For those of you who may be unaware, college baseball season is in full swing.
It may not be my favorite sport, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy the ping of a metal bat ringing through my television speakers in the late spring months.
It’s all just a distraction, a pit stop, if you will, on the road back to college football, but it’s entertaining nonetheless.

2026 is a year of dubious playoff droughts being broken in the Eastern Conference of the NHL.
First, the Buffalo Sabres made it back to the dance for the first time since the Arab Spring, giving the fans in upstate New York something to look forward to other than a month and a half of livable weather.
And now, it’s the Ottawa Senators getting back in the mix for the first time since their magical 2017 Eastern Conference Finals run.

Brentford manager Keith Andrews, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “I felt like we were constantly probing and asking questions against a well-drilled outfit. Marco [Silva] has them playing really well. Defensively, they are hard to break down and you have to wait for opportunities. It’s a struggle to think of one of the games [five draws] where we deserved to lose. If any team was going to win today, I think it could have and should have been us.”
On challenging for Europe: “I want us to achieve, I want us to strive, I want us to really push.

Fulham boss Marco Silva, speaking to TNT Sports: “There is never a good point. We came here to win.
“A derby is always a tough game with all of the emotions there. I believe we played better in the first half. We were able to set out the game and build in the way we like to build. We had a good control. There wasn’t clear-cut chances from either side, the big one was from Sessegnon inside the box, they had one corner that was a dangerous moment. Most of their first half moments came from set-pieces, as normal.

The NBA Play-In Tournament wrapped up, and the 2026 draft lottery standings are set. The selection order isn’t finalized yet, but the field is locked in.
The Orlando Magic punched their ticket as the Eastern Conference’s No. 8 seed, while the Charlotte Hornets landed in the final lottery spot at No. 14 with a 44-38 record.
Over in the West, the Phoenix Suns will take on the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. That result locked the Golden State Warriors into the No. 11 position.

Make that three goals in two matches for Noah O

Netflix has dipped its toe into the NFL ocean with a pair of Christmas games over the past two seasons. Will there be more NFL on Netflix?
Apparently, yes.
“The NFL is a great property, and it delivers value as part of our total offering,” Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos said on an earnings call this week, via Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing. “We are in discussions right now, because we think there’s an opportunity to expand the relationship. We’ve learned a lot about what works, and how to value the NFL and live content generally over the last couple of years.

The 2026 NBA Playoffs are finally set, and they won’t include the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors won their first game in the play-in tournament, but they failed in their bid to grab the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference on Friday night in a defeat to the Phoenix Suns. Golden State now has to pray for lottery luck after finishing 37-45 overall. The organization enters the lottery in 11th place with a 9.4 percent chance at a top-4 pick and a two percent chance at the No. 1 pick.
The Warriors’ loss forces a lot of uncomfortable questions on the franchise.

Leeds take an early 1-0 lead over Wolves follow

Quentin Richardson and Vincent Goodwill join Ty

England congratulate Marlie Packer after the replacement scored the visitors’ ninth try [PA Media]
Women’s Six Nations
Scotland (7) 7
Try: LloydCon: Nelson
England (35) 84
Tries: Kildunne 2, Jones, Clifford, Sing, Cokayne, Bern 2, Packer, Kabeya, Venner, Lutui Cons: Harrison 12
Dominant England spoiled Scotland’s record-breaking afternoon at Murrayfield with a 12-try win which keeps them on course for another Six Nations title.

✔️ Subscribe to ESPN Unlimited: https://plu

Watch full-match highlights from Fulham’s

With the 2026 NFL Draft less than a week away,

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 11: Defensive Lineman Kayden McDonald #98 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after recovering a fumble in action during a game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium on October 11, 2025 in Champaign, Illinois.

✔️ Subscribe to ESPN Unlimited: https://plu

✔️ Subscribe to ESPN Unlimited: https://plu

The Western Conference’s top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder will take on the eighth-seeded Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs. The two franchises haven’t met in the postseason since 1997, when the Thunder were the Seattle SuperSonics and Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp were still patrolling the floor.
Schedule| Odds | Thunder breakdown | Suns breakdownHead-to-head| Matchup to watch | Key question| Prediction

East: 76ers-Celtics • Hawks-Knicks • Raptors-CavaliersWest: Suns-Thunder • Blazers-Spurs • Wolves-Nuggets • Rockets-Lakers

Series schedule
Game 1: Sun.

The Plaza at North Shore is set to host a tailgate party on Saturday for Penguins vs Flyers playoff game.
The tailgate party kicks off at 4 p.m. with a performance by NASH.V.ILL taking the stage from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The game will air live on the big screen at 8 p.m.
The event and screening is open to all ages and is free to attend.
Guests are welcome to bring their own seat like camping chairs and cushions.
SugarBird, located at The Plaza at North Shore, will also be open with its full outdoor bar and kitchen.
Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Dango Ouattara was denied a late winner against Fulham (Adrian Dennis)
Brentford missed the chance to leapfrog Chelsea into the Premier League’s top six after being held to a 0-0 draw by west London rivals Fulham on Saturday.
The Bees could have climbed to within two points of the Champions League places as they aim to qualify for Europe for the first time.
But they only really threatened to make the breakthrough in a frantic finale as Dango Ouattara’s effort was brilliantly saved by Bernd Leno.

Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
Alex de Minaur’s consistency is one of his more impressive attributes, but his standards are beginning to slip in 2026.
The year got off to a strong start, with a title win in Rotterdam and another quarter-final appearance at the Australian Open.
But things have taken a turn since then. In five tournaments, he’s managed just one quarter-final appearance.
He may still be ranked inside the top 10, but his recent form is definitely something he’ll need to address soon.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 17: Shadasia Green walks to the ring for her IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine championship bout at the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden on April 17, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Getty Images)
The New Jersey boxer was the co-main event for a Most Valuable Promotions card featuring Alycia Baumgardner. Green was “awake and talkative” following the fight, where she suffered a ninth-round upset loss to Lani Daniels.

It’s hard to imagine a crazier week than the one Dianna Russini has had. 
Russini broke the sports internet when suggestive photos surfaced of her and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel at a luxury hotel in Sedona, Arizona. Those photos set off a firestorm of speculation, questions, and obvious issues around journalistic objectivity, considering her role at The Athletic. 
After initially backing her, The Athletic announced they were going to investigate Russini’s behavior.

✔️ Subscribe to ESPN Unlimited: https://plu

✔️ Subscribe to ESPN Unlimited: https://plu

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets meet in the playoffs for the third time in the past four years. Denver won three of the teams’ four regular-season meetings, including a 142-138 classic on Christmas in which Nikola Jokić scored 18 points in the final three minutes.
How to watch Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets

Date: Saturday, April 18

Time: 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT

Where: Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado

TV Channels: Amaz

Live Stream:NBA League Pass | Follow on Yahoo Sports

Team records

Minnesota Timberwolves: 49-33 (No.

LAS VEGAS — The Champ is back at WrestleMania.
John Cena is making his WWE return at WrestleMania 42, his first appearance in his post-retirement career. The record-setting 17-time WWE Champion just embarked on a farewell tour in 2025, which ended with him losing his final match in December.
No matter how many people desire to see him wrestle again, Cena vowed that once his retirement tour was over, he wouldn’t compete in the ring ever again.

Since Peyton Manning was drafted No. 1 overall in the 1998 NFL Draft, 21 quarterbacks have been taken with the top pick. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is widely projected to join that group when the Las Vegas Raiders kick off the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23.
What will it take for Mendoza to be a successful No. 1 NFL draft pick?
USA TODAY analyzed the career approximate value (AV) of those 21 quarterbacks, plus Manning, using data from Pro Football Reference.

The Detroit Lions aren’t sitting back in this latest mock draft from NFL.com’s Chad Reuter; they’re going and getting their guy.
In a projected move, Detroit trades up from No. 17 to No. 13 in a deal with the Los Angeles Rams (via a pick originally owned by the Atlanta Falcons) to select Spencer Fano.

The Trade Details
To move up four spots, the Lions send:

Pick No. 157 (2026 fifth-rounder)
A 2027 third-round pick

It’s a price Detroit has shown it’s willing to pay before, especially when targeting a foundational piece in the trenches.

✔️ Subscribe to ESPN Unlimited: https://plu

✔️ Subscribe to ESPN Unlimited: https://plu

✔️ Subscribe to ESPN Unlimited: https://plu

BOSTON, MA – MARCH 6: Jaylen Brown #7 and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics talk during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 6, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Jesse D.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 18: First look of WrestleMania 41 set prior to night one of WrestleMania at Allegiant Stadium on April 18, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Rich Wade/WWE via Getty Images) | WWE via Getty Images
The biggest weekend in professional wrestling is back with Las Vegas hosting WWE WrestleMania 42 from Allegiant Stadium, home of the Raiders. The two-night mega show always serves as WWE’s season finale, of sorts, closing the biggest storylines, dripping with celebrity involvement, and putting on a spectacle like nothing else.

Where to watch RBC Heritage golf: Channels, live streams, TV schedules, tee times for 2026 PGA Tour event originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
With the iconic Masters Tournament now in the rearview, the PGA Tour is turning its attention to the annual RBC Heritage taking place this weekend on Hilton Head Island.

It hasn’t been the greatest week in the world for NASCAR. Sure, they’ve had a better week than Dianna Russini, but that’s a low bar. Other than her, though?
Yeah, it’s been a rough go of it for the folks in the big glass building across from Daytona International Speedway. 
Of course, that’s because of two major headaches in the racing world: TV ratings, and attendance. Those two things drive folks who make a lot more money than me crazy, and both took a major hit at Bristol last weekend.

Brentford host Fulham in first of five Premier League matches on Saturday
Both west London teams are pushing for Europe
Leeds v Wolves and Newcastle v Bournemouth follow at 15:00 BST
Wolves will be relegated if they lose and Tottenham win
Spurs host Brighton at 17:30 BST
Man Utd face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge at 20:00 BST

Premier League: Brentford and rivals Fulham still in search of opener

CM Punk and Roman Reigns will headline WrestleMania 42 this weekend, here’s how to watch both days of the event. (Rich Wade/WWE via Getty Images)

WWE via Getty Images

This weekend marks one of the year’s biggest wrestling events, WWE’s WrestleMania 42, which will feature two days of stacked fight cards including a World Heavyweight Championship match between CM Punk and Roman Reigns, an Undisputed WWE Championship Match between reigning champ Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton, and much, much more.

The list of World Cup champions is full of high-scoring teams. But these teams, champions or not, have scored more goals across one tournament than any other.
In all, 11 teams have scored at least 17 goals in one World Cup, via FIFA. The number of games played varies depending on the era — the World Cup has taken on multiple different formats over the years — but teams from earlier (less competitive) tournaments built up a particularly impressive number of goals.

MetLife Stadium hosted last year’s Club World Cup final between Chelsea and Paris St-Germain [Getty Images]
Fifa has hit back at criticism from New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, saying vastly inflated train fares at the 2026 World Cup will create problems for fans far beyond the direct impact of the high price.
Sherrill said world football’s governing body is to blame for supporters having to pay $150 (£111) for a 30-minute train journey from New York to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to attend World Cup games this summer.

NBA Playoffs bracket 2026: Updated schedule, TV channels, scores for every round of postseason games originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NBA Playoffs are officially here. After 82 games of grinding through the regular season, the marathon has finally turned into a sprint, as the 2025-26 postseason field is set to narrow through the high-stakes crucible of the Play-In Tournament.

The 2026 PGA Tour season continues on Saturday, April 18, with Round 3 of the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
Entering the weekend, Matt Fitzpatrick sits atop the leaderboard at 14-under by one stroke, followed by Norway’s Viktor Hovland at 13-under.
MORE: 2026 Masters final round TV ratings, total viewership revealed
Harris English is also within striking distance at 10-under.

Apr 16, 2026; Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA; Viktor Hovland hits his tee shot on three during the first round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament.

Angela Jones Lewis and Sara Lucas walk through

Tottenham Hotspur’s Dutch defender #37 Micky van de Ven reacts to their defeat on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland in north east England on April 12, 2026. Sunderland won the game 1-0. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time.

Good morning, New York Giants fans!

Jan 27, 2026; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; Providence Friars forward Jamier Jones (5) returns up court against the UConn Huskies in the second half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images
It’s been a bit of an eventful week for the Mizzou Basketball team.
On Monday, Tennessee transfer post Jaylen Carey committed to the Tigers. Then on Tuesday, Providence transfer wing Jamier Jones did the same. Not to be outdone, then Kansas transfer post Bryson Tiller cross the border to commit to the good guys.

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders:L, 3-5 at Syracuse Mets
DH Jasson Domínguez 2-5, RBI, 2 KSS Oswaldo Cabrera 1-4, HR, BB, RBI, 2 K — second dinger of 2026 for WaldoCF Max Schuemann 0-4, KLF Spencer Jones 1-2, HR, BB, RBI, HBP — and no. 4 for Jones, 419 feetRF Yanquiel Fernández 0-3, BB1B Seth Brown 0-3, BB, SB3B Paul DeJong 0-4, 3 K2B Braden Shewmake 2-4, 2B, KC Payton Henry 1-4
Carlos Lagrange 4 IP, 5 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 5 K, HR, HBP (loss) — still finding way at Triple-ADanny Watson 2 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 2 HRKervin Castro 1.

ANN ARBOR, MI – SEPTEMBER 10: Isolated storms and lightning near the stadium delay the pregame warmups and push back kickoff time prior to the Michigan Wolverines versus the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors game on Saturday September 10, 2022 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, MI. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Happy Saturday! The Michigan Wolverines will take the field publicly for the first time under head coach Kyle Whittingham this afternoon during the yearly spring game. The game will kickoff at 2 p.m.

There are a few players in the first round of next week’s 2026 NFL Draft that would make perfect sense for the Washington Commanders. The Commanders, who own the No. 7 overall pick, are a bit of a wild card heading into the first round. Washington has multiple needs, but plugged several holes in free agency, allowing them to focus on the best player available in the draft.
While the Commanders do not control their own destiny in the first round, their needs match up well with what could go down in the first six picks.

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill tops the Orange Cap chart in IPL 2026 after playing a match-winning knock of 86 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday in Ahmedabad. Gill now leads with 251 runs in four matches, striking at 154.94 and averaging 62.75. His innings powered his team to chase down 181, as Gujarat Titans registered their third win of the season and moved into the top four of the points table.
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli has slipped to second place in the Orange Cap race in IPL 2026, with 228 runs from five matches.