Worldwide Sports News
Watch: Spring Training Live Q&A with Tom McCarthy, Ben Davis and Jim Salisbury originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
NBC Sports Philadelphia is gearing up for the regular season with a Phillies Spring Training Live Q&A!
Join Tom McCarthy, Ben Davis and Jim Salisbury after Sunday’s Phillies-Braves game at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida.
You can also tune in and ask your questions virtually.
Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.
Two teams that are trying to chase the final Wild Card spot in the West collide this afternoon, when the St Louis Blues visit the Winnipeg Jets.
Both teams start the day five points back of the L.A. Kings, with three other teams between them and that spot.
After Winnipeg’s impressive win over the NHL-best Avalanche on Saturday, my Blues vs. Jets predictions and NHL picks have the home team carrying the momentum in a back-to-back.
The St. Louis Blues have been rolling since the NHL resumed after the Olympics, going 7-1-1 in their last nine. They sport the best GAA in the league in that stretch at 1.78.
The Winnipeg Jets have been good as well since coming back from the break, with a 5-2-2 record, punctuated Saturday with a nice 3-1 win at home against Colorado.
They’re well equipped to handle the mileage of a back-to-back: they're 4-2 in such a scenario this season, averaging better than 4.0 goals per game.
The Jets have also won two of the last three meetings.
Mark Scheifele has picked up points in five of his last six games, including three goals. He’s also scored two goals in each of the Jets' last three games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
Kyle Connor has been hard to stop against St. Louis. He picked up two assists last game over the Blues in a 3-1 win, giving him points in 12 of the last 15 head-to-head matchups.
The Jets are 4-2 ATS in their last six home games. Find more NHL betting trends for Blues vs. Jets.
| Location | Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, MB |
| Date | Sunday, March 15, 2026 |
| Puck drop | 3:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FDSN-Midwest, TSN3 |
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.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
The Vegas Golden Knights are bringing a festive twist to T-Mobile Arena this St. Patrick’s Day, unveiling plans for their second annual Go Green Knight celebration on Tuesday, March 17, when they host the Buffalo Sabres. The event, presented by Zoox, combines hockey, sustainability, and Irish-themed fan experiences in one lively package.
Fans attending the game can immerse themselves in a St. Patrick’s Day-inspired atmosphere, with complimentary gold and green hair tinsel and gold face gems available pregame on Toshiba Plaza. All attendees will also receive foam mini hockey sticks courtesy of Zoox, while traditional Irish dance performances on the concourse will kick off the pregame festivities.
Adding to the celebratory spirit, LEVY Restaurants will offer specialty concessions throughout the arena. Selections include Green Beer ($12.50), the citrus-forward “Orange You Lucky” cocktail ($23.50), and Jumbo Corned Beef Sausage ($30.00). Fans who purchase tickets through the Hat Tricks & Hops Special Ticket Package will receive their first green draft beer or soda for free, with a limited number of these packages still available.
In addition to the themed celebrations, the Golden Knights are highlighting their commitment to sustainability through the Knight SHIELD Project, located on the concourse outside Sections 9 and 10. Launched in 2024, the initiative focuses on six pillars—Sustainability, Healthy Air Quality, Improve & Inspire, Energy & Water Efficiency, Landscape Protection, and Decrease Waste Generation. The program has already earned industry recognition as a 2025 GOAL Sustainability Starter, capturing five GOAL Medals for accomplishments including promoting alternative transportation, supporting community initiatives, preserving off-site habitats, engaging digital audiences, and providing accessible hydration.
The team’s community efforts extend beyond the rink. In partnership with Garden Farms of Nevada, the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation will host a farmers’ market at Lee’s Family Forum on March 28. The market will feature produce grown by 17 local schools as part of ongoing sustainability programs, highlighting the importance of community gardening and access to fresh, locally grown food for underserved populations.
For fans interested in memorabilia, specialty St. Patrick’s Day jerseys signed by players will be auctioned online starting at 5:45 p.m. PT on March 17, concluding at 9 p.m. PT the same night. In-person viewing will be available at Sections 11 and 12 on the concourse, with a portion of proceeds supporting the March 28 farmers’ market and Garden Farms initiatives.
Merchandise for the event is also available at The Arsenal at City National Arena and The Armory at T-Mobile Arena, featuring hoodies, hats, pucks, t-shirts, decals, and drinkware for fans seeking to commemorate the occasion.
Specialty Concession Locations:
Founded in 2017, the Vegas Golden Knights quickly became one of the NHL’s most successful expansion franchises, claiming the Stanley Cup in 2022-23. Owned by Black Knight Sports and Entertainment LLC, the team has cultivated a reputation for both on-ice success and community engagement.
For further details on tickets, concessions, and event activities, fans can visit vegasgoldenknights.com and follow the team on social media platforms including Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.
This ain’t the Brooklyn Nets.
The Portland Trail Blazers come to Philly Sunday a young and hungry team firmly in the Play-In picture of the loaded Western Conference. The Sixers, still decimated by injuries and one suspension, will have their work cut out for them.
On Saturday, the VJ Edgecombe-led Sixers built a 28-point lead against the tanking Nets. Brooklyn then made a fourth-quarter push to briefly take a one-point lead. Luckily, Quentin Grimes and company did just enough in the final minutes to secure the win, which keeps them tied with the Atlanta Hawks — who own the tiebreaker — for eighth in the East. They’re 1.5 games back of the sixth seed and final guaranteed playoff spot.
No true reinforcements are on the way. Joel Embiid (oblique), Tyrese Maxey (pinky), Kelly Oubre Jr. (elbow) and Paul George (suspension) remain out of the lineup. The team doesn’t have an injury report out yet, so we’ll have to see the statuses of Andre Drummond (back) and Jabari Walker (illness), who missed Saturday’s game — and also see if any surprises pop up.
Portland comes into this one relatively healthy. Young guard Shaedon Sharpe is out with a stress reaction in his right fibula. Veteran guard Damian Lillard will miss the entire 2025-26 season — sans the three-point contest — while recovering from an Achilles injury. Big man Robert Williams III is questionable with a left knee injury recovery designation.
The Trail Blazers aren’t a juggernaut by any stretch. They’re a bottom-10 team offensively and middle of the pack in defensive rating. They do have talented and capable players, though. Offensively, they’re led by All-Star forward Deni Avdija, who is a mismatch problem for most teams, but their scoring as a team is fairly balanced. Defensively, they have one of the toughest backcourts in the NBA with Toumani Camara and old friend Jrue Holiday, plus massive big man Donovan Clingan protecting the rim and crashing the glass.
This should be as stiff a test as Edgecombe will see as the team’s lead ball-handler. Nick Nurse said postgame Saturday that he’s still looking for the rookie to be more aggressive while the team is missing its top offensive threats. This isn’t the easiest matchup to get that done.
Game Details
When: Sunday, March 15, 6:00 p.m. ET
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers
Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.
The NHL has six games on tap today, with plenty of star power hitting the ice. My NHL player props focus on Kirill Kaprizov, Connor McDavid, and Brady Tkachuk.
I’ll break down all the details in my NHL picks for Sunday, March 15.
| Player |  |
|---|---|
 Kaprizov anytime goalscorer | +105 |
 McDavid Over 1.5 points | -130 |
 Tkachuk Over 3.5 shots | -120 |
img alt="Get a first bet encore up to $800 with the BET99 promo code COVERSNHL" width="100%" loading="lazy" src="https://img.covers.com/promo-articles/bet99nhlcreative2526.jpeg"Get a first bet encore up to $800 with BET99 bonus code COVERSNHL.
(not available in Ontario)
Take a look at our best bets and expert analysis below.
+105 at BET99
Kirill Kaprizov had his three-game goal streak snapped last night, but the Minnesota Wild star is poised to find the back of the net again today vs. the tanking Toronto Maple Leafs.
Toronto is allowing 3.46 goals per game — the worst mark in the NHL — along with 32.1 shots against per game, which ranks dead last.
Kaprizov has scored in 11 of his last 16 outings while averaging nearly four shots per game over that span. He’ll come out firing tonight and will bury one against a porous Toronto team.
-130 at BET99
Connor McDavid continues to lead the league in points, and the Edmonton Oilers captain could be due for a big night on the score sheet against the Nashville Predators.
Nashville ranks tied for fifth-last in the NHL in goals allowed per game (3.40), giving up at least three goals in 18 of its last 20 contests.
McDavid has Over 1.5 points in six of his last nine outings, with multiple points in each of his previous two meetings vs. the Preds this season.
-120 at BET99
Brady Tkachuk is well known for his shooting prowess, and he has not disappointed this season, ranking second in the NHL in shots per game (3.87) behind only Nathan MacKinnon (4.48).
The Ottawa Senators captain has logged Over 3.5 shots in three of his last four games, as well as seven of his last 11 contests.
The San Jose Sharks are an exciting young team, but haven’t quite figured out their own zone yet, allowing 30.4 shots against per game — the second-most in the NHL.
These props are available now at BET99, one of our best betting sites.
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.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.
The Golden State Warriors will be without a majority of their key players in today’s matchup at Madison Square Garden as the New York Knicks look for a third straight win.
With no size or depth in Golden State’s frontcourt, my Warriors vs. Knicks predictions and NBA picks expect a big game from Karl-Anthony Towns.
The Golden State Warriors have allowed the 10th-most rebounds, 15th-most points in the paint, and sixth-most second-chance points this season.
An already undersized and undermanned defensive unit will be even more shorthanded tonight, as Golden State will be without most of its key defenders.
Karl-Anthony Towns has averaged 22.7 points and 12.8 rebounds across his last six games, going for 33+ points + rebounds four times in that span.
He posted a 17/20 line against the Warriors in his first meeting, and Towns will be able to exploit a lineup missing Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis, and Draymond Green.
The Warriors are playing the first leg of a back-to-back set, and they’re punting against the New York Knicks before playing the Wizards on Monday. The Knicks are 21-11 ATS at home, and the Warriors are 14-18 ATS on the road.
With so many key players out for Golden State, they’ll have a tough time putting points on the board. Seven of the team’s Top-8 scorers will be sidelined, accounting for 103.5 points per game on the bench.
This Knicks defense has allowed just 109.6 points per game at home, and the Warriors have averaged a pitiful 110.1 points across their last seven games. They’ve scored 101 points or fewer in three of them.
New York’s defense will be able to put the clamps on Golden State’s skeleton crew lineup, leading to ample blocks and steals.
Mitchell Robinson has recorded multiple blocks in 16 of 49 games, but he’s in a great position to reach that mark against the undersized Warriors.
OG Anunoby has recorded a block in more than half of his games, doing so in 30 of 54 appearances, including six of 13 since returning from the All-Star break.
Jalen Brunson doesn’t record a ton of steals. He’s averaging 0.7 on the season and has recorded one in just 29 of 63 appearances. He’s done so in six of his last seven games, however, and steals should be plentiful against Golden State’s third-stringers.
Mikal Bridges ranks ninth in total steals at 95, and he’s averaging 1.4 per game. The iron man has recorded at least one swipe in 47 of 68 games, and he’ll have no problem doing so against Golden State’s depleted roster.
The Knicks have covered the spread in 32 of their last 50 home games for +13.3 units and 24% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Knicks.
| Location | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Date | Sunday, March 15, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBC |
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.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
The San Antonio Spurs’ loss to the Charlotte Hornets earlier in the season may have been one of the most disappointing losses of the year… at least if you ask Victor Wembanyama.
After the Spurs’ 115-102 win over Charlotte on their home court, Wembanyama told the Amazon Prime crew that the loss to the Hornets was his “worst defensive game.” It was clear that this game was a chance to make amends. Wembanyama dominated in response.
The star big man had 32 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks. The Hornets scored just 30 points in the paint because Wembanyama had it almost completely walled off. While not an official stat, Charlotte may have had the most “nopes” I’ve seen against the Spurs in the Wemby era, completely abandoning drives several times in the same possession. On the other end, there wasn’t a single Hornet who could slow down Wembanyama. He could get a basket just about any time he wanted.
This game, despite being a somewhat inconsequential Saturday matinee, shows a lot about Wembanyama and the Spurs’ overall mentality. They want to win, and when they don’t, they take it personally. It was clear from the jump that the team remembered the sting of the earlier loss to Charlotte. That’s the mentality of a team ready to compete. When they lose a playoff game (and rest assured, they will), they can either let it rattle them or get motivated to win the next one. Saturday’s win shows that Wembanyama and his teammates have a winning mentality.
Believe it or not, but today is the final Sunday for the Dodgers in Arizona this spring training. By this time next week, they’ll be back in Southern California for the exhibition Freeway Series against the Angels. Here’s a look at the schedule for the week ahead, which includes Cactus League action, one more split-squad day, the final three games of the World Baseball Classic, and prospects in the spring breakout game.
With Korea, Japan, and Puerto Rico eliminated Friday and Saturday, the Dodgers will get Hyeseong Kim, Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Edwin Díaz back in camp at some point this week.
Dodgers vs. Rangers, 1:05 p.m. (SportsNet LA, AM 570)
Dodgers at Cubs, 1:05 p.m. (Marquee Sports Network)
WBC: United States vs. Dominican Republic, 5 p.m. (FS1)
Dodgers vs. Brewers, 1:05 p.m. (SportsNet LA, AM 570)
WBC: Venezuela vs. Italy, 5 p.m. (FS1)
Dodgers at Royals, 6:05 p.m. (SportsNet LA)
WBC championship game, 5 p.m. (Fox)
Dodgers vs. Giants, 1:05 p.m. (SportsNet LA, AM 570)
Final camp off day
Dodgers vs. Padres, 6:05 p.m. (SportsNet LA, AM 570)
Dodgers vs. A’s, 12:05 p.m. (SportsNet LA)
Spring breakout game: Dodgers prospects vs. White Sox prospects, 3:30 p.m. (MLB Network, Amazon)
The NBA play-in tournament is less than a month away, making every game count. With that, we’ve decided to give you, the fans, a watching guide.
We’ll post weekly updates so you know exactly which non-Knicks team you should be rooting for and against during the home stretch of the season, with a deep postseason run—and why not a Finals triumph!—in our Knickerbocker mind.
To kick off week two of our end-of-season standings watch and rooting guide, we have the reeling Raptors hosting the top-of-the-east Pistons. Toronto has struggled mightily against the best teams in both conferences, so it will be a difficult task, but just like every other game the Pistons will play from hereon out, root against them.
The other game, besides the Knicks’ very own one, that really matters today will be the Cavaliers’ one. They’ll be hosting one of the worst teams in the league in the Mavericks, so it should be an easy win for Cleveland, but we did just see Brooklyn defeat Detroit not too long ago, so take your shot and hope the Mavericks can pull off this upset.
In the two games that really matter on Monday, the Hawks take on the Magic, while the Celtics host the Suns. In the former game, it doesn’t matter too much as the Knicks have distanced themselves enough from both teams. Barring a historical collapse, the Knicks should be safe as the fourth seed at the very worst. That being said, you can never be too sure. While the stakes are lower, if you need someone to root for in this one, go with the Hawks as it not only pushes the Magic down a bit, but also keeps the Hawks’ distance from the hot Hornets.
In the second game, the Celtics enter Sunday with a one and a half game lead over the Knicks. That could be down to a one-game lead if New York takes care of business tonight against the Warriors. And a Suns road victory on Monday could shrink that lead to half a game. Go Suns.
The Heat, who are the seventh seed as of now, and the Hornets, who are currently in the 10th seed, play to kick off the evening. Who you root for in this one is completely dependent on what seed you think the Knicks will end up with, and how good you think these two teams are. So let me break it down.
If you believe in the Hornets and think that they could be a scary playoff opponent, then keeping them as the ninth or 10th seed, where they’ll need two wins to make it through the play-ins, may be the best route. If you are a Hornets believer, root for the Heat.
A Hornets win could help keep the Heat in the play-ins, which, if they advance, would match them up with the second seed. If you think the Knicks can surpass the Celtics for sole possession of the second seed, but don’t want them to play the Heat in the first round, root for the Heat. But if you think the Celtics will finish the season as the second seed, and think the Heat, given their experience, scrappiness, make for a tougher matchup for the Celtics, then, root for the Hornets, as New York would then get to avoid playing the Heat in the first round.
After that, we have the Pistons hosting the Wizards. Detroit should be heavily favored in this one, but it could unironically be a chance for an upset if the Pistons decide to rest some of their main guys. Cheer for the Wizards at your own risk.
Then there’s the Thunder visiting the Magic, and the Cavaliers visiting the Bucks. Much like the Pistons and Celtics have been for much of the season, the Cavaliers are now in the “root against them every single time” category, so hope for a Bucks win there, as well as a Magic loss against the defending champion Thunder.
With most of the games on Wednesday being between teams that are irrelevant to the Knicks’ race for the second seed, there’s really only one game here that deserves any attention, and it’s the Warriors at Celtics game. Golden State will be underdogs in this one, as they may be, like they are tonight, without many of their key players. But Knicks fans should hope for an unexpected upset against the Celtics here. The only other one that has even the slightest significance to the Knicks is the Hawks at Mavericks game. As mentioned above, if you think the Hornets could make any noise in the playoffs, rooting for the Hawks to win and maintain their spot in the top eight becomes somewhat crucial. If you, on the other hand, think Atlanta poses a bit more of a threat, then root for Dallas.
Just 48 hours after Knicks fans have the unenviable task of rooting for the Wizards against the Pistons, they’ll get to do it all over again as the two teams face off again. Root for Washington here. As for the Magic at Hornets game that’ll be taking place concurrently, root for the Magic if you are worried about the Hornets jumping the 76ers, and Hawks to become the eight seed, or think that they could pose a tough challenge for the Cavaliers in the first round. And root for the Hornets, if you think the Magic could catch up to the Knicks. And lastly, in yet another game between a top Eastern Conference team and a bottom-feeder, root for the Bulls to somehow pull off the improbable with a win against the Cavaliers.
Friday has two games involving the teams ahead of the Knicks, but they are both ones in which an upset seems unlikely. The Pistons host the struggling, and bandaged up Warriors, while the Celtics visit the struggling Grizzlies, who enter Sunday as losers of seven straight. It won’t be fun, but if you are committed, root for the Warriors and the Grizzlies.
While the Knicks’ schedule to end the season looks relatively easy, so do a lot of the other top Eastern Conference teams’. The Cavaliers visit the Pelicans, who are 22-46 at the time of writing this piece. You know the drill by now: root against the Cavaliers, and in this case, the Pelicans. As for the Heat at Rockets game, it kind of depends on where the standings stand at this point, but to clarify what was said earlier, if you want the Heat to end up playing the Celtics in the first round, you just want to root for whatever outcomes end up with them doing that. It’s hard to predict six days out what that’ll be because some of that is predicated on whether the Celtics or the Knicks are the second seed.
The Colorado Avalanche fought their way back to the top of the NHL power rankings the hard way.
Colorado faced adversity in consecutive divisional matchups, trailing 3–1 against the Dallas Stars and later falling behind 2–1 against the Minnesota Wild. In both contests, the Avalanche refused to fade, rallying late to secure pivotal victories against their NHL Central Division rivals.
Thought the Avalanche had the Central Division wrapped up? Think again — the race is wide open once more.
Since securing those key wins, the Avs have stumbled slightly, dropping two of their last three games. Meanwhile, the Stars have surged at exactly the right time. Dallas has won four straight, including a 3–2 victory Saturday night over the Detroit Red Wings on home ice.
Thomas Harley - Dallas Stars (6)
— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) March 15, 2026
OT Winner pic.twitter.com/ohwzrRr3c7
As a result, the Stars (42-14-10, 94 points) now sit just three points behind the Avalanche (44-12-9), tightening the Central Division race as the regular season begins its final stretch.
Thomas Harley delivered the decisive moment just over two minutes into overtime, lifting Dallas to a dramatic 3–2 victory over Detroit. The goal not only secured the win but also allowed the Stars to tie a franchise record with a 15-game point streak.
Harley struck 2:06 into the extra period after collecting the puck in the neutral zone and accelerating past the Detroit defense for a breakaway. With open ice ahead of him, the young blueliner snapped a shot past the goaltender to end the game and send the home crowd into celebration.
The overtime heroics came only after Detroit forced extra time late in regulation. Lucas Raymond tied the game 2–2 with 3:26 remaining in the third period when a rebound deflected off his torso as he drove hard to the front of the net, slipping past the Dallas goaltender and erasing what had been a two-goal Stars lead.
“There's a lot of open ice out there,” Harley told reporters. “Speed and skill are the forefront of it. It’s pretty positionless out there and I like to play offense. (Overtime) fits me very well. I felt like I had a step on them and you never know. Put it on net and see what happens. Winning is fun. It’s a shame we blew our two-goal lead. But two points is two points.”
The victory pushed Dallas’ remarkable run to 15 straight games with at least a point (14-0-1), matching a franchise mark originally set from Dec. 6, 1998, to Jan. 6, 1999. That earlier stretch went 12-0 with three ties. The current surge also featured a franchise-record 10-game winning streak that was snapped in a 5–4 shootout loss to Colorado on March 6.
Throughout the streak, Dallas has received contributions from across its lineup — a key factor in maintaining momentum during one of the most demanding stretches of the schedule.
“I thought we played a good game tonight,” Dallas forward Matt Duchene said. “I don’t know how many scoring chances we gave up, I don’t think it was many. This is a grind of a schedule. We’re playing a lot of good teams.
“I think maybe we got a little tired in the third, too, but found a way to get it done. Big goal by [Harley] there. We’ve got different guys stepping up at different moments for us right now and that’s why we’re going like we are.”
Colorado’s late push has been energized by the dramatic return of Nazem Kadri. Reacquired in the final hour before the trade deadline, Kadri received a thunderous standing ovation in Denver ahead of Colorado’s 3–2 shootout victory over Minnesota on March 8.
His presence has already injected new life into the Avalanche lineup, providing veteran experience, physicality, and offensive depth as the postseason race intensifies.
WHAT A PASS FROM NAZEM KADRI
— DNVR Avalanche (@DNVR_Avalanche) March 8, 2026
WE ARE SO BACK 🥹 pic.twitter.com/vTYvN21lEa
Still, if the past few weeks have proven anything, it’s that the battle for the Central Division crown is far from settled.
The Stars have 16 games remaining on their regular season schedule, while the Avalanche have 17. Each team will play once more before they meet Wednesday night in a highly anticipated showdown at Ball Arena.
Colorado hosts the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday, the same night Dallas faces the Utah Mammoth.
The Avalanche are currently without captain Gabriel Landeskog, who continues to recover from a lower-body injury. Forward Logan O'Connor, who underwent a second hip surgery after a season complicated by lingering issues, is also nearing a return.
Injury updates from Bednar on @AltitudeSR
— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) March 11, 2026
- Said looking at Lehkonen, Landeskog, LOC potentially returning around same time. Mentioned “couple” weeks and back before playoffs. Not sure on Colton yet.
- Wants to get Kadri back at C, mentioned maybe trying Lehkonen with him.
Dallas has dealt with its own injury challenges throughout the season and is awaiting the return of star forward Mikko Rantanen — a longtime Avalanche standout — who suffered a lower-body injury during the 2026 Winter Olympics.
With the division lead tightening and a head-to-head matchup looming, the stage is set for what could be one of the defining stretches of the season.
It’s all coming down to the wire.
Scottish Premiership: Rangers win at St Mirren; Dundee host United in derby
The World Baseball Classic continues to be the most fun you can have with March baseball. Move over March Madness. On Saturday night, an absolute classic unfolded as Team Venezuela took on Team Japan in a back and forth slugfest that saw the Venezuelans advance to the semifinals with a wild 8-5 victory. Detroit Tigers’ Gleyber Torres, and in particular lefty Enmanuel de Jesus, played big roles in the victory. It was a bit of a Tigers’ fest all around as even Miguel Cabrera had a long cameo in a key moment.
The Tigers contingent will continue to be center stage as Keider Montero is now slated to start in the semifinals against Team Italy on Monday. The winner will advance to the finals against the winner of tonight’s 8:00 p.m ET matchup between Team USA and Team Dominican Republic.
Last night’s game started off with a bang and it didn’t slow down until Team Venezuela’s bullpen slammed the door on Samurai Japan from the middle inning onward. Facing World Series hero and Dodgers’ ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Ronald Acuña Jr. led off the game with a solo shot to right center field on a 1-0 heater right down the pipe.
In the bottom of the first, Shohei Ohtani struck right back with a leadoff solo shot on a Ranger Suarez curveball down and in to make it 1-1. It was not a good night for Ranger Suarez. It’s way too early for this kind of statement, but after spending a fair amount of time trying to decide whether the Tigers would be better off signing Suarez or Framber Valdez, but expecting neither, so far I think we’re in a good place. The bottom of the first ended with Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki getting banged up a bit trying to steal second with two outs. Salvador Perez cut him down and the Venezuelans got right back to work.
Ezequiel Tovar, who had a big night all around, opened the second inning with a drive off the wall in center field, and our own Gleyber Torres followed suit. Yamamoto hung a 2-2 splitter up on the inner edge of the plate, and Torres smoked it to left, missing a home run by inches and cruising into second with an RBI double that made it 2-1 Venezuela.
Torres was stranded on base, and Ranger Suarez settled down for a quick 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the second. Yoshinobu did likewise in the top of the third, giving up a leadoff double to Maikel Garcia of the Royals, but settling things down by stranding him. Suarez then imploded a bit in the bottom of the third, giving up an RBI double to Teruakui Sato, and then a three-run shot to Shota Morashita that threatened to blow the game open.
Suarez was knocked out of the game a batter later, but Venezuela got out of the inning without further damage. Still it was 5-2 Japan with Yamamoto on the mound. Things looked a little bleak.
In the bottom of the fourth, Enmanuel de Jesus took over, and this is where the game’s momentum began to shift. The left-handed has been a minor revelation this spring, and he was outstanding in this one and truly one of the standout heroes for Venezuela.
As he has all spring, De Jesus had his deep pitch mix under control and showed off a lot of deception. Team Japan was guessing wildly as De Jesus painted the edges with fourseamers and sinkers, and then bent cutters and changeups in and out of the zone with good command while pitching in the most pressure packed environment he’s faced as a professional.
He got the first out of the fourth, but gave up a single and a walk before bouncing back to strike out Ohtani and Sato both swinging at ghosts as his cutter sailed down and away from the two left-handed hitters.
In the top of the fifth, Miguel Cabrera briefly got involved. After Jackson Chourio drew a leadoff walk, Acuña was called on out a really tough checked swing call by home plate umpire Dan Iasogna. Acuña was livid, and it was the Tigers’ great and future Hall of Famer Cabrera, Venezuela’s hitting coach, was seen hollering at Acuña to let him do the yelling and to calm down before he got tossed out of the game. Iasogna did a nice job there by taking it without immediately tossing the Braves’ star in such a key game.
Fortunately for Venezuela, they had other powerful options. A two-run homer from Maikel Garcia cashed in Chourio anyway, cutting Japan’s lead to 5-4, and de Jesus held it in the bottom of the inning, striking out Morashita and getting a routine grounder and a pop-up to send this to the sixth inning.
Wilyer Abreu seized control for Venezuela with Yamamoto gone, cracking a three-run shot after singles from Tovar and Gleyber Torres to make it 7-5. De Jesus got the dangerous Munetaka Murakami, who we’ll see a lot of with the White Sox, on a flyout to start the bottom of the sixth before giving way to José Butto.
De Jesus finished with 2.1 IP, 0 R, H, BB, 3 K for the night. Pretty darn good against a dangerous lineup.
Team Venezuela’s bullpen followed de Jesus’ example and shut the door on Japan the rest of the way. Angel Zerpa, Andrés Machado, and Daniel Palencia shut the door with a solid inning of work each. Tovar continued his huge game with an eighth inning double, and then scored on a ill-fated pickoff attempt that was thrown away by Atsuki Taneichi. That was the ballgame.
These guys were pretty hype.
Now, Keider Montero will take Venezuela’s hopes into his hands in the biggest start of his career. Of course, Montero is familiar with some pressure. He does have 8 1/3 scoreless innings over the last two postseasons with the Tigers, so he’s been in these situations before. However, doing the pre-game media as the starting pitcher in an elimination game for your country is a different animal. Hopefully Keider handles the pressure and does well in all respects. This could be a huge confidence builder for him, or a tough moment that stings a while.
It will be very interesting to see how he does, just as his role with the Tigers this season remains an interesting question. Going from starting a semifinal game for your home country, to getting sent out to Toledo to start the year, is going to be some medicine for a letdown if that’s how it goes. No doubt his chances will come anyway if he’s pitching well.
The Detroit Tigers have had really longstanding ties to Venezuela. Apart from Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, and Magglio Ordonez, one of the Tigers top prospects, Josue Briceño is Venezuelan, as well as Torres, Montero, and now de Jesus. So it’s great to see Team Venezuela’s underdog run.
SB Nation’s CBB expert Mike Rutherford and resident bracketologist Chris Dobbertean will answer all your questions this week and help guide you to bracket glory! Drop in SB Nation’s March Madness Feed all week long and we’ll have both on hand! (All times ET)
Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.
With all eyes on Selection Sunday, the NBA offers a tasty seven-game slate with several NBA player prop betting opportunities on the board.
My three selections begin in Cleveland, head to Madison Square Garden, and hopefully end with another vintage Russell Westbrook performance in Sacramento.
Read on for my NBA picks for Sunday, March 15.
| Player | Pick |  |
|---|---|---|
 Cooper Flagg | Over 4.5 assists | -110 |
 Karl-Anthony Towns | Over 1.5 threes | +122 |
 Russell Westbrook | Triple-Double | +1100 |
-110 at bet365
NBA Rookie of the Year candidate Cooper Flagg continues to take on a larger playmaking role for the Dallas Mavericks.
Flagg is beginning to learn the NBA game. He’s not forcing as many shots as he did earlier this season and has recorded five or more assists in six straight games.
Today’s matchup also helps. The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 27 assists per game over their last 10 and should give the rookie plenty of chances to reach five helpers again.
+122 at bet365
Karl-Anthony Towns appears to have found his outside shot again for the New York Knicks.
Towns recently snapped a long drought from downtown and has now made multiple threes in two straight games. He’s been even more reliable at home, averaging 1.6 made threes per home game while shooting 37% from deep.
The Golden State Warriors have allowed 13 made threes per game over their last 10 games.
+1100 at bet365
Russell Westbrook remains one of the few players capable of producing a triple-double at any time.
Westbrook has recorded two triple-doubles in his last three games, and his role has grown with 30+ minutes expected again tonight.
The matchup against the Utah Jazz also looks promising. They're one of the worst defenses in the league over the last 10 games, and tonight’s total is the second highest on the board.
These props are available now at bet365, one of our best betting sites.
Take advantage of the early win payout at bet365, where any pre-game NBA moneyline bet gets paid out as a winner if your team goes up by 20+ points!
Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365's offerings, with our comprehensive bet365 review!
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
‘The potential phase is over’, the club’s president wrote during the week. Alastair Clarkson’s team appears to have taken note
For most of his tenure at North Melbourne, Alastair Clarkson’s eyebrows have been arched in a kind of perma-frown. The bigger the deficit, the steeper the arch.
It’s not as though his team has been completely hopeless. Most of the time, they’ve tried their guts out. They’ve just been incredibly frustrating. They’d won 11 games in three years heading into the weekend’s clash against Port Adelaide. They were 11-1-57 since Clarkson took over. In press conferences, he preaches patience, the long haul, the future. But it’s the eyebrows that keep the score – two hairy registers of shanks, turnovers and towellings.
Continue reading...
When looking back at the 2025 postseason, one would be forgiven for forgetting that the Cincinnati Reds were involved. Even despite the inherent dangers of a short-term series, the Reds weren’t able to give a proper contest to the Dodgers, falling in two straight games during Terry Francona’s first year in charge. It might have been their first playoff appearance in five years, but they haven’t even won a playoff game since 2012, nor a playoff series since 1995 — when the NL Central champion Brewers were still playing in the American League.
All the skepticism surrounding the Reds felt justified given that they were every bit of their 83-79 record. It was a type of campaign that leads a team to a playoff appearance only in very specific circumstances — the New York Mets’ late-season collapse, in this particular case. It wasn’t as though they caught them in a race, it was more that they kept walking at an adequate pace while the Mets took a wayward step into a ditch.
2025 record: 83-79 (3rd, NL Central)
2026 FanGraphs projection: 77-85 (4th, NL Central)
Any projection about the 2026 Reds starts with the unfortunate acknowledgment of ace Hunter Greene’s injury status heading into the year. The former No. 2 overall pick became the latest in a series of hard-throwing starters to be sidelined for a significant period. He’s now on the 60-day IL, out until at least July due to arthroscopic surgery on his elbow. Greene had already missed significant time last season, barely cracking the 100 innings mark in what was otherwise a magnificent campaign. Once again, the Reds will have to make do without him for a significant portion of their season.
Typically, good Reds team score runs, doing their best to benefit from playing half their games at Great American Ballpark, hitters’ favorite venue this side of Coors Field. Well, for the 2025 Reds—and this ties into some of the added concerns from Greene’s absence, it was all about the pitching.
Despite Greene’s time missed, Cincinnati managed a team ERA+ of 119, largely thanks to a career year from Andrew Abbott. The left-hander defied all odds to post a 2.39 ERA at home without the benefit of overwhelming stuff, boasting a strikeout rate below league average, all of which led to his first All-Star nod and a top-10 Cy Young finish. The de facto ace of this staff without a healthy Greene, Abbott may take a step back if we’re to read into his peripherals. It’s hard to see how he sustains a sub-3.00 ERA, pitching half his games in Cincinnati. On the positive side of things, Chase Burns (like Greene, a former No. 2 overall pick) showed outstanding stuff in his short period in the bigs and is probably one of the top young players to watch across baseball in 2026. He is currently dealing with a “range of motion issue” that they’re hoping isn’t too serious.
All in all, between Abbott, Burns, and Nick Lodolo, the Reds have an intriguing foundation even without Greene available, but it can’t quite be expected to carry the load of what could be a fringe contender if all things break right. Moving over to the bullpen, Emilio Pagán will be expected to live up to his resurgent 2025 campaign, set up primarily by Tony Santillan; the two combined to be one of the better late-inning duos in the National League last season. Trusting the pair, Cincinnati didn’t make any high-profile acquisitions to bolster its bullpen. Pierce Johnson and Caleb Ferguson are depth acquisitions to supplement Pagán, who was brought back on a two-year deal worth $20 million, showcasing a bit of the skepticism the market had about Pagán retaining that 2025 form.
Offensively, despite whiffing on their pursuit of Kyle Schwarber, Cincy has a few intriguing sluggers to keep an eye on ahead of 2026. After lighting up in the minors, Sal Stewart, a first-round pick in 2022, got a small opportunity in the bigs and answered the call with five homers in just 18 games. The youngster will get a free run to try and lock down a first base role that hasn’t been totally spoken for since the better days of Joey Votto. Spencer Steer is a fine player, but his flexibility is best utilized playing in other positions rather than as the primary first baseman. Carrying on the theme of sluggers, 49-homer bat Eugenio Suárez returns home, in a manner of speaking, on a one-year, $15-million contract that speaks for itself on why the Reds were more than happy to accommodate him as their primary DH. The man with 101 career bombs and a .504 SLG in Great American Ballpark should see his power play better there than it did in Seattle in the second half of 2025.
We went an entire paragraph on the club’s offense without discussing the inhuman Elly De La Cruz, a player whose God-given talent matches up with anybody in the game. His highlight reel will be phenomenal, his Statcast page equally so, but the challenge is to take not just one but several steps forward. The .777 OPS De La Cruz put up last year is not fitting for a player of his skill set; if this is to become a very good offense, it needs De La Cruz producing as a perennial MVP, which he very well could do. The best-case for the Reds is that the quad injury that Elly played through really affected his final 2025 numbers, and now recovered, he can get back to peak form.
De La Cruz, however, isn’t the only exciting Reds youngster who needs to do more in 2026. Matt McLain followed up an outstanding rookie campaign with an injury-riddled sophomore season. If he can regain that form we saw in 2024, the Reds could have one of the deadliest middle-infield partnerships in baseball, but that’s a big if.
As you’d expect, the Reds have the talent to compete for a Wild Card, but there are a lot of ifs and maybes and not very many certainties surrounding this team. They’ll be fun to watch, and the NL Central isn’t the gauntlet some other divisions are, but one is justified in being skeptical about this team’s chances to make a lot of noise in 2026.
More Pinstripe Alley MLB team season previews can be found here.
