After an overall annoying series against the Angels, last night’s game was trending towards being annoying too, with the Yankees tied with the Royals in the eighth inning. Enter Ryan McMahon of all people. The embattled third baseball hit his first home run of the season at the best possible time, as his late two-run shot gave the Yankees the cushion they needed to win. Now, the Yankees can sew up a series win if they can beat Kansas City again this afternoon.
To try and get that win, the Yankees will give the ball to Will Warren. For the season, Warren’s numbers are pretty good, although he has had some frustrating moments. We’ll see if he can get past those this afternoon against a struggling KC offense.
Despite his big homer, McMahon is not in the lineup today, as Amed Rosario will get the start against a lefty. Randal Grichuk is also in the lineup in left, with Cody Bellinger playing center in place of Trent Grisham.
Said lefty for the Royals will be Noah Cameron. Last year, Cameron finished fourth in AL Rookie of the Year voting and has been a very good pitcher in his young MLB career.
Here’s all the information you need to know to catch today’s game, and we hope you’ll come join us in the game thread!
How to watch
Location: Yankee Stadium — Bronx, NY
First pitch: 1:35 pm ET
TV broadcast: YES (NYY) | Royals.TV (KCR)
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY) | 96.5 The Fan, Royals Radio Network (KCR)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Mason Barnett #63 of the Athletics pitches in the top of the third inning against the Kansas City Royals at Sutter Health Park on September 26, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Justine Willard/Athletics/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The A’s made a small roster move on Saturday morning, bringing up right-hander Mason Barnett from Triple-A while sending Elvis Alvarado down to make room:
Barnett has been in the starting rotation down in Las Vegas to start the season, making three starts and posting a solid 3.07 ERA in that time. He’s done well so far but walks have remained an issue for him as he’s issued eight free passes compared to just 10 strikeouts so far. He’s been pitching deep-ish into games too, going 5 1/3, 4, and 5 innings pitched, getting up to the low 80’s.
What his role will be with the club isn’t clear quite yet. The starting rotation seems fairly locked in at this point outside of Jacob Lopez, but if the team were planning on replacing him in the rotation with Barnett they would have done this move later when the timing lined up. Fellow right-hander Jack Perkins is considered the long man in the bullpen but Barnett would be another one of those for Mark Kotsay. Most teams don’t usually have two of those types of arms in their bullpen. Keep an eye out for updates regarding their plans with Barnett. How would you use him?
Meanwhile Alvarado will head to the minors to try to get himself back on track in a less stressful environment. The right-hander entered the year as one of the top options for late-game work but has seen some major struggles in the early going. Even before last night’s 4-run appearance Alvarado’s ERA was 5.87 and he began to see less high-leverage spots. It’s not sitting at an unsightly 8.38 through the first three weeks. We’ll surely be seeing the 27-year-old righty back with the club soon but for now he’ll head to Triple-A to try to find himself, and hopefully when he returns he can be the arm that the A’s hoped he would be for them this season.
Maybe someday we’ll have some meaningful time together. | Getty Images
Whenever the Islanders miss the postseason (which is a lot), on one level I’m able to enjoy the spectacle and intensity of the Stanley Cup playoffs in a different way, free of the exhausting emotional investment and baggage that comes with talking yourself into how they might go far while watching them ultimately get eliminated. Watching the playoffs without a rooting interest is like getting to watch the melodrama of Real Housewives of Whatever Shithole Plastic Surgery County instead of actually living it because you married poorly.
However, a postseason without the Islanders is not completely free of emotional investment. I’m never truly free until every team I hate is safely eliminated. This year, that’s a little easier since several franchises I loathe did not qualify.
But there are still teams to pull for, or root against. This post is mostly an excuse to ask the readership: Who are you pulling for in these playoffs? — so please let us know in comments, and feel free to skip the Player Haters Ball listing that follows, knowing that I just have to get it off my chest.
The Teams That Must Not Win (and won’t anyway)
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers made the playoffs?!? This really is humiliating. True, the Flyers’ Cup drought is even longer than…every other non-Leafs team that has ever won the Cup, but still…no.
Pittsburgh Penguins
They’ll never admit it, but the 1980s Penguins with Mario Lemieux were essentially seen the same way the 2009-12 Islanders with John Tavares were: “Oh, man, it’s such a shame that they’re so terrible and wasting his career for six seasons and counting.” In order to win a couple of Cups — but only two, because Al Arbour > Scotty Bowman, teehee — the Penguins needed to miss the playoffs for seven out of eight years, luck into Jaromir Jagr instead of Scott Scissons, and inadvertently fleece the Whalers in a John Cullen-for-Ron Francis swap because they sought Ulf Samuelsson’s dirtiness toughness.
So they have done virtually nothing brilliant as a franchise, other than luck into a shit-ton of great players in between lengthy tanks.
They did it all again a decade later when they tanked-and-bankrupted into Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby (lockout lottery fix), Marc-Andre Fleury and Kris Letang. (Sorry Ryan Whitney, you insufferable windbag, you didn’t, and still do not, count.) There is nothing honorable about this franchise nor what it has “earned*” and no one outside of a very specific Pittsburgh-area subset should root for them.
*I use that term loosely, in the Chris Pronger AI book sense.
There appears to be some attempt at rallying behind the Penguins as Crosby’s Last Ride or something, but there is nothing feel-good in that. Crosby has had plenty of rides. Let someone else have something.
Los Angeles Kings
This team has 22 regulation wins. That’s seven fewer than the Islanders, who also were 10-0 in OT and do not deserve a postseason berth.
Simply, the Kings have zero business being here. The only possible reason they should win the Cup would be so the league finally trashes this stupid three-points-or-maybe-two-points, every-game-needs-a-winner, 3-on-3/shootout stupidity. But the Kings won’t, and even then the league surely wouldn’t.
MontrealCanadiens
The other tragedy of the Nordiques-Avalanche relocation is that French Canada lost its only potential check on Canadiens’ arrogance. After the Islanders dynasty unseated the final Canadiens one in 1980, this once-storied franchise somehow lucked into two more Cups by the grace of Patrick Roy. But as karmic penance, they are now cursed to never ever win a Cup since the Nordiques left Quebec.
Amusingly, their annoying fans probably think they would’ve won the pandemic Cup if only the Islanders had slipped by the Lightning, but they are wrong.
Also, remember when Martin St. Louis was so wounded by his Lightning GM not picking him for the Olympic team that he demanded a trade to the Rangers? Yeah, f- that guy.
Edmonton Oilers
Well well well, if it isn’t dynasty interruptus! It’s not our problem that the Oilers could never string more than two Cups in a row, keeping them from entering the Habs/Islanders dynasty echelon without an asterisk. I’m not sorry that Steve Smith scored an essential own goal off Grant Fuhr’s leg. And I’m not sorry that this franchise has yet to win another Cup despite Connor McDavid and their trio of first-overall picks in the Taylor Hall sequence.
Most of all, it’s important that McDavid not win a Cup in Edmonton so he can play in a 4 Nations or Olympics or World Cup or whatever with Matthew Schaefer in a couple years and decide he needs to join that kid on Long Island.
Vegas Golden Knights
No, just no.
Teams That Could Win and It’d Be…Okay
Dallas Stars
I’ve no feelings for this franchise or most of its players, but GM Jim Nill is a longtime hockey good guy who’s done everything right since taking over the Stars. Untimely injuries, self-inflicted coaching implosions — he’s navigated them all but each year there’s something that keeps them from the top.
They are starting to remind me of the 1980s Washington Capitals, a quietly really good team for several years that was always right up there yet always running into a stronger force like the Islanders, Flyers or Bruins.
The Stars seem to keep encountering that like the…
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche have Brock Nelson, and that’s not nothing. He made an understandable decision that any of us would’ve made pre-Matthew Schaefer: Pretty sure my best Cup chance for the rest of my 30s is not on Long Island. If he’s able to lift the Cup it will be a spiritual boon for all of the Snow-era Islanders, except for any that he might’ve agitated to insanity=, which is not likely but definitely possible.
That said…the Avalanche is a spoiled franchise born of absolute privilege and timing. Before every college grad wanted to move there for the weed, Denver was a sleepy enough town that complaining about transplants wasn’t a daily topic. Sports-wise, before they built a giant airport that is basically as far as the Moon from downtown, they had the Broncos, a laughingstock basketball team, and a baseball team that stole its name from the defunct NHL team because when would they be big enough to get hockey again?
Alas, the mid-’90s Canadian small markets were a rocky place, where hockey revenue’s seed could find no purchase. So just as the Nordiques and their league-best uniforms finally got good after years of last-place finishes, their team became unaffordable, and Denver swooped in. They were almost named the Rocky Mountain Express.
The Avalanche have had plenty of fortune and deserve no sympathy nor rooting interest. But they have Brock Nelson, so if they win and he lifts the Cup, I will smile.
Carolina Hurricanes
Kinda like the Stars, the Hurricanes are always banging on the door, but rather than running into a juggernaut, they usually shoot themselves in the foot. Whatever, I’m indifferent.
Tampa Bay Lightning
I don’t think it would be okay if they won, but I’m resigned to them being perennially good in their John Cooper, Kuherov and Vasilevskiy era, so it’s not a big deal if they add another Cup, I guess.
Minnesota Wild
The Wild probably can’t get through the tough draw they have with the Central stalwarts of Dallas and Colorado, but if they did Bill Guerin would be hailed as the new face of NHL genius and all that.
They are exciting, and the franchise has never won, and the North Stars never won, so it wouldn’t be terrible if they somehow did it.
Teams That Are Also There
Utah Mammoth
It’s Utah, they have amazing national parks and nice skiing when there’s snow. They did us the favor of getting themselves a name (and not “Utah HC”) before they entered the postseason. There’s not much else to say about this team, but they did rescue the Coyotes and they somehow went the entire season without a shootout, so they are doing Bossy’s work here.
It would be funny if they went all the way, but of course they won’t.
Anaheim (Mighty) Ducks (of)
They overdid it on the orange, they have the dirty Little Ball of Hate as their GM and a “rehabilitated” Joel Quenneville as coach. But they have some fun young talent who Q might someday teach to play defense, too. There could be some high-octane offensive fun in their series with the Oilers before they’re eliminated.
Boston Bruins
Credit to them for not being terrible when everyone figured they’d be plummeting and tanking. But in addition to being inherently unlikeable, they’re also playing the Buffalo Sabres, who are a feel-good story. So if Boston knocks off the Sabres, everyone will hate them even more.
Ottawa Senators
The Senators have become really irritating as they’ve taken on Brady Tkachuk’s “Master of Hockey Cliches and Pantomime” personality. Not much to like in that way, but they’re coached by our beloved ol’ Gutless Puke Travis Green, whose middle name is Vernon according to Wikipedia.
Don’t want them to go far, and they shouldn’t with Carolina as their first-round draw. But anytime the Senators do well it’s fun for its effect on Leafs fans.
Universal Bandwagon Favorite
Buffalo Sabres
You have to really hate Buffalo or someone involved with them to not pull for the Sabres or their fans. They suffered so, so SO long. We’ve been waiting for years for their rebuild to finally turn a corner, and just when it looked like it was never going to happen, they flipped the switch midseason, coinciding with a change at GM a little after their turnaround began.
What a miraculous legend it would be if this team rode their turnaround all the way to the Cup.
Ah, but they will fall short, of course — Buffalo can’t have nice things — so it’s just a matter of learning if they get to have some fun first, or if the end will be particularly and classically cruel in the fashion of so many Buffalo sports stories.
But while they’re still alive, they have my full support.
Elsewhere
New Jersey boy-turned-analytics-guru Sunny Mehta gets the Devils GM job. [NHL]
In Vancouver, Jim Rutherford (or ownership, or whoever) fired his puppet, but he says the new GM will make all the hockey decisions. [Sportsnet]
32 Thoughts: On Connor Hellebuyck and the Jets, and also candidates for the Leafs job (Ryan Bowness of the Islanders is one of many mentioned). [Sportsnet]
With the franchise at six years of tanking and counting, Connor Bedard says the Blackhawks need to finally start playing for something. [NHL]
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 14: Jack Anderson #77 of the Boston Red Sox pitches to the Minnesota Twins in the sixth inning of a game at Target Field on April 14, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Who is he and where did he come from?
He’s Jack Anderson. The Red Sox have had to go to the 40-man roster earlier in the season than they would have liked, to the tune of bringing four guys up from Worcester so far, three of whom have made their Major League debut (four total if you count Rule 5 pick Ryan Watson.) Anderson, a 26-year old Florida State Seminole, is the latest addition. He was drafted by the Tigers in 2021, and was acquired by the Red Sox in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 draft two years ago, arriving in Double-A Portland. He made his Major League debut to stop the bleeding after a shaky Sonny Grey start and looked damn good doing so for most of it. He struck out the side in his first inning of work, got one more strikeout for a total of four, and only suffered a hit given up by a home run, finishing out 3 innings solidly.
Is he any good?
The same answer I’ve given on every debut this season: he could be. At 6’3”, 197, Anderson doesn’t quite fit the archetype of huge lefty with velocity that Craig Breslow clamors over, and that’s okay. His fastball, albeit slow, topping out at 93 miles per hour, has 19 inches of vertical break, which means Andrew Bailey is no doubt drooling over it. Also interesting is that Anderson came up through the minors as a multi-inning reliever; out of 149 minor league appearances, he started just ten, and even all of those within the last 12 months.
I think it’s fitting for Anderson to be in that multi-inning, low-leverage relief role, as that’s what he was a majority of the time in Portland last year, his best season as a pro, where he logged 75 innings at the Double-A level, striking 90 out and walking 18. Upon his callup to Triple-A, he showed the same command of the strike zone but did get hit around a little more, but it seemed to vastly improve to start 2026. Knock on wood; he hasn’t hit a batter since 2024, when he was down in Double-A. In general, he tends to not give up many walks, period.
Tl;dr, just give me the stats.
In 2025, his first as a member of Boston’s organization, Anderson pitched 86 2/3 innings across 26 games in Portland and Worcester, striking 101 batters out while walking 22 for an ERA of 3.72 and a similar FIP of 3.80.
Show me a cool highlight.
It’s cheating, sure, but I call it recency bias. Him striking the side out with his family in attendance is pretty cool. It’s even cooler when you consider that this is the same lineup our ace and a guy with 12 years of MLB service time had a lot of trouble with.
Putting that pitch movement to work with a cool looking delivery.
What’s his role on the 2026 Red Sox?
You won’t see him in the rotation, nor will you see him on the Major League roster much… but he seems pretty entrenched in this relief role as long as Johan Oviedo is on the Injured List. I’ve been burned once this year with the team unceremoniously sending Tyler Uberstine back down within 24 hours of my last Meet The New Guy article, though, so I want to tread water carefully here.
There is also something to be said for keeping a few different guys that are already on an option year anyway refreshed, so it’s also totally possible Uberstine, Samaniego, Anderson and a few others split the same role in a way that splits that diplomatic difference between uhhh enhancing MLB service time and not getting in trouble with promotions rules. Still, Anderson may get pretty acquainted with the Mass Pike. But if any performance he puts in this weekend is as good as his last, he may stick around a little.
After running the table in the NBA Play-In, the Phoenix Suns are back in the playoffs, but standing in their way is the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
My Suns vs. Thunder predictions expect OKC to dominate Sunday's series opener, fueled by another standout performance from their reigning MVP.
Before resting their players for the final week of the regular season, the Oklahoma City Thunder were clicking.
The Thunder had won seven straight contests, going 5-2 ATS before their skeleton crew dropped the last two regular-season contests. OKC is also 8-2 SU in its last 10 head-to-head matchups against the Phoenix Suns.
Expect the Under to cash, as Phoenix won’t be trying to speed things up — they capped off the season ranked 24th in pace. Meanwhile, the Thunder turned up the defensive pressure in the postseason last year.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been an MVP performer against the Suns this season, averaging 30 points per game and hitting half of his 3-point attempts. SGA also shot 51% on 2-pointers, an area where the Suns were weak this season, allowing opponents to shoot 56% from inside the arc.
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.
In an alternate universe, the first round NBA playoff series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets would be a star-studded affair, pitting some of the best in the game in an all-out slugfest. In reality, it now looks more like a triage center with most of the stars sidelined with injuries.
Late-season dings to hamstrings, obliques, and knees mean the opening salvo out west could be without Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and the previously healthy Kevin Durant (questionable). That's potentially three stars watching Game 1 from the sidelines.
For the Lakers, that means being severely depleted in a series that now rests on the shoulders of the man who wears the crown. LeBron James (41) has been beating Father Time with Reaves and Doncic on the shelf, going 23 points and 9.2 assists over the last five games, helping the Lakers close out the season with three consecutive wins.
Here is what to know about the Lakers' injuries as they enter the series vs Houston:
Luka Doncic injury update
The Lakers have a huge hole in the lineup without Doncic, losing the 33.5 points, 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game he was averaging.
Suffering a hamstring injury on April 2, the Lakers have merely stated that the star is out indefinitely, not committing to whether the 27-year-old might return later in the first round.
Reaves was injured in the same April 2 blowout loss to the Thunder that Doncic was, suffering a Grade 2 left oblique muscle strain.
As noted above, Reaves shares the same outlook as his LA counterpart. He is out indefinitely and will not suit up for Game 1.
Kevin Durant injury update
The Rockets are not without their own maladies, albeit none as severe as LA's injuries. Kevin Durant was banged up a bit in practice this week. Now he is officially questionable for Game 1 after sustaining a right knee contusion.
LeBron James stats
It goes without saying that the Lakers absolutely need James to play a significant amount for the series, but we will say it anyway.
Over the last four games, the team has gone 3-1 with its two stars out. In that time, James has averaged 26.8 points per game and the team enjoys a +/- of 20 when he is on the court. When he is off, that drops to -7.
Not many are giving the Lakers a shot this series. But whether the underdog is to pull off an upset will be determined by whether LeBron can continue to conjure his vintage form.
Our NBA player prop projections are locked in for tonight’s Game 1 showdown between the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers, with the model highlighting several high-value spots across the board.
By breaking down the data and comparing it to current market lines, we’ve pinpointed where the strongest edges appear.
If you’re building out your card, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Saturday, April 18.
Rockets vs Lakers computer picks for April 18
Rockets
Lakers
Durant o24.5 points -110
James u25.5 points -115
Thompson o5.5 assists +110
Ayton u7.5 rebounds +100
Sengun u9.5 rebounds -130
Hachimura o1.5 3-pointers -150
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Rockets computer picks
Kevin Durant Over 24.5 points (-110)
Projection: 26.09 points
Kevin Durant has continued to defy Father Time all season, and with another playoff run underway for the Houston Rockets, he looks more than ready to elevate his game once again.
He’s cleared this 23.5-point line in eight of his last 10 games, showing consistent scoring form at a high level.
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Amen Thompson Over 5.5 assists (+110)
Projection: 5.5 assists
Amen Thompson has quietly settled into a steady facilitation role, clearing this 5.5 assists line in six of his last 10 games by consistently making the right reads within Houston’s offense.
He also benefits from Houston’s pace and athleticism, which naturally increases possessions and transition chances. If the Rockets push tempo and attack early in the shot clock, Thompson should find plenty of chances to rack up easy assists in semi-transition and broken-floor sets.
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Alperen Sengun Under 9.5 rebounds (-130)
Projection: 8.4 rebounds
The Rockets rank best in the league this season with 15.0 offensive rebounds per game, but Alperen Sengun could still find himself on the lower end of the rebounding line tonight.
He’s gone Under this 9.5-rebound mark in seven of his last 10 games, making it a tougher spot to trust him to consistently clear the number.
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Lakers computer picks
LeBron James Under 25.5 points (-115)
Projection: 22.7 points
Opposing starting power forwards have struggled from beyond the arc against the Houston Rockets this season, shooting just 21.7% from three—the lowest mark in the NBA.
That sets up as a difficult matchup for LeBron James, who will be forced to carry a heavier offensive load in order to clear this points prop tonight.
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Deandre Ayton Under 7.5 rebounds (+100)
Projection: 6.9 rebounds
The Los Angeles Lakers rank as the second-worst offensive rebounding team in the NBA this season, and Deandre Ayton hasn’t been much of a factor on the glass lately.
He’s gone under this 8.5-rebound line in seven of his last 10 games, making it tough to trust him to consistently hit the Over.
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Rui Hachimura Over 1.5 3-pointers (-150)
Projection: 1.9 3-pointers
The Lakers have been elite from beyond the arc at home, knocking down 39.0% of their three-point attempts—third-best in the league over their last 25 games.
This matchup against Houston further boosts that outlook. When the Rockets are on the road, opposing starting small forwards have averaged the third-most made threes in the league (2.4 per game), putting Rui Hachimura in a strong position to capitalize and clear this Over.
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How to watch Rockets vs Lakers today
Location
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Date
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Tip-off
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
ABC, TSN4
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DOUBLE DIGIT NOTES, PART 1: After scoring 10 and 11 runs in their final two games at Philadelphia, the Cubs scored 12 yesterday against the Mets. They had scored 10 and 11 in back-to-back games nine previous times since 1901. Remarkably, they had once scored 12 in their next game. They did it Sept. 1-2, 1929, when they beat the visiting Cardinals on Sunday, 10-3, then swept a Labor Day doubleheader against them on Monday, 11-7 and 12-0. On Tuesday, the Cubs lost, 14-8. Following the eight other 10-11 pairs, the Cubs scored from one to six runs. They won three games and lost five. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
DOUBLE DIGIT NOTES, PART 2: The current streak is the Cubs’ eighth of at least three consecutive double-digit runs since 1901. The previous one was Sept. 13-15, 2019, when they crushed the Pirates at home, 17-8, 14-1 and 16-6, setting a franchise record for total runs in a three-game series. They had one four-game streak. in 2018 (11-5 at Los Angeles vs. the Dodgers, then 10-6, 14-9 and 11-10 at home vs. the Twins). Their record is five games, June 1-6, 1930 (16-4 at home vs. the Pirates; 15-2, 18-10 and 10-7 at Boston; and 13-0 at Brooklyn). That streak ended in a 12-9 loss to the Dodgers. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
NICO STAYS HOT: Nico Hoerner, last 11 games since the second game of the doubleheader April 5: .380/.426/.620 (19-for-50) with three doubles, three home runs, eight runs scored and 17 RBI.
MOISÉS JOINS THE FUN: Moisés Ballesteros, last eight games since April 7: .600/.591/1.100 (12-for-20) with a double, three home runs, six runs scored and eight RBI.
Jameson Taillon’s three starts this year can be described as: Mediocre, decent and not so much. Even so, after allowing three home runs to the Pirates last Sunday, he stayed in the game, ate up some innings and struck out 10.
He made one start vs. the Mets last year, May 9 at Citi Field. You do not want to look at that boxscore link. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Current Mets are batting .293 (41-for-140) against Jamo with seven home runs. Marcus Semien has homered twice off him.
Hey there, old NL Central friend Freddy Peralta!
Peralta has made 22 career appearances (17 starts) against the Cubs, so you are likely quite familiar with him from his time with the Brewers. Last year he made three starts during the regular season against the Cubs and allowed eight runs and three home runs in 21 innings (3.43 ERA) with 10 walks and 22 strikeouts. The Cubs hit him pretty well (five runs and three home runs in 9.2 innings) in last October’s Division Series.
Current Cubs are batting .171 (35-for-205) against Peralta with 10 home runs. Michael Busch has homered three times off Peralta, perhaps that can get Busch going. Ian Happ has also gone deep three times vs. Peralta.
Please visit our SB Nation Mets site Amazin’ Avenue. If you do go there to interact with Mets fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 24: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles the ball against Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors during second half action at Scotiabank Arena on November 24, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Andrew Lahodynskyj/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to begin the playoffs on the right foot as they take on the Toronto Raptors in Game 1 of the first round.
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Therefore, the Kings will need their best and key players to step up in a big way and perform even better than they did in the regular season.
Multiple players on the Kings' roster will be deemed important players for the playoffs. But in terms of those that could really turn the series in Los Angeles' favor, here are three playoff X-factors for the Kings in this first round, and the entirety of the post-season.
Artemi Panarin, LW
The Kings acquiring Artemi Panarin in February was likely the headline of the franchise in terms of one of the biggest moments of the season. And now that Los Angeles was able to squeeze into the playoffs, Panarin can prove why he's regarded as highly as he is.
Based on his skill level and the offensive production he's provided throughout his NHL career, he should be looked at as a leader on this team for his on-ice performance. In the playoffs, that's exactly what the Kings will need from their leading scorer: scoring.
Since joining the Kings, Panarin has featured in 26 regular-season games, scoring nine goals and 27 points.
Panarin last made a playoff appearance in 2023-24 when the New York Rangers advanced to the Eastern Conference final. He tallied 15 points in 16 games, made up of five goals and 10 assists.
The 34-year-old left winger has had good and bad playoff campaigns, but coming up against the league's best team, the Kings will need Panarin at his best and leading the way.
Los Angeles Kings (Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images)
Quinton Byfield, C
While Quinton Byfield didn't have the campaign many were hoping for - especially being the assumed successor for Anze Kopitar as the No. 1 center - he certainly cranked it up to finish off the regular season.
He ended 2025-26 with a three-game goal streak, scoring four in that span. Furthermore, in his last 15 games, Byfield tied the league lead in goals with 11 since March 19. In total, he posted 14 points along the way.
He was arguably one of the hottest Kings down the stretch and has really seemed to blossom following the coaching change that made D.J. Smith the bench boss.
The Kings seriously need Byfield to be a pivotal player against the Avalanche, especially if he's called on to match up against Nathan MacKinnon's line to meet his blistering speed. His streak to end the campaign was a great sign of a young player still growing, but he'll need to sustain his play in the post-season.
Anton Forsberg, G
Similar to Byfield, goaltender Anton Forsberg had an incredible surge late in the season that propelled him into the top tier of netminders by year's end. His play down the stretch has really given the Kings a new dimension going into the playoffs.
Ahead of the final week of the regular season, Forsberg was named the NHL's first star of the week, and beyond that, he's arguably been the best goalie in the league in April. This month, he posted a .943 save percentage and a 1.48 goals-against average, while winning five of his last six games.
Goaltending is the most important position in hockey, and could be the reason a team wins a game, a series, or even the Stanley Cup.
In the short window to close out the season, Forsberg was one of Los Angeles' best players, and will need to remain that caliber of goaltender when facing MacKinnon, Martin Necas, Cale Makar, Brock Nelson, Nazem Kadri, and other elite stars.
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Is this the moment a rough patch turns into a full blown crisis for Eddie Howe? As Alex Scott shone in Bournemouth’s midfield and Adrien Truffert’s late winner prompted wild visiting celebrations, it certainly looked that way.
Newcastle’s manager has now presided over four straight defeats and, with his team stuck in 14th, any vision of European qualification seems a fast receding speck in the distance.
The Atlanta Braves hope to grab another series victory when they take on the rival Philadelphia Phillies tonight.
Cristopher Sanchez and Chris Sale are set to square off in a rare lefty-lefty matchup, and my Braves vs. Phillies predictions and MLB picks are siding with the Atlanta veteran on Saturday, April 18.
Who will win Braves vs Phillies tonight: Braves moneyline (+112)
Cristopher Sanchez has posted some impressive numbers to start 2026. However, the Philadelphia Phillies southpaw ranks in the 21st percentile or worse in average exit velo, barrel rate, and hard hit rate.
This Atlanta Braves team could get to him. They currently sit third in xBA while scoring 38 runs in their last five games.
Chris Sale hasn’t allowed more than one run in three of four starts. He’s taking on a Phillies lineup that’s scored just six runs in its last three contests and sits 21st in wRC+.
The Phillies are also dead last in defensive runs saved, which will cost them another game late.
COVERS INTEL: The Phillies have posted a -19 mark in defensive runs saved, which is six runs worse than any other team in the MLB.
Braves vs Phillies Over/Under pick: Under 7.5 (-138)
Sanchez is dominating batters, as he sits sixth in the majors with a 12.49 K/9, and his 2.12 xFIP ranks third.
While I expect the Braves to get to him a few times, I don't see Atlanta posting a big number. On the flip side, the Phillies will see their two most reliable hitters neutralized by Sale.
Both offenses also rank in the Top 5 in chase rate at the plate, which should elevate strikeout numbers.
Jason Ence's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 0-3, -3.35 units
Over/Under bets: 3-0, +3.08 units
Braves vs Phillies odds
Moneyline: Braves +112 | Phillies -117
Run line: Braves +1.5 (-194) | Phillies -1.5 (+186)
Over/Under: Over 7.45 (+127) | Under 7.5 (-138)
Braves vs Phillies trend
Atlanta has cashed the moneyline in 23 of its last 35 road games (+13.00 Units / 32% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Braves vs. Phillies.
How to watch Braves vs Phillies and game info
Location
Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
Date
Saturday, April 18, 2026
First pitch
7:15 p.m. ET
TV
FOX
Braves starting pitcher
Chris Sale (3-1, 3.27 ERA)
Phillies starting pitcher
Cristopher Sanchez (2-1, 2.02 ERA)
Braves vs Phillies latest injuries
Braves vs Phillies weather
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.
CLEVELAND (AP) — Toronto point guard Immanuel Quickley will miss Game 1 of the Raptors' Eastern Conference first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday because of a mild right hamstring strain.
Quickley suffered the injury during the Raptors' regular-season finale against Brooklyn. The five-year veteran averaged 16.4 points, a career-high 5.9 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 70 games. He has scored at least 20 points in 20 games and recorded eight double-doubles.
Coach Darko Rajakovic said Quickley was making progress and didn't rule him out for Game 2 on Monday. Quickley also missed eight games from March 23 to April 5 because of plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
Jamal Shead is expected to start in Quickley's place. Shead, who is in his second season, started 12 games and is averaging 6.6 points and 5.4 assists per game.
Cleveland has ruled out Thomas Bryant because of a left calf strain.
The Yankees’ ace was finally back on the mound in game action Friday, tossing 4.1 innings in Double-A.
Cole expectedly showed some rust, but he allowed just three runs on as many hits while striking out three and walking one.
He stretched out to 44 pitches, 36 of which were strikes.
Boone didn’t get to sit down and watch every pitch of Cole’s outing yet, but from what he heard, things went well.
“I’ve seen some of it, and I think it was good,” he said. “Velo sounds like it was 95-96, I think the fastball was mostly how he wanted, wanting to just get in the heart of the plate early and then just try to move it around a little bit.
“He was facing a fair amount of lefties and was able to mix in the changeup, which I know he wanted to do, and it was pretty good. I think the curveball was a good pitch for him, too, so all in all, I think another good step for him.”
Boone expects Cole will need to make several more starts before coming back.
“We’ll probably want him to get up to a certain amount and probably repeat that even once he gets up there, so nothing is imminent here -- we’ll make sure we’re disciplined and take the right amount of time," the skipper said.
“Coming off a year where not only he’s rehabbing and coming back from a major surgery, but that means no innings, so we want to put him in a position where he's not only ready to go at the start, but he’s able to carry that throughout.”
The big left-hander could indeed be joining Cole in the near future.
Rodón is scheduled to throw around 55-60 pitches in a live bullpen session on Saturday afternoon, and if all goes well, the next step could be beginning a rehab assignment.
While he’s expected to be back with the Yanks before Cole, Boone did note that he is still likely at least a few weeks away.
Rodón will require around three minor league outings.
The southpaw, of course, was closing in on a rehab assignment on the road back from elbow surgery before a hamstring issue threw a little wrench in the plans.
New York continues to monitor the hammy, but he’s been making good progress.
Getting Rodon, and eventually Cole, back alongside surging youngster Cam Schlittler and ace lefty Max Fried should make the Yanks' rotation a scary unit.
SAN DIEGO - AUGUST 4: Garret Anderson #18 of the Atlanta Braves smiles before the game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on August 4, 2009 in San Diego, California. The Braves defeated the Padres 9-2. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | Getty Images
Long-time MLB outfielder Garret Anderson passed away earlier this week after suffering a heart attack. He was 53.
Anderson played 17 seasons in the big leagues, spending 15 seasons becoming a franchise icon for the California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels before ended his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers. In his penultimate campaign, he was a member of the 2009 Atlanta Braves.
Anderson was a three-time All-Star, a two-time Silver Slugger and won a World Series championship with the 2002 Angels. He was also runner-up in the 1995 American League Rookie of the Year award and earned votes for the American League Most Valuable Player three times – including a career best fourth-place finish in 2002 when he paced the A.L. with 56 doubles, the first of two seasons he led the league in that category,
For his career, Anderson compiled 2,529 hits, 287 home runs, 522 doubles and drove in 1,365 runs. He retired after the 2010 season with 23.9 fWAR and a 100 wRC+.
While Anderson, who debuted in 1994, wasn’t a Hall of Fame player, he was a solid big leaguer for more than a decade with several seasons of high-level offensive output. In five consecutive seasons from 1999 through 2004, he connected on 20-or-more home runs with no less than 80 RBI – including four seasons with more than 116.
He wasn’t the star of those Angels teams that also included Jim Edmunds, Troy Glaus, Tim Salmon and Darin Erstad, but he was a floor-raising professional who lengthened the team’s line-up while playing in 150-or-more games from 1996 through 2003 and exceeding 141 games played in nine-out-of-10 seasons from 1996 through 2006.
The left-handed hitter is still the Angels all-time leader in games played, hits, doubles, extra-base hits, and RBI, among other statistics. He was also selected the Angels’ team MVP four times.
His lone season in Atlanta was a later-career pit-stop, playing in 135 games – 124 of which came in left field as part of a loose platoon with Matt Diaz. He hit 13 home runs and 27 doubles for the Braves that season while slashing .268/.303/.401 good for only a 83 wRC+ in his first season playing outside of the Angels organization.
It wasn’t the year that many hoped Anderson would have provided Atlanta when the Braves signed him after the organization’s failed courtship of free agent outfielder and future Hall of Famer Ken Griffey, Jr. – a deal that multiple baseball writers across the country had said was happening – only for Atlanta to be spurned by Griffey, Jr. when he opted to return to the Seattle Mariners – his original franchise – for the final two seasons of his playing career.
The highlight of Anderson’s time with the Braves came on October 1, 2009 when a seeing-eye single made its way through the infield for his 2,500 career hit in Atlanta against the Washington Nationals.
Anderson, who was also the MVP of the 2003 All-Star Game and 2003 Home Run Derby winner, would go on to broadcast Angels game after his playing career concluded.
He was inducted into the Angels Hall of Fame in 2016.
Rockets
Lakers
COVERS INTEL: The Phillies have posted a -19 mark in defensive runs saved, which is six runs worse than any other team in the MLB.