CORAL GABLES, FL - APRIL 21: Louisville catcher Zion Rose (32) bats in the fifth inning as the Miami Hurricanes faced the Louisville Cardinals on April 21, 2024, at Mark Light Field at Alex Rodriguez Park in Coral Gables, Florida. (Photo by Samuel Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Royals will get a good look at how 2026 first-round pick Zion Rose fares against top competition this fall when he participates in the Arizona Fall League. Rose is one of nine Royals players who will suit up for the Surprise Saguaros this fall.
Rose was selected sixth overall out of Louisville last July. He played 19 games for High-A Quad Cities, hitting .268 with one home run, 14 walks and 14 steals. The right-handed-hitting outfielder is known for his speed and athleticism coming out of college, and the Royals will get a chance to see how his tools play against some of the better prospects in baseball.
The Royals announced seven other players headed to the AFL, with one more participant to be named later.
Brooks Bryan is a catcher for the Low-A Columbia Fireflies who hit .319/.406/.496 with three home runs in 33 games before he landed on the Injured List on June 1. A left-handed hitter, he was an eighth-round pick in 2025 out of Troy University.
Austin Charles is a toolsy shortstop who has suffered from a spate of injuries in his career. He has been limited to 45 games this year at Quad Cities, hitting .285/.353/.491 with seven home runs. Still just 22 years old, Charles has an enticing power/speed combo if he can stay healthy.
Josh Hansell was a 16th-round pick out of Arizona State in 2023. He has battled injuries the last two seasons, but posted a 4.87 ERA for Quad Cities with 41 strikeouts and 25 walks in 40.2 innings.
Justin Lamkin is ranked the eighth-best Royals prospect by MLB Pipeline. The former Texas A&M pitcher was a second-round pick for the Royals in 2025. He was dominating High-A and Double-A with a 2.04 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 39.2 innings over eight starts before he was shut down in mid-May with an apparent injury.
Frank Mozzicato was the Royals’ first-round pick in 2021, when he was selected seventh overall out of high school in Connecticut. Known for a big curveball, Mozzicato has struggled in the upper minors with his control, posting an 8.04 ERA with 72 walks in 71.2 innings at Double-A. He has pitched much better in the last month, striking out 30 in 18 innings since August 8, with opponents hitting just .121 against him in that time.
Hiro Wyatt was a third-round pick by the Royals in 2023 out of a Connecticut high school. In his second stint at Low-A Columbia, he has a 3.21 ERA in seven starts, with 24 strikeouts in 28 innings, but has been out since May with an injury.
Steven Zobac seemed on the verge of making the big leagues until injuries derailed his career. He suffered injuries and ineffectiveness in 2025, but was still added to the 40-man roster that November. The 25-year-old made 13 starts at Double-A this year with a 4.85 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 42.2 innings, and is ranked #14 in the organization by MLB Pipeline.
The Arizona Fall League is for higher-level prospects close to the big leagues, as well as prospects who missed time due to injury and need more playing time. Royals prospects will play for the Surprise Saguaros, along with prospects from the Guardians, Mets, Phillies and Rangers. Teams begin play on October 3 with a “Fall Stars Game” on November 11. The regular season concludes on November 14, followed by the postseason.
The AFL will feature top prospects from around baseball, including Dodgers outfielder Eduardo Quintero, Tigers outfielder Zyhir Hope, White Sox infielder Caleb Bonemer, Angels shortstop Arjun Nimmala, and Tigers shortstop Bryce Rainer. The Saguaros will be managed by Guardians coach Daniel Robertson.
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 14: J.P. Crawford #3 of the Seattle Mariners reacts after being tagged out at home during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 14, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ryan Sirius Sun/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This Mariners season is all but mathematically dead and no one is happy. High expectations carry a hefty fallout. Rick Rizzs, the man who has called more Mariners games than anyone else not named Dave Niehaus, is hanging up his headphones and microphone in about 13 days. I wanted more for him out of this season than for any other reason. But, such is the life of a fan of a cosmically cursed and deeply silly baseball team. They even managed to ruin Bill Simmons’s fantasy baseball team, which almost certainly means he lost money (If you’re unaware, he’s been crashing out about how bad the team has been all season via social media and his podcast. Why anyone would ever bet money on the literal Seattle Mariners is beyond my comprehension). So, there’s that, at least.
After the rage dissipates and the tears dry, there is one thing to look forward to: INSUFFERABLE OFFSEASON DISCOURSE.
Did I say look forward to? Well, your mileage may vary. How about offseason projections and planning? That sounds nicer, right? For this exercise, let’s go ahead and pretend that a strike isn’t looming. La la la, everything is fiiiiiiine in Labor Agreement Land, la la laaaa.
The first step in planning is choosing a direction to go and here are four options you can choose:
Option 1: Full tear down
“Nuke the site from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure.”
While rebuilding T-Mobile Park to get rid of swirling winds, brutal mid-day shadows, and fix whatever the hell is wrong with the batter’s eye isn’t an option any time soon, tearing down and rebuilding the Mariners roster is one possible option. If you choose this option, please specify whether Jerry Dipoto and Justin Hollander stay or go. Also, you can choose up to three (3) players to remain on the roster to anchor the rebuild. Everyone else must go.
Option 2: Soft rebuild
This option would involve moving two to three of the team’s top players (either in WAR or by payroll) and then using the returns to augment the soft rebuild or “reshuffling.”
Option 3: Keep the core and soldier on (AKA the 54% approach)
This has been the offseason approach since 2022 and
Option 4: Dealer’s choice
Don’t like any of the first three options? Let’s hear your own plan, boss!
Post your preferred option in the comments and detail your plans, either realistic or as pie-in-the-sky as you want. Let’s get innovative in the hopes that the Mariners will, too.
REMINDER!
Even though the Mariners are ass in a can, that doesn’t mean you should skip the annuaLL tradition like no other: The Fifth Annual TIM CANTU MemoriaLL SoftbaLL game this Sunday, Sept 20. We’ll start at 10 AM at Green Lake Ballfield 1 and then go “watch” the Mariners play the Rockies at 12:10 PM at Growler Guys on Lake City Way. Let’s have some actual fun playing some ball and then commiserate over this cursed season and also watch the Seahawks at 1:25 PM, I guess. You know Tim wouldn’t have it any other way. Well, the getting together part, that is. Not the Mariners being bad part.
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 13: Michael Harris II #23 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates scoring a run in the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park on September 13, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jack Casey/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Every day, Pinstripe Alley offers updates on what the Yankees’ top American League opponents are up to through the Rivalry Roundup. The AL East is well-trodden ground there, but with the season’s final month halfway over, we’re going to take a peek around MLB as a whole and check in with each of the other five divisions. Who’s surprising? Who’s underwhelming? Who’s simply mediocre at the moment? Read on and find out.
(Note: Records and standings are up to date through games played on Sunday, September 13th.)
First Place: Atlanta Braves (88-62)
Top Position Player: Michael Harris II (4.0 fWAR)
Top Pitcher: Chris Sale (5.7 fWAR)
Believe it or not, the Atlanta Braves have had a below-average offense statistically so far in 2026, despite boasting elite names like Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, Michael Harris II, and Drake Baldwin. They rank 19th in wRC+ with a 98 mark.
The pitching has done the heavy lifting despite dealing with lots of injuries from the start. Right now, talented hurlers like Spencer Schwellenbach, Spencer Strider, Bryce Elder, and Robert Suárez are on the injured list, yet the team is fourth in MLB with a 3.59 ERA.
With a 3.41 ERA, the Braves’ bullpen is the best in the National League. It’s led by closer Raisel Iglesias (2.78 ERA), Didier Fuentes (2.27 ERA, 31.5 K%), Dylan Lee (3.09 ERA), and other unheralded heroes like Dylan Dodd, Víctor Mederos, Ray Kerr, and Brent Suter. The addition of Tyler Mahle (1.25 ERA in seven starts as a Brave) at the deadline was just what the doctor ordered, and Chris Sale (2.18 ERA) has been as good as ever.
Harris’ all-around game sets the tone, and Acuña’s power-speed prowess (17 HR, 20 SB in 97 G) elevates the team’s ceiling. Having Matt Olson picking up the power pace with 39 homers after two straight campaigns with 29 also helps, of course. The Braves, as their record indicates, are very hard to beat. Suárez returning from injury soon could make them even tougher.
Second Place: Philadelphia Phillies (83-67)
Top Position Player: Bryce Harper (3.5 fWAR)
Top Pitcher: Christopher Sánchez (5.8 fWAR)
Bryce Harper refuses to decline and is sporting a cool 140 wRC+ with 28 home runs this year. He and Kyle Schwarber, who has 44 homers and owns a 132 wRC+, are virtually the Phillies’ offense, though: the unit has put up the fourth-worst wRC+ in baseball with a 92 mark. Trea Turner (83 wRC+) has had a rough season, and the same can be said about JT Realmuto (78 wRC+), Alec Bohm (89 wRC+), Luis Arraez (80 wRC+), and Justin Crawford (82 wRC+). Runs are hard to come by in Philadelphia.
Christopher Sánchez (2.79 ERA), Jesús Luzardo (2.87 ERA), and Zack Wheeler (3.14 ERA) are a formidable rotation trio, but Aaron Nola has been inconsistent, and there are now questions about the health of Luzardo’s shoulder.
Despite solid seasons from Jhoan Durán, Tim Mayza, and Jonathan Bowlan, the bullpen is more ‘meh’ than ‘great’. This team will go as far as the rotation takes it, although a rebound from some of their struggling hitters would certainly help matters. The Phillies are fighting with the Chicago Cubs for the top Wild Card spot in the senior circuit. Unless the offense improves, however, it’s hard to see them making much noise in October.
Third Place: Miami Marlins (74-76)
Top Position Player: Otto López (5.4 fWAR)
Top Pitcher: Sandy Alcántara (3.1 fWAR)
The Marlins are 7.5 games behind the final Wild Card spot, so they aren’t really contending. After their disastrous 2024 and decent 2025, however, 2026 has been about finding potentially useful long-term pieces. And they have had some success.
As expected, Otto López’s stats have considerably diminished in the second half (79 wRC+, 1 HR, 13 SB) after a really strong performance before the break (137 wRC+, 9 HR, 17 SB). Still, a 10-homer, 30-steal season with a 116 wRC+ and 5.4 fWAR is nothing to sneeze at.
The Marlins’ offense, a perfectly average unit that ranks 14th in baseball, has some interesting hitters. With the exception of Joe Mack and Jakob Marsee, every starter boasts an above-average wRC+: Javier Sanoja, Xavier Edwards, Heriberto Hernández, Griffin Conine, Kyle Stowers, Esteury Ruiz, and López.
Before going down with a neck strain in July, Max Meyer (2.68 ERA in 20 starts) showed enough to be considered a frontline guy and a building block. Alcántara has been steady, and Eury Pérez had a huge summer before hitting a wall in September.
Overall, the Marlins have a solid core and a top-ten farm that includes injured pitching prospects Thomas White and Robby Snelling. If they play their cards right, they might make some noise next year.
Fourth Place: Washington Nationals (70-81)
Top Position Player: James Wood (4.1 fWAR)
Top Pitcher: Cade Cavalli (3.6 fWAR)
Speaking of making noise, the Nationals’ offense can certainly score some runs. The group is fifth in MLB and fourth in the National League with a 104 wRC+, and ranks fourth in homers with 198. Of course, having James Wood (30 HR, 21 SB, 147 wRC+) and CJ Abrams (30 HR, 29 SB, 125 wRC+) certainly helps matters. These two will be a problem for MLB pitching staffs for a long time.
Dylan Crews’ development has stalled, and they don’t have Curtis Mead and Luis García Jr. anymore, but there’s a lot of talent in Washington’s offense besides the two aforementioned stars. Daylen Lile (20 HR, 15 SB) and Keibert Ruiz (113 wRC+) have had solid offensive seasons, and Brady House has potential. Former Yankees prospect Andrés Chaparro has been excellent against both lefties and righties.
Pitching, however, is a problem. Washington has the worst staff in the National League and the second-worst in the majors with a 5.14 ERA. Cade Cavalli (3.12 ERA) has had a breakout campaign, and Andrew Álvarez has been solid. There’s not much else beyond that, although adding the injured Connelly Early was a nice coup. The Nationals, with a solid core and a top-ten farm, are at the very least interesting again.
Fifth Place: New York Mets (69-80)
Top Position Player: Carson Benge (3.3 fWAR)
Top Pitcher: Nolan McLean (3.1 fWAR)
The season in Queens has been a disaster, but it at least gave them a strong platform to develop Carson Benge and he’s looking like a budding star. The rookie outfielder is slashing a cool .271/.334/.411 with a 109 wRC+, 17 home runs and 22 steals after a brutal start. Juan Soto has survived two injured list stints to post a 147 wRC+ and 25 round-trippers, and Francisco Lindor reached 20 dingers with a solid 111 after having to deal with hamate bone surgery.
A.J. Ewing emerged as another potential building block in the outfield, although it remains to be seen if he’s a starter or more of a fourth outfielder. Brett Baty, who was brutal for most of the first half, is closing the season strong with a 125 wRC+ after the break and a 236 mark in September so far.
Despite trading away Clay Holmes, Freddy Peralta, and lots of relievers at the deadline, the Mets have a top-ten ERA in the second half, at 3.38. Zach Thornton and Nate Lavender have been amazing stories in the rotation and bullpen, respectively, and Nolan McLean and Christian Scott are excellent building blocks.
With a few interesting young pieces, two superstars, and lots of money to spend, the Mets could be dangerous in 2027, if there’s baseball. The 2026 campaign, however, was a huge disappointment.
Before I begin, I want to make it clear that I’m kidding about all of this.
Mostly.
Let me set the scene as to why I feel the Cubs ought to do a grand ceremony if Pete Crow-Armstrong happens to steal his 40th base of the season in the next two days, while the Atlanta Braves are in town. PCA stole his 37th Monday night, so he needs three more. And the Braves are the second-worst team in throwing out baserunners this year, nabbing just 15 percent (19 of 128 attempts; by comparison, the Cubs catchers are at 27 percent, 30 caught of 113 attempts).
For the reason I feel this way, let’s go back three years to September 2023. The Cubs are in Atlanta, desperately trying to hold on to a wild card spot that they ultimately missed by one game. They had lost the first game of the series 7-6 in excruciating fashion, in part because Seiya Suzuki dropped an easy fly ball that would have ended the eighth inning with the Cubs leading.
In the second game of the series, the Cubs led 3-1 going to the bottom of the seventh, but single runs by the Braves in that inning and the eighth tied the game. The Cubs took a 4-3 lead in the ninth on an RBI single by Yan Gomes, but Marcell Ozuna homered off Mark Leiter Jr. with one out in the bottom of the ninth to tie it 4-4.
The Cubs scored a run on a sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th and led 5-4.
Daniel Palencia, then a 23-year-old rookie, pitched the bottom of the 10th. Ronald Acuña Jr. singled in the placed runner to tie the game at 5-5.
That clip, obviously, is from the Atlanta broadcast, and they made it sound like the most unbelievable, best thing in baseball history.
So let’s be honest here. Yes, 40/70 is an achievement, but it’s not really a “thing” in the way 30/30, 40/40 or even the 50/50 season Shohei Ohtani had in 2024. It’s a made-up milestone that… right at that moment, in a tense tie game in extra innings, the Braves decided to hold the game up for a ceremony, playing a scoreboard montage, giving Acuña the base, and…
On the Marquee Sports Network broadcast, Jon Sciambi and Jim Deshaies were less than thrilled:
The Cubs broadcast wasn’t happy about the game being paused after Acuña’s 70th steal pic.twitter.com/8fqpJLCFax
And, know what? They were absolutely, positively correct. This was not the time for that sort of thing! Tie game, one team desperately trying to hold on to a postseason spot, AND a rookie pitcher on the mound. I mean… come on, Braves. Have your ceremony before the next day’s game! Go all out! Just don’t do what you did, don’t do THAT.
But they did THAT. And, sure enough, Palencia might have been a bit rattled as two pitches later, Ozzie Albies singled in Acuña and the Braves won 6-5.
Now, would the Cubs have won that game if not for the little Acuña ceremony? Probably not; after the steal Acuña thus represented the winning run in scoring position with nobody out and the Braves had Austin Riley and Matt Olson (in Olson’s 54-homer season) coming up after Albies. The game’s likely lost anyway.
But again, I think the Cubs broadcasters had it right. Don’t stop a game like this in that way. Period.
And so the Cubs have a chance for payback if PCA can steal three bases in the next two games. They ought to do it.
Petty? Oh heck yes, it would be incredibly petty.
But it would also be fun, wouldn’t it? Like I said, I’m kidding about all of this.
Sep 13, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Jack Sinclair (49) throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels during the ninth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
It’s clear what the Phillies’ strength is: The starting rotation. They get a good outing from their starter about 80% of the time. They also have a good closer in Jhoan Duran, provided that the game is not tied when he enters. It’s those innings in between that have proven difficult for the Phillies to maneuver through. I’m not overwhelmed by manager Don Mattingly’s ability to adeptly deploy his relievers, but I also have to admit that the relievers on hand haven’t given him many easy answers.
Orion Kerkering and Brooks Raley have likely pitched themselves out of consideration, and at the moment, it appears that Mattingly has the most trust in Jonathan Bowlan, Jose Alvarado, and Alex McFarlane. However, Bowlan has shown signs of wearing down, Alvarado – while overall better lately – is still allergic to clean innings, and McFarlane is an untested rookie. It’s hard to feel too confident in any of them.
In the playoffs, the Phillies will likely have Andrew Painter available to pitch out of the bullpen, but counting on a rookie starter to come in and get key outs in relief is no sure thing either. Over the next two weeks, they really need at least a couple of players to assert themselves as a real late-inning option.
Opposition research: Jack Sinclair
The Phillies’ bullpen has been bad, but we can at least say it hasn’t been as bad as the Nationals’. Remember the last time the Phillies visited Washington, and they kept making those late-inning comebacks? That was pretty representative of how the season has gone for the Nationals’ relief corps.
The Nationals have almost completely turned over their bullpen throughout the season and lately have tried out rookie Jack Sinclair in a late-inning role.
Sinclair was a 2021 draft pick who slowly made his way through the Nats’ minor league system. He’s never put up great numbers in the minor leagues, mostly due to a high walk total. But considering that everyone else they’ve used in relief has failed, the Nationals figured why not give him a shot.
Early returns have been strong as he had scoreless outings his first four appearances, and then against the Angels, he was givn his first save opportunity which he converted despite allowing a run.
Will Sinclair allow the Nationals to avoid the late-inning meltdowns against the Phillies this time around? It’s worth remembering that he’s a 27 year old rookie with a mid-90s fastball who had problems with walks in the minors.
In other words, if the Phillies are trailing late, I wouldn’t necessarily turn the game off.
Hating on the Nationals
Are the Nationals going to be an actual threat in the National League East in the coming seasons? It looks like they have a couple of good building blocks in James Wood and C.J. Abrams, but would it shock anyone if those two found their names in trade rumors once again this offseason?
I don’t get why the nationals would do this, they have a good foundation of young talent with James Wood and CJ Abram’s so why would they trade them and not let them continue to develop especially with them having 3+ years before they hit the FA market https://t.co/llbIfGHXaE
Wood has had a strong season but has spent a large chunk of the second half on the IL, so there are worries about him holding up for a full season after his performance trailed after the break in 2025. And the team has already gotten fed up with Abrams’ defense and is trying to move him to second base.
Considering they already traded emerging players in their mid-20’s in Luis Garcia, Jr. (who has been great for the Yankees) and Curtis Mead (who has been injured), you wonder how attached the Nationals are to any of their players.
If the Nationals want to carry out a perpetual rebuild, it’s fine by me.
Remembering a guy who played for both the Phillies and Nationals
Matt Stairs certainly got around in his career. He began his major league career in 1992 with the Montreal Expos, and by the time he was done, played for 12 (or 13 if you want to consider the Expos and Nationals as separate entities) teams.
Happy 58th birthday Matt Stairs. He has the most pinch-hit HRs in MLB history with 23. He has also played for more MLB teams (13) than any other position player (actually 12 franchises as he played for both the Expos & Nationals. Here is a complete run of his Topps base cards. pic.twitter.com/vTRevq8IWc
It isn’t clear why he couldn’t find a long-term home. Maybe teams were disappointed because it seemed like he should have hit for more power, since he only topped 30 home runs once in his career. He might have started his career a little too early before on-base percentage became more valued, which is especially ironic since he spent five seasons on the A’s.
In August 2008, the Phillies traded for him, hoping to bolster their bench for the stretch run and playoffs. He hit two home runs in the regular season and then hit another in the playoffs which you might remember.
Matt Stairs has the MLB record for pinch-hit home runs.
After 2009, the Phillies chose to move on from the 42-year-old Stairs. He moved to San Diego for a season, and then to Washington for 2011. Unfortunately, at 44 years old, Stairs couldn’t hit anymore. After 74 plate appaearances in which he batted .174, the Nationals released him, and his career was done.
Additional thought about the series
There’s a debate whether you’d rather face a team that’s out of contention, or a team that’s already clinched a playoff spot. For the stretch run, the Phillies are going to get a taste of both. Their next six are against the Mets and Nationals, while they have to finish up against the Brewers or Rays.
Obviously the Brewers and Rays are far better teams, but they might be coasting along or trying to conserve some innings for their top players by the team the Phillies face them. On the other hand, I’m sure the Mets and Nationals would love to salvage some pride by hurting their division rival’s playoff chances.
Regardless of how much the Nationals want to play spoiler; when it comes down to it, the Phillies have Cristopher Sanchez and Zack Wheeler scheduled to start against a team that’s eleven games under .500. They need to win these games.
In our last Lone Star Ball Reacts survey, we asked y’all which of the Rangers’ pending free agents you would most like to see the Rangers bring back.
Cal Quantrill, who has exceeded expectations, first in a long relief role, then while filling in in the rotation, was the clear pick, getting a majority of the vote.
I will note that bringing Quantrill back could be a challenge, as the Rangers currently have six starting pitchers — Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, MacKenzie Gore, Jack Leiter, Kumar Rocker and Cody Bradford — under team control for next season. That makes it hard for the Rangers to offer Quantrill a viable path to a rotation spot for 2027, barring injuries or trades.
On the national questions, the Tampa Bay Rays got a plurality — and almost a majority — of the vote in regards to what team will advance from the American League to the World Series.
In the National League, the Brewers narrowly edged out the Dodgers as the team that will advance.
TORONTO, ON - AUGUST 30: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays and Julio Rodríguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners talk prior to the game between the Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Sunday, August 30, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Colton Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
I know it isn’t an off-day, but I have stuff going on today, so I thought I’d put up an open thread.
As always, use it to talk about what you’d like. I’m going to do a couple of hours of pitcher fielding practice. Actually, I’m pretty sure I don’t have the ability to beat out a runner to first, while trying to catch a ball and hit the bag (inside of the bag) all at the same time. But if anyone wants to come to Calgary to try it with me. I guess we need three people. Maybe a fourth to do first aid.
After a 17 and 11 August the Jays are 7-6 in September. The really hot streak seems to be over. Thankfully the Guardians aren’t tearing things up either.
11 games left. I was going to say that I want every one of them to mean something, but I’d be ok if the Jays clinch with a couple of games left.
The Penguins got to work early on Tuesday, knocking out their third and final game of the prospect tournament in Detroit against Dallas.
Lineup for the Penguins’ final prospect tournament game in Detroit. Puck drop against Dallas at 10:30am.
Mbuyi gets a promotion to the top line. Ilyin swaps in for Sanderson on the Ruck line. Galvas becomes the only D to play 3 games. Nikonovich gets his first start in goal. pic.twitter.com/9XfKd9uIy1
Pierce Mbuyi – Bill Zonnon – Tanner Howe Mikhail Ilyin – Markus Ruck – Liam Ruck Carter Sanderson – Atley Calvert – Jordan Charron Max Graham – Brayden Edwards – Travis Hayes
Jake Livanavage / Harrison Brunicke Tomas Galvas / Chase Pietila Broten Sabo / Benett Kelly
The opposition had the following lineup with 11 forwards and seven defensemen dressed for the Stars.
Stars lines in Game 3 vs. Pittsburgh (11/7 again):
The Ruck twins got the first goal, with linemate Mikhail Ilyin featuring into the scoring play as well. As seen so many times in the Rucks’ WHL highlight videos they used a quick pass from behind the back of the net that gives the goalie almost no chance. As usual it was Markus making the play and Liam finding the perfect spot to hammer in a quick shot and put the Pens on the board in the first period. The chemistry between the two and the suddenness that they can get a little ahead of the play makes it just about automatic for the puck to end up in the net.
Penalty trouble was up next for the Pens, with them taking eight total minutes worth of penalties in the first period, including a Chase Pietila double minor. Dallas hit a post behind Matvei Ninkovich and then eventually scoring with a 5v3 advantage when former first round pick Emil Hemming scored on a one-time shot.
The score remained tied through the second period, early in the third Dallas pulled ahead with a player getting a stick to deflect a centering pass in. Ninkovich remained strong stopping a Stars shorthanded breakaway later in the third.
The Pens pull the goalie late, Dallas makes them pay with a long-range empty net goal to set the score at 3-1.
Some more passing thoughts
Loved to see Harrison Brunicke play with an edge and come to a teammate’s defense after a post-whistle hit. Passive might not be the perfect world to use but sometimes in the past Brunicke has seemed a little physically disengaged. Not so today, it’ll be interesting to see if he brings some chippiness into NHL camp.
Can’t really take any game too seriously that starts at 10:30 in the morning. For further levity, there was a whistle in the second period because an errant soccer ball went onto the ice courtesy of a team warming up for the next game after this one.
That said, the two teams were feisty. Max Graham got into two fights. Pietila also dropped the gloves and connected on some big punches.
it’s still one of a few evaluation tools to see players compete in a game setting. Tomas Galvas earned playing in all three games of the tournament – a reward for his impressive games to date. This one wasn’t really as impressive, his most notable play of the game might have been an early turnover resulting in a scoring chance against. Young players can be all over the map like that.
It was nice to see the Ruck magic happen at the pseudo-professional level. The perk of having twins is how quickly and little effort it took for Markus to know exactly where his brother was and put a perfect pass out from behind the net to him. Then it was in the net.
Was only perfectly whelmed by Jake Livanavage at this event – much like his performance at July’s development camp didn’t stand out. One would have thought his skills and strengths would be well-suited for summer hockey’s more relaxed style. Surprisingly enough, that wasn’t the case. Might be something to watch for in camp for any dark horse hopes he might have to make a run for a spot with the NHL team.
Have liked the development of Ilyin in the last 12 months. He’s had another successful KHL season then jumped over to the AHL where he was pretty darn good for a first look of North American playoff action (nine points in 15 games that ranked tied for second among WBS playoff scorers). Last year I remember I called him ‘a stranger in a strange land’ for how he kept mostly to the perimeter and periphery of much of the action as he got acclimated. This time around Ilyin was right in the middle of it. He stole a puck, made a nice pass and drove to the net in the third, denied a goal only by a really nice save made on him.
For being 18-years old and fresh to seeing all these players and this style, you could see why the Pens liked Nikonovich enough to draft him this year. He played an athletic style and gets himself in front of pucks, not having much of a chance on the only two goals he surrendered and playing well to stop a few tough ones. He’ll be headed to the OHL and will be a young prospect to watch.
That wraps it up for the Pens in Detroit, the young players now head back to Pittsburgh for the start of full NHL training camp on Thursday.
Alberts Šmits will have a chance to make the New York Rangers’ opening-night roster out of training camp, but it certainly won’t be easy.
One left-handed defenseman role is up for grabs going into training camp this week, with Matthew Robertson holding the edge over Šmits and Urho Vaakanainen.
During rookie camp, Šmits was asked about what he thinks his chances are of making the opening-night roster.
“I’m just going one day at a time,” Šmits said in response.
Given the shortened training camp, it will likely be hard for Šmits to work his way up the depth chart and surpass Robertson, who earned a full-time role with the Rangers last season.
Chris Drury already made clear that the Rangers are going to be patient regarding Šmits’ development, which likely means they aren’t in a rush to bring him up to the NHL if he isn’t prepared for it.
“We're gonna do right by him and the long-term health and well-being of him as a Ranger,” Drury said of Šmits. “This is not a sprint for him. We hope he's a rock-solid defenseman for the Rangers for the next 15 years. We're not going to put him in positions or situations that he can't handle. So excited to add him, but again, not going to do anything that's not in the best interest long-term for him.”
The 18-year-old defenseman was highly touted as one of the more pro-ready players in the 2026 draft class, leading him to be selected with the fifth overall pick by the Rangers.
Even if Šmits doesn't make the Rangers’ roster out of training camp, he’ll begin the 2026-27 season playing in the American Hockey league for the Hartford Wolf Pack.
CINCINNATI — Freddie Freeman wasn’t in the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup the game against the Cincinnati Reds as he deals with right knee soreness.
Even though the first baseman hasn’t been in the lineup for three of the last five games, manager Dave Roberts said putting Freeman on the 10-day injured list to get him ready for the postseason — which would be similar to what they did with Shohei Ohtani — isn’t an option at this point.
“I don’t think (the rest) needs to be 10 days, but could it be more than one? That’s a fair question,” Roberts said. “I’ve got to kind of talk to the training staff, Freddie, and ultimately make that decision. But I don’t think IL makes sense.”
Roberts said he didn’t think Freeman would have nagging problems with the knee during the postseason if the knee can be managed properly. Freeman is batting .293 but is 3 for his last 30 with nine strikeouts.
Their bigger concern is making sure they clinch one of the top two seeds and a first-round bye.
The Dodgers have a 3 1/2-game lead over Atlanta for the second seed. Milwaukee (93-57) has the NL’s top mark.
“Given where our guys are health wise, to get that week would be huge. We’ve still got to play well to finish out the season to get to that point,” Roberts said.
Ohtani, who has been on the 15-day IL since Sept. 8 due to right biceps inflammation, is to hit off a tee in Los Angeles. It will be his first swings since going on the IL. Roberts said Ohtani has been lifting, working out and getting treatment the past couple days.
With Ohtani not on the seven-game trip, there has definitely been a different vibe around the clubhouse.
“It feels different because he’s such a presence when he’s on the field,” Roberts said. “The last series wasn’t indicative, but I think that we’re playing good baseball for the most part. We know we’re better with Shohei. Probably the fans are disappointed, but I don’t think we really felt it.”
The bigger concern might be with reliever Edwin Díaz, who has allowed six earned runs over 3 1/3 innings in four rehab outings with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Díaz not only is dealing with neck inflammation, but also control issues. Díaz signed a three-year, $59 million contract during the offseason and has struggled in his first year in Los Angeles.
The right-hander will have another outing, but Roberts did leave open the possibility that Díaz could be left off postseason rosters.
“He needs to pitch better. It hasn’t been good,” Roberts said. “The baseball card looks great. But it’s like, where we’re at, there’s got to be something for us to be able to hang our hat on. And he knows that. He wants to pitch well.”
Aug 9, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Joe Boyle (36) throws against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Rays acquired Joe Boyle, the towering, hard-throwing reliever, from the Athletics as part of the trade for Jeffrey Springs and Jacob Lopez. Since then he’s pitched just over 70 innings for the Rays, spending most of his time in Durham.
This year Joe Boyle has made meaningful strides in his command while retaining the stuff that made him an intriguing pitching prospect. In limited major-league opportunities, his topline numbers haven’t been great but there’s no question has major league stuff and the upside that goes with it. Boyle has developed enough command to support an increasingly sophisticated arsenal, and his ability to adjust that arsenal on the fly is what makes his starter projection particularly interesting.
Before joining the Rays, Boyle posted a 15.7% walk rate in the majors and an 18.9% walk rate in the minors. Since joining the organization, those numbers have fallen to 12.1% and 14.4%, respectively. This is meaningful growth driven by some mechanical adjustments, usage rates, and shape changes.
Boyle has gone from a high three-quarter slot delivery through 2024 to a low three-quarter slot delivery in 2025 and 2026. The lower slot seems to suit him better, giving him a more repeatable delivery and helping him find the zone more consistently.
The adjustment appears to have given Boyle a more consistent foundation from which to repeat his delivery and attack the strike zone. His zone rate has gone from 44.2% in AAA in 2024 to 46.9% in AAA so far in 2026 – despite shifting toward a more secondary-heavy mix, with his non-fastballs historically less likely to land in the zone. And because he has the quality stuff to stick in a rotation, the next step was to revamp his arsenal to attack both sides of the plate.
Here are Boyle’s Triple-A usage rates to righties and lefties in each of the last three seasons:
Boyle is now throwing a wider variety of shapes – most of them relatively new given his change in slot – and he’s still filling up the zone at a higher rate than ever before. He has more advanced feel and pitchability than he gets credit for. Boyle’s command gains coupled with an expanded arsenal are more exciting than either development would be on its own.
Some interesting things have happened with Boyle’s usage and cut-slider shape during the 2026 season so far that give even more reason to be excited. The changes become even more interesting when we look at how he’s using each pitch against right- and left-handed hitters.
Apr-Jul vs RHB
Aug-Sep vs RHB
Apr-Jul vs LHB
Aug-Sep vs LHB
Four-Seam
42.3%
30.3%
47.3%
34.3%
Cut-Slider
33.7%
33.1%
33.4%
38.2%
Offspeed
1.5%
2.0%
15.0%
13.7%
Two-Seam
12.4%
17.5%
0.5%
6.4%
Breaking Ball
10.1%
17.1%
3.7%
7.3%
The biggest thing that stands out to me is that Boyle’s fastball usage has fallen below 50% against both sides of the plate for the first time in his professional career. His cut-slider is now his highest usage pitch and for good reason: it’s the pitch he commands best. I wondered what it would look like if he pitched off of his cut-slider back in January because he has the best location consistency of that pitch.
Boyle’s cut-slider has gradually evolved since he joined the Rays. Before joining the organization, the pitch looked more like a traditional two-plane slider, with velocity in the mid-to-upper 80s. By April of 2025, it had developed a tighter, gyro shape. Since his August major-league call-up this season, Boyle has pushed the pitch even further toward a harder, cutter-like offering. It now sits in the low 90s and, for the first time, is more vertically oriented. The pitch’s zone rate has increased from 52.5% to 60.6% with the new shape, while maintaining a whiff rate in the 35-40% range. That suggests Boyle has improved his ability to locate the pitch without sacrificing its bat-missing ability.
Since returning to Durham with this new cut-slider shape, Boyle has cut his walk rate to 7.3% across 19.1 innings in four appearances. His strike rate has also climbed from 57.7% to 64.1%, moving from below average to roughly league average. While the sample is small, the trends are encouraging – Boyle is throwing more strikes.
The growth we’ve seen from Boyle makes me more confident he can stick as a major-league starter, and potentially more than just a back-end option. The stuff has always been there; now his command is becoming good enough to let that arsenal play consistently. The most exciting developments this season have been his ability to improve his zone rate while increasing his secondary usage and his ability to manipulate his cut-slider shape in-season.
The Rays could always simplify Boyle’s arsenal in relief, where his fastball and cut-slider combination would give him a relatively straightforward path to success. But the organization’s continued investment in his expanded arsenal suggests they see more than a relief role in him. His improved command and ability to manipulate pitch shapes are precisely what give him a chance to remain in a rotation. Whether that opportunity comes down the stretch in 2026 or beyond, Boyle has developed into a legitimate candidate for a major-league rotation spot.
The 2026 Major League Baseball season has less than two weeks to go, and most of league's major awards have runaway favorites – with new faces expected to win the MVP and Cy Young honors in each league.
Both expected Cy Young winners are in their second MLB seasons: Cam Schlittler of the New York Yankees and Jacob Misiorowski of the Milwaukee Brewers. Each right-hander sports an ERA below 2.00 entering Tuesday and have fans amped about the next generation of aces in MLB.
Triple Crown incoming? The 29-year-old has proven himself as one of the greatest sluggers of the era and should win this award easily, having already set a career-high with 38 home runs. He's the runaway favorite, but Houston getting back into the postseason would even further ice this for Alvarez.
Also in the running: Junior Caminero (Rays), Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals)
NL MVP: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs
With Shohei Ohtani injured this summer, PCA has locked this up as he closes in on the seventh 40-40 season in MLB history. The 24-year-old is putting together one of the greatest years ever, with a 9.3 fWAR while leading the National League in slugging and OPS.
Also in the running: Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers)
AL Cy Young: Cam Schlittler, Yankees
We knew Cam Schlittler was good after his impact as a rookie in 2025, but nobody could have fathomed the 25-year-old would be this good in his sophomore season. The right-hander is having one of the greatest pitching seasons could be the first Yankees pitcher with a sub-2 ERA since Ron Guidry in 1978. Even more impressive is his leading the AL in innings (184.2) and starts (31).
Also in the running: Dylan Cease (Blue Jays)
NL Cy Young: Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers
A controversial All-Star selection as a rookie last season, The Miz has been by far the NL's best pitcher at age 24, leading the league in ERA (1.95), strikeouts (236) and WHIP (0.80).
Also in the running: Chris Sale (Braves)
AL Rookie of the Year: Kevin McGonigle, Tigers
Things didn't go as planned for Tarik Skubal's final season in Detroit, but McGonigle's breakthrough is the major positive to take away from this year. The Tigers signed McGonigle to an eight-year, $150 million extension and the infielder who was 21 on opening day is currently approaching 7 WAR on the season.
Also in the running: Parker Messick (Guardians), Munetaka Murakami (White Sox)
NL Rookie of the Year: Sal Stewart, Reds
Stewart has been invaluable for the Reds, primarily playing the corner infield positions while also seeing time at second base, racking up 31 home runs with 107 RBIs and 15 steals.
Also in the running: JJ Wetherholt (Cardinals), Nolan McLean (Mets)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - MARCH 21, 2026: Tate Southisene #19 of the Atlanta Braves warms up during the third inning of a Spring Breakout game against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field on March 21, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
It’s that time of year again, folks. Sure, the Postseason is right around the corner and that’s exciting all but it’s also a fun time for keeping track of prospects as well. The Arizona Fall League will get underway on October 3 and there will be plenty of representation of the Atlanta Braves’ farm system on the Glendale Desert Dogs, as the Braves will have eight representatives on the squad.
The 2026 Arizona Fall League rosters have been unveiled and they feature a dozen of MLB's Top 100 prospects!
We already knew that Tate Southisene would be participating but ow we know who’ll be joining him in wearing Braves uniforms out in Arizona this fall. Tanner Bauman, Owen Carey, Isaiah Drake, Owen Hackman, Tyler LaPorte, Briggs McKenzie and Logan Samuels will all be heading out to the desert to take part in the AFL this Fall. Carey, Drake, McKenzie, and Southisene are the consensus Top 30 Braves prospects who will be going there, with Southesine being able to claim that he’s a Top 100 prospect while he’s out there.
For more information on how things have gone for these prospects (and more) so far this season, Matt Powers has been doing season recaps for all of the minor league teams, so I highly suggest that y’all check those out. Here’s Augusta,Rome, and Columbus and you can be on the look out for Gwinett’s season recap next week.
MLB announced the rosters for the 2026 Arizona Fall League on Tuesday, featuring 12 players in MLB.com's top 100 prospects, ahead of the minor league showcase's opening day on Saturday, Oct. 3.
The AFL has six teams – with each representing five MLB organizations – that play 30 games during the course of a month in Arizona. Every MLB team has at least seven players participating in this year's AFL, according to the league.
The championship game is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14 in Peoria at the spring training home of the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners. All six teams reach the "postseason" with the top two getting a bye to the semifinals. The AFL Fall Stars Game will take place on Nov. 8 with the league's Home Run Derby that day.
Past MVPs of the Arizona Fall League include Ronald Acuña Jr. (2017), Kris Bryant (2013) and Nolan Arenado (2011). Last year's winner, Kevin McGonigle of the Detroit Tigers, is expected to win the AL Rookie of the Year award in 2026.
Here's a look at every team's roster for the 2026 AFL:
1899: Heavyweight champion James J. Jeffries defeated Tom Sharkey by decision after 25 punishing rounds at Coney Island, New York, in one of the era’s most celebrated title fights.
1962: Wilt Chamberlain scored 72 points for the San Francisco Warriors in a 127-115 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, producing the fourth-highest single-game total in NBA history at the time.
1968: Graham Hill won the season-ending Mexican Grand Prix and clinched his second Formula 1 world championship.
1974: Boston Bruins forward Johnny Bucyk collected two assists in a 10-1 victory over Minnesota and passed Bobby Hull as the highest-scoring left wing in NHL history.
1982: Randy Smith appeared in his 845th consecutive NBA game, surpassing Johnny “Red” Kerr’s league record; Smith ultimately extended the streak to 906 games.
1987: New York Rangers center Marcel Dionne became the second NHL player to reach 1,700 career points when he scored in a 5-3 loss to Calgary.
1989: Šarūnas Marčiulionis and Alexander Volkov became the first players from the Soviet Union to appear in NBA regular-season games.
1989: The expansion Minnesota Timberwolves played their first NBA game, losing 106-94 to the Seattle SuperSonics.
1995: The Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies won their inaugural games, marking the regular-season debuts of the NBA’s first Canadian franchises since the Toronto Huskies folded in 1947.
1995: Kevin Garnett made his NBA debut for the Minnesota Timberwolves in a loss to Sacramento, beginning a Hall of Fame career.
1996: Kobe Bryant made his NBA debut at age 18, playing six minutes in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 91-85 victory over Minnesota.
2007: Hall of Fame coach Al Arbour returned from retirement for one game and recorded his 1,500th appearance behind the New York Islanders’ bench as they rallied past Pittsburgh 3-2.
2008: The Detroit Pistons traded Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess and Cheikh Samb to the Denver Nuggets for Allen Iverson in a blockbuster exchange of All-Star guards.
2010: Paul Pierce scored his 20,000th career point on a late-overtime free throw and helped the Boston Celtics defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 105-102.
2011: Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne signed a seven-year, $49 million contract extension on his 29th birthday, then made 35 saves in a 3-0 shutout of Phoenix.
2018: Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury made 34 saves in a 3-0 victory over Carolina and became the 29th goalie in NHL history to record 50 career shutouts.
2023: The NBA began group play in its inaugural In-Season Tournament, later renamed the NBA Cup, with seven games and specially designed tournament courts.
— USA TODAY Network
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