Sports
Braves' Bryce Elder brings strong form into start vs. Nationals
May 16, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Bryce Elder (55) throws against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Among the biggest surprises in the National League this year has been the re-emergence of Bryce Elder.
Ahead of his start for the Atlanta Braves on Friday against the visiting Washington Nationals, Elder (4-2, 2.01 ERA) appears to be back in top form.
Elder, a 2023 All-Star, went 10-16 with a 5.59 ERA in 38 starts between 2024 and ’25. Currently fifth in the NL in ERA, the 27-year-old right-hander has been among the most important performers for the National League East-leading Braves.
Elder took his first home loss of the year on Saturday despite tossing eight innings. He permitted three runs on seven hits in a 3-2 defeat against the visiting Boston Red Sox.
“I thought Bryce gave us exactly what we needed,” Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said. “He did an outstanding job.”
Elder, who has compiled a 3-2 record and a 3.18 ERA in seven career starts against the Nationals, is just one of the many Braves enjoying a stellar start to the year. Atlanta leads the majors in wins (35), batting average (.266), homers (72) and ERA (3.09). Ahead of the weekend series, the Braves have won nine of their past 12 games.
Of the Braves without impressive numbers is offseason acquisition Mike Yastrzemski, but he made key contributions on Thursday. The veteran outfielder went 3-for-3 with a solo homer and an RBI double in Atlanta’s a 9-3 win over the Miami Marlins.
“Yaz is swinging the bat well,” Weiss said. “He’s worked really hard and it’s paying off. … We’re just swinging the (bats) really well as a team. We’re passing the baton and we’re doing all the things it takes to play winning offensive baseball.”
Washington enters a six-game road trip coming off a 4-3 homestand. First-year manager Blake Butera’s club leads the majors with 280 runs, but the Nationals’ offense is coming off a rare lackluster showing in a 2-1 loss to the New York Mets on Thursday. That result kept Washington from sweeping the three-game series
“I think overall, we had a chance to win all of them,” Butera said. “Proud of the way the guys fought (on Thursday). I thought we had a few opportunities, we just couldn’t get that big hit with runners in scoring position.”
Washington right-hander Miles Mikolas (1-3, 6.91 ERA) will be in search of his first road win of the year when he starts on Friday. Amid an unimpressive first two months with his new club, Mikolas has shown signs of improvement of late. In three May starts, he is 1-0 with a 4.40 ERA. He was 0-3 with an 8.23 ERA through the end of April.
Last time out, Mikolas went 5 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on six hits, striking out four and walking one in a no-decision against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday.
In nine career appearances (eight starts) against the Braves, Mikolas is 3-4 with a 3.33 ERA.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Jannik Sinner begins French Open quest as odds-on favorite
Mar 29, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Jannik Sinner of Italy hits a backhand against Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic after beating him in the final of the men’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images The French Open is the lone Grand Slam that has eluded world No. 1 Jannik Sinner to date. Play also began at Roland Garros on Sunday with Sinner as the heaviest pre-tournament favorite since Rafael Nadal in 2009.
That’s in large part due to Nadal’s countryman and two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz being forced to sit out this French Open out due to a wrist injury.
The cards are stacked heavily in Sinner’s favor. The four-time Grand Slam champion entered his opening match against wild-card entry Clement Tabur riding a 29-match winning streak. He also has a 17-0 record on clay in 2026.
The draw also stacks up favorably, with Novak Djokovic on the other side along with two-time French Open finalist Casper Ruud of Norway. One notable potential hurdle is Russian Daniil Medvedev, but Sinner has won 10 of their past 11 meetings.
It all leads to Sinner beginning the tournament as the -325 favorite at BetMGM to win the men’s title. The next-closest competitor is German Alexander Zverev at +900, followed by Djokovic at +1100 and Ruud at +2000.
DraftKings has even shorter odds on Sinner at -340, followed by Zverev (+1100), Djokovic (+1300) and Ruud (+2200).
Nadal entered the 2009 French Open as the -400 favorite. While he had shorter pre-tournament odds, Sinner is the most overwhelming favorite in modern tennis history when compared to his next closest challengers.
Sinner, still only 24 years old, is a two-time Australian Open champion who also won the U.S. Open in 2024. He will be the defending champion at Wimbledon this year.
The women’s draw features far more depth, at least in the eyes of sportsbooks.
Aryna Sabalenka is the +275 title favorite at BetMGM, followed by Elena Rybakina (+300), Iga Swiatek (+400), Coco Gauff (+600) and Amanda Anisimova (+800).
Sabalenka and Swiatek opened play at Roland Garros as the co-+275 favorites at DraftKings. Gauff was next at +600, followed by Rybakina (+650) and Mirra Andreeva (+900). The book had far longer odds on Anisimova at +4000, making her tied for just the 10th-shortest odds.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Thunder vs. Spurs Game 4 Picks: Best Bets for WCF Sunday
May 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the second half in game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can steer the defending champions to a commander 3-1 series lead in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals on Sunday night.
SGA was clutch in Friday’s 123-108 win over the Spurs in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals and has left San Antonio confounded over possible solutions to slow him down.
If they send a double team, SGA has consistently found open shooters and points.
With Ajay Mitchell out of the lineup again, he’ll have the ball in his hands constantly. Can the Spurs adjust or is this series all but over?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 7+ assists (-120)
Gilgeous-Alexander has 33 assists with just seven turnovers and he’s getting more out of players the Spurs aren’t necessarily afraid of. Oklahoma City’s bench has outscored San Antonio’s 183-64, with Alex Caruso averaging 21 points and Jared McCain 14.3.
De’Aaron Fox played in Game 3 Friday and Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said Saturday he expected Dylan Harper to play Game 4. But if neither is full strength, the Thunder will find and expose their weaknesses.
Oklahoma City continues to thrive with the ball in SGA’s hands.
Our Current Best Offers
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Over 218.5 total points
The over remains a market lean. DraftKings stuck at 218.5 while FanDuel has vascilllated between 218.5 and 219.5. We like the number anywhere under 220.
All three games in the series have finished above that range despite stretches of uneven shooting. If the pace stays elevated and Oklahoma City’s bench keeps creating transition chances, the total will stay in focus.
Oklahoma City Thunder +2.5
Books are giving the Spurs the edge in San Antonio. The line remains tight enough to watch pregame.
Oklahoma City has won the last two games, owned the bench-production battle and a healthy De’Aaron Fox or Dylan Harper could quickly shift the advantage. But the Thunder proved last postseason the road isn’t a place they fear.
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Sports
Jays' Dylan Cease, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leave game with injuries
May 24, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Dylan Cease (84) throws a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Dylan Cease and first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. left Sunday’s game against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates in the fifth inning because of injuries.
Cease, a right-hander, exited due to what the team called “mild left hamstring discomfort” with Blue Jays trailing 2-1. Mason Fluharty took over for Cease, who gave up two runs and four hits with eight strikeouts and one walk in 4 2/3 innings.
Guerrero left the game when a pitch from Mitch Keller hit him on the right elbow. Guerrero walked immediately to the clubhouse, and Lenyn Sosa ran for him.
Guerrero had walked twice and scored a run.
–Field Level Media
Jannik Sinner begins French Open quest as odds-on favorite
Thunder vs. Spurs Game 4 Picks: Best Bets for WCF Sunday
