The Mets fell to the Pittsburgh Pirates by a final score of 4-3 in 10 innings on Sunday afternoon.
Here are the takeaways...
-- With the game still tied in the ninth, Luke Weaver worked around a pair of walks to keep things knotted at 2-2. After the Mets couldn't score in the bottom half, Richard Lovelady came on for the 10th, and Ryan O'Hearn greeted him with an RBI single to score the free runner. Lovelady, pitching on back-to-back days, allowed another RBI hit to Henry Davis, giving the Pirates a 4-2 lead.
In the bottom of the 10th, after a Lindor walk, Juan Soto crushed a double to left-center, and while free-runner Francisco Alvarez scored easily, Francisco Lindor was out by quite a bit at the plate for the first out of the inning, following a questionable send from third base coach Tim Leiper. Later, with two outs and a runner on third, Jorge Polanco hit one to the wall in right, but it was just off the end of the bat enough to be caught for the final out of the game.
-- It was clear from the jump that Nolan McLean had a hard time getting comfortable on the mound. After walking the first two hitters of the afternoon, McLean allowed an RBI single toO'Hearn, and then gave up a solo shot to Brandon Lowe (his third homer of the series) in the top of the third inning, the first homer he's ever allowed to a left-handed hitter in the big leagues.
McLean settled in during the middle innings, striking out four combined hitters in the fourth and fifth frames, and his afternoon ended there. McLean went 5.0 innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits with eight strikeouts and a walk. He threw 84 pitches, 52 of which were strikes.
-- Pirates starter Carmen Mlodzinski had the Mets baffled early. The young right-hander struck out the side in both the first and third innings, fanning Lindor, Soto, and Bo Bichette two times each. That being said, the middle and bottom parts of the order were able to push a run across in the second, as Luis Robert Jr. singled and came around to score on a Marcus Semien sac fly. Mlodzinski set a new career-high with seven strikeouts through just three innings.
--But the top of the order came through the third time through the order, as Lindor tripled in the fifth (his first since the 2024 season), followed by a Soto RBI single, which tied the game at 2-2 and chased Mlodzinski from the game after 4.1 innings. He allowed two earned runs on six hits, striking out a career-high eight while walking none.
-- Sean Manaea made his season debut out of the bullpen, coming into the game with two outs and nobody on in a 2-2 game in the top of the seventh. With a fastball around 88-90 MPH, Manaea allowed an Oneil Cruz single and committed an error on a pickoff attempt to allow Cruz to get into scoring position, but got out of the inning with a grounder to second. He pitched into the eighth, when he allowed a pair of two-out walks, but he again got out of the jam.
--It was another big day at the plate for Robert and Baty, with both recording a pair of hits. Meanwhile, Bichette and Soto each struck out three times, but Soto did also drive in a pair of runs.
Game MVP
O'Hearn, who had three hits and a pair of RBI on the afternoon.
Mar 29, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (10) reacts after striking out in the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
It’s not even March, but today’s game is an example of why I couldn’t fully buy in on this Red Sox roster. Starting pitching is great, but when the offense can’t support it, you’re always in danger of one swing changing the game. Connelly Early pitched well, although it wasn’t a dominant performance, but his offense only gave him two runs of support. A single and a walk later, and the go-ahead run was at the plate for Cincinnati. Greg Weissert left a pitch over the plate, and the Reds had a lead in the sixth inning.
The Red Sox threatened in the eighth inning, but Jarren Duran was picked off to give away an out. Andruw Monasterio doubled in the ninth inning, but Ceddanne Rafaela and Trevor Story couldn’t get him home. Timely hitting comes and goes throughout a 162-game season, but it’s fair to wonder if the offense isn’t good enough after a slow start. For the record, I think they’ll be better, but hitting with runners in scoring position has been a problem to this (incredibly early) point.
Back to Early. 5.1 innings of one-run baseball is great. At the same time, he wasn’t as sharp as he was at the end of last season. His four-seam fastball caught a lot of the strike zone and generated just two whiffs on 37 pitches. He did a good job of jumping ahead of hitters, but had a hard time putting them away. Reds hitters fouled off nine two-strike pitches, forcing Early to work hard for outs. His curveball, in particular, was fouled off several times and didn’t return a swing and miss. It’s a good start to build off of for Early, but better two-strike execution and fastball command will help him get deeper into games.
The Reds held on to win the game and the series by a run and a game. We’ll travel to Houston for a three-game set with the Astros on Monday.
Three Studs
Wilyer Abreu (3-4, HR, 2B)
Abreu continues to swing a hot bat. He went yard again in the fourth inning after fouling off nine pitches. He also doubled to the opposite field off a lefty later in the game, and singled to continue a rally in the eighth inning. He’s seeing the ball really well right now.
Jovani Moran (2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K, 0 ER)
Moran handled the seventh and eighth innings, keeping the deficit at one. His command wasn’t sharp, but his fastball shape is going to miss bats, and the changeup has always been a good pitch for him. Nice start to the season for the lefty.
Connor Wong (2-3, 2B)
How about Connor Wong? He singled early in the game, and then stuck his bat out at a ball off the plate that somehow flew to the warning track for a double. It’s nice to see him get a couple of early hits and start his numbers off without being anchored by a frigid streak. Decent day for Wong.
Three Duds
Greg Weissert (0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 ER)
Weissert came in in relief of Connelly Early with a runner on and one out. He walked Sal Stewart on five pitches, and then got ahead of Eugenio Suarez 0-2. He tried to elevate a four-seam to punch Suarez out, but channeled his inner Italian, throwing a meatball directly in the turbo zone. Suarez hit the ball almost to Italy to put the Reds in front in the sixth inning.
Side note: I saw a lot of “what was Weissert thinking?” in response to him throwing that pitch. I’m sure he was thinking, “I’m going to throw this above the zone”, not “I’m going to throw this in the perfect spot for him to hit it 500 feet.”
Jarren Duran(0-2, 2 BB)
Tony Santillan pitched on Saturday and walked two of the five hitters he faced. He walked Jarren Duran, and then went down 3-0 to Willson Contreras. Given those two facts, you absolutely cannot be picked off of first base representing the tying run in the eighth inning. Credit to Santillan, it was a good move, but Duran can’t let it happen.
Caleb Durbin (0-4, 2 K)
Durbin is now 0-12 with three strikeouts to begin the season. He was acquired in part because he doesn’t strike out frequently, but struck out in a huge spot late in Sunday’s game. Let’s hope he picks it up offensively soon.
Mar 29, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber (12) reacts after striking out against the Texas Rangers during the fourth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Baseball seems to have the longest offseason around. If you have a team that you follow that isn’t in the playoffs (or gets bounced from the playoffs quickly), it feels like forever until Opening Day. That wait brings hope, promise and hype that this will be the season a championship parade is the endgame. Opening Day brings pomp and circumstance, games are finally played and….
…you get this performance from the Phillies.
Outside of a masterful six innings by Cristopher Sanchez, the Phillies looked rather lackluster against the Rangers. Sure, their comeback Saturday in the ninth inning was somewhat memorable, but what the offensive decided to do (better yet, not do) left a sour taste in the mouths of many.
Sunday’s game got out of hand rather quickly. The game was scoreless to begin, Jesus Luzardo on the mound for the Phillies, Mackenzie Gore opposing him for the Rangers. Both traded scoreless innings to start, but in the third, Texas got going. A one out single by Sam Haggerty was brought around on a home run by Brandon Nimmo to give the Rangers the lead.
They got three more in the fourth when Corey Seager and Jake Burger, who reached on walk and a single respectively, scored thanks to a missile from Andrew McCutchen.
CUTCH!
Andrew McCutchen sends a frozen rope into the seats for his first home run of the season 💪 pic.twitter.com/UpMFfvFIuM
They would add another run in the top of the sixth on a Kyle Higashioka RBI single. So as the Rangers are scoring runs and then adding more to that total, the Phillies staggered to and back from the plate like an 11U baseball team. Their approaches were bad, their swings were worse and that meant they were no-hit again through multiple opening innings. They got on the board when in the bottom of the sixth, they loaded the bases thanks to an excuse me single by Justin Crawford, a walk to Trea Turner and a broken bat single by Kyle Schwarber, all with no outs.
Bryce Harper then looked feeble once again, striking out to get the first out. Alec Bohm was hit by a pitch to get a run, then another followed on an sacrifice fly by Adolis Garcia. Bryson Stott pinch hit next, only to ground out, but at least there was a pulse.
Enter Zach Pop. Walk, double, hit by pitch and one run was given back. Another sacrifice fly given up two batters later made the sure that the runs the Phillies got were neutralized quickly.
In the eighth, Stott got an RBI single to make the score 8-3, but that was about it.
There was much consternation about the team running it back, even though there are a lot of new faces. Part of that consternation was the team not fixing the issues that got them bounced from the last two playoff appearances, where the offense simply didn’t show up when it mattered. These two games this weekend did not help quiet those voices.
Even if it is just three games (and friends, they will ultimately be fine), this was not the performance one was hoping after weeks of missing baseball.
After using an explosive second half to blow out Alabama in the Sweet 16, the No. 1-seeded Wolverines carried over the momentum just two days later in a dominant 95-62 win over No. 6 Tennessee on Sunday, March 29, at the United Center.
Michigan dominated the first half, using a 21-0 run to take control of a game that Tennessee had led 16-14 with 11:22 left in the first half. In just 4:42 of game time, that score changed to a 35-16 lead for the Wolverines.
The win for Michigan advances it to the Final Four next weekend in Indianapolis. But the Wolverines also dominated the game in a nearly historic way. With 1:46 in the game, Michigan held an 92-58 lead. The Wolverines also led by 31 with just under 12 minutes left.
Yaxel Lendeborg subbed out of the game for the final time with the Wolverines ahead by 32 points. The rest of the starters were out of the game with 3:14 remaining.
How dominant was Michigan in the Elite Eight victory? Here’s what you need to know about the largest margin of victories in the Regional Final round of the NCAA Tournament:
Largest margin of victories in Elite 8
On March 14, 1964, Duke dominated Connecticut 101-54 at the Reynolds Coliseum, Raleigh, North Carolina. The Blue Devils jumped out to a 62-27 first-half lead and never looked back.
Jeff Mullins led Duke with 30 points, eight rebounds and five assists in the win, while four total players finished in double figures.
In 1971, Villanova defeated Penn 90-47 in the Regional Final and in 1965 Princeton took down Providence by 40 points (109-69).
Here’s a look at the biggest blowouts in the NCAA Elite Eight round, according to BetMGM.
CHICAGO – With Tennessee already down by 19, one basket wasn’t going to make a difference. The game was effectively over, and whether Michigan won by 10 or 20, the outcome was still going to be the same.
Michigan coach Dusty May challenged the goaltending call, anyway. The Wolverines weren’t just here to win, they were here to send a message:
They’re the best team in the country, and they’ll steamroll anyone who is in their way.
"It's just people stepping up to the moment," Roddy Gayle Jr. said. "I feel like March brings out the best in people."
Top-seeded Michigan routed sixth-seeded Tennessee 95-62 on Sunday, March 29, to reach the Final Four for the third time since 2013. With apologies to Moritz Wagner and Glenn Robinson III, these Wolverines have the best chance yet to win the school’s first national title since 1989.
In a span of two days, Michigan humbled the country’s top offensive team and the SEC’s best defensive team, and the Wolverines barely broke a sweat in doing so. They’ve scored 90 or more points and shot 50% or better in each of their NCAA Tournament games, and the 33-point win over Tennessee was the biggest blowout of the weekend.
And if Yaxel Lendeborg isn’t the player of the year, he’s for sure the player of March.
Lendeborg tagged Tennessee for 27 points, his third game with 23 or more, and 10 of those came during a 23-2 run in the first half that effectively sealed the game. He’s making a career’s worth of highlights every game, including his tip-in layup off his own missed 3-pointer with 11:57 left to play against Tennessee.
The Wolverines are not a one-man team, however. Four other players finished in double figures and two others were only a bucket away. Elliot Cadeau had double-digit assists (10) for the fifth time this season.
Whatever those hiccups Michigan had in the Big Ten tournament, where they struggled against Ohio State and Wisconsin before losing to Purdue in the title game, they are long gone. Michigan is rolling, and good luck to anyone who faces them.
Michigan plays fellow No. 1 seed Arizona in the Final Four in Indianapolis on Friday night, April 3.
"When this group got together, we all wanted to make it the national championship and win it," Lendeborg said. "We worked tirelessly on making sure that our mental was right, not just physical. And we all trust each other. We play hard for each other. We make extra plays for each other. We're going to do whatever we want for each other.
"So just being able to make it this far and continuing to want to get more, it means a lot."
Michigan is only two seasons removed from a team that lost 24 games. While quick turnarounds are more doable now with the transfer portal, building chemistry when there's a new coach and new players presents its own challenges.
Add in being thrust into the spotlight as a national title contender a month into the season, and Michigan very easily could have gone sideways.
"The most difficult part is that everyone starts getting so much more attention, advice. Literally everything they get more of," May said. "It's difficult not to make it about you because the people you're talking to are making it about you.
"There's just a lot of distracting information," May added. "And if you're not mature and you're not connected as a group and you're not willing to be held accountable by the staff and each other, then it's not going to work. Once it creeps in it's almost impossible to weed it out. So our guys never let it in.
"They stayed the course and stayed about each other. And that's ultimately why we're here," May said. "We weren't a super team, but these guys became super teammates."
Though Michigan’s Fab Five never won an NCAA title, they changed college basketball with their outsized personalities, baggy shorts and black socks. These Wolverines aren't going to have that kind of influence, but they’ve got a similar brand of fun.
Lendeborg is as goofy as he is good, and Gayle isn’t far behind. They all love to hype each other up — when Lendeborg said Will Tschetter deserved a shout out for his toughness, Nimari Burnett woofed in response — and their tightknit chemistry isn't forced.
They might be stealing people's souls, but they're having a blast doing it.
"That's our main thing. We say before every game to just go out there and have fun," Cadeau said. "We're not worrying about our stats, not worrying about the scoreboard."
Michigan cruised through the regular season, not losing a single Big Ten road game. Its two losses, to Wisconsin in January and Duke in late February, were by a combined eight points. They spent time at No. 1 and were never ranked lower than third after Dec. 1.
But the Wolverines didn't have their usual swagger in the Big Ten tournament. When they lost to Purdue in the title game, it wasn't even that big a surprise.
It also might have been the best thing for them.
"Watching another team cut down the nets, feeling that was something that we didn't want to feel again," Gayle said.
Message received.
Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.
CINCINNATI, OH - MARCH 26: Johnny Bench talks with Eugenio Suárez #28 of the Cincinnati Reds prior to the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, March 26, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeffrey Dean/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
It had been a bit of a slow start to the season for Eugenio Suárez entering play on Sunday. It’s hard to fault him for it, of course, as he’d been away on the roller coaster that was Team Venezuela’s victory in the World Baseball Classic and had far from the typical spring training warm-up.
He also was returning to the Cincinnati Reds after four seasons elsewhere, and surely was putting some added pressure on himself to perform for a base of fans that adored him so. Spotlighting it was that the players who have been hitting ahead of him in the lineup – namely Sal Stewart and Matt McLain – have been so impossible to retire that each and every time Geno stepped to the plate it seemed as if there were multiple runners in scoring position.
Suárez put in a more vintage showing on Sunday in Great American Ball Park, however. With the Reds trailing the Boston Red Sox 2-0 in the Bottom of the 6th and a pair of runners on, Geno absolutely obliterated a ball into the second deck in LF for a 3-run homer, a 431 foot blast that flipped the scoreboard completely.
Thanks to Rhett Lowder holding Boston to just a pair of runs in an otherwise rock soild start and the bullpen holding firm over the final four frames, that swing was all the offense the Reds would need on the day in a 3-2 victory that earned them a series victory in their first of the year.
Geno, of course, takes home Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game honors for the day, the first time I’ve been able to dote the award on him in some five years.
Hat tips are in order for Sal Stewart, too, who was on base another four times in a masterful outing that’s becoming the norm for the rookie. He doubled, singled, walked twice, and even tagged up on a deep fly ball to CF off the bat by Geno that was nearly another homer.
The vibes on this team right now – they are quite good.
Other Notes
Suarez did his damage on the day while also getting the start at 3B, as Ke’Bryan Hayes (who later came on to pinch run and play defense) got a break. I do often wonder how a guy who is so accustomed to playing defense in games every day adjusts to life as a DH, and it’ll be interesting to track how different Geno performs offensively on the days when he’s getting run at the other aspect of the game vs. on the days when he’s stuck twiddling his thumbs in the dugout for an hour at a time.
Spencer Steer got his first hit of the season. Hooray, Spence!
TJ Friedl played LF as Dane Myers got the start in CF, and he looked just fine over there. That’s certainly a rock solid defensive alignment when put together that way.
Elly De La Cruz will never not look weird to me hitting right-handed, which he did all four times he came to the plate today. He struck out in three of those appearances.
The Reds will rest up this evening and tomorrow will begin a three-game series at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who dropped their first two games of the season (and are in extra-innings against the New York Mets at the time of writing this). Chase Burns will get his first start of the season opposite Bucs starter Braxton Ashcraft, with first pitch slated for 6:40 PM ET. That game will be on FS1, for those parties interested in watching it that way, and also via MLB.tv.
The New York Knicks are being slightly undervalued on the road, even against an elite opponent like the Oklahoma City Thunder.
New York played OKC tight the last time these teams met, and my Knicks vs. Thunder predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, March 29, expect another close game tonight at Paycom Center.
Knicks vs Thunder prediction
Knicks vs Thunder best bet: Knicks +8.5 (-110)
The New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder both come into tonight’s game playing well, with New York having a seven-game winning streak before losing on Thursday, while OKC has won 13 of its last 14 contests. Both still have a lot to play for in the race for top seeds in their respective contests, and both teams are relatively healthy heading into tonight’s matchup.
That’s all to say that we’re going to get the best of both sides tonight. In the case of these teams, that means tough defense that makes every possession into a battle. The Thunder have arguably the best defense in the NBA, allowing 107.7 ppg with a league-best 104.6 defensive efficiency, but the Knicks aren’t far behind, giving up just 110.5 ppg themselves.
That showed in the first meeting between these teams, when OKC fought its way to a 103-100 victory in New York. And with two defenses playing this well, it will be hard for either team to put together big runs or pull away from the other.
As well as the Thunder have been playing, they haven’t been dominating the way their backers need lately. OKC has covered in only three of its last 14 games overall, with two of those covers coming against overmatched opponents in the 76ers and Nets.
Quality opponents like the Knicks have been able to stay in games against the Thunder, and that’s exactly what I’m expecting tonight. I’m taking New York to cover.
Knicks vs Thunder same-game parlay
This game features two of the best defensive teams in the NBA, and we’ve already seen them play once this year, resulting in a game total of 203 points.
I’m taking the Under for my SGP, and I think it’s a good straight bet as well. Let’s round out the SGP by backing Karl-Anthony Towns to pick up Over 17.5 points, a total he’s hit in four of his last five games overall.
Knicks vs Thunder SGP
Knicks +8.5
Under 223.5
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 17.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Double-double trouble
Both sides have serious double-double threats in this game, and I’m targeting one from each lineup for this parlay. First, KAT has been a consistent double-double machine for the Knicks, picking up five in his last six games.
Chet Holmgren isn’t far behind for the Thunder, with 23 double-doubles on the season. I’ll round things out by taking OG Anunoby to hit at least three shots from beyond the arc tonight, as he’s coming off back-to-back games where he made five threes in each.
Knicks vs Thunder SGP
Knicks +8.5
Karl-Anthony Towns to record a double-double
Chet Holmgren to record a double-double
OG Anunoby Over 2.5 threes
Knicks vs Thunder odds
Spread: Knicks +8.5 | Thunder -8.5
Moneyline: Knicks +280 | Thunder -360
Over/Under: Over 223.5 | Under 223.5
Knicks vs Thunder betting trend to know
The Thunder have covered in just three of their last 14 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Thunder.
How to watch Knicks vs Thunder
Location
Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Date
Sunday, March 29, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
NBC
Knicks vs Thunder latest injuries
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TORONTO (AP) — Izzy Daniel had a goal and an assist and the Vancouver Goldeneyes snapped a two-game skid with a 3-2 win over the Toronto Sceptres on Sunday.
Hannah Miller and Mannon McMahon also scored for Vancouver. Sarah Nurse had two assists.
Emerance Maschmeyer stopped 25 shots.
Blayre Turnbull scored twice for Toronto, while Elaine Chuli made 26 saves.
Turnbull put a rebound from a Renata Fast shot past Maschmeyer just 2:31 into the contest.
Three former Sceptres connected on the Goldeneyes’ response at 7:55. Miller put home a rebound on a shot from the slot by Daniel, who took a pass from Nurse.
Daniel put Vancouver ahead just 35 seconds into the second period. Off an initial miss on a tip on a Nurse shot, Daniel tucked in her own rebound.
Turnbull netted her second of the game on the power play when she took a pass from Daryl Watts by the goal line, spun and her backhand went in off the skate of Claire Thompson at 8:09 of the middle frame.
McMahon restored Vancouver’s lead with a tip-in off a Sophie Jaques shot on the power play at 8:54.
Turnbull’s power-play goal was Toronto’s first since a 6-4 loss to Seattle on Jan. 20. The Sceptres had gone 0 for 15 since, including 0 for 12 in seven games after the Olympic break.
Up next
Sceptres: Visit Calgary to take on the Ottawa Charge as part of the Takeover Tour on Wednesday.
Goldeneyes: Visit the Montreal Victoire on Wednesday.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - FEBRUARY 20: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball against Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Dallas Mavericks in the third quarter at Target Center on February 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Mavericks 122-111. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks Date: March 30th, 2026 Time: 7:30 PM CDT Location: American Airlines Center Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: KFAN FM, Wolves App, iHeart Radio
There are games in the NBA where you squint at the injury report, notice the early tip, and quietly tell yourself that it might just not be your day. Saturday’s contest against Detroit had all the makings of one of those games, and for the Minnesota Timberwolves, it pretty much played out exactly that way.
For the Wolves, it was no Anthony Edwards, no Ayo Dosunmu, and to round things out, no Jaden McDaniels after the injury he picked up late in that chaos-fueled Houston game. Three core pieces. Gone.
On the other side, the Detroit Pistons, the Eastern Conference’s top team, were missing their own engine in Cade Cunningham. So in theory, this game could’ve been a competitive “who has more left in the tank?” grind-it-out afternoon game. Instead, it turned into something much simpler.
Minnesota just didn’t have enough.
The Moment the Game Slipped—and Never Came Back
The Wolves actually started this one the right way. The defensive energy was there early. Rotations were sharp enough. They hung around, traded punches, and for a brief stretch, it looked like they might be able to piece together one of those undermanned, “everyone chips in” performances that they’d been stringing together over the past week.
And then Rudy Gobert subbed out.
That was it. That was the hinge point.
Because the second he hit the bench, the defensive resistance, everything that had been holding this thing together, just evaporated. Driving lanes opened up. The rim stopped feeling protected. Detroit got comfortable, and once they got comfortable, they started building a lead that never really felt in danger again.
The Offense: When the Shots Don’t Fall, There’s No Plan B
Let’s be honest about what this game really came down to: the Wolves couldn’t hit anything.
They finished shooting 32% from the field, went 9-for-43 from three (21%), and scored 87 total points.
In the third quarter, they managed just four made field goals. Four. That’s not an offensive slump. That’s an offensive blackout.
It wasn’t like they weren’t getting looks. This wasn’t Detroit suffocating them into submission on every possession. Minnesota had decent opportunities. Open threes. Clean catch-and-shoot chances. Looks that, on most nights, at least some of these guys knock down.
Instead?
Naz Reid: 0-for-7
Bones Highland: 2-for-9
Mike Conley Jr.: 1-for-5
Julius Randle: 0-for-3 from deep
That’s the game right there.
This is a team that, for better or worse, lives and dies by the three. When it’s falling, the offense opens up, the pace quickens, everything feels connected. When it’s not? You get what we saw on Saturday with stagnation, frustration, and a slow bleed that turns into a double-digit deficit before you even realize it.
At 21%, they weren’t just cold. They were DOA.
And Then the Little Things Started Adding Up
If the shooting was the headline, everything else was the supporting evidence.
They missed nine free throws, continuing a trend that’s quietly becoming a real problem. They got outrebounded 52–38, including getting pushed around on second chances. They turned it over enough to matter, but, here’s the twist, Detroit turned it over 19 times… and Minnesota still couldn’t capitalize.
That’s the part that sticks with you.
The Pistons gave them chances. Real ones. Sloppy passes, careless possessions, the kind of miscues that usually open the door for a comeback. And every time the door cracked open, Minnesota just… didn’t walk through it.
That’s what happens when your offense is that out of rhythm. You can’t string together stops and scores. You can’t build momentum. You just kind of tread water… until you realize you’re drowning.
Perspective Check: This One Wasn’t the End of the World
If you zoom out for a second, this loss isn’t the disaster it feels like in the moment. If you told anyone before this stretch that included Boston, Houston, Detroit, all without Edwards, that Minnesota would go 2–1, people would’ve signed up for that immediately. Especially given how things looked after that California road trip when the defense disappeared and the identity went with it.
They beat Boston. They survived Houston in one of the wildest games of the season. Those wins matter.
Saturday? That was the tax you pay for being short-handed, for playing your third high-intensity game in a row, for asking too much from a roster that’s already stretched thin.
It was still frustrating, still ugly, but not season-defining.
Dallas and the Games You Can’t Afford to Blow
Now comes the part of the schedule that’s less forgiving. Next up: the Dallas Mavericks, then a quick rematch in Detroit, followed by the second night of a back-to-back in Philly against the 76ers. Suddenly, the margin for error is right back where it always is in the West… basically nonexistent.
Minnesota is sitting just a game and a half behind Denver for the four seed. They don’t own the tiebreaker. They’re still jockeying with Houston. And if they want home court, these are the games you have to bank.
Not the Boston game. Not the Houston game.
The Dallas game.
The “bottom of the standings” game that looks easy on paper and turns into a problem if you don’t take it seriously.
Keys to the Game
1. Maintain the Defensive Identity
The blueprint is already there. They beat Boston and Houston by leaning into defense withconnected rotations, physical perimeter play, and Gobert anchoring everything. That doesn’t change just because Dallas isn’t a top-tier opponent.
If anything, it becomes more important. Because the Wolves’ worst habit this season has been that “flip the switch later” mentality. Against Dallas, there can’t be a later. They need to set the tone early, lock in defensively, and never let the game drift into that danger zone where effort becomes optional.
2. Hit Your Threes
This one feels obvious, but after Detroit, it has to be said.
You cannot shoot 21% from three and expect to beat anyone in this league. The looks were there. They just didn’t fall. That has to normalize.
Getting Edwards, McDaniels, or Dosunmu would go a long way. Those are three of your most reliable shooters. Their presence alone changes spacing, changes confidence, changes everything. But regardless of who plays, this team has to rediscover its shooting rhythm. Because when the threes fall, the entire offense opens up.
3. Win the Glass
Against Detroit, the Wolves got outworked, out-hustled, and paid for it. Against Dallas, that can’t happen again. Gobert, Randle, Reid need to clean the glass, eliminate second chances and turn rebounds into putbacks. If you’re bigger, you have to play like it.
4. Julius Randle Has to Be the Guy
Let’s not dance around it. Eleven points on 2-for-13 shooting isn’t going to cut it.
Randle has to be the offensive engine. That means attacking, getting downhill, living in the paint, and, just as importantly, facilitating. When he draws attention and kicks out, this offense becomes dangerous.
Saturday was a dud.
Monday can’t be.
5. Stay Focused, No Matter Who’s Available
Maybe Edwards plays. Maybe he doesn’t. Same with Dosunmu. Same with McDaniels.
It doesn’t matter.
The Wolves have the talent advantage in this matchup. But we’ve seen this story before. Minnesota has games where they assume that’s enough, where the urgency dips, and where the opponent hangs around just long enough to make things uncomfortable.
This has to be a professional win.
Jump on them early. Stay disciplined. Don’t let it become a fourth-quarter coin flip. Because in the West, those are the games that come back to haunt you.
The Bottom Line: This Is About Banking Wins, Not Making Statements
The Wolves aren’t chasing style points right now. They’re chasing positioning.
Denver’s remainig schedule isn’t easy with two games against San Antonio and a battle with OKC. There’s an opportunity to gain ground, but only if Minnesota does its part.
That means beating Dallas. That means not letting a bad shooting night turn into a bad week. That means stacking the wins you’re supposed to stack.
Because home court in the first round, something this franchise has only had three times in its history, is right there.
Not guaranteed. Not gifted.
But there.
And after everything this team has been through over the past two weeks, the question isn’t whether they’re capable of climbing back up the ladder.
It’s whether they’re disciplined enough to stay on it.
The Winnipeg Jets are making the most of their road trip to the Windy City, blending business with a bit of baseball ahead of their Tuesday night matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Several members of the Jets roster took in Sunday’s MLB game at Chicago Cubs versus the Washington Nationals, enjoying a relaxed afternoon before turning their focus back to hockey. The highlight of the day came before the first pitch, when Blackhawks legend and current Jets center Jonathan Toews was invited to the mound.
Toews, who spent the majority of his storied NHL career in Chicago, received a warm ovation from the crowd as he delivered the ceremonial first pitch to Cubs shortstop Scott Kingery. The moment served as a fitting homecoming of sorts for the 37-year-old veteran, whose legacy with the Blackhawks still resonates strongly with fans in the city.
Joining Toews in attendance were several of his Jets teammates, including Haydn Fleury, Vladislav Namestnikov, Kyle Connor, Connor Hellebuyck, Adam Lowry, Dylan DeMelo, Josh Morrissey, Gustav Nyquist, Colin Miller and Nino Niederreiter, among others.
The outing provided a chance for the team to unwind and build camaraderie during a crucial stretch of the season. Winnipeg enters Tuesday’s contest riding a strong run of form, with three wins in their last four games.
As the playoff race tightens, the Jets find themselves just three points behind the Nashville Predators for the second wild card spot. With momentum on their side and spirits lifted from a fun day at the ballpark, Winnipeg will look to carry that energy onto the ice against Chicago as they continue their push toward the postseason.
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South Australia has pulled off a massive heist in the Sheffield Shield final, defending their title after a 56-run comeback win over Victoria at Junction Oval.
Mar 29, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder Andrew McCutchen (4) steps on home plate after hitting a three run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the third inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
The Texas Rangers scored eight runs while the Philadelphia Phillies scored three runs.
The two most notable offseason acquisitions for the Rangers this winter were Brandon Nimmo when he was acquired from the New York Mets for Marcus Semien back in November, and MacKenzie Gore when the Rangers unloaded the farm on the Washington Nationals for the lefty back in late January.
The Rangers had a third move up their sleeves that made headlines earlier this month when they brought in former National League MVP Andrew McCutchen to fight for a platoon DH job with spring training already fully underway. McCutchen won the job and now the trio of new blood have combined to lead the Rangers to a win today to claim the first series of the season from Philadelphia.
Gore was as advertised as a guy who can strike out hitters with the best of ’em but one prone to walks and innings that can sometimes get away from him. Luckily for Gore, by the time he had a trouble inning in the bottom of the sixth, the Rangers were already up 5-0 and he was nearing the end of his day anyway.
Before that, Gore tossed five scoreless innings and looked the part of a pitcher with limitless potential. Overall, the lefty went 5 1/3 innings and allowed two runs on two hits with three walks and seven strikeouts.
Assisting Gore to a win in his first start with Texas was Nimmo, who smacked a third inning two-run shot off of Philly’s Jesus Luzardo in a lefty-on-lefty matchup for his first dong of the year. That gave the Rangers an early lead that they would add to when McCutchen followed suit with a three-run shot — also his first of the year — an inning later on a wall-scraper that just stayed fair.
Though the Phillies would eventually get a couple of runs in the sixth to end Gore’s day, Texas tamped down any hopes of a comeback rally and then padded their lead with a run of their own in the sixth and two more in the seventh.
In the end, despite the disappointment on Opening Day, the Rangers went to Philadelphia and came away with a series victory to begin the year against one of the NL’s favorites. Thanks to the new guys on Sunday, the Rangers were winners.
Player of the Game: McCutchen continues to look like a shrewd mid-spring signing as he made a big impact in both wins to claim the series. Today, McCutchen had two extra base hits, drove in three, and scored two runs while his three-run home run proved to be the big “ok, the Rangers are going to win this one” hit of the afternoon.
Up Next: The early east coast road trip continues for the Rangers with a series against the Orioles beginning tomorrow. RHP Jack Leiter is scheduled to make his season debut for Texas in the opener opposite RHP Chris Bassitt for Baltimore.
The Monday evening first pitch from Oriole Park at Camden Yards is scheduled for 5:35 pm CDT and will be aired on the Rangers Sports Network.
Tennessee forward Jaylen Carey was given a dead-ball contact technical foul with fewer than 15 minutes remaining after he intentionally slammed his shoulder into the shoulder of Michigan's Morez Johnson Jr. after a jump ball.
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 29, 2026
Johnson had been jawing with Volunteers guard Amari Evans after both went after a rebound, but the two had already appeared to have been separated by teammates when Carey entered the fray.
Carey was given a technical foul after an official review. It was his fourth foul for the game. Michigan had already built a commanding 30-point lead at the time of the incident.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 14, 2025: Carter Jensen #22 of the Kansas City Royals bats during the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on September 14, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
The game started like the first two for the Royals, scoreless innings. However, a leadoff walk in the third to Jac Caglianone started the scoring. Nick Loftin would hit into a double play, but the Royals would successfully overturn the out call at first base. So, they still had a runner on first with one out. Kyle Isbel would strike out, but an infield single from Maikel Garcia and an RBI single from Bobby Witt Jr. put the Royals up 1-0. It was the Royals first hit with a runner in scoring position this season, after being 0-10 in the first two contests.
In the top of the fourth, Carter Jensen would hit his first home run of the season, a 371-foot shot into the right field seats. Jensen has had a good approach the first two games, and it was nice to see him get rewarded, putting his team up 2-0.
Nick Loftin would lead off the fifth inning with a double down the left field line, he would score on a two out single from Vinnie Pasquantino, and for the third straight inning, the Royals had scored a run.
The three runs were more than the Royals had scored in the first two games combined and was more than enough for Seth Lugo, who was in 2024 form today. Just a masterful first appearance on the season for Lugo. 6.1 innings, five hits, no runs, no walks and three strikeouts. It was the second straight quality start for the Royals. A good sign early that they haven’t had to rely on the bullpen too much.
Matt Strahm would replace Lugo in the bottom of the seventh, with one out and a runner on second and would retire the two Braves he faced. Strahm has looked really good in his back-to-back appearances to start the season.
A leadoff walk in the top of the 8th to Witt Jr., and a single from Vinnie put the Royals on the corners with nobody out. After Perez struck out, Jensen would hit a sacrifice fly to center field to put the Royals up 4-0.
John Schreiber would make his 2026 debut in the bottom of the 8th. After retiring his first two batters, he would surrender a solo shot to right field to Drake Baldwin on a full count pitch. But would quickly bounce back by striking out Matt Olson looking.
After the Carlos Estevez meltdown last night, velocity concerns and the X-rays he got on his ankle after taking a comebacker last night. Lucas Erceg got the first crack at recording the save.
It was quick and dominant for “Lights Out” Lucas, as he struck out Austin Riley, and induced a game ended double play ball from Ozzie Albies after a nice swing single from Mike Yastrzemski. A 4-1 win for the boys in blue.
The Royals avoided being swept and got their first win on the season. They are 1-2 heading into their home opener tomorrow afternoon against the Minnesota Twins. They will also be home for the Milwaukee Brewers next weekend, to conclude the six-game homestand. First pitch tomorrow is set for 3:10 p.m. CT and can be watched on Royals.TV or KCTV5/KSMO.
