The Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves continue their three-game series Saturday night at Truist Park.
Reynaldo López makes his first start in exactly a year for Atlanta, squaring off against Michael Wacha.
My Royals vs. Braves predictions and MLB picks explain why Bobby Witt, Jr. should have plenty of success on Saturday, March 28.
Royals vs Braves predictions
Royals vs Braves best bet: Bobby Witt Jr. Over 1.5 Total Bases (-125)
Bobby Witt Jr. was outstanding in the World Baseball Classic and was the only Kansas City Royals hitter to show up Friday night as he collected a pair of singles.
He could’ve done more, given he posted a 94.3 exit velocity and a .856 xBA on the three pitches he put into play. That includes a double-play grounder in the first with a .660 xBA and 103.9 exit velo.
Atlanta Braves starter Reynaldo Lopez saw a massive dip in fastball velocity in spring training, averaging just 89.2 mph in his last outing.
Witt will punish that lack of velocity with an extra-base hit.
COVERS INTEL:Witt posted an xSLG of .737 Friday night on the three fastballs he put into play.
Royals vs Braves same-game parlay (SGP)
I expect both starters to have command issues, setting us up for some early runs.
Lopez had just 13 Ks in just over 15 IP in the spring. Along with the velocity issues, he struggled with command as he issued seven free passes. He also surrendered seven earned runs in his last two starts, encompassing 8 1/3 IP.
Michael Wacha had a rough spring as well, posting a 6.89 ERA with seven walks in 13 2/3 IP. He also allowed a longball in each of the last three outings
Royals vs Braves SGP
Bobby Witt Jr. Over 1.5 total bases
Reynaldo Lopez Under 4.5 strikeouts
F5 Over 4.5
Royals vs Braves home run pick: Drake Baldwin (+420)
There was no sign of a sophomore slump from Drake Baldwin this spring, as he spent his time slapping piss missiles. He followed that up by crushing one against the Royals on Friday night.
Wacha has a decent arsenal, but he becomes very FB/CH reliant against opposite-side hitters. Those two pitches accounted for two-thirds of his output vs. LHB last season, with a cutter mixed in some of the time.
Baldwin posted a 23% barrel rate and 74% hard-hit rate in spring training. If he’s going to see a limited pitch array, this price is exceptional value.
2026 Transparency record
Best bets: 0-0, 0.0 units
SGPs: 0-0, 0-0 units
HR picks: 0-0, 0-0 units
Royals vs Braves odds
Moneyline: Kansas City +122 | Atlanta -135
Run line: Kansas City +1.5 (-170) | Atlanta -1.5 (+149)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5
Royals vs Braves trend
The Atlanta Braves have hit the 1st Five Innings (F5) Team Total Under in 34 of their last 49 games at home (+16.25 Units / 28% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Royals vs. Braves.
How to watch Royals vs Braves and game info
Location
Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
Date
Saturday, March 28, 2026
First pitch
7:15 p.m. ET
TV
FOX
Royals starting pitcher
Michael Wacha (2025: 10-13, 3.86 ERA)
Braves starting pitcher
Reynaldo Lopez (2025: 0-0, 5.40 ERA)
Royals vs Braves latest injuries
Royals vs Braves weather
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.
The Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers will play the second game of a three-game set on Saturday afternoon as two dynamic pitchers in Jacob deGrom and Aaron Nola face off.
My Rangers vs. Phillies predictions and MLB picks are targeting the former to get tons of whiffs on Saturday, March 28.
Rangers vs Phillies predictions
Rangers vs Phillies best bet: Jacob deGrom Over 6.5 strikeouts (+120)
Jacob deGrom averaged just over seven strikeouts last season, with a 9.5 K-rate per nine innings. There’s a strong precedent for him to quiet the Philadelphia Phillies star bats, too.
Kyle Schwarber is 1-for-17 with eight Ks, and Bryce Harper has 17 punchouts in 44 ABs.
Even after the departure of Nick Castellanos, this is a Phillies team that continues to project tons of swing-and-miss. They finished last season with the third-highest chase rate in the league, and deGrom comes off a year where his chase rate finished in the Top 10% of the league.
COVERS INTEL: Aaron Nola easily posted the worst ERA of his career last season with a 6.01, but he had an expected ERA of 4.13. He should see some positive regression in 2026.
Rangers vs Phillies same-game parlay (SGP)
I've paired my best bet with the Under.
I’ve spoken a great deal about why deGrom should have success in this matchup, and I’m generally bullish in Aaron Nola in 2026, too. He's had strong historical success against this Texas Rangers lineup, limiting them to a combined .733 OPS over 122 at-bats.
He's struck out Brandon Nimmo 23 times in 60 at-bats.
Rangers vs Phillies SGP
Jacob deGrom Over 6.5 strikeouts
Under 7.5
Rangers vs Phillies home run pick: Wyatt Langford (+470)
I like the value of this number. Wyatt Langford has never faced Nola, but there’s reason to suggest he has some success.
He doesn’t have an overly high chase rate, which Nola is reliant on. In addition to that, he ranks among the best Rangers in hard-hit rate against the fastball and knuckle curveball, the two pitches the righty throws the most.
2026 Transparency record
Best bets: 0-1, -1.2 units
SGPs: 0-1, -1 units
HR picks: 0-1, -1 units
Rangers vs Phillies odds
Moneyline: Texas +105 | Philadelphia -125
Run line: Texas +1.5 | Philadelphia -1.5
Over/Under: Over 7.5 | Under 7.5
Rangers vs Phillies trend
The Phillies have hit the F5 moneyline in 45 of their last 74 games at home (+20.35 Units / 16% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Rangers vs. Phillies.
How to watch Rangers vs Phillies and game info
Location
Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
Date
Saturday, March 28, 2026
First pitch
4:05 p.m. ET
TV
RSN, NBCSP+
Rangers starting pitcher
Jacob deGrom (2025: 12-8, 2.97 ERA)
Phillies starting pitcher
Aaron Nola (2025: 5-10, 6.15 ERA)
Rangers vs Phillies latest injuries
Rangers vs Phillies weather
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.
The No. 3-seeded Illini will need another impact game off the bench on Saturday, March 28 when they meet up with No. 9 Iowa in the Elite Eight out of the South Region, where they are looking for their first Final Four appearance since 1989.
He also comes from an NBA bloodline, as his father, Peja Stojakovic, is a former NBA small forward.
Following a quiet first-round game vs. No. 14 Pennsylvania, Andrej Stojakovic has come alive for the Illini, scoring 21 points on an efficient 7-of-12 shooting from the field vs. No. 11 VCU in the second round. He then scored 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting in Illinois' upset over No. 2 Houston.
He's averaging 14.3 points per game in Illinois' three tournament wins thus far, and has shot over 50% from the field, at 53.6%.
Yes, the Fighting Illini guard is the son of the 13-year NBA veteran shooter Peja Stojakovic.
The elder Stojakovic played 13 seasons in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Hornets, Toronto Raptors and the Dallas Mavericks. Peja Stojakovic — taken with the No. 14 overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft by Sacramento — earned three All-Star selections with the Kings. He was also part of the 2010-11 Mavericks, who beat LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosch and the Miami Heat in six games in the 2011 NBA Finals.
Stojakovic has been in the stands watching Illinois before the Men's NCAA Tournament, which has helped the younger Stojakovic receive real-time feedback.
"Having my dad over there who has been through it means a lot to me," Andrej Stojakovic said after an Illinois game back in November. "Looking at him during timeouts, whether he is yelling at me or encouraging me, after the game, he's always going to have points for my teammates and myself.
Stojakovic enters the Elite Eight as Illinois' third leading scorer with 13.9 points per game on 49.5% shooting from the field. He has scored eight games of at least 20 points going into Saturday's regional final.
The Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons visit the Minnesota Timberwolves in a meeting between two NBA championship contenders. Minnesota is favored with a -2.5 spread and a -140 moneyline. The Timberwolves are trying to improve their playoff seeding in the West.
How to watch Detroit Pistons vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Lakers’ margin of victory didn’t reflect how competitive the matchup was until the game’s final minutes, with the team not only showing the fatigue from the six-game trip they were coming off of, but also the wear and tear from how condensed their schedule has been lately.
The Lakers played a league-high 38 games from Jan. 12-Friday.
Luka Doncic drives against Brooklyn Nets guards Ochai Agbaji and Terance Mann during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Ironically, the only other team to play that many games in that span was the Nets, with every other team outside of the Rockets (37) playing between 33-36 games in that span.
It’s why the Lakers were relishing having two games off between games for the first time since Jan. 10-11, outside of the All-Star break, with their next game not until Monday when they hosy the Wizards.
The matchup against the Wizards will be the first night of a back-to-back, with the Lakers also hosting the Cavaliers on Tuesday.
“It’s gigantic,” LeBron James said. “And we got to take full advantage of it, for sure.”
What will taking advantage of the time look like?
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 27, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NBAE via Getty Images
A day off for the team on Saturday before a rare late-season practice on Sunday, with coach JJ Redick already mentioning inbounds passing as something he wants his team to work on.
But it will also allow for much-needed rest with multiple players popping up on the injury report the last few games.
“It’s the first time we got two days between the games after All Star,” Luka Doncic said. “So definitely get a lot of ice and a lot of recovery.”
He picked up the technical foul when he and Nets forward Zaire Williams were double T’d up after an altercation midway through the third quarter of Friday’s matchup.
After Doncic was called for an offensive foul against Nic Claxton on an inbounds play underneath the Lakers basket, Williams was yelling next to Doncic after the turnover. Doncic shoved Williams in the back before Williams hit Doncic in the face while his back was turned to him.
The referees review saw a “push” from Doncic, followed by an “action” after the push by Williams, leading to the double technicals.
uka Doncic #77 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 27, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NBAE via Getty Images
“He [yelled] in my face three times,” Doncic said postgame. “I just wanted to get out of there. It’s a double tech, of course. What can I say? I didn’t even talk. I just wanted to get out of there. And they said I pushed. My push was exaggerated, which was obviously not. And I don’t know what else to tell you.”
Doncic is unlikely to dodge the one-game suspension for accumulation of technicals this time around, like he did just a week ago, with the referees already reviewing the sequence during the game.
“I’m sure we will appeal it,” coach JJ Redick said. “I didn’t see what happened.”Doncic was assessed a 16th technical during the March 21 road win over the Magic for a verbal back and forth with Magic center Goga Bitadze, who was also given a technical foul, but they later rescinded by the league, allowing Doncic to be eligible for the March 23 road loss to the Pistons.
Doncic, who named the Western Conference player of the week back-to-back weeks, has been on a tear over the last month. He’s averaged 36.5 points (49.3% shooting, 39% on 3-pointers), 8.1 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 2.3 steals during the Lakers’ 14-2 stretch going back to Feb. 28.
“We’re just playing our game,” James said. “Obviously, [Doncic is] the head honcho when it comes to our offensive power and then it goes to [Austin Reaves]. And those two guys, they attract so many eyes, so much energy. But [Doncic is in] just in an unbelievable rhythm right now, shooting the 3-ball exceptionally well, getting to the line as he always does and just being super efficient. So we’re all just playing off of him.”
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"We know we're playing a very talented, athletic, skilled, physical team in Arizona" Purdue coach Matt Painter said. "One of the best teams in the country, if not the best team in the country."
Tommy Lloyd has leaned into youth with this team, and it has served him well so far. But as the stage gets bigger, the lights get brighter.
While Arizona has three freshman starters, Purdue has three starters who have already played in a national championship game. Will that experience matter today with a trip to the Final Four on the line?
"I think having that experience what it takes to be there before, I think it helps... having a core group of guys that have done it, we're able to obviously help these guys out," Purdue guard Braden Smith said. "But at the same time they're also very skilled basketball players and also understand what it takes to win high-level games to get to that point."
Arizona's run to the Elite Eight has been less dramatic. The Wildcats blitzed Arkansas, 109-88, in the Sweet 16 as freshman duo Brayden Burries (23 points) and Koa Peat (21 points) did the heavy lifting.
Today's winner is headed to Indianapolis (a short drive down I-65 for the Boilermakers) for the Final Four. Here's what you need to know about today's Elite Eight showdown, including predictions and how to watch.
HIT FRESH FOR UPDATES.
Arizona vs Purdue basketball live score
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What time is Purdue vs Arizona in Elite 8?
Time: 8:49 p.m. ET, Saturday, March 28.
What channel is Purdue vs Arizona? How to watch, streaming info
The game is airing on TBS/truTV, streaming via Sling TV.
The Wildcats lost two games in a five-day span in February by a total of seven points to NCAA Tournament teams — one in overtime. To become the third team to join that club, Purdue must rebound and defend at a higher level than it did Thursday night. Arizona is a monster, but the last time the Boilermakers took the floor against one of those teams — Michigan, in the Big Ten Tournament championship — they won. Purdue's season always pointed toward some version of this game. Winning may require the best collective performance this group has put together.
Purdue's record in track meets this season isn't great. Purdue can't afford any defensive lapses or Arizona might make the Boilermakers have to score 100 to win. If you're rooting for Purdue, you hope it got its bad shooting night out of the way against Texas. Even if Purdue shoots well, it might not matter. Arizona might be the most complete team in the NCAA Tournament.
∎ Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Arizona 82, Purdue 77
Purdue hasn't lost in the postseason, a run that includes the Big Ten Tournament title. But, Arizona, winner of 12 straight, is playing at another level. Jaden Bradley will have a big game for Arizona as the Wildcats advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2001.
John Leuzzi: Arizona
Jordan Mendoza: Arizona
Ehsan Kassim: Arizona
Austin Curtright: Arizona
Moneyline: Arizona (-275); Purdue (+220)
Spread: Arizona (-6.5)
Over/under total: 153.5
Arizona will reach Final Four if...
John Leuzzi: It sticks to what got them to the Elite Eight: Winning in the paint.
Jordan Mendoza: it controls the tempo of the game with its physicality.
Ehsan Kassim: The Wildcats can limit Purdue inside
Austin Curtright: It keeps Purdue's shooting in check.
Purdue will reach Final Four if...
John Leuzzi: Be the more physical team inside the paint and knock down 3-pointers. Foul trouble too.
Jordan Mendoza: the 3-point shot comes back.
Ehsan Kassim: It dominates inside and puts the early pressure on Arizona
Austin Curtright: Someone other than Fletcher Loyer heats up from 3-point range.
When was last time Arizona went to Final Four?
It's been 25 years since the Wildcats last reached the Final Four in 2001.
“You hear rumblings of it all the time,” Wildcats forward Tobe Awaka told USA TODAY Sports.
“The collective joy it would give our community, it would be more special than just the win by itself,” said Wildcats coach Tommy Lloyd.
Lloyd was asked about the opening in Chapel Hill at Wednesday's press availability ahead of Thursday's Sweet 16. Here's what he said:
"I already have one of the best jobs in the country. One thing we talk about in our program all the time, and I think I've gotten better at, and I think our team has been crushing it this year, is just the ability to have full focus and be present in the moment.
"So I think we have a great team. I think we have a chance to advance in this tournament game by game. But I'm not delusional. I know we could lose tomorrow.
"But this team deserves my full focus, so there's not one thing that is going to knock me off my path. I'm 100 percent focused on Arizona basketball and this program, and I can't wait until the ball gets thrown up tomorrow, and then can't wait to try to figure out a way to come out on top."
Braden Smith breaks Bobby Hurley NCAA assists record
Smith finished the game with 1,083 career assists in his four-year career with the Boilermakers. Purdue fans at the game gave Smith a standing ovation for the achievement.
Smith told USA TODAY Sports ahead of the tournament he was "ready to just get it over with" so he could put all of the attention toward winning Purdue's first national championship. Now with that in hand, the decorated guard can go for the two goals he had for his senior season.
"That's one of the reasons I came back, was to win and to get the record," he said. "Obviously, wanted to do it at a place that I've been for the three years prior. For me, just to be around a great bunch of guys and obviously great coaching staff, and do it with them, I think it makes it more special."
Matt Painter March Madness record
Matt Painter has a 27-17 career record in the NCAA Tournament. This is his 18th trip to March Madness, 17th with Purdue (he led Southern Illinois to the NCAA Tournament before becoming Purdue's coach-in-waiting).
Is LeBron James' son on Arizona roster? Does he play?
Bryce James, LeBron's son, is on the Wildcats roster. The freshman is redshirting this season. Bryce was a three-star recruit out of Sierra Canyon, where brother Bronny James also attended,
Koa Peat 2026 NBA Draft, mock draft prediction
No. 19 overall to Miami Heat
Kalbrosky's Analysis:
The Miami Heat have drafted several prospects known for their athleticism, which means a player like Arizona forward Koa Peat will probably have some appeal to their organization. Peat is an ideal match for this franchise given his versatility as a playmaking forward. The All-Big 12 forward just needs a jumper to carve out regular minutes as a high-impact pro. Arizona plays at a significantly faster pace (4.6 extra possessions) when Peat is on the floor relative to when he is not, per CBB Analytics, which would fit very well with Miamis fastest-paced offense in the NBA.
Brayden Burries 2026 NBA Draft, mock draft prediction
No. 10 overall to Milwaukee Bucks.
Kalbrosky's Analysis:
Arizona freshman Brayden Burries had two breakout games in January, which helped solidify his draft stock. But the All-Big 12 guard has continued to display his tantalizing talent, scoring 31 points with seven rebounds and five steals against Colorado on March 7 and 20 points with 12 rebounds and five assists during a victory against No. 14 Kansas on Feb. 28. Burries has proven productivity and that he is able to defend, relocate, move the ball and make 3-pointers off the dribble.
The San Antonio Spurs can clinch no worse than the Western Conference’s No. 2 playoff seed with a victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in an afternoon matinee game on Amazon.San Antonio is heavily favored with a moneyline of -2500, while Milwaukee is at +1100.
How to watch San Antonio Spurs vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Mar 27, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) dribbles against Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images | Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Hawks fell to defeat to the Boston Celtics on Friday night — 109-102 — at TD Garden. Jalen Johnson led the Hawks in scoring with 29 points with CJ McCollum adding 21 points. For the Celtics — without Jaylen Brown — Payton Pritchard scored 36 points, and Jayson Tatum added 26 points.
Much is made by those among general NBA circles of the schedule the Hawks have played since the All-Star break, and this contest in Boston certainly represented a great opportunity for the Hawks to measure themselves against one of the Eastern Conference favorites (even without Brown).
The Hawks got off to a great start, running out to a 25-9 start behind strong play from Johnson (scoring 12 first quarter points), but towards the end of the first quarter the Hawks’ second unit couldn’t continue the Hawks’ hot start as the Celtics recovered from their early deficit to just three points by the end of the first quarter.
A balanced scoring effort in the second quarter saw the Hawks maintain their lead heading into the locker-room, but the third quarter saw a shift in the game’s momentum. Initially, the Hawks looked as though they were about to re-establish their double-digit lead, pushing their lead back to eight points with 8:30 remaining in the third — and leading to a Boston timeout.
What followed after this timeout was one of the defining stretches of the game, as the Celtics went on a 9-0 run to re-take the lead — a lead the Hawks would re-take themselves very briefly after this run, but never again for the remainder of the game.
Sam Hauser gets the run going as he comes off the screen — gaining separation from CJ McCollum — and receives the hand-off from Neemius Queta, and Hauser rises into the three:
Onyeka Okongwu, I think, played this as well as he could have, covering off the immediate threat of Hauser shooting an open three before McCollum recovers, while also savvy of the threat of Queta on the roll. McCollum could, perhaps, contest this shot better, but Hauser’s height is one of his advantages when it comes to his shooting.
In reply, the Hawks get an open shot through Johnson after the ball screen from Dyson Daniels, but when the three is missed by Johnson, and the Celtics push in transition through Pritchard and Derrick White. After the give-and-go, Pritchard pulls up for three:
After another missed three from Johnson, Pritchard uses the off-ball Queta screen, receives the ball, and hits another three-pointer after a much better contest from McCollum:
“I feel like we could have done better,” said Jalen Johnson when asked of the third quarter shot selection. “I feel like I could have taken better shots to put us in a better position, but we’re not going to be perfect the whole game…”
“They had the one stretch where they hit some threes and just rattled it,” added Hawks head coach Quin Snyder of the third quarter. “I thought we were better offensively than the score indicated. There was a couple stretches like that. You’re not going to hold a lead like we had the whole game. We responded, we competed. We’ve just got to play better.”
The Hawks’ superiority in this game was, essentially, extinguished in this run. Pritchard scored 13 of his 36 in the third quarter as the Celtics outscored the Hawks 32-22 in the period. While this 9-0 Celtics run wrestled the Hawks’ lead from under them in a matter of moments from the starting unit, the bench unit didn’t fare well towards the end of the period, and in the early exchanges in the fourth quarter.
A combination of poor shot selection and some solid Boston defense were factors in the Hawks falling further behind in the contest in the early stages of the fourth quarter, beginning with a high-screen from Jonathan Kuminga for McCollum, who gets downhill and thinks he has an opening with the defense back-pedaling only to be blocked by the recovering Walsh:
Off of the hand-off from Okongwu, McCollum tries to operate and rise behind the screen, only for another good contest from Walsh to deter McCollum, contributing to another miss:
Kuminga did not have a great first half, and the opening of the fourth quarter didn’t fare better. With the shot clock ticking under 10 seconds, Kuminga is faced by Baylor Scheierman and attempts to rise over him, and misses badly:
I understand the shot clock was beginning to reach critical point, but it’s still a bad shot — at least in execution — from Kuminga, and when he was wide open in the corner on the find from McCollum the result is another miss:
The Celtics didn’t score off of all of these misses, but it was more a case of the Hawks missing their chance to bring the lead down before the rest of the starters returned. The Celtics would soon take their lead to double digits for the first time in this game, and the Hawks faced an uphill battle for the remainder of the game. The Hawks got within four points with under three minutes to go, but against a team like the Celtics, on the road, that 11-point deficit in the fourth was too much to overcome.
There were…some interesting foul calls towards the end of the game that did not help their comeback cause. I thought the call on Alexander-Walker was fair; he clearly pushed off behind the play — it’s just not a play that is normally called for a foul behind the play for an offensive foul. The foul call on McCollum for the three Tatum free throws I think was a bit more dubious. Alas, the Hawks fall short in Boston by a margin of seven points in the end, shooting 29% in the fourth quarter (though, the Celtics did not fare much better; shooting 35% in the final frame).
After the game, on three separate occasions (twice unprompted) Jalen Johnson referenced some elements were ‘out of the Hawks’ control.’
“We’re not going to be cursing,” said Johnson postgame. “We’re not going to be on a win streak the whole year. How we’re playing these games, I know we’re just sticking to what we do best. That’s something we can continue to build on, despite the loss. I thought it was a really good game tonight, there were some things that are out of our control.”
“…There was just some things we just had to deal with as a group,” Johnson added in a separate answer. “Some things, like I said, were out of our control…”
When explicitly asked about what was out of the Hawks’ control, Johnson did not get detailed with his answer, replying, “Some things out of our control. Just how the basketball game goes sometimes.”
Johnson’s repetition of the elements outside of the Hawks’ control appeared to be a very clear reference to the officiating the Hawks felt went against them down the stretch. I don’t think all of the calls made were wrong, but I absolutely do not believe those calls would have been made in in Atlanta.
Of the aspects the Hawks could control, Quin Snyder was pleased with the opportunities the Hawks got down the stretch in this game but focused on the Hawks’ poor shooting efficiency from the field as a contributing factor to defeat.
“We were getting great looks,” said Snyder of the stretch play. “When you’re rebounding and shooting threes, we had layups that went in-and-out. To me, there were a few stretches when they got some offensive rebound put-backs, and they hit some shots. It’s going to be hard to win the game when you shoot 39% from the field is really what it comes down to. I thought we got some good looks and, frankly, to hold them to 35 threes and to defend the way we did, we just got to be a little better through a lot of things. I don’t think there’s one thing that’s going to really stand out that cost us the game. We’ve got to play better.”
What Snyder believed impacted the Hawks’ efficiency was a lack of spacing and finding each other off of drives. The Hawks talk often about ‘breaking the paint,’ and having their ‘eyes out’ on those drives; perhaps reflected in the Hawks’ 23 assists — far below their average.
“There were some times where we didn’t have our eyes out when we got into the paint,” said Snyder. “There were times also where our spacing did break down: those two things impact one another. When you’re not spaced, it’s hard to pass. When you get in the lane, you’ve kind of done your job. If you can get your eyes out, there’s a chance that we’re going to get something better.”
So, the Hawks dropped a game on the road in Boston against a top-tier playoff team — a bit unfortunate given that Brown was not part of the equation, so it wasn’t entirely reflective of a full-strength Boston-side. Bigger picture: it did give the Hawks a glimpse of their potential limitations come playoff time.
I think, firstly, defense is not this team’s main issue. The Hawks were able to get stops in the fourth quarter when it mattered. Their defense of Payton Pritchard was, at times, not brilliant in this game, but the defense was not the issue in this game. Again, without Jaylen Brown that isn’t entirely representative, but the Hawks’ defense has been excellent since the All-Star break.
The main problems are on the offensive end in the fourth quarter. When the Celtics clamped down, and moving and switching as they do — and the Hawks were chasing the game and needing buckets — Atlanta was very reliant on CJ McCollum to get the offense going. As was seen in the Detroit game that can work (though, offensive creation was difficult down the stretch in that game, too), but it is concerning just how reliant the Hawks were on McCollum, and when he shoots 8-of-20 from the field (and 2-of-7 in the fourth) that may be difficult to sustain postseason success against the better teams in the East.
McCollum has been a solid addition since his acquisition but compared to other leading guards on teams above the Hawks such as Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Jalen Brunson, Jaylen Brown, and Cade Cunningham…there is a disparity present in terms of offensive reliability in postseason situations. I can’t help but feel that the Hawks may be served with more Alexander-Walker shots (just four attempts) in the fourth quarter shots than McCollum (and 20 Alexander-Walker shots instead of just 12 for the whole game).
The other issue offensively is that Dyson Daniels is still going to be played off on the perimeter in the fourth quarter; and while he was aggressive and quick to burst/spin into the paint on perimeter catches, it remains the case that the Celtics clearly benefitted from playing off of him. Daniels’ usage percentage in the fourth was just nine percent, while McCollum’s was 33% — if teams are going to play off of Daniels in the postseason, then he needs to have the ball more often than he did last night in the fourth.
The other issue is the bench, which has to be better than it was last night in the postseason. Despite scoring six points and registering a minus+17 on the game, I actually thought Zaccharie Risacher was OK (though, 13 minutes played is a tough situation all around at this stage of the season). Jonathan Kuminga just has to play better: the Hawks actively rely on his scoring off the bench, and if they’re to have any postseason success he has to shoot better than 0-of-5 and take better quality shots when he does shoot. In contrast, Payton Pritchard stepped up for the Celtics last night, including beginning 6-of-6 from three before cooling off.
The Hawks were aware of the challenge in front of them last night, and the early playoff test it would represent both in environment and highlighting what the Hawks need to improve upon against playoff-calibre opponents
“On the margins, we’re going to be able to look and see the things that we need to do better,” said Snyder. “It’s across the board, but I think there will be some things that stand out and that’s the opportunity right there. It’s to get better and learn from it.”
“These are good teams,” added CJ McCollum. “Good opponents, hostile environments, and that’s what we need as we prepare. We need these types of moments, these types of games.”
A narrow-enough loss for the Hawks — there wasn’t much to separate the two sides: only one made three between the two sides, 19 made free throws apiece, similar number of assists, and similar points in the paint. The Hawks only committed four turnovers and scored 20 points off of the Celtics’ 16 turnovers, and the Celtics generated zero steals last night. The big disparity in their favor came in bench scoring — 55-18 — and field goal percentage, 39% versus 46%.
Atlanta played well overall, as Snyder alluded to, but it wasn’t enough to lift them over the Celtics on the road. That said, there will be plenty of takeaways internally as the Hawks continue to prepare for the postseason.
Next for the Hawks (41-33) is a home contest tonight against the Sacramento Kings (19-55). The Kings have an advantage on rest (having played a tight game against Orlando on Thursday) but the Hawks will be considered heavy favorites at home.
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - MARCH 6: Jacob deGrom #48 of the Texas Rangers participates in a throwing drill prior to a Spring Training game against the Seattle Mariners at Surprise Stadium on March 6, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Oklahoma City infielder Hyeseong Kim (6) catches a pop fly during the home opener Minor League baseball game between the Oklahoma City Comets and the El Paso Chihuahuas at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. | NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Dodgers minor league season officially started on Friday night, with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets losing to the Albuquerque Isotopes 3-1 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City.
Offense was at a premium on Friday, with the Comets’ only run coming after Hyeseong Kim led off the game with a single. An errant pickoff throw got Kim into scoring position, and Zach Ehrhard in his first Triple-A at-bat singled him home.
Kim played all nine innings at second base in the opener, and is expected to play multiple positions with Oklahoma City.
Ehrhard in the third inning also walked and stole second base. But like every other Comet on Friday, he did not score. Oklahoma City in the game managed only five singles to go with five walks.
Cole Irvin started the opener and walked five himself in his five innings. Four of those innings were scoreless, but a three-run second inning spoiled his night.
Player of the day
Paul Gervase followed Irvin on the mound and pitched two perfect innings of relief, with a pair of strikeouts.
Play of the game
Utility man Ryan Fitzgerald played third base on Friday, and turned in incredible double play to end the third inning.
Triple-A: In addition to pitcher José Rodríguez and first baseman Matt Gorski starting the season on the 60-day injured list, pitchers Yency Almonte, Nick Frasso, and Ryan Sublette, plus catcher Chuckie Robinson were all put on the 7-day injured list on Friday.
After a day off, the New York Mets will be back on the field to face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second game of their series. The Mets are favored with a moneyline of -175 and a spread of -1.5. Starting pitchers are Mitch Keller for the Pirates and David Peterson for the Mets.
British rider went off road after misjudging corner on Friday
Bone and ligament damage to his right knee and wrist
Tom Pidcock has been withdrawn from the Volta a Catalunya because of injuries sustained in a crash during the fifth stage on Friday. The British rider went off the road after misjudging a corner, suffering what he described as a “horror” crash down a ravine.
Although the Pinarello-Q36.5 rider was able to get back on his bike and complete the stage, after medical assessments with his team and also at hospital, it was determined Pidcock could not resume the race.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 27: Salvador Perez #13 of the Kansas City Royals hits a single against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning of the home opener at Truist Park on March 27, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
“We’ll go day to day with the catching, but Carter’s going to catch,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “He and Salvy are going to split — not evenly, 50-50, but game times, travel, the type of game one of them has to catch will dictate what happens the next day. And as far as hitting, [Jensen] will get DH reps as well. We think he’s a really good hitter, so we’re going to find ways to get him in the lineup.”
The Royals scored 84 fewer runs in 2025 than they did in 2024. A few of the above items already covered some ways they can close the gap.
But another? Their swing decisions.
It’s among the items hitting coach Alec Zumwalt and general manager J.J. Picollo mention most frequently. But the Royals swung at the sixth-fewest strikes in baseball — including swinging at the sixth-fewest meatballs — yet they had the ninth-highest chase rate
They had the lowest walk rate in the American League.
Doing more damage at the plate starts with using the pitches on which you can inflict the damage.
When I asked him in January about the Royals realizing along the way last year that they needed more veteran leadership, Picollo said he had put a lot of thought into that dynamic — especially when it comes to the young nucleus of Bobby Witt Jr., Pasquantino and Maikel Garcia.
“When you are getting into Year 3, 4 and 5 in the major leagues, at some point it’s your time,” he said. “Right now, Bobby, Vinnie, Maikel, it’s your time.”
“It was a strange night because we had to wait for some results and we were inside,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro recalled. “And do we stay? You know, there was a rain delay in one of the other games.”
Would you believe that the Royals have had four seasons in their history where their offense walked at least 9 percent of the time? Of course you would. The only thing unbelievable about that is that you might have expected it to be fewer than four times. For what it’s worth, the four times are 1973 (10.3%), 1975 (9.5%), 1972 (9.1%) and 1989 (9.0%). This group is one that I believe will join them.
Franchise temperature: 57 degrees. This feels like a good temperature for the Royals, who went into a period of rapid cooling after their contending rosters from the mid-2010s broke up. To the credit of J.J. Picollo and his staff, the Royals have curbed that decline and managed to settle in tepid waters. With a contention-worthy 26-man roster heading into 2026, they hope to wade a little closer to the warm sands of the shoreline ahead.
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 15: Tom Wilhelmsen #54 slides down the Home Run Slide into his teammates Brandon Maurer #37 and Charlie Furbush #41 of the Seattle Mariners during a visit to the MLB Fan Cave on May 15, 2013 at Broadway and 4th Street in New York City. (Photo by Thomas Levinson/MLB via Getty Images) | MLB via Getty Images
The Mariners won their first game of (hopefully) many, it’s a glorious Saturday and today our beLLoved LLinks master gets married! Ders has been writing here for 12 years, while also doing things like high school graduation, college graduation, broadcasting around the country, getting engaged and now, literally today, perhaps even at this very minute as you are reading, getting married. He is dedicated, thoughtful, warm and brilliant, and we are just so fortunate that he chooses to gift us with his time and energy day in and day out. Here’s to a lifetime of joy, a partnership that remains strong even when that joy flags and, of course, to many more links. We love ya!
Sometimes nostalgia halts progress or stifles creativity. Not so with The Late Innings Show, which features beloved former Mariners relievers Charlie Furbush and Tom Wilhelmsen. The first episode drops this weekend!
Mar 27, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) is introduced before a game against the Kansas City Royals on opening day at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
How great does it feels to win on Opening Day? Winning > Losing.
The Atlanta Braves blanked the Kansas City Royals in Atlanta last night, and in doing so, two prominent members of the organization moved up on some notable Braves and MLB leader boards.
When Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies took the field to start the game, his ninth consecutive Opening Day start at second base in his career with the Braves, he broke a tie with Glenn Hubbard for the most consecutive starts at second base in franchise history. (The last Braves player to start on Opening Day at second base? None other than “Dat Dude BP”, Brandon Phillips [AKA Mr. Jade Cargill].)
Albies wasn’t done with some notable Braves historical moments.
When he put the Braves on the board with a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning, he became eighth Brave all-time to record three or more career home runs on Opening Day.
That list is a who’s who of organizational legends: MLB and Braves Hall of Famers Eddie Mathews (7), Joe Torre (4), Andruw Jones (3) and Fred McGriff (3) as well as Braves Hall of Famers Brian McCann (3) and Dale Murphy (3). Future both-of-those-things Freddie Freeman also hit three with the Braves. (Hat-tip to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman for that information).
The two hits Albies had on the night also moved him past Torre into 23rd in hits all-time in Braves franchise history. He is nine games away from passing Torre for 27th in games played with the Braves. He’s also now tied with Johnny Logan for 20th for runs scored in franchise history.
Braves left-handed starting pitcher Chris Sale tossed six shutout innings on the way to picking up the win on Opening Day, ringing up six batters along the way. Those strikeouts brought his career total to 2,585 and moved him past Braves legend and inner circle Hall of Fame left-hander Warren Spahn to 30th place in MLB history.
Sale is 23 strikeouts away from passing another Hall of Fame left-hander, and former Brave pitcher, Tom Glavine.
One last Opening Day note, it was Austin Riley’s seventh-consecutive start at third base on Opening Day. That ties him with Chipper Jones and Bob Horner who both started seven consecutive times on Opening Day at third base for the Braves. That is the longest streak for a third-baseman while exclusively in Atlanta. A reminder, Chipper Jones’s overall Opening Day start streak included three seasons as the team’s starting left fielder.
Mathews started 15-consecutive times on Opening Day at third base with the Braves, but only the final year of his streak took place after the team moved to Atlanta.
If Riley can start the next three season at third base on Opening Day with Atlanta, he would become the first third baseman in franchise history to be the only starter at the position for every year in a decade.
COVERS INTEL:Witt posted an xSLG of .737 Friday night on the three fastballs he put into play.
