Jayson Tatum is playing the best basketball of his career right now. He’s a two-way superstar leading the defending champion Boston Celtics to what should be a second consecutive season with 60-plus wins.
And yet, he is not a factor in the NBA MVP conversation.
ESPN NBA writer Tim Bontemps released Wednesday the results of his third and final league MVP straw poll this season. It includes 100 voters, many of whom actually have a real MVP ballot this season. Therefore, it’s a pretty good representation of how the final vote tally will play out.
Based on this poll, it looks like Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will win his first MVP, edging out Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, who has won three of the last four MVPs.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is in a distant third place, with Tatum right behind him. No other player had more than 100 voting points in Bontemps’ poll.
Nikola Jokic, DEN: 760 points (23 first-place votes)
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL: 381 points
Jayson Tatum, BOS: 363 points
Donovan Mitchell, CLE: 93 points
Gilgeous-Alexander leads the league in scoring at 32.8 points per game and the Thunder own the league’s best record at 63-12. Jokic is averaging a triple-double with 29.7 points, 12.8 rebounds and 10.2 assists per game. He posted the highest-scoring triple-double in league history (61 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.
If Jokic hadn’t won three MVPs in the last four years and there was no voter fatigue, he’d probably win the award almost unanimously this year. The fact that he’s averaging almost a 30-point triple-double while shooting 57.5 percent from the field and 41.6 percent from 3-point range and might not win MVP is truly crazy.
Tatum is having a great season, too, averaging 27.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and a career-high 5.9 assists per game. He leads the Celtics in all three categories. Tatum won’t win league MVP, but there’s a more important trophy he’s chasing that gets handed out in June — the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Award.
In the immediate afterglow of helping the Boston Celtics secure their 18th title, with champagne-soaked goggles still perched atop his head, Jrue Holiday tried to put into words what it meant to help Al Horford secure that elusive NBA crown.
“[Getting Horford a title] was one of the ultimate goals of [the 2023-24] season,” said Holiday. “I’d run through a brick wall for him.”
Now, as Horford continues to stiff-arm Father Time, and the Celtics prepare to chase another championship, we wondered what it is about the 38-year-old big man that particularly inspires fellow NBA veteran Holiday.
“I think sometimes you just have those people that bring that out of you,” said Holiday. “They’re great humans, they want the best, not only for you, but everybody around them. They’re selfless. They think about other people before themselves. And they do everything for everybody else and then don’t expect credit. I feel like people like that, you want everything great for them.
“And then you also see his career, what he’s done and how he’s been the best player on his team, and then how he handles a situation like this, where there’s so much talent. He’s for sure a Hall of Famer, and I’m pretty sure Al could really be like strutting his stuff and he doesn’t. He’s so respectful, he’s so humble.
“Guys like that, you just want to run through a brick wall for.”
Some wondered if Horford might ride off into the sunset after raising the Larry O’Brien Trophy in Year 17 of his NBA career. The way he’s playing, the more appropriate question now may be whether he can play until the same age as his jersey number (42) — or beyond.
Horford scored a season-high 26 points on 9-of-18 shooting while knocking down six 3-pointers in Boston’s 117-103 triumph over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, capping the first 6-0 road trip in team history. It was Horford’s biggest regular-season scoring output since February 2021.
Horford’s uptick in scoring output helped the Celtics go 14-1 in March, and the team is playing some of its best basketball right before the playoffs arrive. No one seems to highlight this team’s ability to shift to another gear in big moments quite like Horford, who routinely saves his best basketball for when the lights are the brightest.
In typical Horford fashion, he is appreciative of Holiday’s run-through-a-wall remarks, but the big man is certain he’d do the same for any of his teammates.
“It’s a great compliment. But more than anything, I think that we’re all in this together and we understand the opportunity we have in front of us,” said Horford. “So, it’s nice that they say that about me, but we know that we’re playing for — something bigger, and what being a Celtic is all about. I feel like that’s my mindset, that’s our focus.”
Horford seems particularly invigorated to have his son, Ean, around the team this season. Horford’s father, Tito, was a consistent presence during the team’s title run last season, and now a third generation has a front-row seat for the quest to repeat (literally; Ean has sat on the bench during road games and delivered an emphatic chest bump to Derrick White during a recent stop).
Horford, who agreed to shuffle to a reserve role last season in order to maximize Boston’s glut of talent after adding Holiday before the start of the season, has quietly started 40 of the 57 games he’s appeared in this season.
Horford held down the fort with Boston’s starting group while Kristaps Porzingis recovered from offseason surgery at the start of the season, and Boston has rarely been at full health since. For the season, Horford is averaging 8.9 points and 6.1 rebounds over 27.7 minutes per game.
Ironically, Horford’s season-best performance against Memphis on Monday came in a reserve role, with Horford selflessly coming off the bench to allow rarely-utilized backup big man Xavier Tillman to start against his former team.
Sacrifice is a perpetual theme with Horford, who never puts his personal desires ahead of what can help the team.
“You have to sacrifice at different points in order to to get something that you want,” said Horford. “I feel like, as a player and for me personally, I feel like I’ve done that throughout my career.
“Last year was probably even more of a step, in that sense. But, for me, ultimately I understood the opportunity that was in front of us and what we have here with the group that we have. And it was something that, it was tough, but it was the right thing. So that’s what it’s all about.”
I’m more excited this year than last year. Just very determined to get this done.
Al Horford on his mindset entering the playoffs
Positioned with a chance to chase another title, and knowing just how rare it is to even be in that position, Horford seems insanely motivated by the opportunity in front of this team now.
“We understand it,” said Horford. “But, more than that, I’m really driven. I really want this for our group and for the Celtics organization. So it’s one of those things that I’m more excited, I feel, this year than last year. So just very determined for us to get this done.”
Holiday knows a little too well about how a championship can motivate Horford. Holiday laughs recalling how Horford’s Florida squad defeated the UCLA team that Holiday would soon commit to during the 2006 national title game, and then again in the national semifinals in 2007.
“I watched Al beat UCLA so — that was rough,” said Holiday. “So I’ve watched Al for a while. But even through his career, just him always being, for one, true to himself — I think that’s probably the most important part.
“Especially in the type of business that we’re in, sometimes you can get a little carried away. But Al’s always been himself. He’s believed in himself and had his faith and that’s obviously something that I stand on and think is very respectable.”
Holiday, too, has sacrificed his individual stats to help his teams succeed throughout his career. But even after arriving in Boston last season, watching Horford do the same made it that much easier to embrace.
“I like to win,” said Holiday. “I like to win and I feel like, when it comes to winning, you have to do whatever is necessary. Sometimes if you want to and sometimes if you don’t. But I think a lot of the times you get a certain gratification if you are the handyman or doing the dirty work.
“He’s no longer the underdog, babyface assassin,” Jay Williams said Wednesday morning on “Get Up.” “He is the villain now. I think he is embracing being the villain. The beautiful thing about this is he’s the petty king. This is the scariest thing we’ve ever seen Steph Curry be at level-wise. He’s entering a similar phase to when Kobe was Black Mamba. I think you’re entering a dark Steph phase, where little things like this, look how he just runs up in the face of Desmond Bane.
“If it’s ‘night night,’ if it’s the trash talking that he does, if it’s with Jimmy Butler, if it’s with Draymond Green — this is the next iteration of Steph Curry that’s trying to win a [championship] in the next two years.”
"He's no longer the underdog baby-faced assassin. He is the villain now. … This is the next iteration of Steph Curry that's trying to win a chip in the next two years."
Curry finished the game with 52 points on 16-of-31 (51.6 percent) shooting from the field and 12 of 20 (60 percent) from 3-point range, adding 10 rebounds, eight assists, five steals and one block in 36 minutes.
The Warriors and Grizzlies haven’t been too fond of each other in recent years, and as much as some players might try to downplay it, it’s a rivalry. Tuesday was proof of that.
While Green or Butler are the vocal leaders who typically chirp at opponents on the court, Curry expressed his frustrations during a heated encounter with Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane.
We have seen time and time again what a ticked-off Curry can do on the hardwood. We saw it Tuesday night. And Williams believes we’ll see a lot more of it as the four-time NBA champion enters his villain era.
Ja Morant might be in trouble with the NBA … again.
The league is “looking into” the Memphis Grizzlies star point guard’s use of finger gun motions toward the Golden State Warriors‘ bench in the final seconds of Tuesday’s matchup between the rivals, ESPN’s Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon reported Wednesday, citing sources.
The NBA is looking into Memphis' Ja Morant using finger gun motions toward the Golden State Warriors bench last night, sources tell me and @espn_macmahon.
Things got chippy with 20 seconds remaining and the Warriors up by five as double-technical fouls were assessed to both Morant and Warriors guard Buddy Hield, who also appeared to make a gun gesture toward Morant. Several other Warriors players stepped in and notified the officials of Morant’s gesture.
Morant was suspended twice for flashing a gun on Instagram live videos in 2023, with the first being an eight-game suspension for having a gun at a Denver nightclub. The second video happened over the summer, when he flashed what appeared to be a gun in a car and had to serve a 25-game suspension.
Its Wednesday, April 2 and the Red Sox (1-4) take the field at Camden Yards against the Baltimore Orioles (3-2) in Game 2 of their three-game series.
Garrett Crochet (0-0, 3.60) and Zach Eflin (1-0, 3.00) are set to take the ball for Boston and Baltimore accordingly.
These teams opened the series on Monday with the Orioles winning, 8-5. Tyler O’Neill continued his torrid start collecting four hits and one RBI in four at bats to push his average to .571 and pace the O’s attack. Boston’s struggles are epitomized by their captain’s inability to make contact and put balls in play. Rafael Devers did walk twice but he struck out three times in three at bats. He has now struck out 12 times in 16 trips to the plate. Ouch!
Lets dive into today's matchup and find a sweat or two.
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Game details & how to watch Red Sox at Orioles
Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Time: 6:35PM EST
Site: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
City: Baltimore, MD
Network/Streaming: NESN, MASN
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Odds for the Red Sox at the Orioles
The latest odds as of Wednesday:
Moneyline: Boston Red Sox (-114), Baltimore Orioles (-105)
Spread: Red Sox -1.5
Total: 8.0 runs
Probable starting pitchers for Red Sox at Orioles
Pitching matchup for April 2, 2025: Garrett Crochet vs. Zach Eflin
Red Sox: Garrett Crochet (0-0, 3.60 ERA) Last outing: 3/27 @ Texas - 5 IP, 2ER, 3.60 ERA, 5 Ks
Orioles: Zach Eflin (1-0, 3.00 ERA) Last outing: 3/27 @ Toronto - 6 IP, 2ER, 3.00 ERA, 2 Ks
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Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Red Sox at Orioles
Baltimore Game Totals have cashed to the OVER in 4 of their 5 games
Baltimore is 3-2 on the Run Line this season
Boston's lack of offense is a big part of why their Game Totals have cashed to the UNDER in 4 of their 5 games
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Red Sox and the Orioles
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Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Red Sox and the Orioles:
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Baltimore Orioles on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Baltimore Orioles +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.
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Steph Curry’s latest move up the NBA’s all-time scoring list was an extra special milestone.
The Warriors guard scored a whopping 52 points in Golden State’s 134-125 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday at FedExForum, and in doing so, passed Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Jerry West (25,192) for 25th all-time.
Making moves ⚡️
Stephen Curry has passed Jerry West for 25th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list pic.twitter.com/1D311naCbI
Curry was asked after the game how special it was for him to move ahead of West, who passed away last June at 86.
“I got a little emotional about that, that’s special, obviously in our memory and what he meant to the league, to the world of basketball, to our organization when he worked here,” Curry said. “And my relationship with [Warriors Senior Director, Pro Personnel Jonnie West]. I got to talk to him after the game, just to share a moment of what it meant for me, my family, the entire West family. So that is special. Just understanding what his career was, that’s The Logo, so very special. I’ll keep that ball and put it in a good place.”
Decades after his 14-year NBA career ended, West served as an executive board member and consultant for the Warriors front office from 2011 to 2017 and played a key role in constructing Golden State’s dynastic trio of Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.
One of whom eventually would supplant him on the all-time scoring list.
Apr 1, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) drives to the basket against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) in the fourth quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
In what has been his best statistical season, Nikola Jokic had one of the best games of his career Tuesday night—a career-high 61-point triple-double. It was a virtuoso performance.
Jokic joins James Harden and Luka Doncic as the only players in NBA history with a 60-point triple-double, and it was his 31st triple-double of the season.
It wasn't enough.
In one of the wildest and best games of the season — a game that went to double-overtime and saw eight lead changes in the second overtime alone — the Minnesota Timberwolves beat Denver for the sixth straight time, 140-139.
Denver took a 139-138 lead on a Jokic free throw with 17.7 seconds remaining in the second overtime. Minnesota had the ball but Anthony Edwards turned it over under pressure, leading to a fast break led by Russell Westbrook. With Denver already ahead, all Westbrook had to do was either slow the play down, wait for Minnesota to foul, then hit his free throws. Or, he could attack the rim and make a shot. Westbrook chose the second option — he drove went for the bucket on a pass from Christian Braun, but Westbrook missed the lay-up giving the Timberwolves one last chance.
Minnesota got the ball to their star Anthony Edwards, but when the defense collapsed on his drive, he passed to Nickeil Alexander-Walker open in the opposite corner. Alexander-Walker went up but missed the corner 3-pointer—except Westbrook fouled him on the closeout. Alexander-Walker went to the line, hit two free throws, and that was the game.
AN INSTANT CLASSIC DESERVES A WILD FINISH
Timberwolves get the rebound, push it down court, and draw the foul on the 3PA!
Nickeil Alexander-Walker drills two CLUTCH free throws to secure the win for the Timberwolves pic.twitter.com/CSkEnU1rj9
The Timberwolves escaped with a 140-139 win. Edwards led the Timberwolves with 34 points, scoring 24 of those in the fourth quarter or overtime.
With the win, combined with a Memphis loss Tuesday, the Timberwolves are now tied with the Grizzlies for sixth in the West (and the chance to move out of the play-in). Denver remains third in the conference, but the surging Lakers are just half a game back. It's going to be a wild final week in the West.
You can’t win the division in April, but you can lose it if you’re not careful.
The Phillies had high expectations for this season, especially considering how brief their stay was in last year’s playoffs. Similarly, their division rivals, the Atlanta Braves, expected big things in 2025, after a season frought with injuries to star players, and an early postseason exit of their own.
But while the Phillies have been pretty much as advertised thus far this season, the bottom has just about fallen out for the Bravos.
Atlanta is now 0-6 on the young season after a 3-1 loss late Tuesday night to the Dodgers. Unsurprisingly, they sit in last place in the NL East, already four games behind the front-running Phils.
Their offense, right about at league average last season, is easily the worst in the game to this point. They have scored a total of nine runs so far this season, and their average of 1.5 per game is worst in MLB. Also ranked 30th: team batting average (.137), on-base percentage (.238), and slugging percentage (.220).
Only three teams all-time have had a worse team batting average in their first six games to a season: the 2003 Tigers (.133), who finished 43-119, the 2021 Cubs (.124, 71-91), and the 2013 Pirates, who hit .119 as a team through six games, yet somehow turned things around to win 94 games and get to the NLDS.
I’ve heard a baseball adage that “You can’t win the division in April, but you can sure lose it.” I don’t know if that applies to April *second,* but consider this: in baseball history, only three teams lost their first six games and went on to play postseason baseball: the 2011 Tampa Bay Rays, the 1995 Reds, and the 1974 Pirates.
According to bet365.com, the Braves were +135 favorites to win the NL East just nine days ago. They are now third-favorites, behind the Phillies and Mets, at +270.
The Braves will not have left fielder Jurickson Profar – whom they signed this offseason to to 3-year, $42 million contract – for 80 games after Profar tested positive for PEDs. Profar also cannot play if the Braves make the postseason as a result of the suspension.
The 2023 NL MVP, Ronald Acuña, who missed most of 2024 with an ACL tear, is taking batting practice, but hasn’t done any outfield drills. He is not expected back until mid-to-late May. That’s two big boppers at the top of the lineup who aren’t coming through the clubhouse door anytime soon.
2025 began as a three-team race for the NL East crown. If the Braves can’t turn things around quickly, the Phillies will only have the Mets to contend with.
The Montreal Canadiens came to play at the Bell Centre on April Fools ’ Day. The visiting Florida Panthers looked anything but the Stanley Cup Champions in the first period, and the Habs set the tone early. Even though the Cats had already lost three times to Montreal this season, they looked like they weren’t expecting what hit them…until the start of the second frame, that is.
Lane Hutson got his 55th assist of the season in the first frame, equaling Chris Chelios for the most assists by a rookie defenseman with the Tricolore, a mark set in 1984-85. That was also his 60th point of the season, and he became only the 10th rookie defenseman in NHL history to achieve the feat. However, he wasn’t done for the night, as he added another two assists to his name to finish the night with 57. He now needs three more assists to tie Larry Murphy’s league record for most assists by a rookie defenseman.
As weird as it seems to say, we’ve come to expect this from the rookie blueliner now, but the play that impressed me the most was seeing the 162-pound player skate in the corner to retrieve the puck knowing full well that 209-pound AJ Greer was coming at full speed to crush him into the boards.
Not so long ago, we saw Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot back away from a puck when he saw Josh Anderson closing in on him. Chabot isn’t 162 pounds; he’s 203 pounds and a 28-year-old veteran. The Canadiens’ 20-year-old rearguard knows no fear.
A Big Second Period For Montembeault
There have been games where Samuel Montembeault has looked exhausted lately, but not in that one. The netminder made several big saves in the second stanza to keep Montreal in the game.
In fact, after 40 minutes, he had surrendered two goals, but neither of them came from the Panthers’ sticks; they were both deflected, the first by Jake Evans and the second by Kaiden Guhle. From five shots in the first, Florida went to 13 in the second, while the Canadiens could only muster seven, spending much of their time stuck in their own zone.
Montembeault got another nine shots in the final frame but held the fort and ultimately gave his team a chance to win, which they did.
The Terminator?
It’s hard not to be impressed by Nick Suzuki’s game. He added another two points to his name tonight to set a new career high with 79, but what’s even more impressive is the knack he has for being in the right place at the right time.
No one will say otherwise about the equalizing goal, which came from a lucky bounce. Martin St-Louis, however, mentioned that he had the presence of mind to hang by the back post there. Perhaps, like one of the greatest players to ever play the game, he knows where the puck will be, not just where it is.
When the coach was asked which qualities make his captain the player that he is, he replied:
Oh, he’s got an elite computer, you know. His software is high-end, obviously, and he’s got all the tools to do what his brain tells him to do, you know, so he’s very connected that way. Tonight I felt you saw that on many occasions. I think he’s a proud guy, and he wants to lead this team, and he’s doing that.
-
That’s an accurate description from the coach, and perhaps we should start calling Suzuki the Terminator, considering how he ended the game tonight.
With this 3-2 overtime win, the Canadiens remain in the second wild card spot, even though the Columbus Blue Jackets signed an 8-4 victory over the Nashville Predators tonight. Montreal has a two-point lead over the Ohio outfit, but the Jackets do have a game in hand. As for the New York Islanders, they lost in regulation and find themselves trailing the Canadiens by five points. The New York Rangers were inactive and remain two points behind the Habs, while the Detroit Red Wings trail them by four points.
According to Moneypuck, the Canadiens now have a 50.1% chance of making the Spring dance, they have the Rangers at 26.2%, the Blue Jackets at 18.8%, the Red Wings at 3.7% and the Islanders at 2.9%.
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As he began to describe why he returned to the court at the tail end of a dreadful, injury-stuffed Sixers season, Kyle Lowry could’ve been any age.
“It’s always fun to play basketball,” he said.
That’s still true at 39 years old with a team piling up late-season losses (and boosting its NBA draft lottery outlook). So Lowry, who’d been sidelined since Feb. 9 with a nagging right hip injury, played Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.
“Listen, we’re privileged and we’re honored to play the game of basketball,” he said in the visiting locker room after the Sixers’ 105-91 defeat to the Knicks. “I love this game at the highest level. It’s provided for me and my family, my friends with everything that I could ask for.
“I wanted to try to go out there and play, and just have fun. You don’t know how long this game is going to last for each individual, so just go out there and enjoy the process. Just enjoy being out there and in the game.”
Lowry logged 16 minutes and only attempted one shot. His corner three-point attempt early in the fourth quarter popped in the hoop and then spun out.
The night did feature a few Lowry staples, though. He shared his two cents with teammates at every stoppage; grabbed a sneaky steal from OG Anunoby; craftily drew a whistle against Josh Hart and then immediately wondered why it wasn’t a shooting foul.
“You could see him directing a lot of traffic out on the floor,” Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said.
Of course, Lowry was also vocal during his months on the bench as a quasi-assistant coach.
“Kyle’s one of those guys where if you’re going to go out there, play hard and play the right way, he’s probably going to try to help you,” Nurse said. “But if you’re not, he’s probably not. That is leadership, right? That’s part of who he is and how to lead people.”
The generational gap between Lowry and the nine other available Sixers was striking.
Rookie wing Justin Edwards was 2 years old when Lowry made his NBA debut. Lonnie Walker IV, 26, was the second-oldest active Sixer.
“It was great,” Walker said. “I took a tough layup and he told me just about being aware — passing the rock, making the right decisions. He’s a leader, he’s a vet and I think for the most part, even if you don’t want to hear it, it’s best to listen because he knows the game. He’s been playing for 19 years. The respect, it wasn’t given, it was earned. He’s been a hell of a player, an All-Star player. You name it, he’s done it all.
“To have a player like that on this team and to be able to listen to him and grow, see what you can get better at, it’s a very grateful moment.”
On Lowry’s end, he was glad to dish out on-court feedback again.
“My job is to help these guys get a little bit better, get some more experience,” he said. “But it’s just fun to play basketball. It’s just fun to have some new faces and new thoughts. It makes my brain work a little harder to try to figure out what these guys have to do and what I can help them get better at.”
There’s six games left for the 23-53 Sixers. It’s clear Lowry hopes his hip stays healthy enough to play them.
And after that?
“We’ll get there when it gets there,” he said with a smile.
All-Star outfielder Jackson Merrill reportedly agreed to a nine-year, $135 million extension with the Friars that is guaranteed to run through the 2034 season.
“This is exactly where I want to be,” Merrill said during a press conference Wednesday morning.
That realization came during his first conversation with Padres President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller before Merrill was even drafted in 2021.
“The Padres were the first team that ever reached out to me, ever scouted me. They believed in me from day one,” Merrill said. “They believed in me, they trusted me and they wanted me.”
The deal can max out at $204 million depending on incentives, plus it includes a $30 million club option for a 10th season (2035) that can be converted to a player option with a top-five finish in MVP voting.
His goals during the length of that contract are simple.
“Winning and just winning only,” Merrill said. “My goal is to win. It’s always been to win, it’s always been to dominate with my boys on the field and I’m just happy I get to do it for a long amount of time now.”
Merrill, still just 21 years old, is well on his way to already reaching that incentive after breakout out last season. He hit .292 with 24 home runs, 90 RBIs, 31 doubles and 16 stolen bases over 156 games, finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting and being named a Silver Slugger.
The Padres are off to a 6-0 start this season, with Merrill headlining their offense alongside Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado. Through six games, the center fielder is batting .400 with a home run and six RBIs.
“There’s always a positive energy here. I’ve never felt a negative energy, even when we lose games. It’s just like how can you be so upset about where you are right now? You’re playing in the big leagues, you’re playing in San Diego. There’s really not much to complain about.”
San Diego will look to wrap up a perfect homestand on Wednesday against the Cleveland Guardians, with first pitch set for 1:10 p.m. PT.
The Athletics parted ways with one of their talented youngsters on Wednesday.
The Green and Gold traded speedy outfielder Esteury Ruiz to the Los Angeles Dodgers for right-handed starting pitcher Carlos Duran, ESPN’s Alden González first reported before the team made the move official shortly after.
The A’s have acquired RHP Carlos Duran from the Dodgers in exchange for OF Esteury Ruiz.
Ruiz, 26, has been back and forth between Triple-A Las Vegas and the major leagues over the past season-plus after stealing an American League-most 67 stolen bases during the 2023 MLB season, which also broke Rickey Henderson’s Athletics rookie record.
In 178 games at the major-league level, Ruiz is batting .243/.297/.343 with seven home runs, 57 RBI and 73 stolen bases in 598 plate appearances.
Duran, whom the Athletics acquired for Ruiz, is a 23-year-old starting pitcher who signed with Los Angeles as a 16-year-old international prospect in 2018.
In 19 starts last season, Duran posted a 3.71 ERA in 53 1/3 innings pitched with 73 strikeouts and 32 walks for the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate.
