Here are the lineups for the final game in Chicago. Let’s discuss.
For the Phillies:
For the Cubs:
Gamethread 4/23: Phillies at Cubs
High Floor: Wetherholt Is a Roster Builder’s Dream for the Cardinals
I love JJ Wetherholt. You love JJ Wetherholt. Oli Marmol seems to love JJ Wetherholt, and, presumably his mom loves him, too. I’m not shy to admit that I’ve become enamored by a guy that I hope is in Cardinals red for a very long time – and immortalized in a red jacket long after he’s done playing.
At 23 years old, he has come to St. Louis and been exactly as advertised. I would contend that his offense is not even all the way unlocked yet and he’s still running a 111 wRC+. That’s pretty good work if you can get it. Honestly, JJ Wetherholt has star written all over him as evidenced by the fact that he’s on pace for a clean little 5.8 WAR season as a rookie. If this holds, and yes I’m aware it’s officially still Early, that would rank him 16th all-time in fWAR as a rookie, right behind a gentleman named Jose Alberto Pujols, who ran a 6.1 fWAR in the Bobby Bonilla-aided 2001 campaign. (Seriously, thanks Bobby!)
I’ll detail why the defining feature of Wetherholt might just be his floor as a player, as strange as that seems, but I’d like to consider him from this angle and what it means for roster construction moving forward. Now, before you get your torches and pitchforks out, let me just say I think Wetherholt has more in the tank offensively and could see individual seasons where all goes extremely well for him and he’s on MVP ballots. I’ll give you a second to find hay for your pitchforks and water to safely extinguish your torches now.
I would contend that you need 2-3 transformational pieces to be in title contention. We can quibble about that, and I don’t want to get too lost in the weeds on that because every team is different. But, in baseball, it takes more than just transformation pieces. You need a depth of quality that leaves you with enough excellence to push through multiple rounds of the playoffs against the very best competition. I’m not sure the Cardinals currently have any transformational pieces in St. Louis (although there is at least one obvious candidate trying to change all our minds), but they certainly have some low floor pieces right now. In fact, we spent some time talking about what I’m calling the Crumbs of the Roster in our last Redbird Rundown episode. Give it a listen if that’s your thing – Apple and Spotify!
High-floor pieces are critical to building a championship contender, which is why I’m so enamored with thinking about JJ Wetherholt from this angle. The more of these players the Cardinals can lock in, the quicker this rebuild will be over and we can crack open the championship window and smell the alcohol-soaked locker rooms again. (Bad for the cleaning staff – great for the fans!)
So, what about his floor as a player has me so excited? Let’s start with his strike zone command. The eye test tells you he’s feels about 3-2 counts the way most normal people feel about bubble baths. It’s his comfy zone. When watching the games, it feels as though every one of his at bats goes to 3-2. According to research by Jeff Zimmerman of Fangraphs fame, strikeout rate is at its lowest at age 25 and walk rate peaks from ages 29-31. This is a clear indication that a player commands the strike zone better as he ages.
That bodes extremely well for Wetherholt who is already running a walk rate in the 82nd percentile and a strikeout rate in the 65th percentile early in his rookie season. (Yes, I know it’s early!) Obviously there will be variance as the season goes on, but this is not the first time Wetherholt has ever played baseball. He has a sterling reputation (and statsheet to back it up) from college and last season in the minors to let us know he knows what he’s doing at the plate.
What does this mean? Wetherholt is as sure a lock for a 23 year old rookie with 24 games played to be a high OBP offensive player as you’re going to find. At a bare minimum, that screams high floor like a yeti on the backside of the Himalayas. Even now, he’s a one man wrecking crew for pitch counts and it’s entirely possible he will get better at these skills as he ages. Even accounting for times that will surely vary as a rookie, that’s an exciting prospect! (See what I did there…ahh the old double entendre!)
The high OBP floor isn’t the only marble surface worth shouting about when it comes to Wetherholt, the defense has been even better than advertised so far. Obviously, there will be some variance in this rookie season, but thus far he’s in the 98th percentile for defensive value in the MLB. Watch the games. He’s making the routine play and the spectacular – that’s a great sign. Once again, the defensive age curves favor Wetherholt as defense typically peaks around 26 years old.
Honestly, this all tracks. He played shortstop for a major collegiate program and was drafted at that position. The only scouting concerns I can dig up on his defense were a worry about his throwing arm at short. Add in two quarts of Masyn Winn and two cups of a position change to second base and – voila! – you’ve got a fix. He gives every appearance of having a shortstop’s range and instincts while playing second base.
On the bases, he has league average sprint speed but is currently in the 92nd percentile in run value. This tells us that despite average physical gifts for speed (now he’s certainly much faster than you or I), he’s a very smart baserunner. Add this in with all the other ingredients and now you can see why I’m looking at JJ Wetherholt and seeing gleaming marble floors from an upscale building.
Let me go further, even if he never maxes out his offensive capabilities, JJ Wetherholt is bound to be a very valuable piece for years to come. I feel confident in what we’re seeing as confirmation that he is and will continue to be a high-floor player at a minimum. I also believe that these kinds of players are exactly what a roster needs to be populated with to truly compete.
That makes me excited – what about you? Let me know what you think in the comments, and, as always – thanks for reading!
Can The Kings Bring Back Their Home Dominance To Keep Their Season Alive?
The Los Angeles Kings currently find themselves down 2-0 to the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The season is essentially on the line for the Kings in game three, as falling down 3-0 to the President's Trophy winner's would be a next to impossible hole to get out of.
Although they've struggled on home ice this season, the Kings will hopefully get a jolt to their system as they head home to play in front of their fans.
This season, the Kings went 15-17-9 at Crypto.com Arena, which is night and day compared to 2024-25 when they were the best team in the league at home.
Last season, the Kings finished sixth place in the entire National Hockey League, in large part to dominant play on home ice. L.A. finished 31-6-4 at home, which was the best record of any team in the NHL.
Although this season has been the complete opposite for the silver and black, the Kings must find a way to get back to their winning ways at home in order to save their season.
How Long Can Anton Forsberg Keep This Up For The Kings?Despite back-to-back standout performances under the crease, the Kings still trail 2-0, as their offensive struggles have wasted Anton Forsberg's elite goaltending. With that being said, it will be no easy task as the Kings are 2-8 in their last 10 games against the Avalanche at home. With that being said, one of those victories came last season in a 5-4 game on April 12th.
So just over one-year later, Anze Kopitar and the Kings have the chance to get another home win over a tremendous Avs team.
Hopefully the home ice advantage fuels the Kings offence and allows more than just Artemi Panarin to find the back of the net, as the Russian star has both of L.A.'s only two goals in this series.
The season could very well be on the line tonight at 10:00 PM ET as the Kings continue to try and break through and finally breakthrough against the Avalanche.
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Timberwolves vs. Nuggets – NBA Playoffs Game 3 predictions: Odds, stats, trends and best bets for April 23
What is the old phrase?...Familiarity breeds contempt? Yes, and tt certainly can be applied to the Western Conference series between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves. This is the third time in the last four years they are meeting in the playoffs. The latest iteration continues tonight with Game 3 of their Western Conference first round series.
Last postseason these teams entertained us with a thrilling seven-game series in the Western Conference Semis with Minnesota prevailing 4-3. The Timberwolves took Games 6 and 7 to advance to the conference finals. In 2023 Denver won in the Opening Round against Minnesota taking the best-of-seven series in five games, 4-1. Minnesota has won nine of their 17 playoff games overall against Denver.
Monday night saw the Nuggets blow an early 20-point lead at home and eventually lose to the Timberwolves, 119-114. Anthony Edwards poured in 30 points to leads Minnesota’s attack. Naz Reid added 27 and Julius Randle added 24 to help support the comeback. Nikola Jokic was just OK for Denver putting up what for him was a pedestrian stat line of 24 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists in the loss.
Game 3 more than likely comes down to how efficiently the Nuggets are on offense vs. Minnesota’s ability to shut down the perimeter defensively. Jamal Murray has done whatever he wants to this point. That needs to stop for Minnesota to win and grab the upper hand in this series.
Lets take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch Live: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets
- Date: Thursday, April 23, 2026
- Time: 9:30PM EST
- Site: Target Center
- City: Minneapolis, MN
- Network/Streaming: Prime Video
Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA 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!
Game Odds: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets
The latest odds as of Thursday courtesy of DraftKings:
- Moneyline: Minnesota Timberwolves (+114), Denver Nuggets (-135)
- Spread: Nuggets -2.5
- Total: 233.5 points
This game opened Nuggets -1.5 with the Game Total set at 231.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets
Minnesota Timberwolves
- PG Anthony Edwards
- SG Donte DiVincenzo
- C Rudy Gobert
- SF Julius Randle
- PF Jaden McDaniels
Denver Nuggets
- PG Jamal Murray
- SG Christian Braun
- SF Cam Johnson
- C Nikola Jokic
- PF Aaron Gordon
Injury Report: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets
Minnesota Timberwolves
- Anthony Edwards (knee) is listed as probable for tonight’s game
Denver Nuggets
- Aaron Gordon (calf) is probable for tonight’s game
- Peyton Watson (hamstring) has been declared OUT of tonight’s game
Important stats, trends and insights: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets
- The Timberwolves are 26-15 at home this season
- The Nuggets are 26-15 on the road this season
- The Nuggets are 45-39 ATS this season
- Minnesota is 38-46 ATS this season
- The OVER has cashed in 53 of the Nuggets’ 84 games this season (53-31)
- The OVER has cashed in 38 of the Timberwolves’ 84 games this season (38-46)
- Christian Braun is 3-6 from 3-point range in this series
- Cam Johnson is 3-13 from 3-point range in this series
- Donte DiVincenzo is 8-14 from 3-point range in this series
- Rudy Gobert is averaging 8.5 rebounds per game in this series
Rotoworld Best Bet
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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 tonight’s Timberwolves and Nuggets game:
- Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Timberwolves on the Moneyline
- Spread: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Timberwolves +2.5 ATS
- Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 233.5
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On This Day: Jets' Teemu Selanne Records First Playoff Hat Trick
On April 23, 1993, Teemu Selanne scored his first career playoff hat trick, a moment that reflected the explosive scoring ability he had already showcased during one of the most remarkable rookie seasons in NHL history.
Selanne’s arrival with the Winnipeg Jets in 1992–93 immediately changed the franchise. Nicknamed the “Finnish Flash,” he took the league by storm, scoring 76 goals and adding 56 assists for 132 points.
His 76 goals remain the NHL rookie record, surpassing marks set decades earlier and still standing as one of the most impressive single season achievements in hockey history. He also popularized his iconic goal celebration, pretending to shoot a glove into the air, which became one of the most recognizable celebrations of the era.
During his time in Winnipeg, Selanne was the centerpiece of the Jets’ offense. Between 1992 and 1996, he consistently produced at an elite level, forming a dynamic partnership with fellow Finnish star Teppo Numminen and giving the Jets a much needed offensive identity. Despite financial challenges and roster limitations, Selanne helped keep the team competitive and electrified fans with his speed and scoring touch.
After his Winnipeg years, Selanne went on to build a Hall of Fame career, most notably with the Anaheim Ducks. He became the face of the franchise and played a key role in their 2007 Stanley Cup.
Over his long career, he scored 684 goals and recorded 1,457 points, earning numerous accolades including the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year and multiple All-Star selections. Selanne was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2017, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest goal scorers in NHL history.
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Former Kentucky Wildcat Keldon Johnson named NBA Sixth Man of the Year
A former Kentucky Wildcat was awarded with the NBA’s 6th Man of the Year Award.
Keldon Johnson received the award after a season in which he averaged 13.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game for the San Antonio Spurs, while shooting just shy of 52 percent from the floor and about 36 percent from beyond the arc.
Johnson became the first Spur in franchise history to score at least 1,000 points off the bench in a season. His 1,081 points off the bench this season were the second-most in the NBA.
After becoming a starter early in his career with the Spurs, Johnson has flourished in his role coming off the bench in San Antonio, becoming a key piece for a Spurs team that won 62 games in the regular season and earned the 2-seed in the Western Conference.
Johnson beat out Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. for the award, earning 404 total points compared to 331 for Jaquez.
Johnson is the second former Wildcat to win the 6th Man award over the last few seasons, with Tyler Herro earning the award in 2022.
Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax wins Baseball Digest lifetime achievement award
NEW YORK — Sandy Koufax has won the sixth Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Baseball Digest.
The Hall of Fame pitcher was honored Thursday with an annual distinction that “recognizes a living individual whose career has been spent in or around Major League Baseball and who has demonstrated outstanding character and has made significant contributions to the game.”
Willie Mays won the inaugural award in 2021, followed by Vin Scully (2022), Joe Torre (2023), Dusty Baker (2024) and Bob Costas (2025).
“It’s a great honor to be recognized along with the previous award winners,” the 90-year-old Koufax said in a news release. “I thank the distinguished panel.”
Koufax made his major league debut for his hometown Brooklyn Dodgers in 1955, when they won the franchise’s first World Series championship. After the team moved to Los Angeles, he became one of baseball’s most dominant pitchers during the 1960s.
The left-hander won three Cy Young Awards, an MVP trophy and five consecutive National League ERA titles. He had three 25-win seasons, leading the majors each time, and made seven All-Star teams from 1961-66.
Koufax threw four no-hitters, including a perfect game, and was the World Series MVP twice, after leading the Dodgers to crowns in 1963 and ’65. He also was a member of Los Angeles’ championship squad in 1959.
After retiring at age 30 following the 1966 season because of traumatic arthritis in his pitching elbow, Koufax became the youngest player inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. Later that season, the Dodgers retired his uniform No. 32. He was named to MLB’s All-Century Team in 1999.
“The name Sandy Koufax has become a synonym for ‘great pitcher,’” Baseball Digest publisher David Fagley said. “It’s hard to believe it has been 60 years since he last pitched so brilliantly for the Dodgers but, since his retirement, Sandy has been a remarkable representative of our national game, a symbol of class and dignity.”
Koufax was selected to receive the award in voting by a 21-member panel of longtime MLB participants and observers, including writers, broadcasters, former players and executives.
Potential No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa officially declares for NBA draft
AJ Dybantsa, the projected No. 1 pick on most draft boards, is headed to the NBA.
Dybantsa made the expected official on Thursday, dropping a short on his YouTube channel saying he was declaring for the 2026 NBA Draft.
Dybantsa climbed to the top of most teams' draft boards after an impressive freshman season at BYU, averaging 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists per game, while shooting 51% from the field.
Two things moved him to the top of those boards. One is his ceiling, he is maybe the best athlete in the draft as a 6'9" wing player, the archetype most in demand around the NBA right now. What impresses scouts is that Dybantsa can do it all: He can get downhill, create separation to get his shot off, but also has shown to be a good, tough-shot maker. He has great footwork for a young player, and a comfort level shooting contested shots (which most shots in the NBA are).
AJ Dybantsa masterpiece
— Big 12 Studios (@big12studios) March 11, 2026
40 PTS | 9 REB | 6 AST | 3 STL
Highlights vs. Kansas State #Big12MBB | @BYUMBBpic.twitter.com/h0dimpfh46
The other thing that moved him to the top was his availability. Kansas' Darryn Peterson entered the season as the No. 1 pick for most teams, but injuries that had him in and out of the Jayhawks lineup — and leaving multiple games early — raised some concerns with teams. Peterson's medical reports from the NBA Draft Combine next month will have a big say in where he is drafted.
Whether Dybantsa or Peterson (or, maybe, Cameron Boozer) is taken with the top pick will come down to the NBA Draft Lottery next month — which team will land the top pick. While Dybantsa is on top of most teams' boards, there are still Peterson believers out there, and if the right team has the ping-pong balls favoring them — and Peterson's medical reports are clean and he has strong pre-draft workouts with teams — he could go first.
Either way, Dybantsa is going to go near the top of the draft and has a promising NBA future.
Players say MLB’s robot umpires are shrinking the strike zone
PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald knows that — in theory — Major League Baseball’s new Automated Ball-Strike system shouldn’t favor batters or pitchers.
In practice, he thinks one side has gained an advantage.
And it’s not the guys throwing the baseball.
“It’s what (MLB) wanted — people on base,” Sewald said. “Tough time to be a pitcher. Balls flying everywhere, you’ve got a smaller strike zone. But you just go out there and do the best you can.”
So ... is Sewald right? It depends on which numbers you want to use, but it sure seems like the strike zone has shrunk.
Walks have skyrocketed to near historic highs through the season’s first month. There’s no direct evidence ABS is the reason for the increase, but as D-backs catcher James McCann said: “Of course it is. What other rules have changed?”
MLB players have drawn a walk in 9.8% of plate appearances this season, which would be the highest rate since 1950. The rate is likely to come down as the season progresses — pitchers usually have more trouble finding the zone during widespread chilly conditions in northern cities during March and April.
But even adjusted for the time of year, walks have made a massive jump from last season.
Everyone knew the strike zone would change. MLB had to re-write its definition of the zone to accommodate the shift to robot umpires. The Official Baseball Rules long described a zone stretching from the midpoint of the hitter’s torso down to the “hollow beneath the kneecap.” The new zone is more precise. It starts at 27% of a batter’s standing height and stretches to 53.5%. The ABS zone is 17 inches wide, matching the width of home plate. All pitches are measured at the midpoint of the plate.
The spike in walks doesn’t tell the whole story about who is benefiting during the ABS era. MLB’s league-wide batting average is down slightly to .240, a few ticks below the .242 rate through last year’s games in March and April. That pokes a hole in Sewald’s claim that there are “balls flying everywhere.”
The difference in opinion is fascinating as MLB players digest the new rules and new data.
New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger isn’t putting too much stock in the early numbers. He said hitters and pitchers are always playing a cat-and-mouse game, and there will eventually be equilibrium.
“I think there’s always an adjustment to something new,” the 2019 National League MVP said. “It’s also such a short sample size. It’s (20-25) games into the season, so numbers skyrocket both ways early on.”
McCann’s not so sure. The veteran catcher said a smaller strike zone will inevitably lead to more walks.
“I think it’s tighter in general,” McCann said. “Umpires are getting instant feedback on what’s a strike or a ball and everything’s becoming much more uniform. That’s what the guys who had used it in the minor leagues told me was going to happen before the season started, and they were exactly right.”
Chicago Cubs star infielder Nico Hoerner had a slightly different take — arguing that hitters might be benefiting in the short-term by laying off pitches at the top of the strike zone — but that all adjustments have an expiration date.
“Getting on base has been emphasized for a long time,” Hoerner said. “Walking is incredibly valuable as a hitter. A lot of pitchers — their approach is to avoid slug at all cost. Sometimes that involves throwing less strikes. But I’m sure there will be a back and forth, just like every trend in baseball.”
If recent history is any indication, MLB rule changes can cause a lasting effect. There was a nearly 50% increase in stolen bases from 2022 to 2023 after a rules package introduced a pitch clock and limits on how many times a pitcher could make pickoff throws.
Stolen bases have remained high in the subsequent years — even after teams adjusted to the new rules.
And when MLB lowered the mound in 1969, the walk rate jumped from 7.6% to 9.1%. It dipped slightly after that but didn’t return below 8% again until 2013.
Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough believes the ABS issue is a different animal. He’s watching the trends and doesn’t believe the higher walk rate is here to stay.
Who knows? The next five months will tell the tale.
“I think that we’ll get to a point where it gets close and stabilizes to what it’s been, where relievers are walking around 10%. Starters are going to be more around 8%,” McCullough said. “My hypothesis sitting here now early in the year is that by the time the season ends, (walk rates) will look very much like they have, say the last several seasons.”
Victor Wembanyama will travel with the Spurs to Portland, but his status for Game 3 is not yet determined, coach says
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama will travel with the Spurs to Portland, but his status for Game 3 is not yet determined, coach says.
Vafaei calls Crucible snooker’s answer to Wimbledon after branding it ‘smelly’ in 2024
Iranian’s 10-3 win sets up match against world No 1 Trump
Former champion Neil Robertson beats Pang Janxu 10-6
Hossein Vafaei has claimed the Crucible must be respected and called it snooker’s answer to Wimbledon two years on from his scathing criticism of the world championship venue.
In 2024 the Iranian described the Crucible as “smelly” and compared the practice facilities to “like playing in a garage”. But after last month’s announcement that snooker’s showpiece will remain in Sheffield until at least 2045, Vafaei highlighted the importance of the Crucible to the sport.
Continue reading...Game 3 Preview: Avs take aim at 3-0 series lead in LA
The Colorado Avalanche have a chance to take a firm grasp on their first-round series against the team from the city of fallen angels.
Some would argue the Kings have been surprisingly good so far this series, but tonight they hope to walk away with something to show for their efforts.
The Avalanche won both games at home, but it took some doing, and the victories came on contributions from (mainly) the depth pieces of their lineup.
Is tonight the night the Avalanche stunts their star power, or will the LA Kings make good on an upset where the ocean meets the sand?
Colorado Avalanche: 2-0
The Opponent: Los Angeles Kings (0-2)
Time: 8:00 p.m. MT
Watch: Altitude, Altitude+, TNT
Listen: Altitude Sports Radio, 92.5 FM
Colorado Avalanche
A lot has been made of the Avalanche “playing the Kings game” in games one and two, but it should come as no surprise that this Avalanche team is committed to stout support and defensive structure.
The Avalanche is perfectly fine with playing low-scoring, tight-checking games. Nathan MacKinnon said so much after the game one victory, stating, “We pride ourselves on our defensive ability. I know that might surprise some people.”
Nonetheless, it’s possible to stay committed defensively and achieve more goals.
I have three keys to a Colorado Avalanche victory:
- Score first.
- Martin Necas must ‘shoot-first.’
- Stay out of the penalty box.
The sit-back-and-wait approach only works against the Avalanche when they don’t have a lead, especially in a game where LA should be more desperate than in games one and two.
Martin Necas’ pass to Gabe Landeskog on Colorado’s tying goal in game two was a thing of beauty, but I want him to log a minimum of 3 SOG in the first period.
He has turned down too many great looks, given his shooting ability.
The Avalanche have a large share of the expected goals in this series, and that advantage is amplified in 5-on-5 situations.
LA has two goals in the series, both from Artemi Panarin and both on the power play.
Stay out of the box, and LA might stay off the scoresheet.
Projected Lineup:
Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Martin Necas
Parker Kelly — Brock Nelson — Valeri Nichushkin
Gabriel Landeskog — Nazem Kadri — Nicolas Roy
Joel Kiviranta — Jack Drury — Logan O’Connor
Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Brent Burns — Josh Manson
Brett Kulak — Sam Malinski
Scott Wedgewood
MacKenzie Blackwood
Note: We still haven’t seen Ross Colton, and given the unbeaten streak, I doubt we do tonight unless someone got banged up beyond our knowledge.
Los Angeles Kings
Apparently, LA should be happy with the first two games of the series despite not winning either.
D.J. Smith asked the media if “they can expect to keep winning games only scoring one goal?” after the 2-1 loss in game one.
A couple of days later, another 2-1 resulting in a loss, this time in OT and after blowing a late third period lead.
They are on pace to score seven goals all series if the series goes on that long.
I think behind closed doors, LA is likely less satisfied than they lead on in pressers.
Counting on Anton Forsberg to save the day time and time again is bound to break down at some point.
Here are three keys to victory for the Kings:
- Keep it close.
- Score at least 2 goals.
- Get to Wedgewood.
The Kings have satisfied key number one in both games this series, but haven’t secured number two.
If they had, we’d be having a much different conversation ahead of game three.
Both goalies have arguably been the best players on their sides, and if LA wants to win this game or a series, they will have to humanize Scott Wedgewood, who is on fire to start the playoffs.
Projected Lineup:
Artemi Panarin — Anze Kopitar — Adrian Kempe
Trevor Moore — Quinton Byfield — Alex Laferriere
Joel Armia — Scott Laughton — Jared Wright
Mathieu Joseph — Samuel Helenius — Jeff Malott
Mikey Anderson — Drew Doughty
Joel Edmundson — Brandt Clarke
Brian Dumoulin — Cody Ceci
Anton Forsberg
Darcy Kuemper
White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami ties MLB rookie record with HR in 5th straight game
PHOENIX — Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami tied a Major League Baseball rookie record by homering in his fifth straight game, crushing a 451-foot shot to right-center field against the Arizona Diamondbacks for his 10th homer of the season.
“I’ve run out of things to say,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “Obviously, he continues to put himself in a really good spot to take good swings on good pitches. He’s making great swing decisions, making a ton of contact and when he hits it, he hits it really hard.”
He added: “Even the singles he’s hitting are hard. The damage is incredible and it’s impressive to watch.”
He is the 13th rookie in big-league history to go deep in five straight, according to MLB.com. The Japanese first baseman also tied the team’s franchise record, a mark shared by A.J. Pierzynski (2012), Paul Konerko (2011), Carlos Lee (2003), Frank Thomas (twice in 1994), Ron Kittle (1983) and Greg Luzinski (1983).
Murakami’s two-run homer came off Diamondbacks reliever Ryan Thompson in the seventh, cutting Arizona’s lead to 10-7. His 10 homers are second in the big leagues behind Houston’s Yordan Alvarez, who has 11.
Murakami’s 10 homers, eight coming on the road, are the most in MLB history by a Japanese-born player in his first 24 career games.
4 Predators Players Dealt At Trade Deadline Having Very Different Playoff Experiences
Nearly two months ago, four of the Nashville Predators' depth pieces were dealt off at the NHL trade deadline for little to nothing.
Michael McCarron (Minnesota), Michael Bunting (Dallas), Cole Smith (Vegas) and Nick Blankenburg (Colorado) were all traded in March for a collective four draft picks and defenseman Christoffer Sedoff.
While Nashville narrowly missed the playoffs, all four players who were traded are part of squads playing in the postseason.
However, not all playoff teams are created equal.
McCarron, who was acquired for his size and presence in the bottom six, has been a massive piece to the Wild's playoff plan. He has averaged 15:24 minutes of ice time over three games and scored his first career playoff goal in Game 3 on Wednesday.
one word to describe this goal, go: pic.twitter.com/Spkoc2odSo
— x - Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) April 23, 2026
Smith has had a similar experience in Vegas, averaging 11:07 minutes of ice time over two games and recording his first career playoff point, via a primary assist on a Colton Sissions goal, in Game 2.
Their impact on their new teams is almost expected, as it's identical to what it was in Nashville. Both are giving their new teams a boost in the bottom six and are built for a more aggressive and intense pace in the playoffs.
The pair may have earned themselves extensions as both will be unrestricted free agents this summer. McCarron is wrapping up a 2-year, $1.8 million contract and Smith is at the end of a 2-year, $2 million contract.
The same cannot be said for the other two.
At the end of March, Bunting suffered an upper-body injury, missing six straight games before playing the Stars' final two games of the regular season. Despite his return, Bunting has been scratched for all three of Dallas' playoff games.
In Nashville, Bunting was a major boost on the third line, recording 31 points in 61 games. His production has slowed immensely since joining the Stars, logging just two points in 13 games.
Blankenburg has been in a similar position, scratched from Games 1 and 2 of the Colorado Avalanche's series against the Los Angeles Kings.
He played in 12 of Colorado's 18 remaining regular-season games, healthy-scratched in six games. Logging 21 points in 49 games with the Predators this season, Blankenburg has just three points in 12 games.
It's likely the pair will be going into the free agency market this summer. Bunting is at the end of a 3-year, $13.5 million contract and Blankenburg is finishing a 2-year, $1.55 million contract.
Phillies release Taijuan Walker, per reports
The Philadelphia Phillies have released starting pitcher Taijuan Walker, per multiple reports.
In the 2022-23 offseason, the Phillies signed Walker to a four year, $72 million deal that even at the time looked…aggressive. Fangraphs, in their free agent projections for that offseason, had Walker at around 3 years, $42 million. Dave Dombrowski has a history of being willing to overpay, whether in prospects or dollars, for a player he wants, and he apparently really wanted Walker, who had just put up a 3.49 ERA in 29 starts for the New York Mets in 2022.
Walker’s ability had long been tantalizing — a supplemental first round pick of the Seattle Mariners in 2010*, he was a top 10-20 prospect each year from 2012-14, and made his debut in his age 20 season for Seattle in 2013. He struggled to turn promise into results, however, and was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks after the 2016 season, along with Ketel Marte, in a five player deal that saw Mitch Haniger, Jean Segura and Zac Curtis go the M’s.
* Walker was selected one pick before the Tigers took Nick Castellanos, two picks before the Rangers picked Luke Jackson, and six picks before the Rangers picked Mike Olt.
A solid 2017 season was followed by a two year stretch where he appeared in just four major league games due to Tommy John surgery. Walker signed a one year deal to return to Seattle for the 2020 season, was traded to Toronto at the deadline, and his 2.70 ERA in 11 starts was enough to garner a two year deal from the Mets. Walker was not good in 2021, but his solid 2022 season meant he hit the market as one of the attractive mid-level free agent starters on the market.
The Phillies got a middling season from Walker in 2023, as he put up a 4.38 ERA and 4.53 FIP in 172 innings over 31 starts (though B-R credits him with a 2.6 bWAR season, largely due to the porous defense behind him). Walker put up a 7.10 ERA in fifteen starts and four relief appearances in 2024, then a 4.08 ERA in 2025, when he was dropped from the rotation in August. This season, in four starts and, in his most recent appearance, a pseudo-start where the Phillies used an opener, Walker has a 9.13 ERA and 7.82 FIP, and has allowed the most earned runs in the majors.
Walker is just 33, and so I imagine he’ll have an opportunity to sign a minor league deal with a club and try to get his career back on track in AAA. Whether he pitches in the majors again, though, remains to be seen.