NBA general managers and scouts are heading home from the 2026 men's NCAA Tournament with plenty to think about after three weeks of incredible action on the court. Now they have to figure out which March Madness performances are indicators of future greatness and which are more of a mirage.
The 2026 NBA draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY's latest mock draft, Illinois's Keaton Wagler is expected to go in the first round after declaring on Saturday night. Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the Guard's draft night will play out.
Our draft order is based on ESPN's projected records and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
The Mavericks have the worst offensive rating in the Western Conference and could benefit from a player like Illinois standout Keaton Wagler. The 19-year-old guard played a crucial role to earn a spot in the Final Four, where he recorded 20 points and 8 rebounds against UConn. The freshman also dropped 25 points in the Elite Eight. He projects as one of the best 3-point shooters in this class, shooting 39.7 percent from beyond the arc as a freshman while connecting on as many as nine 3-pointers in a game. The Big Ten Rookie of the Year has athletic limitations but is a cerebral basketball player who is also averaging 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season.
The Dodgers may be a super team, but many of them will be getting their first look at Jacob de Grom, and the ones that have seen him before probably don’t have fond memories.
In other Sunday games, Yordan Alvarez and Mickey Moniak are on early tears and will be looking to continue them with favorable matchups against the opposing starting pitchers.
Several key members of the Dodgers lineup will be facing the former Cy Young Award winner for the first time, including Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Tucker. Of the eight Dodgers familiar with Jacob de Grom, none has an OPS higher than .703. That would be Freddie Freeman, who has also struck out 21 times in 69 at-bats against him.
Through two starts, de Grom is striking out 12.1 batters per nine innings, his highest rate since 2023. He struck out 15 per nine in spring training, which is why he gets the nod in my MLB picks for today.
Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: RSN, SNLA
Yordan Alvarez Over 0.5 RBI (+160)
Yordan Alvarez leads the league in OPS, OPS+, slugging, and home runs. He is 5-for-9 in the first two games of the Seattle series, driving in four of Houston’s 13 runs and homering in both games. He also has four extra base hits, five RBIs, and an .887 OPS in 26 lifetime at-bats against Mariners starter Logan Gilbert.
Through two starts, Gilbert is posting the highest hits per nine innings rate of his career, and his strikeouts per nine are down more than two from last season. His offspeed stuff has been more hittable than last season — batters are hitting over .300 against his split finger, slider, and cutter.
Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: SCHN, Mariners.TV
Mickey Moniak Over 1.5 Hits/Runs/RBI (+105)
Mickey Moniak may not have a steady starting spot, but he leads Colorado in OPS, OPS+, RBIs, and home runs, and has played every day for the past week. He’s spent time at all three outfield spots in the first three games in San Diego and has three hits, two homers, and four RBIs.
Moniak actually is hitting better on the road (.333/.333/1.000) than at Coors Field (.286/.304/.714) this year. He’s also hitting .429 with .857 OPS in two lifetime games against Padres’ starter Nick Pivetta.
Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Rockies.TV, Padres.TV
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.
DENVER — It was a bittersweet night for Nick Blankenburg, who notched his first goal as a member of the Colorado Avalanche in a 3–2 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights at Ball Arena.
With 9:04 remaining in the second period, Blankenburg cashed in on a gritty, hard-earned sequence. After Nic Roy won a battle along the boards and worked the puck free from behind the net, he sent it up the wall to Blankenburg. The defenseman didn’t hesitate, snapping a wrist shot through traffic that rang off the post and in, tying the game at two.
Nick Blankenburg's post-game media availability.
It was a moment that felt earned. Since arriving in Colorado via trade from the Nashville Predators, Blankenburg has been searching for his footing, working to find consistency and confidence in a new system. Lately, though, there have been signs—quicker reads, sharper decisions, and a little more bite to his game. On this play, it all clicked, even if only for a moment.
From there, the night took a turn that had little to do with the score. Despite locking up the Presidents’ Trophy and home-ice advantage throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Avalanche looked worn down by the final horn. Already without Cale Makar and Nazem Kadri, they absorbed more blows as Josh Manson exited with an upper-body injury. Not long after, head coach Jared Bednar was struck in the face by a deflected puck on the bench and had to be helped off the ice.
With assistant coach Nolan Pratt stepping in, Colorado tried to steady itself, but the feel of the game had shifted. Vegas seized control when it mattered most, and the Avalanche were left chasing a result that suddenly felt secondary to everything else unfolding.
A Milestone Overshadowed
And for Blankenburg, that was what stuck. Scoring your first goal with a new team is something you want to enjoy, but it didn’t feel like that kind of night. Not with teammates going down and the bench thinning out. By the end, the milestone faded into the background, replaced by concern and the reality of how quickly things can change.
“Obviously nice to see that one go in,” Blankenburg said. “Kind of a frustrating (game). Tough to see Manson go down and obviously (Bednar), too. Hopefully they’re both alright. At the end of the day, (Vegas) just buried the last chance in overtime. So just learn from it, move on, and big one in Edmonton up next.”
Faith, Perspective, and Fit
Blankenburg might not be the flashiest name on the roster, but his impact tends to show up in quieter, more meaningful ways. Wherever he’s gone, he’s earned respect quickly—and that was no different in Nashville. After being brought in last season and inserted into the lineup following a late-November call-up, he made a strong enough impression in just a few months to be nominated for the Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy by the Nashville chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.
Blankenburg earlier this season with the Nashville Predators.
That recognition says a lot about the kind of player—and person—he is. It’s less about stats and more about presence: the way he approaches the game, the way he carries himself, and how quickly he connects with a room.
That same presence is beginning to surface in Colorado, and Blankenburg credits his faith for helping him navigate the transition.
"That's been the biggest thing that's been grounding me," Blankenburg said of getting adjusted to the team. "I've just been telling myself that God has me here for a reason; he has me here for a purpose.
"What a blessing it is to get traded to the number one team in the league. What an opportunity. Just relying on him and relying on his strength and not on my own. It's a lot easier said than done, but it's been good, and it's definitely revealed some things in my heart and in my life over these last months. Definitely thankful for that."
He’s also found common ground in the locker room, pointing to teammates who share that same foundation.
"Manson's a big believer in his faith and some other guys, too. (Brent Burns). God has me here for a reason."
Settling In and Letting Go
Those connections—and that mindset—have started to translate onto the ice. Early on, there were moments where Blankenburg looked caught between playing his game and trying to do too much, whether it was getting too aggressive up ice or forcing plays that weren’t there. Lately, though, there’s been a noticeable shift.
Part of that comes from a simple message he’s taken to heart.
"I've been having conversations with multiple people about it," he said. "Try not to overthink. Try not to think too much on the ice. Just go out and play my game. Be assertive and compete and the rest will take care of itself."
It’s not groundbreaking advice—but for Blankenburg, it’s been a turning point. And over these last few games, it’s starting to show. There’s a calmness to his game now, a confidence that wasn’t always there earlier on. If the playoffs call his number, the Avalanche won’t be guessing what they have—they’ll know he’s ready.
Mar 29, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jesús Luzardo (44) follows through on pitch against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
There was a lot of talk about running it back this offseason. After a frustratingly brief trip to the Elysian Fields of the playoffs, the fans, writ broadly, wanted change. Few, if any, would’ve wanted a change in Jesús Luzardo, though. His first season in red pinstripes (and blue/black gradient thing; not to fear, City Connect skeptics, the Phillies are scheduled to get a new one next season) was excellent, with the bespectacled baseballer bedeviling batters with his new sweeper. His ERA of 3.92 was solid, and the underlying numbers suggested his performance was better than that. When the Phaithful insisted that there be no running it back, they didn’t mean Luzardo. They would’ve been fine with him keeping his approach the same.
He didn’t, though.
His approach in the still-young 2026 campaign might look like running it back at first. He’s presenting the same pitch mix as last year: sweeper, 4-seamer, changeup, sinker, slider. For the moment, the sweeper has swapped places with the 4-seamer as the most used pitch, but that doesn’t seem to represent a sea change. Certainly nothing like the change Luzardo made at the start of last season, when he introduced said sweeper. Names, though, can be deceiving (as someone who has a surname that sounds like a first name, I know this very well). Just because he’s throwing five pitches with the same names as last season doesn’t mean he’s throwing the same five pitches.
That’s a chart showing the vertical movement of Luzardo’s pitches vs. the average for pitches of the same type, by season. What’s that green line, rising up from the dirt like the first shoots of spring? It’s Luzardo’s changeup. In 2025, it dropped 3.2 inches less than the average cambio. In 2026, it’s dropping 3.2 inches more than other pitches of its type. Year over year, it’s a change of 8.3 inches. That’s a changeup in a changeup, alright.
Why make that change, though? Luzardo’s changeup was a good pitch last season. It induced whiffs 36.2% of the time, placing in the top ten among changeups league-wide for that measure, and just behind Devin Williams’ feared Airbender. Luzardo accrued a run value of 6 with it; only nine hurlers got more value from their changeups. Pitchers may change their approach even when things are going well, in an attempt to keep ahead of batters (Zack Wheeler, in particular, is constantly tinkering and tweaking, even when he’s producing some of the best results in baseball). But it’s worth asking why it was the changeup, in particular, that changed.
Luzardo’s changeup was a good pitch last season, but his 4-seamer wasn’t. It wasn’t a bad pitch, exactly. Just not great, either. His 19.8% whiff rate with it ranked 128th. Batters slugged .421 against it. He accrued a run value of 0 with it. His so-so heater didn’t stop him from producing very good results last season, but it wasn’t a huge boon to his arsenal. The same is true of his sinker, which accrued a run value of -1. Overall, his fastballs just weren’t very good: he ranked in the 35th percentile for fastball run value. If there was some sort of tweak that Luzardo could make to his fastballs to turn them into plus pitches, it would be a major benefit. And while he doesn’t necessarily need a great fastballs to be a great pitcher when he’s got that sweeper, there’s no such thing as gilding the lily with a pitch arsenal: every advantage you can get in the endless arms race between hurler and hitter is worth pursuing.
There doesn’t seem to be too much change in Luzardo’s 4-seamer from last season. The vertical and horizontal movement are just about the same. He’s throwing it a half-tick harder (97 MPH vs. 96.5), but that doesn’t seem too meaningful. The sinker looks a bit different, dropping more and getting more arm-side movement, but the difference is much slighter than the changes in his changeup. He hasn’t really changed his fastballs much. That being said, you can change the results of a pitch without necessarily changing the pitch itself. Pitches do not exist in a vacuum; a change you make to one may impact the rest of your arsenal, too. Or rather, impact the way batters react to it. Luzardo may not have changed his fastballs, but the change to his changeup may be benefitting them anyway.
The whole point of a changeup is to baffle a batter who was expecting the fastball. The more distinct his changeup is from his 4-seamer and sinker, the more batters will be punished for guessing wrong. The slower the changeup is compared to the fastballs, the more the batter’s timing suffers for thinking he was getting the other pitch. The more the changeup moves compared to the fastballs, the more likely it is that the hitter will just flat-out whiff. So changes to the changeup ought to benefit not just that pitch, but the other fastballs as well. This is something that’s easier to understand visually. Fortunately, FanGraphs has introduced a new Paired Pitches tool that presents just that.
Here’s Luzardo’s pitches in 2025, using the sinker as the reference pitch:
And here’s his pitches in 2026:
Luzardo’s changeup was always pretty distinct from the 4-seamer by location, though now it’s even more distinct from it in terms of speed. But the real difference comes in the comparison with the sinker. The location his sinkers end up in is now much different than the location his changeups end up in. Lower, and slightly less to the arm side. In particular, that difference in vertical location ought to induce more whiffs. In 2025, guessing wrong in everyone’s favorite game show of Is It A Sinker or a Changeup meant you were still swinging in roughly the right area. In 2026, guessing wrong means swinging way above or below the pitch, and just missing entirely. Cue Price is Right Sad Horns.
So, is that what we’re seeing with Luzardo’s results this year?
Pitch
Whiff %, 2025
Whiff %, 2026
4-Seamer
19.80%
28.20%
Sinker
18.20%
16%
Changeup
36.20%
50%
We can get a little bit more precise here: Luzardo almost exclusively deploys the changeup against right-handed hitters (which is what you’d expect; the typical use case for a changeup is against opposite-handed batters). How do those numbers look when we take only righty batters into account?
Pitch
Whiff %, 2025
Whiff, 2026%
4-Seamer
18.40%
27.80%
Sinker
11.60%
7.70%
Changeup
35.10%
48.40%
Firstly, the standard caveat about early-season small sample size applies. We’ll need to see a lot more of these pitches before we can really draw any conclusions about what’s changed. But for the moment, let’s tread through the treacherous territory of saying things about small samples: for batters who really do have to worry about all three pitches, Luzardo’s 4-seamer and changeup are now more of a struggle. The sinker, though, appears to be less of one, at least by Whiff rate. Then again, Whiff rate may not be the right metric to look at for a sinker: the pitch is meant to generate weak contact, rather than misses. So improvement in that pitch would probably be better measured by how batters perform when they do make contact with it. And so far, the sinker has been more of a success this season: year-over-year, Luzardo’s sinker now has a lower hard hit rate, a lower barrel rate, a lower wOBA.
This is all early stuff. But for the moment, it looks like Luzardo may have improved two of his lesser pitches by tweaking one of his better ones.
Apr 11, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) walks against the Atlanta Braves in the ninth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The Guardians and Braves will tangle on Peacock tonight to see which will be the last MLB team in 2026 to have not lost a series.
Zach has your recap from last night’s dominant win. Hopefully, it’s a sign that Jose Ramirez’s luck has turned.
Matt Seese, Tommy Pecoraro and Zach F. had another Guardians’ prospect podcast release last night.
Guardians Weekly focused on Brayan Rocchio and on Akron with Guardians’ farm director.
AROUND MLB:
The Tigers, Twins and Royals won (Kansas City beating the White Sox).
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 26: Mohamed Diawara #51 of the New York Knicks plays against the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on March 26, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We have arrived. When the Knicks (53*-28) host the Hornets (43-38) tonight at Madison Square Garden, their regular season will draw to a close.
What a season it has been. A success by most measures, for sure, yet disappointing at times. So like life. The obviousness of the Pistons and Celtics stealing the top two seeds from our heroes is only apparent in hindsight, but who among us has never misjudged another to regrettable ends?
Perhaps like our heroes, you have also experienced many highs and lows since opening night on October 22. We endured a rough winter here in upstate New York as I added on another year. Although I am older than Taj Gibson, I’m proud to say I could still give an NBA team six fouls a night. How many of you could make such a bold claim?
The morning sun is shining on tulips sprouting from my flower bed. Where they come from every year, I haven’t a freaking clue. I didn’t plant them. The damned things are everywhere, even in the yard, and a bit of a nuisance, actually. But (pretend that the world is not on fire and) rejoice! A season of renewal is upon us. And tonight’s game pairs two teams that look rejuvenated and ready for some postseason shenanigans.
In the current campaign, the Knicks took an NBA Cup from the San Antonio Spurs, which served as a sort of trial run for playoff glory. They also gave us plenty of reasons to chew on towels during this campaign, like when they started the calendar year on the wrong foot, going 2-8 over the first three weeks.
Since January 21, however, New York has won 28 of 38 games. They are currently enjoying a five-game win streak that included victories over three potential postseason opponents: the Celtics, Hawks, and Raptors. Josh Hart has discovered the Fountain of Three, shooting 53% from deep over his last 10 games (and 43% over the last 20). Just in time, the team is fully healthy (although we’re pensively monitoring OG Anunoby’s ankle). And after two years of playing together, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns have finally unlocked their pick-and-roll potential. Everything is falling into place at precisely the right moment as the Knicks prepare for a marathon run deep into the playoffs.
Rooting for the Charlotte Hornets (also Bobcats) must have its ups and downs, too. For one thing, the Spectrum Center offers great seats at much more affordable prices than MSG. On the other hand, fans had to watch the Bees paste together a 16-28 record to start the season. This team seemed to have its sights set on a lottery pick. A video recorded during that stretch (I could search for it, but sloth) showed LaMelo Ball in street clothes, dapping up his teammates as if he were being traded. If memory serves, that came before Mr. Road Menace smashed into a car at a Charlotte intersection. In addition, a Hornets fan has had to endure the career of Miles (look it up) Bridges, and five seasons of Terry Rozier before he went to Miami. Tough stuff, Carolina.
But now, sophomore head coach Charles Lee turned it around. Since January 21, Charlotte has won 27 of 37 games. The team now ranks eighth for net rating thanks to a top five offense and an improved defense. How? For one thing, rookie Kon Knueppel has exploded, averaging 18.6 points per game on 43% three point shooting and breaking Kemba Walker’s single-season franchise record for made threes with 270 and counting. His defense is sold, too. This kid should be a lock to beat former Duke roommate Cooper Flagg for Rookie of the Year.
The team has benefited from improved play by Brandon Miller, too. In his third year, the small forward has averaged 20 points. For the third straight season, his long-range shooting has improved, and this year he has averaged 38%, adding to their dangerous arsenal. The club also made a smart move at the trade deadline, adding Coby White to lead the bench. In their frontcourt, Moussa Diabaté has blossomed into a fine center. And believe it or not, Ball has learned to stop heaving from half court with 14 seconds on the clock (…mostly).
New York leads the season series 2-1, winning the first two games by 28 and 15 points. However, Charlotte beat the Knicks 114-103 in an almost wire-to-wire win on March 26 in North Carolina. They got a big night from Kon Knueppel, who posted 26 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists. For our heroes, Brunson dropped a 26-point, 13-dime double-double.
The Stingers need to win to secure the ninth seed and home-court advantage for their upcoming Play-In tournament game against the Miami Heat. A win (or a Heat loss) ensures the 9/10 matchup is in Charlotte, while a loss and a Miami win drops them to tenth. As for the Knicks, they have five players (three starters: KAT, Hart, and Anunoby) on the injury list and have secured the third seed. ESPN.com predicts them to win at 51%, and ending Mike Brown’s first season with a six-game win streak would be right nice. I just can’t see them exerting too much effort today, though. Besides, Mike’s already eclipsed Tom Thibodeau’s best of 51 wins as a Knicks coach, and it’s a sunny day outside. Relax, take it easy, fellas, and savor a job well done before embarking on the march to the Finals.
Game Details
Who: New York Knicks (53*-28) vs Charlotte Hornets (43-38)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 11: Foster Griffin #22 of the Washington Nationals throws a pitch in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on April 11, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
So far this season, Foster Griffin has been the Washington Nationals best pitcher. The soft tossing lefty has used his craftiness and deep pitch mix to weather the storm against three really good lineups. He has faced the Phillies, Dodgers and Brewers, and has gone at least five innings while allowing two or fewer runs in all of those starts.
The Nats have to be thrilled with what they've seen from LHP Foster Griffin in his first 3 MLB starts. After a lengthy stay in Japan, the 30-year-old has excelled vs 3 projected playoff teams.
PHI: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 5 K's LAD: 5 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 6 K's MIL: 5.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 K
Griffin is not the type of pitcher who will overpower you with stuff. That made it crucial for him to truly learn how to pitch. Griffin did just that in his three seasons in Japan. When Griffin left the US to go to Japan, he was a four pitch guy. He threw a 4-seam fastball, a cutter, a changeup and a curveball.
He has a much deeper mix after three years in the NPB. Griffin added a sweeper, a sinker and a splitter. The splitter is a staple over in Japan, so it is no surprise that Griffin picked that up. However, despite adding the split, he still throws his changeup as well.
It’s pretty impressive to have this defined of pitch shapes when you throw so many of them.
Having a changeup and a splitter with two distinct looks is pretty unique and it gives Griffin a real edge. There are not many pitchers around the league who use both of those pitches, and he might be the only lefty to do it. This new look is keeping hitters off balance.
We have to keep in mind that Griffin is doing this against some of the best lineups in the league. When you look at some of the underlying numbers, there are some causes for concern. His FIP is 4.62 and his xFIP is 4.35, which paints a different picture compared to his sparkling 1.76 ERA.
I think the fact he has faced three elite lineups help explain these underlying numbers. He is not going to sustain a sub-2 ERA all season obviously, but I think he has the craft and moxy to pitch to an era just under 4.
The Nats pitching staff has not had a lot of bright spots so far this season, but Griffin is certainly one of them. You have to credit Paul Toboni for believing in Griffin enough to give him a second chance. Griffin does not have the flashy stuff teams are looking for these days, but he has mastered the art of pitching.
Command and deception is a bit of a lost art these days, but Griffin is trying to bring it back. None of his individual pitches are outstanding, but when you combine seven offerings that all have distinct shapes, it is a tough look for hitters.
Griffin is just on a one year deal, which makes him a prime trade candidate at the deadline. With the way he is pitching right now, there will be contenders that are intrigued by his deep mix and dependability.
I am not sure how long it will last, but I am loving the Foster Griffin experience so far. There is no panic in this guy and he is taking the fight to hitters. For a guy that had not been in the big leagues for three years, he did not look scared at all when he faced the Phillies in his first start.
Griffin has called himself a tactician on the mound, and it fits him. He is constantly thinking on the mound, trying to execute the perfect pitch at the perfect moment. Griffin is a master of mixing and matching. I feel like young pitchers such as Cade Cavalli could learn a thing or two from Griffin. He is just so thoughtful on the mound, and that is something I really appreciate as someone who pitched growing up.
The Toronto Blue Jays slugger has seven hits in his last three games, cruising past today’s posted total of 1.5 bases in each of those outings, averaging 2.33 bases per contest.
Vladdy is 7-for-14 against Bradley throughout his career with a 1.286 OPS.
COVERS INTEL: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has a .373 batting average and a career .923 OPS against this Twins pitching staff.
Twins vs Blue Jays same-game parlay (SGP)
Jesus Sanchez is also swinging a hot bat. The Jays outfielder has doubled in three straight games, and I’m expecting at least another hit tonight against Bradley, who he’s 3-for-6 against in his career.
Lastly, I’ll take Over 7.5 runs scored in this game. The total has gone over the number in nine of the last 10 meetings between these two teams. I am also expecting some regression from Bradley tonight, who’s underlying numbers aren’t as strong as his 1.08 ERA suggests this early in the season.
Twins vs Blue Jays SGP
Guerrero Jr. Over 1.5 total bases
Sanchez Over 0.5 hits
Over 7.5
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Twins vs Blue Jays home run pick: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (+440)
This is a half-unit bet.
Guerrero Jr is starting to see his power return this season. He’s recorded 2+ basis in at four straight games, and Bradly gives up a lot of hard contact, ranking 6th percentile in average exit velocity.
Additionally, this is a good matchup for Vladdy, going up against the Twins starter, who throws the four-seamer 41% of the time. Vladdy hit .314 against the pitch last season with 13 homers and a .560 slugging rate.
2026 Transparency record
Best bets: 4-9, -2.25 units
SGPs: 2-11, -3.50 units
HR picks: 2-11, -1.30 units
Twins vs Blue Jays odds
Moneyline: Minnesota +115 | Toronto -135
Run line: Minnesota +1.5 (-190) | Toronto -1.5 (+160)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 | Under 7.5
Twins vs Blue Jays trend
The Toronto Blue Jays have hit the 1st Five Innings (F5) Team Total Under in 11 of their last 16 games at home (+5.25 Units / 27% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Twins vs. Blue Jays.
How to watch Twins vs Blue Jays and game info
Location
Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON
Date
Sunday, April 12, 2026
First pitch
1:37 p.m. ET
TV
Sportsnet
Twins starting pitcher
Taj Bradley (2-0, 1.08 ERA)
Blue Jays starting pitcher
Max Scherzer (1-1, 3.38 ERA)
Twins vs Blue Jays latest injuries
Twins vs Blue Jays weather
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.
It was not the news Montreal Canadiens’ fans were hoping for, but at 10:00 AM on Sunday, the team announced that Noah Dobson had suffered an upper-body injury and would be reevaluated in two weeks. It’s not surprising that the team didn’t go into detail with the playoffs right around the corner. We’ll eagerly await an update in two weeks, but the play on which he was injured didn’t look good.
However, the fact that Dobson will be out of the lineup for the foreseeable future has led the Canadiens to finally recall the fifth overall pick from the 2023 draft, David Reinbacher, from the Laval Rocket.
After being hit by a serious knee injury last season, the 21-year-old has been able to play in 57 games with the Rocket this year, putting up 24 points, including five goals. When Adam Engstrom went down with an injury, the Austrian really stepped up his game and performed admirably for Pascal Vincent’s team.
With both Dobson and Alex Carrier, the Canadiens' two right-shot defensemen, out with injuries, the Canadiens had to call up the youngster. It’s not an ideal scenario for his NHL debut since the stakes are quite high for the Habs. They need to win their last two games in order to secure home-ice advantage.
Kaiden Guhle, who took part in the morning skate on Saturday morning, did make the trip to New York with the Canadiens, but not Alex Carrier. It will be interesting to see what the Canadiens’ blueline looks like when the puck drops Sunday night in Long Island.
The Mets made another chance in their bullpen on Sunday, designating right-handed pitcher Luis Garcia for assignment.
In a corresponding move, 28-year-old right-hander Joey Gerber is being called up.
The 39-year-old Garcia was signed by the Mets to a one-year deal this offseason and was thought to be a key piece of the major league bullpen, but the veteran struggled on the mound. In six appearances, Garcia allowed six runs (five earned) with a 2.053 WHIP and 7.11 ERA.
"We needed an arm, especially with the way that we’ve used the bullpen the last couple of nights," Carlos Mendoza said on Sunday. "I feel like we needed some protection there in case something bad happens again.
"Yeah, not an easy one. Obviously, Luis had to pitch yesterday on a day that we were staying away from him until [Luke Weaver] got in trouble there. But yeah, felt like we needed to have a fresh arm here."
Gerber was acquired by the Mets in a trade with the Rays last November, with the Mets sending Tampa cash considerations in exchange for the right-hander.
Gerber has a 3.60 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with 10 strikeouts in 20.0 innings in two big league seasons, making his debut back in 2020. He appeared in 17 games for the Mariners that season, and did not pitch in the majors again until 2025, when he tossed 4.1 innings over two games for the Rays.
In 158.0 innings across six minor league seasons, Gerber has a 3.53 ERA and 1.291 WHIP with 10.7 strikeouts per nine. He has pitched to a 5.40 ERA in four appearances with Syracuse this season.
Luis García | (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Having once again built a bullpen that was intended to have plenty of roster churn, the Mets have started churning those spots on the roster. Today, the team has designated right-handed reliever Luis García for assignment and called up fellow right-handed reliever Joey Gerber to take his place in the bullpen.
The Mets signed García to a one-year, $1.75 million deal back in mid-January, and even at the time of the signing, it seemed like the 39-year-old was destined for a DFA at some point this season. He’s been through that before, as he’s now pitched for six different teams since the beginning of the 2024 season.
In six-and-one-third innings with the Mets to start this season, García had a 7.11 ERA and a 2.80 FIP. He joins Richard Lovelady in being DFA’d as the Mets continue to look for improvements during a miserable stretch of baseball.
In five innings with Triple-A Syracuse this year, Gerber has a 5.40 ERA and a 4.60 FIP. He’s thrown just 20.0 innings total in his major league career, having spent time with the Mariners in 2020 and gotten a brief major league stint with the Rays in 2025. He has a 3.60 ERA in that limited major league sample, and he has options remaining and figures to be churned himself before long—barring a major improvement at the major league level, of course.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are back at home for the penultimate regular-season game inside the friendly confines of Nationwide Arena. This game features the Boston Bruins.
Boston Bruins - 43-27-10 - 96 Points - 4-4-2 in the last 10 - Lost 2 - 5th in the Atlantic
Columbus Blue Jackets - 40-28-12 - 92 Points - 3-6-1 in the last 10 - Won 1 - 4th in the Metro. Two points behind the Philadelphia Flyers for third place.
Team Notes Per CBJ PR
CBJ wrapped up a three-game road trip (2-1-0), and the road portion of the regular season, with a 5-2 win at Montreal yesterday.
The Blue Jackets conclude their 16th back-to-back set of the season (19-7-5, .694) tonight vs. Boston. The club has swept five of its back-to-back sets in 2025-26.
The Jackets have collected points in 17-of-21 home games to rank eighth-T in the NHL in points pct. in 2026 (.690; 12-4-5).
CBJ have earned points in 27 of their past 36 contests overall since Jan. 11 (22-9-5, 5th in points pct. at .681).
The Blue Jackets conclude a stretch of four-straight games vs. the Atlantic Division (2-1-0). The club has earned points in 20 of its last 25 games against the division dating back to Apr. 8, 2025 (15-5-5).
Columbus leads the NHL with a franchise-record 58 goals scored by defensemen in 2025-26 (58-138-196, 80 GP).
Player Notes Per CBJ PR
Charlie Coyle, who notched two goals in the win at Montreal, has tied his single-season career high in assists and has the second-most points of his 14-year NHL career with 20-38-58 in 80 games this season.
Adam Fantilli posted two assists at Montreal and has set single-season career highs in assists and points with 23-35-58 in 80 contests this season.
Jet Greaves has earned points in 17 of his last 22 starts since Jan. 11 (14-5-3, 2.42 GAA, .910 SV% in 23 GP), ranking eighth-T among NHL goaltenders in GAA and ninth in SV% over that stretch (min. 7 GP).
Kirill Marchenko recorded 1-1-2 on Saturday and has posted assists in five of the past seven games (2-6-8). He is the fifth player in Blue Jackets history with 25-plus goals in consecutive seasons (31 in 2024-25; 27 in 2025-26).
Mason Marchment has collected assists in five of his past six contests (1-6-7) and has 14-16-30 in 37 games with CBJ.
Zach Werenski has recorded 22-59-81 in 73 games in 2025-26 and has tied the single-season franchise record for assists (Panarin, 2018-19; Werenski, 2024-25). He leads NHL blueliners in multi-point efforts (26), even-strength points (59) and shots on goal (249) and ranks second in points and points-per-game (1.11).
Blue Jackets Stats
Power Play - 19.3% - 22nd in the NHL
Penalty Kill - 76.1% - 27th in the NHL
Goals For - 243 - 17th in the NHL
Goals Against - 246 - 21st in the NHL
BruinsStats
Power Play - 23.4% - 9th in the NHL
Penalty Kill - 76.6% - 25th in the NHL
Goals For - 261 - 11th in the NHL
Goals Against - 245 - 18th in the NHL
Series History vs. TheBruins
Columbus is 17-18-11 all-time, and 10-8-6 at home vs. Boston.
CBJ have earned points in nine of the last 12 games against Boston at Nationwide Arena since Dec. 27, 2016 (6-3-3)
The home team has earned points in four-straight games (3-0-1) and 20 of the last 24 meetings dating back to Nov. 10, 2016 (15-4-5).
The winning team has scored four goals or more in six-straight meetings overall (including SO goals) and nine times in the last 11 matchups, as well as each of the past five at Nationwide Arena.
The winning team has won by multiple goals in seven of the last eight in the series and nine of the past 11 meetings, along with by three-plus in four of the past five played at Columbus.
The Blue Jackets are 18-of-83 on the power play (21.7 pct.) and 60-of-72 on the penalty kill (83.3 pct.) against the Bruins in 24 all-time meetings at Nationwide Arena.
Who To Watch For TheBruins
Morgan Geekie leads Boston with 38 goals.
David Pastrnak leads the team with 70 assists and 99 points.
Joonas Korpisalo is 13-9-6 with a SV% of .892.
CBJ Player Notes vsBruins
Boone Jenner 14 points in 25 career games against Boston.
Zach Werenski has 15 points against the Bruins.
Mason Marchment has 9 points in 10 games vs. Boston.
Injured Reserve & Other Injuries
Brendan Smith - Lower Body - Missed 42 Games IR - OUT FOR THE SEASON
Damon Severson - Missed 8 Games - Upper Body - OUT FOR THE SEASON
Dmitri Voronkov - Missed 7 Games - Upper Body - OUT FOR THE SEASON
Mathieu Olivier - Missed 6 Games - Upper Body - OUT FOR THE SEASON
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 210
How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be on FanDuel Sports Network. The radio broadcast will be on 97.1 The Fan, with Bob McElligott behind the mic doing the play-by-play.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers go for the series sweep as they host the Texas Rangers this afternoon.
Roki Sasaki will try to right his early-season wrongs, toeing the rubber against veteran Jacob deGrom.
That gives the visitors a massive starting pitching advantage, so I’m siding with the underdog for my Rangers vs. Dodgers predictions and MLB picks below.
Who will win Rangers vs Dodgers today: Rangers (+110)
Roki Sasaki should be in the Minor Leagues right now, and that’s where he’d be if it weren’t for a wave of Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher injuries.
The 24-year-old ranks 165th out of 171 starters in Location+ (80), which has led to a 12.2% walk rate. You can’t start at this level with a 1.56 WHIP, and Texas is good enough against RHP (107 wRC+) to capitalize.
Jacob deGrom has still got “it”, posting a 111 Stuff+ and an elite 32.4 K-BB%. The Texas Rangers have won both of his starts, and here’s betting on another victory.
COVERS INTEL:The projected L.A. lineup has faced deGrom 95 times, collecting 19 hits (.200 AVG) compared to 30 strikeouts.
Rangers vs Dodgers Over/Under pick: Under 8.5 (-105)
If anyone is capable of keeping down a potent Dodgers lineup that's plated 14 runs through the first two games of the series, it’s deGrom. It also helps to have a bullpen with a 2.32 ERA behind you.
The ball isn’t carrying in MLB as it has recently, with home run rates down across the board. On a wet and rainy day in Chavez Ravine, it’ll be a surprise if a few balls leave the yard for either team.
JD Yonke's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 3-4, -0.75 units
Over/Under bets: 3-5, -2.26 units
Rangers vs Dodgers odds
Moneyline: Rangers +110 | Dodgers -130
Run line: Rangers +1.5 (-220) | Dodgers -1.5 (+160)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5
Rangers vs Dodgers trend
The Rangers are 4-1 in Jacob deGrom's last five starts. Find more MLB betting trends for Rangers vs. Dodgers.
How to watch Rangers vs Dodgers and game info
Location
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Date
Sunday, April 12, 2026
First pitch
4:10 p.m. ET
TV
CW 33, SportsNet LA
Rangers starting pitcher
Jacob deGrom (0-0, 3.72 ERA)
Dodgers starting pitcher
Roki Sasaki (0-1, 7.00 ERA)
Rangers vs Dodgers latest injuries
Rangers vs Dodgers weather
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.
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 07: Randy Arozarena #56 of the Seattle Mariners takes batting practice prior to the game between the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Courtney Kramer/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Mariners are swinging slower and hitting worse, but connecting these dots isn’t as simple as it seems.
Bat speed is down for half the Mariners’ lineup over the first 2 1/2 weeks of the season. These batters are swinging 0.7 mph slower on average than they were last year. It’s become a fixation in the early going, especially as the team entered the weekend with a 79 wRC+ — bottom five in the majors. Some blame the slower swings for the disappointing start at the plate, and others point to Seattle’s frigid temperatures as the culprit for the decline.
These points were brought to Dan Wilson before Saturday’s game. He shot down either premise.
“That’s pretty negligible from what we’ve seen before,” Wilson said of the decline in bat speed. “It’s colder weather- there’s just a lot of different factors that could be involved there. That’s not something that’s concerning us. Obviously, we track, we monitor, but there’s nothing that’s discernible. We’re fourteen games in, there’s so much more season to go. We want to get off to a good start, obviously as a player you want to get off to a good start, but you know, sometimes those things take a little bit of time to get going. It’s not anything different.”
I pretty much agree.
The first thing to point out is only three Mariners have bat speed drops greater than 1 mph. Randy Arozarena has lost 3.5 mph from last year (the largest change in the majors), Leo Rivas has lost 1.6 mph, and Brendan Donovan has lost 1.3 mph. The next thing to point out is Arozarena and Donovan are the top two hitters on the team so far by wRC+. Bat speed is important, but it isn’t everything.
Now, there are several players with <1 mph bat speed drops who have indeed struggled. Josh Naylor, for instance, has lost 0.9 mph, and Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez have each lost about 0.5 mph.
But the further you dig into the decimals of bat speed, the more difficult it becomes to separate noise from signal, especially in just 16 games. Let’s look at Julio’s rolling bat speed, for example:
Bat speed goes up and down naturally over the course of a season. That doesn’t always reflect a change in ability. These ebbs and flows can partially be attributed to the measurement itself. Bat speed is captured at the moment when the sweet spot of the bat crosses with the path of the ball. In other words, it tells us how fast the barrel is traveling at point of contact (or missed contact, in the case of whiffs).
This “point of contact” piece is crucial. A swing isn’t one, constant speed. It starts slow as the batter fires, and gains speed as the batter follows through. The “bat speed” for any given swing not only depends on how fast the batter swings, but how far they progress in their swing by the time the ball reaches the plate.
What does that mean for interpreting bat speed data? Well, that means observed bat speed can change with the pitch type, velocity, location, and the batter’s ability to identify such variables out of the pitcher’s hand. So if Julio took the exact same swing at a 99-mph fastball on the inner-third as he did on an 84-mph sweeper out of the zone away, he’s not likely to record the same “bat speed” on both swings. And that’s before considering how Julio might change his swing to match each pitch. From that perspective, bat speed is not only a matter of physical strength and ability, but a function of timing and circumstance.
For batters like Arozarena, who display very large changes in bat speed, it’s worth considering the underlying changes pushing their swing to new… slows:
But for pretty much every other Mariners’ batter exhibiting a decline (or gain) in bat speed, there simply hasn’t been enough time to say what, if anything, is different. I’m more likely to look at slower swings as a symptom of early struggles, rather than a cause. I kind of think the Mariners’ timing is just off.
Now, one theory that’s cropped up to explain the drop in bat speed is Seattle’s cold weather. Several people have pointed out the relationship between bat speed and temperature, noting swings are slower when it’s cold and faster when it’s hot.
I did some math on this last week for FanGraphs. My conclusion was, yes, bat speed likely depends on the temperature, and colder means slower. As Patrick Dufor points out in an excellent follow-up analysis, some of that could be the drag created by denser air at lower temperatures. But Dufor also notes drag doesn’t quite explain the full change. It’s possible batters might just be less comfortable in the cold. Julio agreed in an interview with the Seattle Times. “We’re not trying to swing slower; it’s just cold as (expletive) in Seattle,” he said, responding to concerns about the team’s bat speed decline.
Regardless, I estimated the change in bat speed at about 0.2 mph per 10 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s not a lot. While Seattle is the coldest city in the majors over the course of the season, it’s typically not the coldest city in the early part of the season. Lots of places are cold right now. In fact, T-Mobile Park is more neutral than you’d expect in April. It’s the late summer, when the rest of the country warms up and Seattle still has some bite after sunset, that we see the park flex its muscles. That’s to say, yes, it’s possible the Mariners are swinging slower because of the cold. But it’s probably not a big issue, and certainly not one unique to them. And it’s not the only thing that could be pushing bat speed down.
Again, my sense is the Mariners were kind of just bad the first two weeks of the season. I think their timing was off, I think they were swinging at bad pitches, and I think they were falling behind in counts. Each of those things could explain their bat speed slump, and I doubt it’s the other way around.
The Mariners entered the weekend with a 79 wRC+. After walking all over Astros’ pitching the last two nights, they enter Sunday with a 93 wRC+. We are not even 10% of the way through the season. It can swing in a jiff.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 19, 2026: Xavier Neyens #9 of the Houston Astros bats during the third inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Miami Marlins at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 19, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below.
AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (9-5) won 3-2 (BOX SCORE)
Ullola started for Sugar Land and allowed 1 run over 2.2 innings before leaving with an injury. It appeared to be leg related and not arm related. Fleury went the next 2.1 innings allowing 1 run. The offense got on the board in the 5th on a Winkler hit by pitch. In the 7th, Alexander tied the game with a sac fly. The Sugar Land bullpen continued to pitch well as the game stayed tied into the 9th. In the bottom of the 9th, Sugar Land walked it off scoring a run on a wild pitch as they won 3-2.
Roddery Munoz, RHP: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Logan VanWey, RHP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (WIN)
AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (4-4) lost 4-3 (BOX SCORE)
The Hooks got on the board in the 2nd inning scoring a run on an error. In the 3rd inning, Sacco added a solo HR. Gillis got the start and pitched well allowing 1 run over 4.2 innings while striking out 6. Garcia would add a solo HR in the 5th to extend the lead. The bullpen was solid until the 9th when Chirinos allowed 2 runs. The game went to extra innings and in the 10th, San Antonio walked it off as the Hooks fell 4-3.
Railin Perez, RHP: 0.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
A+: Asheville Tourists (3-5) lost 11-6 (BOX SCORE)
Asheville jumped out to a big lead early scoring 6 runs in the first inning on a Frey RBI single, Call RBI single, Daudet hit by pitch, Holy RBI groundout, Brutcher sac fly and Hernandez RBI single. Howard got the start for Asheville and went 3.2 innings allowing 3 runs. The pen struggled allowing 8 more runs as the Grasshoppers took the lead. The Asheville offense was quiet the rest of the way as they fell 11-6.
A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (1-7) lost 6-3 (BOX SCORE)
Pecko madę another rehab start and after allowing a leadoff home run, he settled down striking out 3 over 3 innings. The Woodpeckers offense got on the board in the first inning on a Monistere sac fly. They got another run in the 2nd inning on a Diaz solo home run. In the 5th, Neyens connected on a solo home run, his first professional home run. The pen allowed five runs as the RiverDogs took the lead but the offense was unable to respond as the Woodpeckers fell 6-3.
Note: Neyens home run had a 116 MPH exit velocity.
Jacob deGrom
Yordan Alvarez
Mickey Moniak
COVERS INTEL: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has a .373 batting average and a career .923 OPS against this Twins pitching staff. 
