CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 05: José Ramírez #11 of the Cleveland Guardians is presented the 2025 Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award prior to game one of a doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs at Progressive Field on April 05, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Tonight, Jose Ramirez will become the player who has played in the most baseball games in history while wearing a Cleveland uniform.
Jose Ramirez was born in Bani, Dominican Republic. Is it possible for him to be the most Cleveland of all baseball players? The players he surpasses at the top of this list – Terry Turner and Nap Lajoie – were from Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, respectively. The greatest players in Cleveland baseball history were all not born in Ohio, let alone Cleveland. So, Jose has as much claim to be the epitome of the essence of the city as anyone does, if being from Cleveland was a preferred qualifier.
Let’s examine his credentials:
-Despite being an atypical body type and height, Jose is on a Hall of Fame trajectory as a player. Cleveland is often overlooked as a city and glories in its underdog status. Jose embodies the underdog mindset better than any player ever has.
-Jose gives 100% every time he is on the field. In Cleveland, the weather is pretty nasty six months out of the year. Cloud cover is more common than not. The region isn’t home to some billionaire-minting Silicon Valley-type of industry. If you want to make it here, you work hard and refuse to give up.
-To stay in Cleveland, you really have to love the city unreasonably. You have to display an unhinged loyalty to the shores of Lake Erie and our version of Midwest nice/blue collar grit/down home kindness. Jose has openly proclaimed his appreciation for Cleveland fans and displays our ideals every time he takes the field.
There would be no question that Jose is the greatest Cleveland baseball player of all time if Jose had found a way to be part of a team that won a title. But, the title drought of which he has been a part somehow makes Jose even MORE Cleveland. Our joys are always mixed with grief, our happiness with sorrow, our accomplishments always with a sense that we could be more.
For about 10 years now, Jose Ramirez has been a part of my daily life. My children know him by sight and everyone who knows me knows he is my favorite baseball player of all time. He’s a national and local treasure who adds joy and hope to each day of my life, even if he is in a bit of an early season slump right now. I know if he’s chasing too much, he will stop. If he’s just under the ball, he will adjust. My confidence allows me to watch him in anticipation of him breaking out of it instead of dreading that he has entered some kind of steep decline. He has never let us down and I believe he never will.
Tonight, Jose becomes the most Cleveland player of all time, officially. But, he has embodied our city for a while now. And, most importantly, he has three times chosen to stay here and left no doubt that he loves this city, this team, this fanbase and playing ball in the same cold Northeast Ohio air that my children will be entering to play coach pitch. The day José’s extension was announced in 2022 was the greatest day of my sports fandom.
DALLAS, TX - APRIL 5: Rui Hachimura #28 of the Los Angeles Lakers grabs the rebound during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on April 5, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In their first game since the announcements, the purple and gold fell to the tanking Mavericks. LeBron James led with 30 points, nine rebounds and 15 assists and Luke Kennard notched his first career triple-double, but it wasn’t enough to overcome rookie Cooper Flagg’s 45 points.
A bright spot was Rui Hachimura’s ever-consistent, yet never flashy, game. All season, he has adjusted his role based on who’s available each night. On Sunday, in 39 minutes, he finished with 21 points on 9-13 shooting overall and 3-5 from three-point range with seven rebounds while finishing with a plus-minus of +5.
It continues a year of highly efficient shooting that led to him being labeled a “laser” by head coach J.J. Redick. He now slots up as one of the most important offensive pieces this year with major questions looming on a summer contract.
LA will rely heavily on pace-and-space basketball without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. They will be forced to lean on transition offense, with LeBron in control to find shooters. It’s a style suited for Hachimura as he has developed into one of the best spot-up shooters in basketball, hitting 43% of his catch-and-shoot 3-pointers.
Watch him sprint to the corner in the clip below for a semi transition three, after a swing pass by Kennard.
Where Hachimura brings his most versatility to the team is in the mid-range, where he’s been effectively the most efficient in the league. He hits a blistering 57% on the lost art long two, first among all players who’ve taken at least 100 attempts per the NBA’s tracking data.
It’s a necessary counter, especially in high leverage or postseason basketball, when teams scout and run the best shooters off the 3-point line. Watch below as he collects the swing pass and flows it into a automatic rhythm one-dribble pull-up jumper below.
“I would say the reason I’m here is the midrange,” Hachimura said in a recent postgame. “I’ve been doing it since high school. That was my thing. The first time I started playing basketball, those guys, the Carmelos, were my role models. I think I watched them a lot, that’s how I shaped my game.
“Those are never going to go away. I’ll always have that in my bag.”
LA will have to find creative ways to get Hachimura more shots, as he’s not one you can just hand the ball to at the top of the key. One option is to have him come off pin-down screens like below, flowing into his efficient mid-range shot.
The Lakers and Hachimura did not reach a deal on a contract extension last fall. How the sudden injuries to the backcourt impact all the pending free agents remains to be seen.
While not a perfect player by any means, Hachimura has made a case with his play that, at the right number, a return would make sense for both parties, no matter how this season ends…if it hasn’t already.
Clement has also been one of the only Blue Jays this season to hit consistently.
He has at least one hit in seven of the nine games he’s played, going over today’s 1.5 base total five times in that stretch, and is paying +135 to eclipse that total again.
Considering he’s averaging 2.4 total bases in his last 10 meetings against the Dodgers, I like that price a lot.
COVERS INTEL: Clement has a career 1.038 OPS against the Dodgers’ pitching staff.
Dodgers vs Blue Jays same-game parlay (SGP)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. raked against the Dodgers in the World Series, posting 1.074 OPS with an average of 2.57 total bases per game, going 5-0 to the Over on this prop.
For my final leg, I’ll bet on Max Scherzer to go deep into the ball game and go Over 15.5 outs. He cruised past this number in his first start against the Rockies, and the team could use a long outing from the veteran after taxing the bullpen this weekend.
Dodgers vs Blue Jays SGP
Ernie Clement Over 1.5 total bases
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Over 1.5 total bases
Max Scherzer Over 15.5 outs
img loading="lazy" width="100%" height="null" src="https://img.covers.com/editorial/2026/jaysmlcbp.jpg" alt="Canada’s best price for Jays"
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Dodgers vs Blue Jays home run pick: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (+500)
Wrobleski gives up a lot of hard contact, ranking in the fifth percentile in hard-hit rate, and he had the highest average exit velocity in the majors last season.
Enter Guerrero.
Vladdy hits the ball as hard as anyone, and with the first home run out of the way this weekend, I’m expecting a little more pop from the Jays slugger moving forward.
Additionally, Guerrero has homered five times in 59 at-bats against this Dodgers pitching staff with a 1.169 career OPS.
2026 Transparency record
Best bets: 2-6, -1.65 units
SGPs: 1-7, +3.5 units
HR picks: 2-6, +0.8 units
Dodgers vs Blue Jays odds
Moneyline: Los Angeles -140 | Toronto +120
Run line: Los Angeles -1.5 (+120) | Toronto +1.5 (-140)
Over/Under: Over 9 (+100) | Under 9 (-120)
Dodgers vs Blue Jays trend
The Blue Jays have covered the F5 run line in 16 of their last 21 games (+11.05 Units / 46% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Dodgers vs. Blue Jays.
How to watch Dodgers vs Blue Jays and game info
Location
Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON
Date
Monday, April 6, 2026
First pitch
7:07 p.m. ET
TV
SportsNet LA, Sportsnet
Dodgers starting pitcher
Justin Wrobleski (0-0, 6.75 ERA)
Blue Jays starting pitcher
Max Scherzer (1-0, 1.50 ERA)
Dodgers vs Blue Jays latest injuries
Dodgers vs Blue Jays weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Clement has also been one of the only Blue Jays this season to hit consistently.
He has at least one hit in seven of the nine games he’s played, going over today’s 1.5 base total five times in that stretch, and is paying +135 to eclipse that total again.
Considering he’s averaging 2.4 total bases in his last 10 meetings against the Dodgers, I like that price a lot.
COVERS INTEL: Clement has a career 1.038 OPS against the Dodgers’ pitching staff.
Dodgers vs Blue Jays same-game parlay (SGP)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. raked against the Dodgers in the World Series, posting 1.074 OPS with an average of 2.57 total bases per game, going 5-0 to the Over on this prop.
For my final leg, I’ll bet on Max Scherzer to go deep into the ball game and go Over 15.5 outs. He cruised past this number in his first start against the Rockies, and the team could use a long outing from the veteran after taxing the bullpen this weekend.
Dodgers vs Blue Jays SGP
Ernie Clement Over 1.5 total bases
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Over 1.5 total bases
Max Scherzer Over 15.5 outs
img loading="lazy" width="100%" height="null" src="https://img.covers.com/editorial/2026/jaysmlcbp.jpg" alt="Canada’s best price for Jays"
Get the best Jays ML odds at BET99 — every game.
Dodgers vs Blue Jays home run pick: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (+500)
Wrobleski gives up a lot of hard contact, ranking in the fifth percentile in hard-hit rate, and he had the highest average exit velocity in the majors last season.
Enter Guerrero.
Vladdy hits the ball as hard as anyone, and with the first home run out of the way this weekend, I’m expecting a little more pop from the Jays slugger moving forward.
Additionally, Guerrero has homered five times in 59 at-bats against this Dodgers pitching staff with a 1.169 career OPS.
2026 Transparency record
Best bets: 2-6, -1.65 units
SGPs: 1-7, +3.5 units
HR picks: 2-6, +0.8 units
Dodgers vs Blue Jays odds
Moneyline: Los Angeles -140 | Toronto +120
Run line: Los Angeles -1.5 (+120) | Toronto +1.5 (-140)
Over/Under: Over 9 (+100) | Under 9 (-120)
Dodgers vs Blue Jays trend
The Toronto Blue Jays have covered the 1st Five Innings (F5) Run Line in 16 of their last 21 games (+11.05 Units / 46% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Dodgers vs. Blue Jays.
How to watch Dodgers vs Blue Jays and game info
Location
Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON
Date
Monday, April 6, 2026
First pitch
7:07 p.m. ET
TV
SportsNet LA, Sportsnet
Dodgers starting pitcher
Justin Wrobleski (0-0, 6.75 ERA)
Blue Jays starting pitcher
Max Scherzer (1-0, 1.50 ERA)
Dodgers vs Blue Jays latest injuries
Dodgers vs Blue Jays weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The Calgary Flames made a quiet but telling roster move on Sunday—one that likely signals there’s more to come. Forward Brennan Othmann has been reassigned to the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers, a decision driven less by performance and more by timing, rules, and roster strategy.
At first glance, it’s a somewhat surprising call. Othmann has held his own since joining the organization, showing flashes of the offensive upside that made him a sought-after piece at the trade deadline. Acquired from the New York Rangers on March 6 in exchange for prospect Jacob Battaglia, he began his stint in the AHL and quickly contributed, recording five assists in 10 games.
His recall on March 28 offered a brief NHL audition, and he didn’t waste much time making an impression. In just two games with Calgary, Othmann registered a goal and an assist. The underlying numbers weren’t perfect—he posted a minus-4 rating—but that’s not uncommon for a young player adjusting on the fly.
If there’s a bright spot to take from his short NHL stay, it came in his most recent appearance. Othmann scored on March 30 against the Colorado Avalanche, providing one of the few positives in an otherwise rough 9–2 loss at Ball Arena. Not exactly the ideal team result, but individually, it’s a moment he can carry with him.
A Numbers Game
So why send him down now?
The explanation is rooted in the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement. After the trade deadline, teams are limited to five regular call-ups, with only four of those players allowed on the roster at any one time (outside of emergency situations). Othmann was one of those four, and ultimately, the odd man out.
The Flames’ other call-ups have carved out more defined roles. Defenseman Hunter Brzustewicz has been steady on the second pairing, contributing four assists and logging time on the power play. Forward Matvei Gridin has made a strong push in a top-six role, tallying three goals and 10 points in 14 games. Meanwhile, Aydar Suniev—freshly recalled—has yet to debut, but the organization appears intent on getting a closer look at his game before the season wraps up.
Given those circumstances, Othmann becomes the most expendable piece in the short term—not because he hasn’t earned his spot, but because the roster simply doesn’t have the flexibility to keep everyone up.
Following the move, Calgary’s roster now stands at 26 players: two goaltenders, eight defensemen, and 16 forwards. The Flames continue their road trip Tuesday night in Dallas, while Othmann heads back to the Wranglers with confidence, production, and a clear sense that this likely isn’t his last call-up of the season.
Oct 31, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) celebrates after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Interleague play began in 1997, and in the early years it was mostly limited to playing only one interleague division each season. So it hasn’t always been possible for the two World Series to meet again during the next regular season.
This is the 18th time the two World Series teams played each other in the next season, and Dodgers vs. Blue Jays is the second-earliest such matchup on the calendar.
A different reception is expected this week in Toronto, where the Dodgers won the final two games of the World Series and celebrated on that very field.
The Dodgers are used to playing in front of big crowds, and not just because they drew over four million fans to Dodger Stadium last season. They’ve also led MLB in road attendance in four of the last five seasons, including in each of the last two years.
“Being that road team, having a lot of hostile crowds,” manager Dave Roberts said last Wednesday. “Certainly, Toronto is going to be kind of crazy.”
Yamamoto won Games 2, 6, and 7 of the Fall Classic, the only player ever to win three road games in one World Series. He’s not starting on Monday, but will pitch later in the series, to see if he can keep that streak going.
Oct 31, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) celebrates after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Interleague play began in 1997, and in the early years it was mostly limited to playing only one interleague division each season. So it hasn’t always been possible for the two World Series to meet again during the next regular season.
This is the 18th time the two World Series teams played each other in the next season, and Dodgers vs. Blue Jays is the second-earliest such matchup on the calendar.
A different reception is expected this week in Toronto, where the Dodgers won the final two games of the World Series and celebrated on that very field.
The Dodgers are used to playing in front of big crowds, and not just because they drew over four million fans to Dodger Stadium last season. They’ve also led MLB in road attendance in four of the last five seasons, including in each of the last two years.
“Being that road team, having a lot of hostile crowds,” manager Dave Roberts said last Wednesday. “Certainly, Toronto is going to be kind of crazy.”
Yamamoto won Games 2, 6, and 7 of the Fall Classic, the only player ever to win three road games in one World Series. He’s not starting on Monday, but will pitch later in the series, to see if he can keep that streak going.
For most college basketball teams in the current landscape, future championships are won in April and May when rosters are being built.
Michigan and UConn feature numerous transfers on their respective national championship-contending teams. The Wolverines start five transfers, whereas the Huskies' best player this season, center Tarris Reed Jr., is also transfer.
The NCAA approved a shortened transfer portal window for the 2026 season, with players allowed to officially enter from April 7-21 on the men's side. The window starts a day after the national championship game on Monday, April 6.
The old transfer portal window lasted 30 days and started after the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, putting teams that advanced in March Madness at a disadvantage. As soon as the buzzer sounds at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for the national championship, the race is on for the top available players.
Here's a look at USA TODAY's top players available in the 2026 transfer portal window:
Men's college basketball transfer portal players rankings
These rankings will be updated as players enter the transfer portal.
Here's a look at our top 25 available players of the college basketball transfer portal in 2026:
Flory Bidunga, Kansas
Juke Harris, Wake Forest
John Blackwell, Wisconsin
Paulius Murauskas, St. Mary’s
Neoklis Avdalas, Virginia Tech
Miles Byrd, San Diego State
Isaiah Johnson, Colorado
Aiden Sherrell, Alabama
Somto Cyril, Georgia
Acaden Lewis, Villanova
Stefan Vaaks, Providence
Oswin Erhunmwunse, Providence
Bryson Tiller, Kansas
Dedan Thomas Jr., LSU
Mouhamed Sylla, Georgia Tech
Kwame Evans Jr., Oregon
Markus Burton, Notre Dame
Alex Wilkins, Furman
Jackson Shelstad, Oregon
Jalen Haralson, Notre Dame
Terrence Brown, Utah
Najai Hines, Seton Hall
Jeremiah Wilkinson, Georgia
Finley Bizjack, Butler
Terrence Hill Jr., VCU
College basketball transfer portal news, live updates
Alabama sophomore forward Aiden Sherrell is planning to enter the transfer portal, according to multiple reports. The 6-foot-11 big man averaged 11.1 points with 6.2 rebounds per game as a first-year starter at Alabama, along with 2.2 blocks per game.
A former five-star recruit, Sherrell was the No. 23 player and No. 5 center of the 2024 class, according to 247Sports' Composite. Sherrell can also shoot from outside, making 33.8% of his 2.4 3-point attempts per game.
Kansas redshirt freshman forward Bryson Tiller is entering the transfer portal, according to multiple reports April 6.
Tiller averaged 7.9 points with 6.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game this season, starting 31 of 35 games for the Jayhawks. The former blue-chip recruit has three seasons of eligibility remaining and will be highly sought-after, thanks to his starting experience and 6-foot-11, 240-pound frame.
Wisconsin guard John Blackwell, the No. 3-ranked player available by USA TODAY, announced April 6 that he's entering the transfer portal while going through the NBA draft process.
The All-Big Ten third-team selection this season averaged 19.1 points with 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game and is a two-year starter for the Badgers. He scored 22 points with 10 rebounds in Wisconsin's upset loss against High Point in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
It's a brutal loss for Wisconsin, which is also losing leading scorer Nick Boyd. Blackwell will be among the most sought-after players available with two seasons of high-level scoring production in the Big Ten.
The Dodgers’ early season road trip east continues tonight north of the border when they take the field in Toronto against the Blue Jays (4-5). Max Scherzer takes the mound for the Jays and Justin Wrobleski gets the ball for Los Angeles.
After a slow start to the season offensively, Los Angeles got their bats going in our nation’s capital over the weekend scoring 31 runs in a three-game sweep of the Nationals. Freddie Freeman drove in six runs. Shohei Ohtani picked up two hits in each of the three games and scored a run in each game. Kyle Tucker was 5-10 against the Nationals after going 4-23 previously.
Toronto’s offense is as cold as the Dodgers’ is hot. The Jays scored just seven runs in three games against the Chicago White Sox this weekend. Yesterday, Toronto managed just six hits and nine baserunners against Davis Martin and three Sox relievers in a 3-0 loss. The list of those struggling are headlined by George Springer who is two for his last 16, Addison Barger who has one hit in his last 19 ABs, and after a torrid start, Andres Gimenez who has reached base twice (one hit, one walk) in his last 15 trips to the plate.
Lets dive into this afternoon’s matchup and the opener of this three-game series and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.
Game Details and How to Watch: Dodgers vs. Blue Jays
Date: Monday, April 6, 2026
Time: 7:07PM EST
Site: Rogers Centre
City: Toronto, Ontario
Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, Fox Sports 1, Sportsnet, Sportsnet LA
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
Blue Jays: Max Scherzer Season Totals: 6 IP, 1-0, 1.50 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 4K, 1 BB
Who’s Hot? Who’s Not! Dodgers vs. Blue Jays
Andy Pages has hit in 6 straight games and is 14-24 over that span.
Teoscar Hernandez has hit in 5 straight going 9-19 with 3 RBIs in those 5
Vlad Guerrero Jr. is 3-15 in April
Kazuma Okamoto is 1 for his last 10 after picking up at least 1 hit in each of his first 6 major league games
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Top Betting Trends & Insights: Dodgers vs. Blue Jays
The Dodgers are 5-4 on the Run Line this season
Toronto is 5-4 on the Run Line this season
The OVER has cashed 2 times in the Jays’ 9 games this season (2-7)
The OVER has cashed 5 times in the Dodgers’ first 9 games (5-4)
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Expert picks & predictions: Dodgers vs. Blue Jays
Rotoworld Bet Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Monday’s game between Los Angeles and Toronto:
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Dodgers on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the Dodgers on the Run Line.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total OVER 9.0.
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The Dodgers’ early season road trip east continues tonight north of the border when they take the field in Toronto against the Blue Jays (4-5). Max Scherzer takes the mound for the Jays and Justin Wrobleski gets the ball for Los Angeles.
After a slow start to the season offensively, Los Angeles got their bats going in our nation’s capital over the weekend scoring 31 runs in a three-game sweep of the Nationals. Freddie Freeman drove in six runs. Shohei Ohtani picked up two hits in each of the three games and scored a run in each game. Kyle Tucker was 5-10 against the Nationals after going 4-23 previously.
Toronto’s offense is as cold as the Dodgers’ is hot. The Jays scored just seven runs in three games against the Chicago White Sox this weekend. Yesterday, Toronto managed just six hits and nine baserunners against Davis Martin and three Sox relievers in a 3-0 loss. The list of those struggling are headlined by George Springer who is two for his last 16, Addison Barger who has one hit in his last 19 ABs, and after a torrid start, Andres Gimenez who has reached base twice (one hit, one walk) in his last 15 trips to the plate.
Lets dive into this afternoon’s matchup and the opener of this three-game series and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.
Game Details and How to Watch: Dodgers vs. Blue Jays
Date: Monday, April 6, 2026
Time: 7:07PM EST
Site: Rogers Centre
City: Toronto, Ontario
Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, Fox Sports 1, Sportsnet, Sportsnet LA
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
Blue Jays: Max Scherzer Season Totals: 6 IP, 1-0, 1.50 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 4K, 1 BB
Who’s Hot? Who’s Not! Dodgers vs. Blue Jays
Andy Pages has hit in 6 straight games and is 14-24 over that span.
Teoscar Hernandez has hit in 5 straight going 9-19 with 3 RBIs in those 5
Vlad Guerrero Jr. is 3-15 in April
Kazuma Okamoto is 1 for his last 10 after picking up at least 1 hit in each of his first 6 major league games
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Top Betting Trends & Insights: Dodgers vs. Blue Jays
The Dodgers are 5-4 on the Run Line this season
Toronto is 5-4 on the Run Line this season
The OVER has cashed 2 times in the Jays’ 9 games this season (2-7)
The OVER has cashed 5 times in the Dodgers’ first 9 games (5-4)
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Expert picks & predictions: Dodgers vs. Blue Jays
Rotoworld Bet Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Monday’s game between Los Angeles and Toronto:
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Dodgers on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the Dodgers on the Run Line.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total OVER 9.0.
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
Time is linear: At least, in terms of human perception.
Little else is.
An NBA career is certainly not always linear. There’s a tendency to falsely assume it will be. A rookie is bad on league-wide standards, and we accept it. They improve incrementally until year three, when they’re officially good, and then continue to improve incrementally until they peak, and start to decline. That’s how an NBA career goes, right?
On rare occasion, sure. Usually, a player’s career is more chaotic. They decline significantly in their third year. Fans think they’re done – until year six, when they have a career-best season. That’s the new baseline, they incrementally improve for two more seasons, fall off – etc, etc.
As always, theory is clean, and reality is messy. Unfortunately, the 2025-26 season has been a bit of a mess for the Houston Rockets’ Tari Eason.
Rockets’ Tari Eason has had a strange year
Much of 2025-26 was looking like a coming-out party for Eason. Before the All-Star break, Eason was averaging 12.2 points per game while hitting 46.0% of his 4.8 threes per game.
Sure, he seemed to be regressing in other areas. Eason’s 7.1 Offensive Rebounding % during that stretch had ticked down from 2024-25’s 8.1 mark. His 25.5% steal percentage was a major drop off from his 39.1% in 2024-25. It seemed safe to assume that those numbers would normalize.
If only it were possible for assumptions to be safe.
Instead, it was his shooting that normalized. Perhaps fans should have seen that coming as well. Shooting variance disrupts linearity like a 7/8 time signature. Eason has struggled to get a rock into an ocean since the break.
Now, he’s shooting 36.9% from deep on the season. That’s barely a career high, while he’s still posting career lows in the two areas (offensive rebounding and steals) that once made him special. The fact that this all comes after Eason allegedly turned down a deal worth $100 million over four seasons this summer.
What should the team do with him now?
Rockets should still prioritize Eason
Having declined that extension, Eason will hit Restricted Free Agency this summer.
Every foray into RFA does not look the same. The league’s cap landscape has to be surveyed. Heading into this summer, the only space-heavy team that looks like a real threat to wrestle Eason from the Rockets would be the Los Angeles Lakers.
All the Rockets have to do is identify their breaking point and hold the line. The $25 million per season they once earmarked for Eason is likely off the table. Would they do $20 million? Surely, they’d do $15 million?
Here’s the thing: Eason is sure to make good on a $15 million per season contract. Fans have grown tired of his warts. Eason indeed plays basketball like a bull in a China shop. He’s reckless, and the only question is whether it benefits Houston or the opposing team more often.
For most of his NBA career, the answer has been Houston.
It may be callous to suggest, but his poor play ahead of RFA could be a blessing. Ultimately, we should only feel so bad for someone who missed out on $40 million if they’re still getting more money over four years than 99.999% of Americans will ever make in a lifetime. From the Rockets’ perspective, it’s well worth gambling $15 million a year – probably even 20 – that Eason will exceed that contract value.
The weather has cooled across the board, making +EV home runs harder to find—but targeting the weakest starters and focusing on indoor four-baggers remains the smartest strategy on today’s MLB player props board.
German Márquez could be out before the fourth inning, giving Oneil Cruz a strong shot at his fifth long ball of the season. Meanwhile, in the Dodgers–Blue Jays World Series rematch, Toronto outfielder George Springer finds himself in an ideal spot to ignite his team’s offense.
These are my favorite home run props and MLB picks for Monday, April 6.
UPDATE: Added another HR pick + parlay.
Best MLB home run props today
Player to hit a HR
Odds
Oneil Cruz
+380
Andy Pages
+520
George Springer
+500
💲Today's HR parlay
+16107
Oneil Cruz (+380)
I’m willing to dip below +400 to fade Germán Márquez, who projects as the weakest starter on the slate and is expected to allow the most runs by a wide margin. He lasted just nine outs in his last start, giving up eight hits and two homers, and continues to profile as an extreme fly-ball pitcher with poor Pull Air% metrics over the past couple of seasons.
While conditions are cold in most parks, PNC Park at least has 14 mph winds blowing out to center, boosting the power environment. Oneil Cruz should see plenty of opportunities hitting leadoff, with a strong chance at five plate appearances. He went deep for his fourth home run yesterday and is looking like his best self, batting .314/.368/.657, and three of his long balls have come off right-handers.
And if Marquez gives way to a left-handed reliever, Cruz has actually hit southpaws well (albeit in a small sample) this season, boasting a 2.091 OPS in that split.
Cruz also ranks among the league leaders in barrels per plate appearance and average exit velocity, giving him legitimate Top-10 home run upside if this form continues.
Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: SportsNet Pittsburgh, Padres.TV
Andy Pages (+540)
Rogers Centre is one of the better power environments on today’s slate, ranking among the top HR parks by THE BAT. With the Los Angeles Dodgers in town — a lineup leading MLB in home runs per game (1.78) — this is a strong spot to target the HR market.
Max Scherzer is still generating plenty of fly balls, and the Toronto Blue Jays bullpen has been heavily taxed, ranking near the top of the league in innings pitched. The Dodgers also bring familiarity against both Scherzer and this bullpen.
Andy Pages stands out as a value option, likely hitting seventh and entered Sunday on a five-game multi-hit streak. He’s slugging .794 and just went 7-for-13 with 14 total bases and two home runs in a series in Washington.
While bigger names will draw attention, the price is the difference. Rather than laying a short number on Shohei Ohtani, Pages at +450 or better is the preferred play in this matchup.
Time: 7:07 p.m. ET
Where to watch: SportsNet LA, Sportsnet
George Springer (+500)
With 50-degree temperatures across the league, staying indoors at Rogers Centre is a smart way to target power. George Springer leading off at +500 stands out, with a fair price closer to +430 and a strong chance at five plate appearances.
This is the most favorable matchup of the series for the Blue Jays, as they face lefty Justin Wrobleski. He’s a regression candidate after overperforming out of the bullpen last year and allowed three runs over four innings in his season debut. With this being a series opener, he could be stretched further, potentially giving Toronto more opportunities early.
Springer’s profile supports the play — he owns one of the top fly-ball rates on the team, and while a .174 BABIP suggests some bad luck, he’s still accounted for 20% of the team’s home runs. Back at home in a controlled hitting environment, this is a strong bounce-back spot at a great number.
Time: 7:07 p.m. ET
Where to watch: SportsNet LA, Sportsnet
Jinglis' 2026 Transparency Record
HR picks: 1-8, -2.8 units
Today’s HR parlay
Oneil Cruz
Bet Now +16107
Andy Pages
George Springer
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The weather has cooled down across the board, so finding +EV dingers isn't as easy, but fading the worst starter on the slate and betting on indoor four-baggers is the best recipe for success today when looking at the MLB player props board.
German Marquez might not see the fourth inning, and Oneil Cruz has a good chance to hit his fifth long ball of the campaign. Meanwhile, we're looking at a pair of options from the Dodgers-Blue Jays World Series rematch, with Toronto outfielder George Springer in a fantastic spot to get his team's offense moving.
These are my favorite home run props and MLB picks for Monday, April 6.
UPDATE: Added another HR pick + parlay.
Best MLB home run props today
Player to hit a HR
Odds
Oneil Cruz
+380
Andy Pages
+520
George Springer
+500
💲Today's HR parlay
+16107
Oneil Cruz (+380)
I’m willing to dip below +400 to fade Germán Márquez, who projects as the weakest starter on the slate and is expected to allow the most runs by a wide margin. He lasted just nine outs in his last start, giving up eight hits and two homers, and continues to profile as an extreme fly-ball pitcher with poor Pull Air% metrics over the past couple of seasons.
While conditions are cold in most parks, PNC Park at least has 14 mph winds blowing out to center, boosting the power environment. Oneil Cruz should see plenty of opportunities hitting leadoff, with a strong chance at five plate appearances. He went deep for his fourth home run yesterday and is looking like his best self, batting .314/.368/.657, and three of his long balls have come off right-handers.
And if Marquez gives way to a left-handed reliever, Cruz has actually hit southpaws well (albeit in a small sample) this season, boasting a 2.091 OPS in that split.
Cruz also ranks among the league leaders in barrels per plate appearance and average exit velocity, giving him legitimate Top-10 home run upside if this form continues.
Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: SportsNet Pittsburgh, Padres.TV
Andy Pages (+540)
Rogers Centre is one of the better power environments on today’s slate, ranking among the top HR parks by THE BAT. With the Los Angeles Dodgers in town — a lineup leading MLB in home runs per game (1.78) — this is a strong spot to target the HR market.
Max Scherzer is still generating plenty of fly balls, and the Toronto Blue Jays bullpen has been heavily taxed, ranking near the top of the league in innings pitched. The Dodgers also bring familiarity against both Scherzer and this bullpen.
Andy Pages stands out as a value option, likely hitting seventh and entered Sunday on a five-game multi-hit streak. He’s slugging .794 and just went 7-for-13 with 14 total bases and two home runs in a series in Washington.
While bigger names will draw attention, the price is the difference. Rather than laying a short number on Shohei Ohtani, Pages at +450 or better is the preferred play in this matchup.
Time: 7:07 p.m. ET
Where to watch: SportsNet LA, Sportsnet
George Springer (+500)
With 50-degree temperatures across the league, staying indoors at Rogers Centre is a smart way to target power. George Springer leading off at +500 stands out, with a fair price closer to +430 and a strong chance at five plate appearances.
This is the most favorable matchup of the series for the Blue Jays, as they face lefty Justin Wrobleski. He’s a regression candidate after overperforming out of the bullpen last year and allowed three runs over four innings in his season debut. With this being a series opener, he could be stretched further, potentially giving Toronto more opportunities early.
Springer’s profile supports the play — he owns one of the top fly-ball rates on the team, and while a .174 BABIP suggests some bad luck, he’s still accounted for 20% of the team’s home runs. Back at home in a controlled hitting environment, this is a strong bounce-back spot at a great number.
Time: 7:07 p.m. ET
Where to watch: SportsNet LA, Sportsnet
Jinglis' 2026 Transparency Record
HR picks: 1-8, -2.8 units
Today’s HR parlay
Oneil Cruz
Bet Now +16107
Andy Pages
George Springer
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Munetaka Murakami supplies the power (and a few strikeouts) as the Sox offense searches for consistency. | (Kamil Krzaczynski/Imagn Images)
In 2026, I am determined to pay more attention. The White Sox are a team full of exciting young guys who should be coming into their own. A club that signed a noteworthy slugger from Japan in the offseason. A team where Will Venable finally has the coaching staff he wants. By all means, this should be a year of improvement and more wins.
Which is why when the season began in Milwaukee, instead of being excited after three games, there was a collective sigh and feeling of, “here we go again.” This is where I remind myself and everyone reading this that there are indeed 162 games, and September is far away. Thankfully, the home opener was also a reminder of this.
You don’t have time to watch every game, nor do you want to remember every one. However, you want to be able to carry on a friendly conversation and sound like you know what you’re talking about. This is something I can provide to you with a simple recap of the week.
We are officially nine games into the season. The White Sox have to rank somewhere between one and 30 in hitting and pitching stats. I can promise you, they are not last for all of them.
HITTING
Home Runs As my dad used to say growing up, I will give you three guesses and the first two don’t count. If you said the Los Angeles Dodgers had the most homers so far this season, you would be correct. They lead baseball with a whopping 16 long balls. The White Sox have a respectable 10, and are tied with four other teams for eighth. If you are a fan of math, this is an average of 1.11 round-trippers per game. This puts the South Siders on pace for 180 dingers this season. When you consider the New York Yankees hit 274 in 2025, this seems like chump change. However, that is 15 more than the White Sox hit last year. Improvement already!
Strikeouts The philosophy is very simple: Hits are good, strikeouts are bad. You know this, and the White Sox know this, yet they have already racked up 97 strikeouts in 292 at-bats, nearly 11 per game. That’s probably a category you don’t want to be at the top of, but one where the Pale Hose find themselves ranked fifth.
These stats are a double-edged sword because, often, where there are home runs, there are also quite a few Ks. No one knows this better than the South Side’s newest power hitter, Munetaka Murakami, leading both categories for the team with four home runs and 13 strikeouts. As if knowing eyes would be on him for the high number of strikeouts, he is attempting to balance this with walks, in which he also leads the team with six. Fun fact: This is roughly 20% of the entire team’s drawn walks (30) so far.
ERA I will preface this by saying that when the White Sox finished up in Miami on Wednesday, their team ERA was over 8.00. Turning around and winning three games in a row will help, but not enough. The pitching staff has posted a 6.19 ERA in nine contests and has firmly settled the team at 29th in baseball. This squad still has plenty of work to do there, to say the least.
All-Star representative last year Shane Smith definitely has some tweaks to make after just two starts. The Opening Day starter has served up 10 runs over 4 2/3 innings pitched. While skewed, his ERA sits at 19.50, ranking last on the team.
On the opposite end of things, Grant Taylor and Davis Martin are looking good thus far. Taylor, who played the opener role on both Friday and Saturday in what is appearing to be a recurring role, has done exactly what was asked of him. He allowed just one run, striking out six, and walking two in his first four innings, setting his ERA at 2.25. Should he remain getting this job done, this leading stat will look great in mid-June. Martin is just behind Taylor in this category with an ERA of 2.45. This is even more impressive, given he has pitched 11 innings to Taylor’s four. Sunday’s start was the longest start for a South Sider this season, with six shutout innings against the Blue Jays.
Strikeouts and Walks There is no good way to put this after you read the above stat. Our lovely team also ranks in the bottom third of strikeouts and issued walks.
The Houston Astros have already punched out 109 batters. The White Sox have struck out just 69. That puts the White Sox 24th in baseball. Over in the NL East, the Atlanta Braves have issued 21 walks over 89 innings pitched. I did some math, so you didn’t have to: That is .24 walks per inning. White Sox pitchers have issued 42 walks in 77 innings. The walks per inning for them is .55. There is a big gap between first on the list and 26th.
There is a bright side to this, so please hang with me for just a moment. Starting pitching is something the White Sox have struggled with for the last few years (probably more, but who’s counting). That said, Martin and Sean Burke have each set down 12 batters over their two starts. Seeing as they have only tossed 11 and 10 innings, averaging just above one strikeout per inning would be a good trend to keep going. To Burke’s credit, he has also only surrendered one walk in two games. I again declare improvement!
While the overview of stats is all good and fun. What happened in the games this week?
Milwaukee: 0-3
The Good: Three home runs in three games for Mune.
The Bad: Jacob Misiorowski struck out 11 batters in five innings on Opening Day. This was a new franchise record, as were the 20 total strikeouts for the White Sox, a franchise record for a nine-inning game.
The Ugly: A 14-2 Opening Day loss, a blown lead in the eighth inning of the series finale, 29 total runs given up.
Miami: 1-2
The Good: The first win (9-4) of the season! Miguel Vargas and Austin Hays’ home runs.
The Bad: A staggering 23 runs given up in the three-game set.
The Ugly: Sandy Alcantara threw a 93-pitch complete game shutout in Wednesday’s loss.
Toronto: 3-0
The Good: A sweep of the reigning AL East Champions. The first shutout win of the season. A mere seven runs allowed over three games. Martin threw the first quality start of the season. Heads-up baserunning by Luisangel Acuña in Saturday’s game to ensure a second run crossed home in the eighth inning.
The Bad: An Andrés Giménez two-run homer in Friday’s home opener after leading for seven innings.
The Ugly: The Blue Jays earn this one after the White Sox walked off Toronto in the home opener. Derek Hill tied the game with a two-out bunt, which led to him scoring on a single by Tristan Peters to win the game in the 10th.
Munetaka Murakami supplies the power (and a few strikeouts) as the Sox offense searches for consistency. | (Kamil Krzaczynski/Imagn Images)
In 2026, I am determined to pay more attention. The White Sox are a team full of exciting young guys who should be coming into their own. A club that signed a noteworthy slugger from Japan in the offseason. A team where Will Venable finally has the coaching staff he wants. By all means, this should be a year of improvement and more wins.
Which is why when the season began in Milwaukee, instead of being excited after three games, there was a collective sigh and feeling of, “here we go again.” This is where I remind myself and everyone reading this that there are indeed 162 games, and September is far away. Thankfully, the home opener was also a reminder of this.
You don’t have time to watch every game, nor do you want to remember every one. However, you want to be able to carry on a friendly conversation and sound like you know what you’re talking about. This is something I can provide to you with a simple recap of the week.
We are officially nine games into the season. The White Sox have to rank somewhere between one and 30 in hitting and pitching stats. I can promise you, they are not last for all of them.
HITTING
Home Runs As my dad used to say growing up, I will give you three guesses and the first two don’t count. If you said the Los Angeles Dodgers had the most homers so far this season, you would be correct. They lead baseball with a whopping 16 long balls. The White Sox have a respectable 10, and are tied with four other teams for eighth. If you are a fan of math, this is an average of 1.11 round-trippers per game. This puts the South Siders on pace for 180 dingers this season. When you consider the New York Yankees hit 274 in 2025, this seems like chump change. However, that is 15 more than the White Sox hit last year. Improvement already!
Strikeouts The philosophy is very simple: Hits are good, strikeouts are bad. You know this, and the White Sox know this, yet they have already racked up 97 strikeouts in 292 at-bats, nearly 11 per game. That’s probably a category you don’t want to be at the top of, but one where the Pale Hose find themselves ranked fifth.
These stats are a double-edged sword because, often, where there are home runs, there are also quite a few Ks. No one knows this better than the South Side’s newest power hitter, Munetaka Murakami, leading both categories for the team with four home runs and 13 strikeouts. As if knowing eyes would be on him for the high number of strikeouts, he is attempting to balance this with walks, in which he also leads the team with six. Fun fact: This is roughly 20% of the entire team’s drawn walks (30) so far.
ERA I will preface this by saying that when the White Sox finished up in Miami on Wednesday, their team ERA was over 8.00. Turning around and winning three games in a row will help, but not enough. The pitching staff has posted a 6.19 ERA in nine contests and has firmly settled the team at 29th in baseball. This squad still has plenty of work to do there, to say the least.
All-Star representative last year Shane Smith definitely has some tweaks to make after just two starts. The Opening Day starter has served up 10 runs over 4 2/3 innings pitched. While skewed, his ERA sits at 19.50, ranking last on the team.
On the opposite end of things, Grant Taylor and Davis Martin are looking good thus far. Taylor, who played the opener role on both Friday and Saturday in what is appearing to be a recurring role, has done exactly what was asked of him. He allowed just one run, striking out six, and walking two in his first four innings, setting his ERA at 2.25. Should he remain getting this job done, this leading stat will look great in mid-June. Martin is just behind Taylor in this category with an ERA of 2.45. This is even more impressive, given he has pitched 11 innings to Taylor’s four. Sunday’s start was the longest start for a South Sider this season, with six shutout innings against the Blue Jays.
Strikeouts and Walks There is no good way to put this after you read the above stat. Our lovely team also ranks in the bottom third of strikeouts and issued walks.
The Houston Astros have already punched out 109 batters. The White Sox have struck out just 69. That puts the White Sox 24th in baseball. Over in the NL East, the Atlanta Braves have issued 21 walks over 89 innings pitched. I did some math, so you didn’t have to: That is .24 walks per inning. White Sox pitchers have issued 42 walks in 77 innings. The walks per inning for them is .55. There is a big gap between first on the list and 26th.
There is a bright side to this, so please hang with me for just a moment. Starting pitching is something the White Sox have struggled with for the last few years (probably more, but who’s counting). That said, Martin and Sean Burke have each set down 12 batters over their two starts. Seeing as they have only tossed 11 and 10 innings, averaging just above one strikeout per inning would be a good trend to keep going. To Burke’s credit, he has also only surrendered one walk in two games. I again declare improvement!
While the overview of stats is all good and fun. What happened in the games this week?
Milwaukee: 0-3
The Good: Three home runs in three games for Mune.
The Bad: Jacob Misiorowski struck out 11 batters in five innings on Opening Day. This was a new franchise record, as were the 20 total strikeouts for the White Sox, a franchise record for a nine-inning game.
The Ugly: A 14-2 Opening Day loss, a blown lead in the eighth inning of the series finale, 29 total runs given up.
Miami: 1-2
The Good: The first win (9-4) of the season! Miguel Vargas and Austin Hays’ home runs.
The Bad: A staggering 23 runs given up in the three-game set.
The Ugly: Sandy Alcantara threw a 93-pitch complete game shutout in Wednesday’s loss.
Toronto: 3-0
The Good: A sweep of the reigning AL East Champions. The first shutout win of the season. A mere seven runs allowed over three games. Martin threw the first quality start of the season. Heads-up baserunning by Luisangel Acuña in Saturday’s game to ensure a second run crossed home in the eighth inning.
The Bad: An Andrés Giménez two-run homer in Friday’s home opener after leading for seven innings.
The Ugly: The Blue Jays earn this one after the White Sox walked off Toronto in the home opener. Derek Hill tied the game with a two-out bunt, which led to him scoring on a single by Tristan Peters to win the game in the 10th.
COVERS INTEL: Clement has a career 1.038 OPS against the Dodgers’ pitching staff.
Oneil Cruz
Andy Pages
George Springer