Mar 12, 2026; Lakeland, Florida, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Will Warren (98) pitches during the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters-Imagn Images
The Yankees are back in action today on the last sabbath before baseball stats start to matter again. The Bombers take on the Phillies in the final spring training game of the year at GMS Field in Tampa, and dare we label this one a potential pitching duel?
Will Warren gets the ball for New York, and he has quietly become one of the most intriguing storylines in camp. This spring, Warren owns a 1.77 ERA with 16 strikeouts, continuing to build momentum as he pushes to solidify his role. The raw stuff has never really been in question, but what has stood out is how consistent it has looked from start to start.
Fans are buying the early results from Warren. Whether it is the mechanical tweaks or the shift of position on the rubber, there is a growing belief that Warren may be taking that next step.
Because that is what separates arms at this level. Consistency and the ability to competitively eat innings is what turns a depth arm into a major league rotation piece.
Warren entered camp needing to prove he could be trusted in meaningful innings, and so far, he has done exactly that. If this version holds, he should be able to help stabilize the rotation early as the Yankees wait for reinforcements to arrive.
On the other side, Aaron Nola presents a very different kind of storyline. The Phillies’ right-hander returns from the international stage after pitching for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic. Nola was excellent in the tournament, highlighted by five scoreless innings against Mexico as Italy advanced through pool play.
That outing was more than just a spring highlight. It came with improved velocity and sharp command, signs that Nola may be trending back toward the form that made him one of the most reliable starters in the game. That impressive performance was followed up with four innings of one-run ball against the eventual tournament champion Venezuela in the semifinals.
The momentum has carried into camp, where Nola looks like the steady veteran the Phillies have leaned on for years. For a pitcher like him, this part of the spring is usually about fine-tuning, but the added workload from the WBC suggests he may already be a step ahead.
The Yankees lineup today is the starters minus Austin Wells, so very much a lineup and order we should expect to see a few times over the next few months. Rolling Jazz Chisholm Jr. and José Caballero in the six-seven spots in the lineup should make the bottom of the order quite the headache for Nola and the rest of the Phillies staff if they are able to find their way onto the basepaths.
So the questions for today: Will Will Warren keep his momentum rolling in his final spring tune-up? And how will the Yankees’ bats look against a veteran arm ready for the real thing?
Real baseball is almost back!
How to Watch
Location: George M. Steinbrenner Field — Tampa, FL First pitch: 1:05 ET
Feb 10, 2026; North Port, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin (30) works out during spring training workouts. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
There’s only three spring training games left and the Opening Day roster is starting to take shape (hello, Didier Fuentes). At this point, it’s all about remaining healthy during the final portions of camp and rounding things out on a high note.
The lineup today is an interesting one — the Braves are on the road and Reynaldo López is starting. He’s joined by Drake Baldwin and Mike Yastrzemski in the lineup, along with Dominic Smith and Kyle Farmer — two players who appear to have earned roster spots as well.
This is a pretty close look at what the Twins may be putting out there for Opening Day, so this’ll certainly be a solid final test for Reynaldo López before the regular season gets on underway.
Gray TV will be televising this one in Atlanta’s market, so check your local listings if you want to watch this one on TV. The radio feed will be on good ol’ fashioned 680 The Fan/93.7 FM in the Atlanta area, so tune in if you want to hear some friendly voices for this contest. First pitch is at 1:05 p.m. ET. Come join us!
They traded away several depth players but have won four of their last six games and moved into the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference on Saturday, March 21.
Nashville has a chance to build on its one-point lead when it plays at Chicago on Sunday, March 22. But if the Predators lose to the Blackhawks in regulation and Los Angeles beats Utah, the Kings will move back into the second wild-card spot.
Also Sunday, the Dallas Stars can become the second NHL team to clinch a 2026 Stanley Cup playoff berth, joining the Colorado Avalanche.
Here's what to know about the NHL standings, tiebreaker procedures and playoff field for the 2025-26 season:
Who's in the 2026 NHL playoffs?
Eastern Conference: None
Western Conference: Colorado
Who can clinch today?
The Dallas Stars will clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Vegas Golden Knights.
NHL games today (Sunday, March 22)
All games ET
Winnipeg at N.Y. Rangers, noon
Colorado at Washington, 12:30
Carolina at Pittsburgh, 3
Nashville at Chicago, 3
Columbus at N.Y. Islanders, 7
Vegas at Dallas, 7
Tampa Bay at Calgary, 8
Buffalo at Anaheim, 8
Los Angeles at Utah, 9
NHL Eastern Conference standings 2025-26
Metropolitan Division
Carolina Hurricanes (94)
Pittsburgh Penguins (86)
Columbus Blue Jackets (85)
Atlantic Division
Buffalo Sabres (94)
Tampa Bay Lightning (90)
Montreal Canadiens (86)
Wild card
Boston Bruins (86)
Detroit Red Wings (84)
Sitting out of playoff position: New York Islanders (83), Ottawa Senators (81), Philadelphia Flyers (80), Washington Capitals (78), New Jersey Devils (72), Florida Panthers (71), Toronto Maple Leafs (71), New York Rangers (64)
NHL Western Conference standings 2025-26
Central Division
x-Colorado Avalanche (100)
Dallas Stars (97)
Minnesota Wild (92)
Pacific Division
Anaheim Ducks (80)
Edmonton Oilers (77)
Vegas Golden Knights (76)
Wild card
Utah Mammoth (78)
Nashville Predators (73)
Sitting out of playoff position: Los Angeles Kings (72) Seattle Kraken (71), San Jose Sharks (70), Winnipeg Jets (68), St. Louis Blues (67), Chicago Blackhawks (64), Calgary Flames (63), Vancouver Canucks (50)
NHL Eastern Conference playoff bracket
Here is how the Eastern Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended
Carolina (M1) vs Detroit (WC2)
Pittsburgh (M2) vs. Columbus (M3)
Buffalo (A1) vs. Boston (WC1)
Tampa Bay (A2) vs. Montreal (A3)
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: M - Metropolitan Division. A - Atlantic Division. WC - wild card
NHL Western Conference playoff bracket
Here is how the Western Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended
Colorado (C1) vs. Nashville (WC2)
Dallas (C2) vs. Minnesota (C3)
Anaheim (P1) vs. Utah (WC1)
Edmonton (P2) vs. Vegas (P3)
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: C - Central Division P - Pacific Division. WC - wild card
NHL tiebreakers: What is the first tiebreaker in NHL standings?
If two teams are tied in points at the end of the regular season, here are the tiebreakers:
Regulation wins
Regulation and overtime wins (ROW)
Total wins
Most points earned in head-to-head competition: If teams had an uneven number of meetings, the first game played in the city that has the extra game is excluded.
Goal differential
Total goals
When does the NHL regular season end?
The NHL regular season is scheduled to end on Thursday, April 16, with six games.
When do the NHL playoffs start?
The NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs are expected to begin on Saturday, April 18.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 12: RJ Petit #58 of the Colorado Rockies plays catch during a spring training workout at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 12, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Kyle Cooper/Colorado Rockies/Getty Images)
Thomas Harding announced this morning that Rockies right-hander RJ Petit (No. 23 PuRP) has undergone Tommy John surgery after suffering the initial injury on March 4 against Team USA.
Dr. Keith Meister performed a Tommy John surgery with an internal brace on the right elbow of #Rockies RHP RJ Petit on Friday in Dallas. Petit, a Rule 5 Draft pick from the #Tigers, will miss the season.
Petit was selected by the Rockies in the first round of the Rule 5 Draft back in December from the Detroit Tigers. The 6’8” righty was drafted by the Tigers originally in the 14th round of the 2021 MLB Draft and made it up to Triple-A Toledo before being selected by the Rockies.
In three games this spring (not including the Team USA game), Petit pitched three innings and allowed four hits with three runs (all on a three-run homer by Cleveland Guardians’ infielder Milan Tolentino on March 1). He also walked two and recorded one strikeout.
Petit will miss the 2026 season, but the Rule 5 rules will apply to the 2027 season once Petit is reinstated from the 60-day IL. In the meantime, this move will open another spot on the Rockies roster as they begin planning for Opening Day.
This is a developing story and Purple Row will provide more information as it becomes available.
The guard has eclipsed his points line in four straight, and he'll likely opt to shoot the rock over looking to set up his teammates vs. the powerhouse Boston Celtics.
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Donte DiVincenzo Under 13.5 points (-120)
Projection: 11.7 points
Donte DiVincenzo can catch fire on any given night, but he's found himself in a scoring drought. He's eclipsed this point total in just two of his last five, and only four times in 11 March outings.
With no Ant, the C's can hone in on DiVincenzo more and put pressure on his shots from outside.
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Naz Reid Over 12.5 points (-105)
Projection: 14.1 points
Naz Reid has missed back-to-back games with an ankle injury, but all signs are pointing to him suiting up tonight. Reid is a stud off the bench, and he's never shied away from getting shots up.
With no Edwards, the volume will be there for Reid to eclipse this modest total.
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Celtics computer picks
Sam Hauser Over 6.5 points (-115)
Projection: 8.5 points
Sam Hauser can shoot threes with the best of them, and he can pass this total on deep balls alone. With the spread at -10.5, chances are Hauser will get more run tonight. His 38% shooting from deep will help hit this Over.
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Jaylen Brown Over 1.5 threes (+105)
Projection: 2.0 threes
Jaylen Brown has hit two long balls in two of his last three outings, and he's taken at least four in four straight. If his volume remains, he should have no issues drilling two treys.
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Neemias Queta Over 9.5 points (-115)
Projection: 10.9 points
Neemias Queta has developed into a rock-solid big for the C's, shooting 64% from the field. He just recorded 12 points against Memphis, and he'll be leaned on down low against Minny.
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How to watch Timberwolves vs Celtics tonight
Location
TD Garden, Boston, MA
Date
Sunday, March 22, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBC
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.
Dylan Garand is set to make his NHL debut for the New York Rangers on Sunday afternoon against the Winnipeg Jets.
On Friday, the Rangers recalled Garand from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League, and Mike Sullivan confirmed on Saturday that he anticipates Garand making his NHL debut at some point this week.
This call-up comes as Jonathan Quick is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
“There’s a lot of things that have gone into the decision to bring Dylan up,” Sullivan said. “The biggest point is that he’s played extremely well in Hartford. He’s given those guys a chance to win night in and night out, and he’s deserving.”
The 23-year-old goaltender was selected by the Rangers in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Draft, and he’s spent the past four seasons with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League.
Given Garand's breadth of experience at the AHL level, he feels prepared for his first NHL start.
“I think for me, especially over the last year or so, I’ve really gotten to know myself, and thinking about the future and stuff like that, I don’t tend to play my best,” Garand said. “So just trying to stay in the present moment, and if I get an opportunity, then great. It’s just another game. I’ve played, including playoffs, over 160 American League games, so it’s just another game.”
With the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL this season, Garand has posted a 16-15-2 record, .896 save percentage, and 2.83 goals against average.
Aug 11, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Teammates high fives Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (7) after he scored on a two-run home run hit by designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (not pictured) in the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Friends, we have a roster.
Phillies have a roster:
Realmuto, Marchán, Harper, Stott, Turner, Bohm, Sosa, Moore
The 26th man was a debate for a few days, though maybe it never should have been. A few token appearances by Garrett Stubbs appears to have not swayed the team’s thinking as to who would ultimately make the team.
The Garrett Stubbs era with the #Phillies is over, as he did not make the opening day roster
There will be more bullpen shuffling once the members of the injured list make their return, but for now, this is who will have their name announced on Thursday at home against the Rangers.
Brock Nelson delivered in overtime, finishing off a brilliant setup from Martin Nečas to lift the Colorado Avalanche to a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals in an afternoon clash at Capital One Arena.
Colorado flipped the game on its head early in the third period, striking on its first two shots to seize control. Just 1:05 into the frame, Nečas intercepted a misplayed puck by goaltender Logan Thompson behind the Washington net and quickly fed Gabriel Landeskog, who was playing in his first game after missing the previous seven with a lower-body injury. Landeskog buried the puck into a wide-open net from the right circle for his 10th of the season.
A recent media scrum with Brock Nelson.
Moments later, Nicolas Roy extended the lead after forcing a turnover by rookie defenseman Cole Hutson in front. Roy pounced on the loose puck and snapped it past Thompson at 6:03, giving Colorado a 2-1 advantage. The goal was his third in nine games since being acquired ahead of the trade deadline, adding to the five he recorded in 59 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs earlier this season.
But the Capitals had an answer—and it came from a familiar source. With Landeskog in the penalty box, Alexander Ovechkin unleashed a trademark one-timer from the left circle just 20 seconds into the power play, tying the game 2-2 with 5:43 remaining.
The goal was historic. It marked his 923rd career regular-season tally and his 1,000th combined goal across the regular season and playoffs, as “The Great 8” joined Wayne Gretzky as the only players in NHL history to reach the 1,000-goal milestone.
In net, Mackenzie Blackwood made 20 saves in his second consecutive start for Colorado, while Thompson stopped 21 of 24 shots for Washington.
But ultimately, it was Nelson who had the final say, sealing the win in overtime and capping a dramatic comeback for the Avalanche.
First Period
In the early stages, Washington forward Ryan Leonard was tied up by Landeskog and, taking exception, responded by slashing him on the right leg, but no penalty was called.
At the 3:14 mark of the period, Hutson was penalized for holding Nathan MacKinnon, giving the Avalanche a power play, though they were unable to convert.
Later, Roy—who had been moved down to the fourth-line center spot for this game—was sent to the box for high-sticking Trevor van Riemsdyk, but like Colorado, Washington could not capitalize on the man advantage.
A scary moment followed when Devon Toews tripped Capitals forward Ethan Frank as he closed in on Blackwood. The contact sent Frank crashing into the post, arm first. After writhing in pain in the crease, he managed to get up on his own but was holding his injured arm and immediately headed down the tunnel.
Toews was not penalized on the play, and Washington capitalized shortly after. Rookie Justin Sourdif slipped behind the defense and ripped a wrist shot past Blackwood at 11:53 to make it 1-0.
Colorado went on its second penalty kill of the period with 5:50 remaining when Parker Kelly was called for slashing.
Second Period
Ovechkin was penalized for hooking Cale Makar at the 4:29 mark of the second period, but Colorado failed to convert on the power play. Washington even generated a prime shorthanded chance late in the advantage.
Not much else developed in a quiet period, though Kelly had a late breakaway opportunity. Thompson made the stop just before Kelly absorbed a hard hit while trying to regain control of the puck.
After two periods, Washington held a 1-0 lead, with both teams recording 14 shots on goal.
Third Period
After a sluggish second, the Avalanche came alive in the third. Thompson misplayed the puck behind his own net, allowing Nečas to recover it and find Landeskog wide open in the slot. He buried the equalizer into an empty net to make it 1-1.
Nearly four minutes later, Roy forced a turnover in front and quickly snapped a wrist shot past Thompson. In just 240 seconds, Colorado turned a deficit into a 2-1 lead.
Josh Manson was later penalized for tripping Aliaksei Protas, but the penalty kill stood firm, improving to a perfect 4-for-4 on the day.
Landeskog was sent off for holding with 6:03 remaining, giving Washington its fifth power play. This time, it proved costly. The puck worked its way to the left circle, where Ovechkin blasted it past Blackwood to tie the game.
Alex Ovechkin scores his 1,000th combined regular-season and playoff goal from his office! He is 16 goals away from tying Wayne Gretzky #ALLCAPSpic.twitter.com/uKdPoi9JId
The goal also marked his 1,000th career tally across regular season and postseason play, further cementing his place alongside Gretzky in NHL history.
Overtime
For the second time in three games, Colorado needed overtime—but this time, it didn’t take long. Nečas set up Nelson on a backdoor tap-in from the left post, sealing the win.
After going 11 straight games without a goal, Nelson now has goals in back-to-back contests, delivering when it mattered most.
What’s Next
With the win, the Avalanche (46-13-10) extended their lead in the Central Division to five points over the Dallas Stars (43-15-11), 102-97. However, the Stars are set to face the Vegas Golden Knights tonight and will look to trim that margin.
The Avalanche return to action Tuesday when they visit Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena, with coverage set to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET. Colorado will be seeking redemption after a 7-2 loss in the previous meeting.
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - MARCH 10: David Peterson #23 of the New York Mets pitches during the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets at Clover Park on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Phebe Grosser/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Mets lineup
Francisco Lindor – SS
Juan Soto – LF
Bo Bichette – 3B
Jorge Polanco – 1B
Luis Robert Jr. – CF
Brett Baty – DH
Marcus Semien – 2B
Carson Benge – RF
Ben Rortvedt – C
SP: David Peterson (LHP)
Marlins lineup
Javier Sanoja – SS
Liam Hicks – 1B
Agustín Ramírez – C
Owen Caissie – RF
Heriberto Hernández – LF
Graham Pauley – 3B
Kemp Alderman – DH
Jesús Bastidas – 2B
Andrew Pintar – CF
SP: Sandy Alcantara (RHP)
Broadcast info
First pitch: 1:10 PM EDT TV: Marlins.TV Radio: WAQI 710
SAN ANTONIO, TX -MARCH 21: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts with Keldon Johnson #3 after scoring against the Indiana Pacers in the second half at Frost Bank Center on March 21, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
If you follow NBA Draft conversations, you’ve likely heard some familiar narratives about Dylan Harper and the San Antonio Spurs. Some argue the Spurs should have taken Kon Knueppel, as he fits into the team’s current needs as a knock-down shooter who can play on or off the ball. Others argue that Harper is held back by his role on a team that is contending for a championship.
In the Spurs’ 134-119 win over the Indiana Pacers, Harper’s role was changed from that of the first guard off the bench to a starter alongside De’Aaron Fox. The result was tying his career high with 24 points, adding 4 rebounds and 3 assists with no turnovers. We got a glimpse of a future when Harper plays a secondary role in the offense with Victor Wembanyama. That future is bright.
Anyone who has watched the Spurs this season understands that Harper is already elite at getting to and finishing at the rim. What struck me about his performance against Indiana was all of the other stuff he did offensively. He hit floaters in the lane, turnaround mid-range jumpers, and knocked down a spot-up three. The game was a sign of the big leaps he’s made over the course of the season.
Since the All-Star break, Harper is averaging 12.7 points and 4.2 assists while shooting 56.2% from the field and 43.9% from three. He’s evolved from an intriguing rookie to a legitimate offensive weapon who is up there with some of the most effective bench scorers in the NBA.
After the game, Harper talked about what it has been like to accept a bench role this season:
There is a load of maturity in that response. Harper has sacrificed the accolades and glory that other rookies, like Knueppel and Cooper Flagg, have received this season, for making a tangible impact on a winning team. Saturday night showed what Harper can do with an increased role. Harper can be a go-to scorer in the future. For now, he’ll keep helping the Spurs win as they approach the playoffs.
Takeaways:
It was another ho-hum near 5×5 game for Wembanyama with 20 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 blocks, and a steal. The Pacers had no chance of scoring inside when he was in the game. San Antonio outscored Indiana 76-48 in the paint. There isn’t another player in the NBA who makes a bigger defensive impact than Wemby.
What was even more impressive about Wembanyama’s performance was his playmaking. Is Vic the best seven-foot-four lob thrower of all time? It’s possible. There is nothing more fun than watching Wembanyama handle the ball and toss an alley-oop to Carter Bryant or Luke Kornet.
Julian Champagnie went 0-5 from three on Saturday but still managed to make an offensive impact by attacking closeouts and getting to the basket. It was one of the most drive-heavy games I’ve ever seen Champagnie play. Adding that wrinkle to the Spurs offense would be huge. Champagnie has proven that he can finish at the rim with athletic dunks when he has a runway. It’s not often you get a shooting specialist who can also put the defense on a poster. Come playoff time, Champagnie will have to make the defense respect his ability to put it on the deck if they close out too hard.
I’ve really enjoyed Jordan McLaughlin’s minutes this season. He plays hard defense, moves the ball well, and knocks down open shots when they come his way. Having a competent fourth guard is an underrated aspect of the Spurs roster, and allows them to rest guys like Stephon Castle to get them fully healthy for the playoffs.
It just feels like Keldon Johnson is going to have a game-winning performance in a playoff game this season. When he is getting to the rim and knocking down spot-up threes, it boosts the Spurs to another level. He had 24 points on 10-12 shooting on Saturday, giving the Pacers no chance of getting back into the game when the starters got a rest. That kind of bench production is going to swing a playoff series in a month or two.
Harper’s performance got me thinking: How soon will we see legitimate minutes from the three-guard lineup, including him, Fox, and Castle? It could be a dangerous lineup come playoff time, especially if Harper and Castle continue to knock down catch-and-shoot threes. We haven’t seen much of it this season, but with all three’s ability to get into the paint and create for others, you’d think it would make sense for Mitch Johnson to go to it more. I’d like to see more of those three playing together next year at the very least.
Non-Spurs note here. I love Kobe Brown. He hit three triples for Indiana. He’s not a main rotational player, but is shooting 44% from three this season. He’s a big-bodied forward who can hit outside jumpers and showed a lot of offensive creativity when he was an upperclassman at Missouri. If the Spurs are trying to build out their wing room for cheap in the near future, Brown could be an effective buy-low depth piece.
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - MARCH 19: A general view of the field as members of the Tampa Bay Rays warm up prior to the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Mets at Clover Park on Thursday, March 19, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
First pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays is at 1:05 at TD Park and the Rays will be providing tv and radio coverage.
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Mar 14, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) goes to the basket against Virginia Cavaliers center Ugonna Onyenso (33) during the men's ACC Conference Tournament Championship at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Though the NBA season is rolling on, a good chunk of the basketball world puts it on the back burner every March to pay attention to the NCAA Tournament. And there are plenty of bets to be made for both leagues if that’s your thing.
This week at Mavs Moneyball, I kept the survey simple. First, I wanted to know how many of you planned to watch the tournament.
Nearly 8 in 1o of yall indicated you would be watching at least some of the games. If that’s the case, I hope you saw all of our coverage the last several weeks on potential Dallas draft picks.
The second question asked if you were watching if there was a specific position type you would focus on.
It seems everyone watching wants the Mavericks to find a guard for next season. I happen to agree but would take literally any player.
The next graphic and answer comes from the national poll. It’s about MVP.
I am starting to think that Spurs fans dominate the national poll. Y’all need to sign up and participate more. Luka not being a voting option really tells you how people feel about him this year.
The next question was Rookie of the Year centric.
Knueppel with a commanding lead in this vote and I think that’s how it comes down when NBA voters get their chance. The Hornets are a feel-good story and the Mavericks are very bad, no matter how good Cooper Flagg is. That’s something Kon will get to take advantage of.
This last one is about Coach of the Year.
Bickerstaff makes sense, the Pistons have outperformed. If Detroit can hold on with Cade Cunningham likely missing a few weeks with his collapsed lung, then he absolutely locks up the award. Charles Lee needs to get more love here though, as does Mazzula, as each coach has done a very good job this season.
Feb 14, 2026; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Michael McGreevy (36) and pitcher George Soriano (65) work from the bullpen during spring training at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The last weekend Spring Training game before the regular season begins happens today at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches when the St. Louis Cardinals will tangle with the Houston Astros starting at 11:05am. According to MLB.com, Michael McGreevy will start for St. Louis while Christian Javier will begin the game for Houston.
1986 (1) vs 2009(12) G1: 7-1, ’09 G2: 15-2, ’86 G3: 4-3, ’86 G4: 3-0, ’09 G5: 4-3, ’09 Series MVP: Johan Santana
The Whiteyball Cardinals couldn’t do it. Mike Scott and the Astros couldn’t do it. Even winning 5-3 with one out to get, the Red Sox couldn’t do it. But there were the 2009 Mets, celebrating at Shea Stadium as the highest-ranked team in Mets Madness — and one of the best teams in baseball history — was finally eliminated. In their previous two series, the 1986 Mets dropped a game early before firing back to win in four games. It seemed that pattern was destined to repeat itself, as after getting shut down by Johan Santana in Game 1, they annihilated the ’09 squad 15-2 in Game 2 (Ron Darling turned in a four-hit, two-run complete game while Gary Carter slugged two homers) and took a tight Game 3 win on homers from Keith Hernandez and Darryl Strawberry. But then, the four-game formula was foiled. The game that will haunt the ’86 Mets forever is Game 4, in which they got shut out by a quartet of relievers (Ken Takahashi, Pedro Feliciano, Sean Green, and Francisco Rodríguez) while letting Carlos Beltrán beat them by driving in all three of ’09’s runs. The best way for an underdog baseball team to win is by having an ace starting pitcher to shut down the opposition, which might be why the ’86 team has done so much better in the back half of series (facing the weaker portion of a team’s rotation) than in the front half. They needed to win Game 4 to avoid seeing Santana again. They couldn’t do it. ’09 scraped out runs by capitalizing on a Mookie Wilson error and executing a successful squeeze bunt. With first and third and one out in the bottom of the ninth, Wally Backman looked to hit a fly ball to at least tie it — but instead, he grounded the ball to Alex Cora, who flipped it to Luis Castillo, who fired it to Daniel Murphy. Champagne in the visitors’ clubhouse after all.
2002 (10) vs 1968(11) G1: 8-6, ’68 G2: 5-3, ’68 G3: 5-4, ’68 Series MVP: Greg Goossen
This was a matchup of two teams with two upsets under their belt, and it showed. Each game in the series came down to the wire, packed with clutch rallies and max-effort defensive plays, making it thrillingly balanced — except for the fact that the same team won each one. In Game 1, the 1968 Mets outlasted the 2002 Mets in a battle of ineffective aces Tom Seaver and Al Leiter, with ’02 getting homers from Timo Perez, Ty Wigginton, and Jeromy Burnitz but failing to stack hits in the way ’68 did. In Game 2, a 4-0 ’68 lead turned to 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth inning thanks in part to a pinch-hit homer from Tony Tarasco, but in the following frame Greg Goossen — a future actor who would be traded the following offseason for a player to be named later (eventually Jim Gosger) — delivered a pinch-hit homer of his own for insurance. In Game 3, ’02’s previous Series MVP Mo Vaughn continued to rake with an early 458-foot, 2-run homer, but ’68 fought back. With the score tied 4-4 and the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning, up stepped who else but…pinch-hitter Greg Goossen, who lined a walk-off RBI single to left-center. This MVP could have gone to Ed Kranepool, who hit .583 with two homers and five RBI in three games. It could have gone to Tommie Agee, who homered in Game 3 and went 3-for-5 while making an excellent diving catch in Game 1. But unlike Goossen’s trade value, this particular MVP need not be named later; I bestow it upon him, the pinch-hitter (and actor) extraordinaire.
QUADRANT 2
1969 (1) vs 2017 (12) G1: 4-1, ’69 G2: 3-1, ’17 G3: 3-2, ’17 (f/11) G4: 5-4, ’69 G5: 5-4, ’69 (f/13) Series MVP: Art Shamsky
Upsets? Who said anything about upsets? The 1969 Mets are a one-seed that acts like it! Well, except for the part where they nearly lost this series in four games, and then nearly lost it in five. The 2017 Mets entered hot off a six-game winning streak, and were instantly given a gut check when Tom Seaver steamrolled through their lineup with a complete-game, five-hit, one-run performance in Game 1. ’69 appeared bound to avoid the kind of upset plaguing the rest of the tournament’s top seeds, but they suddenly found themselves staring down elimination after a Jacob deGrom complete game in Game 2 and a devastating extra-inning Game 3 loss (which featured a Wilmer Flores two-out, game-tying hit in the ninth and an Asdrúbal Cabrera walk-off single in the eleventh). In Game 4, they trailed 4-3 in the seventh, but Art Shamsky played the hero by ripping a game-flipping two-run homer off Steven Matz. In Game 5, the ’69 Mets trailed 4-0 in the eighth inning, having been blanked by Noah Syndergaard, but scored three runs on walks and a big hit from Donn Clendenon to make it a 4-3 ballgame. Down to their final out in the top of the ninth, Shamsky came to bat with a runner on third. He slashed an opposite-field, game-tying single just in front of a charging Yoenis Céspedes to keep his team alive. The marathon winner-take-all game rolled on, with neither team able to break through until Wayne Garrett’s walk-off single off Jeurys Familia in the bottom of the 13th inning. And thus, the tournament’s final one-seed lives to fight another day, facing a clearer field than they could have ever imagined. But if this series proved anything, it’s that the Miracle Mets may need to pull off at least a few miracles to win this tournament after all.
1988 (2) vs 1985(3) G1: 5-1, ’85 (f/12) G2: 4-2, ’85 G3: 4-3, ’88 (f/11) G4: 5-0, ’85 Series MVP: Rick Aguilera
If you were forced to look at the box scores for every series in Mets Madness thus far and guess which one was a matchup of top-three seeds, you’d be right on the money. This exquisite, hard-fought battle of ’80s teams with a total of 198 regular season wins between them lived up to the hype off the bat. 1985 Dwight Gooden and 1988 David Cone each allowed only one run in Game 1, prompting an extra-inning affair which finally ended when the ’85 Mets erupted for four runs off Roger McDowell in the top of the twelfth. Game 2 was locked at 2-2 entering the seventh, when George Foster (who hit a solo homer earlier in the evening) laced a two-run double to give ’85 another win. The ’88 offense jumped on Sid Fernandez early in Game 3, with a Keith Hernandez RBI single and Darryl Strawberry two-run homer bringing home three runs in the top of the first inning. But Kevin Mitchell lifted ’85 up, delivering an RBI double in the sixth and then a two-RBI, game-tying double in the eighth to force extra innings once again. In the top of the eleventh, Kevin McReynolds hit a go-ahead sac fly to win it for the ’88 Mets, but it was the last run they would score. Rookie Rick Aguilera fired a complete-game shutout in Game 4, perhaps giving them flashbacks to when another right-handed starter fired a shutout to vanquish their championship aspirations. For the ’85 Mets — the last of the great ’80s teams still remaining in the tournament — their primary obstacle to a championship now waits in the next round, where they will face the 1969 Mets in a clash of the titans.
After upsetting the N.L. Champion 2000 Mets in the previous round, the 2011 Mets just kept firing on all cylinders. The starting pitching was excellent, with R.A. Dickey allowing two runs in seven innings, Dillon Gee allowing one run in 6.1 innings, and Jon Niese outdueling Tom Seaver. Let me say that again. Jon Niese outdueled Tom Seaver. It’s sentences like those that make this tournament feel especially mad. Offensively, the ’11 lineup continued to prove its potency, with batting champion José Reyes going 7-for-15, Jason Bay providing extra-base pop, and Lucas Duda recording 5 RBI (including a game-tying single off Seaver in Game 2 and a go-ahead single off last round’s MVP George Stone in Game 4). The ’74 team, after upsetting the ’16 Mets and ’90 Mets, only mustered one win in this series thanks to a shutout compiled by Jerry Koosman, Tug McGraw, and right-hander Harry Parker in Game 3. Along with the ’09 and ’13 teams elsewhere on the bracket, the 2011 Mets are now providing hope that a rather disappointing era of Mets baseball may in fact take home the Mets Madness championship.
2006(2) vs 2019 (6) G1: 5-4, ’19 G2: 6-5, ’06 G3: 6-5, ’19 G4: 7-4, ’06 G5: 6-0, ’06 Series MVP: David Wright
For the 21st-century Mets fan, this series was as dreamy as it gets. On the 2006 side, there was David Wright, Carlos Beltrán, and Carlos Delgado combining for seven homers, while on the 2019 side, there was Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, and Michael Conforto combining for five. Jacob deGrom barely outdueled Pedro Martínez in Game 1, and then Pedro completely outshone deGrom in Game 5. Each side even had its own epic walk-off win. In Game 2, after the score was locked at 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh, each team traded three-run homers — Beltrán blasting one to right-center off Seth Lugo and Nimmo immediately responding — to eventually set up a bases-loaded, two-out at-bat for Wright in the bottom of the ninth against Edwin Díaz. With a 2-2 count, Wright lined a fastball up the middle to win the game and even the series. In Game 3 at Citi Field, ’06 went ahead 5-0 early with the help of a Delgado three-run homer off Noah Syndergaard, but an electrifying Pete Alonso line-drive grand slam in the fifth and Michael Conforto solo homer in the eighth tied it. In the bottom of the ninth, Jeff McNeil hit a one-out single up the middle, and Juan Lagares dashed home just in time to beat Beltrán’s throw to the plate. ’19 did their best to keep pace with the ’06 team in Game 4, but a 3-for-4 day for Wright with a homer and two doubles was too much to overcome. They tried to pull off one last “LFGM”-worthy rally in the ninth inning of Game 5, but Billy Wagner got Todd Frazier chasing on a ball in the dirt to end it. For the ’06 Mets, the next obstacle on what they hope to be a championship journey is the eight-seed 2011 Mets. They didn’t imagine their route out of the quadrant might bypass the 2000 or 1987 teams, but that doesn’t mean they can take their foot off the gas (see pretty much everywhere else on this bracket for evidence). Their path to the Final Four is clear. Now, it’s just up to them to seize it.
QUADRANT 4
2001 (8) vs 2004 (12) G1: 4-3, ’04 G2: 5-4, ’01 G3: 5-2, ’04 G4: 3-2, ’01 (f/11) G5: 6-4, ’01 Series MVP: Al Leiter
It was bound to happen eventually, but it was strange all the same: Al Leiter faced Al Leiter twice in this series. In Game 1, 2001’s Leiter was mightier, firing 7.2 innings of one-run ball, but the 2004 Mets still came away with the win thanks to a late comeback fueled by a Cliff Floyd two-run double and Eric Valent two-run homer. The ’04 Mets were one win from advancing, but found themselves on the short side of an eleventh-inning thriller in Game 4. ’04 trailed 2-0 after eight innings, with lefty Glendon Rusch providing a scoreless start for the ’01 team. They were down to their final out in the bottom of the ninth facing Armando Benítez when Víctor Díaz hit a first-pitch, pinch-hit, two-run homer to left field to tie it, sending Shea into a state of jubilant chaos. The score remained knotted until the top of the eleventh, when Piazza hit a solo shot that stood as the game-winning hit. ’01’s Leiter outdid himself in Game 5 (both symbolically and literally), with the eight-seed seizing an early 5-0 lead on homers from Todd Zeile and Rey Ordóñez. Valent homered again, as did Kaz Matsui, but ’04’s reliance on comeback attempts finally caught up with them. Despite their many clutch moments, they never even held a lead in the series’ final two games.
1999 (2) vs 2013(11) G1: 3-2, ’13 G2: 5-2, ’99 G3: 6-3, ’99 G4: 11-8, ’13 G5: 6-4, ’13 Series MVP: Matt Harvey
Happy freakin’ Harvey Day, folks. The All-Star Game starter at the peak of his powers was absolutely electric, even while battling a thunderous 1999 lineup, a raucous Shea Stadium crowd, and acts of divine intervention. In Game 1, it became clear what the blueprint for ’99 had to be in this series: get Matt Harvey off the mound. He threw eight innings without allowing a run before the ’99 team began immediately barreling the ball against Bobby Parnell in the ninth, nearly earning a walk-off victory. The next two games played out as planned. ’99’s offense went to work against 2013’s less powerful starters Jon Niese and Zack Wheeler, and scored eight runs in Game 4 — the only problem was, the ’13 lineup shockingly scored eleven (shoutout to David Wright, Daniel Murphy, Lucas Duda, Rubén Tejada, and Kirk Nieuwenhuis for multi-RBI games). In Game 5, Harvey bent but seemed impossible to break, evading a bases-loaded-and-nobody-out jam in the fifth and a first-and-second-and-nobody-out jam in the sixth. Two more men got on to begin the seventh, but just as Harvey was ready to get to work on another escape act…the skies opened up. After a brief rain delay, Harvey returned to the mound likely out of his rhythm, and four pitches later he hung a curveball which Mike Piazza hit over the right-center-field fence. ’99 had gotten their miracle. Harvey was out of the game. In the ninth, they even got a break when David Wright couldn’t handle a John Olerud dribbler due to the wet grass (yes, the OOTP play-by-play did in fact specify this). ’99 might have had the heavens on their side, but ’13 had (Josh) Satin, who reached base three times in the winner-take-all game while Lucas Duda hit a clutch homer late to preserve a narrow lead. Somehow, the 2013 Mets overcame the odds — and the gods — and are advancing to the next round.
Timberwolves
Celtics
