Wednesday’s game between the Giants and Phillies pushed up 30 minutes

A groundskeeper pulls a tarp on Citizens Bank Park, with the logo in the background.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 12: A member of the Philadelphia Phillies ground crew helps roll out the tarp to cover the field due to an incoming storm before the start of a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on May 12, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The San Francisco Giants are facing the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, in the second game of their three-game series. The hope is that the second game will go better than the first one did. We’ll have to wait to see if that’s the case, but one thing’s for certain: the game is coming a little earlier than expected.

With bad weather making its way through the east coast, the teams announced on Wednesday, about four hours before game time, that the contest would be moved up by 30 minutes. Instead of the originally-scheduled start at 3:40 p.m. PT (6:40 p.m. local time), first pitch will now come at 3:10 p.m. PT.

Rain is expected to fall in Philly in the evening, and the hope is that by starting the game earlier, the teams can avoid most of the poor weather. Mother nature often has other plans, though, so we’ll see how that goes.

For Giants fans on the road, the gate times at Citizens Bank Park aren’t changing, despite the new start time. Third base and left field gates will open at 1:40 p.m. PT, with all other gates opening at 2:10.

We’ll let you know if there are any more updates on the weather or the schedule.

LeBron James says he hasn’t been the same since injury from Solomon Hill

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to an apparent injury during the second period of a game against the Atlanta Hawks at Staples Center on March 20, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Back in 2021, the Lakers were deep into their title defense when LeBron James suffered an injury that changed the trajectory of not just that season, but the career of their superstar.

Los Angeles was hosting Atlanta when Solomon Hill dove headfirst at LeBron’s legs. Every Lakers fan likely remembers what happened next as LeBron crumpled to the ground and missed the next 21 games. By the time he returned, the Lakers had gone from contenders to a play-in team before ultimately losing to the Suns in the opening round of the playoffs.

That play involving Hill will haunt Lakers fans for decades to come, especially after LeBron admitted to Dave McMenamin of ESPN that he has never truly physically recovered.

“My foot and my ankle ain’t been the same since. Ever since that injury, I’ve been fighting uphill to get it back to normal. But it’s been a little blah ever since. What could have been, for sure. I was playing some of the best basketball of my career up until that point and leading this franchise in the right direction and then something like that happens, a high ankle sprain, and there’s nothing you can do about that.”

Even at the time, the dive Hill took was considered reckless by many. Lakers players Dennis Schröder and Montrezl Harrell both said it was postgame, and Hill had to defend himself.

Dirty or not, the impact has been significant, as it’s been years later and LeBron still doesn’t feel the same. Since then, LeBron has sustained additional injuries, making it impossible to be fully healthy.

In 2023, he tore a tendon in his right foot and went to “the LeBron James of feet” to get it fixed. He did come back, but his burst was clearly missing and LeBron hinted that perhaps only offseason surgery could fix it.

LeBron avoiding that injury from Hill’s dive is one of the “what ifs” of his career. Perhaps had that not happened, he would’ve kept a bit more of his burst and subsequent injuries to his right foot might have been avoided.

Luckily, it hasn’t stopped James from having a long and successful career, but it’s still frustrating to hear that such a reckless dive continues to impact his game to this day.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

Game #30 GameThread: Red Sox @ Jays

Apr 28, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto (7) reacts after he is tagged out at second base against the Boston Red Sox during the third inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images | Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

So we have an afternoon game. Game three of Three with the Red Sox. Then the Jays fly off to Minnesota to play the Twins for four games.

George Springer is back, but not in the lineup. That seems strange to me. Why put him on the roster if he isn’t going to play?

Jays, it would be nice to win.

Today’s Lineups

RED SOXBLUE JAYS
Roman Anthony – LFErnie Clement – 2B
Willson Contreras – 1BJesus Sanchez – RF
Wilyer Abreu – RFVladimir Guerrero – 1B
Ceddanne Rafaela – CFKazuma Okamoto – 3B
Trevor Story – SSDaulton Varsho – CF
Andruw Monasterio – DHYohendrick Pinango – DH
Connor Wong – CMyles Straw – LF
Isiah Kiner-Falefa – 2BAndres Gimenez – SS
Caleb Durbin – 3BBrandon Valenzuela – C
Brayan Bello – RHPEric Lauer – LHP

Go Jays Go.

Dodgers vs. Marlins game III chat

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 27: Hyeseong Kim #6 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on during the game between the Miami Marlins and the Los Angeles Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Monday, April 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Nicole Vasquez/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The Dodgers look to sweep the Miami Marlins on Wednesday. Tyler Glasnow goes against Sandy Alcantara.

WEDNESDAY GAME INFO
  • Teams: Dodgers vs. Marlins
  • Stadium: Dodger Stadium
  • Time: 12:10 p.m. PT
  • TV: SportsNet LA
  • Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 (Spanish)

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Blue Jays activate veteran George Springer off injured list, designate Eloy Jiménez for assignment

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays activated designated hitter George Springer off the 10-day injured list on Wednesday after the four-time All-Star missed 15 games because of a fractured left big toe.

Eloy Jiménez was designated for assignment.

Springer wasn’t in the starting lineup for Wednesday’s series finale against the Boston Red Sox. He left an April 11 game against Minnesota after he fouled a ball off his foot in the third inning. Springer completed his at-bat, grounding out to third base, but was replaced by Myles Straw when his turn came up again.

Toronto’s leadoff hitter, the veteran Springer is batting .185 with two home runs and six RBIs. He was a big part of Toronto’s run to Game 7 of the 2025 World Series, hitting .309 with 32 homers and 84 RBIs in the regular season and the decisive homer in Game 7 of the ALCS against Seattle.

The MVP of the 2017 World Series with Houston, Springer is in the final season of a $150 million, six-year deal with the Blue Jays.

A Silver Slugger with the White Sox in 2020, Jiménez hit .290 with no homers and three RBIs in 12 games with Toronto. All of his nine hits were singles.

Sixers finally got the two-way play they needed from Quentin Grimes

Boston, MA - April 28: Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown loses control of the ball while he is defended by Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes in the fourth quarter. The Boston Celtics played the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden in the first round of the NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2026. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images

Betting on himself this season didn’t go nearly as well as Quentin Grimes may have hoped. A tumultuous restricted free agency saw him return to the Sixers on only the $6 million dollar qualifying offer in hopes of scoring a better deal the following offseason.

He started well, averaging 17 points per game, shooting 44.8% from the field and 36.9% from three through the first month of the season. Since Dec. 1, though, those numbers dropped to 12.2 points per game and, crucially, a 31% three-point percentage.

His start to the playoffs looked similar. After a great five games in March with Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and Paul George all out, Grimes again looked like he was struggling to scale down into becoming a helpful complementary player. While he made 50% of his threes in the first three games of the Sixers round one series against Boston, he was only taking two a game as the Celtics’ bench exponentially outscored the Sixers’.

It didn’t prevent them from being blown out in Game 4, but Grimes taking seven shot attempts, his most of the series, ended up being a step in the right direction. He followed up the 12-point performance in Game 4 by dropping 18 off the bench in Game 5.

He did so by shooting 5-of-8 from the field and 4-of-7 from three-point range. Not only did every single one of those feel like huge momentum shifts, but Grimes made the most important play of the game immediately after sinking one.

Embiid had kicked out to him out of the post. He drilled the three from the break to give the Sixers a six-point lead, their highest of the night to that point. Right after burying that he read the pass coming to Jaylen Brown and poked it down the court, nearly stealing it. Brown was able to secure the loose ball was down the other end of the floor, but Grimes stayed right in his face, forcing him to use the remainder of the shot clock to get the ball back into the half court. Brown got off a midrange pull-up, but with Grimes in his face the entire time the ball clanked off the rim and the Sixers got another stop to help build their lead.

The Celtics would only score three more points the rest of the game, missing their last 14 field goals of the night.

Not only was that the biggest play of the Sixers’ entire season, but it highlights two things about the Quentin Grimes experience. The first is why watching him on a nightly basis can be frustrating at times. The second, though, is why can be present value to a team even when he’s struggling offensively.

Grimes hasn’t shot it nearly as well or as frequently as anyone would have hoped. His decision making as a ball handler is frustrating at times — he averaged the second-highest turnover rate of his career this season, per Cleaning the Glass.

Even when he’s struggling with these things his effort is there on defense more often than not. Being strong, quick and on the bigger side for a guard allows him to take on some of the most important assignments, like guarding Jaylen Brown for stretches of games.

There have been plenty of games this year where Grimes couldn’t buy a shot, but needed to close out games because of how much the Sixers needed his defense. It worked out really well for both Grimes and the Sixers that in Game 5 they didn’t have to choose between one or the other.

White Sox place Everson Pereira on IL and recall Jarred Kelenic from Triple-A

CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox placed outfielder Everson Pereira on the 10-day injured list with a right pectoral strain before their game with the Los Angeles Angels and selected the contract of outfielder Jarred Kelenic from Triple-A Charlotte.

The 25-year-old Pereira left Tuesday night’s game against the Angels with right shoulder soreness after taking an awkward swing during an at-bat in the fourth inning when he struck out swinging. Pereira is batting .250 with three homers and seven RBIs in 18 games this season.

This is Pereira’s second time on the injured list this season. He was placed on the 10-day injured list on April 5 with a left ankle sprain. The White Sox acquired him with infielder Tanner Murray, who’s out with a shoulder injury, from the Tampa Bay Rays in November 2025.

Kelenic, 26, has played in the majors the past five seasons with Seattle and Atlanta. He has a career batting average of .211 with 49 home runs and 156 RBIs in 407 games. He signed as a free agent with the White Sox in January.

Kelenic was batting .202 with six home runs, 18 RBIs and 16 runs scored in 26 games with Charlotte this season.

Raptors vs Cavaliers Computer Picks: Our Best Player Prop Projections for Game 5

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The Raptors and Cavaliers head back to Rocket Arena in Cleveland for a pivotal Game 5 tied at two games apiece.

There are plenty of NBA player prop projections and NBA picks worth targeting. Be sure to check out our Raptors vs. Cavaliers predictions for more.

Raptors vs Cavaliers computer picks for Game 5

Raptors RaptorsCavaliers Cavaliers
Walter o7.5 points
-110
Mitchell o4.5 assists 
+100
Barrett o19.5 points
-110
Wade o4.5 points 
-130
Murray-Boyles u6.5 rebounds
+115
Mitchell u27.5 points 
-105

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Raptors Game 5 computer picks

Ja'Kobe Walter Over 7.5 points (-110)

Projection: 9.16 points

Ja'Kobe Walter was held scoreless in the last two games but played much better in Cleveland, where he scored 21 points in the first two games. He also cleared this number in four of five games to finish the regular season.

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RJ Barrett Over 19.5 points (-110)

Projection: 21.9 points

RJ Barrett's 18 points in Game 4 were his lowest scoring output of the series after scoring 24, 22, and 33 in the first three games. His projection of nearly 22 points tonight aligns with how he played the first two games in Cleveland.

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Collin Murray-Boyles Under 6.5 rebounds (+115)

Projection: 6.0 rebounds

Collin Murray-Boyles has gone Over his rebounding total in three straight games, but tonight's total sits at 6.5 rebounds after closing at 4.5 and 5.5 the first four games of this series. Now's the time to back the other side.

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Cavaliers Game 5 computer picks

Donovan Mitchell Over 4.5 assists (+100)

Projection: 5.4 assists

Donovan Mitchell had just six assists in Games 3 and 4 in Toronto, but logged nine across the first two games at home and went over this number in Game 2. His projection calls for 5.4 tonight, and the +100 price makes it that much easier to hit the button.

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Dean Wade Over 4.5 points (-130)

Projection: 6.13 points

Dean Wade has cleared this low bar in three of four games in this series and logged a playoff-high seven points in Game 4.

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Donovan Mitchell Under 27.5 points (-105)

Projection: 25.8 points

This is a big number for a guy who scored just 35 across two games in Toronto and lost his offensive rhythm entirely. Even if he's much better in Game 5, this projection gives us a ton of room to cash the Under.

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How to watch Raptors vs Cavaliers Game 5

LocationRocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
DateWednesday, April 29, 2026
Tip-off7:30 p.m. ET
TVESPN

Not intended for use in MA.
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We ran the numbers. Cale Makar is the NHL playoffs’ fastest defenseman

In game two of the Colorado Avalanche's opening round series against the Los Angeles Kings on April 21, defenseman Cale Makar reached a maximum speed of 23.92 mph. 

That speed is the fastest ever recorded by a defenseman in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since the NHL started tracking the stat in the 2021-22 season. It’s also the fastest overall speed in this year’s playoffs, regardless of position. 

Makar’s top speed is over 1 mph faster than this year’s next fastest defenseman of the playoffs, Erik Karlsson of the Pittsburgh Penguins (22.78 mph). Previously, the highest max speed mark for a defenseman in the playoffs was set last year by Noah Hanifin for the Vegas Golden Knights (23.66 mph).

⁠

The next fastest skater after Makar this year is Los Angeles’ Trevor Moore. The left winger has topped out at 23.48 mph this postseason. 

Makar’s previous top speed in the playoffs was 23.28 mph, which he hit last year. During the 2021-22 regular season, he reached a max speed of 23.74 mph, which — until this April— was his highest ever recorded. 

During the 2025-26 regular season, Makar was the fifth-fastest defenseman, as he trailed Ottawa's Jake Sanderson, Utah's Mikhail Sergachev, Boston's Nikita Zadorov, and Karlsson. His new 23.92 mph mark lags only Sanderson’s top speed of 24.37 mph among defensemen. 

Makar’s Colorado teammate Nathan McKinnon has the all-time playoff speed record of 24.54 mph, set during the 2022 playoffs. 

Makar and the Western Conference’s top-seeded Avalanche swept the Kings in round one and await the winner of Dallas-Minnesota in round two. 

Methodology note: Data from NHL EDGE.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cale Makar NFL playoffs speed chart: How he compares to everyone else

Warriors will host trio of California Classic summer league games

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 10: Maxime Raynaud #42 of the Sacramento Kings awarded the KIA Rookie of the Month award prior to the game against the Golden State Warriors on April 10, 2026 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Golden State Warriors announced that the team will host a trio of California Classic summer league games at Chase Center in July. The Sacramento Kings will also host three games at the Golden 1 Center. Golden State will host games on July 3rd, 5th, and 6th while Sacramento will host games on July 4th, 5th, and 6th. The Kings, Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, and Milwaukee Bucks will compete in the three-day tournament in Sacramento while the Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, and San Antonio Spurs will compete in San Francisco.

While season-ticket holders often receive first dibs at tickets for summer league/preseason games, these games often remain the most affordable tickets to a Warriors game at Chase Center will ever be. Of course, anyone getting a ticket will also be attending a game without Golden State’s biggest stars. Nevertheless, Warriors guard Will Richard has said he will return to summer league play this summer, and the Warriors do currently have a lottery pick in the first round and a late second-round pick, both of which will conceivably become players that feature prominently during summer league.

Jays Roster Move: George Springer Back, Eloy Jiménez DFAed

Apr 25, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder George Springer (4) takes batting practice before a game against the Cleveland Guardians at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images | Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

George Springer is back from the IL and Eloy Jiménez has been DFAed to make room.

Jiménez was hitting .290/.343/.290 in 35 PA with no extra base hits. I’ll admit to being surprised, I figured it would be Yohendrick Pinago heading back to Buffalo, but if Eloy isn’t hitting for power, he doesn’t have much value and with Springer back, there is no room at DH for Eloy.

Welcome back George. Let’s have some home runs, please.

Today’s Lineups

RED SOXBLUE JAYS
Roman Anthony – LFErnie Clement – 2B
Willson Contreras – 1BJesus Sanchez – RF
Wilyer Abreu – RFVladimir Guerrero – 1B
Ceddanne Rafaela – CFKazuma Okamoto – 3B
Trevor Story – SSDaulton Varsho – CF
Andruw Monasterio – DHYohendrick Pinango – DH
Connor Wong – CMyles Straw – LF
Isiah Kiner-Falefa – 2BAndres Gimenez – SS
Caleb Durbin – 3BBrandon Valenzuela – C
Brayan Bello – RHPEric Lauer – LHP

Weirdly, Springer isn’t in the lineup today.

Celtics own up to costly fourth-quarter implosion in Game 5: ‘Just not good enough’

Boston, MA - April 28: Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown questions a call in the fourth quarter. The Boston Celtics played the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden in the first round of the NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2026. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images

BOSTON — The Boston Celtics saved their ugliest fourth quarter for the worst possible time, and it came at a steep price.  

Leading 3-1 and with a chance to close out their first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden, the C’s collapsed — in near historic fashion. Boston missed its final 14 shots over the last 12 minutes and finished 3-of-22 in the frame, tying a franchise playoff record for fewest field goals in a fourth quarter, per NBC Sports Boston’s Dick Lipe. The anticipation of ending Philadelphia’s season quickly turned into silence shared between Boston’s bench and a home crowd that began filing out before the final buzzer.

Instead of celebrating and catching its breath while awaiting a semifinal opponent, Boston squandered the opportunity and now heads back to Philadelphia for Game 6.

“It was just having an understanding of we were in a good situation and just didn’t execute,” coach Joe Mazzulla said. “So we just have to be able to bounce back from that. I think when you have empty possession, empty possession, and at the other end you’re not getting stops, it gets frustrating.”

Boston held a 13-point lead with 10:13 remaining in the third quarter before the meltdown. Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid — who missed the first three games of the series and was listed as probable an hour before opening tip — finally broke out. Embiid scored a game-high 33 points, grabbed four rebounds, and tallied eight assists. Celtics bigs had no answer for him as Neemias Queta, Nikola Vučević, and even Luka Garza struggled to subdue Embiid’s dominance.

Eventually, that caught up to Boston.

BOSTON, MA – APRIL 28: Jaylen Brown #7 and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics look on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

When Embiid took a trip to Philadelphia’s locker room limping with an apparent left knee injury late in the third quarter, only to return minutes later, the Celtics were in control. They carried an 86-85 lead into the fourth quarter, only to lose their grip.

“We played great up until that point, and then they made more plays down the stretch,” Mazzulla added.

It felt much like the postseason losses Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown had endured for years before clearing the title hurdle in 2024 — but far, far uglier. Tatum attempted just two shots in the fourth quarter, while Queta and Sam Hauser accounted for Boston’s only three field goals, as the Celtics finished with as many made shots as turnovers.

“It was a stretch where we weren’t making shots, and they were coming down and hitting shots and getting fouled, and we just kept having to play against a set defense,” Tatum said. “So getting stops would’ve helped, for sure.”

The standard they’ve strived to meet all season simply wasn’t met. Boston’s 11 points in the fourth marked the fewest scored throughout the entire regular season and playoffs. The same energy that forced Philadelphia’s crowd to evaporate at Xfinity Mobile Arena and turn into a “We want Boston” chant from the traveling Celtics fans didn’t return with the team back home.

Even Brown admitted the performance wasn’t up to par.

“Just not good enough overall from the Celtics tonight,” Brown said. “The result was the result, but gotta move on, play in another couple of days and get a chance to respond. So we look at it, learn from it, and move forward.”

Brown continued: “Just can’t sum it up — a lot of different areas were just not good enough. We’ll watch it, and we’ll make sure we’ll come out with the right energy, the right mindset, the right mentality on the road in Philadelphia. So that’s what I’m looking forward to.”

The Celtics entered Tuesday night with three chances to put the Sixers away for good. They’ll have their second chance in Game 6 on Thursday night in Philadelphia.

Dark Spots Of The Kings' First-Round That Must Be Addressed Before The Next NHL Season

In a first-round playoff sweep by the Colorado Avalanche, the Los Angeles Kings weren't able to record one win after fighting all season to get into the post-season. The Avalanche were able to handle anything the Kings threw at them, and in the end, Los Angeles wasn't very threatening.

The reasons the Kings weren't able to get a lead for most of this series, or even win a game, are glaring. And these issues may hold the Kings back from even seeing the Stanley Cup playoffs next year.

So, what were the alarming dark spots that held Los Angeles back in the post-season?

General Offense

It's no secret that the Kings have struggled to score goals, not only in the playoffs but throughout the regular season, too.

Across the 82-game campaign, Los Angeles scored 220 goals, which was the fourth fewest in the NHL. Only the lottery teams, the Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks and Calgary Flames had weaker offenses.

In the post-season, that weak offense was on full display for the Kings, especially at 5-on-5. In total, Los Angeles tied the Ottawa Senators with the fewest goals scored in the playoffs, with five in four games.

Bright Spots The Kings Could Build On From A Disappointing First-Round Playoff SeriesBright Spots The Kings Could Build On From A Disappointing First-Round Playoff SeriesThough it was a disappointing ending to the campaign, here are a couple of positives that the Los Angeles Kings can take with them into next season.

In terms of 5-on-5, the Kings had the fewest goals with just a pair. The rest of the team's tallies were on the power play, which is surprising considering that they had the fifth-worst power-play percentage in the regular season.

But at 5-on-5, Los Angeles really couldn't generate many threatening chances. 

Understandably, the Kings would be a little more conservative against the Presidents' Trophy winners and heavy favorites Avalanche. But Los Angeles didn't give themselves a chance to force Colorado on its heels, and ultimately, it was an ugly series for them offensively.

Artemi Panarin, Brandt Clarke, Adrian Kempe and Joel Edmundson (Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)
Artemi Panarin, Brandt Clarke, Adrian Kempe and Joel Edmundson (Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)

Lack Of Star Power

Los Angeles' top line was pretty much invisible when it came to getting on the scoresheet, which is another reference to the team's inability to score. However, the Kings' top players are responsible for leading the way offensively, and they weren't close to that.

Artemi Panarin and Anze Kopitar didn't register a single even-strength point, and Adrian Kempe finally got his first in the lone goal of Game 4. Top defensemen Drew Doughty and Brandt Clarke can be added to the list of notable Kings to not earned an even-strength point in the series.

Anze Kopitar: Five Career Defining Moments Anze Kopitar: Five Career Defining Moments From being the 11th overall pick in the 2005 NHL draft, Anze Kopitar has defined what it is to be a LA King.

The way the Kings prioritized defensive hockey over a more balanced game was evident, and that's what leads to a dry spell offensively. Even in the regular season, it's not often that the Kings have a player reach 80 points in a season.

Panarin finished the campaign with 84 points, but most of his year was spent with the New York Rangers. The last time Los Angeles had an 80-point scorer was in 2017-18 when Kopitar scored 92 points.

If the Kings want to be a serious team when it matters most, the stars must shine under the bright lights, and that starts with exceptional production in the regular season, which hasn't been the case over the years.

Possibly, with a new head coach, that could change.


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Britain’s Jack Draper to miss French Open with knee injury in latest setback

  • Former world No 4’s knee problem follows arm injury

  • Draper says it is ‘gutting’ to miss Roland Garros

Jack Draper has been ruled out of the French Open with a knee injury. It is another blow in his attempt to re-establish himself after a long-term arm injury ruled him out for the best part of eight months.

Draper has managed nine matches in five events since returning in ­February and retired during his first-round match with Tomás ­Martín Etcheverry at the Barcelona Open this month. He was diagnosed with an aggravated knee tendon injury and had initially hoped to return before the second grand slam of the year next month.

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New York Yankees @ Texas Rangers: Elmer Rodríguez vs. Nathan Eovaldi

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 22: Elmer Rodríguez (35) of the New York Yankees pitches during a spring training workout on March 22, 2026 at the New York Yankees Minor League Complex in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

It’s past vs. the future this afternoon in Arlington, as the Yankees go for a three-game sweep of the Texas Rangers in a Wednesday matinee on the backs of a highly-touted prospect making his MLB debut against a grizzled veteran who once donned the pinstripes as a youngster.

Elmer Rodríguez is getting an audition these next two weeks, as he figures to get two (maybe three?) starts as the Yankees’ fifth starter before Carlos Rodón returns from his rehab assignment. For a breakdown of what to expect, check out Andrés’ piece from this morning.

Acquired from the rival Red Sox for Carlos Narváez in December 2024, the Puerto Rico native is the No. 72-ranked prospect in all of baseball and No. 3 in the Yankees’ organization behind George Lombard Jr. and Carlos Lagrange. After a solid spring training and World Baseball Classic performance, Rodríguez was off to a dynamite start in Scranton, pitching to a 1.27 ERA in 21.1 innings with 20 strikeouts to just four walks. He doesn’t seem to have a path to staying in the bigs for much of this season, barring injury, but the Yankees clearly would rather try him out than keep throwing Luis Gil every fifth day.

Old frenemy Nathan Eovaldi gets the start for the Rangers and will be making his 22nd career start against his former team, the most of any opponent. Originally drafted by the Dodgers, he was dealt to the Marlins for Hanley Ramírez and then flipped to the Yanks in December 2014 alongside Garrett Jones and then-prospect Domingo Germán for Martín Prado and David Phelps. He spent two years in pinstripes and made 48 starts before undergoing Tommy John surgery and being released after the 2016 season.

From then on, he’s been an enemy. He split time with the Rays and Red Sox in 2018 and was a key part of Boston’s 2018 World Series victory. After gettomg a new contract from Boston, he had a down 2019, but rebounded to be one of the most effective and consistent pitchers in the game for the next three seasons and tortured the Yankees along the way, allowing two runs in 12.1 career postseason innings against New York. He’s spent the last few years in Texas, where he won a another ring in 2023 and has been similarly steady until this year, when he’s struggled to a 5.79 ERA through six starts, giving up an AL-high nine homers.

Eovaldi still has great command, gets a lot of groundballs, and plenty of chases and whiffs, but he’s getting tagged significantly more this year than ever before. His fastball has never been his money pitch, but it has a startlingly bad -7 run value this year, while his cutter and curveball have similarly regressed. His strength remains his filthy splitter, which he’ll use to keep a powerful lineup honest all night.

Trent Grisham’s injury scare last night wasn’t enough to keep him out of the lineup today, as he leads off. The usual next four follow, with Jasson Domínguez getting his first start in left field in 2026 so Judge can DH, batting sixth. J.C. Escarra gets the “day game after a night game” start, followed by Ryan McMahon and José Caballero.

Similar top of the order for the Rangers with Brandon Nimmo, Josh Jung, Corey Seager, and Joc Pederson. The top six is identical to last night, but Kyle Higashioka slides in at catcher and Ezequiel Duran bats ninth at second base, with Alejandro Osuna between them.

How to watch

Location: Globe Life Field — Arlington, TX

First pitch: 2:35 pm ET

TV broadcast: YES, Rangers Sports Network

Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY), 105.2 The Fan, KLFC 1270 (TEX)

Online stream: MLB.tv (out-of-market only)

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