Week 22 is here, and the fantasy basketball playoff grind continues. With tanking teams and unpredictable rotations, the waiver wire can get weird — so be flexible and do what you have to do.

My Playlist is focused on impact players for your lineup, especially those with games on lighter slates (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday). This week, I’m keying in on the Hornets, Kings, Pelicans, Knicks, Pistons and Magic. The Suns and Timberwolves are tricky because they only play two games apiece. I’m holding on to Ayo Dosunmu (more on him later), but you may need to cut other rosterable players. The choice is yours. Now, let’s get into the pickups!

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Shallow league pickups

Saddiq Bey — SF/PF, New Orleans Pelicans (44%)

Bey shouldn’t be floating on your waiver wire, but he’s still available in 56% of Yahoo leagues. The Pelicans have one of the better schedules this week, playing three of their four games on lighter slates. He’s been a top-75 asset in High Score over the past two weeks, scoring over 34 fantasy points per game. The Pelicans are the only team out of Play-In Tournament contention with a winning record over their past 10 games (6-4), a strong indication they’ll make every effort to compete this week and likely through the end of the season. Bey’s been a multi-category asset for all formats, so get him if he’s out there.

Ayo Dosunmu — PG/SG/SF, Minnesota Timberwolves (35%)

Ayo was one of the best acquisitions at the deadline for the Wolves, especially now that they’ll be without Anthony Edwards for at least the next week. The downside to picking up any Wolves players is that they only play two games in Week 22. That said, for High Score, that’s enough to hold Ayo through Wednesday. Dosunmu’s been a valuable source of points, rebounds, assists and efficiency since Ant went down, averaging 19-8-5.5 with 50/49/90 shooting splits. I understand if you feel you need to cut him to increase the number of games, but I’d still keep him on your roster, especially in High Score.

Ace Bailey — SG/SF/PF, Utah Jazz (42%)

The fifth overall pick in the 2025 draft is making a strong late-season push for First Team All-Rookie. Since the calendar turned to March, Bailey has been averaging nearly 20 points with 4 boards, 2 assists, 4 3s and 2 stocks per game, with solid efficiency. I picked him up in a couple of High Score leagues because of his last two spike games of 55 and 62 fantasy points in Week 21. The Jazz cleared the path for their young core to thrive, so I’d trust Bailey in the final weeks of the fantasy season.

Daniss Jenkins — PG/SG, Detroit Pistons (25%)

Cade Cunningham (lung) will be re-evaluated in two weeks, leaving Jenkins as his direct beneficiary. As a starter this season, Jenkins is averaging 14.9 points, 6.9 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 32.3 minutes per contest. He’s coming off a 48-fantasy-point performance in High Score on Friday, and with four games (two on lighter slates), Jenkins is a player who needs to be rostered if you’re in need of points and assists.

Mitchell Robinson — C, New York Knicks (18%)

I don’t know what it is, but it seems like most of the top targets I see on the wire are big men. Robinson just grabbed a career-high 22 rebounds in a win at Indiana on March 14. He’s averaging 11 boards and 2.7 stocks per game while notching a double-double in two of his last five games. He won’t score you much and the free throws are ugly, but if you need elite rebounding and blocks in a deep-league matchup, Robinson’s opportunity is real because the Knicks don’t play a back-to-back set and all of their games fall on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday (the smallest slates).

Other options:

• Wendell Carter Jr.  – PF/C, Orlando Magic (36%)

• Tristan da Silva – SG/SF, Orlando Magic (17%)

• Tobias Harris – SF/PF, Detroit Pistons (36%)

• De’Anthony Melton – PG/SG, Golden State Warriors (16%)

Deep league pickups

Dylan Cardwell — PF/C, Sacramento Kings (9%)

I’d be looking at Cardwell in deep leagues if you want rebounds and blocks. The Kings are still playing their vets more than most; however, their frontcourt remains thin, with just Maxine Raynaud and Precious Achiuwa. Even in limited minutes, Cardwell has been a beast on the glass and in a four-game week where all of the Kings’ games fall on slates under 10 games, he’s a streamable asset to consider for 9-cat leagues. Another name to keep an eye out for is Malik Monk — but that’ll depend on Russell Westbrook’s status.

Yves Missi – C, New Orleans Pelicans (10%)

Missi was great in Week 21, closing the week 78th in 9-cat leagues. Like Cardwell, he won’t do much for scoring, but the rebounds and blocks are crucial for fantasy managers. Missi averaged 9 rebounds and 3 blocks last week with a surprisingly high 3 assists per game as well. At this stage in the season, the Kings and Pelicans are the only tanking teams giving their vets meaningful minutes, and though Missi will rarely eclipse 30 minutes, he’s doing enough on a per-minute basis to be streamed in a four-game week.

Ja’Kobe Walter – PG/SG, Toronto Raptors (3%)

It’s slim pickings out there, but Walter has quietly been a top-100 asset over the past two weeks and finished in the top 60 in 9-cat in Week 21. The Raptors’ schedule is decent, too, opening the week against Utah, traveling to L.A. to face the Clippers, playing New Orleans and finishing the week at home versus Orlando. Walter’s more of an add for 9-cat because his ranking is primarily coming from his efficiency, shooting 63% from the field and 68% from 3 in his last five outings. If he doesn’t do enough on Monday, cut him and move on, but I like his chances against the Jazz to begin the week.

Ousmane Dieng — SF/PF/C, Milwaukee Bucks (8%)

The former Thunder forward is getting far more playing time with Giannis Antetokounmpo out and Bobby Portis and Myles Turner being in and out of the lineup lately. Dieng finished Week 21 inside the top-150 after posting a respectable 14.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 3.0 3s and 1.3 stocks per game. As we get deeper into the season and the Bucks fall even further from contention, it feels like we’ll see less of the vets and more from guys like Dieng. That’s what I’m betting on in a four-game week with no back-to-backs — time to let the young man cook.

Other options:

• Ron Holland – SF, Detroit Pistons (2%)

• Paul Reed – PF/C, Detroit Pistons (4%)

• Ryan Kalkbrenner – C, Charlotte Hornets (9%)

• Malik Monk, PG/SG, Sacramento Kings (17%)

The Toronto Blue Jays are showing faith in the team’s braintrust coming off an appearance in the 2025 World Series. Just days before the start of the 2026 MLB season, the Blue Jays announced extensions with both manager John Schneider and general manager Ross Atkins on Monday.

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Prior to the extensions, both men were entering the final year of their contracts. Atkins was signed through 2031 and Schneider was signed through 2028, per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.

The team did not provide financial details for either contract.

The Blue Jays face major expectations this season after winning 94 games last season and taking the Los Angeles Dodgers to Game 7 of the World Series. Toronto pushed Los Angeles to extra innings in that contest before eventually falling 5-4.

The team enters 2026 in good position to once again contend for a championship. The Blue Jays return much of the same cast that pushed them to the World Series last season, but have also made some significant offseason additions.

Dylan Cease was the first major domino to fall, signing a seven-year, $210 million deal with the team in November. The team then landed arguably the best talent on the Japanese market, signing infielder Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million deal in January.

Those two, combined with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer and Alejandro Kirk, should ensure the Blue Jays are contenders once again in 2026.

With their new extensions in hand, Schneider and Atkins have the job security to go out and make the bold moves necessary to push the Blue Jays over the hump and win it all this season.

No player in NBA history has played in more games than LeBron James. Or scored more points. Or made more All-Star teams. We could go on.

The Los Angeles Lakers star broke his latest record on Saturday simply by stepping foot on the court for his team’s game against the Orlando Magic. It was the 1,612th appearance of his career, breaking a tie with Boston Celtics great Robert Parish atop the NBA leaderboard.

James was already the record-holder when factoring in his 292 playoff appearances, which bring his total up to 1,904 games.

It was a victorious record-breaking game as well, with the Lakers winning 105-104 off a game-winning 3-pointer from Luka Kennard. James finished the game with 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.

It was the Lakers’ ninth consecutive win, though it did come with the potential cost of a one-game suspension for Luka Dončić. James’ co-star picked up his 16th technical foul of the season, triggering an automatic ban unless the tech is rescinded.

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The games played record is hardly James’ most prestigious, but it is a testament to the longevity that has allowed him to continue performing at an All-Star level at age 41. He arrived in the NBA in 2003 at 18 years old and has performed at a standout level ever since while never missing more than half a season due to injury.

Entering Saturday, James was already the NBA’s all-time leader in points (43,229), field goals (15,884), All-Star selections (22), All-NBA selections (13 first-team and 21 total), seasons played (23), playoff games (292) and, to be fair, turnovers (5,620). He’s also fourth on the assists list, sixth on the steals list and fifth on the triple-doubles list.

When will LeBron James retire?

James’ place in history is obviously secure. The question now is how many games he has left in him. There is rampant speculation about what he’ll do this offseason, with his choices including retirement, a return to the Lakers or perhaps a reunion with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

This season has seen James post some of the lowest numbers of his career and miss more than a few games to injury, including a 14-game stretch to open the season due to sciatica. He has already ended his All-Star starting streak, his All-NBA streak and his 10-point streak, all unprecedented in league history.

It’s key to any successful fantasy baseball season to correctly identify sleepers and breakouts. Below, we break down some of the top sleepers and breakouts at outfield.

Daylen Lile, Nationals (214.5 ADP)

The market is giving you a giveaway draft price here; please take advantage. Lile wasn’t overmatched in his first run through the majors, slashing .299/.437/.498 with nine homers and eight steals over 91 games. And the steal count is going to rise — he possesses a speed score in the 92nd percentile, and he had a silly 11 triples in 91 games last year. Some say the triple is a dying play in modern baseball — Lile is single-handedly bringing it back. His stolen-base success rate will rise as he gains experience.

The Nationals were patient with Lile at the front of his debut, but he was hitting cleanup at the end of last season. This year, he’s slotted in the No. 3 spot, after James Wood and CJ Abrams and ahead of Dylan Crews. I probably can’t sell you on the bottom of the Washington lineup, but the top needs little defense.

Lile was far from the fantasy radar at this time last year and arrived at the 2025 All-Star break having hit .234 with two homers in his initial 111 career at-bats. But things clicked over the summer, as he improved in each of the final three months and loudly broke out in September (.391 BA, 6 HR, 19 RBI, 20 R, 1.212 OPS). Lile has strong contact skills and a line-drive stroke, and his overall .299 batting average was well-supported by a .302 xBA. Although he lacks the ceiling of the more heralded Crews, Lile is a more polished hitter and is nearly a full year younger. He’s also faster, as Lile hasn’t yet put his 92nd percentile sprint speed to full use. As mentioned, the rebuilding Nats will likely make their outfield trio of Lile, Crews and James Wood the foundation of their lineup.

Ramon Laureano, Padres (213.9 ADP)

Laureano was probably the most underrated outfielder in fantasy baseball last year — he was the No. 29 outfielder in 5×5 value — and I initially had him as a double-digit value on my tiered rankings. I’m a little concerned the Nick Castellanos signing could create a logjam in the San Diego outfield, and ultimately, I decided to be prudent with Laureano’s ranking, mindful that he’s in his 30s and has never logged 500 at-bats in a season. Still, he’s an above-average hitter, and hopefully the Padres will give him some leash.

[Draft your Yahoo Fantasy Baseball team for the 2026 MLB Season]

Nobody picked outside the top 200 is a sure thing, but Laureano has already shown upside to be excited about.

Kerry Carpenter, Tigers (203.4 ADP)

Carpenter doesn’t take many walks and he’s never hit left-handed pitching much — the Tigers have generally platooned him — so at first glance, you’re thinking he’s a capped-ceiling player. But Carpenter showed some progress in limited work against lefties last year (three homers, .400 slugging) and Detroit is considering giving him more exposure to southpaws this season.

So you have two paths to make your money on Carpenter this year. If he approaches 500 at-bats, 30-plus homers and 85-plus RBI are reachable targets. And if the platoon sticks, at least he can focus on what he normally does: mashing right-handed pitching. Carpenter is also in the prime part of his career arc, stepping into his age-28 season. Carpenter is probably a better pick for leagues that allow for regular lineup tinkering, but no matter your format, consider his positives.

Wilyer Abreu, Red Sox (208.3 ADP)

I’m not going to cheat and call Abreu a breakout player, because we’ve seen growth the last two years (and he was great in limited action for the WBC champion Venezuelan team).

If he doesn’t get hurt in the second half of 2025, Abreu likely gets home with 30 homers and 100 RBI. His .256 career average isn’t a problem, and although Boston’s outfield is congested — this roster is still begging for one more trade — Abreu’s Gold Glove defense marks his spot in the lineup. If Abreu didn’t get hurt last year, his ADP would surely be 30-50 slots higher this spring.

Justin Crawford, Phillies (203.5 ADP)

The ADP is on the rise but it’s still going to be reasonable all spring, so consider the upside case with this intriguing rookie. Crawford hasn’t developed power yet, but he was a .334/.411/.452 player at Triple-A last year, with 46 steals in 112 games. And that came while navigating his age-21 season; time is on his side.

Crawford is in camp as a non-roster invitee, given a chance to win the bigger half of Philly’s center field platoon. But with Johan Rojas facing a PED suspension, Crawford has a shot to take this job all for himself. Crawford’s defense is MLB-ready — the Phillies will appreciate having a good defender join their outfield, for once — and he’s not going to have the bat knocked out of his hands.

Crawford also checks the pedigree box, as he’s the son of former All-Star Carl Crawford. You’ll see similarities in their games.

Alec Burleson, Cardinals (173.9 ADP)

I’m putting Burleson towards the bottom of today’s list because he might be more of a value pick than a true sleeper. Again, amigos, I’m not hung up on definitions. I’m just trying to give you some appealing players to target in your drafts, guys you can make a profit on. Burleson applies.

Burleson figured out lefties in 2025 and no longer has any worry about being platooned. His contact skills are excellent and he still might grow into a 25-30 homer guy. He also qualifies at first base, which has quietly become a difficult fill in recent seasons. The Cardinals will probably have Burleson in the No. 3 slot all year, ideal for volume and run production.

Dylan Crews, Washington Nationals (ADP 200)

Editor’s Note: The Nationals optioned Crews to Triple-A, but you can expect that to be short-lived as we head into the season.

Once one of baseball’s best prospects, Crews has thus far sputtered in the majors, logging a .634 OPS in 412 at-bats over two seasons. But this youngster has such a fantasy-friendly skill set that even with little success at the dish, he has still managed to produce 13 homers and 29 steals. The No. 2 overall pick of the 2023 MLB Draft has been hamstrung by a .248 BABIP, and the combination of better luck and improved skills will lead to a breakout campaign. For the cost of a late-round pick, managers could find themselves with a 24-year-old who hits .260 with 20 homers and 35 steals.

Dominic Canzone, Mariners (Undrafted)

Despite doing some excellent things at the plate last season, Canzone is a complete afterthought in most drafts. The slugger hit .300 with 11 homers in 269 at-bats, thanks to elite marks in average exit velocity (92.4 mph) and barrel rate (14.5%). His success at the dish was well-supported by his expected marks, and his .533 xSLG was even higher than his .481 SLG.

The left-handed hitter also put himself in position to be considered for a full-time role by posting a respectable .712 OPS against southpaws. The Mariners have a top-heavy lineup and could really use someone to emerge as the No. 6 hitter. Canzone currently looks like their best bet.

Evan Carter, Rangers (Undrafted)

After breaking out by posting a .917 OPS during the Rangers’ World Series run in 2023, Carter has dealt with significant injuries over each of the past two seasons. But he is healthy right now, and with 15 homers and 19 steals over 400 career at-bats, the 23-year-old has already proven to have the diverse skill set that is coveted in category formats. Despite going undrafted in practically all Yahoo leagues, Carter has 20-20 potential if he can stay off the injured list. Additionally, he should immediately improve on his career .235 average, since he made massive improvements on his strikeout rate last year.

Matt Wallner, Twins (Undrafted)

Wallner is the definition of an all-or-nothing masher, as is evidenced by his career 32.3% strikeout rate and 15.7% barrel rate. He dealt with terrible luck last season, as his .228 BABIP seemed nearly impossible for someone who hits the ball so hard.

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Even in a down year, he still managed to produce 22 homers in 336 at-bats, thanks to his penchant for producing pulled fly balls. Wallner also logged some time on the IL last year, and this time around he will use better durability and improved luck to hit .250 with 30 home runs.

Jesús Sánchez, Blue Jays (Undrafted)

A Sánchez breakout may not be as spectacular as that of the others on this list, but it still could happen for someone who has become an afterthought in fantasy drafts. By being traded twice since last summer and ultimately moving from Miami to Toronto, Sánchez received an upgrade in both supporting cast and home ballpark. A poor finish to the 2025 season with the Astros hid the fact that he improved his walk rate last year, while maintaining strong marks in average exit velocity (91.3 mph) and barrel rate (11.1%). The Blue Jays made a point of acquiring Sánchez on the eve of spring training, and he should occupy a premium lineup spot against righties. He has averaged 14.5 steals over the past two years and should finally produce a 20-homer season.

It’s key to any successful fantasy baseball season to correctly identify sleepers and breakouts. Below, Corbin Young breaks down two sleeper SPs and two breakout SPs. For more sleepers, go here; for more breakouts, go here.

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SLEEPER STARTERS

Ryan Pepiot, Tampa Bay Rays

Interestingly, Pepiot had one of his best seasons in 2025, pitching away from Tropicana Field. However, the draft market hasn’t valued him as highly as prospects and those with smaller samples. In 2023 and 2024, Tropicana Field ranked third in strikeout park factors and 25th in offensive park factor. When the Rays played in George Steinbrenner Field in 2025, they ranked eighth in offensive park factor and 14th in strikeout park factor.

Pepiot’s swinging-strike rate was at 13.5% in 2024, which dropped in 2025 (12.1%) with the ballpark change. His changeup leads his arsenal with a 15.4% swinging-strike rate in 2025, similar to his career average (14.5%). That aligns with the league-wide changeup swinging-strike average at 15.5%. Pepiot’s changeup generates an above-average vertical movement profile, leading to whiffs and weaker contact, specifically against left-handed hitters (.232 wOBA, .253 xwOBA) in 2025.

Besides Pepiot’s changeup, the four-seamer profiles as an above-average pitch based on movement profiles. Pepiot’s four-seam possesses over 19 inches of IVB (induced vertical break), compared to the league average of around 16 inches. That pairs well when a pitcher can generate tons of extension, which Pepiot tends to do, given his 77th percentile extension at 6.8 feet.

Pepiot lowered his four-seam usage to right-handed hitters in 2025 (42.6%), down from 2024 (57%). Unsurprisingly, the batted ball results declined in 2025 (.396 wOBA, .355 xwOBA) compared to 2024 (.290 wOBA, .283 xwOBA) against right-handed hitters. That coincides with the park factor changes in 2025, which could be noisy. Theoretically, Pepiot’s four-seam should fare well in Tropicana Field, since it’s a pitcher-friendly environment.

Pepiot throws an interesting slider that doesn’t drop much, but sweeps 6-7 inches toward his glove side over the past two seasons. That’s notable because Pepiot’s slider elicited a career-high in swinging-strike rate in 2024 (16.2%), down to 11.4% in 2025. For context, Pepiot’s slider possesses an above-average horizontal movement profile, which typically leads to more weak contact. We mention Pepiot’s slider because it’s the wild card that could help him against right-handed hitters.

Don’t sleep on Pepiot in the middle rounds because he possesses the stuff and home park upgrade that make him a palatable sleeper in 2026.

Reid Detmers, Los Angeles Angels

One of these days, Reid Detmers will prove the believers correct.

Jokes aside, Detmers fits the Kris Bubic mold of having success as a reliever, then rejoining the starting rotation with optimal results. Unfortunately, Detmers landed on the injured list in early September 2025 with elbow inflammation, which may have coincided with a 2 mph decrease in four-seam velocity. He has pitched in spring training, so we’ll want to monitor his health.

What’s to like about Detmers? It starts with the stuff. Detmers’ slider leads the arsenal with an above-average swinging-strike rate at 20.5% in 2025, up from a career average of 18%. With the additional four-seam velocity, we saw his swinging-strike rate increase to 14.7% in 2025 from 10.1% throughout his career.

Detmers’ four-seam generated over 18 inches of IVB in 2025, helping to create a rising effect on the heater as he peppered it high in the zone. Those tend to be optimal locations for a four-seamer with tons of IVB. Besides the four-seamer, Detmers’ slider movement profile supports the above-average swinging-strike rates because it’s a nasty gyro-like slide with tons of downward movement. The slider drops nearly 38 inches (37.8), five more inches of downward movement compared to the average.

Like other starting pitchers, Detmers relied more on his best pitch, the slider, especially to left-handed hitters. The slider usage went to 50.5% in 2025, up from 32.8% (2024) and 36.5% (2023) against left-handed hitters. That coincided with Detmers throwing fewer four-seamers (31.2%) and sinkers (6.9%), a 7-8-point drop for both against lefties in 2025.

The elbow issue might be the biggest concern, but Detmers’ spot in the rotation looks safe for now. Thankfully, Detmers’ draft price (191.3 ADP) hasn’t been increased to a level that adds risk, so it’s a low-risk, medium-reward bet for a starting pitcher sleeper.

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BREAKOUT STARTERS

MacKenzie Gore, Texas Rangers

MacKenzie Gore was the only starting pitcher with three pitches eliciting a swinging-strike rate at 18% or higher in 2025. That includes Gore’s slider (19.5%), changeup (20%) and cutter (18.8%). It’s worth noting that Gore introduced a cutter in 2024, which he primarily threw to right-handed hitters (6%) in 2025, as his fourth-most thrown pitch. It was a small sample of Gore’s cutters, but they were effective for whiffs against righties and weaker contact (.253 wOBA, .259 xwOBA).

Gore changed his pitch mix against left-handed hitters, showing he understands that he needs to throw his best pitch (slider) more often. That’s evidenced by Gore throwing his slider 44.3% of the time against left-handed hitters (2025), up from 4.9% in 2024. Historically, Gore relied heavily on the four-seamer against lefties in 2024 (52.3%) and 2023 (57.1%).

Gore’s pitch mix change against lefties should continue to be fruitful because hitters destroyed the four-seamer in 2025 (.451 wOBA, .387 xwOBA) and 2024 (.385 wOBA, .373 xwOBA). Theoretically, Gore’s four-seamer should generate more whiffs and better results, given the movement profile. Gore’s four-seamer has above-average induced vertical break (IVB) with elite extension (89th percentile).

That suggests Gore’s four-seam locations could improve since he tends to throw it in the zone too often. When Gore threw the four-seamer in the zone in 2025, it led to a 12.6% swinging-strike rate, .367 wOBA and .382 xwOBA. Unfortunately, that’s not much better than when Gore throws the four-seamer outside the zone (.364 wOBA, .371 xwOBA). That hints at Gore’s four-seamer being unable to elicit weak contact, partially because it lacks arm-side fade.

Thankfully, Gore likely knows that and continues to evolve his pitch mix to lower the four-seam usage. Besides the whiffs, Gore’s control can be an issue, with a 37% ball rate in 2025. The wild card in Gore’s favor involves the significantly better defense behind him on the Rangers. Last season, the Rangers’ team defense ranked first in defensive runs saved (DRS), while the Nationals (Gore’s former squad) ranked 27th. In Outs Above Average, the Rangers ranked sixth and the Nationals ranked 29th.

Gore should provide plenty of strikeouts and a potentially improved WHIP, which could be better than his career norm (1.40). If Gore posts a 1.25 WHIP, there will be tons of value in the improved team context in 2026, as a starting pitcher breakout. It’s a low-risk, high-reward draft selection.

Ryan Weathers, New York Yankees

Injuries have been a problem for Ryan Weathers, who hasn’t logged 100 innings throughout his five MLB seasons. In a small sample of 38 innings, Weathers posted a career-best swinging-strike rate (13.6%) after missing nearly 150 days (144) on the injured list for a strained forearm and lat strain. We saw Weathers’ four-seam velocity reach 96.9 mph in 2025, a career high. During an early spring training outing, Weathers threw his four-seam harder, averaging 98.5 mph against the Nationals.

It might be scary for a pitcher with an extensive injury history to be ramping up their velocity early in spring training. However, we know that increased velocity can be beneficial from a whiff and weak contact standpoint. Notably, Weathers’ changeup and sinker were thrown over 1.5 mph harder in his early spring training performance. Weathers made a pitch mix change by lowering his four-seam usage and bumping up sweeper usage. Monitor that adjustment, though it could be small-sample noise.

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The main concern for the changeup would be losing downward movement with the additional velocity. Theoretically, it could lead to fewer whiffs, especially to right-handed hitters. For context, Weathers’ changeup elicited a 20.7% swinging-strike rate, over five percentage points above the league average.

In Weathers’ spring training outing, he tinkered with throwing more sweepers, particularly to lefties (45%). Weathers threw sweepers 27.8% of the time in 2025, but we saw him experiment with heavy sweeper usage at 35.1% in 2024 against left-handed hitters. That would be an optimal approach because Weathers’ sweeper remains one of his best pitches, allowing a .221 wOBA (.153 xwOBA). Interestingly, the changeup was relatively effective against lefties (.250 wOBA, .184 xwOBA). Weathers threw his changeup more against left-handed hitters in 2025 (18.3%) across a small sample, up from 10.8% in 2024.

Weathers has been going past pick 200 as one of the final picks in drafts. Expect his ADP to rise, but the price bakes in the injury risk for a potential breakout season in 2026. The increased velocity, pitch mix change and improved team context support the upside scenario.

On this ⁠Members-only episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast⁠, Kiyan Sobhani gives his thoughts directly from the Bernabeu after Real Madrid defeat Atletico Madrid 3 – 2. Discussed: The performances of Fran Garcia, Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Jr, Fede Valverde, Dean Huijsen and much more, including the the performances of the past four games, Andriy Lunin, and the red card given to Fede

CLICK HERE FOR ACCESS

Thanks for being a Member. We hope you enjoy the show!

Managing Madrid is a hub for all Madridistas with updated news, op-eds, tactical analyses, artwork, and of course, podcasts. It also serves as a means for ⁠⁠⁠⁠Real Madrid⁠⁠⁠⁠ fans to connect and discuss the team. We would like your support so that we can continue to produce podcasts for you. The site is run by a small team that works tirelessly around the clock to make it into what it is today. Your contributions will allow us to continue to have a real and full-time presence in keeping this website, and it’s podcasts, going.

Hosts this week: Kiyan Sobhani (⁠⁠⁠⁠@KiyanSo⁠⁠⁠⁠)

The Corinthians vs Flamengo match currently underway in Itaquera has gained a new twist after Evertton Araújo was sent off.

The game is in the second half after a first half that was already heated. 

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Did the referee get it right?

The incident in question happened six minutes into the second half.

Rodrigo José Pereira de Lima showed the red card to Evertton Araújo after a challenge with Bidon.

This caused outrage on the Flamengo side.

He was called by Wagner Reway (SC) to review the play.

But he stuck with his decision.

Was the referee’s decision correct or was the sending off an overreaction? 

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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

The No. 2 Texas Longhorns (28-1) traveled I-35 and swept the Baylor Bears (20-9) in a two-game weekend matchup in serious fashion to extend their winning streak over the Bears to seven games and set a program record with a 25th straight victory.

On Friday, Texas came out swinging with slugging junior first baseman Katie Stewart knocking in senior second baseman Leighann Goode with a single, an inning that ended after junior shortstop Viviana Martinez scored senior catcher Reese Atwood with an RBI grounder.

The game stayed quiet until the fourth, when Baylor designated player Kaci West hit an RBI groundout out to cut into the deficit.

Texas quickly answered back with junior center fielder Kayden Henry slapping in two runs on a triple. Senior left fielder Kaiah Altmeyer continued the surge with a sacrifice fly and Atwood boomed a two-run bomb to center field.

Shortly after Atwood’s home run in the fourth, Stewart and Wells hit back-to-back jacks to left center for a 9=1 lead.

In the top of the fifth, the Bears attempted to roar with catcher Averie Waddell hitting a solo home run to center field, but Texas responded again with an RBI single from Goode.

On the mound, Wells (4-1) started and tossed four innings, collecting two strikeouts while just giving up four hits and a run, supported by sophomore right-hander Cambria Salmon closing out the game with one inning, striking out one batter and giving one hit and run.

In Saturday’s game, Henry knocked in two runs in the second inning with a double to right field, Goode singled to center field collecting for an RBI, and aggressive base running by Goode stealing second and Henry stealing home ,alongside an RBI single to right field from Stewart, made the score 5-0.

Texas continued the onslaught with Wells slapping a two-run double down the left-field line and advancing to third on a throwing error by the Bears shortstop, along with senior right fielder Ashton Maloney knocking a double through the left side to score two more funs for a 9-0 lead.

In the top of the fifth, senior Kaydee Bennett drove in two runs on an inside-the-park home run to left center to run-rule the Bears, 11-0.

On the mound for Texas was junior righty Teagan Kavan (12-0) ,who tossed all five frames, allowing two hits and tallying 10 strikeouts.

Next, Texas travels to San Marcos to face Texas State the mid-week game on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Central.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Malik Monk scored 10 of his 32 points in the final five minutes, Devin Carter made a pair of clutch free throws with 6.6 seconds remaining and the Sacramento Kings held off the Brooklyn Nets 126-122 on Sunday night.

Monk made seven 3-pointers and went 9 for 9 from the line to help the Kings (19-53) end a two-game skid.

Carter had 16 points and five rebounds, but it was his two free throws in the final seconds that were crucial.

The Nets (17-54) had one final possession, but Nolan Traore stepped out of bounds and turned the ball over. The play was reviewed and upheld.

Kings rookie Maxime Raynaud had his 16th double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Precious Achiuwa added 14 points and 15 rebounds and DeMar DeRozan finished with 10 points and eight assists.

Ben Saraf scored 22 points for the Nets, who have lost seven straight. Ziaire Williams had 18 points and Traore finished with 17.

The Kings led 108-105 when Monk heated up. He made a pair of 3s and then sank two free throws in the final minutes.

Monk’s two free throws gave the Kings a 123-120 lead before he fouled Traore on the next possession. Traore made both free throws with 9.5 seconds left before Carter was fouled by Drake Powell and made a pair of free throws to clinch the Kings first win at home against the Nets since Dec. 11, 2023.

Arkansas coach John Calipari, who coached Monk in college at Kentucky, sat courtside. Arkansas plays in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament next week in San Jose, about 80 miles south of Sacramento..

Up next

Nets: At the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday.

Kings: Host the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA