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Red Sox lose key player but slugger makes wild return from injury to replace him

NEW YORK — Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony is out for the remainder of the playoffs after aggravating a hand injury in two at-bats during Game 1 of the American League wild-card series, manager Chad Tracy said before Game 2 on Wednesday, Sept. 30.

Replacing him on the roster for the do-or-die Game 2 is a massive surprise: Curtis Mead, who has not played since suffering a fractured left wrist in his Red Sox debut July 27, when he was struck by a pitch in a game against the Athletics in West Sacramento.

That injury came just a day after Mead was acquired from the Washington Nationals for left-hander Connelly Early - who, oddly enough, started and lost the decisive Game 3 of this wild-card series a year ago.

Since that fateful night in Yolo County, Mead has been diligently working his way back, but couldn't quite recover before this series started. Then, Anthony's hand worsened and the Red Sox needed a body.

Mead took batting practice off a Trajekt machine for the first time Saturday and Monday, and then faced live pitching for the first time Tuesday. And that was enough for the Red Sox to activate him.

"Honestly, it’s not ideal, right?" Mead said of his accelerated and abbreviated rehab timeline. "But with the injury to Roman and even Mickey (Gasper) and guys banged up, I feel like I can contribute. I think watching the team and the runs they went on in July and August, I felt pretty good about them and us going deep in the playoffs.

"I was hoping to be ready on this timeline."

Anthony was limited to 55 games due to the injury this season. He was driven from Yankee Stadium to Boston after Game 1, arriving in the middle of the night, and received more imaging Wednesday morning, which Tracy said revealed further damage to the hand. Anthony returned to Yankee Stadium three hours before Game 2.

The Red Sox replaced Anthony on the roster with Curtis Mead for Game 2 of the best-of-three series, automatically Anthony out for the AL Division Series.

“He’s going through it right now, mentally,” Tracy said of Anthony. “I texted with him. He wants to be out there with the guys.”

Against Yankees left-hander Max Fried, Boston will start Nate Eaton in left field and Jahmai Jones at DH.

“He’s a really good player,” Tracy said of Anthony, “but the show goes on. We need to win two in a row.”

Mead, whose parents are in Australia and won't be able to make it to Yankee Stadium, talked frequently with Anthony as both recovered from their maladies.

"I saw Roman last night and saw his pain. I was quite interested in his return to play and the sort of things he was feeling, how long it took him to get up to speed," says Mead. "I feel horrible for him, but glad I can step in and kind of contribute."

Red Sox starting lineup for Game 2

  1. Jahmai Jones (R) DH
  2. Adley Rutschman (S) C
  3. Willson Contreras (R) 1B
  4. Wilyer Abreu (L) RF
  5. Ceddanne Rafaela (R) CF
  6. Caleb Durbin (R) 3B
  7. Nick Sogard (S) 2B
  8. Trevor Story (R) SS
  9. Nate Eaton (R) LF

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Red Sox lose key player but slugger makes wild return from injury to replace him

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Islanders 2026 First-Round Pick Off To Strong Start In SHL

TORONTO -- In the summer of 2025, the New York Islanders selected Matthew Schaefer with the first overall pick, Victor Eklund at No. 16, and Kashawn Aitcheson at No. 17, adding three strong players to Isaiah George, Cole Eiserman, Danny Nelson, and Co. 

Flash forward to now, and Schaefer is entering year two after winning the Calder Trophy as the league's best rookie. 

Eklund, who played one game for the Islanders -- Game No. 82 -- before the 2025-26 season ended, made the team out of training camp. 

George, who didn't make the Islanders out of training camp, is still just 22 years old and is very much seen as part of their future.

Aitcheson and Eiserman were part of the last cuts this training camp, as they are closer than they appear.

But there's another prospect who just adds to the excitement surrounding this club's bright future.

Left-side defenseman Malte Gustafsson, whom the Islanders selected 13th overall this past summer, is playing in the SHL. He is someone who could be playing for the Islanders come season's end, as we saw with Eklund. 

Gustafsson recorded three assists in 27 games last season for HV71 Jonkoping.

This season, in four games, the 18-year-old has recorded three assists, matching his season total. He is playing on the top pair, but the 6'4, 200 lb defenseman looks much stronger and that's something Islanders fans should be excited about. 

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Where things stand with Pistons, Jalen Duren: Weight clause removed from offer

Thursday, Oct. 1, is the deadline.

That is the day Jalen Duren must decide whether to accept the qualifying offer and play for $9.6 million this coming season, which would make him a free agent after the season. Or, he could accept the five-year, $200 million fully guaranteed offer that the Pistons reportedly have on the table. That offer no longer includes a weight clause, reports Sam Amick and Hunter Patterson at The Athletic.

Per league sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity as negotiations continue, the weight clause initially proposed as part of the Pistons' five-year, $200 million offer is no longer part of the talks. The clause was never put in writing.

As of now, Duren, 22, is the talk of Pistons training camp but is not there.

The weight-clause drama speaks to the bad blood in these negotiations, at least from Duren's perspective. What was the point of Detroit even suggesting a weight clause? Duren, whatever one thinks of his value as a center, has never been in anything but impeccable shape and takes great care of his body. Usually, these clauses are reserved for players where that has been an issue in the past, but that hasn't been the case with Duren. What was the point of bringing it to the table in the first place?

Detroit technically could push back the Oct. 1 date to accept the qualifying offer (as far out as March 1, if they want), but with Duren not in training camp now, that would be highly unlikely. At media day Monday, Detroit president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon said Duren has "until Thursday" to make his decision.

Duren, coming off an All-NBA season in which he averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game and served as the Pistons' defensive anchor in the paint, was eligible for up to five years, $287 million. However, after Duren struggled on both ends during the playoffs, averaging 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, with a negative plus/minus, his contract value dropped. At least in the eyes of the Pistons, who also are looking ahead with Ausar Thompson getting an extension and, eventually, Cade Cunningham getting another one.

It took most of the summer for the Pistons to get to a five-year, $200 million offer, or an average of $40 million a season. It probably didn't help the Pistons' case that Houston just gave Amen Thompson — an elite young player but not yet an All-Star — five years, $208 million in his recent extension.

Duren's ultimate leverage is taking the $9.6 million qualifying offer. While technically that would make him a free agent at the end of the season, in practice it would force the Pistons to trade him at the deadline — and the qualifying offer comes with a no-trade clause. Duren could only be traded to a place he wanted to go, which means a team willing to pay him. Sacramento and Milwaukee are known to be interested (Atlanta and Washington are rumored as well), but if Duren actually hits the trade market more teams will step up. However, base-year compensation rules would apply to any sign-and-trade, making that kind of deal incredibly difficult to pull off. Any Duren in-season sign-and-trade (to any team) is going to involve multiple players and very possibly three or more teams.

Teams reportedly asked the Pistons this summer if they would consider a sign-and-trade for Duren, but Detroit quickly shot them down — they want to keep him. He's still a core part of a 60-win team from a season ago.

One other longshot option, Duren could do nothing on Thursday, signing neither the qualifying offer nor the Pistons offer. However, that means the qualifying offer goes away, and Duren would have to reach a deal with the Pistons, who would have more leverage and little incentive to increase their offer.

If Duren signs the qualifying offer, the most any team can offer him next season is a four-year, $176 million max contract. That would mean over the next five years, he would make a total of about $1.1 million less than the Pistons current offer. It's basically a financial wash.

If Duren really passes on $200 million, it speaks to just how disrespected he felt by the process and how badly he wants out of Detroit. That said, this contract is his first shot at real generational wealth, and leaving it on the table is a massive risk.

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Celtics notice Jayson Tatum leadership leap to begin camp

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 28: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics answers questions during a press conference during Boston Celtics Media Day at Auerbach Center on September 28, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images

BOSTON — Jayson Tatum organized the workouts in Los Angeles that many of the Celtics’ players attended last month in an effort to get a head start on building chemistry between a new-look roster on and off the court. The roughly week-long trip to the west coast included Tatum and LA native Paul George, who returning players Payton Pritchard, Jordan Walsh, Sam Hauser and more received the opportunity to get to know before they all converged on Boston in September. It also gave Mike Conley Jr. his introduction to his new team.

“From the outside looking in, I always thought he was one of the best players in the league,” Conley said. “Getting to know him now, he’s a guy that I feel like is really coming into his own as a leader, a guy that’s ready to make a jump, I think after the last couple of years with the injury.”

“He called everybody and said, let’s go workout, let’s go meet,” Conley recalled. “Let’s spend about 7-8 days out there, go golf, go out to eat. I feel like he’s setting up all kinds of things off the court. He’s bringing in huddles after practices. After every workout we we have, he has something to say, calling guys out, just really taking ownership of the situation, so that’s big.”

The newest Celtics see a vocal and involved Tatum through their first impressions of him, and Joe Mazzulla left room on media day for Tatum’s voice to grow into his 10th season. Tatum typically leads quietly by example, teammates have long observed, through his work ethic, consistent availability and versatile and unselfish approach to the game. Mazzulla said on Wednesday that he wants Tatum to continue that approach on the floor. Off it, Jaylen Brown’s absence leaves a void where he embraced an outspoken approach to leadership.

Payton Pritchard noticeably spoke out more often about play style preferences, things that the team has to do better while accepting various roles to make the team work. Mazzulla, the tone-setter in many ways, stressed a culture of connectivity since the offseason, acting on it through his trips to Nashville, Spain, Portugal, Dallas, Iowa and more. He also planned the Charleston, South Carolina trip that the team will take as part of camp next week, sensing a new-look team needed the bonding time after nearly a decade since Brad Stevens’ Newport, Rhode Island trip tipped-off Tatum’s rookie season.

Conley also plans to act as an extension of the coaching staff, pulling teammates aside whenever he sees something, but the Celtics want Tatum to embrace his standing as one of the league’s best players.

“We need him to come in with a high level of effort, a high level of attention to detail and competitiveness on the defensive end,” Mazzulla said. “Reading the game every possession, giving the game and the possession exactly what it needs all the time and playing with a high level of confidence.”

“When he’s at his best, our team’s at its best. Nothing changes in that. It’s been that way for a long time. It’s gotta stay that way.”

Tatum’s emergence into camp came at a time of sweeping change in the organization and inherent consolidation around him following Brown’s departure through an offseason trade. That’ll create a before-and-after storyline, highlighting the differences between George’s dynamic as a teammate in Brown’s place, how the team operates stylistically and the general vibes around it. Tatum and Brown certainly gained breathing room on and off the court following the 2023 Marcus Smart trade after playing alongside and leaning on him for leadership early in their careers. For the first time, Brown leaving centers the team around Tatum.

He’s not looking at it that way, however, stressing the importance of everyone across the roster in his comments at media day. Tatum paid respects, again, to Brown for the time they spent together and emphasized that his camaraderie with George stems from the fact that he idolized the veteran growing up watching him star for the Pacers. Other teammates have shied away from drawing comparisons to the state of the team before and after Brown.

Conley, obviously not present until this year, still sensed that Tatum begins this season wanting to prove something. It’s his first full season back from his Achilles tear, and he’s reflected on the perspective nearly losing his career gave him. He reached 80% this year and now has the chance, with expectations relatively lower for the Celtics compared to their championship-chasing seasons, to power them back to that level, help teammates grow and expand his game.

“This is 9-10 years in the league and if you take a 30,000 foot view on just his career, he’s accomplished a lot,” Mazzulla said on media day. “He’s been through a lot of experiences. That phase of his career, being coached by Brad, coming in as a rookie, going through all those Eastern Conference Game 7s and all those journeys, and then being coached by Ime, getting to the Finals … getting hurt and the process of coming back … every experience has to make you better and get you closer to the person and player that you’re trying to be.”

“I think he does a great job of learning from those. This is the next step. This is the next phase of that.”

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Boston Celtics Daily Links 9/30/26

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 17: The sneakers worn by Dawson Garcia #47 of the Detroit Pistons during the game against the Miami Heat during the 2025 NBA Summer League game on July 17, 2025 at the Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

HeraldHow Jayson Tatum showed leadership after Celtics’ Jaylen Brown trade

Celtics newcomer surprised by team’s talent level in training camp

Globe Bruins’ CEO Charlie Jacobs discussed future of Celtics at TD Garden

CelticsBlog Two Celtics players forming close bond as training camp kicks off

Jayson Tatum looked up to Paul George growing up

NBC Sports BostonMike Conley Jr. raves about Jayson Tatum’s leadership for Celtics

NESN Why Mike Conley Called Celtics’ Payton Pritchard a ‘Crazy Person’

Why Thursday Is So Important For Payton Pritchard’s Celtics Future

Celtics Get Paul George News That Could Change Everything

Mass Live Jayson Tatum already getting rave reviews for renewed Celtics role

New Celtics center makes surprising declaration ahead of season

Celtics center rotation under spotlight, already has nickname

Bruins CEO hopes Celtics stay at TD Garden amid new arena talk

Celtics Wire Mazzulla on how Celtics will deal with a stronger Eastern Conference

Jayson Tatum on first season of Celtics career without Jaylen Brown

Today in Boston Celtics history: New Boston Garden opens; Ruben Wolkowyski born

Mazzulla on how Celtics keep balance in mind when crafting play style

Everybody’s ready to play: Jordan Walsh on Celtics training camp

Luka Garza sees Celtics big depth as advantage, not obstacle

Jaylen Brown still unsure how Celtics return will go with 76ers

Celtics star Jayson Tatum keeps promise to Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo

Luka Garza on how Celtics training camp has roots in offseason workouts

Jordan Walsh on working out with Paul George, what he brings to Celtics

What do we need to know about Celtics Media Day?

Despite new faces, Mazzulla comfortable forging Celtics identity on court

Boston Sports JournalSimone’s Training Camp Notebook: A Baylor Scheierman breakout may be inevitable

Hardwood HoudiniHow Mitchell Robinson plans to unlock Boston’s offense without scoring

Luka Garza has admirable reaction to Celtics signing Mitchell Robinson

Jayson Tatum’s ongoing support for Donte DiVincenzo highlights his leadership

Celtics’ 2028 pick swap value rises after Clippers’ nightmarish injury news

What Chris Cenac Jr. and Dillon Mitchell must show the Celtics at training camp

Devin Carter could have Jae Crowder-like rise after stamp of approval

Mike Conley’s impact on Payton Pritchard is already paying off for the Celtics

CLNS Media/YouTubeHow Jayson Tatum is STEPPING UP at Celtics Training Camp

Joe Mazzulla: Jayson Tatum Needs to Give What he Always Has

Mike Conley SHOCKED by How Much Talent Celtics Have | Celtics Practice Interview

Amari Williams on Learning from Mitchell Robinson | Celtics Practice Interview

6 Most Intriguing Celtics Training Camp Battles | Still Poddable

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Locked on CelticsWhat Playing Fast WILL REALLY Look Like For the Boston Celtics | Paul George Impact

Celtics HeroicsBoston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum Gets Candid on Being the Team’s Main Franchise Player for 2026-27

Fadeaway World 2026 Knicks vs. 2024 Celtics: Comparing The NBA’s Last Two Champions From The Eastern Conference

FansidedTop breakout candidates for every NBA team in the Eastern Conference

SI .comDonte DiVincenzo Says Jayson Tatum ‘Very, Very Helpful’ During Achilles Injury Rehab

Joe Mazzulla Has a Warning as Celtics Continue Their Quest to Play Faster

One Young Celtic Has Already Really Impressed Mike Conley: ‘I Like Him A Lot’

Predicting the 2026–27 NBA Award Winners: MVP, Rookie of the Year and More

Payton Pritchard Called ‘A Menace’ and ‘A Crazy Person’ by Celtics Teammate

Hoops WireNBA Notes: Jazz, Lauri Markkanen, Celtics, Jayson Tatum, Kings, Ben Simmons

Hoops Rumors Atlantic Notes: Tatum, Robinson, Leonard, Yoshimoto

Clutch PointsCeltics star Jayson Tatum’s ‘explosive’ update is scary for rest of NBA with Achilles injury in rearview

Celtics guard Mike Conley Jr.’s ‘outrageous’ reaction to age gap with teammate

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Gameday NYCCeltics Face Same Shooting Disappointment With Robinson

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The LeadCeltics Believe In ‘Big Fella University’ as a Position of Strength

Celtics Roundtable Boston Celtics Head Coach Praises Big Man at News Conference

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Payton Pritchard Makes Vow as Boston Celtics Camp Starts

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NBA issues new guidelines, instructs refs to crack down on push-offs

Fan RecapCeltics Still Carry One Surprising 2026-27 Ceiling After Major Change

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Brad Stevens Sees A Bigger Celtics Role For Baylor Scheierman

Jayson Tatum Is Already Shaping Another Stars Achilles Comeback

Celtics Suddenly Hold A Pick Swap Fans May Start Obsessing Over

Tatum And George Already Face Bostons Biggest New Celtics Test

Jayson Tatum Now Faces The Pressure Celtics Fans Feared

Hoops Habit Payton Pritchard is about to show the NBA what Celtics fans have known all along

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Daulton Varsho Undergoes Wrist Surgery

HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 17: Daulton Varsho #18 of the Houston Astros prepares for an at bat during the game against the Kansas City Royals at Daikin Park on September 17, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Today, the Houston Astros announced that CF Daulton Varsho underwent left arthroscopic wrist surgery yesterday. This procedure will sideline him for the remainder of the 2026 season. Varsho is a free agent at the end of the season.

Varsho’s time with the Astros was unremarkable. He batted only .172 in 41 games for Houston, spanning 151 AB. He hit 5 HR and drove in 14. He also posted a paltry .224 OBP and a “sub-Maldy” .535 OPS.

At this point, it is unlikely Varsho is a member of the Astros in 2027.

It was recently revealed that Varsho had been dealing with a wrist issue since before the team acquired him at the deadline, and was attempting to play through it. Eventually, it became too much discomfort for him to tolerate.

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Astros vs. White Sox ALWC Game 2 Game Discussion: 9/30/2026

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Hunter Brown #58 of the Houston Astros pitches in the bottom of the first inning against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on September 25, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images

WILD CARD SERIES, GAME 2: The Houston Astros (0-1) will host the Chicago White Sox (1-0) for a do-or-die Game 2 of the 2026 AL Wild Card Series today at Daikin Park. The Astros look to extend their season with their ace RHP Hunter Brown (6-4, 3.19 ERA) on the mound opposite RHP Sean Burke (11-7, 3.34 ERA) and the White Sox.

TODAY’S PITCHING MATCHUP: RHP Hunter Brown is a perfect 6-0 with a 2.39 ERA (10ER/37.2IP) in six career starts against the White Sox, including two starts this season. Brown and today’s White Sox starter RHP Sean Burke matched up on July 25, 2026 at CWS, with Brown (0ER/7IP) beating Burke (2ER/6IP) in a 4-1 Astros win. That win sparked a strong finish for Brown, as he went 5-3 with a 2.67 ERA (20ER/67.1IP) in his final 12 starts of the season.

IN THE POSTSEASON: The Astros are making their 19th postseason appearance in club history in what is the 65th year of the franchise that began in 1962. This season marks the 14th time in club history for the Astros to enter the postseason as a division winner. The Astros have won three different divisions in their history, the NL West (1980, 1986), NL Central (1997-99, 2001) and AL West (2017-19, 2021-24, 2026).

SINCE 2015: After a one-year hiatus, the Astros are back in the postseason for the 10th time in the last 12 seasons (dating back to the 2015 season). The Astros join the Dodgers and Yankees as the only teams in the Majors to qualify for the postseason in at least 10 of the last 12 years.

POSTSEASON VETS: Since 2015, the Astros have played more postseason games (106) and have earned more postseason wins (62) than any other AL club. The Astros are 62-44 in that span for a .585 winning pct. in the postseason.

THE WILD CARD: The Astros are playing in the Wild Card round for the fourth time in their history. The Astros entered this series 3-2 all-time in the Wild Card round, dispatching the Yankees in the one-game playoff in 2015, sweeping the Twins in the 2020 Wild Card Series and getting swept by the Tigers in the 2024 Wild Card Series.

THE PEACOCK BROADCAST: This series will be exclusively televised by Peacock/NBCSN. Tom McCarthy will serve as play-by-play man alongside analysts Geoff Blum and Steve Stone. Adam Ottavino and Britney Eurton will work sideline duties for the telecast.

TODAY’S POSTGAME SHOW: Following every game of this Wild Card Series, Space City Home Network will air a live 30-minute postgame show, which will be hosted by Kevin Eschenfelder and Todd Kalas. The show will be hosted from the SCHN set on the center field concourse.

ABOUT GAME 1: The Astros dropped Game 1 of the Wild Card Series last night, losing to the White Sox, 6-3. Both teams went with bullpen games, with the Astros using eight pitchers, including RHP Miguel Ullola (1ER/3IP), who worked the bulk innings. PH Nelson Velázquez homered for the Astros, marking just the fourth pinch-hit home run in Astros postseason history and the first since IF Chris Burke hit one in Game 1 of the 2005 NLCS at STL.

VS. THE WHITE SOX: The Astros and White Sox are meeting each other for their third all-time postseason series against each other, the others being the 2005 World Series and the 2021 ALDS. The White Sox swept the Astros in 2005, while the Astros dispatched the Sox in 2021 in four games. History aside, the Astros went 5-2 against the White Sox this regular season, including a 3-1 record at Daikin Park.

AT THE HELM: Astros manager Joe Espada has guided the Astros to the postseason in two of his three seasons as the Astros manager since taking over before the 2024 season. Espada has posted a 256-229 regular season record in his three years as the Astros manager and ranks ninth in club history in managerial wins.

ABOUT THE ROSTER: The Astros Wild Card Series roster includes 12 pitchers and 14 position players. Prior to this series, 13 players on the roster had no postseason playing experience, including five position players and eight pitchers. In addition to their active roster, the Astros are carrying 16 players with them throughout the postseason on their Taxi Squad.

GOIN’ DEEP: The Astros hit 226 regular season homers as a team this year, which were the most in the Majors. The last time the Astros led the Majors in home runs was in 2000, when they hit 249 homers. The 2026 Astros also led the AL in SLG (.417) and OPS (.732).

THE CASE FOR THE MVP: DH Yordan Alvarez is a solid candidate for the AL MVP Award. Alvarez led the AL in OPS (1.033), slugging percentage (.601), OBP (.432), batting average (.316), total bases (341), walks (109), IBB (33), WRC (154), OPS+ (192) and extra-base hits (77). He also ranked second in RBI (106), second in hits (179), tied for second in home runs (42), tied for third in runs (105), and tied for fourth in doubles (34).

COMING UP BIG: 2B Jose Altuve ranks second in postseason history in HR (27), second in runs (89), third in hits (118), tied for third in extra-base hits (48), sixth in games (106) and seventh in RBI (56)

THE FIREMAN: LHP Josh Hader converted all 26 of his save chances this season. He is the seventh pitcher in MLB history to post 26-plus saves without a blown save. The last Major Leaguer to do so was RHP Ken Giles in 2018 (26 SV).

TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 2020 – The Astros dispatch the Twins in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series by a score of 3-1 at Target Field. RHP José Urquidy (1ER/4.1IP) started for Houston, while RHP Cristian Javier (0ER/3IP) earned the win.. Tied 1-1 in the 7th, SS Carlos Correa connected for a solo homer to put the Astros ahead. The win advances the Astros to a meeting with the A’s in the ALDS.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Wednesday, September 30, 4:10 p.m. CT

Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX

TV: Peacock/NBCSN

Radio:  KBME 790 AM & 94.5 HD2 FM; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)

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Roman Anthony out of Red Sox lineup in Game 2 of Wild Card Series against Yankees after hurting hand

NEW YORK (AP) — Roman Anthony was not in the Boston Red Sox lineup for Game 2 of their AL Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees on Wednesday night, a day after leaving the opener because of hand pain.

Batting leadoff as a designated hitter in his playoff debut Tuesday, Anthony struck out in both of his at-bats against Cam Schlittler before getting lifted for a pinch hitter with his team trailing by two runs in the sixth inning of a 9-0 loss.

Boston manager Chad Tracy said Anthony felt discomfort in his right hand after a couple of checked swings. The 22-year-old Anthony missed 101 games from May 5 to Aug. 29 with an injury to the same hand.

“He’s obviously coming off that. You’ll get a zinger every once in a while where you feel something — it’s fine, it goes away,” Tracy said. “Today some stuff happened that was more serious and was uncomfortable."

Jahmai Jones was set to hit leadoff as the DH with the Red Sox one loss from elimination, followed in the batting order by catcher Adley Rutschman, first baseman Willson Contreras, right fielder Wilyer Abreu, center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela, third baseman Caleb Durbin, second baseman Nick Sogard, shortstop Trevor Story and left fielder Nate Eaton.

Sonny Gray was set to start on the mound for Boston against one of his former teams.

One of baseball’s premier prospects when he debuted last year, Anthony batted .245 with five home runs, 15 RBIs and a .735 OPS in 55 games this season.

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Game Thread: White Sox at Astros, AL Wild Card Game 2

Taking the hill: Sean Burke looks to guide the South Siders to a sweep in Houston. | Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images

The White Sox (84-78) got off to a great start to the postseason with a 6-3 victory, and they hold a 1-0 series lead over the Astros (81-81).

Sean Burke, 26, will start on the mound for the South Siders. Burke posted a 3.36 ERA and a 3.62 FIP in 172 1/3 regular season innings. Burke accumulated 3.2 fWAR to lead the White Sox pitching staff in the regular season. The talented right-handed pitcher had two starts against Houston in the regular season, and he performed admirably against them, only allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits in 11 2/3 innings. The Astros posted a slash line of only .125/.239/.150 against Burke, but the Astros managed to win one of those games.

Hunter Brown, 28, is a right-handed starter who will be challenging for the White Sox to solve. Brown posted a 3.19 ERA and a 3.77 FIP in 107 1/3 innings, resulting in an accumulation of 1.9 fWAR this year. Brown made two starts against the South Siders, and those games went exceptionally well for him, as he only allowed two runs on eight hits in 13 innings. The White Sox slashed just .174/.208/.174 against Brown, so it is no surprise that the Astros won both of those games.

Here are this afternoon’s starting lineups:

This game is available on NBC Sports Network and Peacock, and we have further details in our broadcast guide. The first pitch is scheduled to take place at 4:00 p.m. CT. Will the South Siders complete a sweep for their first postseason series victory in 21 years? Let’s enjoy these exciting moments together.

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Tyler Tucker Undergoes Surgery On Right Knee, Will Be Re-Evaluated In Six Weeks

ST. LOUIS -- Tyler Tucker will miss the foreseeable future for the St. Louis Blues after having a successful arthroscopic procedure performed on his right knee on Wednesday morning. 

The defenseman is scheduled to be re-evaluated in six weeks.

Tucker, 26, was injured in practice on Sept. 20 and has not been on the ice since. Blues general manager Alexander Steen said on Monday that Tucker was in the process of having a second opinion, and it obviously led to this procedure that will keep him shelved until at least mid-November.

The Blues have had to make a series of moves on their blue line in light of recent injuries to Tucker and Logan Mailloux, who had surgery on his right hand Sunday that will keep him out at least eight weeks when he is scheduled to get re-evaluated.

The team recalled Adam Jiricek, a first-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, from Springfield of the American Hockey League and claimed Justin Barron off waivers from the Nashville Predators to help fill the void.

Jiricek could very well make his NHL debut when the Blues open the season Friday against the Dallas Stars.

"Yeah, we've discussed that, but at the end of the day this is going to be a coaching decision and then we'll continue to have conversations on a daily basis on where he's at," Steen said of Jiricek. "...  "Just him playing his game. What we like about him is he's excited to play hockey. I love the fact that he brings the same excitement to both the offensive side and the play without the puck. He's very eager to learn. It seems like he picks things up quickly. From the start of rookie camp, where he was, every day it felt like he was growing. Not just getting more and more comfortable, but he was almost calming his play and bringing out his strengths consistently. I thought he had a tremendous camp, so we're excited to see what he can do."

Tucker played in 69 regular-season games last season and had 17 points (three goals, 14 assists); he's played in 159 regular-season games in his career and has 30 points (eight goals, 22 assists).

Disappointment Of Being Sent Down Quickly Turned To Elation For St. Louis Blues 2024 First-Round Pick Adam JiricekDisappointment Of Being Sent Down Quickly Turned To Elation For St. Louis Blues 2024 First-Round Pick Adam JiricekDefenseman was quickly recalled from Springfield following injuries to Mailloux, Tucker; could make NHL debut in season=opener on FridayThe Hockey NewsThe Hockey NewsThe Hockey NewsLogan Mailloux's Injury Comes At A Tough Time After Strong Training Camp For St. Louis BluesLogan Mailloux's Injury Comes At A Tough Time After Strong Training Camp For St. Louis BluesDefenseman had surgery on right hand Sunday, will be re-evaluated in eight weeks
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Yankees vs Red Sox LIVE: Bombers go for knockout, lineups and where to watch

NEW YORK — The good vibes engendered by the Boston Red Sox's stirring second-half run are in danger of vanishing for good. 

And the New York Yankees are poised to set themselves up in near-optimal position for an American League Division Series battle against the division champion Tampa Bay Rays. 

First, though: Game 2 of the AL wild-card series, with the Yankees getting two shots to eliminate the Red Sox beginning Wednesday, Sept. 30 at Yankee Stadium. 

Sonny Gray anticipates getting a loud and not particularly polite greeting from fans in the Bronx as he starts Game 2 trying to keep the Red Sox alive. The right-hander who pitched for the Yankees in 2017 and 2018 said upon the Red Sox acquiring him late last year that it was "easy to hate" the Yankees. 

MORE: Sonny Gray must save Red Sox season in Bronx, where he couldn't stop 'snowball'

He'll find out just how easy that sentiment can be reciprocated. 

Meanwhile, left-hander Max Fried will try to pitch the Yankees into the ALDS and should he and the bullpen succeed, the club is in great shape against the Rays: Right-hander Gerrit Cole will be ready for Game 1, Saturday, followed by an off day that lines up ace Cam Schlittler, with an extra days' rest, to boot. 

New York is aiming to eliminate Boston in this round for the second consecutive season. 

Follow along: 

Where to watch Yankees vs Red Sox: Channel, live stream

First pitch between the Yankees and Red Sox is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Sept. 30.

Watch the MLB Postseason on Peacock

Yankees vs Red Sox live updates

World Series winners since 2016

06:15 PM ET, September 30 2026
  • 2025: Los Angeles Dodgers (def. Toronto Blue Jays, 4-3)
  • 2024: Los Angeles Dodgers (def. New York Yankees, 4-1)
  • 2023: Texas Rangers (def. Arizona Diamondbacks, 4-1)
  • 2022: Houston Astros (def. Philadelphia Phillies, 4-2)
  • 2021: Atlanta Braves (def. Houston Astros, 4-2)
  • 2020: Los Angeles Dodgers (def. Tampa Bay Rays, 4-2)
  • 2019: Washington Nationals (def. Houston Astros, 4-3)
  • 2018: Boston Red Sox (def. Los Angeles Dodgers, 4-1)
  • 2017: Houston Astros (def. Los Angeles Dodgers, 4-3)
  • 2016: Chicago Cubs (def. Cleveland Indians, 4-3)

Who won Yankees vs. Red Sox season series?

05:55 PM ET, September 30 2026

The Yankees won the 2026 regular-season series against the Red Sox, 7-6. The clubs split their first 10 meetings before the Yankees won three of four games during their final regular-season series at Yankee Stadium in late August to secure the season-series victory.

The Red Sox swept a four-game series at Fenway Park, which ignited their surge after a slow start that cost manager Alex Cora his job.

MLB payrolls

05:35 PM ET, September 30 2026

While eight of MLB's final 12 teams are in the top 10 end-of-season payrolls, based on figures from the MLB Labor Relations Department and obtained by USA TODAY, the remaining four are among baseball’s lowest spenders.

That includes the teams with the best records in each league, the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays. The Brewers’ payroll entering the postseason is $143.5 million, good for 19th in MLB. The Rays’ $98.3 million total is No. 25.

USA TODAY Sports' Jared Beilby takes a closer look.

Yankees vs Red Sox starting pitchers

05:15 PM ET, September 30 2026
  • Red Sox — Sonny Gray: 18-5 with a 2.72 ERA in 29 starts; 149 strikeouts in 169 innings pitched.
  • Yankees — Max Fried: 5-5 with a 2.80 ERA in 20 starts; 104 strikeouts in 112⅔ innings pitched.

Roman Anthony injury update

04:41 PM ET, September 30 2026, Jesse Yomtov

NEW YORK — Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony is out for the remainder of the playoffs after aggravating a hand injury in two at-bats during Game 1 of the American League wild-card series, manager Chad Tracy said before Game 2 on Wednesday, Sept. 30.

Anthony was limited to 55 games due to the injury this season. He was driven from Yankee Stadium to Boston after Game 1, arriving in the middle of the night, and received more imaging Wednesday morning. Tracy said imaging revealed further damage to the hand, which led to an extended absence this season for the second-year player.

“He’s going through it right now, mentally,” Tracy said of Anthony. “I texted with him. He wants to be out there with the guys.”

– Gabe Lacques

Red Sox lineup today

03:59 PM ET, September 30 2026, Jesse Yomtov
  1. Jahmai Jones (R) DH
  2. Adley Rutschman (S) C
  3. Willson Contreras (R) 1B
  4. Wilyer Abreu (L) RF
  5. Ceddanne Rafaela (R) CF
  6. Caleb Durbin (R) 3B
  7. Nick Sogard (S) 2B
  8. Trevor Story (R) SS
  9. Nate Eaton (R) LF

Yankees lineup today

03:42 PM ET, September 30 2026, Jesse Yomtov
  1. Ben Rice (L) DH
  2. Cody Bellinger (L) LF
  3. Luis García Jr. (L) 1B
  4. Spencer Jones (L) RF
  5. George Lombard Jr. (R) SS
  6. Jazz Chisholm Jr. (L) 2B
  7. Trent Grisham (L) CF
  8. Austin Wells (L) C
  9. Ryan McMahon (L) 3B

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Yankees vs Red Sox LIVE: Bombers go for knockout, lineups and where to watch

Information in this article was imported automatically into a template written and reviewed by a USA TODAY Sports editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.

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Dodgers 2026 season in thirds: Final 54 games

Los Angeles, - August 12: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates with Andy Pages after hitting a solo home run against the Kansas City Royals in the second inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images

The 2026 Dodgers regular season is over, and we already looked at the final week of the season and the final month. Now let’s look how the season played out in thirds, in increments of 54 games.

SplitW-LRun diff.BA/OBP/SLGwRC+ERAERA-
1st 5434-20+108.258/.344/.4271133.1074
2nd 5434-20+48.265/.338/.4381134.0897
3rd 5432-22+45.247/.332/.4081053.4683

The offense took a dip in the final third of the season, but was buoyed by a bounce back from the pitching staff. Just two games into the final 54 games, the Dodgers started their longest losing streak of the season, dropping seven games in a row, but recovered to win 32 games over the final third of the campaign, a 96-win pace.

Let’s delve into the offense first, beginning with the catchers.

PlayerStartsPA2B-HRR-RBIBA/OBP/SLGwRC+
Smith 1st381703-418-20.242/.318/.34285
Smith 2nd73110-25-3.292/.452/.625193
Smith 3rd15754-412-11.290/.400/.548160
Rushing 1st22912-714-17.263/.352/.550146
Rushing 2nd351472-422-16.254/.333/.423109
Rushing 3rd2150-11-3.071/.133/.28611
Feduccia 3rd25912-16-7.197/.322/.26373
Rortvedt 3rd9280-00-1.185/.185/.185-3
Alfonzo 2nd6162-02-2.188/.188/.31330
Alfonzo 3rd3120-01-2.167/.167/.167-14
Robinson 2nd6260-01-1.087/.087/.087-61
Totals 1st2615-1132-37.249/.330/.415107
Totals 2nd22014-630-22.233/.313/.39995
Totals 3rd2216-620-24.215/.311/.34084
*includes starts at other positions

For the second year in a row, the Dodgers found themselves without both Will Smith and Dalton Rushing for extended periods, and once again Ben Rortvedt was involved in the cleanup mission. This time, both Rortvedt and Hunter Feduccia were reacquired at the trade deadline and handled catching duties for most of August before Smith returned in September and was back to his normal production level in the final month.

Rushing didn’t catch after August 1, suffering a partially torn UCL in his right elbow, and then aggravated the elbow during throwing drills in the first week of September, limited to just eight plate appearances over the final eight weeks of the season.

PlayerStartsPA2B-HRR-RBISBwRC+
Ohtani 1st4923412-834-296140
Ohtani 2nd492229-1534-360158
Ohtani 3rd361625-721-165111
Freeman 1st5122215-624-242123
Freeman 2nd5423312-932-293155
Freeman 3rd481135-118-17275
Pages 1st5321910-1130-466118
Pages 2nd5224212-733-254107
Pages 3rd271134-512-143143
Betts 1st19872-411-10055
Betts 2nd512188-931-242101
Betts 3rd5022315-1029-351148
Muncy 1st471906-1236-190140
Muncy 2nd4418610-923-302126
Muncy 3rd4218511-822-271118
Tucker 1st5122414-435-264110
Tucker 2nd481974-521-25284
Tucker 3rd482065-834-196104
T.Hernández 1st482008-729-312118
T.Hernández 2nd23904-113-6042
T.Hernández 3rd502016-824-273131
Freeland 1st311124-211-8081
Freeland 2nd281113-113-11271
Freeland 3rd10462-18-22133
Edman 2nd271216-218-183147
Edman 3rd482106-626-24474
Rojas 1st19893-17-8079
Rojas 2nd18796-29-100121
Rojas 3rd21847-17-5178
Call 1st10584-011-90137
Call 2nd17831-18-7164
Call 3rd12544-06-4084
K.Hernández 1st121-00-10605
K.Hernández 2nd121-12-10990
K.Hernández 3rd23922-310-10052
De Paula 3rd10423-17-71199
Thomas 3rd6201-01-3042
Ward 1st160-00-1085
Ward 2nd16544-38-110102
Kim 1st361273-115-10584
Kim 2nd040-01-1036
Espinal 1st9443-13-3062
Espinal 2nd3160-01-34110
Totals 1st1,81275-57247-22625.260/.347/.422
Totals 2nd1,85780-65247-23718.269/.341/443
Totals 3rd1,84076-59225-21029.251/.335/.415

Shohei Ohtani didn’t hit a home run after August 18 and landed on the injured list in September, Andy Pages was productive but missed four weeks after getting hit by a fastball on his left hand. Freddie Freeman played nearly every day but hit like Expos-era Pete Rose with only one home run over the final third of the season, and played through a right knee injury in September.

Conversely, Mookie Betts found his stroke again and paced the offense, with Max Muncy continuing his steady production. Teoscar Hernández and Kyle Tucker had upturns over the final month especially.

Tommy Edman, Kiké Hernández, Miguel Rojas, and Alex Call all struggled in the final third of the season, while Josue De Paula excelled in his two-week runway after making his debut.

Now, the pitching.

PitcherG-QSW-LIPBB-KERAWHIPxERA
Yamamoto 1st10-84-46413-593.090.9844.02
Yamamoto 2nd9-77-261.715-592.340.8092.47
Yamamoto 3rd9-73-359.314-642.120.8092.40
Skubal 3rd10-75-26213-702.611.0482.84
Snell 1st1-00-132-512.002.6673.91
Snell 3rd8-44-039.714-501.130.9832.00
Glasnow 1st7-43-039.713-492.720.8322.61
Glasnow 3rd6-32-234.312-494.461.0783.11
Wrobleski 1st9-56-255.714-313.071.1144.31
Wrobleski 2nd9-75-0577-562.680.9304.35
Wrobleski 3rd5-01-327.310-316.911.6465.13
Ohtani 1st8-74-24913-540.730.8372.52
Ohtani 2nd6-54-036.713-413.191.0912.97
Sasaki 1st9-23-345.718-434.931.4235.21
Sasaki 2nd9-31-24818-514.501.1673.60
Sasaki 3rd5-21-028.712-293.771.3954.04
Sheehan 1st10-43-151.714-594.701.2394.08
Sheehan 2nd9-11-64115-455.271.2683.45
Sheehan 3rd3-11-119.74-282.750.8142.46
Lauer 2nd9-65-051.713-302.960.9874.06
Lauer 3rd4-12-220.36-168.411.8206.19
Totals 1st53-3023-13308.787-3003.291.089
Totals 2nd51-2923-1029681-2823.381.020
Totals 3rd50-2519-13291.385-3373.461.122

This is a bit of a mishmash, as it includes relief appearances by Justin Wrobleski, Roki Sasaki, Emmet Sheehan, and Eric Lauer in the totals. Shohei Ohtani did not pitch at all in the final third of the season, but the Dodgers traded for Tarik Skubal and got Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow back to go with Yoshinobu Yamamoto to set the team up for October. Those four combined for a 2.49 ERA and 30.3-percent strikeout rate in 33 starts over the final 54 games, including 21 quality starts. That’ll play

PitcherW-L, SvIPBB-KERAWHIPxERA
Díaz 1st1-0, 465-1010.502.3334.65
Díaz 2nd0-0, 110-09.002.000—
Díaz 3rd1-2, 211.76-187.711.2274.45
Scott 1st1-1, 421.73-251.250.6002.92
Scott 2nd0-2, 12223-313.681.0452.65
Scott 3rd0-3, 9209-263.151.3503.08
Vesia 1st1-1. 218.79-252.410.9642.55
Vesia 2nd0-0, 118.316-272.951.4183.26
Vesia 3rd2-0217-222.570.8572.19
Dreyer 1st2-121.76-242.080.9692.88
Dreyer 2nd2-0216-254.291.0954.25
Dreyer 3rd1-1, 22211-243.271.2273.49
Henriquez 1st2-019.38-183.261.0342.68
Henriquez 2nd2-1. 122.310-242.420.9852.57
Henriquez 3rd0-0, 118.37-292.951.0912.11
Phillips 2nd0-26.71-96.751.3516.80
Phillips 3rd3-0, 119.35-242.330.9833.62
Stewart 1st0-021-30.000.5001.62
Stewart 2nd0-1, 112.74-112.840.7892.16
Stewart 3rd1-1125-113.001.3333.14
Treinen 1st1-1, 116.76-163.241.3206.62
Treinen 2nd3-06.34-94.261.4212.65
Treinen 3rd0-06.73-64.051.6504.53
Klein 1st1-2, 122.36-252.011.0752.63
Klein 2nd2-2, 11814-215.502.0564.34
Klein 3rd0-01.31-36.753.0003.99
Hurt 1st1-0164-191.130.8752.45
Hurt 2nd2-1, 117.314-207.791.8464.99
Hurt 3rd1-012.35-192.921.2163.67
Bubic 3rd1-04.70-50.0000.8571.51
Halvorsen 3rd1-1102-68.101.3004.69
Knack 2nd0-052-49.001.6008.47
Knack 3rd1-0, 16.70-40.000.9001.79
Casparius 1st0-14.74-49.642.1436.60
Miller 3rd1-07.34-83.681.2276.19
Gervase 1st0-051-11.801.4003.95
Gervase 2nd0-02.73-33.381.8753.89
Mills 1st0-03.37-18.103.0008.20
Mills 2nd0-010-30.000.0000.00
Mills 3rd0-022-14.502.0006.23
Barnes 1st0-021-10.001.0004.06
Barnes 2nd0-183-47.881.8758.70
McDermott 1st0-010-10.001.0002.01
McDermott 2nd0-01.30-013.501.5003.54
J.Hernández 1st0-020-10.000.0001.29
J.Hernández 2nd0-015.712-149.191.9796.65
J.Hernández 3rd0-07.71-70.000.3911.12
Irvin 3rd0-163-59.001.5006.87
Eder 1st1-041-12.251.00010.47
Rojas 1st0-011-09.002.0006.45
Rojas 2nd0-030-015.002.66710.42
K.Hernández 3rd0-010-00.001.0003.93
Totals 1st11-7, 12167.364-1792.741.094
Totals 2nd11-10, 18182.392-2055.231.437
Totals 3rd13-9, 1619071-2183.461.205

The Dodgers bullpen found their way once again over the final third of the season, with the big four of Tanner Scott, Edgardo Henriquez, Alex Vesia, and Jack Dreyer buoyed by a now-healthy Evan Phillips and Brock Stewart, who look like October contributors after missing last postseason after surgeries.

That is our look at the 2026 Dodgers season, 54 games at a time.

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NBC Sports Unveils Comic Book Campaign Celebrating American Express NBA Tip-Off

Slam! Bam! Jam!

NBC Sports is transforming the NBA's biggest stars into comic book heroes with a comic book campaign to celebrate American Express Tip-Off on Oct. 20.

The comic, narrated by Mike Tirico, opens with a review of the 2025-26 season before diving into the storylines for each of the tip-off tripleheader matchups.

Blending basketball culture with bold illustrations paves another avenue for fans to enjoy their favorite players through the world of comics, from larger-than life personalities, episodic storytelling and rivalry arcs for all 30 NBA teams.

The comic thematic will be brought to several locations, beginning at ComplexCon in Los Angeles on Oct. 3-4, with an engaging custom NBA on NBC branded, life-size newsstand. Comics will be distributed to attending fans in tandem with several surprise guests, giveaways, and photo opportunities across the weekend.

Comics can also be found at New York City Comic Con beginning Oct. 8, featuring a larger-than-life, 10-foot-tall comic-book installation appearing throughout locations in Manhattan before culminating at Rockefeller Center on Oct. 19-20.

The 2026-27 season begins Tuesday, Oct. 20, on NBC and Peacock with the American Express NBA Tip-Off tripleheader, featuring Celtics-Pistons (3 p.m. ET), 76ers-Knicks (7 p.m. ET), and Thunder-Spurs (9:30 p.m. ET).

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Another Ottawa Senators Star Launches His Own Podcast

There's no question that Brady Tkachuk's "Wingmen" podcast caused a few distractions last season, and there's probably no shortage of Sens fans who are pleased that's not a concern anymore.

But now another Sens star will have a go at it.

Senators centre Tim Stützle and Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider have signed on with kicker Podcasts to host a monthly podcast called Seider & Stützle. The trailer to the show was published on Wednesday morning on the podcast company's YouTube channel.

While he and Jake Sanderson were also considered, Tim Stützle told reporters on Wednesday that he was pleased to see Thomas Chabot get the captaincy.

Along with the trailer, the show's first hour-long episode was published. They talk about starting a podcast, summer training, the start of a new season, their expectations, involvement in their NHL communities, and what motivates them.

For three reasons, this Sens player side hustle isn't likely to cause a stir in Ottawa. For one, it's entirely in German, so not as many Sens fans will listen. Secondly, Stutzle is a completely different personality than Tkachuk.

And finally, and probably most importantly, Stutzle won't have anyone on the podcast like Matthew or Keith Tkachuk, chirping and steamrolling over top of him, and taking the conversation into awkward places that spark distractions.

Seider & Stützle obviously have a lot in common. They've been friends for years, played on the German national team together, trained in the summers together, and they're both signed long term by their NHL clubs until 2031.

They also had their team captains ask for trades this year, but their clubs' reactions were totally different. In Ottawa, Tkachuk asked for a trade and was dealt to the Florida Panthers. Dylan Larkin wants a trade as well, but it remains to seen if the Wings will accommodate him.

The trailer for the new hockey podcast "Seider and Stutzle."

It will be interesting to see if they weigh in on that topic, and if so, how they'll address it in the looser format of podcasting, compared the standard NHL media scrum.

Stützle's NHL visit to Germany is also likely to be an upcoming topic of discussion. In the week leading up to Christmas, he and the Senators will play two regular season games in Düsseldorf against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Seider & Stützle appears to be audio only and will be released on the last Wednesday of every month and available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa

This story was first published at The Hockey News Ottawa Senators site. For more from THN Ottawa, click one of the headlines below:

Hoyt Stanley's Surprising Selection To Senators' 23 Man Roster
Thomas Chabot Named Captain Of The Ottawa Senators
Steve Staios Provides Latest Injury Updates, Weighs In On Yakemchuk Readiness

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Suns guard Dillon Brooks officially charged with DUI from March arrest

Phoenix Suns guard Dillon Brooks has been formally charged with driving under the influence, stemming from his March arrest in Scottsdale, Arizona.

According to court filings from the City of Scottsdale, Brooks was charged Monday, Sept. 28 with driving under the influence, which is a Class 1 misdemeanor and carries a presumed fine of $1,623.11.

A court date has been set for the morning of Oct. 28 for his arraignment. The Suns have a break in their schedule at that time; they’ll play the Thunder in Oklahoma City on Oct. 26, and their next game is Oct. 30, against the Denver Nuggets, at home.

On March 6, officers conducted a traffic stop in Scottsdale at around 1 a.m. local time, hours after the Suns lost at home to the Chicago Bulls. After an investigation, Brooks, 30, was arrested. He was released around 3:30 a.m., following the booking process.

PHOENIX SUNS SEASON PREVIEW: Lineup, roster, prediction and biggest question mark

Brooks also has a pair of other traffic charges to address, from a separate incident. According to court records, Brooks has been charged with a Class 3 misdemeanor for exceeding the speed limit by more than 20 miles per hour and a Class 2 misdemeanor reckless driving charge, which is when a driver surpasses the speed limit by 35 miles per hour. Those two charges carry a presumed fine of $600 combined.

A trial readiness conference has been set for the morning of Nov. 9 for those charges. The Suns host the San Antonio Spurs later that evening.

A separate alleged speeding incident on Feb. 11 was eventually dismissed by the court in July.

Brooks posted a career-high 20.2 points per game last season, though he played just 56 games as he dealt with a left hand fracture. He also shot a career-best 43.5% from the floor and added 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Suns guard Dillon Brooks officially charged with DUI from March arrest