CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 10: Oneil Cruz #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates makes a diving catch against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning at Wrigley Field on April 10, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Pirates fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
This week’s question we asked you where Oneil Cruz should be playing for the Pirates. He has had a solid start at the plate with 4 home runs, 12 RBIs and .292 batting average but he has struggled defensively at center field with multiple errors. So we asked the readers where he should be playing and this was this week’s results.
So there you have it 42% of you guys believe Cruz should be the pirates DH instead of playing in the field. I agree with the results but the tough thing is what should the Bucs do with Marcell Ozuna then. Cruz continues top show that he is a liability at center field and a change might need to happen sooner rather than later.
As usual, don’t forget to drop by FanDuel’s MLB page. You can bet on all kinds of player props as well as the Bucs winning the Worlds Series (+5000) and also for them just making the MLB Playoffs (+164).
On Friday night, the Chicago Blackhawks held a ceremony to honor those who were named to the inaugural Blackhawks Hall of Fame.
The class of 2026 includes the 9 players who had their numbers retired before the 2025-26 season, two players who were voted in, and Troy Murray, who passed away in March.
The two players voted in came from two categories. The first was the “modern alumnus ballot” and the second was the “heritage alumnus ballot”.
Every player selected was a special part of the franchise’s first 100 years. Each player had something incredible about them that earned them this prestigious honor. Here is one thought per player that details why they are in the position that they’re in:
Troy Murray
Troy Murray embodied what it meant to be a Chicago Blackhawks player, alumnus, broadcaster, and ambassador. He was not born in Chicago, but he ingratiated himself as well as any athlete the town has ever seen.
Murray lost his long, hard-fought battle with cancer in March. Since then, the tributes, prayers, and love have been pouring in from the entire hockey community and beyond. There has been no shortage of proof of how special he was.
He is going in as a builder, which makes him the first builder to enter the Blackhawks Hall of Fame. Pat Foley said it best: he was never the best player on his team, but he was always one of the most important. Wearing a letter at every stop proves that.
With that said, Murray was also a very good player in all three zones. When he retired, very good would be an understatement when describing his impact on the franchise.
Glenn Hall
Glenn Hall is one of the greatest goaltenders in Blackhawks history. He didn't earn the nickname "Mr. Goalie" by accident. Hall passed away earlier this season at the age of 94, and the Blackhawks community has felt the outpouring of love and support.
Hall won the Calder Trophy as a rookie, the Vezina Trophy three times, the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks once, and had 502 consecutive goalie starts, an NHL record that holds to this day.
Pierre Pilote
Pierre Pilot was a defenseman for the ages during his time. Before a guy named Bobby Orr came around, Pilot was one of the standards for offensive defensemen. He won the Norris Trophy in three straight seasons from 1963 to 1965. He followed that up with two straight second-place finishes in 1966 and 1967.
In the final stretch of the original six days, Pilot helped the Blackhawks achieve a lot, including winning a Stanley Cup with them in 1961.
Keith Magnuson
Keith Magnuson didn't have the longest career of all time, but he played a key role on the team as a shutdown guy during the entire 1970s decade. Sometimes, it isn't about racking up all of the points, even back then. Magnuson was a winning hockey player who helped the Blackhawks transition into the post-Original Six era.
Chris Chelios
You know a guy was great for a franchise when he played with them for seven years, but wasn't his first team, and then moved on to play with their biggest rival for ten years after that. That was the case for Chris Chelios, who was one of the greatest defenseman in not only Blackhawks history, but NHL history.
With the Blackhawks, Chelios won two of his three Norris Trophies. Although his three Stanley Cups came away from Chicago, He was a big part of some incredible Western Conference powerhouses during his time with the Blackhawks.
In recent years, Chelios has returned to the Blackhawks to be around a lot more. His number was retired, and the fanbase fell back in love with this all-time great player, despite how his playing career with the Hawks ended. Being a Chicago kid certainly helps his case.
Bobby Hull
Bobby Hull is the greatest goal scorer in the history of the Chicago Blackhawks. A handful of players have come through and given him a run for his money in terms of pure offense, but his 604 career goals stand alone by a long shot.
Hull passed away in 2023, but the man known as "The Golden Jet" will always be remembered as an all-time great player.
Denis Savard
Denis Savard won the Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens in the 1990s, but his career was mostly spent with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Over 1000 of his 1338 points were in a Blackhawks sweater, making him one of the most prolific forwards in franchise history. The man known as "Savvy" was never a winner of an individual award, but he was one of the most entertaining players of his era.
In terms of pure "must-see-TV", Savard is near the top in the history of the franchise. When the puck was on his stick, you knew something amazing was going to happen.
Stan Mikita
Stan Mikita stands alone as the all-time leading scorer in Chicago Blackhawks history with 1467 points. His career was as decorated as any in the earlier days of the franchise. He won the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 1961, as did many of the players on this list, but his accolades don't end there.
Mikita won the Art Ross as the league's leading scorer four times, the Lady Byng twice, and the Hart Trophy once. For over two decades, with Chicago, Mikita was a consistent player. Despite having over 1400 points, he never had over 100 in a season, but you knew he would be one of the best players in the league every single year.
Tony Esposito
Tony Esposito played 13 games with the Montreal Canadiens in 1968-69, but he carried his rookie status into the following season, where he won the Calder Trophy as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks.
From there, "Tony-O" never played a game for another team. His career went for another 15 years, all with Chicago. That included three Vezina Trophies and five all-star appearances. He was truly one of the greatest that the game has ever seen, especially for his time.
Marian Hossa
Marian Hossa was the greatest free agent signing in the history of Chicago sports. They already had a good team that was in the Western Conference Finals when he arrived, and he pushed them over the edge.
After losing in the final twice with the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins, Hossa came to Chicago and won three Stanley Cups, solidifying him as one of the greatest two-way wingers that the game has ever seen.
Marian Hossa's game was like if you took Patrick Kane's offensive skills and combined them with the two-way prowess of Jonathan Toews. He sacrificed a little bit of offense to be a responsible player in all three zones, which made him a winning player.
Duncan Keith
Duncan Keith was elected with the "Modern" ballot, and rightfully so. He is the greatest defenseman to ever suit up with the Blackhawks. He played all but one of his NHL seasons with Chicago before riding off into the sunset with the Edmonton Oilers.
Not only did Keith win the Stanley Cup three times as Chicago's number one defenseman, but he also won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs in 2015. Those awards complement his two Norris Trophies very well.
When the Blackhawks were down a goal late, up a goal late, on the power play, or on the penalty kill, Keith was on the ice. He could play for half the game without breaking a sweat, and had a bit of nastiness to his game when he needed it.
The Blackhawks had a lot of firepower up front during their dynasty, but they would have won nothing without making Keith their second-round pick (54th overall) in 2022.
Steve Larmer
A wise man once said, "Retire 28." Although Steve Larmer's number is not being retired, at least not yet, he was the elected player from the "Heritage Ballot". It's fair to call him one of the most underrated players in franchise history.
Larmer was an outstanding Blackhawks player for a long time. He spent the first 13 years of his NHL career with the Chicago Blackhawks before a quick two seasons with the New York Rangers, where he would win the Stanley Cup in 1994.
Steve Larmer played in 1006 NHL games and had 1012 points, including 441 goals. In his first full season, he won the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie, and that was the first of 10 straight seasons in which he played all 80 games.
Sometimes, being a consistently great player who can play with other great players is the most valuable key to being a top NHL producer. Larmer was a great player who deserves all of the praise he is getting for the career that he had.
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The Florida Panthers will close out the road portion of their schedule on Saturday night against a division rival also having a frustrating season.
Florida has dropped each of the first four games of this five-game roadie and will try to salvage a win against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.
To be fair, while yes, the players on the ice will absolutely be pushing to end their weeklong expedition with a hard-earned victory, when looking at the bigger picture, it would actually more benefit the Panthers if they lost the game. In regulation.
The big reason why its better for Florida not to win at this point of the season, after being eliminated from playoff contention, is that if the Panthers finish in a position where they end up with a top-10 selection in this summer’s NHL Draft, they get to retain the pick despite having traded it to Chicago in last year’s Trade Deadline deal that brough Seth Jones to Sunrise.
Whether Florida keeps the pick or trades it, the higher that selection ends up being, the better.
When looking at the standings, the Panthers and Maple Leafs each have 78 points through 79 games, sitting as the sixth and seventh-worst teams in the league. Florida is seeded higher because they have more regulation wins.
In terms of lottery odds, this game holds pretty heavy implications.
The Seatle Kraken are one point behind the Cats and Leafs with a game in hand. They host the Calgary Flames on Saturday after beating the Vegas Golden Knights in a shootout Friday night,
Here are the Panthers projected lines and pairings for Thursday’s visit to Ottawa:
Carter Verhaeghe – Sam Bennett – Mackie Samoskevich
Jesper Boqvist – Eetu Luostarinen – A.J. Greer
Tomas Nosek – Cole Schwindt - Noah Gregor
Nolan Foote – Luke Kunin – Vinnie Hinostroza
Gus Forsling – Mike Benning
Donovan Sebrango – Marik Alscher
Tobias Bjornfot – Ludvig Jansson
Photo caption: Jan 6, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Troy Stecher (28) battles for the puck with Florida Panthers center Eetu Luostarinen (27) during the second period at Scotiabank Arena. (Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images)
Last year in the playoffs, the Montreal Canadiens were manhandled by the Washington Capitals. For most of the young Canadiens, it was a first taste of the playoffs and one they weren’t ready for. On Thursday night, against the Tampa Bay Lightning, which came to town intending to do exactly the same, the Sainte-Flanelle stood tall and refused to bow down.
The referees handed out 126 penalty minutes in that game, 71 of which were given to the Lightning. The Canadiens pushed back after every aggression, but they had the discipline not to go too far over the line. They played with physicality, but they remained in control.
Josh Anderson was flying out there and always ready to stand up to the opponents. He handed up, dropping the gloves with Declan Carlile and giving the 25-year-old a correction. He even ended up getting in Nikita Kucherov’s head with stealthy slashes, and Tampa’s ace took himself out of the game for two minutes when he tried to reciprocate.
We’ve been used to seeing a fast, high-scoring team this year, but the Canadiens showed they can play a different game, one that is highly suited to playoff hockey, and they did it against a team that has won more than its fair share of Stanley Cups over the recent years.
It might have only been one game, but to limit the Bolts to 18 shots and one goal while playing that kind of hockey was rather impressive. The talk of the town on Friday morning in Montreal wasn’t just Cole Caufield’s 50th goal; it was also the type of game the Canadiens played, and some even thought that the proverbial window of opportunity might be open for Martin St-Louis and his men now.
Saturday’s full slate is loaded with opportunity, and today’s MLB picks come down to identifying pitching mismatches, bullpen reliability, and situational spots early in the season.
From bounce-back offenses to teams leaving hitter-friendly parks, there’s value across multiple games if you’re willing to trust the numbers over the noise.
Let’s break down the top MLB picks and moneyline predictions for Saturday, April 11.
MLB moneyline picks for April 11
Matchup
Pick
Diamondbacks vs Phillies
-127
Marlins vs Tigers
-133
Pirates vs Cubs
-144
Twins vs Blue Jays
-104
Angels vs Reds
+117
A's vs Mets
+133
White Sox vs Royals
+144
Yankees vs Rays
-168
Nationals vs Brewers
-156
Giants vs Orioles
-104
Red Sox vs Cardinals
-122
Guardians vs Braves
-117
Rockies vs Padres
-150
Rangers vs Dodgers
-178
Astros vs Mariners
-133
Prices courtesy of Polymarket as of 4-11.
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Expert MLB moneyline picks for April 11
Diamondbacks vs Phillies: Phillies (-127)
Phillies win probability: 56%
Both pitchers are off to rough starts, but I trust the Phillies' offense to take advantage of Brandon Pfaadt's inability to strike anyone out.
Marlins vs Tigers: Tigers (-133)
Tigers win probability: 57%
The Tigers aren't exactly hitting the cover off of the baseball, but sooner or later, they'll need to start stringing together some wins. With an advantage on the mound, I'll take them at home.
Pirates vs Cubs: Cubs (-144)
Cubs win probability: 59%
The Pirates are still the Pirates despite an even-keel start, so give me the Cubs at home. Braxton Ashcraft is not as good as his early numbers suggest.
Twins vs Blue Jays: Blue Jays (-104)
Blue Jays win probability: 51%
The Twins are hot right now, but the odds suggest this is a game they lose. Blue Jays pick up the win behind a solid outing from Eric Lauer.
Angels vs Reds: Angels (+117)
Angels win probability: 46%
The Reds should not be the favorite over anyone right now, except maybe the Angels. However, the Angels offense has been better, so plus money is a steal.
A's vs Mets: A's (+133)
A's win probability: 43%
I do not trust the Mets. Neither should you.
White Sox vs Royals: White Sox (+144)
White Sox win probability: 41%
Both teams are struggling out of the gates, but I will fade Michael Wacha in this spot, as I do not think he's still a Major League-calibre pitcher.
Yankees vs Rays: Yankees (-168)
Yankees win probability: 64%
Max Fried is the Yankees' ace, and he will pitch them to victory.
Nationals vs Brewers: Brewers (-156)
Brewers win probability: 61%
The Nationals' entire pitching staff is awful, posting stats that are last in most major categories. The Brewers will do more than enough on offense to pick up the win.
Giants vs Orioles: Giants (-104)
Giants win probability: 51%
I'll take the Giants and Logan Webb over the O's and Chris Bassitt. Better pitcher, with two even offenses.
Red Sox vs Cardinals: Red Sox (-122)
Red Sox win probability: 55%
Ranger Suarez is not as bad as his early numbers suggest. The Cardinals once again struggle with production, so give me the Red Sox lineup to do plenty of damage against Kyle Leahy.
Guardians vs Braves: Braves (-117)
Braves win probability: 54%
These two teams may have near-identical records, but the Braves offense has been raking. I'll take them at home to pick up another win.
Rockies vs Padres: Padres (-150)
Padres win probability: 60%
See Rockies. Bet against Rockies. You'll win more often than not.
Rangers vs Dodgers: Dodgers (-178)
Dodgers win probability: 64%
See Dodgers. Bet Dodgers.
Astros vs Mariners: Astros (-133)
Astros win probability: 47%
To say the Seattle Mariners' offense got stuck in the starting gate would be putting it lightly. They are 30th in batting average, OBP, SLG, and OPS. The only reason they are not winless is that their pitching has been solid.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
SURPRISE, AZ - OCTOBER 18: DíAndre Smith #6 of the Scottsdale Scorpions slides into third base during the game between the Scottsdale Scorpions and the Surprise Saguaros at Surprise Stadium on Saturday, October 18, 2025 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Mets got three-hit by the Bisons in what was a pretty lackluster affair. Christian Arroyo continues his hot start to the season by driving in the Mets’ only run of the game, which was mercifully ended early by bad weather. At least potential bullpen churn pieces Anderson Severino and Mike Bauman looked alright.
The Rumble Ponies walked 13 times, scored 13 runs, and only collected eight hits in a trouncing of the Yankees’ Double-A club. Bryce Conley and Gabriel Rodriguez combined for the first six innings of five hits, one walk, no runs, and ten strikeouts. D’Andre Smith drove in five on two hits (a double and a triple).
Brooklyn finally got a dub in an extra-inning affair down the shore. John Bay, Corey Collins, and Colin Houck combined for three runs in the top of the tenth to secure the win.
Tommy Pham is trying to claw his way back to the bigs, and he went 0-2 with a walk in a lopsided loss to the Jays. Frank Camarillo went five innings, giving up three earned runs, but kept the Mets close until Joe Charles had what can only be described as one of the wildest innings you’ll ever hear about: Walk, wild pitch, walk, walk, wild pitch, walk, infield fly, wild pitch, single, got yanked.
Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders: L, 2-10 (7) vs. Durham Bulls; they were supposed to play a doubleheader but rain nixed the nightcap, so they’ll try to play two today in a single-admission twin bill beginning at 3:05pm ET
CF Jasson Domínguez 1-2, 2 BB, SB — only a single but he’s still doing his thing SS Oswaldo Cabrera 0-4, K, GIDP 2B Max Schuemann 0-3, BB LF Spencer Jones 0-2, 2 BB, K RF Yanquiel Fernández 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI — drove in Scranton’s only runs in first with double 1B Seth Brown 0-3 DH Ernesto Martinez Jr. 1-3, 2 K 3B Paul DeJong 0-2, BB C Payton Henry 0-1, BB, K C Ali Sánchez 1-1
Elmer Rodríguez 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 5 K, HR, WP, pickoff error Harrison Cohen 1.2 IP, 1 H, 5 R (5 ER), 3 BB, 2 K, HR, HBP, pickoff error (loss) — it was a 2-2 tie in the seventh; then it wasn’t Kervin Castro 0.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, HR
Double-A Somerset Patriots:L, 1-13 at Binghamton Rumble Ponies
SS George Lombard Jr. 1-4, 2 K RF Garrett Martin 1-4, K LF Jace Avina 0-4, 2 K 2B Marco Luciano 1-4, 2B, 2 K DH Coby Morales 2-4, 2B, RBI, 2 K, SB, CS — Patriots got some doubles but wasn’t their night 1B Nicholas Torres 2-3, 2B, HBP CF Kenedy Corona 0-3, BB, 2 K C Manuel Palencia 0-3, K, passed ball 3B Owen Cobb 1-3, 2 K
Xavier Rivas 2 IP, 5 H, 5 R (5 ER), 4 BB, 2 K, HR (loss) — woof Bailey Dees 1.2 IP, 0 H, 2 R (2 ER), 4 BB, 1 K, pickoff Hayden Merda 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 5 K — dynamite relief Kelly Austin 1.1 IP, 1 H, 3 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 0 K, HBP Diomedes Hernandez 0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 0 K
High-A Hudson Valley Renegades:L, 1-3 vs. Wilmington Blue Rocks
3B Core Jackson 1-4, 2 K, SB, HBP, throwing error SS Kaeden Kent 1-4, BB, SB 1B Kyle West 0-3, BB, RBI, K, SB C Eric Genther 1-3, BB, K, missed catch error DH Roderick Arias 0-3, BB, K, 2 SB, picked off — ‘Gades had the wheels but not much else RF Tyler Wilson 0-4, K — bottom five in the lineup went a combined 0-for-15; hard to win with three hits LF Josh Moylan 0-2, 2 BB, 2 K PR Cole Gabrielson 0-0 CF Camden Troyer 0-4 2B Connor McGinnis 0-2, 2 BB, K
Jack Cebert 7.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 8 K, HR, HBP (loss) — don’t often see minor leaguers pitching into the eighth these days, especially in April, but Cebert was efficient (92 pitches) and very good; hard-luck loss due to the early two-run shot he allowed Tanner Bauman 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, HBP Chris Veach 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Low-A Tampa Tarpons: W, 9-0 at Clearwater Threshers
SS Jackson Lovich 2-4, 2 2B, BB, 2 RBI, K, SB 3B Enmanuel Tejeda 0-4, BB, 2 K DH Engelth Urena 0-3, 2 BB, K LF Logan Maxwell 2-4, 2 HR, BB, 5 RBI, K, CS — big afternoon for the undrafted free agent out of Arkansas! CF Willy Montero 1-4, BB, 2 K RF JoJo Jackson 1-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 K — hit the hell out of his first homer of 2026 (106.1 mph, 390 feet) C Ediel Rivera 0-3, K, HBP, passed ball 2B Austin Green 0-3, BB 1B Hans Montero 0-3, K, HBP
Justin West 5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K (win) — 12 swings and misses, nice start Jose M. Rodriguez 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K — almost as many swings and misses (8) in fewer pitches! Pedro Rodriguez 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Yankee UDFA Logan Maxwell with his 2nd HR on the night.
I had tweeted out weeks ago coming into the year of the 2025 class, Logan Maxwell was a guy that struck me as a diamond in the rough sort of find in the UDFA market. Performs well against both splits and has no issue… https://t.co/oXqqTT7wc9pic.twitter.com/2bxNSKA9kv
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 10: Brandon Marsh #16 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates his three-run home run with Bryce Harper #3 in the first inning during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park on April 10, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.(Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
So we’re gonna do this Brandon Marsh as the cleanup hitter thing now? I guess it’ll work against a team without left handed relief pitching, but later on? What then?
After five games of futility, the Detroit Tigers finally got back into the win column with a 2-0 victory over the Miami Marlins on Friday night.
It was another weak effort at the plate for the Motor City Kitties, but they were able to get their old friend Chris Paddack for a pair of runs during his six-inning stint — enough to earn the W. On the mound, Kieder Montero gave his team six scoreless innings, and the bullpen did the rest to ensure the triumph.
On Saturday afternoon, right-hander Casey Mize will take the bump opposite fellow righty Janson Junk. Detroit’s former top-overall draft pick has put up a near-elite strikeout percentage in a very limited sample size so far, but otherwise has struggled to find consistency.
Junk has looked perfectly serviceable so far, but far from invincible. Take a look below at how the two match up.
Detroit Tigers (5-9) vs. Miami Marlins (8-6)
Time (ET): 1:10 p.m. ET Place: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan SB Nation Site: None Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Game 15: RHP Casey Mize (0-1, 5.23 ERA) vs. RHP Janson Junk (0-1, 3.09 ERA)
Just as we all predicted, the Cardinals are off to a solid start to the 2026 season with an offense led by Jordan Walker. Going into Friday night’s game, Walker is top ten in the MLB in WAR, sports a 192 wRC+, is second in baseball in isolated slugging, and has somehow upstaged JJ Wetherholt as the most exciting Cardinal to follow for the first two weeks of the season. I, along with the majority of the fanbase, was prepared for another excruciating season of Walker runway. Over the offseason, my conspiracy theory was that the Cardinals didn’t really believe in Walker either and would trade him or send him to the minors after a couple months of putrid play.
Walker has done everything humanly possible to completely reverse the narrative in the first 12 games of the season. Beyond the excellent offense, he has shown off his incredible arm and added value in the field and on the bases. The natural question that most of Cardinals Nation is debating is whether or not this new and improved Jordan Walker is here to stay. If I were a bit wiser and less prone to overreaction, I would say to just enjoy the ride and try not to overanalyze a 12-game sample size. Alas, I am not wise and one of my favorite activities is overreacting, so I must forge ahead into the abyss in search of a star right fielder.
Has Jordan Walker Broken Out?
The first thing to note is that this type of stretch is not unprecedented for Walker. Here is a look at his rolling 12-game average wRC+ since he debuted in 2023.
He has not reached these heights since his rookie season when he had better 12-game stretches in both June and September. It feels like it has been forever since we have had a Walker hot streak to analyze, but I remember always feeling like even the good runs were a bit of a mirage driven by scorched ground balls and batted ball luck.
In the table above, you can see that both 2023 stretches were far more reliant on higher contact rates and elevated BABIPs. During the September 2023 stretch, his exit velocity of 87.7 MPH was actually below league average. The thing all three stretches have in common is the lowered chase rate around 28%, which is right around league average. Walker’s career chase rate is 33.2%, which places him in the bottom 20% in baseball.
It isn’t fair to say that the two 2023 stretches were just batted ball luck, as Walker did pop four home runs in each. However, the metric that jumps off the page in this 2026 stretch is the 26.7% barrel rate. To quote from the Statcast Glossary:
To be Barreled, a batted ball requires an exit velocity of at least 98 mph. At that speed, balls struck with a launch angle between 26-30 degrees always garner Barreled classification. For every mph over 98, the range of launch angles expands.
To illustrate this graphically:
I bring up Barrels because this metric gets at the real root of Walker’s struggles, the fact that he has not been able to get the ball off the ground and take advantage of his prodigious bat speed and exit velocity numbers. In order to barrel a baseball, you must not only hit it hard, but hit it at an optimal angle. Walker’s career Barrel% of 9.8% is just a touch above league average. His 26.7% barrel rate thus far in 2026 ranks third in baseball behind Kyle Schwarber and Shohei Ohtani (both at 27.3%).
Walker has hit 30 balls in play this year, 8 of which were barrels. Looking at the rolling average over the course of his career, you can see in the numbers what is obvious in watching him hit this year, he is finally scorching the ball in the air.
Now the million-dollar question: is this sustainable? I will go out on a limb and say no… No player has ever maintained a Barrel% above 27% for a full season since tracking started in 2015. Aaron Judge holds the top four individual seasons with percentages between 24.7% and 26.9% of balls in play. However, given that Walker is in pretty rarefied air, I wanted to see how this 30-batted-ball sample size stacked up across a wider range of players. I looked at every player who had at least 30 balls hit in play in 2025 and calculated the rolling average of each to see how often players were able to maintain this kind of a rate. Here is the data:
1,100 plate appearances occurred in 2025 in which the batter had a 27% Barrel% over their previous 30 balls in play. While this puts Walker in the 99th percentile, it is far from an unprecedented run for a stretch this short. 96 players in total were able to eclipse the 27% threshold for a stretch of 30 balls in play at some point last year. The majority of the total plate appearances belong to the best hitters in the game, but there were plenty of below-average hitters able to peak at this level. The sample size of players able to crest 40% is much smaller and almost exclusively elite.
Nick Kurtz was the one player to get to a 47% rate over his absurd July run last season.
So, how long would Walker have to keep up his newfound proclivity for finding the barrel for us to get truly giddy with excitement? Another 20 balls hammered at his current rate would reduce the cohort from 96 down to 19 of the (mostly) best hitters in baseball. One hundred balls in play at this level pretty much cements you as a top hitter in baseball, or Oneil Cruz.
Barrels Conclusion
Walker has improved, but we will know WAY more in just another 20 or 30 games. So, if Walker does keep barreling his way into the summer, do we have an MVP candidate on our hands? Probably not, but certainly not before we address the 7-foot-tall elephant in the room…
Oneil Cruz being included in this group of elite hitters is the perfect example of how things could still go wrong, even if they go mostly right. He has struggled with the same combination of low contact and high chase rates that have plagued Walker. Despite barreling the ball at an elite level, his contact problems have kept him as a roughly league-average hitter. Now, Cruz is still a good player and if Walker’s defense keeps improving, he could be valuable even as more of a 100 wRC+ player, but the Cardinals keep giving him chances because of his ceiling as a true middle-of-the-order bat.
Comparing Walker and Cruz to the Judge, Ohtani, Schwarber, Stanton, and Raleigh group further illustrates the importance of plate discipline. The below table includes the career contact and chase rates for these players.
Not only is Walker’s contact rate exactly in line with the average of the power-hitting group, he actually has the best zone-contact%. The root of strikeout problems is not in his raw ability to make contact, but in his lack of discretion on when to swing. Looking at the same 12-game rolling average for chase rate, Walker has been near a career low in this metric as well.
Coming into the season, it seemed impossible that Walker would simultaneously start lifting the ball while reducing his chase rate, but that is exactly what he has done so far. Hopefully, as he gains confidence, he will become even more patient and wait for his pitch to drive. He hasn’t proved anything yet, and he still has some work to do on his plate discipline, but Walker has reminded us all why he was once the future of the franchise.
Apr 8, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) reacts after getting fouled while attempting to dunk during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
April 12th is the last day of the regular season and then the Spurs have a couple of days off before they begin the first round of the playoffs.
What to do, what to do? How about meeting Devin Vassell?
On Monday, April 13th, Spurs swingman Devin Vassell will be making a guest appearance at Panda Express at 7979 Bandera Road.
From noon until 2PM, fans can meet Vassell while trying Panda Express’ new spicy dish – Dynamite Sweet & Sour Chicken.
There will be a photo booth, DJ, prize wheel, and an appearance by Pei Pei, the Panda Express mascot.
Make sure to get there early as these events typically have long lines.
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PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 01: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins looks on alongside Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena on May 1, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** | NHLI via Getty Images
Who:Washington Capitals (40-30-9, 89 points, 6th place Metropolitan Division) @ Pittsburgh Penguins (41-22-16, 98 points, 2nd place Metropolitan Division)
When: 3:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: National broadcast on ABC, streaming on ESPN+
Pens’ Path Ahead: Today is the final home game of the regular season (but not the last home game of the season, now that the Pens have clinched a playoff spot with Thursday’s 5-2 win over the New Jersey Devils). The Penguins are headed to D.C. tomorrow to complete the home-and-home back-to-back with what could be the final matchup between Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin recently said he will wait until after the season to confirm whether he is retiring from the NHL, which caused ticket prices to spike ahead of the matchup in D.C. The Pens then get a day off before wrapping up the season on Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues.
Opponent Track: The Philadelphia Flyers’ loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night didn’t just help the Pens clinch home ice advantage— it also kept the Capitals’ hopes of sneaking into the third spot in the Metro alive. The Caps have a path to the postseason if they can win out their final three games, starting with this back-to-back set against the Pens, as long as the Flyers, New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets keep losing. If the Caps lose today to the Penguins, however, their playoff odds drop to next to nothing. Per MoneyPuck:
Season Series: The Penguins blew an early three-goal lead with Arturs Silovs in net, but rallied with a late power-play goal from Bryan Rust to secure a 5-3 win over the Caps in these teams’ last meeting in Pittsburgh on Nov. 6.
Hidden Stat: This game is set to mark the 75th time Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin have played one another, according to Penguins PR. Crosby and the Penguins have gone 43-27-4 in those previous 74 matchups.
Hidden Stat II: This weekend could potentially mark the end of an era that has shaped both franchises. The Ovechkin/Crosby era has last for just over 40 percent of the Capitals’ franchise history and more than a third of the Penguins’ history (h/t WashingtonCaps.com’s Mike Vogel).
Getting to know the Capitals
Projected lines
FORWARDS
Alex Ovechkin – Dylan Strome – Anthony Beauvillier
Aliaksei Protas – Ilya Protas – Tom Wilson
Connor McMichael – Pierre-Luc Dubois – Ryan Leonard
Brandon Duhaime – Justin Sourdif – Ivan Miroshnichenko
DEFENSEMEN
Martin Fehervary / Rasmus Sandin
Jakub Chychrun / Trevor van Riemsdyk
Cole Hutson / Matt Roy
Goalies: Logan Thompson, Mitchell Gibson
Potential scratches: Hendrix Lapierre, Ethen Frank, David Kampf, Declan Chisholm, Dylan McIlrath, Timothy Liljegren, Charlie Lindgren (upper body)
Injured Reserve: None
Ilya Protas, the 19-year-0ld brother of Caps winger Aliaksei Protas, made his NHL debut on Wednesday. The Capitals are currently running both brothers, who each measure in at 6’6” on either side of Tom Wilson (6’4”). The trio weighs more than 300 pounds combined.
The Protai x Wilson line is going to be a PROBLEM for the forseeable future 😳💥
Ilya Protas isn’t the only young Capital making his NHL debut down the stretch. Nineteen-year-old defenseman Cole Hutson has eight points (three goals, five assists) in 11 games since making his NHL debut in March.
Goaltender Charlie Lindgren was a full participant in practice Friday and is traveling with his team to Pittsburgh, Caps coach Spencer Carbery told reporters. Logan Thompson, who most recently backstopped the Caps to a 4-0 shutout of the Toronto Maple Leafs, is likely to get the start today in Pittsburgh, but having Lindgren back for Sunday could determine who starts the latter half of the back-to-back.
Tom Wilson is one goal shy of hitting the 30-goal plateau for the second time in the NHL career. Ovechkin already hit that mark in 75 games to mark his NHL-record 20th season with at least 30 goals.
Is this Ovechkin’s last game in Pittsburgh? The Washington captain recently announced he won’t be deciding whether to return for another NHL season until after the Caps’ run this season is over. How soon fans find out could depend at list in part on whether the Pens are able to play spoilers for the Capitals’ playoff chances today at PPG Paints. The Caps are at the very least honoring his last home game of the season by giving out special rally towels to fans in attendance on Sunday in D.C.
And now for the Pens
Projected lines
FORWARDS
Egor Chinakhov – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust
Tommy Novak – Rickard Rakell – Evgeni Malkin
Anthony Mantha – Ben Kindel – Justin Brazeau
Elmer Soderblom – Noel Acciari – Avery Hayes
DEFENSEMEN
Parker Wotherspoon / Erik Karlsson
Sam Girard / Kris Letang
Ryan Shea / Connor Clifton
Goalies: Stuart Skinner, Arturs Silovs and Sergei Murashov
Potential Scratches: Ilya Solovyov, Blake Lizotte (injured), Kevin Hayes, Ryan Graves, Jack St. Ivany, Connor Dewar (day-to-day)
IR: Filip Hallander, Caleb Jones (season-ending shoulder surgery)
Connor Dewar missed Thursday’s win over the New Jersey Devils with what the Penguins described as a day-to-day lower-body injury. The team didn’t practice Friday, so an update on his injury status will come today.
The Penguins could also potentially decide to rest some players now that the team has been locked in as the No. 2 seed, although this could still be a first-round preview if the Caps win out while the Flyers, Jackets and Isles spiral.
The NHL's busy 15-game schedule on Saturday, April 11 could provide more clarity in the playoff race.
Five more NHL teams − the Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oilers, Vegas Golden Knights and idle Anaheim Ducks − can clinch a postseason berth, joining the nine teams that have already made it. The Ducks would end a seven-season playoff drought if they clinch.
The Pacific Division lead is in play with the leading Oilers and second-place Golden Knights in action. The second wild-card seed in the Western Conference could change hands again if the Nashville Predators win and the Los Angeles Kings lose.
Here's what to know about the NHL standings, including the latest playoff bracket, Saturday's clinching scenarios and the tiebreaker procedures for the 2025-26 season:
Who's in the 2026 NHL playoffs?
Eastern Conference: Carolina, Buffalo, Montreal, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh
Western Conference: Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota, Utah
Who can clinch an NHL playoff berth today?
The Boston Bruins will clinch a playoff berth if they beat the Lightning. They'd also clinch if they get one point, the Red Wings lose and the Senators and/or Flyers lose. A third option: The Red Wings lose in regulation and the Islanders or Flyers lose.
The Ottawa Senators will clinch a playoff berth if they beat the Islanders and the Red Wings lose.
The Edmonton Oilers will clinch a playoff berth if they get at least one point against the Kings. They also clinch if the Jets fail to win in regulation.
The Vegas Golden Knights will clinch a playoff berth if they beat the Avalanche. They'd also clinch if they get one point and the Jets and Predators lose. Third option: The Sharks lose and the Jets and Predators lose in regulation.
The idle Anaheim Ducks will clinch a playoff berth if the Sharks lose and the Jets and Predators lose in regulation.
NHL games today (Saturday, April 11)
All times p.m. ET
Tampa Bay at Boston, 12:30, ABC
Ottawa at N.Y. Islanders, 1
Washington at Pittsburgh, 3, ABC
Edmonton at Los Angeles, 4
New Jersey at Detroit, 5
St. Louis at Chicago, 5
Minnesota at Nashville, 5
N.Y. Rangers at Dallas, 5
Carolina at Utah, 5
Florida at Toronto, 7
Columbus at Montreal, 7
Philadelphia at Winnipeg, 7
Calgary at Seattle, 7
Vegas at Colorado, 8
Vancouver at San Jose, 10
NHL playoff standings
NHL Eastern Conference standings 2025-26
After April 9 games. x-clinched playoff spot. y-clinched division. z-eliminated.
Metropolitan Division
y-Carolina Hurricanes (108)
x-Pittsburgh Penguins (98)
Philadelphia Flyers (92)
Atlantic Division
x-Buffalo Sabres (106)
x-Montreal Canadiens (104)
x-Tampa Bay Lightning (102)
Wild card
Boston Bruins (96)
Ottawa Senators (94)
Sitting out of playoff position: Detroit Red Wings (91), New York Islanders (91), Columbus Blue Jackets (90), Washington Capitals (89), z-New Jersey Devils (83), z-Florida Panthers (78), z-Toronto Maple Leafs (78), z-New York Rangers (75)
NHL Western Conference standings 2025-26
After April 9 games. x-clinched playoff spot. y-clinched division. z-eliminated.
Sitting out of playoff position: Nashville Predators (84), Winnipeg Jets (82), San Jose Sharks (81), St. Louis Blues (78), Seattle Kraken (77), z-Calgary Flames (73), z-Chicago Blackhawks (70), z-Vancouver Canucks (52)
NHL playoffs if they started today
NHL Eastern Conference playoff bracket
Here is how the Eastern Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended on April 9:
Carolina (M1) vs. Ottawa (WC2)
Pittsburgh (M2) vs. Philadelphia (M3)
Buffalo (A1) vs. Boston (WC1)
Montreal (A2) vs. Tampa Bay (A3)
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: M - Metropolitan Division. A - Atlantic Division. WC - wild card
NHL Western Conference playoff bracket
Here is how the Western Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended on April 9.
Colorado (C1) vs. Los Angeles (WC2)
Dallas (C2) vs. Minnesota (C3)
Edmonton (P1) vs. Utah (WC1)
Vegas (P2) vs. Anaheim (P3)
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: C - Central Division P - Pacific Division. WC - wild card
NHL tiebreakers: What is the first tiebreaker in NHL standings?
If two teams are tied in points at the end of the regular season, here are the tiebreakers:
Regulation wins
Regulation and overtime wins (ROW)
Total wins
Most points earned in head-to-head competition: If teams had an uneven number of meetings, the first game played in the city that has the extra game is excluded. When more than two clubs are tied, the percentage of available points earned in games among each other (and not including any odd games) shall be used to determine standings.
Goal differential
Total goals
When does the NHL regular season end?
The NHL regular season is scheduled to end on Thursday, April 16, with six games.
When do the NHL playoffs start?
The NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs are scheduled to begin on April 18.
After a rare day off on Friday, teams will have two to four games left before the April 16 end of the regular season and contenders will try to cement playoff positions.
So far, the Carolina Hurricanes, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins have clinched Eastern Conference playoff spots and the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild and Utah Mammoth have clinched in the West. Colorado and Carolina have won division titles.
Five more teams have the potential to clinch berths during Saturday's 15-game schedule.
Here's what is still to be decided in the final week of the regular season:
Atlantic Division title
The Sabres (106 points), Canadiens (104) and Lightning (102) have a shot. Buffalo has two games left and the other teams have three. The Sabres lead in the first tiebreaker (regulation wins). The Canadiens have been the hotter team, going 9-1 in their last 10 games, while the Lightning have lost three in a row.
Third in the Metropolitan Division
The top three teams in each division make the playoffs and that might be the best path for Metropolitan teams to get back into a playoff position. The New York Islanders, led by recently hired coach Peter DeBoer, are a point behind the third-place Philadelphia Flyers, compared to three points out of the second wild-card spot. The Columbus Blue Jackets are two points behind the Flyers. Each team has three games left and the Islanders lead in regulation wins.
Eastern Conference wild card spots
The Boston Bruins (96) and Ottawa Senators (94) hold the two positions, and they can clinch berths on Saturday. Boston will get in with a win. Ottawa would need a win and a Detroit Red Wings loss. If that happens, Detroit's playoff drought would hit 10 seasons. The Senators lead the Bruins in regulation wins and will take the first wild card if the teams end up tied in points.
Pacific Division title
The division-leading Edmonton Oilers, Vegas Golden Knights and idle Anaheim Ducks have a chance to clinch berths on Saturday. One point separates the Oilers and the other two. All have three games left and the Oilers have more regulation wins. Edmonton and Vegas will play the No. 1 overall Colorado Avalanche, and the Oilers and Ducks will play the last-overall Vancouver Canucks.
Western Conference wild card
The second wild card keeps changing hands and the Los Angeles Kings have a one-point lead on the Nashville Predators plus a game in hand. But the Kings have only 20 regulation wins and their closest pursuers have 25 or more. The Winnipeg Jets, who are three points back, are on a 7-2-1 run.
Home ice in the Central Division
The Dallas Stars beat the Minnesota Wild on Thursday and need only one win or a Wild regulation loss to clinch second place and have home ice advantage in the first round. Dallas-Minnesota is the only first-round series that is set.
Apr 10, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; New York Yankees infielder Amed Rosario (14) throws to first base during the fifth inning against Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Pablo Robles-Imagn Images | Pablo Robles-Imagn Images
It’s really great stuff to be in the midst of the Yankees’ first annoying stretches of 2026. Really, it’s charming! Really, it’s not exhausting at all watching this lineup flail against Jeffrey Springs and Steven Matz! Can this end now please?
Today on the site, we’ll have a birthday post for one of the key players on the Yankees’ 2009 World Series champions, Madison will have the Rivalry Roundup from a busy Friday night of baseball action, John will critique a new feature of lights and Yankee Stadium entertainment, Scott will sit down for chat with Max Schuemann of Triple-A Scranon/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (late of the A’s) is getting accustomed to his new digs, and Andrés will anzlyze Luis Gil’s season debut.
Today’s Matchup
New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays
Time: 6:10 p.m. EST
Video: YES Network, Rays.tv
Venue: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL
Questions/Prompts:
1. Any lineup shuffle suggestions for today to shake things up?
2. How flawless does Max Fried need to pitch today for you to feel comfortable?
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