March 2025

There were 1,679 posts published in March 2025 (this is page 73 of 168).

Max Fried shines as Yankees and Red Sox play to 4-4 tie

The Yankees tied the Boston Red Sox, 4-4, on Tuesday afternoon in Tampa.

Here are the key takeaways…

–Max Fried looked dialed in and ready for the start of the regular season. Showcasing a nasty pickoff move to nab Kristian Campbell in the first inning, Fried looked ready to take on the role of ace in Gerrit Cole’s absence.

The lefty went 4.1 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while striking out three without a walk. He threw 68 pitches, 44 of which were strikes, and lowered his spring ERA to 2.53.

-Legendary manager Joe Torre came out to take the ball from Fried, and both Torre and Fried received a nice ovation from the crowd.

–Aaron Judge has had a rough spring at the plate, but after punching out in the first, he roped a double off of Walker Buehler in the fourth, slamming it off the wall in left-center for the Yanks’ first hit of the game.

-On the other end of that hitting spectrum has been Cody Bellinger, as he continued his red-hot spring with an RBI single to score Judge and put the Yankees on the board.

–Anthony Volpe has also had a tough going at the plate this spring, but he stung an RBI single to center in the fourth to score Bellinger and increase the lead to 2-0.

Volpe came up clutch again in the sixth, sneaking a single up the middle to score two more (one on a bobble by the center fielder) and break a 2-2 tie.

The young shortstop went 2-for-3 to raise his batting average to .179.

-Some notes on a couple of players on the roster bubble:

  • Dom Smith had a tough first inning in the field. After he couldn’t scoop a would-be double play ball, he then dropped a routine throw from Oswald Peraza at third base, and was charged with an error. Smith went 0-for-3 with a strikeout.
  • Also on the bubble is J.C. Escarra, who served as the DH on Tuesday. Signed to a minor league contract this offseason, Escarra’s bat has made him a very viable option for the Opening Day roster. Escarra went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.

Who was the game MVP?

Fried, who wasn’t overpowering, but had batters off balance for the first 4.1 innings.

Highlights

What’s next

The Yankees host the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday evening at 6:35 p.m.

Take These Steps Now to Protect Your Data From Medusa Ransomware

More than 300 organizations in critical infrastructure, including the medical, tech, and manufacturing sectors, have been victimized by a ransomware threat known as Medusa—and with attacks escalating significantly in the first few months of 2025, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) are advising companies to take steps now to secure their systems.

What is Medusa ransomware?

Medusa is a ransomware-as-a-service software that, when deployed successfully, encrypts your data along with a threat to release stolen information unless you comply with ransom demands.

According to the CISA advisory, victims receive ransom notes requesting a response within 48 hours, or Medusa actors will reach out to them by phone or email. Victims are also listed on a data-leak website alongside a countdown timer and ransom demands with direct links to cryptocurrency wallets. Victims can pay $10,000 to add a day to the countdown—meanwhile, Medusa advertises the data for sale before the timer runs out. This “double extortion” approach forces payment to both decrypt locked files and prevent them from being released or sold (so even if you have a backup you can recover, you still face the threat of information being leaked).

The Medusa ransomware was first identified in June 2021 and has since affected organizations across the medical, education, legal, insurance, technology, and manufacturing industries. According to the advisory, Medusa actors use common tricks like phishing campaigns and exploitation of unpatched software vulnerabilities to steal victims’ credentials and gain access to their systems.

While much of the Medusa threat mitigation happens at the organizational level, there are a few things you as an individual can do to protect your accounts and—by extension—the company you work for.

How to protect yourself from Medusa ransomware

The FBI and CISA are recommending a number of steps to lock down your devices and data against the Medusa threat:

  • Use long, strong passwords for all accounts (a minimum of 15 characters is recommended).

  • Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible, but especially for webmail, VPNs, and accounts with access to critical systems.

  • Update operating systems, software, and firmware regularly to ensure timely patching of known vulnerabilities.

  • Use a VPN when accessing systems remotely.

The advisory also has guidance for organizations, such as auditing user accounts, maintaining offline backups, utilizing network monitoring tools, and discontinuing frequent mandatory password changes (which are considered outdated and may make systems less secure, not more).

Oregon court rules voter-approved gun law constitutional

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

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Measure 114 prohibits the sale and transfer of high capacity magazines and limits possession of them.
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The Oregon Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that Oregon Ballot Measure 114, a voter-approved gun control law, is constitutional under the state’s constitution, overturning a previous decision by a Harney County judge who had blocked its enforcement. The measure, which mandates permits for firearm purchases and restricts magazine capacity to ten rounds, remains on hold as opponents indicate plans to appeal to the Oregon Supreme Court.

The appellate court’s decision reverses a 2023 ruling by Harney County Circuit Judge Robert S. Raschio, who had found Measure 114 unconstitutional under Oregon’s right to bear arms.

The law, passed by voters in 2022, remains blocked from enforcement pending further appeals. Tony Aiello Jr., representing Oregon gun owners who filed the lawsuit challenging Measure 114, vowed to take the case to the Oregon Supreme Court.

Attorney General Dan Rayfield praised the ruling as a victory for public safety, while the Oregon Senate Republican Caucus stated that the measure infringes on constitutional rights and imposes excessive barriers to gun ownership.

Measure 114, approved by Oregon voters in November 2022 with 50.6% of the vote, introduces additional firearm regulations in the state. The law requires individuals to obtain a permit before purchasing firearms, mandates successful completion of a gun safety course and a background check, and bans the sale of magazines holding more than ten rounds. Despite its approval by voters in a referendum, the measure has faced legal challenges that have delayed its implementation.

A separate federal lawsuit challenging Measure 114 is still under review by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.





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Dodgers vs. Cubs – MLB in Tokyo – Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats

Wednesday, March 19 the Los Angeles Dodgers (1-0) are in Tokyo for Game 2 of their series against the Chicago Cubs (0-1).

The Dodgers took Game 1 by the score of 4-1. Shota Imanaga and Yoshinobu Yamamoto started for Chicago and LA respectively in the first all-Japanese starting pitching matchup on opening day in MLB history. Although Imanaga threw four shutout innings, the Cubs’ bullpen could not hold the lead. Yamamoto threw five innings of 3-hit, 1-run ball for the win and the Dodgers’ bullpen was perfect over the final four innings. Shohei Ohtani picked up a couple of hits and scored two runs to spark the LA lineup that was without Mookie Betts (illness) and Freddie Freeman (ribs).

Rookie Roki Sasaki (0-0) takes the mound for the Dodgers in the series finale against Justin Steele (0-0).

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

Game details & how to watch Dodgers at Cubs

  • Date: Wednesday, March 19, 2025
  • Time: 6:10AM EST
  • Site: Tokyo Dome
  • City: Tokyo, Japan
  • Network/Streaming: FS1

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Dodgers at the Cubs

The latest odds as of Tuesday afternoon:

  • Moneyline: Los Angeles Dodgers (-150), Chicago Cubs (+125)
  • Spread: Dodgers -1.5 (+110)
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Listen to the Rotoworld Baseball Show for the latest player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Probable starting pitchers for Dodgers at Cubs

  • Wednesday’s pitching matchup (DATE): Roki Sasaki vs. Justin Steele
    • Dodgers: Roki Sasaki
      Spring Training: 2GP, 7 IP, 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 7Ks
    • Cubs: Justin Steele
      2024: 24 starts, 134.2 IP, 5-5, 3.07 ERA, 135 Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for Wednesday’s game between the Dodgers and the Cubs

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday’s game between the Dodgers and the Cubs:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Dodgers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the LA Dodgers -1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Dodgers vs. Cubs: Betting Trends and Recent Stats

  • Shohei Ohtani was the only player on either team to pick up multiple hits
  • Kyle Tucker went hitless in 4 trips to the plate
  • Tanner Scott picked up 1st save with LA pitching a perfect 9th 

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

NBA playoffs 2025 seeding, standings, record, matchups: Could the Clippers knock off Thunder in potential 1st-round matchup?

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

In the latest episode of “The Kevin O’Connor Show,” longtime NBA player Marcus Morris joined Kevin O’Connor to discuss the Western Conference landscape, shining a spotlight on the Oklahoma City Thunder’s impressive run as the top seed in the West at 56-12. Morris, who has played for eight NBA teams, shared his perspective on the young OKC squad.

Morris expressed doubt about the Thunder’s readiness to conquer the playoffs, citing their lack of veteran presence as a glaring deficiency. O’Connor asked Morris, “Who’s best equipped to beat them then?” Marcus promptly backed the L.A. Clippers — with a caveat of a “healthy Kawhi Leonard.”

The Clippers’ potential clash with the Thunder could be a compelling first-round playoff battle, with L.A. currently sitting in eighth in the West with a 38-30 record. Morris illustrated his point, emphasizing the importance of seasoned playoff experience. “With a healthy Kawhi, I think they got a shot of beating them just because of the experience,” Morris said. Despite Leonard’s health concerns throughout his tenure with the Clippers, the possibility of him being fit for postseason action fuels optimism among Clippers faithful.

Oklahoma City’s young talent, headlined by BetMGM MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is a dominant force. But as O’Connor argued, the Thunder’s youth could lead to underestimation by playoff opponents. Morris acknowledged SGA’s brilliance, but lamented the uncertainties surrounding his supporting cast.

It’s the ultimate postseason conundrum: Can raw talent edge out playoff-proven veterans and experience? As the playoffs loom, the Thunder have plenty of questions to answer.

To hear the full discussion, tune into “The Kevin O’Connor Show” on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.

NBA playoffs 2025 seeding, standings, record: Do the Lakers’ have enough to get to the NBA Finals?

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

On the latest episode of “The Kevin O’Connor Show,” longtime NBA veteran Marcus Morris discusses the ceiling of the new-look Los Angeles Lakers, who are 42-25 and sit fourth in the West. With Luka Dončić alongside LeBron James, the stakes are higher than ever. Will the Lakers shake up the Western Conference? Morris didn’t hold back in unraveling the potential of this revamped team.

“Whenever you have LeBron James and Luka Dončić as your primary ball handlers … that’s 100,” Morris said. 

Marcus Morris was on a call with his brother, Markieff, when the jaw-dropping blockbuster deal went down: “Luka Dončić has just been traded.”

This bold move aligns perfectly with the Lakers’ bid to climb back to the top of the Western Conference. The pairing of Dončić and LeBron has the makings of basketball alchemy — meshing LeBron’s unparalleled leadership with Dončić’s dynamic style. James is still out with a groin injury, but his return is looming.

“LeBron’s become a knockdown shooter playing off Luka,” Kevin O’Connor said. It’s this ability to adjust that could considerably extend LeBron’s already legendary career.

The ripple effects of the trade don’t just end with the Lakers. The entire conference must now reckon with the Lakers’ reinvigorated duo. If the Lakers can integrate their new roster efficiently, they are Marcus Morris’ pick to dominate all the way to the NBA Finals.

Having traded key players to go all-in with Luka, the Lakers have placed a significant wager on this recalibrated formula. As the playoffs inch closer, L.A.’s gamble becomes enormous: Will the LeBron-Dončić era usher in a new period of Western Conference dominance?

To hear the full discussion, tune into “The Kevin O’Connor Show” on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.

Longtime NBA vet Marcus Morris isn’t having it with 76ers exec Daryl Morey: ‘I just don’t trust him’

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

On “The Kevin O’Connor Show,” longtime NBA veteran Marcus Morris was highly critical of 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, ripping the executive’s approach to the game and team management style.

“I don’t trust Daryl Morey,” Morris said. “I just don’t trust him. I think he’s thinking too far ahead of the way basketball needs to be played.”

Morris expressed concerns about Morey’s heavy reliance on numbers and AI, emphasizing the importance of team chemistry and the human aspect of basketball. He critiqued Morey’s tendency to prioritize analytics over the intangible aspects that contribute to a team’s success.

“Does he even understand the dynamic of being in Philadelphia?” Morris asked “What guys you need to play in Philadelphia? Like, understand how the team needs to jell first.

“What does AI do? Like, I understand the effects it can have on other spots … but telling you what guys you should choose or which guy fits what you’re trying to do?”

According to Morris, Morey’s strategy of frequently changing players and trying to innovate the game may overlook the significance of stability and cohesion within a team. Despite Morey’s successful track record with the Houston Rockets, Morris believes his methods may not necessarily translate well to the Philadelphia 76ers due to differing team dynamics and player requirements.

“It’s kind of like he’s trying to outsmart the game too much,” Morris said

Ultimately, Morris questioned whether Morey’s analytical approach could potentially undermine the team’s chemistry and overall performance on the court.

With the 76ers sitting at 23-45, good for 13th in the Eastern Conference, and Paul George joining Joel Embiid in being out for the season, things are a long way from getting better in Philadelphia.

To hear the full discussion, tune into “The Kevin O’Connor Show” on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.

Aroldis Chapman favored to earn Red Sox closer role: Report

Aroldis Chapman favored to earn Red Sox closer role: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

With just over a week until Opening Day, a clear frontrunner has emerged in the Boston Red Sox closer competition.

Veteran left-hander Aroldis Chapman is the “in-house favorite” to begin the 2025 season as Boston’s closer, according to MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam. The 37-year-old has been competing with Liam Hendriks and Justin Slaten for the role in spring training.

Chapman’s performance has been as advertised so far this spring. The seven-time All-Star has racked up 10 strikeouts over 5.1 innings (six games), but his four walks suggest command remains a concern. He had 5.7 walks per nine innings last season with the Pittsburgh Pirates and hasn’t had a BB/9 below 5.0 since 2020.

Still, Chapman’s pitching has looked sharper than Hendriks’ and Slaten’s over the last month. Hendriks, returning from Tommy John recovery, entered Tuesday with a 10.80 ERA over five spring appearances. Slaten has a 4.91 ERA in four games.

If Chapman falters out of the gate, the Red Sox shouldn’t hesitate to give the closer job to Hendriks or Slaten. Hendriks was an elite closer from 2019-22 and Slaten is coming off a breakout rookie season in which he notched a 2.93 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in 44 appearances.

The trio will play a significant role in the club’s 2025 success. Boston’s bullpen ranked near the bottom of the league in ERA (4.39) and WHIP (1.34) last year.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora has not yet made any official Opening Day roster decisions. He’ll have to finalize his 26-man roster before March 27, when the club begins its 2025 campaign on the road against the Texas Rangers.

Boston signed Chapman to a one-year, $10.75 million contract in December. Chapman has 15 years of MLB experience with the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, and Pirates.