ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 27: Drake Baldwin #30 of the Atlanta Braves reacts as he rounds first base after hitting a solo homer against the Kansas City Royals during the third inning of the home opener at Truist Park on March 27, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Winning Opening Day at home is fun. Hey, Opening Day at home is fun all by itself. First Opening Day win at home since 2018 and that Nick Markakis home run. The Braves needed to rally from down five runs that day. But they controlled last night from the jump. Chris Sale got double plays in the first two innings. Ozzie Albies’ home run just scraped by the left field pole. Drake Baldwin’s home run just got over the fence. Michael Harris basically called game with a no-doubt home run. Then Chris Sale and the bullpen cruised for the shutout.
How’s that for a palette cleanser? Last year, those double play ground balls versus Sale would have found a way through the infield. A pelican would have come out of nowhere to push Albies’ home run foul. The Braves had at least seven long fly balls like Baldwin’s hit the top of the wall and bounce back into play. And Michael Harris would have barely missed a home run. Is the nightmare of 2025 over? I think I need to see about 90 more of these games to be sure.
ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 27: Newly appointed manager Walt Weiss #4 of the Atlanta Braves looks on during the MLB game between the Atlanta Braves and the Kansas City Royals on March 27, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Opening Day in Cobb County couldn’t have gone any better for the Atlanta Braves if they had scripted it themselves. I’d imagine that every team in baseball would absolutely take a 6-0 win to start the season — especially if that win saw the team succeed in nearly all facets of the game.
Walt Weiss spoke with the media following his winning debut as manager of the Braves and the very first thing he did (unprompted, mind you) was to shower praise upon Chris Sale for getting things started on the right foot — both in this game and the season as a whole. “That last inning out there, he can still go and get 98 (mph) when he wants it. This is a special guy,” said Weiss about Sale. “The manager’s dream is to have a guy like that on Opening Night to set the tone.”
Weiss went on to talk about the total team effort that helped push the Braves to victory in this one. “We played outstanding defense,” said Weiss. “That game probably could’ve turned if we don’t make a few of those plays. Eli [White], Austin [Riley], [Ronald] Acuña. Jr., [Matt] Olson made a great play down the line. Turned two double plays early when Chris’s pitches were starting to mount a little bit in the first two innings.”
Chris Sale spoke with the media before Weiss did and he confirmed that he was pretty happy with the defense that was behind him on Friday night as well. “Unbelievable defensive plays,” said Sale. “I mean, half the [SportsCenter] Top 10 is going to be from when I was out there. I mean, half the texts I’m getting [after the game] is like ‘You better do something for your defense!”
The manager continued to heap praise upon his team for their effort with the gloves on Friday night. “Great defense. It was just a really well-played game,” continued Weiss. “We hit the ball into the seats. We ran the bases well…we made some good reads on some balls on the bases so it was just a really good game.”
Speaking of the base running, that’s certainly been a point of emphasis for Walt Weiss and his staff once they took over coaching duties here in Atlanta. I asked Weiss how he felt about the aggressiveness that was shown on the base paths on Friday night and he certainly seemed pleased with what he witnessed. “[Aggressive base running] is going to be part of our identity moving forward. That’s the plan,” stated Weiss. “We had a caught stealing and that’s okay — I’m willing to trade a few outs here and there on the bases to create an identity. We want to put heat on people, whether it’s in the box or on the bases and we have the personnel to do that.”
Weiss then brought up new first base coach Antoan Richardson and how he’s already having an impact on stressing the importance of strong base running. “I talked about Antoan making base running really important to our guys,” emphasized Weiss. “That’s what he did this Spring and yeah, we hit the ball into the seats tonight but I think on the nights that we don’t, we’ll have a better chance to score some runs this year.”
The manager also went on to explain his reasoning behind placing Ozzie Albies in the third spot in the lineup. That was a decision that certainly raised some eyebrows when it was announced but it ended up paying off based on his performance at the plate and Weiss was pretty happy about that as well.
“I love seeing Ozzie in the box right-handed, I just do,” explained Weiss. “I thought that was the perfect spot for him in the lineup. [Cole Ragans] is a left-handed starter but even later in the game, they’ll go to the bullpen and they’re going to target [Drake] Baldwin and Olson with their left-handed relievers and they’ve got to pay the price. You’re going through Ozzie with the three-batter rule. I’ve always loved Ozzie from the right-hand side. [The lineup] will look a little different against right-handed starters but he made me look good tonight. Thanks, Ozzie.”
Finally, the Braves players did make a note of celebrating Weiss’s first win as Braves manager by letting him partake in the Player of the Game celebration that they have going in the clubhouse. Chris Sale spoke to the media before Weiss did and while he was tight-lipped about whatever the ceremony was, Weiss was willing to talk about it with us. “They got this thing when you’re Player of the Game — I wasn’t Player of the Game, of course, that was Chris Sale. They did let me take a putt. I guess it’s probably about a 30, 40-footer and there’s a lot of hooting and hollering and a lot of stuff on the line. I got to do the Player of the Game putt and they gave me a nice little gift for my first win, so it’s a great night.”
Naturally the follow-up question was whether or not he made the putt. “I missed the putt,” said Weiss, sadly and faceitiously. “You weren’t supposed to ask that. You know I would’ve said ‘I made it’ if I did, you wouldn’t have had to ask!”
Despite the missed putt, the new manager was clearly in high spirits. It might just be one game in a long marathon of a season but everybody will take starting 1-0 over 0-1. The Braves now have their first win under their belts, Walt Weiss has his first win as manager of the Braves and now the team will be looking to pick up their first series win with a victory tomorrow night as Reynaldo López gets the start against the Royals.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 09: General Manager Mike Elias of the Baltimore Orioles watches the Orioles Hall of Fame ceremony before the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Athletics at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 09, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning Birdland,
Could the vibes be any more immaculate? The Orioles followed up their 2-1 win on Opening Day Thursday with the news on Friday that they are signing Shane Baz to a five-year, $68 million contract extension. For the first time with Mike Elias leading the front office, the Orioles have made a long-term commitment to a pitcher.
Now, Baz is probably not the pitcher that most fans expected (or even wanted) the Orioles to lock up. He certainly doesn’t have the track record of Trevor Rogers or Kyle Bradish. But that could be exactly why he was the one they set their sights on.
Baz is extremely talented. The Orioles have reminded us of that quite frequently ever since they traded for him back in December. He’s also young, not turning 27 until mid-June, and already had three years of team control remaining. On top of that, he has had some injury problems. That’s enough uncertainty to make him open to an extension, but far enough behind him that the Orioles were OK with the commitment. That combination of factors seems to have made him an ideal candidate for an extension in Elias’ eyes.
That averages out to $13.6 million per season with most of it coming in ‘29 and ‘30, the two years of free agency that Baz will now be forgoing. It’s a lot of money for someone that is yet to even throw a pitch in your uniform and has just one full healthy season under his belt, but it’s not bad if Baz ends up being everything that they hope he can be.
It’s a gamble. The Orioles are betting on Baz staying healthy, and on the ability of the organization to help him hit his ceiling. You would have to assume that whatever they saw this spring convinced them that he is the guy to pin their hopes to moving forward.
So what does this mean for other Orioles pitchers hoping for a big deal? Rogers has been/is still likely to bet on himself. He’s a free agent after the year. If he can even come close to duplicating what he did in 2025, he is going to be the most sought after free agent next winter. Bradish, on the other hand, could be open to something. He is still rather fresh off of Tommy John surgery and won’t hit free agency until after the 2028 season. The question could be whether the Orioles are interested. Bradish is already 29 years old. Do they want buy out his age 32, 33, or 34 seasons? That doesn’t sound like an Elias move.
For 2026 anyway, the Orioles have assembled a very fun staff. Baz is part of that. Hopefully things go well, because we will be watching it for a long time to come.
A healthy Kyle Bradish? The Orioles can hardly wait. | The Baltimore Banner To me, Bradish is the best pitcher on this Orioles team. The only thing holding him back this year will be the kid gloves with which the Orioles are likely to handle him to make sure he gets to October unscathed. That could mean a lot of four- or five-inning starts where he leaves after 80 pitches early in the season. If that’s what it takes, and the Orioles are winning games, I’m cool with it.
Orioles extension candidates: After Baz, Basallo, who could be next? | The Capital Gazette Gunnar Henderson needs to be the answer here. It sounds like the Orioles are laying the ground work there, but nothing has come together yet. Scott Boras is Henderson’s agent, and he does not like for his big clients to sign ahead of free agency. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible, but the Orioles will need to knock his socks off with an offer.
Christian Walker turns 35 today. Drafted by the Orioles back in 2012, he would play in just 13 games for them between 2014 and ‘15 before he was DFA’d and eventually claimed by the Diamondbacks, where he became one of the more consistent first basemen in the game.
Shawn Boskie is 59 years old. He spent the 1997 season as a swingman on the Orioles pitching staff.
Glenn Davis turns 65. He played parts of three seasons in Baltimore from 1991 through ‘93, accumulating just 0.7 bWAR total in that time. What did it cost the Orioles to get him from the Astros? Three players: Steve Finley, Pete Harnisch, and Curt Schilling. Yikes.
This day in O’s history
1999 – The Orioles become the first major leaguers to visit Cuba since 1959. In an exhibition against the Cuban national team, the O’s win 3-2 in 11 innings. Charles Johnson hits a two-run homer, and Harold Baines drives in the winning run. The two teams will play a rematch at Camden Yards on May 3.
Mar 12, 2026; Clearwater, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zach Pop (56) throws a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth inning during spring training at BayCare Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The Phillies opened the season with three pitchers on the injured list – Zack Wheeler, Orion Kerkering and Max Lazar. We kind of have an idea that at least Wheeler and Kerkering are going to be back sooner rather than later since they have already begun rehab assignments in Lehigh Valley. Lazar’s status is a bit more hazy, so we can’t really know when he’ll come back.
These impending returns of Wheeler and Kerkering mean that there will be roster shuffling about to occur. Two of the assumed three bottom pitchers on staff will have to get removed, so the question is which ones and when. Of the three – Backhus, Pop and Mayza – which ones should be gone and when? Should Backhus be the first to go, his funk not funky enough to get hitters out consistently? Might Pop’s roster bubble get….popped? Maybe it’s none of these three. Give your best guess.
Bubblegum card (by the Bowman Gum Company) features baseball player Vic Raschi, of the New York Yankees, 1953. (Photo by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Vic Raschi did not have a long enough or fruitful enough career to warrant anything like a Hall of Fame induction or a number retirement from the Yankees. However, for several years, he was a very good pitcher for the Yankees in what was arguably their most dynastic era.
Today just so happens to be “The Springfield Rifle’s” birthday, so let’s take a look back at his life and career.
Victor John Angelo “Vic” Raschi Born: March 28, 1919 (West Springfield, MA) Died: October 14, 1988 (Groveland, NY) Yankees Tenure: 1946-53
Born in Massachusetts, Raschi excelled at several sports in his youth including baseball, football, basketball, and even marbles, winning a state-wide tournament as a 10-year old. Baseball was the one he was best at, as he had a cannon for an arm. That ability along with the famous Springfield Armory in his home town got him his future nickname of “The Springfield Rifle.”
As a 16-year old, Raschi was spotted by Yankees’ scout Gene McCann. With the pitcher still in high school, the Yankees came to an agreement with him and his family. The team would pay for Raschi to attend college, with the Yankees getting the first chance to sign him upon him joining the professional ranks. Raschi decided he couldn’t pass up that opportunity and went to the College of William & Mary thanks to the Yankees before eventually signing a pro deal with them in 1941.
After two solid years in the minors, Raschi had to put his career on hold. He ended up missing the entirety of the 1943-45 seasons as he served in the military during World War II. Upon returning to baseball in 1946, he very quickly worked his way through the rest of the minors. Raschi pitched across Double-A and Triple-A that season, and was good enough to get called up by the Yankees that September. He made his MLB debut on September 23rd, allowing six runs in a complete game victory over the Athletics.
Following his 1946 debut, Raschi was hoping to make the team out of spring training in ‘47, but the team ended up demoting him back to the minors. Initially, he refused to report to his assignment with the Portland Beavers before relenting after cajoling from his wife and threats of banishment from the Yankees. As it would turn out, the demotion ended up being a godsend for the pitcher. Portland’s manager was Jim Turner, who in Portland and later as the Yankees’ pitching coach, helped unlock the speedy pitcher.
Raschi put up a very impressive start to the 1947 season in Portland, eventually earning that recall to the majors that he desired. Upon his recall, he hit the ground running in New York, putting up a 2.98 ERA over his first eight games, which included a couple complete game victories. He fell back to earth a bit down the stretch that season, but he did make two appearances out of the bullpen as the Yankees beat the Dodgers for the ‘47 World Series title.
While the Yankees as a team fell back to the pack in 1948, Raschi locked down his spot in the rotation, making 31 starts, and even getting down-ballot MVP votes. In 1949, he then put up what was, by some metrics, the best season of his career. His 121 ERA+ was the best of his career in ‘49, as he also won 21 games, cracking the 20 mark for the first time, which he would match the following two years. He was on the mound in the final game of the regular season, throwing a complete game win over the Red Sox to clinch the AL by just one game over Boston. He was then the winning pitcher in the series-clinching Game 5 win in the World Series against the Dodgers.
Over the next three years, Raschi remained a very good middle rotation arm. Over the course of 1948-52, he was named an All-Star four times and got MVP votes in all five seasons. He posted a 98-42 record over that time. The Yankees won the World Series in all of 1949-53, making Raschi a six-time champion. In 1950, he set the tone in that series by throwing a complete game shutout in Game 1 against the Phillies, with the Yankees narrowly winning 1-0. He probably wouldn’t have been named series MVP just for that game as it ended in a Yankees’ sweep, but you could certainly make the argument that his contribution was the most important. Across the 1950-53 triumphs in particular, he went 4-2 with a 1.42 ERA.
While he put up a season in 1953 that wasn’t unlike some of his previous ones, some of the Yankees’ brass decided he had taken a step back. As the team attempted to cut his pay, Raschi held out. Upon finally reporting to spring training, the team up and sold him to the Cardinals ahead of the 1954 season.
Whether or not his 1953 season was a down one, the rest of his career would definitely see him take a step back from his prime. Across the 1954-55 seasons, Raschi posted an ERA over five with the Cardinals and then the A’s. The 1955 season would be the final one of his playing career.
After retiring, he settled in his wife’s hometown in upstate New York. There, he ran a liquor store, did some baseball coaching, and spent time teaching elementary school. He eventually passed away in 1988 at the age of 69.
The Yankees’ various dynasties from the 1920s through the early 1960s were usually defined by the star hitters that often dotted their lineups. However, you still need good pitching to get over the hump, and Raschi was that on several very good Yankees’ teams.
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
WINNIPEG, CANADA - MARCH 26: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche taps in the puck on the goal line and scores in the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre on March 26, 2026 in Winnipeg, Canada. (Photo by Cameron Bartlett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Wins in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, and Winnipeg have made flying the friendly skies a first class experience for the first place Colorado Avalanche after completing this most recent road trip.
Tonight, the NHL’s best team books a return fair against the recently-vanquished Winnipeg Jets as the Avs begin a three game home stand in pursuit of the top seed in the Stanley Cup Playoffs!
Colorado Avalanche (48-13-10)
The Opponent: Winnipeg Jets (30-30-12)
Time: 5:00 P.M. MDT/7:00 P.M. EDT
Watch: ALT, ALT+ (Avalanche Local Broadcast Area), ESPN+, NHL Center Ice (Outside Regional Broadcast Areas – US), SN+, NHL Centre Ice (Canadian Broadcast Areas)
Listen: Altitude Sports Radio KKSE-FM 92.5 FM
Colorado Avalanche
As mentioned previously, the Avalanche come into today’s game fresh off a 3-2 victory over these same Winnipeg Jets on Thursday evening at Canada Life Center. Despite trailing early after a goal by Jets franchise center Mark Scheifele, the Avs would turn the tables with three unanswered goals—two courtesy of Nathan MacKinnon—en route to their first regular season victory in Manitoba since February 24, 2023. This game saw the return of Artturi Lehkonen, who had missed the previous eleven games due to injury. He factored in on the eventual game-winning goal with a great seeing-eye pass that MacKinnon deflected past Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck early in the third period. Winnipeg would unsuccessfully challenge the goal for goaltender interference, but the call on the ice withstood the challenge. A late goal by Scheifele made things interesting, but the Avalanche were able to stave off a Winnipeg push to complete the road trip sweep.
With this latest victory, the Avalanche increased their point lead over the Dallas Stars—who suffered a 2-1 regulation loss to the New York Islanders earlier Thursday evening—to nine points in the Central Division, and still hold a game in hand in their possession. They remain the undisputed leader across the Central Division, Western Conference, and League standings. Dallas will be in action against Pittsburgh today, and the Minnesota Wild, who have pulled within three points of Dallas, will face Boston. Dallas has a game in hand over Minnesota, but another regulation loss—a possible fourth loss in a row for Dallas—would open the door for Minnesota to pull within a single point of second place in the Central should they defeat the Bruins today.
The stakes in the standings are getting higher and higher, and the margin for error is growing thinner and thinner. The Avs control their own destiny, and completing the home and home series with Winnipeg with another victory will only tighten their grip on what’s been a near wire-to-wire run at the top of the standings.
Coach Jared Bednar said after Thursday’s game, “It was a good effort from our guys. We gave up a couple of goals on turnovers on the D-zone walls, so there’s a couple of things we want to improve on, but for the most part, I think, [at the] end of the road trip, we played hard; we were competitive. Special teams did a really nice job tonight, and from the goaltender out, I think we had everybody involved and were able to carve out a win against a really good team, a desperate hockey team.”
Bednar made it clear to say that, even with the Avs in control of their destiny as the regular season winds down, the remaining games still mean something. “We’re still fighting for first place,” he said, “so every win’s important until they put the mark beside our [name in the] standings, so we’ve had something to play for down the stretch run here. I think we’ve had a good year, but we’re not comfortable. We’re still just kind of fine-tuning our game before going into the playoffs […] but you’re playing hungry teams every night that are jockeying for position, trying to fight [their way] into the playoffs, trying to move up the standings, so there’s still lots to play for in the season, and lots of hockey, and we certainly don’t want [our] game deteriorating over the last month of the season before we get into the playoffs, so that’s our main focus.”
Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 22 of 24 shots for the victory in Winnipeg for his third straight win. Should Bednar turn to him again today, Blackwood could tie his single season career high in wins (22) with another stellar performance. However, if Bednar continues to alternate between starting him and Scott Wedgewood, then look for Wedgewood to return to the crease. Both goalies have victories over Winnipeg this season, so Bednar won’t be lacking in confidence in either option as the four game series comes to an end today.
Bednar said this of Blackwood’s recent play and his goaltending tandem as a whole: “[Blackwood] came out of the [Olympic] break playing really good, then he had a dip in a handful of his starts, and he’s gone to work, and I feel like his last handful of games here, he’s given us a great chance to win. He’s coming up with big saves when we need him, he’s been exceptional on the penalty kill, which always helps, so [I’m] pretty happy with the way both of those guys are playing in net right now.”
MacKinnon remains the NHL’s goal scoring leader (48), but remains four points behind both Edmonton’s Connor McDavid and Tampa’s Nikita Kucherov (both forwards have 114 points apiece at the time of this writing). Nečas now ranks second in team goal scoring (34), while Brock Nelson remains a close third (32). Cale Makar, who scored his 20th goal of the season against Dallas on March 18, needs only one point to reach 500 career points. It is currently unknown whether Nicolas Roy, who has not played since March 22 at Washington, will return to the lineup for today’s game.
Today’s game marks the first of a three game home stand at Ball Arena, the last extended stretch on home ice for the Avs this regular season.
Projected Lineup
Forwards: Gabriel Landeskog – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Nečas Ross Colton – Brock Nelson – Valeri Nichushkin Artturi Lehkonen – Nazem Kadri – Logan O’Connor Parker Kelly – Jack Drury – Joel Kiviranta
Defense: Brett Kulak – Cale Makar Devon Toews – Sam Malinski Josh Manson – Brent Burns
Between the Pipes: Scott Wedgewood Mackenzie Blackwood
Winnipeg Jets
When Winnipeg hosted Colorado at Canada Life Center two weeks ago, their playoff hopes were hanging in the balance. As mentioned in this space back then, a successful back to back weekend could prove to be the turning point in their bid to secure a postseason berth on the heels of last season’s historic run that saw them secure the top seed in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the Presidents Trophy as the best team in the NHL. Although Winnipeg did defeat both Colorado and St. Louis in those back to back games, Winnipeg then proceeded to lose four of its next six games—including their most recent loss to Colorado on Thursday evening—and now remain five points outside the last wild card spot in the Western Conference, currently occupied (somehow) by the Nashville Predators.
With ten games remaining on their regular season schedule, Winnipeg has a lot of work ahead of them. Four of those games are against teams also chasing a wild card berth: Seattle (one point ahead of Winnipeg), San Jose and St. Louis (both one point behind Winnipeg), and Utah (currently eight points ahead of Winnipeg and holding the first wild card position in the Western Conference). While the term, “must-win” is thrown around a lot in sports, these four games are games that Winnipeg absolutely cannot afford to lose. A win today against Colorado would certainly help their cause, but games against Dallas, Vegas, and the surging Columbus Blue Jackets are also monumental hurdles for Winnipeg to clear in their desperate push to sneak into the postseason. It’s not an impossible task, but the odds are growing longer and longer, and as much as Winnipeg must focus on their own performance, they’ll also need to get some help to keep the teams they’re chasing close enough to pass.
With his pair of goals against Colorado on Thursday, Scheifele continues leading all Winnipeg skaters in goals (34), assists (54), and points (88). Kyle Connor is second in all three categories (32G/50A/82PTS). Defenseman Josh Morrissey still leads all Winnipeg defensemen in all three categories (12G/37A/49PTS). After missing the previous game against Colorado two weeks ago, defenseman Neal Pionk played in his fourth game on Thursday night since his return from injury on March 21. Former Avalanche forward Vladislav Namestnikov will remain out of the lineup due to injury. With so much riding on the line for Winnipeg, it’s almost a given that Hellebuyck will make his third consecutive start—his 50th of the season—today.
Today marks the first of a four game road trip for Winnipeg, its final extended road trip of the season. By the time this road trip is over, they may know if they’re cleared for a postseason takeoff, or if they’ve been grounded on the runway.
Projected Lineup
Forwards: Kyle Connor – Mark Scheifele – Alex Iafallo Cole Perfetti – Adam Lowry – Gabe Vilardi Isak Rosén – Morgan Barron – Brad Lambert Cole Koepke – Jonathan Toews – Gustav Nyquist
Powered by Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs are still chasing the No.1 seed in the West, and today they’ll see a Milwaukee Bucks team that’s surely coming to the end of the road with its own unicorn superstar.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo in street clothes, Milwaukee is coming off a pair of ugly losses, and my Spurs vs. Bucks predictions expect San Antonio to cruise in this one, extending its seven-game win streak.
Get the lowdown on this March 28 matchup with my NBA picks and betting tips.
Spurs vs Bucks prediction
Spurs vs Bucks best bet: Spurs -19 (-110)
The Milwaukee Bucks are way too late to the tanking party, but that hasn’t stopped Doc Rivers’ men from losing their last two games by a combined 64 points. After those beatdowns, just about the last thing Milwaukee needs is a visit from a ruthless San Antonio Spurs squad.
The Spurs are 16-8-1 ATS in their last 25 contests, and I’m siding with Victor Wembanyama and Co. here despite the massive spread. San Antonio has been reliable on the road all year, posting a 26-11 SU mark, and the early Saturday tip should only be a minor obstacle.
The visitors’ last two victories have both come by 25 points, and they beat the Bucks 119-101 in January, before Giannis Antetokounmpo's latest injury setbacks. In short, don’t expect any mercy this afternoon.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee has nowhere to turn for offense.
The Bucks are just 3-7 ATS in their past 10 outings, and the injury report doesn’t help their cause. Myles Turner, Kyle Kuzma, and Bobby Portis all missed Wednesday’s loss in Portland, and that could leave Milwaukee vulnerable in the frontcourt.
Ryan Rollins had a career-high 36 points earlier this week, but he’ll have a mountain to climb against Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper.
With one of the NBA’s deepest benches, the Spurs can pull away when their second unit is on the floor, and their offense sits third in the league in points per game (119.3). All the signs signal one-way traffic at Fiserv Forum.
Spurs vs Bucks same-game parlay
The San Antonio starters may not log their usual minutes today, yet I still like Wemby and Stephon Castle to steal the show. Wembanyama has had back-to-back outings with 15 rebounds, and he won’t get much resistance on the glass against the depleted Bucks.
Castle continues to be one of the Spurs’ main engines, and he’s nailed this assists Over in four of his past five contests, including 12 dimes in Sacramento earlier this month. His lob connection with Wemby grows stronger every week.
Spurs vs Bucks SGP
Spurs moneyline
Victor Wembanyama Over 11.5 rebounds
Stephon Castle Over 7.5 assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: Castle Hunts Bucks!
Castle is rarely far from the action, and this SGP embraces all the ways he impacts games. He had 19 points and 10 assists against the Bucks earlier this year, and he’s grabbed 7+ boards in five of his last seven outings.
Look for Castle’s nonstop effort to put San Antonio in control this afternoon.
Spurs vs Bucks SGP
Stephon Castle Over 15.5 points
Stephon Castle Over 1.5 made threes
Stephon Castle Over 7.5 assists
Stephon Castle Over 4.5 rebounds
Spurs vs Bucks odds
Spread: Spurs -19 | Bucks +19
Moneyline: Spurs -2250 | Bucks +1106
Over/Under: Over 226 | Under 226
Spurs vs Bucks betting trend to know
The Spurs are 17-10-1 ATS against the East this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Spurs vs. Bucks.
How to watch Spurs vs Bucks
Location
Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
Date
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Tip-off
3:00 p.m. ET
TV
Prime Video
Spurs vs Bucks latest injuries
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 27: Edwin Díaz #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium on March 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When the Los Angeles Dodgers added closer Edwin Díaz this offseason, they locked down the back end of their bullpen, which was an issue for them at times during the 2025 season.
They also set the stage for one of baseball’s most dramatic entrances shifting to the West Coast.
Díaz made his Dodgers debut on Friday night, entering in the ninth inning to close out a 5-4 game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and his entrance was as electric as ever. Not only did he come out of the bullpen to Timmy Trumpet’s “Narco,” the song Díaz used while closing games for the Mets at Citi Field, but he was accompanied by a live trumpet player, Los Angeles artist Tatiana Tate:
After the game, both Díaz and manager Dave Roberts talked about the entrance, and the save.
“I was surprised a little bit,” said Díaz about Tate’s performance. “I heard a trumpet sounding before I was coming out. I said, ‘No way, they got a live trumpet.’ It was pretty fun. I enjoyed it, and I know fans enjoyed, too.”
“I got word that there might be a trumpet player,” said Roberts. “That was great. I was hoping to get him in there, and it worked out, and he performed. I think the fans got what they were hoping for.”
Friday night, Dodgers fans got exactly what they were hoping for, and more.
Jan 26, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe (77) makes a slam dunk against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
The Sixers are coming off a blowout WIN (haven’t been able to type that much this season), taking down the Chicago Bulls 157-137. Now they head to Charlotte to take on one of the hottest teams in the league in what could be a pivotal matchup with real long-term stakes.
Why does a regular-season game in March carry this much weight? The Sixers and Hornets have already met twice this year, splitting the series 1-1, making this the decider. Whoever wins clinches the tiebreaker between two teams hovering around the same spot in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte sits one game back right now, and with how close these records could finish, that tiebreaker is very much in play. A Sixers win adds cushion. A loss pulls the Hornets right into striking range.
Charlotte has quietly become one of the better stories in the league this season, and a lot of that starts with Kon Knueppel. The rookie has put together one of the strongest freshman campaigns we’ve seen in years, averaging 19.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists on a near 50-40-90 clip. Tonight he’ll go head to head with VJ Edgecombe, another rookie who has looked just as far beyond his years on the other side. Two first-year players, taken back to back in the draft, squaring off in a game with actual playoff implications — that’s a pretty compelling subplot.
Since the new year the Hornets have been one of the better teams in basketball. Their offense has jumped to fifth in the league, with their defense sitting 12th. The rough record is mostly a hangover from a brutal first half, but they’ve clawed their way back to the point where they’re not just a play-in team anymore — a real playoff spot is on the table.
The usual names round out the roster: LaMelo Ball, still one of the most talented players in the league even if the consistency comes and goes, alongside Miles Bridges, Brandon Miller, Moussa Diabate and Ryan Kalkbrenner as strong rotation pieces. This will also be our first look at Coby White in a Hornets uniform since the trade deadline.
For the Sixers, things finally feel like they’re trending in the right direction. The Bulls aren’t exactly a measuring stick team this season, but putting up 157 points with Joel Embiid and Paul George combining for 60+ is still a statement. Both guys looked fresh, moved well and put on offensive clinics. George in particular was excellent on both ends. Four steals and a block to go with his scoring output, and having that kind of smooth, versatile wing back in the lineup has been a desperately needed addition.
Edgecombe has kept his strong play going too. It wasn’t his biggest statistical night, but he did a nice job navigating life with Embiid and George back in the rotation, letting them operate while still making his own impact. He shot 7-of-9 from the field, which tells you how clean his opportunities were playing off two stars drawing all the attention. That load-sharing role suits him well, but tonight is a different test. The Hornets have no shortage of guards, so Edgecombe will need to be sharp on both ends.
There are some notable injury statuses to keep an eye on heading into this one. For the first time since his injury, Tyrese Maxey isn’t listed as out — he’s questionable with a finger tendon strain, which is an encouraging sign. Kelly Oubre Jr. is also questionable but told beat reporters yesterday that he expects to suit up. That leaves Johni Broome as the only Sixer potentially sitting out. On the Charlotte side, former lottery pick Tidjane Salaun is the only player listed outside of G League assignments.
This is an important matchup for both squads and could end up being the deciding factor depending on how the playoff and play-in picture shapes out. Edgecombe now has the reinforcements he needs for the Sixers to come out on top. Let’s see if they can win the first of what could be several pivotal matchups in their playoff pursuit.
Game Details
When: Saturday, March 28 2026, 6 PM EST Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic Follow:@LibertyBallers
The Ottawa Senators are in the thick of the Eastern Conference Wild Card chase, and still in distance of a Top 3 spot in the Atlantic as they battle the Tampa Bay Lighting on Saturday afternoon.
My Senators vs. Lightning predictions and free NHL picks have these two high-scoring teams lighting the lamp with frequency on March 28.
Senators vs Lightning prediction
Senators vs Lightning best bet: Over 6.5 (+110)
It’s a battle of two teams in the Top 10 in scoring.
The Ottawa Senators dropped a 4-3 shootout to the Penguins last time, but it’s another game where they’ve picked up points – 18 times in the last 21.
The Senators are down five defenseman, including standouts Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot, and that will be tough against the league’s second-highest scoring team.
The Tampa Bay Lightning boast five players with at least 20 goals on the year.
The Over has hit in four of the last five between these teams, and it appears they’ll stay on trend today.
Senators vs Lightning same-game parlay
Jake Guentzel has been on fire for Tampa of late, scoring four times in his last five games. He’s tallied six times in his last 10 against Ottawa.
Tim Stutzle is coming off a two-assist game against Pittsburgh, and he’s been a solid setup man against the Lightning, recording at least one assist against them in nine of the last 10 games.
Senators vs Lightning SGP
Over 6.5
Jake Guentzel anytime goal
Tim Stutzle Over 0.5 assists
Senators vs Lightning odds
Moneyline: Senators +150 | Lightning -180
Puck Line: Senators +1.5 | Lightning -1.5
Over/Under: Over 6.5 | Under 6.5
Senators vs Lightning trend
The Senators have won 11 of their last 12 day games against East opponents. Find more NHL betting trends for Senators vs. Lightning.
How to watch Senators vs Lightning
Location
Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, FL
Date
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Puck drop
1:00 p.m. ET
TV
TSN5, The Spot
Senators vs Lightning latest injuries
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Christopher Jackson sings the National Anthem at Citi Field, Thursday, March 26, 2026. | Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Vidal Bruján and Ben Rortvedt were sent through waivers for the Mets, while Bryan Hudson was claimed by the White Sox.
Around the National League East
Chris Sale had a strong first start and the Atlanta bats socked three homers en route to a 6-0 opening day win for the Braves over the Royals.
Sandy Alcántara pitched seven strong innings to help lead the Marlins to a 2-1 victory over the Rockies in their first game of the season. Don’t look now, but the National League East is undefeated in 2026.
The Michigan State coach was once again reflective on his 31-year coaching career and the topic of retirement following the 3-seeded Spartans' loss to 2-seeded UConn in the East Region on Friday, March 27, saying he has bigger goals yet to chase.
"Trying to win a national championship, plain and simple," Izzo said March 27 when asked by a reporter where he sees himself in five years. "That's it. Those things usually start after your last loss. Nowadays, it's a little more screwed up, but not at Michigan State."
Tom Izzo on retirement speculation. 👀
“I’m feeling good. We’ll talk about retirement—why? What the hell am I going to do? The minute I don’t feel good, the minute I don’t feel like I’m giving my AD, president, or school every ounce of energy I have every day… you won’t have to… pic.twitter.com/TEaKNlJFGc
Izzo coached in his 17th career Sweet 16 on Friday, where his record dropped to 11-6. The Spartans coach has led Michigan State to 28 consecutive March Madness trips, the NCAA Division I record for most consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. The Spartans, who were looking for their second consecutive trip to the Elite Eight, have not advanced to the Final Four appearance since 2019.
The Hall of Fame coach said he's still "feeling good" at 71 years old.
"We all talk about retirement. Why? What the h--- am I going to do? The minute I don't feel good, the minute I don't feel like I'm giving my (athletic director) or president or school every ounce of energy I have every day, or that energy drops, you don't have to worry about it. I don't steal money. I won't steal anybody's time. But it's sure as hell not going to be now," Izzo said.
"I've got some things to accomplish."
Michigan State ends the season 27-8, its fifth straight season of at least 20 wins under Izzo, and its 25th overall season reaching that win mark.
With no retirement plans on the horizon just yet for Izzo, Michigan State will head into the 2026-27 season once again looking to end the program's national championship drought, having last won it all in 2000.
"I said a couple years ago that I'll find a way to get back there. We've knocked on the door twice. We haven'tgotten back. We'll get back," Izzo said.
CHICAGO – They were coming at the Tennessee men's basketball team like no one else had this season, Rick Barnes said afterwards. Iowa State players were hounding anyone wearing orange all over the United Center court, and the Vols were heaving shots at the end of the shot clock as their NCAA Tournament Midwest Region Sweet 16 game began Friday, March 27.
But when freshman Nate Ament launched an errant 3-pointer, Felix Okpara grabbed the offensive rebound. Then J.P. Estrella grabbed another miss. Then Ament grabbed one more miss. A minute later, Okpara corralled an errant shot attempt. Then Estrella did, too. Another offensive rebound sent Estrella to the free throw line. Before the first media timeout, once Okpara snagged yet another offensive rebound, Tennessee had somehow grabbed seven of its first 10 missed shots of the game.
Never mind that this only led to one basket. The tone had been set, one that carried the sixth-seeded Volunteers back into the Elite Eight for the third year in a row after a 76-62 win over shorthanded No. 2 seed Iowa State that felt more like a bludgeoning because of the manner in which the beating was delivered.
Tennessee demoralized an Iowa State team already playing without All-American Joshua Jefferson because the biggest plays of the game revolved around offensive rebounds. Of course they did. It’s perhaps the best explanation why Tennessee, with just one player in the lineup Friday who played in last year’s Elite Eight game, gets another chance to earn its first Final Four appearance in Sunday’s Midwest Region final against No. 1 seed Michigan.
The Volunteers have the nation's best offensive rebounding percentage this season, according to KenPom, and there really isn’t anyone close to them left in the bracket. Tennessee grabs an offensive rebound on 45% of its missed shots. For comparison, none of the seven other teams left in the NCAA Tournament bracket grab more than 40% of their missed shots.
“It’s our identity. That’s our best offense. That’s what coach Barnes always says,” Okpara said.
Tennessee corralled 16 more offensive rebounds against Iowa State and turned those extra possessions into 14 second-chance points, part of a 43-22 rebounding advantage the Vols enjoyed on the glass to offset their 17 turnovers.
They advanced mostly through brute force, not finesse.
“We stayed in the same set pretty much the entire second half,” Barnes said.
But what had been accomplished was still sinking in as he answered questions about it late Friday. This was the deep frontcourt he envisioned deploying last offseason after Houston ended last year's NCAA Tournament run. He also thought this team should have won more games than it did during the regular season.
Then Ament, the Vols' freshman projected NBA draft lottery pick, hurt his ankle last month. Barnes hoped this would all come together in time for March Madness.
Suddenly this has, largely because these Volunteers can suck the life out of teams with each wayward shot attempt.
Mar 27, 2026; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Sorry for the miss on the Game Thread last night, y’all. We had a miscommunication on the game coverage sheet, and I was working one of my other jobs last night, so I couldn’t just jump in. Anyway, enough apologies, on to the game.
The Houston Rockets got a win last night, dowing the Memphis Grizzlies 119-109 in a solid performance. The team was led by Kevin Durant, who finished with 25 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists on 8-for-14 shooting from the floor and 3-for-7 from deep. He helped Houston on a 14-3 run in the fourth quarter that put the game away for the Rockets.
Houston also had a good night from Jabari Smith Jr., who bounced back from an ugly game with 21 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 assists. He was 7-for-16 from the field. In fact, all five Rockets starters finished in double figures, as the Rockets got 18 points and 8 boards from Amen Thompson, 14 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 blocks from Alperen Sengun, as well as 15 points, 5 boards, 5 assists and 4 steals from Reed Sheppard, who continues to remain in the starting lineup. Seems like Ime may have finally gotten his head out of his ass on that one.
The Rockets got hit with the Rampaging Rando (trademark Xiane) last night, as Olivier-Maxence Prosper went off for 31 points on 12-for-15 from the floor depsite just averaging 9 points per game on the season, but the rest of the Grizzlies shot just 36 percent on the night. The Rockets also won the rebounding battle to help bring home the win.
Houston now moves to 44-29 on the season and sits in sixth place in the Western Conference. They are one game back of the Minnesota Timberwolves for fifth and are four games ahead of the Phoenix Suns for seventh place. They will return to action on Sunday versus the New Orleans Pelicans.
WORCESTER, Mass. – Roger Clemens arrived as the Guest of Honor for WooSox Opening Day with core memories of the 40th anniversary of a special season.
The 1986 campaign started a run of over two decades in the majors as one of the best starting pitchers in the sport. From learning from Hall of Famer Tom Seaver to earning a World Series trip, “The Rocket” hit the ground running in Boston.
“Great memories,” Clemens said Friday at Polar Park. “For me, Boston being my home, getting drafted out of the University of Texas, winning the Eastern League. And before I actually went back to Texas after that season, the Sox had me come. That’s the first time I got to see Fenway Park. So I thought it was amazing. And actually, the game, still remember it, was Dennis Eckersley against Jim Palmer. And so I got to see those two guys work. And so that was a treat for me.”
It was April of 1986 when Clemens introduced himself as a star in the league with a 20-strikeout effort against the Seattle Mariners, the first such game in MLB history, on a night to remember at Fenway Park. Clemens matched the feat 10 years later in Detroit, though the first instance means just as much four decades later.
“Both 20 strikeout games were really cool,” Clemens recalled. “The first one that stands out, basically it was early in the year and I was proving to my teammates and to the ball club that I was healthy.”
The Red Sox right-hander gave plenty of credit to the late Bill Fischer, Boston’s pitching coach in 1986, for guiding him and persistently prioritizing the ability to fill up the strike zone..
“So I was able to get a lot of knowledge from him and he always stressed not to walk guys,” Clemens explained. “Both 20 strikeout games when you’re throwing that high rate of speed and you’re striking guys out, I didn’t walk a guy. So I think I’m most proud about that. That’s probably why I never threw a no-hitter.”
Clemens took control on the mound from the jump, where he believes he called up to 95% of the pitches he threw to catcher Rich Gedman, who caught his old starter’s ceremonial first pitch Friday afternoon. In the modern era of PitchCom and MLB’s adoption of the ABS system, Clemens brought his own context to pitching in 2026.
“Yeah, I love it,” Clemens shared. “You know, I love that they also are featuring the high strike. They pinch you a little bit east and west now. And of course, with the ABS system, makes you say, I don’t think the pitcher should be allowed. … I think it should be the hitter and the catcher. They have the best look. Even if you’re a mitt looker, you’re a pitcher that stares at the mitt the entire time, you still lose sight of the baseball, flight of the ball at some point. But yeah, I love it.”
Clemens reached the World Series with Boston before a heartbreaking loss to the New York Mets. The 2026 Red Sox look to find their way to the Fall Classic for the first time in eight years. Clemens gets his first look at the squad when Boston visits his home state to take on the Houston Astros next week.
His keys to the season? Renewed chemistry in the clubhouse after dramatic stretches of 2025 in addition to the ability to lean on established pitching depth to counter the summer months.
“I think there’s a lot of team chemistry,” Clemens said. “That’s very important, which if you guys were around me last year when I came up here on radio and TV, the first baseman (Triston Casas) got hurt and I thought that would be a perfect scenario for the third baseman (Rafael Devers) at that time to move over to first. He’s a very good player, he’s in San Francisco now. So that didn’t work out. Your team chemistry has to be there.”
The 63-year-old entered the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2014. He’s yet to hear his name called in Cooperstown due to steroid scandals, though he knows his performance landed him among the best to ever throw a major league pitch.
“For me, which I’m hoping to do something really cool that you guys will see, my son’s gonna go with me,” Clemens shared, alluding to new projects surrounding his baseball career. “I’m not even gonna tell you what it is, but I gotta go to Ohio for something. This Thurman Munson Award, which I had the privilege to win that. But I’m gonna do something else that deals with Cy Young. And when you’re mentioned with guys like Cy Young or Babe Ruth or ahead of Willie Mays and guys like that, you’re in pretty good company. So that’s good enough for me.”
