review Page 17 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

After winning first series against Astros since 2021, Rockies go for sweep
Kyle Freeland became the first Rockies starter to pitch into the seventh inning this season in Colorado's 5-1 win over Houston on Tuesday night.,Michael Lorenzen has a chance to make it two straight when he takes the mound against the Astros on Wednesday afternoon in Denver. ,The improved Rockies al...

Dodgers' dominance adding to Blue Jays' woes
Los Angeles will try for a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday afternoon, and a win would complete an undefeated road trip for the Dodgers.,They defeated the Blue Jays 4-1 Tuesday night to clinch the series against the team they defeated in a classic 2025 World Series that took se...

After string of 1-run losses, M's determined to snap slump in clash vs. Rangers
The Seattle Mariners desperately need a win Wednesday afternoon and are asking starting pitcher Bryan Woo to deliver it.,The Mariners will try to salvage the final game of their three-game series against the Texas Rangers, whose 3-2 victory Tuesday clinched their first series victory over Seattle si...

Orioles strive to continue mastery of White Sox in finale of series
The Baltimore Orioles have dealt with their low-scoring woes by benefiting from strong pitching and solid defense through two games in Chicago.,Now the Orioles will go for a three-game series sweep when they take on the White Sox on Wednesday afternoon.,The Orioles have their first two-game winning ...

Red Sox ride rare victory into series finale vs. Brewers
The Boston Red Sox will turn to veteran right-hander Sonny Gray while the visiting Milwaukee Brewers will counter with left-hander Shane Drohan in the rubber match of a three-game series on Wednesday afternoon.,Drohan will make his major league debut against his former organization after being acqui...

Cole Ragans eager to lead Royals to series win vs. Guardians
Cole Ragans will look to guide the visiting Kansas City Royals to a series victory when he starts Wednesday afternoon's game against fellow left-hander Joey Cantillo and the Cleveland Guardians.,Ragans (0-2, 3.60 ERA) allowed an unearned run over six innings in his previous start, a 5-1 loss to the ...

Behind Mitch Keller, Pirates chase series win vs. Padres
Mitch Keller will try to continue the Pittsburgh Pirates' strong start while fellow right-hander Michael King will bid to get the visiting San Diego Padres back on track when the teams play the decisive contest of a three-game series on Wednesday afternoon.,Keller (1-0, 1.50 ERA) will seek his secon...

Spurs likely without Victor Wembanyama with Trail Blazers in town
The San Antonio Spurs are likely to be without star center Victor Wembanyama as they look to stay in the hunt for home-court advantage throughout the playoffs when they host the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday in a game with postseason implications on both sides.,The Spurs (60-19) are guaranteed...

Nuggets eye 10th straight win as depleted Grizzlies visit
The surging Denver Nuggets are fighting for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference -- and fighting their porous 3-point defense.,Denver (51-28), which has won nine in a row, goes for the first 10-game winning streak in the Nikola Jokic era when it hosts the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. On...