Happy Friday everyone! We’ve moved on from the World Baseball Classic to some extent (though we do have some reactions to it below), and we’re now entering the final week of Spring Training (where has the time gone??). With less than a week left before we have regular season baseball, we do still have some fun things going on, with Spring Breakdown.
And as the regular season gets closer, all eyes will be on healing players to see how they are faring (we’re watching you, Shohei Ohtani).
There’s a lot
of fun stuff in today’s links, including two of the most insane ballpark desserts I’ve ever seen, and a potentially risking pitching decision for the Dodgers. So let’s get right into it.
- Brendan Gawlowski shares his notes from a week of Cactus League action.
- Ryan Blake assesses how the White Sox are trying to manage their catcher position.
- Rob Terranova gives a breakdown of how to keep track of Spring Breakdown.
- Here’s a look at all 30 Spring Breakdown rosters. (MLB)
- Tom Verducci shares how Shohei Ohtanti and Aaron Judge are spearheading a new golden age of baseball.
- Despite a rough Spring Training, the Dodgers will be using Roki Sasaki as a starter this season. Story by Ryan Phillips.
- After his appeal, Jurickson Profar will still have a full 162-game suspension for PED use. (ESPN)
- Keith Law looks at some breakout candidates for 2026. (The Athletic subscription required.)
- Huge ratings for the WBC.
- Davy Andrews gets a little hyped about Nolan McLean, who is currently looking fairly unhittable.
- Netflix is offering fans a way to get involved with Opening Night, shares Jared Greenspan.
- Keegan Matheson reports that Jays’ postseason star Trey Yeasavage will start the season on the IL.
- Iconic Mets announcer Howie Rose will retire after this season. Story by Kyle Koster.
- Madison Williams looks at how Shohei Ohtani fared in his first Spring Training outing.
- Jeff Passan looks at how the World Baseball Classic’s success was a huge win for everyone.
- Tyler Kepner chats with Chaim Bloom about what to expect from the Cardinals and what he learned from his time with the Red Sox. (The Athletic subscription required.)
- Uuuuuuugh.
- Ben Clemens argues that, yes, stars do matter when it comes to October baseball.
- Will Leitch and Mike Petriello break down the World Series odds for all 30 MLB teams.
- Kyle Koster looks at a potential major change to the WBC that feels very unnecessary.
- Ronald Acuna Jr. shared a sweet moment with his son after winning the WBC with Team Venezuela. Story by Madison Williams.
- Alden Gonzalez looks at how pitch limits shapted the WBC and if they should be changed.
- The Phillies have a new sundae and it’s… a lot.
- The Athletic staff determine which team’s starters are true aces and which are just average Joes. (The Athletic subscription required.)
- Speaking of “a lot”… Oh my god, my arteries hurt just looking at this.
And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster. Make it so.
