It’s opening day in baseball. The grass is green, the birds are chirping, and your favorite team is going to win the pennant. We have a full day of baseball starting at 1:15 p.m. ET with the Pirates vs. the Mets on Peacock. Below, we dive into some storylines to watch this year.
Later tonight, the Sweet 16 tips off, so we identified some key players who could tilt the matchups in their teams’ favor. Busy sports day — we’ve got you covered below, and, as always, check NBC News for more coverage.
Baseball Storylines
We’re following lots of storylines this season, but you know where we need to start.
Can the Dodgers three-peat?: This offseason, President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman landed two of the biggest free agents in outfielder Kyle Tucker and pitcher Edwin Díaz. All eyes are on a Dodgers three-peat, which would equal the New York Yankees’ feat from 1998 to 2000 and firmly put the franchise in dynasty territory.
Can Ohtani four-peat as MVP?: Shohei Ohtani will be pulling double duty for a full season (both pitching and hitting) for the first time since 2023, and Friedman has said he’s on a “mission” as a pitcher. Ohtani has never won a Cy Young Award. He’s also chasing his fourth straight MVP. Only Barry Bonds (2001-04) has accomplished that.
This year’s rookie class is loaded: It’s led perhaps by Konnor Griffin, a 19-year-old shortstop prospect for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He likely isn’t long for the minors, and he should give fans hope that the Pirates can capitalize on their remaining years with Paul Skenes. Lots of other names to watch 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 pitcher Dylan Cease. The Yankees are mostly bringing back the team that won 94 games last year. The Red Sox still have Roman Anthony, and they also added pitchers Sonny Gray and Ranger Suárez. The Orioles had an active offseason, too, adding five-time All-Star Pete Alonso.
Will the Mets’ makeover work?: The Mets underwent a significant face-lift this offseason, parting ways with longtime core pieces while acquiring notable names like Bo Bichette, Freddy Peralta and Marcus Semien. They’ll also lean on high-profile rookies Nolan McLean and Carson Benge. We’ll soon find out whether the pieces fit.
For more MLB storylines, read our full NBC News story here.
Sweet 16 Preview
The Sweet 16 tips off tonight, and we could have four close games. Our reporters examine which key players could swing each of the matchups.
No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 11 Texas: Matas Vokietaitis has been fantastic for the Longhorns as they’ve pulled off multiple upsets en route to the Sweet 16. The Lithuanian big man is averaging 20 points and 12.5 rebounds over his last two games. We’ve seen this before in the tournament: A big man gets hot and an opponent doesn’t really have an answer.
No. 4 Nebraska vs. No. 9 Iowa: Iowa senior guard Bennett Stirtz has attempted a whopping 19 3s in the first two games of the tournament, hitting only three of them. But — and it’s a big but! — if he can finally catch fire from outside, Iowa can start bending math in favor of an 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. of Arkansas is perhaps the most entertaining player still in the tournament, a 6-3 guard whose skillset brings to mind a young Damian Lillard. For the past two months, Acuff has averaged 27.8 points and 6.9 assists while shooting 48% on 3-pointers. He’ll be a top 10 NBA draft pick come 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 are great cleaning the glass. Illinois forward David Mirkovic doesn’t post outlandish numbers individually (about eight rebounds a game), but if he can reduce the second-chance opportunities for a Houston offense that has already struggled to score, it will be critical.
What We’re Watching
OK, we might not have any Cinderellas in the Sweet 16 — but we aren’t lacking in interesting matchups and storylines.
Tonight, Nebraska and Iowa take their football rivalry to the hardwood. Two dynamic freshman guards also go head-to-head: Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr. vs. Arizona’s Brayden Burries. And Houston tries 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, on 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, on TBS
- 8:30 p.m.: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, on 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, on TBS
What We’re Reading
The IOC released a new policy that will ban transgender women from competing at the Olympics.
The NBA is taking steps to expand, voting yesterday to explore bids for teams in Seattle and Las Vegas.
Amber Glenn has shown grace on and off the ice. Is this her medal moment at World Champs?
The women’s NCAA tournament returns tomorrow. NBC Sports has re-ranked the remaining 16 teams.
Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua was sued for allegedly making an antisemtic remark and biting a woman.
The first use of ABS took place last night. The umps got it right.
That’s it for now! We’ll be back tomorrow.