WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 21: AJ Blubaugh #69 of the Houston Astros pitches during a spring training game against the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on February 21, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Baseball season is back, and spring training is in full swing. With that, there has been opportunities for prospects to play with the Major League club and show what they can do. Below are some prospects that have stood out recently.
Janek was seen as the best defensive catcher in the 2024 draft, showing up a plus arm and a quick release. In 2025 the 23-year-old hit .263 with 21 doubles, 2 triples and 12 home runs over 92 games for High-A Asheville. He also added a surprising 30 stolen bases.
So far this spring he has played in seven games and is 5-for-11 with a 2 doubles, a home run, 5 runs batted in and 3 walks. He has also added four stolen bases. He has the highest OPS for anyone with more than one PA. This is a great start for Janek and sets him up well for 2026, where he should start the season in Double-A.
Wakefield was drafted by the Astros in the 14th round of the 2025 draft after a season at Grand Canyon University where he hit .349 in 50 games. The left-handed hitter doesn’t provide a ton of pop, but he has good bat to ball skills and solid speed that he can use offensively on the bases and defensively in the outfield.
Despite not appearing in a game last year after the draft, the Astros have given him some run this spring training. He’s appeared in nine games and is 3-for-9 (.333 BA) with a double and a run batted in. It’s a small sample, but a solid performance in his first few professional at-bats.
Blubaugh was a 7th round pick back in the 2022 draft out of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Blubaugh was up and down a bit in 2025 but when he got a chance with the Astros, he showed off posting a 1.69 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 32 innings. The 2025 season showed that Blubaugh belongs with the big league club and should get some good long looks this season.
Blubaugh has made the most of his chances so far. The right-hander has pitched in four games and allowed 1 run over 7.2 innings while striking out 6 batters. He’s shown the high 90s fastball and based on stuff and production, it is going to be hard for the Astros to not have him on the Opening Day roster.
The Astros drafted Knorr in the 3rd round of the 2022 draft. Knorr spent his first three seasons at Cal State Fullerton before moving to Coastal Carolina for his senior year where he struck out 86 in 69 innings. Knorr struggled with some injuries, logging just 98 innings between 2023 and 2024. He pitched strictly in relief in 2025 posting a 5.03 ERA over 53.2 innings between Double-A and Triple-A.
Knorr has some good raw stuff and shown that this spring running his fastball up to 97 MPH. So far he has pitched in three games and allowed 1 earned run over 3.1 innings (2.70 ERA) while striking out 3 batters. A solid showing for the right-hander and while he is already 25 years old, he still has a chance to make it up as a bullpen arm.
Mar 17, 2026; Miami, FL, United States; Venezuela third baseman Eugenio Suarez (7) reacts after hitting a RBI double against the United States in the ninth inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Championship game at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Good day friends and happy Wednesday!
The Mariners are coming off a split-squad split yesterday, besting the Rockies by a 10-6 final while dropping a game to the Padres 9-6.
The ongoing concern in Mariners camp regards the status of J.P. Crawford, whose shoulder imaging came back clean yesterday. However, the M’s are uncertain if he’ll be ready to start the season. Should he start the year on the injured list, who would you want to see open the year as the team’s starting shortstop?
In Mariners news…
The Mariners announced the launch of Mariners SEA Change, an initiative focused on “ensuring access to baseball and softball”; “advancing inclusion and opportunity”; and “fostering a healthy and vibrant hometown.”
Get ready to re-live the Mariners’ magical season.
Hannah Keyser at CNN got the inside scoop on how people in the Italian homeland were reacting to the success of their WBC team.
Though Nicaragua did not advance out of the group stage in this year’s tournament, manager Dusty Baker found coaching the group to be a worthwhile experience, writes Clinton Yates at Andscape.
Around the league…
White Sox reliever Mike Vasil will undergo Tommy John surgery, taking him out for all of the 2026 season.
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)
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 12: Luisangel Acuña #0 of the Chicago White Sox blows a bubble as he runs to the dugout during the Spring Training game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on March 12, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Chicago White Sox may be the most known factor in the AL Central. After what seemed like a decent rivalry that ultimately extinguished, resulting in years long rebuild, the White Sox have found themselves rooted squarely in the bottom of the AL Central. The 2025 season was no different.
The White Sox finished last season with a 60-102 record under manager Will Venable. This paltry record was somehow better than the 2024 record of 41-121. Will the White Sox be able to tack on 20 more wins in 2026 and claw their way back into the AL Central conversation?
This off season saw the White Sox making a lot of moves, not necessarily amazing moves, but more than we saw from the Guardians front office. One of the big shake ups to the established White Sox roster was the trade of OF Luis Robert Jr. to the Mets for IF/OF Luisangel Acuña and RHP Truman Pauley. Some other notable moves include OF Austin Hays and RHP Erick Fedde both agreeing to a one-year contracts.
Perhaps the most noteworthy signing came from Japanese NPB player Munetaka Murakami. In the NPB Murakami put up a 211 wRC+ and hit .273/.379/.663 as an infielder.
Fangraphs has the projected Opening Day lineup against RHP as:
Chase Meidroth – RHH 2B
Colson Montgomery – LHH SS
Miguel Vargas – RHH 3B
Munetaka Murakami – LHH 1B
Austin Hays – RHH RF
Andrew Benintendi – LHH LF
Lenyn Sosa – RHH DH
Brooks Baldwin – SH CF
Edgar Quero – SH C
Projected Bench:
Korey Lee – RHH C
Luisangel Acuña – RHH INF/OF
Derek Hill – RHH OF
Everson Pereira – RHH OF
Projected Starting Rotation:
Shane Smith – RHP
Anthony Kay – LHP
Davis Martin – RHP
Sean Burke – RHP
Erick Fedde – RHP
The line up has some handedness issues looming. Brooks Baldwin batted .249 as a LHH making his place in the line up against RHP worthwhile, but the opposite can be expected from Quero. Quero hit .220 against RHP as a LHH, but is much stronger against lefties as a RHH, batting .357. Their projected ace is the only starting pitcher in the rotation who had a sub 4.00 ERA in 2025 (3.81). Colson Montgomery will likely see his first full season with in the big leagues, giving him a chance to expand on his 2025 season. In 2025 Montgomery posted a 129 wRC+ and a 2.7 WAR. He batted .239/.311/.529 in only 71 games (284 PA) with the club. Montgomery is positioned to be the face that ushers in a new era of White Sox baseball as prospects like Caleb Bonemer (ranked 33rd overall), Noah Schultz (ranked 36th overall), and Hagen Smith (ranked 65th overall) begin their climb to the show.
Its no secret the White Sox have it all stacked against them, but the team is shaping a new identity entering their second season under manager Will Venable. The front office is trying to make meaningful and impactful moves. This is a team that still has some life left in them. I, like most, predict that they will finish 5th barring a catastrophic implosion from the other AL Central teams. However, I do hope this team can show some scrap and muster up a more competitive record. After all this division is most fun when its a neck and neck competition top to bottom.
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - MARCH 10: Joc Pederson #3 of the Texas Rangers bats against the Chicago Cubs during the spring training game at Surprise Stadium on March 10, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Morning, all!
Shawn McFarland continues his top 30 prospect countdown with number 8, Winston Santos, and number 7, David Davilillo.
The Rangers have two of the five minor league prospects listed as two way players after signing two teenagers last year that are both shortstops and right handed pitchers.
Seong-Jun Kim and Josh Owen’s development is going to be a priority of the entire organization says director of player development Josh Bonifay.
Joc Pederson has posted a sub .500 OPS this spring, but has historically his regular season performance has matched his spring numbers.
Major League Baseball’s opening day is just a week away as the spring training wanes, and the Detroit Tigers are rounding into shape ahead of the 2026 regular season schedule.
The Motor City Kitties are just 7-11 during preseason play, but the results do not mean anything until next Thursday afternoon’s matchup with the San Diego Padres out on the West Coast. Still, it is encouraging that the Olde English D has won its last three in a row and has a plus-9 run differential heading into the final week of play.
With the start of the regular season just over the horizon and a sufficient sample size of stats amassed, it is as good a time as any to start thinking about what the opening day starting lineup will look like. There are a few players who are absolute locks at their positions: Tarik Skubal will undoubtedly take the mound in the first game, while Riley Greene will no doubt be on the field to start things off.
But who else will be in the starting lineup? Additionally, where in the field will they play and at what spot will AJ Hinch place them in the batting order? These are the questions bouncing around inside the heads of many Tigers fans as they watch the spring unfold.
So that is the question for today for our loyal Bless You Boys audience. Let us know in the comments below how you think the starting lineup will shake out on March 26.
The Edmonton Oilers beat the San Jose Sharks 5-3 Tuesday night at Rogers Place, and here are the standings explained.
Going into the game, Edmonton sat five points and two places above San Jose in the Pacific. Sounds comfortable, but the catch is the Sharks still have three games in hand, and that gap can close quickly. Kris Knoblauch put it plainly before puck drop.
"It's a four-point game. If we can win tonight, we're up seven. If they win, (we're up) three, that's quite a difference in the standings. And you know, if we're up seven, it's a nice cushion for us. We have to keep them behind us."
So now it's seven. But holding that lead is going to be a challenge, and the schedule is a big reason why.
The Sharks have a better schedule than the Oilers down the stretch. The Oilers calendar reads as follows: Panthers, Lightning, Mammoth, Golden Knights, Ducks, Kraken, Blackhawks, Golden Knights again, Mammoth again, Sharks again, and finally the Kings on April 11. They can’t win them all (we think), but they have to win enough.
Conversely, the Sharks face a much more optimistic Sabres, Flyers, Predators, Blues, Blue Jackets, Blues again, Ducks, Maple Leafs, Predators again, Blackhawks, Oilers again, Ducks again, Canucks, Predators again, Blackhawks again, and Jets on April 16th. That’s 2 games against teams in the bottom 10 compared to nine for the Oilers and Sharks, respectively.
That's the situation without Leon Draisaitl, who is out for the remainder of the regular season as the Oilers announced Tuesday afternoon.
"We're not gonna be able to score five every night, but it's nice when guys are feeling a part of it," began Zach Hyman post-game. "Nobody's gonna replace Leon. He's one of the best players in the world, so collectively as a group, everybody's got to raise their game, be a little bit better."
The Oilers managed fine on Tuesday. They outshot San Jose 37-30 and won over 54 percent of faceoffs, but the schedule ahead is considerably harder than the Sharks'.
San Jose also sits a point behind Seattle in the Wild Card race with a game in hand, and now sits behind the Oilers, Kraken, and LA Kings in the standings. That'll make Oilers fans feel better, but there's still plenty of time for things to change.
The Sharks have every reason to keep pushing, but the Oilers just made the remainder of the regular season slightly less dramatic.
The Atlanta Hawks ride a 10-game winning streak into Texas as they visit the Dallas Mavericks, who have dropped 10 of 12.
Atlanta has pounded teams with losing records lately, and my Hawks vs. Mavericks predictions expect much of the same tonight.
Read on for my full NBA picks on Wednesday, March 18.
Hawks vs Mavericks prediction
Hawks vs Mavericks best bet: Hawks -8.5 (-110)
The Atlanta Hawks' win streak has been fuelled by punishing a weak slate, as their 124-112 win over Orlando last game was their first on this run against a Top-6 opponent.
Only two other wins were against teams in a Play-In position.
Atlanta’s smallest margin of victory in the last 10 is nine points, and that fits about right with another sub-.500 opponent.
One of the teams they dumped was the Dallas Mavericks, 124-112, on March 10. Dallas can’t stop anyone. During this skid, it's allowed 120.9 points per game, the fourth-worst mark in the league.
Hawks vs Mavericks same-game parlay
Let’s target Atlanta’s two budding stars. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is coming off a career-high 41 against Orlando, giving him five 20+ point games in the last six, including 29 against the Mavs.
Jalen Johnson is coming off a triple-double vs. Orlando and has 10+ rebounds in back-to-back games.
Hawks vs Mavericks SGP
Hawks -8.5
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Over 20.5 points
Jalen Johnson Over 10.5 rebounds
Our "from downtown" SGP: Eyeing Johnson and NAW
Johnson is averaging a robust 9.4 assists per game in March. He had 13 in his last game and has gone for nine or more in four of his last six.
Walker drilled nine triples against Orlando, but aside from a five-splash game last time vs. Dallas, he’s gone Under 3.5 makes in the previous 12.
Hawks vs Mavericks SGP
Hawks -8.5
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Over 20.5 points
Nickeil Alexander Walker Under 3.5 made threes
Jalen Johnson Over 10.5 rebounds
Jalen Johnson Over 8.5 assists
Hawks vs Mavericks odds
Spread: Hawks -8 (-110) | Mavericks +8 (-110)
Moneyline: Hawks -340 | Mavericks +270
Over/Under: Over 238 (-110) | Under 238 (-110)
Hawks vs Mavericks betting trend to know
Dallas has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six home games. Find more NBA betting trends for Hawks vs. Mavericks.
How to watch Hawks vs Mavericks
Location
American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Date
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Tip-off
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN Southeast-Atlanta, KFAA
Hawks vs Mavericks 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.
PEORIA, ARIZONA - MARCH 12: Germán Márquez #33 of the San Diego Padres pitches in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals during a spring training game at Peoria Stadium on March 12, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
German Marquez must have taken some inspiration from Walker Buehler because the right-hander took the mound for the San Diego Padres and delivered a five inning, nine strikeout performance against the Seattle Mariners that resulted in a 9-6 win for San Diego at the Peoria Sports Complex on Tuesday. Marquez did allow three runs on three hits, but the Padres offense powered up and hit six home runs off Mariners pitching. All six home runs were hit by different players, and half of those were hit by regulars Gavin Sheets, Xander Bogaerts and Nick Castellanos. Ty France who is battling for one of the final bench spots as Spring Training enters its final week, also homered as well as Jase Bowen and Rodolfo Duran. San Diego returns to action Thursday against the Chicago White Sox at 6:10 p.m.
Padres News:
Buehler came to Spring Training as a minor league signing with the Padres and was only guaranteed the opportunity to compete for a spot in the rotation. He has taken advantage of that opportunity and has shown to be the most consistent arm in the group vying for a rotation spot and Lincoln Zdunich of Gaslamp Ball thinks he has done enough to have secured his place on the roster.
Bradgley Rodriguez opened some eyes when he made his MLB debut in 2025 and he has continued to do so in Spring Training. Perla Paredes of Padres.com believes that his spring performance has earned him a spot in a crowded San Diego bullpen.
Kruz Schoolcraft is hard to miss on the baseball field because his typically stands head and shoulders above everyone else on the diamond. Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune said the San Diego prospect is more than just a physical presence he is athletic as well and that will benefit him as he progresses through the minor league system.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki suffered a knee injury in the WBC while playing for Team Japan, but it does not appear to be serious, and he still has a chance to play on Opening Day.
WBC News:
Venezuela took advantage of their first trip to the World Baseball Classic final and upset the US with a 3-2 win. The teams entered the ninth inning in a 2-2 tie, but Venezuela was able to scratch out a run in the top of the ninth to win their first WBC title.
The Chicago Bulls enter tonight’s contest against the Toronto Raptors as underdogs, but Josh Giddey has been on fire of late for the hosts.
Find out why I’m backing Giddey to put up a ton of assists and boards in my Raptors vs. Bulls predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, March 18.
Raptors vs Bulls prediction
Raptors vs Bulls best bet: Josh Giddey Over 20.5 rebounds + assists (-120)
It hasn’t been an easy year for the Chicago Bulls, who are poised to miss the playoffs for the fourth straight campaign, but Josh Giddey has been a revelation in his second season with the team.
Giddey is averaging career-highs in assists (8.9) as well as rebounds (8.6), and he’s been even better down the stretch.
The Bulls point guard is logging 12 dimes and 11.7 boards per game in March— those numbers rank first and fourth, respectively, among all players.
Giddey has recorded Over 20.5 assists and rebounds in five straight games.
Raptors vs Bulls same-game parlay
The Bulls own the fifth-worst defense in the NBA (120 points allowed per game), so it could be a big point night for the Toronto Raptors' top scorers.
Brandon Ingram has scored 34+ points in each of his last two games, while RJ Barrett has posted Over 21.5 points in five of his last six.
Raptors vs Bulls SGP
Raptors moneyline
Brandon Ingram Over 23.5 points
RJ Barrett Over 21.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: (Triple) doubling down
Giddey has been a triple threat for the Bulls with two straight triple-doubles and five in his last six contests.
On the Raps side, Jakob Poeltl has two double-doubles in his last four games, while Scottie Barnes is fresh off a double-double on Sunday.
Raptors vs Bulls SGP
Josh Giddey to record triple-double
Jakob Poeltl to record double-double
Scottie Barnes to record double-double
Raptors vs Bulls odds
Spread: Raptors -7.5 | Bulls +7.5
Moneyline: Raptors -280 | Bulls +230
Over/Under: Over 234.5 | Under 234.5
Raptors vs Bulls betting trend to know
The Bulls have hit the Under in 20 of their last 30 games at home (+10.10 Units / 31% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Bulls.
How to watch Raptors vs Bulls
Location
United Center, Chicago, IL
Date
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
TSN, CHSN
Raptors vs Bulls 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.
Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets will look to hand the Memphis Grizzlies their ninth straight loss tonight as they meet at the FedExForum.
The Joker is carving up his opponents lately, and my Nuggets vs. Grizzlies predictions and NBA picks are eyeing him to drop dimes.
Nuggets vs Grizzlies prediction
Nuggets vs Grizzlies best bet: Nikola Jokic Over 10.5 assists (-105)
Nikola Jokic is truly a generational playmaker. He leads the Association in assists with 10.6 per night, and the Denver Nuggets big man truly cannot be stopped right now. He's comfortably gone Over his assist total in five straight appearances.
In fact, he’s dished out 28 dimes across his previous two games alone. Jokic had 14 assists on Tuesday against the 76ers, and he also grabbed another 14 dimes on Saturday against the Lakers.
The Serb is averaging 12.5 assists across two meetings with the Memphis Grizzlies this season, who are towards the bottom of the league in dimes allowed.
Nuggets vs Grizzlies same-game parlay
Denver just blew out the Sixers by 28 points, and the Grizzlies have lost their last two games by an average of 16 and 25 points, respectively. The Bulls just dominated them — a team that isn’t even in the playoff conversation.
The Nuggets have won four straight against Memphis. While they haven’t won any of those games by this big a spread, Denver comes in hot, and the Grizzlies are in the complete opposite position.
Jamal Murray has cooked Memphis this season, averaging 26 ppg across two meetings. He’s cashed the Over in two of his last four outings, dropping 30+ in both games.
Nuggets vs Grizzlies SGP
Nuggets -13.5
Nikola Jokic Over 10.5 assists
Jamal Murray Over 24.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: All Nuggets all the time!
Johnson has been playing well lately, cashing the Over in four straight contests. He’s scored 18 points in back-to-back appearances, and he's hit the Over in back-to-back road games.
Jokic has grabbed Over 13.5 rebounds in two of his last three, and the Grizzlies are considered an easy matchup for centers on the glass. They’re allowing 15.2 rebounds per contest to bigs.
Nuggets vs Grizzlies SGP
Nuggets -13.5
Jamal Murray Over 24.5 points
Cameron Johnson Over 12.5 points
Nikola Jokic Over 13.5 rebounds
Nuggets vs Grizzlies odds
Spread: Nuggets -13.5 | Grizzlies +13.5
Moneyline: Nuggets -800 | Grizzlies +550
Over/Under: Over 243.5 | Under 243.5
Nuggets vs Grizzlies betting trend to know
The Nuggets are 23-14 ATS on the road this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Nuggets vs. Grizzlies.
How to watch Nuggets vs Grizzlies
Location
FedExForum, Memphis, TN
Date
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Tip-off
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
Altitude, FDSN Southeast-Memphis
Nuggets vs Grizzlies 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.
It was just a week ago that the Toronto Raptors lost by double digits to the New Orleans Pelicans, and the team (minus Immanuel Quickley) seemed perfectly alright with Dejounte Murray punking Jamal Shead.
The team was dealing with the (data-backed) narrative that they took care of bad teams but couldn’t beat any good ones – and even that was in peril, because they couldn’t beat the lowly Pelicans.
The Raptors’ response has been as good as you could hope for. They bounced back with strong wins against the Phoenix Suns and the East-leading Detroit Pistons.
Just when the Raptors’ season felt like it was destined to fizzle out into a play-in spot, their last two performances made the case that they may very well be back, and vibes are once again good as the team is fifth in the Eastern Conference. Tonight they head to United Center to take on the Chicago Bulls at 8 p.m. ET.
Here are some things that may be back… in a few senses of the word.
Brandon Ingram? Back (from a short slump).
Brandon Ingram’s bucket-getting is a crucial element in a Raptors’ offense that is rather short on pure bucket-getters. For that reason, the team really struggled during the four-game stretch earlier this month when Ingram averaged 14 points per game on 34% shooting. But in the two games since (wins against Phoenix and Detroit), Ingram has led the way, averaging 35 points on 56% shooting. The Raptors made an effort to get the ball in his hands early on in their clutch possessions, rather than letting the shot clock wind down while they labor to get an entry pass.
Much better process if you want to run things through BI!
Get him as your ballhandler earlier in actions, led the defense send help, swing, swing, get a good shot.
Winning? Back (to back games against playoff teams).
Winning, as a concept, disappeared for a second there. Particularly against good teams. Before the Suns win, the Raptors’ last home win against a team ahead of them in the standings came against the then-5-2 Milwaukee Bucks in November. But winning appears to be back, and it came back in back-to-back fashion against a pair of good teams. Can they make it back-to-back-to-back?
Jak? Back (issues didn’t impede him Sunday).
Jakob Poeltl’s back issues have been a problem all year. When they haven’t kept him out of games, the pain (and his conditioning in returning) have kept him from being his best self, often looking a bit sluggish. On Sunday against the Pistons, however, Poeltl played what likely his best game of the season, with 21 points, 18 rebounds and five assists, in a season-high 36 minutes. The issue could continue nagging him. But Poeltl looked like he was back from the back injury against Detroit, matched up against All-Star center Jalen Duren. The Bulls don’t have a true starting-caliber center near Poeltl’s size; their starting big has been 6-foot-8 Jalen Smith.
CMB? Back (from injury, potentially).
OK, so Collin Murray-Boyles is doubtful for tonight’s game with a thumb injury. But the rookie returned to practice on Tuesday, for the first time since his eight-game absence began, signalling that he is close to his return. The Raptors are essentially as healthy as they’ve been all year right now. But once CMB returns they’ll have some much-needed depth behind the oft-injured Poeltl and a really good, versatile defender back in the mix. We don’t know yet whether Murray-Boyles will play tonight. But once he is back, I know that I’ll be… getting the popcorn out.
The Toronto Raptors popcorn’d Collin Murray-Boyles’ car 😭😭😭😭😭
The Los Angeles Lakers overcame a six-point halftime deficit to deliver a win over the Houston Rockets on Monday, but Houston will look to get back on track in tonight's rematch.
Amen Thompson has been on a heater, and my Lakers vs Rockets predictions expect him to stay hot and lead Houston to a much-needed victory.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this star-studded Western Conference matchup on Wednesday, March 18.
Tip-off is set for 9:30 p.m. ET from the Toyota Center in Houston, with the game airing on ESPN.
Lakers vs Rockets prediction
Lakers vs Rockets best bet: Amen Thompson Over 31.5 points + rebounds + assists (-110)
He’s reached 32+ PRA in 33 of 65 games, including 18 of 31 appearances at home. In nine games since posting a dud against the Orlando Magic, he’s averaged 35.3 PRA and hit the Over on this combo line eight times.
Thompson finished with 36 PRA on Monday, and he went for 38 PRA in his first matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers. Thompson can use his length and athleticism to get to the rim and clean the glass, just like he did on Monday.
Lakers vs Rockets same-game parlay
The Rockets are just 12-18 ATS as the home favorite but 23-7 straight up in that situation. The Rockets are an NBA-best 19-6 straight up after a loss, and the Lakers will have a difficult time beating them twice in a row on the road.
Houston led through two quarters despite a poor showing from Kevin Durant and the absence of Alperen Sengun, and I expect them to close the deal tonight.
Both teams have hit the Under in six of their last 10, including Monday, in which the teams combined for just 192 points. The Rockets are 10-19-1 to the Under as the home favorite, and the Lakers are 7-8 to the Under as the road underdog.
Lakers vs Rockets SGP
Amen Thompson Over 31.5 points + rebounds + assists
Rockets moneyline
Under 222.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Combo Craze
Durant is averaging 34.7 PRA on the season, and he’s reached 35+ in two of his last three at home. He finished with just 25 on Monday, but he went for 37 in his first matchup with L.A. and can bounce back tonight.
Sengun is back in action after two games on the sideline with a back injury. He’s averaging 36.3 PRA at home this season, and he finished with 30 when he faced the Lakers in December.
Jabari Smith Jr. finished with 30 PRA on Monday and 23 PRA in his first matchup with the Lakers. He’s averaged 25.6 across his last five games, hitting the Over on this line four times in that span.
Lakers vs Rockets SGP
Kevin Durant Over 34.5 points + rebounds + assists
Amen Thompson Over 31.5 points + rebounds + assists
Alperen Sengun Over 31.5 points + rebounds + assist
Jabari Smith Jr. Over 22.5 points + rebounds + assists
Lakers vs Rockets odds
Spread: Lakers +2.5 (-110) | Rockets -2.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Lakers +120 | Rockets -140
Over/Under: Over 222 (-110) | Under 222 (-110)
Lakers vs Rockets betting trend to know
The Houston Rockets have hit the Game Total Under in 29 of their last 40 games (+16.90 Units / 38% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Rockets.
How to watch Lakers vs Rockets
Location
Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Date
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Tip-off
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Lakers vs Rockets 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.
Mid March is a great time of year for any number of reasons, but it isn’t necessarily a great time for analysis. A regular commenter asked how I analyze spring numbers. The simple answer is I don’t. There are any number of reasons why. The most important reason is that the sample size is just too small. I’ll sometimes quote the numbers, but they really don’t mean anything.
The second problem is that we don’t know what level of competition these guys are facing. We can get excited about a young player breaking out until we realize they are mainly squared off against other young players. Obviously, that is doubly true for veterans. Finally, when we look at veterans we have to consider that sometimes they are working on something specific that may not translate to performance. Pitchers may work on a specific pitch or hitters may try to hit the ball the opposite way.
Keeping all of this in mind, I wanted to take the opportunity to answer another question that came down the pike. Someone asked for the source for many of these numbers. An analyst is only as good as his or her tools and I need to be upfront in admitting that others have done the heavy lifting for the most part. My job is to take those numbers and use them to analyze players and performance. However, much like theologians and the Bible, we are better off when more people understand the underlying sources and their strengths and weaknesses.
Baseball-reference.com
One could call baseball-reference.com the official online baseball encyclopedia. The strength comes in the wealth of information and the ease of finding what you are looking for. It sets itself apart from Fangraphs.com by including things like rankings in certain categories on each player’s page including a section of when they led the league in certain categories or finished in the top ten. This was huge for me when I was calculating awards voting and deserved MVP points.
It should be noted that B-ref uses it’s own WAR formula we normally call BWAR. It is based primarily on their fielding metric which ties pretty closely to defensive runs saved (Fielding Bible). It does not have the wealth of fielding metrics that Fangraphs and other sources have. However, it is an absolutely terrific resource if you want quick information on players from conventional data to the more sabermetric data.
Fangraphs.com
Fangraphs.com is my favorite site and probably most trusted resource. The advantage of Fangraphs over Baseball-reference is that it includes more minor league information and that came in handy when breaking down the hitters and pitcher numbers from the past few weeks. They also include international numbers as well. Baseball-reference also has this information, but it takes a few extra clicks to get there. When I want this information in a hurry I go to Fangraphs.
Obviously, the graphs part of the name is key. They include a lot more of what I would call process data than Baseball reference. So, what exactly is process data? In short, it includes things like pitch velocity, spin rates, and exit velocity for hitters. So, if you want to know what a pitcher’s average curveball velocity or what a hitter’s chase rate, contact rate, or hard hit rate then Fangraphs is the fastest resource to get that information.
I should note that they do have access to leaderboards. Both Fangraphs and Baseball Reference have paid services that allow you to custom those leaderboards for your own research. I personally do not currently do that because the free versions give me everything I want, but people that want to go into even more detailed analysis should check those out.
Baseball Savant
Baseballsavant.com is another resource that more and more analysts are using. In particular, it includes some of the same information as Fangraphs, but uses more charts and graphics to show the information more graphically. That includes things like heat maps for hitters and tracking pitches for pitchers along with movement, velocity, and spin.
These numbers come in handy particularly when looking at individual performances early in the season. Hitters and pitchers can look great or horrible because of the numbers, but the underlying information may not match. Seeing it graphically is great for visual fans that want to see what the numbers are saying. The site also includes more underlying numbers that can explain why fielding numbers and base running numbers say what they do.
As I said earlier, an analyst is only as good as his or her tools. The goal of this space is not only to analyze but to educate about how analysis gets done. I may be the analytics guy around here, but I am also a teacher at heart. As such, if you have ever had a question that has had you scratching your head, this is the space for you. Feel free to jump into the comments with a particular question. As we get closer to the actual season we will start going fast and furious into the actual numbers flying at us. Until then, enjoy the last few days of spring baseball while you can.
The Golden State Warriors’ road trip continues Wednesday as the Dubs travel to TD Garden to face the Boston Celtics.
Both teams are slow and low-scoring, and I don’t forecast many points in my Warriors vs. Celtics predictions and NBA picks below.
Warriors vs Celtics prediction
Warriors vs Celtics best bet: Under 214.5 (-110)
Wednesday’s matchup at TD Garden will be a slow and methodical slugfest between hard-nosed defenses.
The Boston Celtics sport the slowest pace in the Association, and the Golden State Warriors own the sixth-slowest pace across their last 10 games.
The Dubs are 18th in scoring (115.3 PPG), and the Celtics are 20th (114.3 PPG). Across their last 10, Boston has averaged just 113.7 ppg, and Golden State 113.6.
The Warriors have hit the Under in 10 of 15 games as the road dog, and the Celtics have gone Under in 18 of 28 as the home favorites.
Warriors vs Celtics same-game parlay
Neemias Queta is averaging 9.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in his breakout campaign, and he's got a strong matchup on tap tonight.
The Warriors have surrendered the 12th-most points in the paint over their last five games, along with the fourth-most second-chance points and third-most rebounds.
Queta has reached 9+ points and 9+ rebounds 18 times this season, including two of his last three games at TD Garden. With Al Horford sidelined and Quinten Post banged up, Queta should be able to shine in front of the Boston faithful.
Warriors vs Celtics SGP
Under 215.5
Neemias Queta Over 8.5 points
Neemias Queta Over 8.5 rebounds
Our "from downtown" SGP: Celtics dominate down low
I’m betting on Queta to go for at least nine points and nine boards, so it’s not a far leap to bet on a 10/10 performance.
Jayson Tatum has averaged 18.7 points and 11 rebounds in three home games this season, recording two double-doubles. He and Queta can both hit that statistical milestone in a plus matchup at home.
Jaylen Brown’s production has taken a step back with Tatum in the lineup, but he’s recorded 31+ points + rebounds three times with Tatum available.
Warriors vs Celtics SGP
Neemias Queta to record a double-double
Jayson Tatum to record a double-double
Jaylen Brown Over 30.5 points + rebounds
Warriors vs Celtics odds
Spread: Golden State +12.5 (-115) | Boston -12.5 (-105)
Moneyline: Golden State +450 | Boston -600
Over/Under: Over 215.5 (-110) | Under 215.5 (-110)
Warriors vs Celtics betting trend to know
The Celtics have hit the Under in 32 of their last 45 games for +17.70 units and a 36% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Celtics.
How to watch Warriors vs Celtics
Location
TD Garden, Boston, MA
Date
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Warriors vs Celtics 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.
Feb 27, 2026; Port Charlotte, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Jonathan Aranda (8) is congratulated in the dugout after he scored a run during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Charlotte Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
What’s This Team’s Deal?
Last year, this article began with a picture of a completely disheveled Tropicana Field, still unusable six months after Hurricane Milton. After sustaining significant water and wind damage, the stadium has been renovated and the Rays will return to Tropicana Field in less than a month.
The capacity of this renovated Tropicana Field will be reduced due to the damage. But that’s nothing new to the Rays. For several years, the upper decks of Tropicana Field were closed off due to lack of interest. This lack of interest is almost entirely due to stadium’s location far from downtown Tampa, as has been addressed many times. The Bucs are closer to downtown and manage a near-sell-out crowd despite relatively similar recent performance (outside of a 2021 Super Bowl… I don’t want to talk about it.) But, looking at this year’s roster in comparison to the rest of the division, I don’t know how Rays fans could find too much intrigue in this team, which was hit hard by a fire sale in 2024. The storm before the storm, if you will.
The next storm the team has to weather is deciding whether to play baseball in Tampa or St. Petersburg. This decision will be tantamount to any other decision the team makes before the conclusion of the 2028 season, when the lease runs out.
How Good Are They?
They’re probably just fine. Which is best case scenario for a team that recently gave away a perennial All-Star and who’s marching out a guy straight off two serious arm injuries as their ace. Shane McClanahan was one of the best in the game prior to his Tommy John surgery, clocking elite velocity and extension, resulting in a top-eight percentile whiff rate among all pitchers. The problem for the Rays? His surgery was on August 15, 2023. A lot’s happened since then, but McClanahan is still just 29 years of age and shows a lot of promise to go with an 8.0 career WAR in fewer than 3 seasons.
Behind McClanahan in the rotation is Drew Rasmussen, who’s coming off of his first All-Star selection and first Cy Young vote (it was only one fifth-place vote, but still!) The 30-year-old stayed healthy, reliable, and kept innings short, tallying a WHIP of 1.02 over 150 innings. That’s all you can ask from a rotation pitcher, and McClanahan coming back takes some pressure off him. Ryan Pepiot, part of the return for sending Tyler Glasnow to LA to win a couple World Series titles, looks fine enough in the middle of the rotation, putting up an ERA+ slightly above average last year.
Offensively, the Rays are led by budding star Junior Caminero, who’s coming off of a 45 home run season and a berth in the Home Run Derby finals. Caminero, who’s still just 22 until July, had an OPS of .846 and the highest bat speed in baseball on his way to slashing .264/.311/.535. He can really spread the ball around with the best of them already… but don’t take my word for it, here’s his spray chart.
Elsewhere, Yandy Diaz is returning despite every talking head (and most of us on this site, including yours truly) booking his plane ticket at the trade deadline of 2025. Cedric Mullins, former Oriole, rejoins the division where he enjoyed a decade of very dependable play in Baltimore. Jon Aranda batted .316 and had an incredible Savant chart in his own right along with providing versatility by playing all over the infield. And while Gavin Lux may not have the shine as he did coming through the Dodgers’ farm, he’s still a good infield option for a team looking to replace the productivity of Brandon Lowe.
Outside of those stalwarts, though, the roster’s kind of a mess, having got there in the name of efficiency, with a front office eager to ship players out before big paydays in exchange for players who aren’t quite ready to appear on a Major League team yet. But if these aforementioned guys can contribute at close to their best, the team might be good. Good players performing at their best helps a team… who knew?
Most Likable Player: Junior Caminero
I was going to use Jon Aranda here because there’s a lot of value in a guy who can get on base as much as he does and play three positions. But I can’t deny a guy who placed sixth in baseball in home runs in a year that one of the top five was Aaron Judge, another was the best baseball player of our generation, and another was someone who left the stratosphere in catcher metrics. Caminero is good and it would be heartbreaking if Tampa decided to ship him off for prospects like the rest of their homegrown stars (besides one they did pay who will be on the restricted list for a very, very, long time).
Least Likable Player: DJ Kitty
I don’t have the heart to select former Red Sox reliever Steven Matz here because he was fine for the Sox and left on amicable terms. And Caminero is a Red Sox killer but he’s honestly an everyone-killer and so awesome to watch against any other team. But remember: it was DJ Kitty who was unable to pry Triston Casas’ first career home run from this Ryan Brasier lookalike.
Schedule Against the Red Sox
The Rays visit Fenway for a four-game series from May 7-10. A month later, on June 8-10, the Sox head to the Trop. Fenway then gets the first series post-All-Star game from July 17-19. Finally, the Red Sox travel down to Tampa in what could be an all-important series from September 18-20. It’s the Rays’ last home series of 2026 and the Red Sox’s last away series before heading back to Boston to finish the season out.
Season Prediction
Overall, this is probably a last place team, but they’re better than most last place teams and their overall result likely hinges on just how extraordinary their star power performs. No matter how good Caminero is, though, this team could use a Tyler Glasnow, or Randy Arozarena, or either Lowe, or maybe a half dozen more players that have graced the Trop — or Steinbrenner Field — in recent years. When the front office wants to ask why the team went from nearly 100 wins to to 77 in 2025, they only need to look within.
PREDICTION: 79-83, 5TH IN THE AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
