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Who Do the Kings Miss Most? Revisiting Recent Departures

The core of the Kings over the last 2 years has included Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Kevin Fiala, Adrian Kempe, and Mikey Andersen. Over the last 2 years, the Kings have made trades that saw players traded away or sign elsewhere in free agency, and now, looking back, understanding whether the Kings are better with or without those players.

2025-26 Departures 

While the biggest trade of the 2025-26 season for the Kings was the Artemi Panarin deal, there were a couple of players traded away this season. The first being Phillip Danault, who was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in December, and the Kings received a 2026 Second-round pick. Danault played for the Canadiens from 2015-16 to 2020-21.

This season, Danault played 30 games for the Kings before being traded, during which he recorded 5 assists and 5 points. While he is a defensive-minded player, Danault requested a trade, which the Kings granted. Phillip Danault played 45 games for the Canadiens in the regular season, recording 6 goals and 6 assists for 12 points. The Canadiens are also currently in the 2nd round of the playoffs, and Danault has played 9 games and has 2 assists. 

While the Danault trade was the first departure for the Kings, they would wait until the night of the trade deadline to make their next move. That move was trading away Warren Foegele to the Ottawa Senators, in return for a 2026 2nd-round pick and a conditional 2026 3rd-round pick. 

Warren Foegele played in 47 games for the Kings this past season, registering 7 goals and 2 assists for 9 points. After being traded to the Senators, Foegele played in 21 regular-season games, recording 6 goals and 2 assists for 8 points, and in all 4 playoff games with the Senators, but did not register any points. 

The last departure from the 2025-26 season occurred at the NHL Trade Deadline, when the Kings traded Corey Perry to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a 2028 2nd-round pick. While on the Kings, Perry played in 50 games, scoring 11 goals and having 17 assists for 28 points. Then, after being traded to Tampa, Perry would play in 22 regular-season games, scoring 6 goals and recording 3 assists for 9 points. Perry would play in all 7 games between the Canadiens and the Lightning but would not register any points. 

While the Kings traded away 3 roster players in the 2025-26 season, it is too early to tell whether those trades will benefit the Kings or come back to haunt them later. 

2024-25 Departures 

Now, going back to the 2024-25 season, which was one of the most successful recent seasons for the Kings. With that season now complete, we can see whether the trades/transactions the Kings made either did or did not pan out in the 2025-26 season. 

The first player to depart from the Kings was Jordan Spence. The 24-year-old defenseman was traded to the Ottawa Senators on June 28th, 2025, and in return, the Kings received the 67th overall pick in the 2025 NHL draft and a 2026 6th-round pick. In the 2024-25 season, Spence played in 79 games with the Kings, recording 4 goals, 24 assists for 28 points, and 1 goal in 5 playoff games. 

Since being traded, Jordan Spence played in 73 games with Ottawa, scoring 7 goals and tallying 24 assists for 31 points. Spence, now 25, took a major step forward for the Senators and has become a reliable starting defenseman. In Game 2 between Ottawa and Carolina, Spence clocked 39:01 total minutes on ice, showing that his game is only going to get better. 

The other 2 players who left the Kings did so during free agency. Vladislav Gavrikov signed a 7 Year $7 Million AAV Dollar deal with the Rangers, and Tanner Jeannot signed a 5-year $3.4 Million AAV deal with the Bruins. 

Gavrikov registered 5 goals, 25 assists, for 30 points in 82 games, and he added 2 assists in the postseason for the Kings. In his first season with the Rangers, he played 82 games, scoring 14 goals and tallying 21 assists for 35 points. While the Rangers missed the postseason, Gavrikov showed his true value, scoring a career-high 12 goals in his first season. 

Tanner Jeannot, in his one season with the Kings, played in 67 games, scoring 7 goals and registering 6 assists for 13 points. He would not play for the Kings in the postseason. During the 2025-26 season with the Bruins, Jeannot played 77 games, scoring 6 goals, recording 16 assists for 22 points, and adding a postseason goal. 

While the Kings had their best season in 2024-25, the loss of Jordan Spence may prove critical, as he is only 25 and playing serious minutes for the Senators. While Gavrikov had a career-high in goals, the Kings during the 2025 free agency period were not able to afford him. The Kings during the 2025-26 season would replace Spence and Gavrikov with Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin. 

2023-24 Departures 

The 2023-24 season saw quite a few Kings players traded or sign with another team in the offseason, and with 2 seasons played since then, the stats can show whether the Kings are better with or without them. 

The first player is Viktor Arvidsson, who left the Kings and signed a 2-year, $4 million AAV deal with the Edmonton Oilers. Arvidsson's last season with the Kings was cut short by injuries, as he played only 18 games and recorded 6 goals and 9 assists for 15 points.

Viktor Arvidsson has played for the Oilers over the last 2 seasons and is now with the Bruins. During his time with the Oilers, he played 67 games, scoring 15 goals and 12 assists for 27 points. He would also have 7 points in 15 postseason games with the Oilers. Arvidsson was then traded from the Oilers to the Bruins, and in his first season with the Bruins, he registered 25 goals, 29 assists for 54 points in 69 games, and 2 goals in the playoffs. 

The next player to leave the Kings in 2023-24 is Pierre-Luc Dubois, who, in the 2023-24 season with the Kings, scored 16 goals, tallied 24 assists for 40 points, and added 1 goal in the playoffs. Dubois was then traded to the Washington Capitals in exchange for current goaltender Darcy Kuemper. Since the trade, Dubois has played in 111 games, scoring 25 goals, 60 assists, and 85 points in the last 2 seasons with the Capitals. 

A player who left the Kings during the offseason of the 2023-24 season and joined Dubois in Washington. That player is Matt Roy. Roy was a Kings draft pick and was there from 2018 to 2023. In his final season with the Kings, Roy had 5 goals, 20 assists for 25 points. Roy would sign a 6-year, $5.7 Million AAV deal with the Capitals, and in the last 2 seasons, Roy has played 148 games, scoring 5 goals and tallying 28 assists for 43 points. 

Another player who left the Kings in the 2024 offseason was Blake Lizotte, who played on the Kings' bottom 6. Lizotte left the Kings and signed a 2-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and earlier in the 2025-26 season, he signed a 3-year extension with the Penguins. While Lizotte was not a goalscorer for the Kings, he played a meaningful role on the penalty kill and in other defensive situations. 

The remaining players are Cam Talbot, who left the Kings in free agency to join the Detroit Red Wings; Arthur Kaliyev, who was claimed off waivers by the New York Rangers; and Carl Grundstrom, who was in the deal that saw the Kings receive Kyle Burroughs from the San Jose Sharks. 

Who Do The Kings Miss The Most?

While all of these former players made an impact on the Kings during their time, some of the moves that were made benefited the Kings and their future. The Dubois trade was crucial for the team today, as Kuemper is still with the Kings. But there are a couple of players the Kings may already regret trading or losing in free agency. 

The first is Jordan Spence, a young defenseman who is slowly gaining more minutes and who the Kings would benefit from having on the team today. The Kings may also regret losing Vladislav Gavrikov. While he put up career-best numbers for the Rangers, if the Kings had kept and signed both defensemen, they would be in the lineup instead of Brian Dumoulin and Cody Ceci. 

Another player the Kings may regret losing is Blake Lizotte, and his penalty-killing ability, especially after the 2025-26 season, when the Kings' penalty kill ranked 30th and the Penguins' penalty kill, on which Lizotte started, ranked 6th. 

Overall, none of these moves or trades could have been predicted, and in the future, more of these free agency losses and trades will likely result in some regret for the Kings, but they also prompt the question of what the Kings would look like today had they not lost these players. 

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Snakepit Roundtable: An anemic week

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 07: Alek Thomas #5 of the Arizona Diamondbacks reacts in the dugout during the six inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on May 07, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Another disappointing week, what are your first thoughts?

Spencer: Average teams play like this. The offense is anemic. The pitching had an apocalyptic week last week. This version of the team is what I expected and why my win total projection was so low.

James Attwood: This is the sort of thing that happens when there is little depth. There simply hasn’t been anyone to step up when anyone on the normal roster has had a drop-off in play. The disappointing extra-inning loss to the Mets does not help things. I feel like this current run of poor form has the front office making some early season panic moves.

Justin27: Well, we ran into a hot Cubs team about to go on a win streak, and then Skenes, I don’t want to make excuses but I hope the “true” team starts to show up

Makakilo: The series against the Rangers (a team that lost most games in May, similar to the Diamondbacks) will provide insights. It will show whether the Diamondbacks are on the path to compete this season, or on a different undesirable path. That series is Monday through Wednesday (May 11-13).

Dano_In_Tucson: Well, the Saturday game turned out all right. And given that I’m intensely literate regarding the 2026 Pirates, I maybe didn’t find this week as disappointing than others–their starters are too good, their offense is good enough, I genuinely think they’re going to be a force this year. Their rotation is better than ours, and most other teams’. Ours is not. Their offense rarely gets entirely shut down. Ours does, especially right now. I’m not surprised that we only won one of those games….Pittsburgh is no longer the soft spot in the schedule that they have been in recent years.

Beyond that, though….what the hell has happened to the bats??!?

C. Wesley Baier: See my most recent article, but TLDR: This roster needs some major changes.

One bright spot has been the overall good reception to Lovullo’s closed door meeting with the starting pitchers. Have you seen anything in the recent run of good/decent pitching that suggests its sustainable?

Spencer: I was blacked out of most games this last week. So I have not seen much of anything recently. I certainly hope it’s sustainable. But man I don’t know. Sustainable and pitching aren’t words I think of together with Arizona.

James Atwood: Nothing specific one way or the other. The rotation has responded nicely, though Gallen still is giving up hard contact. If the defense continues to make some sparkling plays, then the odd hard contact can be survived. If the pitch sequencing continues to improve, then the likes of Ryne Nelson should do better as well. But the rotation has got to start trusting the defense more and throw more strikes. I’m not sure that the arms have enough swing and miss in them for them to get aggressive enough in the strike zone to clean up the problem of too many free passes.

Makakilo: In May, the Diamondbacks are on a path for 50% quality starts (sustaining 50% would have a positive impact). In the preseason, I wrote that despite the possibility that the rotation will be average, if they could reach 50% quality starts, the Diamondbacks offense could drive the team to a wild card berth.

Dano_In_Tucson: I remain deeply skeptical of Soroka, though he had a good outing against Skenes. But ERod bounced back, which suggests to me that maybe the ERod we saw in the WBC may actually be the pitcher he can be consistently, rather than the aberration I was starting to think it was. And Kelly tonight (I”m writing this after posting my Saturday recap) looked a whole lot more like his legit self than he’s seemed all season. So yeah, I think those two might actually be sustainable. Also, Ryne Nelson might be coming back around as well. We shall see.

C. Wesley Baier: The starting pitching has looked so much better, as far as that goes, it worked.

At the time of writing, the Diamondbacks are three games below .500. Are Hazen and Lovullo on the hot seat yet? If not, what will be the tipping point?

Spencer: Yes they are. I expect both are gone by the next Opening Day. And I think that’s fair. But it’s also true that Hazen/Lovullo are the best GM and Manager this franchise has had so far. They’ve spent half their tenure (and more) getting zero monetary support from ownership yet putting generally average or better product on the field (with some very large and notable below average ones). This franchise finally uses analytics thanks to Hazen. Their drafting has been far more sustainable than previous options as a result of this. But they need to crack the pitching development question.

I still believe Hazen and Lovullo will win a World Series together as the head pieces. I no longer believe it will be in Arizona. If nothing else, the Hazen/Lovullo Era will be known as the point where MLB stopped looking at Arizona as another Rockies franchise and being the geniuses who nabbed and finished developing Ketel Marte who may end up holding quite a few franchise records. Seems like a good but disappointing legacy to me.

James Attwood: They are not yet on my hot seat, though I understand those that want them there. Frankly, as long as they continue to play right around .500 ball while weathering the slew of injuries they started the season with, I’m content to let them continue to develop their project. If they fall entirely out of contention, then it is time to start talking about changes. I am far more interested in seeing how the team performs in August and September, than how they are performing with Puk, Martinez, Burns, and Lawlar all on the 60-day IL.

Justin27: I think so. I have a heard time believing their replacement would do much better. Sometimes mid season managerial changes work, sometimes they are rearranging chairs on the Titanic

Makakilo: No and none. Hazen and Lovullo have above-average years of experience, and they are well above-average in making an impact on the field. It is unlikely that the Diamondbacks could hire better replacements.

Dano_In_Tucson: Hazen, maybe, at least in my mind, because of his persistent failure/refusal to spend any money to try to build a respectable bullpen. That said, he somehow actually has a reasonably respectable bullpen right now, so I dunno. Go figure. As for Torey, I don’t think so. As has been noted, all he can do is arrange on the daily chessboard the pieces he has available to him, and frankly, given what he’s had to work with coming into this season with the deeply questionable rotation and the deeply strange lack of outfielders, I think he’s doing pretty well. I know a lot of people got very excited when we were however many games over .500 for a brief span of time there, and I was too, but I don’t think there’s any way that anyone with any sense could believe that we would still be on the rise like that but for poor lineup or game management decisions on his part. This roster, as it is currently comprised, is what it is. And in a lot of respects, it ain’t great. I feel like it’s a credit to our manager that we’re still as close to Mount .500 as we are.

C. Wesley Baier: Hazen and Lovullo aren’t on the hot seat unless this team goes on a serious losing streak.

The Ryan Waldschmidt Era has begun. What are your expectations for early results?

Spencer: I have no expectations. I would’ve called upon Kristian Robinson first. He’s less pivotal to the future and seems more prepared for big league pitching. Plus Lawlar returns in 4-6 weeks if reporting is to be believed. But Robinson doesn’t put butts in seats. So Waldy it is. I wish the kid nothing but luck.

Part of me can’t shake the feeling we may be showcasing Waldy for a big July trade…not sure how I’d feel about that honestly.

James Attwood: That he will get mis-used, like so many others. I would have likely brought up Kristian Robinson first, as the team still needs to get a good idea of what he brings as a 4th outfielder. I also am not convinced that Waldschmidt will get the necessary everyday at-bats right now. We shall see.

Justin27: I am happy for him. Maybe the DFA of AT and the call up of Waldschmidt lights a fired underneath the team. I am excited to see what he can do

Makakilo: His batting has a high ceiling (both homers and OPS). In February, I wrote (see AZ Snake Pit article Which Outfielder Will Most Exceed Expectations?) that if his defense in center field is at least average (and he continues to hit well), he will exceed expectations. Also, I wrote that I would be thrilled if he was promoted this season. I am.

Dano_In_Tucson: Expectations? None, really. Hopes? That he’ll suck less at the plate than Alek Thomas, and that fewer of his ABs will end by rolling over to second, often to start a double play. And small sample size, but he hasn’t done that yet. To be fair, he struck out three times tonight, twice looking, but there were no GIDPs, at least. Also, he looked smooth and supremely competent on the seven fly balls he had to contend with on Saturday….he chased them all down for outs, and he made them look easy, even though some of them certainly weren’t.

C. Wesley Baier: He’s probably going to be frustratingly passive at times, but I think he’ll be an improvement over Thomas.

On the flip side, the Alek Thomas Era has (probably) ended. What went wrong?

Spencer: Wrong? Not much. He never learned to hit good MLB pitching. Yet he was good enough to make and stick in the majors for a good while. He’s a reminder that there’s often a floor for “Top Prospects” but they aren’t sure things. For every Corbin Carroll there’s an unknown litany of Alek Thomases.

James Attwood: The expectations were sky-high. He has loads of talent, but is a prime example of how hitting the small round ball with a round bat is the hardest skill in sports. This is not the end of his MLB career, but it is almost certainly the end of his time as an Arizona Diamondback.

Justin27: He just couldn’t get it together offensively. A team with a better offense will scoop him up. Too bad he couldn’t hit .250 or something coupled with SF12 defense

Makakilo: Alek Thomas had injuries that slowed his development (hamstring and oblique injuries in 2024, and sore knee in July of 2025). This season his batting went downhill (OPS .578 in April, OPS .422 in May). This season, Alek Thomas had an OPS+ of 56 (impressively bad but better than Tim Tawa). That makes what Jim McLennan wrote in January prophetic. “If Alek Thomas doesn’t improve on his career 76 OPS+, and if Waldschmidt’s bat represents a clear upturn, then the team could decide to use Ryan in center. That would depend on his defense there being serviceable, and not outweighing the offensive positives.” — Jim McLennan

Dano_In_Tucson: Obviously, the failure of his bat to ever arrive and stick around consistently. Beyond that, he rarely looked consistently competent to me in center field (all those web gems aside), and for a guy with his speed, he never seemed to be able to learn to work competently on the basepaths. He should have been stealing bases at a level comparable to Perdomo at least, if not Carroll. I kinda felt, by the end, like it was a work ethic issue, though I have nothing but gut feeling to back that up.

In any event, I still think he can be a good ballplayer for someone, and I’m convinced that wasn’t going to happen for him in Arizona anymore, so I hope he goes someplace where he can succeed. The need for a change of scenery is a very real thing for some players, and I hope I gets it and I wish him well wherever he winds up. I never hated the guy, and I wanted to like him….it just got really old watching him continue to suck.

C. Wesley Baier: I have no idea. Maybe he just needs a change of scenery?

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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama ejected in Game 4 for elbowing Naz Reid in the face

The San Antonio Spurs suffered a huge blow in Game 4 of the conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves after superstar Victor Wembanyama was ejected from the contest.

Wembanyama was assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 after coming down with a rebound and swinging an elbow that connected with Timberwolves forward Naz Reid, striking him in the jaw with 8:40 in the 2nd quarter.

After a review, it was determined that the contact was deemed an unnecessary, non-basketball play with wind up, contact and follow through, resulting in the Spurs center's first-career ejection – regular season or postseason.

Minnesota held a slim lead, 36-34, at the time of stoppage. Following the elbow, Timberwolves fans at the Target Center were in unison chanting to the officials "kick him out" referring to Wembanyama.

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Wembanyama gets ejected early in Spurs-Wolves Game 4 for elbowing Reid and drawing a Flagrant 2 foul

MINNEAPOLIS — San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was ejected for throwing an elbow out of frustration at the throat of Minnesota Timberwolves forward Naz Reid early in the second quarter of Game 4 of their rugged second-round NBA playoff series on Sunday night.

Wembanyama was whistled for an offensive foul as soon as he struck Reid, who had swarmed the NBA Defensive Player of the Year outside the paint along with teammate Jaden McDaniels after the 7-foot-4 Wembanyama rebounded a missed 3-pointer by the Spurs.

After a video review of the play, with the fans at Target Center chanting, “Kick him out! Kick him out!,” the foul was upgraded to a Flagrant 2 for excessive contact above the neck. That penalty triggers an automatic ejection, immediately swinging the balance of a pivotal game in the series toward the Timberwolves. The Spurs took a 2-1 lead with their 115-108 win in Game 3 on Friday.

After Wembanyama slapped hands with each of his Spurs teammates on his way off the floor, with the arena sound system blaring Michael Jackson’s “Beat it!,” Reid sank both free throws to give the Timberwolves a 38-34 lead. Wembanyama finished with four points, four rebounds and three fouls in 13 minutes.

With Reid, Julius Randle and McDaniels in their frontcourt, the Timberwolves have had plenty of muscle and tenacity to send at Wembanyama, even if he’s been good enough offensively to overcome it. He had 39 points on 13-for-18 shooting from the floor in Game 3.

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Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama ejected for elbowing Timberwolves player in shocking Game 4 scene

Victor Wembanyama committing a flagrant foul on Naz Reid during a basketball game.
Victor Wembanyama elbows Naz Reid during the Spurs' May 10 game.

If the Spurs are able to take a 3-1 lead on the Timberwolves, they’ll need to do so without Victor Wembanyama for the rest of Game 4.

Wembanyama, the San Antonio superstar, was ejected with 8:39 left in the second quarter after elbowing Naz Reid while fighting for possession and being assessed a Flagrant 2 in Minnesota on Sunday.

When Wembanyama initially made contact, Reid fell to the ground, and after the referees reviewed the play, the 7-foot-4 center was sent down the tunnel and to the locker room.

It marked a seismic shift in a critical juncture of the series, with the Spurs staring down a chance to take a commanding series lead over the No. 6-seed Timberwolves before play shifts back to San Antonio but now needing to adapt on the fly without their best player for the final 32-plus minutes.

Victor Wembanyama elbows Naz Reid during the Spurs’ May 10 game. Imagn Images
Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts after he was ejected for a flagrant foul during the first half of Game 4 of a NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. AP

Reid made both of his free throws, and Luke Kornet replaced Wembanyama — who finished with just four points on 2-for-5 shooting across 12 minutes — on the court.

Victor Wembanyama was ejected May 10. Screengrab via X
Victor Wembanyama threw an elbow at Naz Reid during the Spurs’ May 10 game. Screengrab via X
Victor Wembanyama was called for a Flagrant 2 during the Spurs’ May 10 game against the Timberwolves. Screengrab via X

The Timberwolves led the Spurs by two points at the time of the ejection, and midway through the second quarter, they’d built a 44-38 advantage — led by 11 points from Anthony Edwards and 10 points from Julius Randle.

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‘Really scary’: horror crash leaves Australia’s Jay Vine with broken elbow and concussion

  • UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider forced to abandon Giro d’Italia

  • Vine to fly home after extent of 30-year-old’s injuries confirmed

Ill-starred Australian cycling star Jay Vine has suffered a broken elbow and concussion in his Giro d’Italia-ending crash – but his decimated UAE Team Emirates-XRG team have been left relieved his injuries weren’t even more serious.

The 30-year-old Vine, who suffered a third serious crash in just 13 days of racing in 2026 and has now endured a reported 23 spills in his brilliant but accident-filled five-year career, will not need surgery, the team revealed on Sunday.

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Lucas Herbert banks $5.5m and secures US Open spot after winning first LIV Golf title

  • Australian holds nerve in dramatic climax to event in Virginia

  • ‘I didn’t help myself,’ says Herbert after seeing final-round lead slashed

Australian golf star Lucas Herbert has held his nerve to claim his maiden LIV Golf League title and secure a priceless ticket to next month’s US Open in New York.

Herbert had a five-shot final-round lead slashed to one before regaining his composure to see off the challenge of Spanish great Sergio Garcia in a dramatic climax to LIV Golf Virginia.

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Knicks turn attention to Eastern Conference Finals after dominant second-round sweep

The Knicks seem to just keep getting better as the NBA playoffs go on.

New York put together yet another dominating effort on Sunday afternoon, as they demolished the 76ers in Game 4 to put the finishing touches on their second-round sweep. 

They used a hot start from three to open a double-digit advantage and never looked back from there, closing the seven-game set with a 144-114 beatdown on the road. 

“This was just a heck of a game from our guys,” Mike Brown said. “The focus, the attention to detail, while bringing the energy and effort not just tonight but throughout the course of the series was at a pretty high level.

“Close out games are always the hardest to play with the level of desperation, especially when you’re on the road -- I give our guys a lot of credit, I give our staff a lot of credit -- they’ve been unbelievable from top-to-bottom.”

The Knicks now head into the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight year, having won seven straight games since falling behind the Hawks 2-1 in their first round matchup. 

Six of those seven victories have been by double-digits.

But with a meeting with the Pistons or Cavaliers awaiting, they know they can’t get complacent. 

“We did what we needed to do to beat a good Sixers team,” Landry Shamet said. “We handled our business, paid really good attention to details offensively, and just went out and did what we had to do. 

"But the beauty of the playoffs is all of that changes going into the next round -- there are a couple of different changes we have to make obviously, but group remains the same and we just have to play Knicks basketball."

"I think it’s really great to see our team in this mindset," Karl-Anthony Towns added. "The feeling that we have a lot more work to do, to see us not really relaxing, but in a way just look at these next few days as a way for us to realign ourselves and get ready for the next challenge."

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Braves at Dodgers series recap: The West Coast is the Best Coast for Atlanta, for once

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 10: Matt Olson #28 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with Austin Riley #27 after hitting a solo home run in the ninth inning during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, May 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jessie Alcheh/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Well, would you look at that? Following a disappointing series loss in Seattle that brought their lengthy streak without series losses to a close, there was every possibility that things could’ve taken a turn for the worse with a trip to the house of horrors that is Dodger Stadium. While the Dodgers have seemed somewhat human in recent times, this was still a tough task for the Braves considering that the Dodgers were still among baseball’s elite.

The recent history also suggested that this was going to be an extremely tough task for the Braves to bounce back in Los Angeles. Dodger Stadium has been a true snake pit for this team, as they had lost eight straight games at Dodger Stadium and hadn’t won a series there since 2023. Plain-and-simple, this was going to be a very difficult mountain for the Braves to climb to finish off their long road trip out West. So how did things go? Let’s take a look at what ended up resulting in a happy plane ride back to Georgia.

Friday, May 8

Dodgers 3, Braves 1

The Braves certainly had their opportunities to get to Emmet Sheehan and the rest of LA’s pitching staff in this one but they were unable to capitalize on the vast majority of those opportunities. Atlanta collected nine hits and three walks in this one but they ended up leaving 10 runners on base and went 1-for-10 in situations with runners in scoring position. If you let this Dodgers team off the hook enough times, they’re going to eventually make you pay for it. Kyle Tucker smacked an RBI double off of Chris Sale in the second inning to tie the game at 1-1 early and then an RBI single from Shohei Ohtani in the fifth and a solo dinger from old friend Freddie Freeman in the sixth ended up giving the Dodgers just enough offense to squeak out the win.

It was a shame since this was a Chris Sale outing and you don’t want to waste too many of those. While Sale did give up five hits and three runs (one of which was unearned after Jim Jarvis followed up an incredible diving catch in the fourth inning with a throwing error in the fifth that eventually led to the Ohtani RBI), he struck out seven batters and finished with seven innings under his belt.

This could’ve been a win if Atlanta’s hitting was timelier. Alas, the Braves got what they got. That’s baseball for you!

Saturday, May 9

Braves 7, Dodgers 2

This game was all about Spencer Strider, who delivered what was arguably his best pitching performance post-elbow surgery — you could argue that his 13-strikeout night against the Rockies last June was better but the competition was certainly better this time around. Strider was an absolute nightmare for the Dodgers to deal with out there, as he stayed locked in for the most part and tossed six shutout innings with just one hit and two walks allowed with eight strikeouts to boot. Strider had it all going for him in this one and it was certainly encouraging to see him bounce back in an environment that was more conducive to success than Coors Field.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers decided that Blake Snell was ready for his first start of the season instead of giving him another rehab start to prepare for big league action. That decision ended up not working out for Los Angeles, as the Braves ended up jumping on him for five runs (four earned) through just three innings. The Braves had a 1-0 lead with the bases loaded wand two out in the second before they got a rally going to put some serious breathing room between themselves and the Dodgers.

Ozzie Albies golfed one from close to the ground and into the outfield for an RBI single that plated two runners, then a rare passed ball from Will Smith moved the two remaining runners into scoring position. Matt Olson capitalized on it by looping one into the green space for another two runs to make it a 5-0 game.

Atlanta added on a couple of runs via a fifth-inning RBI double from Michael Harris II and an eighth-inning RBI single from Drake Baldwin to make it a 7-0 lead. The only thing that kept the Dodgers from getting blanked at home for the first time this season was Andy Pages hitting a two-run dinger at Reynaldo López’s expense. Other than that, this was a very comprehensive win for the Braves.

The win came as small comfort for Braves Country, as the organization mourned the loss of another massive figure in the franchise’s history. Just days after former owner Ted Turner passed away, legendary manager Bobby Cox also passed away shortly before the game on Saturday. The sports world as a whole came together to mourn one of the most important figures of the sport during the 1990s and it has to be said that BravesVision did a great job of pulling together a very solid tribute broadcast in honor of the skipper.

Sunday, May 10

Braves 7, Dodgers 2

In the ultimate matchup of “Who’s going to keep on getting away with it,” we got our answer. Bryce Elder came out of this battle against Justin Wrobleski wtih the winning edge, as Elder ended up making it into the sixth inning with just one hit allowed while striking out eight batters. For 5.2 innings, Elder was absolutely dazzling in such a huge spot for Atlanta as the Braves were going for a rare series win at Dodger Stadium.

With that being said, Elder did eventually run into serious trouble with two out in the sixth inning, which is when he suddenly lost all command and walked the bases loaded on 14 pitches across those three walks. Walt Weiss made the astute decision to go with Robert Suarez in this situation but it almost backfired when Max Muncy crushed one out to right field. Eli White proceeded to put it all on the line as he went crashing into the wall to make a catch that helped preserve the shutout instead of dealing with what would’ve surely been at least three runs allowed. White ended up paying the price for it, as he exited the game after he tried to take a plate appearance in the following inning.

While Wrobleski did end up coming one out away from pitching a complete game, he did so while getting lit up by the Braves. Atlanta torched Wrobleski for four runs in the second inning, with the major blow being a bases-clearing double down the left-field line that built upon Eli White’s RBI single earlier on in the second to make it a 4-0 game for the Braves. Wrobleski calmed down after that but ultimately, Dave Roberts’ decision to keep Wrobleski out there came back to bite him.

Drake Baldwin hit a solo shot in the eighth inning to give the Braves a 5-0 lead and then after Max Muncy made up for his near-miss in the sixth with a two-run dinger in the bottom of the eighth, Matt Olson responded with a solo shot of his own to get one of those runs back. They got both of them back after Jorge Mateo eventually brought in another run off of Wyatt Mills. Both of those homers from Baldwin and Olson came in their fourth go-around with Wrobleski, which is why you don’t normally see pitchers go four times through the order. Anyways, Raisel Iglesias got the ball for the ninth and had no problem keeping the Dodgers quiet as the Braves ended up cruising to another 7-2 win — this time for the series.

This was really and truly a trying week for the Atlanta Braves. On top of this being a load road trip out West against some tricky-to-tough competition, this was also an emotional week due to the passing of both Ted Turner and Bobby Cox. On the field, this was also a really tricky time to lose Ronald Acuña Jr. due to injury. It would’ve been totally understandable if the Braves had ended up faltering in this series in Los Angeles following the disappointing series loss to the Mariners.

Instead, the Braves rose to the challenge and finished the West Coast swing in strong fashion. Any time the Braves can pick up a series in in any ballpark in California, it’s a bonus — doing it at Dodger Stadium is like hitting the jackpot. While the Dodgers offense is currently in the midst of a bit of a slump, it’s a testament to the performance of Atlanta’s pitching staff during this series that they were able to keep the Dodgers mired in that slump. Even Chris Sale’s performance in a losing effort was solid as usual. Seeing Spencer Strider perform like he did on Saturday night was incredibly encouraging and if Bryce Elder is doing this against the Dodgers then it’s probably safe to assume that he can keep up this level of form for the foreseeable future.

Instead, the Braves continue to fire on all cylinders and now they’re heading home after a lovely 6-3 West Coast swing. Personally, I would’ve been happy with 4-5 considering how Atlanta has recently performed out West. Instead, the Braves have shown now that the venue doesn’t matter — they’re going to be a nightmare to deal with on every night. It’s reminiscent of how this team was clicking back in 2022 and 2023 and picking up a series win in Los Angeles is very, very encouraging to see.

They’ll now have another day off before getting set for what’ll be a very interesting homestand. Another showdown is on the immediate horizon with the red-hot Cubs coming to town. If the Braves can make another statement against Chicago then they could have an opportunity to really keep this train going in the right track with a favorable stretch against Boston (twice), the Marlins and the Nationals. This could be another big month for the Braves, which would be huge once they get past the traditional early sign post of Memorial Day and into the Summer. Things are going very well for the Atlanta Braves at the moment and it’s exciting to see just how far this team can go and how high they can keep on flying at the moment.

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Fraternizing with the Enemy: A Deeply Pessimistic Conversation with Pounding the Rock’s JR Wilco

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MAY 08: Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on against the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter in Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on May 08, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images

You know the drill, this is part four of our “Fraternizing with the Enemy” Series with our Spurs sister site, Pounding the Rock.

I am joined by the ever-encouraging JR Wilco to discuss the things we saw in Game 3’s close loss and to set expectations for a critical Game 4 after back to back wins for San Antonio. Spoiler alert: I am not too bullish on Minnesota’s chances.

J.R. Wilco

In the middle of a series that feels like a movie from a director intent on subverting expectations above all else, Game 3 was a weird game. (We’ll get to it in a moment, but it was weird.) First, San Antonio was favored heavily, and it’s a true-ism that a series doesn’t begin until the road team wins. So we got a tight game that the visitors won, and so the series began  right away. Expectations subverted.

After Minnesota’s victory Coach Finch gripes about a lack of goaltending calls, setting up Game 2 to focus on how the refs treat Wemby’s defensive game, only for it to be a practical non-issue as Minnesota largely stopped driving. After a close opener, Game 2 was a blowout. Expectations subverted.

To start Game 3, the Spurs dominated the opening half of the first quarter and Minnesota couldn’t score at all. Wembanyama was playing out of his mind and dominating on both ends, which looked like the game they played two prior; let’s saddle up for another blowout. But San Antonio couldn’t build much of a lead because the Spurs couldn’t hit a three and all of their shots in the paint were rimming out. So, instead of getting a repeat of Game 2, we got a repeat of Game 1. Expectations subverted!

After going 0-fer, and 2-fer from deep, Victor goes off and combines his excellent defense with an offensive master class. Now San Antonio is up 2-1, and Minnesota is known for being an incredible team when their backs are against the wall. So what are the next expectations that we will see subverted? And what do you expect from Minnesota looking at potentially their last home game of the season?

Thilo

To start with, I would certainly be shocked if Jaden McDaniels started hitting his shots again. That would subvert the cratered expectations I have for him now.

On an individual level, the bar has recently gone through the floor for Julius Randle and McDaniels, while Ayo gets the most marginal amount of slack due to his injury status.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MAY 8: Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs looks to pass the ball as Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves plays defense during the game during Round Two Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2026 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

But God, I don’t know. On a surface level, the Wolves seem to have lost their identity entirely. They aren’t getting to the rim the way they had initially promised in Game 1. They’re talking a lot less trash (unless Tony Brothers is the target) and they’re backing up even less.

A subversion could be anything from shooting better to rebounding again. Any of that would be shocking.

If I sound pessimistic, it’s because I am. Friday night’s game was not one to inspire confidence. Naz Reid was the only role player on the Wolves that played up to standards. Anthony Edwards did what he could. 

I am quite simply shocked that the Wolves were able to stay in Game 3 the way they played. It seems like shooting variance decides whether these games will be close or an abject demolition in favor of San Antonio.

Unfortunately, what I’m getting at is that I’m not really sure what I expect to change that’s remotely realistic. 

Julius Randle could become the optimized version of himself from last year’s playoffs, but that would require him not facing the style of defense that has caused him the most trouble in the past few playoff runs. So that looks unlikely.

The Wolves roster could have a hot game from deep, but their shooting specialist and the only guy outside of Ant that can’t be dared to shoot is out for the year and more. That looks unlikely, albeit more possible.

That leaves the possibility of Ant going supernova, but that’s a LOT to ask of a guy playing on a lower body that reminds friends older than myself of Orlando Magic Grant Hill.

No, I think the winning formula was stealing a game and then pressing the pedal all the way down. The Wolves accomplished step one, but don’t look poised to reclaim that needed head start.

That being said, anything but a decisive win in Game 4 would be a huge red flag.

I guess I’ll flip the question on you. It feels like the Spurs have turned a corner after a shaky Game 1. What scares you the most in terms of ways the Wolves can muscle their way back into this bout? How possible/probably do you think those things are?

J.R.

While it makes sense given being down 2-1, I think you’re being overly harsh on your team’s prospects. Try thinking about it from this perspective: Minnesota has played San Antonio close for 8 quarters out of 12, including a decisive fourth quarter on the road. The Spurs played their best game in their second homer, so perhaps the Wolves will do the same. We talked before Game 3 about how some regression to the mean would be in favor of Wemby and Fox, and now that’s the case for McDaniels and Randle. 

I’d also like to draw your attention to something that you might be taking for granted. Your home crowd is amazing; in fact, I credit them for keeping the Timberwolves from cratering in the first. With San Antonio in the middle of throwing basketball’s version of a shutout (how better to describe yielding a single point over the first 6 minutes of a game) the Mill City audience was primed for something to cheer for. When Gobert got that first basket with a tip-in, there was this sustained response from the crowd that was way out of proportion. I noted it, but didn’t think it would go far as the Spurs scored a quick four points on a Vassell bucket and a pair of Castle freebies. But then Naz hit a three and there was that strange cheer again. It was longer that normal and had the feel of a crowd that had been rooting for a team that had been working their way back from a big deficit and was about to tie it up. But the Wolves were just starting to claw their way back into it. 

I’ve got to say, though, that the team really responded. The home team’s activity picked up, their urgency ratcheted up a couple of notches, and thought that if the Spurs could score, it would take the air out of the arena and both the team and the crowd might cave. What happened on the next possession? Timberwolves forced a shot clock violation and the crowd came unhinged. The rest of the quarter was a 17-4 run from the home team on the back of the energy that the fans decided to give before there was really much to cheer for. 

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – MAY 08: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs knocks the ball away from Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter in Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on May 08, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images

But none of that is really what scares me the most. It’s scary, but the truly terrifying bit is what all of that might enable – a tight game down the stretch with enough scoring and defense to put the ball in Edwards’s hands with just enough time on the clock to rip the hearts out of the Spurs. He’s done it three times already this year: twice in the regular season, and once in Game 1. Plus, he did it at the end of the 1st on Friday, and McDaniels closed out the 2nd in the same way. 

So that’s what I’m most afraid of. Your team sticks around, and Ant pulls a rabbit out of his hat again. It wouldn’t subvert expectations much, but it sure would even up the series. 

Which of those options do you think is more likely? A wire to wire dogfight like Games 1 and 3 or a blowout like Game 2? Or maybe it’s something else entirely…

Thilo

DISCLAIMER: My dear reader, I got home at 2:15 AM from a concert just in time to write the final bit of this Frat. I wish it made more sense, but I hope that my excitement is enough to carry what may be some faulty ideas. Thank you in advance.

It’s funny isn’t it? That you’re the one convincing me to have hope in my team, while I wallow in the self-pity of refusing to have my heart broken again. 

What you’re describing, ultimately, is a Wild-Westian gamble where the Wolves maneuver themselves, bet by bet, flop by flop, to an even game before letting Ant go all in on the final hand of the game. How fitting it is to be facing the Spurs in that regard.

To that end, what I am truly hoping for is a Game 4 victory that shatters the record for largest playoff win in NBA history in favor of the Timberwolves. I do unironically think Minnesota evens up the series tonight, as the second game at home is always the easier one to hold on to and dominate (vis a vis Game 2)

I think I will stand by some of my pessimism however. There is no escaping that the Spurs are an excellent team, and while the Wolves are quite good as well, they are neither at full strength nor particularly locked in right now.

I think that one of those things can change on a dime. I’d say that would enable pulling away in a close game. I think that’s what we’ll see in Game 4.

Still, if I think back to the first frat we did, I remember the focus we put on “well, the Spurs can’t just ‘play better,’ there’s always give and take.” It feels like the Spurs have had to give up very little to gain a ton. Minnesota probably needs to flip that script.


Give up nothing, and take back momentum. 

Winning two on the road is going to be a lot harder than just winning one. Losing two at home should be a lot harder than just losing one.

We’ll see tonight, and I hope we get a good one, because despite the loss, Game 3 was a lot more fun than Game 2.

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Umpire flexes his discretion, denies two ABS challenges in game

Robot umpires were supposed to take the power away from the guys in blue. On Sunday, May 10, umpire Carlos Torres showed that he’s still in charge of the game.  

Torres denied the two separate ABS challenge requests, one from the Baltimore Orioles and one from the Athletics. The Orioles won 2-1, but Torres’ decision not to grant the reviews reverberated with fans and probably other managers.  

The first incident came in the first inning, when Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers tapped his helmet after Orioles outfielder Taylor Ward walked. Langeliers seemed surprised to see Ward walking to first and tapped his helmet after a hesitation. Torres did not grant the review.  

The second came in the third inning. Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo was denied a challenge of a ball call because his first move was to throw the ball around the horn, apparently believing it was strike three. By the time he tried to challenge, Torres wouldn’t allow it. Baltimore manager Craig Albernaz came out to argue, went back to the dugout, and Torres ejected infield coach Miguel Cairo for yelling from the bench.  

Under MLB’s ABS rules, a challenge can be denied if the umpire determines it was aided by the dugout or other players, or if it wasn’t requested in a timely manner. Players have roughly two seconds to tap their cap or helmet after a pitch is called. The team keeps its challenge if it is not granted.  

Umpires have discretion to deny requests that don’t meet those standards, as Torres showed during the Orioles-A's game.  

The system is six weeks old and has already generated its share of chaos. Through May 6, there were roughly 2,200 challenges with an overturn rate of 53%.  

Ironically, it was Baltimore catcher Adley Rutschman who pointed out the potential of this problem in an interview with ESPN last month. He suggested they might need to add a challenge clock rather than rely on umpire discretion.  

It’s not the first ABS-related blowup this season. On March 29, Twins manager Derek Shelton was ejected after arguing that Orioles pitcher Ryan Helsley hadn’t tapped his cap fast enough on a challenge that was accepted anyway.  

.  

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Carlos Torres denies ABS challenges to Orioles and A's in game

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Yasiel Puig homers twice in debut for Canadian baseball team weeks before facing possible prison sentence

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Former MLB star Yasiel Puig rounds the bases after hitting his second run for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday, Image 2 shows Former MLB star Yasiel Puig hits his second run for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday, Image 3 shows Yasiel Puig #66 of the Cleveland Indians looks on during the fourth inning of the MLB game between the Cleveland Indians and the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 09, 2019 in Anaheim, California

Yasiel Puig may be staring down a 15-year prison sentence, but the former major leaguer can still hit. 

Puig is playing in the Canadian Baseball League for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and on Sunday, in a game against the Kitchener Panthers, he hit a pair of home runs. 

The former big leaguer hit a two-out, three-run home run into deep left field in the bottom of the second inning to break a 1-1 tie. 

Former MLB star Yasiel Puig hits his second home run for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday. @BaseballQuotes1/X

Puig pointed to the sky as he crossed home plate after trotting around the basepaths. 

The 35-year-old slugger followed it up with a solo home run in the fifth inning. 

Puig took a  2-1 pitch into left field, into a park area far from the ballfield, where the semi-pro baseball game he was taking part in was. 

Puig signed with the Maple Leafs of the Canadian Baseball League late last month and Sunday was his first game with the semi-pro team. 

All of this occurred 20 days out from a sentencing hearing slated for May 26 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles. 

He was found guilty of obstruction of justice and providing false statements to federal investigators who had been looking into an illegal sports gambling operation. 

Former MLB star Yasiel Puig rounds the bases after hitting his second home run for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday. @BaseballQuotes1/X

The charges stemmed from an interview with investigators that took place on Jan. 27, 2022. 

He is potentially facing 15 years in jail, though he could receive a more lenient sentence for the situation. 

Puig had played seven seasons in Major League Baseball, spending six of those seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers and playing for Cincinnati and Cleveland in his final year. 

Yasiel Puig #66 of the Cleveland Indians looks on during the fourth inning of the MLB game between the Cleveland Indians and the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 09, 2019 in Anaheim, California. Getty Images
Former MLB star Yasiel Puig celebrates one of his two home runs for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday. @BaseballQuotes1/X

During his time in the majors, he was named to the MLB All-Star Game in 2014. 

Puig hit .277 in 3,376 plate appearances, while recording 132 home runs and 415 RBIs.

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Diamondbacks 5, Mets 1 – Errors cost Mets series victory

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MAY 02: Andy Ibanez #77 of the New York Mets during warm up before the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 02, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The New York Mets came into their season finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks with the hopes of winning their third straight series, but errors and a struggling lineup led to a 5-1 loss Sunday in Arizona. The Mets were no-hit through five 1/3 innings by left-handed Diamondbacks starter Eduardo Rodriguez while registering a season-high three errors.

Rodriguez stymied New York’s lineup for the second time this season, giving up one run across eight 1/3 innings pitched, an even better outing than he had at Citi Field on April 9 when he allowed one run over six innings. Rodriguez came out for the ninth inning but was pulled after giving up a bloop single to Mark Vientos. The Mets were unable to rally after the Vientos single against reliever Juan Morillo.

New York managed just four hits while Andy Ibanez committed two errors after getting the start at third base, with both errors being on throws to first. His first errant throw came in the fourth inning with two outs on a play that should have helped Mets pitcher David Peterson escape the inning. Peterson was still able to get out of the fourth without giving up a run after Ryan Waldschmidt hit into a fielder’s choice.

Ibanez’s second error came in the sixth inning, where the Diamondbacks put the game on ice. Illdemaro Vargas reached on the error, then three straight two-out hits by Jorge Barrosa, Waldschmidt, and Ketel Marte added three runs and put Arizona up 5-1. Peterson had a throwing error of his own in the fifth inning to contribute to a sloppy day for New York.

Whether the defense was firing on all cylinders or not, the lineup couldn’t get any traction against Rodriguez, who perhaps wishes he could pitch against the Mets every time out. Bo Bichette came into the game with a .400 average and two home runs in 17 plate appearances against Rodriguez, but went 0 for 3 with a walk. Juan Soto had the same stat line as Bichette as six Mets starters went hitless.

With the offense no-showing once again for the last-place Mets, the game was essentially lost in the second inning when Arizona scored two runs. Huascar Brazobán got the start out of the bullpen and immediately struggled with command in his brief appearance. He gave up a leadoff walk to Marte, which was followed by a sacrifice bunt by Corbin Carroll. A groundout from Geraldo Perdomo and a pop-out from Adrian Del Castillo help Brazobán escape. Back out for the second, he walked Vargas and Nolan Arenado before being replaced by Tobias Myers. With two runners on and nobody out, Myers immediately gave up a two-run double to Waldschmidt. Myers was able to limit any further damage in the second inning, but the Mets’ lineup was in a hole they never escaped from.

Peterson replaced Myers in the third inning, pitching five innings with zero earned runs thanks to the Ibanez errors. This is the fourth game the Mets have elected to bring Peterson in mid-game rather than start, and all four times seemed to have helped Peterson’s consistency. He’s given up three earned runs across 16 innings pitched in those situations.

Unable to get anything going against Rodriguez, Carson Benge finally broke through with a soft single to left field in the sixth inning. Luis Torrens followed it up with a double to the right corner that scored the speedy Benge. Soto flied out to advance Torrens before Bichette drew a walk. Austin Slater hit a groundout to first base to end the inning and strand Torrens. Semien drew a walk in the seventh inning and Torrens singled in the eighth, but New York couldn’t get either runner home.

The Mets are off Monday, before beginning a six-game homestand against the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees.

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Win Probability Added

What’s WPA?

Big Mets winner: Luis Torrens, +15% WPA
Big Mets loser: Austin Slater -16% WPA
Mets pitchers: -20% WPA
Mets hitters: -30% WPA
Teh aw3s0mest play: Luis Torrens RBI double in the sixth, +14.5% WPA
Teh sux0rest play: Ryan Waldschmidt RBI double in the second, +17.5 WPA

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Passing or Failing: Grading the Cardinals First Quarter (feat. Joe Roderick)

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 08: JJ Wetherholt #26 of the St. Louis Cardinals runs toward home plate to score on an error by Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres during the fifth inning at Petco Park on May 08, 2026 in San Diego, California. Four runs scored on the play. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It’s hard to believe that the season is through its first quarter already. And the Cardinals are good! We all love the Cardinals of course, but it’s far more enjoyable when they are winning baseball games and we don’t just have to rely on the development of young players to satiate our baseball sweet tooth.

We convened the Redbird Rundown crew and dished out first quarter grades with Joe Roderick from STL Sports Central. It was a good way to take stock of the team from a broad overview.

We covered Walker’s ascendancy, Wetherholt metronomic performance, praised runners going from first to third, and mostly buried the pitching staff — with some exceptions!

Give it a listen if audio is your thing. And, you know how the internet works, it would be great if you’d subscribe. It helps others find our show!

Thanks for listening!

View Link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL72a1rLSq8

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Refusing to quit, Lakers still see a path toward winning series vs. Thunder

Los Angeles, CA - May 09: Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) consults.
Lakers star Austin Reaves, left, talks with coach JJ Redick during the Lakers' loss in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

In their darkest playoff hour, Lakers coach JJ Redick advised his players during practice Sunday to take the same mental approach for the win-or-go-home Game 4 that they've used since the first day of training camp.

The Lakers trail the Oklahoma City Thunder 3-0 in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series. The Lakers must beat the Thunder at Crypto.com Arena on Monday night or their season is over.

"Our first slide that we put up in training camp was [to] win the day,” Redick said. “Today was a quick offensive review and then just going over some stuff defensively. Got to win today and we got to win tomorrow. We know what we're facing being down 3-0. So it's just more of a mindset check than anything else."

No NBA team has ever come back to win a series when trailing 3-0, with those teams holding a 161-0 record.

Those are the long odds the Lakers face.

Read more:Without Luka Doncic, Thunder series is a lose-lose for Lakers

Redick was asked what his team’s mood was like at practice.

"These guys are good,” he said.

Redick then was asked what his squad has shown him that gives him hope the Lakers can still win.

“Affirmation,” he responded.

Even after losing three games by an average of 19.6 points per game, the Lakers still cling to some hope.

Rui Hachimura has been on what Redick called a “heater” from three-point range. He has made 57.1% of his threes and has shot 54.1% from the floor in the series, averaging 18.3 points per game.

Hachimura thought back to the Lakers’ first-round series against the Houston Rockets and how they had a commanding 3-0 lead. But the Rockets fought back to make the series 3-2 before the Lakers closed out the series.

"It’s crazy, but I think that’s the mentality we need," Hachimura said. "I think it’s one at a time. I think especially with this type of team, you can't really make mistakes. ... We have to keep the same energy the whole game. That’s the only way we can win. So, we know what we do."

Lakers star LeBron James plays against the Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals on Saturday.
Lakers star LeBron James plays against the Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals on Saturday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

What they need to do is play better in the third quarter. The Lakers have been outscored 92-61 in the third quarter by the Thunder.

“I feel like every game we're getting closer,” Hachimura said. “Especially last night ... apparently we had the best offensive game of the series, even the playoffs. I think we had really good looks, great looks. But I think defensively we, especially in the third quarter, we kind of slowed down. I don't know [if] we got burned out or we got tired, whatever.

"So, I think our focus is like how we play in the first half we have to do in the whole game. ... That's going to be our goal."

The Lakers have managed to slow down Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander by having Marcus Smart guard him and putting constant double teams on the reigning NBA most valuable player.

Read more:Plaschke: Where’s LeBron? As Lakers season vanishes, he again disappears

Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 21.0 points per game in the series, far below the 31.1 points he averaged during the regular season. He’s averaging 5.7 assists per game, which is below his 6.6 during the regular season, and he’s shooting 45.8%, which is below his 55.3% for the season. He’s averaging four turnovers in the series as well.

But Chet Holmgren, who is averaging a double-double in the series at 21.3 points per game and 10.0 rebounds, has been a handful for the Lakers. Ajay Mitchell is averaging 20.7 points per game and 6.6 assists.

That’s why the Lakers are on the verge of seeing their season end. The Lakers have faced adversity all season, but Game 4 will be the ultimate test.

"Being on the Lakers, you feel like your back’s against the wall every game,” Redick said. “So I think the whole season has prepared us to be in a position where we're in the second round of the Western Conference and being in the mix with a great basketball team."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.