Category: MLB

Chins up, everyone.

Unless the Royals winning streak had hit 25 games, they weren’t going to make the playoffs. And so they fell 16 games short of it. So what? That was quite the enjoyable stretch of baseball, and despite losing last night, I’m looking forward to tonight’s game.

Noah Cameron is back on the mound.

Cameron became one of the team’s highlights last year when helped keep the season afloat. He struggled at the start of this season, but he’s been incredible through his last six outings, five of them starts, one a long relief appearance. In those six outings, Cameron’s tossed 42-and-2/3 innings, allowed just five earned runs, good for a 1.05 ERA and 2.31 FIP, as he’s struck out 36 batters, hit one of them, walked only 12 batters, and surrendered 15 hits, none of which have left the yard.

The Royals went 3-3 in those games.

He takes on the Blue Jays, a team he faced twice last year but hasn’t dealt with yet in 2026. Of course, the Blue Jays ended the Royals’ nine-game winning streak last evening, blanking the Royals, 3-0.

Toronto sends to the mound righty Spencer Arrighetti, who’s making only his second appearance with the Blue Jays after being acquired at the deadline from the Houston Astros. For the year, Arrighetti is 7-6 with a 4.73 ERA, 5.11 FIP (yikes), 1.347 WHIP, 91 strikeouts, and 52 walks.

To the lineups!

Against the righty, the Royals opt for a left-handed hitting third baseman in Joshua Rojas over Nick Loftin. With Michael Massey now on the I.L., Isaac Collins shifts to second base with John Rave taking over left field. The rest of the lineup is pretty normal.

The Royals haven’t faced Arrighetti much—Salvador Perez has the most at-bats against him with five—but in limited action, Vinnie Pasquantino, Bobby Witt Jr., Kyle Isbel, Jac Caglianone, and Carter Jensen have success against him.

Most of that action came this year, back on June 14 when the Royals shutout the Astros, 4-0, in a game in which Stephen Kolek started, Kameron Misner started in center, and Lane Thomas patrolled right. Feels like a different season.

Before the season began, I picked Kazuma Okamoto to win the American League Rookie of the Year. Why? Well, 99% of the reason is because his name is Kazuma Okamoto. The other 1% is because he’s a hard-hitting third baseman. The 30-year-old, playing his first year in the Majors after a career spent in Japan, has a .737 OPS with 26 homers and 74 RBIs, but he won’t win the AL ROY.

Still has a baller name, though.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s career is so interesting. I may write about this more before the end of the season, at which point I’ll be departing Royals Review, but Vlad Jr. is “Exhibit A” for the case of baseball players peaking much earlier in their careers during this era than any other. Vlad Jr. broke out as a 22-year-old when he finished second in MVP voting as he smacked 48 homers, scored 123 runs, drove in 111 runs, and slashed .311/.401/.601 for an OPS 67% above league-average.

Since, he’s slugged over .500 just once. This year, he’s down to .353. And it’s not just his slugging—his OBP has fallen from .396 in 2024 to .334 this season. Still only 27, he’s only homered seven times this year. What gives?

I don’t know, but he’s not the only active player with such a career arc. If I have the time, I’ll dig into it.

First pitch tonight: 6:07 P.M.

NFL Training camp is about two third over as the teams will play their final Preseason games this weekend prior to to the deadline for teams to cut down to their final 53-man roster on August 30th. Team will sign players to their practice squads beginning September 1st, and then teams will have about a week and a half of practice before their week one games. Below we update what has happened since our last update and edit our percentages for whether we think players will make a 53-man roster, a practice quad, or be on the outside looking in.

Arizona Cardinals

Jamison Geers—TE

Geers was injured in the Cardinals second preseason game and was placed on injured reserve. It’s possible he could receive an injury settlement and be waived and become a free agent, but if that does not happen he will spend the entire season on Arizona’s injured reserve list. Either way his chance of making any kind of roster for 2026 is gone.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 2% 0%

Percent Chance to make a practice squad: 20% 0%

Jack Gibbons-LB

Gibbons did not play in Preseason game #2 for Arizona along with most other starters giving the sign that his spot on the roster is guaranteed and they will save him for the regular season. He should find a good role in the middle of the Cardinals defense that will have a tough task week in and week out.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 95%99%

Baltimore Ravens

Rashod Bateman-WR

Bateman found himself in a bi of hot water as information was leaked last week about his arrest in June for Domestic violence. Despite the drama that may have caused in camp, his spot on the Ravens roster appears safe. What may happen once the full legal process works its way out is he may find himself facing a suspension from the NFL which could be up to six games. Regardless, he should start the season as WR2 or WR3 for Baltimore.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 100%

Cleveland Browns

Drew Biber—TE

Biber started camp with his hometown Packers but was cut a week in. Last week he was signed by the Browns, but likely is only a camp body. He will see action on the third preseason game for the Browns vs the Patriots on Thursday night, but is guaranteed to be cut by the weekend.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 0%

Percent Chance to make a practice squad: 2%

Chicago Bears

Terell Smith—CB

Smith missed the first week and a half of Bears camp with an undisclosed injury, but did return to action late last week. He has not played in either of the first two preseason games for Chicago, so their third and final one at Tennessee on Saturday will be one to watch. Luckily for Smith the rest of the Bears secondary is banged up as well, so his chances of still making the roster are better than if everyone else is healthy. But it will be an uphill climb and reports find him in a three-way battle for one spot along with a brief one-time Minnesota teammate in Beanie Bishop. It’s gonna come down to the wire.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 85% 33%

Percent Chance to make a practice squad: 75%

Cincinnati Bengals

Boye Mafe—DE

Mafe did not play in the Bengals second preseason game and is being sat to be ready for the season. He’s a lock.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 100%

Dallas Cowboys

Tyler Johnson—WR

Johnson remains in a fight for one of the last wideouts on the Cowboys roster. In preseason game #2 he was in action along with players he is fighting for a spot against like Camden Brown and Jonathan Mingo. He didn’t looks great with only two receptions for 3 yards. Does he still have a chance to make the team, yes. Is it a good one? No.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 5%10%

Brevin Span-Ford—TE

Span-Ford sat out in Preseason week 2 and reports from camp have been glowing on the second year player. He’s safe on this roster as either TE2 or TE3.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 98%100%

Green Bay Packers

Benjamin St. Juste—CB

St. Juste has flirted with a starting role for the Pcakers in a preseason before getting slightly banged up with a hamstring injury in their second preseason game. All reports do not make it seem serious and he will be good to go when the season starts. What his role will be in the limited Packers secondary is uncertain, but he will have one.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 80%98%

Houston Texans

Aireontae Ersery—OT

Ersery is done for preseason action and will start at LT for the Texans in Week 1.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 100%

Indianapolis Colts

Justin Walley—CB

Walley is working his way back and did not play in Preseason Game #2 for Indy a sign that his roster spot is guaranteed. His exact role is yet to be determined but he will make his NFL debut in week one for the Colts.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 100%

Jacksonville Jaguars

Eric Murray—S

Murray was inactive for Preseason Week 2 and will likely start at safety for the Jags in Week 1.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 100%

Daniel Faalele—OG

Well so much for following his former head coach to NYC and playing alongside JMS once more. After the first preseason game the Giants didn’t love where Faalele stood so they traded him to the Jags for a 6th round pick. He now brings some depth to a very young Jacksonville OL where he likely will be a swing guard. It will be interesting to see if he sticks though. Most Jacksonville media does not have him making the squad, but instead being one of the final cuts. If that’s the case he also could easily be picked up off of waivers by another team as finding someone with four years of NFL OL starting experience is not always easy. But until cut day, Faalele sits squarely on the bubble.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 99% 50%

Danny Striggow—DE

Striggow saw action playing 11 defensive snaps in the second preseason game for the Jags and looked good against the run but did not do much in pass rush situations. He will make the final Jags roster and will be in a fight for playing time to see if he is the first DL off the bench.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 97% 99%

Las Vegas Raiders

Cody Lindenberg—LB

Lindenberg got the start at MLB for the Raiders in Preseason game #2 and was up and down but make several tackles. He looks to have earned to support of the coaching staff in the off-season and likely has a backup LB spot locked up.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 85%97%

Miami Dolphins

Jai’Onte’ McMillan—CB

McMillan signed with the Colts as a UDFA this past spring and was waived just 2 weeks into camp. He signed late last week with the Dolphins who needed to replace his former teammate in Ethan Robinson after his injury. McMillen is likely a camp body and will be cut, but could end up on someone’s practice said at some point this season.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 2% 0%

Percent Chance to make a practice squad: 25% 15%

Minnesota Vikings

Max Brosmer—QB

Brosmer has seen action as the QB4 for the Vikings in the preseason and seems he will be the odd man out unless the Vikings figure out some way to get significant trade value out of JJ McCarthy. He played in the second half of Minnesota’s week 2 preseason game, going 11/17 for 98 yards with an interception. He likely will play a majority of the third game in Denver on Friday night, but will likely be cut. Will a different team snap him up before the Vikings can add him to the practice squad? It’s possible but not likely, so would expect Brosmer to end up on the Vikings practice squad.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 4%

Percent Chance to make a practice squad: 90%

Blake Cashman—LB

Cashman sat out week 2 and will do the same Friday. He’s gonna start for the Vikings until he gets hurt.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 100%

New Orleans Saints

Jordan Howden—S

Howden played early in the week 2 preseason game before being pulled out. If he doesn’t play in Week 3 at Dallas on Friday, he should be a roster lock. He’s likely safe to earn a backup safety spot unless the Saints find someone on waivers after the initial cuts they like better.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster:80% 90%

New York Giants

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 99%

John-Micheal Schmitz—C

JMS is the Giants starting center. He returned to action after missing the early part of camp with a concussion, but he will start Week one for the Big Blue.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 100%

Tyler Nubin—S

Nubin played week in the week 2 preseason game with 17 snaps, three tackles and a pass breakup. He is on the roster for sure, and probably has the inside edge at a starting spot.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 100%

Pittsburgh Steelers

Kyler Baugh-DT

Baugh is pretty much a depth body at this point and is not discussed at all as an actual roster player. The biggest question is if h gets a practice squad slot or not.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 2% 0%

Percent Chance to make a practice squad: 75% 50%

Jack Henderson-S

Henderson has had a decent camp, but doesn’t really have a chance to make the active roster. He is a decent practice squad candidate though as he has played multiple roles.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 4% 2%

Percent Chance to make a practice squad: 75%

Esezi Otomewo—DT

Otomewo is in a dog fight for the last DL spot on the Steelers roster. Unfortunately for him 6th round rookie Gabe Rubio from Notre Dame has impressed and seems to have the inside track on the final spot. Never say never, but it’s likely Esezi is on the wrong side of the cut line come this weekend.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 50%25%

Seattle Seahawks

Deven Eastern—DT

It’s not been a good start to Eastern’s NFL career. After starting camp on the PUP list he has been active the last few weeks but only played seven snaps in the Week 2 preseason game and is behind a lot of bodies in the chase for a roster spot. If he really impresses in the Week 3 game that might set him up for a practice squad slot, but there is just as good a chance he becomes the next Jah Joyner and is gone from the league as quickly as he appeared.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 20% 2%

Percent Chance to make a practice squad: 85% 50%

Nick Kallerup—TE

Kallerup is going to come down to the bubble. If Seattle keeps four tight ends on the roster, he will be there. If they decide to keep only three, he likely is the last man cut and ends up on the practice squad. His chances were helped when fullback Robbie Ouzts suffered a neck injury and is out for the season. Kallerup seemed to fill that role in practice, but it will come down to whether Seattle feels they can keep four TE’s on the roster or need the spot elsewhere.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 70% 50%

Percent Chance to make a practice squad: 90% 97%

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ko Kieft-TE

Kieft caught a pair of passes for four yards and a TD in Preseason game two for Tampa. He’s a fan favorite and does his job including being a beast on special teams. He should be on the final roster.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 95%98%

Antoine Winfield, JR—S

Winfield obviously will start at safety. No worries here.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 100%

Free Agents:

Le’ Meke Brockington—WR

Brockington signed as a UDFA with the Falcons, and was injured in camp and was waived with an injury settlement. He is a free agent, but with his undisclosed injury his chance of getting picked up by someone is virtually zero.

Percent Chance to make a 53-man roster or Practice Squad: 0%

Ethan Robinson—CB

Robinson spent most of the 2025 season on the Dolphins practice squad before being called up to the main roster at the end of the season. He was injured in Dolphins camp a week ago and this week was waived with an injury settlement making him a free agent. He will not be picked up for an active roster, but if his injury is not too serious he could be a guy who gets added to a practice squad later in the season after injuries happen to other teams.

Percent Chance to make the 53-man roster: 15% 0&

Percent Chance to make a practice squad: 85% 20%

Tyler Cooper—OG

Cooper signed with Washington in January after ending the season on their practice squad. Unfortunately he was cut just a week into camp after the Commanders signed Stephon Diggs to play wide out. He didn’t catch on with anyone else so he will need to hope someone calls after some injuries later in the season.

Percent Chance to make a 53-man roster or Practice Squad: 0%

The Yankees have actually looked pretty good — bullpen aside — in this series against the Astros, and again if not for that bullpen should probably be playing for the sweep tonight. Still, a series win over a division leader is never something to turn down, and that’s exactly what New York has the chance to do tonight in the finale of this three-game set.

Gerrit Cole gets the ball in the Bronx, looking to continue what’s been a very strong if abbreviated campaign, especially for a 35-year-old. He’d be on a 4.5-win pace if he was playing a full season, and hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in a start since July 22nd against the Pirates. In those subsequent five outings he’s failed to pitch six full innings just once, a 5.2 IP effort at the start of the month. This is significantly better than we could have hoped for coming off of Tommy John surgery at his age, and he always seems to bring a little extra facing his former club.

Former Yankee farmhand Hayden Wesneski is also in the midst of a return from TJS, but it hasn’t gone quite so smoothly for the righty. He doesn’t strike many men out, just 19.5 percent, but he does keep the ball in the yard which has helped keep his FIP 0.6 runs lower than his ERA. A 6.1-percent HR/FB rate is going to jump eventually though, and the Yankees have found their power stroke recently. Some of that lefty power we’ve seen this week could make it a long night but a short outing for Wes.

The Yankee lineup is unchanged from the previous two nights, presenting seven of nine hitters that will bat lefty against Wesneski. The offense seems to be getting itself into a groove, so if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.

How to watch

Location: Yankee Stadium – Bronx, NY

First pitch: 7:15 pm ET (slight delay from 7:05)

TV broadcast: YES, Space City Home Network

Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY) | KBME 790 AM/94.5 FM HD-2, KLTN-TUDN 102.9 FM (HOU)

Streaming: Gotham Sports App, MLB.tv (Out of Market only)

For updates, follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

The Las Vegas Raiders close out the preseason when they host the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night at 5 p.m. PT.

Discuss it all here.

The Cleveland Browns are playing their final preseason game tonight against the New England Patriots on Amazon Prime. The main drama is out of the way: Deshaun Watson will start the regular season, with Shedeur Sanders as the backup. None of the starters are expected to play in this final preseason game.

However, this is the last chance for some of those bubble players or practice squad candidates to make an impression. The most intriguing thing about this preseason game is the chance to see rookie QB Taylen Green in action. QB Dillon Gabriel will start the game, with a chance to improve his trade stock, and then Green should follow.

This season, we’re going to be having one game thread for the entire game, so this will be your home to discuss the game for all four quarters!

VS.

Game: New England Patriots vs. Cleveland Browns
Date/Time: Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET
Location: Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, OH
National Television: Amazon Prime (Al Michaels & Kirk Herbstreit)
Local Television: WEWS (Channel 5.1)
Local Radio: ESPN 850 WKNR, 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 FM WNCX

TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros (66-67) and New York Yankees (75-57) will play their final regular season game tonight at Yankee Stadium.

RHP Hayden Wesneski (3-1, 4.23 ERA) will start for the Astros vs. Yankees RHP Gerrit Cole (7-6, 3.11 ERA).

First-Timer: Wesneski, who was drafted by the Yankees in the 6th round of the 2019 Draft, will be facing his former organization for the 1st time tonight. It is also his 1st career app. at Yankee Stadium.

ASTROS-YANKEES: The Astros are 2-3 vs. NYY this season, with the Yankees taking 2 of 3 at Daikin Park, April 24-26. In their last visit to the Bronx, the Astros took 2 of 3 from the Yankees, Aug. 8-10 of 2025.

All-Time: In the regular season, the Astros are 38-55 vs. NYY.

Postseason: The Astros have won all 4 postseason series that they have played vs. the Yankees (2015, ‘17, ‘19, ‘22) and have a combined record of 13-5 (.722) in those games.

NY STATE OF MIND: Tonight is the 3rd game of a 6-game road trip for the Astros, with all 6 games being scheduled in the Big Apple. After this 3-games series vs. the Yankees in the Bronx (Tues.-Thur.), the Astros will take on the Mets for a 3-game series at Citi Field in Queens over the weekend (Fri.-Sun).

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.

BIG WES: Tonight will be RHP Hayden Wesneski 6th start of the season for the Astros. He re-joined the Astros rotation on July 29 at LAA after missing 14 months while recovering from Tommy John surgery. In his most recent start on Aug. 21 vs. ATH, he had his best outing of the season, allowing just 1 hit over 5.0 scoreless innings, earning the win in a 4-0 Astros victory. Wesneski has pitched through 5th inning in 4 of his 5 starts and through the 6th inning in 2 of them.

Local Product: A Houston native, Wesneski attended Cy Fair High School as well as Sam Houston St. He was acquired from the Cubs along with Isaac Paredes and Cam Smith in exchange for Kyle Tucker, Dec. 13, 2024.

LAST NIGHT’S RECAP: The Astros dropped the 2nd game of this series in the Bronx last night, 9-3. The score was tied at 3-3 going into the bottom of the 7th inning until the Yanks rallied for 4 runs in that 7th and 2 more in the 8th. RHP Peter Lambert had ND, but was solid (5.2 IP, 2 ER). Daulton Varsho had a good night, going 2×4 with a HR and double.

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-1st in the AL and T-3rd in the Majors. Among players, Jose Altuve’s 20 successful challenges are T-1st in the AL.

MEASURING UP: The Astros are 24-14 (.632) 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.

ON THE OFFENSIVE: Among AL teams, the Astros rank T-1st in SLG (.412), 3rd in HR (177) and runs scored (608) and 4th in OPS (.730).

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. (.322) and HR (36) and T-1st in RBI (91). Additionally, Alvarez also leads the Majors in OPS (1.051), SLG (.614), OBP (.437) 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).

SLOW AND STEADY RECOVERY: Since starting the season with a 20-31 record after 51 games, the Astros are 46-36 (.561) in their last 82 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 32-23 (.582) on the road since April 14, which is 3rd-best in the AL in that span. More recently, they are 16-11 (.592) on their last 5 road trips combined (includes current trip). Overall for the season, HOU is 33-32 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 2,578.

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’ 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 (has drawn no walks vs. the Yankees in 5 games thus far this season).

ROOKIE LEVEL AWARDS/ALL-STARS: Today, Minor League Baseball announced their Rookie Level League Awards and All-Star Teams. 19-year-old Astros RHP Adrian Ardines was named both FCL Pitcher of the Year and as an All-Star after posting a 5-1 record with a 3.42 ERA in 12 G (8 GS) with a 1.08 WHIP and 56 K’s in 52.2 IP. He also had a CG shutout. Astros C/1B Luis DeLeon was also named to the FCL All-Star team after his stellar season in which he hit .390 (46X118) with a 1.041 OPS (482 OBP/.559 SLG). DeLeon is also 19 years old.

TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 2023 – The Astros tie a franchise record by tallying 25 hits in a 17-4 thrashing of the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Jeremy Peña leads the way with a career-high 5 hits. Overall, the Astros compiled 4 doubles, a triple and 4 HR.

2006 – In a 13-1 shelling at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Willy Taveras hits safely in his 30th straight game, which is a club record that still stands today. Taveras wasted no time in extending his record streak, singling to lead off the game.

Game Info

Game Date/Time:  Thursday, August 27, 6:05 p.m. CT

Location:  Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY

TV: Space City Home Network

Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; KTRH 740 AM; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)

Just one more game until the regular season…

The Steelers will kick off their third preseason game of the year at 7 p.m. EST Thursday in Buffalo against the Bills.

Like every Steelers preseason game this year, the game will be broadcast nationally on NFL Network and NFL+, as well as locally on KDKA-TV (CBS). You can view the full list of viewing and listening options here on Steelers.com.

Starters normally don’t get much playing time in Week 3 of the preseason, but with the Steelers getting a list of names including Jalen Ramsey and DK Metcalf back in practice this week, some prominent names still might see the field to knock some rust off. Also, expect rookie first-round pick Max Iheanachor to finally get some preseason playing time at right tackle.

On the Bills’ side of things, Pro Football Talk reported some starters are expected to play, but not quarterback Josh Allen — who could end up calling some plays instead.

Make sure to stay caught up on the latest Steelers news here at BTSC this preseason:

• Steelers 53-man roster prediction: Who makes the final cut?
• Mike McCarthy open to keeping four quarterbacks
• Steelers sign former Pitt safety
• Steelers OT Max Iheanachor preparing to play Thursday vs. Bills
• Steelers’ Jalen Ramsey, Max Iheanachor return to practice

The Cincinnati Bengals front office went all in this offseason to rebuild the defense as quickly as possible going into 2026.

The Bengals traded for Dexter Lawrence and also brought in multiple free agents like Boye Mafe, Bryan Cook, Jonathan Allen, and others.

Cook is an exciting addition after playing college football for the Bearcats and winning multiple Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Cook has been dealing with a minor hamstring injury the past few weeks but is back in action now as the final week of preseason approaches.

“I’m buzzing with a lot of excitement right now,” Cook said.

When asked about preparing for Week 1, Cook had some fun comments.

“It feels phenomenal. I am looking forward to it, especially as a hometown kid. I’m ready for that first chance to actually put on the uniform.”

Cook comes in with fantastic experience and leadership, something that the Bengals defense has desperately lacked since the departure of Jessie Bates a few years ago.

Having Cook running the show in the secondary should drastically improve a defense that was the worst I have ever seen.

The Tampa City Council voted 4-3 Thursday morning to approve the city's $80 million share of a $2.36 billion Rays ballpark, sending the deal to Hillsborough County Commission on Friday.

The team, which returns to Tropicana Field after a long road trip on Friday, is holding up its end of the marketing plan for the stadium. They have the best record in the American League at 79-54 and a division lead that has shrunk from six games to 3½ in two weeks. By first pitch against the Padres, they may finally know where they'll be playing in 2029.

The vote took all day with vociferous and colorful public comment and some contentious comments between council members.

The structure that was voted on was rebuilt by Council Member Bill Carlson, who is running for mayor, and who had been a no vote on previous agreements. In that deal, Tampa is responsible for $80 million and it was earmarked for building roads and sidewalks around the ballpark. The city expects to earn it back through property taxes on the private development the Rays say they will build alongside the stadium.

Mets lineup

A.J. Ewing – CF
Francisco Lindor – SS
Carson Benge – RF
Luis Robert – LF
Jared Young – 1B
Marcus Semien – 2B
Brett Baty – 3B
Christopher Morel – DH
Francisco Alvarez – C

SP: Sean Manaea – LHP

Brewers lineup

Jackson Chourio – LF
Luis Lara – CF
William Contreras – DH
Andrew Vaughn – 1B
Gary Sanchez – C
Joey Ortiz – 3B
Sal Frelick – RF
Cooper Pratt – SS
David Hamilton – 2B

SP: J. Misiorowski – RHP

Broadcast info

First pitch: 7:10 PM ET
TV: SNY
Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2

The Minnesota Twins are calling up their No. 1 prospect in advance of their most important series of the year.

Walker Jenkins, the fifth overall pick in the 2023 draft and the game's 10th-ranked prospect per Baseball America, will be called up in advance of the Twins' weekend series against the first-place Chicago White Sox.

Jenkins, 21, joins shortstop Kaelen Culpepper as top Twins prospects aiming to provide a boost to the club's flagging playoff hopes. Jenkins, a 6-3, 210-pound outfielder, has been on a recent tear at Class AAA St. Paul and now has 12 homers and a .940 OPS in 69 games there.

Buxton aggravated a right hip injury during the club's series at Sacramento.

A person familiar with the agreement confirmed Jenkins will be recalled to replace the injured Byron Buxton on the active roster. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because the move has not yet been announced. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune first reported Jenkins' impending promotion.

Jenkins has been plagued by injuries over his minor league career and hasn't played in more than the 84 games he posted in 2025, when he hit 10 homers at three levels. Yet he seemed to grow into his much-anticipated power this season, slugging .532 at St. Paul after a .451 mark in 2025.

The Twins enter the weekend 6 1/2 games behind the first-place White Sox; they're four games out in the wild card chase but have five teams to vault into playoff position.

Contributing: Bob Nightengale

Former Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller has shed a little light on some of the events that occurred during the 2024-25 season. 

In a video released today by Spittin' Chiclets, an exchange between Miller and Paul Bissonnette while golfing shows the ex-Canuck reacting to a jab about the end of his time with Vancouver; specifically the widely reported "rift" between himself and Elias Pettersson. 

In the clip, Miller mentions that he "went to rehab," saying this after Bissonnette made a comment about Pettersson.  

The latest Spittin' Chiclets video might bring back some tough memories for #Canucks fans.

Biz chirping J.T. Miller in the middle of his backswing about Petey.

J.T. answered back: "Petey in my backswing is crazy...I went to rehab for that."

📽️: Spittin' Chiclets/YT pic.twitter.com/LXh0R6QZgS

— Noah Strang (@noahstrang_) August 27, 2026

Notably, Miller took a leave of absence after a 5-3 loss to the Nashville Predators on November 17 and did not return to the ice until December 12 against the Florida Panthers. In the months that followed, the rift between Miller and Pettersson garnered more and more public attention.

Things cooled once Miller was traded to the New York Rangers on January 31, 2025, though little pieces of information on this point in time in Canucks history have since emerged. 

While this was undoubtedly a notable point in recent Canucks history, Vancouver is now entering a different era with only a handful of players from their 2024-25 team still in the organization. The team will be looking to move past this point in time and work towards establishing a brighter future. 

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