PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 25: Starter Jalen Beeks #68 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Chase Field on September 25, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Dodgers beat the Diamondbacks 8-0. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Texas Rangers have signed lefthanded relief pitcher Jalen Beeks to a one year deal, the team announced today. To make room for him on the 40 man roster, the Rangers have designated relief pitcher Alexis Diaz for assignment.
So this is interesting. The news about Beeks being signed broke yesterday, and in our post, we discussed the ramifications of the signing, including the 40 man roster implications. I said that either Michel Otanez or Dairon Blanco would likely be dropped for Beeks, with offseason free agent addition Alexis Diaz potentially being squeezed out of spot on the Opening Day bullpen due to his spring struggles.
Instead, the Rangers opted to drop Diaz from the 40 man roster to make room for Beeks. Diaz is only set to make $1 million this year, having been released at the end of the 2025 season by the Atlanta Braves, the third of three teams he pitched for in 2025.
Diaz pitched poorly for all three teams, putting up in toto an 8.15 ERA in 17.2 IP over 18 appearances between the Reds, the Dodgers, and the Braves. He was the closer for the Reds in 2023 and 2024, and was rather good in 2022 and 2023, but the past two seasons have seen his walk rate jump and his K rate plummet. He also allowed six home runs in those 17.2 innings in 2025, which seems bad. He had a 5.61 ERA in 27 appearances for the three AAA affiliates of the three teams he pitched for in 2025, as well.
Diaz has options remaining, so I figured that he would simply be optioned to the minors. He’s been so bad though — as the Texas Rangers PR account helpfully noted, Diaz has allowed 8 earned runs over 1.2 IP in three Cactus League appearances this spring — Texas presumably figures that he will clear waivers and they can outright him, and even if another team claims him, well, no real loss.
In the movie Trading Places, there was a shady character named Clarence Beeks who worked for the Duke brothers. He was played by Paul Gleason. I will no doubt be making Trading Places references in regards to Jalen Beeks through the 2026 season.
Jul 12, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) laughs with broadcaster Rex Hudler before the game against the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
The Royals announced today that all 162 games will be televised, including 13 as part of a national television package. The remaining 149 games will air on Royals.TV, the new channel created by the Royals after they ended their partnership with Diamond Sports, the group that owned FanDuel Sports Kansas City.
Here is where you can find Royals games that will air on national TV packages.
FOX
The Royals are scheduled to appear on FOX four times this season, starting with their second game of the year, the Saturday night, March 28 matchup in Atlanta against the Braves. The four games that will air are:
Saturday, March 28 vs. the Atlanta Braves at 6:15 CT
Saturday, June 13 vs. the Houston Astros at 6:15 CT
Saturday, August 22, vs. the Detroit Tigers at 6:15 CT
Thursday, September 17, at the Houston Astros at 6:15 CT
These games are part of regional coverage, so they will not air nationally. These games will air over-the-air on FOX channels. The Royals will also appear four times on FS1:
Saturday, April 4 vs. the Milwaukee Brewers at 3:10 CT
Monday, April 20 vs. the Baltimore Orioles at 6:40 CT
Saturday, May 23 vs. the Seattle Mariners at 3:10 CT
Saturday, May 30 at the Texas Rangers at 3:05 CT
The FS1 games will be simulcast on Royals.TV as well.
ESPN
ESPN will air 30 games this year, starting on April 15 when they air the Mets vs. Dodgers game for Jackie Robinson Day. The Royals will appear on the Worldwide Leader for an afternoon game on Memorial Day, May 25 at 2:40 CT, when they host Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees in a rematch of the 2024 ALDS. Other dates could be added as ESPN fills out its schedule.
Apple TV
Apple TV returns with “Friday Night Baseball”, and will include the “MLB Big Inning” whip-around show that gives live look-ins and highlights of action around the league. The Royals will appear four times in the first half schedule that has been released so far:
Friday, April 3 vs. the Milwaukee Brewers at 6:45 CT
Friday, May 1 at the Seattle Mariners at 8:45 CT
Friday, June 5 at the Minnesota Twins at 7:15 CT
Friday, June 19 vs. the St. Louis Cardinals at 7:15 CT
More games could be added in the second half. Games will be called by broadcast teams Wayne Randazzo (play-by-play), Dontrelle Willis (analyst), and Heidi Watney (sideline reporter); and Alex Faust (play-by-play), Ryan Spilborghs (analyst), and Tricia Whitaker (sideline reporter), with Rich Waltz, who will join the broadcast team to call select games during the season.
NBC/Peacock
NBC has partnered with MLB for the first time in 25 years, and will air 27 games on their platforms that include NBC, NBCSN, and Peacock. They will air Sunday Night Baseball, with the Royals appearing three times:
Sunday, April 26 vs. the Los Angeles Angels at 6:00 CT
Sunday, May 10 vs. the Detroit Tigers at 6:00 CT
Sunday, September 6 vs. the Toronto Blue Jays at 6:00 CT
NBC will feature Jason Benetti and Matt Vasgersian on play-by-play, with studio coverage from Bob Costas, Ahmed Fareed, Clayton Kershaw, Joey Votto, and Anthony Rizzo.
KCTV5
Just like last year, the Royals will air ten home games on free, over-the-air television in the Kansas City area, including the home opener against the Twins. The games that will air on KCTV5 include:
Monday, March 30 vs. Minnesota Twins at 3:10 CT
Friday, April 24 vs. Los Angeles Angels at 6:40 CT
Friday, May 22 vs. Seattle Mariners at 6:40 CT
Friday, June 12 vs. Houston Astros at 7:10 CT
Thursday, June 18 vs. St. Louis Cardinals at 6:40 CT
Friday, July 17 vs. San Diego Padres at 7:10 CT
Friday, Aug. 7 vs. Chicago Cubs at 7:10 CT
Friday, Aug. 21 vs. Detroit Tigers at 7:10 CT
Friday, Sept. 4 vs. Toronto Blue Jays at 7:10 CT
Monday, Sept. 7 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks at 1:10 CT
These games will also be simulcast on Royals.TV.
Royals.TV
All remaining Royals games will air on Royals.TV, which returns the crew of Ryan Lefebvre, Rex Hudler, Jake Eisenberg, Jeremy Guthrie, with Joel Goldberg and Jeff Montgomery on pre- and post-game shows. The broadcast is also adding Eric Hosmer as an analyst and Bridget Howard as a sideline reporter.
Royals.TV will be available on many cable and satellite providers, although the Royals have not announced which ones. They are offering the service as a direct-to-consumer platform as well, available for fans inside the Royals’ home television territory for $19.99 per-month or $99.99 per year. Out-of-market fans can watch Royals games with an MLB.TV subscription for $149.99 per year. You can find more information on how to watch here with a map of the Royals in-market TV territory.
You can also watch two more spring training games for free at Royals.TV – the March 13 game against the Arizona Diamondbacks and the March 17 game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The National Hockey League has rescinded the controversial five‑minute major penalty assessed to Nathan MacKinnon for goaltender interference against Edmonton Oilers goaltender Connor Ingram, overturning a call that had ejected the star forward and put him at risk of an automatic suspension.
The league informed MacKinnon on Thursday that the major penalty would be removed from his record, resetting his count under Rule 23.6, which mandates automatic suspensions for players who accumulate multiple major or game misconduct penalties within a defined span of games. With the reversal, MacKinnon is once again clear of any automatic disciplinary risk.
The NHL has RESCINDED Nathan MacKinnon's goalie interference major penalty. 😳
Doing this will stop MacKinnon from getting an automatic suspension per NHL rules if he were to get another major penalty soon. 👀 pic.twitter.com/OUza6Qn726
The original call drew immediate scrutiny. Broadcasters and analysts questioned whether MacKinnon’s contact with Ingram constituted true interference or simply a legitimate scoring attempt. Slow‑motion replays showed MacKinnon attempting to avoid the goaltender, while Edmonton defenseman Darnell Nurse appeared to play a substantial role in driving MacKinnon into Ingram.
Even the NHL’s own review concluded that the play did not warrant a major penalty, with a standard two‑minute minor—or no penalty at all—being the more appropriate ruling.
The incident also highlights ongoing concerns about the league’s centralized replay system. The NHL’s Situation Room in Toronto has access to ultra‑high‑definition cameras and more than a dozen dedicated angles for each game, designed to ensure accurate and timely decisions.
The very purpose of this technology—and the trained personnel monitoring it—is to get calls right the first time.
That it took an entire day to correct the call is troubling. With the tools and personnel in place to evaluate plays immediately, there is no acceptable reason for such a delay.
As the regular season winds down and the playoffs approach, the league faces increased pressure to ensure its replay officials can deliver accurate, decisive rulings without requiring retroactive fixes.
The saying goes, "Hope for the best. Plan for the worst." The last thing the NHL needs is for a mistake to be made, a lengthy review somehow produces the wrong outcome and another investigation the following day reveals that they were wrong all along. 'Oh, wait let's try to fix this. Oh, just kidding.' This is a hypothetical, but, 'The Edmonton Oilers already clinched the series. Sorry, there's nothing we can do.'
The league needs to ensure as soon as possible that everyone involved in these decisions is competent and capable of doing the job properly on the spot. And if they aren't, they need to be replaced.
This is not difficult. In the public sector, if a regular person screwed up on the job and the wrong person was disciplined and/or fired, the person responsible for the mess up would likely lose their job. The same has to be applied to the replay officials and the referees on the ice.
DENVER, COLORADO - FEBRUARY 25: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics shoots a free throw against the Denver Nuggets in the first half at Ball Arena on February 25, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Following his second career ejection, Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown remained adamant that his reaction toward officials Tyler Ford and Suyash Mehta was justified.
Brown didn’t believe Mehta had grounds to eject him and felt the NBA’s decision not to fine him was an indication the league, too, believed he was in the right after getting tossed. Brown didn’t speak publicly after Wednesday night’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs, opening up for the first time about the ejection after Thursday night’s 104-102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“Obviously, I was pissed that I didn’t get to compete in that game,” Brown told reporters, per NBC Sports Boston. “That was another big-time matchup that I had circled on my calendar. Obviously, playing against the Spurs, (they’re) a good team, and I came out to a great start. Felt great. I felt like I was ready to have a big-time performance. And you know, my night got ended short.
“In certain spots, maybe I could have been a little bit better. But, you know, you’re passionate. It’s a big game. You know, you want to see emotion. You want to see your star players showing that emotion. I don’t think I deserve to get tossed and, you know, I think the NBA agreed because I didn’t get fined or anything like that, so it is what it is. It happens. People make mistakes, but I’m just looking forward now.”
Brown lasted only 14:42 before his much-anticipated battle against Wembanyama was interrupted.
In the second quarter in San Antonio, Brown felt wronged after being pushed out of bounds, leading to a turnover. Officials didn’t catch Stephon Castle’s arm extension, which left Brown off-balance and infuriated by the no-call. He immediately confronted Ford, the crew chief, earning his first technical foul. Moments later, Mehta — from afar — issued a second technical, resulting in an automatic ejection. Teammates, staff, and a security guard had to restrain Brown as he continued to pursue Mehta.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – MARCH 12: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics shoots a free throw during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 12, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Once the tension eased, Brown returned to Boston’s locker room and immediately posted on X: “This the sh*t I be talking about.”
Brown’s teammates came to his defense, with Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, and coach Joe Mazzulla all expressing confusion over Mehta’s decision to eject him on behalf of the crew chief. Boston was left disadvantaged, forced to overcome Wembanyama shorthanded in the second half, amid a three-game road trip including visits with the two best teams in the Western Conference.
It wasn’t the first time Brown had refused to withhold his criticism of the officials. On Jan. 10, when Boston hosted Wembanyama and the Spurs at TD Garden, he ripped the referees for a glaring free-throw discrepancy: the Celtics attempted four shots, while San Antonio took 20. Brown called out what he saw as a clear double standard.
The next day, the NBA fined him $35,000 for his comments.
In Oklahoma City, Brown experienced a rare, favorable whistle. He totaled 14 free-throw attempts — for only the fourth time this season — falling just short of his career high of 16. The difference in the moment felt so pronounced that he briefly thought he had set a new season high.
“I think that might be a record this season,” Brown told reporters.
While Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander broke Wilt Chamberlain’s consecutive 20-point games record, Brown tried to play spoiler with a 34-point performance of his own. Without Tatum, White, and Nikola Vučević he kept Boston competitive in a down-to-the-wire battle with Oklahoma City. In the closing seconds of the fourth quarter, Brown hit a clutch 19-foot turnaround fadeaway to tie the game at 102-102.
Even though Brown drew some favorable calls, he’d prefer nobody rely on them at all.
“I don’t foul-bait,” Brown told reporters. “I’m not looking to flop or anything like that, but it’s almost like you got to. Because there were a couple of plays in the fourth quarter where I feel like I drove strong, went up strong, and I didn’t get the benefit of the doubt. Maybe if I would’ve flopped, maybe I would’ve been able to sell that call — and those decide games.”
Brown added: “We commend players for playing the game the right way, but we give the benefit to those who are trying to manipulate the game to their advantage. I just don’t think it’s basketball. Like, let’s just play basketball. All the foul-baiting — I think it’s whatever for me.”
Boston came away from its three-game road trip still as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, holding a 1 ½-game lead over the New York Knicks. Brown is focusing on what’s ahead for the Celtics, rather than dwelling on his ejection or the league’s foul-baiting epidemic.
“It’s already in the past. It’s over with,” Brown told reporters. “So I just gotta move forward.”
The Dominican Republic is a huge favorite to beat Korea in their World Baseball Classic quarterfinal matchup at LoanDepot Park on Friday, March 13.
My top World Baseball Classic best bets expect the Dominicans to win comfortably, while starter Cristopher Sanchez falls short of his lofty strikeout total tonight.
Korea vs Dominican Republic prediction
Korea vs Dominican Republic best bet: Cristopher Sanchez Under 5.5 strikeouts (-150)
Dominican Republic lefty Cristopher Sanchez only pitched 1 1/3 innings in his first start of the World Baseball Classic, and while he has the swing-and-miss stuff to pile up punchouts, I’m not anticipating him pitching deep enough into tonight’s game to record six or more strikeouts.
The Dominicans have a deep bullpen, and manager Albert Pujols hasn’t sent his starter out for more than five frames in the tournament.
Plus, the Koreans have averaged just nine strikeouts a game, and Sanchez’s 23.2 strikeout percentage in the bigs is a middling mark.
Korea vs Dominican Republic same-game parlay (SGP)
The Dominicans have scored a tournament-high 41 runs with 13 homers and massive 1.130 team OPS. Additionally, while I don’t anticipate Sanchez racking up strikeouts, I do expect him to pitch better than he did in his first start.
The crafty lefty spun a tidy 2.50 ERA and 2.77 xFIP across 202 innings in the majors last year, after all.
Turning to the Over, Korea has averaged seven runs per game and has enough pop in the lineup to help push this total Over the number.
Julio Rodriguez star player prop
Julio Rodríguez 1+ RBI (+115)
Dominican center fielder Julio Rodriguez projects to bat down the order behind the who’s who of MLB stars in the lineup, so he’s positioned to have plenty of ducks on the pond to bring home tonight.
Rodriguez also posted a high-end .354 wOBA against lefties over the past three MLB seasons, and Korea is sending southpaw Hyun Jin Ryu to the hill.
Korea vs Dominican Republic opening odds
Moneyline: Korea +600 | Dominican Republic -1000
Run line: Korea +4.5 (+105) | Dominican Republic -4.5 (-130)
Over/Under: Over 10.5 (-115) | Under 10.5 (-105)
How to watch Korea vs Dominican Republic and game info
Location
LoanDepot Park, Miami, FL
Date
Friday, March 13, 2026
First pitch
6:30 p.m. ET
TV
FS2
Korea starting pitcher
Hyun Jin Ryu
Dominican Republic starting pitcher
Cristopher Sanchez
Korea vs Dominican Republic weather
Cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 25: Ryan Weathers #40 of the New York Yankees pitches in the first inning against the Washington Nationals during a Grapefruit League spring training game at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 25, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Not that it really matters, but the New York Yankees are tied for the Grapefruit League lead with a 13-6 record after beating the Detroit Tigers on Thursday. On Friday, they will visit the Atlanta Braves in North Port, with left-hander Ryan Weathers looking to bounce back after putting up a stinker the last time out.
Facing the Mets last Sunday, Weathers conceded six runs (five earned) on seven hits and two walks, striking out three. It’s a big contrast in comparison to how he looked in his first spring start in late February vs. the Nationals, striking out five in 3.2 scoreless frames. The 26-year-old trade acquisition has been a hot topic among fans because of his fastball velocity, which touched 99.5 mph the last time he pitched and averaged 98.2 mph. Getting whiffs with his secondary pitches will be the key, though.
Didier Fuentes, the Braves’ starter, is a legitimate prospect, ranked third in their system. The 20-year-old boasts a big fastball that averaged 97.4 mph the last time he pitched and could be a good starter or a shutdown reliever someday. Atlanta also has a track record of being unafraid of aggressive promotions, and indeed, he made his MLB debut last year just three days after turning 20. He made three more starts after that but returned to Triple-A afterwards and ended the year in Gwinnett after suffering right shoulder inflammation.
Since this is a mid-spring road game, the Yankees are sending out a lineup full of mostly reserves and players fighting for relevance, but also with some regulars. Leadoff hitter Trent Grisham made the trip, as did Cody Bellinger and Ryan McMahon. They’ll be joined by Randal Grichuk, Oswaldo Cabrera, Max Schuemann, Jonathan Ornelas, Ernesto Martínez Jr., and Payton Henry.
The Braves welcome the return of Ozzie Albies to their starting nine after he spent some time away from the team playing for Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic. He’ll be joined in the lineup by plenty of other likely faces who will play roles for Atlanta in 2024, including Matt Olson, Austin Riley, Mike Yastrzemski, Mauricio Dubón, and Jonah Heim. Kyle Farmer, José Azócar, and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. round out the batting order.
How to watch
Location: CoolToday Park — North Port, FL
First pitch: 1:05 pm ET
TV broadcast: MLB Network, Gray TV (ATL)
Radio broadcast: ESPN 103.7 (ATL), available via MLB.tv
The shorthanded Detroit Red Wings knew that they were in for a fight on Thursday evening against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
While they played a good road game, they ultimately fell short by a 4-1 final score.
Tampa forward Brayden Point, who was selected in the third round (79th overall) in 2014 by Steve Yzerman, shut down Detroit's comeback attempt with a goal late in the third period, halting what had been their effort to knot the score at 2-2.
Jake Guentzel, who broke the ice with the game's first goal early in the second period, salted it away with an empty-net goal soon afterward.
While the Red Wings halved the Lightning lead thanks to a nifty redirect from J.T. Compher in the third period, they weren't able to come up with the tying marker.
Detroit continues to play without both Dylan Larkin and Andrew Copp, along with David Perron. However, they have no choice but to press on and get elevated performances from the players they have available to them.
"We need some offensive production from some individuals that probably haven't produced enough of it, and when they do get the looks, they've got to find a way to finish it," head coach Todd McLellan said afterward. "Guys have to step up, it's just the way it is."
Compher, who scored Detroit's lone goal, echoed McLellan's sentiments by saying that everyone who is able to play must raise their game level.
"We know the situation with our lineup, that it's not going to be super pretty," he said. "Every guy just got to continue to raise their level, scratch and claw, and find any way we can to get points."
The Red Wings, who have now lost three of their last four games in regulation, conclude their road trip on Saturday evening by meeting the Dallas Stars, one of the top teams in the Western Conference.
Because of the loss by the Boston Bruins to the San Jose Sharks, Detroit remains in the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, with the Bruins only one point behind.
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Late Thursday night, the Detroit Red Wings completed a trade that added depth to their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, surprising some fans since the NHL trade deadline passed last Friday. The deal came as the Red Wings’ main roster suffered multiple injuries, requiring several top AHL players to be called up.
Detroit acquired forwards Michael Milne and Wojciech Stachowiak from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for defenseman Ian Mitchell.
Milne, a 23-year-old from Abbotsford, British Columbia, is in his fourth professional season. He started this year with the Iowa Wild, recording five points and a minus-11 rating in 15 games.
Drafted in the third round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Milne was traded to the Lightning organization and spent the rest of the season with the Syracuse Crunch, adding one assist and a minus-two rating in 19 games. Over five AHL seasons, he has totaled 66 points in 191 games and briefly made his NHL debut with the Wild last season.
UPDATE: The #RedWings have acquired Wojciech Stachowiak and Michael Milne in exchange for Ian Mitchell.
Stachowiak, 26, is in his first AHL season and has produced 17 points in 38 games with the Crunch. He previously played six seasons in Germany’s top professional league with ERC Ingolstadt, recording 104 points in 239 regular-season games.
Stachowiak is also familiar with Michigan, having spent two seasons at Michigan State University from 2018 to 2020, registering five points in 40 games. Internationally, he represented Germany at the 2026 Winter Olympics alongside Red Wings teammate Moritz Seider, posting one assist, two penalty minutes, and a plus-two rating in two games.
Mitchell, 27, has been a standout on the Griffins this season with 20 points and a plus-27 rating in 45 games, ranking tied for fourth in the AHL and second among league defensemen. He has also recorded 19 points in 110 NHL games since 2020-21.
While the trade may appear minor, it could have long-term implications, as both Milne and Stachowiak are young players with potential to grow within the Red Wings organization. The deal addresses immediate AHL depth concerns while offering Detroit additional flexibility for the future.
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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Lakers guard Austin Reaves celebrates after making a three-point basket during the second half against the Bulls at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
With the Western Conference a tight-knit race yet again this season, this series will look at the standings and games to watch across the league as the Lakers look to secure home court and move up the standings.
It appears that the Lakers are peaking at the right time. They have won four straight games, doing so while beating top teams like the Wolves and opponents they are favored against, such as the Bulls.
Now, the Lakers find themselves with the third-best record in the West, a position they undoubtedly want to keep.
Here’s a look at the current playoff standings in the middle of the conference: 3. Lakers — 41-25, 10.5 GB 4. Rockets — 40-25, 11 GB 5. Nuggets — 41-26, 11 GB 6. Wolves — 40-26, 11.5 GB 7. Suns — 39-27, 13 GB
LA’s next game will be a huge one as they take on Denver. If they win that contest, they’ll own the tiebreaker over the Nuggets, and considering how tight this Western Conference race is, that might matter.
Besides the Lakers winning their games, they need to keep an eye on their surrounding opponents and hope they lose as well, so they can begin building a gap between themselves and everyone else.
Let’s take a look at the big games to watch around the league for the next couple of days and who you should be rooting for.
Friday
Pelicans at Rockets — Despite their record, New Orleans isn’t a tanking team. They’ve won three of their last four games. Can they upset the Rockets and help the Lakers before Houston takes on LA next week?
Wolves at Warriors — With Steph Curry still out, Golden State hasn’t looked like the kind of team that can compete against Minnesota. That’s bad news for the Lakers.
Suns at Raptors — Toronto has been struggling as of late, losing four of their last five games. Meanwhile, the Suns have won four straight as they try to fight their way out of the play-in.
Phoenix will be favored at home, but perhaps former Laker Brandon Ingram can have a big game and pull off the upset.
Sunday
Wolves at Thunder — No team is playing better than Oklahoma City right now. Anthony Edwards is going to have to play his best game of the season if the Wolves are going to have a shot at winning this game. Minnesota will also be on the road for this contest, making this matchup that much harder to win.
Monday
Suns at Celtics —With the Suns playing the Celtics on Monday, it’s in LA’s best interest for Boston to win and Phoenix to lose. So, yes, this is one of the rare instances that Lakers fans will be cheering for Boston to come out on top.
Mar 8, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) watches in the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Over the last three and a half seasons, Jalen Brunson has become one of the premier players in the league. He’s a three-time All-Star who has made the All-NBA Second Team twice, is constantly heralded as one of the best scorers in the league, and he’s coming off a Clutch Player of the Year Award. But maybe the biggest reason he’s earned the respect as one of the league’s finest is his consistency.
Brunson, like every other player to ever grace a basketball court, has off games. Missed shots, bad decision-making, ugly process on the offensive end, and bad defense, even for his standards, those things all happen from time to time. But Brunson, maybe more so than any other player in the league, has also developed the reputation of bouncing back and doing so emphatically.
Whenever Brunson has the rare, and uncharacteristic stinker of a game, more often than not, the point guard and leader of the Knicks answers back by not only getting back on track, but playing some of his best basketball. But over the last few weeks, that hasn’t necessarily been the case.
Brunson has still put up very respectable numbers overall, but when compared to his usual numbers, which is a pretty high bar, he’s underperformed. Over his past 13 games, Brunson is averaging 21.7PPG while shooting 44.1% from the field, which are both noticeably lower than the 27.4PPG on 47% shooting he was averaging prior. Not only that, but his turnovers per game have also seen a slight uptick, as they have gone from 2.2 turnovers per game to 2.8. This minor but still non-insignificant difference in play and numbers has led Knicks fans to voice concern, while others have voiced outright disappointment and even condemnation.
Which begs the question: Should Knicks fans be worried? Short answer, no. And here’s why.
While Brunson has come down to earth and has looked surprisingly human over the last few weeks, Brunson’s dip in production can be explained by a change in his role/responsibilities and how opponents have defended the Knicks. This isn’t just about a player simply experiencing a decline in production due to poor play.
Now, Brunson himself would surely be the first one to tell you that he hasn’t played up to par, and that he can, and should play better. But over the last few weeks, Brunson has shifted some of his focus, which has sacrificed some of his usual scoring numbers for the betterment of the team. The point guard has upped his defensive intensity, which has coincided with the recent improvement of the team’s defense, and he’s opted, either by choice or by the way defenses are playing him, to be a bit more of a playmaker than he was to start the season.
TL turning on Brunson when he’s working on evolving into a true number one on a championship team 💔
He has to work harder to break even on defense, all while balancing being the lead playmaker and scorer and fans are mad that trajectory isn’t linear.pic.twitter.com/Wfr8CEPZSz
— OG Anunoby Addict (@PlayoffBoundNYK) March 9, 2026
Brunson started the season averaging 20.8 field goal attempts per game over his first 49 games. But over his aforementioned—and recent—13-game stretch, those numbers have gone down drastically to just 16.9 attempts per game. And his assists have gone up from 6.1APG to 8.0APG during that span as well. Some of this can be attributed to the fact that defenses, especially the very good ones, have continued to force Josh Hart to make plays, either as a scorer or a passer, and put extra pressure on Brunson to get rid of the ball. Some of it also seems like a choice by him, and or by head coach Mike Brown, as he’s shifted to getting guys involved a bit more often.
There are still some red flags to be wary of. Outside of Wednesday night’s Jazz game, in which he really only played one good half of good Brunson-like basketball, he’s lacked the IT factor that he so often provides, and we’ve seen Brunson struggle a bit more than Knicks fans are accustomed to seeing. He’s looked maybe half a step slow, a bit more hesitant on drives, still falters at times when tasked with being more of a playmaker than a scorer (often due to his height, and not inability to read the game), and it’s been close to a month since he’s scored more than 30 points in a game. Furthering that concern is the fact that, as you can see below, Brunson’s numbers have taken quite a dip since injuring his ankle in the first quarter against the Kings on January 14th.
Pre-ankle injuryPost-ankle injury
Brunson’s effective field goal percentage overall, rim field goal percentage, short midrange field goal percentage, and the aforementioned points per game have all gone down significantly. It is a smaller sample size, and Brunson and the Knicks have played some very good defensive teams over that stretch, but it’s still worth noting.
That being said, even during that span, it’s not like Brunson hasn’t had good games. He’s had a 31-point game against the 76ers, a 42-point masterpiece on 52% shooting against the Nuggets, a 31-point game on 57% shooting against the Celtics two nights before a 40-point 48% shooting game against the Pacers, and a 33-point game on 60% shooting against one of the best defensive teams in the league, the Pistons.
If fans want to be concerned, it’s more than understandable. At the end of the day, regardless of how good the Knicks look on paper, New York, especially come playoff time, only goes as far as their captain takes them. But it is admittedly somewhat odd seeing just how many fans have turned on maybe the single most important figure in the franchise’s history, especially since some of his statistical decline has come from him doing the very things those fans have wanted more of-defensive effort, and playmaking. He’s not free of flaws, and he, like Patrick Ewing, Carmelo Anthony, and all of the other Knicks legends that came before him, should be called out when underperforming. But the internet has seen a greater-than-usual place for takes about how “he needs to be traded,” “can’t lead this team in the playoffs,” and even how “he’s washed up.”
people hating on brunson lately are so weird… he’s been working on the things he was most criticized for (defense and playmaking) but that’s now a problem for y’all too?
— certified bling bling boy (@c_blingblingboy) March 8, 2026
If you turning on Brunson so quickly that means you ain’t believe in him like that in the first place. Stay on that side.
— Skip Sayless 🇹🇹🇭🇹♒️🗽 (@travbryanmusic) March 9, 2026
Overall, though, my trust in Brunson remains. While there are factors to weigh and things to keep an eye on, my worry level about Brunson has yet to reach a high level. What he’s done, and not done most recently, matters, and that shouldn’t be completely downplayed. But over his 314-game sample size as a Knick, Brunson has continued to surprise, overperform, and show up, especially when it matters most. The hope is that between now and the first round of the playoffs, Brunson can get some much-needed rest, continue to sharpen his ability to balance scoring and playmaking, while maintaining some semblance of the defensive improvements we’ve seen, and ultimately get back to the playoff Brunson we know he can be.
The world of sport appears to be softening the hardline stance it took when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Russian athletes are back competing under their own flag at the Paralympics. Fifa president Gianni Infantino said the international ban on Russian soccer teams “has not achieved anything”. And his counterpart at the International Olympic Committee, Kirsty Coventry, insists all athletes should be allowed to “compete freely.”
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - MARCH 7: A general view of a spring training game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on March 7, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
First pitch against the Boston Red Sox is at 1:05 at JetBlue Park and the Red Sox will be providing radio coverage.
In head-to-head leagues, it all comes down to the weekend. You can have a comfortable lead in multiple categories or by a bunch of points, but if you don’t make the most of the weekend, you can walk out with a loss.
14 teams play twice this weekend, including the Cavaliers, Mavericks, Pistons, Warriors, Pacers, Clippers, Bucks, Timberwolves, Knicks, 76ers, Trail Blazers, Kings, Raptors and Jazz. Prioritize those teams if you’re looking to maximize your games played.
That’s often what it comes down to in standard points and category leagues, but that’s not always the case. Leagues with some sort of games cap or best ball formats like Yahoo!’s High Score leagues aren’t just looking for volume, though having two chances at a big night is a good strategy in best ball leagues.
Absolute must-start: Isaiah Collier, Utah Jazz
With Keyonte George (hamstring) set to miss at least two weeks (and let’s be honest, Utah shouldn’t risk further injury here, so he could be done for the year), Collier should be considered a must-roster player. As a starter this season, he has averaged 15.3 points, 8.8 assists and 1.5 steals across 16 starts.
Not only should Collier be considered a must-roster player, but he should be in for a productive weekend as well. They take on the Trail Blazers and Kings, and while Portland has been an average defense recently, Sacramento has been one of the worst for most of the year. Both teams also have played at a top-10 pace over their last 10 games, meaning extra possessions for Collier to dish out dimes.
Guards:
Ryan Rollins, Milwaukee Bucks
Even when coming off the bench on Thursday, Rollins was still able to have a productive night, which featured a double-double. Kevin Porter Jr. (knee) returned, but now the Bucks play a back-to-back this weekend, meaning he could certainly sit one leg of that, allowing Rollins to start. Regardless, Rollins has been fantastic recently, and they take on the Hawks and Pacers this weekend, two fast-paced teams. Atlanta has been incredible defensively recently, but Indiana hasn’t, and there should be enough possessions for Rollins to produce regardless.
Cameron Payne, Philadelphia 76ers
Payne fell back to earth on Thursday after a historic performance on Tuesday, but he was still productive off the bench. Over his last three games, Payne has averaged 19.7 points, 5.3 assists and 4.0 triples while shooting a ridiculous 56.3 percent from the floor. This weekend, they take on Brooklyn and Portland, with the Nets boasting one of the worst defenses in the league recently.
Landry Shamet, New York Knicks
Josh Hart (knee) is questionable on Friday after missing Wednesday’s game, which was a game that Shamet started in his stead. Shamet has been solid as a reserve, but he took on extra minutes as a starter. They take on the Pacers on Friday and Warriors on Sunday, with both teams struggling on defense recently. Shamet should get the chance to get hot from deep.
Forwards:
Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers
With matchups against the Jazz and 76ers this weekend, Grant is set up to keep his hot streak going. He has scored at least 20 points in eight of his last nine games and gets to take on two struggling defenses. Grant has also been able to contribute steals recently, with seven swipes over his last five games.
Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz
Utah has made Bailey a priority more and more in recent weeks, and with Keyonte George (hamstring) now set to miss time, Bailey should be the focal point of the offense. On the schedule this weekend are the Trail Blazers and Kings, with Sacramento struggling mightily on defense as of late. Expect Bailey to take and make plenty of shots.
Gui Santos, Golden State Warriors
Golden State does have two tough matchups this weekend, but Santos has been too good for it to matter, and he’s still only rostered in 26 percent of Yahoo! leagues. He has averaged 18 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.0 triples over his last three outings, and while games against the Timberwolves and Knicks won’t be easy, he’ll see enough usage to make it worth it. He should be a must-roster player, especially with Stephen Curry (knee) set to miss at least another week.
Centers:
Isaiah Stewart, Detroit Pistons
Over their last 10 games, the Grizzlies and Raptors are 30th and 27th in rebounding percentage, and Detroit gets to take on both this weekend. Of course, Jalen Duren should be in for monster nights, but Stewart should also be effective off the bench. Since returning from his seven-game suspension, Stewart has averaged 10.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.
Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks
Karl-Anthony Towns is questionable for Friday’s game against Indiana due to bilateral knee soreness, and his absence would allow Robinson to take on more minutes. They take on the Pacers, who are 26th in rebounding percentage over their last 10 games, and the Warriors, who are 21st during the same stretch. Robinson should dominate the glass regardless, but he could really pop if KAT is sidelined against the tanking Pacers.
Maxime Raynaud, Sacramento Kings
Raynaud has been on quite the tear recently, aside from his last game, and now he gets matchups with the Clippers and Jazz this weekend. The Clippers have been average on the glass and defensively recently, while Utah has struggled in both areas, and neither team defends the paint well. Raynaud has averaged 16.0 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 60.9 percent from the floor and 92.3 percent from the line over the last two weeks.
The university announced Friday, March 13 that English would not return for a fourth season as Friars coach.
"We appreciate Kim and his staff for their efforts over the past three seasons leading our men's basketball team," Providence athletic director Steve Napolillo said in a statement. "We wish him and his family all the best in the future."
English went 48-52 in three seasons at the school, including a 15-18 mark this season that put Providence ninth in the 11-team Big East.
The 37-year-old English, a former all-conference player at Missouri who was a second-round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, was brought in to replace Ed Cooley after his contentious move from Providence to Georgetown in 2023. English had previously gone 34-29 in two seasons at George Mason before being hired by the Friars.
On March 5, with his team at 14-16 after a 22-point loss at home against Marquette, reports emerged that English wouldn’t return to Providence.
After the Friars’ 85-72 loss to St. John’s on Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Big East tournament, English gave an impassioned response when asked about his job security and future.
"I don't want anyone's sympathy,” he said. “I don't like anyone's pity. Don't text me nothing sad, 'Hope you're OK, keep your head up.’ I’m not that guy. Kick me while I'm down. I'll get up. I've never been more proud standing in the locker room than I was after this season.”
Providence was an NCAA Tournament regular under Cooley, making the event seven times over nine seasons in which it was held from 2014-23, which was highlighted by a Sweet 16 run in 2022.
The Friars are one of three major-conference job openings in the northeast, along with Syracuse and Boston College. Candidates for the position are likely to include South Florida coach Bryan Hodgson, Utah State coach Jerrod Calhoun, Merrimack coach Joe Gallo and Yale coach James Jones, among others.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 16, 2025: Adrian Santana #6 of the Tampa Bay Rays looks on prior to a spring training game against the Washington Nationals 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
Previous Winner
Adrian Santana, SS 20 | S/R | 5’11” | 155 A+ | .263/.324/.326 (94 wRC+) 409 PA, 2 HR, 47 SB, 8.6% BB, 12.0% K
Once a top-ten or so prospect in 2024, Santana fell off our site’s 2025 list after failing to clear as an honorable mention. Why? The switch-hitting slick fielding short stop was the Rays 31st overall pick in 2023 but has delivered sub-100 wRC+ each stop of his career, although that got closer than ever last season, his third as a professional and his third as a teenager in the Rays system. Could expectations be too high on his bat? He has plus athleticism, is learning to wheelhouse, and has “acrobatic” defense at the hardest position in the game, with 98 swiped bags over the last two seasons. What happens if he survives the test of Double-A breaking balls?
Rank
Player
Position
Votes
Total
Percentage
Last Season
1
Carson Williams
SS
14
25
56%
1
2
Brody Hopkins
RHP
19
25
76%
8
3
Jacob Melton
OF
14
28
50%
N/A
4
Theo Gillen
OF
14
26
54%
13
5
Ty Johnson
RHP
12
25
48%
15
6
Daniel Pierce
SS
13
23
57%
N/A
7
Jadher Areinamo
INF
15
28
54%
N/A
8
TJ Nichols
RHP
13
28
46%
N/R
9
Michael Forret
RHP
8
33
24%
N/A
10
Santiago Suarez
RHP
11
30
37%
16
11
Anderson Brito
RHP
7
28
25%
N/A
12
Xavier Isaac
1B
9
28
32%
3
13
Caden Bodine
C
10
25
40%
N/A
14
Brendan Summerhill
OF
11
27
41%
N/A
15
Slater de Brun
OF
10
25
40%
N/A
16
Nathan Flewelling
C
8
26
31%
N/R
17
Trevor Harrison
RHP
9
26
35%
10
18
Jose Urbina
RHP
13
26
50%
25
19
Tre’ Morgan
1B/LF
15
25
60%
4
20
Jackson Baumeister
RHP
12
27
44%
12
21
Aidan Smith
OF
17
29
59%
6
22
Homer Bush Jr.
OF
10
25
40%
21
23
Dom Keegan
C
10
28
36%
9
24
Gary Gill Hill
RHP
8
25
32%
11
25
Brailer Guerrero
OF
8
24
33%
14
26
Brayden Taylor
2B/3B
6
25
24%
2
27
Adrian Santana
SS
6
26
23%
N/R
Santana sneaks a win through despite three other prospects getting 5 votes in Overn, recently optioned Mesa Jr., and Valdez. Next round adds 2025’s top international signee.
Candidates
Fabricio Blanco, SS 17 | S/R | 5’11” | 161
A bat-first middle infielder, the Venezuelan is an elite prospect within the context of the international signing process, with some believing he’s the best Rays signee this off-season, despite gathering only a $1 million bonus. He can barrel up from both sides of the plate, but may settle into a right handed swing in the long term, with quick hands. He has the ability and instincts to stick at short, with a high-IQ approach and gritty demeanor.
Alex Cook, RHP 25 | 6’2” | 220 AA | 2.30 ERA, 2.29 FIP, 15.2 IP (13 G), 30.5% K, 5.1% BB
The Rays added Cook to the 40-man roster this off-season to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, despite only throwing 20 innings (if you include four appearances in the complex league) after a slow start to the season. Cook attempted to convert to starting in 2024 and succumbed to a should injury, but bounced back in the bullpen in 2025 throwing 99 mph — and he has shown up to camp continuing to pitch with confidence. He has plus control and command, with stuff that leans into his low release point, including a cut-ride fastball and two-plane slider, and an MLB average cutter to prevent platoon slit problems. He should slot into high leverage for Durham and ride the shuttle in 2026.
Tampa Bay’s top signee from the 2025 international class, Coret reported tall and young with a lot of projection. His future depends mostly on his hit tool, with prospect evaluators divided on a player that has a long way to go, but the exit velocity (111 mph) and foot speed are plus for his age. Promisingly, after he had a hot start to his professional career, Coret saw his strikeouts elevate in July, but he got them back under control in the final month. A move to the complex league in 2026 would be aggressive.
Cooper Flemming, SS 19 | L/R | 6’3” | 190
One of the best high school bats in the 2025 draft, Flemming surprisingly fell into the Rays laps in the second round. He has a too-quiet swing that lacks the load necessary to hit for power, but he’s historically compensated for that with a high contact rate that would have rated him as first round material if his defense projected to stick. The Rays were able to convince him to forgo an education at Vanderbilt by going above slot ($2.3m, Comp-A money).
Taitn Gray, 1B/OF/C 18 | S/R | 6’4” | 220
The Rays 86th overall pick in 2025, Gray fell to the third round due to some concern about whether he will stick at catcher, but that buries the lead. Still just 17 at the time of the draft, Gray showed up to the Rays organization and proved his rumored power was real, running exit velocities up to 115 mph from both sides of the plate, although the left handed swing is sweeter. He has plus athleticism, which elevated his bat speed, foot speed, and fluidity — despite his size. It will be interesting to see where the Rays deploy him on defense, but it’s a great bat to dream on.
Victor Mesa Jr., OF 24 | L/L | 5’11” | 195 AAA (MIA) | .301/.368/.510 (136 wRC+) 171 PA, 7 HR, 4 SB, 9.9% BB, 16.4% K MLB (MIA) | 6 H (1 HR), 5 BB, 5 K (81 wRC+) 38 PA
This Cuban power bat already made his major league debut with Miami last year after bouncing back from a spring hamstring injury, and was dealt to the Rays in February. He profiles as a fourth outfielder but has an option remaining, so the organization may send him down for regular playing time and one last chance for something more in development. If not, he’s a center field capable on defense, which goes a long way for a platoon bat. In the running for the nicest guy in baseball.
Dean Moss, OF 19 | L/R | 6’0” | 180
Signed well above slot out of the 2025 draft at No. 67 overall, Moss’s family moved from California to the Tampa Bay Area to enroll Moss at IMG, and it earned him a new-home-town selection. A jack of all trades, Moss’s hit tool shades his best thanks to plus bat speed. His swing is clean, with and the projection for his power over time is major league average. He will have competition internally to stick at center, but may get the first nod in the rookie league.
Acquired in the Shane Baz trade, Overn was once a top draft prospect after committing to baseball over football at USC, but surprisingly struggled as a draft-eligible sophomore. That didn’t stop Baltimore from taking him in the third round (97th overall) in 2024. Now a professional, Overn overhauled his swing in the first half of 2025, and earned an early promotion to Double-A for his efforts, where he didn’t look overmatched. His biggest threat is his speed, which raises his floor and gives him an easy projection to a major league bench thanks to plus defensive instincts (BA gave 70’s to his run and field tools). His offensive profile is buoyed by his ability to work the count, but evaluators would like to see him punish fastballs more often for him to be considered a regular.
The Rays 58th overall pick in 2024, Pitre has risen on draft boards through a strong performance in the Cape Cod league in 2023, but the power was a real question mark on his profile. Now given a chance to develop as a professional, he wouldn’t be the first to add muscle. His run and hit tools are plus, with a well coiled swing and solid contact in and out of zone. He’s too old to return to High-A and it be viewed as positive. His power stroke will be the key to his success in 2026.
Victor Valdez, SS 17 | R/R | 6’1” | 186
A pretty swing with a low whiff rate earned Valdez a big payday this winter — $3.5 million — with as good of a power projection as you can reasonably ask for from a a teenage bat, having been given a 25+ home run projection by Baseball America, who also praise his plus foot speed, bat speed, and control of the zone. Reports say he has ever improving lateral movements on defense, with smooth actions and a strong arm. If it all clicks, it’s a middle-of-the-order bat on the left side of the infield. At signing, the Rays gave him a comp to Francisco Lindor. It will be interesting to see if his first professional season can solidify the five tool profile.
