FORMER CUBS IN GIANTS CAMP: Michael Fulmer, Caleb Kilian. Rowan Wick was signed by the Giants but is on the 60-day injured list.
TIME CHANGE: If you haven’t already done so, and you are in the USA outside Arizona and Hawaii, you should turn your clocks ahead an hour for Daylight Saving time. This means most remaining Cubs spring games will start in the 3 p.m. hour, Central time.
Caleb Thielbar will start for the Cubs. Other Cubs pitchers scheduled today: Phil Maton, Hunter Harvey and Hoby Milner will also throw in what will be a bullpen game.
Landon Roupp will start for the Giants. Other Giants pitchers scheduled today: Blade Tidwell and Keaton Winn.
Today’s game will be televised by Marquee Sports Network. It’s also on MLB Network (outside the Cubs market territory). There will be a radio broadcast on The Score as well as on the Giants flagship station, KNBR 104.5.
Please visit our SB Nation Giants site McCovey Chronicles. If you do go there to interact with Giants 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.
As we have done in the past, we’ll have a first pitch thread at five minutes to game time and one overflow thread, 90 minutes after game time. For today, that will be 3 p.m. CT and 4:30 p.m. CT.
These threads will not post individually onto the front page; instead, you can find links to them in the box marked ”Chicago Cubs Game Threads” at the bottom of the front page. There will also be a StoryStream on the front page with all the game thread links, as well as the recap after the game is over. The pitcher photos and regular-season stats will return on Opening Day.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 06: Bryce Eldridge #8 of the San Francisco Giants bats during a spring training game against the Cincinnati Reds at Scottsdale Stadium on March 06, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s another season of change for Major League Baseball. For the first time ever, hitters and catchers will have the chance to overturn called balls and strikes in official games. Are the days of ejections for arguing balls and strikes over? How do Major League Baseball fans feel about the game’s evolution?
Bryce Eldridge drew a walk in his first plate appearance of yesterday’s 7-5 Cactus League win over the Texas Rangers thanks to the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System that will be in the major leagues this season. Home plate umpire Charlie Welling had called this pitch, some 1.9” off the bottom of the zone, a strike:
Eldridge put his right hand to his batting helmet immediately, signaling for the challenge, which overturned the called strike. It was his second successful challenge in two tries this spring.
If you’re one of those optimistic Giants fans, then you saw the team’s top prospect flash strike zone awareness that could only fuel that perpetual optimism. He’s got raw power, the well-timed inside out swing, not embarrassing defense at first base, and a Brandon Beltesque awareness of the strike zone? And just 21 years old? Is he too good to be true?
Of course, he challenged a called first strike pitch a couple of innings later and the call was upheld, giving him his first lost challenge of Spring Training, but that’s insignificant in the grand scheme of things. The comedy of manners that has so often been required of hitters and catchers towards umpires falls away to a degree. Rather than indignant players showing up umps or emotionally fragile umpires feeling slighted by even the slightest slump of a shoulder or creak of a catcher’s gear, everybody gets to turn their heads towards The Computer to temporarily outsource their frustrations. It’s a chance for everybody to chill out and, at worst, get the call right.
And the added benefit is that not only do hitters with excellent strike zone judgment now have the chance to right the wrongs of umpiring, the best catchers in the world get to show off how rarely their framing “steals” strikes.
With catchers having the opportunity to challenge calls, Patrick Bailey’s preternatural pitch framing ability might just be supercharged by technology. There were some fears that he’d lose the whole stealing strikes ability, but getting to prove to the umpire that the strike he setup to catch was, indeed, a strike even if the umpire was flummoxed by his positioning or whatever makes the potential loss of a genuine “stolen strike” in a critical moment about a wash. As Andrew Baggarly reports, “Bailey is confident his success rate [for using the ABS Challenge System] will be much higher than the 56 percent overturn rate for catchers who participated in testing last spring.”
It’s not difficult to imagine an early season scenario where an opposing team is in disbelief that Bailey has been able to catch certain pitches as strikes, be wrong enough to lose their challenges (both teams start with two challenges), and then be vulnerable to the late-game “stolen strike” as a result (though, teams out of challenges are refreshed with one new challenge in extra innings).
But what about you, MLB fans? This fundamentally changes the game. The sanctity of umpire (mis)judgment has been eroding for some time thanks to the disruption provided by technology, and that loss of the human element to what is a very human game is sure to ruffle some feathers of the stodgiest and hardiest of die hards. Are you looking forward to hitters and catchers having the chance to show up the umps or swing at bats — and games — in your team’s favor with a simple challenge? SB Nation took an MLB Reacts poll to get a sense of the mood.
That’s an overwhelming result, but it makes a lot of sense. Getting the call right is a widely held belief and in a game that can be as cruel as baseball, the ABS Challenge System might just be a sorely needed pain reliever.
On the other hand, as great as technology can be, the ABS Challenge System isn’t flawless. It will change the aesthetics of the game in a way that longtime fans might not ever get used to in their (okay, our) lifetimes. And it’s not like fan opinion gets it right every time. Most fans want a salary cap, for instance. But anyway, here’s an example of this changed aesthetic:
We’ll have a lot more games ended on challenged pitches, and it’s unclear at the moment what side comes out ahead. Last March, Baseball Prospectus looked at situations similar to the video embedded above, where walk-off walks might’ve been overturned and changed to a called third strike. The fact remains that “the human element” of the game does get lost as technology suffuses it, and it’s not really a question of a tradeoff because, again, decision-making is being outsourced to a machine. We’ll probably see fewer no hitters or perfect games and fewer wild swings with stellar results just as the humans paid to play and call the game conform their behaviors to the system established by ABS. What do we gain from that beyond “getting the call right”? I think that’s a philosophical question meant to be answered in an internet comment section.
That said, the commentariat have spoken to an extent, and would seem to have a gut instinct that leads them in the opposite direction of the game-ending examples cited above:
This makes a lot of sense. Fans think players get dinged for falsely called strikes a lot of the time. They’re probably going to be surprised by how many times that’s not the case and how often umpires miss strikes, but generally speaking, this is sound. It’s always been two against one with a pitcher and catcher ganging up on the hitter and so ABS would seem to be a solution to that problem by making technology a hitter’s partner.
But you can bet the Giants are one of the few teams already in position to benefit from the rule change, not just because Bryce Eldridge has excellent strike zone judgment but because their lineup core of Rafael Devers, Matt Chapman, and (to a lesser extent) Willy Adames have a combined career OBP of .333 (the league average the past four seasons is around .315) and Patrick Bailey’s catching ability is already the best in the world. Now he gets to enhance it with technology while leading a staff that doesn’t need strikeouts to be effective, but will certainly be even better with more called strikes added to the mix.
It has been said that the Giants’ dynasty of the 2010s came to a quick and painful end once Statcast was installed in all 30 stadiums and it has felt like the franchise has been playing catchup with technology ever since. Their roster was never — and still mostly isn’t — setup to take advantage of the recent changes that enhance stolen bases, either. The ABS Challenge System would seem to be the first new industry standard they’re setup to gain from at the outset and that’s a very exciting proposition, whether you’re a diehard “human element” fan or a fan who would pay to see androids play.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 4: Emmet Sheehan #80 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch during a World Baseball Classic exhibition game against Team Mexico at Camelback Ranch on March 4, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers travel to the Maryvale section of Phoenix on Monday afternoon to take on the Milwaukee Brewers.
Emmet Sheehan makes his second appearance in an exhibition game this spring, after needing 34 pitches to record only four outs last Wednesday against Mexico at Camelback Ranch, with five of his nine batters reaching base and no strikeouts. With just under three weeks before opening day, there is at least some concern of the timing for some starters being able to be fully built up for the regular season.
But there is also more to the incremental climb than game action itself. Oftentimes, pitchers will continue to throw for an extra simulated inning in the bullpen after they are removed from a spring game to ease the build-up. Also, Sheehan pitched two simulated innings against Dodgers hitters on the backfields on February 27. But still, an extended outing on Monday would do well for Sheehan’s path toward the regular season.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 1: Kyle Hurt #63 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch during a Spring Training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Camelback Ranch on March 1, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers head to Mesa on Sunday afternoon to play the A’s at HoHoKam Park. Kyle Tucker is back in the lineup for the first time in eight days, after spending some time at home after his wife gave birth..
Lineup
Alex Call LF Kyle Tucker DH Andy Pages CF Santiago Espinal 3B Dalton Rushing C Alex Freeland SS Nick Senzel 2B Ryan Ward 1B Zach Ehrhard RF
Justin Wrobleski is on the mound.
Other pitchers
Kyle Hurt and Paul Gervase will see action on the mound today, and non-roster invitees Carson Hobbs and Jordan Weems are also on the docket.
Pitchers from minor league camp on the bus to Mesa include Joseilyn Gonzalez (wearing number 87), Logan Lunceford (89), Kelvin Ramirez (91), Nick Nastrini (93), and Jacob Frost (96).
Other position players
Busy infielders Noah Miller and Ryan Fitzgerald are active on Sunday, as are the usual outfield crew of Josue De Paula, Zyhir Hope, Kendall George, and James Tibbs III, plus catchers Griffin Lockwood-Powell and Eliézer Alfonzo.
Up from the minors are infielders Sean McLain (02), Sam Muñoz (05), and Elijah Hainline (06), plus catcher Carlos Avila (07).
Doc Rivers' seat as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks is getting increasingly hot as it becomes increasingly clear this team isn't even going to make the play-in (and whatever happens with Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer isn't changing Rivers' fate).
Rivers does not want you to confuse that with him retiring.
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith said on his SiriusXM radio show this week that Rivers intends to retire at the end of this season, "He's gonna step away." Rivers pushed back on that, via Eric Nehm of The Athletic.
"No, I'm not getting into that," Rivers said... "That's something that... I think he feels that way, but not for me."
Rivers has just one more year on his contract with the Bucks, a price they will gladly pay to move on to a coach Antetokounmpo wants if he stays, or a player-development specialist if the Bucks are rebuilding.
Expect Rivers to land a media deal somewhere for next season — he's very good on broadcasts — but his hat is going to be in the ring when a job opens up midseason next year, as it inevitably will.
Rivers has coached in all or part of 27 NBA seasons, having won a ring (2008 Boston Celtics) and has a career .583 winning percentage. He can bring stability to a franchise that feels it needs it, which will keep him in the mix for jobs for a while.
The Detroit Pistons will be looking to break their season-long three-game losing streak as they visit the Miami Heat tonight.
Detroit is still far from completely healthy and faces a team that has won four straight, so I’m taking Miami to win in my Pistons vs. Heat predictions.
Let’s take a closer look at this Eastern Conference showdown in my free NBA picks for Sunday, March 8.
Pistons vs Heat prediction
Pistons vs Heat best bet: Heat moneyline (+110)
The Detroit Pistons suffered one of their worst losses of the year last night, losing 107-105 to the Nets. Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson both missed that game, and while they may play tonight, it’s unclear how limited they might be.
Detroit is playing banged up and in the second half of a back-to-back against a rested Miami Heat team that has won four straight.
The Heat have one win against the Pistons this year and played Detroit tough in both meetings. The way these teams are playing right now, I like Miami to win outright at home.
Pistons vs Heat same-game parlay
If the Heat are going to win tonight, it will be on the back of two of their biggest stars. Bam Adebayo has put up at least 21 points in each of his last five games, while Tyler Herro is coming off a monster game where he compiled 51 points + rebounds + assists, his second straight game going Over tonight’s total.
Pistons vs Heat SGP
Heat moneyline
Bam Adebayo Over 18.5 points
Tyler Herro Over 33.5 points + rebounds + assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: Double-double trouble
Miami has two potential double-double threats every night in Adebayo and Kel’el Ware, and both have been getting them regularly as of late. Adebayo has three double-doubles in his last five games, while Ware has gotten there in six of his last nine games.
On the outside, Davion Mitchell has been busy from 3-point range as well, hitting at least two shots from beyond the arc in three of his last four contests.
Pistons vs Heat SGP
Heat moneyline
Bam Adebayo double-double
Kel'el Ware double-double
Davion Mitchell Over 1.5 made threes
Pistons vs Heat odds
Spread: Pistons -2.5 (-110) | Heat +2.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Pistons -130 | Heat +115
Over/Under: Over 231.5 (-110) | Under 231.5 (-110)
Pistons vs Heat betting trend to know
The Heat are 7-2 straight up in their last nine games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Pistons vs. Heat.
How to watch Pistons vs Heat
Location
Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
Date
Sunday, March 8, 2026
Tip-off
6:00 p.m. ET
TV
Detroit SportsNet, FDSN Sun
Pistons vs Heat latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights face off in a Pacific Division matchup tonight as both clubs jostle for playoff positioning.
Connor McDavid looks to maintain his lead in the NHL scoring race, and I’m predicting another big night on the score sheet for the Edmonton captain in my Oilers vs. Golden Knights predictions and NHL picks below.
Oilers vs Golden Knights prediction
Oilers vs Golden Knights best bet: Connor McDavid Over 1.5 points (-110)
Tonight’s game is a big one for Connor McDavid, who looks to protect his lead as the NHL’s scoring leader and help his Edmonton Oilers get closer to the top spot in the Pacific.
McDavid enters Sunday on a six-game point streak, with Over 1.5 points in four of his last five outings. The Oilers captain has been a multi-point machine, co-leading the NHL with 34 two-point games in 63 appearances.
Edmonton is averaging 4.67 gpg over its past six games, so McDavid will have plenty of chances to find the score sheet.
Oilers vs Golden Knights same-game parlay
Leon Draisaitl has found the back of the net in three of his last four games and six of his last nine. He’s also done well against Vegas, scoring eight times in his last 12 meetings vs. the Vegas Golden Knights.
Vegas has lost four of its last five and is without captain Mark Stone. McDavid and Draisaitl will lead the Oilers to a win tonight.
Oilers vs Golden Knights SGP
Connor McDavid Over 1.5 points
Leon Draisaitl anytime goalscorer
Oilers moneyline
Oilers vs Golden Knights odds
Moneyline: Oilers -110 | Golden Knights -110
Puck Line: Oilers +1.5 (-200) | Golden Knights -1.5 (+210)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-140) | Under 6.5 (+120)
Oilers vs Golden Knights trend
The Oilers have won seven of their last eight games against the Golden Knights. Find more NHL betting trends for Oilers vs. Golden Knights.
How to watch Oilers vs Golden Knights
Location
T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Date
Sunday, March 8, 2026
Puck drop
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN, Sportsnet West
Oilers vs Golden Knights latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Daniel Farke enjoyed victory over his former club in a fluent display that booked their first quarter-final in 23 years
There are 52 league places between Port Vale and Sunderland, and it’s Vale’s first quarter-final for 72 years. Magic.
“I’ve a strange feeling that Leeds are going to go all the way to the final this year,” emails Justin. “It’s just odd to think they’ve played a European Cup final and won two league titles but have not been back to Wembley for an FA Cup Final since 1973! Even Sunderland got back for one in 1992. Right, that’s Leeds jinxed for another year.”
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nathan Miller won the 41st Los Angeles Marathon in the final stride on Sunday, becoming the second straight American men's winner in the race's closest finish ever.
Miller, of Jackson, Michigan, completed the 26.2-mile course in 2 hours, 11 minutes, 18 seconds, overtaking Michael Kamau of Kenya, who was second in the same time.
Kamau didn't take any fluids during the race and fell at the finish. He was taken away on a stretcher.
Miller, 36, is a substitute teacher and a high school track and cross country coach at Jackson High School. His personal best is 2:10:45 at the 2023 Grandma's Marathon, where he set a record as the fastest U.S.-born Black marathoner.
Last year, Matt Richtman became the first American to win the men’s race since 1994. He won in 2:07:56.
Enyew Nigat of Kenya was third on Sunday in 2:14:23.
In the women's race, Priscah Cherono of Kenya won in 2:25:20. The 45-year-old mother of three lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was 10th in the 5,000 meters at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Kellyn Taylor of Flagstaff, Arizona, finished second in 2:27:37. Antonina Kwambai of Kenya was third in 2:28:50.
Race organizers had announced that because of the weather medals would be given out to runners who completed just 18 miles of the course that began at Dodger Stadium and ended in the Century City section of Los Angeles. Temperatures were expected to rise into the 80s by midday.
May 25, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche fans hold up signs in support of center Nazem Kadri (91) before game five of the second round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the St. Louis Blues at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
The Colorado Avalanche, boasting the most formidable lineup in the NHL this season, just got a little nastier coming out of the NHL trade deadline.
Or, perhaps more fittingly, Naz-tier.
Nazem Kadri begins his second stint as a member of the Avs today, who face the newly reconfigured Minnesota Wild in a high stakes matchup at Ball Arena.
Colorado Avalanche (42-10-9)
The Opponent: Minnesota Wild (37-16-10)
Time: 12:00 P.M. MST/2:00 P.M. EST
Watch: HBO MAX/TNT/truTV (U.S. National Broadcast), TVAS/TVAS+ (Canadian National Broadcast), SN+, NHL Centre Ice (Outside Avalanche and Wild Broadcast Region – Canada)
Listen: Altitude Sports Radio KKSE-FM 92.5 FM
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche return home on the heels of their most challenging stretch of hockey in the wake of the Olympic break. They defeated the Dallas Stars by a 5-4 shootout decision after coming back from separate 3-1 and 4-2 deficits on Friday evening at American Airlines Center. After Stars captain Jamie Benn botched an empty net play that would have secured a key regulation victory for Dallas, Valeri Nichushkin tied the game with 13.2 seconds remaining in the third period. Scott Wedgewood, who replaced Mackenzie Blackwood after he surrendered four goals on eleven shots, was sensational in relief, stopping everything that came his way in regulation, and made brilliant saves on Dallas’ Miro Heiskanen in overtime and both Jason Robertson and Matt Duchene in the shootout. Martin Nečas scored what proved to be the shootout winner on Jake Oettinger, and Nichushkin added another shootout goal to ice the comeback, salvaging two critical points in the standings from falling into Dallas’ hands. The victory completed a sweep of the Avs’ three game road trip, and was their fifth win in six games, while snapping Dallas’ franchise record ten game winning streak.
Coach Jared Bednar said this of Nichushkin’s performance on Friday: “I feel like he’s been playing a lot better right before the break, coming out of the break, he’s starting to using his legs like we’re used to seeing. He had been fighting the puck for a little bit, had a little bit of an injury that was bothering him; he was playing through that, and he’s been snakebit […] hopefully this sparks him here, and he starts feeling it a little bit, because he deserves to put a few more back in the net.”
In their win over Dallas, the Avalanche further solidified their position as the undisputed leader across the Central Division, Western Conference, and League standings. Coming into today’s game against Minnesota, they have a six point lead over Dallas with a game in hand, and a nine point lead over Minnesota with two games in hand. While the Avs trail the season series as a result of their 5-2 defeat on home ice by Minnesota on February 26, this version of the Avalanche roster will look markedly different from the one that Minnesota faced previously with the return of Nazem Kadri—a reunion that many Avs fans felt was nearly impossible—after being re-acquired from the Calgary Flames on Friday afternoon.
Despite having just a twelve goals to this point in this year, his lowest since the COVID-shortened 2020-2021 season, Kadri’s physicality, face-off prowess, and penchant for drawing penalties will be huge as the Avs close in on that coveted top seed for the playoffs. He should have no problem getting re-acquainted with Bednar’s system, and his chemistry within the locker room speaks for itself. Kadri will undoubtedly receive a hero’s welcome from Avs fans for his first game in a Colorado sweater in over three years.
Today marks the final game of the four game series with Minnesota, but a win by the Avalanche this afternoon could all but put the top spot in the Central Division out of Minnesota’s reach.
(Let’s try not to launch any pucks from the defensive zone on the penalty kill today.)
Nathan MacKinnon still leads the NHL with a League-best 42 goals and has closed the points gap with Edmonton’s Connor McDavid (MacKinnon has 103 points; McDavid leads the League with 106). Nečas, who tied his career high in goals (28) this past Friday in Dallas, is two goals away from a tie for second place in goal scoring with Brock Nelson (30). Cale Makar is one goal away from his fourth season of reaching the 20 goal marker.
Projected Lineup
Forwards: Gabe Landeskog – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Nečas Ross Colton – Brock Nelson – Valeri Nichushkin Parker Kelly – Nazem Kadri – Nicolas Roy Joel Kiviranta – Jack Drury – Gavin Brindley
Defense: Devon Toews – Cale Makar Josh Manson – Brent Burns Brett Kulak – Sam Malinski
Between the Pipes: Mackenzie Blackwood Scott Wedgewood
Minnesota Wild
Minnesota came out of the Olympic break with a huge opportunity to gain ground in the hotly contested Central Division with their victory over Colorado. However, two consecutive losses to division opponents (ironically, a 5-2 loss at the hands of the Utah Mammoth on February 27—the night after they defeated Colorado by the exact same score—and a 3-1 loss to the St Louis Blues on March 01) allowed Dallas to reclaim second place, dropping Minnesota to third in the division. Coming into today’s game, Minnesota pulled within two points of Dallas, having defeated the Vegas Golden Knights by a score of 4-2 at T-Mobile Arena this past Friday, so a win in Denver today would be pretty massive. However, since Dallas holds a game in hand on Minnesota, they would still retain second place in the division. With less than twenty games left in the regular season, Minnesota may need to start getting help from other teams in order to position themselves more favorably as teams hit the final stretch of the season.
While Minnesota landed its biggest trade piece earlier this season in the Quinn Hughes deal last November, GM Bill Guerin was very active leading up to the NHL trade deadline. He claimed center Robby Fabbri off waivers from the St. Louis Blues, and acquired defenseman Jeff Petry from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Minnesota’s seventh round pick in this year’s draft. He also acquired center Michael McCarron in exchange for Minnesota’s second round pick in 2028.
Guerin wasn’t done there: at the deadline, he acquired right wing Bobby Brink from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for defenseman David Jiříček. Brink made his debut for Minnesota this past Friday, but is no stranger to playing in Colorado, having won several awards at the collegiate level, including the NCAA championship in 2022, with the University of Denver Pioneers. Guerin also acquired Nick Foligno, the brother of Minnesota assistant captain Marcus Foligno, from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for future considerations. Marcus Foligno is currently out with injury, but could return to the lineup against Colorado. Vinnie Hinostroza was also dealt to the Florida Panthers in exchange for future considerations.
Minnesota’s retooled lineup will give them a much different appearance in this final regular season matchup against Colorado. The addition of Brink will give them another option on offense; while his thirteen goals would tie him for seventh place among Minnesota skaters, this figure is a career high for him in his short NHL career and could see a bump in his new surroundings, especially if he continues to see top six ice time like he did this past Friday against Vegas. Foligno and McCarron add a veteran presence that playoff-bound clubs find irrisitible for playoff runs, and while Fabbri has struggled in recent seasons, having roster depth—especially at center—is a must have at this time of year as teams gear up for postseason play.
Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy currently share the team lead in goals (35). Kaprizov leads all skaters in points (75), while Boldy is three points behind in second place (72). Filip Gustavsson got the start Minnesota’s previous victory in Colorado, but was unable to finish the game due to illness. With Gustavsson getting a majority of the starter’s workload since coming back from the Olympics, it’s possible Jesper Wallstedt starts today to give Gustavsson a breather prior to Minnesota’s upcoming four game homestand starting on Tuesday.
Projected Lineup
Forwards: Kirill Kaprizov – Ryan Hartman – Mats Zuccarello Matt Boldy – Joel Eriksson Ek – Bobby Brink Vladimir Tarasenko – Danila Yurov – Yakov Trenin Robby Fabbri – Michael McCarron – Nico Sturm
Defense: Quinn Hughes – Brock Faber Jonas Brodin – Jared Spurgeon Jake Middleton – Zach Bogosian
Between the Pipes: Jesper Wallstedt Filip Gustavsson
Feb 28, 2026; Sarasota, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Tyler Wells (68) throws a pitch during the fifth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Two weeks remain until the Orioles head north from Sarasota. At least for the next few days, nicer weather up in Birdland makes it feel like spring here rather than a lingering winter. That’s nice. Also nice is that today’s game will be aired on MASN and on the Orioles flagship radio stations in Baltimore. Whether you are home or out and about, you have the opportunity to tune in. Enjoy it!
Untelevised games are less frequent here in the back half of the spring training schedule, fortunately, although some do remain.
Orioles lineup
Colton Cowser – CF
Taylor Ward – LF
Pete Alonso – 1B
Samuel Basallo – C
Ryan Mountcastle – DH
Dylan Beavers – RF
Bryan Ramos – 3B
Weston Wilson – 2B
José Barrero – SS
Tyler Wells is making the start, although since he’s not being stretched out as a starter any more, he’ll probably go two innings tops and then be followed by a series of relievers. Neither of yesterday’s split squad games nor this game today have an actual starting pitcher. I don’t understand the process.
As I have commented across a number of spring training games, on the home lineups I always like to think of it as how close is this to the Opening Day lineup, or at least players who will be on the Opening Day roster? Here, I think it’s 6/9 for the roster but maybe only 4/9 for the starting lineup. I give it a strong chance that Basallo is the DH with Adley Rutschman catching on Opening Day, and I feel it’s unlikely that a healthy Tyler O’Neill would be on the bench. For now, O’Neill is with Team Canada.
Mountcastle presents the constant question of whether the Orioles will or should actually find space for him on this roster. Should there be a right-handed bench bat who can only play first base and for several years running has hit for much less power than it feels like he should? I feel that answer is no, but they haven’t moved on from him yet.
There was one lone cut from the camp roster before this game, as the Orioles optioned Reed Trimble over to the minor league camp. They have 66 players remaining in the major league camp. Masses of cuts are coming at some point to get closer to the 26-man roster. That will probably happen in the coming week. The O’s aren’t in a rush about it.
LAKELAND, FL - MARCH 07: Zach McKinstry #39 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates with teammates in the dugout during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on Saturday, March 7, 2026 in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Carlee Calfee/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Sep 23, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) throws against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images | Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
The St. Louis Cardinals will spend Sunday on the diamond taking on the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium. It will be Andre Pallante starting the game for the Cardinals while MLB.com says LHP Braxton Garrett will take the mound for the Marlins.
Peoria, AZ - February 23: Ty France #4 of the San Diego Padres runs to first base during a spring training game against the Milwaukee Brewers on February 23, 2026 in Peoria, AZ. (Photo by K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)
At the outset of the offseason the San Diego Padres offense was (for better or worse) set. It already included perennial superstars Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill alongside solid contributors like Freddy Fermin and Ramón Laureano.
But, with the departure of everyday first baseman Luis Arráez in free agency to the division-rival San Francisco Giants, San Diego had an opening at the cold corner. So general manager A.J. Preller did what he does best: he found low-risk, high-reward opportunities.
As Cactus League propels toward Opening Day, here’s a look at five candidates (in order of least to most likely) who could fill first base for the Friars on March 26.
Jose Miranda
The former corner infielder for the Minnesota Twins, Miranda owns a career .263 batting average across four years of MLB service time. But this spring he’s been raking.
In 11 Cactus League games, Miranda owns a .375/.464/.667 slash line with four extra-base hits and one home run. He’s totaled seven RBI in those games.
His glove is solid as well, with a 1.000 fielding percentage in 16 innings logged at first base. But manager Craig Stammen continues to give him more innings at third, making it seem like Miranda is viewed as more of a utility player than as an everyday one.
Gavin Sheets
I know, I know, I know. He’s ranked lower than you thought he’d be. I just really cannot see Gavin Sheets playing first base every day for this team.
It’s not his bat, he’s been a fantastic addition to the Padres lineup. It’s the glove. He’s done well this spring, so it seems unwarranted to question his defense. But at the major league level (across a full season), it’s uncertain he can maintain that elite level of defensive play.
In the past, Sheets has been used at first base sparingly, only starting more than 20 games in a season once at the position (41 starts in 2024). He’s been great in Spring Training, and his bat is fantastic, but he seems like more of a DH who plays first base occasionally than the starter.
Miguel Andujar
Andujar was the “big” offensive free agent splash for San Diego this offseason. Signed to a one-year, $4 million deal, he fits best as the Padres designated hitter while being a viable candidate to take some outfield reps.
That being said, Stammen has started him at first in two spring games. Across 11 innings, he has a perfect fielding percentage. But the same problem presents itself as with Sheets. The bat is (obviously) there, but can the glove stay consistent after a full season?
Nick Castellanos
It’s surprising to see Castellanos – someone who hasn’t ever played a single inning of MLB at the cold corner – so high on this list. But his bat has performed extremely well in Spring Training, posting a 1.011 OPS in nine games.
The only problem is his defense, which everyone knew would be somewhat of an issue. It’s passable and (for a guy who’s never played the position) really solid. But it’s not fantastic and the Friars need consistent defense at the cold corner.
Castellanos figures to stay in the mix for a utility-type role, splitting time between first base, DH, and outfield like most of the other guys on this list.
Ty France
The signing of France to a minor-league deal marks a homecoming to the club he began his seven-year career with. Historically he has been considered a bat-first player, but in 2025 France turned that around.
After a disappointing 2024 campaign that saw him post a -12 OAA (Outs Above Average) at the cold corner, France led all MLB first basemen in ‘25 with +10 OAA. Because of that, he won the Gold Glove Award for the first time in his career.
If France can replicate that elite defense and continue to rake like he has so far in Cactus League games (posting a .375/.444/.500 slash line across 10 games) he could easily earn the starting spot.
One more great thing about France’s offense. He’s been torching left-handed pitching, hitting .500/.600/.500 compared to .350/.409/.500 against righties.
For a team who, on Opening Day, will face arguably the most dominant lefty on the planet in Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, San Diego will take all the help it can get.
