Sports
Why the Hawks Need the No. 1 Pick More Than Any Team in the NBA Draft Lottery
With the NBA Draft Lottery less than 12 hours away, the Atlanta Hawks stand to alter their franchise trajectory the most by nabbing the No. 1 pick – at least in the immediate term. They may have clinched the top spot two short years ago with 3 percent odds, but not all No. 1 picks are created equal.
Besides, the backstory of their 2026 lottery plight adds all the more intrigue.
Roster Resilience
After promoting General Manager Onsi Saleh and admirably re-tooling around Trae Young during the 2025 offseason, the Hawks 2025-26 campaign was about as turbulent and unpredictable as it gets. Trae sprained his MCL in late-October and it was not long before murmurings of Atlanta being better without him emerged. All the while internal tensions grew.
Within three months, Saleh and Co. replaced Trae Young and Kristaps Porziņģis with C.J. McCollum and Jonathan Kuminga – ultimately reloading their rotation and shifting identities on the fly with Jalen Johnson taking the mantle as franchise player. A series of events that would have derailed a season for most teams but only served to strengthen ATL’s collective resolve. It is that type of organizational adaptability and resourcefulness that render Atlanta proved a suitable landing spot for a blue-chip prospect.
Pulling a Rabbit Out of a Hat
Atlanta’s upper management preyed on newly-hired New Orleans Pelicans Executive Joe Dumars’ infatuation with Derik Queen by voluntarily moving down ten spots in the 2025 NBA Draft. The compensation? Rights to the better of New Orleans and Milwaukee Bucks’ first-round pick in the 2026 lottery – a 6.8 percent and 3 percent chance at the No. 1 pick respectively. It remains as shocking a move now as it did at the time, and Atlanta’s side of the bargain is about to come to a head.
High-end bites at the lottery apple like this are a luxury that every team dreams of stumbling upon. Not only would being drawn No. 1 have franchise-altering ramifications, but the lore of how it came about would go down as one of the greatest transactional triumphs in recent memory.
Hugging the Middle
Since their exciting, but fruitless, 60-win season in 2014-15, Atlanta has a cumulative regular season record of 658-701. Dwindle that sample size down to the last six seasons, their aggregate record is 247-235. As the internet would say, the Hawks have been as “mid” as an NBA franchise could possibly be for more than a decade.
That being said, there is a distinct sense of respectability in remaining competent all these years. While they have never quite risen to contender status – depending on how you classify their 2021 Eastern Conference Finals run – they have an air of persistence about them. Year-to-year competitiveness in a league that increasingly resorts to pulling the plug and bottoming out. Atlanta is more than likely one piece away from breaking through the ceiling of mediocrity that has plagued them for years. It just so happens that this is the perfect draft pool to twist their fate.
A Pre-existing Core
Last but not least, the Hawks already have a young, Playoff-tested nucleus to complement a prospective franchise cornerstone. After rising to an All-NBA level and testing his mettle as a go-to guy in the Playoffs, Jalen Johnson profiles as the perfect second option of a championship-hopeful roster. Onyeka Okongwu has cemented himself as their incumbent big man with defensive mobility and newfound shooting chops. Dyson Daniels boasts all-league perimeter defense with a burgeoning offensive game. Meanwhile Nickeil Alexander-Walker broke out as an upper-echelon starter and 20-point scorer on a nightly basis with a team-friendly contract until 2028.
Whether it be AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, or Caleb Wilson, Atlanta has the personnel and infrastructure to accommodate, and develop, a future franchise superstar while winning at a high level every step.
Sports
White Sox RHP Davis Martin putting up serious numbers, takes on Mariners
Apr 28, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Davis Martin (65) throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images Right-hander Davis Martin had delivered seven shutout innings for the Chicago White Sox on Monday when fellow starter Anthony Kay approached him with a question.
“Why couldn’t you go eight?”
Chicago calls that “chirping,” and the club credits it in part for the success of a starting rotation that has the White Sox aiming to win a series from the visiting Seattle Mariners on Sunday afternoon.
“I think I’m the biggest culprit there, you know. I like to keep things loose,” Kay said. “I joke around a lot with these guys. Even when they’re doing good, I still want them to be better.”
Kay’s kidding aside, it would have been difficult for Martin to have pitched more effectively in the first six weeks of the season.
Fresh off his road gem Monday against the Los Angeles Angels, Martin (5-1, 1.64 ERA) enters with the second-lowest earned run average in baseball, trailing only Cam Schlittler’s 1.35 mark for the New York Yankees.
Martin spaced five hits on Monday while collecting a career-best 10 strikeouts against zero walks.
“It was awesome, executing at a high level, getting ahead, attacking the zone,” Martin said. “Kind of feeling free out there, almost.”
Right-hander Logan Gilbert (2-3, 4.30) will try to slow a White Sox offense that has clubbed five home runs in the first two games of the series.
Miguel Vargas went deep twice to key a 6-1 victory on Saturday. Fueled by Luke Raley’s grand slam and three-run home run, Seattle had four home runs Friday to win a 12-8 slugfest.
One night later, the Mariners collected just four singles, including two from Julio Rodriguez. Kay allowed a run and three hits over five innings to spark Chicago.
“We weren’t able to get too much traffic going,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “It looked like he had pretty good command of the outside corner with some more of the off-speed stuff. Keeping us honest with some good (velocity) on the inner half and making tough at-bats.
“That’s what pitchers do. In and out and change speeds and up and down. And it seemed like he had all three of those going.”
Raley, a left-handed hitter, was not in the starting lineup against Kay, a lefty. Seattle also rested Brendan Donovan, who was in the lineup Friday after being reinstated from the 10-day injured list upon recovering from a strained left groin muscle.
As with Martin, Gilbert also picked up a 5-4 victory on Monday despite yielding four solo home runs to the visiting Atlanta Braves. He gave up six hits in six innings and had two walks and four strikeouts.
Gilbert is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA in six career starts versus the White Sox with 33 strikeouts in 30 innings.
Martin is 0-2 with a 4.80 ERA in three career appearances against the Mariners covering 15 innings, including two starts.
Colson Montgomery has reached base in 21 straight games for the White Sox. He hit a two-run home run on Saturday.
–Field Level Media
Martin: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/05/04/chicago-white-sox-angels-munetaka-murakami/
Gilbert vs. CWS: https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.fcgi?id=gilbelo01&year=Career&t=p
Martin vs. SEA: https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.fcgi?id=martida03&year=Career&t=p
–Field Level Media
Sports
Carlos Rodon makes return to Yankees' rotation against Brewers
Oct 7, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodon (55) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning during game three of the ALDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images Veteran left-hander Carlos Rodon is scheduled to make his season debut for the visiting New York Yankees as they look to avoid a series sweep against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.
Rodon has been sidelined since undergoing elbow surgery last October. He will be opposed by right-hander Logan Henderson (0-1, 4.50 ERA), making his third start this season.
The Brewers rallied against the Yankees bullpen to win 4-3 in 10 innings after being held to two hits over six scoreless innings by Yankees starter Cam Schlittler, who lowered his MLB-best ERA to 1.35. After New York scored in the top of the 10th, the Brewers answered with two runs, capped by William Contreras’ walkoff sacrifice fly with the bases loaded.
The series loss is the first for the Yankees since being swept by the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-game series April 10-12.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy said he doesn’t focus on the possibility of a sweep.
“I never look at like when we win the first two games, hey, we won the series,” Murphy said. “I don’t like to think about that. It’s win tonight, we’ll deal with game three tomorrow. I’m sure they have Rodon going. He’s special.”
Rodon made three minor-league rehab starts without a decision and put up a 3.38 ERA. That ERA ballooned after his final tune-up on Tuesday for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, when he allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings in an 83-pitch outing. He walked two and struck out four.
“This being probably my third time through a lengthy rehab process, I have some experience, although most people don’t want to really say that,” Rodon told the New York Post on Saturday. “Just [leaning] back on those times and working on the craft and trying to get back here and help the team.”
Rodon was 18-9 with a 3.09 ERA in 33 starts last season and was named to the All-Star team. He was 0-0 with a 9.72 ERA in two postseason starts, allowing nine runs in 8 1/3 innings.
Rodon is 2-1 with a 2.42 ERA in five career starts vs. Milwaukee. He has beaten the Brewers in his lone start against them each of the last two seasons, allowing a combined two runs on six hits in 11 1/3 innings.
Paul Goldschmidt accounted for the first two Yankees runs Saturday with a leadoff homer in the first inning and an RBI single in the fourth. He also singled in the seventh for his first three-hit game since August 2015. Goldschmidt has 21 career homers at American Family Field, his most at any visiting ballpark.
Henderson, who has split time this season with Triple-A Nashville, took the loss in his most recent start, allowing two runs on three hits in six innings in a 3-2 defeat at Washington last Sunday.
Henderson made five starts last season for the Brewers, going 3-0 with a 1.78 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings. He is facing the Yankees for the first time.
Jackson Chourio, whose infield single tied the game at 3-3 in the 10th inning on Saturday, has hit in four consecutive games since coming off the injured list. He is batting .444 (8-for-18) with three doubles and three RBIs since returning.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cubs aim to launch new streak in series finale vs. Rangers
Apr 27, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman (3) throws to first base but can’t get the out on San Diego Padres right fielder Ramon Laureano (5) during the fourth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images One day after having their 10-game winning streak snapped, the Chicago Cubs will look to begin a new streak when they face the Texas Rangers in the rubber match of a three-game series on Sunday in Arlington, Texas.
Chicago went 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 runners in a 6-0 loss on Saturday. The Cubs had won 20 of their past 23 games before being shut out for the fourth time this season.
The lone bright spot for Chicago was left fielder Ian Happ, who extended his on-base streak to a career-high 30 games with a first-inning walk.
“Didn’t play well enough today and left a lot of guys on base,” Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman said. “But felt like we’re in a good spot, playing good baseball. Guys are preparing and executing the game plan.”
Josh Jung and Justin Foscue each hit solo homers for Texas, which snapped a two-game losing skid by outhitting the Cubs 9-4. Foscue’s blast was his first career homer in his 23rd major league game spread over three seasons.
“It was the best feeling in the world,” Foscue said. “There’s no other way to put it. I don’t think I felt my legs running around the bases. Pretty special moment. That was the best ball I’ve hit in the big leagues yet.”
Foscue started at first base in place of slumping Jake Burger, who was given a rest day by manager Skip Schumaker. Burger is hitting .130 over his last 18 games.
“I do think he’s getting closer,” Schumaker said. “He’s a hit or two away from getting extremely hot and carrying a team. Getting him going is going to be a big part of, you know, us getting back on track.”
Sunday’s pitching matchup features a pair of right-handers as Chicago’s Jameson Taillon (2-1, 4.24 ERA) faces the Rangers’ Jacob deGrom (2-2, 3.11).
Taillon, 34, allowed two runs on a pair of solo homers over 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Cincinnati Reds last Tuesday.
Taillon has given up nine home runs over his last six starts covering 35 2/3 innings.
Corey Seager is 4-for-14 (.286) against Taillon, who is 1-1 with a 5.86 ERA in five career starts versus Texas.
The Rangers will counter with deGrom, who yielded a season-high six runs over 6 1/3 innings in a 7-4 road loss to the New York Yankees last Tuesday.
Dansby Swanson is 7-for-34 (.206) with two homers against the 37-year-old deGrom, who is 2-4 with a 3.26 ERA in 11 career starts against Chicago.
The Cubs’ offense has been red-hot this month despite receiving minimal production from Bregman, who is batting .233 with three homers and 13 RBIs. Chicago manager Craig Counsell said it’s only a matter of time before Bregman returns to form.
“In a lot of ways, with what we’ve done so far this season and Alex is probably off to a little bit of a slower start by his standards, it makes me happy in a weird way that we’ve got some good Alex Bregman coming here,” Counsell said.
-Field Level Media
White Sox RHP Davis Martin putting up serious numbers, takes on Mariners
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