WEST PALM BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Tatsuya Imai #45 of the Houston Astros pitches during the game between the New York Mets and the Houston Astros at CACTI Park on Thursday, February 26, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jonathan Pensiero/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Houston Astros (6-8-3) travel to Jupiter, FL to take on the Miami Marlins (6-9-1).
RHP Tatsuya Imai will be on the mound for the Astros, opposite RHP Max Meyer for the Marlins.
TODAY’S STARTER: RHP Tatsuya Imai is set to make his third start of the Grapefruit League. In his last start on March 5 at MIA, he allowed one hit and one walk with three strikeouts in two scoreless innings.
In January, the Astros signed free agent Imai to a three-year deal. In 2025, he was an All-Star for the Seibu Lions in the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization (NPB), where he went 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA (35ER/163.2IP) in 24 games. Among qualified pitchers, Imai posted the lowest WHIP (0.89) in the Pacific League, while ranking second with 178 strikeouts in his 163.2 innings pitched.
Imai has been an NPB All-Star three times in his career (2021, 2024, 2025) that has spanned parts of eight seasons (2018-25). He went 58-45 overall with a 3.15 ERA in 159 games in the NPB.
TODAY’S POTENTIAL RELIEVERS: RHP Spencer Arrighetti, RHP Anthony Maldonado, LHP Steven Okert and RHP Christian Roa.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Wednesday, March 11, 12:10 p.m. CST
Location: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, Jupiter, FL.
ATLANTA, GA - JULY 19: Fans watch the game between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Yankees from the The Battery at Truist Park on July 19, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
First pitch against the Atlanta Braves is at 1:05 at CoolToday Park and the Braves will be providing TV and radio coverage.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are back in action today with a game where they will take on the Baltimore Orioles in Spring Training.
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The Denver Nuggets host the Houston Rockets tonight as Western Conference powerhouses do battle for the fourth and final time this season.
Kevin Durant has been electric on the road this season, and my Rockets vs Nuggets predictions expect him to shine offensively at Ball Arena.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this heavyweight bout on Wednesday, March 11.
Rockets vs Nuggets prediction
Rockets vs Nuggets best bet: Kevin Durant Over 24.5 points (-112)
Kevin Durant is scoring just 24.1 points per game at home, but he’s been excellent on the road, dropping 27.9 ppg outside of Houston. He’s been particularly effective across his last six road games, averaging 31.7 points and scoring 25+ five times.
Durant has scored at least 25 points in 21 of 31 road games, and he reached that mark in each of his two games at Ball Arena this season. In a matchup that should feature plenty of scoring, I expect KD to be effective on offense and keep his team competitive on the road.
Rockets vs Nuggets same-game parlay
The Denver Nuggets are just 4-6 ATS across their last 10 games overall. Denver is 14-16 ATS at home and 10-12 as the home favorite. The Houston Rockets have covered the spread in six of seven games as the road underdog. Houston is 1-2 straight up against Denver this season, but both losses were by 3 points.
The Nuggets have hit the Over more than any other team in the Association, doing so in 41 of 65 games. Denver is 16-14 to the over at home, and Houston is 18-16 to the Over on the road. Both teams are close to full strength, and offense won't be in short supply.
Rockets vs Nuggets SGP
Durant Over 24.5 points
Rockets +6
Over 230.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Jokic does it all
Nikola Jokic leads the Association with 24 triple-doubles in 49 games, reaching that statistical milestone in 13 of 23 matchups at home. He's posted a triple-double in eight of his last 14 games, including two of his last three.
Rockets vs Nuggets SGP
Durant Over 24.5 points
Rockets +6
Over 231.5
Jokic triple-double
Rockets vs Nuggets odds
Spread: Rockets +6 | Nuggets -6
Moneyline: Rockets +195 | Nuggets -240
Over/Under: Over 231.5 | Under 231.5
Rockets vs Nuggets betting trend to know
The Denver Nuggets have hit the Game Total Over in 33 of their last 50 games (+14.30 Units / 26% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. Nuggets.
How to watch Rockets vs Nuggets
Location
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Date
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Rockets vs Nuggets latest injuries
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When Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes spoke to the media after the trade deadline had passed, he let it be known that he had been working hard on one particular deal that would have been significant for the Habs, but that he couldn’t close it. He then added that it could be revisited in the summer, meaning the target was still with its team. Given the rumours we had heard around the league about Robert Thomas’ availability, most thought that was who the GM was talking about.
Since then, another name has been making the rounds. Nick Kypreos believes the target was none other than Toronto Maple Leafs’ youngster Matthew Knies. Speaking on the podcast The Fan Hockey Show, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman said that was his theory too, but that he chased down that lead and it was denied. Before adding, there was definitely smoke there. As the saying goes, there’s no smoke without fire, and one has to admit that the 23-year-old, 6-foot-3, 232-pound would fill a need for the Canadiens, much more than Robert Thomas, who’s quite similar to Nick Suzuki.
The last few weeks have shown just how much the Habs need another top-six player, and the fact that Juraj Slafkovsky was returned to the first line after multiple players tried to fill the void on Suzuki and Cole Caufield’s side shows Montreal could use another power forward type of player. This season, Knies has 51 points in 62 games playing on the Leafs’ first line.
Why would the Leafs entertain trading such a promising player? Well, it’s obvious that the Toronto brass cannot be pleased with how their season has been going. They failed to acquire a suitable replacement for Mitch Marner, and as a result, they are headed for an early summer. If they are to turn it around for next season, changes will have to be made, and they’re not exactly strong on the blueline. A prized asset like Knies, who’s already proven that he can perform in the NHL, can land you several pieces and help to jump-start a quick “reset”. Of course, the price to pay wouldn’t be low. Toronto wouldn’t want to create another issue in its lineup by trading him, meaning they would need a replacement for him on top of a defenseman.
David Alter, who covers the Leafs for The Hockey News, doesn’t believe a deal with the Habs could have been made unless Noah Dobson was part of the package coming back. Needless to say, Dobson isn’t going anywhere, but you have to think that it would have taken a significant offer to get Knies.
If Knies were indeed the target, it would be interesting to see if anything comes of it this summer. With the season the Leafs have had, changes could be made behind the bench and in the front office. Craig Berube looks like he has lost the room, and he may well be dismissed. Would that buy Brad Treliving more time? Maybe. Time will tell. One thing’s for sure, though, if the Canadiens were to acquire Knies, the package could include quite a few assets: a first-round pick (the Leafs do not have one this year), a right-shot defenseman, perhaps David Reinbacher, and a forward, perhaps like prospect Alexander Zharovsky. I don’t see the Canadiens including Michael Hage in a trade for a winger, given how hard it is to acquire good NHL centers. Mind you, if a deal like that had gone down, the Canadiens would more than likely have needed to make another deal to get some help on their blueline, and it is believed that Hughes had another trade lined up for a right-shot defenseman.
Would it be surprising to see a deal go down between the two divisional rivals? Yes, it would be, but at the end of the day, they now face each other only four times per season, so starting next year, that’s four games out of 84 or 4.7% of the games. Of course, you don’t want to see a player you had burn you down the line, but that’s a risk that exists wherever you trade them.
Time will tell if Kypreos and Friedman’s theory pans out, or we may never know if Treliving is dismissed or if the target was someone else entirely.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 13: Phil Maton #88 of the Texas Rangers reacts after allowing a solo home run to James McCann of the Arizona Diamondbacks during the ninth inning at Globe Life Field on August 13, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the 2025 Texas Rangers season having come to an end, we shall be, over the course of the offseason, taking a look at every player who appeared in a major league game for the Texas Rangers in 2025.
Today we are looking at reliever Phil Maton.
The life of a useful but not great major league reliever is a life where you don’t put down roots. You’re a vagabond, going from city to city, rarely staying in any one place for very long.
Take Phil Maton, for example. He first appeared in the majors in 2017. He’s made at least 30 major league appearances every year since his debut, other than in 2020, when he appeared in just 23 games, for obvious reasons. He has appeared in at least 63 games in each of the past five seasons.
Per B-R, Maton has accumulated eight years and 47 days of major league service time. In accumulating those 8-plus years of service time, he has played for seven teams. Barring something unforeseen, he will chalk up a major league appearance for his eighth team — the Chicago Cubs, who signed him to a two year plus option deal this offseason — in roughly two-plus weeks.
He was traded by the San Diego Padres, where he started his career, and for whom he pitched for two-plus seasons, to Cleveland in 2019 for international bonus slot money. He was traded two years later in a deadline deal to the Astros, along with Yainer Diaz, for Myles Straw.
That had to have hurt, having a team not just trade you for Myles Straw, but have to include another player in the deal because you aren’t, on your own, good enough to be traded straight up for Myles Straw.
Maton was purchased in July, 2024, from the Rays by the Mets, which is probably worse than being traded for international slot money or as part of the acquisition price for Myles Straw, since it was an instance of a team just wanting another club to take him off their hands.
And of course, Maton was traded again at the deadline in 2025, to Texas. Texas gave up Skylar Hales, Mason Molina and international bonus slot money for him, and I’m wondering if he’s the first player to be traded twice in deals for international bonus slot money.
Maton had pitched well for the Cardinals, and the package the Rangers gave up was fairly light. Neither Hales nor Molina are currently listed among the Cardinals’ top 30 prospects per BA. Hales is a reliever who got hammered while pitching for Frisco and Round Rock before being traded, and then got hammered while pitching for Memphis post-trade. Molina is a pitchability lefty starter in A ball who the Rangers got for Grant Anderson the previous winter. Neither is likely to do anything of note in the majors.
In his first five games for the Rangers post-trade, Maton allowed one run in five innings over five outings. In his final 16 outings, he allowed three runs over 15.2 innings over 16 appearances. That’s very good!
The two appearances Maton made between those stretches, however, are probably what Rangers fans will end up remembering him for, as they involved him taking the “L” in two of the most gut-wrenching, stomach-punching, devastating losses the Rangers experienced all year.
You remember that game. Phil Maton had an immaculate inning with an asterisk, striking out the final batter of the eighth inning on three pitches, and then striking out the first two batters he faced in the ninth on six pitches. With the Rangers up 4-2, the Shed rocking, Rangers fans thought that Pat Green’s voice was imminent.
Instead, James McCann, of all people homered. And then Blaze Alexander was hit by a pitch, and Geraldo Perdomo walked on four pitches, and then Ketel Marte, for the second day in a row, hit a ninth inning game winning homer.
I am feeling nauseous even now, thinking about that, remembering it.
Two days later, in Toronto, with Texas up 5-2 in the eighth, Danny Coulombe gave up three singles without retiring anyone, resulting in Maton being summoned to put out the fire. Like Billy Joel, Maton didn’t start the fire. Unfortunately, he didn’t put it out, either. A walk and a K was followed by a bases loaded walk, and then Alejandro Kirk singled in a pair of runs. Jeff Hoffman struck out the side in the top of the ninth on 11 pitches, and that was that.
Phil Maton, overall, pitched pretty well for the Rangers in 2025. Texas got a 3.52 ERA and 2.70 FIP out of him in 23 appearances. For what they gave up, you’ll take that all day, every day.
Unfortunately, his time with the Rangers was ultimately defined by the two awful losses in the midst of an awful stretch in August.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 08: J.J. D.'orazio #28 of Team Italy celebrates his solo home run with teammate Vinnie Pasquantino #9 in the third inning against Team Great Britain during a 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool B game at Daikin Park on March 08, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 2026 World Baseball Classic has been great viewing for my baseball-deprived soul. I really struggle to pay attention to or care about Spring Training games, unless there is a pitcher’s velocity drop to freak out about. Mix that same baseball with a dose of patriotism and nationalism, however, and I’m all the way back in.
The teams and players don’t look like they are in midseason form yet, but the creativity around home run celebrations is in peak form. I love the Great Britain celebration, honoring the Buckingham Palace Guard:
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 8, 2026
Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino shoulders a large responsibility in this celebration; he uses the Nespresso machine to make the espresso shot and gives Milwaukee Brewers prospect Andrew Fischer an il bacetto. Royals fans saw the il bacettolast season between Pasquantino and Jac Caglianone, who are both playing for Team Italy.
Both of these home run celebrations made me wish that the Royals had a more thematic home run celebration. The Gladiator Mask has been around since 2023, and it’s fine. I look at the Seattle Mariners and their home run trident, however, and think that there is room for improvement.
What I like about the Buckingham Palace, espresso, and trident celebrations is that they are thematically linked to their respective teams and the places those teams represent. I think there’s enough material around the Royals and Kansas City that we can find something that feels more appropriate to this specific team. In no particular order, these are the best home run celebrations I could come up with:
If you want to use headgear, the Royals should at least use a crown instead of a gladiator mask. I think a giant crown would work best; the more obnoxious the crown, the better.
Upon returning to the dugout after a mighty blast, the hitter needs to eat a barbecue rib. Joe’s KC is already at Kauffman Stadium, so I assume a partnership can be worked out. The rib needs to be dripping in sauce, to the point that some of the players have barbecue sauce stains on their jersey for the rest of the game.
In honor of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, hitters come back to the dugout, grab a badminton racket, and smash a shuttlecock. Like the crown celebration, the larger the shuttlecock, the better.
All the people in the dugout line up on opposite sides of the dugout; some against the railing and some against the bench. The returning home-run hitter then drag races down the middle of the dugout like it’s Southwest Boulevard. The prop could be a remote control car or a child’s push-around car that they direct down the middle.
The team can channel their inner Charlie Parker and blast some notes from a saxophone after they blast a dong. Bonus points if any of the hitters can actually play a tune.
I was trying to incorporate fountains into one of the celebrations, but I think the Salvy Splash has the team covered there. These are the best five ideas that I could come up with, but I trust in the wisdom of the crowds here and assume the commenters will come up with something better. What do you think would be a great Royals home run celebration? Let us know in the comments!
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 12: Matt Thaiss #25 of the Boston Red Sox takes batting practice during a spring training workout at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 12, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
What’s been the story of Spring Training so far? If we’re talking big picture stuff, then it’s probably either the battle for the fifth spot in the rotation or the questions about Marcelo Mayer’s role on the team. But if we’re talking strictly about on-field matters, then I think the answer is Braiden Ward, who has stolen 16 bases in 15 Grapefruit League games. Not only do those 16 steals lead all of baseball this spring, but they are 10 more than the players in second. But while Ward’s been fun to watch, his profile just doesn’t really fit the team’s needs right now, which is why he’s looking like someone who could be a big fan-favorite in Worcester this year. (Christopher Smith, MassLive)
There may be an emerging storyline that many didn’t see coming: a battle for the backup catcher spot. Alex Cora has had some nice things to say about Matt Thaiss, and it’s recently been reported that Thaiss has an upward mobility clause in his contract that kicks in before Opening Day. That means that, if the Red Sox do not put him on the MLB roster and another team does want him for their big league team, he’ll be free to leave. Meanwhile, Connor Wong has an option remaining and can be sent to Worcester. (Darragh McDonald, MLB Trade Rumors)
The battle for the backup catcher spot will obviously have a significant impact on the pitching staff. For now, though, the Sox’ pitchers are mostly focused on their own development. Case in point: Sonny Gray, who is focused on repeating his delivery and getting the right spin on the ball. (Jen McCaffrey, The Athletic)
Greg Weissert’s probably already pretty happy with how his stuff is looking. He struck out Aaron Judge last night to conclude one of the most significant upsets in World Baseball Classic history:
As for that fifth spot in the rotation, it looks like we can remove Patrick Sandoval’s name from contention for now. The Red Sox are slowing him down for a “deload week.” He now may not even make a start this spring, and he doesn’t sound too happy about it: “I’ve been going pretty hard out here since the beginning of January. I’m not the biggest fan of this deload, but it’s what they prescribe and what they think will be good for me in the long run. I’ve trusted them so far, so I’m going to keep trusting them.” (Tim Healey, Boston Globe)
"In the fourth quarter, it turned into not a real basketball game," Wizards coach Brian Keefe said after his team let Bam walk all over them. "They obviously kept him in the game, and there was a lot of foul calls, 16 free throws in the fourth quarter... He still got some free throws 40 feet from the rim. Can't explain some of those calls, but that's all I've got to say on that."
"I walked in [the Lakers coach's office] and I saw the score. He was at the free throw line, and I saw the score, and they've been playing great basketball lately, and I said to my coaching staff, 'He's rolling'" Lakers coach JJ Redick said. "They all kind of looked at each other. They're like, Are you kidding? Right now? I was like, 'No, what's up? They're like, they're 36 and 28 or wherever they are. They're getting ready to be 37 and 28,' and they're like, 'No, Bam has 77' and I was like, huh? And I watched the last three minutes, and that was a different type of basketball."
Other people were sticking up for Bam, or just congratulating him.
Loved every minute of Bam’s 83. The absurd possessions. The home broadcast raving about his unselfishness when he made a pass. Spo’s ridiculous challenge. Fouling up 20+ to stop the clock. The bombs from 3. Washington fouling a different player so Bam wouldn’t get the shot. The…
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 07: Dominic Canzone #8 of the Italy runs to first base in the first inning against Brazil during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool B game between Brazil and Italy at Daikin Park on March 07, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I’m putting the open thread up today, because the Jays don’t play until the evening and there is nothing pressing as far as Jays news. I have a couple of things I want to write about, but they will take awhile.
Jose Berrios wanted to play for Puerto Rico but can’t because of insurance issues. It seems funny that a guy making $19 million this year, won’t be playing because of insurance issues. But then it isn’t health insurance, it is insurance for his contract. If he were to get hurt and miss this season, the insurance would be needed to cover his contract. I can understand insurance companies not wanting to be on the hook for the, roughly $70 million left on his contract. Especially with him missing time last year with an elbow issue.
The WBC is a bit of a tough sell for MLB teams. If something bad was to happen to the top player from the Yankees or Blue Jays or whoever, you know that it will be harder to get them to let players go to it in the future. But it is fun to watch the baseball (especially the big upsets). I wonder how much a $100 bet on Italy would have paid? Likely not as much as I think, because a number of people will bet on the long shot.
Anyway, as always, use the thread to talk about whatever you are interested in (within site rules). I’m all for religion and politics, as much as I like people swinging their arms, but just not in my face. I do have a personal rule, I’ve hit that age where I’m sometimes sitting with groups of men around my age, having coffee and I’ve said I’m happy to sit and chat but when politics become the subject I get up and leave. I’m not going to change a mind, and they aren’t going to change my mind, so let’s not do it.
Though, strangely enough for a devote atheist, I’ve been having pretty deep conversations with friends about religion lately. As long as they understand they aren’t going to convert me, I’m ok with it all.
The Charlotte Hornets and Sacramento Kings go to battle this evening at the Golden 1 Center, with tip-off scheduled for 10 p.m. ET.
Sacramento has found a rhythm lately, and my Hornets vs. Kings predictions are eyeing them to keep this one competitive.
Read more in my NBA picks for Wednesday, March 11.
Hornets vs Kings prediction
Hornets vs Kings best bet: Kings +12.5 (-110)
The Sacramento Kings are one of the worst teams in the Association at 16-50. However, they’ve captured back-to-back victories against the Bulls and Pacers – the worst squad from the Eastern Conference.
Needless to say, they covered in both of those games. Even in the two losses before this short win streak, the Kings still covered spreads similar to tonight’s line, keeping things competitive against the New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns.
Most importantly, Sacramento has won three consecutive meetings with Charlotte. It’s a no-brainer to take the ATS tonight.
Hornets vs Kings same-game parlay
Russell Westbrook has been a bright spot in Sacramento’s disappointing campaign. The veteran is averaging 15.5 ppg, and 17.6 points per night in March.
The future Hall of Famer has hit the Over in two of his previous three games, dropping 23 in Sunday’s win over Chicago. He also scored 16 on Tuesday against Indy. Russ is averaging 16.2 ppg at home compared to 14.6 on the road.
Maxime Raynaud did his part on Tuesday as well, dropping 18 points. That was after the 22-year-old erupted for 26 points against the Bulls over the weekend.
He’s cashed the Over in points in four of five contests in March, and three of those outings have been at the Golden 1 Center.
Hornets vs Kings SGP
Kings +12.5
Russell Westbrook Over 16.5 points
Maxime Raynaud Over 13.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Kings putting up points
Sacramento has scored 125 and 130 points across their last two meetings with the Charlotte Hornets, and they’ve cashed the Over in team total in three straight overall.
Hornets vs Kings SGP
Kings +12.5
Russell Westbrook Over 16.5 points
Maxime Raynaud Over 13.5 points
Kings Over 106.5 points
Hornets vs Kings odds
Spread: Charlotte -12.5 (-110) | Sacramento +12.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Charlotte -700 | Sacramento +500
Over/Under: Over 224.5 (-110) | Under 224.5 (-110)
Hornets vs Kings betting trend to know
The Sacramento Kings have hit the Moneyline in 8 of their last 21 games at home (+7.95 Units / 34% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. Kings.
How to watch Hornets vs Kings
Location
Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
Date
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN SE Charlotte, NBC Sports California
Hornets vs Kings latest injuries
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.
Danish IT supplier Netcompany is new title sponsor
Team to be renamed and have a new kit
Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Grenadiers cycling team will be renamed and rebranded with a new lead sponsor and new kit before the start of this year’s Tour de France in Barcelona on 4 July.
The Guardian understands that while Ratcliffe and Ineos head of sport, Dave Brailsford, will retain ownership and management of the team, the new title sponsor of the World Tour cycling team will be the Danish IT supplier Netcompany.
There have been many milestones for Pittsburgh Penguins' players this season, and that tends to happen when there are four potential future hall-of-famers on one roster.
But, on Tuesday, their general manager and president of hockey operations hit one of his own.
Penguins GM and POHO Kyle Dubas reached his 600th career game as an NHL GM on Tuesday when the Penguins played the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh. Dubas is in the midst of his third season with the Penguins, while he spent five seasons as the GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs after being with the Leafs' organization for four years prior to his GM hire.
The 40-year-old Dubas has drawn the attention of many this season, as his drafting, offseason additions, and in-season acquisitions have helped Pittsburgh to second in the Metropolitan Division in a season where many expected his team to be in contention for a lottery pick. One of those additions is new head coach Dan Muse and his staff, who have managed to produce successful results with the Penguins' mix of veterans and young players.
If the Penguins do indeed make the playoffs, there are many who believe that Dubas will contend for GM of the Year.
Pittsburgh has yet to make the playoffs under Dubas.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 10: Team Italy reacts to the win following a World Baseball Classic Pool B game between Italy and the United States at Daikin Park on March 10, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Wow. What an evening in the World Baseball Classic. All of a sudden, Team USA is in real danger of not making it out of pool play for the first time ever.
Puerto Rico had already qualified for the quarterfinals, but Canada can now knock them out of the top seed after they beat Puerto Rico 3-2.
Former Twins reliever Jordan Balazovic started for Team Canada and got off to a rocky start. After he walked the first two batters, Nolan Arenado singled home the first run of the game [VIDEO] before an out was recorded in the bottom of the first.
As you can see from that play, Canadian center fielder Denzel Clarke threw out Heliot Ramos trying to go from first to third on the play.
The score stayed 1-0 until the top of the third when Puerto Rico starter José De León couldn’t throw a strike. After recording the first two outs of the inning without issue, De León gave up singles to Clarke and Edouard Julien. Then De León hit Josh Naylor to load the bases and walked the next two batters, Tyler O’Neill and Tyler Black, to force in two runs and give Canada a 2-1 lead.
Puerto Rico got to within 3-2 in the bottom of the fourth when Arenado scored on a Martin Maldonado ground out.
After that, the bullpens for Team Canada and Team Puerto Rico traded zeros the rest of the way. Canadian Brock Dykxhoorn, who has pitched the last six years professionally in Taiwan, retired the last nine Puerto Rico batters of the game in order to record the save. He also helped himself out with this defensive gem. [VIDEO]
Canada plays Cuba today at 2 p.m. CT. Should Canada win, they will win the group with a 3-1 record and be a one-seed going into the quarter finals. Should Cuba win, Cuba will be the two-seed, Puerto Rico will be the one-seed and Canada will go home.
Italy stunned Team USA by jumping out to an 8-0 lead in the sixth inning and surviving a furious comeback to win 8-6.
Mets pitcher Nolan McLean got the start in this one and he looked more like someone who has only 48 innings in the majors rather than a guy with 57 strikeouts in those 48 innings and a 2.06 career ERA. After striking out the Italy side in order in the first, Kyle Teel hit a solo home run off of him to put Italy up early. [VIDEO]
Former Cub Brad Keller came on to pitch in the sixth inning with a man on second and one out. After walking Caglione, Keller looked to be out of trouble with a tailor-made double play on a grounder back to the mound. Except Keller made a bad throw to second base. [VIDEO]
Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong just missed a solo home run early in the game when the ball curved foul down the right field line. But PCA was not to be denied in the seventh inning, sending the ball 402 feet with two men on [VIDEO]
All of a sudden, it seemed possible that Team USA would pull this one out, especially after Bobby Witt Jr. singled after PCA’s second home run.
But Red Sox reliever Greg Weissert struck out Henderson and Aaron Judge to end the game.
Team USA finishes pool play at 3-1 and could miss going on to the quarterfinals if Mexico beats Italy tomorrow at 6 p.m. CT. Here are the scenarios as they stand now.
If Italy wins, they win the group and Team USA advances as the second seed.
Should Mexico win, there will be a three-way tie for two places at 3-1. Because each team would be 1-1 against the other two, the decision goes to fewest runs allowed divided by outs recorded. So basically, the two teams that allowed the fewest runs over their two games with the other teams advance.
Team USA has allowed 11 runs.
Italy has allowed 6 runs and still has Mexico to play
Mexico has allowed 5 runs and still has Italy to play.
So if Italy wins OR if Mexico wins and scores five or more runs, then Team USA will mostly likely advance. A tie will most likely go to Team USA because the third tiebreaker is earned runs allowed divided by outs recorded and three of the runs today were unearned. However, if the game goes to extra innings tied 4-4, then Mexico and Italy would advance on a 5-4 Mexico win, which is quite possible since Mexico is the home team.
Pool C (Tokyo):
It’s all over in Tokyo as Japan and Korea advance to the elimination rounds. But I wanted to show the standing ovation that the fans at the Tokyo Dome gave Czechia pitcher Ondrej Satoria, a full-time electrician and part-time baseball player who pitched 4.2 scoreless innings and struck out three against Japan yesterday morning.
Satoria has been a bit of a legend in Japan since he struck out Shohei Ohtani with his 78 mile per hour fastball back in the 2023 WBC. He’s retiring from baseball after this game. It’s moments like this that make the WBC special.
Israel scored five runs in the sixth inning and held the Netherlands to three hits en route to a 6-2 win.
The Netherlands took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning off of Team Israel starter and Tigers minor leaguer Carlos Lequerica. Druw Jones walked, Ceddanne Rafaela singled him to third and Jones scored on this fielder’s choice by Xander Bogaerts. [VIDEO] As you can see, Israel tried to get two outs on the grounder and ended up getting none.
There was a cool moment in this game next as 38-year-old Shairon Martis threw 3.1 innings, allowed no runs and one hit. He struck out two and walked no one. [VIDEO]
Why is that such a cool moment? Because exactly twenty years ago to the day in the very first WBC, Martis threw a seven-inning no-hitter for Team Netherlands. It was a nice bookend to his WBC career.
But once Martis left the game, Team Israel went to town on Rays reliever Kevin Kelly, scoring five runs in the top of the sixth. Blue Jays minor leaguer RJ Schreck tied the game with an RBI single. [VIDEO]
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR - AUGUST 06: Sebastian Walcott #1 of the Frisco Rough Riders looks onward from the dugout during the game between the Frisco RoughRiders and the Arkansas Travelers at Dickey-Stephens Park on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. (Photo by Braeden Botts/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
Baseball America: 24th in organizational rankings, 2 Top-100 prospects: SS Sebastian Walcott, 16th, RHP Caden Scarborough, 65th
Baseball Prospectus: 28th, 1 Top-101 prospect: SS Sebastian Walcott, 11th (70 OFP)
FanGraphs: Org rank ended 2025 ~21st, 5 Top-100 prospects: SS Sebastian Walcott, 30th (55 FV), SS Yolfran Castillo, 70th (50 FV), RHP Caden Scarborough, 71st (50 FV), RHP David Davalillo, 89th (50 FV), RHP Winston Santos, 103rd (50 FV)
MLB Pipeline: 25th, 1 Top-100 prospect: SS Sebastian Walcott, 7th (ETA 2027)
What with the mess in Texas? If you’ve read the first two installments in this series, you’ll know the Rangers are the culprits of their own success in some ways that escape traditional prospect rankings. Baseball Prospectus has SS/2B Kevin McGonigle of the Tigers at No. 2, OF Max Clark also of Detroit at No. 6, SS Aidan Miller of the Phillies at No. 13, and Seattle’s own SS Colt Emerson at No. 15. What do they all have in common? They’re 2023 draftees, who’d be joined or surpassed by OF Wyatt Langford in all likelihood if the 23 year old hadn’t rocketed to the bigs and spent his healthy time in Arlington for the past three years.
Not everything can be accredited to the promotions of players like Langford, OF Evan Carter, INF Ezequiel Duran, RHPs Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter, and OF Alejandro Osuna, though. Texas dealt away their 2025 first round pick, INF Gavin Fein, and others to bring in LHP MacKenzie Gore and shore up the big league club. Their 2024 selection, last in the round following their World Series championship in 2023, was C Malcolm Moore, has yet to hit in pro ball after a strong Pac-12 career. Rocker and Leiter were the club’s top picks in ‘22 and ‘21, and while both are early enough into their big league tenure to imagine breakouts, they’ve underachieved the 3rd and 2nd pick billing they received respectively. Rounding out the 2020s, data darling 2B Justin Foscue rocketed up draft boards late in the increasingly infamous 2020 draft, but is on the fringes of Texas’ 26-man and now 27 years old with a lost 2025 that’s still looming, with a hamstring strain likely to delay the start of his season. SS Yolfran Castillo is the latest in a series of high-upside, tools first, everything else later prospects in the Rangers’ system and it’s fair to be skeptical of that developmental group, given the hiccups seen with Carter, Josh Jung, and Leody Taveras who’ve flashed promise more than sustained it.
In their system now are a wave of pitchers with promise and an absolute smorgasbord of injury/durability issues and question marks. But the most promising – and frightening from a Mariners perspective – prospect suffered an injury this offseason that will at least delay, if not fully waylay, his 2026.
Player
Age
Position
Highest Level
ESPN
FanGraphs
Baseball America
Baseball Prospectus
The Athletic
MLB Pipeline
Sebastian Walcott
20
SS
AA
5
30
16
11
16
7
Yolfran Castillo
19
SS
A
70
Caden Scarborough
21
RHP
High-A
99
71
65
David Davalillo
23
RHP
AA
89
The Wall Got Caught
Like the Athletics a week ago, the system’s heft rests heavily on one elite middle infield prospect. SS Sebastian Walcott, who will turn 20 this March, is a Bahamian wunderkind whose potential has surpassed his countryman Jazz Chisholm Jr. to be the most hyped player in the history of the Commonwealth. His torn UCL this winter required surgery for an internal brace, which he’s already undergone, and the club suggested it’s possible Walcott returns to play in August or September of this year.
The expectations are understandable – Walcott is a big young man with titanic raw power and arm strength, along with the ample athleticism needed to cover the left side of the infield and maturity to be challenged with a Double-A Frisco assignment at just age 19. While Walcott didn’t star there, he hit competitively, and looked more than adroit in every area of his game.
As with Leo De Vries in Sacramento, there’s a year or two until Walcott is likely to impact Seattle most prominently. But Walcott should see his debut come as Corey Seager makes a more pronounced shift off shortstop, allowing the slugging lefty to focus on his offense. Walcott’s not a lock for short, but his arm is strong enough to be a standout third baseman as well. Walcott’s length and fluidity is impressive, but he does look at times more like Oneil Cruz than Elly De La Cruz at short. Still, combine a left side infielder with 30-30 potential at the dish and that’s as good as anyone in baseball. The Rangers of 2027 and beyond are likely to go as this young man does.
The Heat
Depending on your trusted prognosticators, there may be no other Rangers prospects in the Top-100, or a handful of arms. Much of that stems from your relative taste for some edge-case arms. Scarborough looks the part in many ways that Ryan Sloan does, with a huge frame and deceptive delivery that augments multiple impressive secondaries. The 6’5 righty was a prep signee in the sixth round of the 2023 draft who utterly dominated both Single-A levels. The Sloan mention is physical in part, but ties mostly into the question mark for a 21 year old hurler who completed six innings just once in 2025 and made it through five only four times. While his velocity sits more 93-96, he’s the arm to watch as an ascendant possible top-tier arm for Texas.
Beyond him are a bevy of hurlers with promise and injury troubles. RHP Emiliano Teodo missed much of the 2025 season with injury, but has electric stuff that could charge up a big league bullpen late in 2026 or early in 2027. Also in the mix are RHPs David Davalillo and Winston Santos, both of whom were mere five-figure signing bonus players who’ve crept up the system through diligent improvement. Santos hits upper-90s heat but hasn’t quite figured out a great pairing, making his strikeout numbers in the minors slightly suspect, and dealt with back and hand injuries in 2025 and this spring, respectively.
Davalillo, by contrast, may be convenient for those of you used to watching a Texas pitcher with alliterative Ds for his name play a swingman or back-of-rotation role with plus command and a kitchen sink approach. Dane Dunning, we’ll never forget you, especially if you’re in Tacoma this year. The electrick Izack Tiger is yet another RHP with high-level stuff who is still experiencing delays from his UCL tear, likely to pitch at 25 this year but without innings above High-A. There are a handful more players of this sort in the Texas system than Seattle’s, big stuff, big tools, but track record paucity. It is high-variance, but currently at its low ebb.
Ignorant of Ignorance
The issue with this system is a dearth of depth. The big league roster, were Rocker and Leiter to both deliver on their promise and all else stay equal, would be potent. But a bevy of moderate disappointments once folks have entered this system has left the club shallow, from OF Aaron Zavala (38th pick in 2021) still yet to debut and lacking much sheen, with little in the outfield behind him, while his draftmate UTIL Cameron Cauley (73rd in 2021) swings and misses a lot for someone with his skillset, capping the potential of his blazing speed.
But where this issue shows up most potently is behind the plate.
I mentioned Moore in the introduction, and it bears repeating: the Rangers’ 2024 first round pick is not considered a top-10 prospect in the system, and the system is not well regarded. BP has Moore 15th, BA 13th, and MLBP 18th. When FanGraphs publishes their updated rankings, it’s likely Moore falls similarly, and it is not clear another big league catcher exists in this system even with a heavy squint. Athletic backstop Ian Moller was a fourth rounder in 2021, but has not been able to match the Harry Ford sweet spot in the slightest as a pro. A few rounds later, Texas took C Liam Hicks as well, who’d have helped arrest the cliff dive Jonah Heim took the past two years before departing in free agency, had he not been dealt to Detroit for Carson Kelly. Now in Miami’s backstop rotation, Hicks is one of just four backstops drafted in the 21st century by Texas to both make the big leagues and accrue positive WAR (1.3, second only to Jose Trevino, who also accrued it playing somewhere other than Texas).
That’s all fine if you’re identifying solid contributors like Heim, Robinson Chirinos, or Mike Napoli in trades and on waivers, or going for high-outcome free agents like Danny Jansen or AJ Pierzynski. But the Rangers are not seeming to find their next Pudge Rodríguez, through the draft as the Hall of Fame Puerto Rican would’ve been found if he’d come up a few years later, or elsewhere. That’s the biggest hole in a Texas system that often is so focused on upside, it’s missing anyone who could take a squat. -JT
