Published Mar 6, 8:07pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Mar 6, 8:07pm ET
Grok AI
Updated Mar 6, 8:07pm ET
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| Washington Nationals | -110 |
| New York Yankees | -110 |
A big chunk of the Yankees' projected roster is away at the WBC. That includes captain Aaron Judge, closer David Bednar, catcher Austin Wells, infielder Jazz Chisholm, and others.
Will Warren makes his 3rd appearance this spring for New York. In 2025, he had an up-and-down season. On the plus side, the 26-year-old was reliable in making 33 starts, leading the American League. He tossed 162.1 innings, allowed 158 hits, and struck out 171.
Still, he posted a 4.44 ERA and had a 0.6 bWAR. With ace Gerrit Cole out for the start of the season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery, and Carlos Rodon also sidelined, Warren needs to step up.
So far this spring, he's tossed 6.1 innings, allowed 5 hits, and 1 earned run, walking none, and striking out 7.
Top prospect Spencer Jones is making a case to start the season in the majors. He has 3 homers in 7 games and has a 1.515 OPS. Veteran Paul Goldschmidt is batting .500 with 2 homers. Another top prospect, George Lombard, is batting .333 with a homer.
The Nationals are restarting with new President of Baseball Ops Paul Toboni and manager Blake Butera.
The franchise has been nothing short of a disaster since their 2021 housecleaning. Last year, that extended to former President of Baseball Ops Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez. It's been a slow go for them, but they are hoping to rebound as a team, similarly to Josiah Gray, starting against the Yankees in his return from Tommy John surgery.
Gray is a former top prospect who has not pitched in a regular season MLB game since April 2024. He's thrown 1.2 innings this spring, allowing 2 hits and 1 earned run, striking out 3.
At the plate, their 2021 1st round pick, 3rd baseman Brady House, is tearing it up this spring, batting .438 with 2 homers. Mercurial shortstop CJ Abrams is one of the team's elder statesmen and is struggling this spring, batting .133 in 15 at-bats. Buregoning star James Wood is batting .083.
Despite the Yankees being without much of their regular lineup, they are still relatively well-stocked for the spring and the WBC allows them to get a closer look at the likes of Jones and Lombard.
The Nationals are restarting their rebuild under a new front office and field staff. They will assess their holdovers like Gray, Abrams, and others. Do not expect Gray to be in the game for very long as he works his way back from injury. Warren needs to prepare for a key role in 2026.
The Yankees' backups and youngsters are far superior to what the Nats will roll out, even with some of their veterans in the lineup. New York should come out on top.
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Pick
New York Yankees -110
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