Team Panama finally got its offense on track, scoring more than one run in a game for the first time in its exhibition and WBC schedule. It wasn’t enough, though, as Puerto Rico walked off the Panamanians.
Canada rolled over Colombia in its WBC opener and will look to keep the offensive fireworks popping against Panama, whose pitching needs help badly.
Panama vs Canada best bet: Canada -4.5 (+105 at DraftKings)
Team Canada brought its bats to the WBC.
The Great North scored 12 runs on 18 hits in splitting two exhibition games against the Blue Jays and Phillies. Then Canada got eight runs on eight hits in its WBC opener against Colombia.
They’re facing Panama’s Jaime Barria, who wasn’t named the starting pitcher until a few hours before game time. Since 2023, he’s posted ERAs of 5.68 with the Angels, 4.81 in Triple-A, 5.15 in Korea, and 4.80 in Mexico.
Panama’s bullpen also got torched by Puerto Rico yesterday, giving up four runs, seven hits, and 3 walks in 4 2/3 innings. It won't take much for Canada to win by a metric ton.
Both teams are starting shaky veteran starters, so don’t expect either to wait long before getting on the board. In addition to putting up runs in bunches, Canada allowed 10 runs to the Blue Jays, three to the Phillies, and two to a Colombia team that had been shut out in its WBC opener and managed just two runs in a pair of exhibition games with the Pirates and Braves.
Edmundo Sosa star player prop
Edmundo Sosa best bet: Hit a home run (+500 at DraftKings)
Phillies infielder Edmundo Sosa has one of Panama’s four extra-base hits in the WBC — a double. He also had 11 home runs for Philly last season.
The Canadians will start veteran Jameson Taillon, who has given up 122 homers in the last five seasons. In three pre-WBC during spring camp, the Chicago Cubs right-hander gave up six home runs in six innings.
Panama vs Canada opening odds
Moneyline: Panama +550 | Canada -900
Run line: Panama +4.5 (-130) | Canada -4.5 (+105)
Over/Under: Over 9.5 (-120) | Under 9.5 (+100)
How to watch Panama vs Canada and game info
Location
Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Date
Sunday, March 8, 2026
First pitch
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
FS2
Panama starting pitcher
Jaime Barria
Canada starting pitcher
Jameson Taillon
Panama vs Canada weather
Text
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 28: Jeremy Peña #3 of the Houston Astros warms up prior to a spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on February 28, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As we hit the midpoint of Spring Training, here are some new developments and comments from Joe Espada on the current state of the Astros:
SS Jeremy Pena is fielding grounders, but not throwing yet:
RHP Jason Alexander has been optioned to minor league camp.
Espada on Alexander getting optioned:
"We got some long stretches of games, but we’re going to need a six-man rotation. Jason fits right in. The job he did last year…ncredible job. He picked us up for a few months and we know how effective he is. When he got on the mound, he…
2B Brice Matthews starting in CF today, will move to 2B later in the game.
Brice Matthews is starting in CF today and will move to 2B later in the game.
Espada: "That's something he could potentially do during a Major League game – start at second, go to center. He give you that flexibility. He’s been working hard at both positions, and I’m going to…
Each of the last two seasons, a non-roster pitcher has won a spot on the Astros Opening Day roster in the bullpen and spent the year with the team. Tayler Scott in 2024, Steven Okert in 2025.
Could Peter Lambert be this year’s version?
Peter Lambert was invited to the Astros' spring training on a minor-league contract but his 'power stuff' has 'really stood out' so far in camp. https://t.co/yz0GgbpaoP
PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 25: Logan Gillaspie #71 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the ninth inning of a spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Peoria Stadium on February 25, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Cincinnati Reds at San Diego Padres, March 8, 2026, 1:10 p.m. PST
Don’t troll in your comments; create conversation rather than destroying it
Remember Gaslamp Ball is basically a non-profanity site
Out of respect to broadcast partners who have paid to carry the game, no mentions of “alternative” (read: illegal) viewing methods are allowed in our threads
GB community, this is your thread for today’s game. Enjoy!
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 23: Pedro Ramirez #75 of the Chicago Cubs at bat during the second inning of a Spring Training game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on February 23, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cubs today announced that they have reduced their Spring Training roster down from 62 to 53 with nine players having been reassigned elsewhere in the organization.
Five players on the 40-man roster were reassigned. Right-handed pitchers Riley Martin and Jack Neely as well as infielders Ben Cowles and James Triantos were assigned to Triple-A Iowa’s roster. Infielder Pedro Ramirez was assigned to the roster of Double-A Knoxville.
Additionally, four right-handed non-roster invitees were reassigned to minor league camp: Grant Kipp, Connor Noland, Connor Schultz and Jaxon Wiggins.
The Cubs’ roster now consists of 28 pitchers, six of whom are non-roster invitees. Six catchers remain (three non-roster invitees), ten infielders (four non-roster players) and nine outfielders, four of whom are non-roster players.
FORMER CUBS IN GIANTS CAMP: Michael Fulmer, Caleb Kilian. Rowan Wick was signed by the Giants but is on the 60-day injured list.
TIME CHANGE: If you haven’t already done so, and you are in the USA outside Arizona and Hawaii, you should turn your clocks ahead an hour for Daylight Saving time. This means most remaining Cubs spring games will start in the 3 p.m. hour, Central time.
Caleb Thielbar will start for the Cubs. Other Cubs pitchers scheduled today: Phil Maton, Hunter Harvey and Hoby Milner will also throw in what will be a bullpen game.
Landon Roupp will start for the Giants. Other Giants pitchers scheduled today: Blade Tidwell and Keaton Winn.
Today’s game will be televised by Marquee Sports Network. It’s also on MLB Network (outside the Cubs market territory). There will be a radio broadcast on The Score as well as on the Giants flagship station, KNBR 104.5.
Please visit our SB Nation Giants site McCovey Chronicles. If you do go there to interact with Giants fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
As we have done in the past, we’ll have a first pitch thread at five minutes to game time and one overflow thread, 90 minutes after game time. For today, that will be 3 p.m. CT and 4:30 p.m. CT.
These threads will not post individually onto the front page; instead, you can find links to them in the box marked ”Chicago Cubs Game Threads” at the bottom of the front page. There will also be a StoryStream on the front page with all the game thread links, as well as the recap after the game is over. The pitcher photos and regular-season stats will return on Opening Day.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 06: Bryce Eldridge #8 of the San Francisco Giants bats during a spring training game against the Cincinnati Reds at Scottsdale Stadium on March 06, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s another season of change for Major League Baseball. For the first time ever, hitters and catchers will have the chance to overturn called balls and strikes in official games. Are the days of ejections for arguing balls and strikes over? How do Major League Baseball fans feel about the game’s evolution?
Bryce Eldridge drew a walk in his first plate appearance of yesterday’s 7-5 Cactus League win over the Texas Rangers thanks to the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System that will be in the major leagues this season. Home plate umpire Charlie Welling had called this pitch, some 1.9” off the bottom of the zone, a strike:
Eldridge put his right hand to his batting helmet immediately, signaling for the challenge, which overturned the called strike. It was his second successful challenge in two tries this spring.
If you’re one of those optimistic Giants fans, then you saw the team’s top prospect flash strike zone awareness that could only fuel that perpetual optimism. He’s got raw power, the well-timed inside out swing, not embarrassing defense at first base, and a Brandon Beltesque awareness of the strike zone? And just 21 years old? Is he too good to be true?
Of course, he challenged a called first strike pitch a couple of innings later and the call was upheld, giving him his first lost challenge of Spring Training, but that’s insignificant in the grand scheme of things. The comedy of manners that has so often been required of hitters and catchers towards umpires falls away to a degree. Rather than indignant players showing up umps or emotionally fragile umpires feeling slighted by even the slightest slump of a shoulder or creak of a catcher’s gear, everybody gets to turn their heads towards The Computer to temporarily outsource their frustrations. It’s a chance for everybody to chill out and, at worst, get the call right.
And the added benefit is that not only do hitters with excellent strike zone judgment now have the chance to right the wrongs of umpiring, the best catchers in the world get to show off how rarely their framing “steals” strikes.
With catchers having the opportunity to challenge calls, Patrick Bailey’s preternatural pitch framing ability might just be supercharged by technology. There were some fears that he’d lose the whole stealing strikes ability, but getting to prove to the umpire that the strike he setup to catch was, indeed, a strike even if the umpire was flummoxed by his positioning or whatever makes the potential loss of a genuine “stolen strike” in a critical moment about a wash. As Andrew Baggarly reports, “Bailey is confident his success rate [for using the ABS Challenge System] will be much higher than the 56 percent overturn rate for catchers who participated in testing last spring.”
It’s not difficult to imagine an early season scenario where an opposing team is in disbelief that Bailey has been able to catch certain pitches as strikes, be wrong enough to lose their challenges (both teams start with two challenges), and then be vulnerable to the late-game “stolen strike” as a result (though, teams out of challenges are refreshed with one new challenge in extra innings).
But what about you, MLB fans? This fundamentally changes the game. The sanctity of umpire (mis)judgment has been eroding for some time thanks to the disruption provided by technology, and that loss of the human element to what is a very human game is sure to ruffle some feathers of the stodgiest and hardiest of die hards. Are you looking forward to hitters and catchers having the chance to show up the umps or swing at bats — and games — in your team’s favor with a simple challenge? SB Nation took an MLB Reacts poll to get a sense of the mood.
That’s an overwhelming result, but it makes a lot of sense. Getting the call right is a widely held belief and in a game that can be as cruel as baseball, the ABS Challenge System might just be a sorely needed pain reliever.
On the other hand, as great as technology can be, the ABS Challenge System isn’t flawless. It will change the aesthetics of the game in a way that longtime fans might not ever get used to in their (okay, our) lifetimes. And it’s not like fan opinion gets it right every time. Most fans want a salary cap, for instance. But anyway, here’s an example of this changed aesthetic:
We’ll have a lot more games ended on challenged pitches, and it’s unclear at the moment what side comes out ahead. Last March, Baseball Prospectus looked at situations similar to the video embedded above, where walk-off walks might’ve been overturned and changed to a called third strike. The fact remains that “the human element” of the game does get lost as technology suffuses it, and it’s not really a question of a tradeoff because, again, decision-making is being outsourced to a machine. We’ll probably see fewer no hitters or perfect games and fewer wild swings with stellar results just as the humans paid to play and call the game conform their behaviors to the system established by ABS. What do we gain from that beyond “getting the call right”? I think that’s a philosophical question meant to be answered in an internet comment section.
That said, the commentariat have spoken to an extent, and would seem to have a gut instinct that leads them in the opposite direction of the game-ending examples cited above:
This makes a lot of sense. Fans think players get dinged for falsely called strikes a lot of the time. They’re probably going to be surprised by how many times that’s not the case and how often umpires miss strikes, but generally speaking, this is sound. It’s always been two against one with a pitcher and catcher ganging up on the hitter and so ABS would seem to be a solution to that problem by making technology a hitter’s partner.
But you can bet the Giants are one of the few teams already in position to benefit from the rule change, not just because Bryce Eldridge has excellent strike zone judgment but because their lineup core of Rafael Devers, Matt Chapman, and (to a lesser extent) Willy Adames have a combined career OBP of .333 (the league average the past four seasons is around .315) and Patrick Bailey’s catching ability is already the best in the world. Now he gets to enhance it with technology while leading a staff that doesn’t need strikeouts to be effective, but will certainly be even better with more called strikes added to the mix.
It has been said that the Giants’ dynasty of the 2010s came to a quick and painful end once Statcast was installed in all 30 stadiums and it has felt like the franchise has been playing catchup with technology ever since. Their roster was never — and still mostly isn’t — setup to take advantage of the recent changes that enhance stolen bases, either. The ABS Challenge System would seem to be the first new industry standard they’re setup to gain from at the outset and that’s a very exciting proposition, whether you’re a diehard “human element” fan or a fan who would pay to see androids play.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 4: Emmet Sheehan #80 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch during a World Baseball Classic exhibition game against Team Mexico at Camelback Ranch on March 4, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers travel to the Maryvale section of Phoenix on Monday afternoon to take on the Milwaukee Brewers.
Emmet Sheehan makes his second appearance in an exhibition game this spring, after needing 34 pitches to record only four outs last Wednesday against Mexico at Camelback Ranch, with five of his nine batters reaching base and no strikeouts. With just under three weeks before opening day, there is at least some concern of the timing for some starters being able to be fully built up for the regular season.
But there is also more to the incremental climb than game action itself. Oftentimes, pitchers will continue to throw for an extra simulated inning in the bullpen after they are removed from a spring game to ease the build-up. Also, Sheehan pitched two simulated innings against Dodgers hitters on the backfields on February 27. But still, an extended outing on Monday would do well for Sheehan’s path toward the regular season.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 1: Kyle Hurt #63 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch during a Spring Training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Camelback Ranch on March 1, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers head to Mesa on Sunday afternoon to play the A’s at HoHoKam Park. Kyle Tucker is back in the lineup for the first time in eight days, after spending some time at home after his wife gave birth..
Lineup
Alex Call LF Kyle Tucker DH Andy Pages CF Santiago Espinal 3B Dalton Rushing C Alex Freeland SS Nick Senzel 2B Ryan Ward 1B Zach Ehrhard RF
Justin Wrobleski is on the mound.
Other pitchers
Kyle Hurt and Paul Gervase will see action on the mound today, and non-roster invitees Carson Hobbs and Jordan Weems are also on the docket.
Pitchers from minor league camp on the bus to Mesa include Joseilyn Gonzalez (wearing number 87), Logan Lunceford (89), Kelvin Ramirez (91), Nick Nastrini (93), and Jacob Frost (96).
Other position players
Busy infielders Noah Miller and Ryan Fitzgerald are active on Sunday, as are the usual outfield crew of Josue De Paula, Zyhir Hope, Kendall George, and James Tibbs III, plus catchers Griffin Lockwood-Powell and Eliézer Alfonzo.
Up from the minors are infielders Sean McLain (02), Sam Muñoz (05), and Elijah Hainline (06), plus catcher Carlos Avila (07).
Feb 28, 2026; Sarasota, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Tyler Wells (68) throws a pitch during the fifth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Two weeks remain until the Orioles head north from Sarasota. At least for the next few days, nicer weather up in Birdland makes it feel like spring here rather than a lingering winter. That’s nice. Also nice is that today’s game will be aired on MASN and on the Orioles flagship radio stations in Baltimore. Whether you are home or out and about, you have the opportunity to tune in. Enjoy it!
Untelevised games are less frequent here in the back half of the spring training schedule, fortunately, although some do remain.
Orioles lineup
Colton Cowser – CF
Taylor Ward – LF
Pete Alonso – 1B
Samuel Basallo – C
Ryan Mountcastle – DH
Dylan Beavers – RF
Bryan Ramos – 3B
Weston Wilson – 2B
José Barrero – SS
Tyler Wells is making the start, although since he’s not being stretched out as a starter any more, he’ll probably go two innings tops and then be followed by a series of relievers. Neither of yesterday’s split squad games nor this game today have an actual starting pitcher. I don’t understand the process.
As I have commented across a number of spring training games, on the home lineups I always like to think of it as how close is this to the Opening Day lineup, or at least players who will be on the Opening Day roster? Here, I think it’s 6/9 for the roster but maybe only 4/9 for the starting lineup. I give it a strong chance that Basallo is the DH with Adley Rutschman catching on Opening Day, and I feel it’s unlikely that a healthy Tyler O’Neill would be on the bench. For now, O’Neill is with Team Canada.
Mountcastle presents the constant question of whether the Orioles will or should actually find space for him on this roster. Should there be a right-handed bench bat who can only play first base and for several years running has hit for much less power than it feels like he should? I feel that answer is no, but they haven’t moved on from him yet.
There was one lone cut from the camp roster before this game, as the Orioles optioned Reed Trimble over to the minor league camp. They have 66 players remaining in the major league camp. Masses of cuts are coming at some point to get closer to the 26-man roster. That will probably happen in the coming week. The O’s aren’t in a rush about it.
LAKELAND, FL - MARCH 07: Zach McKinstry #39 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates with teammates in the dugout during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on Saturday, March 7, 2026 in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Carlee Calfee/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Sep 23, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) throws against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images | Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
The St. Louis Cardinals will spend Sunday on the diamond taking on the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium. It will be Andre Pallante starting the game for the Cardinals while MLB.com says LHP Braxton Garrett will take the mound for the Marlins.
Peoria, AZ - February 23: Ty France #4 of the San Diego Padres runs to first base during a spring training game against the Milwaukee Brewers on February 23, 2026 in Peoria, AZ. (Photo by K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)
At the outset of the offseason the San Diego Padres offense was (for better or worse) set. It already included perennial superstars Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill alongside solid contributors like Freddy Fermin and Ramón Laureano.
But, with the departure of everyday first baseman Luis Arráez in free agency to the division-rival San Francisco Giants, San Diego had an opening at the cold corner. So general manager A.J. Preller did what he does best: he found low-risk, high-reward opportunities.
As Cactus League propels toward Opening Day, here’s a look at five candidates (in order of least to most likely) who could fill first base for the Friars on March 26.
Jose Miranda
The former corner infielder for the Minnesota Twins, Miranda owns a career .263 batting average across four years of MLB service time. But this spring he’s been raking.
In 11 Cactus League games, Miranda owns a .375/.464/.667 slash line with four extra-base hits and one home run. He’s totaled seven RBI in those games.
His glove is solid as well, with a 1.000 fielding percentage in 16 innings logged at first base. But manager Craig Stammen continues to give him more innings at third, making it seem like Miranda is viewed as more of a utility player than as an everyday one.
Gavin Sheets
I know, I know, I know. He’s ranked lower than you thought he’d be. I just really cannot see Gavin Sheets playing first base every day for this team.
It’s not his bat, he’s been a fantastic addition to the Padres lineup. It’s the glove. He’s done well this spring, so it seems unwarranted to question his defense. But at the major league level (across a full season), it’s uncertain he can maintain that elite level of defensive play.
In the past, Sheets has been used at first base sparingly, only starting more than 20 games in a season once at the position (41 starts in 2024). He’s been great in Spring Training, and his bat is fantastic, but he seems like more of a DH who plays first base occasionally than the starter.
Miguel Andujar
Andujar was the “big” offensive free agent splash for San Diego this offseason. Signed to a one-year, $4 million deal, he fits best as the Padres designated hitter while being a viable candidate to take some outfield reps.
That being said, Stammen has started him at first in two spring games. Across 11 innings, he has a perfect fielding percentage. But the same problem presents itself as with Sheets. The bat is (obviously) there, but can the glove stay consistent after a full season?
Nick Castellanos
It’s surprising to see Castellanos – someone who hasn’t ever played a single inning of MLB at the cold corner – so high on this list. But his bat has performed extremely well in Spring Training, posting a 1.011 OPS in nine games.
The only problem is his defense, which everyone knew would be somewhat of an issue. It’s passable and (for a guy who’s never played the position) really solid. But it’s not fantastic and the Friars need consistent defense at the cold corner.
Castellanos figures to stay in the mix for a utility-type role, splitting time between first base, DH, and outfield like most of the other guys on this list.
Ty France
The signing of France to a minor-league deal marks a homecoming to the club he began his seven-year career with. Historically he has been considered a bat-first player, but in 2025 France turned that around.
After a disappointing 2024 campaign that saw him post a -12 OAA (Outs Above Average) at the cold corner, France led all MLB first basemen in ‘25 with +10 OAA. Because of that, he won the Gold Glove Award for the first time in his career.
If France can replicate that elite defense and continue to rake like he has so far in Cactus League games (posting a .375/.444/.500 slash line across 10 games) he could easily earn the starting spot.
One more great thing about France’s offense. He’s been torching left-handed pitching, hitting .500/.600/.500 compared to .350/.409/.500 against righties.
For a team who, on Opening Day, will face arguably the most dominant lefty on the planet in Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, San Diego will take all the help it can get.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 1: Rustan Rigdon #19 of the Vanderbilt Commodores runs to first base the ninth inning at the NCAA Nashville Regional game against the Wright State Raiders at Hawkins Field on June 1, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Carly Mackler/Getty Images) | Getty Images
1pm CT SECN+.
Wyatt “Ice Town” Nadeau made his first Diamond Dore start (for the injured Austin Nye), and though Corbs decided to give the win to Adria Casoliba, Nadeau’s 4 scoreless innings were the story here. Though he frequently put some ducks on the pond (3 H and 4 BB), he kept them stranded, and K’d 7. Casoliba, Guth, and Seiber combined for the remaining scoreless 4 innings, only yielding one hit and three walks.
The offense walked it off, yet again, powered by dongers by Holcomb, Lil’ Maldo, and Johnstone the Elder.
Again, North Dakota State has only one win on the season.
CLEARWATER, FL - MARCH 07: Toronto Blue Jays Infielder Arjun Nimmala (18) chases down a hard hit ground ball during the spring training game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Philadelphia Phillies on March 07, 2026 at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Jays play two games today. Both starting at 1:00 Eastern which….well I don’t know what time that is in various places in Canada since the clocks have changed in at least some of Canada. So where ever you are in Canada, there are two game today (or two games a week from Thursday depending on your timezone) (leave your own Saskatchewan jokes in the thread).
One is on the road against the Orioles. Here are the lineups for that game, which has Cody Ponce starting:
Today’s Lineups
BLUE JAYS
ORIOLES
Myles Straw – CF
Colton Cowser – CF
Jesus Sanchez – LF
Taylor Ward – LF
Eloy Jimenez – DH
Pete Alonso – 1B
Brandon Valenzuela – C
Samuel Basallo – C
Yohendrick Pinango – RF
Ryan Mountcastle – DH
Charles McAdoo – 3B
Dylan Beavers – RF
Rafael Lantigua – 2B
Bryan Ramos – 3B
Arjun Nimmala – SS
Weston Wilson – 2B
Riley Tirotta – 1B
Jose Barrero – SS
Cody Ponce – RHP
Tyler Wells – RHP
The other has the Tigers coming to Dunedin, with Kevin Gausman starting:
JUPITER, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 25: Hunter Brown of the Houston Astros throws a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the first inning of a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium on February 25, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Houston Astros (4-7-3) take on the Washington Nationals (7-4-3) in Grapefruit League play.
RHP Hunter Brown is set to make his third start of the Spring, with LHP Andrew Alvarez starting for the Nationals.
BROTHER BROWN: RHP Hunter Brown, who is making his third start this Spring, established himself as one of the top starters in the Majors in 2025. For the season, he was 12-9 in 31 starts with a 2.43 ERA with 206 strikeouts in 185.1 innings of work.
Among AL starters, Brown ranked second in ERA and Quality Starts (21), third in strikeouts (206), fourth in WHIP (1.03) and fourth in pitching WAR (4.8). For his efforts, he was named to his first All-Star team and finished third in the voting for the AL Cy Young Award.
Brown also earned AL Pitcher of the Month honors for June (1.19 ERA, .130 opp. avg.). He also had a 28.0-inning scoreless inning streak in 2025. Brown has posted a 1.93 ERA (1ER/2.2IP) through his two starts this Spring, striking out five batters over that span.
TODAY’S POTENTIAL RELIEVERS: LHP Tom Cosgrove, RHP J.P. France, LHP Steven Okert, RHP Christian Roa and RHP Logan VanWey.
TODAY’S ROSTER MOVES: This morning, the Astros optioned RHP Jason Alexander and reassigned RHP Sam Carlson and RHP Alimber Santa to minor league camp.
ASTROS IN WBC: IF Zach Dezenzo started at third base in Team Italy’s 8-0 win over Team Brazil yesterday at Daikin Park, going 1×3 with an RBI and a walk.
IF Shay Whitcomb got off to a fantastic start for Team Korea in their opener on Thursday vs Team Czechia, going 2×4 with two home runs and three RBI in an 11-4 win.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Sunday, March 8, 12:05 p.m. CST
Location: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, FL.
