GLENDALE, Ariz. — Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Shohei Ohtani reached back for the heater and found it, blazing a 99-mph fastball past Willy Adames for his first strikeout of the afternoon.
For a guy who hasn’t spent much time on the mound over the past 2 1/2 years, he didn't seem remotely rusty.
The Japanese two-way star was in top form during his spring training debut on the mound, giving up one hit, two walks and a hit by pitch while striking out four over 4 1/3 scoreless innings against the San Francisco Giants.
He threw 61 pitches, including 34 strikes.
“The stuff was really good — it’s going to get more crisp as he gets out there and gets regular pitching,” manager Dave Roberts said. “But, man, it was really good. He knows he only has a couple outings before the start of the season, so he was focused. To have him touch the fifth inning was a huge win for us.”
Ohtani was unfazed by record-hot conditions in Arizona, needing just five pitches to breeze through the first inning as temperatures pushed 100 degrees at Camelback Ranch. In the second, he gave up a leadoff double to Heliot Ramos before retiring three straight, including Adames and Will Brennan on strikeouts.
“I was pretty happy with the pitch count today,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “In terms of the next outing, I do want to be better at executing on two-strike counts. I just didn’t finish off hitters as much as I wanted.”
Ohtani threw some live batting practice sessions in Arizona with the Dodgers before joining Team Japan for the World Baseball Classic in early March. The four-time Most Valuable Player didn’t pitch in the WBC — playing solely as a designated hitter — but did throw off the mound in bullpen sessions.
This was his first time on the mound in a competitive setting since Game 7 of the World Series on Nov. 1.
Roberts said he expects Ohtani will get one more preseason start next week before the regular season starts on March 26.
Ohtani hopes to get through his first full season on the mound since 2022, when he 15-9 with a 2.33 ERA in 28 starts for the Los Angeles Angels. He injured his elbow late in the 2023 season which caused him to miss all of 2024 on the mound.
Ohtani returned to pitching midway through 2025 and had a 2.87 ERA over 14 regular-season starts. He also went 2-1 with a 4.43 ERA in the postseason, helping the Dodgers win their second straight World Series title.
The 31-year-old didn’t hit, choosing to focus on pitching, especially on such a hot day. Roberts said he expects Ohtani to be the team’s designated hitter against the Padres.
“He’s already taken enough at-bats, so I don’t think the at-bats are a concern,” Roberts said.
Ohtani recently returned to Dodgers camp at Camelback Ranch after Japan was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the WBC. He was 6-for-13 at the plate with three homers for Japan over five games.
We’ve got 11 games on tonight’s NHL betting slate, including a rematch of last year’s Stanley Cup Final as the Florida Panthers head north to face the Edmonton Oilers.
Evan Bouchard has increased his shot volume lately, and my Oilers vs. Panthers predictions expect that trend to continue against a leaky Florida defense.
Find out more in my free NHL picks for Thursday, March 19.
Panthers vs Oilers prediction
Panthers vs Oilers best bet: Evan Bouchard Over 2.5 shots (-130)
Evan Bouchard has been a shooting machine over his last five games.
The Edmonton Oilers defensemanleads the team with 18 shots on goal in that span, averaging 3.6 per game. Bouchard's total tonight is set at 2.5, a mark he’s surpassed in four of his last five games.
Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers' defense has been porous since the “tank” began, allowing an average of 29.1 shots per game. That should give Bouchard plenty of opportunities to hit the Over.
Panthers vs Oilers same-game parlay
Bouchard leads all NHL blueliners with 78 points, 59 of which are assists. He’s also recorded 1+ assists in 10 of his last 12 games.
The Over is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings between these two teams and stands at 40-26-3 overall for Edmonton this season. It has also hit in both games for Florida during its current road trip.
Edmonton is 3-7 SU in its last 10 matchups against Florida. Find more NHL betting trends for Panthers vs. Oilers.
How to watch Panthers vs Oilers
Location
Rogers Place, Edmonton, AB
Date
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Puck drop
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
Sportsnet
Panthers vs Oilers 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.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MAY 21: Starting pitcher Alec Marsh #48 of the Kansas City Royals walks into the bullpen prior to the game against the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium on May 21, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The roster is starting to come into focus with just over a week to go before the season opener. On the pitching staff, the Royals shipped out Ryan Bergert, Mason Black, Helcris Oliváres, and Mitch Spence this week. Here’s what the bullpen looks like at this point:
Locks, barring a trade or injury: Lucas Erceg, Carlos Estévez, Nick Mears, John Schreiber, Matt Strahm
On the bubble: Luinder Avila*, Steven Cruz*, Bailey Falter, Alex Lange, Daniel Lynch IV*, James McArthur*
Probably on the outside looking in: Jose Cuas*, Eli Morgan*, Héctor Neris, Aaron Sanchez
Probably on the IL to start: Stephen Kolek*
*-have options remaining
With five starters, and five locks in the bullpen, that leaves three bullpen spots remaining. Who would you carry on the roster?
FORT MYERS, FL- MARCH 01: John Gil #93 of the Atlanta Braves bats during a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins on March 1, 2026 at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As we close in on Opening Day for the 2026 season, now is a time to start to take a look at some of the prospects who have seen their stock rise this spring within the Atlanta Braves system. Making this list isn’t just based on what we have seen in spring training games – though that is a big part of it. Reports from the backfields or a player showing up in great shape can also get a player mentioned here.
Owen Carey, OF
Owen Carey has impressed enough this spring that he has been able to earn himself nine at bats in big league spring training games. He may be just one for nine, but he has had some flashes at the plate against much more advanced competition – making it important to remember he is still just 19-years-old and hasn’t played above Low-A yet.
Didier Fuentes, RHP
Fuentes was brought up to Atlanta a bit too soon last season, and got hit pretty hard – not unexpected for a kid who had barely turned 20 and had limited Triple-A experience at the time. He responded well to that in the minors after being sent back down, and has come back this spring looking like he has completely put that behind him. In five innings over two appearances, Fuentes has a 0.00 ERA and WHIP with nine strikeouts to no walks – the only base runner he has allowed is a single hit by pitch. The Braves may be a little extra cautious with him this year after being a bit too aggressive last year, but he is looking better than we’ve ever seen him look this spring.
John Gil, SS
Gil ended last season with a short look at Double-A after a bit of a power spike to close out this season. He followed that up by coming to camp with a little added weight, and has shown that the power increase may be for real. Although he will never likely be a plus power guy, adding average power to a guy with his speed and hit tool makes him very dangerous. In 19 at bats this spring he is hitting .158, but has two homers and a .778 OPS. That should give him slightly heightened expectations heading into the season, which he is likely to open back in Double-A.
Hayden Harris, LHP
Harris is another arm who made his big league debut last year, but he seems to have built on it this spring. He has pitched five innings over five games, pitching to a 1.80 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with 12 strikeouts to two walks. Harris has already been optioned down on the roster, but his continued success is worth noting, as he will be an in-season promotion candidate anytime the Braves need a relief arm.
Cody Miller, SS
The Braves third round pick out of East Tennessee State last year came in with a Trea Turner-like skill set of contact, speed, and a bit of power from the shortstop position. There were some questions about the adjustments he may need to make as the level of competition is set to really increase for him, and although he did show well in a small sample size after signing last summer, going three for four in big league games this spring is a positive sign that the competition jump won’t phase him.
Jose Perdomo, SS
It’s been a rough couple of years for Perdomo since signing as a top international free agent. Injuries basically wiped out his 2024, and a combination of injury and ineffectiveness ruined his 2025 season. The positive with him is that he showed up to camp in the best shape he has been in since he signed with the Braves – important since there were some reports from scouts last year which said he didn’t look at all like the guy the team expected to sign just over two years ago.
JR Ritchie, RHP
Ritchie came into the spring as a real long shot to make the team out of camp, but between injuries to other starters and his own stuff ticking up, he has pushed himself into the conversation as training camp winds down. Ritchie has pitched 12 innings over four games, with a 2.25 ERA, 0.58 WHIP, and 14 strikeouts to just five walks. As great as his stat line has looked, his velocity has ticked up and his secondary offerings have also been even better than what we saw last year when he shot up to Triple-A after opening the year in High-A. Ritchie has assured himself that even if he doesn’t claim a spot in the opening rotation, he will be up for his big league debut sooner rather than later.
JR Ritchie dazzles in his fourth outing of the spring 🤩
JUPITER, FL - MARCH 14: Quinn Matthews #68 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches during the game against the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on Friday, March 14, 2025 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Jared Blais/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals are now one week away from Opening Day and will begin the final week of preparation with a Spring Training game against the Washington Nationals at Roger Dean Stadium today. Josiah Gray will make the start for the Washington Nationals according to MLB.com. Quinn Matthews will make the start for the Cardinals.
Mar 4, 2026; Clearwater, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola (27) throws a pitch during the first inning against Team Canada at BayCare Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
The Good Phight will be previewing the 2026 season by going over each position on the field. We’ll talk about the players that will occupy them, the players behind them, their strengths and weaknesses and give a few takes about how we think the season will shake out.
Aaron Nola: Can he rebound?
Most of the discussion surrounding the Phillies rotation this spring has been about what to expect from Andrew Painter and the health status of Zack Wheeler. Understandably so, as they might be the two biggest questions surrounding the team in general. However, there’s one player that can help ease some of the uneasiness in both of those questions.
It wasn’t that long ago that Aaron Nola was one of the most durable, reliable starters in baseball. You could almost lock in close to 200 quality innings in the rotation, even if they were mind-numbingly frustrating at times. But the last two years especially have cast doubt on what Nola is and what he can still be, as he had a below average 2024 and a nightmarish 2025.
Well hope springs eternal, as Nola has looked rejuvenated this spring, crediting his participation in the World Baseball Classic with Team Italy as a catalyst for getting into shape sooner. The results have shown on the field, especially with his fastball velocity. Nola has averaged 91.7 MPH on his fastball in his spring training appearances and averaged just under 93 MPH in his second and final start for Italy at the WBC on Monday. For comparison, Nola averaged just under 92 MPH on his fastball last season and didn’t average over 91 until returning from injury in August. His fastball this spring is already in a better spot than it was in April of last season when he was sitting around 91.3.
For his career, Nola’s velocity has typically started below average and then gradually increases as the season wears on, usually peaking in the summer months. Take 2024 for example, when he started the season averaging 91.1 MPH but was just under 93 by the end of the regular season, peaking at 93.3 in July. This spring however, he’s already close to his career average of 92.5 MPH and Opening Day is still a week away.
So, what does all this mean? As you’re well aware, not much can be gleamed from spring training performances. Players are looking to get into shape and may be working on specific things, all while not facing top tier competition regularly. But a velocity bump like Nola’s is something that should perk you up a little, as it signals that his stuff is already in a better place than it was last season.
Now to address a more difficult question. If Nola is indeed in for a “rebound” season, what exactly would that look like? Will he be the 2024 version of himself who logged 199.1 innings with a 3.57 ERA and 117 ERA+? Or will he be the 2023 version where he still threw over 190 innings except this time had a 4.46 ERA and 96 ERA+? The Phillies desperately need at least the 2024 version, as they are facing more uncertainty in their rotation than they’ve had in years as we discussed in our rotation preview.
There’s really no way to answer this question until we see Nola in real game action. We can look at all the spring data we want and be encouraged by his performance in the WBC, but none of it ultimately matters until the real season starts. Maybe the old “even year/odd year Nola” phenomenon will be at work again in 2026, suggesting that he is in for one of his better seasons. But again, what exactly constitutes a “better” Nola season at this point in his career? Is it a mid-rotation innings eater? Is it a little bit more? Or was 2025 a harbinger of what’s to come as Nola ages?
SARASOTA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 11: Dean Kremer #64 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches live during practice at Ed Smith Stadium on February 11, 2026 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Baltimore Orioles/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Two different sets of Orioles will be in action on Thursday down in Florida. They are squeezing in one last split-squad before the Grapefruit League schedule wraps up for them on Saturday.
The 1:05 game is on the road, with no local television or radio broadcast. I had not intended to set up a game thread covering both games since that first one isn’t being covered locally. However, the Orioles have chosen to send the A team on the road to play the Yankees here, which is interesting enough to me to note it.
Take a look at this lineup:
Taylor Ward – LF
Gunnar Henderson – SS
Pete Alonso – 1B
Adley Rutschman – C
Tyler O’Neill – RF
Ryan Mountcastle – DH
Coby Mayo – 3B
Colton Cowser – CF
Blaze Alexander – 2B
This is the first lineup all spring where I’ve looked at it and it 100% looks like it could be an Opening Day lineup. Now, part of this is because, with Henderson having been with Team USA in the WBC, there was no chance of having a full Opening Day lineup around. Another part though is that the Orioles just haven’t deployed all the rest of the expected regulars at once, until now.
If this is the Opening Day lineup, I don’t feel great about Ward, who had a .317 OBP last year, being the guy to lead it off. I don’t feel great about Rutschman as the cleanup hitter. But, as you know if you have been a Camden Chat reader for a long time, I generally never feel great about the Orioles, and it only goes badly when I do.
Dean Kremer is the starting pitcher for this road game. If the Orioles go with a five-man rotation, I wonder where Kremer fits. This is probably not a question that will be answered today, or even influenced by his performance today.
At 6:05, another set of Orioles will be at home in Sarasota against the Pirates. That game will air on MASN, with no radio broadcast. I’ll edit in the lineup for that one once there is one in a few hours.
Editor’s note: Leading up to Opening Day, our staff will share several predictions for the 2026 Red Sox season. In Part 3 of the season preview series,our three-person panel shared its boldest predictions for the upcoming campaign.
It’s officially prediction season with Opening Day just one week away. For the latest installment of our Red Sox season preview series, our staff got bold.
We went 2 for 3 in last year’s bold predictions, correctly predicting Boston to end its playoff drought and for three-plus Red Sox players to make the All-Star squad. This year’s bold predictions have a clear theme: young players blossoming into stars.
Here are our three-person panel’s bold Red Sox predictions for the 2026 season:
Justin Leger: Connelly Early is a Rookie of the Year finalist
Early shined in his first four MLB starts last season, posting a 2.33 ERA with 29 strikeouts and only four walks over 19.1 innings. Even if he isn’t in the starting rotation to begin the season, the prized left-handed prospect will play a key role for Boston in 2026.
Early’s success has continued in spring training, where he has amassed a 2.25 ERA in four games (12 IP). The soon-to-be 24-year-old projects as one of the best rookie pitchers in baseball next season, and he’ll earn national recognition as an American League Rookie of the Year finalist after earning a permanent spot in Boston’s rotation.
Nick Goss: Roman Anthony hits 40 home runs
The last Red Sox player to reach that milestone was J.D. Martinez in 2018. Before that, it was David Ortiz with 54 homers in 2006.
Anthony has the power required to hit 40. The key will be playing enough games to have a chance.
Darren Hartwell: Payton Tolle replaces Aroldis Chapman as the closer
Chapman was the best closer in baseball last season but just turned 38 years old, so we could easily see a regression coming. While Garrett Whitlock is the next-best pitcher in the bullpen, we could see Alex Cora keeping Whitlock in his setup man role and turning to Tolle, the colorful rookie who found success as a reliever last season.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 24: Washington Nationals outfielder Robert Hassell III (57) runs to second base during the game between the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies on August 24th, 2025 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
With Opening Day just a week away, I thought it was time to dive into the schedule, specifically how hard it is to begin the season. The Nats open their season with matchups against the Cubs, Phillies and Dodgers. All three of those teams made the playoffs last year and project to be fearsome foes once again in 2026.
To make matters even worse, the first two series against the Cubs and Phillies are on the road. Both of those series will likely be played in chilly temperatures in front of fired up home crowds. Even if the Dodgers are the defending champions, the idea of going to sunny Los Angeles sounds more fun than a cold afternoon in Wrigley.
This will be a tough first test for new manager Blake Butera. I am intrigued to see how he navigates this, and if the Nats are able to keep their heads above water. In the Davey Martinez years, sluggish starts became the norm, even when the team was loaded with talent. Hopefully this new regime will have the team more locked in from the jump.
They will have to be, or else they could fall behind the 8 ball quickly. Nats fans are already frustrated after all the losing. The last thing you want is for the team to be 1-5 heading into the home opener. Fans just want to see encouraging signs, and holding their own in this stretch would be great.
Honestly, I feel the best about the series against the Dodgers at home of the three. Yes, the Dodgers are the best team in baseball and the back to back champs. However, they already have a couple injuries and can afford a sluggish start because they can turn it on whenever they want. I am not sure the Dodgers will be up for the fight on a 50 degree night at Nats Park the way they are in October.
We have seen this play out over the last couple of years. Last April, the Nats took two out of three against the Dodgers at home. James Wood had a couple really impressive homers and Brad Lord announced himself by getting his first career strikeout against Shohei Ohtani. A repeat of that is certainly not out of the question.
James Wood extends the Nationals lead over the Dodgers! 💥
However, a slow start should not shock anyone. There is so much new in this Nats organization and they are going up against the cream of the crop in the NL. The rest of April is a bit more forgiving, with series against the Cardinals, Pirates and White Sox. However, they still have trips to Milwaukee and New York that will be tough.
It is going to be trial by fire for the new look Nats. Paul Toboni and Blake Butera are not getting an easy touch to start their first seasons in DC. Speaking of Butera, I am interested to see his managerial decisions in regular season games. It is tough to get a feel for what the manager is thinking in Spring Training, so I want to see how he uses his bullpen and sets his lineups.
Seeing three juggernauts to start the season is scary, but it is also an opportunity. It will be a good test to see where the Nats are this season. Will they be a true basement dweller or will they be more scrappy than expected? We will find out before too long.
You’re probably busy with your bracket today, but if you want to build up that bankroll for March Madness betting, I’ve got some slam dunk plays in the NBA player prop market for today.
My best bets include Evan Mobley dominating the paint against the Bulls, and Victor Wembanyama continuing his block party when he faces the Suns.
Those and more NBA picks for Thursday, March 19 below.
The Cleveland Cavaliers need Evan Mobley to play his best basketball if they want to make a deep run in the playoffs. Luckily, he seems to be peaking at the right time.
Mobley is averaging 21 points and 10.2 rebounds over his last nine games and has scored 24 or more in three of his last six. I’m betting he keeps getting buckets tonight against the Chicago Bulls.
The Bulls have turned their attention to next season and are surrendering 120.5 points per game over their last 11 games and now allow the fourth most opponent points in the paint per game.
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, CHSN
Prop #2: Victor Wembanyama Over 3.5 blocks
+115 at bet365
As long as sportsbooks keep giving me plus money for the Over on Victor Wembanyama blocks, I’m going to keep betting it.
The Alien has been out of this world when it comes to protecting the rim in the second half of the season. Wemby is averaging 4.0 blocks over the 14 games since coming out of the All-Star break, which includes rejecting four or more shots 11 times during that stretch.
The block party continues when the San Antonio Spurs face the Phoenix Suns. Wemby has blocked at least four shots in his two previous meetings against the Suns this season.
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: KTVK, FanDuel Sports Network-Southwest
Prop #3: Kyle Filipowski double-double
+235 at bet365
More drama brews with the Milwaukee Bucks as Giannis doesn’t want to sit out the remainder of the season, but he’s at least out tonight against the Utah Jazz.
That means a team that already has the third-worst rebounding rate will be without one of the best rebounders in the NBA.
That has me looking at Jazz big man Kyle Filipowski to have a big night stuffing the stat sheet. Since becoming a regular starter, Filipowski is averaging 14.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.
He’s recorded a double-double in three of his last six games.
Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin, KJZZ
Cash your ML bets quicker with bet365's early win payout!
Take advantage of the early win payout at bet365, where any pre-game NBA moneyline bet gets paid out as a winner if your team goes up by 20+ points!
Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365's offerings, with our comprehensive bet365 review!
Sign Up Now atimg src="https://img.covers.com/betting/sportsbooks/2/bet365.svg" alt="bet365" width="100" height="28" style="vertical-align: middle;"
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
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.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 16: Jordi Fernandez head coach of the Brooklyn Nets looks during the second quarter of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Barclays Center on March 16, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The NBA tanking problem is an utter disaster, and the Brooklyn Nets are a symptom of the broken system.
The Nets on Wednesday night lost 121-92 to the Oklahoma City Thunder, by no surprise. That’s not being disrespectful towards the Nets either, it’s just common knowledge that their strategy is completely opposite from OKCs. One is trying to accumulate as many losses as possible, the other is trying to win as much as possible.
Sean Marks, Jordi Fernandez, Joe Tsai and the Nets have caught their fair share of praise and flack. But it’s not just leadership at play.
They’re navigating a system that rewards losing over competing.
They’ve tanked hard enough to be a bottom-3 team, but for some, it still hasn’t been egregious enough because they’re not the absolute worst team in the league.
For the Nets, it’s a conflict of interest and that conflict comes from balancing development and draft strategy with the desire to win. Marks and Fernandez both want to win. They have five rookies they need to develop, while scouting and praying they hit the lotto. Fernandez is in his second season as a coach so he’s naturally hungry to win and continue to improve.
The irony, of course, is that under the current system, math doesn’t even guarantee a miracle. Even if the Nets manage to secure one of the three worst records in the league, they are only rewarded with a 14% chance at the No. 1 pick. The league has created a system where teams are forced to torch their culture and disrespect their fans for a reward that is statistically unlikely to actually happen.
History bears that out: the Pistons had the best record three years running and finished fifth each time. The Mavericks and Hawks vaulted from the play-in to the overall No. 1. Of the top 28 picks in the last seven draft lotteries, since changes were instituted, 11 were won by teams with the seventh worst odds.
We aren’t just watching the Nets get blown out, we’re watching them gamble their dignity on a metaphorical dice toss where the house almost always wins. Take a look at last year.
This creates a bizarre disconnect when you look at the messaging. “He made it very clear ‘I’m going to try and win every game.’ I said great, go for it. The goal isn’t to not compete,” said Marks before the season. “The goal is go out there, develop a culture of competing, playing hard & playing the right way. And that’s what he’s done.”
It was a noble sentiment at the time, but on nights like Wednesday — it feels like a hollow one.
The score was 60-24 at halftime, the fewest points for any team since 2019. At that point they were shooting 1-of-16 from 3 and had three assists to 15 turnovers. Low effort isn’t a habit this team can afford to pick up — it only makes development that much harder. That’s where the frustration comes in.
“I think our readiness to play the game was not there,” Fernandez said after the game.
It’s only one game, but that isn’t exactly reassuring. These are young players who should be hungry every night, regardless of the opponent. Effort shouldn’t be the variable. That’s how bad habits start to form.
Still, there’s only so much blame they deserve. It was pitiful, even shameful – and almost as disrespectful as the game of basketball has been to its fans.
Adam Silver has been open about expansion, which could happen as soon as 2028-29. But while more teams enter the league, more teams are also tanking than ever. As the 2024-25 season wrapped up, five teams lost by 30+ points in one day. The total number of games decided by 30+ points hit 79 at that point, tying the league mark for such games set in 2021-22.
No matter how angry fans want to get at the Nets for tanking — or not tanking — this whole shtick is a necessary evil that’s just flat out wrong. It’s hardly a sport if you reward losing, yet it’s the only way the Nets can navigate this flawed system.
Marks inherited an awful product and we’ll be clear about that. Over the past 10 years, the Nets have lost 50+ games six times, including this season. They’re pushing their third potential 60-loss season during that span with a single playoff series victory to show for it.
This season, it’s impossible to dispute their tanking efforts. They’ve lost by 50+ points two times. It’s happened twice in franchise history before this season — once last year and the other in 1978. They’ve lost by 30+ points six times with 12 games remaining; 20+ points on 19 occasions. have had 12 games this season where they’ve been down 30 or more points at one point or another. Including two straight. It’s a franchise record.
So, for every 10 games that fans watch, roughly three out of 10 are lost by 20+ points. Here’s a look at the 20+ losses from Brooklyn’s season thus far:
Margin
Date
Opponent
-54
Jan 21, 2026
@ New York Knicks
-53
Feb 1, 2026
@ Detroit Pistons
-38
Mar 10, 2026
vs. Detroit Pistons
-37
Jan 25, 2026
@ LA Clippers
-37
Feb 27, 2026
@ Boston Celtics
-36
Nov 9, 2025
@ New York Knicks
-29
Mar 18, 2026
vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
-29
Dec 16, 2025
vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
-28
Oct 27, 2025
@ Houston Rockets
-28
Feb 19, 2026
@ Cleveland Cavaliers
-26
Dec 1, 2025
@ Chicago Bulls
-26
Mar 3, 2026
@ Miami Heat
-24
Nov 2, 2025
vs. Philadelphia 76ers
-24
Jan 1, 2026
vs. Houston Rockets
-23
Dec 23, 2025
@ New York Knicks
-22
Jan 18, 2026
@ Chicago Bulls
-20
Mar 16, 2026
vs. Portland Trail Blazers
-20
Feb 5, 2026
@ Orlando Magic
-20
Jan 2, 2026
@ Washington Wizards
Now, compare this to 20 years ago in 2005-06: the worst team in the league (the Blazers) still won 21 games. While they had their share of blowout losses, they never experienced the absolute disaster we see today. That team didn’t lose a single game by 50 points, a feat the Nets have already accomplished twice this season. They also only lost by 20+ points 12 times compared to Brooklyn’s 19. And that’s when bad teams had better odds to get the first overall pick!
It’s heartbreaking as a basketball fan because it’s deliberate, yet if they finish with a top-3 pick in the 2026 Draft, these games will become friendly reminders when Cam Boozer or AJ Dybantsa slams one home as Barclays Center goes berserk.
But until then, it’s all a dream.
The fact of the matter is that fans pay A LOT of money to watch NBA basketball. Nets basketball to be more specific. Entry-level season tickets are around $2,500 entering 2026-27 (for one of the worst teams in the league). On streaming (if it works), fans pay $299/year to watch Gotham Sports, $29.99/month for ESPN, $11.00/month for Prime Video, and $15.00/month for Peacock. Not to mention subscriptions to read around paywalls for so many sites. Fandom ain’t cheap.
The Nets didn’t create this system, but they’re operating within it and benefiting from it. That makes them part of the problem, too.
The real question is whether the NBA cares enough to fix a system that forces every team to compete. The league seems to have forgotten that the fan is its customer. Until then, every fan, every team, and every game is paying the price.
DUNEDIN, FLORIDA - MARCH 14, 2026: A view of an official Rawlings Major League Baseball base prior to a spring training game between the Detroit Tigers and the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark on March 14, 2026 in Dunedin, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
That headline is a lie, it isn’t the Yankees, it is wannabe Yankees. They have a split squad day and all the ‘real’ Yankees are staying in Tampa.
I can’t really complain, the Jays do the same. There used to be, maybe still is, a rule that a certain number of ‘regulars’ have to be in every spring game, but team ignore it. It is still there:
Major League Baseball’s spring training road trip rules require that, for road games, clubs play “a minimum of four players who were regulars on the previous year’s Major League team or who were platooned on the previous year’s Major League team on a regular basis, or who have a reasonable chance to be regulars on the Major League Club’s squad during the upcoming season.” The regulars are supposed to play “a minimum of three complete innings.”
Team have, in the past, been fined for this. But then MLB team pretty much print their own money. Well, they would, but we give all of ours to them.
Today’s Lineups
YANKEES
BLUE JAYS
Amed Rosario – 3B
George Springer – DH
J.C. Escarra – C
Daulton Varsho – CF
Randal Grichuk – LF
Vladimir Guerrero – 1B
Seth Brown – 1B
Addison Barger – RF
Paul DeJong – SS
Alejandro Kirk – C
Yanquiel Fernandez – RF
Jesus Sanchez – LF
Max Schuemann – 2B
Kazuma Okamoto – 3B
Kenedy Corona – CF
Ernie Clement – 2B
Enmanuel Tejeda – DH
Andres Gimenez – SS
Ryan Weathers – LHP
Cody Ponce – RHP
Go Jays Go.
There is a Dunedin New Zealand. I’ve been there, it has the oldest Brewery in New Zealand, which was very cool. They had a funny story: The brewery uses water from a spring and they were given use of this water, with the condition that they have a tap for people of the town so they can use the watch too. One year a radio station, on April Fools day, said that, for that day, the tap would have beer running through it.
People lined up for blocks.
I mentioned this because, when looking for a picture of Dunedin, I got pictures of the other Dunedin. It is a beautiful place.
The Winnipeg Jets have to string together wins to make a playoff push, and they’ll look to do just that against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on Thursday, March 19.
My top Jets vs. Bruins predictions and NHL picks call for a low-scoring game, with Winnipeg starter Connor Hellebuyck standing tall tonight.
Jets vs Bruins prediction
Jets vs Bruins best bet: Connor Hellebuyck Over 24.5 saves (-115)
Winnipeg Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck has built off the Olympics with a respectable .902 save percentage and 5.43 goals saved above average across nine games, and he should see enough volume to clear his saves total tonight.
The Boston Bruins have averaged 27.9 shots per game out of the break, with the Jets allowing 27.3 while treading water at five-on-five with a 49.5 Corsi For percentage.
Winnipeg is also without multiple veterans and dealt multiple blueliners at the trade deadline, while Boston has a healthy lineup pushing for a postseason berth.
Jets vs Bruins same-game parlay
Winnipeg continues to mount its own playoff push, sporting an active 5-2-1 run while allowing just 2.63 goals per game. With Boston scoring just 2.56 per during the same stretch, I like the Under to cash.
The final leg of this SGP turns to Winnipeg winger Gabriel Vilardi, and he’s recorded two or more shots in eight of his past 14 games, including piling up six last time out. Vilardi's also receiving consistent top-six minutes and jumps the boards with the No. 1 power-play unit.
Jets vs Bruins SGP
Under 5.5
Connor Hellebuyck Over 24.5 saves
Gabriel Vilardi Over 1.5 shots
Jets vs Bruins odds
Moneyline: Jets +115 | Bruins -135
Puck Line: Jets +1.5 (-215) | Bruins -1.5 (+175)
Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-130) | Under 5.5 (+110)
Jets vs Bruins trend
Winnipeg has hit the Under in 14 of its last 20 contests (+8.55 Units / 38% ROI), while Boston has played to the Under in each of its past five home games (+5.00 Units / 90% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Jets vs. Bruins.
How to watch Jets vs Bruins
Location
TD Garden, Boston, MA
Date
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
TSN3
Jets vs Bruins 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.
TAMPA, FL - MARCH 14: Max Fried #54 of the New York Yankees high fives teammates in the dugout during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at George M. Steinbrenner Field on March 14, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The World Baseball Classic is over, and the players who participated are making their way back to their respective MLB teams. That’s because we’re still inching our way towards the regular season, which is now quite close.
However, we still have some spring training left, and for the Yankees, that includes today’s split-squad action against birds of a different feather. One half of the team will be in Tampa hosting the Orioles, while the rest will hit the road to take on the Blue Jays down in Dunedin. With both games happening somewhat simultaneously, we’ll be keeping an eye on all of the action today.
As you might expect, the roster for the home game features a few more expected MLB names (though no Aaron Judge back in the lineup just yet), including Max Fried taking the mound. There are still a couple heading to Dunedin—Amed Rosario, J.C. Escarra, and Randal Grichuk—as Ryan Weathers will toes the rubber in that one.
Here’s all the information for how to catch the action in either of today’s games.
Yankees vs. Orioles
How to watch
Location: George M. Steinbrenner Field — Tampa, FL
Evan Mobley
Victor Wembanyama
Kyle Filipowski
