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An uncomfortable, awkward, nervy night ended in a goalless draw and Arsenal progressing to the semi-finals
1 min: Peeeeeep! Luis Suarez gets the ball rolling.
The captains exchange pennants. Sporting’s looks rubbish. Not even embroidered. It’s like they forgot their proper pennant and had to buy one from a dodgy bloke outside the ground. It’s less a pennant than an insult.
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The San Francisco Giants have had the worst outfield in the Major Leagues this year, and now it’s getting a shakeup. However, it’s not the performance that is causing that shakeup, but rather injuries.
On Wednesday, ahead of their game against the Cincinnati Reds, the Giants announced that starting center fielder Harrison Bader and fourth outfielder Jared Oliva had both been placed on the 10-Day IL. Bader, whose IL stint is retroactive to April 12, has a left hamstring strain, which appears to be a lingering issue from a Spring Training injury. Oliva is headed to the IL with a left wrist hamate fracture, though it’s unclear when that injury was sustained (he did have what appeared to be a very minor collision with the wall in yesterday’s loss).
Taking their places on the roster are outfielders Drew Gilbert and Will Brennan, who have been recalled from AAA Sacramento.
It could be a blessing in disguise for the Giants. Their outfield has been miserable, but it seemed unlikely that they would bench Bader, Jung Hoo Lee, or Heliot Ramos anytime soon. You don’t ever wish for an injury, but it does open the door for some new players to get some playing time, and potentially run with it. Both Brennan and Gilbert have been playing well — not great, but well — in Sacramento this year. Brennan is hitting .392/.389/.549 with one home run and a 149 wRC+, while Gilbert is slashing .289/.389/.400, with one home run and a 122 wRC+. Both players have regularly been playing all three outfield spots in AAA.
As for the injured players, Bader’s first year with the Giants has been a disaster thus far, as he’s hit just .115/.145/.192 with one home run, a -7 wRC+, and a team-worst -0.6 fWAR. Oliva has hit 1-7 while playing almost exclusively as a pinch-runner prior to filling in for Bader. It’s a tough break for Oliva, who beat the odds to make the Opening Day roster, and will now likely be shelved for quite a while.
It will be interesting to see how Tony Vitello and the front office allocate playing time for the new outfield arrangement, especially since Gilbert and Brennan are both left-handed hitters replacing right-handed hitters (on a team woefully lacking in lefties). Gilbert is an exciting prospect who is wholly unproven at the MLB level, while Brennan is a known entity but has been a comfortably below-average hitter in 866 career plate appearances in the pros. We also don’t know how the Giants view the center field defensive situation with Bader sidelined: Gilbert has looked good there in limited action, Brennan has been serviceable with a fair amount of experience there, and Lee spent all of last year as the center fielder, and slid over to fill in for Bader on Sunday.
These are the first transactions that the Giants have made on the hitting front this year, despite being at or near the bottom in virtually every offensive category. That’s been doubly true for the team’s outfielders who, as a unit, rank 29th in batting average (.189), 30th in on-base percentage (.221), 29th in slugging percentage (.264), 30th in walk rate (4.2%), 30th in wRC+ (36), and 30th in fWAR (-1.6).
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Mitch Johnson can finally start drawing up game plans.
Following the Portland Trail Blazers’ messy 114-110 victory over the Phoenix Suns in the Play-In, Victor Wembanyama and the No. 2-seeded San Antonio Spurs are now officially set to meet Deni Avdija’s No. 8-ranked club in the Divisional Round of the NBA Playoffs.
Home games at San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center are scheduled to take place:
Game OneSunday, April 19
8 p.m.
Game TwoTuesday, April 21
7 p.m.
Game FiveTuesday, April 28TBD
Game SevenSaturday, May 2
TBD
If you’d like to be there to see the Spurs in the postseason for the first time since 2019 during the Greg Popovich era (!), tickets are available for all four hypothetical showdowns in the Lone Star State.
At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find on seats for any one Frost Bank Center contest was $114 including fees on StubHub.
Fans hoping to catch a game at Portland’s Moda Center can snag seats for as low as $112 including fees.
Prior to this high-stakes series, the Spurs and Blazers met on April 8 in San Antonio. Although Wemby and Stephon Castle sat due to injuries, De’Aaron Fox led the charge with 25 points, five rebounds and seven assists. Keldon Johnson chipped in 20 on 8-of-15 shooting.
“We did a good job with some responses throughout a game against a very competitive team that really pushed the envelope pressuring on one end and trying to drive you on the other end,” Johnson said in a postgame press conference.
Given their lopsided records — San Antonio finished the year 62-20 to Portland’s 42-20 — and the Spurs’ taking two of three from the Blazers in the season series, oddsmakers list Wemby, Castle and Fox as “massive -2000 favorite(s) to advance, with the Trail Blazers coming in at a very long +1000.”
Still, there’s no reason for fans to rest on their laurels.
The squad can certainly use all the help they can from Spurs Jackals to ensure they advance to the Western Conference Semifinals to take on the winner of the Nuggets-Timberwolves series.
For more information, our team has everything you need to know and more about the San Antonio Spurs vs. Portland Trail Blazers 2026 Western Conference Divisional Playoff Series below.
A complete calendar including all announced Spurs home game dates at the Frost Bank Center and the best prices on tickets can be found here:
| San Antonio Spurs home game dates | Ticket prices start at |
|---|---|
| Game One Sunday, April 19 8 p.m. | $142(including fees) |
| Game Two Tuesday, April 21 7 p.m. | $114(including fees) |
| Game Five Tuesday, April 28TBD | $159(including fees) |
| Game Seven Saturday, May 2 TBD | $438(including fees) |
All Blazers playoff home game dates at the Moda Center and the cheapest tickets available can be found below.
| Portland Trail Blazers home game dates | StubHub prices start at |
|---|---|
| Game Three Friday, April 24 7:30 p.m. | $116(including fees) |
| Game Four Sunday, April 26 12:30 p.m. | $112(including fees) |
| Game Six Thursday, April 30 TBD | $147(including fees) |
Fans hoping to catch Johnson’s club on the tube can watch all first-round playoff games on ABC, ESPN, TNT, Prime Video, NBC and NBA TV.
Just make sure to review your local listings before tuning in.
If you don’t have cable, your best bet may be DIRECTV.
In 2025-26, the San Antonio Spurs went head-to-head with the Portland Trail Blazers three times.
Their first matchup went down Nov. 26, 2025 as part of the NBA Cup. San Antonio won that showdown 115-102 without Castle and Wemby once again. De’Aaron Fox went off and dropped 37 while Devin Vassell added 23.
A little over a month later, the Blazers squeaked past the Spurs 115-110 on Jan. 3. And, yes, Wemby rode the pine. No, he did not play against Portland once this season. Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara and Donovan Clingan all scored over 20 to secure the win.
With a healthy Wembanyama in tow, Tiago Splitter’s squad will have to find a way to guard the 7’4″ big man. To that, we say good luck Donovan Clingan and Jerami Grant. They’ll need it.
Been meaning to see where the playoffs are at right now?
Check out the NBA’s 2026 playoff bracket here.
Not sure what to do once the final buzzer sounds on the 2025-26 NBA season?
We’ve got you covered.
Here are just five of our favorites headed to San Antonio these next few months.
• Don Toliver (June 14)
• Grupo Frontera (July 19)
• Earth Wind and Fire with Lionel Richie (July 28)
• J. Cole (Sept. 13)
• RUSH (Sept. 23 and 25)
Want to see who else is on the road? Check out our list to find all the biggest artists on tour in 2026 to find the show for you.
This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.
The New York Mets try to snap a seven-game skid as they face the Los Angeles Dodgers tonight.
L.A. will have two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani on the mound, and my Mets vs. Dodgers predictions are betting on him to shut down New York's ice-cold offense.
Here are my best free MLB picks for this NL clash on Wednesday, April 15.
Shohei Ohtani has allowed just five hits and one run (none earned) through 12 innings this year.
Ohtani also anchors a Los Angeles Dodgers offense that leads the majors in OPS (.838), with that surging to .912 over the last week. They'll get to New York Mets righty Clay Holmes, who has a 4.08 FIP in 34 starts since last year.
The Mets are 28th in the majors in OPS (.625), with that dropping to .473 over the last seven days, as Juan Soto remains sidelined. They simply don't have the bats to keep up with the Dodgers' firepower.
COVERS INTEL: Since the start of 2025, opponents have slugged just .240 against Shohei Ohtani's four-seamer, while the Mets are slugging .342 against four-seam fastballs this year.I'm expecting regression for Holmes against L.A.'s elite offense. However, he's still been solid since making the move to the rotation and has a 3.59 xERA this year.
Both teams also have strong bullpens. Mets relievers rank sixth in ERA (2.94) and eighth in WHIP (1.20), while Dodgers relievers are ninth in ERA (3.25) and sixth in WHIP (1.19).
The main reason to bet the Under is how bad New York's offense has been without Soto. The offseason departure of Pete Alonso was a huge blow, and Francisco Lindor (.194 BA) and Marcus Semien (.243 OBP) have been awful.
The Mets are 0-7 in their previous seven games, while the Dodgers are 9-2 in their last 11. Find more MLB betting trends for Mets vs. Dodgers.
| Location | Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA |
| Date | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 |
| First pitch | 10:10 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
| Mets starting pitcher | Clay Holmes (2-1, 1.50 ERA) |
| Dodgers starting pitcher | Shohei Ohtani (1-0, 0.00 ERA) |
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
The Pittsburgh Penguins played their final game of the regular season on Tuesday night, losing 7-5 against the St. Louis Blues.
The Penguins jumped out to 3-0 and 4-1 leads before letting the Blues come all the way back to win it. Normally, this would be considered an "unacceptable" loss, but it was basically a preseason game since the Penguins had already clinched a playoff spot and were sitting out numerous players, including Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Erik Karlsson.
Rutger McGroarty got things started for the Penguins in the first period with a goal right off a draw. Avery Hayes and Anthony Mantha eventually scored to make it 3-0 before the Blues made it 3-1 at the end of the first period, thanks to Jimmy Snuggerud.
Elmer Soderblom scored a gorgeous goal at the beginning of the second period to make it a 4-1 lead before everything went south for the Penguins.
"That's like a Clydesdale horse" 🐎😂
— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) April 15, 2026
6'8" Elmer Söderblom showing off his size as he scores the Pens' fourth goal of the night 💪 pic.twitter.com/I5gR5U5JbO
The Penguins allowed five unanswered goals by the Blues, making it a 6-4 game before Avery Hayes scored his second goal to make it 6-5 in the third period. The Penguins tried to get a 6-on-5 goal, but it wasn't meant to be, as Dylan Holloway iced the game with an empty-net goal.
Here are some takeaways from this one:
- I know some people will look at the goals allowed by both Stuart Skinner and Arturs Silivs and get nervous, but there wasn't much they could do on a lot of the goals against. The Penguins were atrocious in their own zone for most of the evening, which shouldn't come as a surprise since they were playing without four of their top six defensemen.
Even when everyone's in the lineup, they've still been a little leaky as of late, but I expect this to get cleaned up by the time this weekend rolls around.
- Jake Livanavage made his NHL debut for the Penguins and logged 25:14 in a top-four role. I liked a lot of what I saw, especially on the power play. He was methodical with the puck, and his skating was smooth. It's only one game, but it's still something to build off going into next season.
- Elmer Soderblom continues to make a great case to be in the playoff lineup, even with everyone healthy. We still have to see if Connor Dewar and Blake Lizotte will be ready to go for Game 1, but Soderblom has been awesome since he was acquired from the Detroit Red Wings.
The goal he scored to make it 4-1 was something else. The way that he cut to the net and did the little toe before scoring the goal was awesome. He compiled five goals and 10 points in 20 games with the Penguins after they traded for him.
Penguins' Newly Signed Defenseman To Make NHL Debut Against St. Louis BluesOne week ago, defenseman Jake Livanavage was suiting up for the University of North Dakota at the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/denver-shares-what-it-took-to-triumph-at-ncaa-frozen-four-yet-again">Frozen Four</a> in Las Vegas.
- Avery Hayes finished the regular season with five goals in 16 games and should be a full-time NHL player as soon as next season. He used a burst of speed to score the first goal, made no mistake with his release, and never gave up on the play to score his second. He's got what it takes to be a good bottom-six player in the NHL, and I'm looking forward to seeing how he keeps developing.
- Next up for the Penguins? Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They'll take on the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round for the first time since the 2017-18 season. The rivalry has been dormant for the last several years, but all it takes is a great playoff series to change that. I expect this one to be full of fireworks.
Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!
The final night of a regular season can seem meaningless for a team that already clinched their playoff position the night before. A sizable chunk of the regular roster is rested, meaning that younger players and AHL call-ups are brought in to take their place.
It is usually a transition—part reflection, part anticipation, rarely definitive in what it reveals. But for the Philadelphia Flyers, a 4–2 win over the Montreal Canadiens felt different.
A team that has spent months constructing an identity closed its season not by coasting into the postseason, but by reinforcing exactly who it is, even when the roster looks remarkably different from how it usually does.
The Flyers will finish 43–27–12 (98 points), third in the Metropolitan Division. Next comes the Pittsburgh Penguins for the eighth playoff meeting between the bitter interstate rivals.
But before that, this game offered something valuable: a snapshot of both present and future, converging at exactly the right time.
There is something significant about how the Flyers handled this final game. They didn’t treat it as a formality, but as legitimate preparation.
The Canadiens played most of their top guys—the likes of Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraf Slafkovsky were all in the lineup—and the Flyers' young guys were able to keep them under control.
The win completed a 3–0 season sweep of Montreal, the first time the Flyers have swept the Canadiens since 2017–18. But more importantly, it reinforced habits that have defined their late-season surge: structure, depth scoring, and composure.
There was no overextension, no chasing offense for the sake of it. The Flyers handled the game in layers—defensively sound, opportunistic offensively, and consistent in their approach. That matters heading into the playoffs, especially when the organization is keeping a close eye on who could feature in the postseason should the Flyers need to call in a replacement.
If there was a defining theme of the night, it was this: the Flyers’ future is here.
Oliver Bonk delivered a remarkable NHL debut, recording a goal and an assist—all in the first period. According to NHL stats, he became just the 10th defenseman in league history to record multiple points in his first NHL period, joining a list that spans over a century.
OLIVER BONK WASTES NO TIME!!! 🤩
— NHL (@NHL) April 14, 2026
He's got his first assist and goal, all in the first period of his NHL debut! pic.twitter.com/rSZ5UyH7q4
Hunter McDonald also made his NHL debut, contributing an assist and plenty of physical assertiveness to keep the Habs in check.
Speaking about his debut, McDonald said postgame, “It was just awesome. I don’t have words, honestly. It was pretty cool… It was just great that I played with them down there. It’s a big family from Lehigh to here, everyone in this organization is classy. It was awesome.”
There is a connective thread running through this organization—from Lehigh Valley to Philadelphia—and nights like this make it visible.
Head coach Rick Tocchet acknowledged the difficulty of the moment for these players, and their admirable response to it.
“I was really impressed," he said. "It’s a tough turnaround getting called up today and the travel… There’s a lot of moving parts for them. I give them a lot of credit.”
If Bonk’s debut represented the future arriving, Porter Martone continues to define the present.
With another goal and assist, Martone recorded his third multi-point game and extended his point streak to six games (4G, 5A). That ties him with Sean Couturier, Mike Ricci, and Peter Zezel for the second-longest point streak by a Flyers teenager—trailing only Eric Lindros.
Numbers like that place Martone’s production not just in the category of “impressive rookie performance,” but literally in the lineage of franchise history.
Timing matters, and Matvei Michkov has chosen his moment well.
A goal and two assists in this game gave him his third three-point performance of the season and pushed him to 51 points (20G, 31A). More telling, however, is his recent form: 11 points in his last seven games.
In a sophomore season that admittedly left something to be desired after a standout rookie campaign, Michkov has found his legs, and recently, has not just been producing, but accelerating.
As the Flyers transition into playoff hockey, they will need players capable of creating offense in tighter, more structured environments. Michkov’s ability to generate in space, to read pressure, and to execute quickly positions him as a central figure in what comes next. He simultaneously is finishing the season strong, and entering the postseason as a difference-maker.
The Flyers’ fourth goal—scored by Alex Bump, his fifth of the season—was emblematic of something deeper.
It was about who was on the ice.
“I think my line was under 22 [years old], so we’re just happy to be here,” Bump said postgame. “We’re trying to do the best we can and contribute in any way and have fun while we’re doing it.”
That blend—youth, contribution, and enjoyment—is not always present in teams heading into the playoffs. But for the Flyers, it is a crucial part of their identity.
Tocchet made it clear that performances like this are not just appreciated—they are being evaluated with purpose.
“Yeah, I mean, if you go far into the playoffs, you can go 28 deep on the roster. So, yeah, you’re looking, for sure," he said. "One of those guys—it’s not out of the question that they can play in the Penguins series. You definitely look for that stuff. That’s why it’s big.”
Now that the Lakers are set to play the Rockets in the playoffs, LA can focus on just one opponent and game plan for them.
The good news for the Lakers is that they won the regular-season series against Houston 2-1. The obvious bad news is that they’ll have to play without Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić, who are out indefinitely.
This provides the Lakers’ head coach, JJ Redick, with the difficult challenge of trying to win a playoff series without his two best players. After Lakers practice on Tuesday, he established two keys to winning the series: rebounding and turnovers.
“Again, taking care of the basketball and boxing out,” Redick said. “That’s the series. Schemes, personnel, obviously important. But if we don’t take care of the ball, we don’t box out, we’re not going to win the series. They were No. 4 in scoring opportunities, we were No. 23. We don’t have the luxury with Luka and AR out of getting killed in scoring opportunities every single game. We have to box out.
“We’re going to place an emphasis on every drill and practice. We started practice with boxing out today. You got to put it in their mind and that was literally the only thing we said about Houston today. Today was about us and having a practice and getting sharp with our stuff. Tomorrow, we’ll introduce personnel. Thursday, we’ll do our scout like we would. Friday will be a reinforcement of that scout. Saturday, we’ll be good to go. The only thing we did today was box out and take care of the ball.”
Across their three regular-season contests, the Rockets outrebounded the Lakers 130-91. In fact, the Lakers lost the rebounding battle in every single game against Houston.
That didn’t stop them from winning more than they lost, but it’s a clear weakness they’d like to fix. Especially, as Redick has mentioned, now that Dončić and Reaves are out. This makes the Lakers even smaller and takes out two players who average 12.4 rebounds per game combined.
In many ways, rebounding is a team sport. It requires focus and a collective effort to box out, so regardless of who grabs the board, it’s someone on your side. Every Laker will have to be a better rebounder, especially players like Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura, who can fluctuate from having great rebounding games to poor ones.
Beyond the rebounding, turnovers will be a key. The Lakers, being shorthanded, will have to play as close to perfect basketball as possible. LA only lost the turnover battle once in their three games against Houston, so hopefully that continues now that LeBron James and Luke Kennard will be the main ball handlers for LA.
After Tuesday’s practice, Marcus Smart discussed another x-factor that’s hard to quantify, but is still a very real part of each playoff series.
“Willpower,” Marcus Smart said. “We’re competitors. We’ve been doing this for a while. We’ve been doing it at the highest level. They’re going to try to come in and punk us and if you’re willing to allow it, you will be punked. I don’t think we have any guys that’s willing to be punked on this team. We might not be the most athletic or strongest, but we got to have heart.”
They’ll need all that heart and more to come out on top, as the Lakers are clear underdogs in this series.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
The Yankees’ bullpen started the year on fire, protecting leads left and right and enjoying a few breakout performances from unexpected pitchers — or at least that’s what it looked like. Now, a few weeks into the season, the unit has looked leaky and inconsistent in recent games.
This has caused the Yanks to make some roster decisions after returning Cade Winquest to the St. Louis Cardinals to make room for Luis Gil in the rotation last week. One such move came after Monday’s rollercoaster win, when they demoted Jake Bird. Then, in search of another fresh arm after Tuesday’s 7-1 loss, they optioned Bird’s replacement, Yerry De los Santos, to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barres after pitching two innings.
To replace De los Santos on the active roster, New York has decided to bring up Angel Chivilli, whom they acquired in a late-January trade with the Colorado Rockies, sending T.J. Rumfield in return.
Chivilli, a Brian Cashman project not dissimilar from Bird, posted a 7.06 ERA in 58.2 innings last year in Colorado, with a 6.03 FIP and a much more decent 4.86 xFIP. He surrendered 1.9 home runs per nine.
The stuff is what intrigues New York more than the numbers. The 23-year-old has a fastball that averaged 97.1 mph last year, good enough to rank in the 88th percentile. It doesn’t have an impressive movement profile, though. Chivilli’s two breaking balls—a slider and a changeup—are far more promising and actually yielded excellent results last year, with a 45.4 percent and a 42.6 percent whiff rate, respectively.
The Yankees had high hopes for Chivilli, but a 12.38 ERA in spring training cost him a spot on the Opening Day roster. Instead, the organization sent him to Triple-A, where he has thrived with 8.1 dominant innings of a perfect 0.00 ERA, two walks, and nine punchouts.
Chivilli will get his first true chance in prinstripes, hoping to become a trusted reliever in a bullpen that needs sure things.
Another day, another record-setting rookie contract extension, setting up another round of wild theories.
It was the Detroit Tigers’ turn Wednesday to sign their prized young player, infielder Kevin McGonigle, to an eight-year, $150 million contract.
It comes a week after Pittsburgh Pirates’ shortstop Konnor Griffin’s nine-year, $140 million contract. Two weeks after the Milwaukee Brewers signed minor-league shortstop Cooper Pratt to an eight-year, $50.75 million contract.
And three weeks after the Seattle Mariners signed their prized infielder prospect Colt Emerson to an eight-year, $95 million deal without setting foot in the big leagues.
Just like that, there’s $435.5 million worth of contracts to four unproven players, none signed by the rich Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets or Yankees.
So, what’s the explanation?
Well, executives, GMs and agents around the game say teams think they are making shrewd business investments. There’s nothing sinister behind these contracts. There’s no hidden agenda with a likely work stoppage eight months away. It has nothing to do with a potential salary floor for small- and mid-market teams.
It has everything to do with these same small- and mid-market teams looking out for their future, knowing that if they don’t act now, they’ll be losing these players when they hit free agency.
“Just look at who’s doing these contracts," one GM told USA TODAY Sports. “It’s the same teams. These are the same teams that aren’t the most desirable places for free agents, so they’re locking up their guys now.
“That’s all it is. It’s not that complicated."
The GM spoke on the condition of anonymity for competitive reasons.
Indeed, it's not as if these franchises are premier destinations for free agents.
The Brewers, who reside in MLB’s smallest market, havent signed a free agent for more than the five-year, $80 million contract they gave outfielder Lorenzo Cain in 2018. Yet, they’ve been aggressive signing their own players to extensions, from All-Star outfielder Christian Yelich’s nine-year, $215 million extension to outfielder Jackson Chourio’s eight-year, $82 million contract before he played an MLB game.
Pittsburgh has hardly been a hotbed for free agents. The Pirates’ largest free-agent contract was a three-year, $39 million to pitcher Francisco Liriano in 2015. Ryan O’Hearn’s two-year, $29 million free-agent contract this winter was their largest for a position player since Russell Martin’s two-year, $13 million deal in 2013. Their best path to keeping their talent is with extensions, signing outfielder Bryan Reynolds’ eight-year, $106.75 million deal in 2023 and All-Star outfielder Andrew McCutchen to a six-year, $51.5 million extension in 2012.
The Mariners, who have had trouble attracting hitters to Seattle after their ill-fated 10-year, $240 million contract for Robinson Cano, wasted little time signing Julio Rodriguez to a 12-year, $209.3 million extension five months into his Rookie of the Year season in 2022. They also struck gold when they signed catcher Cal Raleigh to a six-year, $105 million extension last March, before his record-setting 60 home run season for a catcher and runner-up finish to Aaron Judge in the AL MVP race. The contract has already saved the Mariners tens of millions considering Raleigh makes just $11 million this year and will earn $12 million in 2027.
“It’s the same teams signing players to extensions, knowing that if they don’t lock them up," one executive said, “they’re going to lose them. They don’t have the luxury of waiting to see if they can out-bid other teams in free agency.
“Really, it’s smart business."
There’s a reason why the Cincinnati Reds would love to lock up rookie first baseman Sal Stewart and the Cleveland Guardians with rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter, too. If they don’t pay them now, will they have the opportunity to keep them later?
These teams wouldn’t be offering extensions if they didn’t believe their players would out-perform their contracts, even with a player like Pratt, who had never played a game above Class AA until this year. There are definite risks involved. While the Mariners are gambling on Emerson to be a star, they previously swung and missed on an extension for Evan White.
If nothing else, agents say, these extensions are proving that the game is doing quite well financially.
“Look at the Pratt deal," one agent said. “This isn’t the Dodgers handing out $50 million to an unproven player. This is the smallest market club handing out $50 million well before they’d have really any obligation to play him. You have the smallest-market team willing to take that $50 million bet, which speaks to their belief in the player, but also speaks to how well the game is doing right now."
These mid- and small-market teams believe they can not only protect themselves in the future by buying out free-agent years, but also saving themselves money in salary arbitration, too. Tigers two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubals’ record-setting $32 million salary arbitration award sent shock waves in the industry. If Skubal can compare himself to any pitcher in the salary arbitration process by winning the Cy Young awards, what would have stopped Raleigh from comparing himself to Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto’s $23.875 million contract a year ago?
And if the new collective bargaining agreement lowers free agency from six years to five years, or permits players to reach salary arbitration earlier than the standard three years, the extensions could look like a steal.
Time will tell.
But for now, the mid- and small-market teams who know they can’t keep up with the Dodgers and Yankees’ spending sprees, believe it’s a necessary gamble.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kevin McGonigle contract extension is latest MLB fad for top prospects
Only three of the San Francisco Giants Minor League Baseball affiliates were in action on Tuesday, as poor AAA Sacramento just can’t get in a game. The River Cats had both of their weekend games cancelled due to rain, which followed them as they traveled north from Sacramento to Tacoma, postponing their game on Tuesday. They’ll try again tonight, in what will hopefully be their first game since Friday, and the teams are scheduled for a doubleheader on Thursday. Now let’s get to the action.
Link to the 2026 McCovey Chronicles Community Prospect List (CPL)
All listed positions in the roundup are the position played in that particular game.
Help is on the way for San Francisco. Major League LHP Sam Hentges, who started his rehab assignment over the weekend with a perfect inning for Low-A San Jose, was moved up to AAA Sacramento. He’ll likely pitch a few times for the River Cats, and then be activated and added to the Major League roster.
Sacramento had to make space for Hentges on the roster, and they did so by sending RHP Will Bednar (No. 24 CPL) back to AA Richmond. That’s a bit of a bummer for Bednar, who was a non-roster invitee, and already dealt with the disappointment of beginning the year on the Development List, presumably also for roster logistics purposes. Bednar pitched well in a pair of games for the River Cats, with 4 strikeouts and just 2 baserunners in 3 scoreless innings. He’ll surely be back in Sacramento when roster space allows it.
According to Baseball America’s Jesús Cano, LHP Jacob Bresnahan (No. 11 CPL), whose season was delayed by a spring injury, threw 3 innings in a simulation game at Papago yesterday, and reached 97 mph. The reigning Cal League Pitcher of the Year should be in High-A soon.
And finally, the Giants announced on Wednesday that AAA Sacramento outfielders Will Brennan and Drew Gilbert had been called up, as Major Leaguers Jared Oliva and Harrison Bader are headed to the IL. That means there will be some transactions in a flurry to get enough outfielders to the River Cats.
Richmond Flying Squirrels beat the Hartford Yard Goats (Rockies) 11-7
Box score
If the Squirrels weren’t on fire before, they certainly are now. After losing their opener, Richmond has now won 9 consecutive games, as they’re off to a truly brilliant start to the season. Then again, all of the affiliates are off to a brilliant start … if only the team in San Francisco could get the memo!
Richmond won this game on the back of hits, hits, and then some more hits, as they totaled 17 in the contest en route to their 11 runs.
It started at the top of the lineup, where a pair of hitters set the table with 3-hit days. Leading off was left fielder Scott Bandura, who had a brilliant day, hitting 3-4 with a pair of doubles, while also adding both a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly. That flurry of productive contact rewarded Bandura with a whopping 5 runs batted in for the day.
Bandura is really putting on a clinic on how to master a level the 2nd time around. The left-handed hitter, who was taken in the 7th round of the 2023 draft, was promoted to Richmond late last year, and had some struggles as he got his feet under him. Bandura posted a .626 OPS and an 88 wRC+ in 45 games with the Squirrels last year, but even those numbers look a little worse with some digging, as they were propped up by a lot of walks. The now-24-year old hit just .199, and struck out 30.6% of the time.
But the old adage of “one to measure, two to rake” doesn’t just apply to individual at-bats. Bandura appears to have applied that to his time in the Eastern League, as he’s raised his average to .333, while slashing his strikeout rate in half, all the way down to 14.9%. That, combined with his 6 extra-base hits, has given him a .913 OPS and a 140 wRC+ through 10 games this year.
We’re still a few months of good performance away from talking about Bandura in AAA, but it’s not exactly the rosiest of outfield situations in Sacramento. Hopefully Bandura keeps putting pressure on, and can earn a 2nd consecutive midseason promotion.
Hitting behind Bandura was second baseman Dayson Croes, who went 3-6 and also bopped a pair of doubles, while knocking in 3 runs. It’s been a sensational start to the year for Croes, a 26-year old who was signed out of indy ball a year ago. But that really shouldn’t surprise anyone, as the lefty was awesome in his stint with Richmond a season ago … and also awesome in his stint with Sacramento.
But the Giants are having Croes repeat AA, despite those strong results, primarily because fellow second baseman Nate Furman (No. 39 CPL) has earned the AAA priority. Croes is taking it in stride, by taking all of his good numbers in AA last year and making them even better: his average has jumped from .307 to .349, his on-base percentage from .354 to .391, his slugging percentage from .400 to .488, and his walk rate from 6.0% to 6.5%, while his strikeouts have dropped from 18.1% to 15.2%. All of that has resulted in an .880 OPS and a 134 wRC+. Unfortunately, it does feel like Croes will be unfairly stuck in AA for a while, unless the Giants decide they want him (or Furman) to try a new position, which seems unlikely given that they both struggle to handle second as is.
If the top of the lineup was the star that drove the team to victory, the bottom of the lineup was one hell of a wingman. The trio that hit in the 7-9 slots — catcher Drew Cavanaugh (No. 19 CPL), third baseman Diego Velasquez (No. 31 CPL), and right fielder Turner Hill — positively shined. Cavanaugh offered up the latest data point that his 2025 breakout season was not a fluke, as he hit 2-3 with a double, a walk, and a hit by pitch, while also striking out and getting caught stealing.
The 7 extra-base hits in 7 games is the headline-grabber for Cavanaugh, but I’d argue that the most important thing he’s shown is improved contact. He only got into 14 games for Richmond last year, but hit just .186 with a 26.8% strikeout rate and a 14.8% swinging strike rate. This year? A .435 average, a 9.1% strikeout rate, and a 7.6% swinging strike rate. Those numbers will come down (or up, as the case may be), but when you start that great, you have room to fall while staying in a strong place. The result, for now, is a blistering 1.432 OPS and a 262 wRC+. So watch out, those who fear the talking heads: the Patrick Bailey discourse has already become insufferable thanks to Daniel Susac and Jesús Rodríguez, don’t let Cavanaugh join the party!
As for the other pair, Velasquez hit 2-4 with a hit by pitch to raise his OPS to .798 and his wRC+ to 128, while Hill went 2-4 with a walk, bumping his OPS to 1.007 and his wRC+ to 164. I expect both of those players — who initially made it to Richmond in 2024 — to get their first real glimpse of AAA at some point this year (I say “real” because Hill has been an emergency fill-in for the River Cats on numerous occasions over the years). It’s certainly notable that Velasquez, who is still somehow only 22 years old, played third base in this game for the 1st time in his career. Some of that may be due to roster logistics in Richmond, but it also may be a way to prepare him for AAA since, as mentioned, Furman is blocking second base.
While it was the top and bottom of the order that carried the team, the prettiest swing of the day belonged to the heart of the order, as center fielder Bo Davidson (No. 4 CPL) left the building with a gorgeous swing of the bat in the 7th inning.
That salvaged an otherwise poor day for Davidson — he finished 1-5 with 3 strikeouts — but my goodness, that really might be the prettiest swing in the organization. The 23-year old is showing there’s still plenty for him to work on in AA — neither his .240 average nor his 28.6% strikeout rate are telling the organization that he’s almost ready for AAA — but he’s also emphasizing his game-changing abilities. So far he has 3 home runs in just 7 games, all while holding it down in center field. Perhaps it’s that new dad strength I’ve heard so much about!
The pitching was better than the score would suggest, as 5 of Hartford’s 7 runs came in the 9th inning, when RHP Cameron Pferrer got roughed up and couldn’t make it through the inning, forcing long reliever RHP Shane Rademacher into emergency duty to record the final out.
But the piggybacking starters pitched quite well, with RHP Logan Martin and LHP Jack Choate (No. 37 CPL) handling the Yard Goats quite adeptly. Martin, who was making his 2nd start with the organization after coming over this winter in the Mason Black trade, had a bounce-back game after a rough AA debut. The 2023 12th-round pick, who will turn 25 later this season, gave up just 3 hits and 1 walk in 4.1 innings, with 4 strikeouts and only 1 run allowed.
The strikeouts and walks will be worth watching for Martin, as they may determine whether he’s able to continue developing as a starter or will have to move to a relief role at some point. He only had 7.7 strikeouts against 3.6 walks per 9 innings in High-A in 2025, and the Giants will need to see improvement on that front.
Speaking of fluctuating between starting and relieving, it’s still not entirely clear what role Choate has, but he played it damn well on Tuesday, giving up just 2 singles and a walk in 3.1 innings, while striking out 6 batters (he also gave up an unearned run). Choate, a soon-to-turn 25-year old whom the Giants selected in the 9th round in 2022, has been playing something of a hybrid relief/piggybacking starter role, with 7.2 innings through 3 appearances this year. So far his strikeout stuff — which has always been surprisingly high given his lack of velocity — has taken a leap forward, from 10.8 per 9 a year ago, to 15.3 this season. That’s still a very small sample size though, so we’ll see how that holds. Either way, it’s been a great start to the year for Choate, who is trying to prove he belongs in AAA as he nears the 150-inning mark in AA.
Eugene Emeralds beat the Everett AquaSox (Mariners) 7-1
Box score
A really phenomenal pitching showing for the Emeralds, who allowed just 4 hits on the day. They did issue 6 walks, but 4 of those came from RHP Trey Dillard who, like Pferrer with Richmond, entered the game late, struggled, and had to be relieved for the final out of the game.
But the 3 pitchers who came before him pitched wonderfully. It started with LHP Charlie McDaniel, who took down 3 scoreless frames with just 1 hit, 1 walk, and 1 hit batter, while striking out 4. McDaniel wasn’t the most efficient — he needed 52 pitches for those 3 innings, with just 32 strikes — but 4 strikeouts and 0 extra-base hits paint the picture of someone who made hitters uncomfortable all day long. Through 2 starts, the 24-year old UDFA has yet to allow a run.
Next up was LHP Esmerlin Vinicio, who is having a much-needed awesome season. Vinicio threw 19 of 30 pitches for strikes while tossing 2 shutout innings with just 1 hit allowed, and striking out 2 batters.
It feels like Vinicio has been in the system forever, though he only just turned 23 years old. He’s still lacking physicality, though this year he no longer looks like he could blow away with a strong gust of Pacific Northwest wind. Most importantly, after a few seasons of really struggling with walks, Vinicio has shown much better command through an admittedly tiny sample size: he’s issued just 1 walk in 4.2 innings, with 6 strikeouts (he’s also only given up 1 hit, and 0 runs). Vinicio, who was signed in 2019 out of the Dominican Republic, might need a strong year to stay in the organization.
And then it was RHP Ryan Slater, San Francisco’s 18th-round pick in 2024. He was utterly dynamic in 2 scoreless innings, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out 5 batters. Slater had a solid debut season last year with Low-A San Jose, but so far he’s been much better in High-A … though he’s only pitched 5 innings. Still, a great start to the year for the 23-year old, who has a 1.80 ERA and a 2.89 FIP.
Despite the 7 runs, it was a fairly mild-mannered day for Eugene’s offense, as they had 7 hits, just 2 extra-base hits, and 2 walks. But they made the most of their swings, no one more so than catcher Onil Perez, who hit 1-3 with a strikeout, but bashed his 1st home run of the season.
Perez was once one of the better catcher prospects in the system, but has fallen on some tough times as of late, which has resulted in a 4th consecutive year getting reps in the Northwest League. He did finally put up some good numbers with Eugene last year, but really struggled in AA. That, combined with the emergence of Drew Cavanaugh, pushed Perez back down a level, and now he’s 2nd on the depth chart behind Diego Cartaya.
He entered this game just 1-12 on the year, but every hit helps, and that’s doubly (or perhaps quadruply) true for big flies. The season is long, so there’s plenty of time for Perez — who is only 23 — to find his swing again.
Second baseman Zander Darby had the only multi-hit game for the Ems, as he went 2-4 with a stolen base and a strikeout. It’s been a dreamy start to the year for the 23-year old lefty, who was a 12th-round pick in 2024, as he has a 1.029 OPS and a 178 wRC+ through 8 games (ignore the 29.4% strikeout rate and 0.0% walk rate). Darby had an excellent 2 months with Low-A San Jose last year, but struggled mightily in his month to end the year with Eugene. Nice to see him adapt to the level and start to take care of it.
Quiet — but not bad — games for the team’s pair of top prospects. Center fielder Dakota Jordan (No. 5 CPL) hit 1-3 with a walk, while shortstop Gavin Kilen (No. 7 CPL) went 1-4 with a double and a strikeout. Jordan, who has an .804 OPS and a 112 wRC+, has just 1 strikeout in his last 4 games, after amassing 13 Ks in his 1st 5 games of the year. Kilen, who has a 1.067 OPS and a 176 wRC+, has 7 extra-base hits in just 9 games, as July’s 1st-round pick is off to a brilliant start to his 1st full season.
San Jose Giants lost to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Angels) 12-6
Box score
The San Jose Giants did something we all desperately wish the San Francisco Giants would do: they hit a lot of home runs. Unfortunately, the end result for the Baby Giants was something the Adult Giants are all too familiar with: a loss.
But it wasn’t due to the long ball, as San Jose bopped a trio of big flies.
The 1st one came on the very 1st pitch of the day, from the very best prospect on the team, shortstop Jhonny Level (No. 3 CPL).
Level returned to the lineup after missing a few games, and wasted no time making his impact with a gorgeous swing of the bat. It was his only hit of the day, as the 19-year old switch-hitter ended the game 1-4 with a walk, a strikeout, and his 1st error of the season.
There have been a lot of star performers in the Minors for the Giants this year, but I’d argue no one has had a better year than Level, who is building on last year’s breakout campaign by hitting 15-31 through 7 games, with 3 home runs, 5 doubles, 4 walks, just 7 strikeouts, and 3 stolen bases, all while playing solid defense at shortstop. Level has started to pop up at the very end of some top 100 lists and, if he keeps performing even remotely like this, I think he’ll likely be residing in the top 50 in every midseason prospect list. Really couldn’t ask for a better beginning to the year for someone who, it’s worth repeating, is more than 2 years younger than the average player in the Cal League.
If Level is the MVP of the farm system at this point, then catcher Junior Barajas is first or second-team All-Farm. Last year’s 11th-round pick continues to rake in his debut season, as he hit 1-4 with a home run and a walk.
The 21-year old lefty isn’t playing every day due to his position, but he’s making the most of his playing time, going 10-31 with 3 homers, 4 doubles, 2 walks, and 6 strikeouts, for a 1.124 OPS and a 166 wRC+. Like Level, Barajas is doing that with solid defense at a premier position, as he’s wasted no time looking like the Giants latest late-round steal. We need more than 7 games before we can give him that crown, but still … the Giants have to be thrilled with what they’re seeing.
And rounding out the home run party was designated hitter Broedy Poppell, who hit 1-3 with a walk and his 1st career home run. That’s always worth celebrating!
Like Barajas, Poppell was a late pick by the Giants last year, as he went in the 13th round for a meager $50K signing bonus. The switch-hitter, who turns 24 soon, has been awesome in his debut season, hitting 6-20 with 5 walks against just 4 strikeouts. Normally an outfielder, Poppell is a little bit more a control the zone guy than a home run hitter, despite what he did Tuesday. That was his 1st extra-base hit, but he has more walks than strikeouts, which was also the case in his 2 seasons as a starter at Florida A&M.
Also a nice day for second baseman Dario Reynoso, who hit 2-4 with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts. The right-handed hitter, who just turned 21, has had something of a mixed bag of a season in 2025. Last year he dominated the Complex League (.999 OPS, 158 wRC+), but was awful in his short stint with San Jose (.472 OPS, 45 wRC+). Things are much rosier in his 2nd pass through the level, as he has a .785 OPS and a 125 wRC+. But the issue with his 2025 was that he struck out a lot … even while decimating ACL pitchers, Reynoso had a red flag strikeout rate of 31.7%, which rose to 38.6% in San Jose. It’s still a troubling number this year, at 31.3%. And finally, there’s the power issue: Reynoso sported a .258 ISO in the ACL last year, thanks to 10 home runs and 27 total extra-base hits in just 53 games. He has just 1 extra-base hit this season, and through 22 total games in Low-A only has 4 … all of which have been doubles.
I’m stalling on the hitters because the pitchers weren’t good and I don’t want to talk about them. RHP Keyner Martinez (No. 10 CPL) got the start, and it was a great game until it wasn’t.
Martinez was on absolute cruise control for a while, as he was perfect through the 1st 3 innings. But he ran into so much trouble in the 4th inning that he didn’t make it out of the frame, as he gave up 2 hits (both singles), 2 walks, and a hit batter, while only recording 2 outs. That, combined with RHP Mauricio Estrella allowing 2 of the inherited runners to score, tattooed 4 earned runs on Martinez’s ledger in just 3.2 innings, despite looking great for most of the game, and recording 5 strikeouts.
The 21-year old Martinez has yet to replicate last year’s breakout campaign, as he has a 9.45 ERA and a 6.57 FIP through 2 starts. But that’s a tiny sample size, and he has 9 strikeouts in 6.2 innings. There can be no denying that he has some of the best stuff in the system, he just needs to harness it.
RHP Melvin Pineda also showed off the strikeout stuff despite some struggles. The 2021 international signee from Venezuela, who turns 22 next month, gave up a hit, a walk, a hit batter, and a run in just 1.2 innings, but struck out 4 batters. He has 10 strikeouts through 5.2 innings this year.
3 — Bo Davidson — [AA]
3 — Jhonny Level — [Low-A]
3 — Junior Barajas — [Low-A]
1 — Onil Perez — [High-A]
1 — Broedy Poppell — [Low-A]
Sacramento: 6:05 p.m. PT at Tacoma (SP: Carson Whisenhunt)
Richmond: 4:10 p.m. PT at Hartford (SP: Greg Farone)
Eugene: 6:35 p.m. PT vs. Everett (SP: Tyler Switalski)
San Jose: 6:30 p.m. PT at Rancho Cucamonga (SP: Cody Delvecchio)
Reminder that almost all MiLB games can be watched on MLB TV.
Karl-Anthony Towns had an up-and-down 2025-26 season for the Knicks. While he earned his second All-Star appearance in two years with New York, he also averaged a career-low 31.0 minutes per game, and his 20.1 points per game were the lowest since his rookie season.
But speaking with reporters on Wednesday ahead of the Knicks’ first round playoff matchup with the Atlanta Hawks, Towns said that he, and the entire team, will be judged on what they do in the postseason.
“It’s great that we put ourselves in this position, to be in the playoffs in this position, but at the end of the day, the regular season doesn’t mean anything if we don’t capitalize on this opportunity,” he said.
"This is the time. We've got to go out there and we've got to execute and we've gotta capitalize on this opportunity. At the end of the day, we'll be judged on what we do on this run."
Towns’ fit and role in Mike Brown’s system has been a topic of discussion all season, but the versatile big man could be a real matchup problem for the Hawks. Towns had 36 points and 15 rebounds against Atlanta back in December, and he went for 21 points and 12 rebounds against them earlier this month.
“I’ve got to continue to impact winning and do whatever this team needs me to do or sacrifice for to get us the win, so I’m willing to do that,” he said.
“Trust my work, that’s where my confidence is built,” he later added. “It’s built when there are no lights, no cameras, no fans. Just me, the basketball and the hoop. Me and the great (assistant coach) Mark Bryant, we get to work and my confidence is built there.”
The Knicks took two out of three head-to-head matchups with the Hawks this season, but Towns knows Atlanta, who finished first in the Southeast Division this year, will provide a challenge.
“I mean, they’re a great team,” Towns said. “They’re young, they’re athletic, and they cause turnovers. So, we expected ourselves needing to be the best. We just have to continue to use those one percents every game in the regular season to be the team we want to be at this time.”
Offseason moves are another aspect of the pre-draft process that fantasy managers need to consider. New faces in new places, either via free agency or trades, significantly impact the outlooks of players, whether it's the one being moved or the teammates around him. Here are ten potential free agents (unrestricted, restricted and player or team option) whose statuses will affect fantasy basketball in 2026-27.
Harden has a player option worth just over $42.3 million for the 2026-27 season, and his time in Cleveland has been a success so far. In 26 regular-season games, with the Cavaliers going 19-7, The Beard averaged 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.5 blocks and 3.1 three-pointers in nearly 34 minutes.
While Harden isn't the prolific scorer that he was during his prime, he's still a capable playmaker who has shot 43.5 percent from three since joining the Cavaliers. Plus, their current rotation has a wealth of offensive options that were bound to lessen Harden's influence as a scorer. And availability has not been an issue recently, with Harden playing at least 70 regular-season games in each of the last three seasons.
Like Harden, Reaves has a player option for next season, worth just under $15 million. Given the production, especially this season, he's due for a major payday this summer. Injuries limited Reaves to 51 appearances in 2025-26, but he was highly productive when on the floor, averaging 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.3 three-pointers in 34.5 minutes per game.
His fantasy outlook for 2026-27 will be affected by what happens with LeBron James, but last summer signaled a shift from James to Luka Dončić as the franchise's focal point. If LeBron isn't in the fold, Reaves becomes an even better fantasy prospect in Los Angeles.
Duren essentially bet on himself going into the 2025-26 season, not agreeing to a rookie extension before the October deadline. He'll be a restricted free agent this summer, and the first-time All-Star stands to strike it rich. Duren appeared in 70 games for the Pistons, averaging 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.8 blocks in 28.2 minutes. Whether you're talking about points or category leagues, Duren was a top-50 player on the team that finished the regular season with the best record in the East. He didn't have a top-50 ADP last fall; that won't be the case ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Injuries limited Young to 15 games this season, five after being traded to the Wizards in January. He has a player option for next season worth just under $49 million, and remaining in Washington either on that deal or a reworked contract would significantly affect the fantasy values of multiple players. Young being in the mix eliminates most of Bub Carrington's redraft league value, and he wasn't the best option in those formats down the stretch, even with increased playing time.
Wings like Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George and Will Riley will have to take on more responsibilities defensively, but each could benefit as finishers with Young running the show. This can also be said for Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr, although there are questions regarding how those two bigs will fit alongside each other. Young will remain an early-round draft pick, regardless of league format.
James, who will turn 42 in December, has not yet decided whether he'll play next season, so we'll operate as if he's definitely playing. As an unrestricted free agent, what would his market be, with the age countering the lengthy list of achievements. Does he stay with the Lakers on a reduced deal, freeing up more money for Austin Reaves? Does James head elsewhere with designs on winning a title for a fourth different franchise? Given the skill set, he can fit in just about any system, even if the fantasy ceiling is lower than it was in seasons past.
When healthy, Porziņǵis can be an excellent fantasy asset, especially in category leagues. However, availability is a major concern, with injuries including a lingering illness, limiting the Warriors' forward/center to 32 games this season between Golden State and Atlanta. Porziņǵis averaged 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.2 blocks and 1.7 three-pointers in 24.0 minutes per game, shooting 44.6 percent from the field and 84.2 percent from the foul line.
After entering the 2025-26 season with a Yahoo! ADP just outside of the top-50, Porziņǵis is highly unlikely to reach those heights next fall. A healthy KP can be a top-50 fantasy player, if not better, but the recent issues making a risky player to commit an early-round pick on.
The Thunder will have some decisions to make this summer, as starters Hartenstein and Luguentz Dort have team options for the 2026-27 campaign. Limited to 47 games, iHart has a team option for next season worth $28.5 million. In those appearances, the 7-footer averaged 9.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks in 24.2 minutes, shooting 62.2 percent from the field and 61.0 percent from the foul line.
Hartenstein's abilities as a rebounder and facilitator make him a solid center option, especially for those punting free-throw percentage. If he were to move on this summer, Jaylin Williams is someone whose fantasy value would receive a boost if the Thunder were to stick with a two-big lineup; Cason Wallace or Ajay Mitchell would benefit if the Thunder decided to slide Jalen Williams to the four.
VanVleet, whose player option for next season is worth $25 million, has not played this season due to a torn ACL suffered just before the start of training camp. Unfortunately, the injury kept fantasy managers from seeing how a partnership between VanVleet and Kevin Durant would work, with the latter's offensive gravity likely making it easier for the former to find quality shots.
Even with VanVleet shooting 37.8 percent from the field in 2024-25, his lowest percentage since his rookie season, the Rockets guard was still a top-75 player in category leagues. He's capable of remaining a highly valuable guard in fantasy basketball next season, especially if playing alongside Durant.
Powell was on a roll to begin his first season with the Heat, averaging 23.0 points per game on 47.4 percent shooting in 45 games before the All-Star break. Unfortunately, injuries limited his availability and productivity after the break, pushing the Heat wing's season-long fantasy value outside of the top-50. Powell will be an unrestricted free agent, and uncertainty in Miami may place him in a holding pattern.
Do the Heat make a run at Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is not eligible to sign an extension with the Bucks until October? If so, what would Milwaukee's asking price be? Does Powell even wait to see how that situation plays out before deciding on his future? At his best, Powell can offer excellent fantasy value, but there are some unknowns for fantasy managers to consider.
Vučević, who will be an unrestricted free agent, moved from a starting role to the bench when he was traded from Chicago to Boston. A fractured finger suffered in early March limited him to 16 regular-season appearances with the Celtics, with Vooch recording averages of 9.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.6 blocks and 1.1 three-pointers in 21.1 minutes. Fitting into a new rotation is never easy, and the injury did Vučević no favors. However, his fantasy value as a reserve does not come close to what he can offer when starting. And Neemias Queta's emergence makes it incredibly difficult for Vooch to start in Boston in 2026-27.
All four first round series in the NHL's Eastern Conference playoff bracket were settled on Tuesday, April 14.
One more Western Conference series can be set on Wednesday, April 15, with the Vegas Golden Knights having a chance to wrap up the Pacific Division title during their season finale. If they do, they will face the Utah Mammoth in the first round.
That would leave the second and third Pacific Division seeds, plus the second wild card in the West, up for grabs on the final night when the Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings play. If Vegas doesn't clinch on Wednesday, all four playoff seeds will be in play on Thursday.
Here's what to know about the NHL standings, including the latest playoff bracket, Wednesday's clinching scenario and the tiebreaker procedures for the 2025-26 season before the postseason begins on April 18:
Eastern Conference: Carolina, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Montreal, Tampa Bay, Boston, Ottawa
Western Conference: Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota, Vegas, Edmonton, Anaheim, Utah, Los Angeles
After April 14 games. x-clinched playoff spot. y-clinched division. z-eliminated.
Metropolitan Division
Atlantic Division
Wild card
Out of the playoffs: z-Washington Capitals (95), z-Columbus Blue Jackets (92), z-Detroit Red Wings (92), z-New York Islanders (91), z-New Jersey Devils (87), z-Florida Panthers (82), z-Toronto Maple Leafs (78), z-New York Rangers (75)
After April 14 games. x-clinched playoff spot. y-clinched division. z-eliminated.
Central Division
Pacific Division
Wild card
Out of the playoffs: z-Nashville Predators (86), z-San Jose Sharks (84), z-St. Louis Blues (84), z-Winnipeg Jets (82), z-Seattle Kraken (79), z-Calgary Flames (75), z-Chicago Blackhawks (70), z-Vancouver Canucks (58)
Here is how the Eastern Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended on April 14:
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: M - Metropolitan Division. A - Atlantic Division. WC - wild card
Here is how the Western Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended on April 14.
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: C - Central Division P - Pacific Division. WC - wild card
If two teams are tied in points at the end of the regular season, here are the tiebreakers:
In the Pacific Division, the Oilers have the most regulation wins, followed by the Golden Knights, Ducks and Kings.
The NHL regular season is scheduled to end on Thursday, April 16, with six games.
The NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs are schedule to begin on Saturday, April 18.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL playoff bracket, latest 2026 standings, scenarios, tiebreakers
The Sixers have the basketball world right where they want them: limping into the Play-In Tournament while their best player is sidelined due to injury once more. Before they host the Orlando Magic tonight in beautiful South Philadelphia, here are five thoughts I currently have involving the team…
As much as we (rightfully) clown the Sixers, Orlando might be in even worse shape.
The Ringer’s Raheem Palmer reported yesterday that “The Magic are dealing with major turmoil in their locker room with my sources saying that a star player is willing to demand a trade if the head coach Jamahl Mosley isn’t fired at the end of this season.”
This isn’t to say that Nick Nurse’s job security is iron clad in Philly in comparison, but I’ll take any semblance of discontent I can get from the Sixers’ opponent. Let’s hope they collapse in spectacular fashion in front of our eyes!
The crew chief for the officials in the Sixers-Magic game? None other than Tony Brothers himself.
I’m expecting a disaster on that front that could swing the game in either direction come late in the fourth quarter.
I have mixed feelings here. The uniform move does harken back to the last time the Sixers had concrete postseason success, but it’s a little played out and overdone, no? It’s the lone move the organization can make to give the fan base a little juice, but still!
This is why I’m always a little wary when people want beloved throwback uniforms to become a team’s primary look again. It’s about scarcity and wanting what you can’t have. The Eagles’ Kelly Green throwbacks? They’re perfect a couple times per year. This version of the Sixers’ City Edition uniforms? I give the team credit. I liked the way they incorporated them throughout the season. There can, in fact, be too much of a good thing though. They otherwise lose their pizzazz!
I’m also an old man at heart and miss when home teams almost always wore white uniforms in the NBA…
Setting aside the likes of Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Paul George, who could be the player who flips this game on its head in the Sixers’ favor?
Give me some gritty energy from Dominick Barlow! I’m going with him.
I’ve seen some chatter about this online. I actually think, based solely on the first-round matchup, that is the case. I’d rather the Sixers take their chances against Detroit rather than facing the inevitable with a series against Boston yet again. Rooting for the Sixers to lose to Orlando in the hopes of beating Charlotte on Friday instead, however, screams tempting fate to me on top of it just being anticompetitive. “I’d rather the Sixers be in a win-or-go-home scenario” is not a sound strategy given how this franchise has long operated!
Crowds flocked to see the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders during their first home series of the season last week at PNC Field in northeastern Pennsylvania. Total attendance for five dates was 17,043, the team’s largest Opening Week attendance since 2019.
Fans saw the RailRiders split the six-game series with the Durham Bulls.
In the opener, the RailRiders overcame a six-run deficit in theie final three at-bats for a 7-6 win. A wild pitch and RBI double by big-league veteran Paul DeJong in the bottom of the sixth brought the RailRiders within 6-2. Another wild pitch and a Yanquiel Fernández sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh narrowed the margin to 6-4. Then in the bottom of the eighth, two balks brought in the tying runs. Familiar Yankees face Oswaldo Cabrera followed with a sacrifice fly to give the RailRiders the victory.
Manager Shelley Duncan said it was the type of win that can define the character of a team.
“The energy these guys had … a lot of teams would sometimes implode, give up,” Duncan said. “But these guys stayed locked in every pitch. They went out there and continued to have good at-bats, just chipping away. Not trying to do too much, not trying to force that big inning, not trying to force the comeback in one inning.”
Ali Sánchez kept that special feeling going in the series’ second game. After the Bulls scored a run in the top of the ninth to tie the game, the catcher homered with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to give the RailRiders a 5-4 triumph.
“They kept grinding and it ended up paying off,” said Duncan of his team’s spirit. “They had trust in themselves that things would happen. It’s something special.”
Durham won the next two games, 10-2, and, 4-2, in the first game of a doubleheader. The RailRiders used a six-run fourth inning to take the second game of the twinbill, 9-5. The Bulls claimed the series finale, 4-3, to salvage a split.
Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones led the way for the RailRiders against Durham.
Domínguez batted .316 (6-for-19) in the series with seven walks and five stolen bases in six games. “The Martian” has been batting in the leadoff spot this season and is tied for seventh in the International League in batting at .354 (17-for-48) with two home runs, eight RBIs and seven stolen bases.
Jones, meanwhile, hit .278 in the series (5-for-18) with one home run, eight RBIs and two stolen bases in six games. He walked five times and struck out five times. That last number is interesting since in his first eight games and 33 at-bats, he whiffed 19 times. His eight RBIs gave him 17 for the season, which is tied for the International League lead.
Reliever Danny Watson picked up two of the three wins in the series and fellow reliever Yovanny Cruz had the other. Cruz is 3-0 with one save. His three wins are tied for the league lead.
The split in the Durham series left the RailRiders with a 9-6 record, two games behind the Memphis Redbirds in the International League standings. They now head north up Interstate 81 for a six-game series with the Syracuse Mets that was scheduled to begin Tuesday.
Syracuse (7-8) is coming off a series in which it lost four of six to the Buffalo Bisons. Nick Morabito leads the Mets at .295 (13 for 44) with two home runs and five RBIs. Cristian Pache has a team-best 10 RBIs while batting .233 (10 for 43) with one home run. Right-hander Jonah Tong, the Mets’ No. 2 prospect, was scheduled to start the opening game of the series. (Neither he nor the RailRiders’ Brendan Beck fared well.)
Also on the Syracuse roster is veteran Jose Rojas, who played for the RailRiders last season and was selected to the International League All-Star team. He led the league with 32 home runs and 105 RBIs and tied for the lead with 35 doubles while batting .287. He tied the franchise record for home runs in a season set in 2011 by Jorge Vasquez and was the second player in franchise history with 100 or more RBIs in a season, falling one short of the mark of 106 set by Torey Lovullo in 1999.
Raphielle Johnson