Aug 8, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder Evan Carter (32) slides into home plate to score a run as Baltimore Orioles catcher Carlos Narvaez (75) cannot handle the throw during the second inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Orioles offense wasted yet another good start on Saturday night, scoring just once in a support of Kyle Bradish as they lost their third consecutive game, a 5-1 defeat at the hands of the hosting Texas Rangers.
Another night, another putrid performance from an Orioles offense that was supposed to carry this team day-to-day. For the fifth time in the last seven games, the lineup scored one run or fewer. The Orioles are 0-5 in those games. It’s not a recipe for success.
The only run scored by the Orioles came on a solo homer from Jackson Holliday in the very first inning, his sixth of the year. Holliday is the one member of the lineup that you could say is playing well at all lately. He went 2-for-3 tonight with the aforementioned dong, a double, a walk, and a strikeout. His batting average is up to .242 and his OPS to .737.
Outside of that, it was a bleak evening at the plate for the Birds. They collected six hits, three walks, and 10 strikeouts as a team. They went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position, left six runners on base, and hit into two double plays.
The closest the Orioles came to a second run was in the eighth inning. Pete Alonso doubled with one out, and then the Rangers intentionally walked Holliday before Tyler O’Neill hit into an inning-ending double play. The force out at second base was very close, but not enough for a review. We were truly grasping at straws.
The subpar offense work wasted yet another nice start by an Orioles pitcher. It was Kyle Bradish’s turn to take a hard luck loss. He worked six innings and allowed two unearned runs on five hits, no walks, and four strikeouts. His season ERA dropped to 3.61
It was a sinker-heavy night for Bradish. Nearly half of his pitches were that variation of his fastball, and yet he gave up just three hard hit balls off of it. The slider is what was particularly effective though. The Rangers whiffed on it 47% of the time, putting a ball in play at all just once. The O’s ace was very good!
The two runs he gave up both came in the bottom of the second inning.
Ezequiel Duran singled with one out, and then moved to second base on a wayward pickoff attempt by Bradish. With the infield drawn in, Evan Carter hit a grounder at Gunnar Henderson. Henderson fielded cleanly and threw home. The throw was slightly up the first base line, pulling Carlos Narváez away from the runner and making way for Texas to score their first.
A wild pitch by Bradish then advanced Carter to second, which would prove to be a crucial 90 feet. Jake Burger followed by hitting a weak ground ball towards shortstop. Bradish whiffed on his barehanded attempt to stop it, and then Henderson bobbled away his try as well. The ball got just far enough from Henderson to allow the speedy Carter to cruise right around third base and score.
It was a frustrating inning made worse by the Orioles most glaring weakness: defense. It’s just not good enough. And it becomes a problem all the time because the Orioles don’t have the offense they expected would allow them to hit their way out of all these problems. It’s also not something that has gotten any better throughout the season. Maybe they are working on it, but it sure doesn’t look like it on the field most days.
For a while it seemed like the glovework is what would cost the Orioles the game, but that was before Grant Wolfram lost the strike zone in the eighth inning. After punching out the first two batters on the frame, the southpaw then walked two in a row, fell behind 2-0 to Corey Seager, and then grooved a fastball right into the ideal spot for a lefty to smack a long ball. Seager did just that, putting the Rangers up 5-1 and driving a final nail into the Orioles coffin.
This game alone is not going to lose the Orioles a spot in the playoffs. But considering they came into this weekend right behind these very Rangers in the standings, it’s been pretty disheartening to see the offense show so little fight. Or maybe it is just a complete lack of ability. Either way, it hasn’t been fun.
At least Bradish was good again. Just like Shane Baz was impressive on Friday night. Add in how great Trevor Rogers has been for most of the last two seasons, and it’s fair to wonder if maybe the Orioles have finally figured out the pitching secret sauce. Too bad it happened at the same time as their offense completely lost its way.
These two teams will wrap up the weekend tomorrow. Cade Povich (2-1, 3.91 ERA) will head to the bump for the O’s. He will be opposed by Kumar Rocker (4-8, 4.08 ERA). First pitch is set for 2:35 pm on MASN.
Knoxville Smokies outfielders Andy Garriola (25) hits the ball during a minor league baseball game between the Knoxville Smokies and the Rocket City Trash Pandas at Covenant Health Park in Knoxville, Tenn., on July 5, 2025. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co
Starter Will Sanders didn’t make it out of the second inning. He got tagged for seven runs on five hits and three walks over 1.2 innings. He struck out one.
A bright spot for the I-Cubs in this game is that Daniel Palencia threw the fourth inning. He walked the first batter he faced on four pitches, but then settled down and got a one-pitch fly out, a three-pitch strikeout and a one-pitch lineout.
Right fielder Kevin Alcántara extended his on-base streak to 42 games, going 1 for 2 with two walks and his 18th minor league home run. It was a solo shot in the third inning.
Left fielder Hayden Cantrelle was 1 for 4 with an RBI triple. He also pitched two-thirds of an inning, allowing no runs on one hit.
Brooks Caple held the Lookouts without a hit or a run for four innings. Caple struck out seven and walked two.
Jackson Brockett allowed three runs on three hits over the next three innings, but he got the win because Caple didn’t go five innings. Brockett walked three and struck out four.
Everyone in the Smokies starting lineup had at least one hit, and three of them had home runs. Catcher Ariel Armas hit a solo home run in the second inning, his fourth on the season. Armas had a huge night, going 4 for 6 with a double and the home run. He had four total RBI.
Center fielder Kane Kepley hit his first Double-A home run with a man on in the fourth inning. It was Kepley’s seventh overall home run. Kepley was 2 for 4 with a double, the home run and two walks. Kepley had three RBI.
Finally, right fielder Andy Garriola launched his team-leading 20th home run with the bases empty in the ninth inning. Garriola was 2 for 4 with two walks. He scored twice.
Third baseman Dom Krupinski was 3 for 5 with a double and a walk. He scored once.
Second baseman Alex Madera went 3 for 4 with a sac fly and two steals. Madera scored twice.
Left fielder Carter Trice was 2 for 6 with a double. He scored two runs.
Riely Huntsaker started and gave the Pelicans four innings. He gave the Fireflies five runs on eight hits, although one of the five runs was unearned. Huntsaker walked two and struck out three.
Geovanny Vazquez gave up two runs in the bottom of the eighth and took the loss. He also allowed two inherited runners in the seventh to score. Vazquez’s final line was two runs on three hits over 1.2 innings. He struck out four and walked no one.
Left fielder Ethan Conrad had a huge night, going 3 for 4 with a double and a solo home run in the sixth inning. It was Conrad’s third home with the Pelicans and fourth overall. Conrad scored three times.
DH Jhoander Irigoyen had a pair of doubles in a 3 for 5 night. He drove in two and scored one.
Right fielder Eli Lovich went 2 for 4 with an RBI.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - AUGUST 8: Jake McCarthy #31 of the Colorado Rockies hits a single against the St. Louis Cardinals in the third inning at Busch Stadium on August 8, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Matthew Liberatore’s start went south from the very first pitch, but he avoided a meltdown as the St. Louis Cardinals were playing catchup from the beginning of the game. The question would end up being whether their less than spectacular offense lately would muster enough runs to overcome the Rockies fast start. Short answer? No.
Pitch one of inning one to the Colorado Rockies was a 95 mph four-seam fastball from Matthew Liberatore to Jake McCarthy and it traveled 420 feet into the right field stands of Busch Stadium for an immediate 1-0 Rockies lead. It could have been worse as Matthew then walked Karros and many of us in Cardinals fandom started fearing a 1st inning meltdown like we’ve seen from Liberatore a few times this season. Fortunately, one run is all the Rockies would get after a bonehead baserunning error as Karros was doubled off of second on a ball caught by Winn.
The St. Louis Cardinals would seize back the lead in the bottom of the 1st inning when Iván Herrera ripped a two-out double to left. Alec Burleson would strike out, but reach first on a passed ball charged to Goodman. That would bring up José Fermín who would provide a true big league 8-pitch at-bat eventually pulling an 82 mph knuckle-curve into the left field corner scoring both Herrera and Burleson giving the Cardinals a temporary 2-1 lead.
Liberatore would run into trouble in the top of the 3rd inning, too. With one out, McCarthy would reach first on an infield single. Matthew then hit Karros with a pitch giving Colorado runners on first and second. Both those runners would steal off of of Herrera before Carrigg would double to center scoring both runners and giving the Rockies a 3-2 lead. They would add more more when Goodman singled to right making it 4-2 Colorado.
The Cardinals would miss a great chance to either tie or take the lead in the bottom of the 4th inning when they would load the bases on a Fermín walk, a Blaze Jordan single and a hit-by-pitch from newcomer Everson Pereira. With two outs, JJ Wetherholt would hit a laser shot with the bases loaded that unfortunately was directed right at Rockies centerfielder Cole Carrigg to end the threat.
Colorado would up their lead to 3 in the top of the 5th inning when Carrigg would hit a one-out double to left. Two batters later, Rumfield would single through the hole at shortstop scoring Carrigg and making it 5-2 Rockies.
The St. Louis Cardinals would have another great opportunity in the bottom of the 5th inning when they would load the bases again, this time with just one out when Herrera doubled, Burleson and Fermín would walk. That brought up Masyn Winn with a chance to do damage. His damage would be light, but effective. He flied out to centerfield and the throw home was not handled by Rockies catcher Goodman as Herrera scored cutting into the Colorado lead making it 5-3. The St. Louis threat wasn’t over. A wild pitch by Meija would move the Cardinals runners up to 2nd and 3rd and then he walked Bryan Torres to load the bases again. Nathan Church ripped a 95 mph four-seam fastball that was unfortunately grabbed by Rockies second baseman Castro who threw him out at first to end the Cardinals 5th.
Matthew Liberatore’s night would end after 5 laborious innings. He surrendered 9 hits, 5 earned runs while striking out 3 and walking 2. Luis Gastelum took over in the top of the 6th inning and he was helped by a great recovery by Alec Burleson on a pop fly from Burk. Two batters later after a walk to Tovar, Gastellum grooved a 94 mph four-seam fastball to McCarthy who sent it flying 417 feet to center giving the Rockies a commanding 7-3 lead.
The Cardinals would fight back in the bottom of the 6th inning when Everson Pereira drew a leadoff walk. After Wetherholt and Walker were unable to drive him in, Pereira would score when Herrera would come through again inching the Cardinals closer as the Rockies lead was cut to 3 at 7-4.
The St. Louis Cardinals bottom of the 7th would get interesting quick when Fermin drew a leadoff walk followed by a solid single to left by Masyn Winn giving St. Louis runners at first and second with no outs. Bryan Torres followed with a lineout to left. Nathan Church barely missed the pitch he was looking for as he just got under an 82 mph sweeper flying out to right for the second out. Pereira weak flyball to right would end the Cardinals 7th leaving them with another opportunity missed.
The top of the 8th inning would be handled by one of the newest members of the Cardinals bullpen, Peter Strzelecki. He set the Rockies down 1-2-3 to keep St. Louis within (somewhat) striking distance. The definition of “striking distance” depends on how optimistic or not you are about the Cardinals offense ability to rally at this point of the season. Jordan Walker gave us all hope when he broke his homerless streak since his historic Home Run Derby ripping a mammoth 432 foot blast off of a 79 mph changeup cutting the Rockies lead to 7-5.
Strzelecki stayed in the game for the top of the 9th, but could not keep the Rockies from adding to their lead. After McCarthy reached on a one-out bunt single, he stole second easily on Herrera and then advanced to third on a balk by Strzelecki. Karros then hit a sacrifice fly that scored McCarthy upping the Colorado lead to 8-5.
Colorado Rockies reliever Jordan Romano was brought in to shut down the Cardinals in the bottom of the 9th. José Fermín welcomed him to the game with a leadoff single. He stole second because the Rockies didn’t care about his run, but it got the Cardinals out of a double play situation. Masyn Winn flew out to left on the 7th pitch he saw for the first out. Bryan Torres grounded out to first for the second out. Nathan Church ripped a RBI single to right scoring Fermín cutting the Rockies lead to 8-6 and bringing up the tying run in the form of pinch-hitter Cesar Prieto who sadly struck out to end the game.
The St. Louis Cardinals wrap up their weekend series against the Colorado Rockies on Sunday as Michael McGreevy gets the ball for the good guys while the mountain people will start RHP Michael Lorensen. First pitch is scheduled for 1:15pm at Busch Stadium and the TV broadcast will be handled by Cardinals.tv.
Aug 8, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) hits an RBI single against the Philadelphia Phillies during the third inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Blue Jays 7 Phillies 5 (11 innings)
That was a game and a half, as my dad would say. Baseball doesn’t get much better.
Max Scherzer was great, thru five innings, and then gave up two solo homers in the sixth, before leaving the game. In all, he allowed 5 hits, 2 earned, 0 walks with 5 strikeouts, which moved him to tenth in all-time strikeouts (until MLB decides that Walter Johnson actually had 10 more than we previously thought). Having Max go out for the for the sixth inning may have been a mistake, but the bullpen is working very hard lately.
Spencer Miles came in with one-out and none on, and gave up 2 runs before getting out of the inning.
Matt Waldron pitched a scoreless seventh
Braydon Fisher got through the eighth, despite a hit and a walk.
Louis Varland had a 3-up, 3-down ninth.
In regulation time we scored:
One in the first: Vlad homered. Very nice to see.
One in the third: Myles Straw walked. Nathan Lukes singled. An out later, Vlad singled.
Two in the eight: With one out, Vlad walked. Then Alejandro Kirk walked. George Springer pinch ran for Kirk. An out later, Andrés Giménez double both home. Just a great swing.
We had 10 hits and 6 walks on the day. Lukes had three hits. Vlad (with a walk), Clement and Giménez had two each. Bateman, Valenzuela, Smith (with a walk)/Okamoto and Straw (with a walk) had 0 fors.
Extra innings:
Top of the ninth:
Bateman starts at second. Vlad up, ground ball right at the shortstop, one out without moving up the runner. Davis Schneider in to pinch hit for George Springer (who was just in the game to pinch run, after being pulled from the lineup with a tight shoulder). Davis walked (with him winning a challenge early in the count). Ernie Clement rolled one down the first base line, the first baseman picked up the ball, but for some reason, looked at the other bases, and then threw to the pitcher, Ernie was safe. Andrés Giménez hit a fly just deep enough to score Bateman (Bateman can run). Brandon Valenzuela struck out on a pitch the umpire called a ball but was overturned on a Phillies challenge. It was barely a strike.
Bottom of the tenth:
Trea Turner on second. Louis Varland pitching his second inning. Bryce Harper ground out moving Turner to third. Luis Arraez hit a sac fly, tie game again. Varland started Bryson Stott off with two strikes but then threw four straight balls. A wild pitch moved the runner to second, but Louis got Brandon Marsh to fly out to left.
Top of the eleventh:
Brandon Valenzuela starts at second base. Kazuma Okamoto flied out to medium right. Myles Straw ground out to first. Then Nathan Lukes homered.
Bottom of the eleventh:
Lazaro Estrada in to pitch. Brandon Marsh starting on second base. Justin Crawford popped out. A Bryan De La Cruz strikeout put us one out away from the win. Estrada, with two outs, decided to do three disengagements to move the runner to third, thinking Marsh was relaying pitches. Since that run didn’t matter, it was a good move. A fly out ended the game. Estrada gets his first career save.
Jays of the Game: Lukes (0.49, with the game winning home run, plus some great defense), Giménez (0.35, plus great defense), Estrada (0.20, just a great job), Fisher (0.11) and Varland (0.09).
Other Award: Spencer Miles (-0.27), Okamoto (-0.23), Bateman (-0.16, but he motored on that sac fly in the 10th), Valenzuela (-0.14) and Straw (-0.13)
There was some amazing defense on both sides of the ball. Plus some awful defense out of the Phillies first basemen (Schwarber and Bohm).
Tomorrow the Jays try for the sweep. It is a 1:30 start time. I have tennis 11-1 tomorrow, but a quick shower and I’ll likely make it for the first pitch, perhaps with a beer in my hand. Starters tomorrow: Shane Bieber (3-2, 5.11) and Jesús Luzardo (10-5, 3.36). The Jays will be going for the sweep.
Robert Stock's impressive return to the majors was a bright spot for the Mets and the right-hander, so much so that it earned him another turn in the rotation.
That turn came Saturday in Pittsburgh, and it was the opposite result for the 36-year-old.
Stock struggled with command and the Pirates put an eight-spot on the right-hander in the first four innings of the Mets' eventual 9-0 loss. The combination of poor command and a pinch of bad luck got the better of Stock, and it cost the Mets any chance at extending their four-game winning streak.
"Found himself behind in the count frequently," interim manager Andy Green said of Stock's performance after the game. "And by the fourth inning, he was out of gas. Had trouble commanding the baseball at that point in time. Forced us into a game that you’re in a bad spot in."
Stock's day was over relatively early. The Pirates scored three runs in the first inning, which was helped by a misplay in the infield. With a runner on second and one out, Bryan Reynolds hit a soft grounder to Francisco Lindor. The shortstop, ranging to his right, scooped the ball up and looked to throw it to third base to try and get the lead runner. However, Bo Bichette was out of position and didn't get back in time, allowing both runners to be safe.
That play ultimately resulted in three runs being scored after a hit by pitch, an RBI groundout and a two-run double.
"I experienced some bad luck early in it. That can be overcome by striking people out," Stock said. "By the fourth inning, I look up the board just feeling my velo go down and my arm get tired."
Stock's sinker, his go-to pitch on Saturday, was hitting 96.8 mph, according to Baseball Savant. By the fourth, it was down to 92.7 mph, and that turned the game. Entering the fourth, the Mets were down 4-0, but Stock seemingly settled down, but things took a turn for the worse as Stock walked batters and the Pirates teed off on his pitches, scoring four in the inning and putting the game out of reach.
Stock said it wasn't the number of pitches he threw -- he tossed 80 on Saturday, the most he's thrown in his major league career -- but the pitches per minute.
"I need to be more resilient to getting fatigued to not lose the count," Stock explained. "Two things: if I execute pitches better early in the game, I won’t have to deal with the fatigue, and even if you do get fatigued, which is going to happen, you still need to fill up the zone."
After walking no batters in his five innings back on Aug. 2 against the Marlins, Stock walked five in his three-plus frames.
That elevated pitch count and the deficit forced Green to punt on Saturday's game. Xzavion Curry pushed through three innings and catcher Luis Torrens was called on to pitch two more to save the bullpen for Sunday's series finale.
"That was the worst part of tonight," Stock said of the Mets having to go to the bullpen early. "When I got fatigued, I didn’t battle through it. I gave into it. That’s on me."
Green was asked after the game whether Stock will make another start, and the skipper said it was too early to make that decision. But Green said this start doesn't define the kind of pitcher Stock is.
"It’s a rough outing. Happens to pitchers all across the game all the time," Green said. "He has talent. He earned the right for that second start. He pitched really well his first time out. We’ll make a determination on where we go from here. But, no, this most surely doesn’t define him."
"Any time you’re playing in the major leagues, it’s exactly where you want to be," Stock said of his experience with the big league club. "Makes you want to work harder to stay. The older you get, and the more times you do poorly, the deeper the hole you dig yourself. You just know you have to be resilient and be even better next time."
HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 04: Taylor Trammell #26 of the Houston Astros reacts after a three run home run during the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Daikin Park on August 04, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was set up to be a solid pitching matchup, with Astros SP Peter Lambert (entered game with 3.06 ERA) and Padres SP Michael King (entered game with 3.45 ERA) taking the mound today. Those two held up their end of the deal for a terrific matchup today at Petco Park.
The Astros offense, however, did not.
Houston’s bats were held to just 5 hits while striking out 11 times in a game they were able to muster only 2 runs, as the fell to the Padres in San Diego 3-1.
Houston scored it’s first run on a solo HR by Taylor Trammell in the 2nd. Trammell’s 7th HR of the season tied the game at 1 after San Diego scratched a run against Lambert (L, 8-6) in the bottom of the 1st. It was the only run King (W, 7-8) would allow.
Two walks in the first inning sandwiching a hit let to a sacrifice fly by Jackson Merrill to score Fernando Tatis Jr. in the first to give the Padres the lead. Trammell’s solo HR answered that run to tie the game at 1.
In the bottom of the 3rd, Merrill would get Lambert again, this time for a solo HR. Merrill’s 17th homer of the season made it 2-1 Padres.
In the bottom of the 4th, Gavin Sheets would lead off with a swinging bunt for a single. Two groundouts would advance him to 3rd. Tatis would then hit a grounder to short that should have ended the inning, but an error by Jeremy Pena allowed Tatis to reach and Sheets to score to make it a 3-1 Padres lead.
In the 9th the Padres would send their closer Mason Miller (S, 29) to the mound. Miller has established himself as one of the best closers in the game thanks to his 100+MPH heat.
Christian Walker would lead off the 9th and be hit by a 101.6 MPH fastball on the hand. He would stay in the game, and then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. Daulton Varsho grounded out, advancing Walker to 3rd with 1 out. Cam Smith would go down looking at a slider for the second out.
Yainer Diaz then poked a single to left to score Walker to close the gap to 3-2. LaMonte Wade Jr. would then pinch hit for Jake Meyers, but he would ground to 3rd to end the game.
News & Notes:
Cristian Javier will get the start Sunday for the Astros in the series finale.
Yordan Alvarez entered play today leading MLB in AVG and HR. He leads the AL in RBI. No player has led MLB in all 3 categories since Mickey Mantle in 1956.
According to reports, the Astros are seeking a right handed outfield bat. Austin Hays, Rob Refsnyder and Jorge Soler are considered candidates, according to Chandler Rome.
Mike Burrows threw 55 pitches in three innings at the Astros complex today. He is scheduled to make a rehab start for Triple-A Sugar Land next week according to Rome.
Aug 4, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) hits a single against the San Francisco Giants during the fifth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Texas Rangers scored five runs while the Baltimore Orioles scored one run.
If you enjoyed last night’s win for the Rangers over the Orioles, the teams were ready tonight to pretty much put on an encore performance before Corey Seager brought the house down.
The Orioles got their run on one of those patented first inning solo home runs that Jacob deGrom has decided to make his signature move in 2026. I don’t know if you know this but when a team trails in a baseball game, their chances of winning goes down.
The Rangers had more trouble in the first inning over the season’s first few months than they have had of late, but being down early was both familiar and usually a bad omen.
But like last night, after trailing 1-0, the Rangers were next to score when in the bottom of the second they plated a couple on ground balls to shortstop where Texas essentially stole a few runs by being aggressive versus the arm and defensive acumen of Gunnar Henderson.
Sloppy defense allowed Ezequiel Duran to reach third base on an errant pickoff attempt following a single and then Duran scored on a fielder’s choice ground ball off the bat of Evan Carter where Henderson couldn’t gun down Duran despite the infield being drawn in.
Carter took second base on a Kyle Bradish wild pitch and then scored on a weakly hit grounder off the bat of Jake Burger that Bradish attempted to take a stab at barehanded which potentially made Henderson unable to field it. Though the ball squirted away from Henderson by only few feet, Carter just kept running and scored on the throw giving Texas a couple of runs on a couple of fairly routine ground balls.
Meanwhile, deGrom settled in after the first inning home run and ended up tossing five innings with just the one run allowed on three hits and a walk. deGrom struck out nine and left after throwing 88 pitches.
The Rangers likely would have preferred it if deGrom had lasted another inning or two after Jacob Latz pitched two innings last night, but Peyton Gray and Chase Silseth followed deGrom and combined to throw three shutout innings.
It seemed as though Gray and Silseth had saved Latz from another extended outing but he wasn’t needed at all as Corey Seager hit a two-out, three-run blast in the bottom of the eighth for all the insurance that Texas could need.
Cal Quantrill got the ninth instead and the Rangers closed things out with a win to push them back above .500. Also, the Houston Astros lost so the Rangers are only a half game back in the American League West.
Player of the Game: The pitching was great. Austin Wynns had an impressive ten-pitch at-bat and two of Texas’ six hits. But…
Up Next: The Rangers close out this series eyeing a sweep with Kumar Rocker expected to make the start for Texas against LHP Cade Povich for Baltimore.
The Sunday afternoon first pitch from The Shed is scheduled for 1:35 pm CDT and will be aired back on the Rangers Sports Network.
Aug 8, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang (2) celebrates with first base coach Spencer Allen (67) after hitting an RBI single during the fourth inning against the Minnesota Twins at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Early on in this one, it looked like the Brewers might get blown out. Brewer starter Robert Gasser was teetering on the edge, while after a rough start the Twins’ Taj Bradley was locked in. But the Brewers scratched and clawed their way back into this one, and behind a big night from Brice Turang and a fantastic 4 1/3 innings from their bullpen, Milwaukee took a late lead and finished off a comeback victory.
After Austin Martin lined out to left on the first pitch of the game, Ryan Jeffers lined a ball down the right-field line, but a fortunate bounce went right to Jake Bauers who held him to a single. Gasser came back with a nice strikeout of Royce Lewis, but Josh Bell—who, based on the last two days, is the greatest baseball player of all time—battled from 0-2 and flicked a two-out single into left to put runners on the corners with two out. Gasser, though, got Kody Clemens to ground into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.
Turang then got the Brewers off to a good start by sending a fly ball bouncing off the wall in right field for a leadoff double. Jackson Chourio drew a five-pitch walk, and Bauers lined a single into right—Turang, who had to pause to ensure it wouldn’t be caught, moved up to third, and the first three Brewers were all on base.
Bradley got ahead of the next batter, William Contreras, 0-2, but a curveball got away and he hit Contreras to bring in the game’s first run. Garrett Mitchell was next, and he hit a soft line drive right back to Bradley who snagged it for the first out—fortunately all the Brewer baserunners retreated quickly to their bases to avoid a double play. Andrew Vaughn struck out and Christian Yelich grounded out up the middle, and the Brewers were only able to muster one run—on a hit-by-pitch—after loading the bases with nobody out.
After the letdown in the bottom of the first, Luke Keaschall came out and led off the second with a ground-rule double just beyond the reach of Mitchell in the right-field gap. Gasser got ahead of the next batter, Kaelen Culpepper, but hit him in the left knee with a 1-2 pitch to put two runners on with nobody out. Brooks Lee hit a ball that looked destined for a double and at least one run, but Chourio covered a ton of ground and made a falling catch going straight toward the left corner, a truly excellent catch for the first out.
One pitch later, Ryan Kreidler popped out to Vaughn for the second out, but Gasser was again bitten by questionable control when he hit Martin with an 0-1 slider. With the bases loaded, Gasser looked tentative as he fell behind Jeffers 2-0. He worked it back even but after a couple of foul balls on 2-2, Jeffers took two balls in off the plate to draw an RBI walk. Gasser continued to yank the fastball too far inside against Lewis, who took three balls before Gasser found the zone. On 3-1, Lewis hit one to nearly the same spot that Lee had, but just a little further out of Chourio’s reach and over his head. Two runs scored and Minnesota was up 3-1. Bell grounded out to end the inning, but Gasser was off to a rough start on a night when the Brewers really needed length.
Bradley then came out with an emphatic shutdown inning, as he struck out Cooper Pratt, Joey Ortiz, and Turang. Gasser got Clemens to ground out on the first pitch of the third, but as if the Twins weren’t getting enough hits when crushing the ball, Keaschall followed with a bloop single to left. Keaschall appeared to get picked off with Culpepper at the plate, but Gasser was called for a balk on the play and Keaschall was awarded second. Keaschall, though, got a bit greedy, tried to steal third on the next pitch, and was thrown out by Contreras on what was as perfect a throw as you will ever see. Culpepper walked on the next pitch, but Lee popped out to Turang and the Twins were held scoreless in the third.
Chourio and Bauers became Bradley’s fourth and fifth straight strikeout victims to start the bottom of the third, and a Contreras fly out meant another quick, ineffective inning. In the top of the fourth, it was surprising to see David Hamilton in the field at third base in place of Ortiz (Sophia Minnaert later reported that Ortiz was removed with neck tightness). Kreidler led off with a solid single, but Martin followed by bouncing into a double play, started nicely by Pratt who had to deal with a tricky hop. With two outs and the bases empty, Jeffers struck out, and Gasser had a badly needed three-batter inning.
Mitchell led off the bottom of the fourth by hitting a hard line drive (107 mph) to center, but it was right to Kreidler for the first out. Vaughn’s line drive a couple pitches later did find the outfield grass, and the Brewers finally ended Bradley’s streak of ten straight batters retired. Yelich was next, and he got jammed on a ground ball but the Twins, with a big shift on Yelich, weren’t able to get him on a close play at first base. Pratt had a really nice at-bat with some really nice takes, but on the eighth pitch he flew out to center for the second out. Hamilton, in his first plate appearance of the night, also saw eight pitches and drew a walk to load the bases for the top of the order.
After a visit from his pitching coach, Bradley threw a 99 mph fastball on the inside corner that Turang was ready for. The Brewer second baseman dropped it into right field for a two-out, two RBI single that tied the game at three. Chourio grounded out on the first pitch he saw, but the game was back even, and crucially Bradley, who cruised through ten batters after his shaky start, had to throw 30 pitches and was up to 84 through four innings.
It was now up to Gasser to keep the momentum on the Brewers’ side. Lewis started the inning by hitting an 0-2 changeup out of the zone for a groundball single up the middle. Bell followed with a flyout to center, but with Clemens at the plate Lewis stole second base to put a runner in scoring position with one out. Gasser struck out Clemens for the second out, and with the right-handed Keaschall coming up and Gasser at 94 pitches, Pat Murphy opted for Chad Patrick to finish the inning off. He did so with a fly ball to right, and the book was closed on Gasser, who struggled a bit but managed to limit the damage to three runs in 4 2/3 innings.
Bradley was back in form in the fifth and got Bauers, Contreras, and Mitchell in order. In the top of the sixth, a first-pitch sinker from Patrick got away and hit Culpepper up near the shoulder, the second time he was hit by a pitch in the game. Lee just missed a two-run homer when he hit one to the warning track in right, but Bauers tracked it down for the first out. Trevor Larnach came on as a pinch-hitter for Kreidler, but he popped out harmlessly for the second out, and Patrick was out of the inning when Martin also popped out.
Travis Adams relieved Bradley in the bottom of the sixth and struck out Vaughn, Yelich, and Pratt in order. The Brewers turned to Abner Uribe in the seventh for the heart of the Twins’ order; he got a groundout from Jeffers and struck out Lewis, though with two outs Bell battled for a fantastic nine-pitch walk. His work was for naught, though, as Clemens grounded out to end the inning.
New pitcher Kody Funderburk, a lefty, got things started in the bottom of the seventh with a strikeout of Hamilton. Turang picked up his third hit of the game with a one-out single to center, giving the Brewers a baserunner for the first time since they’d tied the game in the fourth inning. After Chourio struck out on a hittable 2-2 fastball, Turang stole second with Bauers up (aided by a poor throw from Jeffers) but it didn’t matter when a strikeout ended the inning.
Keaschall lost a challenge on Aaron Ashby’s first pitch of the game in the top of the eighth, and one pitch later he grounded out to short. Culpepper struck out on a very close called strike three (it was a strike, but barely), and Lee struck out swinging in what was an encouragingly dominant inning for Ashby.
Against righty Jeff Hoffman, Contreras snuck a shallow fly ball in between Clemens and Keaschall in shallow center field for a leadoff single in the bottom of the eighth, and he was replaced by pinch-runner Brandon Lockridge. With Mitchell at the plate, Lockridge immediately paid off that decision and stole second base to give the Brewers their best scoring opportunity in four innings. Mitchell made the first out without advancing the runner when he hit a fly ball to shallow center, but on the next pitch, Vaughn pounded a single through the right side of the infield and Lockridge raced home ahead of the throw from Martin. The Brewers took a 4-3 lead. Vaughn, who’d moved up to second on Martin’s throw home, advanced to third on a Yelich groundout, but was stranded there when Pratt struck out.
Trevor Megill had to settle for a one-run lead in the ninth, and the Brewers made some further defensive adjustments, putting Luis Lara in right field and moving Bauers into Vaughn’s place at first. Trevor Larnach gave the Brewers a big scare on Megill’s second pitch, when he got a hold of a hanging curveball, but he didn’t quite get it on the sweet spot and Lara caught it on the warning track. Megill needed only two more pitches—four in total—to get Alan Roden to pop out in foul territory and Jeffers to fly out to center.
It was far from pretty and the offense was still sputtering, but the Brewers pulled this one out, giving themselves a chance to win the series behind Jacob Misiorowski on Sunday (and, on a day when the Cubs lost, restored their division lead to 5.5 games). Turang was the clear offensive star tonight: he went 3-for-4 with a run and two RBI, which came on the huge two-out game-tying hit in the fourth, and the Brewers’ only hit with his leadoff double. Vaughn also had a big night and the clutch hit that ended up winning the game.
Gasser was far from his best, but he managed to keep the Brewers in the game after escaping his near-disastrous second inning and settling down a bit after that. The bullpen was excellent: Patrick, Uribe, Ashby (who picked up his 13th win), and Megill combined for 4 1/3 innings of hitless ball, allowing only two baserunners via a Uribe walk and Patrick’s HBP.
The series wraps up tomorrow with Miz on the mound against the Twins’ Connor Prielipp, a Tomah, Wisconsin native. We’ll be here at 1:10 p.m.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - AUGUST 08: Max Clark #15 of the Detroit Tigers bats during the game between the Detroit Tigers and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Saturday, August 8, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Kavin Mistry/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
It took seven innings, but the Tigers ended up with a blowout and a shutout against the Giants with an 8-0 win on Saturday.
After dropping the first game in their series against the Giants, the Tigers were looking to pull even on Saturday evening. They would have the newly activated Jackson Jobe on the mound. Jobe hasn’t pitched in about 14 months, so the Tigers would likely have a short leash on him depending on how well he was doing, but it’s nice to see him back and healthy. The Giants were leaning on Landen Roupp to get the job done on their end.
The Tigers quickly went 1-2-3 to open the first. In the home half we got the best-case scenario for Jobe, as he also got a 1-2-3 inning.
In the second, Colt Keith got a one-out walk. Spencer Torkelson then singled. This was followed by a Max Clark single to load the bases with only one out. Unfortunately, despite the incredible opportunity to take an early lead, the next two batters were out in order leaving all three batters stranded. In the home half, Jobe had another three-up, three-down inning, but he owed a big thanks to Max Clark for the third out, with a stellar catch that sent Clark right into the outfield wall.
The Tigers went 1-2-3 in the top of the third. In the bottom of the inning, Drew Cavanaugh got a one-out walk, making him the first Giants’ baserunner of the game. Jobe got the next two outs to get out of the jam.
With one out in the top of the fourth, Colt Keith walked. Two outs followed, though, and the Tigers once again left a baserunner stranded. In the home half, Willy Adames got a one-out single. Rafael Devers then hit into a double play to end the inning.
The fifth was another three-up, three-down inning for the Tigers. But Jobe returned the favor in the home half, getting the side out in order. That appeared to be the handshake inning for Jobe as he got back to the dugout, so his final line was 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K on 71 pitches. We knew he would likely only be in a short time, but sorry to see they didn’t give him another inning. He was doing really well. But better safe than sorry.
In the sixth Gleyber Torres and Dillon Dingler got back-to-back walks. Then with one out, Keith walked as well and that was all she wrote for Roupp, who was replaced by Keaton Winn. Spencer Torkelson then walked, driving in the first run of the game. Once again, though, the Tigers left the bases loaded to end the inning. At least this time they did get one run in. Tyler Holton was the new Tigers’ pitcher in the bottom of the inning, and he got the side out in order.
Trent Harris came in from the Giants’ bullpen to make his MLB debut in the seventh. He gave up a ground-rule double because the ball got stuck in the outfield fence, but McKinstry definitely thought it was an inside-the-park home run. Kevin McGonigle hit an RBI single, that got him to second because the outfielder threw home and McKinstry made his way around home for the second time in the inning.
A Torres groundout pushed McGonigle to third. Dingler then laced an RBI double right down the left field foul line.
if Dillon Dingler has a million fans, i am one of them. if Dillon Dingler has ten fans, i am one of them. if Dillon Dingler has one fan, that fan is me. if Dillon Dingler has no fans, i am dead. if the world is against Dillon Dingler, i am against the world. pic.twitter.com/L126iDBgZ2
And that was it for Harris. Not the dream debut he probably imagined, sadly. Reiver Sanmartin entered the game and gave up a single to Riley Greene, pushing Dingler to third. A pinch-hitting Eduardo Valencia doubled, bringing in two more runs.
The Tigers weren’t done yet, though, as Max Clark got a two-out triple to score Valencia. Baez then singled to score Clark. They really needed to thank some of the most sloppy fielding I’ve witnessed all season, but who cares how you score the runs at the end of the day. The Giants went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning.
Carson Seymour was the new pitcher in the eighth and he got the Tigers out in order. Ty Madden came in for the Tigers in the home half. With two outs, Eddys Leonard singled. The Giants left him stranded, though, with a final out to end the inning.
Riley Greene took a leadoff walk in the ninth and Ben Malgeri came in to run for him. A wild pitch advanced Malgeri to second, then Torkelson walked. Another wild pitch bumped Malgeri over to third. Max Clark then hit into a force out that should have been a double play, but the ball overthrew first and Clark was safe. Malgeri scored. Baez then singled. McKinstry walked and the bases were loaded. No additional runs scored, but the Tigers should have secured their lead. In the home half, the Giants were out in order to end the game and tie the series up at one game apiece.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - AUGUST 08: Jac Caglianone #14 of the Kansas City Royals hits a home run in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Kauffman Stadium on August 08, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Amy Kontras/Amy Kontras/Getty Images) | Amy Kontras/Getty Images
Jac Caglianone was the first Royal to get 12 or more total bases in a game since Lorenzo Cain had his three-home run game against the Yankees on May 10, 2016 and the Royals won 6-3. It was also the first time a Royal had hit four extra-base hits in a game since Kendrys Morales’ three-home run, one triple game on September 20, 2015 against the Tigers. All four balls were hit at 104.9 MPH or harder; he had the two hardest-hit balls in the game on either team, both over 111 MPH. Funnily enough, only two were considered “barreled” having the wrong launch angle to be considered nearly perfectly hit. It didn’t matter.
Let’s talk about the pitching really quick so we can celebrate Jac’s terrific night some more. Seth Lugo’s control was much better tonight, he only walked 1 and struck out 5 while allowing 3 runs in 6 innings for a definitional quality start, his fourth out of his last five. John Schreiber got the seventh and worked around a pair of two-out walks to escape with what was then a one-run lead intact. He also struck out a pair. Steven Cruz got the eighth because it was the middle of the Cubs’ order and worked around a two-out double for a scoreless inning including a strikeout. Nate Pearson got his first opportunity at a save since joining the Royals and worked around a leadoff double to get the job done. He even struck out Pete Crow-Armstrong to finish things, his second of the inning.
Jac Caglianone got things started early and impressively, giving the Royals a first inning lead:
That was Jac’s longest home run so far this year at 448 feet. In the bottom of the second, Michael Massey led off with a single and John Rave walked to put runners at first and second with no outs. Nick Loftin sacrifice bunted, which is a ridiculous thing to do in the second inning, but it ended up paying off when Josh Rojas singled both runners home.
In the bottom of the third, Bobby Witt Jr. reached base on an infield single to Alex Bregman right before Jac Caglianone ripped a sweeper down into the right field corner for an RBI double. Clay Holmes finally had a scoreless fourth, but by then the Royals had thoroughly ruined is Cubs debut and Colin Rea came in to pitch the remainder of the game.
Jac Caglianone added a double off the top of the left field wall in the bottom of the fifth but couldn’t score. As noted, Lugo gave up three runs over the course of the game, so we entered the bottom of the seventh with the Royals clinging to a 4-3 lead despite an inning from the leaky bullpen. Carter Jensen got a leadoff walk and Jac Caglianone came through again.
The bullpen ultimately didn’t allow any runs, but it sure felt a lot better in the eighth and ninth with those insurance runs protecting the lead. Jac hit a sinker, a sweeper, a changeup, and a cutter in his four at-bats. Both his home runs were to center, the doubles were down either line. There were just absolutely no answers for the Cubs.
Let’s not ignore Bobby Witt Jr’s ridiculous defensive play in all the Jac hype, though:
When Bobby and Jac are both going good, you almost don’t need anyone else in the lineup. The wins and losses don’t matter at this point in the season, but wins are always more fun and watching the young studs do impressive things only makes it better.
The Royals will try to win the series tomorrow afternoon. Randy Dobnak (1.16 ERA, 5.16 SIERA) will face off against Matthew Boyd (3.49 ERA, 4.09 SIERA). The game, as ever, will be aired on Royals.TV. It would be pretty fun if the Royals could take 2 out of 3 from the Cubs after Chicago went hard into the deadline and the Royals seemed to sleep in.
John Flaherty (L.) at Yankees Old Timers Day on Aug. 8, 2026.
John Flaherty is enjoying a second life that does not include much baseball.
“Flash” had been a part of Yankees fans’ summers for decades, a catcher with the team from 2003-05 before trading in his mitt for a microphone and beginning a 20-year run as an analyst on YES Network.
Access the Yankees beat like never before
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.
That run ended this year, Flaherty’s contract not renewed after the 2025 season. The network stuck with David Cone, Paul O’Neill and Joe Girardi as its three main analysts.
“I wouldn’t say it was a surprise,” Flaherty said while wearing the pinstripes Saturday, when he was back in The Bronx for Old-Timers’ Day. “It was definitely something that I think I saw coming.
“It’s been an adjustment.”
An adjustment that took a little while to sink in. But once he accepted that he did not have a big league season to cover and could choose how he spent his time, “It was fantastic.”
John Flaherty (L.) at Yankees Old-Timers’ Day on Aug. 8, 2026. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
The 58-year-old Flaherty was drafted in 1988, debuted in 1992 and played in 14 major league seasons before transitioning immediately to TV work that completely occupied him during baseball season.
“This is my first major league season in 38 years where I haven’t been part of a schedule, so it’s been great,” said Flaherty, who had just returned from a trip to Italy.
No, he is not watching baseball every day, even if he will check in on scores every once in a while. Flaherty, who grew up in West Nyack, did not rule out a return to a studio or booth one day if an opportunity arises, but he called having a summer to himself “pretty nice.”
“You don’t think about it while you’re in the grind,” said Flaherty, who added he is consistently honored to be a part of Old-Timers’ Day and pal around with legends and former teammates.
“It was a great run at YES,” Flaherty said, “but I’m enjoying this next chapter.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 27: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks reacts after an injury against the Miami Heat in the second half at Madison Square Garden on January 27, 2024 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Heat 125-109. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Most of the time, you don’t know when a singular moment can define a franchise. I don’t think any of us expected that when the Knicks signed Jalen Brunson or hired Leon Rose, but the impact of making those decisions has put the franchise on a course towards ending their 53-year championship drought and bringing a Larry O’Brien Trophy back to New York.
Sometimes you know. Trading Kristaps Porzingis. Trading for Carmelo Anthony. Striking out in the 2019 offseason. Injuries can kinda qualify here.
The grey area is where we sit here. When Julius Randle went down with a shoulder injury on January 27, 2024, it was hard to grasp the feeling. The Knicks were coming off one of the best months in franchise history following the trade for OG Anunoby in late December and were well on their way to a sixth consecutive win that would improve the team’s record to 29-17, fourth in the Eastern Conference and three games back of second.
Randle went down and grabbed his shoulder after a hard blocking foul by Jaime Jaquez Jr., who was attempting to draw a charge. The coming hours and days revealed a dislocated shoulder that had an unclear timeline. Initially, it was believed that it was a 1-2 month injury and that he would be able to return for the postseason, but after two months of attempting to return, a re-dislocation during the rehab process prompted season-ending surgery in April.
While the Knicks found a way to get to the No. 2 seed and win seven playoff games without him, they missed his presence in a depleted lineup. That injury would not just be season-ending, but tenure-ending, as Randle would never wear the orange and blue again. About eight months to the day after that game, he was traded to Minnesota for Karl-Anthony Towns.
Welcome back to Knicks Domino Effects, where we look back at individual moments that, one way or another, led to a monumental franchise pivot that resulted in a championship. Today, we’re going to be asking the question.
What if Julius Randle never hurt his shoulder?
Let’s go back to that day in late January against the Miami Heat. The Knicks led by 17 with 4:30 to go in the fourth, which is still well within the realm of possibility for a comeback. Tom Thibodeau was never going to pull the starters here, nor should he have. So let’s say that Randle, instead of going hard to the cup here, kicks it out to a wide open Brunson after Terry Rozier collapsed to help Jaquez underneath.
Brunson buries the triple, and the starters exit the game a minute later with a 20-point cushion. Randle survives the game and likely doesn’t find a way to injure that shoulder. This isn’t like a torn Achilles situation where wear and tear likely contributed, it’s more of a freak accident.
In the immediate short term, there’s still bad news. OG Anunoby’s elbow randomly flared up after this game as well, so that saga still dominates the final two months of the regular season, but instead of Brunson basically going at it alone with only Donte DiVincenzo as his second-in-command, he’ll still have his fellow All-Star (who will actually get to play with Brunson in the game) by his side.
In real life, the Knicks won the ensuing three games following the pair of injuries before embarking on an ugly 3-8 stretch to end February. That wouldn’t dissuade the Knicks from their charge for the No. 2 seed, as they finished 15-7 to top the pack and finish with 50 wins. How does that change with Randle?
Well, the Knicks relied heavily on Brunson during the stretch run as Randle and partially Anunoby rehabbed injuries. They went 0-3 in games Brunson missed with minor injuries. After Randle went down, JB averaged 31.5 points a night across the final 33 games, a number that would certainly go down with his fellow All-Star healthy.
That means we never see some of his best heroics down the stretch. Seven of the 11 40-point games he had that season came in the stretch run. That 61-point game against San Antonio probably wouldn’t have happened. While the captain has shown this propensity to score in bunches throughout his Knicks career, it was this stretch that truly made him evolve into the force he is today. With Randle ensuring that he doesn’t have to hero-ball for this stretch, do we get the guy we currently have?
Anunoby’s tricky elbow limits the ceiling of the 2023-24 Knicks, but they still get the No. 2 seed with 53 wins. They go into the postseason with the dangerous starting five that ran through the NBA in January and use that for a five-game series victory over the Sixers. It still costs them Mitchell Robinson due to Embiid antics and Bojan Bogdanovic, as the injury bug is probably inevitable, but it saves them mileage.
That saved mileage comes in handy against Indiana in the second round. The first two games go the same way, with the Knicks going up 2-0, but one key thing doesn’t happen.
We all know what changed that series for the worse late in Game 2. In this timeline, it doesn’t happen.
Anunoby averaged a staggering 41.6 minutes a game in the first seven games of the postseason due to the injuries and his importance, which likely caused the soft-tissue injury that essentially ended his season. By wrapping up the Philly game a night early due to Randle’s presence, there’s less mileage. His presence also likely reduces his minutes total as a result.
With Anunoby healthy, the Knicks survive a crazy Game 3 in Indianapolis that originally went much different. After losing Game 4, they come home and take the series in five at MSG to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 24 years.
You might be asking, “Why does a man who has been known for being a playoff dropper change this series so dramatically?” Presence and gravity are half the battle. It’s less attention focused on Brunson as the only offensive threat. It’s less workload on Anunoby because of how thin the roster got, forcing the team to use Precious Achiuwa way more than they wanted. Even if Randle likely underperforms again, it’s enough to push the Knicks to the long-awaited battle with the Celtics.
That series isn’t the easiest to predict. Some are insistent that the January 2024 Knicks could’ve defeated the seemingly unstoppable C’s who steamrolled injured competition the entire postseason, but I find it unlikely for a few reasons. That team was not as well equipped to defend the Jays as the following year’s incarnation of the Knicks, plus the injuries don’t exactly go away.
Robinson and Bogdanovic, at this point, are still out. The overuse of Anunoby and Josh Hart may still lead to their hamstring and abdominal ailments. Even if Randle, Brunson, and Donte DiVincenzo remained upright, it’s unlikely that they have enough to topple the eventual champions, losing in six games but giving themselves renewed optimism going forward.
The start of the offseason still plays out the exact same. The Knicks fiscally cannot afford to keep Isaiah Hartenstein, losing him through no fault of their own. They still massively extend Anunoby and trade a haul for Mikal Bridges, knowing full well that to beat the Celtics, they need a second premier wing defender. The real question lies with what they do after.
We all know that they pulled the trigger on longtime target Karl-Anthony Towns in September, and the fact that Leon Rose and company badly wanted him the entire time means it’s entirely possible it still happens even without Randle’s injury.
Let’s have some fun here. Let’s say that the Knicks elect to wing it with the center depth, banking on an eventual return by Robinson down the road, and go into the 2024-25 season with a center rotation of Jericho Sims, Precious Achiuwa, and Ariel Hukporti. Maybe you could replace Achiuwa with known target Goga Bitadze if they ponied up more than they were willing to, but the main narrative here was no Towns on the team. Randle receives the same three-year, $100 million extension that he got post-trade and is banked in for the long haul.
A lineup of Brunson-Bridges-Anunoby-Randle-Achiuwa is certainly an interesting one, and with Tom Thibodeau’s known reluctance to play small ball, Randle at the 5 is just not happening. That rough center depth hurts the Knicks greatly over the coming weeks and months, forcing them to be a little less patient with Robinson’s recovery. Instead of debuting on February 28, he’s back on January 15, which helps them in the short term, but leads to a reduced postseason presence due to fatigue.
It’s hard to project the inner workings of a regular season with injuries and workload from an entirely different roster, so the Knicks still win 50 games and end up playing the Detroit Pistons in the first round. Should be simple, right?
Wrong. Remember back to that series and who the keys were for the Knicks. Cam Payne won them Game 1, and though he’ll probably still get signed, does he play with the added backcourt depth on the roster with DiVincenzo? What about KAT, who’s late-game heroics won Game 4? Do the Knicks win either of those?
There’s a very realistic chance that this iteration of the Knicks somehow loses to the feisty Pistons, but I’ll default to a gritty, seven-game series that leaves them ripe for the picking by the defending champions in Round 2. By this point, Robinson has been worked extensively due to the lack of Towns and is severely diminished, if not completely out due to injury.
We don’t remember it as much as the heroics of Bridges, but Robinson was +13 and +19 in the two major comebacks. If he can’t be as impactful as he was with fresher legs, and Randle struggles in the postseason, the Knicks don’t win either of those games. I think they’d still put up a fight, but these small marginal things are enough to swing a series against a supremely talented Celtics team, with the Knicks bowing out in six games for the second consecutive year.
The frustration of losing to a rival in consecutive seasons might’ve even trumped the frustration in real life of beating the team you specifically designed yourself to beat before losing to a different team like Indiana. In this scenario, not only is Tom Thibodeau fired, but the roster is likely remade after it’s made clear that the grand experiment to specifically take out Boston failed.
Mike Brown is still likely to be hired as head coach due to the timing of the firing in May 2025, but it might not have been as simple as running back the same framework for Towns as it was the prior offseason. As we know, the biggest motivation behind trading Towns wasn’t his personal ability, but the massive second apron concerns.
In this timeline, instead of Jimmy Butler going to the Warriors from Miami in a midseason blockbuster, it was Towns going to team up with Chef Curry in the Bay Area for 2024-25. They were the only other known team to moderately pursue the All-NBA big man, so their aggressive front office goes all-in to finally give Curry the pick-and-pop partner he’s dreamed of.
So the options for the Knicks to remake their roster going into 2025-26 were limited. That was until the Bucks called them regarding the desire of Giannis Antetokounmpo to play in the bright lights of New York. In real life, the Knicks weren’t very motivated to get something done because of their belief in a new core, but after multiple years of a Brunson/Randle pairing, Rose and company have seen enough.
MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 7: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks and Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks look on during the game on April 7, 2024 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
Randle, Bridges, and DiVincenzo head to the Bucks for Giannis and salary filler. The Knicks go all-in on a Big 3 of Antetokounmpo, Brunson, and Anunoby in a trade nobody saw coming. The desperation comes as Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum still go down with injury, leaving the Eastern Conference wide open.
That team is as good as advertised. Brunson remains the consistent 25-PPG scorer he’s been this whole time alongside a player who takes Randle’s slashing ability and puts it on steroids. Brown’s ideal offense, pace and space, has to take a back seat as a result, but they still surround the pair with as many pure shooters as possible, even after losing Donte. The elite training staff that has kept the Knicks healthy has a good chance of doing the same for Giannis and his balky calf, but they know the playoffs are more important than the regular season.
As disappointing as it sounded when the team-up was initially announced, the Knicks were fine with being the No. 4 seed and winning 51 games. They were whole entering the postseason, allowing them to sweep the Toronto Raptors in the first round. An obstacle presented itself in a tough Pistons team in the second round, but surely they’d have enough to keep it going, right?
Here’s the problem. Some of the players who turned into New York legends during our legendary championship run never put on the orange and blue. The presence of DiVincenzo in 2024-25 led to Landry Shamet never being signed. Guerschon Yabusele is never signed because the team trades for Giannis and suddenly has frontcourt depth, leading to the mid-level exception being used on Gary Trent Jr. instead, which means no Jose Alvarado at the trade deadline. Maybe Jordan Clarkson is replaced by someone like Taurean Prince as a result.
None of these guys are totally useless, but in the quest to find more shooting, they lose part of their identity. Their offense plays into the defensive strengths of Detroit, and it’s a gritty series that sees many games end 99-92 as a result. The lack of ball pressure by trading Mikal leads to added responsibility on Deuce McBride, who is diminished as he was in real life due to core surgery.
The Knicks don’t win that series. After making the Eastern Conference Finals in 2024 with the January Knicks, they fail to make it back in each of the next two seasons. Wishcasting from that team continues. The voices grow louder about Leon Rose’s job, Brunson’s viability as a top option, and even Mike Brown as coach.
I’m not quite sure what happens from here. Most likely, the Knicks would run back the same core and hope for better results. Maybe they get aggressive in adding another piece and make Hart and McBride expendable. Robinson is likely still around just because they can’t afford to let them go. Does LeBron come to town? Are they a second apron team?
Giancarlo Stanton (L.) looks on prior to the Yankees-Cardinals game on Aug. 5, 2026.
Giancarlo Stanton is progressing and “doing quite well,” according to manager Aaron Boone, who hinted but did not state that Stanton has reached a significant stage of his rehab.
Stanton, who jogged in the outfield Friday as he builds up following a pair of calf strains, has “started the introduction to some bases,” Boone said Saturday.
Access the Yankees beat like never before
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.
Running the bases is often the final hurdle to clear before a rehab assignment (or simply an activation, if Stanton holds form and skips time in the minor leagues). Stanton had been running the bases in June, when he was nearing a return from the original calf strain and suffered another.
Asked to clarify whether Stanton had run the bases, Boone reiterated that he “introed it in a light way [Friday].”
Boone has been consistently vague regarding developments concerning Stanton (and Aaron Judge) and did not want to shed further light on Stanton’s status.
Giancarlo Stanton (L.) looks on prior to the Yankees-Cardinals game on Aug. 5, 2026. Robert Sabo for NY Post
Stanton has been sidelined since April 24 for an injury that no one imagined would cost at least 3 ¹/₂ months.
Asked if Stanton is closer to returning in a week or in a month, Boone said, “I don’t know.”
“I’m not going to get in the predicting game of it,” Boone added of Stanton, who faced live pitching for the first time this week since suffering the second calf strain. “We expect him back, and I would say he’s doing quite well, but ‘at what percent [he is running],’ they’ll tell me when it’s time.”
Gerrit Cole (seven innings, two runs on six hits with no walks and nine strikeouts) was excellent and consistently around the zone, 60 of his 82 pitches going for strikes. For his uptick, he credited better fastball command.
In the only inning that he struggled, he also showed resilience. To begin the fifth, Mauricio Dubón (double), Mike Yastrzemski (double), Austin Riley (single) and Jim Jarvis (single) rapped off four consecutive hits that plated a pair of runs and gave the Braves a narrow and brief lead.
But with a pair of runners on base and the game perhaps in the balance, Cole used a biting slider to strike out Drake Baldwin, got Ronald Acuña Jr. to fly out and then needed just three pitches — the third a 98.8 mph fastball — to strike out Matt Olson, whom Cole has owned in his career. That strikeout was the 1,000th of Cole’s Yankees tenure.
“It was really cool to do it today,” Cole said of 1,000. “Today [being Old-Timers’ Day], plus the win, at home — it’s kind of how you draw it up, I guess.
“When I think about it, I just feel really blessed.”
Despite a lefty in Chris Sale on the mound for Atlanta and a righty in Grant Holmes expected to start Sunday, Boone started Austin Wells, who went 1-for-2 with a double, against the southpaw.
Yankees Merch Shop
WinCraft insulated can coolers
Team Effort driver head cover
47 Brand adjustable cap
Customizable jersey
Logo fleece blanket
14-ounce sculpted relief coffee mug
New York Post receives revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and when you make a purchase.
“I like him with Gerrit,” Boone said of Wells, who entered having caught Cole 10 times this season, Cole sporting a 2.88 ERA in those games.
In the lone game Ali Sánchez caught Cole, Cole allowed five earned runs in 4 ¹/₃ innings.
In his first rehab start with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Carlos Rodón allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four in 2 ²/₃ innings. He threw 48 pitches (29 strikes).
The lefty, recovering from elbow inflammation, is expected to only need one or two outings in the minors before he is activated.
Robert Stock could not duplicate his impressive first start, allowing eight runs as the Mets dropped the second game of their series with the Pirates, 9-0, on Saturday night in Pittsburgh.
The loss snapped the Mets' four-game winning streak.
Here are the takeaways...
-Stock immediately pitched into trouble in the first inning. A double, an infield single, which would have been a forceout if Bo Bichette covered third when Francisco Lindor picked it in the hole, and a hit batsman had the Pirates in business with the bases loaded and one out. Stock got Nick Gonzales to hit a dribbler down the first base line, but the groundout pushed across the game's first run. Ronny Simon followed up by hitting an opposite-field double just fair down the left field line to score two more.
Stock would avoid another big inning -- allowing one run in the third -- but pitched into trouble again in the fourth. The Pirates pushed across another run after back-to-back hits to start the inning. Stock then walked back-to-back hitters to load the bases with no outs. Stock then threw a wild pitch way out of the zone, allowing the Pirates to get another run.
A walk and a double plated two more, knocking Stock out of the game.
After tossing 70 pitches in five one-run innings in his last start, Stock tossed 80 pitches (52 strikes) in three-plus innings. He allowed eight runs on nine hits and five walks while striking out four.
-On the other side, Bubba Chandler was the opposite of Stock, pitching six scoreless innings. He allowed three hits and one walk while striking out five batters. He lowered his ERA to 4.26.
Mets hitters mustered just three hits, all singles (Francisco Lindor, Luis Robert Jr., Francisco Alvarez).
-With the Mets down eight runs in the fourth, interim manager Andy Green decided to take Lindor and Bo Bichette out of the game. Brett Baty, starting in right field, moved to third while newly acquired infielder Gabriel Arias came in to play shortstop. Cristian Pache came in to play right field.
-Xzavion Curry came out in relief of Stock and pitched three scoreless innings, allowing a hit and four walks while striking out four.
Catcher Luis Torrens was arguably the Mets' best pitcher on this night. He allowed a solo homer to Brandon Lowe to lead off the seventh, but then allowed one more hit in his two innings of work.
Game MVP: Bubba Chandler
Chandler didn't need much, but he shut down the Mets.
What's next
The Mets and Pirates complete their three-game series on Sunday afternoon, with first pitch set for 1:35 p.m.
Sean Manaea (3-5, 4.33 ERA) will take the mound against Jared Jones (2-3, 4.02 ERA).
Brad Hunt’s professional hockey career has officially come to an end.
The former Vegas Golden Knights defenseman announced his retirement from professional hockey on social media earlier this week, closing the book on a career that lasted nearly two decades and took him from the BCHL to the NHL, the AHL and, ultimately, a World Championship gold medal with Team Canada.
For Vegas fans, Hunt will be remembered as part of the organization’s early years, joining the Golden Knights for their second season and remaining with the club through the 2018-19 campaign.
Hunt appeared in 58 games for Vegas across the two seasons, recording five goals and 20 assists for 25 points.
While his time with the Golden Knights was relatively brief, it came during an important period in franchise history. Vegas was still establishing itself as an NHL organization after its remarkable inaugural season, and Hunt became one of the many defensemen who helped provide depth on the blue line during those early years.
Hunt’s NHL career went well beyond his time in Vegas, however.
The 37-year-old played 288 regular-season games over parts of 14 NHL seasons, suiting up for seven organizations. Along with the Golden Knights, he spent time with the Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators, Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild and Vancouver Canucks.
He finished his NHL career with 20 goals and 60 assists for 80 points.
Much of Hunt’s career was spent in the American Hockey League, where he established himself as one of the league’s most productive offensive defensemen.
Hunt played 422 AHL games for the Chicago Wolves, Oklahoma City Barons, Bakersfield Condors, Colorado Eagles and Hershey Bears, producing 84 goals and 214 assists for 298 points. He was selected to six AHL All-Star Games and recorded four seasons with at least 40 points, including two 50-point campaigns.
That offensive production helped Hunt overcome one of the biggest obstacles he faced throughout his career: his size.
At 5-foot-9, Hunt was never the prototypical NHL defenseman. Instead, he built his career around his skating, puck-moving ability and offensive instincts, continually finding ways to earn opportunities at the highest levels of the sport.
His journey to the NHL began in the BCHL with the Burnaby Express. After putting up 89 points in 122 games, Hunt moved on to Bemidji State University, where he recorded 112 points in 150 NCAA games over four seasons.
From there, he began a professional career that would eventually take him around North America and overseas.
Hunt’s final season came in Finland with Sport Vaasa in 2025-26. He recorded seven goals and 18 assists for 25 points in 53 games before deciding it was time to step away.
And fittingly, Hunt’s final years in hockey also included one of the biggest accomplishments of his career.
He represented Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Championship in Finland, recording three assists while helping Canada capture a gold medal.
Now, after nearly 20 years of chasing the game, Hunt is officially calling it a career.
His résumé includes 288 NHL games, 422 AHL appearances, six AHL All-Star selections and a World Championship gold medal. For the Golden Knights, he will always be part of the group that helped shape the franchise during its formative years.
Not bad for a defenseman who spent his entire career being told he was too small to make it.
