Los Angeles, CA - September 07, 2026: Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) prepares to bat during the third inning of an MLB game against the Cincinnati Reds at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES — After only one game back, Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is out of the lineup on Tuesday, the fifth time in six days he isn’t starting.
“He came out of yesterday well, but talking with the training staff, it’s more the thought of let’s build him up slowly,” manager Dave Roberts said prior to Tuesday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds. “He’ll be available in a big spot tonight. He’ll be in there tomorrow.”
Ohtani flew out to deep left field in his first at-bat back on Monday, after missing four games. He then struck out twice and walked. The flyout came on a 98.6-mph fastball from Chase Burns in the first inning.
“He got to 99 at the top of the zone yesterday, flew out to left field. A week ago, he wasn’t close to catching up to that,” Roberts said. “It’s not just about tonight, obviously he’s not in the lineup. It’s about what we can do to get him optimum as we get into the postseason. I think a day here and there is not the worst thing, to make sure his body overall feels as good or close to 100 percent as possible.”
Freddie Freeman gets the start at designated hitter, with Kiké Hernández starting at first base against Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo. It’s just the fourth career start at DH for Freeman, along with once in 2015 and twice in 2020 while with the Atlanta Braves.
Freeman is the 11th Dodger to start at DH this season, joining Ohtani (129 starts), Teoscar Hernández (three), Dalton Rushing (three), Will Smith (two), Alex Call (two), Santiago Espinal, Miguel Rojas, Andy Pages, Ryan Ward, and Max Muncy.
That’s three players shy of the club record set in 2022, when a whopping 14 different players started at DH — Justin Turner (61 starts), Muncy (25), Smith (24), Edwin Ríos (19), Jake Lamb (12), Chris Taylor (five), Miguel Vargas (four), Joey Gallo (three), Trayce Thompson (three), Eddy Alvarez (two), James Outman, Zach McKinstry, Gavin Lux, and Hanser Alberto.
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 25: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns talks to the press after the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
No, this is not an attempt to get birthday wishes from our faithful Bright Siders.
But I was thinking about some outrageous things that would be great to see from the Suns this season. Some bold takes. What better way to wish for some wild outcomes than to do it while blowing out some candles? That way, you can’t hold me accountable for any of this. When in Rome…
Let’s get freakishly optimistic and speak some things into existence.
Disclaimer: Again, these are NOT things I am predicting. Just speaking into existence in an alternate reality where things go according to… Suns fans. Yes, I am going to get greedy.
1) Devin Booker revenge tour season + enters MVP conversation
What if it just finally happens? What if this is the year Devin Booker catches everyone by surprise and unleashes a new level to his game? Why not? He’s still just 29 years old, going on 30 in October, and this is an age that many players have had career years in the past.
He finished 4th in voting in 2021-22 after leading the Suns to a 64-win season, so it may take a lot from both a personal and team perspective, but he’s been in the conversation before.
Just when everyone seems to have taken a collective step back on his hierarchy in the NBA star food chain… this could be the moment he strikes. What if he has his best season yet and the Suns crush expectations? They’ll have to pay attention to him again.
PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 10: Devin Booker of the USA Men's National Team poses for a photo with his 2 medals as he returns to the hotel after winning the Gold against France on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Brian Choi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
2) The Phoenix Suns just SMASH expectations, win 54 games
Devin Booker is in MVP conversations, after all. I don’t know why I picked 54, but it just felt right.
Most betting sites have them in the 38-40 win range, so this would be exceeding those expectations by quite a bit. Even with their win total being 46 a year ago, Vegas does not believe in the Suns for the second season in a row.
54 wins likely puts them in the top-4 in a loaded Western Conference, so yeah. This is entering best-case scenario territory. They start the season hot, beat bad teams, stay healthy, and Devin Booker has the year of his life.
PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 27: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns shoots a free throw during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round One Game Four on April 27, 2026 at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
3) Khaman Maluach breaks out a year early
This one may be a little more realistic. But let’s make even this one bold. He takes the starting job from Mark Williams, and it has nothing to do with injury. He runs with it after filling in as a spot starter in back-to-backs and gains Jordan Ott’s trust. Most expect gradual production and improvement from him in year two, and at his age that’s reasonable. But why not a full-on breakout?
Summer League Khaman carries into the regular season, takes the starting center job, and never looks back for the next decade. Let’s get even bolder. How about he enters the top 10 center conversation in the back half of the season?
We’re not just talking about looking competent; we’re talking about looking like a future franchise cornerstone.
CHARLOTTE, NC – APRIL 2: Khaman Maluach #10 of the Phoenix Suns shoots a free throw during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on April 2, 2026 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
4) Jalen Green takes a leap
Jalen Green is in a weird position right now. We call this “young player with high expectations” purgatory. When you’re drafted as high as Green, you are held to another standard. Some view him as a negative asset due to his contract; some say he’s still young enough to warrant being a “sleeper” breakout pick.
I’m not going to say anything bold like stardom, but becoming the type of player that everyone said he couldn’t be. Playmaking improves. Defense improves. Catch-and-shoot numbers improve. Improved shot selection, which increases his efficiency. It’s not a pure PPG breakout, but rather, a breakout in the areas we all want to see improvement in.
We don’t need a flashy leap. The boring, intangible, and efficiency-led leap is what I am wishing for.
5) Koa Peat is the steal of the draft
Koa Peat exceeds our wildest expectations and forces himself into the rotation. Not only in the rotation, but he becomes a staple of it. He and Maluach showcase a very promising 4-5 combo that is versatile, strong, athletic, and has high upside.
Rival GM’s will long be asking themselves why they didn’t take him sooner. We are due for a player like that, so I will speak it into existence.
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 14: Koa Peat #18 of the Phoenix Suns poses for a portrait during the 2026 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on July 14, 2026 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
That was a whole lot of optimism, delusion, and manifestation taking place all at once. Thanks for sticking through.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - AUGUST 17: Quinn Mathews #60 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches during game one of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on August 17, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals return to Oracle Park Tuesday night for game 2 against the San Francisco Giants. Quinn Mathews gets the start for the Cardinals while Landen Roupp gets the ball for the Giants. First pitch is scheduled for 8:45pm central time and the game broadcast will be available via Cardinals.tv.
The Buffalo Sabres’ 2025-26 season was largely a major success, as the Sabres finished first in the Atlantic Division, then beat the Boston Bruins in their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series. However, the Sabres lost to the Montreal Canadiens in the second round. Still, Buffalo ended their decade-and-a-half playoff drought, and that was a huge relief for long-suffering Sabres fans.
Meanwhile, for the second straight year here at TheHockeyNews.com, we're analyzing the Sabres’ Eastern Conference opponents in an online series titled “Know Your Enemy”. And in this particular file in the series, we’re breaking down that Canadiens team.
The Habs didn’t make many moves this summer, but they’ve been expertly-constructed by GM Kent Hughes, and if the Sabres are to improve in 2026-27, they’ll need to go through the Canadiens.
BUFFALO SABRES VS. MONTREAL CANADIENS
NEW CANADIENS PLAYERS: Brett Berard (LW), Sasha Pastujov (LW)
2025-26 SERIES: Sabres 2-2-0, Canadiens 2-2-0
2026-27 GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER: October 13, at Montreal; October 17 at Montreal; December 18 at Buffalo; January 18 at Buffalo
CAN THE SABRES BEAT THIS TEAM? The Sabres will take on the Canadiens in Montreal in Buffalo’s seventh game of the regular-season – and in a quirk of the schedule, the Sabres will play the Habs four days later, again in Montreal. That should get the two teams plenty-accustomed to one another, and from that point, Buffalo will host the Canadiens twice in a one-month period that ends in mid-January.
The Sabres and Canadiens split their series last season, with both teams winning twice in regulation. And if we’re being honest, we can see that same type of result taking place in 2026-27. Montreal hasn’t made any material changes to their roster, but Hughes has done a masterful job of putting the Habs together, and the Sabres will have to be at their best to even have a chance of beating the Canadiens this coming year.
The Canadiens sent Buffalo home for the summer this past spring, and to avoid that fate in ‘26-27, the Sabres will need to be better than Montreal in the goaltending department, and there’s obviously no guarantee that will take place. But Buffalo has lost key pieces Alex Tuch and Bowen Byram, and unless the Sabres get internal improvement from their young players, beating the Habs will require a huge step forward for Buffalo.
Can the Sabres turn the tables on Montreal this year? Yes, there’s definitely a chance they can do so. However, if the Canadiens wind up dumping Buffalo for the second straight season, you have to think Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen will be much more active on the trade and free-agency fronts next summer.
There’s lots to like about both Buffalo and the Habs, but one of those teams will be seriously disappointed by an early exit in the 2027 playoffs.
And unless the Sabres can avoid doing so, getting eliminated by Montreal for the second straight season will almost assuredly lead to Buffalo’s roster being thoroughly overhauled for the 2027-28 campaign.
NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley begs to disagree by saying team general manager and President of Basketball Operations, Rob Pelinka, has been assembling a team that will be better next season.
“I really want to see the Lakers do well,” Barkley said on “The Bill Simmons Podcast.” “First of all, I’m a big Luka fan, a big Austin Reaves fan. …Luka [Dončić] and Kyrie [Irving] took the [Mavericks] to the Finals, come on, man. This team is probably better; this team is probably just as good as that team.”
Luka Doncic during an NBA game with the Los Angeles Lakers. Getty Images
As Barkley said, Pelinka has been quietly reconstructing the Lakers roster to fit better around Dončić as they are fully engaged in making the team better around him.
The first move they made was keeping Reaves playing alongside Dončić for at least the next three-years by giving him a four-year $185 million contract extension that includes a player option for the final year.
With Reaves extended, it was time to clean house as the team ended up wiping out its starting five that won a playoff series last season, and even parted ways with future Hall of Famer LeBron James, who informed the team they could move on from him as he would be departing last June.
The main request that Dončić had for Pelinka over the offseason was finding him a big man.
Los Angeles Lakers took a team trip to Luka Doncic’s home country of Slovenia during the offseason. Andrej Tarfila/Shutterstock
On top of that, the team also went out and got San Mamukelasvili, Koven Looney, Colin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, and Zaiarie Williams, and acquired Cameron Carr in the NBA Draft.
Sean Burke posted 5 2/3 shutout innings in his last start, and holds a 3.20 ERA on the season. | (Jessie Alcheh/Getty Images)
After a much-needed series win at home against the Minnesota Twins, the White Sox face the Pittsburgh Pirates for the only time this season, a three-game set before the Good Guys head down to St. Louis over the weekend. The White Sox flexed Sunday into a bullpen game, because of course, and shifted righthander Sean Burke’s start back a day, making his 29th appearance of the season tonight — his 25th start.
Despite walking four batters in his previous start on September 1, Burke only allowed one hit in his 5 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out six in the process. In his career-high 154 2/3 frames this season, the righty ace has held steady at a 3.20 ERA and 1.144 WHIP, and has struck out 167 batters so far, at a 26.2% strikeout rate. With the South Siders’ starting rotation fluctuating through the year, Burke has been a constant in his outings, with six runs being the most surrendered in a start this year, at home against Seattle in May.
Thankfully the White Sox offense heated up quite a bit in their last game, demolishing the Twins, 10-1, with 12 hits, seven of which were mashed for extra bases (five doubles, two home runs). Tonight’s lineup is identical to the Sunday Night Baseball game, rolling with the lefty-heavy batting order against Pirates righthander Bubba Chandler. In his last game, Sam Antonacci plated three doubles against the Twins, certainly earning his spot in the leadoff position. I’ve been a fan of Miguel Vargas shifting into the 2-hole, considering he is the best and most consistent hitter on the team.
Over the last 15 days, three Sox players rank in the Top 20 in baseball in on-base percentage: Tristan Peters (eighth), Antonacci (19) and Miguel Vargas (20). Peters has been on fire, and the rookie also is tied for seventh for slugging percentage (.744) over the same time frame, and is batting seventh tonight. If you were to ask me (you weren’t), I’d be shifting Peters up in the lineup, as he has solidified himself as one of the best hitters on the team and one of the stronger players in all of baseball. But it does say a lot that there’s not many ways you can go wrong with this lineup, especially when they are on their A-game.
For the Pirates, Chandler has been fairly solid, posting a 4.30 ERA in 27 outings this season with a 1.368 WHIP. Chandler’s 4.12 expected ERA (xERA) is slightly lower, along with a 4.16 FIP, indicating that he might have had some bad luck here and there. But he still has accumulated 1.9 WAR. One of the righty’s strengths is that he tends to miss barrels, holding a 5.6% barrel rate, ranking in the 82 percentile in MLB. Chandler’s fastball is his go-to, which makes sense as he throws straight heat, averaging 98.3 mph, using about 48% of the time, and closer to 50% when facing left-handed hitters. Chandler’s off-speed pitches tend to be his most effective, however, as his changeup, sinker, and sweeper all have amassed a .200 or worse opponent batting average.
Because this is the first time these two teams will match up, and most batters haven’t seen these pitchers before, the White Sox will definitely have to be prepared for some strong bats in the Pittsburgh lineup. Brandon Lowe is batting second behind rookie Konnor Griffin, who ranks 24th in the National League with an .803 OPS, though he is just one of five hitters with an .800 or near-.800 OPS, as Bryan Reynolds, Oneil Cruz, Esmerlyn Valdez, and Rafael Flores Jr. are all right there with him. As a team, the Pirates rank seventh in baseball with a .731 team OPS and fifth in batting average. Ideally, Burke is able to keep their power under control and miss those Pittsburgh bats.
Be sure to tune in to the action tonight, either on TV at CHSN, or on the radio at ESPN Chicago AM 1000. There should be some beautiful weather on the South Side, with temperatures hanging in the low-80s to upper-70s and partly cloudy skies. Time to snag a W and start up a new win streak.
Xander Bogaerts (SS Padres): Rostered in 29 percent of Yahoo leagues
It's mostly about matchups with 2 1/2 weeks left to go in the 2026 season, and Bogaerts and the Padres have a great one with four games in Coors Field against the Rockies to begin next week. That'll be followed by three home games against the Marlins, which isn't quite so great, especially with Eury Pérez and Sandy Alcantara both slated to start, but at least it's still a seven-game week.
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Assuming that Ty France is gone in most competitive leagues at this point, Bogaerts is probably the most available Padres hitter worth targeting. It's been a dreary year for the 33-year-old shortstop, whose .219 average, .319 OBP and .320 slugging percentage are all far and away career lows. The funny thing, though, is that none of the decline shows up in his exit velocity numbers. His average bat speed is actually slightly up from the last two years, and his 41 percent hard-hit rate is his high mark since 2021. His career hard-hit rate is 37 percent. He's also matched his career high from last year with his 20 steals.
For what it's worth, Bogaerts did do well in his previous series at Coors this year, going 5-for-11 with a homer. He's hit .361 with six homers in 21 career games there. In spite of his struggles this year, he hardly ever sits. It probably won't be worth holding on to him for the final week of the season when the Padres play the Dodgers and Diamondbacks, but he's a nice choice next week.
Will Warren (SP Yankees): Rostered in 45 percent of Yahoo leagues
The Yankees have kept threatening to drop Warren from the rotation, but every time it has seemed like it's going to happen, someone goes down. Most recently, it was Ryan Weathers who had to be placed on the injured list with a flexor strain. Warren, who opened the year 7-1 with a 3.22 ERA before struggling in June and July, put together a statement start against the Red Sox after Weathers went down, only to find himself piggybacking Max Fried last time out and getting lifted after 2 1/3 scoreless innings. That, at least, was mostly a reaction to the Yankees having two off days in quick succession. Warren will find himself back in the rotation to face the Rockies on Wednesday and will probably get another start next Monday against the Twins.
Warren's turnaround outing came on Aug. 30, when he pitched seven innings of one-run ball to help the Yankees clinch the season series and claim the tiebreaker against Boston. It helped a bunch that he had his best fastball since mid-April. Even though he was pitching on four days' rest, he averaged 94.4 mph for seven innings, a 1.2-mph gain from his previous three starts. Other than his lone one-inning relief appearance in July, it's the hardest he had thrown in 4 1/2 months. Warren threw even harder while getting seven outs Friday against the Padres, averaging 95.1 mph. He's not going to maintain that in a full start, but it bodes well for him chances of putting together an outing similar to the one he had against Boston.
Unfortunately, Warren is probably going to be good for just the two starts. Unless another starter gets hurt, Warren is headed to the bullpen for the postseason, and the Yankees will probably want to spend the final week getting him ready for a relief role. He's well worth using until it happens, though.
Michael Conforto (OF Cubs): Rostered in one percent of Yahoo leagues
If anyone had been willing to bet on Conforto as a platoon regular last winter after his down season with the Dodgers, they probably would have been rewarded with 25 homers and 80 RBI. The Cubs, though, never planned on carving out that kind of role for him after signing him to a minor league deal in late February. It's been up to Conforto to force the issue, and he has been seeing more time at DH while going 11-for-26 with four homers and a 4/4 K/BB in his last 12 appearances. It makes him look like a decent option ahead of the Pirates series starting Friday.
Conforto only plays against righties, of course, but it looks like the Cubs will face seven in nine games in home series against the Pirates and Braves and then a road trip to Cincinnati. Barring a rotation shakeup, they'll miss Chris Sale in the Atlanta series. Getting six or seven starts would be sufficient to make Conforto useful if he keeps swinging the bat like this. Since Aug. 21, only the amazing Mickey Gasper has more plate appearances with a higher xwOBA than Conforto's .486 mark.
Waiver Wire Quick Hits
- The Brewers' Cooper Pratt (seven percent rostered) did a fair amount of sitting initially after coming off the injured list last month, but he's now started five straight games and eight of nine and is hitting .353 with a homer, 11 RBI and three steals since Aug. 25. He's a nice pickup for those looking for steals, especially with a series against the Pirates coming up and Pittsburgh often playing Rafael Flores Jr. behind the plate.
- Emmet Sheehan fanned 10 in his return to the Dodgers rotation on Monday and is due to start again Sunday against the Marlins. Like Warren, he might wind up finishing the season in a relief role, but he's a fine choice this weekend.
KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 07: Kansas City Royals catcher Carter Jensen (22) is congratulated by teammates after scoring during a MLB game on September 07, 2026, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
One of the first games at Kauffman Stadium I attended was when the Arizona Diamondbacks were in town. At the time, we had just moved to Kansas City from the Cleveland area, and as someone who perused the Sunday morning league leaders in the newspaper and watched SportsCenter, one of my favorite players was Randy Johnson. The Big Unit was starting that particular game, and he wrecked the feckless Royals, but it was fun to me.
Tonight, there is no Randy Johnson. Birds everywhere rejoice. But there is one Corbin Burnes and, when healthy, he’s really good. It’ll be a difficult showdown against a Diamondbacks team clinging to one of the Wild Card spots and fighting for their playoff lives.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - APRIL 13: A general view of Union Station as Kansas City Prepares to Host the FIFA World Cup 2026 on April 13, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today’s Lineups
DIAMONDBACKS
ROYALS
Lars Nootbaar – DH
Carter Jensen – C
Ketel Marte – 2B
Bobby Witt – SS
Gabriel Moreno – C
Vinnie Pasquantino – 1B
Geraldo Perdomo – SS
Salvador Perez – DH
Corbin Carroll – RF
Michael Massey – 2B
Nolan Arenado – 3B
Nick Loftin – 3B
Tommy Troy – CF
Isaac Collins – LF
Tim Tawa – 1B
Matthew Lugo – RF
Ryan Waldschmidt – LF
Kyle Isbel – CF
Corbin Burnes – RHP
Michael Wacha – RHP
Roster moves
The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves. The D-backs’ active roster is at 28 and the 40-man roster is at 39.
Reinstated from the 60-day injured list: RHP Corbin Burnes (recovery from right ulnar collateral ligament surgery)
Recalled from Triple-A Reno: RHP Kade Strowd
Optioned to Triple-A Reno following yesterday’s game: RHP Gerardo Carrillo
Optioned to Triple-A Reno today: RHP José Cabrera
There we go. After a little over fifteen months, Corbin Burnes has finally returned to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Obviously, we are not expecting much in the way of length from him today. Probably around four innings. I’d expect the team to lean on Blake Walston for a couple, and then cobble together the final three frames from Strowd, Derek Law and Justin Martinez, with Dennis Santana potentially in the mix as well. It’s certainly going to be a case today of very much threading the needle. If, for whatever reason, Burnes is not able to go four, then there’s going to be a most unwelcome domino effect over the rest of the game.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - SEPTEMBER 01: Yandy Díaz #2 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning during the game between the New York Mets and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Alex Zadorozny/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 08: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees takes the field for batting practice before the game against the Colorado Rockies at Yankee Stadium on September 08, 2026 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images
At long last, the Captain is back.
Aaron Judge has returned to the Yankee lineup, just in time for the lowly Colorado Rockies to come to the Bronx for a three-game series. Better yet, Cam Schlittler will be making the start on the mound to begin this homestand. It’s got all the makings of a joyous night at the Stadium—but you’ve gotta win the games in front of you.
The Rockies enter this series owners of a 55-88 record, dead last in the National League, and second worst in baseball. Their lineup—while below average—is honestly not awful, but their pitching has been characteristically poor: a 5.47 staff ERA and 4.77 FIP. It’s the kind of staff the Yankees, who have been dying to find some offensive consistency, could definitely use as a warm-up for the final push with Judge back in the fold.
Tonight, they’ll be starting Gabriel Hughes, a 25-year-old rookie who has pitched to a 6.19 ERA in his first 11 MLB games. Those numbers are distended by two consecutive seven-run clunkers from a few weeks back—the 4.05 FIP is one of many figures that indicate he’s gotten a bit of a raw deal. Yankee Stadium will be a tough environment for the young man to handle, though.
Schlittler continues to cruise in the second half as he tries to win the Cy Young race with Dylan Cease. His last time out was yet another showstopper: eight innings of one-run ball against the Angels. It’s true that his numbers in Yankee Stadium have been slightly less stellar, but I don’t think he would have preferred to deal with the Coors Field run environment. He’s perfectly content defending home field tonight.
Make sure you’re back home in time for the bottom of the first inning: Aaron Judge will be batting third behind Ben Rice and Cody Bellinger. He’s utterly surrounded by lefties, unsurprisingly: Luis García Jr., Spencer Jones, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. make up the middle of the order after Judge. George Lombard Jr. bats seventh, Ryan McMahon hits eighth, and Austin Wells brings up the caboose.
Reed Garrett has taken another step in his recovery following last year's elbow injury.
Garrett caught up with the Mets in Miami for their three-game set, and he was able to throw his first bullpen session as scheduled, on Tuesday afternoon.
“It’s been a long-while," interim manager Andy Green said. "His stuff looked good out there, threw a lot of strikes, and walked off the mound feeling good about himself.”
Garrett was initially diagnosed with elbow inflammation last August.
He required just a minimum stay on the injured list, but lasted only four appearances before having to shut things down after feeling renewed discomfort.
The 33-year-old underwent UCL reconstruction surgery in October.
Garrett has been rehabbing at the team facility in Port St. Lucie throughout the season, and he was able to show his progress in front of team officials for the first time.
"It was fun seeing Reed back out there today," Green said.
The veteran was never expected to be back healthy with the Mets this season, but checking off these boxes certainly bodes well for his status heading into next year.
Garrett remained a relatively steady piece for New York’s bullpen before being forced to the sidelines, and he is under club control through the 2029 season.
Sep 6, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Hao-Yu Lee (50) rounds third base en route to scoring during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Detroit Tigers (66-78) vs. Minnesota Twins (68-76)
Time/Place: 6:40 p.m., Comerica Park SB Nation Site:Twinkie Town Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: RHP Drew Anderson (4-5, 3.73 ERA) vs. RHP Dean Kremer (2-5, 5.81 ERA)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 06: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves 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
The Braves kick off the second matchup in a streak of five straight series against teams currently in playoff position Tuesday night (7:15 p.m. ET) when the Tampa Bay Rays descend upon Truist Park.
AJ Smith-Shawver gets the start in the opener for Atlanta, looking for better control and a better result after taking his first loss of the season last time out against Washington.
Tampa counters with former Brewers and Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta on the mound.
Follow along and share your thoughts as the Braves get a brief respite from facing the Phillies before Philadelphia heads to Atlanta this weekend for another critical series for playoff seeding.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 28: Starting pitcher Tanner Bibee #28 of the Cleveland Guardians walks back to the dugout after the top of the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on August 28, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Here’s the Guardians’ lineup:
Tuesday's Guardians lineup:
LF Kwan 2B Bazzana 3B Ramírez DH Adell 1B Lowe RF Martínez C Bailey CF Halpin SS Rocchio
