Today in White Sox History: August 25

CHICAGO - 1930. Ted Lyons, pitcher for the Chicago White Sox, warms up at the Sox spring training facility in San Antonio, Texas in 1930. (Photo by Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images)
On this day 86 years ago, Ted Lyons threw a 1-0 shutout in front of 70,740 fans at Yankee Stadium. | Getty Images

1913
The White Sox purchased the contract of a future Hall-of-Famer, pitcher Urban “Red” Faber, from Des Moines for $3,500. Faber would go on to win 254 games, with four seasons of 20 or more wins with Chicago. In the 1917 World Series win over the Giants Faber went 3-1, throwing 27 innings, with two complete games and a 2.33 ERA. 


1940
Playing in front of 70,740 fans in New York, the White Sox split a Sunday doubleheader at Yankee Stadium. Ted Lyons won the opener with a masterful, 1-0 shutout over Red Ruffing, the deciding run scored at the beginning of the ninth inning thanks to a Luke Appling single and Taffy Wright double. The White Sox were held to just five hits in the nightcap, losing, 3-1.

The crowd remains the sixth-biggest the White Sox have played in front of during the regular season.

Interestingly, the series finale that Tuesday drew only 6,942 fans.


1959
The White Sox acquired first baseman Ted Kluszewski from the Pirates for Harry Simpson and minor-leaguer Bob Sagers. “Big Klu” helped provide hitting down the stretch (.297 in 31 games) for the pennant, and hit .391 with three home runs and 10 RBIs in the six-game World Series loss to the Dodgers, with five of those RBIs coming in an 11-0 Game 1 rout.


1967
After criticizing A’s owner Charlie Finley, power hitter Ken “Hawk” Harrelson was waived by Oakland, making him a free agent — an utter rarity for the era.

With the White Sox in the middle of a four-team race for the pennant, later that same day White Sox GM Ed Short called Harrelsonin his Baltimore hotel room and offered him a one-time contract for $100,000. Short said it was a “take it or leave it” offer because he did not want to get into a bidding war. Manager Eddie Stanky also got on the phone, trying to talk Harrelson into joining the White Sox.

Harrelson turned down the offer, saying in his autobiography that he just wanted more time to consider his situation. He would later agree to a deal with the Red Sox for $118,000, officially signing on August 28. Boston would go on to win the pennant and lose the World Series in seven games to the Cardinals.

Harrelsoneventually made his way to the White Sox, joining their broadcasting team for the 1982 campaign and spending almost 40 straight years in some capacity on the South Side.


1968
The tensions surrounding the Democratic National Convention in Chicago spilled over to Comiskey Park. During a game against the Twins, supporters of Alabama Governor George Wallace and Minnesota Senator Eugene McCarthy got into an altercation in the lower left-field seats after some of the Wallace supporters were accused of shouting racial slurs at White Sox left fielder Tommy Davis. Security quickly separated the groups and averted a larger brawl. 


1981
White Sox pitcher Dennis Lamp carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning of a night game against the Brewers in Milwaukee. Robin Yount led off that inning with a bloop double to left, breaking it up. The Sox won the game, 5-1, as Lamp settled for a one-hitter, punching out six and walking one.


1986
Jack Perconte was a sold second baseman/utility player for six years before coming to the White Sox in the 1986 season. His debut with the team came on this night at Comiskey Park, in a 2-0 loss to the Royals.

It was a memorable one in one respect … the name on the back of his jersey was spelled wrong: “Preconte,” instead of the proper spelling!

Jack went 0-for-2 on the night with a walk. For the year, he hit .219 in 24 games for the White Sox before being released at season’s end. He played the full year of 1987 at Triple-A in the Dodgers system, but Perconte would never again play in the majors.


2013
It was a feat that hadn’t been achieved since 1947: Jordan Danks homered in a game his brother, John, won. John went six innings in a 5-2 win over the Texas Rangers to improve his record to 4-10 on the season. Younger by just 16 months, John cracked his third home run of the season, in the fourth inning of the win.

It wasn’t even set up to happen this way. Avisaíl García started the game in right field, but was injured crashing into the wall as he tracked Jeff Baker’s home run in the fourth inning. Jordan entered the game as a defensive replacement, and in the bottom half of the same frame, cracked a massive home run to right. In his next at-bat, Jordan singled, and finished the day 2-for-3 with bragging rights, for once, over his big brother.


2020
In surreal surroundings — no fans at Guaranteed Rate Field due to the pandemic — White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito no-hit the Pirates, 4-0. Giolito allowed only one base runner, on a walk in the fourth inning. He struck out 13 hitters on 101 pitches, one of the most dominating performances in no-hitter history. 

Tim Anderson (seventh inning) and Adam Engel (two outs in the ninth inning) made terrific defensive plays to save the no-hitter.

It was the 19th no-hitter in franchise history, making the White Sox the all-time American League leader in that category.


2022
Over the decades the most incredible, strange, bizarre things seem to happen to the White Sox in Baltimore. Case in point once again, a night game in Baltimore on this date.

The Sox led the Orioles, 3-2, with two out and the bases empty in the last of the ninth inning. Sox closer Liam Hendriks was working on his 20th consecutive save. Baltimore outfielder Kyle Stowers sliced a fly ball that drifted into foul ground in left field, apparently ending the game.

White Sox outfielder Adam Engel ran to the area, put his glove up … and dropped the ball.

The error gave Stowers a second chance, and he promptly hammered a flat curve from Hendriks into the seats for a game-tying home run. Baltimore wound up winning the game, 4-3, in 11 innings.  


2024
A 9-4 loss to the Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field gave the White Sox 100 losses for the 2024 campaign. It marked the first time in franchise history the Sox lost 100 or more games in consecutive seasons. In 2023, the Sox lost 101 games.

MLB Strikeout Props & Pitcher Best Bets for Today, August 25

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With all 30 teams on the schedule today, that's a big crop of pitchers to dig into for MLB player props and punchouts, and it's been a great run in August to date.

Jackson Jobe has a growing leash that might not be priced into his short strikeout prop, Tyler Glasnow is coming back from a lengthy injury with plenty of paths for his plus-money Under, and Aaron Nola is still a pitcher to fade every five days.

These are my favorite pitcher and strikeout props for Tuesday, Aug. 25.

Best MLB strikeout props and starting pitcher picks today

Player PickOdds
Tigers Jackson JobeOver 3.5 strikeouts+104
Dodgers Tyler GlasnowUnder 5.5 strikeouts+124
Phillies Aaron NolaUnder 17.5 outs+100

Strikeout prop: Jackson Jobe Over 3.5 strikeouts (+104)

Jackson Jobe is getting a longer leash after three starts, going from 71 to 74 to 86 pitches in that stretch. He could push 90 pitches today, and his 15.5-out market is juiced to the Over, suggesting more than 15 outs is expected at home against the Rays.

He isn't a K/inning guy, but getting to four punchouts at plus money isn't a big ask. He projects for 87 pitches and 3.97 strikeouts today, putting the fair price around -135. He's hit this Over in two of his three starts and is backed by a bullpen with little trust and the fifth-worst FIP in August, which only helps his leash.

The projections already like the Over, and that's based on a pitch count that still has room to climb today. His Over is making the MLB picks page.

  • Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Detroit SportsNet, Rays.TV

Strikeout prop: Tyler Glasnow Under 5.5 strikeouts (+124)

This is a big price for a pitcher who hasn't pitched in the MLB in four months on a roster that is handling its pitching staff very carefully with the postseason in sight.

Tyler Glasnow is coming off the IL with a back injury that has sidelined him since early May. He built up to 77 pitches in his rehab outings, but the Dodgers have no reason to push the right-hander today, making the projected 87-pitch workload feel aggressive. The Under is already showing value at this number.

Covers' MLB prop projections have Glasnow at 5.51 Ks on 87 pitches, which feels high to me. The Dodgers were off yesterday, so the bullpen is fully rested and ready to pick up the slack. The fair price based on those projections is around -115.

Glasnow is an elite pitcher, but this is the spot to fade him. I see a shorter leash and fewer outs than the market is pricing in.

  • Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: BravesVision, SportsNet LA

Pitcher outs prop: Aaron Nola Under 17.5 outs (+100)

Aaron Nola hasn't pitched terribly of late, but this is still a pitcher on the downswing of his career who remains one of the hardest-hit pitchers in baseball. Only nine other MLB starters have a worse BlastContact% than the Philadelphia right-hander.

Nola is also coming off a 100-pitch outing, something he hadn't done in 20 straight starts. That extra workload could negatively affect his efficiency today, and it's not like he has been regularly getting to 18 outs. He's 4-11 O/U on this number across his last 15 starts.

It's a road start against a Mariners team that finally got Cal Raleigh going, while the Phillies have all three of their left-handed reliever options available today. Fading Nola is a no-doubt look.

  • Time: 9:40 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Mariners.TV, NBCSP
Jinglis' 2026 Transparency Record
  • Prop picks: 21-17, +6.09 units

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Forward Georges Niang, Warriors agree to one-year, $3.9M contract, per agents

Forward Georges Niang, Warriors agree to one-year, $3.9M contract, per agents originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It’s a busy Tuesday for the Warriors, who have added another player in NBA free agency.

Veteran forward Georges Niang and Golden State have agreed to a one-year, $3.9 million contract, his agents Mark Bartelstein and Andy Shiffman told ESPN’s Shams Charania.

After a quiet offseason in which they added no new players to the roster, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy changed that with the additions of Niang and guard Brandon Williams earlier in the day.

Niang, who fills the Warriors’ final roster spot, has 32 starts across his nine-year NBA career, which began after a record-breaking tenure with Iowa State.

A career 40-percent shooter from 3-point range, Niang last played for the Atlanta Hawks during the 2024-25 NBA season before he was traded to the Utah Jazz and then the Memphis Grizzlies before missing the entire 2025-26 campaign with a foot injury.

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MLB Predictions and Moneyline Picks for Tuesday, Aug. 25

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A full slate blesses us today, with matchups kicking off later tonight.

Here are my MLB moneyline predictions for tonight's slate, which include backing a lot of pricey favorites on Tuesday, Aug. 25

Before we dive in, be sure to check out our MLB picks to see where our experts see value!

MLB moneyline picks for August 25

MatchupPick
RaysTB
at
TigersDET
Rays
-126
Red SoxBOS
at
MarlinsMIA
Red Sox
-155
RockiesCOL
at
NationalsWSH
Nationals
-148
AstrosHOU
at
YankeesNYY
Yankees
-142
RoyalsKC
at
Blue JaysTOR
Royals
+114
BrewersMIL
at
MetsNYM
Brewers
-155
DodgersLAD
at
BravesATL
Dodgers
-155
RangersTEX
at
White SoxCWS
White Sox
+140
OriolesBAL
at
CardinalsSTL
Cardinals
-126
GuardiansCLE
at
AngelsLAA
Angels
+129
CubsCHC
at
DiamondbacksARI
Diamondbacks
+101
PiratesPIT
at
PadresSD
Padres
-121
TwinsMIN
at
AthleticsATH
Athletics
+134
PhilliesPHI
at
MarinersSEA
Phillies
-103
RedsCIN
at
GiantsSF
Giants
-107

Prices courtesy of Polymarket as of 8-25.

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Expert MLB moneyline picks for August 25

Rays vs. Tigers: Rays (-126)

Rays win probability: 55%

No chance I take a risk backing the Detroit Tigers at plus money at home. Their bats are frozen, sporting a 63 wRC+ over their last six games.

Meanwhile, right-hander Jackson Jobe has been shaky since returning, posting a 5.49 xERA while allowing a 12% barrel rate to opposing hitters.

Ian Seymour has been solid over his last five starts, making the Tampa Bay Rays the more trustworthy option in this matchup.

Red Sox vs. Marlins: Red Sox (-155)

Red Sox win probability: 60%

Sox or nothing here. Pay the juice; Payton Tolle is good for it, and so should the Boston Red Sox bats. 

One of the most exciting under-the-radar pitchers this season has easily been the Boston southpaw, who has a 2.58 xERA and 1.09 WHIP on the year.

Over the BoSox's last 12 games, their bats have started to heat back up, owning a 131 wRC+, .363 wOBA and .828 OPS. On the other side, the Miami Marlins' bats have gone cold — owning a 92 wRC+, .301 wOBA and .657 OPS over their last six. 

Rockies vs. Nationals: Nationals (-148)

Nationals win probability: 58%

Keep the favorite leans rolling, as the Washington Nationals are the side worth being on this evening.

Sure, both lineups have been pretty chilly as of late, but Washington has not been striking out and has been drawing a ton of walks. Back the lineup that has been getting on base more over their last six games.

Plus, Andrew Alvarez has been very solid in his last five starts, posting a 2.36 ERA and 1.01 WHIP while limiting hard-hit and barreled balls.

Astros vs. Yankees: Yankees (-142)

Yankees win probability: 58%

Both lineups have been cold over the last month, but the New York Yankees' wRC+ has finally crept above triple digits for the first time in over two months. They are now generating more hard-hit balls and winning the games they should.

Even with Will Warren's recent struggles, the Yanks are the side to be on with how cold the Houston Astros' bats have been.

Royals vs. Blue Jays: Royals (+114)

Royals win probability: 46%

Such a tough spot with how well Max Scherzer has been in his most recent starts. The future Hall of Fame right-hander owns a 3.04 xERA and 1.26 WHIP while limiting hard-hit and barreled balls over his last three starts. On the other side, Seth Lugo has posted similar numbers in his most recent outings.

Both offenses have been on a tear, so taking the underdog against a guy going toe-to-toe with Father Time is the move here.

Brewers vs. Mets: Brewers (-155)

Brewers win probability: 60%

Yes, another favorite lean.

It is extremely tough to look at the Milwaukee Brewers' numbers over their last six games and ignore their 144 wRC+, .377 wOBA, and .863 OPS. Meanwhile, the New York Mets have posted just a 104 wRC+, .315 wOBA, and .175 ISO over that same stretch.

Milwaukee left-hander Kyle Harrison has some strong underlying metrics across his last five starts, making him a very trustworthy arm this evening.

Dodgers vs. Braves: Dodgers (-155)

Dodgers win probability: 60%

I'm not sure how we can even trust the Atlanta Braves when their team has been a complete corpse for weeks. Atlanta has a 91 wRC+, .300 wOBA, and .680 OPS over its last 21 games. The Braves are also generating just a 4% barrel rate over their last six games.

We know what the Dodgers are capable of. Pay the juice. (Again).

Rangers vs. White Sox: White Sox (+140)

White Sox win probability: 48%

After getting blown out, the Chicago White Sox will look to bounce back against Jacob deGrom, who has been allowing a concerning amount of hard contact in his most recent starts.

Across the veteran's last three outings, he is allowing a 56% hard-hit rate and 12% barrel rate to opposing hitters.

The White Sox are always due to boom, and they have plenty of bats capable of producing hard contact. At +140 to bounce back, this price is worth taking.

Orioles vs. Cardinals: Cardinals (-126)

Cardinals win probability: 54%

Real simple, Chris Bassitt has been horrible in his most recent outings and on the road this season. The veteran right-hander owns a 7.28 ERA and 1.96 WHIP on the road — with just a 10.96% strikeout rate and 11.64% walk rate.

St. Louis Cardinals southpaw Matthew Liberatore has struggled a bit in his last few starts, but his underlying numbers point toward improvement, as he sports a 2.94 xERA over his last five starts.

With the Baltimore Orioles' bats starting to cool off, the Cardinals seem to be in a better spot this evening.

Guardians vs. Angels: Angels (+129)

Angels win probability: 43%

Getting a little frisky here backing a lineup that has been lifeless for over a month, but they send out right-hander Walbert Urena, who has been very solid for the Los Angeles Angels this season.

Over his last five starts, Urena owns a 2.84 ERA and 1.03 WHIP while limiting hard-hit and barreled balls.

Gavin Williams has been a strikeout machine as of late, but he does own a sub-1.50 WHIP over his last three starts while allowing a barrel rate over 13%.

Cubs vs. Diamondbacks: Diamondbacks (+101)

Diamondbacks win probability: 49%

I am snagging the Arizona Diamondbacks as a home underdog while Brandon Pfaadt is playing some of his best ball of the season in his most recent starts. 

Yes, the Chicago Cubs have been on a complete tear over the last few weeks. However, the Diamondbacks have been hitting the ball very well too. Over their last 12 games, they own a 117 wRC+, .786 OPS, and .342 wOBA.

Trust Pfaadt!

Pirates vs. Padres: Padres (-121)

Padres win probability: 54%

Quick and simple, there is no reason to back the Pittsburgh Pirates with Paul Skenes on the mound until further notice. He has completely fallen off this season and cannot be trusted right now. 

The Pirates star has a 6.56 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, allowing 44.64% hard hit and 12.07% barrel rate in his last five starts.

Twins vs. Athletics: Athletics (+134)

Athletics win probability: 42%

The desire to trust Taj Bradley is there, but not in Sacramento, where the weather is always great for hitting. Plus, Bradley is a heavy fastball pitcher who gives up a ton of hard-hit balls.

He does have great underlying metrics over his last five outings, but he still owns a near-5.00 ERA and 1.54 WHIP over his last five starts.

The Athletics have a 118 wRC+, .339 wOBA, and .761 OPS over their last 12 games. Tonight, they should get on top of everything Bradley puts over the plate.

Phillies vs. Mariners: Phillies (-103)

Phillies win probability: 50%

After getting completely dominated, the Philadelphia Phillies will look to return the favor this evening as they draw struggling right-hander George Kirby. The Seattle Mariners starter owns an 8.31 ERA and 2.15 WHIP over his last three starts.

Meanwhile, Aaron Nola has been very sturdy in his most recent outings, sporting a 2.51 ERA across his last five starts.

The Phillies should even the series this evening.

Reds vs. Giants: Giants (-107)

Giants win probability: 51%

Death. Taxes. Never trust the Cincinnati Reds.

Brady Singer takes the mound this evening for Cincinnati, owning a 5.00 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 12.7% barrel rate over his last three outings.

The Giants send out Adrian Houser, who has been very consistent as of late, posting a sub-1.00 ERA and 1.05 WHIP while limiting barreled balls over his last five starts.

Both lineups are frozen, so back the better pitcher in the matchup. Go Giants.

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

What is this new offensive approach for the Phillies?

SEATTLE, WA - AUGUST 24: Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper (3) gets a walk in the top of the fifth inning during the MLB game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Seattle Mariners on August 24, 2026 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Phillies have been hot. Winners of nine of their last ten, they have vaulted themselves back into the National League East race to at least make things interesting there while also tightening their grip on a wild card position. There is still plenty of time to go in the season and a lot can still happen, but their recent play has at least made it plausible that they can still be playing baseball once the calendar flips to October.

What has been interesting of late has been that this recent brand of winning baseball has been led not by the bedrock of their roster construction plan, the starting rotation, but by a lineup that has suddenly become deep and dangerous. Once a group that has been allergic to getting on base with any kind of regularity, they have now shown that they can do so at any point in the game. Since the All-Star break, as a team, they are fifth in the game with a .340 on base percentage, sixth in batting average with a .261 mark and have the fourth best strikeout rate with an 18.9% mark. They aren’t striking out as much, they are hitting the baseball and they are getting on base.

Weird how that can actually work, right?

That begs the question though: is this just a hot streak, or a legitimate change that can be depended on once the chips are down?


We all know that this type of play is all well and good for the regular season as it lets them be able to even entertain the thought of playing in October, but the real test will come once the quality of pitching is at its peak. When they are facing the best pitching staffs in the game when the playoffs are on the line, will this approach continue to aid their winning baseball games?

What say you?

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Phillies fans and fans across the country.

Yankees Birthday of the Day: Adam Warren

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 18: Adam Warren #43 of the New York Yankees pitches during game one of a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on June 18, 2018 in Washington, DC. Game one is the completion of a game that was suspended on May 15th due to rain. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

There is a certain type of guy that just sticks around. For about a half-decade, Adam Warren was just that for the New York Yankees. That doesn’t just happen either, as highly competent pitching has a way of sticking around, and for a while, Warren was a certified Guy On The Team. In three different stints in New York, Warren was often very effective on the mound, and an important piece in the relief corps in parts of six seasons.

On his 39th birthday, let’s take a look at the career of pitcher who did plenty of dirty work, and did so well enough to stick around longer than most.

Adam Warren
Born: August 25, 191987 (Birmingham, AL)
Yankees Tenure: 2012-15, 2016-18

After playing his high school and college baseball in North Carolina, Adam Warren was initially drafted in the 36th round of the 2008 draft, before finding a better spot in the ‘09 draft, when the Yankees scooped him up in the fourth round.

Warren spent three seasons climbing the ranks in the Yankees’ minor leagues, working his way up to a full season in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2011. In June of 2012, the right-hander made his Major League debut, in what turned out to be a real clunker against the White Sox. Warren started the game and surrendered six runs on eight hits across just 2.1 innings. It was a rough welcome to the bigs, and was his only appearance in 2012, but he’d obviously make a return.

When the 2013 season rolled around, Warren found a much better spot for himself, and played a significant role for the Yanks that season. Primarily working out of the ‘pen, starting just two of his 34 games, the then-25-year-old managed a solid 3.39 ERA in 77 innings of work. Working multiple innings in many of his outings, Warren provided some real stability in a sometimes challenging role. His importance that season began a multi-year run of Warren’s presence in the Bronx.

In 2014, the righty was even better in 78.2 innings, posting a sub-3 ERA and improved strikeout and walk rates in a new career-high work load. A season later, he set a new high-water mark for himself. In a new-found role, spot starting and still often pitching in relief, Warren pitched in 43 games, which included 17 starts, resulting in a significant career-high in innings with 131.1. Being asked to wear several different hats on the mound, Warren didn’t blink an eye, maintaining his same solid production in his most prevalent year yet.

After the 2015 season ended, the Yankees capitalized on Warren’s value at the time by trading him to the Cubs in the deal that brought Starlin Castro the New York. After a rough half-season in Chicago, he was actually shipped back to the Yankees, along with Gleyber Torres, when the Cubs acquired Aroldis Chapman. He pitched much better in the second half once he returned to the Yankees, and rolled that performance right into another excellent season in 2017.

That year, he posted a career-low 2.35 ERA in his 46 appearances, in a role that once again saw him recording more than three outs fairly often. Warren also got some work in the exciting 2017 postseason run, where he allowed a run in 4.1 innings of work, including 3.1 scoreless frames in the ALCS against the Astros.

Despite his continued good work out of the bullpen, he was shipped out once again, this time in a deal that sent him to Seattle. After the 2018 season, Warren inked a deal with the Padres, which would turn out to be his final stop in an eight year Major League career.

Between 2019 and ‘20, Warren actually re-signed with the Yankees a couple of times, but was unable to climb his way back to the big club. In just shy of 500 Major League innings, across eight seasons, Warren managed a solid 6.6 bWAR and a 117 ERA+ for his career. Always a valuable long reliever, and at times a vital part of the bullpen, Warren certainly made a mark with the Yankees in his time there, while also being part of several high-level trades.

Here’s to a happy 39th for the former bullpen stalwart!

Emmet Sheehan wins Pacific Coast League pitcher of week

Jul 26, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Emmet Sheehan (80) keeps an eye on New York Mets right fielder Carson Benge (3) at first base during the third inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Emmet Sheehan is on a nice run since getting optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City, and on Monday was named Pacific Coast League pitcher of the week after a dominant start in Sugar Land, Texas.

Sheehan struck out nine in six scoreless innings on Sunday in the series finale against the Houston Astros’ Triple-A affiliate. He worked around two walks and a double, his only hit allowed.

Sheehan was active with the Dodgers last week for the final two games against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field for extra bullpen coverage, but he did not pitch. That meant he was on 10 days rest for his Sunday gem, but his start before that was also fantastic, striking out eight in 5 2/3 scoreless innings against Albuquerque on August 12.

Five Oklahoma City Comets have won Pacific Coast League player or pitcher of the week this season — James Tibbs (March 31—April 5 and May 25-31), Alex Freeland (May 11-17), Jack Suwinski (June 9-14), Ryder Ryan (June 9-14), and Sheehan

Sheehan also won PCL pitcher of the week from June 24-30, 2025.

Kalshi Strikes Marketing Partnerships with 5 MLB Teams

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Kalshi on Tuesday announced marketing partnerships with five Major League Baseball clubs.

Key Takeaways

  • Kalshi entered multi-year partnerships with the Braves, Red Sox, Dodgers, Padres, and Giants.

  • The operator had not previously partnered with an MLB franchise but now has a deal with nearly 17% of teams.

  • Kalshi said trading on baseball event contracts has grown more than 36-fold year over year

The platform has become an official prediction market partner of the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and San Francisco Giants. Each partnership was listed as “multi-year” arrangements in what is the operator’s first time joining forces with MLB franchises. 

“The idea is that fans are already engaging with their favorite teams on Kalshi, so it only makes sense to extend that fandom to some of the most beloved baseball teams in America,” said Adam Barrick, head of sports partnerships at Kalshi. 

The associations will grant Kalshi advertising access on in-stadium signage and LED boards, social and online channels, radio, and fan activations. 

As an example, Kalshi will receive naming rights for Dodger Stadium’s Gold Glove Bar, an indoor sports bar inside the stadium directly underneath the Left Field Pavilion with a direct view of the Dodgers’ bullpen. Fans will also receive access to special bonus offers and exclusive on-site activations in Centerfield Plaza hosted by Kalshi.

MLB fans can also trade on team outcomes, including games, player performances, and future outcomes, in prediction markets provided by Kalshi.

Kalshi builds MLB footprint

Before Tuesday’s announcement, Kalshi’s sports partnership portfolio included the NHL, Chicago Blackhawks, LALIGA North America, and the Argentina Football Association.

The Red Sox and Dodgers had already provided glimpses of the partnerships before Tuesday’s announcement. Boston shared a post featuring Kalshi branding on Friday, while Kalshi signage had appeared at Dodgers games.

The Kalshi-Red Sox partnership comes as a Massachusetts injunction targeting the platform’s sports event contracts remains paused during an appeal.

Newcomer Novig became the first prediction market platform to partner with an MLB franchise by teaming up with the New York Mets on July 30. Polymarket, Kalshi’s top competitor in the industry, then reached a deal with the New York Yankees on Aug. 6.

Kalshi's five team partnerships represents nearly 17% of MLB, and the clubs have an estimated 60 million-65 million fans, according to national polling. They also have about 9 million combined followers just on X.

MLB prediction markets have surged over the last year. Kalshi reported that baseball trading has grown more than 36-fold year over year, and the company is investing to meet that demand. Nearly $60 million has been traded in Kalshi's World Series future market alone.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Could The Maple Leafs Pursue Penguins' Erik Karlsson During The 2026-27 NHL Season?

Toronto Maple Leafs GM John Chayka has shaken up the organization on all fronts, notably the roster. There have been multiple additions through trade or free agency since he was hired, and some anticipate that he has more tricks up his sleeve.

On the latest episode of Sportsnet's 32 Thoughts podcast, Elliotte Friedman shared a 2026-27 prediction that someone gave him as he called around the league to get a grip on the latest NHL chatter. That unnamed contact said he predicts that Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson will become a member of the Maple Leafs.

It's an interesting thought given the stature of the player that Karlsson is. Maybe he's not the same 100-point defenseman he was in 2022-23 with the San Jose Sharks. But the 36-year-old veteran is coming off a solid campaign with the Penguins this past year, in which he registered 15 goals and 66 points in 75 games, boosting his offensive production from the previous pair of seasons.

There are some aspects of alignment that make this prediction sensible. 

Patrik Laine Remains Unsigned And Maple Leafs Are Reportedly Among Teams That Could Take A Calculate Swing, Should They?Patrik Laine Remains Unsigned And Maple Leafs Are Reportedly Among Teams That Could Take A Calculate Swing, Should They?The Maple Leafs are among the teams linked to free-agent sniper Patrik Laine, whose elite shot and injury-driven eligibility for a performance-bonus contract could make him a low-risk, high-reward addition.

Karlsson and the Maple Leafs have been linked before. Pittsburgh's current GM, Kyle Dubas, tried to trade for Karlsson before when he was Toronto's GM. Obviously, once Dubas joined the Penguins, he was able to acquire the offensive defenseman from the Sharks, which suggests he likes the player. While Toronto has a new front office, the Maple Leafs were interested in Karlsson before.

Speaking of the new front office, Maple Leafs icon Mats Sundin is now a big part of the organization as the senior executive advisor to Chayka. Not to mention, Daniel Alfredsson is joining Toronto's coaching staff as an associate coach for the 2026-27 campaign.

The biggest link there is Sundin and Alfredsson being influential figures in Swedish hockey, and Karlsson is one of the greatest Swedish players of his generation.

On top of that, Karlsson and Alfredsson have an extended relationship related to the Ottawa Senators. In the first four years of Karlsson's NHL career, he and Alfredsson were teammates in Ottawa.

‘I Told Him Any Team But Toronto Or Montreal’: Senators Star Tim Stützle On What Daniel Alfredsson Will Bring To Maple Leafs‘I Told Him Any Team But Toronto Or Montreal’: Senators Star Tim Stützle On What Daniel Alfredsson Will Bring To Maple LeafsTim Stützle understands why Daniel Alfredsson had to depart the Senators. Although he still would have rather him not go to a rival like the Toronto Maple Leafs.

If Chayka and the Maple Leafs truly wanted to acquire Karlsson from the Penguins, they may need to exercise that relationship with Alfredsson to convince the three-time Norris Trophy winner. With one-year remaining on his eight-year contract with a $11.5 million salary cap hit, Karlsson has a no-move clause that would need to be waived to go to Toronto.

He has been traded before while owning a no-move clause (San Jose to Pittsburgh), so it's possible that it could happen again.

The possibility of this trade happening also hinges on how this coming season goes for the two clubs. If the Maple Leafs are trending toward being a playoff team and the Penguins are falling out of that race, trading Karlsson becomes more probable. 

On the other hand, it wouldn't work if Pittsburgh is pushing for the playoffs, or if Toronto sees a similar campaign to this past year.

Maple Leafs Projected To Be In Playoff Hunt, Matthews Nets 40 Goals Again In MagazineMaple Leafs Projected To Be In Playoff Hunt, Matthews Nets 40 Goals Again In MagazineThe latest issue of THN reveals the Toronto Maple Leafs' predicted finish in the Atlantic Division standings and individual stat projections for the team's top players.

In this hypothetical scenario of Karlsson to Toronto, he would immediately be an offensive presence from the back end, which is something the team has lacked in previous years.

The last time a Maple Leafs defenseman reached the production Karlsson achieved in 2025-26 was when Morgan Rielly notched 68 points in 2021-22. 

Darren Raddysh will also be capable of putting up strong numbers from the blueline, too, after registering 22 goals and 70 points with the Tampa Bay Lightning this past year. Could adding Karlsson hinder what Raddysh can bring to the Leafs?

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Rangers vs White Sox Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's MLB Game

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The Texas Rangers head into tonight's clash with the Chicago White Sox as a-116 road moneyline favorite, due in large part to who is on the hill. 

Behind Jacob deGrom, my Rangers vs. White Sox predictions are targeting Texas to win another game at Rate Field this evening. 

Find out more in my MLB picks for Tuesday, Aug. 25. 

  • UPDATE: Added a home run pick.

Who will win Rangers vs White Sox today: Rangers moneyline (-116)

It’s hard not to back the Texas Rangers given Jacob deGrom’s current form. The right-hander owns a mind-boggling 0.59 FIP across his last two appearances, and his monthly FIP sits at an impressive 2.10.

The Chicago White Sox may be swinging it well, but they scored just two runs Monday, and deGrom is dealing.

Anthony Kay is also pitching well for Chicago, posting a 3.36 xERA over his previous five appearances with respectable home numbers. What makes the difference for me is Texas’ success against lefties, with the Rangers posting a 110 wRC+ this season.

I expect a pitcher’s duel, but Texas has the offensive edge versus Kay.

Play to -130.

Covers COVERS INTEL: The Rangers have a 46.7% hard-hit rate over the last week compared to their 39.9% season average.

Rangers vs White Sox Over/Under pick: Under 7.5 (-107)

I'm leaning to the Under tonight with two good arms on the bump. 

Even though Texas has strung together runs against southpaws, I don’t expect Kay to implode. He’s pitching well right now. deGrom is locked in too, and is coming off arguably his best start of the entire year.

The bullpens are also holding things down. The Texas relief corps owns a 3.19 FIP over its last 19 2/3 frames while allowing just 0.92 HR/9. Chicago has been dangerous lately, but the Rangers’ pitching profile suggests they can keep the White Sox contained.

Chicago’s pen had a rough evening on Monday, but overall, it has been impressive, posting a 2.97 FIP over the last week.

This should be a low-scoring affair. Play to -130.

Rangers vs White Sox home run prediction: Ezequiel Duran (+850)

Ezequiel Duran is swinging it well at the moment. The 27-year-old has clubbed just one homer in his last six games, but the underlying numbers are promising. Duran has put 50% of his contact in the air during that span while posting a 64.7% hard-hit rate.

He’s showing gap-to-gap power, too, with a .300 ISO over his previous six contests. While Kay is not especially prone to the long ball, he has allowed a 46.2% fly-ball rate across his last two outings, and the White Sox 'pen showed real vulnerability Monday.

Play this pick down to +750.

Quinn Allen's 2026 Transparency Record
  • ML/RL bets: 57-67, -18.38 units
  • Over/Under bets: 68-53, +5.91 units

Rangers vs White Sox weather

Weather at Rate Field looks clean tonight, with partly cloudy skies and temperatures falling from 77°F to 71°F. Winds are light around 6-7 mph, and rain chances are basically nonexistent. Overall, conditions look neutral with no delay concern or major weather edge.

Rangers vs White Sox odds

  • Moneyline: Rangers -116 | White Sox +105
  • Run line: Rangers -1.5 (+146) | White Sox +1.5 (-168)
  • Over/Under: Over 7.5 (-107) | Under 7.5 (-107)

Rangers vs White Sox trend

The Rangers have hit the Under in 13 of their last 17 games (+9.75 Units / 51% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Rangers vs. White Sox.

How to watch Rangers vs White Sox and game info

LocationRate Field, Chicago, IL
DateTuesday, August 25, 2026
First pitch7:40 p.m. ET
TVRSN, CHSN
Rangers starting pitcherJacob deGrom
(9-8, 3.77 ERA)
White Sox starting pitcherAnthony Kay
(9-6, 3.96 ERA)

Rangers vs White Sox latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

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Sixers pre-camp questions: Just how dramatic of an impact will LeBron James make?

Sixers pre-camp questions: Just how dramatic of an impact will LeBron James make?  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers’ new era is on deck.

With LeBron James and Jaylen Brown on board and training camp set to begin in late September, we’re taking a look at key questions for the 2026-27 Sixers. 

First up: Just how dramatic of an impact will LeBron James make? 

To start with the basics: James has remained highly productive into his 40s. 

He earned his 22nd consecutive All-Star selection last season, averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds. His stats were similar in the playoffs, James closed out the Lakers’ first-round series win over the Rockets by posting 28 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in Game 6. He is unequivocally still a star player. 

Exactly how much will James be on the floor?

He logged 60 games last season and his 33.2 minutes per contest were a career low, although that figure increased to 38.4 per game in the playoffs. James has averaged 59.9 games since the 2017-18 campaign, when he played all 82 in his final season as a Cavalier. 

It’s typically difficult to be precise with predictions about availability, but 60 regular-season games would be about par for James. By no means is that a small number, but James presumably won’t be an every-game workhorse. 

In terms of his career, James has accumulated more experience than anyone in NBA history. Before he suits up as a Sixer, James has secured the records for games played in both the regular season (1,622) and playoffs (302). 

The Sixers appreciate James’ decades of superstar play and four NBA championships as part of the package. Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are former title winners, too. 

“We’ve got three guys who have won championships,” Sixers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey said on Aug. 6 after Brown’s introductory press conference. “It’s crazy, we have two Finals MVP and then two regular-season MVPs, too. Having that is invaluable. 

“Watching LeBron every day … he’s an everyday guy. There’s obviously going to be a lot of highs and lows throughout the season, but having those three in our locker room — and even (head coach Nick Nurse). People forget Nick won a championship with Toronto, so he’s been through all the wars, he’s been through the big games. Just having that presence and that everyday leadership is going to be valuable for everybody.”

James and Gansey were both Ohio high school basketball standouts the last time the Sixers advanced past the second round of the playoffs, which was 2001. The bottom line of breaking through into deep playoff basketball would certainly count as dramatic change for a franchise accustomed to postseason disappointment. 

As we’ve covered, it seems safe to assume that James’ unique game will improve the Sixers in a variety of ways on the floor. He’ll likely put many of his new teammates in easier positions. 

Opponents tempted to double team Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid should have less luck with James’ passing and problem-solving excellence. Maxey, a combo guard at heart, should play much more off the ball. James should help the Sixers create the mismatches that Brown loves to attack. VJ Edgecombe should have major defensive responsibilities and continued encouragement to grow offensively, all with the ultimate wise veteran in his corner. 

The games aren’t played on paper and the Sixers could run into all sorts of troubles throughout the season, but Gansey has built a formidable roster and James is an enormous piece.

However the season unfolds, there will be an intense spotlight on the Sixers and immense interest in the team. If you’re shopping for a James Sixers jersey these days, the line may very well wrap around the corner. He’ll be playing in one soon enough. 

Marlins vs. Red Sox prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets on August 25

The Boston Red Sox (72-59) and the Miami Marlins (67-65) continue their respective postseason pushes tonight when they take the field at loanDepot Park in Miami.The Red Sox won the series opener last night, 4-2, to stay within six games of first place Tampa Bay in the AL East and further strengthen their hold on the second Wild Card spot in the American League. Miami is third in the NL East at 67-65 but they remain 9.5 games behind the Braves in the division race and four back of the final Wild Card spot in the National League.

 

Last night’s game remained tight throughout primarily because Boston managed just a single hit in 14 at bats with runners in scoring position. Miami struck first in the second inning when Otto Lopez drove home Jakob Marsee with a sacrifice fly, giving the Marlins a 1-0 lead. Boston answered in the fifth when Jarren Duran doubled and later scored on Mickey Gasper's RBI double to tie the game. The Marlins regained the lead in the seventh on Xavier Edwards' RBI single, but once again, Boston answered. Wilyer Abreu doubled in the eighth and eventually scored on a wild pitch, knotting the game at 2-2. The game was decided in the ninth. Anthony Seigler, who entered the game with only 12 RBIs on the season, delivered the biggest hit of the night, lining a go-ahead RBI triple to right field. Nick Sogard followed with an RBI single to provide an insurance run and give Boston a 4-2 advantage. Aroldis Chapman closed the door for his 30th save of the campaign. The Sox have now won four in a row.

 

Rookie Payton Tolle (8-6, 3.08 ERA) gets the ball today for the Sox. The southpaw takes the mound after six days of rest. In four August starts, Tolle has allowed six earned runs (25 innings pitched). Boston lost against the Diamondbacks in his last start (5 IP, 3ER) after wining in his seven previous starts. Tyler Phillips (3-6, 3.67 ERA) will be on the bump for Miami. The righthander gave up one run in two innings in Philadelphia last Tuesday after giving up four in 5.1 innings in his previous outing. The Marlins have lost his last three starts.

 

Lets dive further into today’s game and find a sweat or two.

 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

 

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

 

Game Details and How to Watch: Red Sox vs. Marlins

 

  • Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2026
  • Time: 6:40PM EST
  • Site: loanDepot Park
  • City: Miami, FL
  • Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, NESN, Marlins.TV

 

 

Peacock offers one of the most comprehensive live sports streaming lineups available today, bringing together the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, Premier League, NCAA football, NCAA basketball, golf, motorsports, and major global sporting events in a single service.

 

The Latest Odds: Red Sox vs. Marlins

The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy of DraftKings:

  • Moneyline: Boston Red Sox (-158), Miami Marlins (+147)
  • Spread: Red Sox -1.5 (+104), Marlins+1.5 (-126)
  • Total: 7.5 runs

 

Probable Starting Pitchers – Red Sox vs. Marlins for August 25

  • Red Sox: Payton Tolle
    Season Totals: 120.0 IP, 8-6, 3.08 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 134K, 33 BB
  • Marlins: Tyler Phillips
    Season Totals: 100.2 IP, 3-6, 3.67 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 79K, 42 BB

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not! Red Sox vs. Marlins

  • Eli White is 1-4 including 1 HR in his career against Tyler Phillips
  • Willson Contreras is 0-8 over his last 2 games
  • Ceddanne Rafaela is riding a modest 4-game hitting streak (7-17)
  • Nick Sogard is riding a 7-game hitting streak (12-27)
  • Adley Rutschman is 0-10 over his last 3 games
  • Otto Lopez went 2-4 last night and has hit safely in 4 of his last 5 games
  • Kelly Stowers has hit safely in 4 of his last 5 games (8-19)
  • Xavier Edwards has hit safely in 3 straight (3-13) and 9 of his last 10 games (12-39)

 

Top Betting Trends & Insights: Red Sox vs. Marlins

  • The Marlins are 66-66 on the Run Line this season
  • The Red Sox are 64-67 on the Run Line this season
  • The OVER has cashed 63 times in Miami’s 132 games this season (63-65-4)
  • The OVER has cashed 59 times in Boston’s 131 games this season (61-66-4)

 

Expert picks & predictions: Red Sox vs. Marlins for August 25

Rotoworld Bet Best Bet

 

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

 

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

 

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s game between the Marlins and the Red Sox:

 

  • Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Red Sox on the Run Line.
  • Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total OVER 7.5

 
 

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New Jersey Devils Prospect Nostalgia Update: Whatever Happened to Brandon Burlon?

OTTAWA, ON - JUNE 21: 52nd overall pick, Brandon Burlon of the New Jersey Devils poses for a portrait at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft at Scotiabank Place on June 21, 2008 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Getty Images) | Getty Images

As summer drags on, we look at some past Devils draft picks that never quite made it to the NHL and what happened in their hockey careers. This week, we examine defenseman Brandon Burlon.

All About Burlon

Drafted by the Devils in the 2nd round (56th overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Brandon Burlon was the third highest player ever selected from the St. Michael’s Buzzers of the OPJHL after longtime NHLers Andrew Cogliano and Brendan Smith. A 6’0 defenseman, Burlon was alternate captain of the Buzzers in his draft year and committed to the University of Michigan, where he would play three seasons including one final year with future Devils defenseman John Merrill. Burlon’s offensive numbers were never flashy, but solid, even finishing 2nd in defensive scoring for Michigan in his final collegiate season behind the aforementioned Merrill with 18 points in 38 games.

Then it was off to the Albany Devils for Burlon, who would be a mainstay of their defensive core for five full seasons between 2011-2016. Burlon’s best season would be an 8 goal, 36 point campaign in 2014-2015. It would be Burlon’s second to last season in the organization.

Burlon would never get the call. In his final season with the franchise, the playoff-missing Devils would suit up a long list of defenseman, including Eric Gelinas (35 games), David Warsofsky (10 games), Marc-Andre Gragnani (4 games), Seth Helgeson (19 games), Vojtech Mozik (7 games) and Steven Santini (1 game), while seeing regular contributions from the likes of David Schlemko (67 games) and Burlon’s former collegiate teammate John Merrill (47 games), but never Burlon.

The then 26-year-old defender would try his luck with a new organization and would be the first signing of the newly-minted Tuscan Roadrunners after the Coyotes moved their AHL affiliate from Springfield that summer. Injuries would hamper any chance with the Coyotes and 2016-17 would prove to be Burlon’s last season in North America.

Burlon would bounce around Europe first with the of the Dusseldorfer EG of the Deutche Eishockey Liga, then the Stavanger Oilers of Norway’s EHL, followed by a split season between the Hockey Allsvenskan and Austria’s EBEL before the pandemic shut down hockey. Burlon would attempt a brief comeback in 2024-25 playing 8 games for the Orangeville Blitz of the OSHL and two games for the Indy Fuel of the ECHL before ending his career.

Your Thoughts

Do you remember Brandon Burlon? Any other former prospects you would like profiled in this segment? Let us know in the comments below.

Islanders Anxiety Special – Summer Surprise

Mike and Dan reconvene after some family time to talk about the Islanders third jersey design contest and an article at The Athletic.

After 80,000 submissions, a fan-designed jersey has been chosen for the Islanders to wear in the 2027-28 season. The contest was the brainchild of the Islanders Lord Business himself, Kelly Cheeseman, who can pat himself on the back for a job well done. But we expected to see a little more creativity or “funk” in the final choices, not hear more about how the 54-year-old NHL team is a “Challenger Brand.” The final choice was fine but how we got there raised some questions that may never be fully answered.

In the second half, we discuss The Athletic’s NHL front-office confidence rankings for 2026 and the Islanders’ middling place that shows the disconnect between how the public sees the roster and how fans do. Usually, it was non-Islanders fans thinking too little of them and fans having belief. Now, it’s flipped, and the NHL at large sees an okay team and fans see a directionless disaster. It’s a new dynamic that should raise some eyebrows in the front office and make them see how the customers are looking at their product.

Thanks for listening and sticking with us all off season. Our first official episode of the season will release on Monday, Sept. 21, so we’ve got about a month to go before we get the machine rolling again.

REFERENCES:

The (in)famous final eight jersey choices. Hey, who let the Oilers in here?

A pretty clear picture of a fanbase’s feelings. Also, LOL Rangers.


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2026 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Kevin Gausman is the Superhero vs. the Diamondbacks

Another day in the feast part of the feast or famine season for the Cubs is just fine by me. The nail biters will return any day. When we aren’t in nail biting season, I’ll take a fairly comfortable Cub win any day. Like the Sunday blowout of the Mariners, this one was largely closer than the final score makes it appear. This one got comfortable a little faster, reaching 5-0 in the sixth and its final score by the seventh. Still, I was up late enough to not feel totally comfortable when I went to bed (they were up 2-0).

Am I crazy for thinking that this is the deepest Cub team I’ve ever seen? The top four Cubs in the lineup, generally their most productive this season, were a combined 2-for-18 with a double, two walks, an RBI and two runs scored. If we ignore the runs and runs batted in part which are largely context statistics that largely rely on contributions from other players, 2-for-18 with two walks and a double feels like you are going to lose a game. Obviously a large part of this win falls on the pitching staff throwing a shutout. But, seven runs behind an off night from the whole top of the lineup? That’s because the bottom five in the order were a combined 8-for-18 with a double, a triple and two homers. They drove in five and scored six.

The big hat tips at the bottom of the order go to Pedro Ramirez who became a regular on this team when Dansby Swanson was injured, and Michael Conforto. Conforto has been a bench piece, but now he and Tyrone Taylor are more or less splitting the DH spot (very effectively). I just can’t decide if this is actually a deeper team or if it is just like an oasis in the desert. Afterall, these last couple of years, it’s felt like there wasn’t one usable piece on the Cub bench. Most days, it has felt like the Cubs have 11 or 12 interchangeable parts this year that will all help contribute on any given day. That’s a nice luxury to have. With the addition of Taylor, once Matt Shaw is healthy, this team gets really long.

This team was built to reach the playoffs, no question about it. I’ve often talked about the regular season being largely about how deep your roster is. In the regular season, it’s about how strong your roster is from 21-40 and your ability to go past 40 to fill in gaps in the roster. You win by being able to keep your roster productive over the grind of the season. Injuries will happen. Prolonged slumps will happen. You need a village essentially to reach the playoffs. Then it becomes more about how strong you are 1-20, 1-15, 1-10 on your roster.

Stars shine at the biggest times. We’ll all remember the contributions that some end of the bench guy made in the post season. If the series goes seven games, the odds that somebody down past 20 on your roster has a significant role. In the most important Cub game played in any of our lifetimes, Albert Almora, Jr. who was somewhere past 20 on the pecking order of that team, had one of the most significant contributions to the win. Mike Montgomery might have eked into the top 20, but got the most important out in Cubs history.

Those are the exceptions though. A key starter might largely will a win for you by themselves along the way. Again, thinking about the 2016 Cubs World Series run, there was the Kyle Hendricks game to send them to the World Series and the Jon Lester game against Johnny Cueto to get things started. Your slugger might hit a couple of homers and give you a comfortable win along the way. The stars do the heavy lifting in the postseason.

I posit that as rough as the Angels teams were through the years when Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani were together, that they would have had a punchers chance in a playoff series. That’s where those guys might really shine. They are incredibly hard to just shut down. In that vein, once this Cub team reaches the postseason, it’s going to matter a ton what Pete Crow-Armstrong can do on the biggest stage. We know he won’t shy away from the moment. Can Seiya Suzuki get hot? Can Michael Busch look more like the 2025 version? Has Alex Bregman found the fountain of youth?

It’s also going to matter an awful lot if the Cubs can get some effectiveness from their rotation. Kevin Gausman gave the Cubs a huge lift Monday night. That was great to see after a bit of a unicorn game for the Cubs on Sunday. Usually when the Cubs win, they get a reasonably decent start. But that wasn’t the case Sunday. Aaron Civale came in and turned that game around when it looked like the game might have been lopsided the other way. While it looks like the Cubs just swing their way to every victory they get, there is usually pretty good pitching early on the nights where they win.

It’s a whole lot of fun when both halves contribute like this. Hopefully, Gausman can continue rounding into form along with the other big trade deadline acquisition, Clay Holmes. Always remember, with trade deadline acquisitions, the production you get in August and September is a bonus. They are acquired to help you win games in October. So these two months are about getting them right. To that end, I’ll hat tip Ryan Zeferjahn for working a totally boring inning Monday night. The game was lopsided and perhaps that was a good time to slow things down and just post a good result. He certainly has the stuff to be a difference-maker.

Three Positives:

  • Kevin Gausman turned back the clock to a time when pitching ruled the day. Three hits, one walk, six strikeouts. Dominant performance against an offense that is pretty good.
  • Michael Conforto was unstoppable. Three hits, one a homer, another a double. He was walked, drove in two runs and scored two.
  • Pedro Ramirez drove in the first run with a triple in the second. Added another hit on top of that and scored a run. This offseason, we are going to have some fun conversations about how to handle Ramirez and Matt Shaw.

Game 132, August 24: Cubs 7, Diamondbacks 0 (76-56)

Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.

THREE HEROES:

  • Superhero: Kevin Gausman (.331). 7 IP, 24 BF, 3 H, BB, 6 K (W 7-11)
  • Hero: Michael Conforto (.225). 3-3, HR, 2B, BB, 2 RBI, 2 R
  • Sidekick: Pedro Ramírez (.116). 2-4, 3B, RBI, R

THREE GOATS:

  • Billy Goat: Pete Crow-Armstrong (-.125). 0-5
  • Goat: Alex Bregman (-.065). 1-5, R
  • Kid: Nico Hoerner (-.058). 0-3, SF, RBI

WPA Play of the Game: The Cubs were up to when Michael Conforto’s two-run homer in the sixth inning blew the game open. (.147)

Diamondbacks Play of the Game: Corbin Carroll’s steal of third base with two outs in the fourth, when the Cubs were only up one. (.143)

Cubs Player of the Game:

Game 131 Winner: Ian Happ received 55 of 93 votes.

Rizzo Award Standings: (Top 5/Bottom 5)

The award is named for Anthony Rizzo, who finished first in this category three of the first four years it was in existence and four times overall. He also recorded the highest season total ever at +65.5. The point scale is three points for a Superhero down to negative three points for a Billy Goat.

  • Pete Crow-Armstrong +25
  • Alex Bregman +23
  • Trent Thornton +13.5
  • Carson Kelly +12.5
  • Javier Assad +12
  • Seiya Suzuki/Nico Hoerner -11
  • Edward Cabrera -12.5
  • Jameson Taillon -13
  • Dansby Swanson -17
  • Caleb Thielbar -18.5

Scoreboard Watching: Quiet night around the league and in games that affect the NL postseason. The D-backs loss drops them a full seven games behind the Cubs. The Padres lost (five back). The Phillies lost (three back). So the Cubs gained at least half a game on everyone. A nice nudge in the right direction after a long weekend.

Up Next: Another late one Tuesday night in Arizona. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, it’s the last 2026 game scheduled to be played past my bedtime here on the East Coast. Clay Holmes (5-6, 2.49) starts for the Cubs. He is 1-2 with a 2.81 in 16 innings as a Cub. He was a tough luck loser in the last one, allowing only a run over 5.1 innings to the White Sox. His one road start was his only rough one as a Cub. Let’s hope that was more rust than a road thing and he can give the Cubs another good start.

27-year-old Brandon Pfaadt (7-1, 3.39) spent some time in the Diamondbacks bullpen and was briefly demoted to Triple-A this year after a rough start to his season. He has been back in the rotation since June 30 and has really turned his season around. He had a 5.92 ERA through June 3. He came back to the majors and won his first five starts after returning. In fact, in nine starts between June 30 and August 14, he pitched at least five innings in every game and didn’t allow more than two runs in any start. The last five of those starts were all quality starts. Then in his last start, the Red Sox put five runs on him in 5.2 innings in Boston. So he’s coming off of his worst start of the year after nine good to great starts.

Pfaadt has been very good as the D-backs have made a playoff push. This is a tough game. I like to peek at Fangraphs for curiosity. They have the Cubs essentially getting a slight edge in a coin flip game. This one could be a pitcher’s duel. Not sure how I feel about that on the road in a place where the Cubs often struggle.