MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 10: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns scores on a dunk during the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on March 10, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Who: Phoenix Suns (42-34) vs. Charlotte Hornets (40-36)
When: 4:00 pm Arizona Time
Where: Spectrum Center — Charlotte, North Carolina
Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports
Listen: KMVP 98.7
The Phoenix Suns are looking to solidify their position as the seventh seed in the West and maintain control of their standing. With only six games left, this is going to be a big test, as they are only up three games on the Los Angeles Clippers. After a devastating loss to Orlando, they now look to get a sneaky win against one of their Southeast rivals, the Charlotte Hornets.
The Hornets and Suns have been pretty good friends in the trade market, exchanging players over the past few transaction periods. That being said, both are fun, exciting young teams who are trying to make a statement this year. The Suns want to be that defensive powerhouse that can guard anyone one through five, while the Hornets want to outscore you with their lethal offense.
Charlotte has been able to take care of business and is now no longer rebuilding but looking to shine with Kon Knueppel, LaMelo Ball, and Brandon Miller. A relatively healthy team, compared to past seasons, has shown that, with the new culture brought by Charles Lee, they can win now and in the future too.
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns
Mark Williams – QUESTIONABLE (Left Foot Third Metatarsal Stress Reaction)
Amir Coffey — OUT (Left Ankle Sprain)
Haywood Highsmith — OUT (Right Knee Injury Management)
Hornets
PJ Hall — OUT (Right Ankle Soreness)
What to Watch For
One thing to watch for in this one is how Dillon Brooks is back in with this team. He missed 18 games with a broken hand, leaving the Suns a bit disconnected on defense. Not having their main anchor of defense made it tough to stop opponents from getting to the paint and eventually scoring.
Having him back should bolster the Suns’ rim protection. With Brooks, we saw that he returned in his first game. He got into some old trouble early as well. His limiting that (as best as he can) would be helpful so the Suns can keep him on the court for those defensive purposes. This Hornets offense is talented, and Brooks is going to have to be key to stopping their electric scorers.
Brooks, offensively as well, has to find himself back in this groove as he, Booker, and Green are all healthy. This is the time we have all been waiting for: a healthy three-headed monster that can win the Suns’ games. For Brooks, he needs to find his shots and find when he can take those in the offense. After starting the game off with a nice turnaround jump, he then went 3-of-12 for the entirety of the game from the field. Finding where he can succeed, given how iso-heavy he is on the offensive side, is something to look for in this one as the Suns gear up for the Play-In.
Key to a Suns Win
The big key to his game is going to be matching the Hornets’ offensive output. They have been the best offensive team since the calendar year flipped to 2026, and they have completely changed the franchise’s trajectory. That being said, they put up a lot of points and have the shooters to do so. Both LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel can swing a run individually, something the defense will have to be on lock for.
The Suns will need Jalen Green and Devin Booker to once again combine for a great combination of points to keep them in arm’s reach. This time, hopefully getting some trips to the foul line, unlike in Memphis the other night.
Guys like Dillon Brooks, Ryan Dunn, and Rasheer Fleming are going to have to step up defensively to shut the hot Hornets offense down. With Fleming’s recent development, he needs more playing time, and hopefully, he sees that in this one.
Prediction Time
The Suns turn the corner and beat Charlotte for the second time this season
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 11: Austin Wells #28 and J.C. Escarra #25 of the New York Yankees warm up before the game against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium on August 11, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Among the most important positions around the diamond, there is a fair argument that catchers stand alone atop the list. Over their long history, the Yankees have been blessed with good backstops who can handle themselves with the gear and with the bat, with the likes of Bill Dickey, Yogi Berra, Elston Howard, Thurman Munson, and Jorge Posada leading the charge. While the Yankees may not boast those truly elite names behind the plate within the past decade, they have remained highly effective at manning the position, often with multiple players getting significant run.
In 2026, the job belongs to Austin Wells, with J.C. Escarra serving as a more-then-serviceable backup. Although neither of these backstops produce Piazza-esque numbers with the bat, they are both capable hitters, and have more recently shown themselves to be a potent duo on defense in particular. 2026 has been a historically good start on the pitching side of things in New York, and their catchers are playing pivotal roles in lifting their batterymates to new heights.
Wells, the clear starter at the position, has turned himself into a really solid all-around player. As a rookie in 2024, he showed legitimate potential with the bat, posting a 107 wRC+ in over 400 plate appearances, and although he took a slight step back last season, he made up for it with some pop, as he topped 20 homers for the first time. Wells didn’t go deep during his first week of regular season play, but his All-WBC-worthy performance in March signaled that he should remain no easy out.
Perhaps even more importantly, Wells has turned around his status as a defensive catcher. Originally seen as someone who may not stick behind the plate, both he and the Yankees have proved the skeptics wrong, as he has taken huge strides since arriving in the big leagues and seems to be thriving in the premium position.
During the 2025 campaign, Wells graded as one of baseball’s very best pitch-framers (12 framing runs via Statcast), while keeping himself afloat with average grades in other areas. Wells, who once seemed to be a bat-first catcher who had potential to end up position-less, now looks like one of the league’s steadier defenders behind the plate, all while handling his own on offense thanks to some legit thump with the bat.
While the Yankees should be satisfied with their first-stringer, whose 6.5 fWAR between 2024-25 ranks sixth among big league catchers, where they separate themselves is with their quality depth at the position.
Escarra, who initially made headlines as a feel-good story out of spring training last season, has also turned himself into a real force behind the plate. Despite only playing in only 40 games with the Yankees in 2025, his five catcher framing runs was bested by only seven catchers in baseball. Escarra established himself among the best defensive backstops in the minor leagues last season, and despite the limited work, one of the more adept pitch-framers in the sport. Even though ABS is now part of Major League Baseball, not every borderline call is going to be reviewed due to the challenge limits, and the Yankees have already stolen some strikes in 2026.
Beyond that, Escarra has a solid bat for backstop, where the bar is lower than most positions due to the inherent defensive value. His numbers will likely never jump off the page, with his 79 wRC+ last season, but he has solid discipline, posting a 11.2-percent walk rate, while limiting strikeouts and maintaining the decent potential to run into one now and then (even if you understandably discredit all spring training numbers, his three Grapefruit League bombs at least indicate that there is power in his bat). All told, Escarra stands as a more-then-adequate backup, as someone who can stay afloat with the bat, and potentially be a difference maker behind the plate.
The combination of the two catchers, Wells as a more significant threat with the bat and a surprising changing of the tide on defense, along with Escarra’s valuable glovework behind the plate, make the Yankees stand out at the position.* This is something they’ve excelled at in recent years, thanks to solid all-around value from the likes of Kyle Higashioka, Jose Trevino, and even all the way back to José Molina — skilled catching depth has legitimate value that can be hard to see with the naked eye.
*Since he’s the primary first baseman, we’re not even delving into the luxury of having Ben Rice around as a third catcher. But it sure is nice, especially because the Yankees and Rice have an interest in at least keeping that ability “in [his] back pocket.”
The success of Wells and Escarra has also allowed the Yankees to move some of their other catching depth in recent years for value elsewhere on the diamond. This includes moving Trevino for reliever Fernando Cruz, acquiring top pitching prospect Elmer Rodríguez in exchange for Carlos Narvaez, and adding the likes of David Bednar and Camilo Doval at last year’s Trade Deadline for prospects Rafael Flores Jr. and Jesus Rodriguez.
The 2026 season has gotten off to a roaring start on the pitching side of things for the Yankees, and it is only fair to credit their backstops for some of it. Two players, who were once a future non-catcher and a 30-year-old rookie have turned themselves into two of the sport’s best pitch-framers and game-managers, and as a result, an one of the game’s better catcher’s rooms.
Even if the offensive numbers remain where they are, the floor that Wells and Escarra provide on the whole is hard to overstate, and the Yankees pitchers who have dominated thus far would absolutely agree.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, talks to guard Bronny James during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in...
If LeBron James leaves the Lakers this offseason, one outcome is certain — he will not be signing with the Grizzlies.
While recently filming a golf video with the “Bob Does Sports” guys, James absolutely tore into Memphis after he was asked if in-season travel wears on him.
The 41-year-old Los Angeles superstar said it definitely does, and he admitted the home of the Grizzlies is one of the cities that makes him feel the most weary.
LeBron James on playing the Grizzlies:
“I’m f***ing 41 years of age. You think I want to do sh** in Memphis on a random Thursday? I’m not the first guy in the NBA to talk about this. You guys got to move the team… go over to Nashville already.”
He then added that he finds it so mundane, he and some of his other colleagues have actually urged Grizzlies players and perhaps even the franchise to move.
“I’m not even, like, the first guy to talk about it in the NBA,” James said in the video, which just dropped on YouTube on Thursday. “We’re all, like, ‘You guys have to move. Just go over to Nashville. You’ve got Vanderbilt over there. You’ve got the f—king NASCAR. You’ve got a stadium. Don’t they got a hockey team, too? They’ve got everything.”
James went on to reveal there’s no way he’d ever play in a Grizzlies uniform, even if they had been the organization with the top overall pick when he was coming out of high school 23 years ago.
“They know,” James said. “Their only chance was in 2003 if they ever won the lottery. And I might have pulled an Eli Manning and not showed up.”
LeBron James admitted in a recent YouTube video he’s not a fan on Memphis. AP
The vid’s only been up for a couple hours, but James’ words have already garnered criticism.
Grizzlies reporter Jessica Benson took to her X page to blast James and defend her Tennessee turf, writing that “the parade of s—ting on Memphis is tired, cruel and so incredibly misguided.”
“The way people talk about this city is nuts,” Benson said. “Happy to give any NBA player (or anyone!) an itinerary the next time they’re in town to debunk this absurdity.”
James hasn’t yet addressed the growing backlash, but if any Memphians were waiting on pins and needles for him to expound, he should have media availability later Thursday following the Lakers vs. Thunder tilt.
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There are just three games on today's MLB slate, but we still have some MLB best bets for that action based on prices at prediction markets like Polymarket, which allow bettors all across the country to get in on some baseball action.
Our expert MLB picks are below, with Minnesota and Kansas City continuing to start slow and Atlanta being underpriced in an advantageous matchup.
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Josh Inglis' expert pick: Twins/Royals NRFI
Price: 48¢ (+108) at Polymarket
Things should settle down this afternoon after yesterday’s 13–9 game, which still cashed a NRFI at a similar number. The 20 mph winds are inflating the total and giving us a better price on the first inning, and through the first week of the season, neither the Twins nor the Royals has scored in the first frame. It sets up well with Taj Bradley vs. Cole Ragans, especially with potential getaway-day lineups on both sides —with a chance that key bats such as Byron Buxton and Salvador Pérez get a day off.
Jon Metler's expert pick: Braves ML
Price: 52¢ (-108) at Polymarket
The Braves are trading as a 52% favorite against the Diamondbacks, and I think this price is an absolute steal — I make the Braves closer to a 62% favorite in this matchup. Ryne Nelson allowed two home runs in his season debut, lasting just 4 2/3 innings, and his cutter could get him into trouble against a Braves lineup capable of barreling the ball consistently. What really stands out is the depth of Atlanta’s lineup right now: Mauricio Dubón and Dominic Smith are both hitting over .385 to start the season, helping turn the lineup over and giving a pitcher like Nelson nowhere to breathe. If the Braves can drive up his pitch count and get into the Diamondbacks’ bullpen early, it becomes a significant advantage for Atlanta.
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HOUSTON, TX - MARCH 31: Alperen Sengun #28 of the Houston Rockets dunks the ball during the game against the New York Knicks on March 31, 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 Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s been a few extra days, so it’s time to check with our friends in the Lone Star state.
It’s been a good week for the Houston Rockets, which means it’s been a bad one for the 2026 first-round pick they owe to the Sixers as a result of the Jared McCain trade. Houston rebounded well after starting it as poorly as possible.
They looked to be in a full tailspin when they blew a 13-point lead in overtime to the Minnesota Timberwolves on national television back on March 25. Since then, though, the Rockets have gotten back on track, winners of their last four.
Three of those were against tanking teams in the Grizzlies, Pelicans and Bucks, but they impressively blew out the New York Knicks during this streak as well.
Of course the winning streak is bad news for the pick they owe to Philadelphia. They would currently be giving the No. 23 overall pick to the Sixers. They are a half game behind the Timberwolves for the 21st pick and tied with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Unfortunately for the Sixers, Houston’s schedule remains pretty light for the rest of the regular season as well. The Utah Jazz at home on April 3 should be a breeze for them. Playing in Golden State on April 5 could be tricky, as Stephen Curry is reportedly eyeing a comeback, but that will be his first game back in two months.
After that they’ll head down to Phoenix to take on the struggling Suns, who have won just three of their last 10. The Sixers themselves might have the best chance to take one from them on the April 9. They’ll wrap up the regular season with the Grizzlies and Wolves one more time at home on April 10 and 12, respectively.
Before that pick’s position will be set in stone, Sixers fans can get one last chance to get a look at some potential prospects in the Final Four. Arizona featuring Koa Peat and Michigan featuring Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara will square off on April 4 at 8:49 p.m. ET.
The Cleveland Cavaliers can clinch a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference with a victory over the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors are still missing star guard Stephen Curry, who is expected to return next week. The Cavs are currently seeded third in the East while Golden State appears headed for the West’s play-in tournament.
How to watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors
Explosive knocks by openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma led Sunrisers Hyderabad to their first win of the IPL season with a 65-run thrashing of Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday.
Mar 30, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Chandler Simpson (14) runs to third base against the Milwaukee Brewers in the second inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
The Rays have completed their first week of games facing off against a pair of NL Central teams. Below are five early trends to watch as the Rays look to build momentum in April. It’s still early, but these indicators can give us a directional sense of what’s real and what might regress.
36.7%
is the zone-minus-out-of-zone swing rate for the offense so far – slightly better than average, and good enough for 13th in the league. This group showed plus swing decisions during the spring with a rate of 40.0%, and that trend is continuing into the regular season although a few hitters have shown slightly more early-count aggressiveness than they did in the spring. The eye test and data both support the high quality of at-bats we’re seeing from this Rays offense. I expect this to continue given the players they have on the 40-man roster as they settle in more during April.
79.6%
is the team’s contact rate so far. Again, this was a pretty obvious one to see coming when we look at the roster moves they’ve been making over the last ~10 months, and the Spring Training data supports this trend as well. The Rays offense is making contact at a comfortably plus rate, ranking 3rd in the league so far.
105.9mph
is the team’s 90th percentile exit velocity. They’re currently above-average here as well and have the 5th highest EV90 in the league. The above average raw power shown from the Rays hitters so far combined with the quality of at-bats and high contact rate has helped produce a strong and efficient offense. Yes, there’s some BABIP luck that we can expect to regress a bit eventually, but they project to be one of the better BABIP teams in the league given their plus contact rate and how hard they’re hitting the ball.
59.3%
is the Rays combined line drive plus fly ball rate for the offense. This was an indicator I was a bit skeptical about heading into the regular season as it was just 46.0% in the spring and near the bottom of the league. However, they’ve done well to improve on this number so far compared to their Spring Training data and the 46.6% (last in the league) they showed in 2025. This will be something to monitor as a higher rate can raise the offensive ceiling of the group. It’s unlikely they sustain a top 10 mark over a full season, but even settling in around league average would represent a meaningful step forward from 2025.
66.5%
is the rate at which batted ball events are being converted to outs by the defense – the 9th lowest in the league. This is not a red flag yet as it’s still early, but it’s maybe a yellow flag – the defense is simply allowing too many additional outs and extra bases. The outfield has been pretty solid at 66.1% on their own (average for the outfield is 60.7%), so it’s mainly the infield and their 82.6% (average for the infield is 89.1%) which ranks near the bottom of the league. Given that they have average or better defenders at every infield position, this should improve over a larger sample. This is something to monitor through April, especially with a heavier divisional schedule coming in May.
Just as a small side note, Chandler Simpson has been one of the most impressive defenders on the team so far this season. He had a strong spring, and that has translated well into the regular season. He has made several impressive catches with relative ease, including this one with a 20% catch probability and this one with a 50% probability. The only blemish is this opportunity with a 10% catch probability that he nearly turned into an out. The reactions and routes are night and day difference from 2025, and it’s easy to see a path to him earning a larger role.
ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 28: Reynaldo López #40 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates as he walks off the field in the seventh inning during the game against the Kansas City Royals at Truist Park on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This opening weekend and homestand have felt especially sweet after last year’s nightmare start. Drake is raking, TBS-era Braves enjoyers are eating good with the newly revealed City Connects and various BravesVision homages… and the Braves aren’t climbing out of an early season deficit.
Let’s hope the good vibes made the team plane headed West.
First stop on the trip will be Chase Field, where Reynaldo López and the Braves will be kicking off a four-game set against the Diamondbacks (lots of “A” logos in the scorebug in this stretch – Athletics in the rearview, Arizona on deck, and Angels in the hole). A battle of #2 starters with no-decisions awaits in the desert.
López’s performance in Game 2 is probably a touch overshadowed by Dom Smith’s history-making grand slam, but it was a good one nonetheless. After the worriers and haters said he couldn’t do it (and by it, I mean fix his fastball velo), he had a “here, damn”-type of an outing in his season debut. He touched 97 mph and rarely dipped below 93 mph during his six innings of one-run ball. All hail the magical mechanical adjustment?
On the other side will be longtime D-back Ryne Nelson. Alternating between starting and long relief in the beginning of 2025, he cemented his role in the rotation after Corbin Burnes went down for the year. He would go on to toss a career-high 154 innings with a 3.39 ERA. In his last outing against the Braves in 2024, he went five innings with five hits (a homer apiece from Olson and Harris II), three earned runs and seven strikeouts. He’ll be looking to bounce back from his Opening Week performance after being tagged for 4 ER in 4.2 innings by the vaunted Dodger lineup.
This Diamondbacks team, like the Athletics, started the season 0-3 but completed a sweep of the Tigers yesterday. Their lineup continues to be headlined by Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte, and Geraldo Perdomo.
It’s going to be a late one – perhaps consider taking a page out of Team Italy’s book and getting beaned up if you’re following along here in Atlanta or on the East Coast.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 27: New York Mets mascot Mr Met walks onto the field to celebrate San Francisco Giants mascot Lou Seal's induction to the Mascot Hall of Fame prior to the game against the New York Mets at Oracle Park on July 27, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Being a Mets fan must be exhausting. Being of New York is a status symbol, which carries privilege but also responsibility. The Mets are expected to win! And short of that, they’re expected to do everything they can to win. And if they don’t, there’s no choice as a fan but to be miserable. Plenty of Giants fans would like to think their favorite team is in the same boat, but I would hope a close inspection of the franchises situations would reveal that they’re not anywhere close to the same. For the Mets, the floor is “good,” but the expectation is great. For the Giants, “good enough” is the primary philosophy.
It’s hardly a distinction without a difference, too. “Good” means spending way, waaaaaay more than it should’ve cost to acquire Juan Soto (15 years, $765 million).“Good enough” means trading for Rafael Devers in his decline phase or filling out a thin rotation with oft-injured Tyler Mahle and fifth-starter-at-best Adrian Houser. “Good” carries the expectation that the team will make the postseason, meaning that David Stearns, the Mets’ President of Baseball Operations, had compose an actual offseason plan after “let beloved Mets figures Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz walk.”
Our colleagues over at Amazin’ Avenue gave the team an “A-” for their offseason additions of free agents closer Devin Williams, first baseman Jorge Polanco (he’d played just 1-2 innings at the position prior to the signing), reliever Luke Williams and infielder Bo Bichette (whom they pivoted to after losing out on Kyle Tucker) along with trades for infielder Marcus Semien, outfielder Luis Robert, and starter Freddy Peralta.
It was a substantial rebuild of the team’s core done within the span of a single offseason with enough bona fide talent that it blows past the “well, if everything works out”-style prognostication that typically follows a Giants winter. The Giants have typically operated in that “good enough” area where if a couple of things break right, the team will be really successful. “Good,” or the pursuit of it, means building something that is less likely to fail.
But that’s why they play the games and all that very relevant history of Baseball. The Mets aren’t the Dodgers (who’ve started 4-2) nor are they the Yankees (5-1). Then again, they could be. The Giants picked up their first two wins of the season in games started by pitchers who are probably very close to the end of their major league careers (Walker Buehler & German Marquez). Like with the Yankees series, the moment they faced an average-to-above average major league starter (depending on how you want to label Nick Pivetta), their bats went cold.
The Mets’ staff has a 2.50 ERA through their first 6 games (57.2 IP) of the season, but given the peripherals, they’re right around where the Giants are (3.74 team ERA btw) in terms of value (+0.7 fWAR vs. +0.6fWAR). But they’re also just 20th in runs scored (23). Of course, the Giants are last (14 runs scored). It’s so early in the season that the sample size factor ought to be our main consideration when comparing the two teams. Of course, the next consideration is substantial, too.
While the Giants have a group that looks solid on paper, it doesn’t really measure up to the Mets. There’s the Juan Soto of it all, of course. He just hit his first home run of the season yesterday, but has started the year with a line of .346/.414/.538 (29 PA). Last season, he hit 43 home runs in 160 games and drew 127 walks. He’s quite good; and, at Oracle Park, he’s been stellar: a career .313/.422/.604 in 25 games and 116 plate appearances. So, you know, let’s look at him as a given. A guy to pitch around and a guy who will hurt you late in the game.
The Mets are missing Pete Alonso now, and that’s a nice development. Then again, they have Francisco Lindor and now Bo Bichette. While he doesn’t have much experience logged against the Giants, the guy with a career .292 average is off to a .111 start. Can the Giants sneak past his bat in this 4-game series?
The tougher part will be the pitching, as Nolan McLean is considered by some to be an ace in waiting. Clay Holmes, Kodai Senga, and Freddy Peralta are all #2-type pitchers. Devin Williams is a great closer when he’s not pitching for the Yankees. There are plenty of obstacles in the Giants’ way.
I don’t think it’s right to do this, but I can see the argument in assuming the Giants are in no way competitive against the Yankees or Dodgers and figure all of those will be losses. The problem is, if you start doing that with two teams, then why not three teams? The only way the Giants will be able to upend some assumptions about their .500-ness is by winning games against good teams, especially at home. It’s not too early in the season to start doing that. On the other hand, winning a game or two with the aim of getting through this tough part of the schedule around 3-5 games under .500 is the sort of “good enough” we might expect from the Giants.
The Mets have been constructed for the express purpose of winning the National League East. The Giants have been built in hopes of competing for a Wild Card slot as deep into the season as possible.
Series overview
Who: San Francisco Giants (2-4) vs. New York Mets (3-3) Where: Oracle Park | San Francisco, CA When: Thursday at 6:45pm PT, Friday at 7:15pm PT, Saturday at 6:05pm PT, Sunday at National broadcasts: Friday (MLB Network simulcast)
Projected starters Thursday: David Peterson (LHP, 0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Robbie Ray (LHP, 0-1, 3.38 ERA) Friday: Nolan McLean (RHP, 0-0, 3.60 ERA) vs. Tyler Mahle (RHP, 0-1, 4.50 ERA) Saturday: Clay Holmes (RHP, 1-0, 3.18 ERA) vs. Landen Roupp (RHP, 1-0, 0.00 ERA) Sunday: Kodai Senga (RHP, 0-1, 3.00 ERA) vs. Logan Webb (RHP, 1-1, 7.36 ERA)
Players to watch (besides Logan Webb & Juan Soto)
Mets
Francisco Lindor: He has just 3 hits on the season, but 2 of them are triples! He also has drawn 7 walks to just 3 strikeouts. He has a career .909 OPS against the Giants with a .927 OPS specifically in Oracle Park.
Brett Baty / Mark Vientos: Why not put Bo Bicette here? Well, frankly, because I wrote about him above. He’ll either continue slumping or get some hits against the Giants in this series to frustrate them and boost his batting average. But with these two, it’ll be key to watch how they’re used. In a lot of other front offices, these two would’ve been penciled in as starters to maintain “payroll flexibility.” The Mets don’t have such considerations and so now these two ostensible corner guys are being used in a variety of roles — DH, first base, outfield, third base, second base. Baty took a step forward last season when he hit 18 home runs and drove in 50 across 130 games (432 PA) on a .748 OPS. Vientos had 27 home runs and 71 RBI on a .266/.322/.516 line in 2024 (454 PA) before backsliding to a .233/.289/.413 line with 17 homers and 61 RBI (463 PA). The Mets shed three Giants killers in the offseason: Pete Alonso, Ronnie Mauricio, and Jeff McNeil. Will either or both of these guys take their places?
Sean Manaea: The former Giant seemed to have been in a career renaissance at the end of his sole year with the Giants (2023), catching on with the Mets in such a big way that they signed him to a 3-year, $75 million deal at the end of 2024. Now he’s in the bullpen. Will he frustrate his former team late in the game or over multiple innings if one of the Mets’ starters goes down? Let’s hope not.
Giants
Rafael Devers: Rafael Devers is probably still nursing an injury. How else to explain his .593 OPS to start the season? Well, he’s getting a lot of pitches outside the strike zone (54.8%) and swinging at them more than his career average — 35.1% through the first 6 games of 2026; 32.6% for his career. He’s also making 80% contact on those pitches. The dreaded zone contact rate that is the canary in the coal mine for his contract being underwater the moment the Giants traded for him remains… stable, compared to recent years. 2024: 74.9%, 2025: 73.9%, 2026: 74.3%. So, really, it’s that he’s swinging at pitches he can’t do a lot of damage on. His average exit velocity is at 84.5 mph. His career average is 92.6. It’s been 93 since 2020. So, there you go.
Ryan Walker: He will probably have a save situation in this series, in which case, we’ll all be holding our breaths for good reason. He’s looked as shaky this season as he did through half of last season. The Giants’ defense is a bit shaky right now and, at best, is prone to giving up lots of hits (just ask Logan Webb), which is exactly what Ryan Walker doesn’t need right now as he tries to minimize baserunners.
The bench: With the Giants now setup to play 7 games in a row, we’ll finally get to see Tony Vitello deploy his bench players a bit more. How will Jared Oliva, Jerar Encarnacion, Daniel Susac, and Christian Koss fare in this series? Not sure, but it’s going to be important to see how they’re used because it’s a long season and it would be great if they got more regular work. The two off days in the team’s first 4 games was unusual.
Tony Vitello watch
Not only will we be watching how he deploys his bench, we’ll see how he manages a pitching staff across a 4-game series. Now, the front office determines a lot of the pitching plan, of course, but he’s going to become familiar with the Mets by the end of the series and he’ll be far enough along with this roster that the repetitive nature of a 4-gamer might make him comfortable enough to do something distinctly Tony.
Don’t worry. I’m thinking of ways to improve this section.
Connor McDavid is chasing down another Art Ross and needs to keep stacking multi-point performances down the stretch.
My Oilers vs. Chicago Blackhawks predictions expect him to do just that tonight.
Find out more in my free NHL picks for Thursday, April 2.
Blackhawks vs Oilers prediction
Blackhawks vs Oilers best bet: Connor McDavid Over 1.5 points (-130)
The Edmonton Oilers are on a four-game win streak, thanks to Connor McDavid's nine points over that stretch — which includes three multi-point games.
What's even more impressive is none have come on the power play, meaning McDavid is doing his damage 5-on-5. Considering the Chicago Blackhawks have a -38 goal differential in those scenarios, McDavid can still get points even if their lethal power play is quiet.
Chicago has given up five goals per game in their last four— and now it has to contain a man who has averaged 1.8 points per game over the last 10 head-to-head meetings.
Blackhawks vs Oilers same-game parlay
An Evan Bouchard assist is an SGP staple at this point. The Oilers blue liner leads all NHL defensemen with 86 points, 66 of them being assists. He’s also registered at least one assist in 14 of his last 18 games.
Getting 24:41 minutes of ice time on the fifth-best offensive team in the league has its perks, especially when over half of that time is spent skating with the best player in the world.
For my final leg, I’ll take the Oilers team total Over 3.5, a number they eclipsed in seven of their 14 March games. Now they run into a Blackhawks squad bleeding goals.
The Oilers have covered the first-period puck line six of eight. Find more NHL betting trends for Blackhawks vs. Oilers.
How to watch Blackhawks vs Oilers
Location
Rogers Place, Edmonton, AB
Date
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Puck drop
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
Sportsnet West
Blackhawks vs Oilers latest injuries
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Lindor forgot how many outs there were in the first inning and got picked off at first base later in the game, while also going 0-for-4 to drop to .143 spanning six contests.
“Relax everybody… my guy Francisco Lindor gonna be good,” Reyes posted Thursday morning.
“Bad days happen — that’s baseball. Could happen to anyone. He’s human just like all of us. Watch how he responds… this gonna be good for him and for the organization.”
Lindor is catching some flak after a rough mental day Wednesday that dropped the team to 1-3 in its last four games, all against non-contenders from the 2025 season.
With one on and one out in a scoreless game in the first, Lindor fielded a tailor-made ball at shortstop and ran to second and continued toward the dugout.
Francisco Lindor getting tagged out at first base. Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
But his out marked just the second, and Freddy Peralta threw another five pitches in the inning to strike out Masyn Winn and prevent any damage.
“He forgot how many outs there were,” SNY announcer Gary Cohen said of Lindor. “Lindor thought that was the third out, did not try for the double play.”
Analyst Todd Zeile added: “That was unusual for Lindor, he usually knows the situation out there.”
Lindor didn’t make any excuse, and Mets manager Carlos Mendoza added “that can’t happen.”
“I forgot the outs,” he said. “I made a mistake that probably cost Peralta to go an extra inning … Inexcusable.”
Francisco Lindor forgets how many outs there were and doesn’t turn the double play. @MLB/YouTube
Five innings later, Lindor reached via an error to start the sixth inning.
Cardinals southpaw Matthew Liberatore then caught him veering too far off the bag before a steal attempt and a quick throw left the veteran dead to rights on the bases.
Acknowledging the fallacy of the predetermined outcome, that mistake loomed large since Juan Soto hit a solo homer moments later to plate the game’s first run.
Jose Reyes at David Wright Day in 2025. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
“They got us there,” Mendoza said. “He was gonna go, we thought we had a tip there and they got us with a quick step-off move there. I wouldn’t consider that one a mental mistake because he was trying to get some momentum there and being aggressive.”
Fans piled on Lindor since the Mets ultimately fell in extra innings and the shortstop is supposed to be one of — if not the — leaders of the team and shouldn’t be making those mistakes.
And while a 3-3 start is far from disaster, the Mets have not been all that impressive to start the season.
Reyes knows a thing or two about manning shortstop for the Mets after spending 12 seasons with the team from 2003-11 and then 2016-18.
He played the third-most games in franchise history, ranks second in hits and has the most steals.
The Chicago Blackhawks were defeated in overtime on Tuesday night at the United Center by the Winnipeg Jets. In their one home game that split two separate multi-game road trips, they played better, but still failed to skate off with a win.
Now, they have another huge test back on the road. They will face the Edmonton Oilers in Alberta in a game that has playoff implications. The Oilers, who have won four straight games, are just two points behind the Anaheim Ducks for first place in the Pacific Division.
Scouting Edmonton
The Edmonton Oilers are surging. It's been an up-and-down year as the back-to-back defending Western Conference champions, but they are figuring it out at the perfect time.
Everything to do with the Oilers starts and ends with Connor McDavid, the best player on the planet. McDavid currently leads the National Hockey League with 125 points and is starting to heat up to another level with his overall game.
An issue for the Oilers is that Leon Draisaitl is out for the rest of the regular season. He hasn't played since March 15th, and he is still 4th in points (97), which quantifies just how dominant he is on his own.
McDavid and Draisaitl don't play together at even strength, so you know that they give the Oilers a magnificent two-headed monster when both are healthy. The Blackhawks won't have to deal with it in this game.
Podkolzin - McDavid - Savoie
Hyman - Nugent Hopkins - Roslovic
Henrique - Dickinson - Kapanen
Frederic - Samanski - Lazar
Ekholm - Bouchard
Nurse - Murphy
Walman - Emberson
Ingram
Jarry
With Draisaitl out, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has resumed playing center. He normally plays wing now when Draisaitl is in the lineup, but his absence has created the need for him to play his natural position, as he did full-time back in the day.
Jason Dickinson was traded from Chicago to Edmonton to be the shutdown center that they've been lacking. This will be his first game against the Blackhawks since the trade. Dickinson admitted that he has given some tips to his new teammates on how to play against Connor Bedard and the Blackhawks' penalty kill.
This is also Connor Murphy's first game against the Blackhawks in close to a decade. He claims nobody asked him for advice, and then joked that they probably saw him fail to stop Bedard during practice when they were teammates.
Evan Bouchard is the defenseman for everyone on the ice to always be wary of. He brings one of the hardest shots in the league, along with an incredible ability to generate offense for those around him. His 86 points lead all NHL defensemen.
Whether it's Tristan Jarry or Connor Ingram in the net is essentially a moot point for the Blackhawks. They are both middle-of-the-pack goaltenders who rely on the team in front of them to maintain their structure and feed on offense from their top guys.
Last Sunday, the Blackhawks let Jack Hughes take over the hockey game for the New Jersey Devils. If they want to have any chance of even slightly slowing down Connor McDavid, they must be much better defensively on the West Coast than they were on the East Coast.
Projected Lines, Defense Pairs, & Goalie For Chicago
The Blackhawks will have Sacha Boisvert back in the lineup on Thursday after a healthy scratch on Tuesday. Connor Bedard, Anton Frondell, and Frank Nazar playing in front of him down the middle gives the Blackhawks a great young center core. The wings on those lines have been pretty set for a while.
Greene-Bedard-Lardis
Bertuzzi-Frondell-Mikheyev
Donato-Nazar-Burakovsky
Teräväinen-Boisvert-Slaggert
Vlasic-Crevier
Kaiser-Rinzel
Korchinski-Del Mastro
Knight
Soderblom
The Chicago Blackhawks appear to be going with Spencer Knight again against the Oilers. Arvid Soderblom spent a lot of time on the ice during Chicago's Thursday optional morning skate, a sure sign of backing up.
Outside of Boisvert coming in for Slaggert, they have been rolling with this lineup ever since Frondell moved to be a center. Defending well has been a problem for this makeup on the road, but scoring goals can come in bunches for this young group if they're all clicking at the same time.
How To Watch
The game can be heard locally on AM 720 WGN in the Chicagoland area. To view this game, it can be found on CHSN locally. Nationally, it is available to stream on ESPN+. The puck will drop shortly after 8:00 PM CT.
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Detroit's Cade Cunningham, who has already missed eight games with a collapsed lung, will be out another week and be re-evaluated at that time, the Pistons announced Thursday.
This fits with the buzz out of Detroit, which has been that Cunningham will not return during the regular season, but there is optimism he will be back for the playoffs that start April 18.
With the Pistons new timeline, Cunningham will not play in 65 games, missing the league's cutoff to be eligible for postseason awards. Cunningham had been mentioned in MVP conversations, may well have finished in the top five in MVP voting, and unquestionably would have made his first All-NBA team. Now that discretion has been taken out of voters' hands.
Detroit has gone an impressive 6-2 with Cunningham out and with that has kept a solid grip on the No. 1 seed in the East — the Pistons are four games up on the Celtics with six games to play. With that, there is no reason to rush Cunningham back for regular season games, other than the concern about awards.
Cunningham was injured in the first quarter on March 17, a game against the Wizards. Cunningham colliding with Wizards' rookie Tre Johnson diving for a loose ball. He did not return to that game and was soon diagnosed with a left lung pneumothorax."
The two teams have split the previous two meetings, with the Penguins winning 4-3 on Dec. 4 and the Lightning winning 2-1 in a shootout on Jan. 13. Both games have been fantastic to watch, and Thursday's game should be no different.
The Penguins are 8-4-2 in their last 14 games against the Lightning, but they might be getting an upset Bolts team since they lost 4-1 to the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday. The Bolts are also trying to clinch a playoff spot on Thursday.
Nikita Kucherov was named the NHL's First Star of March after finishing the month with nine goals and 26 points in 14 games. He compiled six multi-point games in March and has 40 goals and 121 points in 68 games this season. He has a great shot of winning the Hart Trophy this year.
Former Penguin Jake Guentzel has fit like a glove with the Bolts, compiling 36 goals and 81 points in 74 games this year. He plays a lot with Kucherov and Brayden Point, the latter of whom has 17 goals and 46 points in 56 games.
Darren Raddysh has also been great for the Lightning this season, racking up 20 goals and 66 points in 67 games as a defenseman. He's set to be a free agent after this season and will get a huge pay raise from the $975,000 salary he earned this year.
Don't forget about Anthony Cirelli, either. The two-way center has 20 goals and 49 points in 66 games.
Andrei Vasilevskiy will start in goal for the Lightning, and he has been his usual self this year with 22.2 goals saved above expected and a .912 save percentage.
The Penguins will get Bryan Rust back from his brief one-game absence, meaning Avery Hayes will come out of the lineup.
Here's a look at the projected lines and pairings:
Forwards
Chinakhov-Crosby-Rust
Novak-Kindel-Malkin
Mantha-Rakell-Brazeau
Soderblom-Dewar-Acciari
Defensive pairs
Wotherspoon-Karlsson
Girard-Letang
Shea-Clifton
Stuart Skinner will start in goal for the Penguins after playing great against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday.
Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Fans can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'
