i Page 25 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Alex Ovechkin: Decision on future will come in offseason
Washington Capitals superstar captain Alex Ovechkin, the NHL's all-time leader in goals, said he will wait until the offseason to decide if he'll continue his playing career.,Ovechkin, 40, is playing in his 21st NHL season. The 2018 Stanley Cup champion and three-time Hart Trophy recipient is playin...

White Sox send Opening Day starter Shane Smith to minors
The Chicago White Sox optioned Opening Day starter Shane Smith to Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday.,In a corresponding move, they selected the contract of left-handed pitcher Tyler Schweitzer from Charlotte.,Smith, a 26-year-old right-hander, lasted just 1 2/3 innings in the March 26 opener, a 14-2 l...

Union sign homegrown D Nathan Harriel to new deal
The Philadelphia Union signed homegrown defender Nathan Harriel to a new contract on Wednesday.,The 24-year-old U.S. Men's National Team player is under contract through 2028-29 with an option for 2029-30.,"Nate has established himself as an essential piece of our backline over the past five years,"...

Ascending Sharks take aim at Connor McDavid, Oilers
The San Jose Sharks will look to keep pace in the Western Conference wild-card race when they conclude a six-game homestand against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night.,William Eklund collected a goal and an assist in San Jose's 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday. Kiefer Sherwood and W...

Suns, bound for play-in tournament, take on Cooper Flagg, Mavs
The Phoenix Suns spent the first 79 games of the NBA season in a vain attempt to lock up a top-six seed in the Western Conference playoffs.,Their task now is to hang on to postseason spot No. 7.,The Suns (43-36) blew a 21-point lead and were crushed 55-34 on the boards in a 119-105 home loss to Hous...

Rookie SS Konnor Griffin gets 9-year contract extension from Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates said Wednesday they have agreed to a nine-year contract extension with shortstop Konnor Griffin, the top prospect in baseball.,The team did not announce the contract value, but ESPN pegged it at $140 million, making it the largest amount of guaranteed money in Pirates history ...

Thunder eager to clinch top spot in West in visit to Clippers
The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder can clinch the top playoff seed in the Western Conference for the third consecutive season when they face the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday at Inglewood, Calif.,The Thunder (63-16) are red-hot heading toward the playoffs with an 18-1 record in their l...

Pistons intent on sharpening skills in home finale vs. Bucks
The top seed and home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs already is locked up. ,The Detroit Pistons now can gear up for what they hope is an extended postseason run while trying to avoid a major injury.,They'll host the Milwaukee Bucks in their final regular-season home game ...

Strong-starting Yanks proving cynics wrong, go for win No. 9 vs. A's
The New York Yankees are only 10 games into a season with most of the same roster that was underwhelming in the American League Division Series last fall against the Toronto Blue Jays.,So far, the results have been strong for the Yankees, who will attempt to earn a ninth win in their first 11 games ...

Wolves clinch playoffs; Magic try to make play-in spot disappear
The Minnesota Timberwolves clinched their spot in the Western Conference playoffs with their win and a loss by the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.,The postseason picture isn't nearly as clear for the Orlando Magic, who will host the Timberwolves on Wednesday.,Minnesota (47-32) holds the sixth position in t...

Pitching-strapped Cubs turn to Colin Rea to start against Rays
The Chicago Cubs are dealing with pitching injuries they've been handed this week, losing starters Matthew Boyd and Cade Horton.,Boyd is dealing with a left biceps strain that led to the team placing him on the 15-day injured list on Monday. Cubs manager Craig Counsell said he expects the left-hande...

With Diamondbacks in town, Mets winning without Juan Soto
It's been three games without Juan Soto for the New York Mets -- and three wins fueled by unlikely players.,The Mets will look to lock up another series win Wednesday afternoon when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks in the middle game of a three-game set.,Left-hander David Peterson (0-1, 4.66 ERA) ...

Reds relying on strong pitching ahead of rematch vs. Marlins
Cincinnati has a majors-worst 34 runs this season. Of that total, five have come in extra innings.,Despite the team-wide hitting slump, the Reds are 8-3 because their pitching ranks fifth in the majors with a 2.82 ERA. The Reds' staff should get even better once two injured starters return: Hunter G...
MLB’s Most Memorable Animal Mascots, Featuring Brewers’ Bobby Jr.
The Brewers’ tortoise Bobby Jr. joins a long list of bizarre MLB animal mascots, from rally monkeys to squirrels and even a cursed goat....

Reid Detmers aims to guide Angels to series win vs. Braves
Two pitchers coming in off strong starts in which they did not gain a decision will take the mound Wednesday afternoon when the Los Angeles Angels face the Atlanta Braves in the rubber match of their three-game series in Anaheim, Calif.,Los Angeles left-hander Reid Detmers (0-0, 2.38 ERA) will start...
Yankees Might Be Underrated Contenders Despite Dodgers Dominance
The Yankees may be underrated contenders in 2026, with elite pitching and strong bats positioning them as a serious World Series threat....

Hot outfielders lead Nationals, Cardinals into decisive game
St. Louis outfielder Jordan Walker will look to continue his hot streak when the Cardinals and Washington Nationals meet in the rubber game of their three-game series Wednesday afternoon in the nation's capital.,Walker homered for the second straight night and third time in four games Tuesday to hel...

Giants' Daniel Susac hopes to continue fast start vs. Phillies
Daniel Susac's start to his career has been so eye-opening that the rookie catcher has earned himself more at-bats.,Susac became the first player in Giants history to open his career with five consecutive hits, and San Francisco manager Tony Vitello indicated he's ready to write Susac's name on the ...
Wednesday April 8th MLB Pitcher Props: Dylan Cease and Kyle Bradish Bet Picks
MLB picks today featuring Dylan Cease outs prop and Kyle Bradish strikeouts in favorable matchups against struggling offenses....

After beating ace Tarik Skubal, Twins ready for Tigers' Framber Valdez
The Minnesota Twins are coming off their toughest victory of the season.,Less than 24 hours later, they must try to avoid a letdown. The Twins will go for their third consecutive win when they face the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night in Minneapolis. ,Minnesota has won the first two matchups in the...