Former Warriors guard Chris Paul still is bitter about his ugly breakup with the Los Angeles Clippers.
So, despite spending the prime of his illustrious 21-year NBA career in the City of Angels, the future Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer was repping the Bay, once again, in spirit on Wednesday night.
Paul, who spent the 2023-24 NBA season with the Warriors, took to his Instagram story after Golden State’s electric 126-121 win in the do-or-die play-in game at Intuit Dome to give the business to the Clippers he once carried.
The classic meme Paul posted is about attending an enemy’s funeral to make sure they’ve truly passed on.
And CP3 sure did tune in to Wednesday night’s thriller to make sure the Clippers went night night for good.
Los Angeles, in case you didn’t know, stunningly and literally sent Paul home early in the 2025-26 NBA season — which was supposed to be his farewell tour — and ultimately dealt him to the Toronto Raptors at the trade deadline; Paul retired before the regular season’s end.
The “Point God” literally played over 400 games with the historically lowly Clippers and helped them become the franchise that now boasts a state-of-the-art arena with a larger footprint in the city that always has been a Lakers town.
So, while Paul might’ve played just 58 games with the Warriors, he surely was loving every second of Golden State’s come-from-behind victory over Los Angeles, which extended the 10th-seeded road team’s lifespan by at least one more game.
Paul seemingly was a proud member of Dub Nation on Wednesday night.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 14: A general view from center field before game two of the National League Championship Series between Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers at American Family Field on October 14, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Game two of three in Milwaukee.
I have such a dislike of Bud Selig that I don’t I could go to Milwaukee to watch a game. I know he doesn’t own the team anymore (and that he’s over 90 years old), but he worked very hard to kill off my Expos and was just an all-round Clemensing Farrell (he says trying to stay inside the site’s language rules).
It does look like they have a nice ballpark.
I also couldn’t drink Miller beer. I didn’t drink beer at all until the last 15-20 years, because my dad bought Labatt Blue. My father-in-law bought Old Style Pilsner (he was born in Saskatchewan). Both tasted like sewer water to me. But, craft beers are interesting. I’m generally a one and done, so I like the beer to be interesting.
But it is a nice looking park and I’m there is other things to do there than drink bad beer.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 29: Jose Quintana #62 of the Colorado Rockies throws a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at loanDepot park on March 29, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s been a tough road trip for the Colorado Rockies as they are the losers of five straight games and dropped another close affair 7-6 on Tuesday against the Houston Astros. The offense came to life a little bit better, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a bad start on the mound, and the Rockies are looking to turn things around to snap the losing streak behind one of their free-agent starting pitchers.
Jose Quintana (0-0, 4.15 ERA) is making just his second start of the season tonight after being waylaid for two weeks with a hamstring injury. His lone start came on March 29 against Miami, in which he allowed two runs on four hits in 4.1 innings with two strikeouts. While Quintana escaped without too much damage, he did struggle with his command, issuing four walks in the start. It’s unclear how much of a leash he will have coming off the injured list, but the Rockies are in desperate need of some length out of a starting pitcher, so five innings would be ideal at the very least. This will be Quintana’s 12th appearance, 10th start, against the Astros, and he sports a 3.08 ERA in 52.2 innings of work.
Also, in a corresponding move, Kyle Freeland was placed on the 15-day IL.
As for Houston, right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (0-0, 1.26 ERA in Triple-A) was recalled from Sugar Land to take the hill. Arrighetti’s been off to a hot start in Triple-A, allowing just two runs on five hits over 14.1 innings in three starts. Last season in the big leagues, he went 1-5 with a 5.35 ERA over seven starts, allowing 21 runs over 35.1 innings. Much like the Rockies, the Astros are hoping for some length out of their starter and that he can pound the zone like he’s shown capable of doing in the past. He has made one appearance against the Rockies in his career, back in 2024, tossing seven shutout innings, allowing just three hits, recording 10 strikeouts, and walking none.
A Major League Baseball umpire did not feel any brotherly love while in the city of Philadelphia last week, and it had nothing to do with baseball.
Brock Ballou was allegedly robbed and assaulted on April 9 while in town to work the Phillies series against the Diamondbacks, according to CBS News Philadelphia.
Ballou was one of two people who were allegedly attacked by the same assailant, who Philadelphia police believe is in his teens.
Umpire Brock Ballou looks on while wearing yellow armbands to recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness Day during a game between the Colorado Rockies and the San Diego Padres at Coors Field on September 7, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. Getty Images
The MLB umpire was allegedly approached by the suspect — seen in surveillance video wearing a black hat, black pants and a light blue hoodie — while walking on the 1600 block of Walnut Street in Philly, when the individual stole his phone and took off.
Ballou attempted to give chase and ended up getting into a “physical altercation,” Capt. Jason Smit told CBS News Philadelphia, and when Ballou tried to take back his phone, he was punched in the head several times.
“They ended up on the ground, at which time the victim struck his head, causing injury,” Smith said. “The male continued his assault, violently punching him.”
The suspect ended up not making off with the MLB umpire’s phone. Ballou was able to get it back when a passerby returned it to him.
The injuries sustained by Ballou were not serious, and he umpired first base the next night and called balls and strikes behind the plate the day after.
Ballou has been an umpire in MLB since 2022.
The suspect in the alleged assault that took place in Philadelphia. Philadelphia Police
MLB has not publicly commented on the matter that occurred earlier this week.
Another person had also been allegedly assaulted by the same person on the same day at a 7-Eleven 20 minutes earlier.
The alleged assault was not the first peculiar situation that Ballou has found himself in.
In a story published by MiLB.com in 2016, Ballou was traveling to call a game in the Carolina League and was on I-95 with fellow umpire Cody Clark when an RV in front of them lost control.
The two men jumped out to assist the vehicle’s occupants.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 13: Joc Pederson #3 of the Texas Rangers bats against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on April 13, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Texas Rangers lineup for April 15, 2026 against the A’s: starting pitchers are Kumar Rocker for the Rangers and J.T. Ginn for the A’s.
Its Jackie Robinson Day, and the Rangers are playing game three of the four game series in Sacramento. Jake Burger gets his first day off of the season, and Wyatt Langford and Corey Seager switch places.
The lineup:
Nimmo — RF
Seager — SS
Langford — DH
Carter — CF
Pederson — 1B
Jung — 3B
Smith — 2B
Jansen — C
Duran — LF
8:40 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are +105 underdogs.
The CHL is counting down its Top 50 Players of the Last 50 Years list. The league recently revealed numbers 31 to 39, which included a former Vancouver Canucks captain. That captain was Roberto Luongo, who spent over seven seasons with the organization.
Before Luongo became one of the best goaltenders in the NHL, he was a star in the QMJHL. He spent the majority of his career with the Val-d'Or Foreurs before being moved to the Acadie-Bathurst Titan at the end of his junior career. Luongo would play 180 games during his QMJHL career and made it to back-to-back Memorial Cups in 1998 and 1999.
As for his Canucks career, Luongo was acquired by Vancouver in 2006. He would play 448 regular-season games and is the franchise record holder for wins with 252. During his time with the Canucks, Luongo helped lead the team to Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final and won Gold for Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
CHL Player Rankings #31-39:
40 - Vincent Lecavalier 39 - Drew Doughty 38 - Ron Francis 37 - Roberto Luongo 36 - Shea Weber 35 - Bobby Smith 34 - Brendan Shanahan 33 - Ray Ferraro 32 - Joe Thornton 31 - Brad Richards
Val-d'Or Foreurs (Photo Credit: QMJHL/CHL)
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 14: Deni Avdija #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts after scoring and drawing a foul against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Play-In game against the Portland Trail Blazers was a tough loss, but was it unexpected? All of us Suns fans were optimistic going into the game and the Suns definitely could have won. It wasn’t a blowout and came down to the final possession. But the Suns didn’t pull it out in the end, and along the way, they gave up 41 points to Deni Avdija, just two points shy of his career high.
Deni spent the most time in the game being guarded by Jordan Goodwin. In the six minutes that Goodwin, the shortest player in the Suns’ starting lineup, was guarding Deni Avdija, the Trail Blazers’ star was held to just 1-of-3 from the field. Portland as a whole scored 25 total points in those minutes.
The tallest non-center in the starting lineup, Dillon Brooks, guarded Avdija for the second most amount of time. In the three minutes Brooks was guarding him, Avdija scored 14 points on 75% shooting from the field. Portland also scored 25 total points in those minutes.
Jordan Goodwin was the best defensive forward on the court against Deni Avdija last night, and Goodie is almost half a foot shorter than him.
The Phoenix Suns are just too small and every Suns fan knows it. The guys who are almost tall enough to compete with the elite forwards of the NBA just aren’t good enough to compensate for the size disadvantage. There has not been a reliable power forward option on this team all season, and Phoenix is paying the price.
“Among the biggest question marks is the power forward position.
No matter how you view it, the Suns appear either undersized or underskilled at that spot. Ryan Dunn lacks the size to battle with the league’s elite forwards. Royce O’Neale, Nigel Hayes-Davis, and Dillon Brooks fit the same mold. Oso Ighodaro brings energy and intelligence, but his offensive game remains raw. If you are identifying a weak link in the lineup, power forward stands out before any other position.”
If I had to write an assessment of the current state of the power forward position at the end of the season, I would write almost the exact same thing.
We knew coming into the year that this team had a profound weakness. Against Portland, Jordan Ott started a guard that plays like a wing, three actual wings, and a center. Why did he do this? Because he is working with a roster where somewhere between six and nine of his fourteen players would probably best fit into the “wing” category.
Here is Tuesday night’s starting lineup and their listed heights on basketball reference:
Guard 1: Jordan Goodwin – 6’ 3”
Wing 1: Devin Booker – 6’ 5”
Wing 2: Jalen Green – 6’ 4”
Wing 3: Dillon Brooks – 6’ 7”
Center: Mark Williams – 7’ 1”
And here is Portland’s starting lineup from the same game:
Guard 1: Scoot Henderson – 6’ 3”
Guard 2: Jrue Holiday – 6’ 4”
Forward 1: Toumani Camara – 6’ 7”
Forward 2: Deni Avdija – 6’ 8”
Center: Donovan Clingan – 7’ 2”
Portland came into the Play-In with balance. They have guards, they have forwards, they have bigs. They have defensive-oriented players and offensive-oriented players. They have jump-out-of-the-gym athletes (I thought Shaedon Sharpe was going to hit his head on the rim on that alley-oop over Royce O’Neale), and they have shooters.
The Suns have one of the worst rosters in the NBA among teams that made it to the postseason. Phoenix has leaned into the wing-heavy roster construction that was popular 8-10 years ago, but they have done so in the era of ultra-talented bigs and forwards. Whether that was by choice or because the players they have are the best players they could get during each individual transaction, the point remains true.
The Suns’ shooting guard cast is the best example of the profound roster imbalance. Devin Booker, Jalen Green, and Grayson Allen are all starting-quality shooting guards in the NBA, but holding on to all three past the deadline did not put the Suns in a position to succeed. Trading Allen, for example, for a fringe starting caliber power forward at the deadline may have been an overall reduction in talent, but it probably would have resulted in an overall better team.
What the Suns needed to find at the deadline was their PJ Washington. Washington was a very important trade acquisition that the Mavericks made during the season en route to their 2024 NBA Finals appearance against the Celtics.
Would the Suns be favorites to make the Finals this year if they had traded for Jalen Smith, Santi Aldama, or Jonathan Kuminga? No, definitely not. But the roster balance and the lack of a reliable power forward are holding this team back.
Maybe that power forward is already on the roster. Maybe next year, we’ll see Rasheer Fleming or Ryan Dunn make the leap that solidifies them in that spot. Maybe Oso Ighodaro becomes a reliable three-point weapon, and the Suns can run a double-big lineup. Or maybe the Suns finally go out and get the power forward they so desperately need.
But they aren’t going to make it far next year without a serious upgrade.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 14: Manny Machado #13 and Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres celebrate after defeating the San Diego Padres 4-1 in a game at Petco Park on April 14, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Diego Padres continued their recent stretch of success by winning their MLB-leading sixth straight game, taking the series opener from the Seattle Mariners.
It was an all-around success, with fantastic defense, great pitching and an offense that just wouldn’t quit against one of the game’s best pitchers in Bryan Woo. They’ll look to keep their win streak tonight against right-hander Emerson Hancock.
Their recent success has been unprecedented, with their streak being the longest one of the 2026 MLB season. The Padres are doing great, and are looking to add to it as they sit just below the Los Angeles Dodgers despite their turnaround performance.
If they can continue to prove their mettle against Seattle, it’ll go a long way to showing the league who this San Diego club really is.
Taking the mound
Emerson Hancock (SEA) v. Randy Vásquez (SD)
Both Hancock and Vásquez are young guys who have been off to incredible starts to the season. Hancock has put up a 2.04 ERA and 0.74 WHIP to begin the year, allowing only four runs on 10 hits.
He’ll look to continue that run against a Padres lineup that has been downright deadly as of late. Not many in the Padres have faced him (only Fernando Tatis Jr. has seen him more than four times), so he could prove difficult. But the Friars managed to get to Woo last night, so anything’s possible.
Vásquez will look to continue his burgeoning success. He has a 1.02 ERA and 19 strikeouts across 17 2/3 innings of work this season.
Vásquez has emerged as a borderline ace for the club, dominating on the mound every time he comes out. He’ll give San Diego a great chance to win the game, but faces his first true test against a Mariners lineup that can slug. Facing stars like Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez, it will be a true test of Vásquez’s mettle.
Batter up!
With a righty on the mound for Seattle, the Padres will probably stick with what they had against Woo last night. That will look something along these lines:
Ramón Laureano, LF
Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
Jackson Merrill, CF
Manny Machado, 3B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Gavin Sheets, 1B
Miguel Andujar, DH
Jake Cronenworth, 2B
Freddy Fermin, C
Luis Campusano got the start yesterday after a week of his bat being red-hot, but Fermin seems likely to start tonight. His bat has been cold, so hopefully he can get it going soon enough.
Bogaerts will look to build on a fantastic 3-for-4 night, driving in three of the Padres’ four runs. Merrill will do the same after a similar good night (3-4, 2B, 2 R, SB).
The Friars managed to get to the Mariners just enough to take a 4-1 win in the series opener. If they can do the same tonight, especially with Vásquez on the mound, it should be enough.
Relief corps
With the off day on Monday, the relievers got plenty of time to rest before yesterday’s game. Adding to that, King went a full six innings of work, taking the burden off of most of the bullpen.
Craig Stammen only used Adrian Morejon, Jason Adam and Mason Miller to cover the final three innings. Miller extended his scoreless streak to 29 2/3 (though, surprisingly, only struck out one batter), and Morejon looked much more like his dominant self than he has lately.
The only problem is that leaves only David Morgan as a high-leverage option for San Diego. The others available are Kyle Hart, newcomer Alek Jacob, Ron Marinaccio and Wandy Peralta. If it’s a tight game, it could be difficult for the Friars to hold on if Vásquez doesn’t go deep.
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 28: Max Strus #1 shakes hands with Dean Wade #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the game against Miami Heat during round 1 game 4 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2025 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Eric Espada/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
INDEPENDENCE — The Cleveland Cavaliers had 41 different starting lineups throughout the regular season. That was mostly due to injuries and major trades that shook up the roster at the deadline. But of those 41 different combinations, one has yet to stick out with the playoffs starting on Saturday.
As of now, head coach Kenny Atkinson isn’t ready to name a fifth starter to go alongside the core group of James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. He was asked again after practice on Wednesday who the starting small forward would be, and declined to name one.
“I don’t want to say something [now and then] we change [it],” Atkinson said on Wednesday.
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Atkinson mentioned that who that fifth starter would be is matchup dependent. And those matchups depend on who’s in the lineup for their opponent.
Atkinson has been steadfast in not naming a permanent starting small forward. Dean Wade, Max Strus, Sam Merrill, and Jaylon Tyson have all gotten looks this season in that role. Each brings something different to the table that could be useful, depending on who the opponent is.
Based on those comments, it seems like we won’t get an answer on who will start at the three until just before Game 1 on Saturday. And whoever starts isn’t guaranteed to do so throughout the entire postseason.
“That position is going to be flexible in terms of starting and finishing,” Atkinson said earlier this month. “You have to earn it.”
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 01: Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors stands on the side of the court during their game against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at Chase Center on April 01, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors play the Los Angeles Clippers tonight in a win-or-go-home play-in game, and Anthony Slater just told us Steve Kerr’s coaching future won’t get resolved in the immediate aftermath of the season. He’s taking time for “bigger picture conversations” before any ultimate choice gets made.
So let’s be clear about what we’re watching tonight: This might be Steve Kerr’s final game coaching the Golden State Warriors.
There won’t be clarity on Steve Kerr’s coaching future in the immediate aftermath of the season. He intends to take time to have the necessary bigger picture conversations before ultimate choice.
The timing almost feels scripted. The man who pushed this franchise from feisty underdogs into a dynasty that redefined basketball is coaching on the last year of his contract, leading a banged-up 37-45 squad into Los Angeles for a game that ends their season if they lose. And we just found out there’s no fast resolution coming, no matter what happens.
Think about the position everyone’s in right now. Kerr’s been here for over a decade, winning four championships and the magical rollercoaster of the 73-win season. His deadly motion offense became the league standard. The way he maximized Steph Curry’s gravitational pull while creating space for everyone else built something that felt permanent even though nothing in sports ever is.
Now he’s coaching a team that wheezed out of the regular season missing Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody to season-ending injuries. This entire season rests on tonight’s contest. And Kerr knows what win-or-go-home basketball feels like. He hit the series-clinching shot for the Bulls in the ’97 Finals. He won five championships as a player before coaching four more. He’s been in elimination scenarios his entire life, but this one carries different weight because it’s wrapped up in organizational uncertainty that won’t resolve quickly.
What makes this complicated is that Kerr wants to be here. He said it himself after the initial contract report that he’d love to continue with the Warriors beyond this year. But he also acknowledged it’s fluid, that the organization might look at where things stand and decide to move in a different direction.
So tonight becomes more than just Warriors versus Clippers for the right to advance. It becomes Steve Kerr coaching a team he built, possibly for the last time, in a game that could end their season before any of those bigger picture conversations happen. Watching Kerr navigate a win-or-go-home scenario while his own future remains unresolved adds another layer to what’s already the highest-stakes game of this season.
Championship pedigree doesn’t guarantee job security and Kerr knows this better than anyone. Tonight we find out if that pedigree can deliver one more time when everything’s on the line.
The Orioles were the latest victims of yet another automated ball-strike system snafu on Wednesday.
With two outs in the bottom of the second inning of their 8-5 loss to the Diamondbacks, Baltimore third baseman Coby Mayo took a 3-0 pitch from Arizona starter Eduardo Rodriguez near the outside corner that home plate umpire John Tumpane called a strike.
As Tumpane made the call, Mayo started his walk toward first, thinking the pitch from Rodriguez was off the outside of the plate.
Umpire made Coby Mayo use this challenge, even though a camera angle shows he never touched his helmet pic.twitter.com/G81xlEL63i
Mayo then moved his hand towards his helmet as if he was going to challenge the pitch, but stopped short of touching the top of his head, seemingly halting himself from questioning the call.
Tumpane apparently saw otherwise, forcing Mayo to go through with the challenge despite not touching his helmet, and Mayo arguing he didn’t actually give the signal to go through with it.
Coby Mayo appeared to think about challenging the 3-0 call, but didn’t quite tap the top of his helmet. Jomboy Media/X
The pitch would be confirmed as a strike, taking away an Orioles challenge and moving the count to 3-1.
Losing the challenge aside, it would work out for Mayo, who hit a double on the next pitch, but the ordeal is the latest example of MLB’s growing pains with ABS.
Home plate umpire John Tumpane made Coby Mayo go through with a challenge he didn’t exactly want to use. Jomboy Media/X
Red Sox infielder Andruw Monasterio made perhaps the worst ABS decision of the year on Tuesday, challenging an 88 mph slider right down the middle from Mick Abel for a strikeout.
As expected, some teams have had more success than others with the new system.
After a hot start at challenging calls, the Yankees have hit a cold stretch and now rank just 12th in the league at 57.1 percent.
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 14: Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves tags Xavier Edwards #9 of the Miami Marlins out in the first inning during the game against the Miami Marlins at Truist Park on April 14, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jack Casey/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Braves try to win another series, and avoid their first series loss of the season, in a rubber game with the Marlins.
Apr 12, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle (7) hits a single in the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Detroit Tigers (8-9) vs. Kansas City Royals (7-10)
Time/Place: 6:40 p.m., Comerica Park SB Nation Site: Royals Review Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: RHP Jack Flaherty (0-1, 5.14 ERA) vs. RHP Seth Lugo (1-1, 1.53 ERA)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates at home plate after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning during the game between the Los Angeles Angels and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Monday, April 13, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Michael Mooney/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
A pitching staff off to a marvelous start in 2026, the Yankees have had more than their fair share of issues against the Angels in this four-game set at home. It’ll be up to Luis Gil to right the ship. The right-hander missed out on a spot in the Opening Day rotation as the Yanks had the luxury of rolling with a four-man staff for the early portion of the season. Now, he’ll make his first home start, looking to cement his place in a group that has accustomed Yankee fans to an extremely high level of pitching, at least outside of these last two games.
It was the home run ball that hurt Gil in his season debut, as Yandy Díaz quickly welcomed him back to the bigs with a two-run shot in the first. Facing the Angels, Gil’s No. 1 mission—and a tough one at that—is to keep the ball in the yard against a team that had five different hitters going deep on Tuesday. One of those five hitters won’t take the field tonight, as Jorge Soler will begin serving a four-game suspension for the April 7th brawl in a game between the Braves and Angels.
The Yankees’ lineup will be glad to see anybody not named Reid Detmers taking the ball, even if Jack Kochanowicz has had decent success early in the season. The easiest path to success for New York lies in the patience to make Kochanowicz throw strikes consistently, as walks have been a major issue for him through his first three starts, conceding 11 of them in 16.2 innings.
How to watch
Location: Yankee Stadium — Bronx, NY
First pitch: 7:05 pm ET
TV broadcast: Amazon Prime Video | FanDuel Sports Network West
Radio broadcast: KLAA 830, WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280
Seven months ago, no one on the outside was talking about the Penguins securing the second seed in the Metropolitan Division four games prior to the conclusion of the NHL regular season. Many had them as a bottom-five lottery team, and even if folks didn't have them finishing that low - including us here at THN - Pittsburgh Penguins - outside expectations were overwhelmingly predicting that this wasn't a playoff team.
Well, as the Penguins have been marketing since they clinched against the New Jersey Devils on Apr. 9, this team "flipped the script." They were not only one of the league's deepest and highest-scoring teams - they had 12 players finish with 13 or more goals and 10 players finish with 15 or more, both league-highs - they were a legitimately good five-on-five team with top-10 special teams units on both ends, and they won more in regulation than all but seven teams and lost less in regulation than all but six teams.
The belief in the Penguins' locker room was contagious and genuine, and the family-like, tight-knit atmosphere of that locker room has been palpable as ever all season long.
And it all started with a few savvy moves from general manager and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas over the summer as well as during the season.
While there were a whole lot of moves that defined the 2025-26 season, some made a pretty sizable impact on the team - and some outright fueled their turnaround and led to their first postseason berth in four years.
The fact that Dubas managed to deal a goaltender with term who was on waivers just 11 months prior for a similar-caliber goaltender on an expiring contract - in addition to a typically reliable top-four defenseman on a down year and also an expiring contract, plus a second - is just bonkers. And he also flipped Kulak for another second-rounder and Sam Girard, who has played well recently for the Penguins and is younger.
No notes on that trade. It may not have had as gigantic an impact on their season as some of the other moves - as goaltending is still an issue - but it was such a clean piece of business by Dubas. Plus, Skinner provides a kind of endearing and genuine personality to the locker room that is always good for team chemistry - especially during a playoff run.
Apr 9, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Ben Kindel (81) skates with the puck against the New Jersey Devils during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Luther Schlaifer-Imagn Images
When both Kindel and young blueliner Harrison Brunicke both made the Penguins' roster out of training camp - with a combination of injuries as well as their stellar camp performances opening spots for them - many thought they saw where things were going: "Here are two teenagers making the team, but once the team gets healthy, they'll be sent back to junior hockey to avoid burning a year of their entry-level contracts (ELC), and the Pens will still favor the veterans."
Well, for Brunicke, that was more or less true, even if the path to junior for him this season had a lot of stops along the way before the final destination. Of the two, it was widely believed that Brunicke, 19, would remain the entire season, while Kindel, 18, would get his taste of the NHL and be returned to the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL.
But Kindel was simply too good to send back. He proved he belonged in the NHL, and instead of making the easy, less risky choice, Dubas elected to allow Kindel to not only stick around past the 10-game mark (where his ELC kicked in), but also past the 40-game mark, where the Penguins lost a year of team control.
And that decision impacted the roster profoundly. Kindel has been their everyday third-line center and performing well in that role on both sides of the puck, giving the Penguins far more center depth than they would have had otherwise and giving them more dangerous options at wing in their top-nine.
This decision altered the course of the Penguins' season, and, perhaps, the outlook for the future as well, as the sooner-than-expected emergence of Kindel - who put up 17 goals and 35 points in 77 games - gave this team's depth the boost it needed to roll four lines successfully all season long.
Jan 21, 2026; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Morgan Frost (16) and Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Parker Wotherspoon (28) get into a scrum during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Honestly, it was tough not to place this one higher, as probably no one - not even Dubas himself - expected the degree of breakout for Wotherspoon as a legitimate shutdown top-pairing defenseman.
As for Wotherspoon himself, this is a guy who never played in more than 55 games during his first three NHL seasons with the Boston Bruins. And, when he did, the 28-year-old was relegated to bottom-pairing minutes, some AHL time, and a system that may not have been maximizing his potential.
Dubas took a chance on Wotherspoon - already known as a physical, reliable defenseman within his role during his time in Boston - by signing him to a two-year, $2 million contract. And he made the most of that opportunity, eating heavy minutes in 80 games on Pittsburgh's top pairing, providing some much-needed grit and toughness on the blue line, and shattering previous career-highs with three goals and 30 points to go along with a plus-17.
And his emergence also aided in elevating his defense partner and the most crucial player on the Penguins' blue line.
Erik Karlsson also broke out in a huge way for the Penguins in 2025-26, putting up 15 goals and 66 points in 75 games and becoming the Norris-caliber version of himself in all three zones and in all situations, especially during the stretch run of the season. Karlsson's all-time offensive talents mixed well with Wotherspoon's shutdown ability, mobility, and strength in breaking the puck out of his own zone.
They were a legitimate tandem pairing for the Penguins this season, and they made each other better. The emergence of Wotherspoon and Karlsson as a formidable and elite top pairing for the Penguins changed the entire shape of their blue line - which is something the Penguins desperately needed in order to be successful this season.
Mar 31, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Anthony Mantha (39) reacts after scoring a goal against the Detroit Red Wings during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
You want to talk about a veteran player having a breakout? What a season it was for the 31-year-old Mantha.
He played in only 13 games for the Calgary Flames last season before sustaining a season-ending ACL injury. Dubas took a chance in free agency on Mantha on a one-year, $2.5 million deal, more than likely hoping that Mantha could perform well enough to flip for more assets at the trade deadline.
As it turns out, he did perform well enough - so well, in fact, that he was a primary catalyst in getting this team to the postseason.
Mantha led all Penguins' players in goals this season with 33, and his 33 tallies and 64 points obliterated previous career-highs of 25 and 48 set with the Detroit Red Wings in 2018-19. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound winger was able to use his size, hands, and reach to his advantage around the net-front area, and he was almost a sure thing on breakaways, too.
What's most impressive about Mantha's season, however, is that only seven of his goals came on the power play - as he was largely deployed on the second unit - and that he spent a great deal of time in a third-line role this season.
It's not often that a team's leading goal-scorer is primarily deployed on the third line, but here we are. Mantha has earned himself some shiny dollars this summer - whether from the Penguins or from someone else - and he was the primary figure in the Penguins' impressive goals-for number of 293 this season, which still ranks third only to the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes.
It suffices to say that $2.5 million for one year is not going to cut it this offseason.
Feb 26, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Egor Chinakhov (59) reacts after scoring a goal against the New Jersey Devils during the third period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Even if Mantha led this team in scoring and was the Penguins' most crucial free agent signing, the one move in terms of player personnel that made more of an impact on this team than any other was the trade that brought sniping winger Egor Chinakhov to the Penguins from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Dec. 29.
Prior to the Chinakhov acquisition, the Penguins were in a December funk - an eight-game losing streak - that nearly cost them their season. They had won two out of three in the games leading up to the trade, which involved Dubas sending Danton Heinen, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2027 third-round pick to Columbus.
The Penguins knew they were getting a sniper in Chinakhov, even if he had just three goals and six points in 29 games for Columbus, where he had fallen out of favor and had a tension-ridden relationship with then-coach Dean Evason and management.
Yes, Chinakhov can sling 90-plus mph wristers, and his shot is the standout element in his repertoire as well as one of the league's very best. But he also skates with 98th-percentile speed, plays responsibly in all three zones, backchecks, has an outstanding hockey IQ, meshes well with anyone, and possesses a serious playmaking acumen.
Oh, and his shot - however it finds its way to the net, whether a one-timer, heavy wrister, or backhand - is devastatingly lethal.
Whatever happened in Columbus isn't happening in Pittsburgh, and this move singlehandedly changed the entire complexion of the Penguins' top-six and its roster. He registered 18 goals and 36 points in 43 games with the Penguins, which translates to a 34-goal, 69-point pace - and which gives the Penguins three legitimate 30-goal options on the wing in Chinakhov, Bryan Rust, and Rickard Rakell. And that's not counting Mantha, too.
The crazy thing is that it feels like there is even more left to untap in Chinakhov, and he keeps raising the ceiling each and every game. He's been a revelation for the Penguins' present and future, and the team wouldn't be where it is without him in the mix.
Nov 1, 2025; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Muse instructs players during a time out against the Winnipeg Jets in the third period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
We could discuss the significant player moves that Dubas made in the summer and during the season all day long, and nearly all of them have positively impacted the Penguins and their push to the playoffs this season.
But none of those moves may have meant anything had it not been for the move behind the bench prior to the start of the season.
After the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, Dubas made the difficult decision to part ways with longtime head coach Mike Sullivan, who had won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the team in 2016 and 2017 and was beloved by the veterans in the locker room. The mutual breakup between the Penguins and Sullivan felt written on the wall for a long while, and the clean slate provided an opportunity for a new voice in the room who was aligned with Dubas's vision to prioritize both the now and the future simultaneously.
Muse, a relative unknown in terms of candidates prior to his hiring in May of 2025, put together a coaching staff with a unique mix - some more experienced in Todd Nelson and Mike Stothers and some fresher faces in Nick Bonino and Rich Clune - to complement his development-focused approach to every player, whether a 15-year veteran or a doe-eyed newcomer to the league or the organization.
The culture shifted. The air of staleness was replaced with a fresh, renewed sense of purpose and togetherness, and it all started with Muse from the first whistle at training camp.
Simply put, this probably isn't a playoff team without him and his new staff. And that hire by Dubas was the singular most consequential factor in the Penguins' success this season.
