Spring training is officially here, and while it still feels a lot like winter in a lot of places, Florida and Arizona have been buzzing with activity this week.
The Detroit Tigers are already four games deep into their spring training schedule with three losses and a tie, and have their first split-squad game scheduled for Wednesday. They have only scored eight runs against 35 runs surrendered (yikes), but it is still way too early to show any concern.
Eventually, the offense will get going, and when it does, we can expect at least one player to stand out above the rest. Which leads us to today’s question: “Who will be the best hitter in Detroit this summer?”
There are a few obvious options like Riley Greene or even rookie Kevin McGonigle and his 80-grade hitting skill. Javier Baez could have another resurgence that lasts all summer; maybe Spencer Torkelson finally puts it all together. Or perhaps someone unexpected rises to the occasion?
So Tigers fans, who do you think will lead the hit parade for the Olde English D this season? Let us know in the comments below.
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 27, 2025: Riley Cornelio #29 of the Harrisburg Senators pitches during an Eastern League game against the Akron RubberDucks at FNB Field on July 27, 2025 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The Senators beat the RubberDucks, 7-0. (Photo by Thom Wood/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Last year the Washington Nationals had one pitcher who was the story of camp, and that was Brad Lord. After a breakout year in 2025, Lord showed up to camp with increased velocity and earned a spot on the big league roster. It looks like lightning may have struck twice because Riley Cornelio is following a very similar path.
Like Lord, Riley Cornelio was drafted in the 2022 class. He was taken in the 7th round, while Lord was selected in the 18th round. However, Cornelio’s breakout came a year after Lord. He gained three ticks of velocity according to Baseball America, averaging 94 on his heater.
The velocity gain led to much better results, with Cornelio posting a 3.28 ERA in 134.1 innings across three levels. It looks like the right hander has added even more velocity this spring, averaging over 96 MPH in his first outing of the spring. In his first inning of work, Cornelio averaged over 97, but he was sitting more in the 95-96 range in his second inning.
Woah. Riley Cornelio enters the game touching upper 90s. A velo bump could go a long way towards helping him make the same leap Brad Lord did last year, which ultimately earned him an OD roster spot. 1-2-3 inning with a K
That velocity led to dominant results. In two innings of work, Cornelio allowed one hit, walked nobody and struck out three batters. He looked really sharp and could challenge for a roster spot. Cornelio was actually added to the 40-man roster this offseason, so the prospect of the righty winning a bullpen spot is on the table.
This story really is so similar to Brad Lord. Both came into camp coming off breakout years, but were on the outside looking in. Last year Lord showed up with better stuff and won a roster spot. Based on his first outing, it looks like Cornelio could do the same.
Lord himself actually had high praise for Cornelio in an interview with Grant Paulsen. He called Cornelio the most underrated player in Nats camp. I think Lord might be on to something there because Cornelio looked like a big leaguer in his outing last night.
I asked Brad Lord what player at Nats camp is the most underrated. He said RHP Riley Cornelio.
Cornelio shined in his spring debut tonight. He struck out three over two scoreless innings, retiring 6 of 7 batters faced. Touched 97, got 9 whiffs on 23 swings. Exciting outing. pic.twitter.com/RRbBxAv9Dc
While the added velocity is the headliner for Cornelio, his fastball just sets the table for his best pitch. Riley Cornelio has always been known for his wipeout slider and he showcased that last night. He got five whiffs on the slider and threw it just as much as his fastball. Despite added velocity, Cornelio seems to be moving away from his fastball, a common trend in Nats camp.
Like Lord, Cornelio can pitch in multiple different roles, but I think he would be best suited to the bullpen. His fastball tends to lose steam as the game goes on and he is mostly a fastball-slider guy. That feels like a bullpen arm to me, but he can also start. Cornelio has proven to be durable in the minors, so he can serve as an innings eating starter.
If the Nats wanted to be creative, Lord and Cornelio could be a tandem. Both are at their best in two to three innings spurts. Maybe they could piggy back each other and each go three or four innings. Instead of having one person take up a rotation spot, it could be a duo.
Cornelio still has to keep up the strong performances if he wants to make the team. There are guys ahead of him in the pecking order, so he will have to out-perform them. He also was not totally perfect last night. Cornelio made a fielding error, which probably frustrated manager Blake Butera. So far this spring, Nats pitchers have been shaky defensively.
Two impressive innings from RHP Riley Cornelio, who struck out 3 with a fastball that averaged 97 mph. He did, however, commit the latest in a string of E1's by the Nats pitching staff. All the PFP's apparently can't simulate real game situations.
With that in mind, Blake Butera is probably going to amp up the PFP work. The Nats already have defensive question marks, so they need their pitchers to be able to field their position. That is a secondary concern though.
Overall, it is great to see an arm really impress early in camp. In this new regime, there are going to be some unexpected pitchers who find lightning in a bottle. We are already seeing a new pitching philosophy from the Nats. The team is dialing back fastball usage in a big way.
Even with the team moving away from fastballs, velocity remains important. It is still very helpful. Fastballs are not the only pitch that benefits from extra velocity. Adding velocity to breaking balls also helps improve those pitches. Riley Cornelio has added velocity, and that added heat could win him a roster spot.
Conference heavyweights collide as the Denver Nuggets host the Boston Celtics in the Mile High City tonight.
Nikola Jokic has been tremendous, and my Celtics vs. Nuggets predictions expect the three-time MVP to stuff the stat sheet at home.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this prime-time bout on Wednesday, February 25.
Tip-off is set for 10:00 p.m. ET from Ball Arena in Denver, with the game airing on ESPN.
Celtics vs Nuggets prediction
Celtics vs Nuggets best bet: Nikola Jokic to record a triple-double (-115)
Nikola Jokic ranks second in all-time triple-doubles, and the Denver Nuggets superstar will add to his burgeoning total tonight in front of a home crowd in which he’s excelled this season.
Jokic has averaged 28.5 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 11.2 assists at Ball Arena, recording a triple-double in 12 of 19 games there.
Joker has recorded a league-high 21 triple-doubles this season, doing so in two straight and in four of his last six at home. The Boston Celtics defense is elite, but Jokic has recorded a triple-double in each of his last two home games against the C’s.
Celtics vs Nuggets same-game parlay
The Nuggets are just 12-14 ATS at home and 8-10 as the home favorite. Boston has excelled on the road, covering the spread in 20 of 30 games, including seven of 10 as the road dog. Back-to-backs haven’t been a problem for the Celtics, who are 6-3 ATS playing with no rest.
The Nuggets are 15-11 to the Over at home, but the Celtics are just 11-19 to the Under on the road. Boston boasts one of the stingiest defenses in the Association, and the C’s have hit the Under in two straight and eight of their last 10.
Celtics vs Nuggets SGP
Nikola Jokic to record a triple-double
Celtics +3.5
Under 230.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Brown blitz
Jaylen Brown has scored 30+ in 28 of 51 appearances, including 14 of 25 on the road. He sat out Tuesday and should be well-rested for tonight's marquee matchup with Denver.
Celtics vs Nuggets SGP
Nikola Jokic to record a triple-double
Celtics +3.5
Under 230.5
Jaylen Brown Over 29.5 points
Celtics vs Nuggets odds
Spread: Celtics +3.5 (-110) | Nuggets -3.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Celtics +140 | Nuggets -165
Over/Under: Over 229.5 (-110) | Under 229.5 (-110)
Celtics vs Nuggets betting trend to know
The Boston Celtics have hit the Game Total Under in 22 of their last 30 games (+13.20 Units / 40% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Nuggets.
How to watch Celtics vs Nuggets
Location
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Date
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Celtics vs Nuggets latest injuries
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Diamondbacks infielder LuJames Groover (91) celebrates a double against the Rangers during a spring training game in Surprise on Feb. 24, 2026. | Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
[Dbacks.com] Soroka fans 3 in D-backs debut with World Baseball Classic approaching – Soroka allowed one run on two hits over two innings while walking one and striking out three in the D-backs’ 6-4 win. “Felt good for the most part,” Soroka said. “Just a little bit stiff early, trying a little bit too hard to make everything do what it’s supposed to do. I think I settled in a little bit and just got right to it and we made our adjustments, and made some good pitches, and some that I want to forget, so we’ll move forward. “I threw a really good fastball for a take there in the second inning. I had some good finish pitches, threw a couple of good breaking balls that were executed and the cutter was great today.”
[SI] Crucial Change Could Make Taylor Clarke a Weapon For D-backs Bullpen – The right-hander made tweaks to his mechanics and reintroduced his sinker ahead of 2025, which paid immediate dividends. He posted a career-low 3.25 ERA over 55.1 innings last season. “Last year, tweaked some things. We added the sinker back and I think that’s helped out a lot,” Clarke said. “It’s just something to run in on righties, give them a different look than a four-seam, because I feel like I was getting a little bit too predictable with four-seams up, sliders away. “But the largest, most impactful difference is to his changeup. [Cross “added new pitch” off your Soring Training Bingo card!]
[AZ Central] Here’s the latest on Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly’s back injury – Lovullo said Kelly, who underwent an MRI earlier in the week, also had a CT scan, in hopes of finding more clarity on the specifics of the injury. “It’s a wide range,” Lovullo said. “I’m not going to lie. We’re being very thorough with what we’re doing. We’re taking every test necessary to make sure that we get everything in the bag before we start to pass that information along. We’ve got to figure out exactly what’s happening in there.” Kelly is the Diamondbacks’ scheduled Opening Day starter. The back issue raises questions about whether he will be available to make that March 26 start vs. the Dodgers.
[Denver Post] Arenado ‘will be a force’ in NL West, Rockies’ Warren Schaeffer says – The former Rockies and Cardinals star might not rise to his former glory in the desert, but he’s confident he’ll make the D-backs a better team. He padded that confidence with a solo home run in his first Cactus League at-bat, punishing a hanging sweeper from Rockies right-hander Antonio Senzatela.“ My expectations are high, and they are high for this group,” Arenado said after taking batting practice at Salt River Fields. “I think this team is really good. This is a top-10 offense without me, but I think I can really help it. I think I’m making adjustments that will really help me. You know me, I like to keep goals to myself, but I do have hefty goals. I don’t think I am ever going to change that.”
[Fangraphs] No Room at the Infield: Jordan Lawlar Moves To Center Field – As far as Lawlar’s ability to play center field, I have no doubt about his physical tools. While the orthodox move would’ve been third base, the shortstop-to-center field path has been well-traveled. Jackson Merrill did fine. So did Mickey Mantle. Lawlar absolutely has the speed for the position; he hit 30 ft/sec in sprint speed last year, putting him in capital-e Elite territory. A shift to center field might actually bring out the best in Lawlar. One of Eric Longenhagen’s few gripes about Lawlar’s defense was his tendency to make awkward throws on the run, especially off his backhand. He got the job done, it just looked a little janky.
[Arizona Sports] Geraldo Perdomo, Ketel Marte are top D-backs in ESPN Olney’s top 10 MLB positional rankings – The top-ranked D-back in Marte produced what Olney equated to “about $135 million in value” over the last three years. His 2025 fWar of 10.9 was more than two full points ahead of Hoerner’s 8.7 in second, while his batting value on FanGraphs of 65.8 was more than double that of Houston Astros’ Jose Altuve (31.2) in second. “He excels offensively, and while the numbers suggest he is just average defensively, he continues to be the preeminent player at this position.”
[SI] Diamondbacks Release Young Reliever – According to the transaction logs on his player page, the Arizona Diamondbacks have officially released right-handed reliever Christian Montes De Oca. He had been previously outrighted off the 40-man roster earlier in the offseason. Montes De Oca, 26, figured to be a developmental arm in the D-backs’ system worth keeping an eye on after making his major league debut in the 2025 season. However, an injury shortened that campaign and prevented him from making more than one appearance in the majors.
MESA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 24: Marco Gonzales #32 of the San Diego Padres pitches during a Spring Training game against the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park on February 24, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Diego Padres made a bid for their second comeback win of the week against the Chicago Cubs in their Spring Training Cactus League matchup in Mesa, Ariz. on Tuesday, but they came up short and lost, 6-5. It is well-known that teams do not put much stock into the final scores of Spring Training games, instead they focus on the approach at the plate or the execution of pitches on the mound. With that being the case, Padres manager Craig Stammen would have to be pleased with the individual results of guys like Nick Castellanos, who had a two-run double in the game, and Jose Miranda, who keeps playing a major role with regard to offensive production. The best thig about this time of year is a lot of players et to see a lot of time and the Friar Faithful get the benefit of seeing the regulars gear up for the season and the bubble players battle it out for a roster spot.
Padres News:
Samad Taylor is one of the players fighting for a chance to make the San Diego roster out of Spring Training. Despite his 0-for-3 result on Tuesday, he has been hitting well to start the spring season. He also has the added benefit of speed, which is why Lincoln Zdunich of Gaslamp Ball thinks he will be in competition for a roster spot until the end of camp.
Michael King re-signed with the Padres after testing free agency and it was the feel-good moment of the offseason. Dylan Cease signed with the Toronto Blue Jays and Yu Darvish had offseason surgery, which will cost him the 2026 season. The thought of losing King as well was almost too much for San Diego fans the handle and that is why his return to the organization has created hope for a successful season that sees the Padres return to the postseason.
There is still debate among Padres fans about whether trading top prospect Leo De Vries to the Athletics for Mason Miller was worth it. De Vries is an unproven prospect who is projected for stardom and Miller is a proven big-league closer. The debate will wage on, but Miller filled an immediate need with the loss of closer Robert Suarez in free agency and he will officially step into his new role this season.
Gavin Sheets had a strong Spring Training in 2025, which allowed him to earn a spot on the San Diego roster. He had a strong season and had big moments and was integral in helping the Padres reach the postseason. Sheets is being asked to perform once again as a first baseman/designated hitter platoon for 2026.
Free agent pitcher German Marquez said he spoke with his former Colorado Rockies manager and now Padres special assistant to A.J. Preller before signing with San Diego. Black gave him insight as to how he could fit with the Padres and what he could get from the organization. This is one of the benefits of having Black back in San Diego. Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune looks at what Black can and does mean for the organization.
Stammen revealed some bad news regarding starter Matt Waldron. He said the knuckleballer was going to be shut down after having surgery to treat an infection on his “rear end.” Stammen admitted this was a difficult time of year for Waldron to be sidelined, but that it was out of anyone’s control.
Baseball News:
A day after it was revealed that Detroit Tigers starter Tarik Skubal was only planning to make one start in the World Baseball Classic, Pittsburgh Pirates starter Paul Skenes said his plan is to make just two starts in the WBC.
The Atlanta Braves and pitcher Chris Sale agreed to a contract extension for the 2027 season that will pay him $27 million dollars. The deal reportedly includes a club option for 2028 for $30 million.
Elly De La Cruz and Eugenio Surez hit back-to-back home runs on Tuesday providing a preview of what Cincinnati Reds fans can expect this season.
Fantasy baseball draft season is here and everyone is looking for sleeper picks to win the draft room. The Rotoworld Baseball staff is on the case.
The term "sleeper" means different things to different people and it can also vary depending on the depth of your league, but the best way to look at it is each player's ability to outperform their average draft position. The names you'll see below all have the potential to do exactly that.
⚾️ Coming soon: MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026! In addition to becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball, NBC Sports will broadcast MLB Sunday Leadoff, “Opening Day” and Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason, and much more.
Called up at the end of last season to join a Reds team full of average hitters, Stewart immediately stood out, no matter how little manager Terry Francona wanted to admit it. He arrived having hit .309/.383/.524 with 20 homers, 17 steals and a modest 16% strikeout rate between Double- and Triple-A, and he went on to add five more homers in just 55 at-bats for the Reds. That's as many as Gavin Lux had in 446 at-bats. 21 of his 40 balls in play were hit hard. He slugged .545, about 100 points better than any Reds regular, and he probably could have done better; Statcast gave him an expected SLG of .626.
Since then, there's been some debate about where and how much Stewart will play. None of the projection systems are treating him as a full-timer, but it'd be nuts for the Reds not to give him that opportunity. Elly De La Cruz is the only other guy on the Reds with this kind of offensive ceiling. Stewart should hit for average and power, while he'll surely bat lower than Eugenio Suárez for now, he'll probably finish the season as the teams' cleanup hitter. He's a top-10 fantasy first baseman, and he'll be even more valuable if and when he becomes eligible at second base. - Matthew Pouliot
Cade Horton — SP, Chicago Cubs
It’s odd to classify one of the best pitchers of the second half and N.L. Rookie of the Year runner-up as a sleeper. Yet, it seems the fantasy community is projecting far too much regression with an ADP just inside the top 200. While I wouldn’t bank on a repeat of a 2.67 ERA, don’t discount the growth potential for the 24-year-old right-hander. Horton’s strikeout totals might’ve been uninspiring, but his strikeout rate improved in the second half behind a pair of secondaries in his changeup and sweeper that generated outstanding whiff rates. Add in a 6.9% walk rate and elite defense behind him, and the regression could be a lot softer than the projections indicate. - Jorge Montanez
Okamoto arrives with an extensive track record of power production in Japan, supported by enough contact skill to suggest his transition to the majors may be steadier than the typical leap of faith attached to international imports. The 29-year-old third baseman immediately slots into the heart of Toronto’s loaded lineup, creating ample run-producing opportunities with the defending American League champions. Projecting Okamoto for 25 homers with a respectable batting average and strong counting stats doesn’t feel like wishcasting – it feels like a reasonable translation of a proven power bat stepping into a favorable lineup environment in the hitter-friendly AL East. For context, Eugenio Suárez, Junior Caminero, Manny Machado, and José Ramírez were the only third basemen to eclipse 25 homers last season. He’s been drifting beyond pick 275 in early NFBC drafts – nearly 100 selections after Matt Chapman – which feels like a familiar market reflex: when uncertainty looms, fantasy managers instinctively default to familiarity instead of embracing the riskier unknown. - George Bissell
Francisco Alvarez — C, New York Mets
Given the hype attached to Alvarez as a prospect a few years ago, it’s a little crazy that he’s considered a sleeper entering his fourth full season in the majors, but here we are. It’s been a bumpy road for the 24-year-old, including multiple hand injuries and a demotion to Triple-A Syracuse last season, but he was a different hitter upon his return to the majors. After adjusting his swing mechanics in Triple-A, he slashed .276/.360/.561 with eight homers and 21 RBI across his final 41 games. Alvarez had surgery to repair a torn UCL in his thumb after the season, but he had no limitations going into the spring. The optimism for Alvarez lies in his quality of contact, which ranked among the league’s best in hard-hit rate and average exit velocity last season. Alvarez might begin 2026 in the bottom third of the Mets’ revamped lineup. That’s understandable given his injury history and fits and starts offensively, but there’s still a potential 30-homer hitter in here somewhere. At catcher, that upside plays in all leagues. - D.J. Short
Bubba Chandler — SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
There’s an exciting group of young starting pitchers who debuted last season that are taking fantasy drafts by storm. Managers are tripping over themselves to draft Nolan McLean (97 ADP), Chase Burns (113 ADP), Jacob Misiorowski (130 ADP), Cam Schlittler (141 ADP), and Trey Yesavage (152 ADP). Yet, Bubba Chandler (154 ADP) is the last of the bunch to go off the board and has a good chance to be the most effective from this crew. His call-up was delayed last season first by the Pirates manipulating his service time and then by his own poor performance as frustration potentially mounted. Still, his seven-game audition was excellent. Over 31 1/3 innings, he struck out 31 batters, walked four, and had a 0.93 WHIP. His 4.02 ERA was a bit high, but came with a nine-run blow up against the Brewers. Without that, it’d would’ve been a 1.57 ERA and his helium would be out of control. A fastball that flirts with 100 mph sets up a hard slider that dominates righties and a changeup that stymies lefties. There’s a curveball that’s potentially on the way too. It’s not difficult to envision him as a top-30 starter with room for more and his place as the 41st starting pitcher off the board leaves more room for profit compared to most of that second-year starter cohort. - James Schiano
Jordan Lawlar — 3B, Arizona Diamondbacks
This is the year. I feel it. Lawlar came into the 2024 season as the 11th-ranked prospect in baseball after hitting .278/.378/.496 with 20 home runs and 26 steals in 105 games at Double-A and Triple-A in 2023. However, he had thumb surgery at the beginning of that season and was out until June, and then injured his hamstring when he returned. As a result, he was limited to 23 games that season. He then got off to a hot start in 2025, but hamstring injuries again limited Lawlar to 91 total games. His injuries and his paltry .182/.257/.288 slash line with a 35% strikeout rate in 28 MLB games has his ADP outside of the top 300, but I still have faith. For starters, he slashed .313/.403/.564 with 11 home runs and 20 steals in 63 games at Triple-A last season. He posted a 10.8% swinging strike rate at that level and had just a 13.7% mark in his MLB debut, and his Triple-A zone contact and overall contact rates were solid. He has a patient approach (perhaps overly patient at the big league level) and not only pulls the ball often but pulls it in the air as well. That will allow him to get to more power than you think, especially since he had a 113 mph max exit velocity in Triple-A. Lawlar should get every chance to win a starting outfield job this spring, and I think he has the chance to be a 20/25 guy in a full season. - Eric Samulski
Quinn Priester — SP, Milwaukee Brewers
It's tough to gauge what is or isn't a sleeper, but it doesn't seem like Priester is getting enough attention. Even if you ignore his 13-3 record, he's a right-hander who posted a 3.32 ERA over 157 1/3 innings while helping Milwaukee to the best record in the National League. There were very few starters in baseball who did a better job of keeping the ball on the ground last year with a 55.7 percent rate, and he avoided hard contact at a strong rate as well. The one thing Priester didn't do was fan many batters as seen in 132 punchouts in those aforementioned innings, but his 24.5 percent whiff rate suggests that the 20.2 strikeout percentage had at least a smidgen of bad luck. Priester is not an ace, but this is a 25-year-old who has had success, and considering he's a former first-round pick and someone who was widely considered one of the 50 or so best prospects in baseball not that long ago, it shouldn't shock anyone if he takes another step in 2026. - Christopher Crawford
García may not fit some definitions of a sleeper as all fantasy managers know who is, but he doesn't get anywhere near the respect that he deserves. It feels like he has been around forever because he broke into the big leagues as a 20-year-old and is entering his seventh MLB season, yet he still won't be 26 until August. Over the past two seasons he has hit .267 while averaging 17 home runs and 18 stolen bases and his contributions in the counting stats should be positive as well hitting near the middle of the Nationals' lineup. He qualifies at second base -- perhaps the single most shallow position in fantasy baseball in 2026 -- and will also gain eligibility at first base as that's where he'll be stationed for the Nationals this year. He quietly and capably delivers contributions in all five categories and it's incredibly likely that we have yet to see his true ceiling. When you can grab that type of player after pick 225, it's an absolute win on all fronts. - David Shovein
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 15: Wilyer Abreu #52 of the Boston Red Sox looks on during live batting practice during the first full squad workout at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 15, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning! The Red Sox lost to the Pirates yesterday, with Ranger Suarez giving up a homer to the number one prospect in baseball, Konnor Griffin. Luckily, absolutely nothing that happens in a spring training game in February matters one stinking bit. In fact, if anyone remembers anything at all about yesterday’s game, it will be this:
For years, New England dads of a certain age have been regaling the world with a story about Jim Rice breaking his bat on a check swing. They don’t build ballplayers like that anymore!
So, sorry dad, by they do in fact make ballplayers like that these days, and Wilyer Abreu is one of them. So the question of the day is: how many homers do you think Wilyer is going to hit this year? 73 is probably a bit too much to ask for. So I’ll go with 72.
Talk about what you want and be good to one another.
With the Winter Olympics now behind us for another four years, it's intriguing to think about how different the Senators' roster could look by the time the 2030 Games in the French Alps roll around.
At the moment, barring a trade, only four players are locked into Ottawa contracts that take them beyond 2030. And of the four, three are definitely on their nation's radar, and two are shoo-ins.
Tim Stutzle
Nov 13, 2025; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Tim Stutzle (18) scores against Boston Bruins goalie Joonas Korpisalo (70) in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-IMAGN Images
Stutzle is in year three of an eight-year, $66.8 million deal that will take him to 2031. He is a lock for Team Germany in 2030 and probably two or three Olympic Games after that if the NHL continues to participate beyond France.
That's certainly not automatic.
Steve Warne and Gregg Kennedy discuss which players will be more likely to come home to the NHL more inspired after the Olympics, the gold medalists or the silver medalists?
As a sidebar, the league has to be concerned about the injuries in the tournament. Sidney Crosby heads back to Pittsburgh injured. LA Kings star Kevin Fiala suffered a gruesome season-ending leg injury, and Stutzle might not be 100 per cent either.
After Germany bowed out in the quarterfinal, TSN's Mark Masters alluded to Stutzle getting his shoulder checked out, which Stutzle didn't directly respond to, but he's clearly a man who left it all on the ice in Italy.
"Yeah, to be honest, I'm pretty exhausted," Stutzle said. "My body's hurting, but I'm excited to get back to playing (NHL) hockey again."
Stutzle would be a key player for any nation, but on Team Germany, he might be welcome to play for them into his 40s.
Jake Sanderson
No Senator is locked in longer than Jake Sanderson, whose eight-year $64.4 million contract expires in 2032. Sanderson played a bigger role for Team USA this year than he did last year at the 4 Nations Face-Off and continues to improve in the NHL. With 46 points, he's tied for eighth in NHL scoring among defensemen, and he's easily one of the fastest skaters in the league.
Travis Green said this week that Sanderson hasn't yet hit his ceiling as a player. That's bad news for the rest of the world. He'll be 27 in France, and should be right in his prime by then.
Shane Pinto
Jan 8, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto (12) controls the puck in the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Pinto's four-year deal, worth $30 million with the Senators, kicks in this fall, and his progress with the Senators and Team USA will be interesting to monitor. Pinto went to the Team USA orientation camp last summer, so he's already on their radar. But to get to France, he'll need to elevate his point production (29 points in 47 games).
The Senators believe he can do that, or they wouldn't have just doubled his salary to $7.5 million. But right now, three of the four locked-in players on this list are centres, so Pinto may continue to be blocked through 2030, playing the role of reliable third-line two-way centre.
But there's a chance that Brady Tkachuk (2028 UFA) and Drake Batherson (2027 UFA) may explore free agency, so it's easy to imagine a move to the wing to vault Pinto into a top-six role and power play time.
Dylan Cozens
Jan 31, 2026; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Dylan Cozens (24) skates against the New Jersey Devils during the first period at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
In 2023, the Buffalo Sabres inked Cozens to a seven-year, $49.7 million extension, then traded him to Ottawa less than two years into the contract. The Workhorse from Whitehorse is a member in good standing with Hockey Canada, representing us twice at U18s, twice at the World Juniors, and twice at the men's World Hockey Championships.
With 43 points in 57 games, Cozens is on pace for 62 points, which would be the second-best season of his seven-year career. So while he's not on Canada's Olympic radar right now, he's a 25-year-old whose career appears to be heading in the right direction.
By the time the Olympic flame is lit in the French Alps in 2030, the Senators could look like an entirely different team. But if these four are still leading the way, Ottawa fans can feel pretty good about where the future is headed.
Steve Warne The Hockey News
This article was first published by The Hockey News. More headlines here:
Carson Benge is starting in right field and leading off, with prospects A.J. Ewing, Nick Morabito, and Ryan Clifford set to enter in the middle innings
Adbert Alzolay and Luis Garcia are expected to pitch after Tong
CARDINALS
METS
JJ Wetherholt, SS
Carson Benge, RF
Jose Fermin, 2B
Juan Soto, LF
Nolan Gorman, 3B
Francisco Alvarez, DH
Nelson Velazquez, RF
Mark Vientos, 1B
Leonardo Bernal, C
Hayden Senger, C
Nathan Church, CF
Christian Arroyo, 3B
Joshua Baez, DH
Vidal Brujan, SS
Blaze Jordan, 1B
Cristian Pache, CF
Chase Davis, LF
Grae Kessinger, 2B
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The Knicks have depth, but they’re still figuring out how to use it.
The starting five, Mitchell Robinson, Jose Alvarado, and Landry Shamet are solidified. When Deuce McBride eventually returns from his sports hernia, he will be too. The battle for the ninth or tenth man, though, is up in the air.
On one end, you have exciting, 19-year-old rookie Mo Diawara, who has shown tremendous flashes on both ends just a few months after not being good enough to go top 50 in the NBA Draft. With his recent three-point outburst, he’s becoming more and more of a viable role player as a rookie.
But on the other end, you have another young player, but one who’s more experienced and is looking to make an impact in a new situation. Jeremy Sochan is still only 22, but fell out of favor in San Antonio and elected to sign in New York after being released mid-season.
These two are on the Knicks’ rotation bubble, with players like Tyler Kolek, Ariel Hukporti, and Kevin McCullar Jr. waiting in the wings in case of injuries. But which of the two makes more sense for the Knicks? Could they both play a role?
A rotation doesn’t need to be concrete. From game to game, things can change. The strengths of the two are different, but both are common in the sense of being full of potential with considerable downside. It’s easy to scheme both out of a game, which makes identifying specific matchups necessary.
Sochan’s biggest weakness is shooting; he’s always been a basket case on offense. He brings rebounding and a smidge of secondary playmaking, but he’ll make the people guarding Josh Hart look like Patrick Beverley if he gets the ball on the perimeter.
Diawara’s simply being a limited rookie. If you remember, he started the game against the Spurs on New Year’s Eve, which started the slump, and Mitch Johnson expertly schemed him out of the game. He sagged off Diawara, daring him to either shoot or put the ball on the floor. He’s not an advanced enough jumpshooter (especially in non-C&S situations) to shoot out of it, and his ballhandling needs improvement. It’s not a terrible thing for a rookie, but it must be considered.
So what are their strengths? Diawara is a switchable defender who can hold his own against most players due to his size and length, as is Sochan. Sochan is a great rebounder, while Diawara has sneakily been extremely effective on catch-and-shoot (41.5 3pt%) and corner threes (12-for-14).
Diawara is an asset in non-OG Anunoby minutes for a team that has a lot of guards and small wings in the rotation, but the team has specifically dominated minutes where Karl-Anthony Towns is playing and Jalen Brunson is sitting:
The best role for Diawara is to play the non-Brunson minutes, where KAT is the lead option on offense. Alvarado comes off the bench as the ballhandler, and his two-man game with him and Towns can collapse the defense enough to get it to an open shooter, such as Shamet or Diawara. It’s not a big role, but it’s a useful one for a rookie.
Figuring out a role for Sochan is more difficult, as he’s struggled mightily in his first few games as a Knick. It wasn’t going to be pretty every time, and it hasn’t yielded much in a small sample. Still, there might be one option that has the best chance of working out.
The Knicks are struggling badly when one of Towns or Robinson isn’t available. As much as we’ve wished Hukporti could emerge as a viable third center, it’s rough at times out there. When Towns had to sit for a bit in the fourth quarter against the Bulls, the offense ground to a halt.
That’s where Sochan comes in. Against teams without much size (like the Bulls, who deployed Jalen Smith and OAKAAK Guerschon Yabusele at the 5 that night), Sochan is a viable small-ball five who’s more versatile than Hukporti. Mike Brown hasn’t totally leaned into untraditional fives, but I think it’s worth considering deploying Sochan in that role over Hukporti when the team can’t throw one of Robinson or Towns out there.
There is a spacing component, as Sochan’s lack of perimeter shooting makes it so that it’s hard to see him on the floor with one of the Knicks’ worst/unwilling shooters (Robinson, Hart), but he can viably be used in spurts as a small-ball five in a lineup full of floor spacers.
The Stephen Curry-less Golden State Warriors head to the FedExForum this evening to take on the Memphis Grizzlies, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Draymond Green has been stepping it up offensively lately, and my Warriors vs. Grizzlies predictions are targeting him to keep that trend alive here.
Read more in my NBA picks for Wednesday, February 25.
Warriors vs Grizzlies prediction
Warriors vs Grizzlies best bet: Draymond Green Over 10.5 points (-115)
Draymond Green is averaging 8.5 points per game this season, which is right on par for him. After all, the veteran is more of a defensive presence and playmaker than a scorer. However, Steph Curry remains sidelined, and Draymond has seen an uptick in minutes.
He’s played 24+ minutes in three of his last four, surpassing the 30-minute mark in two of those contests. Green has also cashed the Over in points in three of his last four.
Draymond registered 11 points on Tuesday, and he’s averaging exactly 10.5 PPG across two meetings with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2025-26.
Warriors vs Grizzlies same-game parlay
De'Anthony Melton has been on a different level lately, hitting the Over in points in three straight, erupting for 28 points in Tuesday’s loss to the Pelicans.
He also dropped 20 on Sunday against the Nuggets. Yes, this is a high total for a guy averaging just 12.7 PPG, but Melton is in his bag right now.
Dating to January 2025, the Golden State Warriors have won four straight against Memphis, including both this season.
While Golden State doesn’t have Curry and it's compiled an 11-17 record on the road, the Warriors will be motivated to bounce back after losing to a very poor Pelicans team.
Warriors vs Grizzlies SGP
Draymond Green Over 10.5 points
De'Anthony Melton Over 19.5 points
Warriors moneyline
Our "from downtown" SGP: Seein' Green
Green is averaging 5.1 dimes this season, and he’s cashed the Over in two of his last three. The veteran is also averaging 6.0 assists against the Grizzlies in ‘25-26.
The Golden State Warriors have hit the 2Q Moneyline in 12 of their last 17 away games (+8.60 Units / 40% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Grizzlies.
How to watch Warriors vs Grizzlies
Location
FedExForum, Memphis, TN
Date
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
NBC Sports Bay Area, FDSN Southeast-Memphis
Warriors vs Grizzlies latest injuries
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The 2025–26 NHL season is officially back in session, with the Vancouver Canucks returning from the break with a home-ice matchup against the Winnipeg Jets. Vancouver started off their 2026 Winter Olympic break with a 5–2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on February 4, while the Jets lost 5–1 to the Montréal Canadiens on the same day.
Winnipeg has two players on their roster who were part of the USA’s gold medal-winning effort — Kyle Connor and Connor Hellebuyck — though it’s still slightly unclear which of them will take part in today’s game. On the Canucks’ side, Filip Chytil remains out of the lineup due to a facial fracture sustained in practice, while previously injured players such as Brock Boeser, Nils Höglander, and Zeev Buium have all taken part in the team’s practices through the past few days. Their statuses for tonight’s game will be confirmed later on in the day.
Through the final 25 games of their 2025–26 season, many will be watching the Canucks not for their usual end-of-season playoff push, but to get a better gauge of what the future looks like moving forward. Younger players like Tom Willander, Zeev Buium, and Liam Öhgren will be some who likely get increased minutes as a result of this. With the NHL Trade Deadline coming up, this will also probably end up occurring due to the moves many want Vancouver to make.
Heading into the 2026 Winter Olympic break, the line of Öhgren, Conor Garland, and Teddy Blueger found success together. These three played particularly well compared to the rest of the teams’ performances in the final two games against Vegas and the Utah Mammoth, as they factored into every goal scored during this span of time. The trio were put together during Vancouver’s practices through the past couple of days and will likely skate together again tonight.
Players To Watch:
Conor Garland
Alongside Blueger and Öhgren before the break, it looked as though Garland had begun to find his form. The forward had three assists in Vancouver’s games against Utah and Vegas at that time, with those being his first points since a two-assist night against the San Jose Sharks on December 27. Garland’s name has emerged in trade reports as of late, making the next couple of games leading into the March 6th Trade Deadline all the more notable.
Kyle Connor
Fresh off winning a gold medal with Team USA, Connor will be returning to the Jets with energy that his American teammates may not have. The forward skated in only two games while at the Olympics, sitting out of his team’s final four matches. Heading into the break earlier in February, Connor had been riding a five-game point-streak that he can increase with a goal or an assist later tonight.
Nov 11, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk (4) watches as goalie Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save on Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser (6) in the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Vancouver Canucks (18–33–6):
Points:
Elias Pettersson: 13–21–34
Filip Hronek: 5–27–32
Jake DeBrusk: 13–15–28
Brock Boeser: 12–13–25
Evander Kane: 9–16–25
Goaltenders:
Thatcher Demko: 8–10–1
Kevin Lankinen: 7–19–4
Nikita Tolopilo: 3–3–1
Jiří Patera: 0–1–0
Winnipeg Jets (22–26–8):
Points:
Mark Scheifele: 27–41–68
Kyle Connor: 25–39–64
Gabriel Vilardi: 21–29–50
Josh Morrissey: 10–32–42
Alex Iafollo: 9–11–20
Goaltenders:
Connor Hellebuyck: 13–16–7
Eric Comrie: 9–9–1
Thomas Milic: 0–1–0
Game Information:
Start time: 7:00 pm PT
Venue: Rogers Arena
Television: Sportsnet
Radio: Sportsnet 650
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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SARASOTA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 13: Tyler O'Neill #9 of the Baltimore Orioles smiles during practice at Ed Smith Stadium on February 13, 2026 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Baltimore Orioles/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s a real rush following a team that’s active in free agency. The Orioles flushed a disappointing 2025 by making several moves that should significantly improve the team this season. The Pete Alonso deal rivaled the Corbin Burnes trade as the most exciting offseason acquisition in recent memory. The Birds brought in an established closer, acquired multiple starting pitchers, and added players that can make an impact on both sides of the ball.
The Chris Bassitt signing likely marked the last major transaction until the trade deadline in July, but I’m not ready for the Orioles to stop adding production. Now, with spring training underway, I’m looking for players that can exceed their projected value and emerge as an X factor this year.
I’ve already made the case for Blaze Alexander and Albert Suárez. Alexander looks like an everyday player with Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg sidelined. Holliday remains optimistic for a quick recovery, but things have taken a darker turn with Westburg’s partial UCL tear. Alexander can play second, shortstop or third base while adding additional versatility in the outfield.
Suárez started yesterday and allowed one run in a pair of innings. The veteran could carve out a valuable role as a multi-inning reliever while still maintaining the ability to make a spot start or two if needed.
Tyler O’Neill provided -0.3 WAR last season while struggling to stay on the field. The Orioles inked O’Neill to a $49.5 million dollar deal with an opt out after last season. To no surprise, O’Neill did not opt out after making only 54 appearances last season.
The Orioles gave this guy $50 million because they believed in his bat. O’Neill slugged 31 homers while posting a 217 wRC+ against lefties in 2024. There’s no guarantee that O’Neill will return to form—and there’s even less reason to believe he’ll stay healthy—but he’s a prime example of a guy that can provide more value than he did last season.
O’Neill will face more competition for playing time this season. Baltimore added slugger Taylor Ward from the Angels, and Dylan Beavers looked like an everyday player at the end of last season. That being said, O’Neill would make for a prime platoon candidate with the left-handed Beavers. If he hits, and he’s healthy, the Orioles will make room for O’Neill.
On the other hand, there’s not much competition for Colton Cowser in center field. Leody Taveras will make the team if Baltimore feels it needs a true center fielder on the bench, but he’s not a threat to steal at bats. Cowser possesses the level of job security that’s up there with Alonso and Gunnar Henderson. That may bring some comfort, but it also adds pressure.
Cowser hit below the Mendoza Line over 92 games last season. Imagine the type of value spike he can provide if he matches his 120 OPS+ and 3.1 bWAR from his rookie campaign in 2024.
Staying in the outfield, 2025 marked another lost season for Heston Kjerstad. The former first-round pick faces an uphill battle for playing time this season, but there’s an early buzz about the 27-year-old’s power in Sarasota.
Adley Rutschman sits firmly at the top of the bounceback candidate list, but there’s real optimism there. If we’re looking for guys further under the radar, the bullpen is the place to search.
This could be Yennier Cano’s last chance to recapture the magic of his rookie season. Cano posted a disappointing 5.12 ERA and 79 ERA+ last season. He may never replicate the 194 ERA+ from 2023, but even his 123 ERA+ (3.15 ERA) from 2024 would add stability to an unestablished bunch of relievers.
The Orioles appear content to start the season with Keegan Akin as their top lefty. Akin’s 3.41 ERA and 118 ERA+ from last year is really all anyone should expect from the 30-year-old at this point. If a southpaw is going to emerge as an X-factor in the bullpen, it would likely have to be Grant Wolfram, Dietrich Enns or non-roster invite Eric Torres. Wolfram has struck out five batters in two innings of work this spring.
All of these guys are on the list because they could exceed expectations this season. The number of players that outperform projections will have a direct impact on how the team performs overall. The stars need to deliver, but these type of players can make the difference over a 162-game season.
13 Oct 1999: Right fielder Paul O''Neill #21 of the New York Yankees falls as he makes a catch during game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York. The Yankees defeated the Red Sox 4-3. | Getty Images
Today’s Yankee birthday boy is a doozie, a member of the late ‘90s dynasty teams, a fierce and iconic competitor, and a downright good baseball player. Paul O’Neill, born on this day in 1963, may not have spent his entire career in New York, but he will be remembered for his time in pinstripes, and with good reason.
Between four All-Star selections, four World Series rings, a batting title, a Top 100 Yankee nod, a few decommissioned water coolers, and ultimately a retired number and a plaque in Monument Park, The Warrior’s tenure in the Bronx was a highly memorable and successful one.
O’Neill was drafted by the Reds, and got his first call-up to the majors with his hometown team in September of 1985. He would appear in just five games that season, and only in three the next year, but things would get rolling in ‘87. Across 160 plate appearances, O’Neill had a 111 wRC+ and cemented himself in the starting lineup for the Reds going forward.
Paulie continued to be productive player through the late-’80s, and was a crucial part of the 1990 Reds team that won the World Series in an upset over the dynastic A’s. He fully broke out in 1991, hitting a career-high 28 homers with a 128 OPS+, and earning his first All-Star selection. 1992 would be his final year with the Reds, as in November of that year, O’Neill was traded to the Yankees on the heels of a fine but underwhelming season at the plate. Pressed by Cincy manager Lou Piniella to further bolster his power, he instead regressed and savvy Yankees GM Gene “Stick” Michael eyed him as someone in need of a fresh start. New York ultimately received a star for the better part of a decade.
O’Neill’s impact was apparent upon arrival, as he enjoyed perhaps his best big league season at the plate during his first year in the Bronx. He went 4-for-4 in his Bronx debut, got back over 20 homers once again, slugged over .500 for the first time, and reached a then-career-high 134 wRC+. His second season in the Bronx would be one for the ages, but one ultimately shadowed by what-ifs. The 1994 season was cut short by the player strike, but in his 103 games, O’Neill played the best baseball of his life. By the end of April, his average sat at .448, and didn’t drop below .400 until mid-June. The Yankees sat atop the league when play stopped, thanks in large part to O’Neill’s MVP-level play — 21 homers in just 103 games and a league-leading .359 batting average.
He continued to play terrific ball in 1995 and ‘96, earning a second straight All-Star selection in the former, and helping the Yankees win the first of their dynasty championships in the latter. The good times kept rolling in the following year for O’Neill — 21 homers, .324/.399/.514 slash line, 139 wRC+, and another All-Star nod; Paulie was as consistent as they come. The Yankees would lose in the ALDS, but it had nothing to do with him, as he was terrific in October. He homered twice and reached base in half of his plate appearances.
1998 was a year in which just about everything went right for the Yankees, and O’Neill was no exception. He once again put up his near-patented stat line, 24 homers and a 129 wRC+ in 152 games, in what was his most valuable season according to fWAR, with a figure of 5.4. He earned his fifth All-Star selection, and the Yankees won a then-record 114 games in the regular season. They swept the Rangers in the DS, and ultimately defeated Cleveland for the American League pennant. They would take on the Padres in that year’s Fall Classic, and sweep their way to their rightful spot atop the mountain. O’Neill was solid in the championship run, holding up an .806 OPS across 60 plate appearances with a homer in each of the first two series.
In 1999, O’Neill’s age-36 campaign, the outfielder showed his first signs of slowing down. An early-season slump, paired with an injury late in the year and the loss of his father during the World Series finale made for a difficult end of the century for O’Neill. Nonetheless, despite a step back in terms of performance, he was still a positive contributor, and did his part in the Yankees’ second consecutive World Series win.
Retirement was in question for the veteran following the tough year, but he ultimately elected to stick around. He was by no means bad, but his 92 wRC+ marked the first and only below average offensive season of his career. He was no hole in the lineup either, as he still slugged 18 homers and 100 RBI in the down year, and the Yankees went on to their third consecutive World Series. O’Neill hit .310 in the postseason, with a gutty 10-pitch battle against Mets closer Armando Benítez keying a ninth-inning rally in World Series Game 1. Even on those old legs, he tripled twice in the series while earning a fifth ring in his decorated career, and the Yanks took down the Amazins in the Fall Classic.
His status was up in the air again for 2001, but O’Neill ultimately returned for one more season in the Bronx. His regular season ended with injury trouble, but it was still a productive one. O’Neill oddly set a career high with 22 stole bases at 37-years-old, and became the oldest player to record a 20-homer/20-steal season.
Although that 2001 World Series run was a famously devastating one, O’Neill’s contributions were huge in their near-miss. He homered twice and managed a 123 wRC+ in the postseason, with his health likely less than 100 percent. The fans serenaded him in the ninth inning of his final appearance in the Bronx, the unforgettable World Series Game 5.
The heartbreaking Game 7 in Arizona would prove to be his last big-league game, putting a cap on what was a terrific 17-year Major League career.
There is a good argument to be made that he was at the center of the Yankees’ historic run from 1996-2000, which saw them win four championships. not only for his spirit on the field, but because he was an significant and consistent producer with the bat. This was certainly the case when October came around, and as a result, it is hard to picture that dominant run without Paul O’Neill in the middle of it.
A YES Network announcer for over two decades now, O’Neill’s tremendous impact on the Yankees would not go unrecognized, as he would have his No. 21 retired in Monument Park during the 2022 season, forever cementing his place in Yankee history.
Here’s to a happy 63rd to the ever-entertaining Paul O’Neill!
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
Missouri baseball’s trip through Boca Raton and Fort Myers mostly followed the status quo, in the sense that the best team came out on top. Across its last four games before the Tigers’ return to Columbia, the continuous high performance of the starting pitching continued, with what has been a real offensive punch to begin. On the mound, showing that just maybe, a pitching staff that isn’t facing an injury bug every other week is beginning to take shape. Who’s continued to settle in, who’s heating up, and what this group has shown right before the calendar turns to March and the Tigers’ opening games at Taylor Stadium.
The promising debut of Dohrmann
The lone loss of the four‑game stretch came in a 4–2 loss at Florida Atlantic, but even that night offered more positives than the scoreboard suggested. Freshman JD Dohrmann showed flashes of his command in the team scrimmage and handled his collegiate debut with high poise, working five innings and allowing just one earned run while striking out five.
Through four games, Missouri’s rotation had already established a pattern: Javyn Pimental, Josh McDevitt, Brady Kehlenbrink, and now Dohrmann had each gone at least five innings in their respective pitching outings. Together, they’d allowed only five earned runs in 20 innings, giving the Tigers a real backbone, one that wasn’t often there last season.
Missouri, similar to its loss to Mount Saint Mary’s had its chances against Florida Atlantic. Jase Woita tied the game in the sixth with his second home run in as many days, continuing a scorching start that pushed his average near .400 with double‑digit RBI. Tyler Macon added a hit and a run from his strong position in the leadoff spot, and Pierre Seals made one of the defensive plays of the night with a diving grab in right. The bullpen couldn’t hold on to keep the Tigers ahead, Kadden Drew in his appearance chipped in 0.2 scoreless innings in the 4-2 defeat.
Macon’s hot start continues in his personal playground
Is it Terry Park, or is it an established leadoff hitter for Missouri? I’d go with the latter based on the in-game evidence. In the first game against New Haven, Macon continued his absurd run of reaching base in Fort Myers, going 3‑for‑4 with four runs, two RBI, a double, and two stolen bases. Did I mention he now has reached base 21-out of his last-27 at bats according to MU Athletics?
Behind him, Pimentel delivered his part of the young season: five innings, one run, three hits, and a career‑high 10 strikeouts. Missouri didn’t need a massive offensive outburst — though they got contributions from Seals, Maisonet, and Frost — because their starter set the pace and the bullpen, including freshman Luke Sullivan, handled the rest. Sullivan’s 1.2 scoreless innings, complete with three strikeouts and a bases‑loaded escape, were one of the weekend’s quieter but still interesting pitching developments.
A 17‑run reminder
The second game against New Haven was the kind of afternoon where Missouri’s lineup looked like it had been waiting to tee off like a golfer on Pebble Beach. The Tigers scored 17 runs on 15 hits, spreading the damage across nearly everyone in the order.
Serna doubled home a run, Humbert added two more, Frost reached base four times, and Maisonet kept his steady start to the season rolling with two hits and an RBI. Macon of course drove in four more, and McDevitt gave Missouri another five‑inning start with seven strikeouts. It was the type of game that makes a lineup feel deeper than it did the week before.
Closing with authority
Missouri wrapped the weekend with a 16–2 run‑rule win, and the first inning alone told the story: eight runs and once again a lineup that didn’t let up.
Macon’s red-hot bat led to his triple, driving in three. Seals collected three hits, Maisonet homered, and Sam Parker added three RBI of his own. Kehlenbrink punched out seven in five innings, continuing the rotation’s early‑season consistency, and the bullpen finished the job, this time not playing down to competition and finishing the game without drama.
Missouri’s last four games were another pad the win column; and showcasing the pitching rotation which has been stacking five‑inning starts like clockwork thus gar and giving the batters in the lineup a claustrophobic’s favorite thing. Room to breathe.
The offense in this portion of the non-conference schedule is capable of blowing a game wide open, depending on the day, and, importantly for the Tigers, players like Tyler Macon and Jase Woita are continuing to shape their places in the batting order.
At the risk of beating a dead horse, it’ it’s the early stretch of the season. The four-game stint showed the early signs of a team that’s beginning to mold itself together— to make its display on the theatre field that is the baseball diamond more fun to watch.
Matthew Pouliot
George Bissell
