ST. PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 19: A general view of Tropicana Field as fans in the upper deck cheer during Game Six of the American League Championship Series between the Cleveland Guardians and the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday, October 19, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Good morning, baseball fans!
The 2026 MLB Playoffs continue tonight with Game 3 of the World Series between the visiting Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays. Tonight’s game will start at 5:00 p.m. PT, airing on Fox/Fox One, with national radio coverage available on ESPN Radio.
As usual, this is being written in the past, so I don’t yet know who has won the previous two games. Additionally, neither team has announced a starting pitcher for tonight’s game as of the time this is being written. I’ll try to hop in on Monday and add more information.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 19: A general view of Tropicana Field during Game Six of the American League Championship Series between the Cleveland Guardians and the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday, October 19, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Milwaukee Brewers took a 2-0 lead over the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday night on a check swing call to end the game. They, of course, came back from a 4-0 deficit and ended up winning 5-4. Now, the Series heads to the Trop as the Rays will look to even the series.
In Arizona, the Fall League is about half over. Jack O’Dowd (HM PuRP) continues to tear up the desert, and is making a push for the Fall Stars Game in two weeks. Jared Thomas (No. 8 PuRP) turned up the heat this week with five hits, nine RBI, two doubles and three triples. Fidel Ulloa and Konner Eaton (No. 28 PuRP) continue to keep runners off the board, as neither has given up an earned run yet. Earon has racked up three strikeouts across seven innings of work, while Ulloa has seven across 5.1 innings.
But here’s what’s going on in the baseball world this week:
Jack O’Dowd (HM PuRP) has been gaining a lot of well-deserved attention in the Arizona Fall League, as he leads the league in numerous categories halfway through the season. Thomas Harding is the latest to chronicle O’Dowd’s Arizona experience, and includes interviews with some Rockies coaches about his incredible 2026 season.
Mark Knudson has been calling for the Rockies to fire Alon Leichman since the day he was hired, and got his wish last week. He once again suggests Jason Hirsh as a replacement, and recommends that the Rockies employ “piggybacking” more, especially with players like Tanner Gordon and Ryan Feltner.
The Rockies made a few moves at the 2026 trade deadline, but ultimately decided to retain two-time All-Star Hunter Goodman. It was a debated move at the time — both leading up to the deadline and in the immediate aftermath — but the noise hasn’t quieted down, especially after Goodman became the first Rockie since 2019 to hit 40+ home runs. Cristian Crespo makes his case for why the Rockies should trade Goodman.
Former Olympic medalist Jennie Finch started the Empowerment Award in 2019 as a way to honor girls who excel at MLB’s softball events. Each winner receives a $10,000 scholarship and recognition during the pregame ceremony ahead of Game 2 of the World Series. This year, Alina Elias, Kayleigh Allen, Janiya Pillow and Amarianna Hill (who was unable to attend) were honored.
While we’re in the midst of an excellent World Series, there is still an unfortunate cloud hanging over it as the labor dispute and lockout are still expected in a little over a month. Jesse Rogers asked MLB commissioner Rob Manfred his thoughts on the small market World Series and while Manfred thinks it is good for the sport, he still believes the owners should pursue a salary cap. Interim executive director of the MLBPA also offered his thoughts, saying any team can accomplish what Milwaukee and Tampa Bay have, but also noted that winning might not be sustainable without spending.
The Milwaukee Brewers are up 2-0 as the World Series heads south to Tampa Bay. Adam Berry breaks down how the Rays can even the series and push it back to America’s Dairyland:
Aaron Ashby has been thriving in the Brewers’ bullpen, despite wanting to make a push for the starting rotation. Across 15.2 innings in eight appearances in October, Ashby has yet to allow a run and has given up just five hits and three walks while punching out 17. That is the second-most in MLB history to begin a postseason behind Andrew Miller in 2016 for the Cleveland Guardians.
MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 03: Adrian Morejon #50 of the San Diego Padres pitches during Game One of the National League Division Series presented by Booking.com between the San Diego Padres and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Saturday, October 3, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Before I get into the meat of this article, I want to be clear that I think this has only a slightly higher chance of happening than the Cardinals signing Tarik Skubal, which is to say I don’t think there’s much of a chance at all. I’m also not necessarily advocating for it, but I am sort of intrigued at this kind of move, because there really aren’t many, if any, more impactful bullpen moves a team can make than sign Adrian Morejon, who provides lots of elite innings. And few teams had a worse bullpen than the Cardinals.
I had a great difficulty determining what Morejon’s future contract could be, which is a very important aspect on whether or not to sign him. It was easy enough to figure out his WAR estimates – until ZiPS comes along, any estimate will be imperfect, but I felt comfortable labeling him a 2 WAR reliever. Morejon enters this offseason at 28-years-old, so I estimated a four year contract, although five may very well be needed. 2 WAR reliever, 4 years. Should be easy to figure out that contract right?
Uh no. I do what I always do when estimating contracts, which is knock off half a win for each subsequent year, which is mostly accounting for injury. And while I’d love to pretend Morejon won’t decline at all for the sake of a more realistic contract, I’m very determined to maintain that it a reasonable thing to assume for a reliever, who is even more subject to randomness. Problem was this system spit out a 4 year, $50 million contract. That ain’t happening.
If I am adamant any future contract needs to bake in a normal decline, that means my WAR per dollar figure is wildly wrong. Relievers don’t fit under the same framework that starting pitchers and position players do. Edwin Diaz got 5 years, $100 million at 29-years-old with an opt-out after three years. Diaz was closing games and Morejon was not, which I do think matters with a future contract, so I don’t think he’s looking at $100 million, but he’s looking at more than $50 million. My point in bringing up Diaz was also that he was absolutely not projected for 10 wins when he signed that contract.
I did find a solution. According to Michael Rosen of Fangraphs, he looked into the overpaying of relievers, at least from a projected standpoint, and found that relievers in the 2020s got paid $15 million per projected win. There we go. At that price, Morejon is looking at a future contract of 4 years, $75 million. Technically, by my half a win deduction, adding a year to that would not actually add anything to that price. Because deducting half a win from his fifth year lands him at replacement level. Part of me also thinks 5 years is more realistic, at least in a normal free agent market without an impending lockout. This might be lowballing considering what Diaz got a few years ago, so it wouldn’t shock me if he got more, but I do think not closing will lower his potential price.
Estimated contract: 5 years, $80 million
A free agent profile on a specific reliever is a bit unusual, so I thought I’d stray from my usual format and instead list some reasons to sign Morejon and some reasons to not sign Morejon. First off, because he’s not really that well-known. If I’m proposing a $75 million contract to a reliever you’ve never heard of, it’d be best if I explained why exactly he might get that contract and why it might make sense for the Cardinals. And in the opposite direction, if you just see the best reliever on the market and a very weak bullpen he would help, maybe reasons not to sign him will ease the pain when the Cardinals do not sign him.
If you are wondering what those stats are, they are not his 2026 stats. I took the average of his last three seasons, because it really illustrates just how elite of a reliever he is. And he was actually better in 2026 than that average suggests. He threw 86 IP last season in 76 games played, so he is very accustomed to pitching multiple innings. At least in theory, you can use Morejon in the middle to late high leverage innings for however long you need him, which is very rarely true for an elite reliever on the free agent market, who is normally used to closing out games and thus being restricted for one inning and the 9th.
He also had his highest GB% of his career and his highest K% of his career last year. He was better than he’s ever been although he did have a 2.03 ERA in 2025 (2.83 last year). He’s going to be 28 in the first year of his deal, and if you look at the list of free agent relievers after him, literally all of them are 30 or older unless Andres Munoz’s club option is rejected (it won’t be). So you have the best reliever and the youngest reliever, who can throw an amount of innings that makes you think it’s 1986 and who is willing to throw in any high leverage spot, not just the 9th inning. If you’re ever going to break your sign big money reliever rule, this is the guy to do it for.
I do also believe the Cardinals should spend money in this offseason, but their needs and the strengths of the free agent market do not line up well. There are not very good 3B or CF options in free agency, and the non-Skubal starting pitchers are kind of underwhelming. Why not use money you should have to instantly and massively improve the bullpen, the weakest part of the team if you aren’t excited about the other free agents? Most free agent relievers are bad investments because they are 30 and older. This guy is 28.
I cannot emphasize enough that the ideal version of Morejon is absolutely worth the money, it’s just that we don’t trust relievers. For most relievers on this market and really any market, if I learned they were signed for more than $20 million, I grit my teeth and hope it works out. If the Cardinals announced they signed Morejon to 5 years, $80 million, I would be excited.
That’s my best case for signing him. Onto the reasons not to.
Reasons to not sign Morejon
I began this by learning that relievers get paid $15 million per projected win. That doesn’t actually mean they are worth that. That means that’s what teams pay them. So strictly speaking, my proposed contract? He’s not worth the money. Again at least from a projection standpoint. Also, he’s a reliever. Just because he’s been reliable and just because he’s 28 does not exclude him from playing in just about the most unreliable spot in baseball. And while it is a positive he has proven to be able to pitch in 70+ games, let’s just say an injury would not be unexpected.
From a roster construction standpoint, the Cardinals may very quickly have no need for a left-handed reliever. I’m not entirely sure of what their plan is with Cooper Hjerpe, but if they intend to put him in the MLB bullpen next year, he might look something like a poor man’s Morejon and his potential is Morejon. He’s not the only lefty they have. Brandon Clarke sure seems destined for the bullpen as well. I’m guessing due to his injuries, he’d be a more one inning guy, but he could be in the MLB bullpen sooner than you’d think.
As for a surefire left-handed reliever who might be elite as soon as the middle of next season, Sandro Santana exists. He struck out 36% of batters in a limited amount of innings in Memphis to end last season. He started last season in High A. I doubt he makes the Opening Day roster, but if he comes even close to duplicating how he pitched in both High A and AA, he’ll be in St. Louis by June.
There’s also Justin Bruhl, although I would never advocate for not signing Morejon because of Bruhl. Same goes for Brycen Mautz. Mason Molina might soon be relegated to the bullpen. The Cardinals simply have a lot of left-handed pitchers who will very quickly be in the bullpen and a few of them have a very high potential. It’s not specifically a problem for half your bullpen to be left-handed, but I don’t know that you would spend $80 million if you already had 3-4 lefties you expected to make an impact during the duration of that contract. (Fairly early on in that contract in fact)
*Oh yeah duh Matthew Liberatore is also left-handed and maybe headed to the bullpen
And just as one final point, the money paid to him wouldn’t be an issue in this offseason, because it means the Cardinals didn’t find a better way to spend the money, which is very plausible, but the idea that they couldn’t find better ways to spend the money in years 3, 4, and 5 than for a 30+ year old reliever? That could, in the future, present more of a problem.
Conclusion
I’ll let you decide for yourselves. Like I said, I would be excited if they did this. I find it hard to believe they would find better uses of this money in the first couple years of his deal, just because the way the team is set up, they have plenty of excuses to not use the money in general. So I sort of look at as “it’s either him or nobody.” Which is why I’m more open to it than I otherwise would be. On year 4 of the deal, he might actually prevent the Cardinals from signing someone.
They never do it, but more money upfront would ease my concerns in this respect. Just to take an extreme stance here, if Chaim Bloom is given $30 million to spend on players, and doesn’t love any other option, so he uses that money for year 1 of an $80 million deal, it’s unlikely the end of this contract looks all that bad, even if his first year salary looks ridiculous. Also more money upfront is how you entice him to come here in the first place. So it works out both ways.
Book Corner
Frank is Dead suggested I have a book corner, because sometimes whatever I’m reading compels me to share my thoughts, and my outlet has been the comment section. My intention for this section will be to share my thoughts on books I am currently reading, but since I have nothing new to share about Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow at the moment, how about future books? I bought four books this week, most of them motivated by Chernow in some way.
His Masterly Pen: A Biography of Jefferson the Writer – The Founding Father’s Words That Shaped Revolutionary America by Fred Kaplan
Despite the title, my understanding is that Kaplan is not afraid to get critical of Jefferson using his own words, which frequently contradicted his actions. I have already read a biography of Jefferson by Jon Meacham, but Kaplan’s premise was too good for me to pass up.
Alexander Hamilton: The Persistence of Myth by Stephen F. Knott
I could have gotten this from the Chernow biography, as this predated it by a couple years. But I just as easily could have gotten it from another source and don’t remember. It was certainly found because of the Hamilton biography one way or the other. I assume covering the lies told by Philip Freneau, sometimes fed by Jefferson, and of course others as well.
James Monroe: A Life by Tim McGrath
He is the next president on my journey to read presidential biographies. Like James Madison, there wasn’t a clear, definitive pick. The Harry Ammon version from 1970 is apparently very dull and not all that entertaining even though it’s informative and there’s also one by Harlow Unger that is apparently comically biased. This was written in 2020 so I’m hopeful.
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingslover
I know literally nothing about this book, it was an impulse buy because I recognized the name of the book and I saw it won a Pulitzer.
Judging by this, you would think I almost exclusively read history books, but I do try to mix it up. In fact, because I try to mix it up, I don’t actually know when I will read any of the books I just bought. I already have something like 20 unread books at my house. Hopefully people enjoy this section, because I will sometimes use it selfishly, like asking for what books to read if I have multiple options or maybe I want to read from a particular author, but don’t know where to start. I had a goal to read 50 books by the end of the year and I have a lot of work left to do, so hopefully you guys will be impressed how quickly I seem to be reading. These 700 page books are not helping, as readable as it is.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 24: Yandy Diaz #2 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts after striking out for the final out against the Milwaukee Brewers to end the ninth inning in game two of the 2026 World Series at American Family Field on October 24, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Happy Monday, everyone. It was quite a weekend for those who watched the World Series get underway in Milwaukee. While the match ostensibly pairs the two strongest teams in baseball, the Rays have been struggling mightily against the Brewers, making some truly egregious defensive gaffes that would look bad during the regular season but are doing them no favors in the World Series, especially. We’ve got more on that below, plus a look at the players proving to be difference-makers this postseason, a new World Series pitching record, and Stephen Vogt puts to bed any rumors he might be heading West.
Let’s get right into it!
Detroit Tigers News
Not surprising at all. Just wish they’d been able to see some more wins.
Comerica Park saw the largest attendance increase from 2023 to 2026 (+44.0%).
OTTAWA, ON - OCTOBER 21: Brady Tkachuk #8 of the Florida Panthers skates during warm-up before a game against the Ottawa Senators on October 21, 2026, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Colorado Avalanche News
T.J. Hughes is quickly adjusting to the NHL, earning praise from Nathan MacKinnon and Jared Bednar for his work ethic, hockey IQ, and ability to turn lessons into results. [The Hockey News]
What an NHL expansion draft could mean for the Colorado Avalanche. With a potential NHL expansion team on the rise, it’s time to take a quick look at the rules of what an expansion draft could look like based on past occurrences. [Sports Illustrated]
Avalanche prospect Egor Shilov putting together a solid season in the QMJHL. [Mile High Sticking]
News Around the League
What we learned from Connor Hellebuyck’s first weekend with the Devils. [Sportsnet]
Hurricanes, D Nikishin end stalemate with one-year contract. [TSN]
NHL, Rogers need to figure out, together, how to make more games accessible. [Toronto Sun]
Connor McDavid is off to a historic start. Could some of Gretzky’s records fall this season? [CBC]
Senators rout Panthers in Brady Tkachuk’s hostile return to Ottawa, fans chant some NSFW things, and some PG ones including “You eat crayons” and “You can’t read”. [The Score]
Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki out 2-4 weeks with upper-body injury. [ESPN]
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - OCTOBER 16: Tyler Herro #11of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball while defended by Jay Huff #32 of the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on October 16, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After dropping a tight game against Philadelphia, the Milwaukee Bucks return to Fiserv Forum to face their regional rivals, the Indiana Pacers, who come in on the second night of a back-to-back. The Bucks have slumped to 0-3, losing to Washington, Chicago, and Philadelphia, and they’ll want at least one win as they begin a three-game home stretch. Milwaukee has important questions to answer, especially about its porous defence, which has allowed 129 PPG in the early season, the league’s most.
The Task Ahead
With floor general Tyrese Haliburton back from a torn Achilles, the Pacers have started the season solidly at 2-1 (granted, the wins came against New Orleans and Brooklyn). Notably, Ivica Zubac suffered an ankle injury last night against the Nets and, per reports, is unlikely to play tonight.
Ivica Zubac rolled his ankle after stepping on Kelly Oubre Jr., and went back to the locker room pic.twitter.com/7mCrAnWEsi
The key storyline of Indiana’s season so far has been Haliburton, who has picked up right where he left off, averaging 21.7 PPG on .533/.353/.917 shooting splits, plus 9.7 APG, 1.3 SPG, and 0.7 BPG. His superb vision, aided by a slender 6’5” build, has allowed his teammates to thrive too. Obi Toppin is averaging 16.3 PPG off the bench, while Andrew Nembhard (16.0 PPG), Aaron Nesmith (11.0 PPG), and Ivica Zubac (9.0 PPG) have all been key contributors. However, Haliburton’s most prominent co-star has been Pascal Siakam, who is posting 24.7 PPG, 6.0 RPG, and 3.3 APG. Suffice to say, the Hali-Siakam connection is alive and well.
That said, Indiana has struggled at times early in the season, most notably in a rough first half against Dallas, who handed them their only loss so far. The Pacers turned the ball over 13 times and let the Mavs consistently penetrate the paint and bully them inside. Indy lacked urgency on offence, struggled to shoot, and grew so frustrated that a scuffle broke out at the end of the half when Aaron Nesmith made a hard foul on Cooper Flagg. The point being: Indiana has certainly looked strong at times, but they’re certainly not unbeatable. The Pacers come in tonight tired and (likely) without their starting center; the Bucks have a shot.
Injury Report
Bucks:
Clean injury report
Pacers:
Not yet submitted, as they played last night. But as mentioned, Ivica Zubac left on crutches after spraining his ankle and is unlikely to play.
Player to Watch
Pascal Siakam has been searingly hot for Indiana through their first three games. Siakam’s been clicking from long range, and his athleticism has translated into dominance on the glass. He also stepped into a playmaking role in Indiana’s recent win over Brooklyn, posting six assists. The veteran has looked very good with Haliburton back in the lineup, and he could very easily trouble Milwaukee’s underperforming bigs.
Projected Starters
Bucks
Position
Pacers
Ryan Rollins
PG
Tyrese Haliburton
Tyler Herro
SG
Andrew Nembhard
Jaime Jaquez Jr.
SF
Aaron Nesmith
Kyle Kuzma
PF
Pascal Siakam
Kel’el Ware
C
Jay Huff
Game Details
Who: Milwaukee Bucks (0-3) vs. Indiana Pacers (2-1).
The Pacers continue to catch fire from three. Indiana shot 49% from deep against Brooklyn after two struggling games. The Bucks allowed the 76ers to catch fire in their Saturday loss, with Philly shooting 43%. Coming off a successful shooting night on Sunday and the likely addition of seven-foot sharpshooter Jay Huff into the rotation, expect the Pacers to hit their shots from the land of plenty.
Oct 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) drives on Golden State Warriors forward Georges Niang (32) in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
All right, time to dust off the old weekly recap and give it another rejuvenation as I reinvent it once again this year. I’d previously mentioned that I’d be calling this the Solar Report, and I’ve already given you my reasons why. Now I’m here to report on the overarching themes we experienced in Week 1.
Week 1 served as a reminder that there’s plenty of basketball left to be played and that overreactions and rash decisions need to be tempered, even when you feel they shouldn’t be. Because what seems logical to you as a fan isn’t necessarily as logical when you get into the intricacies of a locker room, the dynamics involved, and the egos that come with them. As we look back at Week 1, it’s clear that challenges await the Phoenix Suns if adjustments aren’t made. And we’re already beginning to wonder how long it’ll take before those adjustments occur.
The shine of hope and promise, fortified by the belief in continued development, was quickly erased within the opening minutes of the season. The reality of the Suns’ current situation, combined with the flaws in their roster construction, was on full display.
Like everything in life, it’s a process. Think back to last season. A team that ultimately became one of the most beloved Suns teams in recent memory because of the way it played and executed began the season 1-4. And then something clicked. When it did, Phoenix became a team nobody wanted to play against. So with only two games in the books, I’m tempering my words and observations when it comes to the overall assessment of a team that’s still learning where to be and how to play together.
With that being said, here’s your Solar Report for Week 1.
Week 1 Record: 1-1
@ Portland Trail Blazers, L, 124-83
I’m going to file this under “Things I wish were permanently scrubbed from the internet”…
vs. Golden State Warriors, W, 131-122
A nice win in which the offense looked functional and the defense let the C Squad feel like the A squad.
Malu-Watch
Tracking rebounds plus steals plus blocks per 36 minutes through the first week (“restocks”, if you will) gives us a potential baseline for what Khaman Maluach can become. When he’s on the court, he’s statistically productive. But visually, I think we all recognize that we’re embarking on a journey filled with bumps, bruises, mental lapses, and moments of clarity. He’s a 20-year-old center who’s suddenly being asked to start following Mark Williams’ injury and Oso Ighodaro suffering an oblique strain during the first week of the season. That developmental timeline for Maluach has accelerated substantially, and we’re all along for the ride.
Looking at his Week 1 restocks production, here’s what you get:
For context, Victor Wembanyama is averaging 17.8 restocks per 36 minutes through Week 1.
What this week showcased to us, in my opinion, isn’t necessarily reflected in the statistics. Because there were plenty of minutes when Maluach was on the court and the discombobulation was evident. His positioning was less than optimal, and at times, the ability to grab the damn rebound simply wasn’t there.
Now, you have to take all of this with some context. The Suns aren’t a great rebounding team, which I’ll get into momentarily. And when opposing teams recognize that, they have one mission: box out the one guy who can rebound and make his life a living hell. That guy is Khaman Maluach.
He’s currently leading the team with 7.5 rebounds per game through two games and possesses a defensive rebounding percentage of 16.9%. For comparison, Wembanyama sits at 15.3%. When you look at Maluach’s restocks, he’s doing a decent job of making his presence felt. But Maluach isn’t the only player responsible for securing rebounds. When opposing teams are actively boxing him out, the rest of the Suns need to step up in his stead. The attention he’s drawing should create opportunities for his teammates to slip inside and snatch some boards of their own.
Instead, it’s the opposition that’s consistently showing more activity on the glass and coming away with those rebounds. Which brings me to our next segment…
Stat Me, Dave
Back in the old Solar Panel podcast days, there was a segment in which Dave King would provide a statistic. The name of that segment, not ironically at all, was “Stat Me, Dave.” That’s what I’m here to provide every week. One statistic, or perhaps a collection of statistics, that points to a theme I’ve noticed throughout the week.
I think, without a doubt, the biggest concern surrounding the Phoenix Suns right now is rebounding.
It’s not like this was a great rebounding team a season ago. Phoenix ranked 20th in the NBA, averaging 43.1 rebounds per game, while its 49.8% rebounding percentage ranked 14th. Over the course of the season, the Suns finished with a rebound differential of minus-46 and were outrebounded in 43 games.
You could point to the advanced rebounding metrics of Miles Bridges and make the case that his addition should improve Phoenix’s overall performance on the glass. But holistically, Bridges is a slightly above-average rebounder, and his arrival hasn’t moved the needle through the first two games.
"We've all got to do a better job of rebounding, especially me. That's why they brought me here."
Miles Bridges (16 points, 7 rebounds) as Suns allowed 19 offensive rebounds (26 second-chance points in 131-122 win over Warriors.
He’s averaging 5.5 rebounds per game with a rebounding percentage of 7.9%. So Bridges has struggled, and the team as a whole has struggled. Which brings me to my stat: The Phoenix Suns are currently dead last in the NBA with a rebounding percentage of 41.6%. Combine that with the fact that they’re allowing 26 second-chance points per game, the most in the league, while generating only 10.5 second-chance points themselves, the fewest in the NBA.
Everything you’re seeing with your own eyes is supported by the numbers. This team has a rebounding problem.
Next Week
The competition gets increasingly difficult next week, although the Suns have only two games on the schedule. First up is the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, a team that has looked absolutely possessed to begin the season. They’re 3-0, although they’ll be playing tonight on the second night of a back-to-back after beating the Los Angeles Clippers last night.
In an unfortunate turn of events, Jalen Williams suffered a horrific ankle injury near the end of that game and is most likely done for the season. So Phoenix will be facing an emotional Thunder team following the loss of a player who fought so hard to return after missing the majority of last season. But at the end of the day, they’re still the Thunder, a buzzsaw of a team loaded with depth, length, and rebounding. They’re currently ninth in the NBA in total rebounds, averaging 46.3 per game.
Following that matchup, the Suns get a nice little break. Three nights off for us to sit and stew over whatever happens Monday against Oklahoma City. And their opponent on Friday? The Denver Nuggets, who currently sit at 1–1.
Denver lost its season opener to Oklahoma City before beating the New Orleans Pelicans in overtime on Saturday. They’ll face Golden State and New Orleans this week before traveling to Phoenix for what will be the Suns’ first NBA Cup game of the season. Long pause…I think you know how I feel about that event, and I’m going to do my best to never mention those thoughts again.
The point is that this week, the Suns will face players with a combined five MVP awards. That’s never going to be easy.
Week 2 will present a challenge as the Suns test themselves against some of the Western Conference’s top teams while also continuing to battle themselves. What have they learned from their first two games that they can carry forward? And more importantly, can they actually put those lessons into action?
That’s it for this week, Bright Siders. Stay frosty.
The Dodgers could have used a player like Miguel Vargas this year.
Their lineup was starved for power at times and Vargas homered 31 times. Their team was old and Vargas was a 26-year-old All-Star.
Here’s the irony: Just two years ago, the Dodgers had Vargas on their roster.
But the Dodgers didn’t have an open corner-infield position for him. When they failed to turn him into an outfielder, they traded him.
Miguel Vargas of the Chicago White Sox looks on after striking out during the fourth inning in game five of the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians. Getty Images
Dealing Vargas wasn’t a mistake.
In the three-team trade that sent him to the Chicago White Sox, the Dodgers received Tommy Edman, who helped them win two World Series. And it’s not as if a position for Vargas would have opened up. Max Muncy remains at third base, Vargas’ primary position. Freddie Freeman is at first.
Talent is only one factor in replacing one generation of players with the next. Timing is equally important.
This will be particularly relevant for the Dodgers as they attempt to turn over their roster in the coming years.
They had the oldest team in the major leagues this year. And while their farm system is considered to be one of the best in baseball, they have a disproportionate number of outfielders among their top prospects, further complicating an already-difficult process.
“A lot of the major-league onboarding is hard,” general manager Brandon Gomes said. “You can only get guys in Double A or Triple A up to the five- or 10-yard line. It’s hard to get them into the end zone to fully understand how to hit the ground running in the big leagues.”
A number of the Dodgers’ minor leaguers are already at the metaphorical red zone.
No. 1 prospect Josue De Paula was called up to the major leagues directly from Double A in September. In 11 regular-season games, he displayed an advanced knowledge of the strike zone for a 21-year-old, which led to him being included in the Dodgers’ postseason roster.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Josue De Paula celebrates in the dugout against the San Francisco Giants in the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Los Angeles. Wally Skalij for CA Post
De Paula is an outfielder, as are the organization’s No. 2 and 3 prospects in the MLB Pipeline rankings, 21-year-old Eduardo Quintero and 23-year-old Mike Sirota.
Quintero spent most of this year at High A. Sirota started the season there, too, but finished in Triple A.
The Dodgers’ No. 6 and 7 prospects are also outfielders. Charles Davalan, 22, had a 24-homer season at High A. James Tibbs III, 24, homered 30 times at Triple A.
The major league team currently doesn’t have a vacancy in their starting outfield. Left fielder Teoscar Hernández and right fielder Kyle Tucker are under contract for next season. Center fielder Andy Pages remains under team control.
Tucker has three years and $175 million remaining on his contract, which makes him unmovable. Pages could be rewarded a $5 million salary next season in the arbitration process but would still be a major bargain at that price.
That makes Hernández as the likeliest player to be traded, as he will be entering the final season of his three-year contract. Shipping out Hernández would clear a spot for De Paula, but what about the team’s other outfield prospects?
Gomes pointed to how Davalan has been playing second base in the Arizona Fall League, which is basically a finishing school for top prospects. Increased versatility can better prepare players to take advantage of unexpected opportunities.
Andrew Friedman, President of baseball operations for the Los Angeles Dodgers, speaks to the media prior to game one of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Getty Images
“A lot of it is there tends to be injuries or other things that happen where you look up and, ‘Oh, now we’re calling guys up from Double-A to Triple-A to fill time,’” Gomes said. “I think it’s going into a season having a plan and being able to adjust off of that.”
With experience at first base, Tibbs could be an insurance policy of sorts for 37-year-old Freeman.
De Paula, who is a notoriously weak defender, projects more as a designated hitter at this point and could be a backup for Shohei Ohtani.
“Things work themselves out,” president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. “We’ve talked about this a lot. There are times where you wake up one day and you’re too left-handed. You start to address it. Wake up another day and say, ‘Wow, we’re too right-handed now.’ Things happen. Like right now, we have a really talented group of outfielders coming through our minor league system. There have been times where we haven’t. We also have a lot of really talented infielders coming as well, but for us it’s just about having as many many talented players as we can, and things tend to sort themselves out.”
Sometimes they work themselves out with a future All-Star being traded for a player who could be a solid contributor on a championship team.
The Warriors are 0-3 and still in search of their first win of the 2026-27 NBA season, but rookie Yaxel Lendeborg has been a major bright spot to start the campaign, averaging 18.7 points and 8.3 rebounds while starting every game.
But that does not mean he can’t improve. Speaking to reporters Saturday’s loss to the Suns, Warriors coach Steve Kerr pinpointed where he needs to see Lendeborg improve his game in order to be the ideal star for the franchise.
Steve Kerr on Yaxel Lendeborg's defense:
"His weak-side awareness right now is very poor. And with his size, he should be one of our best defenders at the rim. And right now, he's unaware on the weak-side" pic.twitter.com/g5cGzAqdqS
“He’s fearless and he’s huge and he’s got a great skill set,” Kerr told reporters. “He can dribble, pass, and shoot. The biggest thing is just continuing to learn the NBA, and he’s going to feel that, he’s going to do that. He had a play in the first half [against the Suns on Oct. 24] where he got free and then he launched himself into [Suns big man Khaman Maluach]. We saw that play a few times [on Oct. 23 against the Grizzlies] with Edey [Grizzlies big man Zach Edey].
“That’s got to be a pull-up jumper. That’s got to be a Euro step. That’s got to be a kick it out. In college, he could do that, but this is a different league, and he’ll learn. He’s playing a ton, and he’s going to get all these reps, and we’re going to keep showing him film, and he’ll get better and better. The defensive side is where I want to see the most improvement, though. His weak side awareness right now is very poor, and with his size, he should be one of our best defenders at the rim. Right now, he’s unaware on the weak side, and that’s an area he really has to improve.”
Lendeborg took the league by storm as soon as the Warriors selected him with the No. 11 overall pick in this year’s draft. Leading the team to a summer league title, he won MVP for both the championship game and the entire summer league after averaging 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists.
Lendeborg has faced tough tests early on, guarding Lakers star Luka Dončić on opening night. That game, Dončić dropped 28 points and led all players in the game in scoring. It is games like that could be good lessons to help him improve and become a defensive anchor.
The Warriors take the floor again on Monday night, when they travel to Denver to face the Nuggets. The Nuggets have a lot of scorers on their team, headlined by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić, making it a crucial defensive game. Lendeborg will need to put his best foot forward if he wants to lead Golden State to its first win of the season.
Steve Smith showed discomfort while batting for the best part of an hour in the nets on the eve of the series-deciding Test against South Africa but the Australians are confident the champion will be fit to play on Tuesday in Cape Town.
MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 24: Aaron Ashby #26 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches in the ninth inning during Game Two of the 2026 World Series presented by Capital One between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Saturday, October 24, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
After winning Games 1 & 2 of the World Series in Milwaukee, the Brewers are now in St. Petersburg as they’re set to take on the Tampa Bay Rays for Games 3, 4, & 5 (if needed). In Sunday’s workout day press conferences, Pat Murphy, Aaron Ashby, & Brice Turang all chatted with the media. Here’s what they had to say.
Pat Murphy
Pat Murphy — in typical Pat Murphy fashion — started his press conference with some icebreaking, as a reporter let Murphy know that Mike Vasallo figured out he moved past legend Casey Stengel for managerial wins in his first three seasons, with plenty of other legendary names on the list. Murphy, never one to toot his own horn, was then asked what traits he likes about some of those other guys, including Joe Torre.
“I like about Joe Torre that he looked like he was sleeping in the dugout. I’m like, are his eyes open? He told me all about it. So I’m grateful for that friendship. He was at Game 1, did you know that? He was there, and I got to see him,” Murphy deadpanned.
When it came to “real” questions, as Murphy called them, he was asked about potential check swing challenges, specifically in regard to Yandy Díaz’s controversial swing call to end Game 2.
“I can say this in general, that’s why the league is testing this opportunity to maybe be having a check bat and have a definition of what it really is because it is so tough to see and tough to judge,” Murphy said. “We’ve had a couple like that go against us, and you see the barrel at some point — stop action, you see the barrel out in front of the plate, and you’re like, wait a minute. If he hits that ball, it’s maybe half pulled, and you can tend to see that. The one that I saw last night, from the view that I saw last night, I’m like, no, he didn’t go. He did it so nicely, so quick, then brought his hands up. I didn’t feel like where I’m standing — I’ve got a pretty good view, but I didn’t think they were going to call it. Now, when you slow it down, sure enough, his barrel’s in front. That’s why we’re getting into these rule changes and ways to make the game even better.”
Despite the seven-day layoff between the NLCS and World Series, Milwaukee has come out strong in the first couple of games, and Murphy explained that he chatted with several former managers who went through these long layoffs previously.
“I’ve talked to a lot of managers that have went through it. They all had great things to add. Everybody has a different makeup of a team. Everybody’s team makeup is different. I try to blend it all together and see what works,” Murphy said. “The one thing I arrived at is contrived antics to create a game probably has to come from within. The players would have to kind of make it that competitive themselves. So bringing in fans and doing things like that, I didn’t feel like was going to feel organic. And I just wanted — I wanted the guys to rest and I wanted them — and we’re still — you can see the rust that we still have from being off that long.”
He went on to add that he’s been impressed with the team’s competitiveness even with that long layoff.
“We went out yesterday and saw 184 pitches. That’s abnormal, and that’s what — now, we left 12 guys on base. When you see 184, you usually score more than whatever number of runs we scored. So it’s one of those things where the competing part, but the layoff is a real deal,” Murphy said. “I’m sure MLB has had this on their plate for a long time.”
Murphy ended by answering a question about how to help his team avoid looking ahead too far with a 2-0 series lead.
“These guys are Major League players. They’ve been through all sorts of ups and downs over the last seven months, all sorts of, oh, my career is going this way, oh, injuries, adversity, stuff off the field, whatever it might be. These guys go through it, and they know the reality of playing today in the now. What can I get out of today? Tomorrow will take care of itself. What do I get out of today? I think that’s number one. Hopefully we reiterate it or they reiterate it to each other. Hey, take care of business today. It really becomes a team sport, and they let each other know like, hey, you got the responsibility in me, I have it to you. So that starts up here. The mentality is crucial,” Murphy said.
Aaron Ashby & Brice Turang
Building off of that last question Murphy answered, both Aaron Ashby and Brice Turang addressed the key to avoiding looking ahead to begin their joint press conference.
“I think we just go out and continue to play our game, just trying to win tonight. Like that mentality of winning tonight is so big for us. It’s been big for us during the season as well. I think with that mentality moving forward, trying to win every pitch, win every game, it doesn’t matter what happened the previous days, it matters about tonight and winning tonight,“ Turang said.
“Yeah, just kind of this mindset of like 0-0. We know they’re going to come out and fight us hard. Just got to keep our head down and play as hard as we can as many games as it takes,” Ashby said.
They were also asked about William Contreras’ game management and the impact he’s had on Milwaukee’s postseason run.
“I feel like I’ve been blessed to have him as kind of our back stop for three years ago now. So I get to see it night in and night out,” Ashby said. “He’s certainly one of those guys that locks it in and just seems to do those extraordinary things in the bigger moments, which is special. Not everyone has the ability to do that. He’s just kind of our captain out there, man, especially for the pitchers. He’s in control. You trust what he sees behind the plate with hitter swings and maybe what our stuff looks like, if it’s good or not as good as the night before. Easy guy to follow from a pitcher’s standpoint for sure.”
“The confidence he carries, the — I mean, just the weight of being a catcher is already hard, having to deal with the pitching staff and then your offense and your defense, and he does a great job at all three,” Turang said. “The way he handles the game and takes control is really impressive. It speaks for himself. He’s one of the best catchers in baseball. It’s been a pleasure to have him on the team and see him work. Yeah, I’m excited to see how things continue for him.”
Ashby was also happy to answer a question about Brewers fans traveling to Tampa for the series.
“Maybe this postseason is just — you know, with the craziness and ticket prices maybe in Milwaukee, and then for some of those fans to be able to get down here, that’s super special for them. I hope we can make them happy and make it worth their trip to come down here and support us,” Ashby said. Any time you can get some of your home fans on the road, it makes a huge difference when they’re on your side.”
Both players were asked about what it will be like to face former teammate Freddy Peralta in Game 3.
“Yeah, it will be fun. We’ll be having some fun going to compete against him. It’s part of his story. Part of everyone’s kind of story is learning, and it makes you better. Going through some rough times makes you better. But I think it will be fun being able to go out there and compete against him,” Turang said.
“I’m sure you’ve heard it from everyone, but everyone in our clubhouse was around him last year for the most part, and he’s like one of the best teammates you can have. He’s an unbelievable pitcher, but maybe another — like just the same, exact, awesome, fun dude every single day. He was a huge part in our organization’s success, and everyone over there in our clubhouse loves that dude,” Ashby said. “Excited for him and what’s to come for him. I hope we compete our butts off against him tomorrow.”
In one of the funnier moments of the day, Ashby and Turang were both taken aback with pleasure when they found out about the stingray tank in Tampa Bay’s outfield concourse.
Ashby: “They have stingrays in the outfield here? I didn’t know that.”
Turang: “I think it’s cool. Can you touch them, like the two-finger touch? Yeah, that’s cool. That’s really cool.”
Ashby: “Maybe we should have a brewery.”
Turang: “I think we have some. I think we’ve got some, right?”
Ashby: “We have a brewery in the stadium? … We need a bigger brewery and more in sight so I can see it; I guess, it would probably help.”
Draymond Green has stood witness to greatness before. Nearly a decade ago, Green was a pillar of the Warriors’ budding dynasty, spearheaded by two MVP seasons from Steph Curry.
Since Curry’s first MVP in the 2014-15 season, half of the award’s winners have been guards, including Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the last two seasons.
But one name has been around the conversation and never won it: Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić.
On Monday’s episode of “The Draymond Green Show,” Green explained why he does not envision Dončić ever taking home the trophy.
“I still don’t think there’s any chance that he’s going to win MVP, because the moment he has a few bad games or an injury that costs him a couple games, people are going to flip back on ‘Oh, same Luka,’ and that’s just my opinion,” Green said. “I think people get bored with with greatness. I think Luka’s been doing great things for a very long time now, and I think they’re going to stay bored with it.”
In his first season on the Lakers without LeBron James, who now is a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, Dončić has led the Lakers to a 3-0 start.
Dončić had 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in the Lakers’ 127-105 season-opening win over the Warriors, where rookie Yaxel Lendeborg said he lost respect for Dončić.
Dončić has ended up top five in the MVP race on four different occasions, with a career-high finish of third place in the 2023-24 season as a member of the Dallas Mavericks, before he was shockingly traded to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis.
The Lakers superstar also is a two-time scoring champion and a five-time First-Team All-NBA selection this decade.
Green mentioned that voters are likely to look at previous MVP winners like Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, in addition to San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, and the lack of an MVP award would not be an indictment on Dončić’s production.
“He’s in Year 9, and the people who vote, they’ve already moved on,” Green added. “Hopefully, for his sake, he can go beat that out. But I stand by what I said. Voters get fatigued with seeing you be great over and over again, and if you haven’t jumped that threshold of the MVP-great, then they move on, and they’ve moved on … But not because of his play, as I said from the gate. It’s just the way it goes.”
Through three games, Dončić is second in the NBA in points (34.3), ninth in assists (8), fourth in free throws made per game (8) and first in 3-pointers made per game (5).
His seven turnovers per game also are a league-high, a number which needs to come down if he does want a shot at winning his first MVP.
But, if Dončić is able to maintain this level of play as the Lakers continue to win, Green’s prediction could be quickly proven wrong.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 12: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #7 of the Atlanta Hawks is defended by Otega Oweh #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of a preseason game at State Farm Arena on October 12, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 GettyImages License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Last season’s star for the Kentucky Wildcats, Otega Oweh, heard his name called this past summer in the NBA draft when the Oklahoma City Thunder selected him with the 41st overall pick.
He showed flashes in the preseason and it looked like he would have a very good chance at carving out an immediate roll with the NBA title-contenders until he ruptured his achilles just before the regular season began.
It got worse this weekend when the Thunder — after using a second round pick on Oweh just a handful of months ago — decided to waive him from the team.
Professional sports can certainly be “ruthless” and we should all come together to wish him a speedy recovery.
In more Kentucky basketball news, head coach Mark Pope and this year’s team will face UCF in their final exhibition game this Wednesday.
Kentucky is fresh off an impressive comeback over Top-25 Texas Tech last Friday in Rupp Arena.
This Wednesday’s game is scheduled for 6 PM ET with coverage on the SEC Network.
In addition, the Mavericks have removed point guard Kyrie Irving from their updated injury report. Irving missed Saturday's game against the Spurs as a precaution in managing his left knee injury.
James Hagens is the Boston Bruins’ youngest player at just 19 years old. And through the first 12 games of the 2026-27 NHL season, the rookie forward is proving to be one of the team’s most important players, too.
Hagens has given the Bruins everything they’ve needed and more so far.
Let’s start with his offensive production.
Hagens picked up an assist on Casey Mittelstadt’s goal that opened the scoring in Saturday’s game against the San Jose Sharks at TD Garden. He gave the Bruins a 4-3 lead in the third period by cashing in on a loose puck in the crease. The goal came just 40 seconds after David Pastrnak tied the score. The Garden crowd went crazy after Hagens’ go-ahead tally.
Hagens is tied for the NHL lead in rookie scoring with nine points (four goals, five assists). He has tallied at least one point in seven of his 12 games. He’s posting these numbers with third-line ice time and without being on the top power-play unit.
The speed and playmaking ability he has displayed at 5-on-5 and the power play has been impressive. The Bruins desperately needed to add high-end offensive talent to their roster after scoring just 1.25 goals over the final four games of their first-round playoff series loss to the Buffalo Sabres last season. Hagens is helping give the Bruins an offensive jolt, and he’s doing it in ways not often seen by a teenage rookie.
Three of his four goals have come within seven feet of the net. He has no fear driving hard to the net and battling taller, bigger and stronger defensemen. Hagens fights for good position and often gets the prime real estate around the crease. One great example came in last week’s overtime loss to the Dallas Stars.
Hagens beat Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen to the net and deflected a Mittelstadt pass past Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger to give Boston a lead in the second period.
James Hagens continues his hot start to the season with a goal 🚨
“He’s smart. He’s obviously not a big guy, but for his age, he’s very smart around the net, and even the goal in Dallas, that’s even more impressive than today, I feel like, with outmuscling the D over there,” David Pastrnak told reporters after Saturday’s win. “Like I said, fun to watch and seeing him every game being more comfortable and it’s up to us to push him and be here for him and help him every day.”
For years, the Bruins have not gotten inside ice enough. Hagens is helping to turn the tide in that regard. Hagens has been a high-end skill guy at every level he’s played. He’ll be that in the NHL, too. But to score consistently at this level, you have to be willing to pay the price and battle in the tough areas of the ice.
“We’re pushing him pretty hard, getting more to the paint and getting more to the inside,” Bruins head coach Marco Sturm said after the win vs. the Sharks. “That’s where you score the goals. Good for him that he realized that. Look at his four goals he scored, right? Good for him just listening and taking it really seriously.”
Hagens is showing his toughness in other ways, too.
He leads all NHL forwards, not just rookies, with 16 blocked shots. His willingness to put his body on the line and thwart potential scoring chances is admirable. It’s a great example of how he’s doing all the little things to make an impact.
“It’s definitely something that I try to take pride in,” Hagens told reporters last week when asked about blocking shots. “It’s just the d-zone, and when a guy is getting ready to shoot, if that’s your guy, you’re going to make sure that you’re in the shooting lane.”
There are still a ton of games left in Hagens’ rookie season. There will likely be a few tough stretches, like any other rookie goes through. But the early results from his first full NHL campaign have been fantastic.
The Bruins didn’t get lucky in the 2025 or 2026 draft lotteries. In fact, they were very unlucky in those two instances.
But Hagens falling all the way to No. 7 in 2025 — when he was projected to go No. 1 overall early in his draft year — was a pretty massive stroke of luck for the Bruins that should benefit the franchise for a long, long time.
