MIAMI, FL - MAY 19: Atlanta Braves shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (7) runs to first base during a game between the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves on May 19, 2026 at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.(Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
After a couple of feel-good wins in Miami, the Braves can take the four-game set with another victory on Thursday night. Ha-Seong Kim returns to the lineup, and Chadwick Tromp will make his first start of the year as the Braves take aim at Sandy Alcantara.
For the Marlins, it’s mostly a familiar set of faces at this point. Owen Caissie is still in the lineup after getting shaken up on Dominic Smith’s “triple” last night, so that’s good to see. This lineup is somewhat similar to the one the Marlins used when clobbering the Braves on Monday, though it features Christopher Morel over Connor Norby at first base, and has Caissie dropped down to seventh.
For both the Marlins (44 batting orders in 50 games coming into this one) and the Braves (37 in 50), this will be a novel lineup.
Only the first five guys in Miami’s order have ever faced Spencer Strider, and all have either two or three PAs against him. The combined line is a .212 wOBA and .287 xwOBA in 14 PAs, with all the good stuff coming from Xavier Edwards and Otto Lopez, and everyone else not having anything positive to speak of yet.
For the Braves, it’s a completely different story given Alcantara’s durability and tenure. Everyone but Tromp has faced him at least once, with the head-to-head matchups ranging from 16 (Kim) to 51 (Ozzie Albies). It’s definitely kind of a mixed bag of performances, led by Ronald Acuña Jr. and Michael Harris, without a lot of other positives (though at least Albies has good results). Collectively, it’s a whopping 243 career PAs between this octet and Alcantara, with a collective .317 wOBA (eh) but a .281 xwOBA (bleh).
Blisters might not seem like much from the outside, and to be clear those have a much better prognosis than, say, forearm or tricep soreness. That said, Edward Cabrera’s latest injury is a frustrating reminder that even something as small as a blister can have a big impact on a rotation held together with tape and prayers. One pitch into the fourth inning on Wednesday night at Wrigley Field, Edward Cabrera’s start was over, and more questions about the Cubs depleted pitching ranks are sure to follow.
A blister. On his right middle finger. Again.
Cabrera has a documented history of blister issues, including a spring training blister in 2025 that cost him the first two turns through the Marlins rotation last season. The Cubs knew this was part of the package when they traded for Cabrera in January.
Blisters are relatively minor issues. They’re not rotator cuffs. They’re not UCLs. They usually don’t require surgery or six-to-18 month timelines. However, for a pitcher, the blister is the exact point of contact between a finger and a baseball. It’s in a location that determines any number of things like spin rate, grip, and command. A blister on a pitcher’s middle finger, especially a pitcher like Cabrera, fundamentally alters the ability to execute pitches.
“It’s something that he’s dealt with a little bit,” Counsell said. “It just got worse tonight — to the point where it was clearly affecting his command, as much as anything. We tried to do something after the third inning and it just didn’t work. You could tell. The first pitch could have told you he wasn’t going to be able to continue.”
Wednesday’s start against the Brewers was not Cabrera’s finest outing this season. He threw 3.0 innings giving up four runs (only one earned) on four hits while walking and striking out two batters. It’s possible something was off even before Cabrera left the game. He was talking with pitching coach Tommy Hottovy and the training staff in the bottom of the third, retreating to the dugout and then heading back out, which confirms that the Cubs were working on the issue before Cabrera left the game.
The glass half full read here is that Cabrera sounds confident about making his next start. Blisters can heal faster than structural injuries, and Cabrera has navigated this before.
However, the glass-half-empty read is that nothing feels good about the state of the Cubs rotation right now. Cade Horton is gone for the season following elbow surgery. Justin Steele suffered setback in his return from elbow surgery. Matthew Boyd is working his way back from knee surgery. Colin Rea and Ben Brown are already in the rotation, and if Cabrera were to miss any meaningful time the Cubs would need to look to Javier Assad or perhaps Doug Nikhazy, who the Cubs claimed off waivers from the White Sox in April, to make starts in the interim.
Blisters aren’t elbows. But on a rotation this depleted, even a minor detour feels like a five-alarm fire. The Cubs need Cabrera to be healthy and make as many starts as possible this season. That probably means taking the time to ensure this blister issue is dealt with in a way that won’t return later in the season.
They also need the baseball gods to stop testing them, just for a little while.
May 9, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (48) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
The Yankees initially decided to bring in Paul Goldschmidt ahead of the 2025 campaign to be their first baseman. Throughout the first couple months, the signing was a coup, as he hit a scalding .338/.394/.495 with a 148 wRC+. Plenty of folks in the Yankees’ orbit thought that he had found the Fountain of Youth. Come June, the worm turned, and it got ugly. Goldschmidt hit just .226/.277/.333 with a 69 wRC+ from that point on, ceding time at first to the emerging Ben Rice after manager Aaron Boone had to concede that the veteran was no longer an everyday bat.
Then, New York opted to bring back Goldschmidt for 2026, but this time, he came with a manual: Don’t play him absolutely every day, generally stick to southpaws, and the 38-year-old might actually remain a useful player all year. It’s obviously too early to tell whether that strategy will actually work, since it’s May, but the early returns are promising. The former MVP is enjoying an amazing start to the season.
As of now, Goldschmidt is slashing an excellent .284/.391/.581 with five home runs and a 172 wRC+ in 87 plate appearances. The sample is still very small, yes, but Goldy is absolutely locked in. He is even hitting holding his own against righties with a 93 wRC+ (compared to 74 last year), in addition to absolutely murdering lefties (231 wRC+).
Goldschmidt didn’t overhaul his swing or mechanics, but he is showing some elite underlying stats that suggest he can remain a productive offensive player for the Yankees as long as he is being used properly. His .631 expected slugging percentage is actually higher than his .581 SLG, and his xwOBA is a cool .448, even better than his .422 wOBA. His 19.3-percent barrel rate would actually be among the very best in the league if he were a qualified hitter.
Part of his success this year can be explained by the fact that Goldschmidt is swinging more often, particularly at the first pitch. His career first-pitch swing rate is 25.6 percent, and entering yesterday, it was at 38.6 this year, which would be a career-high. His swing percentage has gone from 47.8 percent last year (and 43 percent in his career as a whole) to 49.2 percent in 2026 through the start of play of Wednesday.
The extra aggressiveness has resulted in some loud and productive contact. Remember, some of the best pitches to hit are often the first few ones in an at-bat. Twice in the past couple weeks, the Yankees started him at leadoff against a southpaw, and he took the first pitch of the ballgame out, first against Baltimore’s Trevor Rogers and then off Toronto’s Patrick Corbin.
Additionally, a whopping 22.6 percent of Goldschmidt’s batted balls have been pulled in the air, by far a career-best and significantly higher than his 16.6 percent mark over his entire MLB tenure. It’s not a secret that pulling the ball in the air is directly correlated with power production, especially coupled with an elite 56.6 percent hard-hit rate. Now, will these trends last all of 2026? Probably not, but they’re more encouraging signals of future success than the out-of-character .382 BABIP that powered his sensational start to 2025.
More importantly, with Rice blossoming into a truly elite hitter and multiple All-Star-caliber outfielders, the Yankees can afford to keep Goldschmidt fresh while also giving him relevant playing time. It seems like the perfect formula to try and get the best out of him for the entire season. They might have to use him a little more in certain situations—like amid the current crunch with Giancarlo Stanton and Jasson Domínguez out while Trent Grisham also nurses a leg injury—but for the most part, they should be able to be selective. The man has played more games than anyone in baseball since the start of 2012 and could use the extra time off his feet.
At this moment in time, Goldschmidt deserves a lot of credit for being a key component of the Yankees’ offense. A 172 wRC+ approaching his 39th birthday in September is nothing to sneeze at, and while 83 plate appearances aren’t a whole lot, they are definitely not insignificant.
For whatever it’s worth—more so I suppose to roster construction under Hal Steinbrenner’s balance sheet than anyone else—the Yankees are getting considerable value for their buck, as Goldschmidt is playing on a $4 million salary in 2026. It’s not even June, and the veteran infielder has already been worth $8 million this year, according to FanGraphs. It’s not an exact science, but it’s already a good deal.
Again, Goldschmidt’s biggest challenge will be maintaining this production over the course of the entire year, or at least something close to this level. He is one of the most durable major leaguers in recent history, a pro’s pro with an impeccable work ethic and a desire to remain at the top, so he definitely has a chance to be a key contributor at very least.
May 21, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft (35) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Game Summary
The Pirates re-asserted themselves today to take the game and series from St. Louis, somewhat returning the favor from the Cardinals recent visit to Pittsburgh. The Pirates took no quarter, outscoring the Cardinals 13-2 in the final two games of the set.
Dustin May and Braxton Ashcroft lead out in an early pitcher’s duel. Lowe and Herrera solo homeruns were the only early fireworks. May runs out of gas in the 6th and the deficit had built to 4-1 by the time Oli could get him out. The teams exchange late inning runs that do not alter the direction of the game. On the Pirate side, Ashcraft absolutely throttled the Cardinal offense, limiting them to 4 hits over 7 innings, with 9 K. Final score 6-2.
Pre-game notes
The standard line-up with Pages catching and RHP on the mound, except Church is a late scratch, replaced by Fermin
May on the mound for the Cardinals. Ashcraft for the Pirates.
Recent articles decry the Cardinals loss of power. I think I’m more concerned about sinking OBP.
An early HR sets the tone
Brandon Lowe hits an oppo taco, right off the base of the foul pole. Seems like the shortest homerun distance possible in Busch Stadium. Ruled out-of-the-park by the umpires, could also have been an inside-the-park homerun as ruled by the Official Scorer. TBD. Otherwise, Dustin May started out sharp, with several early K’s and very under control pitch count. He benefits from the Pirates get-away day offensive approach, too.
On the Cardinals side, the offensive swoon continues, aided by a sharp Braxton Ashcraft, who matches May’s sharpness. It is, of course, a day game, which seems to enhance the offensive doldrums for this team.
The middle innings mostly quiet for both teams
In the third, Herrera provides very brief respite from his extended slump with a well-struck solo HR, tying the game 1-1. The Pirates small ball a run in the 4th to retake the lead. Single. Force-out. Stolen base. Single and another force out results in a run. The Cardinals are having a hard time keeping Griffin off base, although most of his batted balls have not left the infield this series.
The Pirates extend the lead
May seems to hit a wall in the 6th inning at around 80 pitches. Starting (as it so often does) with a walk. Followed by a Griffin double, then a two-run single by Ozuna, then another single by Mangum. May’s day is done. 4 runs in 5.1 IP. Graceffo again throws 1 pitch, gets a GIDP to end the uprising. Echoes of Seth Maness.
Bruihl gets tagged for a first pitch HR by slugger Henry Davis as he takes over in the 7th. That was a sign of things to come, as Cruz follows with a double, Lowe singles, and (who else?) Reynolds drives him in, extending the lead to 6-1. Svanson replaced Bruihl, and like Graceffo, threw one pitch to get out of the inning. Svanson worked the 8th uneventfully as well.
The bitter end
The Cardinals string a couple hits together in the 8th to cut the deficit on an RBI single by Jordan Walker but can’t extend the rally beyond.
Pushard closes down the 9th, but the Cardinals can’t muster any late inning heroics against Mason Montgomer, and fall 6-2.
Post-Game Notes
Check out Today on the Farm – Thursday 5/21 for updates on MiLB action. More news on Nootbaar there.
One thing is for certain. The Pirates can pitch.
In this series, the Cardinals had a heckuva time with the bottom of the Pirates order. Those guys got 14 hits the last two games of this series, providing most of their spark.
The Pirates choices on ASB challenges were interesting. They seemed to want to challenge early and often, resulting in them not having remaining challenges late in games. The early challenges were often low leverage (early in counts, no runners on), and most did not involve their catchers (and often unsuccessful). Surprised they haven’t cleaned that up. I see that as a reflection on the manager. Does he dismiss the value of ASB challenges? Is he not providing strategic direction to the players?
One of the things I question … Pages is clearly physically compromised. I don’t know why they insist on having guys play through injury, especially when there are viable alternatives.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 21: Patrick Bailey #16 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates his eighth inning solo home run with teammates while playing the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on May 21, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
OUR STARTING ROTATION CANNOT BE STOPPED! GUARDIANS WIN 3-1 TO COMPLETE THE FOUR-GAME SERIES (A MOP)!
PATRICK BAILEY IS A CHALLENGE SAVANT!
HE ALSO HIT A HOME RUN WHICH IS WILD!
ROCCHIO, SCHNEEMANN AND JOSE TOUCHED MIZE, LOOK AT GOD
HERRIN SCARES ME BUT THE REST OF THE BULLPEN B GROUP WAS GREAT TODAY!
THAT’S HOW TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A BANGED UP DETROIT TEAM! THREE MORE WINS TO TAKE THE SEASON SERIES!
HAMILTON, Ontario (AP) — The name of the New York Islanders’ American Hockey League affiliate is the Hamilton Hammers after the club was relocated to the Canadian city from Bridgeport, Connecticut.
The Islanders unveiled the Hammers moniker and logo at a news conference in Hamilton on Thursday and said it was a tribute to the city’s steelmaking industry. The team is set to play in the recently renovated TD Coliseum.
“We look forward to building on the progression and foundation established this past season in the AHL and bringing that momentum to Hamilton,” Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche said. “The Hamilton Hammers will embody the city’s hard-working spirit — built on heart, work ethic and a community identity that never backs down."
Bridgeport made the playoffs this past season in Rocky Thompson's first year as coach. Prospects such as recent first-round picks Cole Eiserman, Victor Eklund and Kashawn Aitcheson could all be playing for Hamilton in 2026-27.
The Islanders had their top minor league affiliate in Bridgeport for the previous 25 years.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Casey Mize (12), left, talks to catcher Dillon Dingler (13) after throwing against Cleveland Guardians during the fifth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, May 21, 2026. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The fourth game of the Tigers’ miserable series against the Guardians kicked off this afternoon and the best thing I can say about this series is that it’s almost over. The other positive was that Casey Mize was on the mound for the Tigers, up against Joey Cantillo for the Guardians. The Tigers learned a harsh lesson in this series that a one-run lead is not enough to get the job done, so they’d be hunting for runs today, but that hunt has been going on all season, so we shall see.
Mize started the game strong, looking sharp as he got Cleveland out in order. The Tigers made a valiant effort to score early in the first, with a one-out single from Kevin McGonigle, followed by a double from Dillon Dingler. Then, with two outs, Jahmai Jones walked to load the bases, but the RISP curse runs deepn with this team and they were all left stranded.
In the second, Mize carried the weight of the club, once again getting the Guardians out in order. In the home half, Zack Short got a one-out single, but the Tigers weren’t able to bring him home.
The lack of runs on the Tigers’ part came back to bite them early. With two outs, Brayan Rocchio doubled, and right behind him, Daniel Schneeman doubled as well, bringing in the first run of the game. A Jose Ramirez single then brought Schneeman in. Mize was able to cut it off at two. In the bottom of the inning, McGonigle got a leadoff walk, but three outs followed.
In the fourth, the Guardians went 1-2-3. Unfortunately, in the bottom of the inning, so did the Tigers.
With two outs in the fifth, Rocchio struck again with another double. He was left stranded, though, thanks to some really quality pitching today from Mize. In the bottom of the inning, Matt Vierling got a one-out walk, but he would be the only Tigers baserunner for the inning.
Mize continued to grind in the sixth, getting the Guardians out in order, and man it’s so nice to see a healthy Casey Mize doing his thing. In the home half, Cantillo was done after two outs, being replaced by Matt Festa who came in and gave up a single to Spencer Torkelson. The Tigers didn’t manage to take advantage of it, though, and left the inning scoreless.
After two outs in the seventh, Mize was done, replaced by Burch Smith. Mize’s great outing, marred only by the two runs early on, had a final line of 6.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, o BB, 4 K on 95 pitches. Would love to see this Mize more, and with run support. Smith got the final out of the inning. The Guardians dipped back into their pen as well, for Shawn Armstrong. A pinch-hitting Colt Keith came in and took a leadoff walk. Armstrong faced the minimum before being replaced by Tim Herrin who got the final out of the inning.
Patrick Bailey opened the eighth inning with a solo home run, his first with the Guardians this season. Rocchio then singled, having himself a really strong game. Schneeman then walked. Smith was replaced by Enmanuel De Jesus. With two outs, Rocchio stole third, but the Guardians weren’t able to add to their lead. The Tigers, however, decided to finally get something going in the home half, as Dillon Dingler started the inning with a solo home run. With one out, Cleveland dipped back into their bullpen for Codi Heuer, who got the final two outs of the inning.
The Guardians went down in order in the top of the ninth. The Tigers needed a comeback and they’d have to do it against Hunter Gaddis. After two outs, Zach McKinstry singled into right to keep the inning alive, but it wasn’t enough to get a win, and the Tigers were swept in the four-game series against their divison rivals.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has consistently found success against New York Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodón, and I’m backing the Toronto Blue Jays slugger to come through at the plate again tonight.
Read on to see why with my Blue Jays vs. Yankees predictions and MLB Picks tonight.
Blue Jays vs Yankees predictions
Blue Jays vs Yankees best bet: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Over 1.5 total bases (+130)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has a hit in three of his last four games, and a matchup against Carlos Rodon should give him confidence to stay consistent in the batter's box tonight.
He’s 11-for-18 with five extra-base hits and a 1.807 OPS against Rodon with five additional walks.
Furthermore, Rodon has had a tough start this season with a 5.63 ERA, allowing five runs in just eight innings of work.
The Yankees veteran is also throwing his four-seamer at a 40% rate, which plays into Vladdy’s strengths, who owns a .333 average and a .500 slug against the pitch.
Dalton Varsho is riding a five-game hit streak with 10 total in that stretch. He’s also 3-for-8 with a .944 career OPS against Rodon. I’ll add Varsho to go Over 0.5 hits tonight.
Rodon is still trying to find his footing after missing the first six weeks of the season. He’s winless with a 5.63 ERA, allowing 2+ runs per start. He also owns a career 4.72 ERA against Toronto, allowing an .836 opponent OPS. I think the Jays find a way to put up runs tonight and take Over 1.5 earned runs for Rodon.
Blue Jays vs Yankees SGP
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Over 1.5 total bases
Daulton Varsho Over 0.5 hits
Carlos Rodon Over 1.5 earned runs
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Blue Jays vs Yankees home run pick: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (+475)
This will be a half-unit wager as Rodon doesn’t allow hard contact and has yet to allow a homer through two outings this season.
However, Guerrero has had Rodon’s number throughout his career with a pair of homers and five total extra-base hits in 18 plate appearances, posting a 1.807 OPS against him.
2026 Transparency record
Best bets: 22-26, -0.55 units
SGPs: 3-39, -2.4 units
HR picks: 8-4, +3.15 units
Blue Jays vs Yankees odds
Moneyline: Toronto +125 | New York -145
Run line: Toronto +1.5 (-160) | New York -1.5 (+140)
Over/Under: Over 8 (-120) | Under 8 (+100)
Blue Jays vs Yankees trend
The Blue Jays have stayed Under their team total in 16 of their last 24 road games for +7.40 units and a 24% ROI. Find more MLB betting trends for Blue Jays vs. Yankees.
How to watch Blue Jays vs Yankees and game info
Location
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Date
Thursday, May 21, 2026
First pitch
7:05 p.m. ET
TV
SN1, YES
Blue Jays starting pitcher
Braydon Fisher (2-1, 3.08 ERA)
Yankees starting pitcher
Carlos Rodon (0-1, 5.63 ERA)
Blue Jays vs Yankees latest injuries
Blue Jays vs Yankees weather
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It would be hard for Jalen Brunson to have an even more productive Game 2 after his Game 1 heroics, but the New York Knicks would probably be quite glad if he did not take three quarters to find his rhythm.
Jalen Brunson best bet: Over 6.5 assists (+105 at bet365)
This price has hardly changed from Game 1, +110 then. This prop at 6.5 has not changed from Game 1, when Jalen Brunson managed six assists.
“Managed” is an intentional verb choice. Brunson reaching six assists despite the New York Knicks’ wretched shooting should be praised.
Remove Brunson’s 15-for-29, and New York shot 27-for-59 from the field, 45.8%. It's a wonder he notched six assists.
If the Knicks had not been absolute garbage outside of Brunson, a seventh assist would have been likely.
Chalk up some of that shooting to rust thanks to sweeping the 76ers, and chalk up some of it to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ defense, but do not expect it to be so atrocious again tonight.
Jalen Brunson same-game parlay
Brunson did not play particularly well in Tuesday’s first three quarters, either. He was 7-for-20 from the field, including 0-for-5 from beyond the arc, but when he stopped taking such a chunk of his shots from deep, Brunson found holes in this Cavaliers defense.
He proceeded to go 8-for-11 from the field in overtime and the fourth quarter, hitting the only 3-pointer he took. In those same 15 minutes from Brunson in 17 minutes of game action, he found four of his six assists.
It took a while, but Brunson found the way to carve up Cleveland. Drive and finish or drive and kick.
Presumably, the Cavaliers will not leave James Harden so exposed against Brunson, thus cutting down on Brunson’s total points output, but that should only leave other Knicks open.
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Let’s be so honest – would you even believe the Atlanta Braves had the best record in baseball if you’d been told that both Sean Murphy and reigning NL Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin were on the IL at the same time?
For eight glorious days we had our elite catching tandem, arguably the best in the league. And now, as respectfully as I can say it, we are rocking with Sandy León and Chadwick Tromp.
The next-man-up mentality and depth has been very important to AA and the Braves, particularly this season. It’s been tested a fair bit and we haven’t even flipped the calendar to June.
To replenish the catching options in Triple-A, the Braves have claimed Maverick Handley off of waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. He’s been up with the O’s twice this season and his singular PA this season came on May 16 versus the Nationals before he was DFA’d on May 19. In the 2025 season in which he debuted, he had 41 ABs in 16 games, slashing .073/.133/ 0.73.
The corresponding move is Hurston Waldrep (loose bodies) moving to the 60-day IL. Last we heard, he had begun throwing bullpens in Florida, but no timetable on rehab. They were targeting June for game action but it’s looking things are still on track for #64 and his road back to the Braves.
Nothing changes in terms of Waldrep’s progression. The move was described as procedural by the club, as the Braves needed a 40-man roster spot to add Maverick Handley. https://t.co/reGZgeGpzT
WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - MAY 19, 2026: James Wood #29 of the Washington Nationals runs between third base and home plate on an inside-the-park grand slam during the second inning of a game against the New York Mets at Nationals Park on May 19, 2026 in Washington, District of Columbia. The Nationals beat the Mets, 9-6. (Photo by Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
These Nats just continue to score runs in bunches. Last night, they put 8 on the board in a comfortable win over the Mets. Offensive performances like the one from last night just seem to be par for the course right now. Hopefully they can keep it up with a chance to get over .500 today.
The Nats have the same lineup as last night. However, there is one position tweak. Daylen Lile and James Wood are switching spots. Wood will be out in left field, while Lile will be the DH. Otherwise, it is exactly the same as last night, which is a rare occurrence under Blake Butera. Cade Cavalli will take the ball, and he is coming off a strong outing against the O’s.
The Mets are making a couple changes to their lineup. Luis Torrens will be back behind the plate, replacing Hayden Senger. MJ Melendez is the DH again, but he is moving down to the 8 hole. Besides that, it is mostly the same faces as we have seen the past few days. David Peterson has been pitching behind an opener a lot lately, but today he will get the ball from the start.
There could be some rain in the area, but hopefully it stays away until the game is over. This is a big chance for the Nats to make a statement to finish off a successful home stand. The offense is raking and this team has been so much fun to watch. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!
Belgian ‘always planned’ late attack that sealed stage 12
Jonas Vingegaard now 33 seconds off the pink jersey
Alec Segaert stole a march to win stage 12 of the Giro d’Italia on Thursday and his Bahrain Victorious teammate Afonso Eulálio snatched bonus seconds in the intermediate sprint to extend his overall lead.
The 175-km ride from Imperia to Novi Ligure looked to be headed for a sprint finish before the Belgian rider Segaert made his telling move 3km from the line and held off the chasing pack to take the win on his Giro debut.
The Philadelphia Flyers will have to think outside of the box this offseason if they want to make the big splash they have been advertising and add more firepower in the form of a top-six center.
By their own admission, the 2026 free agent class is devoid of any high-end talent, as studs like Jack Eichel, Kirill Kaprizov, and Artemi Panarin all signing contract extensions with their respective clubs.
That leads the Flyers to two roads, both of which can be dangerous if not navigated with care.
On one hand, the Flyers can leverage the mounds of cash they have available thanks to the salary cap increase and make a play for one of the top restricted free agents.
The problem, though, is that it would take a ludicrous offer sheet to get a center like Adam Fantilli or Leo Carlsson without Columbus and Anaheim, respectively, matching that offer sheet.
And, not to mention, Fantilli is yet to have a 60-point NHL season, and an unmatchable offer sheet from the Flyers' side would cost north of $12 million annually as well as four first-round picks as compensation.
So, the only other option for the Flyers is to consult the trade market, assuming they aren't willing to throw the kitchen sink at someone like Fantilli.
The Flyers' most obvious trade target, and one that is subject to great controversy online, is Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson, who played under Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet for parts of three seasons.
Pettersson, 27, is a smooth, creative two-way forward who was, up until very recently, regarded as one of the best centers in the NHL.
The 2017 No. 5 overall pick erupted for 102 points in 80 games under Tocchet and Bruce Boudreau in 2022-23, then followed that up with an 89-point effort in his first full season under Tocchet in 2023-24.
Of course, Pettersson has managed just 30 goals and 96 points in his last two seasons combined, and it's worth noting the level of disarray that has plagued the Canucks organization in those last two seasons.
The other detractor for Pettersson is his staggering $11.6 million cap hit and full no-move clause, which severely limits the number of suitors for him on top of having complete say over his next destination.
At this point, the Canucks, who will now have a new GM and a new head coach heading into 2026-27, should lean into a full rebuild.
It remains to be seen whether or not the Flyers, Tocchet, and Pettersson all have interest in a reunion, but on paper, it makes sense, and there is a history of some success to fall back on.
No. 1 centers don't go on trees, and Pettersson may be the best shot at one for the Flyers. For all parties involved, a resolution might be the best path forward.
(Photo: Kiyoshi Mio, Imagn Images)
A far less appealing option, but still an option nonetheless, is Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish, who appears to have completely fallen out of favor under new head coach Joel Quenneville, mimicking the career path of former teammate and current Flyers star Trevor Zegras.
McTavish, 23, just finished the first year of a six-year, $42 million extension that comes with an annual cap hit of $7 million, but GM Pat Verbeek and the Ducks paid all that out for a meager 41 points this past season.
The Ducks have Leo Carlsson in need of a massive new payday, and they have 2025 first-round pick Roger McQueen on the way, too.
McTavish won't come without his warts; he's four seasons into his NHL career with just one 20-goal, 50-point campaign and isn't a great skater.
Still, the Ducks could flip him to add more talent elsewhere and recoup some assets, whereas the Flyers would be betting on the potential that made McTavish the No. 3 pick in 2021, just as they did Zegras a year ago.
(Photo: Steven Bisig, Imagn Images)
Last but certainly not least, and sticking with the underperforming theme here, is Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers.
The Kraken are not exactly the Vegas Golden Knights in terms of taking an expansion team and becoming an instant contender, and with most of their defense and winger groups rapidly ageing, they may as well start from scratch.
Beniers, 23, has played a role in that, too, with career-highs of 24 goals and 57 points through the first four years of his NHL career.
The 2021 No. 2 overall pick will turn 24 in November and is already heading into Year 3 of the seven-year, $50 million extension he signed with the Kraken on Aug. 20, 2024.
Beniers will be an unrestricted free agent as a 28-year-old in 2031 and is already making $7.142 million against the cap.
The former Michigan ace is a detail-oriented playmaker who does his best work in his own end of the ice. Beniers has the tools to be more of a scoring threat, though, and he can certainly unlock that potential in Philadelphia.
The Flyers have a much more robust group of wingers at their disposal than Seattle does, and as a result, Beniers won't have to focus on defense all the time while also trading in his Batman cape.
Tocchet and Co. deployed Matvei Michkov almost exclusively with Noah Cates and Sean Couturier this past season, so a partnership between Beniers and the Russian phenom feels like a natural fit.
No center on this list is a sure-thing, home-run add, but the Flyers are eventually going to have to make a move to get going on their way to becoming Stanley Cup contenders.
Talented centers with legitimate top-line upside don't come around very often, which makes now the time for the Flyers to use their roster and draft capital to build.
The Giants’ 2026 MLB season has gotten off to a less than impressive start, as San Francisco is 20-30 and fourth in the NL West.
President of baseball operations Buster Posey has had to answer for the struggles, as well as some questionable strategic decisions. He joined KNBR on Thursday and discussed how he would grade his tenure in his season-plus at the helm.
“If we’re going based on wins and losses, not very well,” Posey, who was hired by the Giants for his current role following the 2024 season, said. “But I do believe there’s hope with what we’ve got going on in our farm system right now. There’s a lot of exciting players. Hopefully we’re going to add some more here during the draft.”
However, at the major league level, San Francisco has struggled mightily as of late. The Giants are 2-6 over their last eight games and are 11 games back from the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers in the division and 8 1/2 games back from the third Wild Card spot.
“Baseball is a fickle thing,” Posey added. “Hopefully next time we’re on here, we’re talking about a lot more positive things, and I believe that’s a real possibility.
“All you can do is keep going … because sports is the ultimate meritocracy.”
It’s still early in the season with more than 100 games left to play, but Posey has been around the league long enough to know that at the end of the day, results are truly all that matters.
BOSTON, MA - MAY 2: VJ Edgecombe #77 and Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It feels like just yesterday Sixers fans were in ferocious debates over who the team should select No. 3 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. The team ultimately took VJ Edgecombe out of Baylor.
There was also a sector of the fan base who contemplated what the Sixers could get in a Tyrese Maxey trade after the Orlando Magic paid a draft pick ransom to the Memphis Grizzlies for Desmond Bane.
Fast forward to the end of the 2025-26 season and it’s hard to imagine where the Sixers would be without the VJ-Maxx backcourt in the fold. Despite a second-round sweep by the New York Knicks and complete chaos surrounding the franchise, Maxey and Edgecombe represent a fleeting feeling amongst fans — hope.
The Sixers are locked in with max contracts for Paul George and Joel Embiid. The likelihood of either being moved this summer seems low. Daryl Morey is out, while his successor has yet to be named. Nick Nurse’s seat probably isn’t the coldest. There’s plenty of uncertainty and dismay over where the organization goes from here.
But none of those questions revolve around the future of the Maxey-Edgecombe backcourt.
“He’s been exceptional,” Maxey said of Edgecombe after the team was eliminated. “That’s the word that I can use, exceptional. Man, I know I sat up at this podium a lot and talked about him a lot this season, just about his maturity, about all the different things that he brings to the game. He had a hell of a rookie season, man. Hell of a not just rookie season, hell of a season. A lot of guys in the NBA wish they had a season like him. So the sky’s the limit. Future is bright.”
Edgecombe was better than just about anyone could’ve anticipated. He was a First Team All-Rookie pick and finished third in Rookie of the Year voting, doing so in a stacked draft class while playing for a playoff team. For the season, he averaged 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 43.8% from the field and 35.4% from three. For a 20-year-old rookie with his athletic profile, that’s a damn fine statistical rookie season.
His numbers were unsurprisingly down during the postseason, but stellar performances in Games 2 and 7 against the Boston Celtics flashed his serious potential. Between his athleticism, skill and intangibles, it’s not hyperbolic to think Edgecombe has star potential.
“VJ is up next,” Embiid said. “Philly got a good one in him. He’s the guy. I’m telling you guys, that guy is something different. And this was only year one. Year two is going to be better. Year three, even better. But he has a chance to be extremely special.”
If you’ve learned anything about Edgecombe this season, it’s not at all surprising to hear how much he deflected praise and poured it on his teammates. There is a required delusional confidence Edgecombe possesses, but it doesn’t raise to the level of arrogance — quite the opposite.
He frequently cites his hard work as a reason for his confidence while deflecting much of the credit for his team’s success onto others. It’s very similar to the way Maxey carries himself. It’s easy to see why the two have been such a natural pairing.
“For me, from day one,” Edgecombe said of Maxey, “before I even knew I was getting drafted here, he welcomed me with open arms. I’ve been learning from him since then — just trying to keep building that relationship, keep building that chemistry. And I’m really proud of how he handled the season, a lot of ups and downs.”
Both players will go back to the lab this summer, looking to add to their games and fix the flaws that revealed themselves this postseason.
Edgecombe talked about wanting to play on the ball more to help keep the pressure off Maxey. Maxey talked about playing more off the ball to help Edgecombe develop more as a ball-handler. They also talked about Edgecombe making his way to Dallas this summer for a workout.
“I know probably like two, three years ago, I sat up here with Joel and sat up here with James, and they saw something in me,” Maxey said. “And I guess I’m getting old now because I’m sitting up here with VJ, and I’m just happy to be a part of his journey. I’m happy to be someone who can help him.
“And another thing is, I’m just going to push him to be as good as he possibly can, because it’s a lot more left in that tank that we’re gonna get out of him. And he’s someone that it’s not gonna take much. You ain’t gotta push his buttons much. He works too hard and he wants it too much.”
Nobody really knows where the Sixers go from here. Bob Myers, who is leading the charge to find the organization’s next president of basketball operations, spoke to reporters for the first time last week. He didn’t offer much as far as the direction the franchise will go.
The reality is, the next person in charge will have their work cut out for them. The Sixers’ depth was a major issue at times through the regular season, but it was on full display as the team was ran out of the gym in a four-game sweep to the Knicks. How you build out that depth with so little resources is a huge question mark.
But the most alluring part of this job to any executive candidate is going to be Maxey and Edgecombe. Once the Embiid and George contracts are off the books — one way or another — they’ll be able to build around this electric backcourt.
On nights when Embiid is ailing and George needs a rest, just remember Maxey and Edgecombe will be running things soon.
“It’s surreal to see,” Edgecombe said of Maxey’s ascenion. “He’s gonna be a superstar for years to come. I’m really proud to just be a part of the journey. He’s just been so great for me, for this team. We ain’t going anywhere without him.”
COVERS INTEL: Guerrero owns a
