His lawyers will appeal and say his situation is ‘critical’
Rui Pinto has revealed he is preparing to leave Portugal because he fears for his safety after being informed that his participation in the country’s witness protection programme has been terminated.
The Football Leaks founder claimed he has received “multiple death threats” and is facing “the serious risk of an assassination attempt against me” after being informed of the decision by Portuguese authorities on Wednesday. That came two days after Manchester City were found guilty of 115 charges by an independent commission – an investigation that was prompted by Pinto’s leaks of thousands of private documents.
BOSTON, MA - MAY 2: The sneakers worn by Kelly Oubre Jr. #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2026 at TD Garden 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 02: Broadcaster Vin Scully waves to the crowd during the seventh inning between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers at AT&T Park on October 2, 2016 in San Francisco, California. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-1. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Ten years ago today, we said goodbye to Vin Scully, who gave his swan song at what was then known as AT&T Park. From children’s letters to reflecting on the lodestar of our fandom who was always going to leave, but the magnitude of that loss would not be truly felt until much later, we remember here at True Blue LA.
There will be far grander farewells and remembrances from those on the scene that day. I will happily defer to those folks who worked with, loved, and knew Scully for those. As for me, back then, I wasn’t a writer or even a lawyer yet.
Ten Years Ago
I will always remember this game, because thanks to user Scully’s Tie, it was my first visit to the Giants’ home ballpark ever. I am not one for carrying signs, but Scully’s group had one, and I played along, back in the days when I would wear khaki pants to the ballpark.
I am not sure what I was expecting. As we have previously covered, Oracle Park, as it is now known, is pretty good. Part of Scully’s call was simulcast on both home and away feeds, as well as ESPN. The Giants dedicated a plaque in the visiting broadcasting booth.
The Giants also handed out dual-sided cheer cards before the game, with the contents of the plaque on one side and a message thanking Vin on the other. I made a point to save multiples of the card for later. They have been framed in my apartment for going on ten years now.
For those of us at the ballpark, we had to wait a bit to hear Scully’s final send-off, which still manages to bring a tear to my eye every time I hear it.
The game itself was nothing special. LA lost 7-1, as Kenta Maeda was figuratively slapped around early and often.
Needless to say, there is an interesting bit of symmetry with the recent retirement of longtime Giants’ announcer Mike Krukow, as the Dodgers won an otherwise forgettable game that will fade into history.
Ten Years Later
It is impossible to replace a legend, so you do what you can. Joe Davis has charted his own course with Orel Hershiser over this past decade. The initial anecdote that Davis inadvertently screened Scully twice upon getting the Dodgers’ job is a story worth listening to.
While it is tempting to try and use artificial intelligence to graft Scully’s voice onto the highlights of this era, while well-meaning, it misses the point and arguably lessens Scully’s legacy. If nothing else, one can honor the past while not being beholden to it. If the Dodgers have done anything right in this past decade, apart from signing Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, it’s embracing this mindset in their broadcasting team.
Each era should have its own soundtrack, its own voice. Scully was not one for ego or monument. At some point, one must turn the page to this new era, which has lasted for ten years now.
Yes, Scully was a legend and an institution. Cracking wise with Stephen Nelson and Dontrelle Willis by definition cannot measure up, but in that same vein, it doesn’t have to. Time marches on, and the way we consume baseball has changed accordingly.
Scully enjoyed his retirement with his family for six years, popping up on occasion, most notably Game 2 of the 2017 World Series, as the age and era moved on.
On August 2, 2022, while the Dodgers were playing the Giants at Oracle Park, Scully passed away at the age of 94. Tributes poured in, as the baseball world joined Dodger fans in both grief and honoring Scully’s memory. While a lot has changed in baseball and in our lives in these past ten years, I often go back to the words from Scully’s Swan Song when I need hope and encouragement.
“Don’t be sad that it’s over,” he said. “Smile because it happened.”
Here’s to ten years gone, Mr. Scully, wherever you may be.
Young San Jose Sharks star and captain Macklin Celebrini was recently asked to rank his top-5 players under 23 years old in an Instagram reel, and the result was interesting, especially for Montreal Canadiens fans. While most people would argue that Celebrini himself should be at the top of that list, he took himself out of the equation right away, which was the right thing to do.
He then ranked Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard first, followed by New York Islanders blueliner Matthew Schaefer, then chose 18-million-dollar AAV man Leo Carlsson from the Anaheim Ducks. Finally, in fourth place, he opted for Lane Hutson and added Ivan Demidov in fifth place.
About Hutson, he stated that he was “such a special player” and followed that up with, “How about Demidov? He’s a really skilled player. These two are really a great duo, and [it’s] fun to watch them play.”
While it’s always good for players’ confidence to see they’ve landed in various rankings released by media members, there’s something special about being recognized as part of the elite by their peers.
It will be interesting to see how the five players chosen by Celebrini fare point-wise this season. Of course, there’s more to the game than points, but generally, the best players find a way to contribute on the scoreboard. Top pick Bedard is currently sidelined because of a shoulder injury and has already been ruled out of the Hawks’ first three games; while he’ll travel with the team, he won’t play. It will be interesting to see how many of the 84 games he can suit up for. So far, his most productive season yielded 75 points.
Meanwhile, reigning Calder Trophy winner Scheafer put up 59 points in 82 games in his rookie season, and if he stays healthy, it’s almost a given that he’ll improve on that total. As for Carlsson, in three NHL seasons, he’s never played a full 82-game calendar, and he’s never put up more than 67 points. Will he be able to compete in all 84 games this season? Can he take a big step and become a point-per-game player? Last year he had 67 points in 70 games.
As for Hutson, he went from 66 points in 82 games as a rookie to 78 points in 82 games as a sophomore. This season, he’ll also benefit from Chris Kreider’s presence. The Habs defenseman has a knack for creating space and shooting lanes for himself, but he doesn’t have the hardest shots; that won’t matter with an ace deflector trying to tip it in front of the netminder. The pair has already started working on puck tipping in practices, and in time, we should see some clear results on the ice.
As for Demidov, he led all rookies in points in his first year with 62 points in 82 games, but if he gets more playing time with Juraj Slafkovsky this season, that number could go up. The two players have fantastic chemistry, and if they can see more of each other at even strength, they could both increase their production.
Speaking of Slafkovsky, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was asked by TVA Sports who he considers the Canadiens’ biggest weapon on the ice, and he chose the big Slovak. Crosby explained:
I think he can produce in a lot of different ways: big body, he does a lot, he’s physical, he reads the ice well, he can score. He has an impact in a lot of different ways.
High praise indeed for the former first-overall pick at the 2022 NHL draft. When TVA Sports relayed the information, the power forward could hardly believe it.
Do you think the three young Habs will live up to the hype and expectations this season?
Anne Hathaway made it clear that her Knicks fandom doesn't waver.
Anne Hathaway made it clear that her Knicks fandom doesn’t waver.
During an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on Wednesday, Hathaway prioritized another Knicks championship over winning a second Academy Award while playing a game called “Best Thing Ever.”
The game forced her to choose among two things to decide which is the best and which she would “get rid of forever.”
Hathaway won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2013 for her performance as Fantine in “Les Misérables.”
Actress Anne Hathaway during an interview on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Ralph Bavaro/NBC via Getty Image
Earlier in the show, Fallon gifted Hathaway a signed jersey from Knicks star OG Anunoby.
“Are you serious? Oh my god!” Hathaway said before putting the jersey on.
The Knicks gave Hathaway, who is pregnant, a basket of gifts for her baby, along with a card that read, “All my best” signed by Anunoby.
During an April appearance on “The Tonight Show,” Hathaway told Fallon that she considered wearing an Anunoby jersey on the show because “when I’m at the game, I want them to know that I know who they are and that they’re going to win.”
The next night, the Anunoby scored 29 points and the Knicks pulled off a historic win over the Hawks in a series-clinching Game 6 in the first round of the playoffs.
OG Anunoby #8 of the Knicks shoots a free throw during the game against the Spurs during Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 13, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. NBAE via Getty Images
Hathaway has been a fan of Anunoby since he nearly crashed into her and her son while they sat courtside during a game at Madison Square Garden in 2024.
While the assumption in many quarters was that the two NBA expansion franchises — one in Seattle, one in Las Vegas — would begin play for the 2028-29 season, that may not be a realistic timeline for Vegas. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver hinted at this last month.
"There was not as much discussion around Seattle as there was around Las Vegas, largely because... it's not even clear what the site will be, let alone the arena yet," Silver said after the Board of Governors meeting. "Therefore, it's a much longer timeline before we can throw the ball up for NBA basketball. On the other hand, in Seattle, we have had operational groups out to Climate Pledge. You clearly have a state-of-the-art arena there. It may require some modifications for NBA basketball. If we were opening in five weeks, we could be ready in Seattle."
The league had initially hoped its new expansion franchises would begin play during the 2028-29 season — if it added ones in Las Vegas and Seattle — but it has explored whether a Sin City team could debut in 2029-30 instead. However, that is just a discussion at this point.
The NBA is expected to choose soon between three potential ownership groups in Las Vegas: Golden Knights owner Bill Foley and former Suns owner Jerry Colangelo; Nancy Walton Laurie and her husband, Bill Laurie, with Lauri being a Walmart heir and Bill having owned the St. Louis Blues; former Bucks owner Marc Lasry, former Turner Broadcasting president David Levy and Canadian billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos.
The issue isn't the ownership group, it's the arena. All three groups are looking to build a new arena, likely as an anchor for a resort/casino complex and entertainment district. Exactly where this new arena and resort would go is undecided, which is part of the delay. It takes time to design, get approved and build a state-of-the-art arena.
While Las Vegas has the T-Mobile Arena just off the Strip — home to the NHL's Golden Knights, the WNBA's Aces, and where the NBA has hosted the final rounds of the midseason NBA Cup the past two years — it would need up to $400 million in renovations to host an NBA team, according to the report.
The expectation is that the new owners will pay about a $10 billion expansion fee to the league for the rights to the team, then spend at least a couple of billion more building the new arena.
Silver said a formal decision on both Las Vegas and Seattle expansion and who will own those teams is expected by the end of the year.
DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche won on opening night Wednesday, beating the Los Angeles Kings 8-4 in a game that featured just about everything — a high-octane offense, solid goaltending and even a fight.
Game 2 could be quite the fight as well when the Avalanche take on the St. Louis Blues at Ball Arena.
The Hockey News has learned that longtime Blues netminder Jordan Binnington will handle crease duties, and if you know a thing or two about Binnington, you know he and the Avalanche have quite the history.
Let's go back to Game 3 of the second round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
At that point, the rivalry between these two teams couldn't have been much hotter. The year before, Nazem Kadri was suspended eight games after his hit on Justin Faulk in Game 2 of their first-round series. The Avalanche went on to sweep the Blues and would eventually lose to the Vegas Golden Knights in six games.
But 2022 brought a whole new level to things.
In Game 3, Binnington suffered a lower-body injury after Kadri and then-Blues defenseman Calle Rosen collided while going after a loose puck. Kadri crashed directly into Binnington, knocking the goaltender out for the rest of the postseason.
Binnington wasn't exactly thrilled about it.
During a postgame interview with TNT, he threw a water bottle at Kadri, adding another memorable moment to an already heated series.
The aftermath, however, went well beyond hockey.
Kadri, who is Muslim and of Lebanese descent, became the target of racist comments and threats following the collision. Police were brought in to investigate some of those threats, but Kadri had his own response — and it came on the ice.
He scored a hat trick in Game 4, leading Colorado to a 6-3 win over St. Louis and a 3-1 series lead.
Now things are a little different.
Kadri is back in an Avalanche uniform after spending several seasons with the Calgary Flames, while Binnington is still with the Blues and will be in the crease Saturday night.
One thing that hasn't stayed the same, though, is Binnington's play.
He's not quite the goaltender he was when he helped lead the Blues to the Stanley Cup in 2019. Last season, Binnington posted a career-low .873 save percentage, and at one point during the season, that number dipped to around .864.
Colorado got a pretty good look at him on New Year's Eve last season. Binnington faced 43 shots and allowed six goals, including three from Valeri Nichushkin, who now plays for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
It could be another tough night for Binnington on Saturday.
Then again, he's shown he can still come up big when the stage gets bigger. We saw that with Team Canada at the Olympics and Four Nations.
But on the NHL side of things, it's been a rough stretch for Binnington.
The Avalanche will see what they can do with him Saturday when they take on their longtime rival at Ball Arena.
While every player's first career NHL goal is memorable in its own way, some are undoubtedly more memorable than others. Luca Cagnoni's first career goal may be one that San Jose Sharks fans never forget.
The Sharks went up 3-0 over the Florida Panthers in the second period, but the Panthers fought back to tie it at 3-3 and sent the game to overtime. Once again, it seemed that the Sharks were going to struggle to close out a game against a top team, but an unlikely hero changed their fate. 3:14 into overtime, Cagnoni fired a wrist shot from inside the face-off circle that beat Akira Schmid and secured a win for the team in teal.
"He'll remember that one, for sure," Ryan Warsofsky said of the goal. "These guys worked really hard this summer. We're in great shape. Luca is one of them and you can see it. You get an extra gear there in overtime, and his skill comes out."
"Hard to write one better than an overtime winner," Cagnoni said postgame. [It's the type] some people dream of [while] playing Chel."
The 21-year-old defenseman then explained the overtime winner from his perspective. "I thought I could beat the guy up the ice, and I saw Smitty with the puck," Cagnoni said. "Smitty had an unbelievable pass and sometimes you've just got to put the puck along the ice."
While Cagnoni has played a few games in the NHL before, this was his first opening night with the Sharks. From the Teal Carpet all the way to his overtime winner, he had a massive smile on his face.
"It's probably going to be a tough one to sleep tonight, but it's an unbelievable day."
In an interview with ABC7 News Bay Area, the 38-year-old revealed who has been the toughest defender he’s ever faced throughout his career.
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry reacts on the court during the second half of a game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. Robert Sabo for NY Post
“It’s a tie for me between Avery Bradley and Jrue Holiday. Yeah, those are the guys,” Curry said.
In head-to-head matchups against Bradley, Curry averaged 26.2 points, 5.8 assists and 5.4 rebounds. While those are still good numbers, the Warriors star gave credit to Bradley, who was NBA All-Defensive First Team (2015-16) and NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2012-13) during his time with the Celtics.
Curry averaged 25.2 points, 6.8 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game in head-to-head matchups against Holiday, who boasts six selections to the NBA All-Defensive Team. Though he’s never won Defensive Player of the Year, Holiday has been a finalist for the prestigious honor.
Defenders have tried to stop one of basketball’s greatest shooters, but it appears even Curry’s most challenging defensive matchups couldn’t quite contain the Warriors star.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday (5) reacts after scoring during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the LA Clippers. APNew York Knicks shooting guard J.R. Smith #8 looks for an opening as Boston Celtics power forward Brandon Bass #30 and Boston Celtics point guard Avery Bradley #0 defend in the second half in a game against the Boston Celtics. Anthony J Causi
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 26: Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers speaks to the umpire James Hoye #92 during the fifth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium on April 26, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images
LOS ANGELES — Major League Baseball on Friday announced the umpires for the Divisional Series round. For the Dodgers vs. Braves NLDS, the umpire crew will be led by crew chief James Hoye.
This is the 18th career postseason series for Hoye, who has been umpiring in the majors since 2003. He was an umpire for three different Dodgers trips to the NLCS — 2020 and 2021 against the Braves, and 2025 against the Milwaukee Brewers.
For the postseason, umpiring crews expand from four to six umpires, with folks in left field and right field augmenting the standard four in the infield. Here are the umpiring assignments for Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles:
Home plate: Roberto Ortiz First base: Chris Guccione Second base: Hoye Third base: Tripp Gibson Left field: Jim Wolf Right field: Mike Estabrook
Umpires rotate positions throughout the series, such that five different umpires will work behind home plate should Dodgers vs. Braves last the full five games. The lone umpire without a potential home plate assignment is Mike Estabrook, who is in right field for Game 1.
Division Series replay officials in New York for all four Division Series are Marvin Hudson, Dan Iassogna, Malachi Moore, and Mike Muchlinski.
Former NBA star J.R. Smith allegedly roughed up a woman, leading to his arrest earlier this week, according to new court documents obtained by the California Post.
Smith “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly” caused “bodily injury” on Sept. 18 to a female who was a member of Smith’s family or household or with whom he had a dating relationship, a criminal complaint filed on Friday stated.
Smith allegedly committed the crime in Texas “by hitting, grabbing or pushing” the woman “with [his] hand,” according to the filing.
Former NBA star J.R. Smith allegedly roughed up a woman, leading to his arrest earlier this week, according to new court documents obtained by the California Post. NBAE via Getty ImagesSmith “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly” caused “bodily injury” on Sept. 18 to a female.
A warrant for Smith’s arrest was issued by the Southlake Police Department a short time after the alleged incident, and the ex-Los Angeles Laker was formally taken into custody over the matter during a traffic stop in Royse City on Monday afternoon.
Smith’s attorney, Justin A. Moore, said in a statement to The Post on Friday that his client “is eager to see this matter resolved and has full confidence in the legal process.”
“He is presumed innocent,” Moore added, “and we will address this matter in Court. We ask that everyone respect the privacy of all involved throughout the process.”
Former NBA player J.R. Smith is pictured.
Smith was pulled over on a Texas interstate after authorities said an automatic license plater reader alerted a nearby officer that Smith was “a wanted person.”
“The check of the license plate showed an active warrant for a wanted person out of the Southlake Police Department,” Royse City Chief of Police Kirk Aldridge said in a statement to The Post on Tuesday.
“The wanted person was Earl Joseph Smith III [J.R. Smith’s full name] and the charge was for Family Violence Assault Causing Bodily Injury. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver of the vehicle was identified as Earl Joseph Smith III. The warrant was confirmed and Mr. Smith was taken into custody.”
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Former NBA player JR Smith reacts on the second hole during the second round of the BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by TD SYNNEX 2026 at Thornblade Club on Friday, June 5, 2026, in Greer, South Carolina. Getty Images
Jail records showed Smith was booked on one misdemeanor count of assault causing bodily injury family violence. He was released on $5,000 bond on Tuesday night, the records showed.
He’s due in court for a hearing in the case later this month, according to court records.
Smith played in the NBA from 2004 to 2020, logging minutes for several teams, including the Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks and LA Lakers.
Smith won two championships in his career, and also earned the 2012-13 Sixth Man of the Year award.
You know how you felt about this year’s Chicago Cubs.
They had a great offense, tops in many categories in Major League Baseball.
They had a great defense, leading MLB in almost every category
The pitching, yikes, it was pretty bad. I’ll have more to say tomorrow when I post my final 2026 Cubs pitcher grades.
Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer had his season-ending news conference Friday afternoon and basically echoed all those thoughts. The quote in the headline from Hoyer, I think, sums up what every one of us felt about this year. He added, “Fans deserve playoff games. Fans deserved a long run and we let it slip away.”
Then Hoyer addressed the pitching staff. He noted that some of the issues this year were due to injuries, some to poor performance and some to “poor acquisitions,” which is a heck of a thing for a baseball executive to admit publicly. Props to Hoyer for acknowledging what all of us saw.
He noted that the team ranked 12th in the league in runs allowed, while noting that most of that is due to good defense, and so the quality of pitching has to improve. Hoyer noted what we all know: they’re going to have to look at “swing and miss,” as the team gave up far too many home runs this year. “You can’t catch homers.”, he quipped.
But he followed that by noting that Brewers pitching is “exceptionally good” and “We have to double down on that,” also noting the excellence of the Padres bullpen.
About the Cubs bullpen, Hoyer said: “I did a poor job on the bullpen this year, full stop.”
It was good to hear him say that. That’s a “the buck stops here” statement, no excuses. Now go do better for 2027.
Again, these are things that all of us have noticed all along. It’s a good thing that management understands this and has to take a hard look at what they’ve been doing pitching-wise. No one asked Hoyer about pitching coach Tommy Hottovy and the pitching infrastructure, but clearly that’s something that has to be re-evaluated.
He cited losing Cade Horton, Justin Steele and Ben Brown to injuries as one of the biggest issues of the year and said that the team has to also focus on pitcher health.
Hoyer was asked about Edward Cabrera. His response: “Cabrera is a really good big league pitcher, we have to look at ourselves, what did we not do to get the most out of him. He has talent and really cares.”
That’s all well and good, and yes, Cabrera has had success previously at the big-league level. If he can get back to that… well, that’s the job of the pitching infrastructure.
Regarding Clay Holmes and Kevin Gausman, Hoyer said they were not “optimized” going into the postseason. I suppose that’s why Holmes did not pitch, though Hoyer gave no details. Gausman, as you know, suffered a minor injury to his non-pitching shoulder in his last regular-season start. It’s not clear if that affected him in his Wild Card Series start.
Then the topic of free agency was broached. Here’s what Hoyer said:
“We have a lot of good players who are free agents and we are not going to be able to bring back all of them. We will talk to a lot of them, don’t know where that’s going to go. We will talk to them between now and December 1. But the team will look and feel different next year. If there are contracts that make sense regardless of the structure, we will make those deals regardless.”
That was followed up by a question about Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ and whether that door was closed. Hoyer’s response:
“Is that door closed? No, everything’s on the table. I’ll sit down with Happ in the next couple weeks. Homegrown player who has embraced what it is to be a Cub in a special way. I respect the way he plays baseball, the way he prepares to play. I have nothing but great thoughts about Ian.”
You’ll notice there were no comments made here about Suzuki. I’d really love to see him back. Hopefully the “everything’s on the table” remark applies to him as well.
Hoyer was reminded of the contract signed five years ago with Marcus Stroman and was asked whether something like that might happen this time. He noted that the period before the lockout will be “active,” and said, “If deals make sense they are going to get done. That might be a blueprint for how this goes again.”
About Craig Counsell, Hoyer said, “Craig had a great year, players love playing for him, we are incredibly well prepared. Craig sets a standard for that, handles the bullpen really well.”
I concur with that. Without Counsell’s handling of the bullpen the way he did, the Cubs might have lost several more games and missed the postseason completely.
He praisdAlex Bregman and said Bregman’s season is a “reminder of how long the season is, his eomeback is a testament to how strong a person he is” and added: “We felt his absence the last week. We had home field and gave it up.”
Hoyer’s conclusion, which I am sure you will agree with:
“There were a lot of exceptional things that happened this year, but we had a lot of injuries and a pitching staff that wasn’t as good as the hitting side, and that’s what we’re going to focus on.”
It will be a busy offseason for the Cubs President of Baseball Operations, and he might have only two months to complete his task before the likely owners’ lockout hits. As always, we await developments.
PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 28: Khaman Maluach #10 of the Phoenix Suns poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day on September 28, 2026 at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Nobody had a better Summer League than Khaman Maluach.
He was knocked to the All-Summer League Second Team because the First Team went all rookies, and whatever, that’s fair. But we all know what we saw.
That’s the kind of dominance you’d expect from a lottery pick entering his second season on that stage. But just because you expected it does not mean we take it for granted. A double-double in all four games. The Summer League leader in rebounding. The first Suns player on an All-Summer League team since 2021.
Pair that performance with a media day where his name came up more than anyone else’s, and the picture gets clear. Mark Williams will miss a large chunk of the season with a torn labrum in his shoulder, and Oso Ighodaro is the clear competition for Khaman. The starting center job should be his, and here’s why.
What the Tape Says
The production was real. Khaman put up 19.5 points, 12.8 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game in Vegas while shooting 53.2% from the field and 40% from three. Summer League numbers can sometimes lie, but he passed the eye test as well. On Portland’s first possession of the opener, he bodied his man and walled off the rim. That’s a filled-out frame doing grown-man work.
He is the vertical threat this starting unit needs. At 7’1″ with a 7’6¾” wingspan, every Devin Booker ball screen forces the low man to commit. Koa Peat found him for an alley-oop on the Suns’ first bucket in Vegas, and that’s the move. When the tagger has to respect the lob, the corner shooters get a cleaner look.
The “pop” is the new, potentially huge wrinkle. He attempted just 21 threes as a rookie, and 40% across four Vegas games is a small sample, so pump the brakes on calling him a stretch five. But even a willing, competent trail three drags the opposing center out of the paint. That opens a runway for Booker and others to get downhill, which is where Phoenix wins games.
If he is a vertical threat at the rim, and also has the ability to drag a big out to guard him on the perimeter, that’s a deadly combo.
Size Matters
This front office has spent two years chasing length and athleticism. Khaman is the purest version of that plan on the roster, along with fellow incoming sophomore Rasheer Fleming.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MARCH 24: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against Khaman Maluach #10 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on March 24, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Oso has earned real respect, and he is without a doubt a long-term rotation piece. He started 24 games last season, and he’s a high-IQ playmaking hub with real defensive versatility. But the size gap matters. Khaman is listed at 7’1″ and 250 pounds with a 7’6¾” wingspan, while Oso is listed at 6’11” and 235 pounds. That shows up on the glass and at the rim against true centers. In a Western Conference full of size, the Suns can’t start a game giving that away.
Starting Khaman also makes the bench better. Oso slides into a second unit where his playmaking out of the short roll fits the reserve guards. Oso and Collin have developed some insane chemistry that is reminiscent of Steph-Draymond levels of in sync.
The Gillespie/Oso chemistry is Steph/Draymond reincarnated, you love to see it. pic.twitter.com/l1gFv5DubE
When Williams returns, Phoenix has a three-man center room and some serious depth to play with. Newcomer Duop Reath will be a factor in the meantime, especially if foul trouble or health issues come into play.
The Building Already Believes
Media day was a Khaman Maluach appreciation event. Front office members, coaches, and veterans brought him up unprompted.
Booker said Khaman reached out by text this summer asking to work, and the two ended up in the gym late at night together. His verdict: “I’d say he’s taken the biggest leap out of anybody that I’ve seen this summer.” Brian Gregory said Khaman’s body has changed and that he put in the work every single day, often twice a day.
"He has all the intangibles of being a star, and he's going to get that opportunity this year." 🗣️
New guard Pat Spencer said Khaman has the “best energy” he’s seen in the NBA. 10-Year veteran Luke Kennard said he’s one of the hardest workers he’s been around in the league. Even Oso, his direct competition, admitted that Khaman has gotten a lot better.
Khaman’s own words tell you the rest. “Tired is in the mind,” he said, and he defined a successful season by team wins and a playoff run, not his own numbers. That’s the guy you hand the keys to, raw or not.
The bigger picture matters too. Booker played some of his best basketball when Deandre Ayton was a rising young center (occasionally) catching lobs and finishing around the rim. A No. 10 pick with this work ethic, growing next to Booker, is how Phoenix raises its physical ceiling without another trade.
Will it come with growing pains? Of course.
When, Not If
Jordan Ott didn’t name a starter at media day, and the battle runs up to the Oct. 21 opener. “Camp is three weeks. We’re gonna mix around with some lineups,” he said.
This job becomes Khaman’s at some point this season. It feels inevitable. The only question is how many games Phoenix wants to waste finding that out. Start him on Oct. 21st. Live with the foul trouble and occasional miscues. Let him take his lumps next to Booker now, so they’re paying off and corrected come April.
Khaman Maluach is the future, and there’s no reason he can’t be the present either.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 26: Chase DeLauter #24 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates after defeating the Kansas City Royals to clinch the American League Central division title at Kauffman Stadium on September 26, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
So… we meet again.
It isn’t my favorite set-up to have two years in a row the Guardians overcome a significant deficit to win the AL Central, only to meet their division rival in the playoffs a week later. But, here we are. Let’s hope the results are more to Cleveland’s favor this time around.
The White Sox won the season series 7-6, with 11 of those games decided by three or fewer runs and six by only one run. Two games went into extra innings. Expect this series to be hard-fought and likely go five games.
For the season, the White Sox were 5th in MLB at 104 wRC+, the Guardians were 20th in MLB at 97 wRC+, the White Sox were 20th in MLB at -4.1 baserunning runs above average, the Guardians were eighth in baserunning runs above average at 5.2, the White Sox were 14th in Defense at -14.3, the Guardians were eighth in Defense at -7.3, the White Sox were 26th in starting pitchee ERA at 4.60 ERA (4.41 FIP), the Guardians were 9th in starting pitcher ERA at 3.93 (3.89 FIP), the White Sox had the eighth best bullpen ERA at 3.70 (4.10 FIP), and the Guardians had the sixth best bullpen ERA at 3.54 ERA (3.70 FIP).
From these overall numbers, I think it’s clear that if the Guardians can keep White Sox hitters remotely in check, they should have an advantage. But, that is, of course, a big “if” and a big “should.” Anything can happen in a short playoff series, especially one against a division rival with whom you are very familiar.
The Guardians will start Parker Messick in game one and Gavin Williams in game two. This will line Messick up to start in game four and Williams in game five. I suspect tbe team will go with Cantillo and an opener in game three, but we will have to wait and see. The White Sox will start reliever Hagen Smith and likely go to Davis Martin as the bulk guy after 2-3 innings in game one, then start Sean Burke in game two, and Anthony Kay in game three (they are fond of openers so there may be one for each game). It will be key for the Guardians to get to the White Sox starters/bulk guys for some runs because the Chicago bullpen is formidable.
BigQuestions for the Series:
Rest or Reps? The White Sox come into the series rolling after demolishing the Astros. Of course, doing so required them to put even more innings on their bullpen arms. Grant Taylor’s 86 innings are almost twice the number of innings he threw in 2024-2025 combined, Sean Newcomb threw 92 innings total last season and is now at 92 with the next out he gets and hadn’t thrown anywhere near that amount since 2018… there are reasons to think this wear and tear will eventually come to bear on a good Sox pen. Sean Burke’s 176 innings are by far a career high for him (as is also the case for Parker Messick, of course). Meanwhile, Cleveland has to be concerned about how they will have maintained their sharpness with 5-6 days off, as is always the case with MLB teams that secure the bye through the wildcard.
Who Fills Out the Circle of Trust? This year has not been Hunter Gaddis’s best year and Tim Herrin has often struggled mightily to throw strikes. This leaves some significant questions in the back end of the Guardians’ bullpen. You have to feel good about Cade Smith and Erik Sabrowski, but you also need to be aware of overextending either pitcher/giving the White Sox too many looks at them in a short amount of time. Hunter Gaddis’s ability to rediscover the pitcher he has been from 2024-2025 and through the first half of September will be key for this team’s ability to survive the days ahead. Will Vogt be willing to give some high leverage reps to Daniel Espino, Foster Griffin, Slade Cecconi and even Tanner Bibee? Should he be willing? I think this is the biggest question mark for our Guards.
How Long Do You Ride Your Horses? To go along with the previous question, already, much has been made of managers’ penchants for removing starters before they get to the “third-time-through-the-order-penalty.” TTTOP is a real thing and I think managers receive too much pushback for going to relievers when starters begin to lose their top-end stuff in a short playoff series… but because the Guardians’ bullpen is thin, I hope Vogt does everything in his power to allow Messick and Williams, if they are pitching well, to get through six innings. Even if they get tagged, fans should prepare to forgive Vogt because there is a decent possibility that Messick and Williams facing TTTOP is going to be preferable to Vogt’s fifth-sixth inning options out of the pen. Once we get to the seventh, however, Vogt should be willing to deploy Sabrowski and Smith with no hesitation (which one dependent on where they are in the White Sox batting order).
How Quickly Do You Seek the Platoon Advantage? This question is already facing Vogt with the news that the White Sox are still, as expected, leaning on openers. Does Vogt respond by putting David Fry and potentially Rhys Hoskins in the lineup? Does he then lift both if Davis Martin comes in by the third inning and run the risk of exposing Nathaniel Lowe to some tough lefties late in the game with no bench help behind him? Vogt received a lot of criticism for early pinch-hitting against Detroit last playoffs, but, in my view, he had the opportunity to go for a knockout punch and decided to take the risk to get a lead. I think that’s always a justifiable decision… but import needs to rest on making sure your best hitters stay in the lineup as long as possible.
Which Team’s Young Players Are Ready for the Playoff Spotlight? In what should set us up for some fun years ahead as AL Central fans (once MLB sorts their labor problems out), the Guardians are the tenth youngest team in MLB and the White Sox are the 15th youngest, with both teams being carried by the performances of rookies/2nd year players. That first taste of postseason baseball can be a shock to the system. How much does it help folks like Brayan Rocchio, Chase DeLauter and Angel Martinez to have some of that experience under their belts? How much does it help the players on the White Sox to have the Wildcard games behind them and the jitters that may have accompanied those contests?
Key Matchups:
Sean Burke vs. the Guardians’ hitters: Burke has a 1.04 ERA in 17 innings against Cleveland this season. Should that continue, then you’d expect the White Sox to steal game two in Cleveland, given that the off-days will allow Burke to start that day. The Guardians will have to find a way to steal a run or two off of Burke to give Gavin Williams a chance at finding them a win. Cade Smith vs. the White Sox hitters: Smith has a 4.32 ERA/5.04 FIP against Chicago this season. It’s probably small sample size but I’m here to tell you that if anything like that continues to be a trend, the Guardians will be headed home in short order. Jose Ramirez bounceback vs. Munetaka Murakami bounceback: Both Ramirez and Murakami had lengthy absences with injuries this season, through which their respective teams persevered. Both returned diminished versions of themselves… Jose put up a 111 wRC+ prior to his injury (with much better expected stats) and Murakami put up a 158 wRC+ prior to his injury. Upon their returns, Ramirez had a 66 wRC+ and Murakami had a 107 wRC+. If either one of them find themselves with some of that early season magic returning after some break/off-days, that could be a huge factor in their respective team advancing. Ramirez, Chase DeLauter, Jo Adell, Angel Martinez, David Fry and Austin Hedges vs. the White Sox Lefties: Adell has a 206 wRC+ vs. LHP with the Guardians, DeLauter 138, Martinez 129, Jose 128, Fry 120 since August 1st, and Hedges 114 overall. The White Sox are going to throw a lot of good lefties at the Guardians to attack their left-handed-hitting heavy roster. If these six show something like what they’ve done in 2026 against southpaws, I like Cleveland’s chances to head to the ALCS. Randal Grichuk vs. Guardians’ LHP: Grichuk put up a 204 wRC+ vs. Guardians’ left-handed pitchers this season. To which my response is… “That low?” The Guardians seemingly chose to keep Stuart Fairchild over going out and getting Grichuk when he was available in-season. Will that decision come back to haunt them in the playoffs as it did during the regular season? If so, the White Sox will get their revenge.
The Guardians will win this series if…
Messick and Williams are the best versions of themselves, Gaddis and Herrin are not disasters, and Chase DeLauter, Steven Kwan and Angel Martinez remain three of the best hitters in MLB as they have been for the second half of the 2026 season. For once, I don’t think the Guardians HAVE to have the best version of Jose to advance… which is nice… but good Jose would also go a long way to help.
The White Sox will win this series if...
Burke and their relief pitching hold up to their tremendous usage rates and they continue to find magical moments from folks like Randal Grichuk, Tristan Peters (18-pitch-AB against Gavin Williams, yo), and Chase Meidroth.
The Schedule for the ALDS between the Guardians and White Sox (TBS/TruTV and HBOMax):
Saturday, October 3rd – 1PM ET
Monday, October 5th – 5PM ET
Wednesday, October 7th – 4PM ET
Thursday, October 8th – 5PM ET (if the only game that day it will be moved to 8pm) *if necessary
Saturday, October 10th – 5PM ET (if the only game that day it will be moved to 8pm) *if necessary
Glossary: Remember that wRC+ is a comprehensive measure of run production in which 100 is league average. Defense is FanGraphs’ calculation of wins above replacement level at defensive predictions. FIP is ERA if you remove the effects of the defense behind a pitcher.
What are we thinking, Guardians fans? How do you see this series shaking out and what are your keys for a Cleveland victory?
ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 23: Nolan McLean #26 of the New York Mets looks on during the game between the New York Mets and the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Courtney Kramer/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
There was a whole lot of roster shuffling on the pitching side in the final couple of weeks and a lot of injuries that occurred with not many games left to play. That said, most of the Mets’ young pitchers ended their seasons on a high note and the return of Devin Williams plus the continued success of some of the pitchers who were given an opportunity in the bullpen in the second half provide reasons for optimism in 2027.
Player
Last week
This week
Xzavion Curry, RHP
—
Daniel Duarte, RHP
Justin Hagenman, RHP
Nate Lavender, LHP
Sean Manaea, LHP
Nolan McLean, RHP
Tobias Myers, RHP
Dedniel Núñez, RHP
Cionel Pérez, LHP
Jonathan Pintaro, RHP
Christian Scott, RHP
Kodai Senga, RHP
Robert Stock, RHP
Zac Thonton, LHP
Jonah Tong, RHP
Austin Warren, RHP
Jack Weisenburger, RHP
Devin Williams, RHP
Jefry Yan, LHP
The first major pitching injury to emerge was when Robert Stock was placed on the injured list on September 16 with numbness in his fingers—not an encouraging sign as he made his way back from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. Xzavion Curry was forced into last minute service and started in Stock’s place against the Orioles. Unfortunately it did not go well for him. He was knocked around for six runs on six hits—four of them home runs. It was, put simply, a clunker. Curry was immediately sent back down to Triple-A after the game and eventually designated for assignment and outrighted to the FCL Mets.
Both Jefry Yan and Jack Weisenburger lifted heavy loads in that game, pitching three innings apiece in relief in the lopsided loss. Both of them did their jobs; Yan pitched three hitless innings with three strikeouts and Weisenburger gave up a run and struck out five. Weisenburger appeared in two other games—once in the Phillies series and once in the Rangers series—and was not scored upon in either appearance. Yan was much more heavily used to mixed results. He earned the win on Beltran Day with 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief of Christian Scott, who made his final start of the season in that game before hitting the injured list himself with knee inflammation. Scott fell just short of being the pitcher of record, giving up three runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts. Yan allowed an RBI single to Alec Bohn in the fifth and that run was charged to Scott, but Yan stopped the bleeding there and the Mets took the lead in the bottom of the frame. Yan came right back out the next day and pitched a scoreless inning—following Weisenburger’s 1 1/3 scoreless frames—in the Mets’ 7-2 loss to the Phillies in the series finale. Yan’s final two appearances were unfortunately not as successful. He gave up a solo homer in the sixth to Corey Seager in the series finale against the Rangers and allowed two more baserunners after that, necessitating being bailed out of the jam before completing an inning. He then served as the opener in the very messy bullpen game in Washington DC and was charged with two runs on three hits in 1 2/3 innings of work.
At the same time that Stock was placed on the IL, Daniel Duarte was as well due to a hamstring strain, which unfortunately brought his 2026 season—which was a pleasant surprise—to an end. Yan was promoted in Duarte’s stead. It seemed like Yan’s season was over when he was optioned back down to the minors after being the first in line of the bullpen disaster in the series opener in DC, but he ended the season on the big league roster because Jonathan Pintaro was placed on the injured list on the season’s final day with an illness and Yan replaced him. Pintaro’s designation being changed to the red cross at the 11th hour makes the meter look a little better because he struggled in the season’s final stretch, especially in the final series against the Nationals. But perhaps the illness played a role in that poor performance. Pintaro appeared twice in the Orioles series on back-to-back days and though he had a scoreless outing in his first appearance, he took the loss in the infamous second game of that series for giving up the inside the park home run in the eleventh.
Preceding that, Kodai Senga—in what was likely his low point in serving as a relief pitcher this year—gave up a game-tying home run to Pete Alon so in the 9th inning that also happened to be his milestone 300th career home run. Senga’s performance overall in the last two weeks of the season was uneven. The day before in the series opener, Senga pitched a scoreless ninth inning after the Mets fell behind by a run to keep them within striking distance, giving up two hits, but striking out three batters. Following the infamous Pete Alonso moment, Senga had another disastrous outing against the Phillies in which he was charged with three runs in just 1/3 of an inning, which allowed that game to get away. He did end his season on a high note, earning the save in the series opener against Texas with a 1-2-3 ninth inning complete with two strikeouts.
Dedniel Núñez immediately preceded Senga on two occasions. He took the loss in the narrow 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Orioles when he gave up a go-ahead solo homer to Gunnar Henderson in the eighth. But he didn’t give up any more hits in the four appearances that followed that one. In the 6-3 victory over the Phillies in the second game of that four-game set, Núñez earned his first save of the season with 1 1/3 scoreless innings to finish out the game. He followed that with a hold (his fourth of the season) the next day with a scoreless eighth in another Mets victory. In the aforementioned game against the Rangers that Senga saved, Núñez served as the setup man for him with a 1-2-3 eighth inning with two strikeouts, earning another hold. Núñez pitched a scoreless sixth inning in the second game of the final series in Washington DC and ended up earning the win after the Mets took the lead in the seventh and retained it.
That performance by Núñez came in relief of Jonah Tong who had one of the best starts of his young care in that penultimate game against the Nationals. Tong yielded just one run on three hits in five innings of work, striking out a career-high nine batters and walking only one. It is only a shame that the Mets waited until the later innings to start scoring so that he could not earn the victory to finish his season. Of Tong’s final three starts overall, two of them were good and one of them was not so good. Tong delivered a quality start in the series opener against the Orioles, which Núñez ultimately spoiled, but made up for it in his next appearance in relief of Tong in DC. Tong struck out six Orioles hitters over six innings of work and gave up only one run, which was unearned. Unfortunately, Tong took the loss in the series finale against the Phillies, in which he gave up four runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings, striking out five batters and walking four. The Mets were still within striking distance of that game, but things got out of hand in the eighth with Senga’s rough outing.
Austin Warren came in the game after Senga’s implosion and cleaned up the mess thanks to a double play grounder off the bat of Bryce Harper that ended the inning. Warren went on to pitch a scoreless ninth as well in what was at that point a lopsided game. Warren made five appearances in total in the final two weeks of the season and was only scored upon in one of them. Warren pitched a scoreless ninth inning in the series opener against Philadelphia in which the Mets were shut out by Aaron Nola. In the extra-inning loss to the Orioles, Warren delivered the final two outs of the sixth inning and the first out of the seventh inning while the Mets were still ahead in that game. Warren also pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings in a close game in the finale against the Rangers. Warren’s season ended with allowing an insurance run to the Nationals on the final day of the season thanks to a walk and back-to-back singles.
Sean Manaea started that final game of the season and it was the worst start of his three outings in the final two weeks. He gave up five runs on seven hits, including two solo homers in six innings of work, striking out three batters and walking one. He took the loss to finalize his record at 6-8 on the season. His other two starts were better, however. He earned the win in the series opener in Texas, posting a quality start by giving up three runs—only two of them earned—on three hits in six innings of work. He struck out nine Rangers hitters and walked only two. Manaea was also the starter in the extra-inning loss to the Orioles and pitched well, but that game was ultimately blown by the bullpen. Manaea gave up two runs on four hits in 5 1/3 innings of work, striking out six batters and walking none. The two runs came on two solo homers—Manaea’s bugaboo in 2026.
Nate Lavender appeared in relief of Manaea both against the Orioles and in Texas. He followed Warren by pitching 1 2/3 scoreless innings to earn his tenth hold of the season and was proceeded by Senga, who coughed up the lead. Lavender earned another hold in Texas for a scoreless seventh inning in relief of Manaea with two strikeouts. Sandwiched between those two outings was the only run Lavender gave up in his final five appearances of the season, but ultimately it did not cost the Mets as they had built sufficient cushion at that point. Lavender gave up a solo homer to Derek Hill in the seventh that brought the Phillies within three, but otherwise recorded five outs without incident. Lavender also appeared twice in the Nationals series on back-to-back days. In the messy series opener, Lavender was in fact the only Mets pitcher to not be scored upon; he pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning with a strikeout. The next day, Lavender earned his twelfth and final hold of the season with a scoreless seventh inning.
Lavender was followed in the season’s penultimate game by Devin Williams, who was activated from the injured list on September 22 when Scott was placed on the IL. Williams pitched a scoreless eighth inning to protect the lead for Jonah Tong. Williams also pitched the eighth inning in the second game of the Rangers series, earning a hold for a 1-2-3 frame complete with a strikeout. Though it was only two appearances in meaningless games for the Mets, it was at least a nice demonstration that Williams is healthy heading into next season.
That appearance by Williams in Texas came in relief of Nolan McLean, who along with teammate Carson Benge was making his own case for Rookie of the Year votes. McLean earned the win in that game in Texas—his twelfth of the season. He gave up just two runs on three hits over seven innings of work, striking out five and walking one. McLean unfortunately took the loss in his other start against the Phillies, but that was through no fault of his own; the Mets were shut out that day, so him giving up one run was enough for him to be handed the unlucky L in deGromian fashion. In that outing, he did give up seven hits, but limited the damage to just the one run in six innings of work. He struck out five batters and walked three in that outing.
Tobias Myers pitched two innings in relief of McLean against the Phillies and allowed two insurance runs. Only one of those two runs was earned, but ultimately both were meaningless as the Mets failed to score at all. Myers’ return to the big leagues in the final stretch of the season has been a pleasant surprise. That outing against the Phillies was Myers’ only bump in the road in the final two weeks. He turned around and pitched a scoreless ninth inning to close out the victory against those same Phillies two days later and then finished his season with a scoreless ninth to tie a bow on the Saturday win over the Nationals.
In addition to Williams, Cionel Pérez was activated from the injured list after dealing with a forearm strain. He replaced Cameron Weston on the roster, who does not appear on the meter because he did not get into a game. Pérez earned a hold for recording two outs in the victory over the Phillies on Beltran Day in his first outing back. He then pitched a scoreless ninth inning following McLean and Williams to polish off the Mets’ 7-2 victory over the Rangers in Arlington. He then appeared in the opening game of the Nationals series and again in the final game of the season. Like pretty much everybody else, he allowed a run in the bullpen game against the Nationals, but bounced back with a scoreless eighth inning with two strikeouts on Sunday to finish off the season.
Justin Hagenman was the bulk guy in that ill-fated bullpen game to open the series in DC and though his line wasn’t perfect, he pitched well. He gave up just one run on five hits in four innings of work with two strikeouts. The one run came in the form of a solo homer off of the bat of Dylan Crews. Hagenman is another guy who earned a moral victory in September by proving he is now healthy and can be an option for the Mets as they evaluate their pitching staff in 2027.
Speaking of guys who have solidified themselves as an option for the 2027 Mets, Zac Thornton finished his rookie season with a strong 3.42 ERA in 84 1/3 total innings of work across 15 starts. He pitched well in his final two starts of the year, putting up a quality start against the Phillies in a Mets victory to even his record to 5-5 on the year. In that outing, he yielded two runs on five hits in six innings of work, striking out four batters and walking one. He took a tough luck loss to fall one game under .500 for the season in his final start of the year, but that was more due to lack of run support than anything else. Thornton gave up two runs on four hits in five innings of work against the Rangers, striking out four batters and walking one. A go-ahead, two-run homer to Josh Jung in the bottom of the first inning was Thornton’s one mistake and unfortunately he paid for it as the Mets were blanked from the first inning onward.
That’s a wrap on the pitchers for 2026—another record-breaking year for number of pitchers used in a season, making the meters quite a whirlwind. As always, I appreciate the community taking the time to read and engage with these fun meter posts every season!
