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Kings reportedly expected to keep HC Doug Christie despite 22-59 record this season

The Sacramento Kings are reportedly expected to keep head coach Doug Christie, according to the Athletic’s Sam Amick. Christie took over for Mike Brown as the Kings’ interim head coach last season before signing a three-year deal last summer.

The Kings are 22-59 and 14th in the Western Conference this season. Last year, Christie went 27-24 and was the ninth seed in the play-in before the Dallas Mavericks eliminated them.

After a slow start this season, the Kings have shown late progress under Christie. After starting the year 12-46 and setting a franchise record in February with a 16-game losing streak, the Kings have gone 10-13.

Most of the Kings’ wins down the stretch have come without the team’s star players, including Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray, Russell Westbrook and DeAndre Hunter, whom the team acquired in a trade for Keon Ellis and Dennis Schröder.

While there have been signs of progress, there has been much left to be desired under Christie. The 55-year-old coach was recently cleared by the NBA of intentionally trying to lose in Tuesday’s 110-105 loss to the Golden State Warriors.

Christie motioned to Doug McDermott to intentionally foul Seth Curry, who did not have the ball, with 3:15 left in the fourth quarter. The Kings were leading by one point at the time of the foul. Curry is shooting 90% from the free-throw line this season and has shot 86.4% from the stripe for his career year. Curry went 1-of-2 from the line after the Kings’ foul.

Christie reportedly attempted to use the strategy to foul and call a timeout but did not realize the Kings were in the penalty.

Christie is early in his coaching career, having spent just three seasons as a Kings assistant before becoming interim coach last season. Previously, he was the Kings' color commentator for one season. He played for the Lakers, Knicks, Raptors, Kings, Magic, Mavericks and Clippers during his 15-year NBA career.

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Western Confrence Standings Watch: Can The Kings Catch Edmonton And Anaheim?

The Western Conference playoff race is beginning to heat up. With the Oilers and Golden Knights clinching a playoff spot on Saturday, Los Angeles is now four points behind Vegas for the first seed, three points behind Edmonton for the second seed, and two points behind Anaheim for the third seed. 

It's still not clear as to how the seedings will look in the division; no team has locked in a spot yet, making the last few games an incredible watch to end the season. It's a log-jam featuring the Kings, Ducks, Golden Knights, and Oilers, all battling for the third, second, and first seed. 

Here's a look at the current playoff standings at the top of the division:

1. Vegas Golden Knights - 37-26-17, 91 points

2. Edmonton Oilers - 40-30-10, 90 points

3. Anaheim Ducks - 42-32-5, 89 points

4. Los Angeles Kings - 34-26-19, 87 points

All four teams have their flaws, making it possible for the seedings to change at the end of the regular season. The Pacific Division, especially, has been one of the worst divisions we've seen in a very long time, so it wouldn't surprise anyone if Los Angeles moves up to second or third to end the season.

 If the Kings win out their remaining regular-season games and Edmonton loses one of its two remaining games, it's very possible LA can finish at best as the third seed. 

To finish higher than that, they'll need Anaheim to lose two of their last three games or lose all of them. Vegas at this point looks like it will finish at the top of the division, now holding a four-point lead over Los Angeles, and since firing its head coach, they are 5-0-1. 

That would be remarkable if Los Angeles could somehow secure home ice in the first round of the playoffs, something that was out of the question just a week ago. 

The most important thing is for the Kings to draw a favorable matchup in the postseason. A team like Edmonton, which is missing Leon Draisaitl for probably most of the first round of the playoffs, can be a favorable matchup, or against the Ducks, who are a young team and have had trouble playing consistent team defense.

One way or another, we will just have to wait until next week to find out who the Kings will be playing or if they will be out of the playoffs.  

Let’s take a look at the big games to watch around the league for the next couple of days and who Kings fans should be rooting for.

Sunday

Canucks at Ducks - 

Unless Vancouver can pull off this upset like they did when they defeated the Colorado Avalanche last week or keep this game close, it's unlikely they can win this game on the road against Anaheim, which desperately needs this win to stay afloat in the playoff race. 

Monday

Avalanche at Oilers - 

The Avs already have the No. 1 seed locked up in the Central Division, while the Oilers are battling Anaheim and LA for the No. 2 seed. But, Edmonton didn't look good against LA today, so it's very possible Colorado can win this game. But if Edmonton wants to win this game, they can, recognizing the urgency and the potential for home ice on the line. 

Sharks at Predators - 

San Jose is pretty much out of playoff contention at this point, while Nashville is still fighting with the Kings to secure the final wild-card spot. At home, it's very likely the Predators come out and do everything they can to win this game. 

Jets at Golden Knights - 

Vegas has looked very good under John Tortorella, going 5-0-1 under him and defeating the Avalanche in a thrilling overtime game on Saturday. Winnipeg, meanwhile, is also fighting LA and Nashville for the final playoff spot, essentially needing to win all its remaining games, so it should be very motivated to pull off this upset. 

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Sunday afternoon game thread: vs Giants, 1:35

Apr 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Cade Povich (37) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

It’s going to be a beautiful day in downtown Baltimore. Clear skies. A modest breeze. Highs near 70. That’s baseball weather, folks, and I can think of no better setting for the Orioles to take a series from the visiting Giants. It will be up to Cade Povich to make it happen.

To the surprise of many (myself included), Povich and Brandon Young have been the club’s choices to step into Zach Eflin’s spot in the rotation rather than Dean Kremer. For the time being, anyway. Povich was used as a bulk reliever after Chris Bassitt threw just two innings on April 5 and performed admirably (5.2 innings, two runs, four hits, three walks, two strikeouts). One week later, and on his 26th birthday no less, the southpaw will make his first major league start of the year.

It is entirely possible that no matter how Povich pitches today, he will be sent back down to Triple-A Norfolk on Monday. The Orioles are right at the beginning of a 13-day stretch with no off days. They also used five relievers in Saturday’s win, so another heavy workload for the bullpen today almost guarantees a move is coming. Juggling the fifth starter spot is something most teams do as they need to survive these types of runs in their schedule.

The O’s have not announced their starter for Game 1 of the upcoming Diamondbacks series. This could be where we see Kremer make his season debut. He last pitched for Norfolk on April 8th, and did well (4.2 shutout innings). Young is set to start for Norfolk today. Provided that actually happens, Kremer would be the favorite for a call up. That would buy an extra day of rest for the other members of the rotation. It seems like every member of the rotation except Trevor Rogers could use that right now.

But let’s worry about tomorrow tomorrow. The goal for today is win the series. If that means Povich gets through the order twice and then gets pulled, so be it. It won’t matter if the O’s lineup is up to the task of facing Adrian Houser. It would be great to see Pete Alonso turn things around. He’s in the middle of a 2-for-31 skid in which he is striking out nearly a third of the times he steps to the plate. This team needs more from him.

It doesn’t look like any roster changes came prior to today’s game. Samuel Basallo is starting again at catcher despite also starting the night before. There was speculation that Sam Huff would be called up to play behind the plate. But for now, it looks like Maverick Handley will remain as the understudy for the day.

If Craig Albernaz is trying to stay away from Handley for whatever reason, he may have a bench of just one healthy, truly available player, that being Blaze Alexander. Tyler O’Neill (illness) and Ryan Mountcastle (foot) are around, but seemingly not fit enough to start the game. Johnathan Rodríguez, a 26-year-old outfielder that the O’s acquired last month, was added to the taxi squad as a precaution.

Orioles lineup

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

LHP Cade Povich (0-0, 3.18 ERA, 5.2 IP, 2 K)

Giants lineup

  1. Willy Adames, SS
  2. Rafael Devers, 1B
  3. Matt Chapman, 3B
  4. Casey Schmitt, DH
  5. Jung Hoo Lee, CF
  6. Heliot Ramos, LF
  7. Daniel Susac, C
  8. Jerar Encarnacion, RF
  9. Christian Koss, 2B

RHP Adrian Houser (0-1, 3.97 ERA, 11.1 IP, 7 K)

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Trade Tree Reveals Mantha Deal Eventually Brought Red Wings Top Prospect But Also Cost Emerging NHL Superstar

Five years ago today, the Detroit Red Wings made one of the defining trades of their rebuild, sending Anthony Mantha to the Washington Capitals in exchange for Jakub Vrana, Richard Panik, a 2021 first round pick, and a 2022 second round pick.

At the time, the deal reflected two teams moving in opposite directions. Detroit was deep in a rebuild and looking toward the future, while Washington aimed to strengthen its roster for another Stanley Cup run.

In the immediate aftermath, Vrana looked like a centerpiece addition as the Czech winger exploded out of the gate with eight goals in just 11 games, showcasing the elite scoring touch that made him so highly regarded. But his tenure in Detroit never found stability. Injuries and time in the NHL Player Assistance Program disrupted his progress, and by 2023 he was moved to the St. Louis Blues.

Panik’s role proved far more limited, appearing in only 12 games for the Red Wings before being assigned to the American Hockey League and eventually moving on, leaving little impact on the rebuilding club.

Meanwhile, Mantha’s stint in Washington produced mixed results. Though he showed flashes of offensive ability, inconsistency and injuries prevented him from becoming the top-line force the Capitals envisioned. He settled more into a middle-six role during his time with the team.

As the years passed, the true weight of the trade shifted to the draft picks, which ultimately defined its long-term impact. The 2022 second round selection became Dmitri Buchelnikov, a dynamic forward who has continued to develop in Russia.

Now 22, Buchelnikov is viewed as a rising prospect with significant offensive upside and has begun drawing attention from NHL clubs, including interest from St. Louis in trade discussions, where he would be eventually dealt in the trade deadline move for defenseman Justin Faulk.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

The 2021 first round pick, however, took a far more consequential path as Detroit packaged that selection in a draft-day trade with the Dallas Stars to move up to 15th overall, where they selected goaltender Sebastian Cossa, now widely regarded as the organization’s top prospect in net.

In exchange, Dallas received the 23rd overall pick, along with additional second- and fifth-round selections. With that 23rd pick, the Stars drafted Wyatt Johnston. That decision has since become one of the most talked-about ripple effects of the original trade.

Johnston quickly emerged as a cornerstone player in Dallas with the now 22-year-old, Toronto native producing at a star level and is on pace for 87 points this season, including a record-setting 26 power play goals.

While Cossa remains a highly promising goaltender, he has yet to make the full-time jump to the NHL. Johnston, on the other hand, has already become the type of top-six center the Red Wings have been searching for. 

Detroit acquired assets that aligned with its long-term vision, while Washington addressed an immediate need. But years later, it is the indirect outcome, Dallas landing a rising star in Johnston, that continues to shape how the deal is remembered.

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Guardians vs Braves Prop Picks for Sunday Night Baseball

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Two first-place ballclubs meet on Sunday Night Baseball as the Cleveland Guardians face the Atlanta Braves. 

The game will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock at 7:20 p.m. ET, featuring a pitching matchup of Tanner Bibee and Chris Sale.

Here are my three favorite MLB player props and full Guardians vs. Braves predictions on Sunday, April 12.

Guardians vs Braves props for April 12

PickOdds
Braves Ronald Acuna Jr. Over 1.5 total bases-105
Braves Chris Sale Under 6.5 strikeouts+108
Braves Mauricio Dubon Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI+115

Guardians vs Braves player prop picks

Ronald Acuna Jr. Over 1.5 total bases

It’ll be warm at Truist Park, with a temperature of 83 degrees at first pitch. 

That’s favorable hitting weather for players like Ronald Acuna Jr. The Atlanta Braves star is off to a bit of a slow start (.224 AVG), but the underlying metrics say positive regression is on the way.

Acuna’s bat speed is still elite, and he’s in the 85th percentile or above in xwOBA, xSLG, and barrel rate. Better days are ahead. 

Tanner Bibee gets the nod for the Cleveland Guardians. He has notable reverse splits again early this year (.318 AVG to righties), a continuing trend from a year ago, so Acuna is in for a favorable matchup.

Chris Sale Under 6.5 strikeouts

Chris Sale’s strikeout prop is set at 6.5, with juiced odds on the Over, and plus money on the Under. 

The southpaw’s strikeout rate is down to 25.4%, a 7% drop from a year ago. That’s despite his first two starts coming against the Rangers, Athletics, and Angels — teams with strikeout rates above 27%. 

Cleveland has been a difficult punchout, posting a 17.1% K rate against LHP. Sale’s chase and whiff rate numbers are down, and this is hardly a bounce-back spot against a contact-heavy lineup.

Mauricio Dubon Over 1.5 hits+runs+RBI

Mauricio Dubon is off to a hot start as Atlanta’s starting shortstop, slashing .321/.345/.528 with a 146 wRC+. This is a decent matchup, and there’s friendly hitting weather, so he may not cool off immediately. 

He’s particularly raked against cutters (.377 xBA) and sinkers (.353 xBA), which are Bibee’s two most frequently thrown offerings against right-handed hitters (combined 70%). 

Dubon has strong numbers against RHP (.353 AVG) and at home (.360), so I’ll buy the plus money on him clearing 2+ hits, runs, and RBI.

How to watch Guardians vs Braves and game info

LocationTruist Park, Atlanta, GA
DateSunday, April 12, 2026
First pitch7:20 p.m. ET
TVPeacock

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Takeaways: Flyers Put Up Touchdown Against Jets In Last Road Game of Regular Season

It might only be April, but it was looking a little like football season up in Winnipeg.

The Philadelphia Flyers delivered an overwhelming performance against the Winnipeg Jets in a 7–1 road victory that did more than added two points to the standings and reasserted identity at the most critical moment of the year.

And yet, even in the aftermath of a dominant performance, captain Sean Couturier framed it with clarity: “The job’s not finished yet.”

1. A Statement Win That Reinforces What the Flyers Are About

The most important aspect of this victory is the manner in which it happened.

From the opening puck drop, the Flyers dictated terms. They played with pace, but not recklessness and attacked with intent, but not desperation. They controlled the game with a balance that had wavered just days earlier in Detroit.

This is what a mature response looks like.

After a loss that exposed lapses in discipline and cohesion, the Flyers went further than just correcting those issues—they eliminated them. This game never became a track meet. It remained firmly within Philadelphia’s control.

Philadelphia Flyers celebrate their OT win over the Boston Bruins on April 5, 2026. (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
Philadelphia Flyers celebrate their OT win over the Boston Bruins on April 5, 2026. (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)

2. Young Talent Is Driving Play 

Porter Martone continues to operate at a pace that feels both pleasantly surprising and increasingly sustainable.

His opening goal—his seventh point in his first seven NHL games—set the tone early, but the broader context is even more striking. Martone now owns the second-most points through a player’s first seven games in Flyers history since 2000–01, and leads all NHL rookies in scoring since his debut on March 31.

That’s impact, and it’s emblematic of a larger trend.

The Flyers’ younger players are not being sheltered. They are being trusted with the big moments, and in return, they are delivering infectious energy, impressive production and invaluable composure in these high-leverage moments.

That matters now more than ever, because in games of this magnitude and potentially into the postseason, depth simply isn’t optional.

3. Leadership Is Translating Into Production and Tone

The young guns get a lot of the attention (and deservedly so), but this was a game where you have to give massive credit to the Flyers' veterans as well. 

Sean Couturier’s two goals and one assist marked his second three-point game of the season, a standout performance from the captain that blended opportunism with control. 

Alongside him, Noah Cates delivered a three-point night of his own (1G, 2A), tying his career high and reinforcing the connective role he plays within the lineup.

His postgame assessment captured the collective mindset, telling media, “Everyone’s playing their best hockey. Everyone’s playing for the crest.”

4. Depth Production and Blueline Activation Are Elevating the Ceiling

One of the Flyers' enduring strengths this season has been their ability to change lines, swap players in and out of the lineup, and still be able to find chemistry. And that chemistry is turning into production that's coming from everywhere in the lineup.

Travis Sanheim scored his 11th goal of the season, setting a new career high and moving into a tie for fourth on the franchise’s all-time goals list among defensemen, while fellow blueliner Nick Seeler added his fourth goal of the season, continuing a quietly impactful stretch with two goals in his last three games.

Matvei Michkov (1G, 1A) and Rasmus Ristolainen (2A) each recorded multi-point performances, while Christian Dvorak reached a significant milestone with his 300th NHL point.

This is what a complete performance looks like.

The Flyers are generating offense from multiple layers without sacrificing the structure that allows them to sustain it, which is a difficult thing to achieve, but it's a formula they're comfortably maintaining.

5. Continued Road Excellence 

This victory marked the Flyers’ 23rd road win of the season, their highest total since 2011–12 and the fourth-most in franchise history in the 82-game era.

Winning on the road requires a specific kind of discipline—an ability to simplify, to remain composed in hostile environments, and to execute without external momentum. The Flyers have embraced and perfected that identity.

And should they find themselves in the playoffs, that ability to travel—both physically and mentally—becomes a serious competitive advantage.

6. The Mindset Remains Fixed

The most telling takeaway from this game is found in the messaging.

Head coach Rick Tocchet made it clear that, despite the magnitude of the win, the approach cannot change,

He told media, “We’ve just got to take care of business. If we start scoreboard watching, the other teams lose, then what? Are we supposed to relax? Matter of fact, we shouldn’t even worry about the standings. ‘We control our destiny’ type of attitude.”

That’s discipline of a different kind. The Flyers are, of course, aware of the pressure. They see the standings, and they're certainly not blind to the implications of every result. But they are choosing not to be governed by them, and that choice is what allows performances like this to happen.

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Game 16: Reds vs. Angels (1:40 PM ET) – Abbott vs. Soriano

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 07: Andrew Abbott #41 of the Cincinnati Reds delivers during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on April 07, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Cincinnati Reds will send lefty Andrew Abbott to the mound on Sunday afternoon in Great American Ball Park. Their Opening Day starter will have the chance to lead them to another series victory, as that’s what a win today over the Los Angeles Angels would provide them after Saturday’s 7-3 win.

Jose Soriano, who has been excellent so far this year, will start for LA.

The Reds are rolling out an offensive-first lineup for this one with Nate Lowe in at DH, Eugenio Suarez over at 3B, and Ke’Bryan Hayes mercifully on the pine to start.

First pitch is set for 1:40 PM ET. Lineups for both clubs are listed below.

Go Reds!

Today’s Lineups

ANGELSREDS
Zach Neto – SSTJ Friedl – CF
Mike Trout – CFMatt McLain – 2B
Jo Adell – RFElly De La Cruz – SS
Jorge Soler – DHSal Stewart – 1B
Vaughn Grissom – 2BEugenio Suarez – 3B
Nolan Schanuel – 1BNathaniel Lowe – DH
Logan O’Hoppe – CSpencer Steer – LF
Oswald Peraza – 3BNoelvi Marte – RF
Bryce Teodosio – LFP.J. Higgins – C
Jose Soriano – RHPAndrew Abbott – LHP
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Mets vs. Athletics: Lineups, broadcast info, and open thread, 4/12/26

New York Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) pitches against the Pirates in the fourth inning, Thursday, March 26, 2026. | Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Mets lineup

Francisco Lindor – SS
Jorge Polanco – DH
Jared Young – 1B
Bo Bichette – 3B
Brett Baty – RF
Marcus Semien – 2B
Carson Benge – CF
Luis Torrens – C
Tyrone Taylor – LF

Freddy Peralta – RHP

Athletics lineup

Lawrence Butler – RF
Nick Kurtz – 1B
Shea Langeliers – C
Tyler Soderstrom – LF
Carlos Cortes – DH
Max Muncy – 3B
Jeff McNeil – 2B
Darell Hernaiz – SS
Denzel Clarke – CF

Aaron Civale – RHP

Broadcast info

First pitch: 1:40 PM EDT
TV: SNY
Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2

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Game #15 A’s at Mets Game Thread

At the start of the Athletics weeklong trip to New York City to play the New York Yankees and Mets, few thought the team would walk away with two series wins. The A’s have proved doubters wrong as they enter today’s series finale against the Mets with a chance to sweep their first series of the season and finish their time in “The Big Apple” with five wins in six games.

Yesterday, the A’s finally snapped their multi-game home run drought. By doing so, the team introduced its new home run celebration, a cool but somewhat creepy looking elephant mask andgold chain featuring an elephant’s head. Left fielder Tyler Soderstrom donned the mask twice, his second home run coming at a critical moment in the game. The Mets had scored five unanswered to cut the A’s lead from 7-1 to 7-6. In the eighth inning, with the game’s momentum firmly on the hosts side, Soderstrom hit a three-run home run to right-center, his blast all but sealing the A’s series-clinching victory.

Right-hander Aaron Civale will be on the mound today as the A’s vie for the sweep. Through two starts, Civale (1-0, 2.70 ERA) has been the solid veteran pitcher the A’s needed. He does not throw hard, yet he moves the baseball around and gets batters out. Having gone five innings in each of his first two starts, the A’s would love for him to pitch at least that many innings today against a reeling but talented Mets lineup.

The A’s lineup on this fine Sunday:

This morning’s A’s lineup is nearly unchanged from yesterday, except designated hitter Carlos Cortes moves up after his three-run homer Saturday. Backup infielder Darell Hernáiz starts at shortstop with Jacob Wilson getting the day off. Recently promoted infielder Zack Gelof, who took the injured Brent Rooker’s place on the team’s roster, is on the bench again. A’s manager Mark Kotsay should give Gelof, who has significantly regressed since his impressive rookie performance, some playing time in Sacramento this week to evaluate whether he is worth keeping around or not.

Civale will be opposed by Mets right-hander Freddy Peralta this morning. The Mets acquired Peralta from the Milwaukee Brewers in one of this past offseason’s biggest trades. The longtime Brewers ace is 1-0 with a 4.80 ERA through his first three starts with his new team. Peralta will pose a stiff challenge for the Athletics’ offense. A’s hitters will have to bring the solid approaches they displayed yesterday and pounce on any mistakes Peralta makes.

The Mets’ lineup:

Can the Athletics complete the sweep? Who will earn the elephant mask today? Let’s go A’s!



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Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates preview, Sunday 4/12, 1:20 CT

Today’s roster move: Here

Sunday notes…

  • NOT WINNING THE CLOSE ONES: The Cubs are 1-2 so far in games decided by one run. Last year, they finished 25-19, making 2025 the first full season they had a winning record in such games since 2018, when they were 26-25. They were 10-9 in the 60-game 2020 season. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
  • THROW THOSE GUYS OUT, PLEASE: The Pirates stole four bases yesterday. They were the first team with four thefts against the Cubs since the Nationals did it at Wrigley Field on Sept. 19, 2024. The Cubs won that game, 7-6. Yesterday’s game was the Cubs’ 184th game since then. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
  • STILL GOOD AGAINST PITTSBURGH: The Cubs are 113-70 (.617) vs. the Pirates since the start of the 2015 campaign, their best record vs. an NL opponent.
  • MAYBE TRY THIS: Since the beginning of last season, the Cubs are an MLB-best 72-21 (.774) when scoring the first run of the game. They have scored the game’s first run in 10 of their 14 games this season and are 7-3 in those games.

Cubs lineup:

The Pirates lineup was not available at posting time. Please check BCB social media for the Pirates lineup.

Jameson Taillon, RHP vs. Bubba Chandler, RHP

A long time ago (16 years, to be exact) Jameson Taillon was the Pirates’ No. 1 pick (second overall) out of high school in Florida. He pitched four years for them before moving on to the Yankees, and then the Cubs.

Taillon’s numbers this year look decent (2.53 ERA, 1.219 WHIP) but he struggled in his first start (even though it ended up scoreless), then threw a bit better in completing six innings his second time out.

He threw well against the Pirates last year, six hits and two runs in 12.1 innings. Overall current Pirates are batting .233 (24-for-103) against Taillon with one home run (Bryan Reynolds).

Bubba Chandler made his MLB debut last year and posted a 4.02 ERA in seven games (four starts). This year in two starts for the Pirates he has posted a 3.12 ERA, which isn’t terrible but this is: He’s leading the NL in walks allowed with 10 in just 8.2 innings. Oddly, walks were not an issue with him in his 31.1 MLB innings last year — just four of them. Chandler throws hard, as you can see by the chart below, but doesn’t always know where the ball is going.

So maybe Cubs hitters, who are generally patient, can work some walks. Chandler has never faced the Cubs and the only Cub who has faced him is Michael Conforto (o-for-2).

In case you were wondering, Bubba’s actualy given name is Roy. The last players named “Roy” in MLB were Roy Oswalt and Roy Halladay, whose careers both ended after 2013.

Here is the weather forecast for the area around Wrigley Field.

Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network.

Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

Please visit our SB Nation Pirates site Bucs Dugout. If you do go there to interact with Pirates fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.

The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.

You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).

At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.

The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.

You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

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Hawks vs Heat Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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The Miami Heat will try to improve their Play-In seeding tonight as they host the Atlanta Hawks in the regular-season finale for both teams.

With many star players likely prioritizing rest over winning, I’m taking the Under in my Hawks vs. Heat predictions. 

Keep reading to see how I’m approaching tonight’s game with my free NBA picks for Sunday, April 12.

Hawks vs Heat prediction

Hawks vs Heat best bet: Under 241.5 (-110)

Both teams have clinched a spot in the postseason — albeit in the Play-In tournament for the Miami Heat — and that will influence how each coach approaches tonight's regular-season finale. 

For the Atlanta Hawks, the injury report suggests we won't see many of their biggest stars, as Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jonathan Kuminga, Onyeka Okongwu, and CJ McCollum are all listed as questionable.

Chances are, we’ll see someone from that list on the court. However, I seriously doubt they’ll play anywhere near their normal allotment of minutes as Atlanta prioritizes staying healthy for the postseason.

Fewer players are being held out for Miami, which makes sense, as the Heat are still playing for home-court advantage in their first Play-In game. Still, it remains to be seen just how much we’ll see Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and others. 

Considering all the absences and the players likely to be limited, this game will lose a lot of scoring punch. It’s especially a problem for Atlanta, as it'll be without many of its top playmakers against a Heat team prepping some different defensive looks ahead of the playoffs. 

In three head-to-head matchups this year, these teams haven’t combined for more than 242 points, and the most recent matchup ended up with a 225-point total.

Hawks vs Heat same-game parlay

While nearly the entire Hawks lineup is listed as questionable, the Heat will likely deploy many of their key players, including Herro (who is listed as available).

That makes me favor Miami to cover.

While I’m still staying away from their biggest stars for the most part tonight, I’ll take Jaime Jaquez Jr. (15.2 points per game) to score Over 13.5 points, something he’s done in eight of his last nine games.

Hawks vs Heat SGP

  • Under 241.5
  • Heat -5
  • Jaime Jaquez Jr. Over 13.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Holding out for a Herro

For a long shot SGP,  I’m going to bump Jaquez up to go Over 23.5 PRA, which he’s done in six of his last eight games, and to hit Over 1.5 threes after doing so eight times in 10 contests. Herro is also an excellent pick to hit his made threes prop, as he’s drained Over 2.5 shots from deep in four of his last five games.

Hawks vs Heat SGP

  • Under 241.5
  • Heat -5
  • Jaime Jaquez Jr. Over 23.5 points+rebounds+assists
  • Jaime Jaquez Jr. Over 1.5 made threes
  • Tyler Herro Over 2.5 made threes

Hawks vs Heat odds

  • Spread: Hawks +5 (-110) | Heat -5 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Hawks +165 | Heat -200
  • Over/Under: Over 241.5 (-110) | Under 241.5 (-110)

Hawks vs Heat betting trend to know

The Atlanta Hawks have hit the 2H Game Total Under in 29 of their last 45 games (+10.59 Units / 20% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Hawks vs. Heat.

How to watch Hawks vs Heat

LocationKaseya Center, Miami, FL
DateSunday, April 12, 2026
Tip-off6:00 p.m. ET
TVFDSN Southeast Atlanta, FDSN Sun

Hawks vs Heat latest injuries

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Arizona Diamondbacks Gameday Thread, #16: 4/12 @ Phillies

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 24: A detailed view of a cheesesteak prior to the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on August 24, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Rays defeated the Phillies 3-1. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Today’s Lineups

DIAMONDBACKSPHILLIES
Ildemaro Vargas – 2BTrea Turner – SS
Corbin Carroll – DHKyle Schwarber – DH
Geraldo Perdomo – SSBryce Harper – 1B
Jose Fernandez – 1BBrandon Marsh – LF
Nolan Arenado – 3BBryson Stott – 2B
Tim Tawa – LFAdolis Garcia – RF
James McCann – CAlec Bohm – 3B
Alek Thomas – CFRafael Marchan – C
Jorge Barrosa – RFJustin Crawford – CF
Zac Gallen – RHPAndrew Painter – RHP

/goes back to bed.

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Who's in NHL playoffs? Latest 2026 bracket, standings, clinching scenarios

Sunday's NHL schedule is full of playoff permutations but the biggest question is whether this will be Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin's final home game and final meeting with the Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby.

Ovechkin, the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer, has said he won't make a decision on his future until he talks with his family and team management during the offseason. But the Capitals don't have any more home games after the Sunday, April 12 matchup against the rival Pittsburgh Penguins, barring a longshot chance to make the playoffs. They need one point in this game to stay alive and a win would be better.

The Capitals captain, who broke Wayne Gretzky's record last season, is in the final year of his contract and will turn 41 in September. He scored his 929th career goal on Saturday, April 11 in Pittsburgh.

Also on Sunday, the Anaheim Ducks can end their seven-year playoff drought and move into second place in the Pacific Division. The Montreal Canadiens could reclaim second place in the Atlantic Division, the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins (tied in points as Eastern Conference wild cards) are in action, and the Columbus Blue Jackets could tie for third place in the Metropolitan Division, although the Philadelphia Flyers would have a game in hand.

Here's what to know about the NHL standings, including the latest playoff bracket, Sunday's clinching scenarios and the tiebreaker procedures for the 2025-26 season:

Third period underway

1-0 Capitals. If this holds up, Washington stays alive in the playoff hunt.

Alex Ovechkin vs Sidney Crosby stats

Through two periods, Alex Ovechkin has three shots and four hits. Sidney Crosby has two shots and two hits.

End of second period: Capitals 1, Penguins 0

Trevor van Riemsdyk scores his third goal of the season to give the Capitals the lead in what's essentially a must-win game for Washington. Alex Ovechkin had a good chance off a Capitals faceoff win but is stopped by Stuart Skinner. Washington's Logan Thompson stops a partial breakaway by Sidney Crosby.

Tom Wilson injury update

He's back on the bench in the final seconds of the second period.

Tom Wilson injury

Washington's Tom Wilson is down on the ice after blocking a shot from Erik Karlsson. He eventually gets up and limps toward the dressing room. The Capitals kill of the rest of the Penguins power play, allowing no shots.

Penguins power play

Washington's Martin Fehervary is called for tripping, his second penalty of the game.

Capitals score: Trevor van Riemsdyk opens scoring

The Capitals take the lead with the first goal of the game. Trevor van Riemsdyk is down low and taps in a loose puck in the crease. It's his third goal of the season. Pierre-Luc Dubois and Connor McMichael pick up the assists. Capitals 1, Penguins 0

Midway through game

Still scoreless.

Second period underway

The Penguins kill off the rest of the Sidney Crosby penalty.

End of first period: Capitals 0, Penguins 0

The Capitals appeared to go ahead, but the goal was overturned on a challenge for offsides. Alex Ovechkin's stats so far: one shot, three hits. Sidney Crosby has one shot, two hits, a faceoff win against Ovechkin and a penalty. He'll still be in the penalty box when the second period begins.

Capitals goal overturned

Alex Ovechkin would have drawn an assist as Justin Sourdif scores a power play goal, but the Penguins challenge for offsides. No goal. Still 0-0.

Sidney Crosby goes to penalty box

The Penguins star is called for tripping. Alex Ovechkin is out there for the power play.

Ovechkin-Crosby rivalry acknowledged

The Capitals acknowledge the 100th meeting of the two stars. Ovechkin stands on the bench as fans cheer. Crosby is on the ice with the Penguins about to go on a power play. The Capitals kill off the penalty.

Alex Ovechkin's game so far

Alex Ovechkin, also known for his physical play, lays out Kris Letang with a big hit. Later, his deflection attempt is stopped by Penguins goalie Stuart Skinner.

Alex Ovechkin vs Sidney Crosby

Pittsburgh stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are back in the lineup after sitting out Saturday's game. This is the 100th meeting of Ovechkin and Crosby. Even though Ovechkin is a winger, he took the opening faceoff against Crosby. The Penguins star won.

Who's in the 2026 NHL playoffs?

Eastern Conference: Carolina, Buffalo, Tampa Bay, Montreal, Pittsburgh, Ottawa, Boston

Western Conference: Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota, Utah, Edmonton, Vegas

Who could clinch an NHL playoff berth today?

The Anaheim Ducks will clinch a playoff spot if they beat the Vancouver Canucks.

NHL games today (Sunday, April 12)

  • Pittsburgh at Washington, 3, TNT, tru
  • Montreal at N.Y. Islanders
  • Boston at Columbus, 6, NHL Network
  • Ottawa at New Jersey, 7
  • Vancouver at Anaheim, 8
  • Utah at Calgary, 9

NHL playoff standings

NHL Eastern Conference standings 2025-26

After April 11 games. x-clinched playoff spot. y-clinched division. z-eliminated.

Metropolitan Division

  • y-Carolina Hurricanes (110)
  • x-Pittsburgh Penguins (98)
  • Philadelphia Flyers (94)

Atlantic Division

  • x-Buffalo Sabres (106)
  • x-Tampa Bay Lightning (104)
  • x-Montreal Canadiens (104)

Wild card

  • x-Ottawa Senators (96)
  • x-Boston Bruins (96)

Sitting out of playoff position: Columbus Blue Jackets (92), Washington Capitals (91), z-Detroit Red Wings (91), New York Islanders (91), z-New Jersey Devils (85), z-Florida Panthers (80), z-Toronto Maple Leafs (78), z-New York Rangers (75)

NHL Western Conference standings 2025-26

After April 11 games. x-clinched playoff spot. y-clinched division. z-eliminated.

Central Division

  • y-Colorado Avalanche (115) - Presidents' Trophy winner
  • x-Dallas Stars (108)
  • x-Minnesota Wild (102)

Pacific Division

  • x-Vegas Golden Knights (91)
  • x-Edmonton Oilers (90)
  • Anaheim Ducks (89)

Wild card

  • x-Utah Mammoth (90)
  • Los Angeles Kings (87)

Sitting out of playoff position: Nashville Predators (86), Winnipeg Jets (82), San Jose Sharks (82), z-St. Louis Blues (80), z-Seattle Kraken (79), z-Calgary Flames (73), z-Chicago Blackhawks (70), z-Vancouver Canucks (54)

NHL playoffs if they started today

NHL Eastern Conference playoff bracket

Here is how the Eastern Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended on April 11:

  • Carolina (M1) vs. Boston (WC2)
  • Pittsburgh (M2) vs. Philadelphia (M3)
  • Buffalo (A1) vs. Ottawa (WC1)
  • Tampa Bay (A2) vs. Montreal (A3)

The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: M - Metropolitan Division. A - Atlantic Division. WC - wild card

NHL Western Conference playoff bracket

Here is how the Western Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended on April 11.

  • Colorado (C1) vs. Los Angeles (WC2)
  • Dallas (C2) vs. Minnesota (C3). This series is set
  • Vegas (P1) vs. Utah (WC1)
  • Edmonton (P2) vs. Anaheim (P3)

The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: C - Central Division P - Pacific Division. WC - wild card

NHL tiebreakers: What is the first tiebreaker in NHL standings?

If two teams are tied in points at the end of the regular season, here are the tiebreakers:

  1. Regulation wins
  2. Regulation and overtime wins (ROW)
  3. Total wins
  4. Most points earned in head-to-head competition: If teams had an uneven number of meetings, the first game played in the city that has the extra game is excluded. When more than two clubs are tied, the percentage of available points earned in games among each other (and not including any odd games) shall be used to determine standings.
  5. Goal differential
  6. Total goals

When does the NHL regular season end?

The NHL regular season is scheduled to end on Thursday, April 16, with six games.

When do the NHL playoffs start?

The NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs are scheduled to begin on April 18.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL playoff bracket, latest 2026 standings and clinching scenarios

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Jannik Sinner beats Carlos Alcaraz to reclaim world No 1 spot: Monte Carlo Masters final highlights

Jannik Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets to win the Monte Carlo Masters for the first time on Sunday and reclaim the world No 1 ranking from his Spanish rival.

Sinner saw off Alcaraz 7-6 (5), 6-3 to capture his third ATP 1000 title of the year after completing the 'Sunshine Double' last month with victories in Indian Wells and Miami.

The 24-year-old Sinner joins Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal as only the third player to win four successive ATP 1000 titles, having also triumphed in Paris at the end of last season.

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On This Day: Keith Tkachuk’s 50th Goal Lifts Jets in Emotional Final Regular Season Game at Winnipeg Arena

On a night thick with emotion inside Winnipeg Arena, Keith Tkachuk delivered one of the most memorable moments in franchise history, and helped keep playoff hopes alive in what would soon become the end of an era.

With the crowd in a “whiteout” frenzy, Tkachuk scored his 50th goal of the season in the final regular season home game for the original Winnipeg Jets, sealing a 5–3 win over the Los Angeles Kings. The late goal, scored into an empty net with just seconds remaining, clinched a playoff berth and etched Tkachuk’s name into team history as just the third player in the franchise to reach the 50-goal mark. 

The milestone capped a career-best campaign for Tkachuk, who had been drafted 19th overall by Winnipeg in 1990 and developed into one of the greatest power forwards in the league's history. 

During the 1995–96 season, Tkachuk recorded 50 goals and 98 points, leading the team in both categories and producing the highest point total of his career. His physical style and scoring touch made him the centerpiece of a Jets team fighting both on the ice and off it.

That season came under difficult circumstances as the franchise was facing severe financial instability, and even Tkachuk’s own future in Winnipeg had been uncertain following a contract dispute the previous summer. Despite the turmoil, he delivered a historic performance when the team needed it most. The game also marked the beginning of the end for NHL hockey at Winnipeg Arena, which had been the club’s home throughout its WHA and NHL history. 

Just days later, the Jets would play their final regular season game, and shortly after that, their final playoff game in the building. By the end of the spring, the team’s departure was confirmed.

The reason was largely financial with Ownership struggling for years to keep the team viable in one of the league’s smallest markets, and in January 1996 agreed to sell the franchise to a group intending to relocate it to the United States. That summer, the Jets officially moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where they became the Phoenix Coyotes.  Winnipeg would go 15 years without an NHL team before the Jets name returned in 2011.

That revival came when the Atlanta Thrashers franchise was purchased and relocated to Manitoba, bringing NHL hockey back to the city under the historic Jets name. While the modern Jets are technically a continuation of the Thrashers franchise, the return restored a cultural and emotional connection that had been missing since 1996.

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