Go Rays!
Join the conversation!
Sign up for a user account and get:
- Fewer ads
- Create community posts
- Comment on articles, community posts
- Rec comments, community posts
- New, improved notifications system!
Game Thread: The Daddies come to town!
Rockies at Braves Chat and Discussion: Grant Holmes vs. Tomoyuki Sugano
Get your Friday reds on – it’s nearly time for the Braves-Rockies series opener.
Dubie gets to be the featured photo on this today because of the time he left eyeblack on the wall at Coors the last time we faced the Rockies.
Join us in the comments this evening, won’t you? I’d originally said “lovely” evening, but then we got the Schwellenbach/Waldrep news (see below) so ain’t nothing lovely about my life.
Game Notes
ICYMI
Braves Minor League Recap: Luis Guanipa Goes Deep
Worst-To-First Retrospective: NLCS MVP Steve Avery reflects on the 1991 season
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox: Cam Schlittler vs. Patrick Sandoval
The concept of a must-win game in the regular season is a flawed one 99.9 percent of the time. Acknowledging that, the context of this series opener against the Red Sox has enough sticking points for it not to be treated as just another game. Facing a team that seemingly came out of nowhere to join the top contenders in the AL, the Yankees can ill afford to contemplate what the standings might look like if the results don’t go their way this weekend.
What makes this specific Friday night matchup so pivotal to the Yankees’ goals in this series is the massive starting pitching advantage New York carries heading into it, sending the best they have in Cam Schlittler against Patrick Sandoval. For such a short sample against the Yankees’ biggest rivals, Schlittler is already racking up quite the resume versus Boston. The one time the Sox got the better of him, they relied on a lending hand from the Yankees’ defense with all four runs unearned in a loss in late June.
As one might expect with a left-hander on the mound for the Red Sox, the Yankees send out a much different lineup from last night’s defeat against the Astros. Patience is the name of the game for the Yankees against a pitcher in Sandoval who has walked multiple batters in each of his previous six appearances, still looking for his best form. Activated a little under two months ago, Sandoval spent over two years without appearing on a big league mound, having undergone Tommy John surgery with the Angels in 2024, then followed by multiple setbacks in his recovery the following year.
How to watch
Location: Yankee Stadium – Bronx, NY
First pitch: 7:15 pm ET
TV/Streaming: Apple TV
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 – NYY | WEEI 93.7, WCCM 1490 AM (SP), WESX 1230 AM (SP) – BOS
For updates, follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.
Join the conversation!
Sign up for a user account and get:
- Fewer ads
- Create community posts
- Comment on articles, community posts
- Rec comments, community posts
- New, improved notifications system!
Game 135 Game Day Thread – Texas Rangers @ Milwaukee Brewers
Texas Rangers @ Milwaukee Brewers
Friday, August 28, 2026, 6:40 PM CDT (KRLD 1080 / Rangers Sports Network)
American Family Field
LHP Cody Bradford vs. RHP Logan Henderson
Go Rangers!
Royals at Guardians, August 28 live discussion
The Royals lost their winning streak since last we spoke, though not before they tacked two more onto it. They’ve also started their next winning streak, or at least it will be one if they can win again tonight. I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time over the past week wondering if there is any chance for the Royals to get back into the playoff hunt. If they’re going to, it almost certainly starts with a sweep of the Guardians. They might keep themselves from falling completely back off the cliff they’ve scaled if they at least win the series. Either way, they need a win tonight.
The good news for the Royals is that Michael Wacha, their most consistent starter, will take the hill. Wacha hasn’t really dazzled at any point this season, but he just keeps preventing runs from scoring and, importantly considering his bullpen, he keeps chewing innings. Tonight will almost certainly see him surpass his 2024 regular-season innings total, which was itself the most innings he had thrown in any season except his 2015 Sophomore campaign. Barring injury or sudden ineffectiveness, Wacha will surpass last year’s totals after his next start or the one after that. From there, it’s two more starts to surpass his career best. The Royals have 27 games remaining; he figures to start in at least 5 of them. It’s a real possibility.
The other good news, at least relative to the remainder of the weekend, is that the Guardians will counter with Tanner Bibee. Two years ago, Bibee was the Guardians’ ace. No longer. Now he’s on something of a Michael Wacha trajectory where he pitches better than you think, but not as well as anyone hoped after those first couple of seasons. And, importantly, he’s right-handed. That sets him apart from the other two starters the Royals will face this weekend.
The Royals will want to watch for his cutter. He throws it more than any other individual pitch, though he does a really good job of mixing up his pitches in general, and so he doesn’t even throw it quite a quarter of the time. It’s the one that he has the most consistent ability to get chases and whiffs with, but it’s also the one that is most likely to be punished if he doesn’t throw it well or the Royals are ready for it.
Lineups
Vinnie Pasquantino and Bobby Witt Jr. have both teed off on Bibee in their careers, combining for five home runs against him and each with an OPS well over 1.000. John Rave’s hitless night sends him back to the bench and gets Nick Loftin back in there at the keystone.
McInnes backs himself to deliver Rangers success
Manager Derek McInnes says Rangers are "a long way away" from what he wants but backs himself to deliver success at Ibrox.
The 55-year-old oversaw a second exit from European competition this season with a Conference League play-off defeat on penalties by Czech side Jablonec.
Domestically, Rangers have progressed in the League Cup and will host Celtic in the quarter-finals next month but McInnes' side have picked up just one point from their opening two Scottish Premiership matches and visit Aberdeen on Sunday.
"I like to think I know what I'm doing as a manager, I'm a good manager, I back myself but at the minute, none of us are doing our job well enough," McInnes told Sky Sports.
"The players need a wee bit of help and support at the minute.
"We're a long way away from the Rangers team that I want us to be and the Rangers team that I intend us to be. The players are working extremely hard.
"There's a lot of uncertainty at the minute. Once the window closes, everything becomes a bit calmer."
Twelve players have been recruited already and McInnes hopes to sign "a couple more" and expects "one or two" to leave before the closure of the transfer window next week.
"We're not quite there," McInnes said.
"We've obviously missed big Youssef [Chermiti, who is injured], the type of striker to go and stretch teams.
"I don't expect us to be perfect at this stage. It's not been the start we wanted, I'm not the first Rangers manager to get off to a tough start but we are determined to follow this job through and it's the end that counts and I still believe we're going to be a success here."
After Thursday's match, McInnes lamented his side's struggle to be either possession-based, counter attacking or direct.
"My teams have always had some sort of identity," explained the former Aberdeen, Hearts, Kilmarnock and St Johnstone manager.
"I want us to try and be a team that puts more stress on teams defensively and I don't think that we are at the minute.
"We've got good ball players and I think we just need to relax a wee bit more in possession and be comfortable with what we're try to do. It's not as if we're not capable of being that but I do think with an extra one or two additions, it will help us become something.
"I want us to be able to be a team that goes full press but when you go full press and you're aggressive, you've got to be really aggressive with that and you've got to pick up second balls and win duels and turn the ball over and really impose yourself on the game.
"There's talented players here. You don't get in the door at Rangers unless you're a talented player."
Avs defenseman Cale Makar signs richest deal in NHL history at $163.2 million over 8 years
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 26: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the Vegas Golden Knights in the first period of Game Four of the Western Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on May 26, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Avalanche 2-1 to win the series in four games. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Getty Images
DENVER— Cale Makar and the Colorado Avalanche agreed to a $163.2 million, eight-year extension on Friday that will make him the highest paid player in league history.
The terms of the deal were confirmed by his agency, Bartlett Hockey.
Makar’s extension is set to be the the richest in NHL history, surpassing the eight-year, $136 million extension signed by Minnesota forward Kirill Kaprizov last September. Makar’s deal runs through the 2034-35 season.
With an annual average value (AAV) of $20.4 million that begins in 2027-28, Makar’s deal eclipses that of San Jose Sharks superstar Macklin Celebrini, who signed a five-year, $94 million extension in late July that has an $18.8 million AAV.
“I couldn’t be more excited to continue my journey here with the Avalanche in this amazing city of Denver,” Makar said in a video posted on social media by the team, calling it a historic day. “Here’s to another hopefully amazing nine years.”
The 27-year-old Makar is coming off a season in which he had 20 goals and 59 assists. He finished second to Zach Werenski of Columbus in the Norris Trophy voting, an award that goes to the league’s top defenseman. Makar has won the award twice over his career.
The cap hit for Makar for last season was $9 million after signing a six-year, $54 million contract in 2021. The new deal for Makar now sets the bar for fellow standout defensemen Quinn Hughes of Minnesota and Werenski.
Securing the long-term services of Makar was a high priority this offseason for president of hockey operations/general manager Joe Sakic, who maintained that Makar was “going to finish his career” in Colorado. Makar was taken fourth overall by Colorado in 2017 out of the University of Massachusetts.
Makar was banged up heading into a Western Conference Final where the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avalanche were swept by the Vegas Golden Knights. An upper-body injury sidelined him for Games 1 and 2, but he returned for the final two contests. Sakic recently said that Makar is slated to be ready for training camp.
It’s been a busy offseason for Sakic, who’s stepping back into the role of GM after Chris MacFarland left to lead the front office in Nashville. Among the deals orchestrated by Sakic was sending Valeri Nichushkin to the Blue Jackets for draft picks. It was a way to free up space to negotiate the extension for Makar.
A native of Calgary, Alberta, Makar has turned in four 20-goal seasons in his career, one of just 12 defensemen in league history to post at least that many campaigns. He also notched his 500th NHL point on March 28 in his 467th career game. He’s the fourth-fastest defenseman to reach that milestone, behind only Hall of Famers Bobby Orr (396 games), Paul Coffey (422) and Denis Potvin (465).
The core of Makar, Nathan MacKinnon and captain Gabriel Landeskog helped Colorado to a Stanley Cup title in 2022. Makar had eight goals and 21 assists during the championship run to capture the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the playoffs.
Makar’s younger brother, Taylor, recently signed a two-year contract with the Avalanche that runs through the 2027-28 season. Taylor Makar made his NHL debut on Nov. 1 in San Jose, as the brothers became the first siblings to appear in the same contest while playing for the Avalanche. The Stastny brothers — Anton, Peter and Marian — accomplished the feat when the team was the Quebec Nordiques.
Jaguars vs Buccaneers: Preseason Week 3 Live Blog and Open Thread
The Jacksonville Jaguars are home again, facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3 of the 2026 NFL preseason.
Kickoff is at 7:30 pm EST, and you can click here to learn how to watch/listen to the game. You can also find game updates on our X/Twitter, Bluesky, and Facebook.
Live Blog
coming soon
Jags fans, let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Reds 10, Cubs 8: In which I question a Craig Counsell managing decision
Throughout this season I have praised Cubs manager Craig Counsell for handling a bullpen devastated by injuries extremely well. He’s rested guys at the right time and used pitchers successfully who ordinarily would not have had any chance of being in the major leagues but were there of necessity due to injury.
In Friday’s 10-8 loss to the Reds, though, I did not understand why Counsell didn’t turn to Aaron Civale in the sixth inning with the Cubs actually ahead 3-2. Civale has been really good out of the pen for the Cubs, hadn’t pitched since Sunday, and with David Peterson having thrown five innings in which he struggled somewhat, it would have been useful to get some length out of the pen, maybe two innings from Civale.
Instead, Counsell called on Trent Thornton. In fairness, Thornton has also been pretty good this year, but on this day he was not, allowing five runs including a pair of home runs. Civale then came in and gave the Cubs that length, and yes, they nearly did come back. Civale did get charged with two runs — because of an error by Alex Bregman, not his fault.
Perhaps you disagree. That’s a subject for discussion here.
Okay, now here’s your game recap.
Peterson had a rough first inning, allowing a pair of baserunners but eventually striking out the side. Then the Cubs put a run on the board in the bottom of the inning. With one out, Seiya Suzuki doubled, and one out later, Bregman doubled him in [VIDEO].
Peterson struggled again in the second and third, allowing more baserunners but running up a high pitch count. The Cubs extended the lead to 3-0 in the third. Pete Crow-Armstrong led off with a single and then the Reds pulled the play Nico Hoerner has made a couple of times — deliberately dropping a popup by Suzuki to get the faster runner, PCA, forced at second.
Michael Busch made sure that didn’t matter with a three-run homer [VIDEO].
This, perhaps, is a good sign for Busch, whose power numbers have been down this year. That’s three homers in his last nine games, and perhaps he can finish the year strong in that department. This was his 17th — only half as many as he hit in 2025.
The Reds scored one off Peterson in the fourth and Sal Stewart homered off him in the fifth to make it 3-2. So Peterson was done after five innings and 88 pitches, which I think was the right call by Counsell. As I noted above, in my view starting the sixth with Thornton was the wrong call, and it wound up with the Cubs trailing 7-3 after the end of that inning, the key blow a three-run homer by Tyler Stephenson. Civale had to come in to get the last out, then he would have been out of the seventh scoreless if not for the error by Bregman. That play didn’t score a run — but set up a two-run single by Elly De La Cruz that made it 9-3.
There was one other homer in the sixth, by Jose Trevino, that tied the game before Stephenson’s. About that, from BCB’s JohnW53:
Jose Trevino’s game-tying solo home run in the sixth inning was the 200th surrendered by Cubs pitchers this season. Going into today, only the Athletics had served up more, 204. The Cubs’ previous high through 135 games was 192, in 2021. They gave up 191 in 2000, 185 in 1999 and 181 in 2022. Last year, they allowed 169, their eighth most.
Credit to the Cubs, they did mount a comeback. With two out in the seventh, Carson Kelly walked, went to second on a wild pitch and took third on a single by PCA. This single by Suzuki made it 9-4 [VIDEO].
The Cubs still had the bases loaded after that, but Bregman struck out to end the inning.
Then the Cubs got even closer in the eighth. Ian Happ and Nico Hoerner led off with singles and Pedro Ramirez smacked a three-run homer to make it 9-7 [VIDEO].
That was Ramirez’s fourth home run, but first at Wrigley Field.
Okay! Now it’s a ballgame, the Cubs down just two runs. The Reds brought in lefty Sam Moll to pitch to Michael Conforto, and Counsell countered with Matt Shaw, just activated from the IL today. Shaw doubled, went to third one out later on a ground out, and scored on this double by Suzuki [VIDEO].
Now the tying run is in scoring position, but with two out, and Busch grounded to third to end the inning.
Daniel Palencia made his first appearance at Wrigley since being activated from the IL last weekend and struck out the first two Reds he faced, hitting 100 on the Wrigley pitch speed meter… but unfortunately, TJ Friedl homered off him to give the Reds a two-run cushion and that was that, as Reds closer Emilio Pagan set the Cubs down in order in the ninth.
Credit to the Cubs for mounting the comeback. But I can’t help thinking that the decision to bring Thornton in instead of Civale might have cost the Cubs this game. A couple more game notes from John:
Today’s game was Hoerner’s 12th of the season with at least three hits. Bregman and PCA have 10; Suzuki, eight, including today; Busch, seven; and six others from five to two, for a team total of 67. The Cubs began the day tied with the Brewers for second most. The Dodgers had 78.
….
Pedro Ramirez’s three-run homer was the Cubs’ 28th of the season with two men on base. That ties them with the 2008 club for their second most in a season. They hit 29 in 2017.
At this point, I suspect the Cubs can forget about the NL Central title, now 7.5 games behind pending the result of the Brewers/Rangers game this evening. More important are the Phillies in the rear-view mirror, now 1.5 games behind and facing the Angels in Anaheim tonight. Fortunately, the Cubs have the tiebreaker over the Phillies — if those two meet in a Wild Card series, I do not want those games in Philadelphia.
The Cubs will try to even up the series Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field. Kevin Gausman will start for the Cubs and Andrew Abbott goes for Cincinnati. Game time is again 1:20 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network.
Dodgers vs. Tigers game chat
The Dodgers (80-54) look to bounce back after being swept by the Braves in Atlanta. They visit the Tigers (62-71) for a three-game series starting Friday night in Detroit.
Tarik Skubal (8-7, 2.91 ERA, 0.95 WHIP) faces his former team for the first time at Comerica Park.
Drew Anderson (4-5, 4.09 ERA, 1.29 WHIP) starts for the Tigers.
Lineups
Friday game info
- Teams: Dodgers at Tigers
- Ballpark: Comerica Park, Detroit
- Start time: 3:40 p.m. PT
- TV: SportsNet LA
- Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)
Falcons at Dolphins 2026 preseason fan discussion
We’ll get a quick look at the starters in this one and then roughly three-and-a-half quarters of reserves, and all we can really ask for is a reasonably entertaining game where everyone exits healthy and the coaching staff has everything they need to make the tough decisions ahead for the roster.
You’ll discuss the game right here, as is custom, and then we’ll gear up for the cutdown to 53 players. Go Falcons!
Astros at Mets Game Discussion: 8/28/2026
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros (67-67) and New York Mets (60-74) begin a 3-game series tonight at Citi Field.
RHP Hunter Brown (3-3, 3.51 ERA) will start for the Astros vs. Mets RHP Christian Scott (4-3, 3.73 ERA).
ASTROS-METS: Since 2017, the Astros are 13-3 vs. the Mets, with a 4-1 mark at Citi Field. They took 2 of 3 from NYM in their last visit to Citi Field, June 28-30, 2024.
Common Bond: The Astros and Mets both entered the Major Leagues in 1962, with both clubs competing in the NL at that time (HOU moved to the AL in 2013). Both clubs have won two World Series Championships and five pennants. The Astros hold the edge in the all-time regular season series with a 322-263-1 record, while the Mets were victorious in the one postseason series between the two clubs, taking the 1986 NLCS in what was a thrilling, 6-game series.
NY STATE OF MIND: Tonight is the 4th game of a 6-game road trip for the Astros (2-1 thus far), with all 6 games being scheduled in the Big Apple. Prior to the current series vs. NYM, the Astros took 2 of 3 from the Yankees in the Bronx (Tues-Thur).
Last Time It Happened: The Astros had a similar road trip in NYC, June 23-29 of 2022, during which they played 4 games at Yankee Stadium (2-2) and 2 games at Citi Field (2-0), respectively.
BROTHER BROWN: Tonight will be the 15th start of the season for RHP Hunter Brown. In his last 6 starts, he has posted a 2.88 ERA (11ER/34.1IP), pitching through the 5th inning in all 6 starts.
First Time: Tonight will be Brown’s 1st career app. at Citi Field and his 3rd career start/app. vs. the Mets (0-2 thus far). Brown missed over 2 months dur to lengthy stint on the Injured List (April 1-June 15)earlier this season due to a right shoulder strain.
2025: Last season, Brown finished 3rd in the AL Cy Young Award voting after posting a 12-9 record with a 2.43 ERA and 206 K’s in 185.1 IP.
LAST NIGHT’S RECAP: The Astros won last night’s rubber match of their 3-game series at Yankee Stadium, 5-1. RHP Hayden Wesneski (4-1) was solid, allowing just 1 run on 3 hits in 5.0 innings of work. The Astros bullpen combined to hurl 4.0 shutout innings following Wesneski. Christian Walker had a banner day on offense, going 3×4 with a HR and 2 RBI. Isaac Paredes (2×4, RBI) and Jeremy Peña (solo HR) also contributed on offense.
BIG WES: With last night’s win, in his last 2 starts, RHP Hayden Wesneski has now allowed just 1 run and 4 hits in 10.0 IP. Wesneski, who missed the 1st 4 months of the season recovering from Tommy John surgery, has pitched through the 5th inning in 5 of his 6 starts and has had a decision on 5 of those 6 starts (4-1).
UP TO THE CHALLENGE: Astros hitters are tied with the Yankees and Reds for the most successful ABS challenges in the Majors, all with 84. The Astros 55% success rate is T-2nd in the AL. Among individual players, Jose Altuve’s 20 successful challenges are T-1st in the AL.
ON THE OFFENSIVE: Among AL teams, the Astros rank 1st in SLG (.412), 2nd in HR (179), 3rd in runs scored (613) and T-3rd in OPS (.729).
TRIPLE THREAT: Yordan Alvarez, who is a solid candidate for the AL MVP Award, currently leads the AL in several categories, including all three Triple Crown categories. He enters tonight leading the AL in batting avg. (.319) and HR (36) and T-1st in RBI (91). Additionally, Alvarez also leads the Majors in OPS (1.044), SLG (.609), OBP (.434) and TB (290).
Rare Feat: Since Carl Yastrzemski won the AL Triple Crown in 1967, there has been just one Triple Crown winner in the Majors, Miguel Cabrera in 2012 (AL).
MEASURING UP: The Astros are 25-14 (.641) vs. teams currently at .500 or above. Some clubs that they have winning records against include BOS (5-1), CHC (3-0), CWS (2-1), CLE (4-2), MIA (3-0), and TB (2-1). HOU is 9-4 vs. TEX, who are in 2nd place in the AL West.
SLOW AND STEADY RECOVERY: Since starting the season with a 20-31 record after 51 games, the Astros are 47-36 (.566) in their last 83 games (since May 22). That is the 2nd-best record in the AL in that span, behind only the Red Sox (51-33).
ROAD WARRIORS: Since posting a 1-9 record on the 1st road trip of the 2026 season, the Astros have been one of the best road teams in the Majors. They are 33-23 (.589) on the road since April 14, which is 3rd-best in the AL in that span. More recently, they are 17-11 (.607) on their last 5 road trips combined (includes current trip)…overall for the season, HOU is 34-32 on the road.
THE HIT MAN: Jose Altuve enters tonight’s game needing just 10 hits to reach 2,500 for his career. Among active players, his 1,490 hits rank 2nd to Freddie Freeman’s 2,579.
IN GOOD COMPANY: In MLB history, Altuve is one of just 3 players with a .300 career batting avg. to reach both 250 HR and 300 SB. The other 2 are HOFers Willie Mays and Derek Jeter.
WALK OF FAME: Yordan Alvarez’s ML-high 28 intentional walks this season are a franchise record. Jeff Bagwell had held the club record with 27 IBB in 1997. Alvarez was intentionally walked 3 times on Sunday vs. ATH.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS: Recently, Joe Espada moved into the top 10 in wins by an Astros manager. Currently at 242-215, he needs 13 more wins to pass Hal Lanier (254-232) to move into sole possession of 9th place on the Astros all-time managerial wins list.
NEW ADDITION: Former Astros pitching coach Brent Strom will join the Astros in NY today to begin his new role as a pitching consultant. Strom served as the Astros pitching coach from 2014-21 as well as in 1996.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY:2023 – Jose Altuve hits for the cycle during in a 13-5 victory over the Red Sox at Fenway Park. He ends up 4×6 on the night with a double, single, triple and HR, respectively. He also drives in 4 runs. Not to be outdone, Yordan Alvarez goes 4×4 with a HR and 4 RBI.
2000 – Catcher Tony Eusebio hits safely in his 24th consecutive game, which was, at the time, the longest hitting streak in franchise history. Impressively, Eusebio’s streak spanned from July 9-Aug. 28. Six years later, Willy Taveres would set a new franchise record with a 30-game hit streak.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Friday, August 28, 6:10 p.m. CT
Location: Citi Field, Queens, NY
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; KTRH 740 AM; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
Friday Night Happy Hour: Post-preseason edition
Welcome back to BTSC’s Friday night open thread:
- The Steelers preseason ended Thursday night. Who do you feel raised their stock the most following the game?
- There’s a bye week between now and the NFL’s regular season kickoff. Will you be missing NFL football over Labor Day, or too locked in with college football to care?
- Ryan put together an NFL waiver wire explainer that’s worth the read. Even if you’ve been watching it for years, pro football has a surprising number of bells and whistles. What’s something that’s still a little confusing?
- There aren’t many surprises expected when it comes to the Steelers cutting down to a 53-man roster, but the practice squad is always difficult to predict. What are some names you’re confident will make the cut?
- It’s Isaac Redman Award season. Please campaign as needed in the comments below.
- This week, we sadly lost Dolly Parton, Tim Curry and Peter Cullen. Any favorite stories, or moments from albums/movies/TV etc. to share?
Tonight’s song rec: Who else?
NFL Preseason Week 3: Houston Texans at Carolina Panthers
It seems only fair to end the preseason that we let another team host a Houston Texans preseason game. The Texans have traversed the Appalachians and arrived in Charlotte to take on the Panthers in a game that will make the difference between who makes the roster and who doesn’t (gee, how insightful), so expect to see a lot of future grocery shelf stockers giving it their all tonight.
But after this, all the football counts. We’re so close to the end of The Empty Season, I can almost taste it.
Who: Houston Texans at Carolina Panthers
What: Preseason Week 3
Where: Bank of America Stadium – Charlotte, NC
When: Friday August 28, 2026
Why: To determine which players will get to call themselves Houston Texans to start the season.
How:TV: KTRK 13 ABC (local-live), NFL Network (national-will be played midnight August 30); Radio: 95.7 The Fan (local-English), Mega 101 FM (local-Spanish); Streaming: Audacy app, Houston Texans app, NFL+
Enjoy the game y’all. Because the next time we see y’all, it’ll be Texans game day for real!
Go Texans!
One 2027 NFL Draft Prospect From Each Team in AP Preseason Top 25 for the Falcons
This is a celebration that both NFL and college football are back, and there is no better indicator than finding one 2027 NFL Draft prospect from the AP Preseason Top 25 and manifesting them into the red and black next season. This is a long exercise, so we’re not going to waste any time; let’s get into it:
Ohio State – DT John Walker
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 324
It’s the first school, and I’ve already gone off the beaten path, but hear me out. If we’re in the running for Jeremiah Smith, Atlanta likely needs a quarterback more than a wide receiver. Julian Sayin and Austin Siereveld, who is probably best inside, are not one-to-one fits for their needs. So, let’s look to a potential day-two pick in defensive tackle/nose tackle John Walker. Powerful hands and is a fantastic asset at holding the point of attack against the run, a skill the Falcons desperately need on early downs. There are only so many exotic looks Jeff Ulbrich can throw at an offense; at some point, it’s going to have to be my best against your best in the run game, and Walker can be a good start in shoring that up for Atlanta.
Oregon – QB Dante Moore
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 206
New York Jets fans are still kicking at the fact that Moore returned to Oregon this year instead of becoming the second quarterback off the board last draft cycle. Moore has a beautiful, easily catchable ball that falls into your hands as a receiver. The hope for 2027 is that he is more consistent and handles pressure better than last season. If he does, and the Falcons’ quarterback position does end up horribly, Moore would be a perfect fit for Kevin Stefanski and Tommy Rees’ plans in Atlanta.
Georgia – CB Ellis Robinson IV
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 180
All the sites where you find his information are saying that he’s 6’0”, 180 pounds, but Ellis Robinson IV plays a lot bigger than that. A physical corner with some long arms, Robinson has the potential to be the second-best corner in this draft, behind the next player on this list. Robinson is only a one-year starter, but his ability to get his hands on the football and fight through the receiver to make a play while the ball is in the air is special. He’s also quite the willing run defender. Someone is going to really enjoy having Robinson on the boundary of their defense. With Hughes getting up there in age and Terrell not far behind, it may be time to look for new blood on the outside.
Notre Dame – CB Leonard Moore
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 197
A true lockdown corner. Leonard Moore will follow your number-one receiver to the ends of the earth, if he has to. Moore is an insanely talented cornerback whose large frame and elite athleticism make him a problem against the shiftier receivers, like Makai Lemon, and the bigger, more physical receivers. Him and safety Tae Johnson in the same secondary is honestly unfair, but it will be a ton of fun to watch.
Texas – OT Trevor Goosby
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 325
Jake Matthews has to ride off into the sunset at some point. To make it easier on him, the Falcons should take a good, hard look at a guy like Trevor Goosby. He won’t be there for the first few weeks of this season due to a non-contact knee injury, but by the end of September, you’ll be able to see why Goosby is rated as some people’s OT1 in this class. A massive human being with fleet feet and heavy hands, Goosby has the potential to be a game-changer as an offensive tackle. He does have warts in his game; he just turned 21 in May, but he’s going to be a solid tackle prospect that has fantastic upside in next year’s draft.
Indiana – DT Tyrique Tucker
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 298
On day two, you’re looking for guys that can contribute early and often for your defense, and a guy like Tyrique Tucker can do that. A bit smaller than the average NFL defensive tackle, but Tucker’s production far outweighs his size. 12 tackles for loss and 6 sacks in 2025, on the way to a national championship, are definitely a great way to get your name out there.
Miami – DT Ahmad Moten
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 311
Throughout Miami’s run to the national championship game, the talk was all about the two edges who went in the first round of last year’s draft: Rueben Bain and Ahkeem Mesidor. But my eyes couldn’t leave the middle of the defense as Ahmad Moten looked unblockable throughout the run. He has to learn to play the run better, but if he does, he could be this year’s DT1.
Texas A&M – EDGE Anto Saka
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 255
The losses of both Jalon Walker and James Pearce, Jr. showed just how important it is to have depth in your EDGE rotation. Saka is making the jump from Northwestern to Texas A&M this season to help Mike Elko fortify yet another intimidating defense. It will be interesting to see how Elko uses Saka’s explosiveness and where he ultimately falls in this year’s draft.
Ole Miss – DT Will Echoles
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 315
Will Echoles and Walter Nolen being on the same defensive line feels like a crime against humanity. But with Nolen gone, Echoles gets a chance to be the guy on that Ole Miss line and I doubt he’ll disappoint. Echoles is already potentially this class’ best run defender, but can he continue to take that step to become a true three-down threat and be a consistent problem in the pass rush department, as well?
Oklahoma – DT David Stone
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 312
312 pounds is not supposed to move this fluidly. David Stone is my personal DT1 in next year’s class, as he has a jaw-dropping mix of agility, quickness and strength at the point of attack. Stone has that ability to beat the interior offensive lineman with a quick inside move while also eating up a gap or two in the run game. Whatever you need from the interior, Stone can do it, and he would be a perfect addition to the Falcons’ defense.