Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Phillies play host to the Cardinals, while the Sharks battle the Red Wings, and the Lakers play Game 2 against the Jazz.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
The NBA offers up a pair of postseason matchups on Tuesday, with Utah at the Lakers and Atlanta at Orlando. Los Angeles rolled to a 104-99 win over the Jazz in the first game of their Western Conference semifinal series on Sunday, getting 31 points from Kobe Bryant and 25 points from Pau Gasol in the win. Deron Williams had a team-high 24 points in a losing cause for Utah. The Hawks advanced to the second round with a 95-74 drubbing of the Bucks in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference first-round series on Sunday. Al Horford had 16 points and 15 rebounds for Atlanta in that win, while Jamal Crawford scored 22 points.
Meeting up on the diamond . . .
The lineup for the American League on Tuesday has Toronto at Cleveland, Baltimore at the Yankees, the Angels at Boston, Detroit at Minnesota, Kansas City at the White Sox, Texas at Oakland, and Tampa Bay at Seattle. James Shields (3-0, 3.38 ERA) will take on Jason Vargas (2-1, 3.60 ERA) in that Rays/Mariners matchup. Righthander Shields dominated the Athletics in his last trip to the mound, surrendering just one earned run on six hits over seven innings while fanning 12. Lefthander Vargas took a no-decision against the White Sox in his last start, giving up two earned runs on four hits over his 6 2-3 innings of work.
Over in the National League on Tuesday it’ll be the Cubs at Pittsburgh, Atlanta at Washington, the Mets at Cincinnati, San Francisco at Florida, Arizona at Houston, Colorado at San Diego, Milwaukee at the Dodgers, and St. Louis at Philadelphia. The Cardinals/Phillies matchup will have Adam Wainwright (4-1, 2.13 ERA) taking on Cole Hamels (2-2, 5.28 ERA). Righthander Wainwright beat the Braves in his last trip to the mound, giving up three earned runs on six hits over his six innings of work. Lefthander Hamels got a no-decision against the Giants last time out after he allowed four earned runs over six innings pitched.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
Finally, there are two games on the NHL’s playoff schedule for Tuesday, with San Jose at Detroit and Pittsburgh at Montreal. The Sharks took a 2-0 lead in their Western Conference semifinal series with a 4-3 home win over the Red Wings on Sunday night. Joe Thornton had the winner for San Jose in that game, while Joe Pavelski had a three-point night. The Canadiens tied up their Eastern Conference semifinal set with a 3-1 win in Pittsburgh on Sunday afternoon. Michael Cammalleri scored twice for Montreal in that win, while Jaroslav Halak stopped 38 of the 39 Penguins shots. Sidney Crosby was held off the scoresheet.
