Up until this point, our "What to Watch" series was carried out on a week-to-week basis. However, with March Madness over, and the playoff scenarios changing daily in the NHL and NBA, it's impossible to know if the sporting events we are previewing on Monday will still be meaningful on Friday. Therefore, LiveScore has decided to move from a weekly to a daily previewing model. So without further ado, here are the biggest North American sporting events taking place on Monday, April 13th, 2026.
MLB
Chicago Cubs @ Philadelphia Phillies at 6:40 p.m. EDT on FS1 and MLB.TV.
For two teams that have championship aspirations, the Cubs and Phillies have gotten off to rocky starts this season. Chicago has struggled to find consistency, going 5-5 over its last ten games. Meanwhile, the Phillies have floundered with two wins and five losses after starting the year 5-3. In a three-game series that could have an impact on the playoff picture down the line, either Chicago or Philadelphia will snag a win tonight to return to .500 on the campaign.
One question that will be answered: Will Chicago pitcher Javier Assad give up his first earned run of the season to the Phillies' weak offense (third-fewest runs scored in baseball, 53)?
Texas Rangers @ Athletics at 9:40 p.m. EDT on MLB.TV.
In what might arguably be the most intriguing matchup of the day, the Rangers and Athletics will kick off a four-game series as one of these squads hopes to give itself a leg up in the race for the AL West. After all, both teams are tied for first in the division. It could be the Athletics, who are on the longest winning streak in baseball right now at five games. Then again, the Rangers have been solid as of late, going 4-2 in their last six matchups.
One question that will be answered: Will Brandon Nimmo, the third-best hitter in the MLB (.367 batting average), extend his hitting streak to five consecutive games?
New York Mets @ Los Angeles Dodgers at 10:10 p.m. EDT on ESPN Unlimited and MLB.TV.
Our final MLB game of the day will mark the beginning of the most expensive series in MLB history when the Mets and their $375 million payroll hit the road to face the Dodgers and their $413.5 million payroll. There will be no shortage of star power in this contest, with Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, Freddie Freeman, Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette, and numerous other big names set to take the field in LA. More importantly, this could be a preview of the NLCS since both of these teams are expected to make the playoffs this year. There will be plenty of interesting storylines when these two face off tonight.
One question that will be answered: Do the Mets (20th in runs scored this season) have enough firepower to go toe-to-toe with the Dodgers' second-ranked offense (91 runs scored this season)?
NHL
Carolina Hurricanes @ Philadelphia Flyers at 7:00 p.m. EDT on ESPN+.
This matchup will have a ripple effect throughout the Eastern Conference Playoffs. If the Hurricanes defeat the Flyers, then they will clinch the best record in the East. Conversely, Philly will secure a playoff berth and lock up the third seed in the Metropolitan Division if they beat Carolina in any fashion. With a ton of playoff implications centered around this game for numerous teams across the Eastern Conference, a ton of eyes will be focused on the Xfinity Mobile Arena.
One question that will be answered: Can the Flyers' elite goaltending (second-fewest goals allowed since March 1st, 52) stifle the Hurricanes' intimidating offense (second-most goals scored since March 1st, 84)?
San Jose Sharks @ Nashville Predators at 8:00 p.m. EDT on ESPN+.
Though both teams competing in this game are still fighting for a spot in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, this matchup is incredibly important to other Western Conference organizations. The Anaheim Ducks will clinch a playoff berth if the Sharks win tonight. At the same time, the Los Angeles Kings will earn a spot in the postseason if they beat the Kraken AND the Sharks win in regulation. And of course, both San Jose and Nashville can help their playoff chances since the Preds are one point out of a Wild Card spot, and the Sharks are five points behind the Kings for the last spot in the Western Conference Playoffs. With so much on the line across the NHL, Bridgestone Arena will be rocking tonight.
One question that will be answered: Can the Sharks contain the Predators' scoring after losing each of their previous matchups in this series 6-3?
Buffalo Sabres @ Chicago Blackhawks at 8:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN+.
The Sabres have already clinched a playoff berth, and the Blackhawks were eliminated from postseason contention a while ago. Still, this game has plenty at stake. As long as Buffalo wins in regulation AND the Tampa Bay Lightning don't defeat the Detroit Red Wings in regulation, then the Sabres will win their first-ever Atlantic Division crown. Though Buffalo is heavily favored tonight, these squads still need to go head-to-head on ice if we want a clearer look at how the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs will shake out.
One question that will be answered: After giving up nine goals to the Sabres the first time these teams met, can the Blackhawks hold the NHL's fifth-best offense (3.44 goals per game) to less than six goals?
Los Angeles Kings @ Seattle Kraken at 9:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN.
As has been the case with all the other NHL games scheduled for today, this final matchup will affect the Stanley Cup Playoff picture. The Kings need some help from the San Jose Sharks, but the most important thing for LA is beating the Kraken in regulation. If they can do that and the Sharks beat the Predators in regulation, then the Kings will secure a spot in the playoffs. Though the Kraken have already been eliminated from postseason contention, they'll still be looking to complete the season sweep of Los Angeles after winning their previous three matchups with the Kings.
One question that will be answered: Will LA be able to get the monkey off its back and score more than two goals in a game against Seattle this season?
WNBA
2026 WNBA Draft at 7:00 p.m. EDT on ESPN.
Tonight, the lives of 45 women will change forever when their pro basketball dreams come true, and they are drafted into the Women's National Basketball Association. For the second consecutive year, the Dallas Wings hold the number-one overall pick in the WNBA Draft. Also, the league's two new expansion teams, the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo, will have seven combined picks in tonight's draft. With free agency in full swing and the 2026 WNBA season beginning in less than a month, there will be a lot to watch out for tonight.
One question that will be answered: Who will the Dallas Wings take to pair with former number-one overall pick and reigning Rookie of the Year pick Paige Bueckers?
