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Inspiration.

“We’ve got to start honing in on the pitching side of things, and we’re wanting to see guys commanding the baseball, commanding their secondary stuff, attacking the zone, filling up the zone.” — Torey Lovullo, 7 March

To the extent that Torey Lovullo’s comment reflects Diamondbacks’ pitching that is less than what it’s got to be, (and he is a straight-shooter), bullpen battles are incendiary.  Spring training may add fuel to the fires.  Let’s look at spring training data through 10 March.

Approach.

To increase comparability between pitchers, pitches are segregated into fastballs, breaking balls, and off-speed pitches.

To shed light on “filling the zone’ and ‘commanding the baseball’, let’s look at two things.  First, what percentage of pitches are in the attack zone, and what percentage of pitches are in the combined attack zone / shadow zone per Baseball Savant?  Second, what percentage of those pitches do not become balls in play?  Instead, they are called strikes, whiffs, foul balls, and sometimes called balls (based on umpire judgement).

After this comparison, to add insights the pitchers will be also compared on more common (and all-inclusive for all pitch types) measures such as on-base percentage (OBP), slugging (SLG), wOBA, and hard hit percentage (HH%). 

Compared two bullpen pitchers, who were acquired in the off-season.

The two pitchers were Jonathan Loaisiga and Kade Strowd.  There are good reasons to be confident that Loaisiga will be on the opening day roster per this AZ Snake Pit article.

5 Bullpen Metrics.  Kade Strowd’s hard hit percentage is one of the best in the Majors. In 2025 Strowd was better than Loaisiga in 4 of 5 metrics, per this AZ Snake Pit article.

For a second time, comparing those 5 metrics (in spring training through 10 March instead of last season), the picture is very different.  The two pitchers were close to equal, with possibly Loaisiga having a slight edge.  The following table shows the five metrics:

Filling the Zone.  In spring training through 10 March, Loaisiga had higher percentages of fastballs and breaking balls that filled the zone.  Also, Loaisiga when fastballs and breaking balls filled the zone, Loaisiga had less of those become balls in play.  Details are in the following table.

4 Pitching Metrics.  In addition, in spring training Loaisiga was better than Strowd in four more common metrics.  For details see the following table.

Based on the comparisons, both pitchers are great with Loaisiga showing best in spring training.

Compared three left-handed bullpen pitchers.

Let’s look at Brandyn Garcia, Mitch Bratt, and Kohl Drake.  Although the last two players were optioned to the minors on 8 March, the comparison may shed light on which pitcher is more likely to be called up if Garcia is injured or traded.  Although Bratt and Drake might eventually be rotation pitchers, that doesn’t preclude them being called up to pitch in the bullpen.

Filling the Zone.  Perhaps surprisingly, in spring training the three pitchers filled the zone close to the same percentages for both fastballs and breaking balls.  Looking at whether those pitches became balls in play, there were differences.  For fastballs, they were all great, but for in the attack zone they ranked Garcia (best), Drake, and Bratt.  For in the combined attack zone and shadow zone, the rankings of Drake and Bratt switched. For breaking balls, Garcia and Bratt were great, with Drake at the bottom. Details are in the following table. It includes data from spring training through 10 March.

4 Pitching Metrics.

In spring training, Garcia had by far the best OBP, SLG, and wOBA. Bratt had the best HH%.  So that may be a factor in why Garcia looks like he will be on the opening day roster.

Comparing Bratt and Drake, Bratt had the better SLG and HH%, while Drake had the better OBP.  About equal was wOBA. 

Details are in the following table. It includes data from spring training through 10 March.

Based on the comparisons, during the season it’s not clear to me whether I would call up Bratt or Drake.  Maybe it would depend on which team the Diamondbacks were playing against, with one having the better matchups against opposing batters.

Looked at Philip Abner.

Despite being a left-handed He was not included in the 3-pitcher comparison. Last season, after an incredible rise from a+ to AA to AAA to MLB, he pitched 3.2 innings in the Majors with a 4.91 ERA.

Perhaps he has “big league stuff” and he would benefit from adding a “couple ticks” to his fastball velocity.

In spring training his average fastball velocity was 91.3 MPH. In spring training through 10 March, he filled the zone without allowing BIPs. “It’s possible the team could go with both [Garcia and Abner], if Torey Lovullo wants two lefties.”

Details are in the following tables. They include data from spring training through 10 March.

Summary.

Bullpen battles are incendiary, with filling the zone a factor.

Arguably, Jonathan Loaisiga and Kade Strowd will be in the opening day bullpen.  Based on several comparisons, both pitchers are great with Loaisiga showing best in spring training.

Brandyn Garcia will likely be the left-handed pitcher in the bullpen on opening day. 

• If the team goes with two left-handed pitchers in the bullpen, Philip Abner could be in the bullpen on opening day.
• Based on the comparisons, during the season it’s not clear which left-handed pitcher (Bratt or Drake) will be called up if needed. 

I need to put together my predictions for the Cleveland Guardians in 2026 and I am at a loss.

Inside me are two wolves: One wolf fiercely believes in this manager, this organization’s ability to get the most out of a little, in Jose Ramirez, and in Austin Hedges. The other wolf knows that projections doubt this starting pitching staff and the offense, which was 28th in wRC+ last season, will be relying almost entirely on internal improvements and prospect graduations to improve.

See, if David Fry can get back to being a 120 wRC+ bat against LHP and take late-inning at-bats from Austin Hedges (and Bo Naylor against tough southpaw relievers) and work his way back into right field reps, this team looks a lot better. But, if Fry is the 75 wRC+ hitter he has been since June 2024… not so much.

See, if Gabriel Arias can just manage a 90 wRC+ and play gold glove level shortstop defense, and if Brayan Rocchio is the 100 wRC+ and sparkling defender at second base he was from July-October, this middle infield would be suddenly competent. But, if both are the 75 wRC+ hitters, no amount of glove work is going to make up for that.

Now, if Arias and/or Rocchio flop, the Guardians do have Juan Brito and Travis Bazzana ready to play second base, potentially. Brito has elite pulled fly ball abilities and a good eye at the plate, and Bazzana has shown some signs of being an electric performer both at the plate and, surprisingly, in the field. But, also, Brito’s defense has looked incredibly shaky at times, he lacks elite exit velocity and has shown some contact issues in Spring Training at times. Bazzana, meanwhile, has flashes of brilliance at the plate, but also still seems far too passive and there are still questions if he will realize his potential.

See, if Kyle Manzardo can build on his 2025 and increase his home run and walk output, we can have a legitimate middle-of-the-order hitter! But, he still has a lot of swing-and-miss in his game and his defense at first base this spring has looked somehow even worse than last season’s efforts.

See, if Rhys Hoskins is the 120 wRC+ hitter he has been for his career, a lot of the Guardians’ issues are solved! Especially if he’s 130 wRC+ or more against LHP! But, he could also be more like a league average bat unable to punish fastballs as effectively now that he has entered his 30’s.

See, if Bo Naylor has made some needed adjustments, he could be the #5 hitter the Guardians need and that he looked to be in September of 2025 and through most of this spring! But, if he is the mediocre defender and 85 wRC+ hitter he was for most of last season… the team will be hoping for Cooper Ingle to figure things out behind the plate QUICKLY.

See, if Chase DeLauter and George Valera can just be healt… well, you know the fears here.

See, if Steven Kwan can hold up playing centerfield, and either Stuart Fairchild or Angel Martinez can manage a 110-120 wRC+ against LHP… but none of that is at all a sure (or likely?) thing.

I feel very good about the Guardians’ bullpen, but Hunter Gaddis’s forearm scare has reminded me that the depth behind Smith, Armstrong, Gaddis and Sabrowski isn’t necessarily amazing…

Finally, the Guardians’ rotation… this group was a top 5 rotation to end the season and I truly think they have potential to be that, or at least top ten. But, is it the Arizona climate that has made Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee and Joey Cantillo look shaky, or is it some projections being unsure about them showing up? Is Slade Cecconi hurt, why isn’t he starting today? Are they really going to start Logan Allen over Parker Messick?

I don’t know why but I can’t remember feeling so conflicted about what to expect from a Cleveland Guardians’ team going into a season. I know what I will be rooting for, of course… another Hall of Fame season from Jose Ramirez, huge steps from the organization’s many exciting young potential stars, more accolades for Carl Willis as he leads another amazing season from the many exciting young arms on this team. And, a little extra joy for me each and every day I get to hear Tom Hamilton on the radio, see our boys light up my TV screen, pick out which of my dozen Guardians’ hats I’m going to wear to help them find all the luck they need, and I learn, yet again, to live and die with every pitch, every swing, and every new ballgame.

Ahead of today’s game against the Marlins, the Mets optioned MJ Melendez and Christian Scott to Triple-A. In addition to those moves, they Adbert Alzolay, Christian Arroyo, Nick Burdi, Jose Rojas, and Daniel Duarte to minor league camp. The Mets now have 46 players left at spring training with nine days to go until Opening Day.

Melendez was competing for a bench spot with the team and had enjoyed a pretty strong showing in Port St. Lucie. In 11 at-bats, he hit two home runs and scored four runs, hitting .364 with an 1.364 OPS. He also suited up for Puerto Rico in the WBC, going hitless in four at-bats with two walks and a run scored. The Mets had signed Melendez to a split deal back on February 8, which would be worth $1.5 million with $500K in incentives if he was on the major league roster. Melendez was a top prospect as recently as 2022, when he was a catcher. He has since played primarily as a corner outfielder and was competing for that role with the club.

Scott meanwhile, is looking to work his way back from Tommy John Surgery, which cost him his 2025 season. The right-hander, who allowed three earned runs in three-innings plus and took the loss in last night’s game against the Nationals, made two appearances for the Mets this spring and posted a 4.50 ERA with eight strikeouts in six innings of work. He will continue to get looks in Triple-A and could find himself back in the majors should anyone in the team’s rotation suffer an injury, or if anyone underperforms.

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The 2026 World Baseball Classic final is here, and Team USA and Team Venezuela will go head-to-head at loanDepot Park in Miami on Tuesday, March 17.

Here are my top World Baseball Classic bets and USA vs. Venezuela predictions for tonight's tournament finale.

Best Venezuela vs USA props today

Prop #1: Eduardo Rodriguez Under 4.5 strikeouts

-135 at DraftKings

Venezuelan lefty Eduardo Rodriguez has only pitched 2 2/3 innings in the tournament and sports a pedestrian 8.37 K/9 and 20.7 K% across 204 1/3 frames over the past two MLB seasons.

The veteran also posted a 5.02 ERA during the two years, and I’m not anticipating him pitching deep enough to pick up five or more strikeouts against the potent American lineup tonight. 

Plus, Team USA has only fanned 48 times across six tournament games.

Prop #2: Nolan McLean 2+ walks allowed

+180 at DraftKings

Control hasn’t been a calling card for United States righty Nolan McLean, and he posted a 3.96 BB/9 and 10.7 BB% in the minors last year before putting up respective 3.0 and 5.8% marks across 48 innings in the majors.

McLean also issued a pair of free passes across three innings during his lone tournament start to date. 

Additionally, I expect the Venezuelans to have trouble doing damage against McLean, which will allow him to pitch deep enough into the final to serve up two or more bases on balls.

Prop #3: Aaron Judge 1+ walks

-115 at DraftKings

Team USA captain Aaron Judge has a .414 on-base percentage in the tournament, thanks in large part to drawing six free passes across six games. His two homers and .565 slugging percentage reinforce why opposing pitchers and managers are proceeding with caution with the three-time AL MVP, too.

How to watch Venezuela vs USA and game info

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cubs fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

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As you know, Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki suffered some sort of knee injury playing for Japan in the World Baseball Classic.

Here’s how it happened [VIDEO].

It’s really hard to tell exactly how the injury happened. Suzuki walked gingerly off the field and was still limping when he reported back to Cubs camp, wearing a soft knee brace.

He had an MRI on Monday and results were expected to be announced to the media later today. I’ll update this survey post when those MRI results become public, but in the meantime, this week’s SB Nation Cubs Reacts survey question is: Who do you think should replace Suzuki in right field if he’s out for a while?

Vote in the survey and I’ll have the responses later this week.

After a rare day off, the St. Louis Cardinals are back in action on St. Patrick’s Day Tuesday as they travel to the Washington Nationals Spring Training home. According to MLB.com, Dustin May will make another start for the Cardinals while Jake Irvin takes the mound for the Nationals.

Detroit Tigers vs. Baltimore Orioles

Time/Place: 1:05 p.m., Joker Marchant Stadium – Lakeland, FL
SB Nation Site: Camden Chat
Media:Tigers Radio Network

This afternoon in Lakeland: pic.twitter.com/xExGgiAdDh

— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) March 17, 2026

Here are the lineups for today’s matchup against the Twins. Let’s discuss.

For the Phillies:

Zeus day ⚡ pic.twitter.com/elr6bTeu1e

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 17, 2026

For the Twins:

Hitting the road today

📺 https://t.co/usGFyQCbUxpic.twitter.com/OL3GAozefG

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) March 17, 2026

Mets lineup

1. Francisco Lindor – SS
2. Marcus Semien – 2B
3. Bo Bichette – 3B
4. Jorge Polanco – 1B
5. Luis Robert – CF
6. Brett Baty – RF
7. Luis Torrens – C
8. Mike Tauchman – DH
9. Tyrone Taylor – LF

SP: Sean Manaea – LHP

Marlins lineup

1. Otto Lopez – SS
2. Agustin Ramirez – C
3. Connor Norby – 1B
4. Owen Caissie – LF
5. Christopher Morel – RF
6. Graham Pauley – DH
7. Esteury Ruiz – CF
8. Jacob Berry – 3B
9. Johnny Olmstead – 2B

SP: Sandy Alcantara – RHP

Broadcast info

First pitch: 1:10 PM EDT
TV: Not this time
Radio: Marlins Radio

After the trade deadline in 2000, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays were looking to move on from the Hit Show as the duo of Vinny Castilla and Jose Canseco had failed to deliver any offensive impact over the season. The year prior, Canseco was looking like a possible MVP candidate and was pacing Mark McGwire’s newly set homerun record. However, a back injury stalled out his season and he didn’t get much better in 2000.

Tampa Bay placed Canseco on waivers in August and the New York Yankees were pursuing another title. However, several other teams had better records than New York and Yankee GM Brian Cashman was afraid that these teams might utilize Canseco against them. So Cashman made a claim hoping to block those teams and also thinking that Devil Rays GM Chuck LaMar would pull Canseco back off of waivers.

Two days later, LaMar called Cashman and told him Canseco was going to New York, no trade necessary. The Yankees already had Glenallen Hill and David Justice sharing the DH duties, so there was no where to play Canseco. Manager Joe Torre was asked how he would use Canseco and he responded bluntly, “I don’t know” and would also say he was “stunned” by the acquisition. Meanwhile owner George Steinbrenner made these remarks, I think they got caught up in something they didn’t think about, but I’m behind my people. I’m totally supportive of what they did. I’m happy the man is coming here, and I’m hoping he does the job for me.“

Regardless, Cashman had successfully blocked another contending team from acquiring the controversial Cuban slugger, so mission accomplished in a sense. Meanwhile, LaMar accomplished his goal of shedding payroll; “The Tampa Bay Devil Rays got the opportunity to give young players at-bats and save $2 million,” Devil Rays general manager Chuck LaMar said. “To them, it may not be nothing. To us it’s a lot.”

Canseco hit .243/.365/.432 with 6 HR over 37 games for New York and struck out in his lone plate appearance of the postseason; he’d receive a World Series ring and later reneged on a deal to sell it a private collector for $40,000.

Anyways…

First pitch against the New York Yankees is at 1:05 at Charlotte Sports Park and the Rays will be providing tv and radio coverage.

It is a championship game, winner take all, all hands ideally on deck, and whatever other endgame cliches you may want to summon.

Yet in the World Baseball Classic final between Team USA and Venezuela on Tuesday, March 17, the realities of a forthcoming 162-game Major League Baseball season may emerge.

Most notably, Team USA closer Mason Miller's availability for the championship game is in question; it would be his third outing in five days, an aggressive path for this point of spring training. Manager Mark DeRosa figures he'll be available but the San Diego Padres, who sign Miller's paychecks, must sign off.

"Not ruled out, not decided," San Diego manager Craig Stammen said Monday at the Padres' spring training camp in Arizona. "How we do with every pitcher, we evaluate them after their outing, see how they feel and then calculate when their next outing's going to be. So he's in that same boat."

So, too, are Team USA's cadre of seventh-, eighth- and ninth-inning guys. Yankees closer David Bednar worked the seventh and Boston Red Sox set-up man Garrett Whitlock the eighth inning, passing the baton to Miller, in their 2-1 escape against the Dominican Republic on Sunday, March 15.

Venezuela is in a similar boat, however. The bullpen had to cover 7 2/3 innings of their semifinal victory over Italy – and the Venezuelans will not enjoy a day of rest between the semis and finals, like Team USA. While their key relievers all stayed under 20 pitches, top lefty Angel Zerpa and right-handers Andres Machado, Eduard Bazardo and Danny Palencia all worked to stave off Italy.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Which USA, Venezuela relievers will be available for WCB final?

For the first time in almost 30 years, the Tarleton State Texans are coming to the Forty Acres for a Tuesday matchup against the No. 2 Texas Longhorns as junior catcher Carson Tinney tries to build on his best performance in burnt orange and white.

The Notre Dame transfer looked like a sure-fire star to replace Rylvan Galvan after leading the Fighting Irish in batting average (.348), runs (52), homers (17), RBI (53), total bases (119), walks (34), on-base percentage (.498), slugging (.753), and multi-RBI performances (17) in 2025.

The transition to Texas hasn’t been easy for the Colorado product, however — the 6’4, 240-pounder entered the opening series of SEC play batting .259 and without a weekend home run.

Between the 15-4 victory over Texas State in San Marcos and the weekend series against Ole Miss, Tinney and assistant coach Troy Tulowitzki spent time addressing Tinney’s mentality at the plate and making some physical changes to his swing.

Head coach Jim Schlossnagle had a simple message for his catcher.

“We’ve either got to take the swing that you show us in the batting cages and in practice, and just his ability to control his emotions and heart rate, we’ve got to take that into a game, or we’ve got to start practicing that massive uphill swing and learn how to hit the ball that way, right?” Schlossnagle said during his Monday appearance on the Around the Horns podcast.

Tinney’s adjustment to the large crowds at UFCU Disch-Falk Field and the increased pressure of the Texas baseball spotlight hasn’t gone smoothly, and it’s caused him to press.

“Sometimes you can care too much, and Tinney really cares. He’s a great, great guy. He wants to do well, he loves Texas, and you can care too much and and when you care too much and you want to do so well, then that leads to mental and that leads to physical things. In a game, the swing gets a little bigger,” Schlossnagle said.

For Tinney, who boasts prodigious pull-side power, the physical changes can be a change in his swing path trying to elevate the ball too much or an unwillingness to use the entire field to hit, causing him to roll over on outside pitches, leading to weak groundouts.

So when Schlossnagle saw Tinney line out to right field on Saturday, the outcome mattered less than the improved process, prompting the Texas head coach to turn to Tulowitzki and say, “It’s coming.”

It was, and on Sunday, Tinney had his best performance with the Longhorns, going 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI.

The home run was a monster blast that traveled 465 feet over the batter’s eye in center field with an exit velocity of 113 miles per hour.

monster mash 💣#HookEm | @carson_tinneypic.twitter.com/mnJE07KzFq

— Texas Baseball (@TexasBaseball) March 15, 2026

For Schlossnagle, an RBI single up the middle off the end of his bat was probably more encouraging.

Tin Man time ⌚️#HookEm | @carson_tinneypic.twitter.com/1qBM9EKlEE

— Texas Baseball (@TexasBaseball) March 15, 2026

“Once he starts staying on the ball, then he’s going to be able to keep the balls he hits to the pull-side fair, maybe get them on the barrel instead of off the end of the bat. He had two hits on the weekend where he just kind of gave something up and stayed through a ball and just spit the ball up the middle of the field. I think he may have had two of those,” Schlossnagle said.

Tinney will get his first opportunity on Tuesday against senior right-hander Brendon Carter, who has only pitched one inning this season against Houston Christian after recording a 5.96 ERA last season in 17 appearances, including two starts.

Texas will have a new midweek starter after moving freshman right-hander Sam Cozart to the weekend bullpen following four superlative performances on Tuesdays. Getting the nod over sophomore right-hander Jason Flores is junior right-hander Hudson Hamilton (0-0, 9.00 ERA), who is making his second career start and fifth appearance of the 2026 season. Hamilton didn’t allow a hit or a run over his first three appearances before a hit and a walk in 0.1 innings against USC Upstate resulted in two earned runs on Hamilton’s ledger.

Hamilton will face a Tarleton lineup batting .298 overall and with some hot hitters — Rayner Heinrich boasts a 14-game hitting streak and has reached base safely in 15 straight, Slade McCloud is on a 10-game hitting streak, reaching safely in 11 straight, and Carson Lorch has reached base safely in all 19 games this season.

On the road this season, the Texans have a 4-0 record after a four-game sweep of the Lobos in Albuquerque.

First pitch is at 6:30 p.m. Central on SEC Network+.

The World Baseball Classic reaches its epic conclusion tonight with a battle between the United States and Venezuela at loanDepot park in Miami. Several Yankees still remain with the team, including Aaron Judge, David Bednar, Paul Goldschmidt, and Tim Hill. After tonight, they’ll head back up to Tampa for the final week of spring training. So, in a way, this St. Patty’s Day clash with the Rays in Port Charlotte is the final time before the Yankees will be whole again.

Will Warren is looking to keep the good times rolling with his second-to-last tune-up start of the spring. The 26-year-old right-hander was perfect into the fifth inning of his last start against the Tigers, but coughed up a two-run homer to Zach McKinstry in what was the only blemish of a strong outing that qualified as a rare spring quality start. Overall, he’s allowed just three earned runs in 16.1 innings this spring, but would love to get more strikeouts in this one. He tossed 64 pitches in his last start, so expect him to get close to 75 today.

Ryan Pepiot was sneakily the Rays’ ace last year, posting 31 starts of a sub-4 ERA with decent enough peripherals to boot. The 28-year-old, who was the centerpiece of the Tyler Glasnow trade, figures to be in the middle of a solid rotation that will hopefully feature healthier versions of Shane McClanahan and Drew Rasmussen. He’s thrown five strong innings across two starts this spring, albeit with six walks. Expect 60-75 pitches today.

Trent Grisham will lead off and hopefully start to get his bat going. Ben Rice, Jasson Domínguez, and Ryan McMahon follow him up, with the former Rockie getting another start at shortstop to see if the team can maximize the bench. Paul DeJong, J.C. Escarra, Oswaldo Cabrera, Max Schuemann, and Seth Brown round up the Yankees’ lineup.

For prospect-heads like myself, some under-the-radar guys figure to get an at-bat late in the game. Coby Morales, Cole Gabrielson, Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek, Hans and Willy Montero, and Enmanuel Tejada are among the prospects available off the bench. Kervin Castro, Geoffrey Gilbert, Yovanny Cruz, Gus Hughes, Jack Sokol, and Rule 5 pick Cade Winquest will be out in the ’pen.

As for the Rays, it’s a similar lineup to what you’ll see on Opening Day. Yandy Díaz, Jonathan Aranda, and a recently-returned Junior Caminero start it off, followed by a trio of acquisitions in Cedric Mullins, Jake Fraley, and Gavin Lux. Hunter Fedducia, Ben Williamson, and Jonny DeLuca, the other piece in the Glasnow trade, round out the lineup.

How to watch

Location: Charlotte Sports Park — Port Charlotte, FL

First pitch: 1:05 pm ET

TV broadcast: Rays.tv

Radio broadcast: TB Audio

Online stream: Gotham Sports App, MLB.tv

For updates, follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Back in action on St. Patrick’s Day ☘️#RepBXpic.twitter.com/UrI1Lczaok

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 17, 2026

Feeling Lucky 🍀 pic.twitter.com/Z9tqufrcSj

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) March 17, 2026

The Washington Nationals finally had a big offensive performance last night, scoring 12 runs against the Mets. James Wood had a massive game, hitting rockets all over the yard. This afternoon, the offense will look to keep rolling with a different cast of characters.

The Nats lineup is very different to the one we saw last night. James Wood, Dylan Crews and CJ Abrams are out, while Brady House, Nasim Nunez and Keibert Ruiz are in. House has been the Nats hottest hitter this spring and he will look to keep that up today. We will also see Christian Franklin, who is battling for a roster spot. Jake Irvin will be on the mound as he fights to keep his spot in the rotation.

we are BACK on https://t.co/iUBDqlACVs

watch LIVE and FREE‼️ pic.twitter.com/9y7RSN4WmY

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) March 17, 2026

The Cardinals have plenty of their starters in this lineup. Rookie JJ Wetherholt is likely to make the team and he will lead off. We will also see the likes of Alec Burleson, Nolan Gorman and Victor Scott. The Nats saw new Cardinals signing Dustin May not too long ago and will be seeing him again today. May can be nasty when he is at his best.

St. Patrick's Day lineup ☘️ pic.twitter.com/WqQTaoynvF

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) March 17, 2026

Game Info:

Stadium: CACTI Ballpark of the Palm Beaches

Time: 1:05 PM EST

TV: Nationals.TV and MLB Network (out of market)

Radio: WSH Audio

This is a TV game for the Nats, so that is exciting. Most of the Nats stars are not in the lineup today, but we will get to see Brady House, the team’s hottest bat. Jake Irvin is also likely to go pretty deep into this game. Follow along in the comments below and let’s go Nats!

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Yankees fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.