Oct 19, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Seattle Mariners pitcher Matt Brash (47) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh inning during game six of the ALCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Hello everyone!
The Mariners continued their run as the Cactus League’s sad sack losers, falling prey to the Rockies in an 11-7 slugfest. The good news is Matt Brash made his spring debut and appears to be on track for an Opening Day return.
If you were the Mariners, would you ever consider stretching Brash back out as a starter at any point? I highly doubt they’d consider it, to be clear — but would you?
In Mariners news…
In case you missed it, Bryce Miller exited a planned bullpen session as he felt some renewed discomfort in his oblique. The Mariners are not planning to shut him down from throwing at this time, but it seems unlikely he’ll be ready for Opening Day.
The Mariners announced their slate of new menu options at T-Mobile Park this summer. I’m jealous of all of you who live in the Seattle area and will get to try some of these delectables!
Former LL staffer Patrick Dubuque wrote about the Cal Raleigh-Randy Arozarena beef as if it were a Jane Austen novel in his latest post for Baseball Prospectus. ($)
Miles Mastrobuoni’s run with the upstart Italian squad appears to be at an end.
Italy infielder Miles Mastrobuoni is leaving the team after tonight to return back to the Seattle Mariners camp after injuring his calf muscle in their game against USA.
The dream tourney run for Team Italy rolled on with an easy 9-1 victory over Mexico, punching their ticket to the next round and securing the U.S. a spot there too.
Team Canada is advancing to the quarterfinal for the first time ever after a 7-2 win against Cuba gave them the top seed out of Pool A.
The Dominican Republic continued its dominant run in the tournament with a 7-5 win over a talented Venezuela squad, giving the DR the top seed out of Pool D.
For Team Venezuela, the World Baseball Classic is giving the team’s players a reason to celebrate and hope during a time of political upheaval.
Ian Cundall at Baseball America listed ten pitching prospects with intriguing velocity increases this spring, with Ryan Sloan headlining the bunch. ($)
Congratulations to fellow LL staffer Ryan Blake, who is now a contributor over at Fangraphs! In his first piece, he wrote about the slow, sad death of Mike Trout’s career amidst the apathetic Angels.
Ben Clemens at Fangraphs wonders how long it will be until someone other than Aaron Judge is the best hitter in the sport.
10 Oct 1996: Batter Darryl Strawberry of the New York Yankees swings to hit the ball during their 5-4 win over the Boston Orioles in their American League Championship Series game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx in New York, New York. Mandatory Credit: Si | Getty Images
There are many players to grace a professional baseball diamond who have also had controversy overtake their careers in Major League Baseball. Some have put on a Yankees uniform at different times in their careers, and some have even had their Hall of Fame chances ruined because of said off-field issues.
Darryl Strawberry’s career is no different, and while he didn’t spend the majority of his time in MLB donning white and navy pinstripes, he still made an impact for the Yankees during their glory ’90s years. But his terrific tenure in The Show also came with a large elephant in the room.
Strawberry didn’t have the easiest childhood, as his father Henry was abusive to both him and his mother, Ruby. The police took Henry away when Darryl was 10, and he soon flourished as an up-and-coming athlete in the LA area. He excelled at baseball, basketball, and football, and would sign a letter of intent to play college baseball at Oklahoma State University. That all changed when his star was so bright that the New York Mets selected him with the first overall pick in the 1980 MLB Draft.
It took three seasons for Strawberry to reach the Mets roster, and he was already receiving otherworldly comparisons. He debuted against the Reds on May 6, 1983, when the just-turned 21-year-old went 0-for-4 with two walks and a stolen base in a 7-4 Mets win. From there, the 6-foot-6, 190-pound outfielder’s extensive career was off and running.
Strawberry’s first season in the majors was a success, as he imposed his will on opposing pitchers. He played in 122 games for the Mets and slashed .257/.336/.512 for an OPS+ of 134, smashing 26 home runs along the way. He won the National League Rookie of the Year Award with 18 of 24 first-place votes.
While Strawberry’s sophomore season wasn’t quite as dominant, he was still good enough to earn an All-Star nod, the first of eight-straight in his career. In 1985, he hit a career-high (to that point) 29 home runs and posted a career-high .947 OPS, but after tearing ligaments in his thumb while making a catch during a game, he missed a significant chunk of the Mets’ season and played only 111 games.
The Mets of 1986 were a juggernaut. There’s no other way to say it. And Strawberry was one of the heads of the beast, alongside catcher Gary Carter, first baseman Keith Hernandez, and Straw’s fellow young star, ace Dwight Gooden. In 136 games, he slashed .259/.358/.507 for an OPS+ of 139 and hit 27 home runs for his fourth straight season of 25+ bombs, good for an All-Star nod and a Mets franchise record 108 wins for the team. Strawberry played in 13 postseason games between the NLCS against the Astros and the infamous World Series against the Red Sox, recording multiple clutch hits, including a major home run in Game 3 of the NLCS and another in Game 7 of the World Series. He was a champion already at 24 years old, but he also already had a drug problem.
Strawberry’s best individual seasons came from 1987 to 1991. In 1987, he finished the year with a 5.5 fWAR, the second-highest of his career. He joined the 30/30 Club with 39 homers and 36 steals, tallied 104 RBI’s, and finished with a .981 OPS. All of this resulted in finishing sixth in the National League MVP voting, and in 1988, Strawberry hit a league-leading 39 home runs again with a league-leading .545 slugging percentage and .911 OPS. He also registered 101 RBI’s and was the NL MVP runner-up, only trailing Kirk Gibson of the Dodgers (who dispatched the Mets in a six-game NLCS). He also took home his first of two Silver Slugger awards in his career.
Following a 1989 campaign that saw another All-Star appearance (but a downgrade compared to his previous two years), Strawberry’s 1990 output was revitalized, bashing 37 home runs, tallying a career-high 108 RBI’s, and a career-high 6.5 fWAR. He finished third in NL MVP voting and was awarded another Silver Slugger. And 1990 was also the final season he would don a Mets uniform. In the offseason, he went on to sign a five-year $22.25 million contract with his hometown Dodgers, and while his 1991 season was still above average, it was the start of the downturn of a once-great power-hitter’s career.
In 1992 and 1993, Strawberry played a combined 75 games for the Dodgers and was released in 1994 by the team after failing to show up to a game. He then joined the Giants for the year, where he only played in 29 games.
Strawberry was suspended at the beginning of the 1995 season after testing positive for cocaine. Yankees owner George Steinbrenner decided to see what he had left, and Strawberry joined New York’s other team as a lefty DH/bench option. He posted a 112 OPS+ as the Yankees snapped their 14-year playoff drought with a Wild Card spot, but he got just two at-bats in the ALDS loss to Seattle and remained unsigned for the entire offseason.
Although that could have been the end of Strawberry’s life in baseball, he found new life in an unlikely locale. Given a shot with the Northern League’s St. Paul Saints, he obliterated Indy ball to such a preposterous degree—a .435 average and 18 homers in 29 games—that Steinbrenner couldn’t resist. He ended up re-signing with the Yankees in July 1996 and soon became the primary left fielder for the eventual champions.
Strawberry had a three-homer game, walked off the White Sox with the 300th bomb of his career, and while he was up-and-down in the playoffs, he slugged a trio of homers to help dispatch the Orioles in the ALCS.
Strawberry helped lead the Yankees to three World Series titles during his time in the Bronx, and also struck up a friendship with budding star Derek Jeter. Despite the limited playing time—outside of 1998, when he played 101 games and hit 24 home runs—he posted some excellent numbers in pinstripes and was beloved in that clubhouse. Strawberry’s career slash line of .255/.362/.502 and 119 OPS+ in 239 games was more than good enough to be an above-average piece off the bench.
In ’98, Straw even turned the cool trick of getting two pinch-hit grand slams in the same season.
For everything that happened in Strawberry’s turbulent life, he also always maintained that memorable buggy-whip swing.
Strawberry was unable to join the Yankees’ World Series run in ’98, as he was diagnosed with colon cancer in the middle of the ALDS. He recovered and prepared for the ’99 campaign before his old demons struck again. He was arrested for possession of cocaine and soliciting an undercover cop posing as a prostitute. MLB suspended him 140 days and he did not return to the Yankees until the final months of the season. Strawberry showed little signs of rust, hitting .327 in 24 games and belting apair of key playoff homers as the Yanks repeated as champions.
Strawberry’s off-field drug issues continued. He tested positive for cocaine in February 2000 while attending spring training. Commissioner Bud Selig demanded Strawberry leave the team while waiting for a decision on the suspension length. After the test news came out, Selig announced that Strawberry would be suspended for the entire 2000 campaign, and, as a result, his MLB career was over. It was a celebrated one, featuring four World Series titles, a Rookie of the Year, two Silver Sluggers, and eight All-Star nods. But for many fans, it felt like he left a lot on the table, too.
The first few years after Strawberry’s retirement were a journy through the wilderness and multiple more arrests. Thankfully, he did eventually find sobriety, and it has reportedly lasted over two decades. The Mets just retired his No. 18 in 2024, and he’s often attended Yankees Old-Timers’ Days and team reunions. Here’s wishing Darryl a happy 64th birthday.
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
JUPITER, FL - MARCH 06: New York Mets infielder Marcus Semien (10) prepares to catch the ball and tag out Miami Marlins infielder Maximo Acosta (24) at second base during a MLB spring training game at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on March 6, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
When the 2025 season ended, there was a narrative espoused by the Mets’ front office that one of the goals of the offseason was to focus on run prevention. This narrative more or less went out the window with the signing of Jorge Polanco and Bo Bichette, but the concept endures in the trade of Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers in exchange for Marcus Semien.
The deal was a palatable one for both sides because it was a swap of contracts that have not aged well, and for players who filled organizational needs for their new teams. Semien, the reigning American League Gold Glove winner at second base, is entering his fifth year of a seven year, $175 million deal. His deal has two fewer years remaining on it than Nimmo’s does. His story is a well-known one: a former shortstop who excelled defensively when he switched to second and who, after a few boffo offensive seasons, has cooled off with the bat considerably.
All of that somewhat belies what a useful player Semien still is. Over his past two seasons, he ‘s been worth 7.4 bWAR with an OPS+ of 103 and 97, respectively. Obviously, much of his value came from his defensive skills, but he was still the 13th most valuable second baseman in baseball last year. And while, yes, Semien is entering his age 36 season, he’s just three years removed from a season when he came in third place in the AL MVP voting and when he slugged 29 home run and 100 RBIs. It wasn’t his best season (that would be 2019’s 8.4 bWAR season), but it was a very valuable one.
But let’s pretend that 2025 is more where he is offensively for the last three years of his contract with the Mets. If he can provide quality defense up the middle and hit 15ish home runs while playing just about every day, the Mets’ offense should be able to more than carry him at the bottom of the lineup. That’s still a trade the Mets likely make, even if Semien isn’t quite who he used to be.
But the change of scenery, protection in the lineup, and his underlying skills could come together in another 2022 season for Semien. And if it does, the Mets’ lineup will be truly formidable.
Even now, years later, it still visits me in dreams — the slow chopper that turns into a barehand play; the diving backhand deep in the hole; the thrill of a perfectly timed double play. Shortstop lives at the heart of the diamond. Every ground ball feels like it might find you. Every pop fly is yours to claim. You call teammates off, direct the rhythm of the infield, and for a moment, you feel like the quiet general of the defense.
When I had to move to second base in college, it was devastating. Shortstop wasn’t just a position I played — it was the one I loved.
Because I played shortstop, those were always the players I watched the closest. Luckily for Rockies fans, there have been some excellent ones to watch over the years — from Troy Tulowitzki’s all-around brilliance to Trevor Story’s power and athleticism.
This is a snapshot of where the Rockies’ shortstop position stands entering 2026 — anchored by Tovar’s elite defense and shaped largely by what happens if he isn’t on the field.
At a glance
The Rockies’ outlook at shortstop rests on two pillars:
Elite defense. Tovar is already one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball.
Volatile offense. His aggressive swing decisions create both upside and inconsistency.
Tovar enters the 2026 season at 24 years old (turning 25 on Aug. 1) and looks to be the long-term answer at shortstop in Colorado.
His breakout season came in 2024, when he led the National League with 45 doubles, hit 26 home runs, and won a Gold Glove. That performance cemented his reputation as a cornerstone defender and one of the most dynamic young players on the roster.
Defense remains the foundation of Tovar’s value. According to Statcast, he recorded 15 Outs Above Average at shortstop in both 2023 and 2024, placing him among the elite defenders at the position. Even in a shortened 2025 season, he still produced 3 OAA, continuing to provide positive defensive value.
That 2025 campaign was limited to 95 games due to a hip injury in April and an oblique strain in June, which helps explain the offensive regression. But even in that abbreviated season, the underlying plate-discipline metrics moved slightly in the right direction.
Tovar’s offensive profile is defined by aggression. In 2025 he posted a 41.1% chase rate and a 60.7% swing rate, both dramatically higher than MLB averages (28.4% and 47.3%). That approach limits walks and can create streakiness at the plate.
However, there were encouraging signs beneath the surface. His walk rate improved from 3.3% in 2024 to 5.4% in 2025, while his strikeout rate dropped from 28.8% to 25.1%. They are small steps, but meaningful ones for a hitter whose biggest developmental hurdle is swing decisions.
The raw power is also real. Statcast measured Tovar’s average exit velocity at 88.8 mph in 2024 and 89.4 mph in 2025, with a maximum exit velocity of 112.5 mph. Those numbers support the “sneaky pop” profile Rockies fans have already seen when he’s locked in.
Another encouraging indicator is Tovar’s contact quality. Statcast’s Launch Angle Sweet-Spot percentage (LA Sweet-Spot %) tracks how often a hitter produces launch angles between 8° and 32°, the range most associated with productive contact. Tovar ranked in the 90th percentile in this metric, suggesting that when he squares the ball up, the underlying contact profile supports his potential for continued power production.
The Rockies clearly believe in him. Tovar is signed through 2030 with a club option for 2031, a deal that could look increasingly team-friendly if his offensive game continues to evolve.
Across projection systems, the expected range generally falls between about 2.1 and 3.1 WAR, reflecting both the stability of his defensive value and the uncertainty surrounding his offensive approach.
That defensive floor is important. Statcast’s Fielding Run Value credits Tovar with 13 defensive runs in 2023, 16 in 2024, and 3 in 2025, reinforcing the idea that even during a down year he remains a positive contributor in the field.
But if the approach at the plate continues trending in the right direction — fewer chase swings, a few more walks, and continued gap power — the upside grows considerably. That’s where the All-Star conversation begins to enter the picture.
Depth Behind Tovar
Shortstop depth in the Rockies organization largely revolves around Tovar staying healthy.
Behind him, the options are mostly contingency plans rather than clear everyday alternatives.
Ryan Ritter – Ritter has the athleticism and defensive ability to play shortstop, though questions about his offensive consistency remain. He has already filled in during past Tovar absences but currently profiles best as depth or a utility option. Ritter’s defensive ability is far ahead of his offense at this point, but Ritter is absolutely destroying the ball this spring.
Willi Castro– Signed to a two-year deal before the 2026 season, Castro provides versatility across the diamond and could handle shortstop in short stretches if needed. Castro has tallied over 1,200 innings at short in his big league career to mixed results.
Nicky Lopez (NRI) – A glove-first veteran invited to spring training as a non-roster player. If he makes the club, it would likely be as a defensive specialist capable of covering shortstop late in games.
Cole Carrigg (No. 4 PuRP) – Carrigg is currently playing shortstop for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic, a valuable opportunity to continue developing the position. Within the Rockies system, however, he is viewed more as a multi-position athlete than a long-term major league shortstop.
The broader point is simple: If Tovar misses significant time, the Rockies’ defensive stability up the middle takes a noticeable hit.
In the Pipeline
At the top of the Rockies’ shortstop prospect ladder sits Ethan Holliday (No. 2 PuRP), one of the organization’s most exciting prospects and the fourth-overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. The son of former Rockies star Matt Holliday, he enters the system with enormous offensive upside. The main question is whether he remains at shortstop long term or eventually shifts to third base.
Beyond Holliday, the shortstop pipeline is still developing rather than overflowing with top-tier talent. Ashly Andujar (No. 20 PuRP), a young switch-hitting infielder signed out of the Dominican Republic, has shown strong bat-to-ball skills and defensive instincts in the lower minors but still needs to add strength as he climbs the ladder.
Other names deeper in the system include Andy Perez and Dyan Jorge. Each shows defensive potential at shortstop but remains far from the major leagues.
For the foreseeable future, the Rockies’ stability at shortstop depends on Tovar holding down the middle of the diamond.
The Big Picture
There is a lot of weight on Tovar’s shoulders, but he doesn’t need to be a superstar.
His defense already provides a valuable foundation. If the plate discipline continues to inch forward and the power remains part of his profile, Tovar could develop into one of the better all-around shortstops in the National League.
But he doesn’t have to reach those heights to be integral to the Rockies.
If he simply continues progressing — staying healthy, refining the approach, and anchoring the defense — Ezequiel Tovar can be exactly what the Rockies need him to be: A steady force through the rebuild, and a core piece of the next winning team in Colorado.
DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 7: Manager A.J. Hinch #14 of the Detroit Tigers, along with bench coach George Lombard #26 and pitching coach Chris Fetter #52 watch from the dugout during the ninth inning of a 7-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays at Comerica Park on August 7, 2022, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Over the last five years, we’ve written often about the outstanding job A.J. Hinch and his staff does in terms of getting the most out of a good, but far from dominant roster. From pinch-hitting, to bullpen usage, to creativity when things go wrong, to details like taking the extra base, the Tigers continue to do a lot of little things right to paper over weaknesses and play to their strengths. Sports Info Solutions gave us another example in an article written by Mark Simon on Monday.
Sports Info Solutions provides data and analysis to teams in many different sports, and has been a leader in that field over the last decade in particular. They are the creators of the defensive runs saved (DRS) metric used by FanGraphs and many other sites to evaluate team and player defense. And the defensive metrics on the Tigers the past two seasons are fairly eye-opening.
In 2024, the Tigers were a combined negative four defensive runs saved if you add up each players” individual DRS numbers. Yet the team was plus 40 in defensive runs saved in defensive positioning, far outweighing the modest collection of defenders’ actual ability.
In 2025? The Tigers were a negative 11 runs saved on defense individualy. And yet their positioning saved 47 runs, for a net +36 runs saved. Pretty impressive.
Defensive runs saved, on a player by player basis, functions much like Statcast’s outs above average. Each play made or not made is judged by where the fielder is on the field at contact, how fast the ball is moving and its trajectory, figuring the most direct intercept point, and judging difficulty of plays by those means. However, DRS also visually grades plays so that unique factors, like a baserunner crossing in front of a defender and blocking their view momentarily, the ball changing direction or off of the pitcher’s mound or the edge of the infield grass, and other factors that the raw data can’t pick up, can be taken into account. Statcast is much more straightforward. The ball was hit to this spot, this hard, and did the fielder take a good route, have the range to get to the spot, and did they make the play cleanly.
Defensive statistics are never going to be perfect, and their are valid arguments for both DRS and OAA. Still, actual defensive value is tricky to evaluate, particularly when you don’t have several years worth of data. Personally I tend to just rough it out between them, figuring that somewhere between each number is likely closest to the truth.
The difference here is that Statcast doesn’t issue a positioning metric for teams. Essentially, Sports Info Solutions is adding another layer of defensive analysis by grading how close to where the ball is actually hit a given team’s fielders are over the course of a season. Teams that routinely position their defense best in accordance with each individual hitters’ tendencies, have the advantage of being in a better starting position to make each given play.
I’m simplifying the whole methodology here, so if you’d like to learn more, read the full article here, with notes on individual players. You can go deeper and check out Sports Info Solutions numerous articles on the topic on their site, though they keep their full methodology under wraps.
Of course, this isn’t solely about George Lombard and Joey Cora positioning their fielders in accordance with the opposing teams’ spray charts produced by the Tigers’ analytics department. There’s also the component of getting the hitter to hit the ball where you want it to go, or to strike out. This is a group effort that also leans heavily on Chris Fetter’s game-planning and pitch sequencing acumen, and translating all that to his catchers to call the game.
Fetter and his staff’s ability to combine pitching strategy and defensive positioning to exploit hitter tendencies was a big part of his work with the Michigan Wolverines, and it’s part of the secret sauce that made him a sought after coach at the major league level. A.J. Hinch and the Tigers did well to land him, and as we’ve seen, the Tigers results often seem better than the raw pitching talent they’ve had over the last five seasons. This despite the fact that outside of Tarik Skubal and a few others, they haven’t actually made that many young pitchers radically better in isolation.
What’s interesting about these results, is that they suggest that the Tigers can make average defenders play like above average ones by positioning them better and getting the ball hit to that position more regularly. You might grade negative in DRS, but if you’re routinely being positioned closer to spot you need to be to make a play, the team is in good shape even if your individual defensive grades aren’t actually good. The plays you’re required to make are just made easier from the start.
Managers often talk about putting their players in the best position to succeed, but Hinch and his coaching staff have taken this very literally, to the Tigers’ benefit.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 18: Alex Cora #13 of the Boston Red Sox makes a call to the bullpen in a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on July 18, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s pitching preview time, ladies and gentlemen. Over the next several days, I’ll be writing 10,000 words or so about everyone you might see pitching for the Red Sox to start the season.Last time, we took a look at the primary middle relief options. Today, we’re talking about the last part of the bullpen: the lefties.
The left-handed relief group is lacking depth. Aroldis Chapman is the only southpaw in the bullpen with significant MLB experience, and he’ll handle the ninth inning almost exclusively. Patrick Sandoval could also figure into the mix here, but that will probably be in a long relief role to keep him stretched out for a spot start, if necessary. Past that, there aren’t many veterans in the mix.
While the three-batter minimum has changed the role of lefty reliever, it’s still a unique one. Oftentimes, you’re being called on to clean up someone else’s mess. Recent rule changes mean that these pitchers need to be able to get both sides of the plate out, though matching up with pockets of left-handed hitters is still their primary responsibility. The group isn’t very deep, so don’t be surprised to see an addition before the season begins.
Jovani Moran
Jovani Moran is in pole position to win the spot as the first lefty out of the bullpen, which is somewhat terrifying. Moran threw four innings in the majors last season; before that, he hadn’t pitched in the majors since 2023. Fortunately, while the track record of success isn’t there, there’s plenty to like about what Moran brings to the table.
Moran’s best season came all the way back in 2022. He posted a 2.21 ERA over 40 2/3 innings with a 33% strikeout rate and 11% walk rate. He was effective against both sides of the plate, but his stats against righties were slightly stronger. It’s thanks to his changeup, which has posted swinging strike rates over 20% in each of his four big league seasons. He keeps the ball down well, which prevents hard contact, though the lone zone rate contributes to his high walk rate. His four-seam fastball has a flat shape and is thrown with seven feet of extension, which led to decent swing and miss numbers, though righties didn’t expand the zone frequently. It’s up to 94 mph in Spring Training, and it will play well if he can locate it at the top of the zone.
Against lefties, it’s a similar story. Both his changeup and his fastball created whiffs, but the four-seam didn’t get hitters to chase. He mixed in a slider as well, although it was almost never in the zone, so it didn’t help with his walk issue. He showed a cutter and a slider last year in the minors and in Spring Training, though he’s thrown 92% fastballs and changeups for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. He’s faced almost entirely righties and done a good job keeping his fastball up. He’s yet to allow a run over three innings, striking out one and walking two. He needs to be in the zone and limit walks, but the strikeout potential is enough to give him the inside track to the opening day roster.
Tyler Samaniego
Samaniego came over in the Johan Oviedo trade and is a really intriguing arm. Stop me if you’ve heard this before — he’s a big lefty with huge extension. He has different approaches against each side of the plate. Righties see a four-seam fastball with solid vertical movement from a low release that should be able to miss bats with solid command. It’s paired with a changeup that can induce whiffs when he spots it on the arm side. Lefties see sinkers with solid horizontal movement, and a slider that’s both in and out of the zone. His velocity and extension give him a solid floor, although the secondary pitches need to be honed in to reach his potential. He walked 7% of hitters in 38 minor league innings last season, a level of strike-throwing that will help him get to the big leagues.
Samaniego was late to get into a spring training game, but he’ll be ready to go for opening day. He’s on the 40-man roster, but he has options remaining, so he’s not a lock for the opening day roster. He’s probably next in line behind Moran for the leverage lefty spot in the bullpen.
Alec Gamboa
Gamboa is a non-roster invitee who throws from a straight over-the-top arm slot. He spent part of 2025 in the KBO, where he struck out 24.6% of hitters but walked 10.3%. He has a 94 mph four-seam and sinker, as well as a hard slider and a steep curveball. He was shut down for a few days with elbow soreness, however, and is on the outside looking in for the 26-man roster.
T.J. Sikkema
T.J. Sikkema is a soft-tossing lefty who worked as a starter for a recent Spring Training game. The lack of velocity limits his upside and makes it hard to find a spot for him as the matchup lefty, but he’s shown good command in camp. He’s spotted his sinker consistently on the arm side, allowing him to get strikes and weak contact. He’s also thrown his cutter to righties on the glove side regularly, although the lack of velocity makes it possible for them to get around it. He’s unlikely to find a spot besides a depth option to provide innings, but his command in camp has been impressive.
Jeremy Wu-Yelland
Jeremy Wu-Yelland was already reassigned to minor league camp, so he won’t be on the active roster to start the season. That doesn’t mean he won’t appear in a big league game this year, though.
Wu-Yelland is similar to other Red Sox pitchers in that he has a low release that helps create a flat approach angle on his four-seam fastball. He’s also very different due to the fact that he has less than five feet of extension. He has a unique delivery that allows him to hide the ball, although the cross-body style he employs sometimes leads to inconsistency in command. His walk rate was 8.5% last season over 45 innings at High-A and Double-A, so he appears to have a handle on it, but strike-throwing was an issue earlier in his career.
While he’s yet to reach Triple-A, his ability to punch hitters out has stood out in the low minors. Last season, his strikeout rate was over 37%. His fastball has touched 97 mph, and he also has a hard cutter/slider that he’s uses as a primary offering. His go-to breaking ball is a sweeper that he hasn’t quite found a feel for, but it contributed to that huge strikeout rate by missing bats. Wu-Yelland isn’t on the 40-man roster, so Samaniego is probably in front of him, as is Moran, but he isn’t that far down the totem pole and has a chance to debut this season.
Mitch Marner is one of the most dynamic and productive playmakers in the NHL.
His production is especially impressive on home soil, and my Penguins vs. Golden Knights predictions and NHL picks expect him to build on his totals tonight.
Penguins vs Golden Knights prediction
Penguins vs Golden Knights best bet: Mitch Marner Over 0.5 assists (-115)
Mitch Marner has 47 assists through 64 games, tying him with Cale Makar for 16th among all players in helpers.
He’s done his best work in Vegas. Marner has recorded an assist in 65% of his home games and 69% following one day of rest.
Marner has been skating with Pavel Dorofeyev, who leads the team in goals. Bruce Cassidy gave him further weaponry to work with last time out, shifting Tomas Hertl to join that unit as well.
With such strong finishers by his side, Marner is poised to produce against a Pittsburgh Penguins team that has allowed 16 goals over the last four games.
Penguins vs Golden Knights same-game parlay
The Vegas Golden Knights deploy Pavel Dorofeyev in favorable matchups at home, helping him make more happen offensively. He's averaged 2.9 shots on goal and managed a 61% Over rate in Vegas. He should get plenty of looks playing on a line with Marner.
Without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, the Penguins are likely to be overmatched against a very talented Golden Knights team desperate to get a win.
Penguins vs Golden Knights SGP
Mitch Marner Over 0.5 assists
Pavel Dorofeyev Over 2.5 shots
Golden Knights moneyline
Penguins vs Golden Knights odds
Moneyline: Penguins +130 | Golden Knights -150
Puck Line: Penguins +1.5 (-180) | Golden Knights -1.5 (+155)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+110) | Under 6.5 (-130)
Penguins vs Golden Knights trend
Mitch Marner has assists in seven of his last 10 home games after one day off. Find more NHL betting trends for Penguins vs. Golden Knights.
How to watch Penguins vs Golden Knights
Location
T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Date
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Puck drop
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
SportsNet Pittsburgh, Vegas 34
Penguins vs Golden Knights latest injuries
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.
Real Madrid left Erling Haaland marooned and picked off an unbalanced Manchester City in the Champions League
Pep Guardiola’s wry and serial observation is that only victory makes the head coach appear a sage of the tactical battle. If defeat is endured then, fair or not, it is open season on the man who lives and dies by results.
Cut to Wednesday’s 3-0 Champions League last-16 hammering of Manchester City by Real Madrid and Álvaro Arbeloa emanated a seer-like cool in the post-first leg briefings, while Guardiola was forced into explaining why he sent out a 4-2-2-2 that crumpled so easily before Federico Valverde, who scored a memorable first-half, 22-minute hat-trick.
It’s often said in the NHL that one of the toughest games to play is the first one back home after a long road trip. But the Ottawa Senators can’t really use that as an excuse in this case, because the Montreal Canadiens had their own challenges to deal with.
Most notably, Montreal was playing the second game of a back-to-back. Top goal scorer Cole Caufield missed the game due to illness, and the Canadiens started a rookie goaltender who hadn’t played an NHL game in almost two months and had only 10 games of NHL experience.
That rookie, Jacob Fowler, called up earlier in the day from Laval, made 32 saves to lead the Canadiens past the Senators 3–2 at Canadian Tire Centre on Wednesday night.
Ivan Demidov’s goal at 12:40 of the third period held up as the game-winner, snapping a 2–2 tie. It was one of the easier goals he’ll ever score. After a shot from Alex Newhook, Ottawa goaltender Linus Ullmark coughed up a perfect rebound. Demidov barged to the net and jammed the puck home.
The game got off to a controversial start in the opening minute. Dylan Cozens drove the puck to the net and bumped into Fowler, drawing a goaltender-interference penalty. Senators head coach Travis Green was livid about the call, and the Canadiens capitalized by scoring on the ensuing power play to take a 1–0 lead.
Ottawa responded with a pair of goals from Drake Batherson, though neither came in convincing fashion.
The first came during a goalmouth scramble. Batherson appeared to fan on his attempt to jam the puck into the net. As he recoiled, he accidentally pulled the puck back out, but not before it had barely crossed the goal line.
His second goal came after Claude Giroux made a great effort to keep a clearing attempt in at the blue line. Giroux fed the puck to Batherson, who cut to the net and tried to stuff it in. Tim Stützle arrived late and appeared to score, but replays showed Batherson’s stick blade was the last to touch the puck, giving him credit for the goal.
Montreal tied the game in the second period on a wraparound by Alex Texier. As Texier and Nik Matinpalo went behind Ottawa's net, Ullmark got his stick tangled up in Matinpalo's legs as the two skaters went behind the goal, which served two purposes: it gave Texier the separation he needed for the wraparound and pinned Ullmark’s stick against the post, preventing him from pushing across to pinch off the post. Ullmark attempted to do the splits instead, leaving plenty of room for the puck to sneak under his pads.
For the third time in four games, Ullmark posted a save percentage well below .900, stopping 20 shots (.870) on the night. Meanwhile, the rookie Fowler made 32 saves for a .941 and was there when the Canadiens needed him at the end.
With the goalie pulled, the Senators did everything they could except score. Fowler stopped at least three great chances in the dying seconds, including an unreal save on Claude Giroux, who had a ton of open net to shoot at.
The loss represents a huge four-point swing in the standings. A win would have brought Ottawa within five points of Montreal. Instead, the Canadiens are now all but out of reach, nine points ahead of the Sens with just 18 games remaining.
So the Senators' only real playoff hope now lies with the Wild Card. With 74 points, they must find a way to leapfrog two of the following teams to get back into the playoff picture: the Columbus Blue Jackets (76 points), the (WC2) Boston Bruins (78 points), or the (WC1) Detroit Red Wings (79 points).
Ottawa will try to regroup on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. when they host the Anaheim Ducks.
Interestingly, the Ducks currently lead the Pacific Division despite having only two more points than the Senators, a reminder of just how tough the Atlantic Division has been this season.
Steve Warne The Hockey News
This article was originally published at The Hockey News. For more Senators news, analysis, and features, visit the Ottawa Senators site at The Hockey News.
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 14: Quentin Grimes #5 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during the game against the Detroit Pistons during the 2025-26 Emirates Cup on November 14, 2025 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Sixers are coming off a feel-good victory, defeating the tanking Memphis Grizzlies 139-129 in a game where they were without Tyrese Maxey, Paul George and Joel Embiid. Now they’ll look to keep their playoff hopes alive in a much tougher game, traveling to Detroit to face the first-seeded Pistons.
As many know, the Pistons are having their best year in quite some time. They’ve already surpassed the 46-win mark, a feat they haven’t accomplished since the 2007-08 season. The tip of the spear is Cade Cunningham, who is firmly in the MVP mix and in the midst of a stellar season. On the year, Cunningham is averaging 25.1 points, 9.9 assists and 5.6 rebounds on 45.9/35/80.1 splits. Strong, well-rounded numbers for the former No. 1 overall pick.
But of course, with any winning team there are guys behind the guy, and the Pistons are no exception. Jalen Duren has been the other star beside Cade, developing into a double-double machine averaging 18.6 points and 10.6 rebounds on 63.1 percent shooting. Isaiah Stewart has also developed into a capable two-way player, one who can match up against most bigs and not only hold his own, but hit shots on the other end. Duncan Robinson has been strangely important for this team as a vital floor spacer. They also have no shortage of contributors, with Caris LeVert, Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland all offering a varying set of skills.
And of course, our old friends Paul Reed and Tobias Harris are there as well. For those curious, Harris has averaged 13.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists on 45.1/33/87.9 splits, while Reed has been excellent in a limited role, averaging 6.9 points and 4.5 rebounds on 60.1 percent shooting in 13.1 minutes per contest. Even beyond all of those guys, the Pistons have even more players capable of giving quality minutes. Between the star power of Cunningham and Duren and their depth, it’s easy to see why this team has won so many games.
The Sixers and Pistons have faced off twice this year, with the Pistons taking both games. With two matchups remaining, Philadelphia will look to split the season series before it’s all said and done.
Despite the slew of injuries, there has been some recent positives with this team. You just have to squint. Really hard. VJ Edgecombe is back and playing basketball, which is wonderful to see. A silver lining of the Sixers being decimated by injuries is that Edgecombe will have the ball a lot more, and will have to stretch out those playmaking skills. The Sixers have frankly asked him to do way too much for a 20 year old rookie, and he’s answered the call almost every time.
Beyond Edgecombe, Cameron Payne is coming off what might be the best game of his career. Payne put up 32 points, 10 assists, three rebounds and five stocks with zero turnovers, shooting a blistering 9-of-10 from the field and 8-of-8 from three. It would be unreasonable to expect that type of performance again, but Payne has quietly settled in nicely with the Sixers. It’s a shame we aren’t able to see his production alongside the bigger names.
Quentin Grimes has also picked things up as of late, coming off back-to-back double-digit performances.
Heading into this one, Maxey, Embiid, and George are all out, as expected. Kelly Oubre Jr., who was coming off one of his best games of the season, will also miss a few weeks with an elbow sprain, while Adem Bona is questionable due to back soreness. On the Detroit side, Thompson is out and LeVert is doubtful with a wrist sprain.
If the Sixers aren’t in free fall yet, they’re damn close. The margin for error is slim, and they’ll need everyone firing on all cylinders to get this W. Let’s see if they can pull off the impossible, or if this turns into yet another ugly one.
Game Details
When: Tuesday, March 12, 7:00 p.m. ET Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan Watch: Prime Video Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic Follow:@LibertyBallers
With a rough patch in the rearview mirror, the Los Angeles Lakers have found their groove as of late, and they’ll look to extend their current three-game win streak when they host the surging Chicago Bulls at Crypto.com Arena tonight.
Fresh off the best scoring performance of his career, I expect Matas Buzelis to stay hot on offense, and my Bulls vs. Lakers predictions call for him to hit the Over on his points prop as he and Josh Giddey keep Chicago within striking distance on the road.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this cross-conference showdown on Thursday, March 12.
Bulls vs Lakers prediction
Bulls vs Lakers best bet: Matas Buzelis Over 18.5 points (-112)
Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis posted a career-best 41 points on Tuesday, but I’m not chasing points after one big game. The second-year man has averaged 24 points across his last six outings, scoring 20+ in all five games in which he logged at least 30 minutes.
In 35 games with 30+ minutes, he’s averaged 19 points, compared to just a 12-point average in games with fewer than 30 minutes.
Buzelis averaged just 14.8 points across the first 50 games, but he’s averaged 19.4 in his last 14. The Los Angeles Lakers rank in the bottom third in defensive efficiency, giving Buzelis even more runway to clear this total.
Bulls vs Lakers same-game parlay
The Bulls are 12-8 ATS as the road dog and have covered the spread in four of their last five. The Lakers should win, but the spread is a tad high to bet against a visiting team that’s nearing full strength.
The Bulls and Lakers each sport Top-10 defensive ratings across their last eight games, and each team has hit the Under in eight of their last 10. The point total is set high enough to bet the Under as improved defenses collide.
Bulls vs Lakers SGP
Matas Buzelis Over 18.5 points
Bulls +11
Under 234.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Feelin' Giddey
Josh Giddey has averaged 18.5 rebounds+assists on the road this season, and he's averaged a whopping 21.8 across his last five games. Giddey has hit the Over on this line in 25 of 43 games overall, including 12 of 19 games on the road. Big games from him and Buzelis should keep the Bulls competitive tonight.
Bulls vs Lakers SGP
Matas Buzelis Over 18.5 points
Bulls +11
Under 234.5
Josh Giddey Over 15.5 rebounds + assists
Bulls vs Lakers odds
Spread: Bulls +11 (-110) | Lakers -11 (-110)
Moneyline: Bulls +450 | Lakers -600
Over/Under: Over 236 (-110) | Under 236 (-110)
Bulls vs Lakers betting trend to know
The Chicago Bulls have hit the Game Total Under in 30 of their last 50 games (+8.00 Units / 15% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Bulls vs. Lakers.
How to watch Bulls vs Lakers
Location
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Date
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Tip-off
10:30 p.m. ET
TV
CHSN+, Spectrum SportsNet
Bulls vs Lakers latest injuries
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 Orlando Magic will be looking to extend their win streak to six tonight as they face the Washington Wizards at the Kia Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
Paolo Banchero is torching his opponents right now, and my Wizards vs. Magic predictions are targeting him to make quick work of Washington.
Wizards vs Magic best bet: Paolo Banchero Over 23.5 points (-110)
Paolo Banchero is having a solid campaign, averaging 22.3 PPG across 54 games. While that’s down a bit from last season's 25.9 points, the Orlando Magic forward also played just 46 games last season.
March has been solid so far for the former first overall pick. He’s averaging 26.7 PPG, and Banchero has hit the Over in points in three straight contests.
The Duke product just dropped 25 on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. He also showed out for 35 on Sunday against the Milwaukee Bucks. Back on March 3, Banchero erupted for 37 against the lowly Washington Wizards as well.
Wizards vs Magic same-game parlay
Desmond Bane is also doing his thing offensively right now. He’s cashed the Over in points in two of his last three, and both of those outings were 30+ performances. He dropped 30 against Minnesota and then 35 on Wednesday versus Cleveland.
The TCU product also scored 25 against the Wizards at the beginning of the month.
Orlando beat Washington by 17 points in their last meeting, and they’ve covered tonight’s spread in two of the last three meetings.
The Wizards are in the midst of a nine-game losing skid, with their last two defeats finishing as blowouts. The Pelicans beat them by 20 before Bam Adebayo’s 83-point win propelled the Heat to a 21-point victory.
Wizards vs Magic SGP
Paolo Banchero Over 23.5 points
Desmond Bane Over 21.5 points
Magic -15
Our "from downtown" SGP: Bane Damage!
Bane has cashed the Over in dimes in two straight, dishing out 15 assists combined.
Wizards vs Magic SGP
Paolo Banchero Over 23.5 points
Desmond Bane Over 21.5 points
Magic -15
Desmond Bane Over 4.5 assists
Wizards vs Magic odds
Spread: Wizards +13.5 (-110) | Magic -13.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Wizards +754 | Magic -1200
Over/Under: Over 230 (-110) | Under 230 (-110)
Wizards vs Magic betting trend to know
The Orlando Magic have hit the 4Q Game Total Over in 21 of their last 30 games at home (+10.65 Units / 31% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Wizards vs. Magic.
How to watch Wizards vs Magic
Location
Kia Center, Orlando, FL
Date
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
MNMT, FDSN Florida
Wizards vs Magic latest injuries
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 Boston Celtics fell to the Spurs on Tuesday, and the road ahead only gets tougher as the C’s head to Paycom Center to face the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Key frontcourt injuries have opened up golden opportunities to crash the glass, and my Celtics vs. Thunder predictions and NBA picks expect Neemias Queta to gobble up the boards.
Celtics vs Thunder prediction
Celtics vs Thunder best bet: Neemias Queta Over 8.5 rebounds (-110)
Neemias Queta is grabbing a career-high 8.3 rebounds per game, and he’s corralled at least nine in 23 appearances and exactly eight in 10 more. He's averaged just 7.5 rebounds against Eastern Conference opponents but a whopping 9.6 against the West.
Over the last four games with Isaiah Hartenstein out or limited, the Oklahoma City Thunder have surrendered the second-most rebounds. Hartenstein is out again, and Queta should stay hot in this advantageous matchup after grabbing at least nine boards in two of his last three outings overall and three of his last six on the road.
Celtics vs Thunder same-game parlay
Prior to his ejection in Tuesday’s loss to the Spurs, Jaylen Brown recorded 7+ rebounds in eight straight games. Averaging a career-best 7.1 rebounds this season, Brown has recorded 7+ rebounds in 35 of 58 games, including 15 of 28 on the road. The potential absence of Jayson Tatum could force Brown to take on more rebounding responsibilities.
Betting on the Boston Celtics to cover is tempting, but Tatum and Derrick White are questionable, and Payton Pritchard may not be 100%. OKC has been tremendous at home, and I’m far more confident betting the total. The Celtics are 12-22 to the Under on the road, while the Thunder are 16-17 to the Under at home.
Celtics vs Thunder SGP
Neemias Queta Over 8.5 rebounds
Jaylen Brown Over 6.5 rebounds
Under 216
Our "from downtown" SGP: Board men get paid!
Over the first 32 games of the season, Chet Holmgren averaged just 8.2 rebounds, but he's averaged 10.2 across his last 24. In that span, the big man has grabbed 9+ boards 17 times. Hartenstein's absence opens up additional rebounding opportunities for Holmgren, and he should have no problem clearing this line.
Celtics vs Thunder SGP
Neemias Queta Over 8.5 rebounds
Jaylen Brown Over 6.5 rebounds
Under 216
Chet Holmgren Over 8.5 rebounds
Celtics vs Thunder odds
Spread: Celtics +6.5 | Thunder -6.5
Moneyline: Celtics +225 | Thunder -270
Over/Under: Over 216 | Under 216
Celtics vs Thunder betting trend to know
The Celtics have cashed the Under in 29 of their last 40 games for +16.9 units and a 38% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Thunder.
How to watch Celtics vs Thunder
Location
Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Date
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Tip-off
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
Prime Video
Celtics vs Thunder latest injuries
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.
All six of the Premier League’s last-16 teams have plenty of work to do in their second legs. Bodø/Glimt, meanwhile, have eyes on a fairytale quarter-final
A rude awakening for the English Premier League, a week when European football reasserted itself; financial dominance need not mean dominance on the field. Real Madrid’s first-half destruction of Manchester City was chastening. This was a Madrid team shorn of Kylian Mbappé, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham and yet City were soundly beaten 3-0. Arsenal’s drab 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen showed Mikel Arteta’s team will require more than set pieces to prevail in the competition.
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cubs fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The Cubs have clearly built this year’s team to be a strong contender, adding Alex Bregman and Edward Cabrera to the cast that won 92 games and took the Brewers to the limit in a division series.
Yes, Kyle Tucker’s gone, but the team will also have a full year of Cade Horton and hopefully improvements from Pete Crow-Armstrong and Matt Shaw, among others. The team is seen by many as a favorite to win the NL Central.
So with two weeks to go before Opening Day, how do you think this Cubs team is set for 2026? How many games will they win?
Fill out the survey below and I’ll have the responses later this week.
