For the past two games, Austin Reaves has been listed as questionable due to an oblique strain, then ruled out just before game time.
For Game 5 at home Wednesday, things may be different — Reaves is optimistic about playing, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic. The Lakers, up 3-1 on the Rockets, have the chance to close out the series on Wednesday on their home court, advancing to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the next round.
Players are notoriously poor judges of how soon they can return from an injury, but the fact that Reaves has been "questionable" for the past two games means he is near a return. The Lakers will play at least three more games this postseason, and it feels like there is a very good chance we'll see Reaves in at least one of those. Maybe starting Wednesday.
Having Reaves back on the court would be a massive lift for Los Angeles, giving it another shot creator so the entire load does not fall on the shoulders of LeBron James (who has handled that weight brilliantly through four games). Reaves was the Lakers' second-best shot creator this season, averaging a career-high 23.3 points while shooting 36% from beyond the arc, adding 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game. When Doncic was out earlier in the season, Reaves showed he could be a team's primary shot creator for a stretch (and Doncic is not yet close to returning from his hamstring strain, based on what coach JJ Redick has said to date). The return of Reaves forces the Rockets to adjust their defensive matchups — one of their elite defenders needs to be on him.
Having Reaves and LeBron as the shot creators also means Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart can return to more of an off-ball role, where they are comfortable and thrive.
Redick likely would try to keep Reaves' minutes under control in a return — he's not getting run out there for 40 minutes — but any time would be a lift for the Lakers.
On the Rockets' side, a Kevin Durant return for Game 5 seems unlikely, Charania reports. Durant is dealing with a bone bruise after rolling his ankle this series, and he has played in just one game so far. The Rockets' offense, when forced to slow down in this series, has been disjointed and just kind of a mess. Things looked better in Game 4, when the Rockets' defense held the Lakers' offense in check, forced turnovers and allowed Houston's young players to get out and run in transition. That is how the Rockets can thrive in this series.
It just will be harder to do that with Reaves back in the lineup.
If you bet on the last meeting between the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers, you likely still have a sour taste in your mouth regardless of if you won any wagers or not.
The great thing about Game 5 is there’s really nowhere to go but up after a historically bad shooting night from both teams. My same-game parlay for Toronto vs. Cleveland calls for another close contest, circling two of Toronto’s top stars to shine.
Here are my best NBA picks and predictions for Raptors vs. Cavaliers on April 29.
Our best Raptors vs Cavaliers SGP for Game 5
SGP leg #1: Raptors +8.5
The Toronto Raptors won ugly and knotted this Round 1 series at 2-2, heading back to Cleveland for Game 5. The Raptors made some defensive tweaks to take away the Cleveland Cavaliers’ off-ball action, and their length has started to slow down Cleveland’s outside threats. This isn’t the same team that got knocked around in the first two games in Cleveland, and I like Toronto to cover as sizable road dogs on Wednesday.
SGP leg #2: RJ Barrett Over 19.5 points
RJ Barrett shot the ball 22 times with a spike in usage in Game 4. Unfortunately, he was among the many throwing up bricks. He finished with 18 points — in part to a 1-for-4 night from the stripe — but was Toronto’s most consistent threat in the three games prior. He opened the series shooting better than 64% and topped 20 points in each of the first three outings. He’s projected for as many as 22 points in Game 5.
SGP leg #3: Scottie Barnes Over 7.5 assists
With point guard Immanuel Quickley sidelined for the series, Scottie Barnes is Toronto’s primary ball handler. His assist production spiked when the PG was out at the end of the season, and he’s primed for another big passing performance, as the Cavs' defense tries to take the ball out of his hands. Bad shooting spoiled 16.0 potential assists in Game 4, but Toronto won’t stay cold, and Barnes will dish out eight or more dimes in Game 5.
Get Jason Logan's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Raptors vs Cavaliers predictions for Game 5.
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Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones pleaded guilty in a Brooklyn federal court on Tuesday, April 28, admitting he took part in a widespread illegal gambling probe in which inside information was shared about players' injuries, and also that he took part in rigged poker games.
Jones pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud during the first of his plea change hearings. According to sentencing guidelines, Jones is expected to receive a sentence of 21 to 27 months and is scheduled for sentencing on Jan. 6. Jones is prohibited from gambling or being involved with members of organized crime.
The 49-year-old Jones, who played 11 seasons in the NBA, earning nearly $22 million in salary, remained free on bail after his arrest in October, and is the first of the 30 people to enter a plea in the case. He originally pleaded not guilty on Nov. 6 to wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering, which carry a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison.
"I would like to sincerely apologize to the court, my family, my peers, and also the National Basketball Association," Jones said in a prepared statement during his court appearance.
According to prosecutors, Jones gave NBA lineup decisions and pre-released medical information to his co-conspirators, who then placed significant wagers based on the tips. The medical information allegedly involved LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who were playing for the Los Angeles Lakers at the time.
Before a Lakers game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Feb. 9, 2023, authorities say Jones texted a co-conspirator, alerting them to bet on the Bucks before the injury statuses of both teams were released. James ended up not playing in the game because of a lower-body injury, and Los Angeles went on to lose the game 115-105.
Jones and James were teammates with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005 to 2008, and he was an assistant with the team from 2016 to 2018.
Jones was also accused of using his notoriety to get people to poker games rigged by organized crime figures in order to steal money from them, sometimes using technology, including poker chip trays with hidden cameras, and rigged shuffling machines with the ability to read the cards in the deck.
During one game, prosecutors said, Jones was paid $2,500 for his participation in a game in Hamptons, a swanky New York resort on Long Island.
Apr 24, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) speaks in the dugout before the game against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images | William Liang-Imagn Images
Monday night against the Miami Marlins came awfully close to a series-opening loss for the Dodgers, trailing by two runs since the fifth inning before three walks, a ground-rule double and Kyle Tucker’s walk-off two-run single delivered the 5-4 win in the ninth.
Instead of losing their 10th game of the season, the Dodgers won their 20th. They are tied with the Atlanta Braves for the best record in baseball at 20-9. The Dodgers have outscored their opponents by 68 runs thus far, the best run differential in baseball, three ahead of Atlanta. It’s the seventh-best run differential through 29 games in franchise history.
During the Dodgers’ streak of 13 consecutive playoff appearances and counting, only twice did they get to 20 wins this quickly. In 2020 they started 21-8 en route to a 43-17 (.717) record in the shortened season and their first championship in 32 years. In 2022, the Dodgers were 20-9 on their way to 111-51 (.685), the most wins in the National League in 116 years. That year did not lead to postseason success, however.
23-6 — 1977 Los Angeles (98-64, lost World Series)
22-7 — 1941 Brooklyn, 22-7 (100-54, lost World Series)
22-7 — 1952 Brooklyn (96-57, lost World Series)
21-8 — 1940 Brooklyn (88-65, 2nd in NL)
21-8 — 1942 Brooklyn (104-50, 2nd in NL)
21-8 — 1983 Los Angeles (91-71, 2nd in NL West)
21-8 — 2009 Los Angeles (95-67, lost NLCS)
21-8 — 2020 Los Angeles (43-17, won World Series)
20-9 — 1888 Brooklyn (88-52, 2nd in American Association)
20-9 — 1892 Brooklyn (95-59, 3rd in NL)
20-9 — 1899 Brooklyn (101-47, 1st in NL)
20-9 — 1943 Brooklyn (81-72, 3rd in NL)
20-9 — 1965 Los Angeles (97-65, won World Series)
20-9 — 1974 Los Angeles (102-60, lost World Series)
20-9 — 1981 Los Angeles (63-47, won World Series)
20-9 — 2022 Los Angeles (111-51, lost NLDS)
20-9 — 2026 Los Angeles (TBD)
Of those first 17 starts this good, eight Dodgers teams reached the World Series, plus the 1899 Brooklyn Bridegrooms who had the best record in the National League but had no postseason in which to participate.
The cumulative winning percentage of those teams on the season was .619, which translates to 100 wins in 162 games. The worst winning percentage among those 17 teams was by Brooklyn in 1943 at .529, which translates to 86-76 over 162 games. The median wins per 162 games of this group was 102 (really 101.6) wins, by the 1952 Brooklyn team that went to the World Series.
Apr 26, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres fight along the boards during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Bob DeChiara/Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
The Buffalo Sabres have shed the burden of a 14-year absence from the Stanley Cup playoffs that set a dubious NHL record and surged toward their next big thing.
Beat the Boston Bruins at home in Game 5 and the Sabres will skate in the second round for the first time since 2007.
“You can expect this to be the hardest game that we’re going to have to play short-term here, because they’re in the nothing-to-lose-and-everything-to-gain category,” said Sabres coach Lindy Ruff, whose first stint with the team was a 15-year run that included the most recent postseason appearance and series victory — plus four trips to the conference finals and one Stanley Cup finals berth.
The Bruins, behind first-year coach Marco Sturm, are reeling from a 6-1 drubbing they took to fall behind 3-1.
“They know that if they don’t put whatever they can put into the game,” Ruff said, “they’re done.”
Across the Canadian border, and more than 2,000 miles away, another team that has far exceeded external expectations is on the verge of a clinch. The Anaheim Ducks must do so on the road against the Edmonton Oilers, but they’re a fearless young group that’s hungry to give the franchise its first series victory in nine years.
“We just believe in ourselves,” center Ryan Poehling said, reflecting on the overtime win in Game 4 for a 3-1 lead after facing a two-goal deficit. “We’ve done it all year, and I think it just teaches you throughout a season that you’re never out of it. The belief on the bench is something that you truly feel when you go out there for offensive play. It’s a great way to play hockey for us.”
In Dallas, there will be a Game 5, too, but no clinching celebration after Minnesota evened the series.
Boston Bruins at Buffalo Sabres
When/Where to Watch: Game 5, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. EDT (TNT).
Series: Sabres lead 3-1.
The Bruins lost their cool during their Game 4 meltdown. Defenseman Nikita Zadorov received a $5,000 fine from the league for cross-checking Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. Goalie Jeremy Swayman shouted at his own bench as he skated off after being pulled from the game.
“We have an extremely high competitive group. We all have a standard that we all carry ourselves to, and it wasn’t met. So that was just emotion,” Swayman told reporters. “It’s moved on now, and we have a job to do going into Buffalo.”
The Sabres can’t wait to take the ice in front of a fired-up crowd.
“When I came in last season, there was lots of talk of, ‘This is a hockey city, not a football city,’ and that was pretty hard to believe as an outsider coming in. You can see the passion for the Bills and just everything around that,” Sabres left wing Beck Malenstyn said. “But then I think throughout this year, we’ve slowly grown to see just how supportive and passionate this fan base is.”
Minnesota Wild at Dallas Stars
When/Where to Watch: Game 5, Tuesday, 8 p.m. EDT (ESPN2).
Series: Tied 2-2.
The snapshot of this rugged series between these well-built teams that comfortably finished second and third in the Western Conference during the regular season varies sharply by how many men are on the ice. The Wild have had the upper hand in even-strength play, with a 10-3 scoring advantage. The Stars power play has been dominant, with eight goals in 19 opportunities, and their penalty kill has been scored on only three times in 19 situations.
As the Stars prepared for yet another pivotal game, they expressed confidence in their 5-on-5 performance by virtue of a steady shot volume. They lead the league this postseason with 141 attempts on target, including 102 during even-strength play, which ranks fifth-most among playoff teams.
“We just have to take the next step and get some loose pucks, get some tips,” Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said.
Only one Stars player has a plus-rating during even-strength situations in this series: defenseman Nils Lundqvist. Unfortunately, he won’t play in Game 5 after taking an inadvertent skate to the face from a collision in Game 4. Gulutzan said he hoped Lundqvist would return in the series.
“Sometimes the puck goes in. Sometimes it doesn’t. It’s hockey,” Stars captain Jamie Benn said.
The Wild power play has clearly missed right wing Mats Zuccarello, who hasn’t played since an upper-body injury suffered during Game 1, but his return to practice was an encouraging sign.
“We’ll see how he felt and what his response is from that,” coach John Hynes said. “But it is definitely a step in the right direction.”
Anaheim Ducks at Edmonton Oilers
When/Where to Watch: Game 5, Tuesday, 10 p.m. EDT (TNT).
Series: Ducks lead 3-1.
While both teams were on flights back to Canada, the hockey world was still rehashing the chaotic ending to Game 4 and the unusual way in which the officials reached what almost certainly was the correct ruling on Poehling’s squeaker of an overtime goal for Anaheim.
But that wild finish didn’t alter the overall trajectory of this series: The aggressive Ducks appear to be capable of erasing any trouble caused by their mediocre defensive play, while the Oilers look ever wearier while they attempt to mount their fifth consecutive long playoff run.
“We just believe in each other, and kind of no matter the score, we just continue to compete,” said Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe, the top scorer in the entire Stanley Cup playoffs with eight points. “It’s something that’s been huge for us all year, and it’s something nice to have in your back pocket right now.”
Edmonton is down to its last chance after blowing two leads in Game 4 despite a solid performance by new goalie Tristan Jarry. Anaheim has made the most multi-goal comebacks in the sport this season under coach Joel Quenneville, who passed Al Arbour for the second-most postseason coaching victories in NHL history in Game 4.
The Ducks have won three straight in this series, and they’ve scored 20 goals in four games as they attempt to secure their team’s first playoff series victory since 2017. But this tired Oilers core has been in big postseason jams before. They played their best defensive game of the series on Sunday, so there’s no outward panic as they attempt to bring the series back to Southern California for Game 6.
Apr 22, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals infielder CJ Abrams (5) warms up to bat in the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images | Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images
The New York Mets (9-19) welcome the Washington Nationals (13-16) to Citi Field for their first meeting of the season, as well as the first in-division series of the year for the Mets.
There isn’t too much to say about the Mets’ season at this point that hasn’t been said already here, on WFAN, in every sports column in the tri-state area, every bar that shows baseball games, as well as shouted by passersby who see me still wearing a Mets cap. This is a terrible, terrible season thus far by just about every available metric.
The Mets have played the bulk of their games without one of their two biggest stars, the bats have been as silent as Marcel Marceau, the pitching performances from the folks who need to be good have been disappointing, and almost every player has underperformed in some capacity. I won’t quite say that everything that could’ve gone wrong has, because there is always something worse that could come around the corner. But looking at even the measured, modest expectations some put on this team versus where they are now, it’s stark.
After their twelve game losing streak, the Mets won two against the Twins and things looked like they might get back on some sort of track. But then, the Mets were swept by the Rockies, scoring just four runs across three games and looking like a warmed over Double-A offense against a last place club.
Without Francisco Lindor, without stronger performances from Kodai Senga and David Peterson, without some sort of solution to the black hole that is the bottom of the Mets’ lineup, there doesn’t appear to be many options for getting this team back on track. A healthy Jorge Polanco in the lineup would help, but last we heard, he was ‘week to week’ with his dual achilles and wrist injuries. If Polanco returns, it seems unlikely that he will immediately slot into the first base slot, rather taking a bulk of the DH at bats. Both Brett Baty and Mark Vientos have struggled at first, so that is a position that needs to be sorted. Bo Bichette needs to have better at-bats. Juan Soto and Francisco Alvarez need to heat up.
Some of those things—namely Soto, Alvy and Bichette—seem likely to happen, just based on talent and track record. It also seems likely that the Mets’ starting pitching situation will begin to sort itself out after another turn or two in the rotation. If Senga continues to struggle, it seems likely that he’ll be demoted to the bullpen and, perhaps, David Peterson will get his rotation spot back. With Christian Scott unable to return for another week or so, the only other option in Triple-A that looks like more than a one-start fill in would be Jonah Tong. But Tong could really use some more time on the farm to develop, so Wednesday’s “TBD” may see any number of possibilities taking the ball.
If there’s good news for the Mets, it is that, aside from the Braves, the rest of the NL East isn’t looking so hot either. The Nationals are three games under .500, which the Mets can only dream of at this point in the season, but the Mets aren’t exactly facing a powerhouse this week. The Mets are also lucking out in that they are missing both Foster Griffin and Jake Irvin, and so this seems like a perfect opportunity for the bats to get some work in against two pitchers with atrocious ERA-s (186 and 209, respectively).
The Nats are arriving in Queens after taking two of three from the White Sox, another team that isn’t exactly lighting the world on fire. The last Mets/Nats series at the end of 2025 saw Washington take two of three, a result that directly led to the Mets missing the playoffs, so there is some residual animosity here, in addition to the usual divisional heat. However, so much of the Mets’ team has turned over since then, who knows if there’s any juice left there.
If we are being optimistic – an if the size of an ocean – this is the perfect team for the Mets to buck up against and attempt to right the shit-ship before May begins. If we’re being pessimistic, if the Mets can’t beat the Nats, this might be an early sign that things won’t get any better any time soon.
Tuesday, April 28: Clay Holmes vs. Zack Littell, 7:10pm on SNY
Clay Holmes is not an exciting starting pitcher to watch most of the time, but it is hard to argue with the results he’s been getting since converting to starting. In five starts this season, he hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in a start and has lasted at least five innings. That’s a solid early season performance, and a good person to have opening this series.
You’re not reading that wrong, Littell has given up 11 home runs in five starts. That’s a 4.00 HR/9. Again, if the Mets’ bats are going to wake up, this would be a very convenient game for that to happen.
Wednesday, April 29: TBD vs Cade Cavalli, 7:10pm on SNY
Cavalli is having a decent start to his season, striking out 10.2/9 and limiting dingers. However, he’s only had one start where he recorded an out in the sixth inning and that was his first start of the year. A disastrous one and a third innings performance against the Pirates sullied his line heavily in this young season, but overall he’s been a perfectly cromulent start for the Nats.
Thursday, April 30: Freddy Peralta vs Miles Mikolas, 1:10pm on SNY
Peralta being second only to Nolan McLean in terms of innings pitched is one of the few positive surprises of 2026 so far. While not quite looking like the ace the Mets hoped he would be, Peralta has been solid, if unspectacular thus far. If Carlos Mendoza was a little quicker with the trigger in terms of pulling him from games, his ERA would benefit, but you can’t really blame Mendy for wanting him to go more than five innings. However, if he keeps struggling in the sixth and beyond, that may just be a pill we need to swallow.
KANSAS CITY, MO - APRIL 26: Jac Caglianone #14 of the Kansas City Royals hits a home run in the ninth inning during the game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Sunday, April 26, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Sydney Schneider/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Some highly-touted draft prospects struggle when they hit professional baseball. That…was not true about Jac Caglianone, the Kansas City Royals’ sixth overall selection in the 2024 MLB draft. Jac handled his brief High-A cameo well enough considering he started there less than a month after cashing his signing bonus, but his skill was on full display in 2025. Across 304 plate appearances in Double-A and Triple-A, Caglianone hit .337 and smacked 20 home runs, striking out less than 20% of the time.
Royals fans hoped for Caglianone to save last year’s squad, a team that struggled mightily to score runs. Unfortunately for Caglianone, he became part of the problem, hitting .157 and showing a tiny fraction of his power. And that’s to say nothing of his right field defense, where he looked every bit the stereotype of a lumbering first baseman stuck in the grass because he’s got to play somewhere and first base was taken.
So when the Royals entered this season, some temperance for Caglianone was warranted. At the same time, it was clear that Cags was uniquely talented. His exit velocities in Spring Training and the minors rivaled other gigantic sluggers like Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge. And in the World Baseball Classic, Cags played well for Team Italy in big moments. Considering the lack of offensive talent on the roster and the Royals’ difficulties with scoring runs last year, surely you’d he’d be in the lineup above, like, Lane Thomas, Starling Marte, and Isaac Collins, right? Let alone all three?
To be fair, Opening Day’s lineup was specifically constructed to counter lefty Chris Sale, and Cags did pinch hit for Marte later in the game. But it was the start of a trend, a trend that involved Caglianone riding the bench way more than you’d think would happen for a core player.
The Royals have played 28 games, but Caglianone has only started and finished a game 17 times. On four occasions, Caglianone never entered the game. Five times, Caglianone was lifted from the game, either on defense or on the basepaths. He has also entered the game twice as pinch hitter.
Look, I get that Caglianone struggled last year. I get that platoons are an advantage. And I get that he’s a prime candidate for a defensive replacement or pinch runner in close games. But I just think the Royals are playing it too cute with Caglianone: he is a core player on this team, and one of only a precious handful of hitters with All-Star potential. To only use him fully in 60% of your games—putting other less talented and less impactful players in his place otherwise—is just a waste.
Perhaps the most annoying thing to me is the Royals going out of their way to keep Caglianone away from left-handed pitching. In part, that’s because Cags has actually been better against lefties as a pro than righties. In the big leagues so far, Caglianone had a .653 OPS against left-handed pitchers and a .576 against right-handed pitchers. In his 2025 Minor League Destruction tour, Cags posted an .841 OPS against lefties and a .795 OPS against righties. While we can assume that Caglianone will likely be worse against lefties in the long run, his professional career does not support the claim that he’s useless in the platoon disadvantage.
The other reason why this process irks me is because I think the confidence that the Royals show in a player like Caglianone after such a frustrating season is very important. Cags has been an amazing baseball player all throughout high school, college, and in the minors. His 2025 was probably the only time in his whole athletic life he was bad at something. I turn to the wisdom savant Ned Yost, actually, in part of his famed 2014 “dome” rant about showing confidence in Alcides Escobar:
“Guys are allowed to have off years,” [Ned Yost] said. “It doesn’t mean that they’re going to be terrible for the rest of their career.” Yost added, “We’re hoping that [Alcides Escobar] bounces back this year, and you don’t start jacking with them mentally. It’s hard for people to understand that, fans to understand it. But that plays a big part in it, them having confidence in knowing that the manager has confidence in them in those situations.”
Notably, under Yost, both Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas fully played in 88% of possible games that season. And notably for Caglianone, he’s been legitimately good this year—both at the plate and on the field. He’s in the top 2% of average exit velo and max exit velo among all MLB players. Who else is going to eclipse that talent on this roster? Let him play everyday. Let him play against lefties. Let him hit tanks to tie it up with two outs in the ninth inning.
If the Royals make the playoffs, it will be in part because of Caglianone and not in spite of him. They should use him as such.
TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Elmer Rodríguez #76 of the New York Yankees warms up before the game against the Atlanta Braves at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 26, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In a bit of surprising news, the Yankees will be calling up one of their top pitching prospects, Elmer Rodríguez, to make a spot start this week. Aaron Boone confirmed today that Rodríguez would start tomorrow afternoon’s series finale with the Rangers. Will Warren was originally scheduled to start, but will instead see his outing pushed back beyond Thursday’s off-day, lining the Yankee rotation up as Warren, Ryan Weathers, and Max Fried for this weekend’s series against the Orioles.
It’s an exciting development, Rodríguez slated to become the youngest player to pitch for the Yankees since Deivi Garcia in 2021:
At 22 years and 254 days old tomorrow, Elmer Rodriguez will be the youngest player to pitch for the Yankees since Deivi Garcia in 2021
Rodríguez may not be around for long this time around, but it’ll still be fascinating to see one of the Yankees’ best prospects take his first shot at major league hitters. The right-hander broke out last year after coming to the Yankees via trade from the Red Sox, posting a 2.58 ERA across 150 innings in the high minors. In 2026, he’s picked up right where he left off, flashing impressive stuff in spring training, pitching three scoreless innings for Puerto Rico in the WBC, and maintaining a 1.27 ERA over his first 21.2 innings in Triple-A, with 20 strikeouts against seven walks.
The Rodríguez call-up comes as part of a broader roster shuffle, with the Yankees reportedly set to send Giancarlo Stanton to the IL and call up Max Schuemann today. The infielder spent parts of the 2024 and 2025 seasons with the Athletics and joined the Yankees over the winter as a Triple-A depth option.
It’s unclear as of now exactly how this puzzle will sort out. Stanton hitting the injured list will clear only one active roster spot, meaning either Schuemann is ticketed to head right back to Scranton when Rodríguez comes up tomorrow, or that the Yankees will option another player—perhaps reliever Jake Bird—to make room for Rodríguez, with Schuemann sticking around until Anthony Volpe’s return.
Whichever way the Yankees piece this together, Wednesday’s matinee in Texas suddenly becomes must-see TV (coming on the heels of tonight’s Cam Schlittler vs. Jacob deGrom showdown, no less). It’s been a fun time to be a Yankee fan the last couple of weeks, and this week looks to be no different.
Fresh off a Kyle Tucker walk-off in the series opener, the Los Angeles Dodgers come in ready for Game 2 with the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night.
Shohei Ohtani is on the bump, so I’m backing the Boys in Blue with my Marlins vs. Dodgers predictions and MLB picks for Tuesday, April 28.
Who will win Marlins vs Dodgers today: Dodgers (-285)
Shohei Ohtani has been one of the best pitchers in the league through four starts, sporting a sterling 0.38 ERA.
While it won’t be possible to maintain a number that low, his underlying metrics (2.01 xERA, 1.92 FIP) are tremendous. He notches strikeouts (27.2% K rate) and ground balls (55%) while limiting walks (6.5% BB rate) and hard contact (87th percentile barrel rate).
He’ll give the Los Angeles Dodgers a leg up against a Miami Marlins team that has a 3-10 record on the road, including three consecutive losses.
COVERS INTEL: Miami starter Janson Junk’s 3.51 xERA looks solid, but his weak 9.1% K-BB% raises sustainability concerns. A low .265 BABIP is helping, and with a sixth-percentile hard-hit rate last year, that contact profile may not hold.
Marlins vs Dodgers Over/Under pick: Under 7.5 (+105)
Ohtani has been dominant on the mound, allowing a single earned run in 24 innings while striking out 25 and allowing 12 hits. L.A. has played to the Under in three of his four starts.
Both squads rank within the top eight in bullpen FIP, so a low-scoring game could be in store for a game with temperatures in the low 60s at Chavez Ravine.
Ohtani won’t feature in today’s lineup. The Dodgers are still potent, but will be without their best hitter, and both starting middle infielders, Mookie Betts & Tommy Edman, who are still on the IL.
JD Yonke's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets:9-5, +5.94 units
Over/Under bets:10-5, +4.82 units
Marlins vs Dodgers odds
Moneyline: Miami +238 | Los Angeles -265
Run line: Miami +1.5 (+105) | Los Angeles -1.5 (-132)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 (-111) | Under 7.5 (-108)
Marlins vs Dodgers trend
The Dodgers are 9-0 in their last nine home games against the Marlins. Find more MLB betting trends for Marlins vs. Dodgers.
How to watch Marlins vs Dodgers and game info
Location
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Date
Tuesday, April 28
First pitch
10:10 p.m. ET
TV
Peacock
Marlins starting pitcher
Janson Junk (1-2, 3.67 ERA)
Dodgers starting pitcher
Shohei Ohtani (2-0, 0.38 ERA)
Marlins vs Dodgers latest injuries
Marlins vs Dodgers weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Matt Boldy has been a one-man shooting gallery, averaging 10 shot attempts per game through four meetings with the Dallas Stars.
My Wild vs. Stars predictions and NHL picks see Boldy piling up the shots once again in Game 5.
UPDATE: Added a prediction for who will win tonight.
Wild vs Stars Game 5 prediction
Wild vs Stars best bet: Matt Boldy Over 3.5 shots on goal (+100)
Matt Boldy has been the most consistent shooter in this series, generating at least nine attempts in all four games.
Boldy has averaged an incredible 5.3 shots on 10 attempts and cleared his 3.5 total in each of the four contests.
He actually produced more on the road in Dallas, combining for 13 shots on goal over the first two games. That likely stems from the Dallas Stars putting more focus on Kirill Kaprizov’s line.
Boldy has recorded at least four shots in 10 consecutive meetings with the Stars. Expect another busy night in a pivotal swing game.
Wild vs Stars Game 5 same-game parlay
Wyatt Johnston has played more than any Stars forward through four games. He has made the most of his ice time, averaging 4.3 shots on goal while producing five points.
The Stars funnel him pucks in high-danger areas, and will have an easier time doing so while controlling matchups at home.
We’ll double dip on his line and back Mikko Rantanen to get a helper. He had the most productive playmaking season of his career and hasn’t slowed in the playoffs, recording four assists thus far.
Wild vs Stars SGP
Matt Boldy Over 3.5 shots on goal
Wyatt Johnston Over 2.5 shots on goal
Mikko Rantanen Over 0.5 assists
Wild vs Stars Game 5 goal scorer pick
Wyatt Johnston (+130)
Johnston has recorded 17 scoring chances in the series, trailing only Jason Robertson. He lives around the net, and the Stars have done a great job at getting him the puck in those high-danger spaces.
Johnston has found the back of the net in four of his last five home games following two days of rest.
Boldy has piled up 56 shots on target over his last 10 games against Dallas. Find more NHL betting trends for Wild vs. Stars.
How to watch Wild vs Stars Game 5
Location
American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Date
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Puck drop
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN2, Sportsnet 360
Wild vs Stars latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
City face crucial games on 13 May, 16 May and 19 May
Alternative date for Palace game has been chief problem
Manchester City are understood to be frustrated after being left facing three decisive fixtures in the space of seven days next month.
City’s match against Crystal Palace, which was postponed from 21 March owing to their participation in the Carabao Cup final, has been scheduled for Wednesday 13 May. The trip to Bournemouth, originally scheduled for 17 May, had to be moved after City progressed to the FA Cup final to face Chelsea on 16 May, and has been slated for 19 May.
LOS ANGELES — Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz said he was feeling good after undergoing elbow surgery to have five loose bodies removed from his pitching arm, and the right-hander is eager to return after the All-Star break in July.
Diaz sported three small bandages on his right elbow. He had surgery in Los Angeles.
“Everything went well,” he said. “I feel really good. I can move my arm really good right now. I’m really surprised because the surgery was on Wednesday.”
The 32-year-old reliever said he’s known about the loose bodies since 2012, when he was drafted by the Seattle Mariners out of Puerto Rico. Loose bodies are small fragments of bone or cartilage that have broken off and are floating freely in the joint space. They act like debris in the hinge joint and can potentially restrict movement.
“I knew I had it and never felt something weird with my arm,” he said. “It’s the first time in my career my arm is sore.”
Diaz didn’t feel comfortable throwing on April 19 at Colorado. He failed to get an out in the eighth inning while allowing three runs and three hits to go with a walk in Los Angeles’ 9-6 loss.
“My arm was feeling tired and tight,” he said. “Maybe that’s why the (velocity) was a little bit inconsistent.”
He told the team and was sent for imaging, which didn’t reveal any further issues in his arm.
He has yet to get the stitches out and won’t resume throwing for a couple of weeks.
“I’m going to work on my body,” he said, “so I just want to come back strong and help this team to win.”
Diaz is 29-36 with a 2.91 ERA in 527 career games. The three-time All-Star has 257 saves in 300 opportunities with 849 strikeouts.
Early on, his legs were bothering him and he was given a couple of days off. Then his arm began bothering him.
Díaz is 1-0 with a 10.50 ERA in seven games for the Dodgers, and was still getting settled in with the team. He signed a three-year, $69 million deal in the offseason, leaving the New York Mets as a free agent.
“That (stinks) to miss the first half, but that’s something I can’t control,” he said. “My teammates, they are supporting me. They say, ‘Oh, take your time. We need you in October.’ But I want to come back as soon as possible and help this team to win games.”
With Diaz on the shelf, it means the trumpet has gone silent at Dodger Stadium. Jazz musician Tatiana Tate, who performed a live version of “Narco” for Diaz’s popular entrance music, isn’t needed.
“She will be out of work for a couple months,” Diaz said, “but I hope when I come back, she comes back and plays the trumpet for me.”
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 19, 2026: Xavier Neyens #9 of the Houston Astros bats during the third inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Miami Marlins at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 19, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
This will be your weekly look at the hottest prospects in the system, highlighting the top performers at the plate and on the mound.
Who’s Hot At The Plate?
Anthony Huezo – Huezo has been on a tear to start the season and this week was no different. The 20-year-old played in four games this week and hit .538 with a double, a home run, 3 runs batted in and 4 stolen bases. Overall this year he has a .993 OPS in 17 games.
Kevin Alvarez – Alvarez is one of the Astros top prospects with a super high ceiling and he got it going this week. The 18-year-old played in four games and hit .412 with a double, 2 triples, a home run and 3 runs batted in. He’s hitting .284 this season.
Nehomar Ochoa – After a tough 2025 season, Ochoa has gotten off to a nice start in 2026. This week he hit well batting .385 with 2 home runs, 4 runs batted in and a surprising 5 stolen bases. He has a .855 OPS this season.
Xavier Neyens – Neyens, the Astros first round pick last year, he continued to get better each week. This week, Neyens hit .375 with a double, a home run, 6 runs batted in and 3 stolen bases. He’s hitting .302 with a .968 OPS over his last 11 games.
Who’s Hot On The Mound?
Javier Perez – Perez has been really strong this season and continues to fly up the prospect rankings. In his one start for Fayetteville, the right-hander struck out 7 over 6 innings allowing one unearned run. He has a 2.84 ERA this season.
Cole Hertzler – Hertzler was a sleeper pick for Astros minor league pitcher of the year and he has been dominant to start the season. This week he struck out 8 over 4 scoreless innings for Asheville. He’s racked up 25 K in 16.2 innings with a 1.62 ERA.
Bryce Mayer – Another good outing for Mayer this week, the Astros minor league pitcher of the year in 2025. This week the right-hander struck out 8 over 4.1 innings allowing 1 run. He has a 3.60 ERA with 17 K in 10 innings this season.
Trey Dombroski – Dombroski continues to churn out solid starts. The 2022 4th rounder had a nice start this week striking out 7 batters over 5 innings allowing just one run. His turn for a promotion to Sugar Land should come at some point.
TEAM ERA and OPS:
Sugar Land – From 3.16 ERA to 3.61 ERA – From .682 OPS to .689 OPS
Corpus Christi – From 3.77 ERA to 3.72 ERA – From .673 OPS to .631 OPS
Asheville – From 6.52 ERA to 6.95 ERA – From .739 OPS to .732 OPS
Fayetteville – From 6.16 ERA to 5.16 ERA – From .709 OPS to .757 OPS
Mattingly previously managed the Los Angeles Dodgers (2011-2015) and Miami Marlins (2016-2022) and spent the past three seasons as the Toronto Blue Jays' bench coach, nearly winning his first World Series as a player or coach in 2025.
Mattingly's son, Preston, is the Phillies' general manager, a position he began prior to the 2025 season. A first-round pick in 2006, Preston Mattingly spent six seasons in the minors with a .232 batting average.
Mattingly has a career 889-950 record and is 10-14 in the postseason, famously getting knocked out three years in a row with the Dodgers before Dave Roberts took over.
The team stating that Mattingly would be the interim for the rest of the season was a surprise, with recently-fired Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora expected to be at the top of the list in Philadelphia, having won a World Series in Boston with now-Phillies president Dave Dombrowski.
But USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale reported Tuesday that the Phillies did in fact offer the job to Cora before promoting Mattingly.
Thomson led the Phillies to the 2022 World Series after replacing Joe Girardi in the middle of the season, and Philadelphia has reached the postseason in each of the past four seasons.
COVERS INTEL: Miami starter 