Agent Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports, who represented Clarke, confirmed to USA TODAY Sports Friday, Aug. 14 that Clarke’s contract was fully protected for death through a life insurance policy purchased by the Grizzlies. The full $12.5 million amount will be disbursed to Clarke’s estate tax-free.
There are multiple ways players and their representatives can negotiate life insurance policies and post-death protections in player contracts. From no coverage whatsoever, to standard death protections that count a player’s salary as a taxable event, agents can also negotiate to have the player’s team purchase the life insurance policy. This last option allows for a player’s full salary to be paid out tax-free, providing a massive benefit to the player’s estate.
As for the remaining portion of Clarke’s $12.5 million salary for the 2025-26 season that had been owed at the time of his death, Bartelstein confirmed that amount is being paid out to his estate through October 2026; NBA contracts are paid in installments, so the remaining amount will be disbursed in those regular installments.
There had been conflicting reports concerning the remaining salary on Clarke’s contract, which was set to expire at the end of the 2026-27 season. Front Office Sports reported Thursday, Aug. 13 that Clarke’s estate would not receive the $12.5 million that had been owed to him next season.
On May 12, the Grizzlies and Clarke’s representatives at Priority Sports each issued separate statements announcing Clarke’s death. He was 29 years old.
Clarke was pronounced dead by authorities on May 11 after being found unresponsive in his bedroom, according to the announcement. A deputy medical examiner conducted an examination of Clarke at the DME’s Forensic Science Center on May 12 and the cause and manner of death were certified Aug. 7.
Clarke was the No. 21 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Gonzaga and enjoyed initial success in the league, earning all-rookie honors while averaging a career-high 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. He signed a four-year, $50 million contract extension with Memphis in 2022.
Clarke's sudden death happened almost six weeks after he was arrested in Arkansas for improper passing, possession of a controlled substance, fleeing and exceeding the speed limit and trafficking a controlled substance. He had just finished his seventh NBA season, all of which he spent with the Grizzlies.Clarke allegedly led Cross County Sheriff's Office deputies on a miles-long chase on April 1, with speeds reaching over 100 mph, and was found with over 230 grams of kratom in his possession, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by The Memphis Commercial Appeal, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Clarke's career had been derailed in recent years by injuries. He played in just six games during the 2023-24 season due to a torn Achilles and missed all but two games this past season due to calf and knee ailments.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 12: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the San Diego Padres is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the third inning at Petco Park on August 12, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
San Diego Padres (65-57) at Cleveland Guardians (59-63), August 14, 2026, 4:10 p.m. PST
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A general overall view of the branding announcement for the new WNBA team the Cleveland Sirens at Rocket Arena on August 04, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Picking a name for a new professional sports team is tricky. You want to do something creative, but also tie into the fabric of the city. Cleveland’s new WNBA team tried to do that when they unveiled their name as the Sirens. And according to those we surveyed, they were successful.
Earlier this week, we asked people to grade the name of the Sirens. Almost two-thirds of those surveyed gave the new team name either an “A” or “B” grade, with 39% giving it an “A.”
It’s worth pointing out that 21% gave the Sirens name a “D” or an “F” grade.
Doing something new and creative is a risk. Resurrecting a name like the Rockers or one that ties closely into the Cleveland Cavaliers would’ve been safer. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that there were a number of people who didn’t like the bold choice.
Overall, it’s hard to criticize the Cleveland WNBA team for their brand rollout. They’ve done an excellent job of messaging their position and explaining why they went in this direction. They’ve made it clear that they want to be their own team, separate from the Cavs. And they’ve done that in an interesting and creative way.
“We don’t want to be the Lady Cavaliers.”
Cleveland Sirens exec Allison Howard explains why the city’s new #WNBA franchise chose to go a different direction from the Cavs brand and colors. pic.twitter.com/tDwzvKfcQa
The Sirens will start playing at the start of the 2028 season.
The Cavs open up their regular season in just about two months. FanDuel currently gives them the sixth-highest odds to win the Eastern Conference at +1000. They’re behind the New York Knicks (+300), Philadelphia 76ers (+400), Boston Celtics (+500), Detroit Pistons (+800), and Toronto Raptors (+1000).
Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-football sports, you name it. As long as it’s allowed by the site’s ToS, it’s fair game here.
The Chicago Blackhawks have a lot of forwards, which is good for them in their quest to be a better team in 2026-27. However, that doesn't mean that they must be satisfied. There are improvements that they made, but they must not overvalue players in their organization either. If there is help out there, they should take swings.
One of those swings could be free-agent forward Patrik Laine, who is still on the market looking for his next hockey home. Of course, Laine was the second overall pick by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2016 NHL Draft. Since then, Laine has had tenures with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Montreal Canadiens.
Early in his career, Laine was one of the best young snipers in the NHL. In his rookie year, a second place Calder Trophy finish to Auston Matthews, he had 36 goals. He followed that up with 44 one year after, and 30 in year three. In his fourth year, he scored 28 in 68 games before the league was shut down by COVID-19.
139 goals in the first 305 games of an NHL career is elite production. However, when the league resumed for the 2020-21 season, things slowed down a little bit for him. He was traded, the goals didn't come in bunches like they were before the pause, and his reputation as a top-five scorer quickly faded.
The thing is, however, that Laine still has 3 20-goal seasons since then, including as recently as 2024-25. In his last 186 games played, he has 74 goals, which is more than solid.
During the 2025-26 season, Laine only played in 5 games, so he was not able to get his game going the way he is capable of.
However, there are reasons to believe he can still score a ton of goals if he comes into camp healthy and motivated. He is only 28 years old and has a lot of good hockey left if he wants it.
His shot is what made him so lethal, and that is not something that has gone away from his game. Even if his skating were to slow down, he'll almost always have that booming wrist and slap shot.
There is room for a sniper of Laine's caliber in Chicago's top six. With playmakers like Connor Bedard, Patrick Kane, and Frank Nazar around, he might find himself with a lot of high-danger scoring chances at even strength.
On the power play, they could use him as a sniper on either unit. Separating him from Anton Frondell with the man advantage would give them two big one-time shots to work with. Overall, Laine would make them a much deeper team.
Don't mistake Laine's sniping prowess for lack of solid playmaking ability, either. He has 198 assists in his NHL career, which do not grow on trees. Other goal scores on Chicago's roster could also benefit from an addition like him to the group.
Teuvo Teravainen is a fellow Finnish-born forward who could be there to help Laine get acclimated too, which we've seen be important in the NHL before. There are some stars aligned that make a transaction like this look feasible for Chicago.
Laine likely won't command a ton of money, either, which would make it a low-risk, high-reward type of move. They could get a lot of goals for cheap. Even if they give him a PTO with a chance to earn a spot out of camp, which he likely would if healthy, they give themselves a chance to add a high-end sniper.
There are plenty of examples of players having a career resurgence down the road, and Laine is only 28, which is not old in hockey years at all.
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Raúl Jiménez marked his return to Wolves with the stoppage-time equaliser that saved them from an embarrassing start to their return to the Championship. The Mexico striker, who scored against England during the World Cup, came off the bench to convert a penalty given for handball by Ryan Alebiosu that would have had VAR questioning whether the defender was in the area when Jackson Tchatchoua’s cross struck his arm.
One minor consolation from Wolves’ relegation is that the video assistant referee is no longer their problem. Jiménez, who had bought scarves for all supporters in the South Bank in gratitude for their welcome home, tucked away his first goal in this second spell for the club he graced during their recent heyday before leaving for Fulham.
Apr 1, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) drives to the basket against the Toronto Raptors in the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
DeMar DeRozan, the Raptors’ all-time leader in games played, minutes, played, and points scored, will not be making his way back to Toronto, after all. DeRozan parted way with the Kings and there was wild speculation as to where he might end up. Rumours abounded that he was destined for a return to the 6ix, or perhaps headed to Miami, but in a cruel twist of irony, he is going to join the team that the Raptors beat for the 2019 Championship to play alongside Stephen Curry, as DeRozan enters his 17th season in the league.
Free Agent and Six-time NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan has agreed to a two-year, $8.4 million deal with the Golden State Warriors, his agent Aaron Goodwin of @GoodwinSports tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/4EoouhEgKE
Shams Charania reported the news today on August 13th, conveying information from DeRozan’s agent. The 8.4 million dollars is far from the veteran’s minimum, but is a far cry from the more than 24 million he earned last year. This will be his lowest earning year since the 2012-13 season when he was on the Raptors.
This fresh start for DeRozan will see him stay in his home state of California, close to his native Los Angeles. While I personally believe that it’ll be good for the shooting guard to be both close to his roots and in a new city, it stings that we won’t see him play in Toronto at this juncture. Am I blaming the Kawhi uncertainty for this? Yes, and no. I don’t think it helped the Raptors’ position that they don’t have any clear idea of whether or not they’ll have a starting small forward in Leonard this season, but regardless, I didn’t see DeRozan playing a massive role in Toronto — at most, leading the bench mob — so it certainly makes sense that the wing would be happier in some different pastures.
While it’s currently unknown what type of role he’ll play in Golden State, the Warriors are indeed in need of some veteran presence and a baseline level of competency, considering how rough things were last year when Stephen Curry was out, a disadvantage even more pronounced now that Jimmy Butler remains out with a torn ACL. It’s likely that DeRozan will be in a starting role, one where he’ll be able to play off against Curry, his best teammate in years, and certainly his most pedigreed co-star.
I’d like to see DeMar get back to a 20+ppg form on the Warriors, even if he’s not with us. I think legacy is what comes to mind the most in the latter years of NBA stars, so I wish DeRozan the best in the twilight years, even if they’re not in the red and black.
Cleveland has been flirting with a sign-and-trade for either Jonathan Kuminga or Peyton Watson, but they needed more cap space to bring one of them (or anyone else of note) in, as well as re-sign James Harden. Which leads us to Friday's news.
Charlotte will be Schroeder's 12th NBA team, tied for second most in league history (Ish Smith is at 13). Charlotte's head of basketball operations, Jeff Peterson, has a long history with Schroeder dating back to when both were in Atlanta at the same time.
The Cavaliers free up about $6.8 million in cap space in this deal, reports Keith Smith of Spotrac, putting them approximately $29.6 million below the first apron of the luxury tax (and by extension about $40.3 million below the second apron). That's still not enough room to trade for Watson or Kuminga and re-sign Harden, so either Max Struss' salary will have to go out in any deal, or he would be traded elsewhere (Mann also could be moved again). Cleveland has more options now.
Cleveland has remained in contact with Harden and his camp throughout the summer, Charania notes. Harden opted out of his $42.3 million player option for this season to give the franchise room to chase players like LeBron James (who chose Philadelphia), or make a move for a player like Watson or Kuminga. Harden will re-sign with Cleveland for less per year but more total money across the multi-year contract.
The Hornets moved on from LaMelo Ball this offseason, now have Coby White running the point and were looking for a steady backup for him (Mann was not that guy). Schroeder will step in and be solid, he averaged 10.8 points and 4.9 assists per game last season, splitting time between Sacramento and Cleveland.
Schroeder is a force in FIBA games (under international rules) and has played for the German national team this offseason as it works to qualify for the 2027 World Cup.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 14: Matthew Liberatore #32 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts after being removed from the game against the Chicago Cubs during the sixth inning at Wrigley Field on August 14, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Matthew Liberatore was his best self Friday afternoon as the St. Louis Cardinals entered the gauntlet of Wrigley Field to play the Cubs for the start of a crucial weekend series. The problem was that Cubs starter Clay Holmes was even better. The first 2/3 of the game was a scoreless and nearly hitless duel. Wheels would start to come off for the Cardinals in that last third of the game, though.
There are no offensive highlights to share with you from the first half of the game. However, there were a couple of defensive gems provided by the middle infield of the Cardinals. In the bottom of the 4th inning, Pete Crow-Armstrong was robbed by Masyn Winn. ROBBED!
The very next batter Suzuki was also denied base access, this time by future Gold Glove second baseman JJ Wetherholt. ROBBED AGAIN!
The Cubs would threaten to break through the scoring drought in the bottom of the 6th inning when Liberatore handed out a leadoff walk to Taylor. Dansby Swanson singled to center which gave Chicago runners at first and third with no outs. Matthew was able to get PCA to foul out to third for the first out, but that would be the end of Liberatore’s strong outing Friday. George Soriano was brought in to face Suzuki. During his at-bat, Swanson stole second giving the Cubs two runners in scoring position. The stolen base wouldn’t matter as Suzuki connected on an 88 mph changeup as it cleared the wall in left field traveling 390 feet and giving Chicago a 3-0 lead.
The Chicago Cubs 6th inning wasn’t over yet as Soriano followed the Suzuki homer with a walk to Alex Bregman and a single to Michael Busch still with just one out. Fortunately, JJ Wetherholt and Masyn Winn combined on a double play on a grounder from Nico Hoerner to end the inning with the damage already being done. The final stat line for Matthew Liberatore would look less impressive than the eye test where he looked extremely sharp for the first 5 innings. Matthew tossed 5 1/3 innings striking out 6 and only walking 1, but those 2 earned runs that crossed the plate along with the 1 Soriano was responsible for were a killer.
Peter Strzelecki handled the Cubs in the bottom of the 7th after the Cardinals failed to generate an offensive threat in the top of the inning. He pitched around an infield single by Carson Kelly to keep Chicago from adding to their lead. Ryan Zeferjahn was the Cubs solution for the top of the 8th inning. He struck out Masyn Winn, but Bryan Torres managed to pull a single into right field to give St. Louis a tiny bit of hope. José Fermín fought through a tough at-bat to draw a walk to give the Cardinals runners at first and second with just one out and the potential tying run coming up. César Prieto was that potential tying run, but all he could manage was a flyout to center for the second out. That brought up JJ Wetherholt who has had a solid season against Chicago pitching. Could he come up with a clutch hit? Nope. JJ struckout to end the Cardinals 8th. Wetherholt was 0-4 Friday.
Peter Strzelecki remained in the game to deal with the Cubs in the bottom of the 8th inning, too. He allowed a one-out double to Suzuki and also a two-out walk to Bregman to give Chicago runners at first and second for one more scoring chance. Fortunately, Strzelecki got Hoerner to ground out to keep St. Louis within 3 runs.
The St. Louis Cardinals top of the 9th inning would start with Iván Herrera. He would face Cubs reliever Jacob Webb who he would rip a single off of. Alec Burleson was next and he grounded into a fielder’s choice where Swanson and Bregman forced Herrera at second for the first out. It was Jordan Walker’s turn next. He quickly struck out on three pitches. Last hope for the good guys was Nathan Church. He flew out to end the game as the Cubs grabbed the victory.
It’s game 2 of the weekend series tomorrow as the St. Louis Cardinals battle the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field Saturday afternoon. Cardinals will give the ball to Michael McGreevy while the Chicago Cubs will start Matthew Boyd. First pitch is set for 1:20pm central time with the game broadcast available through Cardinals.tv.
Mark Vientos was back at Citi Field ahead of Friday’s series opener against the Nationals.
Vientos has been building his way back up at the team facility in Port St. Lucie.
Back in the Big Apple, though, interim manager Andy Green said the team is encouraged by Vientos' progress.
“He looks really good,” he said. “He’s hitting, he’s progressing -- it’s good to see him bouncing around, taking groundballs and hitting, so he’s moving right along.”
Despite the positive progression, the Mets still don’t have a timeline for a return to game action.
Vientos, of course, has been sidelined since fracturing his right hand on a Michael Wacha hit-by-pitch during a game in the beginning of July.
The slugger had been in the midst of another disappointing season at the time.
His struggles on both sides of the ball mainly relegated him to the short-side of a platoon with Jared Young at first base in the weeks leading up to the injury.
Vientos was hitting .211 with just 20 XBH’s and a .644 OPS across 73 games.
Young, meanwhile, has taken hold of the bulk of the playing time against both righties and lefties in his absence so it'll be interesting to see exactly how Vientos will be used upon his return.
Valeri Nichushkin knows better than most what the Colorado Avalanche looked like at their peak.
He was there when they won the Stanley Cup in 2022. He played through a broken foot to help finish the job. Seven years later, he is leaving Denver — and his comments about the Avalanche's aging core are impossible to ignore.
Speaking with RB Sport, Nichushkin admitted he hasn't had much time to process the trade to Columbus.
“Honestly, I haven’t had time to think about it yet,” Nichushkin said. “I stayed in America because of family circumstances, and then when I came to Russia, I was getting settled.”
Leaving Denver will be an adjustment for Nichushkin after seven years in the city.
“I knew every street,” he said. “Now everything will be new. I’ll have to find a new place to live. But there’s nothing terrible about it. I’ll adapt.”
The hockey side of the move, however, doesn't concern him nearly as much.
Some have viewed Nichushkin going from Colorado to Columbus as a clear step backward, considering the Avalanche remain a Stanley Cup contender while the Blue Jackets are still trying to establish themselves as a consistent playoff team.
Nichushkin doesn't necessarily see it that way.
“At first glance, perhaps it looks that way,” he said. “But on the other hand, Colorado is now already one of the oldest teams in the league.”
Then came the comparison that really puts Colorado's evolution into perspective.
“When we won the Cup, we were in the top five youngest teams,” Nichushkin said.
That is a significant observation coming from someone who was right in the middle of that championship run.
The Avalanche's core has aged considerably since 2022. Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and the veteran foundation that helped Colorado dominate the NHL are still among the league's best, but the roster is no longer the young group that Nichushkin remembers from the Stanley Cup run.
And Nichushkin doesn't believe that automatically means Colorado is headed in the wrong direction.
“There are very good players in Columbus, a good balance,” he said, pointing specifically to Zach Werenski and Kirill Marchenko. “And that's how it happens in the NHL: a couple of trades — and everything can change very quickly.”
Nichushkin knows what he's talking about when it comes to Colorado's championship window.
He was instrumental in the Avalanche's 2022 title run, scoring nine goals and six assists in 20 playoff games as Colorado went 16-4 and captured the Stanley Cup. He also played through a broken foot late in the postseason, showcasing the toughness that made him such a valuable part of the team.
Nichushkin finished his Colorado playoff career with 27 goals and 13 assists for 40 points in 74 games.
He finished his final regular season with the Avalanche with 49 points, scoring 17 goals and adding 32 assists in 72 games. He then recorded four points in 12 playoff games.
Colorado officially traded Nichushkin to Columbus on June 25, receiving a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, a third-round pick in 2027 and a fifth-round pick in 2028. That 2026 second-round selection ultimately became Egor Shilov.
For Nichushkin, the trade offers the chance to take on a larger role.
“There is an opportunity to get a more interesting playing role there,” he said.
For Colorado, meanwhile, his comments offer an interesting reminder of how quickly a championship roster can change.
The Avalanche are still built around elite players and still expect to compete for the Stanley Cup. But according to one of the players who helped deliver their last championship, the team has entered a very different stage.
The young Avalanche that Nichushkin helped lead to the top of the NHL are gone.
But can Colorado rebound from last year's disappointment of getting swept?
The New Jersey Devils are a couple of weeks away from having training camp to prepare for what they hope is a bounce-back season.
Part of that will be making sure the young players feel good about themselves as they look to take the next step in their careers.
Not every prospect is going to play pro hockey in 2026-27. Some of them will be in college, some of them will play major junior, and a handful will be in pro leagues across North America and Europe.
With some of the graduations the New Jersey Devils have had over the last handful of years, they are no longer seen as a team with a top-10 farm system. However, there are some good players that the organization feels can be impactful down the line.
With the off-season winding down, this is a quick look at their top-ten prospects:
1. Mikhail Yegorov - G
Unless Nico Daws starts to truly dominate in 2026-27, the New Jersey Devils don't have their future goalie on their NHL roster. In the system, however, they have Mikhail Yegorov, who may end up being a star one day.
Whenever a goalie is a franchise's top prospect, they clearly have a ton of faith that they will one day see him in the crease at the NHL level.
Yegorov played in the USHL with the Omaha Lancers for a while before landing at Boston University in the middle of the 2024-25 season. He appeared in 18 games for them and lit the NCAA on fire with a 2.15 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage.
The Terriers rode that wave all the way to the Frozen Four. In front of him was a great team, but he really stole the show.
2025-26 wasn't quite as strong, but still good. The team in front was much weaker, but Yegorov would tell you he'd like to be better than the 2.73 goals against and .904 save percentage that he had.
When Yegorv eventually turns pro, he is likely to get some run in the AHL before coming to the NHL. By then, the organization would love for his skills to be defined enough to make an impact as a future pillar within the franchise.
2. Anton Silayev - D
The New Jersey Devils took a risk when they selected Anton Silayev with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. They likely would go in a different direction with the benefit of hindsight, but that doesn't mean that Silayev isn't a noteworthy prospect.
Silayev will play in the NHL, and it could be as soon as this upcoming season. He is a big, mean defenseman who keeps his opponents away from high-danger scoring areas with regularity.
There isn't much offense in his game, but as a middle-pair defender, he can make an impact by being very difficult to play against while other guys are relied on for breakout passes/offensive contribution.
3. Alexander Command - C
The New Jersey Devils selected Alexander Command with the 12th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. He is a young prospect within the organization and has a lot of development to do.
Command is a center who puts heavy emphasis on playing a 200-foot game, which would obviously translate to winning hockey in the NHL if he were to ever bring his game there with his full potential.
If he ever reaches the heights of being a high-end third line center behind Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier, with a lot of similarities to Hischier, the Devils will have gotten the player they wanted when they drafted him.
He will never have to carry the load offensively or defensively, but he could if needed, which is exactly what the Devils will need out of their long-term 3C.
4. Lenni Hämeenaho - RW
Lenni Hameenaho just finished his first pro season in North America, split between the NHL and AHL. He is sure to graduate off this list by the start of the 2027-28 season.
Hameenaho was a key force for Finland in their World Championships win, so he should enter training camp confident and ready for more.
5. Seamus Casey - D
When Seamus Casey was dominating games at the University of Michigan, there were high hopes for him at the NHL level. Then, he had a strong 14-game stretch to begin his NHL debut in 2024-25, which heightened expectations even more.
Casey dealt with some injuries and inconsistencies in 2025-26, which has lowered his stock a little bit. He only appeared in 31 games, and 29 of them were in the AHL. Now, he has to work his way back up with good play in 2026-27.
Those key high-end skills are still there, which gives him hope; he just has to put them to good use on the ice early and often.
6. Matias Vanhanen - LW
Matias Vanhanen was incredible for Everett en route to a Memorial Cup runner-up finish. Now, he is going to head to Boston College where he is looking to get bigger, stronger, and faster.
If Vanhanen makes it to the NHL, it will likely be as a play-making forward who adds some offensive depth to a lineup. There is work to be done physically, but his ceiling would find him in the NHL.
7. Nikita Shcherbakov - D
The New Jersey Devils selected big defenseman Nikita Scherbakov with a second round pick (44th overall) in the 2026 NHL Draft.
This player has a lot of development left to go, as he spent most of 2025-26 in Russia's second-tier league behind the KHL. Still, you can't teach a defenseman to be 6'5", which gives him an advantage when it comes to pushing to become an NHL-caliber defender.
Some believe that Scherbakov has another level to his game that he could get to offensively, because he doesn't give much at this time, but the Devils should be focused on him becoming a great defensive defenseman with the ceiling of a shutdown third-pair guy.
8. Conrad Fondrk - C
Conrad Fondrk was a second round pick (50th overall) by the New Jersey Devils in 2025. He was with the United States National Team Development Program in his draft year before spending his D+1 year with Boston University.
Frondrk has seen his stock fall as his offensive numbers that he was capable of putting up have been declining year over year. It was a disappointing 2025-26 season at BU, and this is his chance to bounce back and show why he was a second-round pick.
Another lackluster year with the Terriers likely gets him bumped out of the top ten by this time next year.
9. Shane Lachance - LW
The New Jersey Devils landed former BU captain Shane Lachance for bridging a trade between the Edmonton Oilers and Boston Bruins back in 2025. Now, he is in New Jersey's system, trying to climb the ranks.
Over the course of his pre-NHL career, Lachance has shown the ability to create chances for himself and his teammates. Every team he's been on seems to outshoot their opponents when he is on the ice. That is a tool that could help him become a middle-six forward on a good team.
Being a captain of a top NCAA program like Boston University is no joke either. That level of leadership capability is sought after in NHL locker rooms.
Lachance did play in 62 games for the Utica Comets in 2025-26 and scored 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points. He made his NHL debut, as well, but he didn't have any points in his one game.
Unless Lachance dominates training camp and the preseason, he will likely begin the year in Utica, but don't be surprised if he plays some NHL games in 2026-27.
10. Étienne Morin - D
Etienne Morin was a part of the package that New Jersey received in the Simon Nemec trade that they made with the Calgary Flames earlier this off-season. Now, he is a hopeful NHL prospect hoping to make his way up the ranks in New Jersey's system.
Morin was a second round pick by the Flames (48th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft. He is a 21 year old defenseman.
In 2025-26, Morin was a bit disappointing in the AHL for the Flames. They gave up on him and let him go to get Nemec, and now he is a project for the Devils. The two first round picks were New Jersey's top acquisition for Nemec, but Morin could turn into something if they work with him.
It is the offensive upside from the back-end that makes Morin worthy of another look. He has incredible puck skills, but it didn't translate to more than 1 goal and 7 assists during the 2025-26 season.
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Colombian Emilia Arango handed Venus Williams a 14th straight loss dating to July of last year, defeating the fading seven-time grand slam champion who is currently ranked 615th in 66 minutes by 6-2, 6-2 at the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Masters.
The 46-year-old Williams was given a wild card entry at an event where she reached a semi-final a dozen years ago. She has played and lost 11 times this season while competing on organizer free entries.
The stage is set for the Atlanta Braves to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Let’s take a look at the rosters.
Drake Baldwin is back in the leading spot and playing catcher. And hey! Look who’s batting in the ninth hole: Jim Jarvis is geared up for shortstop.
Now, both teams have put up similar numbers against each other’s pitcher, with all reaching above .500 OPS and over a .235 batting average. Both Chris Sale and Arizona’s Brandon Pfaddt are coming off successful stints in their past three games and have continued to show consistency landing their pitches in the zone.
Tonight will just be a matter of which team will show up the best.
Runs will be tough to come by tonight, as Seattle walks into Houston as +105 underdogs on Polymarket.
George Kirby and Peter Lambert go head-to-head, and we're leaning on their large sample size in this matchup as part of our Mariners vs. Astros predictions.
Let’s dive into my MLB picks for Friday, Aug. 14, and grow that bankroll before the weekend.
Who will win Mariners vs Astros today: Mariners (+105)
With 184 plate appearances under his belt, I'm tapping George Kirby to get the job done and cash us as a live underdog at Polymarket.
Over that span, the Houston Astros own just a .250 xBA and .286 xwOBA, while walking at just a 2.7% rate against the Seattle Mariners ace, giving us plenty to work with.
On the other side, Randy Arozarena (.251 xBA) and Julio Rodriguez (.358 xBA) are a combined 5-for-10 with a home run against Peter Lambert — let's ride this duo to the bank.
COVERS INTEL: One of the main reasons to feel warm and cozy about Mariners moneyline is Yordan Alvarez's numbers against Kirby. Over 22 at-bats, Alvarez is rocking a 29% K rate with just four hits to his name.
Mariners vs Astros Over/Under pick: Under 8.5 (-121)
Runs are going to be few and far between with this pitching matchup.
While Lambert doesn't have as large a sample size in this matchup as Kirby, he has still done a great job of suppressing runs here. Across 42 plate appearances, the right-hander is striking out this Mariners team at a 33% clip, limiting them to a .187 xBA.
Between these two pitchers, we should sail comfortably Under this number. I'd play this up to -130 at Polymarket.
Mariners vs Astros home run prediction: Julio Rodriguez (+474)
Rodriguez has the most success out of everyone on the Mariners against Lambert. The three-time All-Star is 3-for-5 with an xSLG of .942 in his small sample size.
It also helps that Daikin Park has given up the fifth-most homers in all of baseball. Rodriguez has found his power stroke, too, hitting a long ball in three of his last eight games.
Dustin Saracini's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 3-6, -3.26 units
Over/Under bets: 4-5, -1.80 units
Mariners vs Astros weather
Daikan Park features a retractable roof, so the weather will not affect game conditions tonight.
Mariners vs Astros odds
Moneyline: Mariners (+105) | Astros (-113)
Run line: Mariners +1.5 (-186) | Astros -1.5 (+178)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 (+113) | Under 8.5 (-121)
Mariners vs Astros trend
The Under is 7-1-1 in the Mariners' last nine games against teams with a winning record. Find more MLB betting trends for Mariners vs. Astros.
How to watch Mariners vs Astros and game info
Location
Daikin Park, Houston, TX
Date
Friday, Aug. 14, 2026
First pitch
8:10 p.m. ET
TV
Mariners.TV, Space City HN
Mariners starting pitcher
George Kirby (8-9, 3.68 ERA)
Astros starting pitcher
Peter Lambert (8-6, 3.09 ERA)
Mariners vs Astros latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
COVERS INTEL: One of the main reasons to feel warm and cozy about Mariners moneyline is