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Hat Tricks For Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Bennett Fuel Panthers Dominant Victory Over Seattle

It’s been a pretty solid few days for the Florida Panthers.

Florida has now won three straight games during the young season, extending the streak thanks to Saturday’s dominant 8-3 victory over the Seattle Kraken.

It didn’t take long for the Panthers to get things started on the right skate.

Just 65 seconds into the game, Sam Bennett jumped on a Matthew Takchuk rebound, swatting the puck out of midair and into the Kraken net to give Florida a 1-0 lead.

Unfortunately for Bennett and the Cats, they didn’t stay ahead for very long.

Former fourth overall draft pick Sane Wright got his stick on a shot by Berkly Catton, getting just enough of the puck to change its direction and get it past Jacob Markstrom to knot the score at one at the 4:51 mark.

That’s how the score would remain for the majority of the period, with both goaltenders coming up with some big saves.

With just over two minutes left until the first intermission, Carter Verhaeghe one-timed a puck from the left faceoff circle over Joey Daccord’s glove to give the Cats a 2-1 lead, but he wasn’t done there.

Florida went on the power play less than a minute later thanks to Ryker Evans shooting the puck over the glass, and Verhaeghe found the back of the net again, this time off a nice feed from Brady Tkachuk, sending Florida into the break with a 3-1 advantage.

Keeping the good times rolling, Verhaeghe completed the natural hat trick by finishing off a pass from Niko Mikkola to extend Florida’s lead to 4-1.

There was some history that came with the goal, as Florida became the first team in NHL history to have players log natural hat tricks in three consecutive games.

Not too shabby, eh?

Just 40 seconds after that, Niko Mikkola’s long shot found its way over Daccord’s blocker to extend Florida’s lead to 5-1, and then Bennett gave the Cats a sixth goal by finishing off a 2-on-1 with Brady.

After a Freddy Gaudreau goal late in the second brought Seattle to within 6-2, Sam Reinhart scored on the power play to hit the extra point for Florida, one-timing a quick feed by Matthew Takchuk past Daccord.

Sure, the Kraken added a third goal just under four minutes into the period, but the bigger news of the final frame was Bennett becoming the second Panthers player DURING THIS GAME to pick up a hat trick.

Bennett’s third goal of the night was Florida’s eighth, marking the first time in Panthers history that two players recorded three goals in the same game.

The goal was also the 400th point of Benntt’s career.

Florida’s record has now improved to 5-2-2 on the young season. They’ll head back out on the road this week for a four-game trip, starting with a back-to-back Wednesday and Thursday in Ottawa and Pittsburgh.

Getting back to Florida’s scoring for a moment, the game saw a couple point streaks extended by the Tkachuk brothers.

Matthew Tkachuk finished the night with three assists, extending his point streak to eight games, racking up three goals and 14 points during the run.

As for Brady, his point streak is now at four games, logging six goals and 10 points over that span after picking up a pair of helpers on Saturday.

The timing couldn’t be better as Brady and the Panthers’ next game is against his former team, the Ottawa Senators.

We’ll see if they can keep the good times rolling when they travel north of the border.

Stay tuned.

LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA

Jacob Markstrom Returns As Panthers Host Seattle In Search Of Third Straight Victory

Brady Tkachuk Logs Second Straight Natural Hat Trick, Leads Panthers To Thrilling Comeback Win Over Vancouver

Seth Jones' Brilliant Start Highlights Importance To The Florida Panthers

Jacob Markstrom, Radko Gudas Day-To-Day, Expected Back In Panthers Lineup By Tuesday In Ottawa

Blue Jackets' Mathieu Olivier Receives Maximum Fine For Slashing Panthers' Uvis Balinskis

Brady Tkachuk Picks Up Hat Trick, Matthew Tkachuk Logs Five Assists As Panthers Dominate In Columbus

Photo caption: May 9, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center CarterVerhaeghe(23) celebrates with center SamBennett(9) and defenseman Gustav Forsling (42) after scoring against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period in game three of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

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Former Cy Young winner questions Dodgers pitch selections in NLCS

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Three Los Angeles Dodgers players in blue uniforms and hats watch from the dugout during a game, Image 2 shows Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell and catcher Will Smith talk on the mound, Image 3 shows Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow wipes sweat from his face as he is removed from the game, walking off the field with his catcher

John Smoltz got a firsthand look at the Dodgers’ collapse in the National League Championship Series.

On the call with play-by-play announcer Joe Davis, the former Cy Young winner watched every pitch from the Dodgers’ rotation. Tarik Skubal, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow comprised the lethal group, but none of the elite hurlers made it past the fifth inning against a red-hot Brewers lineup.

Los Angeles Dodger pitchers from left, Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto watch from the dugout against the Milwaukee Brewers in the ninth inning of Game 4 of the NLCS. Wally Skalij for the CA Post

Smoltz criticized the Dodgers’ pitch selections in the NLCS, where the back-to-back World Series champions were swept by Milwaukee.

“They pitched well, but they didn’t pitch good enough in situations where veteran pitchers should not be making those mistakes,” Smoltz said on the Flippin’ Bats podcast. “In my opinion, there were some pitch selections — I don’t know if it came from Will Smith or it was the pitcher himself — and they put the Milwaukee Brewers in a position to flex their muscles when the Dodgers should have been flexing theirs.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell and Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith talk on the mound during the seventh inning of Game 3 of baseball’s National League Championship Series. AP Photo/Ashley Landis
Tyler Glasnow #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is removed from the game during the fifth inning in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Getty Images

“It was the most shocking scenario that I could have seen from a standpoint, all right, lay out the series, this is how Milwaukee’s gonna win. There’s no way you said they’re gonna win trailing every game, never being down, with the exception of the last game being down by four. They were gonna out-homer, they were gonna hit better with runners in scoring position, that isn’t as shocking they did that in the regular season. And they were gonna dominate from the bullpen in a way that we have never seen.”

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Sabres' Offense Has Improved, But Here's The Key Area Buffalo Has To Address Immediately

Nick Turchiaro, Imagn Images
Nick Turchiaro, Imagn Images

The Buffalo Sabres have finally got their offense untracked, generating 14 goals in their past three games. It’s not a coincidence they’ve won two of those three contests to improve their record to 4-3-1. 

But there’s still another issue the Sabres need to address – and that’s their play in their own zone. Because in those past three games, Buffalo has given up a combined 11 goals. And when you look at where the Sabres’ defense is at the moment, you can see why Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff needs to focus on improving his team’s play on ‘D’.

Indeed, right now, the Sabres have the NHL’s seventh-worst goals-against average – 3.63 goals-against per-game. And most of the teams that are as bad or worse in that department are notoriously sub-par teams, including the woeful Calgary Flames (5.00 goals-against), Vancouver Canucks (4.56), Columbus Blue Jackets (4.20), Los Angeles Kings (4.20) and Chicago Blackhawks (4.00). If you aren’t taking care of business defensively, it doesn’t much matter how potent your offense is.

How do the Sabres clamp down in their own end? Well, having captain Rasmus Dahlin back in the lineup will help in that regard – and it’s also not a coincidence Buffalo’s goals-against average spiked now that Dahlin has missed the past two games, as well as Saturday’s tilt against the Montreal Canadiens. Dahlin’s sky-high panic threshold sets a defensive tone for his teammates, and he’s Buffalo’s least-replaceable player.

That said, there’s still good reason to believe the Sabres have to do more to be more responsible on defense. And some of that falls squarely into the lap of Buffalo goalies Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Colten Ellis. With veteran netminder Alex Lyon sidelined with an injury of his own, Buffalo has had no choice but to ride Luukkonen and Ellis. And to say the results were mixed would be extremely charitable.

Indeed, although Luukkonen has been better of late – posting a save percentage of .921 or higher in two of his past three appearances – the reality is that, in six appearances this season, Luukkonen has a significantly-disappointing SP of .854 and a GAA of 3.52. You can say he hasn’t got a lot of support from his Sabres teammates, but Luukkonen has to own his own role in his bloated stats.

Meanwhile, in just three appearances this season, Ellis has been just as disappointing as Luukkonen, if not more so. He had a decent start to the season, putting up a .900 SP in an overtime win over the Minnesota Wild. But Ellis got worse in each of his next two games, posting an .867 SP in a 4-1 loss to the Utah Mammoth, then getting yanked after surrendering two goals on nine shots in a 5-3 loss to the Florida Panthers.

If Luukkonen can’t provide at least average individual numbers, and if Ellis isn’t a legitimate option to turn to when Luukkonen isn’t at his best…well, you can see why that’s going to be an ongoing problem. Now, if Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen can pull off a blockbuster trade for suspended Winnipeg Jets superstar goalie Connor Hellebuyck, everything changes for Buffalo. But otherwise, there aren’t many great netminding options for the Sabres to acquire.

In any case, Buffalo’s challenge is clear: get better on ‘D’, and get better right away. Last season, the Sabres had the league’s 10th-best goals-against average at 2.93 goals-against. And it’s not as if there have been a slew of changes to Buffalo’s roster. It’s mostly the same group, so there should be no excuses as to figuring out how to defend better.

If your defense is porous, it matters not how great your offense is. Ruff knows this, so it’ll be intriguing to see how he pushes his players to be better defensively. And the sooner that happens, the more likely it is the Sabres get back to the top of the Atlantic Division.

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Canadiens Goalie Continuing To Create Chatter As Trade Candidate

Montreal Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault has been the subject of trade rumors for a while. Now, that is only continuing during the early stages of the 2026-27 season.

In a recent article for The Athletic, Arpon Basu named Montembeault the Canadiens' top trade candidate.

"Montembeault is in the final year of his contract, and with Jakub Dobeš and Jacob Fowler ready to take over, the Canadiens could collect a trade asset from a goalie-needy team," Basu wrote. 

It would not be surprising in the slightest if the Canadiens moved Montembeault at some point this season. He lost the Canadiens' starting job last season, and Fowler is continuing to prove that he belongs in the NHL. Thus, the Canadiens would be wise to move Montembeault if they can find a team interested in him.

Montembeault has yet to play a game this season for Montreal and is currently sidelined due to injury. In 25 games last season for the Canadiens, he had an .872 save percentage and a 3.43 goals-against average. However, he also had a .901 save percentage or better from 2022-23 to 2024-25, so it is fair to wonder if another team could be willing to take a chance on him as a bounce-back candidate.

Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if the Canadiens trade Montembeault this season. They would benefit by moving on from his $3.15 million cap hit. 

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ALCS Game 4 Open Thread, 8 ET

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 13: Shawn Armstrong #43 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches during Game Two of the American League Championship Series between the Cleveland Guardians and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Today, the AL could get one step closer to joining its Senior Circuit brother in the World Series. The Brewers finished off a sweep of the Dodgers on Thursday, so they’ll be sitting at home waiting to see who comes out of this one. Game 4 is set for 8 pm in Cleveland.

The Guardians took Game 3, 3-2, thanks to a two-run homer from Petey Halpin, so they lead the series 2-1. Tampa Bay has never trailed an ALCS 2-1 before. A win tonight would put Cleveland one game away from the World Series. A Rays win sends us back to square one as a best-of-three.

Tampa has fiddled with the lineup a little for Game 4, with Chandler Simpson now hitting third and Junior Caminero in the cleanup spot. Tampa’s starter, Nick Martinez, went 15-6 with a 3.10 ERA in 180 regular season innings. Martinez’s history against Cleveland should make Guardians fans nervous: two starts in the regular season, 13 innings, zero runs. The Rays need him to hold the line because their bats went quiet in Game 3. Díaz, Aranda, and Caminero went a combined 1-for-12, and Caminero struck out four times. Chandler Simpson has been their spark plug so far.

Tampa Bay lineup

  1. Yandy Díaz – DH
  2. Jonathan Aranda – 1B
  3. Chandler Simpson – LF
  4. Junior Caminero – 3B
  5. Liam Hicks – C
  6. Victor Mesa Jr. – RF
  7. Jonny DeLuca – CF
  8. Richie Palacios – 2B
  9. Taylor Walls – SS

Cleveland is running it back with the exact same lineup from Game 3. That’s fine because José Ramírez and Chase DeLauter have been on fire, OPS’ing 1.038 and 1.438 respectively this postseason. Cleveland’s starting pitcher is none other than old friend Shawn Armstrong, the right-hander who in three seasons in the Baltimore bullpen posted a 5.34 ERA (was it really that high?). Anyway, this is another Cleveland bullpen game. You might expect Joey Cantillo will probably cover a good chunk of it after Armstrong, and Tanner Bibee and Slade Cecconi are available for bulk outings. Also, Cade Smith has been lights out this postseason, with a 1.00 ERA and 13 strikeouts in nine innings.

Cleveland lineup

  1. Steven Kwan – LF
  2. José Ramírez – 3B
  3. Chase DeLauter – RF
  4. Jo Adell – DH
  5. Nathaniel Lowe – 1B
  6. Travis Bazzana – 2B
  7. Patrick Bailey – C
  8. Petey Halpin – CF
  9. Brayan Rocchio – SS
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SnakePit Post-season GDT, #15a

CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 16: A general view of a tarp covering the field prior to game four of the American League Championship Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on October 16, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Let’s try this again, shall we? Here’s a note from samath on what we’re heading towards in next week’s World Series.

Whoever advances out of the AL, we’re already guaranteed some all-time drought-busting. A Brewers-Rays World Series would feature two teams who have never won! That would be the first time that’s happened since the 1980 World Series between the Royals and Phillies, and only the second since 1920, i.e. the last century. A Brewers-Guardians World Series would feature two teams who haven’t won for a combined 78 + 56 = 134 years, second all-time to 2016’s famous Cubs-Indians (108 + 68 = 176 years), just ahead of the 2005’s White Sox-Astros (88 + 43 = 131 years). For this purpose, I’m counting years in their current city, because that counts to fans.

So, who do you want to win the American League this year? The drought-busting Guardians? Or do you want the expansion sibling Rays to get their first title?

  • Tampa Bay Rays @ Cleveland Guardians (1-2), 5:00 pm, TBS
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Calum Ritchie takes Pete DeBoer’s Islanders benching message in stride as he sticks on second line

New York Islanders center Calum Ritchie (64) moves the puck as Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman J.J. Moser (90) defends.
New York Islanders center Calum Ritchie (64) moves the puck as Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman J.J. Moser (90) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026.

TORONTO — Pete DeBoer used the stick — in this case, the bench — to make his point to Calum Ritchie on Thursday night in Ottawa. On Saturday against the Maple Leafs, it was more about the carrot. 

Rather than demoting Ritchie off the second line, DeBoer kept him there, having gone over video with him the day prior to reinforce the message that Ritchie’s puck management needs to improve. The overall message, though, was one of faith in the 21-year-old center. 

“It’s all part of the process,” DeBoer said. “I had Wyatt Johnston in Dallas. I had Thomas Harley. They all went through this. They all had great games and they had games where they took a step back. You had to sit and watch for a little bit. This is all part of that development.” 

Of course, that has the added benefit of being true. Things worked out pretty well with Johnston and Harley, and the safe bet is that they will with Ritchie too. 

Ritchie, scoreless in four straight games going into Saturday, seemed to take the message in stride. 

New York Islanders center Calum Ritchie (64) moves the puck as Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman J.J. Moser (90) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. Corey Sipkin for NY Post

“I think I’ve been forcing some plays offensively a little bit,” he said pregame Saturday. “I’m just trying to generate offense and I’m forcing some things. Just trying to hold onto pucks. Making smarter plays is a big thing and obviously, I think just battling harder. Winning more puck battles. I think those are the two biggest things probably.” 

Making better decisions with the puck has been a near-constant refrain from DeBoer at the start of the season, with Ritchie far from the only player to struggle doing so. Given their speed deficit on the blue line when Matthew Schaefer is off the ice, and their lack of offensive firepower, giving away high-end chances that stem from turnovers simply isn’t something the Islanders can get away with. 

The giveaways from Ritchie, along with taking a penalty, irked DeBoer enough on Thursday night to sit him for the last 11:30 of regulation and all of overtime in an eventual 2-1 defeat to the Senators. 

New York Islanders center Calum Ritchie (64) reacts after scoring a goal during the second period against the New York Rangers on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, N.Y. Robert Sabo for NY Post

“I think a bit of it is not executing what I’m seeing,” Ritchie said. “I’m seeing something and just trying to make a play and they close it off quickly. It’s kinda like, a more high-risk play, you’re not sure it’s gonna happen. It’s just getting back to the basics, simplifying my game a little bit. Just trying to play the right way.” 

Of course, he can’t tilt too far in the other direction either. The Islanders don’t want to mute Ritchie’s skill with the puck on his stick, or force him into a mentality where he’s scared to make a mistake. Learning when to try and make a play versus when to just dump the puck in and move onto the next one — especially with a new coach whose principles are different from what Ritchie was taught last year — will be an ongoing process. 

“He’s a young guy that’s finding that line between creating offense, how to create offense in this league against some big, heavy teams and big bodies, but also do it without being reckless with the puck,” DeBoer said. “But also do it without being reckless with the puck. That’s something every young player goes through. It’s OK to sit and watch for a few shifts here and there.” 

At least to hear him tell it, Ritchie’s confidence won’t be affected. He knows this is normal and if he forgets, he can always reflect on last season, when the Islanders sat Mathew Barzal and Anthony Duclair for a third period over back-checking issues. 

“You still gotta play hockey,” he said. “You gotta play free. If you’re not playing free, you’re not gonna play very good. For me, everyone kinda goes through that. Stars in this league get sat sometimes. Just gotta bounce back, play better, play the right way.”

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Dodgers fan favorite acknowledges potential final season with LA in message: ‘If this is it for us’

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Kike Hernandez #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the dugout during the game against the Colorado Rockies, Image 2 shows Los Angeles Dodgers' Kike Hernandez gestures toward his dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles, Image 3 shows Los Angeles Dodgers player Kike Hernandez running on a baseball field

Kiké Hernandez may have played his final game with the Dodgers.

The fan favorite acknowledged the uncertain future he faces as he enters free agency in an Instagram post in which Hernandez expressed his gratefulness for fans.

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Kike Hernandez gestures toward his dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

“LA, we fell short of our big goal. But looking at the big picture, what a ride these last three years were!!” Hernandez wrote in the Instagram caption.

“If this is it for us…. Once again, I will always be thankful for you guys & I will forever love ya! ♾ #JustAKidFromPR,” Hernandez said.

President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman brought Hernandez back on a one-year deal last offseason, saying the “door was always open” for the utilityman. It remains unclear whether that will be the case this winter as Hernandez hits free agency again.

Hernandez has built his career as an electric personality in the Dodgers’ dugout and a clutch bat every October. His postseason numbers are simply mystifying with Hernandez coming to life every fall.

Kike Hernandez #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the dugout during the game against the Colorado Rockies Getty Images

But as the Dodgers look to get younger, the front office may go in another direction this offseason. The Dodgers assembled the most expensive roster in baseball, which also happened to be the oldest.

While the Dodgers won 100 regular-season games with their veteran core, the back-to-back World Series champions were swept by a hungrier, younger Brewers team.

Hernandez, who has been a key part of Los Angeles’ back-to-back World Series titles, could play another major role in the postseason. Getty Images

The four-game sweep in the National League Championship Series may alter the Dodgers’ plans as the front office attempts to build another winning roster.

Only time will tell whether Hernandez is a part of that group.

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‘Testosterone to burn’: Kagiso Rabada plays down 2018 clash with Australia’s Steve Smith

  • ‘There’s no hate,’ says bowler ahead of return to St George’s Park

  • Pair clashed in Gqeberha during heated series six years ago

Kagiso Rabada insists there is no lingering bad blood with Australia as the South Africa speedster prepares to return to the site of his controversial clash with Steve Smith.

Rabada has been declared fit to come back from his hamstring tear and face Australia in the second Test at St George’s Park, in his first match since May. The South African’s return comes at a crucial point in the series, with the hosts fighting to stay alive after their 214-run pumping in Durban last week.

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Open Thread For Saturday’s Rays @ Guardians

CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the Cleveland city skyline and its three tallest downtown buildings the Key Tower and 200 Public Square and the Terminal Tower on September 15, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** | Getty Images

So game four, try number two.

This time there is no rain in the forecast, but it is cold. 7 C at game time and dropping from there. It is much warmer here in Calgary and slightly warmer in Toronto.

Anyway, starting lineup:

Today’s Lineups

RAYSGUARDIANS
Yandy Diaz – DHSteven Kwan – LF
Jonathan Aranda – 1BJose Ramirez – 3B
Chandler Simpson – LFChase DeLauter – RF
Junior Caminero – 3BJo Adell – DH
Liam Hicks – CNathaniel Lowe – 1B
Victor Mesa – RFTravis Bazzana – 2B
Jonny DeLuca – CFPatrick Bailey – C
Richie Palacios – 2BPetey Halpin – CF
Taylor Walls – SSBrayan Rocchio – SS
Nick Martinez – RHPTanner Bibee – RHP

I’ve spent the day off line, for a pleasant change, which my overlords will not like, but my well being needs occasionally.



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ALCS Game Four discussion 10/17

Shawn Armstrong contemplates his next pitch
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 13: Shawn Armstrong #43 of the Cleveland Guardians looks on while pitching in the seventh inning during Game Two of the American League Championship Series between the Cleveland Guardians and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Let’s try this again.

Two nights ago the NLCS ended, but we’ve still got plenty of action left on the AL side. In a series that features a pair of top-half teams in terms of Starting Pitcher fWAR and despite an extra day of rest with the rainout, Game Four will feature one team using a starting pitcher who barely struck out one every two innings during the regular season and just a flat-out bullpen game from the other side.

Nick Martinez gets the start for Tampa Bay. Somehow, he accrued a 2.9 fWAR this season while pitching a 2.90 ERA despite a lackluster 11.5% K-BB% and a barely above-league-average 1.10 HR/9, leading to a frightening 4.63 SIERA. Nick has already made one start this postseason, going 3.2 innings and allowing 2 runs in a series-clinching win over the Yankees.

The Guardians have already used Foster Griffin, Parker Messick, and Gavin Williams in this series, so they’re set to ask their bullpen to deliver the penultimate blow against the Rays before potentially cycling all three of those guys through in the back half of the series. Shawn Armstrong will be the first pitcher out of the gate. I wouldn’t be surprised if Tanner Bibee is asked to pitch a few innings; I also wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t actually pitch that long. Steven Vogt has shown a willingness to go to his bullpen very quickly, and with good reason in a postseason that has featured fewer innings from starting pitchers than any I can recall.

Let’s hope they actually play this time.

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ALCS GAME FOUR: RAYS AT GUARDIANS, Armstrong vs. Martinez, discussion

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 15: Brayan Rocchio #4 of the Cleveland Guardians high-fives Angel Genao #17 after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field on Thursday, October 15, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Take two!

Here’s the Rays’ lineup:

Here’s the Guardians’ lineup:

Let’s go, Guardians!

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Mets top prospect Jefferson Rojas clubs two homers in Dominican Pro Baseball League

Jefferson Rojas - the Mets' #1 prospect according to SNY's most recent top 30 rankings - is making big waves in the Caribbean.

Rojas, who was recently assigned to the Gigantes del Cibao of the Dominican Professional Baseball League (a.k.a. the "Dominican Winter League"), crushed a 401-foot homer in just his second game with the team.

 

A few innings later, Rojas crushed another no-doubter.

Rojas batted eighth in the Gigantes lineup on Saturday, playing third base.

His first game with the ballclub came a day earlier, when Rojas manned the hot corner and batted seventh in the order. He finished his debut with one hit, a walk, and a stolen base.

Rojas will spend part of his offseason playing for the Gigantes alongside MLB hitters, including Mets teammate Christopher Morel, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Victor Scott II, and Miami Marlins catcher Agustin Ramirez, among others.

Acquired from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Clay Holmes and Tyrone Taylor at this past season's trade deadline, Rojas exploded upon his arrival to the Mets' farm system. 

His .929 OPS and nine homers in just 29 games with Double-A Binghamton earned him a promotion to Triple-A Syracuse, where he continued to impress, posting a 1.037 OPS with three home runs across 6 games to close out the season.

Rojas is also a consensus top-100 prospect, currently ranking No. 68 in the sport by MLB Pipeline.

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Knicks make final roster decision on James Wiseman, Bruce Brown

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 08: James Wiseman #35 of the New York Knicks in action against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden on October 08, 2026 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The New York Knicks made their final roster move of the preseason on Saturday, waiving veteran guard Bruce Brown as they finalized their group for the 2026-27 season.

Obviously, the decision clears the way for former No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman to remain on the regular-season roster before the campaign gets going on Tuesday.

Wiseman averaged 8.0 points and 4.3 rebounds across four preseason appearances after joining New York on an Exhibit 9 training camp deal. The Knicks are now expected to convert that agreement into a league-minimum contract.

New York needed additional frontcourt depth after Mitchell Robinson left in free agency for the Boston Celtics and Ariel Hukporti departed to join the Philadelphia 76ers. The Knicks added Andre Drummond as their primary backup center behind Karl-Anthony Towns, and Wiseman is now positioned to provide another option as the third-string center.

Wiseman, however, has played only five NBA games over the past two seasons with Indiana. His last extended run came with Detroit in 2023-24, when he averaged 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds across 63 appearances.

It’s fair to say the former Golden State Warriors lottery pick did enough during preseason to secure a spot as New York’s reserve center depth and convince Mike Brown he deserved the final roster spot.

Brown, meanwhile, will become a free agent after spending last season with the Denver Nuggets, where he appeared in all 82 games and averaged 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists… only to fail to get a guaranteed deal this summer.

Good luck, Bruce, and welcome to New York (now for good), James!

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Canucks Allow Four-Straight Goals, Fall 4-2 To The Lightning

The Vancouver Canucks wrapped up their six-game road trip with a 4-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Linus Karlsson scored his second of the season while Elias Pettersson found the back of the net on the power play. As for Kevin Lankinen, he was busy on Saturday, stopping 31 of the 35 shots he faced. 

Vancouver looked exhausted after the first period. The Lightning outshot the Canucks 24 to seven during the final two frames and were able to erase a 2-0 deficit. While it is understandable that Vancouver would be tired at the end of this long road trip, the Canucks looked like they had zero energy for the majority of the game. 

"The execution of details in our game," said Manny Malhotra post-game when asked about the loss. "Things that we've continuously talked about that are just non-negotiables. We need to have them to be able to be successful. Getting in shot lanes, tougher around our net, faceoff details. We continue to learn the lesson the hard way when you don't do those things; pucks end up in the back of your net."  

As for the penalty kill, it was another night where Vancouver allowed a goal. To the Canucks credit, they were only shorthanded once, but their inability to block passing lanes and clear loose pucks led to yet another goal against. Vancouver has now allowed a league-high 13 goals against while on the penalty kill and has been scored on in seven of 10 games so far this season. 

There was one positive from the night, and that was the play of Lankinen. While he will want a few of the goals back, the 31-year-old kept the Canucks in this game. It has been a tough year for Lankinen, but it is fair to say that he can't be blamed for this loss. 

"I was really impressed with his response to, obviously, his frustration with his last couple of outings," said Malhotra about Lankinen. "But the way he stepped up today, obviously, he gave us a real chance to be in it right until the third period. A couple of ten-bell saves. We're happy for him with the response that he did."

Ultimately, there is not much that can be said about Saturday's loss. Vancouver struggled to generate any form of offence over the final half of the game and could not contain Tampa Bay's top players. In the end, the Canucks finished this six-game road trip 0-5-1 and will now head home on a seven-game losing streak. 

Stats and Facts:

  • Jonathan Lekkerimäki finishes the game with two drawn penalties
  • All three goals scored by Elias Pettersson this year have come on the power play
  • Filip Hronek led all players with five blocked shots 
  • The Canucks won 38% of their faceoffs

Scoring Summary:

1st Period:

15:32- VAN: Linus Karlsson (2) from Paul Cotter and Filip Chytil

2nd Period:

4:35- VAN: Elias Pettersson (3) from Jonathan Lekkerimäki and Brock Boeser (PPG)

6:30- TBL: Nikita Kucherov (2) from Brandon Hagel and Jake Guentzel

11:23- TBL: Nikita Kucherov (3) from Brayden Point

3rd Period:

2:04- TBL: Jake Guentzel (4) from Charle-Edouard D'Astous and Brayden Point

15:57- TBL: Pontus Holmberg (2)

Up Next:

October 20 vs Carolina Hurricanes, 7:00 pm PT

Oct 11, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Vancouver Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen (32) at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Oct 11, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Vancouver Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen (32) at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

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