KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MAY 19: Bailey Falter #36 of the Kansas City Royals throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium on May 19, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Things are really bleak right now. The Kansas City Royals have five wins since May 6. The New York Yankees, and their many fans, are in town looking for their fifth consecutive win against the Royals this year. That’s underselling it, actually; the Yankees have defeated the Royals in the last 11 consecutive regular season games dating back to 2024. And, oh yeah, the Yankees are sending Cam Schlittler to the mound. The 25-year-old righty leads the American League in pitching Wins Above Replacement with a 1.50 ERA. He’s nasty nasty.
You know what that means, right? The Royals are probably gonna score, like, eight runs out of nowhere. It’s either that or zero runs. No in between.
Of course, it may not matter. The Royals are sending Bailey Falter out there, who has been…less than stellar this season. Less than stellar as a Royal, really. Afterwards, it’ll be a bullpen game. The chances for an Aaron Judge home run seem greater than 100%.
But you don’t play baseball in a spreadsheet. You play it on a field. And the Royals can’t lose against the Yankees forever. Right? Right????
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 17: Jake Burger #21 of the Texas Rangers reacts after hitting a two-RBI double in the seventh inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on May 17, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The idea of the Montreal Canadiens signing forward Evgeni Malkin this summer can officially be forgotten.
This is because the Pittsburgh Penguins have announced that they have signed Malkin to a one-year, $5.5 million contract extension.
Malkin was the best pending unrestricted free agent center who could have hit the market on July 1. Due to this, some wondered if the Canadiens could consider making a push for him if he tested the market this summer. Yet, with this news, Malkin will be staying put with the Penguins and playing his 21st season in Pittsburgh.
Malkin would have had the potential to be a nice addition to the Canadiens' forward group. The veteran forward showed this season that he can still produce like a star, as he posted 19 goals and 61 points in 56 games with the Penguins. With numbers like these, he could have been a good pickup for Montreal's top six.
Yet, at the same time, the Canadiens bringing in Malkin would have come with some real risk. Malkin will be turning 40 in July and has a long history of injury trouble. Due to this, if the Canadiens should have far better options to consider on the trade market if they want to add a top-six center during the off-season.
May 9, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
On the heels of a brutal 4-10 skid that dropped them 5.5 games back of the Rays for first place in the AL East, the Yankees pulled consecutive victories out of a hat, winning both in the ninth. The latter win came yesterday against the Royals, with embattled shortstop Anthony Volpe lining a two-run single off closer Lucas Erceg to flip a deficit into a lead.
With a chance to win the three-game set today, the Yankees will hand the ball to Cam Schlittler. Despite an array of more decorated arms in the team’s rotation, it’s Schlittler who’s pitched like the team’s ace, recording an MLB-best 1.50 ERA through 11 starts while shooting to the top of most AL Cy Young odds boards. His last time out, the 25-year-old allowed more than one earned run for the first time in over a month, holding the Blue Jays to two over six innings while taking his second loss of the season. Schlittler throws some form of fastball more than 90 percent of the time, and for good reason; opponents are hitting below the Mendoza line against each of his four-seamer, his cutter, and his sinker.
He’s lined up to face Bailey Falter. The southpaw struggled upon joining the Royals at last year’s Trade Deadline and began 2026 in the bullpen. After allowing five runs in his first two outings, though, he was sent down to Triple-A Omaha, where he pitched well enough to get recalled in mid-May. Falter made his first start of the year last Tuesday, going just two innings to kick off a bullpen game. Expect something similar today, since he hasn’t thrown as many as 50 pitches all year and is not stretched out to handle a starter’s workload. Falter pitches off his four-seamer, which he’s thrown more than 60 percent of the time and against which opponents are hitting a brutal .500.
Kansas City will run out the same lineup for the fourth game in a row (outside of swapping Salvador Perez and Carter Jensen between catcher and DH). It’s a group that’s struggled to get going, scoring the sixth-fewest runs in baseball. Against the lefty Falter, the Yankees will start Amed Rosario at third, while Volpe gets the nod over José Caballero at short. Ben Rice, who’s just 5-for-37 of late, will drop to fifth for the first time since April 18th. He’s at DH with the lefty-mashing Paul Goldschmidt at first base and cleanup.
How to watch:
Location: Kauffman Stadium — Kansas City, MO
First pitch: 7:40 pm EDT
TV Broadcast: YES Network | Royals.TV
Radio Broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY) | 96.5 The Fan, Royals Radio Network (KC)
May 24, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots while defended by San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) in the fourth quarter during game four of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
Today is Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. The San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at 8:30 p.m. ET. Watch it on NBC (WRC-TV) in the DMV.
Enjoy hearing “Roundball Rock” non-stop and the basketball.
Australia has been forced to call upon its fourth-choice white-ball captain after Mitchell Marsh was ruled out of the ODI tour of Pakistan with an ankle injury.
Apr 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) skates up ice with the puck against the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period in game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
PITTSBURGH — Evgeni Malkin is going to get a chance to finish what he started in Pittsburgh.
The Penguins re-signed the franchise icon to a one-year deal worth $5.5 million on Tuesday, answering perhaps the club's biggest offseason question before the offseason truly starts.
Malkin, who turns 40 in August, was set to become a free agent on July 1. The Russian had maintained for the past year-plus that he wanted to stay in Pittsburgh rather than hit the open market for the first time in his career. General manager Kyle Dubas spent months declining to offer any specifics on the prospect of keeping Malkin around.
“It’s not easy for Kyle, maybe he wants new blood here,” Malkin said shortly after the Penguins' bounce-back season ended with a Game 6 loss to rival Philadelphia in the opening round of the playoffs. “I understand business. I understand he wants maybe new team, see new faces here.”
Dubas didn't tip his hand until recently, saying on May 12 that the Penguins would “love” to have Malkin back for a 21st and perhaps final season of a career that will almost certainly end with him entering the Hall of Fame.
While he missed 20 games because of an injury and another five to a late-season suspension for an illegal hit, Malkin finished with 19 goals and 42 assists in 56 games to help Pittsburgh return to the playoffs after a three-year absence.
And while Dubas has given the roster a significant overhaul and a needed influx of young talent since taking over in the summer of 2023, that talent is not ready to supplant Malkin on Pittsburgh's second line.
"I don’t think he’s blocking anybody,” Dubas said earlier this month.
The signing means Malkin, and longtime running mates Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang are all under contract for next season. The trio has played 20 seasons together, the longest run by any three teammates in major North American professional sports history.
Malkin, the second overall pick in the 2004 draft, a three-time Stanley Cup champion and the 2012 Hart Trophy winner as the NHL's Most Valuable Player, acknowledged he was open to playing elsewhere next season.
It never came to that.
While Malkin will take a bit of a pay cut from the $6.1 million he made on the deal that expires on June 30, when healthy and engaged, he remains a dangerous offensive player. His strong start last fall helped fuel Pittsburgh's return to contention under first-year head coach Dan Muse, and his 1.09 points per game tied Crosby for tops on the team.
Malkin's 1,407 career points are second all time among Russian-born players, trailing only NHL all-time leading goal scorer Alex Ovechkin. While Ovechkin's future remains up in the air, Malkin's now is not.
TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays signed right-handed reliever Craig Kimbrel to a major league contract on Tuesday to shore up their bullpen.
The Rays placed right-hander Jesse Scholtens on the 15-day injured list with a right wrist strain to make room for Kimbrel on the active roster.
The New York Mets designated Kimbrel for assignment on Friday after the nine-time All-Star allowed 10 runs over 15 innings in 14 appearances. He signed a free agent contract with the team in January.
The 37-year-old Kimbrel has 440 saves with 10 teams in his 17-year career. He won a World Series with Boston in 2018 and was the 2011 NL rookie of the year.
The Rays have the AL’s best record at 34-17, but their bullpen’s ERA of 4.40 is 21st in the majors.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 25: Brooks Lee #22 of the Minnesota Twins celebrates hitting a home run during the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on May 25, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
First Pitch: 6:40 PM CDT
TV: Twins.TV
Radio: TIBN, WCCO 830, The Wolf 102.9 FM, Audacy App, LosTwins.com
Today’s pitching match-up will be Joe Ryan vs. Sean Burke. Ryan has been great lately, with just a single run allowed in each of his last 3 starts. Meanwhile, Burke has been struggling, with 12 ER allowed in his last 13.1 innings.
Rajat Patidar led from the front with an unbeaten 93 to help defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru storm into the IPL final with a 92-run thrashing of Gujarat Titans on Tuesday.
May 24, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Detroit Tigers infielder Colt Keith (33) slides safely into third base in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images | Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images
Detroit Tigers (21-33) vs. Los Angeles Angels (20-34)
Time/Place: 6:40 p.m., Comerica Park SB Nation Site: Halos Heaven Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: RHP Keider Montero (2-3, 3.83 ERA) vs. RHP Jack Kochanowicz (2-3, 4.55 ERA)
CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 8: Karl Malone (L) and John Stockton of the Utah Jazz appear 08 June at a press conference at the United Center in Chicago, IL. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Jazz 96-54 in game three of the NBA Finals 07 June to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. (Photo credit should read DAN LIPPITT/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
On May 10th, 2026, the Utah Jazz won the No. 2 pick at the NBA Draft Lottery. Marking the first time in Jazz history they’ve moved up in the lottery, it’s been a little over two weeks since the Jazz were able to move up. If I’m being honest, I don’t think Jazz fans are excited enough. This draft class, as you already should know, is truly special, and for the Jazz to land the No. 2 pick this year with everything else they’ve accumulated truly is a franchise-changing moment.
The final results from the NBA Draft Lottery 2026:
1. Washington Wizards 2. Utah Jazz 3. Memphis Grizzlies 4. Chicago Bulls 5. LA Clippers 6. Brooklyn Nets 7. Sacramento Kings 8. Atlanta Hawks 9. Dallas Mavericks 10. Milwaukee Bucks 11. Golden State Warriors 12. Oklahoma…
The Jazz have finished last place in the Western Conference two years in a row now. They haven’t made the playoffs since Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert were still leading the team during the 2021-2022 season. The Jazz haven’t made the Western Conference Finals since the 2006-2007 season, falling to the Spurs 4-1. And of course we all know the story of how John Stockton and Karl Malone fell to Michael Jordan and the Bulls in ’97 and ’98. Losing two Finals back-to-back is brutal, and the truth is being a Jazz fan has really only ever brought pain and suffering, but I believe it’s all about to pay off.
While the Jazz did finish last in the Western Conference the past two seasons, you’d be blind to ignore the trajectory the team is currently riding. And let’s be completely honest, if the Jazz actually tried to win last season they probably could’ve slid in as an 8th seed via the play-in. Fortunately they did the right thing, choosing to play for the draft pick. The worst-case scenario for the Jazz in the lottery would’ve been picking 8th. Even in that hypothetical, the Jazz would’ve almost certainly been a top 6 seed next year in an already loaded Western Conference, with Keyonte George, Lauri Markkanen, and Jaren Jackson Jr. leading the way, Walker Kessler likely returning, and an emerging Ace Bailey by his side. That would’ve been more than enough to get the Jazz back into the fight in the West, but finally the lottery gods blessed the Jazz — not with the No. 4, not No. 3, but No. 2!!! In a draft class where it’s truly 1A, 1B, and 1B might just be the best player in the class! That’s not the point of this discussion though. It does not matter who the Jazz take. It doesn’t matter what your opinion is. The Jazz are getting a franchise-changing player no matter what.
The ultimate goal is always to win the NBA Finals. The Jazz have been in Utah for 47 years, and we are still waiting for the first parade through Salt Lake City. I believe the Jazz are on the path to us potentially having one of those parades in the coming years, but it won’t be easy. Watching the Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs has been intimidating, to say the least… But I truly believe now after the lottery the Jazz are positioned to where they could realistically beat one of those teams in a playoff series.
We’re just about a month away from the 2026 NBA Draft! This could be the best time to be a Jazz fan in franchise history. Am I too bullish? Do you agree? When was the last time you were this excited about a Jazz team? The Jazz are going to be FUN next year, and I personally can’t wait to see just how high this team can fly.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MAY 20: Spencer Horwitz #2 of the Pittsburgh Pirates rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the second inning at Busch Stadium on May 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Much has been made of the Pirates’ new-look offense in 2026.
After posting one of the worst offensive seasons in franchise history last year, the Pirates have blossomed into one of the best lineups in the sport.
Don’t believe it? It’s easy to think after the team finished in the bottom five of most offensive categories, but the numbers don’t lie.
The Pirates are tied for third in hits (8.6), tied for fourth in batting average (.249), fifth in on-base (.331), tied for fifth in runs per game (4.8),and 11th in OPS (.717).
Bryan Reynolds, Oneil Cruz, Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn, and Konnor Griffin debuting have been considerable reasons why, but the Pirates wouldn’t be where they are if it wasn’t for one of the most underrated players in the National League.
First baseman Spencer Horwitz is exactly what the Pirates need.
A contact-first approach but capable of hitting the ball out of the park, Horwitz isn’t a prototypical first baseman. The Pirates don’t need him to be.
Horwitz is batting .282, third best on the team, and hit leadoff for the Pirates on Sunday and Monday. He’s hit as low as eighth in the lineup, including Tuesday.
Horwitz is tied sixth in the NL with a team-high .389 on-base percentage, trailing All-Stars Brice Trang (.410), James Wood (.405), Shohei Ohtani (.403), Corbin Carroll (.399), and young stars Xavier Edwards (.391) and Drake Baldwin (.389).
He swings a solid bat from the left side, owning a .832 OPS in 149 at-bats. Horwitz struggles against lefties (.190 average) and tends to sit against left-handed starters, but is batting close to .300 (.297) against righties in 128 at-bats.
Horwitz is somewhat of a throwback player who can hit the ball the other way, make solid contact, and doesn’t strike out.
For a lineup that includes Cruz (on pace to record the most strikeouts in franchise history), Reynolds, Lowe, Marcell Ozuna, and Henry Davis, Horwitz’s approach is a necessity to balance the roster construction.
The 28-year-old former Blue Jay is the only Pirate regular to earn more walks (26) than strikeouts (24). Horwitz homered off Dylan Cease in Toronto in the Bucs’ 4-1 win on Sunday afternoon.
Good teams need players like Horwitz who won’t gain significant attention but find a way to come through. He’s hit five home runs and driven in 23.
Baseball Savant adds an additional element to Horwitz’s success, ranking him in the 86th percentile in batting run value.
He doesn’t hit the ball all that hard (17th) or have a good barrel percentage (19th), but squares up the ball (87th) and doesn’t chase poor pitches (77th).
Horwitz ranks in the 94th percentile in whiff percentage and is zigging when the league zags to the three true outcomes. His strikeout (90th) and walk (89th) percentiles are some of the best in the sport.
He won’t hit the ball 440 feet, make flashy defensive plays, or easily score from first on a ball in the gap, but Spencer Horwitz is more valuable than many people think.
If the Pirates are going to climb the difficult NL Central stairway to a playoff bid, Horwitz is going to be a major reason why the Bucs have their most competitive and complete offense in a decade.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 5: Ranger Suarez #55 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the first inning of a game against the San Diego Padres on April 5, 2026 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On the most beautiful weather night for baseball so far this year at Fenway Park, Ranger Suarez tries to post yet another beautiful pitching line (he’s already held opponents to zero earned runs in five starts this year).
Lineup wise, the most interesting detail is Mickey Gasper starting at catcher, and while that’s most likely because there’s a righty on the mound for Atlanta and Chad Tracy is slowly working Gasper in behind the plate, the far more compelling explanation would be that it was supposed to be Connor Wong’s turn and he got benched for his embarrassing baserunning in the 9th inning on Sunday.
Speaking of the catcher position, let’s try our new feature where we can embed polls from the feed and ask who should be starting the majority of games there right now:
