MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 28: Taj Bradley #26 of the Minnesota Twins signs autographs prior to the game between the Chicago White Sox and the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on Friday, August 28, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Ritter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
First Pitch (CT):6:40 PM TV: Twins.TV Radio: TIBN/830 WCCO/102.9 The Wolf /Audacy App Know Yo’ Foe:Bless You Boys
The Twins’ postseason hopes aren’t dead yet, but a disastrous 8-17 August has put them firmly as a long shot. They are only four games out of a playoff spot, but teams like the Guardians, Blue Jays, and Orioles are trending in the right direction while the Twins and Mariners fade out of the picture.
At this point, the Twins need to pivot to 2027 evaluation mode and if a few bonus wins come, all the better. Walker Jenkins and Kaelen Culpepper should be in the lineup nearly every day from here on out, Gabriel Gonzalez should see every possible PA against lefties, and Emmanuel Rodriguez and Alan Roden likely need to start taking playing time away from Trevor Larnach and Josh Bell when rosters expand tomorrow.
Part of the issue recent Twins teams have run into is simply not knowing whether certain young players are truly ready to take on a bigger role, and they can’t afford that heading into 2027 on a team in need of upgrades in both the lineup and pitching staff.
Speaking of pitching, after 2027, Joe Ryan, Pablo Lopez, Dean Kremer, and Bailey Ober are all free agents. Connor Prielipp and Zebby Matthews have shown flashes of brilliance this season, while Mick Abel and Kendry Rojas will be back from injury with nothing left to prove in AAA, to say nothing of pitching prospects like Riley Quick, Ryan Gallagher, and Adrian Bohorquez who will likely be ready at different points next season. Jeremy Zoll and Co. will need to sort through who of that group is worth keeping, who should be traded, who could thrive in the bullpen, and who (looking at you, Ober) maybe shouldn’t be tendered a contract at all.
Especially with Buxton hurt and likely not coming back in time to make a difference this season, roll with the kids and see what you have for 2027. Rodriguez in particular needs experience and PAs, and I would love to see those come on the Twins so we can glimpse what a potential outfield of Rodriguez, Jenkins, and Keaschall looks like heading into next year.
The bad August really put a damper on what was shaping up to be a very promising building year. But there’s still a ton to get excited about here and it’s a blast to watch highly-touted prospects like Culpepper and Jenkins make a difference.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 18: Mickey Gasper #30 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with the mascot Wally head after hitting a home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the sixth inning at Fenway Park on August 18, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox defeat the Diamondbacks 9-4. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Mariners head to Fenway to play the Red Sox. It’s Heated Rivalry Night at Fenway, but I will NOT be doing the recap, so consider yourselves all spared.
Cooper Criswell has been officially Unfurled, activated off the 60-day IL. But Nick Davila has taken his place on the IL with an SC joint sprain, a new injury for me to google after this. Everything I know about the human body and how it breaks has been learned both a) because of baseball and b) against my will.
At this point Brendan Donovan is just a concept to me, like dark matter, but here.
PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte, who showed up Monday after going AWOL and was back in the starting lineup as their designated hitter, says that he planned to apologize to his teammates, and was sorry for his actions – but not for playing cards at a local casino while the Diamondbacks were playing a game.
When asked directly if he had anything to say to the Diamondbacks fans, he merely shook his head, no.
Marte, who was placed on the restricted list after refusing to show for any of their three games against the Boston Red Sox in Boston two weeks ago before going on the injured list with an inflamed knee, spoke for 10 minutes to about 25 media members – more than twice the normal size – before addressing his teammates.
"I’m going to stand in front of my teammates like a man,," he said. “I’m going to ask for forgiveness. We’re all human. We all commit mistakes."
When asked why he didn’t show up to the game at Fenway Park, he called it a "moment of frustration."
"I’m the type of person that when something’s going on in my life," Marte said, "I don’t like to talk about it."
When asked whether he was frustrated with his sore knee or manager Torey Lovullo, he apologized for letting Lovullo down.
"I failed him by not showing up," Marte said. "That morning, I woke up, my body was in pain, and I just couldn’t react. No one made the decision for me. I’m the one who made the decision for me to now show up."
Marte is now hoping that after addressing his teammates, he can begin to repair the damage he caused while trying to re-earn their trust.
"I understand their frustration," he said. "The most important thing right now is that I’m doing well and so my family is doing well as well. …
"I hope to become a better player and person. They know that I’m human. I’ve committed mistakes because I am human."
Marte will bat cleanup and serve as the Diamondbacks' DH against the Philadelphia Phillies.
PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 07: Ryan O'Hearn #29 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates his third home run of the game and driving in his 10th run, setting a Pirates game RBI record in the sixth inning against the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park on July 7, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
One of the Pirates’ best all-around hitters is on pace to return to the lineup before the end of the season.
Ryan O’Hearn is progressing well from his quad injury and is expected to rejoin the Pirates in mid-September, general manager Ben Cherington said on his radio show Sunday.
The Pirates are planning for O’Hearn to begin a rehab assignment sometime in the next 10 days.
O’Hearn severely injured his quad running down the line against the Cincinnati Reds on July 31.
He had to be helped off the field and ended up being less serious than it initially looked, avoiding surgery and a far more severe issue.
The Pirates’ first baseman/right fielder is slashing .270/.334/.454 with a .788 OPS in 96 games.
O’Hearn is second on the team in RBIs (68) and third in home runs (17) despite missing time with two separate injuries.
Ryan OHearn GRAND SLAM 4-1. Wow what a start for the Pirates on a important homestand pic.twitter.com/eYIWFmrvfg
He owns 97 hits, 15 doubles, and has walked 30 times, compared to 86 strikeouts.
O’Hearn is in the first year of a two-year contract signed in the offseason. He was the first free agent to agree to terms with the Pirates on a multi-year deal since Ivan Nova in December 2016.
The Pirates are 67-71 and six games back in the wild card, needing an all-time winning streak to keep their playoff chances alive.
The lefty bat will be a huge part of next year’s team in Pittsburgh, and his leadership, paired with being a great all-around baseball player, is going to be crucial if the Pirates are ever going to get back to the postseason soon.
DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 25: Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ian Seymour (61) pitches in the third inning during the game between the Detroit Tigers versus the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday August 25, 2026 at Comerica Park in Detroit, MI. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - AUGUST 30, 2026: CJ Abrams #5 of the Washington Nationals turns a double play over the sliding Xavier Edwards #9 of the Miami Marlins during the second inning of a game against the at Nationals Park on August 30, 2026 in Washington, District of Columbia. The Marlins beat the Nationals, 6-2. (Photo by Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
This series has already seen plenty of twists and turns. Now we are in for a grand finale of this four game set between the Nats and Marlins. After yesterday’s 9th inning meltdown, the Nats will look to bounce back and win three out of four. The Marlins are looking to salvage a split.
CJ Abrams was a late scratch in the lineup. He will be replaced by Nasim Nunez in the lineup. The red hot Daylen Lile will move up to the leadoff spot. Brady House is back in the lineup at third. Andrew Pinckney also replaces Dylan Crews, making a rare start. Keibert Ruiz is behind the plate in this one. Will Dion gets the start and Luis Perales is likely to be involved at some point.
Updated Nationals 8/31
D. Lile LF A. Ortiz DH A. Chaparro 1B K. Ruiz C B. House 3B J. Vivas 2B J. Young CF N. Nuñez SS A. Pinckney RF
Xavier Edwards, one of the Marlins mainstays was put on the IL today. To replace him, Javier Sanoja slid over to second and Leo Jimenez is at third. Kyle Stowers is back in the lineup at first base. Like yesterday, this is a very righty heavy lineup for the Fish. Ryan Gusto will be on the mound for the Marlins.
The Nats suffered a heartbreaker yesterday but they have a chance to redeem themselves tonight. As we enter September, the Nats need to start building momentum. This will be a chance to do that. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats.
After an All-SEC season at Missouri where he averaged 18.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 38.8% from 3-point range, four-year college player Mark Mitchell entered the NBA draft process. After going undrafted, he played for the Nuggets at Summer League and was set to head to their training camp on an Exhibit 10 deal (which includes a bonus to join the Nuggets G League team).
Ultimately, Mitchell's fate will be in the hands of judges. He is one of more than 25 four-year men's college basketball players who agreed to non-guaranteed NBA contracts but now could be eligible to return to college for a fifth season after a judge's ruling. In the wake of the NCAA’s new “five-for-five” rule for college sports, some players in last year's class who used up their eligibility under the old rules but were not grandfathered into the new one went to court. There have been a host of court rulings on this,, for Mitchell it is Colorado-based U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney granting four-year college athletes from the high school class of 2022 a fifth year of eligibility (if they had not signed a professional contract). The NCAA has appealed to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, seeking to overturn the ruling. Also, the SEC is fighting the return of players in this situation (right now, that is more focused on football).
For Mitchell, this is the smart financial play. The standard G-League contract paid $45,000 last season, and Mitchell would get an Exhibit 10 bonus for going through camp with the Nuggets (up to $85,000, but likely less). That is far less than his NIL contract with Missouri or any major college.
If the ruling permitting players to return is allowed to stand, there will be a lot more players following this path in the coming weeks.
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 12: Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks dribbles the ball during the game against the New York Knicks on January 12, 2022 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 2022 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Domino effects are meant to start relatively small. The first two editions of the series, I feel like, encompassed that. We got really niche with the Mike Brown Kings saga and less niche with Julius Randle’s injury, but both of them required a lot of outside-the-box thinking to see directly what a reversal would’ve caused to the Knicks’ long-term hopes.
This one is anything but niche.
To wrap up this mini-series I’ve had fun with over the dog days of the summer, we’re going to look at possibly the biggest domino effect of them all, one that was scarily realistic and only didn’t occur because of the hubris of a certain front office that later made one of the worst trades in NBA history.
You saw the title. This is a scenario that Jalen Brunson, the birthday boy and the man who has exceeded every expectation and has spearheaded a revival of Knicks basketball so grand that all of us have spent way too much money on championship merch, never puts on the orange and blue.
DALLAS, TX – MAY 24: Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks walks off the court after Game 4 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals on May 24, 2022 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Following his third season in Dallas, Brunson and his agents at CAA wanted to negotiate a contract extension with the Mavericks’ brass. The number that they decided on was more than reasonable for a player of his current production: four years and $55 million. After all, he was coming off finishing fourth in Sixth Man of the Year voting with plausible upward mobility.
Dallas said no. Fast forward a few months: as Brunson began what turned out to be a breakout campaign, he and his agent approached the Mavs again about the same framework and were again told no.
Brunson kept working and gradually improving to the point where the Mavs themselves approached him about the $55 million deal after the trade deadline, but at that point, he had outgrown that offer as he was barreling towards free agency. Four months later, he landed in New York on a four-year, $104 million pact.
But what if Dallas realized what they had in Brunson at either one of those points, particularly the in-season extension? What if they took a guy that the Knicks had long been looking at off the market? Such a deal would’ve been more than reasonable for their current cap structure as a sixth man or starter next to Luka Doncic, even if the fit was potentially difficult due to both of their defensive shortcomings. Frankly, it was nonsensical for them to be that blind. This was a good player.
December 1, 2021. Jalen Brunson and the Dallas Mavericks announce a four-year, $55 million extension that will begin the following season. Let’s see where the dominoes fall.
Nothing changes from this point forward on any side for the rest of the 2021-22 season. Brunson still balls out and gets on the national radar with his incredible performance in the postseason; the Knicks still miss the playoffs, etc. Instead of the media clowning the Knicks for giving Brunson a nine-figure deal in June, the offseason is spent lauding Nico Harrison and company for their wherewithal to lock down this impact player for cheap.
Of course, this creates a gigantic path of divergence for the Knicks, who were always infatuated with Brunson because of his family connections. I still think Rick Brunson gets hired onto Tom Thibodeau’s staff to replace the outgoing Kenny Payne (who had a truly disastrous tenure at Louisville). The hiring was definitely motivated by his son’s free agency, but he had also served as an assistant under Thibs in Chicago and Minnesota, so it still happens.
The real question, though, is what happens in that offseason. Our first major question revolves around the strategy for the 2022 NBA Draft, particularly with the No. 11 overall pick.
2022 NBA Draft
BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 23: NBA Draft Prospects pose for a group portrait before the 2022 NBA Draft on June 23, 2022 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
For those who don’t remember, the Knicks selected Ousmane Dieng, traded him to the Thunder in exchange for three first-round picks, traded up to No. 13 in exchange for two picks, selected Jalen Duren, and shipped him to Detroit alongside Kemba Walker in an effective salary dump. The team came out with solid assets and cleared up some cash.
The motivation behind punting a lottery pick? Signing Jalen Brunson. A later trade with Detroit shipped Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel to the Motor City and cleared up just enough space for the Villanova alum and Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency. It’s why I never cared about people saying “the Knicks traded Jalen Duren for nothing” because it’s false. You don’t get Brunson (most likely) without trading Duren, his cap hit, and the salary attached.
But with Brunson off the table and no clear reason to use cap space, the Knicks are dead set on picking in the lottery. You might think it’s as simple as drafting Dieng or Duren, but the Knicks almost certainly made both selections on behalf of the teams they were actively negotiating with. After all, if they wanted them, they wouldn’t trade them.
There were a few plans for this draft leading up to it. After the Knicks were once again denied a chance at lottery luck, they constantly rang the phones to try to trade up for Jaden Ivey. They may get over the line for this. After all, with no Brunson on the way, there are no schematic issues.
It would still be a very difficult trade to make, so I lean toward it not happening. After Ivey, they seemed quite enamored with Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis, but the Wizards took him 10th overall. That’s two major bullets dodged, but who’s on the clock at No. 11?
The available players who had a pre-draft workout in New York were AJ Griffin, Tari Eason, MarJon Beauchamp, and Mark Williams. I would think it would be one of these guys, even if the extremely talented Jalen Williams and Duren were on the board. In typical Leon Rose fashion, he probably does the first two trades of the night, where he trades out and comes back in, ultimately scooping up two conditional firsts from Detroit and Washington while trading four seconds.
With the 13th pick, they select Duke wing AJ Griffin.
2022 Offseason
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 15: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks ignores Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 15, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With no Brunson and an unsuccessful pursuit of both Davis and Ivey in the draft, the Knicks badly need a point guard. I’d assume they still look to offload salary, particularly with Kemba, to open cap space, but the extent of this is unclear due to the lack of a clear alternative in free agency. There’s restricted free agent Collin Sexton, of course, but the direction that needs to be taken appears to be in the trade market.
Fortunately, there are two lead guards available.
Dejounte Murray is on the block in San Antonio and could be had for a reasonable package. His defensive fortitude makes him a welcome fit for a team that has major defensive questions, and his offense has also proven capable of a leap forward. There’s also that New York native out in Utah who could be of use…
For Murray, the Knicks never seemed that motivated to make that move, even if he would’ve been a decent fit next to Brunson in real life. They were always more focused on adding Donovan Mitchell and figuring it out later. In this timeline, Murray still goes to Atlanta, but it’s a full-court press on bringing Spida home.
With no Brunson, there’s nothing holding them back from adding a small guard into the fray. The fit concerns aren’t there. When Danny Ainge and the Jazz ask for a ridiculous package, it’s eventually negotiated down into something the team can agree on.
In mid-August 2022, Mitchell comes home for a package centered around RJ Barrett and Quentin Grimes, depleting the team’s draft capital to keep further players out of the deal. As much as fans want to play the kids, the Knicks see an opportunity to compete and take it.
Thus, here’s the rotation we have heading into the 2022-23 season:
Donovan Mitchell – Derrick Rose Evan Fournier – Immanuel Quickley Alec Burks – Cam Reddish/AJ Griffin Julius Randle – Obi Toppin Mitchell Robinson – Isaiah Hartenstein
Yes, in this reality, we assume that the Knicks still find a way to get off Noel’s contract but keep Burks as wing depth after trading Barrett and Grimes. Hartenstein was always a target for the front office and still comes to New York.
The Future
This lineup, as you might imagine, would’ve been rather erratic. You have some brilliant shotmakers in there, but not enough defenders. Tom Thibodeau’s seat gets hot again; he’s forced to bench some players permanently, and the mini-revival still happens… to an extent.
Quickley gets a chance to start with Spida, Deuce McBride’s emergence happens a year sooner, Randle enjoys his bounce-back season. The foundation of the start of the Brunson era would’ve likely been similar, but the real repercussions come later.
At the deadline, the team needs wing depth, having iced Reddish out of the rotation. With Brunson no longer on the team, I can’t imagine the interest in Josh Hart is any more pronounced. It’s still possible that the trade happens. I’m instead going to involve the Knicks in the multi-team trade with the Warriors and Pistons that got Gary Payton II back to the Bay. The Knicks send a bucket of seconds and Cam Reddish to Detroit for Saddiq Bey.
With Mitchell, the Knicks win 48 games and slide into the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, where they host a Cavs team that never got the New York native and instead had to continue building around Darius Garland, Sexton, and Evan Mobley. The Knicks still win in five.
In the second round, the Bucks still get slayed by the wrath of Jimmy Butler and the Heat, and although many fans are optimistic about the prospects of facing the No. 8 seed, Butler waxes the Knicks in a six-game defeat.
Heading into the following season, the Knicks are content with what they got, planning to use it as a building year. Burks never being traded means there’s not enough space to sign Donte DiVincenzo, who was also likely going to be someone Brunson pitched signing. There’s no big move to be made here, so we keep going into a shaky start to the 2023-24 season, which leaves them at an inflection point around the New Year.
As you might recall, OG Anunoby was acquired in real life on December 30, 2023, for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and a second-round pick. In this reality, Barrett is already gone, but Quickley is becoming a foundational piece after being started out of necessity midway through the prior season. The financials still work if the Knicks add Burks to the trade, but with Barrett not included, the rest of the team’s excess draft capital goes with it.
The Big 3 of Spida-Anunoby-Randle destroy the competition in January 2024 until injuries take out both Randle and Anunoby. Mitchell does his best to imitate 2024 Brunson and gets First-Team All-NBA for his troubles, but it’s certainly an uphill climb. Without DiVincenzo to help with off-ball scoring, the Knicks only win 46 games, dropping them to the play-in tournament. Remember, the No. 2 and No. 7 seeds were just three games apart that year.
The Knicks get revenge on the Heat in the 7-8 game, but have to fare with a road series against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks in the first round, one that just doesn’t go well. With no Randle to physically match up, Toppin (who I believe doesn’t get traded with the team’s worst depth the prior season) and Precious Achiuwa are overwhelmed in a six-game defeat. The front office blames injuries and doesn’t make any drastic moves… yet.
The Mikal Bridges trade never happens. They had to use a boatload of draft assets to get Anunoby and Mitchell, so the Nets aren’t interested. Anunoby extends, Spida gets his three-year, $150 million extension, and the Knicks seem prepared to run it back in 2024-25.
Now, you might wonder: what about KAT?
The Knicks badly wanted him, but they lacked a guy who Minnesota really valued in DiVincenzo to get it done. Further, the fact that Mitchell took a max extension puts the team eerily close to the second apron, something they avoided with Brunson’s pay cut. There’s a very realistic world that this trade doesn’t happen, but Leon Rose always gets his guy, so they trade Mitchell Robinson and the last bits of draft capital to get it done.
All-in.
It’s not worth prognosticating who fills the Hart and Bridges gaps in the lineup, but the Knicks are built around Mitchell, Anunoby, and Towns. That Big 3 would get two seasons to work everything out, going into the second apron in 2025-26 before James Dolan would order a restructuring. They had to win. They had no choice.
In the first year, they get bounced in the second round by the Celtics after a 52-win season. The poise of the Brunson-led Knicks was a big part of why they came back from all those deficits, plus the team would be utterly devoid of defensive length without Robinson or Bridges. This also means that the Knicks and Pacers never rekindle their rivalry in either season, which is fun to think about.
In 2025-26, the year we all rejoiced in real life, they had a real chance. They fortified the depth; they hired Mike Brown to replace Thibs; they waltzed into an extremely weak East and grabbed the bull by the horns.
50 wins in the regular season, enough for the No. 3 seed. They survived a seven-game war with Atlanta, took out Philadelphia in six games, and went face-to-face with the Pistons in the ECF. Remember, no Mitchell likely dooms the Cavs to mediocrity and no ECF berth.
It’s hard to say for sure if the Pistons give the Knicks the same fits they did in real life, but let’s look at the facts. The Knicks were still a major question mark defensively and had no answer for Cade Cunningham. Additionally, they lacked the presence of Robinson (even in a backup role) to fluster Duren. In a tense, seven-game series, the Pistons prevailed. It’s over.
Mitchell would not be extended again by the Knicks, as his playoff shortcomings would not be worth the $270 million extension he got in real life. I’d think the front office would side with the Big Bodega in this, and the team would be built around the fleeting prime of Towns from here.
Safe to say, no banners. Sad stuff. But how’s Jalen doing in Dallas?
Brunson’s New Life In Dallas
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 18: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Western Conference All-Stars handles the ball against Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks and Eastern Conference All-Stars in the fourth quarter during the 2024 NBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 18, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Dallas did basically nothing that offseason to replace Brunson, leaving them inherently weaker entering the 2022-23 season. They still acquire Christian Wood after retaining Brunson, but they feel pretty stagnant.
The big change in the 2022-23 season is that the Mavericks never traded for Kyrie Irving, as the fit with him, Brunson, and Luka would’ve been quite bizarre. They also wouldn’t feel the need to, as when Doncic goes down with injury right before the deadline, we see glimpses of Knicks Brunson in the emerging Villanova alum.
Dallas was quite bad this season, flaming out in the play-in tournament, but an interesting trickle-down effect from this is that they wouldn’t be able to properly tank to keep their draft pick, so a parting gift from Brunson would give the Knicks a lottery pick in 2023, which they’d use on a guy like Jordan Hawkins. Not a needle mover, so I didn’t feel the need to mention until now.
The reverb would be no Dereck Lively II in Dallas, but the supporting cast from guys like PJ Washington and eventually Daniel Gafford would provide enough for the Mavericks to still go deep in the postseason in 2024, maybe making the NBA Finals but still not coming that close to a title.
At the same time that all appears to be well in Dallas, Nico Harrison is stirring. He doesn’t like the frequent unavailability of Doncic, who still suffers a major hamstring injury on Christmas 2024. In his absence, unlike in real life where Kyrie suffered a multi-week injury as well, the Mavericks experience the joy of 2024 Jalen Brunson, who carries Dallas through January to the point where Harrison has an epiphany.
“What if I fortify my defense and Jalen can give me Luka-esque production?”
Brunson’s explosion dooms Doncic’s tenure, as the controversial trade with the Lakers still occurs. Anthony Davis would now be paired with a head of the snake in Brunson, a match seemingly made in heaven.
Except Davis is still injury-prone. Dallas never has the death spiral they had with Davis and Irving’s season-ending injuries because Brunson would be there trying to play hero ball. He does just enough to win them 45 games to take the No. 9 seed. After defeating Sacramento in the 9-10 game, a heroic 40-ball sees them stun the Grizzlies to steal a playoff spot, only to get eviscerated by the powerhouse Thunder.
This turns out to be an utter disaster, as Cooper Flagg will no longer become a Maverick. It was possible to have a core of Brunson, Davis, and Flagg, but now? Brunson hits his 30th birthday with Davis shipped to Washington and a band of merrymen around him.
That’s right. The real twist of all of this? Nobody wins.
The Knicks lose because they don’t have Brunson. They never sniff the NBA Finals.
The Mavericks lose because the domino effect takes two lottery picks away, and JB’s hyper-competitiveness doesn’t allow them to get younger.
Jalen Brunson loses. Instead of being the King of New York, he’s got a microscope on him in lowly Dallas as the guy Nico traded Luka to feature.
It’s a lose-lose situation. What a nightmare. I need my nightlight; someone turn on some highlights.
That’s better. Happy Birthday, Cap. We’re so glad this never happened.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - Aug 30: San Diego Padres Outfielder Dustin Harris (29) at bat during the regular season game between the San Diego Padres and the Tampa Bay Rays on August 30, 2026, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
San Diego Padres (72-65) at Cincinnati Reds (65-72), August 31, 2026, 3:40 p.m. PST
Watch: Padres.TV
Location: Great American Ball Park – Cincinnati, Ohio
Don’t troll in your comments; create conversation rather than destroying it
Remember Gaslamp Ball is basically a non-profanity site
Out of respect to broadcast partners who have paid to carry the game, no mentions of “alternative” (read: illegal) viewing methods are allowed in our thread
Francisco Lindor – SS Bo Bichette – 3B Carson Benge – RF Mark Vientos – DH Jared Young – 1B Christopher Morel – LF Marcus Semien – 2B A.J. Ewing – CF Francisco Alvarez – C
SP: Robert Stock (RHP)
Rays lineup
Yandy Diaz – DH Jonathan Aranda – 1B Junior Caminero – 3B Liam Hicks – C Chandler Simpson – LF Cedric Mullins – CF Jonny DeLuca – RF Richie Palacios – 2B Taylor Walls – SS
SP: Ian Seymour (LHP)
Broadcast info
First pitch: 6:40 PM EDT TV: SNY Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 30: Chase Burns #26 of the Cincinnati Reds delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field on August 30, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cincinnati Reds will welcome back lefty Brandon Williamson to their starting rotation beginning on Wednesday against the San Diego Padres. The 28 year old – who missed all of the 2025 season following Tommy John surgery that he needed late in 2024 – has been sidelined since an April 29th start against the Colorado Rockies, but his shoulder is finally good enough to return and eat some innings down the stretch for the Reds.
There will be no major shakeup to the starting rotation – at least, not in the form of a demotion or move to the bullpen. Rather, it’s now officially the time the Reds are going to begin to actively reduce the workload on ace Chase Burns, meaning the 100 pitch grind he chucked in yesterday’s big win over the Chicago Cubs might well be his final ‘full’ start of the year.
That brought him to 145.1 IP on the season.
Manager Terry Francona revealed the framework of the plan to the beats earlier on Monday afternoon prior to the series opener in GABP against San Diego. Charlie Goldsmith was on the scene to help relay things, with Tito still being coy on exactly how many pitches/innings Burns will be allowed to go given then competitive advantage that would forfeit. What we do know, though, is that Williamson will piggyback Burns’ next start on Monday given that Thursday is a day-off.
That start will come against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Brandon Williamson will start on Wednesday. Chase Burns will start on Monday with Williamson as a piggy back.
Rosters officially expand tomorrow, so adding Williamson won’t be as difficult as it otherwise would be. Williamson is on the 60-day IL, however, so a 40-man move will need to be made. Given that both Spencer Steer and Michael Toglia reside on the 10-day IL and are both done for the season, though, that should be merely a procedural swap.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 25: Anthony Molina #45 of the San Francisco Giants pitches in against the Cincinnati Reds at Oracle Park on August 25, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants play a make-up game against the Atlanta Braves this afternoon from Truist Park.
Taking the mound for the Giants will be right-hander Anthony Molina, who enters today’s game with a 2.89 ERA, 4.48 FIP, with three strikeouts to two walks in nine and a third innings pitched between the Giants and Braves this season. This will be his first start and second appearance for the Giants this year. His last appearance was in the Giants’ 3-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds last Tuesday, in which he allowed just one hit and a walk with one strikeout in four and a third innings of relief.
He’ll be facing off against Braves right-hander Bryce Elder, who enters today’s game with a 3.95 ERA, 4.45 FIP, with 118 strikeouts to 46 walks in 143.2 innings pitched. His last start was in the Braves’ 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers last Tuesday, in which he allowed three runs on eight hits with five strikeouts in six innings.
FIX THIS, STAT: The Cubs have lost three consecutive series. They had done that since June 2-11, when they dropped the final three of four in a row. They were 14-4-1 in series before the last three. For the season, they are 22-20-2. Sunday was the Cubs’ 10th game in which they served up at least four homers. That tied for the third most among all teams, with the Nationals and Reds. The Athletics and Royals had 11 such games. No other team had more than eight. The Cubs’ 10 tie them with 2000 for the fourth most by the Cubs, after 15 in 2021, 12 in 2006 and 11 in 1999. Since 2000, they have averaged 5.7; the last five years, 8.0. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
SCORING A LOT OF RUNS, BUT LOSING: Last night’s loss was just the Cubs’ 12th of the season in which they had scored at least five runs. They have won 62 games with five or more. They are 9-5 with exactly five. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
THIS MIGHT HELP TONIGHT: The Cubs are 35-28 against teams that had a winning record going into each game. They are 20-11 at home. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
PCA UPDATE: Pete Crow-Armstrong hit three home runs Saturday and two yesterday. No Cub since 1901 has hit more than five in three consecutive games. Eight different Cubs have hit five a total of 16 times: Dave Kingman and Sammy Sosa three; Andre Dawson, Bill Nicholson, Dansby Swanson and Billy Williams, two; and Mel Hall and Aramis Ramirez, once. Swanson’s two overlapped, June 29-July 1 and June 30-July 3 of this year. Two each of Kingman’s and Sosa’s overlapped, as did both of Nicholson’s and Williams’. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
You did not expect to read these words here a few weeks ago: “Clay Holmes is the most consistent starter on the Cubs staff.”
And yet, here we are. He had a rough outing in his Cubs debut, since then in three starts: 0.47 ERA, 0.737 WHIP, and perhaps most importantly: NO home runs allowed in 19 innings.
Last time he faced the Brewers: July 2, 2025 in Citi Field. He allowed two runs in 5.2 innings. We’d take that tonight, I think.
The Brewers acquired Kyle Harrison in the deal that sent Caleb Durbin to Boston. Harrison is having an excellent season, and in two starts against the Cubs this year covering 12 innings, he has allowed two runs and struck out 20. Seiya Suzuki accounted for both of those runs with a two-run homer June 27 in Milwaukee.
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The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
Aug 16, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Kyle Harrison (52) during pregame against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jon Endow-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Brewers and Cubs tonight start what I’m dubbing the Mega Series — seven games in 10 days between the top two teams in the National League Central, right at a critical juncture in the season. We’ve done all the previews and talked about it endlessly, but if Chicago has any hope at all of catching Milwaukee in the division, they’ll need to do the heavy lifting over the next week-and-a-half. On the flipside, the Brewers can more-or-less put the division to bed even if they just have an “OK” couple of series — a 3-4 mark would probably do the job. If they’d like to be emphatic, a couple of series victories would really slam the door on any hope of a Cubs comeback.
Things get started tonight with a tasty little pitching matchup between new Cub Clay Holmes and new-ish Brewer Kyle Harrison. Holmes is making his fifth start since coming to Chicago at the trade deadline, and after a poor showing his first time out, Holmes has found another gear. Over his last three outings, Holmes allowed just one run and only nine hits across 19 innings, though Chicago is just 1-2 in those games. Holmes, who spent three years as the Yankee closer before joining the Mets and transitioning into starting work in 2025, is an extreme groundball pitcher: his 59.7% groundball rate is in the top two percent of the league. That will certainly come in handy today, where 90-degree weather will surely make Wrigley Field lively.
Harrison will be making his fifth start since missing nearly a month with a sore elbow. Things have been a bit of a mixed bag; In three of Harrison’s starts, he’s gone five innings and allowed just one combined run while striking out 23 batters in 15 innings. But that fourth one was a disaster, when San Diego put up eight runs (though five of those runs were later ruled “unearned”) in less than five innings. Harrison has mostly been getting results even when he hasn’t looked the sharpest, and the next step for him is to find some length — he’s thrown 90 pitches in two of his four post-IL starts, but he hasn’t pitched in the sixth inning of a game since June 20.
We’ve also got a roster move to report, as some reinforcements are on the way. A day before rosters expand to 28, the Brewers have reinstated Abner Uribe from the injured list. To make room, Bryse Wilson, who apparently tweaked his back during his 2 2/3-inning outing on Sunday, has been sent to the 15-day IL. (Feel free to guess who the two adds Milwaukee will get tomorrow are, but I’m putting my money on JoJo Romero and Bo Naylor.)
Milwaukee is going lefty-heavy with Holmes on the mound. Brice Turang, who at least made some solid contact yesterday, remains in the leadoff spot. Jackson Chourio bats second and shares the outfield with Garrett Mitchell and Sal Frelick. Christian Yelich is the DH, while Jake Bauers, Cooper Pratt, and David Hamilton join Turang in the infield. William Contreras is doing the catching and batting third.
On the Cubs side, we have to mention: Pete Crow-Armstrong comes in on an epic heater and with pole position in the National League MVP race. PCA hit three homers on Saturday and two on Sunday, and as the great Sarah Langs shares with us, his 31 homers since June 1 are seven more than any other player in that span.
There’s a little bit of weather in Chicago this evening — humidity and heat mean storms could come out of nowhere — but hopefully things will clear out for the game. As long as everything stays on schedule, first pitch is at 6:40 on Brewers TV and the Brewers Radio Network.
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 05: Konnor Griffin #6 of the Pittsburgh Pirates dives to knock down a ground ball in the third inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 05, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Konnor Griffin is increasingly close to returning to big league action.
The Pirates star shortstop has missed nearly the past two months with a left ring finger issue suffered against the Washington Nationals on July 5.
Griffin injured the sagittal band and was forced to wear a splint for weeks.
He returned to the diamond on Sunday, suiting up for the Double-A Altoona Curve to begin a rehab assignment.
Griffin played seven innings and ended the day 1-3 with two strikeouts. His rehab was transferred to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.
The 20 year old has only played in 59 games due to two separate long-term injuries that derailed his season.
In 247 plate appearances, Griffin is slashing .276/.332/.404 with a .736 slugging percentage.
He was hitting over .300 in the right-game sample size after his right forearm strain that kept him out almost all of June.
Griffin has hit 10 doubles, two triples, five home runs, drove in 25, and struck out 65 times during his first season in Pittsburgh.
The Pirates signed Griffin to a nine-year extension worth $140 million in April to keep the team cornerstone in Pittsburgh as their new face of the franchise.
Griffin swiped 20 steals and was on pace to exceed 40 stolen bases if he didn’t get hurt.
He is eligible to come off the injured list on September 4 and will likely be back for the Los Angeles Angels series beginning on Friday.
The Pirates are 67-71 and welcome the San Francisco Giants to town on Tuesday for the first of three.
Only a month remains to determine if the team can complete an all-time comeback for the postseason.
