Apr 15, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner (42) reacts with infielder Matt Shaw (42) hits a two-run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
For the second straight night, the Philadelphia Phillies (8-10) gave up double-digit runs to the visiting Chicago Cubs (9-9) by a score of 11-2 on their way to dropping a third straight series.
Jesus Luzardo’s early season struggles continued, allowing nine of the Cubs’ 11 runs on 12 hits, a walk and a wild pitch. Luzardo, sporting a 7.94 ERA, has surrendered five-plus runs in three out of his four starts to begin the year, equalling his total in 32 starts last season.
This third lost series at home also equals the Phillies’ total from last season. They are 1-5 in series finales.
Trea Turner led off the game with a home run to straightaway center, his second of the season, on the second pitch offered by Cubs’ starter, Shota Imanaga.
Imanaga would allow only two more hits across his six innings of work, a single and a double by Adolis Garcia.
Things seemed to unravel for Luzardo and his backing group in the top of the third inning. After needing only 17 pitches to get through the first and second, Luzardo threw 34 in the third, nine of which went to Matt Shaw who reached on a one-out double. Shaw came home to score on a Nico Hoerner single and then Luzardo walked Alex Bregman. Hoerner and Bregman tried for a double steal and an overthrow by JT Realmuto was dropped by Turner which allowed Hoerner to score and Bregman to reach third. Luzardo’s wild pitch brought Bregman home.
Kyle Backhus allowed one run in 1.2 innings of relief and Dylan Moore took to the mound as the sacrificial lamb for the second time already this year, allowing another run.
Jose Alvarado pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning with one strikeout.
Bryce Harper hammered a garbage-time homer in the bottom of the ninth, his fourth of the year. Edmundo Sosa had the only other hit for the Phillies.
The Phillies have a day off tomorrow before hosting the Atlanta Braves for a weekend series. Taijuan Walker is slated to go up against a TBD Braves’ starter on Friday night.
Mar 1, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff talks with center Jalen Duren (0) during the second half at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters-Imagn Images
We’ve finally made it.
The NBA Playoffs are (kind of) here, and the Pistons open Sunday against whoever survives the Magic/Sixers/Hornets play-in on Friday. This isn’t a full preview, just some thoughts and observations ahead of the Pistons’ biggest postseason in 19 years.
Let’s dive in.
I’m not concerned with the Play-In The Pistons are the No. 1 seed for a reason. None of Orlando, Philly, or Charlotte should scare you.
Detroit went 9-2 against that trio this season, and one of the Orlando losses came last week without Cade Cunningham, Tobias Harris, Duncan Robinson and Isaiah Stewart.
Charlotte is volatile because of their shooting, but that kind of 3-point variance is more dangerous in a one-game setting than a seven-game series. It’s hard to see them staying hot over the course of a playoff series.
Philadelphia, for now, doesn’t have Joel Embiid. Tyrese Maxey is still an All-NBA dude, but the rest of the roster lacks punch. Even if Embiid returns, he’s not the same guy who tormented the Pistons during his MVP era.
Orlando is just… off. The talent is there, but between the late-season slide, the Paolo Banchero situation, and locker room noise, it’s hard to take them seriously. Vibes are badddddd.
Detroit should handle this series in five games. Not a sweep, but a gentleman’s sweep.
Are Detroit sports fans a little damaged? There’s a weird level of local skepticism around this team.
Nationally, sure, I get it. No. 1 seeds without a deep playoff track record always get a side-eye. But locally? It feels like people are bracing for disaster.
Maybe it’s last year’s Tigers collapse or the Lions’ flameout over the past two years, but there’s a lot of “they could lose to Charlotte” or “there’s zero chance they make the Conference Finals.”
It’s just odd. I’m not going to sit here and tell you I think the Pistons will win the title (they won’t) nor that they’ll make the Finals (they might), but this isn’t a team walking into the playoffs blind.
They got their playoff indoctrination last year. That matters.
A shorter rotation is coming I caught a lot of flak on Twitter recently over this, but I think the Pistons are going to cut down their rotation come Sunday. We’re not going to see 10-11 guys playing.
Maybe we will if the series isn’t close, but if it’s a real, down-to-the-wire series, we’re going to mostly see the starters playing more with Ron Holland, Daniss Jenkins, Stew and Kevin Huerter carrying the load off the bench.
This scheduling is weird Boston and San Antonio, the No. 2 seeds, will know their opponent for Sunday’s Game 1s by the end of the night.
The No. 1 seeds won’t know until Friday night.
That’s a little wack. The top seed still gets home court and an easier path on paper, but the play-in muddies that advantage a little bit. It’s not a huge deal, but feels like a quirk the NBA should look at.
It’s Jalen Duren’s time Duren took the leap this year.
Made the All-Star team, likely making All-NBA — should but won’t win the Most Improved Player award — but I think there’s still more to come.
Detroit will need his offense in these playoffs, but the real swing is his defense. If he can hold up on switches in the playoffs as he has in the regular season, it makes a deep run possible. He had moments against the New York Knicks last year, but struggled overall on D. I think he’s going to click on both ends this year.
If it’s Charlotte, he should dominate. Same against Philly sans Embiid. Even against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round, the numbers are hard to ignore: 21.7 points and 12.3 rebounds vs. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen this season, including 28.5 points and 15 rebounds per game in two matchups after the All-Star break.
He’s a mismatch and massive advantage for Detroit.
Three X-Factors I couldn’t pick one, so you get three and a half very important dudes:
Ron Holland — He looked like a deer in the headlights against the Knicks last year, but the game has slowed down for him recently. His numbers (10 points per game, 46% from the field, 48% from three on 21 attempts) in six games this month sans Cade back it up. He’s ready to roll.
Daniss Jenkins — As far as I’m concerned, he’s a rookie. Jenkins has had highs and lows, but overall, he’s just produced. He’s not afraid. His playmaking and shot creation could swing a game or two. It’s easy to get sped up in the playoffs; the key for him is staying aggressive without losing control.
Duncan Robinson — We saw Detroit struggle when Malik Beasley went cold last postseason, so Robinson’s shooting is obviously critical. He brings real playoff experience (61 games, 40% from three). The question is whether Detroit can protect him defensively or if they can trust Jenkins enough to close in his place.
We’re gonna say, “Woo”
I don’t know when.
I don’t know how.
I just know Javonte Green is going to have his moment. I don’t have him in the truncated playoff rotation right now, but there’s going to be a spot where the Pistons need a jolt or big play on defense or dunk to wake up the LCA crowd.
I’m gonna bet Woo is the guy who delivers.
—
What are you all feeling headed into Sunday? Let us know in the comments!
SEATTLE, WA - APRIL 15: Fans in the outfield stand above a plaque honoring Jackie Robinson and another honoring Ken Griffey, Jr. during the game between the Oakland Athletics and the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on Sunday, April 15, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Rod Mar/MLB via Getty Images) | MLB via Getty Images
Well, it turns out the problems with the offense might not be fixed so easily. The Mariners looked more like their early-season selves last night in the series opener against San Diego, eking out just four hits and scoring a lone run on a sac fly. It was a disappointing comedown after the high of the Houston series. The Mariners will look to get back on track tonight against Padres starter Randy Vásquez, but it will be a tough task; as Jake outlines in the series preview, Vásquez will throw not just a kitchen sink but an entire Zillow listing at hitters. Who will emerge triumphant in the battle of the Randys?
Lineups:
Emerson Hancock starts for the Mariners on Jackie Robinson Day. Hancock and Robinson actually share a birthplace: Cairo, Georgia, which is a pretty big coincidence for a town with a population of about 10,000. (Other MLB players born in Cairo, pronounced like the syrup: Willie Harris, Ernest Riles, and one other active player, Hurston Waldrep, currently of the Braves.)
Game information:
Game time: 6:40 PT
TV: Mariners.TV and associated channels with Aaron Goldsmith and Angie Mentink
Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports with Rick Rizzs and Gary Hill Jr.
As a reminder, we’ll be watching Thursday’s game at the Rebel in Wallingford – come through if you can! 21+, food and drink specials, and prizes.
Apr 15, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Kansas City Royals right fielder Jac Caglianone gets tagged out at home plate by Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers in the second inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
The Royals did it again. They lost 2-1. The offense has now scored 2 or fewer runs in 11 of their first 18 games and in 7 of their last 8. The offense was miserable and missed the few opportunities they had to do something, per usual. The pitching was awesome again, unfortunately perfection has been required lately.
There was a couple of bright spots. Jac Caglianone was on base all four times, including three hits and a walk. He hit his second career triple as well. His leadoff triple in the 3rd was followed up by a Lane Thomas pop out to center and a Kyle Isbel ground out to second, where Cags was thrown out at the plate on the contact play.
Caglianone also got an outfield assist in the bottom half of the inning, cutting down a Tigers run, and he almost did it on the next play as well, but Javier Baez got by Salvador Perez just in time.
Seth Lugo was awesome again, all four of his starts have been after two straight Royals losses. Lugo went 6.2 innings, gave up 5 hits, 1 run and struck out 7.
Kyle Isbel drove in the Royals only run with a two out single to right field in the 5th.
Daniel Lynch IV got the final out of the 7th on just four pitches. After throwing just 12 pitches in the last five days, he needed to be replaced. Eli Morgan, who has looked good with the Royals so far, unfortunately, gave up a first batter home run to Wenceel Pérez in the bottom of the 8th. Perez was 0-10 on the season coming into the at bat.
After a two out Cags single in the 9th, Tyler Tolbert came in to pinch run and got all the way to third, but Lane Thomas hit a measly fly ball to left to end the game.
The Royals drop to 7-11 on the season, they have lost three in a row. They have won just one series this season, split one and have lost every other series. They will try to avoid the sweep tomorrow afternoon at 12:10 p.m. CT. The game can be streamed on Royals.TV.
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 15: Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets (wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson) looks on prior to the game between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jessie Alcheh/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Mets lineup
Francisco Lindor – SS
Luis Robert – CF
Brett Baty – 1B
Bo Bichette – 3B
Francisco Alvarez – C
Carson Benge – RF
Marcus Semien – 2B
MJ Melendez – DH
Tommy Pham – LF
SP: Clay Holmes – RHP
Dodgers lineup
Kyle Tucker – RF
Freddie Freeman – 1B
Will Smith – C
Teoscar Hernandez – LF
Max Muncy – 3B
Andy Pages – CF
Dalton Rushing – DH
Hyeseong Kim – SS
Alex Freeland – 2B
SP: Shohei Ohtani – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 10:10 PM ET TV: ESPN Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 15: Javier Báez #28 of the Detroit Tigers scores a run against Salvador Perez #13 of the Kansas City Royals during the bottom of the third inning at Comerica Park on April 15, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Happy Jackie Robinson Day, everyone! The Tigers and Royals were sporting their number 42s in Detroit, and hoping for a repeat of the previous night’s victory, perhaps with a few more runs. To get there, the Tigers would need to get through Seth Lugo on the mound for the Royals, while the Tigers themselves turned to Jack Flaherty to get the job done.
The first inning got started nicely as Flaherty got through the Royals in order. The first out of the game was even on a strikeout, something Tuesday’s outing was relatively short on. In the bottom of the inning, Gleyber Torres hit a one-out single, but Colt Keith grounded into a double play to eliminate the baserunner and end the inning.
Three straight strikeouts took the Royals out in order in the second. I promise this is the last time I’ll mention the strikeouts. I mean, unless they’re relevant. The Tigers likewise went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning.
Jac Caglianone hit a triple to start the third. Zack McKinstry appeared to have been hit when Caglianone headed into third, but stayed in the game, so hopefully it wasn’t serious, though he was wincing. With one out, Kyle Isbel reached on a fielder’s choice as the Tigers got Caglianone out at home, avoiding the run. A wild pitch helped advance Isbel to second, but the Royals weren’t able to convert the runner. In the home half, McKinstry started things off with a leadoff single, and Javier Baez hit a line drive to right, bringing McKinstry home. Salvador Perez immediately called for a review, and it very quickly showed that McKinstry was tagged out before touching the plate. The safe call at home was overturned. Jake Rogers then flied into a double play, one of those being Baez at home, and while he was ruled out, he immediately called for a review, and dang it was one of the most insane plays I think I’ve ever seen in slow motion. On review, he was ruled safe, just an absolutely bonkers tag evasion.
Kevin McGonigle got his first single of the extension era, followed by a single from Gleyber Torres. Keith struck out to end the inning, but the Tigers still got on the board first.
Flaherty worked through the side in order in the top of the fourth. The Tigers likewise went 1-2-3 in the home half.
In the fifth, Flaherty started to show some issues with his command. With one out, he gave up back-to-back walks to Michael Massey and Jac Caglianone. Those two walks certainly came back to haunt. With two outs, Isbel singled, scoring Massey to tie the game. Flaherty was able to end the inning on the next out, but the game was now tied. The Tigers didn’t make much of an effort to break that tie in the bottom of the fifth, going in order back to the dugout.
Things evened out a bit in the sixth, as Vinnie Pasquantino got a one-out walk, but then Salvador Perez hit into a double play to end the inning. The Tigers again went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning.
Jack Flaherty’s night was done after six with a final line of 6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, on 97 pitches. Tyler Holton came out of the pen to replace him. With two outs, Caglianone singled, then Lane Thomas singled right behind him. The Royals went to their bench for Starling Marte, and that was when the Tigers stepped in to go back to the bullpen for Kyle Finnegan. Lifting Kyle Isbel for Marte denied me a golden opportunity to write about a Kyle on Kyle matchup, and I’m a bit miffed about that.
Finnegan induced a groundout to end the inning though it was due to Caglianone obstructing McKinstry on the play, with a collision that sent McKinstry sprawling to the turf. He looked okay coming off the field, but headed down into the clubhouse with a trainer. Báez moved to shortstop, with McGonigle sliding over to third base. Wenceel Pérez took over in center field, and that would prove fortunate later on.
In the home half, with two outs, Seth Lugo’s day was done, and he was replaced by Daniel Lynch IV, who got the final out of the inning.
McKinstry was out of the game following a second collision, rough night for Zach, hopefully he’s okay. With two outs in the top of the eighth inning Vinnie Pasquantino hit a triple, and I’m going to need the Royals to have shorter last names, please. The Royals left him stranded, though. Eli Morgan came in next for the Royals and Wenceel Perez, who replaced McKinstry, got his first hit of the season in style with a solo home run to right field.
With two outs, McGonigle walked, followed by a Torres single, but again it was Keith who ended the inning. C’mon Colt, you were our clutch guy for like two whole weeks!
Kenley Jansen was once again the Tigers’ man for the ninth, looking to add to his saves total. With two outs, Caglianone hit a line drive into left, and was replaced by pinch-runner Tyler Tolbert. And in an unreal moment, Jansen threw a pick-off toss over to first and it was ruled an out, but the Royals challenged and it really did look like Tolbert made it back safely, Torkelson’s hand seemed to swing right over his helmet instead of tagging him, though the fault was Jansen’s for throwing to the home plate side of first base, forcing Torkelson to catch it and attempt a backhand tag. The call was rightly overturned, but it sure would have been a fun ending to the game.
A passed ball allowed Tolbert to advance to second, then a balk advanced him to third, and things were feeling sketchy despite Jansen sustaining that better velocity for the second straight night, but the final out of the inning came on the next batter, Lane Thomas, who flew out to left. Jansen got the save and Finnegan and the Tigers the win. The Tigers are finally back at .500 as well on this five game winning streak.
LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani was visibly caught off guard when Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts informed him that he would not be the designated hitter in the series finale against the New York Mets on Wednesday, April 15.
So much so, that Roberts recreated his expression for reporters when he explained that the two-way superstar's responsibilities would strictly be on the mound as the Dodgers concluded their six-game homestand.
"(He was) maybe surprised, but fine with it, because I've never asked him to pitch and not hit," Roberts said pregame. "Explaining to him why, I think it makes complete sense."
The why was straightforward enough: Ohtani took a sinker from Mets pitcher David Peterson to the back of his throwing shoulder to lead off Monday's 4-0 win and was still dealing with soreness. He was also having issues getting loose to hit after his afternoon throwing sessions, though Roberts said Ohtani is feeling "much better than he did two days ago, and better than he did yesterday."
Shohei Ohtani gets hit up and high in his first at bat by David Peterson
This breaks up his lead off home run streak. Today, he was looking for 3 in a row to leadoff the game. pic.twitter.com/V5Hnw2jxwu
In Roberts' eyes, the move lets Ohtani focus on one thing and is what he feels is the best way to keep him loose throughout his outing.
"We felt — training staff, pitching coaches and myself — we just thought it was the best thing for him," Roberts said. "So once I told him, he completely understood."
Roberts expects Ohtani to be DHing again and pitching in his next start but didn't close the door on possibly dropping him down from the leadoff spot — or even sit him out of the lineup entirely — on some of his pitching days at some point down the road, if the situation calls for it.
But that's something that Roberts said he won't be necessarily proactive about. After all, anytime you don't have your best hitter in the lineup, it has to be a move that makes sense.
And for Roberts, taking the bat out of Ohtani's hands makes the most sense on Wednesday.
"Specific to today, I think this is the right decision," he said. "This is the best decision, for him not to hit today. Then the question is, when does he hit on days that he pitches? Where does he hit in the order? I think there's fair arguments to both — to moving him down a little bit, to give him a breather, to let him get into the game — I'm not prepared to make that decision quite yet, but it is something that I'm mindful of.
"You can tell (Mets manager) Carlos Mendoza he's an option, though."
"He ran again today," Mendoza said of Soto. "He took live at-bats at Citi Field. We brought some pitchers from Brooklyn. He came out well."
Mendoza was asked if Soto will rejoin the team in Chicago, but the manager quickly said he wouldn't. However, the goal is to have Soto be with the team when the Mets return to Queens.
"Not sure when, but at some point in the next homestand, we’ll get him back," Mendoza said.
After the Mets' three-game weekend series against the Cubs in Chicago, they have an off day on Monday before hosting the Twins for a three-game set on Tuesday.
Soto has missed significant time since injuring his calf back on April 3. Mendoza said that the team will continue to monitor Soto's progress before he undergoes more imaging to make sure everything is healed. The Mets skipper added that the next step for Soto is to increase the intensity of his running, in particular, going side to side, and starting and stopping.
Before his injury, Soto was having a strong start to the 2026 season. He was 11-for-31 with one home run, two doubles and five RBI across his first eight games.
Carlos Mendoza says that the goal is for Juan Soto to return at some point on the next homestand pic.twitter.com/eAcTayphaw
Polanco is dealing with Achilles bursitis and he has his good and bad days. After going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts yesterday, Polanco is not in the starting lineup.
"Just one of those days where yesterday he felt it a lot more," Mendoza explained. "Trying to take advantage of tomorrow’s off day. We’ll go from there. Have to check back on him to see if there’s any type of availability for today’s game."
Polanco has been in and out of the lineup for weeks now, and has been used strictly as a DH. Mendoza was asked whether they will consider placing the veteran on the IL and he revealed a decision is likely coming soon.
"Still on the table. Not going to lie," Mendoza said. "We’ll see where we’re at after today, after tomorrow’s off day. By the time we get to Chicago, if we decide to go that route, pretty sure we will."
Polanco has played in 14 games, and is 10-for-56 with one home run, three doubles and two RBI.
Decision to call up Melendez
The Mets placed Jared Young on the IL on Wednesday and called up outfielder MJ Melendez.
Melendez is in Wednesday's lineup and Mendoza was asked why they chose to bring Melendez up from the minors instead of Ronny Mauricio.
"The versatility piece. Lefty bat," Mendoza explained. "Talking about with Mauricio, we want him to play. I’m pretty sure it’ll continue to be fluid, but right now, we felt Melendez was the right way to go."
The Mets will look at the other depth pieces to step up in the absence of Young, who has provided a strong left-handed presence off the bench -- and would sometimes start.
Mendoza also admitted that Brett Baty will see more time with Young on the IL.
"Especially when we’re facing righties. We’ll stock up on as many lefties as possible," Mendoza said. "We’ll go from there. We’re going to need all of these guys."
Baty is 12-for-55 with seven RBI in 15 games, while playing all over the diamond, including outfield.
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Blackhawks extended general manager Kyle Davidson's contract Wednesday without providing the length of the deal.
“We are committing to Kyle to continue the plan he has put in place,” chairman and owner Danny Wirtz said before the team's season-ending game against San Jose. “We feel confident in that. We feel he has the right insight, the right team around him, and the belief he can continue to build a championship team."
The Blackhawks are locked into 31st place in the 32-team NHL and haven’t made the Stanley Cup playoffs since the expanded COVID playoffs of 2020.
The 37-year-old Davidson took over as interim general manager when Stan Bowman was fired in October 2021. The interim tag was removed in March 2022.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 14: Jacob Wilson #5 of the Athletics bats against the Texas Rangers in the bottom of the first inning of a major league baseball game at Sutter Health Park on April 14, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We’re about one hour away from gametime here tonight in Sacramento as the Athletics gear up for the third game of this four-game set against their division-rival Texas Rangers. Both teams are tied atop the AL West so whoever wins tonight’s contest can lay claim to sole possession of first place. Big stakes even if it’s only April, especially these divisional games. And it’s a big day for another reason as baseball celebrates Jackie Robinson Day, the day the legend broke the color barrier and made his MLB debut. So many greats in the game wouldn’t have had the chance to make their mark on the sport we love and we all love Jackie for the sacrifices he made in his time.
Taking the ball looking to make it two in a row for the good guys will be J.T. Ginn. The right-hander earned his first start of the season last week and did not disappoint, tossing four innings of one-hit ball against the team that drafted then traded him to us, the New York Mets. That must have felt good for the 26-year-old but now he’ll be tasked with taking on a division opponent in Texas. Last year Ginn made three starts against the Rangers, sandwiching a quality outing between a couple of duds. He’ll be looking for better results tonight and if he comes out looking like he did against New York we could see him in the game for a decent chunk tonight. There’s also a chance we see fellow right-hander Jack Perkins make an appearance tonight but that’ll largely depend on how Ginn is doing in the early frames.
The big 1-2 punch atop the lineup is back as Nick Kurtz reclaims the leadoff spot with Shea Langeliers right behind him. We do have a bit of a surprise in the #3 hole as backup outfielder Carlos Cortes will bat behind Langeliers. A curious move considering he’s just 7-for-24 with one home run so far. Not terrible numbers and I guess someone has to hit in that spot, but still feels like a curious choice. We’ll see if Mark Kotsay’s smarter than the rest of us. He’ll be the DH tonight.
The rest of the lineup is filled with the starters at all their primary positions. Soderstrom and Wilson will hit back-to-back in the middle of the order and Denzel Clarke will bring up the rear in the batting order.
On the mound for Texas tonight is former top prospect Kumar Rocker. The right-hander is considered one of the better younger pitchers in the Rangers’ organization and he’s looking like he’s taking a step so far in what will be his second full season in the big leagues. In two starts so far he’s pitched 10 innings (5 in each game) and allowed five total runs against the Reds and Dodgers. Not a bad start to his season but the A’s can pounce on the young arm if they can work his pitch count early. Last season the Athletics roughed him up for five runs in less than two innings of work so history is on the home team’s side in that regard tonight.
Ginn will have to work around the big bats in the middle of the order, especially the left-handed ones in Brandon Nimmo and Corey Seager at the very top of the order. Texas’ offense hasn’t quite hit their stride yet but they have the ability to put up a crooked number any time.
Let’s get back to first place with a win tonight, fellas. Let’s go A’s!
New York Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson, left, talks with head coach Mike Brown during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics Thursday, April 9,...
Mike Brown has noticed something important about himself.
He made a Finals appearance as a head coach, back in 2007 with the Cavaliers. He won four championships as an assistant — in 2003 with the Spurs and in 2017, 2018 and 2022 with the Warriors. He’s certainly used to coaching teams with high expectations.
But he’s changed his approach. And he believes the Knicks can benefit from it.
“More mature, more experienced, more seasoned,” Brown said after practice Wednesday. “If you want to get specific about it, I didn’t message great back then. It was more about the work. That’s the one thing I always knew I had control over, is I can outwork this guy if I want to — it’s my call, that’s easy. Therefore, if I’m gonna do something with our team, our team is gonna outwork that team, it’s easy.
“Now it’s based more on feel, a little bit smarter with my work and the team’s work. I do feel like I message better. I learned all these things being around great players and great coaches and just over time, learning from your mistakes I feel like I have a better opportunity now, because I’ve been through a lot, to be more present than before. When you’re present, it helps you be able to make adjustments more timely on both sides of the ball.”
AP
Having been around those championship teams, what were the common traits and similarities between them? Do the Knicks share them?
“It’s what our standard is about,” Brown said. “They were different teams. I was the head coach of Cleveland and we got to the Finals with a young team. Assistant coach in San Antonio with a veteran team. Assistant coach in Golden State with a veteran team. If there was something that was similar with all those different teams, they all somehow, someway sacrificed throughout the course of the year.They found a way to be connected, especially at the right time. They all had an unbelievable competitive spirit and the belief in the process and each other was always there. And everybody was OK holding one another accountable. They all embraced that.
“I feel that this group has trended towards that way.”
Everyone, including OG Anunoby, practiced Wednesday, Brown said. Anunoby exited the penultimate game — a win over the Raptors last Friday — with an ankle injury, but it didn’t appear to be serious. He, like the majority of the main rotation players, sat out the meaningless Knicks finale Sunday.
Wednesday’s positive update means he should be good to go for Game 1 on Saturday.
Jalen Brunson described Madison Square Garden’s playoff atmosphere simply.
“It’s something that we could sit here and explain,” he said Wednesday. “But no one really knows it unless they experience it.”
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Forward Alex Condon is returning to Florida for his senior season, giving him a final opportunity to boost his 3-point shooting before making the jump to the NBA.
Condon, a 6-foot-11 Australian, is the seventh player to re-sign with the Gators, following point guard Boogie Fland, shooting guard Urban Klavzar and role players Isaiah Brown, AJ Brown, Alex Lloyd and Alex Kovatchev.
All-Southeastern Conference center Rueben Chinyelu is expected to do the same. The biggest unknown, though, is whether forward Thomas Haugh will join them for another year. Haugh, the team’s leading scorer, is widely considered a lottery pick but is considering putting off NBA riches in hopes of winning another title.
The 2025 champs lost to Iowa in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last month.
Former Kentucky guard Denzel Aberdeen plans to re-enroll at Florida to finish his degree and is petitioning the NCAA for a fifth year of eligibility. Aberdeen spent his first three years at Florida before transferring to the Wildcats.
Golden clearly prefers the idea of filling his roster with players versed in his system and familiar with each other. Bringing back Condon gives the Gators someone to run the offense through next season.
Condon averaged 15.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists as a junior while starting 34 of 35 games. He led the team in blocked shots (48) and turnovers (83). He had eight games with at least four turnovers, a stat he would like to reduce.
A more significant number for NBA teams: Condon was 9-of-53 shooting from 3-point range, a 17% clip that was a career low. Raising his shooting percentage from behind the arc is considered key to him becoming a first-round selection and maybe a lottery pick.
SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 20: Texas Rangers pitcher Gavin Collyer (77) throws a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during a Spring Breakout game on March 20, 2026, at Surprise Stadium at Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Texas Rangers have placed reliever Chris Martin on the 15 day injured list with a shoulder impingement and reliever Luis Curvelo on the injured list with a biceps strain. To replace the pair, the Rangers have purchased the contracts of righthanded pitchers Gavin Collyer and Cal Quantrill. To make room on the 40 man roster for the new additions, the Rangers have moved Cody Bradford from the 15 day injured list to the 60 day injured list and have designated reliever Marc Church for assignment.
Martin and Curvelo each left yesterday’s game due to their injuries, and it wasn’t immediately clear whether either of them would have to go on the i.l. Martin had injury issues last year, and so playing it safe with him makes sense, and Curvelo is just a guy, so there’s no real need to wait and see on him.
Collyer, 24, will be making his major league debut when he first steps on the mound. Picked in the 12th round by the Rangers in 2019, and signed to a $585,000 bonus, Collyer had mixed results for much of his minor league career and had just one inning above A ball prior to 2025. He showed progress in 2025, however, splitting the season between AA and AAA, and though he became a minor league free agent after the season, the Rangers were able to re-sign him.
Collyer had an impressive camp, showing much improved command compared to prior years, and was reportedly being considered for a spot on the Opening Day roster. In 6.2 innings at Round Rock over 6 games, he allowed two runs, struck out 11 of 27 batters faced, and walked two. He has the stuff to be a potential late inning arm, and given the state of the pen, will likely get some late inning opportunities.
We wrote about Quantrill earlier this week when he won the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week award. He will presumably fill the long man/mop up role for the time being.
The initial hope was that Bradford would be back in the majors in May, but after having soreness after his rehab start on April 8, he’s on pause, and so the Rangers have apparently determined he’s not going to be an option before Memorial Day.
The surprising news is the decision to designate Marc Church for assignment. Church, taken five rounds after Collyer in 2019, established himself as a relief prospect, and made his major league debut at the end of the 2024 season. Church started the 2025 season in the majors, but was sent down after five appearances, and wasn’t healthy for most of the remainder of the season. He struggled with his command this spring, and has allowed four runs in 4.2 innings over five appearances at AAA this year.
The Rangers will now have seven days to waive, trade or release Church. If he clears waivers, he can be outrighted.
They wouldn’t just start again in the conference finals. They’d have to go through the preseason, through the regular season, then climb through the playoffs once again. So many things would have to go right along the way. So many potential pitfalls would stand in their way.
Now comes the defining part.
“At the end of the day,” Karl-Anthony Towns said after practice Wednesday, “We’ll be judged on what we do on this run.”
Jalen Brunson participates in practice at the Knicks’ training facility on April 15, 2026 in Tarrytown, N.Y. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
All that matters is what comes next and how far the Knicks go this postseason. And just getting back to the conference finals won’t be good enough — Tom Thibodeau was fired after reaching the conference finals, after all. Owner James Dolan explicitly issued a Finals-or-bust mandate this season, despite Mike Brown being in his first season with the team.
There is no escaping that pressure. There is only embracing it, or folding under it.
What makes them believe they’re equipped to live up to it?
“To be honest, there’s a lot of things that go on that you guys don’t see,” Brunson said Wednesday. “A lot of things we talk about, a lot of things we do that we don’t even say publicly. For a reason — because we want to keep everything in-house. We want to make sure the people inside this building, inside that locker room, we’re all we got, no matter what.
The trap, of course, is looking ahead to the final piece of that mandate — reaching the Finals — and overlooking the immediate challenge right in front of them in the Hawks.
Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson participate in practice at the Knicks’ training facility on April 15, 2026 at Tarrytown, N.Y. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Flash back to last year, and the Celtics and Cavaliers were widely expected to meet in the conference finals. Neither did. There were much bigger doubts surrounding the Knicks and Pacers, who ended up being the two teams in the conference finals.
They must perform every step of the way, meticulously delivering high-stakes results just to get back to where they were last year before they have a chance to exceed it.
“I enjoy that,” Brunson said. “I enjoy the process every single day. Yes, it’s tough. Yes. There’s times, there’s ups and downs and self-doubt creeps in maybe sometimes, but this is something that I enjoy doing and it’s something I worked my entire life for. So I embrace the opportunity.”
Those ups and downs were the theme of the regular season. With the Finals-or-bust mandate hovering over everything, their polarizing performances at times made it seem believable and at times made it seem inconceivable.
In truth, that pressure is not just starting now. It’s been a constant all season. They’ve known for a while now that if they fall short, all options are on the table in terms of what changes could be made.
“The highs are high and the lows are lows,” Towns said. “You just weather the storms, you stick with each other. That’s when team bonding and unity are so important, when things aren’t going well. It’s never when things are going great that team bonding is lacking. You test each other when things are going bad. We’ve had those highs of highs this year with the [NBA] Cup. We’ve had the lows of lows with the losing streak. And this team has stuck together. The locker room has been great. So it’s good for us to know that if things are not going well, we’re going to lean into each other and get closer.”
That volatility has also helped the best version of the Knicks emerge.
“We started off the year playing one way on offense and one way on defense and we made some pretty big changes throughout the course of the year,” Brown said Wednesday. “I don’t know if I’ve ever gone through a season with a team, as a head coach or as an assistant coach, making the changes that we’ve made with a group of guys. And them continuing to try to stay the course and believe and buy in and all that, to see that from a veteran group, when we’ve hit some adversity even during that time, has a lot to do with their makeup.”
From the moment Brunson delivered his message at the podium, close to midnight May 31, the only thing that has mattered is getting at least one step farther.
They’ve completed the preliminary steps in the preseason and regular season. Finally, here comes the defining part.
San Diego, CA - April 14: Jackson Merrill #3 of the San Diego Padres hits a single in the third inning as Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners looks on at Petco Park on April 14, 2026 in San Diego, CA. (Photo by K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)
Seattle Mariners (8-10) at San Diego Padres (11-6), April 15, 2026, 6:40 p.m. PST
Don’t troll in your comments; create conversation rather than destroying it
Remember Gaslamp Ball is basically a non-profanity site
Out of respect to broadcast partners who have paid to carry the game, no mentions of “alternative” (read: illegal) viewing methods are allowed in our threads
