CLEARWATER, FL - MARCH 07: Toronto Blue Jays Infielder Arjun Nimmala (18) chases down a hard hit ground ball during the spring training game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Philadelphia Phillies on March 07, 2026 at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Jays play two games today. Both starting at 1:00 Eastern which….well I don’t know what time that is in various places in Canada since the clocks have changed in at least some of Canada. So where ever you are in Canada, there are two game today (or two games a week from Thursday depending on your timezone) (leave your own Saskatchewan jokes in the thread).
One is on the road against the Orioles. Here are the lineups for that game, which has Cody Ponce starting:
Today’s Lineups
BLUE JAYS
ORIOLES
Myles Straw – CF
Colton Cowser – CF
Jesus Sanchez – LF
Taylor Ward – LF
Eloy Jimenez – DH
Pete Alonso – 1B
Brandon Valenzuela – C
Samuel Basallo – C
Yohendrick Pinango – RF
Ryan Mountcastle – DH
Charles McAdoo – 3B
Dylan Beavers – RF
Rafael Lantigua – 2B
Bryan Ramos – 3B
Arjun Nimmala – SS
Weston Wilson – 2B
Riley Tirotta – 1B
Jose Barrero – SS
Cody Ponce – RHP
Tyler Wells – RHP
The other has the Tigers coming to Dunedin, with Kevin Gausman starting:
JUPITER, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 25: Hunter Brown of the Houston Astros throws a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the first inning of a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium on February 25, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Houston Astros (4-7-3) take on the Washington Nationals (7-4-3) in Grapefruit League play.
RHP Hunter Brown is set to make his third start of the Spring, with LHP Andrew Alvarez starting for the Nationals.
BROTHER BROWN: RHP Hunter Brown, who is making his third start this Spring, established himself as one of the top starters in the Majors in 2025. For the season, he was 12-9 in 31 starts with a 2.43 ERA with 206 strikeouts in 185.1 innings of work.
Among AL starters, Brown ranked second in ERA and Quality Starts (21), third in strikeouts (206), fourth in WHIP (1.03) and fourth in pitching WAR (4.8). For his efforts, he was named to his first All-Star team and finished third in the voting for the AL Cy Young Award.
Brown also earned AL Pitcher of the Month honors for June (1.19 ERA, .130 opp. avg.). He also had a 28.0-inning scoreless inning streak in 2025. Brown has posted a 1.93 ERA (1ER/2.2IP) through his two starts this Spring, striking out five batters over that span.
TODAY’S POTENTIAL RELIEVERS: LHP Tom Cosgrove, RHP J.P. France, LHP Steven Okert, RHP Christian Roa and RHP Logan VanWey.
TODAY’S ROSTER MOVES: This morning, the Astros optioned RHP Jason Alexander and reassigned RHP Sam Carlson and RHP Alimber Santa to minor league camp.
ASTROS IN WBC: IF Zach Dezenzo started at third base in Team Italy’s 8-0 win over Team Brazil yesterday at Daikin Park, going 1×3 with an RBI and a walk.
IF Shay Whitcomb got off to a fantastic start for Team Korea in their opener on Thursday vs Team Czechia, going 2×4 with two home runs and three RBI in an 11-4 win.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Sunday, March 8, 12:05 p.m. CST
Location: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, FL.
The Winnipeg Jets are doing everything they can to remain in the playoff race, and since returning from the Olympic break the results have been encouraging. If the Jets had been given a clear blueprint for staying in contention, they have followed it closely.
Winnipeg currently sits on a three game winning streak, earning victories over the Chicago Blackhawks and Vancouver Canucks, two teams that rank among the NHL’s bottom three this season. The most impressive result of the stretch came in a decisive 4–1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning, who currently hold the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.
The strong play extends beyond the current streak. Since the start of February, Winnipeg has compiled a 4-1-3 record, giving the club renewed life in the standings. The Jets now sit five points behind the Seattle Kraken for the final wild card position in the Western Conference.
Winnipeg also made notable adjustments at the trade deadline in hopes of sparking its lineup. The Jets moved out defensemen Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn in a deal with the Buffalo Sabres. In return, the team acquired defenseman Jacob Bryson and promising young forward Isak Rosen.
Bryson is expected to step into a depth role on the blue line, potentially filling the seventh defenseman spot previously held by Schenn. Rosen, meanwhile, represents a more intriguing long term addition.
The 22-year-old winger was selected 14th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft and has developed into a point-per-game producer with the Rochester Americans in the American Hockey League this season, recording 43 points in 37 games.
Both Bryson and Rosen debuted with Winnipeg in bottom of the lineup roles, and it remains to be seen how much of an impact they will have down the stretch. Up front, the Jets’ top line has continued to carry the offensive load. The trio of Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, and Gabriel Vilardi has combined for 11 goals during the team’s recent eight-game surge.
Scheifele has been particularly effective as a playmaker, leading the group with 10 assists during that span. Secondary scoring has also helped fuel the run. Cole Perfetti has produced six points over the stretch, while Alex Iafallo has added four.
Despite the improved play, the odds still present a challenge. Analytics site MoneyPuck currently gives Winnipeg a 15.1 per cent chance of reaching the playoffs and a 5.5 per cent chance of not only qualifying but advancing past the first round.
Winnipeg faces a demanding schedule that includes three games against the current Presidents’ Trophy favorites, the Colorado Avalanche. The Jets will also take on strong competition in single game matchups against the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, and Boston Bruins.
With 20 games remaining, every point will matter. If the Jets can maintain their current form through the final stretch, a late season playoff push may not be out of reach. For a team fighting to extend its season, the coming weeks will define Winnipeg’s year.
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Rockets computer picks
Tari Eason Over 10.5 points (+100)
Projection: 12.5 points
Tari Eason has failed to cover this number in six straight, but before that, he scored 11+ in three of four outings. A 41% shooter on the season, Eason is due for positive regression after going 3-for-21 from deep over his last five.
Our prop projections call for the forward to go two whole points over his number tonight, and with this prop at plus money, it offers great value.
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Tari Eason Over 6.5 rebounds (+110)
Projection: 7.1 points
Eason has fallen just short of this line in his last three outings, but he gobbled up 19 rebounds in the two games prior. Both these teams also play stout defense, which will offer up plenty of rebounding opportunities for the 24-year-old.
The +110 price tag makes this play even better.
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Kevin Durant Under 25.5 points (-110)
Projection: 24.1 points
Kevin Durant has failed to reach 26 points in back-to-back outings and five of his last seven. KD can still score with the best of them, but he's no longer dominating night in and night out.
The Spurs have the size and length to keep Durant in check, and even a good game from the future Hall of Famer can still cash this Under.
In four matchups against San Antonio this season, KD has finished Under this number each time.
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Spurs computer picks
Devin Vassell Over 13.5 points (+100)
Projection: 14.8 points
Devin Vassell has turned into a reliable scorer for the Spurs, averaging nearly 15 points per game. Vassell had a rough shooting night in his last outing, but his 3-point volume makes this number enticing.
The young guard has put up five or more threes in seven straight, and he's a near 39% 3-point shooter. Depending on how hot he gets, Vassell could cash this prop on threes alone.
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De'Aaron Fox Over 16.5 points (-115)
Projection: 17.9 points
De'Aaron Fox has been stupendous in San Antonio, and he's cleared this point total in back-to-back outings. He sits second on the team in scoring with 18.8 PPG, and the last time these teams met, he scored 18. That's right around where tonight's projections sit.
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Victor Wembanyama Over 1.5 made threes (-105)
Projection: 2.0 made threes
Victor Wembanyama has splashed four threes in consecutive outings, taking 19 attempts in that span.
Wemby is starting to turn up the volume from outside, and if he shoots that many again tonight, hitting two shouldn't be an issue.
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How to watch Rockets vs Spurs tonight
Location
Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
Date
Sunday, March 8, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
Peacock
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TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 25: Ryan Weathers #40 of the New York Yankees takes the field before a spring training game against the Washington Nationals at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 25, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Perhaps the projected starter with the most to prove in a Yankee uniform—looking to establish himself this spring training in a new organization after an injury-riddled campaign with the Marlins—Ryan Weathers gets the opportunity to face a rather strong Mets lineup despite its many absences with multiple superstars competing in the World Baseball Classic.
Even without Juan Soto (suiting up for the Dominican WBC team), Pete Alonso (now in Baltimore), and Francisco Lindor (injured), the Mets’ offense could still be seen as an upgrade on the Nationals. Weathers carved through the Nats in his first spring outing, a little under two weeks ago. Traditionally a pitcher who relies on his changeup as his primary offspeed offering, Weathers really leaned into his sweeper against Washington, a potential trend to follow, assuming the Yankees saw an opportunity to tweak and improve his pitching arsenal. The first signs were great, with the southpaw allowing one hit and striking out five in 3.2 innings of work.
Returning to the topic of depleted lineups, the Yankees give their youngsters another opportunity to perform, this one against the newly acquired Mets ace, Freddy Peralta. The likes of Jasson Domínguez, George Lombard Jr., and Spencer Jones will be leading the charge, Jones in particular looking to maintain what has been an outstanding performance this spring, having homered three times already.
Clay Holmes showed up to spring training with a workload well past most of the Mets’ pitchers in anticipation of his World Baseball Classic appearance.
He was already built up to three ups, while most of the others were still progressing.
Holmes said following his final Grapefruit League start last week that he felt ready to take the mound for Team USA.
Making his first appearance of the tournament Saturday, that certainly showed.
The big right-hander came on in relief of reigning AL Cy Young award winner Tarik Skubal in the fourth, and he provided the Americans just what they were looking for.
Holmes retired the first eight Great Britain hitters he faced, including a stretch of five consecutive strikeouts, before allowing a out one single in the top of the sixth.
He quickly danced around that as well, thanks to a caught stealing and another strikeout, this one of his former Yankee teammate Jazz Chisholm Jr.
The 32-year-old finished the night allowing just one baserunner and striking out six.
Holmes ended up taking home the victory after USA’s high-powered lineup finally broke through for all nine of their runs over the fifth, sixth, and seventh.
“It was a lot of fun,” he told SNY’s Michelle Margaux. “Getting to wear the USA and getting to feel that for the first time it was pretty amazing -- it was nice to have those guys behind me, just try to focus and help us win the game.”
Holmes utilized his full arsenal and saw tremendous movement on his breaking pitches, particularly the sweeper and sinker, which helped him pick up a handful of his punchouts.
Carlos Mendoza was certainly impressed watching from home.
“He was electric,” the Mets’ skipper said. “Pretty dominant, it was good to see.”
Holmes taking another step forward in his second season as a starter would be a tremendous boost for the Mets' rotation.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 30: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers defends Jordan Walsh #27 of the Boston Celtics during the third quarter at Rocket Arena on November 30, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 117-115. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I’ll be in the comments throughout the game sharing my thoughts. Feel free to join in on the conversation and let your voice be heard in the comments below.
Feb 25, 2026; North Port, Florida, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Bryce Elder (55) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates during spring training at CoolToday Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images | Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
It’s time for another Bryce Elder spring training start, as the Atlanta Braves continue to make their way through the Grapefruit League. For those keeping track at home, the Braves are actually sitting on top of the Grapefruit League standings, which is surely the greatest achievement that this team has accomplished in quite some time, right?
Anyways, this is also a road game for the Braves against the Rays, which means that we’re going to continue seeing a lineup full of guys doing their hardest to make the roster. For what it’s worth, their performances have definitely been pretty solid so far and I’d imagine that it’s going to be pretty tough for the decision-makers to pare this roster down as we get closer and closer to Opening Day. Either way, it’s been encouraging to see how the organizational depth has looked so far and hopefully we’ll see some more solid performances today.
Here’s the lineup for Atlanta:
#Braves lineup on the road in Port Charlotte versus the Rays
2B Luke Williams 1B Dom Smith SS Jorge Mateo RF Ben Gamel 3B Kyle Farmer LF DaShawn Keirsey Jr C Sandy León DH Aaron Schunk CF José Azocar
Bryce Elder gets the ball at 1:05 PM ET on Braves Radio Network – no TV today
— Lindsay Crosby, big baseball guy (@CrosbyBaseball) March 8, 2026
1. Taylor Walls (SS) (S) 2. Jake Fraley (RF) (L) 3. Ben Williamson (3B) (R) 4. Hunter Feduccia (DH) (L) 5. Nick Fortes (C) (R) 6. Jonny DeLuca (CF) (R) 7. Edward Olivares (LF) (R) 8. Ryan Vilade (2B) (R)…
— MLB Daily Lineups (@DailyMLBLineups) March 8, 2026
Today’s game appears to be Radio Only, so if you’re in the Atlanta area then it’s time to tune in to 680 The Fan/93.7 FM. The 680 The Fan app is also available as well, so there’s that. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 23: Max Strus #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over Ayo Dosunmu #12 of the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the United Center on December 23, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been waiting for the entire season for Max Strus to make his debut. If all goes as planned, they won’t have to wait much longer.
“He’s ramping up,” said Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson. “I believe he’s got one more visit with the doctor to kind of confirm that we’re doing alright.”
Strus has been on the sidelines since last May when the Cavs were eliminated in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. He suffered a Jones fracture just weeks before the current season began and has only recently begun on-court work with the rest of the team. Strus participated in 90% of practice earlier this week.
“As far as the on-court stuff, he’s just doing more and more every day,” said Atkinson. “So we’re getting closer.”
The Cavs have managed to fare well without Strus. They’ve received huge contributions from players like Sam Merrill and Jaylon Tyson, who have managed to step up and fill his role in the starting lineup at various points throughout the season. Cleveland’s depth, which only got stronger at the deadline, has been a plus for them this year.
Still, Strus brings a skillset that you can’t get enough of. A motion shooter who can handle the rock and defend at high intensity is valuable any day of the week. Strus, if healthy, gives the Cavaliers even more firepower.
We can’t predict what Strus will look like upon returning. How quickly can he dust off his shoulders and get initiated with this roster that has changed so much since he last played? Does Strus develop immediate chemistry with James Harden? And how long will it take for his conditioning to ramp up to mid-season form with fewer than 20 games to play before the postseason?
There’s nothing easy about returning from an injury like this. But, something tells me Strus is the type of grit-and-grind player who is doing everything in his power to get back on the floor and prepare in the playoffs.
JUPITER, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 27: Freddy Peralta #51 of the New York Mets throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning of a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Mets Lineup
Marcus Semien – 2B
Jorge Polanco – 1B
Bo Bichette – 3B
Francisco Alvarez – C
Brett Baty – DH
Tyrone Taylor – RF
Carson Benge – CF
Vidal Brujan – SS
A.J. Ewing – LF
Freddy Peralta – RHP
Yankees Lineup
Jasson Dominguez – LF
J.C. Escarra – DH
George Lombard – 3B
Spencer Jones – CF
Seth Brown – 1B
Zack Short – 2B
Duke Ellis – RF
Braden Shewmake – SS
Ali Sanchez – C
Ryan Weathers – LHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 1:10 PM EDT TV: WPIX, MLBN (out-of-market only)
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The Penguins are 1-9 in shootouts this season and have scored on only four of their last 25 shootout attempts. For as bad as the goaltending has been in shootouts, the skaters have been even worse.
Saturday's loss was the Penguins' third in a row, and they'll try to snap that streak against the Boston Bruins on Sunday. This will be the second time that these two teams will meet this week, after the Bruins won 2-1 in Boston on Tuesday.
The Bruins have won both matchups against the Penguins this season, outscoring them 3-1. They give the Penguins fits due to their stingy defensive play, but the Penguins will try to change that on Sunday.
The Bruins have gone 1-1 since Tuesday's win, while the Penguins are 0-1-1. Like the Penguins, the Bruins played at home on Saturday and will be in the second half of a back-to-back on Sunday. Goaltender Jeremy Swayman started that game, meaning Joonas Korpisalo is in line to start against the Penguins.
David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie continue to have outstanding seasons for the Bruins. Pastrnak has 22 goals and 74 points in 57 games, while Geekie leads the team in goals with 34 and also has 56 points in 61 games.
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen if Penguins head coach Dan Muse makes any line changes for this game. If I were him, I'd split the Girard-Letang defensive pair and move Ryan Shea up to play with Letang. Shea has been really good as of late and could help stabilize Letang's game since the latter has been really rough in recent games.
Here are what the lines looked like on Saturday:
Forwards
Chinakhov-Rakell-Rust
Mantha-Novak-Brazeau
Koivunen-Kindel-A. Hayes
Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari
Defensive pairs
Wotherspoon-Karlsson
Girard-Letang
Shea-Clifton
Arturs Silovs is set to start in goal after backing up Stuart Skinner on Saturday.
Puck drop is set for 4:30 p.m. ET on TNT and HBO Max. You can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'
Playing in a second game in as many nights against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night, Montreal Canadiens’ defenseman Arber Xhekaj was limited to just over nine minutes of ice time once again. Granted, he’s not perfect defensively, far from it, but he can be a difference maker from a physicality standpoint.
At the time of writing, Xhekaj was second among all NHL defensemen who have played at least 30 games in hits per 60 minutes with 14.42 mere decimals between Connor Clifton, who leads the league with 14.59.
When he spoke to the media on Friday, Kent Hughes said he didn’t acquire any players because he wants to see the organization’s young players get some experience. That’s all well and good, but the 6-foot-4 and 240-pound defenseman cannot get the experience he needs if he’s not allowed to play.
On Saturday night against the Los Angeles Kings, captain Nick Suzuki was rocked by a hard hit along the boards, and the Antichambre panel on RDS lamented the lack of a fight for him. They pointed out that Xhekaj wasn’t on the ice then, but he could have taken the number and addressed it later, before asking whether he was allowed to do so under Martin St-Louis. That’s the issue right there, Xhekaj is playing scared and wondering if he’s going to get the chop if he does what his nature dictates.
In press conferences, St-Louis has often said that he doesn’t want to overcoach his skill players by telling them when they should have shot rather than passed the puck, but from the outside looking in, it looks like he doesn’t mind overcoaching the gritty defenseman. Granted, Xhekaj needed to be reeled in initially because he was getting himself out of the play too much, seeking the big hits, but he’s adjusted that side of his game.
In the playoffs, where big hits and physicality are a regular occurrence, Xhekaj needs to play and do it without worrying about being scratched for the smallest mistake. He’ll never play as sound a game as a player who was drafted in the first round, but he brings something those players can’t bring. To benefit from that, though, the Canadiens need to learn to live with the occasional mistake.
Furthermore, when the Canadiens hold their annual skills contest, he’s always the leader in the hardest shot category. Last month, he set a net personal best with a 107.3 mph rocket. Of course, there’s a difference between doing it in a skills competition and in a game, but if he had more confidence, he might be more inclined to try some shots out there.
Gregor Townsend knows how quickly hope can turn to despair but their performance against France could spur them on to greater heights
The feeling that Scotland might just have the hang of this winning thing continues to build. Playing dazzling rugby every now and then has never been a problem. Meaningful wins? Harder to come by.
Perhaps the most entertaining part of the extraordinary win over France – and there were, how to put this, quite a few of those – was watching the resolutely unmoved disposition of Gregor Townsend. As if there were nothing much to see here. Seven tries and 50 points against the red-hot favourites for the title. All in a day’s work.
SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 02: Rhys Hoskins #8 of the Cleveland Guardians bats during the game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium on Monday, March 2, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Zach Gardner/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Another rushed day for me, but Rhys Hoskins homered yesterday and that was good.
Stuart Fairchild also homered again for Taiwan. Travis Bazzana went 0 for 4 but didn’t strikeout vs. Japan.
Rockets
Spurs
