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For one night, the Sixers’ vision was a reality (without squinting)

Mar 28, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) celebrates after making a basket during the fourth quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Westerholt-Imagn Images | Brian Westerholt-Imagn Images

The Sixers went all out on their recruitment pitch for Paul George.

They even enlisted the help of one of the most legendary figures in franchise (and basketball) history, Julius Erving. So, why have Erving involved, aside from him being arguably the coolest person to ever exist? To sell George on what he could be for the Sixers: the missing piece on a championship contender, much like big man Moses Malone was for Erving in 1983.

Lofty, even for a player as accomplished as George.

This isn’t breaking news, but things have not gone as planned for George or the Sixers. In his first season, George played just 41 games in a dismal 24-win campaign. This season was off to a much better start, but a 25-game suspension for George taking a banned substance threatened to derail the whole thing.

But the team survived, still in the thick of the playoff hunt as George, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey returned.

While we haven’t seen Daryl Morey’s vision for the Sixers, for one night in Charlotte, you didn’t have to squint to see the potential of the Big 3 he’s assembled.

All three of George, Embiid and Maxey were available Saturday for the first time since Jan. 29, the game before the league handed down George’s suspension. In a game with plenty of playoff implications, the Sixers outlasted the upstart Hornets in a gutty 118-114 win.

The victory improved the Sixers’ record to 41-33, good for seventh in the Eastern Conference. With eight games remaining, there is plenty of room for movement. They sit 1.5 games up on the eighth-place Orlando Magic, but also just a half game back of the sixth-place Atlanta Hawks and fifth-place Toronto Raptors.

Now finally healthy, the Sixers don’t exactly control their own fate, but they have a real opportunity to avoid the play-in and secure a guaranteed playoff spot. It will take more games like Saturday, where the stars play like stars and the supporting cast does what it’s supposed to do.

Much like in his return vs. the Chicago Bulls, Embiid was brilliant from opening tip, putting up 14 points in the first quarter and 21 for the half. That allowed Maxey to ease into the game in his return and for the Sixers to stem the tide of Charlotte’s torrid start. For the first three quarters of the game, it sort of felt like the Sixers were just hanging around. In the fourth, they took over.

Unsurprisingly, it was Maxey who led that charge to start the period, getting the whole bench off their feet with a poster dunk on Miles Bridges. It looked like the All-Star guard had plenty to say to Bridges afterwards, which only got Maxey’s teammates even more fired up.

At the end of the game, it was George’s turn. With the Sixers trailing 114-113, Embiid missed his second free throw. George fought Grant Williams for the rebound. Williams could never fully grasp it and the ball went out of bounds, earning the Sixers another possession. On the inbounds play, Maxey found George for a corner three. Splash.

But George wasn’t done. He forced a LaMelo Ball turnover and Maxey was fouled on a drive with 31.1 seconds left, splitting the free throws. After Ball missed a 31-footer, Charlotte was able to retain possession. Ball then snaked into the lane, finding Brandon Miller, who scorched the Sixers on multiple occasions Saturday, for a three in the corner. It was then Embiid who rumbled out there for an impressive block with 7.4 seconds left.

On the final possession, Ball was able to corral the inbound pass and get to the corner. George jumped for Ball’s pump fake, but recovered to contest Ball’s actual attempt, which was way off the mark. George was then fouled, splitting the pair of free throws to seal the Sixers’ win.

Embiid finished with 29 points, six rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Maxey had 26 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, a steal and a block. George recorded 26 points, 13 rebounds (his highest total since 2021), two assists, four steals and one block. A balanced effort from three stars.

But it wasn’t just the stars. Rookie VJ Edgecombe, who took a backseat offensively, filled his role to perfection, making plenty of timely plays on both ends. Kelly Oubre Jr. provided a huge spark off the bench in his return and closed the game. Andre Drummond, who was summoned like a rebounding geist in the fourth quarter, restored order on the glass.

The Sixers outscored the Hornets 26-17 in the fourth. It felt like a playoff-level intensity — and the veteran Sixers were up for the challenge.

Maybe George won’t be the Moses who leads the Sixers to the promised land, but Saturday’s win in Charlotte was just what the Doctor ordered.

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Milwaukee Bucks eliminated from postseason contention, East field set

It's official: The Milwaukee Bucks are eliminated from the postseason.

That, however, feels much more like the light just turned green on the speculation about Giannis Antetokounmpo's future in the city.

After being blown out by the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday behind a Stephon Castle triple-double, Milwaukee is now 9.5 games back of the No. 10 seed Charlotte Hornets with nine games remaining in the season. The Bucks are eliminated.
Bucks coach Doc Rivers talked about being eliminated postgame.

Will being eliminated change Antetokounmpo’s plan to try to return to the court this season once he recovers from a left knee hyperextension that led to a bone bruise? The Bucks front office has wanted him to shut it down both because of that injury and the lingering other ones that have limited him to 36 games this season, plus they should be focusing on the best draft position possible. But Antetokounmpo's push to return was always more performative and about how he views himself, so that fight may not be over.

Milwaukee missing these playoffs started last playoffs, when Damian Lillard tore his Achilles and was going to miss this season entirely because of it. That led to a desperation move by the Bucks front office, waiving and stretching the more than $112 million remaining on his contract over five years, freeing up the money to sign Myles Turner as a free agent. He did not live up to expectations for the Bucks this season.

The question now becomes, will Antetokounmpo agree to a max extension with the Bucks this offseason (something he can't sign until Oct. 1, but the talks will happen much earlier)? The Bucks' front office will explore trading more draft picks and players to upgrade the roster, but will that be enough for Antetokounmpo to see a contender and stay? The expectation in league circles is that he will tell the Bucks he will not sign an extension with them — not asking for a trade directly (something he has said he would never do) but essentially forcing the Bucks to deal him or lose him for nothing in a year — and the sides working to find him a new home this offseason.

Let the Antetokounmpo offseason speculation begin.

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Yankees Birthday of the Day: Herb McQuaid

(Original Caption) Left to right- first row: Barnes, Adams, Shocker paschal, Braxton, Oleary, Gazzela, Sharky- middle row- Koenig, Collins, Bengough, Huggins, Boall, Ponnock, and Meusel; back row- Woods (trainer), Fred Merkle, Jones, Coons, Ward, Skiff, Hoyt, Lazzari, Ruth, Gobrig, Thomas, McQuaid, and Dugan. (Photo by George Rinhart/Corbis via Getty Images) | Corbis via Getty Images

The first half of the 1920s were a transformative time for the Yankees, the still relatively new franchise transitioning from an also-ran into a true behemoth. With the arrival of Babe Ruth coinciding with the beginning of the live-ball era and the assemblage of Murderers’ Row, the building of the sport’s greatest empire was just beginning. Not all who played for those teams garnered the same fanfare as your Ruth’s and Gehrig’s — some were lucky enough just to be along for the ride, and that label certainly applies to right-handed relief pitcher Herb McQuaid.

Hebert George McQuaid
Born: March 29, 1899 (San Francisco, CA)
Died: April 4, 1966 (Richmond, CA)
Yankees Tenure: 1926

Herbert George McQuaid was born on March 29, 1899, in San Francisco, CA, to Frank McQuaid — brother-in-law to former heavyweight champion James J. Corbett — and Lillian Cecilia McQuaid (née O’Neill). He grew up just across the street from Recreation Park, home of the Class AA San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League — a young McQuaid gaining his love for the game from watching Seals games out the window of his childhood home. His family suffered tragedy when he was young, his father taking his own life during a poker game when McQuaid was just 13-years-old.

McQuaid attended Mission High School and pitched for the Visitacion Valley neighborhood team before moving to the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland prior to his senior year. By 1919 he was working as a stenographer and pitching for the St. Joseph’s Sodality team of east Oakland in the Oakland Midwinter League. He caught the attention of local professional teams when he tossed a near-no-hitter for the J.J. Kriegs store team in 1920, and earned an invitation to the training camp held by the team he watched growing up, the Seals. He threw a complete game during his audition and snuck a spot on the Opening Day roster when a pair of their pitchers were released for gambling allegations.

McQuaid threw a complete game in his professional debut, a 2-1 win over Portland at the same Recreation Park that he grew up adjacent to. That fall, Ty Cobb traveled to San Francisco as part of his barnstorming tour, and McQuaid retired him twice on a ground out and popup in another. McQuaid pitched two seasons for the Seals and one for the Los Angeles Angels — both in the PCL — and caught the eye of Cincinnati Reds scout Dick Egan, with whom he signed prior to the 1923 season.

The then-24-year-old pitcher made his MLB debut that season, giving up a run in two innings of relief of an 8-2 loss to the Pirates on June 22, 1923. The six-foot-three hurler possessed a “blinding” fastball, a fast overhand curve, and a slower, “wicked” underhand curve. Shortly thereafter, he missed over a month with a sore foot, and was later unused during a 15-game road trip when he returned from injury. However, he made nine appearances between September and October, earning his first start on September 13th and first career win nine days later. The Reds finished second in the division and missed out on the playoffs, but McQuaid finished the year with a 2.36 ERA and didn’t allow a home run across 12 appearances totaling 34.1 innings.

That winter, the Reds sold McQuaid to the St. Paul Saints of the Class AA American Association as partial payment for Chuck Dressen. He pitched two seasons for the Saints, going 21-14 in 76 appearances with a 4.39 ERA across 314 innings. In September of 1925, Saints president and former Yankees scout Bob Connery sold McQuaid to the Yankees in part to prevent him from being exposed to the Class AA draft, New York agreeing to pay St. Paul an additional $25,000 should McQuaid remain on the roster beyond May 1st.

McQuaid made the Opening Day roster and appeared in one game before the Yankees agreed to return him to the Saints. However, they made an immediate U-turn and traded pitcher Hank Johnson, outfielder Nick Cullop, two players to be named later, and cash to St. Paul to reacquire McQuaid. He made one start that season, allowing three runs in seven innings of a 4-3 win over the Tigers, and finished the year with a 6.10 ERA in 17 appearances totaling 38.1 innings having not appeared in the Yankees’ final 14 games of the regular season.

As division winners, the Yankees advanced to the World Series to face the Cardinals. McQuaid was the very last player added to the World Series roster, with instructions that he only be called as a last resort. He didn’t make an appearance as the Bombers fell to St. Louis in a seven-game instant classic. He wouldn’t pitch another game in the Majors, the Yankees selling him back to the Saints for $10,000 at the end of the season.

McQuaid pitched six more seasons in Class AA between American Association and the Pacific Coast League. He retired from professional baseball in 1932 and ran a taproom in Modesto and was later a bartender in Oakland, where he coached local youth teams in the area he grew up. He passed away from cancer on April 4, 1966, in Richmond, CA, at the age of 67. A relative footnote during a legendary decade in Yankees history, it is said that “his greatest act with the Yanks was refusing to be released.”

References

Herb McQuaid. Baseball-Reference.

Herb McQuaid. Baseball Almanac.

Gibson, Darren. “Herb McQuaid.” SABR.

See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.

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Tiger Woods’ latest brush with the law leaves questions why golf remains so beholden to him | Ewan Murray

Desire to remain relevant is understandable, but a glance at his behavioural pattern casts doubt on his PGA Tour and Ryder Cup involvement

It is a scene that has become more extraordinary with the passing of time. Plenty of sportspeople have been guilty of or admitted to extramarital capers. Only Tiger Woods appeared live on television, in front of a hand‑picked audience, to deliver a 14‑minute mea culpa on his transgressions.

American golf executives in their perfectly ironed slacks stood in sombre mood as Woods laid bare his “personal sins”. The venue, hilariously, was the home of the PGA Tour. Woods had no need to go into tawdry detail about his antics; the tabloid media had done that for him. “I convinced myself that normal rules didn’t apply,” Woods said. Sixteen years since that speech, it is worth pondering whether much has changed.

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Best NBA Player Props Today for March 29: Helping Hand

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A busy Sunday in the NBA will see plenty of action as 18 teams hit the court.

My favorite props for today focus on a pair of star centers in Karl-Anthony Towns and Nikola Jokic.

Find those predictions and more in my NBA picks for Sunday, March 29.

Best NBA player props today

PlayerPickbet365
Hornets Karl-Anthony Townsdouble-double-150
Hornets Nikola JokicOver 11.5 assists+100
Hornets Ziaire WilliamsOver 12.5 points+100
MORE NBA FREE PICKS

Prop #1: Karl-Anthony Towns double-double

-150 at bet365

With 51 double-doubles in 69 games, Karl-Anthony Towns has put himself in elite company this season. In fact, he leads the league in that category, just edging out Nikola Jokic (50).

The New York Knicks center is almost automatic for a double-double every night, logging 12 in his last 14 outings.

His opponent, the Oklahoma City Thunder, rank 23rd in rebounds allowed per game since the All-Star break (45.2) and 22nd in offensive rebounds corralled (10.2).

Towns is averaging 11.9 rpg, with 8.8 defensive boards per game, so he should dominate this matchup on the glass and register another double-double. 

  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Peacock/NNC

Prop #2: Nikola Jokic Over 11.5 assists

+100 at bet365

Despite the Denver Nuggets’ five-game win streak, Nikola Jokic has had a bit of a sluggish run on the box score, with less than 25 points in four of those contests. However, the three-time MVP has still contributed in other ways.

Jokic has dished out Over 11.5 assists in four straight contests and nine of his last 11, while averaging a league-leading 10.8 dimes per game this season.

The Golden State Warriors are 20th in points against per game (118.4) and 23rd in field goals allowed per game (43.9) since the All-Star break.

The Nuggets will run up the score, and Jokic will dish out at least a dozen dimes.

  • Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Peacock/NBC

Prop #3: Ziaire Williams Over 12.5 points

+100 at bet365

The lowly Brooklyn Nets are in the midst of another lengthy losing streak, but on the positive side, they’re seeing some progression from Ziaire Williams.

The 24-year-old has scored 16+ points in five straight games, as well as Over 12.5 points in nine of his last 12 outings.

The Sacramento Kings are just as bad as the Nets, and even worse on the defensive end. Sacramento is allowing 122.9 ppg post All-Star break — the sixth-worst mark in the NBA.

With Michael Porter Jr. out for Brooklyn, Williams is the Nets’ go-to scorer, and he’ll lead the way again tonight vs. the Kings.

  • Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: NBCS-CA, YES

These props are available now at bet365, one of our best betting sites.

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Fantasy Basketball Week 23 Schedule Primer: It's championship week!

Week 23 is the most important in fantasy basketball for many players, as it is championship week in Yahoo! default leagues. Of course, with injury management and tanking being what it has become, there are a lot of leagues that have already finished up. More than half of the NBA's 30 teams play four games in Week 23, while two are limited to two games. Let's look at the schedule breakdown and some key storylines heading into Week 23.

NBA: Milwaukee Bucks at Utah Jazz
Fantasy Basketball Week 22 Injury Report: What’s up with Giannis Antetokounmpo?
While the Bucks reportedly want to shut down their star forward, neither he nor the NBPA is on board with that idea.

Week 23 Games Played

4 Games: BOS, CHA, CHI, CLE, DAL, DET, HOU, LAL, MEM, MIL, MIN, ORL, PHI, PHX, SAS, TOR, UTA, WAS

3 Games: ATL, BKN, GSW, IND, LAC, MIA, NOP, NYK, OKC, SAC

2 Games: DEN, POR

Week 23 Back-to-backs

Sunday (Week 22)-Monday: BOS, MIA, OKC, WAS

Monday-Tuesday: CLE, DAL, DET, LAL, PHX

Tuesday-Wednesday: HOU, MIL, NYK, ORL, TOR

Wednesday-Thursday: GSW, SAS

Thursday-Friday: CHA, MIN, NOP

Friday-Saturday: PHI

Saturday-Sunday: WAS

Sunday-Monday (Week 24): CLE, MEM, ORL

Week 23 Storylines of Note

- The Trail Blazers have the worst Week 23 schedule.

Portland and Denver have two-game weeks, but the former's schedule setup is much worse. While the Nuggets will play on Wednesday and Saturday, the latter being the lightest game day of Week 23, the Trail Blazers are active on Tuesday and Thursday. A player like Jrue Holiday or Toumani Camara will have some value to begin the week, but they'll be of no use to fantasy managers for the final three days. Managers in leagues that allow for lineups to be set daily will need to account for this when utilizing their transactions for the week. As for those competing in leagues where lineups lock for the week after a player's first game, they may need to seek alternatives on the waiver wire or within their current squad.

- Saturday is the light game day of Week 23.

There are only three games on Saturday, with five of the six teams in action playing their final Week 23 game that day. Among those teams are Denver, San Antonio and Philadelphia, which all boast some highly impactful fantasy options. And then there's Washington, which will be active on Saturday and Sunday. Alex Sarr immediately comes to mind as a valuable fantasy option whose availability may be limited at the end of Week 23. Back-to-backs have not been an issue for Will Riley or Bub Carrington, and there could be a game where Julian Reese emerges as a viable streamer. Also, that is the second back-to-back of Week 23 that the Wizards must deal with; the first begins on the final day of Week 22.

- The Cavaliers and Magic are among the teams that have two back-to-backs to navigate.

For both of these teams, their second back-to-back carries over into Week 24, the final week of the regular season. How will that impact the availability of these teams' key players for the final day of Week 23? There aren't many leagues that run through Week 24; with availability already being incredibly unpredictable, running a league through the final week of the regular season feels unnecessary. Cleveland is getting closer to full strength, but the back-to-backs may affect the availability of Jarrett Allen or Max Strus. As for the Magic, they're still awaiting the returns of Franz Wagner and Anthony Black. Will either or both return at some point during Week 23? The answer affects Tristan da Silva, who has offered solid value as the replacement in the starting lineup.

- Fantasy managers won't have Luka Dončić to begin Week 23.

Dončić's managers, hoping to get their Week 23 off to an excellent start with the Lakers hosting the Wizards on Monday, were left disappointed when the NBA announced he would be suspended for a game after picking up his 16th technical foul of the season on Friday. As a result, he'll sit out the first of four games that the Lakers are scheduled to play in Week 23. Dončić will still have games against the Cavaliers, Thunder and Mavericks, and he's clearly capable of putting up gaudy numbers in those matchups. However, missing out on an opportunity to torch a lottery-bound team is unfortunate for those going into championship week with Dončić on their roster. That said, his absence boosts the fantasy values of Austin Reaves and LeBron James.

- Will we see Anthony Edwards or Stephen Curry during Week 23?

It appears more likely that the former will be available than the latter. Edwards was cleared for all on-court activities on Friday, and while there are still a few hurdles for him to clear, playing on Monday in Dallas is a serious possibility. The Timberwolves play four games in Week 23, three of which are scheduled over the final four days (back-to-back on Thursday and Friday in Detroit and Philadelphia). The back-to-back could leave Edwards available for three games, but that's better than nothing.

As for Curry, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr acknowledged on Friday that the team is “running out of games” to get their star guard back onto the court. He still has not reached the point where he's cleared for 5-on-5 activities, something the team reportedly hoped would have already happened by now. The Warriors won't play their first Week 23 game until Wednesday against the Spurs, but that's the first of two games in as many nights.

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Rockets vs Pelicans Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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For a team that could still win 50 games this year, there’s a surprising amount of gloom around the Houston Rockets, and it’s a “where do we go from here?” derby tonight as they visit the New Orleans Pelicans.

Houston is just 7-7 in March while New Orleans has dropped four games in a row, and my Rockets vs. Pelicans predictions and NBA picks signal a struggle for both offenses tonight.

Rockets vs Pelicans prediction

Rockets vs Pelicans best bet: Under 225.5 (-110)

Put simply, this isn’t likely a matchup for basketball purists who love slick offense. That makes the Under a value pick tonight. It’s 2-7 in the New Orleans Pelicans’ last nine contests, and 41-32 for the Houston Rockets this season.

The numbers tell a compelling story for a low-scoring scrap. Houston is allowing just 110.2 ppg this year, the fourth-best mark in the league, and should lock down a New Orleans offense that may be without Dejounte Murray and Trey Murphy III again.

The Pelicans have thrown Jeremiah Fears into a bigger role with the season fading away, and they looked toothless in Toronto on Friday, managing just 44 points in the first half.

Meanwhile, Houston's over-reliance on Kevin Durant to get buckets has been a storyline all year, and they’re still stuck in the bottom half of the NBA at 114.1 ppg. The lack of ball movement is at the root of the problem, with only four teams averaging fewer assists per game.

Equally, these squads have been a mess from beyond the arc this season. New Orleans ranks 26th in 3-pointers made and 25th in 3-pointers attempted; Houston ranks 27th and 29th, respectively, in those categories. That’s not the type of marksmanship to spark an Over.

When these teams squared off earlier this month in Houston, we got a 107-105 rock fight that put a spotlight on their offensive limitations. Tonight feels like a recipe for more of the same.

Rockets vs Pelicans same-game parlay

I like pairing the Under with a rebounding Over, and Amen Thompson is averaging 8.9 rpg in March. He’s gone past this O/U mark in six of his last eight outings, and he hauled in 12 boards against the Pelicans earlier this month.

The Rockets are 6-1 SU in the past seven meetings between these teams, and they have a defensive edge over a New Orleans squad that’s scored fewer than 110 points in four of its past five games.

Rockets vs Pelicans SGP

  • Under 225.5 
  • Amen Thompson Over 7.5 rebounds
  • Rockets moneyline

Our "from downtown" SGP: Reed all about it!

One way for Houston to unclog its offense is to bump up Reed Sheppard’s minutes. He’s coming off a 15-point effort in Memphis on Friday, and he’s up to 31.8 mpg this month. His playmaking is the biggest plus, with 28 dimes across his last four contests.

Rockets vs Pelicans SGP

  • Reed Sheppard Over 14.5 points
  • Reed Sheppard Over 4.5 assists
  • Amen Thompson Over 7.5 rebounds
  • Rockets -6

Rockets vs Pelicans odds

  • Spread: Rockets -6 | Pelicans +6
  • Moneyline: Rockets -240 | Pelicans +195
  • Over/Under: Over 225.5 | Under 225.5

Rockets vs Pelicans betting trend to know

The Under is 28-18 in Houston's games against Western Conference opponents this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. Pelicans.

How to watch Rockets vs Pelicans

LocationSmoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
DateSunday, March 29, 2026
Tip-off7:00 p.m. ET
TVSpace City Home Network, Pelicans+

Rockets vs Pelicans latest injuries

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Jorge Mateo gets first Braves start in series finale

NORTH PORT, FLORIDA - MARCH 24: Jorge Mateo #2 of the Atlanta Braves hits an RBI double in the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays during a Grapefruit League spring training game at CoolToday Park on March 24, 2026 in North Port, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The roster has been released for today’s series finale against the Kansas City Royals. The Atlanta Braves are looking to complete the first sweep of the season on this early afternoon start, as the Royals are determined to put a stop to it.

Notice any names that stick out in today’s lineup?

Well, after reading the headline, you pretty much guessed it: shortstop Jorge Mateo is making a return to the field, but this time as a starter in the position. After scoring a run in the Braves’ late rally in the ninth inning last night, he will be returning to help the team secure its win.

Another name that’s been making headlines throughout the night is Dominic Smith, who will be returning as DH after last night’s electric finale. The rest of the lineup remains identical to yesterday’s, with Ronald Acuña Jr. batting leadoff and Mike Yastrzemski returning to left field.

Grant Holmes is taking the mound and looking to start his season appearance off on a good foot and help secure a win for the team on the defensive side.

On the Royals’ side of the field, Seth Lugo is up on the mound, with a few tweaks in today’s lineup in efforts to produce a different outcome in the finale.

Salvador Perez will be replacing Carter Jensen as the designated hitter, while Jensen will see his way to the catcher spot for the first time in the series. Jonathan India will be replaced by Nick Loftin at second base and batting in the eighth hole. And Lane Thomas will be behind Jensen, taking the place of Isaac Collins in left field.

An important ending to the series for both teams to set their season. Who will get the final word?

First pitch is 1:35 p.m. EST.

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Paul Toboni and the Washington Nationals will make a lot of bets this season

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 01: The Washington Nationals formally introduce their new Washington Nationals President of Baseball Operations, Paul Toboni at Nationals Park in Washington, DC on October 01, 2025. (Photo by Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

The Nationals have made one thing clear early in the Paul Toboni era, they will churn through a lot of players. It feels like the Nats are making some sort of roster move every other day. Whether it is small trades or waiver claims, the Nats are going to be active this season.

We saw yet another example of that yesterday when they traded for the recently DFA’d Curtis Mead. The reason why they traded for him and did not claim him is actually interesting. Mead was with the White Sox, who are obviously in the AL. For waiver claims, AL teams get first dibs on AL players. Clearly, the Nats coveted Mead, so they gave up a minor leaguer to get in front of the line.

Taking bets on players like Mead is a solid process for a rebuilding team. Curtis Mead was a top prospect just a few years ago and is still just 25. His elite hitting ability in the minors has not translated to the MLB yet, but the Nats are in a position to give him a shot. If it does not work out, they can either option Mead or just DFA him again. However, if he hits, he could stick around for a while.

Honestly, the strategy is similar to what venture capital firms do, which is what one of you said in the comments. If you take enough of these bets on players with pedigree, at least one or two of them is bound to work out. These are not moves that have much of a chance of making an impact, but the cost of these are very low. All you need for these guys is an open 40 man roster spot and sometimes a lesser known prospect.

The only one of these moves that I have not really loved is the Jorbit Vivas one. Sean Paul Linan is a flawed pitcher, but he is a real prospect. I do not love giving that up for a utility infielder with no minor league options left, especially when you already have Jose Tena. However, Toboni clearly likes Vivas’ skills at the plate, so we will see how that works out.

Spencer Nusbaum, now of the Athletic, actually predicted that the Nats will set the record for the most players rostered in a season. Right now that record is 71, which the Braves did last season. With all these minor moves Toboni is already making, the Nats are likely to at least challenge that record.

This is a departure from the Nats old ways. In the Mike Rizzo days, the Nats tended to stick with the guys they had. They would make the occasional waiver claim, and Rizzo had a couple good ones. Most notably, he claimed Hunter Harvey and Robert Garcia. However, he was not using the waiver wire at the kind of volume Toboni will. For a rebuilding team, I think Toboni’s approach makes more sense. You have room on the roster to give guys chances.

The Nats use of the waiver wire did not start just this spring though. Toboni went on a waiver claim frenzy in January and early February. He picked up guys like Joey Wiemer, Ken Waldichuk, Andre Granillo and Gus Varland, who all made the Opening Day roster. There were also guys who were only on the roster for a few days before getting DFA’d again.

This churn will certainly keep Nats reporters like myself on my toes. There will be a steady stream of players coming and going in DC. If just a couple of these guys hit, all of this activity will be worth it. The Nats are playing with penny stocks right now. It kind of sucks that the team is bad enough to give all these guys opportunities, but hopefully this sort of stuff will pay off in the long run.

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Game Preview: Canadiens vs. Hurricanes

MONTREAL, CANADA - MARCH 24: Seth Jarvis #24 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Kaiden Guhle #21 of the Montréal Canadiens battle for position during the first period at the Bell Centre on March 24, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Carolina Hurricanes are back in action this afternoon with a 5:00 PM puck drop against the Montreal Canadiens at the Lenovo Center. After taking care of the New Jersey Devils 5-2 on Saturday night, the Canes will look to avoid the season sweep versus the Habs this evening.

Montreal owns the season series so far, having beaten Carolina 7-5 on New Year’s Day and 5-2 just five days ago in Montreal. In both games, the Hurricanes dominated possession and outshot the Canadiens significantly, yet somehow found themselves on the wrong end of the scoreboard.

Montreal comes into Raleigh riding a four-game winning streak after beating Nashville 4-1 on Saturday. With 92 points, the Habs are third in the Atlantic Division and are fourth in the Eastern Conference.

The Canadiens remain in a battle for the playoffs, but are in a good position with 10 games remaining in the regular season. The Habs are on a four-game winning streak and are 9-4-2 since the Olympic break.

Cole Caufield is leading the way for Montreal this year. He has 45 goals this season and is chasing Nathan MacKinnon’s 48 goals for the league lead. No Canadien has led the NHL in goals since Guy Lafleur in 1977-78. Caufield is lethal from the slot and has been particularly dangerous against the Hurricanes, scoring in both meetings this year.

Juraj Slafkovský and Oliver Kapanen also scored in each of the previous two meetings between these teams.

Nick Suzuki has been outstanding as the team’s first-line center with 88 points in 72 games and has points in eight of his last nine games. He ranks ninth in the league in scoring, and his 64 assists are sixth-best in the NHL.

Sophomore defenseman Lane Hutson is having a Norris-caliber season with 71 points, and 19-year-old Ivan Demidov continues to shine in his rookie campaign with 16 goals and 40 assists.

With Jacob Flower earning the win over Nashville last night, Jakub Dobes is the likely starting goaltender. He was impressive in his first appearance against Carolina, stopping 41 of 43 shots on March 24. If he gets the start today, the Canes will be facing a goaltender who has posted a .926 save percentage over his last six starts and played great against them less than a week ago.

Montreal, under head coach Martin St. Louis, is a high-event, transition-based attack that prioritizes finishing quality over shot volume. The Canadiens rank 3rd in goals per game despite sitting just 20th with an expected-goals-for share of 48.76 percent. The Habs, fueled by Caufield’s elite 20.7 percent rate and slot-heavy offensive deployment, lead in the NHL in shooting percentage. The power play is a top-five unit at 24.5 percent, quarterbacked by Hutson at the point, and Suzuki being the playmaker. Suzuki ranks third in the league with 39 power play points.

On the flip side, the Canadiens’ kill ranks 26th in the league. The last power play goal they surrendered was a Nikolaj Ehlers tally five days ago.

Canadiens projected lineup

Cole Caufield — Nick Suzuki — Juraj Slafkovsky

Alex Newhook — Oliver Kapanen — Ivan Demidov

Zachary Bolduc — Jake Evans — Josh Anderson

Joe Veleno — Phillip Danault — Brendan Gallagher

Mike Matheson — Noah Dobson

Jayden Struble — Lane Hutson

Kaiden Guhle — Alexandre Carrier

Jakub Dobes

Jacob Fowler

Scratched: Arber Xhekaj, Samuel Montembeault

Injured: Kirby Dach (upper body), Patrik Laine (lower body), Alexandre Texier (lower body)

Saturday’s win over the Devils showed exactly what this team is capable of when things click. The Canes scored five straight goals after falling behind 1-0, with Nikolaj Ehlers lighting the lamp on the power play and Seth Jarvis notching his 30th goal of the season on a shorthanded empty-netter. Shayne Gostisbehere returned from a three-week absence with a goal and an assist, and continues to perform during an injury-laden season.

The return of Gostisbehere is huge. His 43 points in 45 games lead all Hurricanes defensemen, and having him back as the power-play quarterback should give that unit a boost. He looked like he hadn’t missed a beat against the Devils.

Ehlers continues to be red-hot in March. He is on a three-game goal streak and has 17 points in 13 games this month.

Jarvis’s empty-netter last night made him just the sixth player in franchise history with at least three consecutive 30-goal seasons.

Jordan Staal scored yesterday against the Devils, and that marker put him in sole possession of eighth on the franchise’s all-time goal-scoring list. His next goal will put him at the 20-goal mark for the first time since the 2015-16 season.

With Brandon Bussi earning the win on Saturday, expect Frederik Andersen to get the start this afternoon. Andersen has played better since the Olympic break, earning a 6-2-0 record. However, one of those blemishes was the loss in Montreal, in which he allowed three goals on just 19 shots.

Hurricanes projected lineup

Andrei Svechnikov — Sebastian Aho — Seth Jarvis

Taylor Hall — Logan Stankoven — Jackson Blake

Nikolaj Ehlers — Jordan Staal — Jordan Martinook

William Carrier — Mark Jankowski — Eric Robinson

Jaccob Slavin — Jalen Chatfield

K’Andre Miller — Sean Walker

Shayne Gostisbehere — Alexander Nikishin

Frederik Andersen

Brandon Bussi

Scratched: Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Nicolas Deslauriers, Mike Reilly

Injured: Pyotr Kochetkov (lower body)

The Canes are wearing their red jerseys tonight and will honor veterans, active-duty personnel, Guard members, and reservists during Military Appreciation Night.

Here’s how to check out the action:

  • Time: 5:00 PM ET
  • Location: Lenovo Center – Raleigh, NC
  • TV: FanDuel Sports Network with Mike Maniscalco, play-by-play; Tripp Tracy, color analyst; Shane Willis, analyst; Hannah Yates, rinkside.
  • Radio: 99.9 The Fan FM
  • Line: ML: CAR -175; PL: CAR -1.5 +142
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Snake Bytes 3/29

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 17: Eduardo Rodriguez #52 of Team Venezuela pitches against Team United States during the first inning at loanDepot park on March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Just a reminder, there is no Dbacks game today.


Team News

D-backs drop series finale, look forward to home Opening Day

“We won a lot of innings of baseball over the course of this three-game series,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “Yet we’re 0-3, so that’s frustrating. It’s very frustrating. This was a tough series, no doubt about it. I did not think we would be coming home 0-3, but we are. We’ve got to understand why it happened, accept why it happened, get better, and get ready for a very, very spirited Monday Opening Day. Our crowd will be waiting for us. We can’t wait to come home.”
https://www.mlb.com/dbacks/news/diamondbacks-lose-series-finale-versus-dodgers-head-home-for-opening-day

Eduardo Rodriguez throws gem, but Dodgers come back late to sweep Diamondbacks

“Went out there for five innings, that was really good. I was mixing all my pitches, using everything that I have and we had a really good plan,” Rodriguez said. “We got out there and executed it, so everything was working really well.”
https://arizonasports.com/mlb/arizona-diamondbacks/dodgers-sweep-diamondbacks/3616031/

Ketel Marte hugs Freddie Freeman for an out during Diamondbacks-Dodgershttps://arizonasports.com/haboob-blog/ketel-marte-hugs-freddie-freeman/3616021/

Diamondbacks Make Franchise History for the Wrong Reason vs Dodgershttps://www.si.com/mlb/diamondbacks/onsi/arizona-diamondbacks-game-day/diamondbacks-franchise-history-wrong-reason-dodgers

Eduardo Rodriguez Showed D-backs Fans Why 2026 Could be Differenthttps://www.si.com/mlb/diamondbacks/onsi/arizona-diamondbacks-news/eduardo-rodriguez-showed-d-backs-fans-2026-different

Former Diamondbacks Infielder Signs with Phillieshttps://www.si.com/mlb/diamondbacks/onsi/arizona-diamondbacks-news/former-diamondbacks-infielder-signs-phillies-alcantara

Other Baseball

Cease K’s 12 — including 7 in a row — in record-setting Blue Jays debut
https://www.mlb.com/news/dylan-cease-strikes-out-12-in-blue-jays-debut

Smith’s walk-off slam delivered with heavy heart from mother’s passing https://www.mlb.com/news/dominic-smith-hits-walk-off-grand-slam-in-braves-debut

Reds 3B Eugenio Suarez uses ABS challenge to counter back-to-back blown calls from umpire C.B. Bucknor
https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/reds-3b-eugenio-suarez-uses-abs-challenge-to-counter-back-to-back-blown-calls-from-umpire-cb-bucknor-015821359.html




Anything Goes

This day in history:

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/march-29

This day in baseball:

https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/March_29


Moths do not have stomachs.

This may be because most species of moths do not eat at all. Some moths such as the Luna moth emerges from its cocoon and never eats. This species lives for about a week long.


Humans have just 1 bone fewer than horses.

Horses have an average of 205 bones or more while the adult human is set at 206. On average, horses will live for 25-30 years.


The guillotine was invented to create “equality in execution.” Until its widespread use, the regular methods of execution in France were rather savage. Punishment like being drawn and quartered was common. The idea to use the guillotine as the main method of execution was part of the movement for equality in France that spurred on the revolution.

Adolf Hitler helped design the Volkswagen Beetle. Between Hitler and Ferdinand Porsche, the iconic bug-like car was designed as part of a Hitler-revived German initiative to create an affordable and practical car that everyone could own.

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Big Ten vs SEC? How players view conference supremacy debates in NCAA Tournament

CHICAGO — The Big Ten is the best conference in college basketball. No, the SEC deserves that honor. And what about the Big East?

College basketball fans and media have harped over conference supremacy for much of the 2025-26 men's college basketball season: The SEC got the most teams into the Men's NCAA Tournament, with 10 teams that largely performed to their seedings — excepting, of course, defending national champion and No. 1 seed Florida.

REQUIRED READING: At Michigan, Dusty May's son is the student manager his dad once was

The Big Ten had the most teams left standing entering the Elite Eight play on Saturday, March 28, and could potentially field half the Final Four field should No. 1 seed beat No. 6 seed Tennessee on Sunday, March 29. The Volunteers are the last remaining hope for the SEC.

The four Big Ten teams in the Elite Eight beat the old record of three, which occurred in 2000, 2005 and 2019. However, no Big Ten team has won the national championship since 2000, when Michigan State cut down the nets in, ironically, Indianapolis. Could the quarter century-long curse end there on April 6?

But while talk shows and fans continue to banter on about conference supremacy, how much do the players — the ones actually playing in the games — care about that chatter?

It depends on who you ask.

“Not really,” Tennessee freshman Nate Ament said when asked how much he caried about being the last SEC team standing. “We’re grateful to the SEC for getting us prepared for this tournament. There are so many tough teams in the SEC. But again, it’s just how the cookie crumbles. We’re the only SEC team left, so we want to represent the SEC, but that’s not our motivation or fuel.”

The Vols knocked off No. 2 seed Iowa State in the Midwest Region semifinal at United Center in Chicago on Friday, March 27. Tennessee will take on the Wolverines with a chance to advance to the Final Four for the first time in program history. The Wolverines, of course, are one of the handful of Big Ten teams remaining.

“Obviously, we’re all on social media, so we definitely see it,” Michigan guard Trey McKinney said. “But I think it just really shows the strength of the Big Ten Conference, and I think the Big Ten Conference is definitely the best conference in America.”

McKinney added that he does root for other Big Ten Conference teams when he tunes into games, but with a caveat: “We tend to root for certain Big Ten teams,” McKinney said with a laugh.

Michigan senior guard Roddy Gayle Jr. agreed with McKinney’s assessment.

“I feel like the Big Ten is just one big group,” Gayle said. “I root for the Big Ten teams, especially because I feel like it boosts the conference, it boosts the teams and brings more eyes on the conference.”

ARMOUR: My apologies, Big Ten. I was wrong to doubt you

Last season, four SEC teams played in the Elite Eight — including Tennessee — with two advancing to the Final Four. Florida defeated Auburn to advance to the national championship, and took home the title after beating Houston.

This year, Tennessee is the last chance for the SEC to win its third national title since 2012.

Tennessee forward Felix Okpara said the team does not feel any added pressure to win for the SEC this season. However, Maryland transfer Ja’Kobi Gillespie said the team does want to represent the SEC well.

The nine Big Ten teams in the 2026 NCAA Tournament have gone a combined 17-5. That includes a perfect 4-0 against the SEC in March Madness entering play on March 29.

“We definitely want to put on for the SEC,” Gillespie said. “But I think we just go out there and play. I mean, it’s whoever is the better team tomorrow. None of the regular season matters anymore.”

REQUIRED READING: Men's NCAA Tournament expert picks: Predictions for Elite 8 games Sunday

Michigan, should it beat Tennessee on March 29, would play Arizona in the Final Four next weekend in Indianapolis. If the Wolverines advance to the national title game, they could play Illinois, assuming the Fighting Illini also advance.

Gayle has the same belief that many SEC, ACC and Big East teams have come out of the NCAA Tournament feeling.

“I hope we don’t have to play any of them,” Gayle said with a laugh. “They have all our scouts.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Big Ten, SEC players view conference supremacy debates in March Madness

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Texas Rangers lineup for March 29, 2026

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 26: Andrew McCutchen #4 of the Texas Rangers reacts after hitting a double during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies on March 26, 2026 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Texas Rangers lineup for March 29, 2026 against the Philadelphia Phillies: starting pitchers are MacKenzie Gore for the Rangers and Jesus Luzardo for the Phillies.

Texas will look to take the rubber game with new addition MacKenzie Gore on the mound. Evan Carter and Joc Pederson sit against the lefty, and Kyle Higashioka gets his first start of the season.

The lineup:

Nimmo — RF

Langford — CF

Seager — SS

Burger — 1B

McCutchen — DH

Higashioka — C

Jung — 3B

Haggerty — LF

Duran — 2B

12:35 pm Central start time. Rangers are +135 underdogs.

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MLB Home Run Predictions Today: Best HR Prop Bets, Picks, Parlay & Odds for Sunday, March 29

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Season-opening series wrap up on Sunday, as we'll see if early-season trends can hold up with the third-best starting pitcher on the mound for each team. 

Young star Roman Anthony will look to continue his hot start, while fellow star on the rise Gunnar Henderson wants to break through. 

Check out my favorite MLB player props for March 29.

Best MLB home run props today

Player to hit a HROdds
Reds Austin Riley+400
Reds Roman Anthony+390
Reds Gunnar Henderson+285
💲Today's HR parlay+12027

Austin Riley (+400)

The Royals will start 36-year-old innings-eater Seth Lugo, who gave up three home runs in nine spring innings. The Atlanta Braves lineup took him deep twice when they faced him last year, and Austin Riley has a career .910 OPS against Lugo with two home runs. 

Riley has beaten up Kansas City pitching in the first two games, posting a 1.196 OPS. He led the Braves with five home runs in spring training, but he's still looking for his first extra-base hit of the regular season. 

That will come this afternoon.

  • Time: 1:35 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: MLB Network

Roman Anthony (+390)

After an injury interrupted his debut season last year, Roman Anthony is ready to take a star turn. He had an OPS+ of 140 in 71 games last year and is ready to make up for lost time.

Anthony had two WBC homers for Team USA and hit .300 in spring training for Boston when not with the national team. In two games that count, he's gotten four hits. 

Anthony hasn't had an extra base hit but could break through against Cincinnati’s Rhett Lowder, making his seventh career start and first since 2024 after missing all last year with injury. 

  • Time: 1:40 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: CINR, NESN

Gunnar Henderson (+285)

Gunnar Henderson was one of the stars for Team USA at the WBC, hitting .400 with two homers and 1.267 OPS.

He's still seeking his first hit after two games in the regular season, striking out five times in eight at-bats. New manager Craig Albernaz was supportive of him after he showed frustration on the field Saturday.

Gunnar Henderson has a home run against Twins starter Bailey Ober in his career, and Ober struggled in the spring, with a WHIP of 1.769 and less than a strikeout every two innings. Look for Henderson to break through in game three. 

  • Time: 1:35 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: MASN, MNMT
2026 Transparency record
  • HR picks: 2-2, +3.6 units

Today’s HR parlay

Reds Austin RileyBet Now
+12027
Reds Roman Anthony
Reds Gunnar Henderson

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.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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SB Nation Reacts: Boston is home to The Garzilla

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 27: Luka Garza #52 of the Boston Celtics attempts a layup against forward Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at the TD Garden on March 27, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sometimes it feels like you know how 80% of a Celtics game is going to go.

Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are going to do half of the heavy lifting. Payton Pritchard and Derrick White will cover about another third. But it’s that other 15-20% that you’re going to get from your 5th, 6th, and down to your 9th or 10th man that’s unpredictable. Those role players just might swing a game and that game might just swing a series in the playoffs.

The Celtics roster is littered with guys like that. All year, everybody from Neemias Queta to Jordan Walsh to Hugo Gonzalez to Baylor Scheierman have won the Tommy Award.

And then there’s Luka Garza.

It wasn’t that long ago that Garza was the consensus National Player of the Year in college basketball. In 2020, he averaged 24 and 10 in his junior season at Iowa and followed that up with a First Team All-American selection.

Unfortunately, the college game doesn’t necessarily translate to the NBA. Garza persevered through four seasons with the Pistons and Timberwolves and has finally carved out a spot in Joe Mazzulla’s rotation.

With Nikola Vucevic, Boston’s major pickup at the trade deadline, on the mend, Garza is back terrorizing opposing teams’ frontcourts with his relentless work ethic in the paint, savvy screening above the break, and the occasional three-pointer that harkens back to Al Horford’s catapult-ish shot from behind the arc.

And even when Vooch returns, Celtics fans have resoundingly voted to keep Garza in the fold when the playoffs start next month. Maybe it’s just a two-minute stint in a double big lineup with Queta. Maybe Vucevic gets into early foul trouble. Maybe Mazzulla just wants to shake up the energy with the Garzilla roaming the baseline. Regardless, it’s clear that Luka has found a home in Boston.

If you want to shake up your energy, head on over to https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba.