HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 17: Bryan Abreu #52 of the Houston Astros pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the sixth inning at Daikin Park on April 17, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Astros fans, how are we feeling about Bryan Abreu after this past weekend?
It’s been a rocky start to the season for a pitcher who entered the year with sky-high expectations. Tasked with stepping into a more prominent late-inning role while ace reliever Josh Hader works his way back from injury, Abreu has struggled to find consistency. Instead of being the shutdown arm fans have come to trust, he has too often looked like a fire starter, unable to hold leads, keep runners off base, or slam the door when it matters most.
What’s made his early-season performance even more frustrating is how uncharacteristic it has been. Abreu has built a reputation as a dependable, high-leverage arm, but lately he’s been allowing too many baserunners, both via hits and walks, and, more often than not, those runners have come around to score. On top of all that, his velocity has been down a few miles per hour.
This weekend, however, offered a glimpse of hope.
Abreu delivered two innings of much-needed relief, including a strong eighth inning that resembled the pitcher Astros fans have grown accustomed to. But the ninth inning told a different story. What should have been a clean finish quickly turned into a nerve-wracking escape act. Whether you call it luck or skill, the ground-ball double play that ended the game and secured the save came at a moment when it felt like things were about to unravel once again.
If the outing had ended after the eighth, the takeaway would have been overwhelmingly positive. Instead, the ninth inning left room for continued concern. For now, it’s a reminder that while progress may be underway, trust still needs to be rebuilt.
The bigger picture for Houston only raises the stakes.
If both Abreu and Hader can return to form, it would provide a massive boost to a bullpen that has been overworked and underwhelming. The Astros’ pitching staff as a whole has struggled this season, and their issues with control, evident in a troubling rate of walks, have only compounded the problem. That’s put added pressure on a team whose offense ranks among the top in the American League, but can’t carry the load alone.
There are also financial implications looming. With Abreu approaching a contract year, his performance down the stretch could significantly impact his market value. The Astros, meanwhile, must be cautious about committing long-term money to relievers, a lesson learned the hard way in the past.
Still, there were encouraging signs in his outing against Boston. His velocity ticked up slightly after being down for much of the season, and his slider showed improved location, key factors in limiting hard contact and keeping the ball in the park.
For now, Astros fans will take any step forward they can get. A save is a save, and a win is a win. But until Abreu strings together consistent, clean outings in high-leverage situations, questions about his role, and the bullpen as a whole, will continue to linger.
SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 20: Carson Roccaforte #3 of the Kansas City Royals bats during the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
This Week in the Minors is our weekly look at notable performances from all over the system, from big-name prospects and less-heralded guys alike. The mission is to answer this simple question: “Who had a good week?”
Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers (14-18, 7.5 games back)
It was another rough week for the Storm Chasers; they lost 4 of 6 at home to the Louisville Bats. We will start on the mound, Stephen Kolek went 4.1 innings, allowing 8 hits, 3 runs, 1 of those being earned, while striking out 4. Kolek is going to start the game tonight for Noah Cameron, who has lower back tightness. In total on his rehab assignments, Kolek made 4 starts, totaling 16.1 innings, giving up 19 hits, 7 runs, 5 earned, walking 4 and striking out 14.
Bailey Falter gave up a run in 2.1 innings. Steven Cruz continues to struggle; he gave up five runs in 3 innings. Helcris Olivarez and Ethan Bosacker each had multiple scoreless appearances.
Carlos Estevez is expected to begin his rehab assignment with the club tomorrow, so that’ll be something to monitor.
At the dish, John Rave was 8—for-23 with a pair of homers. Abraham Toro was 6-for-21 with a pair of homers. Luke Maile, who just got transferred to Omaha was 1-9 at the plate. Luca Tresh however was 10-for-20 with a homer, four doubles and nine runs batted in. Tresh is a 26-year-old catcher who the Royals drafted in the 17th round in 2021.
The Storm Chasers hit the road to take on the Indianapolis Indians. The series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
The Naturals had a great week, taking 5 of 6 from the Springfield Cardinals. At the plate, Carson Roccaforte was 7-for-21 with a homer. On the season, Roccaforte is hitting .260, with 6 homers and 8 stolen bases. Local product Spencer Nivens out of Columbia, Missouri and Missouri State in 2023 went 4-for-11 at the plate. Nivens just returned from the IL after beginning the season on there. He is someone to keep an eye on.
On the mound, Drew Beam threw 6 innings of 2 hit ball, allowing just 1 run. It’s the second straight good start in Double-A for Beam, who got the early season promotion, and then struggled to find his footing. Henry Williams threw 6 innings of 2 run ball on 6 hits in his one start. Felix Arronde, a 23-year-old out of Cuba threw 5 hitless innings in his start. Arronde has steadily worked his way through the system, and is in his first year in Double-A.
The Naturals are on the road in Frisco; the series runs from Tuesday to Sunday.
After going 8-4 during our homestand and taking 5 of 6 games from Springfield, it's time to look back at our @ArkBlueCross Play of the Series.
Here's Carson Roccaforte's team-leading 6th HR — a two-run shot — from Friday, May 1 that helped propel the Nats to a 7-5 win. #GoNatspic.twitter.com/X1bIZq0OX8
— Northwest Arkansas Naturals (@nwanaturals) May 4, 2026
Here are the Naturals players of the month for April.
The River Bandits won 4 of 6 from the Timber Rattlers. On the mound, David Shields threw 5 scoreless innings, allowing just 2 hits, while striking out 6. The 19-year-old lefty continues to impress. Kamden Edge threw 2.1 scoreless innings, lowering his season ERA to 2.53 over 10.2 innings of work. Edge is a 21-year-old righty out of Northern Oklahoma JC. Edge was drafted by the Royals in the 20th round last season.
At the plate, Blake Mitchell was 5-for-16 at the plate with a homer, he also struck out 6 times but walked 1o times in the series. Mitchell continues to have a fascinating season, with three true outcomes, homer, walk or strikeout. Austin Charles continues to have a fantastic season. The 22-year-old shortstop is hitting .364 on the season with three homers and 8 stolen bases. Charles was 7-22 in the series.
The River Bandits are home this week for Cedar Rapids. The series starts Tuesday and runs through Sunday.
— Quad Cities River Bandits (@QCRiverBandits) May 4, 2026
Columbia Fireflies (13-14, 4 games back)
The Fireflies dropped 4 of 6 to the Pelicans in Myrtle Beach. At the plate, Josh Hammond was 5-22 with 3 doubles. The 19-year-old is hitting .298 on the season, with 2 homers and 5 stolen bases. Roni Cabrera was 4-for-17, and is hitting .261 on the season. The Fireflies have a good batch of talented hitters, but former first-round pick Sean Gamble has yet to get going.
On the bump, Kendry Chourio made another start, after some concern from him not making an appearance last week. He went 3.2 innings allowing 1 run on 3 hits, while striking out 4. Chourio’s season ERA is now at 1.65 through 16.1 innings. Jordan Woods is off to a great start. The 22-year-old lefty from Canada has a 2.25 ERA through 20 innings, while striking out 29 batters. He has made a couple starts and came out of the bullpen, even getting a save. He has been the Swiss army knife of the pitching staff.
The Fireflies are on the road this week to take on the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, the series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
It’s a loaded slate of baseball with all 30 teams hitting the field Tuesday, May 5, and I’ve got a trio of NRFI/YRFI bets to cover you throughout the night.
My favorite MLB picks begin with the Baltimore Orioles-Miami Marlins bout in the early window and wrap up with tonight’s matchup between the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Angels.
Best NRFI/YRFI bets today
Pick
Odds
/ - NRFI
-107
/ - NRFI
-103
/ - NRFI
-102
Orioles at Marlins: NRFI (-107)
Baltimore Orioles veteran Chris Bassitt has spun a blemish-free opening inning in three of his past four starts, and he’s coming off a strong outing with just a single run allowed and seven strikeouts across 6 2/3 frames. He’s catching the Miami Marlins at the right time, too. They’ve posted a 28th-ranked wOBA while striking out at the third-highest clip in baseball and averaging just 2.8 runs per game during a 3-6 slump.
Turning to Miami righty Sandy Alcantara, he has pitched a scoreless first inning in six of his seven starts, and the Orioles are tied for last in the majors in percentage of games with a run in the opening frame.
We’re also landing an excellent number because the Nationals have scored in the first inning at the third-highest clip in the league while sporting an unsustainably high .388 BABIP, so statistical correction is set to kick in.
Time: 6:45 p.m. ET
Where to watch: NATS, MNNT
White Sox at Angels: NRFI (-102)
Chicago White Sox starter Erick Fedde has held opposing hitters to a minuscule .385 OPS in the opening frame and pitched a scoreless first in three of his four starts, including last time out against the Los Angeles Angels.
Los Angeles counters with lefty Sam Aldegheri, and he’ll have the benefit of the Chicago lineup seeing him for the first time. So, while Aldegheri’s MLB and Triple A numbers are nothing to write home about, the Pale Hose sport a .231 batting average in the first frame and score in the first inning at a league-average rate of just 28.57%.
Time: 9:38 p.m. ET
Where to watch: ABTV, CHSN
Neil Parker's 2026 Transparency Record
NRFI/YRFI picks: 6-7, -1.37 units
What is a NRFI bet?
NRFI (No Run First Inning) and YRFI (Yes Run First Inning) bets add a thrilling twist to the start of an MLB game. A NRFI bet is a wager that no runs will be scored in the first inning. You're betting that the starting pitchers for both teams will get through the first inning without allowing any runs, whether by striking out batters, inducing ground balls, or through solid defensive play.
A YRFI bet is the exact opposite. You're betting that at least one run will be scored in the first inning. In this case, you’re hoping for an early offensive burst such as a leadoff walk, a timely hit, or even a home run.
NRFI and YRFI bets add excitement to the early part of a game and offer immediate gratification for bettors looking for a quick resolution.
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.
The Thunder remain perfect in first-round action, pushing their record to 12-0 after a commanding sweep of the Phoenix Suns. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued to shine for the Thunder with his elite scoring, while Chet Holmgren anchored the defense and contributed clutch plays. Oklahoma City’s first-round dominant run also secured a valuable rest period ahead of the matchup with the Lakers.
The Lakers advanced to the second round after a 4-2 series victory over the Houston Rockets. With Luka Doncic sidelined by a Grade 2 hamstring strain, LeBron James continued to show up for the Lakers, including a standout performance in Game 6 with 28 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Austin Reaves, returning from an oblique injury, also made a major impact, providing crucial offensive contributions when the Lakers needed them most. This marks Los Angeles’s first trip to the second round since 2023, and the team remains optimistic that Doncic could rejoin the lineup if their postseason run continues.
Justin Martinez writes: "Just look at how the regular-season meetings between OKC and Los Angeles went. The Thunder is clearly better, and the Lakers have even less of a chance of making this a competitive series with Dončić's availability up in the air. In my eyes, OKC gets the clean sweep in this matchup breakdown."
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - MAY 31: Arkansas Razorbacks catcher Ryder Helfrick (27) makes a throw to second base during the NCAA Division I Regional baseball game between the Creighton Blue Jays and Arkansas Razorbacks on May 31, 2025, at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Andy Altenburger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
I would be quite surprised if the Washington Nationals do not have a heavy scouting presence in Fayetteville, Arkansas right now. There are two Arkansas Razorbacks players that could be in play for the Nats with their 11th pick in this upcoming draft. Those would be pitcher Hunter Dietz and catcher Ryder Helfrick.
The pair has arguably been the best battery in the SEC, and both are jumping up draft boards this season. They have both been big time performers in the SEC, and both play positions that the Nats need badly. I am going to breakdown their skills, and talk about which one would be a better fit for the Nats.
Let’s start with Helfrick. If you have watched any Nats games this season, you would know that the catching position has been a problem. Keibert Ruiz and Drew Millas have both been total liabilities at the plate. The Nats traded for Harry Ford, but he has been awful in Triple-A this year. It is clear that the Nats still need to be searching for their catcher of the future.
The best catcher in this draft is Vahn Lackey out of Georgia Tech, but he is going to be a top 5 pick. That leaves Helfrick as the consolation prize. He is a very good prospect in his own right, ranking 10th on the Baseball America board and 16th on the MLB Pipeline board. His biggest strengths are his massive power and good defensive chops.
Helfrick has plus raw power and has 33 home runs in 140 career college games. His OPS has been over 1.000 in each of the past two seasons. However, there are some question marks about his hit tool. He does not project to hit for a great average, but the offensive bar for a catcher is not that high.
A good offensive comparison may be pre-2025 Cal Raleigh. That version of Raleigh hit around .220 with 25-30 homers. He was not an MVP candidate, but he was still one of the best catchers in baseball. That could be what we see from Helfrick. It is worth noting that Helfrick has lowered his strikeout percentage every year he has been in college, and is only striking out 17.5% of the time this year.
Kiley McDaniel of ESPN mocked Helfrick to the Nats, noting that the Razorbacks catcher has improved his contact rates significantly. Helfrick fits a need and is in the 11th overall pick range on talent. It just feels like a natural fit, and one we will hear about a lot as we approach the draft.
While Helfrick is a pretty easy prospect to analyze, his teammate Hunter Dietz is more polarizing. You can see how controversial he is based on his range. MLB Pipeline ranks him at 18th, while Baseball America has him all the way at 55th.
Personally, I think BA is way off on this one. Dietz is a massive left handed pitcher who throws in the mid to upper 90’s, while featuring several potentially plus breaking balls. He is not some massive projection either, posting a 3.43 ERA with 101 strikeouts in 65.2 innings in the SEC. Dietz was the first SEC pitcher to reach 100 strikeouts on the season.
Hunter Dietz becomes the first SEC hurler to hit the 100-strikeout plateau in 2026 🔥
This feels like a clear first round profile, so I am not sure what BA is missing here. Dietz did deal with injury issues before this season, and only threw 12.1 innings his first two years of college. However, injuries are just part of the game with pitchers these days. He was also a highly touted high school prospect, so it is not like this has come out of nowhere.
Over the past few years, Paul Toboni’s former club, the Red Sox, have loved a couple things. They really like SEC pitchers and big lefties. Dietz fits both of those categories, which could make him a fit for a front office with so many ties to the Red Sox. Last year, the Red Sox took SEC pitchers with three of their first four picks.
There is some cool video of Dietz throwing to Helfrick in a start against Alabama. Dietz was 95-97 and held the velocity into the 7th inning. Right now, it feels like Dietz could be a slight reach, but if he continues to dominate down the stretch and in post season play, he could fit squarely into the Nats range.
LHP Hunter Dietz (@RazorbackBSB) K'd 9 over 6 IP & FB sat 95-97. Real FB traits w/ ride up to 22" from 7" ft rel ht. Really got rolling as outing went, still had 97 100+ pitches in. Tight CT at 85-87 & CB up to ~2900 RPM, 4-pitch mix. Phys 6'6"/235, big time upside. R-Soph./'26… pic.twitter.com/nIoiNEHyyJ
If he has not already, I would advise Paul Toboni to take a trip down to Arkansas. That is where you can find two of the most exciting prospects in the 2026 MLB Draft that fit the Nats range in the draft and positions of need. Hunter Dietz and Ryder Helfrick are two names Nationals fans need to be monitoring.
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The Chicago Blackhawks wanted to give Connor Bedard a handful of experienced veterans to play with when they selected him first overall in 2023. One of those players was Taylor Hall, who had an accomplished career up to that point.
Hall was coming off a couple of strong years with the Boston Bruins, including their 65-win, record-breaking season. He was a middle-six forward on that team, but he has a Hart Trophy on his mantle from his time with the New Jersey Devils.
Throughout his career, Hall has also dealt with some injuries. When he first arrived in Chicago, he sustained his worst one to date just 10 games into the 2023-24 season. That kept him out for the rest of that season, and he still wasn’t 100 percent right when he returned the following year.
During the 2024-25 season, Hall was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in a package that involved Mikko Rantanen. This move potentially saved his career. His 9 goals and 9 assists for 18 points in 31 games to end that season with Carolina didn’t exactly light the world on fire, but it was better than the pace he was on with Chicago (9 goals, 15 assists, 24 points in 46 games).
By the time Hall got to the 2025-26 season, he was healthy and ready to go. He also had a full training camp in Rod Brind’Amour’s system, which takes time to get used to. His great skating, even at the age of 34, is perfect for that man-on-man style that they play.
During the regular season, Hall was a great middle-six forward once again. He is no longer the former number one overall pick/Hart Trophy caliber player, but his 18 goals and 30 assists for 48 points in 80 games were just what the Hurricanes needed from him.
In the postseason, Hall has been better than serviceable. He has simply been one of Carolina’s best players. Skating on a line with Jackson Blake and Logan Stankoven, they are the biggest reason that they haven’t lost a game yet (6-0).
Entering Game 2 of their second-round series against the Philadelphia Flyers, Hall had 2 goals and 6 assists for 8 points in the five games. As a secondary scorer at this stage of his career, that’s excellent production at the most important time of year.
After going down 2-0 to the Flyers in Game 2, the Hurricanes came all the way back to tie it, and they needed a hero in overtime. Taylor Hall became that hero when he beat Dan Vladar at 18:54 of the first OT period. His first career overtime goal in the playoffs put his team within two wins of another conference final appearance.
"It was a gritty goal," Hall said. "I didn't do a very good job of attacking tonight. I got that puck, and I wanted to get to the middle of the ice as much as I could. I got a shot off, got the rebound, that was an overtime goal for sure."
Going first overall and winning the Hart Trophy are Hall’s best hockey moments, but he hasn’t scored a goal like this in the NHL until now. This is a well-deserved opportunity for a guy who has had plenty of ups and downs through his career to date.
Late in regulation, the Hurricanes were fighting to get the game to overtime after tying it up. Hall was on the ice, and he was asked about the big play he made to block Noah Cates from possibly setting up the game-winner with seconds remaining.
"I might have over-back-checked on that and come too deep in my zone," Hall said. "As soon as he got the puck, I just wanted to challenge him. I kind of went rogue hockey goalie there for a second. Anyone on our team is going to sell out to try and block that if the situation comes. It was my turn."
Hall's offense has been a staple ever since he came into the league. To be a winner in the NHL, however, you must do what it takes in every situation. For Hall, he did that in all three zones in Game 2.
The Blackhawks did Hall a big favor not only by trading him away from yet another losing situation in his career, but also by getting him to a team like Carolina that will get the most out of his abilities at his age.
Carolina's 2-0 edge in the series is headed to Philadelphia, where the fans there will see it as "far from over". If they can get through, they will play the winner of the Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference Final.
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As the NHL’s second round gets off and running, don’t overlook the OHL finals, which will feature a couple of prospects who could be parts of the Islanders’ future.
Meanwhile, post-season post-mortems continue in Canada’s top self-loathing hockey capitals.
Islanders News
In a reflective Islanders Anxiety episode, Dan and Mike ponder missed opportunities and see the Oilers with Connor McDavid as a cautionary tale. [LHH]
Prospect Report: We’ve got an OHL finals clash with Luca Romano and Kashawn Aitcheson after Aitcheson’s Barrie Colts completed a comeback from a 3-1 series deficit. [Isles | OHL]
R.I.P. John Sterling, a broadcasting legend and the ‘70s voice of the Isles. [Isles]
Ryan Bowness has been heavy in the running for the Canucks GM gig. [THN]
Reminder that the NHL Draft Lottery is Tuesday night. [NHL]
The Oilers’ stars say the whole franchise needs to be better. [Sportsnet] Spector…interprets. [Sportsnet]
Not instilling any confidence, GM Stan Bowman said “we have to evaluate that” about the goaltending. “Looking for improvement for sure.” [Sportsnet]
Justin Bourne takes a “maybe it won’t be so bad” look at the Leafs hiring John Chayka as GM. [Sportsnet]
But they are putting Mats Sundin front and center as a face of the franchise. [NHL]
There’s gotta be some bad blood out there about Chayka, as the league already had to check into (and clear him of) complaints of tampering with other teams’ front-office personnel. [Sportsnet]
Unconvincing former Senators GM Pierre Dorion has interviewed for the opening in Vancouver. (Also on the list, as noted above: Ryan Bowness of the Isles.) [Sportsnet]
Playoff injuries: Connor McDavid played through a broken bone in his foot, and Roope Hintz never appeared for Dallas due to a double tear in his hamstring. [Sportsnet]
Victor Hedman’s absence was to tend to mental health. [Sportsnet]
We’re back at it with another full slate across the big leagues tonight. My MLB player props will highlight the efforts of Cristopher Sanchez, Jacob deGrom, and Drake Baldwin.
Cristopher Sanchez has been a bright spot in the Philadelphia Phillies’ disappointing season. He’s gone 2-2 with a 2.91 ERA, striking out 50 batters in just 40 1/3 innings. The lefty has serious swing-and-miss stuff, and he’s cashed the Over in Ks in three of his last four appearances.
Sanchez will face the Athletics tonight, who are 19th in strikeouts. The southpaw has 40 Ks in 30 innings at Citizens Bank Park, and he struck out seven last time out against the Giants at home.
Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: NBC Sports California, NBC Sports Philadelphia
Jacob deGrom Under 2.5 earned runs
Jacob deGrom will have a tough task today as he faces the New York Yankees, but that won’t bother the veteran. After all, he just held the Bronx Bombers to one earned run across six frames in his most recent start. In fact, the Texas Rangers ace has hit the Under in earned runs allowed in five consecutive outings.
On the season, deGrom owns a stellar 2.01 ERA, and he has a 2.45 ERA on the road in three starts. The veteran has held this Yankees lineup to a .176 average across 85 at-bats, and Aaron Judge is barely hitting .200 against him, and none of the Yankees' main stars has had any success against deGrom. He’ll deal.
Time: 7:05 p.m. ET
Where to watch: RSN, YES
Drake Baldwin Over 0.5 runs
Drake Baldwin may not be a household name, but he’s sure making people know him very quickly. The catcher leads the big leagues with 46 hits and 33 runs scored. The 25-year-old has come across the plate in three straight contests.
He’s smacked six hits during that span, and the Atlanta Braves are the best team with RISP, batting .275. When he gets on base, it’s become a common theme for Baldwin to touch home plate.
Expect Baldwin to play his part tonight in generating offense, especially as Seattle Mariners starter George Kirby, while effective, has struggled to generate whiffs with his 19.1% strikeout rate.
Time: 9:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: BravesVSN, Mariners.TV
Quinn Allen's 2026 Transparency Record
Prop picks: 13-24, +1.41 units
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.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 04: Jackson Merrill #3 of the San Diego Padres trots around the bases after hitting a solo home run against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the first inning at Oracle Park on May 04, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jackson Merrill hit a first-inning solo home run to put the San Diego Padres ahead of the San Francisco Giants, 1-0 but that was all the offensive excitement the Padres could muster for much of the game. Randy Vasquez started on the mound for San Diego and continued to be effective. However, with an offense that seems to have largely disappeared, the three runs allowed by Vasquez and Luis Arraez, proved to be too much for the Padres to overcome. San Diego dropped the series opener to San Francisco, 3-2. Arraez was the offensive leader for the Giants with two doubles and two runs scored. Merrill was the only offense for the Padres until the top of the ninth inning. He finished the night 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. Ramon Laureano hit a solo home run to lead off the top of the ninth inning to make the score, 3-2 but Fernando Tatis struck out for the third time in the game, Merrill grounded out and Manny Machado struck out on a check swing the end the game. Merrill and Laureano combined for three hits, which were the only hits in the game for San Diego. The Padres did not draw a walk and had 10 strikeouts in the game. San Diego will try to bounce back with a win in the second game of the series at 6:45 p.m.
Padres News:
It’s always hard to say goodbye, but Thomas Conroy of Gaslamp Ball thinks that is exactly what the Padres should do with Nick Castellanos. The veteran was brought in to slug, but he has not been able to get going offensively and San Diego may not have time to wait.
The Padres salvaged their series against the Chicago White Sox with a win in the final game at Petco Park. Griffin Canning started the game and although he did not get a decision, his performance was one of the highlights of the week according to Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball.
The Padres added Canning to their rotation on Sunday and Luca Giolito continues to build up in the minors before coming to the big-league team. AJ Cassavell of Padres.com believes they can and should do more.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MAY 04: Carter Jensen #22 of the Kansas City Royals signals he was safe after scoring as Tanner Bibee #28 of the Cleveland Guardians gestures in the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium on May 04, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Yesterday’s first game in Kansas City was… not good.
Tanner Bibee had a horrible inning. Matt Festa gave up a bomb. Travis Bazzana and Brayan Rocchio had bad errors. And José Ramírez is still mired in an early season funk. If the top of your lineup goes 2-24 and those two hits are singles, you’re probably gonna lose.
The Guardians will now face lefties Noah Cameron and Cole Ragans, both of whom have been struggling, to see if they can cool off the Royals who have won 8 of 10.
Tarik Skubal of the Tigers has loose bodies in his elbow and so looks likely for an August return from surgery at best. The Royals and Guardians will look to get some momentum going in that intervening time. But, every baseball fan knows that “there but for the grace of the baseball gods go we” when it comes to pitching injuries.
Gavin Williams will try to do the ace thing and snap the Guardians two-game losing streak tonight
AROUND MLB:
The White Sox beat the Angels and the Tigers lost to the Red Sox.
May 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks Head Coach Mike Brown talks to center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the first quarter of game one of the eastern conference semifinal round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The New York Knicks crushed the Philadelphia 76ers 137-98 in Game One of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Building a big lead early, they led by 23 at halftime and then cruised, with all starters resting in the fourth quarter. Jalen Brunson poured in 27 of his 35 points in the first half, while Tyrese Maxey didn’t score his first bucket until a few minutes into the second period.
The win extends New York’s strong postseason momentum from their First Round series with the Hawks and gives them a chance to go up 2-0 at home on Wednesday. In a powerhouse performance, the whole team earned an A+. Here are their individual marks.
Brunson was unstoppable from the jump, exploding for 27 points in the first half alone to set an aggressive tone and help build a commanding lead. He dictated the pace with elite ball-handling, repeatedly attacked mismatches, knocked down tough mid-range jumpers and floaters, and remained efficient even as the game turned into a rout. Defensively, he added two steals and set a tenacious tenor for the team, refusing to let Philadelphia build any steam. O Captain! My Captain!
Towns was highly effective in limited minutes, showcasing excellent spacing with three made treys while battling Joel Embiid in the paint. He was a playmaking hub with six assists, grabbed important rebounds on both ends, and was a steady presence in the paint. Though he picked up four fouls and had some turnovers, his efficiency and all-around impact helped the Knicks pull away comfortably. Totally made Embiid look overpaid.
Anunoby delivered a classic two-way masterclass. On defense, he locked down Philly’s perimeter threats and disrupted passing lanes; offensively, he was surgical with near-perfect shooting and ferocious in attacking his opportunities in the lane. His athleticism in transition and +22 plus-minus highlighted his massive impact in the blowout. Sometimes OG simply looks like an apex predator among a frantic herd of scattering sheep.
Bridges continued his seamless fit with the Knicks, providing efficient two-way production. He scored in a variety of ways (slashing, spotting up, and creating off the dribble) while adding five assists and strong perimeter defense (including tormenting stints on Maxey). His unflappable shot-making was key to multiple Knicks scoring stretches. This is the Bridges we like! This is the Bridges we need!
Hart provided his customary high motor with relentless energy on both ends. He loaded the stat sheet with eight rebounds, six assists, and three steals, excelling at connectivity and hustle. His defensive stops and rebounding sparked several fast breaks and second-chance opportunities that powered the Knicks’ first-half surge. Note that despite playing some of the toughest defense of his career this postseason, Josh committed just one foul last night. Are you not impressed? And by keeping his minutes low, Josh should have fresh legs for Game Two.
Robinson provided rim protection and rebounding in his limited stint before sitting with foul trouble (he picked up four fouls while battling Embiid). He finished an alley-oop dunk efficiently on offense but Philly’s Nick Nurse targeted him with hack-a-Mitch, and the strategy worked because Mitch whiffed on four attempts. Overall, his defensive anchor role was still felt in the paint during his limited time in the blowout win. It’s a bummer about the fouls and the free throws, though.
Hukporti was thrust into meaningful action early due to Robinson’s quick foul trouble against Embiid. The young center held his own in the paint, grabbing a game-high 9 rebounds (including key offensive boards) and providing solid rim presence and hustle. He finished efficiently with a layup and free throw, and his +22 plus-minus reflected the blowout. He saw extended garbage-time minutes as the Knicks pulled away comfortably. We saw glimpses of good Huk and bad Huk throughout the season. Oh baby, this was definitely the good version. Remember: 58th pick!
Deuce delivered reliable bench scoring and perimeter spacing, knocking down two threes (including a corner three off a Brunson assist early) that helped New York to build some separation on the scoreboard. He provided solid perimeter defense and helped maintain the Knicks’ momentum during bench stretches and garbage time, contributing to the dominant victory with efficient shot-making and positive energy.
Clarkson saw bench minutes in the blowout and provided a bit of spark with a nice floating jumper off an OG Anunoby assist. However, he struggled with ball security (four turnovers) in his limited role. He added a steal and a couple of rebounds but was quiet otherwise and made little impact as the Knicks cruised to victory.
Grade: B–
Bench / Rotation Notes
The Knicks’ bench was outstanding. They seamlessly maintained and extended the massive lead while the starters rested throughout the fourth quarter. Besides Hukporti and Deuce, Tyler Kolek chipped in eight points and four assists, while Jose Alvarado, Landry Shamet, Pacome Dadiet, and Mohamed Diawara all delivered positive minutes. Overall, New York’s depth overwhelmed Philadelphia’s bench, dominating in energy, shooting, and second-chance opportunities to turn the game into a rout early. Depth was a factor in the Game One victory, for sure.
Grade: B
Coach Mike Brown
Brown had his team ready for a high-stakes playoff opener and orchestrated one of the most dominant performances of the young postseason. The Knicks came out aggressive on both ends, built a massive first-half lead, and executed an efficient, motion-based offense that generated high-quality shots all night. He effectively managed rotations, especially after Mitchell Robinson got into early foul trouble, and wisely gave Ariel Hukporti meaningful minutes that paid off. The bench was fresh and productive in the second half, allowing the starters to rest in the fourth quarter of a 39-point blowout. After a few shaky moments early in the Atlanta series, Mike has regained our confidence.
Grade: A
The Knicks are locked in, but you know Philly will come back with a big counterpunch in Game Two on Wednesday. Can’t wait. Go Knicks!
In the final seconds of Saturday night’s Game 7 between the Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden, as the C’s watched their comeback bid fall short, Philly fans who made the trip to Boston broke out in a gleeful chant.
“We want Boston! We want Boston!”
In the past, such bold declarations were ill-advised. But in recent postseasons, visiting teams and their fans have enjoyed a lot more of their stays in Boston.
Exhibit A: In the 2026 playoffs, the Celtics and Bruins went a combined 1-6 at the Garden.
The Celtics routed the Sixers in Game 1 at home, then lost three consecutive games in their own building (Game 2, Game 5 and Game 7) en route to a stunning first-round collapse.
The Bruins, meanwhile, went 0-3 on home ice in their first-round matchup with the Sabres, with Buffalo outscoring Boston 13-3 at TD Garden to earn a six-game series win.
Unfortunately for Boston fans, the 2026 postseason wasn’t an aberration, but rather the continuation of a concerning trend.
Let’s get to the numbers for both teams:
It wasn’t always this way…
Boston used to be a house of horrors for NBA teams in the playoffs. From 1980 to 1992, the Larry Bird/Kevin McHale/Robert Parish Celtics went 72-21 in postseason games at the old Boston Garden for a winning percentage of .774. In 1986, they went a perfect 10-0 at the Garden en route to a championship.
The “Big Three” of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen found similar success at TD Garden, winning 72.3 percent of their home playoff games (34-13) between 2008 and 2013 and going 13-1 at home during their 2008 title run.
This current Celtics club? Since the 2016-17 season — Jaylen Brown’s first with the team — that winning percentage has dipped more than 10 percent, with Boston winning 62.9 percent of its home playoff games (44-26) in that span.
That percentage was lifted by the 2018 postseason, when Brown and Jayson Tatum helped an upstart Celtics team win its first 10 home playoff games before falling to LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers at home in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
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Celtics’ recent home struggles
The Celtics have had plenty of success over the last five postseasons, with one NBA title, two trips to the NBA Finals and three Eastern Conference Finals appearances in that span.
They’ve also done a surprising amount of losing at TD Garden.
Since 2022, the C’s are a pedestrian 25-19 (.568 winning percentage) in home playoff games, and that includes a 9-2 mark at home during their 2024 title run.
In the 2022 NBA Finals, Boston lost twice to the Golden State Warriors at TD Garden, including a decisive Game 6 that ended with Stephen Curry and Co. celebrating a championship on the parquet.
In the 2023 East Finals, the Celtics lost Game 1 and Game 2 to the Miami Heat on their own floor, then rallied back from a 3-0 series deficit — only to lose Game 7 at home by 19 points.
History repeated itself against the New York Knicks in 2025, as Boston dropped the first two games of the second round at home before eventually falling in six games.
This past week, the Celtics lost consecutive home playoff games for the third time in four years, losing two potential closeout games at TD Garden (Game 5 and 7) while allowing the Sixers to rally from a 3-1 series deficit.
Setting aside that 2024 championship run, the Celtics are a brutal 16-17 at home in the other four most recent postseasons.
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Bruins’ recent home struggles
If you thought the Celtics were bad at home in the playoffs … their winter season counterparts are even worse.
In 2022, the Bruins pushed the Carolina Hurricanes to seven games in their first-round series by winning all three games at home before losing Game 7 on the road.
Since then, Boston is a mind-boggling 3-10 in playoff games at TD Garden.
In 2023, the Bruins entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the East but bowed out to the Florida Panthers in Round 1 after dropping Games 2, 5 and 7 on home ice.
In 2024, they gave two games to the Toronto Maple Leafs at TD Garden in the first round (Games 2 and 5) before rallying to win Game 7 at home. But their home struggles did them in vs. the Panthers in Round 2, as they lost all three home games in the series (Games 3, 4 and 6) to end their season.
After missing the playoffs in 2025, the Bruins also lost all three of their home games this postseason … which means they’ve lost six home playoff gamesin a row.
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Putting it all together
In fairness to the Celtics and Bruins, winning at home has gotten progressively harder across the board in both sports.
Improvements in travel and sports medicine have made it less taxing for teams to play on the road, and the numbers bear that out: NBA teams have won just 58.4 percent of their home playoff games since 2021, while NHL teams have won 65.2 percent of home playoff games in that span.
Still, Celtics and Bruins are both below those league averages, combining to win just over half of their playoff games (31-29 record, 51.7 percent) over the last five seasons.
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There’s another side to this story, of course: The Celtics and Bruins both have fared relatively well on the road in recent postseasons, with the C’s in particular parlaying their success away from TD Garden into deep playoff runs.
But for a Boston fanbase that expects its teams to compete for championships on an annual basis, losing nearly half of your playoff games at home isn’t going to cut it.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman revealed Tuesday that his absence in the final weeks of the season was caused by a need to address his mental health.
Hedman, in a statement released by the Lightning, did not provide specifics about what he has been dealing with. He didn't play in Tampa Bay's final 22 games of the season, including the seven playoff matchups in a first-round loss to the Montreal Canadiens.
Hedman, 35, had been around the team in recent weeks, even taking part in some skates. But the defenseman's last game was in mid-March.
“Over the past couple of months, I made the decision to step away and focus on my mental health,” Hedman said. "It was not an easy decision, but it was the right one.
“I’ve always believed that being a leader means doing what’s best for the team. In this case, it also meant doing what was necessary to take care of myself, so I can be the best player, teammate, husband and father I expect to be.”
Hedman missed significant time earlier in the season with an elbow injury that required surgery in December. He returned before the Olympics and played for Sweden until tweaking something in pregame warmups before the quarterfinal against the U.S., which kept him from participating.
He told reporters at Tampa Bay's exit-interview day that he leaned on best friend and former Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, as well as Ottawa goaltender Linus Ullmark, who also spent time away from the Senators to address his mental health.
He played in only 33 games this season, by far the fewest of his career, because of the injury and this subsequent absence.
Hedman thanked his teammates, the Lightning organization, his family and his therapist for their support and said he’s “in a much better place today.”
“This is something that exists in our game more than people see,” Hedman said. “If this moment helps make it easier for others to take care of themselves when they need to, that matters.”
Apr 29, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Ildemaro Vargas (6) celebrates in the dugout after Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado’s (28) (not pictured) home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the fifth inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
Vargas, who just saw his 27-game hitting streak end over the weekend, has been on a tear this season.
Over 22 games in April, Vargas slashed .372/.393/.663 with a 1.056 OPS. He recorded 32 hits (five home runs), 19 RBIs and three walks to 11 strikeouts. He was easily one of Arizona’s biggest standouts a month into the season.
Keeping Santana in the minor league system is not an option for Arizona at this stage of his career. He is obviously out of options at age 40, and he’s not going to be a player the team is quick to DFA based on an eight-game sample size, either. His defense and veteran presence in the clubhouse are both valuable, as much as fans or observers may not be able to tangibly measure that type of impact.
Santana will get playing time when he’s healthy, and that reality is inevitable. Ultimately, Santana playing and hitting well would benefit the D-backs, but the cost of reducing two other productive players’ playing time may not be worth the offensive production Santana can still provide.
Frontloading an inning or two from a relief pitcher before allowing the starter to throw bulk frames could allow the D-backs to get their starter past the fifth or sixth inning more frequently, and could, in theory, allow the offense to get set up with an initial lead.
Because for as comeback-reliant as Arizona has been in recent seasons, it’s still no easy task to string together patient, thorough at-bats when staring down a multi-run deficit.
Granted, utilizing an opener is not necessarily an effective method when it comes to avoiding excessive bullpen taxation, but it might lead to better in-game situations and set up the offense with more favorable scores.
“Seeing that tribute hit home, because he loved the Yankees – he loved this team, he loved this franchise, he loved the fans,” Judge said. “To do that there in the first, I was chuckling around the bases, thinking about what he was probably saying.”
Michael Kay and Suzyn Waldman laid bouquets across home plate before first pitch as both teams observed a moment of silence for Sterling, who passed away on Monday at 87.
After the final out, a recording of Sterling’s signature “Yankees win, theeee Yankees win!” call was played. Judge said he hopes to see that continue as a permanent stadium tradition.
“If you look at all of the great players, they tend to lean out over time,” Angels general manager Perry Minasian said. “Freddie Freeman, David Ortiz, a lot of guys.”
Trout changed his workout program, an adjustment that has carried into the 2026 regular season. In the past, he would do an upper-body workout twice a week, a lower-body regimen twice a week, and then take Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday off. Instead, he’s working out daily, but sometimes to activate his physiology instead of lifting heavier weights — he might do as few as eight reps of the same exercise and call it a day.
Trout hired a nutritionist and focused on eating less junk food on the couch before he goes to sleep, and along the way, his weight dropped to 230 pounds, which is about 8-to-10 pounds less than in previous seasons. He noticed an immediate difference late in the winter with how his legs and knees felt. As spring training games started, Trout had a goal to get back to a sprint speed of 30 feet per second — a target he hit a couple of times.
There are no “good” injuries in baseball. Losing a player to the IL is never a fun time. But there’s still a relative hierarchy – not every injury is an equally big bummer. On Monday, we got one of those big bummers. The Tigers placed Tarik Skubal, the two-time reigning AL Cy Young winner, on the injured list. He’s slated to undergo surgery to remove loose bodies in his pitching elbow, as Evan Woodbery of MLive first reported.
Skubal had dealt with occasional pains in his arm throughout the season, as The Athletic’s Cody Stavenhagen reported. In his start last Wednesday, Skubal grimaced and grabbed his elbow in the seventh inning, sending a bevy of concerned Tigers staffers to the mound. He waved them off and struck out the side, but when his arm didn’t recover as much as expected in the aftermath of that start, the team had imaging done, revealing the need for surgery. This injury could alter the balance of power in the AL Central this year. More than that, it could change the trajectory of Skubal’s career. So let’s walk through the implications for the team, league, and player as we try to make sense of this unfortunate bit of news.
The White Sox and outfielder Randal Grichuk are in agreement on a major league deal, reports Robert Murray of FanSided. The Sox will need to make corresponding moves to open space for the Paragon Sports International client on the active and 40-man rosters.
Grichuk elected free agency just three days ago after being designated for assignment by the Yankees. The 34-year-old had broken camp on a minor league contract to work in a short side platoon role. He was essentially the last man on Aaron Boone’s bench and took more than two-thirds of his 33 plate appearances versus lefty pitching.
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Cristopher Sanchez
Jacob deGrom
Drake Baldwin
