Cantillo walks over four batters per nine with a 45% fly ball rate, and that’s a dangerous combination for a lefty on a warm night with gusty winds blowing out to left.
Cleveland's bullpen is surrendering 1.61 home runs per nine, and while their bats boomed last night, the Guardians average a shade under four runs per night.
Back the home dog tonight.
COVERS INTEL:Joey Cantillo is surrendering a .361 slugging percentage and .342 wOBA against right-handed hitters this season.
Guardians vs Cardinals Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (+100)
Neither bullpen can consistently get anyone out, and that's a problem against two lineups that rank seventh and eighth in expected offensive production despite sitting outside the Top 15 in actual results.
McGreevy's underlying metrics suggest Cleveland will score, while Cantillo's command issues against a right-handed heavy Cardinals lineup and gusty winds blowing out mean a few free passes could turn into a run explosion in a hurry.
Cleveland's bullpen is surrendering 1.61 home runs per nine. The Cardinals' pen can't miss bats. Play the Over.
Phil Naessens' 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 1-3, -1.90 units
Over/Under bets: 2-1, +0.94 units
Guardians vs Cardinals odds
Moneyline: Guardians -104 | Cardinals -104
Run line: Guardians -1.5 (+133) | Cardinals +1.5 (-186)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-117) | Under 8.5 (-117)
Guardians vs Cardinals trend
The Over is 4-1 in Cleveland’s previous five games. Find more MLB betting trends for Guardians vs. Cardinals.
How to watch Guardians vs Cardinals and game info
Location
Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
Date
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
First pitch
7:45 p.m. ET
TV
CleGuardians.TV, Cardinals.TV
Guardians starting pitcher
Joey Cantillo (1-0, 2.46 ERA)
Cardinals starting pitcher
Michael McGreevy (1-1, 2.16 ERA)
Guardians vs Cardinals latest injuries
Guardians vs Cardinals weather
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SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 13: Members of the Texas Rangers celebrate a win after the game between the Texas Rangers and the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on Monday, April 13, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Don Collier/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Rangers 8, A’s 1
That was a good ‘un.
Shades of 2023, in fact. Nathan Eovaldi doing work, the bats battering, the late innings being low stress because the Rangers’ lead is so large.
After the first two games of the season, where Eovaldi failed to go five innings in either game and allowed 11 runs, rumblings began as to whether Eovaldi still had it, if age was catching up with the 36 year old. The five run outing in the season opener was an instance where he pitched better than the line score reflected, but his second outing was inherently unpleasant.
Last time out, Eovaldi picked up a win and a Quality Start with a six inning, two run outing, quieting the criticism a bit.
And then in this game, in a hitter friendly minor league park, against an OaklandSacramentoLas Vegas A’s team that has a number of potent bats, Eovaldi cruised. He didn’t allow a base runner until Max Muncy (that funky Muncy) singled to lead off the third, then promptly generated a GIDP to erase him. The A’s put runners on first and second in both the fifth and sixth, with a single and a reversed on replay HBP in the former and a pair of walks in the latter, but Eovaldi kept them off the board.
Eovaldi looked early on like he might be in line for a complete game, given how efficient he was — he needed just 29 pitches through three — and probably could have gone back out for the eighth had the Rangers not put a bunch of runs on the board in the top of the inning and made it a blowout.
13 swings and misses generated by Eovaldi, seven of them on the splitter, which he, as per usual, leaned on heavily, throwing it 32 times.
Luis Curvelo came into the game for the eighth did his job, which was to throw strikes, move things along, and keep things from getting interesting. Curvelo needed just 19 pitches to get through eight batters over two innings. Lawrence Butler homered off of him, spoiling the shutout, so we could get made about that if we were feeling churlish.
Which we are not.
Offensively, Jake Burger put the Rangers up four batters into the game, clubbing a three run homer off of Luis Severino after Severino had issued one out walks to Corey Seager and Evan Carter. It looked like the Rangers might be able to chase Severino early when Joc Pederson and Kyle Higashioka each singled after the Burger homer, but a Josh Smith backwards K and a Josh Jung 5-3 put those hopes on ice.
Severino ended up going six and allowed just one more run, on another home run from Burger, who does not seem to have a lot in common with Jason Botts.
Texas put up a four spot in the eighth to blow it open, all of the runs coming off of A’s reliever Jack Perkins, who sounds like the hero in a series of 1930s stories about a high schooler who excels in every sport and takes his girlfriend Mary Jane to the malt shop after his heroics are over. Josh Smith, trying to shake out of a season-opening slump, singled in a pair of runs, and Josh Jung, who is shaking off a season-opening slump, doubled in the other two.
Ironically, Brandon Nimmo, who has been the Rangers’ best hitter so far in the young season, was the only Ranger not to get on base. Evan Carter was the only other Ranger who came to the plate not to get a hit, though he drew a walk.
While the top three guys have been fueling the Rangers’ offense most of the season, it was the middle part of the lineup — which too often has been a soft underbelly of the lineup — that was especially productive. Aside from Burger’s two homer-one walk game, Joc Pederson had three hits — his first three hit game as a Ranger — and Kyle Higashioka, in the sixth spot, picked up a pair of singles and a walk.
It was a very fine performance, one that makes staying up late on a week night well worth it.
Nathan Eovaldi’s fastball maxed out at 96.1 mph, averaging 94.1 mph. Luis Curvelo topped out at 95.4 mph with his fastball.
Jake Burger’s home runs were 113.6 mph and 104.2 mph. Joc Pederson had a 105.9 mph single and a 101.2 mph single. Ezequiel Duran had a 105.3 mph single. Kyle Higashioka hit into a GIDP that was 103.4 mph. Josh Jung and Corey Seager each had a 100.5 mph double.
Texas is now .500 on the road trip, with six games to go.
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Apr 13, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos (27) breaks his bat on a ground out in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Meet the Mets
Dodgers’ starter Justin Wrobleski set down the first 13 Mets hitters and faced the minimum through seven, as New York lost their sixth straight by a 4-0 score to the Dodgers. Wrobleski ended up hurling eight shutout frames. The Mets managed just three hits as their scoreless streak extended to 20 innings, with the team continuing to struggle to score runs without their best bat in the lineup. David Peterson allowed four runs over five innings of work in the loss.
The Mets called up Tommy Pham and optioned Ronny Mauricio to Triple-A.
Laura Albanese believes Tommy Pham’s fire can help the team against the Dodgers, though it did not help them much last night.
Chelsea Janes explained why the Mets must prove that this slow start is just an aberration, even if much of the roster is different from the one that collapsed last season.
This series between the Mets and Dodgers is a showcase of big money in MLB as the teams with the two largest payrolls in the sport collide.
Katie Woo and Will Sammon examined how the Dodgers swooped in and stole Edwin Díaz from the Mets.
Los Angeles seems to be concerned about their closer’s velocity, and Díaz may not pitch against his old club this series.
Between Díaz this week and Jeff McNeil last weekend, GM David Stearns has been getting visits from the ghosts of Mets past, writes David Lennon.
Scouts seem to believe Bo Bichette is not fully healthy and believe it’s related to the PCL sprain in his left knee that he suffered last September.
On the Juan Soto injury front, the team is still saying he will return in the 2-3 week timeframe, but he has not yet begun a running program. He will undergo an MRI if things don’t advance.
Clay Holmes, meanwhile, is good to go for his Wednesday start after throwing a bullpen with no issues.
The Mets say a turnaround is coming, but Anthony DiComo wondered if they can make it happen.
Devin Williams and Luke Weaver are bullpen buddies, explains Laura Albanese.
Mike Vaccaro wrote about how Darryl Strawberry helped save Lenny Dykstra from a drug-fueled rock bottom.
Around the National League East
Alec Bohm has fired Scott Boras and is seeking money from his parents in the amount of over $500K amid a legal battle.
Behind a pair of Kyle Schwarber home runs, the Phillies beat up the Cubs 13-7.
The Marlins toppled the Braves 10-4.
The Nationals were embarrassed 16-5 by the the Pirates.
Will Leitch looked at some of the players who are most likely to win their first MVP award this year.
AJ Cassavell explained why Fernando Tatis Jr. at second base makes sense.
The Blue Jays acquired infielder Lenyn Sosa from the White Sox.
On Paul Skenes day, the Pirates put up a 10-run inning to give their ace some run support against Washington.
The slumping Astros have placed Jeremy Peña and Tatsuya Imai on the injured list and optioned Jayden Murray to Triple-A. J.P. France, Colton Gordon and Shay Whitcomb were recalled to take their place on the roster.
The Mariners handed the Astros their eighth straight loss with a 6-2 win. In the victory, Josh Naylor ended his home run draught as he hit dingers in back-to-back at-bats.
The Orioles rallied from down six to upend the Diamondbacks 9-7. Pete Alonso belted the go-ahead home run, his second as a member of the O’s. Baltimore’s skipper Craig Albernaz was hit in the head by a foul ball during the game. In defeat, Marte and Rojas led the way for Arizona’s offense with two home runs apiece.
The Yankees walked off the Angels 11-10 in a bonkers game that saw Judge and Grisham combined for four home runs and eight runs batted in.
The Twins beat up the Red Sox 13-6.
The Rangers did what neither New York team could do over the last five days, beating the A’s 8-1.
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
Brian Salvatore previewed the team’s series against the Dodgers.
Jerry Koosman made his major league debut on this date in 1967, two days after Tom Seaver’s big league debut. One year later, Nolan Ryan picked up his first career win as a member of the Mets.
MONTGOMERY, AL - JULY 03: Yoniel Curet #39 of the Montgomery Biscuits pitches during the game between the Columbus Clingstones and the Montgomery Biscuits at Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium on Thursday, July 3, 2025 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Photo by Natalie Buchanan/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
Well, considering the extent of Parker Meadows injuries after his collision with Riley Greene last week, this isn’t surprising. The Tigers on Monday moved the center fielder to the 60-day injured list with a fractured left arm as well as a concussion. The initial impact looked like Meadows, trying to veer away from Greene, who was camped under a Josh Bell fly ball, collided jaw to the back of Greene’s head. Meadows was clearly rocked immediately and couldn’t protect himself going to the ground where he fell on the left arm, fracturing the radius bone, and also hit his head hard against the turf. Hopefully he’ll make a full recovery, but for now he’s out until mid-June. Even when he does return, he’s going to need some rehab work in Toledo before returning to the Tigers.
The move opened up a 40-man roster spot, and the Tigers used that to claim 23-year-old right-hander Yoniel Curet, who was designated for assignment by the Phillies last week. It wasn’t long ago that Curet was a pretty well regarded pitching prospect for the Rays with a huge sinker and good breaking stuff. They finally DFA’d him in December and the Phillies traded for him, but they needed a spot to add outfield depth, and the Tigers took advantage.
The appeal here is good stuff in a pitcher with an option remaining. The Tigers have some interesting arms in the upper minors, but most of them are either veteran relievers with solid stuff who have failed to find enough command, or pitchers on the injured list. Meanwhile, two of their best arms, RHP Jackson Jobe and RHP Troy Melton are still on the shelf as Jobe rehabs from Tommy John surgery with a late summer timetable, and Melton is slowly building up after elbow inflammation back in spring camp. Really only RHP Ricky Vanasco has been really impressive in the early going for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens.
Curet has a big sinker that at his best has topped out at 97-98 mph. However, he’s battled shoulder injuries each of the past two seasons and was more 95-96 mph in spring camp. He has a good cutter and at times has flashed a plus changeup as well. He’s piled up the strikeouts in the minor leagues, but has never gotten his control in order for very long. He’s a project arm for the Tigers, but one young enough and with the option remaining, to give them some time to work with him.
Curet was assigned to Lakeland, and as he has pitched since a few appearances in spring camp but not since the minor league season started, we’ll assume he’s still dealing with a minor injury. When and if the Tigers can get him right, he should be in Toledo with the Mud Hens.
PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 07: Pittsburgh Penguins center Tommy Novak (18) goes to the net against Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar (80) during the overtime period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers on March 7, 2026, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
It seemed like another bad July 1st contract when the Philadelphia Flyers gave 27-year old goalie Dan Vladar a $6.7 million contract for two years ($3.35m AAV). Vladar had completely pedestrian career stats of a 49-34-16 record with a 3.00 GAA, .895 save percentage and four shutouts in 105 regular-season games split between five games with Boston and 100 with Calgary.
Vladar’s last two seasons with the Flames were particularly bad, posting a cumulative -24 Goals Saved Above Average that at one time had plummeted all the way down to -32, making the contract all the more confounding. Via hockeystats.com:
But goalies are confounding players were wisdom and logic doesn’t always apply for the past to line up for future performance. The Flyers are in the playoffs in no small part thanks to the positive contributions of Vladar, who put up career-highs this season in wins (29), GAA (2.42), save percentage (.906%). He got that GSAA moved in the right direction this season too at +11.42 as a consistently strong positive factor to help his team throughout the season.
Vladar and the Flyers are both peaking at the right time, the starting goalie is 5-1-0 with a .921 save% in the month of April. Go back to March 14th and Vladar has a 8-3-1 record with a .912 save% and 2.17 GAA.
Philadelphia didn’t make the playoffs because they have a good offense or a lot of skilled players, they have neither. Their 2.91 goals ranks 22nd in the NHL, the lowest among all playoff teams this year. The Flyers did make the playoffs (in addition to feasting on OT/SO wins) because their defense is designed to absorb punishment and their goaltenders keep the puck out of the net, their 2.93 goals/against per game ranks 9th in the NHL.
A lot of that is due to the decision from general manager Danny Briere and coach Rick Tocchet to go grab a goalie in Vladar who had been more of a 1B type player and give him the opportunity to be a starter. Philadelphia had a lot of choices (like backup Samuel Ersson and current minor leaguer Aleksei Kolosov and the now-traded Ivan Fedotov) but not a lot of quality. Despite not really showing it in Calgary, Vladar ended up being the piece that moved the needle and finally gave Philadelphia the anchor in net that they’ve been searching for since seemingly time immemorial.
Rick Tocchet's coaching staff told Danny Briere this past offseason they wanted to go get goaltender Dan Vladar – they saw something in him many teams didn't.
Vladar has carried this #Flyers team into the playoff conversation and given them an answer to a decade long question.… pic.twitter.com/GpVUEipNcP
Strong goalie play can take a mediocre team and make them into a playoff team, and in the most simplistic of terms that was on display to a large degree this season in Philadelphia. Vladar’s stats were far superior to that of the other goalie on the team Ersson (13-11-5, .867 save%, 3.15 GAA and a -13.75 GSAA). The Flyers’ season was almost sunk when Vladar missed two weeks in January with a lower body injury and Philadelphia endured one of the worst stretches of their season of a 2-7-2 stretch from Jan. 7-28 that overlapped Vladar’s Jan 14-28 injury.
Vladar and the Flyers ended up surviving that period and re-finding his early season form to help earn a playoff spot. The Penguins will have a challenge to score on one of the better goalies in the league this season and seeing how their high-powered offense (3.52 goals/game, 3rd in the NHL) matches up against Vladar will be one of the glaringly major deciding factors for the first round.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 3: Aroldis Chapman #44 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the ninth inning of the Opening Day game against the San Diego Padres on April 3, 2026 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Aroldis Chapman has been nearly perfect over his Red Sox tenure. He’s converted 35 of 37 save opportunities, registering a 1.22 ERA in that span. But Father Time is undefeated, Chapman has been prone to meltdowns, and I’m generally distrustful, so I’m waiting for the wheels to fall off.
Last week, against the Brewers, Chapman threw the slowest fastball of his Red Sox career at 90.8 mph. Since 2010, he’s thrown over 10,000 fastballs, earning a reputation as the premier flamethrower in baseball. The pitch last week was so much slower than his average fastball that it might have even functioned as a changeup, inducing a game-ending double play.
Chapman has been in the league since 2010. There aren’t many players left who debuted in 2010. At 38 years old, it’s fair to see 90 mph and wonder if he’s over the hill. I did some digging, some Excel work, consulted an oracle, and asked a Magic 8-Ball to determine what to look for to predict Chapman’s decline.
Pitcher’s arms are like weapons. Google “Aroldis Chapman gun” to learn more. In all seriousness, Chapman saves his bullets. Part of being healthy and effective for so long is knowing when to push it and when to take your foot off the gas. To use another metaphor, look at Lionel Messi. He spends a large portion of games walking, conserving energy, and surveying the field. When he needs to, he gets up to full speed in an instant and makes everyone else look like they’re playing a different game. While a pitcher can’t entirely take pitches off, they can pull back a bit when needed, especially early in the count.
Dating back to 2024, we saw a jump of about two miles per hour with his fastball when he gets to two strikes. He’s much more likely to see a swing with two strikes, and brings out his best stuff in those counts. That’s been the case throughout his career, but the magnitude of the effect has increased with age. Similarly, we can see his relative effort change with the score as well.
The effect here isn’t as significant, but it does exist. In a one-run game, Chapman throws his fastballs significantly harder than in a three-run game or when trailing. There isn’t much of a difference between tie games and two-run games, but if the winning or tying run is at least in the on-deck circle, Chapman brings it.
There’s more to it than just effort, as well. At least, it appears that way.
It typically takes Chapman about four pitches before he appears to be warm. When he throws a fastball for his first or second pitch of the outing, it averages about 97 mph. By the time he gets to his seventh pitch, the average velocity is up to 99 mph. As someone who owns a bachelor’s degree that includes a minor in applied math and statistics, I’ll admit this isn’t a 100% sound way to draw conclusions, but the correlation is there.
One potential issue is that the first and second pitches of an outing can never be a two-strike count, and we already saw that he turns it up with two strikes. By the time we’re five or so pitches into an at-bat, though, it could be virtually any count, given that the average plate appearance lasts about four pitches.
Regardless of how Chapman conserves his bullets, the velocity is going to fall off. Nobody can throw 100 mph forever. In actuality, if he does fall off a cliff, he’ll be very hurt. If his performance falls off a cliff, it’s likely due to his control.
There’s a pretty clear correlation here. When Chapman walks guys, things get ugly. When he’s in the zone, as he was last season when he posted a career low walk rate, he’s nearly unhittable.
Last season, he was in the zone about 54% of the time, his highest rate since 2016. In a small sample this season, he’s at a 52% zone rate. He allegedly got under control by learning to aim, which is such a hilarious revelation for a pitcher who’s been in the majors for 15 years that I have a hard time believing it. No matter what the reason for his improved control, a year and then some consistently is enough for me to believe it’s here to stay.
As I said, Father Time is undefeated, and nobody can throw 100 mph forever. Still, when looking at Chapman, pay more attention to the high-leverage, two-strike pitches to see if the top-end velocity is still there. If he needs an out and he’s only throwing 95 mph, it might be cause for concern. As for the 90 mph fastball, he said he was having trouble because of the cold. You probably already knew that, so if you’re still here, I appreciate you. Unless there’s an injury at play, and there doesn’t appear to be, the dip in velocity was likely just a blip. If you start to get worried about Chapman this season, make sure to give him a few pitches to warm up, and pay close attention to his control before you deem the sky falling.
Ontario, CA, Monday, September 15, 2025 - A merchandise store is stocked with caps, jerseys, shirts and toys for the Ontario Tower Buzzers, a single A minor league affiliate of the LA Dodgers. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Images are embargoed until Thursday, September 18, 2025.
The Ontario Tower Buzzers have their first-ever award winner, as Dodgers minor league right-hander Marlon Nieves was named California League pitcher of the week for the week of April 6-12.
Nieves last Tuesday struck out six in six scoreless innings in a road win over the Inland Empire 66ers in San Bernardino, the longest outing of his professional career.
The Best in the Cal League ⚾️
Marlon Nieves has been named California League’s Pitcher of the Week by @MiLB 🐝 Nieves is your FIRST-EVER Tower Buzzer to earn the honors! pic.twitter.com/nCZKstFkDj
Nieves last Tuesday against Inland Empire retired his first six batters faced, then allowed a walk in the third inning that was erased by a double play. He allowed a leadoff double in the fourth inning, but retired the next three batters and his final nine batters faced to complete his gem.
The 20-year-old right-hander faced only one batter over the minimum in the victory.
Signed out of the Dominican Republic in May 2023, Nieves made his Class-A debut last season with Rancho Cucamonga, putting up a 2.21 ERA in eight starts, with 37 strikeouts and 19 walks in 36 2/3 innings, with only one home run allowed.
“Pitching is risky and there’s work to do ahead, both in terms of Nieves’ physical development and in the consistency of his execution. But there’s a pretty high ceiling here,” wrote Eric Longenhagen, Brendan Gawlowski, and James Fegan at FanGraphs. “Nieves has the physical traits and pitch shape characteristics to justify a mid-rotation future grade.”
Said Baseball America: “He has the upside of a rotation piece but will need to up his command and control in a big way to reach that ceiling.”
The Toronto Maple Leafs fell to the Dallas Stars 6-5 in regulation time in their final home game of the season on Monday. The result was beneficial for the Leafs in their bid to finish with the best possible odds of keeping their 2026 first-round draft pick. This remained true even though it briefly appeared that things were trending in a different direction.
The Leafs jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first period. Despite giving up that lead, they eventually regained control of the game to hold a 5-3 lead in the third period. However, Dallas responded with three quick goals, including the tying goal that was accidentally put in by Leafs defenseman Troy Stecher.
Regardless of how the Leafs lost the game, they were able to retain their current spot of fifth-worst in total points. This position would leave them at the No. 5 pick going into the NHL Draft lottery set for May 5. Consequently, they could still finish as low as sixth or seventh if one or two teams leap past them during the lottery draw.
The “bad” news for Toronto is that the highest they can now climb heading into the lottery is No. 4. Because the New York Rangers fell to the Florida Panthers 3-2 in regulation, they are left with one game remaining and 75 points, while Toronto sits at 78 points with one game to go. Toronto could still reach the No. 4 spot if the Flames gain three more points in their remaining two games than Toronto picks up in their season finale on the road against the Ottawa Senators.
— Sports on Prime Canada (@SportsOnPrimeCA) April 14, 2026
The Maple Leafs traded away their 2026 first-round draft pick, along with forward Fraser Minten, for veteran defenseman Brandon Carlo in March of 2025. Because the pick is top-five protected, the Leafs must land a pick in the top five after the lottery results are finalized to keep it for this year.
Post-game, players were not explicitly asked about the notion of “tanking,” as they maintained their professionalism and effort. However, John Tavares was asked if it was difficult to play in games where a portion of the fanbase might prefer to see the team lose.
https://www.nhl.com/standings/2026-04-13/league
“I approach each game the same, so there should be an extreme amount of pride to play in this league, to play this game, and to wear the crest that we’re wearing,” Tavares said. “I try to approach each game the same no matter the circumstances, the challenges, or the spot you’re in. You go out there to compete as best you can, play at the highest level I can, and help the team win. That’s always the focus no matter what”.
Following the loss, the Leafs are now guaranteed a spot no lower than sixth heading into the lottery.
The Vancouver Canucks (24-48-8) wrap up their 2025-26 home schedule on Tuesday with a matchup against the Los Angeles Kings (35-26-19). While the Kings have clinched a playoff spot, Tuesday is a must-win as Los Angeles is still fighting for home ice in the first round. As for the Canucks, they will be looking to pick up just their ninth win at Rogers Arena this season while also extending their win streak to three games.
Tuesday is Vancouver's annual Fan Appreciation Night. Based on everything that has happened this year, the fans deserve a lot of credit for sticking around and still attending games. During the game, the organization will also reveal the 2025-26 team awards, which were voted on by the fans earlier this month.
As for the game itself, special teams will be worth monitoring. When these two teams met on Friday, neither was given a power play. The question now is, will this be another clean game, or will the power play and penalty kill get a workout?
Players To Watch:
Teddy Blueger:
Teddy Blueger is showing why the organization should re-sign him. This past weekend, he scored his first career power play goal while also dropping the gloves to stand up for a teammate. Blueger is a culture-setter and a player who can help younger players as the organization enters its rebuild.
Anže Kopitar:
For the final time in his career, Anže Kopitar will battle the Canucks. After an over 1,500-game career, the Stanley Cup champion is retiring once his season comes to a close. Over his career, Kopitar has been a pain in Vancouver's neck, recording 62 points in 73 regular-season games against the Canucks.
Apr 9, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) and Vancouver Canucks center Teddy Blueger (53) face off during the first period at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Vancouver Canucks (24–48–8):
Points:
Elias Pettersson: 15–34–49
Filip Hronek: 8–40–48
Brock Boeser: 22–25–47
Jake DeBrusk: 21–19–40
Linus Karlsson: 15–20–35
Goaltenders:
Kevin Lankinen: 10–26–5
Thatcher Demko: 8–10–1
Nikita Tolopilo: 5–11–2
Jiří Patera: 0–1–0
Los Angeles Kings(35–26–19):
Points:
Adrian Kempe: 35-37-72
Quinton Byfield: 22-24-46
Alex Laferriere: 20-21-41
Kevin Fiala: 18-22-40
Brandt Clarke: 8-32-40
Goaltenders:
Darcy Kuemper: 19-14-14
Anton Forsberg: 16-11-5
Pheonix Copley: 0-1-0
Game Information:
Start time: 7:00 pm PT
Venue: Rogers Arena
Television: Sportsnet
Radio: Sportsnet 650
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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Apr 3, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) is greeted by his teammates as Flagg leaves the game against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The 2025–26 Mavericks season didn’t just fall short of expectations. It unraveled almost immediately, forcing everyone involved to confront how fragile the foundation really was. This was a team that entered the year expecting to compete right away, expecting to be playing meaningful basketball deep into April, and instead looked disjointed from the opening week. That early loss to Washington in Game 2 wasn’t just a bad night. It felt like the first real crack. From there, it didn’t take long for the fanbase, and honestly, the organization, to realize that what Nico Harrison had envisioned was not a bold retool but a complete miscalculation. The roster lacked cohesion, the identity wasn’t there, and the “plan” never materialized. By early November, ownership made the move they almost had to make, firing Harrison after a 3–8 start, not just to change direction, but to signal accountability. It was less about fixing the team overnight and more about admitting that the path they had taken after the Finals run had gone completely off course.
From that point on, the season was defined by instability. Injuries hit key players at multiple points, forcing constant lineup changes and eliminating any chance at continuity. At the same time, trade rumors swirled around several core pieces, casting a cloud that never really lifted. On the court, that instability showed up in the way Dallas played. Jason Kidd’s “free-flow” offense was supposed to provide flexibility, and in some ways it did. It allowed players to step in and out without a rigid system breaking down. But the downside became obvious. A roster filled with players who all needed similar touches and operated in similar areas of the floor struggled to define roles. Possessions often felt random. Some nights it clicked for stretches, but more often it resulted in stagnant offense, missed shots, and a team that never developed a consistent rhythm.
The trade deadline was the moment when everything finally shifted from confusion to clarity. The Mavericks pivoted hard. Moving off the Anthony Davis centerpiece of the original Doncic deal, prioritizing draft capital, and embracing a long-term view weren’t just roster adjustments. It was the organization fully acknowledging what this season had become. More importantly, it allowed them to center everything around Cooper Flagg. With that shift, roles began to make more sense. The offense, while still inconsistent, became more purposeful because it finally had a focal point. Instead of trying to spread responsibility across a flawed roster, the Mavericks leaned into their one undeniable strength. Flagg became the engine. And for the first time all season, the basketball started to look somewhat coherent.
And that’s ultimately what this season will be remembered for. Not the losses. Not the dysfunction. But the emergence of Cooper Flagg. As the youngest player in the NBA, he didn’t just show flashes. He developed in real time into a primary creator and offensive hub. By April, he was averaging over 21 points and 5 assists, handling point guard responsibilities, and showing a level of composure that is rare even among elite prospects. His growth as a playmaker stood out the most. Early in the year, he was reacting. By the end, he was dictating. He got more comfortable getting to his spots, reading defenses, and managing possessions under pressure. His ability to shift between forward and guard roles, play through contact, and maintain production against high-level defenses speaks to both his physical and mental development. Coaches trusted him more. Teammates relied on him more. And he responded every time. The combination of skill, feel, and mentality has already pushed him into legitimate Rookie of the Year territory, and more importantly, into the conversation as a future superstar.
That’s why, despite everything, there is still a clear sense of direction. Even ownership sees it. The organization openly acknowledged that this season was “really difficult,” but emphasized that having a generational talent like Flagg provides an extraordinary opportunity to reshape the franchise. That optimism is real, but it doesn’t hide the urgency. Dumont also made it clear that this is an extremely important offseason and that the Mavericks have “a lot of work to do.” And that might be the most important takeaway. The hard part isn’t identifying the centerpiece. It’s building everything else around him correctly.
That process starts at the top. Dallas still needs to hire a president of basketball operations, someone who can establish a real identity, build a functional roster, and create a culture that this team clearly lacked throughout the year. This hire is not just about basketball decisions. It’s about direction. It’s about finally aligning the front office, coaching staff, and roster around a single vision.
From there, the decisions only get more complicated. The Mavericks have to nail their draft pick. With where they are, there’s no room for error. That player has to complement Flagg, whether that means adding guard creation, perimeter defense, or shooting. Then there’s Kyrie Irving. His presence represents both opportunity and uncertainty. Does he fit the timeline of a team building around a 19-year-old? Can he elevate this group, or does his timeline conflict with where the franchise is headed? The same questions apply, in different ways, to veterans like Klay Thompson and P.J. Washington. These are productive players, but the Mavericks have to decide whether they are part of the next version of this team or assets that can be used to reshape it.
And beyond the roster, the scope of this offseason is even larger. Ownership is exploring major infrastructure decisions, including a new arena and entertainment district that could define the franchise’s future for decades. That matters because it reflects the scale of what’s happening. This is not just a rebuild on the court. It’s a full reset of the organization’s identity, from leadership to roster to long-term vision.
That’s what makes this season so strange to evaluate. It began with expectations of immediate contention and ended with one of the most disappointing records in recent franchise history. But buried inside all of that failure is something that changes everything. The Mavericks found their cornerstone.
PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 03: Mark Williams #15 of the Phoenix Suns goes to the basket against Donovan Clingan #23 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half at Moda Center on February 03, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Soobum Im/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Phoenix Suns now await the Portland Trail Blazers tonight in Downtown Phoenix.
This is who most Suns fans wanted in this game, but as the old saying goes: “Be careful what you wish for.” Avoiding Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers is great, but as we all know, getting what you wish for isn’t always a blessing in the NBA. The Portland Trail Blazers are a sneaky, deep, and athletic team. I do not expect the Suns to take them lightly.
Phoenix finished the regular season 45-37, good for the 7th seed. Portland finished a few games behind them at 42-40, which locked them into the 8th seed thanks to a tiebreaker over the Clippers.
1) Recent History: Means Nothing
The Suns won 2 of 3 games against Portland this season, with their lone loss coming in a game where they didn’t have Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, and Grayson Allen. They scored 77 points in that game. Phoenix blew them out by 17 in the opening meeting and won by five in the 2nd contest.
Last 10 Games
Suns — 5-5 (W1)
Blazers — 7-3 (W3)
We can throw all of that out the window now. None of it matters. As we saw in the 2024 series against Minnesota, the Suns swept them in the regular season only to get swept in the playoffs. These regular-season matchups don’t mean much. By the time the playoffs roll around, teams are typically much different versions of themselves.
2) Injury Report: Positive News
We’ve all seen it by now, and the injury report looked like a never-ending CVS receipt. It’s common this time of year for “injuries” to occur out of thin air as teams prepare for the playoffs, especially in the final days of the season.
The updated report shows some GREAT news! Grayson Allen is the only one who appears on the injury report for Phoenix. That does not mean they’re out of the woods by any means, as this is the time of year players will often play through nagging injuries. Here’s to hoping they are all as close to 100% as they can be.
Grayson Allen (left hamstring soreness) is listed as questionable for the Suns tomorrow against the Blazers.
One key matchup that will not draw as many headlines will be the big man matchup between Mark Williams and Donovan Clingan. Phoenix also has Oso Ighodaro and Khaman Maluach (unlikely the rook gets burn in a playoff setting) to throw at Portland’s big man if they need bodies or Williams finds himself in foul trouble.
Apr 7, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (15) celebrates with Devin Booker (1) against the Houston Rockets in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Portland is a bottom-4 defense against centers this season. This is where I would love to see a “Book-Mark” duo thrive in the P&R, forcing the Blazers to make tough decisions in their defensive rotations. Phoenix must take advantage of and hunt mismatches in the halfcourt.
Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams vs. Mark Williams and Oso Ighodaro. Let’s get it.
4) Playoff Play-In Book
We’ve seen the levels that Devin Booker is capable of reaching in important games. They’re going to need that version of him in a single-game elimination environment.
He’s entering the contest healthy and playing some of his best basketball of the season. Phoenix’s offense hums when he is in rhythm without forcing it, which means his teammates are going to need to knock down shots to keep Portland’s defense honest. Portland will do everything it can to throw that rhythm off and disrupt him.
Jrue Holiday has experience guarding Booker in big moments (too soon), and the Blazers have size and athleticism across the board to make it tough for him. As long as Book plays under control and within the flow of the offense, I expect a big game out of him.
Whether it’s by dropping 30+ points (efficiently) or through his playmaking chops and gravity for everyone else… we need a vintage Booker performance in this one.
5) Role Players at home
This is what swings games. Which role players will rise to the occasion? Historically speaking, role players always tend to play better at home come playoff time. Could it be a Royce O’Neale game that propels Phoenix? Will Jordan Goodwin’s chaotic energy lift them when they need it most? Or will it be a Collin Gillespie masterclass? Oh, and PLEASE DO NOT BE AFRAID TO PLAY RASHEER FLEMING IN THIS ONE. Sorry for the Jae Crowder all-caps moment, just had to emphasize it.
We shall see. Either way, Phoenix will need everyone to pitch in. Portland has a deep team as well, so the bench units, even if they aren’t tapped into as much as the regular season, will be vital in this one. If Phoenix’s role guys get outplayed by Portland on their own floor, the margin for error for Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, and Jalen Green shrinks dramatically offensively.
So, who will it be tonight? Shoot your shot in the comments.
Davis Martin turned in the South Siders’ lone quality start of the week, tossing seven sharp innings with no walks and just two runs allowed against the Royals. | (Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)
The Chicago White Sox went 2–5 this week. In many ways, that alone could serve as the recap. But even in a rough stretch, there were a few bright spots worth noting, and a few areas that weren’t so encouraging. Those themes break down into two familiar buckets: hitting and pitching.
PITCHING
In the interest of your actually reading this article, let’s start with the bright spot that was pitching this week. In the last seven days, South Side pitching has a team ERA of 2.94. You might recall from last week that the hurlers weren’t good in the first three series. They came out of the gate with a team ERA of 6.00+. With this incredibly solid week of pitching, both from starters and the bullpen, it is now sitting at a more respectable 4.70. That is good enough to move from 29th in the league to 26th.
Big performances came specifically from the starting pitching.
Erik Fedde played in two games, started one, and gave up just three earned runs over 11 innings pitched. He also struck out eight batters and walked just two.
Davis Martin gave the White Sox their only quality start of the week in a loss to the Royals on Friday. In seven innings, he allowed two runs, walked no one, and struck out three.
Anthony Kay would have gotten a quality start if they had let him stay out for one more out. Instead, he pitched 5 2/3 innings of shutout baseball, striking out six and walking two along the way.
Sean Burke went five innings in a 5-3 loss to the Orioles on Wednesday. He only gave up two runs and was set to get the win until Sims came in and blew the lead.
Honorable mention goes to Shane Smith, who, manager Will Venable pulled in the fourth inning of Tuesday’s start after throwing 99 pitches in 3 2/3 innings. He struck out an astonishing eight batters, but also walked five in his short scoreless outing. It was not enough for him to avoid an option back to Triple-A. He now finds himself in Charlotte trying to get back on track after a rough start to the season.
While the starters stepped up in big ways, the bullpen has some work to do. The offense gave the bullpen a lead on both Tuesday and Wednesday, and they blew them both. Which, if they had won, would have given them a 4-3 record for the week rather than 2-5.
However, pitching cannot protect a lead if the offense doesn’t keep extending it. This brings us to the bummer part of the weekly recap. The one where I tell you the offense didn’t show up and cost the White Sox games they had in reach.
HITTING
Let’s play a game I like to call “How many games were in between the Pale Hose’s most recent home runs?” You get until the end of this sentence to guess. If you said seven, you would be correct. On Saturday, April 4, both Munetaka Murakami and Colson Montgomery homered in a 6-3 win against the Blue Jays. The next time the Good Guys hit a home run was on Sunday, April 12. Tanner Murray hit a two-run bomb to give the White Sox an early lead over the Royals. Props to the rookie for his first major league dinger.
Speaking of rookies, in the top of the seventh on Sunday, Dustin Harris entered the game for Derek Hill. The lefty took a 1-1 changeup nearly out of the ballpark. He would eventually come around to score the winning run on a wild pitch.
Harris also wanted to have himself a day and robbed a home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to keep the White Sox in front.
Exciting rookie accomplishments aside, the South Siders scored a total of 14 runs last week. That is an average of two runs a game. The Royals shut out the Sox on back-to-back nights in Kansas City; they averaged nine strikeouts a game, and only walked 24 times. To put it lightly, there is much work to be done.
I could throw more numbers at you about how low the White Sox rank in various categories or some decent plays on the defense, but truly, this is all you missed last week. The simple game of trying to get all three aspects of baseball (hitting, pitching, defense) clicking into gear at the same time is becoming a challenge for the Chicago club. A tale as old as time, but with many younger faces this time.
After an off-day on Monday, the club starts a three-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays at The Rate on Tuesday at 6:40 p.m. CST, and there are a few things worth highlighting.
Noah Schultz is getting the call! The wait is over, and the 22-year-old southpaw will make his major league debut on Tuesday. The Oswego East High School alum will face off against lefty veteran Shane McClanahan. It is the next step in the wave of bringing up players from this young farm system. The rookie is 3-0 in Charlotte and has struck out 19, walked two, and given up just two earned runs in 14 innings.
Also of note, Chicago traded Lenyn Sosa to the Blue Jays for minor league outfielder Jordan Rich and a player to be named later, or cash considerations. This appears to be a classic Reinsdorf trade. At this time, I have no opinion or clue on who Rich is, but I can only hope this pans out for Sosa in Toronto.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 09: Troy Johnston #20 of the Colorado Rockies looks on during the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on April 09, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Back on November 5, 2025, when the Colorado Rockies claimed INF/OF Troy Johnston off waivers, the move seemed fairly insignificant.
At the time, the Rockies rebuild was in its early stages with key front office positions remaining unfilled, so their thinking on claiming Johnston was unclear.
In spring training, however, Johnston’s potential became clear:
He’s a lefty batter in a lineup dominated by righties
He plays both first base and the outfield
He had a good showing early on that got him one of the last open spots on the Rockies roster as they left Scottsdale
It’s too early to have much meaningful data on the 2026 season, but Johnston’s initial numbers are promising. In 50 plate appearances, he’s slashed .283/.327/.478 with a 114 wRC+. His time between first and the outfield has been roughly equal.
For Johnston, it’s all in a day’s work. In a recent interview, he discussed joining the Rockies and adjusting to elevation, playing multiple positions, and that walk-up song everyone’s talking about.
Making adjustments
A native of Washington State, Johnston knows his way around the West Coast, but it’s been a minute given that the Marlins drafted him in 2019. Still, Johnston is finding his way around the Mountain West.
“Getting used to the weather, getting used to the travel, getting used to playing teams that I’ve never played before is all very new to me,” Johnston said.
But he’s not worried.
“It’s still baseball. You’ve still got to hit the ball, still got to have a good approach, still got to be athletic, still got to scout and do all this kind of stuff,” he said. “Every day is not the same. You have to prepare differently. You have to train differently for whatever you’re trying to accomplish that day. But I’m trying to adjust and have fun and be the best teammate that I can.”
Wherever he’s playing, Johnston has learned to relax.
“I’ve been playing baseball professionally a long time. I know it hasn’t been in the big leagues, but when you try to put the ball in play, and you just try to make things happen and don’t press too much, sometimes good things happen.”
Then there’s the matter of elevation, which Johnston said he first noticed in his sleep habits.
“I feel like I have not been sleeping very well,” he said, “because I’ve been up in Washington [where] I’m at sea level. I’m up in Seattle and over in Florida, you’re at sea level. I’ve got the humidity, all that kind of stuff. Here, the air is very thin, and it’s very cold, and so that’s very different than what I’m used to. So I’ve been trying to find different techniques, different things that can kind of cope with that.”
Then again, there may be more than elevation at work.
“But I also do have an 11-month-old who’s teething,” Johnston added with a smile. “So as much as I am trying to do my best, she’s also keeping me awake a bit. But we love her, and we’ll keep her around.”
He’s aware, too, of the on-field effects of playing at 5280, something he first noticed at the end of last season when the Marlins visited Coors Field. Although Johnston noted the change in pitch movement, he was especially struck by how the ball flew, setting up a situation that requires vigilance on the part of defenders.
“I do understand in the outfield, the ball will travel and it’ll kind of carry on you. As long as you’re thinking about that while you’re tracking the baseball, things happen a little bit better,” he said. “But if you’re not prepared for it, that’s where it’ll sneak up on you.”
Johnston added, “I feel like the pop-ups in the infield are fairly normal, but I think those, those deep, mid-level drives out to the outfield in the gaps down the lines, those are where you see the big difference.”
Being versatile
The Rockies’ new front office has emphasized the need for versatility. It’s another part of Johnston’s game that requires his attention, most notably in terms of preparation.
“A lot of it is just mental preparedness and making sure I get my reps, preparing for what I need to do that day, whether it’s playing in the infield, playing in the outfield,” Johnston said. “I feel like I’m comfortable at any position.”
He recognizes, though, that versatility is a key part of his game.
“That was the big thing of why the Rockies claimed me off waivers from Miami was that I can play multiple positions.”
Since he was drafted as an outfielder, first base has been a position added to his toolkit, but he doesn’t have a positional preference.
“There’s no actual theory behind this,” he said, “but for me, being an outfielder is just a glorified DH. That’s all it is. You’re just out there. You’re hanging out, kicking grass, doing whatever.”
But that changes in an instant.
“When the ball does come to you in the outfield, there’s a really, really high pressure. You need to catch the ball. You need to get it into the right guy,” Johnston said, adding, “When we’re in the infield, you’re locked in pretty much all nine innings. Maybe in the outfield, you can get away with taking one pitch off.”
He’s just ready to do what’s asked of him.
“I’ve told [manager Warren Schaeffer] this a lot. I will do anything he needs me to do. If he asked me to play shortstop in the ninth, if he asked me to play third base and bat first, it does not matter. I will do anything, whatever they need.”
“She picked it,” Johnston explained, “and she thought it was so funny.”
Here’s how it happened.
“We were going up in January,” he said, ‘and I was like, ‘You know, I need a walk up song. Spring training is coming around. I need something. What do you think?’ And she goes, ‘“Mambo No. 5.’ And I go, ‘That’s the worst walk-up song I’ve ever heard my entire life.’ And she goes, ‘I promise you: It’ll bring its good vibes. The fans will like it. They’ll get interactive.’ And she did this whole little dance routine with it. And I thought it was so funny. I didn’t really have a lot of other options in my mind. So I was like, ‘You know, I’ll try it, and see what works.’
As it turns out, it did.
“But it was funny,” he said, smiling. “There was somebody that tweeted something out and said, ‘Troy Johnston’s walk up song is just so fitting for him,’ and I hated it so much, because, of course, my wife is usually right.”
Appreciating what the Rockies are building
Johnston also draws contrasts between his current situation and where he was in Miami.
“A lot of people are talking about the Rockies and how things have been in the past, but this is a new team,” Johnston said.
“We’re hungry. We want to win. It’s kind of our motto.”
Plus, there’s a Rockies fandom eager for winning.
“Coming from the Miami Marlins, when I walked around Miami, I never saw a Miami Marlins jersey. I never saw a Marlins hat. I saw nothing,” Johnston said.
“When I’m walking around downtown Denver, they’re really excited about the Rockies. They want the Rockies to be good. This is a sports town. We are trying to put a good product on the field. Paul [DePodesta] has done a great job of that. I’ve never seen so many supporters of one team that I’ve actually been a part of and that I’ve been on. So this city and this team wants to win, we’re going to try to put the best product every night and do our best to win.”
Continuing our look at Troy Johnston on is Tuesday is Eli Whitney over at Blake Street Banter. Here he provides another perspective on the utility player.
Carlos Collazo has the Rockies selecting AJ Gracia, an outfielder from the University of Virginia. As Collazo writes, “How the Rockies and their new front office draft this year will be one of the most interesting storylines to watch. It sounds like they’ve spent a lot of time on college players this spring and, at least for some teams, Gracia is closer to Strosnider in the college outfield pecking order than the others. He has a patient and selective approach that leads to lots of walks. His career walk rate is right around 18-19%, and he has the bat-to-ball skills that limit his strikeouts.”
COVERS INTEL:Joey Cantillo is surrendering a .361 slugging percentage and .342 wOBA against right-handed hitters this season. 
