NL MVP’s 8 long-shot options chasing Shohei Ohtani

May 1, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; New York Mets left fielder Juan Soto (22) reaches first on a single against the Los Angeles Angels during the sixth inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Shohei Ohtani has won the past two National League MVP awards, and his two-way production as a pitcher and a hitter give him a leg up on the competition in the race for what could be his third. 

FanDuel’s odds for NL MVP show Ohtani (-370) as the easy favorite to repeat amidst an emerging field of rising stars. Ohtani’s striking out 10 batters per 9 innings and posting a sub-1 WHIP. He’s still an excellent hitter who’s drawn the most intentional walks, but he’s slugging just .454 and working through a genuine slump, going hitless through four straight games for the first time in his career. 

Even a small dimming of Ohtani’s star might contribute to voter fatigue as members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) look to reward more of the game’s incredible talents. Despite the long odds of overtaking the dual-threat Ohtani, there are a few early candidates who could see their stocks rise significantly with another impressive month of production.

Corbin Carroll (+1700) finished tied for sixth in NL MVP voting last season, and he’s returning from a broken hamate bone by drawing more walks and legging out extra-base hits at an historic clip.

Matt Olson (+1700) is leading the league in WAR after the first month, mashing 11 HRs and pushing across a league-leading 31 RBI while slashing .299/.380/.650.

Elly De La Cruz (+2200) is already in his third season in the pros at just 24 years old. After playing through a quad strain for much of last season, he’s back on pace for a potential 40/40 season, and just a fraction behind the league lead in WAR.  

Ronald Acuna Jr (+2200) was the most recent non-Ohtani recipient of NL MVP, and he’s produced MVP-caliber numbers whenever he’s healthy. His health is another big reason for the Atlanta Braves’ league-leading win total, but he’ll need to bounce back quickly from a recent stint on the IL.

Juan Soto (+3000) – finished third in NL MVP voting last year, and he’s starting to get healthy for a Mets lineup that’s desperate for a star to step up. His first game back in the lineup marked the end of a 12-game losing streak.

James Wood (+4000) has a massive frame and a short swing that blasts through contact. He strikes out a fair amount, but he’s also walking more this season (19.9% walk rate leads NL), and has made a few highlightplays in right field.

Drake Baldwin (+5000) won the 2025 Rookie of the Year award, and if the left handed-hitting catcher continues on his pace to leap past last year’s 19 HRs, he could emerge as Atlanta’s brightest star.
Jordan Walker (+6000) is stealing more bases and he’s already exceeded last season’s HR total, showing the 23-year-old might be getting comfortable in his 6’6”, 250 lb. frame.

Wu Yize cements China’s status as premier snooker force as younger generation takes over

The new world champion is the fourth consecutive first-time winner and the UK game faces a challenge to keep up with investment in Asia

Perhaps of all the noise emanating from Wu Yize’s historic victory in the World Snooker Championship final on Monday evening, it was 12 simple words from the godfather of Chinese snooker that meant the most.

For the second successive year, China has a world champion in the sport the nation has taken to its heart, with Wu emulating Zhao Xintong’s win 12 months earlier by defeating Shaun Murphy in one of the great finals. But perhaps none of it would be possible without Ding Junhui laying the groundwork over the last 20 years.

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Lakers vs Thunder Computer Picks: Our Best Player Prop Projections for Game 1

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After having more than a week to rest, the Oklahoma City Thunder welcome the Los Angeles Lakers to town on Tuesday, May 5. 

To help with your NBA picks, we're here to provide NBA player prop projections for tonight's game, including one for LeBron James.

For more intel, read our complete Lakers vs. Thunder predictions

Lakers vs Thunder computer picks for Game 1

Lakers LakersThunder Thunder
Kennard o1.5 threes
+145
Mitchell u3.5 rebounds
+115
James o19.5 points
-145
Dort o6.5 points
-112
Ayton o9.5 points
-120
Caruso o1.5 assists
-145

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Lakers Game 1 computer picks

Luke Kennard Over 1.5 threes (+145)

Projection: 2.02 threes

This is a five-star play according to our model, providing a whopping 26.08% EV edge. Luke Kennard has slowed down since his first few games against Houston, but we all know how good a shooter he is.

Two threes is not asking for much, and it's a great play at this price.

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LeBron James Over 19.5 points (-145)

Projection: 22.63 points

LeBron James refuses to age, averaging 23.2 points per game in the Los Angeles Lakers' series win over the Rockets. Twenty points is a line Bron crossed in four of six games in Round 1, and with still no Luka, the King will need to wear the crown on offense.

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Deandre Ayton Over 9.5 points (-120)

Projection: 11.53 points

Deandre Ayton may not be the guy, but he certainly did his part in helping the Lakers advance. The big man averaged 11.8 ppg on 60% shooting vs. Houston, and he's the best option L.A. has to keep up with the Oklahoma City Thunder's size. 

He might put up the quietest 10 points you'll ever see, but it'll cash all the same.

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Thunder Game 1 computer picks

Ajay Mitchell Under 3.5 rebounds (+115)

Projection: 3.31 rebounds

Our model sees a 20.01% EV edge on this bet. Ajay Mitchell cruised by this line in all three games vs. Phoenix, but the Lakers will provide more of a fight on the glass. There are only so many boards to go around, and OKC might be up so big in the fourth that Mitchell's playing time could be cut.

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Luguentz Dort Over 7.5 points (-112)

Projection: 8.15 points

Lu Dort is an effective 3-and-D option for the Thunder, and he eclipsed this points line in three of four against Phoenix. The Lakers will have their hands full with SGA and Chet, which will leave Dort wide open for makable threes.

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Alex Caruso Over 1.5 assists (-145)

Projection: 2.62 assists

Alex Caruso knows how to create for his teammates, and he'll be asked to do more against L.A. than he was in Round 1. Averaging over 20 minutes per game, Caruso will create enough shots for his teammates to collect two dimes.

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How to watch Lakers vs Thunder Game 1

LocationPaycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
DateTuesday, May 5, 2026
Tip-off8:30 p.m. ET
TVPeacock/NBC

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Blue Jays vs Rays Prediction, Odds & Home Run Pick for Today's MLB Game

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Yohendrick Pinango is off to an amazing start to his MLB career, and I’m expecting the Toronto Blue Jays rookie to continue swinging a hot bat tonight against Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen.

Read on to see why with my Blue Jays vs. Rays predictions and MLB Picks on Tuesday, May 5. 

Blue Jays vs Rays predictions

Blue Jays vs Rays best bet: Yohendrick Piango Over 0.5 hits (-145)

Yohendrick Pinango has been a delight since being called up from Triple-A.

The Toronto Blue Jays’ rookie outfielder has seven hits in his last three contests, raising his batting average to .500 over seven games. 

He’s gone 5-2 to the Over on his hits market, and has cashed in three straight games. 

Pinango’s early results suggest he’s got a pretty good matchup tonight with Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen, a three-pitch starter who deploys a cutter, sinker, and four-seamer. 

Though it's a small sample size, Toronto’s rookie owns a .600 batting average with a .475 xBA against the trio of pitches Rasmussen uses. He's also batted leadoff in the last two games, giving him more opportunities at the dish.

Covers COVERS INTEL: While his 5.3% strikeout rate is unsustainable, Pinango has never showcased much swing-and-miss, with K-rates ranging between 19-24% in Double-A and up since 2024.

Blue Jays vs Rays same-game parlay (SGP)

I’ll continue to bet on the birds and take Kazuma Okamoto to record a hit. The Jays slugger is on a heater, with at least one hit in four straight, recording seven total in that stretch.

For the final leg of the SGP, I’ll take Kevin Gausman to go Over 17.5 outs. The Blue Jays ace owns a .96 WHIP and has seen his pitch count increase game by game. He should be in line to throw up to 100 pitches if he’s dealing.

Additionally, Gausman is averaging 18 outs over his last three starts, and has finished the sixth in four of his seven appearances.

Blue Jays vs Rays SGP

  • Yohendrick Pinango Over 0.5 hits
  • Kazuma Okamoto Over 0.5 hits
  • Kevin Gausman Over 17.5 outs
img loading="lazy" width="100%" height="null" src="https://img.covers.com/editorial/2026/jaysmlcbp.jpg" alt="Canada’s best price for Jays"
Get the best Jays ML odds at BET99 — every game.

Blue Jays vs Rays home run pick: Daulton Varsho (+510)

I’m only betting a half unit on this one.

Rasmussen doesn’t give up a lot of hard contact, but he has been a little homer-prone in 2026, allowing five long balls in just over 30 innings (1.47 HR/9). 

However, Daulton Varsho has a good chance to go hard tonight. 

He’s got a lot of pop in his bat and has a .611 SLG rate against the sinker, which is one of Rasmussen's go-to pitches. Also, four of the five home runs Rasmussen has allowed have come off left-handed bats.

2026 Transparency record
  • Best bets: 13-21, -4.5 units
  • SGPs: 6-28, -3.5 units
  • HR picks: 8-25, +10.65 units

Blue Jays vs Rays odds

  • Moneyline: Toronto +110 | Tampa Bay -130
  • Run line: Toronto +1.5 (-190) | Tampa Bay -1.5 (+160)
  • Over/Under: Over 7 (-110) | Under 7 (-110)

Blue Jays vs Rays trend

The Toronto Blue Jays have hit the 1st Five Innings (F5) Team Total Under in 25 of their last 35 games (+14.90 Units / 35% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Blue Jays vs. Rays.

How to watch Blue Jays vs Rays and game info

LocationTropicana Field, Tampa, FL
DateTuesday, May 5, 2026
First pitch6:40 p.m. ET
TVRays.TV, SN1
Blue Jays starting pitcherKevin Gausman
(2-2, 3.10 ERA)
Rays starting pitcherDrew Rasmussen
(2-1, 2.64 ERA)

Blue Jays vs Rays latest injuries

Blue Jays vs Rays weather

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Zach McKinstry returns, Triple-A manager Gabe Alvarez fired

Apr 14, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Zach McKinstry (39) celebrates after scoring in the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

This is going to be a grab bag of news items on the Tigers for Tuesday. Manager A.J. Hinch was on MLB Radio on Tuesday morning. He confirmed that infielder Zach McKinstry will return from the injured list against the Boston Red Sox tonight. McKinstry was banged up in a pair of collisions in a series against the Kansas City Royals in mid-April, and went on the injured list with hip and abdominal inflammation after colliding with Jac Caglione as he tried to field a ground ball.

Hinch also mentioned that Gleyber Torres is still day-to-day with tightness on the left side of his torso, presumably a mild oblique strain. At the moment Torres is still expected to avoid an injured list stint, but isn’t ready to play either. Torres last played on Saturday.

The Tigers infield depth is under some stress as a result, with Javier Báez on the injured list with an ankle injury. The club picked up veteran infielder Paul deJong on a minor league deal on Tuesday. DeJong played for the Washington Nationals in 2025, and still played a bit of shortstop with them, though third base was his most played position. He hit .228/.269/.373 with six homers and four stolen bases in 208 plate appearances. He will be assigned to Triple-A Toledo.

Finally, in a shocker, Toledo Mud Hens manager Gabe Alvarez, a rising star on the farm system who managed the Double-A Erie SeaWolves to back-to-back Eastern League Championships in 2023 and 2024, has been fired. There are no further details, as the Tigers simply announced that his contract was terminated for a violation of club policy. All we know is that hitting coach Mike Hessman has taken over as interim manager. That’s a tough one as Alvarez has played a role shepherding several of the club’s top prospects to the major leagues, and was thought to have the potential to manage in the major leagues or move into player development in the front office.

Where to watch Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Houston Astros: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Tuesday, May 5

The Los Angeles Dodgers, ranked first in the NL West with a 22-13 record, face the Houston Astros, who are fourth in the AL West with a 14-22 record. Starting pitchers are Shohei Ohtani for the Dodgers, with a 0.60 ERA, and Peter Lambert for the Astros, with a 3.52 ERA.

  • Date: Tuesday, May 5

  • Time: 8:10 p.m. ET / 5:10 p.m. PT

  • Where: Daikin Park, Houston, TX

  • TV Channels: TBS, Space City Home Network, Space City Home Network (Sp), SportsNet LA

  • Live Stream:ESPN+, MLB.TV | Follow on Yahoo Sports

  • Los Angeles Dodgers: 22-13 (first in NL West)

  • Houston Astros: 14-22 (fourth in AL West)

  • Spread: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5

  • Moneyline: Los Angeles Dodgers -220 / Houston Astros +180

  • Over/under: 8.5

Los Angeles Dodgers: Shohei Ohtani (2-1, ERA: 0.60, K: 34, WHIP: 0.87)

Houston Astros: Peter Lambert (1-2, ERA: 3.52, K: 19, WHIP: 1.24)

Weather: 81°F at first pitch

AL Rookie of the Year odds feature White Sox slugger and Tigers phenom

Detroit Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle (7) watches the ball after batting a foul ball against Texas Rangers during the fourth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Saturday, May 2, 2026. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Two rookies are off to fast starts in the American League with both Munetaka Murakami and Kevin McGonigle making an early splash.

It’s no surprise the duo finds themselves atop FanDuel’s American League Rookie of the Year 2026 market through the first month of the season. Only two of the last 14 American League Rookie of the Year winners were full-time pitchers, giving a sizable recency advantage to rookie hitters in the voting. 

Chicago White Sox slugging sensation Munetaka Murakami (+145) is the current favorite for AL Rookie of the Year. Tied for the league lead in home runs (14 in 35 games) with Aaron Judge, Murakami is tied for fifth in baseball in RBI (28) and ninth in OPS (.961).

The Japanese first baseman is off to a highlight-reel start with numerous towering home runs and a star quality the White Sox lacked in recent seasons. Murakami’s only downside is a high strikeout rate with 50 in his first 35 games. 

Detroit Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle (+155) stays in the mix with Murakami after claiming AL Rookie of the Month for March/April. A four-hit performance on Opening Day set the tone for the 21-year-old’s fast start, which included signing an eight-year, $150 million extension just weeks into the start of his Major League career. 

McGonigle is 16th in baseball with a .315 batting average to go along with two home runs, 16 RBI and a notable 2.2 WAR. Although Murakami is deservedly grabbing early headlines for his power, McGonigle has been the most polished rookie at the start of the season.   

After a rapid decline in odds from the top two contenders, Cleveland Guardians right fielder Chase DeLauter (+1000) and Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto (+1200) find themselves firmly in the next tier. Both players find themselves in the midst of recent hot streaks.

DeLauter went 8-for-11 during Cleveland’s latest three-game series against the Athletics, giving him a team-leading .304 batting average, 21 RBI and .946 OPS. In the midst of an eight-game hitting streak and 12 straight games on base, DeLauter is recovering nicely from a small slump in mid-April and could be a sleeper candidate with continued production. 

Okamoto has six of his nine home runs in the last 15 days, finding his stride by hitting mammoth home runs and climbing Toronto’s batting order. Although behind in offensive numbers compared to his rookie counterparts, Okamoto has the power and defensive acumen to quickly climb the odds if the hot streak sustains. 

2026 NBA Draft Lottery odds: Wizards, Pacers, Nets have best chance at No. 1

2026 NBA Draft Lottery odds: Wizards, Pacers, Nets have best chance at No. 1 originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

A stacked incoming draft class could change the trajectories for many desperate NBA franchises.

The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery is coming up, with three teams tied for the best odds at landing the No. 1 overall pick. All three are in the Eastern Conference, a conference that could benefit from an injection of young talent.

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, Duke forward Cameron Boozer, UNC forward Caleb Wilson, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson and Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. are among the top prospects, though the list of possible impact players extends a few more names.

Here’s what to know about the lottery, which should make for an enthralling viewing as the draft board could go in numerous directions:

When is the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery?

The lottery will be held on Sunday, May 10. Coverage will start at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT on ABC.

Who will pick first in the 2026 NBA Draft?

The draft lottery odds are sorted with the teams with the worst records leading the way. This year, the three teams tied for the best odds at picking first overall are the Washington Wizards (17-65), Indiana Pacers (19-63) and Brooklyn Nets (20-62).

2026 NBA Draft Lottery odds with ties included

The Wizards, Pacers, Nets, Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings have the best odds at picking first, but it doesn’t always work out that way.

Last year, the Dallas Mavericks made the biggest leap to pick No. 1 in a class that featured Cooper Flagg. Dallas had the 11th-best odds in a year where they traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Here’s a look at this year’s odds with ties included, via Tankathon:

Team1234567891011121314AVG
Wizards14.013.412.712.047.93.7
Pacers14.013.412.712.027.820.13.9
Nets14.013.412.712.014.826.07.04.1
Jazz11.511.411.211.07.527.117.92.44.6
Kings11.511.411.211.02.018.225.58.50.64.8
Grizzlies9.09.29.49.68.629.720.63.70.25.5
Hawks (via Pelicans)6.87.17.57.919.835.613.81.4>0.06.4
Mavericks6.77.07.47.832.931.16.60.4>0.06.9
Bulls4.54.85.25.750.825.93.00.1>0.08.0
Bucks3.03.33.64.065.919.01.2>0.0>0.09.2
Warriors2.02.22.42.877.612.60.4>0.010.3
Thunder (via Clippers)1.51.71.92.186.16.70.111.4
Heat1.01.11.21.492.92.312.5
Hornets0.50.60.60.797.613.7

2026 NBA Draft Lottery odds without ties included

Here’s how the odds shape up without ties, via Tankathon:

Team1234567891011121314AVG
Wizards14.013.412.712.047.93.7
Pacers14.013.412.712.027.820.03.9
Nets14.013.412.712.014.826.07.04.1
Jazz12.512.211.911.57.225.716.72.24.4
Kings10.510.510.610.52.219.626.78.70.65.0
Grizzlies9.09.29.49.68.629.820.53.70.15.5
Hawks (via Pelicans)7.57.88.18.519.734.112.91.3>0.06.2
Mavericks6.06.36.77.234.532.16.70.4>0.07.0
Bulls4.54.85.25.750.725.93.00.1>0.08.0
Bucks3.03.33.64.065.919.01.2>0.0>0.09.2
Warriors2.02.22.42.877.612.60.4>0.010.3
Thunder (via Clippers)1.51.71.92.186.16.70.111.5
Heat1.01.11.21.492.92.312.5
Hornets0.50.60.60.797.613.7

When is the 2026 NBA Draft?

Now split into two days, the first round will be held on Tuesday, June 23. The second round will follow on Wednesday, June 24.

Canadiens: Dahlin Praises Hutson

While he didn’t get that much coverage in the first round, Montreal Canadiens’ blueliner Lane Hutson was key in the Habs’ win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 22-year-old blueliner averaged over 27 minutes of ice time over the seven games, picked up six points, two goals and an assist and became the fastest Canadiens defenseman to reach the 10-point mark in the playoffs. He took 14 shots on net and had a 14.3% shooting percentage, and added 13 blocks and six hits.

On Monday, Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin spoke about the Habs’ defenseman in these terms:

It’s awesome to see [what Lane Hutson’s doing]. He can play hockey on both ends. He’s a small guy, but he finds a way to have good numbers. Offensively, he can create from nothing, which is pretty cool to see. I’ve seen lately that he has a good shot, too.
-

The Faith Canadiens Put In Dobes Paid Off
Canadiens' Sam Montembeault Pranks Jakub Dobes After Game 7 Win
The Turning Point Of the Canadiens vs. Lightning Series Didn’t Happen On The Ice

It’s hard to argue with his assessment. Whichever way you look at it, the Canadiens blueline completely changed when Hutson arrived. His speed, mobility, and elusiveness have enabled him to succeed in the NHL despite his small stature. Whether it’s in the regular season or in the playoffs, he plays consistently at the highest level, and he’s always on the opponent’s radar.

As for Dahlin, he’s been a big part of his team’s success as well, putting up four points in six games, taking 21 shots on goal, landing 10 hits and blocking six shots. The 6-foot-3-and-204-pound defenseman is a finalist for the Bill Masterton Trophy this season. He went through plenty of adversity as his fiancée was struck with heart failure last Summer and had to be hospitalized in France, where the couple was on holiday. She stayed in the hospital for months, needed a heart transplant, and it was later revealed that she had lost the couple’s unborn child. She finally joined Dahlin in Buffalo in March, when she was deemed healthy enough to make the trip.

In the regular season, Dahlin had three points in four games against the Canadiens and made the headlines when he expressed his frustration with Habs fans taking over the Sabres’ building, making it feel like they were playing on the road:

I really, really appreciate the fans that came out, but I don’t want to see that many red in the future.
-

Buffalo is about six and a half hours away from Montreal by car, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Canadiens fans make the trip, especially since the Sabres captain expressed his frustration earlier this season. However, with the team having been excluded from the playoffs for 14 years, local fans are all in on this postseason, and the building has been one of the loudest in the first round.


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Yankees Birthday of the Day: Bob Cerv

NEW YORK - JUNE 24, 2006: Former outfielder Bob Cerv of the New York Yankees is introduced during Old Timers Day ceremonies on June 24, 2006 at Yankee Stadium in New York, New York. (Photo by: Diamond Images/Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

The 1950s were a hugely successful stretch for the Yankees organization. Although the rosters were often headlined by future Hall of Fame members and generational greats, they were rosters full of talented players, a necessity for winning multiple World Series. Among the players with smaller roles was Bob Cerv, who had limited playing time in pinstripes, but would later prove himself as a talented player in his own right.

Although his most significant mark may have been made with other clubs, Cerv was a legitimate big league bat for much of his 12 years in The Show, even if it didn’t always come with New York. Either way, the outfielder filled a role on the successful Yankees teams of the early 1950s, one of the franchise’s most impressive runs of dominance.

Bob Cerv
Born: May 5, 1925 (Weston, NE)
Died: April 6, 2017 (Blair, NE)
Yankees Tenure: 1951-56, 1960, 1961-62

Born in Nebraska in 1925, Robert Henry Cerv played baseball in college as a Cornhusker and fought in World War II, before eventually signing with the Yankees prior to the 1950 season. A year later, at the age of 26, Cerv would make his Major League debut with New York. The big right-hander was called up in August of 1951, kicking off just a cup of coffee with the club. Although this was more in the style of a late-season call-up, the part-time role he had in ‘51 became the norm for Cerv for much of his Yankee career.

After just 12 games and 33 plate appearances in that debut season, Cerv combined for barely over 100 combined plate appearances over the next two seasons with the Yankees. The results were not particularly convincing, but enough to keep him around going into the 1954 season, when he would really begin to prove himself.

That ‘54 campaign kicked off a really good run for Cerv, though it notably took place in a limited role, as he spent much of his time on the field in a part-time capacity and as a pinch-hitter. That being said, for the final three years of his first stretch with New York, Cerv was an All-Star level hitter, who likely would have earned himself a lot more time in the modern game. He had a 121 OPS + in ‘54 across 112 plate appearances, and would only come to improve on that number. In the following season, he posted a terrific .341/.411/.541 slash line and was worth 1.2 bWAR in less than 100 plate appearances. And in 1956, he was just as good, in a then career-high 155 plate appearances. He was also a postseason contributor during that impressive run, which included a home run in their losing 1955 Fall Classic, as well a 1-for-1 line in the victorious ‘56 Series, both against the Dodgers.

Shortly after that World Series win, Cerv’s services were purchased by the Kansas City Athletics. It was clear that the A’s planned on giving Cerv a more substantial shot, and although the experiment was disappointing in 1957, the veteran turned in a massive career-year in the following season. In that 1958 season, Cerv was a star, exploding for 38 home runs, and hitting to the tune of a near-MVP-level 159 OPS+. Reasonably so, he was rewarded with his first and only All-Star selection, and finished fourth in MVP voting that season — not too bad for a former part-timer relegated to pinch-hitting duty.

The powerful outfielder had a couple of good seasons left in him as he entered his mid-30s, including another with KC in ‘59, and a season split between teams in 1960. Despite the post-World Series departure, Cerv’s time in pinstripes was also far from done. In 1960, he was traded back to the Bombers and played 87 solid games with them that season, before being selected by the Angels in the expansion draft that winter.

He returned to the club once again via trade in 1961 for 51 solid games with the Yankees, and would spend the beginning of the ‘62 season with the club as well. By this point, Cerv was entering his late-30s, and was once again largely occupying a part-time role. He wrapped up his big league career in 1962, with his final time coming with Houston in the middle of that season.

After a dozen seasons, Bob Cerv’s big-league career was over, and though his role was limited for much of it, he was able to briefly reach significant heights. Born on this day 101 years ago, he lived in his native Nebraska into his 90s, before passing in 2017. Like many players featured in this series, today marks a good opportunity to look back on an interesting and at times very good career in Yankees history — and one that got to be celebrated at several futures Old-Timers’ Days. Happy birthday, Bob.


See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.

Where to watch Texas Rangers vs. New York Yankees: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Tuesday, May 5

The Texas Rangers, ranked third in the AL West with a 16-18 record, face the New York Yankees, who are first in the AL East with a 24-11 record. Starting pitchers are Jacob deGrom for Texas, with a 2.01 ERA, and Elmer Rodríguez for New York, with a 4.50 ERA.

  • Date: Tuesday, May 5

  • Time: 7:05 p.m. ET / 4:05 p.m. PT

  • Where: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY

  • TV Channels: YES, Rangers Sports Network

  • Live Stream:ESPN+, MLB.TV | Follow on Yahoo Sports

  • Texas Rangers: 16-18 (third in AL West)

  • New York Yankees: 24-11 (first in AL East)

  • Spread: New York Yankees -1.5

  • Moneyline: New York Yankees -125 / Texas Rangers +105

  • Over/under: 9

Texas Rangers: Jacob deGrom (2-1, ERA: 2.01, K: 40, WHIP: 0.96)

New York Yankees: Elmer Rodríguez (0-1, ERA: 4.50, K: 3, WHIP: 2.00)

Weather: 74°F at first pitch

Where to watch Minnesota Wild vs. Colorado Avalanche Game 2 NHL playoffs: Live stream, start time, TV channel for Tuesday, May 5

The Minnesota Wild face the Colorado Avalanche in Game 2 of their second-round NHL playoff series. The Avalanche won a wild 9-6 game in the series opener on Sunday. Fourteen different players scored the 15 total goals in the game. Colorado had four goals in the final period to win.

  • Date: Tuesday, May 5

  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT

  • Where: Ball Arena, Denver, CO

  • TV Channels: ESPN, CBC, Spor, TVAS

  • Live Stream:ESPN+ | Follow on Yahoo Sports

Where do the Lakers have to improve to beat the Thunder?

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 2: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

After a pair of frustrating first round exits in recent years, the Lakers exorcised some demons in a cathartic win over the Rockets.

Awaiting them now, though, is the best team in the NBA in the Thunder. To say the Lakers had limited success against OKC in the regular season would be an understatement.

In the two meetings in Oklahoma, LA trailed by 30 before halftime. The only close game between the two sides was when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the likely back-to-back MVP, was out. Even if the Lakers were without Luka Dončić in that contest — a situation they’ll be in for at least the start of this series — it’s going to take a dramatic improvement from the purple and gold to make this a competitive series.

Predictably, when I fielded questions for the mailbag, all of them were about this upcoming series, ranging from how the Lakers close the gap and what the rotations are going to look like.

So, let’s dive in.


Walter Burns
What needs to improve more compared to the regular season blowouts against OKC: the defense or the offense?

Definitely the offense. The biggest takeaway from those two games in Oklahoma City was how much the Lakers’ offense was out of whack.

The Thunder feast off turnovers. At their worst, LA is prone to bad turnovers. We saw it often in the last series against the Rockets. If they commit those unforced errors against the Thunder, it’s curtains.

In multiple games, Houston used those turnovers to get back into the game, particularly in Games 1 and 2. Oklahoma City will use those turnovers to blow the game open.

Concerningly, Austin struggled mightily in those games, turning the ball over. He’s going to have to handle the ball a lot in this series. It’s going to be a huge ask considering it’s only going to be his third game back, but if the Lakers want to have any chance, they’re going to have to replicate their performance in Game 6 against Houston by being smart and taking care of the ball.

Because if you toss a lazy pass into the post, the Thunder are sprinting the other way for a huge dunk.

Walter Burns
Against the Thunders athletic bodies, should Jarred Vanderbilt get an increased role? I’m guessing Adou — what a dunk in game 6 — is not ready yet (and perhaps never will)?

I actually wonder how much Vando will play in this series. The Thunder do have athletic wings, but the issues, as always, are going to come on the other end. If the Lakers are going to have a center on the floor that isn’t a floor-spacer, then Vando is forced into one of the corners.

Oklahoma City is one of the best help defenses in the league. Adding a player on that end they don’t have to worry about only strengthens their defense.

It will allow them to either hide one of their centers in Isaiah Hartenstein or Chet Holmgren on Vando or it will allow them to have a player like Alex Caruso or Cason Wallace play free safety and ball hawk.

The old adage goes trust eight, play nine. I think the Lakers’ eight are going to be the starters — Austin, Marcus Smart, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton — along with Jaxson Hayes, Jake LaRavia and Luke Kennard. Vando is the ninth guy that’s going to have to earn some trust.

As for the Adou point, he’s still pretty far away. I know he’s a fun intriguing prospect and I’m very excited to see him in Summer League, but it seems unlikely he’s going to see the court. If things are really going haywire with Vando and the Lakers really need a body out there, maybe. But in that case, I still think they’d turn to even Bronny James before Adou.

scooter
During March there was a clear pecking order on offense: Luka as ball dominant PG; AR as off-guard who would relieve LD of ball burden at times; LBJ as 3rd option, cutting to the basket etc.

Now, for this series, assuming AR’s good health, does he take LD’s role as primary initiator, or will it be like the start of the season with the lead guys alternating?

I think Austin is going to be the lead ballhandler, but I also think LeBron is going to do a lot of playmaking this round, too.

While the Thunder have a bunch of athletic wings, they don’t have many players built to slow down LeBron. The Lakers have unlocked some things with him in the post and I think they can find ways to exploit that against a smaller OKC team.

Austin also isn’t going to have the legs to be as on-ball as he was earlier in the year. Not with so little time back and heading into a playoff series that’s going to be physically demanding.

It’s going to have to be a different dynamic than it was in March, certainly. No one is going to be as ball-dominant as Luka was, but it won’t be quite as egalitarian as it was early in the Rockets series either. Expect a lot lower usage for Marcus and Luke.

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CooptotheHoop
What I loved about Vogel was his willingness to go to the bench for matchups in the playoffs and start guys because it was the best basketball move. Ty Lue is where he is today because when his number was called to stop Iverson, he was ready. I don’t get that vibe from JJ but hope that I am wrong. Trying the same things we did during the regular season would real bad. We have to show them new looks and a lot of them. All that said, Smart and Ayton playing out of their minds would also solve a lot of our problems.

One of my favorite traits about the bubble Lakers was their adaptability. Whatever a series called for, they had the solution. It just required them to drop Game 1 to figure things out. But by Game 2, the staff and players knew what needed to be done.

Being concerned about Redick’s adaptability is fair. It’s going to hang over him for a while after playing five players in a second half of a playoff game.

But I think the Rockets series showed that he can adapt. Take Game 6, for example. The Lakers went from doubling Alperen Şengün to playing single coverage against him. It was a bold call and required big performances from Ayton and Hayes. But it was the right call as it stalled out the Rockets’ offense.

JJ is still a second-year coach. In the 2019-20 season, Vogel was in his ninth year as a head coach after eight years as an assistant. That’s a library of knowledge he had that Redick didn’t.

In my book, Redick wiped away a fair amount of concerns about his playoff performance with that Rockets series, where he coached laps around Ime Udoka, even if that’s not hard to do.

fluminense
How much money do you think that Bill Simmons, John Hollinger and others lost after betting that the Lakers would lose in the first round and the Celtics would advance to the second round of the NBA playoffs?

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

Jonah Heim to the Athletics

DENVER, CO - MAY 3: Jonah Heim #20 of the Atlanta Braves throws to first for an out in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 3, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Catcher Jonah Heim, who signed with the Atlanta Braves this offseason after being non-tendered by the Texas Rangers, was traded to the Athletics yesterday for cash considerations.

Heim went to camp with the Braves on a minor league deal, but with veteran Sean Murphy starting the year on the injured list, Heim was on the Opening Day roster for Atlanta as the backup to Drake Baldwin. Murphy was activated yesterday, so Heim was designated for assignment, and then promptly traded to the A’s.

Both Heim and Murphy, incidentally, originally debuted with Oakland. Murphy was a third round pick of the A’s and spent four seasons in the majors with them before being traded to the Braves in a weird three team deal that saw the A’s get an underwhelming package of five players highlighted by Esteury Ruiz. The Milwaukee Brewers, the third team in the deal, got catcher William Contreras from Atlanta.

Heim, meanwhile, was originally drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 2013, was traded to the Rays at the 2016 trade deadline, and then was sent to Oakland as the player to be named later in the Joey Wendle trade. Heim then was traded to Texas in February, 2021, as part of the Khris Davis/Elvis Andrus trade.

Heim is slashing .231/.311/.410 in 45 plate appearances so far this season, and is taking the active roster spot of Shea Langeliers, who has been placed on paternity leave. 35 year old veteran Austin Wynns has been backing up Langeliers this season, but has a 244 OPS in 39 plate appearances, and so Heim may ultimately end up replacing Wynns as the primary backup catcher.

How much are last-minute Sabres vs. Canadiens NHL playoff tickets?

New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change.

Buffalo Sabres star Alex Tuch (L) and Montreal Canadiens hero Juraj Slafkovský are meeting in the NHL playoffs.

Nineteen years.

That’s how long it’s been since the Buffalo Sabres won a playoff round. As fans may recall, their last win was way back in 2007 when they took down the Islanders and Rangers only to come up short against the Senators in the Conference Finals.

Now, nearly two decades later, Alex Tuch, Tage Thompson, Alex Lyon, Peyton Krebs and Bowen Byram gritted out a six-game Quarterfinal Round victory over the pesky Boston Bruins to advance to the Semifinals against Juraj Slafkovský’s Montreal Canadiens.

If you’d like to cheer on the Swords at the arena formerly known as “the Morgue,” you can snag tickets for all four hypothetical Eastern Conference Semifinal home games at Buffalo’s KeyBank Center on these dates:

Game 1Wednesday, May 6
7 p.m.

Game 2Friday, May 8
7 p.m.

Game 5Thursday, May 14
TBD

Game 7Monday, May 18
TBD

Based on our findings, last-minute tickets for games in Buffalo start at $312 including fees on SeatGeek at the time of publication.

Seats start at $440 including fees for Canadiens fans hoping to catch the series at their home Bell Centre in Montreal.

Prior to this series, the two clubs met four times over the 2025-26 season and each won two games apiece.

However, Buffalo and Montreal’s history (and rivalry) stretches back much further than this season. The once-dominant franchises crossed paths in the playoffs seven times from 1972-1998.

“Canadiens fans will be looking to get revenge for the last postseason meeting between these two clubs,” Sabre Noise wrote. “But history doesn’t quite seem on the Canadiens’ side this time…Buffalo is just too good and too inspired to let the Habs walk over them.”

This should be one for the ages- don’t miss this series live.

For more information, our team has everything you need to know and more about the Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens 2026 NHL Eastern Conference Semifinals round below.

Buffalo Sabres playoff home game tickets

A complete calendar including all announced Sabres Eastern Conference home game dates and the best prices on tickets can be found here:

Buffalo Sabres home game datesTicket prices
start at
Game 1
Wednesday, May 6
$312(including fees)
Game 2
Friday, May 8
$437(including fees)
Game 5
Thursday, May 14
$470(including fees)
Game 7
Monday, May 18
$560(including fees)

Montreal Canadiens playoff home game tickets

All Canadiens playoff home game dates and the cheapest tickets available can be found below.

Montreal Canadiens home game datesTicket prices
start at
Game 3
Sunday, May 10
$468(including fees)
Game 4
Tuesday, May 12
$440(including fees)
Game 6
Saturday, May 16
$582(including fees)

How to watch the Sabres and Canadiens on TV

Fans hoping to catch Ruf’s rowdy roster on the tube can watch all first-round playoff games on ABC, ESPN and TNT.

Just make sure to review your local listings before tuning in.

If you don’t have cable, your best bet may be DIRECTV.

2026 NHL playoff schedule

Want to keep tabs on how the postseason is shaking out?

Check out the NHL’s 2026 Playoff Bracket here.

Huge concerts at the KeyBank Center in 2026

Not sure what to do once the final buzzer sounds on the 2025-26 NHL season?

The KeyBank Center has you covered.

The vintage and unhinged arena has booked a number of exciting acts to entertain audiences all summer (and fall) long.

Here are just five of our favorites you won’t want to miss live.

• Journey (June 10)

• Bryan Adams (Aug. 14)

• Zac Brown Band (Nov. 5)

• Sombr (Nov. 14)

• Andrea Bocelli (Dec. 11)

Want to see who else is Buffalo-bound? Check out this list of all the upcoming events at the KeyBank Center (which includes the NHL Draft) to find the show for you.


Why you should trust ‘Post Wanted’ by the New York Post

This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.