Mariners News

The Mariners are looking to rebound tonight in Game 2 against the Twins.

The M’s had their four-game win streak snapped in an 11-4 loss to Minnesota yesterday.

Luis Castillo gave up seven runs on seven hits over five innings as he remains without a win this season. Cal Raleigh hit his seventh homer of the season and Randy Arozarena added two hits, but it wasn’t enough in the series opener.

The Twins snapped their five game skid with the win.

Logan Gilbert is on the mound today at the M’s aim to even the series up. Coverage begins at 3:30 and first pitch is at 4:10 on KPUG.

MLB News

Over in the National League, one of last year’s top teams in baseball is hitting panic mode amid their worst start in over two decades.

The Philadelphia Phillies fired manager Rob Thomson today.

They’re off to a dismal 9-19 start to the year despite being the preseason favorite in the NL East. The Phillies have lost 11 of their last 12 games and are tied with the Mets for the worst record in the MLB.

Philly president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski acknowledged that he offered Alex Cora the job on Sunday, one day after Cora was fired as manager of the Boston Red Rox. But Cora declined and bench coach Don Mattingly was named Thomson’s interim replacement for the rest of the season.

NCAA Basketball News

March Madness could be kicking up a notch next year.

ESPN reports that the NCAA is planning to expand the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments to 76 teams starting this coming season.

The expansion would make eight teams who qualified for the traditional bracket square off against eight new at-large selections during what has previously been called the “First Four” games. There would then be 12 games on Tuesday and Wednesday leading up to the official first round of the 64-team men’s bracket, which would still begin on Thursday.

The official announcement from the NCAA is expected to be made in mid-May.

NFL News

A pair of former Seahawks quarterbacks could be reuniting in the Big Apple.

ESPN reports that the New York Jets met yesterday with Russell Wilson as they explore options to back up starter Geno Smith. The outlet adds that Smith advocated for Wilson when the team asked for his input on potential backups.

Smith served as Wilson’s backup with the Seahawks in 2020 and 2021 before ascending to starter in 2022 when Wilson was traded to Denver.

The 37-year-old Wilson is a free agent after playing one season for the New York Giants.

NBA Playoffs News

The Blazers are on the brink of elimination as the NBA playoffs continue tonight.

Portland trails the Spurs three games to one ahead of Game 5 in San Antonio.

It’s the Trail Blazers’ first trip to the playoffs in five years. They tip off at 6:30.

Meanwhile, the Celtics are looking to eliminate the 76ers and move on to the second round, while the Hawks and Knicks are battling in a critical Game 5 with the series tied at two apiece.