MLB
Arizona Diamondbacks @ Chicago Cubs at 2:20 p.m. EDT on MLB.TV.
The 16-14 D-Backs and 19-12 Cubs kick off a three-game series in Chicago this afternoon as both squads try to keep pace with their divisional leaders. The Cubs are just a game back from first place in the NL Central, while the Diamondbacks are three-and-a-half games behind the Dodgers for the lead in the NL West. Also, since these are both National League teams, this series could have a long-term impact on the NL Wild Card race. Arizona's Zac Gallen and Chicago's Colin Rea will be the starting pitchers in today's matchup.
One question that will be answered: As the best offensive team in the MLB over the last two weeks (75 runs scored), how many runs will the Cubs record against a Diamondbacks team that ranks 26th in runs allowed (147)?
Cincinnati Reds @ Pittsburgh Pirates at 6:45 p.m. EDT on Apple TV.
After a promising start to the season, the Pirates have lost five straightand now sit at 16-16, which currently makes them the last-place team in the NL Central. The same cannot be said for the 20-11 Reds, who have gone 7-3 in their last ten outings and lead the Central division. The good news for Pittsburgh is that it won the first series against Cincy, 2-1. The Pirates outscored the Reds 16-8 in that three-game stretch. Brady Singer will be on the mound for the Reds, while Mitch Keller gets the nod for the Pirates. Both teams have a lot at stake as Cincinnati looks to stay a step ahead of the Chicago Cubs, while Pittsburgh tries to snap this recent skid.
One question that will be answered: Since they have combined for 19 homers already this season, will either Cincy's Elly De La Cruz or Pittsburgh's Oneil Cruz go yard today?
Los Angeles Dodgers @ St. Louis Cardinals at 8:15 p.m. EDT on MLB.TV.
The 20-11 Dodgers are looking to bounce back and return to the win column after dropping their last two games to the Miami Marlins. Meanwhile, the 18-13 Cardinals come into this one riding the longest active winning streak in the Majors at four games. Either St. Louis' streak will come to an end, or LA will suffer its third straight loss. Emmet Sheehan will be starting for the Dodgers as he looks to improve to 3-0 on the season. On the other side, Matthew Liberatore makes his second start of the campaign for the Cards.
One question that will be answered: Since LA has allowed the third-fewest runs in the MLB over the last two weeks, and St. Louis is tied for the league lead in runs scored during that stretch, will the Cardinals record at least three earned runs today?
Cleveland Guardians @ Athletics at 9:40 p.m. EDT on MLB.TV.
Our last worthwhile baseball game of the day marks the beginning of a three-game stint between the 17-14 Athletics and the 16-16 Guardians. The A's have shocked baseball fans around the world by emerging as the early leaders in the AL West. They'll need this game if they want to maintain their divisional lead over the Seattle Mariners. Simultaneously, the Guardians sit in second place in the AL Central, even though they have the same record as the Detroit Tigers, so a win today will bump them up to first in the division. The Athletics will be sending out righty J.T. Ginn, while Joey Cantillo will be on the mound for Cleveland.
One question that will be answered: Can the A's score at least twice on a Guardians pitching staff that has only given up five earned runs in its last three games?
NBA
Detroit Pistons @ Orlando Magic at 7:00 p.m. EDT on Amazon Prime Video.
The Pitsons managed to keep their season alive against the Magic when these two teams went head-to-head on two days ago. The story of that game was the all-time great scoring battle between Orlando's Paolo Banchero and Cade Cunningham, who both finished the evening with 45 points apiece. In fact, those two guys accounted for 40% of the points in Game Five. Though the Magic cut the lead to three points with 1:09 to go in the fourth quarter, the Pistons would score the final four points of the evening for the eventual 116-109 win. This series returns to Orlando tonight, where Detroit has yet to win a game in the playoffs. Either the Magic will pull off a stunning first-round upset of the top-seeded team in the East, or this thing will be decided in a Game Seven on Sunday.
One question that will be answered: After that monstrous performance by Banchero and Cunningham, how many points will they combine for tonight?
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Toronto Raptors at 7:30 p.m. EDT on Amazon Prime Video.
This thing shifts back to Toronto for Game Six after the Cavaliers extended the series on Wednesday. Cleveland was lights out from beyond the arc, hitting half of its three-pointers (18 of 36). Though the Raps took an eight-point lead late in the third quarter, the Cavs finished the game on a 30-17 run, propelling them to a 125-120 victory. James Harden managed to turn back the clock as he led Cleveland in points (23), rebounds (nine), and assists (five). A lot of credit also has to go to the Cavs' Dennis Schroder, who scored 11 points in the fourth quarter. Thankfully for Torontonians, Cleveland has not yet won a road game in this matchup, so if history is any indication, the Raptors should close out the series tonight. But, as we all know, anything can happen on any given night in the world of sports.
One question that will be answered: Will the Cavaliers eclipse the 110-point threshold for the first time in Toronto during this series?
Los Angeles Lakers @ Houston Rockets at 9:30 p.m. EDT on Amazon Prime Video.
The Rockets kept their season afloat behind a gutsy defensive win two days ago. Despite being on the road and without Kevin Durant, Houston defeated Los Angeles 99-93 after holding the Lakers to seven for 27 from beyond the arc. Each one of the Rockets' starters finished the game with double-digit scoring outputs. Though Austin Reaves scored 22 points in his first action of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, he was only four for 16 from the field. Tonight's contest will be held in Houston, where both teams have won a game so far in this series. Either the Lakers will move on to face the Oklahoma City Thunder, or this series will pick back up in Los Angeles for a decisive Game Seven this weekend.
One question that will be answered: With Kevin Durant already ruled out for this game, can Houston's starters replicate the performance they had on Wednesday?
NHL
Tampa Bay Lightning @ Montreal Canadiens at 7:00 p.m. EDT on ESPN2.
This series resumes in Montreal, where the Canadiens can punch their ticket to the next round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Montreal took Game Five thanks to an goal by forward Alexandre Texier early in the third period. That tally broke a 2-2 tie and eventually lifted the Canadiens over the Lightning, 3-2. With a victory tonight, the Habs will clinch their first postseason series win in six years. Should the Lightning fall, that would be their fourth consecutive first-round loss in the playoffs after reaching the Stanley Cup Finals three straight times. Tampa winger Brandon Hagel will need to make his presence felt once again since he's tied for the league lead in playoff goals with six so far this postseason.
One question that will be answered: Will Hagel find the back of the net in Game Six?
Buffalo Sabres @ Boston Bruins at 7:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN.
Just when it looked like Buffalo would clinch its first Stanley Cup Playoff series victory in 19 years, the Bruins had other plans. After forcing overtime in Game Five, longtime Boston forward David Pastrnak scored the game-winning goal on a breakaway to give the B's a 2-1 victory as they staved off elimination. Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman had one of the best performances of his playoff career, allowing just one goal while denying 25 of the Sabres' 26 shots for a .962 save percentage. That's not to say Buffalo's Alex Lyon was bad. He had 27 saves on 29 shot attempts. The good news for the Sabres is that the series is returning to Boston, where they're undefeated in the 2026 postseason. But if the Bruins pull out a win tonight, then this thing will be decided in a Game Seven on Sunday.
One question that will be answered: Will three goals be enough to earn one of these teams a victory?
Vegas Golden Knights @ Utah Mammoth at 10:00 p.m. EDT on ESPN.
In an electirc Game Five, the Vegas Golden Knights took a 3-2 series lead with a win in double overtime. In the second overtime period, Vegas center Brett Howden scored a short-handed goal for a 5-4 victory, giving him his third goal in the last two games. Salt lake City, Utah will be the location for Game Six, where the Mammoth are 1-1 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Though they defeated the Knights 4-2 in Game Four, they lost to Vegas in overtime on Monday, 5-4. Should Utah extend the series, this thing will return to Las Vegas on Sunday, where the Golden Knights are 2-0 all-time in Game Sevens. But if Vegas take care of business tonight, then they'll have a date with the Anaheim Ducks in the Western Conference Semifinals.
One question that will be answered: With eight points in this series, will the Golden Knights' Jack Eichel tally at least one goal or one assist tonight?
