Rangers Officially Hire Mike Sullivan To Be Head Coach, Bringing ‘Championship-Level Presence’

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Mike Sullivan will officially become the New York Rangers’ 38th head coach. 

The Rangers announced on Friday morning that Sullivan will be the team’s head coach just a few days after he parted ways with the Pittsburgh Penguins

“Mike Sullivan has established himself as one of the premier head coaches in the NHL,” Drury said. “Given his numerous accomplishments throughout his coaching career - including two Stanley Cups and leading Team USA at the international level – Mike brings a championship-level presence behind the bench. 

Mike Sullivan Is Reportedly In Advanced Talks To Become Rangers’ Head Coach With John Tortorella Expected To Join Staff Mike Sullivan Is Reportedly In Advanced Talks To Become Rangers’ Head Coach With John Tortorella Expected To Join Staff Mike Sullivan is expected to be the New York Rangers’ 38th head coach.

“I’ve gotten to know Mike very well over the years, including as teammates in the 1997 World Championships, when he coached me as a player in New York and through our shared time working together with USA Hockey. As we began this process and Mike became an available option for us to speak with, it was immediately clear that he was the best coach to lead our team.”

This comes after a few days of rampant rumors linking Sullivan to the Rangers as it finally all came to fruition. 

Sullivan served as an assistant coach for the Rangers from 2009-2013 under John Tortorella. 

“I would like to welcome Mike back to the Rangers organization,” Rangers owner James Dolan said. “Mike’s track record and success in the NHL and internationally speaks for itself, and I look forward to seeing him behind the Rangers bench.”

The 57-year-old coached the Penguins for ten seasons and won two Stanley Cups during his long tenure in Pittsburgh. 

The exact term and finances of Sullivan’s contract remain undisclosed for now, although ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported that it will likely be one of the richest coaching contracts in NHL history.

A new era in The Big Apple starts now with Sullivan.

Dodgers at Braves Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for May 2

Its Friday, May 2 and the Dodgers (21-10) are in Atlanta to take on the Braves (14-16).

Yoshinobu Yamamoto is slated to take the mound for Los Angeles against Grant Holmes for Atlanta.

Thursday was a day off for both Atlanta and Los Angeles as both were traveling east. The Braves were returning home from a six-game trip that saw them go 4-2 against the Rockies and the Diamondbacks. The Dodgers finished a 6-game homestand against the Marlins and the Pirates 5-1.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Dodgers at Braves

  • Date: Friday, May 2, 2025
  • Time: 7:15PM EST
  • Site: Truist Park
  • City: Atlanta, GA
  • Network/Streaming: SNLA, FDSNSO, MLBN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Dodgers at the Braves

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Moneyline: Dodgers (-172), Braves (+144)
  • Spread:  Dodgers -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Dodgers at Braves

  • Pitching matchup for May 2, 2025: Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Grant Holmes
    • Dodgers: Yoshinobu Yamamoto (3-2, 1.06 ERA)
      Last outing: 4/25 vs. Pittsburgh - 5IP, 1ER, 5H, 4BB, 5Ks
    • Braves: Grant Holmes (2-1, 4.50 ERA)
      Last outing: 4/26 at Arizona - 5.2IP, 6ER, 5H, 3BB, 4Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Dodgers at Braves

  • The Dodgers are on a 5-game winning streak
  • Austin Riley is 4-23 over his last 5 games
  • Freddie Freeman has hit safely in 6 straight games (10-21)
  • The Dodgers have covered in 4 of their last 5 games for a profit of 1.94 units

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Dodgers and the Braves

Rotoworld Best Bet

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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday's game between the Dodgers and the Braves:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Los Angeles Dodgers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Atlanta Braves at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

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Clippers vs. Nuggets Odds, predictions, recent stats, trends and Best bets for May 3

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets Preview

It’s Saturday, May 3, and the Los Angeles Clippers (50-32) and Denver Nuggets (50-32) are all set to square off from Ball Arena in Denver.

We have a game seven! These two will meet in Denver to decide who will win the series.

The Clippers are currently 20-21 on the road with a point differential of 5, while the Nuggets have a 4-6 record in their last ten games at home.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Clippers vs. Nuggets live today

  • Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025
  • Time: 7:30PM EST
  • Site: Ball Arena
  • City: Denver, CO
  • Network/Streaming: TNT

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Clippers vs. Nuggets

The latest odds as of Saturday:

  • Odds: Clippers (-103), Nuggets (-116)
  • Spread:  Nuggets -1
  • Over/Under: 204 points

That gives the Clippers an implied team point total of 101.75, and the Nuggets 102.27.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Saturday’s Clippers vs. Nuggets game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is betting on Michael Porter Jr under 5.5 rebounds...

Thomas: "Porter Jr is averaging just 1.7 contested rebounds in the playoffs. He's banged up and not crashing the glass to protect his shoulder. Smart. We will capitalize on him."

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Clippers & Nuggets game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Denver Nuggets on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Los Angeles Clippers at +1.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the over on the Game Total of 204.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Clippers vs. Nuggets on Saturday

  • The Clippers are 7-3 in their last 10 games on the road
  • The Under is 24-20 in the Clippers' road games this season
  • The Clippers have failed to cover the spread in their last 3 games this postseason

Home teams have a record of 23-15 this postseason

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

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Mets prospect Blade Tidwell to make first big league start Sunday against Cardinals

In need of a sixth starter to take a rotation turn this weekend against the Cardinals, the Mets are turning to high-upside prospect Blade Tidwell, who had been pitching for Triple-A Syracuse.

Tidwell will make his big league debut on Sunday at Busch Stadium and won't follow an opener, manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed ahead of Friday's game.

"He earned it. We know the stuff is there," Mendoza said. "We saw flashes of it in spring training. Even though some of the numbers are inflated a little bit, he's throwing strikes, using all of his pitches. When we needed a spot-start, he put himself in a position and he's getting the call."

The 23-year-old's stuff has played up very well over his last two starts, with Tidwell striking out 18 batters in just 9.0 innings while allowing four runs.

His season ERA is 5.00, but is inflated due to pitching in the hitter-friendly environment of the International League and some extremely bad luck on balls in play.

Tidwell has surrendered just two home runs this season, but his BABIP is .369 -- making it the fifth-highest among all qualified minor league starting pitchers, via Matthew Brownstein.

In spring training, Tidwell opened eyes when he fired an immaculate inning on March 1 as he struck out Rays hitters Josh Lowe, Eloy Jimenez, and Jose Caballero on nine pitches.

Tidwell's four-seam fastball can reach the upper-90s, and he has a plus slider. He also features a sweeper, two-seam fastball, and changeup.

"You've got to give him credit," Mendoza said of Tidwell. "He worked extremly hard and put himself in a position where he came in and pretty much impressive everyone in camp because of how he looked physically and how the ball was coming out... It comes down to executing, throwing strikes, because we know how electric his stuff is."

As SNY contributor Joe DeMayo noted on his latest top 30 Mets prospects list, the belief had been that Tidwell would debut this season. That it's coming this early likely has to do with how his schedule lined up.

Fellow pitching prospect Brandon Sproat -- also with Syracuse -- pitched on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Nolan McLean -- with Double-A Binghamton -- is scheduled to pitch on Friday during their doubleheader after his expected start on Thursday was rained out.

Report: Former Blue Jackets Player Suffers Serious Injury

© Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

According to The Hockey News’s very own Diandra Loux from the Tampa Bay Lightning team page, Oliver Bjorkstrand suffered a very serious injury while playing for the Lightning.

The former Columbus Blue Jacket was traded from the Seattle Kraken to the Lightning at the March 7 NHL Trade Deadline along with Yanni Gourde. Unfortunately, he was injured and missed the entirety of the playoffs.

He was originally hurt on April 11 against the Detroit Red Wings, and it appears the injury was far worse than initially feared. Bjorkstrand suffered Compartment Syndrome.

This happens when there is too much pressure around your muscles. In Bjorkstrand's case, it required him to be rushed to the hospital at 2 a.m. for emergency surgery to fix the issue.

As Diandra reported via X, there were signs of swelling and internal bleeding, which led to him going to the hospital.

This injury is similar to the one Ryan Johansen suffered as a member of the Nashville Predators back in 2017.

The injury is very serious because the fluid and blood get trapped inside the muscle, causing it to swell. If not treated immediately, it can cause major complications, including the potential loss of the affected limb.

Thankfully, in Bjorkstrand’s case, it was caught early and treated. Lightning GM Julien BriseBois said he is expected to make a full recovery and will be ready for the start of the 2025-26 NHL season.

2025 Columbus Blue Jackets Free Agent Targets: Matt Duchene2025 Columbus Blue Jackets Free Agent Targets: Matt DucheneYesterday, we covered the possibility of the Columbus Blue Jackets targeting Mitch Marner or Brock Boeser. With approximately $40 million in cap space, Don Waddell will want to do something. Sean Monahan Voted As Masterton Trophy FinalistSean Monahan Voted As Masterton Trophy FinalistThe National Hockey League has announced that Columbus Blue Jackets forward Sean Monahan has been named a finalist for the Masterton Trophy.  Blue Jackets Have A General Idea Of Their First Round Draft Position With Minnesota Being EliminatedBlue Jackets Have A General Idea Of Their First Round Draft Position With Minnesota Being EliminatedWith the Vegas Golden Knights eliminating the Minnesota Wild last night, Don Waddell will have two top-20 draft picks in the upcoming NHL Draft. David Savard’s Career Ends With First-Round ExitDavid Savard’s Career Ends With First-Round ExitAs per our report before the 2025 NHL playoffs kicked off, David Savard has officially called it a career.

Rockets vs. Warriors Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends and best bets for May 2

Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors Preview

It’s Friday, May 2, and the Houston Rockets (52-30) and Golden State Warriors (48-34) are all set to square off from Chase Center in San Francisco.

After a 131-116 Rockets win, the series heads back to San Francisco with the Warriors up 3-2.

Steve Kerr pulled the plug early in game five to prepare his squad for a must win game 6.

The Rockets are currently 23-17 on the road with a point differential of 5, while the Warriors have a 6-4 record in their last ten games at home.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Rockets vs. Warriors live today

  • Date: Friday, May 2, 2025
  • Time: 9:00PM EST
  • Site: Chase Center
  • City: San Francisco, CA
  • Network/Streaming: ESPN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Rockets vs. Warriors

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Odds: Rockets (+180), Warriors (-218)
  • Spread:  Warriors -5
  • Over/Under: 203 points

That gives the Rockets an implied team point total of 100.61, and the Warriors 103.21.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Friday’s Rockets vs. Warriors game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is betting on Jimmy Butler over 26.5 points and rebounds

Thomas: "In a close-out game, I'm trusting Playoff Jimmy. Think back to game one when we saw the best version of Playoff Jimmy. He had 25 points and six assists."

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Rockets & Warriors game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Golden State Warriors on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Houston Rockets at +5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 203.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Rockets vs. Warriors on Friday

  • The Warriors have won 3 games straight at home, while the Rockets have lost on 5 of their last 6 road trips
  • The Total went over in 54% of the Rockets' regular season games (44-38-0)
  • The Rockets have covered the Spread in 4 of their last 5 games as a favorite

Wednesday’s Game Five showdown produced 247 points even though Steph Curry scored only 13 of them. Both Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors have been productive on offence in this playoff series and it’s hard to see Curry being quiet twice in a row. The over looks worth a bet.

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Five-time champion Gregg Popovich to step away as head coach of San Antonio Spurs, move into front office

Legendary San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich — a five-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer — will step away from his role as head coach and transition to being president of basketball operations, Popovich and the Spurs announced.

Popovich, 76, had been off the bench and away from the team since suffering a mild stroke before a game on Nov. 2.

"While my love and passion for the game remain, I've decided it's time to step away as head coach," Popovich said in a statement. "I'm forever grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff and fans who allowed me to serve them as the Spurs head coach and am excited for the opportunity to continue to support the organization, community and city that are so meaningful to me."

"Coach Pop's extraordinary impact on our family, San Antonio, the Spurs and the game of basketball is profound," said Spurs owner and managing partner Peter J. Holt. "His accolades and awards don't do justice to the impact he has had on so many people. He is truly one-of-one as a person, leader and coach. Our entire family, alongside fans from across the globe, are grateful for his remarkable 29-year run as the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs."

It is widely expected in league circles that Mitch Johnson, who took over as the Spurs' interim head coach this season after Popovich's stroke, will be named the team's new head coach (ESPN’s Shams Charania has reported that is happening).

Popovich's coaching resume is unassailable: He is the NBA's all-time winningest coach and a five-time NBA champion. What was most impressive was that he evolved his team's style of play to fit the talent and roster he had — the way the twin-tower Tim Duncan/David Robinson Spurs won a title was very different from the up-tempo style of later teams, or the brilliant ball movement of his final title team in 2014. Popovich also coached Team USA to a gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics.

After the stroke, he had still talked about returning to the bench, but suffered a medical incident at a restaurant last month. He will now work in the Spurs front office as it enters a critical time, ramping up the talent on the roster fast to contend with Victor Wembanyama at the heart of the team. Popovich would well pick up other rings in that role.

Canadiens: About Montembeault’s Injury

Apr 25, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault (35) makes a pad save against the Washington Capitals during the first period in game three of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

It’s dressing room clear-out day for the Montreal Canadiens today, and as usual, we are finding out plenty of information about what happened in both the regular season and the playoffs.

Canadiens: The End For Patrik Laine?
Former Canadiens Captain Comes to The Maple Leafs’ Rescue
Canadiens: Curtain Call For Savard

Unsurprisingly, one of the first questions asked of Samuel Montembeault was about the injury he sustained in the first-round series against the Washington Capitals. The netminder explained that he had torn two of the three muscles in his groin and that while he would have liked to continue, he just couldn’t.

The injury would have ruled him out for two weeks, meaning that he could have returned in the second round had the Canadiens made it, but it wasn’t to be. He will not need surgery to repair the damage, but it will prevent him from attending the World Championships.

The Becancour native never had such a busy season as he had this year. The masked man played in 62 games, which is almost twice his usual workload, and he can be proud of his accomplishments. He won 30 games for the first time in his career, with a 31-24-7 record, a 2.80 goals-against average, and a .902 save percentage. Before this season, he had only recorded a single shutout in the NHL, but he got four more this year.

While he conceded that he lacked consistency at one point, he made the required adjustments and was an integral part of the Canadiens’ push for the playoffs. In an ideal world, Montembeault wouldn’t have been as busy, but Cayden Primeau’s struggles in the NHL left the organization with very few options.

Jakub Dobes’ arrival did help, but next season, if he is once again Montembeault’s backup, he will need to see more action to ensure that the number one isn’t overworked. We’ll never know, but perhaps if he didn’t have that big of a workload, he wouldn’t have sustained an injury in game three.


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Rays at Yankees Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for May 2

Its Friday, May 2 and the Rays (14-17) are in Bronx to take on the Yankees (18-13). Tampa sits four games behind the Yankees in the American League East.

Ryan Pepiot is slated to take the mound for Tampa Bay against Max Fried for New York.

The Yankees were off yesterday while the Rays were spanked by the Royals, 8-2. Tampa was swept by Kansas City and is now 5-5 in their last ten games.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Rays at Yankees

  • Date: Friday, May 2, 2025
  • Time: 7:05PM EST
  • Site: Yankee Stadium
  • City: Bronx, NY
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNSUN, YES, MLBN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Rays at the Yankees

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Moneyline: Rays (+176), Yankees (-211)
  • Spread:  Yankees -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Rays at Yankees

  • Pitching matchup for May 2, 2025: Ryan Pepiot vs. Max Fried
    • Rays: Ryan Pepiot (2-3, 4.24 ERA)
      Last outing: 4/26 at San Diego - 6IP, 1ER, 3H, 2BB, 3Ks
    • Yankees: Max Fried (5-0, 1.20 ERA)
      Last outing: 4/27 vs. Toronto - 6IP, 0ER, 5H, 2BB, 3Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Rays at Yankees

  • The Yankees have won 4 of their last 5 games at home against American League teams
  • Each of the Yankees' last 3 home games against the Rays have gone over the Total
  • The Yankees have covered in 4 of their last 5 games showing a profit of 2.70 units
  • Anthony Volpe is riding a 6-game hitting streak (9-23) to raise his average to .237 for the season

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Rays and the Yankees

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday's game between the Rays and the Yankees:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the New York Yankees on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the New York Yankees -1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Mike Sullivan Is No Longer A Coaching Option For Blackhawks

Image

The Chicago Blackhawks are in the market for a head coach. One option that was presented to the league last week, Mike Sullivan, is already off the board. Not even a week after being fired by the Pittsburgh Penguins, he has been hired by the New York Rangers. 

Sullivan will be the 38th head coach in New York Rangers history and will be the highest paid bench boss in NHL history. The fact that it happened this quickly makes you wonder if he was ever even available to anybody else. The Blackhawks likely never even had a chance. 

New York Rangers (@NYRangers) on XNew York Rangers (@NYRangers) on XThe 38th Head Coach in #NYR history. Welcome (back) to Broadway, Sully!

With David Carle pulling his name out of the consideration hat, that is two top coaching candidates off the board. That does not mean that that the Blackhawks can’t make a good hire. It does mean that the hunt for the next great coach in franchise history continues. 

What is it that Sullivan would have brought to the table? Well, the thing that makes him the most unique out of every option is his championship pedigree. Coaches with multiple Stanley Cups don’t come around too often. 

With that said, the Blackhawks just need someone right now that will get the most out of young players. The search continues as Kyle Davidson is out there putting his best foot forward to make the right hire. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

NHL Reveals Finalists For The Bill Masterton Trophy In 2024-25

Sean Monahan (Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images)

The Bill Masterton Trophy is awarded “to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.” 

The finalists for this year are Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog and Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan. All three of these players had a storied journey before and during this season. 

Fleury wrapped up a memorable NHL career on Thursday as Minnesota was eliminated from the playoffs by the Vegas Golden Knights. Toward the end of last season, he made it clear that the 2024-25 campaign would be his last.

The 40-year-old featured in 26 games for the Wild this season, earning a 14-9-1 record. He posted a 2.93 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage. The three-time Stanley Cup champion also appeared in one last playoff game to sub in for an ill Filip Gustavsson.

It was an emotional farewell tour for ‘Flower’ throughout the season, but Thursday’s game hit the hardest as he left the ice in tears, saluting the crowd as they gave him a standing ovation.

 “The always-jovial Fleury is one proud athlete, yet at age 40, he signed for one final year and accepted his role as (Filip) Gustavsson’s backup to prioritize team success over personal accolades despite being on the cusp of retirement,” Michael Russo wrote in the Athletic.

Landeskog, meanwhile, had been on a mission to return to the NHL and was finally able to play in Colorado’s first-round series against the Dallas Stars

After three years of training, rehab, and recovery, the Avalanche’s captain was back on the ice, making his season debut in Game 3 of the series. He dealt with a knee injury that he suffered in 2020, when he was accidentally sliced by a skate blade above his knee. While his availability was inconsistent, he was able to feature over the next two seasons and hoisted the Cup with Colorado in June 2022. However, he didn’t play again after the 2022 Cup final until this year.

Landeskog scored his first goal since the injury in Game 4, and the 32-year-old preached about his perspective after the game. 

“I didn't know if I was ever going to get to score again,” he told reporters.

His perseverance and dedication to hockey pushed him through the injury and got him back to where he wanted to be. 

Monahan’s first season with the Blue Jackets didn’t go how he or anyone expected it to go. On Aug. 29, not long before training camp, Blue Jackets left winger Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, were killed.

Monahan was close friends with Johnny Gaudreau, and playing with him again was one of the big reasons he wanted to join Columbus in 2024 free agency. The NHL community and the Blue Jackets leaned on each other to mourn the loss of the Gaudreau brothers.

Gaudreau was honored with pre-game ceremonies multiple times in the regular season. The most memorable ones were during their home-opener on Oct. 15 and when the Calgary Flames (Johnny Gaudreau and Monahan’s former team) hosted Columbus on Dec. 3.

Monahan scored in Columbus’ home-opener against the Florida Panthers and pointed up to the sky in honor of his old teammate and friend.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Indiana Pacers vs Cleveland Cavaliers Preview: 2025 NBA Playoffs series prediction, schedule, player to watch

Cleveland was elite and sitting on top of the East standings from the moment the season tipped off, a team that never let up and powered its way to 64 wins. Indiana was 16-18 in 2024, but when the calendar flipped to 2025, it went 34-14, climbing up to the No. 4 seed.

Now these two teams face off in the second round after Cleveland swept Miami out of the playoffs, while Indiana knocked out Milwaukee for the second straight year. Here's a preview of this second-round showdown from the NBC Sports NBA crew.

When does the Pacers vs. Cavaliers begin?

Game 1 between the Pacers and Cavaliers will be played Sunday, May 4, in Cleveland, although the time is not yet formalized (it will be at 6 ET if there is a Game 7 in the Golden State vs. Houston series, if not, tip-off will be at 8 ET). The game will be broadcast on TNT.

Indiana vs. Cleveland Playoffs Schedule 2025

All times are Eastern (* = if necessary).
Game 1: Pacers at Cavaliers (Sun. May 4, TBD, TNT)
Game 2: Pacers at Cavaliers (Tue. May 6, TBD)
Game 3: Cavaliers at Pacers (Fri. May 9, TBD)
Game 4: Cavaliers at Pacers (Sun. May 11, TBD)
Game 5: Pacers at Cavaliers (Tue. May 13, TBD)*
Game 6: Cavaliers at Pacers (Thu. May 15, TBD)*
Game 7: Pacers at Cavaliers (Sun. May 18, TBD)*

Player to watch: Evan Mobley

The Defensive Player of the Year will be put to the test in the conference semifinals. He didn't have any issues in the first round, but his matchup with Pascal Siakam will be a pivotal one in this series. Mobley averaged 19.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, 1.0 block and 2.0 three-pointers in two games against the Pacers this season, while Siakam averaged 20.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.0 block and 1.0 triple per game in their matchups.

Mobley will need to get the job done on both ends of the floor for the Cavs to advance to the conference finals. He hit eight three-pointers during their sweep of the Heat in the first round. If he can continue to space the floor, driving lines will open up for Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and De'Andre Hunter. On defense, Siakam is a tough matchup, but Indiana's offense is more complex than an individual matchup. During their first-round series with the Bucks, the Pacers assisted on 68.8 percent of their makes, which is the highest mark this postseason. Indiana's Offensive Rating of 118.0 in the first round was only bested by Cleveland (136.2!), and it will take the DPOY to slow down Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers.
Noah Rubin, Rotoworld fantasy basketball analyst

Keys to watch for in Indiana vs. Cleveland

1) Can Pacers half-court defense hold up?

We know this series will be up-tempo — Indiana wants to get out and run, but Cleveland will be good with that. While the Cavaliers were a bottom-10 team in frequency of offensive plays started in transition, they were the most efficient team in the league on them, with a 131.3 offensive rating. Indiana was just behind them in fourth at 130.4 (and they were a top-10 team in pace).

What Indiana did at an elite level was keep other teams from running — their transition defense was impressive. No team allowed a lower percentage of opponent offense to start in transition. They ran on opponents but forced those teams to play in the half court against them.

The problem for Indiana — and the key to this series — is that the Pacers were also bottom 10 in the league in half-court defense, while the Cavaliers were best in the league with a historically good half-court offense. To be fair, after the calendar flipped to 2025 (when the Pacers started to play their best basketball), Indiana's half-court defense improved to 14th in the league (middle of the pack). That's still not good enough. This series comes down to Cleveland's strength against Indiana's weakness, and that's not good for the Hoosier state.

Put simply: Can the Pacers get enough stops to give their offense a chance?

2) Who dominates the fourth quarter?

No matter how you slice it, these were the two best clutch teams in the NBA this season. The Cavaliers averaged the most points of any team in the league in the fourth quarter this season (29.8) but Indiana was close behind (29.3).

Indiana had the best clutch net rating in the league (20.9, and a 24-14 record) but the Cavaliers were second (18.1, going 26-12 in the clutch). There will be tight games in this series, which team can continue their elite clutch play?
—Kurt Helin, NBC Sports lead NBA writer

Predictions

Jay Croucher (NBC Sports Lead Betting Analyst): Cavaliers in 5

Indiana are the best team in the league at forcing opponents to play in the half court — but the Cavs have the #1 half-court offense. Cleveland's elite bench should dominate Indiana's suspect depth. Indiana should score, because Halliburton is that good, but their defense hasn't shown the ceiling it will need to get to beat this Cavs team.

Vaughn Dalzell (NBC Sports Betting Analyst): Cavaliers in 6

The one thing Indiana has going for it in this series is tempo. If Cleveland wants to play fast and shoot triples, then Indiana will make this a series, but if the Cavs want to slow it down and dominate the paint, the Pacers may not have any answers unless Myles Turner balls out. The Cavs are 100 percent the better team, but I wouldn't count Indiana out.

Kurt Helin: Cavaliers in 5

The Pacers are a good team about to face a better one — Cleveland can do everything Indiana wants to do, and do it better, and with superior players. It's not Donovan Mitchell vs. Tyrese Haliburton at the top of the card, it's Darius Garland vs. Andrew Nembhard, it's Myles Turner vs. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

The Cavaliers and Celtics have been a tier above everyone else in the East and that will play out in this series.

Celtics-Knicks playoff history: A look back at the storied rivalry

Celtics-Knicks playoff history: A look back at the storied rivalry originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics and New York Knicks are set to face off in the Eastern Conference semifinals for their first playoff series since 2013.

Although they haven’t met in the postseason in over a decade, these rivals have a storied playoff history. This will mark the 16th series between Boston and New York.

The C’s have won eight of their 15 series against the Knicks, with their victories highlighted by dominant runs in the 1960s and ’80s. They also swept New York in 2011, but lost in six games in their 2013 first-round series.

This year’s series is scheduled to begin Monday at TD Garden. Before the action tips off, here’s a look back at all 15 previous series between Boston and New York:

1951 – East Division Semifinals

Knicks win series, 2-0.

New York swept Boston in the first playoff meeting between the two storied franchises, a best-of-three series in 1951. Max Zaslofsky led the Knicks with 23 points per game. Ed Macauley (22 ppg) paced the C’s in a losing effort.

The Knicks went on to fall to the Rochester Royals in the 1951 NBA Finals.

1952 – East Division Semifinals

Knicks win series, 2-1

The Celtics and Knicks met for a postseason rematch in 1952. This time, the C’s pulled off a win at home in the series opener. They lost Game 2, however, on the road.

Game 3 was a double-overtime thriller that resulted in an 88-87 Knicks victory. Zaslofsky again led New York with 19.0 ppg. Bob Cousy averaged 31 for Boston.

The Knicks again lost in the Finals, this time to the Minneapolis Lakers.

1953 – East Division Finals

Knicks win series, 3-1.

The third time would not be the charm for the Celtics as they fell to the Knicks in the playoffs yet again, this time in the Division Finals. Six players averaged double-figure scoring for New York while Bob Cousy (20.8 ppg) and Ed Macauley (17.5 ppg) tried and failed to carry the offensive load for Boston.

For the second straight year, the Knicks fell to the Lakers in the Finals.

1954 – East Division Round Robin

Celtics win series, 2-0.

At last, the Celtics got the better of the Knicks in both Round Robin matchups. Unfortunately for Boston, it fell to the Syracuse Nationals in the following round.

In the two games against New York, Bill Sharman and Bob Cousy led the C’s with 24 and 21 ppg, respectively.

The Nationals lost to the Lakers in the Finals.

1955 – East Division Semifinals

Celtics win series, 2-1.

The fifth straight postseason with a Celtics-Knicks series had Boston coming out on top with a 116-109 Game 3 victory. Bob Cousy averaged 27.3 points per game, including a 26-point performance in the finale.

Boston fell to Syracuse in the next round.

1967 – East Division Semifinals

Celtics win series, 3-1.

After meeting in five consecutive postseasons, it took 12 years for another series between Boston and New York. In this one, Sam Jones (33.5 ppg) and John Havlicek (24.3 ppg) starred for the C’s. Bill Russell averaged a ridiculous 20.3 rebounds over the four games.

The Celtics won the NBA championship every season from 1959 to 1966 while the Knicks failed to clinch a playoff spot for six straight years. In 1967, however, Boston’s streak of dominance ended with a series loss to Philadelphia in the next round.

1969 – East Division Finals

Celtics win series, 4-2.

The Russell-led C’s took down the Knicks again in 1969, this time in six games to advance to the Finals. Russell averaged 20.8 rebounds in the series, while Havlicek led in the scoring column with 20.7 ppg.

The Celtics defeated the Lakers in the Finals to finish the decade with nine titles in 10 seasons.

Bill RussellGetty Images
The legendary Bill Russell led the Celtics to 11 NBA championships from 1957 to 1969.

1972 – Eastern Conference Finals

Knicks win series, 4-1.

New York’s playoff series losing streak against Boston came to an end in 1972. Havlicek (25.6 ppg) and Jo Jo White (22.6 ppg) did their part for the Russell-less C’s, but Walt Frazier (24.0 ppg) and Co. propelled New York to the NBA Finals, where it would fall to the Lakers.

1973 – Eastern Conference Finals

Knicks win series, 4-3.

The Celtics took Game 1 of the 1973 East Finals at home, but the Knicks took the next three games, including a double-overtime thriller in Game 4. After Boston gutted out two tough wins, New York closed out the series with a dominant Game 7.

Knicks guard Walt Frazier led all scorers with 26.1 points per game in the series. Dave Cowens (24.1 ppg) and Jo Jo White (23.6 ppg) led the way for the C’s but suffered the same fate as the previous season.

1974 – Eastern Conference Finals

Celtics win series, 4-1.

The Celtics avenged their 1972 and 1973 series losses to the Knicks by finally taking them down in their third consecutive East Finals meeting. John Havlicek (29.6 ppg) and Dave Cowens (19.0 ppg, 15.0 rpg) were the stars for Boston.

The C’s went on to win their 12th NBA title, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks in seven games.

1984 – Eastern Conference Semifinals

Celtics win series, 4-3.

After their 1974 showdown, it took a decade for the Celtics and Knicks to meet again in the playoffs. This time led by Larry Bird, the C’s emerged victorious in an entertaining seven-game series.

Bird averaged 30.4 points and 10.6 rebounds. Bernard King’s 29.1 ppg weren’t enough to lift New York over the dynastic C’s, who advanced to the Finals and took down the Lakers.

1988 – Eastern Conference First Round

Celtics win series, 3-1.

Bird (28.3 ppg) and Kevin McHale (24.3 ppg) led the C’s over the Patrick Ewing-led Knicks in four games in the first round of the ’88 playoffs.

Boston advanced to the conference finals, where it fell to the Detroit Pistons.

Larry BirdUSA TODAY Sports
Larry Bird led the Celtics to three championships in the ’80s.

1990 – Eastern Conference First Round

Knicks win series, 3-2.

The 1990s were a rough decade for the Celtics after a historic run in the ’80s. It started with a first-round loss to the Knicks, with Ewing (31.6 ppg, 11.4 rpg) outdueling Bird (24.4 ppg).

New York lost to Detroit, the eventual NBA champs, in the next round.

2011 – Eastern Conference First Round

Celtics win series, 4-0.

In the first postseason meeting between these teams in 21 years, the Celtics squeaked out Game 1 and Game 2 victories against the Knicks at TD Garden. They survived a 42-point, 17-rebound performance by Carmelo Anthony in Game 2.

Boston closed the series with back-to-back double-digit wins at Madison Square Garden.

Anthony led all scorers with 26.0 ppg in the series. This was the Celtics’ final playoff series win with the “Big Three” of Paul Pierce (22.3 ppg), Ray Allen (22.0 ppg), and Kevin Garnett (15.5 ppg, 11.3 rpg) still intact. They fell to the Miami Heat in the 2011 East semifinals.

2013 – Eastern Conference First Round

Knicks win series, 4-2.

The last playoff meeting between the Celtics and Knicks came in 2013. Boston was short-handed in the first-round series, losing guard Rajon Rondo to midseason injury.

The C’s lost the first three games of the series but staved off elimination with wins in Games 4 and 5. New York earned an 88-80 victory at TD Garden to close out the series but fell to the Indiana Pacers in the East semifinals.

Anthony averaged 29.2 points per game in the series. Jeff Green led the Celtics with 20.3 ppg. Game 6 was Pierce and Garnett’s final game with the Celtics, as they were traded to the Brooklyn Nets in the offseason.

Fantasy baseball two-start pitchers: Pablo López headlines the list of options for week of May 5

Hello and welcome to the sixth installment of our weekly two-start pitcher article for the 2025 MLB season.

I'll be here every Friday to highlight some of the best two-start pitcher options in fantasy baseball leagues for the upcoming week, as well as some streaming options to keep in mind.

Thinking ahead with your weekly strategy can give you an advantage on the waiver wire and hopefully be a difference-maker in the standings at the end of the season.

This is a living document, so we'll update the options below as the weekend moves along.

Before we get into it, we'll start with a couple of notes on situations that may be unresolved or teams that may not have a two-start pitcher lined up for the upcoming week:

We don’t have any clear word yet on who is going to draw two starts for the Red Sox for the upcoming week, as the shoulder injury to Walker Buehler has caused everything to shift around. If Buehler winds up on the injured list, the most likely scenario has Sean Newcomb stepping back into the rotation to make two starts (vs. Rangers, @ Royals). Even if that does happen, it’s a risky two-step from a highly volatile pitcher.

The injury to Tyler Glasnow has thrown a wrench into the Dodgers’ rotation for next week, so it’s unclear who (if anyone) will wind up making two starts. There have been rumblings than Ben Casparius could slide into that rotation spot, and if so he would line up for a strong two-start week taking on the Marlins in Miami and the Diamondbacks in Arizona. It’s appealing that the font start is the one that you really would want from Casparius, as it wouldn’t crush you if he got pushed back for that second start or the Dodgers went with a bullpen game.

There’s still no clarity on what the Mets plan to do next week just yet. It’s possible that Griffin Canning could wind up with a two-start week (@ Diamondbacks, vs. Cubs), but that’s not guaranteed just yet. Stay tuned and we’ll update throughout the weekend as more information becomes available.

The Cardinals are back to using a full six-man rotation, so each of their starters will take just one turn this week and no one will get a two-start week.

No word yet on what the Blue Jays will do with their rotation next week regarding who will function as their fifth starter and when they’ll slot in. It’s possible that Jose Berrios could start on Tuesday, and if so he would line up for two starts (@ Angels, @ Mariners), but that’s far from a guarantee at this point. It’s also possible that whoever fills that fifth starter role could go on Tuesday and wind up with a two-start week. Stay tuned.

Without further ado, let's dig into the options for the week of May 5.

Going Twice…

Note: Probable pitchers as of Friday, May 2, and are subject to change.

American League

Strong Plays

Pablo López (vs. Orioles, vs. Giants)

López has pitched every bit like the ace that the Twins need him to be through his first six starts on the season, posting a stellar 2.25 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and a 26/4 K/BB ratio over his first 28 innings. There’s no reason to expect him to fall off this week with a pair of strong home starts, making him one of the top overall options on a week that’s hurting for quality two-start weeks. He should be started in all leagues without question.

Cole Ragans (vs. White Sox, vs. Red Sox)

Tentatively, the expectation is that Ragans (groin) will be able to return to the Royals’ rotation on Monday. If that’s the case, he’ll line up for a strong two-start week, both at home, with the White Sox on the front end. If he’s active and pitching you’re obviously going to be using him in all formats, just be sure to monitor the news throughout the weekend to make sure that he’s actually going to go.

Seth Lugo (vs. White Sox, vs. Red Sox)

Lugo has picked up right where he left off after his brilliant 2024 season, registering a 3.04 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and a 34/12 K/BB ratio over 44 innings through his first seven starts. He’s going to continue to work deep into games, provide good ratios and have a shot at a victory every time he takes the mound. Getting to face the White Sox to start the week is just a bonus. He should be started with complete confidence in all formats for this enticing two-step.

Carlos Rodón (vs. Padres, @ Athletics)

Rodón has looked especially sharp through his first seven starts on the season, going 4-3 with a 3.43 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and a 52/19 K/BB ratio across 42 innings. The matchup with the Padres isn’t great, but he catches them at a good time and even in West Sacramento we’re still not shying away from starts against the Athletics. Rodón should continue to pile up strikeouts throughout the week and he has a decent chance at snagging at least one victory as well. He should be started in all leagues once again this week.

Drew Rasmussen (vs. Phillies, vs. Brewers)

As we have said all along, as long as Rasmussen is healthy he will deliver strong results and should be started in all formats. That has certainly been the case through his first six starts – posting a stellar 2.64 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and a 30/7 K/BB ratio over 30 2/3 innings. He gets the added benefit of both starts coming at home this week, with neither opposing offense particularly worrisome against right-handed pitchers. I think Rasmussen is one of the best plays on the board this week.

Nathan Eovaldi (@ Red Sox, @ Tigers)

Eovaldi has absolutely shoved through his first seven starts on the 2025 season, posting a brilliant 2.11 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and a 46/3 K/BB ratio over his first 42 2/3 innings. Despite the pair of difficult road matchups, Eovaldi should have earned fantasy managers’ trust and should be started in all leagues this week. Worst case scenario he’ll still deliver strong strikeout totals and will have a shot at a victory and the overall likelihood of either of those starts turning into a disaster look very low.

Decent Plays

Luis Severino (vs. Mariners, vs. Yankees)

I was this close to placing Severino in the strong plays group this week, but given the pair of tough matchups and the fact that they’re both in West Sacramento, I simply couldn’t justify it. He has been great through his first seven starts with the A’s though – posting a 3.30 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and a 33/13 K/BB ratio across 43 2/3 innings. Wins are always going to be hard to come by pitching for the A’s and Severino isn’t really a true strikeout artist these days, but he still makes for a solid streaming option for his two-start week. I’d be comfortable rolling him out there in both 12 and 15 team formats.

Bryce Miller (@ Athletics, vs. Blue Jays)

While Miller’s 3.52 ERA through his first six starts matches his career mark, his 1.44 WHIP has been completely out of character for him. A pair of rough starts on the road has contributed to that trouble while Miller has been much better in Seattle this season. That being said, having to take on the A’s in West Sacramento where the ball has been flying out of the yard this season is somewhat concerning. It’s not enough for me to sit Miller this week, but it’s something to at least brace yourself for. For me it’s another bet on talent. If you have Miller you have to trust him and use him for his two-start week.

Shane Smith (@ Royals, vs. Marlins)

If you haven’t been paying much attention to the White Sox this season, you may have missed just how well Shane Smith has pitched through his first six starts in the big leagues. The 25-year-old hurler boasts a 2.23 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 26/12 K/BB ratio over 32 1/3 innings so far. The matchups this week actually look pretty enticing as well, though his capacity to win games will always be hindered by his supporting cast. If you have him rostered or if he’s available to add, go ahead and start him with confidence for the upcoming week.

Jackson Jobe (@ Rockies, vs. Mariners)

While he has been pretty good overall through his first five starts on the season, Jobe did show some rust his last time out after a long layoff in between starts. The Tigers are going to continue to find ways to push him back whenever possible as they’re limiting his workload for the season, so don’t be surprised if this two-start week ultimately ends up getting bumped. If that’s the case, you’re left with just the front half, taking on the Rockies at Coors Field. That’s not to say that he can’t succeed there, just know what you’re getting yourself into when rolling Jobe out there for the upcoming week.

Tyler Anderson (vs. Blue Jays, vs. Orioles)

Tyler Anderson has always been a pitcher that has gotten by on smoke and mirrors rather than dominating opposing hitters. That has certainly been the case through his first six starts in 2025 as he has compiled a 2.67 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and a 27/14 K/BB ratio over 33 2/3 innings despite his 3.64 xERA and 5.07 xFIP. Eventually it’s probably going to catch up to him and there will be a correction coming, but who knows when that will actually be. In the meantime, he gets a couple of decent matchups with both starts coming at home. It depends on your risk tolerance, but there are definitely leagues where I would feel comfortable starting Anderson for his two starts this coming week.

At Your Own Risk

Cade Povich (@ Twins, @ Angels)

Povich has not pitched well through his first six starts with the Orioles this season, compiling a troublesome 5.16 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and a 25/12 K/BB ratio over 29 2/3 innings. It doesn’t seem like a case of bad luck either, as his xERA sits a full run higher at 6.13 while his xFIP checks in at 4.51. He does get the benefit of making both starts on the road though, away from the hitter-friendly confines of Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Is that enough to risk blowing up your ratios by streaming him for two starts? That depends on how desperately you need to make up ground in wins and strikeouts. In 15 teamers, I could be swayed into taking a shot if I really needed it, I don’t think that I can get there in 12 teamers.

Sean Burke (@ Royals, vs. Marlins)

While he has shown some flashes this season, the overall results for Burke haven’t been great through his first seven appearances (six starts), with a 4.91 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and a 25/14 K/BB ratio over his 33 innings. The matchups aren’t terrifying, but he’s not likely to win a game and his strikeout upside is limited, meaning you’re just taking on ratio risk without much benefit. In the deepest of leagues if you want to try it out, go ahead, but I’m probably staying away here.

Luis L. Ortiz (@ Nationals, vs. Phillies)

A popular sleeper option heading into the 2025 season, Ortiz has mostly struggled through his first six outings with the Guardians, posting a 4.78 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and a 36/16 K/BB ratio over 32 innings. The strikeouts are definitely enticing, and the main reason that he got so much love leading up to the season, but the ratio risk is very real here as well. If you’re the gambling type and feel like he’s going to defy expectations this week, go ahead and roll him out there. If you’re trying to protect ratios, you may want to steer clear.

Ronel Blanco (@ Brewers, vs. Reds)

Blanco continues to grasp at straws trying to recapture the magic that he found during the 2024 season. Through his first six starts, it just hasn’t been there, as he’s pitched to a 5.08 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and a 26/14 K/BB ratio over 28 1/3 innings of work. Taking on a pair of powerful National League clubs in parks that amplify the long ball doesn’t seem like a recipe for success for him this week either. If you’re desperate in 15 teamers and want to take a shot, go ahead, but I’m certainly not using him in 12 teamers this week.

National League

Strong Plays

Corbin Burnes (vs. Mets, vs. Dodgers)

Burnes hasn’t quite lived up to the lofty expectations that fantasy managers had for him thus far, as he’s just 1-1 with a 3.58 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and a 28/17 K/BB ratio over 32 2/3 innings through his first six starts with the Diamondbacks. He has been better as of late though, giving up just four earned runs in total over his last three starts and he picked up his lone victory his last time out against the Mets. The matchups are tough, but you drafted Burnes to be an ace at the top of your pitching staff and you can’t sit him for a two-start week.

Zack Wheeler (@ Rays, @ Guardians)

If you have Zack Wheeler rostered, you’re obviously starting him every week of the season without question. Getting him in a strong two-start week is just an added bonus. Don’t overthink things here. Wheeler is a true ace – posting a 3.48 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and a 57/9 K/BB ratio across 44 innings through his first seven starts on the season. He should be started in 100% of leagues this week and all weeks and is one of the top overall plays on the board this week.

Brady Singer (@ Braves, @ Astros)

It might be time to start putting some respect on Brady Singer’s name. He has been outstanding through his first six starts with the Reds, going 4-1 with a 3.24 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 36/12 K/BB ratio across 33 1/3 innings. He has gone six innings or more in each of his last two starts and has punched out six or more batters in four of his first six. He should probably be started for most single start weeks at the moment, so he absolutely has to be active and in lineups for this two-start week.

Michael King (@ Yankees, @ Rockies)

King has continued to look like an elite starting pitcher through his first seven starts on the season, going 4-1 with a 2.09 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and a 46/12 K/BB ratio over his first 38 2/3 innings. He’s the type of pitcher that fantasy managers should be starting every week with full confidence, especially for two-start weeks. I get that the matchups are about as bad as they can get – taking on the Yankees in New York and the Rockies at Coors Field – but that’s not a good excuse to bench one of the best pitchers in all of baseball. His ratio risk will be a bit higher than it normally would be, but you still have to trust the Padres’ right-hander and roll him out there in all leagues this week.

Decent Plays

Zac Gallen (vs. Mets, vs. Dodgers)

Like teammate Corbin Burnes, Gallen has also struggled out of the gate in 2025, registering a 4.93 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and a 43/18 K/BB ratio over 38 1/3 frames through his first seven starts. The ERA estimators show that he should be much closer to a 4.00 ERA than he is to 5.00 and he has a long enough track record that I think you have to trust him even in a couple of difficult matchups. Worst case scenario, he should deliver double digit strikeouts on the week.

AJ Smith-Shawver (vs. Reds, @ Pirates)

The 22-year-old right-hander has been wildly inconsistent through his first four starts with the Braves this season, leading to a 4.26 ERA and 1.68 WHIP over 19 innings. That has also come with 22 punchouts though and Smith-Shawver is fresh off his finest start of the year, a hard-earned victory over the Rockies at Coors Field. The matchups look to be in his favor for the upcoming week and the strikeouts are always there, making this two-step one of the better overall streaming options on the board this week in terms of players that are widely available on waivers.

Matthew Boyd (vs. Giants, @ Mets)

So far, the oft-injured veteran southpaw has been a rock in the Cubs’ rotation, posting a 2.70 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and a 30/13 K/BB ratio over 33 1/3 innings through his first three starts. You pretty much know what you’re going to get from Boyd – decent strikeout totals and WHIP risk with a decent shot at earning a victory each time he takes the hill. That’s more than enough for me to start him without question in both 12 and 15 teamers for what looks to be a decent two-start week.

Andrew Abbott (@ Braves, @ Astros)

So far, so good for Abbott through his first four starts on the season. He has gone 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and a 23/12 K/BB ratio across 19 innings. He has only gone four innings in each of his last two starts and has thrown more than 85 pitches just once this season, so workload concerns could curtail his upside in the wins department. The strikeouts should be there though, making him a worthwhile start in all 15 teamers and I’d even be fine rolling him out there in 12 teamers this week if I didn’t have better options.

Jake Irvin (vs. Guardians, vs. Cardinals)

Irvin has pitched surprisingly well through his first seven starts on the season, with a 4.01 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and a 33/11 K/BB ratio over 42 2/3 innings. Personally, I’m perfectly fine with taking on the lower strikeouts in order to get the strong WHIP that Irvin has been providing. Neither matchup is particularly frightening on the surface and he benefits by having both of his starts come at home. I’d definitely start him any place that I had him and would be looking to stream him anywhere that he may be available.

Landen Roupp (@ Cubs, @ Twins)

Roupp has provided a mixed bag for fantasy managers over his first six starts of the season. He has inflicted ratio damage with a 5.10 ERA and 1.63 WHIP over his first 30 innings while also contributing a pair of wins and 35 strikeouts. Expect more of the same this week with a pair of road starts – including a tough one against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. The strikeouts are probably enough for me to use him in 15 team leagues, but I’d be fine benching him in 12’s if you had better options. There’s also risk that if he gets throttled in his first start that the Giants could finally pull the plug and add Hayden Birdsong to their rotation.

At Your Own Risk

Chase Dollander (vs. Tigers, vs. Padres)

You’d like to be able to roll out a team’s top pitching prospect without fear of blowing up your ratios, but that’s not the situation that we’re in here with Chase Dollander. He has pitched to a cringe-inducing 6.48 ERA and 1.52 WHIP over 25 innings through his first five starts – though that has come with a pair of victories and 25 strikeouts. If all you care about is wins and strikeouts and can handle the potential ratio damage, then Dollander makes for a fine streaming option this week. With both starts at Coors Field though and against two of the better teams in all of baseball, the wiser play is probably to just avoid him.

Sandy Alcantara (vs. Dodgers, @ White Sox)

Most pitchers struggle and show inconsistency in their first season back from a major surgery and unfortunately Alcantara has been no exception. He holds a miserable 8.31 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and a 19/17 K/BB ratio over 26 innings through his first six starts. It’s not going to get any easier as he’s set to take on the Dodgers to kick off his two-start week before finishing with a softer matchup against the White Sox in Chicago. The second matchup might be enough for me to try him once more in deeper leagues, just know that the Dodgers’ matchup could turn into a complete disaster. I’d like to think that in 12 teamers you have better options and wouldn’t need to take the risk.

Tobias Myers (vs. Astros, @ Rays)

Myers was knocked around his last time out in what looked like a strong matchup against the White Sox, giving up two runs on two hits and three walks in just two innings of work, so expect there to be inconsistencies as he continues to work his way back into the Brewers’ rotation. I’d be inclined to bet on the talent showing through in his two matchups this week, but winding up with six mediocre innings and no wins is also well within the range of possibilities here.

Carmen Mlodzinski (@ Cardinals, vs. Braves)

The Pirates seem intent on keeping Mlodzinski in their rotation despite his struggles this season – posting a miserable 6.58 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and a 22/10 K/BB ratio across 26 innings. With Bubba Chandler banging on the door to the big leagues, it feels like one more rough outing could send Mlodzinski over the edge. Don’t let that outing come in your fantasy lineups. There are better options on the board to use this week.

Streamer City

Here are a couple of my hand-picked streaming options for the upcoming week that are readily available in most fantasy leagues. I’ll track these results throughout the season so you can see how my recommendations have performed.

American League

Tomoyuki Sugano, Orioles, RHP (@ Twins - Thursday 5/8)

Sugano continues to be overlooked in most fantasy leagues despite a terrific 3.00 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over 33 frames through his first three starts. He has been working deep into games consistently, which helps to mitigate the overall lack of strikeouts and he gets a nice matchup against the Twins in a pitcher's park in Minneapolis. He's rostered in just 13 percent of all Yahoo leagues and makes for a nice streaming option.

National League

Edward Cabrera Marlins, RHP (vs. White Sox - Saturday 5/10)

Cabrera hasn't pitched well this season in his return from the injured list, but he gets to take on the White Sox next weekend and that's more than enough to give him a look in deeper leagues. He's rostered in just three percent of all Yahoo leagues at the moment and makes for a strong streaming option. Expect at least five strikeouts with a decent shot at a victory.

Last Week’s Review

Osvaldo Bido, Athletics, RHP (@ Marlins - Friday 5/2)

Still waiting on this one as well, though Bido was pushed back a couple of days until Sunday. He'll still take on the Marlins in Miami though and we're still interested as a streaming option.

Jordan Hicks Rockies, RHP (vs. Rockies - Saturday 5/3)

We won't know how this one fares until Saturday. There's still optimism that Hicks will deliver a strong performance in this start.