Of course, it takes only a sore arm for the equation to suddenly change, but the Mets have Brazobán, Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, Brooks Raley, Tobias Myers and Luis García for six of the seven jobs.
The Mets would normally have eight relievers, but their plan to carry six starting pitchers subtracts from the bullpen.
And Mendoza doesn’t expect resolution on the final reliever until after the Mets break camp next Monday.
“Since I have been in this level, as a coach, bench coach or manager, that last part of the bullpen is usually not [decided] until hours before Opening Day because there’s so much that can happen,” Mendoza said. “We’re still a long way from having that conversation.”
Among the possibilities is a reliever from another camp will become available before Opening Day. But the Mets’ primary internal options for the final spot appear to be possible future Hall of Famer Craig Kimbrel and lefty Bryan Hudson, who was acquired in a trade with the White Sox at the start of camp.
Craig Kimbrel is looking to secure the final spot in the Mets bullpen. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Brazobán’s inclusion on the roster gives the Mets an option capable of pitching beyond one inning — Myers, who has stretched out in camp as a starter also fits the description.
Brazobán pitched 1 ¹/₃ scoreless innings with three strikeouts for the Dominican Republic on Sunday against Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
Overall, the right-hander retired 12 of the 13 batters he faced in the tournament.
“I don’t know that we’re looking at results, even though it’s a pretty competitive environment, facing some of the best hitters in the world on that stage,” Mendoza said. “It was good to see him throw the ball the way he did. Not surprising.
“I think the biggest thing we were looking at was the buildup. Making sure the one plus that he ended up doing, close to 30 pitches. So, the fact that fortunately they lost and we’re going to get him back, but he’s coming back in a pretty good spot as far as buildup and us being comfortable using him for one plus when we need it.”
Brazobán, who has a minor league option remaining, pitched to a 3.57 ERA in 52 appearances for the Mets last season.
Bryan Hudson was acquired in a trade with the White Sox at the start of camp. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
How the Mets fill the final bullpen spot could be dependent on whether the team decides a second lefty is necessary.
Brooks Raley is the primary lefty to start the season and with A.J. Minter rehabbing until May from surgery to repair a torn lat, Hudson could be in position to claim the opening. Hudson struggled last season after thriving for the Brewers in 2024.
“I like the velo there, it seems to be back,” Mendoza said. “That is something he kind of got away with last year. I like the breaking ball.”
Kimbrel, 37, has pitched to a 2.25 ERA in four appearances this spring, but has struggled with control — he’s walked four and hit two batters in four innings of work.
“I guess it really depends on how I look the next week,” Kimbrel said of his chances. “I have got three outings until we get out of here, so just kind of turn it up and get ready for the season.”
Kimbrel, who arrived in a minor league deal — he will receive $2.5 million if he makes the major league roster — acknowledged there have been positives and negatives this spring in his attempt to extend a 16-year career in which he’s amassed 440 saves.
“The positive is I have been able to work out of some of the stuff that I have gotten into,” Kimbrel said. “The negatives are I have walked some guys, hit some guys. The guys I have hit have been pitches I have been working on, but just making steps and hopefully I can put that pitch [a cutter] into my arsenal and be more effective.”
Mar 9, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Brandon Lockridge (20) hits against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second inning at American Family Fields of Phoenix. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Yesterday, the Brewers’ offense was almost held completely in check. Today, they let out all of the offense that they’ve been holding back. Three big innings by the Brewers’ offense made up all of the offense in this one, as the Brewers defeated the Dodgers 24-9.
The game started with the Dodgers’ offense in high gear. Chad Patrick escaped the first inning with just a single allowed. He faltered a bit in the second, giving up two singles and a walk as the Dodgers scored a run. In the third, he struggled a lot. After allowing back-to-back walks to start the inning, Teoscar Hernández hit a three-run home run to center field that put the Dodgers up 4-0. After another walk, the Brewers brought in Patricio Aquino from the bullpen. He allowed a fourth walk in the inning, and two batters later Eliezer Alfonzo doubled to bring them both in. It was a five-run inning for the Dodgers, who were up 6-0. Patrick came back in for the fourth inning and allowed a solo home run to Max Muncy. That was it for Patrick, who finished his day with 3 1/3 innings pitched, six runs, five hits, and four walks. He also struck out two.
As for the Brewers offense, Tyler Glasnow kept them in check for the first four innings. All he allowed in those innings was a Luis Rengifo single to lead off the game. In the fifth inning, they finally broke through. Joey Ortiz led the inning off with a walk, and Brandon Lockridge singled behind him to put runners at the corners. The first run came from Jett Williams, who singled and put the Brewers on the board.
Jett Williams is producing insane numbers this spring 🤯
That was just the start of the inning. Williams stole second with Brock Wilken at the plate, but Wilken struck out. Glasnow’s day ended there and Jerming Rosario entered the game. He would not record an out. Luis Lara singled to bring in Lockridge and Williams, and Lara reached second on a fielding error. Rengifo followed that up with another single to put runners at the corners, then Andrew Vaughn was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Two more singles, this time from Tyler Black and Gary Sánchez, closed the gap to 7-6.
The Dodgers brought in Blake Treinen with two runners on base and one out. He promptly hit Ortiz with a pitch to load the bases once again. Lockridge then put the Brewers up with a grand slam, a 103.1 mph shot out to center field that gave them a 10-7 lead.
Meanwhile, the Brewers’ bullpen entered the game and mostly shut down the Dodgers for the next two innings. Trevor Megill struck out all three batters he faced in a scoreless fifth inning. Tyler Koenig allowed a leadoff single, then struck out three more Dodgers in a scoreless sixth.
In the seventh, the Brewers’ offense surged once again. Singles by Ortiz and Lockridge led off the inning, and a Williams walk loaded the bases. Pinch-runners Brady Ebel and Ethan Murray replaced Ortiz and Williams as Cooper Pratt came to the plate. Pratt hit an easy ground ball to second, but shortstop Noah Miller missed the throw and everyone was safe. That scored Ebel and increased the Brewers’ lead to 11-7. Lara added on another run with an RBI single. Back-to-back walks by Luke Adams and Mike Boeve increased the lead to 14-7.
Black hit a sacrifice fly out to left field for what should have been an easy out, but Zyhir Hope missed it and the bases cleared, with Black making it all the way to third base. He would score on a Ramón Rodríguez groundout, the Brewers’ first out of the seventh inning after they had scored eight runs. They would add on a ninth run in the next at-bat as Ebel hit a solo home run.
First-round pick Brady Ebel, son of Dodgers 3B coach Dino Ebel, just homered against his dad's team ❕ pic.twitter.com/trVAIKcZhF
The bullpen did give the Dodgers a couple runs back in the next two innings. Grant Anderson walked the first two batters he saw, and a fly out and sacrifice fly brought in a run for the Dodgers. Anderson finished the inning with no other damage, but also did not record a strikeout. Jack Seppings came in for the eighth inning but struggled. He walked two batters with a strikeout in-between, then allowed an RBI single to Hope that made it a 19-9 game. Will Childers finished the eighth with two strikeouts.
The Brewers’ offense came back for one more encore in the ninth inning, with Lucas Wepf pitching for the Dodgers. All five Brewers that faced him reached base. Ebel led off with a walk, and back-to-back singles by Josiah Ragsdale and Murray loaded the bases. Pratt walked to bring in the Brewers’ 20th run of the game. Braylon Payne also walked to make it a 21-9 game. The Dodgers switched to Robby Porco, who walked Luke Adams — the third straight walk from the Brewers and fourth in the inning. It took Porco eight pitches before he finally threw a strike. On the ninth pitch, Boeve singled to bring in another run. The Dodgers finally recorded two outs when Eddys Leonard hit into a double play, but that scored Payne. After Rodríguez was hit by a pitch, Ebel struck out swinging to end the inning. It was a five-run inning for the Brewers, and the score after that was 24-9.
Joe Corbett took the ninth for the Brewers, and a calm 1-2-3 inning finally brought the game to an end. It was a three hour, 54 minute spring training game with a combined 33 runs, 24 hits, 22 walks, three errors, and two hit batters.
The Brewers’ offense had 24 of those runs, 16 hits, and 12 walks. They were also well-distributed throughout the lineup. Lockridge led the offense with a 3-for-5 day with four RBI and three runs scored. Rengifo, Williams, and Lara each had two hits. Adams didn’t record a hit but walked in all three of his plate appearances. Tyler Black had only one hit but his sacrifice fly brought in three runs. Lara also had three RBI, and Pratt added two of his own.
After that barrage of offense, the Brewers get a day to rest before returning to action with a split-squad day on Wednesday. One squad to travel to face the Mariners, while the other will remain home and host the Angels. The road game against the Mariners will be on Brewers.TV, and the home game will be available on the Brewers Radio Network. First pitch in both games is set for 3:10 p.m.
Mar 4, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow against Team Mexico during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Dodgers opened up their final week of Cactus League play with a lopsided defeat against the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday, relinquishing a seven-run lead and falling 24-9.
Tyler Glasnow was given an extended leash as he worked his way into the fifth inning. He tossed 79 pitches (46 strikes) while striking out six and walking just one hitter, but was charged with three earned runs as the bullpen failed to preserve the Dodgers’ lead prior to the start of the inning. Jerming Rosario and Blake Treinen couldn’t stop the bleeding as the Brewers rallied for a 10-spot, highlighted by a grand slam from Brandon Lockridge.
The Brewers rallied again in the top of the seventh inning for an additional nine runs, extending the lead to 12 and giving Milwaukee 19 unanswered runs. Dino Ebel was not in attendance to see his son, Brady, cap off the scoring with an opposite field home run. The Dodgers managed to respond with a sacrifice fly from Chris Newell in the seventh inning and an RBI single from Zyhir Hope in the eighth inning, but still trailed by double-digits. Milwaukee eventually returned the favor in the ninth inning with an additional five runs.
Teoscar Hernández has been on a recent power surge over the past week, and it continued on Monday as he launched a three-run home run of Patrick for his third home run of the spring to give the Dodgers a 4-0 lead. Hernández is now hitting .459 (17-36) across 14 games, with his 15 RBI and 1.298 OPS both ranking best on the team among regular starters.
Hyeseong Kim has played well in the two games since returning from the World Baseball Classic, going 2-6 with a pair of stolen bases and three runs scored. Kim is now hitting .421 in 19 at-bats this spring and he appears to be the heavy favorite to win the starting second base job for the start of the regular season.
Zach Ehrhard continues to flourish this spring, as he drove in the first run of the game and is now hitting .327 with a .940 OPS across 20 games.
Monday’s contest marked the largest margin of defeat for the Dodgers this spring, but they still maintain a positive run differential of 21. Their 166 runs scored are the most among both Cactus League and Grapefruit League teams.
UP NEXT
The Dodgers are on the road as they take on the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night at Surprise Stadium (6:05 p.m. PT, SportsNet LA). Roki Sasaki makes his third start of the spring, facing left-hander Bailey Falter.
SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 17: MacKenzie Gore #1 of the Texas Rangers poses for a photo during the Texas Rangers photo day at Surprise Stadium on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Today the Texas Rangers have waited for the evening to play their latest Cactus League contest with the Chicago White Sox in Surprise, AZ for a spring tussle.
LHP MacKenzie Gore will take the hill for Texas in his latest rehearsal opposite RHP Sean Burke for the American League’s Chicago squad.
Tonight’s Lineups
WHITE SOX
RANGERS
Chase Meidroth – SS
Brandon Nimmo – RF
Everson Pereira – CF
Wyatt Langford – CF
Jarred Kelenic – LF
Corey Seager – SS
Lenyn Sosa – 2B
Jake Burger – 1B
LaMonte Wade – 1B
Josh Smith – 2B
Curtis Mead – 3B
Josh Jung – 3B
Korey Lee – C
Kyle Higashioka – C
Tristan Peters – DH
Danny Jansen – DH
Derek Hill – RF
Ezequiel Duran – LF
Sean Burke – RHP
MacKenzie Gore – LHP
You can catch the game on television via CW33 or MLB Network out of market. Alternatively, you can listen to the game via 105.3 The Fan or follow along on Gameday. First pitch from Surprise Stadium is scheduled for 7:05 pm CT.
On the final “off-day” of Yankees spring training Monday, Schlittler got his work in by building up to 54 pitches across four innings of live batting practice against minor leaguers, keeping him on track to potentially follow Max Fried in the rotation to begin the year.
“Whatever they want me to do, whether I throw that series or not, I’m prepared to do that,” Schlittler said after pitching in front of a handful of Yankees personnel, including Hal Steinbrenner.
The hard-throwing right-hander, whose camp ramp-up was slightly delayed by mid-back inflammation, should be in line to throw around 65-70 pitches in his regular-season debut, as long as his spring finale (likely on Saturday) goes according to plan.
There should be much more adrenaline readily available for Schlittler’s first start of the season than there was on Monday morning, though he was encouraged by how he threw.
Cam Schlittler could begin the season as the No. 2 in the Yankees rotation. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“Felt good, felt in control, didn’t have a walk, so that’s a really good feeling,” Schlittler said.
There were “some conversations” over the offseason about Schlittler potentially joining USA’s roster, he said, but they did not go too far because it was “already kind of decided” he would not participate given that he was coming off a career-high workload last season.
That said, Schlittler indicated he would be interested in pitching in the event the next time around.
“For sure,” he said. “Just wasn’t an option this year with the workload I threw last year. So hopefully I get another opportunity to do that in a couple years.”
Will Warren is scheduled to make his penultimate start of the spring Tuesday afternoon against the Rays, which could line him up to start the third game of the regular season.
The right-hander has had one of the strongest springs of any Yankee, pitching to a 1.65 ERA across four starts and 16 ¹/₃ innings.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 16: Jarrett Allen #31 high fives Craig Porter Jr. #9 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 16, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers haven’t looked like the same team in the last five games without Jarrett Allen. Unfortunately for the Cavs, they will have at least a few more games without their starting center.
The team released a statement on Monday evening that Allen would be out for all three games during the Cavs’ upcoming road trip with right knee tendinitis. That would have him missing Tuesday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Thursday’s game against the Chicago Bulls, and Saturday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans. The earliest Allen could return would be for next Tuesday’s home matchup against the Orlando Magic.
The Cavs have struggled without Allen in the five games he’s been out. They’ve dropped three of those contests, while giving up 128 and 130 points to bad offenses like Orlando and the Dallas Mavericks. Additionally, James Harden hasn’t been able to replicate the pick-and-roll success that he’s had with Allen with Evan Mobley. Even though the offense hasn’t been the issue, they also haven’t looked great.
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Allen first injured his knee in the second half of Cleveland’s March 3 win over the Detroit Pistons. When asked about Allen’s injury on Sunday, head coach Kenny Atkinson reiterated that he doesn’t “anticipate this to be long-term” and that they’re trying to be cautious with the injury with the playoffs around the corner.
Allen was playing the best basketball of his career in the month before the injury. In February, he averaged 22.3 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.
The Cavs have also been without Craig Porter Jr. and Tyrese Proctor in recent games.
Porter had an MRI that confirmed a left groin strain. He was initially injured in Friday’s victory over the Mavs. He’s expected to be sidelined for one to three weeks.
Proctor has been unavailable for the last few games with a right quad strain. Like Allen, he will also be out for the upcoming road trip. The team didn’t give a timetable for his return.
This Cavs’ season has been defined by injuries and trying to work new and returning players back into the lineup. Right now, the only hope is that the team will be healthy when postseason play begins next month.
Sean Burke will get the start against the Lone Star State.
The White Sox will face an evenly-matched Rangers team this evening.
Sean Burke will be on the mound tonight. Burke has been roughed up during Spring Training, owning an ERA of 6.75, giving up nine hits, six earned runs, two walks and six strikeouts over eight innings pitched. We will also see Korey Lee, who will need to prove he can fill in at catcher while Kyle Teel is out for a few more weeks.
Southpaw pitcher MacKenzie Gore will be the starter for the Rangers. While Burke hasn’t had the best showing so far, Gore has been much worse. With only 6 1/3 innings pitched under his belt, Gore owns an ERA of 12.79, giving up 12 hits, nine earned runs, three walks, a hit-by-pitch and just three strikeouts. Worth noting, our old friend Jake Burger will be at first base and batting cleanup tonight.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 14: Vinnie Pasquantino #9 of Italy looks on from the dugout in the fourth inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Quarterfinals game against Puerto Rico at Daikin Park on March 14, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We’re just one game away from the finale of what’s been an unforgettable World Baseball Classic. Team USA punched their ticket to the Championship Game last night with a pitching masterclass to silence the potent Dominican Republic lineup, clinging on to a narrow 2-1 victory. Relative tournament upstarts Venezuela and Italy face off tonight for the right to play the US on Tuesday in Miami and hoist the WBC trophy for the first time.
Venezuela eliminated tournament favorites, defending champions, and three-time winners Japan on Saturday, Shohei Ohtani popping out to end the game. Italy meanwhile have been the story of the tournament — surprise winners of a Pool B that include the US — and undefeated thanks to espresso-fueled slugfests and led by captain Vinnie Pasquantino and his three-homer game against Mexico.
The question tonight is whether Aaron Nola will be able to hold down the star-studded Venezuela lineup. The former Phillies ace was brilliant in his lone start of the tournament — five scoreless innings allowing four hits and a walk with five strikeouts against Mexico in the final pool play game.
However, Venezuela is another story entirely, led by former NL MVP and leadoff hitter Ronald Acuña Jr. There are All-Stars up and down the batting order — the Royals’ Maikel Garcia at third, the Giants’ Luis Arraez at first, former and current Red Eugenio Suárez at DH, Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, former Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres, Boston’s Wilyer Abreu in left, and the pair of Milwaukee stars William Contreras behind the plate and Jackson Chourio in center. If Nola can keep them in check, he’ll hand the ball over to an Italy bullpen featuring several former Yankees including Adam Ottavino, Greg Weissert, and Ron Marinaccio.
PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 27: Ryne Nelson #19 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches during the first inning of the spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Record: 11-12-1. Change on 2025: -2. 5-inning Record: 7-15-2.
It isn’t typically a good day when every pitcher bar your ninth inning guy gets tagged for one or more earned runs, but today had its positives for the D-backs. The first would be a good start from Ryne Nelson, who went four innings, and gave up just a solo home-run. There were four hits in total, plus a walk, but six strikeouts. Kevin Ginkel, however, lasted just seven pitches, allowing a two-run homer, and I have to wonder if something was up with that. Philip Abner, Ryan Thompson and Taylor Clarke each allowed one run – Abner’s outing lasted 1.2 innings – before Kade Stroud finally became our only pitcher to escape undamaged, with a scoreless ninth.
This one was 10-1 to Arizona by the end of the fourth, and that was also good to see. We got a five-run third, highlighted by James McCann’s first spring homer, a two-run shot. The Diamondbacks followed that up with a four-run fourth, LuJames Groover also going deep for the first time, this one plating three runs. Jacob Amaya had three of Arizona’s fourteen hits, with McCann and Grover each adding a knock in addition to their home-runs. Tim Tawa and Jordan Lawlar each notched a hit and a walk, while Manuel Pena drew two walks. The team was also active on the base-paths, Amaya swiping a pair of bags, and Lawlar getting his first SB.
The D-backs will stay at Salt River Fields for tomorrow’s game, which sees the Cubs come to visit. First pitch will be at 1:10 pm, with your scheduled starter Merrill Kelly, as he continues making his way back.
The popularity of the Florida Panthers has grown quite a bit in recent years.
Three straight trips to the Stanley Cup Final and back-to-back championships will do that.
Even throughout their current season, which has seen the Panthers struggle to find the same kind of success they’ve seen over the past several years, fans have been showing up and showing out, wherever the Cats might be hitting the ice.
That included Sunday in Seattle, when a plethora of Panthers fans were seen in the building and on the glass at Climate Pledge Arena.
“We get traveling fans who come out and follow us on a road trip, and it is great,” Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice said Sunday.
It’s no surprise that Florida’s average attendance at home has seen a big boost.
This season, even with all of the Panthers struggles, they are still averaging the third-highest home attendance in the league, behind only Montreal and Tampa Bay.
But to see all the Panthers fans on the road has been great.
They’re not only showing up along the glass for pregame warmups, either.
Fans are at the practice rinks, they’re outside the team bus wherever it goes, they’re waiting outside arenas after games.
Panthers popularity is a real thing, ya’ll.
“There’s far more people looking for autographs at the hotel, a lot more Panthers jerseys in the fans in road buildings,” Maurice said.
Look for this trend to continue building momentum, as the Panthers should resume their run of Stanley Cup contending seasons in short order.
Florida’s roster is full of elite players who are locked up for several seasons, meaning the team is expected to maintain its spot as one of the top teams in the league.
Seeds that were planted long ago are now finally starting to bear fruit.
Dec 13, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; The Florida Panthers and their fans celebrate and empty net goal by left wing Brad Marchand (not pictured) against the Dallas Stars during the third period at the American Airlines Center. (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
MADRID (AP) — Pathé Ciss' controversial goal in stoppage time gave Rayo Vallecano a 1-1 draw and shattered visiting Levante’s hopes on Monday of a rare win that would boost its chances of avoiding relegation from La Liga.
Levante started the night second from bottom in the table and went ahead when 20-year-old Carlos Espí headed the opener — his fourth goal in three games — four minutes before halftime.
However, in the fourth minute of second half added time, Ciss stole in at the back post to control a cross and stroke the ball past goalkeeper Mathew Ryan. Although Levante claimed he handled the ball before shooting, Ciss swore there was no touch.
“It wasn’t our day but we can’t always get what we want,” the Senegal midfielder said. “We suffered with a man less and maybe this point will be crucial at the season’s end.”
The man less was Nobel Mendy, who was shown a second yellow eight minutes after halftime.
The red card forced the home side into a reshuffle and it was more dangerous with 10 men than with 11 as Ciss’ last-gasp equalizer proved.
The result extended Rayo’s unbeaten run to six league games and the point lifted it two places into 13th.
Levante remained in the cellar. Although it has seven points from a possible nine in recent weeks, it was three points behind third-from-bottom Elche and five behind Alaves.
40-year-old committed five anti-doping rule violations
Matosevic, now a coach, critical of ITIA’s investigative practices
Six weeks after branding the International Tennis Integrity Agency “corrupt”, one-time Australian No 1 Marinko Matosevic has been handed a four-year ban for multiple doping offences.
An independent tribunal determined that Matosevic committed five anti-doping rule violations between 2018 and 2020, including use of a prohibited method through blood doping and facilitating another player to blood dope, providing advice to others on how to avoid positive tests, and use and possession of the prohibited substance clenbuterol.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 08: Naz Reid #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket against Oso Ighodaro #11 of the Phoenix Suns in the first quarter at Target Center on December 08, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 vs. Phoenix Suns Date: March 17th, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM CDT Location: Target Center Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: Wolves App, iHeart Radio
For a few beautiful, deeply misleading moments in the third quarter against Oklahoma City, the Timberwolves had all of us believing again.
They were swarming defensively. They were forcing the Thunder into ugly, uncomfortable possessions. The reigning NBA MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, had been held to just four first-half points, blanketed by Anthony Edwards on the perimeter and rejected at the rim by Rudy Gobert. Ayo Dosunmu had caught absolute fire in the second quarter, piling up 15 first-half points and drilling threes with confidence. Julius Randle, who had looked like he’d been sleepwalking through parts of the post-All-Star schedule, suddenly seemed awake again, scoring efficiently around the basket and actually looking like the bruising, playoff-useful version of himself.
And despite all the usual self-inflicted nonsense, the turnovers, the loose rebounds they failed to secure, and the extra possessions they gifted away, the Wolves had built an nine-point lead. It wasn’t pristine, but it was gritty, it was competitive, and it felt like Minnesota had a real chance to walk into Oklahoma City, punch the champs in the mouth for the third time in four meetings, and announce to the Western Conference that the rumors of their collapse had been exaggerated.
Then the floor gave way.
Suddenly the defense lost its edge. Rotations were a beat late. Closeouts weren’t quite there. Those Thunder possessions that had looked so difficult in the first half started turning into open threes and comfortable rhythm looks. The Wolves’ offense, which had been hanging together through effort and timely contributions, started to grind and seize up. Ayo cooled off. Julius lost his edge. Edwards was trapped, crowded, doubled, and no one else could consistently rise up and punish Oklahoma City for overcommitting to him. The turnovers kept coming. The offensive rebounds kept coming. The second- and third-chance points kept piling up. And with every careless possession and every missed box-out, you could feel the game slipping.
By the end of it, the Wolves hadn’t just lost. They had been reminded, again, what the difference is between a team that plays like a champion and a team that keeps insisting it can just flip a switch whenever it feels like it. Oklahoma City looked like a team that knows exactly who it is. Minnesota looked like a team still arguing with itself in the mirror.
Now, if you’re feeling generous, and at this point I’m not sure how many Wolves fans still are, you can look at the glass half full and say Minnesota was right there. If they take better care of the ball, if they rebound with more force, if they stop tossing away possessions, maybe we’re talking about a statement win. Maybe we’re talking about a team that weathered a brutal week and still came out looking dangerous. Maybe we’re talking about momentum.
Instead, we’re talking about another demoralizing loss and another example of the gap between a team with championship maturity and one that is still trying to fake it until it makes it.
And now, because the Western Conference is the basketball equivalent of a highway pileup in freezing rain, the Wolves are sitting firmly in the six seed, just a game and a half ahead of the Phoenix Suns and the Play-In. Which means the next game on the schedule, a game that a month ago might have felt like just another meaningful late-season test, is now blaring red lights and sounding sirens.
Because this one is not just important.
This is a full-on HAVE TO WIN game.
Phoenix has already beaten Minnesota twice. One of those losses was the season’s biggest collapse. Holding a sizeable late-game lead on the road in the desert, the Wolves hemorrhaged turnovers and free throws and somehow managed to bleed out in the final minute, snatching defeat from the jaws of what should have been a routine win. The Suns are sitting directly beneath them in the standings, holding the tie-breakers, with a chance to gain serious ground and shove Minnesota even closer to the trapdoor. And with Detroit looming twice, Houston twice, and games against Boston and others still ahead, this is not the time for the Wolves to make their margin for error any thinner than it already is.
This is where the season starts asking serious questions. Can they finally stop playing with their food? Can they take an inferior, injured team seriously on their home floor? Can they act like a group that wants one of those top six spots, or are they going to keep wandering through March like they’re entitled to a playoff berth because of what happened last spring?
The Keys to the Game:
#1 – Take care of the basketball.
The turnovers lately have not just been bad, they’ve been insulting. Against the Clippers and Thunder, Minnesota repeatedly sabotaged itself before the offense even had a chance to function. Against Oklahoma City, the Wolves meaningfully outshot the Thunder, and it didn’t matter because they kept ending possessions before they ever got a real look. You simply cannot beat good teams, or even beat decent teams cleanly, when you’re casually throwing away twenty possessions a game. Against Phoenix, that nonsense has to stop. No gifts. No shortcuts. No helping the opponent do its job.
#2 – Dominate the paint and the glass.
This is where the Wolves catch a real break. Mark Williams, whose last feisty battle with Gobert ended with Rudy’s flagrant two, will not be playing. That matters. A lot. Phoenix’s frontcourt is thinner now, and that means Gobert should walk into this game with the expectation that the paint belongs to him. Sunday in Oklahoma City was a pedestrian game for Rudy by his standards. Fine. Flush it. This is the bounce-back spot. He needs to inhale rebounds, protect the rim, and turn the paint into a miserable experience for anybody wearing a Suns jersey.
Randle also has to build on the good things he showed against OKC. There were real signs of life there. He found his shot. He was physical. It was in Phoenix last year that he started to really wake up late in the season and carry that into a strong postseason. This would be an awfully good time to start writing that script again.
#3 – Win the little hustle battles.
Phoenix is not overwhelming anybody with talent. They’re not steamrolling teams because they have more stars. They’re surviving and climbing because they play hard, they stay connected, and they do all the boring little things that add up to wins. They scrap for rebounds. They stay in possessions. They don’t beat themselves quite as often. That’s the exact mentality Minnesota has to mirror. No getting outworked. No giving up second-chance points. No mental nonsense at the free-throw line. Every small play in this game matters because the standings say it does.
#4 – Anthony Edwards has to look like Anthony Edwards.
Oklahoma City made life miserable for him and deserves credit for it. They loaded up, they doubled, they forced the ball out of his hands, and to Ant’s credit he largely stayed composed and used that attention to open things up for Ayo and others. But this is not the same kind of challenge. Dylan Brooks, one of the guys who tends to turn games against Ant into full-on personal vendettas, will not be there. Without him, Phoenix does not have the same kind of defensive shell. This should be an Ant game. A 40-piece kind of night where he bends the game to his will and makes a statement that Phoenix is not grabbing his team’s spot on his home floor.
That doesn’t mean hero ball. It doesn’t mean dribbling the air out of the ball and firing late-clock nonsense. It means smart aggression, rim pressure, and using his gravity to open everything else up.
#5 – Play intense, connected defense – especially on the perimeter.
The Wolves cannot let Devin Booker get loose. He cannot be allowed to stroll into the paint, find comfort, and start building one of those silky 34-point nights. He needs to be put in a straightjacket. This has to be a high-energy, high-effort, highly communicative defensive performance. The Wolves have the size advantage. They have the home crowd. They should have the desperation edge.
Phoenix, in a lot of ways, is playing with house money. They weren’t supposed to be here. To be fair, Minnesota wasn’t supposed to be here fighting to stay out of the play-in either. The difference is the Wolves put themselves here with all the avoidable nonsense, including the previous two losses to this same team.
That’s why the heat has been turned all the way up now. No more moral victories. This is one of those nights where the Wolves need to act like a team that understands what’s at stake. The talent edge is theirs. The size edge is theirs. The urgency edge had better be theirs. If they can’t get up for this game, if they can’t beat an inferior and injured Suns team that is openly trying to take their playoff spot, then at some point you have to stop doing the hopeful fan thing and come to the difficult conclusion: Maybe they don’t deserve one of those six spots after all.
But that’s the beauty and cruelty of the NBA in March. You don’t have to answer the question in theory. You answer it on the floor.
Tuesday night at Target Center, the Wolves have a chance to do exactly that.
TAMPA, FL – Detroit Tigers prospect Jordan Yost hit a grand slam in his first plate appearance of MLB spring training. His family members celebrated from the stands in front of the press box, repeating the same phrase after the ball landed in the right-field bleachers.
I can't believe it.
I can't believe it.
I can't believe it.
"I didn't hear many people running around the bases," Yost said. "I knew what was going on – just overjoyed, excited running the bases. I wouldn't say I blacked out, but it was a good moment."
The Tigers called up Yost as an extra player from minor-league camp for Sunday's 12-1 win over the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field, planning to get him a plate appearance as the designated hitter in the later innings of the game.
The 19-year-old – a left-handed hitting shortstop – is the Tigers' No. 9 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, but he is still awaiting his professional debut in the minor leagues after the Tigers selected him No. 24 overall in the 2025 draft out of high school.
In Sunday's game, the Tigers gave him an early taste of life in the big leagues – pinch-hitting for Kerry Carpenter with no outs and the bases loaded in the eighth inning against the Yankees.
"It was exciting," said Yost, who learned Saturday afternoon from assistant general manager Ryan Garko and minor-league field coordinator Travis Chapman that he would travel for Sunday's game. "Fun to be out there and get an opportunity. Made the most of it, I guess."
It was a hometown moment in a familiar ballpark.
The Tigers drafted Yost out of Sickles High School in Tampa, just 10 miles away from George M. Steinbrenner Field, home of the Yankees in spring training, where he played high school tournaments.
"It's always nice for these guys to come over and get a look at what big leaguers look like and who they aspire to be," manager A.J. Hinch said. "I try to get these guys in the game as best I can."
Before the game, Yost took ground balls at shortstop with Javier Báez.
He finally entered the game after two rain delays.
Hinch joked that the only fans left in the stands would be Yost's family and friends. He had his parents, grandparents, friends and high school coach in attendance.
"I'm glad they waited," Hinch said.
It was a two-pitch plate appearance: Yost watched a fastball sail above the strike zone for a ball, then turned on an up-and-in 95 mph fastball from right-handed reliever Zach Messinger for a grand slam. He pulled the pitch 379 feet to right field with a 102.1 mph exit velocity.
He wasn't trying to hit a grand slam.
The result was a product of his approach.
"Just do my job," Yost said. "I know it's bases loaded, no outs. If anything, get the ball to the outfield, put together a good at-bat. ... I was ready for the heater, and I was able to put a good swing on it."
Did he know it was going to be a home run when he made contact?
Beyond the home run, Yost – known for his contact and plate disciple, but not power – showcased a different body than he had when the Tigers drafted him in July 2025.
A lot has changed in eight months.
"I gained about 13 pounds," Yost said. "That was the main priority, especially coming into the spring. My offseason goal was just to get bigger, stronger, and I think that's helped in all areas. I've actually gotten faster, too. The strength coaches are great. They're working with me every single day to try to get me bigger and stronger, and I think it's paying off."
He also added a toe tap to his swing mechanics.
The toe tap is a timing mechanism that helps hitters be ready for high-velocity fastballs – just like the one he crushed for a grand slam in Sunday's 12-1 win over the Yankees in MLB spring training.
"It's produced some good results so far," Yost said.
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 22: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans dribbles the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on December 22, 2025 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (23-45) head to Louisiana to face of against an old friend/foe in the New Orleans Pelicans (22-46). Dallas took the Cavaliers to the woodshed on Sunday afternoon and have had a full day to recover and get ready for tonight’s game. The Pelicans, meanwhile, just keep winning. They have no incentive to lose, seeing as they don’t own this year’s draft pick, but it’s been fascinating watching them from afar (yes I know they lose to the Rockets in maddening fashion on Friday).
Here are the main things you need to know:
WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs New Orleans Pelicans
WHAT: Heading to Louisiana for a Southwest Division game
WHERE: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
WHEN: 7:00 pm CST
HOW: KFAA Channel 29, MavsTV streaming, NBA League Pass
The Mavericks injury report is worth taking a gander at before tipoff. The two-way guys are all questionable, so the coaching staff is still deciding if they should play or not. Daniel Gafford is going to miss this game, as is Klay Thompson (each is doubtful as of this writing). Caleb Martin is questionable. Everyone else should be playing unless I cannot read (entirely possible).
The New Orleans side of the report is clean, with Dejounte Murray listed as questionable with an illness. deThe line is a whopping 8.5 favoring the Pelicans. That reads weird to me but Dallas is on their fourth game in five nights and New Orleans has been off for a few days. Still, that’s a massive line for one bad team to be favored over the other. We’ll see shortly I suppose!
Be sure to chime in with your predictions in the comments!
Consider joining Josh and me on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube, we should start LATE. Thanks so much for spending time with us here at Mavs Moneyball. Let’s go Mavs!
