WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 02: Ronald Acuña Jr. #21 of Team Venezuela poses for a photo during the Team Venezuela photo day at Cacti Park at the Palm Beaches on Monday, March 2, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Liles/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Later on this evening, the Atlanta Braves are going to be playing their first night game of spring training over in Fort Myers against the Twins. However, those won’t be the only Braves players taking part in a baseball game in Florida today. In fact, there will be a game that actually counts (and figures to be a lot louder and noisier) taking place down in Miami as Braves representatives Ronald Acuña Jr. and José Yépez will be playing for Venezuela as they take on teammates Ozzie Albies and Chadwick Tromp (and manager Andruw Jones) in Pool Play action in the World Baseball Classic.
While I wouldn’t say that Venezuela is one of the favorites as there’s a pretty big gap in quality between the top three teams (Japan, USA and the Dominican Republic) and the rest of the field, they’re certainly one of the best of the rest. The Netherlands figures to be a longshot contender in the WBC but hey, they have a pedigree in this tournament as they’ve made the semifinals twice before. The winner of this game could end up being the dark horse candidate to make a real deep run, so it’ll be fun to see what happens this afternoon — on top of the fact that we’re going to see Acuña and Albies become baseball foes for a day.
For information on how to watch, click here. Let us know who you’re rooting for below!
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 17: Mike Burrows #50 of the Houston Astros throws a bullpen session during spring training workouts at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on February 17, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Houston Astros (2-7-3) host the Washington Nationals (6-3-3) in Grapefruit League play.
RHP Mike Burrows will be on the mound for the Astros for the third time this Spring, RHP Cade Cavalli will start for the Nationals.
TODAY’S STARTER: RHP Mike Burrows has made two appearances in the Grapefruit League this Spring. He’s combined to record a 0.00 (0ER/5IP) with two walks and six strikeouts. The Astros acquired Burrows this offseason in a three-team, six-player trade from Pittsburgh. As part of the deal, the Astros traded OF Jacob Melton and minor leaguer RHP Anderson Brito to the Rays, and the Rays traded IF Brandon Lowe, OF Jake Mangum and LHP Mason Montgomery to the Pirates.
Burrows pitched most of the season with the Pirates, making 23 appearances (19 starts) and going 2-4 with a 3.94 ERA (42ER/96IP). He struck out 97 hitters in 96.0 IP.
ROSTER MOVES: This morning, the Astros reassigned C Garret Guillemette and OF Joseph Sullivan to minor league camp.
PEÑA INJURY UPDATE: Yesterday, the Astros announced that SS Jeremy Peña has a fracture in the tip of his right ring finger. He will be reevaluated in two weeks.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Friday, March 6, 12:05 p.m. CST
Location: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, FL.
Along with Sabres reporter Joe Yerdon, we remember Chad Johnson & Michal Neuvirth, back-up goalies who were traded for each other at the deadline but didn’t help the Islanders much at all.
On paper, Chad Johnson was the perfect addition to what looked to be a quality Islanders team in 2014. He was coming off a great season backing up Tuukka Rask in Boston and should have done the same for Isles starter Jaroslav Halak. But when called upon, Johnson was consistently inconsistent, and made giving Halak a break here and there a dangerous proposition.
Meanwhile in Buffalo, goalie Michal Neuvirth wasn’t having any fun playing on a team going nowhere but the draft lottery (again). His numbers were solid despite the roster around him, so a swap was made that everyone hoped would free one team of its biggest problem and solve another problem for a goalie who had shown skill in the recent past. On paper, the trade made a lot of sense.
Sadly, they don’t play the games on paper, and both Johnson and Neuvirth became bewildering footnotes in Islanders history. Joe helps us understand both goalies as people and the circumstances surrounding the trade from the Sabres’ side of things. We also ponder what makes a goalie good, how two proverbial “tidy pieces of business” could go so horribly awry and how to forgive a guy who was barely a villain to begin with.
Thanks again to Joe for coming on. We’ve wanted to get him for a long time and not only was he as great as expected but this ended up being the perfect time and the perfect subjects. Follow him everywhere you can on all the socials and at his website, NotedHockey.com.
We have a Weird Islanders Extra Patreon exclusive bonus episode with Joe as well so check that out, too.
In 2014, the Islanders needed a backup for Jaro Halak. They found one in Johnson, who had put up good numbers backing up Tuukka Rask in Boston (after stints with a bunch of teams). This LHH article includes sage goaltending wisdom from a certain blogger-turned-actual-NHL-general-manager.
Michal Neuvirth’s NHL career was a wild ride. After leading the Hershey Bears to back-to-back Calder Cups and winning an AHL playoff MVP along the way, he burst on to the scene with the Capitals with a few stellar early seasons. But with injuries and Braden Holtby grabbing the Caps’ crease, Neuvirth was traded to the Sabres for Jaro Halak.
There weren’t a ton of highlights of Chad Johnson’s short Islanders tenure, but this 30-save 3-2 win in Boston against his former team stands out as maybe his best performance of the season.
Neuvirth wasn’t happy in Buffalo but played well in the face of one of the most bald-faced tank jobs in NHL history. Eventually, he was traded to the Islanders to back up… Jaro Halak!
Sadly, on the morning of his first start with the Sabres, Johnson hurt his ankle, causing him to miss the rest of the season. But he did play the next year as their No. 1 starter (backing him up was future Islander Robin Lehner).
There is even less video of Michal Neuvirth playing for the Islanders, but here he is in a 4-3 OT win in Toronto. Not the best performance but he could look good, as on this PK
Neuvirth didn’t last long on Long Island, either. Even before free agency began in 2015, he was already talking to a few teams. He found a home in Philly, where he would spend the next and final four seasons of his NHL career.
In a rare turn of events, the Islanders lit up Neuvirth in his first game against them as a Flyer, winning 6-1
Neuvirth signed a PTO with the Leafs and played at their 2019 training camp. But injuries (and possibly some indifference) led to him getting cut. He then signed a two-year deal with Spartak of the Czech Extraliga, but never played for them due to more injuries.
The Sabres were not Johnson’s last stop. All told, he played for eight teams, including Buffalo twice. There are even more teams that held his rights that he didn’t play for. He’s comfortable being called a “journeyman,” which is the best description of his career (this article doesn’t even include his last NHL stop in Anaheim).
What makes a “Weird Islander?”
We’re always open to suggestions about other Weird Islanders to discuss. Remember the criteria. Candidates must fulfill one of the two of the following:
Played one (1) season or less for the Islanders or very short stints over multiple seasons.
Be a veteran NHLer who is not generally associated with his time on Islanders.
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The Dallas Mavericks (21-41) head to the Garden Friday evening to square off against the near-league-leading Boston Celtics (41-21). It’s a quick turnaround after Thursday night’s game in Orlando, in which the Mavericks literally fumbled the win off an ugly inbounds pass with 1.4 seconds to go. On this second night of a back-to-back, Dallas will have to push hard to have any shot at a victory against their former championship rivals.
Boston comes into this evening on a roll. They’ve won 3 of their last 4, 7 of their last 10, and currently hold the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference – and that’s without Jayson Tatum in the rotation. Once he’s back in rhythm, this team will have all the pieces it needs to dominate on both ends of the floor. A large amount of the credit goes to Brad Stevens and the front office – what was supposed to be a gap year for this team has turned into a legitimate shot for another chip. Once everything is back in gear, there’s really no telling how far this iteration of the Celtics can go.
Dallas, on the other hand, enters the Garden looking roughed up. They may appear to be treading water against the worst of the Western Conference, but don’t let the standings fool you – the Mavericks have lost 15 of their last 17. If you’re team tank, this isn’t necessarily the worst thing, as every loss is one step closer to an AJ Dybantsa or a Darryn Peterson (or, more realistically, a Mikel Brown Jr.). But there’s no denying this Mavericks team is a difficult watch right now, even if they do play hard night-in and night-out.
Here are three things to think about headed into Friday night’s matchup against the Boston Celtics.
The turnover disparity
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: the Dallas Mavericks can’t take care of the ball. It’s been true since the beginning of the season (the Mavericks average nearly 15 turnovers a game), and it’s been even more true since the All-Star Break (they gave the ball up 20 times against the Grizzlies last week!). The biggest factor, of course, is that the team lacks an experienced point guard capable of facilitating at the highest level. But everyone plays a part in the problem – meaning that everyone can play a part in the solution, too.
This turnover disparity especially matters against the Celtics, who are really, really good at taking care of the ball. In fact, as of right now, they’re the best in the league, coughing it up only 12.2 times per game on average. Put simply, the possession math does not favor the Mavericks going into this matchup. If they want opportunities to score, they’ll have to play buttoned-up all night long – particularly as Boston’s defense is nothing to balk at, either. This is partially because…
Young talent means a lot
…the Celtics are getting the most out of their fresh blood. In a season marked by roster turnover and injured stars, Boston has found a way to fill the gaps, drawing on their rookies and their new acquisitions for genuine contributions across the floor. Seriously, take a look at these net rating stats from early March. 20-year-old Hugo González held the #1 spot at 17.1, and Derrick White and Neemias Queta weren’t far behind at #7 and #8, respectively. Besides the Oklahoma City Thunder (who hold five spots on this list, somehow), there isn’t a single team in the Association that’s better at extracting meaningful minutes from every player.
The Mavericks, of course, have also been propelled by their young guys this year, most notably Ryan Nembhard (who just got converted to a standard deal by the Mavericks) and Cooper Flagg. Nembhard has been perhaps the most successful at filling Dallas’ need for a traditional point guard, playing around 40 games this season and starting in around half. And Flagg has been successful at just about everything else – scoring, passing, defending, even handling the ball when the moment arises. Right now, he’s the unquestioned centerpiece of this team, contributing in pretty much every conceivable way.
Hey, speaking of Cooper Flagg…
The return of the stars
…he’s finally back! After missing 8 consecutive games with a left midfoot sprain, the star rookie has officially returned to the Mavericks’ lineup, playing 25 minutes against the Orlando Magic Thursday night and putting up 18/5/6. No question that this is a welcome reunion for Dallas – Flagg is averaging 20.4 points this season, and Dallas went 2-6 in his absence, including against some truly bad teams. While it’s currently unclear exactly how much Flagg will play against the Celtics – he may rest the back-to-back, or he may still be on a minutes restriction – it’s sure to be a morale boost knowing a future MVP is waiting in the wings.
The Celtics, of course, are eagerly awaiting the return of their own superstar. According to Shams Charania, Jayson Tatum is expected to make his return on Friday against the Mavericks, a shockingly quick recovery after missing only 10 months with a torn right Achilles. Even if he’s not 100 percent, Tatum’s return will no doubt create some problems for Dallas. The team largely lacks the defensive tools to handle Tatum and Brown and White and the others. Then again, so does most of the rest of the NBA, so maybe there’s no shame in that.
The road ahead
After their matchup against Boston, Dallas continues its brutal half-month road trip with games against the Toronto Raptors, the Atlanta Hawks, and the Memphis Grizzlies. Then, the Mavericks return home for a brief one-game stint against the Cleveland Cavaliers before heading back on the road.
How to watch
The Boston Celtics host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, March 6 at 6:00 PM CT. The game will will be streamed live on MavsTV, and will also be broadcast on KFAA and ESPN. As usual, fans can also tune in at 97.1FM KEGL (English) or at 99.1FM KFZO (Español).
From Jayson Tatum’s long-awaited return to Cooper Flagg’s homecoming, there’s no shortage of big-time storylines as the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks collide tonight in Beantown.
A lottery-bound Dallas squad arrives on a five-game skid, and my Mavericks vs. Celtics predictions dial into Boston’s firepower here, with Tatum and Jaylen Brown reunited on the wing for the 2024 champs.
Read on for my free NBA picks ahead of Friday, March 6.
Mavericks vs Celtics prediction
Mavericks vs Celtics best bet: Jaylen Brown Over 11.5 rebounds + assists (-125)
In Jayson Tatum’s absence, Jaylen Brown has taken his game to the next level, and I don’t see him taking a step back now. His scoring has been steady, but I’m taking the Over on his rebounds + assists combo prop, with the Boston Celticsstar breezing past this number in his last six games.
Brown has excelled on the boards lately, averaging 10.0 RPG across his past six outings, and he’s pulled his playmaking up to five dimes per night this year. He should dominate against the undermanned Dallas Mavericks, and it’s way too early to worry about Tatum eating into his stats.
Mavericks vs Celtics same-game parlay
TD Garden is sure to be rocking for Tatum’s return, and I’m targeting his assists tally as he eases his way back. Brown can do the heavier lifting, but there’s a clear path for Tatum to flash his playmaking skills.
I’ll also layer on the Boston moneyline, with the hosts eager to rebound from a thumping home loss to Charlotte on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Mavs are 7-21 SU on the road this season.
Mavericks vs Celtics SGP
Jaylen Brown Over 11.5 rebounds + assists
Jayson Tatum Over 2.5 assists
Celtics moneyline
Our "from downtown" SGP: Flagg Day!
With Cooper Flagg’s roots up the coast in Maine, he’s guaranteed a warm welcome tonight.
Flagg posted an 18-5-6 stat line last night in Orlando in his return from an eight-game absence, and he’s averaging 20.3 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 4.2 APG this season.
Mavericks vs Celtics SGP
Cooper Flagg Over 17.5 points
Cooper Flagg Over 3.5 assists
Cooper Flagg Over 4.5 rebounds
Cooper Flagg Over 0.5 steals
Mavericks vs Celtics odds
Spread: Mavericks +15 (-110) | Celtics -15 (-110)
Moneyline: Mavericks +661 | Celtics -1,000
Over/Under: Over 224.5 (-110) | Under 224.5 (-110)
Mavericks vs Celtics betting trend to know
The Celtics are 7-2-1 ATS in the last 10 meetings between these teams. Find more NBA betting trends for Mavericks vs. Celtics.
How to watch Mavericks vs Celtics
Location
TD Garden, Boston, MA
Date
Friday, March 6, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Mavericks vs Celtics latest injuries
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The Sacramento Kings aren’t just the NBA’s worst team — they’re the worst team despite a veteran roster that has been trying to win every game. Lost in the rampant discussion about “tanking” this season is that several of the league’s bottom-feeders are just plain bad, and aren’t doing anything to manipulate their record for more ping-pong balls in the draft lottery. At 14-50 with 18 games left to play, Sacramento has been a disaster from the start because of poor roster construction and spotty coaching, but the real problems start at the top of the organization.
This Kings season has taken a toll on everyone involved, and it spilled over into Russell Westbrook’s press conference following a loss to the lowly New Orleans Pelicans (another NBA tanker that isn’t actually tanking without control of their draft pick) on Thursday night. Westbrook used his press conference to call out media for making assumptions about players’ motivations as the team plays out the string. The presser started off hostile but eventually turned into a good discussion with a few questions left unanswered. Watch the whole thing here:
Westbrook said he understands that media will analyze the games, but he doesn’t appreciate those covering the team trying to make assumptions about what’s going on in players’ heads. Westbrook raised some fair points, but he also refused to say exactly what was said that upset him, which made the whole thing more confusing.
It seems like Westbrook didn’t like certain comments made on Kings podcasts. One of the reporters he appeared to call out, Matt George, issued a response to Westbrook on YouTube after the game.
My thoughts and response to the comments Sacramento Kings star Russell Westbrook directed at me and other members of the Sacramento media tonight:
Several people that Westbrook gave the George the opportunity to respond during the press conference, and instead he did it on his podcast. As someone who has been in hostile press conferences before, I’ll say that sometimes you need a minute to gather your thoughts, especially when you’re not expecting to be pressed like that. I don’t mind George saving his response for his show, and I don’t mind Westbrook calling out any of the Sacramento media members, either. I just wish Westbrook wouldn’t have been so vague in his criticisms so that it was easier to understand his point.
The Kings’ problems aren’t because of Westbrook or the media. It all starts at the top with owner Vivek Ranadivé who seemingly means well but constantly shoots himself in the foot whenever he tries insert himself into the team’s decision-making. Trading Tyrese Haliburton for Domantas Sabonis was a disaster (which we called at the time). Letting De’Aaron Fox’s relationship with the team fracture that led to trading him to San Antonio for pennies on the dollar was also a mistake. Reuniting DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine never made any sense.
The Kings are pretty much the worst run franchise in the NBA. Maybe lottery luck will save Sacramento for once, because just about nothing else can.
The Buffalo Sabres remained the hottest team in the National Hockey League, pulling into a tie for first place in the Atlantic Division with Tampa Bay with a 5-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, and added three veterans for the stretch drive, acquiring defensemen Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn from the Winnipeg Jets and center Sam Carrick from the New York Rangers.
The Sabres broke a 1-1 tie in the second period and scored four unanswered goals to win their fifth straight coming out of the Olympic break and that coupled with the Lightning continuing to struggle with injuries have allowed Buffalo to pull even with the Lightning at 80 points, although Tampa Bay have two games in hand on the Sabres.
After the victory, the Sabres announced a deal with the Winnipeg Jets, adding rental defensemen Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn for winger Isak Rosen, defenseman Jacob Bryson, Buffalo’s 2027 second-round pick and a 2026 conditional fourth-round pick. Stanley, 27, has a career-high 21 points (9 goals, 12 assists) in 59 games, while the much-travelled 36-year-old Schenn has played 46 games for Winnipeg this season after being acquired from Pittsburgh last March.
The deal was a pivot and backup plan by GM Jarmo Kekalainen after Blues defenseman Colton Parayko chose to not waive his no-trade clause to come to Buffalo Wednesday morning, but did not result in the quality of return from the negated deal with St. Louis. Stanley provides size and much-needed physicality to the Sabres, who tend to be pushed around by other clubs, and Schenn provides over 1100 games of NHL experience over his 18-year career, including a pair of Stanley Cup rings with the Lightning.
Bryson has been a dependable depth defenseman for the last six seasons for Buffalo and may get an opportunity to play regularly for the Jets for the remainder of the season, while Rosen is having another excellent year with AHL Rochester, but only this season has been given a chance to play higher in the lineup by the Sabres, posting seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) in 16 games. This season was the final year where the 22-year-old would be waiver exempt, so his inclusion in the trade was an admission that the organization did not see him as a fit in their current construct.
On Wednesday morning, the club confirmed a deal with the New York Rangers, reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. The Sabres added center Sam Carrick in exchange for their 2026 third-round pick and a 2026 sixth-rounder. The 34-year-old can play center and wing, is known as an excellent penalty killing and face-off specialist, and for playing with some sandpaper. Carrick likely fits in as a fourth line center, allowing a more experienced option up the middle than Tyson Kozak.
The trade of four draft picks so far by Kekalainen is not of particular concern, since the Sabres are well stocked with young prospects selected over the last few years, and is a nod to the current club that there is a belief that Buffalo could make a playoff run in a wide-open Eastern Conference. With that boatload of prospects, it is also possible that Buffalo could still make another more impact move before 3 pm today.
The Montreal Canadiens continue their annual California road trip by visiting the Anaheim Ducks on Friday, March 6. This marks the first meeting between these two young, offensively-minded teams this season.
My Canadiens vs. Ducks predictions and NHL picks suggest that a recent promotion into the Habs' top-six for Alex Newhook will earn him ample opportunity to hit the scoresheet in this potential barnburner.
Canadiens vs Ducks prediction
Canadiens vs Ducks best bet: Alex Newhook Over 0.5 points (+135)
Alex Newhook has at least a point in all three games since returning from an ankle injury that sidelined him for nearly four months. He has 16 points in 20 games this season and scored twice against San Jose a game ago.
His playing style matches up perfectly against a flawed Anaheim Ducksdefense that allows the third-most goals in the league.
He'll play up alongside Ivan Demidov and Oliver Kapanen tonight. There's a massive disparity in this +135 pricing, and the Newfoundland native hasn't lost a step. Perhaps, he's even gained one.
Canadiens vs Ducks same-game parlay
Ivan Demidov and Newhook displayed promising chemistry before Newhook was injured in November. Now they're back together and appear poised to take advantage of a gunky and inexperienced defensive core in Orange County (hence this morning's sudden John Carlson trade).
As per usual, Mike Matheson continues to minute-munch on the Habs' blue line. His 24:45 of ice time per game ranks ninth in the NHL, and he's cleared two shots on goal in nine of his last 11. Anaheim ranks 22nd in shots allowed, so expect the Quebec native to take advantage.
Montreal has won three of the last four head-to-head meetings. Find more NHL betting trends for Canadiens vs. Ducks.
How to watch Canadiens vs Ducks
Location
Honda Center, Anaheim, CA
Date
Friday, March 6, 2026
Puck drop
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
TSN2, Victory+
Canadiens vs Ducks 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.
The Buffalo Sabres are certainly buyers with trade deadline day here. They made their first moves of trade deadline week on Thursday night, bringing in Sam Carrick from the New York Rangers and Luke Schenn and Logan Stanley from the Winnipeg Jets.
Yet, the Sabres may not be done yet, as they have now made one of their most promising youngsters available for trade.
Levi being available for trade is undoubtedly notable, as the 24-year-old goaltender has good upside. However, with the Sabres having Alex Lyon, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, and Colten Ellis all ahead of him on their depth chart, it makes sense that they are open to moving Levi if it means landing an NHL talent that would help them immediately.
It will be interesting to see if the Sabres end up moving Levi from here. If they do, it would certainly be a bold move from a Sabres club on the rise.
It’s a great night of NBA action, and not only because there are seven games full of player props for us to bet on.
Jayson Tatum makes his return to the Boston Celtics following his Achilles injury, but it’s a Boston big man I’m targeting in their matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, while Victor Wembanyama continues to cement his case for Defensive Player of the Year.
Find out more in my NBA picks for Friday, March 6.
The buzz around the Charlotte Hornets is for real. With Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, and LaMelo Ball, they have become one of the deadliest 3-point shooting teams in the NBA.
While Miller and Knueppel are more natural shooters, Ball has always been a volume guy. Over his last 12 games, he’s shooting a modest 36.6% from deep, but when you’re taking 10.9 threes per game, that's four makes per contest.
That makes the Miami Heat a perfect matchup for LaMelo. The Heat don’t allow a high percentage, but because of their high pace of play, they allow the fourth-most 3-point attempts and rank 21st in makes per game.
Ball has hit four or more threes seven times during this 12-game stretch, and at plus money, I'll happily back him to do it again.
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network South, FanDuel Sports Network Southeast-Charlotte
Prop #2: Neemias Queta Over 8.5 points
+100 at bet365
The Boston Celtics host the Dallas Mavericks in a game that sees the return of Jayson Tatum and Cooper Flagg. But while those guys get the headlines, my favorite player prop in the matchup is backing a Boston big man.
Neemias Queta is having a breakout season for the Celtics, averaging 9.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. He faces a Mavericks team that ranks dead last in the NBA in opponent points in the paint per game.
Yet we are still getting a modest 8.5-point total for him here, with the Over at even money. It’s a number he’s topped in five of his last seven games, so sign me up.
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: ESPN
Prop #3: Victor Wembanyama Over 4.5 steals & blocks
Wemby’s rare length allows him to protect the paint and block shots like no other. He is averaging 3.0 blocks per game this season, and he’s been an absolute block machine since coming out of the All-Star break, getting that number up to 4.6 over his last eight games.
Now, books have caught on, and Wemby’s blocks prop is at 3.5, with the Over nice and juiced. But his steals & blocks prop is just 4.5, a number he’s topped six times during that stretch, with the Over at plus money, and the Clippers own the NBA’s sixth-worst turnover rate.
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Japan’s Naoya Inoue said Friday that he will need to be at his destructive best when he faces unbeaten countryman Junto Nakatani in their highly anticipated showdown at Tokyo Dome in May.
The two fighters met in Tokyo to formally confirm their 2 May clash, with Inoue set to defend his undisputed super bantamweight world championship against Nakatani, who is moving up in weight in pursuit of a fourth divisional title.
Murrayfield as underdogs is a scenario Scotland like, and a third successive win would set up perfect Six Nations finale
The mischievous will have eyes on Rome on Saturday in case of a historic win but the game of the weekend is in Edinburgh. Second versus first, Scotland versus France, entertainers versus entertainers. The title on the line. We could even have a champion by the end of it.
If France win with a bonus point, that is it. The 2026 Six Nations will be theirs with a round to spare. One feels there will be tries in this game, so the prospect is real. Which would reduce the championship’s beloved set piece of Super Saturday to an exercise in ordering the also-rans and seeing if France can move ahead of Wales as the Six Nations’ most prolific purveyor of grand slams, with a fifth.
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL - MARCH 03: Gregory Barrios (75) of the Tampa Bay Rays bats during a spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies on March 03, 2026 at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
While most of the attention in camp has focused on players battling for the final spots on the major league roster, several prospects have quietly stood out in small samples. Spring Training results are noisy, but traits like strike throwing, approach, and batted-ball profile can still signal meaningful development – especially when viewed in the context of a player’s track record.
RHP Alex Cook
Cook was added to the Rays 40-man roster in December to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. Given his blend of plus strike throwing and above average stuff, it’s easy to see why the Rays wanted to allocate a valuable roster spot to him.
Cook has posted plus strike rates at every professional stop, but he’s taken it to another level this spring with a 71.1% strike rate (ML average sits around 63%). While it’s unrealistic to expect Cook to continue throwing strikes at over 70%, it’s another data point that suggests Cook is ready to face more difficult competition in AAA.
In addition to his solid control and command, Cook has above average stuff. His fastball is a clear plus pitch. It’s a cut-ride shape with solid velocity that plays up due to his low release height. His breaking ball is a two-plane slider in the mid 80s, and he’s got an average cutter in the upper 80s to keep hitters from sitting on either of his other two pitches. Cook can throw all three weapons to both sides of the plate.
He looks ready for a high-leverage role in Durham to begin the 2026 season, and I expect him to have an opportunity to pitch in the majors at some point despite all the quality depth ahead of him in the ML bullpen. Given his platoon-neutral arsenal and strike throwing ability, Cook could even be a candidate to stretch out as a starter later in his career – something the Rays have not been shy about experimenting with.
SS Gregory Barrios
On the position player side, Barrios has put together a nice camp so far, taking advantage of playing time opportunities with Taylor Walls having a slow start this spring.
Barrios has always been a guy with plus speed, contact ability, and defense at SS. He’s got pretty average plate discipline too. So, what’s the catch? Why is Barrios not considered a top prospect? He has nearly bottom of the scale power. His 90th percentile exit velocity (the industry’s preferred proxy for raw power) sits at just 101.1 mph this spring, well below the typical MLB average of roughly 105 mph.
Rather than chasing power, Barrios appears to be leaning fully into a contact-and-speed offensive identity. Below are his LD+GB rates for each of his domestic professional seasons, and what he has done so far this year in Spring Training:
2023: 58.1%
2024: 69.4%
2025: 77.2%
2026 Spring Training: 87.5%
It’s still early, so the exact numbers aren’t stable, but the trend is what matters. His glove and speed will give Barrios plenty of opportunity to stick in a lineup, and leaning into his offensive identity is what can help make him productive.
I expect him to return to Montgomery to begin the season, likely getting work at both middle infield spots with Adrian Santana. Barrios should have an opportunity to advance to AAA later in the year – an impressive trajectory for a 22-year-old whose value comes from defense, contact, and speed rather than power.
C Dom Keegan
Keegan’s 45.6% framing strike rate places him in the 71st percentile among catchers with 50 framing opportunities so far this spring. Keegan is regarded as an above average receiver, but he’s still working on the other defensive parts of his game.
Solid framing combined with his average hit and plus power combo should earn him a cup of coffee at some point this season if his blocking and throwing continue to improve, or at least not be a detriment to his overall profile.
Dominic Keegan worked a 14 pitch AB today and fouled off 8 straight pitches.
Keegan showed good quality of contact metrics in AAA last season (113.5 Max Exit Velocity + 48.0% Hard-Hit%) & can make an impact with the Rays this season.
A recent draftee acquired in the Baz trade, Bodine really hasn’t played much this spring, but he did hit a ball at 106.1mph, just below his collegiate max exit velocity of 106.6mph — which he did with a metal bat. There may not be plus power given his size and physicality, but a new professional max exit velocity is still noteworthy even if it is just spring training.
Bodine’s plus defensive skills and solid hit tool give him a chance to be an everyday ML catcher, and getting to even just average power could make him the franchise catcher the Rays have been searching for.
RHP Luis Guerrero*
*While he technically exceeded his prospect eligibility with the Red Sox last season with 17.1 IP, it’s hard to ignore what Guerrero is doing as someone who has yet to establish himself in the majors, so he’s getting a shout out here as well.
After going unclaimed through waivers in November, the Rays cleared a 40-man roster spot by trading INF Tristan Gray to Boston for the non-rostered Guerrero. Given his lack of a need to be on the 40-man, he will likely begin the year in AAA with a chance to impact the ML bullpen later this season.
Now under the Rays tutelage, LG is showing a harder, more cutter-ish breaking ball shape than last season. The new shape creates a more optimal tunnel with his fastball, which also might have a slightly different profile — with a little less run and a little more ride than what it had in 2025 thus far.
The change in both pitch shapes appear to be a result of Guerrero raising his arm slot just a bit. His ability to throw strikes will dictate whether he can crack the 40-man roster at some point this season, and so far it’s been roughly average this spring, which is good enough when you’ve got plus stuff like Guerrero does.
Spring Training numbers rarely tell the whole story, but developments like these often hint at what might be coming next in the Rays’ player development pipeline.
According to the report, Brooks was taken into custody around 2 a.m. local time and released an hour later.
The 30-year-old Brooks has not played since Feb. 21, when he fractured his left hand in a win against the Orlando Magic. He was expected to miss four to six weeks after surgery as the Suns sit 35-27 and are the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference, two games out of the sixth seed, currently occupied by the Los Angeles Lakers.
Brooks is averaging a career-high 20.9 points and 3.7 rebounds in 50 games this season, and is in the third season of a four-year, $86 million contract he signed in 2023 with the Houston Rockets, when he was acquired in a sign-and-trade deal with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Alperen Sengun and the Houston Rockets botched what should have been an easy win in their most recent game.
Houston lost to Golden State as near 10-point chalk and now have another “should win” matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers tonight.
Sengun won’t let a victory and potentially the No. 3 seed in the West slip away. My Trail Blazers vs. Rockets predictions and NBA picks call for a big night from Houston’s big man.
Trail Blazers vs Rockets prediction
Trail Blazers vs Rockets best bet: Alperen Sengun Over 17.5 points (-115)
Alperen Sengun’s recent offensive efforts have cut his prop total down as much as two points, with Over 17.5 presenting buyback value versus the Portland Trail Blazers.
He scored 17 points in the loss to the Warriors, coming in Under his scoring prop of 19.5 O/U, and is 3-7 O/U against his points props the past 10 outings.
Portland gets punished in the paint but also from deep, and Sengun dropped 25 points on the Blazers with an inside-out effort in November.
His projections are as high as 21+ points and some books are hanging this total as high as 19.5 O/U.
Trail Blazers vs Rockets same-game parlay
The Houston Rockets let one get away and that knocked them to No. 4 in the Western Conference. Portland is wrapping an extended road trip in Houston and projections give the home team the win and cover.
Sengun hurt Portland inside, outside and at the foul line in their first meeting. Player projections sit between 18.9 and 21.4 points against the Trail Blazers tonight. Prop totals range from 17.5 to 19.5 across the industry. We'll go Over the low side of this market.
Reed Sheppard has upped his production the past month and his points props are taking off, sitting at a high of 16.5 O/U after being as short as 10.5 O/U a few games ago. Projections aren’t as positive as the props, so I’m selling Sheppard’s scoring.
Trail Blazers vs Rockets SGP
Houston Rockets -6.5
Alperen Sengun Over 17.5 points
Reed Sheppard Under 16.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: All eyes on Sengun
Houston is 10-17-1 Over/Under at home (63% Unders) and Sengun knocked down four 3-pointers in his last matchup with Portland.
Trail Blazers vs Rockets SGP
Houston Rockets -6.5
Under 220.5
Alperen Sengun Over 17.5 points
Alperen Sengun Over 0.5 3-pointers
Trail Blazers vs Rockets odds
Spread: Portland +6.5 | Houston -6.5
Moneyline: Portland +220 | Houston -270
Over/Under: Over 220.5 | Under 220.5
Trail Blazers vs Rockets betting trend to know
Houston has stayed Under the total in 32 of its last 50 games (+12.20 Units/22% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Trail Blazers vs. Rockets.
How to watch Trail Blazers vs Rockets
Location
Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Date
Friday, March 6, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
KUNP, SCHN
Trail Blazers vs Rockets latest injuries
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