MLB
Tampa Bay Rays @ Cleveland Guardians at 6:10 p.m. EDT on MLB.TV and FS1.
Two of the better teams in the American League kick off a three-game set when the 16-11 Rays hit the road to take on the 15-14 Guardians. Tampa is trying to keep pace with the AL East-leading New York Yankees while extending its winning streak to four games. On the other hand, Cleveland is tied for first in the AL Central with the Detroit Tigers, so it needs a victory if it doesn't want to move into sole possession of second place in the division. Steven Matz gets the start for the Rays, and the Guardians will be sending out Parker Messick and his team-leading 1.76 ERA.
One question that will be answered: Can the Rays get at least two earned runs off Parker Messick, considering he has allowed five in his last two starts?
New York Yankees @ Texas Rangers at 8:05 p.m. EDT on MLB.TV.
After going 8-1 in their last nine games, the Yankees have taken control of first place in their division and currently own the best record in the American League at 18-10. The 14-14 Rangers have not had the same level of success as of late, with a 5-5 record in their last ten matchups. Ace pitcher Max Fried gets the nod for New York, as Texas' Jack Leiter hopes to get his ERA under control after giving up 13 earned runs in his last four starts. Leiter will have his work cut out for him, though, because the Pinstripes have scored the second-most runs in baseball over the last two weeks (81).
One question that will be answered: Will the Yankees record at least three earned runs against Jack Leiter?
Chicago Cubs @ San Diego Padres at 9:40 p.m. EDT on MLB.TV.
Undoubtedly, our best MLB game of the day will be between the 18-9 Padres and the 17-11 Cubs, who are third and fifth, respectively, in the National League. San Diego has had the best winning percentage in the Majors since the beginning of April (.773). However, Chicago has been hot on its tail with a .652 winning percentage this month, which is tied for the third-best mark in baseball. Randy Vasquez, who has the fifth-best ERA in the Majors (1.88), will be the Padres' starter. He'll be going against Matthew Boyd, who is making his second start in the last five days.
One question that will be answered: If the San Diego gets a lead before replacing Vasquez, can the bullpen record its MLB-best 13th save of the season?
NHL
Philadelphia Flyers @ Pittsburgh Penguins at 7:00 p.m. EDT on ESPN.
After losing their first three games of the series, the Pens got one back against the Flyers on Saturday. Pittsburgh turning to backup goalie Artūrs Šilovs probably made a big difference in that matchup after he turned away 28 of Philly's 30 shots for a .933 save percentage. Though the Penguins have not yet named a starter for tonight, NHL.com said that Šilovs will probably be between the pipes again as Pittsburgh hopes to avoid elimination and send this series back to Philadelphia. The Pens will need the Sidney Crosby they got in Game Four after the franchise's longtime captain recorded a goal and an assist in Game Four. The good news for Pittsburgh is that it'll have the home-ice advantage since this contest will be played at PPG Paints Arena.
One question that will be answered: Can Artūrs Šilovs hold the Flyers to two goals or fewer for the second straight game?
Vegas Golden Knights @ Utah Mammoth at 9:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN.
I don't think many people expected the Mammoth to take a lead in this series, but after a 4-2 victory on Friday, Utah is now in control of this thing and has a chance to go up 3-1 on the Golden Knights, putting them on the brink of elimination. It's fair to say that Vegas and Utah's best players could be better. The Golden Knights' Jack Eichel and the Mammoth's Clayton Keller have only combined for one goal so far in this series. In all likelihood, whoever has more points tonight will probably give us a good indication of which team will emerge victorious. Can Vegas even things up, or will Utah win its third straight game?
One question that will be answered: Can Clayton Keller and Jack Eichel combine for at least two points tonight?
NBA
Detroit Pistons @ Orlando Magic at 8:00 p.m. EDT on NBC and Peacock.
Oh boy, this is probably not how the Motown faithful expected things to go. On Saturday, the Magic took a 2-1 series lead after a 113-105 victory at home. Forward Paolo Banchero and guard Desmond Bane combined for 50 total points in that contest. Rebounding has dictated how this series has played out so far. The winning team in each game has also won the rebound battle that night. I guess that shouldn't come as much of a surprise since Detroit was ranked third in rebounds per game (46) while Orlando finished the season tied for sixth in that category (45). With Game Five scheduled for Wednesday in Detroit, the Magic can push the Pistons to the brink of elimination with a victory tonight.
One question that will be answered: Which team will win the rebound battle this evening?
Oklahoma City @ Phoenix Suns at 9:30 p.m. EDT on NBCSN and Peacock.
With a commanding 3-0 series lead, the Oklahoma City Thunder can advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs if they take care of business tonight against the Suns in Phoenix. Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the star of the show on Friday evening, scoring 42 points on 83.3% shooting. His incredible performance lifted OKC over Phoenix, 121-109. Though the Suns' Dillon Brooks exploded for 33 points in that matchup, the rest of the team finished the night with just 76 points. It's not a forgone conclusion that the Thunder will win tonight, but it seems highly unlikely that a Suns team that has averaged the second-fewest points per game in the NBA since April 1st (108.7) will be able to outplay the defending champions.
One question that will be answered: Will Shai Gilgeous-Alexander score at least 30 points for the third time this series?
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Denver Nuggets at 10:30 p.m. EDT on NBC and Peacock.
The T-Wolves may have won the most recent battle, but they lost the war. Despite taking a 3-1 series lead over Denver on Friday, Minnesota suffered two devastating injuries. Not only did guard Donte DiVincenzo tear his Achilles, but star shooting guard Anthony Edwards hyperextended his left knee and suffered a bone bruise, which will cause him to miss multiple weeks of action. Without their second- and fifth-best scorers, the Timberwolves could be in trouble against a Denver team that led the league in offense this season (122.1 points per game). We'll find out tonight if the Nuggets can stave off elimination against an undermanned Timberwolves squad.
One question that will be answered: After scoring 68 points in his last two outings, can Minnesota guard Ayo Dosunmu score at least 30 points now that he'll be one of the focal points of the Timberwolves' offense?
