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Some bright spots among a lot of losses

The first full week of games for three of the four Padres minor league affiliates was less than successful with all teams having losing records thus far. There are some bright spots in these early results with pitching being the biggest issue at the start of the year.

There were a lot of lopsided results as well, with Low-A Lake Elsinore winning 21-0 and Triple-A El Paso losing 19-12 as examples. Several of the top prospects, and a few of the players to watch for this year, have started in an inconsistent manner as well. The small sample size indicates that time (and some better weather) will reveal what these players of capable of in 2026.

El Paso Chihuahuas (6-10 record, 4th in Pacific Coast League, South Division)

The Triple-A Chihuahuas went 1-5 for the week, with five games against the Albuquerque Isotopes and one against the Round Rock Express. Outfielders Samad Taylor and Jase Bowen lead the team offensively, Taylor has a .277 average with a .689 OPS. Bowen has a .603 slug while hitting .259 with four homers but also has 18 strikeouts in 58 at-bats. Swing-and-miss continues to be the big issue with Bowen despite his power and speed. Getting a better contact rate would really improve his chances of getting to the big leagues.

LHP JP Sears has a 4.73 ERA in three games and 13.1 innings pitched with 11 strikeouts and three walks. RHP Matt Waldron excelled early in the Chihuahuas season but has been called up to the Padres with the injury to Nick Pivetta.

LHP Jackson Wolf has been moved into the bullpen this season and has largely pitched well. He has started one game with five relief appearances over 8.2 innings with a 5.19 ERA and 12 strikeouts. Reliever Garrett Hawkins (40-man roster) has four appearances and 4.1 innings pitched with two hits allowed and five strikeouts. Reliever Evan Fitterer has appeared in four games with eight innings pitched, a 1.13 ERA and has 10 strikeouts.

San Antonio Missions (3-7 record, 4th in Texas League, South Division)

The Double-A Missions had a 2-3-1 record for the week while playing the Corpus Christi Hooks and the Midland Rock Hounds. New Padres minor leaguer IF Carson Tucker, 24, leads the Missions with a .412 average and a 1.029 OPS in 17 at-bats. He also leads the team with a .529 slug. First baseman Romeo Sanabria has five RBI and is one of the four players on the team with a home run.

LHP Luis Gutierrez leads the starters with two games and nine innings pitched and has a 1.00 ERA with 11 strikeouts and two walks. RHP Miguel Mendez (40-man roster) has also started two games with 7.2 innings pitched with a 1.17 ERA. Reliever Johan Moreno has appeared in four games and 6.1 innings pitched allowing no runs. Harry Gustin has six innings pitched over three games with a 1.50 ERA and six strikeouts.

Fort Wayne TinCaps (3-7 record, last in Midwest League, East Division)

The High-A TinCaps went 2-4 against the Lansing Lugnuts and Lake County Captains for the week. OF Alex McCoy has started the season on a streak. He is hitting .323 with a .995 OPS, with two home runs with three doubles and has four RBI. He has two walks and six strikeouts in 31 at-bats. The concern with McCoy since his signing was his swing and miss and contact ability. The power has always been there and if he can continue to make consistent contact then the sky is the limit for the 6-5 and 260-pound prospect.

LHP Kash Mayfield has had two starts so far with seven innings pitched and no runs allowed. He has eight strikeouts and five walks. RHP Maikel Miralles has started two games with eight innings pitched and 12 strikeouts with five walks but has a 5.63 ERA. RHP Carson Montgomery, who missed all of last season with injuries, started his first game and threw four innings. He has three strikeouts and a walk without allowing a run.

Lake Elsinore Storm (4-6 record, 3rd in the California League, South Division)

The Low-A Storm went 3-3 for the week versus the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and the Stockton Ports. Left Fielder Connor Westenburg, an undrafted free agent from last year, has played in 10 games and 29 at-bats with a .517 average, a .621 slug and a 1.196 OPS. He also leads the team with eight RBI. CF Ryan Wideman, drafted in the third round last year, is another high-upside outfielder who has speed and power, but contact has been the big question. He has started with a .244 average and .378 slug with nine RBI to lead the team.

RHP Bryan Balzer, signed from Japan and had an inconsistent debut last season, has started two games and nine innings pitched with a 1.00 ERA and 11 strikeouts and five walks. RHP Winyer Chourio has started two games with eight innings pitched and has a 1.13 ERA with 12 strikeouts.

The Padres top draft pick last year, LHP Kruz Schoolcraft, has had a disastrous start to the season. With Lake Elsinore, Schoolcraft has yet to make it past the first inning of his two starts. He has pitched a total of 1.1 innings with nine earned runs, one strikeout and six walks for a 60.75 ERA.

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GameThread: Tigers vs. Red Sox, 7:15 p.m.

Detroit Tigers assistant hitting coach Cody Asche (92), left, talks to third baseman Kevin McGonigle (7) during the ninth inning against Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Detroit Tigers (10-9) vs. Boston Red Sox (7-11)

Time/Place: 7:15 p.m., Fenway Park
SB Nation Site: Over the Monster
Media: Apple TV, Tigers Radio Network
Pitching Matchup: RHP Casey Mize (1-1, 3.94 ERA) vs. LHP Ranger Suarez (1-1, 5.02 ERA)

PlayerGIPK%BB%GB%FIPfWAR
Mize316.025.48.534.03.660.3
Suarez314.118.38.345.54.480.2

Lineups

TIGERSRED SOX
Gleyber Torres – 2BRoman Anthony – DH
Kevin McGonigle – SSWillson Contreras – 1B
Jahmai Jones – DHWilyer Abreu – RF
Dillon Dingler – CTrevor Story – SS
Matt Vierling – LFJarren Duran – LF
Wenceel Perez – RFCeddanne Rafaela – CF
Spencer Torkelson – 1BMarcelo Mayer – 2B
Hao-Yu Lee – 3BCaleb Durbin – 3B
Javier Baez – CFConnor Wong – C

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Dodgers, fans enjoy snow day at Coors Field in Denver

Grounds crew members use shovels and utility vehicles to clear snow from a baseball field.
Grounds crew members toil to clear snow from the outfield of Coors Field after a spring storm blanketed the intermountain West before the Colorado Rockies host the Los Angeles Dodgers...

DENVER — There was a fight outside Coors Field on Friday afternoon.

More specifically, a snowball fight — with a couple Dodgers fans enjoying an early-spring snow day at the Rockies’ home ballpark.

Snow covered Coors Field ahead of the Dodgers-Rockies game Friday night.

In the hours leading up to the start of a four-game series between the Dodgers and Rockies, a snowstorm swept through Denver, covering the streets, seats and field in and around Coors Field with a pristine layer of frozen white powder.

Like the fans outside, Dodgers players inside the stadium enjoyed the conditions — which were not expected to impact that night’s game.

Connecticut native Emmet Sheehan had a snowball fight of his own with one of the team’s radio broadcasters. A snowman was built on the railing of the visiting dugout along the third base line.

The weather didn’t stop the Dodgers from some of their normal pregame routines. Freddie Freeman, for example, cleared an area for his normal afternoon picking session. Dodgers pitchers still played catch in the outfield — where a tractor had cleared snow from the grass Zamboni-style — even as more flurries fell from an overcast sky.

Though the snow was scheduled to let up in time for first pitch, temperatures were expected to keep on plunging into the low 30s.

Not exactly baseball weather.

But, as a glass-half-full Uber driver quipped while dropping a reporter off at the ballpark, “at least the beers will stay cold.” 

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Oscar Schmidt, Basketball Hall of Famer and Olympic record holder from Brazil, dies at 68

Brazilian Oscar Schmidt, a Basketball Hall of Famer and the Olympic basketball scoring king (1,093 points), has died at age 68.

In a statement reported by Brazilian media, Schmidt's family noted that he battled a brain tumor the last 15 years "with courage, dignity, and resilience, remaining an example of determination, generosity, and love for life. Recognized for his brilliant career on the court and his remarkable personality off it, Oscar leaves a legacy that transcends sports and inspires generations of athletes and admirers in Brazil and around the world."

In five Olympics from 1980 through 1996, Schmidt averaged 28.8 points per game over 38 total games played.

That included a 42.3-point-per-game showing at the 1988 Seoul Games and a 24-point performance against the Dream Team in 1992 (a 127-83 defeat).

"There was not a shot that I don't like," he said.

Brazil's best Olympic finish in that span was fifth.

“I was the top scorer in the Barcelona Olympics even with the Dream Team there," Schmidt, nicknamed "Mão Santa" (Holy Hand), was quoted as saying.

Schmidt tallied 304 more points than the Olympics' second all-time leading scorer — Australian Andrew Gaze — and more than twice as many points as the U.S.' all-time leading scorer, Kevin Durant (518).

In the 1987 Pan American Games final, Schmidt scored 46 points — 35 in the second half — as Brazil rallied from a 20-point deficit to upset a U.S. team of college stars in Indianapolis. He called it his greatest achievement.

"The Brazilian sport, unfortunately, is saying goodbye to a great name, but I'm sure that his story will never be forgotten," Brazil Olympic Committee Marco Antonio La Porta said, according to a translation. "More than results and medals, Oscar represented values that define the Olympic spirit: dedication, overcoming, respect for the opponent. In each competition, he took with him not only talent, but also inspiration for all who believe in the transformative power of sport and the Brazilian flag in their hearts. His legacy lives on on the courts and hearts he touched along his journey. May your memory continue to motivate new generations to dream big and compete with honor. Your story, immortalized in the COB (Brazil Olympic) Hall of Fame, will remain in our hearts. Rest in peace Holy Hand. Your legacy will never be forgotten."

The 6-foot-9 Schmidt is largely considered the best player never to play in the NBA. He was drafted in the sixth round by the New Jersey Nets in 1984 but never joined the league.

"I say thank you very much (to the Nets), but if I play one game here, I will never play with my national team never more," Schmidt said in his 2013 Basketball Hall of Fame induction speech, noting international rules at the time when NBA players were not allowed in the Olympics.

A young Kobe Bryant, growing up in Italy, was awed by watching Schmidt play in that league on TV. In 2016, Bryant compared Schmidt to Dirk Nowitzki, "but he can do things that Dirk Nowitzki can't," Bryant said.

"He's out there scoring 45 points, 47 points and, as a kid, I was just extremely curious on how the hell that's possible," Bryant said. "He could just do it all. He was a great shooter, but he could handle the ball. He could get to the spots on the floor and play with a lot of passion, too."

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The Post’s Knicks-Hawks first-round playoff predictions

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Nickeil Alexander-Walker #7 of the Atlanta Hawks and Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks go after a loose ball during the game on April 6, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia

The Post’s experts give their Knicks-Hawks predications:

Stefan Bondy

The Hawks have playoff unknowns in Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu and Dyson Daniels, so their reaction to the pressure — and to the intense atmosphere of Game 1 at MSG — is a wild card. They could rise to the occasion. They could shrink. Either way, the Knicks are more talented and that will carry them to victory.

Prediction: Knicks in 6

Zach Braziller

This won’t be easy. Like the Pistons in the first round a year ago, the on-the-rise Hawks will give the Knicks problems, stealing Game 2 at MSG and forcing a winner-take-all Game 7. In the end, Jalen Brunson and Co. do just enough to advance.

Prediction: Knicks in 7

Nickeil Alexander-Walker of the Atlanta Hawks and Josh Hart of the New York Knicks go after a loose ball during the game on April 6, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NBAE via Getty Images

Jared Schwartz

The Knicks almost certainly got a harder matchup with the surging, upstart Hawks than they would’ve with the Raptors. The Hawks are athletic, long, fast and full of belief. But much of their rise came against lowly opposition. And the Knicks should be far more talented with far more experience. The Hawks can hang around, but the Knicks should put them away with relative ease.

Prediction: Knicks in 5

Mike Vaccaro

Maybe I’ll be proven wrong but I don’t buy the Hawks’ late-season surge as anything much more than the byproduct of fortunate scheduling. I try to find an area that I’d give the Hawks the advantage. I don’t see one.

Prediction: Knicks in 5

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Texas Rangers lineup for April 17, 2026

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 16: Joc Pederson #3 of the Texas Rangers slides home to score against the Athletics in the ninth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 16, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Texas Rangers lineup for April 17, 2026 against the Seattle Mariners: starting pitchers are Jacob deGrom for the Rangers and Logan Gilbert for the M’s.

Texas begins a three game series in Seattle, the final stop on their road trip.

The lineup:

Nimmo — RF

Seager — SS

Langford — LF

Burger — 1B

Carter — CF

Pederson — DH

Jung — 3B

Smith — 2B

Jansen — C

8:40 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are +110 underdogs.

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Game thread XX – Royals at Yankees

Michael Wacha, wearing the new city connect uniform, throws a pitch
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - APRIL 11: Michael Wacha #52 of the Kansas City Royals pitches during the 1st inning of the game against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium on April 11, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images

There is never a good time to play the Yankees, one of MLB’s most consistently good teams throughout its long history. But the Royals still have to do it. From a certain perspective, maybe this is a good time to face them; if you’re already losing, what’s a few more losses? Then, when you get on a roll, the Yankees won’t be there to stomp on your dreams.

Michael Wacha, the last winner the Royals had, will attempt to closely replicate the eight shutout innings he pitched against the White Sox last weekend. It will probably be harder against the Yankees, but the seemingly rejuvenated right-hander seems like the guy if the Royals have one. Not only has he pitched to a 0.43 ERA, but the underlying metrics suggest he’s pitching the best baseball of his life. Yes, not just as a Royal, but ever.

Wacha did make one start against the Yankees early last year; he allowed 3 runs in 5.2 innings. But even as he’s pitching better now than ever before, the beginning of 2025 was his worst period as a Royal.

The Yankees have been prone to giving up a lot of runs lately. The Royals scored a lot of runs yesterday. Maybe they can finally get something going in New York, where all their left-handed hitters can aim for the short fences in right field. Certainly, if Vinnie hits the ball in New York like he did all week in Detroit, he could have 10 home runs at the end of the weekend. Unfortunately, Cam Schlittler (don’t say that five times fast around impressionable ears!) has been one of the bright spots in the early going.

Schlitter was promoted to the big leagues last July and hit the ground running, immediately becoming one of the Yankees’ best starters. He’s somehow been even better than that this year, with underlying metrics that suggest he might somehow be underrated by his sparkling 2.49 ERA. He has an MLB-leading 35.8% K-BB%. The best pitchers will strike out more than a third of the batters, but he has also only walked only 1 in his 22.2 innings so far this year.

At least he’s a right-hander.

Lineups

Following yesterday’s offensive outburst, manager Matt Quatraro hasn’t changed the lineup much. Michael Massey is back in there at second after being pulled partway through yesterday’s game. Lane Thomas is in left field again, as Isaac Collins is still day-to-day with his knee contusion. We’re just going to have to hope yesterday wasn’t a flash in the pan.

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New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals: Cam Schlittler vs. Michael Wacha

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 12: Cam Schlittler #31 of the New York Yankees reacts after giving up a hit against the Tampa Bay Rays during the second inning of a baseball game at Tropicana Field on April 10, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Earlier this week, the Yankees played a very frustrating series against the Angels. While it ended in a split of the four games, it sure didn’t feel like it. Both Yankees’ wins required ninth-inning comebacks, while both losses saw the pitching get blow out of the water. That being said, each new series is a chance to get a new winning run going, and they can do that tonight as the Royals come to town.

For tonight’s series opener, the Yankees will send Cam Schlittler to the mound. Schlitter has gotten off to an incredible start to the season, but has allowed a couple runs in his last two starts. Tonight, we’ll get to see him try and get back to dominance again Royals’ lineups that’s only been so-so

For the Royals, veteran Michael Wacha will take the hill. Wacha has gotten off to a very good start to 2026, coming in with a 0.43 ERA in his couple starts so far. It’s worth noting that in a signal of how little confidence the Yankees (understandably) seem to have in Ryan McMahon right now, he is sitting despite being a lefty bat who could face the righty Wacha; Amed Rosario will take his place at the hot corner. It’s also not a good sign for the slumping Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Austin Wells that they’re both batting behind Rosario. But Rosario’s been one of the few consistent bats for the Yanks thus far and has hit righties early on, so he’ll get his shot.

Here’s all the information to know on how to catch tonight’s game, and we hope you’ll come join us in the game thread for all the action!

How to watch

Location: Yankee Stadium — Bronx, NY

First pitch: 7:05 pm ET

TV broadcast: YES (NYY) | Royals.TV (KCR)

Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY) | 96.5 The Fan, Royals Radio Network (KCR)

Streaming: MLB.tv, Gotham Sports App

For updates, follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

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Mikal Bridges ready to raise his game in playoffs for Knicks — again

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) reacts after scoring during the fourth quarter when the New York Knicks played the Indiana Pacers Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at Madison Square Garden, Image 2 shows New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) when the New York Knicks practiced Friday, April 17, 2026 at Madison Square Garden Training Center in Greenburgh, NY
Mikal Bridges Knicks

One by one, Knicks player after Knicks player echoed the same sentiment — they will be judged on what comes next, not on the regular season. 

That rings true for Mikal Bridges as much as anyone. 

Last year, his largely underwhelming regular season was mostly forgotten when he made some of the biggest plays during the Knicks’ playoff run.

There was the steal on Jaylen Brown in the final seconds of overtime to seal Game 1 of the second round against the Celtics.

There was the steal on Jayson Tatum in the final seconds to seal Game 2 of that series.

New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) reacts after scoring during the fourth quarter when the New York Knicks played the Indiana Pacers Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at Madison Square Garden. Robert Sabo for NY Post

There was his game-tying tip-in with 35.1 seconds left in Game 6 of the first round against the Pistons, a game in which he scored 25 points. 

“Playoffs are fun and real amped up and a lot of aggression, a lot of thinking,” Bridges told The Post earlier this month. “It’s just fun being in those games. The crowd and everything just goes up another level. So it’s always fun playing playoff games. Just trying to do whatever it takes to win.” 

Does he feel like he raises his game in the postseason? 

“I would want to,” Bridges said. “I feel like every player would want to. I just try to be the best I can be and try to do whatever it takes to help the team win.” 

Bridges is on the receiving end of more criticism than anyone on the Knicks. Karl-Anthony Towns is probably a close second, but Bridges tops the list, given the five first-round picks the Knicks traded to get him. 

His regular-season output — offensively, at least — has not matched that trade haul. But he’s been vocal about sacrificing offensively for the betterment of the team.

New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) when the New York Knicks practiced Friday, April 17, 2026 at Madison Square Garden Training Center in Greenburgh, NY. Robert Sabo for NY Post

It’s something that Josh Hart voiced support for to The Post, claiming that Bridges could score more if he got more shots, but that’s not what he’s been asked to do. 

Coach Mike Brown has been clear in the offensive hierarchy — Jalen Brunson first, Karl-Anthony Towns second, everybody else after that. And usually it’s OG Anunoby coming in third, so that makes Bridges the fourth option.

If that’s what you compare him to — the different fourth options around the league — rather than his trade compensation, his output looks much stronger. 

“Sacrifice for your brothers,” Bridges said after practice Friday. “… Putting your body on the line, doing whatever it takes to make the play to help your teammates out.” 

Fourth option or not, Bridges has shown the ability to make game-changing plays regardless of how he performs beforehand. On a veteran Knicks team, he has as much playoff experience as anyone. 

“That’s kind of what I’ve known,” Bridges said. “It’s kind of my DNA.” 

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Draymond Green, Devin Booker ejected in final moments of Warriors' play-in loss

Draymond Green, Devin Booker ejected in final moments of Warriors' play-in loss originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Draymond Green wasn’t on the floor for the Warriors’ season-ending loss in the NBA play-in tournament to the Phoenix Suns on Friday night.

That’s because Green, along with Suns star Devin Booker, was ejected after the two exchanged heated words in the game’s closing moments.

The Warriors forward already had fouled out of Friday’s game at the 1:06 mark in the fourth quarter. During the ensuing dead ball, Green and Booker earned a double technical, but that didn’t appear to put an end to their jawing. Just after the ball was inbounded — only two seconds of game time later — referee Scott Foster tossed them both.

Once Foster directed him to the showers, Green immediately responded by imitating his ejection, before egging on the antagonistic Phoenix crowd as he walked to the locker room:

It was a frustrating night for Green, who finished with as many points as turnovers (five), in addition to his six personal fouls and a minus-13 rating.

Shortly before his exit, Green shared an intimate moment on the court with coach Steve Kerr and teammate Steph Curry, the three longtime tenets of the Golden State dynasty over the last 12 seasons.

In some ways, it’s a fitting end to the Warriors’ 2025-26 season, one that had some hope, but also was filled with injuries and plenty of other maddening moments.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

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With homestand sweep complete, Padres face burgeoning Halos ace

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 16: Ramón Laureano #5, Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 and Jackson Merrill #3 of the San Diego Padres react after defeating the Seattle Mariners 5-2 at Petco Park on April 16, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After going 2-4 in the Opening Week homestand, the San Diego Padres have now improved their record at Petco Park to 9-4 with a perfect 7-0 homestand. The Friars cannot seem to lose.

Last night’s win was particularly fantastic with Walker Buehler proving his last start (0 R, 6.0 IP) wasn’t a fluke. He went five-plus innings, giving up two runs but earning his first win as a Padre.

Tonight the Friars will have their work cut out for them against the Los Angeles Angels. But if the knuckleballer can pull off some magic in Anaheim, San Diego might just eke out a victory.

Taking the mound

José Soriano (LAA) v. Matt Waldron (SD)

Soriano has been absolutely incredible for the Halos so far this year. He’s pitched to a 0.33 ERA across 27 innings. He’s had a crazy breakout this season, limiting batters to a .103 average.

The right-hander has only allowed one run this season. That lone run came in his longest start of the year (8.0 innings) against an Atlanta Braves offense that has been potent. The Padres will have to hope they can do what no other team has yet: get to Soriano. If they don’t, they’ll hope to at least get a shot at the Angels’ lackluster bullpen.

Waldron pitched three scoreless outings in Triple-A after rehabbing his way back from preseason surgery. He’s the last remaining true knuckleball pitcher in MLB. This will be Waldron’s first start with the big-league club since his lone 2025 start against the Philadelphia Phillies.

He’s struggled with consistency in the majors. But if Waldron can get off to a good start against Los Angeles, it’ll go a long way to soothing concerns about Nick Pivetta’s temporary absence from the rotation.

Batter up!

With a right-hander on the mound in Soriano, the Friars will likely go with a similar lineup as yesterday’s. That being said, Ty France has good numbers against Soriano (4-for-8 with 5 RBI) so he could see time at first base.

  1. Ramón Laureano, LF
  2. Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
  3. Jackson Merrill, CF
  4. Manny Machado, 3B
  5. Xander Bogaerts, SS
  6. Gavin Sheets, DH
  7. Ty France, 1B
  8. Luis Campusano, C
  9. Jake Cronenworth, 2B

Campusano will keep getting starts at catcher until Freddy Fermin returns from his recent concussion scare. That’s a-ok for the Friars since Campy has been destroying baseballs lately (and owns a .500 career average against Soriano).

Tatis has also put up some slug against the righty. Perhaps he could finally end his season-long homer drought tonight?

Relief corps

With Buehler going five-plus innings, the winning formula for San Diego was on full display: the starter leaves with a lead, and the ‘pen does exactly what it does best. Never was that more true than last night.

Bradgley Rodriguez, Adrian Morejon, Jason Adam and Mason Miller covered four scoreless innings. Morejon continues to look more and more like his dominant self, and Adam continues to wow in his return from injury.

Miller took Randy Jones’ place on the Padres’ leaderboard after last night with 30 2/3 scoreless innings pitched. The only one standing in his way from the top spot is Cla Meredith’s 33 2/3 mark.

For tonight’s game, that leaves Kyle Hart, Ron Marinaccio, David Morgan and Wandy Peralta. The first out of the bullpen if San Diego has a lead would be Hart, given his lack of use in the last few games. But it wouldn’t be surprising to see Morgan come out in a high-leverage spot.

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Game 20: Reds at Twins (8:10 PM ET) – Williamson vs. Ryan

Milwaukee Brewers v Cincinnati Reds

Brandon Williamson gets the start on Friday evening in the Twin Cities as the Cincinnati Reds hit the road after their 3-3 homestand. The Minnesota Twins will counter with Joe Ryan.

First pitch is set for 8:10 PM ET. Lineups for both clubs are listed below!

Today’s Lineups

REDSTWINS
TJ Friedl – CFByron Buxton – CF
Matt McLain – 2BAustin Martin – LF
Elly De La Cruz – SSLuke Keaschall – 2B
Sal Stewart – 1BRyan Jeffers – DH
Eugenio Suarez – 3BJosh Bell – 1B
Nathaniel Lowe – DHVictor Caratini – C
Spencer Steer – LFMatt Wallner – RF
Will Benson – RFBrooks Lee – SS
Tyler Stephenson – CRyan Kreidler – 3B
B. Williamson – LHPJoe Ryan – RHP
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What we learned as Steph Curry goes cold in Warriors' season-ending loss to Suns

What we learned as Steph Curry goes cold in Warriors' season-ending loss to Suns originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX SCORE

The epilogue of this agonizing Warriors’ season came Friday night and, appropriately, was a microcosm of their regular season, with a hail of turnovers and several players displaying visible signs of discomfort.

Golden State’s offseason began immediately after a 111-96 loss in the NBA play-in tournament finale to the younger, quicker Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix.

Stephen Curry gritted his teeth long enough to play 36 minutes, scoring 17 points, with Brandin Podziemski producing a team-high 23. Kristaps Porzingis, questionable with right ankle soreness until an hour before tipoff, limped through 15 minutes to score 11 points before retiring for the night.

The Warriors head into the offseason while the Suns advance to play a first-round playoff series against the defending champion and top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.

Here are three takeaways from a night that spins the Warriors into an offseason rife with questions in search of solutions:

Warriors lose the battle of No. 2s

With Curry and Suns star Devin Booker, the featured performers for their teams, basically offsetting each other, the outcome rested on which team would get the most production from its No. 2 scorer.

The Suns won that contest in a runaway. Jalen Green blistered the Warriors for a game-high 36 points on 14-of-20 shooting from the field, including 8 of 14 from beyond the arc. Playing 39 minutes, he posted a plus-21.

Green’s eight triples nearly equaled Golden State’s total of 11 and made him the central figure in the Suns posting a decisive advantage in 3-point makes (18-11).

No one on the Warriors came close. The three players, aside from Curry, to score in double figures were Podziemski, Porzingis and De’Anthony Melton (16 points).

Curry’s 17 points came on 4-of-16 shooting from the field, including 3 of 10 from distance, and Booker finished with 19 points on 5-of-12 shooting from the field, including 0 of 4 from deep.

Grotesque beginnings

The Warriors this season put forth countless sour first quarters, but they might have bottomed themselves in this game.

The first five minutes alone featured six Golden State turnovers, including three by Podziemski; Gui Santos losing his dribble without pressure, Porzingis missing a dunk and Curry dribble-driving out of bounds.

By the time the buzzer sounded to end the quarter, the Warriors had committed nine turnovers, giving Phoenix 13 free points; shot 30 percent from the field, including 11.1 percent from distance; been outscored 8-0 in transition, and were trailing by 18 (33-15).

With a symphony of poor shooting, botched possessions, curious decision-making and charitable donations, Golden State dug itself a massive hole and spent the next 36 minutes playing from behind and never catching up.

When it was all said and done, the Warriors committed 20 turnovers and the Suns scored a staggering 30 points off those giveaways.

The two Podziemskis

No player on the Warriors gets more public love and hate from the fan base than Podziemski, who, in this game, exhibited a masterclass demonstration of things to love and hate.

It’s easy for Dub Nation to be pleased by the Podziemski, who delivered a terrific second quarter that was crucial in keeping the Warriors within distance of the Suns. He contributed 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field, including a 3-pointer, and three rebounds. He was plus-14 over 11 minutes.

It’s not so easy for the fan base to enjoy the Podziemski, who committed two turnovers in a 13-second span immediately after and impetuously tried a solo fast break against three defenders and failing in what the Golden State coaches consider a “shot turnover.” He did not record an assist.

In addition to his 23 points on 9-of-17 shooting from the field, including 3 of 5 from deep, Podziemski grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds.

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Game 19: Red Sox vs. Tigers – Suárez vs Mize

Maybe the greens wull change the mojo of this team? Pretty please with a cherry on top?

⚾️ First Pitch: 7:15pm ET —Fenway Park, Boston, MA

📺 TV: Apple TV

📻 Radio: WEEI

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Washington Nationals vs San Francisco Giants Game Thread

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 14: Gus Varland #47 of the Washington Nationals reacts after his team's 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 14, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After a great 5-2 road trip, the Washington Nationals come back home looking to keep the good times rolling. It has been a small sample, but this team has been much better on the road so far. At home, they are just 1-5. The Nats will look to add a second home win tonight.

Blake Butera has shuffled up his lineup a bit. Daylen Lile will be in the 6 spot, the lowest he has been this season. Butera told me this was strictly a matchup based move. After getting hit in the hand yesterday, Jacob Young is not in the lineup, but Butera said he was available off the bench. Joey Wiemer will be in center instead. Jose Tena will be at DH today and Keibert Ruiz will be behind the dish. The dependable Zack Littell will be on the mound.

The Giants offense has not been great so far this year, which has Tony Vitello searching for answers. His top 3 hitters have been reasonably effective, but Rafael Devers has been off to a slow start. The Giants picked up Daniel Susac in the Rule 5 draft, and he has earned more reps behind the plate with his red hot start. Logan Webb has been one of the steadiest and most underrated arms in the league. He will be on the mound tonight.

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Game Info:

Stadium: Nationals Park

Time: 6:45 PM EST

TV: Nationals.TV and Fox 5 WTTG

Radio: 106.7 The Fan

The Nationals have been playing solid baseball so far, but that has mainly been the case on the road. It would be nice to give the home fans a taste of Butera ball. The Giants are struggling right now, but they have solid talent and cannot be taken lightly. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!