Bucks become first NBA team to clinch playoff spot, reach 50 wins

PHOENIX – The Milwaukee Bucks continued their march to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference as they won for the fifth time in six games with a 116-104 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night at the Footprint Center.

The Bucks are the first team in the NBA to reach 50 wins this season and clinch a spot in the postseason. They remain three games ahead of the Boston Celtics in the loss column with a 50-19 record. The Suns dropped to 37-32.

Bucks first to clinch playoff berth

The Bucks have kept their eyes on the long-term goal all season, which has been playoff basketball. All the steps along the way, from roster changes to injury management to play style adjustments have been done with that mind. After ascending to the top spot in the Eastern Conference they’ve been asked about seeding and home court advantage, questions they’ve acknowledged but largely pushed aside with an eye on the bigger picture.

But on Tuesday, a piece of the bigger picture fell firmly into place as the Bucks became the first team in the NBA to formally punch their ticket to the 2022-23 postseason.

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There are still 13 games left in the regular season, and the focus does indeed turn a bit more squarely toward solidifying home court advantage. It is the next regular season step in the process of getting to the playoffs on a roll.

Giannis Antetokounmpo posts back-to-back dominant games

Antetokounmpo returned to the court for the first time since March 5 on Monday night in Sacramento and scored 46 points in 34 minutes, and he backed that up with a 36-point night against the Suns on Tuesday. It was the fifth set of back-to-back games he’s played, and the Bucks are 10-0 in those games. (He has missed one or both games of four others, and the Bucks are 3-1 in the second game of those sets.)

Phoenix struggled to slow down Antetokounmpo on the defensive side, especially when he drew two first-quarter fouls on Suns center Deandre Ayton. That forced the Suns to put smaller players on the 7-footer, and they did about as well as expected.

Antetokounmpo scored 20 points in 15 first-half minutes in helping the Bucks to a 57-48 lead at the break, making 7 of his 11 shots and 6 of 10 free throws. He also pulled down nine rebounds and had five assists – all of which led to 3-pointers.

He scored 14 second-half points and helped the Bucks hold off a late Suns charge by assisting a Wesley Matthews 3-pointer and then scoring five straight points to keep game tied at 92.

Antetokounmpo nearly recorded a triple-double with eight assists to go with his 11 rebounds, but he was just 14 for 24 from the free throw line.

Bucks first to win 50 games, clinch playoff berth with 116-104 win ...

PHOENIX – The Milwaukee Bucks continued their march to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference as they won for the fifth time in six games with a 116-104 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night at the Footprint Center.

The Bucks are the first team in the NBA to reach 50 wins this season and clinch a spot in the postseason.

"We made the playoffs?" Giannis Antetokounmpo asked facetiously with a smile. "No way! We did? Man! For real? Oh man, it feels good. Yeah, it feels good.

"Gotta keep on playing, keep on trying to compete, build good habits. I think the last three games we've played in playoff atmosphere, it's really good for us. It's really good for us to lose a game, to be down 10, come back to the game, be up 10, they came back and we kept our composure and win the game by 10. It was good. All on the road.

"It makes it stronger. I'm happy that we're able to win and be the first team to clinch the playoffs."

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The Bucks remain three games ahead of the Boston Celtics in the loss column with a 50-19 record. The Suns dropped to 37-32.

Bucks first to clinch playoff berth

The Bucks have kept their eyes on the long-term goal all season, which has been playoff basketball. All the steps along the way, from roster changes to injury management to play style adjustments have been done with that mind. After ascending to the top spot in the Eastern Conference they’ve been asked about seeding and home court advantage, questions they’ve acknowledged but largely pushed aside with an eye on the bigger picture.

But on Tuesday, a piece of the bigger picture fell firmly into place as the Bucks became the first team in the NBA to formally punch their ticket to the 2022-23 postseason.

“We just mentioned it in the coaches locker room to appreciate this,” Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer said. “Making the playoffs in this league is hard. You should never take anything for granted.

"We have a special team and our focus and our effort and kind of desire to just keep getting better, sometimes I just forget about celebrating and I need to improve and I need to get better.”

BOX SCORE:Bucks 116, Suns 104

There are still 13 games left in the regular season, and the focus does indeed turn a bit more squarely toward solidifying home court advantage. It is the next step in the process of getting to the playoffs on a roll.

"I think that we’ve been playing well,” Jrue Holiday said. “Obviously playoffs are like in the back of your mind but I feel like we’re about one game at a time and winning games and trying to execute and be better down the stretch.”

Wesley Matthews agreed.

"Just keep getting better every single day," he said of what's next for the Bucks. "Don't take anything for granted, don't take health for granted, taking care of your body, taking care of your mind and being ready to show up for work."

Giannis Antetokounmpo posts back-to-back dominant games

Antetokounmpo returned to the court for the first time since March 5 on Monday night in Sacramento and scored 46 points in 34 minutes, and he backed that up with a 36-point night against the Suns on Tuesday. It was the fifth set of back-to-back games he’s played, and the Bucks are 10-0 in those games. (He has missed one or both games of four others, and the Bucks are 3-1 in the second game of those sets).

Phoenix struggled to slow down Antetokounmpo on the defensive side, especially when he drew two first quarter fouls on Suns center Deandre Ayton. That forced the Suns to put smaller players on the 7-footer, and they did about as well as expected.

Antetokounmpo scored 20 points in 15 first half minutes in helping the Bucks to a 57-48 lead at the break, making 7 of his 11 shots and 6 of 10 free throws. He also pulled down nine rebound and had five assists – all of which led to three-pointers.

He scored 14 second-half points and helped the Bucks hold off a late Suns charge by assisting a Wesley Matthews three-pointer and then scoring five straight points to keep game tied at 92.

Antetokounmpo nearly recorded a triple-double with eight assists to go with his 11 rebounds, but he was just 14 for 24 from the free throw line, however.

Second-chances and triples key to Bucks win

Phoenix came into the game as the seventh-best offensive rebounding team in the league, an area in which the Bucks have been victimized at times throughout the year – even as recently as their loss to Golden State (18 for 24 second-chance points) to start the road trip.

Suns head coach Monty Williams said it has become a focus for his team the last two years, and before the game he said it was an important part of what they need to do offensively. And the Suns were active in that area, but the Bucks matched that intensity as defensive rebounders and prevented Phoenix from owning an advantage in that area.

In fact, it was the Bucks who crashed the offensive glass harder and scored 19 second-chance points. The Suns meanwhile had just eight offensive rebounds for seven second-chance points.

"That was the game plan," Jae Crowder said. "Just try to get extra possessions. These guys do a good job of crashing themselves from the corners. They killed us at home doing that and we were aware of it, so we just wanted to try to clean that up and try to continue to make those guys pay on that end on the offensive glass."

And while the Bucks did not have a great shooting night from behind the three-point line (12 for 39) they still made four more than the Suns, an advantage that no number of Devin Booker and Chris Paul midrange shots could overcome. The Bucks are one of the best teams in the league in opponent three-point percentage, but the Suns also just didn’t put up that many (23) to increase their odds of pulling totally ahead after falling behind by 15.

Play of the game was Pat Connaughton’s fourth quarter corner three

The Bucks’ wing started in place of Khris Middleton and scored eight points on 2-of-6 shooting, but his second basket was huge With the game tied at 97 with 6:32 to go, Connaughton collected a pass from Joe Ingles in the corner and knocked down a three-pointer to put the Bucks up for good at 100-97. It kickstarted an 8-0 run, which allowed the Bucks to final put the Suns away.

Five numbers

9-1 Bucks record in the second game of back-to-backs.

"You might say that it's a secret recipe to play better or to win a back-to-back but it's not," Antetokounmpo said. "Our body's tired. Arriving to the hotel at 2:30 a.m. Playing one of the best offense in the league the night before, one of the fastest teams in the NBA that you have to sit down and guard and you have to move your feet. That is not easy.

"Then you wake up ad you don't have an easy game. You're playing the Phoenix Suns, which for me is probably a top three, one of the best teams in the West. You know they always play hard and they always compete. It's not easy.

"It's all effort now. It's all in our mind. Are we going to go out there and try to fold and give up the game because we are tired and we're a little bit sore? Or are we going to try and fight for it and put ourselves in position to win the game? This year wit the team that we have, we always try to fight for it."

17 Third quarter points for Devin Booker, on 7-of-10 shooting. He helped pull the Suns back from 14 points down early in the quarter to just a 85-84 deficit heading into the fourth. The Suns put the ball in his hands as Deandre Ayton was sent to the bench with five fouls. Booker finished with 30 points.

23-3 Bucks record since Jan. 16.

16,000 Career points for Antetokounmpo when he notched his 12th of the night in the second quarter. He became the 115th player in NBA history to reach that plateau.

2/16/23 Date of Wesley Matthews’ last game. He suffered a calf strain against the Bulls that night and missed the next 10 games. Matthews returned against the Suns on Tuesday night.

"It was long. Longer than I expected it to be," Matthews said. "But we've got a good team, everybody helped me out. And just keeping my mind right was the biggest thing. Keeping my mind right and just staying ready, staying on point and going out there and not thinking about it."

Video of the game is Giannis' 16,000th point

Only 115 players in NBA history have scored that many points in their career, and Antetokounmpo joined that club Tuesday night with a free throw in the second quarter. He is the all-time leading scorer in franchise history.

Khris Middleton held out

The Bucks held out Ingles in Sacramento for left knee injury management, as head coach Mike Budenholzer said "for him, long-term, and what we're doing, this was important (to hold him out)."

The natural follow-up was if the move worked in tandem with Middleton, who did play vs. the Kings, sitting out in Phoenix.

"Yes," Budenholzer said flatly.

Middleton has yet to play in a back-to-back this season.

Who do the Bucks play next?

Milwaukee returns home and will host all-star Tyrese Haliburton of Oshkosh and the Indiana Pacers at 7 p.m. Thursday at Fiserv Forum. Along with Haliburton (20.8 points, 10.4 assists), the Pacers get scoring from big man Myles Turner (18.0) and sharpshooter Buddy Hield (17.1). Former Bucks player Jordan Nwora is averaging 12 points off the bench for the Pacers.

More:Giannis Antetokounmpo for MVP? Brook Lopez for defensive player of year? The case for Milwaukee Bucks NBA award winners

More:Bucks guard Pat Connaughton and Marquette's Tyler Kolek have a unique friendship. Here's the story behind it.

Who would the Packers play in the NFL playoffs with a win over Lions?

Four games — and arguably five — on Sunday bear impact on the Green Bay Packers' destiny beyond Week 18 of the 2022 NFL season, aside from the obvious must-win against Detroit to even qualify for the postseason.

The debatable game in that equation would be Seattle against the Los Angeles Rams at 3:25 p.m. Sunday, even though it has no bearing on a potential first-round playoff opponent. If Seattle wins, it would eliminate Detroit from postseason contention and potentially change the demeanor of the Sunday night clash between the Lions and Packers. Though as many will point out, a Lions team with nothing to play for anymore doesn't necessarily make the squad less dangerous.

Four other contests will determine who the Packers face in the wild-card round if Green Bay beats the Lions to clinch an NFC playoff berth. Coming into the week, the Packers (who would be the No. 7 seed) have a 50% chance of facing San Francisco, a 25% chance of facing Minnesota, a 12.5% chance of seeing Philadelphia and a 12.5% chance of seeing Dallas (and coach Mike McCarthy!)

More:Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions odds for Sunday Night Football Week 18 game of NFL season: spread, point total, money line

Minnesota (12-4) at Chicago (3-13), noon

Arizona (4-12) at San Francisco (12-4), 3:25 p.m.

Dallas (12-4) at Washington (7-8-1), 3:25 p.m.

New York Giants (9-6-1) at Philadelphia (13-3), 3:25 p.m.

Here's a handy chart that might help.

The scenarios in which Green Bay faces San Francisco

With teams playing limited rosters (like Chicago) or simply enduring the final throes of a disappointing year, it's easy to envision the four favorites winning these games, and that would be one scenario that would put Green Bay in San Francisco for the first round of the playoffs.

Of the possible 16 ways those four games finish, eight would lead to San Francisco facing the Packers at Levi's Stadium, good for 50%. However, six of those eight possible combinations feature Minnesota losing, which seems like a longshot against depleted Chicago. The most likely scenarios that land Green Bay against the 49ers: All four favorites winning or all but Dallas winning.

The scenario in which Green Bay faces Minnesota

(This segment has been clarified from its original version)

After Green Bay throttled Minnesota in Week 17, it's understandable if this looks like a desirable outcome for Packers fans.

If Minnesota somehow loses to the Bears, there's no way the Packers would face the Vikings. That's the only possible determination that can be made Sunday as a result of the early games.

There are four combinations that would pit Minnesota against the Packers, but all that matters is two outcomes: If San Francisco loses and Minnesota wins, then the Packers will play the Vikings.

The scenario in which Green Bay faces Dallas

The juiciest possibility on the table is Green Bay meeting former coach Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.

This outcome doesn't hinge on what Minnesota does. It requires wins from San Francisco and Dallas and a loss by Philly, which is actually a plausible course of action.

The scenario in which Green Bay faces Philadelphia

Those who remember the 2010 Packers eking into the playoffs as the final seed in the NFC, then starting a Super Bowl run in Philadelphia, might appreciate the nostalgia of this arrangement, but it feels like the most longshot of the four.

As with Dallas, this one doesn't require Minnesota's involvement but it does require three other outcomes to go precisely one way. If Dallas and Philadelphia lose and San Francisco wins, the Eagles will face the Packers.

What about ties?

Most ties lead to a matchup with the 49ers.

If the Packers tie Detroit, Green Bay won't be going to the playoffs

If the Vikings tie Chicago, Minnesota won't gain any ground and remain a No. 3 seed (the Packers won't play them).

If the 49ers tie Arizona, they'd be vulnerable to fall below a winning Vikings team. Otherwise, they'd remain the No. 2 seed and Green Bay's opponent. It would preclude the Packers from facing Philadelphia or Dallas.

If the Cowboys tie Washington, they can't catch Philadelphia and would be no better than a No. 5 seed, unable to play the Packers.

If the Eagles tie New York, they'll be locked into the No. 1 seed and won't play Green Bay.

If multiple teams tie ... nah, we're not doing all the math. Status quo probably reigns and the Packers face the 49ers.

JR Radcliffe can be reached at (262) 361-9141 or jradcliffe@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JRRadcliffe.

OKC Thunder falters late vs. Jordan Poole, Golden State Warriors

SAN FRANCISCO — The Thunder led the Warriors for the first 39 minutes and 30 seconds of the game Tuesday night before things unraveled for the young Thunder.

Warriors guard Jordan Poole went nuclear. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault went nuclear on the referees (more on that later).

Golden State beat Oklahoma City 136-125 thanks to a fourth-quarter rout.

The Warriors outscored the Thunder 34-19 in the final frame. Heck, Poole almost outscored the Thunder by himself. Poole scored 18 of his 30 points in 10 fourth-quarter minutes. A Poole 3-pointer tied the game with 10 minutes left, and a Poole free throw gave the Warriors their first lead of the game.

“We weren’t quite on point there,” Daigneault said of the Thunder’s fourth-quarter defense, “but I thought our competitiveness and our poise was there tonight. I just thought the execution on the defensive end wasn’t great.”

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The Thunder (38-42) has lost four of its last five and has a half-game lead on the Mavericks (37-42) for the last West play-in spot.

“These types of games are great for us,” Thunder guard Josh Giddey said. “(The Warriors) are playing for position, we’re playing to try and keep our season going and we understand what’s at stake.”

The Thunder can finish no higher than 10th, which means an elimination game on the road for the Thunder if it makes the play-in. According to playoffstatus.com, the Thunder has a 66% chance of making the play-in at No. 10, and a 34% chance of missing the play-in.

OKC has two games left: Thursday at Utah and Sunday vs. Memphis. OKC’s magic number is two. It can clinch the No. 10 spot with two wins, or any combination of Thunder wins/Mavericks losses that add up to two.

Dallas has three games left, all at home: vs. Sacramento on Wednesday, vs. Chicago on Friday and vs. San Antonio on Sunday.

“It’s awesome,” Daigneault said of being in this meaningful position. “You look out on the court, you’ve got rookie players, you’ve got second-and third-year guys. Everybody at this point is playing the most minutes they’ve ever played in an NBA season, for the most part, and having to grind through in games that have some weight, not only for us, but for our opponents.

“These are games where we’re getting peoples’ best shot. I thought we got their best shot tonight, and that’s great for our growth. I love it for our guys.”

More:Tramel's ScissorTales: New CBA deal finally gets rid of positions on all-NBA teams

Officials admit error on dead ball blunder in Thunder vs. Warriors

When the Thunder threw the ball out of bounds with 6:05 left in the game, a turnover that resulted in a dead ball, Thunder guard Jalen Williams was at the scorer’s table ready to check in.

Warriors forward Draymond Green, sensing the oncoming substitution, rushed a referee into giving him the ball for the inbounds pass. The Warriors basically quick-pitched the Thunder, with J-Dub raising his hands in disbelief.

The Warriors’ possession ended in an easy layup, with one of the Thunder’s best defenders in Williams still standing at the scorer’s table.

Daigneault went berserk.

Daigneault called timeout and chewed out the three officials — Courtney Kirkland, Karl Lane and Nate Green — one by one. At one point, Daigneault had to be held back by assistant coach Mike Wilks and a team security guard.

Daigneault was assessed a technical. At the time, the Warriors led by three points, and the technical free throw increased their lead to four. Golden State cruised from there.

“When there’s a dead ball like that, the official has discretion on how quickly to inbound the ball,” Daigneault said after the game. “Players in the league, (Draymond) Green was the inbounder there, have figured that out, and they go over there and compel the official, basically like, ‘Give me the ball, give me the ball.’ And with some players in the NBA, clearly Green being one of them, they just throw the ball in.”

Daigneault likened the blunder to “an umpire walking a guy on three pitches.”

“And now I have to call a timeout to get the sub in,” Daigneault said. “They scored on the ensuing possession, I was getting one of our better defenders in the game, and I get a technical. That oversight by them cost us three points and a timeout.”

The officials owned up to the mistake.

“We did not recognize that Jalen Williams was at the scorer’s table when the ball went out of bounds,” Kirkland, the crew chief, said in a pool report. “Because he was at the scorer’s table he should have been allowed to come into the game, but we did not recognize that he was there. It was our error, and he should have been allowed to enter the game.”

Daigneault said the Thunder tried to pull a similar stunt on a third quarter out of bounds play.

“Lu Dort’s the inbounder, same official, Lu Dort’s begging for the ball, doesn’t give it to him,” Daigneault said. “Same situation. That’s why I lost my mind, because that’s in front of our bench and that to me is something that we feel regularly as the youngest team in the league, but that (Warriors) one, for a sub to be up and for the ball to be inbounded so quickly that they don’t see the sub, I was beside myself on that, obviously.

“With that being said, credit to Golden State. It’s not what lost the game.”

More:Thunder 'made it very easy' for Michael Cage to support San Diego State at Final Four

High flying first half in Thunder vs. Warriors

Jalen Williams passed to Jaylin Williams, who passed back to Jalen Williams, who drained a 3-pointer to beat the second-quarter buzzer.

The Thunder jogged off the court with a 79-69 lead.

It tied OKC’s highest-scoring half of the season. The Thunder shot 60% from the floor, including 57% (8-of-14) from 3-point range.

The Thunder withstood a 24-point first half from Steph Curry, who went 4-of-8 from 3-point range. The Warriors shot 11-of-22 from three in the first half and still trailed by 10 points.

Through two quarters, Curry was the only Warrior in double digits. Meanwhile, four Thunder players were in double digits, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 21 first-half points on 7-of-10 shooting.

Jalen Williams and Isaiah Joe had 14 points in the first half. Lu Dort had 11 points.

More:Tramel: Jalen Williams seems headed for stardom, but what kind of star will he be?

SGA, Steph Curry superstar showcase

SGA crossed over Warriors center Kevon Looney in the second quarter and drained a stepback jumper. Gilgeous-Alexander drew “how did he do that?” murmurs from the Warriors crowd.

SGA had a lot of those moments Tuesday night.

So did Stephen Curry.

Gilgeous-Alexander and Curry, two players with entirely different offensive games, put on a stunning show for the Chase Center crowd.

The two players combined for 45 points in the first half on 16-of-26 shooting.

Heck, SGA even did his best Curry impression — at least for a moment. Gilgeous-Alexander shot 2-of-2 from 3-point range in the first quarter. It was just the second time this season that SGA made two or more 3-pointers in a quarter.

Curry averages 12 3-point attempts per game. Gilgeous-Alexander averages 2.5.

Curry drew a charge against SGA at the eight-minute mark in the third quarter. It was SGA’s fourth foul of the game, but he stayed in.

Curry scored a game-high 34 points on 11-of-25 shooting. He shot 6-of-13 from 3-point range. Curry had six assists and five rebounds.

Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 32 points on 11-of-17 shooting. He had seven assists and five rebounds.

“We were aggressive, weren’t scared, we were confident,” SGA said after the game. “I think we were just ourselves and I think that’s what you try to get done in a pressure situation — just try to be who you are and not stray.”

More:'Best coach I’ve ever had': Mark Daigneault's G League players not surprised by NBA ascent

Ousmane Dieng gets physical

Ousmane Dieng, at least for now, has emerged as the Thunder’s ninth man.

The rookie forward logged eight solid minutes Tuesday night.

Dieng drove and finished an and-one layup in the second quarter. The Warriors unsuccessfully challenged the call.

“He continues to get better,” Daigneault said. “He continues to get more comfortable. I thought he was in his spots defensively.

“It’s a great environment, both where we are in the season and also on the road against a team like Golden State, not only for him, but for everybody.”

More:'He's making Hamilton his': How Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's hometown shaped him

Thunder tip-ins

● Mark Daigneault watched the national title game Monday night as his UConn Huskies beat San Diego State. Daigneault was a student manager at UConn from 2003-07. The Huskies won the national title in Daigneault’s freshman year. “To win every game in the tournament by double digits is so hard,” Daigneault said. “I haven’t been there in a while, but I’ve been there enough to know how hard it is in that tournament to play that well.”

● Warriors guard Klay Thompson (lower back soreness) was ruled out a half-hour before tip-off.

● Aleksej Pokusevski (left knee contusion) was a late scratch for the Thunder.

● Andrew Wiggins has returned to the Warriors after missing the last 21 games due to personal reasons. Wiggins didn’t suit up against the Thunder, but it looks like the Warriors will have him back for the postseason.

● The Thunder hasn’t won in San Francisco since Nov. 25, 2019 — a losing streak of five games at the Warriors.

● The Warriors improved to 33-8 at home. The Warriors are 9-30 on the road. Only the Rockets and Spurs have a worse road record among West teams. “You have to take them extremely seriously at home,” Daigneault said. “They’re a great home team. They have been for years.”

● The Warriors won the season series 3-1.

● Lu Dort scored the first bucket of the game, a driving layup through contact. Dort finished better at the rim, an area of his game that’s been lacking. He finished with 17 points.

● Isaiah Joe led the Thunder’s bench with 14 points and five rebounds. He shot 2-of-3 from behind the arc.

● Rookie guard Jalen Williams had 19 points on 50% shooting.

● Guard Josh Giddey had 15 points, six rebounds and five assists.

● A Jaylin Williams 3-pointer put the Thunder up 17-9 in the first quarter. Steve Kerr called timeout. All five Thunder starters were already on the scoreboard.

● SGA picked up his third foul four minutes before halftime. He picked up his fourth foul early in the third quarter. He still played 34 minutes, though.

● Jaylin Williams drew his 41st charge in his 48th game. No other player in the NBA has drawn more than 30 charges.

● Thunder forward Dario Saric was whistled for a technical after the third-quarter buzzer. OKC led by four going into the fourth, but the Warriors slashed the lead to three after the technical free throw.

● Mark Daigneault emptied his bench with the Thunder down 13 points. Jared Butler, Tre Mann and Olivier Sarr played the final three minutes.

● Golden State outrebounded OKC 54-38. The Warriors had 19 offensive rebounds, which led to a 25-9 Warriors advantage in second-chance points.

● The Thunder shot 3-of-18 from three in the second half.

More:OKC Thunder schedule: How to watch the Thunder in 2022-23 NBA season

NBA Western Conference playoff picture

The top six teams advance to NBA Playoffs, while the seventh- through 10th-place teams advance to a play-in tournament. The winner of the No. 7-vs.-No. 8 game will be the No. 7 seed in the playoff. The winner of the No. 9-vs.-No. 10 game will face the 7-8 loser for the No. 8 seed.

Standings after games played on Tuesday, April 4:

y-Denver Nuggets (52-27) y-Memphis Grizzlies (50-29) y-Sacramento Kings (48-31) x-Phoenix Suns (44-35) Golden State Warriors (42-38) Los Angeles Clippers (41-38) Los Angeles Lakers (41-38) -- Clippers own tiebreaker based on head-to-head record New Orleans Pelicans (40-39) Minnesota Timberwolves (40-40) Oklahoma City Thunder (38-42) Dallas Mavericks (37-42) Utah Jazz (36-43)

More:Tramel: Jalen Williams seems headed for stardom, but what kind of star will he be?

MLB top free agents 2022: Best players available, signing updates

If Major League Baseball is truly a copycat industry, this should be a lucrative winter for free agents.

Five years after executive indifference led to a chilling, multiyear depression for top players, one year after a 99-day lockout split a sizzling market in half and led to a frenzied signing period just days from Opening Day, some semblance of stability has returned to baseball.

The COVID-19 cancellations and restrictions of 2020-21 are largely gone. A five-year collective bargaining agreement was struck, even as the onerous qualifying offer will still stick to a handful of free agents.

And 2023 should resemble something close to a “normal” season for the first time since 2018, bereft of labor strife, juiced baseballs and nascent infectious disease. What’s more, as the highly aggressive San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies joined the stalwart Houston Astros and New York Yankees in baseball’s final four, owners received a not-so-subtle reminder: Aggression helps. Spending helps.

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With that, a look at the top 87 free agents, from the elite to those reasonably expected to sign a major league contract. Rankings based on projected future performance and perceived market value:

(Age as of April 1, 2023; 2022 team)

1. Aaron Judge (30, OF, Yankees)

He does not play the game’s most premium position, but Judge has many factors in his favor: A potential bi-coastal bidding war, a Yankees franchise that should be highly motivated to retain him and, oh yeah, the AL-record 62 homers he slugged last season. Judge may not get the lengthy deal the younger shortstop on this list may receive, but a high annual value and his greater appeal should put him atop this winter’s market.

SIGNED: Nine years, $360 million with Yankees, Dec. 7.

2. Carlos Correa (28, SS, Twins)

One year after topping this list, Correa is back, after accepting an opt-out laden, lockout-driven deal that paid him $35.5 million last season. After duplicating his on-base percentage (.366), increasing his adjusted OPS (140) but seeing a slip in some defensive metrics, Correa is a year older but just as good. If 10 years, $350 million was a shoot-for-the-sky number last year, why not nine years, $315 million this time?

SIGNED: Six years, $200 million with Twins, Jan. 10.

3. Trea Turner (29, SS, Dodgers)

If Correa is No. 1 among shortstops, Turner is very much 1A, a year older but quicker, showing better afield but with less power, less reliable in walk rate and OBP but also a legitimate game-changer. Will the Dodgers realize how special their Turner-Mookie Betts-Freddie Freeman power trio is, or will they return to “fiscal responsibility” and replace Turner internally? Either way, he will draw huge interest from Philly to Frisco, and has a good shot at cracking the $300 million barrier.

SIGNED: 11 years, $300 million with Phillies, Dec. 5.

4. Xander Bogaerts (30, SS, Red Sox)

Like Judge, Bogaerts has a significant factor in his favor: A huge market quickly growing impatient with its front office and ready to howl in protest should a core player depart via free agency. Bogaerts’ departure would only ramp up the angst in Boston one year ahead of Rafael Devers’ free agency. Oh, and he can play: Bogaerts produced 6.1 fWAR last season and led all shortstops with a .377 OBP.

SIGNED: 11 years, $280 million with Padres, Dec. 7.

5. Dansby Swanson (29, SS, Braves)

If you don’t consider Swanson a “franchise player” the way you would Correa or Turner, perhaps further examination is necessary. Swanson blew away the shortstop field in outs above average (21) and trailed only Francisco Lindor with 6.4 WAR. Now that he’s aged into more power, averaging 26 homers the past two seasons, there’s far more to tangibly love about Swanson beyond the fact he quarterbacked five consecutive division champions.

SIGNED: Seven years, $177 million with Cubs, Dec. 17.

6. Jacob deGrom (34, SP, Mets)

Is there a more volatile player on the market? DeGrom brings the upside of a two-time Cy Young Award winner and a guy who struck out 14.3 batters per nine innings each of the past two seasons – and the downside of a pitcher limited to 26 starts over those two years due to assorted injuries. Perhaps the Mets keep it simple, offer him a deal that mirrors running mate Max Scherzer’s (three years, $130 million) and everyone calls it a day at $43 million per year. But will deGrom want more guaranteed cash? Will a pitching-hungry team ignore the red flags and pay him like a starter in his prime?

SIGNED: Five years, $185 million with Rangers, Dec. 2.

7. Justin Verlander (40, SP, Astros)

Verlander’s body may be entering its fifth decade, but his elbow is just a year old, and he was electric in his first season removed from Tommy John surgery. While Verlander will still be subject to myriad old man pains – such as the calf injury that knocked him out for a few weeks near the end of the season – his new arm produced a 1.75 ERA and 185 strikeouts. Now, will an aggressive suitor guarantee his wish that he pitch until he’s at least 45?

SIGNED: Two years, $86 million with Mets, Dec. 5.

8. Carlos Rodon (30, SP, Giants)

Rodon fused the dominance of a career comeback year in 2021 with good health in 2022, making 31 starts and leading the majors in strikeouts per nine innings (12) and fielding independent pitching (2.25). Now, a well-timed opt-out means the best lefty on the market will flirt with a nine-figure contract.

SIGNED: Six years, $162 million with Yankees, Dec. 15.

9. Willson Contreras (30, C, Cubs)

Are the Cubs ready to bid farewell to the last everyday connection to their World Series winners? They could do worse than retain a catcher who’s still a four-win player, can still churn out an .815 OPS, and would become a crucial part of any club’s foundation.

SIGNED: Five years, $87.5 million with Cardinals, Dec. 7.

10. Tyler Anderson (33, SP, Dodgers)

Feel free to scoff at a pitcher who cut his ERA nearly in half, to 2.57, and made the All-Star Game after bouncing around four clubs the previous three years. We’re inclined to believe the Anderson breakout, that his true self will land somewhere between his ERA and his 3.31 FIP, provided a club well-versed in getting the best out of him, as the Dodgers did, is inclined to buy into his career season.

SIGNED: Three years, $39 million with Angels, Nov. 15.

11. Brandon Nimmo (30, CF, Mets)

While two of his past five seasons have been injury-shortened, it’s tough to argue with Nimmo’s offensive consistency in that span: An .837 OPS (134 adjusted), a .388 OBP and 55 extra-base hits per 162 games. In 2022 he was borderline elite in center field and will hold down a premium position and the leadoff spot for any suitor.

SIGNED: Eight years, $162 million with Mets, Dec. 8.

12. Chris Bassitt (34, SP, Mets)

He may not be an ace, but Bassitt is pretty much money in the bank as a No. 3 starter. Bassitt held down the Mets rotation when Scherzer and deGrom were injured and his WHIP, ERA and strikeout-walk ratio have hovered in the same range the past four years. A big-market suitor with an established No. 1 would be an ideal fit.

SIGNED: Three years, $63 million with Blue Jays, Dec. 12.

13. Kenley Jansen (35, RP, Braves)

His price tag soared when Edwin Diaz accepted $105 million to return to the Mets, establishing a ceiling for relievers while plucking the best one off the market. Jansen got $80 million from the Dodgers six years ago and while that may be unrealistic, supply and demand will drive his price high after leading the majors in saves (41) and striking out 12 batters per nine innings.

SIGNED: Two years, $32 million with Red Sox, Dec. 7.

14. Anthony Rizzo (33, 1B, Yankees)

While Rizzo posted a full-season career low .224 batting average, he still muscled 32 balls out of Yankee Stadium and his .817 OPS was his best since 2019. Plenty of demand for a middle-of-the-lineup bat and Gold Glove-caliber defender.

SIGNED: Two years, $40 million with Yankees, Nov. 15.

15. Nathan Eovaldi (31, SP, Red Sox)

Time is both Eovaldi's friend and foe. He's five years removed from Tommy John surgery and just one year past an All-Star campaign where he struck out 195 and led the AL in starts (32) and FIP (2.79). But injuries limited him to 20 starts this year and the mileage on his body may make getting longer than a four-year deal challenging.

SIGNED: Two years, $34 million with Rangers, Dec. 27.

16. Taijuan Walker (30, SP, Mets)

After a decade of fits and starts, Walker has settled into who he is and it’s pretty good: A 3.65 FIP that mirrors his 3.49 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP that will look just fine on the market. Walker has made 29 starts each of the past two seasons and represents a nice mid-range rotation option - particularly since he won't be saddled with the qualifying offer, as teammates Bassitt and deGrom will.

SIGNED: Four years, $72 million with Phillies, Dec. 6.

17. Josh Bell (30, 1B, Padres)

Few switch hitters offer the plate coverage and power potential the 6-4, 260-pound Bell does. He struggled after a midseason trade, with his OPS dipping from .877 in Washington to .587 in San Diego, but offers a career .351 OBP and an easily expected 25 homers.

SIGNED: Two years, $33 million with Guardians, Dec. 6.

18. Clayton Kershaw (35, SP, Dodgers)

Feels like the same tune as before: Back to L.A. on a short-term deal or into the carpool line. Maybe the Rangers but maybe not. Either way, Kershaw had a strong bounceback from 2021 elbow woes, making 22 starts and posting a 2.57 FIP that was his best since 2016.

SIGNED: One year, $20 million with Dodgers, Dec. 5.

19. Jose Abreu (36, 1B/DH, White Sox)

His White Sox for life stint may finally be ending after nine seasons and 243 home runs, with Andrew Vaughn slated to take over at first. In his advanced age, Abreu has sacrificed some power (a career-low 15 homers in 2022) but not production (.824 OPS).

SIGNED: Three years, $58.5 million with Astros, Nov. 29.

20. Michael Wacha (31, SP, Red Sox)

After three seasons as a swing guy, Wacha started 22 games with Boston and showed well, his 1.12 WHIP and 127 adjusted ERA full-season career bests. He’s made 22 starts each of the past two seasons, which won’t guarantee him frontline money, but Wacha is settling into a nice comfort zone somewhere between the phenom he was and the injury-addled pitcher who struggled late last decade.

SIGNED: Four years, $24 million with Padres, Feb. 16.

21. Martín Perez (31, SP, Rangers)

Yet another late-career lefty who makes you wonder, just how real was last year? Perez flourished back in Arlington, posting career bests in ERA (2.89) and FIP (3.26), giving up just 0.5 home runs per nine innings and making his first All-Star team. His career marks entering the season – 4.71, 4.54, 1.5. Feeling lucky?

SIGNED: Accepted one-year, $19.65 million qualifying offer from Rangers, Nov. 15.

22. Jameson Taillon (31, SP, Yankees)

After two Tommy John surgeries, Taillon found himself in the Bronx, settling in not as the ace drafted between Bryce Harper and Manny Machado but rather a steady mid-rotation option. Taillon equaled his career high with 32 starts and posted the best strikeout-walk ratio (4.72) of his career while his 3.91 ERA landed on league average a second consecutive year.

SIGNED: Four years, $68 million with Cubs, Dec. 7.

23. Rafael Montero (32, RP, Astros)

Montero capped a career season – a 2.37 ERA over 71 appearances, just three homers allowed – with a fantastic playoff run that only further showcased him before a first trip to the free agent market. Montero punched out 10 in 9 ⅓ playoff innings over 10 games and took part in a combined no-hitter. Perhaps not a closer, but certainly will be a valued seventh- or eighth-inning guy.

SIGNED: Three years, $34.5 million, with Astros.

24. Joc Pederson (30, OF, Giants)

Will a second dip into free agency yield Pederson more than the one-year deal San Francisco gave him? Perhaps his future will be as a platoon guy, but the Giants also deployed him well: He smacked 23 home runs, one every 16.5 at-bats, his best rate since hitting 37 in the juiced-ball 2019 season. You could do worse than a useful outfielder who rakes against right-handers, which is why the Giants extended him the $19.65 million qualifying offer that will likely produce a return engagement.

SIGNED: Accepted one-year, $19.65 million qualifying offer from Giants, Nov. 15.

25. Seth Lugo (33, RP, Mets)

The Mets have a dozen free agents and many share an identical profile: Really valuable to us, but should fetch a lot of cash on the open market. Toss Lugo in that bin: He appeared in a career-high 65 games this season and struck out more than a batter an inning for the fifth consecutive year. They can surely get by without him, but those numbers aren’t easy to replace.

SIGNED: Two years, $15 million with Padres, Dec. 19.

26. Robert Suarez (32, RP, Padres)

Behold the most fascinating reliever on the market. Suarez has just one major league season to his credit, but dominated after spending eight seasons in Mexico and Japan, striking out 61 in 47 ⅔ innings. He overpowered the Dodgers in the NLDS before giving up a pennant-winning home run to Bryce Harper in the NLCS. Still, there’s not much tread on the arm and the market is thin, so don’t be surprised when Suarez gets a large payday.

SIGNED: Five years, $46 million with Padres.

27. J.D. Martinez (35, DH, Red Sox)

The landscape has changed a lot since Martinez signed a five-year, $110 million deal with Boston. Good news: The NL added the designated hitter. Bad news: Martinez’s power has diminished a bit, hitting just 16 homers in 139 games. He still thumped 43 doubles, though, and a 30-team market for his services will ensure a decent payday.

SIGNED: One year, $10 million with Dodgers, Dec. 17.

28. Johnny Cueto (37, SP, White Sox)

A nice revival for the quick-pitching right-hander, whose 158 ⅓-inning total was his highest since his 2016 All-Star campaign. The innings-eaters thin out pretty quickly on this list, making postmodern Cueto a decent gamble for mid-range rotation help.

SIGNED: One year, $8.5 million with Marlins, Jan. 10.

29. Jose Quintana (34, SP, Cardinals)

A wild ride for Quintana, who looked cooked after a lost 2021 but posted a 2.93 ERA over 32 starts and got the Game 1 nod in the playoffs after a trade from Pittsburgh to St. Louis. Betting on a repeat might be foolhardy, but Quintana suppresses home runs (majors-best 0.4 per nine) and controls the strike zone, which is most of the battle these days.

SIGNED: Two years, $26 million with Mets, Dec. 7.

30. Ross Stripling (33, SP, Blue Jays)

Behold the majors’ self-awareness king, who knows he won’t strike out many guys, isn’t built to go deep into games but knows how to deliver quality innings. Stripling provided a 1.02 WHIP over 134 ⅓ innings and can start, “open” or pitch bulk relief innings.

SIGNED: Two years, $25 million with Giants, Dec. 13.

31. Andrew Benintendi (28, OF, Yankees)

A strange 2022 for Benintendi, who posted a career-best .373 OBP, made the AL All-Star team and then fractured a hamate bone after a trade from Kansas City to New York. He hit just five home runs in 461 at-bats. Yet his age is such that there could still be growth for Benintendi – from an acumen and/or power standpoint.

SIGNED: Five years, $75 million with White Sox, Dec. 16.

32. Matt Moore (33, RP, Rangers)

Thanks to advanced metrics, teams are finding they can get by without a left-handed reliever (see: Astros), but Moore morphed into one of the best in his first season exclusively out of the bullpen. Moore struck out 10 per nine innings and notched five saves and 14 holds with just one blown save.

SIGNED: One year, $7.55 million with Angels, Feb. 16.

33. Mitch Haniger (32, OF, Mariners)

Injuries have limited Haniger to 277 games since 2018, but he’s managed a 120 adjusted OPS over the past two seasons, including a 39-homer campaign in 2021.

SIGNED: Three years, $43.5 million with Giants, Dec. 6.

34. Corey Kluber (36, SP, Rays)

The former Cy Young Award winner topped the 30-start mark for the first time since 2018 and while he posted a 4.34 ERA, did lead the majors in fewest walks (1.2) per nine innings. A friendly ballpark and an elite defensive team would make a particularly good fit for Kluber, who may get a multiyear commitment after signing a pair of one-year deals.

SIGNED: One year, $10 million with Red Sox, Dec. 28.

35. Noah Syndergaard (30, SP, Phillies)

An odd but effective 2022 for Thor, who in his first full-bore year back from Tommy John surgery pitched above league average in 24 starts for the Angels and Phillies before adopting a swingman role in the postseason. Whether he can build back toward the guy who tossed 197 innings in 2019 is uncertain, but in the right hands, he should take another step toward the previous version of himself.

SIGNED: One year, $13 million with Dodgers, Dec. 14.

36. Drew Smyly (33, SP, Cubs)

Smyly’s 2023 team will likely be his eighth in 10 seasons, but he might finally lay down some roots. While he pitched just 106 ⅓ innings, Smyly posted a 3.47 ERA and a 118 adjusted ERA and is firmly atop a second tier of available lefty starters.

SIGNED: Two years, $19 million with Cubs, Dec. 22.

37. Zach Eflin (28, SP/RP, Phillies)

Recovering from a knee injury hatched a pleasant surprise for the Phillies and Eflin, who, lacking the runway to build back as a starter, became a crucial relief weapon for them down the stretch and in the playoffs. Eflin tossed 6 ⅓ scoreless innings over six games of the NLCS and World Series, and he gave up just one earned run in 7 ⅓ relief innings in the regular season. Perhaps a Philly reunion, where they know what he can bring to the table, is the best outcome for all.

SIGNED: Three years, $40 million with Rays, Dec. 1.

38. Andrew Chafin (32, RP, Tigers)

Opted out after a solid single season in Detroit, where he punched out 67 in 57 ⅓ innings. Salty veteran presence will play well in a veteran or developing bullpen.

SIGNED: One year, $6.25 million with Diamondbacks, Feb. 13.

39. Chris Martin (36, RP, Dodgers)

Yet another L.A. success story, as Martin went from mop-up work with the Cubs (4.31 ERA in 34 games) to a high-leverage slot with the Dodgers (1.46 ERA in 24 games). Come playoff time, he was an eighth- or ninth-inning guy; for his sake, here’s hoping he bottled whatever the Dodgers gave him.

SIGNED: Two years, $17.5 million with Red Sox, Dec. 2.

40. Brandon Drury (30, INF/OF, Padres)

After churning through four teams in seven seasons, Drury found his groove in 2022, smacking a career-best 28 homers with the Reds and Padres, winning a Silver Slugger award. He added five RBI in the NLCS and, with his multi-positional versatility, may have found a niche by his 30th birthday.

SIGNED: Two years, $17 million with Angels, Dec. 20.

41. Jordan Lyles (32, SP, Orioles)

The Lyles-Orioles union was ideal: Veteran starter provides innings and counsel to young, unproven staff. Now, they’re ready to move on, declining Lyles’ $11 million club option. But Lyles posts, logging 180 and 179 innings the past two seasons and should do the same for a similarly green staff in 2023.

SIGNED: Two years, $17 million with Royals, Dec. 20.

42. Kevin Kiermaier (32, OF, Rays)

Kiermaier seems as much a part of Tampa Bay as grouper sandwiches and pop-up showers, but the club declined his ’23 option, which likely marks the end of his decade at Tropicana Field. Kiermaier totes a .308 career OBP and will be coming off hip surgery, but remains one of the game’s elite defensive center fielders.

SIGNED: One year, $9 million with Blue Jays, Dec. 9.

43. Andrew Heaney (31, SP/RP, Dodgers)

Injuries limited Heaney to 72 ⅔ innings but, as so many do, he renewed his career with the Dodgers, posting his finest season since 2015. Heaney struck out 110 and posted a 1.08 WHIP and likely found a road map for optimal usage – mostly starter, sometimes reliever, deployed in multi-inning bursts.

SIGNED: Two years, $25 million with Rangers, Dec. 6.

44. Adam Ottavino (37, RP, Mets)

Ottavino has pitched in five consecutive postseasons and, even as he nears 40, still finds himself in high-leverage situations for playoff teams. He dropped his WHIP below 1.00 for the first time since 2018 and posted a fabulous 188 adjusted ERA.

SIGNED: Two years, $14.5 million with Mets, Dec. 20.

45. Justin Turner (38, 3B, Dodgers)

The Dodgers unsurprisingly declined his $16 million option and it’d be equally unsurprising if they brought him back at a lesser salary. Turner turned in a respectable .278/.350/.438 season, though his home run output dipped from 27 to 13.

SIGNED: Two years, $21.7 million with Red Sox, Dec. 18.

46. Rich Hill (43, SP, Red Sox)

It may once again be Boston or bust for Hill, who has expressed an interest in returning and also representing the USA in the World Baseball Classic. Even if he’s just a five-inning guy in his advanced age, Hill remains valued in Boston and a return seems quite possible.

SIGNED: One year, $8 million with Pirates, Dec. 27.

47. Yuli Gurriel (38, 1B, Astros)

From batting champion to below-average hitter, it’s fair to wonder if time has caught up with Gurriel, whose average has fluctuated greatly the past four seasons: .298, .232, .319, .242. He rallied with a fabulous postseason, posting a .347/.360/.490 line in 50 plate appearances and that’s probably where his future lies: Part-time bat on a contending team.

SIGNED: Minor-league contract with Marlins, March 10.

48. A.J. Pollock (35, OF, White Sox)

Pollock struggled in his first AL season, posting a career-low .292 OBP in 527 plate appearances. He was probably too exposed in Chicago’s lineup and should provide value in a more part-time role, where he might better approach the .355 OBP he produced for the Dodgers in 2021.

SIGNED: One year, $7 million with Mariners, Jan. 8.

49. Matt Carpenter (37, 1B/DH, Yankees)

The Yankees rescued Carpenter from a minor-league contract with Texas and deployed him to perfection, batting .305 and hitting 15 home runs in 154 plate appearances. Should be an ideal lefty part of a DH platoon somewhere.

SIGNED: Two years, $12 million with Padres, Dec. 20.

50. Jurickson Profar (30, INF/OF, Padres)

Profar played in a career-high 152 games and was a playoff menace, producing a .365 OBP, often out of the leadoff spot. While he’ll never hit for much power, Profar remains a multi-position value for a contending team.

SIGNED: One year, $7.75 million with Rockies, March 19.

51. Jean Segura (33, INF, Phillies)

Segura broke the majors’ longest streak without reaching the playoffs (1,328 games) and then got the Phillies’ biggest hit, a go-ahead single in their wild-card opener at St. Louis. Segura is a valued veteran and a firmly league average hitter, but Philadelphia is expected to go big at shortstop and move rookie Bryson Stott to second base.

SIGNED: Two years, $17 million with Marlins, Dec. 28.

52. Michael Brantley (35, OF, Astros)

Check back in five decades, when Brantley will wake up from an afternoon nap at the senior center and knock out three hits. He had a .370 OBP before a torn labrum that required shoulder surgery ended his year after 64 games. He will mash, somewhere.

SIGNED: One year, $12 million with Astros, Dec. 18.

53. Mike Clevinger (32, SP, Padres)

Four years after striking out 207 batters, Clevinger remains a curiosity, largely because injuries limited him to 30 starts since 2020. San Diego saw fit to give him two playoff starts and he didn’t record an out in the second one. An incentive-laced deal for a maybe-contender would seem to best benefit both parties.

SIGNED: One year, $12 million with White Sox, Nov. 27.

54. Zack Greinke (39, SP, Royals)

Seems like a Royals reunion is in the works here, unless Greinke and Family decide to become full-time Mariners season-ticket holders. Can Greinke rack up 118 more strikeouts and become the 20th pitcher to exceed 3,000 in a career?

SIGNED: One year, $8 million with Royals, Jan. 30.

55. David Phelps (36, RP, Blue Jays)

He took the ball 65 times at age 35, and therein lies Phelps’ value. A 64-31 strikeout-walk ratio won’t get checkbooks rumbling, but Phelps will absorb innings and often in quality fashion, with a 2.83 ERA in 2022.

RETIRED: Announced retirement Jan. 18.

56. David Peralta (35, OF, Rays)

You can count on Peralta for 30 doubles a year and slightly better than league average production overall, though his Silver Slugger season of 2018 does seem like a long time ago.

SIGNED: One year, $7.5 million with Dodgers, Feb. 10.

57. Elvis Andrus (35, SS, White Sox)

Next year will mark Andrus’ 15th in the major leagues, all of them spent at shortstop. He and the White Sox got a nice little boost when he arrived in an August trade and Andrus finished as a league average hitter for the first time since 2017.

SIGNED: One year, $3 million with White Sox, Feb. 19.

58. Andrew McCutchen (36, OF, Brewers)

Last year marked a career first for McCutchen: The only season in which his adjusted OPS (99) was less than league average. OK, so just barely, but nonetheless, the former MVP needs a path to viability entering his 15th season after he hit .237 with 17 homers in 515 at-bats and was successful on just 57% of his 14 stolen base attempts.

SIGNED: One year, $5 million with Pirates, Jan. 20.

59. Brandon Belt (34, 1B/DH, Giants)

A dozen years in San Francisco finished roughly for Belt, plagued by injuries and seeing his OPS plummet from .975 to .676. But good health and a fresh start would make him an attractive lefty DH candidate.

SIGNED: One year, $9.3 million with Blue Jays, Jan. 9.

60. Trey Mancini (31, 1B/OF, Astros)

Probably best to judge Mancini for the .751 OPS in four months with Baltimore than the .622 mark after a trade to Houston – though he will get a shiny championship ring from the Astros. Still some pop in that bat and always plenty of respect in the clubhouse should a first base/DH timeshare open up for him.

SIGNED: Two years, $14 million with Cubs, Jan. 20.

61. Kyle Gibson (35, SP, Phillies)

He still eats innings with the best of them, but now they taste a little more sour. Gibson produced a 5.05 ERA over 167 ⅔ innings, and his 5.06 ERA in a year and a half with Philly was a run and a half more than his previous year and a half in Texas (3.52). Will take ball, will travel.

SIGNED: One year, $10 million with Orioles, Dec. 5.

62. Carlos Santana (36, DH, Mariners)

Santana is very much in the hired gun stage of his career, what with his OBP dropping from .397 in an All-Star season of 2019 to .316 last year. He did help galvanize the Mariners’ lineup, though, hitting 14 homers in 79 games, and retains value as a lefty-swinging DH.

SIGNED: One year, $6.7 million with Pirates, Nov. 25.

63. Michael Lorenzen (31, SP, Angels)

For the first time in his career, Lorenzen worked exclusively as a starter and was OK, averaging 5 ⅓ innings per outing with a 4.24 ERA. And that’s what you’ll likely get: A five-ish inning, league average pitcher.

SIGNED: One year, $8.5 million with Tigers, Dec. 14.

64. Tommy Kahnle (33, RP, Dodgers)

L.A. devoted two years to Kahnle’s Tommy John surgery recovery and got 12 appearances out of it, plus three more in the playoffs. But Kahnle did show glimpses why the Dodgers were so intrigued, posting a 0.63 WHIP in his limited runway.

SIGNED: Two years, $11.5 million with Yankees, Dec. 6.

65. Matthew Boyd (32, SP, Mariners)

Signed by the Giants in hopes he’d recover from injury to contribute, Boyd instead was shipped to Seattle in August and made 10 relief appearances, posting a 1.35 ERA. Could start or relieve in the future and yes, he’s left-handed.

SIGNED: One year, $10 million with Tigers, Dec. 14.

66. Brad Hand (33, RP, Phillies)

It’s been an uneven past two seasons for the three-time All-Star, who bobbed in and out of the Phillies’ circle of trust before making seven postseason appearances, five of them scoreless. Likely won’t land a closer gig, but can still take down fairly high-leverage late innings.

SIGNED: One year, $2 million with Rockies, March 4.

67. Brad Boxberger (34, RP, Brewers)

Milwaukee declined a $3 million club option after Boxberger posted nearly identical seasons for them (64 innings, 68 strikeouts, 2.95 ERA in ’22). He’ll probably do about that well on the market and settle in as a set-up man.

SIGNED: One year, $2.8 million with Cubs, Dec. 15.

68. Craig Kimbrel (34, RP, Dodgers)

The Craig Conundrum: Kimbrel isn’t comfortable in non-closing situations, but in 2022 was not particularly good as a closer. This left the Dodgers with little choice but keep him off the playoff roster. While he did save 22 games (and blew five others), his 7.7 hits per nine innings made many of them the white-knuckle variety.

SIGNED: One year, $10 million with Phillies, Dec. 23.

69. Joey Gallo (29, OF, Dodgers)

While it was convenient for a minute to say Gallo found a comfort level after his trade from New York to L.A., his line with the Dodgers (.162/.277/.393) was just as bad as it was with the Yankees (.159, .282, .339). Still, Gallo’s relative youth and power history (38 homers in 2021) will ensure he gets a DH gig in some form.

SIGNED: One year, $11 million with Twins, Dec. 16.

70. Zach Davies (30, SP, Diamondbacks)

Davies pared his ERA from 5.78 with the Cubs to 4.09 over 27 starts with the Diamondbacks, largely by cutting his walks by nearly a quarter. Rotation-filling fodder.

SIGNED: One year, $5 million with Diamondbacks, Jan. 4.

71. Jace Peterson (32, INF/OF, Brewers)

Just keeps chugging along: Was worth 2.3 WAR last season and should provide positional versatility to his sixth club come 2023.

SIGNED: Two years, $9.5 million with Athletics, Dec. 14.

72. Michael Fulmer (30, RP, Twins)

The one-time Rookie of the Year is now a usable relief piece, though a career-worst 4.6 walks per nine will dampen his earning power and a shot at high-leverage roles early.

SIGNED: One year, $4 million with Cubs, Feb. 10.

73. Christian Vázquez (32, C, Astros)

And so begins the march of respected veteran backstops. Vazquez’s trade left ‘em choked up in the Red Sox dugout and delighted in Houston, where he contributed three hits in 10 at-bats during the ALCS and World Series. A respectable 109 adjusted OPS overall.

SIGNED: Three years, $30 million with Twins, Dec. 16.

74. Luke Jackson (31, RP, Braves)

Perhaps a major league guarantee will be too hard to come by, but Jackson finished second in the NL with 31 holds in 2021 before April 2022 Tommy John surgery. With recovery time typically shorter for relievers, a modest multiyear commitment would be a decent gamble on a guy who posted a 1.98 ERA in his most recent season.

SIGNED: Two years, $11.5 million with Giants, Jan. 9.

75. Taylor Rogers (32, RP, Brewers)

After posting a 3.15 ERA and 50 saves in six seasons with Minnesota, the bottom fell out for Rogers after trades to San Diego and Milwaukee, where he combined for a 4.76 ERA. Yet his 1.18 WHIP was in line with his 1.16 mark; a moderate bounce-back seems possible.

SIGNED: Three years, $33 million with Giants, Dec. 23.

76. Josh Harrison (35, INF, White Sox)

Even if lighter in the bat department these days, Harrison played five positions for the White Sox, including pitcher, and provides key roster flexibility along with veteran bona fides.

SIGNED: One year, $2 million with Phillies, Jan. 29.

77. David Robertson (37, RP, Phillies)

Robertson recorded the Phillies’ lone World Series save, capping a year that began with the Cubs. Robertson’s 3.58 FIP is below average for a high-leverage reliever.

SIGNED: One year, $10 million with Mets, Dec. 8.

78. Tucker Barnhart (32, C, Tigers)

While his OBP fell to a career-low .287, Barnhart remains a respected receiver and should find a slot in the catching carousel.

SIGNED: Two years, $6.5 million with Cubs, Dec. 22.

79. Will Smith (33, RP, Astros)

Smith saved 37 games and helmed the World Series-winning Night Shift bullpen in Atlanta in 2021, then saw his WHIP spike to 1.41 and was traded to Houston. While Smith made the World Series roster, he did not pitch in the ’22 Series and may need to crawl back from a diminished role to begin ’23.

SIGNED: One year, $1.5 million, with Rangers, March 4.

80. Erasmo Ramirez (32, RP, Nationals)

He did everything the Nationals asked and did it well, finishing with a 2.92 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in a bullpen often under siege from starters failing to get deep into games.

SIGNED: One year, $1 million with Nationals, Dec. 20.

81. Dylan Bundy (30, SP, Twins)

Bundy started 29 games but was hit hard in Minnesota, yielding a 4.89 ERA and nearly 10 hits per nine innings.

SIGNED: Minor-league contract with Mets, March 25.

82. Robbie Grossman (33, OF, Braves)

While Grossman suffered the worst year of his career, he did improve his OPS by 80 points after a trade to Atlanta. A reserve outfielder who can man either corner, has a .346 OBP and occasional sock.

SIGNED: One year, $2 million with Rangers, Feb. 18.

83. Omar Narvaez (31, C, Brewers)

While his glimpses of power have vanished (22 homers in 2019, 11 in ’21), Narvaez remains a predictive presence in a catching timeshare.

SIGNED: Two years, $15 million with Mets, Dec. 15.

84. Chad Pinder (31, INF/OF, Athletics)

A dash of power and the promise of positional flexibility should afford Pinder a shot elsewhere after becoming the rare player to reach free agency in Oakland before he’s traded.

SIGNED: Minor-league deal with Reds, Jan. 30.

85. Trevor May (33, RP, Mets)

Had a 5.04 ERA overall but it was 3.24, with a 2.75 FIP, after a three-month absence due to a stress reaction in his humerus. May averaged 12 strikeouts per nine innings with a 3.33 ERA from 2018-21.

SIGNED: One year, $7 million with Athletics, Dec. 16.

86. Austin Hedges (30, C, Guardians)

Produced an abysmal 42 adjusted OPS yet still caught 105 games for the AL Central champions. Clearly the man is doing something right behind the plate.

SIGNED: One year, $5 million with Pirates, Dec. 17.

87. Corey Dickerson (33, OF, Cardinals)

The one-time All-Star now personifies the league average hitter, which should mean a gig as an extra outfielder or part-time DH.

SIGNED: One year, $2.25 million with Nationals, Jan. 10.

The best photos from the 2022 NFL season | CNN

The Cleveland Browns run the ball across midfield against the New York Jets during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns ended up losing 31-30 after being up by 13 points with 1:55 remaining in the game. Jets QB Joe Flacco threw for 307 yards and four TDs — including two in the final two minutes of the game — to carry the Jets. Sunday's game saw the return of "Brownie the Elf" to the Browns' home field. The logo was initially used by the Browns in their inaugural season in 1946 but fell out of favor in the 60s, returning when the franchise was brought back to Cleveland in 1999. Scott Galvin/USA Today Sports

Doyel: The media will decide Paul George's future? Fix this now

Gregg Doyel

gregg.doyel@indystar.com

INDIANAPOLIS – The media will decide whether Paul George stays with the Indiana Pacers, and it will be close — a vote for PG or Anthony Davis here, a vote for Jimmy Butler or Draymond Green there. And then it will be over. Paul George will make the All-NBA third team, or he won’t. The Pacers will or won't be able to offer him this summer a super-max contract extension that will top all other offers he could receive next summer in free agency by roughly $70 million.

Paul George can look at that great googly-moogly gob of money he can get here in Indianapolis, and only here in Indianapolis, and he will become a Pacers star for life.

Or he can’t, so he won’t.

MORE PACERS:

Doyel: Paul George has dragged the Pacers into the playoffs

Paul George on the Cavs: 'It’s who I’ve wanted to matchup against'

5 things to know about the Cleveland Cavaliers

The media will do this, but whatever we decide, it won’t be our fault. This is not the system we wanted. Around the country, newspapers are starting to withdraw their staff writers from this sort of voting nonsense, for this nonsensical reason. The Washington Post’s NBA writer cannot vote. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s NBA writer cannot vote. Soon, I hope, my IndyStar bosses will follow suit.

Pacers Insider Nate Taylor does have a vote for the All-NBA teams. He wants no part of this, has told me that, but he will have a voice, one voice, about 1 percent of the expected pool. Last year, there were 129 All-NBA voters, but this season the NBA has removed team broadcasters from the voting pool. Because of the conflict of interest. As if the conflict stops there.

What if Paul George makes the All-NBA third team by a single vote? What if he falls short by a single vote? What if the $70 million in additional money the Pacers and only the Pacers can offer Paul George is applicable and it sways him to stay?

What if it’s not, so he doesn’t?

Is Nate Taylor going to decide the future of the Indiana Pacers?

No, this is not our fault. The idea behind the super-max contract is terrific — the NBA wants to reward its best players — but the execution is off. And it’s the fault of the players and the league for allowing such an enormous incentive to be decided by something as arbitrary and even absurd as the whims of an NBA writer in Detroit or Dallas or Indianapolis.

My solution? Let coaches vote, but make them unable to vote for players on their team. But even that is fraught with danger. Does the Los Angeles Lakers’ Luke Walton leave Paul George off his ballot entirely, hoping that omission slides PG off the All-NBA third team, out of super-max territory and into free agency — where he just might pick … the Lakers?

Now then, enough moaning. Tell me what’s going to happen — right? That’s what you care about at this moment: Don’t tell me what’s wrong with the system. Tell me what the system will do about Paul George.

So, here. I’ve talked this week to 10 NBA media members, roughly 10 percent of the voting electorate, and I can tell you, with certainty, this:

It’s going to be close.

It’s going to be really close.

Five writers told me they’d put Paul George on one of the three All-NBA teams. (The four forwards on the first two teams figure to be LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo.)

Three writers told me: No. They will not vote PG for any of the three All-NBA teams. Two said: He’s under consideration, but we don’t know yet. Votes are due this week, then we wait. All-NBA teams typically are announced in late May.

Look, it’s possible that not even the money — assuming he makes the All-NBA third team and the Pacers offer him the super-max extension — would sway George to stay. One way or another he’s going to be rich in a manner none of us can probably comprehend, himself included. Maybe he looks at the Pacers’ super-max offer and looks at the roster and gauges the future and decides he’d rather play for slightly smaller gobs of money elsewhere, whether for the hometown Lakers or somewhere else, anywhere else.

EVEN MORE PACERS:

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If it’s not here, it doesn’t much matter where Paul George plays next, or why. All that will matter is that the Pacers will have lost the kind of transcendent talent that some teams never get. The Memphis Grizzlies, created in 1995 when the NBA expended into Vancouver, British Columbia, have spent 22 years in two NBA countries and never had this kind of talent. The Charlotte Hornets have been around since 1988. They’ve been called the Hornets, the Bobcats, the Hornets again. They’ve never had a Paul George. Go look up Alonzo Mourning’s career. He made an All-NBA team twice in 11 years. He was great. He was no Paul George.

Much like the money he will sign for one way or another, Paul George is special – talented and freakish in a league full of freakish talent – in a way that defies description.

Should he make the 2017 All-NBA third team? Yeah. I think he should. LeBron and Kawhi would be my first-team forwards. Durant and Antetokounmpo would be on my second team. On the third team, just ahead of Utah’s Gordon Hayward (from Brownsburg and Butler) and Golden State’s Draymond Green, it would be Chicago's Jimmy Butler and Paul George — and probably in that order, though the cartoon superhero way PG has finished this season makes me wonder if it should be George and Butler.

Doyel: 'Playoff Paul' lifts the switch, energizes Pacers

But I don’t have a vote. And even if I did, I wouldn’t know what to make of New Orleans’ Anthony Davis. See, Davis is a clear All-NBA player. Second team, at worst. What’s not clear? His position. He has split time at forward and center this season, especially after the Pelicans acquired center (forward?) DeMarcus Cousins. The Pelican’s official roster isn’t helpful, listing each guy as a “forward-center.”

Making the All-NBA voting even more insane, the NBA isn’t telling voters which position to consider Davis. And so some voters will make him a center, and the rest a forward. Davis will get credit for every vote he receives, but his tally will be skewed — it will be wrong — because on some ballots he’ll be competing with LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard. On others? Marc Gasol and Karl-Anthony Towns.

Imagine Paul George making the All-NBA third team, and receiving the super-max contract, only because voters didn’t know what to do with Anthony Davis and split his landslide of votes into two smaller rockslides that left him off all three All-NBA teams.

This is happening. This is really happening. The Pacers’ next decade could be determined this week by a sports writer in Toronto deciding whether Anthony Davis is a forward or center.

Fix this mess, NBA commissioner Adam Silver. And fix it now.

Find IndyStar columnist Gregg Doyel on Twitter:@GreggDoyelStar or atfacebook.com/gregg.doyel.

THIRD TEAM = $70 MILLION

If the Indiana Pacers' Paul George is voted on one of the three All-NBA teams but the media, he will be eligible for a super-max contract from the Pacers. He is under contract for $19.3 million next season, here's an estimate of what the Pacers can offer George versus other NBA teams:

WHO YOU GOT?

LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard are likely the first-team All-NBA forwards. Kevin Durant and Giannis Antekoumpo the second team ... if Anthony Davis is a center. Who is Paul George's competition for third team? A look at the candidates:

Paul George, Indiana: Already a three-time All-NBA member, George set career-highs in points (23.7), field goal percentage (.461) and free-throw percentage (.898), while also shooting 39.4 percent on 3s and averaging 6.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.6 steals. In finishing the season with five must-win games, George averaged 30.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.8 steals, while shooting 56.9 percent from the field and 44.2 percent on 3s. He's also considered an elite defender.

Jimmy Butler, Chicago: Butler's case is remarkably similar to George's. Butler averaged 23.9 points on 45.5 percent shooting (36.7 percent on 3s), with 6.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.9 steals. He's been almost as good as George down the stretch as well, leading the Bulls to seven wins in their last nine games by averaging 26.3 points on 51.9 percent shooting, 66.7 percent on 3s, 6.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.8 steals.

Draymond Green, Golden State: Green has averaged 10.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.4 blocks per game for the league's best team. He's also a candidate for defensive player of the year. But he's the fourth-best player on his own team and shot just 41.8 percent (30.8 percent on 3s) this season, far below his numbers the previous two seasons.

Gordon Hayward, Utah: Exhibit A in how deep the forward position is in the NBA right now. The former Brownsburg High and Butler star is averaging 21.9 points on 47.1 percent shooting (39.8 on 3s), 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists, yet it'd be difficult to make a case for him to make even third-team All-NBA given the competition. He's led a resurgence in Utah, which finished 51-31 this season.

Mets beat Pirates 7-1 on Clemente Day to extend slim lead

AP

NEW YORK (AP) — On a Roberto Clemente Day particularly meaningful to both of them, Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco propelled the New York Mets past the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-1 on Thursday night to extend their slim lead in the NL East.

Lindor launched his 24th home run to set a Mets season record for shortstops, and Carrasco (15-6) struck out 11 in six splendid innings as New York moved a game ahead of idle Atlanta.

Slumping designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach drove in three runs against his former team, and pinch-hitter Mark Vientos had an RBI single for his first major league hit.

Breaking out early at the plate in the opener of a four-game series, the Mets halted a five-game home losing streak and rebounded from a three-game sweep by the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field.

Michael Chavis had an RBI double in the second for the last-place Pirates. JT Brubaker (3-12) was tagged for five runs and seven hits over three innings before leaving with discomfort in his right lat muscle. He is day-to-day.

Follow every game: Latest MLB Scores and Schedules

RAYS 11, BLUE JAYS 0

TORONTO (AP) — Yandy Díaz hit a three-run home run and Tampa — starting an unprecedented nine Latin American players on Roberto Clemente Day — routed Toronto to pull within a half-game of the Blue Jays in the wild-card chase.

Clemente, the late Hall of Fame outfielder from Puerto Rico, was a two-time World Series winner and NL MVP who played 18 seasons with Pittsburgh.

Activated off the injured list after missing 15 games because of a left shoulder impingement, Shane McClanahan (12-5) pitched five shutout innings. He allowed three hits, struck out five and walked one.

Isaac Paredes hit a solo home run and added an RBI single as the Rays (80-63) won the fifth and final game of the series. Toronto (81-63) will play a four-game series at Tampa Bay, starting next Thursday.

Seattle (80-62), which holds one of the three AL wild-card spots, was idle Thursday, but moved percentage points ahead of Toronto.

Díaz homered in a four-run second inning, his ninth. Paredes made it 5-0 with a leadoff blast in the seventh, his 19th

Kevin Gausman (12-10) was the loser.

ASTROS 5, ATHLETICS 2

HOUSTON (AP) — Aledmys Díaz hit a two-run homer, Lance McCullers Jr. had a solid start and Houston beat Oakland for its fifth straight victory.

At 94-50, American League-leading Houston’s magic number to clinch a postseason spot is one. The Astros are 13-3 in their last 16 games.

Díaz broke a 2-2 tie in seventh inning, roping an 84-mph slider from Joel Payamps (3-6) into the left-field Crawford Boxes. Díaz has 11 homers this season.

McCullers had 11 strikeouts — his most since July 29, 2018 — and held Oakland to two hits and two runs while walking four.

Seth Martinez (1-1) pitched a scoreless seventh, and Rafael Montero worked the ninth for his 13th save.

WHITE SOX 8, GUARDIANS 2

CLEVELAND (AP) — Elvis Andrus hit one of Chicago’s five home runs off rookie Hunter Gaddis — and backed up a pregame swipe at the Guardians —to help cut Cleveland’s lead in the AL Central to three games.

Andrus connected in the fifth inning off Gaddis (0-2) — the first Cleveland pitcher to allow five homers in a game since Luis Tiant in 1969.

On Wednesday, Andrus raised some eyebrows by telling reporters he expected the first-place Guardians “to crumble, the closer we get.”

Gavin Sheets hit a two-run homer in the second to start Chicago’s homer spree against Gaddis, and Andrew Vaughn, Yoán Moncada and Yasmani Grandal joined Andrus by hitting shots off the right-hander.

Lance Lynn (7-5) limited the Guardians to two run and six hits in 6 1/3 innings. The right-hander is 5-0 in his last seven starts. Cleveland had its winning streak stopped at six.

REDS 3, CARDINALS 2

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Nick Senzel and Aristides Aquino hit solo home runs and Cincinnati beat NL Central-leading St. Louis to snap a six-game losing streak in the opener of a five-game series.

St. Louis made it interesting in the ninth against rookie reliever Alexis Diaz, loading the bases with one out on two singles and walk before pulling within a run on a sacrifice fly by Albert Pujols. Diaz then got pinch-hitter Cory Dickerson to ground out to end the game and earn his seventh save.

Aquino and Spencer Steer each had two hits for the Reds.

Pujols finished 0 for 3 and remained at 697 career home runs. He is fourth on the career list behind Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755) and Babe Ruth (714).

Cincinnati starter Chase Anderson (1-3) was the winner. Miles Mikolas (11-12) took the loss.

MARLINS 5, PHILLIES 3

MIAMI (AP) — Kyle Schwarber hit his NL-leading 38th homer for Philadelphia in the playoff-contending Phillies’ loss to Miami.

Schwarber connected off Pablo López in the sixth with a solo shot to right-center.

Miami rookie Jordan Groshans hit his first major league homer and Bryan De La Cruz also went deep and had four RBIs.

López (9-10) completed 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs and six hits. Dylan Floro pitched the ninth for his fifth save. Noah Syndergaad (9-10) was the loser.

DIAMONDBACKS 4, PADRES 0

PHOENIX (AP) — Drey Jameson pitched seven shutout innings in his major league debut and Arizona hit three home runs to beat San Diego.

Jameson, called up Thursday from Triple-A Reno, gave up two hits — both by Brandon Drury — and walked one. He struck out five — including Juan Soto twice — and got 10 ground outs. He threw 90 pitches, 62 for strikes.

Kevin Ginkel, Joe Mantiply and Reyes Moronta finished the three-hitter. Ketel Marte, Emmanuel Rivera and Carson Kelly hit solo homers.

Sean Manaea (7-9) was the loser.

TWINS 3, ROYALS 2

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Carlos Correa’s solo home run in the first inning and Nick Gordon’s two-run shot in the second were enough for Minnesota to beat Kansas City for a three-game sweep.

The Twins (72-70) pulled within four games of first-place Cleveland in the AL Central.

Trevor Megill (4-3), who threw the first of five scoreless innings by five Twins relievers, picked up the victory with a perfect fifth. Jhoan Duran got his seventh save with a tense ninth,

Royals starter Daniel Lynch (4-11) was the loser.

___

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


Pi Day 2023 deals: For the love of math, snag discounted pizza at ...

Arizona Republic

Tuesday equals deals on pizza pies.

March 14 marks Pi Day, the annual holiday in honor of the mathematical constant π (pi), the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter.

The irrational number is typically rounded down to 3.14 hence why the celebration takes place on March 14, which has a numerical date of 3/14. The date also happens to be famed physicist Albert Einstein's birthday and marks the anniversary of Stephen Hawking's death.

While the day is really about math, many restaurants offer deals and discounts on circular food, including pizza and traditional dessert pies, to celebrate the holiday.

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Why is Pi Day celebrated on March 14?

In 1988, Larry Shaw, a former staff physicist at the Exploratorium museum in San Francisco, linked March 14 (3/14) with the digits of pi (3.14) and celebrated the first Pi Day with fruit pies and tea. Shaw led Pi Day parades yearly at the museum until his death in 2017, according to the Exploratorium.

Pi Day became an annual tradition at the Exploratorium, and the celebration became an official U.S. national holiday in 2009. The U.S. House of Representativesresolution that designated Pi Day aims to encourage "schools and educators to observe the day with appropriate activities that teach students about Pi and engage them about the study of mathematics."

Whether you're a math lover or a food lover (or both), here are some tasty deals you can snag on Pi Day. The offers are only available Tuesday unless otherwise noted, and make sure to check if your nearest location is participating before heading out.

It's Pi Day!Add an 'e' and go celebrate at the best pie shops in metro Phoenix

Free pocket pies at MOD Pizza

On Pi Day, MOD Pizza is giving customers the opportunity to try MOD’s new Pocket Pie for free. Customers simply need to give secret code (hint π).

Made from MOD’s signature 6-inch mini pizza crust, the calzones come in three flavors: Italiano: A white sauce base packed with shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese, pepperoni, salami, roasted red peppers, sliced tomatoes, fresh basil and arugula and red sauce. Four Cheese is filled with freshly shredded mild-cheddar, mozzarella, asiago and parmesan cheese. And Chicken Bacon Ranch is filled with shredded mild-cheddar cheese, chicken, bacon, and finished with a ranch drizzle.

Sauce Pizza & Wine offering Cheese Pizzas for $3.14

Sauce Pizza & Wine is celebrating Pi Day with $3.14 Cheese Pizzas on Tuesday, March 14th.

There are no strings attached with this deal. Guests simply order a cheese pizza at any location and receive the special offer. Additional toppings and specialty pizzas are extra.

There is a limit of two Pi Day pizzas per check. It is valid for dine-in, takeout and online ordering.

7-Eleven has pizza for $3.14

7Rewards and Speedy Rewards members can get any whole pizza for $3.14 at participating 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes locations.

The offer is limited to two pizzas per customer.

Members can also redeem the deal via the 7NOW Delivery app.

Blaze brings back Pi Day pizza promo

Blaze Pizza is offering diners any one 11-inch pizza for $3.14 (not including crust upgrades) when they download the Blaze app and join Blaze Rewards.

The offer is available in-restaurant and varies based on location.

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Jet's Pizza offers discount

Jet's Pizza customers who order online can get 20% off all menu-priced pizzas with the code 314DAY.

The offer is available for both pick-up and delivery.

Marco’s has a deal on a medium pizza

Marco's Pizza customers who buy any large or extra-large pizza at the regular menu price can get a medium one-topping pizza for only $3.14.

Pizza lovers can order online or through the Marco's Pizza app using the code PIDAY2023.

Papa Johns has a Pi Day BOGO

Papa Johns customers can buy one large one-topping pizza for the regular menu price and get a second large one-topping pizza for $3.14 with the promo code PIDAY.

Round Table Pizza offers cheesy deal

Round Table Pizza Royal Rewards members can snag personal cheese pizzas for $3.14.

The offer is valid only at participating locations.

Schlotzsky's has a BOGO offer

Schlotzsky's reward members can buy one pizza and get another for free at participating locations.

The offer excludes kid's pizzas, and the free pizza must be of equal or lesser value.

Grand Avenue Pizza Company returns:This time in historic downtown Glendale

Pi Day 2023 deals: For the love of math, snag a discounted slice of ...

Tuesday equals deals on pizza pies.

March 14 marks Pi Day, the annual holiday in honor of the mathematical constant π (pi), the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter.

The irrational number is typically rounded down to 3.14 hence why the celebration takes place on March 14, which has a numerical date of 3/14. The date also happens to be famed physicist Albert Einstein's birthday and marks the anniversary of Stephen Hawking's death.

While the day is really about math, many restaurants offer deals and discounts on circular food, including pizza and traditional dessert pies, to celebrate the holiday.

National Pi Day 2023:Here's everything you need to celebrate

Love Ranch?:Hidden Valley's new ice cream could be your new... sweet treat?

Why is Pi Day celebrated on March 14?

In 1988, Larry Shaw, a former staff physicist at the Exploratorium museum in San Francisco, linked March 14 (3/14) with the digits of pi (3.14) and celebrated the first Pi Day with fruit pies and tea. Shaw led Pi Day parades yearly at the museum until his death in 2017, according to the Exploratorium.

Pi Day became an annual tradition at the Exploratorium, and the celebration became an official U.S. national holiday in 2009. The U.S. House of Representatives resolution that designated Pi Day aims to encourage "schools and educators to observe the day with appropriate activities that teach students about Pi and engage them about the study of mathematics."

Whether you're a math lover or a food lover (or both), here are some tasty deals you can snag on Pi Day. The offers are only available Tuesday unless otherwise noted, and make sure to check if your nearest location is participating before heading out.

7-Eleven has pizza for $3.14

7Rewards and Speedy Rewards members can get any whole pizza for $3.14 at participating 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes locations.

The offer is limited to two pizzas per customer.

Members can also redeem the deal via the 7NOW Delivery app.

Blaze brings back Pi Day pizza promo

Blaze Pizza is offering diners any one 11-inch pizza for $3.14 (not including crust upgrades) when they download the Blaze app and join Blaze Rewards.

The offer is available in-restaurant and varies based on location.

Get $3.14 off pizza at Casey's

Visit Casey's on Pi Day and take $3.14 off any large pizza.

Casey’s customers can also play Rewards Match-up on its app for a chance to score freebies through April 7.

Cicis has dine-in and takeout deals

If you dine in at Cicis, you can get $3.14 off an adult buffet and a kids' combo for $3.14.

You can also score a pi deal if you're looking to dine at home. Customers can get $3.14 off a large one-topping pizza when they order online for pickup or delivery with code PIDAY.

Jet's Pizza offers discount

Jet's Pizza customers who order online can get 20% off all menu-priced pizzas with the code 314DAY.

The offer is available for both pick-up and delivery.

Marco’s has a deal on a medium pizza

Marco's Pizza customers who buy any large or extra-large pizza at the regular menu price can get a medium one-topping pizza for only $3.14.

Pizza lovers can order online or through the Marco's Pizza app using the code PIDAY2023.

Papa Gino’s has a deal on a small pizza

Get a small cheese pizza for only $3.14 with the purchase of any large or extra-large pizza. Use the code 9220 at checkout.

The offer is valid at participating locations only.

Papa Johns has a Pi Day BOGO

Papa Johns customers can buy one large one-topping pizza for the regular menu price and get a second large one-topping pizza for $3.14 with the promo code PIDAY.

Round Table Pizza offers cheesy deal

Round Table Pizza Royal Rewards members can snag personal cheese pizzas for $3.14.

The offer is valid only at participating locations.

Schlotzsky's has a BOGO offer

Schlotzsky's reward members can buy one pizza and get another for free at participating locations.

The offer excludes kid's pizzas, and the free pizza must be of equal or lesser value.

Pi Day pizza deals 2022: Blaze, Marco's, Domino's and more have ...

It’s not irrational to find deals including pizza for $3.14 this Monday.

March 14 is Pi Day, the annual celebration of the mathematical constant π (pi), which is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. The trillion-digit ratio is rounded to 3.14.

Albert Einstein was born on Pi Day and noted astrophysicist Stephen Hawking died on the made-up holiday in 2018.

But you don't have to be a math scholar to be acutely aware that Pi Day equals deals on circular food, including pies and pastries.

Pi Day, not to be confused with National Pie Day held in January or National Pizza Day in February, is usually a smorgasbord of deals on pizza, pastries and pot pies.

PI DAY 2022:What is Pi Day? Why mathematicians and bakers unite to celebrate

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Pi Day freebies, deals and $3.14 pizza

Here are the deals available at participating locations Monday, unless otherwise noted. To be on the safe side, always check with your closest location before heading out. Many deals require you to have a restaurant's app or be signed up for emails.

7-Eleven Pi Day pizza deal

7-Eleven will have a $3.14 pizza deal Monday for members of its 7Rewards loyalty program. Get any whole pizza for $3.14, including cheese, pepperoni or 7-Meat at participating 7-Eleven and Speedway stores. At participating Speedway stores, get the deal with the Speedy Rewards loyalty program.

The Pi Day pizza deal also is available for $3.14 through the 7NOW delivery app.

There's a limit of two pizzas per rewards member in-store and two pizza deals for delivery. Fees and delivery charges apply.

BJ’s Pi Day $3.14 pizza deal

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse has a dine-in pizza deal for Pi Day. Get a mini one-topping pizza for $3.14 Monday.

Blaze Pi Day deal: Pizza for $3.14

Blaze Pizza is giving new and existing Blaze Rewards members any 11-inch pizza for $3.14 with a one-time reward on the chain's app. To get the deal you need to sign up for the loyalty program on the app by the end of the day Monday. The reward can be redeemed Monday through March 31.

Crust upgrades are extra and there is a limit of one Pi Day reward per user.

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DAILY MONEY NEWSLETTER: Money tips and advice delivered right to your inbox. Sign up here

Carnation Pi Day online giveaway

Carnation is giving fans a chance to win "Cow Pies," which feature Carnation Evaporated Milk, cocoa and more through Monday. Ten people will win the prize worth $20 each, according to the contest fine print. Enter at Play.keeplifedelicious.com/Carnation-pie-day.

Chuck E. Cheese Pi Day and spring deal

Chuck E. Cheese said its Spring-tastic Family Fun Pack is available for Pi Day and through April 24 for delivery or carryout. For $34.99, get two large pizzas, Unicorn Cotton Candy, a goody bag and spring activity sheet, and 250 e-tickets for your next Chuck E. Cheese visit.

Cicis Pi Day deal: $3.14 adult buffet

Cicis Pizza has all-you-can-eat pizza for $3.14 on Monday. The $3.14 adult buffet offer is available for dine-in at Cicis locations nationwide.

The chain also has a pizza deal for takeout. Get two, large one-topping pizzas for $5.99 each.

Domino's Pi Day: $3 coupon for carryout orders

For a limited time, Domino's will give you a $3 "tip" to order your pizza online and pick it up yourself instead of choosing delivery.

Make a carryout order through May 22 and get a $3 coupon code to redeem the following week on a carryout order of $5 or more before tax and gratuity.

Also, earn points to redeem for free pizza with the chain's Piece of the Pie rewards program that you can sign up for at Dominos.com.

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Donatos Pi Day deal: $3.14 off large pizza

Donatos Pizza has a deal Monday for Pi Day. Get $3.14 off any large pizza when you order online with code PI.

Eggo free waffles for daylight savings transition Monday

Eggo is giving away 100,000 free boxes of waffles to make the daylight savings transition easier.

The Kellogg’s brand said on Monday it will announce official instructions on its social media accounts Monday and the first 100,000 people to sign up will receive one free box of 10 count Homestyle waffles.

Learn more at Leggowitheggo.com.

El Torito margaritas for $3.14

El Torito, a chain with 74 locations, is offering house margaritas for $3.14 all day Monday.

Honey Baked Ham Pi Day coupon

The Honey Baked Ham Company has a printable coupon for $3.14 off the Apple Caramel Walnut Pie on Monday. The coupon is required and the brand says it must be printed and brought in store or code can be used online for pick-up. Locations that will not accept the deal are listed on the coupon website.

Hungry Howie’s Pi Day deal

Hungry Howie’s is offering 40% off any pizza from Sunday through March 20 with promo code FORTY. The deal is for online carryout orders at participating locations.

Marco’s Pi Day BOGO deal

Marco’s Pizza has a buy-one-get-one deal Monday. Purchase any large or x-large pizza at menu price and get a medium one-topping pizza for $3.14. Order online or through the chain’s app with code PIDAY2022.

McDonald’s Pi Day free pie deal

Get a free pie Monday with $1 or more purchase and a McDonald’s app deal.

McDonald's also has several ongoing deals on its app and with the MyMcDonald's Rewards program. Offers and daily deals can vary by account and region.

Don't have the app? McDonald's says on its website that you'll get a free large fries when you download the app and join MyMcDonald’s Rewards through March 31. Then after your first purchase, you get the choice of Hash Browns, Vanilla Cone, McChicken or a Cheeseburger for free.

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Papa Gino's Pi Day code

Get 25% off online pizzas at Papa Gino's Monday with code 9044.

Pieology Pi Day double rewards points

Pieology has a “Free Pizza Friday” promotion on social media Fridays in March. On March 11, it will give away three free pizzas and then 14 free pizzas Monday. To enter, guests must comment how many toppings they like on their pizza and Pieology will pick the three and 14 winners on Monday at 5 p.m. PST.

Then on Pi Day, Pieology will be celebrating with double the points for Pie Life Reward members who download the app and join the chain's "circle of family, friends and community."

Round Table Pizza Pi Day deal

Round Table Pizza is celebrating Pi Day with an offer for a $3.14 Personal Cheese Pizza Monday. The deal is available to new and existing loyalty members. Access the deal on the Round Table Pizza Royal Reward App.

Slice Pi Day deal

Slice, the pizza delivery app with over 17,000 local pizza shops nationwide, is offering $5 off pizza orders $15 or more for first-time Slice users with promo code PIDAY2022.

Taco Bell Pi Day deal: 50-cent coffee

Taco Bell has a deal on its new Cinnabon Delight Coffee through Thursday. Get a cup for 50 cents with a $1 or more purchase at breakfast from open until 11 a.m. The offer is “redeemable only via the Taco Bell mobile app for in-store/drive-thru pickup orders, at participating U.S. Taco Bell locations, while supplies last,” according to the fine print.

Wendy’s Pi Day and March Madness deals

Wendy’s has several deals on its mobile app for a limited time. The chain says it is the “Official Breakfast” and the “Official Hamburger” of March Madness.

Deals include:

$1 Dave’s Single: Through April 10, Wendy’s will have singles for $1 via mobile order on the app. The deal will refresh daily.

Through April 10, Wendy’s will have singles for $1 via mobile order on the app. The deal will refresh daily. Half-off breakfast: Get half off your entire Wendy’s breakfast purchase when ordered in the app with mobile order through March 31. The deal refreshes daily.

Get half off your entire Wendy’s breakfast purchase when ordered in the app with mobile order through March 31. The deal refreshes daily. $3 off orders of $15 or more: Get $3 off any order of $15 or more through the Wendy’s app through April 10. The deal will be refreshed daily.

Get $3 off any order of $15 or more through the Wendy’s app through April 10. The deal will be refreshed daily. BOGO $1 premium chicken sandwich: This deal will refresh weekly. Buy one premium chicken sandwich and get a second for $1 through April 10 with a mobile offer.

White Castle Pi Day free food

White Castle is giving away free dessert-on-a-stick with any purchase Monday with a coupon.

Whole Foods Pi Day deal: $3.14 off pies

Amazon Prime members get $3.14 off large cherry and apple pies at Whole Foods Market bakeries Monday. This deal is in-store only and excludes all other pie flavors, brands and sizes. While supplies last.

Your Pie Pi Day pizza deal

New and existing Your Pie Rewards members will get an offer for $3.14 off one 10-inch pizza to redeem in-store or online Monday through March 16. The offer is redeemable on one pizza per guest, per order and exclusions apply, the chain said.

To get this deal, you need to sign up for the loyalty program before Monday, Your Pie said. Learn more at Yourpie.com/pieday.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko. For shopping news, tips and deals, join us on our Shopping Ninjas Facebook group.