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Arizona Diamondbacks News 8/18: Grand Night at the Park

Diamondbacks shortstop Ketel Marte (4) practice swings as he waits to take the batters box against the Angels during a game at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. on June 17, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co

Game Recaps

Diamondbacks, minus Ketel Marte, look uninspired in a Boston blowout by Nick Piecoro [AZ Central]

Lefty Mitch Bratt gave up three runs in three innings and right-hander Zack Littell allowed eight runs (six earned) in 3 2/3 innings.

It was just the Diamondbacks’ 13th loss in their past 34 games — they entered the day tied for the second-most wins in the majors since July 9 — but given the circumstances surrounding Marte and how thoroughly they were beaten, it felt like it could be more than just another loss.

Day of promise for Diamondbacks turns ugly from Marte’s absence to poor pitching vs. Red Sox by Alex Weiner [Arizona Sports]

The Arizona Diamondbacks started their Monday on an encouraging note, by reinstating reliever Justin Martinez and outfielder Jordan Lawlar from the injured list while they prepared for a series opener against the Boston Red Sox.

The day ended with the Diamondbacks putting up a sloppy performance in an 11-1 loss at Fenway Park, preluded by second baseman Ketel Marte getting placed on the restricted list moments before first pitch as a no-show. The reason for Marte’s absence was not immediately clear — manager Torey Lovullo told reporters it was due to personal reasons — but his status becomes the most pressing issue facing the team.

Diamondbacks News

D-backs place star 2B Ketel Marte on restricted list by Steve Gilbert [Dbacks.com]

As of 20 minutes before the start of Monday night’s series opener with the Red Sox, the Diamondbacks still had not put out a lineup.

Not long after that it became clear why, when the team announced that second baseman Ketel Marte had been placed on the restricted list. Marte did not show up to Fenway Park, per a team official, and the D-backs waited until close to game time with the hope that he would arrive.

Torey Lovullo Addresses Ketel Marte’s Baffling Unexcused Absence in Boston by Alex D’Agostino [SI]

A visibly emotional Lovullo had this to say:

“It”s been a crazy day. All I know is that he’s dealing with a personal issue. We’re trying to figure that out. He didn’t show up today and he was put on the restricted list. That’s as much as I know right now. I’m sure in time we’ll start to uncover and unravel some information.”

Lovullo said he “knew that there was something going on” when he met with the media ahead of the game, but still expected the second baseman to report to Fenway Park.

Diamondbacks get RHP Justin Martinez, OF Jordan Lawlar back as wave of reinforcements arrive by Alex Weiner [Arizona Sports]

Arizona Diamondbacks fireball-throwing relief pitcher Justin Martinez is active for the first time in 14 months, as he has returned from Tommy John surgery to bolster the bullpen for the final quarter of the season.

The Diamondbacks reinstated Martinez and dynamic outfielder Jordan Lawlar from the injured list on Monday before facing the Boston Red Sox, representing the next wave of help coming off the IL for a team expecting more reinforcements down the stretch.

Corbin Carroll Named National League Player of the Week [MLB]

D-backs’ OF Corbin Carroll was named National League Player of the Week (August 10-16) for the third time in his career (also: June 5-11, 2023 and Aug. 26-Sept. 1, 2024). He is the third D-back to earn the honor this season, joining Ildemaro Vargas (April 20-26) and Ketel Marte (May 18-24).

It is the third time in franchise history where 3 different D-backs position players earned the weekly honor in a season, joining 1999 (Jay Bell, Matt Williams, Steve Finley) and 2019 (Eduardo Escobar, Nick Ahmed, Ketel Marte).

Around the League

Benge reminds Padres you don’t run on him. Twice. In the same inning. by Bill Ladson [MLB]

San Diego decided to run on him twice in the first inning of Monday’s game against the Mets, and Benge threw out both of them on back-to-back plays, becoming the first player in franchise history to throw out two runners at home in the same inning. Those putouts proved pivotal in helping New York nab the series opener, 2-1, at Citi Field.

With runners on first and second, one out and Mets right-hander Nolan McLean on the mound, Ty France singled to right-center field. Jake Cronenworth attempted to come home, but he was easily thrown out at the plate by Benge, whose throw clocked in at 99.9 mph.

MLB unanimously approves sale of San Diego Padres [ESPN]

Major League Baseball’s team owners unanimously approved the sale of the San Diego Padres to an investor group led by private equity billionaire José E. Feliciano and his wife and business partner, Kwanza Jones.

The league announced the approval Monday after a vote. Feliciano and Jones reached an agreement in May to buy the Padres from the family of late owner Peter Seidler at an MLB-record valuation of $3.9 billion. The deal is still contingent on the official closing of the transaction in the coming weeks.

The Dodgers Fall Behind by Ryan Blake [FanGraphs]

The Dodgers are not the best team in baseball right now.

It’s been a tough go of late for the team supposedly breaking the sport. The Dodgers began August with a seven-game losing streak, and they’ve played two games below .500 since the All-Star break. They just dropped three of four to the Brewers over the weekend, ceding their standing as the top team in the majors.

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What can the Seahawks learn from the Mariners and Brewers?

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 21: Sam Darnold and head coach Mike Macdonald of the Seattle Seahawks react after the ceremonial first pitch with other members of the team before the game between the Seattle Mariners and the Cincinnati Reds at T-Mobile Park on July 21, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Baseball talk? I thought this was a football website!

Don’t worry, I’ll tie it all together by the end.

As some of you may remember, I’m a Seattle Seahawks aficionado born, raised, and living in the great state of Wisconsin. Even if I’m not a Cheesehead like most of my fellow Wisconsinites, I am a fan of the Milwaukee Brewers. I’m guessing that a good number of you reading this follow the Seattle Mariners who just so happen to be opening a series against the Brewers. 

Now, I’m not an expert on the Mariners, but feel like I’ve gained enough knowledge through following the Seattle sports scene to be dangerous. The Brewers and Mariners actually have quite a bit in common – and no, I’m not talking about the Seattle Pilots relocating to Milwaukee to become the Brewers. We lost the Braves to Atlanta in 1965, so there’s some shared history there. The Brewers, like the Mariners, have never won a World Series, though they did appear in one, losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1982. The Brewers and San Diego Padres are the oldest MLB franchises to never win a World Series. Both the Brewers and Mariners made the Championship Series for their respective Leagues in 2025, each falling short. We feel your pain, Mariners fans. 

Yet, as the two teams prepare to square off in 2026, they couldn’t be in more different positions. The Mariners have been highly disappointing, even though the division has been within their reach for pretty much the entire season, with the Houston Astros currently leading the AL West at 63-62. Flip over to the National League with the Brewers coming off winning three of four games on the road against the Los Angeles Dodgers to push their record to 77-48 – the best record in all of Major League Baseball. Mariners fans will be able to watch the Brewers play, seeing what makes them so successful. 

So, what is that, and how can the Seahawks learn from it?

It’s pretty simple, and is actually what the Seahawks leaned on in 2025 as they won the Super Bowl: identity and belief.

Outside of a little spurt of success in the mid to late 2000s, the Brewers have been a historically middling franchise. Former Brewers player and hometown boy Craig Counsell took over as manager in 2015, and things changed. From 2015-2023, Counsell won over 700 games, leading the Brewers to the playoffs five times with three NL Central division titles.

After 2023, Counsell bolted for the division rival Chicago Cubs on a huge (for a manager) contract. His bench coach, Pat Murphy, replaced him as the manager. At the time, I figured Murphy would just be a fall guy, and last a season or two like many of the former managers. 

Boy, I couldn’t have been more wrong!

All Murphy did was post two consecutive 90-win seasons, set the Brewers franchise record for wins in a season, take home two NL Central Division titles, and be named NL Manager of the Year for both 2024 and 2025. He’s on pace to potentially make that three in a row in 2026 by leaning hard into pitching, defense, and playing small ball. In a league where the home run is king, the Brewers consistently win by getting guys on base and moving them over whether that’s from swiping bags or sac bunts. The best word to describe their play is “pesky.” The Brewers spray the ball to the gaps, take the extra base, and work the count. They have fantastic starting pitching and a shutdown bullpen. Milwaukee prioritizes playing great defense, saving runs in that capacity. 

They also love playing for Murph. He’s an old-school type of manager, getting a little testy at times. However, he’s able to relate to the players and get them to fully buy into his vision. Contrast that with what I’ve gathered about the Mariners situation. They seem like a ship without a rudder, no clear direction or vision. The talent level on the Brewers roster isn’t leagues above the Mariners. In fact, you can argue that the Mariners actually have more talent in some areas. However, the Brewers believe in their leadership and are executing the vision of their manager to near-perfection.

THAT is what the Seahawks and Mike Macdonald can take from the Brewers and Mariners, a renewed conviction in their way of life. The Mariners and Brewers were both on the precipice of greatness in 2025, yet are traveling in opposite directions in 2026. Milwaukee’s continued focus on playing Pat Murphy’s style of ball has them in position to take another step forward this season, proving the importance of a strong culture and belief system. This is another example that Mike Macdonald and the Seahawks can look to in 2026 as they prepare to “run it forward.”

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Buss trying to block siblings' sale of LA Lakers

Lakers president and controlling owner Jeanie Buss, attends a game between the Lakers and the Bucks at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles
Jeanie Buss became the first female controlling owner to guide a team to an NBA championship in 2020 [Getty Images]

Los Angeles Lakers governor Jeanie Buss is trying to block her siblings' sale of her family's remaining stake in the NBA franchise.

Josh Kushner, the brother of US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared, and former Disney chief executive Bob Iger agreed a deal last week to buy the controlling interest in one of the world's most iconic sports teams from Mark Walter for$12.5bn (£9.3bn).

Walter bought his share from the Buss family last year for about $10bn (£7.5bn) in a deal that ensured Jeanie remained as governor until 2030.

The Buss family, who have been either a primary or minority owner of the Lakers since 1979, released a statement on Monday saying they had voted to sell their remaining 17.8% stake to the incoming owners.

"We have decided as a family to sell the remaining Buss Family Trust shares to the Bob Iger group as part of the ongoing transaction," the statement read.

"We love the Lakers, Lakers fans and will continue to support Los Angeles; but it is time to use this opportunity to move on and exit gracefully while we still can."

However, Jeanie's lawyer has now said she plans to fight her siblings' plan to sell.

The Buss family trust comprises of Jerry Buss' six children, with Jeanie serving as the governor of the Lakers since her father's death in 2013.

Jeanie's lawyer Adam Streisand said in a letter to her five siblings that any vote for a sale "would be and is void" because her approval as one of three co-trustees, along with siblings Joey and Janie Buss, is needed for such a move.

"Co-trustees are bound to vote to ensure that the minimum 15% ownership requirement is maintained in order to ensure that Jeanie Buss may remain controlling owner," the letter said, according to ESPN.

"Any attempt by the co-trustees to aid or abet the co-trustees as such, would constitute a breach of trust, breach of fiduciary duty and be in contempt of court.

"On behalf of Jeanie Buss, I demand that your clients make clear publicly that Jeanie Buss is the controlling owner of the Los Angeles Lakers and that your clients shall take no action on this supposed 'vote' to sell the 17.8% stake."

Despite Jeanie's objections, her siblings Johnny, Jimmy, Janie, Joey and Jesse reiterated their stance on Tuesday in a statement saying they "remain united in that decision".

"We intend to move forward thoughtfully, respectfully and through the appropriate process," they added.

Jerry Buss bought the Lakers in a $67.5m deal (£50m) in 1979 that included the Los Angeles Kings hockey team and a Los Angeles arena that is known as the Kia Forum.

After he died in 2013, ownership was passed to his six children before a deal was completed with Walter, who also owns a stake in the LA Dodgers with Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly.

The LA Lakers have 17 NBA titles - 11 of which were won under the ownership of the Buss family - one less than the record tally held by the Boston Celtics.

The deal involving Josh Kushner comes after he was part of the recent controversy surrounding Fifa president Gianni Infantino and an aborted plan to sell off stakes in the governing body's competitions to private investors.

Thrive Eternal, an American venture capital firm founded by Kushner, was expected to lead the proposed investor group for the Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal.

The proposed sale of the Lakers still needs to be approved by the NBA's board of governors next month.

But if it goes through, it would be the most expensive sports team sale ever reported - and Walter will have made a quick $2.5bn (£1.9bn) profit on his investment.

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Tigers seek series-clinching road win vs Pirates on Tuesday night

The Detroit Tigers snapped their three-game losing streak on Monday night with an 8-5 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. At one point, the good guys had a seven-run lead, but a four-run seventh inning made things a little too close for comfort.

Taking the mound for the Motor City Kitties seeking to clinch the series is right-hander Keider Montero, whose results have wavered back and forth since returning to the starting role. The 26-year-old’s last time out was a strong one, tossing 6 1/3 innings of shutout ball on three hits and a walk without issuing a strikeout.

In fact, the Tigers did not strike out a single batter in that 3-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians, marking the first time a team threw a shutout without registering a K since Detroit did it 14 years prior.

For the home team, fellow righty Braxton Ashcraft will climb the hill looking to even things up. The 26-year-old has had a strong showing so far during his sophomore season, earning an All-Star nod for his efforts.

Ashcraft’s last start was the best of his career — a complete-game effort that saw him allow one solo home run and three total hits along with a walk while striking out 10. He earned his 12th win in the process as the Bucs prevailed, 13-1.

Here is a look at how Detroit and Pittsburgh’s pitchers match up on Tuesday.

Detroit Tigers (61-64) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (61-66)

Time (ET): 6:40 p.m.
Place: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
SB Nation Site:Bucs Dugout
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network

Game 126: RHP Keider Montero (9-7, 3.22 ERA) vs. RHP Braxton Ashcraft (12-5, 3.88 ERA)

PlayerGIPK%BB%GB%FIPfWAR
Montero26128.216.75.641.03.852.2
Ashcraft24141.127.05.744.83.582.9

MONTERO

ASHCRAFT

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What happened to Ketel Marte? What we know about Diamondbacks no-show.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are still awaiting more word from All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte, who did not show up for the team's game in Boston on Monday night and was put on the restricted list.

Manager Torey Lovullo said the team was hoping Marte would arrive at the park before game time, but less than 15 minutes before first pitch, officials made the decision to replace Marte on the roster with Class AAA infielder José Fernández.

Outfielder Lars Nootbaar took Marte's place in the starting lineup as the designated hitter.

Lovullo said he was told Marte is dealing with a “personal issue.”

"That’s as much as I know right now," he said. "I’m sure in time we’ll start to uncover and unravel some information."

Where is Ketel Marte?

Marte did travel from Atlanta to Boston on the team plane Sunday night. However, he did not show up at Fenway Park for Monday's game.

General manager Mike Hazen told the Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network, Marte was still in Boston, but he wasn't sure when the three-time All-Star would rejoin the team.

"It’s unfortunate he wasn’t there tonight," Hazen said. "I’ll leave it at that."

What did his teammates say about Ketel Marte?

After the game, both Diamondbacks right fielder Corbin Carroll and shortstop Geraldo Perdomo sounded sympathetic to Marte and his situation.

"I mean, I think if anything you’re hoping he’s all right and just want to make sure everything is good there," Carroll said, according to the Arizona Republic. "Some of us who have maybe spent a little bit more time with him, maybe that was in the back of our minds a little bit. More just out of wanting to be there for the guy."

Said Perdomo: "Everybody has their own personal stuff. At the end of the day, we are a family and we’re going to support everybody no matter what. We came here to play, and that’s the only goal we have is to win some games."

Ketel Marte's absences from the Diamondbacks

This isn't the first time Marte has been placed on the restricted list for not showing up for games.

Last year, he missed two games following the All-Star break when he traveled to his native Dominican Republic after a burglary in his Scottsdale, Arizona, home.

The Diamondbacks put him on the restricted list for another game.

He apologized later for how he handled the situation.

Contributing: Nick Piecoro, Arizona Republic

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What happened to Ketel Marte? What we know about Diamondbacks no-show.

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Rays Minor League Roundup: Week 19

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JULY 25: Grady Emerson, the second pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, reacts after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game against the Cleveland Guardians at Tropicana Field on July 25, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Parker S. Freedman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

This was the 19th week of full minor league play (stats are entering play on Tuesday, August 18th).

According to FanGraphs (which factors in age and proximity to the big leagues), prospect Theo Gillen tops the system and might just find himself in the running for Minor League Player of the Year.

Meanwhile, Aidan Cremarosa remains the top hurler in the system despite spending the past several weeks on the Injured List; he was recently activated. Thus far in his first professional season, Cremarosa has a 2.75 ERA | 2.62 FIP with a 32.7 K% & 4.4 BB% over 59 IP in Single-A

RUMBLINGS

  • Theo Gillen left a game early last weekend after being hit in the left leg by a pitch. Gillen stayed on his feet but was clearly in a lot of pain. He would walk off the field under his own power but with a noticeable limp.
  • Grady Emerson has been assigned to Single-A Charleston and will make his professional debut. The #2 overall draft pick has been excelling in the Bridge League.
  • Blake Morgan has been promoted to High-A after a solid run with Single-A to begin his pro career. The 2025 19th rounder had a 3.47 ERA | 3.97 FIP with a 26.1 K% & 5.7 BB% over 62 1/3 IP prior to his promotion.
  • Xavier Isaac made Baseball America’s Hot Sheet
    • “No one should ever doubt Isaac’s power. He can go on runs where everything he hits seems to have a chance to clear the fence. This month is the third time he’s hit six homers in a month. But unlike the other two times, he’s doing it this time without the strikeouts that have usually come with the power. Isaac has a 15% strikeout rate this month. That’s way down from the 29.7% K-rate he had coming into this month. Isaac has shown signs of being a hitter and not just a slugger in the past. If this improvement is sustainable, watch out.“

TEAM LEADERS

  • Must currently be assigned to that team
  • Baseball America’s top ten prospects are featured below each team they’re currently assigned to.
  • (minimum of 200 TBF & PA)

Tampa Bay Rays

Top 10 Prospects

  • None currently on active roster

Durham Bulls

Team Offensive Leaders:
AVG: .264, Blake Sabol
OBP: .335, Blake Sabol
SLG: .425, Blake Sabol
HR: 11, Carson Williams, Blake Sabol, & Logan Davidson
wRC+: 95, Blake Sabol
SB: 31, Homer Bush Jr

Team Pitching Leaders:
ERA: 2.37, Evan Reifert
FIP: 3.50, Ty Johnson
K%: 34.4% Ty Johnson
BB%: 4.2%, Mason Englert
WHIP: 0.99, Ty Johnson
AVG: .173, Ty Johnson
WHIFF%: 16.0%, Ty Johnson

Top 10 Prospects

  • #3 Brody Hopkins
    • AAA: 5.34 ERA | 5.09 FIP | 26.9 K% | 21.6 BB% | .202 AVG | 12.0 WHIFF% | 86 IP

Montgomery Biscuits

Team Offensive Leaders:
AVG: .309, Austin Overn
OBP: .412, Xavier Isaac
SLG: .565, Austin Overn
HR: 23, Will Simpson & Xavier Isaac
wRC+: 151, Austin Overn
SB: 48, Austin Overn

Team Pitching Leaders:
ERA: 4.29, Chris Clark
FIP: 4.62, Chris Clark
K%: 26.0%, Jackson Baumeister
BB%:  3.2%, Santiago Suarez
WHIP 1.18, Santiago Suarez & Chris Clark
AVG: .225, Jackson Baumeister
WHIFF%: 14.2%, Jackson Baumeister

Top 10 Prospects

  • #1 Theo Gillen
    • AA: .290/.395/.552 | 20.8 K% | 13.9 BB% | 9 HR | 11 SB | 147 wRC+ | 173 PA
    • A+: .342/.449/.589 | 23.8 K% | 14.3 BB% | 12 HR | 28 SB | 165 wRC+ | 265 PA
      • 6/23: Promoted to Double-A
  • #5 Caden Bodine
    • AA: .298/.385/.405 | 5.8 K% | 11.5 BB% | 3 HR | 3 SB | 115 wRC+ | 156 PA
    • A+: .341/.411/.477 | 6.6 K% | 7.3 BB% | 4 HR | 3 SB | 132 wRC+ | 151 PA
    • A: .379/.433/.614 | 3.9 K% | 9.2 BB% | 5 HR | 1 SB | 175 wRC+ | 152 PA
      • 6/30: Promoted to Double-A
      • 5/19: Promoted to High-A
  • #10 Santiago Suarez
    • AA: 4.89 ERA | 5.13 FIP | 19.5 K% | 3.2 BB% | .262 AVG | 11.1 WHIFF% | 103 IP

Bowling Green Hot Rods

Team Offensive Leaders:
AVG: .286, Ryan McCoy
OBP: .431, Ryan McCoy
SLG: .564, Ryan McCoy
HR: 20, Nathan Flewelling
wRC+: 154, Ryan McCoy
SB: 45, Tony Santa Maria

Team Pitching Leaders:
ERA: 3.88, Noah Beal
FIP: 3.99, Noah Beal
K%: 27.0%, Trevor Harrison
BB%: 5.3%, Dominic Niman
WHIP: 1.26, Dominic Niman
AVG: .233, Noah Beal
WHIFF%: 18.0%, Noah Beal

Top 10 Prospects

  • #4 Nathan Flewelling
    • A+: .239/.366/.451 | 27.0 K% | 15.2 BB% | 20 HR | 8 SB | 112 wRC+ | 448 PA
  • #9 Anderson Brito
    • A+: 3.34 ERA | 4.50 FIP | 28.8 K% | 14.4 BB% | .240 AVG | 13.4 WHIFF% | 32.1 IP
      • 5/23: Placed on 7-day Injured List

Charleston River Dogs

Team Offensive Leaders:
AVG: .330, Brady Marget
OBP: .429, Brady Marget
SLG: .473, Brady Marget
HR: 9, Cooper Flemming
wRC+: 146, Brady Marget
SB: 33, Alberth Palma

Team Pitching Leaders:
ERA: 2.67, Jacob Kuhn
FIP: 2.62, Aidan Cremarosa
K%: 32.7%, Aidan Cremarosa
BB%: 4.4%, Aidan Cremarosa
WHIP: 0.80, Aidan Cremarosa
AVG: .173, Aidan Cremarosa
WHIFF%: 16.5%, Aidan Cremarosa

Top 10 Prospects

  • #6 Cooper Flemming
    • A: .301/.388/.444 | 17.1 K% | 10.7 BB% | 9 HR | 14 SB | 128 wRC+ | 450 PA
  • #7 Taitn Gray
    • A: .275/.372/.425 | 23.4 K% | 12.9 BB% | 6 HR | 8 SB | 118 wRC+ | 248 PA
    • CPX: .333/.400/.611 | 20.0 K% | 5.0 BB% | 1 HR | 0 SB | 140 wRC+ | 20 PA
      • 6/1: Placed on the 7-day IL
      • 7/14: Began rehab assignment
      • 7/28: Activated from the IL
  • #9 Daniel Pierce
    • A: .252/.336/.390 | 28.6 K% | 7.9 BB% | 4 HR | 6 SB | 101 wRC+ | 140 PA
      • 4/22: Placed on the 7-day IL
      • 5/2: Activated from the IL
      • Hasn’t played since May 30th. Underwent shoulder surgery. Likely out for the year
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Braves vs Twins Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's MLB Game

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The Atlanta Braves are -130 favorites to even the series in Minnesota tonight.

With a powerful offense set to take on a pitcher who comes with extreme barrel concerns, my Braves vs. Twins predictions and MLB picks see value in backing Atlanta to rebound.

Who will win Braves vs Twins today: Atlanta Braves (-130)

Tyler Mahle has been quietly pitching well over the last month, posting a 2.83 ERA and 3.18 SIERA. The Minnesota Twins have hit .228 off righties in August with a pedestrian .140 ISO. They're not doing much damage at the plate, and it’ll be hard to change that with how Mahle is playing.

Zebby Matthews has allowed at least three earned runs in six of his last seven starts, and he'll need to contend with an Atlanta Braves lineup sitting eighth in xwOBA vs. righties.

Back Atlanta to -145.

Covers COVERS INTEL: Matthews has allowed an 11.6% barrel rate this season, ranking him in the fifth percentile leaguewide.

Braves vs Twins Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (-120)

Quality offenses have been crushing Matthews this season. He’s made six starts versus top-10 lineups in xwOBA against righties and is sporting a 6.90 ERA.

Matthews gave up an alarming amount of power along the way, conceding 2.70 home runs per nine innings. That spells trouble against the Braves.

While Mahle has been performing well overall the past month, he’s gone through shocking road woes this season. His ERA sits at 7.07 away from Oracle Park. 

The Twins should chip in enough, making the Over an attractive buy up to -130.

Braves vs Twins home run prediction: Drake Baldwin (+350)

The home run drought for Drake Baldwin appears to be nearing its end.

The talented lefty is showing real signs of a breakout, most notably leading the team in average exit velocity (95.8 mph) while ranking second in hard-hit rate over the past 20 games.

He hit the ball at least 300 feet 16 times during that span, including a handful beyond 350. None left the park.

Matthews has allowed a .202 ISO and 1.71 HR/9 to lefties, making this a great spot for Baldwin to get back on track.

Bet him to +325.

Todd Cordell's 2026 Transparency Record
  • ML/RL bets: 82-74, -8.85 units
  • Over/Under bets: 83-67-6, +5.98 units

Braves vs Twins weather

Temperatures should hover around the mid-70s with winds blowing out. That gives a small boost to the bats.

Braves vs Twins odds

  • Moneyline: Braves -130 | Twins +110
  • Run line: Braves -1.5 (+130) | Twins +1.5 (-150)
  • Over/Under: Over 9.0 (+100) | Under 9.0 (-120)

Braves vs Twins trend

Minnesota has only won five of the last 15 games (-5.0 units, -31% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Braves vs. Twins.

How to watch Braves vs Twins and game info

LocationTarget Field, Minneapolis, Minn.
DateTuesday, August 18, 2026
First pitch7:40 p.m. ET
TVBravesVsn, Twins.TV
Braves starting pitcherTyler Mahle
(4-9, 4.64 ERA)
Twins starting pitcherZebby Matthews
(6-8, 5.34 ERA)

Braves vs Twins latest injuries

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

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

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How Sixers develop and deploy their young talent will be major X Factor for 2026-2027

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 3: Dominick Barlow #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts with teammate VJ Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the game against the Minnesota TImberwolves at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 3, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Excitement for the upcoming Sixers season is at an all-time high. Many are dreaming of what it’s going to look like seeing LeBron James in a Sixers uniform and how the loaded starting lineup of stars operate together on the same floor. There are many swing factors that could determine the ultimate outcome of this season. One major piece to the puzzle that will determine the Sixers’ floor and ceiling will be the development of their young talent alongside their stars.

While most all of the attention on the Sixers is centered around their star-studded starting five (and for good reason) the team has accumulated their fair share of young talent, all of which still have plenty of room for growth.

VJ Edgecombe

Edgecombe is the most obvious example of young and blossoming talent on the roster. Coming off a First Team All-Rookie season which both started and ended on a high note, Edgecombe’s all-around two-way skillset is a picture-perfect match as the fifth starter alongside the teams four All-Stars. We’ve already seen Edgecombe drop 30 points on the road in Boston in the playoffs and be tasked with slowing down some of the best guards the NBA has to offer, so what does growth in his game look like for the 2026-2027 season? Two major areas that will be under the microscope for VJ are his long-range shooting — in particular off the catch — along with his overall growth as an impactful defender in year two.

There will be no shortage of open looks for VJ this year given who accompanies him in the lineup, so a shooting leap would serve him very well as far as making a consistent impact offensively in the halfcourt. The quartet of Edgecombe, Brown, Maxey and LeBron is very likely to be the most devastating four-man lineup in transition in all of basketball, and I’d venture to say probably one of the best ever as there is no shortage of athleticism, speed and hit ahead ability amongst that group.

Defensively, Edgecombe will be tasked most nights with defending the opposing teams’ best guards, something that he did a lot in year one with mixed results. Added strength, a year of experience, as well as a bigger ask to assume this role all should aid in his favor as he looks to be a key cog in what many hope is a memorable season for the Sixers.

Outside of Edgecombe though, the Sixers also have rookie guard Labaron Philon, third-year guys Adem Bona and Justin Edwards, as well as Jabari Walker, and Dominick Barlow, who was a bit of a revelation for much of this past season with the Sixers. All of these guys bring different skillsets to the table, and all will be called upon throughout the coming season to provide and impact off the Sixers bench.

Labaron Philon

Philon could already stake a claim to being the second-best pure passer on the roster as well as the team’s top true PG option off the bench. He’s capable of playing both on and off the ball as he showed throughout his two years at Alabama. Philon carved out a large role as a freshman with the Crimson Tide as a secondary ball handler and pesky perimeter defender playing alongside Alabama PG and All-American Mark Sears. If Philon wants to establish a consistent rotation role in his first season in the NBA, he is going to have to lean on a lot of those same attributes, while also being a source of instant offense and reliable ball handling — two things we know he is overqualified to do.

Adem Bona

Bona is likely to begin the season in a competition to be the Sixers’ primary backup center to Joel Embiid — a role that we all know the vast importance of given Embiid is likely to miss some games to manage his body for the long haul. On paper, Bona is really an ideal fit alongside all of the other Sixers starters. As I touched on earlier, the quartet of Brown, Maxey, Edgecombe and LeBron is going to be one of the deadliest transition forces in the game. Bona is an excellent fit to blend in with that run-and-gun style as there are few if any big men in the NBA that can change ends as fast as Bona can. Bona allows for the Sixers to deploy a variety of different coverages on the defensive end given his ability to move his feet on the perimeter as well as protect the rim.

Main areas of focus for Bona to grow as a player should be his hands on the offensive end and his rebounding on the defensive end, both of which go hand in hand in a way. Bona’s biggest issues offensively come when he is struggling to catch the ball and finish non-dunk attempts around the basket. This also shows up on the glass as effort is never an issue with Bona, but technique and gracefulness in securing the board can be a problem at times. Bona should have plenty of lob and dump off opportunities with the personnel the Sixers have at their disposal. He’s also been in the gym this offseason repping his corner three-point shot, an element of his game that is unforeseen to this point in his NBA career. If he debuts a new willingness and capability to knockdown a perimeter jumper from time to time that could add a new dynamic to both his game and how the Sixers can operate with him on the floor, but I would proceed with cautious optimism.

Even still, Bona is slotted to play a large role on a Sixers team with real championship aspirations and his improvement could go a long way in solidifying the second unit.

Jabari Walker

Walker has a very clear path to providing value to the Sixers as a bench reserve. His rebounding, which is already a major strong suit in his game, and in his improvement defensively and as a corner three-point shooter should offer a boost. Think P.J. Tucker for what an ideal role for Walker would look like alongside the Sixers stars. The biggest area Walker must improve if he wants to snatch more minutes and a larger role would be defensively as that is the primary area of his game that can be exploited. He’s a bit of a tweener who doesn’t have the vertical or raw size presence of a true big but also not the foot speed of a forward or wing.

Justin Edwards

Edwards is a fellow Klutch sports client along with Walker, James and Maxey. Edwards’ skillset profiles as a typical athletic 3-and-D wing. He didn’t quite have the leap many fans and himself I’m sure were hoping for in year two. Edwards I think will strongly benefit from remaining in a very low usage role and will likely see a big jump in his shot quality, especially playing alongside James and Embiid more in the coming season. Edwards becoming more consistent as a shooter and more impactful as a defender, in particular navigating screens, would serve him and the team well going forward. The hope is that in year three, Edwards can turn his flashes and moments into more consistent game in and game out play when his number is called.

Dominick Barlow

The last player I am going to touch on is Barlow. He was a pleasant surprise for the Sixers this past season. Barlow, who started the season with the Sixers on a two-way contract, went on to play in 71 games for the Sixers, including 59 starts, parlaying his promising season into a standard NBA deal which included a second-year team option for this coming season that the Sixers picked up.

Barlow is one of the players that I think most stands to benefit from the addition of James. While Barlow’s minutes might take a hit, his overall play and effectiveness should improve. One of Barlow’s best attributes offensively is that he is a phenomenal cutter and who better at hitting cutters than LeBron James? Barlow is excellent as an off-ball cutter and always moving and at times that wasn’t promptly rewarded this past season. His fit alongside James on both ends of the court is ideal in both the full and halfcourt.

Barlow has been seen throughout this offseason reworking his jump shot, the biggest and most obvious area for improvement in his game. If Barlow can turn himself into a passable three-point shooter and improve in a meaningful way from his 26% three-point stroke, he becomes such a perfect role player for any team but in particular this Sixers team. They could deploy him in a multitude of lineups and in a multitude of ways, whether it’s in small ball looks alongside Dean Wade and James in the frontcourt or in bigger lineups with Wade and Barlow as your forwards and James running the show.

Barlow’s effort, energy, defensive versatility and play finishing made him a stalwart in the Sixers rotation last season. The team would be wise to maximize him as a key reserve this coming season pairing a good chunk of his minutes alongside James and Embiid.

With the 2026-2027 NBA schedule released and just a little over two short months until opening night, one of the most highly anticipated seasons in Philadelphia 76ers history is nearly upon us. While the headlines and fanfare will be about the Sixers’ loaded core group, the development and deployment of Edgecombe and the team’s young pieces off the bench could help swing the pendulum and help get them to their desired goal: an NBA championship.

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Red Sox make strikeout history (the good kind)

BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 17: Mickey Gasper #30 of the Boston Red Sox hits a solo home run in the seventh inning during the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Monday, August 17, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Joe Sullivan/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Strikeouts are fascist.* The Red Sox, ergo, stand for democracy and classically liberal values, because last night they did this:

In baseball terms, 1949 was a looooooong time ago. Players still left their gloves on the field, for chrissakes!

Like a lot of baseball fans (maybe?) I’ve long wondered what it would be like to travel back in time and see how the game was played in another era. Deadball Era baseball was essentially an entirely different game, but I bet I would have loved it. We typically think of the pre-Babe Ruth version of the game as having less action because of the lack of homers, but think of how much more often the ball was in play! You wouldn’t be able to take your eyes off the field for a second, lest you miss something. Last night we didn’t exactly get the Deadball Era, but it might be the closest we denizens of the modernity may ever get to it.

Talk about your favorite historical era of baseball and whatever else you want in this space and, as always, be good to one another.

*The only good line from an otherwise horrible and horribly overrated movie.

** How insane is it that we ever thought it was okay for players to leave their gloves on the field?Ankle injuries for everybody!

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Missed opportunities cost Padres in series opener with Mets

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 17: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the San Diego Padres is tagged out at home by Francisco Alvarez #4 of the New York Mets as Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres thinks his teammate is safe at Citi Field on August 17, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images

If you missed the first two innings of the series opener between the San Diego Padres and the New York Mets, you essentially missed the game. The Padres had four runners thrown out at the plate over the first two innings, with three of those plays coming from outfield assists. The Mets scored their only two runs of the game thanks to a rough start to the game by San Diego starter Walker Buehler and New York went on to win the contest 2-1 in Flushing, New York on Monday.

The Padres hit four singles in the top of the first inning off Mets starter Nolan McLean, but two runners, Jake Cronenworth and Manny Machado were thrown out at the plate by right fielder Carson Benge on two separate plays to keep San Diego off the scoreboard.

New York turned a single and a walk into a run thanks to an RBI-single by Bo Bichette in the bottom of the first. The hit allowed A.J. Ewing to score and moved Francisco Lindor to third base to leave runners on the corners with no outs. Benge grounded out, but Lindor was unable to score, however Bichette moved to second. Luis Robert Jr. hit a sacrifice fly to center field which allowed Lindor to score to give the Mets a 2-0 lead with two outs in the bottom of the first inning. Buehler ended the inning after inducing a line out from Jared Young to end the inning.

The Padres were able to load the bases in the top of the second inning after McLean issued a walk to Luis Campusano, hit Gavin Sheets with a pitch and issued a second walk in the inning to Xander Bogaerts. Luis Rengifo hit a grounder back to McLean and he threw home for the force out for the first out of the inning. Fernando Tatis Jr. just missed a grand slam but did get a sacrifice fly that allowed Sheets to score to cut the Mets lead to 2-1. Jake Cronenworth followed with a two-out single to left field, but Bogaerts ran through a stop sign at third base and was thrown out at the plate trying to score.

Neither team was able to add to their totals throughout the remainder of the contest. San Diego ended the game with more hits than New York (7-5), but the plays on defense by Benge, McLean and Ewing held the Padres to just one run and allowed the Mets to get a series-opening win.

The teams will meet again on Tuesday at 4:10 p.m. and San Diego will hope to have more to show for its offensive efforts.

Padres News:

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44 Days Until Opening Night: The History Of Jersey #44

The Columbus Blue Jackets have 44 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today we look at the history of jersey #44. 

Let's take a look.

Rostislav Klesla - 2001-2004 - Klesla was drafted 4th overall in the 2000 NHL Draft.

Klesla's scouting report went like this: "Klesla is a very physical, defensive defenseman. Has solid hockey sense and positional skills. Doesn't score as many points as he possibly could. Also, he is rather prone to injury." Despite that last part about injuries, former GM Doug MacLean drafted Klesla at #4 anyway.

Klesla made his NHL debut in 2000 before he was sent back to Junior. He would come up in the next season and be there full-time. He would then go on to play in 515 games for the Jackets over the course of 10 seasons. On February 28, 2011, he was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes and played the next four years. 

In 2014, he would return to his home country of Czechia and play the next two years for HC Oceláři Třinec. After a four-year break from playing to coach for HC Vítkovice, he would play a season in Czechia's fourth-tier league before finally retiring. 

Peter Sarno - 2006 - Sarno was drafted in the 6th round of the 1997 NHL Draft by Edmonton

Sarno played a single game for the Blue Jackets during the 2005-06 season. He also played 39 games for the Syracuse Crunch that season. 

After his year with Columbus, he left for Europe, where he would play until 2010. 

Aaron Johnson - 2003-07/2011-12 - Johnson was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

Johnson played 172 games for the Jackets over two stints. Scouts said of Johnson was "A puck-moving defenseman, Johnson is a very good skater. Has good offensive instincts and can quarterback the power play. Can play a tough and physical game. Needs to improve his play in his own end."

During his time with Columbus, he also spent three years with the AHL Syracuse Crunch, where he had 73 points in those three seasons. 

In 2016, he left North America and signed on with Adler Mannheim of the DEL in Germany. He then left for England, where he played for the Sheffield Steelers of the EIHL. In 2021, he became a Player-Asst. Coach for a season.

He came back home to Columbus in 2021 and joined the Jackets as a Team Consultant. He's been the Team Relations Specialist for the Jackets for a few seasons now. 

Aaron Rome - 2008 - Rome was drafted by the LA Kings in the 2002 NHL Draft. 

Rome played 25 games over the course of two seasons for Columbus after being traded from the Ducks on November 15, 2007. He totaled 1 goal and 3 points. He spent most of his time in Syracuse that season, playing 41 games. Rome would leave for the Vancouver Canucks in the summer of 2009 as a free agent. Rome would retire in 2014. 

Rome went on to spend three seasons as a skills coach for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL. 

Grant Clitsome - 2010 - Clitsome was drafted in the 9th round of the 2004 NHL Draft by the CBJ.

Clitsome played in 93 games and had 36 points for Columbus. In 2012, he was placed on waivers in order to be sent to Springfield of the AHL. But he was claimed by the Winnipeg Jets and would play the next three seasons for the Jets. 

He announced his retirement from professional hockey on June 1, 2016, after undergoing back surgery.

Justin Falk - 2015-2016 - Falk was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the 4th round of the 2004 draft.

Falk played 29 games for the Blue Jackets and totaled 6 points.  On March 2, 2015, Falk requested a trade that sent him and a fifth-round pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Jordan Leopold.  The following summer in 2016, he would sign with the Buffalo Sabres. 

After retiring in 2019, Falk went into coaching and is a scout for the Sabres.

Taylor Chorney - 2018 - Edmonton drafted Chorney in the second round of the 2005 draft.

Chorney would play a single game for Columbus after being picked up on waivers on February 21, 2018. After that one game, he left for Europe, where he played until 2021. He retired after the 2021 season. 

Vladislav Gavrikov - 2019-2022 - Gavrikov was drafted in the 6th round of the 2015 NHL Draft. 

Gavrikov played 256 games for the Jackets over 4 seasons. He totaled 15 goals and 73 points. Gavrikov is widely considered one of the best late-round picks to ever play for the Jackets, despite his short time in Columbus. He played great defense and would always seem to show up on the scoreboard. 

After he signed a three-year, $8.4 million contract extension with the Blue Jackets in November of 2020, former GM Jarmo Kekäläinen decided to trade Gavrikov to the LA Kings in March of 2023. A decision that a lot of CBJ fans hated and wondered why it happened. Kekäläinen knew Gavrikov was going to want a hefty raise and didn't want to pay him. 

Gavrikov signed a two-year extension with LA just a couple of months after the trade. In the summer of 2025, Gavrikov would get his big contract. He signed a 7-year, $49 million deal with the New York Rangers, which will take him into his mid-30s. 

Erik Gudbranson - 2023-2025 - Gudbranson was drafted 3rd overall in the 2010 NHL Draft by the Florida Panthers. 

Gudbranson is more than just a defenseman; he's a protector and intimidator. Gudbranson rarely fights but will when he has to. Mainly, he'll just stare at guys until they back down from him. 

Gudbranson just finished a 4-year deal he signed with Columbus back in July of 2022. He has played 201 games and has 46 points. Despite his final two seasons with Columbus being riddled with injuries, Gudbranson was re-signed to a one-year contract for the 26-27 season. 

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Could Connor Hellebuyck Be Next For EA NHL's 99 Club?

On Monday, exciting news dropped ahead of the release of the newest entry in the EA Sports NHL series, with NHL 27 set to arrive in early September.

The new game brings back several fan-favorite elements, including the return of GM Connected franchise mode, along with more detailed, customized arena presentations across all 32 NHL teams, meaning Canada Life Centre will finally look and feel more like the true home of the Winnipeg Jets.

The bigger headline, though, is that the NHL series is borrowing a concept from other EA Sports franchises like Madden and EA FC. NHL 27 is introducing a 99 Club, reserved for the handful of players considered the very best in the sport, distinguished by a perfect 99 overall rating.

EA announced the first member of that club on Monday with Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, who becomes the first player in the history of the NHL video game series to carry a 99 overall.

The news kicked off plenty of speculation, including who might become the first player in Jets history to crack the 99 Club. McDavid is the first to join the list, but more additions are expected to follow, and it would make sense for Winnipeg's superstar goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck, to be next in line. 

Hellebuyck, a three-time Vezina Trophy winner and a recent Olympic gold medalist, is coming off a season that fell well short of the standard he set in his back-to-back Vezina-winning campaigns. He finished 2025-26 with a 23-23-11 record, a 2.86 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage, a career-worst mark, while trade speculation followed him for much of the summer.

Even so, Hellebuyck has already proven he belongs in 99-overall territory, especially over the two seasons prior, when he won back-to-back Vezina Trophies. During that stretch, he went a combined 84-31-7, posted a 2.19 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage, and led all goaltenders in wins by a wide margin. 

If anyone joins the 99 Club after McDavid, there's a strong case that Hellebuyck will be the next name called.

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Should the Braves have kept Jorge Mateo?

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 12: Atlanta shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (7) looks on from the dugout during the MLB game between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves on August 12th, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Hey did you see Jorge Mateo hit a home run last night for the Rays? Here you go. This was 101.7 MPH off the bat and 31 degree launch angle. That’s good for 406 feet and a no-doubter.

Jorge Mateo was designated for assignment shortly after the trade deadline. He was jettisoned for the return of the off-injured Ha-Seong Kim, among other transactions that day. He was eventually released on August 9th and picked up by the Rays on the 13th. He’s got 2 hits and a stolen base in 4 games with the Rays, but boy was that one hit a big one. The Braves decided after the deadline that Mauricio Dubon, Lane Thomas, Mike Yastremski and Jim Jarvis would fit their needs in left field and shortstop. Do you know where the Braves rank at shortstop from August 3rd through the 16th? It’s 29th in wRC+, WAR, and last in OBP and wOBA. They’re 17th defensively, but not much with the stick.

Mateo had a very nice 2022 with Baltimore. However, as of last night he’s sporting a career 76 wRC+ with 34 (now 35) HRs over 1550+ plate appearances. He’s definitely defense-first and can fill in around the infield. The projections had him just this side of replacement-level, though. I’d argue, but coming off his 2025 that feels fair.

I think the Braves attempted to give Jorge a try out at shortstop. He played 5 consecutive games from June 19-24. He netted one hit and four strikeouts in 11 PAs. He played 5 games from June 30 to July 6th. He grabbed only 2 singles and 6 strikeouts in 15 PAs. I think the Braves gave up at that point, then entered Jim Jarvis with his hot start. Jorge is unfortunately, just another guy.

However, at least we know what level Mateo is on. What exactly is Ha-Seong Kim right now? He’s had a hand injury over the offseason, then was unplayable on return. He spent time again on the Injured List for reasons and took up residence at the Complex and Triple-A Gwinnett. I guess he’s a 20-million-dollar 26th man, which is about 19 million dollars more than necessary. The Braves must see his September of last year and given enough time, he could recreate this September and hopefully October. It feels like wishcasting at this point.

The Braves are going to play Jim Jarvis for now. He had a 132 wRC+ over 348 PAs in Gwinnett, y’all. The Braves think they have something. He hit 6 home runs in Gwinnett so maybe they think the power is coming along. And for all my “play the kids” mantra of yesteryear, I’m gonna double down as well. It’s a big picture approach over the present that assumed the Braves can lurch into the playoffs, if necessary.

So should the Braves have kept Jorge Mateo? Eventually roughly replacement-level Jorge became replaced. He does have a pulse, though. Is that enough? Maybe we should ask why the Braves couldn’t have come up with another excuse to keep Kim on the Injured List.

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Did a four-game series in Tampa just define the Orioles season again?

ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - AUGUST 15: Pete Alonso #25 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates his home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fifth inning of a baseball game at Tropicana Field on August 15, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

There haven’t been many comparisons between the 2023 Orioles and this season’s team. The former was a 100-game winner, an AL East division champion and a team that historically outperformed the mediocre expectations placed upon them before the season. The latter currently has a sub .500 record, is scraping and clawing to stay in the playoff race and has largely failed to meet the expectations they had back in March. And yet, for both teams, a second-half, four-game series in Tropicana Park could very well have defined their seasons.

The Orioles’ recent series win against the Rays was reminiscent of Baltimore’s first road series after the All-Star break back in 2023. Three years ago, the O’s came into Tampa deadlocked with the Rays atop the AL East. Tampa Bay was supposed to be the juggernauts that would run away with the AL East after starting the season 23-6. Baltimore, on the other hand, was the team everybody just kept waiting to fall off.

Instead, the O’s went into Tropicana Field, won three out of four games and took a division lead they would never relinquish. Game 1 of that series saw a Félix Bautista masterclass. The eventual AL Reliever of the Year pitched a scoreless 9th to send the game to extras, and after Colton Cowser’s RBI single in the 10th, worked out of a two-on-no-out jam to seal the Orioles’ victory.

After a shutout loss in Game 2, the O’s won a rollercoaster ride of a Game 3. Baltimore took a 5-0 lead after a five-run 4th inning off All-Star Shane McClanahan. The bullpen trio of Danny Coulombe, Yennier Cano and Shintaro Fujinami would then slowly give that lead back to Tampa, setting the stage for another dramatic 9th inning. Facing Rays’ closer Peter Fairbanks, Adam Frazier led off the inning with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice and scored on a Ryan O’Hearn single. Bautista then pitched another perfect 9th to put the O’s up 2-1 in the series.

Game 4 was another back-and-forth affair, with the O’s taking a 3-0 lead before the Rays stormed back to tie it on a homer in the 5th. O’Hearn then untied the game with solo shot in the 6th and Anthony Santander added an insurance run in the 7th. Bautista then pitched his fourth inning of the series, striking out the side around of pair of singles to secure the series win and forever etch his name in Orioles lore.

The recent series win in Tampa doesn’t carry the exact same weight as their triumph three years ago. Instead of leaving the Trop with the division lead, the O’s leave tied with the Rangers for the final AL Wildcard spot. Instead of finishing the series 23 games above .500, Baltimore still sits three games under .500. Losing the series finale yesterday also ended the series on a sour note, as the O’s faield to gain ground on the other Wildcard hopefuls while ceding control of their destiny back to Texas.

And yet, it’s undeniable that this year’s team now has an air of hope they didn’t have before their series with the Rays. The overarching truth in the AL this season is that no team is that much better than any other team. Just like the 2023 Orioles went to Tamp looking to prove their AL East title aspirations were no fluke, these O’s went to the Trop looking to prove they can stay in this playoff race to the very end. And they did just that.

Perhaps more important than Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s wins against the Rays was the way the Orioles won. This team was supposed to an offensive, force led by Pete Alonso and Gunnar Henderson, that outscored even the best of teams en route to playoff contention.

For seemingly the first time this season, both Henderson and Alonso were firing on all cylinders at the same time. Gunnar kicked off the series by going 4-fo-4 with a home in Friday’s win, and finished the four-game set 7-for-16 with the homer, two doubles, two RBIs and five runs. Alonso was even more unstoppable. The reigning AL Player of the Week went 8-for-16, reaching base 11 total times, while adding two homers, a double and three RBIs.

The offensive explosion by the Orioles two stars is the culmunitation of two hot streaks that have gone from embers to full on flames. After struggling for most of the season, Gunnar is finally turning a corner in August. The star SS is now hitting .245 this month with a .477 slugging percentage and an OPS over .800. Strikeouts have been a problem for Henderson all season, but he’s been exceptionally disciplined hitter of late. In 15 games this month, his strikeout rate has dropped 12.7% while his walk rate has jumped to 2o.6%.

Alonso has been the steady heartbeat of this team for months and now its finally become the platform for actual success. Since the beginning of June, Alonso is slashing .296/.400/.554 with 15 HRs and 44 RBIs. As MASN’s Brett Holander put it, Alonso is the clear favorite (and perhaps only contender) for Most Valuable Oriole and is delivering exactly what the front office paid him $30+M/year to provide. When the Orioles traded Adley Rutschman and others at the deadline, it was obvious more would be asked of Alonso if the O’s wanted to remain in playoff contention. And the Polar Bear has continued to answer.

This team has also built a surprising identity off the strength of their pitching rotation, and we saw that epitomized against the Rays. Kyle Bradish and Trevor Rogers each delivered qualtiy starts and Chris Bassitt was strong in his return from the IL. Really, Brandon Young was the only starter who didn’t deliver, exiting after four subpar innings in Monday’s loss.

This team is still flawed (looking at you, bullpen) and still have the unenviable task of navigating the hardest remaining schedule in the American League. But in going to Tampa and taking three of four from the Rays, the 2026 Baltimore Orioles showed the heart of the a team willing to fight for its postseason destiny. A heart that’s largely been missing in Baltimore since 2023.

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Why the Toronto Raptors must treat the NBA Cup like the playoffs

TORONTO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 21 : Kyshawn George (18) of Washington Wizards in action against Ja'Kobe Walter (14) of Toronto Raptors during the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup basketball game between Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors at the Scotiabank Arena on November 21, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu via Getty Images) | Anadolu via Getty Images

When the Toronto Raptors released their 2026-27 schedule, they also unveiled their NBA Cup schedule and opponents. Since the in-season tournament’s inception during the 2023-24 season, the Toronto Raptors’ track record has been – uninspiring.

To their credit, last year’s team managed to navigate itself into uncharted waters before running into its Big Apple kryptonite.

Raptors NBA Cup historic records:

  • 2023: 1-3
  • 2024: 1-3
  • 2025: 4-1 (lost to the New York Knicks 101-117 in the Knockout stage)

The Raptors’ newfound success in the tournament mirrors a change in perception, particularly with how players and fans view the NBA Cup. The tournament, which was initially met with relentless criticism, particularly during its launch, has slowly garnered credibility and respect. It helps that teams are using it to showcase their long-term ambitions.

It doesn’t get any better than when the New York Knicks played the San Antonio Spurs in the 2025 NBA Cup championship. The high-profile matchup ultimately foreshadowed the NBA Finals, both its participants and eventual winner. This means the 2026 NBA Cup championship has a bit of prestige now. There’s an expectation that the absolute best teams should be there fighting for the crown.

It’s not even about winning the title either. Simply being a participant in the tournament’s endgame sets teams up to be major players in the ensuing playoffs. In 2024, the Oklahoma City Thunder fell in the NBA Cup championship, but ultimately finished as the top seed in the Western Conference before defeating the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals. Before that, the Pacers reached the 2023 NBA Cup championship and battled all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals.

It’s clear: the NBA Cup is now a litmus test, and it’s something the Raptors must take seriously. If anything, it’ll help the front-office speed up its evaluation of the current roster. The window that Kawhi Leonard creates grants a genuine peek at a Larry O’Brien title that awaits on the other side, but it’s also a small opening that requires urgency.

This year’s group also sets the stage for a manageable road to the NBA Cup championship game. It’s arguably the least competitive collection of opponents, at least according to win percentage. Toronto shouldn’t have a problem dispatching the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks. The Orlando Magic have a competitive team that could push the Raptors, but Leonard should push them over the top. The Detroit Pistons obviously present a problem, but if the Raptors are serious about a deep playoff run, then this will be a great opportunity to prove it.

Previous Records

  • 2023: Boston (57-25), Orlando (34-48), Chicago (40-42), Brooklyn (45-27) – 0.553 win%
  • 2024: Milwaukee (49-33), Detroit (14-68), Miami (46-36), Indiana (47-35) – 0.475 win%
  • 2025: Cleveland (64-18), Washington (18-64), Indiana (50-32), Atlanta, (40-42) – 0.524 win%
  • 2026: Pistons (60-22), Orlando (45-37), Milwaukee (32-50), Brooklyn (20-62) – 0.478 win%