GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 20: Chris Campos #62 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch during a Spring Training game against the San Diego Padres at Camelback Ranch on March 20, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Kelly signed to a minor league deal by the Dodgers in November after pitching six minor league seasons in the Milwaukee Brewers, Texas Rangers, and Colorado Rockies systems. The 26-year-old left-hander has yet to reach the majors, but it’s not hard to see that changing some time this season after his impressive spring.
Kelly led Dodgers pitchers in Arizona with nine appearances, with 11 strikeouts and a 34.4-percent strikeout rate in 8 2/3 scoreless innings. He allowed three hits and walked four, and was consistently pitching in the high-90s along with an effective slider.
“Big fastball, easy velocity, slider. He’s been filling up the strike zone. He’s had a tremendous camp. And I think as far as some guys that weren’t on our radar that are now, he’s one of them,” manager Dave Roberts said Monday. “For us, just getting him here on this trip was something that he earned, and we wanted him to kind of reward him with his spring. So yeah, he’ll go down to OKC, and won’t be surprised to see him at some point with us in a relief role.”
Campos grew up going to games at Dodger Stadium, born in Montebello and playing baseball at Damien High School in La Verne. He was a two-way player at St. Mary’s College, the same school that produced Corbin Burnes and Tony Gonsolin, to name a few.
Campos pitched almost exclusively as a starter or in bulk relief in his four professional seasons since getting drafted in the seventh round in 2022. This spring as a reliever, he allowed only a run on 11 hits in his 10 innings of work over seven appearances this spring. Campos didn’t walk a batter until issuing two free passes Monday night in his Dodger Stadium debut, and struck out 12 of his 43 batters faced (27.9 percent).
“I like him. He’s just very confident, and I wish everyone carried themselves the way he carries himself on the mound, with the confidence that he has,” Roberts said of Campos. “He’s not a high velocity guy, he’s a command guy. Uses three, four different pitches, and so just probably lets his stuff play up in a relief role and see how he can, you know, bounce back”
They didn’t make the opening day roster, but Kelly and Campos sure pitched themselves into consideration for a call-up at some point this season.
MLB Opening Day is just two days away and while the iconic Dodger Dog is the go-to concession choice for fans headed to Chavez Ravine to watch the Los Angeles Dodgers begin their quest for a three-peat, they'll have some more options to fill up on this season.
Among the additions to the menu at Dodger Stadium for 2026 are a Habit Burger & Grill location in the centerfield plaza, cochinita pibil bone marrow tacos, char siu pork loaded fries, a "loco moco" bowl, PB&J smashburger, fried chicken bucket and to wash it all down, a watermelon habanero margarita -- tequila shaken with lime juice and a house watermelon-habanero mix, served in a souvenir cooler cup with Tajín on the rim.
The Dodgers will have a watermelon habanero margarita that you can get in a souvenir water cooler cup 🤩
It features tequila shaken with fresh lime juice and a house watermelon-habanero mix, served over ice with a Tajín-dusted rim
As mentioned above, this new 21+ drink delivers a balance of "sweet and heat" served over ice for what could help fans cool down on a hot summer night.
Cochinita pibil bone marrow taco
Levy Restaurants, the Dodgers' food, beverage and hospitality partner, turned to one of Mexico's most historic indigenous communities for inspiration. It features cochinita pibil -- a traditional slow-roasted pork dish originating from Yucatan -- on a blue corn tortilla topped with pickled onions, bone marrow and cilantro.
Char siu pork loaded fries
Sticking with the pork theme, house-made char siu -- a Cantonese-style barbecued pork -- with furikake spice and sriracha mayo top an order of crispy french fries.
Loco Moco Bowl
Based on a staple of Hawaiian comfort food, this dish features a juicy seared beef patty over fluffy steamed rice, smothered in a savory brown gravy with a sunny-side-up egg on top.
Habit Burger & Grill
Replacing the former Shake Shack stand in the centerfield plaza is The Habit, a Santa Barbara-based burger chain known for their signature charburgers and chicken sandwiches that has rapidly grown into a west coast favorite.
JUPITER, FL - MARCH 19: Devin Fitz-Gerald #3 of the Washington Nationals bats during the game between the Washington Nationals and the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on Thursday, March 19, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Jared Blais/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Washington Nationals have an interesting and exciting problem to figure out in the lower levels of the minor leagues. They have so many quality infield prospects and need to find a way to get all of them on the field. Between Eli Willits, Gavin Fien, Devin Fitz-Gerald, Marconi German, Ronny Cruz, Coy James, Luke Dickerson and Angel Feliz, the Nats are overflowing with infielders between 18 and 20 years old.
The Nationals have a ridiculous amount of talent in the lower levels on the minor leagues, especially on the infield. Willits, Fien, Fitz-Gerald, Coy James, Marconi German, Luke Dickerson, Angel Feliz and Ronny Cruz are all infielders who are 20 or younger
All of these players need reps to develop, but the Nats will have to juggle things around to get them all playing time. Some players will need to learn new positions on the infield or even get exposed to the outfield. Meanwhile, others may be held back in Rookie Ball for a longer than expected, while others might get exposed to High-A quickly. It is a good problem to have, but the Nats minor league decision makers will still have their hands full.
Only one player can play each position, and there are a lot of mouths to feed. In a perfect world, Willits, Fien, Fitz-Gerald, Cruz, Dickerson and Feliz would all start the year in Low-A. However, that may not be possible because all of these guys need to play. Some of these players may have to go to High-A before they are ready or stay.
An article by MLB mentioned Angel Feliz could start the year in High-A, which is interesting. He only played 31 games in Low-A, and did not light it up with the bat. However, they want him to get reps at shortstop and must like what they are seeing this spring. It is also a bet on the person as well. They must feel comfortable with Feliz’s ability to deal with adversity.
Last year's No. 1 overall pick Eli Willits leads Washington's crop of talented infield prospects at the lower levels of the Minors.
There were also some other interesting nuggets in that story. The article mentioned that Gavin Fien is likely to see most of his time at third base. That is not much of a surprise, despite the fact he was technically drafted as a shortstop. Fien, who came over in the MacKenzie Gore trade projects as a bat first third baseman. Offensively, he reminds me a bit of a young Ryan Zimmerman.
We saw what Fien could do in the Spring Breakout game. He hit two doubles off of top pitching prospect Liam Doyle. Fien seems like a guy who could be among the league leaders in doubles with his line drive heavy approach, while also having enough strength to hit 25 homers one day. I love what I have seen from him so far and he should be a quick riser in prospect circles.
He is not the only guy that will have to change positions though. Nats executive Devin Pearson mentioned that Luke Dickerson will be playing mostly at second base and in the outfield. Dickerson got a massive over-slot signing bonus in the second round in 2024. He had a hot start to the season, but tailed off in part due to playing through an injury.
Like most of these guys, Dickerson was drafted as a shortstop, but will have to move around. I think the outfield could be a good home for him. His build reminds me of a Mike Trout or Wyatt Langford, which is why I think the outfield would be a good home. Obviously, he has a long way to go to be like those guys as players, but his build is similar. Dickerson is also very fast, but does not have the best hands in the infield.
Another guy who could bounce between the infield and outfield could be Devin Fitz-Gerald. The 20 year old was a big part of the MacKenzie Gore return and is a polished switch hitter. He played all over the infield as a Rangers prospect, but should mostly play second or third with the Nats. Devin Pearson also mentioned he could get some reps in the outfield.
Fitz-Gerald is a smart player with solid fundamentals, but he is not the twitchiest athlete. That sounds like a second base profile to me. I hope he can stay in the infield, because being a corner outfielder would put more pressure on his bat. That bat is very good though. His season was cut short due to injury, but he showed a very well rounded offensive skillset when he did play.
Nationals SS Devin Fitz-Gerald posted a 143 wRC+ over 41 games across CPX + A ball w/ 6 HR, while walking (16.2%) more than he struck out (13.9%). He coupled that w/ an 80.6% Con% and a low 8.6% SwStr%. A polished LH swing w/ quick hands & generated plenty of pull contact (48.3%) pic.twitter.com/9Lmq3pGron
Fitz-Gerald is the son of a very successful high school coach, and that shows up on the field. Those smarts should allow him to play a number of different positions at a solid level. We are seeing more of an emphasis being placed on versatility at the MLB level so far this year, and the same thing is happening in the minors.
One player who will not be moving around much though is former first overall pick Eli Willits. The 18 year old is a no doubt shortstop and will be treated as such. He has the chance to be an above average to plus defender at the position. Even in his first taste of Low-A last year, Willits looked like a great defender at just 17.
He is the Nats crown jewel at the moment. Willits’ speed, defense, contact and plate discipline make him very well rounded. He may never hit for a ton of power, but he does not need to with how good the rest of his game is. Willits could look a lot like Geraldo Perdomo, who might be the most underrated player in baseball right now.
One final guy I want to touch on for a bit is Ronny Cruz. The Nats acquired him in the Michael Soroka deal last July. Based on how he is being talked about this spring, that could be a steal. Paul Toboni has had glowing praise for him on multiple occasions. I also saw him homer in a Spring Training game. Whenever I have seen him hit this spring, he has looked very comfortable.
That is very encouraging for a guy who was viewed as raw and did not light up rookie ball last year. Cruz should start the year in Low-A, and will play all around the infield. I have seen him play second, short and third base in my viewings of him this spring. He is a good athlete and a solid defender.
The Nats are just totally overflowing with teenage infield talent. I did not even get to Coy James and Marconi German, two talented youngsters who should start the year in Rookie Ball. There are so many mouths to feed that some of these guys may have to get out of their comfort zones.
The only time I can remember the Nats having a problem like this in the past was all the outfielders they had a couple years ago. Other than that, the Nats prospect pool has been too thin to have these kinds of first world problems. Paul Toboni and Devin Pearson will have to find a way to get all of these guys game time, but these are the kinds of problems front offices want to have.
Connor Rogers and Joe DeMayo drop their official 2026 season preview episode of The Mets Pod, with help from new SNY MLB Insider Chelsea Janes.
Connor and Joe chat with Chelsea about her first spring training covering the Mets for SNY, what she saw in Port St. Lucie from Carson Benge, Bo Bichette, Luis Robert Jr., the starting staff, bullpen, and more, plus ask for a player to keep an eye on this summer who may surprise.
Later, the guys take the big picture temperature of the starting rotation, bullpen, lineup, and defense of the Mets heading into the regular season, drop their 2026 season predictions that will of course be hilarious to recap later on, go Down on the Farm to review the Spring Breakout Game, and answer Mailbag questions about Nolan McLean and his old college teammate, Mr. Benge.
Be sure to subscribe to The Mets Pod at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Oct 4, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sanchez (61) reacts after striking out Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (not pictured) in the fifth inning during game one of the NLDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Cristopher Sanchez will be a member of the Phillies rotation until 2032.
Jesus Luzardo is at least under team control until 2032.
Aaron Nola will be in Philadelphia until 2030.
Zack Wheeler is only under contract for two more seasons including this one.
Andrew Painter is under control for six years.
The Phillies believe in paying for their starting rotation, especially when they believe the members of that starting rotation are worthy of higher compensation. How good they will continue to be at the end of those contracts remains to be seen, but you don’t pay players for the end of the contract. You pay them for the now and right now, the Phillies should feel secure in who they have together for the next few years.
There is a question though.
Unless there is some other nook and cranny in the ballpark that has yet to be commercialized, there is an end to the resources the team has to put into the team’s payroll. At some point, someone will say “Enough.” and not swim in the deeper waters of free agency. Yet they’ll continue to have a lot of those resources tied up in the rotation. Is that the wisest use of those resources?
On the one hand, the players that they have identified and extended are good! They’re worthy of being paid that much money because they are good pitchers. It’s not as though they are extending five Taijuan Walker-esque pitchers. Rather, they’re getting pitchers that are at, or near, the top of their vocation.
On the other hand, it’s a volatile position where perceived depth can evaporate as quickly as one thinks it can appear. Were something to happen to any of them, that’s a significant chunk of their payroll doing not a whole lot to bring back a return.
It’s definitely a good question, a good way to think about roster construction.
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This week is exciting in Cardinals Nation for multiple reasons, with Opening Day being the most important element of it all. The Cardinals return to St. Louis on Thursday and will take on the Tampa Bay Rays to open the 2026 season. Gabe and I had the privilege of sitting down with Pre/Post Host for the Cardinals Radio Network, Matt Pauley. St. Louis listeners can hear him on 1120 KMOX AM/104.1 FM. Matt is also on from 5-6 PM Monday-Friday for “Rush Hour Sports.” On applicable nights, you can hear Matt on “Sports open line,” where listener calls drive the show, and Matt or whoever is hosting answers and expands on the sports topics asked.
Matt Pauley is one of the hardest-working people around the Cardinals sphere, and there aren’t many who are more in the know than he is. We covered SO MANY topics with Matt, who was very gracious with his time. Matthew Liberatore, Ivan Herrera, Nolan Gorman, Jordan Walker, Riley O’Brien, George Soriano, JJ Wetherholt, and more!
We have more exciting news to announce later this week regarding podcast-related content for this site, so stay tuned for that! As for the Viva El Birdos podcast, it was a welcome return to normalcy on this week’s episode, as we have been able to run past our tech issues and get back to a level of expectation that we had established previously, and hopefully will continue to grow and get better, much like the young pitchers in the minor leagues.
CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 06: Jake Woodford #46 of the Chicago White Sox delivers a pitch during a game against the Boston Red Sox on June 6, 2024 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago,Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Just when it all seemed too easy, the Milwaukee Brewers shake things up. Entering the final exhibition game of the year before Opening Day on Thursday, the Brewers had 26 healthy players in camp. It seemed like the roster was set and there would be no more drama with the roster construction.
Then the Brewers made a trade.
Right before Pat Murphy’s media availability on Tuesday, the Brewers announced they had acquired RHP Jake Woodford from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor league pitcher K.C. Hunt and cash considerations. Outfielder Akil Baddoo was transferred to the 60-day IL to make 40-man roster space.
What Jake Woodford brings
Woodford throws five pitches, including three fastball variations: a sinker, cutter, and a traditional four-seam. He also has a sweeper and a changeup in his arsenal. Woodford has a career 5.10 ERA and his ERA was over 6.00 last year with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was in Rays camp on a minor league deal with a non-roster invite.
The 29-year-old righty is primarily sinker/sweeper against righties and four-seam/changeup against lefties.
“Happy to have him. He’s pitched in a number of different roles. He’s been a veteran in the league for a while. A guy we faced, obviously, with St. Louis. We have some history with him, and he’s an interesting arm that can play a valuable role in a number of different spots in our bullpen or potentially even at the front of games. So again, just at the point where we wanted to add some depth and he’s right-handed, and I think we’re obviously a little more skewed to the left-hand side, so we feel like he’s a really good fit for us.” Brewers PBO Matt Arnold told reporters.
The Brewers had just five right-handed relievers on their 40-man roster prior to this trade: Abner Uribe, Trevor Megill, Grant Anderson, Craig Yoho, and Easton McGee. Yoho is on the IL to start the season.
“Followed his career obviously in St. Louis. [Woodford] did a really nice job against us. He was a good player out of Tampa as an amateur. Got a big signing bonus and has been on our radar for a while,” Arnold added.
Woodford is out of minor league options, so now that he’s added to the 40-man, he must remain up with the big-league club. It remains to be seen if he’ll arrive in time for Opening Day. The Brewers have 72 hours to activate him after a trade, so they could wait until Friday to put him on the roster.
On the other side, the Brewers shipped out Hunt, who was ranked No. 48 on my Top 50 Brewers prospects list this spring. Hunt had a 4.45 ERA last year in Double-A Biloxi across 26 starts covering 121 1/3 IP. An undrafted free agent out of Mississippi State in 2023, Hunt exploded onto prospect radars in 2024 with a 2.03 ERA across three levels. He wasn’t quite able to maintain that success last year and with the sheer depth of starting pitching in the upper minors, Hunt became expendable depth.
“He’s certainly done a really good job. Obviously have to give up something to get something and you feel like just accelerating what K.C. Hunt was into what we believe is a guy who can contribute to our major league team right now was something we felt like made sense” Arnold said.
Oct 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Gospel singer Keith Williams Jr. performs the national anthem before game five of the 2025 MLB World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The first series of the season for the Dodgers carries a celebratory nature, as a team coming off a championship, let alone two. Here are the details of all the pregame festivities for the first two days of the season, before games against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.
Opening day
Keith Williams Jr. sings the national anthem on Thursday, his first opening day at Dodger Stadium since 2023. Magic Johnson will through out the ceremonial first pitch. Opening day always has pomp and circumstance with every player and coach introduced and lining up along the foul lines, and this year has the additional tasks of raising the championship flag at Dodger Stadium and the 2025 World Series emblem along the base of the club level down the right field line.
Dodger Stadium gates for both the parking lot and stadium open at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, three hours before the first pitch.
Friday ring ceremony
Brad Paisley sings the national anthem before Friday’s game, so watch out for potential extra innings, though let’s see if this particular quirk extends beyond the World Series.
The ring ceremony begins at 6:20 p.m. before the 7:10 p.m. game, and will all be televised by SportsNet LA. Actor Anthony Anderson will narrate the ring ceremony, and the USC marching band will also be a part of the festivities.
MESA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 27: Pitcher Parker Messick #77 of the Cleveland Guardians throws during the fifth inning of a spring training game against the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park on February 27, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Multiple reports have said North Carolina is weighing its options regarding Davis' future, with a decision to be made in the coming days. His weekly radio show scheduled for Monday, March 23, was postponed, swirling rumors even further.
“Every year at the end of the season, it’s important to evaluate all facets of the program and look for ways to improve,” North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham said March 21 in a statement. “The chancellor (Lee Roberts), Steve (Newmark) and I are doing that together now and will continue to have discussions over the coming days.”
Here's the latest on Davis as North Carolina, one of the top jobs in men's college basketball, decides its future. Follow for live updates:
Hubert Davis live updates: Will UNC basketball make coaching change?
CBS Sports analyst Seth Davis posted Tuesday, March 24, on X that North Carolina has asked Davis if he wants to continue coaching, and that Davis said, "emphatically yes."
Not sure I've seen many situations like the one that is happening at North Carolina regarding Hubert Davis," Davis wrote. "... To let it go on for this long with no decision is not fair to anyone. At this point it would be very very difficult to bring him back. He would enter next season under a huge cloud.
"Usually the best strategy in this situation is to rip the Band-Aid off and make a decision one way or the other. To let it linger for this long is unnecessary and healthy. Here's hoping we get a decision on this one way or another very very soon."
Would Florida's Todd Golden or Alabama's Nate Oats consider the North Carolina job, should it open? USA TODAY Network's Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams weigh if the leading SEC coaches would leave for the Tar Heels.
If UNC opts for a change, it should strongly consider looking outside of the family to replace Davis, after the succession plan of Roy Williams to Davis fizzled, writes USA TODAY Sports columnist Blake Toppmeyer. He suggest six names for the post, including three who have won national titles.
ESPN's Pete Thamel reported March 21 that North Carolina was in discussion about Davis' future following its loss to VCU. ESPN said a decision was expected to be made in the coming days.
ESPN also reported Davis' departure wouldn't be termed as an "outright firing," due to his strong ties to the university, dating back to his time as both a player and assistant coach.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 29: General view of the exterior of Chase Field before the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies on March 29, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Next time, it will count. Today, however? Expect a fairly laid-back game, with most of the regulars checking out after a couple of at-bats. Whether you will be able to tell the difference between that and last night’s two-hit shutout, is a valid question. But after today, we can hopefully breathe a sigh of relief at having got through spring without anything too bad in the way of injuries. There were some concerns, most notably Corbin Carroll’s broken hamate bone, but compared to some previous season, this hasn’t been too bad. The team looks basically likely to go into Opening Day with no further casualties, beyond the ones held over from last season.
Here’s your final pre-season line-up:
Lineup Update:
2B – Vargas RF – Carroll SS – Perdomo 3B – Arenado 1B – Smith DH – Santana C – McCann LF – Thomas CF – Lawlar SP – Soroka
Ketel Marte was a late scratch from the originally posted line-up. I did momentarily worry I somehow jinxed the team with the paragraph above… But according to Alex Weiner, “Torey Lovullo said Ketel Marte was scratched due to soreness. No concern for Opening Day.” Phew. Today’s game is a Spanish language broadcast only, on La Campesina 101.9 FM and 860 AM hosted by Oscar Soria and Rodrigo Lopez, so I’ll be seeing if those Duolingo lessons paid off. After Michael Soroka, the only names listed are RHP Andrew Hoffmann and Juan Morillo, so I suspect we’ll be seeing some off-roster players working the later innings.
History matters less than ever before in college sports.
Consider the case of Indiana. Once a basketball power, the Hoosiers rarely make the NCAA Tournament anymore, while Indiana rules college football. That's an Indiana football program that was forever-a-doormat until two years ago.
Oh, and get a load of this: Nebraska basketball is in the Sweet 16. Nebraska football gives contract extensions for 7-6 seasons.
Coaching a blue-blood means subjecting yourself to the highest degree of pressure and expectations, with fewer advantages than those programs were once accustomed to enjoying.
Indiana missed the tournament, for the eighth time in the past 10 years. UCLA lost in Round 2, and Mick Cronin complained he needs more NIL money. NIL money isn’t the issue at Kentucky, but its expensive roster went bust, and the Wildcats got trounced in the second round. North Carolina lost in the first round for the second straight season, and Hubert Davis’ rump sits on a hot seat.
No. 1 Duke carries the torch for the blue-bloods. A more newly minted blue-blood, UConn, also remains in the tournament. Overall, though, these are not glory days for blue-bloods.
No coach wants to work for a program that resides in the poorhouse and can’t finance a roster, but you could make a compelling argument that a coach is better off at a nouveau riche program than a blue-blood. What do all those banners in the rafters really get you, nowadays?
And, still, coaching a blue-blood offers an intoxicating ego-stroke in an industry full of egomaniacs.
If North Carolina fires Davis — a decision on his fate has yet to be announced — the Tar Heels need only one A-list candidate to say yes to the pressure in exchange for being at a school where basketball reigns supreme.
On this edition of “SEC Football Unfiltered,” a podcast from the USA TODAY Network, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams debate the appeal of coaching a blue-blood and whether two of the SEC’s star coaches, Florida’s Todd Golden and Alabama’s Nate Oats, might consider leaving a stable job for a premier opportunity like North Carolina, where the pressure is high but so is the ceiling.
Oats and Golden are proven coaches in their prime. Oats’ Crimson Tide reached the Sweet 16 for a fourth straight year. They made the Final Four in 2024, beating UNC along the way.
Although Golden’s Gators suffered a surprising second-round loss to Iowa, his stock remains red-hot after last year’s national championship made him the youngest coach to win a title since Jim Valvano.
Would Todd Golden or Nate Oats consider leaving for UNC basketball?
Adams: A coach as successful as Golden or Oats doesn't think he'd fail at UNC. They probably think they’d crush it there and be the king of Chapel Hill — and, maybe, they would crush it there. They’re winners, and although UNC comes with a mountain of pressure, it also comes with a lot of resources. Talent is the name of the game, and UNC attracts top talent, even in an era where the newly rich programs can buy talent, too.
My only hesitation with leaving a good situation at Florida or Alabama in favor of UNC? Well, there's this: If you wait another year, perhaps you could have the Kentucky job. How's that for a blue-blood?
UNC must face Duke two or three or even four times a season. Why subject yourself to being compared to Duke, if you could instead be at Kentucky? The Wildcats have rivals, but nothing as intense as the intra-conference battle between Duke and UNC. Kentucky has shown it’ll spare no expense on its roster. It just needs a better coach. Come 2027, it might find itself in hot pursuit of one.
The football programs act as a heat shield for coaches at Alabama and Florida. If Oats’ team loses in the Sweet 16, he’ll get a satisfied thumbs up from Alabama fans, before they turn their attention to A-Day and demand a football national title from Kalen DeBoer.
Bottom line: So long as you can build a competitive roster, it’s not such a bad thing to be a successful basketball coach at a football school. Ask Rick Barnes.
Plus, the SEC is enjoying a basketball uprising. It led all conferences with 10 bids to the NCAA Tournament this season, after 14 bids last year and a national title from Golden’s Gators. Win 20 games as an SEC team, and you’re dancing.
Programs like UNC and Kentucky need coaches like Golden and Oats a lot more than those ace coaches need a blue-blood.
Which SEC school will be left standing in the Sweet 16?
The SEC advanced four teams into the Sweet 16, second only to the Big Ten’s six Sweet 16 teams. But, with the Gators eliminated, will any SEC teams be left standing in the Elite Eight?
Adams: Tennessee has the best chance to reach the Elite Eight, especially if Iowa State star Joshua Jefferson (ankle injury) doesn’t play in this Sweet 16 game. Arkansas is the hottest SEC team, but better to face Iowa State than No. 1 Arizona, which will play the Razorbacks.
Toppmeyer: Take Tennessee as the last SEC team standing in the Elite Eight. This looks like a winnable matchup for the Vols. Tennessee and Iowa State are blue-collar teams built on defense. Barnes has two straight Elite Eight appearances. Make it three in a row.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 23: Kevin McGonigle #85 of the Detroit Tigers warms up before a spring training game against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 23, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Detroit Tigers vs. Colorado Rockies
Time/Place: 3:10 p.m., Salt River Fields – Scottsdale, AZ SB Nation Site:Purple Row Media: TBD
The Mets used a tremendous amount of pitchers in 2025; if you count position players, 46 pitchers tossed off the mount last year for the Mets. 29 pitchers pitched in relief for the Mets last season, and of all that pitched in at least five games, only seven are still in the organization and/or aren’t out for the entirety of 2026 with injuries: Huascar Brazobán, A.J. Minter, Brandon Waddell, Justin Hagenman, Richard Lovelady, Kevin Herget, and Brooks Raley.
Of all of those pitchers, Raley is the one that is probably easiest to project going into 2026. He’s been a very good left-handed reliever for some time now, coming back from Korea in the 2020 season, but really coming into his own in 2022 as a member of the Rays. After a trade to the Mets before the 2023 season, Raley has established himself as the Mets’ preeminent lefty when healthy. In ‘23, he appeared in 66 games with a 2.80 ERA. He got hurt in 2024 and missed most of the season, but started the year with seven scoreless innings before getting hurt.
After re-signing with the Mets while hurt, Raley returned to the big league mound in July of 2025 and was quite good: 25.2 innings of work, just seven earned runs, 25 strikeouts to six walks, no home runs, and a 2.45 ERA. The Mets very wisely picked up his option for 2026, and he returns to the Mets as their most veteran member of the relief corps.
Raley works with mainly four pitches: a sweeper, a sinker, a cutter, and a change-up. He relies mostly on the sweeper, throwing it just over 40% of the time. He makes up for a lack of velocity by getting a nice amount of spin on his balls; in his last season of regular work, Raley had elite fastball spin, which led to low exit velocity, and very few hard-hit or barreled balls.
Raley is enetering his age 38 season, so he’s no young gun, but with Minter starting the year on the IL and a proven track record of success, Raley will be the Mets’ primary lefty out of the bullpen as the season starts. Whether he can maintain that role once Minter returns remains to be seen, but the combination of his consistency and stuff will ensure that he’ll get lots of usage out of the bullpen this year.
One final note on Raley: he was one of five Tampa Bay Rays to opt out of wearing Rays LGBTQIA+ Pride-themed gear for their 2022 Pride Night. Raley did not comment on his decision.
The Denver Nuggets need every win they can get right now, finally nearing health at just the right time. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns can coast into the postseason at this point.
Yet, this matchup features a spread within two buckets.
My Nuggets vs. Suns predictions and NBA picks expect Phoenix to focus its defensive attention on Nikola Jokic, while the Denver star feasts on Tuesday, March 24.
Nuggets vs Suns prediction
Nuggets vs Suns best bet: Nikola Jokic Over 13.5 rebounds (-110)
The obvious handicap is that Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic has cleared this prop in four of his last six games. There should still be some worry tonight, though.
The Phoenix Suns are slowing things down these days to hide their disadvantages as injuries expose their roster, but those injuries will play a big part in Joker eclipsing this number.
Oso Ighodaro and Jordan Goodwin will mount only so much resistance to Jokic, and he'll dominate this frontcourt.
Nuggets vs Suns same-game parlay
Jokic should dominate his every matchup against the Suns, which should also reduce his need to pass the ball. Then, if Phoenix does indeed slow down the game, that should further lessen Jokic’s chances to move the ball to his teammates.
Not to mention, bet365 is offering a 30% boost on this same-game parlay, raising it to +780 if applied.
Nuggets vs Suns SGP
Nikola Jokic Over 13.5 rebounds
Nikola Jokic Over 28.5 points
Nikola Jokic Under 10.5 assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: Let Jokic Eat
Phoenix knows it is thin these days, yet the Suns rank No. 13 in offensive rating in March and No. 12 in defensive rating. They're hanging on in intentional ways. Tonight’s intention will be to let Jokic feast, but no other Nugget beats them.
Clearly, the Under on Jokic’s assists is correlated to the Under on Jamal Murray’s points. And both thoughts tie to the Suns setting tonight’s terms.
Nuggets vs Suns SGP
Suns +5.5
Under 232.5
Jamal Murray Under 23.5 points
Nikola Jokic Under 10.5 assists
Nikola Jokic Over 13.5 rebounds
Nuggets vs Suns odds
Spread: Nuggets -5.5 | Suns +5.5
Moneyline: Nuggets -240 | Suns +195
Over/Under: Over 232.5 | Under 232.5
Nuggets vs Suns betting trend to know
Phoenix has cashed four straight Unders, falling short of bookmakers’ expectations by an average of 8.5 points per game. Find more NBA betting trends for Nuggets vs. Suns.
How to watch Nuggets vs Suns
Location
Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ
Date
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Tip-off
11:00 p.m. ET
TV
Peacock
Nuggets vs Suns latest injuries
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