Following a nine-game homestand, with a two-and-a-half-week Olympic break between, the Anaheim Ducks will head on the road for a four-game road trip to Canada to face the Winnipeg Jets before taking on the three Eastern Conference Canadian teams: Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, and Montreal Canadiens.
The Ducks left Orange County on a sour note, losing 4-0 to the St. Louis Blues on Sunday, their fourth time being shutout this season and first time since Jan. 29.
The Ducks head on the road, sitting in first place in the Pacific Division, one point ahead of the Vegas Golden Knights and three points ahead of the Edmonton Oilers, with a game in hand on each.
In perhaps the most surprising move during the NHL’s March 6 trade deadline and the days leading up to it, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek seemingly recognized an opportunity to win their division and perhaps afford his team the easiest (on paper) road to the Conference Final of any of the four divisions when he parted with a first-round pick and a third-round pick in exchange for veteran defenseman John Carlsson from the Washington Capitals.
Carlson (36) is a pending UFA in the final year of an eight-year contract with an AAV of $8 million. When the trade was made, the Ducks were guaranteed a maximum of 21 regular season games with Carlson in the lineup, in addition to any number of potential playoff games they’d play this spring.
However, Carlson had sustained a lower-body injury on Feb. 5, when he was forced from the ice after logging 7:03 TOI in Washington’s game against the Nashville Predators. He missed the Caps’ three games heading into the Olympic break and the one they played upon return, before he was traded to Anaheim on March 5.
“As soon as we kind of agreed to the deal, in these types of situations, you’re always having the medical staffs reach out to each other,” Verbeek said following the trade. “We actually got permission to go through his medical records, which was important to us.
“We’re not too concerned about it. Hopefully, when we get going on the trip, he’ll be able to join sometime on the trip with us, to be 100% healthy. “When you get in these certain circumstances, would he be healthy enough to play in a playoff game? Yeah, probably. But we don’t want to get in those situations.
“We want to make sure that John’s 100% and ready to contribute to our group, which we’re really excited to add him to our group.”
Carlson has now been on the Ducks’ roster for two games, but was ruled out for each. Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville stated after Sunday’s game that Carlson will travel with the team on their upcoming four-game road trip, but isn’t expected to play until the end of it.
“I would say that we hope he can play at the end of the trip,” Quenneville said. “That’s what we’re kind of targeting.”
Carlson has played 55 games this season, scoring 46 points (10-36=46) and averaging 22:52 TOI per game.
Carlson will now likely play a maximum of 17 regular season games with Anaheim before his contract expires. Parting with a first-round pick, along with a third, for a player who is that limited in terms of output he can provide for a team is typically reserved for teams that feel they’re in contention to win the Stanley Cup that season. As stated, that may be how the Ducks view themselves at this juncture.
When acquired, Verbeek stated his desire to re-sign Carlson at the conclusion of the Ducks’ season. A contract extension would only further justify the price he paid to acquire Carlson at this year’s deadline.
Another Ducks player who will be unavailable for the foreseeable future is winger Troy Terry, who has only played six of the Ducks’ 23 games since the new year with a confirmed recurring upper-body injury.
He played in the Ducks’ two games leading into the Olympic break and the one following, but has been ruled out for the team’s last six. He’s been confirmed to be on the Ducks’ four-game road trip, but isn’t expected to play.
“Yes, he is,” Quenneville said when asked if Terry would join the team on the trip. “Not sure he’ll play.”
Despite having been sidelined for 16 games this season, Terry still ranks fourth on the Ducks in scoring, with 45 points (13-32=45) in 46 games and averages 18:21 TOI per game.
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By the end of the night, one Pool B team at the World Baseball Classic will have their unbeaten record snapped.
Both Team USA and Mexico are entering tonight’s matchup 2-0 in pool stage play, but either teams’ hopes of winning the pool wouldn’t be dashed with a loss tonight, as each team is scheduled to play the also-unbeaten Italy over the next two days. A win against Italy would go a long way in determining quarterfinal placement.
USA and Mexico’s baseball rivalry goes back four World Baseball Classics; in 2006, the United States beat Mexico in their first-ever matchup, but Mexico won the next three, including an 11-5 victory in the 2023 WBC.
2026 world baseball classic: what to know
Who: Team USA vs. Team Mexico
When: March 9, 8 p.m. ET
Where: Daikin Park (Houston, Texas)
Channel: FOX
Streaming: DIRECTV (try it free)
Mexico is coming off a huge 16-0 win over Brazil — marking the third-largest margin of victory in any World Baseball Classic. The game ended with a walk-off home run that pulled Mexico past the 15-run threshold to end the game in the sixth inning.
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World Baseball Classic 2026: Team USA roster
Pitchers: David Bednar (Yankees), Matthew Boyd (Cubs), Garrett Cleavinger (Rays), Clay Holmes (Mets), Griffin Jax (Rays), Brad Keller (Phillies), Clayton Kershaw, Nolan McLean (Mets), Mason Miller (Padres), Joe Ryan (Twins), Paul Skenes (Pirates), Tarik Skubal (Tigers), Gabe Speier (Mariners), Michael Wacha (Royals), Logan Webb (Giants), Garrett Whitlock (Red Sox)
Catchers: Cal Raleigh (Mariners), Will Smith (Dodgers)
Infielders: Alex Bregman (Cubs), Ernie Clement (Blue Jays), Paul Goldschmidt (Yankees), Bryce Harper (Phillies), Gunnar Henderson (Orioles), Brice Turang (Brewers), Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals)
Outfielders: Roman Anthony (Red Sox), Byron Buxton (Twins), Pete Crow-Armstrong (Cubs), Aaron Judge (Yankees)
This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.
Mar 8, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant (11) prepares to beat the drum after the game against the Houston Rockets at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
Welcome to Week in Review: a Monday feature that looks back at the week that was for the San Antonio Spurs, takes a look at the week ahead, and more. Enjoy!
Week 19: Concluding the Rodeo Road Trip with an East Coast trip, the Spurs continued their undefeated February to extend their best winning streak in ten seasons to 11 by getting a big win in the home of the then (but not anymore) top team in the NBA in the Detroit Pistons, a flip-the-switch fourth-quarter rally in Tornoto, and finally a blowout win against the lowly Brooklyn Nets — all despite Victor Wembanyama having off nights offensively. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and in what is turning out to be one-off, the win streak was snapped in a blowout loss to the Knicks in MSG.
Even though a bounce-back win seemed imminent against a 76ers squad missing Joel Embiid and Paul George, likely no one saw this big of a blowout coming. (If they did, NBC wouldn’t have chosen this game for their big throwback occasion.) Everyone contributed, and things got so bad that the Spurs were on the brink of outdoing their 51-point victory over the “Trust the Process” 76ers from 10 years ago before the third string was outscored by nine-points in the fourth-quarter, so they “settled” for the 40-point victory to conclude the Rodeo Road Trip 8-1, tying their best mark from its inaugural version in 2003.
The first game back from a long road trip is always a trap regardless of the opponent, but the Spurs didn’t let being home for the first time in a month relax them. Instead, they came out and proved their win in Detroit was no fluke, riding the hot hands of Wemby and De’Aaron fox, who combined to score 67 points in a thrashing of the top team in the East. (Of note, the Spurs have now passed them in the league standings, but that only matters if a) they keep it up and b) they make the Finals. Tougher tests will come first.)
As solid as their win over the Pistons was, it was physically draining, and that showed as the Spurs hosted Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers the very next night. They looked dead in the water as the Clippers climbed up to a 25-point lead in the third quarter, but as they are wont to do, the Spurs found a second wind and flipped the switch for their second-largest comeback of all time. 17 points from Julian Champagnie in the third quarter kicked things off, and huge three-pointers, fast breaks and plenty of drama in the final seconds literally had Wemby crying tears of joy and relief afterwards, as he admitted how exhausted he was and thought he was going to pass out, making it was one of the hardest games of his life.
After opening the week with a semi-surprising blowout, the Spurs decided to one-up themselves with an even more surprising one against a hit-or-miss Rockets squad. The offense remained on fire from the Clippers game, with Wemby getting whatever he wanted on offense, and on defense, the Spurs were committed to making everyone but Kevin Durant beat them. After a hot first quarter, the strategy worked, and the Spurs methodically put their IH-10 Rivals away to win the series 3-1 and put an even wider gap between them and the next tier of the West.
The Spurs are 15-1 since Feb. 1, a stretch that includes a sweep of the Pistons, an incredible comeback from 25 points down against the Clippers, and a thrashing of the Rockets on Sunday.
Three takeaways
1. Victor Wembanyama had a few quiet (and inefficient) offensive games at the end of the Spurs’ 11-game winning streak. And his offense wasn’t really needed in the Spurs’ 40-point win in Philadelphia on Tuesday. But he’s scored 94 points (on a true shooting percentage of 69%) in less than 91 minutes over the Spurs’ last three games. That includes 27 in less than 22 minutes (in the second game of a back-to-back) against the Clippers on Friday, when he had two go-ahead buckets (a pick-and-pop 3 and a leak-out dunk) in the final 70 seconds. Not coincidentally, it’s been the Spurs’ best three-game stretch of offense this season (129.1 points scored per 100 possessions), even though two of the three opponents (Detroit and Houston) have top-10 defenses. 2. With that, the Spurs are now a top-five team on both ends of the floor. They ranked in the top five on both ends three times under Gregg Popovich: 2006-07 (won the NBA Finals), 2013-14 (won the NBA Finals) and 2015-16 (lost in the Western Conference semifinals). 3. Wembanyama is also averaging 4.5 blocks over the Spurs’ 10 games since the All-Star break. He’s got more blocks than fouls for the third straight season, but he has been more physical this year, averaging 3.3 fouls per 36 minutes, up from 2.6 per 36 over his first two seasons. Of course, the Spurs still lead the league in opponent free-throw rate (23.3 attempts per 100 shots from the field).
Coming up: The Spurs and Nuggets last met in November, when they combined to score more than 136 points per 100 possessions in a three-point, San Antonio win that clinched a spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. They still have three more meetings left on the schedule, and the Spurs will have a rest advantage at home on Thursday, one of three very intriguing games this week.
First quarter: B+ Second quarter: B Third quarter: A
First, the grade: The Spurs have been an absolute problem to deal with in Victor Wembanyama’s minutes. He needs an alternative nickname, and I want to suggest “The Armoire.” It’s French, it’s tall, and it can hold the tools that Wembanyama brings to the table on both ends. For the season, Spurs foes shoot 41.8 percent from the field when Wembanyama is on the floor. Since Jan. 21, that figure is 41.2 percent. And the Spurs use that defense to blow out teams from the jump or to overcome massive deficits, such as the 25-point deficit San Antonio faced against the Clippers. Punctuating the week with a season-best scoring performance against the Houston Rockets sealed that regular-season series as well. They’re the best team in the league, and all they need is to figure out how to sustain it for a maiden playoff run.
It really isn’t difficult to call the San Antonio Spurs the best team in the NBA right now, which is why they sit atop the power rankings yet again. Aside from being the Oklahoma City Thunder’s kryptonite throughout the regular season, the Spurs have lost just once since the start of February.
If it weren’t for some injuries and consistency problems in January, this team would own the best record in the NBA and be alone at the top of the Western Conference standings.
The Spurs went 4-0 this past week, with a 40-point blowout win over Philadelphia, a commanding 15-point win over Detroit, and a statement 25-point win at home over Houston. Not to mention, the Spurs erased a 25-point deficit against the LA Clippers to come back and win on Friday. In this four-game stretch, the Spurs outscored their opponents by 84 points while averaging 128.3 points per game.
Coming up: Tues. 3/10 vs. Boston Celtics; Thurs. 3/12 vs. Denver Nuggets; Sat. 3/14 vs. Charlotte Hornets
Prediction: 3-0 — The gantlet that is this six-game homestand continues with a Celtics team that now has Jayson Tatum back, a Nuggets team that has MVP candidate Nikola Jokic and just got Aaron Gordon back (but may have lost Jamal Murray) and a Hornets squad that has come back to earth a bit in the last few games but has still been one of the hottest teams in the league this calendar year, along with the Spurs. All three of these games are just as losable as they are winnable, but the Spurs have shown their current form is for real with a 14-1 stretch, so I’m all bought in. Bring it on.
Peoria, AZ - February 19: A.J. Preller, Padres President of Baseball Operations and General Manager talks with fans during a spring training practice on February 19, 2026 in Peoria, AZ. (Photo by K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)
Today the Texas Rangers take a day trip over to Peoria, AZ for a Cactus League matchup against the National League’s San Diego Padres. Recent signee Andrew McCutchen is in the lineup at DH for his spring debut with the Rangers.
Taking the mound for Texas will be RHP Trey Supak, who is 29 years old and still trying to make it to the big leagues, opposite RHP Randy Vasquez for San Diego.
Today’s Lineups
RANGERS
PADRES
Brandon Nimmo – RF
Jackson Merrill – CF
Joc Pederson – 1B
Jake Cronenworth – 2B
Andrew McCutchen – DH
Nick Castellanos – RF
Evan Carter – CF
Gavin Sheets – 1B
Sam Haggerty – 2B
Ty France – 3B
Ezequiel Duran – SS
Bryce Johnson – LF
Mark Canha – LF
Nick Solak – DH
Tyler Wade – 3B
Luis Campusano – C
Willie MacIver – C
Mason McCoy – SS
Trey Supak – RHP
Randy Vasquez – RHP
The Padres will have a telecast and radio feed for this one but you can also follow along on Gameday. First pitch from Peoria Stadium is scheduled for 3:10 pm CT.
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) fist-pumps his players before playing the Los Angeles Dodgers on Feb. 25, 2026, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale. | Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
As I write this, I am watching the Great Britain baseball team take on Brazil in the World Baseball Classic. While both sides have been eliminated, there’s still something to play for here: the winning country will automatically be entered the next WBC, without having to go through the qualification tournament. So this is definitely a significant game. Right now, it’s proving a tense affair, with the game scoreless through four innings. Fingers crossed the British team can avoid the late-inning meltdowns which have been a bit of a feature in their previous three games. Meanwhile, on the domestic front, here’s the D-backs line-up this afternoon.
Lineup Update:
3B – Vargas CF – Barrosa C – Moreno 1B – Smith LF – Vukovich SS – Rojas 2B – Crisantes DH – Melendez RF – Ortiz SP – Gallen
We will see how deep Zac Gallen goes this time. After him, potential pitchers are: RHP Hayden Durke, RHP Taylor Clarke, RHP Gerardo Carrillo, RHP Andrew Hoffmann, RHP Juan Burgos and RHP Grant Holman. Hoffmann has been one of the spring standouts so far, with five strikeouts over three innings of one-hit ball. Also, be interesting to see whether Burgos can sustain his streak: all seven outs he has recorded so far have been by way of the K. He leads the team in that department. Unfortunately, over those 2.1 innings, there have been six hits and two walks as well.
No scheduled broadcast for this one, so see you in Gameday, providing GB vs. Brazil has finished! And as I write, the southern hemisphere has just taken the lead… [Update Britain roared back to win. D-backs prospect Wallace Clark walked twice and scored a run. See you again in 2029, WBC!]
With Opening Day about two and a half weeks away, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns met with members of the media to break down what he's seen so far this spring, while looking ahead to the regular season....
While Lindor has been sidelined from game action since undergoing surgery on his left hamate bone in early February, the expectation all along has been that the star shortstop would be back by Opening Day.
Stearns said on Monday that the plan hasn't changed.
"All indications we have is this is going as planned, and we have a similar level of optimism that he’ll be ready for Opening Day," Stearns said.
Stearns also added that getting Lindor in-game at-bats would be a must, saying that the team would not put him in the Opening Day lineup without getting some at-bats first.
"That would be a prerequisite. We wouldn’t have his first competition be Opening Day," Stearns explained. "We would ensure there are at-bats... I would expect Grapefruit League, but we haven’t mapped this out yet."
Roster questions left to answer
While the starting right field job has been in the spotlight throughout camp, Stearns explained that the Mets still have a few roster questions still to be answered, but also said the team makes sure all players are ready for the upcoming season.
"I think we have the right field question that we’re going to have to answer. There’s probably a bench question that we’re going to have to answer, and then one or two bullpen spots that we’re going to have to answer," said Stearns. "But for the most part, this is about getting our team and individual players ready for the season. I think we’re doing that. I think our coaching staff has done a really nice job of making sure this is a well-run, efficient camp, and we’ve done that so far. And it’s been good for me to see."
Clubhouse culture
Chemistry within the Mets clubhouse has been a talking point throughout the offseason, and when Stearns was asked what he's seen from this group early on, he explained that even with a team of veterans, the Mets are putting in the work every single day.
"I think guys are getting after it, and that’s been good to see. We have a very focused group in there," Stearns said. "As I mentioned earlier, the work has been really quality on the field, and that’s something you don’t see every spring. I think we have a group that is actively trying to get better every single day, and that can be somewhat unique with a team full of veterans. That’s not often the case.
"A lot of times you come to spring training with a veteran team and everyone’s really just got Opening Day circled and is just counting down the days until Opening Day. I think what we’ve felt here is guys are taking every single day seriously. They’re going out, they’re getting their work in, they’re working very well with our coaching staff, and it’s been very good to see."
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 06: Manager Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks across the field before a spring training game against the Kansas City Royals at Camelback Ranch on March 06, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers look to snap their two-game losing streak as they take on the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Fields of Phoenix on Monday. Emmet Sheehan goes for the Dodgers while Aaron Ashby starts for Milwaukee.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 14: Aaron Ashby #26 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game two of the National League Championship Series at American Family Field on October 14, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s a rematch of the NLCS at American Family Fields of Phoenix as the Brewers take on the Dodgers Monday afternoon.
And just like the NLCS, on the mound for the Brewers will be Aaron Ashby to start things off. He’s continuing to get stretched out this spring training for a potential starting role. Following him will be offseason trade addition Shane Drohan and then non-roster invitee Jacob Waguespack. The Dodgers will have Emmett Sheehan starting on the mound for them.
In the starting lineup, the Brewers have a number of their key roster pieces in there today. Sal Frelick will lead off while playing in center field for a change, followed by Luis Rengifo and the 2018 MVP, Christian Yelich. Jake Bauers and Gary Sánchez fill up the middle of the order. Some of the spring breakout stars, Akil Baddoo and Brandon Lockridge, will follow while David Hamilton and Greg Jones round out the bottom of the order.
The Brewers did make a round of roster cuts today, optioning Jeferson Quero and Sammy Peralta and reassigning a number of non-roster invites to minor league camp, including top prospects like Jesús Made and Luke Adams. Jones has also been reassigned, along with Eddys Leonard, Darrien Miller, Ramón Rodríguez, and Matt Wood.
First pitch is at 3:10 p.m. CT and can be seen on Brewers.TV today with Brian Anderson, Bill Schroeder, and Tim Dillard in the booth. It’ll also be broadcast on WTMJ 620 and the Brewers Radio Network.
Jedixson Paez will get the start for this afternoon’s contest, and needs to bounce back from a disastrous outing last week. | (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images)
Just a day after the White Sox announced the former Rule 5 draft pick Shane Smith would be the Opening Day starter, another Rule 5 pick takes the mound against the Rockies. Jedixson Paez, who was picked up on December 10, 2025, and was assigned to the White Sox prospects on March 5, will get this afternoon’s start. Paez was previously with the Boston Red Sox organization, and unless the Soxes come to an agreement, Paez must be on the active White Sox roster all season long, or be returned to Boston; this start is crucial to his future in Chicago.
As for the players currently playing in the World Baseball Classic, there was not a lot going on yesterday. Seranthony Domínguez (Dominican Republic) and Kyle Teel (Italy) did not play. Curtis Mead (Australia) went 0-for-4, 2 K, and Munetaka Murakami (Japan) was 0-for-3, BB. Sam Antonacci (Italy) had a better day, with a final of 1-for-4, 3B, R, RBI, K.
Kyle Freeland will get the start for the Rockies today. We’ll also see our old friend Nicky Lopez starting at shortstop.
The game won’t be available to watch or listen to, but it starts at 3:05 p.m. CT.
Earlier today, the White Sox sent three more players out of major-league camp:
Murray had two homers in Cactus League play but not much else. González had gotten rocked pretty hard over four appearances, while Sandlin hadn’t appeared at all in Cactus League play.
League One side Port Vale will head to Stamford Bridge while Manchester City host Liverpool in last eight
In such situation I didn’t expect even Marco Silva to blame someone other than him, and yet:
A very bad day for us,” Silva said. “It is probably not the moment to be emotional. It is a moment for us to look deeper.
It is not just another defeat. We lost a big chance. If you want to be in a club that wants to get better your ambition has to always be there. If you are pushing to win a game there are certain standards you cannot drop. Some things are about mentality.”
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - MARCH 6: J.P. Crawford #3 of the Seattle Mariners at bat during a Spring Training game against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium on March 6, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We’re back, and so is J.P. Crawford.
The Mariners play the Diamondbacks in another rousing round of Spring baseball. Crawford is in the lineup and playing shortstop for the first time this Spring, after a slower start than usual while battling shoulder issues. Ryan Bliss and Brendan Donovan flank him on either side of the infield. Luke Raley gets another starter in center field, which is increasingly becoming a thing. Rob Refsnyder is in right and Victor Robles is at DH.
Bryan Woo is on the mound for his third start of the Spring. I expect he’ll work a bit deeper than last time, and probably exit around the fourth inning, as he continues to ramp up.
Game information
Game time: 1:10 PT
TV: No
Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports, the Seattle Sports app, or Gameday
PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 22: Randy Vasquez #98 of the San Diego Padres delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a spring training game at Peoria Stadium on February 22, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Texas Rangers at San Diego Padres, March 8, 2026, 1:10 p.m. PST
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SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 04: Starting pitcher Kyle Freeland #21 of the Colorado Rockies throws a warm-up pitch during the first inning of the MLB exhibition game against Team United States at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 04, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In his first spring training action of 2026, Kyle Freeland faced the daunting task of pitching against Team USA in an exhibition game on March 4. He gave up a solo homer to Aaron Judge in a two-hit, one-strikeout performance in one inning.
Today, Freeland and the Rockies (8-6-1) will take part in his first Cactus League action against the White Sox (10-7) at Camelback Ranch. The Rockies are 5-2 on the road this spring vs. 3-5-1, including the showdown vs. Team USA, at Salt River Fields.
Today’s game represents a rematch of a Feb. 23 showdown where the Rockies beat the White Sox 5-4. Chicago will send Jedisxson Paez to the mound to start the game. The 22-year-old RHP will be making his third spring appearance. He’s posted a 23.14 ERA in 2 1/3 innings over two starts with six earned runs, six hits, including one homer, three strikeouts and one walk. Former Rockie Drew Romo will be starting at catcher for the White Sox.
On Sunday, four pitchers combined to throw five scoreless innings and Kyle Karros and Tyler Freeman each had two-hit performances in the Rockies 4-4 tie with Cleveland. Even though it’s only spring training, the Rockies offense has been much improved thus far. The Rockies rank among all Major League teams this Spring in: on-base percentage (.381, T-1st), home runs (23, T-4th), average (.287, 3rd), HBP (14, T-2nd), slugging (.492, 3rd), OPS (.871, 3rd), runs scored (98, 5th), RBI (91, 6th) and total bases (254, 6th).
Earlier on Monday, the Rockies released a new motto for the 2026 campaign: “New era. At altitude. We are here for the climb.”
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - MARCH 3: Ryan Bergert #38 of the Kansas City Royals gets set to throw a pitch during a World Baseball Classic exhibition game against Team Cuba at Surprise Stadium on March 3, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After taking a loss to the White Sox yesterday, the Royals will play another division rival in the Cleveland Guardians today. We’ll get another look at Ryan Bergert, whose appearances thus far in Spring Training have been relatively quiet. He’s thrown only three innings of one-hit ball.
Cleveland sends Parker Messick to start. Messick is another one of those “I’ve never heard of this guy” pitchers that Cleveland seems to manufacture every year. He threw 39.2 innings across seven MLB starts last season and accumulated 1.0 fWAR with a solid 2.72 ERA and 2.98 FIP. He was the 54th overall pick in 2022 by Cleveland.
With the WBC going on, we’re definitely going to see some guys in the lineups today.
The game starts at 3:05pm US Central. You can listen on KWOD 1660.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 08: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after scoring against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on March 08, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Hornets 111-99. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Week 20 arrived at the perfect time for the Phoenix Suns.
This is a team that had been searching for traction. The numbers tell the story. Phoenix had not posted a positive net rating in five weeks. The last time it happened was Week 15 when they sat at +2.8. Since then, the stretch looked rough. Week 16 at -0.1. Week 17 at -28.7. Week 18 at -14.4. Week 19 at -9.1.
Injuries played a large role in that slide. The roster has taken hits across the rotation, forcing Phoenix to lean heavily on younger players and redistribute minutes to guys now operating outside their usual roles.
So yes, Week 20 was needed.
This was a stretch where the Suns realistically could have finished 4–0. Had it not been for a lethargic performance against the Chicago Bulls, Phoenix would have walked away undefeated. That is basketball. Some nights, you steal a game that had no business landing in the win column. Other nights, you drop one that felt secure. Over the long arc of a season, the truth usually reveals itself. Good teams rise. Bad teams fade.
And even with the injuries piling up and the rotations shifting almost nightly, the Suns continue to show that they belong in the group of teams capable of rising.
The Suns sit at 37–27 following their Week 20 performance. They remain two games back of the sixth seed in the Western Conference, although they are only three games away from the third seed. With 18 games remaining on the schedule, the standings can shift quickly. All it takes is one team catching fire and another team cooling off for the picture to change.
That creates an interesting opportunity for Phoenix. The conversation can begin drifting away from the Play-In discussion and toward the postseason itself. That is where the real intrigue begins, when you start looking up the standings rather than over your shoulder. The Suns are positioned well enough to think that way. The teams currently sitting in eighth through tenth place are clustered tightly together. The Golden State Warriors hold a one-game lead on the Los Angeles Clippers, while the Clippers sit one game ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers.
Phoenix, meanwhile, stands 4.5 games clear of that group. That cushion provides breathing room, although the real opportunity lies ahead of them. With a strong final stretch, the Suns can shift the focus away from Play-In scenarios and toward the question that matters far more in the long run. Who might they face when the postseason begins?
Standings aside, this was a refreshing week for Phoenix. The best-case scenario continues to quietly unfold. Injuries are never something a team hopes for, although they have opened the door for something valuable. Opportunity. Opportunity to evaluate the youth movement that Phoenix has been slowly trying to cultivate. And this past week, the young players responded.
Khaman Maluach averaged 17.4 minutes across his three appearances. In that time, he scored 3.3 points on 62.5% shooting, grabbed 5.7 rebounds, and averaged 2.3 blocks per game. The stat line is modest offensively, although the defensive impact and the activity around the rim continue to stand out.
Then there is Rasheer Fleming.
In four games this week, he averaged 8.8 points on 65% shooting, including 60% from beyond the arc. That number carries weight when you realize he attempted 15 three-pointers during that stretch. He also added four rebounds per game while playing 15.8 minutes a night.
So Week 20 became a productive one for Phoenix. The Suns finished 3–1, the rookies received real run, and they rewarded the opportunity with strong play. Phoenix still has work to do. The climb out of the Play-In conversation will require continued effort over the final stretch of the season. The hope is that reinforcements begin returning soon. Jordan Goodwin could be back this week. Mark Williams may be another week or two away. Dillon Brooks still appears to be three to four weeks from returning.
March might represent the turning point. The Suns are trying to regain health, stabilize the rotation, and continue developing their young players at the same time. If those paths meet at the right moment, the final stretch of the season could become very interesting for Phoenix.
Week 20 Record: 3-1
@ Sacramento Kings, W, 114-103
Possession Differential: +1.6
Turnover Differential: +5
Offensive Rebounding Differential: +8
The Suns looked like they were trying to jumpstart themselves, and ultimately they had the ability to do so. Phoenix outscored Sacramento 68-45 over the second and third quarters, and that was enough to get the win.
vs. Chicago Bulls, L, 105-103
Possession Differential: +2.6
Turnover Differential: +2
Offensive Rebounding Differential: +5
Same script as the game against the Kings, but the Suns couldn’t get jump-started. They had a late run, but it was too little, too late. It wasn’t the worst loss of the season, but it may be the most lethargic.
vs. New Orleans Pelicans, W, 118-116
Possession Differential: +1.2
Turnover Differential: -2
Offensive Rebounding Differential: -1
Phoenix was in control the majority of the game, but the Pelicans made it quite uncomfortable in the end. It took a record number of three-pointers attempted — 58 by the Suns — to beat New Orleans by 2 points. Time will tell whether that is concerning.
vs. Charlotte Hornets, W, 111-99
Possession Differential: -6.2
Turnover Differential: -5
Offensive Rebounding Differential: -3
Well, this was a nice little surprise, wasn’t it? The Suns closed out the week with a win over one of the hottest teams in the NBA. How? 3o points and 10 assists from Devin Booker, 24 points from both Collin Gillespie and Jalen Green, and a 16-point performance from rookie Rasheer Fleming. And same damn good defense.
Inside the Possession Game
Weekly Possession Differential: -0.8
Weekly Turnover Differential: 0
Offensive Rebounding Differential: +6
Year-to-Date Over/Under .500: +10
The first thing I notice when looking at this week’s graph is that pink line. The Suns are sitting 10 games over .500 to close out the week. It is only the second time this season we have finished a week that high, with Week 15 being the only other instance.
Take a look at that pink line. It hasn’t dipped below the .500 mark since Week 2. This team has been at .500 or better since November 8. They spent a total of 7 games under the water this entire season. I hope we appreciate that. I really do.
We are talking about a team that Vegas pegged for 30.5 wins. We are talking about a franchise that spent 37 games looking up at the .500 mark just one season ago. The scars from those years don’t just vanish, but this is how you heal them. We are focused on a postseason push, and that is exactly where our energy should be.
But I want to pause and appreciate the fact that we are even in this position. We have a team that is fighting to win. We have a roster that isn’t finding creative ways to lose anymore. There is hope. There is progression. There is a core.
The Suns finally started cleaning up the glass this week, and the results speak for themselves. A 3-1 stretch is exactly the kind of “get right” week this team needed. While the possession game slipped a bit, you have to look at this Phoenix defense to see the real story.
Even with the roster currently held together by bandages and spare parts, this group posted a 109.9 defensive rating over the last four games. When you couple that grit with the way the ball is moving, it’s clear something is clicking. Their 68.8% assist percentage was 7th 7th-best in the league this week. It is proof that Jordan Ott’s system is cerebral and, more importantly, transferable. It doesn’t matter who is on the floor, the identity remains.
Of course, it didn’t hurt that the schedule-makers tossed the Kings, Bulls, and Pelicans our way. You play who is in front of you, but beating up on the basement dwellers is a requirement for any team with playoff ambitions.
Week 21 Preview
And so begins the road trip.
The Phoenix Suns hit the road for a 10-day stretch that includes six games and two back-to-backs. Week 21 features the first three stops along that journey, thankfully without the back-to-backs arriving yet. It starts tomorrow night when Phoenix travels to face the Milwaukee Bucks.
Milwaukee is a team floating somewhere in the middle of the Eastern Conference sea. They have not played well for long stretches this season, which explains why they currently sit in 11th place and outside the Play-In picture looking up. Giannis Antetokounmpo is back on the floor for them, which always changes the temperature of a game. How long he continues playing before the organization considers shutting him down is something only time will answer.
The Bucks rank in the bottom third of the league in offensive rating, defensive rating, and net rating. On paper, that suggests an opportunity for Phoenix. Still, Milwaukee carries size across its lineup, and size has a way of bothering the Suns when it begins to crowd the paint.
Next on the schedule are the Indiana Pacers, who currently hold the worst record in the Eastern Conference. Phoenix handled Indiana earlier this season, winning by 35 points back in November. Since the All-Star break, the Pacers have not recorded a win and appear to be navigating a reset year while Tyrese Haliburton works through an Achilles injury.
The third stop sends Phoenix north to face the Toronto Raptors. If you are looking for an Eastern Conference team that resembles the Suns in some ways, Toronto fits that description. The Raptors have exceeded expectations this season and present a roster that values ball movement and care with possessions. They move the ball well, they limit mistakes, and they defend at a high level. Toronto currently sits with the eighth-best defensive rating in the NBA.
In other words, this stretch of the trip offers three very different challenges. Milwaukee brings size. Indiana brings opportunity. Toronto brings discipline.
