LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 07: Gage Jump #79 of the Athletics throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning of a spring training game at Las Vegas Ballpark on March 07, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Angels defeated the Athletics 3-0. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This season’s first 2 months have always been about treading water. The A’s have a gloriously average squad that has been, well, average : Since April 10th, the A’s have been been between 1 game under .500 and 3 games over .500 each and every day.
The ability to stay neck and neck in the standings with their competitors has been enhanced by Seattle floundering (Mariners like fish, after all) under .500. And so the A’s approach Memorial Day where they would have hoped to be: in or near 1st place with a roster that is poised to improve.
Will Memorial Day bring said improvement in the form of a “high upside” starting pitcher? One can rely only on tea leaves, not on any formal announcements, at this point. Here’s what we know:
– JT Ginn will start tonight against the Padres trying to build on his sensational 8 no-hit innings in Anaheim and hoping to avenge the disappointing final 4 minutes of that start.
– Jacob Lopez is on turn for Sunday afternoon’s game in San Diego. Lopez is fresh off of a shaky start in which he was handed a 6-0 lead and could not complete the 4th inning. His season ERA now stands at 6.14.
– The A’s have been non-committal around Sunday’s SP, offering multiple possible paths and stating that bullpen usage Friday and Saturday could even inform the decision at the 11th hour. Those paths include Lopez taking his normal turn, an “opener” with Lopez to follow, or a “bullpen game”. Really the only option the A’s seem to have ruled out is calling up a new SP — it seems the current group will handle the game in some way.
– Gage Jump pitched on Wednesday, so he is not on turn to pitch until Monday at the earliest. So he has never been an option for the Padres series but would be ready for any of the games with Seattle. Jump’s start Wednesday was his best of the season: 7 IP, 4 hits, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 K.
What does this all suggest might be in the cards? Certainly there are very banal outcomes still on the table, such as that Lopez makes the Sunday start as the A’s continue to hope he rediscovers his 2025 form and the rotation stays on turn with Aaron Civale opening the Seattle series on Monday.
Or … are the tea leaves suggesting that Lopez is headed to the bullpen to give the A’s a valuable long relief arm and lefty option, making room for Jump to debut as an electric and unknown arm the Mariners have to face in a big head-to-head showdown? (I say “big,” even though it’s still May, because the path to the AL West crown runs through Seattle and this represents 3 of 13 “two game swing” games.)
The A’s would have to make a corresponding move on the 40 man roster to call up Jump. The obvious casualty would be Jose Suarez, since shifting Lopez to the bullpen would give the A’s a second lefty. Also, Suarez just isn’t anything special and was a stopgap pickup at best — or least that’s how it should be.
Coming into the season the A’s hoped Luis Morales would give them a plus arm at the front of the rotation, allowing Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs to settle into more mid-back of the rotation roles. That just didn’t work out, but without question it would buoy the A’s chances to contend significantly if they could find and insert a plus arm into the rotation.
The best hope for this has always been Jump, a top prospect in MLB and the only top A’s pitching prospect who is a step away from the big leagues. It was has been, since Jump’s solid spring training showing, not a matter of “if” but rather “when” he would join the 2026 rotation.
Is that time now? If so, Happy Memorial Day indeed.
With 8:01 left in Game 6 and the Timberwolves trailing the Spurs by 33, Minnesota coach Chris Finch threw in the towel and pulled his starters. When that happened, Anthony Edwards did something in-game usually reserved for postgame: he walked over and dapped up the Spurs players, congratulating them on their win.
That drew an instant backlash from former players and fans who didn't like the fact he did that during the game, including Dirk Nowitzki and Udonis Haslem on the NBA on Prime postgame show.
"As a leader I would not have walked down there and shook their hands ... with 8 mins left."
UD on Anthony Edwards shaking the Spurs' hands in the middle of the fourth quarter. pic.twitter.com/1BjxFjmqUx
"Yes, eight minutes in the game, but we're not going back in the game," Edwards said. "When you win a playoff series, everybody's celebrating at the end of the game, so they're gonna be smiling while I'm pissed off, and we just lost. "So I was just like, 'S***, let me go and congratulate these boys, because I ain't trying to be kiking with you all after you all whooped my a**.'"
Edwards then said his real preference would have been not to congratulate the Spurs (or any team that beats him) at all.
"Then what would they have been saying about me? That would have been a whole other conversation," Edwards said.
Edwards is an intense competitor who had to take away from that series what everyone else watching — including Minnesota management — saw in those six games: San Antonio was a flat-out better roster and team, and the Spurs are still very young and just getting better. That would frustrate anyone.
At the end of the day, if it didn't bother Edwards' current teammates, then it doesn't matter. If it did bother them, a couple of veteran team leaders need to have a conversation with Edwards during the offseason in a calm setting, and then everyone can move on. Ultimately, this is great sports talk show content that will not matter in the Timberwolves locker room next season.
Mercedes pair clashed with both drivers out in front
Toto Wolff tells Italian to ‘stop the radio moaning’
George Russell won the sprint race at the Canadian Grand Prix but only after his championship battle with Kimi Antonelli reached an angry flashpoint. The Mercedes pair clashed for the lead on track and the teenage Italian was left demanding the British driver should be penalised.
Such was the febrile atmosphere that their team principal Toto Wolff intervened, telling Antonelli to “stop the radio moaning”.
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - MAY 19: Drew Rasmussen #57 and Shane McClanahan #18 of the Tampa Bay Rays look on prior to a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field on May 19, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The weekend series between the Cardinals and Reds will finally start with a day-night doubleheader on Saturday, May 23. The foul weather changed the pitching matchup for the nightcap, and injured list moves on both teams have tweaked the rosters.
The results of both lean in Cincinnati’s favor, as my Cardinals vs. Reds predictions and MLB picks for Game 2 explain.
Who will win Cardinals vs Reds tonight: Reds moneyline (-105)
Andre Pallante was initially scheduled to start for the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, but with the rain, the Redbirds flipped the rotation.
The Cincinnati Reds will now face his 95th percentile breaking ball and 89th percentile ground ball rate in Game 1.
The Reds also get Eugenio Suarez back, while the Cardinals placed outfielder Nathan Church on IL.
COVERS INTEL: Opponents have a .584 OPS in their first appearance vs. Leahy, which rises to .821 the next time up, and 1.177 the third time up.
Cardinals vs Reds Over/Under pick: Over 9.5 (-105)
The Over/Under cutoff is high, but it’s earned in this game. The bullpens will be taxed in the second game of a twin bill, and Leahy will be challenged by a Reds order hitting 25% over league average across the last two weeks.
St. Louis has been struggling on offense, but the Reds will start former top pick Chase Petty, called up for the doubleheader and ready to make just his fourth MLB start.
He’s allowed four home runs and 10 walks in 11 2/3 big-league innings and was struggling at Triple-A Louisville, with a 6.32 ERA and 1.628 WHIP.
Shawn Krest's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 15-19 -3.28 units
Over/Under bets: 19-19 -1.51 units
Cardinals vs Reds odds
Moneyline: Cardinals -110 | Reds -110
Run line: Cardinals +1.5 | Reds -1.5
Over/Under: Over 9.5 | Under 9.5
Cardinals vs Reds trend
The Reds have hit the Over in 28 of their last 40 games (+14.55 Units / 33% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Cardinals vs. Reds.
How to watch Cardinals vs Reds and game info
Location
Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati, OH
Date
Saturday, May 23, 2026
First pitch
7:15 p.m. ET
TV
FOX
Cardinals starting pitcher
Kyle Leahy (5-3, 3.94 ERA)
Reds starting pitcher
Chase Petty (0-0, 4.76 ERA)
Cardinals vs Reds latest injuries
Cardinals vs Reds 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.
Feb 24, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Jonathan Pintaro (91) delivers a pitch against the Houston Astros during the third inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Ahead of their second game against the Marlins this weekend, the Mets recalled right-handed relief pitcher Jonathan Pintaro. In a corresponding move, the Mets optioned left-handed starter Zach Thornton to Triple-A Syracuse.
Pintaro, in his age 28 season, appeared in one game last season for the Mets, giving up two earned runs in two-thirds of an inning. He’s having a nice season in Triple-A thus far, appearing in 15 games and pitching to a 2.81 ERA with 32 strikeouts to 12 walks and allowing one home run.
Here is how our Steve Sypa described Pintaro’s aresenal of pitches in our season preview:
The right-hander throws fastballs nearly 75% of the time, mixing in a high-spin cutter, a mid-90s fastball, and a low-90s sinker. He supplements those pitches with a mid-to-high-80s changeup that gives him a north-south option and a low-to-mid-80s sweeping slider that gives him a horizontal option.
Thornton, a soft-tosser in his age 24 season, made his major league debut on Wednesday evening against the Nationals. Thornton was stung by a first inning three-run home run off the bat of C.J. Abrams, but he settled in nicely after that, allowing just three more baserunners over the next two and two-thirds innings.
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The bad news was Friday night’s game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds was rained out. The good news is that means a doubleheader today. For game 1, it appears that the Cardinals will have Andre Pallante make the start while the Reds will have Friday’s planned starter Chris Paddack on the mound. Note that Bryan Torres is set to start in left field for St. Louis. First pitch for game 1 is scheduled for 12:10pm central time in Great America Ball Park.
Former Senators head coach Dave Cameron will be back for another OHL tour of duty.
After signing a two-year extension this week, Cameron, who's 67, will continue to be the 67's head coach for a 6th and 7th season, which will surely give some of our readers an excuse to resurrect the nonsensical "6-7" internet meme for a day or two.
Under Cameron this season, Ottawa had a fine year with 47 wins and 100 points but they ran into an equally good Barrie Colts team in the second round, losing in five games.
"Your best chance for success is the people you work for," Cameron said. "I can't say enough about the organization here in Ottawa and the staff with Jan, Norm and Paul (GM Jan Egert, and assistant coaches Norm Milley and Paul Stoykewych). It's just been a real pleasure to work (here). And throw on top of that, knock on wood, I've been blessed with good health and energy."
Cameron was asked by 67's play-by-play man Kenny Walls how long he wants to keep coaching for.
"Yeah, obviously, when you've been at it as long as I have, the discussion about when you're going to retire is something you do annually," Cameron said. "So, for me, your challenge when you're coaching at the OHL level is your energy level.
"Because I'm at the point where I'm not ready to do anything half-heartedly. And the big thing in that is you have to have good energy, and I love getting up in the mornings. I love going to the rink. I love hockey."
Those are three pretty solid reasons to return.
That love of hockey goes back to his playing days, growing up in PEI, where Cameron won a spot on his hometown University of PEI hockey team. There, he caught the attention of the New York Islanders, who took him in the 8th round of the 1978 draft.
In 1981, the Islanders traded Cameron and Bob Lorimer to the Colorado Rockies for the Rockies' first-round pick in 1983, and the Islanders used it to select some guy named Pat Lafontaine. Cameron spent the 1981-82 season with the Rockies and then two more after they moved to New Jersey and became the Devils.
As for Cameron's coaching path, it's taken him from PEI Junior B to the Colonial Hockey League, the OHL, AHL, NHL, and a two-year stop in Austria.
His NHL coaching experience lies primarily with the Senators, and that connection began all the way back in 2001.
That was the year Eugene Melnyk bought the team Cameron was coaching, the OHL's Toronto St. Michael's Majors. Cameron stayed in the role for another three seasons.
A year after Melnyk bought the Senators in 2003, Cameron shifted to Binghamton to run the Sens AHL bench for three seasons. In 2007, he moved back to Melnyk's OHL team, now called the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors, and spent four seasons there.
When the Sens hired Paul MacLean as their head coach, Cameron got his first NHL coaching work as MacLean's assistant in 2011-12, which was also the season Melnyk sold his OHL team.
When MacLean was fired mid-season, three and a half years later, Cameron got the job and guided the Senators to the playoffs that season via the famous Hamburglar Run.
Apr 7, 2016; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators head coach Dave Cameron speaks with his players leading into the last minute of play in the third period against the Florida Panthers at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators defeated the Panthers 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
As he did with so many good people in this town, Melnyk then threw a grenade on his relationship with Cameron the following year.
The volatile owner didn't just fire Cameron in 2016; he told the media a few weeks before that one of Cameron's opening night lineup decisions was "stupid." Cameron's firing was the first official act of Pierre Dorion, who had taken over as GM a few days earlier.
"It was hurtful," Cameron said about Melnyk's comments. "I didn't think there was any need for it. I felt like I was fired for three weeks, every day,"
But that was ten years ago, now water under the bridge. And as Dave Cameron begins to think about a 16th season as a coach in the league, life in the OHL today suits him just fine.
Steve Warne The Hockey News
This story was originally published at The Hockey News Ottawa Senators site. Click on the latest headlines below to read the latest stories there:
For the third straight year, Sam O’Reilly has made his mark on the Memorial Cup stage. The former Edmonton Oilers prospect scored a highlight-reel backhand goal as his Kitchener Rangers cruised to a 5-0 shutout victory over host Kelowna on Saturday, improving to 4-0 in the tournament.
O’Reilly, now a Tampa Bay Lightning prospect, continues to thrive after being traded by Edmonton in a deal that saw the Oilers acquire Isaac (Ike) Howard. The gritty two-way center was named OHL MVP and OHL Playoffs MVP this season, cementing his reputation as a big-game performer who excels in the dirty areas, wins battles along the wall, and contributes offensively in key moments.
Meanwhile, Howard hasn't been able to cement a role in the NHL, which is what the Oilers were hoping might happen when they acquire him.
For Oilers fans, the performance comes with a familiar 'what might have been' feeling.
Edmonton traded O’Reilly last summer, and at the time, many viewed it as a reasonable futures exchange. However, watching O’Reilly dominate the Memorial Cup once again has some supporters second-guessing the decision.
The 20-year-old has now tallied a goal in three consecutive Memorial Cup appearances, showcasing the compete level and clutch ability that made him a prospect many thought had a bright future in the Oilers system. Projecting as a reliable middle-six center with top-six upside, O’Reilly’s development path now belongs to the Lightning, and games like this remind fans that Edmonton might have lost another key part of their future.
While Howard remains a promising piece with high-end skill, O’Reilly’s continued success at junior hockey’s premier event serves as a reminder of the difficult choices NHL teams must make when trying to get better more quickly.
Oilers fans are left to wonder: could O’Reilly have been part of Edmonton’s future core?
Jesus Sanchez has been quietly heating up this month, and I expect him to continue swinging a hot bat this afternoon.
Read on to see why with my Pirates vs. Blue Jays predictions and MLB picks for Saturday, May 23.
Pirates vs Blue Jays predictions
Pirates vs Blue Jays best bet: Jesus Sanchez Over 0.5 hits (+100)
Jesus Sanchez has been quietly consistent recently, currently sporting a five-game hitting streak, while going Over his 0.5 hits total in nine of his last 10 outings.
Sanchez owns a .333 average against the four-seam fastball and a .294 average against the sinker, the two pitches that Paul Skenes uses the most.
Additionally, Sanchez is just one of three batters in the Toronto Blue Jays lineup to have a hit against Skenes in their career, going 1-for-3 with a double.
COVERS INTEL: Sanchez has a .283 xBA, which ranks him in the 87th percentile in all of baseball.
Pirates vs Blue Jays same-game parlay (SGP)
Another Blue Jay swinging a hot bat is Daulton Varsho. I’ll take Over 0.5 hits for the Jays outfielder, who has eclipsed this total in eight of his last 10 outings with a .324 batting average in that stretch.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 21st in OPS vs. lefties this year, so Patrick Corbin could get through most of his start unscathed. He'll eventually give way to a Blue Jays bullpen ranked seventh in xFIP this month.
Pirates vs Blue Jays SGP
Jesus Sanchez Over 0.5 hits
Daulton Varsho Over 0.5 hits
Pirates team total Under 4.5
img loading="lazy" width="100%" height="null" src="https://img.covers.com/editorial/2026/jaysmlcbp.jpg" alt="Canada’s best price for Jays"
Get the best Jays ML odds at BET99 — every game.
Pirates vs Blue Jays home run pick: Jesus Sanchez (+725)
Lets continue with the Sanchez train and bet a quarter unit on him hitting a home run tonight.
Homering off Skenes isn’t easy, but Sanchez has been a consistent hitter for the Blue Jays and has some pop in his bat, ranking in the 69th percentile in average exit-velocity.
He also owns a 46% hard-hit rate and a .467 xSLG against the four seamer, Skenes’ most used pitch.
2026 Transparency record
Best bets: 23-27, -0.55 units
SGPs: 10-40, +0.60 units
HR picks: 8-42, +2.15 units
Pirates vs Blue Jays odds
Moneyline: Pittsburgh -155 | Toronto +130
Run line: Pittsburgh -1.5 | Toronto +1.5
Over/Under: Over 7.5 | Under 7.5
Pirates vs Blue Jays trend
The Blue Jays have covered the F5 run line in seven of their last eight games (+5.90 Units / 63% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Pirates vs. Blue Jays.
How to watch Pirates vs Blue Jays and game info
Location
Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON
Date
Saturday, May 23, 2026
First pitch
3:07 p.m. ET
TV
Sportsnet, SportsNet Pittsburgh
Pirates starting pitcher
Paul Skenes (6-3, 2.62 ERA)
Blue Jays starting pitcher
Patrick Corbin (1-1, 4.23 ERA)
Pirates vs Blue Jays latest injuries
Pirates vs Blue Jays 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.
SEVEN WOULD NOT BE HEAVEN: The Cubs have not lost a seventh consecutive game since July 14, 2022, when they were beaten at home by the Mets, 8-0. They have played 610 games since then, winning 327, for a percentage of .536. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
STREAKING THE WRONG WAY: In their six straight losses, the Cubs have held only two leads, both last Sunday at the White Sox. A 4-1 cushion lasted from the middle of the fourth inning until the bottom of the fifth. An 8-7 lead in the middle of the 10th ended on a one-out homer in the bottom. They have not led in their last four games and in 16 of all 22 losses. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
WHERE ARE THE RUNS?: Since the last game of their 10-game winning streak, a 7-1 win at Texas on May 8, the Cubs have scored 31 runs in 12 games. Eighteen came in two games and 13 in the remaining 10, with no more than three in any of the 10. They scored 0-2 runs in the first five of the 12 games and have scored 0-3 in the last four. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY: The Cubs and Cardinals went scoreless through nine in St. Louis. In the 10th, Javier Baéz hit a two-run homer. The Cardinals came back with a run in the bottom of the inning but Craig Kimbrel struck out their last two hitters and the Cubs won 2-1. It happened five years ago today, Sunday, May 23, 2021.
Colin Rea’s last start was pretty bad, so let’s try to ignore it. (Yes, I know you can’t really do that.)
In fact, over his last five starts Rea has posted a 7.04 ERA and 1.913 WHIP and has allowed four home runs in 23 innings. Yikes, do better, Colin.
Last year against the Astros, June 28, 2025 in Houston, he allowed two runs in five innings. That would be an improvement over recent outings.
Kai-Wei Teng, a native of Taiwan, originally signed with the Twins back in 2017 and was traded to the Giants two years later. He made 12 appearances (seven starts) with the Giants in 2024-25 and the results were pretty bad (7.30 ERA, 1.697 WHIP).
He was traded to the Astros for a minor leaguer last offseason and had thrown mostly in relief before recently being added to Houston’s rotation. Last time out, May 16 vs. the Rangers, he threw five shutout innings and 76 pitches.
He has never faced the Cubs. The only Cub who’s ever seen him is Michael Conforto (0-for-1).
Please visit our SB Nation Astros site The Crawfish Boxes. If you do go there to interact with Astros fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
Ahead of Saturday's pivotal Eastern Conference Finals Game 3 between the Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers, stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges said team's mindset is to continue "playing desperate" despite their 2-0 lead in the series.
"We got to execute at a high level, have that desperation that we had in Philly and Atlanta," Towns said. "We just got to, obviously, shoot the ball well."
"We just got to keep playing desperate," Bridges added. "I know it's easier for the team that's down 0-2 to play more desperate, but that can't be us. Keep doing what we've been doing. All playoffs, just staying desperate no matter what the situation is. To us, it's 0-0."
While New York has won the first two games of the Conference Finals by a combined margin of 27 points, the contests have been closer than meets the eye. The Knicks trailed by 22 points in the fourth quarter of Game 1 before Jalen Brunson went on a scoring tear to force OT and steal the win, and they were down again after the first quarter of Game 2, but dominated the second and third quarters to earn the 16-point victory.
One of the keys to the Knicks' first-round and semifinal series wins over the Hawks and 76ers was Towns quarterbacking the offense. After going down 2-1 in the first-round matchup against Atlanta, Towns averaged 8.6 assists and posted two triple-doubles over the final three games. His assist numbers continued to guide the team against the Sixers, averaging 7.5 assists per night in the four-game sweep.
With Cleveland having a bit more size to match up better defensively against Towns, New York's style of play has changed. Brunson is back in charge of the offense, dishing out six assists in Games 1 and another 14 dimes in Game 2. Luckily that change in playing style does not bother Towns, as the former No. 1 overall pick made it clear he'll do "whatever it takes" to help New York win.
"I've always said I'm willing to sacrifice and do whatever it takes to impact winning and help this team win," Towns said. "That's the blessing of our group. We have multiple ways and systems that we can utilize to help us get the win. And I've been happy because we continue to win, so there's nothing to be sad about."
Towns was asked if he thinks that lack of selfishness helps makes the Knicks' offense more dangerous, saying it shows the team's character and allows for them to be great.
"I think that the guys in the locker room, the characters, they speak so highly on the court and off the court, is what makes us special," Towns said.
For New York to continue its pursuit of reaching the NBA Finals, Towns said the team needs to keep trusting each other and displaying their "cohesiveness."
"At the end of the day, regardless if we're home or away, it's about us executing and being disciplined in our gameplan. So that's the most important thing," Towns said.
Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals tips off at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday night at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
"We got to execute at a high level, have that desperation that we had in Philly and Atlanta"
Karl-Anthony Towns talks about the keys to success for the Knicks ahead of tonight's Game 3 in Cleveland: pic.twitter.com/qwQAgJhfuq
For the entire playoffs and even the regular season, the third period has been the Colorado Avalanche period. This season, the Avalanche are +49 in the third period when it comes to scoring, and it has translated into the playoffs as well.
In a tight Los Angeles Kings series that saw the Kings try their best to slow the Avalanche down, they finished +4 in scoring in the third period. In the series against the Minnesota Wild, a series many thought would be a back-and-forth shootout to seven games, the Avalanche prevailed in five games, and were +8 in the third period, helping with many late comebacks, including the infamous Game 5, when they were down 3-1 heading into the third.
It’s clear that if the Avalanche dig themselves into a grave early on, they have shown they have the resources capable to mounting a comeback in attempt to either force the game into overtime or flat out win it in regulation, but against the Golden Knights, its clearly shown that the comeback antics shown in the previous series, can't and shouldn't be relied on if they want to comeback in this series down 0-2.
Showed Flashes In Game 1
Opening the Western Conference Finals didn’t go the way many Avalanche fans wanted. Despite a strong first period that saw both teams really testing each other, it was still scoreless heading into period two, then disaster struck. Knights pushed with a 4-on-3 that saw Dylan Coghlan rifle a shot past Scott Wedgewood five-hole, and Pavel Dorofeyev scored on the power play by a miraculous pass by Marner to make it 2-0 entering the third period.
Only down two goals entering the third? That sounds like no sweat compared to what the Avalanche faced before. Well, it wouldn’t take long before Brett Howden continued to score in the playoffs when he got a lucky bounce to make it 3-0. Now they're in a deeper hole than they would want, but there is the rest of the period to go.
Well, the Avalanche starts the comeback like usual. Valeri Nichushkin opens the scoring six minutes in with a nice redirect through the legs, 3-1. The Avalanche, throughout the period, maintains the pressure and makes it 3-2 late with a nice passing play from Nathan MacKinnon to Gabriel Landeskog, with time still left.
Though they can’t tie it and they lose 4-2, it sucks, but there was a lot to learn from the game. You can’t win every game with a late-period comeback, but it showed they still have that switch in the third, and that's good, right?
Script Is Flipped In Game 2
Still no Cale Makar for Game 2, but as the periods go, the Avalanche show more fight than they did in Game 1. Ross Colton buries a loose puck rebound to open the scoring at 1-0 in the first period and leads it into the second, which remains scoreless but still a one-goal lead entering the third, their best period.
Then they take their foot off the pedal and get a taste of their own medicine, of what it's like for a team to take the lead in the third period. Just about halfway through the period, Devon Toews makes a bad defensive read and lets Jack Eichel with too much room and rifles a shot past Wedgewood to make it 1-1.
Two minutes later, Toews again makes a bad play by failing to clear the puck, turns it over to Eichel, who passes it to Ivan Barbashev and rips it home to make it 2-1. The Avalanche would try to mount a late comeback, but an empty-net goal by Barbashev would end the game and the home stand, down 0-2.
This is a game where, when the Avalanche had the lead, they played as if they wanted to keep it rather than extend it. We have seen this team take leads and continue to pile on goals any which way they can to ensure they have a level of comfort. The box score shows that something has to change heading into Vegas, now down 0-2.
Excuses And Expectations
There is a lot of online talk about the Avalanche so far in these two games, and many agree on some topics and argue about others, but I believe some things are true.
Yes, not having Cale Makar is an absolute disaster for the Avalanche, and it showed. Vegas is changing its approach to the penalty kill now that Makar isn’t quarterbacking it, and guys like Toews and Malinski just don’t put enough pressure on Vegas to make those changes. They'd rather guys like Toews, Malinski, or Brent Burns beat them on a play so they can put more pressure on Martin Necas and MacKinnon, leaving them no room to operate.
But it's just not on him that the team is losing puck battles across the board, making sure that they're more physical than Vegas when it comes to forechecking, putting bodies in front of Carter Hart to take away his vision. Most importantly, not Makar's fault that many of his teammates have just flipped a switch since the Wild series.
Necas has been a shell of himself, MacKinnon just can’t seem to hit the net off a clean look since sniping the game-tying goal against the Wild in Game 5. Toews, despite just the defensive mistakes, can hit the net when he's in the slot. Nichushkin, who did have that great deflection when he was crashing the net, just can't hit the net on the rush when he's taking a shot. Brock Nelson, like Necas, has just been a shell of himself, just not being able to really do anything on the ice.
MacKinnon, Nelson, Lehkonen, and Nichushkin combined for 3 shots on goal at 5-on-5 in Game 2; that's not acceptable. We have been blessed this regular season and past two rounds with great depth that can, and this is the big word here, SUPPORT, the top lines with goal scoring.
Vegas has won the two games because their stars are leading them to victories, while their depth is supporting them both offensively and defensively. Marner, Eichel, Dorofeyev, and Barbashev are leading the team in points, but they're also getting production from guys like Ben Hutton, Colton Sissons, and Brandon Saad. The Avalanche isn’t getting that from their stars so far this series.
MacKinnon hasn’t been selfish enough with the puck, looking to make more shots on goal. Necas needs to do the same if there isn’t a passing lane. Nelson’s two-way game has just vanished, offensively even more, with him only having two goals all playoffs. Nazem Kadri needs to generate more offense, go infront of the net, and be a menace.
It's good to see Burns and Colton, and the depth guys, contributing to the offense. When push comes to shove, the Avalanche top-six is either going to be the reason this team comes back from 0-2 and advances to the Stanley Cup Finals, or is eliminated from the playoffs, and the excuse won’t just be “well, they didn’t have Cale Makar”.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, ranked first in the NL West with a 31-20 record, face the Milwaukee Brewers, who are first in the NL Central with a 30-18 record. The Los Angeles Dodgers are favored with a -120 moneyline compared to the Milwaukee Brewers' +100. Starting pitchers are Roki Sasaki for Los Angeles, with a 5.09 ERA, and Robert Gasser for Milwaukee, with a 4.50 ERA.
How to watch Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Milwaukee Brewers
PILA - GRESSAN, ITALY - MAY 23: Jan Hirt of Czech Republic and Team NSN Cycling competes in the breakaway during the 109th Giro d'Italia 2026, Stage 14 a 133km stage from Aosta to Pila - Gressan 1789m / #UCIWT / on May 23, 2026 in Pila - Gressan, Italy. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Hickory starter Kamdyn Perry allowed two runs in 4.1 IP, strking out six, walking one and giving up a homer. Michael Trausch struck out one and walked one in a shutout inning.
Hector Osorio doubled, walked twice, and stole a base. Yolfran Castillo had a walk and two stolen bases. Paulino Santana had a double and a walk.
Frisco starter Winston Santos struck out five and walked three in five innings, giving up three runs. Wilian Bormie struck out two in a shutout inning.
Dylan Dreiling had a single and a double. Keith Jones II was 3 for 5 with a double and a stolen base. Cody Freeman continued his rehab assignment, and was 0 for 3 while playing third base before being lifted late in the game.
Josh Stephan started for Round Rock and it didn’t go well, as he allowed 11 runs in 4.1 IP, including three home runs, walking three and striking out two. Veteran Joe Ross, the brother of former Ranger Tyson Ross, was just signed to a minor league deal by the Rangers, and gave up three runs in 1.2 IP, including a home run by Nick Solak, walking one and striking out one. Thomas Ireland walked one and struck out one in two shutout innings.
COVERS INTEL: Opponents have a .584 OPS in their first appearance vs. Leahy, which rises to .821 the next time up, and 
