Aaron Judge has gotten off to a nice start in the early going, which has been keyed by starting early.
Of the Yankees captain’s nine home runs, five have come in the first inning, including his past three long balls. In 22 games, he is 9-for-20 (.450) with a walk, double, eight RBIs and a ridiculous 1.726 OPS in the first inning. Early production often translates to wins; the Yankees 11-3 when scoring first.
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Sunday in The Bronx, temporary leadoff hitter Ben Rice worked a walk before Judge clobbered the first pitch he saw from Kansas City’s Cole Ragans into Monument Park for an instant 2-0 lead.
The Yankees then sent six more men to the plate and scored another run in the inning, and Aaron Boone said Judge’s quick bat might be contagious.
“There’s probably something to that,” the manager said after sweeping the Royals. “I think when the captain gets it going like he can in the first — a lot, it feels like — it does seem to have a little bit of an effect on things.”
There is one more historic chase to watch involving Judge, whose 90 career first-inning homers trail just Babe Ruth (126) and Mickey Mantle (103) in Yankees history. Since 2024, 43 of his 120 homers have come in the initial inning. His career 1.051 OPS in the first inning is strong — but still less than his mark in the fourth (1.093 OPS) and seventh (1.118 OPS).
Aaron Judge (99) hits a two-run home run during the first inning at Yankee Stadium, Sunday, April 19, 2026, in Bronx, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Judge himself shrugged at the quick strikes and said he hits at the top of the order (but doesn’t care where he falls).
“I just try to do my job,” Judge said.
Cody Bellinger will bring a season-high eight-game hitting streak into a series in Boston that starts Tuesday. Bellinger has gone 11-for-31 (.355) with a .444 on-base percentage, two homers, two doubles and six RBIs during the streak.
Jazz Chisholm Jr., who has yet to hit a home run or tally a multihit game, sat Sunday and is 4-for-31 with 11 strikeouts, six walks and a .464 OPS in his past 10 games.
CLEVELAND — Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points, James Harden added 28 and the Cleveland Cavaliers held on for a 115-105 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Monday night for a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series.
Evan Mobley had 25 points and eight rebounds for the Cavaliers, who had at least three players score at least 25 points in a postseason game for the second straight season and fourth time overall.
Cleveland — which never trailed — has won 12 straight playoff games against Toronto, tying the NBA postseason record for consecutive wins against an opponent. The streak began in the 2016 Eastern Conference finals, when the Cavaliers took the final three games. Cleveland swept Toronto in four games in the second round in 2017 and ’18.
The Cavaliers also have 12-game winning streaks against Detroit and Atlanta, while the Los Angeles Lakers had a 12-game run against Seattle from 1980 through ’89.
Scottie Barnes led Toronto with a playoff career-high 26 points. RJ Barrett had 22 points and nine rebounds.
The series shifts to Toronto for Game 3 on Thursday night.
Harden had four assists to move into seventh place on the playoff career list with 1,139. He also had five steals, the fourth time he’s had at least that many in a playoff game.
A driving layup by Barnes got Toronto within 99-90 midway through the fourth quarter. Mitchell responded with seven straight points to put it away.
The Cavaliers had a 73-57 advantage midway through the third quarter before the Raptors countered with a 16-6 run.
The stars were out in full force at Madison Square Garden.
Celebrity row was a who’s who for Game 2 of the Knicks’ first-round NBA playoff series with the Hawks on Tuesday night.
Knicks superfans Timothée Chalamet, Ben Stiller and wife Christine Taylor were courtside. They sat close to actress Julianne Moore and tennis legend John McEnroe.
Spike Lee was in his usual seat, donning a No. 14 Pope Leo blue Knicks jersey – potentially hoping for a little help from above.
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson reacts after hitting a 3-point shot during the first quarter as John McEnroe cheers him on. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostActress Julianne Moore attends Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 20, 2026. Getty Images
“Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon was in the building along with comedian Ray Romano and rappers Fat Joe and Jadakiss. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee, who has become an MSG regular, was back for some more hoops.
Knicks alumni Patrick Ewing, John Starks, Marcus Camby, Larry Johnson and Latrell Sprewell were back under the roof where they made plenty of playoff memories.
Two-time NBA champion and Knicks broadcaster Walt “Clyde” Frazier was in attendance with local networks no longer carrying the first round of the playoffs for the first time. Ex-Knick Stephon Marbury was also in taking in the action.
USA Olympic gymnast Suni Lee looks on during game two of the Eastern Conference first round NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 20, 2026. Getty Images
Mets owner Steve Cohen was seen courtside, along with former Amazin’s closer John Franco.
NYC native and Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule also made the trip to the World’s Most Famous Arena.
Actors Timothee Chalamet and Ben Stiller react off celebrity row during the first quarter of Game 2 between the Knicks and Hawks.
Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Jalen Brunson and the Knicks, who led 63-54 at the half, were hoping to deliver a commanding 2-0 lead in the series against the sixth-seed Hawks before things shift to Atlanta on Thursday night.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 18: Nick Seeler #24 of the Philadelphia Flyers exchanges punches with Rickard Rakell #67 of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third period of Game One of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena on April 18, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Pregame
No lineup changes for the Penguins from Game 1, including going back to Stuart Skinner as the starting goalie.
Penalties are the story of the first period, the teams combine for eight minutes on four minors (three for Philadelphia, one for Pittsburgh) that ends up with the Penguins spending 4:00 of the period on the power play, where they don’t score and mostly don’t come close to doing so.
Other than that, the first period looked like Game 1 in many ways. The Flyers continue to gum things up in the neutral zone and play tight defense. The Penguins did better to cut through the defense at times — shot attempts were 19-5 PIT at one point — but still are unable to make much out of it just only getting two of those 19 attempts on goal. The Penguins are still butting their heads against the wall by attempting low-percentage cross-ice passes frequently. The Flyers are doing the typical Flyer things (Travis Sanheim dove forward and on his butt after feeling a stick in his skates to draw a penalty, Rasmus Ristolainen punched Sidney Crosby in the head after the whistle).
Shots for the period end up 5-2, PHI. Certainly not the style and way that Pittsburgh wants these games to go, it’s still right up the Flyers’ aisle. No goals through 20 minutes.
Second period
The Penguins get caught with six players on the ice 5:34 into the period. That happens before they can manage an official shot on goal in the period but they kill it off without much problems.
The game chugs along for a while, the Pens get some pressure and coming out of a TV timeout put Egor Chinakhov with Evgeni Malkin, Tommy Novak and the third pair defense. That group gets caught on the ice for a 1:30 shift and a bad bounce leads to the first goal. Ryan Shea blocks away a Travis Konecny shot but unfortunately the puck flips out right to Porter Martone. The rookie has a wide open net. 1-0 with 6:21 to play in the second.
A good shift by the fourth line draws a power play for Pittsburgh with 4:12 left in the period. It leads to disaster with a shorthanded goal against. Owen Tippett wants the puck way more than Tommy Novak, who compounds the mistake of an indirect path to the puck by then colliding with Kris Letang to hand the Flyers a late 2-on-1 down low. Tippett feeds Garnet Hathaway, who matches his regular season goal total of one in the playoffs with an easy finish to extend the PHI lead to 2-0.
Evgeni Malkin and a Flyer both get their sticks up and contact a Flyer up high, after review Malkin gets two minutes for the high-stick but avoids getting four minutes for not causing the injury.
End of the period and it wasn’t a good one. The Pens fall behind by two goals.
Third period
The Penguins kill off the carryover power play at the start of the period.
The newly reunited Rakell-Crosby-Rust line gets a very good shift, culminating in Sam Girard all alone from the middle getting a good shot that Dan Vladar answered with a big save.
Pittsburgh stacks a couple more good shifts with a second and third line playing well, followed up by Crosby getting a shot. Shots are 6-1 Pens and it’s the Flyers finally having to ice the puck to relieve pressure from the first sustained and decent push that Pittsburgh has made. Konecny hits Crosby once the puck is gone to open the door for yet another Penguin power play.
It starts out with near disaster, Bryan Rust can’t handle a zone entry pass and somehow the Flyers end up with a clean 2-on-0 break after Erik Karlsson misplays it. Skinner stands tall with by far his best save of the game to keep it from totally getting off the rails.
A little later, Ben Kindel gets a glorious chance but sails a puck well high of the goal.
Karlsson has to water ski on Tippett after the Flyer got behind the defense, the refs award Tippett the rare playoff penalty shot. It goes outside the far post and stays out, still a 2-0 game.
There isn’t a lot more sustained pressure for Pittsburgh, they pull Skinner but there’s no late-game magic to be found this time. Luke Glendening scores on the open net. 3-0 game with 2:05 to go.
Tempers flare in garbage time, Letang gets called for a penalty hitting a Flyer away from the puck. Anthony Mantha feeds Tippett a couple of uppercuts and gets tossed. Letang picks up an extra penalty along the way, ending up in a four minute Flyer power play with 1:47 to go.
a
Tha
Some thoughts
The Pens’ power play went 7/18 vs PHI during the regular season, it’s at 0/7 for the playoffs with a SHG against tonight. That’s a big problem that’s actively hurting them. Situationally tonight there were some unfortunate circumstances (Erik Karlsson was stuck in the penalty box himself for a chunk of one power play) but there’s not much within the power plays to feel good about how it’s running at the moment.
Two shots in the first, the team’s lowest playoff output since 2000. Fast starts were such a key to the series, so far the Penguins haven’t been able to get out to anything at all. Another huge, huge issue.
The Flyers stick with starting the Sean Couturier checking line to open periods, today’s adjustment by Pittsburgh was to throw the Novak-Rakell-Malkin line out there to meet them. It’ll be interesting to see what happens at the start of periods now that the Pens have to make the first selection on the road in Games 3+4. A good bet: the Lizotte fourth line will start to see if Philadelphia will move accordingly to keep Couturier off the ice until a scoring line goes out for the Pens.
Another reason this game was way too much like Game 1 was the continued struggles of the Girard/Letang pair. Girard doesn’t look like he’s lost confidence but try as he may, he’s not having very many successful puck touches in all three zones. Letang’s struggles have continued.
Same could be said for Kindel too, he’s got no time or space to do anything and now might be clutching the stick a little too tightly. Subbing in Justin Brazeau isn’t alone going to fix all that ails the lineup right now, the players within it aren’t performing up to a playoff standard right now.
The Flyers’ teenager, on the other hand, is making a huge difference. Philadelphia had 23 shots on goal today, Martone had six of them and the only 5v5 goal.
The one good thing is the Flyers’ focus clearly being defensive-minded to layer their defense and often stack three near the blueline is that it’s difficult for them to generate a lot of sustained offense of their own. It’s a tight checking game that almost devolves into which team is going to get a good bounce or find some breakthrough that cracks the ice and forces the action to open up. Today the Flyers got that break out of nowhere (they hadn’t had a shot in 7:28 of game time before scoring).
It was good to see the lines get switched in the second period, Chinakhov and Crosby had nothing going on at all through a game and a half of these playoffs. The decision to put the Shea-Clifton pair out for an offensive-zone draw coming out of a TV timeout with a scoring line on the ice looked questionable and ended up coming back to bite the Penguins in that instance.
If you only knew that shot attempts were 75-38 PIT and at one point in the third period were 66-33, you’d be excused to think suggested good things on the scoreboard. That would end up being misleading, especially since the Pens only got 27 of those 75 shots on net and only a handful of them even had remote chances of being goals. The Pens got a bit of pressure at the start of the third period and required Vladar to look alive and make a couple of nice saves but just not nearly enough Grade A chances.
It’s back to the wall time now, the Penguins head on the road for Game 3 on Wednesday night and will need to come up with a lot better play than what they’ve showed so far.
In the opener of a tripleheader Tuesday night of NBA playoff action, the second-seeded Boston Celtics will play host to the seventh-seeded Philadelphia 76ers on Peacock and NBCSN.
The teams split their four regular-season matchups, which all were played before the March 6 return of Boston superstar Jayson Tatum.
The Celtics cruised to a 123-91 victory in Game, their largest in a playoff series opener in team history. Boston is 6-0 in playoff series after winning Game 1 under coach Joe Mazzulla.
The Celtics and 76ers are meeting for their 23rd playoff series and 118th playoff game, the most among any two franchises in NBA history. Boston has won the last six series between them; Philadelphia last triumphed in the 1982 Eastern Conference Finals.
See below for additional information on the 76ers-Celtics game and how to watch the 2026 NBA Playoffs on NBC and Peacock.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics game preview:
The Celtics improved to 14-3 with Tatum in the lineup. The forward now has 23 playoff games with at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, passing Wilt Chamberlain for seventh on that list.
Tatum, who is averaging more than 10 rebounds this year (higher than his full-season career-high of 8.8), trails three games behind the franchise mark held by Larry Bird.
Jaylen Brown led Boston with 26 points as the Celtics had six players double-figure scorers in Game 1.
Tyrese Maxey had 1 points and eight assists for the Sixers, who were outscored by 29 points in his 37 minutes on the floor. Philadelphia got just a total of 64 points from a starting five that made 2 of 16 3-pointers.
Boston outscored Philadelphia by 36 points from 3-oint range, shooting 16 of 44 from distance.
During the regualr season, the Celtics took 42.1 threes per game while the 76ers made only 34.9% of its 3-pointers.
Philadelphia remains without Joel Embiid, who is recovering from an emergency appendectomy earlier this month
NBC Sports will present up to 23 games in the First Round and 11 games in the Conference Semifinals across either NBC and Peacock, or Peacock and NBCSN. Playoff programming concludes with exclusive coverage of the Western Conference Finals on NBC and Peacock.
Which playoff rounds will be available on Peacock?
Peacock’s NBA Playoffs coverage spans multiple rounds, including Round 1, the Conference Semifinals, and the Western Conference Finals, with coverage evolving as the postseason progresses.
Will Peacock show both Eastern and Western Conference playoff games?
Yes. During earlier rounds such as Round 1 and the Conference Semifinals, Peacock will carry a mix of Eastern and Western Conference playoff games.
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Fans of the Detroit Red Wings got several up-close and personal looks at former Michigan State Spartans forward Porter Martone, whom the Philadelphia Flyers selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
He picked up his first NHL point earlier this month against the Red Wings in Philadelphia, and picked up another point with several friends from Michigan State in attendance at Little Caesars Arena just days later.
He's already made a considerable impact for the Flyers, who punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2020.
Martone has now scored in consecutive postseason games for the Flyers, and in doing so, became just the 12th teenager in NHL history to score in each of his first two playoff games.
He's already become one of their top forwards at just 19 years of age, showing that the sky truly is the limit for him.
In 35 games played with the Spartans this season before officially signing with the Flyers and making his NHL debut, Martone scored 25 goals with 25 assists.
He also racked up 78 penalty minutes while posting an impressive plus-24 rating.
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CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 18: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors during the second quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena on April 18, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Change. That’s what Game 2 was meant to bring after Saturday’s rough showing against Cleveland. That might have looked like a bigger role for Brandon Ingram, more responsibility for CMB, or any number of defensive changes to better contain James Harden and Donovan Mitchell. Yet, as the Raptors began the game that would end in a bitter 115-105 loss, I could not help but be overwhelmed with a sense of deja-vu.
Game 2 emerged the same way as Game 1 from the start. Cleveland’s passing was on point, Scottie began the game on the perimeter, and James Harden looked incredible as Brandon Ingram was shut out of the game, double-teamed. Poeltl looked active in this quarter, as the Raptors pulled starters to use an interesting lineup focused on individual scoring and defence, running Collin Murray-Boyles and Sandro Mamukelashvili, along with Ingram, RJ Barrett, and Ja’Kobe Walter. A Max Struss three pushed the lead to ten points as the quarter came to a close.
Mounting a comeback beginning of second quarer, off Ja’Kobe threes and Scottie jumpers, every call to push ahead was answered by Donovan Mitchell splashing threes. He would finish the half with 15 points shooting 50% from three. A beautiful Mamu jam brought the game to within six points – the story of the half. The Raptors weren’t getting blown out, but couldn’t cross the two-possession threshold to develop a lead. The Raptors were settling for jumpshots a lot of the time, and were making only 42% of their field goals in this half.
Adding insult to injury was a James Harden possession where he ran into Scottie at the top of the key, knocked him to the floor, and shot over a lunging Brandon Ingram. As the ball bounced high, I got flashbacks to Kawhi in 2019, and Harden in Houston, mashed together in some otherworldly combination of Raptors-based cosmic horror, as the ball rattled off the rim into the hoop for three.
The half ended, 54-48 Cleveland. Brandon Ingram’s stats in the half: 0 points, 1 assist, 3 turnovers.
As the third began, the Raptors let the game get away from them. Harden makes a three, Scottie on the fast break passes out to Shead, who misses a wide open three. Donovan Mitchell makes a three. Two minutes in, Ingram makes his first basket of the night, a midrange field goal, immediately followed by a three pointer from the left wing. But of course, it was answered by an Evan Mobley three. Trends repeated themselves. Scottie had a great block on Jarrett Allen. CMB, block on Mobley. Offensive rebound Cavs, James Harden floater for 2. From there, the game proceeded along the same lines: Raptors pick up a few points, Cavaliers kill from three or in the paint.
With 2 minutes left in the game, a Ja’Kobe Walter three fell as if from heaven, getting the lead below 10, and while a beautiful Scottie dime to RJ brought the game to within two possessions, Cleveland pushed back to widen the gulf again. The quarter ended 84-77 Cavs.
The first bucket of the fourth was a Sam Merrill three pointer, which was followed immediately by a brief confrontation between Scottie, RJ, and Jaylon Tyson, who made his own three to counteract Barnes’ and-one layup. The two teams traded blows all quarter, with Toronto unable to pull ahead, and as as the last minute of the game saw a Donovan Mitchell bank shot, the writing – already on the wall – was highlighted. This game was over. Toronto played aggressive defence until the bitter end of the game, not pulling their starters down 12 with seconds to go.
With grit and discontent, the Raptors went down 0-2 in the series, shooting 27% from three with 22 turnovers. Scottie Barnes led the Raptors in scoring with 26, while CMB had a bench-high 17 points. The Cavaliers had Harden, Mitchell, and Mobley combine for 83 points, scoring 25 or more buckets-a-piece. Jakob Poeltl played only 9 minutes, as Murray-Boyles emerged as a diamond in the rough at the centre position. Toronto will return home to play the Cavaliers in Toronto for Game Three on April 23rd.
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - APRIL 20: Sal Stewart #27 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrates with teammate Matt McLain #9 after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 20, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Sal Stewart found himself down 0-2 in his first plate appearance of the game on Monday down in Tampa, the PA coming in the Top of the 1st inning after a rare Matt McLain double. Sal was willing to be patient, though, and he laid off several tempting pitches as he battled his way back to a 3-2 count against Rays starter Jesse Scholtens.
After putting the pressure on the opposing pitcher to have to throw a strike, Sal did not miss.
Cincinnati’s star rookie smashed a 2-run homer nearly 430 feet over the wall in centerfield at the Trop, and as it turns out that would be all the runs the Reds would need in their 6-1 series opening win over the Rays.
While Sal’s exploits were both immediate and loud, it was the much more gradual work from another highly touted Cincinnati rookie that ended up being just as impressive. Starter Rhett Lowder loaded the bases and eventually even walked in a run in the Bottom of the 1st as Tampa mounted an immediate response to Sal’s homer, and Lowder looked far from dialed in initially. At the end of the grind, though, he finished with an excellent 6.0 IP of 5 H, ER, 2 BB, 3 K ball on 93 pitches, keeping Tampa’s hitters off-balance just enough to the offense around him pour it on for the win.
He even got some serious help from the likes of Elly De La Cruz, who made this spectacular defensive play off the bat of Junior Caminero. This ball was hit over 112 mph off the bat!
In the end, though, it was definitely another Sal Stewart day, and he’ll take another Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game award home. He joins Yordan Alvarez as the only two players in baseball with at least 8 dingers and 20 ribbies so far this season (as of the time of writing this), and that’s pretty damn elite company.
Hat-tip to the Cincinnati bullpen ‘backups’ who locked this one down, too, as each of Brock Burke, Pierce Johnson, and Connor Phillips fired scoreless frames to seal the victory.
These two clubs will meet again tomorrow with Chase Burns on the mound opposite Steven Matz, with first pitch set for 6:40 PM ET.
Apr 20, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) talks with guard James Harden (1) during the first half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images | David Dermer-Imagn Images
CLEVELAND — It wasn’t pretty, but the Cleveland Cavaliers did enough to grab a 2-0 series lead in what became a somewhat physical game. They defeated the Toronto Raptors 115-105 and are firmly in the driver’s seat as the series shifts north of the border.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson was concerned about his team’s intensity level to start Game 2 after a one-sided win two nights earlier. Those fears proved to be misplaced. The Cavs opened up with an eight-point advantage before the first timeout.
Defense, not offense, was the cause of the Cavs’ early lead. Dean Wade, James Harden, Sam Merrill, and whoever else ended up guarding Brandon Ingram did a good job of physically meeting him at the point of attack, making it difficult for him to get going.
The Raptors tried to get Ingram involved early after he was used more as a screener in Game 1 (much to his dissatisfaction). But Ingram wasn’t able to get to his spots easily, and he certainly wasn’t able to get into a rhythm. This led to him going 0-4 from the field for no points in the opening quarter. This, in turn, short-circuited Toronto’s offense, resulting in them scoring just 19 in the first.
The Cavs’ seven-point advantage after one shrank to six by the end of the second quarter. Both offenses got going, with Harden providing 10 points in that frame to fuel Cleveland’s.
Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković made his first substantial adjustments of the series to start the third quarter. He decided to start 6’7” forward Collin Murray-Boyles at center to open the second half in an attempt to go small and get back into the game. This neutralized some of the advantage the Cavs were able to create with the pick-and-roll because they could switch everything defensively. That strategy made sense, but it also created new problems.
Toronto’s going smaller made it easier for Mitchell and Harden to attack in isolation. The lack of a center meant there was no rim protection coming to help at the rim. And, the size mismatch meant that Toronto’s wings couldn’t afford to leave either Evan Mobley or Jarrett Allen alone. Instead of clogging things up for the Cavs’ offense, it actually created more space.
The Cavs took advantage of this. They extended their six-point advantage to 16 by the time backup big Sandro Mamukelashvili entered the game midway through the third quarter. The Raptors turned it around to close the third with just a seven-point deficit.
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Cleveland did what it’s done best since the trade deadline: they out-executed their opponent down the stretch in the half-court to grind out the victory.
The superstar backcourt once again led the Cavs. The Raptors don’t have an answer for either through two games. Whether or not they can find one over the next two games will determine how long this series lasts.
Mitchell made timely baskets every time the Cavs needed one. This included hitting several tough shots throughout the second and fourth quarters to keep the momentum in Cleveland’s favor. He had 30 points, five assists, and seven rebounds on 13-23 shooting in the win.
Meanwhile, Harden once again kept the offense on schedule — making sure they got a phenomenal shot every time down the court. He had 28 points, four assists, and five steals on 9-14 shooting.
The Raptors are at a size advantage inside — especially when they go small. Mobley made them pay both when they went small and used their more traditional lineups.
Atkinson likes to talk about Mobley playing forcefully going to the basket. This game showed why. Toronto really didn’t have an answer for him when he got a head of steam. Mobley was able to get whatever he wanted in the paint, pouring in 25 points on 11-13 shooting to go along with eight rebounds and two assists.
The Raptors were led by 26 points from Scottie Barnes on 11-19 shooting. RJ Barrett supplied 22 points on 10-13 shooting with nine rebounds and five assists.
Ingram was held to just seven points on 3-15 shooting. A lot of that success can be attributed to Dean Wade, who was once again phenomenal defensively.
The series moves to Canada for Game 3 on Thursday. Tip-off is at 8 PM.
DENVER — Los Angeles Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz will undergo surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow and is expected to miss about three months, the team announced Monday.
The procedure will be performed Wednesday at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles, and Díaz is not expected back until the second half of the season.
The Dodgers placed the 32-year-old right-hander on the 15-day injured list and recalled left-hander Jake Elder from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Elder, was acquired from the Washington Nationals on April 1 for cash, has allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings this season with Oklahoma City.
Díaz is 1-0 with a 10.50 ERA, 10 strikeouts and four saves in five opportunities over seven appearances. He gave up three runs without recording an out in Sunday’s 9-6 loss at Colorado. He has allowed three earned runs in each of his past two appearances.
The Dodgers signed the three-time All-Star to a three-year, $69 million deal last December after he opted out of the final two years and $38 million of his contract with the New York Mets.
The two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers were set to close out their four-game series against the Rockies on Monday night before continuing a seven-game trip with a series at San Francisco that starts Tuesday.
The Atlanta Braves faced the Washington Nationals this evening in hopes of winning their MLB leading sixth straight win behind their new and improved ERA leader, Bryce Elder. The Nationals came into the game scoring the third most runs per game in all of MLB thus far this season, but also have an ERA north of six.
The first inning did not start out great for Atlanta. The Braves were facing Jake Irving and his subpar 6.16 ERA. The Braves were sat down in order without a baserunner. Bryce Elder then had one of his worst innings this season in the bottom half of the inning. He was able to sit down the first two hitters with a groundout and pop up, but then it went south fast. He gave up a single to House and then walked Abrams and Lile to load the bases. Young then singled to score two runs to make the score 0-2. Finally Elder was able to end the inning with a strikeout.
It was more of the same for the Braves offensively in the second. Riley, Albies, and Harris all got out with balls in play. The good news is that all three of them smoked the ball. The slowest batted ball in the inning was 99.4 MPH. Elder looked like he maintained composure in the second. He did not surrender a baserunner and picked up two strikeouts to include rising star James Wood.
It was starting to feel like a déjà vu in the third for the Braves. They yet again did not produce a single baserunner and it was starting to look like the red hot Braves offense was starting to lose the magic they have had, especially considering the starter they were facing. Fortunately, Elder kept them in the game. He was able to retire the side without a baserunner again. It has been impressive to see Elder shake off bad starts to games and get back into it unshaken.
The fourth inning we finally saw the first baserunner for the Braves, but it was not in a fashion that we would hope for. Ronald Acuña was hit by a pitch. To make matters worse, he was once again picked off. He is clearly struggling this season making base running adjustments. Baldwin was able to get the momentum started though with a single and then Matt Olson continued to rake with a game tying two-run HR to dead center.
The Braves could not keep the runs coming in the fourth, but damage was done and they were one step closer to breaking into the Nationals’ bullpen that currently has an ERA of 5.37 which is good for twenty-fifth in MLB. Bryce Elder slipped up and allowed a HR to Lile to put the Braves behind one run in the bottom of the fourth, but he was able to shake it off and retire the next three hitters.
It looked like the Braves may keep it going in the fifth when Dominic Smith yet again reached base in a game. He singled with one out, but then Mateo hit into. double play. Elder stayed in for the fifth inning and and sat down all three hitters.
The sixth inning was a scary one. Yastrzemki reached on an error and then Acuña was hit again. He stayed in the game, but then was removed.
Ronald Acuña Jr. was on deck to bat when the top of the sixth ended, but he didn't take the field in the bottom half. Will let you know when we get an update on his hand. He was hit twice tonight. It looked like a pitch just slipped out of Elder's hand and hit Abrams' hip.
The glass half full is that this started a rally for the Braves. Irvin was removed and the Braves took full advantage. Baldwin continued to rake and brought in two runs via a double to give the Braves a one run lead. Matt Olson then moved Baldwin to third via a fly ball and then Austin Riley walked. Albies then hit a bloop single to bring in another run after another pitching change that brought in Brad Lord.
Michael Harris then got in on the fun and had an RBI single of his own to give the Braves a three run lead followed by Dominic Smith bringing in a run on a groundout to make the score 7-3. Mateo and Yastrzemski were retired, but the sixth was a huge inning.
In the sixth Eli White replaced Acuña. Elder was showing signs of slowing down, but still got the job done for the most part. He got House to line out, but then pegged Abrams in the hip. Was it on purpose? Perhaps we will never know. Abrams did not waste time to steal second base. Lile popped up to shortstop, but then Riley overthrew Matt Olson on a Young grounder and Abrams was able to score. Fortunately, Elder was able to force a pop up to end the inning.
The Braves’ offense was finally cooled off in the seventh when the top three hitters were sat down in order. Bryce Elder surprisingly was left in the game in the seventh. It was likely due to it being the bottom of the order. The gamble paid off when he was able to strike out Millas and force a line out. Bummer then replaced Elder to finish out the seventh by inducing a ground ball to Wood. Elder ended his night with three earned runs, three hits, two walks, and six strikeouts in 6.2 innings of work. It was a solid start for him, even if his ERA doubled on the season. In all seriousness, his ERA is still only 1.50.
The Braves decided to chill out in the eighth, just like they did in the seventh. Riley, Albies, and Harris were all sat down in order. Tyler Kinley, who is having an elite season so far, replaced Bummer to pitch in the bottom of the eighth. As expected, he dominated. He induced a groundout and then struck out two more hitters. He now has nine strikeouts in 10.0 innings and lowered his ERA to 0.90.
In the ninth Smith was retired but then Mateo walked and Yastrzemski finally joined the hit parade with a single to put runners on the corners. We then saw something that we rarely see in pro baseball. Eli White laid down a bunt with a runner on third and was able to score the run and reach safely at first just missing the glove of irst baseman Luis García to give the Braves a four run lead. You have to see it to believe it.
Baldwin then reached base yet again. This time he reached via a walk and it loaded the bases. Matt Olson then had a sacrifice fly to score the runner from third to make the score 9-4. Austin Riley continued his rough night with a strikeout, but the Braves were already in a commanding lead.
Joel Payamps came in to pitch with a big cushion this time around. He showed tonight why there was faith put in him to hold a roster spot. He induced two routine flies to CF, and a strikeout on four pitches.
The Braves won tonight in a deciding fashion by winning by more runs than the opposing team scored, which is saying something considering the Nats have scored the third most runs per game in MLB this season.
The main storylines tonight were that Elder showed that he can maintain composure while facing some adversity, the bats are still very much alive, and Acuña. got hit by a pitch twice and was removed from the game. We did get some good news though. X-rays were negative.
OF Ronald Acuña Jr. was removed from tonight’s game after being hit by a pitch. X-rays were negative and he is day-to-day.
The Braves will take on the Nationals again tomorrow where Reynaldo López will take the mound against Foster Griffin. Both pitchers have solid ERAs with López having a 2.18 and Griffin having a 3.05. Both have pitched 20.2 innings this year.
ATLANTA, GA - JULY 02: A general view of the Los Angeles Angels baseball cap sits in the dugout during the MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Atlanta Braves on July 02, 2025 at TRUIST Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The first of three games at Angel Stadium. I figured it would be Angels Stadium.
I was there a number of years ago and really enjoyed the park (which means we must have won). One of the games we sat in an area where they had waiters to bring us food and drink so we didn’t have to get up at all. I think I only got popcorn and a beer but not much more (if I remember right).
And late night games you could see the fireworks from Disneyland, which was fun.
I’m not a fan of American beers, though I’m sure they have some good craft beers. At Angel Stadium, I didn’t know any of the beers, and asked what I should get, she said ‘this one is popular’. So I got it, it is the only time in my lift that I’ve poured out a beer. It was undrinkable.
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 20: Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Rhys Hoskins (8) singles to drive in a run during the first inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Houston Astros and Cleveland Guardians on April 20, 2026, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The less said about this one, the better. Astros 9, Guardians 2.
We appear to have a Slade Cecconi problem. After tonight he has a 6.20 ERA. But, not to fret… it’s only a 5.97 FIP. I attempted a hot take of saying that Cecconi would be the rotation’s second-best pitcher when I thought he was probably their fourth-best. It turns out that saying he would be fourth-best should have been my hot take. His velocity was back tonight, but the pitch mix seemed suspect with way too many four-seamers early in counts.
Slade has to find a way to get some whiffs and avoid more barrels or he’ll be ticketed to the pen as soon as Will Dion, Matt Wilkinson or Khal Stephen show they are ready. Does it help that I think Slade would probably be very good for one inning at a time out of the pen? No? Well… I tried.
Which is more than I can say for most of the Guardians tonight. Jose Ramirez had a walk and a double, but also an error and a called K where he looked unnaturally confused. Hoskins had two hits, a walk and an RBI and George Valera had an RBI hit, also. DeLauter continues to slump, with two pop-ups and a walk. Kwan’s OPS is .580 and should be replaced as leadoff hitter by .847 OPS-Rocchio who had three hits and a walk. Juan Brito made a nice basket catch but continues to chase and (weakly) hit too many bad pitches.
Matt Festa, Tim Herrin and Connor Brogdon pitched tonight, but not particularly well. Isaac Parades and Christian Walker seemed determine to show the Guardians that they should have traded for one of them when the Astros were trying to give Walker away. But, joke’s on you guys! We kept Kyle “I Have No Idea Why I Am Striking Out Almost Forty Percent of the Time” Manzardo. (Just kidding, Kyle! I love you. Just please, please, WAKE UP!)
Good news is that the Tigers lost and we get to see the Guardians play another game tomorrow. Parker Messick is on his hill and all’s right with the world.
Hate losing to the Asfros, though. Bleah. Get well soon, Ben Lively
Goalie interference has been a source of frustration for many NHL teams, coaches, and general managers. But, according to Bettman, they're getting more right than ever before.
"You know, when it was first instituted, we had warned the coaches and managers that this isn't going to be crystal-clear in every situation," Bettman said. "It will be, sort of, a judgment. Whatever your view of the process is, I guarantee you it's much better in terms of getting it right than if we didn't have video replay. There's no question. But the only difference (is) it was originally designed for the most simple case: Somebody skates by the goaltender and hits his glove, but the officials on the ice don't see it. That would be something that's clear-cut when you pick it up in video.
"I think (NHL director of hockey operations) Colin Campbell and his people have done a great job with more and more cameras in the net (behind) the crossbar and overhead. We're going to get it right overwhelmingly. And we'll get a few calls where people will debate them. Depending on your interest in the game, you may have a different view."
In addition, Bettman reiterated that it is on the coaches to make the right call when it comes to challenges and only contest calls that are blatantly obvious to overturn. He said that this was a point of discussion when meeting with NHL GMs last summer.
"I think the issue comes when people hope that a goal will either be confirmed or overturned," Bettman said. "In final analysis, you shouldn't be challenging unless the call is clearly and conclusively wrong one way or the other. And sometimes, strategically, you'll make the call to support your goaltender. Sometimes, you hope you'll get result you want. But, no, goaltender interference - and we've had a few video calls over the weekend, and they were all bang-on.
"Sometimes, the situation room has a view that isn't shown in real-time, or, sometimes, not at all, and we have to tweet it out. But the situation room does a good job. We went through an exercise a year ago with the general managers, and I think we showed 54 examples of what were, quote, 'controversial' coach's challenges. And the general managers, as a group, I think on like 48 or 50 of them, agreed that the right call had been made overwhelmingly, and the three or four where there was some disagreement, the room was pretty split.
"So, the rule of thumb should be that unless it's conclusively wrong, you shouldn't be challenging it."
Bettman doubled down when asked whether or not there was any discussion about a deviation or shift in interpretation of the rule.
"Listen... When you have a rooting interest or you are, in the moment, very passionate or frustrated, you may challenge a call," Bettman said. "But, in the final analysis, overwhelmingly, they get it right... and this final analysis, it's a judgment call. You know, offsides - other than when it comes to control of the puck - but offsides in terms of where the skate is is a whole lot easier to do because it's more black and white. It's a fine line.
"Goaltender interference is, again, a judgment call, which is why you go with the call on the ice unless it's conclusively wrong."
HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 19: Jordan Walker #18 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits the ball during the game against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on April 19, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Michael McGreevy did not have his best stuff Monday night and the Miami Marlins took advantage of his mistakes beating the St. Louis Cardinals 5-3, but Jordan Walker did extend his hitting streak to 15 games.
Monday night’s game began as a pitcher’s duel. The Cardinals missed a golden opportunity to score in the top of the 1st inning after JJ Wetherholt and Ivan Herrera were both hit by pitches, but Alec Burleson grounded out, Jordan Walker struck out and Nolan Gorman grounded out stranding both of them. There was no score until the top of the 4th inning when Jordan Walker hit a sharp single up the middle, stole second base then advanced to third base on a wild pitch by Max Meyer. Walker scored the first run of the game on a sacrifice fly by Masyn Winn making it 1-0 Cardinals.
A walk by Michael McGreevy in the bottom of the 4th inning came back to haunt him. He walked Kyle Stowers with one out. Stowers advanced to second on a fielder’s choice and then scored on a ground rule double by Xavier Edwards tying the game 1-1. The Marlins would take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the 5th inning when Agustin Ramirez crushed a home run to deep left center.
The Cardinals tied the game in the top of the 6th inning when Jordan Walker walked. After Nolan Gorman flied out, Walker advanced to third base when Masyn Winn singled. He scored on a wild pitch by Calvin Faucher who had just entered the game in relief of Meyer. Meyer had 8 strikeouts over his 5 1/3 innings with 2 walks and 2 earned runs.
The Marlins would regain the lead in the bottom of the 6th inning when Stowers singled and scored after Lopez doubled. McGreevy would give up a walk to Edwards. Hicks then singled which scored Lopez, but Edwards was thrown out at home by an excellent cutoff throw by Masyn Winn giving the Marlins a 4-2 lead. Matt Svanson got the last out of the bottom of the 6th inning. Michael McGreevy completed 5 2/3 innings allowing 5 hits, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts and 4 earned runs.
Miami would add an insurance run in the bottom of the 8th when Lopez and Edwards were walked by relief pitcher Ryan Fernandez. Liam Hicks then singled which scored Lopez making it 5-2 Marlins, but Jordan Walker fired a cannon to third base to nail Edwards.
The Cardinals tried to mount another 9th inning comeback as Masyn Winn hit the first triple of the season for St. Louis and scored on a sacrifice fly by Ramón Urías making it 5-3 Marlins, but that was all they could muster after Saggese and Fermin struck out.
The Cardinals will send Dustin May to the mound for the 2nd game against Miami Tuesday night as Chris Paddack will start the game for the Marlins. First pitch is scheduled for 5:40pm central time Tuesday.
Vaughn Dalzell
