BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 03: Gavin Sheets #30 of the San Diego Padres hits an RBI single against the Boston Red Sox during the fifth inning of the home opener game at Fenway Park on April 03, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images
San Diego Padres (2-5) at Boston Red Sox (2-5), April 4, 2026, 1:10 p.m. PST
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SARASOTA, FLORIDA - MARCH 11: Noah Davis #56 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles in a spring training game at Ed Smith Stadium on March 11, 2026 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates are playing against the Baltimore Orioles for the first home series of the season at PNC Park.
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There are few people happier for John Tortorella getting the Vegas Golden Knights’ head coaching job than Mike Sullivan.
Sullivan and Tortorella have a strong relationship and friendship that dates back well over a decade.
From 2007-2012, Sullivan served under Tortorella as an assistant coach with the Tampa bay Lightning and New York Rangers.
Most recently, the roles were reversed with Tortorella serving as an assistant coach behind Sullivan for Team USA at both the 4 Nations Face-off and 2026 Winter Olympics.
On Sunday, the Golden Knights relieved Bruce Cassidy and replaced him with Tortorella to be the team’s head coach with just a few games to go before the playoffs officially begin.
Sullivan spoke about his relationship with Tortorella and reacted to the news of his friend’s new opportunity.
“I think he’s an excellent coach,” Sullivan said of Tortorella. “One of the things that he excels at is crisis management. He brings a ton of energy. I know he’ll bring a lot of energy to Vegas. I think, as I said, he’s an excellent coach. One of the things that has always impressed me with Torts, and obviously, I have a long-standing relationship with him. I worked with him for almost a decade. He was on our staff with the Olympic team, the 4 Nations team. In a lot of ways, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to work with him because I learned so much from him. We’re very different in how we go about it, but I’ve learned a lot from him as far as what it takes to win and how to instill an environment that’s conducive to winning.
“If you’re in coaching and you love what you do, you immerse yourself in a learning experience. And Torts has done that his whole career. He puts a lot of work into that. He prides himself in it. That’s been the most impressive thing for me in watching him. I think he’ll do what he does. I think he’ll do a terrific job.”
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 03: A detail view of the Athletics' 125th Anniversary logo worn by Tyler Soderstrom #21 of the Athletics during an MLB game against the Houston Astros at Sutter Health Park on April 03, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Following six games of offensive ineptitude, the Athletics’ offense erupted last night in the team’s home opener in front of a sold-out crowd at West Sacramento’s Sutter Health Park. The team defeated the Houston Astros 11-4, all of the A’s runs coming with two outs. Third baseman Max Muncy finished a triple shy of the cycle, while right fielder Lawrence Butler contributed three hits, one of them a three-run home run to left field. Meanwhile, A’s starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs dazzled on the mound, pitching six innings of one-run ball.
This afternoon, the Athletics will look to make it two-straight home victories and continue their recent dominance over the Astros. Last year, the A’s claimed the season series with their division rivals, winning eight of the 13 games played between these two teams.
23-year-old right-hander Luis Morales is the A’s starting pitcher today. Set to make his second start of the season, Morales aims to rebound from a disappointing first outing against the Toronto Blue Jays. In that start, the Cuban pitcher allowed three home runs and five earned runs in 4 1/3 innings. George Springer hit a home run on Morales’ first pitch of 2026, a sign of what was to come that day. Facing the Astros for the first time, their unfamiliarity with him could allow Morales to pitch better, although it would not be a shock for the Astros to pounce on the youngster’s mistake pitches for multiple home runs like Toronto did.
Here’s how the Athletics line up behind Morales in their second home game of the year:
The A’s lineup is the same as yesterday, which makes sense considering that group put 11 runs on the scoreboard. Manager Mark Kotsay is continuing the Nick Kurtz leadoff experiment, despite Kurtz’s batting average in the leadoff spot a woeful .197. It would seemingly make more sense for the slugging first baseman to bat with runners on base to maximize the A’s scoring opportunities. However, the A’s lack alternative leadoff options. Shortstop Jacob Wilson’s contact skills make him a fit, yet the team has him further down in the lineup. Kurtz and designated hitter Brent Rooker continued their early-season struggles yesterday, making the A’s performance even more impressive considering those two did not get any hits.
That lineup will be up against Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai, who signed with the Astros this offseason in free-agency. The three-time Nippon Professional Baseball all-star was one of this offseason’s most-notable free agents. He seeks to follow in the footsteps of Shohei Ohtani, Seiya Suzuki and Yoshinobu Yamamoto as the next Japanese star to successfully transition from Japan to the U.S. Imai struggled in his MLB debut, allowing three hits and four runs in only 2 2/3 innings pitched. Making his first road start, the A’s need to take advantage of a pitcher who is likely still adapting to pitching in a new league and country.
Houston’s starting nine is mostly regular starters, with the exception of backup catcher Christian Vàzquez and right fielder Joey Loperfido. Given the concerns surrounding both pitchers, this afternoon’s game could be a high-scoring affair.
It should be a beautiful afternoon in Sacramento. The Athletics are wearing their new Sacramento jerseys, a sign that the team is at least partially embracing its temporary home. What better way to christen these new jerseys than with another win? Let’s go A’s!
BOSTON, MA - MAY 27: Nathan Horton #18 of the Boston Bruins scores a third period goal past Dwayne Roloson #35 of the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 27, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to Saturday evening, folks!
The Bruins and Lightning will face off at Tampa’s consistently-renamed arena today, with Tampa eyeing first in the Atlantic and the Bruins hoping to solidify their grip on a playoff spot.
Two of the teams involved in the Eastern Conference wild card race with the Bruins will have already played by the time the B’s game starts, with the Red Wings and Senators each playing afternoon games (not against each other) on Saturday.
The Canadiens, Islanders, Capitals, and Blue Jackets will all play tonight, so there could be a lot of standings-shuffling by the time we reach Easter morning.
Anyways, it’s Bruins! Lightning! Indoors this time!
The Los Angeles Dodgers (5-2) face the Washington Nationals (3-4) in the second game of their series. The Dodgers won the opening game 13-6 on Friday. Starting pitchers are Tyler Glasnow for the Dodgers and Jake Irvin for the Nationals.
How to Watch Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Washington Nationals
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 03: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on during batting practice prior to the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Roki Sasaki makes his second start of the week, looking to build off his season opener when the Dodgers finish off their weekend series against the Washington Nationals on Sunday afternoon at Nationals Park in Washington D.C.
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 03: Connelly Early #71 of the Boston Red Sox takes the field during player introductions prior to the game between the San Diego Padres and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Michael Owens/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
A couple of weeks ago we didn’t even think he’d make the Opening Day Roster. Now we’re saying “thank god we’ve got Connelly Early going today.”
Behind Early, Alex Cora is rolling out the same starting nine batting the same order as yesterday. If ain’t broke, yadda, yadda.
In the other dugout, it’s a day-off for Jackson Merrill and, interestingly, for lefty-masher Nick Castellanos. Can the Sox take advantage?
Tonda Eckert’s impressive team went at Arsenal from the get-go and were rewarded with a place in the semi-finals
1 min: Saints are on the front foot immediately, Fellows romping into space down the right. He takes one touch too many, though, allowing Lewis-Skelly to put a stop to his gallop. An early statement of intent from the hosts.
Arsenal get the ball rolling. Plenty of noise, the St Mary’s faithful marching in.
The New York Mets (4-4) face the San Francisco Giants (3-5) in the third game of their series. Catcher Francisco Alvarez hit two home runs in the Mets’ 10-3 victory on Friday night. Starting pitchers are scheduled to be Clay Holmes for the Mets and Landen Roupp for the Giants.
How to Watch New York Mets vs. San Francisco Giants
Jiri Kulich (blood clot, Nov. 4; injured reserve - out for the season)
Sam Carrick (upper body, Mar. 31; injured reserve)
Noah Ostlund (upper body, Mar.25; day-to-day(
Notes
Buffalo would clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2010-11 with a win tonight or a regulation loss by Detroit.
Buffalo could also clinch a playoff spot by earning a point in tonight’s game against Washington and a regulation loss by Ottawa against Minnesota or a Rangers win of any kind against Detroit.
The Sabres have earned at least one point in 23 of their last 28 contests (20-5-3), including a league-best 14 wins and 30 points since the Olympic break.
Since Dec. 9, the Sabres rank first among all NHL teams in wins (35) and points (74). Buffalo’s 30 regulation wins in that span also lead the league.
Buffalo has not lost consecutive games in regulation since the team fell in three straight from Dec. 3 at Philadelphia to Dec. 8 at Calgary.
Tage Thompson has tallied 55 points (25+30) in 47 games since Dec. 9 and his 22 even-strength goals in that span rank tied for third among all NHL skaters. Thompson has registered six points (2+4) in his last five games. Thompson needs seven more goals to pass Jason Pominville (217 goals with Buffalo) and gain sole possession of 10th
place on Buffalo’s all-time goal-scoring list.
Rasmus Dahlin ranks first among all Sabres skaters in assists (32) and second in points (47) since Dec. 9. His 15 goals in that span rank tied for second among all NHL defensemen. Tonight’s game marks the 582nd of Dahlin’s career, tied with Jay McKee for the seventh-most by a defenseman in franchise history.
Peyton Krebs has posted a point in four consecutive games (2+2) and he would match the longest point streak of his career (five games; March 25 to April 1, 2025; 3+3) with a point tonight.
Jack Quinn has posted three points (1+2) in his last three games.
The New York Yankees, who have lost only one of their first seven games, face the Miami Marlins in the second game of their series. The Yankees are favored with a -200 moneyline and a -1.5 spread. Starting pitchers are Max Meyer for the Miami Marlins and Ryan Weathers for the New York Yankees.
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - APRIL 01: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks after the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on April 01, 2026 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Last night, the New York Knicks eviscerated the Chicago Bulls from the opening tip, en route to the team’s third 40-point victory of the season. They entered as 14.5-point favorites against a Bulls team that, while tanking all the same as teams like Indiana, Utah, and Washington, were playing enough players that made you truly think, “Yeah, these guys are just bad.“
I savored that fourth quarter, watching the bench mob play out the string. As the final buzzer sounded, so did the calmness of regular-season basketball. That’ll be the last time the Knicks will square off against a hopelessly overmatched opponent for several months.
By the time the next game comes, whether it’s against the Nets or these Bulls or the Kings, this team could look totally different. They could be buzzing from the success of the team’s first championship in 53 years. They could be dismantled and reconfigured after a disappointing early exit. They could somehow look the same after a run ends just short of the ultimate prize.
By the time we see a game like this again, where everyone gets to eat, and the starters are laughing on the bench in the fourth, everything may change. There are a bunch of these games throughout an 82-game season, especially this year, where the Knicks have a staggering 17 20+ point victories (and nine 30+ point victories, a franchise record!), but they are uncommon come playoff time.
Could there be a blowout in either direction in the final week or in whatever playoff series the Knicks are in? Absolutely. In the last two years alone, those highly contentious series against the Pacers still delivered multiple staggering blowouts in both directions. Basketball’s a volatile sport, after all.
But from here on out, there are stakes to every single game the Knicks play. There are no gimme’s, there are no meaningless games. Even if the seeding is locked up and Game 82 does turn out to be mostly meaningless, you’ll still be playing a team fighting for seeding, even if the personal outcome doesn’t matter.
The bench mob has gotten much more run this year, and we salute their services. Ariel Hukporti, Tyler Kolek, Pačome Dadiet, Trey Jemison III, Kevin McCullar Jr., and probably Jeremy Sochan: We thank you for your services of competing hard in practice every day to get our guys ready and stepping up when you’ve been needed due to the day-to-day injuries of the main rotation. If someone goes down from here, some of you may be thrust into bigger roles (ahem, Delon Wright), but most likely, this is the end of the road for you guys, who play critically important roles to get through an 82-game season.
From here on out, it’s down to 11 guys. Foul trouble or injuries could dip into the deep reserves, but barring disaster, it’s these 11.
Jalen Brunson
Mikal Bridges
Josh Hart
OG Anunoby
Karl-Anthony Towns
Deuce McBride
Jose Alvarado
Landry Shamet
Jordan Clarkson
Mo Diawara
Mitchell Robinson
These 11 will get meaningful minutes at some point in the postseason, whether plentiful or situational. We don’t know who Mike Brown will use in his planned rotation, but we know that eight of these 11 are probably in it for sure. We’ll see games where he turns to Clarkson for spot scoring, Diawara for his length and versatility, and Alvarado when he needs ballhandling off the bench, but those will be on a game-by-game basis.
The team is healthy now. For the last four regular-season games and however long this playoff run is, these are the 11 that matter. These 11 will decide the Knicks’ fate, for this season and for the future of this core.
The next four games are all against teams that the Knicks could face in the postseason, and while we know from last April that the outcome means essentially nothing, they’re important when it comes to seeding. The Knicks enter the final week with a 1.5-game lead on the Cavaliers for fourth and sit 2.5 games behind the Celtics for second. With a head-to-head matchup remaining against their Atlantic Division foes, it’s not totally over yet, but the margin for error is nonexistent.
The head-to-head tiebreaker over the Cavaliers means it’d be pretty hard to fall to four, but a poor final week opens the door. Who the Knicks play will also be heavily influenced by their own actions, as they have a chance to knock the Hawks down a peg, push the Raptors deeper into the play-in, and limit the Hornets’ rise. A loss could also further embolden them ahead of a playoff series.
Every game from here on out is against a formidable opponent. There are no easy paths left.
SAN ANTONIO, TX -MARCH 12: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs drives against Christian Braun #0 of the Denver Nuggets and Jonas Valanciunas #17 in the first half at Frost Bank Center on March 12, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much.
The Spurs have only five games left in the regular season, and two of them are against the Denver Nuggets, today and on the final game of the season, which will likely be a rest day for both team’s stars. It’s also the final road game for the Silver and Black, as they finish up the season with a four game stand in the Frost Bank Arena. The Spurs’ chances for taking first place in the west depend on the Thunder losing at least two of their remaining five games, which seems unlikely after they took LeBron’s lunch money on Thursday, so the team will be concentrating on improving and working on their team play. That’s a project that’s going well, with the team easily dispatching the Clippers in their last game with Victor sitting out with ankle soreness, with overall team play and balanced scoring and smothering defense.
Victor Wembanyama is available today—he needs to play three of the final five games to be eligible for post-season awards and I expect him to make a huge impact today in his matchup with Nikola Jokic. Both Jokic and Wemby are in the running for MVP this year, but in my mind, Victor has the edge, because while both players are excellent on offense, Vic is the better defender, and he’ll make sure to demonstrate that in today’s contest. Stephon Castle must dominate Jamal Murray, and the Spurs will probably use a variety of defenders against Aaron Gordon. I’d like to see they try Carter Bryant on Gordon as a player who can match his athleticism, although he will likely have a rough time with his offensive craftiness. It would be a good learning experience for the Rookie. It could be a big game for De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper, as the Spurs have more guard depth than the Nuggets and that will provide lots of opportunities for the Spurs backcourt. OK, GO SPURS GO!!!
Game Prediction:
Nikola Jokic will miss a defensive rotation because he got lost in watching Victor Wembanyama do amazing things. It happens to all of us.
San Antonio Spurs at Denver Nuggets April 4, 2026 | 2:00 PM CT Streaming: NBA League Pass TV: FanDuel Sports Southwest, Prime Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.
Mar 9, 2026; Houston, TX, United States; Great Britain starting pitcher Brendan Beck (19) delivers a pitch during the third inning against Brazil at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Raul Dominguez is back with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders this season.
He was on the RailRiders staff for the 2021 and 2022 seasons before being named manager of the New York Yankees’ Double-A affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, in 2023. In three seasons, he compiled a 232-180 record and took the Patriots to the Eastern League playoffs all three seasons.
Now, he returns to the RailRiders to serve as defensive coach on manager Shelley Duncan’s staff.
“After spending three years in Somerset and now coming back here again in Triple-A with a new staff, a lot of guys I’m going to work with for the first time, I’m excited,” Dominguez said. “I feel as a coach, you learn every year from different managers and coaches.
“Last year in Somerset, I worked with those (players) a lot and now they’re here and I have a relationship with them. Having those guys again and knowing them a little bit and what they need to work on, I’m excited to be here with that group.”
Before coming back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Dominguez got to experience something special. He served as first-base coach for Panama at the World Baseball Classic. Playing in Pool A in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Panama went 1-3. It lost to Cuba, 3-1; Puerto Rico, 4-3; and Colombia, 4-3; and defeated Canada, 4-3.
“Those four games were so exciting, there was a lot of up and down emotion,” Dominguez said. “We only won one game, but we lost two games by one and one by two. It was so loud and exciting. I remember I didn’t feel any fatigue until after when I got back to Tampa. But during those four days, it was one of my best experiences in baseball, especially with that name on my chest — Panama. I thought it was going to be the same as the winter league or the Caribbean Series, but no. It was totally different. It was very competitive and very emotional. It was a really, really good experience for me.”
Brendan Beck echoed that sentiment. The right-hander, who is ranked No. 22 among Yankees prospects according to MLB Pipeline, pitched in the WBC for Great Britain — his mother is British. He got to be teammates with his older brother Tristan, who is in the San Francisco Giants organization.
On March 9, Beck started for Great Britain against Brazil and threw four scoreless and hitless innings with two walks and four strikeouts in an 8-1 win.
“It was awesome. It was super special. Definitely not something I dreamed of growing up, even knowing there was a Great Britain baseball team,” Beck said. “We figured it out and knew that opportunity was there. Just super-exciting leading up to the tournament and then putting the uniform on was really cool. Really the first time I got to represent my mom and her side of the family. My grandparents aren’t with us anymore, but they would have thought it was really cool just to see Great Britain on the baseball field. Getting to do it with my brother, having my whole family in Houston and friends come in was super special. Something I’ll definitely remember.”
Right-hander Harrison Cohen, the Yankees’ No. 28 prospect, was a member of Team Israel at the WBC. He appeared in one game and threw two scoreless and hitless innings with five strikeouts in a 6-2 victory over The Netherlands.
Yankees No. 27 ranked prospect RHP Harrison Cohen with a strong showing in his WBC Debut 👏
Elmer Rodríguez, the Yankees’ No. 3 prospect, pitched for Puerto Rico. The righty started against Cuba on March 9th and got the win, 4-1. He pitched three scoreless innings with one hit, three walks and three strikeouts.
Elmer Rodriguez recorded three Ks across three scoreless innings for Team Puerto Rico 🇵🇷
Baseball’s No. 59 prospect allowed just one hit over 50 pitches.
Reliever Yerry De Los Santos was on the Dominican Republic’s Designated Pitcher Pool, which meant he could have been called up after the first round. However, he was not.
While the World Baseball Classic has its critics, Beck thinks the tournament is great for the game.
“It really shows how much of a global sport baseball is,” Beck said. “You think of Major League Baseball, you think of the Japanese League, obviously Mexico and Korea have big leagues as well. But seeing the fans we had with Great Britain supporting us back home and seeing teams like the Czech Republic, some of the small island teams, people know baseball. Baseball is a global language, a global sport.
“You saw how passionate the players were playing in it. Only one team every year can win the World Series, but you saw how important it was for guys playing a championship tournament in March. Guys were pushing themselves more than they ever really pushed themselves in March. I think that’s cool. Guys were playing for something more than themselves. Doing whatever it takes for their team, their country, their fans, I think is really cool.”
