NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Cam Gillus, Ose Okojie and Bryce Harris all scored 14 points, and top-seeded Howard opened the second half with a decisive run to beat No. 3 seed North Carolina Central 70-63 on Wednesday, claiming the MEAC title and a spot in the NCAA tournament.
Howard (23-10) led 26-23 at halftime before breaking the game open down the stretch. The Bison opened the second half on a 15-1 run, turning a three-point lead into a 41-24 advantage with 16:18 remaining and did not trail the rest of the way.
The Bison, who have won two of the last three MEAC Tournament titles, got 14 points apiece from Gillus, Okojie and Harris. Cedric Taylor III added 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Harris finished with 10 rebounds.
N.C. Central (14-18) spent the rest of the half trying to recover and got within six points several times, including 58-52 after a 3-pointer by Dionte Johnson with 4:19 left. Howard answered each push and closed the game at the free-throw line.
Johnson led the Eagles with 14 points and seven rebounds. Gage Lattimore added 12 points, Kelechi Okworogwo scored 11 and Jae Slack had 11 off the bench.
Howard made 27 of 35 free throws, while North Carolina Central committed 13 turnovers.
Up Next
Howard claimed an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Tournament, which begins Tuesday with the First Four. They await their matchup and seeding, which will be revealed on Sunday.
The Mets have once again acquired left-handed relief pitcher Richard Lovelady, as the team has claimed him on waivers from the Nationals and placed right-handed pitcher Justin Hagenman on the 60-day injured list with a rib fracture.
Since signing with the Mets in late June last year, Lovelady has been designated for assignment by the team four times. But he kept going unclaimed on waivers and returning until the most recent DFA in late January, which came to make room for the Mets’ signing of Vidal Bruján.
Since Lovelady is out of options, it’s entirely possible—likely, even—that he’ll be DFA’d again sometime in the near future. There are several left-handed relievers other than Brooks Raley in Mets camp, some of whom have a shot at making the Opening Day roster. And if Raley stays healthy, he figures to be joined by left-handed reliever A.J. Minter so long as his return from injury runs on time.
As for Hagenman, the injury news comes as something of a surprise. He had thrown 8.1 innings in spring training games with a 5.40 ERA and a 5.57 FIP. In his time in the big leagues with the Mets last year, he threw 23.2 innings with a 4.56 ERA and a 3.77 FIP. He has options remaining and very well could’ve started this year in Triple-A Syracuse anyway, but he won’t be eligible to return to major league action for a couple of months.
Mike Vasil in the rotation? Today is his latest test. | (Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
The White Sox have the best chance of beating the Dodgers in the calendar year in today’s last Camelback Ranch duel before the prospect game next week. Seeking their first win against the Dodgers since March 8, 2025, and first Spring Training win against the reigning 2025 World Series Champions, the deck is slightly stacked towards the South Siders for once.
Mike Vasil takes the mound against reliever Justin Wrobleski in what will be another rotation tryout for Vasil. His first Spring Training game and start in February was bumpy, allowing three hits and a run in 1 ⅓ innings. Fueled by his recent three-inning, one-hit relief appearance against the lowly Rockies, Vasil should give the Dodgers and Wrobleski, who has had three quality appearances with only three hits and zero runs allowed, a challenge early in the game.
Several South Siders in the lineup will be looking to make a good impression to secure their spot on the roster before the next round of roster cuts. Luisangel Acuña is getting a few extra reps with the hopes of beating out a banged-up Brooks Baldwin for center field, while Derek Hill is just hoping to stay on the 40-man. And Tristan Peters and Curtis Mead aim to remain reliable utility bench players.
The Dodgers come in with a weaker lineup than usual. Without fixtures Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Will Smith and newly-signed Edwin Díaz (all are representing their countries in the WBC), the Sox have the clearest path to splitting their Glendale series.
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - MARCH 3: Ryan Bergert #38 of the Kansas City Royals throws a pitch 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
In one week, the Royals will play their final Cactus League game of 2026. In two weeks, the Royals will be preparing to play their second game of the season. If we can hang on just a little bit longer, we can make it all the way to Regular Season 2026 Baseball! But until then, the Royals have another lackluster Spring game to play against the Athletics. Here is your lineup:
I count one guy in that lineup who has a real chance of being on the big league roster at the beginning of the season – Nick Loftin. There are no probable starters. Carson Roccaforte is there, but he’s likely ticketed for AA to start the season and wouldn’t be promoted until late in the year. Elias Díaz has had a very interesting spring after Luke Maile had to back out of his RSVP to Royals camp, but I just don’t think the Royals will carry a third catcher to start the year, and I don’t know if he’ll be willing to play in Omaha until they need him.
The most exciting member of this group is probably the starting pitcher, Ryan Bergert. Bergert is also likely to start the year in the minors, but he and Noah Cameron have made it interesting for the final rotation spot even if it’s almost certainly not been interesting enough to cost the local kid his job. Cameron’s velocity and whiffs are still a bit down from last season, but they’re close enough to normal to think he’s probably fine. Add in that he mentioned during a mid-game interview yesterday that the coaching staff had specifically asked him to ramp up a bit slower this year, and everything seems fine. Still, Bergert’s stuff, chases, and whiffs have all been well above average this spring. He might not make the opening day roster, but we’ll definitely see him make multiple starts throughout the season.
After Bergert, the Royals plan to use Daniel Lynch IV, Nick Mears, Jose Cuas, and Hunter Patteson. Mears has a bullpen job all but locked up and Lynch likely has a bead on another. Cuas seemed like a sentimental reunion signing, but his stuff looks significantly better now than when the Royals last saw him so perhaps there’s a future for him with this team, yet. Patteson is ticketed for the minors.
Andrew Pérez and Ben Sears were also included on the roster and we might see them if anyone struggles over-much.
As for me? I’ll probably be watching Vinnie Pasquantino and Jac Caglianone take on Seth Lugo in the World Baseball Classic. Today’s contests seem likely to be quite a bit more competitive than the unfortunate Dominican Republic vs Korea match from yesterday.
PEORIA, ARIZONA - MARCH 5: Jackson Merrill #3 of the San Diego Padres celebrates in the dugout during a Spring Training game against the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Stadium on March 5, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images) | Getty Images
“I’m trying to make more contact, strikeout a little bit less and just hit for more power, a little bit.”
Jackson Merrill outlined his goals for his spring camp during an interview at his clubhouse locker when camp began in February.
He noted that although he weighed about the same, he had made changes to his diet and workout routine in order to get stronger. His goal was to hit the ball harder but not decrease his speed in the outfield or on the base paths. Stealing more bases is his goal in not gaining weight and slowing down.
Earlier this month, ESPN released a list of their top 100 MLB players. Fernando Tatis Jr. is the top ranked player on the San Diego Padres at No. 14, but Merrill was second at No. 43 with Manny Machado at No. 47.
David Schoenfield of ESPN noted that the staff involved in the rankings believe Merrill will have a return to form after suffering multiple injuries in 2025 that contributed to a “sophomore slump” for the centerfielder. They believe his key to achieving superstardom as a player is to decrease his chase rate.
Almost the top rookie in 2024
Merrill finished second to starting pitcher Paul Skenes of the Pittsburg Pirates in the 2024 Rookie of the Year voting. He was the top position player in the voting by far and only lost out to a once-in-a-generation talent in the 21-year-old pitcher. Scenes posted a 1.96 ERA in 133 innings pitched. Although Merrill lost in that competition, he had the best season for a Padres rookie ever.
Promise for 2025
Expectations were high for 2025, despite Merrill only going into his age 22 season. Unfortunately, a series of injuries derailed what could have been another step toward superstardom for the converted shortstop. In early April, Merrill injured his hamstring and was placed on the IL. That injury kept him out until early May, and he was playing well until a concussion sent him back to the IL on June 15. He returned a week later but struggled at the plate, seeing his batting average steadily drop through the rest of June and July. On Aug. 14, he suffered an ankle sprain and bone bruise which put him back on the IL until Sept. 1.
After his return in September, Merrill hit .275/.320/.626 with seven home runs and 16 RBI. He had seven doubles and two triples for a .946 OPS. Fully recovered from all his injuries, Merrill showed what he was capable of.
Despite all these injuries and struggling with his effectiveness after the concussion, Merrill still managed a 112 OPS+ (12 percent better than the average player) and a 3.0 fWAR. He had 16 home runs and 67 RBI total for the year.
What can 2026 become?
FanGraphs, in their 2026 projections, see a 25-homer season with 75 RBI. For his brief career, Merrill has a 35.9% chase rate which puts him in the lower 10 percent of MLB players. He was in the 14 percent in 2024 and the seven percent in 2025, chasing much more last season than in his rookie year.
In his ESPN rankings, Schoenfield believes 30 home runs is in the cards for Merrill, if he can stay healthy this year. His own words tell us that he is aware of his areas for improvement and will be working to add to his game. Merrill is a free swinger, that probably won’t change much but being more selective about what he swing at is the goal.
Padres players have looked much more disciplined this spring, swinging more at pitches in the zone and not chasing outside the zone as much as in the past. Merrill ranks highly amongst MLB players in barrel% at 82 in 2025 but his bat speed and hard-hit percentage are in the middle of the field. His BB% was at 31 last season and eight in 2024 so he has improved his walk rate somewhat.
The statement he made at the start of spring camp reflects his awareness of his weaknesses. His 2026 spring numbers only reflect 30 at-bats so far. He has two home runs and four RBI with four doubles. His BABIP is .300 which suggests that his .267 batting average reflects some poor luck. His OBP is .313, something he needs to improve as the team gets closer to the start of the season. He is slugging .600, with six extra-base hits among his eight hits but has eight strikeouts for a 25% K-rate.
Next steps to superstar status
Results are not what is focused on in spring, process is. That is not something we can measure, and the regular season will show if Merrill is able to reign in his aggressiveness enough to bring down his strikeouts and increase his OBP. His power is going to come with his maturity as a player. He turns 23 in April and is not yet in his prime. It is commonly accepted that players enter their prime between 26-29, with their year 27 playing season being their peak as a hitter.
Merrill has the potential to be an MLB superstar. He has already shown he is among the best at his position, being ranked No. 4 by MLB.
He still has plenty of time to reach his potential but indicators show that 2026 should be an important step in that progression. If he can stay healthy, Merrill can regain the momentum he showed in his rookie season and rocket up the ranks of the best players in the game.
On Friday, TSN’s director of player scouting, Craig Button, released his list of top affiliated prospects and took a look at the best prospects affiliated with Canadian teams.Montreal Canadiens fans will be happy to hear that their favourite has four of the top eight prospects affiliated with a Canadian team.
Button has NCAA sophomore Michael Hage in the top spot, praising him as a sure bet for a top-six NHL player and one who can play both in the middle and on the right. The 19-year-old and his Michigan Wolverines are currently involved in the Big 10 playoffs, and once his season is over, likely after the Frozen Four, Canadiens’ fans should be able to see him make his NHL debut.
Button then has the early second-round pick at the last draft, Alexander Zharovsky, in the second spot. The young Russian has 38 points in 56 games with Salavat Yulaev Ufa, which are very good numbers, but he’s currently struggling a bit and was demoted to the fourth line after scoring just 1 goal in the last 10 games.
In fourth place, he has right-shot defenseman David Reinbacher, who has stepped up nicely with the Laval Rocket this season. The youngster has 22 points in 47 games, but he’s also polished his game, and his decision-making has improved.
Finally, in seventh place, Button puts right-shot defenseman Bryce Pickford, who has been lighting up the WHL this season with 81 points (including 44 goals). He’s 13th in the league in points and tied first in goals with Cameron Schmidt.
It’s encouraging for the Habs to see that not only do they have four players in that top eight, but they have two up front and two on the blueline. The Canadiens’ rebuild has been a masterclass in balance; the front office has been working hard to cover all their bases with talent at every position. While Kent Hughes said when he was hired that he wanted his version of the Canadiens to be a fast-paced, offence-oriented team, he hasn’t gone out all guns blazing, focusing solely on talented forwards like some teams have in the past.
The epic finishes that makes this such a great time in college basketball are already happening, with the latest example coming in the Big Ten tournament. The semifinal matchup between Michigan and Wisconsin was setting up for an epic finish, with the Badgers pulling off a furious comeback to make it a tie game at 65-65 with under 30 seconds left.
The Wolverines had the final possession and for a moment, it didn't look like much was materializing. That was until Elliot Cadeau found Yaxel Lendeborg behind the arc, and he showed why he's the Big Ten Player of the Year.
Lendeborg drilled a 3-pointer with less than a second left to get a 68-65 lead as the Michigan crowd inside United Center erupted.
YAXEL GIVES MICHIGAN THE LEAD IN THE FINAL SECOND!
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 14, 2026
Wisconsin was unable to hit the miracle heave as Michigan avenged a loss from the regular season. It provided an exclamation mark on what was a rather quiet afternoon for Lendeborg, who finished with 12 points, five rebounds and three assists.
But all was redeemed when he hit what play-by-play commentator Ian Eagle called a "triple Yaxel."
"I live for those moments. I've always dreamed of hitting a shot like that, so today was my moment to hit a shot like that, and I did," Lendeborg said on the CBS broadcast.
The win advanced the Wolverines to the Big Ten championship game against the winner of Purdue vs. UCLA on Sunday, March 15, as Michigan closes in on a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 14: Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks the ball during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 14, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Just when you thought they’d win a game in a manner you could feel good about.
The Sixers survived blowing a 28-point lead to the tanking Brooklyn Nets Saturday afternoon, escaping with a 104-97 win.
They are 36-31 and now a half game up on the Atlanta Hawks for the East’s eighth seed.
Quentin Grimes led all scorers with 28 points and eight rebounds shooting 10-of-22 from the floor.
VJ Edgecombe had a solid first half, captaining the offense to put up 16 points and seven assists shooting 6-of-13 from the floor. Justin Edwards continued his solid play of late with 19 points on 9-of-13 shooting. Danny Wolf led the Nets with 15.
Joel Embiid (oblique strain), Tyrese Maxey (finger strain), Paul George (suspension), Kelly Oubre Jr. (elbow strain), Jabari Walker (illness), Johni Broome (meniscus tear) and Andre Drummond (back spasms) were all out for Philadelphia. The Nets were down five players including Michael Porter Jr. and Egor Demin.
Here are some thoughts at the buzzer.
First Quarter
A much better start for Edgecombe who finished a couple early fast breaks with cutting dunks. His first turnaround jumper in the midrange fell as well before the second rimmed out. Dominick Barlow also started well with a couple of drives after erasing a Nolan Traore layup attempt.
VJ Edgecombe into double digits early with 10 points on 5-for-7 FG shooting so far in Q1 pic.twitter.com/BrHIOgX3yq
Edwards has also had some momentum as of late. He had a jumper just rim out as well but had success going to the basket early too. The Nets looked every bit like a high lottery team in March. They gave it away four times early and took nearly eight minutes to crack double-digit points.
Yet another near-poster from Edgecombe, who was just a bit too hard on his attempt to turn poor Josh Minott into dust. His teammates gave him quite a hard time for not being successful, including a big thumbs down from Maxey that was shown on the big screen. Trendon Watford became the latest Sixer able to drive to the basket with relative ease, helping them get out to a 10-point lead.
VJ Edgecombe couldn't quite complete what would have been his third huge slam of the game already… and Tyrese Maxey gave him a thumbs down 😂 pic.twitter.com/vw5Pz7ua8i
It was another shift for Watford that was all over the place. He picked up two quick fouls and a silly technical foul. On top of the baskets he got for himself he had a couple decent actions with Cam Payne. Payne breathed some life into this one by actually being blessed to hit a three-pointer. The bounce pass he hit Watford with on a roll was nice as well.
The Sixers could have messed around a lot and still got out to a 20-point lead with how this Nets team was playing. This sequence below is evidence that they did not have to be at their sharpest. After knocking down a three on their first possession of the second the Nets would go another five minutes before scoring another field goal.
Cam Payne comes up with the steal, misses the pass in transition but makes up for it with another three! pic.twitter.com/UruRzl2C8S
The action was so ugly that Ben Saraf slipped and fell, completely wiping out Dalen Terry as he was trying to make a fast break layup. Terry landed on his shoulder, split his free throws, and drove to the basket a few moments later so it would seem no harm was done. The Sixers took a 22-point lead into the break after the Nets put up 31 points in the half. Brooklyn had more turnovers in the first half (14) than made field goals (11).
Third Quarter
The early third quarter surge from the opponent in this one was just the Nets making a couple of threes — the Sixers were able to withstand that. Edwards had another bout of aggression, scoring six of the Sixers’ first eight points coming out of the half, again walking into the shots he wanted. Those two points he wasn’t responsible for came from a fast break that started with his steal.
Justin Edwards really heating up now, hitting back-to-back jumpers and leading the Sixers with 14 points pic.twitter.com/cEdzsX2NsU
There were some moments where he could have looked for his own shot more, but it was fun to see Edgecombe play a relaxed, controlled game as the lead ball-handler. The only mistake he made halfway through the third was an ambitious cross court outlet pass that was picked off.
The Sixers did look like their regular third quarter selves for a good stretch. They had three ugly turnovers and smoked multiple layups. Edgecombe was also dealing with something at the end of the quarter after getting hit on the head on a drive but didn’t seem to need much medical attention for it on the bench. The best the Nets were able to do with all of that was cut the Sixers’ lead to 21.
Fourth Quarter
Credit to Brooklyn’s pressure because it had proved disruptive. The Sixers didn’t look very capable of scoring with Edgecombe on the bench. A very up-and-down Grimes performance was a big factor in that. It took over three minutes for the Sixers to get their first field goal of the fourth when Grimes drove for a dunk.
It’d be very hard to believe with how this game started, but Brooklyn’s three-point shooting surpassed the Sixers, who hadn’t hit one since the second quarter. Good shooters like Payne and Grimes were cold, but that’s the problem with the roster, they can’t afford the shooters they do have to have bad nights. As the Nets continued to heat up they had cut the lead all the way down to seven halfway through the fourth.
Brooklyn continued to rain down threes as the Sixers continued to try to barrel through double teams unsuccessfully on their end. The Nets took their first lead of the game with a little over three minutes remaining.
It was another reckless drive into two defenders, but Adem Bona was able to draw a foul and retake the lead at the line. Edwards finally got back to going to the rim for a layup. Grimes dribbled out plenty of possessions, but hit just enough midranges to put the game away. This team’s ability to make their wins feel bad as well is second to none.
TORONTO (AP) — Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored an equalizer in the 98th minute to recover a point for the New York Red Bulls in a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC on Saturday in Toronto’s home opener.
Toronto (2-1-1) broke through in the 43rd minute when Dániel Sallói finished from the center of the box after a pass from Djordje Mihailovic. Goalkeeper Luka Gavran helped preserve the lead before halftime, turning aside several early chances from the Red Bulls.
New York (2-1-1) controlled much of the match, holding 63.3% possession and finishing with an 18-12 advantage in shots and an 11-5 edge in corner kicks. Gavran kept Toronto in front throughout the second half with multiple saves as the Red Bulls pressed for an equalizer.
Toronto nearly doubled the lead in stoppage time, but Ethan Horvath denied Sallói to keep New York within reach.
Moments later, the Red Bulls found their breakthrough. Choupo-Moting scored in the eighth minute of added time to salvage the draw and extend New York’s unbeaten streak against Toronto to 14 matches (9 wins, 5 draws) dating back to 2019.
The match was the 45th all-time regular-season meeting between the clubs, with New York holding a 24-10-11 advantage.
Clayton Kershaw’s professional baseball career has officially reached its end.
The longtime Dodgers ace was replaced on Team USA’s World Baseball Classic roster by Blue Jays reliever Jeff Hoffman ahead of Sunday’s semifinal game against the Dominican Republic.
Kershaw, who officially retired after the Dodgers’ World Series run in 2025, did not pitch in any of the Americans’ five WBC games, though he did pitch against the Rockies in a pre-tournament exhibition.
Relief pitcher Clayton Kershaw of Team United States pitches against the Colorado Rockies during the fourth inning of the MLB exhibition game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 4, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Getty Images
He did, however, warm up late in the shocking 8-6 loss to Italy earlier this week, but manager Mark DeRosa did not bring him into the game.
“I’m definitely glad I did it,” Kershaw told reporters Friday about joining the WBC squad, per MLB.com. “Being around this group is a fun way to end it, honestly. I got to know some of these guys that are kind of the faces of the game moving forward, and I got to meet them and watch them up close. It’s been a blessing.”
The three-time Cy Young Award winner said the atmosphere of being part of something on an international stage was special.
United States pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) looks on during batting practice before the game against Great Britain at Daikin Park. Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Slips at key moments proved costly with Andy Farrell’s team able to easily maintain a stranglehold on this fixture
There were some Ireland fans who even said they would not begrudge Scotland victory, the triple crown, and, potentially, a first Six Nations title. There was a sense Gregor Townsend’s side had earned their day in the sun, somehow, especially after the glorious fourth-round triumph against France. And this Ireland team have certainly had their share of vitamin D against Scotland.
Ireland’s players, it soon became clear, did not see it that way. They were visibly keen to remind Scotland that no one is owed anything in elite sport. This was meant to be a transitional season for them, but the quality of this performance penned a depressingly familiar script from a Scottish perspective.
The Philadelphia Flyers return home with a renewed sense of urgency and a measure of momentum as they prepare to face the Columbus Blue Jackets.
After collecting all four points from a demanding midweek back-to-back against the Washington Capitals and Minnesota Wild, the Flyers have kept themselves within reach of the playoff race.
Yet inside the room, there is little appetite for celebration. The standings offer a clear reality: every remaining game carries weight, and any slip could erase the progress they’ve fought to regain.
That urgency will define Saturday’s matchup. With Dan Vladar set to start in goal and AHL veteran call-up Garrett Wilson joining the roster, the Flyers will look to extend their recent success against a Columbus team capable of disrupting rhythm if given the opportunity.
1. Momentum Is Real, But the Flyers Know It’s Fragile
Momentum in the NHL can—and does—quickly, and the Flyers are well aware of that fact.
Their back-to-back victories earlier in the week offered a valuable boost, not only in the standings but also in confidence. Tight games that extend into overtime or shootouts test a team’s composure, and the Flyers have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to handle those situations.
Still, internally, the focus remains squarely on the present moment. The Flyers understand that a short winning stretch means little without sustained execution. Their path toward postseason relevance depends on treating each remaining game with playoff-level urgency—a mindset that has been echoed repeatedly by players and coaches.
2. Dan Vladar Looks to Anchor Another Important Start
Goaltending consistency becomes even more valuable late in the season, and the Flyers will once again turn to Vladar to provide stability in net.
Vladar has shouldered a heavy workload at times during the stretch run, yet he continues to give the Flyers an opportunity to win when games tighten defensively. His calm approach in high-pressure moments—particularly in overtime and shootout situations—has helped the team secure critical points during their playoff push.
Against Columbus, his role may be equally important. The Blue Jackets often rely on quick transitions and opportunistic offense rather than extended zone time, meaning defensive lapses can quickly turn into dangerous chances.
For Philadelphia, that makes Vladar’s ability to track pucks through traffic and manage rebounds a key component of the game plan. When the Flyers are structured defensively and their goaltender is seeing the puck clearly, they become a far more difficult team to break down.
Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar (80). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
3. Garrett Wilson’s Call-Up Adds Experience and Energy
The Flyers’ lineup will also feature a familiar face from the organization’s developmental system.
Garrett Wilson, who has served as captain of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms for the past six seasons, was recently signed to a two-way NHL contract and has now earned a call-up to Philadelphia. For Wilson, the opportunity is both a reward for leadership in Lehigh Valley and a chance to contribute meaningful minutes during a crucial stretch of the season.
If he does end up playing tonight, Wilson’s impact is unlikely to come in the form of highlight-reel scoring. Instead, his value lies in the details: responsible shifts, physical engagement along the boards, and a willingness to play the type of grinding hockey that the Flyers need to fill out their bottom six.
Veteran depth players frequently become important during playoff-style stretches because they understand the demands of tight, low-scoring contests. Wilson’s experience and leadership qualities make him a logical addition to a roster that is balancing youthful energy with situational maturity.
4. Another “Playoff Game” in Everything but Name
Perhaps the most defining characteristic of the Flyers’ current mindset is how clearly they view the remainder of the schedule.
Inside the room, there is little discussion of long-term scenarios or standings projections. Instead, the approach has become simple: treat each game as though it carries the stakes of postseason hockey.
“For me, it’s a playoff game. We need to act like it.”
- Rick Tocchet on Flyers’ game tonight against Blue Jackets, a team they’re chasing pic.twitter.com/3twxixFGmz
For the Flyers, success will depend on maintaining their structure and continuing to capitalize on the balanced scoring that has carried them recently.
If they can replicate the discipline and urgency shown earlier in the week, the opportunity to extend their momentum will be there.
But at this stage of the season, the Flyers understand a simple truth: nothing will be given. Every point must be earned.
Projected Lines
Philadelphia Flyers
Forwards:
Alex Bump - Christian Dvorak - Travis Konecny
Nikita Grebenkin - Trevor Zegras - Owen Tippett
Denver Barkey - Noah Cates - Matvei Michkov
Carl Grundstrom - Sean Couturier - Garnet Hathaway
Mar 10, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Jose Miranda (64) throws to first against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Cleveland Guardians at San Diego Padres, March 14, 2026, 1:10 p.m. PST
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SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 04: Starting pitcher Kyle Freeland #21 of the Colorado Rockies throws a warm-up pitch during the first inning of the MLB exhibition game against Team United States at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 04, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Colorado Rockies spring training game no. 22 thread: Ben Brown vs. Kyle Freeland
Yesterday the Rockies fell to the Texas Rangers, 9–4. Colorado couldn’t overcome a disastrous third inning in which starter José Quintana was pulled after allowing five runs before Ryan Miller entered and surrendered two more. Quintana later returned to start the fourth inning — a maneuver allowed under the relaxed rules of spring training.
The Rockies’ offense was pedestrian, mustering just four hits, though they did draw six walks.
Turning the page to today’s game, the Colorado Rockies take on the Chicago Cubs in one half of a split-squad matchup.
On the mound for the Rockies is Kyle Freeland. This will be Freeland’s third start of the spring after opening camp against Team USA and then pitching on March 9 against the Chicago White Sox. The left-hander allowed one run in one inning against Team USA and one run over two innings against the Sox. Expect Freeland to begin stretching his pitch count with Opening Day just under two weeks away.
Opposing Freeland is Cubs right-hander Ben Brown. The 26-year-old is an imposing presence on the mound, standing 6’6″. Brown primarily works with a fastball-curveball combination, averaging around 96 mph with his fastball and throwing the pitch more than half the time. He also features a changeup that he uses sparingly.
Brown has worked both as a starter and in long relief, and is coming off a rough 2025 season in which he posted a 5.92 ERA over 106.1 innings across 25 games (15 starts). So far this spring, Brown is 1-1 with a 4.05 ERA and nine strikeouts in 6.2 innings pitched.
Also noteworthy is Ethan Holliday (No. 2 PuRP) getting the start at shortstop today. The last time we saw Holliday was 10 days ago with Team USA versus the Rockies. Today’s start gives the young infielder a chance to face big-league pitching alongside players like Brenton Doyle and Hunter Goodman. Holliday isn’t the only young player worth watching today as Kyle Karros looks to stay hot at the plate – the third baseman is hitting a sizzling .417/.481/1.231 across 24 spring at-bats.
Colorado Rockies spring training game no. 23 thread: Zach Agnos vs. Jacob Misiorowski
Meanwhile, over at American Family Fields of Phoenix, the other half of the Rockies will face off against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Opening for the Rockies will be Zach Agnos. This is his second “start” of the spring, having pitched a scoreless first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 7th. Agnos will look to repeat that performance today against the Brewers. So far this spring, Agnos has not allowed a run in five and a third innings of work.
The Rockies split squad lineup with face off against young phenom Jacob Misiorowski. His only other official game action this spring came against the Seattle Mariners on March 8th wherein he pitched 3.1 innings of one run ball while striking out six and walked only one. Earlier this spring he did also pitch two innings, and struck out another five, in an exhibition game against Great Britain’s WBC team.
On the offensive side, the Rockies are lining up an interesting mix of younger major leaguers (Tyler Freeman, Jordan Beck, Ryan Ritter) with some of their top prospects (Charlie Condon, Cole Carrigg, TJ Rumfield). Misiorowki’s biggest issue in his otherwise stellar rookie campaign had been a walk rate of 4.23 per nine innings pitched, so a thing to watch would be whether this youthful Rockies lineup can remain patient at the plate.
PEORIA, ARIZONA - MARCH 12: Gavin Sheets #30 of the San Diego Padres grounds out in the second inning against the Kansas City Royals during a spring training game at Peoria Stadium on March 12, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
San Diego Padres at Texas Rangers, March 14, 2026, 1:05 p.m. PST
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