SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 30: Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his walk-off single during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at T-Mobile Park on March 30, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Happy Tuesday! We were treated to our first walk-off of 2026 last night after a single from Cal Raleigh slipped past first base and scored Leo Rivas from third. Another stellar pitching performance featured six innings from Luis Castillo with no runs, two hits, and seven strikeouts. The bullpen largely did their job, and Matt Brash looked electric in his first save of the season.
The second game of the series against the New York Yankees starts tonight at 6:40 PM with a pitching duel of Logan Gilbert versus Max Fried.
We will be hosting a site chat on Thursday, April 2nd, at 6:40 PM during the first off day of the regular season. Stay tuned for a link on Thursday and please join in the conversation!
Around the league…
RHP Cody Ponce was carted off the field in his Toronto Blue Jays debut after landing awkwardly on his right knee while trying to field a hit. He was initially diagnosed with right knee discomfort but is expected to receive a full diagnosis today after an MRI.
MESA, ARIZONA - MARCH 08: Colt Emerson #85 of the Seattle Mariners rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the ninth inning of a Spring Training game against the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park on March 08, 2025 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) | Getty Images
MLB Rumors: Colt Emerson and the Seattle Mariners have agreed to terms on an 8 year, $95 million deal, per reports. This is the largest contract ever for a player under team control who has yet to play in the major leagues.
Emerson, a shortstop who doesn’t turn 21 until July, was the 22nd overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. He appeared in the back end of top 100 lists prior to the 2024 season after an impressive pro debut. He split the 2024 season between low-A and high-A, putting up a 867 OPS in low-A and a 648 OPS in high-A. That performance as a teenage shortstop made him a consensus top 25-30 prospect.
Emerson put up a .285/.383/.458 slash line in 2025, primarily in high-A, but with 34 games in AA and six games at AAA. He has started the 2026 season at AAA Tacoma, but with a long-term deal now in place, one would expect he will be in the majors in the very near future, likely displacing Leo Rivas at shortstop.
We have seen a spate of contract extension over the last week or so. The Chicago Cubs inked a 6 year, $115 million extension with Pete Crow-Armstrong as well as a 6 year, $141 million deal with Nico Hoerner. Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Cooper Pratt, who, like Emerson, is in AAA currently and has yet to play in the majors, is reportedly on the verge of doing an 8 year, $50 million-plus extension.
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 6: Jayson Tatum #0 and Head Coach Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics hug during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 6, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Boston Celtics sit at 50-25 with 7 games remaining in the regular season. Not too bad for a “Gap year” right Jaylen?
Note this conclusion I wrote in the linked article above:
Unless something very weird and wonderful occurs next season, we won’t be raising Banner #19. But there’s enough interest and intrigue to keep us watching and following this team. At some point next season there will be a stretch where the vision starts coming together and you’ll be able to squint and say, “imagine adding a top-5 player in the NBA to this group.” Because soon enough, that’s gonna happen.
Turns out it was sooner than I ever could have imagined. Perhaps something “weird and wonderful” is occurring before our very eyes. Can’t wait to see how it develops in the playoffs.
Before we get there, however, let’s take a moment or two to reflect on the regular season. What questions do you still have as we finish out the season? Any thoughts on regular season awards? Want to make fun of me for my early season skepticism? I’m open to topics on all things.
Also, if you are the kind of person that’s always looking forward, give us your questions on the playoffs (matchups, rotations, predictions) or even the upcoming offseason (draft, free agency, etc.).
Leave your questions in the comments section below. As always, I’ll give it a few days and try to answer as many questions that I can. I don’t claim to be all-knowing, just a humble blogger that has been doing this for exactly 21 years (as of today – cheers!).
The Boston Red Sox are seeking their second victory of the season as they take on the Houston Astros. Houston's Hunter Brown, who looked strong in his first start, will face Boston's Brayan Bello, who has an ERA of 3.35.
DALLAS, TX - NOVEMBER 10: Ryan Rollins #13 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on November 10, 2025 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Tim Heitman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (24-51) will make a quick trip north to face the Milwaukee Bucks (29-45) for a makeup game that was originally scheduled for January 25. Due to a winter storm that left the Mavericks stranded on the runway for several hours, the game was suspended and eventually moved to March 31.
The matchup will not feature Bucks All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who remains out due to a knee injury. Milwaukee will also be without Kevin Porter Jr. (knee), Bobby Portis (wrist), and Thanasis Antetokounmpo (knee). Gary Harris (personal) is listed as questionable. That leaves the spotlight on emerging Bucks star Ryan Rollins and the Mavericks’ own Cooper Flagg. The injury report for the Mavs has Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington listed as questionable (illness), Marvin Bagley (shoulder), and Caleb Martin (heel) as doubtful.
It’s warming up outside, but Dallas and Milwaukee didn’t get the memo, because both are ice cold entering Tuesday’s matchup. The Bucks, who were officially eliminated from playoff contention on Saturday, are 2-8 in their past 10 games. The Mavericks are 3-7 in their past 10 games. Here are three notes to keep in mind ahead of Tuesday night.
The Bucks are low hanging fruit
The vibes in Cream City suck. It’s no secret that the past two seasons have been disastrous for the Mavericks, but the Bucks aren’t far behind. Milwaukee was supposed to be in the East’s elite after snagging Damian Lillard, to pair him with franchise star Giannis Antetokounmpo. But the results were disappointing. Following a 2024 first-round exit to the Pacers, the Bucks entered last season with renewed hope that they could gain some traction with their new star duo and head coach Doc Rivers. Lillard suffered a ruptured Achilles in the first round of the 2025 playoffs and ultimately played his last game as a Buck. He was waived in the 2025 offseason, and Milwaukee owes him $22 million a year for the next five years.
The Antetokounmpo soap opera will enter another offseason, after the Bucks entertained offers up until the trade deadline but ultimately decided to hang onto their star. He has all but demanded a trade, but with Antetokounmpo wanting to compete for a championship and Milwaukee going nowhere fast, it’s likely he’s played his last game in a Bucks uniform.
Entering Tuesday, the Bucks have a plethora of injuries, have lost 14 of 17 games, and are desperately limping to the finish line of the season. They have the NBA’s fifth-worst defense, giving up 119.1 points per 100 possessions. The Mavericks’ schedule the past month has been one of the hardest in the NBA, and Dallas has only lost one game by double digits in the past two weeks – last night against Minnesota. They’re competing. Milwaukee, on the other hand, has seemingly lost its soul from another weary season. If there’s a game for the Mavericks to get another surprising win on the road, this one makes sense.
Should Marvin Bagley III be here next season?
Most of the chatter about the 2018 draft centers around how the Mavericks and Hawks swapped Doncic and Young. It’s often forgotten that Marvin Bagley III was drafted second overall ahead of both. Bagley has had an underwhelming career, but part of that could be the cultures he’s been exposed to. What is your actual ceiling if most of your career has been with the Kings and Wizards? Co-interim GMs Matt Riccardi and Michael Finley were excited about the idea of bringing Bagley to Dallas as part of the Anthony Davis trade, and the results beg the question – should Bagley be in Dallas next season?
This season, Bagley is averaging 10.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. With the Mavericks, he’s averaging 10.6 points and 7.1 rebounds. And perhaps most importantly, he’s played in 56 games this season. For Dallas and big men, the best ability is availability, and Bagley is that.
Dallas will be limited in bringing Bagley back next season since they only have his non-bird rights. He’s on a minimum $2.2 million deal this season, but with his production this year, teams could (and probably will) offer him a bigger payday. The most the Mavericks can offer him next season is $3.7 million, unless Dallas decides to pay him part of the mid-level exception. However, splitting the MLE isn’t ideal, as it limits the Mavs in signing other high-caliber role players.
Bagley’s future in Dallas may be uncertain, but we know one thing for sure. He’s on the court and can add high-quality minutes to a big man rotation that’s seen its fair share of injury problems.
Cooper Flagg is finding his shot (again)
In his first five games after returning from a left foot injury, Cooper Flagg shot 27-94 from the floor, 28.7%. He also shot a dismal 3-15 from three, 20%. We’re throwing out last night’s game against the Timberwolves, since it’s more of an exception to the rule. In his eight games since (minus last night), Flagg has shot 71-139 from the floor – 51% and 5-23 from three, 21.7%. The three-point shot needs work, but his polish at the rim has returned, and the jump shot looks smooth. During this last eight-game stretch, Flagg is averaging 23.8 points, 6.8 assists, and 6.0 rebounds per game. On the defensive end, he’s adding 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.
Kon Knueppel may ultimately win Rookie of the Year, as his Hornets are looking for their first playoff berth since 2016. But Flagg’s impact on both ends is what makes him arguably the most complete rookie since LeBron James. And similar to James in his early years, Flagg only has one noticeable weakness – his shot.
The NBA is a shooter’s league. Flagg is good in just about every measurable (and non-measurable) way. But his shot, particularly his three-point shot, needs work. This should be a priority for the 19-year-old this offseason. He’ll figure it out. And once he does, he’ll be truly unstoppable.
How to watch
Milwaukee and Dallas are both trying to get to the end of their respective seasons. With injuries and drama derailing the past two years for each franchise, both have their sights set on the offseason. But to get there, you have to play the games. And while wins have come few and far between for both sides, someone will come away victorious. And at the end of the day, it’s another opportunity for Mavs fans to enjoy watching Cooper Flagg play basketball. He’s one of one.
The Mavs and Bucks tip off at 7PM CT from the Fiserv Forum. You can watch on KFAA Channel 29, Mavs TV, or NBA League Pass. Go Mavs!
The Detroit Tigers floundered in the opening game of their road series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night, as Justin Verlander was anything but in vintage form in the team’s 9-6 loss.
They will get another shot on Tuesday night in the desert behind their former No. 1 draft pick, Casey Mize, who opens the campaign in the fifth and final spot of the starting rotation. The Snakes will send fellow right-hander Brandon Pfaadt to the mound opposite him, looking for the victory and his team’s first series win of the nascent season.
With just four games elapsed, the American League Central division has the Cleveland Guardians out to a half-game lead over the rest of the field with a 3-2 record, while Detroit and the Kansas City Royals are both 2-2 so far. The Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins inhabit the bottom portion of the standings, both at 1-3.
But the year is young! There is plenty of baseball to be played.
With that in mind, take a look below at a brief comparison of Tuesday night’s pitchers.
Detroit Tigers (2-2) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (1-3)
DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 11: The Toronto Raptors celebrates during the game against the Detroit Pistons on January 11, 2024 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
After an up-and-down road trip the Raptors returned home to win two straight games in a dominant fashion. Now, they embark for a single away game to face the Detroit Pistons for their third and final contest of the season.
Currently 1-1 in prior matchups, Toronto won the most recent game by double-digits only two weeks ago. They also have a rest advantage, but with both teams missing prominent players due to injury, this could be anyone’s game and ultimately come down to effort.
At this point in the season, most games are “must-win”. Tied with Atlanta but holding the tie-breaker, they continue to try to avoid a play-in game. Only 3.5 games separate them from 10th, so there’s little margin for error here. Detroit has a comfortable 4-game lead in first, but wouldn’t want to give away the lead to Boston either.
Without Quickley, the facilitation game will likely be what the Pistons attack. Detroit is a tough, physical team, who leads the league in steals with 10.5 per game. Protecting the ball and limiting turnovers will also limit extra possessions and scoring opportunities for Detroit. Toronto will have to look to Scottie and Shead for most of the playmaking as both have shown an ability to facilitate for the team.
The Raptors are also going to be limited in scorers potentially missing BI, RJ, and IQ. Hopefully at least one of RJ or BI is available, but in the event that neither is, Scottie will have to have a performance warranted of his All-Star nod tonight. Jak could have another strong performance, and Ja’Kobe has had a great season so far and could chip in to help keep them afloat. Preventing lapses on defence that could give up points that would be difficult to earn back could be the key here.
Another challenge for Toronto will be the lack of bodies on the court. With the lengthy injury report, guys are likely going to see more minutes than they’re accustomed to. Pace and transition play, both things that require tremendous effort and energy are going to be a challenge when doing it for that long. This is great conditioning for the playoffs, especially playing fatigued in the fourth quarter and needing to execute effectively. This execution has been another struggle for them this season, one that needs to be worked out before the playoffs.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 30: Justin Champagnie #9 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 30, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. 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 Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Wizards final West coast trip of the 2025-26 season ended about the way you’d expect — with a blowout loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The final margin was only 19. The game itself didn’t feel that close, which is pretty normal for the Wizards this season.
Both the Wizards and Lakers shot poorly from three-point range — Washington, a mind-numbing 20.0%; the Lakers a merely bad 29.2%. The Lakers won on the boards (+15 rebound advantage) and by making twos at a much better clip. LA converted 67.3% of their shots inside the arc, and Washington just 58.6%.
LeBron James put on a pick-and-roll masterclass and notched a triple-double to help the Lakers beat Washington. | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Lakers also won from the free throw line. They earned twice as many trips to the free throw line and outscored Washington 25-12 on foul shots.
The preceding should not be read as complaining about the refs. The Lakers drove frequently, and the Wizards are a group that struggles to defend without fouling. Which is to say, Washington gets beat at the point of attack and then does a lot of reaching and grabbing and swiping, which often draws whistles. They’re also antsy, which in this case is a euphemism for man do they bite on ball fakes a lot.
To be honest, in a lot of ways it felt like the Lakers had some mercy (or perhaps a different agenda) on the offensive end last night. Washington was utterly incapable of doing anything to slow LeBron James and Austin Reaves pick-and-roll actions. In fact, they had a difficult time handling James setting ball screens for anyone.
As an aside, what James is doing this season is impressive. He’s spent his entire life with the ball in his hands. He’s been the guy others set screens to get loose. Now in his 23rd season, he’s setting ball screens (something he rarely did in his previous 22 years in the NBA) and playing as a third option when Luka Doncic is on the floor.
As for the Wizards, Justin Champagnie made shots. There’s a cranky old man vibe to his game, which seems to morph into bemusement when things get physical. He also tends to play hard, and he has a kind of sneaky Jeff Green-esque athleticism. It seems like he’s just kinda gliding along like a normie NBA athlete, and then suddenly he’s throwing down a dunk over a seven-footer or blocking a shot above the box. He was pretty good last night — 18 points on 12 shots.
Tristan Vukcevic notched a decent PPA score, though I did not think he played well. He ended the night with four steals and a block in 20 minutes, which is a lot. His overall defensive effort wasn’t good, in my view.
Jaden Hardy came off the bench to score 11 points on eight shots in 23 minutes. He had several genuinely good defensive possessions against James (the elder one), and grabbed five rebounds. I’m intrigued enough by his shooting and offensive aggressiveness to want to see him in extended action the final seven games. By “extended,” I mean 30+ minutes per night with maybe 2-3 starts mixed in.
Thoughts & Observations
It’s interesting how context can change the value of a player’s performance. Rui Hachimura with the Lakers is basically the same as he was in Washington, though with fewer rebounds, lower usage and higher efficiency. The latter two go together. In Washington, he had to carry a heavier creation load because the team didn’t have anyone else. In Los Angeles, he plays in the space created by Doncic, James, and Reaves and can take mostly open shots. He was always a good shooter (former assistant coaches told me he routinely won the team’s shooting contests in Washington). In LA, he gets easier shots.
Early in the first quarter, Hachimura drove a closeout on Will Riley that was an example of Washington’s defensive challenges. First, Riley was late on the closeout and off balance. Hachimura turned down an open three to drive. Riley recovered enough to run along a step behind but had no impact on the play. Meanwhile, Vukcevic was late to rotate, didn’t get into help position, and then was weak on top of it all. Hachimura ended up with a nearly ayup line finish.
Riley had a lot of trouble contending with Hachimura. He needs to spend a lot of time in the weight room getting stronger this offseason.
Vukcevic gave a Kornet contest on a three-point attempt in the first quarter. Reaves missed.
I didn’t think that I would ever write this sentence, but…On one possession, the Wizards forgot to guard LeBron James. Seriously, at 6:20 in the first quarter, literally no one matched up with arguably the best player in basketball history.
Stat from the Lakers broadcast: Doncic this season is the first player in Lakers franchise history to accumulate 2,000+ points, 500+ assists, and 100+ steals in the same season.
Another tidbit: Last night, James tied Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for all-time wins as a player, including playoffs. The LA victory was 1,228th time James has been on the winning team. Tim Duncan is third at 1,158, followed by Robert Parish at 1,121, and Karl Malone at 1,050.
It’s a shame Anthony Gill isn’t 10-12 years younger. With a steady diet of playing time this season, he seems to be figuring out how he can be successful in the NBA. He’s attacking closeouts, using ball fakes to create openings, and he competes hard on defense and on the boards despite giving up size and strength advantages to most of his matchups.
Four Factors
Below are the four factors that decide wins and losses in basketball — shooting (efg), rebounding (offensive rebounds), ball handling (turnovers), fouling (free throws made).
The four factors are measured by:
eFG% (effective field goal percentage, which accounts for the three-point shot)
OREB% (offensive rebound percentage)
TOV% (turnover percentage — turnovers divided by possessions)
FTM/FGA (free throws made divided by field goal attempts)
FOUR FACTORS
WIZARDS
LAKERS
LGAVG
eFG%
47.8%
60.1%
54.5%
OREB%
11.4%
24.3%
26.0%
TOV%
9.0%
15.0%
12.7%
FTM/FGA
0.129
0.316
0.207
PACE
100
99.3
ORTG
101
120
115.6
Stats & Metrics
PPA is my overall production metric, which credits players for things they do that help a team win (scoring, rebounding, playmaking, defending) and dings them for things that hurt (missed shots, turnovers, bad defense, fouls).
PPA is a per possession metric designed for larger data sets. In small sample sizes, the numbers can get weird. In PPA, 100 is average, higher is better and replacement level is 45. For a single game, replacement level isn’t much use, and I reiterate the caution about small samples sometimes producing weird results.
POSS is the number of possessions each player was on the floor in this game.
ORTG = offensive rating, which is points produced per individual possessions x 100. League average so far this season is listed in the Four Factors table above. Points produced is not the same as points scored. It includes the value of assists and offensive rebounds, as well as sharing credit when receiving an assist.
USG = offensive usage rate. Average is 20%. Median so far this season is 17.7%.
ORTG and USG are versions of stats created by former Wizards assistant coach Dean Oliver and modified by me. ORTG is an efficiency measure that accounts for the value of shooting, offensive rebounds, assists and turnovers. USG includes shooting from the floor and free throw line, offensive rebounds, assists and turnovers.
+PTS = “Plus Points” is a measure of the points gained or lost by each player based on their efficiency in this game compared to league average efficiency on the same number of possessions. A player with an offensive rating (points produced per possession x 100) of 100 who uses 20 possessions would produce 20 points. If the league average efficiency is 115, the league — on average — would produced 23.0 points in the same 20 possessions. So, the player in this hypothetical would have a +PTS score of -3.0.
Players are sorted by total production in the game.
The New York Yankees (3-1) face the Seattle Mariners (3-2) in the second game of a three-game series. Cal Raleigh walked off the win for Seattle in the opening game. Max Fried (1-0, 0.00 ERA) starts for the Yankees, while Logan Gilbert (0-0, 5.06 ERA) pitches for the Mariners. The Yankees are narrow favorites with a moneyline of -115.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 21: Jabari Smith Jr. #10 of the Houston Rockets shoots the ball against Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden on February 21, 2026 in New York City. 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 Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Tonight, the Knicks (48*-27) visit the Rockets (45-29) at the Toyota Center. New York has clinched a playoff berth, but need to get through a challenging slate in order to keep their third slot—or catch the 50-win Celtics. Houston is one of five over-.500 teams standing between the Knicks and the finish line. The Texans have been solid at home (25-10) and are motivated to win, as they sit in the thick of the Western playoff picture.
The teams last met on February 21 in New York, where the Knicks rallied from an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit to win 108-106. Karl-Anthony Towns had 25 points, Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby both added 20, and New York limited their foes to 15 points in the fourth quarter. Kevin Durant scored 30 for the visitors and tweeted about the game from four burner accounts.
The Rockets score 114.4 points per game and allow 110.1, showing a balanced but efficient attack. They rely on interior dominance, athleticism on the wings, and spacing when healthy. Houston rates ninth for offense and eighth for defense.
Alperen Şengün anchors the frontcourt with 20.7 points, nine rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game while shooting efficiently inside. Durant provides elite scoring (around 26 PPG) and spacing as a knockdown shooter. Amen Thompson (17.9 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 1.5 SPG) delivers two-way athleticism. Jabari Smith Jr. (15.6 PPG) adds floor-spacing and versatility up front.
On New York’s injury front, Landry Shamet remains OUT with a right knee contusion. Miles McBride is listed as questionable after crashing into Lu Dort in his first game back from hernia surgery. Nothing new to report for Houston.
Prediction
ESPN gives the Knicks a 57% chance. That’s a safe bet. In their February meeting, the Knicks showed they can hang and make comebacks, but on the road in Houston, execution on both ends will be crucial. For New York to stay competitive, Brunson needs to control the tempo and create advantages, the bigs must battle Sengün on the glass and in the paint, and the defense has to limit Houston’s transition buckets. Should be a competitive affair that is decided late, with another late clampdown by our heroes. Knicks by four.
Game Details
Who: New York Knicks (48*-27) at Houston Rockets (45-29) Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 Time: 8 PM ET Place: Toyota Center, Houston, TX TV: NBC Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky
* Should be one more, but the NBA Cup win was forgotten on the tarmac.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: Luis Arraez #1 of the San Francisco Giants talks with Manny Machado #13 and Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres before the game at Petco Park on March 30, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Through four games of the 2026 season, the San Diego Padres have managed a grand total of nine runs scored, while allowing 16 runs to the Detroit Tigers and the San Francisco Giants. The Padres dropped the series opener to the Giants at Petco Park on Monday 3-2, but the score makes the game appear much closer than it was. San Diego did not have an answer for San Francisco starter Landon Roupp who recorded seven strikeouts over six innings while allowing just two hits. The runs scored by the Padres came off Giants reliever Ryan Walker. Jackson Merrill hit a two-out, two-run home run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. San Diego was one pitch away from being shutout for the first time this season by a division rival who was looking for and got its first win of the season. Padres manager Craig Stammen has been shuffling his lineup looking for something that works and it appears that will continue until the San Diego lineup can provide some signs of life. Perhaps the home run by Merrill will carry over to the second game of the series with San Francisco when the teams reconvene at Petco Park at 6:40 p.m.
Padres News:
The addition of Jose Leclerc to the San Diego organization became official on Monday and Lincoln Zdunich of Gaslamp Ball believes that once healthy, the former World Series winner can be a mid-summer boost for the Padres’ bullpen.
Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune believed the roster would give Stammen and his Padres a slight edge over Tony Vitello and the Giants, but that proved not to be the case in the first game of the series. There are two games remaining for San Diego to turn that around.
Mason Miller debuted his new entrance music when he runs from the San Diego bullpen to take the mound. He took a suggestion from a member of the Padres clubhouse staff and early responses seem to think the new entrance is a hit according to AJ Cassavell of Padres.com.
It appears Stammen is going to use his catchers equally to start the season despite the fact that Luis Campusano continues to have issues at the plate on offense. He has improved defensively, but the Friar Faithful are still waiting for his Triple-A success to translate to the big-leagues. It seems Stammen is going to give “Campy” plenty of opportunities to make it happen.
Baseball News:
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh has not had the best start to the 2026 season, but he came through for his team when it mattered most. Raleigh came through with a clutch hit that resulted in a walk-off win against the New York Yankees.
Michael Soroka of the Arizona Diamondbacks threw the first Immaculate Inning (three up, three down on nine pitches) of the season. It is the first Immaculate Inning since Padres closer Mason Miller accomplished the task in 2025.
The university’s campus store received its first shipment of official Final Four merchandise this week and quickly sold out, according to 13 News Tucson, Arizona. With official gear in short supply, many fans have turned to unauthorized retailers and online stores to find merchandise.
The university is urging fans not to purchase from unlicensed vendors, citing concerns about product quality and the risks of consumer fraud and money laundering.
Cat Hanson, Trademarks and Licensing Program Manager at the University of Arizona, told 13 News that fans can protect themselves by shopping at the campus store or authorized pop-up locations and looking for key authenticity markers on official merchandise. Every official Final Four shirt will feature a hologram sticker, and fans should also verify that spelling and colors are correct.
The top-seeded Wildcats punched their ticket to the Final Four for the first time since 2001 with an impressive 79-64 victory over No. 2-seeded Purdue. Arizona will face No. 1-seeded Michigan on April 4.
According to 13 News, authentic Arizona merchandise can be purchased at the following locations, with the pop-up shop hours being 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from March 30 to April 9:
Campus Store
Park & Speedway pop-up shop
Park & 6th St pop-up shop
Speedway & Campbell pop-up shop
Maingate pop-up shop
Football Stadium parking lot pop-up shop
Campbell & 6th pop-up shop
Hi Corbett parking lot pop-up shop
How to watch the men's Final Four
This year’s Final Four will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. In the first semifinal, No. 3 Illinois takes on No. 2 UConn at 6:09 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 4, followed by the matchup between No. 1 Arizona and No. 1 Michigan at 8:49 p.m. ET. Both games can be watched on TBS.
Game 1: No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 2 UConn | Saturday, April 4 | 6:09 p.m. | TBS | Sling TV
Game 2: No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 1 Michigan | Saturday, April 4 | 8:49 p.m. | TBS | Sling TV
The Atlantic Division foes have seen eight of the last nine head-to-head meetings go Over 6.5, including both matchups this season. An average of 7.66 goals have been scored along the way.
The numbers indicate we should expect more of the same. Montreal sits fourth in scoring rate at 5-on-5 and second on the power play over their last 10 games.
The Bolts top the league in 5-on-5 efficiency and rank sixth on the man advantage during the same period.
Canadiens vs Lightning same-game parlay
Tough opponents don’t hinder Lane Hutson in the slightest. He has picked up a helper in eight of his last 10 games against Top-10 teams in limiting goals against, tallying 10 in total.
Noah Dobson generated eight shots on 15 attempts over the first two meetings this season. Routinely playing 22+ minutes and active in the offensive zone, he should be plenty involved in this marquee clash.
Canadiens vs Lightning SGP
Over 6.5
Lane Hutson Over 0.5 assists
Noah Dobson Over 1.5 shots on goal
Canadiens vs Lightning odds
Moneyline: Montreal +145 | Tampa Bay -170
Puck line: Montreal +1.5 (-160) | Tampa Bay -1.5 (+140)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+100) | Under 6.5 (-120)
Canadiens vs Lightning trend
The Lightning have hit the Over in 13 of their last 20 games (+8.75 Units / 40% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Canadiens vs. Lightning.
How to watch Canadiens vs Lightning
Location
Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, FL
Date
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
TSN2, The Spot
Canadiens vs Lightning latest injuries
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Shohei Ohtani makes his first start on the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers this season. Tanner Bibee will pitch for Cleveland. The Guardians won the first game of the series on Monday, handing the Dodgers their first loss. Los Angeles is favored with a -235 moneyline and a -1.5 spread.
How to watch Cleveland Guardians vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Date: Tuesday, March 31
Time: 10:10 p.m. ET / 7:10 p.m. PT
Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
TV Channels: SportsNet LA, Guardians.TV Presented by Progressive
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 30: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers talk during a free throw in thew fourth quarter of a game at Kaseya Center on March 30, 2026 in Miami, Florida. 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 Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Sixers sit at 41-34 with 7 games left on the schedule, which coincidentally puts them smack in the middle of one of the most chaotic playoff races the Eastern Conference has seen in years.
These standings are shifting every single night, and honestly, keeping up with every tiebreaker, box score and late-game collapse feels like a part-time job nobody applied for. So let’s cut through the noise. Where are the Sixers right now, who’s standing in their way, and what does the playoff picture actually look like as we head down the stretch?
To start, let’s get a clear picture of the standings. We’ll focus on the 5 through 10 range, since that’s exactly where the Sixers are sitting and where they’ll likely finish.
Toronto Raptors 42-32
Atlanta Hawks 43-33
(play-in)
Philadelphia 76ers 41-34
Orlando Magic 39-35
Miami Heat 40-36
Charlotte Hornets 39-36
As things stand, the Sixers are on the outside looking in for a guaranteed playoff seed. That said, there’s still a real chance they can climb up — a loss or two from the right team can completely flip the playoff and play-in picture overnight. So let’s go team by team, break down the tiebreakers, and figure out the likelihood of the Sixers catching up to, or staying ahead of, each one.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors are the current leaders of this group and have been playing some of their best basketball lately, most recently dismantling the Orlando Magic while holding their grip on the 5 seed. As of this writing, Toronto sits 1.5 games ahead of Philadelphia and owns the 10th easiest remaining schedule, with matchups against the Pistons, Celtics, Knicks, Heat (twice), Nets, Kings and Grizzlies.
The season series ended in a 2-2 tie, so the tiebreaker defaults to division record. The Sixers are 9-7 in the Atlantic while the Raptors are a rough 4-10, meaning Philadelphia would win the tiebreaker if the two teams finish level. Worth noting, two of Toronto’s three “easy” remaining games come right away, before a brutal closing stretch of Celtics, Heat twice and Knicks to close out four of their final five.
Catching the Raptors in the short term seems unlikely, but that April 5-10 stretch will go a long way in determining whether Toronto stays out of the play-in altogether. If they slip against one of the tanking opponents early, the margin for error gets razor thin once you factor in the tiebreaker working in Philly’s favor.
Atlanta Hawks
CA-CAWWWWW. The Hawks have been an absolute problem lately, winning 16 of their last 18 to firmly plant themselves at the 6 seed. Unlike Toronto, Atlanta is staring down one of the tougher remaining schedules in this group, ranked 8th hardest, with games against the Knicks, Cavaliers twice, Magic and Heat. Their only breather on paper is a date with the Brooklyn Nets.
Here’s where it gets tricky for the Sixers: Atlanta outright owns the tiebreaker over Philadelphia, which effectively turns their 1.5 game lead into something closer to a 2.5 game lead in practice. The Sixers wouldn’t just need to match the Hawks, they’d need to pass them.
Atlanta tips off against the Magic tomorrow before getting the Nets on Friday, but from there it’s a gauntlet of playoff-caliber opponents with the Heat sprinkled in for good measure. The tiebreaker makes it hard to envision the Sixers leaping Atlanta, though that schedule could certainly hand the Hawks a few losses down the stretch.
Orlando Magic
The Magic, yet again, have had a turbulent season marked by questionable star play and their best players missing lengthy stretches at a time. It’s a big reason why they find themselves in the 8 seed. Their remaining schedule is slightly tougher than Philadelphia’s, with games against the Pistons, Celtics, Timberwolves, Hawks, Suns, Mavericks, Pelicans and Bulls.
What makes Orlando’s schedule interesting is the structure of it. They alternate two home games, two away, two home and two away to close things out. Of those eight games, five come against playoff teams, two against tanking squads and one against the New Orleans Pelicans, a team that probably should be tanking but simply can’t due to an outgoing unprotected pick.
The good news for Philly is that the Sixers own the tiebreaker over Orlando, winning the season series 2-1. The Magic currently sit a game and a half back, meaning they’d need to not only make up that ground but actually outpace the Sixers’ remaining record to leapfrog them. Unless Orlando wins at least three of those games against legitimate competition, it’s hard to see them pulling it off. Not impossible, but they’d have to earn it.
Miami Heat
Out of every team sitting below the Sixers, the Heat are the ones to watch. Thanks to owning the tiebreaker over Philadelphia, Miami doesn’t need to outplay the Sixers, they just need to match their record. And when you look at what’s left on their schedule, that’s a very realistic ask. Despite sitting 1.5 games back on paper, the tiebreaker makes this feel much closer to a half game lead in reality.
The Heat’s remaining schedule features the Celtics, Raptors twice, Hawks and Wizards twice, which checks in as the 6th easiest remaining slate in the league. Barring the Wizards deciding they’ve had enough disrespect after the whole Bam 83-point situation (did you catch that game? The NBC broadcast mentioned it once or twice, or like 20 times, very low key), you’re looking at maybe two or three losses for Miami at the absolute most.
That tiebreaker is massive. It puts the Heat firmly in control of their own destiny, and if the Sixers drop even one unexpected game, the math shifts in a hurry. Keep a close eye on Miami over the next week or two, and pay especially close attention to those two Raptors games. They’ll have major implications not just for the Heat, but for just about everyone in this conversation.
Charlotte Hornets
The Sixers took care of the Hornets a few nights ago in a game that went down to the wire, and out of every team in this group, Charlotte is the least likely candidate to climb out of the play-in. They sit two games behind Philadelphia with the ninth hardest remaining schedule.
The Hornets will face the Pistons, Celtics, Knicks, Timberwolves, Suns, Pacers and Nets. Two of those are against tanking teams, with five against playoff-caliber opponents. That said, it’s worth noting that some of the higher seeds like the Celtics or Pistons may start load managing their guys down the stretch to keep them fresh, which could make a game or two more winnable than it looks on paper.
There isn’t a ton to say about the Hornets right now, but don’t sleep on them entirely. Since the calendar flipped they’ve been one of the better teams on both ends of the floor, and they could become a real problem if the Sixers end up in the play-in. Losing the first play-in game and then having to face Charlotte to keep the season alive would not be a fun situation. For now they can stay on the back burner, but depending on how things shake out, the Hornets could end up being a much bigger part of this story than anyone expects.
Where Will the Sixers End Up?
Despite dropping a pretty important game to Miami, the Sixers are still within striking distance of a guaranteed playoff seed. The Heat are right on their heels though, and they might not be the only ones closing in.
Philadelphia’s remaining schedule is fairly middle of the road, with games against the Wizards, Timberwolves, Pistons, Spurs, Rockets, Pacers and Bucks to close out the year. There are some recognizable names on there, but load management from teams like Detroit or San Antonio could make a few of those games more manageable than they look. It’s also worth noting the final two games against the Pacers and Bucks are against tanking squads, which gives the Sixers the luxury of resting guys heading into the postseason if they’ve already locked something up or their playoff fate is sealed.
Tiebreaker-wise, the Sixers are in decent shape across the board. They’ll need to win some tough games to keep the postseason dream alive, but the good news is they now have the reinforcements to do it.
Most projections peg Philadelphia as the most likely 7 seed, which would put them in the play-in on their own home court. But a handful of games involving the teams around them could swing things in a number of directions. Here are the ones worth circling:
4/1 – Hawks @ Magic
4/7 – Heat @ Raptors
4/9 – Heat @ Raptors
4/12 – Hawks @ Heat
Beyond the Sixers’ own results, these four games could end up being the deciding factor in how the whole picture shakes out. It’s an uphill climb, but depending on how the cards fall, Philly could come out of this in a pretty good spot. Time will tell, as things are likely to come down to the literal wire.
