins. If it comes down to a fourth tiebreaker between those teams. the Jets have the edge in the season series.
How NHL tiebreakers affect the second seed in the Central Division
The Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild first-round series is the only one that is set, but home-ice advantage hasn't been determined. The Stars lead by two points and by an insurmountable five regulation wins, so the Wild can't win a tiebreaker. They would get home ice only if they finish with more points.
Feb 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas against the Cleveland Guardians during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Veteran Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas announced Wednesday on Instagram that his father Miguel Rojas Sr. died.
“With immense sorrow on behalf of the entire Rojas family, I must inform everyone who had the opportunity to know and share time with my father, Miguel Rojas—known as “Micky”—that he passed away suddenly yesterday afternoon, April 7th,“ Rojas said in Spanish, translated roughly here to English. ”I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has reached out to me and my family to offer their love and let us know just how deeply cherished my father was throughout his life. May God welcome him into His glory, and may he rest in peace.“
Rojas was originally slated to start at shortstop on Tuesday night against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, but was a late scratch, replaced in the lineup by Hyeseong Kim. At the time, the Dodgers announced Rojas was scratched “to tend to a family matter.”
Dave Roberts said he does expect Miguel Rojas to go on leave at some point following the passing of his father, but said Rojas approached him and said he wanted to be in the lineup today.
Miguel Rojas said he spoke with his father yesterday afternoon. Said he was looking forward to watching #Dodgers game that night. Miggy got another call 40 minutes before game time, saying his father suffered a heart attack. Miguel Sr. died on the way to the hospital
Should the Dodgers decide to place Rojas on bereavement leave and call up a replacement on the roster once the team returns home on Friday, the minimum stay on the bereavement list is three days, with a maximum of seven days.
Feb 26, 2026; Peoria, Arizona, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Connor Joe (9) hits a single against the Cleveland Guardians in the second inning at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
The Seattle Mariners announced today that they have placed OF Victor Robles on the 10-day IL with a right pectoral strain. To take Robles’s place on the roster, the Mariners have selected INF/OF Connor Joe. Joe will wear #9, last worn by INF Ben Williamson.
Joe, 33, is a journeyman player who’s been with several organizations, most known as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team that drafted him, and the Rockies, where he played two seasons. The Mariners brought him in this spring on a minor-league deal and invited him to camp as an NRI, where he saw significant playing time while many Mariners regulars were away at the WBC.
Joe impressed in camp, knocking in six doubles, a triple and a homer over 20 games, showing some surprising thump and recording consistently loud exit velocities for a player who’s never been known as a power threat. Joe credited that this spring to the Mariners’ up-the-middle philosophy, saying it suits him well as a hitter. He told me this spring how quickly he took to the Mariners’ offensive philosophy, and coaching specifically:
“From [Kevin] Seitzer to Mags [Bobby Magallanes] to Pap [Ed Papprella], we had such productive talks, and Mags even pulled up some video from when I was going really well with the Pirates and compared it to some of the moves I was making when I first got to camp, and talked about how I could add some more rhythm in there, get a little bit more separation, just be more athletic in the box, and it’s really helped me. The work with them and the communication with them has been very, very consistent.”
What the Mariners were really excited about when acquiring Joe, however, is his plus makeup and leadership abilities. Joe, whose father ran Chinese restaurants in the San Diego area and often worked 15-hour days, is a testicular cancer survivor who speaks often about the importance of early detection and his difficult journey to fatherhood. (I strongly recommend you read the linked article, written by now-Mariners AP beat reporter Andrew Destin, who covered Joe back when he was in Pittsburgh.)
In addition to these moves, the Mariners also moved RHP Carlos Vargas to the 60-day IL with a lat strain. Vargas was placed on the 15-day IL on March 27th after feeling discomfort during his regular throwing routine. RHP Cole Wilcox was selected from Tacoma to replace Vargas and has since appeared in three games, punching out six of the sixteen hitters he’s faced so far.
Mar 28, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott reacts against the Utah Jazz in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
April showers might bring May flowers, sure, but quality basketball in April opens the door to May games. Perhaps even June. This is the stretch where teams tighten things up, clean their rotations, and get ready for the games that actually matter. Unless you are tanking, of course. Thankfully, the Phoenix Suns are not in that lane. They do not have a draft pick waiting to reward losing, so the mission is simple. Compete. Use these games to learn who shows up when the lights get hot, who fades, and what you actually have before a very real offseason arrives.
And yet, things feel off in Phoenix.
This is not a team sharpening its tools. This is a team still rummaging through the toolbox, trying to find those damn needlenose pliers. Health has been part of the story all season, and now that bodies are back, it almost feels like there are too many levers to pull. There are too many tools in the proverbial toolbox. There are too many options and not enough clarity. They are not honing an edge. They are still deciding which blade to pick up.
That early-season run? It was real. They took the league by surprise and stacked wins. It is also worth remembering how it happened. Jalen Green, the $33.6 million man, missed 45 games. During that stretch, something formed. Roles made sense. Chemistry showed up. Guys knew where to be and what to do. The team is 16-15 in games in which he has played. They were 27-21 in games without him. Not a singular cause, but worth noting.
Now he is back. Dillon Brooks is back. Mark Williams is back. The team is the healthiest it’s been all season. And somehow, the picture is less clear. The Suns feel uneven, the roles are less defined, and the team is sputtering. Possession to possession, quarter to quarter, game to game. The identity that once felt loud now feels distant.
If you zoom out and look at the month-by-month counting stats for the Phoenix Suns, you can start to see where things are drifting. April is a small sample. Three games are not enough to plant a flag and call it a full-blown trend. But when you layer it on top of what we have been watching in the weeks leading up to it, the picture becomes a little clearer.
The numbers do not exist in a vacuum. They are confirming what the eye test has been telling you. Certain areas are slipping. Possessions that used to be under control are now loosening. Defensive breakdowns that used to be occasional are becoming routine. Fourth quarters are a barren offensive landscape. And when you connect those dots from late March into April, it stops feeling like a blip and starts feeling like direction. And right now, that direction is not the one you want heading into the postseason.
What is concerning? Let’s delve.
Opposing Points in the Paint
We talked about it in the Weekly Recap, and the numbers keep reinforcing it. Month by month, Phoenix is allowing more damage in the paint, not less. They are allowing 56.0 points in the paint in April, whereas they were permitting 48.5 during the first six months of the year. An extra 8 points nightly is not what anyone would label as “ideal”. That is the wrong direction this time of year. You already know why it matters. The paint is where the highest percentage shots live. Layups, dunks, second-chance looks; all of it adds up quickly when you do not protect that space.
And right now, teams are getting there far too easily. Opposing teams’ offensive rebound percentage in the month of April is 46.5%. It was 32.0% between October and March. The team, as they’ve navigated away from size, has permitted the opposition to roam free to snag offensive rebounds. There is no deterrent, there is no resistance.
Whether it is guards turning the corner without resistance or bigs cleaning up on the glass, as we saw with the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, it becomes a steady diet of easy points. Missed box outs become putbacks. Broken containment becomes a layup line.
That is not something you can live with. Good teams identify this early. They adjust. They tighten things up. They make the paint uncomfortable. Phoenix is going the other way.
Steals Per Game
The calling card for the Phoenix Suns this season, at least for the first half of it, has been defense. Not passive defense, not sit back and react, but pressure. Disruption. The kind that makes teams uncomfortable and speeds them up. That is the identity. Or at least it was. That is what has separated Phoenix when they are right.
But as the season has moved forward, that edge has dulled.
The steals are not showing up at the same rate. This was the league’s top team in steals at one point. They are now ranked 4th, which obviously isn’t horrible. But they are not trending upward, especially when compared to the front-end of the season.
The activity might still be there, the intent might still exist, but the results are not matching it. Hands are a half step late. Rotations are a beat behind. What used to turn into turnovers is now turning into clean looks.
You can point to fatigue and you can point to injuries. Both are part of the story. None of this happens in isolation. But it is still something you have to acknowledge. Because when your identity is built on disruption, and the disruption starts to fade, everything else becomes harder.
Assist Percentage
One of the more concerning developments with the Phoenix Suns is how sharp the drop has been in certain areas, and assists sit right at the center of it. Yes, the April sample is small. Three games are not enough to paint the full picture. But the recent results have been alarming. Their 49.6 assist percentage is dead last in the NBA.
The scoring is still there, although 110.7 points per game in April is 4th least in the league. A primary reason for this is that the assist numbers have fallen off. 19.7 assists on 39.7 made field goals is a significant shift from what the first six months of the season carried, which was 25 assists on 41 field goals made, a 60.8 assist percentage.
The ball is sticking more. The natural flow that defined this team earlier in the season is not showing up with the same consistency.
When the ball moves, the offense breathes. When it doesn’t, everything tightens. Shots become tougher, possessions become more predictable, and the margin for error shrinks. What you are seeing is a lack of cohesion. Not complete dysfunction, but enough of a drop to notice. Enough to question.
And that is the part that lingers. Because when you move into the postseason, those cracks do not hide. They get exposed.
Fourth Quarter Net Rating
Ummm…gross, right?
This team is not closing well. The execution slips, the flow disappears, and possessions start to feel heavy. Devin Booker has not elevated in those moments, and when he shifts into deferment mode, the response around him has not been there either. No one is picking up the slack. No one is carrying the weight.
And that is where games are decided. The fourth quarter is where you win or lose, and right now, Phoenix is not holding up in those minutes. Especially in April. The same issue keeps showing up. The same script keeps playing out. When the moments matter most, the Suns are coming up short.
It’s been a season-long issue. The Suns are the worst team in the NBA in fourth quarter scoring, averaging 25.9 points per Q4.
Thankfully, there is still time. Not much, but some. Three games left for the Phoenix Suns before the Play-In, before everything tightens, before every possession carries a little more weight. And that is where the focus turns to Jordan Ott and the rotations.
He is tightening them. That part is clear. But the question that keeps hanging in the air is whether he is tightening in the right places. Because right now, the productivity is not matching the decisions. The lineups are not producing the consistency you need this time of year.
How long do you keep searching? How long do you keep running out combinations that are not giving you what you need, hoping that something clicks? Because at some point, the window for experimentation closes, and the need for clarity takes over.
That is where Phoenix is right now. Three games to figure it out. Three games to find the groups you trust. Three games to build something that can hold when the pressure rises. After that, there is no more searching. Only results.
We got everybody in the league looking down, staring at their shoes.
Honestly, answer me…. Who in their right mind wants to see the Phoenix Suns right now?
My guess is that the answer to that question is a lot of teams.
That disruptive identity they built early in the season? It has faded. Teams are getting into the paint whenever they want. The activity is there at times, but it is not turning into steals. The ball is not moving with purpose, assists are down, and possessions feel heavier. And when the game tightens in the fourth, things fall apart.
Those are all symptoms of the same thing. Execution.
You can point in a lot of directions. Jordan Ott and the rotations. The players and their ability to carry out what is being asked. Even the roster construction itself. It sounds strange, but this team might be too deep for its own good right now. Too many options, not enough clarity. And when you are still trying to figure out who plays, when they play, and how they fit together this late in the season, it shows.
Because instead of leaning into an identity, you drift away from one. Instead of being disruptive, you become disjointed. Disconnected. Discombobulated. The version of this team we saw early, the one that had a clear edge and a clear purpose, that version feels distant. And with the postseason around the corner, that is the part that should make you uneasy.
As talks begin over fixing the controversial regulations, the FIA’s Nikolas Tombazis says changes to ‘specific aspects’ are needed, not a total overhaul
Formula One has endured a somewhat turbulent opening this season under the sport’s new regulations. Amid the sound and fury of some driver dissatisfaction with the new formula and safety concerns brought sharply into focus by a huge accident at the Japanese Grand Prix, three races in there is now an opportunity to propose changes, with the man who has been at the heart of the process since it began quietly confident that F1 can adapt successfully.
Nikolas Tombazis is the single-seater director for F1’s governing body, the FIA, and has been with the organisation since 2018. He was there when the very first discussions of the 2026 regulations took place in January 2021 and has been central to their evolution since. In his calm and articulate fashion, Tombazis says the noise around the new regulations is overstated.
COVERS INTEL: Current Rays hitters have combined for a .356 xAVG and a .609 xSLG vs. Rea.
