Deadspin | With Reynaldo Lopez back, Braves strive to even series vs. Marlins Mar 28, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez (40) throws against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Mady Mertens-Imagn Images Reynaldo Lopez will return from a five-game suspension to get the starting assignment for the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night when they host the Miami Marlins. The Marlins snapped their three-game losing streak on Monday with a 10-4 victory over the Braves in the opener of a three-game series. Miami scored only three runs in a series sweep by the Detroit Tigers before producing three successive three-run innings against Atlanta. Lopez (1-0, 1.15 ERA) will oppose fellow right-hander Max Meyer (1-0, 3.68) of Miami on Tuesday. Lopez was suspended for seven games after inciting a brawl in his most recent start, against the Los Angeles Angels last Tuesday. Lopez threw high and inside to Jorge Soler after the slugger had homered off him. The suspension was appealed and reduced to five games, essentially pushing Lopez’s start back one day. “It’s just a shame, the situation and how things unfolded,” Lopez said. “On my part, there was never any intent to hit him at any point. So, again, it’s just a shame.” Lopez, who missed almost the entire 2025 season with right shoulder inflammation, has looked strong in his three starts. In his last outing, against the Angels, he allowed two unearned runs on three hits, two walks and had a season-high seven strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings of his team’s 7-2 victory. Lopez has not allowed more than one earned run in any outing this season. In four career appearances (two starts) against Miami, he is 0-1 with a 2.65 ERA. It will be the fourth start of the season for Meyer, who beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-1 Thursday in his last outing. He threw five innings and allowed one run on four hits. “We saw some fastballs in the mid-90s with really good carry,” Miami manager Clayton McCullough said. “I think he’s throwing it better than he has in the past. You pair that with the breaking stuff, the slider around 90 and the sweeper, and it makes him tough.” The Marlins still hope Meyer can meet the expectations they had when he was selected with the No. 3 pick in the 2020 draft. His 2025 season was cut short on June 3 when he was placed on the injured list with a left hip impingement. “I just have to execute some of my two strike pitches a little bit better,” Meyer said. “That leads to three more balls, and that’s where I’m getting my walks because I’m not able to have a competitive 0-2 pitch. I have to clean that up, and I think those walks will go down and I’ll be able to go a little bit deeper into the games.” Meyer has made three career starts against the Braves, going 1-2 with a 4.24 ERA. He has struggled away from home overall in his career, going 2-6 with a 5.69 in 12 starts. The Braves made a roster move on Monday, recalling right-handed reliever Rolddy Munoz from Triple-A Gwinnett and designating utility man Luke Williams for assignment. Munoz pitched Monday and allowed three runs — including a homer on his first pitch — in two innings in his Atlanta debut. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Reynaldo #Lopez #Braves #strive #series #Marlins

Apr 12, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) covers Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) in the final minute during the third period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Penguins are locked into second place in the Metropolitan Division and know who they’ll play in the first round of the playoffs.

That said, they still have some areas to clean up heading into their regular-season finale on Tuesday night against the host St. Louis Blues.

The Penguins will host their in-state rival, the Philadelphia Flyers, in the first round beginning later this week, but they don’t plan to stroll through their matchup against St. Louis.

“It’s going to be important to finish off the regular season the right way,” Pittsburgh coach Dan Muse said. “I’d love to do that with a win.”

The Penguins (41-24-16, 98 points) lost their past two games, a home-and-home series against the Washington Capitals.

Pittsburgh got shut out 3-0 in Washington on Sunday, but Muse thought his team played better in the second game after losing 6-3 at home on Saturday.

“Opportunities for rebounds were there,” Muse said. “We were able to generate some good looks, too. Their guy played well, so that’s part of the game as well. It was better than (Saturday), but still some things we’ve got to take away and make sure that we’re cleaning up.”

Muse definitely would like to see some pucks go in the net before the playoffs begin.

“Going off of (Saturday), I felt like we weren’t in the offensive zone very much and it’s a credit to (the Capitals),” Muse said. “I thought we did a better job of getting and spending some more time there, I think. Even still, some opportunities to shoot more pucks, get pucks into the net front area.”

Pittsburgh will have home-ice advantage against the Flyers in the first-round series.

“We’ve got a work week now, too, where we’ll be able to get a couple good practice days before Game 1,” Muse said. “There will definitely be some areas we can continue to work on and just make sure we’re feeling good about all parts of our game.”

The Penguins played without forwards Noel Acciari (upper body), Anthony Mantha (lower body) and Ben Kindel (upper body) as well as defensemen Ryan Shea (upper body) and Connor Clifton (upper body). Each is day to day.

The Blues, who are coming off a 6-3 win at the Minnesota Wild on Monday, will conclude their disappointing season on Thursday at the Utah Mammoth.

St. Louis (35-33-12, 82 points) stayed in the Western Conference playoff race up until Saturday. Despite beating the Chicago Blackhawks, 5-3, the Blues were eliminated when the Los Angeles Kings recorded a 1-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

It’s the third time in the past four years that St. Louis will miss the playoffs.

The Blues have faced scoring issues most of the season, both at even strength and with the man-advantage.

They are averaging 2.73 goals per game, which ranks 28th in the league this season, Their 17.5% success rate on the power plays ranks 27th.

“It could be hard to come out in these games when you’re eliminated and they’re sitting nine regulars and it has that feel to it,” Blues forward Jake Neighbours said. “But, you’ve got to find a way as a player to come out with a little more energy and passion and play for the fans and play for the logo.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Penguins #prepare #playoffs #season #finale #Blues">

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Apr 12, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) covers Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) in the final minute during the third period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Penguins are locked into second place in the Metropolitan Division and know who they’ll play in the first round of the playoffs.

That said, they still have some areas to clean up heading into their regular-season finale on Tuesday night against the host St. Louis Blues.

The Penguins will host their in-state rival, the Philadelphia Flyers, in the first round beginning later this week, but they don’t plan to stroll through their matchup against St. Louis.

“It’s going to be important to finish off the regular season the right way,” Pittsburgh coach Dan Muse said. “I’d love to do that with a win.”

The Penguins (41-24-16, 98 points) lost their past two games, a home-and-home series against the Washington Capitals.

Pittsburgh got shut out 3-0 in Washington on Sunday, but Muse thought his team played better in the second game after losing 6-3 at home on Saturday.

“Opportunities for rebounds were there,” Muse said. “We were able to generate some good looks, too. Their guy played well, so that’s part of the game as well. It was better than (Saturday), but still some things we’ve got to take away and make sure that we’re cleaning up.”

Muse definitely would like to see some pucks go in the net before the playoffs begin.

“Going off of (Saturday), I felt like we weren’t in the offensive zone very much and it’s a credit to (the Capitals),” Muse said. “I thought we did a better job of getting and spending some more time there, I think. Even still, some opportunities to shoot more pucks, get pucks into the net front area.”

Pittsburgh will have home-ice advantage against the Flyers in the first-round series.

“We’ve got a work week now, too, where we’ll be able to get a couple good practice days before Game 1,” Muse said. “There will definitely be some areas we can continue to work on and just make sure we’re feeling good about all parts of our game.”

The Penguins played without forwards Noel Acciari (upper body), Anthony Mantha (lower body) and Ben Kindel (upper body) as well as defensemen Ryan Shea (upper body) and Connor Clifton (upper body). Each is day to day.

The Blues, who are coming off a 6-3 win at the Minnesota Wild on Monday, will conclude their disappointing season on Thursday at the Utah Mammoth.

St. Louis (35-33-12, 82 points) stayed in the Western Conference playoff race up until Saturday. Despite beating the Chicago Blackhawks, 5-3, the Blues were eliminated when the Los Angeles Kings recorded a 1-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

It’s the third time in the past four years that St. Louis will miss the playoffs.

The Blues have faced scoring issues most of the season, both at even strength and with the man-advantage.

They are averaging 2.73 goals per game, which ranks 28th in the league this season, Their 17.5% success rate on the power plays ranks 27th.

“It could be hard to come out in these games when you’re eliminated and they’re sitting nine regulars and it has that feel to it,” Blues forward Jake Neighbours said. “But, you’ve got to find a way as a player to come out with a little more energy and passion and play for the fans and play for the logo.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Penguins #prepare #playoffs #season #finale #Blues">Deadspin | Penguins prepare for playoffs with season finale vs. Blues