Jul 24, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers first round draft pick Malcolm Moore throws out the first pitch before the game against the Chicago White Sox at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
A group of Texas Rangers prospects take on a group of Kansas City Royals prospects in this year’s Spring Breakout contest where the Rangers farmhands will be the home team at Surprise Stadium.
Here’s a look at which prospects Texas has available today, including their MLB Pipeline rankings:
PITCHERS (8) Ismael Agreda, RHP, No. 28 Wilian Bormie, RHP, NR Gavin Collyer, RHP, No. 30 Aidan Curry, RHP, NR Joey Danielson, RHP, NR Eric Loomis, RHP, NR Dalton Pence, LHP, No. 12 Josh Trentadue, LHP, No. 23
The Cyclones player landed landed awkwardly after going up for a layup attempt less than three minutes into the contest, appearing to twist his ankle as he landed. He had to be helped off the floor by support staff as he was unable to put any weight on his left foot. Jefferson went straight to the locker room after the incident.
Iowa State's Joshua Jefferson was helped off the floor after an apparent ankle injury pic.twitter.com/R4xaFzgsJU
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 20, 2026
Joshua Jefferson injury update
Jefferson has not return to the game against the Tigers, and it doesn't look like he will.
Around the 11-minute mark in the first half, the broadcast showed Jefferson on crutches going into a room in the arena.
It's unknown the severity of the injury but it can be a brutal one for an Iowa State team trying to reach its first Final Four since 1944. Jefferson is a dynamic player for the Cyclones, averaging 16.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. He has two triple doubles this season.
The Mets lost to the Cardinals, 4-3, on Friday as their spring training slate continued.
Here are the takeaways...
-Carson Benge drew a walk his first time up and poked a single to the left side in the sixth inning. He is hitting .412 with a .987 OPS in Grapefruit League play.
The Mets haven't yet announced the plan for Benge when camp breaks, but it will be shocking if he isn't the starting right fielder on Opening Day.
-Bo Bichette got the start at shortstop in order to stay sharp at the position in the event the Mets don't carry a backup at the position. At the plate, Bichette went 0-for-2.
- Tobias Myers was solid, allowing one run (on an opposite-field home run) while walking one and striking out two in 2.0 innings. He is expected to open the season in the bullpen.
- Luke Weaver worked around a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning.
- Brooks Raley danced around two hits to escape his inning unscathed.
- Bryan Hudson, perhaps the favorite for the final spot in the bullpen, struggled. He allowed three runs on one hit while walking two in 1.0 inning. His ERA this spring is 16.20
- Mark Vientos' cold spring at the plate continued, as he went 0-for-3 with a strikeout.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are in our nation's capital this weekend for a game against the Washington Wizards, but the Thunder players will not be visiting the White House to celebrate their title last June, reports Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic.
"We have been in touch with the White House and we are appreciative and grateful for the communication we have had, but the timing just didn't work out," the Thunder said in a statement shared with The Athletic.
President Donald Trump is in Washington for part of Friday, but according to his official schedule, he is flying to Mar-a-Lago in Florida later in the day and will not be around for the weekend.
There was a long tradition of the champions of the United States' major professional sports teams visiting the White House to celebrate their accomplishment, regardless of which party was in power at the time. However, in our deeply divided nation right now, that tradition has gone out the window (like many others). For example, after the recent Milan Cortina Olympics, the USA Gold Medal winning men's hockey team did visit President Trump to celebrate their dramatic win, but the USA Gold Medal winning women declined that request.
With the NBA, during President Trump's first term, the 2017 Golden State Warriors refused an invitation to visit (or, as the White House would have it, had their invitation revoked). Other teams in other sports have followed suit. The Boston Celtics visited President Biden after their 2024 win, but the Thunder will not be going this year.
CAGLIARI, Italy (AP) — Napoli won at Cagliari 1-0 and moved into second place in Serie A on Friday.
A Scott McTominay goal after just 90 seconds proved to be decisive in a game the visitor dominated.
The Scotland international tapped in a loose ball after a cross from the right fell at his feet, and the lead was never challenged by a side that did not have a shot on target in the entire match.
It was the fourth win in a row for Antonio Conte’s men.
The win lifted Napoli two points above third-placed AC Milan, which plays Torino on Saturday. League leader Inter Milan is at Fiorentina on Sunday.
Cagliari’s winless league run was extended to seven games dating to the end of January. It remained in 15th place, but with only eight rounds remaining it could easily be dragged into the relegation battle. It was six points above the drop zone with the five teams below it all having a game in hand.
In another piece of good news for Conte, Belgium international Kevin De Bruyne played 90 minutes for the first time since injuring a hamstring last October.
MESA, AZ - NOVEMBER 09: Blake Mitchell #8 of the Kansas City Royals hits a double in the second inning during the 2025 Arizona Fall League Fall Stars game between the American League Fall Stars and the National League Fall Stars at Sloan Park on Sunday, November 9, 2025 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
At 3 PM Kansas City time, the Royals and Rangers prospects will kick off a Spring Breakout game, meant to highlight what the two farm systems have to offer. The rosters have been set, but here is the starting lineup for that game:
For many Royals fans, this will be the first opportunity to see last year’s first-round draft picks Sean Gamble and Josh Hammond in action, playing the positions they’re projected to play when they reach the bigs. Lefty pitcher Justin Lamkin was a Competitive Balance Round B pick, so he was taken early in that draft as well. Everyone in that lineup is a top-30 prospect for the Royals, with the lone exception of Carson Roccaforte, who has nonetheless excelled in the minors. It’s available to watch for free at Royals TV and it should be a lot of fun.
In the evening, a lot of Kansas City’s regulars will be in lineup for the penultimate Cactus League game against the Giants:
The only guy missing from a lineup that seems like it could be very similar to the one we will spend most of the year watching is Carter Jensen, who caught last night, and so gets tonight off. Luca Tresh, the Royals’ Spring Training home run leader, will start at catcher and bat ninth. Unfortunately, though not unexpectedly, this game won’t be televised and it won’t be on the radio either, but you can listen to it online at royals.com or with your MLB app.
It’s good to see Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, and Maikel Garcia back in the lineup after their adventures in the WBC. Here’s hoping they play some more palatable spring ball than we were able to get without them.
The Chicago Blackhawks have made a roster move, as they have called up forward Dominic Toninato from their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs.
Toninato has played in five games this season with the Blackhawks, where he has recorded one assist, four penalty minutes, 10 hits, and a plus-1 rating. His most recent appearance with the Blackhawks was on Dec. 27 against the Dallas Stars.
Toninato has spent the majority of this season in the AHL with the IceHogs. The 32-year-old forward has been a nice part of the AHL club's roster, as he has recorded 16 goals, 27 assists, 43 points, and 57 penalty minutes in 52 games.
Toninato was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs with the 126th overall pick of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. In 194 career NHL games over nine seasons split between the Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, Winnipeg Jets, and Blackhawks, he has recorded 13 goals, 23 assists, 36 points, 226 hits, and a plus-13 rating.
The Toronto Raptors have put together a much-needed three-game winning streak, thanks in part to a red-hot Brandon Ingram.
But the Raps will need him to stay hot if they want to keep up with Nikola Jokic and the high-powered Denver Nuggets offense.
My Raptors vs. Nuggets predictions expect a tight battle, meaning this spread is just a little too big.
That and more NBA picks for this matchup set to tip off at 9:00 pm ET at Ball Arena in Denver, on Friday, March 20.
Raptors vs Nuggets prediction
Raptors vs Nuggets best bet: Raptors +7 (-110)
Brandon Ingram has been a big part of the Toronto Raptors' win streak, putting up 36, 34, and 18 points while shooting nearly 60% from the floor.
He and the Raptors should keep putting in work against a Denver Nuggets defense that ranks 21st in defensive rating.
Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets are tough to stop, but Toronto’s eighth-ranked defense should be able to keep this game competitive.
The Raptors will likely do what they always do: give fans hope they can win before giving it away late. Even so, that’s likely enough to cover a 7-point spread.
Raptors vs Nuggets same-game parlay
Ingram has topped this number in three of his last four games, and the only reason he didn’t in the Raptors’ last game was that they were beating the Chicago Bulls so badly he didn’t need to play much late.
The other way the Raptors stay competitive in this game is by moving the ball. Toronto has one of the highest assist rates in the NBA, while Denver ranks 21st in opponent assists per possession.
I’m taking Scottie Barnes Over 4.5 assists. He averages 5.1 per game, and dished out 10 times the last time the Raptors played the Nuggets.
Raptors vs Nuggets SGP
Raptors +7
Brandon Ingram Over 21.5 points
Scottie Barnes Over 4.5 assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: Dino Dimes
Passing the ball will be the key to the Raptors keeping this game close, so let's jump on them to dish out the dimes.
Raptors vs Nuggets SGP
Scottie Barnes Over 4.5 assists
Brandon Ingram Over 3.5 assists
Immanuel Quickley Over 6.5 assists
Jamal Shead Over 4.5 assists
Raptors vs Nuggets odds
Spread: Raptors +7 | Nuggets -7
Moneyline: Raptors +220 | Nuggets -270
Over/Under: Over 238.5 | Under 238.5
Raptors vs Nuggets betting trend to know
The Nuggets have only covered the 2H spread in nine of their last 30 home games (-15.07 Units / -43% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Nuggets.
How to watch Raptors vs Nuggets
Location
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Date
Friday, March 20, 2026
Tip-off
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
SN, ALT2
Raptors vs Nuggets latest injuries
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JUPITER, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 25: Hunter Brown #58 of the Houston Astros throws a pitch during a spring training game against the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium on February 25, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Houston Astros (10-12-3) host the Miami Marlins (8-12-3) in Grapefruit League play.
RHP Hunter Brown (0-0) will make his fourth start in an official Spring game tonight as he takes on Marlins RHP Eury Perez (0-1).
BROTHER BROWN: In his three previous official Spring starts, RHP Hunter Brown has allowed one run and just two hits in 8.2 innings of work for a 1.04 ERA. Earlier in Spring Training, Astros Manager Joe Espada announced that Brown will be the Astros Opening Day starter on March 26 vs. LAA.
Brown was a 2025 All-Star and finished third in the AL in Cy Young voting after turning in the best season of his career with a 12-9 record and a 2.43 ERA (50ER/185.1IP). Among AL starters, he ranked first in opponent SLG (.318) and second in ERA (2.43). He was named the AL Pitcher of the Month for June after going 1-0 with a 1.19 ERA (4ER/30.1IP) in five starts.
TONIGHT’S POTENTIAL RELIEVERS: LHP Bryan King, RHP Bryan Abreu, RHP Christian Roa, RHP Enyel De Los Santos, RHP Logan VanWey, RHP Amicar Chirinos, RHP Alex Santos.
VS. THE FISH: Tonight is the sixth and final matchup between the Astros and Marlins this Spring. HOU is 4-1 thus far vs. MIA.
The Astros prospects also defeated MIA in yesterday’s Breakout Game, 7-6.
In the regular season, MIA will vist the Astros for a three-game series at Daikin Park, July 20-22.
PITCHING IN: The Astros have posted a 3.33 Team ERA (80ER/216.1IP) this Spring, which ranks second in the Majors.
TRIUMPHANT RETURN: Astros bench coach Omar Lopez rejoined the club yesterday afternoon, fresh off of managing Team Venezuela to its first WBC championship.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Friday, March 20, 5:05 p.m. CST
Location: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, FL
After Allen Graves hit a go-ahead 3-pointer for Santa Clara with 2.4 seconds left, Broncos coach Herb Sendek tried to call a timeout, likely wanting to set up his defense for Kentucky's last shot. While the CBS broadcast caught it, the referees didn't appear to see it and didn't award the timeout.
Kentucky's Otega Oweh instead hit a stunning 3-point buzzer beater from the March Madness logo to force overtime. While there's no telling if that happens or not if Santa Clara got its timeout, the Broncos could have had a chance to defend the final play more efficiently.
"Well, I unequivocally called timeout. But they didn't grant it," Sendek said. "I think the video evidence is clear, and anybody is able to pull it up. So, you know, is a likely response after Allen hits the three that the coach would be calling timeout to set the defense, which I tried to do, and I was successful in doing, other than it wasn't acknowledged or recognized. So that's what happened."
CBS studio analyst Bruce Pearl said Sendek could have gone slightly on the court to alert the officials, but one of them should've noticed the call.
With the Wildcats up by two points in the final minute of overtime, they were able to block a potential game-tying shot from Santa Clara's Sash Gavalyugov, leading to a loose ball. Oweh grabbed it and threw it ahead to Brandon Garrison for the dunk to make it a two-possession game and get the distance it needed for the win.
A replay of the play appeared to show Oweh took more than two steps without dribbling the ball, which should result in a travel. On the CBS broadcast, play-by-play man Spero Dedes said rules analyst Gene Steratore told them Oweh should have been called for traveling.
The controversial no call did have an effect, with the Wildcats winning 89-84.
Otega Oweh travel reactions
People on social media believed officials cost Santa Clara a huge March Madness upset. Here's a sampling of some reactions:
That’s wild, Santa Clara calls timeout but the ref ignores it.
A recent stretch of inconsistent play has exposed vulnerabilities, and with a demanding road trip against strong Pacific Division opponents on the horizon, every game will test their ability to regain form and reassert themselves as legitimate contenders.
The Golden Knights are mired in a 3-7-0 stretch over their last 10 games, searching for consistency at a pivotal point in the season. Recent performances have highlighted several recurring issues, including defensive lapses, inconsistent puck management, and an inability to sustain momentum within games. These problems have contributed to a stretch of play that falls short of the standard expected from a contending team.
The upcoming matchup against the Nashville Predators presents an immediate test. Despite roster changes, the Predators remain a competitive group, driven by structured forechecking and opportunistic scoring. Their ability to generate offense from multiple areas of the lineup makes them particularly dangerous, especially against teams that struggle with defensive coverage and discipline.
For Vegas, addressing these shortcomings must begin with improved defensive structure. Limiting high-danger opportunities, maintaining positioning in the defensive zone, and reducing unnecessary penalties will be essential. In prior meetings, lapses in these areas have allowed Nashville to capitalize quickly and shift momentum.
Although the Predators have lost three of their last four games to the Golden Knights, mistakes can accumulate quickly, and in the NHL, any team can beat anyone on any given night.
Equally important is a more consistent offensive approach. The Golden Knights have shown they are most effective when scoring contributions extend beyond the top line. Secondary scoring—from depth forwards and the blue line—can alleviate pressure on primary playmakers and create a more balanced attack. Generating sustained zone time and establishing a stronger net-front presence will also be key in breaking through opposing defenses.
Goaltending Stability and Organizational Considerations
Goaltending stability will play a significant role as well. Timely saves, particularly during momentum swings, can help the team reset and avoid extended periods of defensive-zone pressure. Adin Hill is a Stanley Cup champion, but he is no longer conditioned to handle six consecutive starts.
General manager Kelly McCrimmon should consider drafting a goaltender in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft or exploring upgrades through free agency. With cap space adjustments, bolstering the position should be a priority. Carter Hart has proven inconsistent and has struggled with injuries, making him an unreliable long-term solution in net.
Carter Hart has spent a lot of time on the ice this year -- in pain.
The Golden Knights (31-24-14) have a clear opportunity to kickstart their winning ways Saturday at 11 a.m. local time when they face the Predators (31-28-9) at Bridgestone Arena. Execution, balance, and stability—both in net and across the lineup—will determine whether Vegas can turn this stretch around.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 19: Julian Champagnie #30 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns on March 19, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Julian Champagnie is having a career year and has been one of the steady role players who have helped the San Antonio Spurs have their best season since 2016-17. He’s come a long way since going undrafted in 2022 and being waived as a rookie, serving as another example of a player development system that works.
He’s in his fourth season, averaging the fifth-most minutes per game on the team (27.8), and his style as a knockdown shooter fits anywhere. Still, he’s more than that as 31.7 percent of his shots are two-pointers, he rebounds well and he is not a liability on defense. Don’t forget that he’s been a key piece of the team’s most-used lineup this season: the one including De’Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell, Stephon Castle, Victor Wembanyama and Champagnie, is the 16th most-used lineup in the league.
It says a lot about his basketball character that he’s a necessity on a contender. Being a seamless fit with the starters has made it possible for the team to preserve the talents of veteran Harrison Barnes. This all begs the question, where would Champagnie go in a re-draft?
He was once asked to assess his game before becoming a pro and he said, “I kind of fill roles on the court.” He elaborated a bit, saying he was more of a shooter than his brother Justin, who prefers to play the power game.
His production mirrors that of a mid-to-late first-round pick, which aligns with where I predict he would go if it was redone today, which is 17th. He is third in made 3-pointers, fifth in effective field goal percentage (55.9), 12th in points and 16th in rebounds in his draft class. All of this makes him more reliable and impactful than 70 percent of the picks, aside from him being an excellent mover without the ball.
When examining further, Andrew Nembhard and Ryan Rollins were the only second-rounders chosen that can be definitively taken over Champagnie since they are better scorers. Still, for the purpose of this exercise, they were re-slotted into the top seven and 14, leaving no one in round two more productive than Champagnie. To boot, anyone who has earned a starting rotation spot brings value that it way above a second-rounder.
Moreover, he’s one of the most lethal shooters in the NBA when given space, making 47.6 percent of wide-open 3-point shots, which NBA describes as having six feet or more of space. Of course, he’s in the perfect situation being next to two great penetrators and a control tower who does it all, and lots of his shots come from a pass to the corner/wing or one outside following an offensive rebound. He also does a good job of getting open in transition, helping the team with unscripted plays that do lots of damage. In many ways, Champagnie is a security blanket.
His marksmanship set a franchise record, making 11 3-pointers on Dec. 31 against the New York Knicks. Stephen Curry and Trey Murphy III are the only players to have made more in a game this season (12).
He is averaging more minutes than 18 2022 first-rounders and is sixth in total minutes. Even being older by modern standards, debuting his career at age 21, shouldn’t have made him fall so much on draft night. Quality players slipping through the cracks happens more often than it should.
The next step for him is to improve his passing out of a two-man action. He’s not catching opponents by surprise anymore, so adding the slip-back pass to prevent a trap on a dribble handoff would be useful.
Finding players like him, and signing them for the low, can make a significant difference for a team’s flexibility. Just for perspective, the Miami Heat drafted Nikola Jović 27th in 2022 and paid him based on potential with a four-year extension worth $62.4 million. He was one of the 12 players from the 2022 draft who got a new deal before the season and, sadly for them, he’s barely an NBA player with availability issues, making his contract unmovable for now.
The Spurs are in the opposite situation with Champagine. I’m not saying the Spurs were scheming for a trade at the deadline, but if they wanted to make a splash, opposing squads would have presumably demanded that he be included in the deal because his production so much outweighs his $3 million salary.
Another one of the valuable things he does well is screen for his teammates. Granted, some of those are ghost screens, but he is third behind Luke Kornet and Wembanyama in screen assists and screen assist points on the team. This hustle extends to the other side since he is second in the league among forwards in defensive loose balls recovered. His 6’ 10 wingspan helps him track those down as well as when closing out to shooters.
Kentucky basketball looked to be on its way to a first-round upset in the Men's NCAA Tournament when 10-seed Santa Clara was up by three with 2.4 seconds remaining in the second half.
Otega Oweh wasn't ready to head home, however, as he hit a game-tying 3-pointer from the logo to tie the game at 73-73 to send it to overtime. He then delivered a dagger in overtime with a pair of free throws to send the 7-seeded Wildcats into the second round of March Madness.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 19: Sons of Dell Curry, Stephen and Seth Curry watch the jersey retirement celebration with family during halftime of a basketball game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Orlando Magic at Spectrum Center on March 19, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors were well represented in Charlotte on Thursday night — not for a game, but for a moment in history.
NBA legend Dell Curry had his No. 30 jersey officially retired by the Charlotte Hornets, cementing his place within the franchise after spending 10 seasons playing for the team from 1988 to 1998.
"I cannot explain how grateful, blessed, and fortunate I am to be here in this moment."
Dell’s sons, Stephen Curry and Seth Curry, were both in attendance, turning the ceremony into a full-circle moment for one of basketball’s most iconic families. Seth Curry — a former Hornet himself — spoke during the ceremony, reflecting on the meaning of the No. 30 jersey and what it represents as the last player to wear that number for the organization.
A special father-son connection between Seth and Dell Curry that will live on in Charlotte Hornets history forever 🤝 pic.twitter.com/1IqY9sqJcP
The No. 30, of course, later became synonymous with greatness worldwide through Steph Curry’s rise with Golden State. But as Steph shared after the celebration, that legacy started long before the Bay — beginning in Charlotte with his father.
"Basketball has been in our family, its the family legacy."
Steph on what Dell's jersey retirement last night means to his family and the impact his dad has had on him as a player! pic.twitter.com/p8Yv2roZQV
Dell shared that Steph already had asked him if he’d make an exception to wear No. 30 should the Warriors star leave Golden State for Charlotte, to which Steph further detailed the reasoning behind the conversation.
“You always keep your options open,” Curry said on WSOC-TV. “I know what that means when you get your jersey retired, it’s immortalized. Nobody should be able to touch it, but yeah. I’m sure he’d be able to make a special exception if that was the case.”
Curry couldn’t help but grin and even chuckle while responding.
As Kerr looks back with the benefit of even more perspective, he does so with empathy for the situation. The Warriors drafted the then-18-year-old Kuminga with the seventh pick in the 2021 Draft.
“I think this is part of the modern NBA,” Kerr said. “You’re getting guys who are so inexperienced. I will tell you, the optimal circumstance for JK when he entered the NBA would have been to go to a bad team. Instead, he came to a championship team. But the way to develop in this league is to play 30, 35 minutes every night, make your mistakes, learn from your mistakes, grow, be able to do it out of the spotlight. And he wasn’t able to do any of those things (here), and I recognize that. That’s why I’m really hoping that the change in scenery will be what he needed.”
Milwaukee Bucks co-owners Wes Edens and Jimmy Haslam told ESPN in a joint 90-minute interview that they will decide the path to take with their two-time MVP together, and the most important factor will be whether Antetokounmpo signs the four-year, $275 million extension he is eligible to receive on Oct. 1.
“Giannis is going into the last year [of his contract],” said Edens, the team’s controlling owner until April 2028. “So one of two things will happen: Either he will be extended or he’ll be traded.”
“The likelihood you’ll let him just kind of play out the last year, we can’t afford that. It’s not consistent with what’s good for the organization. That’s not a Giannis issue. That’s any player that’s in their last year.”
It's the first 60-PT game for a Lakers player since Kobe Bryant scored 60 PTS in his final NBA game on April 13, 2016 vs the Jazz. pic.twitter.com/6lf8h82phH
While the team maintained hope that Moody’s on-court workouts and new left-handed shooting stroke could get him back on the court for their six-game road trip, it turns out that playing NBA basketball with one hand is quite difficult, especially when it’s not Moody’s dominant hand.
A post to end the week:
"So we should just quit? What is the point of what we're doing? It's competition…Every opportunity you have to make the playoffs, you want it because you always have a chance." 🔥
MIAMI, FL - MARCH 17: Brad Keller #40 of the United States takes the field during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Championship game presented by Capital One between Team Venezuela and Team USA at loanDepot Park on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Kelly Gavin/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via 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.
Had I told you that the Phillies have a right hander that is pretty important to the whole bullpen operation, the first one you’d think of is Jhoan Duran and you’d be right. He is the one that makes everyone else’s job a little easier, gives each pitcher something of a more defined role that many relievers crave.
Yet the other right hander that is going to play a rather large role in determining how well this bullpen functions is Brad Keller.
Signed this offseason to a sizeable contract after only relieving consistently for a single season, Keller parlayed a huge 2025 season into a two-year security blanket for the Phillies. Basing it off of last year, it was a well deserved contract at a not crazy number. His 2.10 ERA was 15th best among 147 qualified relievers last year. After the All-Star break, Keller allowed one earned run. One! There is a good argument to be made that after that All-Star Game, he was the best relief pitcher in the game.
Yet it was just one season in which he was dominant. The World Baseball Classic appearances he had didn’t exactly inspire confidence that the signing was a wise one. Making snap judgements on these handful of games is foolhardy, of course, so the work he has done in the past will have to be our guide.
Can he continue to show the form he had in the second half of 2025?
His arrival and expected performance means everyone in the bullpen outside of Duran will have a different role. No longer will it be Jose Alvarado needed for the 8th inning. He can instead be deployed in high leverage situations that come up earlier in the game if need be. The team won’t be as dependent on Orion Kerkering to get back to the confident self after his disastrous end of season outing in Los Angeles. Everyone has a better, more suited role in the bullpen now that they theoretically have a dominant arm to pair with Duran at the end of games.
It’s all part of the front office’s plan to have a better bullpen as a whole unit. Last year’s version really never took off until Jhoan Duran came to settle things down. Of course, they had to trade yet even more prospects for him, so acquiring more relief arms this offseason both of the free agent and trade variety has allowed them to stockpile some depth that they previously may not have had. Having to rely on Jose Ruiz last year for actual important innings at any point was simply asking for disaster and they very nearly found it had they not had an excellent starting pitching staff to take the bulk of innings. This year, that rotation depth is a little thinner, the questions about them a little louder, thus making bullpen strengthening a priority. Keller (plus full seasons from Duran and Alvarado) gives them that strength. On paper, this is a good group to have.
They just have to prove it on the field, led by Keller and the questions about his ability to repeat 2025.
