Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers preview, Friday 4/24, 9:15 CT

Today’s roster move: Here

Friday notes…

  • STREAKING: The Cubs’ nine-game winning streak is their longest since they won 11 in a row July 31-Aug. 12, 2016. They had won nine in a row Aug. 6-15, 2015, then lost the 10th game. This is their 35th streak of at least nine games since 1901. They won the 10th in 23 of them. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
  • WINNING THE ONES YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO WIN: Until tonight, the Cubs have not faced an opponent with a winning record in 11 consecutive games, during which they went 10-1. The Cubs’ last such game was on April 12, when they stormed from behind to walk off the Pirates, 7-6. The Cubs are 3-4 in games this year vs. teams with more wins than losses. The two earlier wins were at home vs. the Nationals, in the second game of the season, and at Cleveland, in their eight game. The losses were to Cleveland, in their seventh and ninth games, and at home vs. the Pirates in their 13th and 14th.
  • WINNING WHEN SCORING LOTS OF RUNS: The Cubs are 14-4 when they have scored at least four runs, including 12-1 with six or more. They are 11-2 when they have allowed three of fewer; 5-7 with at least four.
  • THE BUSCH LEAGUE:Michael Busch, career at Dodger Stadium: .317/.379/.633 (19-for-60) with seven doubles, four home runs and 10 RBI. Busch batted .235/.333/.412, 8-for-34 with three doubles and a home run at Dodger Stadium while with the Dodgers in 2023. As a Cub in L.A.: .423/.444/.923 (11-for-26) with four doubles, three home runs and nine runs scored.

The Cubs lineup was not available at posting time. Please check BCB social media for the Cubs lineup.

Dodgers lineup:

Jameson Taillon, RHP vs. Emmet Sheehan, RHP

Jameson Taillon’s numbers are just about at his career averages. His K rate and BB rate are both up a bit from last year, and he’s already served up six home run balls in just 22.2 innings. His last start, last Saturday against the Mets, was pretty good.

Jamo has not faced the Dodgers in more than three years. The last time was April 15, 2023 at Dodger Stadium, so long ago that Jason Heyward started for L.A. in that game.

Current Dodgers are batting .260 (21-for-79) against Taillon. Kyle Tucker has homered off him and Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernandez have both gone deep twice. Advice: Keep the ball in the yard tonight please.

This will be Emmet Sheehan’s first full year in the Dodgers rotation, as he missed all of 2024 and part of last year after Tommy John surgery. He got hit pretty hard in his first two starts this year, the last two have been better.

He has never faced the Cubs, and among current Cubs, only Alex Bregman (1-for-4) and Michael Conforto (0-for-3) have faced him.

Here is the weather forecast for the area around Dodger Stadium.

Today’s game is on Apple TV (how to watch). Apple announcers: Wayne Randazzo, Dontrelle Willis and Heidi Watney.

Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

Please visit our SB Nation Dodgers site True Blue LA. If you do go there to interact with Dodgers fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.

The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.

You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).

At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.

The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.

You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

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Duke’s Cameron Boozer declares for 2026 NBA Draft after standout freshman season

After one season at Duke, Cameron Boozer has declared for the 2026 NBA Draft. He made the announcement on his Instagram account on Friday.

“Thank you for everything @dukeuniversity,” Boozer wrote on the post. “Duke Blue forever 💙💙”

Boozer averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.4 steals in 38 games for the Blue Devils this past season. He also shot 39% on 138 3-point attempts. That performance earned him the men’s Naismith Player of the Year award, in addition to consensus first-team All-American honors.

The 6-foot-9 forward is in contention to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor projected him to be selected third in his latest mock draft (going to the Sacramento Kings) before the NBA Draft Lottery determines the order of the first 15 picks.

“He’s a do-it-all offensive talent who can post up, run pick-and-rolls, set screens, spot up and crash the boards,” O’Connor wrote in his scouting report. “He doesn’t need to rely on bully ball to make an impact as a scorer or passer.”

“He plays hard and has improved at every weakness in his game so far,” O’Connor added.

If Boozer were to be the No. 1 overall selection, he would join the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, quarterback Fernando Mendoza, as an alumnus of Christopher Columbus High School in Miami to go as top prospects in their respective sports.

As a freshman, Boozer helped lead Duke to a 35-3 record (17-1 in conference), winning the ACC regular-season and tournament titles. The Blue Devils earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and advanced to the regional final before suffering a heartbreaking, buzzer-beater loss to UConn.

He twice scored 30 or more points in four games and 20-plus points in 19 other games. During the NCAA tournament, Boozer averaged 22.5 points and 10.5 rebounds, including a 27-point performance in the defeat to UConn.

Twin brother Cayden, who will return to Duke for his sophomore season, responded to Cameron’s Instagram post by saying, “I guess we got a lot to talk about tonight😔.”

Cameron and Cayden are the sons of Carlos Boozer, a 13-year NBA veteran who averaged 16.2 points and 9.5 rebounds playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers during his career. He also played at Duke and was a 2002 second-round pick (No. 35 overall).

Cameron Boozer was ranked as a five-star recruit coming out of high school, ranked by Rivals as the No. 3 player nationally — behind BYU’s AJ Dybantsa and Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, who could both go ahead of him in the NBA Draft — and the No. 1 power forward. He chose Duke over Miami, Florida State, Kentucky and Florida.

Duke’s Cameron Boozer declares for 2026 NBA Draft after standout freshman season

After one season at Duke, Cameron Boozer has declared for the 2026 NBA Draft. He made the announcement on his Instagram account on Friday.

“Thank you for everything @dukeuniversity,” Boozer wrote on the post. “Duke Blue forever 💙💙”

Boozer averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.4 steals in 38 games for the Blue Devils this past season. He also shot 39% on 138 3-point attempts. That performance earned him the men’s Naismith Player of the Year award, in addition to consensus first-team All-American honors.

The 6-foot-9 forward is in contention to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor projected him to be selected third in his latest mock draft (going to the Sacramento Kings) before the NBA Draft Lottery determines the order of the first 15 picks.

“He’s a do-it-all offensive talent who can post up, run pick-and-rolls, set screens, spot up and crash the boards,” O’Connor wrote in his scouting report. “He doesn’t need to rely on bully ball to make an impact as a scorer or passer.”

“He plays hard and has improved at every weakness in his game so far,” O’Connor added.

If Boozer were to be the No. 1 overall selection, he would join the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, quarterback Fernando Mendoza, as an alumnus of Christopher Columbus High School in Miami to go as top prospects in their respective sports.

As a freshman, Boozer helped lead Duke to a 35-3 record (17-1 in conference), winning the ACC regular-season and tournament titles. The Blue Devils earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and advanced to the regional final before suffering a heartbreaking, buzzer-beater loss to UConn.

He twice scored 30 or more points in four games and 20-plus points in 19 other games. During the NCAA tournament, Boozer averaged 22.5 points and 10.5 rebounds, including a 27-point performance in the defeat to UConn.

Twin brother Cayden, who will return to Duke for his sophomore season, responded to Cameron’s Instagram post by saying, “I guess we got a lot to talk about tonight😔.”

Cameron and Cayden are the sons of Carlos Boozer, a 13-year NBA veteran who averaged 16.2 points and 9.5 rebounds playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers during his career. He also played at Duke and was a 2002 second-round pick (No. 35 overall).

Cameron Boozer was ranked as a five-star recruit coming out of high school, ranked by Rivals as the No. 3 player nationally — behind BYU’s AJ Dybantsa and Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, who could both go ahead of him in the NBA Draft — and the No. 1 power forward. He chose Duke over Miami, Florida State, Kentucky and Florida.

Lakers star Austin Reaves will not play in Game 3 at Houston

Lakers guard Marcus Smart, left celebrates with sidelined stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves after making a three-pointer in the fourth quarter of Game 2 on Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena. Doncic and Reaves remain sidelined for Game 3. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

He pulled on his headband like old times, but Austin Reaves will not make his playoff debut yet.

The star Lakers guard warmed up for Game 3 in Houston but was ruled out before game time Friday.

The Rockets, already trailing 2-0 in the best-of-seven series, will be without Kevin Durant. The star forward was ruled out with a left ankle sprain, Rockets coach Ime Udoka said before the game. Durant, who missed Game 1 because of a knee contusion, suffered the latest injury in the fourth quarter of Game 2. He turned his ankle on a transition play, but stayed in the game. In the two days since then he experienced swelling in the ankle. Durant was remarkably durable this season, ranking second in the league in minutes played, trailing only teammate Amen Thompson.

Reaves was upgraded to questionable Thursday, a surprising three-week progression from when he was grabbing at his left upper side in the first half of a game against Oklahoma City on April 2.

The typical timeline for a Grade 2 injury is four to six weeks. Reaves and Luka Doncic both suffered injuries of the same grade during the same game. But with Reaves’ being an upper body injury— a left oblique strain — compared to Doncic’s strained left hamstring, Reaves was able to return to the court sooner. Doncic went to Spain to receive specialized treatment with hopes of speeding up his recovery and rejoined the team on the sideline last Saturday in time for Game 1.

Doncic did some light shooting after practice Wednesday but wasn’t on the court during practice the same as Reaves, Redick said. Reaves resumed on-court work earlier this week, but Redick did not update the timeline for Reaves’ expected return. Reaves participated in stay-ready games — on-court sessions with coaches and staff members — while receiving treatment for his injury.

Read more:Swanson: Lakers’ JJ Redick makes a case that he’s the right coach for the playoffs

Reaves suffered the injury in the first quarter against Oklahoma City when he was reaching for a loose ball. He repeatedly reached for his left side during the first half, but was evaluated by the Lakers’ medical staff at halftime and cleared to return in the eventual 36-point loss.

Doncic left in the third quarter after hurting his hamstring, the same injury that cost him four games earlier this season.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Game Discussion for St. Louis Cardinals vs Seattle Mariners Friday Night

Apr 12, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

The St. Louis Cardinals return home for a short 3-game homestand as the visiting Seattle Mariners come to town. Unfortunately, former Cardinal Brendan Donovan will not see action as he’s on the injured list. Here’s hoping there will be an opportunity for fans to show their appreciate to Brendan at some point. Andre Pallante is scheduled to get the start for the Cardinals while George Kirby will be on the mound for Seattle. First pitch scheduled for 7:15pm central time.

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Mariners Game #27, Preview and Discussion: SEA at STL, 4/24/26

Apr 18, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners starter George Kirby (68) delivers a pitch during the second inning against the Texar Rangers at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images | Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

The Mariners had a fairly underwhelming homestand, going just 3-3 against a pair of division rivals in the Rangers and A’s, but a walkoff from Josh Naylor on Wednesday salvaged much of the vibes. After an off day yesterday, Seattle embarks on its first Midwest road trip of the year, kicking things off with a rare three-game set at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The last time the M’s squared off against the Cardinals on their turf, they took two out of three in September 2024, and I know I would happily take that this time around.

Lineups:

Hotshot prospect JJ Wetherholt will lead things off for the Cards, and Jordan Walker appears to have finally unlocked his full potential with a monster start to 2026. St. Louis will be sending out a ground-ball-happy righty in Andre Pallante, and with a sensational defensive shortstop in Masyn Winn playing behind him, it would be prudent for the Mariners’ lineup to get the ball in the air. George Kirby will look to build off a strong outing against Texas, and Seattle will be rolling out its usual lineup against right-handed pitching, with Leo Rivas once again at the hot corner while Brendan Donovan is on the mend.

Game Info:

First Pitch: 5:15pm Pacific

TV: Mariners.tv

Radio: Ol’ reliable

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Yankees @ Astros: Will Warren vs. Lance McCullers Jr.

HOUSTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 03: Will Warren #98 of the New York Yankees pitches during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on September 03, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Fresh off a three-game sweep of Boston at Fenway Park, the Yankees begin the second series of this nine-game road trip. The opponent? Another rival club that is off to a rough start to 2026: the Houston Astros. Devastated by injuries to their pitching staff, the ‘Stros come into the series with a 10-16 record. If you’re wondering how it’s going for Houston on the mound, peep the 5.81 team ERA and collective 1.630 WHIP.

Will Warren takes the ball for New York, coming off one of the finest outings of his career (by Game Score, the second-best) against Kansas City. Warren struck out 11 over seven innings of two-run ball. The 26-year-old is off to a solid start in 2026, with a 2.45 ERA through 25.1 frames. Warren has relied heavily on his heat, throwing his four-seamer and sinker a combined 68 percent of the time. He augments those with his sweeper. And against lefties, he adds a curve and a change into the mix.

Meanwhile, Lance McCullers, Jr., one of the few healthy Astros starting pitchers, makes the start for Houston. One of the scant Astros remaining from the controversial 2017 team that knocked the Yankees out of the ALCS during Aaron Judge’s phenomenal rookie year, McCullers’ career has been absolutely derailed by injury, as he’s missed three entire seasons, including 2023 and 2024. This will be his fifth start of the season. His last two outings have been particularly rough, with McCullers allowing a combined 10 runs in 9.1 innings. Walks have been an issue, with five free passes in those 9.1 innings.

With the Yanks facing a right-handed pitcher for the first time in what seems like months, the lefty boppers are in the lineup. Trent Grisham leads off, and Cody Bellinger and Ben Rice sit behind Judge. Austin Wells gets the night off, so J.C. Escarra dons the tools of ignorance. With all the time McCullers has missed, not many Yankees have experience against him. Judge has faced him 11 times, the most for any Yankee. Giancarlo Stanton is the only Bronx Bomber who’s taken McCullers deep.

Let’s keep this whole “immiserate our enemies” thing going. The Yanks kicked Boston while they were down. Here’s hoping they can do it to the H.

How to Watch:

Location: Daikin Park — Houston, TX

First Pitch: 8:10 pm EDT

TV broadcast: YES / Space City Home Network

Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 / KTRH 740 AM/99.1 FM HD-2, KTLN-TUDN 102.9 FM

Online stream: MLB Network (out-of-market-only)

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Astros vs. Yankees Game Thread, Game 27 4/24/26

he Houston Astros (10-16) will play the first of a three-game series with their heated interdivision rival New York Yankkes (16-9), tonight at Daikin Park.

RHP Lance McCullers Jr (1-1, 6.20 ERA) will make his fifth regular season appearance for the Astros tonight opposite the Yankees and starter RHP Will Warren (2-0, 2.49 ERA).

TONIGHT’S STARTER: RHP Lance McCullers is making his fifth start of the season as he tries to right the ship after three consecutive lackluster starts.

This season, McCullers opened the season with a brilliant seven inning outing, but has since struggled to get through the fifth inning. He did make it through five innings the last time out, but did give up four tuns in the process taking another loss.

HOME-COOKIN’: Tonight is the first game of a brief three game home stand against the Yankees. Even though the team is 10-16 overall, seven of those wins have come at home this season as the team is a respectable 7-6 at home coming into tonight’s game.

VS. THE YANKEES: This series revives a major rivalry between two stalwart American League franchises including three different playoff tilts since 2015. In spite of the dominance in the playoffs, the Yankees hold a 52-36 record all-time. The two teams split the season series last year at three games a piece.

TODAY’S MEDIA AVAILABILITY: The Astros clubhouse will be open to approved media from 3-3:50 p.m….Astros Manager Joe Espada will be available in the Astros dugout at approx. 3:50 p.m.

STALKING THE PUMA: LF Yordan Alvarez has matched the Astros franchise record with 11 home runs in the club’s first 26 games of a season, also reached one other time, by OF Lance Berkman in 2002…should Alvarez homer tonight, he would be the first player in franchise history to hit 12 homers within the club’s first 27 games.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Saturday, April 18, 6:05 p.m. CST

Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX

TV: Space City Home Network

Streaming: SCHN+

Radio: KTRH 740 AM & 99.1 FM HD2; KTRH 740 AM; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)

Astros Lineup

SS Carlos Correa

DH Yordan Alvarez

3B Isaac Paredes

2B Jose Altuve

1B Christian Walker

RF Cam Smith

LF Dustin Harris

C Yainer Diaz

CF Brice Matthews

Yankees Lineup

CF Trent Grisham

RF Aaron Judge

LF Cody Bellinger

1B Ben Rice

DH Giancarlo Stanton

2B Jazz Chisholm Jr.

C J.C. Escarra

3B Ryan McMahon

SS Jose Caballero

Mets haven’t discussed moving Devin Williams to set-up role amid continued struggles

Devin Williams’ Mets tenure hasn’t quite started as planned. 

The righty has struggled mightily after starting the season with five straight scoreless outings, as he’s been knocked around and has given up runs each of his last four times out. 

The latest came on Thursday, when Williams again ran into trouble, giving up three hits and a run before recording the final two outs in a victory over the Twins. 

His outs were a pair of strikeouts, but not before bringing the go-ahead run to the plate.

The former All-Star closer is now up to an ugly 10.29 ERA and 2.86 WHIP with six walks and 13 strikeouts over his first nine appearances in orange and blue.

David Stearns broke down what he’s seen of late prior to Friday’s series opener with the Rockies. 

“His changeup hasn’t been where he wants it yet — there hasn’t been that level of consistency he’s used to,” he said. “He’s gone through stretches like this in his career before and we’re confident he will get through this.”

One of those stretches came last season when Williams struggled to find his footing for the majority of his lone campaign pitching on the other side of town with the Yankees.  

He did find more success after the team bumped him to a set-up role in front of Luke Weaver, but that isn’t something that the Mets have considered with the two to this point. 

“That’s not something [Carlos Mendoza] and I have really talked about,” Stearns said. “I think we’re focused on getting Devin right, regardless of what inning he happens to be pitching in.”

Where to watch San Antonio Spurs vs. Portland Trail Blazers Game 3 NBA playoffs: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Friday, April 24

The San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers meet in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series. The teams split the first two games with Portland rallying from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win Game 2. Victor Wembanyama left Game 2 in the second quarter with a concussion and is questionable to play in Game 3.

  • Spread: Portland Trail Blazers 2.5

  • Moneyline: Portland Trail Blazers +118 (43.7%) / San Antonio Spurs -145 (56.3%)

  • Over/Under: 220.5

Game 1:Spurs 111, Trail Blazers 98
Game 2:Trail Blazers 106, Spurs 103
Game 3: San Antonio at Portland on Friday, April 24 (10:30 p.m., Prime Video)
Game 4: San Antonio at Portland on Sunday, April 26 (3:30 p.m., ESPN)
*Game 5: Portland at San Antonio on Tuesday, April 28 (time and network TBD)
*Game 6: San Antonio at Portland on Thursday, April 30 (time and network TBD)
*Game 7: Portland at San Antonio on Saturday, May 2 (time and network TBD)

*if necessary