England seek calm end to chaotic Test summer against penitent Pakistan

Late-night drinking incidents and a post-Bazball reboot have given the hosts plenty to think about, while the tourists have their own problems to sort out

There are some chilly white-ball games still to come this month and with it the sight of Kevin Pietersen back in England training kit for the first time in 12 years. KP is down with the kids these days, 6/7 memes and the like, and starts a new life as the “specialist mentor” to Harry Brook’s young thrusters.

But the final Test of the summer that starts at Edgbaston on Wednesday does feel like an end of sorts, or at least one last push before a breather for the side that has undergone the more significant recalibration. And that is before we get on to Pakistan and a tour that has descended into a bonfire of players and a phone-snatching investigation into “discipline and conduct”.

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Lakers unveiling Phil Jackson statue outside Crypto.com Arena

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Shaquille O'Neal receiving the NBA playoffs Most Valuable Player trophy from David Stern, with Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant in the background, Image 2 shows Kobe Bryant pointing while talking to Phil Jackson during a game, Image 3 shows Lakers coach Phil Jackson waves three fingers, signifying three consecutive NBA championships, at a victory parade

The Lakers will unveil a statue of another legendary coach late in the 2026-27 season. 

The franchise announced Tuesday that it’ll unveil a statue of Phil Jackson, who won five NBA championships in 11 seasons with the Lakers, on April 9, 2027 outside Crypto.com Arena.

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson waves three fingers signifying the team’s three consecutive NBA championships in 2002. REUTERS

The team is set to host the Timberwolves that night in a nationally-televised game on ESPN. 

“Phil Jackson defines championship basketball for a reason,” Lakers Governor Jeanie Buss said in a statement. “His masterful approach to coaching brought out the best in some of the greatest athletes to ever play the game. After he accepted my dad’s invitation to join the Lakers, Phil’s unmatched creativity and commitment to excellence restored our championship legacy, bringing five titles and setting a standard of excellence for generations to come. It is a great joy to be able to mark that achievement with the statue he so richly deserves.”

After guiding the Bulls to six NBA titles from 1991-98, Jackson took over the Lakers coaching reins ahead of the 1999-2000 season, leading the franchise in one of its best eras: Five NBA titles (seven NBA Finals appearances), including three consecutive championships from 2000-02 and back-to-back titles in 2009 and ‘10, while he was head coach from 1999-2004 and 2005-2011.

Jackson is the Lakers’ all-time leader for the most regular-season games coached (902), most playoff games coached (181), most regular-season game wins (610) and most playoff wins (118). 

Kobe Bryant (left) won all five of his NBA titles with Phil Jackson as his coach. AP

The Lakers reached the postseason every year under Jackson, including nine 50-plus-win seasons and two 60-plus-win seasons.

Jackson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007 and was named one of the 15 greatest coaches in NBA history as part of the league’s 75th anniversary celebration in 2022.

He’ll become the ninth person the franchise honors with a statue, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant, Chick Hearn, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Pat Riley and Jerry West.

Shaquille O’Neal (right) won his first three NBA titles with coach Phil Jackson (left). REUTERS

The Suns finally have legitimate optionality at center

PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 10: Oso Ighodaro #11 of the Phoenix Suns and Mark Williams #15 of the Phoenix Suns talks to the media after the game against the Dallas Mavericks on February 10, 2026 at PHX Arena 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 Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

You may look at the Suns re-signing Mark Williams to a three-year, $38 million contract as unnecessary. He hasn’t exactly been the picture of health throughout his career. And while he played 60 games last season, 15 more than his previous career high, that still left him 22 games short of a full 82-game season.

So why pay him $11.7 million for 2026–27? You have second-year center Khaman Maluach waiting in the wings, along with third-year big Oso Ighodaro providing versatility behind him. On the surface, you could make the argument that Phoenix didn’t need to spend that money on Williams.

I’ve talked ad nauseam about the optionality his contract provides in both the short and long term. If he plays well, you have a quality center on a team that isn’t going to be center-centric. If he struggles, or if Maluach exceeds expectations early, you have a highly tradable contract.

But I’m not worried about any of that today. What stands out right now is how versatile the Suns suddenly are at center. Between Williams, Maluach, and Oso, Phoenix has options depending on what a matchup calls for, and that is one area of the roster that doesn’t feel like it should create much anxiety entering the season.

Phoenix is not a city, or a franchise, that has known much stability at center. Three seasons ago, it was Jusuf Nurkic and Drew Eubanks. Two seasons ago, it was Nurkic and Mason Plumlee. And before that, you had a player with all of the promise but none of the mental toughness to allow it to come to fruition. Too often, the Suns have been stuck with lumbering, limited bigs who check only a couple of the boxes you want from a productive center.

Those boxes? Rim protection. Rebounding. Finishing. Screening. Athleticism. And if you want to add a bonus skill, the ability to stretch the floor. Throughout the organization’s history, Phoenix has gotten two of those six attributes and had to make do.

The beauty of this year’s roster is that Williams, Khaman Maluach, and Oso Ighodaro each check multiple boxes, which gives Jordan Ott the ability to play chess rather than checkers.

Williams graded in the 91st percentile with an A in rim protection, according to BBall Index. He also earned an A in defensive rebounds per 75 possessions, an A- in offensive rebounding talent, an A in offensive rebounds per 75 possessions, and an A in finishing talent, where he ranked in the 93rd percentile.

There is still room for improvement as a screener. His screening talent graded out at a C+, although he earned an A in both screen assists per 75 possessions and roll man possessions per 75.

What Williams did last season was play within the confines of the offense and complement what was happening around him. At times, it felt like he was underutilized, especially when certain mismatches presented themselves, and Phoenix continued to lean heavily into perimeter play.

Still, there’s a reason the Suns paid him. Mark Williams is a quality NBA center. Is he top 15 at the position? Probably not. But when you look at his contract within the context of the league, the value becomes much easier to understand. At an average annual value of $12.7 million, Williams ranks 34th among NBA centers. When you start talking about production relative to price, that is where Mark Williams can provide real value.

Maluach is your wild card, the kid who will be 20 years old when the season starts and showcased plenty of potential this summer in Las Vegas. He still has a lot of work to do, but he already possesses the rim protection, rebounding, finishing, and athleticism you want from a lottery pick. And screening? Stretching the floor? He might eventually be able to do both of those effectively as well. Heck, he shot 40% from deep in Las Vegas this past Summer League, and did so on 20 attempts.

If the progression continues and the opportunity follows, Maluach could become something special, not only as a prospect, but potentially as a franchise cornerstone. We don’t want to put the cart before the horse, but the skill set he brings gives Jordan Ott another piece he can weave in and out of games to disrupt opposing teams.

I think back to last season against the Denver Nuggets, when Ott put Maluach on Nikola Jokic after Jokic had been dissecting Phoenix from the high post all game. Maluach didn’t stop him, but he slowed him down. He forced Jokić to look at different angles and work harder to complete passes because of the length, tenacity, and disruption Maluach brought. That matters because disruption was a major part of what made the Suns successful last season. Maluach fits directly into that identity.

And then you have the advanced metrics darling, Oso Ighodaro.

When you look at the six attributes of a quality big, he doesn’t check every box. His rim protection graded as an A, according to BBall Index, while his defensive rebounding came in at a B plus. His offensive rebounding talent, however, ranked in the 12th percentile and earned an F. As for stretching the floor? That probably isn’t entering his repertoire anytime soon.

What Oso does possess is athleticism, finishing ability, elite screening for the position, and the versatility to switch onto the perimeter. That last part makes him an especially useful defensive option for Jordan Ott. In the modern NBA, having a big who can survive away from the rim and defend multiple types of players is incredibly valuable. Oso gives Phoenix exactly that.

When you put those three players together, you get a level of optionality at center that Phoenix hasn’t had in quite some time. I guess technically since last season, although the hope is that we see much more of Maluach this year.

When all three are healthy, the Suns can dictate pace, adjust to matchups, or respond to whatever an opponent throws at them. And if they aren’t all healthy, there is still viable depth behind whoever is available. You don’t have to sprinkle in starts for Chimezie Metu simply to survive the NBA calendar.

That versatility could end up being one of the unsung strengths of this roster because center is not the featured position in Phoenix. This isn’t Denver or Philadelphia. It’s a complementary position, one that needs to be occupied by capable players who understand their role, embrace it, and thrive within it. Williams, Maluach, and Ighodaro all have the ability to do exactly that.

Phoenix doesn’t need one center to do everything. It needs the position as a whole to provide enough answers over the course of 82 games. Williams gives you proven production. Maluach gives you upside and disruption. Oso gives you versatility and mobility. None of them is perfect, but together they cover a hell of a lot of ground. For a team built around Booker, Green, Bridges, and Brooks, that may be exactly what the position is supposed to look like.


Astros vs. Phillies prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for September 8

The Houston Astros (73-71) visit the City of Brotherly Love tonight as they open a crucial three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies (81-63). Houston holds a precarious two-game lead in the AL West while the Phillies are four back in the NL East but with a tight grasp on a Wild Card spot.

 

Houston arrives in town after dropping two of three over the weekend to Arizona. The Astros scored five runs in the final two games of the series (both losses). They could not get the clutch hit in either game going 2-7 with Runners in Scoring Position Sunday after going a woeful 2-12 Saturday. Philadelphia also had issues at the plate over the weekend in their series at Citizen’s Bank Park against the Braves. Philly scored a mere 11 runs over the four-game set, but they did manage a split of the four games with Atlanta.

 

Hayden Wesneski (4-1, 3.18 ERA) takes the mound for Houston in the series opener. The righthander has allowed one run across his last three starts (17 innings). The Astros have won six of his seven starts this season. Andrew Painter (3-8, 5.55 ERA) gets the ball for Philadelphia. Consistency had been a problem for the 23-year-old until recently. Last Wedensday, he shut out the Diamondbacks over seven innings and has allowed just four runs over his last 20 innings. Philadelphia has won four of his last five starts and the one loss was by the score of 1-0.

 

Lets dive into tonight’s matchup and find a sweat or two.

 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

 

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

 

Game Details and How to Watch: Astros vs. Phillies

  • Date: Tuesday, September 8, 2026
  • Time: 6:40PM EST
  • Site: Citizens Bank Park
  • City: Philadelphia, PA
  • Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, SCHN, NBC Sports Philadelphia

 

Peacock offers one of the most comprehensive live sports streaming lineups available today, bringing together the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, Premier League, NCAA football, NCAA basketball, golf, motorsports, and major global sporting events in a single service.

 

The Latest Odds: Astros vs. Phillies

The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy of DraftKings:

  • Moneyline: Houston Astros (+119), Philadelphia Phillies (-143)
  • Spread: Astros +1.5 (-171), Phillies -1.5 (+141)
  • Total: 8.5 runs

 

Probable Starting Pitchers and their Stats: Astros vs. Phillies for September 8

  • Phillies: Andrew Painter
    Season Totals: 105.1 IP, 3-8, 5.55 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 91K, 37 BB
  • Astros: Hayden Wesneski
    Season Totals: 39.2 IP, 4-1, 3.18 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 33K, 14 BB

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not! Astros vs. Phillies

  • Bryce Harper was 2-14 against the Braves this past weekend
  • Alec Bohm was 3-13 against the Braves including 2 2Bs and 1 HR
  • Yordan Alvarez is just 5-20 with 1 HR in September
  • Jose Altuve was 4-12 in the 3-game series against Arizona over the weekend
  • Trea Turner is 2-6 including 2 HRs in his career against Hayden Wesneski
  • Kyle Schwarber (1-5) has also homered against Wesneski in his career
  • The Astros have won each of Wesneski’s last 3 starts
  • Hayden Wesneski has averaged 5Ks over his last 5 starts
  • Andrew Painter has struck out 6+ hitters in 4 of his last 5 starts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

 

Top Betting Trends & Insights: Astros vs. Phillies

 

  • The Astors are 75-65 on the Run Line this season
  • The Phillies are 58-82 on the Run Line this season
  • The OVER has cashed 71 times in Houston’s 144 games this season (71-65-8)
  • The OVER has cashed 64 times in the Phillies’ 144 games this season (64-71-9)

 

Expert picks & predictions: Astros vs. Phillies

Rotoworld Bet Best Bet

 

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

 

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

 

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s game between the Phillies and the Astros:

  • Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Phillies on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Run Line.
  • Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 8.5.

 

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MLB Power Rankings: Aaron Judge returns for stretch run, Braves and Phillies on collision course

Featured in this week’s MLB Power Rankings, the Dodgers attempt to get Shohei Ohtani right, Aaron Judge and Corbin Burnes are back, the Guardians and Blue Jays jockey for playoff position, and umpire Doug Eddings creates an entirely avoidable controversy.

As a reminder, this article is a combination of current performance and long-term outlook.

Let’s get into it!

Note: Rankings are from the morning of Tuesday, September 8

1) Milwaukee Brewers

Last week: 1

The Brewers have been taking care of business against the Cubs over the past week, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to worry about here. The starting rotation owns an 8.01 ERA over their last nine games and Kyle Harrison looks to have hit a wall.

2) Los Angeles Dodgers ⬆️

Last week: 4

Shohei Ohtani returned to the Dodgers’ lineup on Monday after missing four games with knee and biceps issues. The Dodgers won all four of those games, but of course they need Ohtani’s bat if they are going to win it all again. With that plan in mind, it now appears that Ohtani won’t pitch again this season.

3) Tampa Bay Rays ⬇️

Last week: 2

Freddy Peralta had his best start as a member of the Rays as he squared off against the Mets last week. Imagine that? Getting the best version of him — or close to it — takes on more importance now that Shane McClanahan is on the IL with a forearm issue.

4) Atlanta Braves ⬇️

Last week: 3

In a fun potential playoff preview, the Braves and Phillies split their four-game series over the weekend. Ronald Acuña Jr., who hit his 200th career homer earlier in the week, also delivered a clutch three-run homer in Sunday’s victory. He enjoys the role of the heel.

5) New York Yankees

Last week: 5

It’s weirdly appropriate that Aaron Judge ended up missing 99 days with his right rib stress fracture. The Yankees went 45-39 during his absence and sit four games behind the Rays in the AL East. Will there be any rust for Judge? Can the Yankees close the gap with 19 games to play?

6) Philadelphia Phillies

Last week: 6

The series against the Braves also included a gem from Jesus Luzardo, who delivered a two-hit shutout in a tidy one hour and 51 minutes on Saturday. It was the first time Luzardo’s career (165 starts) that he threw a pitch in the ninth inning. Maybe the Phillies won’t be able to chase down the Braves for the NL East crown, but they should feel really good about where they’re at going into the postseason.

7) Chicago Cubs

Last week: 7

Clay Holmes was the headliner of the trade with the Mets at the deadline, but Tyrone Taylor has been anything but a throw-in. He’s hitting .407 (22-for-54) with a homer and six doubles through 22 games with Chicago.

8) Boston Red Sox

Last week: 8

The Red Sox are hot again, winning five in a row while effectively snuffing out the Orioles’ playoff hopes along the way. The big highlight from the week was Adley Rutschman’s emotional and memorable return to Camden Yards.

9) Arizona Diamondbacks ⬆️

Last week: 10

As the D-Backs cling to that third Wild Card spot in the NL, Corbin Burnes is set to make his long-awaited return from Tommy John surgery on Tuesday. He hasn’t pitched in a major league game since June 1 of last year. He’ll likely have some abbreviated outings out of the gate, but what a lift he could provide for these playoff hopefuls.

10) Chicago White Sox ⬇️

Last week: 9

Colson Montgomery launched his 31st homer on Saturday, but the guy who caught this ball was the real star of the show.

11) San Diego Padres

Last week: 11

The Padres took two out of three from the Yankees over the weekend, highlighted by going back-to-back-to-back off Gerrit Cole on Sunday.

12) Houston Astros

Last week: 12

Yordan Alvarez has just two homers since August 14 and just three since July 28. He might win the Triple Crown yet, but he’s lucky he’s not in the National League. So are the Astros, for that matter.

13) Cleveland Guardians

Last week: 13

Gavin Williams registered a career-high 13 strikeouts against the Blue Jays last Monday and followed that up with 11 strikeouts in a win over the Tigers on Sunday. That gives him three starts (three!) of at least 11 strikeouts in his last four.

14) Toronto Blue Jays ⬆️

Last week: 15

Tough loss against the A’s on Monday aside, the Blue Jays have won seven out of nine to put themselves right back into playoff contention. Alejandro Kirk has played a key role in the turnaround, hitting .318 with five homers and 17 RBI over his last 22 games.

15) Texas Rangers ⬆️

Last week: 17

The Rangers are running out of time to show that they are more than a fringe .500 team, which has basically been their identity all season. Cal Quantrill has stepped up for their battered rotation with three scoreless outings in his last four.

16) St. Louis Cardinals ⬆️

Last week: 18

On Friday, we saw the ultimate ump show, as home plate umpire Doug Eddings stopped play to instruct Hancel Rincon to straighten his hat. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with tilting your cap. Countless players have done it over the years, with Dontrelle Willis and Fernando Rodney serving as prominent examples. Yet, Rincon, who was major his major league debut at the time, was the target. It was heartening to see Cardinals players and even some Rockies players where their hats tilted on Saturday in a show of support for the rookie.

17) Miami Marlins ⬇️

Last week: 16

Eury Pérez isn’t exactly finishing his season on a high note. After Monday’s loss to the Mets, he now owns an ugly 12.34 ERA with 10 walks and four homers allowed in 11 2/3 innings over his last three starts.

18) Pittsburgh Pirates ⬆️

Last week: 19

So, Luke Weaver has mostly struggled since coming over from the Mets, posting a 5.79 ERA over 10 appearances. Now we have the context. Ouch.

19) Baltimore Orioles ⬇️

Last week: 14

The Orioles finally snapped their six-game losing streak on Monday, but they’ve effectively put themselves out of playoff contention. And the good vibes with Luis Robert Jr. didn’t last long, as he’s already on the IL.

20) Cincinnati Reds ⬆️

Last week: 21

The Reds have begun ramping down Chase Burns after a ridiculously successful first full season in the majors. He was pulled after three no-hit innings against the Dodgers on Monday, which places him at 148 1/3 innings for the year. The 23-year-old threw 107 1/3 innings between the majors and minors combined last season, so it's time to protect him and look ahead to next year.

21) Minnesota Twins ⬇️

Last week: 20

If you’re wondering why the Twins haven’t been able to bridge the gap in the Wild Card race, consider that the starting rotation has a 5.16 ERA dating back to the All-Star break. It would take an unlikely run to make it happen, but Joe Ryan’s return was welcome on Monday.

22) Seattle Mariners ⬆️

Last week: 23

Losing three out of four to the A’s is not what a playoff team does. The writing is on the wall at this point, but at least we can see a bunch of Lazaro Montes and Michael Arroyo to finish out the season.

23) Washington Nationals ⬇️

Last week: 22

CJ Abrams reached the 30-homer mark for the first time in his career on Sunday. Still, it’s been a struggle for him of late. He’s slashing .172/.246/.279 over his last 30 games dating back to the start of August.

24) New York Mets ⬆️

Last week: 26

If you look at Bo Bichette’s season on the whole, it’s been a disappointment. However, including this dramatic go-ahead three-run homer on Saturday, he’s hitting .306/.348/.479 with 11 homers over his last 81 games. In other words, very Bo Bichette-like. Assuming he sticks around next year, the Mets' lineup has a bunch of nice pieces.

25) Detroit Tigers ⬇️

Last week: 24

The Tigers lost three out of four to the Guardians — all of the losses coming in walkoff fashion — so it’s all but over here. It’s still shocking to see that Detroit owns a +51 run differential. The Guardians, who occupy the third Wild Card spot at the moment, hold a -16 run differential. Wild.

26) Kansas City Royals ⬇️

Last week: 25

Carter Jensen hasn’t received much attention nationally, but the rookie backstop is red-hot to begin September (.391 with three homers and a 1.505 OPS) and leads all AL rookies with 53 extra-base hits.

27) San Francisco Giants

Last week: 27

After a slow start, Rafael Devers has been one of the best hitters in baseball over the past four months. With two doubles in Monday’s extra-inning win over the Cardinals, Devers became the first Giants player to reach at least 35 homers and 35 doubles in a season since Hall of Famer Jeff Kent did it in 2002. There’s a lot that’s wrong with the Giants right now, but Devers is an exception.

28) Athletics

Last week: 28

Jeff McNeil was hitting .226 going into the All-Star break, but he’s dramatically turned his season around by hitting .338 over his last 43 games.

29) Colorado Rockies ⬆️

Last week: 30

Yes, the center fielder fell down, but I will choose to ignore that. Inside-the-park homers never get old.

30) Los Angeles Angels ⬇️

Last week: 29

The Angels have been eliminated from postseason contention, extending their MLB-worst streak to 12 seasons. With new ownership coming, you have to wonder about Mike Trout’s future with this team.

Sixers sign Dillon Jones to Exhibit 10 contract

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 11: Dillon Jones #1 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on February 11, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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

The Sixers have signed Dillon Jones to an Exhibit 10 contract.

Jones was the 26th overall pick back in 2024, selected by the Washington Wizards before being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder on draft night. He made 54 appearances for the Thunder in his rookie season, playing 10 minutes a game averaging 2.5 points and 2.2 rebounds on 38% field goal shooting.

After being traded back to and waived by the Wizards, he bounced around several G League teams last season before signing a two-way deal with the New York Knicks in January. He made just seven appearances for the Knicks and only averaged five minutes a game per appearance. In 18 games for the Westchester Knicks, he averaged 15.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game, shooting 43% from the field and 38% from three.

Jones was a 32% three-point shooter in his four college seasons at Weber State and hasn’t shot over 25% from deep in his limited NBA opportunities. He did though make a big shooting leap in the G League, going 27.5% from three in his first season to 37% over the course of his second season with three teams.

This is the fourth Exhibit 10 contract the Sixers have signed this offseason. Jones will join Tacko Fall, Jameer Nelson Jr., and Saint Thomas on the team’s training camp roster. It could be a sign of good fortune if Jones somehow is able to make the roster, as every team he’s made an NBA appearance for has gone on to win the Finals. It’s hard to argue with a 100% success rate.

Yankees prospects: Week 24 minor league recap

Core Jackson of the Somerset Patriots throws the ball during a Minor League baseball game at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, United States, on August 26, 2026. (Photo by Dan Squicciarini/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images

September is the ultimate encapsulation of the baseball season winding down. The major league team is entering its final sprint, but before they get to the postseason, things eventually end in the minors as well. This week, the two A-ball affiliates ended their regular seasons, with one preparing to begin a playoff run on Tuesday.

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders

Record: 36-26 (73-63), 1 GB in the International League East after a 5-2 week against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Phillies)

Run differential: +57 (+60)

Coming up: Away @ Rochester Red Wings (Nationals)

It was a big week for the RailRiders, who won five of the last six games against Lehigh Valley after dropping a suspended game to open the week. It pulled them into a tie for first in the International League with Rochester, which will make their upcoming six-game series (note: Scranton lost Game 1 on Labor Day in a rare Monday game) likely pivotal to who goes to the playoffs.

It was a great week for the bats, who got contributions from up and down the lineup. Kenedy Corona had a multi-homer game, Yanquiel Fernandez blasted three homers, J.C. Escarra, Oswaldo Cabrera, and Max Schuemann all hit over .350 this week, and even the struggling Jasson Domínguez got going before his emergency promotion. The real story here remains the power revival of Anthony Volpe, who’s been playing three positions and is now slashing .295/.393/.667 with 10 home runs in 27 games since being sent down. That’s how you send a message.

Elmer Rodríguez spent the week out west with the big league club, so the focus this week was on the rest of the gang. We got great six-inning starts by both Adam Kloffenstein and Alexander Cornielle, but on the prospect front, Brendan Beck allowed one run in six innings with seven strikeouts as he continued to stay ready, while Kyle Carr couldn’t get out of the third as he continues to build up. It was good to finally see something positive from Xavier Rivas, who allowed just two earned runs in five innings after a dreadful first month at the level.

Eric Reyzelman continued his better pitching of late, as he and Zach Messinger combined to toss 7.2 shutout innings in what was ultimately an iffy week for the bullpen. The main attraction was the rehabbing Clarke Schmidt, who looked healthy in his four innings of work this week as he continues to build his way back.

Players of Note:

Jasson Domínguez: .283/.361/.420, 7 HR, 30 RBI, 14 SB, 107 wRC+
Anthony Volpe: .271/.354/.576, 11 HR, 26 RBI, 21 XBH, 135 wRC+ (165 PA)
Oswaldo Cabrera: .291/.348/.441, 17 HR, 59 RBI, 31 XBH, 105 wRC+
Brendan Beck: 9-2, 2.86 ERA, 3.26 FIP, 1.04 WHIP, 20.4 K-BB% (125.2 IP)
Elmer Rodríguez: 8-3, 2.59 ERA, 3.72 FIP, 1.26 WHIP, 13.1 K-BB% (97.1 IP)

Double-A Somerset Patriots

Record: 33-30 (70-62), 3.5 GB in the Eastern League Northeast after a 3-3 week against the Erie SeaWolves (Tigers)

Run differential: +1 (+37)

Coming up: Home vs. Hartford Yard Goats (Rockies)

Somerset is officially on the ropes after failing to make a statement against Erie. They’ll likely need to sweep Hartford this upcoming week and get help from that SeaWolves team that just beat them to get a playoff spot.

Jace Avina had big moments this week, including a slump-busting homer on Tuesday, but has overall had a rough go of it since July. Omar Alfonzo hit the ball well in his two starts, as did Cole Gabrielson, Roderick Arias, Jackson Castillo, and Core Jackson, with the latter going 8-for-25 with his first Double-A homer as he continues to acclimate to his new level.

It was an up-and-down week for the rotation. Cade Smith drew double duty and had two iffy outings, allowing eight runs in 9.2 innings. Chase Hampton continued to struggle mightily at the level, being chased in the third inning before being DFA’d on Monday. Both Bryce Cunningham and Rory Fox had good weeks to salvage things for a rough rotation, with the former notching a seven-inning complete game for his first Double-A win and the latter tossing a quality start with six two-run innings.

The bullpen was really awful this week, with the only guy putting up zeroes being converted starter Trent Sellers. I’m not sure if there’s big-league potential for the almost 27-year-old, but he’s salvaged a bad start to the season by pitching to a 2.48 ERA in 29 innings with 41 strikeouts since mid-June.

Players of Note:

Jace Avina: .249/.345/.462, 20 HR, 65 RBI, 50 XBH, 24.0 K%, 117 wRC+
DJ Gladney: .265/.326/.496, 23 HR, 85 RBI, 49 XBH, 116 wRC+
Coby Morales: .282/.372/.483, 21 HR, 81 RBI, 21 SB, 130 wRC+
Cade Smith:
7-8, 5.10 ERA, 5.51 FIP, 1.44 WHIP, 12.2 K-BB% (120 IP)
Ben Hess: 3-4, 4.45 ERA, 4.69 FIP, 1.45 WHIP, 13.7 K-BB% (56.2 IP, injured)

High-A Hudson Valley Renegades

Record: 35-31 (65-65), 7.5 GB in the South Atlantic League North after a 1-5 week against the Wilmington Blue Rocks (Nationals)

Run differential: +35 (+4)

The season is over down in Hudson Valley, whose nine-game winning streak in mid-August was not nearly enough to make up for a rough start to the second half. It didn’t help how bad the last two weeks have been, particularly with three shutout losses this week to Wilmington and a brutal, season-ending walk-off loss to end it on Sunday.

Two players hit major milestones this week, as Kyle West notched a 20/20 season late in the week, while Jackson Lovich finished with 24 homers and 41 stolen bases, narrowly missing being the first 25/40 Yankee since Ruben Rivera in 1994. There’s some very promising bats here, especially at the catching position with a pair of 2025 undrafted free agents in Eric Genther and David McCann. Next year, Hudson Valley will likely be home to many 2026 draftees, as some of the guys previously mentioned are tested up in Somerset.

This was a pitching staff that stayed relatively intact all season long. Only a late-season promotion for Cunningham changed things after the early-season call-ups to Allen Facundo and the now-traded Henry Lalane. I thought it was a great season for Luis Serna, who broke the Renegades’ single-season strikeout record as he shattered his previous career high in innings to put him back on the map. I wonder if Allen Facundo, who’s command continues to hold him back, will be put in the bullpen next season to fast-track his electric stuff.

Players of Note:

Eric Genther: .274/.407/.440, 12 HR, 57 RBI, 31 XBH, 128 wRC+
David McCann (FCL/A/A+): .268/.354/.544, 17 HR, 56 RBI, 27 XBH, 124 wRC+
Jackson Lovich (A/A+): .287/.361/.512, 24 HR, 89 RBI, 41 SB, 28.6 K%, 123 wRC+
Luis Serna:
6-6, 4.32 ERA, 3.74 FIP, 1.19 WHIP, 20.0 K-BB% (118.2 IP)
Allen Facundo: 6-3, 4.44 ERA, 4.37 FIP, 1.47 WHIP, 11.6 K-BB% (99.1 IP)

Single-A Tampa Tarpons

Record: 43-20 (75-48), 9 GA in the Florida State League West after a 4-2 week against the Dunedin Blue Jays (Blue Jays)

Run differential: +114 (+137)

Coming up: FSL Division Series vs. Clearwater Threshers (Phillies)

The regular season has come to an end, and no team is hotter than the Tampa Tarpons, who haven’t lost a series since mid-June. After winning their ninth series in the last 11 (with two splits), they solidified the best record in the Florida State League. They’ll look to secure the West Division title against Clearwater this week.

For the first time in a while, it wasn’t complete domination for the offense. Anthony Potestio continued to be the best 2026 draftee thus far, as the 11th-round pick is slashing .333/.513/.684 with five homers in his first 80 pro plate appearances. Paul Gutierrez-Contreras II, Diego Castellanos, and Luis Escudero all had strong weeks as well, with Dax Kilby continuing to draw walks at a very mature rate.

In the final full week of the rotation, things went well, even if injuries continued to ravage them. Tyler Boudreau suffered a nasty forearm injury on a comebacker mid-week, while Sabier Marte quietly went on the injured list late in the week. Aside from Wyatt Parliament’s struggles with the long ball, everyone else showed out. Edinzo Marquez tossed five shutout frames, Anthony Mena looked good in 3.2 innings of a bullpen game, J.T. Etheridge stacked another good outing, and Justin West tossed five two-run innings of ball.

In the bullpen, there was nothing overtly noteworthy as Antonio Gomez tossed another scoreless outing and guys like Josh Tiedemann and Rafael Arias pitched well, but the story was the first debut of a 2026 pitcher, as Jason Krieger was recalled from the complex to toss 1.1 innings on Sunday due to the injuries. The Yankees rarely have a pitcher make an appearance in their draft year.

Players of Note:

Luis Escudero: .281/.460/.540, 10 HR, 28 RBI, 17 SB, 160 wRC+
Yostin Pena (DSL/A): .354/.431/.608, 14 HR, 80 RBI, 37 SB, 147 wRC+
Dax Kilby: .261/.448/.435, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 12 SB, 143 wRC+ (154 PA)
Tyler Boudreau: 7-3, 3.41 ERA, 3.98 FIP, 1.06 WHIP, 17.3 K-BB% (103 IP)
Justin West: 10-4, 4.06 ERA, 3.83 FIP, 1.23 WHIP, 18.5 K-BB% (113 IP)

FCL Yankees

Record: 29-29, 7.5 GB in the FCL North

Run differential: +2

Missed playoffs. Season over.

DSL Yankees & Bombers

DSL Yankees:
Record: 33-21, 2 GB in DSL East. Eliminated in DSL Cup Pool Play
Run differential: +141

DSL Bombers:
Record: 25-29, 11 GB in DSL Southeast. Missed playoffs
Run differential: +8

Season over.

Players of Note:

Isaias Castillo: .294/.408/.629, 14 HR, 49 RBI, 35 XBH, 28 SB, 132 wRC+
Juan Torres: .385/.470/.644, 8 HR, 65 RBI, 36 XBH, 26 SB, 159 wRC+
David Carrera: .333/.502/.594, 9 HR, 41 RBI, 23 XBH, 160 wRC+
Fredy Penuelas: 52 IP, 1.56 ERA, 3.91 FIP, 1.00 WHIP, 18.4 K-BB%
Cesar Acosta: 51.2 IP, 3.31 ERA, 3.35 FIP, 1.01 WHIP, 24.1 K-BB%

Prospect(?) of the Week: Anthony Volpe

Weekly Stats: 11-for-21, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 3 2B, 3 BB, 4 K, 5 SB (2 CS)
Season Stats (AAA): .271/.354/.576, 11 HR, 26 RBI, 21 XBH, 20 SB, 135 wRC+ (165 PA)

SB Nation Reacts Survey: How many steals will Pete Crow-Armstrong finish with?

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cubs fans and fans across the country.


Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is having a spectacular season. This, you already know.

He’s the likely National League MVP and is close to setting a record for home runs for any Cubs left-handed hitter, starting today just one behind Billy Williams’ 42 in 1970.

He’s also possibly on track for a 40/40 season, which would be the first-ever for a Cubs player and just the seventh ever by anyone. PCA stole two bases against the Brewers Monday and has 35. There are 17 games remaining in the 2026 regular season.

So that’s week’s SB Nation Reacts survey question: How many steals will PCA have for the 2026 regular season? Cast your vote and I’ll post the final results here later this week.


Dodgers scoring 6 runs on only 3 hits is quite rare

Los Angeles, CA - September 07, 2026: Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernández (37) celebrates after hitting a home run during the sixth inning of an MLB game against the Cincinnati Reds at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

The Dodgers beat the Cincinnati Reds 6-3 on Monday which seems like a totally normal score, though perhaps with a little more offense than the Dodgers put forth during their July-August malaise. They’ve now scored at least six runs in three straight games, a streak they’ve now achieved twice within their last eight contests.

But it’s how the Dodgers scored on Monday that was notable. They only had three hits.

The big blow was a three-run home run by Teoscar Hernández, which blew the game open and continued a tremendous run by the veteran slugger who is healthy again and able to use his old swing to great effect.

Hernández, who also singled and scored in the fifth inning, had two of the Dodgers’ three hits on Monday. During his eight-game hit streak, Hernández is 13 for 29 with two home runs and three doubles, hitting .448/.543/.759 with 11 RBI, including driving in runs in each of the last five games.

The Dodgers in their franchise history have scored six or more runs on no more than three hits only once before. On May 7, 2022, the Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 6-2 in the second game of a doubleheader at Wrigley Field. Mookie Betts did the heavy lifting that day, with a three-run double and two-run home run, accounting for two of the Dodgers’ three hits.

Four years ago in Chicago, the Dodgers walked nine times to complement their three hits. On Monday against the Reds, the Dodgers walked six times and were hit by a pitch. An error accounted for two of the Dodgers’ six runs on Monday.

Scoring at least six runs on no more than three hits has happened only 29 times in modern major league history. The Dodgers have their last two such games. Before that, the most recent was April 22, 2021, when the Seattle Mariners scored seven runs in a 10-inning win at Fenway Park.

The most runs scored on no more than three hits is eight, by the Oakland A’s on April 12, 1994 against the Toronto Blue Jays. The fewest hits in scoring six runs is one, by the Chicago White Sox on August 28, 1909 against the Washington Senators. The Sox took advantage of 11 walks by the wonderfully-named Dolly Gray in that one.

The last two nights at Dodger Stadium have featured rarities. On Sunday, there was actual rain (though nothing that interrupted the game). On Monday, it was scoring six runs on only three hits. Let’s see what Tuesday brings.

Matthew Schaefer Representing Islanders At NHL Media Tour In Las Vegas

Ahead of NHL training camps, each team sends a representative to the NHL Media Tour in Las Vegas. 

Last season, the New York Islanders sent Mathew Barzal as their representative. 

This season, the Islanders are sending Calder Trophy-winning defenseman Matthew Schaefer

StreamYard | Browser-based live studio for professionalsStreamYard | Browser-based live studio for professionalsStreamYard is a professional live streaming and recording studio in your browser. Record your content, or stream live to Facebook, YouTube, and other platforms.

Schaefer has become one of the brightest faces of the league since even before debuting for the Islanders last season.

From the way he's carried himself off the ice in the community ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft to all the work he did throughout his first NHL season, plus his work as a host during the 2026 NHL Draft, the NHL can't get enough of him.

The first overall pick in 2025 announced the Islanders' No. 13 selection, Malte Gustafsson. 

Islanders Sign 2026 First-Round Pick Malte Gustafsson To Entry-Level ContractIslanders Sign 2026 First-Round Pick Malte Gustafsson To Entry-Level ContractTowering Swedish defenseman Malte Gustafsson brings elite mobility and a physical edge to New York. The 13th overall pick aims to refine his shutdown game before joining the pros.

If you know Schaefer, he relishes the opportunity not only to be a spokesperson for his team but also for the Long Island community. 

The NHL Media Tour is two days long, beginning on Tuesday and concluding on Wednesday. 

Be on the lookout from Islanders media, as they'll post everything going on with Schaefer during the tour. 

MLB Predictions and Moneyline Picks for Tuesday, Sept. 8

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Full slate Tuesday!

My MLB moneyline predictions for today's slate include backing a lot of pricey favorites, which include the Baltimore Orioles.

Before we dive in, be sure to check out all our MLB picks for Tuesday, Sept. 8.

MLB moneyline picks for September 8

For help understanding Polymarket probabilities, see our odds calculator.

MatchupPick
GuardiansGuardians
vs
OriolesOrioles
Orioles
52%
AstrosAstros
vs
PhilliesPhillies
Astros
44%
TwinsTwins
vs
TigersTigers
Tigers
56%
MetsMets
vs
MarlinsMarlins
Marlins
54%
AngelsAngels
vs
Red SoxRed Sox
Angels
44%
RockiesRockies
vs
YankeesYankees
Rockies
25%
RaysRays
vs
BravesBraves
Rays
49%
DiamondbacksDiamondbacks
vs
RoyalsRoyals
Royals
48%
CubsCubs
vs
BrewersBrewers
Brewers
66%
PiratesPirates
vs
White SoxWhite Sox
White Sox
57%
RangersRangers
vs
MarinersMariners
Rangers
44%
Blue JaysBlue Jays
vs
AthleticsA's
Blue Jays
62%
NationalsNationals
vs
PadresPadres
Padres
63%
CardinalsCardinals
vs
GiantsGiants
Giants
50%
RedsReds
vs
DodgersDodgers
Dodgers
74%

Prices courtesy of Polymarket as of September 8.

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Expert MLB moneyline picks for September 8

Guardians vs Orioles: Orioles 

Orioles win probability: 52%

Orioles right-hander Brandon Young has been holding it down in his last few outings, posting a 2.79 ERA while limiting hard-hit and barreled balls. On the other side, Tanner Bibee has been solid, but he has been walking guys at a very high rate, which the Orioles could exploit, as they have been drawing a lot of walks over their last 12 games.

Neither offense has shown much life as of late, so we will be leaning with the better arm.

Astros vs Phillies: Astros 

Astros win probability: 44%

Both arms in this matchup have been great over their last five outings, while neither offense has posted a wRC+ above 90 in quite some time.

Why pay the juice in this spot? Take the dog.

Twins vs Tigers: Tigers 

Tigers win probability: 56%

Pay the juice! It is the Tigers or nothing here.

Sure, the Tigers’ bats have cooled down as of late, but Dean Kremer has been brutal in his most recent outings, posting a 7.43 ERA and 1.80 WHIP while allowing a 47%+ hard-hit rate and 14% barrel rate over his last three starts.

Batters-Box has Kremer owning the worst pitcher rating on the day in its current season dataset.

Full fade on Kremer.

Mets vs Marlins: Marlins 

Marlins win probability: 54%

Simple fade on Sean Manaea, who has progressively gotten worse with each start. Over his last five outings, he owns a 5.87 ERA while allowing a barrel rate above 15%. Over his last three, those numbers jump to a 7.79 ERA and nearly an 18% barrel rate. The Marlins’ bats should be able to get after the veteran early and often.

Angels vs Red Sox: Angels 

Angels win probability: 44%

Back the dog here. It is going to be sweaty with how poorly the Angels’ bats have been, but Patrick Sandoval has been horrible in his last five starts, posting a 5.40 ERA and 1.80 WHIP while allowing a 10%+ barrel rate to opposing hitters.

Meanwhile, Reid Detmers has been nails, allowing little to no hard contact over his last five outings while owning a 0.82 ERA.

Get filthy. Back the Halos.

Rockies vs Yankees: Rockies 

Rockies win probability: 25%

Will the Yankees likely win this ballgame with Cam Schlittler on the bump and the juice that getting Aaron Judge back will bring? Likely, yes.

However, at that price? No.

The Rockies have posted a 114 wRC+, .353 wOBA, and .808 OPS over the last week. Maybe these bats can come alive against the potential AL Cy Young winner.

Rays vs Braves: Rays 

Rays win probability: 49%

Small sample size, but Braves starter AJ Smith-Shawver has been pretty bad since returning. He owns a 7.13 ERA and 1.75 WHIP while facing one of the most consistent lineups in baseball.

Sure, Freddy Peralta is on the bump for Tampa Bay, but he has been very solid in his last three starts, posting a 2.84 ERA and just a 0.68 WHIP.

Take the dog.

Diamondbacks vs Royals: Royals

Royals win probability: 48%

We have no idea what to expect from Corbin Burnes this evening, as he is making his 2026 debut after being out for more than a year due to injury.

However, one thing we do know is Michael Wacha has been holding it down, sporting a 1.71 ERA and 0.76 WHIP over his last three starts. On top of that, the Royals’ bats have been hot for more than three weeks now, while Arizona is frozen at the dish.

Cubs vs Brewers: Brewers

Brewers win probability: 66%

Do we want to trust Jacob Misiorowski or David Peterson this evening? Such a tough debate, right? We’re debating whether to take a guy with a 6.14 ERA over his last three starts or a guy with a 3.94 ERA.

If you haven’t picked up on the sarcasm yet, it is the Brewers or nothing. I refuse to get in front of the Misiorowski freight train.

Pirates vs White Sox: White Sox

White Sox win probability: 57%

The South Siders should be able to tee off on Bubba Chandler early and often, as he is mainly throwing fastballs, and this White Sox team foams at the mouth for four-seam fastballs. Especially Munetaka Murakami, who needs a guy like this to snap out of his cold streak.

Sean Burke has been great, and if he can limit the walks, he should be able to keep his team in this.

Rangers vs Mariners: Rangers  

Rangers win probability: 44%

Neither starter in this matchup has been putting up great numbers over their last few outings, but one offense has been producing more than the other. Sure, Seattle has been heating up, but the Rangers have been much hotter.

Texas owns a 122 wRC+, .346 wOBA, and .791 OPS over its last 12 games.

Take the dog.

Blue Jays vs A's: Blue Jays

Blue Jays win probability: 62%

The Blue Jays have to keep their heads down if they want a chance at the postseason. These are games they have to win.

Their bats have been pretty hot as of late, which is good news for Toronto, as Jack Perkins owns a 7.04 ERA at home.

Toronto will also need Jose Soriano to be nails this evening.

Stay hungry, Toronto.

Nationals vs Padres: Padres 

Padres win probability: 63%

Unless this is a brand-new Matt Waldron, I want no part of backing him to hold anything down this evening. The Nationals right-hander owns a 5.63 ERA and 2.00 WHIP over his last five starts.

Casey Mize has not been much better for San Diego, but we know he is nails at home, with a 2.98 ERA and 0.98 WHIP.

Plus, the Padres’ bullpen is light-years better than Washington’s.

Give me the favorite.

Cardinals vs Giants: Giants 

Giants win probability: 50%

The hometown team is talking to me after the Giants walked it off last night against the Cardinals.

Tonight, they send out Landen Roupp, who has been pretty solid over his last few starts, limiting hard-hit balls.

On the other side, St. Louis has Quinn Mathews on the mound, who owns a 5.17 ERA and 1.60 WHIP over his last three starts.

If the Giants can get after Mathews early and force him to go to the bullpen, which owns a 4.41 xERA on the season, they should be able to open this game up early.

Reds vs Dodgers: Dodgers

Dodgers win probability: 74%

Nick Lodolo has an 8.10 ERA, 8.04 xERA, and 2.02 WHIP while allowing a 53%+ hard-hit rate and nearly a 15% barrel rate over his last three starts. This Dodgers lineup should be able to feast on Lodolo’s offerings this evening.

Tarik Skubal should be able to cool off the red-hot Reds bats. Take the home favorite.

“But bu- you said not to pay this much juice.”

Lodolo has been far worse than Rockies starter Gabriel Hughes. That is the difference.

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Top seven free agents still available (not including Jalen Duren)

Since the start of free agency, Jalen Duren has been on top of every NBC Sports ranking of the best free agents available. In every one of those cases, we wrote about how he would definitely be back with the Pistons next season, the only question was the price tag and years. Duren is still technically a restricted free agent and still technically available, but in practice neither is true.

After Duren, who are the best free agents still available? Here is our list of the top seven players who can still be signed.

Cam Thomas

Cam Thomas is a bucket.

Last season between Brooklyn and Milwaukee, he averaged 13.5 points a game. The season before in Brooklyn he averaged 24. However, he's inefficient getting those points (31% from 3 and a .530 true shooting percentage last season, both well below the league average), doesn't involve teammates, and isn't a good defender. In short, he doesn't contribute to winning basketball and, according to teammates, wasn't popular in the locker room.

Which is why he's still available (and was waived by both Brooklyn and Milwaukee last season). However, for a team looking for a scoring punch off the bench, a guy who can go get a bucket, Thomas is available and can get one. Some Miami fans have pushed for the team to sign him, but that seems unlikely at this point. (He's not going to want to play overseas, but he could give his NBA chances a boost with a big season in Europe.)

John Konchar

The seven-year veteran guard was traded from Utah to Minnesota for Josh Green, but the Timberwolves instantly waived and stretched Konchar's salary, giving them the space to sign Jonathan Kuminga.

Konchar is a rock-solid, 6'5" deep bench guard who has a spot in the NBA. He's not going to put up a lot of points (4.3 points per game for his career), nor is he a great floor spacer (34.9% from 3 for his career), but he will get a team rebounds (4.3 a game last season) and will just play smart ball. He has been linked to final roster spots in New York and Miami.

Ochai Agbaji

Agbaji is an athletic wing who has bounced around the NBA for four seasons after being the No. 14 pick out of Kansas in the 2022 NBA Draft. Two seasons ago in Toronto he showed his potential as a 3&D wing, but last season he struggled, shooting 26.6% from 3, although that was a better 34.9% in 20 games with Brooklyn.

If Agbaji can return to his 2024-25 form — 10.4 points per game, shooting 39.9% from 3 — he has real value, but he needs to prove to teams he can be that guy again.

Kelly Olynyk

One of a long list of solid veterans still available, and Olynyk showed his value as a mentor last season in San Antonio. He can fill that role and still contribute.

Olynyk, 34, is a 13-year NBA veteran stretch big who is a career 36.9% shooter from 3-point range, but that fell to 25.5% last season. Still, stretch bigs are always in demand, and it's easy to imagine Olynyk landing somewhere either before the season starts or during it when a team facing injuries (or just a surprise weakness in the frontcourt) reaches out to him.

Bruce Brown

Brown is at the front of the line of a series of veteran guards still available (including Gabe Vincent and Cameron Payne). He played in all 82 games for Denver last season, and while he may not have been the guy from the 2023 championship run, he still averaged 7.9 points and 3.9 rebounds a game, shooting 38.5% from 3-point range. Brown has been linked in rumors to the Lakers and Knicks in recent weeks.

Cam Whitmore

Is there a team out there willing to bet on Cam Whitmore's potential and growth?

He is an explosive scorer, which is why Washington brought him in a year ago, but by early December coach Brian Keefe buried him on the bench because of his lack of passing and defense. He was too one-dimensional (he injured his shoulder in January and was done for the season). With the drafting of AJ Dybantsa, Whitmore was going to be out of the Wizards' rotation, so they traded him to Cleveland, which promptly released him.

Whitmore is just 22 and has played three years in the league, some team should consider taking a flyer on him. Whitmore wouldn't like this, but may have to take a two-way contract (he still has eligibility for that) and prove he can fit with a team before he gets another standard deal.

Kevin Love

Love just turned 38 and has played 18 seasons in the NBA, but for a team looking for a quality locker room guy who can a mentor and still play a little as a stretch big — and throw incredible outlet passes — Love may be the guy.

The five-time All-Star has been linked to a return to Cleveland (where he won an NBA title) and Minnesota (where he played the first six years of his career), but in both cases that likely would come a month or two into the season. Both would be great stories, but it is possible another team makes a move earlier.

Other free agent names of note: 18-year NBA veteran Jeff Green, Nicolas Batum, Dwight Powell, Bismack Biyombo, Cameron Payne, Victor Oladipo, Elfrid Payton, Gabe Vincent and Blake Wesley

Craig Conroy Calls Flames Goaltending a “Real Strength” Heading Into 2026-27

There’s one area of the Calgary Flames’ roster where there doesn’t appear to be much uncertainty heading into the 2026-27 season.

Goaltending.

After plenty of turnover throughout the roster last season, the Flames enter training camp with Dustin Wolf and Devin Cooley firmly established as their tandem. More importantly, the organization appears to have complete confidence in both.

Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

Flames general manager Craig Conroy spoke about the duo during a recent appearance on the Raw Mike Richards show on QR Calgary, emphasizing the belief inside the organization that either goaltender can give the team a chance to win on any given night.

“Everyone’s got the belief, if either goalie goes in we can win every night, they’re going to give us a chance. It’s exciting, because I think the year before there was uncertainty. Wolfie was coming in to be the starter, but he’d never done it before,” Conroy explained.

That uncertainty is considerably different this time around.

Wolf enters his second full NHL season after taking over the starting job last year, while Cooley has established himself as a legitimate NHL option after showing he could handle the workload when called upon.

The two also have the benefit of already knowing what to expect from one another.

For a position where confidence and consistency can have a significant impact on a team over the course of an 82-game schedule, that familiarity could be important.

Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

Conroy believes the competition between the two could ultimately make both goaltenders better.

“The NHL is a different beast. The shooters are that much better, the size, speed, the traffic, but to see them now together, they know each other, they get along great. Now to have them as a tandem, they’re going to push each other. That’s the one thing that Cooley did a great job (of), coming in and winning games, and now they can push together and we feel comfortable with either goalie on any given night, so I think it’s great. I think that is a real strength of our team going into the year, maybe the strongest part of the team going in.”

The numbers certainly give Conroy reason for optimism.

Wolf posted a 3.01 goals-against average and .899 save percentage in his first full season as an NHL starter. Cooley, meanwhile, appeared in 31 games and finished with a 2.69 GAA and .909 save percentage, along with a 10-10-6 record.

Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images

Those numbers aren’t perfect, but they provide the Flames with something they didn’t necessarily have entering last season: two goaltenders with NHL experience who the organization believes can win games.

There are still plenty of questions surrounding the Flames heading into the new season. How quickly will the younger players take another step? Can the revamped blue line hold up? Will the offence produce consistently enough?

The crease, however, doesn’t appear to be one of them.

And for a team entering another important season in its transition, having that kind of stability in net could be one of Calgary’s biggest advantages.

As Conroy put it:

“It does take a little time, goaltending is a tough position, but to know we have two guys that can play, it’s a real strength of the team this year.”

How far out from a postseason spot will the Orioles finish?

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 07: Gunnar Henderson #2, Jackson Holliday #7 and Pete Alonso #25 of the Baltimore Orioles watch the game in the second inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 07, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Orioles fans and fans across the country.

With 17 games left to play in the 2026 season, the Orioles “tragic number” is 13. That is, the combination of Orioles losses and Guardians wins that will clinch that the O’s don’t make the playoffs. They have stacked the odds substantially against themselves making it after getting mopped in the four-game Red Sox series this past weekend.

Still, they are not mathematically eliminated yet, and even if you don’t believe that they’re going to make it, there’s the question of how much of a collapse they might have between now and season’s end. That’s the aim in this week’s poll question, asking how far behind the eventual AL Wild Card 3 team you think that the Orioles will finish. It could still be the Guardians, Blue Jays, Rangers, or even – if they go on a miraculous run – the O’s themselves.

Vote in the poll below:

Notorious pessimist though I am, I did make sure that “they make the playoffs” is still one of the choices, so all of those who just can’t stop believing can register their optimism. Of course, more likely, they won’t make it, and I’m interested in seeing how far you think the team will fall between now and season’s end.

Right now, the Orioles are three games back of the Guardians. They have a chance to take games with their remaining two head-to-head games, and there are also six games coming against the Blue Jays. I don’t think the Orioles will do anything positive with these opportunities, but they are there.

Maybe you think the Orioles will play just well enough to miss out by a game or two. Maybe you think they’ll tread water right around here, not in the race exactly but not mathematically eliminated until the final handful of games. Or maybe you think they’re going to continue the swan dive that their games against the Rockies and Red Sox suggested was on the way.


Red Sox News & Links: Injury updates on Garrett Crochet, Tanner Houck

ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 16: Garrett Crochet #45 of the Chicago White Sox and Tanner Houck #89 of the Boston Red Sox look on prior to the 94th MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

By now you’ve probably all seen the quote circulating online: “I mean, not [to be all] me, me, me, me, but I’ve done crazy things before. I’m not Joe Schmoe. I’ve done impressive things. I think that that would be a big ask for some people, but I don’t think it’s a crazy ask for me.” That’s Garrett Crochet speaking about the fact that he is now aiming to return and pitch in the postseason, even though he won’t make a single appearance between now and the end of the regular season. It would potentially be a legendary moment for Crochet if he can pull it off, but he’s not there yet, as he didn’t get get his fastball above 90 MPH when he threw a bullpen on Friday. He’ll throw another bullpen today and hopes to face live hitters in a simulated game setting soon, as he has run out of time to make a rehab appearance in the minors. (Tim Healey, Boston Globe)

Crochet isn’t the only arm hoping to work his way back into the bullpen. While Crochet will merely throw a bullpen today, Tanner Houck will make a 20-pitch appearance for AA Portland, with hopes of bumping that number up to 45 on Friday. He’s itching to go. “It’s been a fun team to watch from afar,” said Houck. “The energy the players bring every night, the excitement level they bring to the city, I want to do nothing but help them in this postseason push and have a deep playoff run.” (Ian Browne, MLB.com)

If he is able to return and look like his old self, the Red Sox bullpen will be downright nasty in October. And hopefully the starting rotation will be right there with them, because it’s the starters who have been the key to this mini winning streak. (Sean McAdam, MassLive)

In addition to working on his velocity and command, Crochet will need to practice the team’s new post-game victory ritual, the celebration circle. “While there were the usual get-togethers by the outfielders and infielders, just outside the Red Sox dugout, a group of five players gathered to form a circle, put their arms around each other and do a little dance. Nick Sogard. Andruw Monasterio. Connor Wong. Nate Eaton. And the creator of the brief celebration, Jahmai Jones. For just a few seconds, they were all in their own little world.” (Rob Bradford, WEEI)

While we’ll hopefully get to see more celebration circles in October at the ends of games, we unfortunately won’t get what would’ve been a special pregame ceremony: that being one-time interim manager Joe Morgan being honored at Fenway before current interim manager Chad Tracy’s team takes the field. That’s because Morgan passed away at the age of 95 over the weekend. “Joe’s life is a story about never giving up. It’s a story about perseverance. It’s a story about hustle. And, yes, it’s a story about being in the right place at the right time.” (Steve Buckley, The Athletic)