Flyers' Dan Vladar Earns National Recognition for Breakout Campaign

On the heels of an improbably good breakout campaign, Philadelphia Flyers goalie Dan Vladar has earned himself a nice slice of national recognition from NHL pundits around the league.

Vladar, 28, was Mr. Right for the Flyers last season, always showing up when the stakes were the highest.

The longtime Calgary Flames backup emerged as the Flyers' starting goalie in his first year in Philadelphia, going 29-14-7 in 52 appearances and 51 starts to the tune of a 2.42 GAA and .906 save percentage.

While the raw stats aren't all that impressive on their own, Vladar also finished 10th in the NHL in goals saved above expected, per MoneyPuck, with 13.8.

In the playoffs, Vladar was even better, stopping 8.5 goals above expected in just 10 games. Only Montreal's Jakub Dobes (13.3) was better, and he played in nine more games for the Eastern Conference semifinalist Canadiens.

All in all, Vladar was able to parlay his stunning season into some deserved national recognition, impressively ranking as the eighth-best goalie in the entire NHL in the eyes of NHL Network producers and analysts on the heels of coming in sixth place in Vezina Trophy voting earlier in the summer.

Exclusive: Flyers GM Daniel Briere On How Joseph Woll Trade With Leafs Came TogetherExclusive: Flyers GM Daniel Briere On How Joseph Woll Trade With Leafs Came TogetherPhiladelphia Flyers GM Daniel Briere shared when they made Joseph Woll a trade target from the Toronto Maple Leafs and how the team plans to use him and Dan Vladar.

The 6-foot-5 Czech netminder ranked ahead of Minnesota's Jesper Wallstedt and Dobes, but behind all the names you would come to expect to see on a list like this one: Jake Oettinger, Logan Thompson, Jeremy Swayman, Ilya Sorokin, Igor Shesterkin, Connor Hellebuyck, and Andrei Vasilevskiy.

The question for Vladar and the Flyers going forward is whether or not the breakout star can repeat his performance next season and in the years beyond.

Before signing with the Flyers, Vladar had recorded a save percentage greater than .898 in a season just once, and had never started in 30 or more games in a single campaign.

If Vladar can put on an encore and more in Philadelphia, though, the Flyers will have a top-10 goalie in the NHL locked down for the foreseeable future.

The Flyers tied down their newfound starting shot-stopper to a five-year, $27.5 million ($5.5 million AAV) contract extension back on July 1.

That kind of investment tells us that the Flyers certainly believe Vladar can do it again, and the national analysts and producers over at NHL Network seem to agree.

2026 Brewers Week in Review: Week 21

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 16: Logan Henderson #43 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates after fielding a ball hit by Kyle Tucker #23 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and then forcing him out at first base to end the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium on August 16, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Last Week’s Results

  • Monday: Padres 3, Brewers 2
  • Tuesday: Padres 11, Brewers 2
  • Wednesday: Padres 4, Brewers 3
  • Thursday: Brewers 5, Dodgers 4
  • Friday: Dodgers 3, Brewers 1
  • Saturday: Brewers 4, Dodgers 1
  • Sunday: Brewers 6, Dodgers 2

Division Standings

  • Brewers 77-48
  • Cubs 72-53 (5.0 GB)
  • Cardinals 63-61 (13.5 GB)
  • Pirates 61-65 (16.5 GB)
  • Reds 59-64 (17.0 GB)

Last Week

  • Brewers: 3-4
  • Cubs: 3-3
  • Cardinals: 4-2
  • Pirates: 3-3
  • Reds: 3-3

Top Pitching Performance of the Week

If it’s one thing the Brewers will be consistent at, it’s pitching. This week, they desperately needed it as they completed the final stretch of 17 games in a row. After being swept by the Padres, which featured a pair of games where the bullpen fell apart, the pitching staff was lights out against the Dodgers. Of course, the series with the Dodgers was critical, as it will likely determine a number of playoff scenarios.

Even though there are a few different performances we could choose this week, it’s clear that there’s one that stands alone, and it was Logan Henderson’s seven-inning masterpiece to silence the Dodgers. While the headlines were about Tarik Skubal, Logan Henderson, and the trade that never was, Henderson dominated to secure the tiebreaker over the Dodgers, and helped create a nice cushion for the best record in baseball. Henderson threw seven innings of three-hit ball, allowing one run, one walk, and striking out six.

Top Hitting Performance of the Week

There’s no team more thankful than the Brewers to have finally finished up their last West Coast trip of the regular season. Furthermore, there’s no doubt that this past week featured one of the roughest showings of the offense all season. So, picking who had the best hitting performance of the week wasn’t easy, but Jake Bauers certainly eased any troubling thoughts with his four-hit performance in the series finale against the Dodgers. Bauers was the heart and soul of the offense in the series against the Dodgers, with the go-ahead hit on Thursday night to go with that four-hit day on Sunday. His double, three singles, walk, and two RBIs propelled the Brewers to a 6-2 victory.

Some honorable mentions for top hitting performances of the week:

  • Jackson Chourio quietly had a solid week with a pair of three-hit performances on Monday and Sunday.
  • William Contreras perhaps earns the biggest honorable mention of the season with his two-hit outing to snap his 0-for-20 streak, including a two-run homer.

Injury Notes & Roster Moves

  • Brice Turang continues to be day-to-day, as he was out of the lineup for a fourth straight game on Sunday. He hopes to return to the lineup in the series opener against the Mariners on Tuesday.
  • Sal Frelick is eyeing his return sometime in the near future as he recovers from a right shoulder sprain. He played four games as part of his rehab assignment in Nashville and hit a three-run home run on August 14.
  • Abner Uribe hit the injured list with a right forearm flexor strain and isn’t expected to be back until the end of the month. Grant Anderson was recalled from Triple-A to replace Uribe.
  • Cooper Pratt looks to begin a rehab assignment as soon as Tuesday, according to Pat Murphy, and we could see him return in the next couple of weeks.
  • Newly acquired JoJo Romero threw his second bullpen a couple of days ago and is expected to make his Brewers debut sometime in the next two weeks.
  • Jihwan Bae was designated for assignment on Saturday as the Brewers acquired Jonathan Ornelas for cash from the A’s. Ornelas got the start on Saturday and Sunday.
  • Lyon Richardson, who was designated for assignment earlier in the week, re-signed to a minor league contract and was assigned to Triple-A Nashville.
  • Bryse Wilson, who was also designated for assignment, refused his assignment to Triple-A Nashville before signing another contract. He’s back in Milwaukee’s bullpen.
  • Drew Rom, who was designated for assignment last weekend, was claimed off waivers and acquired by the A’s.

On Deck

  • Monday: Off Day
  • Tuesday: vs. Mariners (6:40 p.m.)
  • Wednesday: vs. Mariners (6:40 p.m.)
  • Thursday: vs. Mariners (1:10 p.m.)
  • Friday: vs. Braves (3:10 p.m.)
  • Saturday: vs. Braves (1:10 p.m.)
  • Sunday: vs. Braves (6:10 p.m.) — MLB Little League Classic in Williamsport, PA

Swanson: Tarik Skubal's gritty starts would pay off if slumping Dodgers would wake up

Dodgers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal delivers during the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.
Dodgers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal delivers during the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

I promise you, Tarik, Los Angeles will show you so much support if you fight like you did Sunday.

Though you, of course, would also appreciate a little help from your new friends.

A little run support. A little urgency. For them to clean it up a little in the field behind you.

Everything that was missing — again — in the Dodgers’ 6-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday, their 11th loss in 16 games.

Sunday’s we-have-Tarik-Skubal-and-you-don’t game against the Brewers — Milwaukee also sought his services but refused, reportedly, to part with winning pitcher Logan Henderson in a deal — didn’t go as planned for the Dodgers.

Read more:Dave Roberts hopes dropping series to Brewers 'doesn't come back to bite' Dodgers

Skubal threw a career-high 109 pitches through six innings, gave up two runs and took the loss for the second time in three starts with the Dodgers, who were trailing 2-1 when he left the game.

Skubal is new here and it’s already a familiar story: They trailed 2-1 when he left the game after six innings in his debut and they were down 3-2 when he exited after five innings in his second start with the club.

It’s not personal. The Dodgers have scored the sixth-fewest runs (50) in baseball this month, when they’ve gone 5-10. They have an OPS of .672, which is 21st in baseball in that span.

They’re not just scuffling, they’re sleepwalking, this team that previously had a .773 OPS through the end of July.

They’re getting every team’s best shot, as they knew they would, and they’re ... shrugging.

Freddie Freeman reacts to hitting a foul ball during the ninth inning of the Dodgers' 6-2 loss to the Brewers on Sunday.
Freddie Freeman reacts to hitting a foul ball during the ninth inning of the Dodgers' 6-2 loss to the Brewers on Sunday. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

“The results are hard,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Hitting’s hard. But I do think that fighting and winning pitches, spoiling pitches, that’s care, hunger.

“That’s the reason why you look at four and a half months in a season, the Brewers have outscored us. It’s a team that’s young and hungry. It’s certainly not talent. I say this because, this has been four, five, six weeks of below-average production from our offense. It’s the truth.”

Presumably, when the games mean more and the three-peat-dreaming Dodgers — who scored only 10 runs in four games against the Brewers, three of which they lost — will care enough to wake up.

It’s just that it’ll take more, apparently, for the Dodgers to stop hitting the snooze button and start hitting the baseball than the prospect of locking up a potential tiebreaker against the Milwaukee Brewers on a pleasant Sunday afternoon at Dodger Stadium.

Clearly it’ll take more, too, than wanting to make a good first impression on Skubal, the two-time Cy Young-award winner and free agent-to-be.

The Dodgers acquired Skubal in an abundantly predictable bombshell trade with the Detroit Tigers in exchange for a trio of prospects, wanting to test the idiom that a ballclub can never have enough pitching.

Read more:Tommy John, Dodgers pitcher and medical pioneer, dies at 83

His new colleagues haven’t done anything to make him miss his best friends on the Detroit Tigers any less, but Skubal hasn’t exactly issued a dominant first impression, either.

It hasn’t been the nightmare pairing so many predicted — at least not for opponents.

In each start, Skubal has been inefficient, he’s been searching for his command. In his 17 innings over three games in Dodger blue, he’s given up 15 hits and seven runs (six earned), 19 strikeouts and six walks.

So, yeah, we can totally table the debate about who should be the Dodgers’ first starter in the postseason: In Yoshinobu Yamamoto we trust.

But credit Skubal for gritting it out each time, keeping the Dodgers in those three games against the Chicago Cubs, the Kansas City Royals and Brewers.

On Sunday, after settling down in the third and fourth innings, he went back to work in the sixth inning, fired up — and struck out the side with the help of a 99-mph fastball and sinker.

Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal yells into his glove while walking off the field during the fifth inning.
Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal yells into his glove while walking off the field during the fifth inning against the Brewers on Sunday. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

“I was just frustrated with the pitch count through five,” Skubal said. “I’m glad Doc gave me an opportunity to go back out there for the sixth, just save some innings from the bullpen.

“My last outing was five. The one before that was six. That’s just, it’s not acceptable. It’s not the standard of what I think I’m capable of in this league. So, you know, I just need to be better.”

So too do the Dodgers’ big name free-agent signings from last offseason: $240-million man Kyle Tucker went 0 for 19 on the homestand and dropped a ball in right field Sunday; high-profile closer Edwin Díaz is making every save opportunity a high-wire tightrope act, blowing three opportunities in his past five appearances.

Maybe there’s a lesson there: Buyer beware?

Still, Roberts likes what he’s learned about Skubal so far.

“Wants to win; prepared; great competitor,” Roberts said. “We certainly haven’t seen his best yet, but man, it feels good every time he’s out there. It really does.

“I just still don’t think we’ve seen his best, which is a good thing for us.”

If Skubal can fight to get up off this floor — if that is what this is, the low point for both the pitcher and his new club — L.A. will love him for it.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Orioles news: The O’s are in a wild card spot

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - AUGUST 14: Christian Encarnacion-Strand #32 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a sacrifice fly to score Tyler O'Neill #9 in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on August 14, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Good morning, Camden Chatters.

This is not a drill. As we wake up this morning, your Baltimore Orioles are currently in playoff position.

In a turn of events that would’ve been nearly impossible to believe just three days ago, the O’s have claimed a half-game lead for the third and final AL wild card spot. Yesterday, every single one of the other wild card contenders was defeated. The Rangers, who had been in possession of the third spot, lost to the Athletics. The Blue Jays lost. The Tigers lost. The Guardians lost. The Twins lost, blowing a 5-0 lead, as Dean Kremer melted down in the sixth after throwing five scoreless innings. Every one of these sub-.500 teams did their usual thing, as the staggering mediocrity of the American League has never been more apparent.

Of course, all of their competitors losing wouldn’t have made much difference if the Orioles hadn’t handled their own business. But boy, did they ever. The O’s bagged their third straight win over the Rays, and this one was an absolute beatdown, 10-2. Check out Mark Brown’s recap to soak in every glorious detail.

It was the latest incredible result in a series that has blown away the expectations of even the most optimistic Orioles fans. A mere three days ago, the O’s stumbled into Tampa Bay as a team on the brink of irrelevance. They’d just squandered a pair of opportunities to make some noise in the playoff race, losing series to two of their direct wild card opponents, the Rangers and Twins. And they were about to face a scalding hot Rays team that had the best record in the American League, the best home record in baseball, and was riding a nine-game winning streak. This could have been the series that finished off the Orioles’ 2026 playoff hopes for good.

Instead, the O’s have delivered their most impressive series performance of the season. They gutted out back-to-back, hard-fought, one-run victories in the first two games, stealing the momentum away from the Rays with quality pitching performances and a few key hits. And yesterday, the Orioles played a dominant brand of baseball that was almost unrecognizable from what we’ve seen from this team for most of the year. Their offense erupted for double-digit runs for just the eighth time in 124 games. Most impressively, for a team that has so often struggled to get timely hits, they came through in the clutch over and over again. I can’t stop being amazed by their seven-run, sixth-inning rally in which eight consecutive batters reached base after there were two outs and nobody on. A guy could get used to this.

The Orioles’ 10-game gauntlet that started last Friday, featuring two series against the Rays and one against the Yankees, is off to a sensational start. I was expecting the Orioles to go something like 3-7 during that stretch. (And technically that’s still possible, but don’t harsh my buzz, okay?) They’ve collectively stepped up their game against the toughest competition in the league, and they’re firing on all cylinders at the right time.

Not all days are going to go as perfectly as yesterday’s from here on out. It’s not often you can count on the exact combination of an Orioles win and losses for every single one of their competitors. With six teams all within 1.5 games of that third wild card spot, there’s going to be quite a bit more jostling for position before all is said and done. The only thing the Orioles can do is to keep playing good baseball and control what they can control.

The Birds have one game remaining at Tropicana Field tonight, with Tampa Bay ace Shane McClanahan coming off the IL to start the finale against the Orioles’ Brandon Young. The Rays of all teams certainly aren’t going to suffer a four-game sweep without a fight. But right now, the Orioles are playing like the kind of club that might just be able to pull it off.

Links

The Orioles’ highest-scoring inning of the year powers their blowout win vs. Rays – BaltimoreBaseball.com

Among the heroics by O’s hitters yesterday were Jackson Holliday’s left-on-left RBI single and Colton Cowser’s left-on-left two-run homer. Are the Orioles actually…good against lefties now?

Basallo (shoulder) begins rehab assignment with 3-RBI showing – MLB.com

The Orioles’ lineup is showing signs of life, and they’ll be getting a massive upgrade real soon. No offense, Carlos Narváez, but you, well, provide no offense.

Will Orioles continue to trade their stars? | MAILBAG – BaltimoreBaseball.com

Probably yes, sorry. That doesn’t mean we can’t have some good times along the way.

Orioles birthdays and history

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! And happy 85th birthday to Orioles Hall of Famer and eponymous barbecue master Boog Powell. The left-handed slugger bashed 303 homers in his 14-year Baltimore career, third-most in franchise history, and is one of just four Orioles to tally more than 1,000 RBIs. Powell was named the AL MVP in 1970 after hitting .297/.412/.549 with 35 homers and 114 RBIs, and was an integral part of the Birds’ World Series championships in 1966 and 1970. Enjoy your day, Boog!

Other former Orioles with Aug. 17 birthdays include left-hander Chris Waters (46) and the late righties John Buzhardt (b. 1936, d. 2008) and Vern Bickford (b. 1920, d. 1960). Bickford, a former Brooklyn Dodgers All-Star, pitched a single game for the inaugural 1954 Orioles.

On this date in 1989, Cal Ripken Jr. played his 1,208th consecutive game, passing Steve Garvey for the third longest streak in major league history. Spoiler: he ended up getting a lot further than that.

In 1999, O’s lefty Jesse Orosco broke Dennis Eckersley’s MLB record by pitching in his 1,072nd career game, retiring the one Twins batter he faced. Orosco, who ultimately pitched until he was 46 years old, finished his career with 1,252 appearances, still the most in major league history.

And in 2009, the Orioles traded Aubrey Huff to the Tigers, a prime example of addition by subtraction. Even better, the prospect they got for him, Brett Jacobson, was one of two players the O’s later traded for eventual Orioles Hall of Famer J.J. Hardy.

Random Orioles game of the day

On Aug. 17, 1958, the Orioles eked out a 2-1 win over the Washington Senators at Memorial Stadium. O’s right-hander Connie Johnson, a former Negro Leagues star, went the distance with a three-hit, one-run complete game, the 54th (and final) of his career. Johnson also helped his own cause by hitting a sacrifice fly, and Gene Woodling drove in the other O’s run with a first-inning RBI single.

Yankees prospects: Tarpons drive home 18 runs in blowout win

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders: Suspended, 0-0 in the top of the second (game will be resumed on Sept. 1st)

2B Anthony Volpe 0-1
LF Jasson Domínguez 0-1
SS Max Schuemann 0-1

Alexander Cornielle 1 IP, 0 R, 2 K

Double-A Somerset Patriots:L, 1-7 vs. New Hampshire Fisher Cats

2B Connor McGinnis 0-3, 1 BB, 1 K, throwing and fielding errors
C Omar Alfonzo 1-4, 1 RBI, 2 K
SS Roderick Arias 0-4, 1 K, fielding and throwing errors
3B Coby Morales 1-4
LF Jackson Castillo 0-3, 1 BB
1B Josh Moylan 0-4
DH Manuel Palencia 0-3
CF Cole Gabrielson 0-3
RF Luis Durango 1-3, 1 R, 1 SB

Rory Fox 7 IP, 5 R, 4 ER, 9 H, 1 BB, 5 K (loss) — ate it and provided seven innings, his longest outing since getting promoted at the end of July
Tony Rossi 1 IP, 0 R, 2 K
Kevin Stevens 0.2 IP, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Harrison Cohen 0.1 IP, 0 R, 1 K

High-A Hudson Valley Renegades:W, 5-2 vs. Wilmington Blue Rocks

DH Eric Genther 0-2, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 SB
SS Jackson Lovich 2-4, 1 3B, 3 RBI, 1 K, 1 SB — three-run triple capped off a five-run second inning
C David McCann 1-4, 1 K
1B Kyle West 1-3, 1 2B, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 SB
3B Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek 1-4, 1 R, 1 K, 1 SB
2B Enmanuel Tejeda 0-2, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 CS
LF Robbie Burnett 1-4, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 K, 1 SB
CF Willy Montero 0-3, 1 K
RF Camden Troyer 0-2, 1 R, 1 BB, assist

Allen Facundo 7 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 3 BB, 6 K, 1 HR (win)
Hansel Rincon 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 K (hold)
Wilmy Sanchez 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 3 K (save)

Low-A Tampa Tarpons:W, 18-8 at Dunedin Blue Jays

SS Dax Kilby 2-3, 1 RBI, 2 R, 4 BB, 1 K, fielding error
CF Wilberson De Pena 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 R
CF Diego Castellanos 2-4, 1 R, 1 K
DH Yostin Pena 2-6, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RF Paul Gutierrez-Contreras II 0-5, 1 R, 1 BB
C Bear Harrison 1-4, 2 R, 2 BB
LF Brando Mayea 4-5, 1 RBI, 3 R, 1 K
1B Tyce Armstrong 3-6, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 2 R, 2 K
2B Luis Escudero 3-5, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 K — the only two extra-base hits were these two going for back-to-back jacks
3B Bayram Hot 1-5, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 SB, fielding error

Wyatt Parliament 3 IP, 2 R, 0 ER, 4 H, 5 K
Danny Flatt 2.2 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 2 K, 2 HR (win)
Josh Tiedemann 1 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K
Rafael Arias 1.1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 K
Matthew Tippie 1 IP, 0 R, 1 K

Florida Complex League Yankees: Season over

Dominican Summer League Yankees: Off-day

Dominican Summer League Bombers: Off-day

Tigers hit the road for 3-game series vs Pirates starting on Monday

The Detroit Tigers failed to make up ground in the American League Central race this past weekend, getting swept by the division-leading Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park after a 7-5 loss on Sunday afternoon. All series long, the Pale Hose found ways to outscore the good guys and were able to shut down the home team’s offense when it mattered most.

Next up for the Olde English D is a trip to take on its “designated interleague rivals,” the Pittsburgh Pirates, at PNC Park starting on Monday evening. Left-hander Framber Valdez will get the start in the opener looking to get back on track after a subpar showing his last time out.

The 32-year-old had thrown two straight seven-inning quality starts before facing the Cleveland Guardians in Detroit last week. Instead of maintaining that level of play, Valdez regressed, allowing four runs on six hits (one home run) and five walks while striking out three over 5 2/3 frames, hitting a batter and throwing a wild pitch to earn his eighth loss in a 6-4 final.

For the Bucs, right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski will be making his 12th start of the season as he bounces between the starter and reliever roles. The 27-year-old has struggled immensely his last two times out — both starts — to the tune of a mind-boggling 15.19 ERA and 7.02 FIP over just 5 1/3 innings of work, allowing 12 hits (one home run) and four walks while striking out just two, earning a pair of losses in the process.

Over the course of Mlodzinski’s first 11 appearances this season — which includes nine starts and all but one lasting 4 1/3 innings or more — he posted a 3.76 ERA and 3.32 FIP stretching across 55 frames of work, allowing 58 hits (three home runs) and 20 walks while striking out 46, plus a pair of hit batters. Those numbers suggest that he is much better as a starter than his most recent appearances demonstrated, but those outings were also much earlier in the season.

Last season, the Pirates swept the Tigers at PNC Park. Here is a look at Monday’s starters’ stats as Detroit looks to buck that trend this week.

Detroit Tigers (60-64) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (61-55)

Time (ET): 7:05 p.m.
Place: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
SB Nation Site:Bucs Dugout
Media: ESPN, Tigers Radio Network

Game 125: LHP Framber Valdez (7-8, 4.26 ERA) vs. RHP Carmen Mlodzinski (6-5, 3.79 ERA)

PlayerGIPK%BB%GB%FIPfWAR
Valdez24133.018.18.554.14.181.4
Mlodzinski2799.218.08.140.33.681.4

VALDEZ

MLODZINKSI

Phillies news: Alex Cora, wild card, Tommy John

Aug 16, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Philadelphia Phillies infielder Alec Bohm (28) celebrates his three-run home run against the Minnesota Twins with outfielder Brandon Marsh (16) during the sixth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

A sweep on the road is great, but the Phillies haven’t played particularly well at home. They need to come home and actually start taking care of business, particularly against teams like the Marlins and Cardinals. There needs to be some distance put between them and the rest of the wild card contenders.

On to the links.

Phillies news:

MLB news:

Chicago Cubs history unpacked — August 17

Free of charge for the discerning reader.

Happy birthday to Victor Caratini, and a mighty host of others.

Today in baseball history, in 1973 – At Shea Stadium, 42-year-old New York Mets outfielder Willie Mays hits the 660th and final home run of his career off Reds lefty Don Gullett, and other stories as well.

Today in baseball history:

Today in Cubs history:

Cubs Birthdays:Victor Caratini*, Thomas Neal, Bill Landrum, John Buzhardt.

Today in history:

  • 1807 – Robert Fulton‘s steamboat Clermont begins its first trip up the Hudson River.
  • 1903 – Joseph Pulitzer donates $1 million to Columbia University and begins the Pulitzer Prizes in the United States.
  • 1946 – George Orwell publishes “Animal Farm” in the United Kingdom.
  • 1959 – Columbia Records releases “Kind of Blue,” a studio album by American jazz trumpeter and composer Miles Davis, leading a sextet featuring saxophonist John Coltrane and pianist Bill Evans; the work is widely considered a masterpiece and is one of the most influential and best-selling albums of Davis’ long career.
  • 1982 – First compact discs (CDs) released to the public in Germany.
  • 1987 – Muhammad Ali is elected to “Ring” magazine’s Boxing Hall of Fame.
  • 2008 – The US team of Michael PhelpsAaron Peirsol, Brendan Hansen, and Jason Lezak wins the 4 x 100 m medley relay at the Beijing Olympics in a world record time of 3:29.34; Phelps’s eighth gold medal of the Games breaks Mark Spitz’s 1972 record of seven.
  • 2025 – Bodhana Sivanandan (10) defeats grandmaster Pete Wells (60) in final round of 2025 British Chess Championships in Liverpool, England, becoming youngest female player to beat a grandmaster

*pictured.

DitD & Open Post – 8/17/26: More from Meier Edition

MONTREAL, CANADA - APRIL 05: Timo Meier #28 of the New Jersey Devils skates during the third period against the Montréal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on April 5, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The New Jersey Devils defeated the Montréal Canadiens 3-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Here are your links for today:

Devils Links

“It wouldn’t be a stretch to say the Devils need more from Meier, though. The underlying metrics remain excellent, but he finished with 24 goals and 44 points last season, which doesn’t cut it for someone making $8.8 million per year. If the Devils are to rebound and make the playoffs next season, Meier will have to be a key part of it. What should fans expect from him?” [Devils on the Rush ($)]

“The New Jersey Devils have restocked their cupboard a fair amount this off-season, enjoying a well-regarded draft, accumulating future assets, and trading for the likes of Amadeus Lombardi. With that, let’s talk about the cream of the crop – the top three prospects in the system – entering the 2026-27 season.” [Infernal Access ($)]

“The New Jersey Devils come in at No. 19 on TheHockeyNews.com’s NHL off-season ranking. The Devils have a new GM and a new No. 1 goalie, but are they a Stanley Cup playoff lock?” [The Hockey News]

FWIW:

Hockey Links

“Saturday will mark one month until the maximum term for NHL contracts will drop from eight years when re-signing with a team to seven. It’s possible that the last-ever eight-year deal has already been inked, with the most recent max-term deal surprisingly going to Pittsburgh Penguins winger Ville Koivunen, who signed for a cap hit of $4 million.” [TSN]

“Which teams are heading into a cap crunch next summer? Who’s sitting pretty and under budget? How much will the game’s next big stars command on their next deals, and what might that mean for teams’ second-best scorers? With all that in mind, we’re looking at a handful of intriguing franchises — each facing different questions and approaches to salary cap management — in the year ahead, and beyond.” [Sportsnet]

“There are blockbuster trades, massive free-agent contracts and acquisitions that immediately become central to a team’s Stanley Cup aspirations. But for every major move, there are several quieter additions that could ultimately prove just as important. Some teams found value in players coming off down seasons. Others targeted specific areas of need, while a few took chances on players who could have considerably more responsibility in their new surroundings. Here are 12 under-the-radar acquisitions who could make a bigger impact than the attention they’ve received this summer:” [Sportsnet]

“What hockey game had you sitting in complete silence for 30 minutes after the fact?” [r/hockey]

Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.

Five series that could impact MLB playoff race, including a Chicago showdown

In this death march of a Major League Baseball season, the term “meaningful series” can mean just about anything you want.

And as another week of quasi-important games get underway, two distinct categories – tightly bunched playoff teams collide vs. two actually good squads measure up against each other – are well in play.

A fun and relevant crosstown rivalry and a handful of key intra-divisional squabbles mark a week that probably won’t bring any clarity to a playoff quagmire that’s still six weeks from getting settled. But here’s five series worth watching this coming week:

Miami Marlins at Philadelphia Phillies

When: Monday-Wednesday, Citizens Bank Park

Key matchup: Wednesday – Marlins RH Sandy Alcantara vs. Phillies RH Aaron Nola

Outlook: Just when you think the Phillies are in real trouble, they patch together enough sentient baseball to assure rational onlookers that they’ll be OK. For now, anyway. A sweep of the Twins contested between Iowa and Minnesota did the lads some good, but now here’s the Marlins, who have split 10 games with Philly this year. You know what that means: The winner of this series wins the season series – and the tiebreaker should the teams finish with the same record. And with the Marlins just three games behind the Phillies, that’s a distinct possibility. Who’da thunk that back in April?

Chicago White Sox at Chicago Cubs

When: Monday-Wednesday, Wrigley Field

Key matchup: TBD vs. Cubs RH Clay Holmes

Outlook: They call this the Crosstown Something-Or-Other, but there’s not much you need to know: North Side vs. South Side, bleacher bros vs. hard-bitten ChiSox fans. Fairly self-explanatory. A little crazy to think this could be a World Series preview, but it’s not totally far-fetched. The White Sox’s sweep of Detroit last weekend gave them a 5½-game edge in the AL Central and should they hold on to win it, a first-round bye would almost certainly come with it. The White Sox, a first-round bye. Wild times. Meanwhile, the Cubs fortified themselves nicely at the trade deadline, and no pickup might’ve been bigger than Holmes, who pitched 6⅓ innings of one-hit ball in his first start at Wrigley.

Japanese sluggers Munetaka Murakami, left, and Seiya Suzuki will renew acquaintances when the Chicago White Sox take on the crosstown Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Arizona Diamondbacks at Boston Red Sox

When: Monday-Wednesday, Fenway Park

Key matchup: Wednesday – Diamondbacks RH Brandon Pfaadt vs. Red Sox LH Payton Tolle

Outlook: Probably the last team the Red Sox needed to see. Arizona comes in winners of 11 of its last 18 games, just took two of three from NL power Atlanta and is in an NL wild-card dogfight. Meanwhile, Boston seems a bit hung over from its wild 31-4 run to climb out of the cellar and into the No. 2 wild card spot. Not saying the Red Sox won’t get well. Just saying it will be difficult to do against the always pesky D-backs.

New York Yankees at Baltimore Orioles

When: Tuesday-Thursday, Camden Yards

Key matchup: Thursday – Yankees RH Gerrit Cole vs. Orioles RH Kyle Bradish

Outlook: The Orioles have been in the left-for-dead file for a few weeks now, but taking three over the weekend at Tampa Bay (they finish the four-game wraparound Monday) revived their hopes significantly. And, you guessed it, they’re now one game out of playoff position (Isn’t everybody?). Outfielder Tyler O’Neill has an .861 OPS since the All-Star break, while the rest of the lineup seemed invigorated with the move of Gunnar Henderson from leadoff to fifth. The Yankees have been wobbling but upright as they await returns of Cody Bellinger (off on a rehab assignment Thursday) and Aaron Judge (hey, at least he’s playing catch).

Atlanta Braves at Milwaukee Brewers

When: Friday-Sunday, Miller Park/Williamsport, Pa.

Key matchup: Saturday – Braves LH Martín Pérez vs. Brewers RH Jacob Misiorowski

Outlook: Take these regular season “showdowns” with a grain of salt, as we’re sure the Brewers do. They just took three of four from the Dodgers, yet realize they went 6-0 against L.A. last year only to go 0-4 against them in the NLCS. Still, it’ll be a fun matchup and always appointment viewing when The Miz makes his weekly appointment on the mound. Just a bummer the Brewers will miss Chris Sale, though they probably aren’t fretting.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Five series that could impact MLB playoff race, including a Chicago showdown

MLB power rankings: Cardinals back in race as Joshua Báez arrives with bang

Don't like your team very much this season? Just wait a week.

So it goes in the slog known as the 2026 Major League Baseball season, where nobody's really out of it and anyone can get back in it just by winning a few games.

This week's example? The St. Louis Cardinals.

They dealt away starter Dustin May and reliever JoJo Romero and respected outfielder Lars Nootbaar at the trade deadline and promptly won four consecutive series and eight of their past 12 games. That's lifted them above .500 and within three games of a playoff spot.

Talk about addition by, well, addition: Nootbaar's trade helped open some space for rookie Joshua Báez, who merely had the greatest debut in major league history. Phenom? He is now, it seems.

Joshua Báez is correct: The Cardinals climbed three spots in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings.

As such, the Cardinals have leaped three spots in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings, with more upward mobility in the offing. They have eight games this week, including a five-gamer against the Cincinnati Reds, against whom they've won five of eight. They head to Philadelphia next weekend, by which time they could possibly climb into playoff position with a good series against the Phillies.

Or not. Twenty-four of 30 teams are living week-to-week, and there's no telling how the road ahead may treat the Cardinals. For now, it's good living.

A look at our updated MLB power rankings:

1. Milwaukee Brewers (-)

  • Before we freak out too much, keep in mind the Brewers went 6-0 against the Dodgers last year.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers (-)

  • It's gone from "annual summer malaise" to "wow perhaps this just isn't a very good team" very quickly.

3. Atlanta Braves (+1)

  • With 36 homers, Matt Olson has outside shot at second 50-homer season.

4. Tampa Bay Rays (-1)

  • Shane McClanahan off the IL to start wraparound finale against Baltimore.

5. Chicago Cubs (-)

  • Edward Cabrera hit hard in first start off IL as handy Javier Assad sent to minors.

6. New York Yankees (-)

  • Cody Bellinger set to start rehab assignment Thursday.

7. Chicago White Sox (+2)

  • Just an absolute statement in sweeping the Tigers as Munetaka Murakami, Miguel Vargas reach 28 homers.

8. Philadelphia Phillies (+2)

9. San Diego Padres (+2)

  • Look out: 19-10 since the break.

10. Boston Red Sox (-3)

With Toronto, Baltimore coming on, will they slide all the way out of playoff position?

11. Arizona Diamondbacks (-3)

  • Well-traveled Dennis Santana added to bullpen mix.

12. Miami Marlins (-)

  • Jakob Marsee is Mr. August, with a 1.018 career OPS.

13. St. Louis Cardinals (+3)

  • If they can survive an 11-game road trip, anything's possible.

14. Houston Astros (-1)

  • Josh Hader is 17-for-17 in save chances since return from injury.

15. Texas Rangers (-)

  • Have lost 17 of 23 AL West road games. Tough way to win a division.

16. Baltimore Orioles (+4)

  • Gunnar Henderson slides to fifth in order, and club takes three in a row at Tampa Bay.

17. Cleveland Guardians (-3)

  • That's five straight series losses, and now Chase DeLauter's hurt again.

18. Pittsburgh Pirates (-)

  • After a planned respite, Paul Skenes' Wednesday start will be highly scrutinized.

19. Detroit Tigers (+2)

  • Have lost six of nine to White Sox this season. So, wild card it is?

20. Toronto Blue Jays (+4)

Heart of a champion? Now, just one game out of playoff position.

21. Cincinnati Reds (+1)

  • Eight-game week vs. St. Louis, Arizona could ignite or thoroughly douse any thoughts of contending.

22. Minnesota Twins (-6)

  • Outscored 23-7 in sweep by Phillies.

23. Washington Nationals (-4)

  • Now just 3½ games up on sad-sack Mets.

24. Seattle Mariners (-1)

  • A particularly brutal 15-game stretch arrives: Brewers, Cubs, Phillies, Blue Jays, Red Sox.

25. New York Mets (-)

  • Now .500 (22-22) in the Andy Green era.

26. San Francisco Giants (-)

  • Buster Posey says Tony Vitello will be back in 2027.

27. Kansas City Royals (-)

  • Noah Cameron's one-hit shutout of Angels is club's first since Zack Greinke in 2009.

28. Colorado Rockies (+1)

  • Adael Amador's first hit this season is a home run.

29. Athletics (-1)

  • It took him 26 games, but Tommy Tanks finally gets his first big league homer in Yolo County.

30. Los Angeles Angels (-)

  • Ben Joyce, back from May 2025 labrum surgery, picks up first save in nearly two years.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB power rankings: Cardinals back in race as Joshua Báez arrives with bang

MLB playoff picture: Who's currently in and who's out?

Just six more weeks remain in the Major League Baseball regular season, and there's still so much to be decided.

The Tampa Bay Rays, Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers seem to have their divisions well in hand, but any winning or losing streak among the rest of the playoff contenders could shake things up in a major way.

Of course, the wild-card races will be the focus of attention down the stretch, with the second and third spots in each league seemingly changing hands on a daily basis.

Here's where things stand in the American and National League playoff races as the new week gets underway.

Current MLB playoff picture

All records and stats are as of the start of play on Monday, Aug. 17.

Division leaders

Wild-card standings

Three teams in each league qualify for wild-card playoff spots. Here are the wild-card standings through games of Sunday, Aug. 16:

American League

National League

Postseason format

The division winners with the two best records in each league earn byes into the division series. Currently, the top seeds are the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago White Sox in the AL, and the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL.

The third division winner in each league will have home field advantage in their division series and will host the wild-card team with the worst record. Three teams in each league qualify for wild-card playoff berths.

Note: If two or more teams tie for a division title or a wild-card spot. Ties are broken by head-to-head record first, followed by intradivision record. Beyond that, things can get complicated.

The playoffs follow this format:

  • Wild-card series: Best of 3
  • Division series: Best of 5
  • League championship series: Best of 7
  • World Series: Best of 7

Key MLB postseason dates

The official 2026 MLB postseason schedule was released last week.

Sunday, Sept. 27: Final day of 2026 regular season

Tuesday, Sept. 29: Wild-card playoff round begins

Saturday, Oct. 3: AL/NL division series begin

Sunday, Oct. 11: NL championship series begins

Monday, Oct. 12: AL championship series begins

Friday, Oct. 23: World Series begins

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB playoff picture: Who's currently in and who's out?

Today on Pinstripe Alley – 8/17/26

TORONTO, ON - AUGUST 16: José Caballero #72 of the New York Yankees celebrates with teammate Heliot Ramos #34 after scoring a run in the third inning during the game between the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Sunday, August 16, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Colton Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The Yankees got a much-needed reprieve in their series finale against Toronto, winning an extra-inning affair on the road for the first time in ages. Ben Rice reprieved himself of his error earlier in the ninth inning that allowed the Jays to tie the game up by launching a two-run homer in the 10th, providing just enough of a cushion to survive the bottom half. They’ll enter an off day before continuing their road trip in Baltimore, needing better results than the two of three they ultimately dropped against Toronto, but the O’s have entered the conversation as a playoff “contender” (if you can call a team under .500 that) by claiming sole possession of the third Wild Card.

While we don’t have any Yankees baseball being played, we’ve got plenty to go over on the site. Jonathan starts us off with a look back at Aaron Boone’s five most memorable ejections in honor of him collecting his 50th career ejection. Kevin has a double-feature, first covering the Rivalry Roundup and then reliving some of Jorge Posada’s most iconic moments on his 56th birthday. Estevão looks into how Ryan Weathers has been able to ditch the four-seamer thanks to his sinker excelling, and later on I’ll be back to open up the mailbag for your latest questions.

Today’s Matchup:

Off-day

Questions/Prompts:

1. How badly did Ben Rice need that two-run home run yesterday?

2. How insane is it that Baltimore is currently holding a playoff spot? Will the third Wild Card race ever get unclogged from mediocrity?

YouTube Gold: The Greatness Of Bo Jackson

ANAHEIM - JULY 11: Bo Jackson #16 of the Kansas City Royals plays in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game on July 11, 1989 at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. Jackson was named MVP of the game. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Michael Jordan played in the NBA for 15 seasons between 1984 and 2003, and was widely considered one of the greatest athletes of his generation. But he wasn’t the best.

That would have been his contemporary, Bo Jackson. Jackson played both professional baseball and football, and was an All-Star in each.

His professional baseball career started in 1986, and his NFL career in 1987.

His career – both of them – were full of legendary moments. Negro Leagues legend Buck O’Neill said that when Jackson hit the ball, he connected with a ferocity that he had only ever heard from two players: Babe Ruth and Josh Gibson.

Then there was the wall running and the insane passes.

In football, he pancaked Brian Bosworth so ferociously that it destroyed Bosworth’s reputation.

But there are more stories, as we learn in this video with Jeff Pearlman. There are several interesting anecdotes, but the one that blows us away is him hitting a fly ball so high that he nearly reached third base before it came down. Several people verify this, including one of the opponents.

Pearlman calls him the greatest athlete of all time, and, really, it’s hard to argue.

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Best MLB stadiums: All 30 ballparks ranked by staying power

A picturesque view of a body of water, a well-seasoned concession snack, a home team that doesn’t make you question your life choices – all go into the rubric to determine our favorite ballparks.

Yet there are other factors that rarely are assessed but have become increasingly significant as major league stadiums’ shelf life continues shrinking and replacement costs soar: Timelessness and durability.

Sure, maybe you like your stadium to have that new car smell after 20 years, or however often your team can steamroll the local populace into lining the owner’s pockets with even more luxury seating. But there’s something to be said for staying power, for getting the most out of investments both private and (increasingly) public, establishing a sense of place for generations to return.

In short, better a ballpark last 115 seasons than 20.

Philadelphia Phillies owner John Middleton seems to understand that. In announcing the club’s plans to invest $600 million in renovating their 22-year-old Citizens Bank Park, Middleton told reporters, “There's no reason in my mind why this stadium shouldn't be operating in 100 years and operating really well.”

That’s hardly been the case in other municipalities, where public threats, audacious asks for taxpayer funding and constantly eyeing a shinier new toy can be the norm.

Which ballparks get the most, pound-for-pound, out of a team’s and a community’s investment in it? That do as little harm as possible to their environment?

Ranking MLB’s 30 ballparks by both aesthetics and generational durability:

(Note: Public money estimates may not fully reflect all franchise benefits, such as property tax breaks, land acquisition and infrastructure costs).

1. Fenway Park, Boston

Year opened: 1912

Seasons in use: 115

Original construction cost: $650,000

Recent renovation costs: $400 million since 2000

Public money used: $130 million for renovations (estimated)

Capacity: 37,755

Park factors: The oldest is arguably still the greatest. All the more amazing considering what previous owner John Harrington said in a 1999 letter to Red Sox fans: “Times have changed. It’s time for a new ballpark.” Harrington’s money grab is visible between the lines (“the need for 10,000 new seats,” he said) but he also sounded disinclined for the big dig of modernizing a Titanic-era yard. So while the current ownership group sometimes makes the Red Sox feel like another faceless cog in something called “Fenway Sports Group,” they still deserve credit for an exhaustive rebuild that makes it a must-visit and an aesthetically remarkable place to watch a ballgame.

2. Wrigley Field, Chicago

Wrigley Field in Chicago.

Original construction cost: $250,000

Seasons in use: 112

Recent renovation costs: $740 million since 2013

Capacity: 41,649

Park factors: Hard to imagine that the $175,000 sale of a seminary at the corner of Clark and Addison in 1909 would tip a series of dominoes that resulted in the construction of what would become Wrigley Field. Shout out to Charlie “Lucky Charlie” Weeghman for opting to invest $250,000 to build on this site – leasing it for 99 years - rather than the $500,000 Charles Comiskey wanted for a new South Side park. Weeghman parlayed his lunch counter empire into a ballyard and eventually, thanks to numerous investors, the Cubs after the Federal League folded in 1915. But Lucky Charlie’s hot run ran out, losing the team and his business after World War I. William Wrigley bought the club in 1921 and slapped his own name on the park in 1927. (Private equity bros would lose their minds if they found out a simple “lunch counter baron” and “chewing gum magnate” could control such prime property). Anyhow, it remains a jewel, even if current owner Tom Ricketts’ $740 million renovation choked even more of the charm out of Wrigleyville.

3. Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

Year opened: 1962

Seasons in use: 66

Original construction cost: $23 million

Recent renovation costs: $300 million since 2013

Public money used: 300 acres of land, plus infrastructure, in exchange for Los Angeles’ Wrigley Field

Capacity: 56,000

Park factors: It is a gem that might live forever, evidenced by the 50,000-plus fans who show up almost as fervently for a game against the Rockies in April as they do for a World Series matchup. Its owners have consistently seen the value pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into its upkeep and modernization. No amount of World Series trophies can erase the ugly displacement of Mexican-Americans in Chavez Ravine during the decade prior to the Dodgers’ arrival. Yet the stadium almost certainly will join Fenway Park and Wrigley Field in the century club come the 2060s.

4. Oracle Park, San Francisco

Year opened: 2000

Seasons in use: 27

Original construction cost: $357 million

Public money used: $80 million for infrastructure

Capacity: 40,260

Park factors: The Giants have long stuck their chest out for “saving” the franchise by - all together now - Building The First Privately Financed Ballpark in Major League Baseball Since Dodger Stadium. That no doubt earned them plenty of side-eye at owners’ meetings over the years, and they proved it was hardly ruinous as the stadium became a cash cow, the team a perennial contender and eventual three-time World Series champion. But Giants owners also had another equation in mind: That San Francisco itself was far more valuable than, say, St. Petersburg, Fla., one of their many stalking horses used in vain to get a replacement for Candlestick Park. Yet their investment in The City is paying off in an even bigger way: Their 28-acre “Mission Rock” development is a $3 billion public-private partnership that makes them land developers and theater impresarios as much as they are a baseball franchise. Perhaps that explains a few things.

5. Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City

Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

Year opened: 1973

Seasons in use: 54

Original construction cost: $70 million

Recent renovation costs: $250 million from 2007-2010

Public money used: $43 million for original construction of Royals and Arrowhead Stadiums; $175 million for most recent Kauffman Stadium renovation

Capacity: 38,053

Park factors: The gem of the 1970s thanks to what looked like wretched excess at the time: Baseball and football stadiums built next to each other at a time multi-purpose monstrosities were all the rage. Yet Royals/Kauffman and Arrowhead have stood the test of time wonderfully, particularly once natural grass was installed for the Royals. A $250 million renovation modernized the place nicely enough that Major League Baseball saw fit to gift the club an All-Star Game in 2012. Cut scene, right? Ah, of course not. New-ish owner John Sherman, aided by pols in Kansas City, is aiming to construct a live-work-play downtown ballpark for the gentle sum of nearly $2 billion, with at least a half-billion dollars coming from public sources. The process has cleared several hurdles but many more remain in a very complex and typically opaque process. The city and ballclub are desperate to avoid a public referendum on the matter, since, in 2024, an overwhelming 58% of Kansas City voters rejected a sales tax measure for a Royals stadium plus renovations to Arrowhead. The Chiefs found willing marks in Kansas. The Royals play on at The K, which remains a virtually perfect ballpark constructed for a song more than a half-century ago.

6. Angel Stadium, Anaheim

Year opened: 1966

Seasons in use: 61

Original construction cost: $24 million

Recent renovation costs: $100 million in 1997-98

Public money used: $30 million for ’97 renovations

Capacity: 45,000

Park factors: This place has had several iterations, birthed, revamped and reborn several times within the same shell. The original Big A gave way to a well-outdated multi-purpose look when the city of Anaheim lured the Rams from the Coliseum to the banks of the 57 freeway, relegating the iconic “A” from just beyond the outfield to deep in the parking lots. And then the Rams turned tail again (it wouldn’t be the last time), suckering St. Louis into a stadium deal in 1994 and leaving the Angels with a 67,000-seat Price Club where 16,000 folks could gather to watch Chuck Finley get little run support. The new owner, Disney, did more than put cheerleaders on the dugout and attempt to violate the collective bargaining agreement: It spearheaded a renovation to knock the football out of the place, paying for most of a $100 million facelift in the late 1990s. And, well, that’s pretty much been it ever since, even as new owner Arte Moreno and the city of Anaheim have, shall we say, been through some things. The ballpark? Other than showing its age once in a while, it’s still a great place to catch a game, luring 2.6 million to 3 million fans in the decade-plus since Moreno’s club last made the playoffs.

7. Coors Field, Colorado

Year opened: 1995

Construction cost: $300 million

Public money used: $168 million

Capacity: 46,897

Park factors: Don’t look now, but this joint is fourth-oldest in the National League and still a real beauty, even if the baseball’s been bad for quite a while. And the Rockies appear to be fixtures in LoDo for quite a while – owner Dick Monfort’s company has signed a 99-year lease for a development adjacent to the park. You don’t hear this very often: The Metropolitan Baseball Stadium District was able to pay off 20-year bonds for ballpark construction eight years early, resulting in a refund to nearby municipalities.

8. PNC Park, Pittsburgh

Year opened: 2001

Seasons in use: 26

Original construction cost: $216 million

Public money used: $155 million

Capacity: 38,362

Park factors: Rarely will this park rank outside the top five – top three, even – of ballpark ratings. It is gorgeous, with a view of downtown and the Allegheny River, which rushes along just 456 feet from home plate. It’s a tight and intimate setting. And fans are paying for it, on the front and back end: Multiple ticket and family pricing indexes rank PNC fifth or sixth in average ticket price. Meanwhile, the state and area municipalities paid for more than half of the ballpark construction at the turn of the century. The team’s lease expires in 2030 and area officials are gearing up for significant renovation asks from the Pirates and Steelers.

9. Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia

Fireworks ignite during the National Anthem during the All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park.

Year opened: 2004

Seasons in use: 23

Original construction cost: $458 million

Public money used: $221 million

Capacity: 42,901

Outlook: Middleton’s unofficial 100-year pledge to keep this ballpark alive served to both confirm the Bank’s beauty as a ballpark, and also read the room for what’s best for his city. The Philadelphia 76ers earned city council approval for a $1.3 billion downtown arena, yet backed down in the face of intense civic disapproval. No, the South Philadelphia Stadium Complex is kind of perfect, with proximity to myriad forms of transportation and a prevailing collective vibe that says, “Meet us at the base of Broad Street, where we will kick your ass.” Someone should probably tell Jeffrey Lurie that.

10. Camden Yards, Baltimore

Year opened: 1992

Seasons in use: 34

Original construction cost: $110 million

Recent renovation costs: $600 million

Public money used: $112 million for construction, $600 million for renovations

Capacity: 42,455

Park factors: Yes, that’s a ton of public money, a grand total of $1.3 billion over time, as detailed in a 2023 Baltimore Sun analysis of the total public benefits the Orioles have received for Camden Yards. It was financed largely by state bonds and now the ballpark and its sister stadium for the Ravens each will receive $600 million from the Maryland State Authority for ongoing renovations. That’s birthed hangs such as the Coors Light Roof Deck and the Corona Flag Court and the Truist Club. Now, the more pleasing news: The ballpark remains a gem, still the greatest in the early 1990s retro renaissance, long before you couldn’t go five yards in a stadium without getting hit with exposed brick. The expanded luxury areas have not created a moat within the ballpark, which remains a free-flowing delight to explore from flag court to home plate.

11. Rogers Centre, Toronto

Year opened: 1989

Seasons in use: 38

Original construction cost: $650 million

Recent renovation costs: $300 million since 2022, privately financed

Public money used: $300 million (estimated) for construction

Capacity: 41,500

Park factors: As newer stadia come online, the Blue Jays and their Rogers Communications overlords taught us a key lesson: Renovation is the way. While the former SkyDome was always a gorgeous park with the roof open, less so with it closed, the major renovations done in the Vladdy Jr. Era turned out remarkably well. That goes for whether you want to get bujee with it in a club area or swig some Labatt’s with your pals in the upper reaches. The original construction was a bit of a boondoggle, as the project was dogged by debt and recession and spiraling costs. Yet the park is barreling toward its 50th birthday in what looks to be a golden era – and renovations were privately financed.

12. Comerica Park, Detroit

Year opened: 2000

Seasons in use: 27

Original construction cost: $300 million

Recent renovation costs: $30 million since 2024

Public money used: $115 million

Capacity: 41,083

Park factors: The cost of doing business was evident when the second wave of new ballparks opened up: Comerica was more than double the cost of Camden Yards, Jacobs Field and others. But Detroit certainly did it right the first time, with a sturdy facility featuring a nice downtown view, the iconic Tiger statues and a consistently decent product in the past 20 years. Alas, nothing lasts forever: Comerica Park, in name only, will be no more after this season, as Fifth Third Bancorp bought Comerica and is now workshopping corporate titles to re-brand the stadium.

13. Daikin Park, Houston

Year opened: 2000

Seasons in use: 27

Original construction cost: $250 million

Recent renovation costs: $50 million

Public money used: $180 million

Park factors: It opened at the height of the steroid era, which was appropriate, given that then-Minute Maid Park was Retro Ballpark on Steroids. A flagpole in center field was viewed as a faux bridge too far and “Tal’s Hill” was removed after the 2016 season. The Astros don’t often open the roof – they should try that more often, schvitz be damned – but this remains a functional park and a great place to watch a game, with the club’s decade of consistent winning providing a raucous atmosphere. Houston taxpayers footed way too much of the bill, but hey, that was the Enron era and at least they got something tangible out of this.

14. Petco Park, San Diego

Year opened: 2004

Seasons in use: 23

Original construction cost: $450 million

Public money used: $300 million

Park factors: Nowadays, franchises are typically craven enough to simply ask for stadium handouts, regardless of how terrible their on-field products are. Back in the day, though, clubs would go for broke on the field to drum up support at the ballot box, a nominal one-year investment that could pay billions of dollars in dividends. So it was for the 1998 Padres. They traded for ace and pending free agent Kevin Brown - who would lead the majors in pitching WAR - won 98 games and didn’t stop campaigning even after the Yankees swept them in the World Series. The city threw them a parade, anyway, which largely served as a pep rally for Proposition C, which would fund a new downtown ballpark. “Don’t forget, Nov. 3 is coming quickly,” franchise legend Tony Gwynn told the crowd and a live TV audience. “You know what you need to do.” Prop C passed with nearly 60% of the vote. A beautiful ballpark was born, yet publicly financing two-thirds of the cost would sow regret. Barely a decade after Petco opened, referendum backers echoed typical buyer’s remorse: The park was supposed to pay for itself. While the area has freshened up nicely, that whole “ballpark transformation” shtick might not be so apt here. It’s freaking San Diego, for Pete’s sake.

15. Rate Field, Chicago

Year opened: 1991

Seasons in use: 36

Original construction cost: $137 million

Recent renovation costs: $130 million (estimated) since 2001

Public money used: $200 million

Capacity: 40,615

Park factors: It opened a year before Camden Yards and featured none of the “retro modern charms” of the ballpark renaissance to come. Rough timing, kind of like Edward Everett’s stultifying two-hour speech at Gettsyburg, just before Abraham Lincoln rocked the world with a crisp two-minute oration. That’s life, eh? But the White Sox didn’t just take the L, if you will; years of renovations have turned it into an actual ballpark, one with excellent food, access to public transportation and for now a serviceable ballclub. Of course, eventual majority owner Justin Ishbia has designs on a massive riverfront stadium project that’s for now a logistical maze involving rail yards and Amtrak and many moving parts. If he threads the needle, it’d mean uprooting more than a century of Sox Park tradition from the Bridgeport neighborhood for the promise of splash hits and probably a Tom’s Watch Bar. For now, “New Comiskey” and its tenant can stick their proverbial chest out.

16. Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg

A view of the ray touch tank at Tropicana Field.

Year opened: 1990

Seasons in use: 28

Original construction cost: $138 million

Recent renovation costs: $37 million since 2005, not including hurricane-related repairs.

Capacity: 25,025

Park factors: Look, there’s no rain delays and the total cost of construction would barely get you a new scoreboard these days. That’s efficiency, baby. Trop lovers – and there are a few – know it’s a low-key lovely place to catch a ballgame, and the baseball is consistently good. Sadly, Tampa Bay remains the lone franchise to never host an All-Star Game, which is more an MLB problem: If the league doesn’t see fit to hold a jewel event there, it shouldn’t have rewarded Tampa Bay a franchise in the first place. Besides, they always need a cudgel to leverage new facilities out of municipalities. So perhaps the proposed new park in Tampa will get a Midsummer Classic, surrounded by the cookie-cutter live, work and play development that Rays officials will have you believe is Battery South. Someday, there may be a Yardhouse or a Cheesecake Factory or whatever at the new crib, but there’s no original Ferg’s.

17. Busch Stadium, St. Louis

Year opened: 2006

Seasons in use: 22

Original construction cost: $400 million

Public money used: $80 million

Capacity: 43,769

Park factors: The Cardinals won a World Series title in their first year playing in the third iteration of Busch Stadium and drew 3.4 million fans, beginning a streak of 14 seasons over the 3 million mark. It’s a vibrant place when it’s full. Yet as the team’s fortunes sagged, the streak ended after the 2023 season and St. Louis drew just 2.25 million fans last year. The club also rolled out a “Ballpark Village” in three phases beginning in 2014, something of a forerunner to future projects elsewhere. Yet it also exemplified the extractive nature of such developments, merely relocating economic impact away from older businesses. The Cardinals are dipping their toes in the water for significant Busch Stadium upgrades, possibly taking advantage of state legislation passed in service of funding Royals and Chiefs stadiums on the other side of Missouri.

18. Citi Field, New York

Year opened: 2009

Seasons in use: 18

Original construction cost: $830 million

Public money used: $614 million

Capacity: 41,922

Park factors: It’s almost impossible for anything in New York to be underrated, but Citi Field is a quiet gem, with a lively atmosphere and fantastic food. It’d be much higher on this list if not for the massive public tab to build it. While less expensive and more pleasing than its fraternal twin brother in the Bronx, it nonetheless continues New York’s fascination with gifting millions to billions of dollars to franchise owners. Still cheaper than the Bills’ boondoggle, we guess.

19. T-Mobile Park, Seattle

Year opened: 1999

Seasons in use: 28

Original construction cost: $517 million

Recent renovation costs: $138 million in 2018

Public money used: $372 million for original construction; $135 million for 2018 renovations

Capacity: 47,943

Park factors: As far as aesthetics, this place ranks near the top, even factoring our significant quibble that it went from “Safeco Field” to “T-Mobile Park” in a rebrand. (Simply, a stadium is a field or park, and so it shall remain forever.) Anyhow, T-Mobile has a unique feel to it, largely because the Mariners did not use ballpark giant HOK (now Populous) in its design, setting it apart from its late ‘90s brethren. Unfortunately, and perhaps because of that, construction costs skyrocketed (more than double Houston’s Minute Maid Park, which opened a year later) and the public ended up funding a whopping $372 million of the bill. An aesthetic triumph but a public bloodbath. A lease extension ensures the club will play there into the 2040s, giving it an appropriate shelf life.

20. Progressive Field, Cleveland

A general view of Progressive Field in Cleveland during May.

Year opened: 1994

Seasons in use: 33

Original construction cost: $175 million

Recent renovation costs: $202 million since 2022

Public money used: $84 million for construction, $135 million for recent renovations

Capacity: 34,820

Park factors: While it lacked the natural beauty of Camden Yards, the former Jacobs Field might have been the most juiced joint of the 1990s parks to open – simply because of the massive leap in energy replacing the Mistake By The Lake, 80,000-seat Municipal/Cleveland Stadium. And Cleveland had an insanely charismatic team ready-made to move in, greeting baseball’s offensive era with a devastating lineup that sent it to two World Series in the first three full seasons and launching a 455-game sellout streak. The 2000s weren’t as kind, but the first of a handful of renovations freshened the place up in time for a 2016 World Series run and the team has been Pretty Good since. The park’s even better: Reduced in capacity, opened up to the city, far more “experiential” for the kids these days. Probably should have locked in a lease longer than 15 years for the most recent refurbishments, as the drumbeat for a new stadium should begin a bit before the 2036 expiration (If area municipalities were foolish enough to do it for the Browns, might as well try, right?)

21. Target Field, Minneapolis

Year opened: 2010

Seasons in use: 17

Original construction cost: $555 million

Public money used: $350 million

Capacity: 38,544

Park factors: A modern gem in a nearly ideal location nestled near the Minnesota Timberwolves’ arena, Target Field has proven the naysayers wrong, playing outdoor baseball on the prairie after years amid the Hefty bags of the Metrodome. The Twins and Hennepin County did not have the stomach for the retractable roof so trendy among modern, climate-challenged ballparks. Yet the public still foot more than half the bill to construct Target Field and the club can likely count on annual $10 million maintenance handouts through extension of a sales tax that would keep the Twins at Target through 2059 (the state considered attaching the tax to save a medical center, too).

22. Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati

Year opened: 2003

Seasons in use: 24

Original construction cost: $337 million

Public money used: $280 million

Capacity: 43,500

Park factors: First, the ballpark: It’s nice! Friendly and egalitarian and durable, it might rank higher if it somehow more significantly integrated the mighty Ohio River beyond center field, much like its cousin upstream in Pittsburgh. But financing the yard proved a cautionary tale. In 1996, Hamilton County voters, fearful the Bengals might follow the Browns’ lead out of Ohio, approved by 61% a half-cent sales tax to fund stadiums for the Reds and Bengals. Is it a bad sign when the elected official tasked with negotiating with the franchises gets voted out of office and subsequently hired by the football team as “director of stadium development?” Indeed, the public’s deal blew up badly when sales tax receipts fell well short of projections, creating a “revenue bomb” that left the county on the hook and unable to direct revenue to schools and homeowners, as the ballot measure promised. The stadiums also shot past their construction budgets by around $300 million. Now? The Bengals just got $350 million more from the county – yet are only locked into their lease through 2036 – while Great American Ballpark will undergo an “assessment,” for which the county will pay $464,000.

23. American Family Field, Milwaukee

Year opened: 2001

Seasons in use: 26

Original construction cost: $400 million

Public money used: $300 million for construction, $522 million for future renovations

Capacity: 41,900

Park factors: The tradition of the Brewers shaking down Wisconsin for cash dates to the 20th century. This was former commissioner Bud Selig’s white whale, ensuring a retractable-roof stadium for his Brewers got constructed and thus setting an example his fellow owners would follow for years to come. But oh, what a price tag. A 2015 analysis by the state’s Legislative Audit Bureau estimated the cost of building and maintaining the former Miller Park through 2030 would cost taxpayers $1 billion, thanks largely to interest payments on debt. With current owner Mark Attanasio bucking for renovations in recent years while vaguely pondering the future of the Brewers, Gov. Tony Evers signed a 2023 bill ensuring the state and county will funnel more than $500 million to the franchise. It’s a nice park and Brewers fans are a passionate, tailgating bunch that come out 30,000 strong most nights. They’re also paying much more than the cost of tickets.

24. Chase Field, Phoenix

Year opened: 1998

Seasons in use: 29

Original construction cost: $354 million

Recent renovations: $400 to $500 million since 2021

Public money used: $240 million for construction, up to $400 million for post-2021 renovations

Park factors: A perfectly good place to catch a game, particularly if you yearn for late-‘90s trappings and using someone else’s AC in the dead of a desert summer. The Diamondbacks were laughed down pretty quickly when they kicked the tires on a new ballpark in Maricopa County – with retractable roof, that’s a multi-billion dollar concept in the 21st century – but it was sufficient enough that the state legislature cut them a pretty sweetheart deal for renovations: An 80/20 public/private split. Some of which will go toward, yes, a new HVAC system.  

25. Yankee Stadium, New York

Year opened: 2009

Seasons in use: 18

Original construction cost: $2.3 billion

Public money used: $1.2 billion

Capacity: 46,543

Park factors: It’s an adequate place to watch a game. The atmosphere can be good, even if it threatens hearing loss. The costs are also prohibitive, both to build the edifice and to order a steak sandwich. Any Yankees fan older than 21 will tell you there’s simply no recreating the electricity of Yankee Stadium II, home to four championships in five years three decades ago, even if George Steinbrenner seized on the chances to say the sky was falling, sometimes semi-literally. Now? If you let your mind wander it’s possible to imagine you’re in the old joint, watching O’Neill or Reggie out in right field instead of Aaron Judge. They did OK honoring the franchise’s history. It’s fine.

26. Nationals Park

Year opened: 2008

Seasons in use: 19

Original construction cost: $693 million

Public money used: $670 million

Capacity: 41,373

Park factors: It won’t make almost anyone’s top 10 ballparks – it’s sufficient, in a generic, Baseballtown, USA kind of way – and then you zoom in a bit and realize how much the District of Columbia coughed up for the joint. Such was life when MLB was running the Montreal Expos like an orphanage, biding its time until DC got desperate enough to make a deal. And a bad one it is, just like their unseemly $1.1 billion outlay for the Commanders’ proposed palace up the Anacostia, or their $515 million tossed at Ted Leonsis after his bumbling bluff to move to Northern Virginia, which pols across the Potomac laughed at. Ah, well. At least the stadium view of the Capitol is now obscured by apartment buildings.

27. loanDepot Park, Miami

Year opened: 2012

Seasons in use: 15

Original construction cost: $634 million

Public money used: $515 million

Capacity: 37,442

Park factors: There’s no way to measure if the Marlins’ terrible attendance numbers are a result of enduringly mediocre baseball or Miamians’ enduring distaste over getting their pockets picked. They keep running the numbers in South Florida and it keeps getting worse: Marlins Park, as it was known, will end up costing taxpayers more than $2.5 billion, thanks partly to a bond deal gone bad. All this for a ballpark that rarely thumps save for the years the World Baseball Classic comes to town, Miami’s glorious multi-cultural vibes overflowing before it all disappears when the home team shows up. They ripped out the Home Run Structure. It’s pretty bland on a good day. Overall, a bad situation save for the deal’s architects, who either turned a nice profit selling the team or went on to podcasting glory.

28. Truist Park, Atlanta

Year opened: 2017

Seasons in use: 10

Original construction cost: $672 million

Public money used: $400 million

 Capacity: 41,147

Park factors: Here it is, folks: The platonic ideal for ballpark waste and back-room deals involving taxpayer money. Turner Field, Truist’s downtown predecessor, lasted 20 seasons. It was barely a teenager when the Braves and a thirsty outer-suburban county concocted a replacement that would cost taxpayers $400 million. The public was so enraged they trucked the mastermind behind the project at the ballot box as soon as they could. The good news for the Braves is the sprawling development, the Battery, produces revenue the club doesn’t have to toss in MLB’s money-sharing pot. Which makes the earnings calls a happy place to be. The park itself? Totally fine, if Modern Unremarkable. There’s a restaurant that absorbs home run balls and massive TV monitors for the folks behind home, almost like they’re sitting in their media room at home in Vinings. By Turner Field math, Truist Park has already reached the halfway point of its shelf life.

29. Globe Life Field, Texas

Year opened: 2020

Seasons in use: Seven

Original construction cost: $1.2 billion

Public money used: $500 million

Capacity: 40,300

Park factors: The ultimate gateway to the shortened shelf life of the modern stadium: Globe Life’s predecessor across the street lasted just 26 years, an outdoor jewel that once stood shoulder to shoulder with other great parks of that era. Yet North Texas loves its stadium subsidies and air conditioning almost as much as it hates public transportation – Arlington, home of Jerry World and the Rangers’ crib, is the USA’s largest city without mass transit. Nah, this place requires fields of parking lots, which is appropriate given that the ballpark feels like walking into a Costco. Everything’s bigger in Texas, but the sheer vastness – even the dugouts are huge – creates a sterile atmosphere and a forgettable experience relative to other ballparks. The cautionary tale for the modern mixed-use stadium hellscape.

404 error: Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento

Sorry, but a 10,000-seat minor league stopover in Yolo County wrecked the algorithms. The $47 million, 27-year-old yard seems like a great place to catch a game, and that’s a pretty daily occurrence in West Sacramento, what with the Athletics killing three years there and the Giants’ Class AAA team occupying it when John Fisher’s itinerant band of ballplayers are out of town. Fisher has $350 million of Nevada’s public awaiting him in Las Vegas, the team settled, presumably, by 2029.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Best MLB stadiums: All 30 ballparks ranked by staying power