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Astros vs Red Sox Game Thread 3/31/2026

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 26: Hunter Brown #58 of the Houston Astros throws on the mound before a game against the Los Angeles Angels on Opening Day at Daikin Park on March 26, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Houston Astros (3-2) host the Boston Red Sox (1-3) tonight at Daikin Park in the second game of a three game series.

Astros Opening Day starter RHP Hunter Brown will make his second start of the season for the Astros, this time opposite RHP Brayan Bello and the Red Sox.

TUESDAY’S TILT: The Astros and Red Sox will play the middle game of their three-game series tonight as Houston goes for their fourth straight win and a series victory.

ON THE HUNT: RHP Hunter Brown is making his second start of the season after tossing 4.2 scoreless innings against the Angels on Opening Day.

A 2025 All-Star, Brown finished third in the AL in Cy Young voting last season after turning in the best year of his career with a 12-9 record, a 2.43 ERA (50ER/185.1IP) and posting a 1.03 WHIP. He held opponents to a career-low .201 average and posted 206 strikeouts in 185.1 innings pitched.

ASTROS VS. BELLO: The Astros are seeing RHP Brayan Bello tonight for the first time since facing him in back-to-back starts on Aug. 24 and Aug. 29, 2023. A couple Astros have career homers opposite Bello in LF Yordan Alvarez (3×5, HR, RBI) and IF Isaac Paredes (2×7, HR, 2RBI).

RIVALRY VS. THE RED SOX: The Astros and Red Sox have developed a nice rivalry over the last 10 years, as the two clubs have seen each other in three different postseason series since the 2017 season. The Astros won two of those three series, winning the 2017 ALDS and 2021 ALCS, while the Red Sox took the 2018 ALCS.

YORDAN AND THE BABE: LF Yordan Alvarez has played 30 career games against the Red Sox, including six in the postseason, combining for a .404 (44×109) average with 11 doubles, nine homers, 29 RBI, a .481 OBP and a .771 SLG. Among all Major League players with at least 125 regular season and postseason plate appearances against the Red Sox, Alvarez leads all in batting average, OBP and SLG. The lists below include the postseason.

ALL-TIME LEADERS VS. BOS (MIN. 125 PA)

Batting Average

1. Yordan Alvarez: .404

2. Will Clark: .403

3. Lyman Bostick: .467

SLG

1. Yordan Alvarez: .771

2. Babe Ruth: .683

3. Wander Franco: .659

LEAGUE LEADERS: The Astros lead the Majors in doubles (14) and total bases (73), while ranking second in hits (44) and walks (25). Individually, 1B Christian Walker leads the Majors in doubles (4), while 2B Jose Altuve owns a share for the MLB lead with six runs scored.

JOSE, JOSE, JOSE, JOSE!: 2B Jose Altuve went 4×4 with four runs scored and a pair of homers last night, giving him 42 four-hit games since he debuted in 2011, which are by far the most in the Majors in that time frame (1B Freddie Freeman ranks second with 31). Altuve’s four runs scored matched his career high, which he’s accomplished seven times, most recently on July 4, 2025 at LAD.

YORDAN’S UPCOMING MILESTONES: LF Yordan Alvarez (497 RBI) is three RBI shy of reaching 500 career RBI, a mark only 14 players in franchise history have reached. Alvarez also checks in with 172 career homers, which makes him just two homers shy of matching franchise icon OF George Springer (174HR) for seventh on the Astros all-time list.

GOIN’ DEEP:LF Brice Matthews hit his first homer of the season last night, a 434’ shot to left-center field. Matthews’ homer was the longest of his career, the longest by an Astro this season (by 40 feet) and the fifth-longest in the Majors in 2026.

COLE SIDELINED:OF Zach Cole will be placed on the minor league IL today with a fifth toe fracture on his right foot. Cole began the season at Triple A Sugar Land, where he sustained the injury on a HBP on Sunday vs. Round Rock.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Tuesday, March 31, 7:10 p.m. CST

Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX

TV: Space City Home Network

Streaming: SCHN+

Radio: KTRH 740 AM; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)

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Game Discussion for St. Louis Cardinals vs New York Mets

JUPITER, FL - MARCH 14: Andre Pallante (53) of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch during a spring training game against the Miami Marlins on March 14, 2026 at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The St. Louis Cardinals are back at Busch Stadium Tuesday night for game 5 of the 2026 season with the New York Mets still in town. According to MLB.com, Andre Pallante will make the start for St. Louis while New York will put Kodai Senga on the mound for another 6:45pm start.

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Game Thread #5: Milwaukee Brewers (3-1) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (2-2)

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff (53) throws in the outfield during spring training workouts Saturday, February 14, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona. | Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Following their first loss of the season last night, the Brewers have their first chance to bounce back. They will look to do that tonight in their second game against the Rays.

Prior to tonight’s game, the Brewers made a few roster moves and provided some injury updates. First, Luis Matos was officially added to the active roster. In a corresponding move, Jeferson Quero was optioned back to Triple-A Nashville. Steward Berroa and Rob Zastryzny were also sent to Nashville on rehab assignments. Zastryzny is expected to pitch an inning tonight.

In other injury news (from Dave Gasper), Andrew Vaughn underwent hand surgery today and is expected to return in mid-May. Quinn Priester is scheduled to throw a bullpen today with “two ups” — meaning he will warm up and start two simulated innings. Craig Yoho is also scheduled to throw a bullpen on Thursday.

The Brewers finish their first turn through the rotation as Brandon Woodruff takes the mound tonight. He’s been building up through the spring and is ready to go to start the season, despite some concerns in spring training if he would be stretched out enough. According to Pat Murphy, “we could see six ‘ups’ for Woodruff tonight”. which could mean we see Woodruff pitch into the sixth inning. In his final start of the spring, he threw 62 pitches in a three-inning start against the Rangers. He allowed three runs, four hits, and one walk while striking out four. Last season, he had a 3.20 ERA in 12 starts. Over his last 24 starts at American Family Field, he’s posted a 14-1 record and a 2.10 ERA, and the Brewers are 21-3 in those starts.

For the Rays, Shane McClanahan will make the start. This is his first regular-season MLB start since 2023. In the last two years, he underwent Tommy John surgery, then a nerve issue in his elbow kept him out in 2025. Before that, he received votes for AL Rookie of the Year in 2021 and AL Cy Young in 2022. This spring, he made four starts and posted a 2.08 ERA in 13 innings, with 15 strikeouts and five walks. The Brewers faced him once back in 2023, and he pitched seven shutout innings with seven strikeouts.

The Brewers are shuffling the lineup a little tonight. Brice Turang remains the leadoff hitter, but Luis Rengifo will move up into the second slot. This slides William Contreras back to third, and Christian Yelich — who will make the start in left field tonight — bats fourth. Gary Sánchez gets the start at DH and bats fifth, with Jake Bauers at first base batting sixth. Brandon Lockridge moves over to center field and bats seventh. Sal Frelick and Joey Ortiz round out the lineup in their usual positions.

Here are the full starting lineups for tonight. First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. on Brewers.TV and the Brewers Radio Network.

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Warriors’ Steph Curry takes ‘good step’ in return from knee issue

Steph Curry just might make it back, after all.

The Warriors superstar took his most significant step yet to returning from a knee issue that has kept him out since Jan. 30, participating in practice with the team Tuesday.

While it was a “very light” session, according to Steve Kerr, the coach said Curry was expected to take part in a 5-on-5 scrimmage immediately afterward — a first for the 38-year-old sharpshooter and probably a step that had to happen this week for there to be enough time for Curry to return this season.

“It’s a good step for him,” Kerr said.

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors shoots a three-point shot against the Detroit Pistons. Getty Images

The Warriors must see how Curry’s knee responds to the live, on-court action, ruling him out for a 26th consecutive game Wednesday against the Spurs. Kerr left open the possibility that Curry could play Thursday against the Cavaliers, but said that was “doubtful.”

“We’ve got to see how he responds to the scrimmage. And then we’ll just take it day-by-day,” Kerr said. “It’s scrimmage today. And we’ll see how he feels tomorrow. And we’ll go from there.”

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The development represented the most positive turn of events in a stop-and-go saga that Curry has described as “frustrating.”

He is dealing with inflammation and bone bruising in his right knee — commonly known as runner’s knee — that can be tricky to manage, according to doctors. The injury subsides with rest, but returning to action too quickly can cause it to flare up again.

That is why not only Curry’s return to practice, but how he feels the following day, is critical.

Curry had been progressing well enough for the Warriors to set up a scrimmage for him on their last road trip and fly the head of their medical staff, Rick Celebrini, to Atlanta. In just one example of the unpredictable nature of the injury, Curry wasn’t cleared and the scrimmage didn’t take place.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry reacts against the LA Clippers in the second half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

It seemed to be a step in the wrong direction for Curry, leading Kerr to acknowledge last week that there was “actually a conversation now” about whether there would be time left for him to come back this season. “We need to give him a runway if this is gonna work,” he said, “and we are running out of games.”

Golden State has seven games remaining starting Wednesday against the Spurs. Even if Curry wasn’t cleared to return until after the back-to-back, that would still give him five regular-season games to get ready for the Warriors’ inevitable date with the play-in tournament.

With wins against bad teams in three of their past four games, the Warriors improved to 9-16 over the course of Curry’s absence. They once hoped to avoid the play-in, or climb to the No. 7-8 matchup, but their fate has been sealed for some time. All the while, Curry has been determined to return.

Now, the payoff is that much closer.

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AJ Hinch moves Colt Keith and Kevin McGonigle up in the order

Mar 30, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Colt Keith (33) gets ready to hit against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Kerry Carpenter has been in a pretty rough place this spring. After a fairly good, but again injury plagued 2025 season, the Tigers’ right fielder and designated hitter came into camp looking to put together a more consistent 2026 and hopefully finally banish the back and hamstring injuries that have nagged at him for much of his career. He seems healthy, but he just hasn’t been seeing the ball well this spring. With 10 strikeouts through four games, manager A.J. Hinch has at least temporarily pulled the plug on the leadoff experiment.

The lineup on Tuesday night features Colt Keith leading off and playing third base, and this is a fairly interesting development. Keith has always controlled the strike zone pretty well, taking his share of walks and keeping his strikeouts to league average or better levels. Meanwhile, his contact showed signs of improvement last summer that have carried over in the early going. An estimated 416 foot double off Mike Soroka in Monday night’s game was the latest sign that Keith is seeing the ball well and starting to get off more A-swings to take advantage of his plus raw power.

Meanwhile, teams are already scared of Kevin McGonigle, quickly backing away from throwing him fastballs in the zone, and the rookie now moves to the two-hole in tonight’s lineup. No one is putting together better at-bats in the lineup, and he’s already adapted to the respect he’s being shown by taking his walks. He’ll also make his second start at the shortstop position with Javy Báez getting the night off apart from pinch-hitting duties.

Of course, we’re four games into the season. None of this says anything much about how various hitters will do over the course of the season. Carpenter will be fine as long as he’s healthy. But, while the strategy of putting a legit power hitter atop the order is a good one that has found more favor among managers in recent years, particularly if it’s a hitter with pronounced splits that you may want to pinch-hit for later in games, Carpenter needs to heat up before this is going to work.

In the meantime, while it’s customary to protect a rookie a bit by hitting them down in the order until they’ve settled in, McGonigle isn’t a regular rookie. He’s walking and striking out both at a 17.6 percent clip, and holds a 185 wRC+ in the very early going. Keith runs reasonably well, and McGonigle can challenge Parker Meadows as the fastest guy on the team home to first. So the change gives the Tigers some of their most disciplined hitters atop the order, both with the ability to take the extra base.

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Pistons vs. Raptors Discussion: Game Time, TV, Odds, and More

TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 15: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the net against Jamal Shead #23 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on March 15, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.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 Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Detroit Pistons gave the Oklahoma City Thunder a good fight on Monday before falling in OT, and now they face a quick turnaround with a game today against the Toronto Raptors. Luckily, the Pistons are getting some reinforcements. Jalen Duren, Tobias Harris, and Duncan Robinson are all listed as probable after being held out of the game against the Thunder. Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart remain out, and Caris LeVert and Marcus Sasser are questionable tonight. The Raptors will be without Immanuel Quickley, and Brandon Ingram is listed as questionable.

These two teams faced off about two weeks ago, with an Ingram-led Raptors attack helping propel Toronto to a 119-108 victory. RJ Barrett chipped in 27 and Jakob Poeltl was a monster on the boards with 18. It was also the rare game where the Pistons were outscored in the paint.

Game Vitals

When: 8 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -3.5

Projected Lineups

Detroit Pistons (54-21)

Daniss Jenkins, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Toronto Raptors (42-32)

Jamal Shead, Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl

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Game 5: Red Sox at Astros, Brayan Bello takes on Hunter Brown

SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - MARCH 03: Brayan Bello #66 of the Dominican Republic looks on prior to an exhibition game against the Detroit Tigers at Estadio Quisqueya on March 03, 2026 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Red Sox look to get back in the win column tonight and avoid falling three games under .500 in the first swing through the rotation.

On the mound, they’ll have Brayan Bello, who is very much the definition of Trick or Treat. At times (including much of last summer), he looks like a top of the rotation starter you want out there to end a losing streak. Unfortunately, at other times (like in Game 2 of the Wild Card series last October), he rides the edge of disaster and puts the team behind the 8-ball.

If the Sox are going to win tonight, they’re likely going to need the first guy to show up because the lineup will be facing Hunter Brown who finished third in Cy Young voting last year and didn’t allow a run his first time out.

To try and generate a spark (and also to just rotate guys in there), Alex Cora shook up the lineup in a few spots. Masataka Yoshida is in the third slot, Jaren Duran and Caleb Durbin will start the evening on the bench, and Connor Wong will do the catching instead of Carlos Narvaez.

Perhaps the best thing the Red Sox have going for them in this one is that all the high leverage relievers are rested after the team got their doors blown off yesterday, which means if they can keep it tight in the early innings, they might be able to pull one out late.

Today’s Lineups

RED SOXASTROS
Roman Anthony – LFJeremy Pena – SS
Trevor Story – SSYordan Alvarez – DH
Masataka Yoshida – DHJose Altuve – 2B
Willson Contreras – 1BCarlos Correa – 3B
Wilyer Abreu – RFChristian Walker – 1B
Andruw Monasterio – 3BJoey Loperfido – LF
Marcelo Mayer – 2BCam Smith – RF
Connor Wong – CYainer Diaz – C
Ceddanne Rafaela – CFJake Meyers – CF
Brayan Bello – RHPHunter Brown – RHP

⚾️ First Pitch: 8:10 pm – Daikin Park (Formally Minute Maid and Enron Field), Houston, Texas

📺 TV: NESN

📻 Radio: WEEI

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Tuesday Game Thread vs. Belmont

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 1: Brodie Johnston #9 of the Vanderbilt Commodores runs the bases after a homer in the second inning against the Wright State Raiders during the NCAA Nashville Regional game at Hawkins Field on June 1, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Carly Mackler/Getty Images) | Getty Images

6pm CT on SECN+.

After three straight improbably walk-off victories over THEM, what will the Diamond Dores bring against Belmont?

On the Mound

Tuesday @ 6:00pm SECN+

Vanderbilt #45 Fr. RHP Connor “The Canadian” Hamilton (0-0; 5.65 ERA)
vs. Belmont ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The Lineup

See you in the comments.

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Game Thread: White Sox (1-3) at Marlins (3-1)

Jun 26, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Erick Fedde (20) delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Erick Fedde throws his first pitch for the Chicago White Sox since 2024 tonight. | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The White Sox served the Marlins their first loss of the season Monday night, and perhaps righthander Erick Fedde can carry that momentum into his first start of the season; anything that will make us all forget about the first three losses of the year.

Fedde is back with the South Siders after being traded at the deadline in 2024, and while is 2025 season wasn’t much to write home about, he looked a bit more consistent in his Spring Training performances, albeit a small sample size. In three outings (8 2/3 innings), Fedde allowed three runs on nine hits — including one home run — and struck out seven compared to two walks, amounting to a 3.12 ERA. In 2025, his strikeout rate declined to 13.3% from 21% the year prior, which still isn’t an elite K% by any means, but still highlights a significant year-over-year drop-off. Walks were also a bigger problem last season, as his rate ballooned in 2025, going from a 63-percentile in 2024 (7.2% BB%), all the way up to a 10.8% BB%.

Despite some struggles with control, Fedde does have a solid five-pitch arsenal with a cutter, sinker, sweeper, changeup and four-seamer, and he relies most heavily on the first four. His sweeper has remained consistent year-over-year with sub-.200 opponent batting averages and his top whiff rate, hovering between 25-26% both seasons.

Fedde will have to deal with some hard hitters from Miami, especially at the top of the order with Liam Hicks in the 4-spot, currently ranking second in the majors in hard-hit percentage (75%): Six of eight of his batted balls have left the bat at 95 mph or faster.

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On the other end, righthander Janson Junk will take the mound for Miami, also making his first start of the year. In 16 starts (21 appearances) and 110 innings in 2025, Junk posted a 4.17 ERA on the season, and a 4.53 ERA as a starter. His low (2.9%) walk rate in 2025 was definitely a highlight, though Junk doesn’t strike out a ton of batters (17.2%).

Junk will still have to deal with a White Sox team that has scored 16 runs in the last two games (though only winning one, of course), and the top of the lineup has been hitting the ball fairly hard despite the lack of team success. Chase Meidroth has been one of the more consistent players to start the season and will hold down the leadoff slot, posting a 1.162 OPS in his first four games. The real star of the show, however, is in the 2-slot, as Munetaka Murakami has already mashed three home runs on the season, and has been getting on base quite a bit with four walks.

Miguel Vargas is thankfully back in the lineup as well in the 5-hole, after blasting a grand slam in Monday’s matchup.

View Link

First pitch will take place shortly at 5:40 p.m. CT, and you can tune into the TV broadcast on CHSN or MLB Network, or listen in at ESPN Chicago AM 1000 on the radio. How about two Sox wins in a row?

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Lakers big men are rounding into form with playoffs on horizon

Jaxson Hayes pulled something off he’s done just a few times this season during Monday night’s home win over the Wizards.

And even though Hayes made it clear through his actions and words that he can do it more, the Lakers don’t need him to.

With three seconds left on the shot clock on a sideline out of bounds play midway through the fourth quarter, Hayes caught a pass from LeBron James with none of his teammates open to receive a pass and nothing but space in front of him. 

Instead of attempting to drive into the paint for a floater or one of his signature dunks, Hayes let it fly from beyond the 3-point arc.

And he made it, putting him at 3 for 3 on 3-pointers this season, with a celebration dance to follow. 

Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes reacts after making a three-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards Monday, March 30, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP

Hayes has attempted just 14 combined 3s with the Lakers over the last three seasons after taking 14 in his second season with the Pelicans, 57 in his third season and 29 in his fourth season before coming to Los Angeles. 

“Always,” Hayes responded when asked whether he works on his 3-pointers. “Always. At the end of the day, I’m an NBA player and I still work on other things too. I can’t just work on dunking all day, so I gotta work on some things.”

But for the Lakers, spacing and stretching out the floor isn’t necessary or the role they need from him.

They need Hayes’ activity near the rim, which was showcased with the three dunks and two putbacks he had against the Wizards.

Or the 2.2 offensive rebounds he’s averaged over the previous six games entering Tuesday’s home game against the Cavaliers. 

“Hopefully not,” coach JJ Redick quickly responded when asked about Hayes or starting center Deandre Ayton shooting more 3s. 

Redick added: “Even though Jaxson made one, it’s so important for those guys, for our team, for them to put pressure on the rim. They’ve done it in a number of ways. Done it in transition. Jaxson gets ahead of his guy early, [LeBron James] hits him, he gets a dunk. DA as a roller. Jaxson out of our 88 spacing always does a really good job just playing off LeBron or Luka [Doncic]. For us, we’re elite when we touch the paint and we don’t touch the paint enough. So, the emphasis is not for our bigs to pick-and-pops and shot 3s. But it’s to put pressure on the rim.”

Deandre Ayton of the Los Angeles Lakers blocks a shot by Nolan Traore of the Brooklyn Nets during the first half of an NBA game at Crypto.com Arena on March 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images

In other words, the Lakers’ big man tandem of Ayton and Hayes are playing their roles, even if they’re capable of more.

And over the last few weeks, both have been exceptional in their roles, giving the Lakers nearly 48 minutes of quality big man play, which is a stark contrast to how they finished last season.

After trading for Doncic last February, with Maxi Kleber sidelined with a foot injury, Hayes was the lone big man getting regular rotation minutes, but still averaged just 21.8 minutes as the Lakers’ starting center post-All-Star break – just two more minutes than he’s averaged as the backup big post All-Star break this season.

The Lakers’ reliance on center-less lineups to close out last season worked, but left them vulnerable to bigger teams, a factor in why the Timberwolves beat them in five games in the first round of last year’s playoffs.

Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes of the Los Angeles Lakers high five before the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 27, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NBAE via Getty Images

But this year is different.

Ayton buying into his role has been well-documented. And Hayes’ continued emergence gives the Lakers another big man option.

“I make sure I do whatever the team needs me to do. So I’m gonna screen and do a bunch of other things.”

But if he finds himself wide open for 3 again?

“It ain’t really my job,” Hayes said. “But if I get an open one, I’m definitely shooting.”

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Gamethread: Red Wings @ Penguins

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 01: Yegor Chinakhov #59 of the Pittsburgh Penguins carries the puck against Ben Chiarot #8 of the Detroit Red Wings at PPG PAINTS Arena on January 1, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

Talk about the game with Pens fans here!

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Mets at Cardinals: Lineups, broadcast info, and open thread, 3/31/26

A portrait of Kodai Senga in a white Mets uniform with a blue hat and a blue glove
Kodai Senga | (Photo: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

Mets lineup

Francisco Lindor – SS
Juan Soto – LF
Bo Bichette – 3B
Luis Robert – CF
Jared Young – 1B
Mark Vientos – DH
Marcus Semien – 2B
Carson Benge – RF
Luis Torrens – C

Kodai Senga – RHP

Cardinals lineup

JJ Wetherholt – 2B
Ivan Herrera – C
Alec Burleson – 1B
Masyn Winn – SS
Nolan Gorman – DH
Jordan Walker – RF
Nathan Church – LF
Ramon Urias – 3B
Victor Scott – CF

Andre Pallante – RHP

Broadcast info

First pitch: 7:45 PM EDT
TV: SNY
Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2

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Blues Earn Top 10 Spot In The Athletic's Prospect Pool Rankings

The Athletic is in the midst of releasing its prospect pool rankings, with the St. Louis Blues at 10th.

When The Athletic conducted these rankings a year ago, the Blues ranked 14th, moving up four spots in 2026. 

The Blues received high grades overall, but the one criticism was that the prospect pool is missing a truly elite, franchise-altering prospect. It’s fair criticism, but that’s also indicative of where the Blues have been selecting in the first round. Their highest draft selection in the last five years was 10th overall, when they selected Dalibor Dvorsky. 

While they may currently lack that top prospect, they could land that in this year’s draft. The Blues currently sit in fifth last place due to points percentage, and a top-five pick could be franchise-altering. 

With that being said, the depth the Blues have is rivalled by few. 

In the first tier, Scott Wheeler named three Blues players: Justin Carbonneau, Dalibor Dvorsky, and Adam Jiricek.  

Carbonneau had a stellar goal-scoring season in the QMJHL, and his club, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, is a threat to win the QMJHL championship. 

Three Blues Feature In The Hockey News' Top 100 NHL Affiliated ProspectsThree Blues Feature In The Hockey News' Top 100 NHL Affiliated ProspectsSt. Louis Blues prospects Adam Jiricek, Justin Carbonneau, and Otto Stenberg featured in The Hockey News' top 100 NHL-affiliated prospects.

Dvorsky has graduated to the NHL, but because of these rankings’ rules, he was still eligible to be named a prospect. In his first full NHL season, Dvorsky has scored 11 goals and 18 points in 62 games. He’s shown he can be a threat as a shooter, but he can also play a reliable two-way game.

His performance at the Olympics showed he could be a strong 5-on-5 player, but he needs to add that element in the NHL.

Jiricek is healthy and is showing his talent. He was a dominant defensive force at the world juniors and added plenty of offense as well. In the OHL with the Brantford Bulldogs, Jiricek has led the way on the blueline, and they are the heavy favorites to win it all this year.

Logan Mailloux, Theo Lindstein, and Otto Stenberg highlighted tier 2. All three players have seemingly graduated to the NHL, but they did spend parts of the season with the AHL's Springfield Thunderbirds.

Blues Couldn't Have Scripted Theo Lindstein's Start To NHL Career Any Better; Future Looks Very GoodBlues Couldn't Have Scripted Theo Lindstein's Start To NHL Career Any Better; Future Looks Very Good2023 first-round pick scored first NHL goal in 10th game Monday, has fit in like a glove playing alongside a terrific mentor in Colton Parayko

They’ve all shown they can play in the NHL, but finding ways to become even more impactful is the next step.

Tier 3 featured Marcus Gildof, a big Swedish netminder; Colin Ralph, a big left-handed defenseman in the NCAA; and Dmitry Buchelnikov, a recently acquired skillful Russian winger. 

Tier 4 consisted of Lukas Fischer, another big left-handed defenseman in the OHL; Love Harenstam, a standout Swedish netminder; Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, a two-way Finnish center playing in the AHL; Juraj Pekarcik, a skilled winger in the AHL; Jakub Stancl, a versatile forward in the AHL; and Adam Jecho, a big center playing in the WHL. 

St. Louis Blues Weekly Prospect Report (March 29)St. Louis Blues Weekly Prospect Report (March 29)Blues prospects off and running in postseason action; Ralph, Michigan State see season come to premature ending; Springfield keep pushing towards Calder Cup playoffs

Michael Buchinger was named as an honorable mention. 

With another three first-round picks in this year’s upcoming draft, there could be plenty of new faces in these rankings, and the Blues’ position could be a lot higher next year. 

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Game Thread: Suns at Magic

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 21: Desmond Bane #3 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball against Jordan Goodwin #23 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 21, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Game 76. Second in as many nights.

Let’s do this!

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Braves vs A’s Game Thread: 3/31/26

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 30: A Rawlings baseball glove sits by the visiting team's dugout before a game between the Athletics and Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on March 30, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Braves go for the series win over the A’s in a matchup of fifth starters Jose Suarez and Aaron Civale. Today’s game starts at 7:15 PM ET in Atlanta and can be viewed on BravesVision and on Gray TV. You can read more on the pitching matchup in the game preview here and see the lineups here.

Join us and discuss tonight’s game in the comments below!