It’s here, it’s here! Opening Day is upon us, and excluding the All-Star Break pause, we won’t have to deal with another baseball-free day until November. It may just be spring, but the Boys of Summer are back, and it’s time to get excited because starting today, all the stats matter. It’s the best day of the year!
Before we get into all the excitement of the regular season, we also wanted to touch on one of the sweetest stories from the World Baseball Classic. Ondrej Satoria, the Czech pitcher who defied the odds and toppled some of the best batters in baseball, made waves especially because he wasn’t even a full-time athlete: he’s an electrician. The everyman story captured peoples’ attention and made him a bit of a hero to audiences, and he’s finally speaking about the experience. When he spoke about his final outing against Team Japan, he said:
“In my eyes, it’s as valuable as the Olympics, because it’s only once every four years. It’s a fully professional world championship. The team has to qualify, and there you get to face players you usually only watch on TV, which is the most magical thing for us. We can shake hands with them on the field, and for us amateurs, that’s the best part.”
He also spoke specifically about striking out Shohei Ohtani, perhaps the most famous player in the world:
“It changed my life quite a bit, because it got me noticed, and it also put Czech baseball on the map. That’s really thanks to this. Of course, it’s something I’ll always remember fondly. I’m glad it’s on video, so if anyone ever doubts it, I can prove it. I have the ball from that strikeout on my shelf at home. But still, the most important thing for me is the medal from the European Championship, which I always carry with me… I wouldn’t call myself a legend, but unfortunately, everyone else does. I guess I just have to accept it.”
It was a really sweet interview, and a reminder of the importance of an event like the World Baseball Classic which can create excitement about baseball in countries where it isn’t as popular. Read more here.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 26: Kyle Karros #12 of the Colorado Rockies throws during the second inning of the spring training game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Spring training has finally concluded, the Colorado Rockies roster is set, and the 2026 season officially begins for the club on Friday. With the conclusion of a successful Camp Schaeffer, it seems appropriate to hand out some superlative predictions for the new-look Rockies as we head into the regular season with hopes high and the team looking to leave the 2025 season far in the rearview mirror.
Most Likely to Rebound in 2026: Willi Castro
The only position player free agent the Rockies signed to a major league deal, Willi Castro, projects to be the regular at second base. He’ll get his chances to move around a little bit, but after struggling in a part-time role with the Chicago Cubs to close out the 2025 season, he’s back in a starting role with Colorado and there is optimism.
Castro had an excellent performance in Cactus League play as well as with Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. Castro is a model base runner and could be the epitome of the type of player they hope will take this club to the next level. He isn’t far removed from an All-Star season, and a fresh start in Colorado could get him back to that level of production.
Team Rookie of the Year: T.J. Rumfield
The best “feel-good” story from camp has to be the fact that T.J. Rumfield earned his spot with the Rockies for Opening Day. After having his path blocked in New York, Rumfield came over to the Rockies in a trade and lived up to the opportunity.
He was named the recipient of the Abby Greer Award, an honor bestowed on the Rockies’ spring MVP, and has a chance to do some great things this season. The front office is hoping not to have to rely on rookies out of desperation as they did in 2025, so Rumfield coming into camp and earning his keep is a nice development.
If he can stay on the roster throughout the season and find a way to be a productive member of the lineup, he’ll easily be the Rookie of the Year for the team and perhaps even a candidate for the National League.
Team Cy Young: Kyle Freeland
In a sense, Kyle Freeland earns this early designation by default.
If things go according to plan, there’s a chance none of the three veteran free agents could be on this team beyond the deadline. Ryan Feltner and Chase Dollander have the talent but need to take big steps forward, while other options — including a mix of prospects in Triple-A — are primed for a second-half appearance.
Freeland has been a rock of this rotation for a long while and is entering his 10th season with the Rockies. He is in the final guaranteed year of his contract with a vesting option for 2027 that becomes guaranteed if he tosses 170 innings, so a fantastic year could do a lot for him personally.
Team Reliever of the Year: Zach Agnos
The bullpen will have an interesting mix heading into the season, but one addition that may be able to rise above the rest by season’s end is Zach Agnos. The righty started off strong after his debut in early 2025, but after landing on the bereavement list following the death of his grandfather, whom he was very close to, Agnos struggled to settle himself the rest of the year between the majors and Triple-A.
Refocused and determined, Agnos entered camp with a new pitch and has looked phenomenal on the mound. The Rockies aren’t expected to use much in the way of a standard closer at the start of the season, but Agnos could find himself in some big situations.
Biggest Surprise: Tomoyuki Sugano
When the Rockies signed Tomoyuki Sugano it raised quite a few eyebrows. Why would a team that plays 81 games at Coors Field want to signed an aged arm that led the league in home runs allowed last season? Well, the team valued his experience, his ability to manipulate the ball, and his capabilities of pounding the zone.
Between his start in the WBC and couple of appearances in spring training, Sugano has shown what could make him successful. He knows home runs were an issue last season, and he is entering a difficult environment, but there is a determination and maturity that will enable him to have a solid season with the Rockies, whether it’s for the whole year or just half the season.
Most Likely to be an All-Star: Brenton Doyle
This could easily go to Ezequiel Tovar, but for the sake of variety let’s talk about Brenton Doyle.
After a breakout 2024 campaign, injury and personal tragedy hindered Doyle in 2025. He began to return to form in the latter half of the season, leaving him in a good position to break out further in 2026. Doyle’s defense will always be a calling card but if he bring a consistent approach out the gate and find his power, there is a strong chance he can be a representative for the Rockies at the All-Star Game.
He may not make much headway in the popular vote if he is in a position to do so, but joining the ranks of the many All-Star outfielders in franchise history would be a huge accomplishment.
Breakout Candidate: Kyle Karros
Kyle Karros showed off plenty of what could make him a great player in his brief spell with the big league club last season. Entering spring training, however, he was adamant that no one was going to take the third base job away from him. Making sure he was physically ready for the demand, Karros delivered a standout performance at the plate in Cactus League play. He’s already proven capable of playing at a Gold Glove-caliber level in the field, but if he can settle in offensively at the plate and continue to lace line drives, Karros can be on his way to living up to his goal of being one of the best third baseman in franchise history.
Team MVP: Ezequiel Tovar
A return to form for Ezequiel Tovar would be a huge boon for the Rockies. Injuries plagued him last season, and he never found a rhythm. We saw hints of some of the offensive growth, but things just fell apart in 2025. This year, Tovar delivered a standout performance with Venezeula in the WBC and didn’t seem to miss a beat when he returned to Rockies camp. With a new front office and coaching staff in place, 2026 is the chance for Tovar to finally live up to the lofty expectations that led the team to sign him to a long-term extension and become the superstar they so desperately need.
A new season means plenty of new food concoctions around the league. The Rockies are introducing a two-foot hot dog and a giant cinnamon roll, and the 9-9-9 challenge is also making its way to Coors Field.
PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 03: Jacob Misiorowski #32 os the Milwaukee Brewers pitches during the game between the Team Great Britain and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Fields of Phoenix on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Sydni Griffin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Our contributors at Brew Crew Ball are excited to get the 2026 season underway after an offseason that saw quite a bit of turnover across the league. Here are our bold predictions and storylines to watch for the Brewers in 2026.
Bold Predictions
Paul Dietrich: The Brewers have a pair of 30/30 players
If I wanted to get extremely bold, I would say three… but I don’t think Christian Yelich has another 30/30 season in him, which he has done only once, in 2019. But: Jackson Chourio has gone 20/20 in each of his first two seasons, and if he makes the kind of jump we all think he can make, it’s definitely in play. The other one would have to be Brice Turang, who so far this spring has given us no reason to believe that the late-season power surge that got him to 18 homers last year was a mirage. Thirty homers is probably a stretch, but that’s what makes the prediction bold… and he’s averaged 36 stolen bases per season as a big leaguer, so that seems doable even if he only had 24 in 2025.
Harrison Freuck: Jacob Misiorowski reaches the 200-strikeout threshold
This isn’t overly bold, especially given how easily Jacob Misiorowski manages to rack up strikeouts, but this prediction would require him to make at least 20 starts (and that’s if he averages 10 strikeouts/game). Last season, he totaled 87 strikeouts in just 66 innings, so at that pace, he’d need to pitch roughly 150 innings. The bold part of this prediction is that Miz’s career-high in innings pitched came last year, when he totaled 129 1/3 innings between Triple-A and MLB. Hitting the 200-strikeout mark would also make him the eighth Brewer since 2021 to reach that threshold (and give the Brewers a 200-strikeout pitcher for the sixth consecutive season).
Dave Gasper: Brice Turang and Jackson Chourio both have 30/30 seasons, finish top 10 in NL MVP voting
The power surge that Turang saw in the second half last season was proof that he was finally able to get his raw power to click in game action. With that knowledge, over a full season, I believe he has a very good chance to reach 30 homers. Turang’s speed is also elite, and with a change in first base coach to Spencer Allen, I imagine stealing bases will be a renewed priority for this team, and Turang should reach 30 steals easily.
Jackson Chourio has gone 20/20 in each of his first two seasons in MLB, but there’s plenty more in the tank. After all, he just turned 22 years old. If not for a hamstring injury last year that took him out for much of August, Chourio likely would have well surpassed his rookie year numbers. I expect with a fully healthy season this year, Chourio can reach 30/30 as well and continue his superstar trajectory. If both he and Turang can do that, they’ll help lift this team to another NL Central title and should receive enough MVP votes to finish in the top 10.
Jason Paczkowski: Brice Turang finishes in the top five for NL MVP
In the award predictions, I said that Turang could finish in the top 10 for NL MVP. Looking at his performance from last year, he should have been in the top 10 anyway. A big factor there is name recognition, and while stats can carry quite a bit, having a reputation can help gain votes. It’s likely part of the reason that Christian Yelich — who finished 12th in the NL MVP vote — finished ahead of Turang last season. If he posts a similar season to last year, he will definitely be in the top 10 this time. If he improves on it, the top five will be within his reach.
Adam Zimmer: Jacob Misiorowski is a top-five NL Cy Young finisher
I’m a big believer in Misiorowski, who has the stuff to eventually win a Cy Young someday. He’s not there yet, particularly given the stiff competition he’ll face in the National League. Still, Misiorowski showed flashes of greatness in an up-and-down season. With former ace Freddy Peralta now in New York, the Brewers will need their new Opening Day starter to serve as a steady option at the front of the rotation. If his command is even slightly improved after an offseason of work with the Brewers’ pitching lab, the sky is the limit for the Miz.
Storylines to Watch
Paul Dietrich: Who is the first blue-chip prospect to break through?
Given that we expect the Brewers to contend this season, it’s a bit strange to call it a transitional year… but it is, in some ways. Luis Rengifo was brought in for one year, as a cadre of exciting infield prospects make their way up the minor league ladder. Joey Ortiz is either going to prove he deserves to start on a good major league team, or he’s going to quickly fall out of the Brewers’ plans. The same goes for Garrett Mitchell, who needs to produce in addition to staying mostly healthy for a full season.
It would not be a shock if the 2027 Brewers had an Opening Day lineup that included Jesús Made, Cooper Pratt, and Jett Williams in place of Rengifo, Ortiz, and Mitchell. My question is whether we see any of those guys this year. Made is probably not going to happen, and Pratt needs to show he can hit at Triple-A. But Williams could be a candidate for the roster if anyone struggles or gets hurt, even if it’s early in the season. And I wouldn’t be surprised if Pratt made it to Milwaukee for his debut sometime late this summer.
Harrison Freuck: Can Milwaukee’s 2025 breakout stars repeat in 2026?
The Brewers won 97 games in 2025 largely on the backs of some previously unsung players. Brice Turang took another big step forward to lead the team with 5.6 bWAR. Quinn Priester and Chad Patrick broke out in the rotation as two of the best pitchers on this team. Andrew Vaughn, who was a star prospect before struggling in the majors with the White Sox, seemed to find his groove in a new place as he was a key part of Milwaukee’s late-season push for the NL Central crown. If those players (and others) can repeat in 2026, this team will have what it takes to claim a fourth consecutive NL Central title.
Dave Gasper: Which starting pitchers ultimately earn job security?
The Brewers have loaded up on starting pitching depth. With everyone healthy, the Brewers have 11 legitimate starting pitching options on the 40-man roster, and that doesn’t even include Aaron Ashby or DL Hall. Jacob Misiorowski is pretty locked in to a spot, as are Brandon Woodruff and Quinn Priester when healthy. Chad Patrick is in a pretty good spot right now, but will that remain the case as his sophomore season goes along? Tobias Myers lost his job pretty quickly last year.
Kyle Harrison and Brandon Sproat appear to have won the early-season spots in the rotation, but will they be able to keep them as the season goes along? Logan Henderson, Robert Gasser, Shane Drohan, Carlos Rodriguez, and Coleman Crow can step in at the first sign of trouble. The Brewers will likely use all of these starting pitchers throughout the year. With so much depth, the cream will rise to the top. Who will that be? Who can stake a more permanent claim on a rotation spot? It will be fascinating to watch.
Jason Paczkowski: Can Andrew Vaughn maintain his 2025 performance?
When the Brewers acquired Andrew Vaughn for Aaron Civale in 2025, it felt like they were just trying to get anything for a disgruntled player. It was entirely possible that Vaughn would have just lingered down in Triple-A for the rest of 2025. However, when Rhys Hoskins went down injured, Vaughn became one of the Brewers’ legends. He went from hitting .189 for the White Sox to hitting .308 for the Brewers. All of his numbers saw dramatic jumps. His biggest moment may have come in NLDS Game 5, where his solo home run put the Brewers ahead for good.
The big question for Vaughn is if he can do it again. The track record with the White Sox wasn’t great, but it was also the White Sox. It’s hard to tell if his struggles were due to playing on a bad team or if he would be struggling regardless of where he played. The Brewers need the 2025 version of him to shine through if they want to hold the division title again in 2026.
Adam Zimmer: Who’s going to play third base?
The majority of the Brewers’ infield is pretty much set. Andrew Vaughn will be the regular first baseman, spelled occasionally by Jake Bauers. Second base is locked down by Brice Turang, and shortstop is Joey Ortiz’s job to lose. After trading last year’s starting third baseman, Caleb Durbin, to the Red Sox, the Brewers didn’t exactly find a clear replacement. Luis Rengifo appears to have the inside track for the job, but if he struggles, the Brewers could turn to fellow offseason acquisition David Hamilton. Given the Brewers’ infield depth in the minor leagues (Jett Williams, Brock Wilken, Cooper Pratt, and even Andrew Fischer), there’s a chance their third baseman down the stretch isn’t currently on the 40-man roster.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 23: A general view of play between the Bay FC and the Washington Spirit at Oracle Park on August 23, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/NWSL via Getty Images) | NWSL via Getty Images
Good morning, baseball fans!
Today is Opening Day for the San Francisco Giants! And that is the best sentence I’ve both written and read in a long time. Every year, it feels like the season takes longer and longer to get here. But today, the long winter is over and baseball returns to Oracle Park.
As a reminder, today’s game will only be available on Netflix. And while that is a sentence I have written before, it was only in jest as a satirical statement on the state of streaming services nickle-and-diming us out of our regularly scheduled baseball broadcasts. Kind of a sour note to start the season on, in my opinion, but I guess that’s what we get for playing the New York Yankees in the first series. And also being the only game scheduled for today.
Regardless, we’ve got Giants baseball at Oracle Park today and that feels great!
If you’re heading to the game, make sure to keep us posted down in the comments! Also, to keep us occupied until first pitch, what are some of your favorite Opening Day traditions/memories?
What time do the Giants play today?
The Giants and Yankees play tonight at 5:05 p.m. PT.
Baseball America tosses in Kansas City Royals pitching prospect Kendry Chourio as a candidate for the next overall top pitching prospect.
Under the sweltering heat in Goodyear, Chourio proved to be every bit as advertised. And so far in the backfields and in spring training this year, it’s been more of the same, suggesting a ceiling for the 18-year-old righthander, even if his timeline is a little longer than more experienced prospects.
Still, there is a lot of development that needs to happen. Chourio’s fastball sat 96-98 in Spring Breakout, and he used his curveball as his secondary pitch. What stood out is that, despite the speed of the curve and its usage (57%), he got no whiffs on the pitch. In addition, he didn’t throw his changeup once in Friday’s game, so he needs to hone in on a lockdown third pitch to really be considered as a top pitching prospect.
The top four or five is what we’ll see the majority of this season, but facing Sale is a tough first assignment. Pasquantino will play regardless, but we might see other lefties swapped out for matchup reasons. Between Carter Jensen, Jac Caglianone and Kyle Isbel, there will likely have to be one lefty in the lineup, so we opted to keep Jensen in there at DH, while putting righties Starling Marte in right field and Lane Thomas in center field. It’s not that right fielder Caglianone won’t play against left-handers … it’s just that Sale is an especially tough lefty to face. The Royals still could put Caglianone in right field, though, while having Marte DH and Jensen on the bench for Opening Day.
Maikel Garcia, 3B Bobby Witt Jr., SS Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B Salvador Perez, C Isaac Collins, LF Jonathan India, 2B Carter Jensen, DH Starling Marte, RF Lane Thomas, CF
An all-around star, Witt missed out on the 2024 AL MVP Award because of an incredible year at the plate from Aaron Judge. The Kansas City shortstop finished fourth in MVP balloting in 2025, behind only Judge, Cal Raleigh and José Ramírez. This year, our voters project it will be Witt’s turn to take home the hardware — but they think it will be close.
Witt, who had a .295/.351/.501 slash line with 23 homers and 38 steals in 2025, was picked to beat out Judge — by only one vote! — to win AL MVP. MLB’s best defender by Outs Above Average last season, Witt certainly has the talent to do it, but he’ll have to put up a campaign comparable to his outstanding ’24 and hope Judge doesn’t eclipse him once again.
Others receiving votes: Judge, Julio Rodríguez, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Roman Anthony, Nick Kurtz, Ramírez, Gunnar Henderson
The 9-9-9 Challenge is back and will be available at even more ballparks in 2026 👀
Where will you be attempting the challenge? 🌭 New York Mets – Citi Field Philadelphia Phillies – Citizens Bank Park Colorado Rockies – Coors Field Houston Astros – Daikin Park Kansas City Royals… pic.twitter.com/GYn32rRRT8
Kansas City Sports Network’s Joel Penfield chatted with Royals general manager J.J. Picollo ahead of Opening Day. You can watch the full interview here.
.@Royals general manager J.J. Picollo following the club's dominance in the @WBCBaseball:
"Since then, I’ve gotten a lot of messages from different people around the country, whether it’s other clubs or writers, ‘you guys may have something special brewing there.'" 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/NBSVXVqWDl
PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 24: Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners bats during the fourth inning of a spring training game against the Chicago White Sox at Peoria Stadium on February 24, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The days are longer, it’s getting warmer, and baseball has arrived. MLB Opening Day is upon us, and with it, the hope that 2026 can finally be the year our team turns it all around. Sure, functionally this is another season where everyone is trying to catch the seemingly-unstoppable Dodgers’ monolith, but everyone is 0-0 right now and that means we can dream.
It’s time to take stock of the Major League Baseball landscape before the first pitch and dive into the players who will shape the grand narrative of the season. These aren’t necessarily the best players in baseball (though there will naturally be some overlap), but more so the players whose performance will write the chapter on this season.
No. 1: Shohei Ohtani — Los Angeles Dodgers
Ohtani has such gravity that all of baseball revolves around him. It’s a quality we almost never see, and perhaps haven’t seen in any sport since peak LeBron James. This isn’t a case of thinking Ohtani won’t have a monster year, or won’t win MVP (again), but rather a case where everything in MLB is defined by the most influential player on the league’s best team.
No. 2: Gerrit Cole — New York Yankees
The Yankees are settling in as one of the few teams that could actually stop the Dodgers from running a three-peat, but that all depends on the return of ace Gerrit Cole. If he is able to bounce back from Tommy John surgery then the rotation in the Bronx of Cole/Fried/Rodón might be one of the most terrifying in all of baseball. If he comes back as a shadow of his former Cy Young self, well, the Dodgers might just take home another championship without much resistance.
No. 3: Cal Raleigh — Seattle Mariners
The most difficult part of capturing lightning in a bottle is holding onto it. In 2025 Cal Raleigh went from being one of baseball’s best catchers, to one of its best players without a positional qualifier. Seattle was one of the best stories in baseball last year, but if they want to turn that into perennial success then Raleigh needs to be close to what he was in 2025. That’s easier said than done.
No. 4: Alex Bregman — Chicago Cubs
2025 marked the return of the Chicago Cubs to being a team you actually needed to pay attention to. Topping 90 wins for the first time since 2018, their big free agency acquisition this year was to fix their gaping hole at third base. Bregman might not be the elite MVP candidate he was in Houston — but he’s still a massive upgrade whose bat could become the difference in the North Siders becoming a true contender.
No. 5: Dylan Cease — Toronto Blue Jays
It’s rare you see a team as good as the 2025 Jays go through so much roster upheaval. Right now it looks like they might be better on paper? It’s difficult to know. One thing is certain though, any chance of putting up a fight to the Dodgers’ crown will require the signing of Dylan Cease to pay off in the hopes he can slot into an aging rotation and give the team a chance for its prolific batting to make a difference.
No. 6: Ronald Acuña Jr. — Atlanta Braves
It feels like both yesterday and forever ago that Ronald Acuña was a transformative star. An injury-shortened 2025 season was the downfall of the Braves, who failed to make the postseason for the first time in seven years. If they want to get back on the right side of the ledger and prove they can be a force in the National League then Acuña needs to return to being the MVP caliber player he is.
No. 7: Bo Bichette — New York Mets
One of the weirdest free agent periods for a player in recent memory resulted in Bo Bichette landing in Queens, where he will either be the missing piece — or another misstep. Nobody spends more money on mediocrity than the Mets, who are so hungry to break the cycle they’ll do anything. Bichette is another Mets swing at finding their missing piece. If he can be additive, then they might finally get over the hump. If not, well, this signing will be another overpaid punchline in Queens.
No. 8: Ranger Suárez — Boston Red Sox
Who needs bats when nobody can hit your gas? That’s more or less Boston’s approach this season as they lost Alex Bregman in free agency, then decided to load up their rotation even more. It’s truly ridiculous that the Red Sox are going to trot out Garrett Crochet, Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito, and now Ranger Suárez. It’s a rotation that evokes memories of the World Series-winning teams Boston had in the past, and we’ll see if history can repeat itself.
No. 9: Tarik Skubal — Detroit Tigers
Skubal is going to be amazing. We don’t need tea leaves to see that one coming. He will dominate the competition, probably win the Cy Young, and be a key factor in the Tigers’ success this year. What this placement is really about is free agency in 2027. A big year from Skubal could make him the first $500M free agent pitcher in MLB history, making his performance this season a definitive step in baseball.
No. 10: Ketel Marte — Arizona Diamondbacks
The D-Backs have a pretty darn good lineup. It’s just a shame they have atrocious pitching, which will probably sink their season. That makes Ketel Marte a player to watch who could easily be dealt at the deadline to a contender, which could make him the biggest name to move in the trade market this year.
No. 11: Trea Turner — Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies are going to be a top-tier team again, but Trea Turner once again missed over 20 games in a season. For the Phillies to be a legitimate contender, they will hope Turner can give them a full slate of games, and if that happens, there’s a real chance that he could exceed his 5.4 WAR from last year and be a league-defining player.
No. 12: Gunnar Henderson — Baltimore Orioles
Gunnar Henderson’s incredible start to his MLB career was slowed by a shoulder injury in 2025 which in part caused the Orioles to fall back to earth. There’s a real chance they could return to form this season with a healthy Henderson leading the charge. Gunnar is one of baseball’s most exciting young players who will get a big lift from Pete Alonso, who will make this list in a couple of spots. Henderson edges out his new teammate, purely by virtue of the fact that 2026 could cement him as the future of MLB..
No. 13: Roman Anthony — Boston Red Sox
We expected Roman Anthony to be good, but didn’t think he’d immediately become one of baseball’s best players in his first season. With one of the best pitching rotations in baseball the Red Sox just need bats, and if Anthony can show up once more then we’ll be talking about Boston as a team that can upend the top of the AL East.
No. 14: Pete Alonso — Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles made the big play to sign Pete Alonso in free agency primarily to give the team a massive bat, and someone who could slot in beside Gunnar Henderson to give Baltimore a much-needed one-two punch. We know the five-time All-Star has power for days, but reliability is what will determine the Orioles fortunes this year.
No. 15: Konnor Griffin — Pittsburgh Pirates
Konnor Griffin might be starting the season in the minors, but it won’t be long before the Pirates call him up. The No. 1 overall prospect is garnering a level of hype rarely seen for a rookie after registering a ridiculous 161 hits in 123 Minor League games last year. If Griffin can live up to the billing, Paul Skenes will inevitably be brilliant once more — and we can start talking about Pittsburgh as a team to watch in 2027.
No. 16: Trey Yesavage — Toronto Blue Jays
The odds-on favorite to win AL Rookie of the Year honors, Yesavage showed unreal potential in limited time in 2025. Now he arrives on a Blue Jays roster that is stacked with talent, and part of a rotation that’s rich with veteran experience. It might not be long before we talk about him as the ace in Toronto, which could lead to serious postseason success.
No. 17: Kyle Tucker — Los Angeles Dodgers
The rich just keep on getting richer with the Dodgers solving a “weakness” by upgrading at right field and adding one of the most patient batters in the game. The big thing with Tucker is whether or not he can stay healthy for a full season slate. At his current rate the Dodgers will get better, if he hits his high water marks then it might be impossible for anyone to catch L.A.
No. 18: Jackson Merrill — San Diego Padres
It was a down year for Merrill in 2025, but there’s plenty of reason to believe the Padres’ CF can bounce back. If he does then we’re looking at a San Diego roster that’s one of baseball’s best on paper, and a legitimate contender after the Dodgers in the NL West.
No. 19: Jarren Duran — Boston Red Sox
Which version of Jarren Duran will show up in 2026? The Red Sox had been waiting for the outfielder to take that next step, which he did in 2024, then regressed once more in 2025. Is he closer to the 8.7 WAR monster that he was a couple of years back? Or the barely-above replacement player? This season could determine if Duran is part of Boston’s future plans, or shipped away at the trade deadline.
No. 20: Blake Snell — Los Angeles Dodgers
If you need evidence of how good Los Angeles was last year then look at the fact the Dodgers won the World Series while having one of the best pitchers in baseball on IR for four months of the season. A returning Snell helped lift the team in the postseason, and a strong return to form in 2026 will set the tone for the season.
No. 21: George Kirby — Seattle Mariners
One of the rare players on the Mariners who didn’t lift his game during Seattle’s incredible run was the rotation’s most promising pitcher, George Kirby. This organization will need their top players to return to form, as well as guys like Kirby to lift their games to prove they’re contenders in 2026. The potential is there, now we wait to see how it plays out.
No. 22: Jazz Chisholm Jr. — New York Yankees
One of the best defensive infielders in baseball, Jazz Chisholm Jr. is back to his natural spot at second base where he can make a big impact this season after spending last season at 3B. It’s a contract year for Chisholm Jr. which will amp up the urgency to have a big year, and his performance will be key to how far the Yankees can go this season.
No. 23: Julio Rodriguez — Seattle Mariners
Rodriguez is already an elite player, but there’s been just a little bit lacking to his game up to this point. Promising signs at the end of the season when it comes to reliability could very well carry over into 2026, making this a potential MVP season in the AL for him. If we see a 7 or 8 WAR year from him then we’ll be talking about Seattle as serious threats to the Dodgers. If not, well, it might be like last year — which was brilliant, but just a little too short.
No. 24: Bobby Witt Jr. — Kansas City Royals
The Royals don’t figure into being threats, but Bobby Witt Jr. is poised to ascend into being one of the faces of Major League Baseball. There might have been a small step back last season for the MVP-caliber shortstop, but this season could see him surge back into being one of the most dominant all-around players in the game.
No. 25: Yordan Alvarez — Houston Astros
The Astros’ chances to make noise in the postseason feel slim, at best — but they hinge on Yordan Alvarez getting back to his old self. The 28-year-old went from being a high-level player to a 0.7 WAR guy who lost a lot due to injury — but there’s little doubting he can bounce back. Houston needs him to be a top talent this year to have any chance of getting back to contention.
No. 26: Munetaka Murakami — Chicago White Sox
Putting a White Sox player in last place just feels right. It wasn’t long ago that Murakami conjured almost-Ohtani levels of hype when it came to making his MLB debut after hitting 56 home runs in 2022 and breaking the single-season record in Japan’s NPB. From there he went on a serious slump, wrecking high-level dreams and settling for a two-year deal with the White Sox. In spring training there have been some signs of promise, and it will be fascinating to see if Murakami can find his bat once more, or if time has passed him by.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 28: Ace Bailey #19 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on February 28, 2026 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Just last year, this rivalry was so legendary that Adam Silver had to personally step in and punish these teams by giving them the mathematically worst outcome on draft lottery night. The embers are still in the air, but these organizations are no longer the juggernauts of Tankathon. They’re retired, choosing to pave their own way and gaining a new appreciation of life, more importantly the Playoffs.
Take the Jazz for instance, who are far past the days of Kira Lewis Jr., Luka Samanic, Kenny Lofton, Talen Horton-Tucker with the exception of that one time he dropped 41 — that was pretty cool. Jaren Jackson Jr. was the character progression Utah needed to reject their life of ruthless loss mongering.
The Wizards once tried to do right by the code and made several attempts of postseason success in the olden days with supermax no-trade clause Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis, before wrecking it all down to capture a Flagg. Trae Young, and half of Anthony Davis is certainly…an improvement-ish? No, no it’s nice and all, but I have mixed feelings considering I would’ve avoided these guys like the plague in a Jazz fan perspective.
But I’ll stand up for what is right, and that’s tanking actually creates more winners. These teams would have, in fact, been chasing for wins right now if they weren’t personally screwed in the lottery year after year. Instead, they’re taking part of the 10-way deadlock for the bottom to put the finishing touches on their rosters.
And tonight will be no exception. Only one can remain defeated. It’ll be a tough cookie to crack. Washington is on the verge of snapping their loss-streak record with a staggering 16 LOSSES IN A ROW. Tonight would make it 17. If I could print out both team’s injury reports on paper, I’d be able to build us a new Archie and Lois Archuleta Bridge.
OUT: Isaiah Collier (hamstring) Keyonte George (hamstring) Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) Walker Kessler (shoulder) Lauri Markkanen (hip) Jusuf Nurkic (nose) Brice Sensabaugh (rest)
D’Angelo Russell is just ‘out’ — I mean, sure, why not.
The Jazz would technically have six players available if all choose to sit out of tonight’s blood fest. They’ll have to get creative, and restart the cogs of Kevin Love and Svi Mykhailiuk. Make sure they don’t overdo those joints, they haven’t been put to good use since January.
But let’s talk about what has been active, like the dominant force that is March Ace Bailey. Who has, in fact, netted more three-pointers (42) than Kon Knueppel (32) in the month of March. His 37-6-3 performance against Toronto tied him for the most points by a 19-year old with 30+ points and 5+ three-pointers. Sure, I’m a firm believer in the March theory, where nearly all statistics are fabricated by the fact that half the teams are putting in about 70% effort. But just watching him with your own two eyes is enough evidence you need to know Ace Bailey is legitimately legit.
On the Wizards’ end, I’ve been struggling to find a player who’s actually been consistently available. Bub Carrington is cool, I suppose. That game-winner he hit to solidify our Ace Bailey hopes earned him respect in my book. And on the basketball court, he’s been a nice fill-in for the Wizards for the other half of the game Trae is missing.
Also, don’t forget about Utah’s original selection in the 2025 NBA Draft, before being sent to Washington for Walter Clayton Jr., that being Will Riley. He’s another rookie who’s been climbing up the rookie rankings in the latter part of the season. He’s knocked down the fourth-most three-pointers (21) in the month of March. There’s the concern of him being disproportionately light (180 lbs) for his 6’10” frame. He has certainly been the Washington Wizards version of Ace Bailey, if Danny Ainge ended up being scared by the Omar Cooper tactic.
Let’s all come together, hold hands, and truly witness the final tank-off between these two franchises. You will truly be missed by basketball sicko watchers.
How to watch:
Who: Utah Jazz (21-51) vs. Washington Wizards (16-55)
Reform’s use of the football club has shocked fans and left the ownership red faced but how did it happen?
When photographs of Nigel Farage’s visit to Portman Road went viral on Tuesday morning, a wave of shock quickly spread among Ipswich Town’s staff. Some were furious, others genuinely devastated by the carelessness that saw the club allow itself to be leveraged for Reform UK’s political gain. The anger was palpable and hardly assuaged by an email sent to employees by the chief executive, Mark Ashton, who sought to douse the fire by stating there had been no intention to endorse Farage nor his policies.
The problem for Ipswich is that the horse has bolted. At best, they were grievously naive in letting Farage and his social media team run amok after arriving for a pre-booked stadium tour; a less generous reading would be that they simply stood by and let it happen, fully aware of Reform’s propensity to create sensation from the smallest gulp of oxygen. A photo of Farage holding an Ipswich shirt aloft, seemingly in their press conference room, was swiftly emblazoned as the banner on his party’s X account. Before long Farage, ever the opportunist, was launching a video from the scene and cockily linking himself with the Ipswich manager’s job.
The San Francisco Giants are set to make their season debut in a home opening series against the New York Yankees beginning Wednesday, March 25.
It's also the debut for Giants manager Tony Vitello, who's getting his first crack at the major leagues after a successful collegiate baseball coaching career for the Tennessee Volunteers.
He's the first collegiate coach to make the jump straight to the majors as a manager. It's an honor he doesn't take lightly, especially as he lives out a dream to be a MLB manager.
"As a coach, I was just trying to make my way," Vitello said during an October news conference. "I got thrust into a position at a young age that I probably didn't even deserve, so I was just trying to do a good job, and fortunately it helped get me to the next spot and the next spot and the next spot, and eventually this did become a dream, where I just decided if it was, if I was blessed enough to receive an opportunity, this is something I wanted to do before I was done coaching, in general."
He added: "It is a dream come true, but it's a very recent dream. It wasn't one I had for a while and, as much as I'd like to sit up here and promise things and pound my fist on the desk, really all I want to do is a good job."
That's all that San Francisco fans want too. His track record says he will. Everyone in orange and black is hoping that success will translate. Here's a look at his résumé:
Did Vitello win a national championship at Tennessee?
Vitello had a successful seven-year stint at Tennessee that spanned from 2018 to 2025.
In that span, he coached the Vols to two SEC regular-season titles, two SEC Tournament titles and a 2024 national title, being crowned 2024 NCAA Tournament champions. He's appeared in three College World Series, in 2021, 2023 and winning 2024.
Tony Vitello record at Tennessee
Vitello was a bona fide winner at Tennessee. He became the fastest coach in UT baseball history to reach the 300-win mark.
He left the university with an overall record of 341-131 (.722).
MLB players who played for Tony Vitello
Vitello has coached several of players at Tennessee that went on to play MLB, including Christian Moore, Garrett Crochet, Chase Silseth, Ben Joyce, Andre Lipcius, Trey Lipscomb, Jordan Beck, Seth Halvorsen, Chase Dollander and current Giants pitcher Blade Tidwell.
Did Drew Gilbert play for Tony Vitello
Also included in that list is Drew Gilbert, who currently plays outfield for the Giants. He played Vitello at Tennessee from 2020 to 2022.
Did Tony Vitello play in MLB
Vitello has no MLB playing experience. However, he hopes that isn't a problem when coaching in the pros.
"Dues have come in a different way," Vitello said in reference to the fact that he never played in the majors. "Hopefully respect will be earned in different ways, and the only way I know how to do that is through hard work."
SAN FRANCISCO — Three-time New York Yankees MVP Aaron Judge will be hanging in right field. Home run king Barry Bonds will be sharing his thoughts for the world to hear. Future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols will be on a microphone. Future Hall of Famers Dusty Baker, Bruce Bochy and Buster Posey will be sitting together in the San Francisco Giants executive suite.
But the most high-powered microscope will be zeroed in on the 47-year-old dude who never played a professional baseball game, never managed a professional baseball game, and has never even attended an opening day game.
Tony Vitello will make baseball history by becoming the first person to ever manage a major-league game directly out of college with zero professional experience.
The San Francisco Giants' new manager will be baseball’s guinea pig for the 2026 season, which could either open the floodgates for collegiate coaches to fill MLB vacancies – or close the door for any organization to ever consider such an idea again.
“Well," Vitello says, “I’m ready.
“I’ve got no other choice at this point, right?’’
Vitello, who coached at Tennessee, winning the 2024 national championship, looks into your eyes and won’t lie to you. He’s going to be nervous. He’s used to big games being against LSU on Friday nights on the SEC Network. Now, he’s facing baseball’s most historic franchise, with 27 World Series championships and Hall of Fame alumni from Ruth to Gehrig to DiMaggio to Berra to Mantle to Jeter to Judge.
So, you can imagine the national uproar with one lineup malfunction, a wrong pinch-hitting move, a bullpen blunder or a slip-up in a mid-game interview?
There will be millions of keyboard warriors waiting to pounce.
“I’ll be ready," Vitello says. “People critique, and when your pay for your ticket, that’s what you get to do. Or even if you're in our dugout, you're allowed to have second thoughts on anything. But the one thing I'll say is any decision we make is going to be a group effort, and there will be no stone left unturned prior to doing it.
“Whatever it is we choose to do, we're going full steam ahead, and I take responsibility from this point on. Ultimately, I have the final say, so that’s on me, but I love that I can rely on my guys."
'We couldn't be happier'
The Giants front office, who believed they’d rather have an unproven collegiate coach than hiring back Bochy, bringing in former Cubs manager Joe Maddon or David Ross, or giving recently fired Brandon Hyde or Davey Martinez another shot, know they’ve opened themselves up for ridicule.
They are paying more for a manager than any team in history, with $3.5 million paid directly to Vitello, $3 million to Tennessee for the buyout, and $4 million to Bob Melvin, who was fired.
Yet, instead of being anxious about their decision, the Giants left their Scottsdale, Arizona spring training complex convinced more than ever that they made the right move.
“I've been fortunate to be around some great managers," Giants GM Zack Minasian tells USA TODAY Sports, “from Johnny Oates to Buck Showalter to Melvin to Bobby Valentine to Boch. But watching Tony on the field during drills this spring is something different than I’ve ever seen. He makes it a lot of fun for the players. He just brings so much energy each and every day, and it’s something intentional.
“We want people excited walking into the doors in the clubhouse every day and I feel like so many people are and in a great frame of mind. I really think our players, our staff, are having fun. It’s fun to be around.
“Really, we couldn’t be happier."
There was so much outside noise about how the players may respond to a manager with zero experience, but the Giants haven't had internal complaints.
“It’s been an extremely seamless transition," Minasian says. “He’s been really able to build relationships quickly. The one thing I wasn't expecting is just how well connected he is to so many different people in professional baseball. You hear a lot, obviously, about him being the first manager to make the jump. And you assume that maybe they don't have the contacts that maybe someone else who had been in professional baseball for a long time would have. And he has just a huge address book that's full of people who have been in professional baseball a long time, from executives to agents to players.
“When we're having conversations about different possibilities, we've got a pretty good way to go and get information to help us."
There wasn’t a time a player publicly questioned anything Vitello tried, whether it was having the entire team involved in infield drills, having piercing noise blaring over the stadium loudspeakers during pop-ups to resemble a hostile crowd crowd, or watching Vitello taking grounders as if he’s one of the boys.
“It’s definitely different," Giants veteran backup catcher Eric Haase says. “Overall, he’s really brought in good energy, unmatched energy. He also has a very acute attention to detail. He’s got his hands in everything, but he’s given us a lot of freedom to have the clubhouse be our clubhouse. The guys have really gravitated towards Tony, and I’m excited to see what it looks like during the year."
'Ready or not, here we come'
It may have only been just spring training, a time where stats and standings are forgotten by the time the team boards the plane home, but for Vitello, it was a chance to establish the culture of winning.
The Giants went 19-9, finishing just one-half game behind the two-time World Series champion Dodgers (20-9), producing the highest batting average in the Cactus League with the lowest ERA.
“Tony brings a lot of passion," Giants ace Logan Webb says, “and I think he wants us to play with passion. I’m not saying he wants us to play like a college baseball team, but he wants us to play hard and be aggressive."
And yes, he badly wants to win, finally returning the Giants back to the postseason for the first time since 2021, failing to even produce a winning record.
“There’s a competitive nature with Tony that you just can't turn off," Minasian says, “in a good way. And so if we're out there playing a game, whether it's spring training or the regular season, he wants to win the game. There's an intensity and he's driven to succeed, no matter what time of year it is."
There will be growing pains, Vitello says. But the best managers learn from their mistakes and aren’t afraid to embrace them either.
He’s already been cautioned about the etiquette of being a major league manager, which he still may slip up at times this year.
“I assume I'm not going to be allowed to carry my bag on the plane," Vitello says, “even though I'm the one that packed it. I've kind of been warned of that by like seven people."
And on this Wednesday evening in San Francisco, the Vitello era begins.
“I know things will be completely different from spring training as far as the pace and the circumstances,’’ Vitello says. “The crowds will be bigger. The stadiums will be bigger. But you know, I think the baseball is going to be the same.
Mathieu Olivier (15), Zach Werenski (21), and Mason Marchment (17-GWG) provided the offense for the Blue Jackets in a 3-2 CBJ win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night. Jet Greaves played lights out to earn his 24th win of the season.
This was a massive win for the Blue Jackets' playoff hopes. The Islanders, Penguins, and Bruins all lost in regulation to move the CBJ into second place in the Metro. The Hurricanes also lost and are just 9 points ahead of Columbus. While the Jackets probably won't catch Carolina, they now have a new target to aim for.
First Period - SOG 10-3 Flyers - No CBJ Goals
The first five minutes of the first period didn't have much action, with lots of back-and-forth action but very little offense. Jet Greaves made a massive breakaway stop on Owen Tippett to keep the game scoreless. The Jackets, to this point, haven't really been able to get any real shots on Goaltender Dan Vladař either.
At 12:23, the Flyers' Trevor Zegras was called for high-sticking Dante Fabbro to give the CBJ their first power play. But just a minute into the man advantage, Kirill Marchenko was called for hooking Noah Cates while on a shorthanded breakaway to give Cates a penalty shot. Jet Greaves made a massive save, though on the penalty shot, to keep the game scoreless. Columbus goalies have stopped 17 of the last 18 penalty shots against, going back to 2010.
Sean Couturier would put the Flyers up 1-0 at 17:07 into the first. The Flyers are carrying play at this point and aren't giving the Jackets anything to work with. After Couturier laid a big hit on Mason Marchment, he recovered to find himself in front of Jet Greaves for an easy goal.
Second Period - 11-7 Columbus - CBJ Goals: Olivier, Werenski
Mathieu Olivier scored his 15th goal of the season just 44 seconds into the period. He and Zach Werenski played a little tic-tac-toe to put one past Vladař to even the score.
Zach Werenski would score his 21st goal of the season less than two minutes later when Marchment and Severson fed the Norris candidate to put the Blue Jackets up 2-1. Zach Werenski came out of the locker room ready to put the team back in the win column.
With 7:09 left, Mathieu Olivier took a penalty for interfering with Noah Juulsen. He was flat out bigger and stronger than Juulsen and ended up in the box. The Jackets were able to kill it off, but not without a little anxiety and big saves from Jet Greaves.
With 2:46 left in the second, Christian Dvorak and Dante Fabbro started chuckin' knucks after Matvei Michkov and Fabbro exchanged pleasantries.
The period would end with the CBJ enjoying a 2-1 lead. This was a much better period for Columbus, and more of how they've been playing for the last two months.
Third Period - SOG 9-5 Philly - CBJ Goals: Marchment
With 15:22 left in the third period, Mason Marchment would score his 17th goal of the season. No one in the arena, including the refs, knew Marchment scored except Mason and the CBJ bench. They stopped play after about 30 seconds and announced the goal.
Adam Fantilli drew a power play when he took a high stick from the Flyers' Owen Tippett, giving the Jackets their second power play. The Flyers were able to kill it to keep the score 3-1 in favor of the CBJ.
Philly pulled Vladař with 3:01 left in the third period to try to cut the lead. Jamie Drysdale scored to make it 3-2 CBJ with 2:04 left in the third period.
After the last two minutes of extreme pressure, the Blue Jackets were able to hold off the pressing Flyers 3-2.
Final Stats
CBJ APP
Player Stats & Notes
Mathieu Olivier scored his 15th goal
Zach Werenski scored his 21st goal and recorded his 56th assist.
Mason Marchment scored his 17th goal and recorded his 19th assist.
Damon Severson picked up two assists.
Kirill Marchenko tallied his 34th assist. The assist is his 200th career point.
Adam Fantilli got his 32nd assist.
Team Stats
The Jackets went 0/3
The Columbus PK stopped the one Flyer power play.
Columbus won 46% of the faceoffs - 23/50
The Blue Jackets had 25 hits and 10 blocks.
Next Up For Columbus: The Blue Jackets travel to Montreal to take on the Canadiens on Thursday.
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 22: Ja'kobe Walter #14 of the Toronto Raptors reacts after hitting a three point basket against the Phoenix Suns in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center on March 22, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The NBA landscape is populated by different classes. There are rich teams and there are penny-pinchers. Some rise above expectations to reach great heights, both of the temporary and permanent kind. The chronic underachievers exist too.
But out of all the different archetypes, the one that might be the most frustrating – at least to sports fans – is the team that becomes boring and predictable.
Without drama, or more importantly, hope, it becomes challenging to support a franchise.
For the Toronto Raptors, it looked like they were destined for an excruciating slow burn.
But ahead of their matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, a new source for optimism has manifested in the form of Ja’Kobe Walter.
On the surface, it doesn’t look like the second-year guard is having a breakout season. His minutes, points, rebounds, and assists per game are all down across the board, but that’s primarily due to the Raptors actively conceding the 2024-25 season after the Brandon Ingram trade. During that transition year, Walter had more low-leverage opportunities to find his footing in the league.
Recently, Walter has become one of the most important players on the team. It makes sense considering Walter’s strength as a shooter on a team devoid of consistent shooting ability. Toronto ranks 21st in three-point percentage (34.9) and 25th in three-point makes (11.5).
Walter is a skilled shooter and his numbers back that. The six-foot-four guard is averaging 39.3 per cent from three and 44.1 per cent from the field. He’s shooting better from the perimeter than all but one teammate, that being Jamison Battle, who averages nine minutes a game.
With the Raptors only 2.5 games from falling into the final play-in spot, and the roster in a constant state of flux, the team needed a role player to take the next step. Walter has answered that call.
He’s shooting a blistering 48.8 per cent from three on 3.9 attempts in March – both season-high marks for monthly splits. Walter has also reached double-digit scoring in the last four games, his longest stretch of the year. The sophomore recorded at least 10 points in seven consecutive appearances during his rookie year, but that was while the team was in an intentional free-fall.
In addition to the desperately needed scoring boost, Walter has also demonstrated his defensive prowess. While the latter has been more of a constant throughout the year, the recent showcase of Walter’s complete skill set has potentially piqued the curiosity of some Raptors fans.
The last time Walter was this effective for the Raptors this season was during a thrilling 141-127 overtime victory over the Golden State Warriors on Dec. 28 and in a 107-106 win against the Orlando Magic on the following night. During the back-to-back contests, Walter averaged 14.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals while shooting 50 per cent from the field and 45.4 per cent from the arc.
Every time the Raptors have shown some fight in the opening round of the playoffs, they’ve had at least one resourceful two-way player come off the bench. Fred VanVleet and Norman Powell come to mind during the 2019 championship run and in the bubble playoffs. There was an entire bench mob during 2017-2018. Corey Joseph and Terrence Ross held it down during a few of ‘We The North’ seasons. Even back in 2001, the Vinsanity era needed the fun trio of Chris Childs, Dell Curry, and Jerome Williams.
If the Raptors find any morsel of success in the post-season, it’ll mean that Walter excelled in his first playoff environment. But before that can happen, he’ll need to string together more impressive regular-season performances, beginning with the Clippers.
The 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament is down to 16 teams and the injury report remains an important part of sifting through the remaining games in the bracket. Nearly one-third of the teams to qualify for the Sweet 16 are dealing with a significant player hobbled by injury, including No. 1 overall seed Duke.
Several played through the pain to advance through the round of 32, while others are attempting to return from injury as fast as possible with the win-or-go-home element of March Madness looming over their recovery. In most cases, their potential replacement has already been thrust into a bigger role after lingering uncertainty through the first weekend of this year's tournament.
Here's a look at the injuries that could most affect the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, as well as the potential replacements to watch if these injured stars can't play when March Madness resumes:
The injury status of Iowa State star Joshua Jefferson looms large over the Midwest regional in Chicago, beginning with the Sweet 16 nightcap between the second-seeded Cyclones and No. 6 seed Tennessee on Friday, March 27. The 6-foot-9 NBA prospect suffered a sprained left ankle early in Iowa State's first-round win over No. 15 seed Tennessee State on March 20 and did not play in its round of 32 victory over No. 7 seed Kentucky two days later.
Sixth man Nate Heise started in place of Jefferson, who is averaging 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game this season for the Cyclones. Heise, a 6-foot-5 guard, responded with 12 points and three assists, but Iowa State got just five points from its bench as a result. Jefferson told reporters he plans to "do everything [in] my power to get healthy" ahead of Friday's Sweet 16 game.
"Nate has been essentially our sixth starter all year, even when he hasn't started on the court," Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger said. "I say it over and over again; Nate Heise is someone who's a fierce competitor, defensively has tremendous pride, getting stops, team defense, getting traffic rebounds, making plays. You can feel that compete every possession. Offensively he steps up and does what's needed for our team. ... Nate is somebody for me that I just have tremendous belief and confidence in, and I know what he can do, and I know what he'll continue to do."
Purdue sophomore C.J. Cox suffered an apparent knee injury early in the second half of the No. 2 seeded Boilermakers' win over No. 7 seed Miami in the round of 32 and did not return. Coach Matt Painter told reporters after the game that Cox had "hyperextended" his knee and would see how it responded to treatment this week.
Cox called it "nothing serious" and said he could have re-entered the game if needed. The 6-3 guard had three 3-pointers that helped Purdue erase a first-half deficit against Miami before leaving the game due to injury. He has started every game for the Boilermakers this season, while averaging 8.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists.
If Cox can't play, or is limited, when Purdue faces No. 11 seed Texas Thursday, March 26 in the Sweet 16, Gicarri Harris is likely to take on a bigger role. He replaced Cox against the Hurricanes and buried his only 3-pointer within three minutes of entering the game. Harris also had two steals as the primary defender on Miami guard Tre Donaldson down the stretch.
UConn's point guard was initially listed as questionable by the Huskies in their NCAA player availability report before coming off the bench in the No. 2 seed's round of 32 win over No. 7 seed UCLA. Though he had just two points, Demary finished with four assists and two steals after missing the Huskies' first-round win over No. 15 seed Furman. He initially suffered an ankle injury in the second half of UConn's Big East Tournament final loss to St. John's on March 14.
Graduate transfer Malachi Smith, who came to UConn from Dayton ahead of this season having never played in an NCAA Tournament game before, has produced 13 assists starting in place of Demary the past two games. Smith's minutes have increased substantially with Demary hobbled, setting new season highs for playing time at UConn in its two March Madness games thus far.
Coach Dan Hurley told reporters after Smith's first-round performance that the team thought Smith had also hurt his knee in a practice collision before leaving for the NCAA Tournament. "He was banged up out there playing 31 minutes. The guy’s a warrior and showed that New York toughness today.”
Duke starting point guard Caleb Foster hasn't played for the Blue Devils since suffering a broken foot in the team's regular-season finale against North Carolina March 6. But coach Jon Scheyer left the door open for him to return in time for No. 1 seed Duke's Sweet 16 matchup against No. 5 seed St. John's on Friday, March 27.
"Not to reference 'Dumb and Dumber,' but when he first got hurt, I felt like maybe it was one in a million," Scheyer told CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein on Monday. "Since then, the way Caleb has worked, the chances have continued to increase. I think there's an outside chance, maybe for Friday.
"He's trying to do the impossible here and try to come back as soon as he can," Scheyer added. "This weekend, I don't think I can rule it out because of who he is and how he's been working."
Cayden Boozer has moved into the starting lineup for Foster and performed well during the ACC Tournament and the first two games of Duke's NCAA Tournament run. He had a career-high 19 points and five assists when the Blue Devils came back in the second half to beat No. 16 seed Siena in the first round.
Nate Ament, Tennessee (Jaylen Carey or Amari Evans)
Ament, a potential NBA lottery pick, is playing through ankle and knee injuries that forced him to miss two games at the end of Tennessee's regular-season schedule. He was used for just 18 minutes in the Vols' opening round NCAA win over Miami (Ohio) and then gutted through a 16-point, 4-rebound performance against Virginia in the round of 32. He's shooting 5-for-27 from the field over the past three games.
"For me, I wanted to do it for my teammates and this university. I owe them so much," Ament said after the game. "The least I could do is fight through this."
Jaylen Carey started six consecutive games when Ament didn't play to close the regular season, but the Vols have altered their lineups since then. J.P. Estrella was moved back into a starting role beginning with the SEC Tournament, with Amari Evans shifted to the bench along with Carey. Tennessee Coach Rick Barnes can turn to the 6-foot-5 Evans for more versatility or the 6-foot-8 Carey for more size inside if Ament can't go or significantly limited by injury.
BOSTON — The Toronto Maple Leafs found themselves in familiar territory early Tuesday night, digging a hole with three penalties in the opening 25 minutes against the Boston Bruins. Despite trailing 1-0 after the first period and facing early trouble in the middle frame, the Leafs found a spark from a familiar source in Matthew Knies.
The turning point arrived when Knies flexed his size in the neutral zone, wrestling the puck away from Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei before breaking free for a shorthanded breakaway. Knies beat Jeremy Swayman to knot the game at 1-1, an individual effort that served as the catalyst for one of the Leafs’ most complete performances in recent memory. Following the 4-2 victory, his teammates were quick to praise the rare blend of attributes the sophomore forward brings to the lineup.
“It always just impresses you when he pulls it off,” captain John Tavares said of Knies’ highlight-reel goal. “His ability to just be so strong and just how physically mature he is, he’s a beast. He’s a very unique player at his age to have that type of strength, and then after that to have the soft hands and the poise and touch to score a beauty like that. He’s got a nice package as a player. We’re obviously very lucky to have him.”
The shorthanded marker was Knies’ 19th of the campaign, and he later added an empty-netter to reach the 20-goal plateau for the first time. With 59 points in 69 games, the Arizona native continues to set new career highs across the board. The performance is particularly notable given Knies has been navigating a lingering knee injury. While some wondered if he might shut things down with the Leafs’ playoff positioning relatively secure, Knies has remained adamant that playing won’t aggravate the issue. Based on his showing at TD Garden, the injury isn’t slowing his production.
“Just the power he presents and strength in skating I thought he was really good all night for us. Did a lot of good things,” Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said of Knies.
The game took a physical turn after Knies’ first goal when Nikita Zadorov leveled Tavares from behind. Rookie Easton Cowan didn’t hesitate to jump in for his captain, challenging the veteran defenseman. That grit continued into the third period when Dakota Joshua dropped the gloves with Zadorov, signaling a collective pushback from a Toronto squad that showed plenty of resolve.
Statistically, it was a dominant night for the visitors. The Leafs fired 35 shots on goal, their highest total since a shootout win over Vancouver, and outshot their opponent for the first time since March 5. Anthony Stolarz remained sharp in the crease, making 18 saves on 20 shots, including several high-danger stops of a difficult variety, to preserve the win for Toronto.
