How Harrison Bader fits into SF Giants’ plans to fix outfield issues

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Harrison Bader was born in New York, raised to root for the Yankees and hasn’t come within a hundred miles of Half Dome in his nine years in the big leagues.

But the Gold Glove-winning center fielder is already getting a taste of his surroundings in San Francisco, where he signed a two-year, $20.5 million deal with the Giants this winter.

“I’d play the same way if I was in Yosemite,” Bader told The California Post when asked about corralling the spacious, angled outfield at Oracle Park. “If anything, there’s more room to go make some plays. I’m excited. It’s gonna be a challenge, so I can’t wait.”

Harrison Bader was born in New York, raised to root for the Yankees, and now will roam center field for the Giants.

Even the most routine fly balls seemed to be a challenge for the Giants at times last season. By any metric, their outfielders ranked among the worst in the majors.

Whether you look at Outs Above Average or Defensive Runs Saved, the Giants possessed the worst defenders at their positions in two of the three outfield spots.

“Ultimately my job is to understand what was happening last year and try to make or create a better spot to put our outfielders in,” said Shane Robinson, who was promoted from the Triple-A staff to serve as manager Tony Vitello’s first base coach and outfield coordinator.

“I think guys are on board with maybe some more aggressiveness and a little bit of tweaks when it comes to outfield positioning and jumps. Easy things to correct that, if we do, we should be in a better spot as a team.”

Will Brennan, another offseason addition to the outfield mix, described Bader as “a wizard” in center field. He brings more than his own defensive prowess — responsible for the fourth-most Defensive Runs Saved among all active outfielders.

With him roaming center, Jung Hoo Lee will slide over to right field, and Heliot Ramos won’t have to worry about so much ground in left.

Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee will slide over to right field this season. Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

The two metrics rated Ramos the worst left fielder and Lee the worst center fielder in MLB last season. The eye test, for the most part, backed up the numbers.

Bader sees it differently.

“I don’t think those guys really need help, man,” he said. “Honestly, I’ve been watching them. Listen, they move great, they’re instinctual, they have tools like crazy. They don’t need my help. I just think we need to focus on where we’re positioning.”

The Giants, under Bob Melvin last season, shifted their defenders at the lowest rate of all 30 clubs, according to Statcast data. Their outfield positioning was tied for the fourth-least effective in the majors, by Defensive Runs Saved.

“It’s hard to steal a base if you have a s—ty lead. It’s hard to catch a ball if you’re in a bad position,” Bader said. “I think if we just focus on that and why we were positioned the way we were last year and focus on proper positioning this year, I think it gives us a better chance of just making routine plays.”

Bader’s presence in center also frees up the corner outfielders to take more chances. Through a club interpreter, Lee said he thought Giants outfielders showed “a lack of aggressiveness.”

Ramos sought out Robinson and new bench coach Jayce Tingler this offseason looking to improve from last season. Vitello described him as “a man on a mission.”

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Communication was one issue Vitello diagnosed. “A lot of it is just them taking charge and responsibility for that part,” he said. Another was familiarity. It was Lee’s first full MLB season, the second for Ramos, and right field fixture Mike Yastrzemski was traded at the deadline.

It wasn’t such an issue that it prevented the Giants from asking Lee to shift positions. But it would seemingly not make it any easier for the new position group to jell when all three missed chunks of time in camp representing their countries at the World Baseball Classic.

Harrison Bader, in his first season with the Giants, played for Team Israel at the World Baseball Classic. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

There was never a doubt in Bader’s mind that he would compete for Team Israel, even while adapting to a new team.

“You get an opportunity to represent people and culture, something so much bigger than just baseball,” he said. “It’s my culture, my background. It’s part of me.”

Lee was able to get some reps in right field because Korea “has our own Harrison Bader,” he said. But he added that he would still like to get more experience at the position.

Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos won’t have to worry about covering so much ground in left with Harrison Bader in center. Getty Images

Still, after helping Korea advance out of the group stage for the first time since 2009, Lee didn’t view the outfielders’ side quests for their national teams as anything but a positive.

“I feel like there’s going to be a synergy effect,” he said.

With attention turning to Opening Day, now just more than a week away, Bader acknowledged, “I wasn’t expecting to feel so rushed when I came back.” He said he’s focused on “maximizing every day” for the remainder of camp.

He’s not too worked up about the Giants’ opponent March 25.

“They’re a very talented team. I have a lot of respect for a lot of guys over there,” Bader said of the Yankees. “But it’s a baseball game. I’ve played a million baseball games in my life. Prepare and attack accordingly. Go out there and have some fun. It should be a really special experience.”

March 18, 2026

Duchene Doesn’t Regret Leaving Colorado, But Cherished His Time in Denver

DENVER — Two decades after his highly controversial departure from the Detroit Red Wings, Sergei Fedorov stood on the podium at his jersey retirement ceremony and openly admitted that the way he handled his exit was "a huge mistake."

At the ceremony, Fedorov hinted that his perspective had shifted since leaving the Red Wings, the team with which he won three Stanley Cups. He credited his personal life for grounding him, saying that meeting the love of his life, Corinna, helped reshape his outlook. Today, the couple shares two children: a daughter, Aleksandra, and a son, Viktor.

Matt Duchene speaks with The Hockey News and a slew of other reporters.

Matt Duchene may not command the same legendary status as Fedorov, but for the Colorado Avalanche, he was undeniably a cornerstone of the franchise’s modern era. Drafted third overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Duchene spent more than eight seasons with the Avs, producing some of the most memorable years of his career.

His best season came in 2013–14, when he recorded 23 goals and 47 assists in 71 games. He followed that with a career-high 30 goals the following year, though by his final full-time campaign with the team, his production had dipped to 18 goals, 23 assists, and 41 points.

Nearly a decade has passed since Duchene was traded to the Ottawa Senators as part of a three-way deal that also involved the Nashville Predators. Colorado received a substantial return, including then-rookie defenseman Samuel Girard, forward prospect Vladislav Kamenev, and a second-round pick from Nashville, along with center Shane Bowers (a 2017 first-round selection), goalie Andrew Hammond, and both a first- and third-round pick from Ottawa.

A Difficult Departure

Duchene had been on the block for some time after requesting a trade from the Avalanche the previous year. While he clearly showed frustration at still being in Colorado at the start of the 2017–18 season, he reported to camp and worked hard—though his expressions betrayed a player ready to move on.

Duchene shortly before being traded. Credit: Jerome Miron

Since the trade, Duchene has played for three other NHL organizations, landing with the Dallas Stars in the 2023–24 campaign. Despite appearing in 69 career playoff games, a Stanley Cup has eluded him—unlike several Avalanche teammates who stayed in Denver long enough to hoist the trophy in 2022.

Like Fedorov, Duchene is now a devoted family man. He is married to his wife, Ashley, and together they have three children: a son, Beau, and two daughters, Jayme and Ellie.

It took Red Wings fans and the organization a very long time to forgive Fedorov. Credit: Lou Capozzola

After some light-hearted clarification from The Hockey News about how having a family can change your perspective, Duchene was asked if there was anything he would have done differently regarding his departure from the Avalanche.

Being the straightforward person that he is, Duchene said he had no regrets with the way he handled things.

"No," Duchene said. "I think at that point in my career, it was best for me to (move on). Obviously, it was one of the hardest things I've ever done; I grew up idolizing this team. When you have to ask your hero for a trade, it's tough.

"That's a part of my history playing for this team that I'm super proud of and it's amazing that I got to live that childhood dream...I wanted a new opportunity and I felt like I needed it personally and it was nothing personal against (anyone). I think I handled it fine; I showed up to camp; I worked hard; I played hard; I played well."

Stars vs. Avalanche: Division on the Line

Duchene led the Stars in points last season with 82, tallying 30 goals and 52 assists. His numbers are a bit down this year due to an early-season injury, but through 42 games, he has posted 13 goals and 19 assists for 32 points.

Tonight’s matchup between the Colorado Avalanche and the Dallas Stars at Ball Arena carries high stakes. The Central Division is red-hot, and this game could go a long way in determining not only the division champion but also a frontrunner for the Presidents’ Trophy. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:50 p.m. local time.

March 18, 2026

Bryan Hodgson back 'home' in New York for March Madness, not staying for Syracuse job

BUFFALO, NY – South Florida’s NCAA Tournament opener against Louisville marks a homecoming for first-year coach Bryan Hodgson, who was born in western New York, went to college in western New York and started his coaching career in western New York, eventually working under current Alabama coach Nate Oats at Buffalo from 2015-19.

An Olean, New York native who attended Jamestown Community College and Fredonia State, Hodgson said he’ll have 38 relatives in attendance for the No. 11 Bulls’ matchup with the No. 6 Cardinals. He’s also been texting with a group of college coaches who hail from the region, including Florida assistant Carlin Hartman, Texas assistant Adam Cohen, Army head coach Kevin Kuwik and Rice head coach Rob Lanier, talking Buffalo Bills football and the local food scene.

“This is home,” he said. “Just icing on the cake to be able to do that back here at home in western New York in front of friends and family, and really looking forward to the opportunity of playing against a very good Louisville team.”

South Florida Bulls coach Bryan Hodgson watches his team during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at KeyBank Center.

The area is home — but this is only a visit.

Earlier on Wednesday, Hodgson turned down an offer to be the next coach at Syracuse, according to multiple reports. The Orange fired third-year coach Adrian Autry earlier this month and were attracted to Hodgson’s quick turnaround at 25-win USF, which took home the American Conference regular-season and tournament championships after posting just one winning season since 2019.

Ironically, the game against the Cardinals makes Hodgson the first coach from western New York to start tournament play in Buffalo since former Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim in 2014.

“When it comes to situations like these, we try to stay away from social media because everything is fake,” said senior forward Izaiyah Nelson. “Everybody goes on social media and says anything, and it's been happening for the last couple years. It's the same old things every year.”

USF heads into Thursday’s matchup on an 11-game winning streak, tied with Duke for the second-longest active run in the country. Known for a potent offense — USF ranks eighth nationally with 87.7 points per game — the Bulls’ defense has made huge strides of late, holding seven of their past nine opponents to under 67 points.

“Yeah, I'm just a firm believer that's just what good teams do. They get better and they play their best basketball in February and March,” Hodgson said. "Our guys have been locked in. They're very process driven. They're extremely selfless, and they wake up every morning with an intent to get better. That's really showed on the court.”

But the Bulls will face two serious tests in Friday’s matchup against the Cardinals. The first is Louisville’s own electric offense and talent level, which is beyond anything USF has faced since a road loss to Alabama in December.

The second is the drama over Hodgson’s future that may not die down anytime soon, not with his name now being drawn in connection with the opening at Providence.

This is the dilemma for all up-and-coming coaches outside the major-conference structure: While every successful season and tournament appearance raises the profile of the coach and his program, this same success raises the likelihood he’ll be poached by a deeper-pocketed suitor.

“Does it look like we pay attention to any of that? We're out here playing basketball,” said Nelson. “We don't get into those kind of things. We come out here every day, grinding, working hard, and just keeping our head down, worrying about the next game.”

To his point, the scrutiny on Hodgson’s future didn’t slow the Bulls’ push for the program’s first conference tournament championship since winning the Sun Belt in 1990. Autry was dismissed on March 11, four days before USF topped Wichita State in the American final.

“Yeah, I'll say this: Time of the year doesn't matter,” he said. “I can tell you that my sole focus is on winning basketball games and enjoying every single second with this group of young men I have right now.”

And Hodgson can lean on his experience as an assistant, when Oats coached Buffalo to successive tournament appearances in 2018 and 2019 — beating Arizona as the No. 13 seed in 2018 and Arizona State as a No. 6 a year later — when his name was bandied about in connection with major openings.

“Yeah, you come in with a chip on your shoulder and an edge,” said Hodgson. “When we beat Arizona, our guys got on that plane from the Buffalo airport full-heartedly believing we were going to go in there to win that game.

“My guys in that locker room right now feel the same way. We know that we're here because of the work we've put in. There's no luck. I've got a great group of young men that believe in their abilities. They're confident in their abilities because, quite frankly, they work, and for us confidence comes from work.”

Louisville star Mikel Brown out vs South Florida

The Bulls received a major boost to their upset hopes with the news Louisville freshman star point guard Mikel Brown Jr. will miss Thursday's first round game with a back injury.

Louisville enters March Madness with a 7-5 record with Brown on the bench vs. a 16-5 record when he plays. Per CBBAnalytics.com, it averages 6.4 fewer points per 40 minutes (88.1 vs. 81.7) and shoots 4.8% worse from beyond the arc (38.2% vs. 33.4%) when he's not on the court.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: South Florida coach Bryan Hodgson back in NY, not staying for Syracuse

March 18, 2026

What March Madness games are tomorrow? See teams kicking off NCAA Tournament first round

Just one more sleep until the start of the first round of the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament.

The First Four is fun and all, but it's not nearly as fun as rolling out four different screens to watch keep up with March Madness.

Make sure to get your bracket filled out before the first game tips at 12:15 p.m. ET.

Here's a look at Thursday's full slate of games:

March Madness first round schedule Thursday, March 19

12:15 p.m.: No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 9 TCU, CBS (Fubo)
12:40 p.m.: No. 4 Nebraska vs. No. 13 Troy, truTV (Sling TV)
1:30 p.m.: No. 6 Louisville vs. No. 11 South Florida, TNT (Sling TV)
1:50 p.m.: No. 5 Wisconsin vs. No. 12 High Point, TBS (Sling TV)
2:50 p.m.: No. 1 Duke vs. No. 16 Siena, CBS (Fubo)
3:15 p.m.: No. 5 Vanderbilt vs. No. 12 McNeese, truTV (Sling TV)
4:05 p.m.: No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 14 North Dakota State, TNT (Sling TV)
4:25 p.m.: No. 4 Arkansas vs. No. 13 Hawai'i, TBS (Sling TV)
6:50 p.m.: No. 6 North Carolina vs. No. 11 VCU, TNT (Sling TV)
7:10 p.m.: No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 16 Howard, CBS (Fubo)
7:25 p.m.: No. 6 BYU vs. No. 11 Texas, TBS (Sling TV)
7:35 p.m.: No. 7 Saint Mary's vs. No. 10 Texas A&M, truTV (Sling TV)
9:25 p.m.: No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 14 Penn, TNT (Sling TV)
9:45 p.m.: No. 8 Georgia vs. No. 9 Saint Louis, CBS (Fubo)
10 p.m.: No. 3 Gonzaga vs. No. 14 Kennesaw State, TBS (Sling TV)
10:10 p.m.: No. 2) Houston vs. No. 15 Idaho, truTV (Sling TV)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What March Madness games are tomorrow? NCAA first round schedule

March 18, 2026

Injury report: Warriors finally getting healthier against Celtics

Al Horford talking to Moses Moody. — SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 09: Moses Moody #4 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates his three point basket and foul with Al Horford #20 against the Indiana Pacers in the third quarter at Chase Center on November 09, 2025 in San Francisco, California. 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 Eakin Howard/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After a much-needed win on Monday in Washington D.C., the Golden State Warriors head north to try to make it two straight Ws. Unfortunately, they’re playing a much, much harder team: the Boston Celtics. In case you haven’t been paying attention to the NBA this year, the Celtics have had a magnificent season, despite Jayson Tatum’s Achilles tear … and, just as importantly, Tatum has returned.

While the Warriors are still missing a lot of key players, they are mercifully getting healthier. Quinten Post, and Gary Payton II, who were listed on the initial injury reports with questionable health, are now listed as available. Draymond Green, who has been a staple of the injury report lately, is nowhere to be found. And not only is Kristaps Porziņģis absent from the injury report for what is the Dubs’ third-straight game against one of his former teams, but Steve Kerr revealed that the former All-Star is ready for a minutes increase.

That said, Boston is still the much healthier team. Here’s the full injury report.

Warriors

Out — Steph Curry (right patellofemoral pain syndrome)

Curry has been traveling with the team, and Kerr revealed that he went through a workout on Tuesday. Golden State will provide an injury update on Saturday.

Out — Jimmy Butler III (right ACL surgery)

Butler, who is out until probably January or February, surprised the team by joining them on their six-city road trip. Hopefully that means that his rehab is going well.

Out — Moses Moody (right wrist sprain)

It looked like Moody was close to a return, but sadly that no longer is the case. It’s looking like he’ll probably miss the entirety of the road trip.

Out — Al Horford (right soleus strain)

No updates on Horford. He’ll probably be out for a while, but hopefully is back in time to get in a rhythm before the play-in tournament.

Out — Seth Curry (left adductor strain)

Still just four games played this year for the younger Curry brother. What a bummer.

Out — LJ Cryer (left hamstring injury management)

It’s really such a bummer that Cryer has dealt with so many injuries at a time when there would be a bunch of minutes for him. He’s really impressed in the rare instances when he’s been healthy.

Celtics

Out — Nikola Vučević (right ring finger fracture)

Vučević was playing a key role for the Celtics after coming over in a deadline trade, but suffered a finger injury in his 12th game with the team. He’ll be re-evaluated shortly before the playoffs.

Enjoy the game, Dub Nation. It tips of at 4:00 p.m. PT on ESPN.

March 18, 2026

March Madness upset picks: NCAA Tournament first-round surprises

The history books will rightfully remember last year's March Madness as a chalk, with four No. 1 seeds in the Final Four and three No. 2 seeds in the Elite Eight. But as the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament first round gets set to begin on Thursday, March 19, it's perhaps worth noting what happened to the bracket on the first two days of college basketball's biggest event in 2025.

Five double-digit seeds pulled off upsets in the first round, including four from non-power conferences. Only one (No. 10 seed Arkansas) advanced to the Sweet 16, which significantly reduced the brackets busted and eventually led to just the second Final Four featuring all No. 1 seeds since the NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985.

The 2026 NCAA Tournament field is also seen as top-heavy by college basketball experts, but there are several intriguing opportunities for a potential Cinderella to emerge this year. Here's a look at five March Madness first-round games that could produce an upset this week:

No. 11 VCU over No. 6 North Carolina

The school that went from the original First Four all the way to the Final Four 15 years ago is a potential Cinderella again in the South region of the 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket after a run to the Atlantic-10 Conference tournament championship. VCU has lost just once over the past two months and it slots ahead of UNC since Feb. 1 in the Torvik Rankings, which are based on offensive and defensive efficiency and weight recent performances more heavily than other predictive metrics. North Carolina, meanwhile, will enter the NCAA Tournament with back-to-back losses to Duke and Clemson and continues to be without freshman star Caleb Wilson. No game during Thursday's March Madness first-round action has a smaller spread than VCU vs. UNC (-2.5).

No. 11 South Florida over No. 6 Louisville

Only one team in this year's NCAA Tournament has a longer current winning streak than USF's 11-game streak entering its East region first-round matchup and six of the Bulls' past seven wins have been by at least 15 points. Guard Wes Enis has been held under 19 points just once in the past five weeks. Louisville also plays the same up tempo style as USF and the Cardinals are just 4-4 over their past eight games. They won't have star freshman guard Mikel Brown Jr. available again due to injury.

No. 11 Texas over No. 6 BYU

This West region first-round matchup will pit two teams with bad defenses that played much better earlier in the season. Now that Texas escaped with a buzzer-beater win over North Carolina State in the First Four, it gets a juicy upset chance against A.J. Dybantsa and BYU. The Cougars had a 7-9 record over the final two months of Big 12 play and uses one of the thinnest benches in the field. Though the Longhorns limped to the finish line with five losses in their final six games before Tuesday's NCAA Tournament triumph, they do have wins over Alabama and Vanderbilt on their ledger this season.

No. 12 Akron over No. 5 Texas Tech

Though Miami (Ohio) garnered most of the headlines out of the MAC with its undefeated run through the regular season, conference tournament champion Akron had the better offensive and defensive efficiency ratings and could take advantage of its draw in the Midwest region. Though Akron lost by 18 points to the only other power conference team on its schedule (Purdue), Texas Tech hasn't looked the same since star J.T. Toppin suffered a season-ending injury. The Red Raiders are 6-5 over their past 11 games, with three defeats in a row entering the NCAA Tournament.

No. 10 Missouri over No. 7 Miami

Missouri is a trendy pick in this West region first-round matchup because the game will take place in nearby St. Louis. The Tigers also had a strong surge through SEC play in February and early March, beating Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Texas A&M to secure an NCAA Tournament at large berth. Missouri, however, has lost three in a row, including an SEC tournament quarterfinal setback to Kentucky. But the Tigers already beat Kentucky on the road earlier this season and the crowd should be on their side this week.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness predictions: Men's NCAA bracket first-round upset picks

March 18, 2026

Rockets and Lakers battle it out in H-town round two electric boogaloo

Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers

March 18, 2026

Location: Toyota Center — Houston, Texas

TV: ESPN

Radio: KBME Sports Talk 790

Online: Rockets App, SCHN+

Time: 830pm

Probable Starting Lineups

Rockets: Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun

Lakers: Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Lebron James, Marcus Smart, DeAndre Ayton

March 18, 2026

The WBC is thriving. Rob Manfred says MLB might consider moving it to midseason

MIAMI — Having set attendance and broadcast viewer records, the World Baseball Classic will return in 2029 or 2030 and at some future point could be moved to midseason, when clubs would be less likely to restrict players.

Since the WBC’s inception in 2006, it has been played during spring training. Tournament rules include pitch count restrictions, and teams can demand tougher limits or deny players permission to participate.

“Obviously we have commitments to Fox in terms of the All-Star Game in the middle of the season through ’28,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said Wednesday during an interview with The Associated Press. “As the game continues to evolve, we have talked about midseason tournaments in general. And certainly if we decided to get serious about this, about a midseason tournament, this would be an ideal opportunity.”

Fan interest for the WBC continues to grow

This year’s WBC drew 1,619,839 fans for 47 games, a 24% increase over the previous high of 1,306,414 in 2023. The initial tournament in 2006 drew 740,451 for 39 games.

The most-watched 2006 matchup was Mexico’s second-round win over the U.S. at 2.46 million on ESPN.

This year’s most-viewed game through Sunday was the Americans’ semifinal victory over the Dominican Republic at 7.37 million on FS1 and Fox Deportes. That topped the previous high of 5.2 million for the 2023 final on FS1, Fox Deportes and Fox Sports streaming services. Numbers for Tuesday's final aren’t yet available.

“There’s no resemblance to where we started in 2006,” Manfred said. “This one, I feel like it went to a different level. We set an attendance record after the early play. By the time we got into the semis and the final it was all gravy.”

The Ohtani effect has been key

Shohei Ohtani striking out then-Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the last out of the 2023 WBC was a seminal moment. A sport that emerged in the U.S. in the 19th century took until the 21st century to establish a truly global competition.

“The WBC is kind of a springboard for the rest of our international efforts,” Manfred said. “It gives you kind of a cornerstone to work from in terms of making long-term business relationships with sponsors, broadcasters and whatnot.”

Fans from baseball-mad countries like Japan, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela have watched the tourney closely since its inception. Japan has three titles, while the DR and Venezuela have each won once.

The U.S. also has just one title, in 2017, despite using an All-Star roster this year led by captain Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper and Paul Skenes. Judge was appointed U.S. captain last April and his early commitment sparked other top players to join.

Judge called the WBC crowds “bigger and better than the World Series.” Italy’s run to the semifinals this year awakened baseball interest in a soccer-crazed country, even though games started in the middle of the night.

“I just told the guys that they are the champions of this tournament,” Italy manager Francisco Cervelli said after the Azzurri were eliminated by Venezuela, the eventual champion. “They revolutionized Italy. They put another sport on the map.”

A midseason tournament likely would lead to fewer stars declining or being held back. Two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal agreed with Detroit to be limited to one appearance, and the U.S. started 24-year-old rookie Nolan McLean in the final. The U.S. lost 3-2 to Venezuela, which rallied in the ninth inning against Garrett Whitlock to win its first title.

Closer Mason Miller was held out by DeRosa, who promised the San Diego Padres he would be used only in a save situation.

“Certainly if it was moved to the middle of the season, I don’t think you would have any nos for competing in it,” DeRosa said.

Could the Olympics be next?

MLB and the players’ association are negotiating over having big leaguers participate in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The six-nation baseball tournament, which includes the U.S.. Dominican Republic and Venezuela, would be played during an extended All-Star break. That event could impact the decision on when the seventh WBC will be played.

MLB and the players’ association have matching equity shares that are the most in the WBC, with Nippon Professional Baseball, the Korea Baseball Organization and the World Baseball Softball Confederation owning minority stakes.

“The issue for us is whether we do it in ‘29 or in ’30, three years or four years? I’m getting a lot of email from people today saying don’t make us wait four more years for this,” Manfred said. “I do think a three- or four-year cycle is probably about right for the event. The timing is going to turn on what we do with respect to related sorts of international efforts. I remain optimistic about the Olympics and obviously if we play in the Olympics it’s a short time from July of ‘28 ’till the spring of 29 and that’s something we’ll have to take into account. I’m not saying it’s outcome determinative, but it’s something we’ll have to think about.”

March 18, 2026

GameThread: Tigers vs. Pirates, 6:05 p.m.

Mar 15, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) smiles against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Detroit Tigers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

Time/Place: 1:05 p.m., Joker Marchant Stadium – Lakeland, FL
SB Nation Site: Bucs Dugout
Media:Tigers Radio Network

Today’s Lineups

TIGERS	PIRATES
Matt Vierling – DH	Oneil Cruz – CF
Kerry Carpenter – RF	Brandon Lowe – 2B
Riley Greene – LF	Bryan Reynolds – LF
Spencer Torkelson – 1B	Marcell Ozuna – DH
Dillon Dingler – C	Spencer Horwitz – 1B
Kevin McGonigle – SS	Nick Yorke – RF
Javier Baez – 2B	Tyler Callihan – 3B
Zach McKinstry – 3B	Joey Bart – C
Trei Cruz – CF	Konnor Griffin – SS

March 18, 2026

Yankees' Gerrit Cole passes first test, but one outing won't speed up timeline for return

TAMPA, Fla. – More than a decade has passed since Gerrit Cole had anything to prove on mid-March afternoons, but the inning he threw against the Boston Red Sox Wednesday afternoon meant something anyway.

The last time Cole pitched in a game was March 6 of last year, an outing in which he was so ineffective that he and the Yankees guessed correctly that his elbow was not right.

So Wednesday’s outing was both an affirmation and an evaluation: The fact that Cole was throwing in a Grapefruit League game a year after surgery was the latest indication that his recovery is going well. That he showed his usual velocity and showcased secondary stuff in a quick scoreless inning meant that his elbow withstood the very Grapefruit League test it failed this time last year.

“I just wanted to enjoy all of it. That was my goal for today. No reservations. Try not to judge yourself too hard,” Cole said. “Just have fun. No thoughts about wanting to take a little bit off. Just go ahead and let it fly.”

It was just 53 weeks ago Wednesday, Dr. Neal ElAttrache cut into Cole’s elbow, reconstructed his ulnar collateral ligament, and inserted an internal brace to support it. By all accounts -- and most importantly Cole’s -- everything since has gone as well as anyone could ask.

Many pitchers returning from elbow surgery experience setbacks, or do not see their velocity return until several months or even a full season after their return. Cole touched 98 MPH with both fastballs Wednesday, and Yankees manager Aaron Boone said multiple times he feels his ace’s command seems to have returned.

In the first six weeks of camp, Cole ramped up from throwing regular bullpens to live batting practice sessions. He threw 35 pitches in what amounted to two innings while facing Yankees hitters five days ago. When his body bounced back successfully from that outing, Cole and the Yankees faced a choice.

“Throw more pitches in the same environment, or elevate the environment,” Cole said. “And based on what we had accomplished in the four [live batting practices] before that, the next step was to elevate the environment and see how things respond.”

Cole didn’t treat Wednesday like a regular start. He and catcher Austin Wells didn’t talk gameplans beforehand. Wednesday’s game was not meant to test Cole’s ability to work through a proven big league lineup – and, in fairness, the Red Sox did not exactly send one.

Mar 18, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Instead, what Wednesday’s outing offered was unpredictability. And when speedy Red Sox outfielder Braiden Ward bunted the first pitch Cole threw up the first base line, the 35-year-old sprinted and slid to try to field it – moves he hasn’t had to execute in quite some time. A few batters later, Cole sprinted back over to receive a throw from Jazz Chisholm Jr. that retired the side.

“I missed the big [pitcher fielding practice] group today because I had to pitch today for the first time,” Cole said. “It’s the first set of PFPs that I missed, and I ended up getting my work in so it was all good.”

While the initial sprint and slide paused hearts in the Yankees dugout, Cole survived the whole experience so effortlessly that he went to the bullpen afterward to throw three more three-pitch sequences. Combined with warmups for his inning and those bullpen batters, Cole’s day finished right around 30 pitches, in line with his outings in recent weeks.

“It was exciting. Had the nerves over there, too, knowing obviously who he is to our team and what he means to us,” Boone said. “The long road, another part of the journey back. I thought he looked good.”

The next step in Cole’s journey is not clear. He said he will pitch a bullpen a few days from now, then will plan to make another game-like outing at some point in the next six or seven days, in keeping with his schedule so far. He said he will not travel with the Yankees to San Francisco for their opener next week, but does plan to be in New York for the home opener April 3; The minor league season begins around then anyway, and Cole will need several rehab outings with affiliates before he returns to the majors.

The Yankees open their regular season one week from Wednesday. Obviously, Cole will not be active when they do. Neither will Carlos Rodon, who is working his way back from shoulder surgery and is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Thursday. Clarke Schmidt, who underwent Tommy John surgery a few months after Cole, threw an extensive flat ground session with cameras watching his every move.

All three would likely be in the Opening Day rotation if healthy. But this Yankees season will probably depend as much as what they do during April and May anyway.

Because as untouchable as Cam Schlittler was in October, as sturdy as Will Warren was in his first year of full-time service, and as much potential as newly acquired Ryan Weathers flashes at his best, a rotation built around them and anchored by Max Fried – like the Yankees will be to start the season – is not exactly a sure thing.

A rotation with Schlittler, Warren, Weathers, and Schmidt behind Cole, Fried, and Rodon, meanwhile, looks as deep as any starting rotation this side of Dodger Stadium. The key for the Yankees, then, is to make sure that nothing happens in the next two months of Cole’s rehabilitation process that will compromise what happens in the months after his return.

And speaking of that return, Cole and his manager insist that even with perfect progress, nothing about his timeline has changed. They have targeted June 1 for weeks, and one healthy Grapefruit League inning will not inspire a rush to return sooner.

“I wouldn’t commit to it. Nothing has changed,” Cole said. “Still on track. Hoping it plays out that way. I’d be thrilled if it did.”

March 18, 2026

Updated NBA standings: How would playoffs look if season ended today?

The NBA playoffs are just around the corner. Sure, there is still time for teams on the cusp to make one final push for the postseason, but for the most part, we know which teams are competing for an NBA title.

That said, many of the teams in the middle of the pack in each conference are jumbled up, so close together that a bad or good stretch could determine whether they get home-court advantage in their opening series or the conference semifinals.

As it stands right now, as of the afternoon of Wednesday, March 18, the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed Boston Celtics are just eight games ahead of the No. 8 seed Atlanta Hawks. In the West, the No. 3 and 6 seeds are within 1.5 games of one another.

A lot could happen between now and the end of the regular season that could shape the postseason. That said, it's still interesting to look at where each team would fall if the season ended today.

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama grabs a rebound during the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center.

NBA playoff bracket

Records and standings through games played on Wednesday, March 18

*-indicates play-in team

Eastern Conference

Detroit Pistons (49-19)
Boston Celtics (45-23)
New York Knicks (45-25)
Cleveland Cavaliers (42-27)
Toronto Raptors (38-29)
Orlando Magic (38-30)
Miami Heat (38-31)*
Atlanta Hawks (37-31)*
Philadelphia 76ers (37-32)*
Charlotte Hornets (35-34)*

Western Conference

Oklahoma City Thunder (54-15)
San Antonio Spurs (51-18)
Los Angeles Lakers (43-25)
Houston Rockets (41-26)
Denver Nuggets (42-27)
Minnesota Timberwolves (42-27)
Phoenix Suns (39-30)*
Los Angeles Clippers (34-34)*
Golden State Warriors (33-35)*
Portland Trail Blazers (33-36)*

When does NBA regular season end?

The regular season will end on Sunday, April 12. The play-in tournament will start just two days later on Tuesday, April 14 with games played through Friday, April 17.

The classic NBA postseason will begin on April 18.

How does NBA play-in tournament work?

The tournament is divided into three games for each conference.

The first game will see the No. 7 seed host the No. 8 seed with the No. 7 seed in the playoffs on the line. The loser will face the winner of the game between the conference's No. 9 and No. 10 seeds.

Whoever loses that third game will be eliminated from the postseason, while the winner will claim their conferene's No. 8 seed and a date with the No. 1 seed in the first round of the playoffs.

NBA playoffs schedule

Play-in tournament: April 14-17
First round: Begins April 18
Second round: Expected to start early May
Conference finals: Expected to start late May
NBA Finals: June 3 - June 10/17 (dependent on series lengths)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who's in, out of NBA playoffs if the season ended today?

March 18, 2026

What Tony Vitello learned from San Francisco Giants’ starring roles in WBC

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Heliot Ramos is back from the World Baseball Classic and still bleach blond, the hairstyle adopted by all of the Puerto Rican team. He plans to keep it.

“F— it,” the Giants outfielder declared upon his return to the team. “I want to do braids.”

Heliot Ramos of Team Puerto Rico looks on after the game against Team Italy at Daikin Park on March 14, 2026 in Houston, Texas. Team Italy defeated Team Puerto Rico 8-6. Getty Images

Still, some of Ramos’ teammates will have an even more lasting way to remember the tournament. Luis Arraez, Jose Butto and Logan Webb all had a little extra weight in their luggage returning from Miami.

Arraez and Butto earned their gold medals with key contributions in Venezuela’s 3-2 win in the championship game Tuesday night over Team USA inside a sold-out loanDepot Park. Webb helped the Americans reach the title game but settled for silver.

Back in Scottsdale, Giants manager Tony Vitello watched the game with some members of his coaching staff as the team enjoyed a day off.

“It was a phenomenal final game of the tournament,” Vitello said. Bryce Harper tied the score at 2 with a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth, which Vitello called “a pretty magical moment, even despite the loss, I think that will still be remembered as such.”

Harper’s game-tying homer set up Arraez to lead off the top of the ninth. He was hitless in three at-bats when he came to the plate against Garrett Whitlock. The typically aggressive Arraez worked a walk and was replaced by a pinch-runner who scored what became the decisive run.

“As soon as Bryce hit that homer … the first thing I said was, ‘Our guy’s leading off, so they’d better score,'” Vitello said. “He found a way to get on base. You kind of knew even more so that he’d get on base because he hadn’t (yet). I feel like determination climbs as the situation grows for him.”

José Buttó of Team Venezuela pitches against Team United States during the sixth inning at loanDepot park on March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida. Getty Images

Aaron Judge came to the plate as the potential tying run with Venezuela leading 2-0 in the sixth inning, and Butto got the Yankees slugger to ground out to end the inning. The Giants’ bullpen hopeful didn’t allow a run over 5 2/3 innings in the tournament, and Vitello sees him as a high-leverage option.

“It makes sense that when you go out there and the crowd is the loudest baseball crowd arguably ever and the hitters are all major-league All-Stars,” Vitello said. “He is incredibly pro-like in his work everyday. Almost one of our more militaristic — not that he doesn’t have personality — but how he handles his business.”

Manager Tony Vitello #23 of the San Francisco Giants looks on during the first inning of the spring training game against the Colorado Rockies at Scottsdale Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Getty Images

The Giants were the only team in the majors represented more than once on the All-WBC team. Webb, who made two starts and allowed one run over 8 2/3 innings, was one of three pitchers selected. Arraez, who batted .308 with a 1.059 OPS and drove in 10 runs, earned the lone honor at first base.

Jung Hoo Lee helped Korea advance out of the group stage for the first time since 2009 — when he was 10 years old — and Ramos started all five games for Puerto Rico, which also made it to the quarterfinals.

Venezuela Luis Arraez reacts after he grounds out during the third inning in the championship game of the World Baseball Classic against the United States, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Miami. AP

Vitello hopes the Giants can reap the benefits all their representatives took away from the tournament. Dave Groeschner, their head trainer, joined Webb on Team USA. Longtime coaches Ron Wotus and Dave Righetti were part of Team Italy’s coaching staff.

“More than I think there’s a story to tell for all those teams,” Vitello said. “Venezuela obviously had the passion going. Italy had kind of a cool little culture going on. Webby and Groesch will be able to tell us about what is it like to manage that many stars in one dugout.”

Arraez, Butto and Webb were all expected back in camp Wednesday. As long as there were no travel complications, Vitello said he expected Webb to make his next Cactus League start on Thursday.

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March 18, 2026

3 Players Making a Difference Since the All-Star Break

Throughout the season, we have used FTN’s new NBA StatsHub to help separate surface-level production from true impact. Those advanced metrics have provided the necessary context to effectively identify emerging stars, analyze trades, give insight into awards races, and provide analysis on the league’s top playoff contenders.

Now, as the regular season enters its final stretch, the focus shifts to identifying which stars are peaking at the right time. Using NBA StatsHub, let’s take a look at a few players who are playing at a high level since the All-Star break.

Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets

In the coming days, Kevin Durant will surpass Michael Jordan for the fifth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Yet, the 37-year-old Durant, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the middle of his prime, isn’t just stat-padding his Hall of Fame resume.

Since the All-Star break, he’s averaging 25.9 points on only 17.5 field goal attempts per game. He’s the only player in the league averaging 25+ points while shooting 50%-plus from the field, 40%-plus from 3-point territory and 90%-plus from the free throw line.

He leads the NBA by a substantial margin in Points Over Expectation (+5.5) in that span, with Luka Dončić (+4.1) and Anthony Edwards (+3.8) a distant second and third, respectively.

Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets

Earlier this season, we examined the league’s most underrated scorers using Field Goal Percentage Over Expectation and came away wondering if Kon Knueppel could be the NBA’s next superstar.

Since that point, he’s averaged 19.7 points per game while shooting 49.3% from the floor, including 44.0% from 3-point territory. Since the All-Star break, he ranks sixth in the entire NBA in Points Over Expectation. He’s been Charlotte’s most valuable player during that stretch, with an incredulous +22.4 Net Rating.

Knueppel was +500 in the Rookie of the Year race when we wrote Feb. 18 that he has been the NBA’s most impactful first-year player. One month later, he’s -200 to win the award, looking like a clear and obvious favorite if he can stay healthy during the final month of the regular season.

James Harden, Cleveland Cavaliers

Immediately following the Cavaliers trade for James Harden, ESPN gave Cleveland a B grade for the deal. CBS Sports gave Cleveland a C. Bleacher Report was the most critical, giving the Cavaliers a D+.

We gave Cleveland an A+ for the trade, arguing that Harden is still a high-impact player.

Since the trade, the Cavaliers own the second-best offensive rating in the NBA, despite Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen both missing substantial time due to injury.

A big reason for their success has been the play of Harden, who ranks 7th in the league in Points Over Expectation since the All-Star break. The team has a +4.7 Net Rating with him on the floor, benefitting from his playmaking ability, efficient scoring and veteran leadership.

The Cavaliers have emerged as the primary threat to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference. If healthy, they have their best chance to return to the NBA Finals since LeBron James left for the Lakers nearly a decade ago.

The Takeaway

Kevin Durant, Kon Knueppel and James Harden haven’t simply been filling the stat sheet on a nightly basis because they take a lot of shots or operate in a high-usage role for their respective team. These players are offering measurable, sustainable benefits to their club at the most important time of the season.

March 18, 2026

Spring Training Game #26: Detroit Tigers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

LAKELAND, FL - MARCH 13: Konnor Griffin #75 of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on during batting practice prior to the start of the spring training game against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on March 13, 2026 in Lakeland, Florida. The Pirates defeated the Tigers 7-5. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Detroit Tigers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, March 18, 2026, 6:05 p.m. ET

Location: LECOM Park, Bradenton, FL

How to Listen: KDKA-FM 93.7

The Pittsburgh Pirates are at home today against the Pittsburgh Pirates looking to grab a win against the Detroit Tigers in Spring Training.

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March 18, 2026

Jazz vs Timberwolves Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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If you thought the Utah Jazz’s overall record was bad, their mark against division rivals is even worse – and it’s not likely to get any better tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

This feels like a hopeless task for a Utah team that’s 1-11 against the rest of the Northwest Division and firmly in full tank mode, but my Jazz vs Timberwolves predictions target one of the visitors’ youngsters getting a chance in the spotlight.

Check on my NBA picks for this clash on Wednesday, March 18.

Jazz vs Timberwolves prediction

Jazz vs Timberwolves best bet: Cody Williams Over 20.5 points + rebounds + assists (-115)

The Utah Jazz don’t seem focused on boosting their win total, but the coming weeks give them a chance to evaluate their roster. That’s good news for Cody Williams, who has played 36+ minutes in six straight games, hitting this combo Over in five of them.

Williams posted an eye-popping 34-7-7 stat line on Sunday and should be active again as Utah navigates games without Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George.

Even though the Minnesota Timberwolves can be elite defensively, Williams doesn’t need to match his season averages to make this prop a winner.

Jazz vs Timberwolves same-game parlay

Even on the second night of a back-to-back set, the T-Wolves have the defensive studs to keep Utah at bay, but the offense will largely be in the hands of Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.

Randle is coming off back-to-back 32-point outings, and I expect DiVincenzo to bounce back from last night’s 0-for-8 dud, as he boasts a 39% mark from downtown.

Jazz vs Timberwolves SGP

Timberwolves -13.5
Julius Randle Over 25.5 points
Donte DiVincenzo Over 14.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Stifle Tower

No one needs to tell the Jazz about Rudy Gobert’s impact.

This SGP jumps on the Frenchman’s presence around the rim at both ends of the floor, and he’s coming off a monster effort last night, finishing with 19 rebounds and four blocks.

Naz Reid’s absence should also mean an uptick in minutes for Gobert.

Jazz vs Timberwolves SGP

Rudy Gobert Over 12.5 points
Rudy Gobert Over 13.5 rebounds
Rudy Gobert Over 2.5 blocks
Timberwolves -13.5

Jazz vs Timberwolves odds

Spread: Jazz -13.5 (-110) | Timberwolves +13.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Jazz +550 | Timberwolves -800
Over/Under: Over 230.5 (-110) | Under 230.5 (-110)

Jazz vs Timberwolves betting trend to know

The Timberwolves are 8-2 SU in their last 10 meetings with the Jazz. Find more NBA betting trends for Jazz vs. Timberwolves.

How to watch Jazz vs Timberwolves

Location	Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Date	Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Tip-off	8:00 p.m. ET
TV	FDSN North, KJZZ

Jazz vs Timberwolves latest injuries

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