It's the offseason for most teams around the NBA and squads are meeting with draft prospects at the combine in Chicago.
While some teams are weighing their options, others are considering whether they will use their pick and select a draftee or trade the pick for other assets.
The Warriors are going after those guys, or players of their caliber. Golden State wants to bring in another star ... but not at the expense of their No. 11 pick. The team has no plans to part ways with their draft pick, according to ESPN's Marc J. Spears.
"The Warriors have that 11th pick and people wondering can they get in the Giannis mix. From what I'm being told today from several people, the Warriors like to keep that pick," Spears said during a May 14 appearance on ESPN's "NBA Today."
The Warriors are expected to keep the 11th pick of the draft, per @MarcJSpears
"The Warriors have that 11th pick and people wondering can they get in the Giannis mix. From what I'm being told today from several people the Warriors like to keep that pick" pic.twitter.com/xAYydFiRL8
The NBA league office declared that officials were right to withold their whistles in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter of Wednesday night’s Cavaliers-Pistons Game 5 in Detroit, won by Cleveland, 117-113, in OT .
In a tie game with about a second left in regulation, Cleveland’s Jarrett Allen appeared to step on and trip Detroit’s Ausar Thompson as the latter went for the loose ball.
Rather than call a foul and send Thompson to the line, the referees let play go on, sending the game to overtime.
“[Jarrett Allen] fouled Ausar,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said during the postgame press conference. “It’s clear. He trips him when he’s going for a loose ball. End of game situation, that’s tough.”
“That’s a foul,” the Pistons’ Cade Cunningham said. “It’s been a foul the whole game — wasn’t a foul at that time.”
“We, the Pistons, we know it was a foul,” Detroit’s Daniss Jenkins added. “But we don’t expect that.”
Jarrett Allen appears to step on Ausar Thompson’s leg during a loose ball. The Pistons weren’t happy with this no-call during the final seconds of regulation in their Game 5 loss to the Cavaliers. @bkoz02/X
“Allen and Thompson legally step to the same spot while pursuing the loose ball [before either player has possession], and both lose their balance from the marginal contact,” the report read.
The league’s ruling echoes what crew chief Tony Brothers told a pool reporter after the game.
“During live play, both players were going for the ball and there was incidental contact with the legs with no player having possession of the ball,” Brothers said.
With the win, the Cavaliers will have a chance to close out the series in Cleveland on Friday, with the Knicks waiting in the Eastern Conference finals.
During a dreadful month of April, it felt like whenever the Mets fell into an early deficit, the game was over.
Of late though, they’ve started to show more fight.
We saw it as they battled to take the series opener in extras last weekend in Arizona, and then in all three games of the homestand-opening set with the Detroit Tigers.
For just the third time in franchise history, New York came back from multiple runs down in each of the matchups as they locked of their first series sweep of the season.
“It’s great to see,” manager Carlos Mendoza said following Thursday's victory.
New York fell behind 2-0 in the top of the second on Tuesday night before they rattled off 10 unanswered runs, sparked by a spectacular big-league debut from top prospect A.J. Ewing.
They came from behind again on Wednesday night after Detroit was spotted a pair of runs in the first, eventually winning it in the bottom of the 10th on Carson Benge’s first career walk-off hit.
And then on Thursday afternoon the offense homered five times and Nolan McLean put forward his gutsiest outing thus far, battling through seven innings of work despite not having his best stuff.
Overall, it was one of the Mets’ most complete showings to this point in the season.
"During that tough stretch it felt like every time we got down a couple of runs the game was over," Mendoza said. "Now we’re down three runs in the first inning and you still feel good out there -- you can just sense it in the dugout.
"The pitching is going to keep us in games, they’ve done it all year -- it’s good to see the guys fight back -- they’re resilient. They aren’t going to give up, they aren’t going to put their heads down, they are just going to keep going."
Even with the majority of their regulars in the starting lineup sidelined to injuries, the Mets have now won three of their last four series and eight of their first 12 games to open the month of May.
They’ll look to keep rolling this weekend against the suddenly struggling Yankees in the Subway Series.
“We just have to do it one day at a time,” Mendoza emphasized. “We can’t get too far ahead of ourselves -- you enjoy today, but then you have to come back tomorrow, understanding you have a really good team coming to town.
“It’s going to take a consistent, good brand baseball, executing and just playing our best at the highest level -- I’m confident with the personnel that we have in there that we’re going to be able to do that.”
Paul Boutilier, a defenseman who played five seasons with the 1980s Islanders and helped the team win a Stanley Cup, has died, the NHL Alumni Association confirmed Thursday.
Boutilier was 63 years old. No cause of death was announced.
“We send our deepest condolences to Paul’s family, friends, and former teammates during this incredibly difficult time,” the NHL Alumni Association said in a statement.
Islanders defenseman Paul Boutilier with the puck during a March 1984 game. Getty Images
Boutilier’s career in the NHL spanned parts of nine seasons, playing for the Islanders organization from 1981-86. He would make stops with the Bruins, North Stars, Rangers and Jets.
He played a small role with the Islanders during their final championship of the dynasty era, appearing in 29 regular-season games in the 1982-83 season and playing in two postseason contests, which earned him the right to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup.
Boutilier played junior hockey in the QMJHL with the Sherbrooke Castors in 1980 and was taken by the Islanders in the first round of the 1981 NHL Draft.
He made his NHL debut on Halloween 1981 and scored his first NHL a little more than a year later on Nov. 18, 1982, at Nassau Coliseum against the Bruins.
Boutilier split time between the QMJHL and the NHL during the 1982-83 season and then played for the Islanders and the CHL’s Indianapolis Checkers during the 1983-84 campaign.
He played 213 regular-season games with the Islanders during his career, along with another 36 appearances in the playoffs for the Isles.
Islanders defenseman Paul Boutilier (right) defends the Rangers’ Ron Greschner (center) who tries to sneak the puck past goalie Kelly Hrudey during a November 1985 game. Getty Images
During the 1986-87 season, Boutilier played for the Bruins, North Stars and the Rangers, lacing up his skates in four games with the Blueshirts.
Boutilier represented Canada on a number of occasions and won gold during the 1982 World Junior Championship.
After he finished his playing career, Boutilier moved into coaching, where he served as an assistant coach for Saint Mary’s University in Canada.
He served in the role from 1991-93 and then was promoted to head coach, remaining in that position until 1997.
Pat Cummins has rubbished reports he is among a group of Australian cricketers considering quitting the Big Bash to play in South Africa’s T20 competition unless they get higher pay offers.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - MAY 9: Zack Gelof #20 of the Athletics bats against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 9, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Bill Streicher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After an especially tough loss — such as when you are quite literally a strike away from winning and lose — everything feels more bleak. Just as after an exhilarating win the team might feel invincible. As always the truth is somewhere in between.
As I write following a disappointing loss, I see more positives than negatives but that optimism is also measured. This A’s team, as currently constituted, is very talented and very flawed, so it feels about right that the team sits around the .500 mark, now 1 game over at 22-21.
The A’s have come by their record losing some games they should have won and winning some games should have lost. But they have ultimately achieved what had to be the overarching goal for April-May: stay with the Mariners, stay in contact with the .500 mark, hang in there while hopefully the roster gets some key fortification, e.g., perhaps Gage Jump sooner and even Leo De Vries later.
Now the way the A’s have kept pace with and even stayed ahead of, the Mariners has to do largely with Seattle playing surprisingly poorly the first 7 weeks. Projected by analysts to win more like 96 games than 80, nonetheless the Mariners have sputtered out of the gate and that has kept the A’s in good stead.
But here’s the reason for my “leaning towards optimism”. It’s not just that the A’s have gotten where they are with two key pieces, Lawrence Butler and Tyler Soderstrom, greatly underperforming, though this does offer some hope that “the best is yet to come” for this team. That’s not it, because as Butler and Soderstrom progress, surely Shea Langeliers and Carlos Cortes will not continue to masquerade as a batting leader and one who would lead even Langeliers if he had enough PAs to qualify. Though they are welcome to, of course.
The reason even today’s game was not as bad as it feels is that the A’s may have solved 2 positions that were very iffy going into the season.
Zack Gelof’s play at 3B combined with his work at the plate have been true revelations, to where it feels quite reasonably like the A’s may have found their 3Bman for the long haul. In the field, despite the limitations of his arm strength Gelof has looked smooth and effective, using the Mark Ellis great footwork/positioning and quick release, with accurate throws, to offset the weak arm.
At the plate, Gelof is not swinging and missing nearly as much and his contact is back to being more lethal. For the season now Gelof is up to .270/.316/.527, which is noteworthy when you put it next to his 2023 rookie half season that generated so much excitement: .267/.337/.504.
For the A’s to have found, in the most roundabout way, a quality every day 3Bman who contributes on both sides of the ball, is huge for the last 119 games.
Meanwhile, Henry Bolte’s debut was exciting enough but in some ways today’s game was even better. Bolte consistently hit balls hard, even though he wound up with only one single to show for it: EVs of 100, 104.4, 109.4 on the 3 balls he hit. He has also opened his big league career striking out in just 1 of his 8 plate appearances.
There is/was understandable concern around whether Bolte’s tantalizing skills would translate to the big leagues, and even if they did whether they would anytime soon. Just 22, Bolte has elite raw skills — speed, power, bat speed — but has come with some important red flags, e.g., high K rates, high whiff rates.
If Bolte is, in fact, at the level of “a legit starting CFer,” that’s also huge for a team that has crossed its fingers that Denzel Clarke can hit over the Mendoza line and has settled for throwing Butler out in CF even though neither his bat nor his glove have been adequate.
If today moved the needle on anything, it only solidified the notion that the A’s may have found a quality 3Bman and a quality CFer to carry them going forward. That depth also enhances a currently weak bench, allowing for players such as Butler, Cortes, and Max Muncy to potentially offer luxuries as utility players or part-time starters.
None of this analysis has really touched on the pitching, other than a passing mention of Jump. The A’s may go only as far as their rotation can provide some stability and more length than it has offered to date. The bullpen has been volatile and still has few relievers that allow fans to maintain a healthy blood pressure.
But here the A’s are, over .500, ahead of the Mariners in the standings, and having possibly identified quality players at two of their weakest positions going into the season. As Al Pacino would say, “22-21, 1 game up on Seattle……and I’m just getting warmed up!” Hoo-ah.
With baseball’s two challenge systems, it feels rare when the sport has a managerial ejection with some extra fire.
But A.J. Hinch brought back some of the old days during a Thursday matinee.
The Tigers manager was tossed in the fourth inning of Detroit’s 9-4 loss to the Mets at Citi Field when he boiled over following a controversial decision on a challenge call at third base.
A.J. Hinch was ejected for arguing a challenge call during the Mets’ 9-4 win over the Tigers on May 14, 2026 at Citi Field. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
With Gage Workman on second and nobody out in the top half of the frame, Zach McKinstry blooped a single in front of Mets left fielder MJ Melendez.
Workman saw the play in front of him and then bolted for third, but Melendez’s throw to third baseman Brett Baty was in time for a tag and the first out.
Or was it?
Hinch challenged the call, and multiple replays — including one on the big video board in center field — appeared to show Workman not only beat the tag, but stay on the base as Baty kept the glove on him.
A.J. Hinch got his money’s worth before he left the ballgame. Robert Sabo for NY PostTigers manager AJ Hinch argues with the home plate umpire and is ejected. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
After a lengthy review, home plate umpire Jordan Baker announced to the New York crowd that the call on the field stood. Hinch was incensed and started barking toward Baker, who, before turning off his microphone, could be heard saying: “Not me. You’re gone!”
Baker was likely referring to the fact that he was not the one in charge of making the decision on the review, as once a play gets challenged, the decision gets sent to the MLB Replay Command in Manhattan.
Either way, Hinch came barking out the dugout and pointed angrily at the home plate ump after he was officially tossed.
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A.J. Hinch just got tossed arguing an out call at third base after the play was upheld pic.twitter.com/drm2WCom99
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 14, 2026
“They showed it on the board, which I think is the biggest board in baseball,” Hinch said afterward, according to The Detroit News. “If they’re going to do that, I’m going to defend my team.”
“[Baker] threw me out from the dugout. I didn’t say anything I thought was worthy of it. And then I’ve got to come out of the dugout. I was very frustrated with it. Just the whole thing, from the play being shown from multiple angles on the field, the fans, players, coaches, me we all watched it. But they didn’t see it in New York
so the call stands. You guys saw the rest.”
Gage Workman was called out, which stood on a replay review. Robert Sabo for NY PostBrett Baty tags out Gage Workman during the fourth inning of the Mets’ win over the Tigers. AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura
He got his money’s worth for about 30 seconds before walking back to the visiting dugout and subsequently the clubhouse.
One pitch later, Spencer Torkelson hit into an inning-ending double play, and the Mets, who were trailing by three runs at the time, rallied for nine runs, largely on the strength of a season-high five home runs.
The Tigers, after getting swept three games in New York, have now lost eight of nine games.
Yankees play-by-play announcer Michael Kay blasted the Mets’ president of baseball operations over his offseason moves, which included shedding several franchise mainstays in favor of short-term deals for oft-injured veterans.
Even with their three-game winning streak, the Amazin’s 18-25 record is tied with the Giants for second-worst in the majors.
Michael Kay blasted David Stearns over his offseason moves. AP
Superstars Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto have both missed time with injuries, while offseason additions Jorge Polanco, Luis Robert Jr., Bo Bichette and Luke Weaver have battled prolonged absences or slumps of their own.
Michael Kay took issue with David Stearns for letting Mets mainstays walk in favor of oft-injured veterans. Robert Sabo for NY Post
“Every move he made has not worked,” Kay said Tuesday on ESPN’s “The Michael Kay Show.” “It’s like some of these things didn’t even come to David Stearns’ mind as he was putting the team together.
“This guy is operating under his own guidelines when the rest of the sport is operating completely differently.”
Kay criticized Stearns for overlooking red flags in injury histories such as Polanco and Robert Jr., and for trying to fill the third base vacancy with a player (Bichette) who had never played the position.
While the Mets are in the midst of a three-game winning streak, the team endured a brutal losing streak earlier in the season.
Additionally, Kay hit Stearns for allowing Pete Alonso, the franchise’s all-time leader in home runs, to leave for the Orioles despite his durability.
“You took Pete Alonso and this is a guy who you wouldn’t sign to a five-year deal,” Kay began. “But one thing that Pete Alonso gave you was availability. He played every game; the guy was a bull. You never had to worry about him being scratched or being injured — he played every game.
“Instead, you sign a guy [Polanco] who can’t get healthy. How’s that looking now? Just an awful maneuver by David Stearns.”
During his seven seasons in Flushing, Alonso missed just 24 games, while Polanco already has missed 29 games because of Achilles and wrist injuries.
Kay praised the Mets’ decision to promote top prospect A.J. Ewing, who has enjoyed a hot start to his MLB career.
After reaching base four times in his debut Tuesday, Ewing hit his first career homer Thursday in the Mets’ 8-3 win over the Tigers, which sealed a three-game sweep.
“So you look at this, and you go, ‘Well, that’s kind of a panic move.’ And I go, ‘Good. They need to panic. They need to panic. They still have a chance,'” Kay said. “You can’t keep rolling out the same lineup that doesn’t hit and expect things to change.”
Nolan McLean reacts during the Mets' win against the Tigers on May 14.
Nolan McLean gave up a three-run home run to the fifth batter he saw Thursday afternoon, but the Mets rookie still pieced together an encouraging outing.
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After some early struggles with his command, McLean pushed through seven innings and finished with six hits, three earned runs and seven strikeouts.
“I mean, got to take it for what it was,” McLean said after the victory. “Obviously, gave up the homer in the first, so it was a quick 3-0 lead for them. Like I’ve talked about a bunch, my job is to go as deep as I can regardless on how well I’m pitching or not. So I’m pretty happy with getting into the seventh today.”
Nolan McLean reacts during the Mets’ 9-4 win against the Tigers on May 14, 2026 at Citi Field. Charles Wenzelberg
The 24-year-old exploded with emotion after capping the seventh with back-to-back strikeouts of Jake Rogers and Kevin McGonigle.
In the wake of his slow start, McLean said he had to find what was working and get creative “a couple of times” to find the pitches that were connecting.
He found his curveball late, he noted, before his sinker control came back to him a bit.
“Man, he was pretty impressive,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “Because not only did he give up that three-run homer, but I thought stuff-wise today was a little light. The sinker wasn’t there — just it took him a while. And for him to go seven innings there, it was pretty impressive. He fought, he battled, and he just kept trusting his pitches. I thought him and [catcher Hunter] Senger were on a really good page there.
“He takes a lot. You get hit on the face the first inning and then you just see it, stuff-wise, it was a battle for him.”
Juan Soto was in the lineup after the Mets’ $765 million man exited Wednesday night’s game due to an injury scare.
He batted third as the DH, going 2-for-5 with a homer and two RBIs.
Asked if he was concerned about an injury, Soto didn’t seem like it.
“I wasn’t concerned much,” he said. “I’d done it before. The point is, I wasn’t able to push. It was getting slow in big times, so I was just like trying to make a smart move, you know? But definitely, I know how to handle it.”
“The timetable is kind of what we announced, but we’re looking at the eight-week mark,” Mendoza said.
Francisco Lindor isn’t expected to return to the lineup anytime soon.
“He’s getting better, showing sign of healing,” Mendoza said. “Now we’re moving to the phase where [it’s] the strength part. In the weight room, before he starts his running progression. Positive sign. We just got to let it heal.”
Mendoza said he didn’t think Lindor needed any more imaging done on his left calf, which he strained April 22 while running the bases against the Twins.
Though the Mets manager didn’t have an updated timeline, he acknowledged the 32-year-old infielder was still a ways away.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks to the media during a press conference after Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Austin Reaves taking a leap this season was not new to his career. He’s made a habit of steady improvement throughout his career.
What was different about this season was that it came in a contract year. On the brink of his next big payday, Reaves played at an All-Star level. An untimely injury kept him out of the mid-February exhibition game, but it did not change his level of production.
For the fifth straight season, Reaves saw his scoring increase, this year jumping up to 23.3 points per game. And as a result, he’s set to rake in a whole lot of cash this summer. According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, the expectation around the league is that Reaves will get a contract around $40 million per year.
While team and league sources believe that the Lakers and Reaves will eventually land on a contract that makes sense, the door for Reaves to walk is open should he get a big offer elsewhere. Rival executives predicted Reaves could command $40 million a season due to a combination of his play, his age and, perhaps most importantly, a free-agent class completely devoid of players as productive as him in their prime.
While that number seems high, in the new NBA, it’s going to become far more standard to see deals this big. On the flip side, a number that big is going to limit the teams that could even offer him that in free agency. Woike also detailed the teams that could target Reaves.
At present, the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets, who both have needs at the guard position, are the only teams with the sort of salary-cap space available to meet that sort of financial mark. Other teams that are known to have some interest in Reaves — like Utah and Atlanta, per league sources — would need to make roster moves to find the necessary space. League sources say winning will be a significant factor in Reaves’ thinking.
Having said all that, there have been no indications that Reaves is going to leave for another team. Luka Dončić has campaigned for him, Austin has made it clear he wants to return and the Lakers want him back.
The other good news is that his big deal won’t stop LA from making deals this summer. His cap hold will be about half of that expected $40 million salary. As our own Bryan Toporek previously wrote, his low cap hold will be the key to the team’s free agency plans.
Since Reaves is an undrafted free agent rather than a first-round pick, he’ll have a relatively modest free-agent cap hold. As long as his 2025-26 salary ($13.9 million) is above the league’s average salary, his cap hold will be only 150% of his previous salary, or $20.9 million…The salary cap is projected to be north of $170 million in 2026-27, so Reaves would be eligible for a maximum starting salary of $42.5 million as a free agent.
Fortunately for the Lakers and Reaves, they should be able to have their cake and eat it, too. They can make free agent moves and then give Reaves the payday he has earned.
DETROIT, MI - MAY 13: Dean Wade #32, Jarrett Allen #31 help up Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the game against 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a chance to advance out of the second round for the first time since 2018. We’ll see if they have what it takes against a Detroit Pistons team that’s used to having their backs against the wall.
“I’ve been in this position before, and have lost this next Game 6, then that puts a lot of pressure on you in Game 7, especially if you have to go on the road,” head coach Kenny Atkinson said immediately after Wednesday’s win. “It’s a must-win game for us in terms of if we want to move forward.”
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE. The link to the 2016 championship shirt HERE.
Jonah Tong was knocked around as he took the ball for Syracuse on Thursday night.
The Mets' right-handed pitching prospect lasted just 1.2 innings, giving up seven runs (six of which were earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out two.
He served up a pair of homers and threw three wild pitches.
Tong found himself in immediate danger, as an error and single put the first two Scranton runners on. An Oswaldo Cabrera single to right brought in the first run of the game, then another darted home on a wild pitch.
A walk then put runners on the corners, but Tong scampered out of danger.
He didn’t fare much better opening up the top of the second, though, as Jonathan Ornelas ripped just the third pitch he saw to deep center for a leadoff triple.
After a walk, a force out brought home the third run of the game.
Tong almost danced out of it without further damage, but he gave up a long two-out three-run homer to Marco Luciano and then a two-run shot to Seth Brown to bring his night to an end.
The 22-year-old starter had pitched to a strong 1.64 ERA over his first two May starts (11.0 IP), but that number has clearly been inflated after his rough night at the park.
Tong is now up to an ugly 5.68 ERA through nine outings.
With fellow Syracuse starter Jack Wenninger dealing to start the Triple-A season, you have to figure he’s jumped Tong on the depth chart if a need were to arise in the big-league rotation.
That's enough for the NHL to put out potential starting dates for the conference finals, before the Montreal Canadiens beat the Buffalo Sabres on May 14. Game 6 will be on Saturday in Montreal.
Regardless of the results of that series, led 3-2 by Montreal, the Western Conference finals will start on May 20 at Denver's Ball Arena against the Golden Knights.
If the Canadiens wrap up their series in six games, the Eastern Conference finals will start on May 19. If the teams go to seven games, it will start on May 21. The Hurricanes will host the first two games at Lenovo Center.
Here are the scenarios for the conference finals:
Western Conference final
All times p.m. ET. x-if necessary
May 20: Vegas at Colorado, 8, ESPN
May 22: Vegas at Colorado, 8, ESPN
May 24: Colorado at Vegas, 8, ESPN
May 26: Colorado at Vegas, TBD, ESPN
x-May 28: Vegas at Colorado, 8, ESPN
x-May 30: Colorado at Vegas, 8, ABC
x-June 1: Vegas at Colorado, 8, ESPN
Eastern Conference final
Times TBD
If Buffalo-Montreal series ends in six games
May 19: Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, TNT, truTV
May 21: Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, TNT, truTV
May 23: Carolina at Buffalo/Montreal, TNT, truTV
May 25: Carolina at Buffalo/Montreal, TNT, truTV
x-May 27: Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, TNT, truTV
x-May 29: Carolina at Buffalo/Montreal, TNT, truTV
x-May 31: Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, TNT, truTV
If Buffalo-Montreal series ends in seven games
May 21: Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, TNT, truTV
May 23: Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, TNT, truTV
May 25: Carolina at Buffalo/Montreal, TNT, truTV
May 27: Carolina at Buffalo/Montreal, TNT, truTV
x-May 29: Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, TNT, truTV
x-May 31: Carolina at Buffalo/Montreal, TNT, truTV
x-June 2: Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, TNT, truTV
Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Yankees play a three-game Subway Series at Citi Field starting on Friday night at 7:15 p.m.
Bichette's first (and potentially only) season with the Mets has been a series of fits and starts, with him showing signs of breaking out and then regressing.
He did have a late, game-tying hit in New York's comeback win over the Tigers on Wednesday night, but Bichette enters play on Friday with a .552 OPS -- 288 points lower than it was last season with the Blue Jays and 241 points under his career mark.
When will he come out of it?
"That’s kind of the question we’re asking ourselves, too," manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters Thursday about when Bichette will come out of it. "You know at some point it’s going to come. I think that that break that he’s looking for – maybe that blooper yesterday.
"He hits balls hard, they’re making plays on him. Then he goes two, three at-bats, a couple of games where it’s soft contact. But I think it’s just a matter of time for him. He’s too good of a hitter. Hopefully, a blooper like last night gets him going here."
In addition to not being locked in yet, Bichette has also been pretty unlucky on balls in play. His average exit velocity, hard-hit percentage, and squared-up percentage are all above average. Meanwhile, his expected batting average is .285, while his actual mark is .224.
Bichette getting hot would be enormous for a Mets team that is without four of its regulars on offense, and is likely not getting any of them back in the near future.
Mets' pitching has been carrying them
The Mets enter play Friday having allowed 178 runs this season.
Only three teams in the National League (the Braves, Brewers, and Dodgers) have allowed fewer runs, and all three of those clubs are in playoff position.
While lots of attention has been on the success of starters Nolan McLean, Clay Holmes, and Freddy Peralta, and the recent re-emergence of Christian Scott, New York's bullpen has been terrific lately.
Devin Williams is unscored upon in his last seven appearances, Luke Weaver has held the opposition scoreless in nine of his last 10 outings, Brooks Raley has a 1.06 ERA and 0.94 WHIP, and Huascar Brazoban has a 2.14 ERA and 0.95 WHIP.
That Soto spurned the Yankees to head crosstown to the Mets will never stop being something that sticks in their fans' craw.
Soto was booed mercilessly at Yankee Stadium last season during the first three Subway Series games, going 1-for-10 (though he did draw four walks).
Things changed when Round 2 took place at Citi Field.
Apr 22, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets designated hitter Juan Soto (22) follows through on a single against the Minnesota Twins during the eighth inning at Citi Field. / Brad Penner - Imagn Images
In those three games, Soto reached base 5 times in 13 plate appearances as he went 4-for-11 with a homer, double, three RBI, three runs scored, and a walk.
Holy Schlitt
The hard-throwing Cam Schlittler is becoming a legitimate ace in his second season in the majors.
In 53.1 innings over nine starts, Schlittler has allowed just 34 hits while leading the American League in ERA (1.35) and WHIP (0.80).
Schlittler is tops in the majors in FIP (1.64) and has an absurd 312 ERA+.
He gets the ball against Holmes on Friday in the series-opener.
The Yankees' top-heavy offense
The Bombers are the highest-scoring team in the American League, so their offense is more than formidable.
But they're being carried by three specific players -- perennial MVP favorite Aaron Judge, Ben Rice, and Cody Bellinger.
Beyond that, there hasn't been a ton of impact.
Trent Grisham, Ryan McMahon, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and Austin Wells all have an OPS under .700, and rookie Spencer Jones has struggled to get going since being called up for his big league debut.
Predictions
Who will the MVP of the series be?
Bo Bichette
Bichette has a history of rising up in big moments.
Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?
Freddy Peralta
Peralta has been tremendous over his last four starts, lowering his ERA to 3.10.
Which Yankees player will be a thorn in the Mets' side?
Aaron Judge
It's nearly impossible to keep Judge down unless you walk him every time.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MAY 12: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs and Ayo Dosunmu #13 of the Minnesota Timberwolves react during the first quarter in Game Five of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on May 12, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Spurs have outscored the Timberwolves by 67 total points this series. Do you think that if the Wembanyama ejection hadn’t happened, the series would be over?
Marilyn Dubinski: It’s certainly possible. It’s also possible it would be over if either Wemby or De’Aaron Fox showed up offensively in Game 1, but neither is a sure thing. That being said, as long as this doesn’t stretch to Game 7 and/or fatigue doesn’t become a factor in the Western Conference Finals (*mandatory “assuming they get there” to avoid any jinxes), I’m actually not upset with this series going as it has (as long as it’s over tomorrow). It has been quite the learning experience for the young Spurs, both mentally and physically, and while you can’t claim a defending champion who went to Game 7 in the Finals is not battle tested, you can tell the Thunder have been coasting through the first two rounds against possibly the easiest schedule ever (at least in the West), winning but not dominating. Is it possible the Spurs will be the more-ready team thanks to this match-up? Time will tell.
Mark Barrington: Probably, but I feel like if the Night of the Flying Elbow was a turning point, not just for the series, but for the future of the franchise, as they learned that playing superior basketball on the court wasn’t enough to make a serious run at a championship, but they also had to sharpen their mental and emotional skills to overcome teams already hardened in the pressure of playoff basketball. Every team at this level is talented, and teams will do anything to get even the smallest mental edge, and the Spurs found out how to deal with that and react the right way. Getting that experience was much more valuable than a routine win, which was the likely outcome if Wemby kept his cool. Wembanyama took his game to another level in Game 5, and we’ll see if that’s sustainable in Game 6 and in the Conference Championship round, if they advance.
Devon Birdsong: It’s hard to say due to the degree of physicality that was being allowed in that game, and I think it would have been a very close game due to that, but I’m leaning toward a ‘no’ because I think the Wolves would have come out firing in Game 6, and (whether you were in favor of it or not) the attention that Wemby’s elbow and ejection brought to the officiating of the series might have continued unabated. Even before the series, I told myself it would be 6-7 games if Edwards was healthy enough to play well, and for the most part, he has been.
Jeje Gomez: It feels very likely. When nothing strange has happened after shaking off the cobwebs on Game 1, the Spurs have looked like the better team against a Timberwolves squad that can’t rely on Anthony Edwards as much as it normally would. But there’s nothing wrong with going to six or seven games with a veteran contender that has been to the Conference Finals twice in a row, and could have pulled off the win even with Wembanyama on the floor.
Who or what has been the X Factor for either team so far, and do you expect it to be a major factor in Game 6?
Dubinski: There are several X factors for the Wolves (Edwards’ knees, Julius “The Wild Card” Randle), but I’ll go with a more subtle one who isn’t there: Donte DiVincenzo. Without him, they have almost no outside shooting beyond Edwards, and that has been huge in allowing the Spurs to outscore them so badly in this series. To that extent, three-point shooting could also be considered an X factor for the Spurs. Interestingly, while neither team is shooting great, with both sitting at about 33% for the series, the Spurs – and especially Julian Champagnie – have been vastly superior in their wins vs. losses. This series doesn’t necessarily hinge on three-point shooting, but it has certainly been a factor that has helped the Spurs.
Barrington: The Timberwolves live or die by how well Anthony Edwards plays. He’s been slowed by injuries in this series, but he’s still been playing great, especially when Wembanyama is out of the game and he can drive without worrying about the big guy’s rim presence. Ant seemed oddly passive in Game 5, and if that passivity continues in Game 6, Minnesota’s season is over. To extend their playoffs, he has to have another 30+ point game and bring his teammates with him. Julius Randle isn’t having a good series, but he could bust out at any time. Hopefully it won’t be Saturday.
Birdsong: The Spurs hitting their threes has been the difference between blowouts and close games/losses, but if we’re going with a player, I’d have to go with Keldon. Every time he’s had a good game (offensively or defensively) the Spurs have crushed it. If he’s off, things get a little tighter. The same is true of Harper, but he’s a little more consistent on the scoring end, and he pretty much runs the offense for the second unit even if he’s off. Getting 10+ points from Keldon in conjunction with solid defense usually gives the team separation. 15+ points, even if everyone else is having an average game, pretty much clinches it for them most of the time. He was a very deserving 6th man because against good teams he is very often the difference.
Gomez: Double-teaming and trapping Anthony Edwards is not necessarily a new strategy, as many have tried it in the past, but the Spurs have been using it well, and it has limited what the superstar guard and the Timberwolves’ offense can do. Not only has San Antonio made Ant have to play off the ball more than he’d preferred, but it has put pressure on others to make plays, and few have been able to answer the call. Whether the Wolves can find that secondary scorer to carry the offense for a while and whether the shooters connect on some of the open looks the strategy inevitably concedes could determine whether the series ends or goes to a Game 7.
Do you think the Spurs will close it out in Minnesota in Game 6, or are we heading for a Game 7?
Dubinski: Without any drastic occurrences (another unexpected ejection, injury, someone besides Edwards going supernova, etc.), I think the Spurs know what it takes to beat this team and will close things out. The scenario I foresee is the Wolves come out hot, giving it all they have early and take a decent but not insurmountable lead. Then, the Spurs inevitably regain their composure, be it in the second quarter or at halftime, surge back, and that’s that, since the Wolves have nothing left in the tank and no new wrinkles to throw out there. Or it could be a wire-to-wire Spurs win. Or it could be a loss and we’re back here on Sunday. Who knows with this series.
Barrington: The Spurs will close it out in Game 6, unless Ant has a 50-piece and drags at least one teammate with him. I’m expecting a huge effort from Edwards in a close loss as Rudy Gobert gets played off the court due to his inability to get a hoop or even catch a pass, which frees up the paint for Wembanyama to punish the Wolves relentlessly. Julius Randle will contribute his usual dozen points or so, and Naz Reid will make an impact off the bench, but it won’t be enough as they go fishin’ before the weekend starts.
Birdsong: Barring officiating shenanigans or a team-wide shooting drought, I think they know they have Minnesota’s number. They looked incredibly confident by the 4th quarter of the last game, to the point that they let up just a little for a minute or two. They’ll need to approach Minnesota like a wounded/cornered animal in Game 6, but as long as they do that, I think they have it. Talk to me again once I see the officiating assignments for Friday, though, because I’m not 100% sure that the shenanigans are over.
Gomez: I think the Spurs will be eager to close it out and should be able to, as long as they keep Edwards under control and no one else from the Wolves has a career game. As mentioned, they have looked like the better team in general. Wembanyama has dominated inside, the guards have provided scoring, and the perimeter defense has been tenacious. The Timberwolves are a tough opponent and no one would be shocked if they force a Game 7 and end up winning the series, but I think the most likely scenario is a Game 6 win for San Antonio.
