However, the Big 12 Player of the Year delivered one of the biggest shots thus far of March (and of his career) Friday night in an all-time thriller for No. 1 Arizona against No. 7 Iowa State in the Big 12 semifinals. With the ball in his hands in a tied game at 80-80 and time expiring, Bradly drove right, faded, shot, and found the bottom of the net for the buzzer-beating winner to send the Wildcats to Saturday's conference tournament championship game.
Bradley's shot at the T-Mobile Center came seconds after Tamin Lipsey hit a game-tying 3-pointer in front of the Cyclones bench to allow for the possibility of playing overtime in Kansas City on Friday.
"JB's one of a kind. He's put in the work like I've seen everyone else do on the team. We have the ultimate confidence in him. He won Big 12 Player of the Year for a reason," Bradley's teammate, Anthony Dell'Orso, told ESPN's Rece Davis, Jay Williams and Seth Greenberg after the game.
The Wildcats had to come from behind to win Friday's semifinal, as they trailed the Cyclones 43-37 after the first half. Arizona, which trailed as many as 12 points in the first half, finished the game on a 26-20 run against Iowa State to keep its chances of being a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament alive.
Bradley finished with 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field with seven assists, two steals, two rebounds and a block.
Arizona will face the winner of Houston vs. Kansas in March 14's championship game at 6 p.m. ET.
DENVER, CO - MARCH 5: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets passes the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 5, 2026 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. 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 (Photo by Morgan Engel/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers (41-25) have a crucial game to win against the Denver Nuggets (41-26) on Saturday. This is the last time these two teams meet in the regular season, they are currently even in their season series at 1-1.
Just when it felt like the Lakers were falling apart two weeks ago, they’ve completely turned it around once again and are now sitting in third place in the Western Conference standings.
Granted, that can change in an instant, but the fact that they’re a top seed in the West means they’re doing things right. Now, the goal is to remain in that spot.
That will be possible if the purple and gold take care of business against the visiting Nuggets on Saturday.
The same Nuggets team that they’ve had two close games with this season. This time, Aaron Gordon is back, which means Denver will be at their healthiest this year against LA on Saturday.
It should make another exciting clash between two teams who are not only looking to claim the tiebreaker but also to overtake each other in the standings.
Here are three factors that could determine the winner of this heavyweight match.
Whose defense is worse?
Defense will matter a lot in this game because the Lakers and Nuggets have one thing in common: being below-average in that department. The Lakers are 20th in defensive rating and Denver is right behind them, at 21st.
Over the last two games, LA has been successful scoring in the paint against Denver. They’re +26 in points generated inside the paint across both games. The non-Nikola Jokic minutes specifically are when the Lakers should look to capitalize. They’ve also been successful in generating second-chance opportunities and transition points against the Nuggets this season. That should continue if the Lakers want to win on Saturday.
Which superstar will rise to the occasion?
Speaking of defense, it’s a given that the Lakers will have to do everything to contain Jokić. They also have to make sure that Jamal Murray doesn’t play extraordinarily well and now Gordon too.
The Lakers’ defense will have their hands full and will need to put a ton of pressure on the Nuggets as well. For that to happen, Luka Dončić will have to play very well, as well as Austin Reaves and LeBron James. Now is the perfect time for the supporting cast to make sure they don’t disappear too.
Both teams may have their flaws, but they employ All-Stars who can take over games. The question is, who will be the superstar in this one? Hopefully, it will be one that dons the purple and gold armor.
Who will be the X-factor?
In the Lakers’ first victory against the Nuggets this season, it was Marcus Smart who pitched in 15 points to help Dončić and James complete the comeback win. In their second game, when the Nuggets barely escaped the Lakers, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Christian Braun stood out. It’ll be interesting to see who comes up big for both teams on Saturday. The likeliest candidates to be the Lakers’ X-factor are: Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton or even Jaxson Hayes.
Let’s see if the Lakers can find a way to tip things in their favor and win the season series against the Nuggets for the first time in six years.
Notes and Updates
For the Lakers’ injury report, Maxi Kleber (lumbar back strain) is out, while Jaxson Hayes (back soreness) is probable.
As for the Nuggets, Peyton Watson (right hamstring strain) is out while Aaron Gordon (right hamstring) is probable.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 5: Draymond Green #23 and Moses Moody #4 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 5, 2025 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
After two very disappointing losses on Monday and Tuesday, the Golden State Warriors are back in action tonight, hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves. It won’t be as disappointing if they lose this game, given how good the Wolves are, but … well … it sure would be nice if they won.
Unfortunately, they’re once again at a health disadvantage. Here’s the full injury report for both teams.
Warriors
Out — Steph Curry (right patellofemoral pain syndrome)
Another week, another Curry injury update that pushes his return further down the road. We’re not far from starting to question whether he’ll be back this season at all.
Out — Jimmy Butler III (right ACL surgery)
Well, I’m not exactly breaking any news here, am I?
Out — Moses Moody (right wrist sprain)
This is Moody’s fifth consecutive missed game. He does seem to be nearing a return, though. The Warriors begin a six-game road trip on Sunday, and the expectation is that Moody will return at some point during that trip.
Out — Draymond Green (left low back injury management)
Green is technically still listed as questionable on the official injury report, but the Warriors just announced he won’t play. That’s a big blow to the team.
Timberwolves
Out — Joan Beringer (on G League assignment)
That’s it. That’s the entirety of the injury report. Technically they list Anthony Edwards and Ayo Dosunmu as available (as the Warriors did with De’Anthony Melton and Quinten Post), but that’s not really an injury is it? The Dubs are limping, and facing a very healthy team. We’ll see how that works out for them.
Enjoy the game, Dub Nation. It kicks off at 7:00 p.m. PT on Prime Video.
MIAMI (AP) — Austin Wells hit a walk-off three-run homer in the seventh inning that ended the game under a tournament rout rule, and the Dominican Republic beat South Korea 10-0 Friday night to reach the World Baseball Classic semifinals.
Seeking its second title and first since 2013, the Dominicans play the United States or Canada in a semifinal on Sunday in Miami and will start Luis Severino. The Dominicans are 5-0 in the tournament, have outscored opponents 51-10 while batting .312 and with 14 homers tied the WBC record set by Mexico in 2009.
Fernando Tatis Jr. drove in two runs and has 11 RBIs in the tournament. He is tied for third in a single WBC, trailing only Masataka Yoshida’s 13 for Japan in 2023 and Wladimir Balentien’s 12 for the Netherlands in 2017.
Wells, who entered as a defensive replacement in the top of the seventh, reached down and drove a first-pitch cutter from Hyeong Jun So off the front of the second deck in right. Wells was born in Arizona to a mother is of Dominican descent.
He hit the Dominicans' second walk-off homer of the tournament after Juan Soto's drive that ended a 12-1 group stage win over the Netherlands.
Backed by three runs in the second inning and four in the third, winner Christopher Sánchez struck out eight in five innings of two-hit ball.
South Korea, which lost a semifinal in 2006 and the final in 2009, had been eliminated in the first round three straight times before reaching a quarterfinal this year. The South Koreans had two hits, batted .222 and finished with a 5.91 ERA.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. walked against loser Hyun Jin Ryu and scored the game's first run from first base with a head-first slide on Junior Caminero’s double into the left-field corner. Julio Rodríguez followed with an RBI groundout and Tatis had a run-scoring single.
Soto scored on Guerrero’s double in a four-run fourth, hooking an arm around catcher Dong Won Park with a head-first slide.
Mar 1, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets pitcher Clay Holmes (35) pitches against the Houston Astros in the first inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
The split squads were in effect today, with the Mets hosting the Marlins at Clover Park and the team traveling to the CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches to take on the Nationals.
Home Game: Marlins 1, Mets 0
Kodai Senga looked excellent over three innings of work, striking out five and allowing no hits or walks. His velocity was hitting 98 and his ghost fork was diving, both wonderful signs for the oft-injured righty.
Devin Williams pitched a scoreless fourth inning, working himself out of trouble after striking out the first two batters he faced. Back to back singles put men on the corners, but he was able to induce a weak ground out to end the frame.
Bo Bichette came to bat thrice, striking out once and grounding into two double plays. Woof.
The sole run crossed the plate in the seventh, when Christopher Morel singled in Connor Norby. This would be the only run charged to Clay Holmes, who looked excellent in five innings of work, allowing two hits, no walks, and six strikeouts in his first post-WBC appearance.
Away Game: Mets 8, Nationals 3
The Mets jumped on the board in the top of the first when Ronny Mauricio doubled in Brett Baty, giving the Mets a 1-0 lead.
Carl Edwards Jr. started for the away Mets, and looked really good in his four innings of work, striking out four and allowing just one baserunner on a walk to Nasim Nuñez.
The Mets extended their lead by a run when Carson Benge drove in A.J. Ewing with the second run in the fifth.
Bryan Hudson entered the game in the bottom of the fifth, giving up a single to Dylan Crews, a walk to José Tena, and a double to Nuñez on the first three batters to face him, leading to a run. A sacrifice fly by Yohandy Morales tied the game.
Joe Jacques gave up a third run on a Crews sacrifice fly in the sixth inning.
The Mets retook the lead in the eighth when Nick Roselli cleared the bases on a three-run double, putting the Mets up 5-3.
A flurry of Met prospects that you probably haven’t heard of (Ronald Hernandez! Diego Mosquera! Nick Lorusso!) added on in the top of the ninth, putting the Mets up 8-3.
The Mets play away tomorrow against the Astros at 6:05pm.
NORTH PORT, Fla. — With less than two weeks left until it’s being used for real, Aaron Boone remains unimpressed with the automated ball-strike system (ABS).
Access the Yankees beat like never before
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.
“I don’t like it,” the manager said before the Yankees’ 7-6 spring training loss to the Braves Friday at CoolToday Park. “I don’t want it. I think the umpires are trained really well now and graded really fairly. I’ve seen the [strike] zone get more consistent umpire-to-umpire.”
But his real issue is the impact it could have on the flow of the game.
“It’s a whole new component,” Boone said. “A guy strikes out a guy to end the sixth inning in a big spot and he’s going off the field and it’s overturned. Now he’s back in the fire. Hopefully that serves us well, but that’s now part of the game. Is that a great thing? I don’t know.”
Aaron Boone is pictured during the Yankees’ March 4 spring training game. Imagn Images
And it’s not about the concept of letting umpires make mistakes behind the plate, it’s the way in which the challenge system may impact calls in games.
“There’s a human element of ‘This team is out of challenges and [the umpire] got one wrong,’ ” Boone said.
Now that it’s here, though, Boone believes the Yankees will have success with the system.
“I continue to think it will be good for entertainment and I think there’s entertainment value to it,” the manager said. “I think we’re going to be good at it. I expect us to be good at it.”
Boone said the Yankees are “going to be prepared correctly for it. I think our guys, offensively speaking — kind of our identity [and] DNA — is controlling the strike zone. Hopefully that serves us well in this environment.”
And Boone added he’s not totally against it — and acknowledged he may come around at some point.
Aaron Boone takes Max Fried out of the Yankees’ spring training game on March 9. AP
“I might grow to like it,” Boone said. “I was skeptical about some of the rule changes a couple years ago. … [And] I’m not dead-set that I hate it. It’s fine. I don’t think I love it.”
He’d also rather they just go totally to an automated system instead of relying on a challenge system.
“I’m kind of one way or the other,” Boone said. “Then there’s no consternation. You want it or you don’t.”
Boone said with Ryan Weathers expected to be in the five-man rotation to open the regular season, veterans Paul Blackburn and Ryan Yarbrough likely would pitch out of the bullpen in the early going.
Paul Blackburn throws a pitch during the Yankees’ March 5 Grapefruit League game. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Boone also added the Yankees could go with a four-man rotation for the first few weeks, given extra built-in off days in March and April.
“Those are things we’ll work through over the next weeks,” Boone said.
A day after top prospect George Lombard Jr. was reassigned to minor league camp, Boone praised the young infielder who has stood out each of the last two springs.
“Obviously, we think very highly of him and he continues to confirm those notions,” Boone said. “The way he goes about it, he’s as professional as it gets: Great routine, his love of the game, how he works.”
Boone’s message to Lombard and Spencer Jones, in particular, was: “Be where your feet are. The bottom line is to keep getting better. Go play. … Some things are out of your control. Handle your end of business.”
Mar 1, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Landon Knack against the Los Angeles Angels during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Dodgers take on the Mariners Friday night at Peoria Stadium. Landon Knack makes his fourth spring start for the Dodgers. Cade Anderson takes the ball for Seattle.
On a night established to celebrate fathers and daughters, it was only fitting that two Lakers stars stole the show.
A sellout crowd of nearly 19,000 fans all received hats as the Lakers hosted their third annual “Girl Dad Night,” a celebration of girls in sports and the fathers who champion them.
A black baseball cap with white stitching on the brim, featuring a white “L” logo and “GIRL DAD NIGHT” in yellow and white text, on a black surface.Luka Dončić coloring with daughter.LeBron James holding hands with his daughter Zhuri, both looking forward.
Luka Doncic, father to 2-year-old Gabriela and newborn Olivia, produced the finest scoring performance of his young Lakers tenure, exploding for 51 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in the Lakers’ 142-130 victory over the Bulls.
LeBron James, who returned to the lineup after missing the last three games, quietly stitched together another vintage all-around performance — 18 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals and a block. A little over a week after bringing his daughter, Zhuri, with him on the road to San Francisco, James spent Thursday reflecting on fatherhood and the responsibility that comes with raising a daughter in a world constantly watching.
“The way I treat her mother. The love that I have inside the family. The accountability,” James said when asked what the most important lesson he taught his daughter is. “One of the best compliments Savannah and I get is when people say our kids are well-mannered and great kids. That’s the greatest compliment we can get.”
James smiled when asked about the title that filled the arena.
“I love girl dads. It’s pretty cool, and I’m happy to be one,” he said, admitting his daughter “definitely softened me up a lot.”
LeBron James on returning to the lineup, playing alongside Luka and AR, why it took for him to be ready for this game, and being a girl dad in the Lakers 142-130 victory over the Bulls tonight. pic.twitter.com/ebVb6Sq6JK
Kobe Bryant smiling and making a peace sign, sitting between his two daughters who are also smiling, in a stadium audience.
The Lakers launched Girl Dad Night in March 2024 during Women’s History Month as a tribute to Kobe Bryant and former owner Jerry Buss, two of the most famous girl dads in franchise history. Bryant’s love for his daughters — and especially for Gianna’s basketball dreams — helped reshape how sports culture celebrates girls and the fathers who lift them up.
Thursday’s game felt like an extension of that legacy.
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
Fathers and daughters were spotlighted throughout the night. In-game host Ray A. Castillo shared the spotlight with his daughters, Alexis and Hayley. The national anthem was performed by father-daughter duo Matt and Savanna, and the Laker Girls even danced at halftime alongside their dads.
Two men and two Laker Girls stand on a basketball court.
Weeks earlier, the Lakers welcomed father-daughter pairs from local nonprofit organizations to their training facility for a basketball clinic and empowerment workshop — surprising them with tickets to Thursday’s game.
Below are many of the photos of the Lakers girl dads.
Ducks captain Radko Gudas has been suspended for five games for his knee-to-knee hit on Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews during the second period of Thursday’s game. Gudas was assessed a five-minute major penalty for kneeing and given a game misconduct. Matthews left the game and did not return.
On Friday, the Leafs announced that Matthews sustained a Grade 3 MCL tear and quad contusion. Though he will be re-evaluated in two weeks, he will miss the rest of the 2025-26 season.
Mar 12, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (7) leaves the ice after being ejected from the game for a hit on Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (not pictured) during the second period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
This hit comes just weeks after Gudas’ hit on Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby during the 2026 Winter Olympics, which resulted in a Grade 2 MCL sprain for Crosby. While Gudas’ hit on Crosby was fair and legal, his hit on Matthews was anything but.
This is the fifth time that Gudas has been suspended by the NHL and his first time since 2019, when he was suspended two games for high sticking the Tampa Bay Lightning's Nikita Kucherov.
Gudas has had two longer suspensions in his NHL career. He was suspended 10 games in 2017 for slashing the Winnipeg Jets’ Mathieu Perreault across the neck and suspended six games in 2016 for a late, high hit on the Boston Bruins’ Austin Czarnik.
Mar 12, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (7) gets set for a face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
A phone hearing between Gudas and the NHL Department Player of Safety was held on Friday. Phone hearings carry a maximum suspension of five games, whereas an in-person hearing would have allowed for a longer suspension.
Trade deadline acquisition John Carlson has been targeting Saturday versus the Ottawa Senators or Sunday versus the Montréal Canadiens for his Ducks debut. With Gudas out, Drew Helleson will likely remain in the lineup and Ian Moore, who lined up as a winger in Thursday’s game, will also likely return to the blue line for this weekend’s pair of games.
President Donald Trump has breathed new life into an old story – that he supposedly intervened during a fight between Basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant and Jayson Williams, a 9-year NBA veteran, when Bryant and Williams were in New York for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game.
“Kobe was having a hard time with somebody and it worked out fine,’’ Trump said, although he did not mention Williams by name.
Charles Oakley, then a star power forward with the New York Knicks, was on the elevator when Williams, then with the New Jersey Nets, punched Bryant, according to "Three-Ring Circus: Kobe, Shaq, Phil, and the Crazy Years of the Lakers Dynasty" – a book by Jeff Pearlman, a New York Times-bestselling author.
The elevator was at the Grand Hyatt in New York, then owned by Trump, according to Pearlman’s book.
Oakley, during a phone interview with USA TODAY Sports, said he doesn’t remember being on the elevator during the reported incident but that he’s heard Williams tell the story of the fight.
“He had told it to some people that I was around,’’ Oakley said. “Jayson, he liked to be a story. He's a storyteller. I told him, 'Jayson, I mean, you 55, 57. You probably told that story 50 times.' ’’
Williams, 58, did not respond to a request for comment by email and did not answer a phone call from USA TODAY Sports. His voicemail box was full.
The altercation reportedly broke out after Bryant got into an elevator occupied by Williams and Oakley, Williams greeted Bryant and then took offense to Bryant's cold replay, according to Pearlman's book, which states that Williams lunged and punched Bryant in the cheek.
"Trump, of all people, grabbed Williams and told Bryant, 'Get out of here. Quickly.' ''
Bryant got off the elevator, according to Pearlman's book.
Bryant died in 2020 during a helicopter crash that also killed his daughter Gianna and seven other people.
PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 19: Infield coach Perry Hill #16 of the Seattle Mariners poses for a portrait at Peoria Sports Complex on February 19, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Kade Anderson Revolution will be televised. Tonight’s match-up against the Dodgers will be broadcast on SNLA, and it’s an evening game, so you might even get to watch it. Of course, it’s up against the WBC Quarterfinals, so maybe your attention will be divided.
The Mariners are mostly going with the B-Squad for tonight’s game, but I know my fellow Brock Rodden enjoyers will be excited about that. The headline is Kade Anderson’s third start of his pro career, and he’ll face a significant early test against the top of the Dodgers’ lineup. Our best understanding of who’ll follow Anderson is Dobnak, Ortiz, Ferrer, Vargas, and Zuñiga, but that’s not 100%
As for LA, I can’t say I’m super familiar with Landon Knack, but he’s already got two rings. His most prominent outings came in the 2024 postseason, where included four innings of Game 4 of the World Series. Here’s a fun fact: his first MLB strikeout came against Nick Senzel, who will man the keystone for Knack tonight.
KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 13: Eric Hosmer takes batting practice prior to the MLB Home Run Derby X at Kauffman Stadium on Saturday, September 13, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Amy Kontras/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The WBC Quarterfinals start tonight, including Team USA facing off against Team Canada. But if you can tear your eyes away from that, you can see the debut of Eric Hosmer on the Royals TV broadcast in Surprise, Arizona. It should be a good time. Here’s the lineup:
Speaking of team USA in the WBC, Michael Wacha will make his first appearance in Royals Spring Training since returning home from a successful relief appearance in pool play last week. This game will also allow us to get our first look at the newest Royal, Starling Marte, in right field, and watch Carter Jensen take a turn behind the plate while Salvy waits to try to lead Venezuela against Japan tomorrow.
After Wacha, the Royals plan to send Noah Cameron, Helcris Olivárez, and Shane Panzini to the mound. Beck Way and Chase Jesse will be in the bullpen, too, just in case. I’ll be keeping a close eye on Noah Cameron’s velocities and to see if Helcris Olivárez can continue to push for a bullpen spot.
One of the most exciting parts of baseball is a game going into extra innings. In MLB games, extra innings can go on-and-on like an Erykah Badu song.
For a lengthy, six-month MLB season, extra innings are cool. An uncanny experience for baseball fans, especially those that witness the extended game live at a ballpark. MLB officially instituted the "ghost runner" for the 2023 regular season, but the rule placing a free runner on second base to start extra innings had been used since the 2020 COVID season.
The World Baseball Classic also adopted the rule, but it it will be used all the way through the tournament, whereas MLB reverts to traditional extra-inning rules in the postseason.
The WBC comes with a separate set of rules including pitch count limits and mercy rule regulations.
The tournament also follows MLB's regular-season extra-inning rules, with a runner starting on second base beginning in the 10th inning.
The "ghost runner" in extra innings will be deployed all the way through the tournament, whereas MLB does not use the rule in the postseason.
Pitch clock rules during WBC
This is the first year that the WBC has introduced a pitch clock.
It mirrors the MLB pitch clock rule which if the bases are empty, pitchers have 15 seconds to throw to batters. And with at least one runner on base, pitchers have 18 seconds to send the ball across home plate.
Additionally, batters have to be ready and in the box with at least eight seconds on the clock.
Is there pitch count limit in the WBC?
Pitchers are capped at 65 pitches through the first round of the tournament. That number increases to 80 pitches for the quarter and semifinals, topping out at 95 pitches for the championship game.
Although limited at 95 pitches, pitchers can pass the mark if needed to complete a batter's plate appearance.
Pitchers who exceed the allotted pitch amount in one game will be forced to use ensuing days for rest, depending on how many pitches were thrown. If a pitcher throws 50 or more pitches, then he will sit for at least four days before he can pitch again. If the number is 30 or more, then a player has to rest for a day.
No matter the pitch count, pitchers who throw on consecutive days will be required to rest for a day before competing again.
What's the mercy rule for WBC?
There's a mercy rule during only the first and quarterfinal rounds.
The rule states that the game will after the 7th inning if a team leads by 10 or more runs. The game will conclude after the 5th inning if a team leads by 15 or more runs.
A few days ago, I took a microscope and a fine comb to some Cactus League stats for the San Francisco Giants hitters. Today it’s time to do the same thing, except for the pitchers.
The goal is simple: take data that’s already too small to be meaningful, and split it into even smaller, less meaningful segments. Because isn’t that fun?
More seriously, it’s to look at how the team’s pitchers have performed against different talent levels. To break that down, I’ve sorted every batter the Giants have faced this spring into four categories: MLB regulars (think Heliot Ramos); non-regulars who are on the 40-man roster (Luis Matos); non-roster invitees (Jared Oliva); and players from Minor League camp (Josuar González).
It’s at times an inexact science. Bryce Eldridge isn’t a regular, but he’s certainly a better hitter than many who are. But for the most part, it puts things into buckets so we can see how pitchers are performing against players they would see in a Major League game, versus players that they won’t. And it also shows us how they’re being deployed.
Additionally, I’ve looked at every ball put in play that the Giants pitchers have allowed, and tracked the exit velocities. I’ve included the data for both average exit velocity (the average of every ball in play), and EV50 (the average of the lowest 50% of that data set). For context, I’ve added what percentile that average EV would have been in 2025, and a ranking for the EV50 based on the 447 MLB pitchers with at least 100 batted balls in 2025, since percentiles aren’t available for that stat.
Well, dig in, folks. And nerd out. All of the data is through Thursday’s game.
Tristan Beck
vs. regulars: 11 batters faced, 3 hits, 1 home run, 1 triple, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 4 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 triple, 1 walk vs. NRIs: 7 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, 1 strikeout vs. MiLBs: n/a
Exit velocities(15 balls in play) Avg EV: 92.3 (1st percentile) EV50: 82.0 (434th out of 447)
It hasn’t been a good spring for Beck. He’s been struggling to miss bats, and hitters have been teeing off on his pitches, with seven of the 18 balls put in play against him hitting triple figures. He hasn’t pitched for the Giants that much, since he was in the WBC, but he certainly seems to be loosing ground on the rest of the swing man and middle relief competition. Luckily, he has an option remaining, which I hadn’t realized. So he seems ticketed for Sacramento.
Will Bednar
vs. regulars: n/a vs. 40-mans: 1 batter faced vs. NRIs: 8 batters faced, 1 hit, 3 walks vs. MiLBs: 10 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, 3 strikeouts
Exit velocities(11 balls in play) Avg EV: 85.5 (99th percentile) EV50: 74.2 (21st out of 447)
Bednar, who is an NRI (as well as the team’s first-round pick in 2021), was in the first group of camp cuts on Thursday. And it’s clear from this breakdown of his opponents that the Giants never viewed him as a candidate to earn an Opening Day role … he faced 19 batters, and only one of them was a rostered player. But It was certainly a valuable experience for the righty, and one that was in line with his 2025: very good things happened when batters swung at his pitches, but very bad things happened when they did not.
Hayden Birdsong
vs. regulars: 8 batters faced, 4 hits, 1 double, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 5 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 home run, 1 walk vs. NRIs: 5 batters faced, 3 hits, 1 home run, 1 double, 1 walk vs. MiLBs: n/a
Exit velocities(13 balls in play) Avg EV: 92.2 (1st percentile) EV50: 83.4 (446th out of 447)
There’s no need to dwell on Birdsong’s rough spring, especially given the news that came out on Thursday: he has a sore elbow. We’ll all hold our breaths. It’s been a disaster of a preseason for him, but nothing that he can’t turn around … if healthy.
Spencer Bivens
vs. regulars: 14 batters faced, 3 hits, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 6 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 home run, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 9 batters faced, 4 hits, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts vs. MiLBs: 2 batters faced, 1 strikeout
Exit velocities (21 balls in play) Avg EV: 95.3 (worse than the highest mark of 93.2) EV50: 80.1 (362nd out of 447)
It sneakily hasn’t been a very strong spring for Bivens. He’s done an excellent job limiting damage, but betters are absolutely spanking the ball when he throws it. He’s already given up six balls in excess of 106 mph, and he’s also had a fair amount of walks. But he’s proven, and valuable, and we know the team likes him, so I’d be surprised if he’s not on the Opening Day roster.
JT Brubaker
vs. regulars: 8 batters faced, 3 hits, 1 home run, 1 double, 2 walks, 1 strikeout vs. 40-mans: 7 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 6 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 double vs. MiLBs: 3 batters faced, 1 walk, 1 strikeout
Exit velocities(16 balls in play) Avg EV: 91.0 (7th percentile) EV50: 79.5 (305th out of 447)
Brubaker has also had a fairly mediocre spring, and has been hit especially hard by MLB regulars. He was somewhat surprisingly tendered a contract in arbitration this winter, and he can’t be feeling too comfortable about his job status as March 25 draws nearer.
José Buttó
vs. regulars: 6 batters faced, 1 hit vs. 40-mans: 4 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 double, 1 walk vs. NRIs: 7 batters faced, 3 hits, 1 triple, 2 strikeouts vs. MiLBs: n/a
Exit velocities(14 balls in play) Avg EV: 92.3 (1st percentile) EV50: 83.0 (443rd out of 447)
We’re noticing an unfortunate theme here: the pitchers with “B” surnames are allowing a lot of hard contact, Bednar notwithstanding. But we’re dealing with very small sample sizes, and Buttó has been completely fine, especially against the best talent.
Michael Fulmer
vs. regulars: 2 batters faced, 1 strikeout vs. 40-mans: 9 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 home run, 3 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 10 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 home run, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts vs. MiLBs: 8 batters faced, 6 strikeouts
Exit velocities(14 balls in play) Avg EV: 78.9 (better than the lowest mark of 84.1) EV50: 63.8 (better than the lowest mark of 70.7)
What a funny spring Fulmer has had. He’s limited batters to comically low exit velocities, yet the only hits he’s allowed have been home runs. He’s thrown with fairly soft velocity, but earned a lot of strikeouts. The splits certainly paint a story of a player who should be in Sacramento this year, at least at the start. He hasn’t had all that much of an opportunity against MLB players, and has done the bulk of his damage against Minor Leaguers.
Matt Gage
vs. regulars: 9 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 home run, 1 double, 2 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 7 batters faced, 1 hit, 4 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 2 batters faced, 1 strikeout vs. MiLBs: n/a
Exit velocities(11 balls in play) Avg EV: 93.5 (worse than the highest mark of 93.2) EV50: 83.6 (446th out of 447)
Gage has benefitted from two things. First, in this article, he’s benefitted from the fact that the stats in San Francisco’s exhibition game against Team USA don’t count, since he not only got roughed up, but was roughed up by a group of Giants Minor Leaguers on loan to the American squad. Second and more importantly, he’s benefitted from the fact that Erik Miller, Reiver Sanmartin, and Sam Hentges also suffered injuries. Miller is still hoping to be ready by Opening Day, though that’s a big question mark, while Sanmartin and Hentges have already been ruled out. A pathway has opened for Gage to make the Opening Day roster, despite so-so results thus far.
Trent Harris
vs. regulars: 3 batters faced, 3 hits vs. 40-mans: 6 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 walk, 1 strikeout vs. NRIs: 10 batters faced, 4 hits, 2 home runs, 1 double, 1 walk, 1 strikeout vs. MiLBs: 4 batters faced, 2 strikeouts
Exit velocities(17 balls in play) Avg EV: 93.2 (0th percentile) EV50: 87.1 (worse than the highest mark of 84.1)
Harris’ first time in Major League camp went similarly to his 2025 season, in that he was excellent against the lowest-level talent he faced, and struggled against the higher-level talent. Last year, he mowed through AA, but ran into a wall in AAA, and that’s reflected in the splits above, where he retired all four Minor Leaguers he faced, with two strikeouts, while allowing 11 of the 19 other batters he faced to reach base, with just two more strikeouts. He was among the first group of camp cuts, and will head to AAA to work on some stuff — hopefully we can see the curveball a little more.
Adrian Houser
vs. regulars: 9 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 home run, 1 walk vs. 40-mans: 1 batter faced, 1 hit, 1 double vs. NRIs: n/a vs. MiLBs: n/a
Exit velocities(9 balls in play) Avg EV: 93.4 (worse than the highest mark of 93.2) EV50: 85.9 (worse than the highest mark of 84.1)
The main takeaway from Houser’s spring is that he’s only officially pitched once (he also pitched against Team USA, which didn’t go all that well). We’re gonna see a lot of the young arms this year, methinks, though Houser is certainly in the rotation if healthy.
Caleb Kilian
vs. regulars: 9 batters faced, 5 hits, 1 double vs. 40-mans: 6 batters faced, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 9 batters faced, 1 hit, 3 strikeouts vs. MiLBs: 1 batter faced, 1 strikeout
Exit velocities(17 balls in play) Avg EV: 84.3 (1st percentile) EV50: 70.2 (better than the lowest mark of 70.7)
Kilian has, in many ways, been the pitching version of Victor Bericoto this spring. He’s been one of the best performers, but if you peel things back a little bit, it’s notable that he’s doing his best work against his worst competition. The sample sizes are tiny, but if you want to overanalyze, there’s an opportunity to do so. Still, he’s throwing gas, and making quite an impression. He very well could find himself on the Opening Day roster. He’s also been a bit of an all-or-nothing guy with exit velocities: six of the 17 balls put in play against him have been below 75 mph, while four have been hotter than 104.
Tyler Mahle
vs. regulars: 14 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 double, 5 walks, 4 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 5 batters faced, 1 walk, 1 strikeout vs. NRIs: 5 batters faced, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts vs. MiLBs: 2 batters faced
Exit velocities(12 balls in play) Avg EV: 84.3 (1st percentile) EV50: 71.7 (2nd out of 447)
26 batters faced, and only 12 balls in play. Mahle is living off of strikeouts, but dying due to walks. There shouldn’t have been any doubt that his stuff plays against top competition, but if there was … well, there isn’t anymore. As long as he can find the strike zone and stay healthy, he’ll be golden.
Nick Margevicius
vs. regulars: 3 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 double vs. 40-mans: 2 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 double vs. NRIs: 19 batters faced, 7 hits, 2 doubles, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts vs. MiLBs: 9 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 strikeout
Also: 2 runners caught stealing, 1 stolen base allowed
Exit velocities(29 balls in play) Avg EV: 92.3 (1st percentile) EV50: 82.0 (434th out of 447)
Margevicius, a non-roster invitee, is another player whose splits inform us less about his abilities, and more about the organization’s view of him. Despite being a 29-year old with MLB experience, it’s clear that the Giants view him as bullpen depth in AAA, given that he’s faced 33 batters, and only five of them have been rostered players.
Trevor McDonald
vs. regulars: 21 batters faced, 3 hits, 1 home run, 1 double, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 8 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 home run, 1 hit by pitch, 3 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 9 batters faced, 1 hit, 2 strikeouts vs. MiLBs: n/a
Exit velocities(24 balls in play) Avg EV: 88.4 (73rd percentile) EV50: 79.1 (277th out of 447)
McDonald has unequivocally been one of the stars of Spring Training, and things look even rosier when you account for competition. In 10 innings he’s yet to face a batter from Minor League camp, and more than half of his opponents have been MLB regulars, while his numbers have held — or arguably gotten better — against those players. He’s played himself into being the favorite not just for the first name called when the rotation needs a sixth arm, but also for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen.
Robbie Ray
vs. regulars: 13 batters faced, 1 hit, 3 walks, 4 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 12 batters faced, 2 walks, 1 hit by pitch, 3 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 11 batters faced, 3 hits, 2 triples, 3 walks vs. MiLBs: n/a
Exit velocities(20 balls in play) Avg EV: 85.2 (99th percentile) EV50: 69.1 (better than the lowest mark of 70.1)
Ray is the funny case of an established veteran who is performing much worse against lower competition. It certainly means nothing, but it’s funny, and I remember Wilmer Flores being the same last Spring: he was feasting against established Major Leaguers, and struggling mightily against Minor Leaguers and NRIs. Either way, the positive with Ray’s spring has been that he’s kept his exit velocities very much in check (though it’s a small enough sample size that a 24.9-mph bunt is skewing things a little). The negative is that he’s faced 36 batters and given a free base to nine of them.
Wilkin Ramos
vs. regulars: 5 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 double vs. 40-mans: 6 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 home run vs. NRIs: 14 batters faced, 2 hits, 6 walks, 1 strikeout vs. MiLBs: 7 batters faced, 4 hits, 1 strikeout
Exit velocities(24 balls in play) Avg EV: 90.7 (11th percentile) EV50: 78.8 (262nd out of 447)
Ramos, who only recently turned 25 and was added to the system over the offseason, faced an uphill battle to make the Opening Day roster, and it’s been evident why. He’s got some funk, but he’s really struggled to miss bats, and has allowed some loud contact (including two balls in excess of 113 mph). He’ll be a fun one to monitor in AAA this year.
Landen Roupp
vs. regulars: 11 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 double, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 5 batters faced, 2 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 6 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 walk, 1 strikeout vs. MiLBs: n/a
Exit velocities(13 balls in play) Avg EV: 87.4 (91st percentile) EV50: 78.3 (223rd out of 447)
Roupp has looked good, and he’s done it without the competition being watered down at all. He certainly looks ready to resume his role as a mid-rotation starter. All good signs from him thus far.
Juan Sánchez
vs. regulars: 1 batter faced, 1 strikeout vs. 40-mans: 3 batters faced vs. NRIs: 12 batters faced, 1 hit, 3 walks, 4 strikeouts vs. MiLBs: 6 batters faced, 1 hit, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts
Exit velocities(10 balls in play) Avg EV: 89.7 (38th percentile) EV50: 79.7 (324th out of 447)
Given the injuries to Miller, Hentges, and Sanmartin, and Gage’s mediocrity, the door might have been open for Sánchez to earn an Opening Day role had he pitched a little closer to how he did during 2024 Spring Training, when he nearly walked away with a job. Then again, the Giants haven’t given him quite as much of an opportunity to win that role, with 18 of the 22 batters he’s faced being non-roster invitees and Minor League camp hitters. There’s a little issue with command at the moment, which isn’t surprising since he’s returning from Tommy John surgery. I fully expect him to play a big role in the bullpen at some point this year, though.
Reiver Sanmartin
vs. regulars: 2 batters faced vs. 40-mans: 3 batters faced, 2 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 3 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 home run, 1 double vs. MiLBs: n/a
Exit velocities(6 balls in play) Avg EV: 81.8(better than the lowest mark of 84.1) EV50: 67.8 (better than the lowest mark of 70.7)
Sanmartin was pitching well in a very small sample size against rostered players, but suffered a hip flexor injury in the WBC. He’s out until the summer, unfortunately.
Gregory Santos
vs. regulars: 2 batters faced, 1 walk vs. 40-mans: 4 batters faced, 3 hits, 1 double, 1 walk vs. NRIs: 4 batters faced, 1 strikeout vs. MiLBs: n/a
Exit velocities(7 balls in play) Avg EV: 92.3 (1st percentile) EV50: 84.0 (446th out of 447)
The raw numbers haven’t been notable for Santos, but he has looked both nasty and fearless, even against the best hitters. He’s regularly hitting 100 mph, and I’m not backing off my prediction that, despite being a non-roster invitee, he’s the best reliever on the team.
Carson Seymour
vs. regulars: 14 batters faced, 2 hits, 2 doubles, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 13 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 13 batters faced, 4 hits, 2 doubles, 1 walk, 2 hit by pitches, 2 strikeouts vs. MiLBs: 1 batter faced
Exit velocities(28 balls in play) Avg EV: 86.8 (94th percentile) EV50: 73.7 (13th out of 447)
Seymour has done well against all competition levels this spring, largely because he’s earned a ton of soft contact. Of the 28 balls in play that he’s allowed, a whopping 10 have been hit softer than 80 mph. That’s impressive, especially for a power pitcher. He hasn’t been as good as McDonald, so he probably doesn’t have a path to the Opening Day roster. But he might be next in line.
Blade Tidwell
vs. regulars: 10 batters faced, 4 hits, 1 triple, 1 double, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 6 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 triple, 1 walk vs. NRIs: 9 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts vs. MiLBs: n/a
Exit velocities(12 balls in play) Avg EV: 91.9 (1st percentile) EV50: 82.9 (442nd out of 447)
Like many players on this list, Tidwell’s spring performance has mirrored his 2025. He’s been dominant against NRIs, after having a 3.62 ERA in AAA last year. But he’s really struggled to put away Major League regulars, with six of the 10 that he’s faced reaching base (which is compounded by his showing against Team USA) … not a far cry from his MLB debut last year, which resulted in 15 earned runs in 15 innings pitched. He’s throwing gas, and he looks like the real deal. But he also doesn’t look nearly as ready as McDonald or Seymour.
Ryan Walker
vs. regulars: 6 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 double, 3 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 4 batters faced, 1 hit by pitch vs. NRIs: 6 batters faced, 1 hit, 3 strikeouts vs. MiLBs: n/a
Exit velocities(9 balls in play) Avg EV: 93.0 (1st percentile) EV50: 87.4 (worst than the highest mark of 84.1)
With Walker, we’re all just waiting to see how the regular season looks. So far, so good, in Spring Training. The bad exit velocities are too small of a sample to worry about (and it’s more the result of giving up consistently mid-level EVs, rather than lots of hard-hit balls), and he’s finding the zone, getting in good counts, putting hitters away, and avoiding walks. That’s what we’re all looking for.
Logan Webb
vs. regulars: 5 batters faced, 2 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 7 batters faced, 1 hit, 4 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 5 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 hit by pitch, 1 strikeout vs. MiLBs: n/a
Exit velocities(8 balls in play) Avg EV: 82.3 (better than the lowest mark of 84.1) EV50: 62.5 (better than the lowest mark of 70.1)
We haven’t gotten to see much of Webb, since he’s been with Team USA in the WBC. But he’s been everything we expect out of him: extremely soft contact, tremendous control, and even some of those strikeouts that he showed off in 2025. Add in his strong appearance against Brazil (he’s pitching again as we speak, so we’ll see how he does) and he looks ready for the season to start.
Carson Whisenhunt
vs. regulars: 15 batters faced, 3 hits, 1 double, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts vs. 40-mans: 9 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 double, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts vs. NRIs: 5 batters faced, 2 hits, 1 double, 2 walks vs. MiLBs: n/a
Exit velocities(16 balls in play) Avg EV: 95.3 (worst than the highest mark of 93.2) EV50: 85.8 (worst than the highest mark of 84.1)
The Giants have challenged Whisenhunt this spring, giving him primarily rostered hitters to face off against. His first two outings went fully sideways, but he was tremendous in his third showing. We’ll see how the fourth goes tonight. Whisenhunt has shown notably improved velocity with the fastball, and that’s resulted in more strikeouts than usual, which is great to see. But it also seems to be an exceptionally hittable pitch: a full 50% of the balls in play he’s allowed have been hit at at least 99.8 mph.
Keaton Winn
vs. regulars: 4 batters faced, 1 hit, 1 walk, 1 strikeout vs. 40-mans: 6 batters faced, 1 walk, 1 strikeout vs. NRIs: 13 batters faced, 3 hits, 1 triple, 4 strikeouts vs. MiLBs: n/a
Exit velocities(14 balls in play) Avg EV: 82.9 (better than the lowest mark of 84.1) EV50: 63.5 (better than the lowest mark of 70.1)
Winn has looked completely fantastic, regardless of the level of competition. The other-worldly EV marks will course correct with a larger sample — four of his 14 balls in play have been hit softer than 60 mph — but he’s looked extremely impressive, and he’s throwing heat. After losing much of 2025 to injuries, and never getting to really find a rhythm, he could break camp with the team.
Minor Leaguers
There’s no need to deep dive into the pitchers from Minor League camp who have appeared in games, but here are the ones who have played, and how they’ve fared.
