The Mets went out and made some drastic changes to their roster over the offseason after a hugely disappointing season, which ended without a playoff berth. A lot of those changes were to their lineup, breaking up a core that had been together for some time in order to give the team a new look and a fresh start.
One of the most glaring issues for New York's offense last year was its inability to capitalize on chances with runners in scoring position. In fact, not only did the Mets overhaul their lineup, but they also retooled their hitting department by bringing in new hitting coaches in hopes that they could correct the RISP problem that plagued them so often last year.
But just six games into the season, that problem is rearing its ugly head.
One day after being shut out and held to three hits, New York went 0-for-11 with RISP and left 11 men on base in a 2-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. The worst of it came in the top of the 11th inning when the Mets loaded the bases with one out, a golden opportunity to push across at least one run, but came up empty.
Before that, New York was unable to drive in the free runner in the 10th inning and couldn't get pinch-runner Jared Young home in the ninth after Jorge Polanco's leadoff double.
Even in their series-opening win on Monday, the Mets finished 1-for-14 with RISP. In Sunday's loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, they went 2-for-10 with RISP and on Saturday, a win, 3-for-14. Aside from Opening Day's 11-run outburst, New York is averaging 2.4 runs per game.
"I feel like with runners in scoring position, there’s a few things there," said manager Carlos Mendoza. "Ultra aggressive at times, expanding [the strike zone] at times, as well, with some of the guys. We just gotta get back to what we do well, which is controlling the strike zone, getting good pitches to hit and doing damage. Good hitters that right now for a couple of games they’re not getting it done."
Following a season filled with this familiar phenomenon and the upheaval that took place to try and rectify it, seeing it happening again so soon (and after the offense teased its potential on Opening Day) is certainly disheartening.
Still, the season isn't even a week old yet and Mendoza believes things will change and doesn't see a through line between last year's offense and this year's offense, saying it's "completely different guys, different lineups."
"It’s two games," the skipper said. "Yes, we gotta make some adjustments, but they’re good hitters and right now for the last couple of games we haven’t gotten the job done."
While it's still early and a relatively small sample size, things need to change soon so that a fan base who went through it last season and might still hold some emotional scars doesn't completely come down on the team.
Cam Schlittler continued a string of dominance for Yankees starters and Paul Goldschmidt's homer provided enough offense as New York defeated the Mariners, 5-3, on Wednesday afternoon in Seattle to pick up the series win.
The Yankees (5-1) have now won both series to start the season. Yankees starters have also allowed just one run in the team's first six games.
Here are the takeaways...
-Yankees starters entered Wednesday's game allowing just one run through the first five games, but the Mariners lineup threatened Schlittler in the first. Brendan Donovan hit a leadoff double, but the young right-hander struck out Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez before getting Josh Naylor to fly out to end the threat.
After allowing a one-out hit in the second, Schlittler retired 11 straight batters and was through five innings, throwing just 55 pitches. He'd extend that streak to 14 batters through six innings. The only thing that could get to Schlittler was his pitch count, which was limited considering he is still being built up.
Schlittler tossed 6.1 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits, no walks and striking out seven batters. He threw 79 pitches (58 strikes).
In his first two starts, Schlittler has thrown 11.2 scoreless innings with 15 strikeouts, and has allowed only three baserunners (all hits).
-With a varied lineup, the Yankees got to George Kirby early. Cody Bellinger worked a two-out walk and stole second, and Ben Rice -- starting as the DH -- lined a double down the right field line to give the Yankees an early 1-0 lead.
Goldschmidt, starting at first base, broke the game open in the sixth with a two-out, three-run bomb off of Kirby.
-In relief of Schlittler, the Yankees bullpen did its job. Fernando Cruz got the two outs to finish the seventh for Schlittler before Camilo Doval -- who has dominated early on -- pitched into trouble. He allowed back-to-back one-out singles to put runners on the corners. Doval struck out Leo Rivas but walked Donovan to load the bases for Raleigh.
Manager Aaron Boone pulled Doval for David Bednar, but the Yankees closer couldn't get the MVP runner-up, as the Mariners backstop dumped a two-run single to cut their lead to 4-2. Bednar would get Rodriguez to strike out on a 2-2 splitter to preserve the lead. It was a seven-pitch AB for Rodriguez that Bednar won.
Bednar would allow a run in the ninth on two hits, but eventually locked down his third save of the season after tossing 40 pitches (27 strikes).
-Rice would get one of those runs back in the ninth with a leadoff solo shot, his first of the season.
Game MVP: Cam Schlittler
It took a bit for the Yankees offense to get going, but Schlittler held down the Mariners long enough for that Goldschmidt bomb.
The Yankees are off Thursday before heading back to the Bronx for their home opener. They'll take on the upstart Miami Marlins for a three-game series starting Friday at 1:35 p.m.
Will Warren will take the mound for his second start this season and will be up against Eury Perez.
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: Rui Hachimura #28 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers high five during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 24, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Luka Dončić is playing his best basketball as a Laker.
His play has placed the Lakers as the No. 3 seed in the West, and with him scoring 600 points in the month of March, second in NBA history behind only Michael Jordan, there’s an argument to be made that he’s never been this good, period.
Dončić raising his level of play has brought him into the MVP conversation. This has also prompted people to critique his game and compare him to other NBA stars, such as Victor Wembanyama of the Spurs and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder.
As the debate rages on regarding Luka’s impact and his potential defensive shortcomings compared to SGA and Wemby, Rui Hachimura went to bat for his superstar after he put up another 40-plus point performance in a victory over the Cavs.
“I mean, you can see he’s the MVP, Hachimura said postgame. ”I don’t really know everything about it, but I can only see he’s the MVP in this league. What he does, what he brings to the game, every game literally. He’s so talented offensively and people talk about his defense, but he’s been getting good stops, steals and boxing out. The little stuff he’s been doing on the court, everything. It’s been amazing.”
On offense, Luka’s dominance is without question. He’s the NBA’s leading scorer and has had clutch moments like his game-winner over the Nuggets, which won them the tiebreaker over Denver, and his 60-point game against the Heat on the second night of a back-to-back.
On defense, his quality is tougher to see, but just as evident. Luka is averaging 7.1 defensive rebounds per game, the highest on the Lakers.
He has 194 deflections, which is the second-highest on the team, and averages 1.7 steals per game. Dončić has the 11th most steals in the league.
And when teams try to pick on Luka as a defender, they haven’t been able to capitalize. According to the NBA, in isolation defense scenarios, Dončić is allowing 0.95 points per possession on 104 isolation plays. This places him in the 45.9th percentile.
As a Laker, Hachimura himself has witnessed firsthand what greatness looks like. He played with Anthony Davis when the Lakers reached the Western Conference Finals, has been in countless games with LeBron James, and now with Luka.
If Hachimura is this emphatic that Luka is the MVP, then he has a leg to stand on in this conversation.
Hopefully, the NBA media that votes for the award also sees what Rui does, and Luka gets the recognition his play warrants.
Every year, the American Hockey Coaches Association presents an award to a former college coach or player who ‘has distinguished himself in his profession after college.’ The award was named after former Providence College player, coach, and athletic director Lou Lamoriello. This year, the honor goes to Vegas Golden Knights President of Hockey Operations George McPhee.
“I am honored beyond words to accept the Lou Lamoriello Award as the Frozen Four prepares to arrive here in Vegas,” said McPhee in response. “Lou is among the very best hockey minds and human beings to grace college hockey and the National Hockey League. Lou’s impact on these institutions, as well as the lives of thousands who have worked for him and competed against him, is extraordinary.”
As a forward at Bowling Green State University, McPhee won the Hobey Baker Award in 1982. He went on to have a seven-year NHL career, playing for the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils. After retirement, he began a career in management and had success with the Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals, and New York Islanders before making his way to Vegas.
On July 13, 2016, McPhee became the inaugural General Manager and President of Hockey Operations of the Golden Knights. He won the NHL General Manager of the Year Award in 2018 after the success of his team’s inaugural season.
McPhee stepped aside as General Manager in favor of Kelly McCrimmon on September 1, 2019, but remained as the President of Hockey Operations. He won his first Stanley Cup with the Golden Knights in 2023.
The Lou Lamoriello Award will be presented on April 10 during this year’s NCAA D1 Men’s Ice Hockey Frozen Four.
“George is widely respected throughout hockey and has consistently made a positive impact during his career,” said AHCA Executive Director Forrest Karr. ”His many contributions to the sport make him a natural choice for the Lou Lamoriello Award, and we look forward to presenting this well-deserved recognition during Frozen Four weekend.”
From Feb. 20,1986, through March 24, 2026, a span of 14,642 days, the 76ers played 3,503 games and never scored 153 points. In the last eight days, they’ve scored 153 points twice.
So, yeah, it’s been a crazy few days for the 76ers. The 76ers aren’t even in the top 10 in the NBA in scoring this year, but they’re doing things nobody else has ever done.
Worthy of another 76ers stats piece? Heck yeah!
Here we go!
1A. After scoring 157 points last Wednesday in a win over the Bulls at the Xfinity Mobile Arena and 153 this Wednesday, the 76ers are the first team in NBA history to score at least 153 points twice in the span of eight days. The 76ers held the previous mark for the two-closest 153-points-or-more games with a 159-131 win over the San Diego Rockets at the Spectrum on Jan. 25, 1970, and then a 159-125 win over the Suns at the Spectrum on Feb. 15, for 153 points twice in 22 days. The 76ers are only the 16th team in NBA history to score 153 or more points twice in one season and only the fourth to do it since 1992, joining the 2020 Rockets, 2023 Kings and 2024 Pacers.
1B. The 153 points are the 76ers’ 3rd-most ever on the road and most in more than 58 years, since a 160-122 win over the Supersonics at Seattle Center early in the 1967-68 season. In 1963, as the Syracuse Nationals, they beat the Pistons 162-135 at Cobo Arena in Detroit.
2. The 76ers committed eight turnovers in the 157-point game against the Bulls and just 10 against the Wizards. They’re now the only franchise in NBA history to score 153 points and commit 10 turnovers more than once in their history – and they did it a week apart. There have been only seven other games in NBA history where a team has scored 153 points and committed 10 or fewer turnovers. At 35 years, 334 days, Paul George became the oldest player in 76ers history to score 39 points in a game. The previous oldest player was Julius Erving, who was 34 years, 44 days when he scored 39 points in the 76ers’ 112-106 win over the Pacera at the Spectrum in 1984.
3. At 35 years, 334 days, Paul George became the oldest player in 76ers history to score 39 points in a game. The previous oldest player was Julius Erving, who was 34 years, 44 days when he scored 39 points in the 76ers’ 112-106 win over the Pacera at the Spectrum in 1984.
4. George is the first 76er in franchise history with multiple games scoring 35 points after turning 35. He also scored 35 in a loss to the Hawks at State Farm Arena in Atlanta in December.
5. George is also the first player in franchise history to score 39 or more points in 26 or fewer minutes. The most points previously by a 76er in 26 or fewer minutes was 38 by Andrew Toney in 26 minutes in a 123-111 loss to the Celtics at the Spectrum in 1982. He’s also the oldest player in NBA history to score 39 points in 26 or fewer minutes. The most points previously by any player 35 and older in 26 or fewer minutes was Michael Jordan’s 34 in 26 minutes while he was with Washington vs. the Bucks in 2002 at the MCI Center, now the Capital One Center, where the 76ers played Wednesday night.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Noah Cameron #65 of the Kansas City Royals pitches during the first inning against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on September 26, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After the day off following the home opening win, the Royals are hopefully not going to get rained out for their second game in the Twins series. A win tonight would mean that Kansas City would win their first in division series of 2026 with a potential sweep set up for tomorrow.
Standing in the way of a Royals victory tonight will be their nemesis, Joe Ryan. In 11 career starts against the Royals, Ryan has a 2.02 ERA, though the Royals did finally get to him last September putting up 5 runs in just 2 innings. Opposing Ryan will be Noah Cameron for the first start of his sophomore season. He was great as a rookie and will hopefully continue that success this year.
With the Royals sitting at 2-2, this is a chance for their first foray into winning record territory. The teams will do battle with these lineups:
Nothing unusual from the Royals lineup for tonight.
Woods focusing on his health and wellbeing after crash
Florida judge grants his request to leave the US
Tiger Woods has turned down the opportunity to captain the United States at the 2027 Ryder Cup, the PGA of America has announced.
The former world No 1’s decision comes after he announced he would step away from golf for a period to focus on his health and wellbeing. Woods was charged with driving under the influence after being involved in a car accident last week.
Carlos Narváez #75 of the Boston Red Sox looks on during a spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on March 7, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida.
Something’s up with Carlos Narváez.
The Red Sox catcher was benched on Wednesday for undisclosed reasons, and his manager’s answer as to why was cagey to say the least.
“I just made a change,” Alex Cora told reporters. “I talked to Carlos a little bit and we move on from there. So, it’s one of those that I felt like we needed to make the change in the lineup. And I think it’s for the best.”
Cora wouldn’t say for sure when asked if it was for disciplinary reasons.
Carlos Narváez #75 of the Boston Red Sox looks on during the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, March 26, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. MLB Photos via Getty Images
“Let’s keep it between me and Carlos,” Cora said. “And he understands. This is something that happens on every club. It just happens to be early in the season, and I think it’s the right thing to do.”
Narváez, 27, is in his second season in Boston, having hit .241/.306/.419 with 15 home runs and 50 RBIs across 118 games last season.
He played in three of the Red Sox’ six games heading into Wednesday, getting four hits in nine at-bats.
The Venezuela native spent nine years in the Yankees organization after signing with the franchise in 2015, playing 497 minor league games from 2016-24.
He debuted in July 2024 after starting backstop Jose Trevino went down with an injury, going 3-for-13 during his brief six-game stint in pinstripes.
Narváez was then dealt to Boston before that deadline for righty prospect Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz and international bonus pool space.
He became a bit of a Yankee-killer in 2025, having hit a go-ahead three-run homer during the Red Sox’ June 8 win over their bitter rivals.
Six days later, Narváez hit a walk-off single after throwing out Anthony Volpe on the bases earlier in the frame.
Mar 31, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) and guard Reed Sheppard (15) react after a play during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Houston Rockets vs Milwaukee Bucks
April 1, 2026
Location: Toyota Center — Houston, Texas
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio: KBME Sports Talk 790
Online: Rockets App, SCHN+
Time: 7:00pm
Probable Starting Lineups
Rockets: Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun
Bucks: Ryan Rollins, Gary Trent Jr., Ousamane Dieng, Kyle Kuzma, Myles Turner
The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t just beat the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday. They sealed a month that will be remembered as the turning point of their season.
In doing so, they accomplished a bevy of historical feats, with each milestone leaning against another until at the end of the night it felt like they had built a monument.
The month of March wasn’t just a hot streak. It was a month that changed everything.
The Los Angeles Lakers sealed a month that will be remembered as the turning point of their season. NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers historic month
The Lakers finished the month with a 15-2 record and an 88% winning percentage.
A month ago they were staring directly at the play-in tournament. Holding the same amount of wins as the seventh-place Phoenix Suns and one bad week away from falling into single elimination chaos and uncertainty. Now? They are alone in third place. A guaranteed top-six seed. No play-in. No roulette wheel.
Exhale, because the Lakers have transformed from a team that looked destined for a first-round exit to a team that just maybe is on the precipice of greatness.
This is what it looks like when a team comes together, finds their identity and finally hardens.
And if we’re being brutally honest, it’s also an indictment on what this team wasted earlier in the season. They’ve always had the talent. The roster didn’t change dramatically, it just finally aligned.
And if you’re being honest, it’s also an indictment of what this team wasted earlier in the season. The talent didn’t just arrive in March—it finally aligned.
Luka Doncic didn’t just lead the Lakers through March. He put his stamp on history in the process. NBAE via Getty Images
Luka Doncic’s 600-Point Symphony
Luka Doncic didn’t just lead the Lakers through March. He put his stamp on history in the process.
In the Lakers 127-113 win over the Cavs he scored 42 points, dished out 12 assists, grabbed five rebounds, and had two steals. It was his 16th 40-point game this season. Now tied with Elgin Baylor for the sixth-most in a single season in franchise history—joining Baylor and Kobe Bryant as the only Lakers to reach that mark multiple times.
But even more impressive, Doncic had exactly 600 points in the month of March and that was missing one game because of a suspension.
That number lands like thunder because only one other player in league history has ever done that in this month: Michael Jordan (687) in 1987. That’s the air Doncic is breathing now.
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He didn’t just pass Bryant’s franchise March record of 578—he cleared it with room to spare and one less game played. He didn’t just score—he dominated every facet of the game: 600 points, 35+ steals, 50+ threes. No one has ever done that in a single month. Ever.
And yet, Doncic shrugged it off like a man who knows the real story hasn’t been written yet.
“For sure…if you don’t win, it doesn’t really mean anything. The run we have been on…that means a lot more.”
Doncic isn’t chasing numbers, he’s chasing wins and that’s scary for opponents.
15,000 Points and Climbing the Pantheon
Doncic also crossed 15,000 career points during the win on Tuesday. That’s not just an annotation on the box score, it’s a reminder of how quickly he’s climbing the ranks past legends of the past.
Doncic is the third-youngest ever to accomplish the feat. Behind only LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Ahead of Bryant. Ahead of Wilt Chamberlain.
And he got there in 513 games—the sixth-fastest in league history.
LeBron James and the Weight of Wins
At 41 years old, in his 23rd season, LeBron is no longer chasing history—he’s now dragging it along behind him.
Tuesday gave him another crown: 1,229 total wins (regular season + playoffs), passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most in NBA history.
It’s almost absurd how routine this has become. Another game, another record.
But inside the Lakers locker room, when you celebrate the King, the face of the franchise, the young head coach, and the role players around them, you’re celebrating a team, and that means more than you know.
Lost in the avalanche was Rui Hachimura crossing 5,000 career points. AP
Rui Hachimura’s Quiet Climb
Lost in the avalanche was Rui Hachimura crossing 5,000 career points. It won’t grab the headlines, but as mentioned above it will go a long way in terms of this team’s success come the postseason. Moments in any player’s career, even the ones that aren’t superstars need to be acknowledged and celebrated.
J.J. Redick’s Vindication Tour
Let’s be honest—when J.J. Redick got this job, a lot of people rolled their eyes.
“Podcaster.” “Broadcaster.” “In over his head.”
Two seasons later? 100 wins. Back-to-back 50-win seasons. The first Lakers coach to do that since Phil Jackson, and he did it in his first two seasons coaching at any level. Period. Only the 16th NBA coach to ever accomplish that feat, and just the fourth in Lakers history.
And when his kids, Knox and Kai, appeared on screen in that locker room to congratulate him, the moment cracked through the edge and revealed something human beneath the résumé.
Let’s be honest—when J.J. Redick got this job, a lot of people rolled their eyes. AP
“I don’t deserve to be mentioned along with Phil and Pat…we have a lot left to accomplish,” said Redick humbly.
That humility is real. So is the fact that Redick didn’t inherit a contender, he shaped one. And he did it all with clarity, stubbornness, and refusal to let the outside noise define him.
“I knew I wanted to be a head coach before I ever got the job,” said Redick reflecting back his motivation for getting into coaching. “My Dad was a potter and an artist. My parents were hippies. We grew up in the sticks…he became a counselor and eventually he and my mom both became life coaches. For most of the entirety that I’ve played basketball it’s been with that mindset to help people and to coach people.”
What It All Means
Milestones are nice. Banners are better. That’s something every Lakers fan knows.
March gave them everything you could ask for—momentum, identity, belief, proof. It bonded them through wins, adversity, road trips, late-night dinners, rounds on the golf course, and shared belief. It gave them something every contender needs but can’t ever fake: Trust.
But none of these milestones mean anything if it doesn’t get packed onto the plane with them come April, May, and June.
Because history doesn’t care about your best month. It only remembers your last one.
On an extremely cold and windy afternoon at Wrigley Field that really wasn’t suitable for baseball, Matthew Boyd looked like the Boyd of 2025 in getting to the sixth inning and striking out 10 Angels hitters.
That, some solid relief and timely hitting by the Cubs led to a 6-2 victory and a series win over the visitors from Anaheim.
The first hitter of the game, Zach Neto, singled off Boyd.
Boyd then retired the next eight Angels in a row — until Neto walked leading off the fourth. Then Boyd set down six more Angels consecutively.
While all this was going on, the Cubs put together a nice rally in the fifth with only one extra-base hit. Miguel Amaya, serving as DH in this one, led off with a walk. That XBH, a double by Nico Hoerner, followed, with Amaya scoring on a close play [VIDEO].
Oddly, no review was asked for, and it appeared Angels manager Kurt Suzuki waited too long to ask for one, because he then had a rather animated discussion with the umpires. Anyway, Alex Bregman was next and singled in Nico [VIDEO].
Ian Happ hit into a force play, but Neto threw the ball into the dugout, so Happ took second. Carson Kelly followed with a walk and a single by Michael Busch loaded the bases.
That’s a really good long-sequence offense, each hitter adding something down the line. No one was going to hit the ball out of Wrigley Field in this one, not with a 21 mile per hour wind blowing in. So the Cubs hitters adjusted their offense to fit the conditions. Well done.
Boyd allowed another single to Neto in the sixth — after he struck out the first two hitters — and when Mike Trout then walked, Boyd was removed to applause from the maybe 10,000 (of 25,125 paid) who showed up in the miserable conditions. Both runners scored, unfortunately. Hunter Harvey’s first pitch to Jo Adell was hit for a single up the middle and then a ball hit by Jorge Soler went under Bregman’s glove for an error, making one of the two runs unearned.
Matthew Boyd is the 24th different Cub to strike out at least seven batters in each of his first two starts of a season. The previous five had been Travis Wood, in 2014; Jon Lackey, Jon Lester and Jose Quintana, all in 2017; and Tyler Chatwood, in 2020.
All of their streaks ended in their third start. The last to go beyond two games was Rich Harden, who went four games in 2009. He had set the team record of five games in 2008. He, Mark Prior and Kerry Wood all did it in two seasons.
Only one Cub notched double-digit strikeouts last season: Colin Rea, who had 11 in 7.0 innings of a 1-0 loss at Cincinnati on Sept. 18. He was the first in more than a year, since Shota Imanaga had 11 in 6.0 at home vs. the Athletics on Sept. 16, 2024. That was the Cubs’ sixth such game of 2024: three by Imanaga and one each by Ben Brown, Justin Steele and Jameson Taillon.
Harvey continued in relief in the seventh, retiring the side in order. The Cubs scored a sixth run in the seventh. Kelly led off with a routine fly ball to center that was dropped by Trout. That was really odd; it didn’t look like Trout had trouble with the wind, he just dropped the ball. Kelly wound up on second. He went to third on a single by Busch, and one out later scored on this Shaw single [VIDEO].
Caleb Thielbar threw a 1-2-3 eighth with two strikeouts and Daniel Palencia finished things up in the ninth in a non-save situation. Here’s the final out [VIDEO].
Cubs pitchers struck out 16 in this game. More on that from John:
That was the Cubs’ most strikeouts since they fanned 6 in a 14-1 rout of the Pirates at home on Sept. 19, 2023. They walked two. Their last game was at least 16 strikeouts and no more than two walks was 16 and two in a 3-2 win over the Rockies at home on July 29, 2015.
One more note before I wrap this up. The Angels challenged two calls of strike three and were wrong on both.
The K zone you see on broadcasts now is the exact ABS box, so as you can see on both of those, the pitch was within the zone. It wasn’t a bad strategic choice by the Angels, late in the game with the possibility of extending the at-bat, but they guessed wrong both times.
About the weather: It was as bad as you heard during the broadcast. The wind was strong and the temp at 39 didn’t really rise much, if at all, throughout the game. I am going to have more to say about this weather and scheduling tomorrow, presuming I thaw out by then. Per baseball-reference.com, for games on which they have reported game-time temperatures, this was just the 10th game ever at Wrigley Field with a game-time temperature of 39 or lower and a wind speed of 21 miles per hour or higher.
In the meantime, the Cubs won the series. A 3-3 homestand isn’t what we wanted, but as was pointed out to me before the game, this win means the Cubs are one win ahead of where they were after six games last year. Yes, the opponents last year were better teams but… this start to the season should be nothing to worry about, especially after seeing Boyd’s outing today (and Jameson Taillon’s Tuesday, and Edward Cabrera’s on Monday). This team will be just fine.
The Cubs will enjoy their off day Thursday and then head to Cleveland to begin a three-game series against the Guardians Friday. The Friday game is Cleveland’s home opener. Cade Horton will start for the Cubs. At this writing the Guardians do not have a starter listed, though if they stay on rotation it should be left-hander Joey Cantillo. Game time Friday is 3:10 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network.
MIAMI (AP) — Sandy Alcantara never stopped believing in himself.
Not when Tommy John surgery robbed him of the 2024 season. Not when 2025 ended in a disappointing 11-12 record, and a 5.36 ERA.
Instead, he “always kept the faith.”
Alcantara threw the first complete game of the MLB season in a 93-pitch shutout on Wednesday, leading the Miami Marlins to a 10-0 domination of the Chicago White Sox.
It was Alcantara’s second career shutout with fewer than 100 pitches, known as a “Maddux” in honor of Hall of Famer Greg Maddux.
Alcantara also threw his 13th career complete game and fifth shutout.
“Many negative things happened last year but that didn’t hold me back trying to be better,” Alcantara said. “This year, I am going to give my best every time, win more games and be more aggressive in counts. Today, as a club, we did a tremendous job.”
The White Sox did not have a hitter reach second as Alcantara (2-0) scattered three singles, hit a batter and struck out seven. After a dominant outing against Colorado in the season-opener, the 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner extended his scoreless streak to 15 innings.
Alcantara used six pitches to shut down the White Sox. Although his changeup and four-seam fastball were mostly used in his outing, Alcantara also utilized his slider, sweeper, sinker and cutter to carve through the Chicago lineup.
“Everything was working. Everything was good today,” Alcantara said. “I think I did a great job, trying to not miss much.”
Alcantara’s battery mate Liam Hicks continued his torrid offensive start as he homered, had two singles and drove in four runs to give him a major league-leading 12 RBIs.
“It was fun,” Hicks said of catching Alcantara’s gem. “He had a lot of pitches working. When you’re back there and he’s rolling like that, it’s cool to see. It makes your job catching easy.”
As Alcantara accumulated quick outs, the decision became easier for manager Clayton McCullough to allow his ace to pitch the ninth. With Alcantara needing only three pitches to retire the White Sox in the eighth, it became an easy call.
“I gave him a thumbs up and he gave me a thumbs up,” McCullough said.
He called the outing remarkable.
“It’s hard to do that today, to go nine innings with how you view workload," McCullough said. "Hitters are good. He was so efficient and guys played great behind him.”
There were 29 complete games thrown last season, and pitchers threw just 13 shutouts, the lowest in a non-shortened season since 1873.
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State's Tom Izzo said he considered coaching the Phoenix Suns after discussing the possibility last year with one of his former players, Mat Ishbia, who owns the NBA team.
“We talked seriously about it,” Izzo said Wednesday on “The Dan Patrick Show," during a virtual interview from his office on campus.
The 71-year-old Hall of Fame coach chose to lead the Spartans for a 31st season and extended his record of reaching 28 consecutive NCAA Tournaments. They were eliminated by Connecticut in the Sweet 16.
Izzo has turned down multiple opportunities to coach in the NBA, including with Cleveland and Atlanta. Izzo said last week that Huskies coach Dan Hurley asked him for advice after the Los Angeles Lakers offered him a $70 million, six-year contract in 2024.
Ishiba, a walk-on guard on Izzo's national championship team in 2000, hired former Michigan State video coordinator Jordan Ott to coach the Suns this season. Ishiba also hired a former Spartans assistant, Brian Gregory, to be the team's general manager and gave former teammate Mateen Cleaves a job in player development.
Phoenix is in a position to make the playoffs with Ott on the bench after it was 10 games under .500 under coach Mike Budenholzer in his only season with the franchise.
Mar 21, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (10) shoots against the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Hawks (43-33) see Franz Wagner return for the Orlando Magic (40-35) tonight in a big seeding battle.
Starting lineup:
G CJ McCollum
G Nickeil Alexander-Walker
F Dyson Daniels
F Jalen Johnson
C Onyeka Okongwu
Please join in the comments below as you follow along.
Where, When, and How to Watch and Listen
Location: Kia Center, Orlando, FL
Start Time: 7:00 PM EDT
TV: Peachtree Sports Network (PSN), Atlanta News First (WANF), FanDuel Sports Network Southeast (FDSNSE)
Radio: Sports Radio 92.9 the Game (WZGC-FM)
Streaming: FanDuel Sports Network app, Fubo (out of market), NBA League Pass (out of market), Youtube TV (NBA League Pass out of market)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 11: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs driving to the basket is guarded by Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors in the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on February 11, 2026 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors begin the final month of the regular season with a five game homestand starting with Wednesday night’s matchup against the San Antonio Spurs. The game will be played at 7:00 PM PT in San Francisco and can be watched on ESPN and NBC Sports Bay Area.
Golden State saw their three-game winning streak come to an end on Sunday night, losing to the Denver Nuggets on the road, 116–93. Despite entering the game as big underdogs, the Warriors came out strong and even took a seven-point lead into halftime.
However, behind three-time MVP Nikola Jokić, Denver took control in the second half, outscoring Golden State 70–40 across the final two quarters to pull away with the victory. Jokić finished just shy of a triple-double with a game-high 23 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists.
Meanwhile on the Warriors’ side, Brandin Podziemski and Kristaps Porziņģis tied for the team lead with 23 points apiece. Both were efficient from beyond the arc, with Podziemski knocking down five of his eight attempts, while Porziņģis went a perfect 5-of-5 from three.
While the Warriors received encouraging injury news with Steph Curry returning to practice and participating in a 5-on-5 scrimmage, he is not quite ready for tonight’s matchup against the Spurs. That means Curry will have now missed 26 games since suffering a right knee injury back in January, though there is optimism he could return Sunday against the Houston Rockets.
Reporting for NBA Today — Stephen Curry has set a goal to return for the Golden State Warriors on Sunday against the Houston Rockets, with the next few days as a vital period to receive clearance: pic.twitter.com/GdDVBIIkDS
Unfortunately, the Warriors’ injury problems don’t end there. On the first night of a back-to-back, Golden State enters with a more extensive injury report than usual. It will be especially noticeable in the frontcourt as Porzingis, Al Horford, and Quinten Post are among those listed as out, leaving the team extremely thin at center.
Kristaps Porzingis will sit tomorrow night vs the Spurs. Hasn’t been cleared for both sides of back-to-backs yet. De’Anthony Melton out with a thumb strain. Gui Santos and Gary Payton II questionable. Warriors face Cavaliers on Thursday.
That lack of size comes at a tough time as Golden State prepares to face one of the league’s most dominant big men in San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama. The MVP candidate is coming off a monster 41-point performance against the Chicago Bulls on Monday, adding 16 rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and a steal.
Draymond Green is expected to draw the primary assignment on Wembanyama, but with limited depth behind him, players like 10-day contract Omer Yurtseven and two-way forward Malevy Leons could be forced into extended minutes against him too — a matchup that could spell a long night for the Warriors.
