BALTIMORE, MD - MARCH 26: Joe Ryan #41 of the Minnesota Twins warms up prior to a during a game against the Baltimore Orioles on March 26, 2026 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
First Pitch (CT): 6:40 TV: Twins.TV Radio: TIBN/830 WCCO/102.9 The Wolf /Audacy App Know Yo’ Foe: Bless You Boys
The Minnesota Twins are back in action this evening facing the division-favorite Detroit Tigers. The Tigers ran back essentially the same squad as 2025 with two key additions. Primarily All-Star starter Framber Valdez, who the Twins will face on Wednesday. But don’t overlook rookie phenom Kevin McGonigle. The Top-5 prospect has an .865 OPS and a few key hits in this young season. For a lineup that was often lacking some punch, McGonigle could be a welcome addition for a team trying to make a title push before likely losing back-to-back Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal in 2027.
It was widely expected that Michael Malone would return to coaching next season. His jumping to college was not.
Malone, who coached the Denver Nuggets to the franchise's only NBA title, reportedly will soon be announced as the new head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, a story broken by ESPN’s Pete Thamel and since confirmed by other reports.
North Carolina had been big game hunting to replace Hubert Davis, who was fired after the Tar Heels' second consecutive first-round exit from the NCAA Tournament (his teams had won two total tournament games in the past four years and missed the big dance one of those seasons, an unacceptable outcome in Chapel Hill). Reports had linked Bulls coach — and two-time NCAA champion at Florida — Billy Donovan to the job, and he didn’t exactly deny it. Two coaches in the Final Four — Tommy Lloyd of Arizona and Dusty May of Michigan — also were liniked to the job.
Malone came more out of nowhere, but he brings an NBA pedigree that should be a draw for players (that and a large NIL budget). Malone did start his career as a college assistant coach, but the last time he was in the college game was 2001 at Manhattan. Malone is a respected Xs and Os coach, and with the dynamics of college basketball moving closer to those of the professional ranks, the theory is that Malone can step right in and have an impact.
Malone was expected to get a long look from some teams changing coaches this offseason, with reports that the New Orleans had a strong interest in him. With the North Carolina job off the table, it is more likely that Donovan returns to the Bulls. According to Marc Stein of the Stein Line, they want to keep him despite firing Arturas Karnisovas, the executive vice president of basketball operations and decision maker, as well as general manager Marc Eversley, on Monday.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MARCH 1: Daniss Jenkins #24 of the Detroit Pistons defends against Jevon Carter #2 of the Orlando Magic in the second quarter at the Kia Center on March 1, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Peter Joneleit/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The headline of today’s extremely good and compelling game preview by Brennan Sims was “The Pistons are not done.” The Detroit Pistons’ injury report might slightly disagree with that take. Detroit is down several players: Cade Cunningham, Tobias Harris, Duncan Robinson, Isaiah Stewart, and Caris LeVert, notably among them.
Now, the Detroit Pistons have spent an entire season proving every doubter wrong, and that includes the team’s ability to win games no matter which players are suiting up. This is the same team that took the Oklahoma City Thunder to overtime shortly after losing Cunningham to a collapsed lung, after all. But the Orlando Magic, tonight’s opponent, is no Washington Wizards or Utah Jazz. They are a playoff team and currently sit above .500. You can’t sit that many core rotational pieces and expect to have an easy path to victory.
But I like Detroit’s odds. It feels like a special Ausar game to me. Maybe that’s just me being tricked by the pleasant spring weather I experienced today. But Ausar is often special in invisible ways, and I’m manifesting a very visible dominating performance that sends a handful of highlight plays ricocheting through social media. It could also be another good Daniss Jenkins night. The Magic are not shy about fouling players who force the action inside, and when Jenkins has everything working, he can put some sauce on his drives and create real contact.
Game Vitals
When: 7:00 p.m. ET Where: Kia Center, Orlando, Florida Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit Odds: Pistons -1
Projected Lineups
Detroit Pistons (57-21)
Daniss Jenkins, Kevin Hueter, Ausar Thompson, Javonte Green, Jalen Duren
Orlando Magic (42-36)
Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Tristan da Silva, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr.
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 2: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on January 2, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The New York Knicks (50*-28) face the Atlanta Hawks (44-33) tonight at State Farm Arena. This matchup is a potential playoff preview as the third-place Knicks attempt to hold off the surging fifth-place Hawks in the Eastern Conference standings. New York’s Karl-Anthony Towns is expected to return from an elbow injury, while Atlanta remains without backup center Jock Landale due to an ankle sprain.
Tip-off is 7:00 pm EST on MSG Network. This is your game thread. This is Peachtree Hoops. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Picture yourself as a well-mannered individual and proceed accordingly. And go Knicks!
* Should be one more, but the NBA Cup disappeared after a blind date with the Stanley Cup.
Mar 31, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) pitches against the New York Mets during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
The St. Louis Cardinals road trip continues with a Monday night game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. According to MLB.com, Andre Pallante will get the start for St. Louis while Washington will turn to Zack Littell. Masyn Winn is a late add-in to the Cardinals lineup just shared late this afternoon.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 31: Hunter Brown #58 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Daikin Park on March 31, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It didn’t seem like it would happen this soon, but here we are: the 2026 season for the Houston Astros may already be approaching a pivotal moment. And it all centers around one name, Hunter Brown.
News of Brown dealing with shoulder discomfort has immediately put the entire organization, and its fan base on edge. Not just because he’s the unquestioned ace of the staff, but because of what Astros fans have been through in recent years when it comes to injury transparency and medical communication.
A History That Still Lingers
The frustration isn’t new. Over the past several seasons, the Astros’ handling of player injuries, from diagnosis to public messaging, has drawn significant criticism. Timelines have often proven unreliable. Initial reports have downplayed severity, only for situations to escalate into long-term absences or more serious conditions.
Whether it was miscommunication, misdiagnosis, or simply poor transparency, the result has been the same: a fractured sense of trust between the organization and its supporters.
That frustration grew loud enough that changes were made this past offseason. But for many fans, words and structural adjustments aren’t enough. Proof is required.
The Weight on Brown’s Shoulder
That’s why this moment feels so significant.
Brown isn’t just another arm in the rotation, he is the rotation’s anchor. As the Astros’ ace, his health directly impacts the team’s ability to contend. His right shoulder now carries not only the hopes of a clubhouse, but the expectations of an entire fan base.
When the term “discomfort” is used in relation to an Astros injury, it doesn’t land lightly, it sends shock waves.
For Astros fans, it’s become something of a trigger word, one that has too often preceded news of something far more serious. Fair or not, “discomfort” has a history of evolving into injuries with major, long-term consequences.
Optimism vs. Skepticism
To this point, the messaging around Brown has been relatively optimistic. Early indications suggest the issue may not be serious and that his absence could be limited.
But optimism is being met with understandable skepticism.
Fans have heard similar reassurances before, only to watch timelines stretch and situations deteriorate. That lingering doubt is the direct result of past experiences, and it won’t disappear overnight.
A Defining Test for a New Era
This situation represents the first real test for the Astros’ revamped medical and communication approach.
Every department is under scrutiny when it comes to player injuries, from the physicians and training staff to the public relations team responsible for delivering updates. The expectation is simple: clarity, honesty, and accuracy.
If Brown’s situation is handled transparently, if the timeline matches reality and communication remains consistent, it could mark the beginning of a restored relationship between the organization and its fans.
If not, the skepticism will only deepen.
Actions Over Words
Ultimately, this isn’t just about one injury. It’s about credibility.
The Astros have said the right things and made necessary changes. Now comes the part that matters most: execution.
Because for fans, trust won’t be rebuilt through press releases or optimistic language. It will come from seeing words align with outcomes, from hearing a timeline and watching it hold true.
As the 2026 season unfolds, all eyes remain on Hunter Brown’s shoulder. But just as importantly, they’re on the Astros themselves.
This time, fans are watching and waiting, to see if they can finally believe again.
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 21: Cameron Boozer #12 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on in the second half against the TCU Horned Frogs during the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 21, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Let’s be honest, Cameron Boozer’s name was never in the conversation for #1, and he has slim chances at being #2. Even his projected #3 spot has been infiltrated by names such as Caleb Wilson or Darius Acuff.
Much like his father, who we should all be aware of by now if you dare call proclaim as a Jazz fan, Cameron is a highly polished 250-pounder juggernaut forward that’s a walking double-double machine. He’s strong, he’s steady, and he’s likely going to be the most reliable out of the three at the top of the draft.
Boozer was the longest-lasting competitor out of the top three, taking his first-seeded Blue Devils squad all the way to the Final Four of the March Madness Tournament — the story of Braylon Mullins’ walk-off fastbreak snipe shall be a story left until another day.
NBA Draft Profile: Cameron Boozer
Bio: 6 ft, 9 in | 250 lbs | 18 yrs old | Duke University
Accolades: Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year, Karl Malone Award Winner, ACC Player of the Year, National Player of the Year
NBA Comparison: Anywhere between the Kevin Love-Al Horford-PJ Washington archetype, Jayson Tatum’s defensive and scoring versatility
Mastery
The hype around Cam is that he’s going to contribute to winning; that’s almost an undeniable fact. He’s a bulky 90s computer with a Windows 11 operating system. Throughout March Madness, we’ve seen more of him putting the ball on the floor and getting to his spots by using his strength.
I am here to proclaim that Cameron Boozer is not a one-on-one replica of his dad. Carlos, who is currently playing a scouting and front-office role on the Jazz (whatever that implies), didn’t have Cameron‘s shooting, high-IQ and certainly not his handles.
The Boozer disciple was, however, blessed with his father’s upper body and nimble feet. Their free throws are identical, even though the form is completely different. Ge sets hard screens and is a threat to pop and roll. His pick and pop action is a tough assignment for defenders — his screening action equals buckets nearly every time.
Cameron’s bread and butter has always been his post-game. In high school, he completely dominated his opponents with his size, strength and touch. He dunks, he’s got a sweet touch, and he’s flat-out relentless. Mid-range isn’t too far out of his artillery. He’s got the tools and size that’ll translate nicely in the NBA.
Most burly bigs with Cam’s size struggle to drive to the rim, but Booz makes it look easy. He‘s shown many flashes as a fownhill creator, who has a tight handle to put his shoulder down, shove his defenders and finish well through contact. It’s an area of his game that will be one of the most valuable when it comes to success at the NBA level. His speed is impressive, but can he get a step on his opponents rather than relying on brute strength?
As a handler, Cam handles the rock quite well. He’ll randomly pull out combos that you’ve never seen guys of his caliber even think of attempting. You’ll have your patient eyes on him as a defender and then—oh, he just went past me off a behind-the-back and just dunked all over the rim.
That’s not to say he’s reliant on the inside. Jumpers are a last resort when defenders give him space, but his high-release shot makes him deadly off the catch. Back in December 2025, he was already shooting 47.2% from the three-point line in about 3 attempts per game. That included a key three-pointer in a 29-point performance against Florida. The fact that he’s already a decently reliable shooter is a big plus in the eyes of NBA scouts.
Cam provides a similar level on the defensive end to top it all off. He can guard from 2 to 5, depending on the matchups, using his physicality and strength to bring his opponents into the post and force tough shots. Off the ball, he parks in front of opponent driving lanes and positions himself smartly to clean the glass and limit opponents to one possession. He’s a great pick-and-roll drop defender that makes opponent decision-making less successful.
Margin
Booz isn’t the type of player who’s going to routinely jump over defenders for highlight-reel posters. He plays a very grounded game, relying more on his massive frame and footwork rather than raw pogo-stick leaping ability. His lack of vertical pop makes it tricky for him to finish in traffic when matched against true 7-footers with long wingspans. I worry that he’ll struggle to create easy separation against the freakish Wembys of the NBA.
Even though he’s a physical force, Cameron doesn’t really project to be a primary shot-blocker at the next level. He won‘t have the ‘twitchy’ second jump that elite rim protectors use to erase mistakes at the hoop. Most scouts see him more as a versatile forward who needs a dedicated shot-blocker to play alongside. There’s a big question mark about whether he can actually anchor a defense as a small-ball center. If not, then that really limits how Cameron can be utilized on a winning roster.
He’s definitely a threat from deep, but his shooting process is a bit slow and set rather than fluid. He usually needs a clear window and a wind-up to get his shot off. Faster NBA close-outs will exploit that. He also hasn’t shown much of a midrange pull-up game, mostly sticking to either rim finishes or spot-up threes. If he can turn that set-shot into a flick-of-the-wrist-weapon, he’ll become a much more needed three-level threat
When he catches the ball in the post, he often follows a pre-written script that smart scouts have already memorized. He tends to always spin toward the baseline or use the same shoulder, depending on which side of the floor he’s on. He’ll need to add some more counters to his counters so that the opponent can’t counter that counter with a counter. Diversifying his post-game will ensure that he isn’t just a one-trick pony when the game slows down in the half-court.
At times, Boozer has been critized for parking the car on defense to preserve energy for his offensive workload. There have been stretches where he seems less interested in impacting the ball as a help-side defender or rotation player. This lack of a high-motor, combined with his tweener size in some cases, makes it difficult to project him as a truly elite two-way. The Will Hardy mentorship program would have its hands busy.
Mandate
The verdict on Cameron Boozer is that he’s the ultimate safe harbor pick — a player who immediately contributes Utah’s size and versatility while providing a high-IQ offensive hub. Even if he doesn’t possess the flashy star explosiveness of Dybantsa or Peterson, Booz will have a place in this league for years to come if he lives up to the hype. His 2025-26 freshman season at Duke is statistically one of the best ever seen. For a Jazz team looking to pivot into playoff contention, Boozer is the best plug-and-play starter to find in the draft.
I’ll be blunt: Cameron Boozer would not be at the top of the board if the Jazz land the #1 pick — that honor would go to Ryan Smith’s funded AJ Dybantsa project. But Cameron Boozer’s family roots in the Jazz organisation don’t leave him too far down the list. This isn’t nepotism, this is a safe bet.
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 05: Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (5) fields a ground ball during the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals on April 05, 2026, at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Nats pitching staff got absolutely clobbered this weekend against the Dodgers. Once upon a time, the Nats had a 3-1 record, but now after losing five straight, they are 3-6. However, they are finally facing a team that is not expected to be super competitive this year. This matchup with the Cardinals will be a good measuring stick for the Nats.
James Wood has been in the leadoff spot all season, a move that finally paid off yesterday, when he hit a two out three run homer. He is back in that position today. The Nats offense has really not been the problem at all. Luis Garcia Jr. and CJ Abrams both had great series this weekend. Daylen Lile was pretty quiet, but we know what he can do in the cleanup spot. Drew Millas and Jacob Young will be back in the lineup. The Nats will need a quality start from Zack Littell, who was great at going deep into the game last year.
Like the Nats, the Cardinals are a rebuilding team, and it shows in their lineup. Gone are guys like Willson Contreras, Nolan Arenado and Brendan Donovan. One new face to watch is JJ Wetherholt, who is hitting leadoff. Former top prospect Jordan Walker has had a strong start to the year, and is a very powerful bat. Andre Pallante will be on the mound for the Red Birds.
The Nats had such a great start, but the Dodgers series was a real reality check for this group. It was a disaster on the mound at Nats Park this weekend. Hopefully, the pitching staff can rebound against a less star-studded opponent. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 31: Brayan Bello #66 of the Boston Red Sox pitches in the fifth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on March 31, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Red Sox stink so far, and as the Brewers come to town, they’re messing around with their lineup on Brayan Bello day against Brandon Woodruff tonight at 6:45:
Today’s lineup for Brewers @ Red Sox:
1. Roman Anthony LF 2. Masa Yoshida DH 3. Willson Contreras 1B 4. Wilyer Abreu RF 5. Trevor Story SS 6. Marcelo Mayer 2B 7. Caleb Durbin 3B 8. Carlos Narváez C 9. Ceddanne Rafaela CF
Jarren Duran hits the bench against a righty after a tuff start to the season for everyone involved, as Alex Cora hopes to get things rolling against the ace. For their part, the Brewers also submitted a lineup:
Yanno, in a league where there’s a player named Bryan (respect) Woo, I don’t think Woody, which is a perfect nickname, should get “Big Woo.” A big boo to that. And the start of the season. Hopefully mixing things up works out. It did for Stringer, after all.
No matter how this season plays out for the Ottawa Senators, Tim Stützle gave fans a moment on Sunday night that's going to live for a long time.
His breakaway goal in the Sens' 6-3 win over Carolina had everything.
Steve Warne and Gregg Kennedy discuss Tim Stutzle's steal and his breakaway goal in a 6-3 win over Minnesota.
It started with a strong defensive play in his own zone, swooping in to intercept a Hurricanes' pass back to the point. Then came the burst. Stützle cut to the middle and transitioned up ice without losing speed, split the defence, then scooted past them for a breakaway.
And then his creation at the end, which deserves all the chef's kisses.
Stützle put such a hard, convincing deke on Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen that Andersen slid completely out of the net, leaving it wide open for Stützle to calmly tuck in a backhand.
It was the kind of goal people will talk about for a long time, the kind where someone at an Ottawa sports pub will pipe up and says, 'Hey, remember that Stützle goal against Carolina?' and everyone will know exactly what he's talking about, even though they might not have any real recollection of what the Senators did that night or that season.
The goal also changed the entire feel of Sunday's game.
Ottawa didn't get off to a great start. An early penalty gave Carolina a power play, and Logan Stankoven, all alone in front, made it 1-0 on the power play. The building had a bit of that here we go again feeling.
The Senators quickly responded with Dylan Cozens tying it on the power play.
But it was Stützle’s goal that truly brought the building to life. Canadian Tire Centre erupted, and you could feel the momentum and energy leap onto Ottawa’s bench like an angry Darcy Tucker.
The goal was Stutzle at his best, and for those counting at home, it was well past time he snapped that seven-goal skid.
NHL.com
From there, the Senators looked like a different team. Not even a weird misplay of the puck between Warren Foegele and Linus Ullmark could change that.
Brady Tkachuk led the charge with two goals and was named first star, playing with the kind of edge and confidence that tends to follow a moment like that.
And suddenly, against a true Stanley Cup contender, Ottawa was dictating the pace instead of chasing it.
The Senators hung on to their wild-card spot for another day, outplaying a Carolina team that had won three straight. If the Senators' slow or uncertain start had continued, the 'Canes would have slowly squeezed the life out of the Sens the way Minnesota had the day before.
Stützle’s goal helped fuel all that, as did Tkachuk's, and after the game, the captain gushed about this teammate's abilities.
"It was a superstar moment," Tkachuk told the media. "He just made a great play under the stick. He had so much speed that I couldn't believe that. And then he made an unbelievable move. It was a huge goal for our group.
In a season that has had its share of ups and a few too many downs, it was another reminder of what this team can look like when its best players take over.
Steve Warne The Hockey News
This article was first published at The Hockey News Ottawa. Check out more great Sens features from The Hockey News at the links below:
SAN JOSE – Forty-eight hours after absorbing a gut-punch loss to the Nashville Predators, the Sharks got up off the mat — or ice — and showed they’ve still got a little bit of fight left in them before a potential meaningful playoff run.
William Eklund continued to break out of a prolonged slump with a goal and an assist, and the Sharks kept their late-season surge going with a 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday at SAP Center.
Kiefer Sherwood added on to what is already a career-best season total with his 22nd goal, while Will Smith scored his 23rd goal of the campaign for the 100th point of his NHL career for San Jose.
Macklin Celebrini had an assist for his 11th point in the last six games.
The Sharks have won five of six and are now 37-32-7.
San Jose began the night two points behind the Predators and Los Angeles Kings for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Those two teams played each other in Los Angeles later Monday night.
Here are the takeaways from Monday:
Eklund scores after goal negated
On a night when the Sharks couldn’t put together much of a sustained attack in the opening frame, having a goal taken off the scoreboard was a huge setback.
Early in the second period, Michael Misa appeared to score following a mini scrum in front of Chicago’s net. But the goal was negated after officials determined that Misa had kicked the puck into the net.
Even that didn’t seem to faze the Sharks.
Five minutes later, Eklund stole the puck near center ice then raced in to fire a shot past Blackhawks goalie Spencer Knight for the tying goal.
Eklund also had an assist on Sherwood’s go-ahead goal in the second after taking control of the puck behind the net.
It looked like it might be a long night for the Sharks after goalie Alex Nedeljkovic allowed a Blackhawks goal in the first period. Instead, the 30-year-old backup goalie settled in and held down the fort.
Nedeljkovic faced a lot of heat early and shook off the early goal to finish with 27 saves. The Blackhawks kept firing hard shots at the Sharks goalie, who held up with some remarkable saves — including a brilliant glove save with 1:19 left in the game.
Chicago got its second goal on a power play in the third period.
Yaroslav Askarov has received the majority of starts in net this season, but Nedeljkovic has been very steady and has gotten better throughout the season.
Early missed opportunities
Despite some thrilling late comebacks this season, the Sharks have had a mostly difficult time rallying after falling behind in the first period.
They were able to overcome their early misses on Monday, although the entire night would have been a lot more comfortable had anything else gone in.
Collin Graf and Celebrini each had early one-on-one opportunities near the Blackhawks net in the first period but failed to cash in.
Vincent Desharnais had an open look from the left circle later in the opening period, but it was blocked. A few moments later, San Jose was on a power play but got little action off the man advantage.
The missed opportunities continued after that as Celebrini (twice) and Tyler Toffoli both missed point-blank shots near the crease.
BROOKLYN, NY - APRIL 3: Jalen Johnson #1 of the Atlanta Hawks looks on during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on April 3, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Mike Lawrence/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
A big test against a possible first-round playoff opponent as the Atlanta Hawks (45-33) welcome to town the New York Knicks (50-28).
Jock Landale (ankle sprain) has been ruled out.
Starting lineup:
G CJ McCollum
G Nickeil Alexander-Walker
F Dyson Daniels
F Jalen Johnson
C Onyeka Okongwu
Please join in the comments below as you follow along.
Where, When, and How to Watch and Listen
Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Start Time: 7:00 PM EDT
TV: NBA TV
Radio: Sports Radio 92.9 the Game (WZGC-FM)
Streaming: Peacock, Fubo (out of market), NBA League Pass (out of market), Youtube TV (NBA League Pass out of market)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 03: José Ramírez #11 of the Cleveland Guardians runs onto the field during player introductions before a home opener against the Chicago Cubs at Progressive Field on April 03, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Braves had a roller coaster ride of offense in Arizona, scoring seventeen runs in one game, but in the other two it was basically what seemed to be just Drake Baldwin carrying them.
The offense is going to try and kick it back into gear against the Angels in another late game but may have a tough time against José Soriano. Soriano has yet to give up a run in his twelve innings of work thus far, and his underlying metrics show that he has been borderline elite.
Now that Austin Riley had a game off and Ronald Acuña was able to give his legs some rest by DHing, hopefully the offense can get things going like many were hoping they would. Michael Harris has also been extremely unlucky. He has a weighted OBA (wOBA) of .255, but his expected wOBA (xwOBA) is .395, which is good for top 16.0 percent of all MLB hitters. It is only a matter of time before he breaks out if he keeps swinging the bat like he is right now.
One question for the lineup today was whether Jonah Heim would be in the lineup. He leads the team in times he has seen Soriano with twelve at-bats, but he has struggled to a .083 average against him. Dominic Smith has been on fire to start the year and since Soriano is a righty it makes a ton of sense for Smith to be in at DH and Baldwin to catch.
The lineup that made the most sense in the scenario above prevailed and we are get Dominic Smith in the lineup as DH and Drake Baldwin at catcher. With how well Chris Sale talks of Baldwin, it makes sense.
On the flip side of the coin the biggest question mark for the Angels was if Mike Trout was going to start. He was hit in the hand with a pitch and is day-to-day. Luckily, the x-rays came back negative. He has seen Sale the most with twenty at-bats and has been very good against him with a .300 average and .940 OPS to include a HR.
Unfortunately for Angels fans, Trout is out today.
The only other player to face Sale a notable amount of times is 2021 World Series hero Jorge Soler with fourteen at-bats, but he has struggled with a .143 average and .536 OPS.
With the team set to miss the playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons, the Bulls announced on Monday that they’re firing executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley.
The pair were both hired in the spring of 2020 as the Bulls parted ways with longtime executive Gar Forman (and reassigned John Paxson), but Chicago has continued to mire in mediocrity — posting a 224-254 record under Karnisovas and Eversley.
“Arturas and Marc have led with a deep commitment to the Chicago Bulls. These decisions are never easy, especially when they involve people we respect both personally and professionally,” Bulls CEO and president Michael Reinsdorf said in a statement.
Vice president of basketball operations of the Chicago Bulls, Arturas Karnisovas, introduces new General Manager Marc Eversley on August 19, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. NBAE via Getty Images
“We are grateful for their dedication and the work they’ve put in over the past years. At the same time, we have not had the success our fans deserve, and it’s my responsibility to go in a new direction. This move is about positioning our team for sustained success moving ahead.”
The move comes as Chicago is just 29-49 and 12th in the Eastern Conference, with the team set to draft in the lottery for the third straight year.
Karnisovas and Eversley’s rocky tenure was brought into focus last week when the team cut Jaden Ivey less than two months after trading for the 2022 No. 5 overall pick.
Ivey, who was dealt to Chicago in a three-team deal that saw the Bulls send Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric to Detroit, was released by the organization for ‘conduct detrimental to the team’ after criticizing the NBA’s support of Pride Month in a lengthy video rant online.
The Christian guard spent much of the video speaking about religion and also called Catholicism a “false religion” in the Instagram live stream.
Executive Vice-President of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas of the Chicago Bulls looks on prior to the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the United Center on March 27, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois Getty Images
Karnisovas and Eversley also traded away productive players in Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White at this year’s trade deadline, and in 2021 shipped off a future All-Star in Lauri Markkanen.
Patrick Williams — who is averaging a career-low 6.6 points per game this year — was also rewarded with a five-year, $90 million extension in 2024.
Despite the Bulls’ changes to their front office, they will reportedly try to keep head coach Billy Donovan.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Bulls hope to retain Donovan, whose hiring coincided with the start of the Karnisovas-Eversley era.
The coach made the playoffs just once with Chicago, in 2021-22.
President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Reinsdorf of the Chicago Bulls talks with head coach Billy Donovan during Media Day at Advocate Center on October 02, 2023. Getty Images
“I want our fans to know that I hear you and understand your frustration. I feel it as well. I know this will take time, and I am fully committed to getting this right,” Reinsdorf said in his statement.
“At the Chicago Bulls, our focus remains on building a team that can compete at the highest level and ultimately contend for championships. We are committed to taking the necessary steps to move the Bulls forward in a way that makes our fans proud.”
