Deadspin | San Francisco psyched for rematch vs. No. 11 Gonzaga at Warriors’ arena

Deadspin | San Francisco psyched for rematch vs. No. 11 Gonzaga at Warriors’ arena

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Jan 24, 2026; Spokane, Washington, USA; San Francisco Dons guard Ryan Beasley (0) runs the lane against Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Tyon Grant-Foster (7) in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Gonzaga Bulldogs won 68-66. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images

Graham Ike is one of the top players in the West but Gonzaga coach Mark Few feels the big man isn’t receiving the proper level of respect.

Ike will look to post a 20-point outing for the eighth consecutive appearance when the No. 11 Bulldogs visit San Francisco on Wednesday night in West Coast Conference play. The contest will be held at the Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors.

Gonzaga will be looking to defeat the Dons for the 35th consecutive time after surviving a close call last month.

Ike registered 21 points and a season-best 15 rebounds as Gonzaga (25-2, 13-1 WCC) recorded a 94-86 road win over Santa Clara on Saturday night to overtake the Broncos for first place in the conference race.

Ike has scored 30 or more points in three of his last seven appearances, including matching his career best of 35 points in an 81-61 road win over Oregon State on Feb. 7. The fifth-year senior has made 31 of 43 shots (72.1%) over the past three games.

“I think none of us can take 21 and 15 for granted or the 30-(point games),” Few said. “I think it’s time he starts seeing his name pop up on first-team All-American or second-team All-American (forecasts).

“I know we’re all obsessed with these (standout) freshmen, but he’s literally been delivering night-in, night-out at the highest level. I think he needs to start garnering some attention, at least nationally.”

Ike is averaging 19.8 points and 8.7 rebounds. He missed the Bulldogs’ 68-66 home win over the Dons on Jan. 24, the final contest of a three-game absence caused by an ankle injury.

Adam Miller stood out against Santa Clara by scoring a season-high 21 points. Miller is averaging a career-low 7.7 points in the fifth season of a four-stop college career.

“We talked about how unselfish our team is,” Miller said. “Any day can be a dog’s day. Coach reminds us of that all the time, but every day you’ve got to show up and do your role, however that looks, and I just tried to do my job and my teammates definitely did their jobs.”

The Bulldogs have been without Braden Huff (left knee) for a month, and Few’s update on Monday revealed that Huff (17.8 ppg) won’t return prior to the NCAA Tournament.

“We said four to eight weeks, it’ll be at least eight,” Few said on his weekly show. “He’s still on crutches. … He’s a long ways away from getting back.”

San Francisco (15-13, 7-8) figures to gain some support by playing in the larger Chase Center as opposed to its cozy on-campus gymnasium.

Despite never leading, the Dons gave Gonzaga a battle last month in Spokane, Wash.

The Dons were down by eight before Vukasin Masic made consecutive 3-pointers in the final 1:20. However, a go-ahead 3-point attempt by Junjie Wang caromed off the backboard and rim with less than two seconds left.

USF’s Legend Smiley matched his season high of 18 points in that contest.

“We have an unbelievable opportunity on Wednesday night at the Chase Center against a team that obviously is a juggernaut,” Dons coach Chris Gerlufsen said of the rematch. “We felt we played pretty well against them the first time.

“We’re going to roll our sleeves up and get to work Wednesday night and take advantage of the opportunity at hand.”

The setback vs. Gonzaga was the beginning of a stretch in which the Don lost five of six games. They halted that funk with a 92-79 road win at San Diego on Sunday.

Masic scored a season-best 22 points against the Toreros while David Fuchs contributed 21 points and a season-best-tying 13 rebounds.

San Francisco’s most recent win over Gonzaga came in 2012, a 66-65 home decision.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Sixers out to ‘do whatever it takes’ in Game 6 vs. Celtics Apr 28, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots the ball against Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88)nin the first quarter during game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images With their backs against the ropes in Game 5 on Tuesday, the Philadelphia 76ers came out swinging against the Boston Celtics. The Sixers’ impressive fourth-quarter performance in Boston sent the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series back to Philadelphia, where the teams will take the court for Game 6 on Thursday. If the Sixers are able to force Game 7, it will be Saturday in Boston. Boston led by a point going into the final period of Game 5, needing 12 solid minutes to finish off Philadelphia and advance to the second round. However, the Sixers fed off the desperation by outscoring the Celtics 28-11 in the fourth quarter en route to a 113-97 victory that left the TD Garden crowd in stunned silence. “Obviously you don’t want to go home, so you do whatever it takes,” said Sixers center Joel Embiid, who recorded 33 points and eight assists in his second game of the series. The former NBA MVP missed the first three contests after undergoing an appendectomy earlier this month. Embiid bumped knees with Boston’s Jaylen Brown during the third quarter and briefly left the game, but Sixers coach Nick Nurse didn’t expand much on the situation Wednesday afternoon. “I know postgame last night … he said he was fine, and that’s the report I’ve got so far,” said Nurse. Tyrese Maxey added 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Paul George notched 16 points, nine boards and seven assists. The Sixers have won twice in Boston in this series, although they’ve lost both home contests, including a 32-point defeat in Game 4. “It’ll take everything we’ve got,” Maxey said. “It’ll take even more of an effort than it did tonight.” Nurse likely will stick with a reduced rotation after the Philadelphia coach primarily used six players in the Game 5 triumph. The starters all played heavy minutes, while Quentin Grimes contributed 18 points in 24 minutes off the bench. “He had a little different confidence to him,” Nurse said of Grimes, who averaged just 6.8 points in the first four games of the series. Meanwhile, the Celtics were left searching for answers after shooting just 3 of 22 (13.6%) from the floor in the fourth quarter. “First of all, give them credit,” said Jayson Tatum, who led the Celtics with 24 points and 16 rebounds. “They played well. And yeah, a few looks that we felt good about that we just didn’t make. But sometimes that happens. You know, it’s just tough. Not scoring the way you want to puts a lot of pressure on your defense, and they made some plays at the other end.” Brown (22 points on 9-of-23 shooting) and Derrick White (six points on 2-of-8 shooting) were among the Boston players who struggled to find a rhythm in Game 5. White is shooting just 29.8% from the field in the series, including 7 of 33 (21.2%) from long range. On the bright side, Tatum is averaging 24.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 7.6 points while shooting 37% from outside the arc. Payton Pritchard has 11 assists and no turnovers in the last two games, while Neemias Queta had 14 rebounds in a losing effort. “Just have an understanding, perspective. It wasn’t all bad,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “We played solid basketball, and then let’s focus on the stuff that we have to get better at and be more consistent in those things headed back to Philly.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Sixers #takes #Game #CelticsApr 28, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots the ball against Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88)nin the first quarter during game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

With their backs against the ropes in Game 5 on Tuesday, the Philadelphia 76ers came out swinging against the Boston Celtics.

The Sixers’ impressive fourth-quarter performance in Boston sent the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series back to Philadelphia, where the teams will take the court for Game 6 on Thursday. If the Sixers are able to force Game 7, it will be Saturday in Boston.

Boston led by a point going into the final period of Game 5, needing 12 solid minutes to finish off Philadelphia and advance to the second round. However, the Sixers fed off the desperation by outscoring the Celtics 28-11 in the fourth quarter en route to a 113-97 victory that left the TD Garden crowd in stunned silence.

“Obviously you don’t want to go home, so you do whatever it takes,” said Sixers center Joel Embiid, who recorded 33 points and eight assists in his second game of the series. The former NBA MVP missed the first three contests after undergoing an appendectomy earlier this month.

Embiid bumped knees with Boston’s Jaylen Brown during the third quarter and briefly left the game, but Sixers coach Nick Nurse didn’t expand much on the situation Wednesday afternoon.

“I know postgame last night … he said he was fine, and that’s the report I’ve got so far,” said Nurse.

Tyrese Maxey added 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Paul George notched 16 points, nine boards and seven assists. The Sixers have won twice in Boston in this series, although they’ve lost both home contests, including a 32-point defeat in Game 4.

“It’ll take everything we’ve got,” Maxey said. “It’ll take even more of an effort than it did tonight.”


Nurse likely will stick with a reduced rotation after the Philadelphia coach primarily used six players in the Game 5 triumph. The starters all played heavy minutes, while Quentin Grimes contributed 18 points in 24 minutes off the bench.

“He had a little different confidence to him,” Nurse said of Grimes, who averaged just 6.8 points in the first four games of the series.

Meanwhile, the Celtics were left searching for answers after shooting just 3 of 22 (13.6%) from the floor in the fourth quarter.

“First of all, give them credit,” said Jayson Tatum, who led the Celtics with 24 points and 16 rebounds. “They played well. And yeah, a few looks that we felt good about that we just didn’t make. But sometimes that happens. You know, it’s just tough. Not scoring the way you want to puts a lot of pressure on your defense, and they made some plays at the other end.”

Brown (22 points on 9-of-23 shooting) and Derrick White (six points on 2-of-8 shooting) were among the Boston players who struggled to find a rhythm in Game 5. White is shooting just 29.8% from the field in the series, including 7 of 33 (21.2%) from long range.

On the bright side, Tatum is averaging 24.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 7.6 points while shooting 37% from outside the arc. Payton Pritchard has 11 assists and no turnovers in the last two games, while Neemias Queta had 14 rebounds in a losing effort.

“Just have an understanding, perspective. It wasn’t all bad,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “We played solid basketball, and then let’s focus on the stuff that we have to get better at and be more consistent in those things headed back to Philly.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Sixers #takes #Game #Celtics">Deadspin | Sixers out to ‘do whatever it takes’ in Game 6 vs. Celtics Apr 28, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots the ball against Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88)nin the first quarter during game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images With their backs against the ropes in Game 5 on Tuesday, the Philadelphia 76ers came out swinging against the Boston Celtics. The Sixers’ impressive fourth-quarter performance in Boston sent the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series back to Philadelphia, where the teams will take the court for Game 6 on Thursday. If the Sixers are able to force Game 7, it will be Saturday in Boston. Boston led by a point going into the final period of Game 5, needing 12 solid minutes to finish off Philadelphia and advance to the second round. However, the Sixers fed off the desperation by outscoring the Celtics 28-11 in the fourth quarter en route to a 113-97 victory that left the TD Garden crowd in stunned silence. “Obviously you don’t want to go home, so you do whatever it takes,” said Sixers center Joel Embiid, who recorded 33 points and eight assists in his second game of the series. The former NBA MVP missed the first three contests after undergoing an appendectomy earlier this month. Embiid bumped knees with Boston’s Jaylen Brown during the third quarter and briefly left the game, but Sixers coach Nick Nurse didn’t expand much on the situation Wednesday afternoon. “I know postgame last night … he said he was fine, and that’s the report I’ve got so far,” said Nurse. Tyrese Maxey added 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Paul George notched 16 points, nine boards and seven assists. The Sixers have won twice in Boston in this series, although they’ve lost both home contests, including a 32-point defeat in Game 4. “It’ll take everything we’ve got,” Maxey said. “It’ll take even more of an effort than it did tonight.” Nurse likely will stick with a reduced rotation after the Philadelphia coach primarily used six players in the Game 5 triumph. The starters all played heavy minutes, while Quentin Grimes contributed 18 points in 24 minutes off the bench. “He had a little different confidence to him,” Nurse said of Grimes, who averaged just 6.8 points in the first four games of the series. Meanwhile, the Celtics were left searching for answers after shooting just 3 of 22 (13.6%) from the floor in the fourth quarter. “First of all, give them credit,” said Jayson Tatum, who led the Celtics with 24 points and 16 rebounds. “They played well. And yeah, a few looks that we felt good about that we just didn’t make. But sometimes that happens. You know, it’s just tough. Not scoring the way you want to puts a lot of pressure on your defense, and they made some plays at the other end.” Brown (22 points on 9-of-23 shooting) and Derrick White (six points on 2-of-8 shooting) were among the Boston players who struggled to find a rhythm in Game 5. White is shooting just 29.8% from the field in the series, including 7 of 33 (21.2%) from long range. On the bright side, Tatum is averaging 24.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 7.6 points while shooting 37% from outside the arc. Payton Pritchard has 11 assists and no turnovers in the last two games, while Neemias Queta had 14 rebounds in a losing effort. “Just have an understanding, perspective. It wasn’t all bad,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “We played solid basketball, and then let’s focus on the stuff that we have to get better at and be more consistent in those things headed back to Philly.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Sixers #takes #Game #Celtics

Deadspin | Stars in search of calm facing Game 6 elimination vs. Wild Apr 28, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) skates with the puck past Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (4) and scores an empty net goal during the third period in game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images The Dallas Stars will look to play with a sense of calm as they face elimination in Game 6 against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night in St. Paul. Dallas has dropped back-to-back games in the best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinals series and trails Minnesota 3-2, following Tuesday’s 4-2 loss in Game 5. “You have to be able to play in these pressure situations,” said Stars coach Glen Gulutzan. “I don’t think it’s anything grit-related. I think that both teams were competing very hard last night (Tuesday), and you just have to actually have a little more of a sense of calm to be able to make a play under pressure. “… We have to settle in and make some plays with some fluidity.” Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson each scored a goal and added an assist while Jake Oettinger made 24 saves for the Stars, the regular-season No. 2 seed in the Central Division. “We just couldn’t create enough, especially 5-on-5,” Heiskanen said. “That was the biggest issue (in Game 5). Just have to fix that and get better next game. We just have to simplify. I think there are times where we’re trying to do too much. Just simplify. Get guys to the net, get pucks to the net, and get a couple of crazy ones.” Arttu Hyry left Tuesday’s game at 8:02 of the second period with a lower-body injury. Gulutzan said the Stars forward would travel to Minnesota with the team on Wednesday; however, defenseman Nils Lundkvist, who left Game 4 after suffering a facial cut from a skate, is not available for Game 6. The Wild head home with an opportunity to win its first Western Conference quarterfinal series since 2015, when it dispatched the St. Louis Blues in six games. “I think when we play a tight, connected, five-man unit, we’re usually at our best,” said Wild coach John Hynes. “I thought we were responsible, strong attention to detail, got some key saves when we needed them. Another game where we can continue to build and get better. You just focus day to day.” Kirill Kaprizov scored a goal and added two helpers, while Matt Boldy added a goal and an assist for the Wild, who split Games 3 and 4 on home ice, both in overtime. Mats Zuccarello and Michael McCarron had the other Minnesota goals while Jesper Wallstedt made 20 saves. Wild forward Yakov Trenin, who returned from an upper-body injury suffered in Game 2, had an assist in 12:04 of ice time. “We’ll take a lot of information out of this game and work to be better again in Game 6,” Hynes said. “That was our objective when the series started. Take one day at a time, one game at a time, extract the information that’s needed. Prepare ourselves for the next game and focus on that.” Jonas Brodin left the game at 1:44 of the second period after blocking a Mikko Rantanen shot. After the game, Brodin was seen on crutches with his foot in a medical boot. Hynes didn’t have a specific update on the Minnesota defenseman on Wednesday, but if Brodin can’t play Game 6, it’s expected that either Daemon Hunt or Jeff Petry will draw into the lineup. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Stars #search #calm #facing #Game #elimination #WildApr 28, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) skates with the puck past Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (4) and scores an empty net goal during the third period in game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Dallas Stars will look to play with a sense of calm as they face elimination in Game 6 against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night in St. Paul.

Dallas has dropped back-to-back games in the best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinals series and trails Minnesota 3-2, following Tuesday’s 4-2 loss in Game 5.

“You have to be able to play in these pressure situations,” said Stars coach Glen Gulutzan. “I don’t think it’s anything grit-related. I think that both teams were competing very hard last night (Tuesday), and you just have to actually have a little more of a sense of calm to be able to make a play under pressure.

“… We have to settle in and make some plays with some fluidity.”

Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson each scored a goal and added an assist while Jake Oettinger made 24 saves for the Stars, the regular-season No. 2 seed in the Central Division.

“We just couldn’t create enough, especially 5-on-5,” Heiskanen said. “That was the biggest issue (in Game 5). Just have to fix that and get better next game. We just have to simplify. I think there are times where we’re trying to do too much. Just simplify. Get guys to the net, get pucks to the net, and get a couple of crazy ones.”

Arttu Hyry left Tuesday’s game at 8:02 of the second period with a lower-body injury. Gulutzan said the Stars forward would travel to Minnesota with the team on Wednesday; however, defenseman Nils Lundkvist, who left Game 4 after suffering a facial cut from a skate, is not available for Game 6.


The Wild head home with an opportunity to win its first Western Conference quarterfinal series since 2015, when it dispatched the St. Louis Blues in six games.

“I think when we play a tight, connected, five-man unit, we’re usually at our best,” said Wild coach John Hynes. “I thought we were responsible, strong attention to detail, got some key saves when we needed them. Another game where we can continue to build and get better. You just focus day to day.”

Kirill Kaprizov scored a goal and added two helpers, while Matt Boldy added a goal and an assist for the Wild, who split Games 3 and 4 on home ice, both in overtime.

Mats Zuccarello and Michael McCarron had the other Minnesota goals while Jesper Wallstedt made 20 saves.

Wild forward Yakov Trenin, who returned from an upper-body injury suffered in Game 2, had an assist in 12:04 of ice time.

“We’ll take a lot of information out of this game and work to be better again in Game 6,” Hynes said. “That was our objective when the series started. Take one day at a time, one game at a time, extract the information that’s needed. Prepare ourselves for the next game and focus on that.”

Jonas Brodin left the game at 1:44 of the second period after blocking a Mikko Rantanen shot. After the game, Brodin was seen on crutches with his foot in a medical boot.

Hynes didn’t have a specific update on the Minnesota defenseman on Wednesday, but if Brodin can’t play Game 6, it’s expected that either Daemon Hunt or Jeff Petry will draw into the lineup.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Stars #search #calm #facing #Game #elimination #Wild">Deadspin | Stars in search of calm facing Game 6 elimination vs. Wild Apr 28, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) skates with the puck past Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (4) and scores an empty net goal during the third period in game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images The Dallas Stars will look to play with a sense of calm as they face elimination in Game 6 against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night in St. Paul. Dallas has dropped back-to-back games in the best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinals series and trails Minnesota 3-2, following Tuesday’s 4-2 loss in Game 5. “You have to be able to play in these pressure situations,” said Stars coach Glen Gulutzan. “I don’t think it’s anything grit-related. I think that both teams were competing very hard last night (Tuesday), and you just have to actually have a little more of a sense of calm to be able to make a play under pressure. “… We have to settle in and make some plays with some fluidity.” Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson each scored a goal and added an assist while Jake Oettinger made 24 saves for the Stars, the regular-season No. 2 seed in the Central Division. “We just couldn’t create enough, especially 5-on-5,” Heiskanen said. “That was the biggest issue (in Game 5). Just have to fix that and get better next game. We just have to simplify. I think there are times where we’re trying to do too much. Just simplify. Get guys to the net, get pucks to the net, and get a couple of crazy ones.” Arttu Hyry left Tuesday’s game at 8:02 of the second period with a lower-body injury. Gulutzan said the Stars forward would travel to Minnesota with the team on Wednesday; however, defenseman Nils Lundkvist, who left Game 4 after suffering a facial cut from a skate, is not available for Game 6. The Wild head home with an opportunity to win its first Western Conference quarterfinal series since 2015, when it dispatched the St. Louis Blues in six games. “I think when we play a tight, connected, five-man unit, we’re usually at our best,” said Wild coach John Hynes. “I thought we were responsible, strong attention to detail, got some key saves when we needed them. Another game where we can continue to build and get better. You just focus day to day.” Kirill Kaprizov scored a goal and added two helpers, while Matt Boldy added a goal and an assist for the Wild, who split Games 3 and 4 on home ice, both in overtime. Mats Zuccarello and Michael McCarron had the other Minnesota goals while Jesper Wallstedt made 20 saves. Wild forward Yakov Trenin, who returned from an upper-body injury suffered in Game 2, had an assist in 12:04 of ice time. “We’ll take a lot of information out of this game and work to be better again in Game 6,” Hynes said. “That was our objective when the series started. Take one day at a time, one game at a time, extract the information that’s needed. Prepare ourselves for the next game and focus on that.” Jonas Brodin left the game at 1:44 of the second period after blocking a Mikko Rantanen shot. After the game, Brodin was seen on crutches with his foot in a medical boot. Hynes didn’t have a specific update on the Minnesota defenseman on Wednesday, but if Brodin can’t play Game 6, it’s expected that either Daemon Hunt or Jeff Petry will draw into the lineup. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Stars #search #calm #facing #Game #elimination #Wild

Deadspin | Astros look for spark in doubleheader vs. Orioles Apr 28, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Houston Astros infielder Carlos Correa (1) reacts after striking out in the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images After quite a bit of idle time this week, the Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles are in store for a busy day of baseball when they meet for Thursday’s doubleheader at Camden Yards. Wednesday night’s game was postponed because of weather concerns. So that means that each team has played just one game since Sunday afternoon. That game was won by Baltimore with Tuesday night’s 5-3 decision. The Astros, who are 3-8 in their last 11 games, would like to see outfielder Brice Matthews build off that game when he produced three hits, including a home run. “I feel like I could do that each and every night, but baseball, it’s not going to go your way each and every night,” Matthews said. With an array of injuries impacting the Astros, manager Joe Espada said Matthews could become a spark. “I keep saying, when he finds barrel to ball, he’s exciting to watch,” Espada said. “He’s a very explosive player. He can change outcomes of the game when he learns to be more consistent making contact.” The Astros also hope that third baseman Isaac Paredes can get rolling. Even though he went 0-for-4 on Tuesday, he had hits in six of seven games prior to that. “Sometimes it takes a little bit of time,” Espada said. “He’s starting to heat up, and he knows he can do damage and he’s doing some damage.” Baltimore has had catcher Adley Rutschman with a hot bat. He has racked up multiple hits in three of five games with 10 runs batted in since returning from the injury list. “With Adley, it’s just taking his hits,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “Staying on the off-speed, driving it the other way. It just shows his adjustability in the box.” The Orioles will send out right-handers Chris Bassitt (1-2, 6.75 ERA) and Brandon Young (2-0, 2.53) for the starting assignments. For Young, it will mark his third big-league appearance of the season. He pitched twice last year against Houston with mixed results. He took a perfect game into the eighth and threw eight shutout innings in mid-August. Less than a week later, he was tagged for seven runs in 5 1/3 innings. The Astros are bound to challenge Baltimore’s pitchers, who had the right mix in the series opener. “They’re a deep-lineup team and battle tested,” Albernaz said. “It was great to see our (pitchers) step up to the challenge.” Houston has right-handers Peter Lambert (1-1, 3.27) and Lance McCullers Jr. (1-2, 6.75) slated to be on the mound. The Astros have gone 0-4 in McCullers’ first four April starts, though he only had decisions in the last two outings when he lasted five innings in both cases. He has bemoaned poor beginnings to recent games as getting him off track. Espada said some adjustments could bolster McCullers. “I think for Lance, it’s being ahead,” Espada said. “Once he’s ahead, he can expand and he can set the tone. But if you’re behind in the count, it can be really hard to execute and get people out.” McCullers has faced the Orioles eight times, with six starts, in his career. He’s 3-0 with a 3.34 ERA covering 35 innings in those matchups. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Astros #spark #doubleheader #OriolesApr 28, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Houston Astros infielder Carlos Correa (1) reacts after striking out in the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images

After quite a bit of idle time this week, the Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles are in store for a busy day of baseball when they meet for Thursday’s doubleheader at Camden Yards.

Wednesday night’s game was postponed because of weather concerns. So that means that each team has played just one game since Sunday afternoon.

That game was won by Baltimore with Tuesday night’s 5-3 decision.

The Astros, who are 3-8 in their last 11 games, would like to see outfielder Brice Matthews build off that game when he produced three hits, including a home run.

“I feel like I could do that each and every night, but baseball, it’s not going to go your way each and every night,” Matthews said.

With an array of injuries impacting the Astros, manager Joe Espada said Matthews could become a spark.

“I keep saying, when he finds barrel to ball, he’s exciting to watch,” Espada said. “He’s a very explosive player. He can change outcomes of the game when he learns to be more consistent making contact.”

The Astros also hope that third baseman Isaac Paredes can get rolling. Even though he went 0-for-4 on Tuesday, he had hits in six of seven games prior to that.

“Sometimes it takes a little bit of time,” Espada said. “He’s starting to heat up, and he knows he can do damage and he’s doing some damage.”

Baltimore has had catcher Adley Rutschman with a hot bat. He has racked up multiple hits in three of five games with 10 runs batted in since returning from the injury list.


“With Adley, it’s just taking his hits,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “Staying on the off-speed, driving it the other way. It just shows his adjustability in the box.”

The Orioles will send out right-handers Chris Bassitt (1-2, 6.75 ERA) and Brandon Young (2-0, 2.53) for the starting assignments.

For Young, it will mark his third big-league appearance of the season. He pitched twice last year against Houston with mixed results. He took a perfect game into the eighth and threw eight shutout innings in mid-August. Less than a week later, he was tagged for seven runs in 5 1/3 innings.

The Astros are bound to challenge Baltimore’s pitchers, who had the right mix in the series opener.

“They’re a deep-lineup team and battle tested,” Albernaz said. “It was great to see our (pitchers) step up to the challenge.”

Houston has right-handers Peter Lambert (1-1, 3.27) and Lance McCullers Jr. (1-2, 6.75) slated to be on the mound.

The Astros have gone 0-4 in McCullers’ first four April starts, though he only had decisions in the last two outings when he lasted five innings in both cases. He has bemoaned poor beginnings to recent games as getting him off track.

Espada said some adjustments could bolster McCullers.

“I think for Lance, it’s being ahead,” Espada said. “Once he’s ahead, he can expand and he can set the tone. But if you’re behind in the count, it can be really hard to execute and get people out.”

McCullers has faced the Orioles eight times, with six starts, in his career. He’s 3-0 with a 3.34 ERA covering 35 innings in those matchups.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Astros #spark #doubleheader #Orioles">Deadspin | Astros look for spark in doubleheader vs. Orioles Apr 28, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Houston Astros infielder Carlos Correa (1) reacts after striking out in the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images After quite a bit of idle time this week, the Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles are in store for a busy day of baseball when they meet for Thursday’s doubleheader at Camden Yards. Wednesday night’s game was postponed because of weather concerns. So that means that each team has played just one game since Sunday afternoon. That game was won by Baltimore with Tuesday night’s 5-3 decision. The Astros, who are 3-8 in their last 11 games, would like to see outfielder Brice Matthews build off that game when he produced three hits, including a home run. “I feel like I could do that each and every night, but baseball, it’s not going to go your way each and every night,” Matthews said. With an array of injuries impacting the Astros, manager Joe Espada said Matthews could become a spark. “I keep saying, when he finds barrel to ball, he’s exciting to watch,” Espada said. “He’s a very explosive player. He can change outcomes of the game when he learns to be more consistent making contact.” The Astros also hope that third baseman Isaac Paredes can get rolling. Even though he went 0-for-4 on Tuesday, he had hits in six of seven games prior to that. “Sometimes it takes a little bit of time,” Espada said. “He’s starting to heat up, and he knows he can do damage and he’s doing some damage.” Baltimore has had catcher Adley Rutschman with a hot bat. He has racked up multiple hits in three of five games with 10 runs batted in since returning from the injury list. “With Adley, it’s just taking his hits,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “Staying on the off-speed, driving it the other way. It just shows his adjustability in the box.” The Orioles will send out right-handers Chris Bassitt (1-2, 6.75 ERA) and Brandon Young (2-0, 2.53) for the starting assignments. For Young, it will mark his third big-league appearance of the season. He pitched twice last year against Houston with mixed results. He took a perfect game into the eighth and threw eight shutout innings in mid-August. Less than a week later, he was tagged for seven runs in 5 1/3 innings. The Astros are bound to challenge Baltimore’s pitchers, who had the right mix in the series opener. “They’re a deep-lineup team and battle tested,” Albernaz said. “It was great to see our (pitchers) step up to the challenge.” Houston has right-handers Peter Lambert (1-1, 3.27) and Lance McCullers Jr. (1-2, 6.75) slated to be on the mound. The Astros have gone 0-4 in McCullers’ first four April starts, though he only had decisions in the last two outings when he lasted five innings in both cases. He has bemoaned poor beginnings to recent games as getting him off track. Espada said some adjustments could bolster McCullers. “I think for Lance, it’s being ahead,” Espada said. “Once he’s ahead, he can expand and he can set the tone. But if you’re behind in the count, it can be really hard to execute and get people out.” McCullers has faced the Orioles eight times, with six starts, in his career. He’s 3-0 with a 3.34 ERA covering 35 innings in those matchups. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Astros #spark #doubleheader #Orioles

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