‘It’s going to be really hard … but how fun would that be?’
Bradley is in field for this week’s PGA Championship
Keegan Bradley still reflects on the pain of captaining the United States to a home Ryder Cup defeat last year but says he would love to make the 2027 team as a player.
Bradley took full responsibility as his USA side endured a chastening first two days at Bethpage Black last September, slipping to a record 11.5-4.5 deficit, before a valiant fightback fell short.
Feb 19, 2026; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Domingo Gonzalez (46) during spring training photo day. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Over the weekend in Chicago, Ryan Divish reported that Domingo González was present in the visiting clubhouse in case José A. Ferrer’s wife went into delivery. Ferrer stuck around, working out of a bases loaded jam on Sunday unscathed, but he did not end up making the trip to Houston with the rest of the squad.
Should González appear in a game the next few days, he will be making his Major League debut, and would be the third Mariner to do so after fellow righties Alex Hoppe and Nick Davila. The 26-year-old was claimed off waivers from Atlanta last August, and survived the offseason roster churn before being optioned to Triple-A Tacoma. He’s been off to a strong start in his first Pacific Coast League action, tossing 15 innings of 1.80/2.60 ERA/FIP ball, and has issued just two walks alongside a tidy 50% ground ball rate. Seattle is González’s third org, having played in affiliated ball since 2018 when he was signed by the Pirates out of the Dominican Republic, and as you may have heard, we love a debut at Lookout Landing.
As for Ferrer, the M’s will have their workhorse reliever sidelined for most, if not all of the upcoming series. Acquired in December for catcher Harry Ford in a much-discoursed-about trade, he’s led the Mariners’ bullpen corps in appearances and innings pitched at 21 and 20, respectively. Despite falling victim to some tough BABIP luck early on, his 1.80/2.42 FIP have proven to be quite dependable. He’s also worn quite a few hats in the first six weeks of the season – especially with Andrés Muñoz scuffling and Matt Brash and Gabe Speier down – whether that’s filling in at closer, getting that third out against a tough lefty hitter, or covering multiple innings. We at LL congratulate Ferrer and his family on the arrival of their child.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 10: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers adjusts his batting helmet during the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium on May 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants took two out of three from their longtime rivals just about three weeks ago and it was one of those things where the team, having embarrassed itself across multiple games and a couple weeks, walked away from the wins as a sign that they’d turned a corner. We’ve all been so desperate to believe that the team isn’t as bad as it has been through 40 games this season that any positive is turning point and every negative is “small sample size.” Well, the Dodgers didn’t have Mookie Betts in San Francisco for that series loss and here in LA this week, they’ll have Mookie Betts back for all four games. Does that mean the Giants are doomed?
I certainly thought this season series and rivalry was fait accompli and we were destined to watch the Dodgers perform every Mortal Kombat finisher on our favorite team for the rest of our lives and when that didn’t happen I thought, “Hey, maybe the Giants aren’t as bad as they’ve looked.“ And maybe, given the Dodgers performance in and since that series, the Giants had wounded them in a meaningful way. LA was 16-6 before the series, averaging 6 runs per game. They’re 8-10 since and averaging around 4. So, does the baseball world owe the Giants thanks for disrupting the team everybody hates?
Nah. Unfortunately, that credit should go to the Rockies — and the injury bug that infected Mookie Betts with a strained oblique. Just before venturing to San Francisco, the Dodgers split 4 games in Coors Field. The Dodgers are built to beat anybody anywhere, and when they couldn’t best one last place team, it’s interesting to see them struggle with another in the series immediately after. Small sample size shenanigans here, too? Yeah, probably.
The Dodgers are 10th in offense since April 17th (the start of the Rockies series) with a team wRC+ of 103. If you adjust for just after the Giants’ series, they’re 16th (98 wRC+). I won’t disgust you with the Giants standings in either split. Their pitching has been better than that in every split.
Now, Mookie Betts had the worst offensive season of his career in 2025 and is unlikely to bounce back much more than around league average, given his age (33). Still, dropping into a lineup with all the familiar names and faces doesn’t make the Dodgers worse and getting him back just in time for a rivalry series is meaningful.
We thought the last Giants-Dodgers meeting was a beatdown in waiting or a temperature check of either franchise, but all it really did was serve as a speed bump to the Dodgers running away with the best record in the sport. Shohei Ohtanit’s 89 wRC+ over the past few weeks is maybe a bit of a story, but it’s drowned out by the emergence of Alex Freeland, the reliability of Max Muncy, and Kyle Tucker getting hot. Meanwhile, the Giants are really only making the kind of headlines that an ailing franchise generates. Trading a Gold Glover, demoting former veterans they had planned all offseason long to count on throughout the year, their manager not being clear about pitching changes… it’s a team covered in flop sweat — and it’s only May 11th!
That means this series has the chance to be a staggering embarrassment yet again for… the Dodgers! That’s right. If a global superpower can’t win a series against Buster Posey’s Baseball Mogul 2014 sim, then it deserves all the derision that can be mustered. Dave Roberts was on a Hall of Fame trajectory as manager, but dude lost a series to the 2026 San Francisco Giants, trending to be one of the worst teams in franchise history. I’m sorry, but he simply oughtn’t be taken seriously anymore. Embarrassing! Disgraceful! But also, laugh out loud, especially if the Giants are actually competitive in this series after ditching Patrick Bailey and putting Logan Webb on the IL.
Series overview
Who: San Francisco Giants (16-24) at Los Angeles Dodgers (24-16) Where: Dodger Stadium | Los Angeles, California When: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 7:10pm PT National broadcasts: MLB Network simulcast (Thursday)
Projected starters Monday: Trevor McDonald (RHP 1-0, 1.29 ERA) vs. Roki Sasaki (RHP 1-3, 5.97 ERA) Tuesday: Adrian Houser (RHP 0-4, 6.19 ERA) vs. Yoshinobu Yamamato (RHP 3-2, 3.09 ERA) Wednesday: Robbie Ray (LHP 3-4, 2.76 ERA) vs. Shohei Ohtani (RHP 2-2, 0.97 ERA) Thursday: Landen Roupp (RHP 5-3, 3,09 ERA) vs. Emmet Sheehan (RHP 2-1, 4.79 ERA)
Players to watch
Dodgers
Mookie Betts: He’s consistently able to draw walks and hit doubles against the Giants, and even though his injury has held him back from doing any of that this year, it’ll be worth watching to see if he can come back and do it to the Giants at will.
Max Muncy: No ocean for him to hit dingers into, but he went homerless against the Giants in that series loss and so I’d expect him to not have zero homers in these next four games.
The Dodgers’ bullpen:Four game series really do allow teams to take the full tour of their opponent, and while the Dodgers’ lineup is impressive and scary and their rotation is very good on paper, it’s their bullpen that usually offers more growl than bite. That feels especially true with Edwin Diaz hitting the IL with loose bodies in his pitching elbow. That means the Dodgers have been injury bitten to the point that last year’s big free agent closer acquisition, Tanner Scott, is back in that role.
Giants
Willy Adames: In the last series preview I wrote,
This series will be the definitive test to determine whether or not Willy Adames passed away at some point this season and what we’re seeing haunt the Giants lineup right now is, in fact, a g-g-g-ghost.
He went 5-for-14 against Pittsburgh so, we must consider the possibility that he is not a ghost and is still alive to the point of finally starting to look like a major leaguer again. Great timing?
Bryce Eldridge / Rafael Devers: Great to see Eldridge get his first homer and see Devers sock two last week, but the Giants will need both to put up big performances if they’re going to compete in the next four games. Devers is 10-for-30 with 4 doubles and a pair of homers here in the month of May.
Tony Vitello watch
Did Buster Posey visit Tony Vitello’s house during the hiring process? If so, I wonder what that was like. If not, why not?
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 24: The sneakers worn by Paul George #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
If Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson didn’t make any friends in the second-round series that’s pitting Buffalo against the Montreal Canadiens, the same can be said about Zachary Bolduc. The 23-year-old winger struggled to find a role with the Habs during the regular season, but since the start of the playoffs, he has been very noticeable, and he’s shown that he enjoys poking the bear.
In Friday night’s game, Bolduc was on hand to come to goaltender Jakub Dobes’ rescue after Beck Malenstyn ran into him. The Trois-Rivieres native wasted no time in jumping on the Sabres forward, who was hanging on the net’s crossbar. He sent him down on the ice and threw a few punches, making it clear that such shenanigans would not be tolerated.
Beck Malenstyn with what seems like an attempt to injure Jakub Dobes, runs him at full speed.
It seemed like Bolduc was involved in every scrum on Sunday night. He got himself a roughing double-minor after an altercation with both Connor Timmins and Malenstyn in Alex Lyon’s crease. He’s quickly becoming for the Sabres what Zach Benson has become for the Habs, public enemy number one.
Late in the third, as he was tangled up with Logan Stanley and a lineman, Josh Norris took advantage and dishes him out a right-hand jab. Stanley and Bolduc bot got a minor for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct, while Norris escaped punishment.
On top of getting under the Sabres’ skin, Bolduc has also been getting on the scoreboard. On Sunday night, he completed the play so well orchestrated by Alexandre Carrier and Joe Veleno to score what would turn out to be the game-winning goal. Despite only spending 10:43 on the ice, he found a way to make an impact on the proceedings and has shown his teammates that he’s ready to go to battle for them.
That’s quite a change from the Bolduc who played in QMJHL a few years ago and who was known for shying away from physical battles. Watching him play these days, it’s obvious that he has understood what he needs to know to keep his seat at the table. Speaking to the media after the game on Sunday night, he was asked how he ended up being a part of all the battles, and he explained:
I don’t know, it’s just the way the game presents itself. I think it’s something that I can and want to bring to the Canadiens. Of course, there are times when you're toeing the line without crossing it. I take a lot of pride in that. No one thing explains why I’m always there for those moments.
-
Later on, he added:
As you said, I might have struggled a bit to find my identity in the regular season, but the playoffs are another season, and that’s how I approached it. I want to bring my strengths as much as possible, and if I’m a thorn in their sides, it’s for the best.
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In 10 games so far this postseason, Bolduc has two goals and four assists for 10 points, 18 penalty minutes, and a plus-six rating, showing just how well he plays on both sides of the puck. Chances are, we’ll see Bolduc mix things up even more before this second-round series comes to a close.
The Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers are set to square off in a pivotal Game 4 tonight, and we have a plethora of NBA player prop projections to go over — includingfour five-star plays.
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Pistons Game 4 computer picks
Jalen Duren Over 13.5 points (-112)
Projection: 16.25 points
Our model shows a 24.55% EV edge for this play!
Jalen Duren has had a quiet series, but he's too good to be held quiet for long. He'll get plenty of run as the Detroit Pistons try to keep up with the size of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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Duncan Robinson Over 11.5 points (-112)
Projection: 13.81 points
Our model shows a 23.93% EV edge for this play!
Duncan Robinson has been spectacular for the Pistons this series, going Over this total in all three matchups. His sharpshooting will help him clear it again.
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Tobias Harris Over 1.5 threes (+115)
Projection: 1.80 threes
Tobias Harris has stepped up big for Detroit in this playoff run, and his shooting is a big part why. He's banged two threes in back-to-back outings, and our projections predict he'll do it again.
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Cavaliers Game 4 computer picks
James Harden Over 18.5 points (-125)
Projection: 22.63 points
This play has a 26.01% EV edge according to our model!
James Harden isn't known for his playoff heroics, but 18.5 points is a very obtainable goal. He's cleared this line in two of three against the Pistons, and he's projected for 20+ tonight.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet harden Now at bet365!/span
Dean Wade Over 3.5 points (-112)
Projection: 5.44 points
This is the fourth and final five-star play, showing a 25.63% EV edge.
Dean Wade provides Cleveland with key minutes off the bench, and he normally takes two to four shots per game. He's consistent enough to hit this number with similar volume.
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Jarrett Allen Over 1.5 assists (+135)
Projection: 1.82 assists
Jarrett Allen had three assists in Game 2 and finished with one in the two other games of this series. If he starts to feel the pressure from Duren, he has plenty of capable shooters to pass to.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet allen Now at bet365!/span
How to watch Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 4
Location
Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
Date
Monday, May 11, 2026
Tip-off
8 p.m. ET
TV
NBC/Peacock
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.
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 29: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the game against the Houston Rockets during Round One Game Five on April 29, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The one thing you can’t question about Austin Reaves is his desire to play.
He played in all 82 games during the 2023-24 NBA season, and last year, he was still competing against the Wolves in the playoffs despite a big toe sprain.
On Monday morning, Ramona Shelburne of ESPN published an article revealing that the Lakers didn’t expect Reaves to return so quickly, and that it was only possible because of his around-the-clock efforts.
The Lakers initially assumed he would be out until the conference finals, team sources told ESPN, but Reaves was determined to get back for at least some of the Lakers’ playoff run.
“I left my house every day around 7:30 in the morning to get treatment and didn’t come home until about 8 at night,” Reaves told ESPN. “I was going crazy trying to get back. … I was in that hyperbaric chamber all the time.”
Kudos to Reaves for doing everything possible to play in the postseason. Given the severity of his injury, no one was ever going to question how long he took to return, so his putting in 12-hour days to get back is impressive and admirable.
Thanks to his efforts, he started in Game 5 against the Rockets and helped the Lakers advance to the second round, a feat that not many experts thought possible.
Against the Thunder, he’s continued playing a high number of minutes and has done everything possible to help the Lakers win. In Game 2, he scored a playoff career-high 31 points.
Even the Lakers didn’t think Reaves would return so quickly, but that’s the thing about Austin: just when you think he can’t impress you more, he finds a way to exceed your expectations.
Reaves is a franchise player for the Lakers, and his recovery work is another example of why. He does everything possible to be a top performer and will set a standard of effort that the rest of the team will have to try to match.
Mikal Bridges and Joel Embiid wrestle for a loose ball during the Knicks’ sweep of the 76ers.Photograph: Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
“You guys wanna see a dead body?”
Old heads remember that scene in Stand By Me, four boys hike through the Oregon wilderness to find the body of a dead boy. They walk for miles for the morbid prize of seeing something that can’t be unseen. When they finally arrive and stand over the body, nobody says a word. There’s nothing left to say.
That is what it feels like to be a Philadelphia 76ers fan.
You guys wanna see a dead body?
Here it is. Right here on the hardwood of the Xfinity Mobile Arena, swept in four games by the New York Knicks, getting beaten by 30 points in the finale, in an arena colonized by enemy fans. “The Process” – capital T, capital P, the grand basketball philosophy that was supposed to redeem a franchise and a generation of suffering fans – is dead. It has been dead for a while, actually. We’ve just been too stubborn and too sentimental to admit it.
When The Process’s architect, Sam Hinkie, took over as 76ers general manager in May 2013, the 76ers were in purgatory. Hinkie’s diagnosis was correct: the middle of the standings is the worst place to rot. His prescription was ruthless tanking, draft capital accumulation, asset hoarding. All analytically sound and, in a narrow sense, successful. He delivered Joel Embiid. He delivered the framework that would eventually produce Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
But broaden it out and Hinkie’s vision failed. In the 13 years since he rolled up in Philly, the team have failed to reach the Conference finals, let alone win a title. The corpse of The Process was wheeled out to face the Knicks in the second round of the playoffs, Weekend at Bernie’s style.
The modern NBA title contender needs athleticism, perimeter versatility, switchable defenders who can guard one through five, and above all, youth.
Current Sixers general manager Daryl Morey has built the opposite. He stockpiled aging, injury-prone max-contract stars and surrounded them with buyout-bin veterans, undrafted role players, and whatever Quentin Grimes is. In 2024, he signed Paul George – then 34 and with a well-documented history of struggling to stay fit – to a four-year maximum contract. He kept Embiid, another player with an injury history – on an extension that will pay him $60m a year until 2029.
This is a roster built for 2006, not 2026. Iso-heavy, big-man-centric, predicated on one dominant center, Embiid, taking over games through sheer will and free-throw volume. The league has moved past this. The Knicks – deep, switchy, young, relentless – looked like they were playing a different sport as they swept the Sixers.
And there is no way to write honestly about the 2026 76ers without confronting what Embiid has become, and it’s uncomfortable as hell.
He was, for a few seasons, one of the best basketball players alive. The footwork, the face-up game, the passing out of the post, the three-point shooting – at his peak, Embiid was a legitimate case for best offensive center since Shaquille O’Neal. His MVP season in 2022-23 was a masterpiece. His ability to carry a structurally compromised roster to the second round of the playoffs, year after year, while fighting through injuries that would have ended other careers, deserves respect.
That Embiid is gone. What remains is far inferior.
Embiid hasn’t played more than 40 games in a regular season since his MVP campaign. He was injured in Game 1 against the Knicks, missed a game, came back limping, and was reduced to holding his hip, his back and his ankle. There was no better encapsulation of this version of the Sixers than the sight of Embiid’s teammates attempting to pick him up from the floor and failing.
But the decline in his body isn’t even the most troubling part. It’s the decline in his conduct.
Embiid has spent recent seasons cultivating one of the dirtiest reputations in the NBA. The sweep-through moves designed to draw fouls that don’t exist. Flops so theatrical Buster Keaton would blush. The crystallizing incident came in the 2024 playoffs, when Embiid fell to the floor and grabbed the Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson by the foot, dragging him to the floor and injuring him in the process. Yes, pun intended.
The 76ers fans who spent 13 years trusting a process deserve better.
But here’s the strange, almost perverse mercy for the Sixers: despite everything, they have something most failing contenders don’t. They have two young cornerstones.
Maxey is 25 years old. He’s fast, creative, a legitimate offensive engine who was systematically double-teamed into submission by the Knicks because his supporting cast was demonstrably non-threatening. Maxey operating in an offense with shooters, athletes and a coach who actually designs plays rather than letting it free-flow into George post-ups is a 25- to 28-point scorer who can lead a team deep into May.
Edgecombe is 20. He had 34 points in his NBA debut. He had a 30-point game in the Boston series. This is a young, explosive wing with Dwyane Wade-level upside.
Those two players are a gift. Most rebuilding teams don’t get one player like that coming out of a failed era. Philadelphia have two.
The draft capital situation, while complicated by the obligations owed to Oklahoma City and Brooklyn, is far from hopeless. The Sixers own their own picks in 2027, 2029, 2030, 2031, and 2032. They hold the Clippers’ 2028 first-round pick – potentially a high one, depending on how Los Angeles continues their rebuild. They have swap rights with the Clippers in 2029. There are second-round picks scattered across multiple teams through the decade, several of them from contending or mid-tier franchises that could carry real value.
A new front office, with a mandate to rebuild fast and modern, has modern ammunition.
The path forward requires doing things the current regime has shown little appetite for: acquiring speed, athleticism, perimeter shooting, and youth. Players who can switch defensively, run in transition, and make open threes at a league-average clip. Fix the roster around the edges first. Then find your third piece. Do not – under any circumstances – sign a 34-year-old maximum contract player to anchor the next era. Focus instead on unloading the albatross contracts of George and Embiid.
But unfortunately still in the present. Philly just got swept. Left with a dead man walking for $60m a year.
It is time to end this. Blow it up. Fire the coach. Fire the general manager. Hire a developmental coach who knows how to build young players, someone who can turn Edgecombe and Maxey into the most dynamic backcourt in the league.
The body has been lying in the road long enough. It’s time to bury it, and finally, actually, start over.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 14: Aday Mara #15 and Yaxel Lendeborg #23 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrate against the Wisconsin Badgers in the second half during the semifinals of the 2026 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 14, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors came into Sunday’s NBA Draft Lottery hoping for a little luck, but ultimately stayed put at No. 11 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Despite entering the night with roughly a 10% chance of jumping into the top four, Golden State was unable to move up in the lottery order, keeping the franchise right outside the top 10 in what is viewed as one of the strongest draft classes in recent years.
With the draft order now officially set, several early mock drafts have already started projecting who the Warriors could target later this summer. Here’s a quick roundup of where analysts currently have Golden State going at No. 11:
The Warriors had long odds and no luck in their first draft lottery since 2021. They have an important decision to make with this pick, as they weigh the long-term health of the roster versus maximizing the team’s competitive chances with Stephen Curry still playing at a high level. Coach Steve Kerr agreed to an extension Saturday and presumably didn’t sign on for a rebuild. Selecting a younger player such as Lopez, who has the experience to potentially slot in early on his rookie deal, might help mesh the short- and long-term goals. Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan) is another player who will draw strong consideration here.
Mara, by far, helped himself the most in the NCAA Tournament. I had a vote for Final Four Most Outstanding Player and chose Mara because of how he dominated the semifinal against Arizona (going off for 26 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks) and how he completely changed the geometry defensively against Connecticut with his ability to guard Tarris Reed Jr. on an island while also shutting down the interior for drivers.
Sticking with my Philon-to–the Bay prognostication from my first mock a month ago because it feels like a perfect combination of ready-now intangibles and long-term possibilities. His toughness and savvy would allow him to blend in with the absurd amount of experience on this team, and even though he feels like less of a star bet than some of the other highly regarded guards in the class, I don’t expect him to stagnate after getting to the league.
The Warriors could still explore trade possibilities involving the pick depending on how aggressive the front office wants to be in maximizing the final years of Stephen Curry’s championship window. Still, holding the No. 11 selection gives Golden State an important asset in a deep draft class loaded with talent.
The 2026 NBA Draft is scheduled for June 23 and 24 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Monday, May 11th:
This should also make extension conversations with Curry simpler later in the summer. The franchise icon has long expressed a desire to remain with the Warriors the entirety of his career. He can add either one or two seasons to his current deal, which has one season remaining, when he becomes extension-eligible in August. Having Kerr locked in should ease Curry’s concern of a franchise in complete transition, even if the championship ceiling is no longer there.
Yet there are reasons for the Warriors to be optimistic in advance of the June 23 draft. For one, the last time Golden State held the 11th pick, in 2011, it came away with a Washington State guard named Klay Thompson. He became a five-time NBA All-Star and an essential member of four championship teams.
Thompson was by far the best No. 11 pick in franchise history, with a career that laps previous selections Andris Biedrins (2004), Mickael Pietrus (2003), Todd Fuller (1996) and Tyrone Hill (1990).
Rival executives believe that Antetokounmpo’s desired teams will be the largest factor in his trade destination. He is essentially on an expiring contract, with next season guaranteed in his deal before a player option in 2027, providing him leverage to navigate to a specific team based on whether he would agree to stay long term given the players and picks needed to acquire him. He becomes eligible for a four-year, $275 million contract extension Oct. 1 if he is not traded, or six months after being traded if he’s with a new team.
“The conversation will be simple: Where does [Giannis] want to be moved, and where will he sign long term?” one source with direct involvement in the situation told ESPN.
While reports of the deal have not been revealed, ESPN reports that Kerr will retain his title as the highest-paid coach in the NBA. Last year, Kerr made $17.5 million, while the next-highest salary was $15 million, given both to the LA Clippers’ Ty Lue and the Miami Heat’s Erik Spoelstra.
Follow@unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 27: Head coach Tom Izzo and Jeremy Fears Jr. #1 of the Michigan State Spartans look on during the second half against the UConn Huskies in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 27, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The NBA Draft Lottery is complete, with the Washington Wizards walking away with the No. 1 overall pick in what many consider a loaded draft. The odds makers at FanDuel currently have AJ Dybantsa out of Brigham Young University as the favorite to go first overall at -500. The kid did well, and he can thank former Phoenix Suns assistant Kevin Young for his tutelage as the BYU head coach.
For Phoenix, the lottery was a non-event. The Suns traded away their 2026 first round pick during the journey that began with the acquisition of Bradley Beal back in 2023. Because Phoenix made the postseason, the pick never had a chance to jump into the lottery. It landed at 16th overall and heads to the Memphis Grizzlies, who also own the third overall selection in this draft.
So yesterday came and went quietly for Suns fans. No sitting around worrying the math somehow broke against Phoenix’s and pushed their former pick into the top four of a potentially generational class.
That being said, attention now shifts toward the draft, and the mock drafts are starting to flood in as analysts try to piece together who goes where. For the Phoenix Suns, holding the 47th overall pick means there isn’t much value in most mainstream mock drafts right now. Why? Because almost everyone is focused on solving the first round puzzle. The second round is an afterthought.
In Phoenix, it shouldn’t be.
That pick is an opportunity to add another young player to the roster and hope your development system can turn them into something impactful. Youth has never mattered more in the NBA, especially with the way the cap and apron system is structured. One of the clearest paths to staying competitive is stacking productive players on rookie-scale contracts.
That’s the challenge, though. Those players actually have to become productive.
Once the rookie-scale deal expires, teams are pushed into an awkward game of chicken where they almost have to overpay to retain the player. That’s how bad contracts happen. Look at the Denver Nuggets and Christian Braun. Tough season. Quiet postseason. Now the extension kicks in next year at five years, $125 million, and Denver is paying the tab for a mid-level player until 2031. That significantly impacts roster flexibility.
So even if the 47th pick isn’t flashy, the hope is that your scouting department and your culture can identify someone who matters. We’ve already seen signs of that. Oso Ighodaro was selected 40th overall and played all 82 games last season. Koby Brea went 41st overall last year, and even on a two-way deal, there’s a path for him to carve out minutes if Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neale get moved this offseason.
So no, the 47th pick is not a throwaway asset. That said, second-round mock drafts are still hard to find right now. I still did the due diligence and pulled together a mock draft roundup so we can see who different outlets have the Suns taking at No. 47.
There’s always a conversation around the NBA Draft about whether you draft for need or draft for best player available. Looking at the mock drafts above (and again, there really aren’t many of them right now, where’s your second round mock, The Ringer? Where are you, CBS Sports? Get on it!) a few of these mocks are clearly prioritizing talent over fit.
Jeremy Fears Jr., whose brother Jeremiah Fears was a lottery pick last season and now plays for the New Orleans Pelicans, appears to be a popular target at 47. Why? Because the thought process is simple. He could be the best talent available at that point in the draft.
That’s the question you have to ask yourself when you’re drafting that late. Talent or need? The Suns don’t need more guards. We know that. At the same time, this is a player you hope to develop over the next couple of years into someone who can eventually contribute.
That said, I really like the prospect Tankathon connected to Phoenix in JT Toppin. He checks both boxes. Talent and need. ESPN had him mocked around 36 in preseason projections before an ACL injury against Arizona State pushed him down boards. He wouldn’t be available immediately because he’d still be rehabbing, and honestly, that’s okay. Whoever the Suns draft at 47 probably isn’t walking into an immediate rotation role anyway.
This is a long-term play. That’s the lens you have to use. You’re drafting for what this player could become in a couple of seasons, hoping they help build toward what you ultimately want this team to be.
So what do you think about the early names showing up in these mock drafts? Does anyone stand out to you? What would you draft, talent or need? Is there another prospect Phoenix should target? Or do these mocks have it completely wrong? Let us know in the comments below.
Sep 2, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; General view of a bark at the park event before the game between the San Francisco Giants against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
After today’s day off, the Rockies have a busy May with 16 games in a row and 19 in the next 20 days to close out the month.
Here are five things to look out for as Colorado heads into the stretch.
More NL West games
After only 11 games against NL West teams (just the Dodgers and Padres), the Rockies will play 13 of their next 19 games against the Diamonbacks (7), Dodgers (3) and Giants (3). Considering the Padres and Dodgers are the best teams in the division — currently battling for first place — the Rockies have a chance to improve on their 3-8 record in the division.
More interleague play
Colorado is off to an impressive 6-3 record against the American League this season. With a series sweep over the Astros and a series win against the Blue Jays, interleague play has treated the Rockies well. The Rockies will host the Texas Rangers (May 18-20) and try to continue their winning ways against the AL.
Another Skenes showdown
The Rockies will conclude their six-game Pennsylvania road trip with a three-game series beginning Tuesday in Pittsburgh. The series will start with the Rockies facing Paul Skenes for the third time in his career. In two appearances, both in 2025, he’s 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in 12 innings with 15 strikeouts and two walks.
In their only faceoff at PNC Park, Skenes threw seven scoreless innings in a 4-0 win over Colorado. At Coors Field, Jordan Beck hit a three-run homer in a sixth-run sixth inning that chased Skenes from the game after giving up four runs on five hits with two walks and eight strikeouts.
When the Rockies traded for Jake McCarthy on Jan. 10, it looked like they added speed and depth to their outfield roster. When the season started, McCarthy struggled with a .184 batting average and .279 on-base percentage through his first 14 games in purple. Then came April 19. McCarthy has been on a tear since, including hitting Colorado’s only grand slam of the season. You can see the remarkable difference in his play.
Dates
Rslt
G
PA
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
SB
CS
BB
SO
BA
OBP
SLG
OPS ▼
April 19-May 10
6-8
14
43
38
8
15
4
1
2
12
2
1
4
5
.395
.442
.711
1.152
March 27-April 17
6-11
17
46
38
1
7
2
1
0
3
5
1
4
10
.184
.279
.289
.569
2026 Season
12-19
31
89
76
9
22
6
2
2
15
7
2
8
15
.289
.360
.500
.860
It will not only be interesting to see if McCarthy can sustain these numbers and force the Rockies to put him in the lineup, but also how he performs when he faces the Diamondbacks. The reunion vs. his former team will start in Denver with a three-game set this weekend before McCarthy returns to his former home for a four-game series at Chase Field next weekend.
Bark at the Park
Get ready to hoist your dogs for the Simba Cam; Bark at the Park is taking over Coors Field on May 18-19 against Texas. While dog owners and their canines usually sit in the Rockpile, it’s fun to visit dogs walking on the left field concourse if you go to either game. Both ticket packages for bringing dogs to the game have sold out.
The other noteworthy promotion the Rockies have on tap is Military Appreciation Day on May 16 against Arizona. Festivities include a pregame parade around the warning track for all active duty or military veterans and their immediate families, a pregame salute from multiple military branches, a large flag on-field presentation, a Hunter Goodman T-shirt giveaway for the first 15,000 fans and more.
Conclusion
After going 13-14 in April, the Rockies haven’t fared as well in May. Through the first nine games, Colorado is 2-7. How the rest of the month goes could really determine if the Rockies can get back on track and seize some momentum.
What are you most excited about or worried about as the Rockies tackle the remainder of the May schedule?
Are you going to Bark at the Park or Military Appreciation Day?
While the Cubs dropped two of three to the Rangers, it’s hard to be too terribly upset with their performance recently. After all, they are 20-5 over their last 25 games, including two 10-game winning streaks and an active 15-game winning streak at Wrigley Field. All of these streaks are historic. The last time the Cubs had multiple ten-game winning streaks in a season or a home winning streak longer than 15 was 1935, a season where they went 100-54 before losing the World Series 4-2 to the Detroit Tigers.
Starting a new winning streak won’t be easy, however. The Cubs will take their 27-14 record into Truist Park in Atlanta for a three-game set that begins on Tuesday where they’ll take on the only team in the National League with a better record. The Braves have opened the 2026 season with a 28-13 record.
A quick look at the team hitting leaderboards at Fangraphs shows that the Cubs and Braves have both gotten off to hot starts offensively this season:
Team
TG
PA
HR
R
RBI
SB
BB%
K%
ISO
BABIP
AVG
OBP
SLG
wOBA
xwOBA
wRC+
WAR
CHC
41
1621
51
215
198
27
11.78%
20.23%
.165
.292
.252
.347
.417
.341
.335
119
9.8
LAD
40
1535
53
203
191
20
10.23%
20.85%
.169
.308
.265
.344
.434
.345
.353
120
9.2
NYY
41
1552
63
215
204
40
11.98%
23.39%
.203
.278
.239
.333
.442
.342
.350
117
9.2
ATL
41
1574
57
228
223
21
8.20%
20.52%
.179
.310
.270
.334
.450
.346
.341
120
9.0
HOU
41
1573
52
196
186
15
9.22%
20.34%
.172
.297
.258
.333
.429
.337
.337
113
7.1
PIT
41
1632
44
206
199
38
10.54%
23.22%
.142
.307
.249
.337
.391
.327
.328
105
6.2
STL
40
1535
46
186
180
30
9.25%
21.95%
.152
.277
.235
.318
.388
.316
.325
102
5.8
KCR
41
1533
41
169
162
29
9.52%
22.18%
.150
.288
.241
.319
.391
.317
.316
96
5.2
ATH
40
1545
44
176
173
24
9.71%
22.78%
.151
.302
.249
.326
.400
.324
.322
100
5.1
WSN
41
1586
44
217
203
41
9.46%
21.94%
.157
.290
.242
.323
.399
.322
.327
104
5.1
MIA
41
1537
32
176
166
48
9.24%
21.73%
.131
.303
.248
.327
.378
.318
.309
100
4.9
CHW
40
1527
51
171
161
28
10.09%
24.49%
.160
.280
.231
.322
.391
.319
.329
100
4.7
MIN
41
1575
45
194
184
32
10.03%
22.73%
.146
.286
.237
.325
.383
.319
.315
100
4.6
SEA
41
1545
46
167
162
30
10.23%
24.53%
.148
.282
.229
.319
.378
.315
.326
104
4.5
TOR
40
1498
37
164
158
14
7.61%
17.96%
.130
.285
.251
.313
.381
.310
.311
94
4.4
CLE
42
1584
40
173
165
41
10.98%
20.14%
.138
.269
.230
.321
.368
.311
.315
96
4.3
BAL
41
1545
42
181
178
19
10.81%
24.47%
.151
.290
.232
.319
.383
.317
.320
100
4.2
BOS
40
1508
29
156
149
32
8.75%
22.41%
.119
.291
.235
.314
.353
.303
.310
85
4.1
SDP
40
1470
39
170
163
40
8.91%
22.65%
.147
.266
.223
.297
.370
.298
.320
92
3.9
MIL
38
1479
26
195
187
40
11.70%
20.42%
.114
.293
.240
.333
.353
.311
.315
97
3.8
LAA
41
1561
50
177
170
24
9.87%
25.43%
.156
.288
.233
.321
.389
.319
.318
99
3.7
DET
41
1544
37
175
166
17
10.17%
22.09%
.148
.295
.242
.325
.391
.322
.339
102
3.6
ARI
39
1424
36
169
163
18
7.72%
21.77%
.155
.282
.236
.299
.392
.308
.305
93
3.5
TEX
40
1495
37
149
142
19
9.90%
23.41%
.136
.288
.234
.316
.370
.309
.316
95
3.4
PHI
41
1551
49
170
167
23
7.87%
20.95%
.160
.272
.237
.303
.396
.312
.316
95
3.3
TBR
39
1473
32
171
160
40
8.62%
18.60%
.118
.298
.254
.327
.373
.315
.305
97
3.2
CIN
41
1542
53
164
153
34
10.38%
24.51%
.162
.262
.219
.305
.381
.309
.333
90
2.6
COL
41
1554
41
175
170
35
8.04%
25.80%
.148
.321
.250
.320
.399
.322
.307
90
2.4
SFG
40
1455
26
130
125
10
5.50%
21.51%
.120
.295
.242
.287
.362
.289
.291
84
1.2
NYM
40
1474
31
139
132
19
8.01%
20.96%
.119
.264
.222
.287
.341
.283
.311
81
0.5
Select stats
I sorted this table by fWAR which shows the Cubs leading all of MLB heading into this week’s series with the Braves. However, if you sort by different categories the Cubs generally rank between first and fifth with the Braves right in the same mix. For example, by wRC+ the top three teams are the Dodgers, Braves and Cubs. By OBP the top teams are the Cubs, Dodgers, Pirates and Braves. This should be a great matchup.
While season-long numbers are preferable for larger sample sizes and and stability, who’s hot at a given moment could impact a specific series outcome more. To that end, I’ve run tables for each teams batters over the last two weeks. I’ve limited it to players with at least 20 plate appearances during that time. First up, the Cubs:
Name
G
PA
HR
R
RBI
SB
BB%
K%
ISO
BABIP
AVG
OBP
SLG
wOBA
xwOBA
wRC+
Michael Conforto
8
23
2
6
3
0
13.04%
13.04%
.500
.400
.400
.478
.900
.575
.506
278
Michael Busch
13
58
1
4
12
1
20.69%
22.41%
.205
.387
.295
.448
.500
.420
.386
172
Seiya Suzuki
11
49
3
8
8
0
16.33%
22.45%
.275
.296
.275
.388
.550
.393
.369
154
Pete Crow-Armstrong
13
52
3
8
10
4
9.62%
15.38%
.283
.257
.261
.346
.543
.387
.404
150
Ian Happ
13
57
2
13
4
1
21.05%
31.58%
.227
.333
.227
.404
.455
.381
.411
146
Matt Shaw
10
22
1
3
1
0
0.00%
13.64%
.182
.222
.227
.227
.409
.276
.214
74
Nico Hoerner
12
54
0
4
5
1
7.41%
3.70%
.104
.213
.208
.278
.313
.268
.330
69
Dansby Swanson
12
43
0
4
4
2
6.98%
9.30%
.050
.250
.225
.279
.275
.255
.316
60
Alex Bregman
12
52
0
8
3
0
15.38%
21.15%
.045
.242
.182
.308
.227
.253
.327
59
Carson Kelly
8
31
0
3
3
0
6.45%
16.13%
.000
.250
.207
.258
.207
.220
.209
36
Moisés Ballesteros
12
45
2
3
7
0
8.89%
17.78%
.150
.032
.075
.156
.225
.176
.282
6
Minimum 20 plate appearances, sorted by wRC+
A few things jump out immediately. First of all, Michael Conforto is on quite the hot streak, and I imagine Craig Counsell will try to ride that hot streak as long as he can, especially given the struggles of his other designated hitter against righties, Moisés Ballesteros. However, looking more closely at Ballesteros’ numbers, he really looks like he’s gotten unlucky during this two-week stretch. He’s still striking out less than 18 percent of the time and walking at a decent clip. An .032 BABIP might be the worst BABIP I’ve ever seen in a stretch of 45 plate appearances. Combine it with the fact that he’s had a 33.3 percent hard hit rate during that stretch with a healthy 15.2 percent barrel rate, and that seems like a slump Ballesteros should break out of any moment.
Additionally, both Seiya Suzuki and Michael Busch seem to have broken out of their early season slumps and have been on a a bit of a tear. Busch is slashing .295/.448/.500 with a wRC+ of 172 and a home run over his last 58 plate appearances. Seiya is slashing .275/.388/.550 with a wRC+ of 154 with three home runs over his last 49 plate appearances. The good news is that aside from a .400 BABIP and .500 ISO from Conforto and a slightly overheated .387 BABIP from Busch, the only thing that looks unsustainable in this table is the bad luck some hitters have been experiencing.
Turning to the Braves offense:
Name
G
PA
HR
R
RBI
SB
BB%
K%
ISO
BABIP
AVG
OBP
SLG
wOBA
xwOBA
wRC+
Matt Olson
12
52
6
11
11
1
13.46%
25.00%
.477
.269
.295
.385
.773
.475
.461
207
Ronald Acuña Jr.
5
20
0
3
1
1
10.00%
30.00%
.167
.500
.333
.400
.500
.398
.338
155
Ozzie Albies
12
53
3
11
9
0
11.32%
13.21%
.261
.270
.283
.358
.543
.390
.328
149
Drake Baldwin
12
54
3
6
7
0
12.96%
24.07%
.217
.300
.261
.370
.478
.372
.374
138
Jorge Mateo
11
28
1
6
3
2
3.57%
25.00%
.148
.421
.333
.357
.481
.371
.323
137
Eli White
10
24
0
3
4
1
4.17%
25.00%
.087
.412
.304
.333
.391
.322
.293
104
Mauricio Dubón
12
51
0
4
9
0
9.80%
13.73%
.111
.289
.244
.333
.356
.314
.333
98
Michael Harris II
11
35
1
4
3
0
0.00%
22.86%
.114
.346
.286
.286
.400
.302
.298
90
Austin Riley
12
48
2
6
7
1
4.17%
43.75%
.156
.348
.222
.250
.378
.275
.250
71
Mike Yastrzemski
12
31
0
4
1
0
0.00%
19.35%
.033
.292
.233
.258
.267
.240
.295
47
Minimum 20 plate appearances, sorted by wRC+
A big note at the top, the Braves’ best player, outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. is currently on the injured list with a strained hamstring, so the Cubs won’t have to deal with Acuña at the top of the lineup. They will have to deal with a red-hot Matt Olson and Cubs killer extraordinaire Ozzie Albies, however. Olson has six home runs in his last 52 plate appearances and is slashing .295/.385/.773 during that stretch. Albies has three home runs and a .283/.358/.543 slashline over the last two weeks. Finally, keep an eye on last year’s Rookie of the Year, Drake Baldwin. He’s also got three home runs to go with a .261/.370/.478 slashline in his last 54 plate appearances.
At the bottom of this chart, Mike Yastrzemski, Austin Riley and Michael Harris II are having the opposite experience of Ballesteros, riding relatively hot BABIPs for each of them to lackluster production. Yastrzemski is on the strong side of a platoon and unlikely to play when Shōta Imanaga takes the mound on Wednesday, however, Riley and Harris II are regulars who should be in the lineup for all three games against the Cubs.
This battle of offensive titans in the National League will be one to keep an eye on early this week. Here’s hoping the Cubs bats can stay hot in Atlanta
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 03: Starting pitcher Ranger Suarez #55 of the Boston Red Sox throws against the Houston Astros during the first inning at Fenway Park on May 03, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For all the consternation about Caleb Durbin’s bat, at least his glove appears to working just fine. “Not hitting stinks when you feel like you’re a good hitter and you feel like you should be helping the team and producing on that side of the ball, but I know I can impact the game outside of just hitting home runs,” Durbin said. “The defense, I take a lot of pride in that. I’ve seen how important that is throughout the course of the season, so for me, that’s the standard.” (Tim Healey, Boston Globe)
Unfortunately, the man playing immediately to Durbin’s left has not been so reliable in the field this year. And after a costly error is yesterday’s game, it’s time for the Sox to rethink Trevor Story at shortstop. (Peter Abraham, Boston Globe)
But at least Story isn’t ducking responsibility. “It shows that it’s tough to win in this league making mistakes like that. Can’t happen. You’ve seen the way we can play when we are playing good defense. It’s a strong suit of ours this year. That one’s on me and I have to clean that one up.” (Chris Cotillo, MassLive)
Story is right that defense has been a strong suit of the Red Sox, and the pitching hasn’t been bad, either. And the pitching staff will get a boost when Ranger Suarez returns from his minor hamstring injury this Thursday, when he’ll face his former team, the Philadelphia Phillies. Before he takes the ball, Brayan Bello will once again follow an opener tomorrow night before Sonny Gray pitches on Sunday. (Christopher Smith, MassLive)
Speaking of returning from (hopefully) minor injuries, Roman Anthony hopes to return when he’s eligible to come off the IL on May 15. “There’s so much that goes on in the hand, and I’ve never dealt with a hand issue before,” said Anthony. “So, I think just getting the news back, understanding that it’s nothing very serious, is the best news we could have gotten. The treatment is pretty simple, trying to get a lot of blood flow circulating around the wrist and the arm. Nothing too crazy. Just a little sprain. The ligament near the ring finger. Nothing that will take too long. So, I think that’s the best part.” (Rob Bradford, WEEI)
But the Red Sox don’t need Anthony to merely return to health, they need him to return to being the hitter he was in his first taste of the big leagues last year, because right now the Red Sox offense is embarassingly sub-par at Fenway Park in particular. (Rob Bradford, WEEI)
Perhaps Anthony will be aided by Chad Tracy, who appears to have brought “calm to the chaos” that was the Red Sox in the immediate wake of the Alex Cora firing. (Steve Buckley, The Athletic)
Despite a bumpy start, the Texas Rangers are right in the mix in the wide-open AL West, and they’ll look to build on a strong weekend as they take on the Arizona Diamondbacks tonight.
Texas enters this matchup on the heels of back-to-back shutout victories over the free-scoring Chicago Cubs, and my Diamondbacks vs. Rangers predictions expect Nathan Eovaldi to keep a faltering Arizona offense at bay here.
Read on for my free MLB picks for this May 11 battle.
Who will win Diamondbacks vs Rangers today: Rangers moneyline
-125 at Polymarket
It’s about time the Texas Rangers’ offense woke up, and there were encouraging signs in the Cubs series, including Josh Jung’s six-hit weekend.
Tonight, they hand the ball to ace Nathan Eovaldi, who’s back on track with a 2.45 ERA in his past five starts. Texas has picked up victories in Eovaldi’s last two outings, so I’m riding with the hosts, who’ve also won three of their last four outings at Globe Life Field.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Diamondbacks have lost four in a row on the road, and they’re 3-7 in their last 10 games. Plus, Arizona is sweating on the health of 1B Carlos Santana, too.
COVERS INTEL: Only three teams have gathered fewer hits than the D-Backs (304) this season, and the visitors have scored two runs or fewer in four of their last five games.
Diamondbacks vs Rangers Over/Under pick: Under 7.5
-110 at Polymarket
Both starters are capable of putting the clamps on hitters, and I’m not ready to trust two of the shakier lineups in the majors this year. That makes the Under an appealing play, and it’s been a winning ticket in the D-Backs’ past five games.
Eovaldi only allowed one run through eight innings last Wednesday against the New York Yankees, while Arizona starter Michael Soroka had a similarly steady outing that same night.
Though the visitors have trended towards the Over this season (20-17), the Under is 23-15 in Texas’ 38 games — and that feels more realistic tonight.
Tom Oldfield's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 2-5, -3.93 units
Over/Under bets: 6-1, +4.41 units
Diamondbacks vs Rangers odds
Moneyline: Diamondbacks +113 | Rangers -117
Run line: Diamondbacks +1.5 | Rangers -1.5
Over/Under: Over 7.5 | Under 7.5
Diamondbacks vs Rangers trend
The Under is 7-3 in the Rangers’ last 10 contests. Find more MLB betting trends for Diamondbacks vs. Rangers.
How to watch Diamondbacks vs Rangers and game info
Location
Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX
Date
Monday, May 11, 2026
First pitch
8:05 p.m. ET
TV
Diamondbacks.TV, RSN
Diamondbacks starting pitcher
Michael Soroka (4-2, 4.14 ERA)
Rangers starting pitcher
Nathan Eovaldi (4-4, 4.15 ERA)
Diamondbacks vs Rangers latest injuries
Diamondbacks vs Rangers weather
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Satchel Paige, pitcher for the Negro League's Kansas City Monarchs, stands at the top of the dugout with baseball in hand. 1942.
Professional baseball has been around for a century and a half, with a rich tradition of players. One of the things I love about the game is that although there are different eras – some with more offense, some with less, some with more home runs, some with more steals – the game is essentially the same. But the different eras provide an opportunity for different skillsets to excel. You have precise hitters like Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams in the “golden era”. You have dominant, intimidating pitchers in the 60s like Sandy Koufax and Bob Gibson. You have blinding speedsters in the 70s and 80s like Lou Brock and Rickey Henderson. You have big boppers in the home run era like Barry Bonds and Ken Griffey Jr.
But some of these players came before our time, before YouTube, when we can only listen to or read the stories of those that saw them in their prime. An off day seems like the perfect time to ask a simple baseball fan question: if you could travel back in time and watch one player at the absolute peak of his powers, who would it be?
By many accounts, Leroy “Satchel” Paige was among the greatest to ever pitch. His feats are legendary. There was the story of time the he intentionally walked the bases loaded to face Josh Gibson, then struck him out on three fastballs. There are accounts of him telling his fielders to sit down, for they weren’t needed, or Paige telling the hitter what was coming, knowing his pitches couldn’t be touched. He made his MLB debut at age 42 (or thereabouts, no one knew his true age), and was a very solid pitcher well into his 40s, even throwing three scoreless innings at age 58.
So I would love to see Paige in his prime. Did he live up to the legends? What was fact and what was fiction? How much fun was it to see him engage in his showmanship?
Who played before your time that you wish you could get a chance to see?