PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 06: Tyler Mahle #54 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies on September 6, 2026 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Tyler Mahle has been great for Atlanta and will look to play executioner. With a massive win secured on Friday, they can put another nail in the coffin on Philly’s division hopes with a win tonight.
Jesus Luzardo had been scheduled to start tonight’s game, but the Phillies scratched him with shoulder soreness after the game Friday night. That feels like a bit of a white flag move from them, as the shoulder ailment seems to have been a running issue. Regardless, the Phillies will have their work cut out for them to patch innings together after using five relievers Friday night in an 11-inning thriller, even with Nola pitching into the seventh inning somehow. The Braves offense should take advantage of missing Luzardo, who dominated them last week, and give Mahle some run support early and often tonight.
Tyler Mahle continues to have success as almost a two pitch pitcher since joining Atlanta, focusing on his four-seamer and sinker with the cutter just to keep hitters off-balance. Mahle has pitched 6.0 innings in 5 of his 6 starts for the Braves and has allowed 2 runs only once, with 1 or no runs allowed in his other starts. Tyler is tracking to be the game 2 starter for Atlanta behind Sale in the playoffs and will hope to cement that status tonight.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 11: Luis Campusano #12 of the San Diego Padres hits an RBI double scoring Jake Cronenworth #9 against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the third inning at Oracle Park on September 11, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After the San Diego Padres scored seven unanswered runs in the beginning of Friday night’s game, it felt like the game was already over. It wasn’t even close to that. Robbie Ray pitched well for four innings, giving up just one run. Then, in the fifth, he loaded the bases with two walks and a single before Rafael Devers got ahold of a pitch well below the zone for a grand slam. That made the game interesting for the final four innings.
Despite some base traffic in the final four frames, the Padres and San Francisco Giants traded zeroes. The key point came in the bottom of the ninth. After getting two quick outs, close Mason Miller walked Nate Furman, allowed Jonah Cox to single and walked Devers (though that was due to a bad ball call that would have been overturned had the Friars not been out of ABS challenges). Thankfully, Miller punched out Bryce Eldridge to end the drama.
Taking the mound
Cesar Perdomo (SF) v. Michael King (SD)
Perdomo has only begun to get his feet wet at the big-league level. The left-hander has thrown just 10 innings between two appearances. But, in that time, he’s surrendered just one run. His strikeout numbers are low (8), but his command is fantastic. He’s given up just two walks in his time in San Francisco.
Perhaps Perdomo’s biggest strength is the Padres’ lack of experience against him. The young lefty may very well be able to limit the Friars if they can’t solve him quickly enough. San Diego was all over starter Anthony Molina last night. They’ll need the same kind of production form their lineup in order to win the series.
King is on the verge of lowering his season ERA below 3.00. He currently sits at a perfect 3.00 ERA with 144 strikeouts through 168 innings. King has been the Padres’ ace this season. He’s anchored the rotation and strongly aided this club in their postseason aspirations.
His biggest problem hasn’t even been his own. King has been one of the least supported pitchers in all of baseball. For whatever reason, the lineup dies when King takes the mound. The Padres have gotten some of their best pitching from the right-hander, but their lineup will need to follow suit this afternoon .
Batter up!
The Padres have won five straight games now, mostly due to some incredible offense. In those five games, the Padres have scored 5.6 runs on average. That’s well above the average runs scored by MLB teams (4.48). If the Friars keep that up, it’ll be difficult for anybody to stop their march to the postseason.
Fernando Tatis Jr., 2B
Jake Cronenworth, 1B
Manny Machado, 3B
Luis Campusano, C
Jackson Merrill, CF
Austin Hays, DH
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Samad Taylor, LF
Dustin Harris, RF
With Ty France on the paternity list for the next few days, Cronenworth remains the likely option at first base with Tatis shifting to the keystone position. That should remain that way until France returns, but could change with infielder Mason McCoy being recalled from Triple-A.
Relief corps
After Ray struggled in the first inning, it seemed certain that he would repeat the command problems he dealt with in his last start versus the New York Yankees. He definitely did, though Ray worked through them well. Until the ill-fated grand slam, Ray surrendered just one run.
Additionally, making it through five innings allowed the Padres’ bullpen to get some rest. Unfortunately, the grand slam made it so that the Friars needed their high-leverage relievers. Yuki Matsui, Adrian Morejon, Bradgley Rodriguez and Mason Miller covered the remainder of the game. That leaves San Diego with Griffin Canning, Kyle Hart, David Morgan, Wandy Peralta and Randy Vásquez once King departs.
Sep 11, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Rudy Martin Jr. (1) stands during the national anthems before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
I hate calling games ‘must win’, mostly because it is way over used. I remember, last year, Buck telling us games in June were ‘must wins’ and I wonder what happens after they don’t win. Do they not play the last 90 odd games.
But we are getting closer to ‘must win’ territory following. Falling three games back would be a tough hill to climb. With 14 games left, no team is going 14-0 the rest of the way. Or, if they do, we just tip our caps. But catching up three games would be very tough.
Anyway, today’s lineup. Rudy Martin gets into his first MLB game. I can’t imagine the feelings that will be going through him.
Today’s Lineups
ORIOLES
BLUE JAYS
Dylan Beavers – LF
Brett Bateman – CF
Pete Alonso – 1B
George Springer – DH
Jackson Holliday – 2B
Vladimir Guerrero – 1B
Coby Mayo – DH
Alejandro Kirk – C
Gunnar Henderson – SS
Nathan Lukes – RF
Christian Encarnacion-Strand – 3B
Kazuma Okamoto – 3B
Heston Kjerstad – RF
Josh Smith – 2B
Colton Cowser – CF
Andres Gimenez – SS
Carlos Narvaez – C
Rudy Martin – LF
Kyle Bradish – RHP
S. Arrighetti – RHP
This surprises me…..a few days ago they were saying all the right stuff about limiting Spencer Miles’ innings and now. My wife’s mom used to say ‘needs must’ and that kind of fits. But Spencer going from basically zero to 90 odd innings is taking a chance with his arm.
On the flip side, he was a Rule 5 pick and we had no reason to expect near this much from him, so, if his arm falls off we aren’t exactly losing someone we were counting on for the future. And who’s really to say that 90 innings is safe but 100 innings isn’t. Likely the cut off point was likely a lot lower than that.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 23: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers high fives after the game on March 23, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Los Angeles Lakers shocked the world in February 2025 by trading championship-winning franchise icon Anthony Davis, keeping it quiet to almost everyone involved — including Davis — essentially blindsiding one of the most important figures of the franchise’s future.
Davis, rightfully so, felt betrayed by Los Angeles for a moment. (“They traded me,” Davis said in the team’s group chat the night he was swapped for Luka Dončić).
Now, sit back and consider this hypothetical:
Imagine if the season after Davis was traded, Deandre Ayton was given permission to wear No. 3.
Utter blasphemy.
The Los Angeles Clippers just did this, perhaps to an even grander scale, to the most important player in the history of their franchise by allowing Bradley Beal to use Chris Paul’s No. 3 this season, a jersey number the NBA universe almost unanimously assumed would be untouched and hanging in the rafters at Intuit Dome.
The Clippers’ latest misstep is not only another wrinkle in a tumultuous offseason, but it’s what seems to be a nail in the coffin of what’s been a turbulent swansong for the franchise’s icon.
Paul’s accomplishmentswith the Clippers may not pale in comparison to Davis’s with the Lakers, considering Davis got a title during his tenure. But relative to the history of both franchises, Paul was infinitely more of an impactful figure to his than Davis, plain and simple.
And the Clippers sent him on his way as if he never existed.
Los Angeles scheduled the latter giveaway for when it hosts Davis and the Washington Wizards on Sunday, Jan. 24, honoring the six-year-old Finals win with one of its most important figures.
AD, like nearly every Lakers fan, probably expected to retire in the purple and gold. Despite an at-times bitter departure that is validated by the NBA simply being a business, the Lakers are making it a point to ensure that Davis is secure in his standing and place in the franchise’s history.
It’s been deduced that, behind closed doors, both sides were ready to move on from each other (perhaps the Lakers more than James’ side is willing to accept). And yet, the Lakers treated the league’s all-time leading scorer with the same respect throughout. Unlike the Clippers, who sent Paul home while the team was in Atlanta during a December road trip.
The Nos. 3 and 23 will be left untouched until they are sent to the rafters, an example of how Los Angeles has made a routine effort to treat its former stars with the utmost esteem, no matter how ugly the departure.
A few examples of Lakers handling past stars
How could we forget how acrimonious Shaquille O’Neal’s departure was? The split still sparks some tension over 20 years later — O’Neal still feels Lakers fans “didn’t love [him] like Kobe” amid contention within the fanbase as James left the franchise in August — but he is still held in high regard by the franchise. O’Neal’s No. 34 is retired and he has a statue outside of the arena.
On the other hand, after Paul’s first departure from Cliptown, Blake Griffin was set up to be the guy moving forward. Los Angeles signed him to a five-year extension and sold him to fans as the next franchise icon. Seven months later, they traded him to Detroit.
Franchise legends like Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Pau Gasol have all been treated with the same dignity in their post-playing careers. It’s the mark of a storied and serious franchise.
Sure, the Clippers don’t have the lineage of players that the Lakers do, but Chris Paul was the closest thing to that.
And now Bradley Beal is wearing his jersey number.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 11: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Texas Rangers during the sixth inning at Chase Field on September 11, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. Diamondbacks won 9-1. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Diamondbacks News
Diamondbacks Stars Step Up The Diamondbacks’ offense erupted on Friday in a blowout win over the Rangers.
Diamondbacks Preparing to Face Rotation Dilemma Corbin Burnes, Zac Gallen, and Michael Soroka have all returned. Ryne Nelson is not far off. If everyone remains healthy, there will be some tough decisions to be made soon.
Diamondbacks, Padres Set for Play-in Series As the teams continue to swap places in the standings from day-to-day, the more likely it is looking that the playoff fates for Arizona and San Diego will be sorted in the final series of the season.
Breaking Down the Candidates for the Next MLB Expansion MLB has been teasing expansion for over a decade now. It seems that the next CBA is possibly the last hurdle to be cleared before two new teams are finally announced.
Jesus Luzardo Scratched from Start While Arizona is finally getting some pitchers to help them down the stretch, Philadelphia is now dealing with losing some.
Brewers Clinch Playoffs with 20-0 Rout The owners of the best record in baseball have officially punched their ticket to the playoffs and are now coasting toward a first round bye.
The Chicago Cubs today reinstated right-handed pitcher Edward Cabrera from the 15-day injured list. In a corresponding move, right-handed pitcher Trent Thornton has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a left ankle sprain.
Cabrera was placed on the injured list on August 17 with a right middle finger blister. In 15 starts with the Cubs this season, Cabrera is 5-5 with a 5.68 ERA (48 ER/76.0 IP) and 67 strikeouts. The righty made three rehab appearances with Triple-A Iowa, allowing six earned runs in 3.2 innings with four strikeouts and two walks.
Thornton is 5-5 with three saves, a 3.35 ERA (18 ER/48.1 IP) and 31 strikeouts in 48 relief appearances with the Cubs this season.
Sep 11, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler (13) celebrates at home plate with teammates Max Clark (center) and Riley Greene (right) after hitting a two-run home run against the Colorado Rockies in the sixth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Detroit Tigers (68-79) vs. Colorado Rockies (55-91)
Time/Place: 1:10 p.m., Comerica Park SB Nation Site:Purple Row Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: LHP Andrew Sears (0-1, 4.38 ERA) vs. RHP Tanner Gordon (1-4, 5.40 ERA)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 06: Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees pitches against the San Diego Padres during the sixth inning at Petco Park on September 06, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s been an emotional couple of days for the Yankees, with the storybook return of Anthony Volpe on Thursday almost immediately balanced by the weight of yesterday’s 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. If nothing else, the Yankees won both those games, and stand a good Gerrit Cole start away from likely taking another game, and another series, this afternoon taking on the Mets.
Cole really has one job today — do not give up four home runs. One of the strangest starts you’ll ever see came last weekend in San Diego, where the veteran righty did just that against the Padres, and while they were all solo shots (with a back-to-back-to-back to begin the game), that fateful fourth allowed in the seventh made an ultimately-doomed comeback attempt impossible. Cole’s walk rate is Mars-class, and part of that tradeoff is often pitches in-zone that can be driven with authority, but he’s got to turn those fly balls into outs rather than free handouts to fans. If he does that today, I’m comfortable every time he takes the mound.
Zac Thornton counters for the Mets, a player I’m unfamilar with overall but having quite a solid rookie turn in MLB. A 3.53 ERA is undercut but a FIP almost a full run higher, largely driven by the 2023 fifth-rounder’s low strikeout rate and a high HR rate that xFIP at least believes will be cut down a bit. The Yankee offense is looking a little more professional in recent days, but we’ve also seen how seemingly unknown lefties can torment them in 2026.
Aaron Judge gets a half day off today, as he’ll DH facing the southpaw. This opens right field up for Heliot Ramos and his adventures on defense, while Paul Goldschmidt and Amed Rosario man the corners of the infield. Austin Wells has the catching duties even after playing in last night’s game.
How to watch
Location: Yankee Stadium — The Bronx, NY
First pitch: 1:35 pm ET
TV broadcast: YES, SNY
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY), Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App 92.3 HD2 (NYM)
Last month, the Tampa Bay Rayssecured funding approval from local city and county governments for their upcoming $2.36 billion stadium, set to arrive in 2029.
With an expected capacity of 31,000, the future ballpark works out to a cost of $76,100 per seat — among the priciest in all of professional sports.
USA TODAY compiled data on 24 MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL venues opened since 2016 or scheduled to open in the future and estimated the cost per seat of each venue.
The Rays’ planned stadium fails to come near the $111,100 figure held by the Los Angeles Clippers’ Intuit Dome, which now-suspended owner Steve Ballmer built for $2 billion total. However, it does sit near Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium and San Francisco’s Chase Center.
Those venues were built at a cost of $78,300 and $77,500 per seat, respectively, just ahead of the Rays’ future home, which Rays' owner Patrick Zalupski hopes to break ground on this month. SoFi is notably the most expensive stadium ever built, with a total price of around $5.5 billion.
It’s also costlier than a few future venues. The NBA’s Spurs are developing an arena in downtown San Antonio for $70,300 per seat, while the Thunder are constructing one in Oklahoma City for $57,600.
Most markedly, it beats out all the MLB ballparks in our dataset — the closest is the Athletics’ planned Las Vegas home at $53,000 per seat.
The Rays’ stadium’s ability to transcend sports in cost per seat is part of its compelling story.
Besides it and SoFi Stadium, the remaining five in the top seven most expensive venues per seat are indoor arenas developed for basketball or hockey. That fact is not so surprising — with fewer seats, basketball or hockey arenas can balloon in cost per seat much more easily than baseball or football.
The two most recently built MLB stadiums — the Rangers’ Globe Life Field and the Braves’ Truist Park — also came in under that $40,000 line.
However, both the Rays’ and the A’s new ballparks will offer two of the most intimate settings in baseball: when they are built, they will rank No. 1 and 2 for the smallest ballparks in MLB.
That smaller setting could help explain the rising costs compared to previous baseball venues, although inflation also plays a role.
Truist Park was built in 2017, while Globe Life Field was completed in 2020. The A’s are scheduled to move into their new Las Vegas home in 2028, while the Rays plan to move into their new stadium in 2029.
However, even accounting for inflation, the Rays’ costs are still exorbitant. Adjusted for inflation, the cost per seat of the Rays’ planned venue is more than three times as high as Truist Park and nearly twice as costly as Globe Life Field.
And going further back in time, the Rays’ costs still reign supreme.
In 2009, new Yankee Stadium was completed with a price tag of $2.3 billion. With an opening capacity of 50,287, that works out to roughly $45,700 per seat — nearly the same cost as the A’s planned ballpark.
However, even adjusting for inflation, it still falls short of the Rays’ venue: $45,700 in 2009 converts to around $72,000 in 2026 money, per the BLS’ CPI inflation calculator, or 5% shy of the Rays’ $76,100 per seat.
The Rays look set to hold the crown for a while longer, too.
The Kansas City Royalsannounced plans in April for a downtown stadium project with an estimated cost of $1.9 billion, but no details on capacity. Even if that stadium seats just 30,000 fans, it’ll come in at around $63,300 per seat, well below the Rays’ figure.
That’s the only other announced MLB stadium with a price tag at the time of writing.
So, the Rays’ stadium is certainly the priciest park in baseball for the time being, and it’ll likely be that way into the future.
Methodology: USA TODAY compiled cost and seating capacity data for MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL venues opened or planned since 2016, then divided each venue’s total reported cost by its opening or planned seating capacity. Where planned venues had a range of capacity estimations, the larger number was used. Little CaesarsArena is plotted twice in the “Squeeze play” chart for both its hockey and basketball configurations.
The Chicago Blackhawks prospects took the ice for day two of Prospect Camp on Saturday. There were tons of skill and skating drills that took place as they prepared for two matches against the St. Louis Blues.
Part of the practice revealed some potential lines for the games, as they did a drill that emulated game situations. The lines looked like this:
Roobroeck - Boisvert - Spellacy
Vanacker - Felcman - Misiak
Joughlin - Ludwinski - Aboflan
Henderson - DaFoe - Holmes
Young
Harding - Furlong
Henry - Hislop
Cumby - Getz
Batch
Gajan
Schaubel
The top line with Ryan Roobroeck, Sacha Boisvert, and AJ Spellacy has a little bit of everything when evaluating a skill line. They bring speed, toughness, and size, along with a tremendous amount of skill.
Roobroeck will be back in major junior this year, but Sacha Boisvert and AJ Spellacy on a line to start the year in the AHL could be a big boost for the Rockford IceHogs. We'll see if they stay together through the rest of camp, including the games.
At one point during practice, during a game-like simulation, Boisvert scored a goal in which he took a shot in the slot through a screen. If he exhibits that kind of shot with confidence in games that count, he will eventually find his way into the NHL for good.
Another player worth mentioning is Marek Vanacker. The former first-round pick has the tools to become an NHL player as well, but his nice hands stood out during this practice. Even when he's in tight quarters in front of the net, he can make a move to find the twine.
The Blackhawks did a shootout drill towards the end of practice, and Vanacker was one of the players who scored. He made a move on Schaubel to sneak it in between the pads and the goalpost. That wasn't the only goal he scored either, as he went 2/3 on his attempts.
The Blackhawks prospects will practice one more time, Sunday morning, before their two gamedays on Monday and Tuesday (which will also feature morning skates).
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 12: Zac Thornton #49 of the New York Mets pitches during the second inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on August 12, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Mets lineup
Francisco Lindor – SS Juan Soto – DH Bo Bichette – 3B Carson Benge – RF Jared Young – 1B Marcus Semien – 2B A.J. Ewing – CF Luis Torrens – C Nick Morabito – LF
Zac Thornton – LHP
Yankees lineup
Paul Goldschmidt – 1B Aaron Judge – DH Cody Bellinger – LF Heliot Ramos – RF Amed Rosario – 3B Spencer Jones – CF George Lombard – SS Anthony Volpe – 2B Austin Wells – C
Gerrit Cole – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 1:35 pm EDT TV: SNY Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App 92.3 HD2
Based on the chatter from NHL insiders last week, the Winnipeg Jets are hoping to get an offer for goalie Connor Hellebuyck to their liking before the beginning of the regular season. If not, they are prepared to start the regular season with the Vezina and Hart Trophy winner on the roster.
According to both Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, the Florida Panthers pursued the 33-year-old during the offseason, but traded assets that were offered in the proposed trade for winger Brady Tkachuk and goalie Jacob Markstrom. Both also indicate that three clubs; the Sabres, Utah Mammoth, and Carolina Hurricanes are in the mix for Hellebuyck, who has five years left on his contract at $8.5 million per season.
Both indicated in their reporting on Hellebuyck that Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayoff is looking for a hockey trade instead of just future assets in the deal. In looking at the competition for the Olympic gold medal winner earlier this summer, the Mammoth may be in the best position to make a trade, with Karel Vejmelka under contract (who has a 10-team no-trade clause), 23-year-old Sebastian Cossa (obtained from Detroit in June) and young prospects (2024 first rounder Tij Iginla or 2025 top pick Caleb Desnoyers) that would tantalize Cheveldayoff in a deal.
Where will Connor Hellebuyck end up?
Carolina lost veteran Frederik Andersen in free agency to Edmonton, leaving the Hurricanes with Brandon Bussi and Pyotr Kochetkov as their tandem. The Jets reportedly are looking for help up the middle, but the most enticing piece coming back could be big Russian blueliner Alexander Nikishin, who is currently an unsigned RFA. along with someone like highly regarded prospect Ivan Ryabkin, who played in the AHL and QMJHL as an 18-year-old.
To best either club’s offers, Buffalo may have to further subtract from their NHL roster, in the form of winger Jack Quinn or center Ryan McLeod, but might have to include one of their promising young forwards (Konsta Helenius, Noah Ostlund, Jiri Kulich) and/or defensive prospects Daxon Rudolph or Radim Mrtka in the deal.
It will be interesting if Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen is willing to pay such a high price for Hellebuyck, or will be willing to go into next season with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon, and Colten Ellis in goal.
BASEBALL IN SUNSHINE: Yesterday’s win evened the Cubs’ record in day games this year at 32-32, including 22-16 at home. They are 13-17 this year in the second of back-to-back day games. They finished last year 24-13. They are 12-10 in the second of back-to-back day games at home. A year ago, they were 22-12. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
SATURDAY IN THE PARK: On Saturdays this season, the Cubs are 13-11 overall and 7-5 at home. They wound up 20-7 and 9-5 a year ago. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
APPROACHING 800: With their 12 runs yesterday, the Cubs’ total for the season stands at 792. They have scored an 800th run in only 12 seasons since 1901, most recently 2023, with 819, their eighth most in a season. This century, they also scored 808 in 2016, 814 in 2019, 822 in 2017 and 855 in 2008. Those 855 are the Cubs’ third most ever, behind 998 in 1930 and 982 in 1929. At their current average of 5.35 per game, the Cubs will finish this season with 867. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY: The Cubs trailed the Dodgers 7-0 going to the fifth, then overcame that and led them 8-7 in the ninth before L.A. scored an unearned run in that inning to tie the game. Former Dodger Cesar Izturis singled in the winning run in the 11th and the Cubs won 9-8. It happened 20 years ago today, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2006.
Clay Holmes was going along great in his first five starts for the Cubs, then had a stinker last Sunday against the Marlins.
So we’re going to try to ignore that one and focus on the rest of his 2026 season, which has been excellent.
Holmes, who began his career with the Pirates, has never faced them as a starting pitcher. The only Pirates player who’s seen him for more than a handful of at-bats is Brandon Lowe (2-for-8).
You have probably read about Paul Skenes’ somewhat down year — his ERA is well over 3, his velocity is down a few ticks, etc. (You can see that in the chart below.)
The last time he faced the Cubs was July 25 at PNC Park, and they hit him pretty well even though he struck out 10 Cubs hitters — six hits and five runs in 5.1 innings.
Since that game, Skenes has a 4.46 ERA and 1.456 WHIP in seven starts covering 34.1 innings. The Cubs have hit him well in the past — he has a 3.45 career ERA in nine starts against the Cubs, which is his highest against any team he’s faced more than four times.
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The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
