The polls have closed and the votes are in! At Bucs Dugout, we polled how excited Pittsburgh Pirates fans were for the regular season after the team’s hot start to Spring Training. 82% of those who voted said that they are more excited than normal for the regular season after the Buccos dominated Grapefruit League play.
The Pirates as of Friday have a 10-4 record in Spring Training, and fans have a lot to be excited about ahead of the regular season. The story of the Pirates’ offseason of course has been how differently they’ve approached building their lineup. Signing All-Star slugger Ryan O’Hearn was a sign of good faith that the Buccos were looking to get serious. The organization also made a monster trade that saw All-Star Brandon Lowe and prospect Jake Mangum come over from Tampa Bay. Very quickly they completely transformed the lineup, and then kept adding when they signed Marcel Ozuna to be the team’s designated hitter.
The emergence of Konnor Griffin as the top prospect in baseball has dominated headlines, and to this point, he has absolutely looked like a future star in Major League Baseball. Other prospects like Jhostynxon Garcia, Braxton Ashcraft and Esmerlyn Valdez have also been turning heads in camp and have their own share of highlight moments.
Pittsburgh’s pitching rotation is what will get butts in seats this season, as they are projected to be one of the best in baseball. Paul Skenes is the reigning National League Cy Young winner and is primed to have another strong season. Bubba Chandler is still one of the most exciting pitching prospects in baseball, while Mitch Keller will provide the veteran leadership to keep the group on track.
FanDuel Sports Network has the Pirates at -520 odds to win 70 games in 2026. Pittsburgh won 71 games in 2025.
There’s a lot of reasons for Pirates fans to be more excited than usual for the upcoming season, and there should be no shortage of fireworks going off at PNC Park this year.
DUNEDIN, - MARCH 03: Brandon Valenzuela #59 of the Toronto Blue Jays makes a catch during the game between the Team Canada and the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 in Dunedin, Flordia. (Photo by Grace Hoppel/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Brandon Valenzuela is a 25-year-old switch-hitting catcher born in Hermosillo, Mexico (he has a good role model as a Mexican-born catcher in Kirk). The Blue Jays picked him up from the Padres in trade for Will Wagner. MLB.com has Valenzuela as #24 on their Jays top 30 prospect list. He was added to the Jays’ 40-man last November.
The Padres signed him as a 16-year-old in 2017 for a $100,000 signing bonus. He has all three options left.
Last year, splitting time between Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A Buffalo, he hit .224/.309/.383 with 15 home runs. As a switch-hitter, he’s been pretty even on each side (last year a .725 OPS vs. LHP and .680 vs. RHP). He struck out a lot (24.0% of the time) but then walked a fair bit (10.9%). He has a bit of pop.
But offense isn’t what has put on prospect lists. His defense is what has him on the edge of a major league job. Last year, he threw out 34% of baserunners. He’s said to good at blocking balls in the dirt and that he calls a good game.
Baseball America says:
The switch-hitting Valenzuela is a glove-first catcher without a lot of offensive upside. Valenzuela’s righthanded swing is better than his lefthanded swing, leading to average results against lefthanded pitching. He shows below-average contact skills with an advanced approach that should lead to at least an average walk rate. There will be a fair amount of strikeouts as Valenzuela is a well below-average contact hitter against righthanded pitching. He hit 15 home runs in 2025 and shows fringe-average game power. To Valenzuela’s credit he has average exit velocity data with lofty launch angles. Behind the plate he’s a plus defender with an above-average arm that keeps runners in check
He’s having a good spring, with 4 hits and 3 walks, in 12 at-bats, and, to my eyes, has looked good behind the plate.
If Tyler Heineman hits like he did last year (and he’s also a good defensive catcher) and stays healthy, we won’t see much of Valenzuela, but if Heineman goes back to hitting the way he has in the past, well, the team is still likely to stay with the catcher they know. Then, catchers do tend to hit the IL at some point during a season, and Brandon would be next in line. Ali Sánchez got into 20 MLB games last year.
Valenzuela is nine years younger than Heineman. All things being equal, I’d rather have Valenzuela on the major league team than Heineman, but Tyler would likely either retire or look for a job with another team if the Jays wanted to send him down. Valenzuela pretty much has to do whatever the Jays tell him to.
Heineman didn’t get his first MLB at-bat until he was 28. And, before the age of 30, Heineman only played 20 games. If Brandon doesn’t get any major league time this year, he’s got lots of time to ‘make it’.
Steamer figures he’ll play 8 games this season, hitting .201/.272/.315 with 1 home run.
HAINAN ISLAND, China (AP) — Mi Hyang Lee made only five pars Saturday in a wild and windy round at the Blue Bay LPGA that ended with a 1-under 71, good enough to seize control with a three-shot lead as the South Korean goes after her first LPGA win more than eight years.
Lee put together seven birdies at Jian Lake Blue Bay, offset by enough mistakes — six bogeys — to keep her from an even larger lead.
She was at 12-under 204, three shots ahead of Hye-Jin Choi (68) and Yu Liu of China (73).
Defending champion Rio Takeda of Japan made a charge to get into the mix by playing her final 11 holes in 6 under for a 67 that left her four shots out of the lead.
“Yeah, a lot of up and down,” Lee said of her round. “But still finished under par, so really looking forward to tomorrow.”
Her last LPGA win was the Women's Scottish Open in 2017.
Adding to the difficulty of the wind was a nagging shoulder injury that first surfaced last fall during an LPGA event in Ohio. She wanted to finish the year at the season-ending Tour Championship and had two months off to rest.
“This is my third week, so I think a little overdoing for my shoulder,” she said. “Last night I couldn't sleep without my medication. So hopefully, just one more day for tomorrow.”
Choi, the No. 15 player in the women's world ranking, shot 31 on the front nine to get back into the mix. She was closing in on Lee until taking a bogey on the par-4 17th, and then failing to make birdie on the par-5 closing hole.
“Back nine, it was not a really good situation compared to the front nine, but I made a lot of good saves,” Choi said. “Because of the wind, I couldn't hit my second shot near the pin.”
Lee wasn't the only player with a roller-coaster round. Liu began the back nine with a double bogey on No. 10, and two holes later made up for that by holing out for eagle on the par-4 12th.
Auston Kim had another rough Saturday. The American was in contention last week at the HSBC Women's World Championship until a 73 in the third round. She shot a 74 at Blue Bay that left her five shots behind.
Blue Bay LPGA is the third straight LPGA event on its first Asia swing of the season. A week after nine of the top 10 in the world played in Singapore, the China field had only one of the top 10. That was Ruoning Yin of China, a former Women's PGA champion. She shot 74 and was nine shots back.
TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 07: Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japangets tag out by Hyeseong Kim #3 of Republic of Korea in the fifth inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between South Korea and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 07, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Gene Wang - Capture At Media/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Early Saturday morning action in the World Baseball Classic gave us a battle between two Dodgers. Shohei Ohtani and Hyeseong Kim each homered, and Japan beat Korea 8-6 at the Tokyo Dome.
Japan joins Australia at 2-0 in Pool C in Tokyo, with two games left to play, with Korea falling to 1-1.
Ohtani walked and scored in the first inning, then hit a solo home run to tie the game in the third inning. With a runner on third base and two outs in the seventh inning, Ohtani was intentionally walked, and later scored in a three-run frame.
In two games so for in the WBC, Ohtani has reached base seven times in eight plate appearances, with two home runs, a double, and two walks, with four runs scored and six runs batted in.
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 7, 2026
Down 8-6 with two outs in the eighth inning, Kim batted with the bases loaded but struck out looking in Korea’s last threat of the game.
Edwin Díaz closed out Puerto Rico’s 5-0 win over Colombia with a scoreless ninth inning on Friday, following a leadoff single with three straight strikeouts. Díaz threw 24 pitches in his first game action since last Saturday for the Dodgers.
Díaz also came the game using his entrance music at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
On the mound to close it out for Puerto Rico: Edwin Diaz 💪
Lucas Ramírez, the 20-year-old son of former Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramírez, hit a leadoff home run for Brazil off Logan Webb in the first inning on Friday.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 20: Colorado Rockies Infielder, Kyle Karros steps up to the plate during the first 2026 spring training game at Salt River Field at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 20, 2026. The Arizona Diamondbacks went onto beat the Colorado Rockies 3-2. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) | Denver Post via Getty Images
Every spring training has roster battles. That part isn’t new.
What feels different about Rockies camp this year is who is competing — and why.
When ‘veteran presence’ replaces production
Last year, many roster decisions felt tied to something other than baseball performance. Several spots went to players whose value was often described in terms of ‘veteran presence’ or ‘clubhouse leadership.’ Players like Kyle Farmer, Thairo Estrada, Nick Martini, Sean Bouchard and Jacob Stallings (and later Orlando Arcia) were frequently framed as stabilizing influences for a young team.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with veteran leadership. Teams benefit from players who know how to prepare, handle adversity, and model professionalism for younger teammates.
But leadership only works when it’s paired with production.
The quintet of Farmer, Estrada, Martini, Bouchard and Stallings combined for 742 plate appearances in 2025 and produced -3.4 bWAR (per Baseball-Reference). That’s not exactly a formula for success.
The best version of the ‘veteran presence’ model looks something like this: productive core players, young contributors developing around them, and a few experienced veterans reinforcing professional habits and clubhouse culture.
Not every veteran on the 2025 roster was there solely for leadership. But as injuries mounted and on-field production declined, the narrative increasingly shifted toward intangible value.
That’s where the equation starts to break down. When leadership becomes the primary justification for playing time, its value quickly erodes. Leadership can amplify talent, but it can’t replace it.
A structural shift inside the organization
Structurally, things feel different for the Rockies this spring.
The organization’s evolving leadership structure — including the influence of president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta and general manager Josh Byrnes — has emphasized process, player development, and more modern decision-making. If that philosophy is beginning to shape roster construction, spring training is exactly where it would start to appear.
And this year, it does.
Competition based on baseball skills
The competitions in camp this year are largely centered around actual baseball skills and roster impact, not reputation or tenure. The players pushing for spots are younger, more athletic, and trying to establish themselves rather than simply extending their careers.
Players like Zac Veen (No. 9 PuRP), Ryan Ritter, Kyle Karros, and TJ Rumfield represent different kinds of roster pressure. They’re not competing for symbolic opportunities — they’re competing because their tools and upside could genuinely help the roster.
Even the possibility of someone like Charlie Condon (No. 1 PuRP) pushing the timeline adds another layer to the competition. When prospects start forcing their way into the conversation, the roster naturally becomes more dynamic.
At the same time, the Rockies did bring in players with experience. But those additions feel fundamentally different from last year’s veteran-heavy approach.
Players like Willi Castro, Jake McCarthy, and Edouard Julien weren’t brought in to provide leadership speeches in the clubhouse. They were brought in because they offer specific baseball tools. They are all under 30 years old and are being looked upon for on-field contributions.
Castro brings versatility and athleticism. McCarthy adds speed and defensive range. Julien provides on-base ability and offensive upside.
Instead of simply filling up space until prospects arrive, these players give the Rockies flexibility while still allowing younger players to compete for real opportunities.
Where veterans still make sense
The one area where veteran presence is still noticeable is in the pitching rotation. But even there, the reasoning feels much more baseball-driven than narrative-driven.
Pitching at Coors Field is difficult, and stability matters. The veterans competing for rotation spots weren’t brought in simply to mentor younger pitchers or guide the clubhouse. They were brought in because they can absorb innings, stabilize games, and provide durability in a challenging environment.
That’s a baseball reason for having veterans.
In other words, the Rockies appear to be prioritizing function over reputation.
Why it matters
Several roster spots remain genuinely unsettled as camp progresses. First base, second base, third base, fourth outfielder/utility roles, the fifth starter spot, and the left-handed bullpen role are all still being sorted out.
None of those competitions involve superstar players. But they matter because they shape the architecture of the roster.
These decisions determine how athletic the team is, how much flexibility the bench provides, and how many opportunities exist for young players trying to establish themselves at the major league level.
Ironically, real competition often creates the best clubhouse culture.
When playing time is earned, not granted, it brings accountability, urgency, and energy. Those traits build stronger teams than any imported ‘veteran presence.’
That’s why this spring feels different. The roster battles feel real, and the outcomes feel tied to performance.
And for a team coming off a 119-loss season, that difference matters.
If the Rockies keep rewarding performance when the games count, this spring might represent more than just another camp. It might signal a meaningful shift in how the roster is built.
The real question is whether that philosophy will hold once the season begins. If younger players outperform veterans in April and May, should the Rockies commit to them or fall back on experience?
A Pirates fan at Last Word on Sports floated a hypothetical trade sending catcher Joey Bart to the Rockies in exchange for left-handed pitching prospect Sean Sullivan. The idea hinges on Pittsburgh’s crowded catching situation potentially making Bart available. Colorado would get a capable big-league catcher, while the Pirates add a young arm. It’s more of a thought experiment than a prediction, but an interesting one for both sides.
Ryan Ritter has been one of the Rockies’ early standouts this spring, swinging a hot bat and forcing his way into the roster conversation. The young infielder has delivered several big hits as Colorado sorts through its infield competition. If he keeps it up, Ritter could turn a strong camp into a real opportunity.
Ben Brown didn’t exactly put his best foot forward, allowing three runs in 2.1 innings against the Padres. He was a little wild.
The Cubs had those special bats with ball-avoidance radar. One run would have been enough to defeat them.
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HOUSTON, TX - MARCH 06: Gunnar Henderson #11 of Team USA tips his cap during player introductions prior to the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool B game presented by Capital One between Team USA and Team Brazil at Daikin Park on Friday, March 6, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Rob Tringali/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Good morning Birdland,
The World Baseball Classic has been underway for a few days now, but Friday was the busiest slate so far. Eight games took place, including the opener for Team USA. They beat Brazil 15-5, although that scoreline is not reflective of just how close Brazil kept things for most of the evening. It was an 8-5 game going into the ninth inning, and that is where the US pulled away as Brazil was on its eighth and ninth pitchers of the contest.
But Brazil had more feel good stories than the US, for whatever that is worth. Lucas Ramirez, the 20-year-old son of Manny Ramirez, launched two home runs as Brazil’s lead-off hitter. Joseph Contreras tossed 1.1 innings for Brazil, which included getting Aaron Judge to hit into a double play. Contreras is just 17 years old, can touch 100 mph, and is in the middle of his senior year at a Georgia high school. Amazing stuff.
Team USA walked 17 times in the game while striking out only twice. Brice Turang led the team with three hits, two doubles, and four RBI out of the nine hole in the order. Judge also had a two-run homer and scored three times. Alex Bregman walked four times. Roman Anthony and Kyle Schwarber had two hits apiece.
There was no Gunnar Henderson in this one. He seems to be the backup at both shortstop and third base for Team USA. One would imagine he will get a start at some point, at least in group play, but who knows. If manager Mark DeRosa prefers his speed and left-handed bat coming off the bench, then that is the role he will handle. Hopefully it doesn’t have a negative impact on Henderson’s ability to ramp up to the regular season with the Orioles.
The Orioles also played a game on Friday. It did not go as well, particularly for Albert Suárez (L, 2.2 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 2 HR). They lost 10-2 to the Cardinals. But there were positives. Chris Bassitt gave up just one run and struck out two over three innings. Yennier Cano had another shutout inning. Ryan Mountcastle was 3-for-3. And although he did not hit a home run, Vance Honeycutt remained perfect this spring with a single in his lone at-bat.
The O’s will play two games today. It’s a split squad special. They will host the Twins in Sarasota, and they will head to Venice for a matchup with the Braves. Both games start at 1:05. MASN and local radio coverage will broadcast the game in Sarasota, but it looks like the Braves networks will cover the other game, so MLB TV subscribers should be able to watch/listen to that as well.
Links
Because You Asked – Another Simple Favor | Roch Kubatko Lots of bullpen questions in this one, and for good reason. Outside of Ryan Helsley, little is settled in the team’s relief corps. Andrew Kittredge dealing with shoulder inflammation doesn’t help. It seems inevitable that they sign…someone by Opening Day. But it’s common for Mike Elias to wait on that. He probably wants to see a little bit more from the guys in camp before adding a known commodity like a veteran reliever.
Polar Bear Q&A: Alonso on 1st half of camp, leadership, World Series aspirations, more | Orioles.com Pete Alonso has very quickly become the face of the Orioles franchise. He’s not their absolute best player, obviously, but he does seem the most comfortable with being the guy to talk to the media and guide the culture of the team. That’s something they needed. Hopefully it comes with a bunch of homers this season.
Nick Ciuffo turns 31 today. He spent two games as an Orioles catcher in 2021.
Joe Carter is 66 years old. A team legend with the Blue Jays, Carter’s time with the Orioles was less remarkable. He played half of the 1998 season in Baltimore.
This day in O’s history
1999 – It is announced that the Orioles will travel to Havana, Cuba for a March 28 exhibition game against the Cuban national team. It is the first time in 40 years that a team from the United States will play a professional game in Cuba.
June 27, 2014: San Francisco Giants fans hold a birthday sign during the game between the San Francisco Giants and the Cincinnati Reds at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California, USA. The Cincinnati Reds defeated the San Francisco Giants 6-2. (Photo by John Hefti/Icon SMI/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Happy weekend, baseball fans. How ‘bout them Giants? They’re cruising! Try to forget that the Cactus League is mostly meaningless, and live in a happy world of dominant Giants baseball.
Sami usually writes the BPs, but a combination of sickness and birthday celebration has put me on the duty for a few days. But, had she stayed in good health, her plan was to write about Giants birthday memories.
My birthday is right before Spring Training, so I’ve never had the joy of watching the Giants play on my increasingly terrifying special day (though today is my brother’s birthday, so everyone wish him a happy day please). But I can share Sami’s with you. Her lone notable Giants moment for her early-March birthday is an unfortunate one: Hunter Pence breaking his wrist in a Cactus League game.
And just like that, I’m no longer sad about not having a baseball birthday (I have, however, had the Super Bowl land on my bday a few times, for better and for worse).
Many of you are in the same boat as me, but the baseball season — especially if you include Spring Training — fills more than half the calendar. So the bulk of you should have baseball birthdays. A few of you might even have World Series memories from your annual celebration.
So what are you favorite Giants birthday memories?
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 08: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals skates against the Boston Bruins at Capital One Arena on October 8, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to Saturday, folks!
After a relatively quiet trade deadline, the Bruins are back in action today — and it’s a pretty important game in the playoff race.
As always, treat that 12:30 start time with an asterisk, as this is an ABC game.
We could place bets on what time puck drop actually happens. I’m going with 12:39 PM.
Anyways, the Capitals come into today’s game four points behind the Bruins in the race for the second wild card spot, though the Bruins do have two games in hand.
The Caps made one of the deadline’s bigger moves earlier this week, dealing longtime defenseman (and Massachusetts native) John Carlson to the Anaheim Ducks.
They also sent forward Nic Dowd out to Vegas.
The Caps also made a couple of acquisitions, bringing in David Kampf and Timothy Liljegren.
These moves aren’t necessarily a waving of the white flag, but they certainly weren’t a team loading up for a playoff run (though to be fair, the Caps weren’t really positioning themselves as contenders anyways).
The Caps are led by familiar faces: Alex Ovechkin (50PTS), Tom Wilson (49PTS), and Jakob Chychrun (49PTS).
They’ve also gotten good production out of Aliaksei Protas (20 goals) and Dylan Strome (49PTS).
On the Bruins side of things, I wouldn’t expect anything majorly different today.
David Pastrnak needs to get going, as his goal drought extends toward the “is there a bigger problem here?” territory.
Columbus is now just a point behind the Bruins, and the Blue Jackets play later on tonight, so there’s a little extra pressure in the standings now as well.
Hey, that’s what makes this a fun time of year, right?
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 06: Ronald Acuña Jr. #21 of Team Venezuela rounds first bases after hitting a double against Team Kingdom of the Netherlands during the first inning of a 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool D game at loanDepot park on March 06, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The World Baseball Classic continued on Friday, and this time, Ronald Acuña Jr. faced Ozzie Albies. Acuña Jr. and Team Venezuela came out on top, winning 6-2. The Braves outfielder set the tone early with a leadoff double and crossed the plate a couple of times.
Ronald Acuña Jr. jumps on the FIRST pitch and drills a double off the wall in the World Baseball Classic! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/sf2G3l1rAi
Albies and the Netherlands offense struggled to get much going in the matchup, with the Braves second baseman finishing the game hitless. Even so, the head-to-head between two Atlanta teammates added an interesting storyline to the early stages of the tournament, with Acuña getting the better of the matchup this time around.
More Braves News:
Reynaldo López threw four innings during a 4-1 win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday.
Lakers guard Luka Doncic scores in front of Indiana Pacers guard Quenton Jackson Friday at Crypto.com Arena. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
The Lakers 128-117 winwon, Luka Doncic dominated and then the conversation moved forward, because even though a 128-117 win over the slumping Indiana Pacers on Friday counts all the same in the tight Western Conference standings, it doesn’t say as much about the Lakers as what comes next.
Buoyed by four recent wins over struggling teams, the Lakers are still searching for a statement victory to announce themselves as legitimate contenders in the crowded Western Conference. The Lakers (38-25) are comfortably in sixth place in the West, but just 3-11 against teams that are .600 or better.
Two of the wins came in the first two weeks of the season. The losses have been ugly: an average margin of 19.9 points per defeat.
Now with five of their next six games against teams that are .600 or better — starting with Sunday’s 12:30 p.m. contest against the New York Knicks — the Lakers get a chance to prove their potential to make a playoff run.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves drives to the basket as he's chased by Indiana Pacers guards Quenton Jackson and Aaron Nesmith Friday at Crypto.com Arena. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
“You play teams that are playing winning basketball and [have] winning records, it definitely can build some confidence in the group,” guard Luke Kennard said Friday. “But I know even some of the close games we've lost just recently, I know we've done some really good things. … We know what we have in the locker room and in this group.”
Even a day and a win later, the Lakers were still ruing Thursday’s road loss in Denver. With a chance to jump to fifth place in the standings, they let the Nuggets (39-25) open the game on an 11-point run. Denver opened up a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter.
But unlike many of their other losses to playoff-contending teams, the Lakers answered Denver’s run. They cut it to one with 2:05 left before the Nuggets held on for the victory.
“That was a game that we’ve broken throughout the year, in games like that,” coach JJ Redick said. “And they made a number of runs that went to double digits and we just kept playing and had a chance. … I’m confident we’re going to find it. How we’re going to find it, that’s where it’s —”
Redick cut off his own thought as he searched for the words.
“You got to figure it out on a daily basis sometimes,” the coach concluded with a tight smile.
Lakers center Jaxson Hayes scores at the rim in front of Indiana Pacers guard Ben Sheppard Friday at Crypto.com Arena. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
The Lakers figured it out Friday behind a dazzling 44-point performance from Doncic, who leads the NBA with 10 40-point games this season. The NBA’s leading scorer didn’t even play during the fourth quarter of the blowout.
Doncic’s brilliance was more than enough against the bottom-feeding Pacers, who, at 15-48, are playing more for lottery position than postseason hopes. But the Knicks (41-23) have won four of their last five games, including convincing wins over San Antonio and Denver. The only recent loss was a three-point defeat to Oklahoma City.
Lakers forward LeBron James is expected to be available for Sunday’s marquee game after injuring his elbow late in the loss to the Nuggets and missing Friday’s game. Centers Deandre Ayton (left knee soreness) and Maxi Kleber (lumbar back strain) are day-to-day.
Led by Jalen Brunson’s 26.2 points and 6.5 assists per game, the Knicks have the NBA’s third-best offense. Conversely, the Lakers are 21st in defensive rating.
The Lakers emphasized the importance of team defense all season, but Marcus Smart is “the only one that consistently is just doing what he's supposed to do” on defense, Redick said Friday. Sometimes the former defensive player of the year is forced to overcompensate for his teammates’ mistakes.
Doncic’s defensive lapses are magnified, especially with the team’s recent inconsistencies. But Doncic’s oft-criticized defense has provided some bright spots, Redick said.
When he switches onto the ball, Doncic gives up the lowest number of points per possession among the Lakers' perimeter players, Redick said. He led the Lakers in rebounding Friday with nine boards, all defensive. Doncic had both of the team's blocks against the Pacers.
“He's shown that he can contain the basketball,” Redick said of Doncic’s defense. “He's obviously one of the best wing defensive rebounders in the NBA. He's able to generate steals and deflections. And, with some prodding, he's taking charges as well.”
Doncic has drawn 11 charges this season, the most for a single year in his NBA career.
Utah Mammoth - 33-25-4 - 70 Points - 6-4-0 in the last 10 - Won 2 - 4th in the Central.
Columbus Blue Jackets - 32-21-8 - 72 Points - 8-1-1 in the last 10 - Won 3 - 4th in the Metro.
Team Notes Per CBJ PR
Columbus has won three-straight and earned points in four consecutive games (3-0-1) after earning a 4-2 victory over Florida on Thursday. The club has earned points in 15 of its last 17 contests (14-2-1) since a Jan. 11 win at Utah.
CBJ, who are in the middle of a four-game homestand, have recorded points in seven-straight home contests (6-0-1) and 11-of-12 games played at Nationwide Arena in 2026 (9-1-2).
Since Dec. 22, the Blue Jackets have gone 18-6-2 (386 pts, .731 points pct.) and rank third in the NHL in points and points percentage, fourth in save pct. (.908), fifth in goals-against/game (2.65), sixth-T in penalty kill pct. (82.4), as well as 11th in goals for/game (3.46).
The club has scored the opening goal in 15 of the past 17 games and leads the league in scoring first in 2025-26 (39, 27-7-5).
Player Notes Per CBJ PR
Charlie Coyle has points in four-straight games (1-4-5) and has posted 6-11-17 and five multi-point efforts in the last 11 contests since Jan. 24.
Adam Fantilli, who had his four-game goal streak (4-2-6) and five-game points streak (4-3-7) snapped on Thursday, has totaled 5-7-12 in the past 11 contests.
Conor Garland was acquired in a trade from the Vancouver Canucks on Friday. In five seasons in which he has played 68 or more games, he has averaged 19 goals and 47 points with Arizona and Vancouver.
Kirill Marchenko has collected assists in three consecutive games (2-3-5) and has registered points in eight of his past nine contests since Jan. 24 (4-7-11).
Mathieu Olivier notched his third multi-goal game effort of the season in the win over Florida and has totaled 7-2-9 and 30 hits in the last 10 contests.
Zach Werenski, who has missed the past three games due to illness, has collected points in 22 of his past 24 games played since Dec. 11 (11-24-35, 11 multi-point efforts).
Blue Jackets Stats
Power Play - 19.9% - 16th in the NHL
Penalty Kill - 77.1% - 25th in the NHL
Goals For - 191- 17th in the NHL
Goals Against - 192 - 22nd in the NHL
MammothStats
Power Play - 117.2% - 25th in the NHL
Penalty Kill - 78.0% - 21st in the NHL
Goals For - 196 - 16th in the NHL
Goals Against - 169 - 4th in the NHL
Series History vs. TheMammoth
Columbus is 2-0-1 all-time, and 2-0-0 at home vs. Utah.
Columbus has lost 7 straight games to the Panthers overall, and three straight at home.
The visiting team has come back to earn 3-2 overtime victories in all three games of the series.
CBJ scored two power play goals, including the overtime winner, in the first meeting of the season series on Jan. 11.
The Jackets have killed off all five Utah power play attempts over the past two contests.
The teams have combined to average 58 shots on goal in the first three matchups.
Both teams are looking for their first shutout, hat trick and penalty shot attempt in the all-time series.
Charlie Coyle, LW Mikael Pyyhtia and LW Dmitri Voronkov (GWG) all scored goals in the win at Utah on Jan. 11.
Zach Werenski has collected assists in all three games of the series against Utah (1-3-4), including setting up the winner in the most recent meeting and notching the OT winner in the very first game on Jan. 31, 2025.
Who To Watch For TheMammoth
Dylan Guenther leads the Mammoth with 28 goals.
Clayton Keller leads Utah with 42 assists and 61 points.
Goalie Karel Vejmelka is 29-16-2 with a SV% of .901 and a shutout.
CBJ Player Notes vs.Mammoth
Charlie Coyle has 1 point in 3 career games against Utah.
Boone Jenner has yet to register a point against the Mammoth.
Mason Marchment has 2 goals in 3 games vs. Utah.
Injured Reserve
Brendan Smith - Lower Body - Missed 23 Games IR - Out for the rest of the regular season.
Zach Werenski missed the last 3 games due to illness.
Dante Fabbro missed the last game due to a lower-body injury.
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 165
How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be on FANDUEL SPORTS NETWORK. The radio broadcast will be on 97.1 The Fan, with Bob McElligott behind the mic doing the play-by-play.
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Welcome to Pinstripe Alley’s coverage of the 2026 World Baseball Classic! We previewed Pool A, Pool B, Pool C, and Pool D in the linked articles. Since the first several days of the WBC feature a bevy of games, we’ll be recapping them in batches. Enjoy!
It was wall-to-wall baseball on Friday, the WBC truly exploding into action with eight games on the docket. Tournament favorites USA and Dominican Republic both opened their tournaments with statement wins, their star-studded lineups combining for 27 runs. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s jump right in.
Pool A: Puerto Rico (1-0) 5, Colombia (0-1) 0
Brilliant pitching by the Puerto Rico staff and a five-run fifth inning outburst by their offense told the whole story of this game. 2024 Al Cy Young runner-up Seth Lugo was on the mound for Puerto Rico and he already looked to be in midseason form, leaning on his nine-pitch arsenal to twirl four scoreless innings with Colombia scattering just three hits and a pair of walks. The six relievers that trailed him out of the bullpen followed suit, combining for six scoreless innings allowing just three hits and three walks. Colombia’s best chance to score came in the eighth when they loaded the bases with two outs, but Yankees setup man Fernando Cruz induced a Jordan Diaz fly out to end the threat. Newly-minted Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz stamped an exclamation mark at the end, striking out the side after a leadoff single to nail down the combined shutout, exorcising some of the demons of the season-ending knee injury he suffered during the last WBC.
The Puerto Rico offense is seriously neutered after the likes of Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, and others found themselves unable to participate in the tournament after failing to secure insurance. It certainly looked the case, the Colombia pitchers facing the minimum in seven out of the nine innings. However, that didn’t prevent them from exploding for five runs in the fifth after they got into the Colombia bullpen, the newest Rockies starter Jose Quintana having thrown three scoreless to start the game. Carlos Cortes and Darell Hernaiz led off with a pair of singles, the former scoring on a Gio Urshela fielding error at third on an Emmanuel Rivera grounder. Eddie Rosario followed with a single of his own to plate Hernaiz, and after a Matthew Lugo groundout, Martín Maldonado came through with the fourth single of the frame to score Rivera. Following a pitching change, Willi Castro doubled to right to bring Rosario home and advance Maldonado to third, who was then able to jog home on a Heliot Ramos sac fly to deep right.
Pool A: Dominican Republic (1-0) 12, Nicaragua (0-1) 3
Cristopher Sánchez finished runner-up to Paul Skenes in last year’s NL Cy Young balloting, but you wouldn’t have known it from the way he struggled against Nicaragua in the early innings of this game. He loaded the bases surrendering two singles and a walk with one out in the first, and though a strikeout-wild pitch allowed the opening run of the game to score, it also allowed Sánchez to become one of a few pitchers in WBC history to record four strikeouts in an inning. His offense grabbed the lead in the bottom half on a Ketel Marte RBI double and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. RBI groundout, only for Sánchez to cough it back up in the second. Cristian Sandoval led off with a single, Freddy Zamora doubled him home, and a Chase Dawson single to left and subsequent fielding error from Juan Soto plated Zamora as Nicaragua retook the lead.
From that point on, it was all Dominican Republic. Julio Rodríguez leveled the scores at three apiece with a two-out RBI single in the third. Junior Caminero gave his team their second lead with a two-run bomb in the sixth after Manny Machado led off with a double.
Vlad drove in his second run of the game in the seventh with a sac fly with the bases loaded, though Caminero left the bases juiced when he grounded into the inning-ending double play. It all proved a prelude to the DR’s six-run eighth to make a laugher out of a game that was close throught the first five innings. Rodríguez kicked things off with a leadoff home run and Oneil Cruz — pinch-hitting for Marte — followed with a 450-foot, three-run missile to right after Geraldo Perdomo walked and Fernando Tatis Jr. singled. Soto walked and Vlad collected his third RBI with a double to left, and after Machado drew a walk, Rodríguez came to bat for the second time in the inning, picking up his third RBI of the contest with a single to drive Vlad home.
You want your captain to set the tone in tournament opener, so of course Aaron Judge homered in his first ever WBC at-bat. Judge declined to participate in the last tournament, but was the first player to commit to the team this time around, manager Mark DeRosa hand-selecting the three-time AL MVP to be the team captain, a role he already holds with the Yankees. After Bobby Witt Jr. singled to open the contest, Judge got the green light, 3-0, and leaned on a sweeper right down the middle, sending it 405 feet into the stands in right for a two-run blast.
They had to feel good handing a two-run lead to one of the most consistent starters in MLB over the last few years in Logan Webb. It took him a batter to settle into his outing, surrendering a leadoff home run to Lucas Ramirez — at 20 years old the youngest of Manny Ramirez’s three sons — but Webb would then retire the next 12 batters he faced, six by strikeout. It was certainly a day to remember for the Ramirez the younger, the High-A right fielder in the Angels system smacking his second solo shot of the game in the eighth off Michael Wacha, this pair of home runs made all the more remarkable by the fact that Ramirez has all of three home runs to his name in his professional career.
Ramirez wasn’t the only son of a former big leaguer to impress for Brazil. Joseph Contreras is the son of former Yankees pitcher Jose Contreras, and at just 17 years old he is still a senior in high school in Georgia. However, he seemed unfazed by the moment, pumping in 97 mph fastballs and a nasty vulcan grip forkball right out of his father’s playbook. With the bases loaded in second, he broke Judge’s bat, getting the USA captain to ground into the inning-ending double play.
Other than a Victor Mascai two-run homer in the seventh off Gabe Speier to briefly make a contest of this game, those were about all the highlights for Brazil. A super-patient approach by the entire US lineup, a home plate umpire whose zone clearly favored the home team, and a trepidatious Brazil pitching staff terrified of making mistakes in the zone combined to create one of the most remarkable (and admittedly painful) on-base displays in recent WBC memory. The US lineup combined to draw 17 walks including five free passes/hit-by-pitches with the bases loaded. Brazil’s nine pitchers combined to throw 221 pitches, and you seriously worry how they are going to make it through pool play.
USA’s biggest outburst came in the fifth and ninth, when they scored four and seven runs, respectively. Brice Turang’s three-run double was the big blow in the fifth — part of a 3-for-6 day with four RBIs for the Brewers infielder. Kyle Schwarber and Roman Anthony each contributed a pair of singles, the latter driving in a pair on the night. Judge finished the day 1-for-4 with the homer, two walks, two RBIs, and three runs scored.
It was hardly a flawless performance from Team USA, with the offense going 5-for-21 with runners in scoring position and stranding 13 men on base. However, this patient approach looks like it can grind down any pitching staff, and we see the offense they are capable of at the end of games. (Shoutout to Brazil and anyone who had them out-homering the US on their bingo card.)
Pool A: Chinese Taipei (1-2) 14, Czech Republic (0-3) 0
The nightcap featured the two early doormats of the tournament, and poor Czechia can’t catch a break. After some strange scheduling conspired to have them play a day game after a night game (both losses), they found themselves on the receiving end of a drubbing by Chinese Taipei, themselves still smarting from getting mercy ruled by Japan earlier in the day.
Chinese Taipei ambushed Czechia starter Jan Novak for six runs in the first two innings and continued to pour it one from their as Czechia’s offense simply had no answer. Tsung-Che Cheng and Stuart Fairchild singled to open the contest. A double steal attempt and throwing error by the catcher allowed Cheng to score the game’s opening run, and a Yu Chang single plated Fairchild as the second run of the frame. In the second, Chen-Wei Chen singled while Tsung-Che Cheng and Cheng-Hui Sung drew a pair of two-out walks, setting up a Fairchild grand slam, a feat he never achieved in his 277 major league games.
After a brief reprieve in the third, Chinese Taipei put their foot back on the accelerator in the fourth. Chang drove in another pair that frame one a two-out line drive single to center, and then in the fifth, Lyle Lin doubled to lead off, advanced to third on a Kun-Yu Chiang single, and scored on a Chen sac fly. That set up a five-run blitz in the sixth that brought this game to a merciful end for the Czechs. Fairchild drew a leadoff walk, stole second, and scored on a single from Chang, his fourth RBI of the contest. Czech relievers then plunked back-to-back hitters to load the bases, after which a Chiang walk plated a run and a Chen double brought home a further pair. Cheng rolled over a soft grounder to score the 14th and final run of the game, which ended after seven innings thanks to the mercy rule in effect for the tournament.
It’s another action-packed day of baseball on Saturday, with another eight-game slate for all our enjoyment. Just like we did yesterday, we will break down the recaps into two posts, one for the first four games of the day, followed by a recap of the four late games to run later on (likely tomorrow morning). Here’s what to look forward to today:
South Korea vs. Japan (Pool C) Pitching matchup: RHP Young Pyo Ko vs. LHP Yusei Kikuchi Time: 5:00 a.m. ET TV: FS1 Venue: Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan
Colombia vs. Canada (Pool A) Pitching matchup: RHP Julio Teheran vs. RHP Michael Soroka Time: 11:00 a.m. ET TV: FS2 Venue: Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, PR
Nicaragua vs. Netherlands (Pool D) Pitching matchup: RHP Erasmo Ramírez vs. RHP Jaitoine Kelly Time: 12:00 p.m. ET TV: Tubi Venue: loanDepot park, Miami, FL
Brazil vs. Italy (Pool B) Pitching matchup: TBD vs. LHP Sam Aldegheri Time: 1:00 p.m. ET TV: Fox Sports App Venue: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
Panama vs. Puerto Rico (Pool A) Pitching matchup: RHP Ariel Jurado vs. LHP Eduardo Rivera Time: 6:00 p.m. ET TV: FS1 Venue: Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, PR
Israel vs. Venezuela (Pool D) Pitching matchup: RHP Ben Simon vs. LHP Enmanuel De Jesus Time: 7:00 p.m. ET TV: FS2 Venue: loanDepot park, Miami, FL
Great Britain vs. United States (Pool B) Pitching matchup: RHP Tyler Viza vs. LHP Tarik Skubal Time: 8:00 p.m. ET TV: Fox Venue: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
Chinese Taipei vs. South Korea (Pool C) Pitching matchup: TBD Time: 10:00 p.m. ET TV: FS2 Venue: Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 6: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks guards Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the game on March 6, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
An interesting confluence of Brotherhood history as two things happened in Boston on Friday night: Jayson Tatum returned from his Achilles injury in just eight months, and New England native and Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg made his maiden trip to TD Garden, home of the Celtics.
Not surprisingly, Boston won – the Celtics are second in the East and have won twice as many games as the Mavericks.
Tatum, who is going to be on a minutes restriction for a while, got in for 27 and scored 15 points, along with grabbing 12 rebounds. He also had 7 assists. That’s pretty good for a guy who has been out for 3/4 of a year.
For his part, Flagg is also returning from an injury, albeit much more minor. Flagg injured his ankle just before the All-Star break and is in his second game since getting back (his first one was a 114-115 loss to Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter’s Orlando Magic).
He scored 16 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out 6 assists.
Both guys are going to take a little time to get their edge back, but it’ll likely happen for Flagg faster than Tatum.
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea (59) works during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Sean Manaea finally made his spring debut against the Marlins. He was solid in his three innings of work but the offense was stymied by Marlins pitching.
Manaea’s final line against the Marlins was 3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Craig Kimbrel pitched a clean inning and struck out two in his appearance
Devin Williams walked one and struck out one in his one inning of work
A.J. Ewing went 1-for-3 with a stolen base while also making a nice diving catch in left field
Carson Benge went 1-for-4
Next up Kodai Senga will make his first appearance this spring against the Cardinals in Jupiter, Florida. Game action kicks off at 1:05pm.
