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AFL Mesa Solar Sox Update: Kade Snell breaks out

With the start of another week, it’s time for an update on the Cubs’ Boys of Autumn playing in the Arizona Fall League.

If you haven’t been following along or if you just need a refresher on what is going on in Arizona, check out the introduction and the recap of the first full week.

The Mesa Solar Sox, the Cubs affiliate in the AFL along with the A’s, Blue Jays, Angels and Red Sox, had an abbreviated week with only four games. Monday’s home game was rained out and made up on Wednesday, but Tuesday’s game at Surprise was postponed because of a power failure. I’m not sure if that game will be made up. In any case, the Solar Sox didn’t take the field until Wednesday.

The Solar Sox went 2-2 over the week, putting their overall record at 4-6. Here’s how they did in those four games. The home team is listed second.

Wednesday, October 14: Salt River Rafters 3, SOLAR SOX 7

Thursday, October 15: SOLAR SOX 14, Rafters 9 in ten innings.

Friday, October 16: SOLAR SOX 5, Surprise Saguaros 12

Saturday, October 17: Rafters 5, SOLAR SOX 0

Here’s how the eight Cubs prospects on the Solar Sox did.

Infielder Juan Cabada: The second-youngest player in the AFL this year played two games this past week. He was the third baseman for Mesa on Thursday and the second baseman on Friday.

Cabada went 2 for 6 on Thursday with an RBI single in the first inning and an RBI single in Mesa’s five-run top of the tenth. In Friday’s loss, Cabada went 0 for 3 with a walk.

For the season, Cabada has played seven games and is hitting .167/.286/.167 with one stolen base. He has scored twice and has driven in three.

Outfielder Harrison Feinberg: Feinberg only played in Thursday’s extra-inning win over Salt River. He was the left fielder in that game and went 2 for 4 wth a walk.

In four games for the Solar Sox, Feinberg is hitting .385/.529/.385 with two steals. He has scored twice and has one run batted in.

Outfielder Kade Snell: There were some high hopes for Snell coming into the AFL and this past week, he played like the sleeper prospect he is. Snell played left field on Wednesday and went 2 for 3 with a walk. On Thursday Snell played right field and he was 1 for 3 with three walks and a stolen base. After an off-day on Friday, Snell returned to DH on Saturday and was 1 for 3 as the Solar Sox were shut out. That’s 4 for 9 with four walks and a steal on the week.

For the AFL campaign, Snell is hitting .286/.459/.321 wth two steals over eight games. He has four runs batted in and has scored six times.

Right-hander Jhon Cabral: Cabral pitched the ninth inning on Wednesday in a non-save situation. He walked the first batter he faced, but then retired the next three in order. Cabral struck out one.

Over 2.1 innings and three appearances, Cabral has yet to allow a run or a hit in the AFL. He has walked three while striking out two.

Right-hander Anhuar Garcia: Garcia has had a rough AFL campaign because he’s had trouble throwing strikes. That continued this week after he threw 1.2 innings of relief on Friday. Garcia allowed three runs on one it and four walks. He also balked twice. In his defense only one of the three runs was earned. Garcia struck out two.

In three appearances, Garcia has an ERA of 6.75 over 6.2 innings. However, he’s allowed five unearned runs on top of the five he’s given up that were earned. Garcia has walked eight and has struck out four.

Right-hander Yohendris Gonzalez: Gonzalez did not pitch this past week. He has a 40.50 ERA after allowing six runs over just 1.1 innings in two appearances so far.

Right-hander Dominick Reid: With the shortened week and Reid having pitched on Saturday the previous week, Reid did not get a start this week. Reid is still 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA over two starts.

Right-hander Luis Rujano: Rujano threw 1.1 innings in Saturday’s shutout loss. He allowed one run on one hit, but the run was unearned. Rujano walked two and struck out one.

For the season, Rujano has pitched four innings in three relief appearances. He has an ERA of 2.25 with four walks and four strikeouts.

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Nets first-round pick Joshua Jefferson available for season opener vs. Hornets

Nets first-round pick Joshua Jefferson practiced full contact on Monday and will be available for the team's season opener against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, according to multiple reports.

Jefferson, the No. 28 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft out of Iowa State, missed all of Brooklyn's preseason games due to back soreness and had not fully practiced yet.

In three Summer League games, the 22-year-old averaged 7.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.0 steals, and 0.7 blocks across 21.3 minutes of action. 

During his senior year of college, Jefferson was the Cyclones' second-leading scorer with 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.8 blocks per night over 35 games.

While Jefferson hopes to see the court on Wednesday night, fellow rookie Tyler Bilodeau will miss the first game of the year due to a shoulder injury, per the New York Post's Brian Lewis.

Bilodeau, the No. 43 overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft, scored five points in both of the preseason games he played.

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End of an Era: The Dallas Mavericks have waived Dwight Powell

MACAO, CHINA - OCTOBER 11: Dwight Powell #7 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket during the game against the Houston Rockets as part of 2026 NBA China Games on October 11, 2026 in Macao, China at Venetian Arena. 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 Ryan Stetz/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Goodnight, sweet Dwight.

The Dallas Mavericks waived veteran forward/center Dwight Powell on Monday. The all-time glue guy ends his 12-year run with the team as by far the most tenured player on the roster in a move that signals the end of an era for the Mavericks under first-year team president Masai Ujiri.

“Dwight was the consummate professional throughout his 12 seasons with the Mavericks and embodies everything you want in someone representing your organization,” Ujiri said in a statement. “He’s a tireless worker, an incredible teammate and someone whose impact extends well beyond the basketball court and into the Dallas community. We are grateful for everything Dwight has contributed to this franchise. He will always be part of the Mavericks family, and Dallas will always be a home for him. We wish him nothing but the best in this next chapter.”

Powell averaged 6.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 17.3 minutes per game in his 12 seasons with Dallas. Last season for the Mavericks, he scored 3.3 points, grabbed 4.1 rebounds and dished 1.1 assists in 14.3 minutes per game. He appeared in 63 games in 2025-26 and started 12.

He appeared in three of the Mavericks’ four preseason games in 2026, averaging 1.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 12.1 minutes.

MACAO, CHINA – OCTOBER 11: Dwight Powell #7 of the Dallas Mavericks signs memorabilia for a fan before the game against the Houston Rockets as part of 2026 NBA China Games on October 11, 2026 in Macao, China at Venetian Arena. 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 Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Powell (6-10, 260) ranks fourth among Mavericks’ all-time leaders in career field goal percentage (.606), fifth in games played (763), sixth in offensive rebounds (1,187), sixth in total rebounds (3,251) and 10th in blocks (330). He was the third-longest-tenured player (with the same team) in the NBA when the team waived him, behind only Steph Curry and Draymond Green.

His presence in the locker room and his fashion sense will be sorely missed — as will his innate ability to absorb blows to the face under the basket while battling for rebounds.

The ever-present “Did Dwight Powell get hit in the face tonight” account on X The Everything App released its own statement following the team’s announcement. It reads:

It’s rare you find someone ceaselessly willing to put others first and [self] last. Someone who exceeds their expectations regardless of their crescendo. You just don’t find those fall into your arms often. We found ours 12 Decembers ago. And boy, did we have a memorable embrace. Dwight Powell — you and your face enriched countless MFFL’s lives long before this account began in 2022, and will continue to do so as the next chapter begins. I really enjoyed this chapter, and I hope you did too. Dwight Powell — may you have a very enjoyable morning, eat a nice dinner later, and peacefully fall asleep in under 3 minutes tonight. Dwight Powell – go continue to be great. We’re all so excited to watch.

Thank you, Dwight.

The Dwight’s Face Community

Teammate Kyrie Irving had this to say about Powell, according to the Dallas Morning News:

“He’ll really be missed. He gave a lot to the franchise. Just a consummate professional, good friend of mine, good friend of a bunch of us on the team, past and present. He represented a lot here in the city of Dallas, and he did a lot for us.”

And, for the record, Mavericks head coach Dusty May told DLLS that Powell joining the coaching staff “hasn’t been discussed at this point.”

MACAO, CHINA – OCTOBER 9: Dwight Powell #7 of the Dallas Mavericks arrives to the arena before the game against the Houston Rockets as part of 2026 NBA China Games on October 9, 2026 in Macao, China at Venetian Arena. 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 Ryan Stetz/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

After waiving Powell, the Mavericks are down to 17 players on the roster, including the two two-way players. With 15 full-time NBA roster members, the team now carries the maximum number of players it can carry into the start of the regular season.

We would urge Powell, however, to stay in shape this season. If injuries hamper this team half as much as they have in the previous two years, he may be receiving a mid-season call-up from the couch.

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Scott Boland shines against South Africa but rain dominates again

  • The veteran quick ended the day with four wickets

  • South Africa struggle to 97-5 on second day

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. Scott Boland had to wait a long time. Scott Boland took a wicket as soon as he got a chance. It was the same story on day two of the second Test at Gqeberha as it had been on day one, with rain delaying play, this time until deep into the afternoon. When a wet outfield had finally dried enough to allow play to resume in African sunshine, South Africa lost three more wickets to finish on 97 for 5.

It was 3:45pm, six hours after the planned start, when Boland got to finish the over that he’d started the day before. Four balls, one driven by Temba Bavuma to the boundary. That happens from time to time because Boland goes full, inviting that shot while searching for an edge. That’s how he got Aiden Markram and David Bedingham the day before. Seven balls into day two, that’s how he added Marques Ackerman.

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Tottenham v Coventry: Premier League – live

⚽ Live updates from the 8pm BST kick-off
⚽ Get in touch! Share your thoughts with Daniel

Sport’s ability to ape and shape the world means it teaches us many things, often in a friendlier environment than real life. It is, for example, better to learn the Australian states and their capitals during an Ashes series than by rote in a geography lesson, just as the accordant failure and disappointment is – ultimately! – less painful to process when it’s happening to yet another bunch of hapless tourists than when it’s happening to us.

Football, though, is a slightly different thing, the constant competition and the way in which teams are passed down through families installing their nature as part of our personalities, both heirloom and genetics. And within that, there’s supporting Tottenham, a relentless barrage of dark nights and false dawns delivering martyrdom to the afflicted and mirth to everyone else.

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Why Celtics vs. Pistons is opening NBA season in rare daytime game

The first game of the 2026-27 NBA regular season will officially tip off in the middle of the afternoon, and NBC hopes it can become an annual addition to the league's traditional opening night schedule.

The Detroit Pistons are set to host the Boston Celtics at 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 20, with "College Gameday-style activations," a "Blue Carpet" experience, a marching band rendition of "Roundball Rock" and other special festivities planned around Little Caesars Arena and downtown Detroit throughout the day, according to NBA league officials. The afternoon tip is an experiment conceived by the NBA and NBC entering Year 2 of their massive 11-year, $27-billion media rights partnership, with the goal of turning opening night into an all-day event.

"We kind of challenged the NBA," NBC Sports Executive Vice President Justin Byczek told USA TODAY Sports. "We think opening day should be expanded, and we'd love to be the network that gets behind it, and over the course of the next decade, let's try to understand where opening day can get to."

Why the NBA is playing an afternoon game on opening day

This will be the first time in 15 years that more than two games will be played on the first day of the NBA season, and it only happened in 2011 because of a lockout-shortened schedule. It will also be the first-ever NBA opening-day tripleheader broadcast nationally.

NBC's opening night coverage for the 2026-27 season features the ring ceremony and banner raising for the defending NBA champion New York Knicks, their first game against LeBron James, Jaylen Brown and the new-look Philadelphia 76ers and a Western Conference Finals rematch between the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder.

But the network saw an opportunity to generate excitement before the two primetime windows that have typically defined the NBA's regular season debut. NBC pointed to strong viewership for its 2026 Major League Baseball Opening Day doubleheader, which also began with an afternoon game.

NBC is confident putting Celtics vs. Pistons on a national broadcast network in the afternoon can add to the buzz leading into the Knicks' pregame title coronation, with coverage from Madison Square Garden on streaming platform Peacock bridging the gap between the first two games of the tripleheader.

"The benefit of a decade-long partnership is the ability to test and to try new things," said Byczek, who oversees programming and rights management for NBC Sports. "We pushed them pretty hard to kind of say we really believe this is going to be a good opportunity to add some excitement to opening day. They went out as a great partner and found the right combination of people and teams and partners and arenas and folks that wanted to raise their arm and get behind it."

General view of shirts on the seats at Madison Square Garden before a 2025 opening night game between the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers.

NBA senior vice president for broadcast content Paul Benedict said it wasn't a hard sell. The league wanted to lean more into opening night's spot as a distinctive event on the sports calendar.

The NBA, through NBC's wide reach as a national broadcast network, sees a chance to create excitement throughout the day on platforms more likely to attract the casual fans that can grow the product moving forward. For NBC, this is another way to potentially enhance the value of its NBA package and create the tentpole events that attract more viewers.

The NBA gets an additional standalone national showcase game on a day and time in which it will face minimal competition from other major professional sports.

"The conversations with NBC have always been built around not even just a tripleheader, but the entirety of the day," Benedict told USA TODAY Sports. "The thinking being when you turn on 'The Today Show,' you're going to get some NBA flavor. That's pretty exciting for us, the opportunity to be on NBC and celebrate the start of the season."

How NBA and NBC picked Celtics vs Pistons for opening day game

Finding the right host was also crucial. Not every NBA fanbase and city wants a day game to start the season. It's not part of the sport's culture like MLB opening day or the first Sunday afternoon of NFL season.

Byczek compared the process to a "Jenga puzzle" in terms of figuring out what franchises were interested in hosting the game, and then identifying an opponent that would present the best possible matchup for a national audience. The NBA brought the idea of hosting an afternoon opener to "some teams," according to Benedict.

"Detroit raised their hand and was all-in from Day One," he said, "and to put a 60-win team on that's built such a great sports community, specifically around the downtown area where they can rally around it, was appealing. And then when you pair them with the Boston Celtics, that just fit the criteria of adding another elite matchup if you're going to turn this into a tripleheader. The Pistons have really bought into this."

Neither the league nor NBC committed to an afternoon game to start the NBA season beyond this year, with both sides emphasizing the results from Tuesday will dictate what happens next.

"We'll evaluate it and see whether this is something that is here to stay. Who knows? Maybe we expand it from here as well," Byczek said. "We don't ever want to remain status quo. We want to test new things, try new things, and this one ... hit us right between the eyes of let's try to do more on opening day."

What time is Celtics vs Pistons on NBA opening day?

The NBA opening day game between the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, Oct. 20, is set to tip off at 3 p.m. ET.

How to watch Celtics vs Pistons: TV channel, live streaming

  • Date: Tuesday, Oct. 20
  • Time: 3 p.m. ET
  • Location: Little Caesars Arena (Detroit)
  • TV: NBC
  • Streaming: Peacock, Fubo

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Celtics vs. Pistons is opening NBA season in rare daytime game

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Athletics hire Taylor Smith as president of baseball operations

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The Athletics have hired Taylor Smith as president of baseball operations, two months after saying former general manager David Forst would not return next season.

The franchise made the move on Monday, hoping it helps the team in its final year in West Sacramento, California, and for the 2028 season in Las Vegas.

Taylor spent the previous two years with the Boston Red Sox as assistant general manager and worked for the Tampa Bay Rays for seven seasons.

The Athletics were 64-98 this year with a young team in their second season playing at a Triple-A ballpark in West Sacramento, with assistant general manager Dan Feinstein serving as interim GM. Forst had been GM since 2015 and with the organization since 2000.

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Milwaukee’s dominant bullpen has the Brewers believing they could win their first World Series title

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Aaron Ashby believes the trust among the Milwaukee Brewers relievers enables each of them to take the mound without having too much of a weight on their shoulders.

That bullpen has done much of the heavy lifting in getting the Brewers to their first World Series since 1982.

Relievers allowed just six runs over 40 2/3 innings for a 1.33 ERA during Milwaukee’s 3-1 series victory over the San Diego Padres in the NL Division Series and four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series. According to Sportradar, that’s the fourth-best postseason ERA that any pennant winner has carried into the World Series since the wild-card era began in 1995.

Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy has leaned heavily on left-handers Ashby, DL Hall and JoJo Romero and right-handers Abner Uribe and Trevor Megill. They have combined to strike out 35 and allow only 15 hits and three earned runs over 35 innings.

“I know if I get two runners on, DL, Abner, Megill are behind me, and that’s an unbelievable feeling as a pitcher,” Ashby said after the NLDS. “I think it just allows the other guys in the bullpen to take a deep breath and trust who they have behind us. That’s a special feeling, when you’ve got guys like that in the bullpen.”

Bullpen ‘brotherhood’ helps Brewers thrive

This bullpen seeks to maintain that momentum when the Brewers open the World Series on Friday by hosting either the Tampa Bay Rays or Cleveland Guardians. The Brewers are seeking their first World Series title; they lost to St. Louis in seven games the only other time they reached the Fall Classic.

The only three teams that had better postseason ERAs from their bullpens heading into the World Series since 1995 were the 2022 Houston Astros (0.83), 2013 Boston Red Sox (1.28) and 2005 Chicago White Sox (1.29). All three won the World Series.

“I think it’s like a brotherhood out there,” Hall said. “We’ve kind of created this year of, if we come in for somebody and their runners are on, just trying to keep them where they’re at. I think we take a lot of pride in that, and it’s kind of become a thing for us, just like picking each other up.”

Milwaukee’s bullpen strength has helped the Brewers come from behind in six of their seven playoff victories. According to Elias Sports Bureau, Milwaukee became the first team ever to sweep a best-of-seven series while having a reliever earn the win in all four games.

How these relievers got to Milwaukee

Milwaukee acquired Megill in 2023 after the Minnesota Twins designated him for assignment, and he has collected 81 saves with a 2.80 ERA over the last three seasons. The Brewers signed Uribe from the Dominican Republic in 2018. Hall came over from Baltimore in the 2024 trade that sent 2021 Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes to the Orioles. Ashby was a fourth-round draft pick in 2018. Romero arrived with Dustin May from St. Louis at this year’s trade deadline.

Megill has been a steady closer who made an All-Star Game in 2025. Uribe is one of baseball’s top setup men, with a sub-2.00 ERA the last two seasons. Both rank above the 90th percentile of major leaguers in average fastball velocity.

Ashby and Hall have come on strong in October.

Ashby entered this season having allowed nine runs (eight earned) in 9 1/3 career playoff innings, but he’s been spectacular this postseason with 12 1/3 shutout innings. Hall has allowed three hits and no runs in 8 2/3 career playoff innings, including 5 1/3 this year.

Their emergence gives Milwaukee plenty of different ways to attack hitters in the late innings. For instance, Murphy didn’t bother to use Megill for the ninth inning of the NLCS Game 4 clincher and instead rode the hot hand by sticking with Ashby, who earned a three-inning save.

“It gives you a ton of flexibility to deploy guys in different ways throughout the game, throughout the series,” president of baseball operations Matt Arnold said before the NLCS. “It takes a little bit of pressure off the starters, if they need that, and for Murph to know that that’s there. Yeah, it’s great to have those kind of weapons down there. They’re all diverse.”

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Eeli Tolvanen Making Instant Contributions To Rangers Upon Late Offseason Signing

Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Be honest with me.

If I told you on September 1, of this year that the Blueshirts secret weapon would be a lad named Eeli Tolvanen, it says here that you wouldn't even know how to pronounce his first name.

In case you're interested it's pronounced "Elee" and, furthermore all the good citizens of Vihi, Finland happen to know it by heart, so there! 

Plus, you're gonna know a helluva lot more in the months to come about "Trolleycar Tolvanen.

BECAUSE The Maven is here to tell you that this non-finicky Finn already is and will continue to be a producive Ranger.

Before You, I and Manny Malhotra realize it, Energizer Eeli will be sooooooooo good that even I will be able to correctly spell his first name on the third try; give or take one,

Write it down and paste it on your fridge and see me on this during the Rangers first playoff round.

As for now and Anaheim tonight, if Tolvanen The Terrific gets one measly assist it will be a milestone 100th career helper. 

Mark my words, the Rangers "Secret Weapon" will – by the Thanksgiving Day Parade – be a secret no more. And. by Christmas, all will be in high glee over "El-ee."

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Knicks Bulletin: ‘Mine is still not washed. It’s in the bag, and I’m afraid to open it.’

SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 13: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates after winning the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 13, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant /NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

One more sleep to witness history.

The Knicks enter the NBA’s opening week as the reigning world champs and will see the banner(s) go up in front of the MSG faithful in around 24 hours.

How can one not be excited!?

Mike Brown

On Bruce Brown’s toughness, versatility, and fit with the Knicks:

“Bruce, he’s a winner. He shows a level of toughness and versatility — not just defensively; he can guard one through four, but even offensively, he can initiate the offense. Our point guard’s not one that has to come down every play and break his guy down and make the game easier for everyone else. We have a system where we play out of concepts, and Bruce is good enough to initiate the offense, or he’s good enough to be off the ball. So he fits in with how we want to play on both ends, while giving us versatility on both ends. Having a chance to get to know him, he seems like a good guy. He seems like he knows a lot of our guys because he was in the same [draft] class as a few of them. So it was tough from that standpoint.”

On why the Knicks chose James Wiseman over Bruce Brown for the final roster spot:

“When you have a guy that’s 25 years old, that has the length and the athleticism and the talent as a James Wiseman, because KAT’s not athletic like that and Andre was once that, he still has some of it. But to have that at 25 years old, especially with where we’re at as a group, you look for guys that coulda, shoulda, but at his age maybe he still can be a coulda, shoulda. That vertical threat at the rim, the vertical threat defensively, how good he runs, you welcome that at his size and age and athleticism.”

On the significance of facing LeBron James and the 76ers on opening night:

“The reality of it, in coach talk, you want to say every game is the same. That’s what you try to impress upon your guys is, ‘Hey, when we step on the floor, no matter who’s in front of us, you want to give the same focus, energy and effort to the next possession in front of you.’ But because of the talk, because of who he is — he is a large figure not just in life, but in the NBA.

“You also gotta look at the guys they have on the team and the guys they’ve added and the potential of that team and what we accomplished and what we’re trying to accomplish again — all those storylines, with the social media and all that other stuff, it’s pressed upon you, pressed upon you, pressed upon you, so it gets larger than life in general.”

On whether the Knicks and 76ers could develop a rivalry:

“As a coach, you hope it doesn’t, but at times yes, you have to take into account that yes, it can be something that guys think, ‘OK, this is a big game.’ It gives you a little bit more juice, a little bit more energy because of all the stuff around it. Is it gonna be a rivalry at the end of the day? I don’t know. I don’t know where we’re gonna be and where they’re gonna be. … Because of the storylines and all that other stuff with the social media, could it be right now? Yeah, it’s a fun story.”

Josh Hart

On the cause of his right ankle soreness:

“Old age.”

On whether he will be available for the Knicks’ season opener against Philadelphia:

“We’ll see in two days.”

On anticipating the opening-night matchup against LeBron James and the 76ers:

“Wherever LeBron [James] went in the East, I figured that’d probably be our opening night [game]. That will be good for headlines and box office and those kinds of things.”

On the challenges facing the 76ers on opening night as they integrate their new stars:

“Obviously, we have the same team, but sometimes individuals’ expectations are different than what they were before. So it’s different. Especially a team like that, I’m sure they’re gonna have some bumpy times in the beginning of the year because they gotta get used to playing with each other. The media at that point [will say,] ‘They should blow it up and trade everybody’ and those kinds of things. That’s kind of the world we live in.”

On being tired of championship congratulations and wanting to focus on the new season:

“It’ll be cool. Obviously, getting a ring, hanging the banner will be dope. I think we’re excited about that, but also excited to kind of move on from it. You get tired of hearing the congrats. The stories are nice, at times, but we’ve gotta fully turn the page and realise that that’s not the team that we are now. We have to put the work into being a team that’s in a similar position next year.”

OG Anunoby

On the viral Halloween decoration recreating his game-winning tip-in in the NBA Finals:

“That was amazing. That was super cool. Very creative. It was really cool.”

Miles McBride

On the pressure of playing for the Knicks and the team’s championship expectations:

“Nobody wanted to be on a team that had this much potential. And (nobody wanted to) be the guy that quote unquote didn’t show up, didn’t do their job. … I think that New York pressure truthfully played a huge role. Everybody wants to play well, playing for that team. I wouldn’t even say pressure. I’d say confidence, in a sense.

“Like, you have the confidence that you’re playing in the greatest arena in sports, and you don’t want to be the person (who) isn’t locked in.”

Landry Shamet

On the Knicks’ willingness to sacrifice individual roles to defend their championship:

“We want to win for each other. We’re willing to take on different roles and know that we’ve got each other’s back. If Jose’s got it going and my minutes are shortened, awesome, and vice versa.”

On the lack of ego among the Knicks’ backup guards:

“I’ve been … a broken record about it, but you don’t see that. From a backup guard position, that’s very rare, where no ego or ulterior motives get involved. That’s something special that you want to be a part of.”

Jose Alvarado

On the competition and chemistry among the Knicks’ backup guards:

“We compete. We want to get each other better. In order to win, we need everybody on the same page, and we know that.”

Jalen Brunson

On the condition of his championship hat:

“Mine is still not washed; it’s in the bag, and I’m afraid to open it. It smells terrible: Champagne, sweat, cigars, food, beer, tequila.”

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The Yankees’ 10 Longest Home Runs of 2026

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 23: Ben Rice #22 of the New York Yankees hits a home run in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on September 23, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images

There is just something different about those no doubters, when a slugger digs into the box and really gets a hold of a pitch unleashing that wooden thunderclap like the legend of Thor. Watching the ball arch towards the sky and then seeing gravity finally win the fight and bring it back down to earth still sends a childlike joy through my bones.

Despite only getting 327 at-bats from biggest sluggers Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees still had their fair share of no doubters in 2026. Before we dive into the top ten home runs, I want to clarify this list ranks each long ball by distance. 

There is one honorable mention I want to give out before we get started. On April 21st, Stanton launched a 368-foot home run with a 41-degree launch angle. This moonshot in Boston was the Yankees’ highest-arching home run of the season. It did not go far, but it was a fun one to watch as it had hang time like Vince Carter!

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10. Ben Rice: 431 feet (August 8th vs. Atlanta)

I hope you are not hungry, because this top ten list contains as much Rice as your favorite takeout place’s menu! There is your dinner plan, as Rice keeps serving us even after the season ends. This early-August blast came off the bat at just over 105 miles per hour (mph) and had the highest launch angle of the top ten at 35 degrees.

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9. Ben Rice: 433 feet (June 19th vs. Cincinnati)

The team leader in home runs stakes his second claim on the list quickly, also claiming the nine-hole. This bullet traveled 109.1 mph off Benny’s barrel and had a 26-degree launch angle. The three-run job was one of those long home runs that reminds you center field at Yankee Stadium is no joke.

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8. Ben Rice: 438 feet (August 16th @ Toronto)

Starting the list off with a turkey, Rice keeps cooking. Unlike his first two appearances, this one came in Toronto. Number 33 on the season for Rice came off Braydon Fisher in the top of the 10th inning, making it the latest inning long ball on the list. What would prove to be the game-winner jumped off the bat at 108.5 mph and launched at a 27-degree angle.

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7. Spencer Jones: 443 feet (June 9th @ Cleveland)

The rookie’s first home run in the show was an absolute missile. Jones jumped all over this pitch from Slade Cecconi and produced the second-highest exit velocity on the list at 112.2 mph, with the lowest launch angle of the top ten at just 25 degrees. Do not blink, or you will miss this straight-line shot that got out of play in a hurry.

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6. Ben Rice: 444 feet (September 4th @ San Diego)

Despite a lower exit velocity of 108.6 mph, the one-degree difference in launch angle, at 26 degrees, was enough for this Rice home run to travel one foot farther than the previous entry. This ball ran away from the camera operator as it decided it would rather check out the San Diego Zoo than stick around for peanuts and Cracker Jacks.

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5. Giancarlo Stanton: 446 feet (April 16th vs. LA Angels)

Big G gets more than just his honorable mention with this home run that landed 446 feet from home plate in the Bronx, earning him a spot in our top five. Stanton muscled this ball at 111.1 mph off the bat and into the air at a 27-degree angle. This was a frustrating season for Stanton, and at this stage of his career, there might not be many more of these moments left for us to enjoy.

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4. Ben Rice: 447 feet (August 19th @ Baltimore)

Making his fifth and final appearance is Rice with this home run down at Camden Yards. This one got a few extra shakes of Old Bay seasoning as it traveled at 110.2 mph and lollipopped toward the harbor at a 33-degree angle. All hail the Yankees’ home run king of 2026!

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3. Spencer Jones: 448 feet (September 20th @ Arizona)

With a build similar to Judge and a left-handed swing, Jones is sure to send a few moonshots each season that will be impressive enough to land him on this list for years to come. This home run claims the title of highest launch angle on the list at 34 degrees. The towering drive traveled at 109.8 mph before falling like a meteor out in the desert.

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2. Amed Rosario: 450 feet (July 31st @ Chicago Cubs)

Imposter alert! Surprise, surprise, surprise. Who would have believed it at the start of the season, but at 6-foot-1 and 227 pounds, Rosario hit a home run good enough for second-furthest of the season. Perhaps aided by the Chicago wind, this home run tried its best to make it to the rooftop seats, coming off the bat at 108 mph with a 30-degree launch angle. Another whacky surprise, it was off a lefty!

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1. Aaron Judge: 456 feet (April 13th vs. LA Angels)

Almost as surprising as Rosario, Judge finally makes his first appearance on the list, and of course, the best power hitter since the steroid era takes the top spot. Why waste swings, right? This home run by Judge is truly a piece of art. At 116.2 mph, it was the hardest-hit Yankees home run of the season in addition to being the furthest. Its 26-degree launch angle helped it get over the fence quicker than a little leaguer retrieving a home run ball in the sandlot. Please be healthy next season, Captain. We missed you this year.

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That concludes the top ten longest Yankees home runs of 2026. Did anyone see any of these in person? What was the biggest surprise in your eyes? I was most surprised that Bellinger didn’t crack the top ten, or even the top 20 longest home runs in 2026!

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Game Six Preview

CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 17: Freddy Peralta #51 of the Tampa Bay Rays throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Cleveland Guardians in game four of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field on October 17, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

As the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline came and went, the Tampa Bay Rays finally became full fledged buyers. Erik Neander went out and brought the Rays an excellent catcher in Liam Hicks, a decent option in the bullpen with Tyler Wells, and then a possible top of the rotation arm in Freddy Peralta.

Of course, Peralta had his struggles while with the New York Mets but was just a half season removed from being a Cy Young contender with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Now, with the Rays on the cusp of reaching the World Series, it will be Freddy Peralta taking the mound for Tampa Bay.

A few days ago, this series was all but wrapped up for the Cleveland Guardians as they held a 2-1 advantage with two more games remaining at home. Then the rains came and washed out what would have been game four on Friday. With the schedule pushed back and extra day to recombobulate, the dormant Rays offense awoke while the pitching continued its excellence and all of a sudden, the Rays have a 3-2 advantage as the ALCS returns back to Tropicana Field where the Rays held one of the best home records in all of baseball.

The Guardians will have to try and piece together a pitching strategy as manager Stephen Vogt has heavily relied on his top relievers all series, making them questionable for tonight’s game. It has been announced that Cleveland will be starting former Ray, Shawn Armstrong, once again. Armstrong started Saturday’s game, providing the Guardians with four outs as an opener. This will mark his 4th appearance of the ALCS and thus far he has recorded 4 innings, allowing 0 runs on 2 hits.

After Armstrong, it’s anyone’s guess as to who Vogt will turn to in a must win game.

Vogt does have options with Tanner Bibee being the most likely. The 27-year old right-handed pitcher has yet to pitch in the ALCS and made one appearance during the ALDS against the Chicago White Sox. Bibee had a solid regular season for Cleveland and was a modern day workhorse as he compiled a 4.36 ERA | 4.52 FIP with a 19.0 K% & 7.1 BB% over 188 IP. Other options for Vogt tonight include Joey Cantillo, Matt Festa, and Slade Cecconi.

The rest of Vogt’s staff has seen plenty of action this ALCS, but it has been reported that game three starter Gavin Williams will be the only pitcher not available to pitch in tonight’s game. However, Vogt called upon Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis, Erik Sabrowski, and Tim Herrin in yesterday’s game as well as Shawn Armstrong, making them questionable for action tonight.

Tampa Bay meanwhile benefited from an exceptional outing by Drew Rasmussen in which the ace of the staff logged seven innings, yielding just one run, en route to the Rays 3-1 game five victory. Still, Kevin Cash had to call upon Bryan Baker, Cam Booser, and Tyler Wells to finish out the game; Wells threw just five pitches and was well rested prior to the game. Bryan Baker and Cam Booser pitched consecutive games so they may not be available tonight either; Baker also had had a noticeable dip in his velocity. Still, Kevin Cash has plenty of options should he need to use them in Kevin Kelly, Tyler Wells, Cole Sulser, Steven Matz, and Brody Hopkins; Hopkins has yet to appear in an ALCS game, the lone player on the roster who has yet to make an appearance.

It’s game six of the 2026 American League Division Series. The Rays are up three games to two. The series is back at Tropicana Field. BJ Upton is throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. The game begins at 8:00pm.

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The Top 10 longest home runs of 2026 for the Atlanta Braves

ATLANTA, GA - JULY 06: Matt Olson #28 of the Atlanta Braves hits a solo home run in the third inning during the game against the New York Mets at Truist Park on July 6, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jack Casey/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It’s that time again. Everybody loves home runs and now (thanks to Statcast) it’s time to take a look back at 10 of the longest home runs of the season for the Atlanta Braves during the 2026 regular season. As you can imagine by Atlanta’s return to the Postseason, the homers flew early and often for the Braves in 2026. They hit 204 homers, which put them in a three-way tie seventh-place in all of baseball (with the Dodgers and Mets). In all but one of the Postseason seasons for the Braves since 2018, they’ve hit at least 200 dingers so maybe that appears to be a magic number for this team as currently constructed?

Either way, the home run stroke returned for Atlanta in a major way this season and now it’s time to look back at the 10 longest dingers of the season for the Braves.

No. 10 – Austin Riley, August 4 vs. Marlins, 433 feet

Get ready to see a lot of Austin Riley on this list. Despite the fact that Riley had a pretty underwhelming year as a whole when it came to plate production, he did so “despite” finishing the season in the 91st percentile in Bat Speed, the 82nd percentile in Barrel percentage and the 81st percentile in Hard-Hit percentage. He can still hit a ball pretty hard — it’s just a matter of actually hitting it.

No. 9 – Austin Riley, September 11 vs. Phillies, 434 feet

In fact, we didn’t have to wait long to see Austin Riley’s second appearance on this list. That September 11 classic against the Phillies was a fun night at the ballpark and it provided us with moments like this one where the Braves continued to fight and claw against Philadelphia in a crucial moment in the NL East race. Truist Park wasn’t particularly kind to Aaron Nola during the month of September (whether it was the regular season or the Postseason) and this was another example of it.

No. 8 – Matt Olson, August 16 vs. Diamondbacks, 437 feet

This was a majestic way to help give the Braves the win in what was a frustrating weekend series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, as Matt Olson crushed one out to dead center for a three-run shot that gave the Braves the lead and ultimately the victory. I’d say that this is the most aesthetically-pleasing dinger on this list so far, as there’s just something satisfying about seeing that ball land, bounce and eventually (I’m assuming) roll out of the stadium and into the loading bay out there beyond center field. Plus, we got the usual mix of admiration and disgust that we see from Matt Olson whenever he demolishes a ball. You love to see it.

T-No. 4 – Austin Riley, May 2 at Rockies, 438 feet

Coors.

In all seriousness though, you knew a Colorado shot was going to make it onto the list and here it is. It may not look super spectacular but due to the large dimensions at Coors Field, you’ve got to hit ‘em a long way to get no-doubters in that ballpark. That was the case for Riley, who makes yet another appearance on this list. It’s also bittersweet to hear Brandon Gaudin on the call claim that “Austin Riley might be back,” because we all wanted that to happen a ton and it felt like there were plenty of moments that felt like the turning point. Ah well.

T-No. 4 – Ronald Acuña Jr., May 31 at Reds, 438 feet

Speaking of guys who looked like they were “back” but didn’t quite get there, Ronald Acuña Jr. definitely fits that bill. His flashes of brilliance lasted much longer, though — this series in Cincinnati being a prime example of it as we got to see an extended glimpse of Acuña at his most brilliant at the plate. Acuña went on an absolute tear during this series and this moonshot was proof of how locked in he was at the moment. Also, get ready to see “438” feet a lot because that was a distance that this team enjoyed, apparently.

T-No. 4 – Austin Riley, August 12 vs. Mets, 438 feet

Another bomb for Austin Riley during another one of those games where it looked like he was getting set to put it all together and go on a real run. You’re really doing something if you reach the middle rows in the left-center outfield seats.

T-No. 4 – Drake Baldwin, April 21 at Nationals, 438 feet

This is probably the wildest entry on the list basically because of where the pitch was located in the first place. Foster Griffin probably figured that the worst that could happen in this situation against Drake Baldwin was a ball or maybe even a pop fly. Instead, Baldwin put a huge swing on it and ended up sending it deep into the seats. Baseball is a wild sport, y’all.

No. 3 – Matt Olson, April 10 vs. Guardians, 441 feet

Another incredibly aesthetically-pleasing dinger from Matt Olson. We all love to see Chop House shots and we especially love seeing them hit the roof out there (at least if it’s a Braves batter. No points for you, Kyle Schwarber) and this was another one that Olson could add to his personal list. Hoo boy, that was majestic.

No. 2 – Ronald Acuña Jr., September 5 at Phillies, 450 feet

Here’s the dinger that set off the home run trot that set off Philadelphia fans and their media for nearly a full week. Acuña got every stitch of this one (against Zack Wheeler, to boot) on a pitch that landed right in the part of the strike zone where you don’t want to leave a pitch to Acuña. If it’s low and in the middle of the zone, that is Nitro Time for Acuña and he lifted off in fine fashion on this particular pitch.

No. 1 – Drake Baldwin, June 16 vs. Giants, 473 feet

Drake Baldwin’s first swing after an IL stint ended up resulting in the longest home run that any Braves player hit this season. That fact alone is absolutely wild but it’s also crazier when you consider the conditions. This was a game that ended up getting postponed due to rain and the conditions were absolutely appalling for baseball on that particular Summer evening. Yet, Baldwin still sent this ball on a fantastic voyage and hit it deep into the greenery in dead center field. This was such an impressive home run on so many levels and it’s worthy of being the most majestic dinger on this particular list.

BONUS – 2026 Short Boy Award: Ronald Acuña Jr., August 6 vs. Marlins, 337 feet

Acuña popped two dingers in this game and I’m including both of them because they were both bizarre. The first one is that one where two Marlins outfielders collided near the fence and none of them came up with the ball — it bounced off of them and into the seats for a dinger. The second one is what got Acuña the Short Boy Award for 2026, as he bounced it off of the concrete lining the brick wall in right field and into the nearby concourse in order to cap off one of the weirdest multi-homer games that you’ll ever see a Braves player have.

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Keys to ALCS Game Six for the Guardians

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 17: Chase DeLauter #24 of the Cleveland Guardians is seen in the dugout during Game Four of the American League Championship Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on Saturday, October 17, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Just make sure you get to keep playing baseball, boys.

The Guardians continue to have somewhat of a snake-bitten season at home this season, dropping two games against the Rays to head back to Tampa Bay down 3-2 in a 7-game series. They now face Freddy Peralta for a second time, who threw six scoreless against Cleveland in game 2 (after also dominating the Yankees in the ALDS). Meanwhile, the Guardians will open with the “reliable vet” option of Shawn Armstrong and the rest of their pitching plan for the game being, essentially, a shaken 8-ball reading “Reply hazy, try again.”

Keys to Game Six for the Guardians:

1. Hit Freddy Peralta’s Fastball: Peralta is a three-pitch pitcher with a four-seamer, a changeup, and a curveball. Peralta threw a season-high 71% four-seamer mix against the Guardians in game two of the ALCS. It worked. So, does that mean he goes back to the same plan in an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy, or does he make an adjustment to mix in more changeups? Peralta’s average velocity on his fastball was up 2.6 mph from his season average, so I suspect he is simply going to let this pitch ride and dare the Guardians to hit it. We have seen enough of the Rays’ pen to know that there is a reason they haven’t lost a game this season when leading after eight innings. They are very good, so they need to find a way to get to Peralta to have a chance tonight. So… there you go, Guardians. Gird your loins, hit the fastball, and this has a good shot of going to a winner-take-all. For what it’s worth, during the season, Chase DeLauter was 15 runs above average against the fastball, Steven Kwan 5.2 runs above average, Travis Bazzana 4.5 runs above average, and Brayan Rocchio 2.1 runs above average.

2. Adjust to Playing on Turf: There were a couple rough plays on the Tampa Bay turf in games one and two and the Guardians’ defense has been shaky the past two nights. If the Guardians win tonight, they will need to play clean defense and adjust to the various quirks of the turf at Tropicana Field.

3. Strategically Deploy Your Pitchers: After Armstrong, I think we will be set to see Daniel Espino, Joey Cantillo and Tanner Bibee in some capacity. Foster Griffin threw 44 pitches on Saturday… so he could also get an inning, given the elimination game dynamic. Stephen Vogt will need to leverage these arms in the right moments to have a chance at turning the game over to his high leverage arms (who also all threw yesterday, of course). The one thing I definitely would like to see is Espino facing a different part of the order than Diaz and Caminero who have seen him quite a bit.

You know, I feel so good about this Guardians’ season. I will be disappointed in a loss because you can never guarantee yourself this kind of opportunity again, but I also feel proud of what these guys have done to get to this point. I would be so sad because there is a good chance I will not see any more Guardians’ baseball until at least Memorial Day, but I have a lot of happy memories from 2026 to keep me warm. I also would be happy to watch the Brewers-Rays World Series because I like both teams and would enjoy seeing either get a title. But, hey, neither of them deserve to see one as much as Cleveland baseball fans do. None of their players deserve a ring like Jose Ramirez does. So, let’s see our guys really fight to keep this ride going another day.

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Phoenix moves on from Koby Brea ahead of the regular season

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 28: Koby Brea #14 of the Phoenix Suns poses for a portrait during NBA media day on September 28, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Phoenix Suns continue to fine-tune every aspect of their roster in preparation for the 2026–27 season. They’ve brought in Duop Reath on a two-way contract, waived Haywood Highsmith, extended Oso Ighodaro, and picked up the option on Ryan Dunn. And now? They’ve waived second-year sharpshooter Koby Brea, per HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

Brea was selected 41st overall in the 2025 NBA Draft out of Kentucky, following an illustrious collegiate career in which he established himself as one of the best three-point shooters in the NCAA. Unfortunately, that shooting ability hasn’t consistently translated to the NBA level.

He appeared in 12 games for Phoenix last season, connecting on 13-of-30 attempts from beyond the arc, good for 43.3%. The hope was that he’d build upon that production through Summer League and the preseason, continuing his development as a reliable perimeter threat. But during Summer League, Brea shot 8-of-28 from deep, good for 28.6%. That was followed by a preseason in which he connected on 3-of-10 attempts, shooting 30% from beyond the arc.

When your primary translatable skill is shooting, and you’re struggling to consistently knock down shots, you become vulnerable. You become expendable. And for an organization that values flexibility throughout its roster, that’s a difficult position to find yourself in.

Unfortunately for Koby Brea, the Suns have opted to move on, leaving one two-way contract spot available as the team continues making its final roster adjustments ahead of the regular season.

The bigger picture here is roster flexibility. Brea showed that he could knock down shots in limited NBA opportunities, but his struggles in Summer League and the preseason put his greatest strength into question. With the regular season approaching, the Suns have decided to open that two-way spot rather than wait for his shooting to come around. It’s a tough business, particularly for a young player. But in Phoenix, every roster spot needs to serve a purpose.