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Predators Need To Move On From 'Good Ole Days' In General Manager Search | Column

Nostalgia is addictive. It's fun to remember the good times and try to recreate those memories in the present. 

However, that's exactly why they are memories. 

The Nashville Predators have been clinging to the past for a while, for better and worse. Maintaining the Smashville identity is integral to this organization, but the faces behind that vision need to change. 

Bringing back the team's first and most successful head coach, Barry Trotz, to lead the front office as a first-time general manager wasn't an awful decision. 

His strength has been in drafting and setting the table for the future. Trotz brought in star players like Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Ryan O'Reilly and kept a handful of key players in Nashville, including Luke Evangelista, Juuse Saros and Justus Annunen. 

However, the corps could not make a deep playoff run, making the postseason just once in the last three seasons and posting one of the franchise's worst records during the 2024-25 campaign. 

Trotz set this team up for success from 1998 to 2014, but could not replicate that magic in a new decade in a new position. 

Mar 16, 2009, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Nashville Predators coach Barry Trotz gestures from the bench in the third period against the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center. The Predators defeated the Kings 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-Imagn Images
Mar 16, 2009, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Nashville Predators coach Barry Trotz gestures from the bench in the third period against the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center. The Predators defeated the Kings 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-Imagn Images

That nostalgic energy played a part in hiring a new head coach back in 2023, when Andrew Brunette, who played for Trotz and the Predators in their inaugural season, was hired as a first-year head coach. 

In his third season, while he showed growth, it wasn't enough to get Nashville into the playoffs for a second straight season. 

With Trotz stepping away from the GM chair, the Predators have a chance to bring an outsider in, start a new chapter in their history and try something different. This is their opportunity to prove that were a team of today and tomorrow, and no longer yesterday. 

It is rumored that the Predators are still leaning toward the past, "leaning toward" ousted New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald, who served as the Predators' first captain for four seasons from 1998 to 2002. 

NHL insider David Pagnotta said on the DFO Rundown podcast on April 29 that he believes the Predators are leaning toward going down the Tom Fitzgerald route as their new GM. 

Pagnotta's observation is just one of many from NHL insiders over the last month that have said Fitzgerald is a leading candidate for the Predators' top front office job. 

On Friday, Elliotte Friedman added that the Vancouver Canucks have asked to talk to Fitzgerald, but even he is focused on becoming the Predators' GM. 

Fitzgerald has won a Stanley Cup in a front office role with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009 as the team's Director of Player Development, but has had a really lackluster stint when in the GM role.

He was named the New Jersey Devils general manager after Ray Shero was fired in 2020. Fitzgerald served as the team's assistant GM from 2015 to 2020. 

In his time as the organization's GM, the Devils qualified for the playoffs just twice in 2023 and 2025, making it beyond the first round just once. Both years, the Devils' season ended at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes in five games. 

With top talent like Nico Heischer, Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt, along with role players filtering in and out, the Devils have failed to put together a successful corps and after posting a 42-37-8 record in the regular season, they are flirting with a full rebuild. 

It's a similar situation to the Predators, where a successful corps has been put together, and it's just not clicking. 

Unlike the Predators, the Devils have had three head coaches in the last five years and fired their GM after nothing had changed. 

Nov 30, 2021; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils executive vice president/general managerTom Fitzgerald, addresses the media about the contract extension of New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) before the start of the game against the San Jose Sharks at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-Imagn Images
Nov 30, 2021; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils executive vice president/general managerTom Fitzgerald, addresses the media about the contract extension of New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) before the start of the game against the San Jose Sharks at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-Imagn Images

Instead of going after experienced candidates with a successful track record and seeking to bring in outside voices, the Nashville Predators are once again opting to hire one of their "buddies." 

It's fun to remember what these players and coaches did for your organization back then, but trying to zombify that moment and duplicate its success now isn't going to work. 

Take out the fact that he had played for the Predators, and Fitzgerald's candidacy for this committee is not impressive.

This search committee needs to take off its golden-shaded goggles and find a GM who will bring real change and new ideas to this organization. 

The Predators need a GM who is established and has a track record of winning, and, in their case, an assistant GM who has a track record of building a championship-contending team. 

No more former coaches. No more former players. Hire on the basis of proven success and how they can bring a Stanley Cup to Music City. 

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Two-start pitchers: Tarik Skubal headlines a gaggle of elite options as we steamroll into May

Hello and welcome to the sixth installment of our weekly two-start pitcher article for the 2026 MLB season.

I will be here every Friday to highlight some of the best two-start pitcher options in fantasy baseball leagues for the upcoming week providing my insights and recommendations on which options should be started or benched.

It feels like we just drafted our teams, yet the weather is warming up around the league and balls are starting to fly out of the ballpark with more regularity as we head into the month of May.

We now have actual actionable data that we can use to make decisions on these pitchers, as most of them have taken the mound five or six times already. A pitcher can get lucky and post quality results despite poor underlying numbers through a couple of starts, but it’s much more difficult to sustain that over a longer stretch of time.

This is a living document, so we'll update the options below as the weekend moves along.

Before we get into it, we'll start with a couple of notes on situations that may be unresolved or teams that may not have a two-start pitcher lined up for the upcoming week:

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Someone could wind up making two starts for the Astros next week (vs. Dodgers, at Reds), but we have no idea who that will be yet. The Astros’ rotation has been ravaged by injuries this season and now a doubleheader on Thursday has forced the issue even more. TastuyaImai is working his way back and should be ready soon, but it’s not expected to be on Monday. Whoever does make that start, the matchups are brutal – having to battle the Dodgers at home and then travel to the bandbox that is the Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. This looks like a situation to avoid. We’ll update here as we get more information.

As is the case most weeks, the Dodgers will not have any pitcher make two starts as they continue to roll with a full six-man rotation. Once again, Yoshinobu Yamamoto will pitch on Monday and would be the one to start twice (at Astros, vs. Braves) should they decide to skip anyone or adjust their rotation. He’s a lock for fantasy lineups every week anyways though, so there’s no actionable item to take away there.

It’s possible that Elmer Rodriguez could also make two starts for the Yankees this week (vs. Orioles, at Brewers), though that has yet to be confirmed. Carlos Rodon is progressing in his rehab and there’s a chance that he could be cleared to return by next weekend. It’s also possible that the Yankees could go with a bullpen game or try out another spot starter instead of Rodriguez in that spot. We’ll update here if we receive any more clarity through the weekend.

Someone will step into the Reds’ rotation on Monday in place of the injured Brandon Williamson and will make two starts this week (at Cubs, vs. Astros), but as of Friday afternoon we’re still not sure who that will be. We’ll update here and give a recommendation on whether or not we would be streaming that arm once we know who it is.

Logan Webb had been lined up for two starts this week (vs. Padres, vs. Pirates), but after a rain delay and a doubleheader changed their plans, it looks like the Giants will now roll with a bullpen day or a spot starter on Monday, meaning no one will get the honor of taking the mound twice. We’ll once again update here if anything changes.

The expectation is that Eric Lauer will pitch on Monday for the Blue Jays and be lined up for two starts next week (at Rays, vs. Angels). That could depend on when and where Jose Berrios slots back into the mix though as he makes his triumphant return from the injured list. It’s possible Lauer goes on Monday and then Berrios moves in somewhere, making it so no Blue Jays’ hurlers toe the slab twice.

Going Twice…

Note: Probable pitchers as of May 1 and are subject to change.

American League

▶ Strong Plays

Tarik Skubal, Tigers, LHP (vs. Red Sox, at Royals)

Through his first seven starts on the season, the two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award winner has been as good as expected – posting a 2.70 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and a 45/6 K/BB ratio across 43 1/3 innings. He’s obviously locked into fantasy lineups every week regardless of matchup, but he gets a nice draw this week as both the Royals and Red Sox check in around the middle of the pack in terms of OPS against southpaws. He also gets to make both starts in pitcher’s parks. It’s easy to see why he’s the top overall play on the board this week.

Cam Schlittler, Yankees, RHP (vs. Orioles, at Brewers)

Cam Schlittler has been perhaps the best starting pitcher in all of baseball through his first seven starts. He sits at 4-1 on the year with a minuscule 1.51 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and a 49/6 K/BB ratio over his first 41 2/3 innings. While some regression to the mean should be expected, his xERA (2.40) and xFIP (2.40) show that this strong start has been built on solid underlying skills. He’s an automatic start in all leagues as long as he’s taking the mound. Enjoy the added volume from the extra start this week.

Drew Rasmussen, Rays, RHP (vs. Blue Jays, at Red Sox)

Since becoming a full-time starting pitcher when he joined the Rays midway through the 2021 season, Rasmussen has always been an elite option for fantasy purposes when he has been healthy enough to take the mound. That hasn’t changed at all this year, as he has put together a terrific 2.64 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and a 32/5 K/BB ratio over 30 2/3 innings while winning two of his first six starts. There’s no reason that he should be anywhere near fantasy benches as long as he’s taking the ball. Make sure he’s active for a pair of strong matchups this week.

Jose Soriano, Angels, RHP (vs. White Sox, at Blue Jays)

Soriano has been an absolute revelation through his first seven starts, registering an incredible 0.84 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and a 49/16 K/BB ratio over 42 2/3 frames. It appears as though new Angels’ pitching coach Mike Maddux has finally unlocked what was once dormant there. The matchups play in his favor as well this week, as the White Sox and Blue Jays both rank in the bottom third of the league in OPS against right-handed pitching. I’m not sure that he can keep this up and function as an ace for fantasy purposes for the duration of the season, but fantasy managers should absolutely keep him in lineups until he shows any signs of slowing down.

Gavin Williams, Guardians, RHP (at Royals, vs. Twins)

Gavin Williams has been a beast for fantasy purposes in the early part of the 2026 season, starting 5-1 with a stellar 2.70 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and a 53/19 K/BB ratio over 43 1/3 innings. He’s still walking more hitters than we’d like to see, but he doesn’t give up many hits and he’s racking up strikeouts at a very high rate. He should be an automatic start every week right now regardless of who he’s facing. This week he draws two very strong matchups, making him one of the top overall plays on the board. Start with full confidence in all formats.

Logan Gilbert, Mariners, RHP (vs. Braves, at White Sox)

Gilbert hasn’t quite pitched like the ace that fantasy managers were hoping for through his first seven starts, sitting at 1-3 with a 4.03 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and a 39/8 K/BB ratio across 38 innings. He appears to be rounding into form somewhat though, allowing two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts. The results haven’t been bad overall and fantasy managers need to keep staying the course, starting Gilbert every week and by season’s end his overall line should look close to what you were expecting when you called his name on draft day.

Nick Martinez, Rays, RHP (vs. Blue Jays, at Red Sox)

Nick Martinez has quietly been one of the top free agent signings in all of baseball so far this season, producing a microscopic 1.70 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and a 24/9 K/BB ratio over 37 innings in his first six starts for the Rays. Traditionally scary matchups, the Red Sox and Blue Jays have both struggled against right-handed pitching this season, so I don’t see any reason at all to avoid Martinez with his extra volume this week. It just means that he could actually be an asset in strikeouts instead of just ratios this week. He should be started in all leagues.

Jacob deGrom, Rangers, RHP (at Yankees, vs. Cubs)

The 37-year-old right-hander has been outstanding through his first six starts on the year, compiling a 2.01 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and a 40/7 K/BB ratio over 31 1/3 innings. The matchups for the upcoming week are difficult, as both the Yankees and Cubs rank in the top seven in baseball in terms of OPS against opposing right-handers. The only thing that has ever been able to derail deGrom though has been health, so as long as he’s standing upright and taking the mound for the Rangers, he should be in all fantasy lineups.

▶ Decent Plays

Tanner Bibee, Guardians, RHP (at Royals, vs. Twins)

You may not realize it because Bibee is 0-4 on the season, but he hasn’t pitched that poorly. He has been a victim of poor run support and sports a respectable 4.08 ERA along with a troublesome 1.44 WHIP and 32 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings. Bibee should be set up to land that first victory this week, taking on a pair of familiar divisional foes. He may not be an every-week start in all formats right now, but he should be in all lineups across the board for this two-step.

Payton Tolle, Red Sox, RHP (at Tigers, vs. Rays)

It’s tough to know what to make of Tolle through his first two starts with the Red Sox. He dominated the Yankees with 11 strikeouts over six innings of one-run baseball in his debut, then saw a major drop in velocity while giving up three runs and walking four while failing to make it out of the fifth inning against the Blue Jays. If the velocity rebounds, you like his chances of success in this upcoming two-start week, but there’s at least more risk here than you’d think at first glance. It’d still be using him in all 15-team formats, but I’d think twice about it in 12’s if I had other viable alternatives.

Davis Martin, White Sox, RHP (at Angels, vs. Mariners)

One of the biggest surprises of the 2026 season so far, Davis Martin has been functioning as an ace for the White Sox through his first six starts – going 4-1 with a 1.95 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 33/8 K/BB ratio over his first 37 innings. The underlying numbers aren’t quite as rosy, with a 4.52 xERA and 3.54 xFIP which aren’t buying into his unsustainable strand rate of 86.7%. That being said, the Angels and Mariners aren’t overly intimidating against right-handed pitching so using him for this upcoming two-start week still seems viable. Just don’t be surprised when the numbers aren’t quite as elite as they have been so far.

Luis Severino, Athletics, RHP (at Phillies, at Orioles)

Despite his poor overall numbers, Severino was a terrific streaming option during the 2025 season when he was pitching away from Sutter Health Park. That hasn’t quite carried over to 2026 just yet, but is probably due to the limited sample that we have had so far. The Phillies and Orioles aren’t overly imposing matchups for opposing right-handers, so I would feel comfortable streaming Severino in all league sizes this week.

Michael Wacha, Royals, RHP (vs. Guardians, vs. Tigers)

If you just glanced at Wacha’s overall line, you would think that he has been great through his first six starts, posting a 3.13 ERA and 1.13 WHIP over 37 1/3 innings. He allowed just three runs combined through his first four starts though and then got rocked for 10 runs over 10 1/3 innings his last two times out against the Orioles and Athletics. His matchups are a mixed bag, while the Guardians have really struggled against right-handed pitching but the Tigers rank in the top-five in baseball against them. You probably can’t get away from it in 15-teamers, but I’d be leery of the potential ratio damage that Wacha could provide in 12-team formats.

Taj Bradley, Twins, RHP (at Nationals, at Guardians)

We have seen the best version of Taj Bradley through his first seven starts for the Twins this season, compiling an elite 2.85 ERA and 1.22 WHIP while striking out 44 batters in 41 innings and securing three victories. His xERA (4.03) and xFIP (4.08) hint that he may be benefitting from some good fortune, as that 86.7% strand rate isn’t sustainable, but Bradley has always had the talent to succeed at the big league level. The matchups fall in his favor as well this week, making him a solid option in all league sizes.

▶ At Your Own Risk

Noah Cameron, Royals, LHP (vs. Guardians, vs. Tigers)

Has Noah Cameron been good through his first six starts on the season? He has not, with an unsightly 5.40 ERA and 1.61 WHIP across 31 2/3 innings. Is there reason to expect he’ll be better going forward though? It doesn’t look like it. His 6.32 xERA and 4.35 xFIP don’t look encouraging and Cameron’s 7.7% walk rate is the same that we saw from him in 2025. Factor in that both the Guardians and Tigers are in the upper half of the league against southpaws this season, and this looks like a recipe for disaster. He may garner starts in some fantasy leagues just due to name recognition, but I would be avoiding him in all formats if possible.

Brayan Bello, Red Sox, RHP (at Tigers, vs. Rays)

While he has mixed in flashes of dominance throughout his young career, Bello has been far too consistent overall to trust for fantasy purposes. He holds a cringe-inducing 9.12 ERA and 2.26 WHIP through his first 25 2/3 innings on the season while pacing the American League in earned runs and hits allowed. He’s one bad start away from losing his spot in the Red Sox’ rotation once Sonny Gray is ready to return. Even if you need to stream volume to keep pace in wins and strikeouts, there are much better and safer alternatives than Bello.

Chris Bassitt, Orioles, RHP (at Yankees, vs. Athletics)

It has been a very rough go for Bassitt through his first six starts with the Orioles, posting a horrifying 5.46 ERA, 1.86 WHIP and a 17/14 K/BB ratio across 28 innings. That’s definitely not what we’re looking for. Now he has to take on two of the better offenses in the league at Yankee Stadium and Sutter Health Park. In no universe should this Bassitt double be started in any formats. He should be avoided in all leagues without question.

National League

▶ Strong Plays

Cristopher Sanchez, Phillies, LHP (vs. Athletics, vs. Rockies)

Aside from getting torched in one outing against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Sanchez has performed about as expected this season with a 2.90 ERA and a 50/13 K/BB ratio over his first 40 1/3 innings. What fantasy managers weren’t anticipating is a sky high 1.51 WHIP. He’s too good and he has too good of an arsenal for that to continue. This looks like a terrific week for him to bring that back in line while piling up strikeouts and perhaps picking up a victory or two to go with it. He should be started in all leagues without question.

Sandy Alcantara, Marlins, RHP (vs. Phillies, vs. Nationals)

Aside from one disastrous outing against the Tigers, Alcantara has looked like an ace for the Marlins this season. Even with that terrible outing, he still holds a strong 3.04 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and a 31/15 K/BB ratio across a league-leading 47 1/3 innings through his first seven starts. The Phillies rank in the middle of the pack against opposing right-handers this season while the Nationals are near the bottom. He’s probably locked into fantasy lineups weekly regardless of matchups, so there’s no actionable item to take away here. Expect him to continue to provide quality ratios while surpassing double-digit strikeouts this week.

Edward Cabrera, Cubs, RHP (vs. Reds, at Rangers)

So far, so good for Cabrera through his first six starts with the Cubs. The 28-year-old hurler has gone 3-0 with a 3.06 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 29/12 K/BB ratio across 35 1/3 innings. That’ll play. The Rangers rank in the middle of the pack against right-handed pitching this season while the Reds rank in the bottom third of the league and he gets the added benefit of facing them at home instead of their hitter-friendly home ballpark. Cabrera looks like an easy start in all league sizes this week.

Janson Junk, Marlins, RHP (vs. Phillies, vs. Nationals)

Junk has been terrific through his first six turns in the Marlins’ rotation, registering a 3.00 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and a 21/8 K/BB ratio over his first 33 innings. He has been especially good as of late, with 11 shutout innings over his last two starts – during impressive victories against the Cardinals and Dodgers. The competition gets a bit easier this week and he gets the privilege of making both starts in the pitcher-friendly confines in Miami. Everything points to Junk being an easy start in all leagues this week. Start him with full confidence where you have him and stream him in shallower formats if he’s available.

Eduardo Rodriguez, Diamondbacks, LHP (vs. Pirates, vs. Mets)

Rodriguez followed up a strong performance in the World Baseball Classic with three brilliant starts for the Diamondbacks to open the 2026 regular season, leading some to believe that he could return to mixed league relevancy for fantasy purposes. He hasn’t been quite as good over his last three starts, but he still sports a solid 3.05 ERA over his first 32 2/3 innings on the season. His WHIP (1.40) is always going to be an issue due to his elevated walk rate and he only has 22 strikeouts on the season, but that’s neutralized this week with the added volume of having two starts. On paper, matchups against the Pirates and Mets look very strong, with the opposing pitchers being Bubba Chandler and David Peterson. Admittedly, it doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence and there is WHIP risk involved here, but I’d be comfortable streaming Rodriguez in both 12 and 15-team formats for this strong two-start week.

▶ Decent Plays

JR Ritchie, Braves, RHP (at Mariners, at Dodgers)

This is a tough one for me to place this week. Ritchie has been great through his first two starts with the Braves, posting a 2.92 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and an 11/6 K/BB ratio across 12 1/3 innings of work. He also gets a solid draw to start the week, opening with the Mariners on the road in Seattle. That matchup against the Dodgers in Los Angeles to finish the week though is about as scary as it gets. If you have Ritchie rostered, you’re going to want to use him while he’s in the Braves’ rotation and especially when he’s lined up to pitch twice. That’s understandable. Just know going in that he could potentially get blown up by the Dodgers over the weekend. I’d probably still roll him out there in 12-teamers, though I wouldn’t feel great about it.

Jesus Luzardo, Phillies, LHP (at Marlins, vs. Rockies)

After struggling through most of his five starts of the season, something may have clicked as Luzardo delivered a masterful performance his last time out with seven shutout innings and an 8/0 K/BB ratio against the Giants. He now draws a pair of premium matchups, getting to battle the Marlins in Miami and the Rockies at home, setting him up well to earn a victory while piling up strikeouts and working to correct his inflated ratios. Fantasy managers drafted him to be an ace or an SP2 and the best course is to continue trusting him each and every week and stay hopeful that his line at the end of the season resembles what you were expecting when calling his name on draft day.

Jameson Taillon, Cubs, RHP (vs. Reds, at Rangers)

After getting walloped to open the 2026 campaign, Taillon has shown signs of turning it around with two very strong outings in his last three starts, with the lone exception coming in a brutal matchup against the Dodgers. The Reds and Rangers aren’t overly intimidating as opposing matchups, though his chances of earning a victory are muted a bit as he’ll be opposite Andrew Abbott and Jacob deGrom. With the chances of a blowup in either of these starts relatively low, and the added volume that comes with the two-start week, I’d be comfortable streaming Taillon in both 12 and 15-team leagues. Anything more shallow than that, I’d pass.

Walker Buehler, Padres, RHP (at Giants, vs. Cardinals)

Buehler has performed about as expected through his first six starts, striking out a batter per inning while producing troubling ratios while eating innings for the Padres. That has way more value in real life than it does for fantasy managers. However, in specific weeks where the matchups fall in his favor, it’s possible that he could squeeze out some viability in deeper mixed leagues. This could be one of those weeks. The Cardinals rank in the middle of the pack against right-handed pitching and aren’t very intimidating while the Giants are one of the worst offenses in all of baseball. He also gets to make both starts in extreme pitcher’s parks. This is a gamble that I’d love to take as a streaming option for the upcoming week.

Cade Cavalli, Nationals, RHP (vs. Twins, at Marlins)

Despite the fact that he took the ball on Opening Day for the Nationals, doesn’t make Cavalli an ace, especially for fantasy purposes. His 3.82 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 30 2/3 innings actually look decent enough on the surface until you glance at his ugly 1.66 WHIP. If you’re a believer in trends, he comes after striking out 10 batters and allowing only two runs in each of his last two outings. He now gets to go up against a pair of middling offenses against right-handed pitching where he should be able to have some level of success. At worst, the strikeouts should be there. As long as you understand the WHIP risk that you’re taking on, I’d be fine streaming him in deeper leagues.

▶ At Your Own Risk

Brandon Sproat, Brewers, RHP (at Cardinals, vs. Yankees)

While he has shown glimpses that he can be an upper-echelon starting pitcher in the big leagues, Sproat has really struggled to get consistent outs through his first six appearances (four starts) with the Brewers. He holds a 6.75 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and a 25/15 K/BB ratio over his first 26 2/3 innings. Unless he can find a way to cut back on the walks, he’s going to be a major risk in WHIP whenever he takes the mound. If the matchups were better, his strikeout upside is high enough that I would consider throwing caution to the wind and running him out there. I just have a hard time justifying that against the Yankees.

Andre Pallante, Cardinals, RHP (vs. Brewers, at Padres)

Pallante has actually taken a surprising step forward through his first six starts on the 2026 season, posting a respectable 3.73 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and a 26/14 K/BB ratio across 31 1/3 innings. If you take out one disastrous outing against the Red Sox, and his overall line looks downright good. The Padres and Brewers are solid offenses that can beat any average pitcher on any day, but they’re not teams that you avoid streaming pitchers against. He’s not the worst option if looking to add volume in deeper leagues.

Kyle Leahy, Cardinals, RHP (vs. Brewers, at Padres)

While most pitchers making the transition from the bullpen to the rotation have found high levels of success over the past few seasons, Leahy has yet to follow suit. He boasts a troublesome 5.52 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and a 22/11 K/BB ratio across his first 29 1/3 innings and now has Hunter Dobbins knocking on the door to displace him from the rotation if his struggles continue. The matchups are neutral at best, so his limited strikeout upside probably doesn’t make up for the ratio risk that you would be taking him by streaming him for two starts. Maybe if you’re desperate in 15-teamers, otherwise stay away.

Andrew Abbott, Reds, LHP (at Cubs, vs. Astros)

After an absolutely abysmal start to the season, Abbott picked up his first victory of the year last week in a matchup at home against the lowly Rockies. I’m not ready to turn the page and say that he’s fixed just yet. He sports a troublesome 5.97 ERA and 1.67 WHIP over his first 34 2/3 innings of work and has only recorded 24 strikeouts thus far. The Astros and Cubs both absolutely mash against left-handed pitching, bringing in even more ratio risk to an already dire situation. Fantasy managers who benched him this past week and watched him beat the Rockies may be tempted to get him back into lineups for his two-start week. Resist that urge, it’s not worth the risk.

Bubba Chandler, Pirates, RHP (at Diamondbacks, at Giants)

Chandler has been a major disappointment for fantasy purposes so far this season, posting an underwhelming 4.97 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and a 27/20 K/BB ratio through his first 29 innings. His 20 free passes lead the National League. It’s hard to produce strong ratios when you can’t throw strikes consistently. A pair of road starts, including a tough matchup against the Diamondbacks in Arizona, don’t bode well for a rebound this week. He’s not working deep enough into games to be a major force in strikeouts or to accrue victories. Love the talent, but I’d be leaving him on the sidelines if I had viable alternatives this week, especially in 12-teamers.

Matt Waldron, Padres, RHP (at Giants, vs. Cardinals)

Matt Waldron hasn’t had much fun through his first three starts with the Padres, registering a ghastly 9.88 ERA, 1.98 WHIP and an 8/5 K/BB ratio over 13 2/3 innings. The matchups look great on paper though, and if I had any level of confidence that he would actually stick around to make two starts, I may think about streaming him in 15-team formats. With reinforcements (Griffin Canning maybe?) nearing a return though, his grasp on a rotation spot seems tenuous at best.

Tomoyuki Sugano, Rockies, RHP (vs. Mets, at Phillies)

Never Rockies. No reason to do it, especially on a split week. I understand that Sugano has produced quality results through his first six starts, but there’s a correction coming. We saw him do the same thing to open the 2025 campaign before getting knocked around the park for the rest of the summer. He also doesn’t provide much in terms of strikeouts and he’s going to be an underdog to earn a victory in each of those starts. If you’re going to gamble, there are better places to do so this week.

David Peterson, Mets, LHP (at Rockies, at Diamondbacks)

Peterson returned to the Mets’ rotation to replace the injured Kodai Senga and proceeded to seven runs on five hits in just 3 2/3 innings of work against the Nationals. He’s now lined up for two brutal starts next week, having to battle the Rockies at Coors Field and the Diamondbacks in Arizona. Even if the Mets were scoring runs and he had a shot at a victory, I’d be steering clear here. There’s also no guarantee that he even gets the ball on Monday given how bad he was hit last time out. Let him be someone else’s problem.

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Texas Rangers lineup for May 1, 2026

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - APRIL 23: Alejandro Osuna #19 of the Texas Rangers tries to make a catch on a ball that was hit by Nick Gonzales of the Pittsburgh Pirates for a single in the fourth inning at Globe Life Field on April 23, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Texas Rangers lineup for May 1, 2026 against the Detroit Tigers: starting pitchers are MacKenzie Gore for the Rangers and Jack Flaherty for the Tigers.

Plays the first of three in Detroit. Josh Smith is sitting again, Ezequiel Duran is starting again.

The lineup:

Nimmo — RF

Carter — CF

Seager — SS

Jung — 3B

Pederson — DH

Burger — 1B

Osuna — LF

Duran — 2B

Jansen — C

5:40 p.m. Central start time. The game is a pick ‘em.

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Today in White Sox History: May 1

BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 22: Ivan Calderon #22 of the Chicago White Sox takes a swing during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 22, 1990 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
On this day 39 years ago, Iván Calderón was in the middle of a three-homer attack in the sixth inning at Baltimore. | Getty Images

1901
In the dead ball era, homers were sparse. In fact, the White Sox went their first four official American League games without one. But on this day, the offense exploded by banging out 16 hits to bury Detroit, 19-9. The onslaught marked the first time in the AL that the White Sox hit two home runs in one game. Both Billy Hoy and Herm McFarland hit their first round-trippers of the season; Hoy’s was a three-run shot and McFarland’s in the second inning a grand slam — the first in White Sox and American League history.

On the Tigers side, things were ugly. Detroit made 10 errors in the game; starting pitcher Joe Yeager allowed 12 runs, but just five were earned over his three innings.

1924
In a game at Cleveland, White Sox outfielder Bill Barrett banged out four hits and stole home twice in a 13-7 win. Barrett went 4-for-5 with three runs and two RBIs for the afternoon. His steals of home came in the first and ninth innings.

1936
The White Sox claimed Dixie Walker off waivers from the Yankees. Alas, this was a big one who eventually got away, as the Sox traded Walker to the Tigers after only one season. In 1937 with the Sox, Walker drove in 95 runs while hitting .302. Walker later achieved stardom in Brooklyn, winning a batting title and playing in four All-Star games. 

1951
Minnie Miñoso (acquired on April 30) made his White Sox debut. The Cuban Comet became the first Black player in team history. In his first at-bat, he hit a home run off of Vic Raschi into the center field bullpen at Comiskey Park. The drive went an estimated 425 feet and drove in a pair of runs. Later in the same game, won by the Yankees, 8-3, Mickey Mantle hit the first of his 536 career home runs. 

1954
White Sox pitcher Virgil Trucks tossed a one-hitter in beating the Red Sox, 3-0. The only hit he allowed came in the sixth inning, a single by future White Sox player Billy Goodman. Trucks struck out eight Boston batters in the game.

This was the first of his pair of one-hitters in 1954; he’d end the year at 19-12 with a 2.79 ERA, having made the All-Star team and saving the win for the American League.  

1959
Early Wynn had one of the greatest days ever by a pitcher, when he did it all in a 1-0 White Sox win over Boston. Wynn tossed a one-hit complete game, striking out 14. In addition, he slammed a home run in the last of the eighth inning to account for the game’s only run. Wynn’s drive bounced off the glove of Boston’s Bill Renna into the first row of seats at Comiskey Park.

The only hit Wynn allowed came to Pete Runnels in the first inning, a single to center field at Comiskey Park. Ironically, seconds before the hit Wynn moved Luis Aparicio over a few steps to his right, and he wasn’t able to reach Runnels’ grounder.Wynn’s control wasn’t the best, as he walked seven batters, but he was always able to get out of trouble.

Also on this day, the White Sox traded for Cincinnati Reds outfielder Del Ennis. Ennis, a three-time All-Star, was simply horrible for the White Sox, compiling -0.8 WAR over 26 games and getting released on June 20. At 34, his major league career was over.

1960
Al Smith connected on a Jim Bunning pitch and set off owner Bill Veeck’s new exploding scoreboard for the first time. The blast came in the third inning, with Jim Landis on base. The White Sox would win the game, 6-3, and then sweep the Tigers by taking the nightcap, 5-2.

The scoreboard was 130 feet wide and cost $300,000. There was a firing platform in back that went into action when a White Sox player hit a home run. There were noises of varying tones and intensities, including the sounds of horses running, thunder and the collision of locomotives. The eight small ladders atop the scoreboard flashed into electrical patterns. Strobe lights were atop the two highest ladders. Bombs and fireworks also were exploded from the firing platform.

1973
Dick Allen hit a lot of tape-measure home runs in his time with the White Sox, but this may have been his longest.

On a cool, damp night at Comiskey Park, Allen deposited a pitch from Baltimore’s Mike Cuellar onto the roof in left-center field. The pitch was unusual as it approached home plate, and many speculated that what Allen hit was a “Cuban Forkball” (i.e. spitball) that failed to break downwards. Allenhit one more home run on the night, in a 6-5 win.  

For many years afterwards the Sox hung a sign on the roof in left center field indicating where his ball passed over.

1979
Calling her the “most outstanding performer to play for the White Sox” in 1978, owner Bill Veeck declared it Nancy Faust Day. Faust was to be given “lots of presents” in an effort also to commemorate her 10th year with the White Sox. True to Veeck, however, fans would receive a direct benefit from the Night, as anyone bringing in a musical instrument (“even a comb with tissue in it”) would get half-off of their game ticket price.

As for the game, a chilly, 42° night drove down the size of the orchestra, as just 16,470 showed up for a lackluster, 5-2 loss to Detroit.

1987
Leading 1-0 in the sixth inning at Memorial Stadium, the White Sox blew the game open with three homers against the Orioles: Greg Walker went out deep to center to start the barrage, as Iván Calderón followed suit after a Carlton Fisk walk, and Tim Hulett finished off the scoring with a solo shot to left field. The White Sox would win the game, 5-1, with nine hits — eight coming from the trio of Walker, Calderón and Hulett.

1991
The White Sox lost what remains the eighth-longest game in their history, 10-9, to the Brewers in Milwaukee. The Sox blew leads of 5-0 and 9-6 in this one. The game went 18 2⁄3 innings and ran 6:05.

The game went so long that WGN-TV sports director Dan Roan, who was covering the game, had to do his evening sportscast from a parking lot at a bar just inside the state line on Route 41. He couldn’t get back to the studio in northern Chicago in time!

2006
In a wild, 8-6 win at Cleveland, Scott Podsednik again stole four bases in a game, tying a team record. However, in doing so for the third time in his White Sox career, Podsednik established himself as the only player to steal four bases in a game more than one time (Scotty Pods did so in three games, 30% of the 10 times it’s been achieved in franchise annals). Podsednik was on base five times (four singles, one walk) in six trips to the plate and scored three runs.

Podsenik stole third base as the lead runner on a double-steal with Tadahito Iguchi in the first inning and came home on Paul Konerko’s three-run blast; he was caught stealing in the second inning but made it to third base on an error at first base; in the sixth he stole second base, was picked off but a throwing error by pitcher Brian Slocum sent him instead to third; and stole second and third base in the ninth.

The win improved the first-place White Sox to 18-7 on the season.

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Cam York threw his stick in the stands after scoring an OT winner, but the Flyers star got it back

VOORHEES, N.J. (AP) — Cam York threw his stick into the stands after he scored a playoff winner for the Flyers and, almost like a boomerang, it came back to him at practice.

York's overtime goal beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 1-0 in Game 6 of their first-round series and helped the Flyers advance in the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

York was caught up in the moment — “definitely don’t want a lawsuit,” he cracked after the long toss — and hoped the Flyers fan who retrieved the valuable piece of equipment would return the souvenir.

“I figured even if it did hit him, that he was going to still enjoy the moment and be happy,” York said Friday.

Longtime Flyers fan Jack Brod, who grabbed the stick around Section 113 in the lower level, had planned to gift the stick to a family friend. Once he learned that York wanted the stick back, Brod graciously returned it. Wearing the same Flyers sweatshirt he did in Game 6, Brod was a guest Friday at Flyers practice and got to meet York.

York said right after the game he thought, “why did I do that?”

“When my career is done and over with, I want to have some things to look back on, remember and cherish,” York said on Friday. “This was obviously a special moment for me. Super nice guy. Just met him. For me to just give it back for kind of nothing, I really appreciate that. That's one of the best things about Philly fans is, they love their players and they want their players to perform at the highest level they can.”

Brod didn't go home empty-handed. He received a new stick and a signed York No. 8 jersey. York hoped to frame the stick.

The Flyers open their second-round series Saturday at Carolina.

___

AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

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Done in by deficient defense, the Edmonton Oilers were ousted early from NHL playoffs

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — The Edmonton Oilers, exiting the playoffs early this season after two marathon runs to the Stanley Cup Final, were a dented and depleted team.

The 5-2 loss to Anahiem in Thursday’s Game 6 ended Edmonton’s season in the first round. The Oilers were outclassed and outworked by a Ducks team that won its first playoff series since 2017 with a roster that included a dozen players under the age of 25 and 14 who were making their NHL playoff debuts.

The Oilers lost to Florida in each of the last two Cup finals in series that lasted seven and six games, respectively. Some Oilers hinted at the beginning of this year’s playoffs that the regular season felt like a chore at times, and that they were relieved to start the postseason again with a shot at finishing the job and hoisting the Cup.

They didn’t get close.

“We’ve been searching for consistency all year and we didn’t find it here in the playoffs,” said captain Connor McDavid, who signed a short-term contract extension before the season. “It’s tough. We were an average team all year. An average team with high expectations, you’re going to be disappointed.”

McDavid’s ankle, Leon Draisaitl’s knee, Jason Dickinson’s lower-body injury and penalty-kill specialist Adam Henrique’s undisclosed series-ending injury in Game 1 weakened Edmonton up the middle. Draisaitl missed the last 14 games of the regular season.

McDavid and Draisaitl spent the last two games of the series as linemates instead of centring separate lines. They battled, but weren’t able to will their team into a higher gear.

“Too hurt too soon,” McDavid told The Canadian Press. “The first round is always tough. It’s always chaotic. It’s tough to play through things so early on, as many guys did in here. Credit to our staff for making guys available and making sure they were as comfortable as possible. That being said, it’s not an excuse either. We expected to have a longer run than we did.”

Draisaitl had three goals and seven assists in six games. McDavid, who was held off the scoresheet with the first two games of the series, finished with a goal and five assists.

Defense was Edmonton’s downfall, allowing 26 goals in six games. The penalty kill gave up eight goals on Anaheim’s 15 chances. Edmonton’s power play started 0-for-6 in the first two games before finishing 4-for-14.

“We struggled on the PK all year too. We’ve been searching for consistency there,” McDavid said. “The power-play could have been better to start the series.”

Edmonton’s offense compensated for a bottom-tier ranking in the NHL in goals-against in the regular season. A leaky defense was magnified in the playoffs. Edmonton scored the first goal in the first five games, yet won just two of them.

“Pretty much the story for most of the year. We just didn’t defend well enough,” coach Kris Knoblauch said. “You usually win or lose on your defensive play. It wasn’t good enough.”

Down 3-1 after the first period in Game 6, the Oilers had time but the Ducks turned a neutral-zone turnover by Evan Bouchard into an odd-man rush and a 4-1 lead before the end of the second period.

“As much as it hurts, I think they’re just a better team,” Draisaitl said.

Did the wear and tear of two long seasons factor into Edmonton’s earliest playoff exit in five years? Players weren't interested in discussing it.

“It’s not an excuse,” said forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. “We just didn’t get the job done.”

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Yankees Mailbag: Gil’s future and other roster moves

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 12: Luis Gil of the New York Yankees looks on in a game against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on August 12, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Good afternoon everyone, it’s time to dive back into the mailbag and answer some of your questions. Remember to send in your questions for our weekly call by e-mail to pinstripealleyblog [at] gmail [dot] com.

qmerkel asks: What do you think the Yankees will do with Luis Gil? Keep trying to develop him as a starter, move him to the bullpen, or trade him?

For now they’ll likely keep Gil stretched out as a starter down in Triple-A, since he’s the primary depth for the rotation should an injury occur to any of the current guys. Once Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón are back and fully built up to their regular workload, then perhaps the organization could consider utilizing Gil as a reliever, but with his current velocity issues that might not be a feasible transition to make. The only thing I’d rule out in the immediate is a trade, as the team would be selling on Gil for pennies on the dollar — perhaps he can rebound and remain useful to the team, or at the very least find enough of his old form to be of value in a trade, but at the moment it doesn’t seem worth it to give up on him for the equivalent of a lottery ticket or two.

Jmack175 asks:Still early to think about the deadline, but outside of 3B/SS, the most obvious upgrades are in the bullpen — if we stay atop the East, do you think Cash will go all in and get some lock down late inning guys, and if so, who might be realistic?

I think the answer to the bullpen is two-fold: Cashman will inevitably perform some remodeling and grab a handful of relievers to shake things up, but he also won’t go for the flashiest, high-priced closers. David Bednar was a solid grab last year, but the Yankees managed to nab him at an affordable price that set him well apart from the other closers that changed teams over the deadline. Now that his performance has waned (or more accurately, just become too stressful to trust on a day-to-day basis), they may look for another closer to pass the baton to, but an easier get would be a suitable set-up level reliever that could be trusted to get elevated into the closer’s role if need be. Then the rest of the work can focus on retooling the bottom of the ‘pen, finding better answers than Camilo Doval or Jake Bird to bring in for the middle of games that can still swing in their favor. Admittedly, this area is the one they could most likely support from within the organization with their extended rotation depth, but the Yankees are always hunting for the next hidden gem of an arm and I’d be shocked if they didn’t try to pluck one out from under another team again this year.

SHSBN26 asks:With Stanton making his usual return to the IL, why does the Martian (and more perplexing Schuemann) get the call before Spencer Jones?

Max Schuemann is more or less just a stand-in while they wait for Anthony Volpe’s rehab to conclude, as they don’t want to call up a reliever just to send them back down and potentially need them back on the roster a couple of days later only to be blocked by the minimum amount of days they’d need to stay in the minors before their next call up. I’d be shocked if he’s around for much longer, and that shock would have more to do with whatever they’d decide to do with Volpe rather than reinsert him to the 26-man roster.

Jasson Domínguez, on the other hand, got the promotion ahead of Spencer Jones for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, he has already been a major leaguer, giving him familiarity with the team that would help in filling a short-term need while not having to worry about a rookie being unprepared for the biggest stage. On top of that, Domínguez has looked much more competent against lefties than he did last season which bodes well should he be filling in Stanton’s spot at DH. Domínguez’s defense may still be suspect, but if they don’t need to play him in the field then his bat can be a boon for this lineup. His recent hit-by-pitch throws this all into a bit of doubt, as Domínguez himself may need to follow Stanton onto the IL if it’s serious, but a fluke injury is no cause for concern regarding whether he should’ve been the one taking the at-bat in the first place.

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Karlsson Skates With Golden Knights Ahead of Pivotal Game 6, Possibly Nearing Return

William Karlsson, who hasn’t seen game action in nearly seven months, skated with the Vegas Golden Knights ahead of a potentially series-clinching Game 6. He took the ice for morning skate and participated in 2-on-1 drills, but did not take part in line rushes or slot in on either special teams unit.

“He’s just with the team,” said Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella on Friday. “He’s been skating, and we want him around the team… He’s one of the boys, right? He’s been here a while, he’s won, and it’s good for him, too, to be around the guys.”

Karlsson played just 14 games during the regular season. He sustained a lower-body injury against the Anaheim Ducks on November 8th and was placed on Injured Reserve just a few days later. He participated in a practice with the team in December, but was subsequently placed on Long-Term Injured Reserve shortly thereafter.

Since then, updates have been few and far between. When general manager Kelly McCrimmon spoke to the media on March 30th following the coaching change, he shared that Karlsson would only be available to return this season if the Golden Knights made a deep postseason run.

“If we have a certain level of success in the playoffs, he’ll be able to play,” McCrimmon said when asked about Karlsson’s status.

Tortorella did not provide an updated timeline for Karlsson’s return, instead highlighting the morale boost that the Original Misfit’s presence provides to the Golden Knights and to Karlsson himself.

“This has nothing to do with Bill being close,” Tortorella said. “He’s gone through his progression, he’s been working out. We just wanted him to travel.”

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Where’s the fun? (Feed Post of the Day)

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 30: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics reacts after being called for a foul during the second quarter of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Six of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 30, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images

I thought this post from Beeeater58 in The Feed was well done and timely.

Agree with the sentiment about expectations. The Celtics won fewer games this year than they did the prior year (coming off a title), but it was so much more fun because we didn’t have expectations. Then we won all those games that we weren’t expected to and Tatum returned and suddenly everyone’s looking at us like the favorites to win the East (something I believed myself). I think that’s what makes it hurt even more. The highs of expectation followed by the disappointment after losses.

I wonder how much of the weight of expectations caused the players to tighten up and get away from their normal style.

Still time to pull this out and get their groove back, but it has been a humbling first round thus far.

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Pistons vs Magic Computer Picks: Our Best Player Prop Projections for Game 6

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The Orlando Magic are on the brink of advancing and they'll look to get it done at home as our NBA player prop projections are all locked & loaded for Game 6 against the Detroit Pistons, with the model highlighting several high-value spots.

By analyzing the data against current market lines, we’ve identified where the strongest edges exist.

These Pistons vs. Magic predictions are driven by numbers instead of guesswork.

If you’re building your card, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Friday, May 1.

Pistons vs Magic computer picks for Game 6

Pistons PistonsMagic Magic
Duren o13.5 points
-120		Banchero o23.5 points
-108
Cunningham o8.5 assists
-125		Suggs o4.5 assists
-107
Robinson u2.5 3-pointers
-150		Carter Jr. u8.5 rebounds 
-130

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Pistons Game 6 computer picks

Jalen Duren Over 13.5 points (-120)

Projection: 16.68 points

The Detroit Pistons should see more opportunities against the Orlando Magic, which has played at the fifth-fastest pace over the last 15 games.

If Jalen Duren doesn’t capitalize on the glass, he’ll need to make up for it with increased offensive production to help Detroit avoid elimination.

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Cade Cunningham Over 8.5 assists (-125)

Projection: 9.2 assists

For the Pistons to stay alive in this series, they’ll need Cade Cunningham to do it all — score efficiently and create for others.

He’s cleared this assists line in two games already, and he’ll likely need to elevate his playmaking even further to get there again.

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Duncan Robinson Under 2.5 3-pointers (-150)

Projection: 2.35 3-pointers

The matchup against Orlando is a tough spot for three-point volume. At home, the Magic allow the 7th-fewest attempts per game to opposing starting shooting guards (5.2), and Duncan Robinson has been inconsistent from deep on the road in this series.

In Orlando, he shot 42.9% from three in Game 3 before dropping to 16.1% in Game 4. Even after a stronger showing in Game 5, the trend points toward another potential downturn from beyond the arc.

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Magic Game 6 computer picks

Paolo Banchero Over 23.5 points (-108)

Projection: 24.3 points

The Magic should see more scoring chances against a Pistons team that’s played at the 10th-fastest pace over its last five games, and in a high-stakes Game 6, Paolo Banchero’s free-throw shooting could be a key factor to take this points prop to the Over.

Opposing starting power forwards have averaged 5.0 free throw attempts per game against Detroit over the last 10 games (6th-most in the NBA), showing they’re drawing fouls consistently. The opportunity is there for Banchero — he’ll just need to convert at the line to steady his production after a shaky stretch in this series.

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Jalen Suggs Over 4.5 assists (-107)

Projection: 5.47 assists

Jalen Suggs will need to elevate his playmaking to help Orlando close out the series tonight. He’s hovered near this assists line throughout most of the matchup, clearing it only in Game 5.

With everything on the line, expect Suggs to do whatever it takes to help the Magic punch their ticket to the next round.

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Wendell Carter Jr. Under 8.5 rebounds (-130)

Projection: 8.0 rebounds

When Wendell Carter Jr. has controlled the glass, the Magic have usually come out on top.

He narrowly missed this rebounds line in Game 1, but if he’s near it again, Orlando will likely benefit from his ability to create extra possessions on the boards.

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How to watch Pistons vs Magic Game 6

LocationKia Center, Orlando, FL
DateFriday, May 1, 2026
Tip-off7:00 p.m. ET
TVPrime Video

Not intended for use in MA.
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Brewers place Brandon Woodruff on IL with shoulder inflammation following Thursday’s early exit

Milwaukee Brewers
Apr 30, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff (53) walks off the mound with an injury in the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

It was inevitable that Brandon Woodruff would land on the injured list after he had to leave Thursday’s start in the second inning with diminished velocity. His fastball was sitting at just 85 mph after it had been averaging 92.5 mph all season. Manager Pat Murphy was non-committal of an IL placement on Thursday after the game, but the writing was on the wall.

On Friday, the Brewers officially placed Woodruff on the 15-day IL with right shoulder inflammation. Reliever Easton McGee was recalled from Triple-A Nashville to take his roster spot.

The Brewers rotation is already missing Quinn Priester as he is still rehabbing from his wrist injury that took him out of the entire spring. Now, they’ll be missing Woodruff for the foreseeable future.

While Woodruff has not fully gotten back to the velocity he had prior to his 2023 shoulder injury, he was getting up to 96 mph at times and was still effective, pitching to a 3.60 ERA across 30 IP in his six starts this year. He had struck out 25 and walked just seven.

Woodruff told the media on Friday that there was nothing structurally wrong, he just needs to knock out the inflammation, and that he expects it to be close to a minimum stint on the IL.

McGee has been up and down a couple of times already this season and he’ll help provide another bullpen arm for the Brewers. After Woodruff’s short start, the bullpen had to get worked a little more to cover the rest of the game. Shane Drohan had four heroic innings in relief, but that also means Drohan won’t be available for a couple of days.

Woodruff’s next turn in the rotation is due up on Tuesday and it’s seemingly anyone’s guess as to who will get it. Drohan is a possibility since he covered the rest of that game on Thursday and is stretched out. There’s also Coleman Crow and Robert Gasser who both pitched in a doubleheader for Triple-A Nashville Thursday night and would be on regular rest. Then there’s Logan Henderson, who is currently slated to start on Sunday for Nashville and has a 1.02 ERA this season.

The Brewers do have the starting pitching depth to withstand the loss of Woodruff for the time being, but it’s still a big emotional loss for this team to not have their leader in the rotation. We saw how his return to the field impacted the team last year, with a 30-4 run after he came back. He’s highly respected and beloved in that clubhouse and it’s a tough blow to not have him out there every fifth day.

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Fun (?) stats from the first month of the season

Apr 25, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (2) before the game against the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Look, the Giants didn’t have the kind of start we’d hoped for and the numbers from the first month of the season don’t tell us anything different from what we saw/psychically absorbed. The Giants were not a good baseball team, which doesn’t necessarily mean that they will be a bad baseball team going forward. Nobody wants to root for a bad team anyway. But it’s hard not to think about that label after all that unpleasantness.

Hitting

Of course, the season began with the New York Yankees John Wicking the Giants in Oracle Park for three games. Every facet of the Giants’ game received multiple headshots. While the Giants are 1 of 16 teams in MLB history to be shutout in the first 2 games of the season (only the 2016 Padres have been shutout in the first 3 games of a season), their place on the list stands out because they had the fewest hits (4) and total bases (5) of the bunch.

I tracked their 3-7 and 8-12 starts and compared to team history, finding mostly unfavorable comparisons with a couple of positive ones just to sustain a residue of hope. But this 13-18 start is the 12th occurrence in franchise history. Only in 3 of the 11 previous occurrences did a Giants team recover from a 13-18 start to have a winning record: 1920 (86-68), 1939 (77-74), and 2004 (91-71). It’s hard to compare pre-1960s baseball to what most of us understand about the sport today and it’s very difficult to compare Giants teams of the post-Barry Bonds era to teams that had Barry Bonds on them. But 13-18 was also the situation the 100-loss 1985 team found itself in and after a brief reprieve from the comp when the Giants were at 8-12, it’s sad to see them lined up once again.

As NBC Sports Bay Area highlighted last night, the Giants are last in runs per game (3.34), home runs (19), walk rate (5.6%), on base percentage (.289), slugging (.365), and OPS (.654). The offense has also been shutout a league-leading six times. If you’re a savvy reader, then you see the obvious stat that’s missing.

The one that caused me to gnash my teeth the other day in this post about the Giants simply giving up on working counts in order to make more contact. That team scored 91 runs through its first 31 games and slashed .217/.275/.309, so, it could be much, much worse.

That’s right. Batting average.

The Giants hit .247 in their first 31 games and, guess what, that’s 11th in MLB. So, take that, NBC Sports Bay Area! And just to really thumb our noses at those bozos (kidding!), that .247 average is the result of 259 hits, which are THE MOST hits in the first month of the season IN THE ORACLE PARK ERA! And it’s #1 by a lot. #2 on the list is the 2013 squad which had 240 hits to generate a line of .261/.318/.374.

You know, when I compare this result to the rest of the list, I think the esteemed Grant Brisbee had it right in his post yesterday: the Giants are simply not getting the hits when the count is in their favor. That’s a lot of hits with very few runs to show for it. Speaking of runs… the Giants’ league-worst 104 runs scored is 15th out of 26 seasons in the Oracle park era. The 2021 squad scored 106 in the first month of that season. The 2010 and 2012 teams scored 101 and 90, respectively, in their opening months.

A less obvious stat missing? Stolen bases. The Giants have 8. That is also last in MLB. According to FanGraphs, the team’s -3.7 Baserunning runs makes them the worst overall baserunning team in the sport through the first month of the season. After Drew Gilbert got held up yesterday, Heliot Ramos might agree.

The Giants were the third-worst team in the sport against right handed pitching (82 wRC+) behind just the Mets (80) and Red Sox (79). That’s remarkable because all three basically feature 5 prominent left-handed hitters each.

Individual highlights & lowlights

Rafael Devers: .207/.248/.289, 2 home runs, 5.4 BB%, 31 K%. Definitely the worst start to a season he’s ever had, but was it the worst month he’s ever had in his career? According to Stathead… no! That .537 OPS just barely edges out July 2020 (.536) and is comfortably ahead of August 2022 (.515) and September 2024 (.496). The only other time he’s had 40 strikeouts in a month, though? Ahem. Last April, when he struck out 40 times (27.2%) but walked 24 times (16.3%). He also had 5 home runs and 10 doubles (plus 19 RBI). A .787 OPS. Is Devers toast, though? April was not encouraging.

Willy Adames: .197/.240/.352, a .593 OPS, which is how his 2025 season started (.208/.292/.300 — .592 OPS). He also struck out 40 times, though, and that’s only the second time he’s hit that number in a month. The first time was in September 2022, but like Devers’ other 40-K example, Adames hit .263/.319/.451 with 5 homers and 21 RBI. He also walked 11 times compared to just 6 this past month.

Luis Arraez & Jung Hoo Lee: They lead the team in hits (36 & 33, respectively) and they’re having surprisingly great seasons so far. Arraez iws basically hitting as advertised, but it’s his defense that’s elevated him from a nice player to a borderline great one. Jung Hoo Lee has hit the ground running to the point that I think he’s one of the most important Giants going forward.

Patrick Bailey: He hit .288/.321/.493 (.814 OPS) in 78 plate appearances last September, but remove that month and he’s hitting .198/.259/.271 over his last 455 plate appearances.

Pitching

I don’t think the Giants expected to have a less valuable pitching staff than the Colorado Rockies, but that’s the situation right now (1.9 fWAR to Colorado’s 2.3). They have 3 of the 20 worst starters in the sport right now, including the 3rd and 4th worst:

  1. Matthew Liberatore (STL): -0.4 fWAR in 30.1 IP
    2. Jameson Taillon (CHC): -0.2 fWAR in 34.2 IP
    3. Adrian Houser (SF): -0.2 fWAR in 30.1 IP
    4. Tyler Mahle (SF): -0.2 fWAR In 30.2 IP
    20. Robbie Ray (SF): +0.3 fWAR in 33.1 IP

Meanwhile, only Ryan Borucki (-0.2 fWAR), Matt Gage (-0.1) and Jose Butto (-0.2) have been drags on the relief corps. Erik Miller (+0.3 fWAR, 1.72 FIP) and Keaton Winn (+0.3 fWAR, 2.26 FIP) are the standouts, but neither cracks the top 30 in the sport — yet. Ryan Walker’s performance yesterday dropped him down to a replacement-level player still in positive value. Speaking of…

Individual highlights & lowlights

Ryan Walker: He threw 9 consecutive sinkers to Bryson Stott in the Game 1 loss of yesterday’s doubleheader and wound up throwing 20 sinkers overall out of 21 pitches in the appearance. 68.3% of Walker’s pitches this season have been sinkers and all of that work has amounted to +1 Run Value, according to Statcast. Run Value is derived from outcomes so it’s a situational stat unlike, say, velocity and spin. In those cases, although his sinker spin rate is the same, its velocity is down a half mile per hour compared to last season and his slider has lost about 100 rpm.

Logan Webb: He’s 4th in innings pitched with 44 which is good to see, but his 3.45 FIP is a significant incrase over the last several years. From 2021-2025 it was 2.90. It’s 3.45 in 7 starts. That’s not a terrible figure, but when combined with the precipitous drop in strikeouts (7.77 K/9) — remember, last year was a standout strikeout year for him with a 9.74 K/9 and an NL-leading 224 punchouts — and big leap in walks allowed (3.07 BB/9, up from 2.0 last year and 2.2 the year prior) it’s not cause for alarm, but certainly some concern and worth monitoring.

Landen Roupp: He might be having the same age-27 breakout as Casey Schmitt. His K/9 of 9.42 is up from 8.61 last season. Walks are holding steady (3.57 vs. 3.8 last year), and he’s allowed just 1 home run in 6 starts (35.1 IP). Oh, and his groundball rate is up nearly 10%. He is a top-25 pitcher right now and has the same value (+0.9 fWAR) as big ticket free agent Framber Valdez, the rudely dismissed Kevin Gausman, and the veteran Jacob deGrom. Great company!

Fielding

Perfectly balanced with 0 Outs Above Average as a team. On the other hand, Luis Arraez’s +6 Outs Above Average is tied with Bryson Stott for 4th place in fielding, trailing only Pete Crow-Armstrong (+8 in CF), Bobby Witt Jr. (+8 as a SS), and Nico Hoerner at 2B (+7). That’s… astonishing? Yeah, that’s the right word for it.

The rest of the Giants aren’t doing so hot. Matt Chapman is just +1 at third base and that’s either contributing to or caused by Willy Adames’s horrendous -4 Outs Above Average. He’s the 14th-worst outfielder in the entire sport and the second-worst shortstop behind only CJ Abrams (-5 OAA).

According to FanGraphs, they’re middle of the pack overall (-0.8 Defensive Runs Above Average — 16th in MLB), and even the catching position isn’t all that great when compared to teh field. Patrick Bailey and Daniel Susac and Eric Haase are a +3.6 Def, good enough for just 10th in MLB. For reference: the Mariners lead with +6.8.

Still, catcher, second base, and third base (+2.3) have been above average. It’s first base (-3.6), shortstop (-1.4), left field (-2.0), center (-1.1), and right (-2.3) where the team is in the bottom third of the league. That’s, uh, a lot of mediocre-to-bad defense.

So, it was a bad month. The question is, will it be the month that defines the team?

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Dodgers head into St. Louis for a three-game set

Happy May, Dodger fans! The Dodgers begin the most beautiful of months in first place, but just a half game ahead of the San Diego Padres. They also begin it in St. Louis at the start of a six-game road trip that includes a series in Houston.

At 18-13, St Louis is third in the NL Central, behind both the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs. They are coming off a four-game sweep of the Pirates in Pittsburgh after having been swept by Seattle at home.

Friday’s game will feature the pitching matchup of Matthew Liberatore and Emmet Sheehan. Liberatore is 0-1 with a 6.28 ERA in the six games in which he’s appeared. He is coming off his worst outing of the season, in which he lasted only 3.1 innings allowing five earned runs.

Sheehan is coming off one of his best appearances of the year, an outing against the Cubs in which he went 6.1 innings with just one earned run, striking out 10 while only allowing one walk.

Facing Liberatore could possibly help Freddie Freeman break out of his slump. Lifetime Freeman is batting .800 against Liberatore with a 1.633 OPS. Shohei Ohtani also has a homer against him.

One thing to watch for is the Cardinals bullpen usage. Seven of their bullpen arms have been used heavily in the last three games, with six having thrown 30 or more pitches in the last three games, and five having thrown 15 or more yesterday. The bullpen staff as a whole has a 5.15 ERA, fifth worse in all of baseball, and they own the fourth-worst K/BB rate.

Cardinals baseball this season has been a bit of a roller coaster ride. They have 10 comeback wins, three of which were walk-offs. They are prone to having big leads and losing it because of the aforementioned bullpen, or they are clawing their way back into games. The Red Birds are 6-2 in one run games, and 5-0 in extra innings.

The team is hoping their first day off after 13 straight games will help their struggling offense. They limped through the end of the series against the Miami Marlins, scoring a measly three runs in the last two games. Facing a beleaguered bullpen could be just what the doctor ordered for the offense to be their super powered selves again.

FRIDAY GAME INFO

  • Teams: Dodgers at Cardinals
  • Ballpark: Busch Stadium
  • Time: 5:15 p.m. PT
  • TV: SportsNet LA
  • Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)
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The Canadiens’ Surprisingly Dominant Line

Before the Montreal Canadiens’ series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, everyone was expecting their top line to cause trouble for Jon Cooper’s men. However, five games in, the Floridians have managed to tame the beast, at least at even strength. What they haven’t found a way to do yet, though, is find an answer to Martin’s St-Louis’ new line formed of Alexandre Texier, Kirby Dach, and Zachary Bolduc.

In 22 minutes and 19 seconds on ice at five-on-five, the line has been dominant. They’ve had three inner-slot shots, while the Bolts have had only one; their expected goals stand at 63.4%, while Tampa’s at 36.6%, and they’ve scored six goals while allowing none.

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In Game 5, when St-Louis elected to make a slew of changes to his lines, it was the only one that wasn’t affected. These three players, deployed as a fourth line with limited ice time, are giving Cooper headaches. Why? Simply because the Bolts do not have the same depth as the Canadiens have.

Furthermore, they are playing a tough game, with both Dach and Bolduc throwing three hits in Game 5. At the same time, Texier has demonstrated a knack for being in the right place at the right time with plenty of space, something that has been hard to come by for the Canadiens’ usual top producers. In two of the last three games, that line has scored the Habs’ first goal, giving the team momentum. It wasn’t always a pretty goal, but whichever way the puck gets in the net doesn’t matter; the goal still counts. They didn’t get the first goal in Game 5, but they topped that, scoring the goal that would stand as the game-winner just over a minute into the third period.

When St-Louis elected to put them together, he found something most suspected the Canadiens didn’t have: offensive depth. With their backs to the wall, will Cooper try to adapt and make life tougher for those three players? He could, but then life might get much easier for the likes of Caufield, Suzuki, and Slafkovsky, who are working their hardest to find an opportunity. Can Cooper gamble and give them one? That seems highly unlikely.

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CJ McCollum, Hawks gave Knicks the kick they needed to go all the way

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 28: Jose Alvarado #5 of the New York Knicks reacts during the second half of Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 28, 2026 in New York City. The Knicks won 126-97. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Knicks have gone to six games in the first round in each of the last three seasons, but not all six-game playoff series are created equally.

While the Sixers and Pistons fought tooth and nail for all six games (especially Detroit), there are six-game series that aren’t as competitive as it sounds.

This was certainly that series.

Here are some stats. Do with them what you will:

  • The Knicks outscored the Hawks by 105 points in this series. It’s the most lopsided six-game series in NBA history.
  • The Hawks’ starting lineup had a +20.3 net rating in 391 regular-season minutes, the second-best high-usage lineup in the NBA. In this series? -14.4 in 86 minutes.
  • The series had a +18.1 net rating. LOL.
  • It was the third time this year the Knicks won a game by at least 49. In the first 79 seasons in franchise history, the largest margin of victory was 48 points.
  • In the two games the Knicks lost, they either were tied or had the lead in the final minute.
  • In 288 minutes in this series, the Knicks trailed for just 48:49. Outside of Game 3, the Hawks led for just 8:20 across the other five games. In total, Atlanta held a lead for just 17% of this series.
  • The Knicks held a 10+ point lead for 129:25, or 45% of the series.
  • The Knicks held a 20+ point lead for 56:29, or 19.6% of the series.
  • The Knicks spent more time with a 20+ point lead than they did trailing in a six-game series.

Game 6 was one of the most baffling blowouts I’ve ever witnessed. I was busy in the second half, and I worried about a close game turning my night into a worrisome mess, but it was over well before I turned the game off. Even better, the Celtics and Sixers are bogged down in a Game 7 on Saturday for the right to face the Knicks on Monday.

But enough about how jaw-dropping Game 6 specifically was. This is about something different.

After Game 3, the vibes were rancid. I don’t need to go too in-depth on how we felt at that moment, but the vultures were circling on the entire franchise. There was also a certain vibe heading into Game 4.

“Jalen Brunson is being exposed by Dyson Daniels.”
“CJ McCollum is the next great Knicks villain.”
“Mikal Bridges is soft.”
“Quin Snyder is coaching circles around Mike Brown.”
“Even if they get through this series, the Knicks will get smacked by Boston in Round 2.”

There’s a million other quotes I could pull, but it was all falling apart. CJ McCollum looked like the Black Mamba, for crying out loud. The 2024-25 Clutch Player of the Year was torpedoing the team in the final two minutes. Everything was just awful.

And then the Knicks beat the Hawks in each of the next three games by a combined 94 points. They practically spent 90% of the final three games with a 15-point lead. It was never, ever competitive after the buzzer sounded on Game 3.

What the hell happened?

Aside from the Hawks being complete and total fools’ gold, what happened was that a lion stopped playing with its food. Don’t believe me? Look at the stylistic changes after Game 3:

  • Mike Brown played lineups without Brunson or Towns (excluding garbage time) for 22:47 across the first three games. The final three games? 3:15.
  • After three games of Brunson trying to get his game off on Dyson Daniels, the Knicks moved to a more KAT-centric offense… until Daniels switched onto him, in which case Brunson took over again.
  • No longer did the Knicks allow McCollum to get easy switches onto Brunson. They threw a variety of bodies at him, from Josh Hart to Mikal Bridges to Jose Alvarado.
  • The defensive intensity. Not easy to quantify, but just watch the highlights and you’ll see.

Would a sweep have been more satisfying? Absolutely, nobody wants to deal with stress in the first round. But this wasn’t a typical six-game series. As much as you never quite felt safe until the very end, there was never a doubt in the world.

As soon as Game 3 ended, with the reports of emotions pouring out in the locker room, a switch flipped. It was exactly what the Knicks needed.

We know how inconsistent this team is. They went from looking like contenders to playing the worst defense in the sport for over a month before finishing the year with the second-best defensive rating in the final three months. We know they tend to sulk into bad habits. We know that the consequence of having a coach like Mike Brown, hired to be a stark difference to Tom Thibodeau, will trust his bench way too much.

After Game 3, the bench was tightened, the defensive scheme was shifted, the physicality increased, and the Knicks resembled a boa constrictor tightening around the entire city of Atlanta’s neck. No more Trae Young, no more 2021, this is the legacy of Knicks-Hawks now. Big difference between the way both teams act: rolling the dice on the Hawks logo at halftime wouldn’t have been disrespectful enough. That performance warrants a dump on that logo. Take notes, Rayford.

Those McCollum heroics gave them the kick in the ass they needed. And if they get to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, we’ll have him and the Hawks to thank.