Even with Jayson Tatum still easing his way back from injury, the Boston Celtics are starting to look like the team to beat in the East, but they’ll be tested tonight as they welcome the Phoenix Suns to TD Garden.
Boston moved to 22-10 at home this season with Saturday’s win over the Washington Wizards, and my Suns vs. Celtics predictions signal another smooth playmaking effort from Derrick White here.
Read on for my free NBA picks ahead of this March 16 battle.
Suns vs Celtics prediction
Suns vs Celtics best bet: Derrick White Over 4.5 assists (-120)
Derrick White fits with just about any lineup that Joe Mazzulla could conjure up, so it’s no surprise to see him adjust easily to Jayson Tatum’s return. I like the Over on White’s assists tally tonight, and he’s cleared this O/U number in his last three outings.
In fact, White is averaging 5.9 APG in March, on the heels of a stellar 6.9 APG last month, so the Boston Celtics are clearly comfortable with him at the controls.
He dished eight dimes in his last outing against the Phoenix Suns, who are a little vulnerable defensively without Dillon Brooks.
Suns vs Celtics same-game parlay
I still like Boston to pick up the W here, but this spread is too big.
The Suns are 20-12 ATS on the road this year, and you have to go back to December 31 for the last time the visitors lost by this many points when Devin Booker has played 25+ minutes.
Speaking of Booker, he’s averaging 29.6 PPG in March and feels primed for another big game tonight. He’s knocked down 3+ triples four times this month.
Suns vs Celtics SGP
Suns +9
Devin Booker Over 24.5 points
Devin Booker Over 2.5 3-pointers
Our "from downtown" SGP: Colorful combo
We’ve got all the colors in this SGP. Jaylen Brown is still the Celtics’ go-to scorer, but I’m most excited about Jalen Green, who’s averaging 25.1 PPG and 3.1 APG in March and has scored 70 points across his last two outings.
Suns vs Celtics SGP
Derrick White Over 4.5 assists
Jaylen Brown Over 23.5 points
Jalen Green Over 19.5 points
Jalen Green Over 2.5 assists
Suns vs Celtics odds
Spread: Suns +9 | Celtics -9
Moneyline: Suns +310 | Celtics -400
Over/Under: Over 214.5 | Under 214.5
Suns vs Celtics betting trend to know
The Suns, who fell 122-115 in Toronto on Friday, are 16-11 ATS this season after a loss. Find more NBA betting trends for Suns vs. Celtics.
How to watch Suns vs Celtics
Location
TD Garden, Boston, MA
Date
Monday, March 16, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
KTVK, NBC Sports Boston
Suns vs Celtics 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.
GOODYEAR, AZ - MARCH 11: Andrew Abbott #41 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during the game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Zach Gardner/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Through 11.0 IP across four starts so far in Cactus League play this spring, Andrew Abbott hasn’t exactly flashed his best stuff. He’s yielded 12 earned runs on 16 hits in that span, with four of those hits leaving the yard altogether. He has struck out 14 batters in that time, which is great, and that’s come against only 4 walks, but it would be a very nice confidence boost for all parties involved if he can put up a slightly more successful line at least once before getting the ball on Opening Day.
On Monday afternoon, he’ll get yet another chance. Abbott will start for the Reds as they take on the Arizona Diamondbacks on the road at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.
Abbott will be backed by a strong lineup, one that will feature a trio of left-handed hitters who are, in all reality, fighting with each other for the final spots on the bench for Opening Day – JJ Bleday, Will Benson, and Nate Lowe.
First pitch in this one is slated for 4:10 PM ET, though sadly there will once again be no televised coverage. For the action on the radio, you can tune in to 1360 WSAI.
Here’s Redleg Nation’s Doug Gray with the full travel roster for the day, one that includes top prospects Tyson Lewis and Carlos Jorge, former 1st round pick Austin Hendrick, and Rece Hinds – who is also firmly in the mix for one of the final bench spots on the Opening Day roster, too.
They played a horrendous first 30 minutes and were down 2-0 late in the second period before rallying to win 4-3. The win snapped the Penguins' two-game losing streak and kept them in second place in the Metropolitan Division.
The Penguins will try to make it two wins in a row on Monday night when they play the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche are in first place in the Central Division with a 44-12-9 record, good for 97 points. They have won seven of their last 10 games and have only lost in regulation five times at home this year.
Nathan MacKinnon is one of the best players on the planet and is having another outstanding season, compiling 44 goals and 109 points in 64 games. He does it all, and once he gets a burst of speed, it's usually game over.
Martin Necas is second on the team in goals (31) and points (80). He has been a perfect fit for the Avalanche since they acquired him last season.
Cale Makar is elite on the backend for the Avalanche, racking up 19 goals and 67 points in 65 games this year. He's hit the 90-point mark for two seasons in a row and is trying to make it three this year.
This is also an Avalanche team that is very deep at center. They can run MacKinnon-Nelson-Kadri down the middle for their first three lines.
Scott Wedgewood will start in goal for the Avalanche. He has a 25-4-5 record to go along with a .918 save percentage.
The Penguins will get Evgeni Malkin back from his five-game suspension and Justin Brazeau back from injury. They both took line rushes during the morning skate.
Sidney Crosby participated in the skate, but didn't take line rushes, meaning he will likely still be out for this game. Blake Lizotte will also be out with an upper-body injury.
Here's the projected lineup:
Forwards
Chinakhov-Novak-Malkin
Mantha-Rakell-Rust
Koivunen-Kindel-Brazeau
Soderblom-Dewar-Acciari
Defensive pairs
Wotherspoon-Karlsson
Shea-Letang
Solovyov-Clifton
Arturs Silovs will start in goal for the Penguins after Stuart Skinner started against the Mammoth.
Puck drop is set for 9:30 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh and ESPN. You can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'
‘No one cares about you,’ says Lancashire all-rounder
The 32-year-old alleges England group is too cliquey
Liam Livingstone has given a scathing account of his handling by the current England regime, claiming “no one cares about you”. The Lancashire all-rounder has exactly 100 caps for his country across all three formats but has not featured in more than a year and seems resigned to things staying that way.
In an interview with Cricinfo, the 32-year-old was highly critical of interactions with the director of cricket, Rob Key, and described his time at the Champions Trophy last year as “the worst experience I’ve had playing cricket” and said he did not miss being part of the recent T20 World Cup.
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 15: Will Richard #3 of the Golden State Warriors dunks the ball during the game against the New York Knicks on March 15, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
For some reason, the Knicks have decided to play down to the level of their opponents.
Nearly lost in Indianapolis. Damningly close to dropping one to a G League-like Warriors. Will it finally happen when the Pacers visit MSG on Tuesday?
Here’s what the protagonists had to say, including Steve Kerr.
"I was not happy with the way that we started the game and the way we played most of the game…we have to figure out how to start games better"
Mike Brown's thoughts following the Knicks' 110-107 win last night over the Warriors: pic.twitter.com/CVkQj6fWy5
On whether he will change the starting lineup before or for the playoffs:
“Right now I don’t feel the need to. But like I said, if I felt the need to, I would. I don’t feel the need to right now.
“It’s not too late to do anything. And if I feel the need, I will. I’m not thinking that right now. I’m not concentrating on each individual because, like you said, we’ve started different people at different times.”
On demanding better starts despite the recent wins:
“We have to figure out individually, collectively, how we can start games better…. I’m not talking about the outcome, win or loss, I’m talking about the start of the game. (We need to start games) with a level of focus, a level of physicality, so that they’re feeling us to start the game. This group knows it. They understand it. Now we’ve just gotta go do it.”
On Mikal Bridges’ overall impact on the game:
“It’s no secret Mikal has not shot the ball well. But he’s given us life at times, and he’s given us life at the right time at times. I thought he was fantastic in Indiana. On both ends of the floor. So it’s not just Mikal. It’s us collectively as a group.”
On expecting more from the team despite the strong defensive numbers:
“I’m sitting here bitching about this and somebody told me from the first of January on, we had the No. 1 defense in the league. Something like that. We can play better. I know for myself and every man in that locker room, every person in that locker room, expects more. And somehow, someway, we got to figure it out.”
On Steve Kerr’s pregame warning text:
“Steve texted me and he said he came up with some killer plays that were going to make us spin backwards and forward. I believe him. Situations like this, we faced it in Utah. We faced it to a certain degree in Indiana. They’re tough. But if you expect to be who you think you are at the end of the day, you will approach this in a business-like manner.”
On not skipping details against undermanned teams:
“The biggest thing is making sure you don’t skip any details. I think in games like this, the details or the small things are huge. And playing with a sense of urgency while making them feel you on both ends of the floor — that doesn’t mean going out and blowing them out, but if you’re lackadaisical at any point in the game for any stretch, they’re NBA players. A lot of these guys are hungry and some of them have proven that they belong on this level and in a pretty good spot in terms of a rotation. If you relax at any moment in time and they see one, two, three go in, like the guys did in Utah, it can be a climb back up the hill to get back in the game.”
On road trip fatigue not being an excuse:
“I think every game can be challenging for a lot of different reasons. Mainly, all teams are in the NBA, and they’re here for a reason. That stuff’s above my head. A lot of times they say, ‘it’s because of your clock’ or whatever. You win some, you lose some, and I don’t see rhyme or reason for it.”
On prioritizing playing the right way over seeding:
“It’s tricky because let’s say we were in second, and we were a game in front of somebody. Are we just gonna play better because of that? I hope at this point of the season we’re playing the right way regardless of seeding, and sometimes, you’ll lose while playing the right way, but you’re playing the right way all the time—not just to try to catch Boston. That’s part of the equation, but that’s not the end-all, be-all.
“I want us to play the right way because it’s time to do that. We’re going into the playoffs. Play the right way. Again, you’ll lose sometimes playing the right way, but you want to go into the playoffs doing this, not just with your play but with your confidence or your belief, and so I think that’s just as much of it as opposed to — hey let’s find a way to win just to catch these guys. No, no: handle all the small details, embrace the details, embrace the journey. All that stuff and go get a win. So there are a lot of factors, not just those guys are ahead of us by a game-and-a-half and the guys are behind us by two games.”
Josh Hart stops by the NBA Showtime desk before Sunday Night Basketball tips off!
On the possibility of the NBA reducing the 82-game schedule:
“I probably be retired before that happens. So I don’t care. Nah, do I think it will be probably be better for the game and the quality on the court? I think so. Do I think it will happen? Probably not because everybody is so money-hungry and money-driven. I think everybody puts that above everything else.”
On the need for respecting undermanned opponents:
“At the end of the day, you got to respect everybody. And if you’re in a situation like this against a team without its starters, you never want to play with a game or anything like that because you’ll never what’ll happen at the end of a game. You don’t want to put yourself in that position for someone to make a shot, someone to miss a shot or a ref to call a call you don’t agree with. So we got to approach this like any other game. And if that’s the case, then we should handle business early and it should be a game where everybody gets to play. But these guys are good. They’re in the NBA for a reason.”
On his knee soreness leaving him out of two games of late:
“It was just a play in the Laker game where I did my normal fastbreak finish, but just the landing on it kind of irritated it. So I think that kind of flared it up.”
On whether the knee will linger:
“I hope not. We’ll see. Time will tell.”
On not making excuses based on the injury:
“Ehh. I was out there. If I’m out there and able to play, there’s no excuses.”
Karl-Anthony Towns says the final call in tonight's WBC game against his Dominican Republic team was "some bulls–t" pic.twitter.com/iuDTV9ypP5
“Don’t play like that. I think it’s pretty simple.”
On Brown’s frustration even after the win:
“Yeah, he was frustrated. Obviously, the win’s everything, but we don’t want to win games like that, especially this late in the year when we should have better standards and a better execution in playing. I understand it.”
On Jordan Clarkson’s impact off the bench:
“Special. The stats don’t lie. One of the best players coming off the bench in NBA history. He does one thing better than almost anybody in the league, and that’s put the ball in the basket. When he’s doing that, he’s playing with that fire and that passion he has; there’s not many players in the NBA coming off the bench you feel better about.”
On the Dominican Republic’s elimination from the WBC at the hands of the USA:
“Hell yeah, that was a ball, man! That was some bulls**t. They should have had a chance. They had Tatis Jr. coming up. Come on, man.”
"A win is a win, definitely not the prettiest."
Jalen Brunson talks with Zora Stephenson after the Knicks' win over an undermanned Warriors team. pic.twitter.com/P5nrc60ufR
On the need to avoid playing catch-up every damn game:
“If we play better from the start, we don’t have to play catch-up. It’s definitely something that we need to get better at and it has to be our focus.”
Steve Kerr wants the NBA to shorten the 82-game regular season by 10 games to prevent injuries:
“I’m well aware fewer games would mean less revenue which means everybody takes a pay cut and I’m willing to stick my neck out and say I’m all for that because I think the quality of… pic.twitter.com/rfY2KhRuOE
“I’m willing to stick my neck out and say I’m all for that because I think the quality of the product is the most important thing.”
On managing player workloads:
“In talking to performance people, looking at the data, hearing the experts in our own group talk about the load that these guys are facing and then you get older players like Steph or Al or Jimmy – we have to manage them through 82 games. So there are nights where you just have to say, can’t play this guy. I get emails all the time from fans saying ‘I spent $2,000 on tickets to go to this game and Steph didn’t play.’ And it wasn’t an injury designation and I held him out. Shouldn’t we reconcile that somehow? Maybe it’s stretching the season out a little bit. If you can’t give up 10 games, can you extend the season by two weeks and give players more time in between games? I don’t know. I know there’s no guarantee that players are going to be out there every night, but I know that we have enough issues all clumped together that if we put our heads together – we’ve got a lot of really smart people in this league. I think we can address a lot of them and satisfy the fans, the owners, the TV partners. I believe that’s possible. Maybe I’m naïve. But I think it’s important to put it out there just for discussion and see where it goes.”
On advocating for a shorter season:
“I’m just saying what I see with all the injuries. The soft tissue injuries. I see all the data about how fast the guys are running, how much distance guys are covering now compared to 20-30 years ago. I see all the injuries, the tanking. I see everything. I’ve been in the league a long time. I’m well aware fewer games would mean less revenue, which means everybody takes a pay cut, and I’m willing to stick my neck out and say I’m all for that because I think the quality of the product is the most important thing. So I don’t say these things flippantly. I say these things because I mean them. I think there’s a meaningful discussion to be had, and I love the league, I’ve loved the NBA my whole life. My whole adult life has been spent in the NBA in some form and it’s an amazing league. We have incredible people in this league and great fans. I just want to make sure we give our fans the very, very best product we can and try to satisfy all of our corporate partners, and I just think there’s probably a way to do that without just completely ignoring some of the obvious issues we’ve established.”
USA beats the Dominican Republic on a really really bad call and the stream is dead quiet pic.twitter.com/sCBRTm322M
We are down to the final month of the 2025-26 NBA regular season.
No NBA team has more than 16 games remaining, as the races for seeding tighten up. And there’s still a possibility for some upheaval at the top of both the Eastern and Western Conferences; the Boston Celtics are only 4 games back of the Detroit Pistons in the East, while the San Antonio Spurs trail the Oklahoma City Thunder by just 3 ½ games.
And, as has been the case for a couple of months now, there’s also a race to the bottom, with tanking teams in the bottom third of this list looking to improve their draft positioning.
Here are USA TODAY Sports’ NBA power rankings after Week 19 of the 2025-26 regular season:
USA TODAY Sports NBA power rankings
Note: Records and stats through March 9. Parentheses show movement from last week’s rankings.
The very top of this list remains intact, and the Thunder, with the Western Conference’s longest active winning streak of eight games, are peaking at the right time; OKC continues to lead the NBA in net rating (10.7), by a healthy margin. The Knicks have course corrected and have won three consecutive, even though the quality of opponent has been below average.
The Lakers are also rolling, having won five consecutive, and their defense has improved markedly over this recent stretch. In recent games against the Nuggets, Timberwolves and Knicks, Los Angeles has allowed just 109.3 points per game.
The Magic simply have the upper hand on the Heat, and it will almost certainly cost Miami come playoff time: Orlando has defeated the Heat all five times that the Southeast Division rivals have played. The Magic have won seven consecutive games and their offense has finally started firing with efficiency, scoring 122.4 points per 100 possessions during their winning streak.
The Hawks have been stellar, winning nine consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NBA. Yet, Atlanta’s recent success should be tempered somewhat. While the Hawks are mauling opponents, leading the league in defensive rating (102.7) over the last nine games, the combined winning percentage of its opponents during its winning streak is just .354.
And now that Stephen Curry will continue to miss time with a right knee injury, the Warriors, losers of five consecutive, are in big trouble.
The big move here is the Sacramento Kings climbing out of the cellar with four victories out of their last five games. But this final third continues to be a race to the bottom, with the Pacers (13 games), Wizards (11), Grizzlies (seven), Jazz (three) and Nets (three) are in the middle of lengthy losing streaks.
One thing to watch with the Bucks, who had been trying to make a late push into the play-in picture — a push that is seemingly unlikely now that Milwaukee is 5 ½ games back of the No. 10 seed — is that Giannis Antetokounmpo left the team’s victory Sunday, March 15 over the Pacers when he tweaked his knee landing after a dunk.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 14, 2026: Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dives for a loose ball between Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) and Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) in overtime at Crypto.com Arena on March 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Given that LeBron James has played more basketball season that any other player you’d think he was done with firsts in his career.
However, he gave us all a new one in LA’s matchup against the Nuggets.
In the fourth quarter, LeBron dove on the floor, fully extending his body and going airborne to try and gain possession for his team. The play didn’t ultimately lead to the Lakers having the possession as they lost the jump ball, but it did make it clear that this level of hustle was the standard for everyone donning a purple and gold uniform.
The Lakers were pushed to the brink by the Nuggets but they came out on top winning 127-125 in overtime. The victory not only gave them their first season series win over Denver since 2021, but it also meant that they’ll have the tiebreaker over them in playoff seeding.
Considering how tight the Western Conference race is, that’s a big deal and a huge advantage the Lakers now have.
After the win, Lakers head coach JJ Redick spoke about his oldest player making such a shocking dive during clutch time.
“I told him after the game, I said, ‘In 23 years of watching you play in the NBA and the three years I watched him play in high school, I never saw him make a full-out extension dive like that,’ Redick said. “He said, ‘You’re right. I’ve never done that.’ It’s awesome. I know he’ll feel that tomorrow, but that’s a winning play.”
Seeing LeBron sacrificing his body like that made it clear that he was going to do anything to tip things in LA’s favor.
Teams take the identity of their leaders. For the Lakers Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and LeBron are the players who establish what the Lakers are. If LeBron, the oldest player in the league is out there diving on the floor, then no one has excuses for not bringing their best.
After the game, LeBron discussed why this was the contest to be out there diving for loose balls.
“Just living in the moment and understanding the impact of the game, implications of the game and our opponent and what we’re trying to build,” James said. So, every possession matters.”
This is just another example that for LeBron it’s all about sacrificing in any way possible to earn wins and go after the main goal, which is a title.
Hopefully, there aren’t any more dives on the floor for James this season. Because while it was amazing to see him do it, the Lakers will need him healthy if they are going to maximize their potential this postseason.
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to a three-year contract with Sacha Boisvert, one of the team's top prospects.
The Blackhawks announced the entry-level deal with the Canadian forward on Monday. The contract carries a $974,167 salary-cap hit and runs through the 2027-28 season.
Boisvert, who turns 20 on Tuesday, could make his NHL debut this week. He won't play Tuesday against Minnesota while he waits for immigration clearance, but the Blackhawks visit the Wild on Thursday and host the Colorado Avalanche on Friday.
Coach Jeff Blashill said he plans to go slowly with Boisvert in terms of playing time.
“I think he's going to need to have a physical impact on the game on a night-to-night basis, and if he can do that, he becomes a real commodity,” Blashill said.
“He can add something to our team I don't know that we have enough of, and that's that kind of hard skill. And if he can do that, it'll be a real positive for us.”
Boisvert, a Quebec native, was selected by the Blackhawks with the No. 18 pick in the 2024 draft. He had three goals and 14 assists in 26 games with Boston University this year.
Boisvert was scratched from BU's 4-1 victory over Vermont in the opening round of the Hockey East Tournament for an undisclosed reason. He returned to the lineup for Saturday's season-ending loss to UConn.
He was suspended for two games in January after getting into a fight during a 4-3 loss to UMass Lowell.
The 6-foot-3 Boisvert played for North Dakota for one season before transferring to Boston. He had 18 goals and 14 assists in 37 games for the Fighting Hawks.
Let’s tip off the new week of NBA action with some slam dunk winners in the player prop markets.
My best NBA player props include Zion Williamson dominating the paint against the Mavericks, and Victor Wembanyama continuing his block party when he travels to L.A. to take on the Clippers.
Those and more NBA picks for Monday, March 16, below.
The tank is real for the Memphis Grizzlies. Ty Jerome has been the team’s last reliable scorer. But he hasn’t played back-to-back games since coming out of the All-Star break. And he played last time out.
So, who’s left? Give me Cam Spencer in this matchup against the Chicago Bulls. Spencer is averaging 13.3 points and shooting 47.3% from three.
The Bulls don’t play much defense, ranking 23rd in defensive rating and 21st in opponent effective field goal percentage.
Spencer has a point total of 11.5. A number he’s topped in four of his last five games.
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast-Memphis, CHSN
Prop #2: Zion Williamson Over 21.5 Points
-120 at bet365
You’d think a team like the New Orleans Pelicans would be in full tank mode. But Dejounte Murray is back, and Zion Williamson is consistently playing.
So, the Pels don’t look like the teams at the bottom of the West, like tonight’s opponent, the Dallas Mavericks.
Injuries have hampered the Mavs, but it's their interior presence that has really been hurt, ranking last in opponent points in the paint per game.
Williamson has a point total of 21.5 and is averaging 22.7 points over his last 11 full games and has topped this number in both of his games against the Mavs.
The San Antonio Spurs star has been having his own block party, averaging 4.3 blocks per game over 12 games since coming out of the All-Star break, blocking four or more shots 10 times over that stretch.
His block prop for tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers is sitting at 3.5 with the Over at a tantalizing plus-money price.
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Italy is pivoting from its original plan for the World Baseball Classic semifinals.
Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola will get the start Monday night instead of Michael Lorenzen, according to multiple reports.
The switch potentially sets up Lorenzen to face the U.S. in the championship game on Tuesday if Italy beats Venezuela. Or, Italy manager Francisco Cervelli is considering using both Nola and Lorenzen in the semifinals and opting for a bullpen game in the finals, sources told ESPN.
Aaron Nola struck out five and allowed four hits in his start versus Mexico. Getty Images
Italy is amid its best WBC appearance ever this year. The Italians are the only remaining undefeated team — sitting at 5-0 after beating Puerto Rico in the quarterfinals — including an upset win over the Americans in pool play.
In that stage, Italy breezed to the top spot in Pool B. It beat Brazil 8-0 and Great Britain 7-4 before easily handling the U.S. and Mexico.
Against the U.S., it burst out to an 8-0 start and staved off a late comeback to win 8-6. Lorenzen started that game and pitched four scoreless innings, potentially the reason why Cervelli wants him available for the championship.
On offense, Italy is led by a litany of weapons — and an espresso machine.
The World Baseball Classic bracket.
Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino smashed three long balls versus Mexico to drag the U.S. into the quarterfinals alongside Italy. Dante Nori, Jac Caglianone and Andrew Fischer, among others, have also stood out.
After each home run, Italy celebrates by having each hitter take a shot from the espresso machine, a tradition that’s been repeated 12 times thus far in the tournament.
If Italy does win Monday, it would set up a rematch with the U.S., who’s since bested Canada and the Dominican Republic to rebound from the upset loss. Against the Dominicans, strong defense, two fourth-inning homers and a lockdown bullpen helped the Americans outlast their boisterous opponent.
Team USA has announced Mets right-hander Nolan McLean as its starting pitcher for the final battle. It’d potentially be McLean’s second outing against Italy after giving up three runs in three innings the first time out.
Italian fans give Michael Lorenzen a standing ovation after his gem versus the United States. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
First, though, it’s Nola’s turn on the bump Monday. He spun five scoreless innings against Mexico and has 11 years of MLB experience under his belt.
He’ll look to toss another masterpiece to keep Italy alive.
Major League Baseball announced Monday that Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas has been suspended 80 games without pay for violating MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
The suspension stems from a positive test for Boldenone, according to the league. Rojas’ appeal was unsuccessful, and the discipline was upheld.
The news was first reported March 3, and the ruling becomes official 13 days later, with Rojas remaining in Phillies camp and appearing in Grapefruit League games while the appeal played out. He was also turned away from participating for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic during that window.
On March 4, Rojas declined to comment to reporters on the manner, due to the appeal.
Rojas, 25, struggled in limited opportunities in 2025, slashing .224/.280/.289 in 71 games with the big-league club. He hit .279 in 147 at-bats with Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Because the suspension is 80 games, Rojas will be ineligible for the postseason in 2026. He did not make the Phillies’ NLDS roster last October.
Rojas becomes the second Phillie in as many years to be disciplined under MLB’s program. Reliever José Alvarado received an 80-game suspension last season. Free-agent, and member of the 2025 team, Max Kepler was also disciplined this offseason for performance enhancing drugs.
The ruling also impacts the back end of Philadelphia’s bench picture. Rojas had been in the mix as a defense-and-speed option in the outfield. With him sidelined into the summer, the Phillies are positioned to lean more heavily on their depth group in camp.
JUPITER, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: JJ Wetherholt #77 of the St. Louis Cardinals at bat during a spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at Roger Dean Stadium on March 09, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s all but a foregone conclusion that JJ Wetherholt will break camp with the St. Louis Cardinals and be a part of the Opening Day roster, but where should his place in the lineup be? The team has had him in the leadoff position several times this Spring, but should he stay there? Let’s look at the pros and cons.
There were many interesting responses when I asked this question of our Viva El Birdos community. The opinions seem to be split with some concerned about the extra pressure on a leadoff man in addition to the already heavy weight of a young player trying to become established as a major league regular. As was mentioned in our Feed question, if you look at JJ’s background, he has batted almost exclusively in the top 3 in the lineup from his time at West Virginia moving forward. It’s also worth noting that Wetherholt was frequently the leadoff man at Triple A Memphis after his promotion to that level on July 7, 2025. He responded by hammering 5 leadoff home runs the remainder of last season.
The other school of thought is to have Masyn Winn start the season atop the lineup and allow JJ Wetherholt to get comfortable and “earn” his way into the leadoff role. I can understand the potential wisdom in that, but Masyn Winn has not done well at leadoff. He only had an on-base percentage of .290 when batting leadoff for St. Louis. For the sake of comparison, JJ Wetherholt has a strong OBP of .421 at the top of a lineup.
The concern about having JJ Wetherholt in the leadoff role is the question of what to do if he struggles. I think this is one area where the St. Louis Cardinals approach to the 2026 season would benefit him as the team says player and future roster development is the priority. The Cardinals can afford to commit to allowing JJ Wetherholt to be at the top of the lineup. I also don’t get the impression that pressure is something that will cause a problem for JJ. He does not impress me as the type of personality who will wilt when faced with adversity. He also has displayed the ability to make smart adjustments as he has advanced through the Cardinals system.
You also have to ask what other options the St. Louis Cardinals have that would make sense in the leadoff role. I’ve heard some say that Lars Nootbaar when healthy could bat leadoff, but his OBP is lower than JJ’s at .341. Victor Scott II would seem to be a good fit because of his elite speed, but his OPB of just .283 won’t cut it. I cannot come up with a better option for anyone at the top of the St. Louis Cardinals lineup than JJ Wetherholt. He seems comfortable with the role so why not commit to him batting leadoff and allow him to settle into the role as the St. Louis Cardinals figure out who else will be a part of the core group of players moving forward?
DYERSVILLE, IOWA - AUGUST 12: Actor Kevin Costner walks onto the field prior to a game between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees at the Field of Dreams on August 12, 2021 in Dyersville, Iowa. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Oscars were on Sunday night, an award show designed to be a celebration of movies. More than any other sport, baseball has a rich history in cinema. From Babe Comes Home in 1927 to Eephus in 2024 there have been some memorable baseball moments on the silver screen. Here are some of the many classics:
Damn Yankees (1958)
The Bad News Bears (1976)
The Natural (1984)
Bull Durham (1988)
Eight Men Out (1988)
Field of Dreams (1989)
Major League (1989)
A League of Their Own (1992)
Mr. Baseball (1992)
Rookie of the Year (1993)
The Sandlot (1993)
Little Big League (1994)
For Love of the Game (1999)
Moneyball (2011)
42 (2013)
You can see a more complete list of baseball films here. But maybe you appreciate some of the underrated films that get overlooked. Some of my favorite underrated baseball movies include The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings (1976), The Kid From Left Field (1979), Tiger Town (1984), Brewster’s Millions (1985), 61* (2001), Fever Pitch (2005), and Sugar (2008).
What is your favorite film? What is your favorite scene? Favorite quote?
PEORIA, ARIZONA - MARCH 11: Brett Sullivan #26 of the Colorado Rockies looks on during a Spring Training game against the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Stadium on March 11, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Brett Sullivan was drafted in the 17th round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. He made his MLB debut eight years later on April 18, 2023 with the San Diego Padres and has been a journeyman catcher since. In 43 MLB games, Sullivan has slashed just .204/.250/.291 with two homers. Still, he brings a veteran presence to balance out the young catchers currently on the Colorado Rockies roster.
So far, he’s serving as a mentor to both Hunter Goodman and Braxton Fulford as well as the young pitching staff while competing alongside Fulford for the backup catcher spot.
“I think we all just pick each other’s brains,” he said of working with Goodman and Fulford. “‘Hey, what’s working for you? What do you feel? Hey, what’s this pitcher have? What are you thinking in this situation?’ We all just bounce ideas off each other, and if they take some of them, they do. And you might take some of theirs as well. It’s a collaborative effort, but a lot of it is communication number one.”
Communication and relationship-building are two things that Warren Schaeffer has been stressing throughout his tenure, and Sullivan is taking those directives to heart.
“[As a catcher], you’re kind of part of everything, and I think it’s finding time to either talk to those players wherever you can,” he said. “You find time to talk to the [pitchers] – what are they like? What do they need from you?
“And then in the cage, it’s the same thing. You’re working with the hitting coaches, and then you have your catching individual defense,” he continued. “And when you’re doing that, you’re really focused on, ‘Hey, what do I need to do today to get ready for the game?’ So yeah, you’re bouncing around everywhere, but I think that’s the beauty of catching, and I think that’s what I gravitate to.”
Sullivan works to cultivate relationships “naturally” by asking questions and “getting to know [other players] as a person first, and then you take it to the field and it means a little more.”
“A lot of us can relate to the same things, and then once you have deeper conversations, you can relate even more,” he said. “And I think that’s truly what you take on the field – ‘Hey, I’ve got your back. You’ve got mine. We’re playing for each other.’ And that helps.”
While this is Sullivan’s eighth spring training, he’s already noticing “The Warren Schaeffer Effect.”
“It’s been great,” he said. “The coaching staff, they’ve come in with their new philosophies and theories, and I think it’s exactly what this team needs. The guys have been amazing. My impression is that it’s been a really fun camp.”
He’s also noticed a difference with the later start times that were rolled out this year.
“I’ve had a couple of camps where it’s been like that, and I think overall, those are the best types of camps where you have the morning to come in,” he said.
“It doesn’t mean you get here later, necessarily. It means maybe more time to get your body prepared, and I like that a lot. You’re able to get in more work on the training table. You’re able to lift more, and you’re showing up a little more excited each and every day.”
In addition to being a major league catcher, Sullivan also spent time on Team Italy for the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
“It was special,” he said of his time on the roster. “It was in Taiwan. We went to Japan. I won’t forget that.”
He also took advantage of the espresso machine, which started as a tradition in 2023.
“I’m already hyped up enough, but I know before the Japan game, I definitely had my fair share,” he laughed. “I think I had at least three shots before the game. You’re just pacing, and then you look at the machine, and you just have another one. But you love it.”
As far as WBC predictions go?
“Italy’s hot,” he said. “I’m rooting for those guys. And then you have the US, who’s really good.
“And the Dominican is playing something special,” he continued. “I really respect them with the fact that I played four years in the Dominican in Winter Ball. And that’s truly how they play. What you’re seeing is how they show up every day and play. So I don’t know who’s going to win, but I’ll be watching.”
But back in Scottsdale, Sullivan has some goals for the final week of camp.
“Just stay focused. Stay locked in and take it day by day, and be right where your feet are.”
The 2026 NCAA Tournament will finally commence with the First Four games on Tuesday, March 17, from Dayton, Ohio. That means March Madness is finally upon us.
UMBC and Howard will kick off the action at 6:40 p.m. from UD Arena with a matchup that will determine the No. 16 seed in the Midwest Region, with the winner taking on No. 1 Michigan.
The second game will pit Texas against North Carolina State to decide the No. 11 seed in the West Region, and the first opponent for No. 6 seed BYU.
Wednesday, March 18, will feature two more First Four games before we dive into first-round action on Thursday, March 19.
Here's what you need to know about Tuesday's schedule for the First Four games, including how to watch:
NCAA Tournament schedule: First Four games today
First Four
(16) UMBC vs. (16) Howard | 6:40 p.m. | truTV (Sling TV)
(11) Texas vs. (11) North Carolina State | 9:15 p.m. | truTV (Sling TV)
UMBC and Howard kick off the 2026 NCAA Tournament with a game that will determine the No. 16 seed in the Midwest Region. The Retreivers and Bison are scheduled for a 6:40 p.m. ET tip, from UD Arena, in Dayton, Ohio.
Following that will be a matchup for the No. 11 seed in the West Region, when Texas takes on North Carolina State.
Both First Four matchups will be nationally broadcast on truTV. Jordan Kent and Jim Spanarkel will be on the call for UMBC and Howard, with Jenny Dell as the courtside reporter. Brian Anderson, Charles Barkley and Dick Vitale will call the second game, with Dell as the courtside reporter.
Cam Spencer
Zion Williamson
Victor Wembanyama
