A Spectrum store in New York, US, on Friday, May 16, 2025. Charter Communications Inc. has agreed to combine with privately held Cox Communications in a deal that would unite two of the biggest US cable providers. Photographer: Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images | Bloomberg via Getty Images
I don’t know how to make this post any longer, because for whatever reason, Charter/Spectrum decided to announce this news with a weird tweet-of-an-image with no details. Now, you have to gaze at it too.
There are no details, whatsoever. This was probably going to happen at some point this week given that Opening Day happens in just a few days, and I guess today was the day.
So, if you still have cable, and that cable is Spectrum, then I guess now you have access to most Braves games through your cable carrier. If you don’t, and are still at sea about this whole thing, I guess ask in the comments and we’ll try to get you sorted.
Despite this news, we haven’t received word on whether any other Braves have suffered a debilitating injury today.
Whatever happens to the Mets in 2026, this year will be different.
If the season goes well, it will be for different reasons than the last time things went well forSteve Cohen and David Stearns, in 2024. So many emotional engineers of that magical pennant push are gone now. On the field, this team will have different strengths.
If this season goes poorly, it will be for different reasons than those that undermined Cohen and Stearns' plans last year. So many emotional engineers of that…well, whatever it was…are gone now, too. Off the field, this team will be supported by a new collection of clubhouse pillars.
The Mets' season-opening roster is not yet official. Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that the Mets are still weighing their options for final spots on the bench and in the bullpen and acknowledged that he expects the front office is looking at outside options for both. But as of Tuesday morning – or roughly two baseball business days before their roster will be due – their Opening Day roster amounts to a convincing statement of October intent.
No, relying on an inexperienced first baseman and third baseman (Jorge Polanco and Bo Bichette, respectively) does not necessarily scream defense the way one might have expected after Stearns stated "run prevention" as a priority this winter. One could argue that effectively replacing Edwin Diaz with two back-end relievers who struggled at times last year, Devin Williams and Luke Weaver, will leave the bullpen in worse shape.
But Tobias Myers will provide a much-needed reliable innings eater. Huascar Brazoban is versatile, if occasionally volatile. Brooks Raley and Luis Garcia have track records of consistency. And whether the Mets choose to give the last spot in that bullpen to lefty Richard Lovelady or bounce back candidate Bryan Hudson, they have veteran lefty A.J. Minter on track to return early in the season.
And after watching a banged-up starting rotation underperform for most of the second half in 2025, this year’s Mets have unmistakable depth.
Trading for Freddy Peralta gave them an ace to pair atop the rotation with Nolan McLean, who was neither as proven nor as ready this time last year. Kodai Senga looks revived, with good health and the velocity that comes with it, so much so that Juan Soto called him the Mets' "ace" just days before camp ended. Clay Holmes looked downright nasty at times in camp and should be better equipped to maintain consistency through a full year in the rotation than he was in his first year back to starting in 2025.
Their depth is so solid that Sean Manaea and his salary of $25 million has been pushed into a piggyback/reliever role after a rough spring in which his velocity dipped to confounding levels. Both he and Myers could provide regular starts should the Mets need them, but they might not: former highly touted prospect Christian Scott, back from Tommy John surgery, might very well be the Mets' first call after an impressive spring. And while beloved savant Jonah Tong looked at times this spring like he could benefit from some more minor league tinkering, he has now been in the majors before, too.
New York Mets pitcher Christian Scott (46) pitches during spring training / Jim Rassol - Imagn Images
If fragile pitching depth was the Mets' biggest issue in 2025, their second-biggest issue was lineup inconsistencies – that feeling that they could not string together hits when they needed them, despite the third-best OPS in baseball with runners in scoring position.
At worst this lineup will be different, and sometimes shakeups help on their own.
At best, this lineup should be more dynamic, a little less boom or bust thanks to the arrival of Bichette, one of the game’s best contact hitters who has a knack for hitting with runners in scoring position. He should get plenty of chances while hitting behind Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto. And the switch-hitting Polanco had one of the 30 lowest strikeout rates in baseball last year. It is no knock on Pete Alonso or Brandon Nimmo to note their strikeout rates were much higher. Even Marcus Semien, who is coming off one of the worst offensive years of his career and might be seeing his hit tool weathered somewhat by age, is far less prone to strikeouts than those veterans he is replacing.
New center fielder Luis Robert Jr., on the other hand, is a boom-or-bust type. But if he is healthy, he could also be the most explosive offensive threat the Mets have played in center field in quite some time. Their decision to name rookie Carson Benge the Opening Day right fielder provides cover to Robert or Francisco Alvarez should both swing and miss regularly, too: Benge said he hates striking out, and he plays like it. His bat-to-ball skills should ensure the Mets never go more than a batter or two without a real threat to put the ball in play.
And speaking of Alvarez, the Mets might just have a different version of him this year, too: the 24-year-old responded to his up-and-down 2025 with a potent spring. If he unlocks the 30 home run power visible in every spring with the consistency to use it for a full season, this Mets lineup has a chance to be one of the sport’s most formidable.
Their bench, as currently constructed, looks sturdy. Luis Torrens is as reliable a backup catcher as can be. Tyrone Taylor is an elite defensive center fielder who took promising at-bats all spring. Brett Baty looks ready to continue his late 2025 offensive breakout, and his newly honed ability to play around the infield and in the outfield will give him a chance to find regular at-bats. Whether his fellow young infielder Mark Vientos can find them too remains to be seen.
As for the final spot on the bench, the Mets are still making decisions. Mendoza said they will bring infielder Vidal Brujan, the versatile Jared Young, and veteran catcher Ben Rortvedt back to Flushing as they weigh their final options. None are as inspiring an option as outfielder Mike Tauchman had become this spring before tearing his meniscus last week. Perhaps the Mets will look to find a similar veteran bat with power on the always active end-of-spring market.
Regardless of who they choose, the Mets have already made their choice: when a beloved core was not working, Stearns made the moves to remodel it. When the starting rotation fell apart before their eyes, the Mets made a big move for Peralta and what might be the smartest one by holding onto Senga. Perhaps they will find they need more frontline starting pitching as the year goes on. If they do, they have money and prospects to acquire it at the trade deadline.
Either way, the Mets who take the field against Paul Skenes and the Pirates Thursday will represent a new era for the annual World Series hopefuls. The old core wasn’t working. Whether the new faces are the right ones, only time will tell.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 20: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers smiles on deck in the second inning during a Spring Training game against the San Diego Padres at Camelback Ranch on March 20, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Opening Day is upon us.
The march to the World Series begins tonight, when the New York Yankees take on the San Francisco Giants. More teams join the action on Thursday, and by this weekend all 30 MLB teams will have begun the long journey to October.
Unfortunately for some teams, that journey may end quicker than hoped.
Ahead of the start to the 2026 MLB season, let’s take a look at each team’s chances of winning a World Series, by stacking the teams in tiers and ranking their chances from the Colorado Rockies to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Humphrey Bogart tier
30. Colorado Rockies 29. Chicago White Sox 28. Washington Nationals 27. Los Angeles Angels 26. Miami Marlins 25. St. Louis Cardinals
Baseball’s rich history offers many memorable quotes.
We begin our look at all 30 teams with one from Humphrey Bogart, the legendary actor who had this to say about the game. Or, at least attending a game.
“A hotdog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.”
It might be a long season for these six teams, but still, their fans will get to sit in the sun and enjoy those dogs, at least a few times this season.
The true longshots
24. Minnesota Twins 23. Tampa Bay Rays 22. Athletics 21. Arizona Diamondbacks
Each team in this tier could make a run at the playoffs if things break their way. For the Twins, if they can get a healthy Byron Buxton for 162 games, the lineup builds from there. The Rays get to move back home and could put up some impressive numbers in that park, particularly Junior Caminero. The young talent on the Athletics roster could surprise this season, particularly since they get to play their home games in Sutter Health Park again this year, which could lead to massive numbers for Nick Kurtz.
The Diamondbacks need pitching help, but Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte, and Geraldo Perdomo form a rather potent trio.
The Pittsburgh Pirates
20. Pittsburgh Pirates
That’s right, we are putting the Pittsburgh Pirates into a tier of their own.
The Pirates might be the most fascinating team in baseball. In Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh has a bonafide ace. While the Pirates had arguably — or inarguably — the worst offense in baseball a season ago, they added Brandon Lowe, Marcell Ozuna, and Ryan O’Hearn in the offseason which should bolster production. And waiting in the wings? Two rising stars in Jhostynxon Garcia and Konnor Griffin.
That kind of improvement in production could see the Pirates finish with a winning record for the first time in a decade, and reach the playoffs as well. In fact, FanGraphs has Pittsburgh finishing at 82-80, making a playoff berth still a longshot, but a possibility.
Something Pirates fans have not seen in a long time.
Playoffs?
19. Cleveland Guardians 18. San Francisco Giants 17. Kansas City Royals 16. Cincinnati Reds 15. San Diego Padres 14. Texas Rangers 13. Houston Astros 12. Baltimore Orioles 11. Detroit Tigers 10. Milwaukee Brewers
These are all teams that should make a playoff push this season, and at least be in the list of “buyers” come MLB trade deadline time.
Leading the way are the Detroit Tigers, led by ace Tarik Skubal, who is seeking his third-straight Cy Young Award. Detroit also added workhorse Framber Valdez, and they sport a bullpen that should earn them some wins over the course of the season. The Orioles are another fun team to watch in this tier, as Baltimore loaded up in the offseason with names such as Pete Alonso, Taylor Ward, Ryan Helsley, Shane Baz, and Andrew Kittredge. There is still a sense around the Inner Harbor that the Orioles need to add a true ace at the deadline, but a sense of urgency has finally settled in around this organization.
Then there are the Brewers, who finished with the best record in baseball a year ago.
National League Contenders
9. Atlanta Braves 8. Chicago Cubs 7. Philadelphia Phillies
Here are three teams that should not be satisfied with getting in, but should be thinking about winning the league.
The Atlanta Braves are poised for a full year with a healthy Ronald Acuña Jr., on a roster with talent beyond the star outfielder. The Chicago Cubs have a roster filled with young talent and added Alex Bregman in the offseason. Then there are the Philadelphia Phillies, who have won 90 games in each of the past four seasons, look to have a rotation built to win in the fall and into the playoffs, and could have their next big star in Justin Crawford, who made the Opening Day roster.
American League Contenders
6. Boston Red Sox 5. Toronto Blue Jays 4. Seattle Mariners
Red Sox fans frustrated by the organization missing out on both Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso — and seeing Alex Bregman leave town for Chicago — soothed their nerves by watching Roman Anthony belt bombs in the World Baseball Classic. But can this offense hit enough to make a deep run in the fall?
Toronto also saw a key departure, with homegrown star Bo Bichette leaving for the New York Mets. But the Blue Jays brought in Dylan Cease, Kazuma Okamoto, Cody Ponce, and Tyler Rogers, adding those players to a team that was just a few feet away from perhaps winning a World Series. Of course, the news that. Trey Yesavage is starting the year on the IL (with no timetable on Shane Bieber as well) is not the best way to begin a season.
As for the Mariners, who pushed the Blue Jays to Game 7 in the ALCS, Cal Raleigh, Josh Naylor, and Julio Rodriguez are back. And it is just a matter of time until top prospect Colt Emerson joins them.
In a New York Minute
3. New York Mets 2. New York Yankees
Now we get to talk about the two teams in New York.
The Mets made the big splash ahead of 2025, inking Juan Soto to a record-breaking deal in December of 2024. While his slow start changed the narrative a bit, Soto still finished the year with 43 home runs and a slash line of .263/.396/.525.
But when the playoffs began, that expensive roster was watching from home.
That led to even more additions, as the Mets added Bichette, Freddy Peralta, Marcus Semien, and Devin Williams. While Pete Alonso is now in Baltimore, this is a potent lineup given the additions around Soto and Francisco Lindor. And with Kodai Senga looking strong so far this spring, expectations should be high in Queens.
As for the Yankees, this was a rather unconventional offseason for Brian Cashman and company. Rather than make big moves of his own, Cashman tinkered only marginally with a roster that won 93 games a year ago. Getting both. Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon back should help as well, and given the talent already in the building, you can understand Cashman’s approach.
The Los Angeles Dodgers
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Two consecutive titles, a drive for a third, the best player on the planet, and the highest payroll in the game?
Yes, until we see reason to stop believing, the Los Angeles Dodgers are your favorites for another World Series.
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods has put himself into the lineup Tuesday night for his Jupiter Links team in the TGL final, waiting until the last day to make his first appearance in the tech-infused indoor league.
Woods has been at every match as a captain and a cheerleader while recovering from a seventh back surgery last October. He has gone more than a year since competing anywhere because of a ruptured Achilles tendon in March 2025.
Jupiter Links lost the opening match Monday night in the best-of-3 final against Los Angeles and now has to win two matches at the SoFi Center.
Wood said last week after Jupiter won to reach the finals he has been trying to play the matches.
“I’ve been trying to come back. But it just hasn’t worked out that way,” he said. “I’ve had a bad run of injuries last year. I think it’s been a year and a few days since I blew out my Achilles. And so then I’ve had two back operations. So it’s been a little rough go. But the guys here, this team, we have so much fun, I really don’t want to screw up the lineup, I just want these guys to keep playing.”
Woods will be replacing Kevin Kisner, who was on the losing end of the decisive hole in singles. Jupiter had a 5-4 lead when Los Angeles threw the hammer — meaning the hole was worth two points — for the par-5 closing hole.
Sahith Theegala had the length to easily reach the green in two and set up a two-putt birdie. Kisner, who has spent most of March in the booth for NBC's coverage of the PGA Tour, drove into the rough, laid up in the rough and hit wedge that didn't quite reach the green. His birdie chip from 20 feet to tie the hole — and win the match — narrowly missed to the left.
Woods joins Tom Kim and Max Homa for Jupiter Links. Akshay Bhatia had been filling in as an alternate, but he is in New Delhi this week on a sponsor invitation to play the Hero Indian Open.
Just when the Ottawa Senators have clawed their way back within striking distance of a playoff spot, injuries have completely ravaged their blue line.
Already down three defensemen due to injury (Jake Sanderson, Nick Jensen, and Dennis Gilbert), the Senators lost both Thomas Chabot and Lassi Thomson on Monday night, which took almost all the shine off the club's 2-1 road win over the New York Rangers.
But ironically, despite finishing the game with just four defensemen, it was one of the great defensive performances in Senators' history.
Ottawa allowed just nine shots in the game, the fewest they've allowed in a game in their 34-year history. As for the Rangers, an original six team that's been around for 100 years, they've never had fewer shots in a game than they did on Monday versus Ottawa. Never.
That says a lot about the state of the Rangers and the complete team buy-in from the Senators.
James Reimer, who was probably able to catch up on some reading and answer a few texts during the game, got his fourth win in as many starts.
Shane Pinto, the Senators' lone New Yorker in their lineup, got the Sens on the board with a power play goal. In the second, Warren Foegele got his fifth goal in nine games as a Senator and it turned out to be his third game-winning goal for his new club.
Meanwhile, for the four D that remained, Jordan Spence, Tyler Kleven, Artem Zub and Nikolas Matinpalo, it was a simply a fantastic performance.
The Senators are now just two points behind the Red Wings for the second Wild Card with a game in hand. The two clubs go head to head in Detroit on Tuesday, but with all the injuries, their best four remaining defensemen exhausted, and the idle Red Wings being home and fully rested, the Sens wish they were meeting under better circumstances.
Now let's retreat to the Senators' black and blueline, which has been clobbered at exactly the wrong time.
Since Sanderson went down, Chabot has been back to logging heavy minutes, playing nearly half the game every night. But at the end of the first, he left this game in obvious pain on Monday night after taking a cross-check to the right wrist area from Rangers forward J.T. Miller, who's as nasty with lumber as anyone in the league.
While Miller's stickwork in this case was the kind you see a few times every game, it's hard to imagine why the cross-checking penalty exists if not for ones that potentially end an opponent's season.
That's only speculation, of course, but when TV cameras caught Chabot with a splint and a sling on his right arm afterward, it's fair to say that his season is in jeopardy.
Image credit: @TSNSteveLloyd
Chabot has had injuries with that same wrist for parts of three seasons before he finally went under the knife. We're not in Josh Norris shoulder territory yet, but it's getting there.
As for Thomson's apparent lower-body injury, you have to feel for the former Sens first-rounder. He waited two and a half to years to get back to the NHL, at a time when there's finally all kinds of opportunity to play.
Now Thomson will need someone to fill in for him, as will Chabot.
“They’ll both be out for a while,” head coach Travis Green told the media after the game. “That’s about all I can say about it right now.”
Meanwhile, the Senators have done all they can in sheltering 2024 first-rounder Carter Yakemchuk. It's not their plan A, by any means, but they have no choice but to bring him up on Tuesday morning to make his NHL debut on Tuesday night in Detroit.
The other callup is anyone's guess.
In the AHL, Ottawa natives and righties Cam Crotty & Jorian Donovan are both injured, although Donovan, who hasn't played since March 7, is nearing a return. Left shots Samuel Bolduc and Ryan O' Rourke were both acquired after the NHL trade deadline so they're ineligible.
The good news is that Jake Sanderson might be back in the next week. But time is running out on the season, and as far as healthy players on NHL contracts go, that leaves only Yakemchuk, Tomas Hamara, and Djibril Toure left.
They also have Scott Harrington, who has over 200 games of NHL experience and has also been Yakemchuk's D partner for a lot of the season. However, he's on an AHL contract. If the Sens signed him to an NHL deal, it's believed he could play, but not in the playoffs if they get there.
And thanks to this overload of injuries on D, that's now a big if. If Travis Green can still steer this team into the playoffs under these miserable circumstances, he deserves the next two Jack Adams Trophies.
On a mission: Julio Rodríguez looks to build on the excellent start to his career by bringing Seattle its first World Series. | (David Durochik/Getty Images)
This time of year is always a good time. Even when expectations for the White Sox are low, the weather is much better, baseball is returning, and we can have fun predicting how the season will pan out.
We will start with catcher Kyle Teel, 24, whose MLB career got off to a fast start in 2025 (.273/.375/.411, 125 wRC+, 1.9 fWAR in 78 games). Teel provided an unexpectedly large spark last season, as his bat was quite reliable even though he plays a premium position. Unfortunately, Teel suffered a Grade 2 right hamstring strain that will keep him out for the first few weeks of the regular season. However, Teel gives White Sox fans plenty to look forward to. Before the injury, Teel contributed to Team Italy’s surprising success during the World Baseball Classic. Teel was excellent in a small sample size, finishing 4-for-6 with a homer and a double. Both of his extra-base hits came against Team USA pitchers, as he took Nolan McLean deep before doubling against Ryan Yarbrough. Teel looks poised to build on the strong start to his career, and he will barely miss out on leading the White Sox in WAR. If not for his injury, I would have picked him to lead the team.
Speaking of the team leader in WAR, that will be shortstop Colson Montgomery, 24, who also kicked off his career with a bang in 2025 (.239/.311/.529, 129 wRC+, 2.7 fWAR in 71 games). Prior to Montgomery’s promotion, he was not exactly crushing it in Triple-A Charlotte, but he turned up the volume immediately at the highest level. Despite playing in less than half a season’s worth of games, Montgomery launched 21 homers, narrowly finishing behind Lenyn Sosa (22) for the team lead.
Munetaka Murakami, 26, will also provide a lot of pop with his bat. Murakami has made a joke of NPB pitching. By season, his wRC+ marks were as follows from 2021 through 2025: 166, 225, 154, 156, and 211. He played only 56 games in 2025 due to an oblique injury. The White Sox signed Murakami to a two-year, $34 million contract over the offseason, which was a lower price than most expected him to command. The primary concerns about his game are that many are bearish on his ability to hit high velocity, avoid strikeouts, and provide decent defense. Murakami will also primarily play first base, a less premium position than third base, where he mainly played in NPB. However, he will launch plenty of homers and get on base enough to be a valuable part of the White Sox lineup.
On the pitching side, Shane Smith, 25, will lead the way in the starting rotation. Smith, a Rule 5 draft pick, posted a 3.81 ERA and a 4.10 FIP in 146 1/3 innings in 2025, resulting in 2.2 fWAR. That total was enough to lead the 2025 White Sox pitching staff, and he will repeat that feat in 2026.
As for the bullpen, Grant Taylor, 23, will take a large step forward. Taylor had an unusual line in 2025 (4.91 ERA, 1.42 FIP in 36 2/3 innings), resulting in 1.7 fWAR, which is based heavily on FIP. Taylor averaged 13.25 strikeouts per nine innings, a sky-high total. At the same time, he fell victim to some tough luck, as opposing hitters had a .420 BABIP. Although Taylor generated many whiffs, when he was not doing that, hitters often found ways to reach base. In 2026, Taylor will allow less sharp contact, have better luck on balls in play, and maintain a high strikeout rate to assert himself as one of MLB’s top relievers.
In terms of the overall team, the White Sox will improve by 10 games, which would normally be fantastic, but in this case, it only gets them to 70-92. The South Siders will get off to a decent start, taking advantage of a soft April schedule to finish the month 15-16. With nobody in the AL Central racing out of the starting blocks, some fans will fantasize about postseason possibilities. However, reality will set in, and May will open with a rough trip to San Diego, which will cause the White Sox to fall out of contention quickly.
In the second half of the season, although playoff hopes will be long gone, pitchers Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith will make positive impressions at the start of their MLB careers. In addition, Braden Montgomery will earn a September call-up and post a 110 wRC+ during his first month against MLB pitching.
Around the league, the Mariners broke their 23-season streak without winning the AL West when they won the division in 2025. This year, they will make it back-to-back division titles, and Julio Rodríguez will emerge as a dark-horse MVP contender.
In a highly competitive AL East race, the Yankees will emerge from the pack, holding off strong Red Sox and Blue Jays squads to earn the top seed.
Last year, the Tigers blew a 99.9% chance of winning the AL Central as their cold September coincided with a Cleveland hot streak. This time, the Tigers will avoid blowing a late lead and will win their first division title since 2014. The Royals will sneak in as the final Wild Card team, right behind Boston and Toronto.
In the NL, spearheaded by the offseason pickup of catcher Seby Zavala, the Dodgers will win the West again. Elsewhere in the division, the Giants will exceed expectations and make the postseason for the first time since their excellent 2021 season.
In the East, the Mets will slay some demons by winning their first division title since 2015. Meanwhile, after being baseball’s most disappointing team in 2025, the Braves will earn a Wild Card spot, and they will be joined by the rival Phillies.
Finally, the North Siders will take the Central’s only playoff spot by taking full advantage of an unremarkable division.
The Dodgers will handily defeat the Mets in the NLCS to advance to the World Series and earn an opportunity to pull off a three-peat. On the other side, the ALCS will be highly competitive, with the Mariners repeatedly trading blows with the Yankees. However, Bryan Woo will lead a pitching staff that proves to be too much for the Yankees’ lineup to overcome.
That will set up an epic battle between two teams with very different histories. On one hand, the Dodgers have won 12 of the last 13 NL West titles, with the one “loss” occurring during a 106-56 season in which San Francisco went 107-55. On top of that, the Dodgers will be looking to win their third consecutive World Series and their fourth in the last seven years. By contrast, the Mariners have won only four division titles ever, and they have never advanced to the World Series. Of course, the Dodgers will be favored, and nearly everyone will expect them to win. In a twist of fate, however, the Mariners will come out on top. Seattle’s pitching staff will continue its run of dominance, and with Rodríguez, Josh Naylor, and Cal Raleigh leading the way, the Mariners will outpace the powerhouse Dodgers to win their first World Series.
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Brewers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
We’re back with another Brewers Reacts Survey, and in this week’s edition, we’re asking fans which young pitcher they’re most excited to see this season!
The Brewers have become known as a sort of pitching factory, developing young arms into solid rotation pieces. The latest wave of pitchers looking to join that group includes several top prospects, including Robert Gasser (team No. 17), Kyle Harrison (former top 100 prospect), Logan Henderson (team No. 7), and Brandon Sproat (team No. 5/MLB No. 100).
Gasser, 26, debuted for the Brewers back in 2024 with a great start, pitching to a 2.57 ERA with 16 strikeouts over 28 innings in five starts before going down with an arm injury that kept him out until late in 2025. He made a pair of starts late last year, with six runs allowed (only two earned) over 5 2/3 innings. He had a rough spring training up to his last outing on Saturday against the Padres, when he went six scoreless frames with seven strikeouts. Still, he finished with a 5.11 spring ERA over 12 1/3 innings.
Harrison, 24, debuted in 2023 with the Giants but hasn’t yet found much success in the majors, with a 4.39 ERA and 191 strikeouts over 194 2/3 innings. The former third-round pick came over to the Brewers in the Caleb Durbin trade this offseason and has flashed a new kick-change in the spring, albeit with limited box score success (7.45 ERA over 9 2/3 innings, but 15 strikeouts).
Henderson, 24, had a similar path to Gasser, debuting in 2025 with five great outings, sporting a 1.78 ERA and 33 strikeouts over 25 1/3 innings. He went back to the minors and pitched to a solid 3.59 ERA with 87 strikeouts over 77 2/3 innings before going down with an arm injury. He’s continued to deal with the injury into the spring (though he did allow just one run with four strikeouts over six innings).
Lastly, Sproat, 25, is the highest-ranked arm in this group. Acquired in the Freddy Peralta trade with the Mets, Sproat pitched to a 4.24 ERA with 113 strikeouts in 121 innings at Triple-A last year. He also had a quick cup of coffee with the big league squad, pitching to a 4.79 ERA with 17 strikeouts over 20 2/3 innings. He made three appearances this spring, allowing five runs over nine innings with 10 strikeouts.
Note: Harrison and Sproat are both in the rotation to begin the season, while Gasser and Henderson will both start the year at Triple-A Nashville.
So, who are you most looking forward to seeing this season? Weigh in below and check back for results later this week!
MESA, AZ - MARCH 21: Romeo Sanabria #93 of the San Diego Padres bats during the game between the San Diego Padres and the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park on Saturday, March 21, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Aryanna Frank/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Romeo Sanabria ended his 2026 Spring Training for the San Diego Padres with a bang. He hit a grand slam home run to right-center field in the bottom of the eighth inning that put the Padres ahead of the Seattle Mariners 8-3 en route to a Cactus League win in the spring finale at the Peoria Sports Complex on Monday. Kale Fountain followed Sanabria later in the inning with a two-run home run and the Padres went on to win the game, 10-3. Kyle Hart started the game for San Diego and pitched one inning, allowing one run on two hits with a walk. He was followed by German Marquez who pitched 4.2 innings, allowing one run on four hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. With the spring schedule complete, Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ballidentifies various standouts who performed well in camp for San Diego throughout Spring Training. The Padres will return to San Diego and prepare for the season opening matchup against Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal on Thursday.
Padres News:
There was speculation throughout Spring Training about who would be on the mound for the Padres when they open the season against the Detroit Tigers. Nick Pivetta was largely thought to be in line to take the start, but there was talk that Michael King might be in line to pitch on Opening Day. San Diego manager Craig Stammen ended the speculation naming Pivetta as the Opening Day starter.
Pivetta will get the start on Opening Day, and the thought is Michael King will follow with Randy Vasquez after him. Stammen did not initially name Vasquez as one of his five starters and that seemed to motivate the right-hander who was one of the best Padres pitchers throughout spring. Thomas Conroy of Gaslamp Ball believes the spring performance points to a breakout season for Vasquez.
The Padres had a new manager and an incomplete roster when Steamer and ZiPS released their projections for number of wins for San Diego. After a full Spring Training the Friar Faithful are in the position to provide a more educated projection for the number of wins for this season. Gaslamp Ball is asking respondents to predict where they think the Padres will be when the 2026 season ends. AJ Cassavell of Padres.com also provided his predictions for the upcoming season.
Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that reliever Jason Adam will start the season on the IL. He also mentioned Sung-Mun Song is playing again in an effort to make it back to the roster as soon as possible. Acee adds additional insights about the potential San Diego roster on Opening Day and which players might fill the few remaining holes on the roster.
The plan this season is to preserve Manny Machado as best as they can as the Padres navigate the season. The future Hall of Famer has been consistent year after year but getting him more time off his feet could benefit San Diego and the efforts for a third straight playoff berth.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JULY 28: Baltimore Orioles fans celebrate in the Splash Zone against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fifth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 28, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Hey, you. Yes, you. Are you a lurker who’s been watching Camden Chat from afar, waiting for the right chance to jump in and introduce yourself, only you haven’t found your chance? Have you been here for a little while but you’re not quite sure if anyone has noticed?
Here is the one place each year where we are all on equal footing, brand new people and lurkers and the most recognizable veteran community members: The annual Camden Chat introductions.
We can all hope that the fun will find its way back into Birdland in the 2026 season. Last year’s dismal Orioles performance only accelerated the bad vibes that started to sink in for the second half of the 2024 season. The 101-game winners from three years ago might as well be an eternity now.
Have the Orioles done enough to do this? It’s a totally rebuilt rotation compared to last Opening Day, so that’s something. They’ve made multiple offseason moves aimed at improving on last year’s home run power outage. Breaking the streak of postseason futility this year would sure be nice.
If you’re brand new, make sure to go to the upper right of the page to sign up for an SB Nation account first, then come back here and join our site down below in the comments section. You can use your new account to chat on any team site that you like. If you’re going to visit an Orioles opponent, be a polite visitor.
Once you’re set up, head down to the comments to tell us a bit about yourself. Then, next time you come back, just act like you’ve been here forever. As long as you correctly remember to use the reply button to respond to a specific comment when you are talking to someone else, no one will even notice that you’re new. That’s all there is to it.
You’re nice enough to read this post, so I bet you’re already nice enough to follow the rules without my telling them to you. Just so we’re all clear, though, you can find SB Nation’s Community Guidelines here. Please be excellent to each other as much as you are able, even if you have just read the dumbest comment you have ever seen on the Internet.
Now that that’s out of the way, we would all like to know about you, not in a creepy way, but in the way that it’s fun to get to know your fellow fans.
Where are you from? Where are you now? How did you become an Orioles fan? Who’s your favorite Oriole of the present, if you have one right now? Who’s your favorite Oriole of all time? What’s the thing you’re most excited about for the 2026 Orioles season?
If you’re still feeling loquacious, and it’s OK if you’re not, here are some more: Why did you choose your screen name? What do you do when you’re not watching baseball? Do you have a favorite story that everyone else in your life is sick of hearing but you want the chance to tell it to someone new? Here’s your place.
As for me, I am Mark. I am a Maryland lifer and I probably always will be, although these days I’m closer to the Washington beltway than the Baltimore beltway. In the comments, you’ll see me show up as Eat More Esskay, which has turned into more of a retro ironic name than I ever could have imagined when I picked it a long time ago. The thing that made me start commenting on Camden Chat is that I wrote a limerick in response to Mark Teixeira signing with the Yankees.
Thanks to my parents, I have been an Orioles fan since before I was even born. They attended Game 2 of the 1983 World Series, and so did I, although I had a bit of an obstructed view seat: My mom was eight months pregnant at that time. I have loved the Orioles for as long as I can remember. Most of those years have not been very good for O’s fans, but I did meet my wife thanks to both of us being Orioles fans, so, I think that helps balance out the scales a bit.
My favorite Oriole of all time is Cal Ripken Jr. The 2131 game where The Streak became a record is the coolest thing to happen to the team in my whole life. Maybe they’ll win the World Series some day and I can have a different answer. I have decided for this year that I will not curse any player by proclaiming him to be my favorite current Oriole.
Something you may not know about me is that I met my wife thanks to Camden Chat. She was (and still is) a commenter around here and ten years ago when my friend and fellow CCer Stacey organized a meetup at an Orioles game, I ended up sitting next to my future spouse. This was an oppressively hot day and I feel like I looked even more dorky than usual, but lucky for me she likes nerds. A few days later she emailed me and asked if I wanted to go to a game with her and I said yes. She wasn’t sure that I knew it was a date until like the fourth inning. I always knew. And now here we are.
The game where we met was not a particularly good one. Ryan Flaherty pitched in a blowout loss where the offense inexplicably stunk against Mike Fiers. There have been some great Orioles moments in the time of our relationship, including the true story that they went on a ten-game winning streak immediately after we got married. On the other hand, the ten year anniversary of when we met is coming up in August and the team has not won a postseason game in that time. That’s a long drought.
So, that’s me. Who are you? If you’re a longtime Camden Chat commenter, thank you for having stuck with us through so many bad seasons until we got back to the fun times that, hopefully, will resume this year. If you’re brand new, welcome to the party. I hope that CCers old and new will have some more great Orioles moments to talk about as this season goes along.
Because, even though the Lakers fought back from down 16 points and led within the final 30 seconds against the Pistons, there were multiple moments throughout the game where it was evident they missed Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura.
Lakers’ Marcus Smart (L) and forward Rui Hachimura high-five at Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Hachimura’s perimeter shooting (43.8% on 3s for the season for the league’s seventh-best mark) and ability to quickly create shots for himself would’ve been an ideal release valve for the Lakers’ offense that struggled to score like it normally does against the Pistons defense that ranks second in the NBA.
Smart’s ability to not only match physicality, but also dish it out, was missed against an ultra-aggressive Pistons team that regularly pushed the Lakers around on the perimeter.
The Lakers still hung in despite the absences from Smart, who was dealing with a bruised right ankle and right hip tightness, and Hachimura, who was sidelined because of right calf soreness.
Timberwolves’ Julius Randle (L) drives the ball against Lakers’ Hachimura and guard Marcus Smart, March 10 in LA. AP
And Jarred Vanderbilt, the player who saw the biggest increase in his playing time, going from out of the rotation to being on the floor for 15-and-a-half minutes, played his role as well as expected. He finished with four points, four rebounds and two assists.
But nearly 30 minutes of Smart’s ball-handling and playmaking would’ve made it more challenging for the Pistons to key in on Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. And the perimeter defense would’ve been handy when it came to trying to slow down second-year Pistons guard Daniss Jenkins, who scored a career-high 30 points in his third straight start for injured All-Star guard Cade Cunningham.
“Not having Smart [on Monday] killed us,” coach JJ Redick said. “Vando did a great job. When he had his minutes, he was ready to play, but the way our team works, you need Smart for his ball handling, you need Smart for his defense, you need Rui for his shooting. Those pieces are important to complement everybody.”
L–R: Hachimura, Luka Dončić and Marcus Smart during the game against the Timberwolves in Los Angeles. NBAE via Getty Images
So much of the Lakers’ season has been focused on their stars, in good or challenging times.
Dončić’s recent hot streak.
Reaves being established as the second option in the offensive hierarchy.
LeBron James adapting to what this version of the Lakers need from him.
But Monday was a reminder of the little things everyone can provide — from Deandre Ayton’s offensive rebounding physicality on the interior to Jaxson Hayes’ low man presence on defense — and how the usual nine-man rotation of Dončić, Reaves, Smart, James, Ayton, Hachimura, Hayes, Jake LaRavia and Luke Kennard complement one another.
The Lakers have an 8–2 record when all nine rotation players have been available since the All-Star break.
“That’s important for us: That we can get healthy and we can play our rotation,” Redick said. “Post-Luke trade, I think when all nine guys have played, we’ve been a good basketball team. We need to finish the season strong, but we also need to finish the season healthy.”
But for now, the Lakers’ focus will be on finishing the six-game trip on a high note when they play the Pacers on Wednesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Pacers, who are nine months removed from playing in the NBA Finals, have the league’s worst record (16–56) in light of All-NBA guard Tyrese Haliburton being sidelined for the season after tearing his Achilles last June.
And it’s no secret they benefit from tanking, giving themselves a better chance of securing a higher draft pick in the summer’s draft.
But the Pacers also ended their franchise-record 16-game losing streak on Monday with a road victory over a Magic team that’s fighting for a playoff spot.
“They play extremely hard, extremely fast, and they’re super well-coached,” James said of the Pacers. “So we got to be ready for that. It’s the last game of the road trip. I know everybody’s trying to get home, but we got business to take care of, so we’ll be ready.”
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FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 10: Connelly Early #71 of the Boston Red Sox arrives ahead of a team workout at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 10, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Yesterday morning, we wondered whether Connelly Early or Johan Oviedo would nab the final spot in the Red Sox rotation. Come nightfall we learned that it would be… both of them? In a surprise move as they finalized the roster, the Sox decided that both Early and Oviedo would head to Cincinnati to help protect the rotation in the early going, especially in light of the fact Ranger Suárez has thrown only 9.1 innings between the World Baseball Classic and Grapefruit League. The Sox still haven’t explained whether they’ll go to a six-man rotation or stick someone in the bullpen as a long man, though. (Chris Cotillo, MassLive)
UPDATE, 10:08 AM: It’s Early in the rotation with Oviedo as a piggyback option:
Early won’t be the only young hot shot lining up on a big league diamond come Opening Day. He’s one of a number of top-100 prospects who have cracked their team’s rosters. (Brendan Samson, Kenny Van Doren, MLB.com)
Carrying an extra starter obviously means that the Sox will carry one fewer reliever. It’s Zack Kelly who draws the short end of the roster stick and will head to Worcester, along with newcomer Tommy Kahnle, who is still getting back up to big league speed. (Christopher Smith, MassLive)
Unfortunately, there are also some injury issues complicating the bullpen, as the team is now monitoring Danny Coloumbe’s non-throwing wrist:
While the back of the rotation remains unsettled, the front end is as solid as can be thanks to Garrett Crochet. He’s so good that even Pedro Martinez sees some parallels between Crochet’s career and his own. (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
Having already established himself as one of the best pitchers in the league, Crochet doesn’t need much veteran leadership to push himself to the next level. But that’s not necessarily the case with Marcelo Mayer, who has been held to account by the Sox coaching staff and vets like Trevor Story all spring. (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
Roman Anthony hasn’t gotten the same tough love treatment that Mayer seems to be getting. But maybe that’s because prominent national writers are already predicting him to win the 2026 American League MVP. (Eno Sarris, The Athletic)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 23: Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder hugs Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers after a game at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 23, 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 Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was well after 10 Monday night, well after Jared McCain’s new team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, had beaten his old one, the 76ers. And still McCain, in street clothes by then, lingered in Xfinity Mobile Arena’s lower stands, visiting with friends.
A handful of people hovered about the place. Workers folded up chairs and pulled up ratty carpeting, the beginning stages of the changeover for Tuesday’s Flyers game. Some kids romped around the court, firing shots in the general direction of the rim.
“Jared,” one of them yelled up to McCain, “can we get a picture, please?”
“Yeah, I gotcha, buddy,” the second-year guard said.
A minute or two later he made good on his promise, posing with four youngsters in various Sixers jerseys – two Joel Embiids, one James Harden, one Dr. J.
It was almost as if McCain didn’t want to leave.
He played just 60 games for the Sixers, spread out over a season and a half. He performed really well for a really bad team last year, not so well for an improved one this year. In between he was injured, twice. He even did some time in the G-League this winter.
But if he struggled to find his place on the court, that was never the case off it. As had been the case elsewhere (and as is the case in OKC), the 22-year-old Californian very clearly made some strong connections, very clearly made himself at home. Which is why the crowd greeted him so warmly when he entered Monday’s game, and why, from the beginning of the night to the end, he always had time for one more photo, one more hug, one more handshake.
“I really believe in, you put good energy out and it comes right back to you,” he said. “And I really feel like I was able to do that with the Sixers and with the fans, with the organization.”
It can be said with certainty that while the Sixers have traded better players than McCain during their long, tortured history, they have seldom traded a better human being. Sixers coach Nick Nurse was saying before the game that McCain’s approach and attitude always stood out as much as his ability as a shooter and scorer – that he is, in Nurse’s words, “a tremendous person, worker and competitor.”
And, the coach added, “That’s always good to have on your team.”
That McCain is not is something that seems likely to stick in the craw of Sixers fans for years to come. He was shipped to the defending champs for four draft picks on Feb. 4, and he has fit like a glove. After averaging 6.6 points a game on .385/.378/.880 shooting splits in 37 games with Philadelphia, he has raised those numbers to 12.3 on .468/.439/.862 accuracy in 20 games with OKC. That includes his 5-for-11, 13-point effort in over 25 minutes off the bench in Monday’s 123-103 victory.
The Thunder had scouted McCain during his lone season at Duke, and thought highly of him. Coach Mark Daigneault alternately called him a “gym rat,” a “self-made player” and a “craftsman” on Monday, and said that while the newcomer has been respectful of the holdovers, he has hardly been deferential.
“He’s been who he is, and has played aggressively and confidently,” Daigneault said, adding that it says as much about the rest of the team as it does McCain – that the other players have “gone out of their way to try to make sure that we’re getting the best version of him.”
The bottom line?
“It’s felt,” the coach said, “like he’s been here longer than he has.”
Still, McCain was more or less on his own when it came to Monday’s homecoming. He had not been back in Philadelphia since the trade, which came in the middle of a road trip, and admitted he felt “a lot of anxiety” about his return.
“When I was meditating this morning, it was a lot of just acceptance of, it’s going to happen,” he said. “You’re going to have those feelings, you’re going to have those emotions” – including, he added, “that subtle feeling of you want to prove the team wrong that traded you.”
He said he tried to put that aside, but he nailed two three-pointers soon after entering the game midway through the first quarter. After the first, from the left corner, he talked some smack to veteran center Andre Drummond – “It’s all love,” McCain said with a grin – and seemed no less emotional after drilling the second, from the top of the circle.
He missed his next five attempts from the floor, but made three of his last four. McCain, who went 3-for-7 from the arc in all, was one of six players to crack double figures for the Thunder, who won their 12th straight to improve their league-best record to 57-15.
McCain said the night provided him “a little bit” of closure. Mostly, though, it had been weird. Weird to walk onto the court before the game and see veteran guard Kyle Lowry, who gave him a big hug, as well as assistant coach Rico Hines and so many others. (“It felt like I was on the Sixers again,” McCain said.) Weird to go to chapel with former teammates Justin Edwards and Adem Bona. And weird not to be able to drive by his old house, which he had loved but was too far from the Thunder’s hotel.
“It had a sauna,” he said. “It was really nice.”
Others had cleaned the place out, under the supervision of his mom. So it was that the cord had been cut, and the page turned.
But the connections remain. As the night wound down, McCain signed one of his old No. 20 Sixers road jerseys for two men, right outside the visiting locker room.
“Next year,” he said to them in parting.
Indeed, that will likely be the next time he is in town – next season. But after thinking it over for a moment, he chose to look at it another way.
“See you guys in the Finals,” he told the men.
Still spreading the positive vibes. Still true to himself. And this night of all nights, feeling it all come back to him, in waves.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 21: Ace Bailey #19 of the Utah Jazz dribbles the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 21, 2026 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Several former Rutgers basketball players have made their mark on the NBA this season. Dylan Harper has looked good coming off the bench for the San Antonio Spurs, while his brother, Ron Harper Jr, has contributed solid minutes to the Celtics when he was called up from the G-League. After taking some time to adjust to the NBA in the first half of the season, Dylan’s former teammate and good friend Ace Bailey is starting to prove why he was drafted so high.
Over the past few games, Bailey has scored 95 points for the Utah Jazz. He recorded 33 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists in the team’s 128-96 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. He followed that up with a 25-point game in a losing effort to the Philadelphia 76ers before scoring 37 points in a losing effort to the Toronto Raptors. He is the fifth-youngest NBA player to score 25 points per game in three straight games. The four ahead of him are LeBron James, Cooper Flagg, Carmelo Anthony, and Devin Booker.
While it is stunning how well he has done in this recent set of games, this reflects an overall trend that shows him starting to adjust to the league overall. In the 10 games the Jazz have played since the start of March, Bailey has scored at least 20 points in five of them and has had 15 or more points in all but three. His average of 21.2 points this month is his highest monthly average since joining the league. His overall shooting percentage has gone up drastically as well, as he is hitting 46.6 percent of his shots from the floor and 43.8 percent of his shots from three.
Bailey will look to continue his streak of dominance as the Jazz are set to play a very vulnerable Washington Wizards team next on their schedule.
In addition to Bailey, Dylan Harper has had a few solid outings in his last few games, recording 24 points against the Indiana Pacers and 21 points against the Miami Heat. He is still being used largely in a reserve role, recording just over 20 minutes per game in most of his appearances, while Bailey, on the other hand, has been playing around 30 minutes on average. This is largely due to the teams that each of them is on, rather than their overall skill.
The hope is that Bailey will finish the season strong and give the Jazz faithful a reason to be excited for the future while both Harper brothers continue to contribute meaningful minutes on a playoff contender.
WST president Barry Hearn says ‘sentiment’ played a part
500 seats to be added to the theatre in £45m refit
Barry Hearn concedes he has let his heart rule his head for the first time in his career after striking a remarkable new long-term deal to keep snooker’s world championship at the Crucible Theatre – before hinting that his son Eddie was among those who were against the decision.
The tournament has been played at the 980-seat venue in Sheffield since 1977, and it will remain there until at least 2045 with an option to extend to 2050 after World Snooker Tour and Sheffield city council agreed a contract to ensure snooker’s most prestigious event will stay at its spiritual home.
Mar 21, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Former Texas Rangers player Ivan Pudge Rodriguez looks on during the second half of the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the LA Clippers at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Good morning.
Dave Sessions writes that while the Texas Rangers were beating the Kansas City Royals in a dress rehearsal at The Shed last night, Rule 5 reliever Carter Baumler found out he made the squad while on the mound.
Evan Grant writes that Kumar Rocker was the victor of camp’s most publicized battle as he earned the final spot in the rotation.
Grant writes that despite overtures to make Langford the everyday center fielder, the Rangers have opted for Evan Carter to man to role with Langford still playing there on days where Carter sits against lefties.
Grant notes that the rotation could be further bolstered as the season progresses as Cody Bradford and Jordan Montgomery continue to work their way back.
