Early impressions of the 2026 White Sox

KANSAS CITY, MO - APRIL 09: Munetaka Murakami #5 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates with teammates in the dugout after scoring a run in the fourth inning during the game between the Chicago White Sox and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Thursday, April 9, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Munetaka Murakami has bolstered the resilience of the 2026 White Sox. | (Photo by Sydney Schneider/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Two weeks into the season and the 2026 White Sox roller coaster already has been twisting us left, right, up and down. In such a tumultuous time, the Sox have swung between being swept to being the sweepers faster than Yermín Mercedes peaked and then abruptly retired from baseball in 2021. Ah, such memorable times with Tony La Russa.

After witnessing the highs and lows of such a small sample size, here are the extremely early, yet prevalent, themes that should be followed through the rest of the season.


This Sox crew is a lot more resilient
Now a full year removed from the horrors of 2024, this team is nowhere near cut from the same cloth. Despite playing pitifully on Opening Day and starting 1-5, the Sox have proven that they won’t just roll over and take losses.

As seen in their series against Toronto, the team knows how to step up. In the first two games of that series, the Sox lost but recovered the lead three times. The second game perfectly encapsulates this: After capturing an early lead, the Jays put up two runs in the sixth, quickly tampering the mood. In what would otherwise have been a typical blown win, Munetaka Murakami and Colson Montogmery delivered clutch home runs to pull the Sox ahead, 4-2, in the bottom of the sixth. Even after the Jays cut the lead to one run in the seventh, the Sox capitalized on fielding errors to add two insurance runs in the eighth. Props to Tristan Peters and Murakami’s defensive instincts that resulted in pulling off a bases-loaded, inning-ending double-play.

A similar story played out in the first two games against the Orioles, but unfortunately the Sox didn’t prevail.

This team certainly has more pep in its step, and they aren’t spiraling after losses or mistakes. You can feel the difference in this team’s attitude and mentality. If Chicago continues minimizing their number of blown wins and saves, they could creep into the wild card race.

There are no roster locks
No one’s locker is safe on the South Side. That was evident when Korey Lee was DFA’d and outrighted to Charlotte to make room for Reese McGuire, and it’ll only continue.

Opening Day starter Shane Smith only spent 13 days on the 26-man roster before being optioned to Charlotte after shouldering 10 runs in fewer than nine innings. On the same day, the Sox moved Brooks Baldwin to the 60-day IL, shutting him down for the season. Don’t forget that Mike Vasil, who was supposed to be a reliable reliever, also won’t play a single regular season game until mid-2027. While Smith may be able to bounce back and rejoin the rotation, the roster has quickly turned from slightly more predictable to very uncertain. 

This leaves the door open for dark horse players to emerge as unsung heroes. Peters has proven to be one of these guys after hitting a walk-off single in the home opener against the Blue Jays, and making several strong fielding plays. Anthony Kay has stepped forward as one of the top starters in the rotation after a nearly six-inning shutout and first MLB win since 2021 against the Royals on Thursday.

Any win will truly be a team effort from the Sox. As of now, there are no go-to guys who will carry this team. 

The farm will get tested
Chris Getz is getting a jump on the Triple-A talent at his disposal, which could make or break this season. Instead of snatching every free agent available on waivers, Getz has already called up six guys from Charlotte to plug injury gaps in the 26-man roster. While this is expected from a team that is always strapped for cash, nothing is a given with Getz steering the ship.

Unlike last year, expect Charlotte and even some of Birmingham to be drained of talent by the end of the season. Chicago’s development program and coaching staff will be put to the test with big names like Tanner McDougal, Sam Antonacci and William Bergolla Jr. on the fast-track to the Good Guys, and Bham guys including Braden Montomgery, Rikku Nishida and Calvin Harris potentially turning a major curve on their quest to the majors.

The Sox will either be exposed or praised for their youth once again. Hopefully, it goes as well as it did last year.

3 Hypothetical Washington Nationals MLB Draft Classes

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 13: Major League Baseball commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. announces Eli Willits as the first overall pick in the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft, selected by the Washington Nationals, at Coca-Cola Roxy on July 13, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Earlier this week, the crew over at OverSlot, a website dedicated to covering the MLB Draft and prospects, released an MLB mock draft simulator, something that the draft community has been sorely lacking on the baseball scene. Not only does the simulator allow you to test out different hypothetical scenarios with any team of your choosing, but it also has the many nuances of the MLB Draft built into it, such as signing bonuses and working within your team’s constrained budget.

I’ve been messing around with the simulator the last few days, and wanted to show off some different ways the draft in July could play out for the Nats, depending on the front office’s strategy. Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline mentioned in an 11-pick mock draft the other day that he thinks the Nationals will go with a college hitter with the 11th overall pick, something I will keep in mind while doing these mocks. I recommend any draft fans also give the free simulator a shot, to help them better understand this years draft class and the kinds of strategies the Nationals could deploy.

Scenario 1: College Pitcher/Slot Value

In my first mock, I get a gift from the simulator, snagging my favorite pitcher and a top 5 talent in the draft in Jackson Flora with the 11th pick, at slot value. If there is any pitcher in this draft class who could speedrun the minor leagues and make an impact in the big leagues in the next year or two, it’s Flora, who features multiple plus offerings and great strike-throwing ability (and as of me writing this, gave up his first run in over a MONTH).

I went into my second pick primarily looking for a college bat with a strong track record of success, but loved the value of getting right-handed pitcher Cade Townsend out of Ole Miss for slot value. Townsend missed a few starts during March with a shoulder injury, but has been electric in the 7 starts he has made for the Rebels in 2026, posting a 1.82 ERA, 2.22 FIP, and 32.5 K-BB%.

I splurged into my bonus pool a little with the Nats’ third-round pick, grabbing Virginia prep shortstop Will Yow, whose excellent speed and defense offer him a higher floor than most prep bats, coming in as my 32nd-ranked prospect in the entire draft currently. The focus with my remaining top 10 picks was college players who I could save bonus pool money on, but also offered some intriguing upside, especially from the pitchers. Overall, I would be thrilled with this draft path for the Nats in July, as they get to add 2 extremely polished right-handed pitchers to their farm system, a toolsy prep shortstop, and a cluster of college arms and bats.

Scenario 2: College Hitter/Slightly Underslot

I went into this mock draft looking for my favorite combination of upside and savings from a college bat with my first-round pick. There were multiple solid choices, but my favorite of the bunch ended up being Sawyer Strosnider, a left-handed hitting outfielder out of TCU. With the 700k underslot savings from the Strosnider pick, I had some wiggle room to buy down some talent with my later selections.

I was willing to use up some of my savings on the second round pick, but ended up not needing to, selecting Tennessee prep catcher Will Brick, my 17th-ranked prospect in the entire draft, as I am a huge believer in his ability to hit and stick behind the dish defensively.

I dug into those savings with the Nats’ third round selection, splurging 1.1 million dollars overslot for right-handed prep arm Joseph Contreras, one of the more famous names in this year’s class after a gutsy performance against Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, during which he got Aaron Judge to ground into a double play. Contreras reminds me of current Nats pitching prospect Miguel Sime Jr. as a prospect, a high school flamethrower who has trouble throwing strikes, but could be a huge hit if developed correctly in pro ball.

The focus of my remaining top 10 round selections was primarily on savings, as I spent a little more than I had saved on Conteras in the 3rd round, but had some fun highlights, such as Eli Willits’ older brother Jaxon Willits, a shortstop at Oklahoma, in the 4th round, and a lefty with big strikeout stuff in the 5th round in Cam Johnson, also out of Oklahoma.

Scenario 3: College Hitter/Heavily Underslot

I went into this final mock with one goal in mind: to mimic Paul Toboni and the Nationals front office to the best of my abilities. That meant my focus, at least with my first round pick, would be on athletic position players who are located up the middle defensive positions, such as catcher, shortstop, and center field, with room to adjust for best player available, depending on how the draft board shook out. In this mock, I got a prospect who checked just about every box in shortstop Tyler Bell, a draft-eligible sophomore at Kentucky with excellent defense and plus power potential. Snagging Bell 11th overall saved me 1.5 million dollars underslot, meaning I could get very creative with my money the rest of the draft.

I thought about different strategies for how to deploy my savings in the next few rounds, but decided I wanted to use them all in one place to snag California prep left-handed pitcher Logan Schmidt with the 42nd overall pick, great value as he is my 16th-ranked prospect in the class currently. Schmidt is just a grade below the top prep arms, Gio Rojas and Carson Bolemon, in this year’s draft for me, but could end up being the best pitcher in this draft class with proper development, as he’s up to 97 from the left side with elite extension and 2 blossoming breaking balls.

I needed to make back about 600k in savings with my remaining draft picks, but I was able to snag a college pitcher with great stuff in the 3rd round in Owen Kramkowski, who has great control and solid stuff, but has struggled to turn it into consistent results so far at Arizona. I also was able to snag a college shortstop having a breakout junior season in Dee Kennedy out of Kansas State in the 4th round (who I played against in high school, where he was also very good).

Overall, I think all 3 of these mock drafts would be successful drafts for the Nationals in real life, especially one like the first one, where they can get a top player in the draft at slot value. Toboni and the Red Sox staff tended to favor certain kinds of prospects during their drafts in the past, but showed a willingness to go off that script when they felt it would benefit them, meaning all bets are off as to what will happen come this July.

Gamethread 4/11: Diamondbacks at Phillies

Apr 10, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies infielder Bryce Harper (3) hits a single against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the third inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Here are the lineups. For the Phillies:

For the Diamondbacks:

Let’s talk about it.

What Does Scott Laughton's Next Contract Look Like?

Since being acquired by the Los Angeles Kings at the trade deadline, Scott Laughton has fit in quite nicely as the team continues their push for the playoffs. 

In 17 games played with the Kings, the 31-year-old center has scored five goals along with three assists for eight points. Much better production than his previous 43 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs where he recorded just 12 points.

While the Kings are likely happy with the secondary scoring Laughton has produced, they didn't acquire him to put up eye popping numbers. They brought him in to continue to play his role, which is one of the best third line centres in the NHL.

Laughton is in the final year of his five-year, $15M deal. After spending most of his career with job security in Philadelphia with the Flyers, Laughton will be heading into unrestricted free agency for the first time, and he is expected to garner a plethora of interest. If the Kings decide to re-sign the veteran forward, what might that contract look like?

Let's take a look at some players the Kings and Laughton could use as comparisons in potential contract negotiations.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau - New York Islanders

In March, the New York Islanders signed 33-year-old forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau to a three-year deal worth $14.55M ($4.85M AAV).

This season, Pageau has recorded 17 goals and 18 assists for 35 points in 71 games played. So like Laughton, the veteran forward has provided the Isles with solid secondary scoring while also playing a respectable two-way game.

Ryan Poehling - Anaheim Ducks

Near the trade deadline, the Anaheim Ducks signed 27-year-old forward to a four-year deal worth $15M ($3.75M AAV).

In his first season with the Ducks, Poehling has been an underrated part of their success. In 72 games played, he has 11 goals and 23 assists for 34 points while playing a good two-way game in the bottom six.

Western Conference Standings Watch: The Final WeekWestern Conference Standings Watch: The Final WeekWill the Los Angeles Kings climb the standings in the final week as the teams around them continue to stumble?

Christian Dvorak - Philadelphia Flyers

Back in January, the Philadelphia Flyers and Christian Dvorak agreed on a five-year deal worth $25.75M ($5.15M AAV).

This season has been a career-year for Dvorak who has 18 goals and 32 assists for 50 points in 78 games played. While obviously producing more offence this season, his previous seasons are a lot more comparable to Laughton's.

Alex Wennberg - San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks and Alex Wennberg agreed to a three-year deal worth $18M ($6M AAV) back in January. 

This season, the 31-year-old has had a really solid season, scoring 18 goals to go with 36 assists for 54 points in 77 games. Similar to Dvorak, Wennberg has had a much better offensive season compared to years past, which could be used as a comparison for Laughton.

What Should The Kings Pay Laughton?

Based on his production and looking at comparisons, the Los Angeles Kings have the means to bring back Scott Laughton who has been a great fit in their bottom six.

Although it may seem crazy after looking at his statistics, Laughton's next contract could look similar to a mixture of all the players listed above. With the quickly rising every year, unrestricted free agents will continue to get overpaid due to the urgency to get a deal done.

If the Kings and Laughton can come to an agreement on a contract in the summer, I would expect the contract to be three to five years, paying him an AAV of $4.75M to $5.5M per season.

Official Prediction: Scott Laughton signs four-year deal worth $5.25M AAV to remain a Los Angeles King.

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'He does so many more things.' How Luke Kennard became the Lakers' emergency point guard

Lakers guard Luke Kennard dribbles to the hoop Uber pressure from Suns guards Amir Coffey and Jamaree Bouyea.
Lakers guard Luke Kennard dribbles to the hoop under pressure from Suns guards Amir Coffey and Jamaree Bouyea at Crypto.com Arena on Friday. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

From AAU games in Ohio to college gyms up and down the Atlantic Coast Conference to the NBA, Luke Kennard has always been met with the same warning.

“Shooter!"

LeBron James, however, knows better than to put Kennard in a box.

The Lakers superstar watched Kennard’s career grow since he was playing on James’ AAU team in Ohio, where, yes, Kennard shot the lights out, but he also displayed the same versatility that made him a fitting emergency point guard during the Lakers’ shorthanded late-season push.

Read more:LeBron James and resilient Lakers defeat Suns, stay in hunt for No. 3 playoff seed

“He's just a ball player,” James said. “... People just kind of gave him the narrative of just being a shooter. But he does so many more things. He can handle the ball, he can rebound the ball, he can make plays. ... And what we're missing right now, we need it [from him]. We need it more and more than ever.”

Beyond being the league's leading three-point shooter, Kennard has 31 assists in the last four games, stepping up his ball-handling responsibilities for the Lakers, who must finish the regular season Sunday against the Utah Jazz without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Kennard had three assists with 19 points in the Lakers’ 101-73 win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday that clinched home-court advantage in the first round.

The 29-year-old has averaged 2.3 assists per game in his NBA career and only 1.7 per game for the Lakers (52-29) since he joined in a midseason trade. But without Doncic and Reaves, the Lakers have relied on offense by committee. During the last four games, 77.3% of the Lakers’ made field goals have been assisted.

“Just being organized, controlling pace,” Kennard said of the team’s ability to share the ball in recent games. “Guys not overthinking too much, just playing within the flow of the game.”

Lakers guard Luke Kennard extends his arm to high five and celebrate forward LeBron James' made basket.
Lakers guard Luke Kennard celebrates with LeBron James' after James scored at Crypto.com Arena on Friday. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

Kennard’s poise was been paramount for the team during an emotional week. The eight-year veteran who has cycled through five teams and been traded midseason twice provides steadiness, Lakers coach JJ Redick said.

“He’s a professional,” Redick said. “He comes to work, he's a great teammate. He does what the team asks him to do. … No matter what you sort of give him, he'll embrace it.”

Kennard was, in fact, a point guard in high school, he said proudly. While at Franklin High, he passed James on Ohio’s all-time scoring list. He solidified his status as a prolific shooter at Duke. Redick is familiar with that particular fate, he said with a wry smile.

Redick approached Kennard after Doncic and Reaves were injured against Oklahoma City last Thursday to discuss the contingency plan of him taking on more ball-handling responsibilities. The Lakers had one day of practice in Dallas, and the team walked through several plays with Kennard at different positions. It was the only practice day the Lakers have had since the season-altering injuries. The rest of Kennard’s learning has been through conversations with coaches, film study and instinctual play on the court.

He responded with his first career triple-double in the first game in his new role: 15 points, 11 assists and 16 rebounds in the Lakers’ loss to the Mavericks.

Read more:LeBron James powers shorthanded Lakers to important win over Warriors

But Kennard is notoriously hard on himself. He lamented Tuesday — after he scored 10 points with nine assists but missed both of his three-point attempts in a loss to Oklahoma City — that he wishes he was shooting better recently. During the first four games in April, he was just three-for-13 (23.1%) from three. He is still leading the league in three-point shooting at 47.8% this season.

Despite playing with a splint on his left index finger after suffering an injury in the Lakers’ win over Golden State on Thursday, the left-handed Kennard made his first three-pointer Friday, getting fouled on the play to earn a four-point opportunity. He finished two for four from three against the Suns and six for 12 from the floor. It was the first time he’d made multiple threes in a game since March 30 against Washington.

“We all feel like every time he shoots the ball, it's gonna go in,” Redick said. “Whether that's a floater, a midi, or a three I think he's got a great deal of confidence and a lot of that comes from his preparation and his work. I think the biggest thing for us is, with our current group, having those other ball handlers so we can give him breaks from being on ball all the time.”

Getting Marcus Smart back from injury Friday helped ease the ball-handling burden on Kennard. Smart had missed nine games because of a lingering right ankle injury. Smart had six points and seven assists in his first game since March 21.

The Lakers waived guard Kobe Bufkin on Friday to open a roster spot for the postseason, possibly to add a veteran guard to bolster backcourt while Doncic and Reaves are out. The Lakers have until Sunday’s regular-season finale to sign any player waived by his former team before March 1 to standard contract.

Read more:Plaschke: Broken Lakers need to shut down the season

James, playing for the second consecutive night Tuesday, had 12 assists with 28 points and six rebounds. In three appearances since the injuries to Doncic and Reaves, James has averaged 28 points, 12 assists and 5.8 rebounds on 60% shooting from the field.

Fitting James, Doncic and Reaves together came with growing pains, but pairing James and Kennard has felt simple. These two of the most prolific scorers in high school basketball history in Ohio are cut from the same cloth.

“It’s just because it's two cerebral basketball players,” James said. “That's why it's seamless. He's smart as hell. I'm smart as hell at this game.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Lakers are dead in water, but there’s silver lining: LeBron James

There’s a silver lining to the Lakers’ hellish turn of events. 

LeBron James has been unleashed. 

The King has been let out of his so-called cage. He has gone from being the team’s third option to the head of the snake. We’re getting to see what the 41-year-old is actually capable of doing at this stage in his career. 

And it’s stunning to witness. 

Things around the Lakers’ locker room are depressing. They have an emotional hangover from losing Luka Doncic (strained hamstring) and Austin Reaves (strained oblique) last week to injuries. Some of the guys on the court need name tags to be recognized. The team’s hopes of a deep playoff run are dead in the water. 

The King has been let out of his so-called cage. He has gone from being the team’s third option to the head of the snake. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

But the Lakers are still a must-watch show.

And it’s because of James. What he’s doing is unprecedented. He’s redefining what’s possible. 

On Friday, he helped the Lakers clinch homecourt advantage as either the third or fourth seed in the first round of the playoffs with a 101-73 win over the Suns.

James, who played on the second night of a back-to-back, finished with 28 points (10-for-16 shooting from the field, 2-for-2 from beyond the arc), 12 assists and six rebounds. 

The night before?

He had 26 points on 11-for-17 shooting, 11 assists and eight rebounds in the Lakers’ 119-103 win over the Warriors.

Can we just take a moment to appreciate the absurdity of that.

James is the only player in NBA history to play in his 23rd season. Last month, pundits were proclaiming the Lakers were better without him. Byron Scott said in February on a local radio show that James should leave the team after this season.

The James slander was at an all-time high — and that’s really saying something.  

James responded by becoming the team’s third option after he returned from a three-game absence at the top of March. He decided to plug in the holes behind Doncic and Reaves, who were shining together. Arguably the greatest player of all time embraced being a role player. 

His sacrifice is even more impressive now after seeing what he’s capable of doing. 

Over the last three games without Doncic and Reaves, James has averaged 28 points (60% shooting from the field and 46% shooting from beyond the arc), 12.7 assists and 7.7 rebounds. Before that stretch, he had averaged 17.5 points since becoming LA’s third option. 

It’s a mind-blowing transformation. He can turn on the faucet with such ease. He still has it.

On any given night, he’s capable of being the best player on the court.

“I had to tap back into a role that I’ve been accustomed to in the past, but obviously it wasn’t what it was this year,” James said. “But circumstances have put me back in there, and I’m just trying to feed off my teammates, teammates are feeding off of me, and just trying to make things happen for us to continue to stay afloat.”

James has given the Lakers a reason to still play. He has given them motivation. Inspiration.

Just a few days ago, Lakers coach JJ Redick bemoaned that he needed to find nine players who were still willing to fight after the team’s 36-point loss to the Thunder on Tuesday, in which James was sidelined because of left foot injury management. 

James is the only player in NBA history to play in his 23rd season. NBAE via Getty Images

After that rout, the team held a meeting.

James made an impression.  

“In the meeting, in the walkthrough [Thursday] morning just the way he carried himself, just he really set the tone for the team,” Redick said. “Guys followed that.”

If arguably the greatest player of all time is still pouring himself into the game, how can his teammates not follow suit?

James isn’t giving up. He’s doubling down. He’s roaring. 

It has led to some changes.

Deandre Ayton has started playing harder. Luke Kennard has shined, transforming from being a 3-point specialist into a point guard. Marcus Smart returned Friday from a nine-game absence because of a right ankle contusion, infusing the team with some life on the defensive end.

The Lakers are lost in the wilderness. But they’re willing to follow James.

It’s no secret that the Lakers are being looked at as easy prey heading into the postseason. “I’m sure everybody wants to play us,” Redick said.

But Kennard cautioned that because of James, things aren’t quite so clear-cut.

“I guess you understand why people are saying that,” said Kennard, who had 19 points, three assists and three steals Friday. “You’re missing 60 points a game. … But we also have [LeBron James], and the way he has been playing and leading us has been incredible.”

James carried the Lakers past the Warriors without Steph Curry and the Suns without Devin Booker. Regardless of how magnificent he’s playing, it’s hard to imagine he can get LA past the first round of the playoffs against a team that isn’t resting its stars, biding enough time for Doncic or Reaves to return.

But he’s still giving this his all.

No one would blame the Lakers if they rolled over after last week’s gutting turnaround. And no one would blame James if he threw his hands in the air now that he’s alongside a bunch of role players and G Leaguers.

But instead, he’s showing heart, and everyone else is following.

He’s reminding us all that his greatness hasn’t waned. 

If anything, it may be more notable now than ever. 


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Hurricanes Visit Mammoth As Utah Eyes Momentum Ahead Of First-Ever Playoff Run

The postseason stakes are already locked in, but Saturday afternoon’s matchup at the Delta Center still carries plenty of weight as the Carolina Hurricanes visit the newly playoff-bound Utah Mammoth for a 3:00 p.m. MT puck drop.

Broadcast coverage will be available on Utah16 and Mammoth+, with radio coverage across the Mammoth App, NHL App, NHL.com, KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM), and the KSL Sports App.

Playoff Surge Meets Division Dominance

Utah enters the contest at 42-30-6, riding a five-game winning streak and sitting 7-3-0 over its last 10 games. The momentum has carried the club into franchise history, as the Mammoth officially clinched their first-ever playoff berth on Thursday night. They currently occupy the first Western Conference wild card position with 90 points, holding a five-point cushion over the Los Angeles Kings in the second wild card spot.

Their most recent outing was a convincing 4-1 victory over the Nashville Predators, powered by goals from Kailer Yamamoto, Nick Schmaltz (power-play), Lawson Crouse, and Dylan Guenther. Goaltender Karel Vejmelka was steady once again, turning aside 29 of 30 shots faced.

Offensively, Utah has leaned heavily on Dylan Guenther, who leads the team with 39 goals and ranks third in scoring with 71 points. Captain Clayton Keller remains the engine of the attack, pacing the team with 57 assists and 83 points. Nick Schmaltz has been equally impactful, contributing 31 goals and 72 points, while Mikhail Sergachev continues to drive play from the blue line with a team-leading 47 assists among defensemen.

Between the pipes, Vejmelka has delivered a workhorse season, appearing in 61 games with a 37-19-3 record, a 2.71 goals-against average, and a .898 save percentage. Backup Vítek Vaněček has appeared in 20 games, posting a 5-11-3 record, a 2.87 goals-against average, and a .886 save percentage.

Looking ahead, Utah will travel to face the Calgary Flames on Sunday in the second half of a back-to-back before returning home for its final two games of the regular season.

On the other side, Carolina arrives at 51-22-6, also 7-3-0 in its last 10, and riding a two-game winning streak with victories in four of its last five. The Hurricanes have already secured both a playoff berth and the Metropolitan Division title, marking their fourth division crown in six seasons.

Their most recent performance was a dominant 7-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, highlighted by multi-goal efforts from Logan Stankoven and Mark Jankowski. Sean Walker, K’Andre Miller, and Taylor Hall also found the net, while Frederik Andersen stopped 23 of 25 shots.

Seth Jarvis leads Carolina with 32 goals, while Sebastian Aho remains the primary playmaker with 53 assists and 79 points. Andrei Svechnikov has added 30 goals and 69 points, and Nikolaj Ehlers has contributed 42 assists in a strong supporting role.

In net, the Hurricanes have leaned on a tandem of Brandon Bussi and Frederik Andersen. Bussi has quietly put together a strong 30-6-1 record with a 2.52 goals-against average and .892 save percentage. Andersen, meanwhile, sits at 15-14-5 with a 3.11 goals-against average and .871 save percentage.

Saturday’s game marks the second stop on Carolina’s four-game season-closing road trip, which will continue against the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Islanders next week.

From a numbers standpoint, both teams bring elite resumes into the matchup. Schmaltz’s nine game-winning goals are tied for third-most in the NHL, while Keller is tied for second in overtime goals with four. Jarvis’ four shorthanded goals also rank among the league leaders.

Carolina’s 108 points are second-best in the NHL, trailing only the Colorado Avalanche, while its 51 wins are second only to Colorado’s 52. Utah, meanwhile, becomes just the fourth Western Conference team to clinch a postseason berth this season.

The Hurricanes have also been especially dangerous in key moments, scoring the second-most first-period goals in the league (92) and leading the NHL in third-period goals (102). In goal, Vejmelka’s 37 wins are tied with Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning for the most in the league, while Bussi’s 30 wins rank tied for fourth.

This is the final regular season meeting between Utah and Carolina. The Hurricanes edged the first matchup 5-4 back on Jan. 29.

Utah’s remaining schedule includes a road game in Calgary on Apr. 12, a matchup with the Winnipeg Jets on Apr. 14, and a regular-season finale against the St. Louis Blues on Apr. 16. layoff Surge Meets Division Dominance

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The pros and cons of Yankee Stadium’s rally hype light show

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 08: A detail shot of a full moon over the stadium lights during the game between the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Friday, August 8, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by Michael Mooney/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

It’s been a part of the Yankee Stadium experience for years. The Bombers have runners on base, the visiting manager makes the slow walk out to the mound, and signals to the bullpen in left field. Immediately, the door in the left-field fence opens up, the new reliever steps onto the field, and immediately the Yankee Stadium scoreboard begins to play a rally video, intended to intimidate the new pitcher and pump up the crowd.

Over the last few years, the Yankees have experimented quite a bit with the in-game stadium experience, bringing in a DJ to blast music and sound effects between pitches and implementing various closer entrances for Clay Holmes, Luke Weaver, Devin Williams, and David Bednar. Accordingly, the organization has experimented with these rally hype videos. Last summer, for example, they engaged in some subtle advertising with a Jurassic World-themed vide of Yankees batters stalking pitchers like prey, conveniently introduced a few weeks before Jurassic World Rebirth premiered in theaters. Then, as the old scoreboard gave them fits late last season (in fact, I saw the system crash so often I almost wrote an article last year about it), they shifted to a light-centered video, cutting almost all the lights in the stadium and putting a “Public Service Announcement: Yankees Rally Incoming” emergency alert on all functioning screens.

After making a big deal about the new scoreboard installation, it should not be surprising then that the Yankees revamped their rally hype video again. When a new pitcher came into the game this week, the lights in the Stadium were dimmed, and a QR code was put on the screen. This QR code linked to a light show website, which took over the flashlight of each participating cell phone and incorporated them into a stadium-wide light show.

From a technical standpoint, the effect was incredibly cool — thousands upon thousands of lights flashing throughout Yankee Stadium in the night, taking over for the Stadium lights and supplementing the scoreboards and screens as the pitcher reached the mound in preparation for his warmup pitches. And it’s thematically appropriate, too, as between the increased prominence of the DJ and the amount of music played before the game and between innings, it’s clear to me that the team is intent on giving Yankee Stadium a bit of a club vibe this season. These cell phone light shows really help contribute to that atmosphere. And the effect has done its job — many in the crowd used the QR code, and the energy in the Stadium, even on the cold nights when the Yankees were losing to the Athletics, skyrocketed for that short minute.

There’s just one problem: Because of it, Yankee Stadium now needs a strobe warning.

The human body doesn’t always respond well to flashing lights. For many people, looking at it for too long can cause headaches and migraines. For people with photosensitive epilepsy, even a brief exposure to flashes and strobes can cause seizures. These effects are common enough that, when I was the lighting designer of an amateur theatre group back in college, we felt compelled to post strobe warnings outside the theatre even when the show’s most intense light cue was the LEDs changing color a couple of times — after all, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Now, you might say, wouldn’t someone who has such sensitivity to light know not to put themselves in this kind of position? Obviously, the answer is yes — but for the most part that involves avoiding concerts with big light shows, fast-paced videogames, or movies with a lot of on-screen explosions. It didn’t used to mean baseball games. But now, suddenly, it does — and people need to be made aware.

How Ke’Bryan Hayes’ offense stacks up against other Reds luminaries

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 06: Ke'bryan Hayes #3 of the Cincinnati Reds at bat against the Miami Marlins in the third inning of the game at loanDepot park on April 06, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Cincinnati Reds 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes is off to a 3 for 34 start to the 2026 season. In 215 PA since coming over to the Reds from the Pittsburgh Pirates last summer, he’s the owner of a combined .208/.288/.297 (.585 OPS, 60 OPS+) line, and that was enough to make me dive back into the performances of some other notable Reds during their tenures with the club as comparison.

Jack Hannahan (2013-2014)

Hannahan, like Hayes, was primarily a 3B, though he did at least bounce around to other positions on the infield where he also couldn’t hit.

In 212 PA with the Reds across two seasons, he memorably hit .209/.294/.278 (.572 OPS). That was good for an OPS+ of 60 in that era.

Corey Patterson (2008)

Patterson came to the Reds after a stint with the Baltimore Orioles after having also been a half-decent player for the Chicago Cubs for a time. In 2008, he logged 392 PA with the Reds – many in the leadoff spot – and hit a whopping .205/.238/.344 (.582 OPS). In that particular offensive environment, that was good for an OPS+ of just 50.

Skip Schumaker (2014-2015)

Skip was brought in to help anchor the Reds after they’d somehow found a way to twice win 90+ games without him at the early portions of that decade. The veteran veteran hit the ground running in 2014 with a .235/.287/.308 (.595 OPS) in 271 PA in 2014, a mark that was good for a 68 OPS+.

His veteran presence presented the Reds with such a good opportunity that they brought him back for a 2015 season that was significantly better as he hit .242/.306/.336 (.642 OPS). That was a remarkable 76 OPS+!

Paul Janish (2008-2011)

Soft-J was, like Hayes, an incredibly gifted defender, and for that he provided quite the service to the Reds in his time. With the bat, he was – like Hayes – accomplished in the sense that he can actually tell other human beings that he got hits at the Major League level.

In 975 PA across four seasons with the Reds, Paul hit .221/.289/.302 (.591 OPS). That was good for a 59 OPS+.

Shogo Akiyama (2020-2021)

I had actually overlooked that Shogo spent more than just one season with the Reds before the two parted ways. That was a pretty crazy time in the world!

In 366 PA with the Reds after coming to MLB from Japan, Shogo hit .224/.320/.274 (.594 OPS). That was good for a 57 OPS+ in that era.

Doug Flynn (1975-1977)

Flynn, the glue of the Big Red Machine, is notable in that he managed to compile a pretty remarkable -6.9 bWAR for his career spent with 5 franchises across 11 seasons.

With the Reds, though, he swung a mean bat. He hit .275/.310/.341 (.651 OPS) in 411 PA across a trio of seasons. That was good for an OPS+ 0f 82, which was way better than the .238/.266/.294 line he compiled in 4085 career PA at the big league level. That career mark was good for a 58 OPS+.

Rangers vs Dodgers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's MLB Game

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The Texas Rangers face the best offense in MLB in game two of their series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday, and it looks like they'll be doing it without a key component of their offense.

An advantage in the starting pitching matchup gives Texas its best chance of the weekend at a win, but our Rangers vs. Dodgers predictions and MLB picks still have the Dodgers covering the run line.

Who will win Rangers vs Dodgers today: Dodgers -1.5 (+110)

The Los Angeles Dodgers lead MLB in home runs, hits, and batting. At a time when no one hits .300 anymore, the entire Dodger team is batting a combined .297.

In addition to the MVPs at the top of the lineup, Los Angeles has Andy Pages, the hottest hitter in baseball to start the year, and Max Muncy, whose three homers Friday beat Texas, at the bottom.

The Texas Rangers will likely be without Wyatt Langford, who left Friday with quad tightness after apparently hurting himself homering. He is doubtful, handicapping a lineup that has scored three or fewer in seven of eight.

Covers COVERS INTEL:Sheehan's fastball is down from 95.6 mph last year to 93.9. Batters are hitting .545 against it with a 1.273 slugging percentage.

Rangers vs Dodgers Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (-114)

The Dodgers' 8-7 win over Texas was their fifth time scoring eight or more in the last seven games, including three double-digit scoring outbursts.

L.A. is starting Emmet Sheehan, which could give the Rangers a chance to contribute to the scoring. Through two starts, Sheehan has as many runs allowed as strikeouts (8). His hit, home run, and walk rates are all nearly double last season's.

Texas starter Jack Leiter has struck out 17 batters in 11 dominant innings. He'll be facing a Dodgers lineup that is in the bottom 10 in MLB in strikeouts.

Shawn Krest's 2026 Transparency Record
  • ML/RL bets: 3-5, -2.60 units
  • Over/Under bets: 5-7, -2.19 units

Rangers vs Dodgers odds

  • Moneyline: Rangers +165 | Dodgers -200
  • Run line: Rangers +1.5 (-130) | Dodgers -1.5 (+110)
  • Over/Under: Over 9 (-115) | Under 9 (-125)

Rangers vs Dodgers trend

The Texas Rangers have hit the Game Total Over in 30 of their last 45 away games (+14.65 Units / 30% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Rangers vs. Dodgers.

How to watch Rangers vs Dodgers and game info

LocationDodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
DateSaturday, April 11, 2026
First pitch9:40 p.m. ET
TVRSN, SNLA
Rangers starting pitcherJack Leiter
(1-0, 2.46 ERA)
Dodgers starting pitcherEmmet Sheehan
(1-0, 8.00 ERA)

Rangers vs Dodgers latest injuries

Rangers vs Dodgers weather

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Not intended for use in MA.
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Steph Curry expects to take another step in Warriors’ finale vs. Clippers

SACRAMENTO — Steph Curry plans to rev up further in the Warriors’ regular-season finale.

After coming off the bench twice, Curry returned to the starting lineup Friday in Golden State’s 124-118 loss to the Kings. The next step as he makes his way back from more than two months away will come Sunday against the Clippers as he resumes his normal 32- to 34-minute workload.

When the teams most likely meet again Wednesday in the play-in tournament, Curry said he hopes to be able to push beyond that if the situation calls for it.

“I’ll be comfortable with it,” Curry said, insinuating that the medical staff may have a different opinion. “I find it hard to believe if the game calls for a couple extra minutes — we’re gonna make the right decision.”

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) smiles at the crowd during a game against the Sacramento Kings in the fourth quarter at Chase Center. David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Curry expressed optimism, despite sitting in front of his locker with his right ankle in an ice bath after being held in check for 11 points in 27 minutes in the loss to one of the league’s bottom dwellers.

Curry’s ankles, for all their trouble early in his career, are not the body part of immediate concern, so Steve Kerr was relieved to learn a rolled ankle was the worst of it when Curry had the ball stolen from him at half court and collided with Kings guard Devin Carter.

“I was worried it was his knee,” the Warriors coach said. “I just saw him limping. He came over and he said, ‘No, I’m fine. It’s just the ankle.’ I don’t know if he just tweaked it or something, but he’s fine.”

Curry only returned this past Sunday from a 27-game absence with runner’s knee in his right leg. He confirmed afterward that it was his right ankle that caused him to fall into a heap after having his pocket picked early in the first quarter.

“I’ll be all right,” Curry said. “As long as it’s not my knee. I can deal with ankles. I’ve been dealing with that forever. That was the interesting part: My knee felt pretty good, even better than last game.” 

Friday’s game was the first test run for the lineup the Warriors hope to use to escape the play-in from the No. 10 seed, featuring Curry with Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis for the first time.

Curry exploded for 29 points in his first game back but was limited to 17 on Tuesday in an effort Kerr described as “a little rusty.” The same could be said of any of the three players returning from time off. It doesn’t help that Kerr started his 42nd different combination in 81 games.

“We’ve just got to get a little more organized,” said Brandin Podziemski, who started alongside Curry, Porzingis, Draymond Green and Gus Santos and scored a career-best 30 points. “There’s a lot of chaos out there with Steph, and I don’t think KP’s quite used to that.”

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles against the Sacramento Kings in the third quarter at Chase Center. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Porzingis, who missed the past two games with an illness, was held to 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting. Horford wasn’t able to grab one rebound while scoring 10 points in 17 minutes; he had missed the previous 14 games after straining his calf.

“It’s weird because you have a lineup where you expect nine or 10 guys are going to play, but you haven’t really had reps,” Curry said. “I don’t know how else to quantify it other than we have one game to find some good patterns, some good chemistry.”

With the play-in picture gaining some clarity, the Warriors’ final tuneup comes with an added wrinkle. Kerr must balance seeing what he needs without giving away too much to the team they will likely face again three days later in a do-or-die postseason game.

After the Clippers’ loss to the Blazers on Friday, they will host Golden State in Wednesday’s No. 9-10 play-in game if Portland beats the Kings in its season finale Sunday.

Kerr said he planned to watch a replay of the Clippers-Blazers game on the Warriors’ flight to Los Angeles. Ahead of their final regular-season game, Kerr reiterated that he still has “lots of hope” about his team’s chances in the playoffs, “but I also know we’re not where we need to be.”

Leave it to Curry to sum up what the Warriors need between now and Wednesday.

“Forty-eight great minutes,” he said. “That’s all we have in front of us.”


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Saturday Potpourri As A’s Reach For .500

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 09: Mason Miller #22 of the San Diego Padres pitches against the Colorado Rockies during the ninth inning at Petco Park on April 09, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Not just that they started out 3-7, but the way they did it, made it seem like .500 was at the top of the Eiffel Tower while the elevator was being renovated. 3 days later here are the A’s at 6-7 with their pitchers riding a remarkable 26 inning scoreless streak ready to take a shot at .500 this afternoon.

That’s the present. There’s also the past and the future…

Mason Miller & Leo De Vries

Two names that shall be forever intertwined as they swapped organizations in a deal that I loved at the time and still adore. But it’s fair to say that if you were just to zoom in on April 11th, 2026 it’s probably at its zenith.

The trade was not made with the 2026 season in mind but rather the 6 or so years following. But without question the A’s chances of contending right now would be far better with Miller in the bullpen rather that De Vries in AA.

What Miller is doing right now is historical (if not hysterical). He has faced 24 batters this season and struck out 19 of them and now has a scoreless streak of 28.2 IP dating back to last year. His 2026 pitching line reads like a misprint:

7.1 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, 1 BB, 19 K. He has struck out 17 of the last 18 batters he has faced, including 8 in a row.

Meanwhile, for those who were incensed that De Vries was optioned to AA to start the season after his great showing there late last season and phenomenal spring training, the fact is he’s not off to a fast start. So far De Vries is hitting just .240/.387/.240 in his first 31 PAs, albeit with a solid 6 BB and 6 K (each 19.4 %). A reminder that he is still all of 19.

ST Stats: What Are They Good For?

Not much. Here are some (admittedly cherry-picked) examples from 2026, 13 games in:

Tyler Soderstrom, spring training:.348/.434/.761

Tyler Soderstrom, regular season: .200/.273/.300

Brent Rooker, spring training: .340/.392/.745

Brent Rooker, regular season: .146/.245/.293

Henry Bolte, spring training: .348/.400/.630

Henry Bolte, AAA: .212/.339/.404

Jeffrey Springs: 6.28 ERA, 14.1 IP, 13 hits, 9 BB

Jeffrey Springs, regular season: 1.47 ERA, 18.1 IP, 8 hits, 6 BB

JT Ginn, spring training: 10.20 ERA (15 IP, 17 ER)

JT Ginn, regular season: 3.27 ERA (11 IP, 4 ER)

JT Ginn

Speaking of Ginn, talk about a 180 degree turnaround so far…His cross to bear has been those pesky batters who insist on hitting left-handed. They tattooed Ginn in 2025 to the tune of .340/.416/.630, .440 wOBA.

In 2026, armed with a diving changeup, a cutter boring in on the hands (which I don’t find boring at all), and use of a 4-seamer up in the zone, Ginn has faced 16 LH batters this season and allowed exactly one single and one BB for a .067/.125/.067, .101 wOBA line.

Let’s see if Jacob Lopez can keep the scoreless streak going — or at least not walk 5 batters this time around. Paging the .500 mark: please be on stand-by…

Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski puts end to viral tweet with first 30-point game

SACRAMENTO — With one free throw, Brandin Podziemski quieted teammates, unmuzzled at least one fan online and robbed thousands more inside the Kings’ arena of free pizza.

Podziemski had 29 points when he stepped to the foul line with five seconds left in the Warriors’ 124-118 loss to the Kings on Friday night. He knew the significance of his number in the box score.

“Everyone did,” the third-year guard said. “As soon as I missed the first one, everyone on the bench looked at me, and that’s why I smiled a little bit. They’ve been giving me a hard time about it the whole year.”

The Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski scored 30 points for the first time in his NBA career Friday. NBAE via Getty Images

Fortunately for Podziemski, the second free throw fell and gave him 30 points for the first time in his young career. It took him 219 games, which may not seem like a lot unless you made a public commitment to not posting from a certain social media account until he did.

That is just what one user on X did all the way back on Nov. 25, 2024, when @currysafraud wrote, “Not tweeting until Podz scores 30.” The post was routinely resurfaced and racked up more than 30 million views before Podziemski finally made good a year and a half later.

The Kings give away free pizza any time an opponent misses two free throws, and Podziemski used a question about snuffing out the promotion to let it be known he’s in on the joke, too.

“It would’ve been bad on both ends,” he said. “Pizza — and the account can be activated now.”

Podziemski had scored 25 or more nine times entering Friday, including four in the two months Steph Curry missed earlier this year, but the 30-point threshold eluded him.

Besides scoring 30 points Friday, Podziemski denied Kings fans of free pizza by making a free throw after missing his first. NBAE via Getty Images

His quest for 30 took on a life of its own to the point that another account on X made a post highlighting the players to have reached the scoring figure since Podziemski’s debut.

The list included teammates Gui Santos and Will Richard, who each set career highs with 30-point performances earlier this season. Richard, a rookie, also accomplished his against the Kings in Sacramento on the Warriors’ first visit in November.

Podziemski was so determined once the number was within reach that he drove the length of the court and drew contact despite Sacramento having already sealed the win.

“I told him we were going to treat him like Devin Booker when he scored 70 in Boston and they lost,” Curry joked. “I know he’s been searching for it. Everybody knew it, too. It was fun to see him get it — and the way he got it done.”


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Golden Knights vs Avalanche Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NHL Game

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John Tortorella has seemingly righted the ship in Las Vegas, going 4-1 in his first five games as the bench boss.

My Golden Knights vs. Avalanche predictions expect Vegas to pick up another win against a Colorado team that doesn’t have much to play for after clinching the Presidents’ Trophy.

Let’s break down my NHL picks for Saturday, April 11.

Golden Knights vs Avalanche prediction

Golden Knights vs Avalanche best bet: Golden Knights moneyline (+110)

The Vegas Golden Knights have seen a big coaching bump under John Tortorella, winning four of five games and posting exceptional underlying numbers.

No team has controlled a larger share of 5-on-5 expected goals (61.23%) than the Golden Knights over the last five games. They also top the league with a +23 high-danger chance differential.

The Golden Knights need all the points they can get in a three-horse race for top spot in the Pacific Division.

Their improved play, and urgency for points, should serve them well against a Colorado Avalanche team that just clinched the President’s Trophy.

Golden Knights vs Avalanche same-game parlay

Jack Eichel has seen an uptick in shot volume under Tortorella. He has gone Over 2.5 shots in four of five games and leads the team in power play shot attempts despite not having scored on the man advantage this season.

It’s clear Vegas wants to get its star center scoring again.

Regardless of whether his shots translate to goals, it’s still very likely he finds the scoresheet. Eichel has points in 73% of his games this season following a day of rest, and 91% of the time when Vegas wins.

Golden Knights vs Avalanche SGP

  • Golden Knights moneyline
  • Jack Eichel Over 2.5 shots on goal
  • Jack Eichel Over 0.5 points

Golden Knights vs Avalanche odds

  • Moneyline: Vegas +110 | Colorado -130
  • Puck line: Vegas +1.5 (-220) | Colorado -1.5 (+180)
  • Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+110) | Under 6.5 (-130)

Golden Knights vs Avalanche trend

Vegas owns a 4-1 record since making the coaching change. Find more NHL betting trends for Golden Knights vs. Avalanche.

How to watch Golden Knights vs Avalanche

LocationT-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
DateSaturday, April 11, 2026
Puck drop8:00 p.m. ET
TVABC

Golden Knights vs Avalanche latest injuries

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Max Muncy keeps climbing Dodgers home run lists

Los Angeles, CA - April 10: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers points to the sky after hitting a solo home run to tie Steve Garvey with 211 home runs for his career as a Dodger in the second inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, April 10, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images

LOS ANGELES — Max Muncy’s first home run on Friday night tied Steve Garvey for sixth on the all-time Dodgers home run list, and third since the team moved to Los Angeles. But that was just the start of the story.

Muncy hit two more home runs in the series opener against the Texas Rangers, including a walk-off shot in the ninth inning to finish off an 8-7 win at Dodger Stadium.

“Garvey is one of those guys, he’s a Dodger icon, the way he carried himself, the way he played the game, just a model of consistency,” Muncy said Friday night. “He really embodied what being a Dodger was, so to pass him is really, really special to me. It means a lot. Hopefully I can keep climbing.”

Many times in recent years, Muncy stated his desire to remain playing in Los Angeles, where he resurrected his career in 2018 and has kept hitting since. To that end, he and the team signed a contract extension in February that will keep the third baseman with the Dodgers through 2027, plus a club option for 2028, the fifth contract extension Muncy has signed here.

“He knows that we believe in him, and we’ve shown that many times over. I think there’s some peace with that,” manager Dave Roberts said Friday night. “That’s kind of the thought behind what Andrew [Friedman, president of baseball operations] and [general manager Brandon] Gomer [Gomes] did, to free his mind up and just let him play baseball. That’s really played out.”

He’s well aware of his place in Dodgers history, which includes two All-Star Game, five pennants, and three championships. He’s the all-time franchise leader in postseason home runs with 16, and he’s moving up the regular season list, too.

Most home runs, Dodgers history

  1. Duke Snider 389
  2. Gil Hodges 361
  3. Eric Karros 270
  4. Roy Campanella 242
  5. Ron Cey 228
  6. Max Muncy 213
  7. Steve Garvey 211
  8. Matt Kemp 203

The only two Los Angeles Dodgers with more home runs than Muncy are Eric Karros and Ron Cey. Just under 60 percent of Muncy’s home runs with the Dodgers have come at home. His 124 home runs at Dodger Stadium are only six behind Karros for the most in the 65-year history of the stadium.

Muncy on Friday also shared Dodgers lore with outfielder Don Demeter, as the only two Dodgers to finish off a three-home run game with a walk-off home run.

Demeter hit a two-run shot in the 11th inning on April 21, 1959 at the Los Angeles Coliseum to beat the San Francisco Giants, finishing off his three-homer game. Muncy’s final blast was a solo shot, as were all three of his home runs on Friday and all four so far this season.

Muncy has the somewhat-funny early season stat line of four home runs and four runs batted in. Entering Friday he was hitting .216/.326/.297 with a 32.6-percent strikeout rate in all of 43 plate appearances later.

“Even in Toronto, when he wasn’t getting hits, he was telling me numerous times, ‘Doc, I’m really close,’” Roberts said. “I think in years past you see a spike and some anxiousness bleed in. Where now he’s in a place where he’s really confident and trusting the process that if he’s in a good place and not getting results, to kind of stay the course.”

Now, with five more plate appearances under his belt, Muncy is hitting a robust .286/.375/.571, a tidy 323-point jump in OPS in one night. In addition to the home runs, Muncy also singled and reached on a fielder’s choice, and scored five times, setting a new career high.

But the home runs were the thing, with the first and third shots hit to right field, and the middle one to left center.

“His second home run was a short, compact swing, that he carried the left field wall,” Roberts said. “I just think that he’s a mch better hitter now. He’s checking down better because he has more time to see the baseball. His swing’s a little bit shorter. That’s something we always felt that he had in him.”

“When I can drive the ball to left center, that’s when my swing is at its best,” Muncy said. “I don’t know if it’s at its best right now — obviously, it was my best night — but anytime I can drive the ball to the opposite field, that’s telling me that what I’m doing is in a really good spot.”

Muncy also homered three times in a game on May 5, 2024, in a rout of the Atlanta Braves, another game at Dodger Stadium. He’s one of only six players to hit at least three home runs in a game twice for the Dodgers. That includes Shohei Ohtani, whose second three-homer game came in Game 4 of last year’s National League Championship Series, a game in which he also pitched six scoreless innings and struck out 10 to clinch the pennant. Friday night at Dodger Stadium, everyone in attendance got a bobblehead commemorating Ohtani’s three home runs in that NLCS game, then got to see a three-homer game themselves in person.

Dodgers with two 3-homer games

“Anytime you hit a home run in a big league game is special, let alone three. Its the second time I’ve done that. I still think about the first time I did it,” Muncy said. “It’s just a special night, and to get the win on top of it, it’s great.”