Allan Border was never a shrinking violet but at the end of a decorated career the former Australian captain learned just how important it was to pick your targets in a battle.
Milwaukee Brewers at San Diego Padres – NL Division Series – Game 3
Milwaukee Brewers (2-0) at San Diego Padres (0-2), October 6, 2026, 6:30 p.m. PST
Watch: FS1
Location: Petco Park – San Diego, Calif.
Listen: 97.3 The Fan
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Dodgers' historic postseason continues with home runs from Kiké Hernández, Freddie Freeman
The Los Angeles Dodgers strike first.
LA broke the seal with two home runs in the top fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the National League Division Series at Truist Park in Atlanta.
Enrique Hernández had the honors and sparked a jolt in the Dodgers dugout with his 17th career postseason homer.
Hernández took Chris Sale's 86 mph changeup back 406 feet to the bleachers for a two-run home run that brought home Andy Pages to give the Dodgers a 2-0 lead.
The homer continued the Dodgers' streak and historic MLB postseason run of scoring all their runs by way of home run.
It didn't end with Hernández. A couple of batters later, Freddie Freeman got some revenge. He had what seemed to be a home run robbed in the top of the third inning by Braves outfielder Mauricio Dubón, but Freeman would not be denied a second time.
All 10 runs the Dodgers have scored these playoffs have come via home run, the longest streak to start a postseason in MLB history.
Freeman sent Sale's 95 mph sinker flying across center field, soaring 399 feet out of the playing area for a solo home run as the Dodgers' lead climbed to 3-0.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dodgers' historic postseason continues with home runs from Kiké Hernández, Freddie Freeman
Mauricio Dubón makes spectacular catch to rob Dodgers' Freddie Freeman of a home run
The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking for redemption after their Game 2 meltdown as the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves shifts to Truist Park in Cobb County, Georgia for Game 3.
The score was 0-0, the Dodgers had Mookie Betts on base with Freddie Freeman at the plate with a chance to make it a 2-0 game with one swing in the top third inning.
Freeman blasted a pitch to right field that looked deep enough for a home run. Instead, Braves outfielder Mauricio Dubón had other ideas.
Dubón robbed Freeman of the homer, leaping on to the fence to make the stab before the ball was out of play.
The Braves ended the inning with a couple outs following the spectacular catch made by Dubon.
The Dodgers and Braves split the first two games of their best-of-five series. The Braves can clinch a berth in the National League Championship Series by protecting home field, while the Dodgers will either need to steal a game on the road to stay alive, or win both road games to advance.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mauricio Dubón makes spectacular catch to rob Dodgers' Freddie Freeman of a home run
NLDS Game 3 Discussion: Milwaukee Brewers (2-0) @ San Diego Padres (0-2)
After a drama-filled win in Game 1 and a thrilling comeback win in Game 2, the Milwaukee Brewers are now looking to finish off a sweep of the San Diego Padres in the NLDS here in Game 3.
To get there, Milwaukee sends right-hander Dustin May to the mound. May, who has had an up-and-down Brewers tenure, went 2-2 with a 5.65 ERA and 5.06 FIP across 10 starts with Milwaukee, striking out 38 over 36 2/3 innings. He’s had a few really good starts, though, including against these same Padres. He went seven-plus innings, allowing one run and striking out six against them in a no-decision in San Diego back in August. He also had a pair of solid starts against them while with the Cardinals earlier in the season, including a one-hit shutout with nine strikeouts and six innings of three-run ball (two earned), striking out seven. For his career, May has made 16 appearances (13 starts) against San Diego, with a 3.14 ERA and 75 strikeouts over 86 innings.
For San Diego, right-hander Nick Pivetta will get the ball. Pivetta, 33, finished sixth in NL Cy Young voting a year ago, and he pitched even better this season, though he was limited to just eight starts due to injury. In those outings, he totaled 34 2/3 innings with a 2.86 ERA, 2.21 FIP, and 42 strikeouts, and the Padres have won six of those eight games, including all four he made after his return in September. The 10-year veteran has made five career starts against Milwaukee with very rough results, going 1-3 with an 8.76 ERA and 24 strikeouts across 24 2/3 innings.
The star of Sunday’s game, Jackson Chourio bats in the leadoff spot and starts in left. He’s followed by Jake Bauers and William Contreras, with Brice Turang moving down to bat in the cleanup spot. Christian Yelich bats fifth as the DH, with Garrett Mitchell, Cooper Pratt, Sal Frelick, and Joey Ortiz rounding things out behind May.
First pitch in this one is at 8:38 p.m. CT on FS1 and the Brewers Radio Network.
Dylan Larkin plays his first game for the Red Wings since asking for a trade
DETROIT (AP) — Dylan Larkin played for the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night for the first time since asking for a trade, getting stripped of the captaincy, reporting to training camp, missing the start of the season because of injury and getting booed by home fans during introductions prior to their first game.
The crowd booed Larkin when he touched the puck for the first time on his opening shift. Larkin was then slow to get back defensively, and Ottawa's Tim Stützle scored off the rush less than three minutes in.
Larkin remains in limbo several months after his trade request became public and Detroit’s longtime general manager, Steve Yzerman, was abruptly moved out of that role in mid-July. Interim GM Shawn Horcoff said Larkin was injured in off-ice training and would miss the start of camp.
Coach Todd McLellan said following the morning skate that Larkin would play against the unbeaten Senators as long as the 30-year-old center was cleared by doctors. Larkin was activated off injured reserve prior to taking the ice for pregame warmups.
Larkin is a Michigan native who has played his entire NHL career with Detroit, which last made the playoffs in his rookie season a decade ago. That is the longest active drought of any of the league's 32 teams.
Fans at the home opener taped over Larkin's name with such things as “Loser," “Traitor” and “Leavin" and at times chanted, “Sell the team."
Larkin initially last spring gave the Red Wings only three destinations he'd accept a trade to — Florida, Minnesota and Vegas — before reportedly adding more possibilities in recent weeks.
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Canucks’ Tough Road-Trip Test Will Be Even Tougher For Jake DeBrusk
The Vancouver Canucks are about to embark on one of their most physically-daunting road trips of the 2026–27 season. Only four games into the regular-season, Vancouver’s upcoming trip will see the team play the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Florida Panthers, and Tampa Bay Lightning all before October 20.
A lengthy road trip against strong opponents like these — beginning with the defending Stanley Cup Champions, no less — is sure to put Vancouver through a grind.
For Jake DeBrusk, who is just coming off a case of the flu that saw him sit out of Saturday’s 4–1 win against the Calgary Flames and Sunday’s 3–2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, this task will be even more difficult.
Tuesday morning’s practice ahead of Vancouver’s flight to Raleigh was DeBrusk’s first time practicing with the full team since skating as an extra on Friday ahead of the weekend games. On Saturday, Canucks Head Coach Manny Malhotra revealed that DeBrusk was out with the flu.
On Tuesday, DeBrusk revealed that his illness had actually begun much earlier than Saturday.
“I initially felt it, actually, the day of the game in Edmonton,” he said in a media availability. “It was a long off-season, long year. You obviously want to play in the first game and the home-opener, but I think obviously the medical staff stepped in. They did their job and they told me that I probably should take some time off.”
In his first practice back with the team, DeBrusk was noticeably a little hoarser than usual, but still managed to emit energy.
Fittingly, in his first practice back, Canucks Head Coach Manny Malhotra had the players bag-skate to end things off. It was a good test of the lungs for the Canucks winger, but also served as a reminder of what state he’ll need to be in to play in Vancouver’s next game.
“I was able to do it, which is great. But I’ve obviously got to test the lungs. That’s the biggest thing right now. It was obviously an air-conditioned building. It sounds like a simple thing, but I feel [it] as soon as I walk in here. So I’ve got to go through it. If I want to play in the next game, I have to do these steps.”
Because of the fact that he’s missed half of Vancouver’s games throughout the start of the regular season — and had to deal with symptoms during the other two — the forward noted that it feels like he has yet to actually start the season. With that, comes those first-day-back feelings of excitement.
“I’m starting off at zero, so it’s been positive. Obviously the last two days I’ve been doing kind of nothing. But to be able to skate today, see the guys, it gives you energy, feeling for them. Everyone’s in a good mood, and it’s nice to be back in the room.”
Vancouver’s first game of their six-game road trip takes place against the Hurricanes on Thursday at 4:00 pm PT.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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Islanders at Rangers game thread: Varlamov returns
Semyon Varlamov goes for the miracle tonight, starting an NHL game at age 38 and for the first time in two years following two partial knee replacements.
“You ask everyone and they had the same feeling, he gave that vibe that, ‘I’m going to do it, I’ll be the first one in history to ever do it,’” Islanders center Jean-Gabriel Pageau said after the morning skate. “I think we all felt it. It’s a hard feeling to explain, but to see the commitment and the determination that he had in his eyes, it was fun to watch. It was fun to be part of that journey…”
He’ll do it in the New York teams’ first rivalry meeting of the season, with the host Rangers already off to a 3-1 start while the Islanders (1-1) have only played twice.
This is our in-game discussion thread. Don’t hurt a knee.
Mets announce coaching changes, moving on from Albert, Barnes, and Mahoney
The Mets have announced that they are making coaching changes in the wake of an unsuccessful 2026 season. Jeff Albert, Danny Barnes, and Kevin Mahoney will not return to their major league roles next season.
Albert joined the Mets in 2022 as the Director of Hitting Development after four years as a hitting coach with the Cardinals. He became the Director of Major League Hitting in October 2025 after Eric Chavez and Jeremy Barnes left the organization. The Mets offense ranked 23rd in batting average, 24th in OPS, and 23rd in wRC+ in 2026.
Barnes joined the Mets as a major league assistant coach to Buck Showalter in 2022. He was the Strategy Coach in 2024 and 2025, and became the Quality Assurance Coach in 2026. Barnes formerly pitched for the Blue Jays. Mahoney, a Batting Practice Pitcher, was with the Mets for two years and was formerly with the Yankees organization.
While the Mets are open to all three returning to the organization in different roles, they are also free to speak to other clubs.
NLDS Tuesday, October 6 Open Thread
We’ve got a pair of National League Division games today!
First Game: Braves vs. Dodgers
- Series tied 1-1
- 5pm CST
This is the “I wish both teams could lose” series. The Dodgers are, well, the Dodgers, and the Braves are fine but definitely no San Diego or Milwaukee. God, can you imagine a Dodgers v Brewers NLCS with the Dodgers winning again? Gross.
Braves lineup
Dodgers lineup
Second game: Brewers vs. Padres
- Brewers lead 2-0
- 8:30pm CST
Man, I wish both teams could win here. The Padres are a blast and always little brothers to the more successful Dodgers, but on the other hand the Brewers are definitely the “Small Market Team” to beat in this year’s playoffs. The Brewers have a lead right now, but they have to clinch it in California.
Brewers lineup
Padres lineup
NLDS Game 3 Open Thread
The four remaining NL teams take center stage tonight, and they won’t have to battle Monday Night Football for the sporting world’s attention like their junior circuit counterparts had to last night.
We are treated to quite a tasty matchup between the Dodgers and Braves to get things started, while the Brewers will try to sweep away the Padres in the nightcap. If I had to put money down on how many innings I end up watching in the late window, I would bet two innings or fewer. Gotta get my beauty rest.
Dodgers at Braves, 6:00 p.m., FS1
Series tied 1-1
RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (14-9, 2.53 ERA) vs. LHP Chris Sale (14-9, 2.16 ERA)
The NL Cy Young Award is probably going to Jacob Misiorowski or Cristopher Sánchez, but these two starters featured in Game 3 are sure to get some consideration.
Yamamoto is only in his third big league season, but we already how good he can be, particularly in the playoffs. He had a 1.02 ERA over 17.2 innings in last year’s World Series, taking home MVP honors for the set. Sale owns a career 5.83 ERA as a pitcher in the playoffs, but he has been better than that this fall, already tossing 7.2 innings for the Braves in the Wild Card round.
Dave Roberts has deployed a lineup for this game that sees Shohei Ohtani hitting out of the fifth spot in the order. That is the lowest he has hit in a starting lineup since 2020. The future Hall of Fame is in a legitimate slump right now. He missed most of September, and had a .567 OPS when he did play. That was after a pedestrian .795 OPS in August. He’s 2-for-8 with two strikeouts, no walks, and no extra base hits so far in this series.
Brewers at Padres, 9:30 p.m., FS1
Brewers lead series 2-0
RHP Dustin May (7-9, 4.70 ERA) vs. RHP Nick Pivetta (3-2, 2.86 ERA)
It will be interesting to see how this game flows early on. The Padres are the ones that have to pull out all the stops for a win, but they also have a pitcher on the mound that they probably trust quite a bit. That said, if they see even a wobble, manager Craig Stammen will be forced to go to a bullpen that he has seen be out-pitched twice already.
Meanwhile, the Brewers can let the game come to them a bit. Obviously, they want to win, but if May falls apart early and the game gets out of hand, they may just ask him to bite the bullet so that the relievers can live to see another day. Should the Padres pull this one out, Game 4 is tomorrow night, and a fresh bullpen could be the difference maker.
SnakePit Post-season GDT, #7
A fairly low-key day yesterday in the American League Division Series, with both the White Sox and the Rays following up their Game 1 victories, with another win in Game 2. That gives them a commanding lead: Chicago in particular, now have two chances at home to clinch, and if needed, a third back in Cleveland. Quite impressive for a team who, before this post-season, had last won a playoff series in 2005. Coming just two years after a nightmarish 121-loss season, it’s another way in which the 2026 White Sox are so far reproducing what the 2023 D-backs did. But will they be able to prevail against the Rays, who have looked very competent against the Yankees?
Anyway, in the NL, we’ll be hoping the Braves can take advantage of their success rolling the dice with a bullpen game to even the series, sending Chris Sale to the mound this afternoon. It won’t be easy, going up against the Dodgers staff ace in Yoshinobu Yamamoto (their only pitcher to pass 140 IP). But if anyone can do it, Sale is the Braves’ best bet. Meanwhile in San Diego, the Padres will try and stave off a sweep after a hammer-blow in Milwaukee, after the attempt to use closer Mason Miller for two innings spectacularly backfired. Should be a fun day of baseball, hopefully ending in San Diego being eliminated and the Dodgers on the brink.
Here are the games on order today
- Los Angeles Dodgers @ Atlanta Braves 3:00 pm (1-1), FS1
- Milwaukee Brewers @ San Diego Padres 6:30 pm (2-0), FS1
Tuesday NLDS Open Thread
This is a tough time of the year for writing about a team not in the playoffs. MLB likes teams not to make much news while the playoffs are on.
But we do have baseball tonight:
6:00 Eastern Dodgers @ Braves. They are tied at a game each.
Lineups, Ohtani has dropped to fifth in the lineup.
9:30 Eastern Brewers @ Padres. No lineups up at the moment. Brewers are up 2-0, so the Padres need this one. Dustin May (4.70, 7-9) starts for the Brewers. Nick Pivetta (3-2, 2.86) starts for the Padres.
NL Division Series Game Discussion: Braves vs Dodgers Tuesday Night
It’s a pivotal game 3 in the NLDS as the Braves return home to Atlanta. They’ll give the ball to Chris Sale while the Dodgers will start Yoshinobu Yamamoto. First pitch is scheduled for 5pm central time and the game broadcast will be available via Fox/FS1.
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Snubbed Test prospect’s statement Aus A ton as exciting young quick goes ballistic in fiery spell
Nathan McSweeney shrugged off the disappointment of missing out on a call-up to Australia’s Test squad by hitting a match-winning century for Australia A in the first one-day game against India A in Puducherry.