May 13, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) celebrates in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers during game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
They say that in a tense situation, you should open with a joke. Here is a joke. There are no players on the injury report for the Detroit Pistons, meaning everyone is available to play. It’s just a shame that the only thing that brings everyone back together is a funeral.
End of joke.
Anyway, the Detroit Pistons are facing elimination on the road against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have not lost a game in Rocket Arena during these playoffs. The Pistons have been here before. They trailed the Orlando Magic 3-1 and triumphed. What kind of performance will we see tonight? Hopefully one like in Game 1 of this series, where it was clear that Detroit was the better team. Will we get that tonight? Not based on the last three games. But it’s basketball. Anything can happen.
Game Vitals
When: 7 p.m. ET Where: Rocket Arena, Cleveland, Ohio Watch: Prime Video Odds: Pistons +3.5
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 13: Max Strus #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers walks off the court after defeating the Detroit Pistons in overtime in Game Five of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 13, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers will try to punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals tonight.
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BOSTON, MA - APRIL 23: Cam Schlittler #31 of the New York Yankees warms up in the bullpen prior to the game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Thursday, April 23, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Natalie Reid/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The first Subway Series matchup of the season features a pitching duel that, a few years ago, would have sounded completely ridiculous. Currently the best starter on the Yankees staff, Cam Schlittler enters Friday night looking less like a youngster trying to stick in a rotation and more like a legitimate Cy Young contender, while former Yankees closer Clay Holmes gets the nod in Queens for the Mets.
There is not much more to say about Schlittler at this point other than he has simply been dominant. Entering play Thursday, the Yankees’ 25-year-old right-hander led Major League Baseball in ERA, FIP, WHIP, and H/9.
For fun, pick between one of these two stat lines so far this season: pitcher one is 6-2 with a 1.98 ERA and 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings, while pitcher two is 5-1 with a 1.35 ERA and 10.0 strikeouts per nine innings. If you took the former, congratulations, you picked Paul Skenes. If you picked the latter, you picked Schlittler. In his last outing, Schlittler tossed another gem, allowing just two hits and no runs before watching the Yankees’ bullpen let the game slip away late in Milwaukee.
The Yankees have already seen Schlittler rise to the occasion in rivalry games this season, particularly at Fenway Park against Boston, and now he gets to take center stage across town. A strong outing Friday night against the Mets would only continue building what is rapidly becoming one of the best stories in baseball.
Of course, on the other side stands a very familiar face. Holmes’ transition from Yankees closer to Mets starter last year has gone far better than many expected, as the right-hander enters tonight with a 1.86 ERA across 48.1 innings pitched over eight starts. Impressively, Holmes has yet to allow more than two runs in a single outing while consistently working at least five innings deep into games. Really putting together, a quality performance each start.
If the National League was not currently in the middle of a potential all-time great Cy Young race and the Mets were not buried near the bottom of the standings, Holmes would probably be receiving much more national attention for the season he is putting together. Yankees fans know better than most that Holmes possesses electric stuff. His first season as a starter was a success, and his performance so far this season shows he has continued to build off those positive results.
The pitching matchup may headline the night, but both offenses enter the series with very different levels of pressure. The Yankees continue to lean on one of the streakiest lineups in baseball that has several players yet to have a hot streak, while the Mets arrive in the Subway Series battered by injuries. Francisco Lindor, Francisco Alvarez, Luis Robert Jr., and Jorge Polanco are all currently on the injured list and Bo Bichette has struggled badly, leaving Juan Soto as one of the few consistent and dangerous bats remaining in the lineup.
Soto’s status carried some uncertainty entering Friday after fouling a ball off his foot earlier this week. However, after being listed as day-to-day and serving as the designated hitter Thursday (while homering), Soto returns to left field and bats third in the opener. The Mets will hope his health holds up for the weekend as the lineup around him has struggled to consistently generate offense for much of the season.
The Yankees go with a lefty-heavy lineup tonight, as Aaron Judge and Anthony Volpe are the only two right-handed hitters scheduled to start. Spencer Jones, a day removed from his 25th birthday, serves as the designated hitter while batting seventh in the lineup. Aaron Boone has publicly said the coaching staff needs to get several guys going offensively, and the Yankees will hope the off day and return home to New York can help right the ship.
Naturally, this being the Subway Series, both teams arrive in Queens through very different circumstances. The back pages of the sports section show the Yankees chasing another postseason run while the Mets are simply trying to stay afloat after a disappointing start to the season. Rivalry games always seem to take on a life of their own regardless of what the standings say, and with both teams struggling recently, both clubs will hope this series can help build some positive momentum. Subway Series, let’s play ball!
How to watch
Location: Citi Field – Flushing, NY
First pitch: 7:15 pm ET
TV broadcast: Apple TV
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY), Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App 92.3 HD2
MIAMI, FL - MAY 04: Janson Junk #26 of the Miami Marlins pitches during the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on Monday, May 4, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Owen Gupta/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
DETROIT, MI - MAY 13: Max Strus #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers plays defense on Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons during Round Two Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 13, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers have reached a point in their second-round series with the Detroit Pistons where all the cards are already on the table. It’s unlikely either team will do anything overly shocking in Game 6. It will be more of the same, with minor tweaks and varying execution.
One trick the Cavs have up their sleeves, however, is when and where they choose to trap Cade Cunningham.
Cunningham might carry the heaviest individual load in the league. Detroit’s success on offense relies almost entirely on his shoulders. That’s why his usage is through the roof, with Cunningham attempting the most field goals per game in the playoffs at 21.6.
This can lead to great things. Cunningham was lights out for most of Game 5, scoring 39 points and pushing his team to the brink of a 3-2 lead. But something changed in the final minutes, and the toll of everything Cade had carried up to that point was eventually paid.
The Cavs began sending two to the ball. Cunnigham saw multiple defenders in front of him, with pressure on him as soon as he crossed halfcourt. This forced Cunningham to give up the rock and work harder to get open. That’s a lot to ask of someone who played 48 minutes in Game 5. The results speak for themselves.
Cunnigham struggled against the trap. He scored just 2 points in the final 10 minutes of regulation and overtime, shooting 1-4 and turning it over at a key point of the game. Max Strus, who stole Cunningham’s inbound pass in the fourth quarter of Game 3, once again capitalized on Cunningham’s exhaustion by ripping him in the backcourt during overtime of Game 5.
When you’re tired, you make mistakes. The Cavs waited until the perfect moment to ramp up the pressure on Cunningham. The question is, can they find the same luck tonight?
“It’s a feel,” said Kenny Atkinson. “Do you do it after a timeout? You do it to throw them off balance, so do you do it on the first play? To end the game? Obviously, you’ve got to know when to, or not to, go with it.”
Doubling a player like Cunningham comes with risks. You’re giftwrapping the Pistons’ offense a numbers advantage by putting two on the ball. You can get burned in a hurry if Detroit’s role players convert on those scenarios.
That’s why it’s important to deploy this strategy at the right time. Do it too early, and you risk allowing the Pistons to find a rhythym. Do it too late, and well, you’re too late. Mixing up the coverage and keeping Cunningham on his toes is all you can do.
“He’s a great player, we can’t give him one look,” said Aktinson. “So we’re gonna keep mixing it up, and there have been games this series where we didn’t double-team, so it’s a feel.”
The Cavs have an opportunity to eliminate the 60-win Pistons and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018. To do so, they’ll have to activate their best defensive strategy at the right moment and deliver the knockout blow.
Life as a Toronto Maple Leafs fan could have taken the darkest of turns if the franchise hadn’t been gifted the first-overall pick in this year’s draft.
However, the real kick in the crotch for Buds backers has to be the play of Mitch Marner in the playoffs.
Luckily, there's a way to remedy this when it comes to the latest NHL odds...
Son of a Mitch
After advancing to the Western Conference Final on Thursday, Mitch Marner leads all NHL playoff skaters in points with seven goals in 12 games.
By comparison, Leafs Nation watched the winger go 31-39 SU in the postseason during his tenure with Toronto, winning just two of 11 playoff series and averaging 0.81 points per game.
For Leafs fans like myself, there is a way to fix this, and it’s not just a hedge on happiness. Marner is currently listed at +1000 in the latest Conn Smythe odds, while the Vegas Golden Knights sit around +575 in Stanley Cup odds.
If Vegas knocks off the Colorado Avalanche and Marner keeps contributing, that Conn Smythe line could shrink to +300 by the Final, especially if Vegas enters it as an underdog.
Mitch Marner went between the legs for his 17th point in 12 playoff games
There are only two true potential Conn Smythe winners in the West: Nathan MacKinnon or Marner, and the latter has a five-point cushion over the Avalanche forward.
Born Sinners
Everyone thinks the Avalanche are going to roll over the team from Sin City, but this series could be tighter than expected.
When healthy, the Minnesota Wild are arguably a better team than Colorado.
Against the Avs, Joel Eriksson Ek being injured was a massive gut-punch for a team already thin at center, and defenseman Jonas Brodin missing time hurt as well. The top-heavy Wild piled huge minutes onto their stars and faded late.
Vegas’ goaltending may be better, considering Colorado has already made two changes in net this postseason, and the potential shoulder issue for Cale Makar is significant.
The Mitch is Back
Marner is looking electric alongside a red-hot Brett Howden (eight goals in his last nine games) and William Karlsson, who knows his way around playoff hockey.
The Avs are favorites for a reason, but if Mark Stone returns to the lineup, this could become a six- or seven-game war.
Since John Tortorella took over as head coach, Vegas is 14-4-1 including the playoffs, boasting a +31 goal differential. If Marner’s success is tough to watch, go grab him at 12/1 for Conn Smythe.
It’s the balance of the hockey world: Leafs fans get the first-overall pick, but Marner wins the Cup and playoff MVP.
May 13, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Daniss Jenkins (24) dribbles defended by Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) in the second half during game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Here are the NBA playoff games for Friday, May 15, 2026:
Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder — 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons — 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
In addition, the Washington Mystics play the Indiana Fever tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game is on ion.
Oct 7, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; A detailed view of empty seats in a rain delay before game three of the ALDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs between the Seattle Mariners and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
I’m happy to have a series that’s not against the Rays.
And it is on Apple TV. Stupid MLB.
I’ve been to Comerica Park once, for one game. We’d gone to Lansing to watch the Lugnuts and the Tigers had a day game, while the Lugnuts were playing in the evening. So there was time to drive to Detroit watch the game and come back and watch the Lugnuts.
Lansing is a very nice town and they had a pretty walk along the river.
It has been a central storyline of their unprecedented dominance through the first two rounds.
But how was that decision reached?
Towns claimed that when the Knicks trailed 2-1 in the first round against the Hawks, he went to the coaching staff and vouched for the change.
“You’re down 2-1, obviously it’s not the end of the world but you guys understand the importance of the next game. … You go in there and say how you feel, your feelings, your idea and see if it’s received,” Towns said after practice Friday. “And it was received.”
It certainly has been.
And across the two years of this core and the one year under coach Mike Brown, it’s unlocked the best version of these Knicks.
Karl-Anthony Towns looks to pass during the Knicks’ May 10 playoff game against the 76ers. NBAE via Getty Images
Towns has more than doubled his regular-season average of 3.0 assists per game to 6.6 in the postseason.
It’s allowed those around him — notably Jalen Brunson — to be cutters and screeners off the ball, resulting in better shot quality for them.
It’s made the Knicks offense much more dynamic.
The Knicks have won seven straight postseason games since then.
They have a point differential of plus-185 points in that span.
Their 125.3 points per game on offense is the most among playoff teams.
Karl-Anthony Towns looks to move with the ball during the Knicks’ May 10 playoff game. Jason Szenes for the NY Post
Towns, from the preseason through the entirety of the regular season, was not shy about his thoughts on his role in the offense.
There were constant statements about getting used to Brown’s system and trying to adjust to what Brown wants him to do.
There were a few times he struggled to find answers as to why he was so uninvolved.
Mike Brown addresses reporters during a May 13 press conference. Charles Wenzelberg
It was clear that Towns wanted more, but he kept pointing to the need to sacrifice for the greater good.
Now, the greater good has been found with Towns as a focal point.
“I’ve always loved this role,” Towns said of being a facilitator. “I’ve always wanted this role, so [I’m] happy we got to this point.”
“I’ve always said since the beginning, I’ll do whatever it takes to impact winning,” Towns said. “I’m glad I’ve been able to do that with this changing role and be able to help our team win. That’s the most important thing. And utilize my talent.”
The Post previously reported that assistant coach and offensive coordinator Chris Jent also played a role in bringing the idea to Brown.
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“You can’t act upon everything,” Brown said Friday. “Because if you act upon everything, you’re going to be driving yourself crazy and everybody else crazy. It was just something where we were struggling to score [at the time] and I had been thinking about it for awhile and it finally came to me at that point. … I take suggestions from everybody. At the end of the day, it’s up to me to make the decision of yea or nay. The tough part about it is, sometimes when you have suggestions, and there are a lot of good ones out there, a suggestion is one thing, but trying to actually put the suggestion into something that can be real for the group and fit the group, not just that one person, that’s the tricky part.
“I’ve always been a guy that if you come to me with a suggestion, a lot of times, especially as a coach, you gotta have something to back it up. Some video, some analytics. Tell me how.”
That last part is important.
They were small sample sizes, but the Knicks had seen evidence that having the ball in Towns’ hands as a facilitator worked.
“Using KAT sometimes at the end of the [shot] clock, we started using him more [in that role],” Miles McBride said Friday. “And then we kind of naturally started getting into it. Obviously, our coaches are taking notice. It’s kind of what we’ve been doing all year, but I think the more it started happening when, at the end of the clock, guys were [playing] off of him and then we started using it, guys playing off the ball, and then we kind of just started making it a point of emphasis.
“I felt like it was something [Towns] was always capable of.”
A few factors came together at the perfect time to produce the change that has the Knicks surging.
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell was scratched from his scheduled start Friday, May 15 against the Los Angeles Angels and will be placed on the injured list. Right-hander Will Klein was inserted to open a bullpen game in his place, the Dodgers announced.
The team said Snell was headed to the injured list "with left elbow loose bodies" and backdated his placement on the list to May 12.
Snell is just six days removed from his 2026 debut, a rocky three-inning outing against the Atlanta Braves in which he allowed four earned runs and six hits in a 7-2 loss.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner missed the start of the season because of what the team said was shoulder fatigue that carried over from a heavy postseason workload. He went 3-2 with a 3.18 ERA in five starts for the Dodgers in the 2025 MLB playoffs.
Snell has a long injury history. He first landed on the injured list in 2018 with shoulder fatigue and then broke his toe in a 2019 bathroom incident before undergoing arthroscopic elbow surgery that same year to remove loose bodies in his elbow. His left adductor became a chronic problem, accounting for five IL stints over four seasons. With the San Francisco Giants in 2024, he missed the first three months with a groin and adductor strain before dominating down the stretch.
He has thrown over 130 innings in a season just twice in his career.
He signed a five-year, $182 million deal with the Dodgers last winter, then missed four months in 2025 with shoulder inflammation just two starts into the season before returning to go 4-4 with a 2.41 ERA in nine regular season starts.
Jun 26, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; A graphic for the Subway Series prior to the game between the New York Yankees and the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Mets lineup
Carson Benge – RF
Bo Bichette – SS
Juan Soto – LF
Mark Vientos – 1B
MJ Melendez – DH
Brett Baty – 3B
Marcus Semien – 2B
A.J. Ewing – CF
Luis Torrens – C
Clay Holmes – RHP
Yankees lineup
Trent Grisham – CF
Ben Rice – 1B
Aaron Judge – RF
Cody Bellinger – LF
Jazz Chisholm – 2B
Ryan McMahon – 3B
Spencer Jones – DH
Anthony Volpe – SS
Austin Wells – C
Cam Schittler – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 7:15pm EDT TV: Apple TV Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
CINCINNATI, OHIO - MAY 13: PJ Poulin #50 and Curtis Mead #45 of the Washington Nationals celebrate after winning 8-7 in the tenth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 13, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was a tough loss yesterday, but the Nats still got the series win in Cincinnati. Now the Nats head home and welcome a local rival for the first time this season. It is the first edition of the Battle of the Beltway for 2026. The Nats and O’s are two teams with similar records, but different vibes.
The Nats have made a few tweaks to the lineup. Curtis Mead will be in the lineup at first base, which puts Luis Garcia Jr. at DH. Jacob Young moves down to the 9 spot after spending a lot of time in the 5 hole. Jorbit Vivas will play second base over Nasim Nunez. Drew Millas will also do the catching for the second straight game. Zack Littell will get the start, but Andrew Alvarez should be available in a long relief role.
Despite going through some serious struggles this season, Gunnar Henderson remains in the leadoff spot. Last year Adley Rutschman was the struggling O’s star, but he has gotten back on track and is catching tonight. New signing Pete Alonso will be in the heart of the O’s lineup. We will also get our first look at the O’s young slugger Samuel Basallo. The O’s went all in on Shane Baz, trading a lot for him and extending him. He has struggled to start the season, but will look to get back on track tonight.
It is a busy night at the yard. The Nats are having a hot dog promotion and introducing their new team dog Natty. That should be a lot of fun, but winning would make it even better. The Nats played well against the O’s last year, and hopefully that can continue this year. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats.
Mar 27, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A general view of Truist Park after a game between the Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Royals on opening day. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
After the offense sputtered in the series finale against the Phillies, don’t ask me how they stand to try against Spencer Strider and the MLB-best Atlanta Braves. We try in ATL tonight to kick off the weekend series!
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 22: Adley Rutschman #35 of the Baltimore Orioles runs to first base against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 22, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I am going to recommend that the Orioles start off their six-game road trip strongly. Tonight they start a weekend series with the Nationals, who are not exactly a powerhouse. Then they travel to Florida to play the Rays, who are very scary this year. So let’s bank some wins!
Shane Baz is starting for the Orioles, and we are all still waiting for his breakout moment. Maybe it’ll come tonight! That would be swell. He’ll be facing Zack Littell, who has been downright awful so far this season. In addition to his 6.94 ERA, Littell has given up a bunch of home runs (14 in 36.1 innings) and barely strikes anyone out. He also gives up his fair share of walks. I would really enjoy seeing the Orioles have a patient hitting approach tonight. Get on base and sock some dingers, boys.
If Baz can keep James Wood and CJ Abrams from doing much damage, maybe he can have a good game.
I thought the Orioles might make a roster move before today’s game to jettison catcher Maverick Handley in favor of an outfielder, but they did not. Samuel Basallo has been limited to DH’ing since his home plate collision on Mother’s Day. Maybe that knee is still bothering him too much to spend a game behind the plate.
By the way, the Nationals are introducing their team puppy to the world today. Natty is an eight-week-old Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever mix and I am hoping he gets a lot of camera time. Team dogs for everyone!
Orioles lineup
Gunnar Henderson (L) SS Taylor Ward (R) LF Adley Rutschman (S) C Pete Alonso (R) 1B Samuel Basallo (L) DH Tyler O’Neill (R) RF Colton Cowser (L) CF Coby Mayo (R) 3B Jeremiah Jackson (R) 2B
Nationals lineup
James Wood (L) RF Luis García Jr. (L) DH Curtis Mead (R) 1B CJ Abrams (L) SS Daylen Lile (L) LF Brady House (R) 3B Jorbit Vivas (L) 2B Drew Millas (S) C Jacob Young (R) CF
Sean Burke will look to bounce back from his recent poor outing. | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Riding high off a five-game winning streak and a recent of the Kansas City Royals, the Chicago White Sox are better than .500 for the first time in a long time and currently hold a Wild Card spot in the American League. Although we’re only halfway through the month of May, the good vibes are flowing and the White Sox have a big opportunity to build on their recent success as the Chicago Cubs travel south.
On the hill for the White Sox is Sean Burke who had been solid for the majority of the season before doing his best Jaime Navarro impression last time out. Burke allowed six earned runs in just over four innings of work against the Seattle Mariners and will look to bounce back against a Cubs offense that is struggling to manufacture runs. The Cubs have lost four of their last five, averaging just one run per game.
Taking the ball for the Chicago Cubs is former Miami Marlins hurler Edward Cabrera. Although he sports a 3-1 record and a 3.88 ERA, Cabrera has given up three or more earned runs in each of his last six starts. In his last outing, he only completed five innings and surrendered two home runs and five earned runs. With a 6.55 ERA in two starts in May and the Good Guys rolling on offense, the hope is that the Cubs get smacked right back into their usual October hibernation a few months early.
Here is the starting lineup for the White Sox:
Here is the starting lineup for our annoying relations from the north:
First pitch is 6:40 pm CST. As a rare White Sox and Brewers fan, I’ll be on the edge of my seat and hopefully be back with a happy recap for you. You can watch on CHSN or listen on ESPN Chicago 1000. Let us know your thoughts and predictions below!
