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Dane Miller’s Week 17 Best-in-West Hoops Power Rankings

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  By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports


Several teams in the West are squarely on the Bubble.

From Santa Clara in the WCC to UCLA in the Big Ten, there will be plenty of nerves come Selection Sunday.

New Mexico and San Diego State are battling for what could be the lone at-large bid in the Mountain West while California is fighting for its spot in the ACC.

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With only five teams in the region expected to be locks, the final week of the regular season is pivotal.

Here’s how I view the Top 10 College Basketball Teams in the West with two weeks to go until Selection Sunday.

Arizona football logo

1. Arizona (14-2, 27-2)

Tommy Lloyd is one victory away from winning the Big 12 outright.

The Cats got their revenge against Kansas on Saturday after coming from behind to beat Baylor earlier in the week. Koa Peat looked good in his return, setting the stage for a run in March.

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Arguably a lock for the 1-seed in the West, Arizona can probably seal its position with a win over Iowa State on Monday.

Gonzaga logo

2. Gonzaga (16-2, 28-3)

How deep does Gonzaga go in the NCAA Tournament? The Zags have made the Sweet 16 nine straight times.

But all dynasties eventually come to an end. Whether or not this is the year the streak ends remains to be seen.

Over the weekend, Gonzaga lost to Saint Mary’s and gave the Gaels a share of the WCC Regular Season Championship as a result. Even so, Mark Few deserves the benefit of the doubt.

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BYU Cougars logo

3. BYU (8-8, 20-9)

There is no other high-major program in a worse downward trend than BYU. From getting embarrassed by UCF to losing against West Virginia, the Cougars are falling apart.

A Sweet 16 no longer seems viable. Now, a loss in the First Round wouldn’t be a shock.

It’s unclear where BYU would be seeded at this point, but a 7-seed or 8-seed seems about right.

utah state espn

4. Utah State (14-4, 24-5)

Sitting atop the Mountain West standings, Utah State is the expected auto-bid from the league.

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But all it takes is one or two games to flip the narrative. The Aggies can’t slip up at UNLV this week and then need to handle New Mexico in Logan to finish the year.

If all goes according to plan, Utah State should avoid the dreaded 8-seed versus 9-seed matchup.

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5. Saint Mary’s (16-2, 27-4)

The Gaels arguably secured an invitation to the Big Dance with the victory over Gonzaga.

There is still the WCC Tournament to deal with. But even a loss to say, Santa Clara, probably wouldn’t knock Saint Mary’s out of the field.

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Now, seeding becomes the primary question. Is this the year Randy Bennett’s team finally breaks through to the Sweet 16?

UCLA Bruins logo

6. UCLA (11-7, 19-10)

With an unexpected loss to Minnesota, the Bruins are in a somewhat uncomfortable position.

However, the Selection Committee loves to put Power Conference teams into the field these days, and the Big Ten carries clout.

If UCLA beats Nebraska this week, they could lock in an at-large bid, assuming the Bruins take care of USC in the regular season finale.

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7. New Mexico (13-5, 22-7)

Beating San Diego State mitigated the damage from losing to Nevada earlier in the week.

If the Selection Show were held today, New Mexico might be one of the Last Four In. But the Mountain West is in an unfavorable position.

It’s unlikely that the league gets multiple at-large bids. That leaves UNM fighting with San Diego State for the lone invitation.

San Diego State Aztecs logo

8. San Diego State (13-5, 19-9)

Losing three of their last four games, the Aztecs are on the outside looking in.

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If not for the run to the National Championship Game a few years ago, San Diego State might not even be considered for the final at-large spots.

But the program has enough clout with the Selection Committee to stay in consideration. This week’s games against Boise State and UNLV are must-wins.

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9. Santa Clara (15-3, 24-7)

The Broncos have work to do. The margin of defeat against Saint Mary’s last week was damaging.

Now, Santa Clara might need to make the WCC Championship Game to secure an at-large bid. The bracket is favorable, though, setting the stage for a rematch with the Gaels in Semifinals.

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Every contest from here on out is essentially an NCAA Tournament elimination game.

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10. California (8-8, 20-9)

It’s hard to understate how bad the loss to Pittsburgh was. That’s a defeat that just can’t happen at this point in the year. And not by 16 in Berkeley.

The only saving grace is the ACC’s reputation. The league will advocate hard for its members and has an effective media propaganda arm.

At the same time, Cal’s lack of recent success in the NCAA Tournament hurts it chances. The Selection Committee might prefer a bigger brand when it comes down to it.

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It Was a Bad Monday for Joshua Dobbs

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Joshua Dobbs walking off the field after a Vikings game against the Saints
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs walks off the field after a game against the New Orleans Saints at U.S. Bank Stadium, Nov 12, 2023, in Minneapolis. Dobbs reflects following another start during his midseason stint, helping stabilize the Vikings offense during a stretch of quarterback uncertainty. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL’s quarterback free-agent pool received an injection on Monday after the New England Patriots cut ties with former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs. The 31-year-old will now scour the league’s lay of the land for his 10th employer.

New England moved on, and Dobbs is back on the market again.

The Patriots will also need a QB3 for the 2026 campaign, or at least for the summer, so the Dobbs release is a bit strange.

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NE Moves on from the Former Vikings QB

The Patriots have passed on the Passtronaut for 2026.

Joshua Dobbs warming up before a Patriots game against the Falcons. Joshua Dobbs Patriots
New England Patriots quarterback Joshua Dobbs goes through pregame warmups before facing the Atlanta Falcons at Gillette Stadium, Nov 2, 2025, in Foxborough. Dobbs prepares for action as part of the Patriots quarterback room, getting loose ahead of a regular-season matchup. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Dobbs Dropped by NE

Dobbs lasted a year in Foxborough. ESPN’s Mike Weiss wrote Monday, “The New England Patriots released quarterback Joshua Dobbs on Monday. Dobbs, 31, served as the No. 2 quarterback behind Drake Maye in the 2025 season. He was scheduled to earn a base salary of $3.2 million in 2026 and carried a $4.75 million salary cap charge. The deal included per-game roster bonuses of $25,000 (up to $425,000) and a $75,000 workout bonus.”

“Dobbs’ signature game with the Patriots came in a 31-13 win over the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 19 when Maye left early in the third quarter to be evaluated for a concussion. Dobbs entered and on third-and-5 completed a 12-yard pass to receiver DeMario Douglas before Maye returned on a drive that ended with a touchdown. That put the Patriots ahead 24-13, and they cruised from there.”

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For what it’s worth, Dobbs should have no problem finding work as a QB2 or QB3 as early as now.

Tommy DeVito Wins for Now

The Patriots recently added DeVito, formerly of New Giants mini-fame, and that was apparently the catalyst for Dobbs’s release.

Weiss noted on DeVito, “The Patriots’ decision comes after the club signed No. 3 quarterback Tommy DeVito to a two-year deal with a base value of $4.4 million after not tendering him as a restricted free agent. DeVito’s deal includes incentives that could increase its value to $7.4 million.”

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“The team now projects to bump DeVito, on a cheaper contract, to the No. 2 role. A No. 3 quarterback is expected to be added later in the offseason.”

DeVito turned heads as a rookie in 2023 when the Giants went 3-3 on his watch, while the youngster delivered an 8-touchdown to 3-interception split. Oozing machismo, some bought into DeVito as the next big thing, but his undrafted Cinderella streak eventually ran out.

New England must believe it can resurrect DeVito in a QB2 capacity.

Dobbs’ Career

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For starters, here’s Dobbs enormous resume so far in his career:

  • Pittsburgh Steelers (2017–2019)
  • Jacksonville Jaguars (2019)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (2020–2021)
  • Cleveland Browns (2022)
  • Detroit Lions (2022)
  • Tennessee Titans (2022)
  • Cleveland Browns (2023)
  • Arizona Cardinals (2023)
  • Minnesota Vikings (2023)
  • San Francisco 49ers (2024)
  • New England Patriots (2025)

In a remarkable three-week stretch in 2023, Dobbs led the Vikings to unexpected victories against Atlanta and New Orleans. These wins kept Minnesota’s playoff hopes alive, increasing their chances of making the postseason to over 80%.

It all unfolded rapidly. After Kirk Cousins suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in late October 2023, and with Nick Mullens also unavailable, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah quietly traded with Arizona, acquiring Dobbs for a 6th-Round pick and a conditional 7th. The condition for the 7th-Round pick was never met because Dobbs didn’t play enough for Arizona to trigger it, making the trade a minimal investment for Minnesota.

Joshua Dobbs throwing a pass during a Vikings game against the Broncos. Joshua Dobbs Patriots
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs drops back to pass during first-half action against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High, Nov 19, 2023, in Denver. Dobbs scans the field while managing the offense during his midseason stint with Minnesota. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Dobbs’s debut was unforgettable. Jaren Hall started against Atlanta that day but suffered a concussion, forcing Dobbs into action with limited knowledge of the playbook. His performance ignited “DobbsMania” in Minnesota. The following week, he replicated that success, leading the Vikings to a win against New Orleans.

However, the magic soon faded. The passing game struggled. Dobbs and Jordan Addison couldn’t establish a consistent connection, his accuracy faltered, and a critical miscommunication with Justin Jefferson in Denver proved costly. The following week in Las Vegas, head coach Kevin O’Connell replaced Dobbs with Mullens mid-game. The Vikings won, marking the abrupt end of Dobbs’s brief but memorable tenure in Minnesota.

He spent a season in San Francisco in 2024 and on to New England, where he lasted as another one-hit wonder.

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The Patriots’ FA Moves in March

In addition to the Dobbs release, the Patriots did not re-sign these players:

  • Alex Austin (CB) NE → MIA
  • K’Lavon Chaisson (ED) NE → WAS
  • Jack Gibbens (LB) NE → ARI
  • Jaylin Hawkins (S) NE → BAL
  • Austin Hooper (TE) NE → ATL
  • Vederian Lowe (LT) NE → SF
  • Khyiris Tonga (DL) NE → KC

Former Vikings center Garrett Bradbury was traded to the Chicago Bears a couple of weeks ago, so in addition to Dobbs and Bradbury, New England is basically getting rid of all its former purple players, including OT Vederian Lowe, DT Khyiris Tonga, and WR Stefon Diggs, who was also released.

Joshua Dobbs talking to reporters during a Patriots media session. Joshua Dobbs Patriots
New England Patriots quarterback Joshua Dobbs speaks with media members at the Santa Clara Marriott, Feb 5, 2026, in Santa Clara. Dobbs addresses reporters during a team-related media session, discussing his role and outlook as part of the Patriots organization. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

In return, the Patriots added these newcomers via free agency and re-signed these men:

  • Kevin Byard (S) CHI → NE
  • Mike Brown (S) TEN → NE
  • K.J. Britt (LB) TB → NE
  • Romeo Doubs (WR) GB → NE
  • Reggie Gilliam (FB) BUF → NE
  • Julian Hill (TE) MIA → NE
  • James Hudson (LT) NYG → NE
  • Dre’Mont Jones (ED) BAL → NE
  • Alijah Vera-Tucker (T/G) NYJ → NE
  • Kindle Vildor (CB) DET → NE

Oddsmakers expect the Patriots to win nine or ten games next season.


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Fulham Move Closer to Permanent Deal for Samuel Chukwueze

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Fulham FC have taken a significant step towards signing Samuel Chukwueze on a permanent deal after opening talks with AC Milan over a possible summer transfer.

The Nigerian winger, who joined Fulham on loan earlier this season, has impressed since arriving in England. After struggling for regular form in Italy, Chukwueze has rediscovered his confidence in the Premier League, where he has played with greater freedom and purpose.

One of his most notable performances came in December, when he scored twice against Manchester City in an exciting encounter. That display strengthened Fulham’s belief that he can play an important role in the club’s future.

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Chukwueze has also settled quickly off the pitch, helped by the presence of fellow Nigerians Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey. Their influence has contributed to his smooth adaptation and improved performances.

Reports indicate that Fulham have now informed AC Milan, through an intermediary, of their intention to trigger the buy option included in the loan agreement. Although the move has not yet been made official, it reflects the club’s strong interest in securing his services permanently.

Chukwueze is also believed to be open to the move. The winger is said to be happy at Fulham and would welcome a permanent stay if both clubs reach an agreement.

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For AC Milan, the deal could represent good business. The Italian side had hoped a loan move would help the winger regain his form, and that plan now appears to be working. During his time in Italy, Chukwueze found it difficult to secure a consistent starting role, partly due to competition from players such as Christian Pulisic.

The agreed buy option is reportedly valued at around €24 million, with additional bonuses that could take the total fee to €28 million. Milan are now waiting for Fulham to formalise their interest, with expectations that the deal could be completed smoothly once negotiations are finalised.

Based on his performances this season, the move appears beneficial for all parties. At Fulham, Chukwueze has already made a stronger impact in fewer matches compared to his time in Italy, showing that his style suits the pace and intensity of English football.

The potential transfer represents a fresh start for the Nigerian international, who now looks set to continue his revival at Fulham.

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Alcaraz stunned in Miami as Korda delivers biggest Win

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Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shock defeat at the Miami Open 2026, falling to Sebastian Korda in what marks one of the biggest wins of the American’s career.

For Korda, this moment has been a long time coming. After battling injuries and setbacks, the 25-year-old finally delivered on his potential against one of the best players in the world.

After the match, Korda reflected on the performance:

  • Arthur Fils destroys Tsitsipas in Miami OpenArthur Fils destroys Tsitsipas in Miami Open

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“It feels great. I took the scenic route that’s for sure . A little more stress than I would want but happy with how I played and stayed with it. Kept believing. I got myself in some nasty situations . Just kept going and kept believing. I played really well at the end.”

He also spoke about the mindset shift that helped him get over the line:

“a lot of soul searching that’s for sure. I’ve gone through a lot of things, played a lot of great players. Haven’t been able to get it done but I felt always when I was playing these top players that I’d start spraying the ball and try to do a bit too much than I need to do. With Ryan we sat down, our goal today was to play average. Just have an average ball. Don’t do too much with it. That’s when you get in trouble. That’s kind of what he’s searching for is you start spraying and you get yourself in trouble against him.”

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On how he managed to execute against Alcaraz:

“I mean the ball speed. Not the way I played I was as aggressive as possible. I served great the whole match. That’s what you need to do to beat a player like him. He’s unbelievable in every aspect of his game. Movement, volleys, forehand, backhand.. there’s nothing he can’t do. I had to be aggressive. I had to take the ball out of his hand and take the point in my favor.”

A huge result in Miami and a reminder that even the very best can be pushed off their game.

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Keyshawn Davis accused of ‘making excuses’ not to fight bitter rival: “It’s the truth”

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A man who knows Keyshawn Davis very well has claimed the former world champion is doing everything in his power to avoid a fight.

Davis is widely regarded as being one of the best talents in all of boxing, beginning when he won a silver medal at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

After turning professional, he became WBO lightweight champion when he knocked out Denys Berinchyk, though he was later stripped of the title when he came in overweight for a defence against Edwin De Los Santos, which was subsequently cancelled.

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Davis returned in January when he moved up to 140lbs and earned a stoppage win over Jamaine Ortiz, and he has since made his intentions known to head up a further weight class and potentially challenge WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney.

One man that seemingly doesn’t appear to be on the radar of Davis is Andy Cruz, who beat the American on all four occasions when they met as amateurs, most notably in the gold medal clash of the Tokyo Olympics.

Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Cruz referred to Davis as ‘his son’, and accused his past rival of making excuses to not face him again.

“Truth is, my son doesn’t want anything to do with me and I’m letting him enjoy his career on his own. He always talks about me but he’ll always have excuses not to fight.”

As a professional, Cruz holds a record of six wins from seven fights, after unsuccessfully challenging Raymond Muratalla for the IBF lightweight title back in January, perhaps making it difficult for a fight with Davis to take place anytime soon.

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Man United flop in embarrassing telling off as he’s caught texting on subs bench

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Manchester United signed Memphis Depay for £25million over a decade ago now and the forward made barely 50 appearances, scoring just seven goals, before leaving

Memphis Depay received a telling off from a Corinthians coach after being caught using his mobile phone on the substitutes bench during their match against Flamengo.

The former Manchester United player started the match but came off midway through the first half after grimacing earlier in the game. Memphis went down the tunnel to their dressing room before later reemerging and sitting in the dugout.

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During the final few minutes of second-half added-time, he was looking down at a phone in his hands. A staff member soon came over and animatedly spoke to Memphis, who quickly put the phone away.

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The player claims he was using it to communicate with medical staff in the Netherlands after sustaining an injury. Memphis said on X afterwards: “Just to clarify, my moment with the phone was purely to communicate with the medical staff in the Netherlands at that moment.

“I came outside to show support to my team, while I could’ve stayed inside the dressing room with the injury. I’m upset with the result of the game as well. We keep working for better days.”

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Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman said Memphis had a scan on Monday and was awaiting the results. He said at a press conference on Monday: “He can still travel over, but it doesn’t look good.

“We might bring him in later, perhaps for the second match, but if that’s not feasible, then there’s no need.” The Netherlands face Norway in a friendly on Friday, followed by Ecuador four days later.

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Memphis remains a regular for the national team 18 months after moving to Brazil following short spells with Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. Erling Haaland was the only player to manage more than his eight goals in the European section of World Cup qualifying.

That is one more than Memphis managed during his entire United career. All seven strikes came during his first season, when he made 45 appearances across all competitions.

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However, after Jose Mourinho replaced Louis van Gaal, the former PSV player featured just eight more times before being sold to Lyon midway through his second season in England. Memphis rediscovered his form across the Channel, scoring 76 goals over 178 games and earned a dream move to Barcelona.

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He scored 13 times during his debut season, but, like at United, left midway through his second for Atletico. Four goals in nine games from January onwards did not translate over his first full season, however, scoring nine in 31 before departing and eventually joining Corinthians.

Memphis has made 76 appearances across three seasons in Brazil, scoring 20 times, but just once so far this season. His contract with Corinthians is due to expire this year.

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MLB futures odds, picks: Best bets for wins, strikeouts, saves leaders in 2026

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We’ve already examined which MLB players we think might cash futures bets in offensive stat categories, but what about the pitchers? Aces are nastier than ever, but which of the game’s great hurlers will rack up the most strikeouts or pace the field in wins? Which closers will notch the most saves? SportsLine expert Angelo Magliocca looks at the pitching landscape across MLB ahead of the 2026 season and makes his case for who will lead the league in key statistical categories while also giving some options to stay away from.

Bet on MLB futures and more at DraftKings, where new users get $200 in bonus bets after wagering $5+:

Magliocca, also known as “Amags” is a hugely profitable MLB capper who uses his deep knowledge of baseball to find value on player props, sides and totals. He is coming off another strong season at SportsLine. Over the 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 MLB seasons, Amags is up 133.4 units on straight bets and parlays while winning an additional 25.3 units on ladder plays. 

Here’s a look at his picks and analysis of World Series futures for the AL and NL in 2026.

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MLB wins leader: Paul Skenes (+1400)

We saw how great Paul Skenes was in the World Baseball Classic against a Dominican Republic lineup filled with all stars, showing how dominant pitching can keep a dominant offense at bay any day of the week. Having a lineup that scores a bunch of runs has been a missing piece so far for the 2025 NL Cy Young winner, getting the third lowest average run support in the majors last year at just 3.16, far below MLB average, and something that will need to change for this bet to hit. Yet he wound up with 10 wins because of his impeccable ERA at 1.97, and holding opponents to the fourth lowest hit total of any pitcher with 180+ innings last year. 

The Pirates have finally invested (slightly) in upgrading their lineup, adding Brandon Lowe, Marcell Ozuna, and Ryan O’Hearn, all of whom have been All-Stars and will help them score more runs. Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds finally get some big league level help in the order, and I love Cruz as a real breakout star this year offensively too. Scoring more runs for Skenes is imperative to their success, and the offense is getting better at the same time it seems the young right-hander is getting better on the mound. Skenes ended last year with just 10 wins, and projects for around 13-14 this year, which would get us within striking distance of the leaders. With one of MLB’s most improved offenses behind him, getting to 15+ wins is well within the potential outcomes. We could be getting the best pitcher in baseball priced as the fourth or fifth option on the odds board. 

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MLB strikeouts leader: Logan Webb (+8000)

When betting this market, you’ll need to get at least a little bit lucky when it comes to the health of the pitchers you’re backing. We have Tarik Skubal, Garrett Crochet and Skenes at the top of the projected leaderboard here, each above 230 strikeouts. But after that tier, you have a bunch of pitchers in that 200 strikeout range, Logan Webb being one of them. Last year, Webb struck out 224 batters, leading all National League pitchers (including Skenes), but we’re getting odds as if he has absolutely no shot here. I get that regression is expected, but I also recognize Webb’s progression last year, where he adjusted the use of his changeup and cut back on the fastball but used it more in two-strike counts. He’s getting maturing and just pitched for Team USA, racking up 11 strikeouts in 8.2 innings of work. 

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If something were to happen where Skubal and Crochet missed portions of the season, it would open the field up. If you’re trying to fade the top three options, how about the pitcher that’s led the MLB in innings pitched in two of the last three seasons, and recently tweaked his pitch arsenal to hunt more strikeouts? At this price, I can’t pass it up.

Bet on MLB props at FanDuel, where new users can get $300 in bonus bets every day for 10 days: 

MLB saves leader: Daniel Palencia (+2500)

It may be tough to overtake Edwin Diaz for this award with how many wins the Dodgers are projected to rack up this year, but we’re going to try. Daniel Palencia has as much talent as any reliever in baseball, with a fastball that tops 100 mph and a hard slider that has a nearly 40% whiff rate. The Cubs are in line to win the NL Central if all goes to plan and the Brewers don’t come up with another historic effort to overtake them. The Pirates are young and exciting but they lack depth, which should catch up with them over 162 games. The Reds have already been hit with a Hunter Greene injury, so we’ll need to see how they recover, but I’m not sold on the offense or bullpen either. And the Cardinals are already half torn apart as they enter a rebuild. 

In the end, winning just 88 games could take this division and it could get tight if the Brewers play well, so having Palencia to help shorten games will be huge. He wasn’t really used as a closer until late May last year, yet he picked up 22 saves, spanning from May 21 to Sept. 2. Producing 22 saves in just over three months has me excited to see what he can do with full ownership of the ninth inning now. Palencia joins last year’s leader, Carlos Estevez, as my two picks in this market.

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MLB futures odds: Expert offers his World Series best bet, longshot and team to fade for AL, NL

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SportsLine expert Angelo “Amags” Magliocca has looked at the 2026 season from all angles and has his top plays for betting on the World Series champion

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Ryan Blaney bows down to Tyler Reddick amid 23XI drivers’ flying start to 2026 NASCAR campaign: “He just goes faster”

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Tyler Reddick continued his dominant start to the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series with his fourth win of the season at Darlington, drawing praise from rivals, including Ryan Blaney. The 23XI Racing driver has been the benchmark early in the year, and his latest performance in the Goodyear 400 only reinforced that.

Reddick sits at the top of the NASCAR standings with 325 points. He has led the most laps (189) this season, secured three poles, and hasn’t finished beyond 13th so far. Across track types, the No. 45 Toyota has consistently shown speed that others have struggled to match.

Ryan Blaney, who sits second in the standings, admitted that he has no clear answer to Reddick’s pace advantage. When asked what sets the 23XI driver apart, he said:

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“I don’t know. He just goes faster… I wish I could point something out, but he’s just faster. And Tyler is an amazing racecar driver. Always has been. And they’ve got it going on over there right now. And momentum is a big thing. Once they find something, it’s a big thing. And pair that with a really good team, really good race car driver, you’re going to get this stuff.” (2:55 onwards)

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Tyler Reddick’s Darlington win highlighted that advantage. Despite dealing with an alternator issue in the opening stretch, running without his cooling system, and dropping back after a battery change, he still drove through the field. His pace on long runs allowed him to erase a late deficit and pass Brad Keselowski for the win.

Even within his own team, the performance stood out. Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing, admitted that the No. 45 had an edge in every phase of the corner.

“He was faster on the entry, the middle and the exit. I do not know. I’ll study it and try to learn something from it because clearly they got it figured out,” he said via FOX.

Keselowski, who finished second, pointed to both car performance and execution:

“Tyler is a great driver. You shouldn’t take anything away from that. But they’re clearly up on horsepower and downforce right now, and he’s making that count. So he deserves a lot of credit.”

Ryan Blaney, meanwhile, was one of the big performers of the Goodyear 400 behind Tyler Reddick, turning his own race into a recovery drive to a third-place finish.

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Ryan Blaney recovers from setbacks to secure strong Darlington finish behind Tyler Reddick

Ryan Blaney (12) and Tyler Reddick (12) - NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400. Source: GettyRyan Blaney (12) and Tyler Reddick (12) - NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400. Source: Getty
Ryan Blaney (12) and Tyler Reddick (12) – NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400. Source: Getty

Ryan Blaney’s race was defined by execution swings rather than pace limitations. After starting seventh, he moved early and finished Stage 1 in third, challenging at the front. However, a pit road penalty between stages dropped him deep in the field.

The No. 12 Team Penske responded with steady progress through Stage 2, climbing back to 12th. Another issue on pit road later in the race again shuffled him to the back, but Blaney worked his way forward again.

“I’m proud of us keeping our head down all day and finishing where we did. I thought the 45 (Tyler Reddick) was probably the best guy by a little bit, and then I thought me and the 6 (Brad Keselowski) were pretty kind of close right behind him. I think the three of us were kind of the class of the field, and us three finished top three. So, I was just happy,” he said post race. (onwards)

The result moved Ryan Blaney up to second in the standings with 230 points. The series now heads to Martinsville Speedway, a track where Blaney has historically been strong, while Tyler Reddick is still searching for his first win.