PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 15: Manager Fredi Gonzalez #33 of the Atlanta Braves jokingly uses a television camera before the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on May 15, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Braves announced in late-February that their TV network BravesVision was coming our way. This came long with a future promise to announce what the future of their streaming options would be and as it turns out, it’s a familiar one if you’ve been following baseball in recent years.
Via press release, the Braves have revealed that Braves.TV will be their new streaming home with the price point being either $19.99 monthly or $99.99 for an entire season. Here’s more information from the press release:
Fans can stream Braves.TV at home and on-the-go across web, mobile, and connected devices, making Braves games easier to access than ever before. Supported platforms include iOS, Android, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, Chromecast, PlayStation, Xbox, and Samsung, LG, and Android smart TVs.
Braves.TV subscriptions are now available for $99.99 for the 2026 season, bringing every moment of this season’s action to fans for less than 70 cents a game. Monthly subscriptions will be available ahead of Opening Day for $19.99 per month. A-List and Premium Members will receive an email with details on how to redeem a 30% discount on a season subscription.
The most important part of all of this is that the team announced that there will be no local blackouts, either. Those days are officially in the past and you’re now free to watch the team any way you want no matter where you live at — for a fee, of course.
If you visit Braves.TV right now, you’ll be greeted with the various subscription options on offer instead of the placeholder page that was there before, so this is live and running now. If you’re interested, the monthly option will be available starting on March 23 (right in the shadow of Opening Day) while every other option appears to be available right now.
So as of right now, you have the option to watch the Braves on traditional TV platforms via BravesVision or you can watch from basically any other streaming platform out there via Braves.TV. You could also just listen to the team on the radio for free if you so choose! They even provided a nifty FAQ in case you’re confused about anything. Like Captain Planet once (kinda) said, “The power (to watch the Atlanta Braves) is yours.”
Lakers guard Luka Doncic shoots a three-pointer over Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
With six wins in their last seven games, the Lakers leap-frogged the Minnesota Timberwolves in the standings Tuesday after a convincing 120-106 win over the two-time Western Conference finalists.
The Lakers (40-25) own the valuable head-to-head tiebreaker against Minnesota (40-25) that could decide home-court advantage in the tight playoff race. The third- to seventh-place Western Conference teams are within 2.5 games in the standings, with the Lakers trailing third-place Houston (40-24) by just half a game.
Here are three takeaways from Tuesday’s win:
Getting defensive
Lakers guard Luka Doncic knocks the ball out of the hands of Timberwolves forward Julius Randle at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Luka Doncic’s 31-point, 11-rebound and 11-assist triple-double stole the show Tuesday. Austin Reaves’ 29 second-half points turned a highly anticipated nationally televised game into a blowout. But the quiet force behind the Lakers’ recent surge is the team’s defensive improvement.
The Lakers were 23rd in defensive rating before the All-Star break, giving up 116.6 points per 100 possessions. They’ve jumped to 12th during the past 15 games with a defensive rating of 112.3.
Doncic credited the team’s improved effort and communication on defense. Some of it is simply time together.
“It’s later in the season, so obviously we’re heading towards the playoffs now,” forward Jake LaRavia said at practice Monday. “I couldn’t tell you why [the defense has improved], but it’s a good time to do it, that’s for sure. And I think we’re all getting closer with each other off the court and just continuing to build relationships and that helps when you get on the court as far as just being there for one another defensively.”
Guard Marcus Smart led the effort to hold Anthony Edwards, the NBA’s third-leading scorer averaging 29.6 points per game, to 14 points on two-for-15 shooting. It was his most inefficient shooting performance with more than 11 shots of his career. He missed nine of 10 shots from beyond the arc. Some were uncharacteristic misses on open chances, Lakers coach JJ Redick conceded, but he commended his players for making the majority of Edwards’ chances difficult.
“It starts with Smart, he was starting on him,” Doncic said. “But for guys like that, you need the whole team to stop them, not just one guy. So I think we did a great job.”
Tuesday's performance doubled down on one of the Lakers' best defensive games of the season when they held the New York Knicks to 97 points on Sunday. The 99-point defensive rating was the fifth time the Lakers held a team to less than 100 points per 100 possessions in a game, and the first time doing so against a team with a record of .600 or better.
Deandre Ayton shows his 'monster' side
Lakers center Deandre Ayton shoots over the Timberwolves' defense on Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena. (Ethan Swope / Associated Press)
With 33 missed shots between both teams in the first quarter, Deandre Ayton certainly had plenty of opportunities for rebounds, and the 7-foot center made the most of them.
Ayton almost single-handedly kept the Lakers in contention in the first half, scoring 12 of his 14 points in the second quarter and had a first-half double-double with 11 rebounds.
Ayton, who was scoreless in the first quarter but had six rebounds, scored three of his first four baskets off offensive rebounds. The only exception came when Reaves drove in the lane, wrapped a pass around his back and found Ayton cutting down the lane for a vicious two-handed dunk. The crowd roared.
“He was a monster,” said Reaves, who had 31 points and eight assists. “... He was the only person scoring for us efficiently and then just being high energy on the other end, just doing what he does. That’s what we need him to do. When he does that, we’re a different team and we’re thankful to have him.”
Ayton’s effort has waned throughout the season, sometimes resulting in him getting benched late in games. But he provided major lifts in marquee wins against the Knicks (six points, eight rebounds) and Timberwolves to earn the confidence and trust of his teammates.
The Lakers needed Ayton at his best after backup centers Jaxson Hayes (back soreness) and Maxi Kleber (lumbar back strain) were ruled out of the game about 15 minutes before tip-off. Hayes was starring in his reserve role in recent weeks, bringing much-needed energy off the bench and a seamless connection with Doncic, but hearing that Ayton would have to hold down the front line by himself gave the former No. 1 draft pick extra motivation.
“I know I'm the only big,” Ayton said, “so I try my best to stay out there as long as possible, especially down the stretch."
Lakers cruising without LeBron James
Lakers forward LeBron James looks across the court during the team's win over the Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
LeBron James missed his third consecutive game, still recovering from a hip contusion suffered in a fall against the Denver Nuggets last week. The 41-year-old participated in on-court shooting Tuesday before the team’s walk-through but “probably just needs a couple more days,” Redick said.
The Lakers “obviously want him in the lineup,” Redick said, but they haven’t necessarily needed him this season when his absences typically open greater opportunities for Doncic and Reaves.
In 316 minutes on the court together, James, Doncic and Reaves have a net rating of -1.1 points per 100 possessions. James and Doncic have a -3.1 net rating together while the Doncic and Reaves duo is outscoring opponents by six points per 100 possessions. In their fifth season together, James and Reaves have their worst net rating together at -1.7.
How the trio of ball-handling stars would coexist was one of the major questions entering Doncic’s first full season with the Lakers. But alternating injuries to James and Reaves have limited the group’s time together.
“The human struggle to want what you want while also having the emotional maturity and recognition that you have somebody next to you, it hasn’t been as clean,” Redick said before the game. “... There’s a clear pecking order when LeBron or when Luka and AR on the floor together with guys that are low usage players. That’s the nature of it. That’s the nature of nearly every Big Three that’s ever existed. We’re going to get there. We’ve seen some positive signs and I know LeBron, he recognizes the importance of having Luka as the engine. All he really wants is to impact winning.”
The Lakers are 13-7 (65% winning percentage) in games without James this season and 26-18 (59%) with him in the lineup.
Japan’s Vissel Kobe claimed a place in the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League Elite with a 2-1 win over FC Seoul of South Korea on Wednesday.
Yuya Osako and Yosuke Ideguchi scored late at home as Kobe advanced 3-1 over two legs in the round of 16. Patryk Klimala scored in the first half for Seoul.
Kobe becomes the second Japanese team to reach the quarterfinals after Machida Zelvia qualified on Tuesday.
Johor Darul Tazim of Malaysia also advanced despite a 1-0 loss at Sanfrecce Hiroshima, thanks to its 3-1 win in the first leg, to prevent a third Japanese reaching the last eight.
Buriram United of Thailand rounds out the eastern zone quarterfinalists.
The tournament is divided into two geographic zones until the quarterfinals. Games in the western zone have been postponed because of the Iran war.
All matches from the quarterfinal stage onward are scheduled to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from April 16–25 but it’s unclear when games in the western zone can resume.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 16, 2025: Luke Dickerson #16 of the Washington Nationals throws to first base during the seventh inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 16, 2025 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
The Washington Nationals were playing the Marlins in Jupiter yesterday, but that was not where I wanted to be. I learned that the Nats prospects were playing in some backfield games against the Astros prospects. This allowed me to see some players I had never seen before.
There were four games going on, two on the Astros side of the facility and two on the Nats side. The more experienced prospects were playing on the Astros side, so that is where I started. Luis Perales and Sean Linan were throwing for the Nats in those two games.
Both of them looked fairly sharp. As the higher ranked prospect that was closer to the big leagues, I was paying more attention to Perales. He threw two innings and was mostly solid. Perales gave up one monster home run, but was good besides that. Here is a video I took of him fielding a ground ball.
Perales was mostly in the zone, which was good to see for a guy with control questions. He was getting hit harder than you would expect for a guy with his stuff, so the quality of the strikes still needs to improve. However, he has such amazing stuff. Perales threw a 100 MPH fastball with almost 20 inches of carry to get a strikeout. That is really rare stuff because fastballs that hard do not tend to have that kind of movement.
The contrast between Perales and Sean Linan was also fun to see. Linan is a very different type of pitcher. He is reliant on a very unique changeup that can totally befuddle hitters. Linan had mixed results, but it was good to see him throw the ball.
The whole scene on that side felt very professional. Nats and Astros coaches were all around the complex and locked in on the games. There were also some Astros players watching the games. One cool thing I saw was Astros prospect AJ Blubaugh interacting with his family after he threw a pair of scoreless innings in the game.
When I went to the other side of the field, things felt more laid back. These games were mostly filled with the team’s younger prospects. I saw the likes of Eli Willits, Gavin Fien, Coy James, Ronny Cruz and Luke Dickerson among others.
There was one game with a lot of the younger Dominican prospects. In that crowd were a bunch of middle aged men wearing Dominican Republic hats. I figured they were the parents of some of the players, but I was not sure. They looked like they were having a blast watching the game.
One player that stood out yet again was Ronny Cruz. I wrote about him after he hit a home run in a Spring Training game the other day. He was playing in one of the games and ripped a single between the shortstop and third baseman. Then, the youngster stole a base. I am going to be watching him very closely this spring.
The Nats were aggressive on the basepaths in all the games I saw. I got a video of prospect Angel Feliz stealing a base while Luke Dickerson was hitting. Feliz is not known for his speed, but he got a great jump and swiped the bag.
Interestingly, the games with mostly younger players had some big league players getting work in as well. Miles Mikolas was throwing to Riley Adams in one of the games. This must be a replacement for Mikolas’ between-start bullpen. He shut down the young Astros hitters.
After his outing was over, I saw him chatting with his wife and playing with his three young kids. That was a really cool thing to see, and humanized a guy who I have been watching perform in the big leagues for nearly a decade. At that moment, he was just a dad and a husband.
Overall, seeing the backfields was a really cool experience. It was a hot afternoon, but this was worth sweating over. While fans mostly just see the Spring Training games, there is so much other stuff that goes on during the spring. I got to see some of that yesterday, and it was a fun experience.
MILWAUKEE, WI - March 2: John Tonje of the Boston Celtics boxes out during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 2, 2026 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
John Tonje has had a whirlwind couple of months.
The 24-year-old guard was traded from the Utah Jazz to the Celtics in the trade that sent Chris Boucher to Utah, and quickly became the Celtics’ third two-way player.
Tonje has split his time between the Maine Celtics and the Boston Celtics so far, and made his NBA debut on February 24th. Just a few days later, he scored his first NBA points in a game against the Brooklyn Nets at TD Garden.
“It all happened fast, it kind of caught me by surprise,” Tonje told CelticsBlog last month. “But I’m blessed to be in this position.”
On Tuesday night, Tonje recorded his best G League game yet. He exploded for 42 points on 12 of 20 shooting and sank 8 of his 10 three-point attempts. In turn, the Maine Celtics beat the Osceola Magic 119-112 to improve to 14-16 on the season. The Magic currently has the best G League record in the Eastern Conference, at 19-8.
☘️ John Tonje hits his 8th three of the night and is up to a career-high 40 points. pic.twitter.com/RNjnRbzdy8
John Tonje’s rookie campaign continues with the Celtics
Before the trade, John Tonje appeared in 32 games for the Jazz’s G League affiliate this season, the Salt Lake City Stars, averaging 18 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.
That came on the heels of an NCAA Tournament run with the Wisconsin Badgers, in which he averaged 19.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Before Wisconsin, he spent four seasons at Colorado State and one year in Missouri.
A fun tidbit about Tonje is that he was high school AAU teammates with Baylor Scheierman in Nebraska, almost a decade ago.
And, Scheierman remembers him as a prolific scorer.
“He can score in a variety of ways,” he said. “He’s a good defender. I think those are the two biggest things that stood out to me back in those days. I was a completely different player and build back in those days, but I think those are the two things that stuck out the most, was just his physical maturity, it was just the ability to score.”
After being drafted 53rd overall by the Jazz back in June, Tonje assumed he’d be in Utah at least for a bit. But he landed in Boston, not even a full season into his NBA career.
And, the Celtics already feel different.
“I think it’s the culture — just the way that everyone is bought in there’s a little bit of aura, for lack of a better term, on the team,” he said.
For now, Tonje is getting up to speed with the Maine Celtics.
But, he’s also spent plenty of time with the parent club, joining the Celtics for their West Coast road trip last month on a 10 Day contract.
“Everyone’s been super welcoming, and Joe is super humble, so it’s been great,” he said. “Just kind of learning from him. And, knowing some of these guys from afar — getting a chance to meet them and be around them has been awesome.”
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene is expected to miss the first four months of the season after needing surgery on his right elbow, the team announced.
Cincinnati says Greene has bone chips and loose bodies in his elbow, confirmed by an MRI after he left spring training with elbow stiffness.
"I felt no discomfort a few days later, and as I started my offseason throwing program, I felt great," Greene said on social media. "However, the pain returned as I got close to the start of camp and as I began throwing harder and manipulating pitches more. The irritation in my elbow is affecting my ability to finish and execute pitches without a sharp stabbing pain. I simply need to have the bone spurs removed.
"All I want to do is play the game I love and compete with my brothers as we take on the 2026 season. But it's important that this procedure take place now instead of trying to pitch through it, not be sharp on the mound and risk further injury. Trust me, nobody is more frustrated than I am."
In 19 starts last season, Greene went 7-4 with a 2.76 ERA as the Reds broke a five-year playoff drought by earning a wild-card spot.
The injury is a big loss for Cincinnati, as the 26-year-old Greene has been one of the game's fireballers, averaging nearly 100 mph on his four-seam fastball velocity. He had 296 pitches that clocked in at 100 mph or higher in 2025.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 10: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #7 of the Atlanta Hawks dribbles the ball to the basket against P.J. Washington #25 of the Dallas Mavericks during the third quarter at State Farm Arena on March 10, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Hawks took on the Dallas Mavericks on March 10th at State Farm Arena. Ahead of the game, the Hawks were 33-31, above .500, on a 7-game win streak. Dallas had a record of 21-43. Atlanta has had recent victories over the Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, and others.
Atlanta defeated Dallas 124-112, increasing their record to 34-31.
The Hawks are currently the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference, behind the 76ers and Miami Heat, while being ahead of the Charlotte Hornets and Bucks. Dallas Mavericks forward and no. 1 overall pick, Cooper Flagg did play in this game as he was dealing with an injury previously.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s Big Game
Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker had himself a game, especially in the first half, scoring 14 points and accumulating an assist. Alexander-Walker was an important piece to the Hawks tonight, making a lot of plays and getting off to a great start, especially from three.
Alexander-Walker did a good job of creating space against defenders to get good shots while driving past them to the basket at a high rate. Alexander-Walker was one of the better players on the floor.
Alexander-Walker concluded the game with 29 points, two rebounds, and three assists. Alexander-Walker was also 5/8 from three, with 15 points in that feat. Alexander-Walker has been averaging 19.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists in the regular season.
In the postgame press conference, Alexander-Walker stated that assistant player development coach Ashton Smith had been on him about “slowing down and playing with pace.”
What’s Next For Atlanta?
The Hawks are on an 8-game win streak, and they will face the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, March 12th.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 18: Jordan Clarkson #00 of the New York Knicks looks on in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on December 18, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Did anyone else have a good Tuesday afternoon? What did you say? ██ ███████ dropping █ points? I have no idea what you’re implying. You’re speaking nonsense. Over here, we’re only focused on things that are actually real and matter, such as Utah staying inside the top five so they can have the best chance at keeping their pick. And that mindset begins tonight, as the third-seeded Knicks come to town looking to create some separation between them and the lower dwellers in the East. Albeit I did crack a smile at seeing Blake Hinson hit a dagger shot over Draymond Green Monday night, that win crossed some dangerous territory for Utah; the chosen children Mavs are only one game behind the Jazz in the Tankathon standings. As we all know, they are the most deserving of AJ Dybantsa after only being in the finals a pitiful two years ago.
It’s a perilous trajectory for Utah, considering the rebuild has yielded only one top-five pick and a couple of late lottery picks. Now they must call a forfeit against a cold-streaking Knicks team that has dropped three of their last four matches. New York has practically been playing on dead legs after playing 12 playoff contenders in their last 16 games. And they’ve mirrored a lot of the Jazz’s mistakes — during that stretch, they’ve recorded a higher turnover percentage (16.1%) than the founding fathers of poor ball security, as well as 33.6% three-point percentage that ranks 22nd in the league.
This is a team that threw in all their future chips for Mikal Bridges, who is literally being played off the floor by rookies. He’s been the weakest link of the Nova Knicks trio, scoring his fewest points per game since 2022 (15.2). They may chow down on the actively trying to lose each possession Jazz if they’d like, none of this concerns the front office, who have been throwing out lineups composed of guys on two-way contracts and guys fighting for their next contract.
Case in point, Monday night in the Delta Center, where the closing lineup consisted of Cody Williams, Elijah Harkless, John Konchar, Blake Hinson and Kyle Filipowski. Keyonte George played through two and a half quarters before unfortunately falling ill to cholera. Brice Sensabaugh had 21 points through three quarters before stubbing his pinky toe while walking back to the bench.
But what all eyes are actually falling on is the return of The Flamethrower. JC. Sixx. Manila Man. All the nicknames I could find online. Jordan Clarkson is welcomed home in the Delta Center for the first time since his departure in the offseason. We saw a glimpse of him in the Knicks orange when the Jazz visited them back in December, but now it’s really gonna hit home Though he’s been shackled to the Knicks bench, rarely playing over 10 minutes a game, Mike Brown would be a cruel and sickened man not to give him extended runtime against the city that embraced him with open arms for over six years.
The Knicks are going to hilariously beat them down, or at least in theory — no one is sure what Blake Hinson is capable of as of this moment. The Jazz are once again going to see how long they can get away with using the illness label on any player capable of contributing more than a single win share. Keyonte gets hit with a big fat questionable on the injury report, John Konchar is uncertain with left calf soreness, but Ace and Collier rejoin the team.
ESPN gives the Jazz a 13.5% chance to win. That’s a little higher than what I’m comfortable with, but one man’s toxic sludge is another man’s potpourri. It’s tough to say out loud that your team needs to be as bad as possible, but this is more about future survival in a brutal Western Conference than anything else.
Injury Report
Jazz:
QUESTIONABLE – Keyonte George (illness), John Konchar (left calf soreness)
OUT – Lauri Markkanen (right hip impingement), Jusuf Nurkic (nose surgery), Jaren Jackson Jr. (left knee surgery), Walker Kessler (left shoulder surgery)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 10: Bryan Rust #17 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center on March 10, 2026 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Penguins have managed a 3-2-3 record since the Olympic break without Sidney Crosby. That might not sound like much, but in the NHL’s point system that level of play (.563%) will keep them afloat for now until their captain returns. That might be happening soon since Crosby took part in the morning skate yesterday and is now starting the fourth week from the time of his injury.
Their comebacks lately, both complete and incomplete, have been something to marvel about. On Sunday, the Boston Bruins were leading the Penguins 3-0 in the second period, Pittsburgh would rally back for a 5-4 overtime win. Last night, the Carolina Hurricanes swamped the Pens in the third period to hold a 4-2 lead in the third period, the Pens rallied to tie before dropping the shootout decision. Avoiding regulation losses is the name of the game when it comes to the NHL standings, the Pens have managed to find a way in that department through resiliency and a force of will.
“We’re a resilient team,” Stuart Skinner said after last night’s game. “We’ve got guys in here who will do whatever it takes to win games and to get a point. We’re in March now, against a team that’s really hard to beat in their building. The fact that we came back on them is impressive to say the least.”
Skinner’s contribution might have been the most impressive. He made this save with 3:14 to go, in a 4-2 loss. Shots in the third period were 14-2 Carolina at that point, which speaks to the magnitude of how unlikely any potential positive result was looking with so little time remaining.
Between the setup and shot, it was a tremendous save that kept the Penguins in the game, even if it didn’t look it at the time. It was a good enough effort to deserve to become a game-changing moment, and somehow it ended up becoming relevant. Pittsburgh would score two goals in the final 2:08 of regulation to pick up a point that it looked like for much of the third period would not even be a possibility.
“We certainly don’t give up in this room,” Bryan Rust said. “It says a lot about the guys in here.”
Rust, of course, would know, because he’s forefront at the players that fueled the comeback by shooting a puck that deflected off Noel Acciari for the Pens’ third goal. Rust would go onto score the last minute goal to force overtime and etch another small chapter in his Penguin lore for coming through in the clutch. Creating a couple of regular season goals aren’t as magnificent as Game 7 goals by circumstance, yet Rust’s late performance was no less heroic.
The Penguins have some areas to clean up, especially defensively where they’ve allowed 16 goals over the past four games (with two more tacked on for shootout losses). The shootout itself continues to be an abject disaster now with a 1-10 record and inability to both score goals and keep the puck out of the net.
The pluses have outweighed the negatives, given the circumstance of playing without Crosby in this stretch and having Evgeni Malkin out on suspension. Rust (4G+5A) and Erik Karlsson (2G+6A) both have nine points in the eight games. Budding star Egor Chinakhov (3G+4A) has seven points. Anthony Mantha has four goals and six points. Usually Rust, Chinakhov and Mantha have played on three separate lines, adding a touch of balance that belies the lack of on-paper depth the team shows right now. They keep scrapping and finding ways, like Skinner did with his 39 saves last night, capped by the huge stop towards the end.
“Huge credit to those guys,” Skinner said. “We battled hard all night. You could tell that it was a division game, and a huge point for us. This group should be very proud.”
The road rolls on, the Pens are in Vegas tomorrow night to meet a Golden Knight team that has now lost three-straight games. Malkin will be unavailable and there’s no certainty that Crosby will be playing. That hasn’t much affected a resilient, proud group that keeps on showing mettle by carving out impressive performances without their two leading scorers.
Mar 4, 2026; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Mickey Moniak (22) celebrates with teammates after hitting a solo home run against the United States in the fourth inning at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
The Colorado Rockies enter the 2026 season searching for consistency across much of its lineup.
For the Rockies last season, most positions were a revolving door. Swapping out struggling players, testing out prospects, and dealing with player injuries all contributed to the overall lack of stability. As the organization continues to evaluate young talent and reshape the roster, several positions remain in flux.
One of the most volatile in 2025 was Designated Hitter, but that could potentially be the most solvable in 2026. Additionally, a mix of new players and up-and-comers lends some promise to the team’s bench.
Colorado’s DH Usage in 2025
Last year, 10 different players started at least five games at DH and another 12 started four or fewer, with most serving as a short-term solution for one or two games. Around the division, teams took a range of approaches to their DH role, but most relied more heavily on a single player or two than the Rockies did:
The Los Angeles Dodgers, blessed with a generational two-way talent, are an obvious outlier here. They started Shohei Ohtani at DH for 158 games and (obviously) didn’t need much else.
The San Diego Padres used Gavin Sheets as their go-to DH (64 games). Luis Arráez pitched in 29 games, and a slew of 15 others (including Manny Machado, Yuli Gurriel, and Xander Bogaerts) took fewer than 20 games at the position.
The San Francisco Giants primarily went with a tandem at DH, starting Wilmer Flores for 84 games and Rafael Devers for 60 games. They swapped in just over a dozen other starters, but none of them exceeded 10 games.
The Arizona Diamondbacks were closest to the Rockies in DH usage, mixing in 15 starters over the course of the year, with nine of them starting five or more games.Even so, their rotation was anchored by two players: Pavin Smith (48 games) and Randal Grichuk (42 games), whereas the Rockies didn’t have a single player start over 40 games at the position.
The Rockies used Hunter Goodman the most (39 games), followed by Tyler Freeman (28 games), Yanquiel Fernández (26 games), and Kyle Farmer (24 games). Between the high number of different starters and the fact that not one of those starters exceeded 40 games, the Rox lacked reliability at the position. And not only did they not have a common starter, the starters that they did use were inefficient. The Rockies were dead last in DH Positional fWAR in 2025, and were one of just two teams with negative fWAR there.
Absent the emergence of a stellar hitter, it’s likely that the Rockies will still use a rotational DH setup moving forward. But one small metric that could help with both reliability and efficiency is finding someone to start at DH for at least 40 but ideally 50 or 60 games. Enter Mickey Moniak…
Hey, Mickey!
Moniak started 72 games in right field in 2025 on top of 15 at DH. His hitting was the best of his career and served as a solid contribution to the team. He was third on the team in hits and batting average, first in triples, and second in home runs and RBI.
Defensively, he left something to be desired. He was below the league fielding percentage at all outfield positions and posted a negative defensive rWAR. While he could still offer some spot starts in the outfield, he is projected to be the team’s primary DH starter, where a shift in emphasis to batting could be a natural fit.
That option looks even more promising given Moniak’s spring. Across 15 at-bats, Moniak is hitting .333 with two homers, three RBI, and a 1.324 OPS, even with a rough stretch of outings as of late. His offensive stability could provide a solid floor for the Rockies offense.
The DH Platoon
Hunter Goodman was the most productive DH by rWAR (3.6), contributing 39 games there on top of 104 as Catcher. With that level of production as a batter, he could pop in for more DH appearances when he’s not behind the plate and when Moniak shifts from DH to the field in 2026.
Looking across the rest of the outfield, Jordan Beck or Brenton Doyle are prime candidates to take a few games at DH, while Moniak offers them a break from the field. Neither had much experience there in 2025, with Beck taking seven games (0.9 rWAR) and Doyle taking just four (0.1 rWAR). Their DH experience notwithstanding, both have power that could spark the offense.
Freeman is another likely fit to finish top five in DH opportunities. As noted above, he took the third most games at the position last year. Given the versatility he offers generally, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him take another 20-plus games at the position.
Building the Bench
Speaking of versatility, the Rockies will rely on a few key pieces and surprise gems to contribute depth across the board. Colorado heads into the season with a mix of outfield options, some new infield contributors, and prospects to evaluate all around. With that comes a recipe for a handful of folks to provide relief off the bench throughout the year at a number of positions.
First and foremost may, again, be Freeman. He proved to be a valuable contributor in many areas, playing primarily in right field but demonstrating his natural ability as an infielder, finding himself at second and third base over the course of the year. A true utility player, Freeman provides valuable bench production in the infield, outfield, and DH.
With a scorching hot camp, T.J. Rumfield is going to make for some very competitive roster decisions. Acquired in a trade from the Yankees, the prospect is pushing to make the major league roster sooner rather than later. Edouard Julien, another offseason acquisition, is projected to be the starter at first base for now, but Rumfield could push that or at the very least earn a spot on the 40-man roster as a solid bench piece.
Another piece of the first base and utility puzzle is Blaine Crim. Crim took a stretch of games in 2025, but begins 2026 on the 60-day IL for an oblique strain.
Ryan Ritter will be another mainstay off the bench for the Rockies. After posting a strong rookie season, Ritter is seeing the ball well in camp. In 30 at-bats, he’s batted .400 with 12 hits, six RBI, and three drawn walks. He’s had a share of strikeouts that he’ll look to clean up, but comes into the season looking strong. He covered shortstop during Tovar’s injury, so he can fill in there as needed, as well as covering second base.
Another offseason pickup that adds some flexibility is Willi Castro. Few positions are off limits for Castro who played everything but catcher and first base in 2025. While he’ll look to start at second, the ability to place him anywhere in the infield or outfield frees up a ton of player mobility across the rest of the roster, giving other bench guys a chance to slot in.
Prospect Pipeline
As was the case in 2025, we should see a handful of MLB debuts this year, as well as appearances from players who worked between the majors and minors. Some exciting prospects could take the leap and blossom into bench roles or steal a spot in the starting lineup:
Zac Veen (No. 9 PuRP) is one of the most intriguing prospects heading into the regular season. After bulking up in the offseason and flashing both power and improvements in consistency in spring training, He’ll likely find his way into the outfield platoon as 2026 wears on.
WIth the Julien and Rumfield competition at first base, Charlie Condon (No. 1 PuRP) also waits in the wings. Throughout spring, he’s slotted into the outfield as well, so he’ll look to mix in across the roster throughout the season.
Roc Riggio (No. 14 PuRP) will likely spend the majority of the season in the minors, but could look to make a push into the infield rotation by the end of the season.
Closing Thoughts
The 2026 season will be one of evaluation for the Rockies, with the hope that stability will emerge as long-term options are identified across the field. In the meantime, the DH spot represents one of the clearest opportunities for the organization to create some structure within an otherwise fluid lineup.
If Moniak can claim the bulk of starts at DH while showing the offensive growth he demonstrated in 2025, it would give Colorado a reliable baseline at the position. From there, supplementing his starts in the outfield with DH appearances from Freeman, Beck, or Doyle when matchups or rest days call for it could help the Rockies climb from the bottom of the barrel in DH efficiency.
As for the bench, Colorado will continue with experimentation, but hopefully the sort that is aligned with a new guiding direction from leadership. Even if there is fluidity across bench support, the hope is that it will lead to the identification of long-term solutions. Ideally, that process will strike a balance between giving younger players and pipeline prospects playing time, while leaning on versatile vets that can keep the roster functional on a day-to-day basis.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 08: Aaron Civale #45 of the Athletics pitches against the Los Angeles Angels during of a spring training game at Las Vegas Ballpark on March 08, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Athletics defeated the Angels 7-4. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Happy Wednesday A’s fans!
While spring training games rarely serve as predictors for how a team will play in the regular season, they can indicate certain things about every team’s roster. Through 18 spring training games, the general consensus around the Athletics is that the team’s offense will once again drive its success, due to a largely inexperienced and inconsistent pitching staff.
A’s pitchers have gotten off to a rough start in the Cactus League as the team’s 6.09 ERA is 24th out of all 30 MLB teams. Yet, the fact that the Mariners’ ERA of 6.91 is the worst out of all American League teams illustrates the meaningless nature of spring training games as they often feature a parade of minor league pitchers who will not come close to sniffing an MLB mound this year. Unlike the A’s, the Mariners have little reason to be worried as their pitching staff, especially their starting rotation, is one of the best in the league.
For the A’s to make a legit playoff push, their multiple young starting pitchers and relievers must step up and pitch better once the real games begin. Only Luis Severino, Jeffrey Springs and Aaron Civale have pitched full seasons as starting pitchers. Civale, the A’s lone starting pitching import this offseason, pitched so horribly last season that he found himself on the move three times, spending time with the Milwaukee Brewers and both Chicago teams. In the past, pitchers like Scott Kazmir reinvented themselves with the A’s, taking advantage of the pitchers park that was the Oakland Coliseum. Sutter Health Park is the opposite, meaning the onus will be on Civale to prove the A’s were right to invest some of their limited financial resources on him.
The A’s have won their past four spring games, all high-scoring affairs. Yesterday’s 11-7 victory against the Chicago White Sox could prove to be a microcosm of many A’s games this season in which their starting pitcher struggles, but the team’s high-powered offense scores enough runs to erase an early deficit and win the game.
This spring, everyone on offense has been contributing for the A’s from projected starters to top prospects. With the team’s lineup pretty much set for the next few years thanks to multiple young players agreeing to contract extensions, that will leave some hitters on the outside looking in.
Tommy White, who has significantly boosted his stock this spring, and Colby Thomas seem like two obvious trade candidates who may not have a path to everyday playing time with the A’s unless White locks down third base.
Given how hard it is for the A’s to attract free-agent pitchers, should they put some of these talented young hitters on the trade block to lure needed pitching help? If so, which pitchers from other teams do you want the A’s to target?
Right-hander Joey Estes made his spring debut yesterday. Given his delayed start, he may begin the season in Triple-A, but could factor into the A’s pitching plans at some point.
Joey Estes in his spring debut vs CWS
2.2 IP 2 H 0 R 1 BB | 0 K
Estes generated 2 whiffs (43 pitches) and picked up the win. He's in the mix for a rotation spot but has catching up to do.#Athleticspic.twitter.com/HGZWfGETGN
Outfield prospect Henry Bolte is making a big impression in A’s camp. While he is likely to start the year at Triple-A Las Vegas, his power-speed combination could earn the Bay Area native his MLB debut sometime this summer.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are in Orlando tonight for a matchup with the Magic. ESPN has live coverage from Kia Center at 7:30 p.m. ET.
My Cavaliers vs. Magic predictions note that James Harden already cooked Orlando once this season, and are calling for an encore effort from "The Beard" this evening.
Check out my free NBA picks and best bets for Wednesday, March 11.
Cavaliers vs Magic prediction
Cavaliers vs Magic best bet: James Harden Over 19.5 points (-110)
James Harden has been solid since coming to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a blockbuster trade, averaging 19.3 points over 11 games. Not the numbers we saw in LA, but he’s also sharing the rock more.
“The Beard” has cashed the Over in points in two of his last four, and he just dropped 21 on Monday night in a revenge game against the 76ers.
Back in November, while still with the Clippers, Harden erupted for 31 points against the Orlando Magic. He’s also hit the Over in back-to-back road outings.
Cavaliers vs Magic same-game parlay
Donovan Mitchell has been a solid playmaker, averaging 5.8 dimes per night. While Harden’s arrival helps Cleveland facilitate, Spida has also been relied upon to pass more, now that Darius Garland is gone.
The Louisville product has hit the Over in assists in three of his last four, and is averaging 6.4 dimes on the road. He's compiled 13 assists vs. the Magic this season across two meetings.
Cleveland has won three of its last four games, covering tonight’s spread in each of those victories. It's also grabbed two straight wins against the Magic, winning 119-105 and 114-98.
Cavaliers vs Magic SGP
James Harden Over 19.5 points
Donovan Mitchell Over 4.5 assists
Cavaliers -3.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Wading in the deep end
Dean Wade is averaging 1.3 makes this season, but he’s cashed the Over in triples in two of his previous three appearances.
Cavaliers vs Magic SGP
James Harden Over 19.5 points
Donovan Mitchell Over 4.5 assists
Cavaliers -3.5
Dean Wade Over 1.5 made threes
Cavaliers vs Magic odds
Spread: Cavaliers -3.5 (-110) | Magic +3.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Cavaliers -165 | Magic +140
Over/Under: Over 226 (-110) | Under 226 (-110)
Cavaliers vs Magic betting trend to know
The Cavaliers have hit the Moneyline in 18 of their last 24 games (+10.85 Units / 15% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Magic.
How to watch Cavaliers vs Magic
Location
Kia Center, Orlando, FL
Date
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Cavaliers vs Magic latest injuries
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The Orange's season ended March 10 with their 86-69 loss to SMU in the first round of the ACC tournament. Syracuse finished 15-17 on the season as the post-Jim Boeheim era for the program struggles to find its footing.
"It has been an honor to coach at my alma mater, " Autry said in the announcement. "I want to thank Chancellor Syverud, (athletic director) John Wildhack, Jim Boeheim, my team and my staff for their support."
Autry, a former Syracuse point guard, finishes his 3-year coaching tenure with a 49-48 record and no NCAA Tournament appearances. He was an assistant under Boeheim, who was second in all-time wins among Division I head coaches, from 2011-23 before being promoted, and was also coached by him as a player.
Syracuse was 12-5 on the season in mid-January but ended the year with losses in 14 of its last 17 games after starting with a 3-1 record in conference play.
Autry acknowledged he wasn't able to accomplish what he should've at Syracuse in his postgame press conference on March 10.
"I don't shy away from the job that I did," Autry said. "I'm harder on myself than anybody. I didn't get the results that we wanted."
Syracuse signed a pair of top-40 ranked recruits last offseason, including Kiyan Anthony, the son of Syracuse and NBA legend Carmelo Anthony. Kiyan Anthony wasn't able to find a rhythm as a true freshman, averaging 8 points per game on 39.9% shooting.
"Adrian first came to Syracuse as a student-athlete in 1990, and this program has been a constant in his life ever since: as a player, assistant coach, associate head coach and ultimately as head coach," Wildhack said. "His dedication to our student-athletes on and off the court never wavered throughout his time here, and we are grateful for his service and commitment to Orange Basketball."
There's a handful of coaches that could be tied to the opening at Syracuse, including former Syracuse guard Gerry McNamara, who led Siena to an NCAA Tournament bid for the first time since 2010 on March 10 after winning the MAAC. Saint Louis' Josh Schertz and USF's Bryan Hodgson, two of the hottest names in the coaching carousel, could also be options.
McNamara was a Syracuse assistant from 2009-24, including a season under Autry. He was a part of Syracuse's last national championship team in 2003, and has his No. 3 jersey retired at the school.
One thing's certain: Syracuse's next coach will be looking to revive a rather dormant program the last few years.
ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 10: Naji Marshall #13 of the Dallas Mavericks looks to pass the ball during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 10, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks are in the midst of a season-long road trip, looking to get a win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night. The Hawks had other ideas, handing the Mavs a 124-112 loss.
Let’s get to the grades!
Max Christie: C
6 PTS / 3 REB / 1 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 25 MIN
Christie’s shooting woes continued (2-for-6), but the bigger knock on his grade is that he camps out (almost) exclusively at the three-point line when he doesn’t need to. His best stretch of the season came when he was driving and scoring at three levels. Maybe he’s trying to shoot his way out of a slump or maybe he’s quietly improving the Mavs’ draft odds, but it hasn’t been good of late.
Naji Marshall: B
14 PTS / 2 REB / 4 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 30 MIN
While not his best game, his overall numbers were probably somewhat impacted by Jason Kidd’s distribution of minutes. Regardless, Marshall scored efficiently in all aspects of the game, but he turned it over (3) and fouled (3) too frequently.
Cooper Flagg: B+
14 PTS / 12 REB / 5 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 32 MIN
Flagg is surely still recovering from his foot sprain. His shot isn’t quite right and his production overall is way down. Credit to Atlanta’s defense against him as well, as they often sent double-teams his way. He never quit, finding other ways to contribute, but it was a largely forgettable game for Flagg. The silver lining to a game like this is how a 19-year old rookie persists in doing little things such as driving and collecting fouls when his shot isn’t falling.
P.J. Washington: C
7 PTS / 5 REB / 0 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 29 MIN
Washington is a bit of a conundrum lately. He certainly hasn’t forgotten how to play, yet looks to not yet be himself. Tonight his shot wasn’t falling and he wasn’t able to do a whole lot else. Worse still, he held the worst plus/minus for the bulk of the game, demonstrating that his personal struggles indeed hurt the team overall.
Daniel Gafford: A-
14 PTS / 10 REB / 1 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 25 MIN
Gafford continues to give credence to the thought his long stretch of mediocre games was perhaps in part due to recovering from injury. Whatever the case, Gafford got back to some high-flying and dunking for the second game in a row, shooting well and even rebounding better than he has recently. Simply put – he looks better than he has in a while. His foul total was high, but over-aggression after being forced into passivity for so long is a fine exchange under the circumstances.
Marvin Bagley: B+
7 PTS / 6 REB / 6 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 21 MIN
Bagley continues to do a variety of things, with the highlight of Tuesday night being his assist total. The Mavs’ backup forward/center led the team in that category. His shot was suspect (3-for-7) but he chipped in everywhere, including a bit from beyond the arc. Solid outing for Bagley as an overall positive force for Dallas.
Klay Thompson: A-
21 PTS / 1 REB / 1 AST / 2 STL / 0 BLK – 28 MIN
Thompson was having a somewhat quiet night before a 10-point third quarter burst. He didn’t contribute much in other facets of the game, but as a primary shooter, he did his job just fine (8-for-16 including 5-for-11 from deep). He and Middleton were the cogs of a huge comeback that ultimately fell short.
Khris Middleton: A-
16 PTS / 1 REB / 2 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 24 MIN
Middleton often looks like he’s playing a slightly different game than his teammates. That is to say, you can see his brand of “veteran” in the little things – the way he works a possession, willingness to take a shot when the team is starved for a bucket and an overall calm that often steadies the team when they’re trying to make a run. Middleton shot well (5-for-8) and did a lot of little things
Final Thoughts
Dallas has been consistent for the last 20 games or so. They give up huge first quarter point totals regardless of the opponent, then spend the rest of the game putting on an entertaining show as they draw closer and closer. Jason Kidd’s spread of minutes is impressive – he’s not burning anyone out while doing just enough to collect losses. Whether it’s his intention or not, anyone supportive of tanking is probably enjoying this as much as anyone can enjoy a string of losses.
I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 23: Philadelphia 76ers correspondent Matt Cord (L) poses with Allen Iverson at the Wells Fargo Center on May 23, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Iverson's original Reebok Question re-launches Friday, May 25th for the first time since 1996. (Photo by Jeff Fusco/Getty Images for Reebok) | Getty Images for Reebok
After 28 seasons as the in-arena voice of the Philadelphia 76ers, Matt Cord has announced he will retire, bringing an end to one of the longest-tenured runs as a PA announcer in NBA history.
After 28 years as the PA announcer for the @sixers I’m officially retiring at the end of the season. I’ve had the best seat in the house announcing for the best fans in the world. Thank you to the players and the 76ers organization. What a privilege it’s been. pic.twitter.com/CF3z2puy2h
Cord’s path to the mic is a quintessential Philly story. He got his start in radio at 93.3 WMMR in the early ’90s, and the Sixers gig came about through a chance connection. When Pat Croce bought the team in 1996, he told Cord he loved the energy he brought to the mic at Philadelphia Wings lacrosse games — and offered him the job. Cord officially took over as the Sixers’ PA announcer in 1998.
From there, he made the role entirely his own. Known for the sharp contrast between his thunderous enthusiasm for Sixers players and the flat, disinterested tone reserved for visiting teams, Cord became as much a part of the game-night experience as anyone on the court.
And he was there for all of it. The 2001 Finals run. “Slam-it” Samuel Dalembert. Andre “Iguodalalala.” Joel “The Process” Embiid. For nearly three decades, his voice was the soundtrack to every Sixers home game — the one constant through every rebuild, every playoff push, and every era. Now, for the first time since the late ’90s, Sixer games will sound a little different.
Who replaces the iconic voice is anyone’s guess. The Sixers’ G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats, has had their announcer fill in for Cord at points throughout the season. It’ll be interesting to see if the Sixers go that route or bring in someone new entirely.
Whatever direction the organization goes, filling that seat won’t be easy. PA announcers don’t often get their flowers while they’re still on the mic, but Cord was always the exception. He wasn’t just a voice. He was part of the experience, part of the culture, and honestly, part of the team. Sixers fans will feel his absence the moment that first starting lineup is called and it doesn’t sound quite right.
Congratulations to Matt Cord on an incredible, legendary career.
