Posts

Posted on

Mets at Cardinals: Lineups, broadcast info, and open thread, 3/30/26

Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Clay Holmes (35) delivers a pitch during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Mets lineup

  1. Francisco Lindor – SS
  2. Juan Soto – LF
  3. Bo Bichette – 3B
  4. Jorge Polanco – DH
  5. Brett Baty – RF
  6. Jared Young – 1B
  7. Marcus Semien – 2B
  8. Carson Benge – CF
  9. Francisco Alvarez – C

SP: Clay Holmes – RHP

Cardinals lineup

  1. JJ Wetherholt – 2B
  2. Ivan Herrera – DH
  3. Alec Burleson – 1B
  4. Masyn Winn – SS
  5. Nolan Gorman – 3B
  6. Jordan Walker – RF
  7. Nathan Church – LF
  8. Pedro Pages – C
  9. Victor Scott – CF

SP: Kyle Leahy – RHP

Broadcast info

First pitch: 7:45pm EDT
TV: SNY
Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2

Join the conversation!

Sign up for a user account and get:

  • Fewer ads
  • Create community posts
  • Comment on articles, community posts
  • Rec comments, community posts
  • New, improved notifications system!

Posted on

AFL player Tristan Xerri banned for three games for ‘disgraceful’ blood smear

  • Kangaroos star sanctioned for wiping blood on opponent’s face

  • Xerri admits incident during Essendon game was a ‘brain fade’

North Melbourne star Tristan Xerri would have risked a heftier AFL ban had he not shown remorse for wiping blood on the face of Essendon captain Andrew McGrath.

Xerri will miss North’s next three games after he pleaded guilty to his serious misconduct charge.

Continue reading...
Posted on

March Madness favorites: Ranking Final Four teams' odds to win national title

The 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament is down to the Final Four.

The initial 68-team field has dwindled to the semifinals, with a national champion to be crowned a week from today. After a bracket that featured four No. 1 seeds in the Final Four last season, this year's bracket has a couple of shockers.

REQUIRED READING: March Madness bracket hot takes: Duke blows it, UConn wins it, Arizona shouldn't care

No. 2 Connecticut knocked off No. 1 overall seed Duke on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Braylon Mullins. No. 3 Illinois advanced to the Final Four with a win over No. 9 Iowa, which had knocked out No. 1 seed and defending national champion Florida in the second round action.

That leaves Michigan and Arizona as the lone remaining No. 1 seeds left in the tournament. But are those two the favorites to cut down the nets? Both programs are seeking their second national title, while the Huskies are seeking their seventh. The Fighting Illini are seeking their first.

Here's a look at the Final Four teams with the best odds of winning the national championship:

March Madness favorites: Ranking Top 20 college basketball teams based on odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of 6:30 p.m. ET on Monday, March 30

  1. Michigan: +165
  2. Arizona, +180
  3. Illinois, +475
  4. UConn, +550

Final Four schedule, game times

Saturday, April 4

  • Game 1: No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 2 UConn | 6:09 p.m. | TBS | Sling TV
  • Game 2: No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 1 Michigan | 8:49 p.m. | TBS | Sling TV

No. 3 Illinois and No. 2 UConn get the Final Four started at 6:09 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 4, from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. No. 1 Arizona and No. 1 Michigan are scheduled for an 8:49 p.m. ET tip to set the stage for the national title game on Monday, April 6.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness power rankings: Michigan with best odds to win national title

Posted on

NBA power rankings: Thunder, Spurs stay hot, but who took the No. 1 spot?

We’re down to the final stretch of the 2025-26 NBA season.

No team has more than eight remaining games, and the 10 teams – five from each conference – that will miss the playoffs and Play-In Tournament are already determined.

Still, there’s plenty at stake, where teams can mount late charges to improve their seeding. In the East, only one game separates the No. 5 team, the Toronto Raptors, from the No. 7 squad, the Philadelphia 76ers. The six-seed, an automatic playoff spot currently occupied by the Atlanta Hawks, is the prize everyone below is chasing.

Out West, the San Antonio Spurs suddenly have a very real shot to catch the Oklahoma City Thunder for the No. 1 seed. OKC has been rolling lately, but its remaining schedule is the toughest in the NBA, according to Tankathon.com.

Here are USA TODAY Sports’ NBA power rankings after Week 21 of the 2025-26 regular season:

USA TODAY Sports NBA power rankings

Note: Records and stats through March 29. Parentheses show movement from last week’s rankings.

NBA Week 22 power rankings: Top 10

1. San Antonio Spurs, 56-18 (+1)

2. Oklahoma City Thunder, 59-16 (-1)

3. Detroit Pistons, 54-20 (—)

4.Boston Celtics, 50-24 (—)

5. Los Angeles Lakers, 48-26 (+1)

6. Denver Nuggets, 48-28 (+1)

7. New York Knicks, 48-27 (-2)

8. Cleveland Cavaliers, 46-28 (+2) 

9. Minnesota Timberwolves, 45-29 (—)

10. Houston Rockets, 45-29 (-2)

It might not be fair, in practice, to drop the Thunder down one spot, even as they’ve won 14 of their last 15. But the Spurs have been even hotter, and, with their 4-1 record this season over Oklahoma City, they look every bit like a legitimate title contender. Over the last nine games, the Spurs have posted the NBA’s second-best offensive rating, scoring 123.9 points per 100 possessions.

The Lakers and Nuggets, who have been stellar recently, are each angling for the coveted No. 3 seed in the West and both have 48 wins.

The teams sliding here are the Knicks, who have been outperformed by Los Angeles and Denver, and the Rockets, who have lost five of their last 10.

NBA Week 22 power rankings: Nos. 11-20

11. Atlanta Hawks, 42-33 (+4)

12. Toronto Raptors, 42-32 (+2)

13. Phoenix Suns, 41-33 (—)

14. Los Angeles Clippers, 39-36 (+2)

15. Philadelphia 76ers, 41-33 (+2)

16. Orlando Magic, 39-35 (-5)

17. Miami Heat, 39-36 (-5)

18. Charlotte Hornets, 39-36 (—)

19. Portland Trail Blazers, 38-38 (+1)

20. Golden State Warriors, 36-39 (—)

There’s movement all over the middle of the pack. The Hawks have maximized new acquisitions, and no one has been better than point guard CJ McCollum. The Hawks don’t miss Trae Young, and his absence has allowed Jalen Johnson to fully take over as the star point-forward of the team. Headed into its game Monday against the Celtics, Atlanta has gone 12-2 in March, best of all teams in the East.

Though there’s probably too much ground for them to make up, the Clippers have won five consecutive and could be a lurking threat out West, especially after they struggled to start the season.

Two teams plummeting down the rankings are the Magic and the Heat, who have each gone 1-7 in their last eight games. Miami’s defense, which had been a strength most of the season, has been a recent liability. The Heat rank 27th in the league over the last eight games with a defensive rating of 125.5. A loss Sunday, March 29, against the Pacers – one in which Miami scored 11 points in the fourth quarter – at this point in the season, is inexcusable.

The Magic aren’t doing much better, with a defensive rating over that span of 125.4.

NBA Week 22 power rankings: Nos. 21-30

21. Milwaukee Bucks, 29-45 (—)

22. Chicago Bulls, 29-45 (—) 

23. Memphis Grizzlies, 25-49 (—)

24. Dallas Mavericks, 24-50 (-1)

25. New Orleans Pelicans, 25-51 (—)

26. Utah Jazz, 21-54 (—)

27. Sacramento Kings, 19-57 (—)

28. Brooklyn Nets, 18-57 (—)

29. Washington Wizards, 17-57 (—)

30. Indiana Pacers, 17-58 (—)

There are 10 teams currently eliminated from playoff and play-in contention. Each of them is in this bottom third. These teams have, by and large, shut down star players and are playing to lose. It’s a common tactic in the NBA and shouldn’t even carry some moral judgment. But it’s also not worth spending a lot of time dissecting the recent play of these teams, as they build for the future.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA power rankings: San Antonio Spurs, OKC Thunder battling for No. 1

Posted on

Braves vs. Athletics game thread: March 30

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 28: Overall view in the fifth inning during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Kansas City Royals at Truist Park on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Here we go, folks. The Braves are coming off of a series win and looking to make sure that they’ll stay above .500 for another couple of days. Meanwhile, the Athletics are rolling into town after getting bopped by the Blue Jays for three straight games. Can Bryce Elder continue to keep the A’s struggling? Or will the Braves exacerbate the concerns of the A’s? Let’s see what happens tonight!

Posted on

Game Thread: White Sox (0-3) at Marlins (3-0)

Munetaka Murakami looks on, preparing to hit at least one more home run tonight, hopefully. | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The winless White Sox will face the undefeated Marlins in Miami tonight to start the second series of the 2026 season.

Davis Martin, who had a fair Spring Training, will get his first start of the season. Martin owned an ERA of 3.24, with 13 strikeouts, eight walks, and six earned runs throughout 16 2/3 innings. Edgar Quero is back behind the plate. Will Venable has mixed up his lineup a bit, putting Munetaka Murakami as his second batter and Colson Montgomery, who hit a grand slam in Sunday’s game, at cleanup:

While the South Siders hit a rough patch against a tough Brewers team, there are some highlights left from the opening series. The team shared that the young slugger Colon Montgomery had surpassed Alexei Ramírez, becoming the fastest player in team history to record his first two career grand slams. Previously, Ramírez managed it in 97 games in 2008, but Montgomery made it happen faster.

And to go with the positives from the first series, Murakami homered in all three games. (I even got to see one in person.)

The Marlins are starting Chris Paddack, who had a solid Spring Training. Paddack ended with an ERA of just 0.69, striking out 12, only giving up three walks and one earned run on seven hits in 13 innings. Not bad for a No. 4 starter.

First pitch is 5:40 p.m. CT. You can listen on ESPN Chicago 1000 or watch on CHSN.

Posted on

Game 4: Red Sox at Astros

Feb 17, 2026; Lee County, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Ranger Suarez (55) poses for a photo during media day at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

The Red Sox are still on the road, having decamped south to Houston to face the dastardly Astros after losing 2 of 3 to the Reds. Which is fine. It’s March. March! The game’s at 8:10 EDT and the ‘Stros will be wearing their City Connect unis, which I learned from this post:

The Sox will start Ranger Suarez — a Texas Ranger!?! — who makes his team debut. The rest is standard-issue fare. Go Sox!

Oh also you haven’t seen it, here’s Rosalia’s performance at the BRIT awards. Probably more important than all this, ngl:

Posted on

Knicks listing Miles McBride as questionable for Tuesday's game after 'tough' exit vs. Thunder

Miles McBride's first game back since mid-February surgery for a sports hernia left the Knicks holding their collective breath.

McBride collided with Luguentz Dort going for a loose ball and did not return to the game, leaving the court for the locker room midway through the third quarter of Sunday's 111-100 loss at the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Now, New York is listing McBride as questionable for Tuesday's matchup with the Houston Rockets. Additionally, Landry Shamet (knee) will remain out.

"I haven't talked to medical yet, so I don't know how bad it is," Knicks coach Mike Brown said Sunday night, according to the New York Post's Stefan Bondy. "But it's tough. He's worked his tail off to be back.

"And I don't think he made a shot in the first half, but he gave us a lift. You felt his presence. It made us deeper. And because of the foul trouble we had, we were a little shorthanded in that second half, and it was part of the reason they were able to pull away, too."

McBride was scoreless on 0-of-3 shooting but grabbed a rebound, dished an assist and blocked a shot in 11 minutes off the bench against the NBA-best Thunder (59-16).

Prior to his Sunday return, he last played Jan. 27 in New York's 103-87 win over the Sacramento Kings.

McBride entered Sunday with averages of 12.9 points and 2.8 assists in 28 minutes through 35 games (14 starts).

Posted on

Pistons vs Thunder Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Tonight’s NBA Game

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

The top teams in each conference face off tonight as the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Detroit Pistons at Paycom Center.

With defensive attention focused on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Detroit’s frontcourt decimated by injuries, my Pistons vs. Thunder predictions call for Chet Holmgren to have a monster night at home.

Here are my best free NBA picks for this powerhouse showdown on Monday, March 30.

Pistons vs Thunder prediction

Pistons vs Thunder best bet: Chet Holmgren Over 22.5 points+rebounds (-120)

Chet Holmgren is averaging 17.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, and he’s recorded 24-plus points+rebounds in 39 of 64 appearances. That includes five of his last eight games heading into tonight's tilt with the Detroit Pistons.

Holmgren has been more productive at Paycom Center, averaging 27.4 points+rebounds at home compared to just 24.8 on the road. He’s hit the Over on this combo line in 20 of 31 games in front of the home crowd, recording exactly 23 twice more. Holmgren has posted 24+ points+rebounds in four of his last five at home, finishing with 23 once more.

Star defender Ausar Thompson should be tasked with guarding superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tonight, which means Holmgren should see more open looks. In a game with a 218.5 implied point total, there may be additional rebounding opportunities if the teams are forced into tough, contested shots.

Isaiah Hartenstein will be sidelined for the second leg of the Oklahoma City Thunder's back-to-back set, allowing Holmgren to operate as the team’s unquestioned leader in the frontcourt. He’s averaged 25.3 points+rebounds while sharing the court with Hartenstein, compared to 27.2 with Hartenstein sidelined. Jalen Williams’ absence will also boost Holmgren’s statistical workload.

All-Star center Jalen Duren is out tonight, and backup Isaiah Stewart is still sidelined. Detroit will have to rely on undersized big man Paul Reed to pick up the slack and limit Holmgren in the paint and on the glass. That’s a mismatch opportunity, and Holmgren should feast.

This line has fluctuated between 22.5 and 24.5 throughout the day, but I’m more than willing to bet it up to 24.5.

Pistons vs Thunder same-game parlay

Detroit will be missing Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart, and all of Duncan Robinson, Tobias Harris, and Jalen Duren are doubtful.

Despite Detroit’s deep bench and scrappy style of play, they’re simply outmanned by the first-place Thunder, who will cruise to their 60th win of the season.

The Thunder should put away the Pistons with ease, and starters on both sides may see less run late in the game. The short-handed Pistons will struggle to score against OKC’s dominant defense, so I’ll take the Under here.

Pistons vs Thunder SGP

  • Chet Holmgren Over 22.5 points+rebounds
  • Under 219
  • Thunder -12

Our "from downtown" SGP: Defense matters

SGA has seen his scoring dip from 31.4 points to 29.4 points per game across his last 12 outings, and he’s reached 30+ points only six times in that span.

Get the popcorn ready as one of the NBA’s best scorers takes on one of its best defenders. Thompson is one of the favorites for Defensive Player of the Year, and he should be tasked with guarding SGA tonight. 

Thompson’s 107 defensive rating ranks seventh among starters with at least 40 appearances and 25 minutes per game, and he can limit the reigning MVP in the scoring column.

He's also recorded multiple swipes in 36 of 65 games, including three straight. In his first tilt with OKC, Thompson recorded three steals.

Pistons vs Thunder SGP

  • Chet Holmgren Over 22.5 points+rebounds
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Under 29.5 points
  • Ausar Thompson Over 1.5 steals
  • Under 218.5

Pistons vs Thunder odds

  • Spread: Pistons +12 (-110) | Thunder -12 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Pistons +475 | Thunder -650
  • Over/Under: Over 218.5 (-110) | Under 218.5 (-110)

Pistons vs Thunder betting trend to know

The Oklahoma City Thunder have hit the Team Total Under in 15 of their last 20 games at home (+9.25 Units / 41% ROI) Find more NBA betting trends for Pistons vs. Thunder.

How to watch Pistons vs Thunder

LocationPaycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
DateMonday, March 30, 2026
Tip-off9:30 p.m. ET
TVPeacock

Pistons vs Thunder latest injuries

Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Posted on

Why Mets have Jorge Polanco at DH for second straight game, Jared Young in starting lineup

Monday marks Luis Robert Jr’s first time out of the Mets’ lineup this season.

The outfielder was one of the teams most productive bats in the season opening series win over the Pirates, but they opted to sit him to open the seven-game roadtrip. 

With Robert out of the lineup, Carson Benge slides over to make his first start in center and Brett Baty will play right for his first-ever big-league appearance in the outfield. 

Jorge Polanco is set to DH for the second straight game as he deals with an Achilles issue that flared up over the weekend, so taking his place at first base is Jared Young.

Carlos Mendoza said the team isn’t concerned as Polanco plays through the issue, but they are trying to limit his exposure in the field as they treat it.

“We just have to be careful with him, especially this early,” the skipper said. 

Mendoza also explained that the team decided to give Young his first start of the season in an effort to load up on their lefty bats with right-hander Kyle Leahy on the mound. 

“We’re comfortable with him,” he said on Young. “I wanted to get as many left-handed hitters in the lineup as possible. That’s why Luis understanding he’s going to get an off day in the middle of this stretch here that we’re playing, it made the most sense with Baty in right, Benge in center, and Jared at first.”

While Mark Vientos was passed over this time, Mendoza said pregame Saturday that he expects he’ll make his first start of the season when the Mets face lefty Matthew Liberatore in the series finale on Wednesday. 

Despite seeing just one at-bat to this point, Mendoza is confident Vientos will be ready when his name is called.

Bo knows

Carlos Mendoza wasn’t surprised by how Bo Bichette handled things on Sunday. 

The Mets’ new third baseman owned his early-season struggles after squandering more opportunities and going hitless again in the series finale loss to the Pirates. 

Bichette thought it took too long to start receiving boos from the orange and blue faithful, as he put together what he descried as “terrible at-bats” in search of his first Mets moment.

The skipper expected that type of response from a player he called a “total pro.”

“This is a guy that grew up in the game,” Mendoza said. “He understands the meaning of every pitch, every at-bat, every game, and he understands the stage -- when he signed here, he knew what he signed up for, and he was like I love it, I can’t wait. Watching him yesterday handling the whole situation the way he did, I wasn’t surprised.”

Posted on

Washington Nationals vs Philadelphia Phillies Game Thread

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 29: CJ Abrams #5 high-fives Brady House #12 of the Washington Nationals celebrate after the final out of a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on March 29, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Griffin Quinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After a great series win in Chicago to open the season, the Nats face another tough challenge. The Philadelphia Phillies have had their number for the last few years. However, these new look Nats have already shown they will not back down. This is also the first divisional matchup and the last series before the Nats home opener.

Blake Butera tried to balance analytics and feel in this lineup. He put the red hot Joey Wiemer in the lineup, but is hitting him 9th against a righty. Wiemer has not been productive against right handed pitching in his career, but he is too hot to sit. He will also be in center field today.

 James Wood will remain in the leadoff spot, while Luis Garcia Jr. will be in the two hole. Even against a righty, CJ Abrams will be down hitting fifth, which is a bit surprising. Drew Millas will be catching, as it seems the Nats are doing a true time share behind the plate. Foster Griffin will make his first start for the Nats and his first outing since reinventing himself in Japan.

If you have followed the game the last few years, you would know the Phillies lineup by now. The three former Nats will be at the top of the order. One new face in Philly is Adolis Garcia, who the Phillies picked up in free agency. Starting catcher JT Realmuto will get the day off today. Taijuan Walker will be on the mound. He had a bit of a bounce back year in 2025.

Join the conversation!

Sign up for a user account and get:

  • Fewer ads
  • Create community posts
  • Comment on articles, community posts
  • Rec comments, community posts
  • New, improved notifications system!

Game Info:

Stadium: Citizens Bank Park

Time: 6:40 PM EST

TV: Nationals.TV

Radio: 106.7 The Fan

It was a great start to the season, but the Nats need to keep the good times rolling. I like the decision to go against the numbers and keep Wiemer in the lineup. It shows a level of feel from Butera and the front office. Hopefully Joey can continue his hot streak. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!

Posted on

Crosby's Status Up-In-The-Air For Biggest Game Of Season Against New York Islanders

If the Pittsburgh Penguins are going to make the playoffs - or make any kind of run in the playoffs - it would serve them well to get healthy as soon as possible. 

And they may have their best player back for the biggest matchup of their season on Monday night.

Penguins' captain Sidney Crosby - who sustained a lower-body injury during Pittsburgh's 4-3 shootout win against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday - skated with the team on Monday morning and, according to head coach Dan Muse, is still being evaluated as an option for their standings-critical game against the New York Islanders later the same day.

Forward Evgeni Malkin - day-to-day with an upper-body injury - was ruled out for the game, while Muse didn't want to give any specifics on other players such as Bryan Rust and Noel Acciari, who also skated Monday but missed Sunday's team practice for "maintenance" reasons. 

"I still have to have conversations with the medical staff, so in regards to everybody, I'm not going to comment right now," Muse said after the morning skate. "I'm just waiting until I have some final conversations with the medical staff in regards to the game lineup."

The Penguins did call up forward Avery Hayes as insurance before their game against the Islanders, who are one point above the Penguins - who sit in the third place - in the Metropolitan Division standings as of now. They will still have a game in hand on the Isles after their Monday matchup, so a regulation win would go a long way in giving them a higher chance of making the playoffs.

Pittsburgh Penguins At New York Islanders Preview: Lineup Changes, Where To WatchPittsburgh Penguins At New York Islanders Preview: Lineup Changes, Where To WatchThe Pittsburgh Penguins will try to earn two massive points in the standings on Monday.

The Penguins have nine regular season games remaining, and they also play the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. They will conclude their 2025-26 with six games against teams that are currently out of the playoff picture. 

In addition to Crosby and Malkin, the Penguins have also been playing without the services of Blake Lizotte, who is a key part of their bottom-six and has missed the last seven games with an upper-body injury. He is currently set to be re-evaluated during the final week of the regular season.

Penguins Notebook: Crosby, Malkin Return To Practice Ahead Of Monday's Massive Game On Long IslandPenguins Notebook: Crosby, Malkin Return To Practice Ahead Of Monday's Massive Game On Long IslandThe Pittsburgh Penguins got two of their best players back at practice on Sunday.

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!   

Posted on

Colorado Rockies game no. 4 thread: Tomoyuki Sugano vs. Cody Ponce

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 24: Colorado Rockies pitcher Tomoyaki Sugano (11) throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers during a Spring Training game on March 24, 2026, at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

After being swept by the Marlins in opening weekend, the Rockies will see if going to Canada will help them find their first win of the 2026 season as they take on the Toronto Blue Jays tonight. 

It won’t be easy for the Rockies (0-3) as the Blue Jays (3-0) are not only the defending American League Champions, but they also went 3-0 against the A’s over the weekend. The Rockies made it close, losing all three games by one run to Miami and were outscored 10-7 in the series. Toronto also won two one-run games, but outscored the A’s 16-11.

While it wasn’t an ideal start for the Rockies, it’s a small sample size and it’s too soon to draw conclusions. However, in addition to suffering a walk-off loss on Sunday, the Rockies also faced travel delays heading north of the border.

Colorado is hoping RHP Tomoyuki Sugano can have a solid start in his Rockies debut, and maybe even become the first starting pitcher of 2026 to make it to the sixth inning. The Rockies signed Sugano, a free agent with 12 years of experience in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League, on Feb. 10 to a one-year, $5.1 million deal just before spring training. Pitching for Japan in the World Baseball Classic this spring, Sugano threw four scoreless innings in his only start.

Sugano, 36, made his MLB debut with Baltimore last season and posted a 4.64 ERA in 30 starts (157 innings). On the bright side, he throws strikes and posted a 5.3% walk rate, in addition to throwing 106 strikeouts. On the downside, he gave up an AL-leading 33 homers. Sugano pitch mix features a split finger, a sweeping slider, two fastballs — a four-seamer and a “shuuto” that is sometimes identified as a sinker, a cutter and a curveball.

The Rockies will face RHP Cody Ponce, who, like Sugano, will be making his first start of the season and debuting for a new team. Ponce pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2020-21, making 20 appearances (five starts) with a 5.86 ERA in 55 ⅓ innings with 48 strikeouts and 17 walks, while giving up 13 homers. He’s spent the last four seasons playing in Japan and Korea, putting up an outstanding 2025 where he recorded a 1.89 ERA with 252 strikeouts over 180 2/3 innings.

Earlier on Monday, the Rockies announced their minor league rosters.

First Pitch: 5:07 p.m. MDT

TV: Rockies.TV

Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM KOA Rockies Radio Network (1:55 p.m. pregame)

SBN Site: Bluebird Banter

Lineups:

Join the conversation!

Sign up for a user account and get:

  • Fewer ads
  • Create community posts
  • Comment on articles, community posts
  • Rec comments, community posts
  • New, improved notifications system!

Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!

Posted on

Bulls waive Jaden Ivey after homophobic rant on social media

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 09: Jaden Ivey #31 of the Chicago Bulls reacts during the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on February 09, 2026 in New York City. 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 Evan Bernstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Chicago Bulls acquired Jaden Ivey at the trade deadline from the Detroit Pistons in an attempt to cash in on the potential he once showed as a former top-five pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Ivey only played four games with the Bulls before being shut down with knee soreness, which had been bothering him since the start of the season. Ivey was slated to become a restricted free agent this summer, but he’s no longer in the Bulls’ plans after some strange rants on social media over the weekend.

The Bulls waived Ivey on Monday after he made homophobic comments on social media during a speech about his religion views, according to ESPN insider Shams Charania. The Bulls put out a statement saying Ivey was released for “conduct detrimental to the team.”

Ivey went on Instagram live and discussed his Christian faith as it relates to topics like gay rights and abortion.

“They proclaim Pride Month in the NBA,” Ivey said in the video. “They say come join us for Pride Month to celebrate unrighteousness. They proclaim it”

Ivey also made these comments about how two women can’t have a baby.

Ivey said he was struggling with drinking and pornography addiction before finding Jesus.

Ivey was also responding to fans on Instagram comments. When asked if he goes to confession, Ivey called Catholicism a “false religion” and said it “does not lead to salvation in Jesus Christ.”

Ivey drew headlines earlier this season when he said “the old JI is dead.” Here’s the full quote:

“I’ve been dealing with knee soreness in my knee,” Ivey said. “I’m sure people can call it out that I’m not the same player I used to be. That’s why. I’m not the J.I. I used to be. But the old J.I. is dead. I’m alive in Christ no matter what the basketball setting is.”

Ivey suffered a horrific leg injury when he broke his fibula during a terrifying play on New Years Day 2025. He was out through Nov. of that year, and then experienced knee soreness when he tried to come back, which ultimately ended his short run with the Bulls.

When Detroit fans commented on Ivey’s social media videos, he said “the Pistons aren’t going to matter on judgement day.”

Ivey had a $30 million cap hold this summer if the Bulls would have extended him the qualifying offer as a restricted free agent. Essentially, the Bulls would not have been able to access their cap space unless they came to a quick free agent agreement with Ivey. That’s not a problem anymore with the team deciding to move on.

Ivey had a reputation as a “preacher” in the locker room before he got to the Bulls, and there were rumblings he liked to talk to teammates about their faith. Chicago Sun-Times reporter Joe Cowley first reported that the Bulls planned to move on from the guard.

Read our old scouting report on Ivey ahead of the 2022 NBA Draft. His explosiveness was taken away by the ugly leg injury. Maybe the 24-year-old can get his career back on track if he gets healthy. It just won’t be with the Bulls.

Posted on

Orioles-Rangers Monday Game Thread

SARASOTA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 16: Chris Bassitt #40 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on during practice at Ed Smith Stadium on February 16, 2026 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Baltimore Orioles/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Tyler O’Neill earned another appearance in the lineup after smacking a momentum shifting three-run home run Sunday against the Twins. O’Neill will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth tonight against the Rangers. Taylor Ward (left), Colton Cowser (center) and Dylan Beavers (right) will handle the outfield duties.

Samuel Basallo will begin the game on the bench with Adley Rutschman set to catch Chris Bassitt. Bassitt will make his Orioles debut after signing a one-year deal with the Birds over the offseason.

Coby Mayo will return to his new home at third base with Gunnar Henderson playing to his left. Blaze Alexander will get the nod at second, and Pete Alonso will play first base.

The Orioles will face former first-round pick Jack Leiter.

Orioles lineup:

  1. Taylor Ward LF
  2. Gunnar Henderson SS
  3. Pete Alonso 1B
  4. Adley Rutschman C
  5. Tyler O’Neill DH
  6. Dylan Beavers RF
  7. Coby Mayo 3B
  8. Colton Cowser CF
  9. Blaze Alexander 2B

Starter: RHP Chris Bassitt