CLEARWATER, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 26: Dylan Moore #25 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws to first during the first inning of a spring training game against the Washington Nationals at BayCare Ballpark on February 26, 2026 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Mark Taylor/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The final two weeks of camp are way more important than the first two but the heat is on between Dylan Moore and Bryan De La Cruz for the final spot on the 26-man roster.
The 13th position player may not play much at all with how Rob Thomson has the roles aligned. Edmundo Sosa acts as the backup infielder who might platoon with Bryson Stott. Otto Kemp is probably platooning in left field with Brandon Marsh and is the primary fourth outfielder. Rafael Marchán will have the hardest job in baseball, being the backup catcher to JT Realmuto.
So there isn’t much wiggle room for the final position player. The Phillies carried Kody Clemens for the first three weeks of 2025 and appeared in seven games with just six plate appearances. Things could always change injuries occur of course.
A good way to measure a hitter’s performance in spring training is by looking at their average exit velocity and launch angle. The limited sample size against questionable competition doesn’t allow for massive conclusions, but it can at least tell you who’s seeing the ball well. Raw results can also get weird in a sample size this short.
Bryan De La Cruz has crushed the ball in camp with a 97 mph average exit velocity and 15 degree launch angle. He has made consistent hard contact even if there are a few too many strikeouts in there. The results have been there with a .478 slugging and batting average over .300.
Dylan Moore is not getting the same results but has hit the ball hard too with a 93.9 mph exit velocity and optimal launch angle. There have been less strikeouts but he hasn’t seen the ball drop too often.
With both having good springs, it will make for an interesting final two weeks to see who’s still hot.
Roster fit and path to least resistance probably favor Moore here. If the Phillies want Kemp to be the primary platoon partner for Brandon Marsh in left field, it would make more sense to send De La Cruz to AAA. Moore gives them more positional versatility with being able to play seven different positions.
Bowlan’s performance has been mixed through Grapefruit League games but there are two main takeaways. The first is that the fastball looks really tough to hit. He will throw it at the top of the strike zone but his delivery makes it hard for hitters to pick up while having good velocity.
This was the big reason the Phillies traded for him. In 2025 with the Royals, Bowlan’s four-seam fastball generated a whiff rate of 43.5% in a limited, but not super small sample size.
The other is that the way he pitches might leave for a bit of variance. His fastball is going to often miss high, which might be easier for hitters to take. He also might tend to miss high with his breaking balls which could cause some damage problems. Spencer Jones crushed a hanging slider from him on Tuesday.
It wouldn’t be correct to say he has terrible control because Bowlan can throw strikes but there could be a home run problem going from Kauffman to Citizens Bank Park.
LAKELAND, FL - FEBRUARY 17: Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers poses for a photo during the Detroit Tigers photo day at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
When a team — say, the Detroit Tigers — has, arguably, one of the best pitchers on the planet — maybe someone like Tarik Skubal — and their control of that pitcher is in its last season, it would make sense to seize the moment and try to win it all.
Further, let’s posit that said team is coming off back-to-back playoff appearances, which indicates some organizational momentum. The only reasonable choice, then, would be to move heaven and earth and build around that player for one last run.
For most of the offseason, Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris seemed relatively tame as the team was inactive in the free-agent market while rumors flew that the Tigers might be open to trading Skubal. And then Harris began building seriously for 2026 — as in signing Framber Valdez to a three-year, $115 million contract and bringing back fan favorite Justin Verlander, along with a series of other moves designed to fortify the Tigers as they push their chips to the center of the table.
The question now is whether they did enough.
2025 Record: 87-75 (1st in the AL Central)
Projected FanGraphs 2026 record: 86-76 (1st in the AL Central)
What did they do during the offseason? Well, the Tigers went to work this winter despite a slow start. Besides the aforementioned additions, they extended manager A.J. Hinch, brought back Jack Flaherty (well, he exercised his player option) and Gleyber Torres (accepted a qualifying offer), and made some interesting signings, such as relievers Kyle Finnegan and Kenley Jansen, plus KBO sensation Drew Anderson.
Other minor moves included trading righty Chase Lee for lefty Johan Simon and flipping outfielder Justyn Henry-Malloy for cash.
So, how good are the 2026 Tigers? Well, despite the fact that they did their best to irritate the best and most consistent pitcher in the league with lowball offers, they can actually compete.
Skubal, winner of the last two AL Cy Young awards, remains with the team despite the record gap in arbitration negotiations and the endless trade rumors, so the Tigers begin with a significant advantage. Plus, they’ve added Valdez to an already solid rotation, which also projects to have Flaherty (3.85 FIP last year), Casey Mize (3.87 ERA), and Verlander. Anderson is around in case there’s an injury, and he just put up a 2.25 ERA in 171.2 innings in Korea with 245 punchouts.
Detroit will miss Reese Olson in 2026 after he underwent right shoulder labral repair surgery, but waiting on the farm will be Troy Melton, Keider Montero, and Sawyer Gipson-Long; plus, Jackson Jobe is expected to return from Tommy John surgery in the second half of the season.
Long story short, the Tigers have a deep rotation.
As for the bullpen? The Tigers are mostly solid on this front. They have Jansen, Finnegan, Will Vest, Anderson, Tyler Holton, Brenan Hanifee, Brant Hurter, and Beau Brieske. That group should hold its own.
While there were some clear upgrades acquired in the pitching department, the same can’t be said about the offense. This is largely the same group that ranked 12th last year with a 103 wRC+, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Detroit had nine guys with above-average offensive performance in 2025 in a minimum of 150 plate appearances: Jahmai Jones (159 wRC+), Riley Greene (121), Spencer Torkelson (118), Kerry Carpenter (115), Zach McKinstry (114), Torres (113), Dillon Dingler (109), and Colt Keith (109).
Of course, they also have the jewel of the crown: shortstop prospect Kevin McGonigle, who posted a 182 wRC+ last year in the minors and is at 172 in spring training play. He should be able to break camp with the team and projects as a future star.
The Tigers’ offense is full of steady, above-average guys but lacks one true, difference-making talent. Greene is close, but he is not a superstar. If McGonigle develops as expected, he could fill that void and give Detroit a true star in the position player department.
As things stand right now, the Tigers will fight with the Guardians and Royals for the AL Central and a place in the postseason. If they consider themselves out of it, there is a chance they ultimately flip Skubal for prospects ahead of the deadline, but they should be good enough to make one last run with their ace before he hits free agency.
More Pinstripe Alley MLB team season previews can be found here.
Fletcher pitcher Malachi Witherspoon throws during a game with University, Tuesday, May 10, 2022. University Baseball12
While the prep pitchers have dealt with injury, the Detroit Tigers continue to do well in the college ranks. Outside of Jackson Jobe, most of their pitching success on the farm has come from finding undervalued college arms like Troy Melton, Jake Miller, Andrew Sears, Lucas Elissalt, and Jaden Hamm. Other than Melton, the group hasn’t quite broken through at the major league level yet, and the Tigers dealt away a pair of solid young prospects in Josh Randall and Micah Ashman, both college draft picks, in trades last July. For the first time in Scott Harris’ tenure running the club, the Tigers took a college pitcher in the top two rounds last summer when they selected Oklahoma right-hander Malachi Witherspoon with the 62nd overall pick. We’re excited to see his pro debut this spring.
Witherspoon and his twin brother Kyson were both notable prep pitchers and they went to Oklahoma together, eventually heading up the Sooners rotation in their junior seasons. Kyson was the more successful of the two, but Malachi has huge stuff and simply hasn’t been able to refine his command enough. He spent his junior year striking out plenty of batters when he was on, and falling behind too often and giving up walks and homers when he wasn’t. It was a disappointing junior season with an ERA over 5.00 for him, and his draft stock slipped out of the top rounds as a result. The Tigers were apparently confident they could make him a much more consistent strike thrower, and drafted him in the late second round last summer. They paid him full slot value at $1,448,700, so it wasn’t as though they got a discount either. We’ll see if this minor gamble pays off.
The powerfully built, 6’3” right-hander certainly has the stuff to be great. Witherspoon has routinely hit 98-100 mph while sitting comfortably in the 95-96 mph range as a starter. The fourseamer has good riding action with a little cut, and the Tigers, as we mentioned in Michael Massey’s scouting report, seem to be hunting for that shape a bit these days. Tarik Skubal himself is a prime example of a pitcher who can really jam opposing handed hitters with a riding fastball that looks like it should tail back into the strike zone, but never quite does. Thrown inside to right-handers, Witherspoon’s heater does feature a bit more late tailing action that ties hitters up and generates a good whiff rate. The problem remains commanding it, and this has been Witherspoon’s issue since the Jacksonville, Florda native’s days in high school, when his raw stuff was already getting him some notoriety.
Witherspoon backs up the gas with a plus slider in the upper 80’s with a traditional shape. He’ll also throw a cutterish version around 90 mph, and can snap the slider off into more of a sharp, downward diving version for whiffs when he wants it. He also has a good 12-6 power curveball in the lower 80’s. He throws with a really sound delivery and a pretty standard three-quarters look, but doesn’t seem built to turn over circle changeups or sinkers very well. He might be a splitter candidate, or perhaps the beneficiary of seam-shifted changeup like Skubal’s, because otherwise his changeup is well behind his main offerings and shows no signs of developing into a major league caliber pitch.
The big issue here is command, and there isn’t really an obvious flaw in his delivery to pin it on. Oklahoma has a pretty good pitching program, and couldn’t really crack the case in two seasons of working with him after Witherspoon transferred there after a freshman season at the JUCO level. His stride direction can sometimes get a bit out of whack, but otherwise it just seems like rhythm and timing issues that may be tricky to correct. He shows pretty good balance and a nice clean arm path. He gets solid extension and resists well with his lead leg to help generate velo without excessive upper body effort. From the wind-up he does raise his arms up head high and has a pretty high leg kick as well. Perhaps just trimming those moves down a little could make the whole delivery a little more consistent in terms of timing.
If the command doesn’t improve significantly, it may be that Witherspoon ultimately has to simplify his pitch mix and work in relief. So there’s certainly some real relief risk despite his durability and pretty ferocious pitch mix. However, the upside here is definitely as a frontline major league starting pitcher. If he’d thrown more strikes last year the stuff alone would’ve made him an easy first round pick in the draft. If he figures it out he’ll be a top 100 prospect by season’s end.
All his issues have been present for a while and he had plenty of eyes on him in his junior year, so the Tigers must have a plan to help him spot the fastball and avoid the occasional bouts of spiked sliders that plagued his junior year. If they can get him sorted, this is going to look like a steal and Witherspoon could move very quickly toward the major leagues. Presumably he’ll be starting for West Michigan this season as an advanced college starter. If things come together he’ll be in the upper minors by year’s end and could be ready for a debut sometime in 2027.
Bristol City equalise in sixth minute of added time at Boro
In-form Southampton ended Coventry’s six-match winning run with a 2-1 victory at the CBS Arena. Flynn Downes pounced on a rebound to open the scoring shortly after half-time before Kuryu Matsuki doubled Southampton’s lead with five minutes remaining.
Victor Torp’s stoppage-time penalty gave the leaders hope but they fell to their second home defeat of the season and Southampton extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 12.
SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 09: Zack Littell #52 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Ryan Levy/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
After signing with the club a few days ago, Zack Littell made his first start of the spring last night. His three innings of work gave Nats fans a taste of what they should expect from him. There was some hard contact, but he pounded the zone, was efficient and fired three innings of one run ball.
Three solid innings for Littell. Some loud contact in the first but did a nice job avoiding the barrel after that. Velo was down a tick but given the fact this is his first start of the spring, that is not a surprise
For a guy who signed just a few days ago, Littell looked sharp. His velocity was down by about a tick, but that is not very surprising to me. He signed late and still needs time to build up.
Littell is confident that his velocity will be in a good spot by the time the season is under way. He said, “As I continue to get everything in sync, the timing gets better, the body continues to organize itself better, everything should continue to get sharper”. The way he talked about his mechanics and getting his body aligned is very interesting to me. It shows the importance of mechanics and the way a pitcher moves.
From talking to him, it is clear that Littell is very hard on himself. Despite using his splitter effectively last night, he was not happy with his signature pitch. He actually thought the splitter was his worst pitch last night. Littell thought his command of the pitch was solid, but he did not love the movement profile of his splitter.
That splitter is a big part of why Littell transformed from a middling reliever to a solid middle of the rotation starter. The Rays had him bump up the usage of the pitch, and it has become his best offering. He does a great job killing spin and getting that downward tumble.
Zack Littell, 30, agrees to a deal with the Nats
Landing in TB in 2024 was a turning point. They increased his Splitter usage, while decreasing his FF usage. The mix change increased the effectiveness of his FF, allowing him to more easily finish batters with the FF (Highest%… pic.twitter.com/5V0p5gduLN
— Baseball Unstitched (@BaseUnstitched) March 8, 2026
For his part, Blake Butera thought Littell “threw the ball well”. Butera loved how much his right hander was pounding the zone and getting ahead of hitters. After all, those are the attributes that make Littell such a solid pitcher. However, Butera knows that Littell’s mind-set, calling him “A perfectionist who expects really good stuff out of himself”.
While Littell may not have been satisfied, I think this was a good first start. He got through three innings and threw 15 more pitches in the bullpen to continue his ramp up. As we get closer to the season, I would also expect his stuff to keep ticking up. It can be tough to sign late, but I think Littell came just in time to have at least a somewhat normal spring.
Honestly, Littell is an optimized version of what the Nats want in their pitchers. He can throw any pitch in any count and has a deep arsenal. Last year, Littell’s two most used pitches were his slider and splitter. That matches well with the Nats new pitching approach.
Littell actually got his two strikeouts on those offerings. He struck out the first batter he faced by freezing him on a slider. There is actually a cool video I found from behind home plate of that pitch.
By the deadline, Littell may be trade bait, but he should stabilize the rotation while he is around. He is a no-nonsense righty who pounds the zone with a variety of different pitches. Littell got through three innings on just 39 pitches, which is something I love. Being efficient and getting deep into games is something he excels at despite being a reliever only a couple years ago.
Of his 39 pitches, 28 were strikes. He did not walk anybody and only got into one three ball count. Littell may give up some extra base hits, but he will give the Nats length while keeping them in the game. That is exactly what this team needs and why I think he is a great signing for the Nats.
Team Italy has been the surprise of the World Baseball Classic.
The Italians upset Team USA in pool play, putting the Americans' chance of advancement at risk before Italy's own rout of Mexico helped keep Team USA alive on a tiebreaker.
The Italians are one of the three classic teams remaining unbeaten. That might end, however, against a Puerto Rican team that has the potential to shut them down.
Puerto Rico vs Italy best bet: Puerto Rico -1.5 (+140 at DraftKings)
Italy has not scored fewer than seven runs in its four WBC games. Puerto Rico has allowed a total of six in its four games. Team P.R. has a WBC-low 1.22 ERA so far.
The Puerto Ricans are starting 10-year MLB veteran Seth Lugo, who is 1-0 in the WBC and 1-0 in two pre-WBC spring games with a strikeout per inning. He should help keep a Team Italy order that has hit 12 home runs in check.
Puerto Rico has been to the knockout round of all six WBCs. Italy is making its first trip.
Team Puerto Rico has not had a WBC game with more than seven total runs scored and is averaging a run total of 5.5 in its games. Including two MLB exhibition games against the Twins and Red Sox, Puerto Rico has averaged 6.5 runs per game in six games.
Team Italy has been tearing it up, but has been slowed somewhat when facing pitchers with MLB experience. They strike out 9.75 times per 9 innings compared to 6.75 and score nearly a full earned run less, with five and a half fewer hits.
Lugo had four innings of three-hit ball in the WBC opener against Colombia. He's not a big strikeout pitcher, but he should be able to hit five against an Italian team making its first appearance in the knockout stage.
Heliot Ramos star player prop
Heliot Ramos best bet: Anytime home run (+550 at DraftKings)
Heliot Ramos has 43 home runs over the last two seasons. He had a 1.836 OPS in six pre-WBC spring games but has struggled in the classic so far.
Facing Italian starter Sam Aldegheri, who allowed 2.0 home runs per nine innings for the Angels last year, should help light a fire.
Puerto Rico vs Italy opening odds
Moneyline: Puerto Rico -110 | Italy -115
Run line: Puerto Rico -1.5 (+140) | Italy +1.5 (-175)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-110) | Under 8.5 (-110)
How to watch Puerto Rico vs Italy and game info
Location
Daikin Park, Houston, TX
Date
Saturday, March 14, 2026
First pitch
3:00 p.m. ET
TV
FS1
Puerto Rico starting pitcher
Seth Lugo
Italy starting pitcher
Samuel Aldegheri
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.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the United States in action during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Quarterfinals game between the United States and Canada at Daikin Park on March 13, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Diamondbacks News
Burnes Takes Next Step in Recovery Arizona’s ace starter made 15 throws in the bullpen yesterday, with results being promising. Burnes could return to the mound for the team around the break. if things continue to go well.
Gabriel Moreno Scratched, Undergoing Imaging Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno was scratched from the lineup on Friday with right forearm tightness, manager Torey Lovullo said before first pitch against the Kansas City Royals in Cactus League. Lovullo added that Moreno would undergo imaging Friday evening. Reports are that Moreno has had discomfort for a few days now and played through it. But things have come to the point where it is time to find out what is wrong.
Team USA Defeats Canada to Punch Ticket to WBC Semi-Finals Team USA held off a late rally to defeat Canada 5-3 in the quarterfinals of the WBC. Next up is the Dominican Republic in the semi-finals on Sunday, with Paul Skenes taking the mound for Team USA.
Clayton Kershaw Replaced by Jeff Hoffman for Semis Retired lefty Clayton Kershaw will not make an appearance for Team USA in this tournament, having been replaced by reliever Jeff Hoffman on the roster. The injured Kershaw will still travel with the team, despite no longer being rostered.
Hiromi Itoh, Teruaki Sato Expected to be Posted for 2027 One of the NPB’s better right-handed starters and a slugging third baseman are both expected to be posted by their clubs in advance of the 2027 season – if there is one.
The Miami Heat have won seven straight games, their longest win streak in 28 months, while also covering in all seven games.
The Orlando Magic, who visit Miami on Saturday, have won six in a row, going 4-2 ATS. Orlando has also won four straight over Miami, all this year, covering the last two.
Our Magic vs. Heat predictions and NBA picks like the Heat to continue their streak while stopping the Magic's.
Magic vs Heat prediction
Magic vs Heat best bet: Heat -3.5 (-115)
Both teams enter on win streaks, but the schedules tell a different story. The Orlando Magic's run came mostly against struggling teams, including three games against Washington, two each against Brooklyn and Milwaukee, and one against Dallas.
The Miami Heat's stretch includes wins over top-seed Detroit and No. 3 Houston, stronger opponents than Orlando has faced.
Miami could get Tyler Herro (quad) and Norman Powell (groin) back after recent absences, though Andrew Wiggins remains out. Orlando will be without Franz Walker, Anthony Black, and Jonathan Isaac.
Miami is 8-2-0 ATS in their last 10, and I like them to cover tonight.
Magic vs Heat same-game parlay
Miami plays at the fastest pace in the NBA, and, despite Orlando's attempts to slow things down, the four games they've played head-to-head have actually been even faster paced than Miami's season average.
Orlando has gone Over in its last three games and on four occasions during its winning streak.
So, Bam Adebayo has had himself a week. His 83-point outburst earned plenty of attention, and the notoriety he gained probably cost us in the odds on this prop. He's stepped up his scoring, however, averaging 24 ppg over the last 22.
Magic vs Heat SGP
Miami -3.5
Over 236.5
Bam Adebayo Over 22.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Bane Damage!
With Adebayo scoring on the increase and the potential of getting Herro and Powell back for the game, look for Jaime Jaquez to concentrate even more on distributing the ball to the scorers. He's had seven or more dimes in four of the last five games, including the last three.
Desmond Bane has scored 30 or more in two of the last four games. He's boosted his scoring average by 1.4 ppg since being dealt from Memphis at the deadline. Look for him to take on an even larger scoring role, with leading scorer Paolo Banchero tasked with at least helping out defending Adebayo.
Magic vs Heat SGP
Over 236.5 points
Bam Adebayo Over 22.5 points
Jaime Jaquez Jr. Over 4.5 assists
Desmond Bane Over 22.5 points
Magic vs Heat odds
Spread: Magic +3.5 (-110) | Heat -3.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Magic +136 | Heat -162
Over/Under: Over 235.5 (-115) | Under 235.5 (-105)
Magic vs Heat betting trend to know
This is just the second time the Heat has been favored in the last seven head-to-head matchups with the Magic. Miami is 4-2 ATS so far in those games. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Heat.
How to watch Magic vs Heat
Location
Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
Date
Saturday, March 14, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN
Magic 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 Colorado Avalanche have been on a season-long tear, and today they aim to keep that momentum as they visit the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Center to finish a two-game road swing.
Avalanche Coming Off a Statement Win
Colorado enters today’s matchup fresh off a 5-1 rout of the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. Nathan MacKinnon returned after a major penalty and a rescinded game misconduct stemming from a collision with Edmonton’s Connor Ingram, channeling any frustration into a four-point performance (1G, 3A), including the game-winner.
The NHL has RESCINDED Nathan MacKinnon's goalie interference major penalty. 😳
Doing this will stop MacKinnon from getting an automatic suspension per NHL rules if he were to get another major penalty soon. 👀 pic.twitter.com/OUza6Qn726
Martin Nečas scored his 30th goal of the season, and Nazem Kadri notched his first regular-season goal for Colorado since April 29, 2022. Scott Wedgewood stopped 28 of 29 shots for his 25th win, a new career high.
The Avalanche maintain a five-point lead over the Dallas Stars and hold a key game in hand.
This game marks the first of two visits to Winnipeg in a two-week span. Colorado beat the Jets 3-2 on December 19 at Ball Arena, with Parker Kelly scoring the game-winner. Tonight, Mackenzie Blackwood is expected to start in net after a shaky outing Tuesday.
Thursday’s lineup featured 11 forwards and seven defensemen, debuting Nick Blankenburg, acquired from Nashville. The seventh defenseman logged 9:31, the lowest among the blueline, but will likely get another chance in Winnipeg.
MacKinnon’s four-point night keeps him just behind Connor McDavid for the league scoring lead (108 points to 111), though his 44 goals remain first in the NHL. Nečas is tied with Brock Nelson for second on the team with 30 goals, and Cale Makar is one goal shy of a fourth consecutive 20-goal season.
Nathan MacKinnon with 1 goal & 3 assists in the Colorado Avalanche’s 5-1 win against Seattle tonight!
This is subject to change as Ross Colton's status remains unknown as he continues to recover from an upper-body injury. He suffered the injury on Tuesday when the Avalanche suffered a 4-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. Colton exited the game in the second period and did not return.
Defense
Devon Toews – Cale Makar
Josh Manson – Brent Burns
Brett Kulak – Sam Malinski
Nick Blankenburg
Goalies
Mackenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood
Jets Fighting for Playoff Spot
After winning the Presidents’ Trophy last season and seeing Connor Hellebuyck earn the Vezina and Hart, Winnipeg entered 2025-26 with high expectations. But a slow start, injuries, and inconsistent play have left them seven points out of the second Western Conference wild card.
Hellebuyck missed three weeks after knee surgery in November, and Winnipeg lost eight of ten games without him, then 11 of 12 after his return. The Jets are fighting to avoid sinking to the bottom of the Central Division.
Trade deadline moves included sending Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn to Buffalo for Isak Rosen, Jacob Bryson, and draft picks, as well as trading Tanner Pearson for a 2026 draft pick. Despite these moves, closing the gap on playoff contenders remains a steep climb.
Winnipeg is in the middle of an eight-game homestand. Today’s game kicks off a back-to-back set, with the St. Louis Blues visiting Sunday. The Jets have lost their last two games, 4-1 to Anaheim and 6-3 to New York. Hellebuyck, fresh off Olympic gold with the U.S., is expected to start again.
The blue line will be depleted, with Neal Pionk and Colin Miller out, along with Vladislav Namestnikov and Nino Niederreiter.
Mark Scheifele leads Winnipeg with 30 goals, 49 assists, and 79 points; Kyle Connor is second in all three categories (29G, 43A, 72 PTS). Josh Morrissey leads all defensemen with 11 goals, 33 assists, and 44 points.
Projected Jets Lineup
Forwards
Kyle Connor – Mark Scheifele – Alex Iafallo
Cole Perfetti – Adam Lowry – Gabe Vilardi
Gustav Nyquist – Jonathan Toews – Isak Rosén
Cole Koepke – Morgan Barron – Brad Lambert
Defense
Josh Morrissey – Dylan DeMelo
Dylan Samberg – Elias Salomonsson
Haydn Fleury – Jacob Bryson
Goalies
Connor Hellebuyck
Eric Comrie
Colorado looks to extend their dominance and maintain a stranglehold atop the Central Division, while Winnipeg hopes a strong home stand can spark a playoff push. Expect a fast, technical showdown in Winnipeg.
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - MARCH 12: Willie MacIver #47 of the Texas Rangers congratulates Wyatt Langford #36 after hitting a three-run home run against the Athletics during the second inning of the spring training game at Surprise Stadium on March 12, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning, LSB.
Evan Grant’s observations include Josh Smith’s hot streak and the fifth starter competition coming down to the wire.
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 12: VJ Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 12, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Aside from it being the Josh Minott career game, the Nets’ matchup with the Atlanta Hawks was a pretty forgettable bout. With the absence of Michael Porter Jr., Ziaire Williams, and Nolan Traore, Brooklyn was pretty much doomed from the start, especially with Atlanta on a surge to take the eighth seed of the Eastern Conference standings.
Oddly enough, the team they are competing with for said seed is the very opponent Brooklyn will face in this early afternoon I-95 matchup. Today, the Nets will take on the Philadelphia 76ers as they will look to avenge their 22 point loss against the Detroit Pistons and play a matinee in the City of Brotherly Love.
Where To Watch
Catch the early action today at 1:00 p.m. ET on the YES Network and NBA League Pass, as well as streaming on the Gotham Sports App.
Injury Report
Nic Claxton (rest), MPJ (right ankle sprain), Drake Powell (left knee management) will all be out tonight. Egor Demin and Day’Ron Sharpe (left thumb UCL tear) are of course out for the season. The two-ways should be available and we may see the NBA debut of combo guard Malachi Smith, called up from Long Island Friday. He’ll be wearing No. 18. If he plays, he’ll be the eighth Nets player to make his NBA debut this season, following the Flatbush Five, Grant Nelson and Chaney Johnson.
Bad news for the 76ers as well.
Joel Embiid (oblique), Tyrese Maxey (right pinkie finger), Kelly Oubre (left elbow sprain) will be out. Adem Bona (back) and old friend Andre Drummond (back) are questionable.
The Game
Today will be yet another Nets game where there is an injury fest. With most of the X factors unavailable, the quality of basketball that both teams play will determine the winner. Early weekend afternoon games are usually not so great either
The 76ers have been under immense pressure as of late with the amount of losses they have accumulated at this point of the season, as well as the decisions of the front office.
Most recently, the President of Basketball Operations decided to let go of former first round draft pick Jared McCain and send him to the Thunder. That decision has led to McCain averaging 11.2 PPG (five points higher) and a higher three point percentage 42.3 % compared to 37.8% earlier this season.
Meanwhile, the tank — excuse us, playing the probabilities — continues. The Nets are two and a half games out of the top spot in the Draft lottery. If they lose to Philly, they’ll be tied once again with the Wizards for third, at least until this evening when Washington plays Boston starting at 6:00 p.m. ET. Brooklyn has 16 games left.
Player to Watch
Even though his light is not as bright as it was in the beginning of the season and both Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel have taken the spotlight, V.J. Edgecombe is still a name that must be talked about in this rookie class. With averages of 15.3 PPG, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game, Edgecombe just has that “it” factor you can’t teach. Blessed with extraordinary athleticism and feel for the game, Edgecombe also has a competitive nature that allows him to rise to the moment, hence All Star Weekend.
VJ Edgecombe wins MVP of the Rising Stars tournament 🏆👏
Nobody celebrates losses, let alone ones in the dog days of March. But if you’re looking for signs about where this Celtics team is headed, this road trip provided plenty of those.
The Celtics beat Cleveland to kick off the road trip, but then fell to the top two teams in the West. They gave one away in San Antonio after Jaylen Brown’s ejection and fell two points short in Oklahoma City without Jayson Tatum and Derrick White. Nikola Vučević continues to recover from his right ring finger fracture, so he missed both games as well.
In the standings, these are just two losses. Zoom out, though, and this was about as encouraging an 0–2 stretch as Boston could have produced. The road trip won’t satisfy anyone’s appetite for wins, but this time of year is more about figuring out what you actually have, and whether it will be enough when the games start to really matter.
If the point of this trip was to learn how Boston stacks up against the best of the West, the Celtics came away with plenty to like. They were short-handed, still integrating Tatum back into the mix versus San Antonio, and asking a lot of role players and young guys in high-leverage spots. Even so, they looked competitive, deep, and annoyingly resilient against two teams that could absolutely be playing in June.
The Celtics did not leave San Antonio and Oklahoma City with wins, but they did leave with evidence that this group might be sturdier and deeper than many of us thought — and capable of making elite teams uncomfortable even when the circumstances are far from ideal.
San Antonio tested the Celtics’ composure
The Spurs game could have unraveled in a dozen different ways, none of which would have involved Jaylen Brown being ejected.
Jaylen Brown lost his cool with the refs and got ejected, then tried to charge at an official and tried to push through his own security for a while before eventually heading back to the locker room pic.twitter.com/xoD382pags
Boston was already without Payton Pritchard and Vučević, then lost Brown in the second quarter on a double technical that everyone in green seemed to find absurd. Joe Mazzulla had his principal-versus-hall monitor line ready postgame. Derrick White called the second tech “bulls—.” Jayson Tatum made it clear he thought the officials were too eager to make themselves part of the show.
That might have been the most useful takeaway from the Spurs loss. Not that Brown got a rough whistle or that Victor Wembanyama is still a basketball glitch. Not even that White had a season-high 34 and Ron Harper Jr. dropped a career-high 22. It was that Boston got hit with a game-altering event against one of the hottest teams in the league and still made San Antonio work for everything.
Despite the early chaos, the Celtics were tied 58-58 at halftime. White then detonated for 19 points in the third quarter just to keep Boston within reach while Wembanyama kept answering everything with another three, another dunk, another reminder that he is somehow both enormous and fluid. Tatum, still on a minutes restriction and still feeling his way back into game shape, had a personal 7-0 run in the fourth that briefly made it feel like Boston might pull it off.
The loss exposed the margin for error against elite teams, sure, but it also showed how Boston tends to respond when things go sideways.
This group did not get shell-shocked or turn inward when they got thrown a curveball. They did not start playing like a team waiting for somebody else to save it. White kept cooking. Harper kept firing. Tatum kept competing. Mazzulla kept searching for answers, even if some of those answers involved getting weird with matchups and asking more from Garza, Walsh, and the rest of the rotation.
There was also something instructive in how Boston chose to defend Wembanyama. Mazzulla admitted afterward that, “against a player like that, you are constantly deciding what you can live with”. The Celtics clearly decided that if Wembanyama was going to beat them, they preferred him doing more damage away from the basket. That gamble burned them because he hit eight threes, but it wasn’t a crazy gamble. Sometimes a seven-foot-five alien buries your process anyway.
The bigger takeaway was that Boston stayed connected enough to make the game matter into the final minutes even after losing Brown and dealing with Wembanyama with his chaos dial turned up to eleven.
Yes, there was plenty of frustration afterward about the officiating and how the game unfolded. That was unavoidable, and arguably warranted. But underneath that frustration was something else: the Celtics sounded like a team that believed they had let a winnable game slip away.
That’s actually a pretty healthy sign.
Oklahoma City showed how real Boston’s depth might be
If the Spurs game felt like a bar fight, the Thunder game felt more like a high-speed chess match.
Boston went into Oklahoma City without Tatum, without White, and still without Vučević. The Thunder were also missing pieces, but they still had Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort, and the best record in the league.
The Celtics still came within one missed Payton Pritchard three of stealing the game entirely.
In fact, that might be the biggest reason this road trip felt so encouraging. The Thunder game turned into a showcase for all the players Boston will need when the games start to tighten up later in the spring. Brown was excellent, pouring in 34 points and seven assists while basically dragging the offense through long stretches. Pritchard looked like exactly the kind of bench guard every contender wishes it had, fearless and twitchy and apparently born to attempt impossible late-clock shots. Baylor Scheierman kept knocking down big threes. Hugo Gonzalez gave meaningful minutes, as did Jordan Walsh. Garza stretched the floor. Queta battled. Ron Harper Jr. kept doing Ron Harper Jr. things.
Payton Pritchard was asked what he’s learning about some of the young Celtics coming off the bench:
“We’re not learning anything. You guys have already seen it. They come ready to play and play winning basketball. So it’s nothing new.”
That’s a lot of useful contributions from a lot of different places.
For most of the season, Boston’s depth has been discussed as a nice story. Against Oklahoma City, the ‘young wolves’ looked more like a bunch of useful playoff assets. Not because Mazzulla is going to run 10 deep in a Finals game, but because the Celtics have a real collection of players who can hold up when a matchup or injury situation demands it. In last year’s playoffs, we saw just how severely injuries can change things in an instant.
Boston led 59-56 at halftime largely because the bench had 27 points and the ball was popping. They were up 83-80 after three, with the young guys continuing to make winning plays against one of the league’s most disciplined teams.
Oklahoma City is not the kind of team that accidentally lets role players feel good. The Thunder pressure every decision, make simple actions feel crowded, and turn “decent” into “a little rushed”. That slight rush is often enough to throw a wrench into any offense, but Boston handled it better than I expected.
Not perfectly, of course. The fourth quarter got sloppy and the turnovers were an issue all game. Shai got to his spots and looked, as always, like a man operating under different laws of physics. But the larger point remains: Boston looked like it belonged in that game, and it looked that way while missing two starters.
There is another layer to this, too. The Thunder seemed relieved to survive. Their fans were talking about a Finals preview, while their players and commenters were praising Boston’s shooting and toughness. That is usually a decent clue – great teams know when another great team has made them feel uncomfortable.
The Celtics did that.
OKC WINS A THRILLER ON SHAI'S RECORD-SETTING NIGHT!
SGA for the lead with 29.6 to play. JB ties it with 21.9. Chet gets fouled with 0.8. Makes both free throws. OKC holds on. pic.twitter.com/nlo8nZOIgX
And they did it while still very clearly having room to grow. Tatum, White, and Vučević were all out, meaning Brown had to do too much at times. Pritchard had to create more than usual. The rotation bent in ways that probably will not be necessary in a healthier, more settled playoff version of this team.
But Boston still nearly won anyway, and for a loss, that is about as useful as it gets.
Two losses, one pretty good reminder
Maybe the cleanest way to put it is this: the Celtics did not look overmatched against the Spurs or the Thunder.
San Antonio and Oklahoma City are two wildly different problems. One can throw Wembanyama at your entire offensive ecosystem and dare you to solve advanced geometry in real time. The other makes every possession feel sped up and slightly cruel.
Boston lost both games, but never looked out of place. In March, when you’re trying to figure out what kind of team you actually have before the playoffs arrive, that matters.
Because if these two games showed anything, it’s that the Celtics still look like a team nobody is going to enjoy having to beat four times out of seven.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 19: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics react during the first quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 19, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
These days, Gordon Hayward doesn’t watch a ton of NBA basketball. The former NBA All-Star prioritizes family, hanging out with his five children. In his free time, he golfs, a hobby he picked up after retiring from the NBA in 2024.
But the former Celtic has paid enough attention this year to be thoroughly impressed with what the Celtics have pulled off en route to the East’s second-best record.
“You’ve got to credit Joe Mazzulla and how he’s gotten the boys playing,” Hayward told CelticsBlog. “And JB and Payton Pritchard – and Derrick White’s a winner. And, all the guys that are just playing their roles.”
Hayward was on the Celtics from 2017 to 2020, signing with Boston just months after Jayson Tatum was drafted. Jaylen Brown, meanwhile, was beginning his second season in the NBA.
And, from the jump, both young forwards impressed Hayward, who was fresh off his first All-Star appearance and in the prime of his career.
“I can remember playing in a pickup game in the fall the year I got there, and like JT had every shot that you could have, at however young he was, 19 years old, which was really impressive,” Hayward said of Tatum. “Like most of the time, you have some deficiencies early on, but he could score at three levels in a pickup game against pros.”
Brown impressed Hayward in his own right; right away, Hayward was struck by the 21-year-old’s natural physique.
“I had worked my whole career, my whole life, to get up to be – I was about 6’7, 6’8 – 225, 230 pounds,” Hayward said. “And JB was, like, walking into the league, basically around that. And so it’s like, ‘Wow, this dude is a specimen.’ Unreal athleticism, smart. He’s playing at an MVP [level this] year.”
Still, the now 35-year-old can’t say he saw this level of success coming. Together, Tatum and Brown have been to five conference finals and two NBA Finals. They’ve won a championship and accrued a collective 11 All-Star appearances (Tatum has 6, Brown has 5) before either has turned 30.
“I knew they were good,” Hayward said. “I didn’t know they would be this good.”
(Hayward spoke to CelticsBlog as part of his partnership with Colgate: “I’ve got five kids, and teeth brushing and oral hygiene is big in our family,” he said. “It’s a fight, it’s a struggle every night to try to get these kids to prevent bad things from happening. I try to tell them, ‘Don’t be like your dad and get cavities and root canals.’ So, let’s brush our teeth. Let’s use the toothpaste.”)
Gordon Hayward recalls watching the Celtics from the sidelines
Just six minutes into his Celtics debut, Hayward suffered his infamous leg injury, fracturing his tibia and dislocating his ankle. He missed that entire 2017-2018 season, one that culminated in a 20-year-old Tatum leading the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals in his rookie season.
“One thing I remember sitting out is that there wasn’t a moment that was too big for him, even at such a young age,” Hayward said of Tatum. “We went to the Eastern Conference [Finals] that year, and he played a major role. Kyrie got hurt, and it was like, ‘Okay, I think we got something here.’”
Hayward has enjoyed seeing Tatum and Brown’s growing success over the past decade.
“It’s been cool to see them grow into the players that they are, the leaders that they are,” Hayward said. “I still look back to those days and had some really good conversations with both of them. I sat right next to JT on the plane, on our road trips, and so there were many times where we had great talks – and talks not about basketball, but just about life and growing up. And so it’s been fun to watch those guys.”
But this year, he’s seen Tatum live out a reality that, unfortunately mirrored the one he had to endure in that first year in Boston in some ways. Up until last week, Tatum had to watch the Celtics put together a successful season while being unable to play as he recovered from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered last spring.
“There was a moment where the team won – when I wasn’t playing – where they had won like, 13 or 14 straight or something,” Hayward said. “It was a ridiculous record that they started off with. And you’re like, man, like, I just wish I could be out there. Like, that should be me out there.“
For Hayward, that era is still painful to reflect on.
“It’s really tough, one of the toughest two years of my career,” Hayward said. “For me, I’m coming off the best year that I’ve ever had in the NBA. I’m an All-Star. And then, your first game, you’re hurt, and it’s just not the way that you see your career going when you decide to make the jump and go play for the Celtics.”
Hayward also said he had never really thought about just how isolating it was to go through rehab until he experienced it firsthand.
“When I was a rookie, I remember we had veterans go down, and you don’t really think about it until it’s you that goes down, and then you kind of realize, like, ‘Oh man. Like, that’s what that guy was going through,’” Hayward said.
Last week, Tatum made his emotional return to the floor in a home game against the Dallas Mavericks. And Hayward was thrilled to see that unfold, especially given that he experienced his own version of that game seven years earlier.
To this day, his return game against the Philadelphia 76ers is one of the most meaningful moments of his career.
“The fans were just so supportive of me, and probably similar to how Jayson felt when he was announced back in the starting lineup,” Hayward said. “That was a moment I’ll never forget, because at the time, with the way my injury worked, and how it all happened, I was thinking I might not run again. I might not be able to run and jump, like I don’t even know if I’m gonna be able to play basketball. And then to work your tail off and get all the way back to have a chance to play basketball on an NBA court again, and have the fans… Boston fans are so passionate. To have them, the whole city behind me there, that was a very special moment.”
Hayward’s Celtics tenure didn’t pan out as he’d hoped.
Still, he smiles as he reflects on the current team’s success.
“Boston fans are super spoiled, man,” he said. “They just get so much — so [many] good teams. And certainly, they’ve had some good ones with JT and JB.”
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 7: Viktor Arvidsson #71 of the Boston Bruins watches the loose puck against Trevor van Riemsdyk #57 and Logan Thompson #48 of the Washington Capitals at the TD Garden on March 7, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Welcome back to another riveting edition of the Preview Skate! Public Preview?
In any case, here we are, with another Saturday afternoon game for the B’s. This time, they’ll be facing the Washington Capitals in D.C.
The Capitals remain on the edge of the playoff picture, sitting at 73 points. That’s five points behind the Bruins, with three teams (Columbus, Ottawa, and Philadelphia) in between the two.
They’re also six points behind both the New York Islanders and the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Metropolitan Division, so they’re not quite out of it, but time is running out for them to make up ground.
We’ve got another national TV broadcast for this one, this time on ABC. Adjust your viewing plans accordingly.
The B’s and Capitals have played each other twice this season, once in October and once last Saturday. The B’s won both of those games, 3-1.
Not much has changed since these two teams played at TD Garden last Saturday. Same players, no major injuries to report, etc.
The Caps earned themselves a good win last time out, beating the Buffalo Sabres, 2-1.
That game was in Buffalo and ended the Sabres’ eight-game winning streak, so that’s a nice momentum-builder for the Caps.
The Bruins will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing result against San Jose while also improving their road record, which currently sits at an uninspiring 11-14-5.
You’d imagine the B’s turn to Joonas Korpisalo today, but I guess we’ll find out in a few hours.
For those who want to watch the standings as well: Ottawa will play at 1 PM, while Montreal, Columbus, and Detroit will all play tonight.
The Blue Jackets will play the Flyers, who are just four points behind them in the standings, so that’s a big one for both teams.
Should be an interesting Saturday!
Also, in case you missed it, Boston College won their Hockey East playoff game last night, so HagensWatch is on hold for now.
Bruins! Capitals! Played in a federal district, not a state/province!
SARASOTA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 16: Zach Eflin #24 and Chris Bassitt #40 of the Baltimore Orioles smile during practice at Ed Smith Stadium on February 16, 2026 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Baltimore Orioles/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Orioles fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
On Friday morning, the Orioles announced their Opening Day starting pitcher: Trevor Rogers. Still unknown is in what order the pitchers will line up behind him. It’s not even clear at this moment whether the Orioles will stick with a five-man rotation or if they will push it to six. The team has stayed mum about the possibility.
In this week’s survey, I asked Orioles fans about their feelings on what the team should do about this. As we know, behind Rogers, there’s also Kyle Bradish, Shane Baz, Chris Bassitt, Dean Kremer, and Zach Eflin. If they’re all healthy on Opening Day, that’s six guys. Here’s how fans responded to the question of whether the Orioles should go with a six-man rotation:
That’s a stronger majority than I expected for what I continue to think is a bad idea. Unless the starting pitchers are all going at least six innings per start, which is increasingly uncommon in baseball today, there’s just no way to keep managing a bullpen with seven guys.
Eventually, the Orioles will tip their hand and we’ll know what they are planning to do. Until then, we can only guess.
