Nathan MacKinnon leads the NHL in scoring by a healthy margin, sitting four goals clear of Connor McDavid and eight ahead of the closest player beyond No. 97.
MacKinnon has gone a little quiet of late, but my Avalanche vs. Red Wings predictions see him snapping out of his funk in this matchup.
Let’s break down my NHL picks for Saturday, January 31.
Avalanche vs Red Wings prediction
Avalanche vs Red Wings best bet: Nathan MacKinnon anytime goal (-120)
Nathan MacKinnon hasn’t scored in five consecutive games, his longest stretch of the season. This is a sneaky good spot to get back on track.
The Detroit Red Wings are without Simon Edvinsson, who plays on their matchup pairing alongside Moritz Seider. Jacob Benard-Docker has filled in effectively thus far, but he’s not the same level of player as Edvinsson.
Not having all hands on deck against MacKinnon could be problematic.
Detroit is also allowing a lot of slot shots. They rank 29th in defending the slot over the past 10 games. That happens to be the area MacKinnon shoots from most frequently — and it isn’t close.
The Red Wings also rank Bottom 10 in PK% their last 10 games. They should make it easier for the Avalanche — who have surprisingly struggled on the power play — to find a goal.
While John Gibson has performed well for the Wings between the pipes, he has still had a tough time going up in class. Gibson has given up at least three goals in seven of his last nine games against Top 10 scoring offenses.
The Colorado Avalanche should score a few in this spot, and I like one to come off MacKinnon’s stick.
Avalanche vs Red Wings same-game parlay
Martin Necas has 40 assists through 52 games, putting him on pace to shatter his previous high of 43. Playing with MacKinnon at 5-on-5 and on the power play, Necas shares the ice more with him than anybody. He’s the most likely candidate to set him up for a goal.
The Avalanche haven’t played their best hockey of late, yet 11 of their past 13 wins following a day off have come by multiple goals.
Avalanche vs Red Wings SGP
Nathan MacKinnon anytime goal
Martin Necas Over 0.5 assists
Avalanche -1.5
Avalanche vs Red Wings odds
Moneyline: Colorado -145 | Detroit +125
Puck line: Colorado -1.5 (+160) | Detroit +1.5 (-190)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-110) | Under 6.5 (-110)
Avalanche vs Red Wings trend
Nathan MacKinnon has scored in five of his past six games against Detroit. Find more NHL betting trends for Avalanche vs. Red Wings.
How to watch Avalanche vs Red Wings
Location
Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Date
Saturday, January 31, 2026
Puck drop
1:00 p.m. ET
TV
ABC
Avalanche vs Red Wings latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. 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
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 30: Mohamed Diawara #51 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 30, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Knicks being the Knicks are Knicking, of course, going from losing 9-of-11 to winning five consecutive games.
Coming up next? The Lake Show at MSG on Sunday evening.
Here’s what your current (and maybe future) superheroes had to say after yesterday’s trouncing of the PDX.
"Defensively, our guys are doing a nice job trying to do what our rules are. They're trying to stay connected, trying to play off of one another."
Mike Brown talks about the Knicks' defensive effort in their win over the Trail Blazers: pic.twitter.com/Sf0SQYN3Lb
“We went through a little bit of adversity in terms of our wins and losses. Our guys just kind of stayed with it. We kept trying to help them as best we could. Those guys stayed with it, they stayed together. This is a veteran group that has been through a lot. They figured out what they needed to do to play at a high level. They’re going out there and showing it.”
On the need for connectivity and cohesion:
“They’re trying to stay connected, play off one another. When that happens, good things happen for our team. This is a veteran group that’s been through a lot. They figured out what they needed to do play at a high level.”
On the improved defensive cohesion during the winning streak:
“It starts defensively. The way the guys are on a string, that is at a pretty high level. You’ve got to be connected on that end of the floor. Obviously, you’ve got to be connected all the time, but especially defensively. Shots aren’t going to go in all the time.
“It’s just a work in progress. We’re continuing to try to work at it, try to help them. The guys are a little bit more comfortable with what we’re trying to do, and it’s shown.”
On Karl-Anthony Towns’ impact on games beyond scoring:
“To me, that’s what great players do. They impact the game in a lot of different ways and for him to have 22 against Toronto, and 20 tonight, double-double, it was huge. Six of those were offensive rebounds and we beat them 20-9 on the offensive glass and they’re a very, very good offensive rebounding team.”
On Jalen Brunson’s defensive approach:
“He’s been impressive leading with his chest, showing his hands and trying to play defense the right way with a little chip on his shoulder. It’s not just him, it’s all of our guys that have done that. But it’s good to see him doing it, especially with that scoring load that we put on him on the other end of the floor.”
On blocking out trade deadline noise:
“We understand that we have no control over the noise out there, so we have to have a bunker mentality. Not just at the trade deadline but all the time because there is a lot of noise out there. We’re all human and you try not to listen to it. You just try to stay together. You keep moving forward, trying to get better as the days go along and I think that’s what this group is trying to do.”
Josh Hart was asked about the trade rumors surrounding the Knicks ahead of the trade deadline:
"This is my ninth year in the league. I think I've dealt with trade rumors for eight of them. I think the only time I didn't might have been last year when I signed that extension. I… pic.twitter.com/7HzvCgIDKj
“I think we’re trusting each other more. During that skid, during film and all that, we had guys talk and that was one thing I think Deuce said, we gotta make sure we continue to trust each other. When you’re on the ball, trust that the guys are gonna be in the shifts for you. Somebody gets blown by, the big steps up, the big has a trust that the guard is gonna sink into his man, someone is gonna X out. I think we’re just continuing to gain that trust. I think we’re communicating more on the defensive end. You do that, that helps the trust area.”
On playing to the Knicks’ strengths:
“We’ve got good depth. We’ve got guys that can score. We’re able to play fast and to our advantages but it starts at the defensive end. And that’s where we’ve improved these last five games.”
On pace helping New York early in games:
“I think for us the faster we play, especially in the beginning of a game, it’s to our benefit. We’ve got shooters, we’ve got guys that can run the court. So playing fast helps us.”
On living with trade rumors:
“This is my ninth year in the league. I think I’ve dealt with trade rumors for eight of them. It’s a part of the game. It’s part of being in New York. At times, it can get frustrating and overbearing, but that’s why you don’t really put anything into it because 99% of stuff doesn’t even materialize.”
“I think we’re a little bit more connected than we’ve been. Gotta continue to build off it and keep having each other’s backs. I think, most importantly, our attention to detail. I’m gonna keep stressing that is very important for us.”
On Karl-Anthony Towns’ rebounding impact:
“What he’s been doing these past couple games has been great. We need that from him. That’s what he brings to the table. Offensively, when the ball’s not going in as much as it should be, he finds a way to impact the game. I think that’s really important for us. Big-time performance for him.”
MSG's @BillPidto: "Why has the defense improved so much?"
OG Anunoby: "Just improved communication…After our recent little slump…Coach BOC (Knicks defensive coordinator Brendan O'Connor) is a great defensive coach, just going & executing what he says" pic.twitter.com/weVjFNDKUJ
“I feel like I’ve been in trade rumors a lot for a lot of times, for a year damn near. That don’t matter to me. I don’t look at social media or none of that stuff. I focus on the job on hand, which is trying to get wins every single night. As long as I do that, I do my job, I go home happy and I feel accomplished. I’m not worried about what anybody got to say or people write or anything like that.”
On his mental approach during the Knicks’ turnaround:
“I was talking to Landry about it. It’s a mental thing. Not worrying about it, knowing that you’re aggressive and trying to make plays on both ends, the basketball gods will bless you at one point.”
— Philly Sports By Number (@philly_number) June 25, 2025
Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee Bucks)
On the Knicks’ style of play:
“They’ve always been a grit-and-grind team. A team that plays hard. Good at every position. Can defend. Just a hard-playing team.”
On playing at Madison Square Garden:
“It’s cool playing here. The history that comes with it, it’s just always been a fun place to play.”
Unless you root for the Jets, you can't empathize with our fanbase. During this 15-year playoff drought, there have been several cringe-worthy moments that could only happen to the Jets. Where does this latest dysfunction stack up? Today, I decided to rank my Top 25. #Jets#JetUppic.twitter.com/yAnZFvPTvB
The Calgary Flames will welcome Macklin Celebrini and the San Jose Sharks to Scotiabank Saddledome this afternoon, with puck drop scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ET.
Jonathan Huberdeau has been creating chances lately, and I’m eyeing him to keep it up in my Sharks vs. Flames predictions.
Read more in my NHL picks for Saturday, January 31.
Sharks vs Flames prediction
Sharks vs Flames best bet: Jonathan Huberdeau Over 1.5 shots on goal (-140)
Jonathan Huberdeau is having a respectable campaign for the struggling Calgary Flames, collecting a total of 23 points. He’s averaged 1.70 shots on goal per contest, and has picked it up as of late.
The Quebec native has hit the Over in shots on target in four consecutive appearances. Across his last two games, Huberdeau has nine SOG alone. On Thursday, Huberdeau tallied four shots on net against the Wild.
Last Sunday, he also had five SOG. Three of his last four games where he cashed the Over were at home as well, and the San Jose Sharks are 30th in the NHL in shots allowed.
Sharks vs Flames same-game parlay
Huberdeau had six points in four meetings with San Jose in the 2024-25 campaign.
Morgan Frost has scored 11 goals for Calgary in 2025-26, and he’s netted three times in January.
Sharks vs Flames SGP
Jonathan Huberdeau Over 1.5 shots on goal
Jonathan Huberdeau Over 0.5 points
Morgan Frost anytime goal
Sharks vs Flames odds
Moneyline: Sharks -110 | Flames -110
Puck Line: Sharks +1.5 | Flames -1.5
Over/Under: Over 6 | Under 6
Sharks vs Flames trend
The Flames have covered the Puck Line in 17 of their last 25 games at home (+13.20 Units / 32% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Sharks vs. Flames.
How to watch Sharks vs Flames
Location
Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, AB
Date
Saturday, January 31, 2026
Puck drop
4:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBCSCA, Sportsnet
Sharks vs Flames latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. 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
They often say that the third time’s the charm, and the Montreal Canadiens will be hoping that’s the case for them when they take on the Buffalo Sabres for the third time in as many weeks. Lindy Ruff’s men won the first duel 5-3 in Buffalo and the second 4-2 in Montreal. Jacob Fowler was in the net for the first, and Samuel Montembeault got the net for the second.
The Canadiens didn’t practice yesterday as they were travelling to Buffalo, so Martin St-Louis has yet to confirm his starting netminder, but considering Jakub Dobes convincingly won his last two games, it would make sense to give him the net for this must-win game. The Czech netminder has not lost in regulation since December 9 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He has won his last five games and seven out of his previous nine tilts. He has taken on the Sabres twice in his career and is 2-0-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage. Meanwhile, Samuel Montembeault has a 5-6-0 record against the hosts with a 3.04 GAA and a .900 SV.
At the other end of the ice, Ruff has not confirmed his starter either, but in the Sabres’ win over the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday, Alex Lyon broke a franchise record by winning his 10th consecutive game. Given the importance of Saturday night’s tilt, it would be shocking if he wasn’t between the pipes. He has a 4-3-0 record against the Habs with a 3.14 GAA and a .883 SV. The Sabres currently have two other goalies on the roster, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Colten Ellis. The former has a 2-2-0 record against Montreal with a 3.95 GAA and a .871 SV, while the latter has a 1-0-0 record with a 3.01 GAA and a .870 SV.
Up front, Nick Suzuki is the Canadiens’ most productive player against Buffalo with 24 points in just 20 games. Brendan Gallagher also has 24 points, but in 46 games. Cole Caufield completes the top three with 13 points in just 17 games. The sniper was held off the scoresheet in the 7-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday, putting an end to his six-game goal-scoring streak. However, Mike Matheson is on a six-game point streak with six assists in as many games.
Meanwhile, the Habs will need to find a way to contain the Sabres’ first line if they want to have any hope of winning. Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch and Zach Benson have been a thorn in the Canadiens’ side this season so far. Thompson leads his team in points against the visitors with 22 points in 19 games, followed by Rasmus Dahlin, who has 20 points in 23 games, and Tuch completes the top three with 19 points in 21 games. The latter scored a hat trick in the Sabres’ last game and has five goals in his previous three games.
Tonight’s winner will take sole possession of third place in the Atlantic Division, which the Sabres currently hold. Both teams have 67 points (just like the Boston Bruins), but Buffalo has only played 53 games while Montreal has played 54 and Boston 55.
The Sabres might have won the last two duels, but the Canadiens have won six of the previous 10 duels. Buffalo has won its last five games and is 7-2- 1 in their previous 10 matches. Meanwhile, the Canadiens have won their last two games and are 5-4-1 in their previous 10.
The game is set for 7:00 PM, and you can catch it on TVA Sports, City TV and Sportsnet East. Francis Charron and Kendrick Nicholson will be the referees. James Tobias and Mark Shewchyk will be the linemen. This is the Canadiens’ second-to-last game before the Olympic break. The Habs will head to Minnesota on Sunday, where they’ll take on the Wild on Monday night before meeting the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday night. Then Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkovsky, Oliver Kapanen, and Alexandre Texier will all head to Italy for the games, while their teammates will get 12 days off with practices set to resume in Brossard on February 17.
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Jhoan Duran #59 of the Philadelphia Phillies smiles during batting practice prior to Game Three of the National League Division Series presented by Booking.com between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Think about the bullpen that the Phillies were putting together when 2025 was beginning. Names like Jose Ruiz and Carlos Hernandez were prominent. Stuff was hard to find. In short, it wasn’t a good bullpen.
Fast forward to now: the bullpen is probably the strength of this team. Is it the best way to construct a roster? Probably not. Had they had their druthers, the Phillies would rather their offense or starting pitching lead the way. That still may become a reality. They do have a few top level starters in the rotation with another on his way back from injury. The offense has some potential to have some MVP level seasons from a few starters, but if we were being honest right now, the bullpen is very good.
So, what’s the best order in terms of leverage when considering the bullpen? Obviously, in the highest leverage situation, Jhoan Duran would be the one who gets the ball (all things being equal). After that, situational preference would rule the day. But if this were in a vacuum, what is the best order?
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 11: Kyle Stowers #28 of the Miami Marlins heads back to the dugout after striking out in the ninth inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on June 11, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Los Angeles Dodgers are on track to pay at least 160 million dollars of MLB competitive balance tax in 2026. In all, ten teams will be charged close to 500 million dollars in 2026. And it’s only January 31st. There are some big free agents still available. We’ve been over the salary cap and floor and overspending and the poor teams at the bottom. But we haven’t discussed one aspect, however. Where does all that money go?
Three and a half million dollars go to player benefits. After that, half of that money goes into baseball players IRAs. The other half goes to teams that didn’t violate the tax threshold. But where does that money go, exactly?
It is placed into a non-public discretionary fund. It’s a slush fund for lousy teams. Reportedly, some of last year’s tax went to reimburse teams that were affected by the RSN bankruptcy and non-payment of television rights fees. But outside of that, it’s a closed book. But one thing is for certain, it’s going to teams that aren’t funding their payrolls as well as the Dodgers, Mets, and to a smaller extent, the Braves.
So why are the Dodgers and other big spenders paying for bad baseball? And that’s exactly what is happening. And when you subsidize something, you are going to get more of it. Why are they keeping the Marlins and Pirates and Rockies afloat? It looks like corporate welfare. Is that what we’re doing here? Is there something else we could do here like remove/replace the soft salary cap? Or keep it and:
Build a children’s hospital
Fund high school baseball in poorer areas
Fund free summer ticket packages for high school scholars
Fund new stadiums and refuse public funds
I’m sorry if I don’t shed tears for the owners. But there’s many worthy causes that could be helped with that money. Major sports franchises cost money. If they can’t fund if correctly, sell it to someone who can and let their fans benefit. The NFL’s Seattle Seahawks are going up for sale. It might sell for seven to eight billion dollars. So why wouldn’t someone want to buy the smaller MLB teams if the current owners don’t want to compete?
The Winnipeg Jets and Florida Panthers face off for the second time in 10 days following a tight 2-1 shootout win for the back-to-back Stanley Cup champs in their first meeting.
Despite a low-scoring battle last time, I’m expecting a different story with plenty of goals this time around. I’ll break down why I’m on the Over in my Jets vs. Panthers predictions and NHL picks for Saturday, January 31.
Jets vs Panthers prediction
Jets vs Panthers best bet: Over 5.5 (-130)
It’s no secret that the Winnipeg Jets have suffered from subpar goaltending this season.
Winnipeg owns an .896 team SV% (18th), while reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner, Connor Hellebuyck, is carrying just a .902 SV% himself.
That’s translated to the Jets allowing more than three goals per game this season and cashing the Over in 59.6% of their contests — the sixth-highest rate in the NHL.
The Florida Panthers have a reputation as a defensive juggernaut, but the reigning back-to-back Stanley Cup champions have not been the same team this season.
The Cats are giving up 3.57 GPG since the calendar flipped to 2026 — the sixth-worst mark in the league over that span. Florida has also cashed the Over in 58.5% of its games this season.
Both teams give up a lot of goals. Give me the Over this afternoon.
Jets vs Panthers same-game parlay
Josh Morrissey is having another productive season despite the Jets’ struggles.
Morrissey ranks among the Top 10 in points among blueliners and has excelled at getting pucks on net. The Jets defenseman has Over 1.5 shots on goal in five of his last six games.
Mark Scheifele has been hot to start the new year with a team-leading eight goals in 15 games. The Jets center has four goals in his last six road contests.
Jets vs Panthers SGP
Over 5.5
Josh Morrissey Over 1.5 shots on goal
Mark Scheifele anytime goal
Jets vs Panthers odds
Moneyline: Jets +128 | Panthers -154
Puck Line: Jets +1.5 | Panthers -1.5
Over/Under: Over 6 | Under 6
Jets vs Panthers trend
The Jets have hit the Over in 10 of their last 15 games (+5.80 Units / 35% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Jets vs. Panthers.
How to watch Jets vs Panthers
Location
Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL
Date
Saturday, January 31, 2026
Puck drop
4:00 p.m. ET
TV
TSN3, SCRIPPS
Jets vs Panthers latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. 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
One of the best teams in the Western Conference heads east to face one of the hottest teams in the Association when the San Antonio Spurs take on the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center tonight.
The Hornets are surging, and my Spurs vs. Hornets predictions expect Charlotte to cover the spread as a home underdog.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this marquee matinee on Saturday, January 31.
Spurs vs Hornets prediction
Spurs vs Hornets best bet: Hornets +4 (-110)
The Charlotte Hornets are hot right now, and despite the strong play of the San Antonio Spurs, the home team has been too good to be spotted four points.
Injuries have plagued Charlotte for much of the season, but a healthy roster has yielded favorable results.
The Hornets finished January tied for the best point differential on the road in a single month in NBA history at +151 across 11 games. Charlotte is +31 across its last five home games.
Charlotte is 10-6 straight up and ATS across its last 16 games and currently owns a five-game win streak. In that 16-game span, Charlotte is +182, good for 11.7 points per game better than its opponents.
The Hornets are 28-21 ATS this season, while the Spurs are 24-23-1. San Antonio is 4-6-1 as the road favorite, while Charlotte is 9-7 as the home underdog.
I wouldn't be surprised if the home team earns another victory, but I'm confident they can keep it close regardless of the outcome. Give me the Hornets and the points
Spurs vs Hornets same-game parlay
The Spurs are 18-30 to the Under, and the Hornets are 20-29. Charlotte has hit the Under in two of its last three overall and two of its last three at home. San Antonio is 1-9 to the Under across its last 10 outings.
Brandon Miller is averaging 21.6 points per game at home this season, and he's scored 21+ in nine of 15 at Spectrum Center. He's scored 20+ in nine straight games, and he's reached 21 or more in four straight and eight of nine, averaging 24.6 points in that span.
Spurs vs Hornets SGP
Hornets +4
Under 225.5
Brandon Miller Over 20.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: King of the Castle!
Stephon Castle has averaged 7.8 assists across his last eight outings, handing out at least eight dimes six times in that span. The Hornets have allowed the ninth-most assists per game this season, giving Castle a favorable matchup on the road.
Spurs vs Hornets SGP
Hornets +4
Under 225.5
Brandon Miller Over 20.5 points
Stephon Castle Over 7.5 assists
Spurs vs Hornets odds
Spread: Spurs -4 (-110) | Hornets +4 (-110)
Moneyline: Spurs-170 | Hornets +145
Over/Under: Over 225.5 (-110) | Under 225.5 (-110)
Spurs vs Hornets betting trend to know
The Charlotte Hornets have hit the Moneyline in 14 of their last 24 games (+15.10 Units / 45% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Spurs vs. Hornets.
How to watch Spurs vs Hornets
Location
Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
Date
Saturday, January 31, 2026
Tip-off
3:00 p.m. ET
TV
Prime Video
Spurs vs Hornets 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
CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 12: Codi Heuer #57 of the Detroit Tigers pitches during an MLB game against the Chicago White Sox on August 12, 2025, at Rate Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Guardians put out a list of non-roster players invited to big league spring training. That list was incomplete. The complete list is below:
Pitchers:
Pedro Avila, RHP, Tanner Burns, RHP, Aaron Davenport, RHP, Trenton Denholm, RHP, Will Dion, LHP, Carlos Hernandez, RHP, Codi Heuer, LHP, Jack Leftwich, RHP, Tommy Mace, RHP, Jake Miller, RHP, Steven Perez, LHP, Trevor Stephan, RHP, and Ryan Webb, LHP.
Catchers:
Cameron Barstad, LHH, Jacob Cozart, LHH, Kody Huff, RHH, Cooper Ingle, LHH, and Dom Nunez, RHH.
Infielders:
Travis Bazzana, LHH, Dayan Fries, SH, Carter Kieboom, RHH, Milan Tolentino, LHH, and Ralphy Velazquez, LHH.
Outfielders:
Wuilfredo Antunez, LHH, Stuart Fairchild, RHH, and Alfonsin Rosario, RHH.
A great list! I thought maybe Kahl Stephen would be on it, but folks come over from minor league camp regularly so expect to see him as well.
SPRINGFIELD, MO - JUNE 10: Jackson Ferris #10 of the Tulsa Drillers pitches during the game between the Tulsa Drillers and the Springfield Cardinals at Hammons Field on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Springfield, Missouri. (Photo by Shanna Stafford/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
We’ve had a pair of top-100 prospect lists drop in each of the last two weeks, with between four and seven Dodgers included on those lists. But with those list also comes further analysis of the minor leagues, both with individual players and farm systems as a whole.
Taiwanese outfielder Ching-Hsien Ko was one of 11 prospects who just missed making the top 100 at The Athletic, with Keith Law very high on the 19-year-old who ended last season with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga: “Ko is going to end up hitting for power, though, as he’s 6-foot-3 and already north of his listed 215, with quick hands and good rhythm to the swing.”
Jackson Ferris was ranked the No. 126 prospect in baseball by Kiley McDaniel at ESPN, who praised the left-hander as one of a handful of pitchers who could someday carry a heavy major league workload. “He’ll probably need to take one more step forward in stuff or command to actually hit 200 innings in the big leagues, but the ceiling is there,” McDaniel wrote.
“They aren’t the No. 1 farm system in the sport anymore, but they are tied for first with the Rays in ‘quality depth,’ which is just the total number of prospects they have graded above 40 FV [Future Value],” McDaniel wrote at ESPN.
We’ll have more prospect talk soon as Baseball Prospectus is expected to unveil their top-101 list next week.
Battery of moves
The Mets on Thursday signed longtime Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes to a minor league contract with a non-roster invitation to spring training, and also signed one-time Dodgers reliever Craig Kimbrel to a minors deal as well. Should Barnes reach the majors with New York, he’ll join a surprisingly large list of catchers to play for both the Dodgers and Mets.
That group includes Mike Piazza, Gary Carter, Todd Hundley, Paul Lo Duca, Sandy Alomar Jr., Rod Barajas, Gary Bennett, Henry Blanco, Chris Cannizzaro, Travis d’Arnaud, Jerry Grote, Brent Mayne, Jason Phillips, Joe Pignatano, Norm Sherry, Rick Wilkins, and Tom Wilson.
DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 24: Naji Marshall #13 of the Dallas Mavericks is defended by Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at American Airlines Center on January 24, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The trade deadline is less than a week away, and the Mavericks are expected to be active. Following Anthony Davis’s injury that derailed any trade talks for the 10-time All-Star, the focus has shifted to other key rotational pieces for the Mavericks. Naji Marshall, in particular, has been a player teams have reportedly been making calls on. Should the Mavericks consider dealing him? Should they hang onto him as a building piece around Cooper Flagg? Let’s take a look at both sides.
The Case for Trading Marshall
Naji Marshall is a fan-favorite, and it’s easy to see why. The six-year veteran forward is averaging career highs this season in points per game (14.7), rebounds (4.9), and assists (3.0). Marshall also ranks 16th in the NBA in field goal percentage at 54.4%. In his last seven games, he’s averaging 20.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. Half of his production this season is coming off the bench, all the more impressive, which makes him an attractive piece to many teams.
The NBA doesn’t have many Naji Marshalls anymore—gritty, grindy, competitive guys who can do it all. Many fringe contenders are thirsty for wings, especially those that can create and defend. Marshall is a versatile wing who can guard one through four and can also be the catalyst for running an offense, especially coming off the bench. The playoffs rely heavily on bench depth, and Marshall is the perfect missing piece many teams could talk themselves into pursuing.
The Mavericks have been adamant in the asking price for Marshall – at least one future first round pick, according to NBA Insider Marc Stein. It’s widely believed some teams would be willing to meet Dallas’s demands.
Naji Marshall just turned 28. Cooper Flagg just turned 19. Every roster building decision the Mavericks make moving forward should be based on Flagg’s timeline. Although Marshall is a fun watch and a great locker room guy, Dallas has to prioritize accumulating future assets to build around Flagg. If a team calls offering a decent first round pick selection, the Mavs should consider taking it.
The Nico Harrison timeline and vision of competing now is done and out the window. The focus should be on building a championship team around Flagg’s timeline. Naji Marshall doesn’t fit that. The second part of this is the money. Marshall is on the second year of his team-friendly deal of $27 million over three years. After next season, He’ll be due a much larger pay day. As of now, Dallas doesn’t have the financial flexibility for a Marshall pay raise. And even if they did, giving a larger contract to a player that would be about to turn 30 doesn’t make much sense.
Dallas has an opportunity to surround Flagg with younger talent that fits with his timeline. Teams are calling, and the Mavs should be listening.
The Case for Keeping Marshall
The other side of the coin is keeping him and hoping the Mavericks can flip other players like Daniel Gafford, Klay Thompson, and Anthony Davis. Doing so would give Dallas opportunities to accumulate future picks while finding financial flexibility. Dallas can’t be bad and be a second-apron team. That’s a nightmare scenario.
Keeping a guy like Naji Marshall could be beneficial for Dallas’s hopes in getting back into the playoff picture for next year. As of now, Dallas does not control its own pick from 2027 through 2030. Meaning the Mavs have no motivation to be bad and hope for more draft luck. Going into next season, the organization will likely want to refocus on competing in the West once again.
Naji Marshall would be a key player in a deep (and hopefully healthier) roster next season. Kyrie Irving coming back would fix many of the point guard woes the Mavs have endured this season. Plug in a healthy (again – hopefully) Dereck Lively II, plus Max Christie, P.J Washington, and year two of Cooper Flagg, you have some real pieces that could make Dallas at minimum a .500 team next season. Dallas would also have a top 10 pick from the 2026 draft to add to this mix. And what if the Mavericks don’t trade Anthony Davis? All of a sudden, you could talk yourself into this team being a top six team in the West next season. Naji Marshall would be an important piece of that roster.
Marshall is also a durable player. He’s only missed one game this season and is the definition of reliable when it comes to health in Dallas (and boy, have the Mavs needed it). He shows up, plays hard every night, competes, and hits floaters in his sleep. Naji Marshalls don’t just grow on trees and having his energy on both ends is crucial if the Mavs want to take a big leap forward in the win column next year.
If you look at the roster and think a healthy Mavericks team could contend next year, it’s easy to see Naji Marshall being a part of that. Dallas will still have to make moves to create more financial flexibility, but that doesn’t necessarily have to involve Naji Marshall. It would get more complicated at the end of next season once his contract is set to expire, but that’s a bridge that could be crossed at that time. For now, he’s been a silver lining in a largely disappointing season for Dallas.
Trade Deadline is February 5th
The trade deadline is next Thursday, February 5th, at 3 PM EST. The Mavericks have some important decisions to make. Perhaps the most important is should Dallas keep Marshall and try to run it back next year with a healthier roster? Or reshape the timeline around Cooper Flagg and focus on the future?
DENVER, COLORADO - MARCH 25: J.T. Compher #37 of the Detroit Red Wings and Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche fight for the puck during the second period of the game at Ball Arena on March 25, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Ashley Potts/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Many have wondered how the Colorado Avalanche would handle adversity after such a prolonged run of unrivaled success to start this season.
Adversity came in spades throughout January, but the Avalanche have one more chance to finish the month on a positive note, but they’ll have to do it against their longtime (and much improved) rival, the Detroit Red Wings.
Colorado Avalanche (35-8-9)
The Opponent: Detroit Red Wings (32-17-6)
Time: 11:00 A.M. MST/1:00 P.M. EST
Watch: ABC/ESPN (US National Broadcast), SN+/SNE/SNO/SNP (Canadian National Broadcast)
Listen: Altitude Sports Radio KKSE-FM 92.5 FM
Colorado Avalanche
Today’s game is the final game of a four game road trip, and the first of a home and home series with Detroit, who will fly out to Denver to wrap up the season series against the Avalanche on Monday night at Ball Arena. The Avalanche are coming off consecutive losses to the Ottawa Senators and Montréal Canadiens in consecutive nights, losing both games by a combined score of 12-5. The Avs looked limp and lifeless as Ottawa shelled Mackenzie Blackwood for five goals on Wednesday night, and Scott Wedgewood fared worse as Montréal pumped seven goals—including two from behind the goal line—behind him on Thursday.
Despite feeling his team put together a more competitive effort against Montréal than what they showed in Ottawa, head coach Jared Bednar noted the struggles that his team is having on both ends of the ice. “We’re having trouble putting the puck in the net; we’re having trouble keeping it out of our net right now, too […] It’s kind of tough sledding for us right now, but we’ve got to be a little better in some areas again than we were tonight.”
Brock Nelson has continued to shine bright for the Avs in the goal scoring department, scoring four goals in his last three games. His 28 goals rank second to League leader Nathan MacKinnon (38), and his 47 points are good for fourth place on the team. MacKinnon, however, has not scored a goal since January 19 against Washington. The goal scoring drought isn’t limited to just MacKinnon; Martin Nečas hasn’t scored since January 12 against Toronto.
When asked about the lack of production from both MacKinnon and Martin Nečas, Bednar said, “It’s not like they’re not doing some good things, because they did. They’re creating some chances; they’re not scoring on them like they normally would, right? Part of it is that, you’re going to finish off some of the chances, so I think they fall into that category.”
Currently, the Avs sport a 5-6-2 record for the month of January. Without a win today, the Avs will finish with a sub-500 record for a given calendar month since going 5-6-0 in October 2024. Despite their struggles this month, they still remain the undisputed leader across the Central Division, Western Conference, and League standings. With three games remaining on their schedule before the Olympic break, they’re not in any danger of losing much ground to the third second place Minnesota Wild or the Dallas Stars prior to heading to Italy.
The Avs have won three of their last four regular season games against Detroit, including the most recent matchup on March 25, 2025, by a 5-2 decision.
Projected Lineup
Forwards: Artturi Lehkonen – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Nečas Victor Olofsson – Brock Nelson – Valeri Nichushkin Ross Colton – Jack Drury – Gavin Brindley Zakhar Bardakov – Parker Kelly – Joel Kiviranta
Defense: Sam Malinski – Cale Makar Josh Manson – Brent Burns Keaton Middleton – Sam Girard
Between the Pipes: Mackenzie Blackwood Scott Wedgewood
Detroit Red Wings
Detroit currently sits in second place in the Atlantic Division standings, just two points shy of the first place Tampa Bay Lightning. Given the packed standings in the Eastern Conference, a playoff spot isn’t guaranteed at this point in the season, but Detroit’s chances of seeing their first playoff berth in nine seasons is looking more and more likely. With the franchise currently celebrating its centennial season, a return to the postseason would be a noteworthy accomplishment to commemorate the occasion.
Detroit has fared better than Colorado throughout the month of January overall, going 6-2-2 in their previous ten games. However, Detroit has lost two of their current three game home stand at Little Caesars Arena, losing 3-1 to the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday evening, and a 4-3 shootout loss to the Washington Capitals on Thursday. Despite the loss, right winger Patrick Kane recorded his 1,375 point of his career to become the highest scoring American-born player in the NHL, surpassing one-time former Red Wing Mike Modano.
Alex DeBrincat currently leads Detroit in goals (30), and is one point shy of the team lead in overall points behind Lucas Raymond (58). Raymond also leads the team in assists (40). Team captain Dylan Larkin ranks second on the team behind DeBrincat in goals (25) and third in points (48).
Goaltender John Gibson, who was acquired from the Anaheim Ducks during the offseason, is enjoying a bit of a renaissance in his first full season with Detroit. He currently has 21 wins on the season, the most he’s had since the 2018-2019 season (26), and setting a new career high in wins (Gibson won 31 games during the 2017-2018 season) isn’t out of the question, but if Detroit has its sights set on the postseason, Gibson’s career best will have to come this spring.
Detroit’s last victory over Colorado came on February 22, 2024, a 2-1 victory on an overtime goal from Kane.
Projected Lineup
Forwards: Marco Kasper – Dylan Larkin – Lucas Raymond Alex DeBrincat – Andrew Copp – Patrick Kane Emmitt Finnie – J.T. Compher – James van Riemsdyk Elmer Söderblom – Michael Rasmussen – Mason Appleton
Defense: Jacob Bernard-Docker – Moritz Seider Axel Sandin-Pellikka – Ben Chiarot Albert Johansson – Travis Hamonic
Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Konnor Griffin is one of the most intriguing players in minor league baseball, as he sits at number one in MLB.com’s top 100 prospect rankings.
Griffin, 19, batted .333 in 122 games last season with Bradenton, Greensboro and Altoona, making him someone to watch right out of the gates. He is a big reason why the Pirates rank No. 3 in ESPN insider Kiley McDaniel’s farm system rankings.
“The way these dollar figures and thus the farm rankings are calculated is based on work by Craig Edwards at FanGraphs (now of the MLBPA), using historical outcomes married to the FV (future value) system that my colleagues and I used at FanGraphs and that I continue to use here. An interesting but not surprising result of this system is that the top prospect in baseball is worth a lot more than the next few, like over 40% more. Sometimes, the gap between those two prospects isn’t that big; sometimes, it’s huge. Obviously, future Hall of Famers tend to be at the top spot, so you can see how this occurred in the empirical data,“ McDaniel wrote.
“Because of that, the Pirates’ figure is boosted by Griffin residing in the top spot in the whole sport. And my point here is that he is the top prospect by a lot — he basically broke the algorithm I made to help with this process — so the gap between him and the next few prospects feels correct this time. If you were to simply take Griffin out of the Pirates’ system, they’d drop to the middle of these rankings; and since Griffin might break camp with the big league team, that could happen as soon as a few months into the major league season. And second-ranked prospect Bubba Chandler (12th in the top 100) likely graduates early in the season too.“
The only teams that ranked ahead of the Pirates on the list were the Milwaukee Brewers and Cleveland Guardians. While Griffin is an outlier for the Pirates, it gives the team a lot to look forward to in the future. Griffin’s early returns have been excellent, and that’s why the Pirates felt comfortable moving him all the way to Double-A just months after he was drafted.
Baseball teams aren’t built off of one or two players, but finding a way to land a superstar is difficult. If Pittsburgh has a pitcher in Paul Skenes and a hitter in Griffin, that shouldn’t go unnoticed.
BD community, what are your thoughts on Griffin and the team’s ranking in the minor league rankings? Chime off in the comments section below.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 17: A general view of the entrance to the Rockies training facility at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 17, 2024 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Kyle Cooper/Colorado Rockies/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today is the last day of January, which means tomorrow is February. Just one major sporting event stands between us and the start of baseball season (or two, if you count the Waste Management Phoenix Open this weekend).
Last weekend was Rockies Fest, and the organization laid out their plans for the future. We’ve learned a lot, and will continue to do so over the coming weeks. Additionally, they’ve made a flurry of roster moves and will likely continue to do so. But regardless, there are just 12 days until pitchers and catchers report!
If Hollywood to remake Moneyball as a Rockies-centered movie, which players and coaches would be featured, and who would play each of them? Let us know your thoughts!
Sep 6, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito (54) pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the third inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images | Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images
Good morning Birdland,
There has been a whole lotta smoke around the Orioles’ hunt for a starting pitcher this week.
The Orioles are going to get at least one more major league arm in the near future, whether it is one of the names mentioned, or someone else entirely.
They want each of these pitchers (or maybe Valdez, in particular) to know that they have other options, so let’s get this thing moving.
It is ideal for both the players and the team to have a deal in place prior to the start of spring training. Then they can have a full, normal preseason rather than playing catchup later on. Players that get into camp later often struggle out of the gate. Look no further than Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery in 2024. That could be the reason for the renewed urgency the last few days.
Valdez still feels like the far and away preference here. But there are worries. The 32-year-old is also going to be the most expensive, comes with draft pick compensation, and has some character worries after he seemingly intentionally crossed up his catcher Cesar Salazar last year. And if he is holding out for some offer that isn’t going to come, the Orioles may have to move on.
Gallen will also cost a draft pick, and he is coming off of a poor season. The argument for him would be that, other than 2025, he has a great track record and might still have enough in the tank to bounce back in a big way. It’s a risk though.
Verlander is probably the most predictable of the bunch. You know what you’re gonna get, and it’s not bad! He’s a veteran pitcher that knows how to compete. But he isn’t the ace he once was, and there are injury concerns with an aging arm.
Giolito feels like a fallback plan. His 3.41 ERA last year over 145 innings looks solid, but his 4.99 xERA and 7.51 K/9 are scary. Most of his metrics paint him as a below-average big league starter in 2025. So he probably isn’t the “playoff starter” the Orioles would hope to add.
All of these guys have warts. If the Orioles want someone with more upside and less risk, they probably need to look for a trade. But it’s a tough time of year to do that. Spring training is nearly here. Most teams want to start thinking about the start of the season. They don’t want to go looking for an addition to their rotation if they don’t have to. So any big trades will probably need to wait until July.
Links
Rogers reflects on magical 2025 season | Roch Kubatko The Orioles’ continued search for upgrades to their rotation won’t matter much if Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish perform to the best of their ability. They have the potential to be the best duo in baseball. We just haven’t seen them together for extended periods of time yet.
Orioles Interested In Lucas Giolito | MLB Trade Rumors Here is a bit more on the Giolito connection as well as the Orioles payroll situation. In short: they have flexibility to do something big. Giolito would not exactly fit that definition.
Measuring Orioles’ starting rotation against AL East rivals | Baltimore Baseball The entire division has really intriguing rotations. The Red Sox and Blue Jays have been aggressive in adding reinforcements. The Yankees have tons of star power. The Rays always seem to churn out high-quality arms. And the Orioles have some serious upside in their arms, but oodles of risk too. It is going to be interesting!
Orioles birthdays
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
Cole Irvin turns 32 today. The lefty spent parts of two seasons with the Orioles from 2023-24. Irvin was expected to be an innings-eater at the back of the O’s rotation, but it never really stuck. Ultimately, he had a 4.68 ERA over 184.2 total innings before he was waived.
Joel Bennett celebrates his 56th birthday. He appeared in two games out of the Orioles bullpen in 1998.
This day in O’s history
2010 – Former Orioles infielder Melvin Mora signs a one-year deal with the Rockies. He had been released a few months earlier so the O’s could sign Garrett Atkins. Mora, at 38 years old, was well past his prime, but Atkins ends up being an unmitigated disaster in 2010, released in July.
2024 – The Angelos family announces a $1.725 billion deal to sell majority ownership of the Baltimore Orioles to a group led by David Rubenstein and including Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. The deal still requires approval from MLB owners.
