Editor’s note: Leading up to Opening Day, our staff will share several predictions for the 2026 Red Sox season. In Part 2 of the season preview series,our three-person panel named the biggest key to Boston making a deeper postseason run.
The Boston Red Sox ended their four-year postseason drought last season, winning 89 games en route to the Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees.
After falling to their archrival in the opening round, the Red Sox are poised to make a deeper playoff run in 2026. They loaded up on starting pitching during the offseason, trading for Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo before signing Ranger Suarez as their No. 2 starter. They lost veteran Alex Bregman in free agency, but the addition of first baseman Willson Contreras should help replace his offensive production.
Boston should also get a significant boost from its collection of young talent, with Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer looking to take the next step at the big-league level. Top prospects Payton Tolle and Connelly Early — who started in Game 3 vs. New York — figure to play key roles in 2026 as well.
So, what are the biggest keys to the Red Sox making a deeper postseason run? Our panel tackled that question in Part 2 of our season preview series:
Justin Leger: Starting pitching lives up to expectations
After acquiring Ranger Suarez, Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo in the offseason, the Red Sox are expected to boast one of the best rotations in baseball. They also still have admirable depth if one or two starters go down. Top prospects Payton Tolle and Connelly Early are in the mix, plus veterans Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval are set to return from injuries.
If the starting pitching staff disappoints, it could be a long season. Boston’s lineup leaves plenty to be desired heading into the campaign, with FanGraphs’ ZiPS projecting zero players projected to hit 20-plus home runs.
Nick Goss: Young players take the next step
Roman Anthony has superstar potential, and if healthy, 2026 could be the year he makes that jump.
What will the Red Sox get from Marcelo Mayer? Can he earn a regular role at the MLB level and be a key contributor? Can he stay healthy for a full season? Injuries are inevitable, so the Red Sox will need prospects and/or utility guys to step up.
Brayan Bello has All-Star potential. It was encouraging to see him lower his ERA by more than a full run in 2025 and pitch a career high in innings. Can he make another jump in 2026? The Red Sox need it to be a true contender.
Darren Hartwell: The rotation staying intact
The Red Sox had 13 pitchers make multiple starts last season, including September call-up Connelly Early, who got the ball for a winner-take-all playoff game against the Yankees. Craig Breslow’s offseason investment in the rotation should decrease that number in 2026, and they now have the depth to roll out seasoned starters in every game of a playoff series… assuming their “horses” are healthy in October.
Mar 10, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
There is a question that has followed this team all season, one that keeps resurfacing and never quite finds resolution. Should Collin Gillespie start when everyone is healthy?
It is a fair question, and one we still do not have a clean answer to. Not because the sample size is lacking, but because the opportunity to truly evaluate it has never fully existed. Health has been the constant variable, shifting lineups, changing roles, and preventing any real continuity from forming. Every time it feels like the Suns are close to finding that rhythm, something interrupts it.
This conversation first picked up when Jalen Green was working his way back from the hamstring injury earlier in the season. There was a window where you thought, okay, now we will see what this looks like. Then came the setback. Then came the extended absence. 48 games gone, and with it, any chance at clarity.
Now the conversation returns in a different form. Dillon Brooks is out. Devin Booker and Jalen Green are both available. And so Gillespie remains in the starting lineup, continuing to log minutes, continuing to show what he brings. But the offense has changed. It’s a three-guard lineup that should really only be starting two. There isn’t enough opportunity for all three to be the best versions of themselves offensively, and when two of the three combine for $86.7 million in payroll, the guy making $2.3 million gets squeezed out.
Just look at the numbers. Prior to Jalen Green’s return to the starting lineup on February 19, Gillespie was averaging 13.3 points on 10.7 attempts per night. In 28.3 minutes, he found his rhythm and had shooting splits of 43/42/85. Then there was the period from February 19 to March 3, a time when Green and Gillespie were the backcourt as Booker was out with injury. Gillespie averaged 16.2 points in 33.2 minutes played on 43/42/83 splits.
Since March 3, when Devin Booker made his return, and the Suns consistently started their three-guard lineup of Booker, Green, and Gillespie, the numbers have started to dip. 9.9 points on 37/37/100 splits. But it is the last four games that really spark concern, as the offense has shifted to a more Booker/Green dominant brand of basketball. Collin is averaging 4.8 points on 7.8 shots, doing so on 23/21/100 splits. Is this regression? Or is this causation?
It brings you right back to the same question. When everyone is available, what is the right role for Collin Gillespie? Does he stay in the starting group and continue to be that connective piece, or does he shift to the bench and become the stabilizer for the second unit? It is a question without a final answer. At least not yet.
Dillon Brooks is still out, and even on the optimistic end, it will be a couple more weeks before we see him again. That part of the equation is clear. When he is back, someone becomes the odd man out. Well, unless the Suns want to go so small that they might now be legally permitted to ride Space Mountain.
What has changed is the dynamic around Collin Gillespie. As Devin Booker and Jalen Green have ramped up their scoring and expanded their shot diet, Gillespie has naturally faded into the background. It is not hard to see why. When you share the floor with two high-use guards, the opportunities shrink. The ball finds you less.
So the question you are asking is a logical one. Why not shift him to the bench now? Why not insert Grayson Allen into the starting lineup (when healthy) and let Gillespie run the second unit, where his skill set might shine more consistently? Because there is a real argument for it.
Allen gives you spacing and volume shooting alongside Booker and Green, which could open things up even more offensively. Gillespie, on the other hand, thrives with the ball in his hands, organizing, connecting, making decisions. That version of him is harder to access when he is the third option sharing the floor with two primary scorers. He’s not someone you stick in the corner, nor should he be.
The counter, and it is an important one, is what Gillespie does that does not always show up in the box score. He keeps the offense connected. He makes the right read. He helps maintain structure. Coaches value that, especially in starting groups where early tone matters.
So it becomes a philosophical decision. Do you prioritize spacing and scoring in the starting lineup with Allen, or do you prioritize connectivity and control with Gillespie? Right now, the numbers and the recent trend suggest there is a case to explore the shift. Let Gillespie cook with the second unit. Let Allen stretch the floor with the starters. At the very least, it is a lever worth pulling, especially during a stretch where the Suns are still searching for balance.
When everyone is healthy, which might only be for a handful of games before the postseason arrives, Collin Gillespie is going to the bench. That is the right move for this team. With Devin Booker and Jalen Green in the backcourt, and Dillon Brooks and Royce O’Neale holding down the forward spots, regardless of who starts at center, Gillespie becomes the odd man out. And that is okay.
He has already shown what he can do. He can carry a scoring load. He can run an offense. He can be a primary distributor. But when you have that much investment in your backcourt, those are the players who are going to start. That is how this league works. The role Gillespie was brought in to fill was backup point guard. So while he is searching for rhythm in a lineup where touches are limited, and the team is still dealing with injuries, there is value in leaning into what his role will actually be moving forward. Let him come off the bench. Let him run the second unit. Let him get comfortable being the guy with the ball in his hands.
You can start that now.
Grayson Allen fits cleanly with the starters. He spaces the floor. He is the ideal corner option when Booker or Green collapses the defense and needs an outlet. He thrives in that environment. Gillespie can do some of that, but his skill set is better utilized when he is initiating, when he is orchestrating, when he has a higher usage, and the freedom to create for others.
Right now, that usage is not there. Earlier in the season, it sat around 16.9%. During this recent stretch where he has been less involved offensively, it has dipped to 11.7%. That is not where he is most effective. So lean into it. Let him run the bench unit. Let him find his rhythm in the role he is most likely to have when the games matter most.
If the Suns want to do anything this postseason, if there is any real noise to be made, Collin Gillespie has to be a primary cog. He has shown that all season. He has the ability to organize, to score, to create, to steady a unit that needs direction. There is something there, something that can matter when the games tighten, and every possession carries weight. And it is going to have to come from the bench.
So why wait?
Why not lean into that role now? Get him comfortable. Let him understand the sets he will see, the rhythm he will play with, and the responsibility he will carry. Give him the keys to the second unit and let him operate. Let him cook against opposing benches. There is no better time than the present to start building that version of him, the one this team is going to need when the postseason arrives.
…and hey, if Grayson is out, you can throw Rasheer into the starting lineup here and there…
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA - MARCH 10: Adolis García #53 of the Philadelphia Phillies bats during the third inning of a spring training game against the New York Yankees at BayCare Ballpark on March 10, 2026 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Mark Taylor/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Good Phight will be previewing the 2026 season by going over each position on the field. We’ll talk about the players that will occupy them, the players behind them, their strengths and weaknesses and give a few takes about how we think the season will shake out.
The bar is low for Adolis García. Nick Castellanos played in 143 games last year as the Phillies primary right fielder for most of the season. He was one of the worst players in Major League Baseball. He brought a beer into the clubhouse and didn’t like Rob Thomson.
Once the Phillies made the trade for Harrison Bader to play center field, Nick Castellanos began to lose playing time, eventually leading to Max Kepler becoming Thomson’s primary option against right handed pitchers. Over the final month of the season, Kepler played right field in 13 of the 17 games he played. He was the game one starter out there in the NLDS but moved back to left when Bader got hurt.
Overall, the Phillies right field output was 21st in fWAR and 15th in wRC+, mostly because of what Max Kepler did over the final two months of the season.
After a 39 home run campaign that helped the Texas Rangers win a title in 2023, García’s production has plummeted in his early 30s. His slugging from 2023 to 2024 dropped 108 points and dropped an additional six in 2025. He rebounded defensively last season but he was still a below-average player at the plate.
The inspiring takeaway from García is that he still has the raw physical talent for a potential rebound. While his bat speed has declined, his average exit velocity was still north of 92 mph last season with a plus hard hit rate. In spring training, García’s hard hit metrics still show a player who can hit the ball very hard.
The approach at the plate is a different question, however. He may be a vastly different defensive outfielder than Nick Castellanos but they’re quite similar at the plate. The general profile of both hitters looks very similar.
The similarities don’t stop there, García hit just .247 on four-seam fastballs last season. Castellanos? .246.
Against breaking pitches, Castellanos hit .220 with a .392 slugging. García? .212 with a .390 slugging.
If Adolis García ends up being a slightly better version of Castellanos at the plate by demonstrating more raw power while giving the Phillies at least slightly above-average defense, that’s a better player than the right field situation the club had last season. That’s what the Phillies are asking him to do.
But even in that world, is it enough of an upgrade? It’s a hard question to answer. That still might be the first place the team looks for help at the trade deadline in August.
There is also the path for a collapse in production. García is now 33 years old and has a game predicated on raw athleticism to make up for approach issues. It’s very easy to imagine a major decrease in bat speed, which leads to issues against fastballs. If he loses a bit of speed, he might go from an above-average outfielder defensively to someone below. Sapped raw power would lead to less extra base hits.
How easy is it to imagine that happening for a 33-year-old right fielder? It happened to the Phillies last year with Nick Castellanos.
Mar 11, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Albert Suarez (49) throws a pitch against the New York Yankees in the first inning during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Time is winding down for Orioles spring training. The O’s have just four days left in Florida before heading north for a pair of home-and-home exhibition games against the Nationals and then Opening Day. This afternoon the O’s play their second and final spring game against the defending AL champion Blue Jays. They won’t see them again until the end of May, two months into the regular season.
Albert Suárez is in desperate need of an effective start. Spring training stats don’t mean everything, but his have been particularly rough — a 10.80 ERA in 6.2 innings — and when you’re a roster bubble guy, that could make the difference between cracking the Opening Day roster or being left out in the cold. Suárez is on a minor league contract, so it would be easy enough for the O’s to simply stash him at Triple-A Norfolk if he doesn’t make the team out of camp. Chances are we’ll be seeing him at some point this season, so it’d be nice if he can show he’s still got something in the tank.
A lot of Orioles regulars are making the trip to Dunedin for this one, including a number of guys who will be starting on Opening Day, though not necessarily at the same positions. Pete Alonso gets a partial breather as the DH while Ryan Mountcastle plays first, and Blaze Alexander is making the start in center field. If Alexander proves himself capable as an outfielder, that’ll be a huge boon to the Orioles’ bench.
Orioles lineup:
RF Dylan Beavers C Adley Rutschman DH Pete Alonso 1B Ryan Mountcastle LF Colton Cowser CF Blaze Alexander 2B Jeremiah Jackson 3B Weston Wilson SS José Barrero
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 09: Nelson Velázquez (88) of the St. Louis Cardinals bats during a spring training game against the Houston Astros on March 09, 2026 at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals are barely a week away from Opening Day, but there are still more Spring Training games to complete. Today, they face off against the Houston Astros at Roger Dean Stadium. According to MLB.com, the Astros will send J.P. France to the mound while the Cardinals starter will be Kyle Leahy.
As Major League Baseball teams prepare for their final days of spring training in Arizona and Florida, Opening Day is lurking.
All three of them.
With a made-for-streaming standalone game and a handful of three-game series spread over four days, all 30 teams will open over a three-day period, as a handful of new national television windows debut.
The openers will also have a decidedly interleague look to them, as seven of the 15 series will match up American and National league teams. And while many teams build an off day into the second day of the season to allow for inclement weather, eight of the openers will be held in climate-controlled or warmer-weather venues.
When does the 2026 MLB season begin?
The San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees will begin the season Wednesday, March 25, with an 8:05 p.m. ET matchup broadcast exclusively on Netflix. Left-hander Max Fried will start for the Yankees, opposed by Logan Webb for the Giants, whose manager, Tony Vitello, will be making his professional debut. Vitello is the first manager to leap directly from collegiate coaching - at Tennessee - to the top spot in a big league dugout.
The Yankees and Giants are off Thursday, March 26 before concluding their series the following two days, including the debut Fox Sports national broadcast on Saturday, March 28.
When is MLB Opening Day?
Oh, you mean real, widespread Opening Day? That would be Thursday, March 26, when 22 teams will be in action, with all the trappings of the season opener: Plenty of bunting (hung from stadium facades, anyways) and a parade in Cincinnati and probably some Clydesdales in St. Louis.
The season openers on Thursday, March 26 (all times p.m. ET):
Pittsburgh Pirates at New York Mets, 1:15
Chicago White Sox at Milwaukee Brewers, 2:10
Washington Nationals at Chicago Cubs, 2:20
Minnesota Twins at Baltimore Orioles, 3:05
Boston Red Sox at Cincinnati Reds, 4:10
Los Angeles Angels at Houston Astros, 4:10
Detroit Tigers at San Diego Padres, 4:10
Tampa Bay Rays at St. Louis Cardinals, 4:15
Texas Rangers at Philadelphia Phillies, 4:15
Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers, 8:30, NBC
Cleveland Guardians at Seattle Mariners, 10:10
Which teams open Friday, March 27?
The Atlanta Braves (vs. Kansas City Royals), Toronto Blue Jays (vs. the Athletics) and Miami Marlins (vs. the Colorado Rockies) open Friday, March 27. All three series are of the three-game variety and these clubs opted to play three days in a row rather than use Friday as a potential weather make-up day (Miami and Toronto play in domed stadiums, anyway).
UNIONDALE, NY - NOVEMBER 28: Brooklyn Nets and Nike logos during an NBA G-League game against the Grand Rapid Drive on November 28, 2017 at Nassau Memorial Veterans Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Michael Lawrence/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Long Island Nets returned to the court on Tuesday, March 17, for a rematch with one of the NBA G League’s top teams, the Osceola Magic. The last time on the court, Long Island didn’t fare well, as they fell to Osceola by 20 points. Despite some early top-flight play from their newest signing, Javon Freeman-Liberty, Long Island once again fell to Osceola, this time 129-109.
With the loss, the Nets remained in sixth place in the East with five games to go. Eight teams make the post-season which begins March 31.
Long Island remained without the three Brooklyn Nets two-way players — EJ Liddell, Chaney Johnson, and Tyson Etienne — as all three try to leave a lingering mark with the big club. Long Island was also without Malachi Smith, who’s still on his 10-day contract with Brooklyn, and without any of the Flatbush 5 members as well. So, it’s safe to say that this was slim pickings for Long Island, to say the least. However, there was one bright light in the G League darkness: Freeman-Liberty.
Despite the loss and little time to study up on the Nets schemes, he scored 17 points in 30 minutes, hitting 7-of-17 overall and 3-of-8 from deep. He even made a little history…
Javon Freeman-Liberty became the first player in franchise history to score 15 points off the bench before halftime in his #StrongIsland debut 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wrpMMOHGYL
The 6’4” 26-year-old Freeman-Liberty was picked up off waivers earlier this week. He most recently appeared in nine games for the Brisbane Bullets during the 2025-26 NBL season. He averaged 13.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.7 steals in 28.5 minutes per contest. Last season in his time in the NBA, he played in 19 NBA G League Tip-Off Tournament and 22 regular season games, starting 14, averaging 20.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 34.7 minutes per game. In another words, he’s a bucket.
Freeman-Liberty is now the Long Island the player with the most NBA experience. He has played 22 NBA games, including six starts, with the Toronto Raptors. At the NBA level, he averaged 7.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 18.3 minutes per game.
Fun fact about VFL: After winning the Illinois state championship with Chicago scholastic powerhouse Whitney Young, he had hoped to repeat in 2018. But Young lost to Belleville West High School whose stars were E.J. Liddell and Malachi Smith.
Another Nets newbie, Alex Schumacher, stepped up as well for the depleted. The 25-year-old 6’3” shooting guard out of Seattle scored 18 points in his best game. Schumacher just returned from a FIBA Europe qualifying tournament where he represented Switzerland and averaged 13.5 points in four games.
Next Up
The Long Island Nets (18-13) return to their home court on Thursday night, March 19th, for a showdown with their old friend Kendall Brown and the Maine Celtics. This was a game that was originally supposed to be played in February but had to be rescheduled due to snow. It also marks the Brooklyn Nets’ affiliation night, so some Brooklyn presence is certainly expected. The game tips off at 7:00 p.m. EST and can be watched on the NBA G League website and the Gotham Sports app.
The World Baseball Classic is complete, and rosters will start to fill back out after Venezuela's stunning win over Team USA.
My spring training predictions and MLB picks for Wednesday, March 18, are bullish on the Kansas City Royals, despite still being a touch shorthanded from the WBC.
Spring Training predictions for March 18
Pick
Odds
LAD moneyline
-140
CHC moneyline
+100
Royals moneyline
+115
Pick #1: Dodgers moneyline
Even if Shohei Ohtani is a little rusty on the mound in his spring pitching debut (he didn't pitch in the WBC), the Los Angeles Dodgers are trotting out a lineup including Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, and Teoscar Hernandez in the heart of the order.
San Francisco Giants starter Landen Roupp has a difficult assignment ahead of him, which is why I can't help but pounce on the Dodgers to win at -140.
We're getting a longer number than anticipated, likely because Ohtani's and Kyle Tucker's absences from the lineup are being factored into the price. I'll take that discount, even in spring, on a Dodgers victory.
Pick #2: Cubs moneyline
This might not be a wild prediction, but Edward Cabrera will finish the season as the Chicago Cubs' best starting pitcher and will earn some down-ballot Cy Young attention. This is assuming health, of course, but he's looked strong in limited action this spring, authoring a 1.08 while only issuing one walk in 8 1/3 innings.
He gives Chicago enough of an early edge over Arizona Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly, who's historically been at the mercy of pitching to soft contact instead of missing bats. The Cubs rarely struck out in 2025, and even without Kyle Tucker, we can expect more of the same in 2026.
Grab the even money on Chicago winning here. It's a better number than we ought to be getting before lineups are announced.
Pick #3: Royals moneyline
Neither Bobby Witt Jr. nor World Baseball Classic MVP Maikel Garcia will be in the lineup, but that has the Kansas City Royals as +115 underdogs vs. the Texas Rangers.
I'll take that number based on the pitching matchup. Rangers right-hander Kumar Rocker may have better pure stuff than Kris Bubic, but he hasn't been overpowering opponents as much as people may have expected. Rocker has allowed 10 hits and five earned runs in just 8 1/3 innings this spring after posting a 5.74 ERA over 64 1/3 innings last summer.
The Royals were even less strikeout-prone than the Cubs last season, and even without a couple of big names, that likely won't change tonight.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
That early NHL arrival can naturally heighten expectations and obliterate patience, especially in a market like Philadelphia. The Flyers have asked for plenty of patience from their fans over the last decade-plus as they’ve tried to accrue more talent. And the center position has been one of great need.
Inevitably, there might not be much of an appetite for waiting and seeing. But Jay McKee, once a first-round pick and an NHL player, can understand the development process for a prospect like Luchanko.
“When you have a player with Jett’s abilities and potential,” he said, “you’re playing the long game.”
The head coach of OHL-leading Brantford has had Luchanko for parts of four months. The Bulldogs acquired the 19-year-old center in a November trade with Guelph. McKee is someone the Flyers know well. He was teammates with Danny Briere for parts of three seasons when they played on the Sabres.
“He’s obviously very high on the player, I think that’s fair to say,” McKee said March 2 in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. “Jett’s a very dynamic player that can play the 200-foot game. When you’re traded at any level of hockey, there are challenges of adjusting to a new team, new teammates, new systems, new arena. At this level, a new billet family. There are a lot of adjustments. It usually takes players a little bit of time to settle in as I’ve seen over the years.”
Luchanko was starting to settle in with 26 points (five goals, 21 assists) through 27 games for Brantford. But now he’s recovering from a fractured jaw, according to a source, and the hope is he can return during the first round of the OHL playoffs.
If Luchanko can fall back on anything, it’s that he has adapted to stopping and restarting. Over the last two seasons, he has played in the NHL, AHL, OHL and the IIHF World Junior Championship. In each of those seasons, he has played on four separate teams.
“They’ve all been fantastic opportunities for him, it has allowed him to grow,” McKee said. “It’s certainly challenging. I don’t think he would trade up all those opportunities for the world, but when you’re a player, having consistency in your routines, in your systems, in your linemates, in the coaching — there are a lot of variables that he has had to balance with all of these moves.
“As a former player, I can see that there would be a lot of challenges in that. That said, to have his opportunity to get his feet wet in the NHL the last couple of seasons, that’s incredible for his growth. It allows him to feel out the league, see where he’s at, what he needs to improve on — it builds his confidence. And the same thing for the AHL and the world juniors, all fantastic experiences for him.”
(Natalie Shaver/OHL Images)
Between Guelph and Brantford this season, Luchanko has put up seven goals and 36 assists in 38 games. The goal total is down from last season, when he had 21 in 46 games for the Storm.
The Flyers like how fast he can skate, the way he thinks the game and his ability to win faceoffs, but they’ll need him to shoot much more down the road. Can he drive offense in the top six of a lineup? Is he more of a bottom-six piece? Luchanko’s NHL ceiling will hinge on how much playmaking he can provide.
“He’s going to play in the NHL, there’s no doubt about that,” Briere said in October. “Now, how high does he get? That’s really up to him. But it’s in there. The speed alone is going to scare a lot of teams eventually when he gets more comfortable, when he gets more assertive out there.
“Believe me, I’ve been part of it, it took me a while to feel comfortable enough to make those plays. So I know exactly what he’s going through, it takes time. From our end, we need patience, we need to give him time to find that comfort. On his end, his job is to find a way to break through.”
In his last nine games, Luchanko had an offensive surge for the Bulldogs with 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) and 24 shots. The scoring was sparked by an opportunity to play on the wing alongside 2025 eighth overall pick Jake O’Brien. Luchanko eventually shifted back to center.
“There were a lot of moving parts to Jett’s season — being in Philly, being in Guelph, coming here for a very short period of time, going to the world juniors, coming back,” McKee said. “I wanted him to get settled in. When I moved him to wing, it was to give him an opportunity to succeed and build the confidence.
“When you go to a new team, when your point production goes up, the confidence goes up and you feel like you’re helping the team. I wanted to give him that opportunity. I see Jett as a center and he’s a guy that I’m going to be matching up against top lines because he has got such a fantastic 200-foot game and he’ll still have the opportunity to produce offense.”
This is Luchanko’s final season at the junior level. If and when healthy, he should have a shot at a deep playoff run with Brantford.
“We’re grateful to have him,” McKee said, “and the future is incredibly bright for Jett Luchanko.”
McKee, who had a 14-year career in the NHL as a defenseman, knows the importance of having a speedster like Luchanko up front.
“The way he can track, the way he can backcheck and pressure pucks from behind, he’s very hard to play against for the opposition,” McKee said. “He can disrupt the opposition’s rush before he even gets to your blue line and that is such a strong attribute in being a 200-foot player.
“His speed is incredible. You put him on the ice with NHL players, he’s going to look fast. It’s such a gift that he has and it’s an attribute that once you get to the NHL level, it can’t be taught. It’s not a part of the game that we can teach players. … When I played in the NHL, you were never going to teach me how to skate as fast as Jett Luchanko.”
The speed is Luchanko’s most obvious, high-end strength, one that already translates to the NHL. How quickly and how well will the other parts develop? That’s where the Flyers are hoping the long game pays off.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 16: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers jogs on the field prior to a Spring Training game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Camelback Ranch on March 16, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers are back at Camelback Ranch on Wednesday afternoon to face the San Francisco Giants. Shohei Ohtani pitches in a game for the first time this spring.
Lineup
Miguel Rojas 2B Freddie Freeman 1B Mookie Betts SS Max Muncy 3B Teoscar Hernández LF Andy Pages CF Dalton Rushing C Santiago Espinal RF Alex Freeland DH
Ohtani on the mound.
Other pitchers
Tanner Scott and Alex Vesia are on the schedule to pitch, which would make them the first Dodgers this spring to pitch on back-to-back days.
Blake Treinen, Will Klein, Edgardo Henriquez, and non-roster left-hander Antoine Kelly are also listed on the game roster.
Up from minor league camp are Joseilyn Gonzalez (wearing number 00), Antonio Knowles (90), Dilan Figueredo (91), and Keynan Middleton (97).
Other position players
Hyeseong Kim started the last three games, and played all nine innings Tuesday night. He’s listed on Wednesday’s game roster in reserve.
Also active are non-roster invitees Ryan Fitzgerald, Nick Senzel, Seby Zavala, and Eliézer Alfonzo.
Up from the minor league side are Keston Hiura (9), Charles Davalan (87), Jaron Elkins (88), Austin Gauthier (89), Nico Perez (92), and Samuel Muñoz (93).
dpatop - 03 January 2026, Brandenburg, Sieversdorf: A jay (Garrulus glandarius) throws a walnut through the air on an Aust covered in snow. The jay is a songbird from the corvid family (Corvidae). Photo: Patrick Pleul/dpa (Photo by Patrick Pleul/picture alliance via Getty Images)
After a day off, we get a Jays’ game again.
I’m mostly curious to watch Eloy Jimenez playing first. I’m thinking it is unlikely he’ll make the Jays out of spring training, but if he were to make the Jays, it would be useful if he can play more than just the corner outfield spots.
Josh Fleming (one m) gets the start. He has pitched in 80 games, 20 starts, over 5 season in the MLB, with a 4.77 ERA. A depth pitcher. He is a lefty and we likely could use some lefty reliever depth.
For some college basketball fans, filling out an NCAA Tournament bracket can be a gradual process. Initial picks are made on Selection Sunday, and then they're adjusted as the week progresses, with deliberation about certain teams and games occurring right up until first-round action officially begins on Thursday, March 19.
This might be what's happening to artificial intelligence as well. After USA TODAY Sports initially asked Microsoft Copilot's AI chatbot to run a simulation of every game in the Men's NCAA Tournament bracket on Selection Sunday, another attempt three days later produced the same champion, a mostly chalk Final Four and several additional upsets.
Houston remains Microsoft Copilot's pick to emerge as the national champion in 2026 and it projects as the only non-No. 1 seed to make the Final Four, according to this simulation. However, AI did predict six double-digit seeds to pull off upsets and advance past the first round this year. That's five more than what it projected on Selection Sunday.
Here's a complete look at how Microsoft Copilot's AI chatbot predicted every game in the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament bracket:
March Madness predictions: AI simulation of every 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament game
USA TODAY Sports asked Microsoft Copilot's AI chatbot to pick the winner of every game in the 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket based on team's strengths and weaknesses, several advanced metric models, the latest upset projections and expert analysis on each matchup.
DUNEDIN, Fla. — Toronto Blue Jays pitcher José Berríos won’t be ready for the start of the season after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right elbow.
Berríos had met with Dr. Keith Meister regarding what the Blue Jays were describing as inflammation in his elbow. Blue Jays manager John Schneider told reporters about Berríos’ diagnosis.
Berríos, 31, went 9-5 with a 4.17 ERA in 31 appearances for the Blue Jays last season. He ended the season on the injured list and didn’t pitch in the postseason as the Blue Jays made their World Series run.
Mar 3, 2026; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants first baseman Bryce Eldridge against Team USA during a spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Giants fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
When pitchers and catchers reported for Spring Training in Scottsdale more than a month ago, the biggest question facing the San Francisco Giants — other than the success and comfort of manager Tony Vitello — was whether or not top prospect Bryce Eldridge would make the Opening Day roster. And now, with the first game of the season exactly one week away, the biggest question facing the Giants remains the same: should Bryce Eldridge make the Opening Day roster?
The case in favor is extremely easy to make. Eldridge’s at-bats have been must-watch TV in the Cactus League. He has had remarkably composed and competitive at-bats, and has been absolutely scalding the ball (including a 113-mph fly ball off of Paul Skenes in the exhibition game against Team USA). He’s been a well above-average hitter in Spring Training, with an .849 OPS and a 123 wRC+. His defense at first base has been surprisingly strong, and you can make a compelling case that he’ll develop more in the Majors — where he’ll face elite pitchers with scouting reports, and get to work with Ron Washington — than he will in the Minors. And the Giants are incentivized to start the season with Eldridge on the team, due to MLB’s Prospect Promotion Incentive.
But there’s also a case against Eldridge beginning the year at Oracle Park, and instead heading to AAA Sacramento. Despite the competitive at-bats, Eldridge is still swinging and missing a lot, with a sky-high 38.8% strikeout rate (though, interestingly, his swinging strike rate is the lowest of his career). He’s doing a lot of damage when he makes contact, but the lack of contact has resulted in just a .231 batting average. And the offensive success is partially attributed to an unsustainably-high walk rate of 18.4%, nearly double his mark in the Minor Leagues last season. And having Eldridge start the year in Sacramento opens up a roster spot, which could potentially be used to keep Luis Matos or Jerar Encarnación — players who are out of options — on the team.
Either way, Eldridge will be a big part of the 2026 team regardless, but Vitello and Buster Posey have quite a decision on their hands. Unfortunately, we can’t ask them to answer the question … so we’ll ask you instead!
DCG's Taitn Gray crosses home plate after scoring a home run against Johnston on July 7, 2025, in Johnston. | Cody Scanlan/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Previous Winner
Taitn Gray, 1B/OF/C 18 | S/R | 6’4” | 220
The Rays 86th overall pick in 2025, Gray fell to the third round due to some concern about whether he will stick at catcher, but that buries the lead. Still just 17 at the time of the draft, Gray showed up to the Rays organization and proved his rumored power was real, running exit velocities up to 115 mph from both sides of the plate, although the left handed swing is sweeter. He has plus athleticism, which elevated his bat speed, foot speed, and fluidity — despite his size. It will be interesting to see where the Rays deploy him on defense, but it’s a great bat to dream on.
Rank
Player
Position
Votes
Total
Percentage
Last Season
1
Carson Williams
SS
14
25
56%
1
2
Brody Hopkins
RHP
19
25
76%
8
3
Jacob Melton
OF
14
28
50%
NA
4
Theo Gillen
OF
14
26
54%
13
5
Ty Johnson
RHP
12
25
48%
15
6
Daniel Pierce
SS
13
23
57%
NA
7
Jadher Areinamo
INF
15
28
54%
NA
8
TJ Nichols
RHP
13
28
46%
NR
9
Michael Forret
RHP
8
33
24%
NA
10
Santiago Suarez
RHP
11
30
37%
16
11
Anderson Brito
RHP
7
28
25%
NA
12
Xavier Isaac
1B
9
28
32%
3
13
Caden Bodine
C
10
25
40%
NA
14
Brendan Summerhill
OF
11
27
41%
NA
15
Slater de Brun
OF
10
25
40%
NA
16
Nathan Flewelling
C
8
26
31%
NR
17
Trevor Harrison
RHP
9
26
35%
10
18
Jose Urbina
RHP
13
26
50%
25
19
Tre’ Morgan
1B/LF
15
25
60%
4
20
Jackson Baumeister
RHP
12
27
44%
12
21
Aidan Smith
OF
17
29
59%
6
22
Homer Bush Jr.
OF
10
25
40%
21
23
Dom Keegan
C
10
28
36%
9
24
Gary Gill Hill
RHP
8
25
32%
11
25
Brailer Guerrero
OF
8
24
33%
14
26
Brayden Taylor
2B/3B
6
25
24%
2
27
Adrian Santana
SS
6
26
23%
NR
28
Austin Overn
OF
7
21
33%
NA
29
Taitn Gray
1B/OF/C
8
23
35%
NA
The trend of new acquisitions is going strong once again as draftee Gray enters the list after a new acquisition. Who will take the final official spot before honorable mention voting? For candidates, we add a top-20 prospect from last year Cooper Kinney.
Candidates
Fabricio Blanco, SS 17 | S/R | 5’11” | 161
A bat-first middle infielder, the Venezuelan is an elite prospect within the context of the international signing process, with some believing he’s the best Rays signee this off-season, despite gathering only a $1 million bonus. He can barrel up from both sides of the plate, but may settle into a right handed swing in the long term, with quick hands. He has the ability and instincts to stick at short, with a high-IQ approach and gritty demeanor.
Alex Cook, RHP 25 | 6’2” | 220 AA | 2.30 ERA, 2.29 FIP, 15.2 IP (13 G), 30.5% K, 5.1% BB
The Rays added Cook to the 40-man roster this off-season to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, despite only throwing 20 innings (if you include four appearances in the complex league) after a slow start to the season. Cook attempted to convert to starting in 2024 and succumbed to a should injury, but bounced back in the bullpen in 2025 throwing 99 mph — and he has shown up to camp continuing to pitch with confidence. He has plus control and command, with stuff that leans into his low release point, including a cut-ride fastball and two-plane slider, and an MLB average cutter to prevent platoon slit problems. He should slot into high leverage for Durham and ride the shuttle in 2026.
Tampa Bay’s top signee from the 2025 international class, Coret reported tall and young with a lot of projection. His future depends mostly on his hit tool, with prospect evaluators divided on a player that has a long way to go, but the exit velocity (111 mph) and foot speed are plus for his age. Promisingly, after he had a hot start to his professional career, Coret saw his strikeouts elevate in July, but he got them back under control in the final month. A move to the complex league in 2026 would be aggressive.
Cooper Flemming, SS 19 | L/R | 6’3” | 190
One of the best high school bats in the 2025 draft, Flemming surprisingly fell into the Rays laps in the second round. He has a too-quiet swing that lacks the load necessary to hit for power, but he’s historically compensated for that with a high contact rate that would have rated him as first round material if his defense projected to stick. The Rays were able to convince him to forgo an education at Vanderbilt by going above slot ($2.3m, Comp-A money).
Cooper Kinney, 2B/3B 23 | L/R | 6’1” | 200 AA | .242/.299/.386 (103 wRC+) 501 PA, 13 HR, 0 SB, 7.2% BB, 25.0% K
After a bounce back year in 2024 (137+ in High-A), Kinney underwhelmed with a 103 wRC+ at Double-A. Kinney’s calling card is a pretty swing and masterful control of the strikezone, but with a higher than average injury risk. He would have been on track for a potential appearance at the MLB level, but with his performance last season he might even be ticketed back to Montgomery. Were the problems related to a nagging shoulder injury? After a 200 wRC+ April, his performance at the plate steadily declined, and Kinney hit no homeruns between July 13 and the end of September. The org played him 60 games at second base in 2026, 28 at third, and the rest at first or DH.
Victor Mesa Jr., OF 24 | L/L | 5’11” | 195 AAA (MIA) | .301/.368/.510 (136 wRC+) 171 PA, 7 HR, 4 SB, 9.9% BB, 16.4% K MLB (MIA) | 6 H (1 HR), 5 BB, 5 K (81 wRC+) 38 PA
This Cuban power bat already made his major league debut with Miami last year after bouncing back from a spring hamstring injury, and was dealt to the Rays in February. He profiles as a fourth outfielder but has an option remaining, so the organization may send him down for regular playing time and one last chance for something more in development. If not, he’s a center field capable on defense, which goes a long way for a platoon bat. In the running for the nicest guy in baseball.
Dean Moss, OF 19 | L/R | 6’0” | 180
Signed well above slot out of the 2025 draft at No. 67 overall, Moss’s family moved from California to the Tampa Bay Area to enroll Moss at IMG, and it earned him a new-home-town selection. A jack of all trades, Moss’s hit tool shades his best thanks to plus bat speed. His swing is clean, with and the projection for his power over time is major league average. He will have competition internally to stick at center, but may get the first nod in the rookie league.
The Rays 58th overall pick in 2024, Pitre has risen on draft boards through a strong performance in the Cape Cod league in 2023, but the power was a real question mark on his profile. Now given a chance to develop as a professional, he wouldn’t be the first to add muscle. His run and hit tools are plus, with a well coiled swing and solid contact in and out of zone. He’s too old to return to High-A and it be viewed as positive. His power stroke will be the key to his success in 2026.
Joe Rock, LHP 25 | 6’6” | 220 AAA | 5.21 ERA, 5.13 FIP, 96.2 IP (32 G, 15 GS), 21.1% K, 9.3% BB MLB | 2 ER, 7 H (1 HR), 7.2 IP (3 G), 11 K, 2 BB
Rock got the call for the first time last season, riding the Durham shuttle in June and again in September after being acquired from the Rockies for former first rounder Greg Jones in an org roster shuffle ahead of the 2024 season. Rock’s calling card is a borderline double-plus slider that’s complimented by league average stuff from his sinker and change, although he’ll pop a high four-seam to keep ‘em honest. His arm action starts with a high back elbow and ends in a lower release point, and the look elevates his profile through deception. He’s most likely in a relief role.
Victor Valdez, SS 17 | R/R | 6’1” | 186
A pretty swing with a low whiff rate earned Valdez a big payday this winter — $3.5 million — with as good of a power projection as you can reasonably ask for from a a teenage bat, having been given a 25+ home run projection by Baseball America, who also praise his plus foot speed, bat speed, and control of the zone. Reports say he has ever improving lateral movements on defense, with smooth actions and a strong arm. If it all clicks, it’s a middle-of-the-order bat on the left side of the infield. At signing, the Rays gave him a comp to Francisco Lindor. It will be interesting to see if his first professional season can solidify the five tool profile.
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