WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 18: Adrian Houser #12 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 18, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants welcome the Miami Marlins to Oracle Park tonight to begin a three-game series.
Taking the mound for the Giants will be right-hander Adrian Houser, who enters tonight’s game with a 5.40 ERA, 4.44 FIP, with 11 strikeouts to seven walks in 21.2 innings pitched. His last start was in the Giants’ 7-6 win over the Washington Nationals on Saturday, in which he allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits with one strikeout and two walks in five and two thirds innings.
He’ll be facing off against Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara, who enters tonight’s game with a 2.80 ERA, 4.42 FIP, with 23 strikeouts to 12 walks in 35.1 innings pitched. His last start was in the Marlins’ 5-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, in which he allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits with one strikeout and six walks in five innings.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The NHL Winter Classic for the 2026-27 season will be played on New Year’s Eve, league commissioner Gary Bettman announced on Friday.
The Utah Mammoth will host divisional rival Colorado Avalanche at Rice-Eccles Stadium on the University of Utah campus.
Bettman was in Salt Lake City for Game 3 of the first-round series between Utah and the Vegas Golden Knights.
Mammoth owner Ryan Smith said other events will be put together in conjunction with the Winter Classic to run throughout the holiday weekend — highlighted by a postgame concert at the Delta Center on New Year's Eve.
“Our hope is this is a whole weekend that is a version of an all-star game where we can come in and we can program and activate our state and show our state off,” Smith said. “You can expect a weekend of full programming of events, sports, concerts, and activities that will be pretty special.”
“It’s tough for me to take two weeks — even two weeks when we didn’t win a baseball game — and say that’s going to dramatically alter who we think we are,’’ Stearns said before the Mets opened a series against the Rockies with a 4-3 loss at Citi Field.
“I still think we’re a good team,” Stearns said. “I recognize we had a stretch where we did not play good baseball, and it cost us. It cost us repeatedly. I think we’re a good team, and I think we will show that.”
It hasn’t been evident much so far, as the new-look offense has mostly slumped — outside of a 10-run eruption in Thursday’s win.
But even that victory was almost spoiled by some rough work by a bullpen that Stearns called “inconsistent,” with an odd mix of starting pitchers and the unreliable Devin Williams closing.
The rotation has been shaky outside of Nolan McLean and Clay Holmes and the defense, also a focal point of the offseason, has had its rocky moments.
New York Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns speaks to the media before a game against the Athletics at Citi Field, Friday, April 10, 2026, in Queens, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
And it left the Mets with a 9-17 record after Friday’s loss.
Asked about his attempt to improve the team’s run prevention — a theme in the offseason — Stearns said the results have been mixed.
“Run prevention as a whole is pitching and defense,’’ Stearns said. “There have been moments it’s really good [and] a couple moments that haven’t been so good. It leads to the record we’re at right now. We’ve had consistent play from different parts of our team.”
Devin Williams #38 of the New York Mets reacts after a strikeout during the ninth inning of a game against the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field on April 23, 2026 in New York City. Getty Images
Bo Bichette has shown signs of life at the plate, as has Marcus Semien, but only the Giants entered Friday having scored fewer runs than the Mets and the lineup as a whole has struggled against hard fastballs.
Stearns pointed to the fact that some of those hitters struggling against high velocity have performed better in those spots throughout their careers and is confident that will happen again.
But the reality is, even with winning consecutive games following the franchise’s longest losing streak since 2002, the Mets have issues — including being without Francisco Lindor indefinitely with a strained left calf just as Juan Soto returned from a right calf strain.
Bo Bichette (19) celebrates the win against the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Queens, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“Injuries are part of this and injuries to good players are part of this,’’ Stearns said. “We’ve just got to get through it.”
Hopefully with more success without Lindor than in Soto’s absence.
“It’s frustrating,’’ Stearns said of the recent streak. “No one likes to lose and when you lose every single day for two weeks, it’s not a good feeling. We also know — I also know — where we are in the schedule and how long the season is.”
And that’s why he’s not looking back and wondering what went wrong in putting the team together.
“We’re not going to wholesale change the evaluation of our team over a two-week stretch,’’ Stearns said. “This is a long season. Going through a 12-game losing streak is difficult and not usual. There’s a reason it doesn’t happen very often, especially this early in the season.”
The Mets have gotten some clarity on Francisco Lindor’s left calf strain — and it’s not good news.
A day after the shortstop landed on the IL, manager Carlos Mendoza said Lindor would be in a walking boot for a week before being reevaluated in three weeks.
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Mendoza said he did not yet know the grade of Lindor’s calf strain, as he and team president David Stearns both expressed that the five-time All-Star would be reassessed in 21 days.
Lindor’s injury, suffered during Wednesday’s 3-2 win against the Twins, came as the Mets welcomed back Juan Soto from a 15-game absence (following a calf issue of his own).
“Injuries are part of this, and injuries to good players are part of this,” Stearns said on Friday before the Mets faced the Rockies. “We’re certainly not the only team in baseball that deals with this, and we just got to get through it.”
The Mets did that on Thursday, winning their series against the Twins on the back of a 12-game losing streak, but will now rely on a rather unproven prospect in Lindor’s place.
Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) in the dugout when the New York Mets played the Colorado Rockies Friday, April 24, 2026. Robert Sabo for NY Post
His injury resulted in a second call-up of the season for Ronny Mauricio, who will look to seize his latest chance after blasting six homers in 15 games for Triple-A Syracuse.
The infielder committed an error in his first start back but has the trust of Stearns to make the shortstop position his own in Lindor’s absence.
“He’s going to get opportunity there. He demonstrated to us both in spring training and Triple-A that he can play shortstop, and we’re going to be confident in him at shortstop,” Stearns said.
“I recognize last night was a rough showing, but we believe he can play shortstop and we’re going to give him a chance.”
Francisco Lindor (12) grimaces rounding third on his way to score on a New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) RBI double during the fourth inning when the New York Mets played the Minnesota Twins Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Robert Sabo for NY Post
The 25-year-old’s gaudy minor league numbers haven’t yet translated to the majors, and he went 0-4 at the plate despite the Mets’ 10-8 win.
Mendoza said he is confident Mauricio will figure it out.
“It’s always important when you finally get an opportunity, but [it] also can put too much pressure. The last thing you want is trying to do too much and trying to impress people,” the manager said.
“I think it’s just ‘go out there, play your game, be yourself.’ That’s all we’re asking him to do. And he’ll do just that. He’s a really good player that just needs to settle in here.”
Following his controversial remarks about Dodgers fans this offseason, Pete Crow-Armstrong told The California Post he’s anticipating a loud round of boos throughout his trip to Dodger Stadium on Friday night.
But if you think the expected response has the Cubs outfielder reconsidering his polarizing stance, think again.
Pete Crow-Armstrong sparked controversy this offseason when he criticized Dodgers fans. Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
“I grew up going to Dodgers games when they weren’t always good,” he said. “Their fans go in phases. Putting the Giants fan in the coma stuck with me as a kid. Sitting in the stands, nasty stuff goes on. I didn’t always experience that at other ballparks.”
Crow-Armstrong told The Post hours before he and his team took on the Dodgers for the first time since he muttered the shade that his feelings haven’t changed one bit.
“People that I grew up with that say they’re Dodgers fans don’t know s—t about baseball,” said Crow-Armstrong, a Harvard-Westlake School alum. “They don’t pay attention to the team, it’s just a place they go.
Pete Crow-Armstrong will play at Dodger Stadium on Friday night for the first time since making controversial statements about Los Angeles fans. Getty Images
“So, again, no shade to diehard Dodgers fans. Because they’re out there. Every team’s got ‘em. But that’s what I got.”
Crow-Armstrong added that he truly feels people in LA head to Chavez Ravine to “take pictures of themselves at the games, just like what they go to Lakers games for and sit courtside and look good.”
“And, do what you do,” he continued. “But Cubs fans don’t do that. We got a fan base that loves being there in 20-degree weather.”
Pete Crow-Armstrong told The California Post he’s expecting to be booed at Friday’s game against the Dodgers. Getty Images
Crow-Armstrong also said he actually got threats over his initial statements.
“I’ve had people telling me that all offseason that my comments about the two fans that put the Giants fan in a coma — ‘I hope you get ready to know what that feels like,'” he said.
But he added he never took any seriously.
The Cubs and Dodgers will square off beginning at 7:15 p.m. Crow-Armstrong will start in center field and bat eighth.
And he said while he’s expecting a lot of trash talk, he won’t be shy about returning it.
“If I give them reason to talk s—t,” he said, “then I hope they take advantage of it and vice versa.”
Los Angeles, CA - April 12: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) looks towards the field before heading to pitch before the first inning of an MLB game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Texas Rangers at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The Dodgers and Cubs continue their weekend series with another exclusive national broadcast on Saturday afternoon.
Saturday is the Dodgers’ first game on Fox this season, which means no SportsNet LA for the series opener. But they will have Joe Davis on the national call, his first of two consecutive Dodgers Saturday telecasts for Fox.
Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodón made his first rehab start for High-A Hudson Valley on Friday night as he recovers from left elbow surgery and he hit the ground running by going 4.1 scoreless innings against the Brooklyn Cyclones, the Mets' High-A affiliate.
Rodón allowed a hit, a Mitch Voit leadoff single, a walk and struck out four while throwing 65 pitches (43 strikes). He also hit a batter -- Voit in the third -- but ended his outing without surrendering a run.
At 50 pitches through three innings, Rodón went back out for the fourth inning which took him just nine pitches to complete, ending the frame with a strikeout of Colin Houck. After getting the first out of the fifth, Rodon walked the next batter, on a few questionable calls, and was pulled. He left with a 4-0 lead.
Rory Fox entered in relief and struck out two, stranding Rodón's runner at first base.
"Nickeil's dedication, continual work on his craft, and the ensuing results this season make him incredibly deserving of this award," said Hawks coach Quin Snyder. "He has a tireless work ethic and a focus on improving in every aspect of his game. His game continues to evolve, and his commitment and unselfish attitude as a teammate have also positively impacted the success of the team."
Alexander-Walker won the award because he grew and thrived in a role that was radically different from any one he had been in before. For the previous two seasons with the Timberwolves, Alexander-Walker came off the bench and was asked to be a defensive stopper and score a little, but it was more of a 3&D role, where he averaged 9.4 points a game. This season, especially as Atlanta moved on from the Trae Young era, Alexander-Walker became a starter with the ball in his hand — and he had the best year of his career in his seventh season in the league, at age 27.
Walker Sset career highs in scoring (20.8 ppg), rebounding (3.4 rpg), assists (3.7 apg), steals (1.31 spg), minutes (33.4 mpg), field goal percentage (45.9%), three-point field goal percentage (39.9%) and free throw percentage (90.2%). Plus, he, along with Daniels, gave Atlanta arguably the best defensive backcourt in the league.
Walker got 66 first-place votes from the panel of 100 media members who voted for the award. Jalen Duren from Detroit was a clear second, with Deni Avdija from Portland third. After those three, there was a pretty steep drop off to Boston's Neemias Queta at four and Milwaukee's Ryan Rollins at five.
Earlier today, I reported on the Cubs roster move replacing Scott Kingery on the active roster with Nicky Lopez.
The Cubs transactions page had noted Kingery was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
Now, there’s been another move. As you know, Caleb Thielbar left Thursday’s game with a hamstring injury. This is how that happened [VIDEO].
Before Friday’s game at Dodger Stadium, the Cubs placed Thielbar on the 15-day injured list and added right-hander Vince Velasquez to the active roster. To make room for Velasquez on the 40-man roster, Kingery was designated for assignment.
The 33-year-old Velasquez has a 3.71 ERA (7 ER/17.0 IP) and 19 strikeouts in four games (three starts) with Iowa this season. He leads the I-Cubs in innings pitched and is tied for second in strikeouts. The right-hander signed a minor league contract with an invite to major league spring training with the Cubs on February 13, 2026.
In 191 career major league games, including 144 starts, with Houston (2015), Philadelphia (2016-21), San Diego (2021), the White Sox (2022), and Pittsburgh (2023), Velasquez is 38-51 with a 4.88 ERA (414 ER/763.2 IP), 822 strikeouts, 307 walks, and a 1.37 WHIP. He holds a 34-19 record with three saves, a 3.27 ERA (158 ER/434.1 IP), and 513 strikeouts compared to 173 walks in 109 minor league games (82 starts) across parts of 12 seasons.
I would think Velasquez will work long relief for the Cubs, which might free up Javier Assad to close — Assad did a real nice job in the 10th inning Thursday. Or Assad could set up for Ben Brown.
Lopez will wear No. 5 and Velasquez will wear No. 56.
After the second loss in the series, and with all the noise surrounding the officiating, it’s not something that interests me or feels worth diving into right now. I understand and expect that it’s what everyone is talking about. Personally, I want to talk about the team’s fourth quarter in Game 2 (which the Suns won 30–20) and what worked tactically. Let’s break all of that down together.
You know the routine: a quick statistical checkpoint is needed to have plenty of numbers in mind while reading! As mentioned above, the Suns won that last part of the game 30-20. The difference came from efficiency and physical presence on the boards: Phoenix shot 55% and 43% from 3, while Oklahoma was held to 30% and 20%. Then, on the glass, the Suns won 13–9 (Maluach’s impact?).
OKC attempted 46.5% of their shots in the paint during the first three quarters of Game 2 and made 67.7% of them (21-of-31). In the fourth quarter, that number fell to 35% of their attempts and 50% (3-of-6)
Khaman Maluach played all 12 minutes of the fourth.
After a pretty tight first half and a third quarter completely dominated by OKC to close out the game, you could’ve thought Phoenix was going to keep collapsing like in Game 1…but that was without counting on the pride and courage that have defined this team for the past 6 to 7 months. In fact (even if we know the Thunder did relax a bit), the Suns even went on a 20–4 run to erase the 10‑point lead.
There was good stuff in those 12 minutes, especially the total presence of Maluach, a strong and ambitious tactical choice from Jordan Ott to respond to the Thunder’s physicality, with Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Jaylin Williams rotating in. Khaman had an immediate deterrent effect: OKC scored 48 points in the paint, but only 4 of them came in the final quarter.
An impact you notice right away on this sequence (and it bodes well for the future): the moment SGA blows by Booker, you can see Khaman sliding toward the middle to help and stop the drive. The Thunder guard anticipates it and passes to Mitchell, who is pretty poorly positioned (luckily) to take the shot, so he pump fakes, takes Brooks off balance, and drives to the rim. Except Maluach read the play perfectly and comes to shut the door and contest.
This sequence happens late in the game, but it sums up everything Khaman Maluach represents: deterrence, rim protection, and defensive intelligence. He was even placed on Alex Caruso to maximize his strengths and avoid having him chase Chet, who stays a lot on the perimeter. Whether in Game 1 or Game 2, I found that the Suns had a pretty good way of cutting off driving lanes (packing the paint, rotating with help, and having a second line that doesn’t hesitate to attack instead of reacting).
Again, here with Shai: he drops Brooks with his first step, but Maluach and O’Neal are there in help to stop him from going up, so he’s forced to pass to a perimeter player. Result: you go from an almost guaranteed two points to a three‑pointer that has half the chance of going in.
Then let’s talk about our good old Dillon. If there’s one player who deserves credit during this run, it’s him: 13 points and 5 rebounds in this quarter. He was the dynamo, the bulldozer of the team, and the play below perfectly represents his mindset and the way you need to play against this Thunder team: with pace, power, and boldness. You have to play their game without turning it into a caricature.
Finally, I want to show you the sequence that, for me, kick‑starts this run: it begins with Royce O’Neal in full guard‑dog mode, completely limiting Mitchell’s progress and forcing him into a tough layup — Maluach then wins his battle inside against Hart, allowing O’Neal to intercept the pass and run in transition. Dillon finishes this perfect sequence with a running three‑pointer.
The Suns are still far from where they need to be, but they’re slowly getting closer to the key to competing even more with them. They’re clearly not invincible (a pretty close first half and a last quarter dominated by Phoenix); the big issue remains the turnovers — they’re Christmas gifts for the Thunder — and the impact of Booker and Green, who I don’t find at the postseason level yet. To be continued in Game 3.
Immanuel Quickley #5 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball during the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 15, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The Raptors will still be without their starting point guard for their first-round matchup against the Cavaliers.
Immanuel Quickley aggravated his already strained right hamstring while working his way back from injury and will be unavailable for the remainder of the series, the Raptors announced Friday.
Quickley, 26, has already missed the first three games of the playoffs due to the injury, which he suffered during Toronto’s regular season finale against the Nets after missing multiple games because of plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
Immanuel Quickley of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball during the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 15, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NBAE via Getty Images
After injuries plagued Quickley’s 2024-25 season with the Raptors, he established himself as Toronto’s starting point guard this season, averaging 16.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.9 assists while shooting 44.3 percent in 70 games.
Second-year NBA guard Jamal Shead is starting in Quickley’s place against Cleveland, averaging 7.3 points and 2.3 steals in the series thus far.
“We missed Quickley big time with the way he gets us organized and his shooting helps our team out,” Toronto head coach Darko Rajakovic told reporters following the Raptors’ 126-113 Game 1 loss to Cleveland, according to the Associated Press. “I like Jamal’s defense and what we need on the court.
“We wanted to have multiple ball handlers on the floor with Jamal.”
Immanuel Quickley of the Toronto Raptors drives to the basket during the game against the Miami Heat on April 9, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NBAE via Getty Images
Toronto’s 126-104 victory over the Cavaliers on Thursday snapped a 12-game playoff losing streak against the club — which dates back to LeBron James’ tenure with Cleveland — and cut the series deficit to 2-1.
Two-time All-Star forward Scottie Barnes led the way for Toronto on Thursday, setting career playoff highs in both points (33) and assists (11), while shooting 11-of-17 from the field.
“We knew we needed everybody for this win and you’ve seen some big performances from everybody,” Barnes told reporters following the game. “It just goes to show how resilient, how bad we wanted it. We went out there and tried to do whatever it took.”
Rajakovic lauded Barnes’ Game 3 performance, saying that he “did everything for us tonight.”
Giants General Manager Joe Schoen strongly denied a report concerning trade talks involving edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux.
A report shortly before the start of the the second round of the draft indicated that the Giants were talking to the Saints and others about a trade that would move Thibodeaux off of the Giants' roster. Schoen said on Friday night that there was no validity to that report.
"We have not had any conversations about Kayvon Thibodeaux today," Schoen said, via multiple reporters. "That's not true."
Thibodeaux is heading into the final year of his contract and Thursday night's addition of Arvell Reese gives the Giants a lot of options off the edge, so a Thibodeaux trade seemed like a possible way to address other needs. It does not look like such a move is on the horizon, however.
STREAKING: The Cubs’ nine-game winning streak is their longest since they won 11 in a row July 31-Aug. 12, 2016. They had won nine in a row Aug. 6-15, 2015, then lost the 10th game. This is their 35th streak of at least nine games since 1901. They won the 10th in 23 of them. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
WINNING THE ONES YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO WIN: Until tonight, the Cubs have not faced an opponent with a winning record in 11 consecutive games, during which they went 10-1. The Cubs’ last such game was on April 12, when they stormed from behind to walk off the Pirates, 7-6. The Cubs are 3-4 in games this year vs. teams with more wins than losses. The two earlier wins were at home vs. the Nationals, in the second game of the season, and at Cleveland, in their eight game. The losses were to Cleveland, in their seventh and ninth games, and at home vs. the Pirates in their 13th and 14th.
WINNING WHEN SCORING LOTS OF RUNS: The Cubs are 14-4 when they have scored at least four runs, including 12-1 with six or more. They are 11-2 when they have allowed three of fewer; 5-7 with at least four.
THE BUSCH LEAGUE:Michael Busch, career at Dodger Stadium: .317/.379/.633 (19-for-60) with seven doubles, four home runs and 10 RBI. Busch batted .235/.333/.412, 8-for-34 with three doubles and a home run at Dodger Stadium while with the Dodgers in 2023. As a Cub in L.A.: .423/.444/.923 (11-for-26) with four doubles, three home runs and nine runs scored.
The Cubs lineup was not available at posting time. Please check BCB social media for the Cubs lineup.
Jameson Taillon’s numbers are just about at his career averages. His K rate and BB rate are both up a bit from last year, and he’s already served up six home run balls in just 22.2 innings. His last start, last Saturday against the Mets, was pretty good.
Jamo has not faced the Dodgers in more than three years. The last time was April 15, 2023 at Dodger Stadium, so long ago that Jason Heyward started for L.A. in that game.
Current Dodgers are batting .260 (21-for-79) against Taillon. Kyle Tucker has homered off him and Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernandez have both gone deep twice. Advice: Keep the ball in the yard tonight please.
This will be Emmet Sheehan’s first full year in the Dodgers rotation, as he missed all of 2024 and part of last year after Tommy John surgery. He got hit pretty hard in his first two starts this year, the last two have been better.
He has never faced the Cubs, and among current Cubs, only Alex Bregman (1-for-4) and Michael Conforto (0-for-3) have faced him.
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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.
Former New Zealand and Essex all-rounder Doug Bracewell has been given a two-year suspension after testing positive for cocaine during an English County Championship match last year.
