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Happy March, everyone! It feels like Spring Training only just got started, but we’re already at World Baseball Classic week as the games get underway on Thursday March 5th. It’s crazy to think that we were just complaining how it felt like winter would never end, and now we’re in the same month that will se MLB games return at last!
We’ve got some fun tidbits to get your week started, as Aaron Judge shares his committment to bringing a WBC victory home for Team USA, while Shohei Ohtani was busy dazzling Japanese fans with his batting practice as he prepared for the big event.
Plus, a little look at the likely lineups for Opening Day (never too soon to get excited), and the Cardinals have decided to stick with Oliver Marmol for at least another two years.
So let’s just jump right into today’s news.
- Here are the projected Opening Day lineups and rotations for every club. (MLB)
- Bryan Hoch reports that Aaron Judge is determined to lead Team USA to a win in the World Baseball Classic.
- Active steals leader Starling Marte has found himself a home with the Royals for the 2026 season. Story by Blake Silverman.
- A crowd in Japan were delighted to get to observe a Shohei Ohtani batting practice. Story by Kyle Koster.
- The Cardinals have extended their contract with manager Oliver Marmol for another two years. (ESPN)
- This is some interesting data.
- Rhett Bollinger reports that Mike Trout is hoping to regain his sprinting speed this season.
- Keegan Matheson shares that team friendships are on hold as players head to the WBC, where Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has told teammate Kazuma Okamoto “Me and you are enemies.”
- Dan Gartland looks at the gorgeous restoration of Hinchliffe Stadium.
- The Dodgers don’t expect Blake Snell to be ready for Opening Day. (AP)
- Eno Sarris looks at some breakout pitching candidates for the 2026 season. (The Athletic subscription required.)
- This is going to be an interesting season.
- Paul Skenes once caught a no-hitter? You bet, and it was thrown by none other than Pete Crow-Armstrong and Masyn Winn. Story by Thomas Harrigan.
- Stephanie Apstein looks at how the Rockies are learning to embrace analytics heading into the new season, in a hopes of recovering from a brutal 2025.
- Ryan Phillips reports that Jesus Luzardo declined to participate in the WBC for Team USA, saying he would only play for Team Venezuela.
- Hot prospect Konnor Griffin just keeps dazzling with yet another home run in Spring Training. (ESPN)
- Jayson Stark wonders if the Blue Jays can actually be better in 2026. (The Athletic subscription required.)
- Big day for card collectors.
And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster. Make it so.