Apr 23, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Viktor Arvidsson (71) skates against Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) during the third period of game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Boston Bruins will be without second-line forward Viktor Arvidsson when they face elimination in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series at Buffalo on Tuesday night.
Without disclosing the nature of the injury, coach Marco Sturm said Arvidsson did not travel with the team. Arvidsson was hurt after being checked by Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson in the first period of Boston’s 6-1 loss on Sunday.
The Bruins trail the series 3-1, with Arvidsson scoring twice in Boston’s 4-2 victory in Game 2.
Sturm said forwards Michael Eyssimont and Alex Steeves are among the options to make their series debuts. The coach added veteran defenseman Henri Jokiharju will replace Jordan Harris and play his first game of the series.
“I think we are excited to bounce back,” Sturm said. “We want to show that last game that’s not really us.”
Adam Silver and the NBA's quixotic quest to end tanking reached a new level of complexity on Tuesday when the league unveiled a new plan to the 30 league GMs on a conference call.
This new "3-2-1" system — named after how many ping pong balls each team would get, depending upon their finish — would expand the lottery to 16 teams, according to reports by Shams Charania at ESPN and Sam Amick at The Athletic. Here is how the new system would break down:
• The teams with the three worst records in the league would fall into a "relegation zone" and be penalized by only getting two lottery balls, not three like other teams that missed the playoffs. Those three teams would have a 5.4% chance at the No. 1 pick, and in this system could fall no further than 12th. Meaning the team that was the worst the season before could well draft 10th, 11th or 12th.
• Teams that missed the playoffs but were not one of the worst three — teams four through 10 at the bottom of the standings — would get three lottery balls and an 8.1% chance at the No. 1 pick.
• Teams that finish as the No. 9 and 10 seeds in each conference will each get two lottery balls.
• Teams that lose the 7-8 play-in for each conference get one lottery ball (2.7% chance of landing the No. 1 pick).
• Teams cannot win the No. 1 pick in consecutive years or have three consecutive top-five picks.
• Going forward, teams could not protect picks in slots 12 through 15.
• The NBA would have expanded authority to regulate and discipline tanking teams and potentially remove some of their lottery balls.
• This system would expire in 2029, at which time it could be extended, modified or scrapped entirely.
This or any new system put in place would need to be approved by a vote of the NBA owners, which is scheduled for May 28 at the Board of Governors meeting. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, "the key points of the framework have a majority of the support from teams."
Is it a good plan?
The fact that it took me eight bullet points to try to explain the system says a lot.
Look at it this way: If this new proposed system were in place this season, the Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder (which controls the LA Clippers pick), Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets all would have the exact same lottery odds as the Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards and Sacramento Kings.
Is that the point of the draft?
The league's argument for its plan is a good one is that it incentivizes its worst teams to win and avoid the "relegation zone," so teams will not all-out tank. The league has been focused on that exact point (seemingly almost exclusively).
The problem with that theory is that these are not quality teams choosing to lose, they are bad teams — some certainly trying to be worse to improve lottery odds, but not good to start with — that need good players to turn things around. This proposal makes it harder for those struggling teams to get the best players.
All of this would change future lotteries for which picks were traded, assuming they would be under the old system or something close to it. This could dramatically mess with the value of picks.
This entire new plan is Silver and the league office reacting to a year when a lot of teams chose to focus on the draft because it is particularly deep. If the NBA did nothing, tanking would be far less of an issue next season because the draft class is not considered nearly as deep or as talented.
The NBA owners can tweak and modify any system put in front of them, but they will have to be pushed by their GMs to do so. It's going to be an interesting month to see how that plays out.
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 24: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets during Round 1 Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With both teams suffering a slew of injuries to key players, this Lakers-Rockets series hasn’t exactly been beautiful basketball. All of the games have featured offensive struggles and the winning team having to grit and grind their way to victory.
The Lakers have been the better team under these conditions and won the first three games. In Game 4, though, they couldn’t complete the first-round sweep and were blown out by the Rockets.
Los Angeles out-rebounded Houston and scored more points in the paint despite Alperen Şengün having a stellar game, so why weren’t they able to pull off the win?
LeBron James offered an explanation postgame.
“Defense wasn’t our problem tonight,” LeBron said. “It was our offense. Defense wasn’t our problem. I mean, s—, we turned the ball over 23 times for 30 points?… Defense wasn’t our problem. It was offense.”
Not only did the Lakers turn the ball over constantly, but even when they held possession, they didn’t do much with it. As a team, they went 5-22 from 3-point range, which equals a woeful 23% from deep.
LA scoring just 96 points in Game 4, just isn’t enough to win many postseason games. Even in victories, the purple and gold have struggled offensively. In these playoffs, they have an offensive rating of 108.6, which ranks 11th out of 16 playoff teams.
“This is a top ten defense the entire season,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said. “It’s obviously very challenging without your two leading scorers to generate offense. We’ll take a look at the process again on that end as well. I know our points per shot and our expected points per shot were slightly below our season average. So, to me, it goes back to the two keys. Take care of the ball and we’ll look at that and how we can be better there.”
If he does, then that gives LA a tremendous offensive boost. Reaves averages 23.3 points per game and is a much more reliable player to depend on to score 20-plus points than, say, Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard, who have done it during this series, but can’t regularly.
“Again, they played a great game,” Redick said. “I think our guys came into the game with the right intent. [Houston] certainly played a really good offensive game. They didn’t do anything differently. We can certainly be better with some of our small details whether it be pick and roll up to touch, our shifts, all that stuff. Our shifts to close, we did a better job of boxing out tonight but some of that was they made more shots. We’re going to look at it over the next two days and get better.”
Despite the offensive struggles, the Lakers are still in the driver’s seat. They are up 3-1, have Game 5 at home up next and have home court in case somehow this series goes the distance.
If they can make the appropriate adjustments and get Reaves back, they can still easily win and advance to play the Thunder.
The main path towards that outcome is to improve offensively. So far, Redick and the Lakers have proven that when things need fixing, they get it done. We’ll see if they do so in Game 5.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 23: Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the Atlanta Hawks recovers a loose ball against Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks during the final seconds of the fourth quarter of game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at State Farm Arena on April 23, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Hawks (2-2) try to repeat their Game 2 win in Madison Square Garden tonight in Game 5.
Jock Landale (right high ankle sprain) has been ruled out.
Starting lineup:
G CJ McCollum
G Nickeil Alexander-Walker
F Dyson Daniels
F Jalen Johnson
C Onyeka Okongwu
Please join in the comments below as you follow along.
Where, When, and How to Watch and Listen
Location: Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York, NY
Apr 24, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) shoots the puck against Anaheim Ducks center Mikael Granlund (64) during the third period of game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
EDMONTON, Alberta — Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid will be a game-time decision Tuesday night against the Anaheim Ducks in the teams’ Game 5 of their first-round playoff series.
McDavid, who led the NHL in points this season, did not participate in the team’s morning skate ahead of a must-win game for Edmonton.
The Oilers are trying to avoid elimination and rally from a 3-1 deficit in the best-of-seven series. Edmonton reached the Stanley Cup final in each of the last two seasons before losing to the two-time champion Florida Panthers.
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch also said the status of forward/center Jason Dickinson would be decided before the game and that Connor Ingram would start in net.
The 29-year-old McDavid has looked uncomfortable at times since rolling his ankle in the second period of Game 2 when he collided with teammate Mattias Ekholm.
McDavid, who led the league with 138 points, scored his first goal in Game 3 and had his first multi-point games in the third and fourth games of the series in Anaheim. McDavid didn’t participate in Saturday’s off-day skate in Anaheim.
McDavid was nominated Tuesday for the Ted Lindsay Award, along with San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini and Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov. The award is for the league’s “most outstanding player” as voted by NHL players. McDavid is a four-time winner.
Ingram returns to the Edmonton net on Tuesday after Tristan Jarry made 34 saves in a 4-3 overtime loss in Game 4. Ingram started the first three games of the series. He earned a 4-3 victory in Game 1 before allowing 11 goals in consecutive losses behind a leaky Edmonton defense.
“Nothing against Jarry,” Knoblauch said. “I thought he had a solid game the other night, but going down this last few weeks or months, Ingram’s been our starter. He’s been our guy. Now that our season’s on the line, we felt that we would go with our guy.”
Dickinson sat out the second and third games of the series due to injury. He scored twice in Edmonton’s win in the opener and assisted on the Oilers’ first goal in the Game 4 loss.
The Montreal Canadiens are back in the Sunshine State to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in tonight's Game 5, with the series tied 2-2.
This juggernaut Atlantic Division series has become a best-of-three, with both teams snagging a crucial road win.
My Canadiens vs. Lightning predictions and NHL picks for tonight's game expect Montreal's usual suspects to rise to the occasion, with timely help from secondary scoring.
UPDATE: Added a prediction for who will win tonight.
Canadiens vs Lightning Game 5 prediction
Who will win Canadiens vs Lightning Game 5?
Montreal: This game may be the biggest toss-up of the series. The Habs were one of the best road teams during the regular season, and will be extra hungry after letting a two-goal lead slip away in Game 4.
Canadiens vs Lightning best bet: Nick Suzuki Over 0.5 assists (-150)
Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki has been one of the league's best playmakers all season and has registered four assists through four games in this series.
He's garnered 11 apples in 12 April games, and his 72 assists in the regular season ranked fifth in the entire league.
The 101-point scorer has 10 assists in his last nine road games and will be heavily relied upon in a pivotal Game 5 in Tampa Bay. Perhaps his connecting with Cole Caufield for a goal in Game 4 will finally open the floodgates for the Habs' top line.
Canadiens vs Lightning Game 5 same-game parlay
Lane Hutson has seemingly kicked into another gear in the absence of Noah Dobson.
The sophomore blue liner has compiled 10 shots on goal this series — more than he had in his previous 11 games combined. He's played over 26 minutes in every game of the series, peaking at 32:00 in Game 2.
He's everywhere, all the time, and has been firing on all cylinders this series.
Apart from the likely heroes in Suzuki, Hutson, and company, the Habs have welcomed some very timely secondary scoring. Zachary Bolduc has three points in this series and has fired seven shots on goal in his last three games.
The Quebecer makes up one-third of a formidable third line alongside Kirby Dach and Oliver Kapanen. At plus-odds, there's some serious value in a young, hometown kid making his presence felt.
Canadiens vs Lightning SGP
Nick Suzuki Over 0.5 assists
Lane Hutson Over 1.5 shots
Zachary Bolduc Over 1.5 shots
Canadiens vs Lightning Game 5 goal scorer pick
Lane Hutson (+475)
Hutson already has two goals in this series, including that unforgettable overtime winner in Game 3. He rang one off the post in the dying seconds of Game 2, putting the Habs inches away from a commanding series lead.
Expect the defenseman to be wreaking havoc in the offensive zone tonight.
Each of the last five games between these teams has been decided by a goal, with three needing extra time. Find more NHL betting trends for Canadiens vs. Lightning.
How to watch Canadiens vs Lightning Game 5
Location
Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, FL
Date
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
TNT, truTV, CBC
Canadiens vs Lightning latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Boston Bruins will be without second-line forward Viktor Arvidsson when they face elimination in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series at Buffalo on Tuesday night.
Without disclosing the nature of the injury, coach Marco Sturm said Arvidsson did not travel with the team. Arvidsson was hurt after being checked by Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson in the first period of Boston’s 6-1 loss on Sunday.
The Bruins trail the series 3-1, with Arvidsson scoring twice in Boston’s 4-2 victory in Game 2.
Sturm said forwards Michael Eyssimont and Alex Steeves are among the options to make their series debuts. The coach added veteran defenseman Henri Jokiharju will replace Jordan Harris and play his first game of the series.
“I think we are excited to bounce back,” Sturm said. “We want to show that last game that’s not really us.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick knows how difficult it is to close out a playoff series.
When asked ahead of Sunday’s Game 4 loss to the Rockets about the challenge of closing out a series, Redick was quick to provide a reminder that he was on the Clippers team that blew the 3-1 series lead to the Rockets in the 2015 Western Conference semifinals before eventually losing the series in seven games.
But he was also on the Magic team that forced a Game 6 in the 2010 Eastern Conference finals matchup to the Celtics after trailing 3-0 in the series.
Lakers coach JJ Redick understands what it’s like to blow a 3-1 series lead when, as a player in 2015, his LA Clippers team led the Rockets 3-1 before losing 4-3 in the Western Conference semifinals. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Once a team’s backs are against the wall, their sense of desperation heightens. Holes that would’ve been easier to exploit in the series are either filled because the game plans adjust, or added hustle makes it more challenging to capitalize off the weaknesses.
The Lakers just saw how difficult it was to close out their best-of-seven first round series against the Rockets.
They were more aggressive and physical defensively, a significant reason for the Lakers’ 24 turnovers that led to 30 Rockets’ points.
The Rockets finally found an offensive rhythm and attacked the weak points in the Lakers’ defense, helping them score a series-high 115 points on series-bests of 48.1% shooting from the field, 52.9% on 2-pointers (27 of 51) and 40% shooting on 3-pointers (12 of 30).
The Game 4 victory in Houston was so energizing for the Rockets that on Tuesday starting forward Jabari Smith said: “We’re obviously the better team. I just feel like from top to bottom…we’re the better team.”
One victory gave the Rockets life.
That’s what the Lakers are looking to take away during Wednesday’s Game 5 at Crypto.com Arena – metaphorically, of course.
“Well, you have to kill them,” Redick responded when asked why it’s so difficult to close out a playoff series. “It’s difficult to kill someone. You’ve got to…again, survival instincts say, ‘I want to stay alive.’ And so, you got to be able to kill them. That’s what [it takes].”
Having generated the greatest 3-1 comeback in NBA history, LeBron James understands the importance of Game 5 at home when the Lakers host the Rockets Wednesday night at 7 p.m. AP
Statistics and history are on the Lakers’ side to wrap up the first round series, and do so quickly.
Since the NBA moved to a 16-team playoff format in 1984, no team in league history has come back from a 3-0 deficit in the 125 instances it happened entering this year’s playoffs.
That includes a perfect 105-0 record for the team that entered the series with homecourt advantage.
The Rockets are one of just 39 teams to force a Game 5 after dropping the first two road games and first home game consecutively under the 2-2-1-1-1 format.
Of those 39, just eight forced a Game 6.
And of those eight, only two forced a Game 7: the Nuggets in the 1994 Western Conference semifinals against the Jazz; and the Trail Blazers against the Mavericks in the first round of the 2003 playoffs.
Most recently, the Celtics forced a Game 7 against the Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference finals, but that was after dropping their first two home games and their first road game.
Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. added fuel to the fire ahead of Game 5 against the Lakers when he told media, “We’re obviously the better team. I just feel like from top to bottom…we’re the better team.” NBAE via Getty Images
But all of those series ended the same: The team that had the three-game lead won.
But the Rockets took the most important step in their attempt to pull off the improbable comeback. They won a game at home.
“I mean it’s tough to play in the playoffs on the road,” Luke Kennard said on Tuesday. “It’s just how it is and we saw that in Game 3, we came up with a great win, but Game 4, they took it up another level. I don’t want to say we weren’t ready for it because we talked about it but at the same time it’s tough and we knew that. They made some good adjustments, so give some credit to them for that. But for us, again, we gotta come back and protect home court and be ready for Game 5.”
The Rockets will have renewed life in Game 5. And confidence.
The Lakers’ mission is to ensure it doesn’t last any longer.
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid will play Tuesday night against the Anaheim Ducks in Game 5 of the teams' first-round playoff series.
McDavid, who led the NHL in points this season, did not participate in the team's morning skate ahead of a must-win game for Edmonton and was a game-time decision, according to coach Kris Knoblauch.
The 29-year-old McDavid has looked uncomfortable at times since rolling his ankle in the second period of Game 2 when he collided with teammate Mattias Ekholm.
The Oilers are trying to avoid elimination and rally from a 3-1 deficit in the best-of-seven series. Edmonton reached the Stanley Cup final in each of the last two seasons before losing to the two-time champion Florida Panthers.
Edmonton forward/center Jason Dickinson, also a game-time decision, was also in the lineup released shortly before gametime.
Knoblauch said earlier Tuesday that Connor Ingram would start in net after Tristan Jarry started in Game 4.
McDavid, who led the league with 138 points, scored his first goal in Game 3 and had his first multi-point games in the third and fourth games of the series in Anaheim. McDavid didn’t participate in Saturday’s off-day skate in Anaheim.
McDavid was nominated Tuesday for the Ted Lindsay Award, along with San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini and Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov. The award is for the league’s “most outstanding player” as voted by NHL players. McDavid is a four-time winner.
Ingram returns to the Edmonton net on Tuesday after Jarry made 34 saves in a 4-3 overtime loss in Game 4. Ingram started the first three games of the series. He earned a 4-3 victory in Game 1 before allowing 11 goals in consecutive losses behind a leaky Edmonton defense.
“Nothing against Jarry,” Knoblauch said early Tuesday. “I thought he had a solid game the other night, but going down this last few weeks or months, Ingram’s been our starter. He’s been our guy. Now that our season’s on the line, we felt that we would go with our guy.”
Dickinson sat out the second and third games of the series due to injury. He scored twice in Edmonton’s win in the opener and assisted on the Oilers’ first goal in the Game 4 loss.
The San Antonio Spurs will try to close out the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 5 of the teams’ first-round playoff series. The Spurs rallied from a 17-point halftime deficit to win Game 4 114-93 on Sunday and take a 3-1 series lead. With one more victory, the Spurs will advance to face the winner of the Minnesota Timberwolves-Denver Nuggets series.
How to watch Portland Trail Blazers vs. San Antonio Spurs
The men's and women's NCAA basketball tournaments are on the cusp of expanding to 76 teams, ESPN reported, in the final stages of a move that has long been rumored. It is set to take place for the 2027 tournament.
The outlet said the expansion is on track to be formalized in May − when it will be officially announced − with media contracts discussions ongoing. It will need approval from the men's and women's basketball committees, the men's and women's basketball oversight committees, the Division I Cabinet and the DI Board of Governors to be finalize.
One of the most divisive topics in college hoops, the conversation surrounding tournament expansion had been picking up steam since 2025, with NCAA president Charlie Baker strongly indicating it would be happening in the near future. The current format of 68 teams has been in use since 2011 for the men's and 2022 for the women's fields.
What will expanded NCAA Tournament look like?
The expanded tournament won't have much of an effect on the first round, considered one of the best days of the tournament when 32 games take place over a two-day period. However, it will alter who ends up playing those first round games.
Eight more spots will be added into the play-in games, with the men's tournament having a First Four that goes from eight teams in four games to 24 teams playing 12 games to make the first round of the tournament, according to ESPN. Those teams will play for the right to go against teams that have already secured spots in the first round of the tournament.
It's unknown how many of those spots will be allocated to at-large teams, and how many will be automatic qualifiers like the current format, which has four mid-major teams and four at-large squads. There also needs to be a decision on where the games will be played, as the First Four has taken place in Dayton, Ohio since 2011, with the exception of the 2021 edition held in Indianapolis.
While it would add more games to one of the most exciting tournaments in college sports, there are concerns it would water down the postseason, allowing teams with near .500 records a chance to play for a national title despite having lackluster resumes. Also, there's curiosity how many of the new spots will go to teams from Power conferences as opposed to quality mid-major candidates.
“It's become stacked against mid majors now. Whether that's been the purpose of those who oversee the system or not is unclear to me, but with the way that they're deciding the tournament bids now, it's virtually impossible,” UC Irvine coach Russell Turner told USA TODAY Sports in July. “I don't see that changing if they let more teams in. I think they let more teams in, they're just going to end up letting more power conference teams in.”
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 27: Ty France #25 of the San Diego Padres reacts after hitting a two RBI triple during the seventh inning of a game at Petco Park on April 27, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Diego Padres nearly let this one slip.
After a devastating 12-7 loss that included the Arizona Diamondbacks scoring 11 unanswered runs on Sunday, the Friars quickly got back in the win column with a 9-7 victory over the red-hot Chicago Cubs.
Both starters were tagged for five runs, but the Friars had the final say with a two-run rally in the fifth and three more for insurance in the seventh and eighth innings.
Vásquez earned the win after throwing five innings in (arguably) his worst start of the season. Thankfully the offense slugged their way to a Padres win.
It was a needed one after Sunday’s bullpen blowup. Though last night came with reliever drama of its own as Mason Miller’s historic scoreless streak came to an end only one game after the closer took the Padres’ franchise record. That end came on a controversial foul ball call from both home plate umpire Dan Merzel and third base umpire Shane Livensparger.
In spite of all that, the Friars still managed to lock down a win and will look to take the series tonight with Walker Buehler on the bump for San Diego.
Taking the mound
Edward Cabrera (CHC) v. Walker Buehler (SD)
Cabrera has gotten off to an incredible start with his new club. After being traded to Chicago this offseason from the Miami Marlins, Cabrera was viewed as a significant upgrade for a Cubs starting rotation that desperately needed some impact starters.
He’s been exactly that thus far, posting a 2.73 ERA across 29 2/3 innings pitched. That being said, he’s struggled in his last few starts, giving up a total of 11 runs in his last 18 innings. He’s given up three or more earned runs in each of his last three outings.
If the Padres can get to Cabrera’s elite changeup, or wait on a secondary pitch to hit, they’ll be able to at least score some runs to give Buehler a cushion.
Speaking of the righty, Buehler has been woefully inconsistent to say the least. He’s struggled to a 5.75 ERA, vacillating between giving up four-plus runs and pitching a scoreless six innings. It’s difficult to say which version the Friar Faithful will get tonight.
Buehler has been hurt by this Cubs lineup before, so he’ll have to turn it up a notch and return to form tonight if the Padres are hoping to stay in the game.
Batter up!
Jake Cronenworth was out of yesterday’s lineup on a rest day. His bat has been incredibly quiet lately. But the lefty owns a .429 career batting average versus Cabrera. Perhaps tonight’s matchup might heat up his offense.
But, beyond that, it’s probably business as usual:
Ramón Laureano, LF
Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
Jackson Merrill, CF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Gavin Sheets, 1B
Miguel Andujar, DH
Ty France, 3B
Luis Campusano, C
Jake Cronenworth, 2B
Machado had a hot weekend in Mexico City, slugging two home runs in Sunday’s series finale. He kept that up last night with a 3-for-4 night against the Cubs. But he exited last night with an apparent leg injury. Manager Craig Stammen said that they took him out as a precaution but they may give him an off day anyways.
France took over for him at the hot corner and handled it quite well. He also has been on a tear lately, with two homers and a .333 batting average in his last seven games. Last night, France went 2-for-3 with a triple and recorded four RBI.
He’s been fighting for a spot on the roster with the possibility of Sung-Mun Song being called up from Triple-A any day. So far, though, his bat has been loud.
Relief corps
Stammen used all three of his highest-leverage pitchers last night to get through the final four innings. Vásquez stumbled but came through for five full innings. So Adrian Morejon and Jason Adam combined for three innings before Miller was trusted with the ninth in a non-save situation.
It’s a shock Stammen didn’t get ejected for the first time in his managerial tenure with San Diego. His arguing of the foul call seemed quite close, though the skipper has been known to keep a very level head even in high-stress moments like that one.
The Padres came close to losing last night’s game, though it never felt that way. With Miller on the mound, it never feels uncertain — and that’s a tough thing to find in the game of baseball.
Regardless of how that final inning shook out, today is a new day. And the Friars have plenty of options to turn to. Kyle Hart, Ron Marinaccio, David Morgan, Wandy Peralta and Bradgley Rodriguez are the first guys available out of the ‘pen.
The latter four combined to give up 10 runs (and the game) to the D-backs on Sunday’s loss. They’ll be hoping for a bounce back performance tonight against Chicago, as will the Friar Faithful.
NEW YORK (AP) — NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman offered his unequivocal support Tuesday for the ruling that upheld the Anaheim Ducks’ overtime goal against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series.
“It wasn’t a controversy, it was absolutely the right call,” Bettman said in meeting with Associated Press Sports Editors at the NHL headquarters in New York City. “Because of the technology that we currently use and the cameras that we have inside the net, you could see it, knew for certain that it would be in and over the line.”
Bettman’s response comes two days after Ryan Poehling’s goal was extensively reviewed to determine whether it fully crossed the goal line, before being allowed to stand in a 4-3 win. The Ducks lead 3-1 and have a chance to clinch the series in playing Game 5 at Edmonton on Tuesday night.
Though on-ice officials ruled Poehling scored, questions were raised as to whether there was enough visible evidence to show the puck crossing the line 2:29 into overtime.
Poehling’s sharp-angle shot hit an Edmonton player’s skate in front and trickled under goalie Tristan Jarry. The puck creeped through Jarry’s legs, appearing to barely cross the goal line, though the top portion of the puck was hidden by the goalie’s skate blade.
NHL replay officials determined there was no reason to overturn the on-ice call.
“I thought I saw some white (between the puck and the goal line) when I was behind the net,” Poehling said. “Then everyone was celebrating. Did it go in? I’m like, ‘I think so?’ But yeah, I thought so right away.”
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch was not convinced.
“I can’t see it going in,” Knoblauch said. “I can’t see the line. ... The (initial) goal call on the ice was probably about 60 to 90 seconds after (the shot), maybe even more. They huddled when they got to center ice and then they made the (initial) call that it was a good goal. I don’t know. Wasn’t very definitive.”
Bettman on Tuesday said the NHL is currently testing technological advancements that would further assist replay officials in determining goals. He didn’t reveal any details or provide a timeline on when the technology would be introduced.
TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 26 : James Harden (1) of Cleveland Cavaliers in action during the Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs between Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors at the Scotiabank Arena on April 26, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu via Getty Images) | Anadolu via Getty Images
This technically isn’t a must-win game, but it comes about as close to being one as possible for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Cleveland was in firm control of their opening-round series through the first two games. They were getting whatever they wanted offensively with their star backcourt of Donovan Mitchell and James Harden leading the charge. This added up to a 2-0 lead, with neither of the wins being particularly close.
The second two games were the exact opposite.
The Toronto Raptors have dictated the terms of engagement since. They’ve made it incredibly difficult for Mitchell and Harden — and in turn — have shut down Cleveland’s entire offense. The inability to get the offense going, combined with terrible fourth-quarter defense, added up to two straight losses in games that were there for the taking heading into the final quarter.
We’ll see which version of the Cavs we get in Game 5 with the series shifting back to Cleveland.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE. The link to the 2016 championship shirt HERE.
Apr 22, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Leahy (62) looks at a baseball before pitching against the Miami Marlins during the second inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The St. Louis Cardinals will have a hard time topping their come-from-behind thriller Monday night when they scored 4 ninth inning runs to beat Pittsburgh 4-2. However, maybe they can score some runs before the 9th inning Tuesday night when Kyle Leahy gets the start for St. Louis. Braxton Ashcraft will take the mound for the Pirates. First pitch at PNC Park in Pittsburgh is set for 5:40pm central time.
