Opening day in baseball. The grass is green, the birds are chirping, and your favorite team will win a penalty. We have a full day of baseball starting at 1:15 pm ET ne Pirates vs. the Mets on Peacock. Below, we dive into some of the stories to watch this year.
Later tonight, the Sweet 16 is out, so we’ve identified some key players who could tilt the matchups in their teams’ favor. It’s a busy day of sports — we’ve got it for you below, and, as always, check it out NBC News to find out more.
Baseball Storylines
We’re following a lot of story lines this season, but you know where to start.
Can the Dodgers have a three-peat?: This season, President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman got two big free agents from the outfielder Kyle Tucker and a jar Edwin Díaz. All eyes are on the Dodgers three-peat, which can match the New York Yankees from 1998 to 2000 and firmly put the franchise in the realm of royalty.
Can Ohtani four-peat as MVP?: Shohei Ohtani he will be pulling double duty for a full season (both pitching and hitting) for the first time since 2023, and Friedman said he is “on the job” as a pitcher. Ohtani has never won a Cy Young Award. He is chasing his fourth consecutive MVP. Only Barry Bonds (2001-04) did just that.
This year’s rookie class is loaded: It is probably led by Connor Griffina 19-year-old shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He may no longer be disdainful of young players, and should give fans hope that the Pirates can take advantage of the years he has left. Paul Skenes. Many other names you can view here.
The AL East is loaded, too: Fresh off their first World Series appearance since 1993, the Toronto Blue Jays were aggressive in free agency, signing a pitcher. Dylan Cease. The Yankees bring back a big team that won 94 games last year. The Red Sox still have it Roman Anthonyand they also brought pots Sonny Gray again Guard Suárez. The Orioles had an offseason, too, adding a five-time All-Star Pete Alonso.
Will the Mets’ makeover work?: The Mets improved a lot this offseason, parting ways with long-term pieces while acquiring big names like. Bo Bichette, Freddy Peralta again Marcus Semien. They will also lean on quality rookies Nolan McLean again Carson Benge. We will soon find out if the pieces fit.
For more MLB news, read our full NBC News story here.
A preview of the Sweet 16
The Sweet 16 tips are out tonight, and we can have four close games. Our reporters check which key players can swing each game.
No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 11 Texas: Matas Vokietaitis it’s been good for the Longhorns as they’ve pulled off several upsets en route to the Sweet 16. The Lithuanian big man is averaging 20 points and 12.5 rebounds in his last two games. We’ve seen this before in competition: The big guy gets hot and the opponent has no answer.
No. 4 Nebraska vs. No. 9 Iowa: Iowa senior guard Bennett Stirtz he attempted 19 3s in the first two games of the tournament, hitting just three of them. But – and a big but! – if he can finally catch fire on the outside, Iowa can start to tilt the stats in favor of the upset. Stirtz is a career 37.3% shooter from deep.
No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 4 Arkansas: Let’s not overthink it: Darius Acuff Jr. from Arkansas is perhaps the most exciting player still in the tournament, a 6-3 guard whose skills are reminiscent of a young Damian Lillard. Over the past two months, Acuff averaged 27.8 points and 6.9 assists while shooting 48% from three-point range. He will be the first of 10 NBA draft picks to be selected in June.
No. 2 Houston vs. No. 3 Illinois: As one of the tallest teams in the country, with nine players 6-6 or taller, the Illini have a knack for cleaning up the glass. Illinois ahead David Mirkovic he’s not posting extraordinary numbers individually (roughly eight rebounds a game), but if he can limit second-chance opportunities for Houston’s already struggling scoring offense, it will be critical.
What we are watching
OK, we may not have any Cinderellas in the Sweet 16 — but we’re not short of interesting matchups and stories.
Tonight, Nebraska and Iowa take their football rivalry to the hardwood. Two powerful new guards face off again: Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr. vs. Arizona Brayden Burries. And Houston is trying to continue its march toward avenging its loss in last year’s championship game.
All times are Eastern:
- 1:15 p.m.: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. New York Mets, to Peacock
- 7:10 p.m.: No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 11 Texas, on CBS
- 7:30 p.m.: No. 4 Nebraska vs. No. 9 Iowa, at TBS
- 8:30 p.m.: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, to Peacock
- 9:45 p.m.: No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 4 Arkansas, on CBS
- 10:05 p.m.: No. 2 Houston vs. No. 3 Illinois, at TBS
What we learn
The IOC has issued a new policy that will prevent transgender women from competing in the Olympics.
The NBA is taking steps to expand, voting yesterday to evaluate bids for teams in Seattle and Las Vegas.
Amber Glenn showed grace on and off the ice. Is this his medal moment at the World Champs?
The NCAA women’s tournament returns tomorrow. NBC Sports also ranked the remaining 16 teams.
Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua He was accused of allegedly speaking objectionable words and biting a woman.
The first use of ABS happened last night. The umps did it right.
That’s it for now! We will be back tomorrow.
