Rand won gold, silver and bronze medals at Tokyo 1964
Mary Peters pays tribute to ‘most gifted athlete ever’
Mary Rand, the British track and field athlete who blazed a trail for women by winning three Olympic medals at the Tokyo Games in 1964, has died at the age of 86.
Rand was one of the giants of her sport: the epitome of speed, power and grace. Her long jump victory in Tokyo made her Britain’s first female Olympic gold medallist in athletics, and she followed it up with a silver in the pentathlon and a bronze in the 4x100m relay.
Alex Vesia’s wife was happy to be back at another Opening Day at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, but she noted it was very difficult to be there without her and Alex’s daughter, who passed away in October.
Kayla Vesia attended Los Angeles’ season opener against the Diamondbacks, and in an Instagram post, she called her evening at the ballpark “very bitter sweet.”
“What I would give to have my Sterling girl here,” Kayla wrote, “carrying her in my heart always.”
Alex and Kayla announced on Nov. 7 that Sterling Vesia, their newborn, died on Oct. 26. They wrote at the time there were “no words to describe the pain we’re going through.”
Alex Vesia missed the Dodgers’ World Series win over the Blue Jays following the death of his daughter. JASON SZENES FOR CA POST
Alex wrote a sweet note to Kayla in the comment section of her post later Thursday night.
“I LOVE YOU SOOO MUCH!!” he said, adding three red heart emojis.
Alex and Kayla Vesia wrote in November that their baby girl, Sterling, died in October. Alex Vesia
At a spring training workout last month, Alex read a lengthy statement to reporters in which he touched on the heartache he and Kayla endured last fall.
“The lessons we’ve learned from this is that life can change in an instant,” Alex said. “Ten minutes is all it took. Sterling Sol was the most beautiful girl in the world. We got to hold her, change her diaper, read to her and love her. Our time together was far too short. Kay and I will keep those precious moments and memories to ourselves. I hope that anyone listening can empathize and respect our wishes for privacy as we continue to heal, and as we navigate the ups and downs of a baseball season.”
While Alex didn’t appear in the Dodgers’ 8-2 victory over Arizona, he is expected to toe the rubber at some point in the series.
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One of the most intriguing baseball betting options is the “run first inning” market, where you can wager on whether there will be a scorer plated in the opening frame.
With two potent offenses facing off in tonight’s NL West duel between the Dodgers and Diamondbacks, my MLB picks expect early fireworks.
Check out the rest of my free NRFI and YRFI bets for Friday, March 27.
Best NRFI/YRFI bets today
Pick
Odds
/ - NRFI
-125
/ - YRFI
-102
/ - YRFI
-113
Rockies at Marlins: NRFI (-125)
The Colorado Rockies have the worst offense in the majors, especially on the road, where they posted a pathetic .589 OPS and averaged just 2.81 runs per game last year.
Meanwhile, the Miami Marlins had a .693 OPS with 3.91 runs per game at home. Neither team has made significant lineup upgrades, and 10 mph winds are blowing toward the infield at LoanDepot Park tonight.
Miami is handing the ball to former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara, who struggled last season coming off Tommy John surgery. Now two and a half years removed from the procedure, he could be in line for a resurgent campaign.
Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Marlins.TV | Rockies.TV
Angels at Astros: YRFI (-102)
Although Houston Astros righty Mike Burrows looked good in the preseason, I’m not convinced he’s a true No. 2 starter.
Burrows posted a 4.33 xERA last year, and the Los Angeles Angels ranked third in the majors in first-inning scoring percentage (33.3%). The Halos lack depth, but they’re strong at the top of the lineup — at least when Mike Trout is healthy.
L.A. will counter with lefty Yusei Kikuchi, who had a 4.48 xERA last year and sported a 6.00 ERA in the first inning. The Astros hit well against lefties, and with a healthy Yordan Alvarez back in the lineup, they should be more productive offensively this season.
Time: 8:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Apple TV
Dodgers at Diamondbacks: YRFI (-113)
These were two of the most productive offenses in the majors last year, with the Los Angeles Dodgers leading the NL in OPS (.768) and the Arizona Diamondbacks sitting third (.758).
L.A.’s murderers’ row has gotten even stronger after adding Kyle Tucker. Meanwhile, the top of the D-Backs’ lineup remains formidable with Corbin Carroll, Geraldo Perdomo, and Ketel Marte.
Arizona is starting Ryne Nelson, who posted a 3.93 xERA last year and ranked in the bottom fifth percentile in average exit velocity.
Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: MLB Network
What is a NRFI bet?
NRFI (No Run First Inning) and YRFI (Yes Run First Inning) bets add a thrilling twist to the start of an MLB game. A NRFI bet is a wager that no runs will be scored in the first inning. You're betting that the starting pitchers for both teams will get through the first inning without allowing any runs, whether by striking out batters, inducing ground balls, or through solid defensive play.
A YRFI bet is the exact opposite. You're betting that at least one run will be scored in the first inning. In this case, you’re hoping for an early offensive burst such as a leadoff walk, a timely hit, or even a home run.
NRFI and YRFI bets add excitement to the early part of a game and offer immediate gratification for bettors looking for a quick resolution.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. 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.
The Boston Celtics host the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night in a game Boston needs to win to stay ahead of the New York Knicks for second place in the Eastern Conference. Here are three big questions entering the matchup.
Will Boston be emotionally ready for surging Atlanta?
The last two games Boston played came against Western Conference contenders were a tale of two cities. First, it was the Minnesota Timberwolves, where the Celtics lost 102-92. Then on Wednesday, Boston welcomed Oklahoma City Thunder to TD Garden and, in an emotional game that was close throughout, prevailed 119-109.
The key will be whether Boston can shift its focus from two of the West’s best to a fifth-place Hawks team that has won three in a row. Atlanta is coming off an overtime win over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, after beating the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors.
Sometimes, the drop-off from high-profile games to a more routine conference matchup can open the door for an upset. Boston needs to stay sharp to protect home court and maintain its edge over New York who own the tiebreaker.
Who will step up if Jaylen Brown is unable to play
At the time of this writing, Jaylen Brown is questionable with left calf tightness. He’s appeared in 65 games this season and has carried a heavy load offensively, especially while Jayson Tatum was out.
If Brown is out, keep an eye on Payton Pritchard. He’s been a steady scoring option, though his last 20-point game came March 2 against the Milwaukee Bucks, when he dropped 25. With Tatum still finding rhythm and potentially no Brown, this sets up as a spot where Pritchard could take on a bigger offensive role.
That said, this is a game against his hometown team, so it wouldn’t be a shock if Brown ultimately suits up.
Who will guard Jalen Johnson?
The last time these teams met in Boston, the Celtics had no answer for Jalen Johnson, who led Atlanta to a 117-106 win. He finished with 19 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists, impacting the game on both ends.
Boston tried multiple looks defensively. Brown, Derrick White and Anfernee Simons all saw time on Johnson. Against smaller matchups, Johnson attacked the paint and used his 6-foot-8 frame effectively, while also knocking down 3 of 5 from deep. He’s shooting 34.9% from beyond the arc this season.
Atlanta may not have a clear No. 1 option, but it has a roster full of players who can heat up quickly. It’s a young, scrappy group, and if Boston doesn’t come out locked in, this could turn into a longer night than expected.
Michigan State and UConn should have a high-intensity feel driven by two of the top coaches and defenses remaining in the tournament. Friday's Sweet 16 game just might not be aesthetically pleasing.
According to KenPom, the UConn defense ranks 11th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency and the Spartans rank 13th. And both offenses look to get into transition but will focus on frontcourt play in the halfcourt set, with the Huskies led by Tarris Reed Jr. and Alex Karaban and Michigan State centered on Jaxon Kohler, Carson Cooper and high-flying forward Coen Carr.
The Huskies are back in the Sweet 16 after winning back-to-back national titles in 2023, '24.
"I'm just excited," Huskies coach Dan Hurley said Thursday. "I feel like it's an honorable game for UConn, Michigan State. It's a great crazy Sweet 16 game. Excited to be in it."
How the Spartans react to another early deficit on their biggest stage of the season will be critical, and Jeremy Fears once again wills them back by halftime. But the Huskies’ interior depth and strength, particularly Tarris Reed’s physicality, gets Jaxon Kohler, Carson Cooper and Cam Ward into foul trouble and exploits MSU’s thin post rotation. Ultimately, Fears’ stellar performance isn’t enough, and the Spartans’ season ends short of last season’s Elite Eight trip.
The MSU team we saw at Purdue, at Michigan, against Louisville, that MSU team can beat this UConn team, without UConn having to play poorly. The question is, if both teams have a stellar day, who’s the better team? I think the answer is UConn, by a nose. Physically, this could be blood bath.
Blake Toppmeyer: Michigan State
Paul Myerberg: Michigan State
Jordan Mendoza: Michigan State
John Brice: Michigan State
Matt Glenesk: Michigan State
Craig Meyer: UConn
Austin Curtright: Michigan State
Ehsan Kassim: UConn
John Leuzzi: UConn
Moneyline: UConn (-130); Michigan State (+110)
Spread: UConn (-1.5)
Over/under total: 136.5
Silas Demary Jr injury update: Will UConn guard play vs Michigan State?
He was listed as questionable for UConn's second-round game, but ended up playing 21 minutes, scoring two points with four assists and no turnovers.
"I'm feeling a lot better the past couple days," Demary said Thursday. "A lot of rehab, a lot of treatment. Try to get me as close as I can back to 100%.
"I'd say I'm feeling a little bit better, doing everything I can. Still going to do stuff once we leave here, try to get even better. Feel like I'm in a better spot than I was last week. Trying to get back to 100% the best I can."
Why is Bill Murray at UConn vs Michigan State Sweet 16 game?
Murray's son Luke Murray is an associate head coach on the Huskies' coaching staff.
Luke Murray is in his fifth season on the UConn bench and was just named head coach at Boston College. Before taking the Huskies assistant job in 2021, he was an assistant at both Xavier and Louisville under Chris Mack. He is in his ninth season on Hurley's staff across three different stops.
Boston College hires Luke Murray as new head coach
Connecticut assistant Luke Murray has been hired as the new head coach at Boston College, the university announced on Thursday, March 26.
Murray is the son of actor Bill Murray, who has regularly been spotted sitting behind the bench at games for much of his son’s coaching career.
"Today marks a turning point in Boston College Men's Basketball," Boston College athletic director Blake James said in a statement. "In Luke Murray, we have found a leader who does not just understand the modern landscape of college basketball - he has helped define it. His role in building a national championship caliber program, his sophisticated offensive vision, and his relentless pursuit of excellence make him the perfect fit to lead our student-athletes. We are thrilled to welcome Luke, his wife, Kara, and their family to the BC community."
Is Jeremy Fears Jr a dirty player?
It really depends on who you ask and how you analyze Fears' game.
"I go out every game and I play hard. I don't intentionally try to hurt anyone,” Fears said after Michigan State's game at Minnesota back in February, according to the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network. "I go out and play every game like it's my last, because at one point it was my last. So I don't take a game for granted. I don't take a moment for granted. So I'm going to go out there and play as hard as I can every possession, every game.
"Like at one point, I had basketball taken away from me, so something I love to do, I couldn't do it for a whole year. So most people wouldn't understand that. And that's on them, I guess. At the end of the day, it doesn’t change who I am or what I do. I'm just go out there and play 150(%) no matter what."
Are Jeremy Fears Jr and Jeremiah Fears related?
Yes, the Michigan State point guard is the brother of now New Orleans Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears, who was a one-and-done at Oklahoma. Jeremiah Fears was drafted by the Pelicans with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
There are 10 games left in the Nashville Predators' regular season, and six of them are on the road.
Hanging onto the second Wild Card spot by a point after Thursday's loss to the New Jersey Devils, there are a handful of teams waiting for the Predators to slip up and take over that coveted final spot.
While there's a maximum six-point gap between the Predators and the lowest-ranked team in the Wild Card race, these past weeks have proven that a few losses and wins here and there could change the entire landscape of this race.
These are five teams that are the biggest threat to the Predators' playoff hopes.
Los Angeles Kings
Dec 21, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators center Steven Stamkos (91) and Los Angeles Kings defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov (84) battle for the puck during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Points: 76 PTS, 1 point behind Predators
Saturday opponent: vs. Utah Mammoth at 8 p.m. CST
The Kings have been a cheat code this season, taking advantage of the consolation point awarded during an overtime loss.
Los Angeles has lost 18 overtime games, tied for the NHL record for the most post-regulation losses in a single season. On the season, the Kings have one more regulation win than an overtime loss.
However, despite losing, the Kings have been able to ride various point streaks throughout the year. They're on a three-game point streak currently despite posting a 1-0-2 record. From Jan. 14 to Jan. 27, the Kings won just half their games, but rode a six-game point streak.
With LA on Nashville's heels and facing them twice in a four-day period (April 2 and 6 in LA), the Predators need to get it done in 60 minutes. This is the one team Nashville cannot give freebie points to.
The Predators met the Kings earlier this season, and, as expected, it was a 5-4 shootout win for Nashville.
They have a key home matchup on Saturday against the Utah Mammoth. A win and a Predators loss puts the Kings in the Wild Card spot, where a loss could allow Nashville to rebuild a three-point lead in the final playoff spot.
Seattle Kraken
Mar 10, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Nicolas Hague (41) and Seattle Kraken forward Matty Beniers (10) battle for the puck during the second period at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
Points: 74 PTS, 3 points behind Predators
Saturday opponent: at Buffalo Sabres at 4:30 p.m. CST
The Kraken were the team that Nashville surpassed to take the Wild Card spot. Seattle had lost to Nashville twice in a nine-day period and then lost to Columbus, allowing the Predators to surpass it in points.
Things have been really rocky for the Kraken when they've needed to win, with a 4-7-1 record in March. That run included two four-game losing streaks.
While the Kraken have been able to stop the bleeding a bit on Thursday, picking up an overtime win against the Tampa Bay Lightning, they have one of the hardest schedules to close out the season.
It has Buffalo, Edmonton, Vegas, Colorado, Minnesota and Winnipeg all on the road, five teams that are divisional leaders and one that is battling for a Wild Card spot. In addition, they host Utah and Los Angeles, two games with valuable points on the line.
If Seattle doesn't turn things around, it will quickly be out of this playoff race.
Winnipeg Jets
Points: 72 PTS, 5 points behind Predators
Saturday opponent: at Colorado Avalanche at 6 p.m. CST
While five points may seem like a wide gap, Winnipeg has been surging as of late and has inserted itself back into the Wild Card race.
The Jets have gone 4-2-2 over their last eight, but have picked up 10 points in that run, which includes massive wins over Vegas and Colorado.
This week's stretch could make or break the Jets as they are on the road against Colorado, Dallas and Columbus. If they come out of these three games with even two wins, expect more chatter in Winnipeg down the stretch.
San Jose Sharks
Mar 24, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) blocks the shot of San Jose Sharks defenseman John Klingberg (3) during the second period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Points: 71 PTS, 6 points behind Predators
Saturday opponent: at Columbus Blue Jackets at 4 p.m. CST
The Sharks' playoff hopes are slipping fast as they've been passed by Nashville, Winnipeg and likely St. Louis in the standings over this past week.
They've lost six straight, which included a 6-3 thrashing by the Predators on Tuesday and a 2-1 overtime loss to the Blues on Thursday. Another loss to Columbus on Saturday could eliminate the Sharks from the playoffs.
San Jose could easily string some wins, or even just points, together and get back into this race, but the task becomes steeper and steeper. Over the next week, it will see Columbus, Anaheim and Nashville, all teams it's struggled against.
St. Louis Blues
Points: 71 PTS, 6 points behind Predators
Saturday opponent: vs. Toronto Maple Leafs at 6 p.m. CST
Same point total as the Sharks, but in a different position on the up and up.
The Blues have won five of their last seven and another win could start some playoff chatter around them. Two of those victories have been against divisional leaders in Carolina and Edmonton.
With Toronto and San Jose up next, and the Blues playing well, a pair of wins puts them possibly two points outside of the Wild Card spot. However, that's only if everyone in front of them loses.
Earlier this week, ESPN.com released a list covering the 10 best and 10 worst transactions since last offseason. To nobody’s surprise, the Dorian Finney-Smith signing was on the list coming in at number seven. So far this season, Finney-Smith is averaging just 3.2 points per game and has yet to score in double digits in any game.
At first the DFS signing seemed like a perfect deal for Houston, as he recently ended a season as one of the best role players in the NBA. His +14.2 on/off differential was third in the league behind only Nikola Jokic and Christian Braun on the Denver Nuggets. This is a big deal for a player who’s not a star. He looked to be the perfect wing for a team relying on star players like Kevin Durant. So what went wrong?
After undergoing ankle surgery in the offseason, Dorian Finney-Smith’s debut kept getting delayed. The whole process was really weird, as the Rocket’s front office nor head coach Ime Udoka gave many updates. Finally, on December 25, Dorian made his debut for the Rockets. At that point, the season was about a third of the way through, as Houston had played 34 percent of their games. Additonally, Dorian likely missed out on a full training camp and pre-season with the roster due to limited mobility after surgery. It is important to note that usually, when it comes to role players, their rhythm matters more than anything.
Perhaps what is the most frustrating aspect of everything is that Houston needed a player like Dorian Finney-Smith. They thought they were finding somewhat of a replacement for Dillon Brooks, but instead, the Rockets have had to put more stress on other players, such as Amen Thompson and Kevin Durant.
Reading everything so far, it seems like the situation is hopeless, but thankfully, that is not the case. Ime Udoka, the coach of the Rockets, is obviously attempting to integrate him before the postseason, even though the output is still lacking. Additonally, with Finney-Smith’s contract being a multi-year deal, there’s a possibility that next season could be better for him, as he will be coming into the year fully healthy.
Dorian Finney-Smith and the Rockets look to get back on track tonight as they face the Memphis Grizzlies at 7:00pm CST in Memphis. You can catch the game on Space City Houston, and as always, be sure to check back at The Dream Shake for pre and post-game content.
Alabama guard Aden Holloway, who was arrested on felony drug charges, was granted permission by a judge to leave the state on Friday as his team prepares to face Michigan in the Sweet 16 in Chicago.
The Crimson Tide say “nothing has changed with regard to Aden’s status with the team." Alabama listed Holloway as out on the availability report given to the NCAA on Thursday. That report is allowed to be amended up to two hours before the game.
The university removed him from campus last week “pending further investigation by the UA Office of Student Conduct.”
Holloway, Alabama’s No. 2 scorer, was arrested March 16 after authorities found 2.1 pounds of marijuana in his apartment. He was suspended indefinitely following the arrest, but coach Nate Oats has not ruled out the possibility of his return in the NCAA Tournament.
Holloway's attorney, Jason Neff, had requested his client be allowed to travel “on a trip out of the state" — without specifying where — departing Friday and returning Tuesday. Tuscaloosa County District Court Judge Joanne Jannik approved that travel Friday morning, according to court documents.
If Alabama were to win Friday night, it would play in the Elite Eight on Sunday.
Holloway's sister, Mila Holloway, is set to play for Michigan in the women's Sweet 16 on Sunday in Fort Worth, Texas, and could be playing in an Elite Eight game there on Monday.
Among the charges Aden Holloway faces is a count of first-degree marijuana possession, not for personal use, which is a Class C felony and carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $15,000. The amount of marijuana authorities said they found was just below the 2.2-pound threshold for a drug trafficking charge.
Neff has said there is no proof his client was selling the drugs.
As NBA MVP debates continue to intensify, the heavy favorite, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is slipping.
Both Victor Wembanyama and Luka Doncic have made up substantial ground on Gilgeous-Alexander, who seemed like a shoo-in to win the award.
Key Takeaways
Gilgeous-Alexander had been shorter than -1000.
Wembanyama recently shared three reasons why he felt he was the MVP of the league.
Doncic averaged nearly 40 points per game over the last three weeks.
Player
DraftKings
Caesars
bet365
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
-500
-550
-550
Victor Wembanyama
+500
+550
+500
Luka Doncic
+1200
+1100
+1200
Nikola Jokic
+6000
+4000
+5000
Jaylen Brown
+15000
+15000
+15000
Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, is still a sizable favorite to win the league’s most prestigious individual award. However, after being shorter than -1000 at top online sportsbooks, his NBA MVP odds have dropped to as low as -500 (83.3% implied chance) at DraftKings.
As SGA’s odds have declined, both Wembanyama and Doncic have experienced jolts in their odds to win the MVP.
Wembanyama could become the youngest MVP winner if he earns the confidence of the voters, assuming the mantle currently held by former Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose (22 years and 191 days old). He recently said that “it is still reasonable that there is a debate” as to who deserves the honor, before listing three reasons why he felt that he deserved it over his peers:
He is the most impactful defensive player in the league
The Spurs won four of five matchups against the Oklahoma City Thunder
With odds as short as +500, Wembanyama has at best an implied 16.7% chance—still a long way to go to catch the lead dog.
Doncic, the NBA’s leading scorer, finds his shortest odds at Caesars at +1100 (8.3% chance). While he was always among the top 10 candidates for the award, he never made substantial headway until recently.
The Los Angeles Lakers are in the middle of an excellent stretch that caused them to rise from +8000 to +3000 in FanDuel’s NBA Finals odds just over the past couple of weeks. Their Slovenian superstar also played at an extraordinarily high level during that time, averaging 39.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.3 assists on 48% shooting over his last 11 games, eight of those coming against projected playoff teams.
Luka Doncic is the first player to average 40 points over a six-game span — all on the road — since MJ in 1986 😳
While both Wembanyama and Doncic are making the MVP race a compelling storyline over the final weeks of the season, Gilgeous-Alexander is not going out of his way to lose the award.
Since returning from a right abdominal strain at the end of November, last year’s Finals MVP averaged 30.3 points, 7.4 assists, and 4.3 rebounds on 57.2% shooting in 12 games, 11 of those being wins. The Thunder also have the best record in the NBA, leading the Spurs by two games and the Lakers by 10 in the race for the first seed in the Western Conference.
Victor Wembanyama: 24.2 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 3.1 blocks, 1.1 steals, 50.5% FG, 35.1% 3PT, +16.9 on/off net rating
Luka Doncic: 33.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.6 steals, 47.4% FG, 36.4% 3PT, +5.0 on/off net rating
A team's regular-season record has been an important part of determining the MVP in years past. That could spell trouble for Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder, who finish the year with a tough run of games.
OKC will face off against the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Lakers (twice), Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, and Phoenix Suns between now and their final game on April 12. Tankathon ranks that as the second-toughest remaining schedule, while the Spurs are only 20th, and the Lakers 22nd.
The head-to-head matchups between the Lakers and Thunder could also give Doncic a platform to vault in MVP odds if he puts together great performances and helps his team take down the conference leaders.
Sportsbooks get it wrong?
Sportsbook odds are not always perfect, but they are usually indicative of what is going to happen. However, there have been notable exceptions.
One recent case of sportsbooks getting their award odds completely wrong came in 2023.
Buffalo Bills safety, Damar Hamlin, who went into cardiac arrest during a game, was an enormous favorite to win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award. He ended up losing it to then 39-year-old Joe Flacco, who only played in five games for the Cleveland Browns.
The Thunder, Spurs, and Lakers all have exactly nine games left in their regular seasons. The Thunder and Lakers will be in action on Friday night, and the Spurs will kick off the Saturday afternoon slate.
The Los Angeles Lakers (47-26), ranked third in the Western Conference, host the Brooklyn Nets (17-56), who are second to last in the East. The Lakers are heavily favored with a -16.5 spread and a -1600 moneyline. Both teams have played 73 games this season.
There are eight games on the MLB slate today, and prediction markets like Kalshi allow baseball bettors in every state (excluding Nevada) a chance to lock in their favorite MLB best bets.
We've asked our baseball experts for their favorite MLB picks today — as well as offering extra MLB expert picks from the rest of the Covers staff for Friday, March 27.
Sign up now using our exclusive Kalshi promo code 'COVERS' and get a $10 trading bonus after you trade $10 on any other event contracts — including MLB expert picks!
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Josh Inglis' expert pick: Tigers ML
Price:49¢ (+104) at Kalshi
The Detroit Tigers hold a clear starting pitching edge in Game 2 after an 8–2 win over the San Diego Padres yesterday, who got just nine outs from Nick Pivetta in the opener. I’m backing Detroit on the moneyline at 49% and would buy at 52% or better, with a projected fair price closer to -122. Framber Valdez has a significant edge over Michael King, who struggled this spring (20 runs allowed in 17+ innings) and tends to lack efficiency — opening the door to the Padres’ bullpen early. Detroit’s young bats also looked legit in Game 1, and this lineup has real upside.
Jon Metler's expert pick: Marlins ML
Price:65¢ (-186) at Kalshi
The Colorado Rockies can’t catch a break — it’s Opening Day, and they’re already being targeted as a team to fade. The Miami Marlins are priced at 65 cents, and I think that number should be closer to 69 cents, so I’m hitting the button. Miami has a clear platoon advantage here, with a starting lineup featuring eight right-handed hitters against Kyle Freeland, a lefty who allowed right-handed batters to hit .300 with an .821 OPS last season. With a lineup built to exploit that matchup and Sandy Alcantara unveiling his revamped sweeper, I’ll back the Marlins in this spot.
Joe Osborne's expert pick: Marlins/Rockies Over 7.5 runs - Yes
Price: 50¢ (+100) at Kalshi
This total of 7.5 is showing way too much respect for these starting pitchers. Alcantara is coming off an awful season, where he posted a 5.36 ERA and looks nowhere close to regaining his 2022 Cy Young form, and Freeland is average at best, yet somehow posted a 4.51 FIP on the road in 2025 — which was worse than his mark at Coors Field. He also got smacked for eight hits and six earned by Miami late last season. While bullpens can change year to year, both of these units were consistently among the worst in 2025.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. 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.
Mar 17, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Harris (11), left, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and Milwaukee Bucks forward Taurean Prince (12) watch the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers from the bench in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
Earlier this week, NBA Players Association (NBPA) released the following statement rebuking the Bucks over their alleged desire to shut Giannis Antetokounmpo down for the remainder of the season following yet another injury:
“The Player Participation Policy was designed by the league to hold teams accountable and ensure that when an All-Star like Giannis Antetokounmpo is healthy and ready to play, he is on the court. Unfortunately, anti-tanking policies are only as effective as their enforcement; fans, broadcast partners, and the integrity of the game itself will continue to suffer as long as ownership goes unchecked. We look forward to collaborating with the NBA on meaningful new proposals that will directly address and discourage tanking.”
So, before I pick this apart, let’s recap the injuries Giannis has sustained this season. First, he suffered a groin strain in November and was projected to be out 1–2 weeks; he returned in 11 days. Then, he suffered a calf strain in December and was projected to be out 4–6 weeks; he returned in 24 days. He then reinjured that same calf in late January and, again, was projected to miss 4–6 weeks; this time, he and the medical team finally took that timeline seriously, missing about five weeks.
Following that, after playing three games, he rolled his ankle in the March 10 contest against Phoenix, which clearly hindered him for the rest of the game, but of course, Doc took GA’s word that he was fine and allowed him to keep playing; he missed no games, and we have no clue if the effects of that were/are still lingering. His latest injury, for crying out loud, is a hyperextended knee in which he also rolled an ankle (again) on the same play. Suffice to say, I’m willing to bet he isn’t 100%.
With that in mind, let’s rip into this statement. In essence, the NBPA claims that Milwaukee does not want Giannis to play because they are tanking and his presence will hinder their pursuit to lose games. What’s likely happened here is that Giannis wants to play, the front office wants him to sit, and so he (or his camp) has tattled to the players association to pressure the team into letting him play. Now, judging by Antetokounmpo’s previous handling of injuries and admission that he hasn’t been as careful as he should’ve been (why it was ever in his hands to such a degree, I’ll never understand), I’m not sure he has built up a great deal of credibility in this area. As reported by The Athletic’s Eric Nehm, the team’s stance is that Giannis is not healthy, and that’s all we can currently go by.
Now, maybe Antetokounmpo is telling the truth that he’s good to go, and the team is playing politics. But as I have written about, those politics likely have very little to do with tanking, as the NBPA asserts, and a whole lot to do with keeping Giannis healthy going into one of the most consequential offseasons in Bucks history; the “losing games” part of it is just a side effect (or bonus, if you see it that way). Not to rehash the whole article, but a catastrophic injury would put an almighty spanner in the works as it relates to Milwaukee’s future. So, hear me when I say that while a fine from the NBA would be ridiculous on many levels, I would pay 20 fines, and that would still be preferable to him returning.
To be clear, the assertion that Milwaukee is tanking or has tanked at any point this season is laughable at best, and deceitful at worst. The Bucks do not pass the smell test of any of the tanking hallmarks. They haven’t abused the injury report in any shape or form, and the perfect example of that is Giannis. They allowed him to come back as soon as humanly possible from his injuries, despite (I assume/hope) knowing the risk that was involved; could you imagine how long the Jazz, for example, would have held Lauri Markkanen out if he’d suffered the same calf injury GA suffered? “Oh, Lauri? Yeah, we know he’s been out seven weeks now, but he’s just not quite right yet. Trust us.”
The Bucks have played their young guards into the ground all year long, so much so that Kevin Porter Jr. has had to sit out a bunch of games now because of synovitis in the same knee he had meniscus surgery on earlier this season. They have closed with their best-performing unit in every game, even when that came at a political price (think of the number of games Sims has closed over Turner). I am sure the NBPA is aware of the league’s actual tankers, who’ve been closing games with their third-string unit for months now, right? Right?
Most importantly, Milwaukee has never even had a clear green light to tank anyway because they don’t own their first-round pick outright! There has always been the threat that finishing below New Orleans would mean Milwaukee would have to swap further back in the draft, so on the most basic level, trying to lose every game was never a cogent strategy. Sure, the Pelicans being horrible for most of the season has been calming for Bucks fans watching their team lose a bunch of games, but losing was never the team’s goal.
And sure, there is incentive now for the Bucks to tank the remaining games because, with so few left, the Pelicans are unlikely to rise higher than eighth in the lottery odds, and the Bucks can lock down ninth, but that incentive hasn’t come to bear until the last few days. And frankly, if Milwaukee wanted to do exactly that, they should have the full right to do so! After all, there are seven teams below them who have been egregiously tanking for months! I mean, some of these teams started weeks before the All-Star break! Like, what are we talking about here? The players association is calling out the Bucks of all teams? I’m not sure they’ve thought this one through.
There you have it, NBPA. Your statement is nonsensical garbage, and whoever wrote it should be embarrassed. Go take your tanking accusations and apply them to the teams who deserve them—there are plenty to choose from.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 26: Cristopher Sánchez #61 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers on Opening Day at Citizens Bank Park on March 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A dynamic start from their ace. Two stars clubbing huge home runs. A rookie making a splashy debut. Some drama late, exterminated by their closer.
Yep, 2026 Opening Day had pretty much everything you wanted to see from the Philadelphia Phillies.
On a gorgeous spring day at Citizens Bank Park, a lot of things went right and, for just a little while, the memories of last October’s crushing defeat at the hands of the Dodgers in the NLDS faded.
This baseball team is going to play another 161 of these things, all for a chance to try once again to push their Sisyphusian rock up the hill. But we’ll get to all that. On Thursday, the blueprint for regular season success was clear for all to see. Their 5-3 win over the Texas Rangers had all the ingredients we’ve seen this team successfully cook with over the last four seasons.
Cristopher Sanchez’ incredible performance was a continuation of the blossoming we’ve seen from him over the last three years. Not since Curt Schilling in 1997 has a Phils starter piled up 10 or more strikeouts in an Opening Day start.
That’s right. Roy Halladay never did it. Neither did Cliff Lee. Or Zack Wheeler. Or Cole Hamels. Or Aaron Nola. And that ain’t all.
Cristopher Sánchez of the @Phillies is the only MLB pitcher in the modern era to have an Opening Day start where he:
struck out 10+ batters allowed 0 walks allowed 0 runs allowed 3 or fewer hits earned the win pic.twitter.com/8dfxw28ZAA
His changeup was once again unhittable, generating a 54% whiff rate against the Rangers, who had absolutely no answers for him. His Game Score of 76 ranks tied for the 16th-best Opening Day performance by a starting pitcher in Phillies history (out of 129 starts). After Pittsburgh starter Paul Skenes was absolutely raked by the Mets for five runs in two-thirds of an inning on Thursday, the shortest outing of his career, Sanchez leapfrogged the reigning Cy Young Award winner in at least one odds-makers listing of ‘26 Cy Young contenders.
Paul Skenes to win the NL Cy Young odds move @FanDuelCanada 📉
While Sanchez was busy doing the “ace” thing, Kyle Schwarber once again gave fans an early Schwarbomb, a Ryan Howard Special to the opposite field in left-center. Two batters into the 2026 season, the Phils had a 2-0 lead, and Schwarber was 1/50th of the way to a second-straight 50-homer season.
Schwarber has a knack for these Opening Day dingers, especially after signing big free agent deals. He did the same thing in his very first at-bat as a Phillie on Opening Day in 2022, too.
Straight from the Irony Department, after an off-season in which everyone (including me) was bemoaning the idea of Alec Bohm hitting cleanup once again this year, it was Bohm who ended up smashing the biggest blast of the game, another oppo-shot, this to right field, to put the Phillies up 5-0.
You typically don’t want to have a player like Bohm in that spot in the lineup. We all know that. His career high in home runs is 20 (2023), and last year he hit just 11 in 120 games. He’s never had a slugging percentage above .448 in any of his first five MLB seasons. He’s simply miscast there.
But after all the talk of Bohm not providing enough “protection” for Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper, it’s ironic that he was the one to pick up the slack for his teammates, both of whom struck out ahead of him with two runners on base. Had the Phils signed Bo Bichette this winter, Bohm wouldn’t even be here.
And then there’s rookie center fielder Justin Crawford, making his long-awaited MLB debut, hitting in the No. 9 hole. He was active early on, lacing line drive singles to center in his first two at-bats. It would have been icing on the cake if he could have delivered with the bases loaded and two outs in the 8th, but we’ll have to save that moment for some other day.
The Phils have had their share of dramatic Opening Day moments over the last 20 years. With a 5-0 lead entering the 9th, this wasn’t looking like one of them, but spring superstar reliever Kyle Backhus left his good stuff down in Florida. After a two-run blast, a couple more baserunners and some poor defense by Bryson Stott and Harper, Jhoan Duran entered the fray to secure the final two outs of the ballgame.
Manager Rob Thomson could have brought Duran in to start the 9th, even though it wasn’t a save situation, given the team is off on Friday. In the end, he had to use him anyway. Perhaps it’s just that Thomson forgot that, for the first time in his managerial career, he actually has a lock-down 9th inning pitcher at the start of the season. After Duran shut the door, it was revealed he became the first reliever in franchise history to record a save, at home, on Opening Day.
This is crazy but true. Consider…
Saves became official in 1969. Since then, the Phils' season opener was at home 23x.
They only won 8 of them and 3 did not present a classic save situation. The other 5: ⚾️ Complete game ⚾️ Complete game ⚾️ Walk-off ⚾️ Walk-off ⚾️ Walk-off https://t.co/Nlw0sfIn6N
As Jayson Stark noted, eight Phils closers had earned saves on the road on Opening Day, but never at home.
It’s always fun to mix in a little “weird” on Opening Day.
For one day, everyone forgot about the World Series drought. Baseball was back, and the Phillies were doing what they’ve done every season since Thomson took over the reigns as manager.
They won a baseball game.
They’re going to win many more of them before the season is out.
They’re probably going to look a lot like this one did, too.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 08: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees walks off the field after the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Yankees in game four of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 08, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across Major League Baseball. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Yankees fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Earlier this week, we asked Yankees fans to predict how far the team would go in 2026 in addition to our usual monthly GM approval poll. The results are in, in addition to some broader MLB-wide prompts about potential World Series outcomes. Let’s see how the voters voted!
Our first question asked fans to predict how successful the Yankees season would be when all is said and done.
Over one-third of responders believe that the Yankees will suffer the same fate as last season, when they were eliminated in four games by the Blue Jays in the ALDS — a series which was never particularly close. Some of that is down to the whole Toronto lineup getting hot at the same time, while a significant portion of the blame falls on the Yankees’ pitching staff. Perhaps the front office’s decision to run it back with essentially the same squad of players as last year helps explain Yankees fans’ pessimism that the team can do better this year — same team, same result. It’s encouraging that the next most popular response reflected faith that the Yankees will win their first World Series in 17 years, while roughly eight in nine voters believe they will at least make the playoffs.
Our next question asked whether Yankees fans approved of general manager Brian Cashman, specifically the course he charted over the offseason.
It’s not surprising that less than one-third of voters polled approve of the GM. This prompt goes hand in hand with the previous question. Yankees fans want the team to go farther in the postseason than last year, and a healthy proportion of the fanbase felt that the front office needed to upgrade the roster to achieve that goal. Instead, the two biggest offseason outlays saw the Yankees bring Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger back into the fold, each a year older than last season. It’s hard to argue with the strategy considering they scored the most runs in MLB last season, but the lack of ambition also deserves criticism.
We also have a pair of MLB-wide polls to review, starting with a question about the Dodger’s chances of a three-peat.
Only two teams — the 1972-’74 A’s and 1998-2000 Yankees — have won three World Series in a row in the last fifty-plus years, yet 29 percent of those polled believe the Dodgers will join that pair in pulling off the three-peat. It’s understandable given the Dodgers’ dominance over this decade, the team adding Kyle Tucker and Edwin Díaz to an already star-studded roster that boasts the most valuable player in baseball in Shohei Ohtani. Baseball fans are slightly more optimistic about the Dodgers’ chances than the two most cited projection systems, FanGraphs setting the Dodgers’ World Series winning odds at 22.6 percent and PECOTA at 20.8 percent.
Those same fans were than asked about which team they felt had the best chance of preventing the Dodgers from winning their third crown in a row.
The Blue Jays topped the responses at 24 percent, with the Mariners right behind them at 23 percent. Toronto came within two outs of winning Game 7 and the World Series last year, only for Miguel Rojas to hit the game-tying home run in the ninth and Will Smith the game-winner in the 11th. However, they are a weaker team relative to last year — despite signing Dylan Cease to be their ace, they lost one of the their biggest offensive contributors in Bo Bichette after he signed with the Mets in free agency. The Mariners are right there behind them, which makes sense give that both FanGraphs and PECOTA projected them for the most wins in the AL. They’ve got a full year of Josh Naylor and added All-Star Brendan Donovan, and have one of the best starting rotations in baseball that’s healthier than last season to start the campaign. The Yankees are in third place with roughly one in six voters believing they have what it takes to avenge their 2024 World Series loss to LA, while a trio of NL teams in the Mets, Phillies, and Cubs round out the most popular responses.
NORTH PORT, FL- FEBRUARY 22: JR Ritchie #92 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins on February 22, 2026 at CoolToday Park in North Port, Florida. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Gwinnett Stripers have released their initial roster for the 2026 season today, ahead of today’s first game of the season. The roster below is mostly as expected, though there is one big, surprising omission in Jhancarlos Lara not being part of it after spending a good chunk of time in Gwinnett last season.
The biggest story is probably that Lara is not here, though Brett Sears is also not after reaching Gwinnett last year and making 15 quality appearances in Columbus last season. Among the guys who are here, top prospect JR Ritchie is the best prospect on the team, and a candidate to quickly be promoted to Atlanta with a strong start to the season. Fellow prospect Lucas Braun is also back here after making three starts with the Stripers last year. The 39-year-old Carlos Carrasco may be the biggest name on the entire squad, making 286 career big league starts. They may also be looking to Dylan Dodd and Elieser Hernandez to round out the starting rotation. It is also in the plans for Didier Fuentes to join this group at some point, and this group will further deepen when Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, Hurston Waldrep, and potentially AJ Smith-Shawver return to action at various points in 2026.
Relievers
Hayden Harris is probably the top relief prospect who is here, after the lefty dominated in his stint last year. Anthony Molina and Rolddy Munoz are also a pair of younger relief arms that the Braves like. Ian Hamilton, Javy Guerra, Tayler Scott, and Hunter Stratton are relievers with a decent amount of big league games on their resumes, and candidates to help the big club in some capacity this year – however the most interesting arm of the bunch may be James Karinchak. Karinchak seemed on his way to being one of the top young relievers with the Guardians not too long ago, but has dealt with injuries and hasn’t appeared in a big league game since 2023. Anderson Pilar and Austin Pope are the other arms here, though both of them are guys the Braves wanted for their Triple-A affiliate, which makes this a deep and talented relief corps.
Catchers
Sandy Leon is arguably the biggest name among this group, as the 37-year-old has 559 games of big league experience under his belt, but he will have to split time here. Chadwick Tromp has received big league time in Atlanta in each of the past four seasons, and figures to factor in heavily in the playing time. Jair Camargo is a younger option who has five games of big league experience back with the Twins in 2024. While they may not have a guy who stands out as THE guy, all three of these options are more than capable at the Triple-A level.
Infielders
Nacho Alvarez is easily the most interesting young hitter on this roster, though he has lost his prospect status last year as he surpassed the rookie maximum for at bats. That would make Jim Jarvis the most interesting hitter prospect on the roster, which is kind of telling as he is more of a utility type of prospect. Recent minor league signing Rowdy Tellez could absolutely mash in Triple-A, and is likely the reason David McCabe isn’t here to open the season. Former Georgia Bulldog and 2019 second round pick Aaron Schunk is also here and should add even more offense to a Striper team that has been inconsistent in recent years with their bats. Contact oriented Luke Waddell and utility piece Luke Williams round out the infield. This is another group which looks improved heading into 2026, as it isn’t hard to picture a group led by Alvarez, Tellez, and Schunk holding their own offensively.
Outfielders
Although there aren’t any true prospects, this may be the most talented outfield we’ve seen in Gwinnett since the group with Cristian Pache and Drew Waters, back in 2021. Ben Gamel, Brewer Hicklen, and even DaShawn Keirsey Jr should provide power, and will be candidates to get called up to Atlanta this year should a temporary bat be needed. Jose Azocar is more of a speed guy with limited power, and he too has some big league experience on his resume.
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