MLB
Atlanta Braves @ Cincinnati Reds at 6:40 p.m. EDT on MLB.TV.
The 29-26 Reds kick off a three-game homestand against the best team in baseball: the 38-19 Braves. Cincy might not realistically be able to win its division, but it's only a game back from one of the two NL Wild Card spots. Meanwhile, the Braves need to continue stacking wins, since the Los Angeles Dodgers trail them by 1.5 games for the best record in the MLB. The pitching matchup will be Atlanta's Grant Holmes against Cincinnati's Chris Paddack.
One question that will be answered: As the second-best home run-hitting team in baseball (77), will the Braves hit at least two balls out of the park today?
San Diego Padres @ Washington Nationals at 6:45 p.m. EDT on MLB.TV.
The 31-24 Padres hit the road for their first of two three-game sets this season against the 29-28 Nationals. San Diego currently controls the number-one Wild Card in the National League. However, the Nats are only two games back from them in the standings, so a win would do wonders for their playoff chances. Either way, both squads are chasing divisional leaders (the Dodgers and Braves), which means there’s no lack of motivation in this series. It'll be a bullpen game for Washington, which is starting Paxton Schultz. On the other side, Lucas Giolito will be on the bump for the Pads.
One question that will be answered: With 20 homers in the last 15 days (most in the NL), will the Nationals go yard at least twice?
Chicago Cubs @ St. Louis Cardinals at 7:15 p.m. EDT on MLB.TV.
Just two days ago, the 31-26 Cubs had the longest active losing streak in baseball at ten games. Today, the Cubbies can win their third straight contest as they begin a series against the 29-25 Cardinals. St. Louis is desperately trying to get back on track after losing its last four games. Since the Cubs and Cardinals are second and third, respectively, in the NL Central standings, this series will be incredibly important for both squads as they try to catch the 33-20 Milwaukee Brewers. Shota Imanga gets the nod for Chicago, and Andre Pallante will be St. Louis' starter.
One question that will be answered: After scoring 17 runs over their last two games, can the Cubs reach home plate at least five times tonight?
New York Yankees @ Athletics at 9:40 p.m. EDT on MLB.TV.
Even though they're 34-22, the Yankees are 1.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for the top spot in the AL East. Simultaneously, the 27-29 Athletics are just a half-game back from the Seattle Mariners for control of first place in the AL West. Needless to say, both groups will be looking for a crucial win after having Thursday off. This is especially true for the A's, who were just swept by the Mariners. Carlos Rodon will be New York's starter. He'll be going against a former Yankee in Luis Severino, who will be on the mound for the Athletics.
One question that will be answered: With two of the top ten sluggers in baseball this season (Aaron Judge and Ben Rice), will those guys hit at least one combined home run today?
Arizona Diamondbacks @ Seattle Mariners at 10:10 p.m. EDT on MLB.TV.
The 31-24 Diamondbacks are riding a five-game win streak and currently control the number-one Wild Card in the National League. Conversely, the 28-29 Mariners have a losing record, but they recently leapfrogged the Athletics to take the lead in the NL West. With the Athletics just a half-game back from Seattle, the Mariners need a victory if they want to improve to .500 and maintain control of the division. But Arizona won't go down easily as it tries to extend its win streak to six games. The pitching duel will feature the D-backs' Zac Gallen facing the Mariners' George Kirby.
One question that will be answered: Considering Arizona has the highest batting average in the majors over the last 15 days (.293), can Seattle hold the Diamondbacks to fewer than nine hits?
Philadelphia Phillies @ Los Angeles Dodgers at 10:15 p.m. EDT on Apple TV.
The 29-27 Phillies have done a complete 180, with the most wins in baseball since they fired former manager Rob Thomson on April 28th (19). Now, they'll face what will arguably be their toughest test since making that change as they take on the 36-20 Dodgers, who are tied for the second-most road wins in the majors since the beginning of May (10). Considering Philadelphia is 8.5 games back from first place in their division, it seems their only hope of making the postseason will probably be via the Wild Card. As things stand, they're only 1.5 games back from the Padres for the second Wild Card spot. Philly will turn to ace pitcher Zack Wheeler, while the Dodgers will trot out Justin Wrobleski.
One question that will be answered: With only five runs allowed in May, can Zack Wheeler hold the Dodgers to two or fewer earned runs?
WNBA
Los Angeles Sparks @ Washington Mystics at 7:30 p.m. EDT on ION and WNBA League Pass.
A pair of .500 teams are on the outside looking in at the moment as the 3-3 Sparks get set for a road game against the 3-3 Mystics. Depending on who wins, either Washington or LA might be able to jump the Toronto Tempo and New York Liberty in the standings to take control of the eighth seed in the WNBA playoff race. With the league's top scorer, Kelsey Plum (26.4 points per game), nursing an ankle injury, somebody else is going to have to step up for the Sparks and generate some offense.
One question that will be answered: Will any two Los Angeles players combine for 42 points or more in this game?
Atlanta Dream @ Portland Fire at 10:00 p.m. EDT on ION and WNBA League Pass.
Two of the best groups in the WNBA will go head-to-head for the first time this year as the 4-2 Dream take on the 5-3 Fire. In their inaugural season, Portland has already emerged as a playoff contender as they're tied with the Wings for the fourth-best win percentage in the WNBA (.625). One spot ahead of them in the league standings is Atlanta, which is only a half-game behind the Minnesota Lynx and the Golden State Valkyries for the league's best record. With a win, the Dream will take sole possession of the top spot in the WNBA.
One question that will be answered: As the best rebounding team in the league (39.2 rebounds per game), how many boards will the Atlanta grab tonight?
NHL
Montreal Canadiens @ Carolina Hurricanes Game Five at 8:00 p.m. EDT on TNT, truTV, and HBO Max.
The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals could come to an end tonight when the series returns to Carolina for Game Five. The Hurricanes dominated the Canadiens the last time out with a 4-0 victory. The Habs couldn’t get anything going offensively after they were held to just 18 shots on goal. That marked the third straight game in which Montreal failed to record at least 20 shots on goal. In this series, the Habs are averaging fewer than 17 shots per game. To give you a sense of how bad that is, the Canes have averaged 34.3 shots on goal per game in this matchup. If the Canadiens want to keep their season alive and have any chance of reaching the Stanley Cup Finals, they're going to have to find a way to generate more scoring chances. Otherwise, the Carolina Hurricanes will face the Vegas Golden Knights for the Cup.
One question that will be answered: Will the Canadiens record at least 17 shots on goal in this game?
