WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 22: Mike Burrows #50 of the Houston Astros warms up before a spring training game against the St. Louis Cardinals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on February 22, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Houston Astros (7-8-3) host the Washington Nationals (10-4-3) in Grapefruit League action.
RHP Mike Burrows will make the start for the Astros, opposed by RHP Jake Irvin for the Nationals.
TONIGHT’S STARTER: RHP Mike Burrows, making his fourth start of the Spring, has been fantastic thus far, tossing 8.2 scoreless with 10 strikeouts, a 0.81 WHIP and a .103 opponent batting average through his three Grapefruit League starts.
The Astros acquired Burrows this offseason in a three-team, six-player trade from Pittsburgh. As part of the deal, the Astros traded OF Jacob Melton and minor leaguer RHP Anderson Brito to the Rays, while the Rays traded IF Brandon Lowe, OF Jake Mangum and LHP Mason Montgomery to the Pirates.
Burrows pitched most of the season with the Pirates, making 23 appearances (19 starts) and going 2-4 with a 3.94 ERA (42ER/96IP). He struck out 97 hitters in 96.0 IP.
As Selection Sunday inches closer, men’s college basketball will have at least one less postseason tournament this year.
The College Basketball Invitational, more commonly known as the CBI, will not be held this year, with tournament organizers citing “circumstances beyond our control” in a post on social media.
The post ended on a hopeful note, though, saying “We’ll see you next year!”
The CBI was founded in 2007 and first held in 2008, with the tournament made up of teams that failed to qualify for the NCAA tournament or the NIT.
The event’s early fields were regularly dotted with power-conference teams, with Oregon State, Oregon and Pitt among its earliest champions, as well as VCU, which won the tournament in 2010, one year before the Rams made a Cinderella run to the Final Four.
In recent years, though, it has been made up entirely of teams from mid- and low-majors, some of which finished the regular season with losing records. The CBI hasn’t had a participant from one of the sport’s five major conferences since DePaul in 2019.
When Indiana turned down an invitation to the CBI in 2014, then-athletic director Fred Glass told the Indianapolis Star, a part of the USA TODAY Network, “We're Indiana. We don't play in the CBI."
The CBI historically required an entry fee for teams, but in 2023, it began providing NIL funding for participants.
Still, it and other secondary and tertiary postseason tournaments have increased obstacles in recent years, particularly as many programs that miss the NCAA tournament look to get as early of a start as possible on building next season’s roster through the transfer portal.
Over the past several years, the NIT has had a growing number of teams declining invitations. The College Insider Tournament (CIT), hasn’t been held in five of the past six seasons, though the first of those absences was due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first inning was a slog, with Manaea needing 28 pitches (16 strikes, 12 balls) to get through it. Along the way, he struggled with his command while allowing two runs (including a two-run homer to Nelson Velazquez and a triple to Nolan Gorman).
Manaea gave up three hits (all singles) and another run in the second inning.
After allowing two more hits in the third inning and seeing his pitch count rise to 56, Manaea was lifted.
His final line: three runs allowed on six hits with one walk and four strikeouts in 2.2 innings.
Manaea's fastball topped out at 90.4 mph on Thursday but sat mostly in the 88 mph range. Before his injury-riddled 2025 campaign, Manaea's two-seamer averaged 92.4 in 2024 while his four-seamer that season averaged 92.2 mph.
- Luis Robert Jr., whose ramp-up has been deliberate as the Mets aim to prevent the lower-body injuries that have hampered him in recent seasons, made his Grapefruit League debut as he started in center field and played five innings.
After tapping back to the pitcher his first time up, Robert lined a single to left field in the fourth inning. He finished 1-for-3.
- Jorge Polanco started at first base and tomahawked a solo homer to right field in the first inning. Polanco has a 1.300 OPS this spring.
-Brett Baty got another start in right field and looked smooth, including a play in the third inning where he tracked a fly ball to the wall before snagging it.
At the plate, Baty went 0-for-2 with a walk.
- Outfielder Mike Tauchman, who is competing for a spot on the roster, went 0-for-3. Tauchman is in a battle with Carson Benge for the starting right field job, but could also possibly nab a spot on the bench -- especially if the Mets don't carry a backup shortstop.
- Craig Kimbrel wasn't sharp in his inning of work, walking the first batter he faced and plunking two batters. But he escaped unscathed after inducing a 4-6-3 double play and a soft liner.
Kimbrel's fastball sat around 93 mph.
- Luke Weaver issued a leadoff walk but was otherwise impressive while throwing a scoreless frame. He allowed no hits, struck out one, and rolled a 5-4-3 double play.
- Tobias Myers tossed three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit, walking one, and striking out two. Myers is expected to be in the Opening Day bullpen.
The Yankees defeated the Detroit Tigers by a score of 4-3 on Thursday afternoon.
Here are the key takeaways…
-- The offense got going right away in the first inning, with Jasson Dominguez and J.C. Escarra going back-to-back against Justin Verlander.
It’s been a good spring for Dominguez, who also homered earlier this week against the Phillies and now has a 1.010 OPS this spring.
-- The Yankees got to Verlander again in the second inning, with Seth Brown going yard of the future Hall of Famer.
Brown, a veteran fighting for a potential roster spot, went 1-for-2 with a walk and now has a .628 OPS this spring.
-- Will Warren cruised through his first four innings, as he struck out two Tigers without allowing a baserunner. But Detroit finally notched its first hit in the fifth on a Dillon Dingler single, and Zach McKinstry followed up with a two-run homer.
Warren was efficient in 6.0 innings of work, needing just 64 pitches (46 strikes). His ERA this spring is down to 1.65.
-- Ben Rice had a rare poor performance, as he's otherwise been hitting well this spring. Leading off and playing first base, Rice was 0-for-3 with three punchouts. George Lombard Jr. also had a rough go at the plate, going 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts.
-- In non-Grapefruit League action, Gerrit Cole threw a 35-pitch live batting practice session, telling Jack Curry of YES Network that he will throw again in six days, and that he and the Yankees will "likely" have a conversation in coming days about him pitching in an actual game this spring.
What's next
The Yankees visit the Atlanta Braves on Friday, with first pitch set for 1:05 p.m.
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 23: Brett Bateman #92 of the Chicago Cubs at bat during the third inning of a Spring Training game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on February 23, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Chicago Cubs today announced that they have removed seven players from their Spring Training roster. Left-handed pitchers Luke Little and Ryan Rolison as well as outfielder Justin Dean were all optioned to Triple-A Iowa. Additionally, right-hander Vince Velazquez, catchers Ariel Armas and Casey Opitz, and outfielder Brett Bateman were all reassigned to minor league camp.
If you want to know the difference between the first three who were sent to Iowa and the other four, the first three are on the 40-man roster and the other four aren’t.
Of the 46 players left on the Cubs Spring Training roster, 25 are pitchers, four are catchers, ten are infielders and seven are outfielders. Thirteen of the 46 players are non-roster invitees: five pitchers, one catcher, four infielders and three outfielders.
Feb 19, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Matt Turner (90) poses for a photo during media day at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Suddenly, we find ourselves just two weeks from Opening Day and overdue for a 2026 King of Spring Training update. This year’s contest looks a little different than recent years because many players are playing in the World Baseball Classic, including a couple of KoST candidates. We’ve also unfortunately had a KoST campaign-ending injury since our last update. But on the flip side, we have one new addition to the field since last week. The race is pretty wide open at this point. It’s anybody’s game.
Cristian Pache – .474/.524/.737 in 19 ABs
Pache sprinted ahead of the field to start our KoST contest, but his production at the plate has fallen off since. However, he’s still making highlight reels with his outfield defense. Pache’s nine hits still lead the team, alongside Carson Benge. He remains a favorite with a week and a half to go.
Cristian Pache with a LONG run to make a terrific catch as he collides with the wall!
Melendez has not logged any at-bats since our last update because he is representing Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. Puerto Rico will face Italy in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
KoST Points: 0 Total KoST Points: 4
Austin Barnes – .286/.375/.500 in 14 ABs
Barnes is unfortunately hitless since our first update last week, so his KoST stock has fallen.
KoST Points: 0 Total KoST Points: 3
Mike Tauchman – .267/.450/.667 in 15 ABs
Carson Benge has been red hot this spring, so it seems unlikely at this point that an outfield roster spot is going to be ripped from him, but Mike Tauchman is doing his best. His batting average has fallen slightly since our last update, but he is still getting his knocks. The Mets are certainly giving him an extended look this spring. Unfortunately for him, Tyrone Taylor is having a strong spring as well, so Tauchman is likely to find himself on the outside looking in for the outfield battle, and possibly in the KoST race as well.
KoST Points: 2 Total KoST Points: 5
Vidal Bruján – .333/.524/.333 in 15 ABs
Bruján is the only new name on the KoST candidate list for this week. He had a slow start to spring and an injury sustained while trying to steal second base that sidelined him for a few days, but he has performed well since then, racking up five hits, six walks, and three stolen bases. Those six walks lead the team this spring.
KoST Points: 4 Total KoST Points: 4
Tobias Myers – 1.69 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 7 Ks in 5 1/3 IP
Myers hasn’t appeared in any more games since our last update, but he did pitch in the game that is ongoing as I write this on Thursday afternoon. That outing and any others will be reflected in next week’s update.
KoST Points: 0 Total KoST Points: 4
Robert Stock – 0.00 ERA, 0.33 WHIP, 6 Ks in 3 IP
RIP to Robert Stock’s KoST candidacy and his chances of being an unexpected addition to the 2026 Mets bullpen.
Robert Stock has thoracic outlet syndrome and will undergo surgery, Carlos Mendoza said. Brandon Waddell reported shoulder discomfort so he won't pitch tomorrow.
Warren has made just one appearance since our last update and lost his clean sheet, being scored upon for the first time this spring. Still, he has done enough in camp to demonstrate why he remains a solid depth piece for the Mets this year.
KoST Points: 1 Total KoST Points: 3
Matt Turner – 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 6 Ks in 5 IP
Matt Turner is arguably the fastest riser in this year’s KoST contest simply by virtue of the fact that he made two additional appearances since our last update and maintained his 0 ERA. He was reassigned to minor league camp on March 1. With two weeks left till Opening Day, he’s this year’s KoST dark horse.
One of the matchups of the night in the NBA sees Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs host Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.
San Antonio is on an incredible run, winning 16 of their last 17 games, going 12-4-1 ATS. Denver is getting healthy, but will its defense continue to be its Achilles heel?
My Nuggets vs. Spurs predictions and NBA picks explain why San Antonio is a legit contender in the West and why we can attack this spread for tonight's matchup.
The Denver Nuggets are getting healthy, and the offense is great, but their effort at the other end of the floor is holding them back, ranking 21st in defensive rating.
Additionally, the Nuggets are playing their second game in as many nights, and that means some of their recently recovered guys, like Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray, could be on limited minutes.
Nuggets vs Spurs same-game parlay
The Spurs will take advantage of some tired legs from the Nuggets and try to run them out of the gym. Denver has already allowed 125+ points in five of its last nine games, while San Antonio has topped 125 in four of its last seven. Give me the Spurs over their team total of 121.5.
Meanwhile, Wemby has taken his defense to the next level since the All-Star break. He’s averaging 4.3 blocks and 1.2 steals in 11 games since the break, and his steals + blocks prop is set at 4.5, a number he’s topped eight times during that span.
Nuggets vs Spurs SGP
Spurs -4.5
Spurs team total Over 121.5
Victor Wembanyama Over 4.5 steals + blocks
Our "from downtown" SGP: A New MVP in Town!
With so many MVP candidates not being able to qualify for the award due to too many missed games, Wemby can seize an opportunity here, and will state his case against the two-time winner by stuffing the stat sheet.
Nuggets vs Spurs SGP
Victor Wembanyama Over 25.5 points
Victor Wembanyama Over 10.5 rebounds
Victor Wembanyama Over 2.5 assists
Victor Wembanyama Over 4.5 steals + blocks
Nuggets vs Spurs odds
Spread: Nuggets +4.5 | Spurs -4.5
Moneyline: Nuggets +145 | Spurs -200
Over/Under: Over 240 | Under 240
Nuggets vs Spurs betting trend to know
The Spurs have covered the first-half spread in 33 of their last 50 games for +13.35 units and a 23% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Nuggets vs. Spurs.
How to watch Nuggets vs Spurs
Location
Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
Date
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Tip-off
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
Altitude, FDSN-Southwest
Nuggets vs Spurs latest injuries
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Carlos Beltran of the New York Mets running out a hit during a regular season MLB game against Baltimore Orioles, played at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York on Sunday, June 18, 2006. The Mets defeated the Orioles 9-4 during interleague play. (Photo by Bryan Yablonsky/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It appears that Carlos Beltrán’s number 15 will soon be joining the other retired numbers up above the promenade in left field at Citi Field. According to Mike Puma, the organization is planning a ceremony to honor the former Mets’ center fielder and retire his number later this season. Originally, Beltran was going to be inducted into the tam Hall of Fame alongside Lee Mazzilli and Bobby Valentine, but he is no longer part of that ceremony, which has been scheduled for May 30 at Citi Field.
Earlier this year, Beltrán was officially inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in his fourth year on the ballot, receiving 84.2% of the vote. A few weeks later, it was officially announced that he would go in wearing a Mets cap on his plaque, making him only the third player to enter Cooperstown with a Mets cap. He joins franchise legends Tom Seaver and Mike Piazza, who were, for a long time prior to Steve Cohen purchasing the club, the only two Mets players to have their number retired. Under the Wilpons’ ownership, it always seemed that entering the Hall of Fame with a Mets hat was a requirement to get your number retired, though Cohen in recent years has done wonders to celebrate the organization’s greats by retiring more numbers.
Beltrán is one of the best all-around players in franchise history, excelling with both his bat and his glove while in Queens. After signing a seven-year, $119 million deal prior to the 2005 season, he slugged 149 home runs, scored 551 runs, and drove in 559 runs while slashing .280/.369/.500 with a 127 wRC+ and a 29.3 fWAR in 848 games in New York. He experienced a rough first year in Flushing in 2005 and responded with a tremendous 2006 campaign, posting a 7.2 fWAR while slashing .275/.388/.594 with 41 homers, 127 runs scored, 116 runs batted in, and a 148 wRC+ in 140 games. He finished fourth in NL MVP voting and won his first of three straight Gold Glove awards and two consecutive Silver Sluggers. He also earned one of his five All-Star nods as a member of the Mets. However, he very unfairly became remembered by some fans for one particular at-bat, going down on three pitches against Adam Wainwright to conclude a Game 7 loss to the Cardinals. That would be Beltrán’s final postseason moment as a Met, though he hit three home runs during that NLCS.
Among position players all-time, he ranks third in WAR (31.2), fourth in OP (.869), sixth in OBP (.369), sixth in SLG (.500), seventh in home runs (149), seventh in doubles (208), seventh in RBI (559), tenth in walks (449), and tenth in runs scored (551). By all accounts, he remains one of the best offensive players in franchise history while playing terrific defense at a premium position. Like with David Wright, it seems the club will pair together his Hall of Fame induction and number retirement in one ceremony.
Beltrán’s number retirement will be the fourth in three years, and the seventh since Cohen took ownership of the club, joining Jerry Koosman’s 36 (2021), Keith Hernandez’s 17 (2022), Willie Mays’ 24 (2002 – done during Old Timer’s Day), Dwight Gooden’s 16 (2024), Darryl Strawberry’s 18 (2024), and David Wright’s 5 (2025).
Kentucky (21-12) advances to play No. 1 seed and fourth-ranked Florida in the quarterfinals on Friday.
Kentucky led by 16 points with 14:33 left in the second half. But the Wildcats went nearly five minutes without a field goal as Missouri used a 10-2 run to get within 60-57 at the 8-minute mark.
Missouri's second-half rally was led by Mark Mitchell, who scored 23 of his 32 points after the break. His basket with 2:34 left gave the Tigers their first lead of the second half at 70-69, but they did not make another field goal the rest of the game.
After Kentucky forced an airball on a baseline jumper, Oweh drove into the lane at the other end for a 73-70 lead with 1:13 left. Then Oweh forced a turnover when he knocked the ball off the leg of Mitchell.
Aberdeen received a pass with the shot clock winding down and he used a pump fake to get into the lane before banking in a contested shot for a 75-70 lead. He added two free throws in the closing seconds to seal it.
Missouri (20-12) also got 13 points, seven rebounds and seven assists from T.O. Barrett.
Up next
Kentucky lost both regular-season meetings with Florida — a 92-83 contest on the road and 84-77 at home.
Bam Adebayo and the red-hot Miami Heat are this week’s biggest NBA story, and they’ll go for a seventh straight win tonight as they host the Milwaukee Bucks.
Bam lit up the Wizards on Tuesday in a stunning 83-point outburst, and my Bucks vs. Heat predictions signal more home cooking for this dangerous Miami squad.
This March 12 clash is the last thing a struggling Milwaukee team needs, and my NBA picks break down the action.
Erik Spoelstra’s men enter with a 22-11 record at Kaseya Center, and they’re 8-2 ATS in their last 10 overall.
Despite key absences, Miami has scored 120+ points in five straight contests, and this spread feels even better with Kel’el Ware — and possibly Tyler Herro — returning here.
But this pick is equally about the Milwaukee Bucks' woes. They are 3-7 ATS in their past 10 and 12-19 SU on the road.
There’s only so much that Giannis Antetokounmpo can do to elevate a roster with major holes.
Bucks vs Heat same-game parlay
Even after Bam Adebayo’s historic scoring effort this week, defense remains his calling card. He averaged 10.1 RPG in March, and the Heat will need his hustle on the glass tonight to combat the Bucks’ size.
I’ll round out my SGP with a wager on Davion Mitchell, who’s been a great story in South Beach this year. His steady guard play has translated to 6.7 APG, and he’s dished a combined 17 dimes in two matchups against Milwaukee this season.
Bucks vs Heat SGP
Heat -6.5
Bam Adebayo Over 9.5 rebounds
Davion Mitchell Over 5.5 assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: Bam and the boards
Venture into the paint at your own risk tonight. With Giannis and Kevin Porter Jr. on one end and Adebayo and Ware at the other, we could see a lot of jump shots and some healthy rebounding totals — plus Bam has recorded a block in five straight games.
Bucks vs Heat SGP
Bam Adebayo Over 9.5 rebounds
Bam Adebayo Over 0.5 blocks
Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 9.5 rebounds
Kevin Porter Jr. Over 4.5 rebounds
Bucks vs Heat odds
Spread: Bucks +6.5 | Heat -6.5
Moneyline: Bucks +215 | Heat -260
Over/Under: Over 234.5 | Under 234.5
Bucks vs Heat betting trend to know
The Heat are 6-0 ATS in their past six games. Find more NBA betting trends for Bucks vs. Heat.
How to watch Bucks vs Heat
Location
Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
Date
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN Wisconsin, FDSN Sun
Bucks vs Heat 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.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 20: Sean Sullivan #85 of the Colorado Rockies delivers a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields on Friday, February 20, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Kyle Cooper)
The Colorado Rockies continue to push towards Opening Day with just two weeks left until the glorious words “play ball” are uttered.
The Rockies are still working on their Opening Day 26-man roster, especially with many of their expected contributors still away while participating in the World Baseball Classic. However, pitchers Brennan Bernardino, Victor Vodnik, and Jose Quintana will be returning to Rockies camp in the near future with their teams eliminated from the tournament. Rockies special assistant Vinny Castilla will return with them.
This afternoon the Rockies will face off yet again against their roommates at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick: the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks are 8-11 in Cactus League play and are 1-1 against the Rockies. This will be the third and final matchup between the two until the Spring Breakout game later this March.
Starting for the Rockies is tricky lefty and top prospect Sean Sullivan (no. 8 PuRPs). While his four-seam fastball’s low velocity is still a concern, Sullivan has impressed with his arsenal of deception and breaking pitches so far this spring. In four outings and 6 2/3 innings of work he has given up two earned runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and three walks. Although it’s unlikely Sullivan breaks camp on the big league roster, a wide-open competition for the fifth rotation spot and continued opportunities to show off his skills this spring make it less than impossible.
Starting for the Diamondbacks in a bit of a reunion is right-handed reliever Taylor Clarke. After starting his career with the Diamondbacks, Clarke spent the last three seasons with the Kansas City Royals before returning to the desert this off-season in free agency. Clarke has yet to give up an earned run this spring training with two strikeouts over four innings of work. Clarke operates with a four pitch mix and excels at avoiding walks. His primary offering is a mid-to-high 80s slider with strong glove side break.
J.T. Ginn gets the nod today as the A’s take on the Texas Rangers in Surprise, Arizona. | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Spring Training continues this afternoon in Surprise, Arizona as the Athletics take on the Texas Rangers. The A’s enter today with a 9-10 record, versus the Rangers at 10-8. The A’s have won five straight and scored 51 runs in those victories.
J.T. Ginn gets the start again today for the A’s. This spring the 26-year-old righty is 1-1 over three starts. He’s got a 4.50 ERA and struck out eight in his eight innings of work. He’ll go up against 25-year-old righty Jack Leiter. He’s also 1-1 in three spring starts with a 5.14 ERA.
Leiter will face off against this lineup for Mark Kotsay’s Athletics at Surprise Stadium:
Leg-spinner signed by Indian-owned team for £190,000
James Coles is most expensive player sold on the day
Abrar Ahmed has become the first Pakistani player to be signed by one of the four Indian-owned Hundred teams, after he was bought by Sunrisers Leeds for £190,000 in the inaugural men’s player auction.
The signing was a badly needed relief for the England and Wales Cricket Board, which was recently forced to deny publicly reports that the four sides would operate a “shadow ban” on picking players from Pakistan. The Sunrisers are owned by the Sun media group, which runs the Indian Premier League franchise in Hyderabad and South Africa’s Sunrisers Eastern Cape. They had to fight hard for him after being drawn into a bidding war with the Trent Rockets.
According to The Athletic, the Edmonton Oilers' goaltending situation is beyond not pretty. This shouldn't come as a huge surprise, but to see them ranked 31st out of 32 teams might be a bit of a shocker.
A recent article that ranked all NHL goalie tandems examined several factors while also weighing changes over time. For example, because the NHL is tracking shots differently -- and NHL shooters are just more skilled -- the leaguewide average save percentage this season is down to .896, the lowest it has been in 33 years.
One would think that an overall lowering of save percentages, even among the NHL's elite backstops might help the average goalie. That didn't help the Oilers, however.
The New York Islanders ranked at the top of the list with the best goaltending tandem. Ilya Sorokin and David Rittich were seen as the cream of the crop. At the bottom were the Ottawa Senators. Jesse Granger, the author of the article, wrote: "Ottawa’s Linus Ullmark and Leevi Meriläinen have combined for -36.3 GSAx. Not only is that the worst in the NHL, but it’s also more than twice as bad as the next closest tandem."
"The Oilers have started four different goalies this season, and none have a save percentage north of .900 or positive goals saved above expected. Edmonton’s defending certainly plays its part in that, but the goalies haven’t played well enough themselves either."
The goaltenders Granger speaks of are Stuart Skinner, Calvin Pickard, Tristan Jarry, and Connor Ingram.
Skinner was traded because the Oilers felt he couldn't be relied upon to get them through a grueling playoff run. Pickard's numbers were so poor at the start of the season, he was eventually placed on waivers and went unclaimed. Jarry came in as part of the Skinner trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Ingram was traded for when the Utah Mammoth decided to move on because personal off-ice health issues led to the need for a fresh start.
Granger adds, "Since he was traded to Edmonton, Tristan Jarry has posted a .900 save percentage or better in only four of his 14 starts. For comparison, he did it eight times in 14 starts with the Penguins prior to the trade."
This isn't all on the goalies. The Oilers' defense has been hideous for much of the season. It's been an issue the team has tried to address with the additions of Connor Murphy and a strong defensive forward in Jason Dickinson. Edmonton even brought former assistant coach Paul Coffey back to help right the ship on the blue line.
Unfortunately, until all that is sorted out, the Skinner-for-Jarry swap hasn't looked like a win for the Oilers. Skinner has played well in Pittsburgh: interestingly, they ranked 18th on this list.
Does this 31st-place ranking feel fair? Or is the goaltending better than that in cities like Vancouver, where Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen have struggled? What about in St. Louis, where Joel Hofer has played OK, but Jordan Binnington has been the subject of trade rumors most of the season?
It certainly has to be better than the mess in Toronto, where Anthony Stolarz, Joseph Woll, and Dennis Hildeby have contributed to a disaster of a season for the Maple Leafs.
One thing is clear: if the Oilers don't get better goaltending and Jarry and Ingram don't find another gear, seeing the Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final for a third-straight season is likely a pipe dream.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 06: ESPN reporter and analyst Stephen A. Smith is seen on the set of "First Take" on February 06, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We’re in an era of sports hot takes. Want to yell about sports on TV (or for you younger folks, on social media), have a hot take!
But some hot takes have the benefit of being true. We’re still a few weeks from the Royals season opener against the Braves. Do you have a different take than the conventional wisdom on this team? Thoughts on the lineup? Young hitters Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen? Superstar Bobby Witt Jr.? The pitching depth? Or maybe a hot take on J.J. Picollo or Matt Quatraro? Maybe you even have a hot take on owner John Sherman or the stadium saga, or the TV deal.
Here are a few hot takes I’ve been saving:
The Royals should not trade any starting pitching, they’ll probably need it (there is high injury risk in this rotation!) and they can reevaluate the outfield situation this summer.
Lucas Erceg concerns me way more than Carlos Estévez.
Bobby Witt Jr. should be hitting leadoff.
Matt Quatraro is actually a good manager.
Kyle Isbel is way underrated.
You can squint and see the Royals as serious contenders for a pennant.
What is your hot take on the 2026 Royals? I can take the heat, make those takes spicy.
