TORONTO (AP) — Izzy Daniel had a goal and an assist and the Vancouver Goldeneyes snapped a two-game skid with a 3-2 win over the Toronto Sceptres on Sunday.
Hannah Miller and Mannon McMahon also scored for Vancouver. Sarah Nurse had two assists.
Emerance Maschmeyer stopped 25 shots.
Blayre Turnbull scored twice for Toronto, while Elaine Chuli made 26 saves.
Turnbull put a rebound from a Renata Fast shot past Maschmeyer just 2:31 into the contest.
Three former Sceptres connected on the Goldeneyes’ response at 7:55. Miller put home a rebound on a shot from the slot by Daniel, who took a pass from Nurse.
Daniel put Vancouver ahead just 35 seconds into the second period. Off an initial miss on a tip on a Nurse shot, Daniel tucked in her own rebound.
Turnbull netted her second of the game on the power play when she took a pass from Daryl Watts by the goal line, spun and her backhand went in off the skate of Claire Thompson at 8:09 of the middle frame.
McMahon restored Vancouver’s lead with a tip-in off a Sophie Jaques shot on the power play at 8:54.
Turnbull’s power-play goal was Toronto’s first since a 6-4 loss to Seattle on Jan. 20. The Sceptres had gone 0 for 15 since, including 0 for 12 in seven games after the Olympic break.
Up next
Sceptres: Visit Calgary to take on the Ottawa Charge as part of the Takeover Tour on Wednesday.
Goldeneyes: Visit the Montreal Victoire on Wednesday.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - FEBRUARY 20: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball against Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Dallas Mavericks in the third quarter at Target Center on February 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Mavericks 122-111. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks Date: March 30th, 2026 Time: 7:30 PM CDT Location: American Airlines Center Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: KFAN FM, Wolves App, iHeart Radio
There are games in the NBA where you squint at the injury report, notice the early tip, and quietly tell yourself that it might just not be your day. Saturday’s contest against Detroit had all the makings of one of those games, and for the Minnesota Timberwolves, it pretty much played out exactly that way.
For the Wolves, it was no Anthony Edwards, no Ayo Dosunmu, and to round things out, no Jaden McDaniels after the injury he picked up late in that chaos-fueled Houston game. Three core pieces. Gone.
On the other side, the Detroit Pistons, the Eastern Conference’s top team, were missing their own engine in Cade Cunningham. So in theory, this game could’ve been a competitive “who has more left in the tank?” grind-it-out afternoon game. Instead, it turned into something much simpler.
Minnesota just didn’t have enough.
The Moment the Game Slipped—and Never Came Back
The Wolves actually started this one the right way. The defensive energy was there early. Rotations were sharp enough. They hung around, traded punches, and for a brief stretch, it looked like they might be able to piece together one of those undermanned, “everyone chips in” performances that they’d been stringing together over the past week.
And then Rudy Gobert subbed out.
That was it. That was the hinge point.
Because the second he hit the bench, the defensive resistance, everything that had been holding this thing together, just evaporated. Driving lanes opened up. The rim stopped feeling protected. Detroit got comfortable, and once they got comfortable, they started building a lead that never really felt in danger again.
The Offense: When the Shots Don’t Fall, There’s No Plan B
Let’s be honest about what this game really came down to: the Wolves couldn’t hit anything.
They finished shooting 32% from the field, went 9-for-43 from three (21%), and scored 87 total points.
In the third quarter, they managed just four made field goals. Four. That’s not an offensive slump. That’s an offensive blackout.
It wasn’t like they weren’t getting looks. This wasn’t Detroit suffocating them into submission on every possession. Minnesota had decent opportunities. Open threes. Clean catch-and-shoot chances. Looks that, on most nights, at least some of these guys knock down.
Instead?
Naz Reid: 0-for-7
Bones Highland: 2-for-9
Mike Conley Jr.: 1-for-5
Julius Randle: 0-for-3 from deep
That’s the game right there.
This is a team that, for better or worse, lives and dies by the three. When it’s falling, the offense opens up, the pace quickens, everything feels connected. When it’s not? You get what we saw on Saturday with stagnation, frustration, and a slow bleed that turns into a double-digit deficit before you even realize it.
At 21%, they weren’t just cold. They were DOA.
And Then the Little Things Started Adding Up
If the shooting was the headline, everything else was the supporting evidence.
They missed nine free throws, continuing a trend that’s quietly becoming a real problem. They got outrebounded 52–38, including getting pushed around on second chances. They turned it over enough to matter, but, here’s the twist, Detroit turned it over 19 times… and Minnesota still couldn’t capitalize.
That’s the part that sticks with you.
The Pistons gave them chances. Real ones. Sloppy passes, careless possessions, the kind of miscues that usually open the door for a comeback. And every time the door cracked open, Minnesota just… didn’t walk through it.
That’s what happens when your offense is that out of rhythm. You can’t string together stops and scores. You can’t build momentum. You just kind of tread water… until you realize you’re drowning.
Perspective Check: This One Wasn’t the End of the World
If you zoom out for a second, this loss isn’t the disaster it feels like in the moment. If you told anyone before this stretch that included Boston, Houston, Detroit, all without Edwards, that Minnesota would go 2–1, people would’ve signed up for that immediately. Especially given how things looked after that California road trip when the defense disappeared and the identity went with it.
They beat Boston. They survived Houston in one of the wildest games of the season. Those wins matter.
Saturday? That was the tax you pay for being short-handed, for playing your third high-intensity game in a row, for asking too much from a roster that’s already stretched thin.
It was still frustrating, still ugly, but not season-defining.
Dallas and the Games You Can’t Afford to Blow
Now comes the part of the schedule that’s less forgiving. Next up: the Dallas Mavericks, then a quick rematch in Detroit, followed by the second night of a back-to-back in Philly against the 76ers. Suddenly, the margin for error is right back where it always is in the West… basically nonexistent.
Minnesota is sitting just a game and a half behind Denver for the four seed. They don’t own the tiebreaker. They’re still jockeying with Houston. And if they want home court, these are the games you have to bank.
Not the Boston game. Not the Houston game.
The Dallas game.
The “bottom of the standings” game that looks easy on paper and turns into a problem if you don’t take it seriously.
Keys to the Game
1. Maintain the Defensive Identity
The blueprint is already there. They beat Boston and Houston by leaning into defense withconnected rotations, physical perimeter play, and Gobert anchoring everything. That doesn’t change just because Dallas isn’t a top-tier opponent.
If anything, it becomes more important. Because the Wolves’ worst habit this season has been that “flip the switch later” mentality. Against Dallas, there can’t be a later. They need to set the tone early, lock in defensively, and never let the game drift into that danger zone where effort becomes optional.
2. Hit Your Threes
This one feels obvious, but after Detroit, it has to be said.
You cannot shoot 21% from three and expect to beat anyone in this league. The looks were there. They just didn’t fall. That has to normalize.
Getting Edwards, McDaniels, or Dosunmu would go a long way. Those are three of your most reliable shooters. Their presence alone changes spacing, changes confidence, changes everything. But regardless of who plays, this team has to rediscover its shooting rhythm. Because when the threes fall, the entire offense opens up.
3. Win the Glass
Against Detroit, the Wolves got outworked, out-hustled, and paid for it. Against Dallas, that can’t happen again. Gobert, Randle, Reid need to clean the glass, eliminate second chances and turn rebounds into putbacks. If you’re bigger, you have to play like it.
4. Julius Randle Has to Be the Guy
Let’s not dance around it. Eleven points on 2-for-13 shooting isn’t going to cut it.
Randle has to be the offensive engine. That means attacking, getting downhill, living in the paint, and, just as importantly, facilitating. When he draws attention and kicks out, this offense becomes dangerous.
Saturday was a dud.
Monday can’t be.
5. Stay Focused, No Matter Who’s Available
Maybe Edwards plays. Maybe he doesn’t. Same with Dosunmu. Same with McDaniels.
It doesn’t matter.
The Wolves have the talent advantage in this matchup. But we’ve seen this story before. Minnesota has games where they assume that’s enough, where the urgency dips, and where the opponent hangs around just long enough to make things uncomfortable.
This has to be a professional win.
Jump on them early. Stay disciplined. Don’t let it become a fourth-quarter coin flip. Because in the West, those are the games that come back to haunt you.
The Bottom Line: This Is About Banking Wins, Not Making Statements
The Wolves aren’t chasing style points right now. They’re chasing positioning.
Denver’s remainig schedule isn’t easy with two games against San Antonio and a battle with OKC. There’s an opportunity to gain ground, but only if Minnesota does its part.
That means beating Dallas. That means not letting a bad shooting night turn into a bad week. That means stacking the wins you’re supposed to stack.
Because home court in the first round, something this franchise has only had three times in its history, is right there.
Not guaranteed. Not gifted.
But there.
And after everything this team has been through over the past two weeks, the question isn’t whether they’re capable of climbing back up the ladder.
It’s whether they’re disciplined enough to stay on it.
The Winnipeg Jets are making the most of their road trip to the Windy City, blending business with a bit of baseball ahead of their Tuesday night matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Several members of the Jets roster took in Sunday’s MLB game at Chicago Cubs versus the Washington Nationals, enjoying a relaxed afternoon before turning their focus back to hockey. The highlight of the day came before the first pitch, when Blackhawks legend and current Jets center Jonathan Toews was invited to the mound.
Toews, who spent the majority of his storied NHL career in Chicago, received a warm ovation from the crowd as he delivered the ceremonial first pitch to Cubs shortstop Scott Kingery. The moment served as a fitting homecoming of sorts for the 37-year-old veteran, whose legacy with the Blackhawks still resonates strongly with fans in the city.
Joining Toews in attendance were several of his Jets teammates, including Haydn Fleury, Vladislav Namestnikov, Kyle Connor, Connor Hellebuyck, Adam Lowry, Dylan DeMelo, Josh Morrissey, Gustav Nyquist, Colin Miller and Nino Niederreiter, among others.
The outing provided a chance for the team to unwind and build camaraderie during a crucial stretch of the season. Winnipeg enters Tuesday’s contest riding a strong run of form, with three wins in their last four games.
As the playoff race tightens, the Jets find themselves just three points behind the Nashville Predators for the second wild card spot. With momentum on their side and spirits lifted from a fun day at the ballpark, Winnipeg will look to carry that energy onto the ice against Chicago as they continue their push toward the postseason.
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South Australia has pulled off a massive heist in the Sheffield Shield final, defending their title after a 56-run comeback win over Victoria at Junction Oval.
Mar 29, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder Andrew McCutchen (4) steps on home plate after hitting a three run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the third inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
The Texas Rangers scored eight runs while the Philadelphia Phillies scored three runs.
The two most notable offseason acquisitions for the Rangers this winter were Brandon Nimmo when he was acquired from the New York Mets for Marcus Semien back in November, and MacKenzie Gore when the Rangers unloaded the farm on the Washington Nationals for the lefty back in late January.
The Rangers had a third move up their sleeves that made headlines earlier this month when they brought in former National League MVP Andrew McCutchen to fight for a platoon DH job with spring training already fully underway. McCutchen won the job and now the trio of new blood have combined to lead the Rangers to a win today to claim the first series of the season from Philadelphia.
Gore was as advertised as a guy who can strike out hitters with the best of ’em but one prone to walks and innings that can sometimes get away from him. Luckily for Gore, by the time he had a trouble inning in the bottom of the sixth, the Rangers were already up 5-0 and he was nearing the end of his day anyway.
Before that, Gore tossed five scoreless innings and looked the part of a pitcher with limitless potential. Overall, the lefty went 5 1/3 innings and allowed two runs on two hits with three walks and seven strikeouts.
Assisting Gore to a win in his first start with Texas was Nimmo, who smacked a third inning two-run shot off of Philly’s Jesus Luzardo in a lefty-on-lefty matchup for his first dong of the year. That gave the Rangers an early lead that they would add to when McCutchen followed suit with a three-run shot — also his first of the year — an inning later on a wall-scraper that just stayed fair.
Though the Phillies would eventually get a couple of runs in the sixth to end Gore’s day, Texas tamped down any hopes of a comeback rally and then padded their lead with a run of their own in the sixth and two more in the seventh.
In the end, despite the disappointment on Opening Day, the Rangers went to Philadelphia and came away with a series victory to begin the year against one of the NL’s favorites. Thanks to the new guys on Sunday, the Rangers were winners.
Player of the Game: McCutchen continues to look like a shrewd mid-spring signing as he made a big impact in both wins to claim the series. Today, McCutchen had two extra base hits, drove in three, and scored two runs while his three-run home run proved to be the big “ok, the Rangers are going to win this one” hit of the afternoon.
Up Next: The early east coast road trip continues for the Rangers with a series against the Orioles beginning tomorrow. RHP Jack Leiter is scheduled to make his season debut for Texas in the opener opposite RHP Chris Bassitt for Baltimore.
The Monday evening first pitch from Oriole Park at Camden Yards is scheduled for 5:35 pm CDT and will be aired on the Rangers Sports Network.
Tennessee forward Jaylen Carey was given a dead-ball contact technical foul with fewer than 15 minutes remaining after he intentionally slammed his shoulder into the shoulder of Michigan's Morez Johnson Jr. after a jump ball.
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 29, 2026
Johnson had been jawing with Volunteers guard Amari Evans after both went after a rebound, but the two had already appeared to have been separated by teammates when Carey entered the fray.
Carey was given a technical foul after an official review. It was his fourth foul for the game. Michigan had already built a commanding 30-point lead at the time of the incident.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 14, 2025: Carter Jensen #22 of the Kansas City Royals bats during the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on September 14, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
The game started like the first two for the Royals, scoreless innings. However, a leadoff walk in the third to Jac Caglianone started the scoring. Nick Loftin would hit into a double play, but the Royals would successfully overturn the out call at first base. So, they still had a runner on first with one out. Kyle Isbel would strike out, but an infield single from Maikel Garcia and an RBI single from Bobby Witt Jr. put the Royals up 1-0. It was the Royals first hit with a runner in scoring position this season, after being 0-10 in the first two contests.
In the top of the fourth, Carter Jensen would hit his first home run of the season, a 371-foot shot into the right field seats. Jensen has had a good approach the first two games, and it was nice to see him get rewarded, putting his team up 2-0.
Nick Loftin would lead off the fifth inning with a double down the left field line, he would score on a two out single from Vinnie Pasquantino, and for the third straight inning, the Royals had scored a run.
The three runs were more than the Royals had scored in the first two games combined and was more than enough for Seth Lugo, who was in 2024 form today. Just a masterful first appearance on the season for Lugo. 6.1 innings, five hits, no runs, no walks and three strikeouts. It was the second straight quality start for the Royals. A good sign early that they haven’t had to rely on the bullpen too much.
Matt Strahm would replace Lugo in the bottom of the seventh, with one out and a runner on second and would retire the two Braves he faced. Strahm has looked really good in his back-to-back appearances to start the season.
A leadoff walk in the top of the 8th to Witt Jr., and a single from Vinnie put the Royals on the corners with nobody out. After Perez struck out, Jensen would hit a sacrifice fly to center field to put the Royals up 4-0.
John Schreiber would make his 2026 debut in the bottom of the 8th. After retiring his first two batters, he would surrender a solo shot to right field to Drake Baldwin on a full count pitch. But would quickly bounce back by striking out Matt Olson looking.
After the Carlos Estevez meltdown last night, velocity concerns and the X-rays he got on his ankle after taking a comebacker last night. Lucas Erceg got the first crack at recording the save.
It was quick and dominant for “Lights Out” Lucas, as he struck out Austin Riley, and induced a game ended double play ball from Ozzie Albies after a nice swing single from Mike Yastrzemski. A 4-1 win for the boys in blue.
The Royals avoided being swept and got their first win on the season. They are 1-2 heading into their home opener tomorrow afternoon against the Minnesota Twins. They will also be home for the Milwaukee Brewers next weekend, to conclude the six-game homestand. First pitch tomorrow is set for 3:10 p.m. CT and can be watched on Royals.TV or KCTV5/KSMO.
Mar 28, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Connor Seabold (43) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images | David Frerker-Imagn Images
All throughout spring training, a tough question in Detroit Tigers camp was who would take the last spot in their bullpen. Their seven best relief options were pretty obvious, other than the question of whether Keider Montero would stay stretched out to start or not, but no one stepped to take the last right-handed spot in the pen. Beau Brieske got hurt, Brenan Hanifee wasn’t sharp, and the hoard of minor league signings and post-prospect farm hands never made a move to seize the role. Enter right-hander Connor Seabold.
The 30-year-old reliever was in camp on a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays this spring, and there were some interesting developments in his stuff. When the Blue Jays planned to send him to Triple-A to begin the season, Seabold utilized his opt-out clause and signed a major league deal with the Tigers instead.
It was certainly fair to wonder what the Tigers were doing here. Seabold was drafted by the Phillies out of Cal State Fullerton in the third round of the 2017 draft. A starter originally, Seabold never made it to the show in Philadelphia and was instead dealt to Boston as part of the Nick Pivetta trade. He debuted in 2021 with the Red Sox, and was basically a replacement level reliever through parts of four major league seasons, bouncing to the Rockies, Rays, and Braves in those years until signing a minor league deal with the Blue Jays during the offseason.
The past few years, Seabold has worked with a fourseam fastball, slider, and circle changeup. None of these pitches has been above average, and Seabold’s command wasn’t sharp enough to make it work. Instead, he’s run mediocre strikeout and walk rates, giving up way too many home runs.
The change he worked on over the offseason and in spring camp was to get his arm slot higher, looking to produce more vertical break on the fourseamer. That worked out, but he’s also throwing harder so far this year. After averaging 92.6 mph on the fourseam fastball from 2023-2025, he’s averaged 94.5 mph this spring. At the same time, he’s getting an average of 17.2 inches of induced vertical break, whereas from 2023-2025, he averaged just 13.2 inches. Now, 17.2 inches is still fairly average, but an extra four inches is a lot. Trust me, I’m telling you four inches is way more than you think.
The other effect of the higher arm slot, is that he’s also getting another four inches of depth on his 83-84 mph slider. It remains to be seen whether that will produce a signficant bump in whiffs at the major league level, but it obviously helps. In isolation, meaning with no other changes to the movement profile, more depth is always better. So far this year, with spring training and his outing on Saturday all included, the whiff rate on the slider is a monstrous 61.5 percent. His whiff rate from 2023-2025 in the majors was just 26.3 percent.
The whiff rate on Seabold’s fourseamer so far this year, with spring camp included, is 29.4 percent. Over the previous three seasons, that whiff rate was just 19.9 percent. So, these are small samples, and in spring action to boot, but his whiff rates are showing some very good signs all around.
Seabold also has the circle changeup, and the effect of the added velocity has extended to the changeup as well, and he’s throwing that 3 mph faster than he used to as well. That stands to reason, but what’s good to see is that he’s throwing it harder, but still has 11 mph separation between the fourseamer and his changeup. That differential is still good, but at higher velocities, which is always a plus.
These are all modest changes for Seabold this spring, but the improvements go all the way through his whole repertoire of pitches. He already has a little deception in his short, quick arm stroke, and now he’s hiding the ball better behind his head with the higher slot, giving him some invisiball vibes, where hitters pick it up late out of his hand.
It’s way too early to suggest that Seabold is now going to function as a solid, setup level reliever. He may not even work out as the mop-up guy in the pen. However, these are all tangible, positive developments that are still pretty recently implemented. There’s at least a chance that as he gets more and more comfortable with the new arm slot and sees success, that he can air it out a little more and pitch with a minor margin for error that he’s never had before.
Right now, the Tigers options for relief help aren’t that great, and that’s the other point illustrating why the Tigers picked up Seabold. They have Enmanuel de Jesus, Drew Anderson, and Brant Hurter in the pen, giving them three guys with deep pitch mixes and proven command who can provide good depth to the rotation. Keider Montero is also a helpful depth piece and might do better as a pure reliever in time if the Tigers go that route. Could say the same for former starting prospects like Ty Madden, and when healthy, Sawyer Gipson-Long. But right now, depth in terms of pure relieveris is pretty thinned out by injury and the fact that guys like Tyler Mattison and Dylan Smith haven’t been able to break through and command their stuff consistently.
Scott Harris told reporters on Sunday that Troy Melton is on track to return before Jackson Jobe, and that they’re hopeful they’ll have Jobe back in August. The Tigers also have some young prospects at the Double-A level like Moises Rodriguez and Marco Jimenez who could break out, as well as an older, talented former prospect in Tanner Kohlhepp who has good stuff but hasn’t been able to stay healthy and refine his command. There are others in the same boat. So the Tigers have some hope for help before Brieske, or Melton, or Jobe, is ready to contribute again, but they really need a solid presence in the 8th spot in the pen for the near future.
Post VANDERBILT Baseball and/or SEC Baseball questions in the comments here.
Earlier in the week, we received the news that our already beleaguered pitching staff would not have Austin Nye this season (and potentially next, depending on how he rehabs from what we can only assume to be Tommy John surgery). Coming off a brutal losing sweep in Clangaville, you would be forgiven for not exactly looking forward to our HATED RIVALS coming into town.
Then… whatever the hell those three games were happened. We’re being told it was baseball.
Friday: an extra inning 3-2 victory fueled by 7 and 1/3 IP of one run, 9 K ball by Connor “The Spice” Fennel” and a 10th inning walk-off single by Johnstone the Elder.
Saturday: Saturday damn near never ended. After 400 hours of college baseball, the Diamond Dores finally had them loaded after The Rooster and PH Max Jensen worked one out walks, then pulled off a double steal, and The Chuggers wisely walked the “so hot right now” Ryker Waite.
It all came down to 3rd catcher Mack “The Mack Daddy” Whitcomb, who, though a transfer from TN Tech, proved himself to be all Diamond Dore by executing a perfect suicide Vanderbunt to put this game out of its misery. Bottom of the 16th inning bunt-off 6-5 victory. Jebus.
That settles it. I’ve determined that even without the type of pitching staff we’re accustomed to, I’m going to have fun this season. Opening up the mail bag right now.
Here are the rules of the mail bag:
This is a BASEBALL mailbag, so limit your questions to Vanderbilt baseball, SEC baseball, college baseball, or Vanderbilt baseball alums in the pros like Tony Kemp.
Post your questions here in the comments and I’ll answer them in a post later this week.
I will collate the best of said emails/questions in the comments, and cull ones that deal with the same topic (so we don’t have to repeat ourselves multiple times weekly).
All Anchor of Gold community guidelines apply to the questions. Our basic rule is “don’t be the worst.” Chuggers fans violate this like it’s their birth right.
Mike Papi, Luke Smith, and Ton “The Calf” Vitello are human garbage.
Mar 27, 2026; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) during the third quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Houston Rockets vs New Orleans Pelicans
March 29, 2026
Location: Smoothie King Center — New Orleans, Louisiana
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio: KBME Sports Talk 790
Online: Rockets App, SCHN+
Time: 6:00pm
Probable Starting Lineups
Rockets: Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun
Pelicans: Dejounte Murray, Jeremiah Fears, Saddiq Bey, Zion Williamson, Herb Jones
TORONTO, ON- MARCH 29 - left fielder Jesús Sánchez #12 of the Toronto Blue Jays hits a two run homer in the third inning as the Toronto Blue Jays play the Athletics at Rogers Centre in Toronto. March 29, 2026. Steve Russell/Toronto Star (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) | Toronto Star via Getty Images
The first two games of the season were a ton of fun, but it’s nice to keep the drama a little lower sometimes. Everyobody looked pretty good today, from Eric Lauer and the bullpen holding the A’s to two runs on five hits against 15 strikeouts, to the power bats showing up to the tune of three home runs. A season opening sweep is, by definition, the best start you can have.
Eric Lauer came out of the blocks looking like he wasn’t going to let Kevin Gausman and Dylan Cease outshine him just because they throw 8mph harder. He struck out the side in the first, picked up another in the second, another in the third, and one more to lead off the fourth before a Nick Kurtz walk gave the A’s their first baserunner. His seventh closed out the inning without the A’s scoring. Sacramento got some back in the fifth, as Jacob Wilson lead off with a line drive double and (not that) Max Muncy went yard the other way, cutting Toronto’s lead to 4-2. It was a brief blip, though, and he got two more Ks and a pop out to end the inning there. Lauer returned to start the sixth, getting a fly out and counceding a ground ball single up the middle. At 87 pitches, John Schneider decided to call his afternoon there, pulling him in favour of Braydon Fisher. Ultimately, Lauer only managed 9 Ks, while giving up two runs on three hits and a walk over 5.1 innings pitched. I guess that’s why he’s only a swingman. Fisher picked up a strikeout of his own and got a ground out to end the inning.
Meanwhile, the offence rolled from the jump. George Springer his his 64th career game opening home run, pulling him within 9 of Rickey Henderson for the all time lead. They went quietly in the second, but jumped back on Luis Morales in the third. Tyler Heineman lined a single with one out, and Jesus Sanchez followed with a 417ft bomb to centre field that made it 3-0. Kazuma Okamoto added one of his own in the fourth to increase the margin to four.
After Oakland closed the gap in the top of the fifth, they turned to small ball to manufacture one more run in the home half. Heineman and Sanchez walked, prompting Mark Kostay to call for J.T. Ginn to take over. Ginn’s first batter, Vladimir Guerrero jr., hit a hard ground ball single. His second, Addison Barger, worked a walk that forced Heineman home and made it 5-2. Okamoto grounded into a double play that prevented a big inning.
Ginn handled the Jays quitely in the bottom of the sixth. Fisher returned for the seventh and pitched a 1-2-3 inning while picking up his second strikeout. Ginn did it again in the eighth, retiring the jays in order. The top of the eighth fell to Tommy Nance. He got the first two A’s, but then gave up a single to Shea Langeliers and John Schneider decided to call for Mason Fluharty to face the lefty Kurtz. Fluharty had declared himself able to go after leaving the game yesterday when he took back to back come-backers to the knee. He apparently has a pretty gnarly bruise on the inside of his knee but no more serious damage, and he looked just fine freezing the Colonel on 93 on the top outside corner to end the inning.
Ginn stayed in for the bottom of the eighth and continued to look sharp, again facing the minimum and picking up two more strikeouts. That set up Jeff Hoffman for the three run save opportunity. Jacob Wilson managed a ground ball single, that was it.
Jays of the Day: Sanchez (0.18) is the only hitter who qualifies for either award. Lauer (0.11) and Fisher (0.10) make it on the pitching side.
Less so: Nobody!
That’s it for the A’s in Toronto this year. Tomorrow night we move on to the Colorado Rockies. Tomoyuki Sugano will represent the visitors, while Cody Ponce makes his official North American return for the Jays. First pitch goes at 7:07pm ET.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 27: Cam Schlittler #31 of the New York Yankees pitches during the game between the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Friday, March 27, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
It’s Sunday once more, and you know what that means — it’s time for our weekly social media roundup! At long last, the regular season has begun, and so far, it has gotten off to a fantastic start, with the Yankees securing their first two wins of the season without allowing a run to cross the plate. But we’re not here to talk about the performance on the diamond, we’re here to talk about their performance on social media — which has also gotten off to a fun start. And so, without further ado, let’s get started!
The Annual Hype Video
As always, on the night before Opening Day, the New York Yankees posted a regular season hype video. This year’s theme was focused on NYC being the concrete jungle, but that’s not where the story was. As with most videos, this video included one shot of a Yankees pitcher absolutely buckling the knees of an opposing pitcher — and perhaps unsurprisingly, the video selected was Max Fried striking out Juan Soto last season. The Mets outfielder made a comment on the post, started a brigade of Mets fans commenting — not the first time since October that Soto has commented on something Yankees-related, generated headlines, and then deleted it.
And in this case, it’s a shame that this became the headline, because that’s a well-edited hype video, and an even better pitch by Fried.
Generating much less drama was this Sinatra-themed video and the YES Network’s hype video, although I must point out how fun it is that Dellin Betances has now started commenting on everything the network posts that is Yankee-related.
The big story of the week, was Opening Day. Yankees players, coaches, broadcasters, and alumni got in on the excitement, starting with Suzyn Waldman posting about everyone packing their bags to head westward from Tampa.
After showing off their drip (or is it fit? I don’t know, the lingo is always changing these days), everyone began posting photos celebrating the season’s kickoff.
As we know, the game was unfortunately on Netflix, which meant, of course, shenanigans. Among these, though, we had Giants backup quarterback Jameis Winston do his signature “eating the W” with Yankees ace Max Fried, who earned the W on Opening Day with 6.1 shutout innings.
Netflix wasn’t the only one to have some fun, though. Making fun of some Internet jokes about Austin Wells playing for the Dominican Republic during the World Baseball Classic, the Yankees’ social media team posted this meme. And apparently, they got it wrong; the expression is supposed to be “Gloria a Dios, Gloria morisoñando.”
Following the win, Dellin Betances, Josh Hart (who, as you may recall, is related to Elston Howard), and others took to their social media accounts to celebrate the W.
So when I was a kid, I took piano lessons. I don’t really remember them all too well, although I still theoretically remember how to play, sort of. But my (admittedly not great) music background isn’t the point here. You see, one of those songs we had to learn at like eight years old was titled The French Fry Bandit. I don’t think that’s an actual song — my quick Google search is that it’s an exercise designed to teach things like rhythm and tempo, but again, not the point — but it came to mind this week when I saw Trent Grisham having some postgame fries as part of Netflix’s coverage of Opening Day.
I get it, Grisham. The Griffin family, we love our fries too. But maybe leave some for the guy whose name is literally Fried?
The Game Belt
This season, the New York Knicks have awarded a Defensive Player of the Game after every win (the comeback win over a depleted Warriors team the sole exception), taking a photo after the game with the DPOG dressed in Timberlands and a vest, like a NYC construction worker. Likely inspired by the popularity of these posts, the Yankees social media team has begun to post the recipient of each win’s Game Belt.
Cam Schlittler took the baseball world by storm with a dominant performance over the Red Sox in last year’s Wild Card Game 3, then with an equally dominant performance over Red Sox fans on Twitter. He has continued his strong trash talking on Twitter with the new year.
Congratulations to former Yankees pitcher Luis Severino, who reached ten years of service time this season and, in doing so, is now a fully vested member of the Major League Baseball Player’s Association. While not a big deal to outsiders, this is a massive milestone among players, and it’s always nice to see it commemorated.
NEW YORK (AP) — Adam Sykora broke a scoreless tie early in the third period and Igor Shesterkin made 27 saves and the New York Rangers defeated the Florida Panthers 3-1 on Sunday.
Sykora, a rookie who was a second-round pick in 2022, scored his second goal of the season at 5:10, tipping Adam Fox's shot past Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.
Conor Sheary then scored his fifth of the season — on a short-handed breakaway — at 11:14 before Fox added an empty-netter at 16:06.
Sykora also scored in the Rangers' 6-1 win against Chicago on Friday. The Rangers are just 11-18-7 at home this season.
Florida's Mackie Samoskevich scored with 40.2 seconds left to end Shesterkin's shutout bid.
New York nearly scored late in the second when Mika Zibanejad’s shot with 1:35 left skittered along the goal line before Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling cleared it out.
Florida appeared to take the lead at 3:22 of the third when Matthew Tkachuk scored on a breakaway, but the Rangers challenged and the play was ruled offside.
Florida was coming off a 5-2 loss at the New York Islanders on Saturday in which Tkachuk scored both goals.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 27: Drake Baldwin #30 of the Atlanta Braves reacts as he rounds second base after hitting a solo homer against the Kansas City Royals during the third inning of the home opener at Truist Park on March 27, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Well, if you were hoping for a similar result as last night’s game, where the Atlanta Braves would rally late in the ninth to get ahead, today wasn’t that day.
The Kansas City Royals have avoided getting swept by the Braves, winning their first game of the year to cap off Opening Week with a score of 4-1.
The Royals first scored three straight runs in three straight innings and first appeared on the board in the third after a run from Nick Loftin after a RBI single from Bobby Witt Jr., Loftin would go on to score another run in the top of the fifth after a homer from Carter Jensen in the fourth.
As for the Braves’ offense, they couldn’t get a runner in scoring position until the bottom of the fifth inning first time braves runner was in scoring position was when Ozzie Albies singled on a line drive to center field and made it to third base due to an RBI single from Dominic Smith. This wouldn’t result in any progress, though, as Jorge Mateo would ground out to end the inning. Mike Yastrzemski would be the next player to reach second base with a leadoff double in the bottom of the seventh.
It was in the bottom of the eighth where the Braves would see some run-action with a solo-shot from Drake Baldwin that would put the Braves on the Board (4-1) with his second homer of the season.
There’s something beautiful about baseball uniforms.
They are time machines stitched in fabric. They whisper history. They contain the greatness that wore them previously. They remind you that this game, at its best, is still played by grown men chasing something they first fell in love with as kids.
And then Nike came along and said, “Yeah … but what if we made it louder?”
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after hitting a two run home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the third inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 22, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)
MediaNews Group via Getty Images
Enter: City Connect uniforms.
A bold, sometimes beautiful, sometimes baffling experiment where tradition takes a back seat to culture, identity and occasionally … chaos. These aren’t meant to replace the pinstripes or the Dodger whites. They’re meant to feel like the city itself — its heartbeat, its art, its grit, its late-night neon glow.
Some teams understood the assignment.
Others showed up like they forgot it was due.
So, as the 2026 MLB season gets underway, here is the definitive, unapologetic ranking of all 30 MLB teams’ City Connect (or lack thereof) uniforms — where culture meets creativity and sometimes crashes into it.
30. Athletics (Sacramento Alternate) — Not Even Invited
Let’s call this what it is. The A’s don’t have a City Connect jersey because they don’t have a city. That’s not a joke — it’s the reality of a franchise in limbo. Sacramento gold or not, this is a placeholder for a team waiting for Las Vegas to feel like home. You can’t connect to a city when you’re emotionally checked out of one and not yet rooted in another.
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29. Yankees — Tradition Over Everything
Of course, they don’t have one. Of course, they said no. The Yankees treat alternate uniforms like a violation of sacred text. Respect the history, sure. But also … loosen up a little!
Blue and yellow. City flag inspiration. Blue-collar symbolism. I get the intent. I just don’t get the execution. These look like something you’d find on a clearance rack next to a knockoff Eagles hoodie. Philly deserves grit, not whatever this is.
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27. Giants — A Swing and a Miss
They took a franchise dripping with visual identity — orange, black, timeless — and turned it into … this. The first iteration had a weird charm. This one feels like a design committee got lost halfway through the process. We get it, it looks like graffiti.
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26. Rockies — Sweet Tarts Baseball Club
Baseball uniforms shouldn’t make you crave candy. The Rockies leaned too far into color theory and forgot about cohesion. Their first version had a pulse. This one feels like a sugar rush without direction.
MLB Photos via Getty Images
25. Guardians — Bridge to Somewhere
An homage to the Hope Memorial Bridge sounds poetic. It should look poetic. Instead, it feels flat. There’s history here, but it doesn’t translate visually in a way that grabs you. At least it’s not all black.
AP
24. Red Sox — Green Monster, Meet Identity Crisis
Yes, Fenway. Yes, the Monster. We understand the reference. But when your uniform looks like a highlighter exploded, subtlety might have been the better play.
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23. Nationals — Cherry Blossom Regression
The original cherry blossom jerseys were delicate, thoughtful, alive. They were our favorite original City Connect uniform. This new version? It feels like a remix nobody asked for. Sometimes the best move is knowing when not to touch greatness.
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22. Dodgers — The ‘Funfetti’ Debate
The Dodgers are No. 22 on this list in honor of the great Clayton Kershaw. But also, it’s probably time to retire these jerseys as well. Los Angeles is a global hub of art, fashion, culture — a city that practically breathes creativity. And this is what we got? Speckled whites that look like a birthday cake exploded. It’s different, sure. But different isn’t always better. This should’ve been iconic. Instead, it’s polarizing.
21. Cubs — Waiting on Something Better
“Wrigleyville” was safe. Too safe. There’s buzz that a new design is coming, and it’s needed. This franchise deserves something that captures the ivy, the day games, the generational loyalty. Not just a neighborhood name slapped across the chest.
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20. Cardinals — You Can’t Improve Perfection
The Cardinals have one of the most beautiful uniforms in sports history. So when they go all red with a basic “STL” cap, it feels like watching a masterpiece get repainted in a single color. It’s not terrible. It’s just unnecessary.
AP
19. Tigers — Motor City, But Why Spell It Out?
The Old English “D” is sacred. One of the cleanest logos in sports. Writing out “Motor City” isn’t bad — it just feels like replacing poetry with a paragraph.
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18. Diamondbacks — Serpientes in Purple
There’s something here. The identity, the language, the nod to heritage. But the execution doesn’t fully land. It feels like a concept that needed one more draft. The new night version is a cool color rush, though.
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17. Astros — Space City, Slight Upgrade
The space theme works. It always will in Houston. This version is better than the first but still feels like it’s orbiting something greater instead of becoming it.
AP
16. Twins — Lake Life Overload
The ripple concept is clever. The execution? A little too drenched in blue. It works, but it doesn’t wow.
AP
15. Mets — Subway Series Aesthetic
All gray. Industrial. “NYC” across the chest. It’s gritty in a way that fits Queens. The 7 train detail is brilliant. It’s not universally loved, but at least it has a voice.
AP
14. Rangers — Lone Star Storytelling
The “TX” branding. The peagle patch. The deep cuts into Texas baseball history. This one is layered, thoughtful and quietly strong. Not flashy, but it doesn’t need to be.
AP
13. Reds — Blackout Done Right
You can’t go wrong with black and red. It’s clean. It’s modern. It plays it safe, but sometimes safe looks good.
AP
12. Royals — A Step Back?
The “City of Fountains” jerseys had charm. Early leaks of the new design feel … less inspired. We’ll reserve full judgment, but the bar was already set.
11. Blue Jays — Night Mode Activated
Dark. Sleek. The skyline detail walks a fine line between cool and touristy. Still, this feels like Toronto after midnight — and that’s the point.
The original was electric. Baja colors, cultural depth, life. The new black version? Solid, but it traded personality for trend. The Día de los Muertos patch is a saving grace.
9. White Sox — South Side Meets ’90s Bulls
This is swagger. This is nostalgia. This is Michael Jordan walking through a baseball diamond. The White Sox may struggle on the field, but they won the uniform game here.
Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
8. Angels — Surf’s Up Simplicity
It’s clean. It’s coastal. It doesn’t try too hard. The surfboard-inspired lettering is subtle, and sometimes subtle wins.
Meg Oliphant/Getty Images Meg Oliphant/Getty Images
7. Brewers — Brew Crew Blues
Baby blue done right. It feels like summer. It feels like beer gardens and day games. It’s not revolutionary, but it’s undeniably likable.
Milwaukee Brewers Milwaukee Brewers
6. Rays — Skate Culture Energy
This is where City Connect shines. Risky. Different. Alive. The neon pops, the skateboarding nod is authentic, and the cap is one of the best in the entire series.
Tampa Bay Rays Tampa Bay Rays
5. Marlins — Vice City Perfection
Black and pink neon that feels like South Beach at 2 a.m. These aren’t uniforms. They’re a vibe. They understood Miami completely, and that’s the point, right?
Miami Marlins Miami Marlins
4. Orioles — Back to the Core
If the leaks hold true, this is a massive upgrade. Clean black, “Baltimore” across the chest, rooted identity. Sometimes the boldest move is simplifying.
3. Pirates — Finally, They Got It Right
If the leaked design is real, this is a home run. Dark, pirate-inspired, authentic. A massive leap from the forgettable yellow “PGH” jerseys. This feels like Pittsburgh.
Credit: X/dannotheiceman X/dannotheiceman
2. Braves — Hank Aaron Lives Here
This is how you honor history. A nod to 1974. To greatness. To Hank Aaron rewriting the record books. It’s emotional. It’s powerful. It’s almost perfect.
Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images
1. Mariners — Steelheads Legacy
This is it. This is what City Connect uniform is supposed to be. A tribute to the Negro Leagues. To the Seattle Steelheads. To a part of baseball history that deserves to be remembered, celebrated and worn proudly. It’s clean. It’s meaningful. It tells a story bigger than the game itself. And in the end, that’s what the best uniforms do. They don’t just represent a team. They represent something deeper. Something lasting. Something worth remembering. Seattle is replacing their old city connect with these for every Sunday home game to honor their 50th season in MLB.
