NEW YORK (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes and Seattle Kraken are set to play two games in Finland next season as part of the NHL’s Global Series.
The league and the players’ association announced Monday that Carolina and Seattle will face off Nov. 12 and 14 in the Finnish capital of Helsinki. The Kraken are heading abroad for the first time in their sixth season of existence and the Hurricanes for the second time and first since 2010.
Each team has a pair of Finns currently on its roster: Sebastian Aho and Jesperi Kotkaniemi for Carolina and Kaapo Kakko and Eeli Tolvanen for Seattle. All but Tolvanen are under contract for next season.
The NHL has staged 42 regular-season games in Europe since 2007 and has two more scheduled for Germany in December with Ottawa and Chicago set to play in Duesseldorf in December. Veikkaus Arena in Helsinki, formerly known as Hartwall Arena, has been the site of seven of the games, most recently in 2018 between Florida and Winnipeg.
NORTH PORT, Fla. — Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider will start the season on the injured list because of a strained oblique, the team announced.
Strider had been scheduled to start in the spring training finale against Pittsburgh before being scratched. Braves manager Walt Weiss told reporters the team is hopeful Strider will miss only a couple weeks.
The 27-year-old Strider is aiming to take another step forward now that he’s two years removed from right elbow surgery. Strider missed most of 2024 and returned to the majors last year, going 7-14 with a 4.45 ERA in 23 starts.
He went 2-0 with a 3.24 ERA in 8 1/3 innings of work in spring training for the Braves as he tries to regain the form he showed in 2023, when the All-Star led the majors with 20 victories and 281 strikeouts.
The injury is the latest setback for Atlanta’s pitching staff, which already has seen starters Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep placed on the 60-day injured list following elbow surgery.
Mar 19, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) celebrates after the game against the Phoenix Suns at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
Week 21: The Spurs’ “return from the Rodeo Road Trip” six-game homestand continued against three more postseason-bound teams. After a tight first half against the Boston Celtics, who had Jayson Tatum back from last season’s Achilles rupture, the Spurs took control after Jaylen Brown got himself ejected, with Victor Wembanyama leading the way with 39 points on 8 three-pointers. He then missed the next game against the Nuggets with a sore ankle, and while the Spurs were in control most of the night, they went cold late in the third quarter, blowing a 20-point lead as Denver rallied back to end their five-game winning streak. Finally, they returned to form to get revenge on the Hornets for their January 31 winter storm debacle to finish the homestand 5-1.
Back on the road facing a Clippers squad missing Kawhi Leonard, the Spurs got out to a sluggish start, getting down 17-3 before surging back to take a 66-52 halftime lead. They would eventually get ahead by 24 points, but then the Spurs got complacent and let the Clippers, led by Darius Garland, back in the game, causing fears of a reverse outcome from a couple weeks prior. Fortunately, the Spurs did just enough to stay ahead and hit their free throws in the waning seconds to secure the victory.
The Spurs continued their season-long trend of dominating on the second night of a back-to-back, and they didn’t need much help against a lowly, shorthanded Kings squad. The Spurs were red hot from three, hitting a franchise-record 25 of them from 10 different players, and the game was essentially over by halftime. About the only thing of note that happened was Russell Westbrook passed Steve Nash on the all-time assist leaders board.
The Suns may have been missing Dillon Brooks, but they continued to show why they are a thorn in the Spurs’ side and potentially tough first round opponent. The Suns shooters were hot, and without Stephon Castle’s perimeter defense, the Spurs had trouble containing Collin Gillespie and Devin Booker. But like always, they fought back, with Wemby going into MVP mode to hit his first NBA go-ahead game-winner with a second left, after the Spurs had successfully forced the ball into rookie Rasheer Felmming’s hands on the other end, who missed both free throws. The thrilling victory secured the Spurs’ first playoff berth since 2019.
It wasn’t always pretty, but even without trying their hardest for much of the game, the Spurs were simply too talented for the severely shorthanded Pacers. With Castle and Devin Vassell sitting this one out, Dylan Harper got the first start of his NBA career and didn’t flinch, tying his career high of 24 points to go along with 4 rebounds and 3 assists, and Keldon Johnson led the bench with 24 points in a wire-to-wire blowout that wasn’t as close as the final score indicated.
The Spurs might not catch the Thunder, but they’re looking good to finish with the league’s second-best record. They’re 21-2 since Feb. 1, with 12 of those 21 wins coming against other teams with winning records.
Three takeaways
1. The Spurs ranked seventh offensively at the All-Star break, and they’ve had the league’s fourth-most-improved offense since the break. They’ve scored 124.7 points per 100 possessions over their last 11 games, with eight guys averaging double-figures over that stretch. Not all eight have played in all 11 games, but the offense has continued to roll, even though at least one of Dylan Harper, Stephen Castle or Devin Vassell has missed each of their last five. 2. The Spurs came back from 10 points down with less than five minutes left to beat the Suns on Thursday, with Victor Wembanyama draining the game-winning jumper with 1.1 seconds left. San Antonio is one of two teams – the Sixers are the other – with a league-high five wins (they’re 5-11) in games they trailed by double-digits in the fourth. Wembanyama is one of eight players with at least five buckets (he’s 5-for-8) to tie or take the lead in the final minute of the fourth quarter or overtime. 3. It’s worth remembering that the Spurs were one of four teams that were worse than average on both ends of the floor in each of the last three seasons. They’re now 10.3 points per 100 possessions better than they were last season (minus-2.8), which would be the eighth biggest season-to-season jump in the 30 seasons for which we have play-by-play data. (The Hornets have seen the second biggest.)
Coming up: The Spurs will play six of their next seven games on the road, but after visiting the Heat on Monday, they’ll play five straight games against teams with losing records. Both Castle and Vassell are listed as questionable for the game in Miami.
New players added after Week 1: C Mason Plumlee, PF Emanuel Miller (two-way) Departed players from Week 1: PF Jeremy Sochan, PF Riley Minix (two-way)
The Spurs are officially back in the playoffs for the first time this decade. They are 26-5 since they last lost back-to-back games (at Minnesota and Oklahoma City more than two months ago). And we all have our alien overlord Victor Wembanyama to thank. You all know what comes next, and that is all of you hating the Spurs again, if nothing else because of Wemby’s commitment toward farm-to-table ethical hoops. I’m fascinated to see what this group does starting next month. They are basically the 2024 Thunder, which means seeing Luka Dončiç in the second round is going to get spooky. Prepare for “lack of experience” narratives and the like. Yes, I know De’Aaron Fox and Week 1 starter Harrison Barnes are here. But Fox has won as many playoff series as you and I, and Barnes hasn’t won one since leaving the Warriors a decade ago. San Antonio even has former 2024 Thunderbuddy Bismack Biyombo to warn his new teammates about the upcoming playoff run, along with Mason (not Mike Muscala) Plumlee, who is here because Jeremy Sochan is not. Every first-time playoff team needs a lottery-pick scapegoat, and the Spurs figured to get off Sochan before the playoff run. See, the Thunder had to wait for the maiden playoff run to get off Josh Giddey. Maybe the Spurs really are ahead of the curve.
The Spurs’ recent string of success goes back even longer than the Thunder entering March. Since the start of February, the Spurs have gone 21-2, ranking first in win percentage and first in offensive rating and also leading the league in net rating. Their only two losses during this span were to the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets, two premier playoff threats in both conferences.
Aside from their depth and defensive toughness, what makes the Spurs a real title threat this season is none other than Wembanyama. He sets the tone for San Antonio on offense, and Wemby alters his opponent’s offensive mindset every play because of his defensive abilities and length in the paint.
Oh, and Wembanyama has made it his personal mission to step up and play his best basketball of the season heading into the playoffs.
“Right now, in my mind is taking great care of my body cause I also want to win the MVP and the DPOY,” Wembanyama stated recently. “So, I’m trying to press the gas from now until the end of the season. Really take care of my treatment, take care of my sleep, take care of my routine, and show up for my team.”
Just because they don’t have a whole lot of playoff experience doesn’t mean the Spurs won’t be successful in the postseason. This team has exceeded expectations all season, and we have yet to see them play their best basketball. Other than the Thunder, nobody else has the depth and size to be able to compete against the Spurs.
Coming up: Mon. 3/23 at Miami Heat (38-33); Wed. 3/25 at Memphis Grizzlies (24-46); Sat. 3/25 at Milwaukee Bucks (29-41)
Prediction: 3-0 — No reason to predict a loss here. While the Spurs embark on a stretch that will feature six of seven games on the road before they close on a four-game homestand, this is arguably their easiest of the remaining three weeks (not than any will be that hard) despite being entirely on the road. The Heat have gone 1-4 since Bam Adebayo’s (infamous?) 83-point game, in including losing four straight, but they are in a brutal standings battle between the 5th and 10th seeds, so the Spurs should expect their best effort. Beyond that, the Grizzlies and Bucks are all-but eliminated from the postseason, stars Ja Morant and Giannis Antentokounmpo are out, and former problem Grizzly for the Spurs Jaren Jackson Jr. was traded to Utah.
Feb 24, 2026; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets third baseman Bo Bichette (19) throws a baseball into the stands against the Houston Astros during the first inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Bo Bichette and the Mets were a match that was made for a variety of reasons.
Following the departure of Pete Alonso and trade of Brandon Nimmo, the Mets had some open plate appearances to fill in, to say the very least. Nimmo will almost certainly be replaced by Carson Benge, as the rookie hit well in spring training games and his main competition, Mike Tauchman, has an injured knee. Alonso, however, did not have a clean replacement lined up.
David Stearns signed Jorge Polanco to help fill the void at first base in the wake of Alonso departing to Baltimore, but the lineup was still lacking a right handed bat. The Mets chased Kyle Tucker—notably left-handed but extremely good all the same—who eventually decided to chase some rings with the Los Angeles Dodgers instead of taking the Mets’ ultra aggressive offer. They quickly pivoted to Bichette, signing him within 24 hours of missing out on Tucker. At first glance, the move was interesting.
In a world where the Mets did not acquire Luis Robert Jr. yet, the outfield was an unsettled group of Juan Soto, Tyrone Taylor, and Carson Benge. Bichette, a lifelong shortstop save for some second base innings last year, was not moving Francisco Lindor off his spot. Third base could have been handled by Brett Baty, and second base was occupied by Marcus Semien, who came over from Texas for Nimmo. The fit appeared weird.
But the fit is a little cleaner than people give it credit for. Bichette is an excellent hitter, as the 28-year-old comes to Queens with a 122 wRC+; and that is with his terrible, no good 2024 season which saw him have a 70 wRC+ while battling injury. While he is moving to a new position, it is a wise career decision for him to do so. He has a career -33 Outs Above Average at shortstop, and as he approaches 30 with some lower body issues, it is safe to say he would not improve defensively.
There also is the question of his contract, which I’d argue was the most enticing thing for the Mets. Under David Stearns, the Mets have shied away from medium-term commitments. They got Juan Soto on a massive 15-year contract, but the team has largely avoided those four-to-five-ish-year deals. They got out of Nimmo’s contract with five years left for the final three years of Semien’s deal. They shied away from Alonso, in large part due to the five-year commitment he received.
The Mets and Bichette agreed to the three-year deal, but in all actuality it is likely a one-year contract. Bichette, who will make $42 million this season, has player options for 2027 and 2028 at the same figure. In all likelihood, Bichette will perform well enough to forgo the $84 million left on his contract to chase long-term stability, which is part of the reason why the Mets were into him in the first place.
For the 2026 season, the Mets are getting a great bat in a very fun profile to watch. He does not strike out much, earning a sub-20% strikeout rate in each of the last four seasons. He also never walks, coming into the season with a career 5.7% walk rate. He relies on elite bat-to-ball skills, pitching in enough home runs (111 in 748 games) to be a hitter you who capitalizes on mistakes. He is cut from a different cloth than a lot of the modern game, focusing on putting the ball in play at an elite level instead of zoning in on the three-true-outcomes philosophy that dominates modern hitting.
This season preview comes with a bit of a warning label: Don’t get attached. Bo Bichette is an awesome and fun player, but the structure of his contract and the Mets’ preference on spending more money in the short term to keep the long term books relatively clean, this is likely a marriage of convenience rather than a long-term partnership. However, he makes the 2026 Mets better, the Mets allow him to showcase a newfound skill by playing third base, and perhaps they can create magic for a season together.
Rosters are getting pared down as spring training rapidly approaches its conclusion ahead of Opening Day this week. But we've still got a slew of betting options on today's spring training slate.
My MLB picks for Monday, March 23, are targeting a trio of moneyline picks, including the Los Angeles Angels at plus money over Roki Sasaki and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Spring Training predictions for March 23
Pick
Odds
SEA moneyline
-135
LAA moneyline
+120
CLE moneyline
+110
Pick #1: Mariners moneyline
Luis Castillo has been extremely shaky this spring, but San Diego Padres right-hander German Marquez hasn't looked much better.
With Brendan Donovan, Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez, Josh Naylor, and Randy Arozarena penciled in as the Seattle Mariners' first five batters in today's lineup, Marquez will be in for another rude awakening.
Castillo has been bitten by an abnormal number of home runs (five in 10 innings), and the gopher ball has not traditionally been an issue for the right-hander. With spring winding down, I expect a better performance from the rock-solid hurler en route to a win over the Padres.
Pick #2: Angels moneyline
Not to be a "hot-take merchant," but are we sure Roki Sasaki is a major-league starting pitcher? The Los Angeles Dodgers dumped him to the bullpen after a rocky start last season, and though they've treated him as a starter this spring, the results have been discouraging.
The strikeouts have been there, but he's issued nine walks in 6 2/3 spring training innings while also surrendering a pair of home runs. When he's not missing bats, he's giving free passes or getting hit around the ballpark.
The Los Angeles Angels aren't great, but they have some batters like Zach Neto, Jorge Soler, and, yes, even Mike Trout, who can do damage, especially when a pitcher is missing his spots. The potential for Sasaki digging the Dodgers an early hole makes the plus money worthwhile.
Pick #3: Guardians moneyline
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly is headed to the injured list to open the season due to a lingering back issue, but he's still slated to start vs. the Cleveland Guardians tonight as he ramps up his workload.
Kelly has been largely ineffective in a super small sample size this spring, surrendering four runs on 11 hits in just 4 1/3 innings.
The rust combined with the injury makes Jose Ramirez & Co. an appealing option at plus money to win straight up.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays locked in their leadership group by extending manager John Schneider and general manager Ross Atkins.
Schneider’s new deal runs through 2028, while Atkins’ covers 2031.
The moves follow Toronto’s 94-win season, American League East title and a seven-game World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers last year.
Schneider, 46, has a 303-257 record since taking over in July 2022 and was runner-up for American League manager of the year last season. He is entering his fourth full season as skipper after the Blue Jays picked up his 2026 option last season.
“Schneids has been, and will continue to be, an exceptional leader and manager in professional baseball because of his unwavering commitment to players,” Atkins said.
Schneider is the 14th manager in franchise history and succeeded Charlie Montoyo in July 2022, helping guide Toronto to a wild-card berth that season.
The Blue Jays were swept in the wild-card round in 2022 by Seattle and again in 2023 by Minnesota before slipping to a 74-win season in 2024.
Toronto rebounded in 2025, securing the division title on the final day of the regular season and advancing to the World Series for the first time since 1993.
Schneider, who is from Princeton, New Jersey, has spent more than two decades with the organization after being drafted by Toronto in 2002 and working his way through the minor league system.
“I am ecstatic to continue leading the Blue Jays as we work to bring our incredible fans a championship team,” Schneider said. “It’s been a privilege to be part of this organization for nearly 25 years, and the work the Blue Jays continue to do excites me every day.”
Atkins, 52, was hired in December 2015 and is the second-longest tenured general manager in franchise history.
The Blue Jays reached the postseason five times under his leadership but won playoff games only in 2016 before last year’s run.
Toronto struggled through a rebuild that bottomed out in 2018 and 2019 before returning to contention during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
“Ross has done an outstanding job in building a deep foundation with an accomplished Baseball Operations team, best-in-class resources, and a collaborative culture,” said Mark Shapiro, Toronto’s president and CEO. “I am a strong supporter of stability and continuity, and Ross continues to make us better.”
Shapiro signed a five-year contract in December 2025, keeping him with the club through the 2030 season.
Atkins helped secure franchise cornerstone Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a 14-year, $500 million extension in April 2025, one of the richest deals in team history.
The Blue Jays added pitchers Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce, along with third baseman Kazuma Okamoto, in a series of high-profile moves this offseason.
The club did lose star shortstop Bo Bichette in free agency in January after he signed a three-year, $126 million contract with the New York Mets.
The Blue Jays open the season against the Athletics at Rogers Centre.
The New York Rangers host the Ottawa Senators at Madison Square Garden in the lone game on the ice Monday, March 23.
My Senators vs. Rangers predictions and NHL picks expect Ottawa to show no mercy as it pushes to lock down a playoff spot.
Senators vs Rangers prediction
Senators vs Rangers best bet: Senators -1.5 (+130)
The Ottawa Senators are cruising along a 13-3-2 heater with a third-ranked Corsi For percentage and top-ranked expected goals percentage at five-on-five, while the New York Rangers respectively check in 27th in each with a 7-8-3 record during the same stretch.
Ottawa has also allowed the fewest goals per game (2.22) during the run and is battling for a postseason berth. It’s the exact opposite on the opposite bench with New York checked out in the Eastern Conference basement.
Senators vs Rangers same-game parlay
In addition to the highlighted statistical mismatches, the Rangers have also surrendered the second-most shots per game (32.5) out of the Olympic break, and the Senators have recorded the fourth-most (31.5).
So, I’m expecting New York starter Igor Shesterkin to see plenty of rubber tonight, and he’s also turning in another solid season with a .912 save percentage and the seventh-most goals saved above expected.
The Ottawa Senators have covered the puck line in 16 of their last 25 away games (+11.20 Units / 32% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Senators vs. Rangers.
How to watch Senators vs Rangers
Location
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Date
Monday, March 23, 2026
Puck drop
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
Prime
Senators vs Rangers latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Mar 19, 2022; USA; Toronto Blue Jays John Schneider poses for a 2022 MLB portrait. Mandatory Credit: MLB photos via Imagn Images
The Toronto Blue Jays announced contract extensions for GM Ross Atkins and Manager John Schneider, both of whom were finishing the final year of their contracts. This move wasn’t a surprise, especially considering the 2025 Jays season results, coming within a few inches of a World Series Championship and the earlier 5 year contract extension given to President Mark Shapiro in December. Atkins deal extends him through 2031, so one year beyond Shapiro’s extension. Schneider’s extension is through 2028 after finishing second in Manager of the Year voting for 2025. No financial details were released. What is clear is how much Shapiro and ownership value continuity through their leadership.
The Jays are playing an intersquad game with Lauer scheduled to throw 5 innings against AAA Buffalo. The Jays made more moves to finalize the roster, informing Yariel Rodriguez, Jorge Alcala and Angel Bastardo did not make the MLB club. That leaves the final spot in the bullpen down to Spencer Miles, Chase Lee, and Adam Macko.
On this day 15 years ago, José Abreu set the single-season home run mark in Cuba’s Serie Nacional. | (Photo by RODRIGO ARANGUA/AFP via Getty Images)
1955 Roberto Clemente made a huge splash with a spring training performance at Fort Myers, Fla. against the White Sox. The rookie clouts a third-inning triple some 425 feet off of the center field fence, the deepest spot in Terry Park. The good news for the White Sox? Clemente attempted to stretch the hit into an inside-the-park home run, but was thrown out at home with ease.
1977 In a completely under-the-radar swap, the White Sox sent Clay Carroll to St. Louis for Lerrin LaGrow. That minor transaction would pay major dividends for the 90-win 1977 White Sox.
LaGrow, at the time mostly a starter in his six-year MLB career, moved into the White Sox bullpen and ended up as the South Side Hit Men closer, finishing 49 of the 66 games he appeared in (after finishing 20 in his career to that point) and earning 25 saves. His ERA a stellar 2.46, LaGrow’s 98 2⁄3 innings resulted in him racking up an extraordinary 4.2 WAR, tied for 55th in major league history for a full-time reliever. That WAR also ranks fourth in White Sox history for a full-time reliever.
Alas, LaGrow (like the Hit Men) could not repeat the success in 1978, suffering a setback of a -0.6 WAR before a staggeringly bad -1.3 WAR in just 11 games to open 1979 saw him sold to the Dodgers in May.
1985 Seven years too late, Oscar Gamble re-signed with the White Sox.
Returning to the scene of his greatest season (1977, 3.5 WAR almost through pure slugging), it would be the only year Gamble would play back in Chicago after the six-year, $2.85 million (some of the money deferred) deal he took with the San Diego Padres upon leaving Chicago. While fellow South Side Hit Man Richie Zisk was a foregone loss heading into the 1977-78 offseason, owner Bill Veeck was optimistic about keeping Oscar in Chicago for the long term. But at the last minute, San Diego owner Ray Kroc swooped in and outbid Veeck.
Gamble disappointed on the West Coast, hitting just seven long balls and seeing his home run rate drop to an anemic 1.6%. He was dumped back to the Yankees before the 1979 season.
To his credit, Gamble was always at least an average regular for the first five years of his big-money deal. By the time he returned to Chicago, it was as a punch-and-judy hitter rather than slugger.
In his last full game in the majors, on August 3 at Yankee Stadium, Gamble homered — and his final hit and run in the majors came the next day, during Tom Seaver’s 300th win. A week later, the White Sox released Gamble, forcing his retirement at age 35.
1989 The White Sox traded Ken Williams (who later became the club’s GM) to Detroit for pitcher Eric King.
Williamsnever achieved any measure of consistency in the big leagues. King, at least, had a spectacular 1990 campaign, going 12-4 with a 3.25 ERA for the “Doin’ the Little Things” White Sox that shocked baseball by compiling 94 wins in 1990.
2000 Former White Sox outfielder and future Hall-of-Famer Tim Raines announced his retirement.
However … there’s a twist, as Raines would return to the game for two more seasons, after trying out for (but failing to make) Team USA re-established his love of the game. Raines had a strong 2001 season (.303 batting average) with Montreal and was traded to Baltimore during that year so he could play on the same team as his son, Tim Jr. (joining the Griffeys as the only such father-son pairing ever). With his added longevity, Raines also became a four-decade player and one of just four (along with Ted Williams, Rickey Henderson and Omar Vizquel) to steal a base in four different decades Raines was also the last player in major league history to wear a batting helmet without a protective ear flap.
2011 Future White Sox first baseman José Abreu hit his 33rd home run, on the final day of the Cuban Serie Nacional season. Both he and Yoennis Céspedes broke the two-year-old Cuban home run record of 32.
Amazingly, Abreu produced 33 home runs and 93 RBIs despite missing a quarter of the season. His slash for the 2010-11 season was a remarkable .453/.597/.986. For those of you a little short with math, that’s a 1.583 OPS.
2012 Former White Sox closer Bobby Jenks was arrested during Red Sox Spring Training in Fort Myers, Fla. for numerous infractions relating to DUI. Jenks claimed to have taken too many muscle relaxers, as he battled through his recovery from two back surgeries in the offseason. It would later become known that one of the surgeries was botched, ending Jenks’ career.
Despite the premature end to his career and failure to make a mark in Boston, Jenks improved his health enough to begin a coaching and managing career. That second career in baseball was cut short in 2025, when Jenks passed away from stomach cancer.
The hockey world is mourning the tragic loss of Minnesota Wild beat reporter Jessi Pierce, who died along with her three children and their dog in a house fire early Saturday, March 21.
Pierce, 38, covered the Wild for NHL.com for the past decade and also co-hosted a weekly hockey podcast.
"The entire National Hockey League family sends our prayers and deepest condolences to the Pierce family on the passing of Jessi Pierce and her three young children," the NHL said in a statement. "Jessi loved our game and was a valued member of the NHL.com team for a decade. We will miss her terribly."
We are heartbroken and join the State of Hockey in mourning the tragic loss of Jessi and her children. May they rest in peace 💔. pic.twitter.com/H8L8Wgu6l4
Authorities have not determined the cause of the blaze. Pierce's husband was not home at the time.
Hockey world remembers Jessi Pierce
As news of her death spread, tributes began to roll in from friends, colleagues and NHL personnel.
"The Minnesota Wild organization is heartbroken by the tragic loss of Jessi Pierce and her children," the team said in a statement. "Jessi was a kind, compassionate person that cared deeply about her family and those around her. She served as a dedicated ambassador for the game of hockey during her time covering the Wild and the NHL."
"I’ve known her a long time. She was a wonderful person, loved hockey, loved people, somebody I looked forward to all the time when I would go to Minnesota," Nashville Predators coach Andrew Brunette said Sunday. "It’s a sad day in hockey. Her passion for the game, her passion for the Wild, is unsurpassed, and we’re going to miss her. It’s a tragedy."
And from fellow Wild beat writer Michael Russo of The Athletic: "Jessi simply loved covering the Wild and hockey throughout Minnesota and had a way of brightening everyone’s day with her upbeat, bubbly personality. I have literally NEVER met anybody that had a way of being EVERYBODY’s friend."
There are no words to express how heartbroken we all are.
Jessi Pierce (Hinrichs) was the most vibrant person - the life of the party, always with a smile on her face, always bringing a passion to every article and podcast and interview she did. Jessi simply loved covering the…
And in another social media post, Kirsten Krull, who co-hosted the Bardown Beauties podcast with Pierce, appropriately summarized: "There’s so much more I want to say that I can’t find the words for yet. I hope you know how loved you are and could see the outpouring of love for you and your family from the hockey community today."
DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 21: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks goes to the basket as Isaiah Jackson #23 of the Los Angeles Clippers defends during the first half at American Airlines Center on March 21, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Don’t tell anyone we told you, but you’d be forgiven if you missed some Dallas Mavericks games lately with March Madness seeping through the public consciousness for the last 96 hours. But both worlds work hand-in-hand, as the Mavericks navigate lottery positioning while the NBA season comes to a close.
And while positioning (losing) doesn’t sound so exciting, there are still some wild swings that could take place as a group of four teams between the fifth and eighth spots cluster closer and closer. The Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans, and Memphis Grizzlies keep pacing around this liminal space of the back part of the top ten with the Mavericks. Here at Lottery Watch we’re taking a weekly pulse of what may have changed and what’s up next.
Lottery standings
After the Mavericks sort of inexplicably beat the Cleveland Cavaliers just over a week ago, on the road no less, they dropped three straight last week and find themselves precariously in sixth place — two games back of the Jazz in fifth, and 1.5 games ahead of the Grizzlies and Pelicans. Those slim margins are of note because the swing from sixth to eighth means a 10-percent shift in a shot at a top four pick.
To make it just a little stressful, the Mavericks do have the fourth toughest remaining schedule in the league. But those pesky Grizzlies have the second toughest. The one relief is knowing the Pelicans, who owe their unprotected pick to the Atlanta Hawks, have zero incentive to lose.
Utah Jazz: vs. Toronto Raptors, vs. Washington Wizards, @ Denver Nuggets
Memphis Grizzlies: @ Atlanta Hawks, vs. San Antonio Spurs, vs. Houston Rockets
New Orleans Pelicans: @ New York Knicks, @ Detroit Pistons, @ Toronto Raptors
One magic spin
Each week we’ll take one spin around the block at tankathon.com and see where the chips fall. In a chilling turn of the simulator, this our fifth edition, the Atlanta Hawks for the fifth time in a row jump to the number one overall pick. There is voodoo in this simulation.
The Mavericks slide back a spot for the first time in several weeks. If you’re watching close to mock drafts across the internet, this puts them right on the fringes of that second tier behind the consensus top three. This paints a picture of both why the positioning is so vital — not because it ensures jumping up, but protects them if/when they slide back.
SAN ANTONIO, TX -MARCH 19: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs blocks shot by Rasheer Fleming #20 of the Phoenix Suns n the second half at Frost Bank Center on March 19, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was a rough week for the Phoenix Suns. After finishing the previous week with a loss, the team endured its worst losing streak of the season and went 1–4 this week, losing their first four games and winning their last. Still sitting in 7th in the Western Conference, it’s looking like the Suns are going to be hosting a play-in game next month.
Here are the main questions for Week 22 we want your thoughts on:
Struggling in the Clutch
Two of the four Suns losses this week were by one possession, and Phoenix was leading the Celtics late when they fell to Boston. Against San Antonio, the Suns struggled down the stretch, missing free throws, and in the final 7:49 during their loss to the Bucks, they allowed Milwaukee to go on a 24–14 run to close the game. The offense struggled numerous times down the stretch when it needed to perform to secure wins this week.
The team has had success throughout the season late in games, but this week was different. What do you think the main reason the team struggled to close out games this week was? How much does the arduous schedule the team had play into it? Would the losing streak have been shorter if the rotation had been healthier?
Getting Rest
With five games in seven days, including the first three being in three different cities, it was the busiest week of the season for the Suns, and they struggled through it. Phoenix has been depleted, and it continued to deal with the injury bug this week. Grayson Allen played on Monday against the Celtics and missed the rest of the week with a knee injury, and after not missing a game the whole year, Royce O’Neale has missed the last three games with knee soreness.
Mark Williams and Dillon Brooks remain on the shelf with their foot and hand injuries, respectively.
The good news for the Suns? After facing the Nuggets on Tuesday, they’ll have four days of rest until their next game. With the Playoffs and Play-In now less than a month away, how should Jordan Ott and company handle the rest of the season from a health standpoint? The Suns are four games behind the sixth seed and four-and-a-half ahead of the eighth seed.
Collin Gillespie is Turning it Around
After a rough start to the month, Collin Gillespie has gotten back into a rhythm in his past three games, averaging 19.3 points per game and hitting at least four threes in all three contests. During Sunday’s win against the Toronto Raptors, the guard went an efficient 6/9 from the field and 4/6 from deep, while Jalen Green and Devin Booker both scored at least 20 points.
Since both Booker and Green returned to the lineup, it had been a struggle for Gillespie to find his role in the offense as a scorer, but it looks like he’s done so. How encouraging is this recent streak from Gillespie playing alongside two ball-dominant scorers?
On the Suns’ Plate This Week
After their busiest week of the season, Phoenix will play just two games this week, hosting the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday and the Utah Jazz on Saturday. The large break between the two games without any travel is much needed for a Phoenix team running on fumes.
FORMER CUBS IN YANKEES CAMP: Cody Bellinger. That’s it.
CUBS vs. YANKEES IN SPRING TRAINING: Today’s games will be just the fifth and sixth between the Cubs and Yankees in spring training, and the first in 75 years. On April 1, 1915, when the Yankees were known as the Highlanders, the Cubs won, 7-0, at Savannah, Ga. On March 29, 1936, the Cubs won, 4-3, on Gabby Hartnett’s two-out, 12th-inning RBI single, at St. Petersburg, Fla. On March 29, 1951, the Cubs lost, 7-5, at Phoenix, where they won the next day, 5-2. The Cubs and Yankees have met in 28 regular-season games, of which the Yankees have won 19. They won all eight against the Cubs in two World Series, 1932 and 1938. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
Here are today’s particulars.
Neither the Cubs nor the Yankees starting lineups were available at press time.
Shōta Imanaga will start for the Cubs.
Carlos Lagrange will start for the Yankees.
No TV today. There will be radio broadcasts on WSCR The Score and also the Yankees radio flagship, WFAN 660 AM.
Please visit our SB Nation Yankees site Pinstripe Alley. If you do go there to interact with Yankees fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
As we have done in the past, we’ll have a first pitch thread at five minutes to game time and one overflow thread, 90 minutes after game time. For today, that will be 2 p.m. CT and 3:35 p.m. CT.
These threads will not post individually onto the front page; instead, you can find links to them in the box marked ”Chicago Cubs Game Threads” at the bottom of the front page. There will also be a StoryStream on the front page with all the game thread links, as well as the recap after the game is over. The pitcher photos and regular-season stats will return on Opening Day.
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - MARCH 3: Nick Loftin #12 of the Kansas City Royals swings the bat during a World Baseball Classic exhibition game against Team Cuba at Surprise Stadium on March 3, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
By the time we hit Friday, March 27th, it’ll be 180 days since the Kansas City Royals played a regular-season game. So much has changed since then; the Royals have been active, trading and signing players to fill the holes in their roster from last season.
In fact, three different Royals who started that afternoon game in Sacramento are guaranteed to not be on the Opening Day roster – John Rave, Adam Frazier and Mike Yastrzemski. Sam Long even pitched an inning in that game! He’s not even playing baseball in this country anymore.
With injuries and other guys dealing with some nagging stuff or straight up underperforming while battling for a roster spot against someone else, who makes your final cut for the Opening Day roster? Remember, rosters have to be finalized by Wednesday.
Here are the locks to make the team:
A rotation of Cole Ragans, Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo, Kris Bubic, and Noah Cameron.
The bullpen will be Lucas Erceg, Carlos Estévez, Nick Mears, John Schreiber, and Matt Strahm. Bailey Falter and Daniel Lynch IV seem likely to make it, barring a trade. Alex Lange likely has the inside track with veteran non-roster invitees Jose Cuas, Eli Morgan, Héctor Neris, and Aaron Sanchez competing for a spot. Ryan Bergert, Mitch Spence, Luinder Avila, and Steven Cruz have all been assigned to the minors.
For the hitters, the ten locks are: Salvador Perez, Carter Jensen, Maikel Garcia, Jonathan India, Vinnie Pasquantino, Bobby Witt Jr., Jac Caglianone, Kyle Isbel, Starling Marte, and Lane Thomas. Isaac Collins and Michael Massey have been battling injury. Tyler Tolbert, Drew Waters, and Nick Loftin could be in the mix, and non-roster invitees Jorge Alfaro, Elias Diaz, Josh Rojas, Kevin Newman, Abraham Toro, Brandon Drury and Connor Kaiser all seem likely headed to Omaha.
Who do you think makes the final cut to start to season with the Royals?
SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - MARCH 04: Thayron Liranzo #49 of the Detroit Tigers looks on during the 2026 World Baseball Classic exhibition game presented by Capital One between Detroit Tigers and Team Dominican Republic at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
As the saying goes, prospect development isn’t linear. Switch-hitting catcher Thayron Liranzo entered the 2025 season as a top 100 prospect, lauded for his potential 70 grade raw power and his ongoing improvements behind the plate. He was only 21 at the time, and while he was riding high after a good breakout season at the High-A level in both the Dodgers and Tigers’ farm systems in 2024, that’s pretty young to reach Double-A, especially for a player with all the added workload as both a switch-hitter and as a catcher. It was a really rough year, but we predicted it would go that way in his first look at the level. And while some prospect sites reacted by dumping him down their rankings to varying degrees, shout out to FanGraphs, who did not, we’re pretty unmoved. Time will tell who is correct, but Liranzo was never expected to just rocket through the upper levels in the first place.
The Los Angeles Dodgers signed the then 17-year-old Liranzo out of the Dominican Republic in January of 2021, accepting a meager bonus of just $30,000. His broad 6’1” frame promised future strength and power gains, and Liranzo already had a pretty good arm. The joke is always that no one wants to play catcher in the DR, but Liranzo took to the position pretty well from the start.
He had a good season in the Complex League at age 18, and then served notice with a 24 home run campaign in Single-A as a 19-year-old in 2023. He got off to a shaky start in High-A the next year, but by midsummer his bat had really heated up and his work behind the plate finally started showing more refinement and athleticism. The Tigers acquired him as the centerpiece of the Jack Flaherty trade, and Liranzo put together an impressive closing stretch to the season with the Whitecaps.
Liranzo got a bit overshadowed in the Arizona Fall League, as 19-year-old fellow catching prospect Josue Briceño went crazy out there, hitting 10 homers to win league MVP, but it’s worth remembering that Liranzo hit .375/.492/.667 with a pair of homers in 15 games, with half his hits going for extra bases. There was clearly stiffness in his swing and a tendency to whiff unless a pitch was in his hot zones, but he also showed the plate discipline to make it all work. That strong finish to his 2024 season got him 50 FV grades a spots on national top 100 lists heading into 2025.
No doubt it was a tough go in Erie. Liranzo played through some minor injuries, but he got off to a pretty good start anyway. By June and July, he was doing plenty of damage and looking as though he was adapting well to the tougher class of pitching. Everything then turned on him the rest of the season. He injured his shoulder and was limited to first base and DH days for the second half of the year. There was rumored to be some conflict with SeaWolves manager Andrew Graham over the injury and his effort level. It later emerged that Liranzo’s long-time trainer, who he regarded as a father figure, had passed away during the season as well. By year’s end, Liranzo was looking sluggish at the plate, and getting beat by fastballs to a degree we didn’t see in the first half of the season. His numbers really collapsed in August and September. Meanwhile, after nearly 20 years in the organization, Graham was reportedly let go at the end of the season, so we’re still waiting to hear who will be running their new coaching staff this season.
Liranzo showed up in camp this spring in outstanding condition, having cut a reported 35 pounds while adding strength. Scott Harris remarked that he came to camp looking like a center fielder rather than the thick-bodied catcher they had previously. Once again, his pop times and arm strength are back to above average levels, and while his blocking and framing continue to need work, he looks even more the part of the athletic, agile catcher we saw early in his time with the Tigers. Developing as a catcher takes time. Dillon Dingler was considered an advanced, highly athletic catching specimen coming out of college, and it still took four years to really get him to the point of being a top defender by age 25. Liranzo won’t turn 23 until July.
While Liranzo had a good first half last year in Erie, and continued to post high walk rates and show a discipline approach, there is still plenty of swing and miss in his game. He struck out 31.7 percent of the time at Erie, and while some of that can be attributed to the other struggles last year, we predicted heading into last year that he was going to get carved up more than he did in High-A.
Liranzo has a little more of a compact, line drive oriented swing as a right-hander, but it’s the power in his left-handed stroke that really got everyone excited. He’s posted some huge exit velos already, and when he gets a pitch he likes down in the zone, he is likely to do damage. The problem is that he doesn’t really have the bat control and smooth mechanics to adjust in flight. Especially as his condition deteriorated in the second half, he was really yanking the knob through the zone violently without much feel for the barrel and guessing too much as his discipline evaporated.
His future success is going to depend on his swing discipline remaining strong. Against good stuff in the zone, he’s always going to run higher than average whiff rates. Still, there are few profiles more coveted around the game than a viable defensive catcher with power who hits left-handed. To put it in Tigers terms, Liranzo probably slots in as something like a Jake Rogers type hitter, with the upside of a high strikeout, high walk, power producer like prime Alex Avila.
The hope is that the combination of weight loss and strength gains help Liranzo to be more athletic both in the box and behind the plate. If he can get his legs more involved in his swing it would help him to be a little more adjustable in the box rather than just waiting on mistake pitches and trying to grind out long at-bats. He has the zone discipline to make this work if he can just start putting a few more balls in play deep in counts.
Behind the plate, Liranzo already has posted plus pop times, and his blocking and framing have improved from his A-ball level work. He’s still struggled with his transfer at times, and with his overall mobility in terms of blocking. The better physical condition he’s in this spring bodes well for his sustained development in the catcherly arts.
The Tigers put a big emphasis on catcher defense, and while Liranzo may not develop enough in his blocking and framing to be a major league regular, that’s probably not going to be his role in Detroit with Dillon Dingler holding down most of the reps anyway. The goal is to develop into a viable backup to Dingler, while getting some reps at first base and in the DH slot. That’s not too high a bar for Liranzo to clear, but that extra seasoning in his defense could easily take another two seasons with an ETA of 2028, when he’ll enter the season at age 24. In 2026 he just needs to wash his 2025 campaign, get back to his disciplined approach at the plate, and continue to refine his defensive game in Erie. The risk profile remains high, but if things work out the Tigers will have a very valuable player in Thayron Liranzo.
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