HOUSTON (AP) — Scottie Scheffler withdrew from the Houston Open on Tuesday, a tournament that was always questionable for him to play because his wife is expecting their second child.
Scheffler, the No. 1 player in the world, has been runner-up at the Houston Open three times, including the last two years when he made it his final stop before going to the Masters.
He was replaced in the field by Matt Kuchar.
Scheffler's wife gave birth to a son they named Bennett on May 8, 2024, one week before the PGA Championship.
Scheffler, who won the PGA Championship and the British Open last year, began 2026 with a victory in The American Express. His streak of 18 consecutive finishes in the top 10 — which started at the Houston Open last year — ended at the Genesis Invitational with a tie for 12th.
His last tournament was a tie for 22nd in The Players Championship.
Alabama men's basketball player Aden Holloway is pushing back against allegations made against him after police arrested him last week and said they found more than two pounds of marijuana at his Tuscaloosa residence.
Holloway's attorney, Jason Neff, wrote to the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court in a March 23 filing in response to the initial police complaint that his client denies "each and every material allegation," according to the Tuscaloosa News. Holloway is also seeking "strict proof" of any allegations listed in the complaint and Neff demanded a trial based on the claims made by state and law enforcement officials.
According to court documents obtained by The Tuscaloosa News, Tuscaloosa district attorney Hays Webb wrote in a criminal complaint that agents from the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force saw "drug transactions on Holloway's phone, with people texting that they were going to get up with him after the season."
Holloway told agents during questioning that he got the marijuana from "someone out of town." Holloway was also asked if he sold marijuana, as well as how much he had on him. Per the complaint, Holloway said that he "only smokes" and claimed to only have a "quarter pound."
Law enforcement officials noted in the complaint, "the marijuana was in separate packing, from plastic bags to prepacked marijuana to vacuum sealed bags." Holloway was released from custody on $5,000 bond the same day he was arrested.
The Charlotte, North Carolina native is averaging 16.8 points, 3.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game for the Crimson Tide this season. No. 4 seed Alabama is set to face No. 1 seed Michigan in a Midwest region Sweet 16 game on May 27 in Chicago.
Mar 23, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (left) taking pitcher Roki Sasaki (middle) out from the game during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
LOS ANGELES — Spring training was a disaster for Roki Sasaki, but the Dodgers are showing incredible faith in the phenom to find some semblance of command once the games count for real.
In three of his four Cactus League starts, Sasaki was removed in the middle of an inning that got away from him, earlier than his originally planned length, then re-entered the game to open the next inning, which is allowed during spring training. Prior to Monday night’s start at Dodger Stadium against the Angels, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts talked about expectations for Sasaki, who will start the Dodgers’ fourth game of the season, next Monday against the Cleveland Guardians at home.
“Tonight we need to see him in compete mode. There’s a time to work on your mechanics, and a time to go out and compete,” Roberts said. “Once the game starts, it’s about getting hitters out, because this is his last tuneup for the fourth game of the regular season. And he’s got to be ready to go.
“You’re not always going to feel perfect, physically, mentally, emotionally, whatever it is. But certainly for a starting pitcher, when it’s your day, you still got to find a way to take down a good amount of outs.”
Sasaki had his worst command to date against the Angels, and was removed five batters into the first inning with no outs. In fairness, one of those was a groundball that should have been an out, but Miguel Rojas threw errantly to second base. And it didn’t get much better once Sasaki resumed pitching in the second inning.
The only target Sasaki consistently hit on Monday was Angels shortstop Zach Neto, clipped on the right elbow on a 3-0 pitch the first inning and plunked by an errant 0-2 splitter in the second. Sasaki walked six Angels and struck out two.
“The results weren’t good today,” Sasaki said through his interpreter. “My mechanics were a little off, but I’ll keep improving.”
His spring training stats are gruesome. Sasaki threw more balls (110) than strikes (108), and half of his batters faced reached base by hit (nine), walk (15), or hit by pitch (two). All that to complete 8 2/3 innings, during which he allowed 15 runs.
Sasaki this spring has been trying to add a new pitch to his repertoire, classified as a cutter at Baseball Savant. But he mostly scrapped the pitch on Monday, throwing the cutter only six times in his 66 pitches, and still had a devil of a time against the Angels with mostly his fastball and splitter.
Roberts after the game reiterated that Sasaki would start Monday against Cleveland, and will be in the rotation to open the season.
“He’s got to go out there and attack hitters. It’s just one of those things that it’s tough to pitch when you’re working behind in counts, running deep counts, and getting your pitch count up there,” Roberts said. “If it’s mechanical, if it’s mental, if it’s emotional, all that we’ve got to sift through and find some clarity when he takes the mound. Because at the end of the day, he’s got to get outs.
“We’re still trying to learn and get better, and acclimate. I believe in him, I really do. I told him that in the dugout. For me, I’m going to keep pouring into him like our staff is, and expect it to get better.”
The Dodgers made a long-term investment into Sasaki, the most coveted pitcher in baseball last offseason who is still only 24 years old. Ideally he’s going to be around for at least five more years, and they are calculating that it’s worth a little short-term rough patch now, dealing with these growing pains to potentially reap a considerable payoff in the long run.
We’ll see how long that rope lasts, however. It’s one thing to struggle in games that don’t count. Going forward, the stakes are real, and the Dodgers are hoping Sasaki will finally turn a corner.
“We’re going to run him out there. I don’t think that for me, to put my head in a space that there’s another alternative right now, that’s not helpful. I don’t think so,” Roberts said. “I think that we’re gonna support him as much as we can, and then give him some runway, and then, once the season starts, then you gotta it’s about production.”
There’s nothing magical about the Orlando Magic’s recent slide.
Orlando, which visits the Cleveland Cavaliers Tuesday, is playing the second of back-to-back outings after failing to snuff out a five-game losing skid last night.
If the Magic are going to get right, it will all be on star Paolo Banchero.
Orlando enters tonight without three of its top five scorers, as Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, and Anthony Black are all out of commission.
Our Magic vs. Cavaliers predictions dig in Banchero’s bag and my NBA picks like the value on his 3-point shooting prop tonight.
Magic vs Cavaliers prediction
Magic vs Cavaliers best bet: Paolo Banchero Over 1.5 3-pointers (+150)
He’s coming off a busy night in the loss versus Indiana Monday, firing up 27 shots (second most of the season), including nine attempts from outside.
Banchero made four triples and has been active from outside during this slump. In fact, his long-range looks have climbed this month, averaging 4.5 3-point attempts (up from 3.8).
The Cleveland Cavaliers rank 26th in opponent 3-point percentage and have allowed an average of almost 16 3-pointers over their last three contests.
Banchero’s projections lean toward two triples.
Magic vs Cavaliers same-game parlay
Cleveland has strung together recent wins against some of the worst clubs in the NBA. They face a hungry Orlando team desperate to stop sliding down the standings, with the threat of falling out of the play-in tournament looming. Game models have this closer than the 10.5-point spread.
With Franz Wagner out for Orlando and frontcourt mate Jarrett Allen sidelined, Evan Mobley patrols the paint and cleans the glass. Forecasts call for as many as 10 rebounds from Mobley, who has recorded double-figure boards in four of his last six games.
Magic vs Cavaliers SGP
Magic +10.5
Paolo Banchero Over 1.5 3-pointers
Evan Mobley Over 9.5 rebounds
Our "from downtown" SGP: One-Man Magic
Orlando needs to stop the bleeding and without three of its top five scorers, Banchero gets all the touches he wants. He dropped 25 points, eight rebounds and two triples on the Cavs back on March 11.
Magic vs Cavaliers SGP
Orlando moneyline
Paolo Banchero Over 24.5 points
Paolo Banchero Over 1.5 3-pointers
Paolo Banchero Over 7.5 rebounds
Magic vs Cavaliers odds
Spread: Magic +10.5 | Cavaliers -10.5
Moneyline: Magic +375 | Cavaliers -500
Over/Under: Over 231 | Under 231
Magic vs Cavaliers betting trend to know
Cleveland is 15-4 SU but just 4-15 ATS when set as double-digits favorites this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Cavaliers.
How to watch Magic vs Cavaliers
Location
Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
Date
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
Peacock
Magic vs Cavaliers latest injuries
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On today’s episode, Ryan Eichten and Leo Sun discuss the Minnesota Timberwolves’ first win in the city of Boston in over 20 years, the loss to the Portland Trail Blazers the game before, and much more:
— For the first time since March 6, 2005, the Timberwolves won a road game against the Boston Celtics. Minnesota gave up just 15 fourth-quarter points on the way to a 102-92 win.
— The Wolves were 10.5-point underdogs coming into the game without Anthony Edwards, making the game the biggest upset victory for Minnesota this season.
— In the game, the Timberwolves scored 22 fast break points, which continued a trend of playing with more pace as the Wolves have been in the top five of that category since the trade deadline. The question now is whether or not they can keep it up when Edwards returns to the lineup.
— For much of the spectacular defensive fourth quarter for the Wolves in Boston, Rudy Gobert was on the bench as Minnesota broke the game open. The premier defensive stretch without Gobert, while far from an indictment of the Wolves’ starting center, showcases the ceiling this group has on that end of the court.
— In Friday’s loss to the Blazers, the Wolves gave up a total of 18 offensive rebounds. Chris Finch talked about the rebounding issue postgame, directly naming Julius Randle as a player who needs to be better in that area of the game.
— Bones Hyland and Ayo Dosunmu were the Apex Alphas of the week. Both have played phenomenally over the past week without Edwards and have cemented themselves as quality rotation pieces on a Timberwolves team bound for the Playoffs.
— Kyle Anderson showed off his best “Slo-Mo” moves against the Celtics, hitting Luka Garza with three straight in-and-out dribbles before putting in a midrange shot.
ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 22: Fans in The Battery outside the right field gate for the Braves Open House on March 22, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Well it’s here: the last game of Spring Training, as the Braves open their regular season on Friday in Atlanta against Kansas City. Grant Holmes gets his final spring tune-up, wrapping up what has been a strong and healthy spring for Grant. There was much concern about his health, given that he was shut down for a partial UCL tear last season and opted for the rest and rehab route for recover that has yielded mixed results in the past across baseball. He has not only been healthy, but has yet to allow a run and has struck out a bunch of batters this spring.
The Braves will be rolling with what could easily be an Opening Day lineup, as Ronald Acuna leads off, followed by Drake Baldwin and Matt Olson.
That Braves lineup will face Ryan Pepiot, a solid #4-quality starter for the Rays. The Rays are also running out a number of MLB regulars in their lineup, so this game should resemble major league level competition for most of the game.
Parlays and same-game parlays in particular are more popular than ever among sports bettors, and with so many baseball games to wager on every single day in a season that stretches from March to October, the MLB and parlays are a perfect pairing.
Combining multiple baseball bets together means a bigger profit, but with that comes a bigger risk. If you are new to baseball betting and making MLB picks, we help you learn how to wager on baseball parlays the smart way.
What is a baseball parlay bet?
A baseball parlay bet ties two or more wagers together and places one single stake for an increased payout. The more bets added to the parlay, the larger the potential profit. However, all the selections (called legs) included in the parlay must be correct for the overall parlay to win. Even if three of the four bets included in the parlay win and one loses, the entire parlay is a loss.
Parlays promise larger payouts due to the high risk involved. The more bets added to the baseball parlay, the greater the risk. Because of all those variables, parlays have a much lower win probability than single baseball bets.
While they are a fun way to wager, they are not a sustainable long-term betting strategy due to their high risk/low probability.
Baseball same-game parlays
Baseball same-game parlays have become increasingly popular recently, with sportsbooks offering parlays on odds markets from a single game.
The example below is a three-leg, same-game parlay from a matchup between the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays. The parlay includes a bet on the Yankees moneyline (to win outright) at +120 odds, a bet on the Under 7.5 runs at -110 odds, and a player prop on Kevin Gausman to record Over 17.5 outs at -145 odds.
Tying all three bets together in a baseball same-game parlay increases the odds to +610. A $100 stake on this parlay would payout $710 ($610 in winnings + $100 original stake). All three bets must be correct for the parlay to win.
Moneyline: New York Yankees (+120) @ Toronto Blue Jays
Total: New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays Under 7.5 (-110)
Player Prop: Kevin Gausman Over 17.5 outs recorded (-145)
Parlay
+610
Stake
$100
Total Return (Including Stake)
$710
Baseball multi-game parlays
Baseball multi-game parlays are the most common method of wagering on parlays, tying together bets from different MLB games.
The example below is a two-game baseball parlay, including a bet on the Yankees moneyline at +120 and the Los Angeles Dodgers moneyline at -135.
By themselves as single bets, these bets would return $220 and $174, respectively, on $100 stakes ($394 total return on $200 in stakes), but the result of one does not impact the other (one could lose and the other could win and pay out).
As a multi-game baseball parlay, however, combining the two bets into one parlay generates odds of +282, and a single $100 stake can return $382 ($282 in winnings + $100 original stake).
New York Yankees (+120) @ Toronto Blue Jays
San Francisco Giants @ Los Angeles Dodgers (-135)
Parlay
+282
Stake
$100
Total Return (Including Stake)
$382
MLB parlay betting tips
Baseball parlay betting is a great way to break up a long season and also capitalize on what you see as your best bets for that day’s games. Here are some MLB parlay betting tips to follow all season long:
Don’t get crazy
As mentioned, the more games added to a parlay, the greater the risk and the lower the implied probability. A 10-game parlay may promise a massive payout on a single stake, but the chances of you winning that parlay are incredibly slim.
You can use Covers’ odds calculator to see the implied probability of your parlay bet.
Be selective
Rather than run the risk of a massive parlay bet, be selective about the wagers involved. If you have a five-game parlay in mind, comb through those individual bets and slim it down to the three bets you like the most.
A three-game parlay may not pay as much as a five-game parlay, but it has a much higher chance of winning, especially if you narrow it down to your three best bets. Check out the difference in payout and risk with Covers’ parlay calculator.
Correlated same-game parlays
Same-game parlays allow you to focus solely on the outcome of a single contest. However, you must ensure you’re not contradicting yourself with your parlay selections.
You wouldn’t want to bet Over on the game total and include an Under bet on the pitcher’s runs allowed. Set a narrative for how the game will play out and bet accordingly.
Money management
Suppose you love betting parlays regularly. Set aside a chunk of your overall bankroll to just stake those parlay bets.
The separation helps you be more selective with your parlays and isolates high-risk bets from the rest of your bankroll so you can manage and track your wins and losses.
Hedging parlays
Sometimes the final game of a parlay can put you in a position to hedge on the other side of that outcome and ensure a profit.
Suppose the parlay is paying a significant amount for that bettor. In that case, hedging is a wise choice, so they don’t walk away empty-handed.
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 15: Jarren Duran #16 and Roman Anthony #19 of the Boston Red Sox run during the first full squad workout at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 15, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 2026 Major League Baseball season will reportedly begin tomorrow, March 25th, when the San Francisco Giants take on the New York Yankees in the hallowed grounds of the Bronx. (We all know the season doesn’t really begin until the next day when the Cincinnati Reds play host to the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park, but we’ll let that slide for the time being.)
That means we’re about to engage upon six-plus months of some serious baseball, and we’re going to see plenty of remarkable things along the way. Some will be predictable – Jose Ramirez, per usual – and some will come completely out of nowhere. There will be amazing plays, incredible streaks, and plenty of dumbness for all to enjoy.
With the looming 162 game grind in mind, here are Five Dumb Predictions for the 2026 MLB season.
Shohei Ohtani wins the NL Cy Young Award
It’s going to happen, right?
The greatest baseball talent the world has ever seen has done pretty much every single thing ever already, and the rewards for such prowess have stacked up, too. He’s been a Rookie of the Year. He’s been named MVP four times (including in both leagues). He’s been an All Star five times, a World Series winner twice, the NLCS MVP. He’s led the league in homers (twice), triples once, arby-eyes once, and even swiped 59 bags in a single season (while only being thrown out four times).
He’s done it all offensively, enough to make his 16.1 career bWAR from the mound seem almost an afterthought. Perhaps that’s because so much of what he’s done offensively came as he recovered from Tommy John surgery, something that sounds as ridiculous as it is. All he’s done on the mound lately is pitch to an absurd 6.89 K/BB, 2.87 ERA, and 1.90 FIP in 47.0 IP in 2025 after not pitching at all in 2024, but you don’t have to go too far back to see his 4th place finish in the 2022 AL Cy Young Award, either.
I think the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar is going to look around and realize that his club needs him this year, more than ever, as their ace, and in typical Ohtani fashion I think he rises to that occasion. Yeah, he’s still going to hit the crap out of the ball, but maybe he just won’t run and slide so much. On the bump, though, I see a return to a more full season of work, and topping 150 IP with scintillating peripherals will win him the award that will truly cement his legacy as the greatest overall player of all time.
Ronald Acuña wins his 2nd NL MVP
Acuña’s 2023 win of the award came as he led all of Major League Baseball in hits (217), steals (73), OBP (.416), and total bases (383), the superstar ripping off an absurd .337/.416/.596 line in 159 games. He swatted 41 homers to fabricate the 40/70 club, but a torn ACL set him back significantly the very next year.
In 2025, we saw the Acuña at the plate we’re accustomed to seeing, as he hit .290/.417/.518 when healthy, though he didn’t stay perfectly healthy all year (and barely ran when he did). In 2026, though, I think we get the full package back once again, and that’s going to be electric enough for him to claim this award for the second time.
It may seem like he’s been around forever already, but he just turned 28 years old in December. He’s almost two weeks younger than Spencer Steer, for reference. Yeah, there’s an infinite amount left in his tank, and he’s going to show it again in 2026.
Wyatt Langford leads the AL in dingers
Texas Rangers outfielder Wyatt Langford is going to finish the 2026 season with more dingers than anyone else in the American League. Not Aaron Judge, not Cal Raleigh, Wyatt Langford – the 24 year old with 38 career homers under his belt.
Big time breakout year for this guy incoming. I’m going to say he ends up with 46, and that does the trick.
Buy, buy, buy while you can!
5+ WAR season, 35+ homers for Seattle’s Randy Arozarena
Contract years are incredible catalysts in a sport that hands out quarter-billion dollar contracts like hotcakes. So, when a player who’s shown consistent ability to be among the league’s elite at multiple skills reaches one, it’s hard not to think there’s going to be an effort to align the stars into a career year.
That’s not to imply that Arozarena has done anything other than give his absolute best throughout his rock solid career to-date. It’s just an acknowledgement that players, particularly when they reach their age-31 season at the very same time, surely know when they’ve got a platform year in front of them (see: Kyle Schwarber last year).
Randy’s got a chance to jump to the top of the free agent class with a year like that in 2026, and I think he will rise to the occasion because of it. He’ll top the 27 dingers that sits as his career high to date (established just last season), and another 30+ steal season with perhaps some better defense would vault him firmly into 5+ WAR territory.
I think he does it!
The Boston Red Sox win the 2026 World Series
Reds fans are going to get the first taste of just how filthy Garrett Crochet is going to be this season when he takes the mound in GABP on Thursday for Opening Day. Boston’s resident ace is poised to show his first season in Boston – a brilliant one in 2025 after coming over from the White Sox – was just the tip of the iceberg, and I think he leads a revamped pitching staff to the upper echelon of the league.
With the bats, though, it’s Roman Anthony who takes a giant step forward in 2026, and I think the Willson Contreras addition has gone completely under the radar – he’s going to beat the crap out of the green monster all year long. It’s a lineup that’s deep and versatile, and I think it’s on the cusp of taking completely off.
Not to mention that it just seems very Red Socky for them to jump up and seize a title in a year where the Dodgers and Yankees sit atop most every projection system – that’s just their style.
Jun 1, 2025; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels catcher Austin Fawley (24) hits a home run during the second inning against the Murray State Racers. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
After a 3-1 record last week and a series win over Kentucky, Ole Miss hopped back into the nation’s top 25 just in time for a road trip to Memphis in the midweek.
The No. 18 Rebels (19-6, 3-3 SEC) will faceoff with the Tigers (6-16, 1-2 AAC) at FedEx Park with a first pitch set for 6 p.m. CT. Ole Miss defeated Memphis a few weeks ago in Oxford in a 7-1 final.
Things did not get easier for the Tigers after that loss with the program piling up losses in non-conference and conference play this season. The Rebels meanwhile have been surging of late and need to get past the Tigers tonight to focus in on the massive in-state series with Mississippi State in Oxford this weekend.
PROJECTED PITCHING MATCHUP
Ole Miss: RHP Owen Kelly (1-0, 3.68 ERA)
Memphis: LHP Logan Rushing (0-1, 7.71 ERA)
Owen Kelly will start on the mound for Ole Miss after a nice outing last week against Austin Peay where he went 2 IP with no earned runs. Kelly pitched against Memphis in the aforementioned game going 4 IP with one earned run and five strikeouts in his longest outing of the year.
Memphis will counter with lefty senior Logan Rushing whose last outing was against Eastern Illinois going 1.1 IP with no earned runs in a loss. Rushing has not had an appearance longer than two innings this season or topped 50 pitches in action.
The Rebels on paper should win this game every time, but anyone who knows this rivalry knows the Memphis squad is made up of local travel ball players who know plenty about the Ole Miss lineup and its tendencies. The 7-1 final from a few weeks back will either serve as a chip on their shoulder or a nightmare it can’t awake from when the first pitch flies at 6 p.m. tonight.
The game will be livestream on ESPN+ and the ESPN app.
HOUSTON, TX - MARCH 21: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets shoots a three point basket during the game to pass Michael Jordan for 5th on the NBA All-Time scoring list during the game against the Miami Heat on March 21, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Taking care of business against the Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings has given the Sixers a shot at new life. It may not be likely that they’re able to climb out of the Play-In tournament in the Eastern Conference, but it’s a lot more possible than it was a week ago.
It’s good to have something to root for other than draft positioning this time of year. The Houston Rockets managed to have a week that helped both the first-round pick they owe the Sixers, as well as Philly’s standings in the Eastern Conference.
Houston had another middling week with two wins sandwiched in between two losses. Crucially, those two were against the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat, two teams bunched right up with the Sixers in the standings. That’s kept Philly just a game out of the sixth seed.
After knocking off those two opponents, the Rockets surprisingly dropped a game to the tanking Chicago Bulls, dropping their pick all the way down to 21 in the process. That area remains as close as ever — the Rockets are just a half game up on the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves for that 21st spot.
The Rockets will see those Wolves in a nationally televised bout for their next contest. Their week gets easier after that though as they’ll head to Memphis to take on the Grizzlies.
There are still plenty of draft prospects to watch as the NCAA Tournament progresses to the Sweet-16 and Elite-8. Alabama and Houston are still alive with multiple guys that have gone to the Sixers in different mock drafts.
Michigan’s center Aday Mara put up 19 and 16 points in his first two games of the tournament, respectively. Wolverines forward Morez Johnson Jr. put up 21 and 15.
Iowa State is still rolling as well, although there hasn’t really been a chance to get a look at Joshua Jefferson in the tournament. Jefferson hurt his ankle early in the round of 64 and missed the next round. The team is hopeful he can return for the tournament, but that is very much up in the air.
Feb 19, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Luke Weaver (30) poses for a photo during media day at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Outside of Edwin Díaz, the Mets’ bullpen proved to be volatile last year. While a number of factors contributed to that reality, one of David Stearns’ goals this offseason was to strengthen the relief corps. He started that process when he signed closer Devin Williams to a three-year deal, but he followed that up a few weeks later when he signed Luke Weaver—the former setup man to Williams with the Yankees—to a two-year deal. Weaver also stepped into the closer’s role on occasion last year and picked up eight saves along the way.
Unfortunately for the righty, it was a tale of two seasons in 2025. He was dominant until a hamstring injury sidelined him in June. Before the injury he had a sparkling 1.05 ERA in 25.2 innings, which was the lowest on the team. All eight of his saves came during that time period, as Williams was struggling at the time.
Once Weaver returned in late June he wasn’t the same pitcher as the beginning of the season. His ERA after his return ballooned to 5.31 in 39 innings pitched. He blew three saves in that time, whereas he had blown just one before that. All told, he went 4-4 with a 3.62 ERA in 2025. The Mets are hoping that they’re getting the dominant Weaver from the first half.
Should they stay healthy ,the duo of Weaver and Williams should form a formidable one to close out games. It didn;t quite work out with the Yankees since they both struggled at different times during the season, but they both have the opportunity to redeem themselves with their new organization.
With injuries and under-performance in the Mets’ bullpen last season, it was an adventure getting to Díaz to close out games. The team now has a true setup man in Weaver, which should bring better stability to that part of games this year.
George "Rube" Foster, Carl Mays, Ernie Shore, George Herman "Babe" Ruth, Hubert Benjamin "Dutch" Leonard, full-length Portrait in Boston Red Sox Baseball Uniforms, Underwood & Underwood, 1915. (Photo by: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Baseball history is full of great players. It is also full of players whose stories become intertwined with legends so large that they never quite stand on their own.
Ernie Shore just happens to be one of those players.
The former Yankee celebrates his birthday today, and while his career deserves recognition on its own, it is nearly impossible to tell his story without telling it alongside the one and only Babe Ruth. At almost every turn of Shore’s baseball life, Ruth was there.
Ernest Grady Shore Born: March 24, 1891 (East Bend, NC) Died: September 24, 1980 (Winston-Salem, NC) Yankees Tenure: 1919-20
Shore’s journey to the major leagues began far from the spotlight that would eventually follow him. Born in North Carolina in 1891, he developed a country-strong frame on his family’s farm and an arm that caught the attention of professional scouts early. He graduated from Guilford College in 1914 and even returned during the offseason to serve as a math professor, but his professional path had already begun to take shape before that.
In 1912, the New York Giants brought Shore in on trial, a reminder of just how different the game looked at the time. Shore made his professional debut on June 20 as a reliever, but when the Giants attempted to option him, he refused and returned to college. He was later required to pay a fine to be reinstated before continuing his professional career.
Like many players of his era, his path back to the majors ran through the minor leagues, where he refined his command and established himself as a dependable arm rather than a headline-grabbing prospect. That reliability made him valuable. By the time he reached the Baltimore Orioles of the International League, Shore had developed into one of the more promising pitchers in high-level minor league baseball. Baltimore was one of the premier pipelines to the majors, and it just so happened that another young player was coming through that same system.
George Herman Ruth.
In 1914, both Shore and Ruth were part of the deal that sent them from a financially struggling Baltimore franchise to the Boston Red Sox. It was the first time their careers crossed, and it would not be the last. The two even roomed together early in their Boston days, until Shore reportedly requested a different roommate due to their vastly different lifestyles and habits.
In Boston, Shore quickly proved he belonged. While Ruth was still being used primarily as a pitcher, Shore emerged as one of the most reliable arms on a loaded Red Sox staff. From 1914 through 1917, he compiled a 58–33 record with a 2.12 ERA and played a key role in helping Boston capture World Series titles in 1915 and 1916. He was not flashy, but he was effective, the kind of pitcher teams relied on to win games consistently.
Ruth, meanwhile, was becoming something else entirely. Even then, the contrast was clear. Shore was steady and dependable. Ruth was becoming a phenomenon. Much like their personalities, they were two very different types of players.
That contrast reached its peak on June 23, 1917, in one of the strangest and most famous games in baseball history. Ruth started that day and immediately walked the first batter. What followed felt more like chaos than competition. After arguing the strike zone, Ruth was ejected and, in a moment that only adds to the legend, reportedly punched the umpire on his way out.
Shore entered the game in relief, despite having pitched just a few days earlier. The runner Ruth had allowed on base was caught stealing, and from that moment on, Shore was perfect. He retired the next 26 batters in order, recording 27 consecutive outs without allowing another baserunner.
For years, the game was considered a perfect game. Today, it is officially recognized as the first combined no-hitter in Major League Baseball history, credited to both Ruth and Shore, further cementing their connection in baseball history.
But that designation has always felt a little incomplete. Shore did everything a pitcher could possibly do. He faced 26 batters and retired all 26. His performance alone met every standard of perfection. The only thing separating him from a perfect game was the fact that Babe Ruth had already walked a batter.
In a single afternoon, Shore’s greatest achievement became inseparable from Ruth’s most chaotic moment. That was not a one-time occurrence. It was the pattern of his career.
Shore continued to pitch effectively for Boston, but his career was soon interrupted by military service during World War I. He missed the 1918 season, and when he returned, he was not quite the same pitcher. The timing was significant. As Shore worked his way back, Ruth was transforming into the most dominant offensive player the game had ever seen.
Once again, their paths crossed. Shore was eventually traded to the Yankees, reuniting him with Ruth in New York just as Ruth’s legend was exploding. This time, however, they were no longer peers on parallel tracks. Ruth was becoming the face of baseball. Shore was nearing the end of his career.
He appeared in parts of the 1919 and 1920 seasons with the Yankees, contributing as a veteran arm on a roster that was beginning to take shape around Ruth’s larger-than-life presence. Even in New York, their connection extended beyond the field.
One story that has followed Shore through history involves an incident during a Yankees exhibition game, when Ruth went into the stands to confront a heckler. Accounts vary, as they often do with stories involving Ruth, but the situation reportedly escalated to the point where the fan pulled a knife. Shore was among those who intervened, helping to defuse the situation and potentially prevent serious harm. For Shore, it was just another instance of helping the hot-headed Ruth out of a jam.
In a career filled with moments tied to Ruth, even that story fits. On the field, Shore once followed Ruth and delivered perfection. Off the field, he may have helped protect him.
Shore’s major league career came to an end shortly thereafter, finishing with a 65–43 record and a 2.47 ERA across seven seasons. Those numbers reflect a pitcher who was far more than a footnote. He was a key contributor to championship teams, a reliable starter, and a player capable of one of the most remarkable pitching performances the game has ever seen.
After baseball, Shore returned to North Carolina, where he lived a far different kind of life. He served as a sheriff for many years, becoming a respected figure in his community. In contrast to Ruth’s life of fame and spectacle, Shore’s post-baseball years were defined by stability, service, and a quieter form of impact.
It is a fitting contrast. Because while Babe Ruth became one of the most famous athletes in history, Ernie Shore remained something else entirely: a great pitcher whose legacy is forever intertwined with the biggest name the game has ever known.
Some players are remembered for what they did. Others are remembered for who they did it alongside. Ernie Shore will always be both.
Happy birthday, Ernie.
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 14: George Kirby #68, Logan Gilbert #36, Bryce Miller #50 and Bryan Woo #22 of the Seattle Mariners interact with the Seattle Mariners mascot "Moose" before the game against the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park on June 14, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The next step in profiling Seattle’s shot at defending their AL West throne, and a potential American League pennant bid, comes on the other side of the ball. Seattle’s pitching staff has the easiest task in the sport, in the sense that their hitters face the toughest task. T-Mobile Park, with its predictable dimensions, chilly climate, and SABR-worthy peculiarities in eye of the batting beholder, is a welcoming place for hurlers. But make no mistake, this projects as a worthy group in their own right, as Seattle is joined by only the Dodgers and Blue Jays to have both hitters and pitchers projected in the top-7 of the sport by FanGraphs wins above replacement.
Anchors (complimentary) of the 2021-2024 Seattle Mariners, in 2025 the starting rotation was at times an anchor (derogatory) to the club’s efforts. While a 3.97/4.02/4.03 ERA/FIP/xERA is no great catastrophe as a starting staff, plenty of the club’s numbers fell short of the standard set by this group. A drop of over 60 innings pitched was most damning, with all but Luis Castillo missing time with injury at one point or another among the top five arms from 2024. Bryce Miller will almost certainly open the season on the injured list, and Logan Evans is sidelined with Tommy John to chip into the depth further.
I’ll skip the panic brake pumping and slam the pedal down here, however. Seattle’s rotation is a huge strength, and is poised for a better showing than a season ago to pair with the improved lineup. Bryan Woo’s breakout was a blessing for the M’s, not only for his excellence but an astounding rate of efficiency. The buttery righty is poised to glide through bats once more in his age 26 campaign, even if he’ll likely face a bit more batted ball fortune on occasion than his lifetime .246 BABIP to this point in nearly 400 innings… right? While George Kirby sought to diversify his targets somewhat, Woo relentlessly pounded the zone at a rate surpassing his famously walk-thrifty teammate. Kirby’s biggest question mark is largely superficial: what impact does his lower arm slot have? The righty seems intent on working the edges more, forcing hitters into disadvantageous swings instead of relentlessly pounding the zone. This is a pathway to more strikeouts and, hopefully, better performance away from T-Mobile Park for Kirby in particular, but it’s likely we’ll see an uptick in free passes, albeit hopefully worth the added K’s.
Castillo and Gilbert have the least to alter headed into 2026. For The Rock, it’s mostly a battle against time and a workload that is an outlier in this era. No longer needed to be the ace, Castillo is a lynchpin for Seattle’s efforts all the same, as his capacity to deliver six quality innings every fifth game eases the burden on the bullpen and is a luxury few clubs can boast. Gilbert, despite a halting campaign at times a season ago, is pursuing the same goal as Kirby from the opposite end. Despite great velocity, Gilbert’s four-seam fastball is a get-ahead offering but not a strikeout one. His splitter took over the slack for the deterioration of his slider, seemingly a side effect of his injury issues in 2026. Now sporting the slider and a refreshed cutter, Gilbert’s target is the 200 inning mark he eclipsed in 2024.
The depth will receive some greater shine tomorrow, but suffice to say Emerson Hancock cannot be given much chance in the bullpen as he was late in 2025. While the Georgia righty saw some promise there in short stints, if the M’s hope to avoid the return of the likes of Luis F. Castillo, they’ll hope Hancock can fill in most ably. He is, particularly at home, a fine option in a pinch. Too much, however, and the bullpen could be strained.
That bullpen’s capacity for strain will look familiar at the season’s outset, although more hale than this time a year ago. The back five of the ‘pen introduce southpaw Jose A. Ferrer, the return in the Harry Ford deal with the Nationals whose knack for groundballs will be a test for a Mariners infield that’s not prioritized defensive prowess in its construction. Still, joined by Speier, Bazardo, Brash, and Muñoz, the M’s can boast one of the better pathways from the 6th-9th in MLB. Likely, Seattle hopes to get to bounce back and forth on days between their five most potent arms, keeping 2-3 fresh per night as often as possible.
The presumed final three also serve that purpose in the inverse. Carlos Vargas, Casey Legumina, and Cooper Criswell all lack minor league options, hence their inclusion on this list, but only Criswell seems assured his role given his capacity for long relief and strong showing this spring.
Vargas and Legumina have been given ample opportunities in Seattle but have found mixed results, leaving hard-throwing righties Cole Wilcox and Yosver Zulueta windows to crack the club. Both hurlers, as well as the M’s bevy of 40-man relievers, have minor league options remaining, leaving them likeliest to begin the season in Triple-A Tacoma as a tiebreaker.
For Seattle to repeat as AL West champions, the pitching staff will need to improve upon a season ago. The most straightforward path is greater durability and performance from the rotation, easing the load on arms like Bazardo whose workload was, particularly by the end of the playoffs, Herculean. The M’s are positioned to be among the best in baseball on both sides of the ball. That’s what good teams do, and your Seattle Mariners are a good team.
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA - MARCH 13, 2026: Andrew Painter #76 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch during the first inning of a spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at BayCare Ballpark on March 13, 2026 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
The Phillies’ starting rotation was very good in 2025. They led the majors in wins above replacement and had the second lowest ERA (with the lowest FIP). They also had quality depth, as they were able to withstand injuries to Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola that caused them to miss large chunks of the season. But heading into camp this year, there were reasons to believe they wouldn’t be able to match that performance in 2026, and the rotation might actually turn out to be a weakness.
There was plenty of confidence in the top of the rotation where Cristopher Sanchez has established himself as an ace and Jesus Luzardo looks like a very capable number two, provided that he’s past his injury history. (Based on the extension the Phillies gave him, they certainly seem to think so).
After that, things started to get a little murky. Wheeler won’t be ready for the start of the season, and Ranger Suarez took a hefty payday and went to Boston. (Good for him, but I was okay with not paying him since he can’t seem to get through a full season healthy.) That left the Phillies with Nola, Andrew Painter, and Taijuan Walker in the Opening Day rotation, and there was uncertainty about all of them.
Nola had an awful 2025, spending much of it on the Injured List, and wasn’t very good most of the time when he did pitch. Painter, in his return from Tommy John surgery had poor numbers in the minors. And Walker is Walker: While he pitched adequately in 2025, he was one of the worst pitchers in baseball the year before.
Even more troubling was the lack of depth. With the trade of Mick Abel last year, there doesn’t appear to be anyone in the minors ready to step up and pitch well if the need arises. (To be fair, at this time last year, Abel looked like a failed prospect himself.)
While we should only place so much stock in what we see during the spring, there are signs that things are breaking in the Phillies direction.
Nola came into camp with increased velocity and pitched well in the WBC. If you buy into the “even year Nola” phenomenon, then we could see Nola pitch like he did in 2024 when he received Cy Young Award votes.
The last few starts from Aaron Nola have been incredibly encouraging.
The uptick in velocity looks legit, his body's moving a bit more efficiently and truly commanding every pitch. His arm slot has changed a bit: dropped it a bit/releasing further from his body/lower rel.… pic.twitter.com/3iEAnp0xak
Painter hasn’t yet looked like the future ace we were once promised, but his Spring performance has at least indicated that he can be a viable part of a good rotation this season. There are still questions about his ability to pitch deeper into games, but that’s the case for most pitchers in April these days. He likely won’t see past the fifth inning much -if at all – in the early part of the season.
Walker has looked great this spring, giving up just one run across three appearances, and an additional three scoreless innings pitching for Mexico in the WBC. Given his track record, it’s tough to expect too much from him, but he at least looks like he can once again be a serviceable starter when the team needs him.
In perhaps the best news of the spring, Wheeler has reportedly made great progress in his return from surgery. He’s ahead of schedule and might be back in the Phillies’ rotation in May.
Things are going so well that Phillies will put Zack Wheeler on an official rehab assignment Saturday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Three innings.
There’s obviously a lot that could go wrong: Nola might go back to having frequent mid-inning meltdowns and giving up multiple home runs in every start. (To be fair, he gives up a fair share of home runs in his good seasons too.) Painter might be Spencer Howard 2.0 in that he can’t maintain top velocity for more than a couple of innings. Walker might not be able to overcome his lack of stuff and revert to being one of the worst pitchers in baseball. And even if he makes it back to the majors, Wheeler might never regain his form that made him one of the best pitchers in the game.
That doesn’t even get into the inevitable injuries that can – and likely will – happen. An injury to either Sanchez or Luzardo would be tough to overcome, and the thought of seeing the likes of Bryse Wilson or Alan Rangel making multiple starts is not a comforting one.
But don’t forget that there’s also a lot that can go right, and based on what we’ve seen this spring, there’s reason to believe that the Phillies will once again have one of the best rotations in baseball.
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 04: Josiah Gray #40 of the Washington Nationals pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at Nationals Park on April 04, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In a really sad piece of news, the Nationals announced that Josiah Gray has been placed on the 60-Day IL with a Flexor Strain. This is a crushing setback for Gray, who has missed pretty much all of the last two seasons due to Tommy John. Now, the right hander is dealing with yet another arm injury.
The Nationals have made the following roster moves:
-Selected the contract of LHP Cionel Pérez -Placed RHP Paxton Schultz on the 15-day IL (retro to 3/22) with right elbow inflammation -Recalled RHP Josiah Gray and placed Gray on the 60-day IL (retro to 3/22) with a right flexor…
— Nationals Communications (@NationalsComms) March 23, 2026
After being sent to Triple-A, and seemingly being healthy, the Nats dropped this bomb on us yesterday. The team’s 2023 All-Star will be back on the shelf until at least late May due to this injury. At this point, you have to worry about Gray’s future after all of these injuries.
Before this Tommy John Surgery, Gray was relatively durable in the minors and his early big league career. He made 28 starts in 2022 and 30 in 2023. However, he has only made two starts since then.
A Flexor Strain was actually what started all of this. That was Gray’s original diagnosis when he went down in April of 2024. However, he eventually had to go under the knife and missed the rest of that season and all of 2025. Now, he is facing a brutal full circle moment.
Hopefully, this Flexor Strain does not lead to another big surgery and is just a relatively minor set back. If you want to be optimistic, we saw Cade Cavalli have a bumpy Tommy John recovery and now he is starting on Opening Day. Hopefully, we can see that sort of come back from Gray.
It is a real bummer for Gray, who was clearly so happy to be back on the field. He said he felt healthy for most of this spring, despite his velocity not being at pre-surgery levels. Maybe that drop in velocity should have been more of a red flag, but the rest of his arsenal looked sharp. Gray also seemed confident that the velocity would eventually come back.
The Nationals have placed Josiah Gray on the 60-day IL with a right flexor strain. Gray, who hasn’t pitched since April 2024, was healthy this spring and optimistic after being optioned to AAA last week. This has to be a crushing blow to him.
The hope is that Gray can come off the IL after the initial 60 days, but even if he does, the road back to the big leagues will be long. He was going to start the year in AAA anyway, but now he will need even more reps in the minors after the injury setback.
At this point, you have to wonder if we will ever see that 2023 version of Gray ever again. He is going to miss basically two and a half years at this point. Between the wear and tear on the arm and the rust, it will be a tough road back for the righty. Gray seems like a high character guy, so I have faith that he will put the work in.
However, this news makes that Max Scherzer/Trea Turner trade look even worse. In hindsight, that move set the Nats back at least five years. They traded two franchise cornerstones for Josiah Gray and Keibert Ruiz. Between the injuries to Gray and that unfortunate extension to Ruiz, that deal is aging like milk.
Even if the Dodgers did not win a championship with those two, they easily won that deal. Scherzer was fantastic for them down the stretch and Turner played some of the best ball of his career in LA. That trade kicked off the Nats rebuild, and immediately put things on the wrong foot.
You can pin some of that on injuries to Gray and Ruiz, but they also just were not as good as they were expected to be. Both seem like high character guys, but the production just has not been there. Maybe, the Nats should have been more honest with themselves and went for higher upside guys who may have been further from the big leagues. Instead, they tried to get big league ready players with hopes of a quick retool.
Now, the Nats have to rebuild the rebuild. This trade is one of the biggest reasons why that is happening, along with poor drafting. I am gutted for Gray, but there is some symbolism in this move. Hopefully, Josiah Gray can bounce back and become a cog in the middle of the Nats rotation again.
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