On Sunday afternoon, the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders met inside RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House in Newark, New Jersey, for the first game action of the season.
As the stands filled with an energized group of fans, the Devils’ rookies took the ice, including top prospect Anton Silayev, marking the beginning of their preseason slate and the first opportunity to see the organization’s young talent on the ice.
After 60 minutes, the teams were tied at 4-4 with the home team getting goals from Mikael Diotte, Luke Wifley, and Matyas Melovsky (2). With 56.9 seconds remaining in overtime, Islanders forward Cole Eiserman scored the game-winner.
“We talked about making sure that at the end of the game we're looking back and the feedback that we were getting was that we were a competitive team, and make sure that was on the forefront,” Utica Comets head coach Ryan Parent said after the game. “I think the start of the game was as expected. There was a lot of energy, a lot of emotion, and guys were just anxious to get out there and play again. The game was a little bit choppy, but I thought the second period settled down, had a little more poise with the puck, and got some good opportunities from it, and then the compete to get back into it and make it a competitive game towards the end. I think the guys played hard.”
Devils lineup vs. Islanders
Ben Steeves - Matyas Melovsky - Lenni Hameenaho
Shane Lachance - Gabe Klassen - Cam Squires
Josh Filmon - Quinn McKenzie - Jeremy Wilmer
Cristophe Tellier - Luke Wifley - Nathan Lecompte
Anton Silaev - Seamus Casey
Ethan Edwards - Eamon Powell
Etienne Morin - Mikael Diotte
Jakub Málek
Game Notes and Observations
— Casey, Hämeenaho, and Melovsky were the three players wearing an “A”.
Photo Credit: Kristy Flannery
— With two minutes remaining in the opening period, Silaev laid a massive hit on Tomas Poletin below the goal line behind Malek. The Islanders naturally took exception, and a scrum ensued. Casey and Luca Romano were the two players assessed penalties on the play.
— The Islanders took a 1-0 lead early in the second period, as Daniil Prokhorov scored his first of the two-game series.
— It took 41 seconds for the Devils to tie and take the lead. Diotte scored his first of the scrimmage off a great play from Melovsky. Wifley potted New Jersey’s second goal with a wrist shot that beat Hood.
— The Islanders tied the game in the opening minutes of the third period as Prokhorov scored his second of the game.
— Diotte, known for playing a physical and emotional game, dropped the gloves, going up against Kadon McCann. By that point, he had already secured a goal and an assist. Not a bad outing for the defenseman.
— Melovsky scored New Jersey’s third and fourth goals. He finished the afternoon with three points: “He’s a really smart hockey player; the puck doesn’t slow him down, he does a great job of supporting it in the middle”, Parent said. “He can transport the puck really well. But I think what I saw tonight was kind of where he was trending last year, getting a lot stronger and confident with the puck. There were some plays where he has three guys around him, and he can still keep it on his stick.”
— I need to see more from Josh Filmon. In the opening period, he had a prime scoring opportunity in the opening period, but missed the net. In the second period, he had another opportunity, but Islanders goaltender Burke Hood made the save. Last season he played 11 games in the ECHL with the Adirondack Thunder and 31 with the Comets.
Photo credit: Kristy Flannery
The Devils rookie will hit the ice on Monday for a practice in Newark before traveling to Long Island to conclude their series against the Islanders.
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The Mets announced their 2026 Player Development Awards on Sunday with two top prospects headlining the honors.
They recognized infielder Mitch Voit as the Player of the Year and LHPJonathan Santucci as the Pitcher of the Year.
Additionally among the player honors, outfielder Cleiner Ramirez was named the Mets' DR Academy Player of the Year while RHP Abner Meza was named DR Academy Pitcher of the Year.
The recipients -- including field and gameplay coordinator David Adams (Minor League Staff Member of the Year), lead DSL hitting coach Bryce Wheary (DR Academy Staff Member of the Year) and senior scout Cesar Aranguren (Marlin McPhail Scout of the Year) -- are set to be honored in a pregame ceremony at Citi Field before Monday's 7:10 p.m. start on SNY against the Baltimore Orioles.
Voit, who turns 22 on Sept. 30, spent the 2026 season with High-A Brooklyn and Double-A Binghamton. In 29 games since his July 27 promotion, he slashed .347/.430/.517 with two home runs and 18 RBI.
Santucci, 23, is the Mets' top pitching prospect on SNY's midseason list.
He earned his promotion from Binghamton to Triple-A Syracuse on July 28 after posting a 3.57 ERA in 19 games while striking out 120 and allowing an opposing batting average of .213. He has 37 strikeouts in seven starts over 29 innings with Syracuse.
In a series in which both teams threw six starting pitchers who ranged from interesting to high-octane, Cam Schlittler was easily the best of the bunch while shutting down the Mets over six scoreless, one-hit innings.
Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) throws a pitch during the first inning. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Zero
After igniting the Mets fans in The Bronx with a home run Saturday, Juan Soto on Sunday went 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts. After his second, against David Bednar in the ninth, particularly loud jeers followed him to the dugout.
Unsung hero
Leadoff hitter Ben Rice opened the Yankees’ afternoon with the only run the club would need, visiting the short porch for his 38th homer of the season.
Yankees designated hitter Ben Rice (22) hits a solo home run during the first inning. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
“Special weekend for the city. As much as the fans don’t like each other, I feel like they came together for this weekend and enjoyed something special. … It was a little frustrating [Saturday] just hearing all the Mets chants. I wanted to make sure I could come in here today and kind of shut that down.”
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jacob Latz #67 of the Texas Rangers celebrates a 7-6 win against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 13, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Rangers 7, D-Backs 6
And the Rangers win their first road series since June 29-July 1 in Cleveland!
Are we hyped?
That was also a little more exciting that I’d have preferred.
It did feel like from the outset that the Rangers were going to have success in this game. A line drive single by Justin Foscue to start things off, followed the second-longest home run of Corey Seager’s career, will do that.
Statcast had the Seager homer at 458 feet. Only once in his career — back in 2021, with the Dodgers — has Seager hit the ball farther.
Its also tied with Bryce Eldridge for the 28th longest home run hit this season in the majors.
Its the third longest home run hit at Chase Field this season.
Its the longest home run hit by a Ranger this year. Jake Burger’s 447 foot shot against the Tigers on July 5 was the previous high.
Gabriel Moreno homered off of Cal Quantrill to lead off the fourth, making it a 2-1 game, but then the Rangers capitalized on clownball in the top of the fifth to make it a comfy game.
Justin Foscue reached on an E5 by Nolan Arenado, on a ball that took a bad hope. A line drive Corey Seager single was followed by a Josh Jung single that Lars Nootbar…well…
If you don’t want to watch the video, Jung looped it into left field, where Nootbar was coming in for it. He pulled up, realizing in couldn’t make the catch, but then had the ball bounce between his legs and behind him, allowing both Foscue and Seager to score. Brandon Nimmo later blooped a two out single into no man’s land to bring home Jung, and Texas was up 5-1.
Two more came across the next inning, with Danny Jansen doubling home Ezequiel Duran, Evan Carter pinch hitting for Foscue and smoking it but right at Jordan Lawlar in center, then Seager drilling a single to bring home Jansen.
Seager even advanced to second on the throw, leading Dave Raymond and Mike Bascik to comment on how good, physically, Seager is feeling. Feeling good Corey Seager is a good thing.
Because I’m feeling good about this game and this win, we will not talk about the relievers, other than to note that Robert Garcia did good work in the eighth in the second of back-to-back outings, a good sign, given both how long he was on the injured list as well as how badly the Rangers need quality relief options right now.
Quantrill had thrown just 65 pitches through six, and there seemed to be some question as to whether he’d come back out for the seventh, despite the low pitch count. Quantrill did come out, though he was pulled after allowing a Geraldo Perdomo single.
Post-game, it was reported Quantrill was dealing with back tightness, which is why he didn’t go longer.
Meanwhile, the Astros of Houston lost, putting the Rangers a game back in the American League West, though really two, since the Astros have the tiebreaker. The Guardians won, meaning the Rangers are two back in the Wild Card, and the Blue Jays won, which means the Jays are still a game ahead of Texas among the teams chasing the Guardians. Fortunately, Texas has the tiebreaker advantage against both Cleveland and Toronto.
Toronto, I will note, plays three games in Arlington Friday through Sunday, with Cleveland no doubt hoping there’s a split and neither team sweeps.
Before Toronto is Boston. On the plus side, the Rangers are facing Boston at the Shed. On the minus side, Boston is 82-68 this season, with the third best record in the American League. On the plus side, they are eight and a half back in the division, four and a half back for the first Wild Card spot, and six games up on Cleveland for the third Wild Card spot, so while they are not going to be treating the games like exhibitions, their postseason berth and seeding seems pretty well sewn up.
Cal Quantrill touched 95.7 mph with his fastball, averaging 94.2 mph, and 95.9 mph with his sinker, averaging 94.0 mph. Tyler Alexander’s fastball reached 93.9 mph. Robert Garcia topped out at 94.7 mph with his fastball. Jacob Latz’s fastball maxed out at 96.8 mph.
Corey Seager’s had a 110.3 mph home run, a 106.3 mph single, and a 105.8 mph single. Elias Diaz had a 109.6 mph line out. Evan Carter had a 105.8 mph fly out. Danny Jansen had a 104.4 mph double. Brandon Nimmo had a 102.5 mph single.
Now an off day before starting a nine game homestand. Let’s spend the next 48 hours enjoying the win.
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 11: Drake Baldwin #30 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with teammates after hitting a wall-off double after the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park on September 11, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jack Casey/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Well that was certainly fun, wasn’t it? Series finale notwithstanding, the Atlanta Braves did exactly what they needed to do against the Philadelphia Phillies in order to essentially close the door 99 percent of the way on the NL East. This was a massive series where the Phillies honestly needed nothing less than a sweep and a series win was the bare minimum.
While the pressure was on the Phillies, the Braves still all of the incentive in the world to essentially finish things with a strong performance in the weekend series. Sure enough, the Braves got the job done — both in dramatic fashion and dominant fashion in the two wins that they picked up. Now it’s time to go into detail as to how Atlanta was able to pull it off. Let’s get into it, folks.
This was quite possibly the most exciting win of the season when you consider the opponent, the circumstances and the implications for the rest of the season. The Braves trailed in the ninth, tenth and eleventh innings but still came out on top in improbable fashion.
This had to have been an incredibly painful way to drop a game for the Phillies since it honestly felt like a golden chance for them in a series where they could ill afford any setbacks. Derek Hill hit a bases-clearing double in the second inning to go up 3-1 and Aaron Nola did his part to make sure that that lead held up.
Philadelphia’s lead held up until the ninth, which is when a base knock from Mike Yastrzemki gave them some life and then Derek Hill misplayed a ground ball in center field that allowed pinch runner DaShawn Keirsey Jr. to speed around the basepaths to score the tying run. The Braves had two outs to potentially end it right there but Jonathan Bowlan got out of it for the Phillies and so we went to those fateful extra innings.
Justin Crawford came through with a pinch-hit single to put the Phillies back in front? So what? Mauricio Dubón’s sacrifice fly brought pinch-runner Brewer Hicklen home from third base to cancel it out. Luis Arraez somehow (and frustratingly) went the other way on a 99-mph pitch inside from Didier Fuentes to put the Phillies up again? Who cares? Ha-Seong Kim came up huge against Brooks Raley with Atlanta down to their last out in order to tie the game up again. That set the stage for Drake Baldwin, who lined a gapper out to right center for a walk-off double that shook Truist Park to its core.
Hoo boy, did this feel good or what? It especially felt good to see the Braves lay the smack down on the Phillies after what happened in the first inning. Perhaps Bryce Harper and the Phillies were still feeling some type of way after both Friday’s contest and Ronald Acuña Jr.‘s extended home run trots because Harper took his longest trot of the season after he hit a dinger in the first inning. It felt like the Phillies had thrown down the gauntlet and were reminding Atlanta that they were still here to fight for this division, no matter what the odds said.
Unfortunately for Philadelphia, Atlanta proceeded to bring the boom once the fourth inning rolled around. With Jesús Luzardo scratched from this start, the Phillies were going with a bullpen game in this one and the fourth inning saw Brooks Raley take the baton from opener Tim Mayza. Raley then proceeded to receive a rude welcome to the game after Ronald Acuña Jr. decided to show Harper what a real home run trot looked like after he hit a dinger of his own.
That was only the beginning of the carnage in the bottom of the fourth inning, as a combination of good hitting and overall poor performance from the Phillies both on the mound and on defense led to this being a breakout inning for the Braves. Once the smoke cleared, Atlanta had put up eight runs on the board and considering how Tyler Mahle was going, this one was essentially done once that crooked number went on the scoreboard.
This went so poorly for Philadelphia that they had gone to Garrett Stubbs for relief work in the seventh inning. Garrett Stubbs is not a pitcher and the Braves lineup essentially took turns trying to take potshots at Stubbs while he was out there for 1.1 innings. Michael Harris II was the one who got the big knock, as he tagged the right-field pole for a three-run dinger that put icing on the cake for a beautiful series win for the Braves.
Considering what the divisional odds currently look like, I was half-tempted to simply put ‘Who cares’ in this section but alas, I have to document this contest for due diligence. This one was a 2-2 game heading into the eighth inning but you could argue that the Braves should’ve had more than those two runs at that point. Atlanta left 11 runners on base and only went two-for-eight with RISP. In fact, the Braves had a chance to go ahead in the seventh when Atlanta had two runners in scoring position with two out. Ozzie Albies flew out harmlessly and the Braves ended up rueing that missed opportunity in the immediate near future.
That’s because Philadelphia put a seven-spot on the scoreboard in the eighth inning. Dylan Lee gave up four runs on four hits and things didn’t get much better for the Braves when Victor Mederos entered the game. Mederos gave up three runs of his own and once the smoke cleared, Atlanta found themselves in a seven-run hole right after they had an opportunity to go up.
Atlanta didn’t go down quietly, as Matt Olson did give the Phillies a two-run dinger as a parting gift but they didn’t go out loudly enough to make a serious comeback. Again, the Braves didn’t necessarily need this one for the division but it sure would’ve been nice to see Atlanta finish this one off with their brooms. Instead, they just had to settle for the series win — and five out of seven against the Phillies here in September. Sweet.
So at the end of this run of seven games out of 10 between these two divisional foes, our Braves ended up coming out of it as the clear winners. They got the split in Philadelphia across four games and then they won the series here in Cobb County. The Braves now have a five-game lead (essentially six thanks to the tiebreaker) with 12 games left to play — there would have to be a disaster of mammoth proportions in order for the Braves to not enter the Postseason as NL East champions.
Atlanta did exactly what they needed to do across these two series in order to tighten their grip on the divisional lead and now they are in a fantastic position as far as that race goes. FanGraphs now has Atlanta at a 99.2 percent chance of winning the division and PECOTA has it at 98.1 percent. The divisional advantage is clearly in Atlanta’s hands as the season starts to wind down.
At this point, the main question has to be whether or not the Braves can catch the Dodgers for the second seed in the National League. Atlanta is two-and-a-half games behind the Dodgers in the standings (and again, you can make that one-and-a-half thanks to the tiebreaker) and while the schedule is certainly in LA’s favor (the Dodgers have four games with the Reds, six games with the Giants and three games with the Padres in between their two series with San Francisco while the Braves have to face the Cubs, Astros, Reds and Marlins), I’m not going to say that this particular race is over.
The Dodgers just got done dropping a series in Miami (which should serve as a warning to the Braves with a trip to Miami looming) and they haven’t exactly dominated the Giants this season. They have had success with the Reds and the Padres, so there’s that. The point is that the Braves have no reason to take their foot off of the gas.
Thanks to their efforts this weekend, they’re getting closer and closer to finishing off the division and they’re still within striking distance of getting one of the top-two records in the National League. There’s still plenty to play for between now and the end of the month and the Braves have played themselves into really good shape here in the halfway point of the final month of the regular season. Let’s see what happens going forward!
The Carolina Hurricanes came up short in the first game of the 2026 Prospects Showcase, falling 4-1 to the Nashville Predators Sunday afternoon at Lane Arena.
Despite what the final score may show, it was a fairly close game (Nashville scored two goals in the final two minutes), but in the end, wins and losses aren't necessarily the point of the showcase.
"The biggest thing we're looking for is trying to establish our style of play," said Chicago Wolves coach Spiros Anastas, who was coaching the Hurricanes prospects. "Whether they're guys we're going to see in Chicago or whether they're going to be competing for a spot here with the Canes or prospects we're going to see in the future, it's just the style of play, the habits and the expectations. Wins and losses aren't that important. We went 0-3 last year and I think both of our teams did pretty well."
The Canes were icing a roster comprised of 12 of its own draft picks and eight additional invitees, who may wind up on either the Chicago Wolves or Greensboro Gargoyles rosters, but notably there are a few key players who could very well be competing for an NHL job in less than a week.
One such player is defenseman Charles Alexis Legault, who is wearing the 'C' for Carolina in the showcase and who also made quite the impression in the game as the Hurricanes' top defender.
Legault laid a bone crushing hit on Joey Willis in the opening seconds and then a few minutes later, dropped the gloves with Kalan Lind.
"Just getting back into it," Legault said with a smirk. "I thought the best way was just to get physical. I mean, hockey's a physical game, so it turned me on and I think I played better because of it."
The 23-year-old blueliner made his NHL debut last season, appearing in 12 games with the Hurricanes.
Legault is known for his physicality, but it's the growth in his overall game that has him on the precipice of really breaking into the league.
"He's becoming more of a man," Anastas said. "And it's a confidence piece too. He wants to be in the NHL and he knows he can be and we have that belief in him too."
Another two players with NHL potential close at hand are Bradly Nadeau and Felix Unger Sorum.
The two are playing on opposite wings on the Hurricanes' top line and while the two didn't connect for any goals on Sunday, you can see the way they're able to dictate play and drive offensive looks.
The lone Carolina skater who did find his way onto the score sheet though was 18-year-old Zach Lansard.
Midway through the third period, a strong forechecking shift by the Hurricanes forced Nashville into a bad turnover and Lansard was there to send the mistake right back into the Predators' faces.
It's the 2026 draftees first trip down to Carolina and while it's been a whirlwind week for the youngster, he's been enjoying the experience before he heads back to the OHL.
"It's been great," Lansard said. "Just trying to take everything in and have a smile on my face and enjoy the week here."
The Hurricanes prospects will be back in action on Tuesday, Sept. 15 as the team takes on the Tampa Bay Lightning at 2 p.m. at Lane Arena.
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BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 13: Catcher Luke Maile #18 of the Kansas City Royals drops a foul pop up as pitcher Noah Cameron #65 looks on off the bat of Wilyer Abreu #52 of the Boston Red Sox in the first inning at Fenway Park on September 13, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Royals game in Boston was delayed by almost three and a half hours, but in the late innings, dropped the series finale at Fenway Park, 4-1.
The game started with Red Sox starter Payton Tolle throwing an immaculate inning. 9 pitches, 8 fastballs and a sinker from Tolle sat the Royals down.
For the most part, the game was rather uneventful early. Caleb Durbin hit a solo homer over the monster off Noah Cameron in the second, putting Boston up 1-0.
Cameron got out of a bases loaded jam in the 4th, with a double play ball. The Royals had 1st and 3rd with two outs in the 5th, but Nick Loftin grounded out to end the inning.
In the 6th inning, Bobby Witt Jr. singled to start the inning, Jac Caglianone was hit by a pitch, making it 1st and 2nd, but Salvador Perez flew out, and Michael Massey and Matthew Lugo struck out to end the inning.
Noah Cameron was great, throwing 6 innings, allowing 4 hits, 1 run, a walk and striking out 4.
Isaac Collins and Luke Maile walked to start the 7th, Tyler Tolbert then blooped one to center, but Collins got a bad read and was thrown out at third on a force play. Carter Jensen pinch hitting for Loftin, bailed him out though, smacking a single down the line to tie it at 1. Jr. struck out with runners on the corner and Vinnie Pasquantino, pinch hitting for Cags, flew out to deep center to end the inning.
In the bottom of the 7th, Craig Kimbrel came in, got a flyout, but walked Durbin, who then stole second base. He also walked Nick Sogard. Connor Thomas came in and struck out Andruw Monasterio, but the lefty Roman Anthony singled in the go-ahead run.
The Royals went down 1-2-3 in the top of the 8th. Nate Pearson got the bottom of the 8th and gave up a one-out single and double, Trevor Story smacked a 2-run single, making it 4-1 Boston.
In the top of the 9th, Aroldis Chapman came in and walked the first two batters, but struck out Tolbert, Jensen and Witt to end the game.
The Royals fall to 66-84, they are off tomorrow, but play in Houston on Tuesday, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. CT.
Daniil Prokhorov poses after being drafted by the New York Islanders with the 42nd overall pick during rounds 2-7 of the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Peacock Theater on June 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
If this were a preview of what Daniil Prokhorov’s first season in North America will look like, then the Islanders AHL club will be worth the price of admission in its first year based in Hamilton, Ontario.
Yes, that is certainly where Prokhorov will spend this season.
The 2025 second-rounder is too raw and too unrefined for the NHL to be in the short-term future. But you look at him and see the vision, and you watch him and see clay that’s only just starting to be molded.
“You kinda know his personality without even hearing him, to be honest. He’s so upbeat,” Cole Eiserman said after he scored the overtime winner and Prokhorov scored twice as the Islanders prospects beat the Devils 5-4 at The Rock on Sunday. “You enjoy talking to him even if it’s just a few words, but he’s super funny. Very passionate on the ice. You can joke around with him.
“He’s like a big teddy bear, to be honest. He might be a grizzly bear on the ice, but a teddy bear off it.”
Daniil Prokhorov poses after being drafted by the New York Islanders with the 42nd overall pick during rounds 2-7 of the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Peacock Theater on June 28, 2025. Getty Images
At 6-foot-6 and 234 pounds, the question is how Prokhorov can leverage his size and work around its limitations.
Just 10 forwards over 6-foot-6 played 50 or more games in the NHL last year. But that group includes Tage Thompson and Aliaksei Protas, who scored 65 goals between them. Get his development right and Prokhorov’s ceiling is as intriguing as can be.
Sunday, he got to the net for both his goals and skated well enough. There were moments where he was outmaneuvered by smaller opponents on the walls, but as a whole, it was much more good than bad.
“I kinda just throw the puck to that side of the ice, I know he’s coming with speed,” Gleb Veremyev, Prokhorov’s linemate and fellow Russian speaker, told The Post. “He’s like a locomotive. It’s hard to stop him. He gets to the net.”
That’s a quality the Islanders have lacked as a team for years and which figures to continue being problematic now with the departure of Anders Lee in free agency. A big Russian freight train might help with that down the line — and especially once the 19-year-old better learns to leverage his size.
“He’s still young. He’s got a big body he’s still growing into,” Veremyev said. “Once he gets adjusted to the North American style and everything that comes with it, I’m sure he’s gonna be a heck of a player.”
Daniil Prokhorov celebrates after scoring a goal during a game between the New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils at RWJ Barnabas Health Hockey House at Prudential Center on September 13, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Hamilton coach Jay McKee, who has been running development camp, was left impressed by how well Prokhorov moves for someone of his size. That comes after Prokhorov spent the summer training with strength coach Ben Prentiss’ group in Stamford, along with a group of NHLers.
“Love playing with him,” Eiserman said. “Super passionate on the bench. It’s fun. He loves the game. You can tell he’s a goal scorer. He’s gonna play for a long time.”
Quinn Finley (shoulder) didn’t dress for the scrimmage, nor did Isaiah George, who was rested.
It’s too early to say whether Finley, who has been in a red noncontact jersey so far in camp, will play in the return leg on Long Island on Tuesday, but McKee said George would likely participate.
“These kinds of games, he doesn’t necessarily have to play, but I think it’s good to get his timing,” McKee said.
It is admittedly easy to find yourself questioning just about every single inch of the process that got the Cincinnati Reds to their current position in last place in the National League Central. It’s even easier to do so when they got outscored 34-1 across a two-game span (and allowed another 13 runs the following day).
Last place. A whopping -145 run differential.
The astonishingly bad decision to acquire Ke’Bryan Hayes last trade deadline, the use of funds on Eugenio Suarez and Brady Singer and the rest of the bullpen, the continued inability to develop hitters aside from Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart. Giving up Mike Sirota and a comp pick for one famished season of Gavin Lux.
The poor moves that have been made tend to add up in a hurry. That’s how a team ends up not only in last place, but projected to remain there if and when baseball actually gets to playing next year, too, through the looming lockout.
Despite all of that, it appears the Cincinnati Reds don’t have many plans to make changes. In fact, they’re leaning hard into the same continuity that has led them through an era of zero division titles, zero postseason wins, and more last place finishes in the division than one can remember.
So says Gordon Wittenmyer of The Enquirer, who reportedly earlier on Sunday that the Reds don’t appear to be intent on making changes to the group who’s in charge of making decisions on how to run this baseball franchise.
The Reds, who avoided a winless six-game road trip with a win over the Brewers Sunday, plan to maintain continuity with their front office management team. https://t.co/C5kBofdbLN
That means Nick Krall and Brad Meador are expected to still sit atop the hierarchy. That means that future Hall of Fame manager Terry Francona isn’t going anywhere. While we’ve not seen pitching guru Derek Johnson for months during the season, it seems as if the Reds would like to make sure he sticks around, too.
The Reds entered play on Sunday ranked dead last in defensive runs saved. They ranked third-worst in collective FIP (ahead of only the lowly Athletics and Colorado Rockies). They ranked fourth-worst in team wRC+ offensively at 93, just a hair above being in dead last – that’s 91.
Fielding, pitching, and hitting seem to rank pretty highly on the list of things baseball teams should try to do well if they’re intent on winning games. Fielding, pitching, and hitting are three areas where the Reds are either the worst, or nearly the worst, in the entire sport. And it now appears as if the same group who assembled this team from the ashes of the 2022 rebuild is going to get another chance to rebuild it in their image – or, even more shockingly, will get to run it back with no changes whatsoever.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Josh Naylor #12 of the Seattle Mariners scores a run on a sacrifice fly by Jhonny Pereda #5 of the Seattle Mariners during the top of the fourth inning against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on September 13, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A’s 8, Mariners 7
The first winds of fall: Randy Arozarena, +0.43 WPA Falling on your butt: Andrés Muñoz, -0.49 WPA
Game Thread Comments of the Day
Like every Mariners fan, I’ve been having a lot of feelings about Rizzs this season, but we’ll be in good hands.
And a bonus GTCOD, a late entrant from the captain.
DYERSVILLE, IA - AUGUST 11: Kohl Franklin #48 of the Iowa Cubs waves to the crowd during player introductions prior to the MiLB Field of Dreams game between the St. Paul Saints and the Iowa Cubs at MLB Field at Field of Dreams on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 in Dyersville, Iowa. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Starter Kohl Franklin gave up a double to the first batter of the game and a single to the second one, putting runners on first and third. After that, he was nearly perfect. Franklin allowed a one-out sac fly in the first, but only one more baserunner on a walk the rest of his start. His final line was one run on two hits over five innings. Franklin struck out five and walked one as he picked up the win.
Gabe Klobostis entered the game with the bases-loaded and two outs in the eighth inning. He got a ground ball to first to end that threat. Then he pitched a scoreless ninth and took home the save. Klobostis allowed just a one-out single, but that runner was quickly thrown out trying to steal second. Klobostis struck out one.
Both Iowa runs came on a two-run home run by left fielder Jordan Nwogu in the second inning. It was Nwogu’s third home run for Iowa and fourth overall. He was 1 for 3.
Center fielder Chas McCormick was 3 for 3 and scored on Nwogu’s blast.
Connor Schultz only allowed one run on five hits over three innings, but that was enough for the loss. Schultz walked one and struck out two.
Knoxville managed just two hits in this game, both singles. DH Kane Kepley and right fielder Andy Garriola were both 1 for 4.
Knoxville finished the second-half at 35-33 and in second place, 1.5 games behind Rocket City. Their overall record was 73-64 after their first-half win. Knoxville will start the best-of-three Division Series in Rocket City on Tuesday. Games two and three (if necessary), will be in Knoxville on Thursday and Friday.
NEW YORK (AP) — Clarke Schmidt will be activated this week and will rejoin the New York Yankees as a reliever, 14 months after elbow surgery.
Manager Aaron Boone indicated the 30-year-old right-hander could return during a three-game series in Minnesota that starts Monday.
“This has been a long journey,” Schmidt said before Sunday’s Subway Series final against the Mets. “So a lot of anticipation and it’s probably going to feel like a debut when I go out there, but it’s going to be exciting. I’m ready to get back out there and compete with the guys.”
Schmidt had an internal brace procedure on his ulnar collateral ligament by Texas Rangers team physician Dr. Keith Meister on July 11, 2025, and was told recovery would take about a year. He had a 3.86 ERA in five minor league rehabilitation appearances starting Aug. 29. He threw 12 of 21 pitches for strikes and struck out three of four hitters as a reliever for Double-A Somerset on Saturday.
“I think he can be huge,” Boone said. “I think he’s throwing the ball really well. His stuff’s really good now right now. I feel like it has been for the last month. So I think he definitely could be an interesting guy for us down there and hopefully that’s the case.”
New York began Sunday second with a 3.16 bullpen ERA, trailing only Boston. Yankee relievers have thrown 527 2/3 innings, the seventh-fewest amongst the 30 teams and Brent Headrick is second to Toronto’s Mason Fluharty for the major league lead with 75 appearances.
“I think it will shake itself out as far as what the role is,” Schmidt said. “Obviously I’m a reliever so I think that how they use me in leverage or whatever the case may be, it’s going to shake itself out. I don’t think I’m going to be throwing a bunch of innings, like three, four, stuff like that and I don’t see myself probably going back to back, but I want to work myself into leverage and pitch in big scenarios and try to pitch as much as I can and help guys in big situations.”
Schmidt was 4-4 with a 3.32 ERA in 14 starts last season. He previously had Tommy John surgery in May 2017, a month before the Yankees selected him with the 16th overall pick in the amateur draft out of South Carolina.
The 30-year-old debuted in 2020 and made 27 of his 30 career relief appearances in 2022. He is 23-24 with a 3.82 ERA in 97 games for the Yankees and 5-3 with a 3.18 ERA and two saves as a reliever.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco’s Rafael Devers’ season is over and he may have surgery for a core muscle injury.
The Giants placed the first baseman/designated hitter and designated hitter on the 60-day injured list Sunday, ending his season.
Devers, who leads the team with 37 homers and 98 RBIs, is to meet Monday in Philadelphia with Dr. William Meyers. If a procedure is recommended, Devers would have the operation on Tuesday.
Devers had played in 309 consecutive games before sitting out the Giants’ 7-6 win over St. Louis on Wednesday.
“He battled with it the entire year,” Giants manager Tony Vitello said. “I think it’s something that has bothered him for a few years now.”
Devers homered in his last two games and had eight home runs with 20 RBIs in his final 11 games.
“I think he’s pretty geeked up about next year,” Vitello said. “His confidence in next year’s success gives me confidence.”
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 09: Gabriel Landeskog #92 of the Colorado Avalanche is recorded by TNT during the NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour at City National Arena on September 09, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This weekend it was time to spotlight the Colorado Avalanche rookies before main training camp kicks off this week on Thursday, September 17th. After the release of the 25-man roster of attendees, all that was left was finally some on-ice activity.
Practice at Family Sports Center
Bright and early Friday morning the group of Avalanche rookies gathered for a brief practice before their two game set in San Jose, Calif. over the weekend. First, some news was released as the club need to bolster their roster on the back end. Great to see 2026 draftee Teddy Lechner as one of the selections, he must be on loan from the USHL. Two of the other names were in invites in attendance at development camp a few months ago.
The following players have been added to the Avalanche Rookie Faceoff roster:
Teddy Lechner Noah Jettelson Evan Friesen
Additionally, Saige Weinstein and Connor Kelley will not be participating in rookie camp activities due to injury.
For the practice, it was a short but productive one and lasted a little over an hour. Some ideas at lines began to form with Beckett Hamilton featuring often on TJ Hughes’ right wing. There was also some center ice battle drills leading to 2v2, which was a new look, perhaps from new Colorado Eagles head coach Jussi Ahokas. Getting the special teams units up to par was also on the agenda, first the traditional 5v4 practice but then later on a down low focus of just 3v2 was an interesting new approach.
Game 1 vs. Anaheim – 7-2 WIN
How the #Avs are going to line up today, courtesy of @CurtisPashelka on the ground in San Jose.
Ilya Nabokov will get his first taste of live North American hockey that (sort of) counts. pic.twitter.com/SOYvoY39EC
To start, this game was delayed over an hour but when the puck finally dropped, it was all Avalanche in a 7-2 victory. The top line was as suspected with TJ Hughes centering Taylor Makar and Beckett Hamilton, which was the trio that got the scoring started. For the first goal Makar received a gorgeous feed from Hamilton and then Hamilton scored himself on a one timer cross-ice pass from Hughes. Other goal scorers were from Matthew DiMarsico, Shawn Carrier, Cooper Gay and invite Kalder Varga.
Defenseman Alex Gagne had a special outing with a complete Gordie Howe hat trick plus an extra assist all while wearing the captain’s “C” on his jersey. Ilya Nabokov looked sharp in net and earned the win playing the first 40 minutes. He put on a show on the penalty kill when Anaheim was awarded numerous opportunities in the second period.
With a much thinner lineup compared to the previous tilt, the Avalanche found a tighter checking game against the Golden Knights rookies. The game unfolded somewhat similarly in the first two periods to the prior contest as Colorado built a 4-2 lead on a solid outing from goaltender Nikita Novosyolov. They received goals from invites Noah Jettelson, Kalder Varga and two from Jake Chaisson.
In the third period entered 2026 draftee Alexandre Raymond in net who was tasked with holding down the fort against Vegas’ pressure. At this point it was a total penalty-fest and Vegas evened up the game 4-4. Shortly after that Nikita Prishchepov scored on one of his half dozen penalty kill breakaways and put the Avalanche up 5-4 with only a few minutes left in the game. Linus Funck took a bad penalty and put Vegas back on the power play where they scored again and the game went to overtime.
Nikita Prishchepov on the SHORTY FOR THE LEAD late in the game! He uses all of PK skills from the AHL to take the puck away and run with it! And the video feed went to crud again. #Avs#GoAvsGopic.twitter.com/ysYnbiBNR9
Colorado was awarded a power play right at the end of regulation but couldn’t score on the 4v3. The five minute overtime concluded without a score and the game went into a shootout. Beckett Hamilton was the only tally for Colorado while Vegas put two on the board and the game ended 6-5 in their favor.
On defense it was an interesting mix both days of AHL veterans and young prospects. Teddy Lechner, who wasn’t even supposed to join the tournament as his USHL team begins their season in a matter of days, did well especially for as inexperienced as he is. Same goes for Ondrej Ruml as both were drafted by the Avalanche this summer. Linus Funck has hot and cold moments but was able to get a lot of ice time. Alex Gagne certainly will move up the pecking order with his strong showing in the first game as well. Sean Behrens set up a very nice goal in the second game but seems a bit lost in the shuffle.
It’s hard not to get excited for Beckett Hamilton who was able to show off his talents in this setting. He had looked good in camps prior to the showcase and turned it up a notch in these games by leading all Colorado rookies with 10 shots on goal over the two games. He’s still only 18-years-old and needs to get stronger on the puck but he has all the attributes of a NHL forward including a shot mentality to go along with a heavy shot but also great vision and playmaking ability, defensive aptitude and high hockey IQ. A goal, assist and shootout goal over the two days in a nice weekend of work heading into a tougher challenge against NHL competition where hopefully he can add a couple more shining moments. Also among the forward group, TJ Hughes and Taylor Makar set themselves up nicely to battle for NHL opportunity in main camp next week.
As the “starters” over the two games, both Ilya Nabokov and Nikita Novosyolov each contributed to the leads they allowed their teammates to build. Only giving up two goal each, the Russian netminders had particularly good sequences in the second periods when they were frequently on the penalty kill. Nabokov has a smoothness to his game with good reads and made an especially dramatic glove save. Novosyolov has a more aggressive style where he challenges in the crease more but was just as effective. To consider him just an ECHL goaltender would be a mistake.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Steven Kwan homered to lead off the game, Tanner Bibee had seven strikeouts in 6 2/3 strong innings, and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Minnesota Twins 9-2 on Sunday to pull within a half-game of the American League Central-leading Chicago White Sox.
The Guardians are one game ahead of Toronto, and have a 5 1/2-game lead over Minnesota, in the race for the final AL wild-card spot. Cleveland hosts the White Sox for a three-game series beginning Monday.
Travis Bazzana drove in three runs for Cleveland, including a two-run homer in the sixth inning.
Bibee (6-15) gave up just two runs on four hits. The 27-year-old right-hander had allowed 10 runs over 8 1/3 innings in his previous two September starts.
Minnesota All-Star Joe Ryan’s tough second-half continued.
Making his second start since coming off the injured list, Ryan (6-10) surrendered four runs on seven hits in four innings. He is 0-5 with an 8.48 ERA in five starts since the All-Star Game. He had given up eight runs on a franchise-record six homers allowed in a start against the Guardians on July 20.
Kwan sent the second pitch of the game from Ryan into the row of flowers in the overhang in right field at Target Field for just his third homer of the season. He finished a triple shy of the cycle.
Jo Adell added a solo home run in the third.
Kody Clemens doubled home Luke Keaschall in the third, and Trevor Larnach hit a solo homer in the seventh for the Twins.null
Up next
Guardians: RHP Gavin Williams (13-7, 3.78 ERA) starts Monday for Cleveland opposite White Sox RHP Sean Burke (8-7, 3.58).
Twins: RHP Dean Kremer (3-5, 5.65) starts Monday against New York Yankees RHP Will Warren (10-6, 4.05) to open a three-game series at Target Field.
