May 19, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) hits a two-run home run against the Cleveland Guardians in the second inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Detroit Tigers (20-29) vs. Cleveland Guardians (28-22)
Time/Place: 6:40 p.m., Comerica Park SB Nation Site: Covering the Corner Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: TBA vs. RHP Tanner Bibee (0-6, 4.15 ERA)
On most nights in Silverlake, the scene inside 33 Taps is what you would expect from a quintessential Los Angeles sports bar. Beers are chugged out of pint glasses.
Lakers highlights flicker across the televisions. Half the crowd is wearing Dodger hats as they chat and share boneless wings.
But on Tuesday night, during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the place transformed into something completely different.
This was no longer Los Angeles.
This was Madison Square Garden. Only with better weather.
On most nights in Silverlake, the scene inside 33 Taps is what you would expect from a quintessential Los Angeles sports bar. Beers are chugged out of pint glasses. Tiffany Chao
There were rumors that a group of New York transplants had turned a neighborhood sports bar into a Knicks pilgrimage site during playoff games. They weren’t wrong.
From the moment you walk up to the bar you can see the overflow of Knicks fans seated outside. The line to get inside wraps around the corner. As soon as you enter through the doors, the energy hits you in the chest like a subway train pulling into Times Square during rush hour.
Orange and blue Knicks jerseys flood every corner of the bar. Ewing. Starks. Camby. Houston. Anthony. Brunson. Towns. From throwbacks to current players, these were legit Knicks fans. A guy sitting at the bar wore a vintage Knicks bomber jacket like it was a suit of armor.
As the Cavaliers took the lead at the half, another fan in a Knicks’ hat screamed at the television while clutching his beer. His accent was easily recognizable.
These were definitely New Yorkers, no matter where they lived now.
Tiffany ChaoTiffany ChaoTiffany ChaoInstagram/MeghanopolisTiffany ChaoTiffany ChaoTiffany ChaoInstagram/KnicksfanTV Comedian Desus Nice (L) and actor Jerry O’Connell (M) pose with a Knicks fan (R) at 33 Taps bar in Silverlake, CA. Tiffany Chao
Through conversations, most of them had migrated west years ago chasing acting careers, writing jobs, music gigs, or a clean beach and sunshine. But regardless of the reason, all roads led back to Manhattan.
Only now, the 32nd & 7th in Midtown Manhattan was across the street from a taco stand and tucked between a sushi place and a Salt & Straw.
“Everyone knows this is a Knicks bar,” said one fan who has lived in LA for over 10 years.
Another fan from The Bronx, said he started coming to 33 Taps back in 2023.
“Back then, it was maybe five or six people,” he said. “Now look at this.”
He motioned towards the standing-room-only crowd packed shoulder-to-shoulder at communal tables all staring at the giant television along the back wall.
Knicks fans going crazy at the official New York Knicks bar in Silverlake at 33 Taps.
— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) May 20, 2026
It all started with Peter Agoston and Dre Anderson.
Two self-proclaimed Knicks superfans who started coming to 33 Taps in Silverlake to watch Knicks summer league games in 2021.
“I came to the bar and asked a bartender very nicely if they’d put on the Knicks game for me,” said Agoston. “I looked over and saw a Yankee hat. That was Dre. It was pre-destined. Knicks fans in Los Angeles desperately needed a home.”
Agoston and Anderson created the Left Coast Knicks Instagram account and began letting fans know when and where the watch party would be.
For decades, being a Knicks fan felt like inherited trauma disguised as basketball loyalty. The Knicks haven’t won a title since 1973 (over the Lakers). Players and coaches changed, but the losses never stopped coming. Between 2001-2022 they missed the playoffs 15 times.
Then came 2023.
The Knicks beat the Cavaliers in the first round before losing to the Miami Heat in six games. But that postseason run changed everything. More fans started showing up. Agoston told them to come back next season. They did.
“We’ve been humbled by countless years of ups and downs,” he said. “Most of our community here is very far away from their hometowns and families, this space we’ve created transcends just watching a game.”
And 33 Taps has its own version of Celebrity Row.
One of the regulars since 2023 is Desus Nice, the sharp-tongued comedian and former co-host of the “Desus vs. Mero” show. He moved to LA that year and didn’t want to watch games alone in his apartment.
Desus Nice, former co-host of the Desus vs. Mero podcast poses with a young Knicks fan at 33 Taps bar in Silverlake, CA. (Credit: Instagram/Knicksfantv) Instagram/KnicksfanTV
Actor Jerry O’Connell, a lifelong Knicks fan born in Manhattan began showing up to 33 Taps during last year’s playoff run. The Knicks upset the reigning champion Boston Celtics before eventually losing to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals.
Comedian Desus Nice (L) and actor Jerry O’Connell (M) pose with a Knicks fan (R) at 33 Taps bar in Silverlake, CA. (Credit: UncleMike / @billskid) Tiffany Chao
“We’re a community now,” said another fan who arrived two hours early Tuesday night just to secure a table. “Some people moved here 20 years ago. Some moved here two months ago. But this became home.”
And nothing epitomized that home away from home more than Game 1. The Knicks, who had eight days of rest after sweeping the 76ers, trailed by 22 points in the fourth quarter before detonating one of the wildest comebacks in playoff history, storming back to force overtime in what turned into a stunning 115-104 win.
The reaction inside 33 Taps was absolute chaos. Beer flew through the air. Fans jumped up and down, shouting, screaming and high-fiving strangers. Fans poured out into the orange and blue sunset as if they had just witnessed a religious experience.
And maybe they had. Because for one night in Silverlake, the night belonged to New York.
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WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 19: James Wood #29 of the Washington Nationals dives into home plate for an inside the park grand slam home run as Nasim Nuñez #26 and Jorbit Vivas #84 celebrate during the second inning against the New York Mets at Nationals Park on May 19, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After an emotional win last night, the Nats evened the series with the Mets and got within a game of .500 again. Now, the Nationals can get back to .500 with a win. The best offense in baseball will be facing a kid making his big league debut. Hopefully they can give him a rude awakening.
With a lefty on the mound, Blake Butera will be making some changes to the lineup. Curtis Mead will be in the 2 hole and play third base. Andres Chaparro will make his first start since being recalled, playing first base. Dylan Crews will shift to right field with Jacob Young making his return to the lineup. Keibert Ruiz will be behind the plate in this one. Zack Littell will get the ball after having a nice start against the O’s.
The Mets are also making a few changes. Juan Soto will be playing the field, getting the start in left. A.J. Ewing will be back in the lineup, playing center field. MJ Melendez will start at DH and Hayden Senger will do the catching. Zach Thornton will make his MLB debut tonight. The lefty is a command artist.
Last night was one of the most fun games of the season. Now they will have a chance to follow that up with another good performance. This team is never out of a game with this offense and they will have a chance to face a rookie making his debut tonight. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!
DENVER, CO - MAY 20: Starting pitcher Kyle Freeland #21 of the Colorado Rockies delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Coors Field on May 20, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Texas Rangers scored five runs but the Colorado Rockies scored four runs.
In a very the-Rangers-are-quite-strange kind of way, the club almost lost a second consecutive series to a league-worst team despite outscoring them. The Rangers have outscored their opponents 30-17 on their current road trip, but were a couple of outs away from a second consecutive series loss, this time to the now 19-31 Rockies.
After outscoring the Astros nine runs to six, the Rangers outscored Colorado 21-11 in this series only to trail 4-3 into the ninth in the day’s rubber match. Without the ninth inning rally, Texas would have been staring at a most depressing result in the chilly spring drizzle in the Rocky Mountains. Thankfully, the sun is now shining as the Rangers scored two in the ninth to grab the series.
For a while there was worry as the Rangers fell back on old habits with Jack Leiter allowing a two-out RBI single in the first inning after an easy 1-2-3 top of the frame from the Texas bats. Nevertheless, another early deficit was put behind them when the Rangers had a spurt of scoring in the top of the fourth with Ezequiel Duran and Jake Burger hit back-to-back home runs.
Duran’s dong was of the two-run variety and Burger’s gave the Rangers a 3-1 lead with Leiter seemingly settling in. But Leiter’s stuff seemed down even as he got through the next few innings unscathed after the first. In the bottom of the fourth, his command abandoned him completely and he walked in a run. An inning later, he allowed both the tying and go-ahead runs to score.
So, bottom of the fifth and the Rockies take a one-run lead. But it’s the Rockies, and it’s Coors Field. Surely it’s not over right there, right? Well, it sure seemed like it was until in the ninth the Rangers loaded the bases, scored the tying run on a swinging strike passed ball, and then took the lead on a Josh Jung RBI single against a drawn-in infield.
Jacob Latz pitched his second scoreless inning in the bottom ninth for the save and the Rangers are now back to within a game of .500.
Player of the Game: Josh Jung played the hero with the go-ahead RBI in the top of the ninth while also going 3-for-4 overall on the day.
Up Next: The Rangers have the day off tomorrow before starting a series against the Anaheim Angels for the final leg of this current road trip beginning on Friday night in Orange County.
Topps will feature a portion of the ball in trading cards of the Spurs center and his teammate, guard Dylan Harper, with a printed autograph. Harper, who is a rookie, also had a standout night with 24 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 7 steals. At 20 years old, he became the youngest player to notch a prestigious 4x5 game in the NBA playoffs.
The special edition cards will be released randomly to customers who purchase the Topps Now cards commemorating each player's landmark performance. The collectible items are on sale now at the Topps website through Thursday, May 21 at 7 p.m. ET and for $11.99.
Apr 13, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners J.P. Crawford (3) throws to first base for a ground out during the fifth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images | Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
J.P. Crawford was a late scratch before Wednesday’s series finale against the White Sox, as the triceps issue stemming from a hit by pitch in the last series with the Padres continues to bother him. Pregame he was seen pointing out the sore area to Cole Young, playfully poking the young second baseman in the same spot, before settling in to take his daily defensive drills with Perry Hill.
It’s the kind of leadership and attention to young players Crawford has demonstrated during his entire tenure as a Mariner, something that will intensify when Crawford is able to return to play – although not, perhaps, where Mariners fans are used to seeing him. While going through those drills, Crawford walked to third base instead of his usual position at short.
Per Mariners GM Justin Hollander, Crawford’s agent reached out to him about the possibility of playing third base, saying he wanted to do whatever was necessary to help the team win. Crawford reportedly approached Dan Wilson directly with the same proposition.
Whether you rely on the eye test or on defensive stats, it’s been a struggle for Crawford at shortstop this year. With a Fielding Run Value of -5, Crawford ranks in the bottom five of all defenders in MLB; his Defensive Runs Saved mark of -7 is also bottom-five in the bigs. If you’ve just been relying on the eye test, you’ve seen the throws that have gone off-target at first, most cleaned up by Josh Naylor – not anything that would show up in defensive stats, but uncomfortable nonetheless. Crawford missed time this spring with a lingering shoulder issue, which might be impacting his accuracy. There have been times this season where Crawford’s body language has shown visible disappointment or frustration after making an off-target throw or mishandling a ball. Crawford’s defense has attracted enough negative attention that it’s even been the focus of various segments on the local talk radio stations; it’s fair to call it a noticeable issue.
But it’s not so simple as just pulling Crawford off the position that’s been his for as long as he’s been a Mariner. He’s the Mariners leader in games played at shortstop, surpassing Alex Rodriguez last season, and a future Mariners Hall of Famer. He’s the longest-tenured Mariner, the one they call “Captain,” the steady hand that’s overseen the transition of this team from rebuild to an ALCS appearance.
Now, it seems Crawford is prepared to enter a new phase of his Mariners tenure. If he does take over at third, it will be an echo of the start of his career, when Philadelphia tried to convert him from a primary shortstop to a hybrid shortstop-third baseman. Crawford struggled defensively in Philly, and later said that coming to Seattle to work with Perry Hill “saved his career.” Now, if Crawford transitions to third base, it will be his decision.
If he does take up the mantle at the hot corner, Crawford’s career as a Mariner will likely end mirroring the player who mentored him during his time, one of the best third baseman in Mariners history, Kyle Seager. It’s especially fitting because as Seager poured so much into Crawford as a young player, so does Crawford pay it forward with his young infielders Cole Young and Colt Emerson.
“J.P. is a selfless player,” said Dan Wilson. “He’ll go wherever anybody needs him to go.”
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 18: General view of the field as three umpires work the field after home plate umpire Alfonso Márquez leaves the game after being hit in the mask with a ball during a game against the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves at loanDepot park on May 18, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Kelly Gavin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s getting to be that time for the pivotal third game of any four game series. The winner will be in the drivers seat for a series win while the loser will go into tomorrow’s game simply trying to salvage a split. I think we’re all hoping that Chris Sale and the Braves will be able to play themselves into the driver’s seat with a win this evening. We’ll just have to see how it all plays out. Come on down into the comments and join us, why don’t you?
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 15: Head coach Kenny Atkinson of the Cleveland Cavaliers argues with referee Zach Zarba #15 against the Detroit Pistons during the first quarter in Game Six of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Rocket Arena on May 15, 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers have fallen apart late during several postseason games. That is their own doing. However, those collapses have usually been accompanied by missed calls down the stretch. Blowing a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks in Game 1 was no exception.
The NBA’s Last Two Minute Report shows that the Cavs were on the wrong end of two missed calls late and the beneficiary of one missed call. Let’s go through these.
The first missed call benefited the Cavs. Evan Mobley should’ve been called for an offensive foul for the screen he put on Landry Shamet with just over a minute left in regulation.
The report says: “Mobley (CLE) extends his elbow outward and delivers contact to Shamet’s (NYK) head/face during the pick.”
If called correctly, this would’ve given the Knicks the ball right back.
The next missed call happened on that same possession. The awful Donovan Mitchell floater that didn’t hit the rim wasn’t out on the Cavs. The report says that the missed shot was off OG Anunoby instead of Jarrett Allen, as it was called on the floor.
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It’s difficult to get too worked up on this one. If things were called completely accurately on the floor, the ball would’ve already been with the Knicks due to the missed foul by Allen.
Still, this was a missed call and one that you would’ve liked to have seen Kenny Atkinson use a challenge on, although there wasn’t much time between the ball going out and the Knicks inbounding it.
The final missed call was the one that hurt the Cavs the most. The game-tying basket by Shamet shouldn’t have gone.
The Cavs tried to hedge and recover on Brunson near half-court. Sam Merrill, Brunson’s primary defender, tries to work around the screen. Anunoby makes sure that he can’t get around the screen because he was moving on the pick.
The report says: “Anunoby (NYK) establishes a wide screening position in Merrill’s (CLE) path and the contact occurs to his leg.”
If the screen isn’t moving, Merrill has a better chance of staying with Brunson, and the rotations would’ve been cleaner. More importantly, if this was called correctly, the Knicks would’ve lost possession.
There’s a lot of factors that go into blowing a 22-point lead. It’s fair to say that the Cavs might’ve won this game if these three calls were ruled correctly on the floor. At the same time, they should’ve never allowed the game be influenced by the officials in the first place.
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 17: Luis Curvelo #57 of the Texas Rangers poses for a portrait during photo day at Surprise Stadium on February 17, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Texas Rangers activated pitcher Luis Curvelo from the 15 day injured list and optioned him to AAA Round Rock, the team announced today.
Curvelo started the season in the minors, but was called up a little over a week into the season to join the Rangers’ bullpen. He was placed on the injured list on April 15, and was sent out on a rehab assignment with Round Rock on May 15. The Rangers have apparently decided they do not need him in the major league pen for the time being, so he is officially off the injured list and on the active roster for the Express.
With Chris Martin having been activated from the injured list yesterday, that leaves four pitchers on the major league injured list — lefthanded starting pitchers Cody Bradford and Jordan Montgomery, who are both on the 60 day injured list, and lefty reliever Robert Garcia and righthanded reliever Carter Baumler, who are both on the 15 day injured list.
Unai Emery has reconfirmed his status as master of the competition, but will now want to set his sights higher
There are two ways to win a final. You can win it by the odd goal, amid a frenzy of anxiety so the final whistle comes as a relief. Or you can win it as a procession, flexing your superiority, so the final whistle is almost resented for spoiling the fun. For Aston Villa, this was very much the latter. If their fans had dreamed the previous night of how they might win the game, they could barely have come up with something so satisfying and emphatic.
It’s true that Villa have a budget around 2.8 times that of Freiburg, and that they have been strong favourites in almost every game in the Europa League this season. But then in the Premier League they’re often fighting against sides with far greater resources. The poles of European and domestic football may have flipped, but that is not their fault nor, at least for now, their concern. They have not been a successful enough club – at least in the past 100 years – to decline to fully celebrate any trophy that comes their way. A second European success, 44 years after the first, is history.
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 4: Jake Laravia #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 4, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
When Jake LaRavia had it going for the Lakers, he looked like a genius signing for the franchise. He was knocking down so many threes against the Wolves to start the season that Anthony Edwards was asking who he was.
Then the lights got brighter, and LaRavia began to dim.
His shooting struggles from the perimeter became a problem. From January to March, his 3-point shooting percentage dropped each month. Once the playoffs started, things got worse for LaRavia. He struggled massively in the postseason, only attempting seven shots as his shooting woes were clearly on his mind.
With LaRavia unable and unwilling to shoot, Lakers head coach JJ Redick was forced to bench him for the last two games of the postseason. During LaRavia’s exit interview, he discussed his year with the Lakers.
“I thought I had a good season in certain areas, and I think there’s a lot of things that I can work on in other areas,” LaRavia said. “Obviously, now seeing what the playoffs are like and stuff like that and falling out of rotation these last two games, it just makes me excited. Not looking at it negatively but just, I’m excited to go into this offseason and work on the things that I need to.
“Obviously, I didn’t shoot the ball in any capacity that I wanted to this year. Having months where you’re shooting sub 30% is just not going to cut it and I know I’m a way better shooter than that. So, just going into this offseason, working on specific things to be able to bring in next year.”
Since LaRavia started his career with the Grizzlies and then had a short stint with the Kings, this was his first time in a playoff setting and on a contending team. Some players are playoff risers, and others are fallers. LaRavia ended up on the wrong end of that spectrum.
However, his career isn’t over, and this playoff stint doesn’t have to be a forever status. He shot 42% from deep last year, and if he locks into the gym and has the right mentality, there’s no reason to believe he can’t get back to that level of play.
This offseason is a big one for the Lakers. They have a ton of cap space and are looking to add depth to their roster. LaRavia can either be a part of that depth or be one of the players the Lakers trade for new pieces.
For now, it’s time for LaRavia to control what he can control and lock in. There’s proof in performances like his against the Wolves and his 26-point game against the Grizzlies that he can be a great player. There’s also evidence like this postseason run that he’s not up to par.
It’s up to him to prove which player he can consistently be.
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - MARCH 09: Zach Thornton (21) of the New York Mets delivers a pitch during a spring training game against the Miami Marlins on March 09, 2026 at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Mets lineup
Carson Benge – RF Bo Bichette – SS Juan Soto – LF Mark Vientos – 1B MJ Melendez – DH Brett Baty – 3B Marcus Semien – 2B A.J. Ewing – CF Hayden Senger – C
SP: Zach Thornton – LHP
Nationals lineup
James Wood – DH Curtis Mead – 3B Andres Chaparro – 1B CJ Abrams – SS Dylan Crews – RF Daylen Lile – LF Jacob Young – CF Nasim Nunez – 2B Keibert Ruiz – C
SP: Zack Littell – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 6:45pm EDT TV: SNY Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
May 15, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) talks with Minnesota Timberwolves forward Joan Beringer (19) after game six of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images | Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Here are the NBA playoff games for Wednesday, May 20, 2026:
San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder — 8:30 PM ET (NBC, Peacock)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 15: Connelly Early #71 of the Boston Red Sox pitches in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on May 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TV: NESN
First Pitch: 7:40 p.m. ET
The Red Sox are officially out of last place in the American League East and search for their second sweep of the season. Boston earned wins behind solid starts from Sonny Gray and Ranger Suarez to start the series. On Wednesday night, Boston sends Connelly Early to the mound in the midst of a solid campaign.
Here’s who the Red Sox will send to the plate Wednesday night.
The Mets bullpen should be getting reinforcement really soon.
Manager Carlos Mendoza spoke with the media ahead of Wednesday's game against the Nationals and gave an update on A.J. Minter, and the news is promising.
"He’s going to pitch one more time in Syracuse, could be Saturday or Sunday, depending on how he recovers from the back-to-back," Mendoza said. "It’s a quick turnaround."
Minter pitched Tuesday night for the Syracuse Mets and struck out one batter in his one inning of work. He was then asked to come in less than 24 hours later for Syracuse's 11 a.m. start and pitched 0.2 innings. He allowed a run on a hit, walk and a hit batter, raising his ERA to 2.70 in Triple-A. However, Mendoza is encouraged by Minter's ability to bounce back so soon.
"The fact that he pitched in an 11 o’clock game today. Shows you that he feels pretty good," Mendoza said. "One more over the weekend, hopefully and we’ll see if he’s in play for us when we get back from Miami."
In seven Triple-A appearances, Minter has allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out three across 6.2 innings.
The Mets will head to Miami after the end of the Nationals series on Thursday before heading home to take on the Reds.
Updates on Polanco and Robert Jr.
Mendoza was asked about the progress of Jorge Polanco and Luis Robert Jr. and there wasn't much for the Mets skipper to give.
While Robert Jr. remains shut down from all baseball-related activities, Polanco continues to do so and continues to take batting practice.
