LSU men's basketball coach Matt McMahon has been dismissed after four seasons at the school.
Former Tigers coach Will Wade, who preceded McMahon in the job, is returning to the school after his tumultuous tenure that saw the program found guilty of recruiting violations. Wade received a show-cause penalty as part of the NCAA punishment, but return to coaching at McNeese State in 2023 and led North Carolina State to the NCAA Tournament this season in his one year at the school.
Wade will owe North Carolina State a buyout of $5 million.
The loss of Wade disappointing development for the Wolfpack, who thought they had found their next long-term coach in Wade after moving on from Kevin Keatts.
For LSU, it's the second time in five months it has hired a coach who tanked his reputation before rehabilitating it. The football program, of course, hired Lane Kiffin away from Mississippi in a year where the rebels made the playoffs. Now it's poaching a coach it was strong-armed into moving on from in the first place.
For McMahon, it ends a four-year era in which he went 60-70 and a lowly 17-55 against the SEC with no Men's NCAA Tournament appearances.
Matt McMahon buyout
McMahon's buyout figure figures to be just more than $8 million, according to his contract obtained by USA TODAY Sports. He spent eight seasons with Murray State before joining the Tigers, going 154-67 with three NCAA appearances.
Matt McMahon LSU record
McMahon struggled to recruit to LSU, and the team's record reflected it. The Tigers went 60-70 (17-55 SEC) in his four seasons with them, and they didn't make the NCAA Tournament during his tenure.
The Cleveland Guardians open the season on the West Coast with a game against the Seattle Mariners tonight.
Both teams are coming off divisional titles and return with rosters mostly intact, if not upgraded.
Seattle has an edge in the starting pitching matchup and brings in an absolutely stacked lineup, which is why my Guardians vs. Mariners predictions and MLB picks call for it to cover at home on Thursday, March 26.
Guardians vs Mariners predictions
Guardians vs Mariners best bet: Mariners -1.5 (+130)
The Seattle Mariners were the fourth-best hitting team with a 113 OPS in 2025 and have been even better this spring.
After scoring 4.7 runs per game last year, Seattle averaged 5.5 in spring training.
Logan Gilbert was effective as usual when healthy last season, finishing with a 3.44 ERA and an elite 32.3% strikeout rate. The Cleveland Guardiansranked 28th in scoring last year, so facing a top-shelf starter is not ideal for this set of bats.
Guardians starter Tanner Bibee had the worst year of his career. He didn’t find a solution this spring, giving up six homers in six starts with a 6.65 ERA.
COVERS INTEL: Bibee’s fastball whiff rate dropped from 21.3% in 2024 to 13.2% last year, and also declined for his cutter, sinker, and curve.
The Mariners added one of baseball's top leadoff batters in Brendan Donovan. He’ll get on base ahead of MVP candidates Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez, which could result in a quick knockout of Bibee.
Bibee allowed 27 homers last year and failed to strike out a batter an inning, a trend that continued into the spring. The Cleveland bullpen is missing injured setup man Hunter Gaddis, and Matt Festa struggled this spring, posting a 6.75 ERA.
Guardians vs Mariners SGP
Mariners -1.5
Mariners first-inning moneyline
Mariners team total Over 3.5
Guardians vs Mariners home run pick: Cal Raleigh (+275)
There are matchup-based picks, and then there are ones where you don’t need to dive too deeply into the numbers. If anyone is going to homer in this game, it will be MLB’s reigning home-run leader playing in his home opener. Bibee’s struggles with the long ball make this an even better bet. He was even worse on the road, giving up twice as many home runs and an OPS 200 points higher than in home games. Randy Arozarena is the only member of the heart of Seattle’s order to homer against him, but that could easily change after tonight.
Guardians vs Mariners odds
Moneyline: Cleveland +158 | Seattle -188
Run line: Cleveland +1.5 (-152) | Seattle -1.5 (+126)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-122) | Under 6.5 (+100)
Guardians vs Mariners trend
The Seattle Mariners have covered the Run Line in 21 of their last 33 games. Find more MLB betting trends for Guardians vs. Mariners.
How to watch Guardians vs Mariners and game info
Location
T-Mobile Park, Seattle, WA
Date
Thursday, March 26, 2026
First pitch
10:10 p.m. ET
TV
Guardians TV, Mariners TV
Guardians starting pitcher
Tanner Bibee (2025: 12-11, 4.24 ERA)
Mariners starting pitcher
Logan Gilbert (2025: 6-6, 3.44 ERA)
Guardians vs Mariners latest injuries
Guardians vs Mariners weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
All eyes will be on Tarik Skubal as he starts what could be his last year with the Detroit Tigers, and he’ll have the San Diego Padres in his sights in today’s season opener.
It’s a heavyweight pitching matchup at Petco Park as Skubal and Nick Pivetta square off, and my Tigers vs. Padres predictions expect Detroit’s ace to pave the way to a road victory.
Take a closer look at this March 26 clash with my free MLB picks.
Tigers vs Padres predictions
Tigers vs Padres best bet: Tigers moneyline (-134)
After the Detroit Tigers’ late-season collapse last year, it’s easy to forget their scorching 29-15 start. I see Detroit flying out of the traps again here.
Tarik Skubal, coming off a 2.21 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 2025, should love the pitcher-friendly conditions at Petco Park.
The visitors are 4-1 SU in their past five season openers, and their two-time Cy Young winner has shown that his stuff travels (2.30 ERA on the road last season).
While the San Diego Padres had a strong home record last year, changes in the clubhouse — including new manager Craig Stammen — may take time to pay off.
COVERS INTEL: Skubal posted an ultra-stingy 1.77 ERA in day games last season, and he allowed just five home runs in 76 1/3 innings across those outings.
Tigers vs Padres same-game parlay (SGP)
The Under was 44-34-3 in San Diego’s home games in 2025, and this feels like another pitching duel.
Nick Pivetta is looking to prove his 2.87 ERA last season was legit, and the Tigers’ strikeout-heavy lineup can lurch from feast to famine within the same game.
The Padres’ big bats were quiet in their final few Spring Training outings, and Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado — coming off WBC action — are among the hitters who’ve never faced Skubal.
I’m also backing Riley Greene’s bat to make an impact. He racked up a career-high 155 hits in 2025.
Tigers vs Padres SGP
Tigers moneyline
Under 7
Riley Greene Over 0.5 hits
Tigers vs Padres home run pick: Riley Greene (+360)
I’ll double down on Greene for the HR prop, too.
He crushed 36 dingers last season, with 32 of those coming off righties. That’ll put Pivetta under pressure here, and the Detroit slugger hit more homers on the road than at home in 2025.
Petco Park isn’t the easiest place to nail the long ball, but Greene’s power overrides that.
Tigers vs Padres odds
Moneyline: Detroit -134 | San Diego +114
Run line: Detroit -1.5 | San Diego +1.5
Over/Under: Over 7 | Under 7
Tigers vs Padres trend
The Padres have hit the Under in 80 of their last 143 games (+13.65 Units / 9% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Tigers vs. Padres.
How to watch Tigers vs Padres and game info
Location
Petco Park, San Diego, CA
Date
Thursday, March 26, 2026
First pitch
4:10 p.m. ET
TV
Detroit SportsNet, Padres TV
Tigers starting pitcher
Tarik Skubal (2025: 13-6, 2.21 ERA)
Padres starting pitcher
Nick Pivetta (2025: 13-5, 2.87 ERA)
Tigers vs Padres latest injuries
Tigers vs Padres weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
ON OPENING DAY: Since 1876, the first year of the National League, the Cubs have opened the season against 28 different teams. This will be their second against the Nationals. They lost to them at home, 2-1, on April 5, 2012. When the Nationals were the Montreal Expos, the Cubs were 1-2 against them in openers, winning in 1973 and losing in 1983 and 2001. All games were at Wrigley Field. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
IN MARCH: The Cubs are 10-13 in games played in March. Their first such game was in 1998. They played two in 2000, then one each in 2003, 2008 and 2014. Starting in 2018, they have played 17: three in 2018 and 2019, one in 2023, three in 2024 and seven last year. The Cubs have been the home team for only five of the 23 games, and three of those were in Tokyo, against the Mets in 2000 and against the Dodgers last year. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
IN MARCH AT WRIGLEY FIELD: The team’s only two previous games in March at Wrigley Field were against the Brewers. On March 31, 2008, Kosuke Fukudome, in his first game, hit a home run with two men on base and nobody out in the ninth inning to tie the score at 3. Craig Counsell doubled leading off the Brewers’ 10th and scored on a bunt, hit by pitch and sacrifice fly. The Cubs went down in order and lost, 4-3. On March 30, 2023, the Cubs won, 4-0, as Marcus Stroman and three relievers combined to allow four hits, walk five and strike out 12. The Cubs scored all their runs in the third inning on three singles, two walks and an error. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
LAST YEAR’S HOME OPENER: In 2025, the Cubs had played nine games before they opened at Wrigley Field, including two “home” games in the Tokyo Dome. They had a 5-4 record when they faced the Padres on April 4, 2025. The Cubs won the game 3-1, getting 7.1 strong innings from Shōta Imanaga.
Matthew Boyd had an excellent 2025, making the NL All-Star team, though he did run out of gas late in the season.
After being hit hard in Game 1 of the division series against the Brewers, he recovered to have an outstanding outing in Game 4.
Against the Nationals last year, Boyd made two starts, allowing 11 hits, one walk and four runs in 14.2 innings (2.45 ERA).
Boyd was particularly effective at Wrigley Field last year, posting a 2.51 ERA and 0.903 WHIP in 15 starts at home. The Cubs went 13-2 in those 15 games.
This will be his third Opening Day start (also 2020 and 2021 with the Tigers).
Cade Cavalli was the Nats’ first round pick in 2020 (22nd overall), taken six picks after the Cubs took Ed Howard and three picks after Pete Crow-Armstrong went to the Mets.
He was a Top 100 prospect three years in a row (2021-23), then missed the entire 2023 season with Tommy John surgery. He made 10 starts for the Nats last year and the results were okay: 4.25 ERA, 1.479 WHIP. He has never faced the Cubs or anyone on the Cubs’ active roster.
Please visit our SB Nation Nationals site Federal Baseball. If you do go there to interact with Nationals fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
The Hockey News' main site revealed players 61-80 for their latest top NHL-affiliated prospect rankings on Wednesday. A Montreal Canadiens goalie prospect made the cut, as Jacob Fowler was given the No. 67 spot.
Fowler being named one of the NHL's top prospects by THN is not surprising in the slightest. The 21-year-old has the potential to become a very good goaltender at the NHL level and has shown promise this season with the Habs.
In 13 appearances with Montreal this campaign, Fowler has a 6-5-2 record, a .899 save percentage, a 2.72 goals-against average, and one shutout. With this, the 2023 third-round pick has had a nice start to his NHL career.
Fowler has also been fantastic while in the AHL with the Laval Rocket this season. In 27 games with the AHL squad on the year, he has a 19-7-1 record, a .916 save percentage, a 2.23 goals-against average, and three shutouts. When noting that this is his first full AHL season, the 6-foot-1 goaltender has certainly been impressive.
With Fowler being so young and already showing this much promise, it is hard not to be excited about his future with the Canadiens. It will be fascinating to see how he continues to develop his game from here.
The stadium has been a fixture of Chicago for more than a century, drawing baseball fans from across Illinois and Indiana through sunshine, rain and strong winds.
As a result, it's no surprise that Wrigley ranked among the best MLB stadiums in the country, according to a self-proclaimed subjective list by USA TODAY's sports site For The Win. The site ranked all 30 MLB stadiums based on general atmosphere, design, location, amenities, food and character.
Wrigley Field ranks among best MLB stadiums
Wrigley Field ranked fourth on the list, only behind San Diego's Petco Park, San Francisco's Oracle Park and Pittsburgh's PNC Park.
For The Win described a trip to Wrigley as "something that every sports fan should try to experience at least once," applauding the recent large-scale renovation while admitting the room for growth in the food selection.
"The Cubs officially completed their massive, multi-phase renovation in 2019, and I think it was done in a perfect way that brought in modern amenities while still respecting Wrigley Field’s old-school charm," the site said. "The food selection could be a bit better from a variety standpoint, but, I mean, you’re at Wrigley. Just enjoy it."
How did White Sox stadium rank?
On the opposite side of the spectrum, the White Sox's Rate Field landed near the bottom of the list, mainly for its lack of a skyline view.
For The Win ranked Rate Field No. 27 out of 30, above only Phoenix's Chase Field, Sacramento's Sutter Health Park and Tampa's Tropicana Field.
"I’ve mentioned it before, but I can’t get over how the stadium could’ve had an epic skyline view if it was flipped around," the site said. "Instead we’re left with a view of nothing. The team is eyeing a new stadium, though, that would have the view. I am glad they dropped the 'Guaranteed' from the name, so there's that."
ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 31: Todd Hollandsworth of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the Opening Day game against the St. Louis Cardinals on March 31, 1998 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images) | Sporting News via Getty Images
When the Dodgers host the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday evening, it’ll be their first-ever game on March 26.
The Dodgers first played a regular season game in March in 1998, opening that year on March 31 against the Cardinals in St. Louis. Mark McGwire in the fifth inning off Ramón Martínez hit the first of his then-record 70 home runs that season. The Dodgers also played a single March game in 2003, 2008, and 2011.
The first time the Dodgers played before March 31 was in 2014 with two games in Australia, and they also had two-game international trips in Korea in 2024 and Japan in 2025. They’ve also played March games domestically in 2014, 2019, as well as annually from 2023-25. In all, the Dodgers have played 28 regular season games in March, and have won 20 of them, and are 14-5 in March games at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers have won 15 of their last 18 opening days, including the last four in a row.
Opening at home has been the norm for the Dodgers in recent years, especially when considering the domestic portion of the schedule. They opened the 2024 season in Seoul, South Korea and started 2025 in Tokyo, Japan, but their first game after returning home was at Dodger Stadium.
This is the 65th season of Dodger Stadium, and the 32nd time opening day is at Chavez Ravine. The Dodgers are 19-12 in those games, with eight wins in their last nine such openers.
The Dodgers have won each of their last seven home openers in Los Angeles, dating back to 2019, and since Dodger Stadium opened in 1962 they are 37-27 in their first game at the ballpark.
The Mets added a bit of outfield depth ahead of their season opener, as the team has agreed to a minor league deal with Tommy Pham, per ESPN’s Jorge Castillo. If Pham gets called up to the team’s major league roster, he’d be on a $2.25 million salary with a potential $850k in bonuses, and he has an April 25 opt-out clause.
Pham is perhaps best known to Mets fans as a player who called his teammates with the 2023 Mets the “least-hardest working group of position players I’ve ever played with.”
In his stint with the Mets that year, Pham fared well, hitting .268/.348/.472 with a 124 wRC+ and 1.4 fWAR in 264 plate appearances. That led to the Mets trading him to the Diamondbacks for minor league infielder Jeremy Rodriguez at the deadline that year. His comments about his then-former teammates came later that season.
Since that trade, however, Pham hasn’t hit as well as he did with the Mets. He had a 92 wRC+ as he spent time with the White Sox, Cardinals, and Royals in 2024, and he finished the 2025 season with a 94 wRC+, having spent the entirety of the season with the Pirates.
In the short term, Pham figures to get some reps in the minors to get up to speed. Assuming he plays in Syracuse sometime soon, he’ll join fellow outfield depth options like MJ Melendez and some of the Mets’ top prospects in getting outfield innings there. Perhaps he’ll supplant Jared Young on the Mets’ major league roster before long, but it’ll be interesting to see if the team gives him a major league roster spot before his opt-out date.
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 07: General view of the new LED scoreboard prior to the game between the Miami Marlins and the New York Mets at Citi Field on Friday, April 7, 2023 in New York, New York. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Mets lineup
Francisco Lindor – SS
Juan Soto – LF
Bo Bichette – 3B
Jorge Polanco – 1B
Luis Robert – CF
Brett Baty – DH
Marcus Semien – 2B
Carson Benge – RF
Francisco Alvarez – C
SP: Freddy Peralta – RHP
Pirates lineup
Oneil Cruz – CF
Brandon Lowe – 2B
Bryan Reynolds – LF
Marcell Ozuna – DH
Ryan O’Hearn – RF
Jared Triolo – SS
Spencer Horwitz – 1B
Nick Gonzales – 3B
Henry Davis – C
SP: Paul Skenes – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 1:15 PM EDT TV: NBC/Peacock Radio: Audacy Mets Radio 880 AM, 92.3 FM HD2
BRADENTON, FL - MARCH 21: Paul Skenes (30) of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch during a spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays on March 21, 2026 at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates are on the road today against the New York Mets at Citi Field looking to grab a win on Opening Day.
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WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 20: Hunter Brown #58 of the Houston Astros pitches during the game between the Miami Marlins and the Houston Astros at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on Friday, March 20, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Colten Strauss/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
This year marks the 65th season of Astros baseball and the 27th at Daikin Park.
The Houston Astros open the 2026 season at Daikin Park as they welcome in the Los Angeles Angels on Opening Day!
TODAY’S PITCHING MATCHUP: Today’s Opening Day matchup of RHP Hunter Brown vs. RHP José Soriano features a pair of starters both making their first career Opening Day starts.
Brown is coming off an All-Star season, in which he finished third in the AL Cy Young voting after going 12-9 with a 2.43 ERA (50ER/185.1IP) in a career high 31 starts.
ON THE HUNT: RHP Hunter Brown, a 2025 All-Star, finished third in the AL in Cy Young voting last season after turning in the best year of his career with a 12-9 record, a 2.43 ERA (50ER/185.1IP) and posting a 1.03 WHIP. He held opponents to a career-low .201 average and posted 206 strikeouts in 185.1 innings pitched. His 2.43 ERA ranked 10th all-time among Astros starters and was the second-lowest by an Astros starter in the last 20 seasons (since 2005).
ON OPENING DAY: The Astros are 34-30 all-time on Opening Day, including a 25-20 record in home games on Opening Day.
The Astros are recently removed from an incredible, modern-day record, Opening Day streak of 10 consecutive wins from 2013-22. Following the streak, they lost on Opening Day in 2023 and 2024 before bouncing back for a 3-1 win over the Mets on Opening Day last season.
VS. THE ANGELS: The Astros will open the season with a divisional series against the Angels, who the Astros went 8-5 against in 13 games last season. This marks the second time the Astros have played the Angels on Opening Day, which also happened in 2022, resulting in a 3-1 Astros win.
OPENING DAY CORNERSTONE:2B Jose Altuve, who’s under contract for the next four seasons (2026-29), will be making his 14th career Opening Day start today, which marks the third-most in franchise history. Only 2B Craig Biggio (19, 1989-2007) and 1B Jeff Bagwell (15, 1991-2005) have more in Astros history.
ABOUT THE ROSTER: The Astros Opening Day roster includes 13 pitchers and 13 position players. Nine players are making their first appearance on an active Opening Day roster: RHP Mike Burrows, RHP AJ Blubaugh, RHP Tatsuya Imai, OF Joey Loperfido, IF/OF Brice Matthews, RHP Roddery Muñoz, RHP Christian Roa, RHP Kai-Wei Teng and RHP Ryan Weiss.
NEW FACES: The Astros focused their offseason efforts on acquiring pitching, landing RHP Mike Burrows and RHP Kai-Wei Teng in trades and RHP Tatsuya Imai and RHP Ryan Weiss off the free agent market. They also added a Rule 5 pick in RHP Roddery Muñoz, the Astros first Rule 5 selection since the 2017 Rule 5 Draft.
AT THE HELM:Manager Joe Espada is entering his third season as the Astros skipper.
In 2025, for the second consecutive season, Espada and his staff were forced to deal with an extremely high number of injuries. Despite an ever-changing roster that often was missing key players, to his credit, Espada managed to navigate his club to an 87-75 record, finishing in a tie for the final AL Wild Card berth (lost tiebreaker to DET).
IN THE BOX: Today is the fourth Opening Day for the Astros under GM Dana Brown, who was named the club’s GM in January of 2023.
It’s the 15th Opening Day for Owner & Chairman Jim Crane since he purchased the club in November of 2011.
TODAY’S FESTIVITIES: Today is Opening Day, presented by Adobe, at Daikin Park.
The day starts with Opening Day Street Fest, presented by Budweiser, which will take place from 12-3 p.m.
The ceremonial first pitch will be a celebration of the WBC, which was won by Team Venezuela, who were managed by Astros bench coach Omar López. López will throw out the first pitch to Javier Bracamonte, the Astros longtime bullpen catcher who also served that same role for Team Venezuela.
All fans in attendance will receive a 2026 Astros Schedule Magnet, courtesy of United.
SUSTAINED SUCCESS: Dating back to the 2015 season, the Astros have made nine postseason appearances in 11 seasons, winning seven division titles, four AL pennants (2017, 2019, 2021, 2022) and two WS titles (2017, 2022).
In that span, the Astros became the only team in history to advance to seven consecutive ALCS (2017-23) and have posted the second-most wins in the Majors (976), trailing only the Dodgers (1,036).
This isn't the first time Billy Donovan's name has come up when a major college program went looking for a new head coach. He is the man who led Florida to back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007, and he's a logical person for those schools to reach out to, even if Donovan had another job as head coach of the Chicago Bulls. Every time his name came up, Donovan shot them down, and when NBC Sports had a conversation with him several years ago, he denied any desire to ever return to coaching in college.
"My main focus is on these guys and this new team. I understand that there's stuff out there, and I understand that there is going to be certain speculation. But, I have to concentrate on this group, and really, my focus is on what we're doing here in Chicago, having a game tonight, and traveling to go and play in a back-to-back."
Donovan was a high-level tactician while at Florida, but, more importantly, was a brilliant recruiter — those championship teams had Al Horford, Joakim Noah, Corey Brewer, and a few other future NBA players. That dynamic has changed in college ball, but Donovan is now very used to coaching players who are getting paid. With the Bulls apparently headed for an on-the-fly rebuild, does Chapel Hill look tempting to Donovan?
"Over the years, I've had a lot of college guys reach out to talk to me," Donovan said. "It's different in dealing with players who are being paid now. I also think the cycle of the NBA today is totally different than the cycle of college. I'm focused on what I have to do right now. Like anything else, things are always changing in the game of basketball."
Donovan will be the Bulls' head coach for a few more weeks while the season plays out, and that timing may not work for UNC. The school also is rumored to be targeting Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd, Michigan's Dusty May, Iowa State's TJ Otzelberger, all of whom would be available sooner.
But that is not a hard no from Donovan, so it's something to watch.
The Baltimore Orioles will try to put a disappointing 2025 behind them as they host the Minnesota Twins on Opening Day.
Baltimore has a rejuvenated lineup and a budding ace on the mound today, so I’m taking it to win outright in my Twins vs. Orioles predictions.
Read on to take a closer look at today’s matchup in my free MLB picks for Thursday, March 26.
Twins vs Orioles predictions
Twins vs Orioles best bet: Orioles moneyline (-138)
While both teams underperformed badly last season, their prospects are very different coming into 2026.
The Minnesota Twins face an uphill climb in the AL Central, but the Baltimore Orioles are a trendy dark horse World Series pick.
Those hopes hinge on a bounce-back season for Gunnar Henderson, and the addition of slugger Pete Alonso to the middle of the lineup.
Trevor Rogers is looking to repeat his outstanding 2025 for Baltimore, when he went 9-3 with a 1.81 ERA. I’m picking Rogers lead the Orioles to an Opening Day win over Joe Ryan and the Twins this afternoon.
COVERS INTEL: Joe Ryan went 3-5 with a 4.89 ERA and 1.309 WHIP over his last 10 starts to end the 2025 season.
Twins vs Orioles same-game parlay (SGP)
While I expect Baltimore’s offense to rebound a bit in 2026, it’s worth noting that they were a Bottom 10 offense in run-scoring last season, plating 4.18 runs per game – just behind Minnesota (4.19).
With both teams throwing their aces on Opening Day, I like the Under here.
One player I do see generating a bit of offense is Henderson, who hit .400 with a 1.267 OPS for the United States in the World Baseball Classic.
Even in a down year, Henderson scored 85 runs last season, and I like him to come across today.
Twins vs Orioles SGP
Orioles moneyline
Under 8.5
Gunnar Henderson to score a run
Twins vs Orioles home run pick: Pete Alonso (+290)
Alonso was one of the biggest free agent moves in the offseason, and he’ll undoubtedly add a lot of punch to the middle of the Baltimore lineup.
The former Mets star has hit at least 34 home runs in every full season of his career, and his .871 OPS last season was his highest since his rookie season.
Ryan gave up seven homers in his last four starts of 2025, and I like Alonso to get off to a fast start in his new home.
Twins vs Orioles odds
Moneyline: Minnesota +118 | Baltimore -138
Run line: Minnesota +1.5 | Baltimore -1.5
Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5
Twins vs Orioles trend
The Twins were 1-6 in Ryan’s last seven starts in 2025. Find more MLB betting trends for Twins vs. Orioles.
How to watch Twins vs Orioles and game info
Location
Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, MD
Date
Thursday, March 26, 2026
First pitch
3:05 p.m. ET
TV
Twins TV, MASN
Twins starting pitcher
Joe Ryan (2025: 13-10, 3.42 ERA)
Orioles starting pitcher
Trevor Rogers (2025: 9-3, 1.81 ERA)
Twins vs Orioles latest injuries
Twins vs Orioles weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
SAN FRANCISCO — Without Moses Moody, who went down with a gruesome knee injury the last time they took the court, the Warriors lacked a spiritual leader beyond his years who had taken over a pregame locker room ritual from Kevon Looney.
“All of a sudden you don’t hear that today,” Draymond Green said after Golden State eked out a 109-106 win over the lowly Nets on Wednesday.
Moody’s absence, and the emotional toll of losing such a beloved teammate in such devastating fashion, was clearly still wearing on the Warriors in their first game since the fifth-year wing’s patellar tendon ruptured, knocking him out for at least the next 9-12 months.
Moses Moody injures his leg while trying to score in front of Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg during overtime at American Airlines Center. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“What happened last game with Mo was a very sensitive moment for us,” said Gui Santos, who scored a career-high 31 points in the win. “A special guy like that, and we see exactly what happened to him that was really, really bad. It was not a good feeling for us.”
The Warriors played their seventh game in as many cities in 11 days, and coach Steve Kerr chalked up their fourth straight game with 21 or more turnovers to the team “running in mud,” while Gary Payton II described it more as “quicksand.”
It would be hard to blame them for feeling the same way about the season as a whole.
The loss of Moody, coming in the same game he returned after missing the past nine, was just the latest on a long list of injuries that has derailed what once looked to be one of their last chances to add a fifth championship to the dynasty built around Steph Curry.
Curry’s availability, or lack thereof, has been the most frustrating of all.
Moses Moody waves to fans while leaving the court on a stretcher during overtime against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“Steph will play when he’s healthy,” Kerr reiterated after the game. “It’s as simple as that.”
Curry looked to be trending in the right direction as the Warriors’ last road trip came to an end. Runner’s knee has kept him out since Jan. 30, but he was set to participate in his first full-contact scrimmage this past Sunday. That still hasn’t happened.
The Warriors have nine regular-season games left and, still, no timetable for their superstar to return.
“I think where you get a little worried is you know he wants to come back and he hasn’t,” Green said. “That’s when you start looking at the clock ticking. Not from a standpoint of when he’s coming back, but I know he’s working to get back and if not now, what’s going on?”
The win over the Nets secured Golden State’s spot in the play-in tournament. The Warriors, currently in 10th, still have a chance to climb to the No. 8 or No. 9 seed.
Stephen Curry watches from the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets in San Francisco, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. AP
“I think if there’s an inkling of a doubt with his knee, no, I don’t,” he said. “But if he’s healthy and can play, then absolutely. That’s what you put the work in for. You put the work in to give yourself a chance to have a great season, get into the postseason and flourish on that stage.
“You don’t know how many opportunities you get. You can always kick the can down the road and say we’ll get back at it. But that don’t always work like that.”
The Warriors have learned that lesson the hard way recently. They were primed to make a deep run last season after acquiring Jimmy Butler, then Curry went down in the playoffs. That pushed the window to this year, then Butler tore his ACL in January and Curry’s absence followed.
“You just can’t be the guy that quits when it gets tough,” Green said. “… To be a part of this organization on the way up was magnificent. When it goes down the tank, I’m not jumping off the train. I can’t throw the towel in on these guys. Who do they turn to? So I try to provide that when Steph is out, Al [Horford] is out, Jimmy’s out. I try to just be a steady force so they can turn and know someone’s in the foxhole with them that’s been there.”
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 25: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers controls the ball against the Chicago Bulls at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 25, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Joel Embiid is a notorious slow starter. Whether it’s the beginning of the season or after a long layoff, the former MVP generally takes a few games to get going.
So much for that.
The star center was brilliant from the opening tip in a 157-137 demolition of the Chicago Bulls Wednesday at Xfinity Mobile Arena. After missing the last 13 games with an oblique strain, Embiid arguably looked better physically than he has at any point during the 2025-26 campaign.
Embiid couldn’t miss early on. He was cooking in his office at the elbows and burying midrange jumpers and triples to the tune of 15 points in the first six minutes. All the caveats of it being a tanking Bulls team with banged-up big men, but it was a mighty encouraging first outing for the big fella.
The seven-time All-Star recorded 35 points (on a hyper-efficient 12-of-17 from the field, 3-of-3 from three and 8-of-9 from the line), seven assists, six rebounds and a block in 28 minutes.
What led to his torrid start?
“I don’t know,” he said. “I just shot the ball and it went in. I guess it kept going in, so I was like, ‘Let’s keep shooting.‘”
Indeed, it does seem that easy for Embiid some nights.
With how well Embiid was moving, it was fair to wonder if the time missed with the oblique strain he suffered nearly a month ago allowed the rest of his body to heal. While Embiid’s surgically-repaired left knee hasn’t been much of an issue, his right knee and a stress reaction in his right shin plagued him before and after the All-Star break.
The good news is Embiid said in the locker room postgame that his knees aren’t a problem at all right now.
“My knees haven’t been an issue for a long time. That’s past me,” he said.
The bad news is the oblique strain, which is on his right side, is still lingering.
“The oblique was very tricky — and it still is tricky,” he said. “There’s really nothing you can do about it. Just gotta let it ride and hope that it doesn’t get worse.”
And he also appeared to suffer a mysterious right wrist ailment — it was taped and he wore a sleeve over it during the game.
“Yeah. I don’t know. Something happened,” he said. “Just gotta watch it.”
If the wrist was bothering him, it sure didn’t show. Embiid was making everything and sailing passes around the gym with ease. He even threw down a poster dunk on Matas Buzelis and chased down old friend Guerschon Yabusele for a block. It was vintage Embiid.
It didn’t hurt that Embiid had a bit of help. Rookie VJ Edgecombe, who’s beared quite the load for the Sixers of late, did well to carry his recent uptick in aggressiveness over while also making sure Embiid and the also returning Paul George got to eat.
And speaking of George, the veteran forward also looked good in his return after a 25-game suspension. The nine-time All-Star started the game cold, but was an absolute flamethrower in the fourth quarter. He finished with 28 points, six rebounds, four assists, four steals and a block in 26 minutes.
Embiid knows if the Sixers want to do anything of substance this season, everyone needs to step up over these last nine games.
Even with all the weirdness surrounding the team this season (the last decade-plus?), they’re still very much in the mix. They sit at 40-33, just a half game behind the 40-32 Toronto Raptors for the sixth seed and final guaranteed playoff spot. Neither team has an easy schedule over the last nine (10 for the Raptors) games.
The Sixers, though, have Embiid and George back in the fold, with Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr. seemingly not too far behind them. Everything is right there for the taking.
But Embiid’s mentality is probably the right one — playoffs or Play-In, the Sixers simply have to play their best basketball down the stretch.
“I’m good. I’m ready,” Embiid said. “I feel OK. It’s time to go and try to win some games. Wherever we end up, we end up. Whether it’s [the Play-In or the playoffs], let’s see what we got.”
COVERS INTEL: Bibee’s fastball whiff rate dropped from 21.3% in 2024 to 13.2% last year, and also declined for his cutter, sinker, and curve.
