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The Golden State Warriors rolled past the Brooklyn Nets 117-99 on Tuesday, cruising to a league-best 15-2 record. And while coach Steve Nash has the Nets trending in the right direction, the loss to the Warriors at home is a reminder of the work still needed to be done.

Stephen Curry dropped 37 points in Brooklyn as he inches closer to the all-time 3-point record. And even when Curry has an off night like Sunday’s 12 points in a 119-104 victory over the Toronto Raptors, the Warriors’ bench is there to pick up the slack.

Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns have won 12 straight games to improve to 13-3 on the season and sit comfortably at No. 2 in the West. They head east to take on the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

The Los Angeles Lakers, meanwhile, finally got LeBron James back in the lineup on Friday, but they still suffered a third straight loss, falling to the Boston Celtics 130-108. And James was assessed a flagrant foul 2 in Sunday’s 121-116 win over the Detroit Pistons after an altercation with Isaiah Stewart.

Can the Suns close the gap on the Warriors? Can the Lakers turn things around? Our experts break down all 30 teams.

Note: Throughout the regular season, our panel (Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Nick Friedell, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin and Ohm Youngmisuk) is ranking all 30 teams from top to bottom, taking stock of which teams are playing the best basketball now and which teams are looking most like title contenders.

1. Golden State Warriors
2021-22 record: 15-2
Previous ranking: 1

The Warriors just keep on rolling at a league-best 15-2 after Sunday’s win over the Raptors. They continue to get contributions up and down the roster, but one thing to keep an eye on is the health of veteran swingman Andre Iguodala. The 37-year-old has missed three straight games because of knee soreness. He has been a steadying presence for a group that benefits a great deal from his leadership on and off the floor. — Friedell

This week: PHI, POR, @LAC


2. Phoenix Suns
2021-22 record: 13-3
Previous ranking: 3

With a win against the Nuggets on Sunday night, the Suns won their 12th game in a row this season — the best mark in the NBA in the early part of the 2021-22 season. The 12-game streak marks the fourth longest in Suns franchise history behind separate 15-game and 17-game streaks in 2006-07 and a 14-game streak in 1992. — Lopez

This week: @SA, @CLE, @NY, @BKN


3. Brooklyn Nets
2021-22 record: 12-5
Previous ranking: 2

While garnering little attention, Brooklyn continues to churn out wins, as the Nets are now victors in 10 of their past 12 after Saturday’s win in Detroit without Kevin Durant. But Tuesday’s blowout loss at home to the Warriors is a reminder that, despite their win total, the Nets still are not at the level they expect themselves to reach this season. — Bontemps

This week: @CLE, @BOS, PHX


4. Chicago Bulls
2021-22 record: 12-5
Previous ranking: 7

DeMar DeRozan (126) and Zach LaVine (111) rank first and second, respectively, in the NBA in total points scored during the fourth quarter this season. Their excellence during the final period is one of the main reasons the Bulls begin the week tied for the best record in the Eastern Conference. — Collier

This week: IND, @HOU, @ORL, MIA


5. Utah Jazz
2021-22 record: 11-5
Previous ranking: 8

The Utah bench, featuring the top two finishers in last season’s Sixth Man of the Year voting, got significantly deeper and more experienced with Rudy Gay. After missing the first month while recovering from heel surgery, Gay starred in his Jazz debut, scoring 20 points on 5-of-6 from 3 in 18 minutes during Thursday’s win over the Raptors. — MacMahon

This week: MEM, @OKC, NO, NO


6. Miami Heat
2021-22 record: 11-6
Previous ranking: 6

Miami has won four of its past five and is doing so behind the All-Star play of Jimmy Butler. The talented swingman is averaging 25 points a game this month and has driven a talented Heat squad back toward the top of the East. Butler has an interesting homecoming on Saturday against DeMar DeRozan and the surging Bulls in Chicago. — Friedell

This week: @DET, @MIN, @CHI


7. Washington Wizards
2021-22 record: 11-5
Previous ranking: 4

For only the second time this season, the Wizards lost two games in a row when they dropped games at Charlotte and Miami. But Washington rebounded with a three-point win against the Heat on Saturday and have a rematch against Charlotte on Monday. Washington’s defense remains a surprising strength. The Wizards have held opponents to 100 points or fewer in seven of their past eight games. We will find out more about Washington in this next week as it embarks on a four-game road swing during a stretch in which the Wizards play seven of 10 games on the road. — Youngmisuk

This week: CHA, @NO, @OKC, @DAL


8. Denver Nuggets
2021-22 record: 9-8
Previous ranking: 5

Nikola Jokic was on a tear with 35 points/16 rebounds and 30 points/10 rebounds in consecutive games only to see Denver lose to Dallas and Philadelphia. Making matters much worse is that Jokic injured a wrist and has missed the past two games. With and without Jokic, Denver has now lost four straight games and Michael Malone’s team is in dire need of getting healthier. Jamal Murray (ACL) and Michael Porter Jr. (back) remain out indefinitely. And now it remains to be seen when Jokic is able to return. Sunday’s blowout loss at Phoenix started a torturous stretch in which the Nuggets play nine of 10 games on the road, including seven straight away from Denver. — Youngmisuk

This week: @POR, MIL


9. Milwaukee Bucks
2021-22 record: 9-8
Previous ranking: 14

The Bucks started to look more like themselves this week, winning three games in a row for the first time this season as their starting lineup starts to find some stability. Khris Middleton returned from his absence after testing positive for COVID-19. Bobby Portis posted back-to-back double-doubles and Jrue Holiday has started to find his footing defensively. Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo has been consistently dominant, averaging 27.8 points, 12.2 rebounds and 5.8 assists this month. — Collier

This week: ORL, DET, @DEN, @IND


10. Dallas Mavericks
2021-22 record: 9-7
Previous ranking: 9

The Mavs are 0-3 since Luka Doncic went down with left knee and ankle sprains, failing to crack triple digits in two of those three losses. The silver lining: Kristaps Porzingis has continued to score efficiently, averaging 25.3 points on .523/.405/.920 shooting splits over the past six games. There is hope that Doncic, who was ruled out of Sunday’s loss after a pregame workout, will be able to return for Tuesday’s rematch against the Clippers. — MacMahon

This week: @LAC, WAS


11. Philadelphia 76ers
2021-22 record: 9-8
Previous ranking: 10

Things have predictably been rough for Philadelphia without Joel Embiid, as the 76ers have dropped six of seven since he left the lineup after testing positive for COVID-19 two weeks ago. Philadelphia has always been a team heavily reliant on its superstar center, but that is especially true as the Ben Simmons saga continues to play out with no clear end in sight. — Bontemps

This week: @SAC, @GS, MIN


12. LA Clippers
2021-22 record: 10-7
Previous ranking: 12

The Clippers had a road trip to forget with double-digit losses at Memphis and New Orleans. The loss to the Pelicans was so ugly that the Clippers scored a total of 26 points in the second half. Just as LA got Serge Ibaka (back) back from a G League stint as he makes his way back into the fold, the Clippers lost Nicolas Batum (health and safety protocols) on Sunday, possibly for multiple days. With Kawhi Leonard and Marcus Morris Sr. out, Paul George has been carrying the load and it will remain a heavy lift for the foreseeable future. — Youngmisuk

This week: DAL, DET, GS


13. Charlotte Hornets
2021-22 record: 10-8
Previous ranking: 16

Charlotte had its five-game winning streak snapped on Saturday in Atlanta — but there are still plenty of good signs for the young team. At the top of the list is the play of Miles Bridges, who had 35 points in Saturday’s loss and is averaging 21.6 points a game this year. The Hornets have an interesting measuring stick game against Bradley Beal and the hot Wizards on Monday. — Friedell

This week: @WAS, @ORL, MIN, @HOU


14. New York Knicks
2021-22 record: 9-8
Previous ranking: 15

Sunday night’s loss in Chicago began a stretch for the Knicks that sees them play six of seven games against teams in playoff contention. With things already on edge in Gotham following an up-and-down start to the season, the panic meter could take a big jump up if the next couple of weeks go poorly — especially as so many teams around them in the East keep winning. — Bontemps

This week: LAL, PHX, @ATL


15. Boston Celtics
2021-22 record: 9-8
Previous ranking: 19

Just when it seemed like things were falling apart in Boston, the Celtics have rattled off seven wins in their past 10 games, moving them back over .500 again. Long term, Boston has to figure out how to surround Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown with more talent to return to championship contention. In the short term, a strong defense — with just enough offense — should be enough to keep them in the mix for a top-six spot in the suddenly deep Eastern Conference. — Bontemps

This week: HOU, BKN, @SA, @TOR


16. Los Angeles Lakers
2021-22 record: 9-9
Previous ranking: 11

With LeBron James out — ejected for the second time in his 19-year career after striking Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart in the face — Russell Westbrook put up 15 of his 26 points and six of his 10 assists in the fourth quarter to help the Lakers storm back and beat the Pistons. “Just showed that will that Russell is famous for,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. Could this be the moment that gets Westbrook on track with the Lakers? — McMenamin

This week: @NY, @IND, SAC, DET


17. Portland Trail Blazers
2021-22 record: 9-8
Previous ranking: 20

Damian Lillard was out for only a game and the Blazers were happy to have their star back. Lillard helped Portland to its best week with three wins over the Raptors, Bulls and Sixers. Lillard scored 39 in the win over the Sixers and now Portland is above .500. Coach Chauncey Billups’ team will have a chance to atone for a 29-point loss to Denver with a rematch against the Nuggets on Tuesday before going on a three-game road swing. — Youngmisuk

This week: DEN, @SAC, @GS


18. Atlanta Hawks
2021-22 record: 8-9
Previous ranking: 21

Seems like the cure for Atlanta’s early-season woes was simply playing at home. Atlanta has rattled off four consecutive wins after dropping six in a row. The Hawks are tied with Washington for the best home record in the Eastern Conference this season (7-1). — Lopez

This week: OKC, @SA, @MEM, NY


19. Cleveland Cavaliers
2021-22 record: 9-8
Previous ranking: 13

It’s been a tough stretch to be a Cleveland fan. As bad as it is getting outscored 36-8 in the fourth quarter on Thursday in a loss to the Warriors, sometimes you tip your hat to greatness, as Steph Curry scored 20 of his 40 in the final frame. The tougher pill to swallow came Friday, when news broke that Collin Sexton would miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. — McMenamin

This week: BKN, PHX, ORL


20. Toronto Raptors
2021-22 record: 8-10
Previous ranking: 17

Toronto’s season so far has been a series of runs. The Raptors lost three of their first four games, only to win their next five in a row. They’ve since followed that up by losing seven of their past nine, including Sunday night’s loss to the league-leading Warriors. The surprising part? The Raptors are a top-10 offensive team and a bottom-10 defensive team. Before the season, it would’ve been expected to have been the reverse. — Bontemps

This week: @MEM, @IND, BOS


21. Memphis Grizzlies
2021-22 record: 8-8
Previous ranking: 18

The 138-95 loss to the Timberwolves on Saturday was the third time the Grizzlies have been blown out by at least 25 points this month. As a result, only five teams have worse average point differentials than Memphis (minus-5.1). The Grizzlies have to fix their defense, which ranks last in the league (113.8 points allowed per 100 possessions). — MacMahon

This week: @UTAH, TOR, ATL, SAC


22. Indiana Pacers
2021-22 record: 7-11
Previous ranking: 22

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle benched his starters during the second half of a game against Charlotte on Friday night, sending a message to his team during a three-game losing skid. A matchup with the Pelicans the next night provided the perfect remedy to snap the losing streak, but Indiana faces a tough schedule this week — Bulls, Lakers, Raptors and Bucks — to try and get back on the right track. — Collier

This week: @CHI, LAL, TOR, MIL


23. Minnesota Timberwolves
2021-22 record: 7-9
Previous ranking: 25

The Timberwolves put together one of their most dominant performances in years to cruise to a 43-point victory against the Memphis Grizzlies and enter this week on a three-game winning streak. Despite an up-and-down season overall, Minnesota is holding on because of its defense, which is 11th in efficiency, fifth in steals and third in blocks. — Collier

This week: @NO, MIA, @CHA, @PHI


24. Oklahoma City Thunder
2021-22 record: 6-10
Previous ranking: 23

Forward Darius Bazley has started every game this season, but the 21-year-old former first-round pick isn’t making much of a case that he should be considered part of the Thunder’s long-term core. Bazley is shooting only 37.1% from the floor and 28.1% from 3-point range, slight dips from last season’s poor percentages. But 19-year-old former first-rounder Aleksej Pokusevski (34.9% from the floor, 20.5% on 3s) isn’t exactly pushing for more playing time. — MacMahon

This week: @ATL, UTAH, WAS


25. Sacramento Kings
2021-22 record: 6-11
Previous ranking: 24

Quite the eventful weekend for Sacramento. A courtside fan lost their lunch onto the floor on Saturday and then Luke Walton lost his job on Sunday, marking the first coaching casualty of the 2021-22 season. Alvin Gentry was named the interim coach, the sixth team for which he’s been the head guy. Larry Brown (nine teams) holds the record. Gentry will have his work cut out for him, taking over a team that’s lost seven out of eight. — McMenamin

This week: PHI, POR, @LAL, @MEM


26. San Antonio Spurs
2021-22 record: 4-11
Previous ranking: 26

It was a light week of work for San Antonio, which had only two games in a seven-day span. Both of the games last week were losses, dropping the Spurs to 4-11 this season. That mark is the second-worst 15-game start in San Antonio franchise history, behind only the 2-13 start in 1996-97. That season, Gregg Popovich replaced head coach Bob Hill after 18 games. — Lopez

This week: PHX, ATL, BOS


27. Detroit Pistons
2021-22 record: 4-12
Previous ranking: 28

After missing the start of the season with an injury, Pistons rookie Cade Cunningham appears to be finding his footing on the floor. In four games last week, he averaged 18.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists, and became the youngest player in Detroit history with a triple-double on Sunday against the Lakers. — Collier

This week: MIA, @MIL, @LAC, @LAL


28. Orlando Magic
2021-22 record: 4-13
Previous ranking: 27

The Magic have lost five of six, but they did have another strong moment on Wednesday in their second win of the season at Madison Square Garden. Mo Bamba had 12 rebounds in that win and is averaging 9.4 rebounds a game this season. The Magic have plenty of room for improvement, but Bamba has had some nice numbers early in the year. — Friedell

This week: @MIL, CHA, CHI, @CLE


29. New Orleans Pelicans
2021-22 record: 3-15
Previous ranking: 30

Without Zion Williamson for the entire season and Brandon Ingram for seven games, the Pelicans’ offense has struggled. In 18 games this season, the Pelicans have scored fewer than 100 points nine times already. In 72 games last season, they scored fewer than 100 only seven times. — Lopez

This week: MIN, WAS, @UTAH, @UTAH


30. Houston Rockets
2021-22 record: 1-15
Previous ranking: 29

Houston has lost 14 in a row, the second-longest losing streak in the league over the past two seasons, ranking behind only the Rockets’ 20-game drought last season. Only four of the losses during the current streak have come by single-digit margins. “That’s a team learning, growing and fighting to the point where we got to five minutes and we had an opportunity,” coach Stephen Silas said after Saturday’s 106-99 road loss to the Knicks. “It hasn’t been like that.” — MacMahon

This week: @BOS, CHI, CHA

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Kings of Command: Breakout pitchers to draft in fantasy baseball

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Kings of Command: Breakout pitchers to draft in fantasy baseball

No matter your fantasy baseball strategy, in these days of declining pitching workloads, piecing your pitching staff together is a practically mandatory practice.

The 2024 season was as representative of this as any. It saw the fewest pitchers (21) working at least 180 innings in any non-shortened season in history. Additionally, among the generally undrafted players in ESPN leagues who scored at least 350 fantasy points, 10 of the 14 such players were pitchers.

How might fantasy managers unearth some of this gold on the pitching side? My favorite method is to identify pitchers with potentially elite skill sets, but whose surface statistics — “back of the baseball card” measures like wins and ERA — belie their true talent. They are my annual “Kings of Command,” pitchers who meet a specific set of statistical benchmarks reflecting excellence in the command department.

Kings of Command baseline numbers

Pitchers who qualify for inclusion exceeded the MLB averages listed below in all of the following categories during the 2024 season. Starting pitchers must have faced at least 200 batters and relief pitchers must have faced at least 100 batters, while serving in those specific roles.

Starting pitchers:
Swinging-strike rate (SwStrk%): 11.8% or more
First-pitch strike rate (1stPStrk%): 62.9% or more
Command rate (K’s per walk, or K/BB): 2.89 or more

Relief pitchers:
Swinging-strike rate (SwStrk%): 12.7% or more
First-pitch strike rate (1stPStrk%): 61.6% of more
Command rate (K’s per walk, or K/BB): 2.61 or more
Put-away rate (K’s per 2-strike count): 19.8% or more

Using those thresholds, 98 pitchers (40 starters and 58 relievers) met all of those criteria in either role. Among them were both Cy Young Award winners (Chris Sale, Tarik Skubal), both Reliever of the Year Award winners, (Emmanuel Clase, Ryan Helsley), each of the top four starting pitchers in terms of both fantasy points scored and Player Rater finish, and all four relief pitchers who earned a Cy Young vote.

The following nine names, however — none of whom were anywhere near as ballyhooed as Skubal, Zack Wheeler or Corbin Burnes or their ilk — also qualified. That’s not to place any of them on an equal (or even a nearby) pedestal as those three fantasy stalwarts, but each possesses underappreciated skills that had them perform statistically beneath our radar in 2024.

Each is a potential bargain in fantasy drafts, and each might be only a minor tweak or adjustment to a specific pitch or his pitch usage, the pitcher’s stance on the pitching rubber, greater fortune on batted balls, or an increased opportunity on his team away from breaking through.

Let’s examine what it might take for each to emerge. My “Kings of Command” are listed in alphabetical order, along with their 2024 Player Rater finishes and fantasy point totals using ESPN’s standard scoring.


David Festa, Minnesota Twins
2024 Player Rater: SP172/745th overall
2024 fantasy point total: 107 (SP166)

His strengths: Between his 95-mph fastball and his slider and changeup, Festa has legitimate swing-and-miss stuff, generating the third-best swinging strike rate (16.4%) among Triple-A pitchers last season in addition to meeting this column’s qualifications. Across his final 10 starts with the Twins, he held opposing hitters to a .228 batting average and struck out 29.2%.

How he could break out: Festa introduced a new sinker to his repertoire, which could help him improve against right-handers (.332 wOBA allowed in the majors, 17 points higher than he had in Triple-A), and is pitching entirely out of the stretch this spring. Merely cracking the Twins rotation might fuel a breakthrough, but progress with either the new sinker or his slider (29% whiff rate, 6% beneath the league’s average) would ultimately fuel his biggest step forward.


Robert Garcia, Texas Rangers
2024 Player Rater: RP123/398th overall
2024 fantasy point total: 147 (RP126)

His strengths: A sneaky pickup in December’s Nathaniel Lowe trade, Garcia had a 2.39 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching score) last season as a member of the Washington Nationals bullpen, 11th-best among 160 relief pitchers with at least 50 innings. Thanks to an electric changeup, he held right-handed hitters to a .272 wOBA (league average for lefties was .314) with a 31.1% strikeout rate, alleviating any worry about platoon splits or a situational role.

How he could break out: Better luck would go a long way toward vaulting Garcia up the fantasy leaderboard, as he had a ghastly .331 BABIP (.290 league average for relievers) and second-worst-among-relievers 57.2% left-on-base (LOB) rate. A crack at the late innings, in what’s largely a wide-open Rangers bullpen, would also help.


Chris Martin, Texas Rangers
2024 Player Rater: RP91/331st overall
2024 fantasy point total: 143 (RP133)

His strengths: He has long been one of the better relievers in baseball, as his 2.66 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 66 holds are all top-10 numbers among relievers with at least 200 IP over the past five seasons combined. Martin possesses exceptional control, as his 2.9% walk rate during that same time span leads all relievers. Plus, he has never issued more than eight walks in a single MLB season.

How he could break out: Martin is the most logical choice to close for the Rangers, but better luck in the health department is imperative if he’s to retain the job. He has made seven trips to the IL during the past five seasons — including multiple stints in three of them — and only once made as many as 60 appearances (2022). That health history opens the door for Garcia to potentially emerge.


Reese Olson, Detroit Tigers
2024 Player Rater: SP98/405th overall
2024 fantasy point total: 209 (SP104)

His strengths: He has two potentially elite strikeout pitches in his slider and changeup, both of which generated at least a 43% whiff rate in 2024 (MLB rates on each were 34% and 31%). Through two months, he appeared to be on the verge of a major breakthrough, posting a 1.92 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP over his first 10 starts. However, shoulder issues cost him nearly two months during the second half, interrupting his momentum.

How he could break out: Olson’s command of his four-seam fastball and changeup waned after his hot start and will need correction if he’s to recapture the promise he showed early last year. The fastball in particular needs improvement, as it generated the sixth-worst whiff rate (13%) among pitchers who threw at least as many as he did the past two seasons, which is why it’s encouraging to see him throwing it a full mph faster (95.4) in his two Statcast-measured spring starts thus far.


Chris Paddack, Minnesota Twins
2024 Player Rater: SP174/751st overall
2024 fantasy point total: 127 (SP151)

His strengths: He’s a master of control, as among 113 pitchers with at least as many as his 82 career starts over the past six seasons, his 5.0% walk rate ranks sixth, his 66.4% first-pitch strike rate ranks 11th and his 52.6% in-zone rate ranks 12th. Paddack’s changeup has also shown an ability to be top shelf when he’s healthy and possesses full command of it, including 2020, when Statcast graded it as the league’s fourth-best-performing changeup.

How he could break out: Health, health, health. Paddack has had only one professional season with as many as 120 innings pitched, while averaging just 58 IP over the last four. The Twins seem confident enough in him to likely hand him a season-opening rotation spot, but he’ll first need to stay on the mound long enough to make it worth discussing his next breakout ingredient (better luck on batted balls).


Brandon Pfaadt, Arizona Diamondbacks
2024 Player Rater: SP78/317th overall
2024 fantasy point total: 317 (SP49)

His strengths: A “pepper the strike zone” control artist — his 68.4% first-pitch strike and 53.2% in-zone rates since the date of his MLB debut rank fourth and 14th — Pfaadt has a 5.5% walk rate between the majors and minors over the past four seasons combined. He also has a four-seamer/sweeper/sinker combination that is flat-out nasty against right-handed hitters (26.6% K rate, versus 20.5% against lefties).

How he could break out: Better luck is the easy answer, as Pfaadt’s 64.5% strand rate and .315 BABIP last season were second- and fifth-worst among ERA qualifiers, but the true path to greatness is a stronger pitch mix against left-handed hitters. Corrections to those rates could vault him into the position’s top 40. Reaching the top 20 requires tweaks to his four-seamer or curveball to counter lefties, who have a wOBA 47 points higher against him through two seasons.


A.J. Puk, Arizona Diamondbacks
2024 Player Rater: RP58/210th overall
2024 fantasy point total: 206 (RP59)

His strengths: Puk’s miserable four-start stint with the Miami Marlins to begin last season, coupled with the shoulder injury that cost him three-plus weeks immediately thereafter, masked how truly brilliant his finish to 2024 was. Over the final three months, he had an 0.99 ERA, a 43.6% strikeout rate, a .128 BAA, a 1.35 FIP to back the performance up, and a 5.3% walk rate to match the marked improvement he showed in terms of control the season before.

How he could break out: His path to fantasy greatness lies in his bullpen role, as he needs to be in place to pile up saves, or at least holds. Puk’s 95-96 mph fastball and slider generate excellent whiff rates, fueling a hefty number of strikeouts, and it’s an easy case to make that he and Justin Martinez should form a formidable, underrated one-two punch at the back end of the Diamondbacks’ bullpen.


Cristopher Sanchez, Philadelphia Phillies
2024 Player Rater: SP46/191st overall
2024 fantasy point total: 342 (SP39)

His strengths: Improvements he made to his changeup in 2023 have quickly transformed him into one of the game’s more underrated pitchers. Statcast graded Sanchez with the league’s best changeup last season and his 91 strikeouts with them were the most by any pitcher. His control has improved markedly during that same time (13th-ranked 5.2% walk rate from 2023-24), and his heavy ground ball lean (58.3% rate last year) minimizes his risk of damaging innings.

How he could break out: He’s kind of doing it already, having fanned 12 out of 30 hitters through his three spring starts. Sanchez, a pitcher constantly refining his pitch repertoire, has most notably seen his sinker go from a 92.1 mph average velocity in 2023, to 94.5 in 2024, to 96.9 in the two of those starts measured by Statcast. He’ll take a big leap forward if that fuels even a hint of a higher whiff rate with the pitch.


Spencer Schwellenbach, Atlanta Braves
2024 Player Rater: SP47/195th overall
2024 fantasy point total: 279 (SP67)

His strengths: Schwellenbach, a high school and college shortstop (plus Nebraska’s 2021 closer) who didn’t even make his first pitching start until 21 months after being drafted due to Tommy John surgery, sure looked like a future fantasy ace in his 2024 rookie year. He flashed five-plus pitches, two of which had at least a 40% whiff rate (curveball and splitter), sported a 4.6% walk rate in the majors, and posted a 2.73 ERA and 27.5% K rate across his 13 second-half starts.

How he could break out: Most every question Schwellenbach faces as he enters his sophomore season relates to how a pitcher with 65 total professional innings across his first 2½ years fares after a 168⅔ inning campaign like he had last year. Fortunately, he’s showing no ill effects of the workload spike during spring training. More cutter or curveball reliance against lefties, to narrow what was a 66-point wOBA split, would be a nice added touch.

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Fantasy baseball: Soto first OF pick in last mock before Opening Day

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Fantasy baseball: Soto first OF pick in last mock before Opening Day

Opening Day is quickly approaching and the Tokyo Series is just one week away. If you haven’t yet held your league’s draft, the clock is ticking. Fear not, though, as the ESPN fantasy baseball crew is ready to show you the results of its final fantasy baseball mock draft of the season, using ESPN standard head-to-head points league scoring and roster settings.

Default rosters include 16 starters: seven pitchers of any kind along with a C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, three outfielders and a utility player (can be any position, and is also the only slot to allow a DH-only player). There are also three bench spots.

Hitters score one point for every base reached via hits (total bases), as well as each walk, run, RBI and stolen base, and lose one point when they strike out. Pitchers earn a point for every out they record (three per inning) and an extra point for a strikeout, as well as two points for a win or a hold. Saves are worth five points each. Pitchers lose two points per run allowed, one point per baserunner (hit or walk) and two points for a loss.

This draft was held on Monday, March 10 and included fantasy writers Eric Karabell, Tristan H. Cockcroft, Todd Zola and Derek Carty, MLB writer David Schoenfield, and fantasy editors fantasy editors Pierre Becquey, Joe Kaiser, AJ Mass, James Best and Sachin Chandan.

If you’d like to conduct your own mock drafts, check out the Mock Draft Lobby, select one of several league types and sizes available, and you’ll be mock-drafting in minutes. Ready for the real thing? Create or join a fantasy baseball league for free.

(Note: At the time this draft took place, while it was known that Gerrit Cole was likely to miss a significant portion of the 2025 season, it had not yet been announced that he was indeed going to sit out the entire year due to Tommy John surgery.)


Round 1

1. Shohei Ohtani DH1 (SP) — Best
2. Juan Soto OF1 — Karabell
3. Bobby Witt Jr. SS1 — Carty
4. Aaron Judge OF2 — Kaiser
5. Jose Ramirez 3B1 — Zola
6. Paul Skenes SP1 — Schoenfield
7. Tarik Skubal SP2 — Mass
8. Mookie Betts SS2 (OF) — Chandan
9. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B1 — Becquey
10. Kyle Tucker OF3 — Cockcroft


Round 2

11. Zack Wheeler SP3 — Cockcroft
12. Gunnar Henderson SS3 — Becquey
13. Logan Gilbert SP4 — Chandan
14. Francisco Lindor SS4 — Mass
15. Yordan Alvarez OF4 — Schoenfield
16. Corbin Carroll OF5 — Zola
17. Ketel Marte 2B1 — Kaiser
18. Fernando Tatis Jr. OF6 — Carty
19. Dylan Cease SP5 — Karabell
20. Freddie Freeman 1B2 — Best


Round 3

21. Corbin Burnes SP6 — Best
22. Rafael Devers 3B2 — Karabell
23. Garrett Crochet SP7 — Carty
24. Anthony Santander OF7 — Kaiser
25. William Contreras C1 — Zola
26. Bryce Harper 1B3 — Schoenfield
27. Cole Ragans SP8 — Mass
28. Adley Rutschman C2 — Chandan
29. Jackson Chourio OF8 — Becquey
30. Emmanuel Clase RP1 — Cockcroft


Round 4

31. Manny Machado 3B3 — Cockcroft
32. Alex Bregman 3B4 — Becquey
33. Chris Sale SP9 — Chandan
34. Jackson Merrill OF9 — Mass
35. Devin Williams RP2 — Schoenfield
36. Blake Snell SP10 — Zola
37. Framber Valdez SP11 — Kaiser
38. Edwin Diaz RP3 — Carty
39. Marcus Semien 2B2 — Karabell
40. Elly De La Cruz SS5 — Best


Round 5

41. Steven Kwan OF10 — Best
42. Corey Seager SS6 — Karabell
43. Ronald Acuna Jr. OF11 — Carty
44. Matt Olson 1B4 — Kaiser
45. Pablo Lopez SP12 — Zola
46. Mason Miller RP4 — Schoenfield
47. Josh Hader RP5 — Mass
48. Aaron Nola SP13 — Chandan
49. Jose Altuve 2B3 — Becquey
50. Trea Turner SS7 — Cockcroft


Round 6

51. Michael King SP14 — Cockcroft
52. Max Fried SP15 — Becquey
53. Pete Alonso 1B5 — Chandan
54. Ryan Walker RP6 — Mass
55. Julio Rodriguez OF12 — Schoenfield
56. Marcell Ozuna DH2 — Zola
57. Austin Riley 3B5 — Kaiser
58. Luis Arraez 1B6 (2B) — Carty
59. Jarren Duran OF13 — Karabell
60. Kyle Schwarber DH3 — Best


Round 7

61. Ozzie Albies 2B4 — Best
62. Logan Webb SP16 — Karabell
63. Freddy Peralta SP17 — Carty
64. Luis Castillo SP18 — Kaiser
65. Bailey Ober SP19 — Zola
66. Yoshinobu Yamamoto SP20 — Schoenfield
67. Vinnie Pasquantino 1B7 — Mass
68. Joe Ryan SP21 — Chandan
69. Christian Walker 1B8 — Becquey
70. Yainer Diaz C3 — Cockcroft


Round 8

71. Ryan Helsley RP7 — Cockcroft
72. Shota Imanaga SP22 — Becquey
73. Wyatt Langford OF14 — Chandan
74. Brent Rooker DH4 — Mass
75. Gerrit Cole SP23 — Schoenfield
76. Josh Naylor 1B9 — Zola
77. Andres Munoz RP8 — Kaiser
78. Raisel Iglesias RP9 — Carty
79. Robert Suarez RP10 — Karabell
80. Nolan Arenado 3B6 — Best


Round 9

81. Brendan Donovan OF15 (2B) — Best
82. Felix Bautista RP11 — Karabell
83. Tyler Glasnow SP24 — Carty
84. Bryce Miller SP25 — Kaiser
85. Jhoan Duran RP12 — Zola
86. Will Smith C4 — Schoenfield
87. Brandon Pfaadt SP26 — Mass
88. Alec Bohm 3B7 — Chandan
89. Salvador Perez C5 (1B) — Becquey
90. Michael Harris II OF16 — Cockcroft


Round 10

91. Tanner Bibee SP27 — Cockcroft
92. Sonny Gray SP28 — Becquey
93. Zac Gallen SP29 — Chandan
94. Jared Jones SP30 — Mass
95. Hunter Greene SP31 — Schoenfield
96. Tanner Scott RP13 — Zola
97. Cal Raleigh C6 — Kaiser
98. Jacob deGrom SP32 — Carty
99. George Kirby SP33 — Karabell
100. Ian Happ OF17 — Best


Round 11

101. Justin Steele SP34 — Best
102. Hunter Brown SP35 — Karabell
103. Yandy Diaz 1B10 — Carty
104. CJ Abrams SS8 — Kaiser
105. Willy Adames SS9 — Zola
106. Oneil Cruz SS10 (OF) — Schoenfield
107. Nico Hoerner 2B5 — Mass
108. Cody Bellinger OF18 (1B) — Chandan
109. Kevin Gausman SP36 — Becquey
110. Bryan Reynolds OF19 — Cockcroft


Round 12

111. Spencer Schwellenbach SP37 — Cockcroft
112. Cristopher Sanchez SP38 — Becquey
113. Carlos Rodon SP39 — Chandan
114. Sandy Alcantara SP40 — Mass
115. Junior Caminero 3B8 — Schoenfield
116. Alec Burleson OF20 — Zola
117. Jack Flaherty SP41 — Kaiser
118. Matt Chapman 3B9 — Carty
119. Alexis Diaz RP14 — Karabell
120. Jeff Hoffman RP15 — Best


Round 13

121. Yusei Kikuchi SP42 — Best
122. Christian Yelich OF21 — Karabell
123. Zach Eflin SP43 — Carty
124. Isaac Paredes 3B10 — Kaiser
125. Kodai Senga SP44 — Zola
126. Riley Greene OF22 — Schoenfield
127. James Wood OF23 — Mass
128. Randy Arozarena OF24 — Chandan
129. Spencer Steer OF25 (1B) — Becquey
130. Gleyber Torres 2B6 — Cockcroft


Round 14

131. Roki Sasaki SP45 — Cockcroft
132. Jurickson Profar OF26 — Becquey
133. David Bednar RP16 — Chandan
134. Trevor Megill RP17 — Mass
135. Spencer Strider SP46 — Schoenfield
136. Mike Trout OF27 — Zola
137. Mitch Keller SP47 — Kaiser
138. Willson Contreras C7 — Carty
139. Carlos Santana 1B11 — Karabell
140. Mitch Garver C8 — Best


Round 15

141. Bo Bichette SS11 — Best
142. Nick Pivetta SP48 — Karabell
143. Jazz Chisholm Jr. OF28 (3B) — Carty
144. Lawrence Butler OF29 — Kaiser
145. Jordan Westburg 3B11 (2B) — Zola
146. Jung Hoo Lee OF30 — Schoenfield
147. Shea Langeliers C9 — Mass
148. Adolis Garcia OF31 — Chandan
149. Seiya Suzuki OF32 — Becquey
150. Triston Casas 1B12 — Cockcroft


Round 16

151. Brandon Nimmo OF33 — Cockcroft
152. Xander Bogaerts 2B7 (SS) — Becquey
153. Tanner Houck SP49 — Chandan
154. Brenton Doyle OF34 — Mass
155. Bryan Woo SP50 — Schoenfield
156. Griffin Jax RP18 — Zola
157. Taj Bradley SP51 — Kaiser
158. Taylor Ward OF35 — Carty
159. Seth Lugo SP52 — Karabell
160. Keibert Ruiz C10 — Best


Round 17

161. Bowden Francis RP19 (SP) — Best
162. JJ Bleday OF36 — Karabell
163. Teoscar Hernandez OF37 — Carty
164. Ronel Blanco SP53 — Kaiser
165. Kirby Yates RP20 — Zola
166. Jackson Holliday 2B8 — Schoenfield
167. A.J. Puk RP21 — Mass
168. Jake Cronenworth 1B13 (2B) — Chandan
169. Ryan Pressly RP22 — Becquey
170. Carlos Correa SS12 — Cockcroft


Round 18

171. Justin Martinez RP23 — Cockcroft
172. Jose Berrios SP54 — Becquey
173. Masyn Winn SS13 — Chandan
174. Matthew Shaw 3B12 (2B/SS) — Mass
175. Luke Weaver RP24 — Schoenfield
176. Tomoyuki Sugano SP55 — Zola
177. Nick Castellanos OF38 — Kaiser
178. Pete Fairbanks RP25 — Carty
179. Cade Smith RP26 — Karabell
180. Bryson Stott 2B9 — Best


Round 19

181. Chris Bassitt SP56 — Best
182. Austin Wells C11 — Karabell
183. Maikel Garcia 3B13 (2B) — Carty
184. Jeremy Pena SS14 — Kaiser
185. Nathaniel Lowe 1B14 — Zola
186. Matt McLain SS15 (2B) — Schoenfield
187. Jake Burger 1B15 (3B) — Mass
188. Tommy Edman OF39 (SS) — Chandan
189. Lucas Erceg RP27 — Becquey
190. Brandon Woodruff SP57 — Cockcroft


Team rosters are presented in first-round pick order. Primary position is used. If a player qualifies at more than one position, all positions are included in parentheses. Pick is displayed as “Round.Pick”.

Team Best

C1 Mitch Garver [Pick: 14.10]
C2 Keibert Ruiz [Pick: 16.10]
1B1 Freddie Freeman [Pick: 2.10]
3B1 Nolan Arenado [Pick: 8.10]
2B1 Ozzie Albies [Pick: 7.1]
2B2 Bryson Stott [Pick: 18.10]
SS1 Elly De La Cruz [Pick: 4.10]
SS2 Bo Bichette [Pick: 15.1]
OF1 Steven Kwan [Pick: 5.1]
OF2 Brendan Donovan (2B) [Pick: 9.1]
OF3 Ian Happ [Pick: 10.10]
DH1 Shohei Ohtani (SP) [Pick: 1.1]
DH2 Kyle Schwarber [Pick: 6.10]
SP1 Corbin Burnes [Pick: 3.1]
SP2 Justin Steele [Pick: 11.1]
SP3 Yusei Kikuchi [Pick: 13.1]
SP4 Chris Bassitt [Pick: 19.1]
RP1 Jeff Hoffman [Pick: 12.10]
RP2 Bowden Francis (SP) [Pick: 17.1]

Team Karabell

C1 Austin Wells [Pick: 19.2]
1B1 Carlos Santana [Pick: 14.9]
3B1 Rafael Devers [Pick: 3.2]
2B1 Marcus Semien [Pick: 4.9]
SS1 Corey Seager [Pick: 5.2]
OF1 Juan Soto [Pick: 1.2]
OF2 Jarren Duran [Pick: 6.9]
OF3 Christian Yelich [Pick: 13.2]
OF4 JJ Bleday [Pick: 17.2]
SP1 Dylan Cease [Pick: 2.9]
SP2 Logan Webb [Pick: 7.2]
SP3 George Kirby [Pick: 10.9]
SP4 Hunter Brown [Pick: 11.2]
SP5 Nick Pivetta [Pick: 15.2]
SP6 Seth Lugo [Pick: 16.9]
RP1 Robert Suarez [Pick: 8.9]
RP2 Felix Bautista [Pick: 9.2]
RP3 Alexis Diaz [Pick: 12.9]
RP4 Cade Smith [Pick: 18.9]

Team Carty

C1 Willson Contreras [Pick: 14.8]
1B1 Luis Arraez (2B) [Pick: 6.8]
1B2 Yandy Diaz [Pick: 11.3]
3B1 Matt Chapman [Pick: 12.8]
3B2 Maikel Garcia (2B) [Pick: 19.3]
SS1 Bobby Witt Jr. [Pick: 1.3]
OF1 Fernando Tatis Jr. [Pick: 2.8]
OF2 Ronald Acuna Jr. [Pick: 5.3]
OF3 Jazz Chisholm Jr. (3B) [Pick: 15.3]
OF4 Taylor Ward [Pick: 16.8]
OF5 Teoscar Hernandez [Pick: 17.3]
SP1 Garrett Crochet [Pick: 3.3]
SP2 Freddy Peralta [Pick: 7.3]
SP3 Tyler Glasnow [Pick: 9.3]
SP4 Jacob deGrom [Pick: 10.8]
SP5 Zach Eflin [Pick: 13.3]
RP1 Edwin Diaz [Pick: 4.8]
RP2 Raisel Iglesias [Pick: 8.8]
RP3 Pete Fairbanks [Pick: 18.8]

Team Kaiser

C1 Cal Raleigh [Pick: 10.7]
1B1 Matt Olson [Pick: 5.4]
3B1 Austin Riley [Pick: 6.7]
3B2 Isaac Paredes [Pick: 13.4]
2B1 Ketel Marte [Pick: 2.7]
SS1 CJ Abrams [Pick: 11.4]
SS2 Jeremy Pena [Pick: 19.4]
OF1 Aaron Judge [Pick: 1.4]
OF2 Anthony Santander [Pick: 3.4]
OF3 Lawrence Butler [Pick: 15.4]
OF4 Nick Castellanos [Pick: 18.7]
SP1 Framber Valdez [Pick: 4.7]
SP2 Luis Castillo [Pick: 7.4]
SP3 Bryce Miller [Pick: 9.4]
SP4 Jack Flaherty [Pick: 12.7]
SP5 Mitch Keller [Pick: 14.7]
SP6 Taj Bradley [Pick: 16.7]
SP7 Ronel Blanco [Pick: 17.4]
RP1 Andres Munoz [Pick: 8.7]

Team Zola

C1 William Contreras [Pick: 3.5]
1B1 Josh Naylor [Pick: 8.6]
1B2 Nathaniel Lowe [Pick: 19.5]
3B1 Jose Ramirez [Pick: 1.5]
3B2 Jordan Westburg [Pick: 15.5]
SS1 Willy Adames [Pick: 11.5]
OF1 Corbin Carroll [Pick: 2.6]
OF2 Alec Burleson [Pick: 12.6]
OF3 Mike Trout [Pick: 14.6]
DH1 Marcell Ozuna [Pick: 6.6]
SP1 Blake Snell [Pick: 4.6]
SP2 Pablo Lopez [Pick: 5.5]
SP3 Bailey Ober [Pick: 7.5]
SP4 Kodai Senga [Pick: 13.5]
SP5 Tomoyuki Sugano [Pick: 18.6]
RP1 Jhoan Duran [Pick: 9.5]
RP2 Tanner Scott [Pick: 10.6]
RP3 Griffin Jax [Pick: 16.6]
RP4 Kirby Yates [Pick: 17.5]

Team Schoenfield

C1 Will Smith [Pick: 9.6]
1B1 Bryce Harper [Pick: 3.6]
3B1 Junior Caminero [Pick: 12.5]
2B1 Jackson Holliday [Pick: 17.6]
SS1 Oneil Cruz (OF) [Pick: 11.6]
SS2 Matt McLain (2B) [Pick: 19.6]
OF1 Yordan Alvarez [Pick: 2.5]
OF2 Julio Rodriguez [Pick: 6.5]
OF3 Riley Greene [Pick: 13.6]
OF4 Jung Hoo Lee [Pick: 15.6]
SP1 Paul Skenes [Pick: 1.6]
SP2 Yoshinobu Yamamoto [Pick: 7.6]
SP3 Gerrit Cole [Pick: 8.5]
SP4 Hunter Greene [Pick: 10.5]
SP5 Spencer Strider [Pick: 14.5]
SP6 Bryan Woo [Pick: 16.5]
RP1 Devin Williams [Pick: 4.5]
RP2 Mason Miller [Pick: 5.6]
RP3 Luke Weaver [Pick: 18.5]

Team Mass

C1 Shea Langeliers [Pick: 15.7]
1B1 Vinnie Pasquantino [Pick: 7.7]
1B2 Jake Burger (3B) [Pick: 19.7]
3B1 Matthew Shaw (2B/SS) [Pick: 18.4]
2B1 Nico Hoerner [Pick: 11.7]
SS1 Francisco Lindor [Pick: 2.4]
OF1 Jackson Merrill [Pick: 4.4]
OF2 James Wood [Pick: 13.7]
OF3 Brenton Doyle [Pick: 16.4]
DH1 Brent Rooker [Pick: 8.4]
SP1 Tarik Skubal [Pick: 1.7]
SP2 Cole Ragans [Pick: 3.7]
SP3 Brandon Pfaadt [Pick: 9.7]
SP4 Jared Jones [Pick: 10.4]
SP5 Sandy Alcantara [Pick: 12.4]
RP1 Josh Hader [Pick: 5.7]
RP2 Ryan Walker [Pick: 6.4]
RP3 Trevor Megill [Pick: 14.4]
RP4 A.J. Puk [Pick: 17.7]

Team Chandan

C1 Adley Rutschman [Pick: 3.8]
1B1 Pete Alonso [Pick: 6.3]
1B2 Jake Cronenworth (2B) [Pick: 17.8]
3B1 Alec Bohm [Pick: 9.8]
SS1 Mookie Betts (OF) [Pick: 1.8]
SS2 Masyn Winn [Pick: 18.3]
OF1 Wyatt Langford [Pick: 8.3]
OF2 Cody Bellinger (1B) [Pick: 11.8]
OF3 Randy Arozarena [Pick: 13.8]
OF4 Adolis Garcia [Pick: 15.8]
OF5 Tommy Edman (SS) [Pick: 19.8]
SP1 Logan Gilbert [Pick: 2.3]
SP2 Chris Sale [Pick: 4.3]
SP3 Aaron Nola [Pick: 5.8]
SP4 Joe Ryan [Pick: 7.8]
SP5 Zac Gallen [Pick: 10.3]
SP6 Carlos Rodon [Pick: 12.3]
SP7 Tanner Houck [Pick: 16.3]
RP1 David Bednar [Pick: 14.3]

Team Becquey

C1 Salvador Perez (1B) [Pick: 9.9]
1B1 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. [Pick: 1.9]
1B2 Christian Walker [Pick: 7.9]
3B1 Alex Bregman [Pick: 4.2]
2B1 Jose Altuve [Pick: 5.9]
2B2 Xander Bogaerts (SS) [Pick: 16.2]
SS1 Gunnar Henderson [Pick: 2.2]
OF1 Jackson Chourio [Pick: 3.9]
OF2 Spencer Steer (1B) [Pick: 13.9]
OF3 Jurickson Profar [Pick: 14.2]
OF4 Seiya Suzuki [Pick: 15.9]
SP1 Max Fried [Pick: 6.2]
SP2 Shota Imanaga [Pick: 8.2]
SP3 Sonny Gray [Pick: 10.2]
SP4 Kevin Gausman [Pick: 11.9]
SP5 Cristopher Sanchez [Pick: 12.2]
SP6 Jose Berrios [Pick: 18.2]
RP1 Ryan Pressly [Pick: 17.9]
RP2 Lucas Erceg [Pick: 19.9]

Team Cockcroft

C1 Yainer Diaz [Pick: 7.10]
1B1 Triston Casas [Pick: 15.10]
3B1 Manny Machado [Pick: 4.1]
2B1 Gleyber Torres [Pick: 13.10]
SS1 Trea Turner [Pick: 5.10]
SS2 Carlos Correa [Pick: 17.10]
OF1 Kyle Tucker [Pick: 1.10]
OF2 Michael Harris II [Pick: 9.10]
OF3 Bryan Reynolds [Pick: 11.10]
OF4 Brandon Nimmo [Pick: 16.1]
SP1 Zack Wheeler [Pick: 2.1]
SP2 Michael King [Pick: 6.1]
SP3 Tanner Bibee [Pick: 10.1]
SP4 Spencer Schwellenbach [Pick: 12.1]
SP5 Roki Sasaki [Pick: 14.1]
SP6 Brandon Woodruff [Pick: 19.10]
RP1 Emmanuel Clase [Pick: 3.10]
RP2 Ryan Helsley [Pick: 8.1]
RP3 Justin Martinez [Pick: 18.1]

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Legge becomes 1st woman in Cup Series since ’18

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Legge becomes 1st woman in Cup Series since '18

AVONDALE, Ariz. — Katherine Legge spent 25 years working her way through professional motorsports before getting her shot at driving a NASCAR Cup Series car. Her first go-round was a bumpy ride.

The first woman to drive a Cup Series car in seven years, Legge spun out twice and didn’t finish the race in her debut at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday.

“It was baptism by fire,” Legge told Fox Sports. “I think there’s a lot of positives to take from it. Obviously, there were mistakes made, but I learned so much. Hopefully, I get to come back.”

Legge had raced everything from dirt bikes to IndyCars during her climb through the ranks, learning she would get her Cup Series shot about 10 days before Sunday’s race. The English driver had limited experience on ovals, spending much of her prep time in a simulator in North Carolina before becoming the first female driver on the circuit since Danica Patrick at the 2018 Daytona 500.

Legge struggled in qualifying at the mile oval in the desert, so she and the Live Fast Motorsports team opted to make several overnight changes to her No. 78 Chevrolet. It didn’t work out quite how they wanted.

Fighting the car from the start, Legge spun out on Lap 4 of the 312-mile race before returning to the field. She struggled to make up any ground and spun again late in the race after bumping off another car, taking out Daniel Suarez with her.

Legge couldn’t continue to race and finished 30th.

“I was so loose. I was hanging on to it,” she said. “We kept making adjustments. We kept making the car way more stable for me. At the end there, I think we were relatively quick, so it wasn’t bad. I wish we hadn’t made the changes. It was a rough start.”

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