Spaniard accuses DP World Tour of ‘extorting’ players
‘I don’t know what game they’re trying to play right now’
Jon Rahm’s dispute with the DP World Tour has escalated after the Spaniard accused the organisation of “extorting” golfers over fines for competing on the LIV circuit. Rahm’s Ryder Cup future remains in peril with no resolution to the matter in sight, with insiders at the DP World Tour and Europe’s Ryder Cup fans baffled by his stance.
Rahm incurred fines and suspensions as a DP World, formerly European, Tour member playing on what are regarded as competing Saudi-backed LIV events. Rahm signed for LIV in 2023 in a deal reportedly worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 24: Gavin Stone #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers a pitch against the Cleveland Guardians during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch on February 24, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Dodgers pitcher Gavin Stone impressed in his first Cactus League start last Tuesday in his one inning, his first game in a year and a half after right shoulder surgery. But any plans for a potential spot on the opening day roster were scuttled when Stone experienced soreness in that shoulder after a bullpen session, manager Dave Roberts told reporters Monday in Scottsdale.
“I didn’t,” he admitted earlier this spring. “Honestly, Arizona was my last outing and I felt pretty good. It would get tired in between innings but it felt good. I never really considered that it would be as bad as it was. When I got the MRI back, it was kind of a shock. But (Dr. Neal) ElAttrache does a great job. I’m very thankful for all he did.”
ElAttrache did a lot. He had to repair the labrum, rotator cuff and shoulder capsule.
This is a setback for Stone, but expecting him to have been ready for opening day doesn’t necessarily fit with how the Dodgers have handled these types of rehab plans for starting pitchers in recent years.
“I thought he was overthrowing,” Roberts said. “I haven’t seen that all spring. It’s probably just getting into live competition. I thought he was a little too bullish on the fastball, but he was getting behind in the first inning.”
Yoshinbobu Yamamoto was up to three innings before leaving for the World Baseball Classic. Tyler Glasnow pitched one batter into the third inning in his Cactus League debut last Thursday and figures to start again this week. Shohei Ohtani pitched two simulated innings on the backfields on February 22 before leaving for Tokyo, and though he won’t pitch in the WBC will continue to throw on the side to continue his build-up.
Emmet Sheehan figured to have an inside track to a rotation spot, but hasn’t gotten into a Cactus League game yet as he was slowed by the flu. But if he starts at some point this week, there’s still time for four starts to build up toward the regular season.
Justin Wrobleski has been stretched out to two innings now and is in a good spot, looking to build on his strong end to last season.
The other starting pitcher on the 40-man roster is Landon Knack, and among the non-roster invitees there is veteran Cole Irvin, who pitched in the KBO last year and has been stretched out to two innings so far this spring.
Today, we have a look at the five series the Cubs will play against AL East clubs this year. One of those series will be the last three games of the regular season!
Baltimore Orioles
Key departures: Scott Blewett, Corbin Martin, Gary Sanchez, Tomoyuki Sugano, Dylan Carlson, Alex Jackson, Grayson Rodriguez
Key arrivals: Pete Alonso, Bryan Ramos, Blaze Alexander, Chris Bassitt, Jackson Kowar, Shane Baz, Ryan Helsley, Taylor Ward
The O’s had made the postseason two years in a row in 2023-24 and seemed primed for another playoff year in 2025 and then… klunk. On May 28 they were 19-36 and had been outscored 310-213. Yikes.
They were better after that, going 56-51 the rest of the way, but the damage had been done. A lot of this was a down year from catcher Adley Rutschman, who missed a lot of time with two oblique injuries. The O’s had almost no power — no one hit more than 17 home runs and the pitching was also bad, with the team allowing the sixth-most runs.
The power outage has been presumably addressed by the signing of Alonso and acquisition of Ward by trade. They are counting on Shane Baz to upgrade their rotation and Ryan Helsley should be fine at closer. Former Cub Andrew Kittredge, an Oriole until the Cubs got him last year, returns to Baltimore.
This is a tough division and even an improved Orioles team will have trouble competing.
Key departures: Steven Matz, Dustin May, Rob Refsnyder, Alex Bregman, Lucas Giolito, Liam Hendriks, John Brebbia, Nathaniel Lowe, Josh Winckowski, Vaughn Grissom, Hunter Dobbins
Key arrivals: Johan Oviedo, Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, Ranger Suárez, Matt Thaiss, Caleb Durbin, Andruw Monasterio, Brendan Rodgers, Isiah Kiner-Falefa
The Red Sox lost a wild-card series to the Yankees last year after an 89-win season. They lost Bregman to the Cubs, and so set out to upgrade their offense in another way, trading for former Cub Contreras. They also solidified their rotation with Gray, Oviedo and Suárez, and Durbin will take over third base from Bregman.
The Red Sox have made the postseason just twice since their 2018 World Series win and in this division, it might be tough to repeat even a wild-card spot.
Key departures: Austin Slater, Luke Weaver, Devin Williams, Jonathan Loaisiga, Scott Effross, Mark Leiter Jr.
Key arrivals: Paul DeJong, Angel Chivilli, Osvaldo Bido, Rafael Montero, Ryan Weathers
Take a look at those lists above. When I was going through the Yankees transactions list for making those two groups, I kept saying, “Nope, signed him back, nope, signed him back…”
The Yankees are running back most of their 2025 season, then. Quite a number of guys who were Yankees free agents, including Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, Trent Grisham and Amed Rosario, will all be back. The biggest loss for them is probably Devin Williams, who didn’t turn into the closer they hoped he would be. The Yankees acquired David Bednar from the Pirates last year and he’ll close for them.
They’ll have the same rotation with the addition of Ryan Weathers, acquired by trade for several minor leaguers. That includes Cam Schlittler, whose last name has already vexed a number of broadcasters. (And he’s really good, too.)
Shortstop Anthony Volpe, who had a bad year in 2025 largely due to a torn labrum, is expected back, but not for Opening Day.
I had to laugh when I read this Giancarlo Stanton quote:
Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton “can’t open a bag of chips” due to ongoing pain in elbows, but he’s determined to play full season. https://t.co/yNq5aSadCH
Key departures: Shane Baz, Pete Fairbanks, Bob Seymour, Brandon Lowe, Josh Lowe,
Key arrivals: Jake Fraley, Steven Wilson, Jake Woodford, Cedric Mullins, Steven Matz, Justyn-Henry Malloy, Cam Booser, Ben Williamson, Nick Martinez, Gavin Lux
People say, “The Rays always seem to be competitive,” but now they’ve missed the postseason two years in a row after five straight seasons in October baseball, including a 100-win season in 2021.
They’re revamping their rotation with the additions of Matz and Martinez, but both of those guys are in their mid-30s and it’s a reasonable question to ask how much they have left.
Their long-time closer, Fairbanks, headed cross-state to the Marlins and at this time the Rays haven’t designated a closer.
Lux was once a top Dodgers prospect, but he’s never quite fulfilled that, in part due to injuries. Perhaps he can recapture something in Tampa. Mullins is another reclamation project for the Rays.
Junior Caminero had a great under-the-radar year in 2025. Did you know he hit 45 home runs and had a 4.4 bWAR season? At age 21? Only Judge and Cal Raleigh hit more homers among AL players.
In short: They have good management, but at a certain point the players have to produce. They will be moving back into the repaired Tropicana Field this year after a year of playing in the Yankees’ spring park, Steinbrenner Field. That should help. In fact, the Cubs will be there for the grand re-opening.
At Tampa: April 6-7-8 (includes the Rays home opener April 6)
2025 was “oh-so-close” for the Jays in several ways.
They won the AL East on a tiebreaker; maybe that was the difference to getting to the World Series, or not.
Then they lost the Series to the Dodgers in agonizing fashion, on a bad baserunning play and a miracle defensive catch.
It’ll take work for the Jays to get back there, but they seem to have the team to do it. The only major missing piece is Bichette, who signed with the Mets. Andrés Gimenez, a capable player if not as good a hitter, takes over at shortstop.
The rest of the offense is back. They scored 798 runs in 2025, fourth in MLB (and five more runs than the Cubs did). The starting rotation has been improved by the addition of Cease. Vladdy Jr. had something of a “down” year in 2025, at least from his previous standards. He turns 27 in a couple of weeks. If he returns to that previousl level the Jays could be a real wrecking crew this year. It should be another good Yankees/Jays battle at the top of the AL East.
VENICE, FLORIDA - MARCH 16, 2025: Brett Callahan #58 of the Detroit Tigers bats during the second inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Atlanta Braves at CoolToday Park on March 16, 2025 in Venice, Florida. (Photo by George Kubas/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Outfielder Brett Callahan hasn’t gotten much national notice, and isn’t yet tracking like a future major leaguer. However, his potential makes him quite interesting, and he’s already making noise in spring camp. If there’s a hitter in the Tigers’ system who could follow Kerry Carpenter’s path as an unheralded left-handed college outfielder who ends up a power hitting force in right field, Callahan is that guy. You may have already noticed him this spring because he’s cranked a pair of 400+ foot homers in just four total plate appearances in Grapefruit League action for the Tigers.
The 24-year-old outfielder was the Tigers’ 13th round pick in the 2023 draft out of St. Joseph’s College near Philadelphia. The Tigers have focused their bonus pool money on prep talent and top college picks early in the draft, but they’ve had a lot of success already hunting undervalued talent at smaller colleges for not much more than the minimum bonus. Callahan may be next. He flew under the radar in the draft coming from a small school, and the Tigers signed him for $197,500. He’s stayed under the radar in part because he’s been banged up quite a bit in his first two full seasons as a pro. Even now, he’s not ranked on national sites’ lists of Tigers’ prospects.
Callahan had two short stints on the injured list in 2024, and then missed time in May and June last year with what looked like a quad or hamstring strain suffered running the bases. He’s also dealt with a dislocated finger that caused him some trouble although he didn’t miss much time with it. As a result he’s only played 133 games total over the past two seasons, and even when he’s been on the field he’s played through some minor injuries.
The other reason he’s gotten no national attention is his swinging strike rate and modest walk rates. He only struck out 22.2 percent of the time with High-A West Michigan in 55 games last season. However, his 16 percent swinging strike rate is a bit gruesome. Callahan is a really aggressive hitter and swings a lot, and too often he’s been willing to expand the zone, even early in counts, rather than waiting on something he can drive. However, when he does get a good pitch to hit, he tends to do damage.
The reason I’ve remained intrigued is that his smooth, compact swing has natural loft and he already hits a pretty good amount of fly balls to the pull field. He’s not a big guy at six feet tall and 195 pounds, but he’s solidly built and a good overall athlete with a fair chance to grow into plus raw power. He’s also a pretty solid corner outfielder with a strong, accurate throwing arm. If he can become more disciplined at the plate, he has the batspeed, power, and defensive ability to be a pretty complete power hitting right fielder. The injury troubles have held him back, and a sustained stretch in which to make progress with his approach would really do him right this season.
On Monday in Lakeland, in an 0-2 count, Callahan got a breaking ball down from a reasonably good Braves pitching prospect in Owen Murphy. It was supposed to be a backfoot slider, but he left it just in the corner low and in. Callahan went down to one knee to torch it out to right field for a solo shot. In the ninth inning, he ripped a fourseam fastball 112.2 mph off the bat for a hot one-hopper that went for a fielder’s choice at second base. The plus raw power appears to have arrived.
Brett Callahan launches a homer to dead center in his first plate appearance of the spring. Left his bat at 107.5 MPH and went an estimated 405 feet. pic.twitter.com/bPEqMwoASI
Like most left-handed power hitters, Callahan likes sinkers and fourseamers down in the zone, and he loves to hunt hanging breaking balls. To keep progressing as he advances to the Double-A level this year, he’ll have to do a better job fighting off the high fastball, which does give him some trouble, and show more patience and discipline. Unlike Kerry Carpenter, Callahan’s upright stance doesn’t involve posting all his weight on his back leg, and he can get caught out in front a fair amount. Better pitchers with good riding fourseamers or quality changeups can give him trouble, and he’ll see much more of that at the Double-A level this season. The injury issues give me hope that he just hasn’t really had a chance to adjust his approach with consistent reps.
Callahan has 25-30 HR upside, in a solid corner outfielder with average speed and a good, accurate arm. He has the athleticism to create good bat angles on a lot of different pitch types in different parts of the strike zone. There’s plenty to like, and now we’re seeing plus or better exit velocities off the bat as well. Still, the challenges for a free swinger say he’s probably not going to put it all together and reach that ceiling. His decision making and overall hitting instincts due need to improve to round out his approach. For now, it’s worth seeing how he develops against upper level pitching. Callahan might just do enough damage to become an intriguing future corner outfield option in 2027 and beyond.
1906: Willie Keeler, right fielder of the New York Yankees, bunts the ball during a game circa 1906. (Photo by The Stanley Weston Archive/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Baseball produces plenty of Hall of Famers whose glory and stat lines fade with time. Sayings, however, tend to stick around, passed down from generation to generation like prized baseball cards.
“Keep your eye on the ball!”
Most fans recognize the phrase. Far fewer know it came from Willie Keeler, a Hall of Fame outfielder and third baseman whose career helped shape how hitting itself was understood long before power numbers or analytics dominated the sport. More than a century later, players still hear the same advice Willie preached shouted from big league stands and youth dugouts alike.
Keeler, one of the earliest stars in New York baseball history, would have celebrated his 154th birthday today.
William Henry Keeler Born: March 3, 1872 (Brooklyn, NY) Died: January 1, 1923 (Brooklyn, NY) Yankees Tenure: 1903–09
Even by Deadball Era standards, Keeler did not look like a baseball legend. Listed at just 5-foot-4 and 140 pounds, he remains one of the smallest everyday players in major league history.
For comparison:
• Eddie Gaedel: 3-foot-7 (shortest player ever to appear in an MLB game) • Phil Rizzuto: 5-foot-6, 150 pounds • José Altuve: 5-foot-6, 166 pounds
Keeler was undersized even among baseball’s most famous undersized players.
But while he might have been small, he carried a remarkably big stick, literally. Keeler’s bat reportedly weighed up to 46 ounces. For context, Babe Ruth’s famous bat model weighed about 44.6 ounces. The image of one of the smallest players in baseball history swinging a heavier bat than the Sultan of Swat tells you almost everything you need to know about both the era and Keeler himself. It was simply a different game.
If legend serves correctly, Willie Keeler would have produced one of the most impressive spray charts in baseball history. He approached hitting as geometry rather than force, spraying line drives across the field, dropping bunts with intention, and treating each at-bat like a problem waiting to be solved.
His philosophy eventually became baseball scripture:
“Hit ’em where they ain’t.”
The results backed it up. Keeler finished with a .341 career batting average, 2,932 hits, and 16 seasons batting over .300. Of his 33 career home runs, only three cleared the fence, with most coming the old-fashioned way. Speed, bat control, and precision defined his success. When he retired in 1910, only Cap Anson had collected more hits in major league history.
That success eventually landed Keeler in the Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s early Hall of Fame voting, becoming part of the fourth induction class in 1939, one of the first groups honored before the Hall even had permanent walls.
Keeler’s most enduring accomplishment arrived in 1897, when he recorded a hit in 44 consecutive games for the old National League iteration of the Baltimore Orioles, made famous by future New York Giants manager John McGraw. For decades, the record felt untouchable. Travel was harsher, playing surfaces inconsistent, and roster stability nearly nonexistent during the Deadball Era. Sustained offensive performance was incredibly difficult, which made Keeler’s streak feel permanent.
Then, in 1941, Joe DiMaggio stepped to the plate at Yankee Stadium and changed baseball history. DiMaggio’s famous 56-game hitting streak truly began when he surpassed Keeler’s mark at 45 games. While DiMaggio’s run became immortal, it required chasing down a record that had already survived as many years as it was in games.
Entering the upcoming MLB season, the roll call of longest single-season hitting streaks in major league history remains:
• Joe DiMaggio — 56 games (1941) • Pete Rose — 44 games (1978) • Willie Keeler — 44 games (1897)
More than 125 years later, Keeler is still tied for the second-longest streak in major league history. That alone speaks to how extraordinary his consistency truly was. The longest active streak belongs to Luis Arraez, who entering the 2026 season carries a 15-game hitting streak. Arraez would need to hit safely for roughly a full calendar month to surpass Keeler and Rose.
Keeler joined the franchise during its transition from the disbanded, early-American League Baltimore Orioles into the New York Highlanders era, before the team officially adopted the Yankees name. Along with Pittsburgh’s Jack Chesbro, he was one of the more higher-profile names to join the nascent squad.
After batting .313 during his inaugural campaign with the Highlanders, his strongest season for the franchise came in 1904, when he hit .343 with a 147 OPS+ and remained among the league’s most reliable offensive players despite entering his thirties — which was considered quite old by the standards of the time. By the time his career ended in 1910, baseball itself was evolving toward a new era, leaving Keeler as a bridge between 19th-century baseball and the modern game that followed.
“Hit ’em where they ain’t” can sound almost humorous today, especially in an age of defensive positioning models and advanced analytics. Yet the principle has never changed. Baseball still rewards awareness, adjustment, and exploiting space on the field, whenever possible. Keeler simply explained the idea generations before technology tried to measure it.
That may ultimately be his greatest legacy. Not just a batting average or a streak, but a philosophy that survived every era that followed. Long before Joe DiMaggio’s elegance or Yogi Berra’s accidental wisdom, Keeler was offering baseball truths simple enough to last forever. In a way, he was Joe and Yogi before there was Joe and Yogi. Long after numbers evolve and records fall, the advice still holds true.
Happy birthday, Willie Keeler.
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 23: Pitcher Logan Gilbert #36 of the Seattle Mariners throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of a spring training game at Camelback Ranch on February 23, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Happy Tuesday! The Mariners are back in action today with Bryan Woo scheduled to start against the Los Angeles Angels at 12:10 PM. The World Baseball Classic exhibition games also continue today, and we will get our first look at the different Mariners players representing their respective countries. Which exhibition game are you most excited to watch today?
In Mariners news…
Logan Gilbert is highlighted in Michael Rosen’s article for FanGraphs on exciting new pitches from Spring Training.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 19: Will Bush #88 of the Houston Astros runs during spring training workouts at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on February 19, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be rolling out a series of prospect previews for Spring Training. This week we are looking at an up and coming bat: Will Bush
Bush took an unconventional path to professional baseball, spending a year at Tyler Junior College before the Astros selected him in the 16th round of the 2023 draft. The left-handed hitter brings above-average raw power and solid plate discipline to the table. While he has split time between catcher and first base, first may ultimately be his long-term home defensively.
The 21-year-old had a nice 2025 season. He opened the year in High-A, where he posted an .812 OPS with 12 home runs before earning a promotion to Double-A. With the Hooks, he added three more home runs and drew 14 walks in 24 games. Overall, Bush finished with a 121 wRC+, ranking near the top of the Astros’ system.
The Astros really like Bush’s approach and swing decisions. For a bigger power hitter, he has also done a good job keeping his swinging strike percentage (10.5%) down and his contact percentage (73.7%) high. Bush will be 22 in 2026 and has a chance to move up the system.
Feb 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) reacts in the first quarter against the Washington Wizards at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cavs fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
It’s been nearly a month since the Cleveland Cavaliers traded for James Harden. He’s played in eight games with the team, and the Cavs are 7-1 in those contests.
Cleveland didn’t trade for Harden to be a good regular-season team. At the same time, that’s all we can base it on right now.
How would you grade the Harden experience so far?
Additionally, the Cavs rocketed up the standings after a strong month of February. However, they may not have much further they can climb, considering the teams in front of them.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 19: CJ McCollum #3 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after making a free throw during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on February 19, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Hawks are arguably the NBA’s least distinguished franchise. The Hawks’ one NBA championship happened way back in 1958, and otherwise the team hasn’t even won the Eastern Conference during their existence. The team’s 2021 conference finals run was a rare re-introduction to national relevance for the franchise, but they followed it with a .500 season and eventually punted on that era when they traded Trae Young to the Washington Wizards earlier this year.
The Hawks just seem like they’re permanently stuck in play-in tournament range, and not even a huge stroke of luck could help change that. Atlanta won the 2024 NBA Draft lottery from the No. 10 spot, but unfortunately it was a notoriously bad class at the top, and Atlanta ended up choosing a player we didn’t even have ranked in the top-10. Zaccharie Risacher has had a disappointing start to his career so far, and once again the Hawks are as mid as can be.
There was real optimism the Hawks could take a leap forward this year. The addition of Kristaps Porzingis, a star leap from Jalen Johnson, and the free agent signing of Nickeil Alexander-Walker had sharp analysts like The Ringer’s Zach Lowe on the Hawks bandwagon entering the season. Instead, Atlanta is 31-31 after 62 games, which shouldn’t really surprise anyone, because .500 is what this team has consistently been over the last 70 years.
The Hawks are almost perfectly average this season in terms of points scored and points allowed. Oh, but there’s so much more than that.
Atlanta’s mediocrity actually goes all the way back to the 1950s. The Hawks aren’t just .500 over their last 62 games, they’re actually .500 over their last 90 games, their last 134 games, their last 348 games, their last 420 games, their last 1,570 games …
You get the picture.
Hawks are not only 31-31 in their last 62 games but also…
45-45 in their last 90, 67-67 in their 134, 174-174 in their 348, 210-210 in their last 420, 785-785 in their last 1,570, 1,940-1,940 in their last 3,880, and 2,895-2,895 in their last 5,790 https://t.co/5SWcdEpDgA
This stat is cherry-picking a little bit, but it’s still remarkable. The Hawks have always been mid over the course of 70 years, despite playing in what’s been the league’s JV conference for the last 25 years.
There is some hope on the way for Hawks fans. The team made a brilliant trade for the New Orleans Pelicans’ unprotected 2026 first-round pick during the 2025 draft. The Pelicans are currently 19-43 and are the sixth-worst team in the NBA. The Hawks actually own the most favorable of the Pelicans’ and Milwaukee Bucks’ pick. The Bucks are 26-34, and would enter the lottery in the No. 10 spot if the season ended today. Atlanta is going to have outstanding odds at landing a top pick in an absolutely loaded draft class. Hawks fans, read our most recently 2026 NBA mock draft here.
Hey, there has to be some team that’s always losing to the Celtics and beating the Wizards in the East. Some teams are usually great, some teams are usually terrible. The Hawks are neither. They are simply pure mid.
The TCU product has cashed the Over in four of his last five appearances, posting 30+ points in three of those. While he scored just 17 in his most recent game against the Pistons, Bane erupted for 30 just two days prior against the Rockets.
Bane is averaging 22.3 points at home this season, and the Washington Wizards aren’t exactly an elite team, ranking only above the Jazz in overall defensive efficiency.
Wizards vs Magic same-game parlay
Banchero is averaging 8.5 rebounds this season, and he’s coming off a 10-board performance against Detroit.
The former first-overall pick has cashed the Over in rebounds in two of his last three, and he’s up against a Wizards team giving up 10.8 boards per contest to power forwards.
Jalen Suggs is Orlando’s best playmaker, averaging 5.2 assists per game. He’s dished out Over 5.5 dimes in seven of his last 10 outings.
Wizards vs Magic SGP
Desmond Bane Over 21.5 points
Paolo Banchero Over 9.5 rebounds
Jalen Suggs Over 5.5 assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: Cast a Deadly Spell
Bane is averaging 2.4 makes at home for a 40% clip from deep, and he’s cashed the Over in triples in two of his last three games at the Kia Center. With how bullish we are on several key Magic players, we'll add Orlando to cover the lofty spread to boost our odds.
Wizards vs Magic SGP
Desmond Bane Over 21.5 points
Paolo Banchero Over 9.5 rebounds
Jalen Suggs Over 5.5 assists
Desmond Bane Over 2.5 made threes
Magic -15.5
Wizards vs Magic odds
Spread: Wizards +15.5 (-110) | Magic -15.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Wizards +750 | Magic -1200
Over/Under: Over 228.5 (-110) | Under 228.5 (-110)
Wizards vs Magic betting trend to know
The Washington Wizards have hit the Moneyline in 15 of their last 45 games (+11.80 Units / 26% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Wizards vs. Magic.
How to watch Wizards vs Magic
Location
Kia Center, Orlando, FL
Date
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
MNMT, FDSN Florida
Wizards vs Magic latest injuries
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NBC's Coast 2 Coast Tuesday is going to have a distinct, vintage 1990s vibe this week, and that is coming to Sacramento.
That's because for the game between the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings — a game where Devin Booker is set to make his return from a hip injury — NBC will feature some of its famed broadcasters from the 1990s: Hannah Storm, P.J. Carlisimo and player and broadcaster Isiah Thomas. Both Coast 2 Coast Tuesday broadcasts — Spurs vs. 76ers at 8 p.m. ET and Suns vs. Kings at 11 p.m. ET — will incorporate reminiscent and familiar components from the 1995-96 NBA on NBC season, including feature graphics package (score bar, stats, full pages, replay wipes, etc.) and tape elements.
The second game of the night will feature a Phoenix team that is one of the best stories of the NBA season, a team that revamped its roster and culture and started winning way ahead of schedule. Well, at least until recently, when injuries hit hard, which is why the Suns head into Tuesday trying to get back into a winning groove and move up into the top six in the West
Phoenix takes on a Sacramento team that has won a couple of games in the past week and has a couple of name stars on the roster in Russell Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan. That said, injuries derailed the Kings' season, and as a result, they have the worst record in the NBA. Sacramento is focused on June's NBA Draft.
Phoenix has been one of the best stories of the NBA season.
Last summer, after a couple of disappointing seasons, the Suns pulled the plug on the Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker era, trading away Durant and Beal, but keeping the homegrown Booker (they also fired coach Mike Budenholzer). With the heavy roster turnover, expectations outside Phoenix were low (preseason, the Suns were projected to win 31.5 games — they already have 34). Owner Mat Ishbia talked about the culture he wanted to build: "We want to make sure that it's a team that competes, that's grinding, that wants to win, that doesn't just cash in because it looks like we're down by too much."
Dillon Brooks has been exactly that guy and brought the rest of the team along with him. Brooks came over from Houston in the Durant trade and was having a career year (20.9 points per game), but he is out for this game with a fractured left hand.
Injuries have hit the Suns hard of late, not having Booker or Brooks for a stretch has them 3-6 in their last nine games — but Booker is not on the injury report and is expected to play Tuesday night. Booker leads the team in scoring at 24.7 points per game (which would be his lowest scoring average since the 2016-17 season). The Suns have also found surprising players to step up this season, such as Collin Gillespie, who is averaging 13.5 points per game and is a frontrunner for the Most Improved Player award.
One Sun to watch is Jalen Green. Injuries hit him hard this season, too, he played in just five of the Suns' first 52 games of the season due to hamstring and hip issues. That time off hasn't made Green shy offensively, as he's hoisted at least 15 field goal attempts in each of his last 5 games. He just hasn't found his rhythm yet, hitting just 32.7% of his shots (and 21.4% of threes). That said, he did knock down the buzzer-beating game-winner to defeat the Magic in double overtime.
Sacramento entered this season with playoff aspirations, but injuries and struggles have derailed the team — the Kings recently set a franchise record with a 16-game losing streak. Sacramento's current win percentage (.226) puts it on pace for the second-worst season in franchise history, and that's a rough franchise history.
Injuries are part of what has hit the Kings so hard. Right now, All-Star center Domantas Sabonis is out (knee surgery), as is Zach LaVine (hand surgery), De'Andre Hunter (eye surgery) and their rising star Keegan Murray (ankle).
There are names to know and names to watch in Sacramento. Future Hall of Famer Russell Westbrook, 37, is currently 14th on the NBA's all-time scoring list with 27,074 points (just 240 points away from surpassing Elvin Hayes, who's next on the list). Then there is DeMar DeRozan, 36, who is the only player to play in all 62 Kings games this season.
There are young players to watch in Sacramento. Center Maxime Raynaud is one, averaging 10.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, as is rookie Nique Clifford, who is averaging 13.5 points per game in hislast 13 games. Raynaud (22 points) and Clifford (13 points and seven assists) were both big parts of the Kings' most recent win, a 130-121 victory at Dallas, a game where veteran big man Precious Achiuwa led the Kings with a career-high 29 points.
Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.
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It took two games for Jose Alvarado to win the hearts of New Yorkers after the trade deadline.
Honestly, Jose had our hearts a long time before that, and it was only a matter of time until he put on a Knicks uniform. But still: the moment had arrived. Finally, after years of Alvarado to New York rumors flying around, the front office finally pulled the trigger on February 5th. Less than a week later, Jose made history, becoming the first player in Knicks franchise history to record 25+ points, 5+ steals, and 5+ three-pointers in a game off the bench. Keep in mind the fact that the Knicks got him for a bag of chips (sorry, Yabusele and Dalen Terry) and the deal only gets sweeter and sweeter from there.
This wasn’t a one-off performance, either. Alvarado has been averaging 8.4 points, 2.9 boards, and 3.9 assists in just under 20 minutes per game. Add to the equation his 1.7 steals per outing, and it’s easy to see how his constant energy and effort amount to a flurry of activity on the court.
Jose Alvarado is tonight's defensive player of the game 👷
It’s not just the eye test – numbers nerds should love him as well. The advanced stats back it up. The Knicks have a 98.1(!!) defensive rating with him on the floor. For reference, OKC leads the league with a 106.1 defensive rating. New York’s defense, led by Alvarado, is on par with some of the best lineups in the league. And the offensive side of things remains just as strong, with a 118.0 rating. That gives Alvarado a 19.9 net rating, which over the course of the season would be far and away the best in the league.
Expect some regression on both ends here, but nine games is a large enough sample size to look at Alvarado’s production and say that we might have something here. Keep in mind – excluding his flamethrowing game at Philadelphia, Jose is shooting only 20% from deep, so there’s still room to grow.
New York wanted to strengthen their bench at the trade deadline after the Jordan Clarkson experiment didn’t go exactly to plan. They wanted a guy who would play hard on both sides of the floor. They got the prototype.
The next question, and rightfully so, is whether a Brunson/Alvarado backcourt hold their own together? There’s a lot of talent there, of course, but the lack of size hurts. A lot.
So far, the two have played 77 minutes together, and according to net rating, it’s been the offense that takes the bump, not the defense. Again, it’s a small sample size, but Mike Brown hasn’t shied away from pairing the two together, and it’s delivered encouraging returns so far.
The other thing is, how does the return of Deuce McBride impact Alvarado’s minutes off the bench come playoff time? McBride also serves as a combo guard who can shoot the three and play tough defense. We’ll see how Brown manages the two down the stretch of the season.
However you see it, though, it’s an excellent problem to have. Alvarado is making the Knicks better already, and he’s exactly the kind of spark plug you want off of your bench in a best-of-seven series.
Historic overhaul before Six Nations match in Italy
Only three players in same position as Ireland game
Steve Borthwick has pointed to his misfiring players’ failure to meet his unwavering standards as justification for the most radical England overhaul in the professional era, after ripping up his side for the Six Nations clash against Italy on Saturday.
Borthwick has wielded the axe for the match in Rome on Saturday, making nine personnel and three position changes, and sent a clear message to his out-of-form players that performances have not been up to scratch. The head coach has also fielded an entirely new backline with Tommy Freeman, the only survivor from the 42-21 defeat by Ireland, shifting from wing to outside‑centre.
Despite missing Isaiah Hartenstein and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tonight, the Oklahoma City Thunder enter as a well-oiled machine against a Chicago Bulls squad in a total tailspin.
While the Bulls recently beat a Giannis-less Milwaukee team, they entered that game on a staggering 11-game losing streak and rank dead last in net rating since the trade deadline.
OKC boasts the league’s No. 1 defensive rating and covers 57% of its road games. Facing a "tanking" Bulls “G-League” roster, the Thunder’s elite defensive efficiency and transition offense should pull away for a double-digit cover.
Dort has cleared 10.5 points in three straight games without SGA, while Holmgren’s 19-point Dallas performance could fuel another big night against the leaky Bulls defense.
Thunder vs Bulls SGP
Thunder -10.5
Luguentz Dort Over 10.5 points
Chet Holmgren Over 18.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Cason closed
Cason Wallace is another who should see heavy usage. He dropped eight dimes Sunday at Dallas and has cleared his assist total in four of his previous six contests.
Thunder vs Bulls SGP
Thunder -10.5
Luguentz Dort Over 10.5 points
Chet Holmgren Over 18.5 points
Cason Wallace Over 5.5 assists
Thunder vs Bulls odds
Spread: Thunder -10.5 (-105) | Bulls +10.5 (-115)
Moneyline: Thunder -475 | Bulls +370
Over/Under: Over 229 | Under 229
Thunder vs Bulls betting trend to know
The Chicago Bulls have only covered the spread in 18 of their last 50 games (-16.10 units / -29% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Bulls.
How to watch Thunder vs Bulls
Location
United Center, Chicago, IL
Date
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN Oklahoma, CHSN
Thunder vs Bulls latest injuries
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The team with the fewest wins in the NBA faces a playoff hopeful as the Sacramento Kings host the Phoenix Suns tonight.
Maxime Raynaud has seen big minutes and big numbers in Sacramento’s shorthanded frontcourt, and my Suns vs. Kings predictions expect a stat-stuffing performance from the rook.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this Pacific Division showdown on Tuesday, March 3.
Suns vs Kings prediction
Suns vs Kings best bet: Maxime Raynaud double-double (+105)
The Sacramento Kings are missing Domantas Sabonis and Dylan Cardwell, which means Maxime Raynaud will see ample playing time.
Raynaud has 12 double-doubles on the season, and four of them have come across his last six outings.
In those six games, Raynaud has averaged 15.3 points and 11 rebounds across 31.2 minutes. In that span, the Phoenix Suns have surrendered the sixth-most rebounds (47.8).
Given Raynaud’s recent success as a scorer and rebounder, this line is mispriced, and I’m happy to take this profitable wager at plus-money odds.
Suns vs Kings same-game parlay
Nique Clifford has started two straight games, and he's averaged 32.5 PRA across 40.5 minutes. The rookie has averaged 19.4 PRA across 12 starts, hitting the Over on this combo line in three of his last five in the starting lineup.
The Kings' offense isn't going to put up a ton of points regularly, and the Phoenix Suns are 25-35 to the Under this season.
Suns vs Kings SGP
Maxime Raynaud double-double
Nique Clifford Over 22.5 points+rebounds+assists
Under 223
Our "from downtown" SGP: Kings of the hill
The Suns hit the road after playing eight of nine at home, while Sacramento is back home after five straight on the road. Phoenix is just 3-6-1 ATS across its last 10, and the Kings will be motivated to avoid the season sweep by a division rival after dropping three straight to PHX.
Suns vs Kings SGP
Maxime Raynaud double-double
Nique Clifford Over 22.5 points+rebounds+assists
Under 223
Kings moneyline
Suns vs Kings odds
Spread: Suns -10.5 | Kings +10.5
Moneyline: Suns -500 | Kings +375
Over/Under: Over 223 | Under 223
Suns vs Kings betting trend to know
The Sacramento Kings have hit the team total Under in 31 of their last 50 games (+9.35 Units / 16% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Suns vs. Kings.
How to watch Suns vs Kings
Location
Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
Date
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Tip-off
11:00 p.m. ET
TV
Peacock
Suns vs Kings latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
