SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 02: Robbie Ray #38 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the New York Mets in the top of the first inning at Oracle Park on April 02, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s time for the second game of the series between the San Francisco Giants and the Miami Marlins, and we’re all hoping it goes better than the first one.
The Giants are sending veteran lefty Robbie Ray to the mound for his sixth start of the year. The 2021 American League Cy Young Award winner is 2-3 on the year, with a 2.86 ERA, a 4.42 FIP, and 31 strikeouts against 11 walks in 28.1 innings. In his last game, Ray gave up three runs in six innings against the Washington Nationals.
He’s up against young right-handed Eury Pérez, who just turned 23 years old. He is also making his sixth start this season, and is 2-1 on the year, with a 4.15 ERA, a 4.68 FIP, and 27 strikeouts against 12 walks in 26 innings. His last start was his best, as he allowed just one unearned run in six innings against the Milwaukee Brewers.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 24: Trea Turner #7 of the Philadelphia Phillies rounds first base as he hits a two-run homer in the third inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on April 24, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For those of you who wanted change, you are far more likely to get it than at any point up until now.
Depending on how things finish up this weekend in Atlanta, it’s hard to see how the 2026 season ends with the ultimate goal of a World Series parade taking place. The NL East is already lost, and the Phillies appear to be on their way to becoming the best team in history to lose 90+ games.
Whether you loved or hated the off-season, almost everyone believed this team was going to play October baseball. Sure, not all of you, but most. They were another year older, but still appeared talented enough to grind their way through another 162 games and return to the postseason. But they have dug themselves such a large hole in the first month of the season that it will likely take the next five just to put themselves in a wild card position.
You don’t lose 10 games in a row simply because of bad luck. A championship caliber club doesn’t lose 10 in a row because they suddenly became terrible baseball players overnight.
No, the 2026 Phillies have been the worst team in baseball coming into Saturday night’s second game against the Braves in Atlanta in large part because of Dave Dombrowski’s underestimation of the importance of what goes on inside a player’s ears.
The Phillies appear psychologically broken, and it’s understandable why that may be. I talked about it numerous times over the winter as Dombrowski and the front office stood pat with the same core of players that had come up torturously short the last three Octobers.
Asking this same group of players to come back, with all the baggage they’ve acquired, all the same doubts about their abilities, all the same disappointments and frustrations, and expect everything to work out was wishful thinking more than a solid plan.
Sure, every team goes through slumps. Some of them occur at the beginning of the season. But when you watch these Phillies, you can see something is off. This play from Friday night is just the tip of the iceberg, but it encapsulates how much things have gotten into their heads.
A simple ground ball to the shortstop with two outs and runners on 1st and 2nd… it doesn’t get any easier than this. But Turner failed to notice Ronald Acuna Jr. get a good jump off of 1st and beat Bryson Stott to the bag at 2nd. He then got freaked out and sailed his throw to 1st as a result. There were multiple mental and physical errors on that play alone, and it’s not the first time something like this has happened in the season’s first month.
The players have acknowledged that the only metric for success with this team is a World Series championship. So you can understand if, subconsciously, the regular season doesn’t hold as much interest for them as it once did. You can understand if they didn’t enter this season, with 162 games ahead of them, with fire in their bellies. For this group, it’s all about getting to October, and then performing better than they have the previous three.
To a man, they will absolutely deny this. But human nature is what it is.
The Phillies are trapped inside a bubble of frustration, and the danger of not jettisoning some of the existing core and replacing them with new people was failing to pop that bubble. When Orion Kerkering threw that ball to the backstop at the end of Game 4 of the NLDS in Los Angeles, everyone felt big changes had to happen.
Sure, maybe the talent on the field didn’t mix terribly well, but it worked well enough to win the division by 13 games and return to the playoffs for a fourth straight time. But bringing people from the outside would have helped pop the bubble. Bringing in people whose mindset was not solely “World Series-or-bust” could have helped the rest of the group realize there was still a reason to get up for the regular season.
Or, it simply could have shaken people out of their doldrums.
Instead, as this season has unfolded, the Phils have thus far found themselves unable to pull out of their initial tailspin. As a result, the division is already lost before the calendar has even turned to May. All that’s in play now is a wild card, and that becomes more of a longshot with each passing day.
The psychology of the Phillies needed to change, and it was going to be impossible for that to happen without bringing in players from outside the organization (and no, the additions of Adolis Garcia, Andrew Painter and Justin Crawford weren’t going to move the needle). Sure, the Phils needed another middle-of-the-order bat, and failing to acquire one has resulted in the team yet again playing without a true cleanup hitter, but beyond the sheer baseball of it all, it would have helped in the locker room, too.
Would a new manager’s voice have helped change the team’s perspective? Would moving players like Alec Bohm and/or Stott and or Brandon Marsh have shaken things up in a good way? Would acquiring a big bat like Eugenio Suarez, landing Bo Bichette, or inking one of the Japanese stars, helped?
It’s obviously impossible to say, but it seemed obvious to me, from the moment the Phils slumped off the Dodgers Stadium field last October, they needed a mental reset. Someone to come in there and convince them they weren’t destined to always fall short. Someone to give them a jolt of energy.
Perhaps that will soon happen. Dombrowski and John Middleton will obviously look at every aspect of this team in an attempt fo salvage the season. After all, there is no rebuild coming, not with Bryce Harper, Turner, Kyle Schwarber, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo all signed to long-term extensions. If anything, there will be a re-tooling, not a rebuild.
A managerial change or other coaching change is more likely with each passing day and each succeeding loss. Change is coming.
Psychologically, for this group, that is almost certainly for the best.
Apr 25, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter Andruw Monasterio (32) hits a double during the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images | Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Recap
The second inning showcased what Sox fans have been waiting for all season: hits in the air, a stolen base, a couple of walks, everyone keeping the line moving. The Sox sent nine batters to the plate and scored three runs, breaking the spell and waking us, and themselves, from the stupor of this heavy 2026 season.
But that was nothing compared to what was to come: another three-run inning in the fifth, courtesy of a three-run double by Connor Wong.
But wait, there’s more! Wong’s hit was the play of the game until the ninth inning—which was a ten-hit, ten-run inning, by the way—highlighted by a grand slam by Andruw Monasterio. It was glorious. Both Ceddanne Rafaela and Willson Contreras had two singles and two bigger hits (a triple and homer, respectively) and crossed the plate twice in the inning. The Orioles eventually brought in a position player to pitch but the damage was done well before that.
With runners in scoring position, the Sox were 8-15 today.
There were a number of firsts today, individually and for the team:
First individual home runs of the season for Caleb Durbin and Monasterio (his slam)
First Red Sox triple of the season by Ceddanne Rafaela
First Red Sox grand slam of the season, courtesy of Andruw Monasterio
It was a huge game with good vibes to spare.
Studs
Garrett Crochet
This is the pitcher we know and love. He was dominant and in control the whole way. 6.0 IP, 7 SO, 3H, 2 BB.
Small Ball
Five walks, capitalizing on errors, and two stolen bases. The hitters kept the line moving.
Big Offense
The Sox scored plenty of runs, logged big hits, and hit at the right time. Wong’s double scored three. Rafaela’s triple led off the huge ninth. Homers by Durbin and Contreras, and of course Monasterio’s slam capped it all off for the offense. Lots of fun.
Duds
Pelvic Thrust Hit Celebration
I will keep saying this until it is dead and gone. Some Sox hitters are still using it and yuck.
Play of the Game
How about that? Andruw Monasterio, hired for his defense, not his hitting, whales a grand slam.
BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 25: Trevor Rogers #28 of the Baltimore Orioles is pulled by manager Craig Albernaz #55 during the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 25, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Some days you’re the windshield and some days you’re the bug. The next day after putting a big number up against Boston, the Orioles were on the receiving end of an ugly beatdown. By the time the dust settled, the O’s fell back below .500 with a 17-1 demolition at the hands of their last place division rivals. So much for the idea of building on that momentum. The Orioles remain winless against left-handed starting pitchers in the 2026 season.
The two teams traded zeroes in the first inning before things veered off the rails for the Orioles in the second. Starting pitcher Trevor Rogers, last year’s incredible revelation, continued to look like he’s not going to be able to repeat that form or anything close to it. Rogers simply could not make good pitches to consistently put people away once he got them to two strikes, and the result was that he saw his pitch count balloon in a second inning that he was not able to complete.
Rogers got the hook with the bases loaded and two outs in the second inning, having already allowed three runs on four hits and two walks. Only Tyler Wells coming in and stranding all of the inherited runners kept Rogers from taking an even rougher hit to his ERA. As it is, he’s up to 4.75 on the season with this clunker added to his last outing. It’s not what the Orioles needed today or what they need over the remainder of the season. This is a challenge that they are going to have to work hard to solve.
Still, the game remained in reach until the top of the fifth inning. The Orioles “only” trailed 4-0 up to that point. Reliever Albert Suárez, who was already charged with an unearned run in the fourth, was victimized again by his defense in the fifth. A throwing error by Jeremiah Jackson eventually resulted in three unearned runs crossing the plate in the inning and the Orioles were then behind by seven runs.
Suárez, who had not pitched in six days, could have helped more to pitch his way out of this jam, but the scoring is what it is. This was one of three errors committed by the Orioles in an overall uninspiring game.
The offense was just as uninspiring. They faced a tough task, if you are in the mood to be fair to them. The Red Sox starter was last year’s AL Cy Young runner-up, Garrett Crochet. Although Crochet has had a couple of rough outings early this season, he’s had a couple of very good ones too. At least on Saturday against the Orioles, it looked like he’d fixed his problems. Crochet allowed just three hits and two walks over his six shutout innings. The lone O’s run scored was also unearned; an error committed by Caleb Durbin put the unearned run on the stat line for reliever Greg Weissert.
What really made it embarrassing for the Orioles was Keegan Akin, fresh off the injured list to pitch in his first outing of the season. Akin, again if you are in the mood to be fair, did pitch one scoreless inning after coming into the game in the eighth inning. The problem was he was tasked with pitching the ninth as well, and, uh, he was not up to that task. By which I mean he gave up six runs in the ninth inning before the O’s turned to position player Weston Wilson to pitch. That’s a 54.00 ERA for Akin’s 2026. He’s going to have to put up a lot of zeroes to make up for that.
There was a time where position players pitching was fun. That time has largely passed. The only thing we can say for Wilson is he gave up fewer runs than Akin, allowing four to score while managing to get three outs and end the thing. Wilson had pitched a few previous times in his career and brought a 0.00 ERA into this contest. That perfection has been wrecked.
The teams will play one more on Sunday afternoon with a 1:35 scheduled start time to settle who is the winner of this three-game set. Kyle Bradish is set to make the start for the Orioles. The O’s hitters will have another chance to try to solve a lefty starter, with rookie Red Sox pitcher Connelly Early on the mound. The 24-year-old brings a 2.88 ERA through five games into the outing. He has to feel pretty good about his chances, given what he saw these dudes do against Crochet today.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 14: Shane McClanahan #18 of the Tampa Bay Rays gets set to throw a pitch in the first inning during a game against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on April 14, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/IOS/Getty Images) | Getty Images
First Pitch: 3:10 pm CDT TV: Twins.TV Radio: TIBN / WCCO 830 / The Wolf 102.9 FM / Audacy
The Minnesota Twins. Ever heard of em?
An early start to the season means that it can be game 27 and still only be April. We’re at the point of the season where the oft-cited “small sample size” begins to stretch itself out a bit, meaning that within the next couple of weeks we’ll have a better sense of flukes vs. trends, like whether or not Austin Martin has actually figured out how to become one of the premier hitters in the game.
One of the biggest questions that will be answered with a larger sample is just what kind of team the 2026 Minnesota Twins are. After absolutely mowing down the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox in a riveting home stretch, the Twins lost seven out of their last eight, including the opener on Friday night.
Bailey Ober has managed to run a 106 ERA+ in five starts so far, despite operating on some godforsaken combination of duct tape and good will. Ober has potentially the lowest velocity manageable in the Big 26, which has led to his changeup outpacing his fastball as his primary pitch, even as the rest of his offerings remain in line with their usage proportions from years prior.
Plus, after catastrophically-low run values from his breaking arsenal last year, Ober’s breaking run value is 94th percentile here in April. Reinventing himself in real-time as a quasi-junkballer, Bailey’s high-wire act has led to team victories in three of his first five starts, and he’s coming off a wonderful outing last weekend during which he held the Cincinnati Reds to three hits and struck out double-digit batters. (Don’t ask what happened after he left.)
On the slibbity-gibbity hippity flip-side is Shane McClanahan, who’s returning to game action this year after not having thrown a pitch since 2023. It’s been a ginger return for the brunette lefty, who has maxed out at 90 pitches in four starts, never going more than five innings and mostly struggling with control (11 walks in 18 innings.)
German and French clubs are showing in the Champions League they can make the most of the benefits of not having to play in a gruelling domestic competition
Paris Saint-Germain have won 11 of the past 13 French league titles and, going into this weekend, stood four points clear of Lens at the top of Ligue 1. Bayern Munich have already wrapped up this season’s Bundesliga title, their 13th in 14 years. According to Deloitte, Bayern are the third-richest club in the world by revenue, PSG fourth.
They meet in the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday as two modern super-clubs. The idea of a top-five European league feels outmoded. Rather there are the best Premier League clubs, plus perhaps five or six others of whom PSG and Bayern are the outstanding two still left in this season’s competition.
DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 23: Gavin Sheets #30 of the San Diego Padres celebrates with Xander Bogaerts #2 after hitting a 3 RBI home run against the Colorado Rockies in the ninth inning at Coors Field on April 23, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was rough going for a moment there.
The San Diego Padres bounced back late for a 10-8 win over the Colorado Rockies Thursday afternoon. In what felt like a gruelingly long game, the Friars continued to stay within striking distance but couldn’t seem to get ahead of the Rox.
They finally did with three outs left. Rockies reliever Victor Vodnik struggled to record an out, walking Jackson Merrill to start the ninth before giving up three consecutive singles and a three-run blast from Gavin Sheets that just stayed fair.
It was a win the Friars needed. One that proved their bats are still alive after a week of them being peculiarly quiet. They’ll need that slug this weekend as they face the Arizona Diamondbacks in Mexico City tonight.
Taking the mound
Zac Gallen (AZ) v. Germán Márquez (SD)
It was probably never that close, but it felt like Gallen was close to being a Padre this offseason.
After being the subject of a prolonged free agency, he ended up re-signing with Arizona on a one-year deal. He’s pitched serviceably to start the year but has struggled with command (3.51 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 25.2 IP).
In the high-altitude, hitter-friendly environs of Mexico City — a stadium that last saw the Padres face the San Francisco Giants in an 11-homer tirade — Gallen will need to have his command locked down. Otherwise, it’ll quickly turn into a slugfest for San Diego.
The same is true for Márquez, though his statline suggests a worse pitcher than he has been. He’s yet to record consecutive quality outings, going back-and-forth between giving up four runs and pitching a scoreless game.
That’s been the problem for Márquez so far this year: consistency. When he’s on, he’s on. But when he’s not? He’s really not.
He pitched 5 2/3 innings against the Los Angeles Angels last week and only allowed two hits. The Friar Faithful hope that he can follow that performance tonight against the D-backs.
Batter up!
The starters will be out with the off day yesterday giving everyone a breather. That has the lineup looking like this:
Ramón Laureano, LF
Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
Jackson Merrill, CF
Manny Machado, 3B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Gavin Sheets, 1B
Ty France, DH
Luis Campusano, C
Jake Cronenworth, 2B
Gallen is a tough starter to face, but the Padres have one thing over him: they’ve faced him a lot.
That being said, certain players have had more success than others. Bogaerts, Cronenworth, France and Gavin Sheets all have a batting average over .300 against him. France, Sheets and Fernando Tatis Jr. have an OPS over 1.000 when facing the right-hander.
Those career numbers are why France might start at DH today, though Miguel Andujar could as well after his bat heated up in Colorado.
Those are names to watch for, with Cronenworth having an especially slow start to the year at the plate. He’ll look to get things going today against Gallen.
Relief corps
Starter Matt Waldron did not do much to help his case for a roster spot, giving up six runs in Thursday’s series finale against Colorado. (The signing of free agent Lucas Giolito could not have come soon enough.) But he did go five full innings, so the bullpen can at least be thankful for that.
The Padres used Adrian Morejon, Ron Marinaccio and Mason Miller to cover the final four frames. Miller extended his scoreless streak to tie the franchise record at 33 2/3. He’ll look to extend it against Arizona this weekend.
But, with the off day yesterday, it’ll likely be all-hands-on-deck for the Friars. That being said, the first out of the ‘pen would be those who didn’t pitch on Thursday. That leaves Jason Adam, Kyle Hart, David Morgan, Wandy Peralta and Bradgley Rodriguez.
If Márquez falters, then expect Hart or Peralta out first to cover multiple innings. But if San Diego has a lead and Márquez makes it through five or six frames, the high-leverage guys will be out in full force.
The New York Knicks will try to rebound in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks won Games 2 and 3, each by a single point. The Knicks are slight 1.5-point favorites.
Moneyline: Atlanta Hawks +105 (46.3%) / New York Knicks -130 (53.7%)
Over/Under: 214.5
Series results, schedule
Game 1:Knicks 113, Hawks 102 Game 2:Hawks 107, Knicks 106 Game 3:Hawks 109, Knicks 108 Game 4: Sat., April 25, at Atlanta (6 p.m., NBC) *Game 5: Tue., April 28,at New York (TBD) *Game 6: Thu., April 30, at Atlanta (TBD) *Game 7: Sat., May 2, at New York (TBD)
After losing each of their first three games of their series against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Pittsburgh Penguins are making a change between the pipes for Game 4. Arturs Silovs will be the team's starting goalie for the matchup, replacing Stuart Skinner.
Seeing the Penguins switching goalies for Game 4 is understandable. They need a shakeup after how the first three games have gone, and they will be hoping Silovs can provide them with a much-needed boost.
This is a great opportunity for Silovs to try to show the Penguins that he can be trusted in big moments for them. The 25-year-old goalie has good upside and will be looking to make a major impact for the Penguins to try to save their season.
Silovs has NHL playoff experience, as he played in 10 postseason games for the Vancouver Canucks in 2024. During them, he had a 5-5 record, an .898 save percentage, and a 2.91 goals-against average. He notably helped the Canucks get past the Nashville Predators in the first round that year, which included him having a 28-save shutout in Game 6.
During this past year, Silovs helped lead the Abbotsford Canucks to their Calder Cup championship. In 24 games during their playoff run, he had a 16-7 record, a 2.01 goals-against average, a .931 save percentage, and five shutouts. Due to his dominance that postseason, he was named the AHL Playoff MVP.
Now, Silovs will be looking to shine after getting this opportunity for the Penguins. Let's see if he can seize his chance and help Pittsburgh avoid being swept.
Apr 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) has the ball stolen by Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) in the fourth quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Sorry for the late post. But chat about today’s NBA playoff games here!
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 24: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket against Nikola Vucevic #4 of the Boston Celtics during game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 24, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 108-100. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Starting and finishing the second half to reach the 30-minute mark for the first time as a Celtic, the 35-year-old Nikola Vučević found himself in unfamiliar territory.
Vooch was part of a clutch time win in the playoffs.
“It’s what you want to do as a professional athlete: Be in these moments, be in big games, be able to deliver for your teammates,” he said. “So, it was a good win, but now we’re on to the next one.”
One more win in this series would match Vučević’s postseason wins for his career before joining the Celtics, but his last win to technically reach the clutch time 5-under-5 threshold came in 2022, when the Bulls led by five with 18 seconds to go against the Milwaukee Bucks. Prior to that, he played in a true back-and-forth clutch game in 2019, when Orlando upset the Toronto Raptors in Game 1 of the first round before losing four straight to the eventual champions.
The unfamiliarity isn’t in the fact that he reached those clutch opportunities; it’s that, for the first time in his NBA career, it’s with a team that’s expected to win those games. And since he was acquired at the trade deadline, he’s been expected to play a part in reaching those expectations.
With Neemias Queta starting the game in early foul trouble and finishing the night with four fouls in 13 minutes, it opened the door for Vučević to handle the bulk of the big man work load, finishing the night with a well-rounded statline of 11 points (4/10 shooting), 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks.
“I thought Vooch stepped up for us big time tonight on both ends of the floor,” Joe Mazzulla said after the game. “Anybody we put in has a chance to help us win, so we’ve got to keep that going.”
In the fourth quarter, a corner three less than 90 seconds in and a drive and kick pass to an open Jayson Tatum for his first of two clutch threes played their part in the Game 3 victory.
Out of the gate in the third quarter, Boston ran a unique action to get Vooch involved in what would become a game he’d feature heavily in. With Maxey matched up on Sam Hauser, the Celtics worked him into an off-ball action, running an inverted pindown with Hauser setting a screen for Vooch to curl around. With Maxey left alone on the 6’9” big man, it forced Adem Bona to help, leaving an open kickout to Hauser for a tone-setting three out of the break.
It’s not an action you see often for the big man. What you will see is a heavy dose of pick-and-pop basketball, particularly with Andre Drummond as his matchup. In this game, Vučević was the shooter Philly often decided to play off of, leaving him unmanned on his pop outs, instead opting to keep Drummond closer to the paint, or outright committing to cutting off Tatum or Brown’s drives.
This first quarter three from Vooch is a good indication of the way Philly sold out to protect the paint. As Brown drives, he sees strong-side help from Maxey and from Drummond. It’s a smart kickout from JB, and the 76ers lived with these kinds of attempts all night.
Vooch made an impact offensively, but surprisingly, it was his defense that was the highlight of the night. While not a high bar to clear, it was by far Vooch’s best defensive outing in a Celtics uniform.
After a heavy dose of drop pick-and-roll coverage in Game 2 that dared the Sixers to beat them from the outside, the Celtics didn’t go completely away from the drop, but they mixed in more up-to-touch coverage, more off-ball stunts when they went with a drop, and an added wrinkle of more of ice coverage to push the ball away from the middle of the floor. With Vooch playing off the ice coverage, he handled his own, keeping the ball in front of him even with the risk of an open paint.
By funneling the ball to the side and forcing it away from the middle of the floor, it makes things easier on the off-ball defenders keeping track of where the ball goes next, and forces more baseline shot attempts or ball relocations.
Maxey had a few instances where his ability to pass and relocate gave Philadelphia a fresh look to reset and find better scoring avenues, but compared to Game 2, the Celtics did a better job making them work for the shots they wanted.
Credit should go to Vooch for his foot work and hands filling passing lanes during these iced screens, but it’s important to note the way Derrick White, Jordan Walsh and Brown all adjust their positioning and ride the back of the ballhandler to provide pressure from behind and in front of the ball.
In crunchtime, Vooch did have a few defensive possessions where his screen defense was a little too high on the ball, with one instance putting him out of position as Drummond rolled into an easy dunk to cut the Celtics lead to one with 2:19 to play. In another late-game possession when Paul George broke containment and got into the paint, Vooch committed hard to contest the drive, leaving Drummond open again for a layoff opportunity.
If we’re putting a grade on his overall defensive performance, something like a solid B feels accurate. Some familiar miscues, but otherwise good screen defense and better-than-usual rim protection.
This wasn’t the heroic, immortalizing performance that Vučević’s 15-year career has been missing, but it was a well-rounded effort at a crucial time.
Apr 19, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of the batting helmet of Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
So there was a bit of Jays news today, check out the posts, but the short of it:
Nathan Lukes to IL.
Yohendrick Piñango called up.
Yimi Garcia to the 60-day IL.
Trey Yesavage to start Tuesday.
Eric Lauer to the bullpen.
I feel bad for Lukes, battling through vertigo, finally starting to hit the way we’d expect and then this. That’s the thing about the game, we don’t know what the players are going through at anytime. Sometimes there is a reason they aren’t performing the way we expect.
And it looks like Bo Bichette is starting to get things going for the Mets. He has 6 hits in his last 5 games.
I often say that the start of the season is the worst time for a slump because no one will notice when you turn things around.
And if you start hot, no one will notice when you slump.
I try to tell myself to stay patient, that a guy like Lukes, we know what we have, if he has 50 poor at bats at the start of the year, don’t panic, he’ll likely have the numbers you’d expect at the end of the year.
We get a Kevin Gausman start. He has a 2.54 ERA, in his first five starts. It would be nice if the team could get him some runs today.
Philadelphia looked like a potentially dangerous No. 7 seed entering the postseason it has lived up to that billing through the first three games.
Led by All-Star Tyrese Maxey — scoring 27 points a game this series — and his backcourt running mate, rookie VJ Edgecombe, the 76ers were able to split the two games in Boston. They did that without center Joel Embiid, who has been out recovering from an appendectomy.
It took big nights from "The J's" — Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who scored 25 points each — to earn Boston a Game 3 win on the road and retake the lead in the series. The Celtics are very difficult to beat when they are hitting their 3-pointers, and they were 20-of-47 (42.6%) in Game 3. Boston needs that to carry over to Sunday.
See below for additional information on the Celtics-76ers game and how to watch the 2026 NBA Playoffs on NBC and Peacock.
How to watch Celtics vs. 76ers, Game 4:
When: Sunday, April 26 Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia Time: 4 p.m. ET Announcing team: Mike Tirico (play by play), Reggie Miller (analyst), Zora Stephenson (courtside reporter) TV: NBC Live Stream:Peacock Series: Celtics lead 2-1
What other games are on NBC and Peacock Sunday?
• Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets (Game 4), 9:30 ET, NBC and Peacock
Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers game preview
In the playoffs, the little things can be the difference — grabbing a key rebound, making a key steal, knocking down the clutch 3-pointer. In this series between long-time Eastern Conference rivals, it has been Boston doing a little more of that.
In Game 3, it was Jaylen Brown with the key fourth-quarter steal on a Tyrese Maxey pass, turning it into a Derrick White layup. It was Jayson Tatum hitting a clutch 3-pointer. It was White crashing from the corner and getting a key offensive rebound between two 76ers with 35 seconds remaining.
That Game 3 win has Boston up 2-1 in the series: The Celtics are 48-5 all-time when up 2-1 in a series, while the 76ers are 2-21 when trailing 1-2 in a series.
Philadelphia is ignoring those numbers and believes it has a chance to come back in this series — they just have to do the little things better.
"When you play good teams, that's what it is," Tyrese Maxey said. "You've got to be extremely sharp in the playoffs, man. You're seeing it."
Philly's belief starts with Maxey, who is averaging 27 points and 7.7 assists per game, although he has struggled with shots inside the arc, shooting just 39.2% on those. His help has been inconsistent, with Paul George averaging 18 points a game and rookie VJ Edgecombe at 17.7 (but shooting just 27.3% from beyond the arc).
Joel Embiid would be a big boost for Game 4, but his status remains in doubt as he recovers from an appendectomy. Embiid was listed as questionable before Game 3 before being ruled out.
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HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 24: Rui Hachimura #28 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 24, 2026 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. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
To call Friday’s Game 3 win for the Lakers over the Rockets improbable would be quite the understatement. Down six without the ball and just 30 seconds left, LA somehow forced overtime before coming away with a win that puts them firmly in the driver’s seat in the series.
It’s a win that required a lot of resilience. Even before the final seconds, the Lakers had to withstand a Rockets run throughout the second half to even be within touching distance late.
Then, in the final seconds, they needed a bit of magic from Marcus Smart before coming up with another late steal to shock Houston. It was all a bit wild and required a lot of belief…
….belief that only existed because it was the playoffs, if you ask a maybe-too-honest Rui.
Look, Rui’s not wrong necessarily, but this is one of those things you don’t admit publicly. I’m pretty sure if head coach JJ Redick saw this clip, it might give him an aneurysm.
In Rui’s defense, there was basically no chance of them winning the game when LeBron missed his 3-pointer with 36.4 seconds left. At that moment, according to ESPN’s win probability chart, the Lakers had a 2.7% chance of winning, which still seems high.
Fortunately, Smart didn’t have quite the same mentality as Rui in that moment.
Jokes aside, the Lakers have been a remarkably resilient bunch this season, both in the big picture and small picture. They’ve battled through injuries all season to even be at this point in the series.
It’s not one of the best teams Lakers fans have seen, but it is one of the most memorable because of that trail alone.
The Los Angeles Lakers came through with a clutch victory in Game 3 to take a commanding 3-0 lead, and the Houston Rockets will look to stave off elimination when they host Game 4 at the Toyota Center tonight.
Marcus Smart has been excellent this postseason, and my Lakers vs. Rockets predictions call for him to keep the momentum going as LA advances to the Western Conference semifinals.
Here are my best free NBA picks for Game 4 on Sunday, April 26.
UPDATE: Added a prediction for who will win tonight.
Lakers vs Rockets prediction
Who will win Lakers vs Rockets Game 4?
Lakers: The Houston Rockets dropped Game 1 without Kevin Durant, but Houston couldn’t get back on track with their superstar forward on the court. Durant sat out Game 3, and the Rockets came within 30 seconds of getting in the win column.
Two careless turnovers from Jabari Smith Jr. and Reed Sheppard led to six quick points from Marcus Smart and LeBron James in the final seconds of the contest, and Houston is facing an insurmountable 0-3 deficit. Any fight that Houston had left is gone, and the Lakers will take the series.
Lakers vs Rockets best bet: Marcus Smart Over 16.5 points + assists (-110)
Marcus Smart has played tremendously well since returning from a nine-game absence. He logged 18 minutes off the bench in his return, and he’s started four straight games dating back to the season finale.
Smart has been instrumental in the Los Angeles Lakers’ postseason success, and I expect that to continue in Game 4.
Through the first three games of the series, Smart has averaged 28.6 points+assists while logging 36 minutes per game. His usage has increased from 15.1 in the regular season to 23.5 in the postseason.
He finished with 23 points + assists in Game 1 and followed it up with 32 and 31 in Games 2 and 3, respectively.
Smart was instrumental in the Game 3 come-from-behind victory, stealing the ball and knocking down three free throws to cut the lead to three, eventually leading to a LeBron James game-tying triple in the final seconds of regulation.
The Houston Rockets' defense has been poor and undisciplined in the postseason. The Rockets have surrendered the third-most free-throw attempts (28.7), third-most assists (26), and the highest three-point percentage (46.1).
Houston’s 110.3 defensive rating ranks 10th, and the team has allowed the eighth-most points (106.7).
Smart has averaged 8.3 assists and knocked down 8-of-16 triples through the first three games of the series, and the matchup with Houston sets him up favorably to have another successful performance as a scorer and facilitator.
Lakers vs Rockets same-game parlay
The Rockets are in total disarray after squandering a late lead in Friday’s Game 3. The Lakers could take their foot off the gas and wrap up the series at home in Game 5, but getting James some rest would be ideal.
I expect the Lakers to put the final nail in the coffin of a highly dysfunctional Rockets season.
The Under has hit in four of six head-to-head matchups between these two teams, but I fully expect the Lakers to take care of business in this one and put up more than enough points to push this one to the Over.
After Friday’s 220-point total, the number has moved up just two points to 207.5, making it a value selection.
Lakers vs Rockets SGP
Marcus Smart Over 16.5 points + assists
Lakers +5.5
Over 207.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Team Effort!
It’s time to put the Rockets out of their misery and wrap up the series early. The Lakers will surely value rest for the players who fought through the series while they anxiously anticipate the return of Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic.
Father Time's undefeated record is certainly in question, as LeBron James’ fingerprints are all over this series. King James has hit the Over on this line in three straight, and he ended the regular season with 40+ PRA in three of four contests.
James knows what it takes to close the series out, and I expect another big game.
Rui Hachimura finished Friday’s win with 22 points, and he’ll look to build on that performance in Game 4. Hachimura has started eight straight games, averaging 16.5 points along the way. He’s scored 15+ in four of those eight.
Like Rui, Luke Kennard has started eight straight games. In that span, he’s averaged 15.6 points and scored 13+ six times. Kennard has really come alive in the playoffs, averaging 21.3 points across the first three games of the series.
Lakers vs Rockets SGP
Lakers moneyline
LeBron James Over 39.5 points + rebounds + assists
Marcus Smart Over 16.5 points + assists
Rui Hachimura Over 14.5 points
Luke Kennard Over 12.5 points
Lakers vs Rockets odds for Game 4
Spread: Lakers +5.5 (-115) | Rockets -5.5 (-105)
Moneyline: Lakers +160 | Rockets -190
Over/Under: Over 207.5 | Under 207.5
Lakers vs Rockets betting trend to know
Los Angeles has hit the moneyline in 32 of its last 45 games (+19.60 Units / 17% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Rockets.
How to watch Lakers vs Rockets Game 4
Location
Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Date
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Tip-off
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
NBC
Lakers vs Rockets latest injuries
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