CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 9: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on February 9, 2026 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Are we looking at a first-round playoff preview? Tonight, we could be looking at a matchup between the one seed — the Detroit Pistons — and the eighth seed — the Charlotte Hornets. The Hornets, however, are not your typical eighth seed. They are one of the hottest teams in the East, and they have been since late January. They have shooting all over the floor, plenty of ball handlers, and play a quality team defense. The Detroit Pistons are healthy, so they could treat this game as a serious statement of intention against a potential opponent. Or they could treat it as a bit of a laboratory. Coach JB Bickerstaff has talked about using the season’s final two games to get certain lineup combinations experience on the floor. Chief among them is Kevin Huerter and some of the starters, and Daniss Jenkins playing alongside Cade Cunningham with the other three-person units. They will play to win, but they might also forgo the best potential situational lineup to ensure he can test these lineup combos.
Game Vitals
When: 7 p.m. ET Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit Odds: Pistons +5
The legendary broadcaster shared on Friday, April 10 on his social media page that he went in for a biopsy on Friday to look into some of the "abnormalities" that were found on a series of routine tests that he had done last week. It's the second update in as many days from Vitale.
"Just leaving hospital after biopsy/now anesthesia has worn off," Vitale wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) to go along with a photo of him sitting in a wheelchair outside of a hospital. "Hope & pray for good results as they did study of my lungs where spots showed in Pet Scan & MRI's!"
Just leaving hospital after Biopsy / now anesthesia has worn off. Hope & pray for good results as they did study of my lungs where spots showed in Pet Scan & MRI’s ! pic.twitter.com/CwllVW1cZ1
In his latest update before Friday, Vitale mentioned that he feels "great physically" and "sharp mentally" and that his doctors recommended some additional testing to determine the next steps of his latest battle. He underwent a PET scan, a CAT scan and two MRIs in his last round of tests, which showed those "abnormalities."
He also mentioned that "the roadmap" for his recovery would be determined after the biopsy, which he underwent on Friday.
Vitale has had multiple health battles, including with several types of cancer, over the last few years. He was declared cancer-free last year and made his return to broadcasting, which included a pair of broadcasts alongside Charles Barkley this season, one coming in the First Four of March Madness in Dayton, Ohio.
"I'm still doing games," Vitale told USA TODAY Sports back in March ahead of the First Four. "It's a miracle. It's absolutely a miracle. I get emotional about it sometimes."
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 12: Luis Gil of the New York Yankees pitches in a game against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on August 12, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Yankees head into their first AL East series of the season tonight with a little more curiosity than usual. For the first time, New York gets a look at the reopened Tropicana Field, which officially returned to action on April 6th after a 561-day closure caused by Hurricane Milton’s devastating roof damage. The Rays spent all of 2025 playing their home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, where the Yankees went 9-4 overall against them, including a 5-1 mark in the oddly familiar “road” setting.
The Yankees also arrive in St. Petersburg hoping the bats warm up along with the setting.
After being blanked 1-0 and held to just one hit by the Athletics in Thursday’s series finale, New York closed out its cold-weather homestand dropping the series to the A’s. The Yankees currently sit at 8-4 and are looking for some offensive life after the lineup seemed to go cold right alongside the New England-style chill that settled over the Bronx this past week. There may not be a better reset than heading indoors for a weekend under the roof in Florida, where the Yankees will hope the controlled environment helps wake the offense back up.
Tonight’s opener also comes with a little extra intrigue for everyone watching on TV or in the ballpark alike. The Trop’s upgrades including improved lighting, a rebuilt roof, and refreshed interior systems, it will be interesting to see whether the television feed finally looks cleaner than the dim, gray/sand version of Tropicana broadcasts everyone had gotten used to over the years or if the haze will somehow remain.
The baseball matchup is not lacking in intrigue either. With the Yankees needing a full five-man rotation for the first time this season, Luis Gil will rejoin the big league club for his 2026 debut. To make room on the roster the Yankees sent their first Rule 5 draft pick in almost two decades, Cade Winquest, back to the St. Louis Cardinals. Gil, the 2024 American League Rookie of the Year, spent the opening stretch of the season in Triple-A as a roster-timing move, and now gets the ball in the Rays series with his first chance to try and claim a spot in the rotation as each turn through gets the Yankees closer to the return of Carlos Rodón and Gerrit Cole.
Gil’s sophomore 2025 season was uneven, largely because he missed a significant stretch and never fully looked like the dominant rookie version of himself. Still, the raw results remained strong enough, as he posted a 3.32 ERA across 57 innings in 11 starts. The bigger concern was underneath the ERA, where both the strikeout and walk rates took steps in the wrong direction. The good news for Yankees fans is that the spring version of Gil looked at least a little closer to the pitcher who won Rookie of the Year. Across 19.1 spring innings, Gil punched out 24 hitters against just five walks, the kind of line that suggests the fastball shape and secondary feel were back in sync. If that version of Gil can appear tonight the Yankees may be getting some house money to play with when those aforementioned starters return. However, it is worth noting Gil’s last minor-league start was rocky at best albeit, in tough weather conditions.
The Rays offense has been off to a hot start currently ranking sixth in team batting average, but they have only posted one more run than the Yankees this season as they have been struggling to convert. Gil will have his hands full with righty Yandy Díaz who has posted a .362/.455/.553/1.008 line thus far. The other hot hitters for the Rays are lefties in Richie Palacios, Chandler Simpson, and Jonathan Aranda so Gil will have a handedness disadvantage as he tries to cut down the Rays’ lineup.
Steven Matz gets the ball for Tampa Bay, adding another chapter to one of the more “hey, that guy always plays against us” paths in baseball. After six seasons with the Mets, a year in Toronto, four in St. Louis, and another one-and-done season but this time in Boston, Matz has now traded his red socks for flip-flops and landed in the Rays’ starting rotation. The Yankees saw Matz briefly last year while he was in Boston, getting to him for two hits and one earned run across 1.2 innings. In two starts this year, he has posted a 4.09 ERA in 11 innings with only ten strikeouts. The Yankees should have opportunities if they force deeper counts and make him work through the middle of the order.
With the Rays sending a lefty to the mound, we once again get to see the Yankees’ break out the Righty Platoons chess-match 2.0 lineup. Fresh off yesterday’s experiment, Professor Aaron Boone has concocted a lineup that will have Paul Goldschmidt setting the table, Amed Rosario batting fifth and playing third, and Randal Grichuk getting the nod in left field for back-to-back games. The Yankees’ hottest hitter Ben Rice gets the night off and Jazz Chisholm Jr. returns playing second base and batting sixth.
Tonight begins the 13-game season series between the Yankees and Rays, which always gives the first matchup of the year a little more weight than the calendar suggests. Every April division game is one less result you have to chase later in the summer. Do the Yankees get it done tonight?
How to watch
Location: Tropicana Field — St. Petersburg, FL
First pitch: 7:10 PM ET
TV broadcast: YES, Rays.TV
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280, WDAE 95.7 FM
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 09: Aaron Ashby #26 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of the spring training game at American Family Fields of Phoenix on March 09, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a break-even 3-3 road trip that ended with a two-game losing streak, the Brewers are back home for their second homestand of the season. They will play their next six games at home, starting with a three-game series against the Nationals.
Though Chad Patrick was announced as the original starter for the game, the Brewers have decided to go with an opener and use Aaron Ashby to start the game. Patrick will still get the bulk of the pitching work, but he will enter the game after Ashby instead. Meanwhile, Jake Irvin of the Nationals will make the more traditional start. For more details on the starting pitcher matchup, you can check out yesterday’s series preview.
Prior to tonight’s game, the Brewers recalled Easton McGee from Triple-A. He will fill the roster spot opened after Shane Drohan was optioned yesterday. Also, manager Pat Murphy provided some player updates.
Notes from Pat Murphy
– Brandon Sproat is remaining in the rotation but is available out of the bullpen tonight – Andrew Vaughn got his stitches out, needs that wound to heal before building back up that hand strength – Jackson Chourio is progressing, but not swinging yet
One injured player who is back in the lineup is Brice Turang. After missing the last two games of the Red Sox series with a foot/ankle injury, he is back at the top following three days of rest. William Contreras and Christian Yelich bat second and third, with Garrett Mitchell batting fourth. Jake Bauers, Luis Rengifo, Sal Frelick, and Blake Perkins fill the five through eight spots, and David Hamilton will bat ninth as he gets the start at shortstop.
Here are the lineups for tonight. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m., and it will be on Brewers.TV and the Brewers Radio Network.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 08: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks during the first quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Rocket Arena on April 08, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Hawks 122-116. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers will take on the Atlanta Hawks again. This time, the Cavs will be down a few rotation players. We’ll see if they still have enough to get a second-straight win.
Share your thoughts as the game unfolds. If you aren’t a member of the community, sign up so you can talk to your fellow Cavalier fans and make your voice heard!
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 04: Landen Roupp #65 of the San Francisco Giants pitches in the top of the first inning against the New York Mets at Oracle Park on April 04, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants begin this three-game road series against the Baltimore Orioles this afternoon. Tonight’s game will only be broadcast on Apple TV, so just a heads up if you don’t have that you’ll have to tune in on the radio.
Taking the mound for the Giants will be right-hander Landen Roupp, who enters today’s game with a 4.22 ERA, 1.37 FIP, with 14 strikeouts to three walks in 10.2 innings pitched. His last start was in the Giants’ 9-0 loss to the New York Mets on Saturday, in which he allowed seven runs (five earned) on seven hits with seven strikeouts and a walk in four and two thirds innings.
He’ll be facing off against Orioles right-hander Shane Baz, who enters today’s game with a 4.09 ERA, 2.88 FIP, with nine strikeouts to three walks in 11 innings pitched. His last start was in the Orioles’ 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, in which he allowed one run on four hits with five strikeouts and three walks in five and two thirds innings.
Mar 29, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) looks on during the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images | Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
After a six-game road trip that saw the Orioles both sweep and get swept, they are back home to kick off a six-game homestand against two NL West teams. First up, it’s the fellow orange and black San Francisco Giants, who are off to 5-8 start and in last place in their division.
There won’t be quite as much orange and black on the field as usual, however, since the Orioles are rolling out their brand new City Connect uniforms. I have always dreamed on the Orioles and Giants facing each other in the World Series on Halloween.
Anyway, tonight’s game, which starts at 7:15, is airing on Apple TV. That is annoying both because you need a separate subscription and because we won’t get to hear Kevin Brown, but such is life. I do have an Apple TV subscription, so join me if you can!
Shane Baz is tonight’s starter for the Orioles. His second start, last weekend in Pittsburgh, was better than his first. Although he did walk three in his 5.2 inning, 1 run effort. Mike Elias is clear he thinks Baz has ace stuff, so any time he wants to show it would be fine with me.
The Giants counter with Landen Roupp. This is Roupp’s third season with the Giants, although I could not pick him out of a lineup. In two starts this year, he has had a six-inning, zero runs game and a 4.2 inning, seven runs game. Sign me up for that second one, please.
Colton Cowser is getting a night off with Dylan Beavers starting in center field. It’s the second straight game with Beavers in center instead of Cowser. The lineup is similar to Wednesday, with only Samuel Basallo replacing Ryan Mountcastle in the batting order. Basallo will DH with Adley Rutschman behind the plate.
If the Orioles can win tonight, that’ll make four in a row. I really like the sound of that.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 06: A general view of Tropicana Field as Cedric Mullins #31 of the Tampa Bay Rays rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the second inning during the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Monday, April 6, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 27: Emmet Sheehan #80 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Friday, March 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jessie Alcheh/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Emmet Sheehan takes the ball for his third start of the season on Saturday night. After pitching only 3 1/3 innings in his first start of the season, he went 5 2/3 innings last Friday, April 3 in Washington D.C. against the Nationals. With a six-man starting staff and Thursday’s off day, the Dodgers shifted their rotation a bit for the homestand, starting Tyler Glasnow in Friday night’s opener at Dodger Stadium, on five days rest.
Sheehan on Saturday will be on seven days rest.
Sheehan was drafted by the Dodgers in the sixth round in 2021. The second overall pick of that draft was Jack Leiter, who starts for the Rangers on Saturday. Leiter has 17 strikeouts and two walks in his two starts this season, with a 2.45 ERA in 11 innings.
Sep 25, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Emerson Hancock (26) throws against the Colorado Rockies during the second inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images | Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
After a very bad and nasty 1-5 road trip, the Mariners return home for a little 4-game set against their division arch-rivals, the Houston Astros. With the Mariners currently sitting in dead last in the AL West, a win tonight is greatly needed.
Tonight also has the distinction of being both Ichiro Statue day and Ichiro Replica Statue Night! Lots of Ichiro today! Unfortunately, there’s a little less Ichiro than expected, as the bat on his new statue broke during the unveiling. I asked my local augur if that was a bad omen and he simply stared at me and screamed. The first 40,000 fans to arrive to the game tonight will receive a replica of the statue in its undamaged state.
Lineups
There is a suspiciously Brendan Donovan shaped hole in the lineup today, with Leo Rivas taking over duty at third base. Donovan is out with illness, but it thankfully seems to have not spread throughout the clubhouse. Otherwise, the standout is a return to the leadoff slot for J.P. Crawford. J.P. spent much of last summer in the number one spot, but Dan Wilson seems to prefer him in the number 9 hole where he can turn the lineup over. With Donovan out though, Wilson’s hand was forced. We’ll see if some of J.P.‘s old leadoff magic can be recovered.
Meanwhile, Emerson Hancock will make his third start of the season. Hancock has gotten off to a hot start this year, only allowing one run and racking up 14 strikeouts in 12.2 IP. His sweeper has been excellent, with no opposing hitters able to get a hit off it, despite a 24.6% usage rate. Paired with his 4-seamer and sinker, Emerson has been a standout pitcher in 2026.
Tatsuya Imai will be making the start for the Astros. The MLB newcomer has had a mixed first two stateside starts. In his debut against the Angels he was blown up to the tune of 4 runs, 3 hits, and 4 walks in 2.2 innings, but then held the Athletics scoreless over 5.2 innings of 3-hit ball. His slider is weird (it doesn’t slide), and he throws a fastball from a low arm slot that can confuse hitters. Look for the M’s to either score seven thousand runs or be no-hit.
Game Info
Game Time: 6:40 pm PT
TV: Mariners TV and FOR FREE over the air on KING 5 and affiliated PNW stations. Aaron Goldsmith and Dave Valle are on the call, with Ryan Rowland-Smith serving as the field reporter.
Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports with good ol’ Rick Rizzs and Gary Hill Jr. on the call.
Fans jeer as draw follows losses to Mallorca and Bayern
Marseille go third in Ligue 1 as Paris FC stun Monaco
Real Madrid had to settle for a 1-1 draw against mid-table Girona in La Liga on Friday, extending the hosts’ winless run to three games in all competitions and giving Barcelona the chance to stretch their advantage at the top.
Federico Valverde put Madrid ahead six minutes after half-time but Girona levelled in the 62nd minute through Thomas Lemar. Álvaro Arbeloa’s side are six points behind Barça, who have a game in hand against Espanyol on Saturday and could move nine clear with seven games to play.
Apr 9, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Tigers designated hitter Gleyber Torres (25) hits a sacrifice fly against the Minnesota Twins in the seventh inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images | Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
Detroit Tigers (4-9) vs. Miami Marlins (8-5)
Time/Place: 6:40 p.m., Comerica Park Opponent Site: Fish On First Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: RHP Keider Montero (0-1, 4.15 ERA) vs. RHP Chris Paddack (0-1, 8.31 ERA)
Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi tore the Royal Challengers Bengaluru bowling to shreds as he equalled his own record for the fastest fifty of this season’s IPL, powering unbeaten Rajasthan Royals to a fourth successive victory on Friday.
The Braves host the Guardians in a battle of the two MLB teams who have yet to lose a series. For game 1, Bryce Elder starts for Atlanta and Slade Cecconi starts for the Guardians. Today’s game starts at 7:15 PM ET in Atlanta and broadcast on BravesVision.
Join us and discuss today’s game in the comments below!
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - APRIL 01: Andrew McCutchen #4 of the Texas Rangers bats against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 01, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Texas Rangers lineup for April 10, 2026 against the Los Angeles Dodgers: starting pitchers are Kumar Rocker for the Rangers and Tyler Glasnow for the Dodgers.
Texas begins a ten game road trip tonight at Chavez Ravine. Interestingly, Joc sits and McCutchen starts against a righty.
The lineup:
Nimmo — RF
Langford — LF
Seager — SS
Burger — 1B
McCutchen — DH
Carter — CF
Jansen — C
Smith — 2B
Jung — 3B
9:10 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are +190 underdogs.
