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Orioles live game chat: April 20 vs. Royals, 7:40 Eastern

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 08: Kyle Bradish #38 of the Baltimore Orioles delivers a pitch during the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on April 08, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jayden Mack/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Orioles kick off a three-game series against a Royals team that brings the AL’s worst record into the series. An early test for the O’s as they try to avoid last year’s fate is whether they can rally when facing a scuffling squad while dealing with their own problems. They were able to do this just a couple of weeks ago when they played well against the White Sox and Giants in succession. The same opportunity arrives this week with the Royals followed by the Red Sox.

For more on this series, check out Paul Folkemer’s preview on Camden Chat from earlier today. There’s a lot going on with Kansas City. They’ve got some recent public drama between their manager and longtime stalwart Salvador Perez, who is putting up “young Orioles hitter” kinds of numbers at the plate early this season. They moved their fences in this season to try to spark some offense and, as of the last time I looked, had gotten exactly one extra home run from the new dimensions. A lot of their relievers have been bad, as have two of their starters; unfortunately for the Orioles, the bad starters aren’t lined up for this set.

Over at our sister site Royals Review, they’re calling this a must-win series, and no wonder. Kansas City is already 7-15. If they lose at least two games here to the Orioles, they’re 8-17 at best. We know from the 2025 Orioles example that it’s tough to come back from that even if you start playing better. The toughest thing is that, if you’re bad enough to start 8-17, you’re probably bad enough to just keep on being bad. We are well aware of the Orioles challenges. Perhaps this is a classic “stoppable force vs. movable object” situation.

Orioles lineup

  1. Gunnar Henderson – SS
  2. Taylor Ward – LF
  3. Dylan Beavers – DH
  4. Pete Alonso – 1B
  5. Samuel Basallo – C
  6. Jeremiah Jackson – 2B
  7. Colton Cowser – RF
  8. Leody Taveras – CF
  9. Blaze Alexander – 3B

Kyle Bradish is on the mound for the Orioles. He will have three real outfielders in the outfield for this game, which is not something he had in his last start. Maybe that means it will go better for him. If you take away the egregiously-scored triple that should have been an error in that last game, his ERA drops to 4.58. That’s still not great but we’d feel better about it than something 5+.

It’s not a very good-looking Orioles lineup, but then, it won’t be for as long as so many of its parts are struggling. I feel the temptation to want Jackson and Taveras higher up in the order as long as they’re hitting and other guys aren’t. It probably doesn’t matter all that much. Wherever they are, more players need to hit.

Royals lineup

  1. Maikol Garcia – 3B
  2. Bobby Witt Jr. – SS
  3. Vinnie Pasquantino – 1B
  4. Salvador Perez – DH
  5. Carter Jensen – C
  6. Michael Massey – 2B
  7. Jac Caglianone – RF
  8. Isaac Collins – LF
  9. Kyle Isbel – CF

It’s not going to be an easy one for the Orioles batters tonight, as they’re going up against Seth Lugo. The Royals righty is bringing a 1.48 ERA into the game. I am expecting more of the continuing misery from the Guardians series, when the O’s were also facing tough pitcher after tough pitcher.

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LIVE GAME BLOG: Pittsburgh Penguins V. Philadelphia Flyers, Game 2

Pittsburgh Penguins v. Philadelphia Flyers - Game 2 (PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa.)  |  Monday, Apr. 20, 2026

Puck Drop: 7:10 p.m. ET

Penguins' projected lines and pairings:

Forwards
Egor Chinakhov - Sidney Crosby - Bryan Rust
Tommy Novak - Rickard Rakell - Evgeni Malkin
Elmer Soderblom - Ben Kindel - Anthony Mantha
Connor Dewar - Blake Lizotte - Noel Acciari

Defensemen
Parker Wotherspoon - Erik Karlsson
Sam Girard - Kris Letang
Ryan Shea - Connor Clifton

Goaltenders
Stuart Skinner (starter)
Arturs Silovs (backup)

Flyers' projected lines and pairings:

Per Siobhan Nolan of THN - Philadelphia Flyers:

Forwards
Travis Konecny - Christian Dvorak - Porter Martone
Matvei Michkov - Noah Cates - Denver Barkey
Tyson Foerster - Trevor Zegras - Owen Tippett
Luke Glendening - Sean Couturier - Garnet Hathaway

Defensemen
Travis Sanheim - Rasmus Ristolainen
Cam York - Jamie Drysdale
Nick Seeler - Emil Andrae

Goaltenders
Dan Vladar (starter)
Samuel Ersson (backup)

First period

- Gary Bettman held a press conference prior to the start of the game. Piece to come on that. But here is a bit of a highlight. 

After a question from Taylor Haase of DK Pittsburgh Sports about the success rate of coach's challenges on goaltender interference being low this season, I asked Bettman - who said that he met with NHL GMs last summer regarding the interpretation of goaltender interference - if part of those discussions involved any shift or deviation in the interpretation of goaltender interference that might help explain the low success rate.

He said:

"No. I mean, I think... listen. When you have a rooting interest or you are, in the moment, very passionate or frustrated, you may challenge a call. But, in the final analysis, overwhelmingly, they get it right... and this final analysis, it's a judgment call. You know, offsides - other than when it comes to control of the puck - but offsides in terms of where the skate is is a whole lot easier to do because it's more black and white. It's a fine line. Goaltender interference is, again, a judgment call, which is why you go with the call on the ice unless it's conclusively wrong.

"You know, when it was first instituted, we had warned the coaches and managers that this isn't going to be crystal-clear in every situation. It will be, sort of, a judgment. Whatever your view of the process is, I guarantee you it's much better in terms of getting it right than if we didn't have video replay. There's no question. But the only difference (is) it was originally designed for the most simple case: Somebody skates by the goaltender and hits his glove, but the officials on the ice don't see it. That would be something that's clear-cut when you pick it up in video.

"I think Colin Campbell and his people have done a great job with more and more cameras in the net (behind) the crossbar and overhead. We're going to get it right overwhelmingly. And we'll get a few calls where people will debate them. Depending on your interest in the game, you may have a different view."

- Penguins have been playing a bit more in the Flyers' end during thie first period. Still only three shots on goal for each team - and their power play could not convert on three opportunities - but, overall, a much better start to this one than in Game 1.

- The fourth line of Connor Dewar, Blake Lizotte, and Noel Acciari, in particular, have had a nice start to this game. The Flyers are still frustrating the Pens in the neutral zone, but this line has had the most success in terms of zone entries and simplification. 

- END OF FIRST PERIOD - 

Score: 0-0  |  Shots on goal: Philadelphia 5, Pittsburgh 2

Second period

- The fourth line had another solid o-zone shift about two and a haldf minutes into the period. The Penguins seem to be making a better effort to get pucks to the net, but they still only have two shots on goal and none this period. Flyers are still clogging up all their lanes.

Still too much happening on the perimeter. The Penguins absolutely need this first goal here. 

- Rust hits the post on a solid shift by the first line. Chinakhov also whiffed on a chance. 

Attack looks a good bit better so far in this period. 

- Pittsburgh penalty, too many men on the ice (5:33). Philadelphia to the power play. No score. 

- Penguins' penalty kill makes quick work of the Flyers' power play. Again, night and day difference between this unit with and without Blake Lizotte. It also helped generate some momentum for the Penguins, who have tilted the ice a bit for the time being. 

- Chinakhov just threw the body a bit on Trevor Zegras, much to the delight of the crowd. A "Zegras sucks" chant rang out afterward.

Pens have the momentum now. 

- Ben Kindel and the third line get mixed up with some Flyers around goaltender Dan Vladar. Kindel has been in the thick of the physicality through these first two games - but, especially, in this one - and it's a great thing to see from the 19-year-old, whose birthday was Sunday. 

There is a lot of energy in this building right now. Pens need to feed off it. 

- GOAL (Philadelphia): Porter Martone (2), from Travis Konecny an Christian Dvorak (13:39). Philadelphia leads Pittsburgh, 1-0. 

- It's really a shame. The Penguins had all the momentum prior to a TV timeout, which gave the Flyers a chance to reset and generate one of their only instances of sustained zone time in the second period. They were cycling , and Martone snuck in down the left side to finish a perfect seam pass by Konecny.

The Penguins need to respond quick and keep on the pressure so Philly can't stack the blue line and deploy an effective neutral zone trap - which was their kryptonite last game. 

- MASSIVE power play for the Penguins coming up with 4:12 to go in the second. Glendening for cross-checking. Penguins trail, 1-0, and head to the man advantage. 

- This power play is a disaster right now. It's absolutely burying the Penguins, and if they lose this series, they could point to this alone as a primary reason why. Passes aren't connecting. Too many long, cross-ice, low-percentage passes. And... a shorty.

Flyers generated more on that penalty kill than the Penguins did on their power play. 

- GOAL (PHILADELPHIA): Garnet Hathaway (1) - SHG, from Owen Tippett (17:43). Philadelphia leads Pittsburgh, 2-0. 

- Fans are booing the home team here at PPG. All the life has been sucked out of the building. The Flyers continue to frustrate the Penguins, and Rick Tocchet's fingerprints are all over it again. 

- Malkin takes a high-sticking penalty that they reviewed and confirmed. Ristolainen's stick got up on Konecny, too, but it appeared that Malkin initiated the play that led to both sticks clashing with Konecny's face. 

Or, at least, that seems to be what the ruling was. 

- END OF SECOND PERIOD -

Score: 2-0 Philadelphia over Pittsburgh  |  Goals from Travis Konecny (PHI) and Garnet Hathaway (PHI)  |  Shots on goal: Philadelphia 17, Pittsburgh 14

Third period

- The Penguins needed that kill, and they got it. Crosby mentioned after last game that the Penguins wanted to make sure they were supporting their PK more and feeding off the momentum from that unit. 

Girard was stopped on a point-blank chance from the shot shortly after. 

- The top-six has been switched around. 

Chinakhov is now with Malkin and Novak on the second line, and Rakell has bumped back up to the first line with Crosby and Rust.

It's way past time for this, but the Malkin line has generated a bit so far in the third. 

- Chinakhov came in with speed and almost created a scoring chance for himself. Lost a handle on the puck as he broke away from Philly's defense. 

- Crosby with a one-time blast. The Penguins' first line has come to life. They are playing with desperation and energy and need one soon here. 

Much more smooth operation with this set of lines. They're finally not galaxy-braining it. 

Also, Penguins now lead in shots, 20-18, with 14:21 to go. 

- Rust misses a pretty wide-open chance on the backhand just after this off the faceoff.

- Crosby is "chatting" with Konecny and Sanheim at center ice. Stirring it up. Gets the crowd going. Penguins to the power play, as Konecny goes to the box (6:31). Penguins to the power play. They trail, 2-0. 

- Stuart Skinner absolutely bails out Erik Karlsson on an errant neutral zone pass on the power play. Went post-to-post for a save on Glendening. Remember that save if the Penguins come back in this one.

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Luka Doncic providing Lakers a big playoff boost, even from the bench

Los Angeles, CA - April 20: Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic, left, and Austin Reaves.
Lakers stars Luka Doncic, left, and Austin Reaves sit on the bench during Game 1 against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

When the doors opened after Lakers practice on Monday, injured stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were nearby as their teammates took some final shots after the session.

Doncic, who is back with the team after traveling to Spain to receive treatment for his Grade 2 left hamstring strain, sat out the Lakers' Game 1 win over the Houston Rockets. He also won't play in Game 2 on Tuesday, but he remained his usual joyful and playoff self after practice, his infectious personality providing a good vibe during a tense time for the team.

But even without Doncic and Reaves, the Lakers still had an “elevated” two days of practice as they prepared to face the Rockets with or without All-Star Kevin Durant at Crypto.com Arena.

Read more:Luke Kennard provides a jolt of Luka magic, helping the Lakers beat the Rockets

Doncic, who sustained his injury against Oklahoma City on April 2, hadn't been with the Lakers during their final five games of the regular season. Having him back around the team provided the Lakers with a big boost ahead of Game 1.

“It’s amazing. I think people don’t know how much impact Luka has, not only on the court, but off the court,” Rui Hachimura said. “He’s a guy that always wants to be around. ... We love him just being around, just hanging out, talking. So, yeah, we’re happy that he’s back finally and he’s doing funny things always. ... We missed him for sure.”

Hachimura was asked about the funny things Doncic did during practice.

“Just messing around with the coaches and the players and just the normal things you guys see on the camera, probably,” Hachimura said. “It’s just a normal thing for him.”

The Lakers weren’t messing around during the film sessions or practices.

They were focused on the task ahead, knowing the Rockets don’t want to go down 0-2 in the series.

Lakers coach JJ Redick directs his players during their Game 1 playoff win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday.
Lakers coach JJ Redick directs his players during their Game 1 playoff win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

"Well, every day requires something different,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “Yesterday required an elevated recovery day. Today required an elevated focus. It was a longer film session. A decent amount of teach [and] talk on the court beyond just the practice session. Tomorrow is going to require an elevated sense of desperation on our part because they're going to come in with that."

Durant didn’t play in the first game because of a right knee injury and has been called a game-time decision, Rockets coach Ime Udoka told reporters after practice.

Whatever the case is, the Lakers are expecting a tough game against the Rockets.

“Yeah, I mean, it's the playoffs. Every team's got to play desperate,” Jaxson Hayes said. “I mean, if you lose, you go home. So, if you're not playing desperate, then why are you here at the end of the day? But, yeah, I mean, we played against teams like this all year. I mean, obviously, they're a very aggressive, very fast-playing, big, long team, and so we just got to make sure we take care of the ball like we didn't do in Game 1 and just get rebounds and just stay locked in.”

With Doncic and Reaves (Grade 2 left oblique muscle strain) out, the Lakers needed other players to fill that void.

Read more:Plaschke: Can Lakers steal series? Anything is possible after Game 1 win

Hachimura did his part in Game 1, and it went beyond his 14 points. He was efficient from the field, going six for 10. He was good on defense, collecting three steals and two blocked shots in 42 minutes.

“It’s the playoffs. You have to make every play matter,” he said. “Every position matters. So, I was trying to make plays and not only offense, but on the defensive side. And rebound, and all that. So, that’s what I was doing.”

During Game 1, Doncic offered advice and encouragement to his teammates from the bench.

But his recent conversations with Hayes have been focused, in part, on what comes after the season.

Doncic has talked to Hayes about playing for the Slovenian national team and the big center has interest.

“Um, we got my Slovenian passport. That's all he's been telling me,” Hayes said. “Now he's been saying, ‘My Slovenian brother,’ every time.”

Hayes laughed, and then was asked if he really did receive a Slovenian passport.

“Yeah,” he said, “it really came through.”

There was a moment during Game 1 when Doncic was playing around with Hachimura, hitting him on the head. But Hachimura didn’t recall it happening.

“Hmm? I don’t remember,” Hachimura said. “He always does that stuff. I probably don’t even think about it. I’m used to it, probably. I don’t remember that.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Hawks at Knicks, Game 2: start time, TV, streaming, radio, game thread

Apr 18, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) is guarded by New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet (44) during the first half of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Your Atlanta Hawks (0-1) look to bounce back and take control of the series against the Knicks tonight.

Jock Landale (ankle sprain) has been ruled out.

Starting lineup:

  • G CJ McCollum
  • G Nickeil Alexander-Walker
  • F Dyson Daniels
  • F Jalen Johnson
  • C Onyeka Okongwu

Please join in the comments below as you follow along.

Where, When, and How to Watch and Listen

Location: Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York, NY

Start Time: 8:00 PM EDT

TV: N/A

Radio: Sports Radio 92.9 the Game (WZGC-FM)

Streaming: Peacock, Sling TV

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Solo Ball to miss UConn basketball 2026-27 season with wrist injury

Multi-year Connecticut starter Solo Ball Jr. will miss the entirety of the 2026-27 season to recover from a wrist injury he played through in 2025-26, the school announced Monday, April 19. He'll take a medical redshirt to return to action in 2027-28.

"Solo is a true husky and a champion that would do anything to be out on the court," UConn coach Dan Hurley said in the announcement. "This guy has shown throughout his career what a warrior he is. Solo is going to use the season the get his wrist fully healthy and then come back next year as one of the best guards in America while cementing his legacy as an all-time great at UConn."

The 6-foot-4 junior averaged 12.8 points per game last season while starting all 39 games he appeared in, although his shooting numbers took a hit, likely due to the injury. He shot 41.4% from 3-point range as a sophomore on 6.8 attempts per game, but that measure dropped to 30% on 6.6 attempts per game last season.

The rising senior has 84 starts in his career, and scored in double figures in UConn's final four NCAA Tournament games despite the injury. While he played in UConn's national championship loss to Michigan, his status for the game was in doubt due to "some type of foot sprain," Hurley said.

Thankfully for the Huskies, they return a pair of backcourt starters in Braylon Mullins and Silas Demary Jr., and added a pair of likely starters via the transfer portal in former Duke forward Nikolas Khamenia and former Seton Hall center Najai Hines. Ball, however, would've been the longest-tenured Huskie in the rotation next season with Alex Karaban out of eligibility.

Ball was a second-team All-Big East selection in 2024-25 after leading the team averaging 14.4 points per game. He scored a career-high 26 points against Butler last season.

Solo Ball Jr. stats

Here are Ball's season-by-season per-game averages in college:

  • 2023-24 (freshman): 3.3 points with one rebound and 0.3 assists per game (38.5% shooting)
  • 2024-25 (sophomore): 14.4 points with 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game (43.9% shooting)
  • 2025-26 (junior): 12.8 points with three rebounds and 1.5 assists per game (39.2% shooting)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Solo Ball to miss 2026-27 season for UConn basketball with wrist injury

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Cavs vs. Raptors Game 2 open gamethread

CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 18: Brandon Ingram #3 of the Toronto Raptors defends James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena on April 18, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers will try to extend their 1-0 lead as they take on the Toronto Raptors in Game 2.

Share your thoughts as the game unfolds. If you aren’t a member of the community, sign up so you can talk to your fellow Cavalier fans and make your voice heard!

Go Cavs!

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2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Game 2 Gamethread: Flyers @ Penguins

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 18: Stuart Skinner #74 of the Pittsburgh Penguins takes the ice against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game One of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena on April 18, 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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Royals vs. Orioles, Game 23 Gamethread

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 15: Seth Lugo #67 of the Kansas City Royals delivers a pitch against the Detroit Tigers during the bottom of the first inning at Comerica Park on April 15, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Well, uh, woof. After spending the weekend getting blasted by the Yankees and some minor-sounding infighting, the Royals ended a disastrous six-game road trip on a real heater, losers of seven in a row. The vibes are not good as the Royals are tied with the Mets for the worst record in baseball at 7-15.

There’s a lot of season left, and the Royals will need to get this bad taste out of their mouths. Like, now. Immediately. Get a TON of Listerine and swish it around for two minutes. Spit it out. Repeat maybe two or three more times.

Today they return to Kauffman Stadium for a series against the Baltimore Orioles, who enter the series with a 10-12 record. Seth Lugo is the first swish of mouthwash as he gets the start. Lugo was last seen carving the Detroit Tigers into mincemeat, allowing only one run over 6 and 2/3 innings with 7 strikeouts. He has a 1.48 ERA on the season. They will need every bit of Lugo’s best to help end this stink.

The Orioles counter with Kyle Bradish, who I just learned is still under 30 years old. Feels like he’s been around forever, despite not actually pitching that much over the past two seasons. He has four starts of slightly-below-average performance in 2026. He’ll get some Ks but will also give up a walk or three. He’s been bitten by some bad luck – high BABIP, low strand rate – so hopefully the Royals will get some of that luck today.

Salvador Perez gets another day off catching today. He starts at DH, with Carter Jensen at catcher. Jonathan India was placed on the 10-day IL with left shoulder subluxation. Michael Massey starts at second base.

The game starts at 6:40pm US Central at Kauffman Stadium. It’s Grateful Dead night. You can watch locally on Royals.TV, and nationally on FS1. You can listen on 96.5 The Fan or the Royals Radio Network.

Lineups:

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Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year, is youngest player to take honor

The question was not whether Victor Wembanyama would win Defensive Player of the Year, but whether he would be the first-ever unanimous winner of the award.

Yes, he would be.

Wembanyama was officially crowned as the Defensive Player of the Year on Monday, becoming the youngest player ever to win the award at age 22. He also is only the second player to win it in his third NBA season, joining fellow Spur David Robinson.

Oklahoma City's Chet Holmgren finished second in the voting, with Detroit's Ausar Thompson third. Four-time DPOY Rudy Gobert was fourth in the voting, with Toronto's Scottie Barnes fifth, with 13 players getting at least one vote from the panel of 100 select media members.

Wembanyama is the fourth Spur ever to win DPOY, joining Alvin Robertson, David Robinson and Kawhi Leonard (twice).

Wembanyama led the league in blocks per game (3.1) and total blocks (197), and in the tracking stats he led the league in opponent field goal percentage (40.7) and contested shots per game (9.3). All of those stats don't do his defense justice, the number of shots deterred — players drive the lane, see him, and either pass or dribble out — dwarfs that. He simply changes the geometry of the court.

This is likely the first of many DPOY awards for Wembanyama over the next decade.

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Edwin Díaz placed on injured list, will have elbow surgery Wednesday

DENVER, CO - APRIL 19: Edwin Diaz #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks off the field after giving up three earned runs in the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on April 19, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The early-season struggles of Edwin Díaz reached its logical conclusion on Monday, with the Dodgers closer placed on the 15-day injured list ahead of the team’s series finale against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver. The team says Díaz has loose bodies in his right elbow, and will undergo arthroscopic surgery.

Díaz’s surgery will be Wednesday at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles, to remove the loose bodies from his elbow. The Dodgers say Díaz is expected to return during the second half of the season.

Díaz is averaging just 95.7 mph on his four-seam fastball this season, a mile and a half lower than his previous low, which rang alarm bells over the last two weeks. After blowing a save on April 10 at Dodger Stadium by allowing three runs in the ninth inning, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Díaz was day-to-day as they tried to figure out the issues.

Sunday was Díaz’s first appearance since, and he did not retire any of his four batters faced in Denver, and allowed three more runs. Roberts was perplexed after the game at Coors Field, per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register:

“Today was a tough evaluation. I mean, it really was,” Roberts said. “Because I know what it’s supposed to look like, and when it doesn’t look like that, it gets a little concerning, really. And so, I’ll have a conversation with him. I know our training staff, and pitching guys will, and make sure that there is nothing to it, because the radar gun has been consistent, and his velocity been consistent in that, and it wasn’t there today.

“I gotta know more.”

That knowledge came in the form of loose bodies in the right elbow of Díaz, who to this point had maintained he is healthy.

The Dodgers have limited healthy and available pitching options on their 40-man roster, with both River Ryan and Paul Gervase on the injured list in Triple-A Oklahoma City. Ronan Kopp, who was just added to the 40-man roster in November, pitched Friday and Sunday for the Comets. Right-hander Chayce McDermott, acquired from the Baltimore Orioles last Thursday, pitched on Saturday in Triple-A.

That left Jake Eder, who was acquired from the Washington Nationals on April 1, and qualifies as part of the fresh arm express, having last pitched last Thursday for Oklahoma City, throwing 17 pitches in his one inning of work, and allowed two runs on three hits. In three games with the Comets this season, the left-hander Eder has allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings, with three strikeouts and two walks.

Since Díaz’s last save, on April 7, the Dodgers have recorded two saves, both by Alex Vesia.

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Cubs beat up erratic Aaron Nola as Phillies' losing streak reaches six games

Cubs beat up erratic Aaron Nola as Phillies' losing streak reaches six games originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

CHICAGO – Six pitches.

Three quick outs.

The night couldn’t have begun any better for Aaron Nola.

Then the second inning happened.

And the Phillies were on their way to another loss, this one by the score of 5-1 to the Chicago Cubs on Monday night at chilly Wrigley Field.

That’s six losses in a row, 10 in the last 12 games, if you’re keeping score at home. The Phillies, with their high expectations and $300 million-plus payroll, are 8-14 for the first time since the 99-loss season of 2015.

Prior to his team’s latest loss, manager Rob Thomson mentioned the need for his pitchers to start having some quick innings.

As if on cue, Nola responded in the first inning. He struck out Nico Hoerner on three pitches, retired Michael Busch on two and Alex Bregman on one.

That was the highlight of the night for Nola.

He labored through a 27-pitch second inning and allowed three hits and two walks as the Cubs put four runs on the board, three coming on a 424-foot, three-run homer to center by Dansby Swanson.

Nola allowed two more hits, a walk and a sacrifice fly in the third as the Cubs went up, 5-0.

That was plenty for Cubs’ right-hander Colin Rea, who pitched 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball to beat the Phillies for the second time in a week. Rea kept the Phillies’ hitters off balance with a seven-pitch mix, led by a fastball that averaged 93.8 mph and a splitter that he threw 17 percent of the time.

The Phils are 1-4 Nola’s five starts, 0-3 in his last three. He has an ERA of 5.06. He allowed 10 base runners on six hits and four walks in 4 1/3 innings Monday night. A two-out walk to Pete Crow-Armstrong kept the second inning alive for Swanson. With a 3-1 count, Nola threw a 91.5 mph sinker right down the middle and Swanson crushed it to center.

It was another slow night for the Phillies’ offense, which has scored just 10 runs in this six-game losing streak.

The Phils had a chance to bruise Rea in the second inning but left the bases loaded when Rafael Marchan struck out.

Finally, the Phillies put a run on the board in the fourth when rookie Justin Crawford doubled to left-center.

Alec Bohm continued to struggle for the Phillies. He went hitless in three at-bats to slip to .133 before walking in the eighth. That walk put two men on base with two outs for Bryson Stott. He popped to third base to end the threat. For the night, the Phillies went 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position and left 10 men on base.

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NBA Playoff Monday discussion

CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 18: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers defends Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors during the second quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena on April 18, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Here is a list of today’s NBA playoff games (April 20, 2026) and where to watch:

  • Toronto Raptors @ Cleveland Cavaliers, 7 p.m. ET — Peacock  
  • Atlanta Hawks @ New York Knicks, 8 p.m. ET — NBC  
  • Minnesota Timberwolves @ Denver Nuggets, 10:30 p.m. ET — NBC / Peacock  

Enjoy the basketball everyone!

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Game Discussion for St. Louis Cardinals vs Miami Marlins Monday Night

Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Michael McGreevy (36) throws a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images | Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images

The St. Louis Cardinals road trip continues as they do battle with the Miami Marlins Monday night at LoanDepot Park. Michael McGreevy (1-1 with a 2.49 ERA) will start for the Cardinals while Max Meyer (1-0 with a 4.12 ERA) will be on the mound for the Marlins. First pitch scheduled for 5:40pm central time.

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Game Thread: Not the greatest day for Tampa Bay sports yesterday

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 18: Cedric Mullins #31 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run in the thirteenth inning during a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 18, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Go Rays!

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Victor Wembanyama unanimously wins Defensive Player of the Year

Apr 4, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks the shot of Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the second quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

In his third year in the NBA, Victor Wembanyama is finally reaching many milestones we all knew were coming when he entered the league. While he made his first All-Star appearance last season, it was ultimately cut short due to deep vein thrombosis, and he missed out on award and All-NBA eligibility due to only playing in 46 games. (Although he still received the blocks leader award thanks to an exception in which his total blocks divided 58 — the number of games required for stat leaders — still beat the next leader’s total blocks/58 games.)

This year, Wemby is eligible for awards — albeit just barely — after appearing in 65 regular season games, which included the NBA Cup Final (which you won’t see on official stat sheets because that game otherwise counts for nothing, but it does in this regard). The first of what should be several more recognitions has dropped, with Wemby winning his first of what should be many Defensive Player of the Year awards. He beat out fellow finalists Chet Holmgren and Ausar Thompson for the award and is the first unanimous winner in NBA history. He’s also the youngest to ever win it. He joins Alvin Robertson, David Robinson and Kawhi Leonard as the fourth Spur to ever win the award. (Somehow, Tim Duncan never did.)

Wemby led the NBA in blocks with 197 (just over three per game) while totaling 66 steals, and he finished second in the league in defensive rating (110.4) and defensive rebounds (9.5). He also became the unofficial inventor of the “nope”, i.e. when a player drives but decides to turnaround or not even attempt a shot that many would consider open or close to it due to his presence.

Wemby is also a finalist for Most Valuable Player, along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, which will be announced in mid-May on an unspecified date. At this point, SGA seems like the odds-on favorite, and it wouldn’t at all surprise me if due to the relatively low number of minutes played this season and lack of playoff appearances when the votes were tallied, the voters just aren’t ready to give that award to Wemby. That being said, if he does win MVP this season or another time in which he also wins DPOY, he will join elite company with only Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon and Giannis Antetokounmpo achieving the feat.

Other Spurs up for rewards that have scheduled announcement dates include Keldon Johnson for Sixth Man of the Year (announced on Wednesday on ESPN at 5:00 CT) and Harrison Barnes for the Sportsmanship award (announced on Thursday via the NBA). Also, Mitch Johnson is a finalist for Coach of the Year and De’Aaron Fox for Teammate of the Year, which like the MVP, has yet to be assigned announcement dates.

The Spurs will play Game 2 against the Trail Blazers tomorrow at 7:00 PM CT on NBC and Peacock.

Congrats, Wemby!