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Is Blues Management Upset By End-Of-Season Success? Did They Mess Up Potential High Draft Status As A Result?

ST. LOUIS -- In a season that was blatantly obvious, at least prior to the Olympic break, that the St. Louis Blues were not a playoff team and looking more and more like a shoe-in for a lottery pick, the fan faction became divided.

On one side, you had the 'Embrace the Tank' faction, that was clamoring for a lottery pick, getting one for the first time since 2008 when the organization took defenseman Alex Pietrangelo with the fourth pick, and on the other hand, you had the loyal diehards that wanted to see the team turn things around and play competitive hockey.

And with each Blues win, when they went 17-5-3 in the final 25 games to go from second-worst in the NHL standings only to the Vancouver Canucks to now jumping all the way up to 11th from the bottom and having just a slim three percent chance (3.5 percent if it includes the first-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings the Blues acquired in the Justin Faulk trade) of winning the draft lottery and moving up, the tanksters continued to get louder and louder.

Why in the world would you double down and not only mess the season up but also mess up the chance at a lottery pick, they screamed? And when the Blues were putting together a stretch of three four-game winning streaks among their 17 wins in the final 25 games, the other side could be heard from with a collective, "finally."

So how should this be viewed? Did the Blues mess up their chance at drafting the next star in the organization or is this a steppingstone to finding a blueprint for playing the way that this group can have success moving forward and let the chips fall where they may when it comes to draft prospects?

Of course, there will be more clarity on this when the draft lottery takes place on May 5, but from the Blues' perspective, they've prepared for either scenario. But in the process, there was never a question of playing poorly just to play poorly and lose compared to playing the right way.

"Once the season’s over, you wish you had the high pick," Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said. "It’s the pain of going through that to get it. I did talk to the players after the trade deadline and I told them, our mandate (was) we’re going to bring up younger players and we’re going to put them in positions that reflect what we want to see them. Theo [Lindstein] came up, he never played an NHL game and he was a top four defenseman. It’s not like we hid him as a seven. [Dalibor] Dvorsky against the other teams’ top players a lot of nights with Robert [Thomas]. [Otto] Stenberg came up, [Logan] Mailloux, what was his ice time pre- and post-Olympics? I said to the players, ‘We have a plan. Your job is to disrupt the plan. You’re professionals. This is how you make your living. I expect you to disrupt our plan, and they did and I give them full marks. Could we have picked (No.) 2 or 3 this year? It would have ... I think there would be less belief in our group. In the players that you have asked about, that you have talked about, there would be a lot less belief in that if we just had rolled over and just got door-matted for the last seven weeks of the season."

As it sits now, the Blues have the Nos. 11, 15 and 32 picks in the first round; they have the New York Islanders' second first-round pick from the Brayden Schenn trade, which belongs to the Colorado Avalanche, and Armstrong was asked if those picks, depending on where they align after the draft lottery and playoffs are concluded, could be part of a trade or move up. 

Everything is in play.

"We’re all going to have our amateur scouting meetings," Armstrong said. "We’re all going to go to the U-18s, Alex [Steen] and I and the decision-makers on the amateur side. That’s (today), we leave. We’ll be in Slovakia for 10 days. We’ll come back, we’ll go to the combine, we’ll interview the players. After that we’ll go to amateur scout retreat with part time, full time (scouts). We’ll get our list together and the way that I’ve done it in the past is OK, give me lines, blocks of players. Where’s a block? So if there’s a block of four guys and we want to get into that block, then yeah. Yes we would, I guess that’s the long answer. We would move up if we can. We’ll also move back if we don’t like what we see. We can use the picks, we can use prospects, we can use players, but every team is the same in that fashion. If there’s somebody there that we believe is in a block outside of our pick and we can acquire him, we’ll give it our best chance. You also have to have someone that wants to move out of that pick too."

Jordan Kyrou Undergoes Minor Knee ProcedureJordan Kyrou Undergoes Minor Knee ProcedureBlues forward had surgery earlier this week, expected to be ready for training campJim Montgomery Will Finally Get His Say On Assistant CoachesJim Montgomery Will Finally Get His Say On Assistant CoachesBlues coach has had three stops, and in each one has not been able to pick own coaches; will get opportunity to select those he wants after Ott moved to Springfield, Julien, Weber contracts not renewedFor St. Louis Blues, Harsh Reality Is They Must Change One Aspect More Than Any Early In A SeasonFor St. Louis Blues, Harsh Reality Is They Must Change One Aspect More Than Any Early In A SeasonTeam has been chasing standings two years in a row; last year they got away with it, this year they fell four points short, and they must change their attitude more than anythingJordan Kyrou's Down Season Raises Trade Questions Again; Should Two Sides Seek Fresh Start Or Refocus On Coming Back Better, Stronger?Jordan Kyrou's Down Season Raises Trade Questions Again; Should Two Sides Seek Fresh Start Or Refocus On Coming Back Better, Stronger?Forward had lowest output in goals, points since 2020-21, remains committed to St. Louis; team also remains committed -- for nowIf Robert Thomas Was Available For Trade Before, He Shouldn't Have Been, Nor Should Be Moving ForwardIf Robert Thomas Was Available For Trade Before, He Shouldn't Have Been, Nor Should Be Moving ForwardSt. Louis Blues' No. 1 center found game again down stretch for second straight season, formulated team's No. 1 line with play with Dylan Holloway, Jimmy Snuggerud; but 26-year-old wants to hear management's plans moving forward despite four years left on contractWhat Does Dylan Holloway's Next Contract Look Like For St. Louis Blues?What Does Dylan Holloway's Next Contract Look Like For St. Louis Blues?Forward who overcame torn abductor muscle, high ankle sprain within past year, set to become restricted free agent July 1, but unlike Philip Broberg, Doug Armstrong more open-ended regarding 24-year-old's contractJordan Binnington Keeping Open Mind Regarding FutureJordan Binnington Keeping Open Mind Regarding FutureSt. Louis Blues Stanley Cup-winning goalie wants to discuss future team plans with GM-in-waiting Alexander Steen, management team with one year remaining on current contract
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MLB Player Props & Best Bets for Today, April 24

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We’re nearly a month into the MLB season now, and I’m targeting some players whose starts have me expecting big things from them tonight.

I’m looking for Gavin Williams to continue striking out batters at a fast rate, and for Bo Bichette to build off his best game of the year.

Read on to see all my best MLB player props for Friday, April 24.

Best MLB player props today

Player PickOdds
Mets Gavin WilliamsOver 5.5 strikeouts+104
Mets Bo Bichette Over 2.5 H/R/R+125
Mets Kyle Tucker Over 0.5 RBI+170

Gavin Williams Over 5.5 strikeouts (+104)

Cleveland Guardians starter Gavin Williams has struck out about a batter per inning throughout his career, but he’s never mowed down hitters like he’s doing in 2026. Not only is he holding batters to 3.9 hits per nine innings, but he’s also striking out 12.1 per nine, by far the highest rate of his career.

The Toronto Blue Jays have been the hardest team to strike out in the majors this year, but in modern baseball, that doesn’t make them immune to strikeouts. The Jays have struck out at least six times in nine of their last ten games. Williams has 7+ strikeouts in four of his first five starts this season, and should be able to hit this very reasonable total tonight.

  • Time: 7:07 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Peacock, SN1

Bo Bichette Over 2.5 hits + runs + RBIs (+125)

Bo Bichette had been slowly heating up after a terribly slow start, but New York Mets fans finally got the breakout game they were waiting for from their new addition on Thursday. Bichette went 3-for-5 with two runs and three RBIs to help extend the Mets' winning streak to two.

Bichette will have a shot to stay hot tonight as he faces off against Rockies starter Michael Lorenzen, who has a 7.84 ERA and 2.226 WHIP as a starter this year. The entire Mets lineup should be able to build on last night’s outburst around him as well, which makes Bichette an excellent pick to get at least three combined hits, runs, and RBIs tonight.

  • Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Rockies.TV, WPIX-11

Kyle Tucker Over 0.5 RBI (+170)

The vaunted Los Angeles Dodgers offense has gone cold over the last three days, scoring just four runs in a three-game series with the San Francisco Dodgers. But even that’s not enough to cool off their overall numbers: Los Angeles is averaging 5.48 runs per game, and leads the majors with an outstanding .828 OPS. 

Kyle Tucker sits in the middle of this lineup, and while he’s had a relatively slow start, he’s still been able to pick up 13 RBIs in his first 24 games. I see no reason to believe that Jameson Taillon (1-1, 3.97 ERA) will shut down the Dodgers tonight, and if the top of the lineup gets on base, Tucker will be in a great position to drive in at least one run.

  • Time: 10:15 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Apple TV

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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The first game in White Sox History: April 24

A gum insert card (from the Tattoo Orbit Gum Company) features a colorized photograph of baseball player Bill Cissell, of the Cleveland Indians, 1933.
On this day 94 years ago, Bill Cissell was shipped east to Cleveland. | (Photo by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images)

1901
It wasn’t planned this way, but three games in other cities were postponed by rain, putting the White Sox in position to host the first major league game in American League history. Some 9,000 fans at South Side Park — or maybe it was 14,000, reports conflict — saw the home club beat the Cleveland Blues, 8-2. The White Sox scored five times in the first inning, and ran the score to 7-0 in the first two frames. Still, the win took just an hour-and-a-half to complete.

Roy Patterson started, and got the complete-game win. Outfielder Billy Hoy took the first White Sox at-bat. Fred Hartman’s single scored the first two runs in (MLB) American League history.

Hoy was deaf and mute, and referred to himself by his nickname, Dummy — correcting people who called him William. In order for Hoy to understand what the umpires were calling, the arbitrators came up with a series of hand signals indicating safe/out and ball/strike. 

The ceremonial first ball, by the way, was supposed to be thrown out by Robert Burke, special counsel to the mayor of Chicago. Burke declined, however, stating that he was afraid the ball might get hit back to him. (True story!)

1932
The White Sox traded infielder Bill Cissell and righty reliever Jim Moore to Cleveland for utilityman Johnny Hodapp and outfielder Bob Seeds. For a four-player deal it was a nothingburger of a trade, but the White Sox probably got the short end of the stick: Moore reported to the minors and never played another MLB game but Cissell was great for the remainder of the season (2.4 WAR, .320/.354/.440), while Seeds slashed .290/.342/.372 for 0.8 WAR in full-time play and Hodapp was terrible (-0.6 WAR despite being just two years removed from leading the AL in hits and doubles.

1946
Ed Walsh, the second-best pitcher by WAR in White Sox history and author of a six-year run in the majors more dominant than anyone, ever, was elected to the Hall of Fame.

1955
In a game at Kansas City just one day after the White Sox set a major league record with 29 runs, White Sox starter Dick Donovan was hit early and often by the Athletics. When manager Marty Marion came out to take the ball from him, Donovan — making his starting debut with the White Sox and showing his competitive spirit by being concerned about a possible return trip to the minors — refused to give it up! 

Marion had to reassure Dick that he’d remain in the rotation before Donovanwould turn the ball over and leave the field. That season, he’d win 13 of 17 decisions before an emergency appendectomy felled him in late July.

That injury may have cost the White Sox the pennant, as Donovan wasn’t the same after the surgery and the Sox finished in third place, five games behind the Yankees at 91-63-1.

1994
Still mired in a somewhat slow start for a defending division champion, the White Sox lost to Detroit, 7-6. Chicago blew two leads, and then lost the game itself after rallying to tie in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Why is this loss notable? White Sox No. 4 and 5 hitters, Julio Franco and Robin Ventura, hit back-to-back homers — twice, and in consecutive plate appearances in the game.

In the top of the sixth, tied 3-3, Franco led off with a homer to deep right field, and Ventura repeated the act. In the eighth, down 6-4, Franco again led off with a solo shot, and Ventura tied the game with a homer.

The loss (on a Cecil Fielder single in the ninth) dropped the White Sox to 11-7, tied for first in the AL Central.

2010
With a 7-11 record, it was still far from a magical season. But the White Sox accomplished something that had never happened before in their history: walk-off home runs on back-to-back days. In this game, Alex Ríos clocked a two-out walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth to beat the Mariners and David Aardsma, 5-4. The Seattle reliever completely melted down in the ninth, entering up 4-2 and giving up a one-out home run to Paul Konerko to move the White Sox closer. An A.J. Pierzynski fly out and Carlos Quentin walk later, the stage was set for Ríos’ record-setter.

On April 23, it was Andruw Jones who achieved the feat, clocking a full-count, two-out pitch out for a 7-6 White Sox win in front of 24,653 happy fans.

Now, this was NOT the first time the White Sox had won consecutive games on walk-off homers, but the previous time, the wins came on the same day. J.C. Martin and Ken Berry upended Cleveland with game-ending homers on July 25, 1967.

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Nats Head To The Southside For Three Game Set With Scrappy White Sox

The Nationals looked to even the series with the Braves yesterday afternoon at Nationals Park, and were in position to possibly steal the win going into the 7th inning tied 2-2. Unfortunately, the bullpen let them down once again, as Cionel Perez was tagged for 3 runs after getting just one out, bringing his ERA on the season to 8.25.

The Braves brought 2 more across, one against Gus Varland and one against Julian Fernandez, but they wouldn’t need them, as the bats were silent outside of solo shots from James Wood and CJ Abrams, as the Nats lost 7-2 and dropped 3 out of 4 in the series against the first-place Braves.

For the first time practically all season, the Nationals will now get to face a subpar roster playing subpar baseball in the Chicago White Sox. While they certainly aren’t a disgrace of a club by any means, and have actually won 5 of their last 10 games, the White Sox are probably the first team the Nationals have played who have limited expectations in 2026, and mostly aren’t surpassing them so far on the year. This is an opportunity for the Nats to finally let their muscles flex a little and come away with two or three wins, which will inch them back closer to .500.

The White Sox bats are led by the scorching hot rookie from Japan, Munetaka Murakami, who has homered in his past 5 games and has an impressive 170 wRC+ on the season. They’ve also received strong starts from their other young bats, as the 24-year-old Colson Montgomery has a 135 wRC+ and the 26-year-old Miguel Vargas has a 116 wRC+. Similar to the Nats, the bottom of their lineup isn’t anything to be afraid of, but the heart of their order has some thump to it for a club without many expectations of winning this season.

The White Sox pitching staff hasn’t been great in 2026, with a club ERA just under 5, but they do have some bright spots, such as their 24-year-old closer Grant Taylor with a 1.15 FIP, or their 22-year-old top prospect left-hander Noah Schultz, who has looked sharp in his first 2 big league starts, and the Nats will get a chance against this weekend.

Game One – 7:40 PM EST

WSH: LHP PJ Poulin (2-0, 4.97 ERA)

CHW: LHP Bryan Hudson (0-0, 1.69 ERA)

In a rare occurrence, we have a double-opener to begin the series tonight in Chicago, as PJ Poulin will start the game for the Nats before handing off the bulk work to Miles Mikolas, and Bryan Hudson will start for the White Sox before former National Erick Fedde is expected to take it from there.

Game Two – 4:10 PM EST

WSH: RHP Jake Irvin (1-3, 6.00 ERA)

CHW: LHP Noah Schultz (1-1, 3.86 ERA)

Irvin’s last start was an improvement over his previous ones, as although he gave up 3 runs over 5 innings of work, he didn’t allow a single free pass, as compared to the 8 combined walks he had issued in his last 2 starts. Schultz looked impressive in his 2nd career start last time out vs the Athletics, striking out 6 and giving up just 1 run across 5 innings of work.

Game Three – Sunday 2:10 PM EST

WSH: LHP Foster Griffin (3-0, 3.38 ERA)

CHW: RHP Sean Burke (1-2, 4.10 ERA)

Griffin further solidified his case as the most effective arm in the Nationals’ rotation last time out, going 6 innings and giving up 3 runs against the Braves, a quality start. Burke also looked sharp in his last outing, going 6 innings and giving up 2 runs against the Diamondbacks.

Can Nats Arms Neutralize Hot White Sox Bats?

The top of the White Sox order has been doing damage recently, and now they get to face one of the weaker pitching staffs in baseball in the Nats. Can Blake Butera get creative in his deployment of the bullpen, which now includes new callup Riley Cornelio, to work around his weak starters this weekend, or will the Sox bats feast once more?

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JJ Redick was disappointed that Luka Dončić was not an MVP finalist

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: Head Coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers talks to the media after the game against the Houston Rockets during Round One Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 18, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Luka Dončić has already had a Hall of Fame-caliber career, with this season being his best yet.

He averaged a league-leading 33.5 points per game and was named the Western Conference Player of the Month in January and March.

But despite the scoring prowess, dominance, and being the best player on a 53-win team, he wasn’t even a finalist for Most Valuable Player.

He was ruled eligible after his Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge appeal was approved, but the voters didn’t seem to care. The top three MVP candidates for them were Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić.

Before Game 2 against the Rockets, Lakers head coach JJ Redick shared his thoughts on Luka not being named a finalist.

“I’m disappointed,” Redick said. “I mean, I think he deserved to be there and I think all three guys that did end up being finalists have a strong case. A lot of this, unfortunately, is media momentum and sometimes a team, I guess we underperformed even though we didn’t have any expectations coming into the year. But I guess we underperformed for a couple of months despite him playing and getting Player of the Month one of those months and the media momentum never got built.”

What’s wild is that Luka is the only Western Conference player to win Player of the Month twice this season, but he’s not an MVP candidate and his peers from the West are.

Look, all three players are elite and worthy of this award, but Luka has to be a candidate. There are big holes you can poke in all of their games.

For example, Wemby might be the best two-way player, but can he do it on a heavy workload? He averaged just 29.2 minutes per game compared to Luka’s 35.8. What’s more valuable, the guy who plays more or the one who plays less?

Luka has to play that much to get the Lakers wins, and he can do so. Wemby can probably do it as well, but we haven’t seen it. He plays fewer minutes and isn’t as good offensively as Luka.

But hey, he is a media darling playing in a smaller market and doesn’t yell at refs, so I guess he’s a better MVP candidate.

NBA media voters often mention Luka’s defense as why he can’t be an MVP right now, but Joker is standing right there being considered.

When was the last time Joker had a defensive highlight going viral? I’m guessing it would be the first time. But hey, his offense is so good people ignore this, I guess.

SGA is a great candidate, but not perfect either. His team is so good and often wins without him playing much in the fourth quarter. So, how valuable is he? Do they just need him for shifts here and there and for games where things get tight to bring them the win? Dončić is at the center of everything the Lakers do, and that’s by design.

If Luka’s not great, the odds of winning plummet. However, he often is, and it’s why the franchise had back-to-back 50-win seasons for the first time in over a decade.

It’s a shame Luka isn’t even in the running for MVP, given how well he’s played, but perhaps it’s a Lakers tax he has to pay.

Kobe Bryant was only an MVP once, despite many saying he is one of the greatest players ever. Anthony Davis wasn’t a Defensive Player of the Year finalist back in 2024 even though he was fantastic defensively.

Not winning the award would’ve been fair given all the great options, but to not even be a finalist is absurd. The day will come when Luka gets his proper respect and admiration, but clearly it won’t be this season.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

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Where to watch Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: Live stream, TV channel, odds for Friday, April 24

The Chicago Cubs (16-9) begin their three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers (17-8) in a meeting of divisional leaders. The Dodgers are favored with a -160 moneyline compared to the Cubs' +135. Starting pitchers are Jameson Taillon for the Cubs, with a 3.97 ERA, and Emmet Sheehan for the Dodgers, with a 5.85 ERA.

  • Chicago Cubs: 16-9 (No. 1 in NL Central)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers: 17-8 (No. 1 in NL West)

  • Spread: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5

  • Moneyline: Los Angeles Dodgers -160 (59.1%) / Chicago Cubs +135 (40.9%)

  • Over/Under: 9.0

Chicago Cubs: Jameson Taillon (1-1, ERA: 3.97, K: 21, WHIP: 1.28)
Los Angeles Dodgers: Emmet Sheehan (2-0, ERA: 5.85, K: 18, WHIP: 1.40)

Weather: 68°F at first pitch

Ballpark: Capacity: 56,000 | Roof: Open | Surface: Grass

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Derrick White just might be the NBA’s most well-liked player

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 07: Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics reacts during warmups before a game against the Charlotte Hornets at the TD Garden on April 07, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA — Derrick White started getting ‘congratulations’ texts on Thursday afternoon. At first, he didn’t know what for.

Then, he realized he had won the NBA’s annual Sportsmanship Award, which is bestowed upon the player who best represents the ideals of sportsmanship on the court.

“It’s pretty cool,” White said at Celtics shootaround on Friday morning. “I think I’m doing things the right way out there, and I think it’s a pretty cool honor.”

The selection was no surprise to White’s Celtics teammates.

Payton Pritchard smiled when asked about White earning the honor.

“Derrick is just a good human being, good teammate,” Pritchard said. “I don’t think anybody really talks crap to Derrick, so he don’t talk to anybody. But you can just tell by looking at him: he’s a good person.”

During games, White is oftentimes very chatty with opposing team’s players during dead-ball situations. At the free-throw line, he shares a laugh with whoever he’s guarding.

“We have respect for each other,” White said. “But, at the end of the day, you’re competing, you want to win. So that’s kind of when I’m at my best, is when I’m kind of doing different stuff, like that. And for other people, that doesn’t work, but I feel like it works for me.”

After the final buzzer sounds, he usually chats with his competitors longer than any of his Celtics teammates. From an onlooker’s perspective, it appears that White is friends with almost everyone in the NBA.

Each team nominated one of its players for the Sportsmanship Award. Then, from the 30 nominees, a panel of league executives selected six finalists (one per division). The five other finalists were T.J McConnell (Indiana Pacers), Harrison Barnes (San Antonio Spurs), Al Horford (Golden State Warriors), Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat), and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder).

NBA players then ranked those six players, and White came away with the most total points (though McConnell actually finished with the most first-place votes).

“I don’t know if guys take those votes too seriously or not,” White said. “But, man, it was just cool to be nominated and go out there and do the right thing.”

Last year, Jrue Holiday won the award as a Celtic.

“I just learned a lot from Jrue,” White said. “So, shoutout Jrue.”

The Celtics and the 76ers will face off for Game 3 on Friday night. White said immediately after a playoff loss, it feels like the world is ending. But the team then reviews films and gets back to the drawing board of how to get better for the next game.

“That’s the playoffs,” White said. “I don’t think anybody’s ever not lost a game, so you kind of have to reset, figure out what you did wrong, figure out what you can do well, and make the adjustments. And that’s the cool thing about the playoffs — anything can change in one game. So it’s a big game tonight, and we’ve got to be ready to go.”

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NHL Star Admiring Flyers' Porter Martone From Afar

Top Philadelphia Flyers prospect Porter Martone has impressed his teammates, the organization, and fans with how well he's played so far, but he's quickly earning the respect of his peers, too.

Ironically, one of those peers is an NHL star who was often the comparison for the 19-year-old forward.

Florida Panthers standout Matthew Tkachuk, on his "Wingmen with Matthew and Brady Tkachuk" podcast, had nothing but good things to say about Martone in the early goings of his NHL career.

"Yeah, Martone, he looks unreal. He had that snipe that ended up being the game-winner. But he looks so confident. Some of these younger players in Philly are making that team fun to watch," Tkachuk said.

"If you look at some of those forwards, man, like, they just buzz around. . . That Martone, he's solid. I haven't played against him--it's hard to say how good these guys are or what type of player they are, because I haven't played agains them yet--but watching them, this team might be for real. They might be for real. They might just be a sneaky, sneaky wagon."

Flyers' Porter Martone Makes NHL History After Latest Big Playoff GameFlyers' Porter Martone Makes NHL History After Latest Big Playoff GameFlyers top prospect Porter Martone is thriving right now, and he has made some NHL history because of it.

Between the regular season and playoffs, Martone has scored 13 points in 12 total games, registering a point in each of the three Stanley Cup playoff games the Flyers have played against the Pittsburgh Penguins here in Round 1.

The 2025 No. 6 overall pick delivered a key assist against the Carolina Hurricanes, too, to help the Flyers clinch their playoff berth.

The big moments aren't too big for Martone despite his age and relative inexperience, and it has obviously manifested on the scoresheet as well.

For someone like Tkachuk, a player who Martone plays very similarly to despite not having quite the same level of nastiness and physicality, is a huge compliment and a testament to Martone's work ethic and talent.

Flyers Coach Rick Tocchet Has Rave Reviews for Porter MartoneFlyers Coach Rick Tocchet Has Rave Reviews for Porter MartoneAfter a short adjustment period, Porter Martone was one of the best players for the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> during their playoff push, and head coach Rick Tocchet quickly took notice.

If he can maintain this trajectory, the Flyers have a rising star in Martone.

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No Gloves, No Fans, No Problem: The Brad Miller 2020 Power Hour

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 18: Brad Miller #15 of the St. Louis Cardinals in action during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on September 18, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Almost everyone wants to forget the weirdness of the 2020 MLB season. The Dodgers winning a piece of metal after a 60-game season that saw divisions reworked and paper cutouts as fans in the stands was a real clincher to the strange year. Taxi squads and constant COVID tests were the norm, and the St. Louis Cardinals missing a dozen players at a time due to an outbreak is something that only 2020 could provide.

One player who took advantage of what we would now deem a “small sample size” was lefty utility man, Brad Miller. Signed just before the world shut down in 2020, Miller arrived as a bench option and left as a cult hero. From his “old school” refusal to wear batting gloves to his historic 7-RBI night in Cincinnati, we’re breaking down the 48 games where “Miller Time” took over Busch Stadium (even if no one was there to see it).

Brad Miller did not need batting gloves to help lead the Cardinals’ offense in 2020

In this episode, we discuss:

The 2020 Time Capsule: Navigating the strangest season in MLB history—from the 60-game sprint to the arrival of the Universal DH.

Bare-Handed Blast: Why Miller’s no-batting-gloves style resonated with the St. Louis faithful. September 1st, 2020: A deep dive into Miller’s career-high 7-RBI masterclass against the Reds.

The Impact of the DH: How a last-minute rule change turned a $2M utility signing into the team’s co-leader in home runs.

Life After St. Louis: Tracking Brad’s journey to 100 career homers and his recent transition to the broadcast booth.

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Thanks for tuning in and share your memories of the 2020 season!

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‘Everything about it was magical’: Southampton still spurred on by spirit of ’76 Cup triumph

Fiftieth anniversary of an FA Cup win still central to their city’s identity forms an evocative backdrop to Saints’ semi-final against Manchester City

Two years ago, when sixth-tier Maidstone won at Ipswich to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time, their manager, George Elokobi, distilled the unique, enduring impact of an FA Cup giantkilling into five syllables: “This binds us for life.”

The same bond, only even more powerful, will be in evidence on the south coast in the next week. All connected with Southampton hope to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their only FA Cup final triumph having reached another final.

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Cubs vs Dodgers Prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for April 24

The Chicago Cubs (16-9) make the West Coast trip to Los Angeles for a three game series with the Dodgers (17-8).

Chicago is on a nine-game winning streak that came against the Phillies and the Mets. Outside of playing those two teams, Chicago is 7-8 versus the rest of the schedule. The Cubs are posting the second-best ERA over the last seven days (2.09), while the offense is third in batting average (.303).

Los Angeles is in the midst of their worst stretch of the season at 2-4 over the last six games. In that span, the Dodgers are hitting .254 (13th), while the pitching staff has the ninth-best ERA (3.96). On the season, Los Angels ranks first and third in those two categories.

Let’s dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Cubs at Dodgers

  • Date: Friday, April 24, 2026
  • Time: 10:15 PM EST
  • Site: Dodger Park 
  • City: Los Angeles, CA
  • Network/Streaming: Apple TV

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Cubs at the Dodgers

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Moneyline: Los Angeles Dodgers (-168), Chicago Cubs (+139)
  • Spread: Cubs +1.5 (-143), Dodgers -1.5 (+119)
  • Total: 8.0

Probable starting pitchers for Cubs at Dodgers

  • Friday's pitching matchup (April 24): Emmet Sheehan vs. Jameson Taillon
  • Dodgers: Emmet Sheehan

2026 stats: 20.0 IP, 2-0, 5.85 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 18 Ks, 8 BB

  • Cubs: Jameson Taillon

2026 Stats: 22.2 IP, 1-1, 3.97 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 21 Ks, 9 BB

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not!

  • The Cubs’ Moises Ballesteros is hitting .392 with 20 hits and 33 total bases over 51 at-bats
  • The Cubs’ Michael Busch is hitting .198 with 18 hits and 22 strikeouts over 91 at-bats
  • The Dodgers’ Andy Pages is hitting .337 with 30 hits and 49 total bases over 89 at-bats
  • The Dodgers’ Alex Freeland is hitting .213 with 13 hits and 23 strikeouts over 61 at-bats

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Cubs at Dodgers

  • The Cubs are 13-12 ATS this season
  • The Dodgers are 13-12 ATS this season
  • The Cubs are 15-9-1 to the Over this season
  • The Dodgers are 13-12 to the Under this season

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Dodgers and the Cubs

Rotoworld Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday's game between the Dodgers and the Cubs.

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Dodgers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Dodgers at -1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Over on the Game Total of 9.0

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
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3 keys for the Phoenix Suns to defeat Oklahoma City in Game 3

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 22: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns attempts a shot in front of Jaylin Williams #6 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center on April 22, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After a day of absorbing and analyzing Game 2, the focus shifts to Game 3 between the Phoenix Suns and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Phoenix returns home for its first postseason game in nearly three years, and the challenge in front of them is real. The Thunder, through two games, look like a machine.

It feels like riding in a Tesla when someone flips it into sport mode and you are gripping the door as it launches down the highway. Your head sinks into the headrest as electricity drives you forward. That is what playing Oklahoma City feels like. It’s fast, efficient, and relentless. For some, that rush is the appeal. It is not for everyone.

So, how do you beat a team like this? What gives you a chance to take one back on your home floor? As we turn to Game 3, here are three things the Suns need to accomplish.

Push the Pace

I liked the idea from head coach Jordan Ott to lean into pace against Oklahoma City in Game 2. It tracks. If you let them sit in the half-court and load up defensively, they will eat. This is the best defense in the NBA. Any chance to push them back, get them on their heels, and keep them from getting set works in your favor.

It is not a natural style for Phoenix. They finished 24th in pace, so playing faster introduces some discomfort, reads you do not make as often, and decisions that come quicker than you are used to. Still, you are searching for edges wherever you can find them, and pace can be one.

After every rebound, after every make by Oklahoma City, get the ball out and get up the floor. Quickly. Force them to react instead of dictate. Oklahoma City will counter. Expect full-court pressure, expect them to try to slow you before you cross half-court. That adjustment is coming.

Game 2 showed a glimpse. Phoenix won the fast break points 14-11. It is something to build on and something to test again.

Hold on to the Rock

One of the byproducts of playing with pace, especially when it is not your natural rhythm, is mistakes. Against Oklahoma City, mistakes turn into points in a hurry. They finished third in the NBA in steals at 9.7 per night. Phoenix was right there at 9.5, fourth in the league, and still, the margin shows up in a different place.

Turnovers.

The Suns were 15th in the NBA at 14.5 per game, and that number has climbed through two postseason games. Oklahoma City has turned it over 18 times total, the fewest of any team in the playoffs. Phoenix has 41. That gap is as loud as the fans in Loud City. Did you know that’s what they call OKC? Loud City? Now you do.

The points off those mistakes are louder. The Suns have allowed 54 points off turnovers and scored 11. Loose handles, rushed passes, decisions made a beat too late; it all feeds into what the Thunder want to do. It fuels their runs, it creates separation, it turns competitive stretches into uphill climbs. If Phoenix wants a chance in this series, it starts here.

Protect the ball.

Threes, Anyone?

The path to a Suns win in this series is narrow, and it runs through the three-point line. There is a version of this where Phoenix catches fire and flips a game. That is the version you are chasing.

This is a Suns team that already leans on the three. They attempted the 5th most in the NBA and made the most by a Suns team in team history. Against Oklahoma City, it becomes essential. Phoenix hit 20 or more threes 10 times this season and went 9-1 in those games. They hit 18 or more 17 times and went 14-3. The math is clear. You have to shoot them, and you have to make them.

The looks are there. In this series, the Suns are shooting 34.3% from deep, 24-of-70, and half of those attempts are classified as “wide open”. They are hitting 37.1% on those. One out of every two threes is wide open, and those have to fall at a higher rate. Right now, that 37.1% on wide open threes ranks ninth among playoff teams still playing. That is not enough in this matchup. The process is working. The opportunities are there. Now you have to cash them in.

It is possible to beat Oklahoma City. We have seen it. The Suns did it in the regular season. It took a Devin Booker buzzer beater and came in a game with lineups that looked more G League than playoff rotation, but it still counts. It shows a path.

This season has already pushed past expectations. This team has overachieved. If they want to reach a little further, they grab one at home. Game 3 or Game 4. Extend this to five. That is progress. That is growth.

And it would be fun.

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George Lombard Jr. is looking comfortable in the high minors

Mar 10, 2026; Clearwater, Florida, USA; New York Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr. (96) fields a ground ball in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during spring training at BayCare Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images | Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

The Yankees drafted shortstop George Lombard Jr. in June 2023, back when he was an extremely toolsy but raw 18-year-old prospect. They chose ceiling over floor, something that they don’t always do, and so far, it’s hard to say they regret their choice.

No, Lombard hasn’t made his MLB debut. He isn’t particularly close to doing so, and it might not happen this year at all. However, it’s easy to feel good about the progress he has made going up through the ranks. The Yankees have to be happy with his ability to learn and adjust. So far, Lombard has taken a bit to get used to every level he has played in, but sooner or later, he gets going and excels.

Last year, Lombard completely tore up High-A in 24 games, slashing an incredible .329/.495/.488 with a 194 wRC+ in 111 plate appearances to earn his ticket to Double-A. There, he hit .185 with an 86 wRC+ in his first 24 games, but eventually figured out some things and finished the level with a 111 wRC+ in 469 trips to the plate.

This season, Lombard is off to a scintillating start in Double-A, much like it happened last year in High-A. He is slashing a robust .350/.420/.650 with a 172 wRC+, six doubles, four home runs, and three stolen bases in 69 plate appearances before Thursday’s game.

It’s still too early to say if he really mastered Double-A or if pitchers there will eventually find some holes in his swing, but if Lombard keeps this up for a few more weeks or months, he might find himself in Triple-A. Fifteen games are obviously a tiny sample, but the young infielder is looking excellent in Somerset.

He is doing it aided by a swing change: in 2025, his hand placement was higher and closer to his body, but he decided to lower it this year (h/t Ryan García), and it has apparently helped.

Here is a look at his hands last year:

View Link

And here’s 2026:

View Link

A hitter lowering his hands usually wants to shorten the path to the ball, which can make the swing more compact. It is looking more explosive than ever before.

This doesn’t mean that a longer path and a higher placement don’t work for some prospects, but the idea is to keep things as simple as possible. Sometimes, less is more. And, for Lombard, the lowered hands seem to be working just fine.

It’s important to note that Lombard’s power pace, while impressive, is bound to cool off a bit. He simply won’t continue hitting a home run for every four fly balls. That doesn’t mean there can’t be an improvement there in comparison to the rates he usually runs in that department, between five and eight percent.

He is hitting the ball hard frequently and is showing a very nice batted ball mix, with 31.9 percent line drives, 34 percent ground balls, and 34 percent fly balls. The liners will come down a bit, but as long as he keeps the fly ball percentage up and the ground ball percentage down, he will be fine long-term.

We are talking about a prospect who already has two plus tools: fielding and baserunning/speed. The offensive profile, once very raw, is starting to take shape, and it’s hard not to be excited about Lombard’s ceiling. The floor might not be as high as some top prospects, because he entered the year with a middling .243 batting average and a .376 slugging percentage in the minor leagues. The ceiling, however, is exciting, and it could come with 25 home runs and 40 stolen bases with a high OBP.

Watching him perform and put up huge numbers in Double-A is proof that he belongs in the upper minors. His development has been amazing to watch, and while it is still not finished, it’s easy to imagine him playing games for the Yankees sometime in the next year and a half.

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Opposition research: Michael Harris II

Apr 4, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (23) at bat during the ninth inning of a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn Images | Allan Henry-Imagn Images

The situation for the Phillies has gotten beyond the level of ugliness. It’s so dire that I was actually encouraged by them getting to extra innings before losing on Thursday.

On the other hand, the Phillies’ opponents this weekend have had just about everything go right this season. Is it possible that the Braves somehow stole the Phillies’ mojo like Dr. Evil did in the second Austin Powers movie? At this point, I’m not ruling anything out.

As for things that are going right for the Braves, outfielder Michael Harris II is near the top of the list. In 2022, Harris displayed superb defense in centerfield and recorded an OPS of .853 to earn the National League’s Rookie of the Year award. He pretty much matched those numbers the following season, but his performance at the plate dipped the past two years. He was still good on defense – he’s certainly made his share of highlight plays against the Phillies – but his on-base percentage fell to .268 in 2025, and he had become an offensive liability.

Harris certainly seems to have his mojo back this season, putting up a slash line of .316/.356./.565. He’s still only 25 years of age, and player development is often non-linear. It’s possible that Harris simply needed to re-adjust to how pitchers were attacking him in recent years, and he will be a positive at the plate going forward.

Trivia

By popular demand, trivia has returned! I think I may reserve the song battles for the weekday series and trivia for the weekends.

Remember how it works: Answer in the comments, don’t confirm answers, and try not to look it up.

Who was the first Phillies to hit a home run at Truist Park (opened in 2017)?

Non-Phillies thought

It’s nice to see that the Flyers have broken the brains of Penguins fans.

Sometimes I wish I could be as blissfully un-self-aware as a guy calling himself “Penguins Jesus” calling anything cringy and weird.

Additional thought about the series

I’m at a loss here. I thought the Phillies would take a small step back from last year, and I know several fans thought the step back would be considerable. But I don’t think anyone could have predicted the team look like one of the worst – if not the absolute worst – in baseball.

Say what you will about the offseason, but this group is mostly the same one that won the division with ease in 2025. I never would have suspected that Nick Castellanos, Ranger Suarez, and Matt Strahm were the glue holding it all together. Obviously losing Zack Wheeler has hurt, but the Phillies did go 35-19 in August and September last year when he was either injured or showing reduced effectiveness.

I’m somewhat reminded of the 2023 Eagles where they had a load of talent on the roster, but the situation had gotten so bad by the end of the season that they looked incapable of winning a game.

At this point, I’m not sure if it’s good news or bad news that it’s still only April. Sure, there’s lots of time left to dig out of this hole, but if the team really is as bad as they’ve looked, then we have a lot more bad baseball left to endure.

I’d say it would be great for the Phillies to get their act together and win this series. But Truist Field hasn’t been all that hospitable for the Phillies even when they were playing well. At this point, I think it would be a real accomplishment if they can find a way to win a single game this weekend.