Mar 13, 2026; Houston, TX, United States; United States second baseman Brice Turang (13) throws out Canada catcher Bo Naylor (23) on a ground ball during the second inning during a quarterfinal game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
The World Baseball Classic is down to just four teams, as there is one semifinal on Sunday before another on Monday leading into the championship game on Tuesday evening.
Sunday’s matchup features Team USA battling the Dominican Republic at 7 p.m. CT on FS1, with Italy and Venezuela battling for the other spot on Monday at 7 p.m. on FS1. Both games will take place at loanDepot Park in Miami.
The Brewers have at least one player on all four of those rosters, as follows:
Dominican Republic: RHP Abner Uribe
USA: 2B Brice Turang
Italy: MLB Pipeline Team No. 6 prospect 3B Andrew Fischer
Venezuela: C William Contreras, OF Jackson Chourio, and LHP Ángel Zerpa
Tune into the action today and tomorrow, and feel free to weigh in in the comments with your takes.
Coach ‘the perfect person’ to lead side into World Cup
Springboks game ‘an amazing opportunity’ for players
Jamie George has insisted England can go toe-to-toe with South Africa when they lock horns with the world champions in July and believes his side will be among the favourites for next year’s World Cup if Steve Borthwick remains as head coach.
England are on a disappointing run of four straight defeats but, while Saturday’s 48-46 loss to France condemned them to their worst Six Nations campaign, the manner in which Borthwick’s side performed – scoring seven tries in Paris – has given rise to renewed optimism.
MIAMI, Florida — The party started before the game and spilled outside the park after Venezuela upset the defending World Baseball Classic champions from Japan in a back-and-forth game that thrilled more than 35,000 fans at loanDepot park. The MLB star-studded lineups from both countries played with an energy that matched October baseball, and maybe even put it to shame at times. After all when was the last time you got up for a drink and ran into a drum line with dancing fans at a playoff game?
The game began with a leadoff home run from Ronald Acuña Jr. to give Venezuela an early lead. Shohei Ohtani is not to be trifled with, however and matched that in the bottom of the first for Japan. According to Sarah Langs, no game in MLB history began the way last night’s action between Venezuela and Japan started:
It only got better from there with Gleyber Torres driving in a go-ahead run for Venezuela in the second before Japan chased Venezuela’s starter Ranger Suárez from the game in the third inning. It looked like Japan might put this away with this three-run home run by Shota Morishita, who replaced Seiya Suzuki in the game after Suzuki was injured trying to steal second base:
Venezuela was not to be deterred, however. Jackson Chourio led off the fifth inning with a walk to set up this two-run blast by Maikel García making it just a one-run lead for Japan:
The skip and hop as García rounds first when he knows it’s gone is everything. Or, at least was everything until Wilyer Abreu entered the chat and decided to see if a no doubt home run and bat flip for the ages could power a country of 30 million people:
Some things can only happen at the World Baseball Classic, like running into Daniel Palencia’s mom while browsing in the store and having her joyously pose for a picture of her wearing her son’s team jersey:
Palencia came on to close out the game and was all business as he threw pure gasolina:
Palencia struck out the first two batters before facing Shohei Ohtani. How could this game possibly end otherwise? The greatest baseball player on the face of the Earth had to be thwarted to end such a perfect game. Ohtani popped out to shallow center to end an absolutely wild baseball game:
If you thought the celebrations in the concourse during the game were elite, they had nothing on the energy flowing through loanDepot park after Venezuela won:
Your eyes don’t deceive you at the end of that video, a fan from Japan now decked out in a Venezuela hat borrowed a Venezuelan flag and joined the celebration. He was not alone. The after party spilled into a dance party outside the park where fans of both teams danced until the wee hours of the morning:
This is what it’s all about. Japanese and Venezuelan fans having a blast together after an incredible game by both teams. pic.twitter.com/sWw3vIcneH
These fans may come from opposite sides of the world and speak different languages, but that’s all irrelevant at the World Baseball Classic in Miami. We all know how to dance. We’re all powered on bat flips and vibes. The common language is baseball and we all speak it fluently.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 11: JJ Wetherholt #77 talks to Oliver Marmol #37 of the St. Louis Cardinals after beingn hit by a pitch during the third inning of a spring training game against the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 11, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals continue the push for the 2026 regular season with a Sunday Spring Training game versus the Washington Nationals at Roger Dean Stadium. According to the St. Louis Cardinals share on social media today, Richard Fitts will get the start for St. Louis. The pitcher for the Washington Nationals will be former Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez practices during spring training at TigerTown in Lakeland, Fla. on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to complete a weekend home-and-home sweep as they host the Dallas Mavericks this afternoon.
Cleveland had its way with Dallas on Friday, and I’m expecting a similar result today in my Mavericks vs. Cavaliers predictions.
Read on to see how I think this matchup will play out in my NBA picks for Sunday, March 15.
Mavericks vs Cavaliers prediction
Mavericks vs Cavaliers best bet: Cavaliers -15 (-110)
The Dallas Mavericks hosted Friday’s meetings, and the Cleveland Cavaliers were able to cover as 13.5-point favorites on the road in a 138-105 rout. Cleveland was up 17 after the first quarter and never looked back.
Cleveland barely had to push its starters — nobody played as much as 29 minutes — and took advantage of a Mavericks team that has lost three of its last five games by 20+ points.
The Mavs are 0-5 in their last five games as double-digit underdogs. I’m taking Cleveland to cover easily again tonight.
Mavericks vs Cavaliers same-game parlay
Friday’s meeting finished with a total of 243 points, so I’m taking the Over again in my SGP today. I’ll also bet on James Harden to get Over 2.5 threes, as he's hit at least three shots from beyond the arc in each of his last four games.
Mavericks vs Cavaliers SGP
Cavaliers -14.5
Over 235.5
James Harden Over 2.5 threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: Double-double danger!
For my longshot parlay, I’m going to take two Cavaliers players to get double-doubles. Both Harden and Evan Mobley can put together double-doubles in different categories, so they won’t be getting in each other’s way.
Let’s round things out by backing Donovan Mitchell to go Over 1.5 steals, something he’s accomplished in five of his last seven games.
Mavericks vs Cavaliers SGP
James Harden to record a double-double
Evan Mobley to record a double-double
Donovan Mitchell Over 1.5 steals
Mavericks vs Cavaliers odds
Spread: Mavericks +14.5 | Cavaliers -145
Moneyline: Mavericks +750 | Cavaliers -1400
Over/Under: Over 235.5 | Under 235.5
Mavericks vs Cavaliers betting trend to know
The Cavaliers have covered the spread in three straight matchups against the Mavericks. Find more NBA betting trends for Mavericks vs. Cavaliers.
How to watch Mavericks vs Cavaliers
Location
Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
Date
Sunday, March 15, 2026
Tip-off
3:30 p.m. ET
TV
NBA TV
Mavericks vs Cavaliers latest injuries
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It should come as no surprise that the best right-handed hitter of our era is the biggest favorite to go yard in the game.
Aaron Judge has two homers in the WBC already, and he has three hits, a double, and a homer in his five career at-bats against Luis Severino.
Judge has a 1.072 OPS in the WBC and had a 1.285 OPS with two homers in five pre-WBC spring training games. The Yankees' slugger is in midseason form already.
Dominican Republic home run pick
Julio Rodriguez (+425 at DraftKings)
Rodriguez is a long shot, but offers great value at +425.
He's batting just .200 in the WBC but has one home run to his name. He also has two career extra-base hits against Skenes, while no other D.R. player on the home run board even has a hit against him...
Rodriguez had a 1.556 OPS in his pre-WBC spring training games, and he's in a great spot to go yard tonight.
How to watch USA vs Dominican Republic and game info
Location
LoanDepot Park, Miami, FL
Date
Sunday, March 15, 2026
First pitch
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
FS1
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.
7 Mar 1998: General view of the St. Lucie County Stadium where a spring training game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets is being played in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The Mets defeated the Dodgers 8-6. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Al | Getty Images
There has been a lot of baseball lately. I’m not in middle season baseball watching shape yet.
Among the highlights of the list is Ewing, who proved exactly why he's been skyrocketing up prospect rankings to become one of the most promising players in the Mets' system. The 21-year-old had a terrific spring with the big league team, hitting .381 with one home run, six RBI, and four stolen bases while posting an OPS of 1.090.
Clifford, another top prospect in the Mets' farm system, struggled this spring, going just 2-for-20 with seven strikeouts.
On the pitching side, the 23-year-old Lambert was a standout for the Mets, pitching 3.0 scoreless innings of relief while striking out eight batters of the nine outs he recorded.
There are 53 players remaining in Mets' major league camp
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 06: Ryder Ryan #40 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch on March 06, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers play two games at the same time on Sunday. Here is their roster for the contest at Camelback Ranch against the Texas Rangers.
Lineup
Miguel Rojas SS Kyle Tucker RF Freddie Freeman 1B Teoscar Hernández LF Max Muncy 3B Andy Pages CF Alex Freeland 2B Zyhir Hope DH Eliézer Alfonzo C
River Ryan starts on the mound, making his fourth appearance of the spring.
Other pitchers
Ryder Ryan is scheduled to pitch at some point after his brother, as are Edgardo Henriquez and Paul Gervase.
Up from the minors are Keynan Middleton (wearing number 95), Cam Day (90), Evan Shaw (91), Javier Bartolozzi (92), Accimias Morales (96), and Nick Robertson (97)
Other position players
Non-roster invitees Noah Miller and Nick Senzel are active for this game.
Up from minor league camp are Eduardo Quintero (06), Mike Sirota (07), Charles Davalan (87), Kole Myers (89), Yeiner Fernandez (01), Kyle Nevin (02), Logan Wagner (09), and catchers Jesus Galiz (08) and Frank Rodriguez (93).
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 26: Hyeseong Kim #6 of the Los Angeles Dodgers gets ready to make a play against the Chicago White Sox during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch on February 26, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers play two games at the same time on Sunday. Here is the travel roster for their road contest, against the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park in Mesa. Hyeseong Kim returns from the World Baseball Classic and leads off at second base. Jack Suwinski, acquired on February 21 and now a non-roster invitee in camp, plays in his first game for the Dodgers, starting in right field.
Lineup
Hyeseong Kim 2B Alex Call DH Mookie Betts SS Dalton Rushing C Santiago Espinal 3B Jack Suwinski RF Zach Ehrhard LF James Tibbs III 1B Michael Siani CF
Emmet Sheehan starts on the mound, making his third appearance of the spring.
Other pitchers
Will Klein and Kyle Hurt are expected to pitch in this game, as is non-roster lefty Antoine Kelly.
From the minor league side are Matt Lanzendorfer (wearing number 87), Antonio Knowles (90), Myles Caba (91), Cody Morse (92), Alex Makarewich (93), and Domingo Geronimo (96).
Other position players
Non-roster invitees Ryan Fitzgerald and Seby Zavala are active for the road game.
Up from the minors are Emil Morales (05), Jake Gelof (08), Landyn Vidourek (06), Damon Keith (94), Samuel Muñoz (07), Eduardo Guerrero (88), and catcher Victor Rodrigues (95).
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 15: Luis Gil #81 of the New York Yankees pitches to the Toronto Blue Jays during the fifth inning in their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on April 15, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Results be damned, Max Fried was healthy and pitched five-plus frames on Saturday, which is really all we want to see from this team’s current top pitcher. Wrapping up the weekend, the Yankees will play a splt-sqquad doubleheader on Sunday, starting with a matchup against a familiar face on an unfamiliar team. One of the newest Tigers, Framber Valdez, will face the Yankees, defending the colors of a different American League contender.
Detroit took a page right out of the Yankees’ recent playbook, signing an ace-caliber lefty who may not have the gaudy strikeout totals of some of his peers but gets the job done. Much like with Fried and the Yankees—although in his case, maybe just on a temporary basis—Valdez joins as the No. 2, serving behind the great Tarik Skubal, set to hit the open market at the end of this season.
Moving over to the Yankees side, Luis Gil will start the first of these two games against a different club. Perhaps more than nearly every other pitcher, Gil’s K/BB numbers are followed with extreme interest across spring, and so far, they show terrific promise. We all know how much Gil relies on strikeouts to perform at a high level and how a high walk rate has gotten him in trouble in the past. Through his first 11.1 innings of Grapefruit League action, Gil’s 15 strikeouts and 3 walks are right where you’d want them.
Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham, and Giancarlo Stanton are the standout names on the Yankees lineup that’ll face Valdez; keep an eye on Randal Grichuk, whose skill set against left-handers is the primary reason the Yankees went after him in the first place.
How to watch
Location: George M Steinbrenner Field — Tampa, FL
First pitch: 1:05 pm ET
TV broadcast: YES, Detroit SportsNet
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660 AM (NYY) | WXYT 1270 (DET)
SB Nation’s CBB expert Mike Rutherford and resident bracketologist Chris Dobbertean will answer all your questions this week and help guide you to bracket glory! Drop in SB Nation’s March Madness Feed all week long and we’ll have both on hand! (All times ET)
With the Detroit Pistons closing in on the No. 1 seed in the East and the Toronto Raptors flirting with the Play-In, it’s not out of the question we’ll be watching a first-round series preview today at Scotiabank Arena.
Detroit has had a clear upper hand in this matchup in recent years, and my Pistons vs Raptors predictions expect Cade Cunningham & Co. to have the last laugh again.
Take a closer look at this March 15 battle with my free NBA picks and betting angles.
Pistons vs Raptors prediction
Pistons vs Raptors best bet: Pistons -3.5 (-110)
After a wobbly start to March, the Detroit Pistons have their mojo back, arriving in Toronto on the heels of three ruthless wins this week.
Detroit has averaged 131.7 points per game in that stretch, an offense the Toronto Raptors can't keep up with. The Raps have surrendered 110+ points in five of their last six, and the Pistons' red-hot offense will blow them out of the gym this afternoon.
On top of that, Toronto is 0-8 straight up against the Top 3 teams in the East and just 18-16 at home.
Pistons vs Raptors same-game parlay
Cade Cunningham cooked the Raptors earlier this season with a sparkling 28-point effort, and he’s the standout figure for a Detroit win today. He’s gone past this points prop O/U number in eight of his past 11 road contests.
Cade drilled six 3-pointers in his last visit to Scotiabank Arena, and he’s shooting 46% from downtown so far this month.
Pistons vs Raptors SGP
Pistons moneyline
Cade Cunningham Over 25.5 points
Cade Cunningham Over 1.5 threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: All-Star duel
Cade has had four straight games with 10+ assists, and he'll stuff the stat sheet again.
Scottie Barnes can match him. The Raptors star is averaging 7.8 rebounds per game this season, and with the Raptors needing to put more emphasis on offense, they'll lean on Scottie's three-level scoring to try and keep up with Detroit.
Pistons vs Raptors SGP
Cade Cunningham Over 24.5 points
Cade Cunningham Over 9.5 assists
Scottie Barnes Over 16.5 points
Scottie Barnes Over 6.5 rebounds
Pistons vs Raptors odds
Spread: Pistons -3.5 | Raptors +3.5
Moneyline: Pistons -165 | Raptors +140
Over/Under: Over 223 | Under 223
Pistons vs Raptors betting trend to know
The Pistons are 22-10 SU on the road this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Pistons vs. Raptors.
How to watch Pistons vs Raptors
Location
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Date
Sunday, March 15, 2026
Tip-off
3:30 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN DT, SN
Pistons vs Raptors latest injuries
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, FL - MARCH 12: Riley Adams #15 of the Washington Nationals celebrates with teammates in the dugout after scoring during the game between the Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros at Cacti Park at the Palm Beaches on Thursday, March 12, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Phebe Grosser/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
While the Nationals are 11-6 in Grapefruit League play, the offense has been mostly quiet. The boys will look to change that today in a showdown against the Cardinals. This lineup is pretty close to what I expect the Opening Day lineup to be, so I am excited to see the big guns in action.
The Nats have been trying players at different positions throughout the spring, and today is no different. Dylan Crews is out in left field, a position he has never played at the big league level. Luis Garcia Jr. will get more work at first base, while Daylen Lile DH’s this afternoon. Miles Mikolas will be starting against his old club this afternoon.
The Cardinals are also rolling out a pretty strong lineup. Masyn Winn, JJ Wetherholt, Alec Burleson and Nolan Gorman all feature. Wetherholt is one of the top prospects in the game and looks like he will win a big league job out of camp. He has performed very well this spring. Hard throwing Richard Fitts will be on the mound for the Cardinals. They acquired him from the Red Sox this offseason in the Sonny Gray deal.
The Nats have dropped their last two games, so they will look to get back on track this afternoon. Hopefully Miles Mikolas can perform well in this revenge game of sorts. I also want to see more life from the offense. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 08: Jarren Duran #16 of Team Mexico runs the bases after a solo home run in the second inning against Team Brazil during a 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool B game at Daikin Park on March 08, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Is it on TV?
Yes, first pitch at 1:05 PM on NESN.
What’s the lineup?
What should we watch for?
It’s always fun to watch Garrett Crochet, especially as we near the start of the regular season and the pitchers begin to really ramp up. But today will be all about the return of Jarren Duran. Keep an eye on him to see if his scorching hot WBC form can continue.
