Orioles live game chat: April 20 vs. Royals, 7:40 Eastern

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 08: Kyle Bradish #38 of the Baltimore Orioles delivers a pitch during the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on April 08, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jayden Mack/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Orioles kick off a three-game series against a Royals team that brings the AL’s worst record into the series. An early test for the O’s as they try to avoid last year’s fate is whether they can rally when facing a scuffling squad while dealing with their own problems. They were able to do this just a couple of weeks ago when they played well against the White Sox and Giants in succession. The same opportunity arrives this week with the Royals followed by the Red Sox.

For more on this series, check out Paul Folkemer’s preview on Camden Chat from earlier today. There’s a lot going on with Kansas City. They’ve got some recent public drama between their manager and longtime stalwart Salvador Perez, who is putting up “young Orioles hitter” kinds of numbers at the plate early this season. They moved their fences in this season to try to spark some offense and, as of the last time I looked, had gotten exactly one extra home run from the new dimensions. A lot of their relievers have been bad, as have two of their starters; unfortunately for the Orioles, the bad starters aren’t lined up for this set.

Over at our sister site Royals Review, they’re calling this a must-win series, and no wonder. Kansas City is already 7-15. If they lose at least two games here to the Orioles, they’re 8-17 at best. We know from the 2025 Orioles example that it’s tough to come back from that even if you start playing better. The toughest thing is that, if you’re bad enough to start 8-17, you’re probably bad enough to just keep on being bad. We are well aware of the Orioles challenges. Perhaps this is a classic “stoppable force vs. movable object” situation.

Orioles lineup

  1. Gunnar Henderson – SS
  2. Taylor Ward – LF
  3. Dylan Beavers – DH
  4. Pete Alonso – 1B
  5. Samuel Basallo – C
  6. Jeremiah Jackson – 2B
  7. Colton Cowser – RF
  8. Leody Taveras – CF
  9. Blaze Alexander – 3B

Kyle Bradish is on the mound for the Orioles. He will have three real outfielders in the outfield for this game, which is not something he had in his last start. Maybe that means it will go better for him. If you take away the egregiously-scored triple that should have been an error in that last game, his ERA drops to 4.58. That’s still not great but we’d feel better about it than something 5+.

It’s not a very good-looking Orioles lineup, but then, it won’t be for as long as so many of its parts are struggling. I feel the temptation to want Jackson and Taveras higher up in the order as long as they’re hitting and other guys aren’t. It probably doesn’t matter all that much. Wherever they are, more players need to hit.

Royals lineup

  1. Maikol Garcia – 3B
  2. Bobby Witt Jr. – SS
  3. Vinnie Pasquantino – 1B
  4. Salvador Perez – DH
  5. Carter Jensen – C
  6. Michael Massey – 2B
  7. Jac Caglianone – RF
  8. Isaac Collins – LF
  9. Kyle Isbel – CF

It’s not going to be an easy one for the Orioles batters tonight, as they’re going up against Seth Lugo. The Royals righty is bringing a 1.48 ERA into the game. I am expecting more of the continuing misery from the Guardians series, when the O’s were also facing tough pitcher after tough pitcher.

Luka Doncic providing Lakers a big playoff boost, even from the bench

Lakers stars Luka Doncic, left, and Austin Reaves sit on the bench during Game 1 against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

When the doors opened after Lakers practice on Monday, injured stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were nearby as their teammates took some final shots after the session.

Doncic, who is back with the team after traveling to Spain to receive treatment for his Grade 2 left hamstring strain, sat out the Lakers’ Game 1 win over the Houston Rockets. He also won’t play in Game 2 on Tuesday, but he remained his usual joyful and playoff self after practice, his infectious personality providing a good vibe during a tense time for the team.

But even without Doncic and Reaves, the Lakers still had an “elevated” two days of practice as they prepared to face the Rockets with or without All-Star Kevin Durant at Crypto.com Arena.

Read more:Luke Kennard provides a jolt of Luka magic, helping the Lakers beat the Rockets

Doncic, who sustained his injury against Oklahoma City on April 2, hadn’t been with the Lakers during their final five games of the regular season. Having him back around the team provided the Lakers with a big boost ahead of Game 1.

“It’s amazing. I think people don’t know how much impact Luka has, not only on the court, but off the court,” Rui Hachimura said. “He’s a guy that always wants to be around. … We love him just being around, just hanging out, talking. So, yeah, we’re happy that he’s back finally and he’s doing funny things always. … We missed him for sure.”

Hachimura was asked about the funny things Doncic did during practice.

“Just messing around with the coaches and the players and just the normal things you guys see on the camera, probably,” Hachimura said. “It’s just a normal thing for him.”

The Lakers weren’t messing around during the film sessions or practices.

They were focused on the task ahead, knowing the Rockets don’t want to go down 0-2 in the series.

Lakers coach JJ Redick directs his players during their Game 1 playoff win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

“Well, every day requires something different,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “Yesterday required an elevated recovery day. Today required an elevated focus. It was a longer film session. A decent amount of teach [and] talk on the court beyond just the practice session. Tomorrow is going to require an elevated sense of desperation on our part because they’re going to come in with that.”

Durant didn’t play in the first game because of a right knee injury and has been called a game-time decision, Rockets coach Ime Udoka told reporters after practice.

Whatever the case is, the Lakers are expecting a tough game against the Rockets.

“Yeah, I mean, it’s the playoffs. Every team’s got to play desperate,” Jaxson Hayes said. “I mean, if you lose, you go home. So, if you’re not playing desperate, then why are you here at the end of the day? But, yeah, I mean, we played against teams like this all year. I mean, obviously, they’re a very aggressive, very fast-playing, big, long team, and so we just got to make sure we take care of the ball like we didn’t do in Game 1 and just get rebounds and just stay locked in.”

With Doncic and Reaves (Grade 2 left oblique muscle strain) out, the Lakers needed other players to fill that void.

Read more:Plaschke: Can Lakers steal series? Anything is possible after Game 1 win

Hachimura did his part in Game 1, and it went beyond his 14 points. He was efficient from the field, going six for 10. He was good on defense, collecting three steals and two blocked shots in 42 minutes.

“It’s the playoffs. You have to make every play matter,” he said. “Every position matters. So, I was trying to make plays and not only offense, but on the defensive side. And rebound, and all that. So, that’s what I was doing.”

During Game 1, Doncic offered advice and encouragement to his teammates from the bench.

But his recent conversations with Hayes have been focused, in part, on what comes after the season.

Doncic has talked to Hayes about playing for the Slovenian national team and the big center has interest.

“Um, we got my Slovenian passport. That’s all he’s been telling me,” Hayes said. “Now he’s been saying, ‘My Slovenian brother,’ every time.”

Hayes laughed, and then was asked if he really did receive a Slovenian passport.

“Yeah,” he said, “it really came through.”

There was a moment during Game 1 when Doncic was playing around with Hachimura, hitting him on the head. But Hachimura didn’t recall it happening.

“Hmm? I don’t remember,” Hachimura said. “He always does that stuff. I probably don’t even think about it. I’m used to it, probably. I don’t remember that.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Solo Ball to miss UConn basketball 2026-27 season with wrist injury

Multi-year Connecticut starter Solo Ball Jr. will miss the entirety of the 2026-27 season to recover from a wrist injury he played through in 2025-26, the school announced Monday, April 19. He’ll take a medical redshirt to return to action in 2027-28.

“Solo is a true husky and a champion that would do anything to be out on the court,” UConn coach Dan Hurley said in the announcement. “This guy has shown throughout his career what a warrior he is. Solo is going to use the season the get his wrist fully healthy and then come back next year as one of the best guards in America while cementing his legacy as an all-time great at UConn.”

The 6-foot-4 junior averaged 12.8 points per game last season while starting all 39 games he appeared in, although his shooting numbers took a hit, likely due to the injury. He shot 41.4% from 3-point range as a sophomore on 6.8 attempts per game, but that measure dropped to 30% on 6.6 attempts per game last season.

The rising senior has 84 starts in his career, and scored in double figures in UConn’s final four NCAA Tournament games despite the injury. While he played in UConn’s national championship loss to Michigan, his status for the game was in doubt due to “some type of foot sprain,” Hurley said.

Thankfully for the Huskies, they return a pair of backcourt starters in Braylon Mullins and Silas Demary Jr., and added a pair of likely starters via the transfer portal in former Duke forward Nikolas Khamenia and former Seton Hall center Najai Hines. Ball, however, would’ve been the longest-tenured Huskie in the rotation next season with Alex Karaban out of eligibility.

Ball was a second-team All-Big East selection in 2024-25 after leading the team averaging 14.4 points per game. He scored a career-high 26 points against Butler last season.

Solo Ball Jr. stats

Here are Ball’s season-by-season per-game averages in college:

  • 2023-24 (freshman): 3.3 points with one rebound and 0.3 assists per game (38.5% shooting)
  • 2024-25 (sophomore): 14.4 points with 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game (43.9% shooting)
  • 2025-26 (junior): 12.8 points with three rebounds and 1.5 assists per game (39.2% shooting)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Solo Ball to miss 2026-27 season for UConn basketball with wrist injury

Cavs vs. Raptors Game 2 open gamethread

CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 18: Brandon Ingram #3 of the Toronto Raptors defends James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena on April 18, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers will try to extend their 1-0 lead as they take on the Toronto Raptors in Game 2.

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Go Cavs!

Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz placed on IL with ‘loose bodies’ in right elbow, reportedly out for 3 months

The Los Angeles Dodgers are losing star closer Edwin Díaz for the next few months.

The team announced Monday that they have placed the pitcher on the injured list, citing “loose bodies” in his right elbow. (“Loose bodies” refers to pieces of bone or cartilage that have broken off and are floating freely in the joint.)

Díaz will undergo surgery to clean up the joint, and is expected to return in the second half of the season, per the team. In turn, L.A. is calling up Jake Eder, an offseason acquisition from the Washington Nationals.

Díaz signed a record-setting three-year, $69 million contract to join the Dodgers this offseason after spending six seasons with the New York Mets. So far this season, Díaz has made seven appearances for L.A., picking up four saves with one blown save.

His two most recent appearances, though, were his worst: He blew a three-run lead in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers on April 10 (the Dodgers wound up winning 8-7 on a walk-off home run) and then gave up three more earned runs in a 9-6 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Sunday, ballooning his ERA to 10.50 on the season.

It’s unclear if his injury contributed to his recent struggles. The 32-year-old will now be out for approximately the next three months, with the Dodgers hoping that he will return after the All-Star break in July.

Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz placed on IL with ‘loose bodies’ in right elbow, reportedly out for 3 months

The Los Angeles Dodgers are losing star closer Edwin Díaz for the next few months.

The team announced Monday that they have placed the pitcher on the injured list, citing “loose bodies” in his right elbow. (“Loose bodies” refers to pieces of bone or cartilage that have broken off and are floating freely in the joint.)

Díaz will undergo surgery to clean up the joint, and is expected to return in the second half of the season, per the team. In turn, L.A. is calling up Jake Eder, an offseason acquisition from the Washington Nationals.

Díaz signed a record-setting three-year, $69 million contract to join the Dodgers this offseason after spending six seasons with the New York Mets. So far this season, Díaz has made seven appearances for L.A., picking up four saves with one blown save.

His two most recent appearances, though, were his worst: He blew a three-run lead in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers on April 10 (the Dodgers wound up winning 8-7 on a walk-off home run) and then gave up three more earned runs in a 9-6 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Sunday, ballooning his ERA to 10.50 on the season.

It’s unclear if his injury contributed to his recent struggles. The 32-year-old will now be out for approximately the next three months, with the Dodgers hoping that he will return after the All-Star break in July.

Royals vs. Orioles, Game 23 Gamethread

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – APRIL 15: Seth Lugo #67 of the Kansas City Royals delivers a pitch against the Detroit Tigers during the bottom of the first inning at Comerica Park on April 15, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Well, uh, woof. After spending the weekend getting blasted by the Yankees and some minor-sounding infighting, the Royals ended a disastrous six-game road trip on a real heater, losers of seven in a row. The vibes are not good as the Royals are tied with the Mets for the worst record in baseball at 7-15.

There’s a lot of season left, and the Royals will need to get this bad taste out of their mouths. Like, now. Immediately. Get a TON of Listerine and swish it around for two minutes. Spit it out. Repeat maybe two or three more times.

Today they return to Kauffman Stadium for a series against the Baltimore Orioles, who enter the series with a 10-12 record. Seth Lugo is the first swish of mouthwash as he gets the start. Lugo was last seen carving the Detroit Tigers into mincemeat, allowing only one run over 6 and 2/3 innings with 7 strikeouts. He has a 1.48 ERA on the season. They will need every bit of Lugo’s best to help end this stink.

The Orioles counter with Kyle Bradish, who I just learned is still under 30 years old. Feels like he’s been around forever, despite not actually pitching that much over the past two seasons. He has four starts of slightly-below-average performance in 2026. He’ll get some Ks but will also give up a walk or three. He’s been bitten by some bad luck – high BABIP, low strand rate – so hopefully the Royals will get some of that luck today.

Salvador Perez gets another day off catching today. He starts at DH, with Carter Jensen at catcher. Jonathan India was placed on the 10-day IL with left shoulder subluxation. Michael Massey starts at second base.

The game starts at 6:40pm US Central at Kauffman Stadium. It’s Grateful Dead night. You can watch locally on Royals.TV, and nationally on FS1. You can listen on 96.5 The Fan or the Royals Radio Network.

Lineups:

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year, is youngest player to take honor

The question was not whether Victor Wembanyama would win Defensive Player of the Year, but whether he would be the first-ever unanimous winner of the award.

Yes, he would be.

Wembanyama was officially crowned as the Defensive Player of the Year on Monday, becoming the youngest player ever to win the award at age 22. He also is only the second player to win it in his third NBA season, joining fellow Spur David Robinson.

Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren finished second in the voting, with Detroit’s Ausar Thompson third. Four-time DPOY Rudy Gobert was fourth in the voting, with Toronto’s Scottie Barnes fifth, with 13 players getting at least one vote from the panel of 100 select media members.

Wembanyama is the fourth Spur ever to win DPOY, joining Alvin Robertson, David Robinson and Kawhi Leonard (twice).

Wembanyama led the league in blocks per game (3.1) and total blocks (197), and in the tracking stats he led the league in opponent field goal percentage (40.7) and contested shots per game (9.3). All of those stats don’t do his defense justice, the number of shots deterred — players drive the lane, see him, and either pass or dribble out — dwarfs that. He simply changes the geometry of the court.

This is likely the first of many DPOY awards for Wembanyama over the next decade.

NBA Playoff Monday discussion

CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 18: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers defends Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors during the second quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena on April 18, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Here is a list of today’s NBA playoff games (April 20, 2026) and where to watch:

  • Toronto Raptors @ Cleveland Cavaliers, 7 p.m. ET — Peacock  
  • Atlanta Hawks @ New York Knicks, 8 p.m. ET — NBC  
  • Minnesota Timberwolves @ Denver Nuggets, 10:30 p.m. ET — NBC / Peacock  

Enjoy the basketball everyone!

Victor Wembanyama unanimously wins Defensive Player of the Year

Apr 4, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks the shot of Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the second quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

In his third year in the NBA, Victor Wembanyama is finally reaching many milestones we all knew were coming when he entered the league. While he made his first All-Star appearance last season, it was ultimately cut short due to deep vein thrombosis, and he missed out on award and All-NBA eligibility due to only playing in 46 games. (Although he still received the blocks leader award thanks to an exception in which his total blocks divided 58 — the number of games required for stat leaders — still beat the next leader’s total blocks/58 games.)

This year, Wemby is eligible for awards — albeit just barely — after appearing in 65 regular season games, which included the NBA Cup Final (which you won’t see on official stat sheets because that game otherwise counts for nothing, but it does in this regard). The first of what should be several more recognitions has dropped, with Wemby winning his first of what should be many Defensive Player of the Year awards. He beat out fellow finalists Chet Holmgren and Ausar Thompson for the award and is the first unanimous winner in NBA history. He’s also the youngest to ever win it. He joins Alvin Robertson, David Robinson and Kawhi Leonard as the fourth Spur to ever win the award. (Somehow, Tim Duncan never did.)

Wemby led the NBA in blocks with 197 (just over three per game) while totaling 66 steals, and he finished second in the league in defensive rating (110.4) and defensive rebounds (9.5). He also became the unofficial inventor of the “nope”, i.e. when a player drives but decides to turnaround or not even attempt a shot that many would consider open or close to it due to his presence.

Wemby is also a finalist for Most Valuable Player, along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, which will be announced in mid-May on an unspecified date. At this point, SGA seems like the odds-on favorite, and it wouldn’t at all surprise me if due to the relatively low number of minutes played this season and lack of playoff appearances when the votes were tallied, the voters just aren’t ready to give that award to Wemby. That being said, if he does win MVP this season or another time in which he also wins DPOY, he will join elite company with only Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon and Giannis Antetokounmpo achieving the feat.

Other Spurs up for rewards that have scheduled announcement dates include Keldon Johnson for Sixth Man of the Year (announced on Wednesday on ESPN at 5:00 CT) and Harrison Barnes for the Sportsmanship award (announced on Thursday via the NBA). Also, Mitch Johnson is a finalist for Coach of the Year and De’Aaron Fox for Teammate of the Year, which like the MVP, has yet to be assigned announcement dates.

The Spurs will play Game 2 against the Trail Blazers tomorrow at 7:00 PM CT on NBC and Peacock.

Congrats, Wemby!