NEW YORK — Aaron Judge homered three times, also combining with Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger to go deep on the first three pitches from Milwaukee’s Nestor Cortes, and the Yankees tied a team record with eight home runs in taking a 16-4 lead over the Brewers on Saturday.
Judge had seven RBIs, hitting his ninth career grand slam, a solo drive and a two-run shot for his 40th multi-homer game. He hit three homers in a game for the third time.
Goldschmidt, Bellinger and Judge homered starting the first on the unusually warm 78-degree afternoon. Major League Baseball said this was the first time a team homered on its first three pitches since tracking of pitch counts began in 1988.
Austin Wells homered later in the inning as New York hit four home runs in the first inning for the first time in its century-plus history. Anthony Volpe added a three-run drive in the second for a 7-3 lead against Cortes, who allowed a career-high five home runs.
Judge’s first homer went 468 feet and he added his ninth career slam in the fourth on a 396-foot drive to left-center off Connor Thomas, a 27-year-old left-hander making his major league debut. Jazz Chisholm Jr. followed with a home run, boosting the lead to 13-3.
Judge hit a 425-foot, two-run homer to center in the fourth against Thomas.
New York’s homers tied the team record set at the Philadelphia Athletics on June 28, 1939, and matched against the Chicago White Sox on July 31, 2007.
Batting leadoff for the first time in his 15-year major league career, Goldschmidt drove a fastball 413 feet into the Brewers bullpen in left field against Cortes, who was making his Milwaukee debut following a December trade from the Yankees.
Bellinger sent a fastball over the Yankees bullpen and into the right-field bleachers and Judge drove a cutter 468 feet into the left-field second deck.
After a mound visit by pitching coach Chris Hook, Chisholm took a called third strike, Volpe grounded out and Wells hit a fastball 372 feet into the left-field seats.
Milwaukee closed to 4-3 in the second against Max Fried, who lasted 4 2/3 innings in his Yankees debut, and Volpe hit a cutter 349 feet into the left-field seats.
Wells led off Thursday’s game with a home run off Freddy Peralta, becoming the first catcher to hit a leadoff homer on opener day. The Yankees joined the 2011 Texas Rangers as the only team to lead off with a home run in its first two games. Ian Kinsler went deep starting both those Rangers games.
Cortes, a 30-year-old left-hander who pitched for New York from 2018-24, had never before allowed more than three homers in a game. He is remembered by Yankees fans for allowing a first-pitch grand slam to Freddie Freeman in the 10th inning of last year’s World Series opener that lifted the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6-3 win, starting them to the title.
Pitching with his hair dyed blond, Cortes gave up eight runs, six hits and five walks in two innings and left with a 36.00 ERA.
Thomas allowed his first five batters to reach and allowed eight runs, six hits and two walks in two innings.
Minnesota Wild head coach John Hynes bumped into Jesper Bratt and his fiancée in his hotel in Boston during the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off in late February.
It was an opportunity for the New Jersey Devils winger and his former coach to catch up, and when asked about Bratt, Hynes spoke about the 26-year-old's growth.
"Jesper has matured in multiple ways, (including) his game, but I think he's got a confidence about him," Hynes said to The Hockey News during a phone interview.
When Hynes was relieved as head coach of the Devils during the 2019-20 season, Bratt, then 21, earned 32 points. It was before the Swede elevated his game and became one of New Jersey's young stars, earning four consecutive 70-plus point seasons.
Seeing the success Bratt has amassed does not come as a surprise to Hynes, who immediately recognized the youngster's skill all those years ago.
"When he came over, he was really impressive," Hynes said. "I think it was his first training camp that he made the team out of camp. He was fast and tenacious, and you could see the hockey sense and skill. At that point in time, we were going through the initial stages of the rebuild, and when he came over, you could tell right away that he was going to be a New Jersey Devil in the NHL."
Bratt recalled that first NHL training camp in an exclusive interview with The Hockey News.
"I was so happy and proud to be there," he said. "I thought it was awesome. I really felt like I had nothing to lose. I felt I prepared physically and mentally as best as I possibly could. I was extremely honored and happy to be there fighting for a spot and my dream job."
Over time, Hynes saw Bratt go through the process of realizing and understanding what it takes to become an effective offensive player in the NHL. It aligns with Bratt stating that it took one entire season to understand how the League works and four to figure out his game.
Hynes has coached against Bratt for the past few seasons but shared he has watched the odd Devils game here and there. In addition to Bratt improving on his speed and skill, there is one area where Hynes has seen the winger develop his game.
"Where I have really seen him grow is (his play) in the hard areas," Hynes said. "He gets to the net front. He can win puck battles in the offensive zone. He can play one-on-one versus a defenseman down low in the offensive zone. He has really been able to grow his game in those areas."
Hynes is not surprised to see Bratt's game take off because he had a front-row seat to the 5-foot-10 winger's work ethic and dedication for years. For that reason, Hynes envisioned the Stockholm native eventually transitioning into a leadership role. Since a shoulder injury ended Jack Hughes' season, Bratt has been one of New Jersey's alternate captains.
"Even when he was a young guy, when you had one-on-one conversations with him, they were of substance," Hynes said. "I think he's got a lot of substance as a player and a person. I think you can clearly see he has grown into the role of an assistant captain. The way he handles himself off the ice, his personality, and his work ethic to be able to lead a team."
Hynes played a significant factor in Bratt's career, and as the young Swede sat in the locker room in Newark, he spoke highly of the coach who gave him his first opportunity.
"John was my first coach. He was the one who trusted me to put me in this position," Bratt said. "I mean, without him, with another coach, maybe I wouldn't have had the chance to get to this place. Obviously, he has meant a lot to me. To show me the way, show me the ropes, teach me over the years, and even giving me the opportunity and trusting me to be put in this situation."
While there is mutual respect between Bratt and Hynes, once the puck drops Saturday evening at Xcel Energy Center, the focus will be securing two points as the Wild are in the first wild card spot in the Western Conference, and the Devils are looking to punch their ticket to the playoffs after a disappointing 2023-24 season.
Puck drop is at 6:00 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the game on MSGSN or listen to it on the Devils Hockey Network
Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
WASHINGTON — Could this be a sign of what’s to come for a healthy Bryson Stott?
A glimpse of contract year Kyle Schwarber?
A foundation for newcomer Jesus Luzardo?
The Phillies came back to beat the Nationals on Saturday for the second straight game to begin their season, surging in the middle innings after Keibert Ruiz gave Washington another early lead with a home run.
Stott, who dealt with a balky elbow for two-thirds of the 2024 season, tied the game in the fourth inning when he kept a two-run homer just inside the right-field line. He also doubled, walked twice and scored three runs. Not once last season did Stott double and homer in the same game. Both extra-base hits came with two strikes, which was a theme all throughout 2023 when he was neck-and-neck with Freddie Freeman for the most two-strike hits in the National League.
“That was a pitch last year that I struggled with,” Stott of his homer on a low-and-in curveball, “and just to see it come to life again two days in is awesome.”
Schwarber and Brandon Marsh broke the 11-6 win wide-open with three-run homers in the top of the sixth and seventh. Both were patient frames for the Phils and examples of what can happen when the bottom of the order does its job. Nick Castellanos and Stott drew one-out walks and Marsh singled ahead of Schwarber’s three-run bomb. Castellanos and Stott walked again in the seventh ahead of Marsh’s longball.
The Phillies have derived tremendous value from the four-year, $79 million contract they signed Schwarber to before the 2022 season. Between the regular season and playoffs, he’s homered 145 times in 501 games as a Phillie while also becoming the leader of a team filled with big names.
Marsh singled twice before the homer. He and Stott are both coming off down years entering their age-27 season and their improvement will go a long way in determining how far the Phillies advance. Without much turnover in the lineup, the Phillies are relying on that sort of internal improvement.
“I was just late, trying to get both arms moving at once and kinda slowed everything down,” Stott said of the difference last year. “Losing my barrel made it even worse. But now I feel good.”
The big sixth inning made a winner out of Luzardo, who struck out 11, tied with Jim Bunning for the second-most ever for a debuting Phillie behind only Garrett Stephenson in 1997.
Luzardo was animated walking off the mound at the end of his final inning, pumping his fist after striking out the side and stranding a runner on second base.
“I knew it was my last inning, Topper had mentioned it before,” Luzardo said. “Just excited to finish off strong. After the mistake in the second, I feel like I got into a groove in the end.”
The Nationals whiffed on 12 of the 16 sweepers/sliders Luzardo threw and 19 of the 43 pitches they swung at overall. His velocity was up nearly two mph from last season. Luzardo averaged 97 mph with his four-seam fastball and 96 with his sinker, hitting 98 mph 11 times with 30 different fastballs of at least 97.
Luzardo has always had a slider, but the sweeper is a new pitch. One more thing for hitters to think about.
“Today felt really good so we leaned on it a little bit more,” he said. “I think it’s just another way of getting guys out. Different swing types, different profiles for a hitter. It just fits into the game plan in different ways than I would use my normal slider.”
This was an encouraging introduction for the Phillies’ most important offseason acquisition. They acquired Luzardo from the Miami Marlins for their No. 4 prospect at the time, shortstop Starlyn Caba. Luzardo has this year and next under contract with the upside of a No. 2 starter. He was one in 2022-23 before missing ample time with a back injury in 2024.
The 2-0 Phillies look to finish off a sweep on Sunday afternoon behind Aaron Nola. It does not sound like Trea Turner or J.T. Realmuto will be in the lineup. Turner was scratched an hour before Saturday’s game. His back locked up while fielding a grounder. Realmuto was removed for precautionary reasons with a left foot contusion in the seventh inning of a seven-run game after fouling a ball off his foot. X-rays were negative.
“We’ll check them out tomorrow but I’m not gonna put them in any type of danger at this point,” manager Rob Thomson said. “We’ll know more tomorrow but I’m gonna be really careful.”
WASHINGTON — Could this be a sign of what’s to come for a healthy Bryson Stott?
A glimpse of contract year Kyle Schwarber?
A foundation for newcomer Jesus Luzardo?
The Phillies came back to beat the Nationals on Saturday for the second straight game to begin their season, surging in the middle innings after Keibert Ruiz gave Washington another early lead with a home run.
Stott, who dealt with a balky elbow for two-thirds of the 2024 season, tied the game in the fourth inning when he kept a two-run homer just inside the right-field line. He also doubled, walked twice and scored three runs. Not once last season did Stott double and homer in the same game. Both extra-base hits came with two strikes, which was a theme all throughout 2023 when he was neck-and-neck with Freddie Freeman for the most two-strike hits in the National League.
Schwarber and Brandon Marsh broke the 11-6 win wide-open with three-run homers in the top of the sixth and seventh. Both were patient frames for the Phils and examples of what can happen when the bottom of the order does its job. Nick Castellanos and Stott drew one-out walks and Marsh singled ahead of Schwarber’s three-run bomb. Castellanos and Stott walked again in the seventh ahead of Marsh’s longball.
The Phillies have derived tremendous value from the four-year, $79 million contract they signed Schwarber to before the 2022 season. Between the regular season and playoffs, he’s homered 145 times in 501 games as a Phillie while also becoming the leader of a team filled with big names.
Marsh singled twice before the homer. He and Stott are both coming off down years entering their age-27 season and their improvement will go a long way in determining how far the Phillies advance. Without much turnover in the lineup, the Phillies are relying on that sort of internal improvement.
The big sixth inning made a winner out of Luzardo, who struck out 11, tied with Jim Bunning for the second-most ever for a debuting Phillie behind only Garrett Stephenson in 1997.
Luzardo was animated walking off the mound at the end of his final inning, pumping his fist after striking out the side and stranding a runner on second base.
The Nationals whiffed on 12 of the 16 sweepers/sliders Luzardo threw and 19 of the 43 pitches they swung at overall. His velocity was up nearly two mph from last season. Luzardo averaged 97 mph with his four-seam fastball and 96 with his sinker, hitting 98 mph 11 times with 30 different fastballs of at least 97.
This was an encouraging introduction for the Phillies’ most important offseason acquisition. They acquired Luzardo from the Miami Marlins for their No. 4 prospect at the time, shortstop Starlyn Caba. Luzardo has this year and next under contract with the upside of a No. 2 starter. He was one in 2022-23 before missing ample time with a back injury in 2024.
The 2-0 Phillies look to finish off a sweep on Sunday afternoon behind Aaron Nola. It remains to be seen whether Trea Turner and J.T. Realmuto will be in the lineup. Turner was scratched an hour before Saturday’s game with a low back spasm, and Realmuto was removed for precautionary reasons with a left foot contusion in the seventh inning of a seven-run game after fouling a ball off his foot.
In the Eastern Conference, it starts with five teams who have a 100 percent shot at making the playoffs – the Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs. After that, the Metropolitan Division seems to be the easier path to the Cup final, as the Hurricanes have the best Cup odds – 13.4 percent – in the NHL. The Capitals have the next-best Cup odds at 10.2 percent.
We know going in that the Atlantic Division will be a tougher road, and that’s reflected in the Cup odds for the Lightning (9.6 percent) and the defending-champion Panthers (8.6 percent). But the Maple Leafs – the current second best team in the Atlantic – are relatively disrespected, with only a 3.9 percent chance to win it all.
There’s a similar preference going on in the Western Conference, where MoneyPuck believes the easier road to the Cup goes through the Pacific Division. The current Pacific leader – the Vegas Golden Knights – have the West’s best odds to win the Cup at 11.4 percent.
However, the powerhouse teams in the ultra-competitive Central Division have the next-best odds, with the Dallas Stars at 10.8 percent, the Central-leading Winnipeg Jets at 10.5 percent, and the Colorado Avalanche at 5.7 percent.
MoneyPuck doesn’t give much stock to other Pacific teams, as the Edmonton Oilers come in at only a two percent chance to win it all. And the Los Angeles Kings are given a 6.2 percent chance to win the Cup.
But before we get to the playoffs, we need to see which teams will jockey for top spots in their respective divisions. To that end, the Tankathon site ranks the difficulty of teams’ remaining schedules, and the Capitals have the second-easiest schedule in the league, followed by the Stars with the third-easiest and the Oilers with the eighth-easiest.
Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs have the 10th-hardest schedule, followed by the Jets with the 12th hardest, the Hurricanes with the 13th hardest, the Golden Knights with the 16th hardest and the Kings with the 17th hardest.
So, in sum, the teams in the Atlantic and Central divisions will have the most difficult road to the Cup, and the Metro and Pacific teams will have the easiest road to winning it all.
But don’t kid yourself – there’s a good reason why the best team still has only less than a 14 percent chance to win the Cup. It’s going to be a brutal path forward for any and every playoff team, and even the front-runners will need good health, good fortune and timely great play if they’re going to outlast the rest of the field and emerge as this year’s champs.
The Anaheim Ducks hired Greg Cronin as head coach on June 5, 2023. With him, he was set to bring 36 years of coaching experience at the NCAA, AHL, and NHL (as an assistant coach) levels. This was his first crack at head coaching an NHL franchise. He was to establish a culture unforeseen in Anaheim for several seasons, as they were in the midst of their darkest stretch in franchise history and coming off their all-time worst season.
His second season behind the Ducks bench is nearly in the books and the Ducks are 59-82-13 so far in his tenure and 32-32-8 in the 2024-25 season.
According to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic and TSN, Cronin is under contract for one more season following 2024-25, and Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek intends to bring him back for 2025-26.
“The Anaheim Ducks have improved in Cronin’s second season, and he seems to have eased up a bit after being a bit of a taskmaster in Year 1, which grated on some players,” LeBrun reported. “All things being equal, I think Ducks GM Pat Verbeek is good with Cronin coming back next season.
The Ducks are 25th in the NHL in goals per game (2.72), 21st in goals against per game (3.13), 20th in shots on goal per game (27.7), and 32nd in shots against per game (32.1). On special teams, they boast the 31st-ranked power play (12.1%) and the 28th-ranked penalty kill (73.1%).
Their underlying numbers at 5v5 reflect even worse, as they rank 30th in terms of shot attempt share (45.76%), 19th in goals share (49.46%), and 30th in expected goals share (44.96%). All statistical indications identify the bulk of their success stemming from the crease, where they sport potentially the best tandem in the NHL between John Gibson and Lukas Dostal.
There have been strides taken when it comes to the on-ice product. Under the second year in their system, the players know what’s expected of them, have a better understanding of what they’re trying to accomplish on the ice, and provide a more detailed effort on a nightly basis. They aren’t nearly as leaky in the defensive zone as they had been in years past, though they do spend an inordinate amount of time in their end of the ice.
“I think coming into this year, they knew what the expectations were. It was a different mindset for the players to come into,” Verbeek said following the trade deadline. “We’ve tweaked a little bit, some of our system things, and they slowly got used to playing with each other, understanding how to play. If our special teams were better on both sides, this team would be in the playoffs. We’d be sitting in a playoff spot.
“I liken it to a golf game, where one day you’ve got the driving and the putting going, but your approach shots stink. That’s kind of how I see it right now with our group,” Verbeek continued. “We’ve got the five-on-five going and now we’ve got to get going in the special teams department. There are things that are constantly evolving. Sometimes the power play will be going, but our five-on-five won’t. It’s a constant battle, but I feel confident in the group that they’re grasping all the things they’re being asked to and we’re gaining traction.”
Indications are the front office, organization, and players are content and encouraged by where the team is at in their progression. There’s palpable enthusiasm around the club for where the team could be heading in the near future. The youngest and most talented players on the roster are beginning to produce, as their potential indicated they could and the “buy-in” feels tangible.
A feel-good hockey story has, unfortunately, hit a major bump in the road.
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Boko Imama - recalled from the AHL on Jan. 25 - underwent successful biceps surgery on Mar. 29, it was announced by Penguins POHO and GM Kyle Dubas.
"That's an unfortunate one," head coach Mike Sullivan said following Saturday's practice.
This is a blow to the Penguins' locker room, as Imama is one of the key guys in it. Sullivan has talked about the positive energy that Imama has brought since his call-up, and his energy and attitude have won the respect of his teammates.
A native of Montreal, Imama, 28, was signed to a one-year deal in the offseason. The enforcer was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the sixth round (180th overall) of the 2015 NHL draft. He has made his rounds as a journeyman between the NHL and AHL levels, as he had played a total of 15 NHL games between the Arizona Coyotes and Ottawa Senators prior to his arrival in the Penguins' organization.
He skated in 16 games with the Penguins this season and registered his lone goal - and lone point - of the season in a Mar. 21 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Primarily an enforcer, Imama also put up 30 penalty minutes in those 16 games.
The LA Kings look to shut down the Toronto Maple Leafs with their second-best defence in the NHL.
Tuesday night is the ultimate opportunity for NHL fans, with a loaded slate of thrilling matchups that fans eagerly anticipate.The game that sticks out is one with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are looking to bounce back after a tough shootout loss to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday. They will take on a solid defensive unit in the LA Kings that has a 2.54 goals against average, which is second-best in the league.
For bettors, this matchup provides a chance to capitalize on some of our recent strong trends, like our 8-2 record on our last ten picks and our 17-6 record on our last 23 underdog picks.
All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.
The goal total for this one is a tight 5.5 with 95 per cent of the public riding with the over due to Toronto's recent hot stretch with 18 goals over their last four games. The Buds have won four of their last six games versus the Kings with two of the wins coming on the road in LA.Six goals can easily be scored in this game with both team's firepower but the under has hit in three of their last four matchups.
The Kings will be looking to make up for a 6-2 loss they took at the hands of Toronto last October and should play a much stronger defensive game at home. LA was roughed up for four goals in a loss to Colorado this past Thursday but in their prior 11 games, they allowed three or more goals just two times. I expect a response in a big way from the Kings as it's tough to beat a team twice for the Leafs plus LA has been red hot with a 9-2-1 record in their last 12 games.
But it was Sid and the Kids at Saturday's practice in Cranberry, PA.
Top forward prospects Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen - both recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) on Friday - each had an opportunity to work with Sidney Crosby during drills and line rushes, as Koivunen saw minutes on the top power play unit and McGroarty was deployed on the first line with Crosby and Bryan Rust. The captain also took some time to work with the young forwards following practice.
Crosby thinks that both players brought some renewed energy to practice following a disastrous 0-2-1 road trip, and he is looking forward to working with them.
"I thought they brought good energy," Crosby said. "I thought it was a good pace in practice, and obviously, we're coming off a couple tough losses. The guys are excited for the opportunity they have, and as a group, we want to try to bounce back from a couple of tough ones."
McGroarty - who turns 21 on Sunday, when the Penguins will take on the Ottawa Senators in Pittsburgh - had a brief three-game look at the NHL level when the 2024-25 season opened before heading back to the AHL. He started off a bit slow production-wise, but registered 14 goals and 39 points in 60 games - including eight goals and 18 points in his last 19 contests.
Both McGroarty and Koivunen know that there is a massive opportunity in front of them, and they may have the chance to be placed in lineup positions conducive to their success on Sunday.
"I want to come here and play my best and help them," McGroarty said of playing with Crosby and Rust. "It's really cool getting to play with them, and hopefully, if that opportunity comes, I'll just put my best forward and do what I can do and help them."
Koivunen - who is slated to make his NHL debut on Sunday - is aware of the opportunity he is getting as well, and he has no interest in wasting it.
"I've got to play with my strengths and make an impact right away on this team," Koivunen said.
It's safe to say that most didn't expect the two young prospects to be deployed in top-six minutes from the jump. However, with only eight games remaining in the Penguins’ regular season schedule, playoff hopes all but gone, and both players presumably heading back to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for the team's Calder Cup run once the NHL regular season concludes, there is a very good opportunity for the organization to see what two of their higher-end prospects can do in those roles.
And based on conversations with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton head coach Kirk MacDonald and Penguins management, head coach Mike Sullivan felt comfortable slotting them in high-leverage roles in practice right away, even if they decide to tweak some things by puck drop Sunday.
“When you have players of this caliber, you're trying to set them up for success," Sullivan said. "And we're also trying to put them in roles where they have an opportunity to play to their strengths. Both of these guys have high hockey-IQs, they're both real competitive guys, they both have an offensive dimension to their game... they're different in how they play, but we think that with the combinations we had out there today, potentially, they could be complementary on the lines that they're on."
He added: "As an organization, we felt it's important to reward guys for effort and performance," Sullivan said. "And these two guys are very deserving. It's exciting for us. They bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm, and I think it will be great for our group."
#LetsGoPens top forward prospects Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen getting in some work at practice today.
Whether or not McGroarty and Koivunen maintain their lineup spots from Saturday's practice when the team plays Ottawa remains to be seen. In any case, their captain and mentor had some sound advice for them as they navigate this final stretch with the NHL club.
"Just make the most of the opportunity," Crosby said. "Have fun with it. The game's the same. It will be a little bit faster, guys are a little bit bigger, a little bit stronger, maybe. But, for the most part, it's the same game. So, just trust your instincts and continue to learn with each and every game and practice. I think you've just got to learn as much as you can."
And it's safe to say that that the kids are certainly open to Crosby's advice. When asked what he wants to learn from Crosby's game and what traits of his that he wants to develop, McGroarty smiled.
"Seriously, everything," he said. "Like, actually everything."
After a disappointing 5-12 season in 2024, the New York Jets have the 2025 NFL Draft's seventh overall pick. Here's what the experts have Gang Green doing.
Matz Sels was heroic in the shootout to send Forest into the last four of the FA Cup for the first time since 1991
Forest get the ball rolling. A huge roar of Albion. The away end giving it plenty as well.
The teams are out! A cracking atmosphere in Sussex by the Sea. The Seagulls in their blue and white stripes, the Tricky Trees in first-choice red. We’ll be off in a minute or two.
Leeds missed the chance to return to the top of the Championship as they conceded in the sixth minute of added time to draw 2-2 at home to Swansea.
The hosts made the ideal start as they looked to respond to Sheffield United’s Friday night win over Coventry, with Brenden Aaronson bundling the ball home inside a minute. Swansea were handed a chance to level from the spot in the 14th minute, only for Illan Meslier to turn Josh Tymon’s penalty behind.
Fans arrive for the Dodgers' home opener against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday evening. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
I'm watching Blake Snell, who started the Dodgers' home opener, and later Tanner Scott, who pitched the eighth inning, and I'm thinking that maybe I'll see these pitchers in October. Jack Harris reported recently that Snell (who has made at least 20 starts in every full season of his nine-year career,) and Scott (who has racked up 275 appearances over the last four seasons) are durable pitchers.
Knowing the bad luck the Dodgers have had with injuries in recent years, I wouldn't bet on any Dodger pitcher still being available in October. It's fortunate that the Dodgers are very deep.
Vaughn Hardenberg Westwood
What with the Dodgers and their fans confident of a World Series repeat — and assuming the team is already looking at bigger and flashier 2025 championship rings — I have a suggestion for MLB commissioner Rob Manfred. It’s simple and will keep baseball fans somewhat interested as the Dodgers strive to clinch a playoff spot before Memorial Day.
So, if (and that’s a big IF) they actually lose a few games, in addition to crediting them with a loss, subtract a win from them in the standings and place it in a third column called either “Oops” or “My Bad!” It could be both funny and entertaining, and trust me subtracting a few wins is not going to have any effect on the final outcome. But, it could save the baseball season from an absolute borefest. At least until the 2026 season, when the Dodgers' payroll is guaranteed to increase again to well over $400 million!
Richard Whorton Studio City
White out
As a lifelong Dodgers fan (66 years old) I am sickened to hear the team is intending to visit the Trump White House. If they follow through with those plans I will never go to another Dodger game and stop rooting for the Dodgers. Manager Dave Roberts saying it’s an honor to visit Trump is offensive to me and to the fan base. I will be removing the Dodgers hat from my head.
Mark Bedol Claremont
The team of Jackie Robinson, with the largest Hispanic fan base in the history of American professional sports, has lost this lifelong fan forever.
I will never root for or support the Dodgers again in any way, shape or fashion.
Charles L. Freeman Jr. Baldwin Village
As a Dodger fan since 1958 I cannot give the team a pass for agreeing to visit the White House. Given what this president is doing to dismantle our government and the number of people he is hurting, I do not want my team to take any part in this “tradition.”
I have tickets for the game on Friday night when the players will be getting their World Series rings. If the team shows up at the White House on April 7, I will not attend another game this season and possibly forever. There has to be consequences for normalizing what Trump is doing to our country and our world.
Larry Weiner Culver City
October musings
How soon they forget. A Plaschke quote: “They re-signed all of their free agent postseason heroes.” Except for perhaps one of the biggest, Walker Buehler, whose postseason performance was exceptional and who will be pitching for the Red Sox this season.
Jack Wishard Los Angeles
Bill Plaschke opined the Dodgers must repeat as World Series champs this season if they want a dynasty.
I say Shohei Ohtani with his All-Star play will lead the way to another joyful October day in L.A.
Mark Sherwin Los Angeles
Repeat performance
The article re: Freddie Freeman and Kirk Gibson, World Series game-winning home runs, reminds me of Jack Nicholson's Colonel Jessup diatribe in the movie “A Few Good Men.” “I did my job. I’d do it again.”
Oscar Rosalez Diamond Bar
What the Halo?
Nothing concretizes futility like declaring “wait ‘til next year” on opening day more than the Angels using a position player to pitch in a blowout against the team a season removed from the dubious distinction of having lost the most games in Major League Baseball history.
Steve Ross Carmel
Can the Angels be any more vindictive by DFA-ing Mickey Moniak because he beat them in arbitration? They released him over a difference of $500,000. With a team philosophy like that, it's no wonder they've not won anything in forever and likely won't. Maybe they don't deserve to.
Thomas Filip Moorpark
Purple and fool's gold
Three weeks ago I wondered if the Lakers were the real deal or fool's gold. They had just won eight straight games and were on a roll.Since that time, they have gone 4-8. Looks like they were indeed fool's gold.
This team can't hold a lead. They get killed by the opponent's backcourt. They play the I-hope-they-miss defense. JJ Redick stands on the sideline as if he is taking advice from Darvin Ham. Luka Doncic disappears in the second half. LeBron James is showing his age. The bench is non-existent. And, oh yeah, they tied a record for giving up the most points at home in a non-overtime game in Lakers history. Lack of coaching. Lack of size. Lack of offense. How about just a lack of all around.
Geno Apicella Placentia
March happiness
Alabama’s record-breaking three-point shooting display in its Sweet 16 victory over BYU brought back great memories of No. 11 Loyola Marymount’s 149-115 victory over defending champion and No. 3 Michigan in the 1990 NCAA tournament.
I attended that game in Long Beach. Starting with Bo Kimble taking and making his first free throw left-handed (in tribute to Hank Gathers), and continuing throughout — LMU was led Jeff Fryer’s and Kimble’s scintillating three-point shooting; they scored 41 and 37 — this was the most exciting non-championship sporting event I have ever witnessed.
Ken Feldman Tarzana
Nothing original there
I have to admit, I did a double take when I saw in last Sunday's letters, not just one, but two USC detractors dredged up the same tired old jab, "The University of Spoiled Children." Well at least it gives credence to the old adage, " Clichéd minds think alike."
Joe Kevany Mount Washington
Grappling with this issue
Penn State won the NCAA wrestling championship for the 12th time in the last 14 years. They scored more points than any team has ever scored. One of their wrestlers, Carter Starocci, became the first wrestler to win five Division 1 championships. It is a record that will probably never be broken as he was granted an extra year of eligibility due to COVID. Penn State became the second team to have all 10 wrestlers finish as All-Americans. To top it off, the seemingly invincible wrestler from Minnesota, Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson, lost in the championship on a takedown in the last 30 seconds. Yet nary a word in The Times. Perhaps it is time for UCLA to resurrect its wrestling program so The Times might provide some coverage.
Mark Kaiserman Santa Monica
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It was a nightmare start for Milwaukee Brewers' Nestor Cortes in his return to Yankee Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Sluggers Paul Goldschmidt, hitting leadoff for the first time in his career, Cody Bellinger, and Aaron Judge blasted back-to-back-to-back home runs on three straight pitches in the bottom of the first inning to give the Yanks a 3-0 lead.
The broadcast noted it was the first time a team hit three straight homers on three pitches to open a game in MLB history.
To make matters worse for Cortes, the left-hander gave up a fourth home run in the first inning to catcher Austin Wells, making it a 4-0 game.
That gave the Yankees their first four-homer first inning ever.
THREE PITCHES, THREE HOMERS.
Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Bellinger, and Aaron Judge hit back-to-back-to-back home runs! pic.twitter.com/BSrNo4MmZt
