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Yankees’ Triple-A RailRiders displaying gritty, come-from-behind attitude

SARASOTA, FL - FEBRUARY 20: Ernesto Martinez Jr. (91) of the New York Yankees bats during a spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles on February 20, 2026 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

This year’s Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are a team that keeps battling until the final out, and it is quickly becoming their M.O. Seven of their 13 wins through the first 24 games have occurred when the club was trailing at some point in the contest.

There was April 4th in Rochester, when seventh-inning solo shots by Seth Brown and Paul DeJong overcame a one-run deficit for a 4-3 victory. The next day, the RailRiders trailed after one inning, 2-1, but scored in the next four innings and rolled to a 16-5 win.

In the home opener on April 8th against Durham, the RailRiders erased a six-run deficit in their final three at-bats to pull out a 7-6 triumph. The next day, they trailed Durham by one run after five innings, took the lead, watched the Bulls tie it in the top of the ninth, but won it in the bottom of the ninth on an Ali Sánchez home run, 5-4. Two days after that, in the nightcap of a doubleheader, they were down to the Bulls, 2-0, but used a six-run fourth inning to storm back for a 9-5 win.

“With these guys, I always know that when games are close, they grind really well,” said manager Shelley Duncan.

“I like to say they’re gritty. They’re grinders, and when it’s close at the end of a ball game, it’s hard to beat grinders.”

Also, the RailRiders are 3-0 in extra innings, including consecutive wins in the current home series with the Rochester Red Wings at PNC Field.

First, on Thursday, the RailRiders took a 4-2 lead into the top of the ninth, only to have Rochester score three runs on five consecutive hits to grab a 5-4 lead. But the RailRiders tied it in the bottom of the ninth on singles by Jonathan Ornelas and Max Schuemann, followed by an RBI groundout from Spencer Jones. Then in the bottom of the 11th, Jasson Domínguez won it with a RBI single to score the automatic runner Ornelas, 6-5.

On Friday, Red Wings starting pitcher Andry Lara had the RailRiders stymied. All they could manage against the right-hander through the first seven innings were a pair of Yanquiel Fernández singles as he walked none and struck out nine. Rochester built a 2-0 lead on two solo home runs, but the bullpen held it there.

“My main thought was keep it close,” Duncan said. “Down two, if we could just scrap one run across the board to get within one. Two runs is a lot harder than one.”

In the bottom of the eighth, with Lara out of the game, the RailRiders rallied. Brown drew a leadoff walk. Duke Ellis came on as a pinch-runner and immediately stole second. Ernesto Martínez Jr. then sent a 3-2 pitch out to right field for a game-tying home run.

“I was manifesting it. I was like, I’m hitting a home run right now. It’s going out,” Martínez said. “I was late on a couple of pitches and I was like, ‘OK, if I’m early I’m going to hit one out.

“We always believe and always have faith in our pitchers. They work really hard and are dedicated to their craft. If they have a bad inning, you know they’re going to come back. We trust our guys.”

Neither team scored in the ninth inning and the game headed to extra innings. Rochester scored a run in the top of the 10th and had runners at the corners with one out. But Harrison Cohen came on and struck out the next two Red Wings to keep it a 3-2 game.

With Oswaldo Cabrera at second base as the automatic runner in the bottom of the 10th, Ellis laid down a sacrifice bunt and reached safely when Rochester’s first baseman, Abimelec Orti,z was called for obstruction as Cabrera moved to third. Again, Ellis broke for second on a stolen-base attempt and when the pitch was wild, Cabrera scored the tying run and Ellis kept going and raced to third.

Martinez followed by lining a 2-2 pitch into right field to score Ellis with the game-winning run.

“Ernesto had two strikes early, took a deep breath and had an unbelievable at-bat,” Duncan said. “It was awesome seeing these guys stay in the game even though it looked very bleak in the beginning. You have to credit the pitching for keeping us close.”

Wins like these, Martínez said, show the character the RailRiders have and can give them some momentum to get on a roll.

“We’ve been a little bit up and down for the start of the season,” said Martínez. “We have expectations of being the best team in Triple-A, so for us it means a lot. Our spirit is not gone. We’re still going to try to win the first half.”

Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe continued his rehab stint with the RailRiders in Friday’s game and played nine innings for the first time. Batting leadoff, he went 0-for-4 with a flyout, two strikeouts, and a groundout. Defensively, he handled three chances and had two assists.

“That was the best I’ve seen him at short,” Duncan said. “He looked really good.”

The plan is for Volpe to again play nine innings Saturday and then likely serve as DH in Sunday’s series finale. What comes after that? Well, Yankees manager Aaron Boone didn’t anticipate a return in time for New York’s series against the Rangers, though he did make those remarks before Giancarlo Stanton left Friday night’s game in Houston early. Unless the DH’s calf strain forces an IL stint that accelerates the timeline, the most logical outcome would be Volpe remaining with Scranton since they have another home series coming up this week against Buffalo, beginning Tuesday. Stay tuned.

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Knicks vs Hawks Win Probability for Game 4 at Prediction Markets

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The New York Knicks are in a must-win situation tonight when they visit State Farm Arena and the Atlanta Hawks in Game 4 of their first-round Eastern Conference NBA matchup with the Atlanta Hawks. 

Our Knicks vs. Hawks predictions and NBA picks are high on the Knicks beating the Hawks on Saturday, April 25.

Who will win Knicks vs Hawks Game 4?

Knicks win probability:54% (-113)
Hawks win probability:47% (+113)

The New York Knicks are in a must-win situation, and they'll need to find a way to beat the Atlanta Hawks on the road. The Knicks beat the Hawks in Atlanta twice during the regular season, and they are short favorites tonight with a 53% chance of victory. 

Our prediction:Knicks to win

A win for New York makes this a best-of-three series with home court advantage, but a loss means the Knicks will need to win three straight. After coming up just shy in Games 2 and 3, I expect the Knicks to play with urgency and get the job done on the road before coming back to the Garden.

Read more in Zak Hanshew's full Knicks vs. Hawks predictions.

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More Knicks vs Hawks prediction markets

You're certainly not limited to the main game outcome for Knicks vs. Hawks at Kalshi; you also have options to trade on the spread, total, and more, among other NBA odds markets.

You can buy either side of a market — for example, "Yes" on the Knicks -2.5 spread means the Knicks will cover, while "No" means the Hawks will cover — with each side priced based on the implied probability (which can be converted to American, Decimal, or Fraction odds using the Covers odds converter).

Knicks vs Hawks spread and total at prediction markets

OutcomeYesNo
Knicks -2.548¢ (+108)53¢ (-113)
Over 214.5 points53¢ (-113)48¢ (+108)

Our predictions:Knicks -2.5 — Yes and Over 214.5 points — Yes

This hasn’t been a high-scoring series, but the point totals keep creeping down, and we can find value in the Over. Three of six games between these teams have gone for at least 215 points, and two more went for 213.

Game 3 totaled 217 points despite two of New York’s starters combining for just two points. I’ll bet the Over as New York gets back on track offensively.

Other Knicks vs Hawks prediction markets available

  • Dyson Daniels 10+ points (Yes: 50¢)
  • Jalen Brunson 25+ points (Yes: 65¢)
  • Mikal Bridges 10+ (Yes: 59¢)

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Why Topias Vilén Got The Call Over Ethan Edwards: Inside The Devils Decision

After three seasons of developing in the American Hockey League with the Utica Comets, Topias Vilén finally received his first NHL call-up on April 10, 2026.

The 23-year-old made his NHL debut with the New Jersey Devils on April 12 against the Ottawa Senators. He played two NHL games, averaging 15 minutes of ice time.

“They have been really happy with his development over the last three years, but this year in particular,” Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe said at the time of the call up. “They felt he was the guy who earned the opportunity and someone they wanted to get a look at.”

When the organization announced it would be Vilén, who was drafted 129th overall in 2021, who received that final call-up instead of other prospects, including 2020 120th overall pick Ethan Edwards, some questioned the decision.

In an interview with The Hockey News, Comets general manager Dan MacKinnon provided clarity to that question.

“We want to be a process-driven organization,” he said. “This was the third year of his entry-level contract, and he has matured incredibly as both a hockey player and a person over those three years. I am not saying anything that our coaches wouldn't say. He was our best overall defenseman in all three zones in the second half of the year. He didn't have the start he wanted, like a lot of guys on that team, but Keefe watches our games, and he said, ‘I want to see this guy at the NHL level.’”

With the Comets, Vilén finished the 2025-26 season with 27 points (four goals, 23 assists) in 61 games. He had the second-most points on the blue line behind Calen Addison. When he was re-assigned to the Comets after his stint with the Devils, he collected three assists in Utica’s final two games of the season.

“I wanted to give Topias the boost coming to training camp next year on his second contract. To say, ‘Hey, you are not that far away from playing at the NHL level.’ You know, that motivation he will have in the offseason. That was all part of the process.”

© John Jones-Imagn Images
© John Jones-Imagn Images

As Vilén prepares for his second contract, Edwards will be training for his second full season playing professional hockey.

In 79 career AHL games, the former University of Michigan Wolverine has impressed MacKinnon, who believes the youngster has a ton of upside.

“Edwards is an elite skater and will be even a high-end skater at the NHL level,” MacKinnon shared. "He is sub-six feet tall, but he is so hockey strong. He never loses a battle. What he was learning this year was coming from college, where he could sort of impose himself on the game with the puck and understand sometimes less is more in terms of managing the puck and being efficient. His game evolved during the AHL season this year, and he became much more responsible and steady in terms of his puck management.”

Edwards will be the first to say there was a bit of a learning curve in the middle of the season for him. He appeared in 69 games for the Comets, collecting 23 points. His 10 goals led all defensemen.

“It was no slight against (Edwards), MacKinnon said of  Vilén receiving the call-up. “He was a rookie playing his first year pro, and he still needs more time. That is all part of the process.”

Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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Raptors on Film: How Jamison Battle changes series against Cavaliers

TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 23: Jamison Battle #77 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

When Jamison Battle scored his first two points nearly one minute into the fourth quarter, the Toronto Raptors caught a glimpse of something intriguing. 

Over the course of the final frame, the Raptors continued to slow-drip Battle into more actions, before eventually unlocking a new page of the offensive playbook. By the final buzzer, Battle proved that he was worth investing possession equity in.

If the Raptors can build on what Battle provides – and afford to keep him on the court – then it’s not an exaggeration to believe that the Cleveland Cavaliers have a problem. 

Here’s a closer look at what Battle does to warp the defence and what he can do to stay in games.

Let’s begin with what the endgame looks like. The frame below shows what the Raptors might view as their most ideal ‘10’ on the court. The ten on the floor didn’t materialize by accident. It’s a byproduct of a series of actions that the Cavaliers struggled with.

Ultimately, Cleveland can’t hide Donovan Mitchell. Even if the Cavaliers go with Dean Wade instead of Max Strus, Toronto can attempt to drag Mitchell into a screening action with any of Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett or Battle.

We’ll come back to this, but let’s break down how we got here.

Here’s the aforementioned possession that led to Battle’s first bucket. Toronto tries to get Mitchell involved twice, with an on-ball and an off-ball screen. The Raptors eventually decide to force the issue and set up a right-wing pick-and-roll (PnR) with Scottie Barnes and Battle.

Mitchell traps the ball, Battle slips to the basket for a push shot.

The Raptors go back to it again, this time seemingly by chance because of Barnes’ offensive rebound. Setting up in the left corner, they force Mitchell to deal with a Battle screen again. This time, Mitchell switches onto Barnes and fouls him on the drive.

The next sequence that involves Battle and Barnes is also the play that convinced the Cavaliers to try other defenders. This is a baseline-out-of-bounds action that also incorporates the brick wall that is Collin Murray-Boyles. By the end of the movement, Battle knocks down his first three-pointer.

Cleveland subsequently goes with Harden as the primary defender for a handful of possessions.

With Battle heating up, the Cavaliers immediately attempt to put out the fire by attacking him on the other end (more on that later). But with Harden spending an exorbitant amount of energy isolating on offence, he isn’t able to get back in semi-transition, resulting in Battle’s second triple.

This forces Cleveland’s hand again, and this time, the coaching staff call on Keon Ellis.

Even with Ellis on Battle, Toronto is intent on keeping the sharpshooter involved. In this sequence, he’s responsible for freeing up Barnes, possibly with the intent of attacking Mitchell again. Instead, Jamal Shead goes to Murray-Boyles, who then bullies Evan Mobley. This is significant because it’s the Raptors’ response to the Cavaliers going small. Barrett ducks past Harden and gets two points.

Moments later, the Cavaliers make a few personnel changes and opt to go with Strus on Battle. As long as Barrett is on the floor, it’s an easy decision to put him in a PnR with Barnes to bring Harden into the play. The Raptors score here.

On the very next possession, Cleveland hedges its bet on Shead being less destructive. The Cavaliers move Harden off Barrett and onto Shead. Due to an auto-switch, Barnes gets an easy post-up, which results in two more points.

And that brings everything back to the original frame. With the Cavaliers having trouble with Barnes and Murray-Boyles’ physicality, they deploy both Jarrett Allen and Mobley late. That means Mitchell has to defend Battle or Barrett. For some reason, Mitchell traps Barnes up top after the screen, which results in an open three for Battle.

It’s beneficial to also highlight how the Raptors can keep Battle on the court. Despite his tendency to go nuclear anytime he sees a Cavaliers jersey, there has to be a reason why Battle struggled to find minutes during the regular-season. The film – and assumption – leads the analysis towards his defence.

After Battle hit his first three-pointer, Cleveland attacked him six times on the opposite end and scored nine points on 80 per cent shooting. The lone miss came on a wide-open Jaylon Tyson three-point attempt from the right corner. All six possessions involved Battle guarding Ellis.

With Harden generating quality offence, the Raptors leaned on an assortment of point-of-attack defenders in Barrett, Shead, Barnes and Murray-Boyles. Cleveland also leveraged this advantage off-ball when the Raptors tried to top-lock Mitchell. How Battle fares on the defensive side – particularly in on-ball sequences – over the course of four quarters will have a major impact on game four.

It’s also fascinating that when all three of Harden, Mitchell and Strus were on the court, they didn’t attack Battle. At least for the end of game three, it seemed like the Cavaliers valued Strus as a corner shooter, weren’t thrilled with the idea of having Mitchell or Harden turn into a spot-up shooter from the wing, or chose to keep things hidden with the game nearly out-of-reach.

The Raptors’ hot-shooting could regress to the mean. That’s a likely outcome. But assuming that doesn’t swing too violently the other way, how the Cavaliers scheme their way out of this new Battle plot twist will be one of the key storylines headed into game four.

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Today in Cubs history: Rick Monday saved an American flag

EDITOR’S NOTE: A version of this article ran here at BCB 10 years ago on the 40th anniversary of this event. Lightly edited, and with some new information added, I thought you’d like to read it again on the 50th anniversary.

It was a Sunday that began as any other baseball day at Dodger Stadium. The Cubs, who would wind up with their second straight 87-loss season that year, entered that afternoon with a 6-7 record. The Dodgers, who eventually finished second in the NL West with 92 wins, were 4-9.

The game between the Dodgers and Cubs had no baseball out of the ordinary. The Cubs came from behind in the eighth inning to tie the contest only to lose in extra innings, 5-4.

But it was what happened in the Dodger Stadium outfield in the fourth inning that day that will make this particular game forever remembered. Richard Dozer, recapping that day’s game in the Tribune, described Monday’s save:

Monday explained his role in the chase for the flag with more clarity than anything else discussed in the clubhouse.

”I saw these clowns come out on the field, and I didn’t know what they were doing. I thought they were just out there to prance around,” he recalled.

”But then they spread the flag out like a picnic blanket. I was just going to run them over until I saw them with the can of lighter fluid. I could see they were going to try to burn it.”

After Monday raced in front of left fielder [José] Cardenal and grabbed the flag, he gave it to a security man. The demonstrators were taken to a nearby police station. It was reported they were American Indians, and one of them said something about “squatters” taking over the country. This could not be verified.

One was identified as William Thomas, 37. He gave Eldon, Mo. as his hometown. The other was not identified because police said he was a juvenile, but was reportedly Thomas’ 11-year-old son.

A few days later, the Los Angeles Times reported that Thomas had done this to call attention to what he claimed was his wife’s “imprisonment” in a Missouri mental institution. Here’s a 2016 article from Vice that gives more detail on Thomas and his family, along with a lot of detail about the incident and its aftermath.

Here’s some video of what happened, with the call of the legendary Vin Scully:

The actual flag that was saved is shown in the photo at the top of this post. That photo was taken at an event Monday attended in 2006 on the 30th anniversary of the occasion. In 2013, the Dodgers issued a bobblehead commemorating this event, complete with cloth flag:

rick monday bobblehead

I wasn’t in Los Angeles for this giveaway, but as many of you know, I collect bobbleheads. I had to have that one, so I bought one via eBay. The photo above is of my actual bobblehead. Meanwhile, the original flag is headed to Cooperstown this summer:

Monday, who played eight years for the Dodgers after the Cubs sent him there in the deal that brought Bill Buckner to the Cubs and hit a famous home run that put the Dodgers into the 1981 World Series, has been a Dodgers broadcaster for the last 31 years.

A final note on this: I am posting this today simply to note the 50th anniversary of this event, a notable event in Cubs and baseball history. It obviously can have political implications. I make no comment on that and remind everyone here of the site rules prohibiting political commentary. Thanks in advance for keeping the comments here related to baseball.

Rick Monday saved an American flag from burning 50 years ago today, Sunday, April 25, 1976.

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Here’s how to watch Knicks vs. Hawks Game 4 for free: Time, livestream

New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change.

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Mikal Bridges of the New York Knicks shoots a three-point basket over a defender

For the second game in a row, the Knicks were down by one when the final buzzer went off, and now face a series deficit heading into tonight’s Game 4.

Atlanta came on strong early in Thursday’s Game 3, which they ended up winning 109-108. Jalen Johnson finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds for the Hawks and Jonathan Kuminga scored a huge 21 points off the bench.

The Knicks took a 108–105 lead following a clutch three-point play by Jalen Brunson with just over a minute remaining, but with 12.5 seconds left, Atlanta’s CJ McCollum scored the game-winner.

Now, the Knicks are down 1-2 in the best-of-seven series heading into tonight’s Game 4.

Knicks vs. Hawks: what to know
  • What: NBA Playoffs First Round, Game 4
  • When: April 25, 6 p.m. ET
  • Where: State Farm Arena (Atlanta, Georgia)
  • Channel: NBC
  • Streaming: DIRECTV (try it free)

The Knicks and Hawks head back to New York for Game 5 on Tuesday, April 28.

Knicks vs. Hawks start time:

Knicks vs. Hawks Game 3 is scheduled to begin tonight, April 25, at 6 p.m. ET.

How to watch Knicks vs. Hawks for free:

If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to stream the game for free.

DIRECTV is our top pick for watching basketball live for free — its five-day free trial includes NBC (plus every other channel you’ll need for the NBA season, including local channels). When the trial is over, you’ll pay as low as $44.99/month and gain access to over 90 live channels.

TRY DIRECTV FOR FREE

You can also tune in to tonight’s Knicks game with fubo’s Pro or Sports and News plans. Live TV plans from fubo start at $44.99 and also include a five-day free trial.

Knicks-Hawks first-round playoff schedule

  • Game 1:Knicks 113, Hawks 102
  • Game 2: Knicks 106, Hawks 107
  • Game 3: Knicks 108, Hawks 109
  • Game 4: April 25, 6 p.m. ET (NBC)
  • Game 5: April 28, 8 p.m. ET (NBC)
  • Game 6: April 30*
  • Game 7: May 2*

* if necessary

NBA Playoffs key dates:

  • April 18: NBA Playoffs First Round begins
  • June 3: Game 1 of the NBA Finals

Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.

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Braves look for series win behind Bryce Elder

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 20: Bryce Elder #55 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images

With a game 1 win in the books, the Braves maintain the top record and run differential in MLB so far this season. They will now have two chances to secure a series win over Philadelphia and the Phillies have now lost 10 straight. This is an important game for the Phillies, as their ace of the last handful of years is returning in the mound from an injury dating back to last season in Zack Wheeler.

Bryce Elder has had an encouraging start to the season and while he has cooled off a bit from what were two brilliant starts to kick off 2026, he has still been effective as a back of the rotation starter outside of the bad but not catastrophic Cleveland game. Bryce has crucially kept the walks down, but is also currently running a career high strikeout rate. He’s also been mixing his sinker and four-seamer more instead of being sinker-focused and has added a cutter to keep hitters less keyed in on his preferred fastball shape. This has been a version of Bryce Elder that can be a rotation regular as a 4th or 5th starter in MLB.

We all know how good Zack Wheeler has been for the Phillies in recent years, but coming back from injury firing on all cylinders is no guarantee, especially without a normal Spring Training. He also had a pretty rough final rehab start, giving up 4 runs and 2 homers over 4.0 innings, sitting lower 90s with his fastball. Wheeler seemed to acknowledge the lower 90s as the new reality for his fastball after the game, at least in the near term, discussing the need for him to be “craftier” for a while upon his return. This may not be the dominant version of Zack Wheeler we’ve come to expect and while it would be a shame for Wheeler’s career to be derailed by this injury, it would be fine with me if the Braves capitalized on him not being fully up to his best on the day today. Wheeler has been a fastball-focused pitcher with his upper 90s velocity, throwing the four-seam fastball 40% of the time, but did throw a sinker, cutter, sweeper, splitter, and curveball all meaningful percentages last season, so he should still have a deep arsenal even if the velocity has taken a hit.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Saturday, April 25, 7:15 p.m. ET

Location: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA

TV: BravesVision

Streaming: MLBTV

Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan

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Series Preview #9: Padres @ Diamondbacks

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - APRIL 24: A general view of Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu during the 2026 Mexico City Series preview photos on Friday, April 24, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

No ABS.

For those of you who, just like me, wasn’t really having its vision towards the next series, it might have come as a surprise to see the Diamondbacks play a two-game weekend series against a division rival.

The reason: the Diamondbacks move to Mexico to face the San Diego Padres in an International Series.

It is MLB’s first international series of the season and, by courtesy of a couple of articles on MLB.com, here are some facts:

  • It is the 3rd time that MLB plays a series at the Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú in Mexico City.
  • The first time MLB played at this stadium was in 2023, when the Padres faced the Giants.
  • In 2024 MLB returned with a game between the Astros and Rockies.
  • The stadium has around 20,000 seats and is named after a minority owner of the Padres.
  • The stadium is at an elevation of 7,300 feet above sea level, so we could expect lots of homeruns: Padres and Giants launched 11 in their inaugural match of the series in 2023.
  • The Padres have played MLB games 4 times in Mexico, one against each NL West opponent so far.
  • The Diamondbacks have never played a regular season game in Mexico, though have been in Mexico 11 times for exhibition games (Hermosillo and Monterey).
  • This match won’t have the ABS, because the stadium lacks the infrastructure for it.

The Diamondbacks nor the Padres have a Mexican player on their 40-man roster. Alek Thomas has played for Mexico in the past on the WBC. Who will the Mexicans side with?

The Padres are league leaders.

The Padres started the season with a 2-4 record after the first two series but beat the Red Sox and the Pirates after that to get to .500. Ever since, they have taken advantage of a poor Rockies team, sweeping a four-game series and winning a three-game one. In between another sweep of the Seattle Mariners and a series win against the Angels, who halted their 8-game winning streak. It is no surprise that this hot Padres team has taken over the Dodgers as league leaders.

The guys that have carried the Padres’ offence are not the names you’d most likely expect. Sure, Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. have had their share of RBI’s and hits, but since the start of their 8-game winning streak against Pittsburgh, veteran Xander Bogaerts (3 homeruns, 12 RBI, 178 WRC+), Ramón Laureano (12 homeruns, 11 RBI, 148 WRC+) and first baseman Gavin Sheets (3 homeruns, 7 RBI, 134 WRC+) have been driving everyone in. Both Bogaerts (.342 BABIP) and Laureano (.419 BABIP) are especially riding the hot bat. Add to that some excellent pitching from starters like Michael King and Randy Vasquez, reliable innings from former Rockie Germán Marquez and former Dodger Walker Buehler and a stand-out performance from the bullpen, led by Mason Miller and his 9 saves and 0.00 ERA, and you have yourself a very difficult team to beat.

Now the Diamondbacks haven’t been a shabby team themselves either, winning every series since splitting the four-game series against the Braves, until we found our Waterloo in the Chicago White Sox. That loss hurt and seems unnecessary and, from previous years, we know that those losses will cost you the post-season.

Matchups.

Game #1 Sat 04/24 3:05 PM MST, Zac Gallen (ARI) vs Germán Márquez (SDP).

  • Zac Gallen. 5 GS, 25.2 IP, 1 W-1 L, 3.51 ERA, 3.87 FIP, 1.48 WHIP, 14/7 K/BB.
  • Germán Márquez. 4 GS, 18.2 IP, 2 W-1 L, 3.86 ERA, 5.97 FIP, 1.39 WHIP, 15/6 K/BB.

Gallen sure isn’t pitching like an ace and battles heavy traffic on the bases each time he goes out there, though it hasn’t resulted in too many runs. The Padres aren’t a team that get on base easily, but once they get on, they are one of the better ones in running them to get home. Currently the offence is one of the colder ones and they lean heavy on the hot bat of Bogaerts and Laureano. The other bats will probably come alive sooner or later, but let’s hope it won’t happen in Mexico City against Zac Gallen.

Germán Márquez was once a promising pitcher in Denver until he wasn’t, hampered by many injuries. Last year he was crap for the Rockies, finishing the season with 26 games and a 6.70 ERA. Positive thing was: it was his first full season since 2022. The Padres offered him a 1-year contract with an annual average salary of $1,750,000 in the off-season. So far, that has paid off, especially considering he is de-facto the 5th starting pitcher in the rotation. His first outing of the season was a bit of a hiccup against the Giants, but since then he has fired two scoreless outings against Pittsburgh and, his most recent one, against the Angels. In between his former team, Rockies, punished him with 4 runs in 5 innings, though he still got the win.

Game #2 Sun 04/25 1:05 PM MST, Ryne Nelson (ARI) vs Michael King (SDP).

  • Ryne Nelson. 5 GS, 20.2 IP, 1 W-2 L, 6.97 ERA, 5.02 FIP, 1.45 WHIP, 20/9 K/BB.
  • Michael King. 5 GS, 27.2 IP, 3 W-1 L, 2.28 ERA, 3.67 FIP, 1.12 WHIP, 26/14 K/BB.

Michael King has been leading the Padres to 3 wins in 5 of his outings, so on the outside his performance looks terrific with that 2.28 ERA. However, his command hasn’t been terrific and he has been allowing quite some base on balls, though that isn’t really a surprise with Michael King, but it hasn’t come back to hurt him so far. His change-up has always been one of his better pitches, especially in 2025 when it carried him through the season, but this season it has lost some its effectiveness. However, his breaking balls are getting the job done at the moment.

After hopeful outings against the Mets and Baltimore, his outing against Toronto was a day to forget for Ryne. So let’s not talk about that one and hope he can find his groove in an exciting, though pitching wise difficult, environment.

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Cavaliers vs Raptors Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Today's NBA Playoffs Game 4

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The Toronto Raptors are alive and kicking in this first-round series, and they’ll try to pull level with the Cleveland Cavaliers in Sunday’s Game 4.

Toronto found a winning formula down the stretch of Thursday’s win, and my Cavaliers vs. Raptors predictions and NBA picks point to Scottie Barnes being a thorn in Cleveland’s side again as the hosts’ best scoring threat.

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  • UPDATE: Added a prediction for who will win tonight. 
 

Cavaliers vs Raptors prediction

Who will win Cavaliers vs Raptors Game 4?

Cleveland: It would have been hard to imagine the Raptors winning back-to-back games in this series after the way they played in Games 1 and 2. Donovan Mitchell will be much better, and Cleveland will put Toronto back on the ropes.

Cavaliers vs Raptors best bet: Scottie Barnes Over 20.5 points (+100)

The Toronto Raptors have been on the back foot in this series with Brandon Ingram’s slump and Immanuel Quickley’s hamstring injury, but Scottie Barnes is doing his part to wrestle back control from the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Barnes was everywhere in Game 3, with 33 points, 11 assists, and relentless defense to slow down Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, and he’s gone past this points prop number in all three contests so far.

After two off days to recharge, look for Scottie to lead the charge again on Sunday, and one of the advantages of taking assignments on the Cleveland backcourt is that Mitchell or Harden can get stuck guarding him at the other end of the floor.

Though Barnes is most comfortable as a playmaker, the Toronto game plan has shoved him into a bigger scoring role. He’s averaging 26.7 PPG in the series on 54% shooting, and I expect Darko Rajakovic to squeeze another 40-minute shift out of the Raptors’ main man.

The Cavs defense has made stopping Ingram its No.1 focus, and that’s put Barnes in positions to attack one-on-one matchups. He was a +23 in 35 minutes on Thursday, and I’m penciling him in for more scoring spurts in a battle the Raptors can’t afford to lose.

Cavaliers vs Raptors same-game parlay

Coming off a Game 3 performance well below his usual high standards, Donovan Mitchell is a prime bounce-back candidate here. Spida had poured in 30+ points in four straight outings before a quiet night on Thursday, and his 3-point shooting is a natural spark for his stat lines.

Though Barnes has given Toronto a lifeline in this series, the Cavs can lean on more playoff experience and a larger pool of counters, so I’ll lay the small spread and trust in the visitors’ 7-2 SU mark in their last nine contests. Cleveland has also put together a healthy 25-17 record on the road this season.

Cavaliers vs Raptors SGP

  • Cavaliers -3.5
  • Donovan Mitchell Over 26.5 points
  • Donovan Mitchell Over 2.5 threes

Our "from downtown" SGP: Mobley Magic!

Evan Mobley feasted in the paint in the opening two games of this series, and he’s an X-factor for Sunday. You can’t argue with the recent stats – he’s ended up with 17+ points in four of his last six outings, and he averaged 20 PPG in March.

Sharing the floor with Jarrett Allen can sometimes pull Mobley further from the rim, but there are still ample opportunities to pad his rebounding tally when he’s the lone big man on the floor for Cleveland.

Mobley was ninth in the NBA with 9.0 RPG during the regular season.

Cavaliers vs Raptors SGP

  • Evan Mobley Over 16.5 points
  • Evan Mobley Over 8.5 rebounds
  • Donovan Mitchell Over 2.5 threes
  • Cavaliers -3.5

Cavaliers vs Raptors odds for Game 4

  • Spread: Cavaliers -3.5 | Raptors +3.5
  • Moneyline: Cavaliers -165 | Raptors +140
  • Over/Under: Over 220.5 | Under 220.5

Cavaliers vs Raptors betting trend to know

The Under is 50-32 for the Raptors this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Raptors.

How to watch Cavaliers vs Raptors Game 4

LocationScotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
DateSunday, April 26, 2026
Tip-off1:00 p.m. ET
TVESPN, TSN

Cavaliers vs Raptors latest injuries

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Manchester City 2-1 Southampton: FA Cup semi-final – as it happened

Finn Azaz’s stunner threatened a Saints shock but Nico Gonzalez responded with an all-timer of his own to send City to their fourth consecutive final

1 min: City waste no time in establishing how they plan to go about this. A lot of patient possession. Saints yet to have a touch.

Manchester City get the ball rolling. April. Wembley. Sun. It’s that time of year. What’s not to love?

Continue reading...
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Game Discussion for St. Louis Cardinals vs Seattle Mariners Saturday

Apr 13, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore (32) pitches against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

The St. Louis Cardinals play game 2 of the 3-game series versus the Seattle Mariners Saturday as Matthew Liberatore (0-1 with a 3.67 ERA) gets the start for the Cardinals. The Mariners will send Bryan Woo (1-2 with a 2.25 ERA) to the mound for his 4th start of the season. First pitch is scheduled for 1:15pm central time at Busch Stadium.

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Sixers list Embiid as doubtful, Oubre as questionable for Game 4 vs. Celtics

Sixers list Embiid as doubtful, Oubre as questionable for Game 4 vs. Celtics  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers added Kelly Oubre Jr. to their injury report Saturday night going into Game 4 of their first-round playoff series vs. the Celtics.

Along with Joel Embiid (appendectomy recovery), who was again officially classified as doubtful, the Sixers listed Oubre as questionable with “right adductor soreness.”

Oubre’s carried a large load in the series, including a 40-minute outing Friday night as the Sixers lost to the Celtics and fell into a 2-1 series deficit. He’s guarded both Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum and averaged 13.0 points and 6.0 rebounds. Following a career-best three-point shooting season, Oubre’s gone just 3 for 15 (20 percent) beyond the arc through three games.

“I’m just trying to be steady and solid,” he said after the Sixers’ film session Saturday. “And when my opportunity presents itself, I’m fully confident in what I can do. I’m going to continue to keep a positive mindset and just go out there and be myself. I have a pretty heavy load on defense but at the end of the day, I’m a two-way player. … I just want to bring myself to the game and help my team win.”

In the event Oubre is unable to play or can’t handle the same volume of minutes, Justin Edwards and Dominick Barlow would appear in line for increased playing time. Barlow was out of the Sixers’ Game 3 rotation. 

Embiid’s status is certainly subject to change ahead of Sunday night’s Game 4.

Sixers head coach Nick Nurse suggested that Sunday morning’s shootaround might be a significant step. Embiid participated in parts of the Sixers’ practice Thursday and has clearly been trending up in recent days. He underwent his appendectomy on April 9. 

“He’s on court right now doing individual work,” Nurse said of Embiid. “Like I said before, he’s working as hard as he can to get back. We just need to see how it goes today and tomorrow morning, and then maybe we’ll know more toward the end of shootaround tomorrow.”

Though both Adem Bona and Andre Drummond have had good moments in the series, they haven’t come close to replicating Embiid’s presence. On top of Embiid’s diverse offensive game, the Sixers have missed his rim protection defensively. 

“It’s a different ball game, having someone like that back in the series,” Bona said Friday. “It’s a huge advantage for us. I’m just excited to see him back on the floor again.”

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NHL Sets New Year’s Eve Stage For Avalanche-Mammoth Winter Classic In Salt Lake City

The 2027 Discover NHL Winter Classic will feature the Colorado Avalanche visiting the Utah Mammoth on December 31, 2026, with puck drop set for late afternoon and a prime-time broadcast window in the Eastern time zone.

A Proven Outdoor Team Meets a New(ish) Franchise

Cale Makar during the 2020 Stadium Series
Cale Makar during the 2020 Stadium Series

The Avalanche come in with a level of outdoor experience that few teams in the league can really match.

Over the past decade, Colorado has become a regular presence in these showcase games, including a 5–3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings at Coors Field in the 2016 Stadium Series, a 3–1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings at Falcon Stadium in 2020, and a 3–2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in the Lake Tahoe outdoor game in 2021, which was played without fans during the pandemic.

Different settings, different conditions, and a mix of results have all added up to a team that feels comfortable on hockey’s biggest outdoor stages.

Utah, by contrast, is still in the early chapters of its NHL story—but moving quickly.

In a short time, the organization has gone from expansion arrival to fully establishing its footprint in the market, acquiring the hockey assets of the Arizona Coyotes, setting up a temporary practice facility, and pushing through early renovations at the Delta Center.

That progress has already carried into a full identity shift with the unveiling of the Utah Mammoth, the opening of a permanent practice facility, and continued upgrades to the arena, which has quickly developed into a loud, consistently sold-out home fueled by a growing fan base that feels more invested in the game.

Now all of that growth meets hockey’s biggest outdoor stage.

The game will be played at Rice-Eccles Stadium on the University of Utah campus, set against the backdrop of Salt Lake City and the surrounding mountains. It’s a setting that fits the occasion—large, open, and visually striking, with a natural atmosphere that makes outdoor hockey feel even bigger than the game itself.

Utah is expected to embrace the moment fully, turning the entire weekend into something that feels closer to a citywide winter celebration than a standalone event. With the game landing on New Year’s Eve, it naturally becomes the centerpiece of a longer stretch of festivities across Salt Lake City.

Instead of just a single night of hockey, the city will likely be buzzing for days—concerts, downtown events, and winter-themed activities building around the matchup. Ski resorts and mountain tourism will also play a part, giving visiting fans plenty of reasons to turn the trip into a full experience. And along the way, it’s the kind of stage where a few new fans of the sport might stick around long after the final horn.

The Winter Classic will also mark a league-wide milestone, as all 32 NHL franchises will have now taken part in an outdoor game. For Utah, it’s a first appearance on that stage—and another meaningful step in its rapid rise from expansion team to one of the most closely watched new markets in the NHL.

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MacIver traded to Jays

SURPRISE, ARIZONA - MARCH 14: Willie MacIver #47 of the Texas Rangers throws back to the pitcher during the first inning of the spring training game against the San Diego Padres at Surprise Stadium on March 14, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Texas Rangers have traded catcher Willie MacIver to the Toronto Blue Jays for cash considerations, the team announced yesterday.

MacIver was claimed on waivers by the Rangers from the A’s at the end of the 2025 season. The 29 year old had been originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies out of the University of Washington in the 9th round of the 2018 MLB Draft — 21 picks after the Detroit Tigers selected Tarik Skubal from Seattle University. Two college players from universities in Washington being taken in the 9th round of the same draft and ultimately making the majors! Though Skubal has had a bit of a better career than MacIver…

MacIver signed with the A’s after becoming a free agent following the 2024 season, and split the 2025 season between AAA and the majors, putting up a .186/.252/.324 slash line in 111 major league plate appearances. In 14 games for Round Rock this year, he has slashed .170/.333/.255. He was designated for assignment earlier this week to clear a 40 man roster spot for Peyton Gray.

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Colorado Rockies minor league game thread: April 25, 2026

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 12: Valente Bellozo #56 of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the San Diego Padres during the third inning at Petco Park on April 12, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After a thrilling win against the New York Mets last night, the Colorado Rockies will have to wait for game two of the series. Rain across the Big Apple pushed today’s game to a Sunday doubleheader.

In lieu of a Rockies rematch, here’s what’s going on today for our minor league clubs! Check out the Pebble Report for more info on the Rockies’ prospects. (More details to be added about the later games as they become available.)

Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes (13-11) vs. Sacramento River Cats (13-9)

Like the Rockies will tomorrow, the Isotopes get a doubleheader today after their Tuesday matchup against Sacramento was postponed for weather. The ‘Topes will look to snap a losing streak after dropping Thursday’s game 12-10 and Friday’s 4-3. Valente Bellozo, recently optioned to the minors after some rough relief innings for the Rockies, will get the start in the first matchup of the evening.

Game 1 First Pitch: 5:30 p.m. MDT

TV: MiLB.TV

Radio: MiLB.TV

Double-A: Hartford Yard Goats (8-10) vs. Portland Sea Dogs (9-9)

The Yard Goats look to add another win against Portland after taking three out of four in the series so far. Their latest came in a 5-1 win over the Sea Dogs yesterday. RHP Eiberson Castellano (1-1, 3.60 ERA) takes the ball for the Yard Goats. In his last outing, Castellano pitched five innings and allowed three runs on seven hits with a home run, one hit batter, three walks and four strikeouts.

First Pitch: 11:00 a.m. MDT

TV: MiLB.TV

Radio: MiLB.TV

Lineups:

High-A: Spokane Indians (6-13) vs. Everett AquaSox (11-8)

After last night’s 2-1 loss, the Indians will look to bounce back. Brody Brecht (No. 3 PuRP) will get the start. In his last outing against the Vancouver Canadians, Brecht threw just three innings but put up a lot of zeroes — zero hits and zero runs, but also two walks and five strikeouts.

First Pitch: 8:05 MDT

TV: MiLB.TV

Radio: MiLB.TV

Low-A: Fresno Grizzlies (12-7) vs. Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (10-9)

The Fresno Grizzlies beat the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 10-3 last night and will look to capitalize that on their “Halfway to Halloween” day. Lefty Brady Parker will be making his second start (fourth appearance) of the year. In his last outing, Parker threw 2.1 innings of relief against the Ontario Tower Buzzers in the 23-7 loss last Sunday.

First Pitch: 7:50 p.m. MDT

TV: MiLB.TV

Radio: MiLB.TV

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