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Canadiens’ Hughes On Demidov And Dach

When it comes to hockey, Montreal is a city that never sleeps. All through the summer, we’ve seen footage coming out of the Montreal Canadiens’ training facility in Brossard of players training hard through the dog days of Summer. There’s been plenty of talk about Ivan Demidov spending the summer in his new hometown and a lot of speculation about Kirby Dach’s health status. Earlier this week, GM Kent Hughes spoke to NHL.com about both players, and what he had to say was interesting.

Speaking about Russian rookie Demidov, the man in charge praised his work ethic, saying the youngster has been skating in Brossard twice a day, five times a week, adding that he’s been trying to keep him off the ice. It sounds like Hughes has another Lane Hutson on his hands. Last season, the now sophomore defenseman was spending so much time on the ice that the Canadiens had to forbid him to skate for him to take a day off when the rest of the team wasn’t skating.

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The GM also added he felt he could see Demidov start to figure the NHL game out during the playoffs when it came to knowing how much time he had, or didn’t have, to make a play. That’s undoubtedly an encouraging sign for a player who has only had seven games of NHL hockey under his belt. Despite being very young and green, you can expect Demidov to slide into a top-six pair when the puck drops on the 2025-26 season.

Speaking of the top six, Hughes also briefly talked about Dach’s health status and mentioned the hope is that the center will be ready to go at the start of the season or early in the fall. While there was no promise made about him being prepared to start the upcoming season, in the Canadiens’ press release about his injury, it was mentioned that he was expected to be ready for the start of the 2025-26 campaign.

As we’ve discussed earlier this offseason, coming back from a second ACL injury is a big deal, and Canadiens fans don’t have to look very far to realize that. Former Habs blueliner Andrei Markov had to go under the knife twice for this same injury, and the road to recovery was a long one.

Dach will be ready when he is ready, but at this stage, it’s important not to rush him back and allow the knee to heal properly if the Canadiens want to see and get the very best out of the 24-year-old.

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Plaschke: The 'legend' Clayton Kershaw is legendary again for Dodgers

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 15, 2025: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw.
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws to first base to force out San Diego's Ramón Laureano during the fifth inning of the Dodgers' 3-2 win Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Kershaw gave up just two hits and one earned run over six innings. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Even now, Clayton Kershaw.

After all these years, Clayton Kershaw.

When the Dodgers are reeling and roiling and losing their grip on a long hot summer, who is the one player who can stop the fall and calm the nerves and, oh yeah, kick some San Diego Padre butt?

Still, still, still, Clayton Kershaw.

He’s 37 with a battered 18-season body and a fastball the speed of a Zamboni and yet there he was Friday night, carrying an entire worried Dodger nation on his weary shoulders into the opener of a three-game series against the cocky rivals who had just stolen first place.

Final score: Dodgers 3, Padres 2

Final line: Six innings, two hits, one run.

Final verdict: He’s still All That.

“We had the right guy on the mound tonight, I think we all know that,” said manager Dave Roberts, smiling for what seemed like the first time in a week. “What he did for us tonight, not only just the compete, but the stuff ... getting us through six innings was huge, setting us up for the rest of the series ... Clayton set the tone ... big, big outing by him.”

Read more:Dodgers slay their recent demons by beating Padres to regain tie for first in NL West

It was a blast from the past, only it’s been happening in the present, Kershaw behaving like the staff’s second-best starter, improving his record to 7-2 while lowering his ERA to 3.01 and, as crazy as this once sounded, making an early case for inclusion in the postseason rotation.

“It was a good night,” Kershaw said.

Understated as usual. For all this game meant, it was a great night.

Since July 4 the Dodgers had been worse than even the Colorado Rockies, with a 12-21 record while losing 10 games in the standings to the Padres in a span of 40 days, surrendering first place just two days ago, and set to play the Padres six times in the next two weeks.

They desperately needed somebody to stop the bleeding. And before the game, Roberts claimed that Kershaw was “the perfect guy” to do it.

Perfect prediction. Almost perfect performance.

Read more:'Super grateful' Clayton Kershaw, Dodger teammates bask in glow of 3,000th strikeout

There was Kershaw, spinning and steering and surfing the ball past the Padre bats with apparent ease, his only mistake a hanging curve that Ramón Laureano hit 400 feet.

There was Kershaw, deftly making plays from the mound, demonstrably pleading for every close strike call, proudly stalking from the mound into a dugout filled with hugs and high-fives.

And there was Kershaw, after his maligned bullpen danced through danger and barely survived, admitting that maybe this game meant a little more.

“When you play everyday, things can spiral pretty quick,” he said. “So maybe just coming home, having an off day to reset, and playing good games ... it just takes one to get going. Hopefully this was it tonight for us.”

Before the game, Roberts acknowledged that the Dodgers just play harder, and with more urgency, when Kershaw is pitching.

“He had a way of elevating people’s focus and play,” Roberts said.

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw turns to walk back to the dugout after the Dodgers completed a double play.
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw turns to walk back to the dugout after the Dodgers completed a double play against the Padres in the sixth inning Friday. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Sure enough, a team that had seemingly forgotten to do the little things did every little thing, from great defensive plays at the corners from Alex Freeland and Freddie Freeman to the eighth-inning sweeper from Blake Treinen that fooled Manny Machado into stranding two runners with a popout.

This is a team that devoutly follows Kershaw ... when they’re not sitting back and admiring him.

“He’s built for these big moments,” said Teoscar Hernández, whose seventh inning homer eventually proved to be the difference. “He is a legend.”

Kershaw was at his best when the Dodgers' best was needed, and in doing so he brought sanity back to the National League West and old-fashioned hardball back to a series that had become cheap and unseemly.

In these two teams’ seven previous meetings this season, the Padres Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit three times, Shohei Ohtani was hit twice, and Roberts and Padres manager Mike Shildt engaged in a brief shoving and shouting match.

The stage was set for more bad blood, but Kershaw, who entered with a career 23-11 record and 2.19 ERA against the Padres, quickly put an end to that. He retired the Padres on a three-up-three-down first inning and efficiently dominated them from there.

“It's a game in August, obviously, it’s not that huge a deal,” Kershaw said. “But the way we were going, it felt like a big game for us and, thankful that we got a win.”

The only possible controversy emerged when Kershaw was removed from the game after just 76 pitches, surprising fans who didn’t have time to give him the proper standing ovation while leaving the game in the shaky hands of the bullpen.

Get used to it. The Dodgers are smartly going to protect the midseason Kershaw in hopes of maximizing the October Kershaw.

“I just think we’ve got to take care of him,” Roberts said. “For Clayton to give us six strong innings of one-run baseball, he did his job, there was no reason to push him more.”

Before the game, Roberts was asked if his struggling team held a players-only meeting. He said that, no, the transparent results of the next week would be the equivalent of any meeting.

“I don’t like to be embarrassed, I don’t think our players do, so this series I’m expecting high intensity and high performance,” Roberts said. “I think in itself, the schedule over the next week, will suffice in lieu of a meeting.”

In an opener that pulled the two teams into a first-place tie, the early results were clear.

High intensity? Check.

High performance? Check.

Clayton Kershaw? Still.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Keith Kinkaid Eyes NHL Return After Strong 3ICE Performance

Former New Jersey Devils goaltender Keith Kinkaid is aiming for an NHL comeback this season.

The 36-year-old netminder, listed at six-foot-two, first broke into the league in 2012-13 after going undrafted. He spent his first six seasons with the Devils before moving on to the Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, and most recently the Colorado Avalanche in 2022-23.

Though he appeared in just one NHL game over his last three seasons, Kinkaid is making noise again thanks to an impressive showing at this summer’s 3ICE 3-on-3 tournament, held at the Florida Panthers’ practice facility. Playing with 3ICE Buffalo, he turned aside 30 shots across two wins, including a highlight-reel save on a two-on-one breakaway, to help his team secure the tournament’s No. 1 seed.

Buffalo now heads into the final four championship this week, where they’ll face Minnesota. A win would set up a matchup against either NY/NJ or Tennessee.

“I knew we needed to win, and I knew I needed to be dialed in early,” Kinkaid told NHL.com following his performance.

Last season, Kinkaid suited up in the ECHL with the Savannah Ghost Pirates, posting a .893 save percentage in 32 games after several years bouncing between AHL teams. In his NHL career, he has appeared in 169 games with a career .905 save percentage.

Now, his focus is squarely on returning to the league. “Right now, I just want to keep playing. We’ll see what happens,” Kinkaid said. “This is a great opportunity to show I still have it. My body is holding up very well. I am 36, but I am just trying to prolong my career because once it’s done, it’s done. [3ICE] has given me the chance to keep playing, to showcase that I still have gas left in the tank. It has been a tough couple of years just bouncing around, but hopefully someone calls and I get the chance to play again this season.”

Kinkaid remains unsigned heading into 2025-26 but is open to any opportunity. “Any opportunity is fine with me,” he added.

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A special win: How the Brewers tied their franchise record with 13 straight victories

CINCINNATI — The Milwaukee Brewers just keep streaking, and now they’ve matched the franchise record for consecutive wins at 13.

The Brewers rallied from seven runs down through two innings Friday night by scoring nine unanswered runs in thumping the Cincinnati Reds 10-8.

Milwaukee opened the 1987 season winning the first 13.

“It’s just a special win,” said Christian Yelich, who had two homers among four hits driving in five runs.

This latest streak in a season in which the Brewers just don’t lose very often or bash their way back to one big win after another has them atop all of Major League Baseball with a 77-44 record. That’s six better than Toronto, and Milwaukee has opened up a nine-game lead inside the NL Central over Chicago.

That success has fed their confidence. Yelich told manager Pat Murphy they were going to win even when trailing 8-1 after two innings. He played with a bat honoring Bob Uecker, the Brewers’ former announcer who died in January at the age of 90, down to his signature home run call.

Yelich said the Brewers have been in this situation before and always find a way to make it close.

“Just with the way that our team is I knew we weren’t going to get our doors blown off,” Yelich said. “You know we’re going to find a way to get our way back into that thing. We just got a roomful of fighters and guys who just don’t care what the scoreboard says or anything like that.”

Uecker, nicknamed Mr. Baseball, broadcast Milwaukee games for over half a century. Murphy said they just have to convince themselves that Uecker is still with them after what he meant to the organization.

“Somehow it seems like he’s watching over us,” Murphy said. “I said he’s not going to miss a game. Well, he was definitely here tonight. Yelly proved it. Special.”

Yelich nearly put his bat away after an opening home run only to keep swinging it the rest of the game. He was supposed to use the bat honoring Uecker last year, and Uecker loved the bat when he saw it. Yelich called this kind of a full-circle moment.

“If you know Ueck, you know like crazy things like that are going to happen when he’s involved,” Yelich said. “It just adds to like how special tonight was.”

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Dodgers slay their recent demons by beating Padres to regain tie for first in NL West

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 15, 2025: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw.
Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw delivers during the first inning of a 3-2 win over the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on Friday night. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

On a night the Dodgers had a stadium-wide giveaway promotion for the anime show "Demon Slayer," the club slayed a few recently troublesome demons of its own.

In the opening game of this season’s biggest series to date, they finally found a way not to trip over themselves.

By beating the San Diego Padres 3-2 at Dodger Stadium, the club moved back into a tie with the Padres for first place in the National League West.

They got six strong innings from Clayton Kershaw; plus, in a refreshing change of pace, plenty of crisp, clean defense behind him.

Read more:Dodgers' Max Muncy to miss several weeks because of oblique strain

And though a lineup that lost Max Muncy to the injured list with an oblique strain before the game was largely contained by the Padres (who had to go with a bullpen game after scheduled starter Michael King was shelved with a shoulder injury), the Dodgers still managed to break their four-game losing streak thanks to their biggest weakness of late.

For the first time in what felt like several weeks, a scuffling bullpen finally didn’t cough up a late, narrow lead.

The Dodgers (69-53) came into this weekend’s rivalry series reeling in a way that once seemed impossible for this year’s $400-million team.

Since July 4, they were just 12-21. What had been a nine-game division lead then was transformed into a one-game deficit to the Padres, who came to Los Angeles riding high thanks to a monster trade deadline and a recent 14-3 streak.

More dark clouds formed a few hours before first pitch when Muncy (who missed Wednesday’s game with side soreness) was placed on the injured list with a Grade 1 oblique strain, sidelining him for at least the next several weeks.

And though the Dodgers had taken five of seven games from the Padres (69-53) earlier this season, they suddenly felt more like an underdog now, searching for answers to their recently inconsistent offense, unsound fundamentals and untrustworthy bullpen (which had squandered five games in the past two weeks).

“I don't like to be embarrassed. I don't think our players do [either],” manager Dave Roberts said before the game. “So this series, I'm expecting high intensity and high performance.”

The Dodgers delivered on both.

Kershaw set the tone, displaying a vintage demeanor even with his ever-diminished stuff. Before the game, he marched through the clubhouse and hunched over his locker, leafing through a scouting report while teammates carefully tip-toed around him. Between innings, he quietly paced in the dugout while avoiding almost any human contact. And when he was atop the mound, he pounded the strike zone and executed pitch after pitch, yielding his only run in the second inning when Ramón Laureano (one of several sizzling San Diego deadline acquisitions) clipped the outside of the left-field foul pole to open the scoring.

“There's just no one more intense or focused than Clayton,” Roberts said. “He has a way of elevating people's focus and play.”

It certainly appeared that way. Defensively, the Dodgers helped Kershaw out by turning several tough plays around the infield — from Freddie Freeman picking a ball in the dirt the second inning, to Alex Freeland and then Kershaw himself making tough plays in the third and fifth, respectively.

Teoscar Hernández celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run.San Diego's Manny Machado reacts after striking out in the first inning.Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts throws to first base to complete the double play after forcing out San Diego's Freddy Fermin at second base.
Teoscar Hernández celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Padres in the seventh inning Friday. San Diego's Manny Machado reacts after striking out in the first inning. Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts throws to first base to complete the double play after forcing out San Diego's Freddy Fermin at second base. Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

At the plate, the Dodgers also managed to capitalize on a bases-loaded, no-out opportunity in the third, after singles from Michael Conforto and Freeland were followed by a popped-up Miguel Rojas bunt that Padres third baseman Manny Machado couldn’t catch with a dive.

The Dodgers didn’t get another hit in the inning, but Shohei Ohtani drove in one run by beating out a potential double-play ball. Mookie Betts then added a go-ahead sacrifice fly.

The score remained 2-1 until Teoscar Hernández belted an opposite-field homer in the seventh, producing a massively important insurance run.

Then, it was up to the bullpen, which was asked to protect the kind of slim late-game lead they’ve squandered all too often during the team’s recent skid.

Ben Casparius pitched a scoreless seventh inning, stranding a two-out double from Jackson Merrill.

Dodgers relief pitcher Jack Dreyer celebrates after the final out of a 3-2 win over the San Diego Padres.
Dodgers relief pitcher Jack Dreyer celebrates after the final out of a 3-2 win over the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Alex Vesia created a jam in the eighth by hitting two batters and loading the bases on a walk. But the Padres only managed one run, with Vesia getting Luis Arraez to hit a sacrifice fly before Blake Treinen came on and retired Manny Machado on a first-pitch pop-up.

In the ninth inning, surprisingly, Roberts didn’t stick with Treinen — who they’ve been wary of using for multiple innings as he continues to work his way back from an early-season elbow injury.

The move might’ve been questionable. But, at long last, the result didn’t backfire.

Alexis Díaz and Jack Dreyer pitched around a single from Merrill in the ninth.

The Dodgers finally held on to a late lead. And after spending the last 48 hours in second place, the team climbed back to the top of the division standings, exorcising the close-game demons that had so dauntingly haunted them over the last several weeks.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Yankees' Brian Cashman defends Aaron Boone, says manager is doing 'best he can'

It's been a tumultuous season for the Yankees, who sit precariously as the final wild card team even after their win Friday night against the Cardinals.

The same Yankees that were in the World Series less than a year ago, and have kept the same core of players, have underachieved in 2025 and many believe it falls on manager Aaron Boone's shoulders. But Brian Cashman doesn't.

The longtime GM of the Yankees spoke to the media, including The Athletic, prior to Friday's game in St. Louis, and was asked numerous questions, including what he thinks of the job Boone is doing in 2025 and how he's handling the ups and downs of the season.

"The best he can," Cashman said. “I don’t know how any manager, let alone a manager in a big market like New York, speaking of Aaron Boone, I’ve told him many times, how he does the pre- and postgame and navigates that on a daily basis, that’s not easy. It takes a talent in its own right to try to walk through that without losing your cool or getting emotional. He has stayed level-headed and even-keeled. 

"He knows how tough this sport is. He’s invested in these guys heavily, as we all are. Trying to explain away a difficult play or a bad performance for some time while the storm is upon us is not an easy task to navigate or deal with and remain cool, calm and collected. He’s obviously done an amazing job of working through that."

Cashman said he wouldn't be able to do what Boone does in dealing with the media, but in addition to defending Boone with how he handles the large New York market, is how he also manages the players. 

“I’m not an advocate of becoming Randy ‘Macho Man’ Savage or John Cena from WWE and providing a power drive to finish off the victim — the victim being someone struggling at the plate, struggling defensively, struggling on the mound," he said. "And now you’re hearing it externally, and their family and friends are all hearing it. Then internally, now, they’re getting piled on also. In many cases, you’ve got to understand what the atmosphere is like.”

Cashman said players require more support in a market like New York and that Boone has the skills to help players get through struggles at the plate or on the field. 

But the Yankees GM is not overlooking the team's struggles over the last few months, which include losing their grasp on the AL East and fighting for their playoff lives. The Yankees are just 1.5 games ahead of the Cleveland Guardians after Friday's games. 

And while that's good to get into the postseason, Cashman is not delusional about how the team is playing and that they need to right the ship sooner rather than later.

“We’re the defending American League champs trying to re-defend that,” Cashman said. “Obviously, right now, we’re not in control of the division. Our first goal is try to win the American League East and automatically punch the ticket that way. If not, we’ll be fighting to punch a ticket a different way. We have a lot of time on the clock, but not enough time at the same time. I don’t want to misrepresent (that) there’s not urgency, because there is.”


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Two-start pitchers: Joe Ryan headlines the dynamite options for the week of August 18

Hello and welcome to the 20th installment of our weekly two-start pitcher article for the 2025 MLB season.

I'll be here every Friday to highlight some of the best two-start pitcher options in fantasy baseball leagues for the upcoming week, as well as some streaming options to keep in mind.

Thinking ahead with your weekly strategy can give you an advantage on the waiver wire and hopefully be a difference-maker in the standings at the end of the season.

This is a living document, so we'll update the options below as the weekend moves along.

Before we get into it, we'll start with a couple of notes on situations that may be unresolved or teams that may not have a two-start pitcher lined up for the upcoming week:

The Phillies are going to a six-man rotation to accommodate the return of Aaron Nola. That means that despite the fact that Ranger Suarez will pitch on Monday, he’ll make just one start on the week like the rest of his rotation-mates. If anything changes, we’ll update here.

The Cubs play eight games next week due to a doubleheader on Monday, so even if they do shift to a six-man rotation, they would have two pitchers line up for two-start weeks. We’re confident that Cade Horton will be one of them, and he is profiled below. Jameson Taillon is likely to slot into the mix during one game of Monday’s doubleheader. If the Cubs go with a true six-man, he would start again over the weekend against the Angels in Los Angeles. It’s also possible that they may prefer to keep Matthew Boyd on regular rest or go with some sort of modified six-man rotation, in which case it’s possible that Boyd would make two starts next week. He should be in fantasy lineups regardless though, so there’s no decision point there. We’ll update in this space if we gain more clarity through the weekend.

The Rays only play five games next week, so it’s unlikely that anyone on the team will make two starts. It’s possible they could decide to skip Joe Boyle during this trip through the rotation, which would have Shane Baz make two starts – vs. Yankees and vs. Cardinals – but that’s not guaranteed.

We’re also still awaiting word on what the Blue Jays plan to do with their rotation to accommodate the return of Shane Bieber. Eric Lauer has pitched far to well to just bump him from their rotation, but it’s unclear if they want to go with a full six-man rotation. We’ll update as we receive more information.

Without further ado, let's dig into the options for the week of August 18.

Going Twice…

Note: Probable pitchers as of August 15 and are subject to change.

American League

Strong Plays

Joe Ryan, Twins, RHP (vs. Athletics, @ White Sox)

On paper, this looks to be one of the strongest overall weeks that we have seen this season. Twins’ ace Joe Ryan enters the week with a 12-5 record, 2.72 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and a 153/27 K/BB ratio over 139 innings. He has also pitched well as of late, coming in off of two straight wins including a dominant performance against the Yankees in New York. Now he’ll welcome in the slumping Athletics’ offense before finishing his week against the White Sox in Chicago. He’s probably the top option overall on the board this week and should be a goldmine of fantasy production.

Trevor Rogers, Orioles, LHP (@ Red Sox, vs. Astros)

I never thought that we’d see the day that Trevor Rogers blossomed into a fantasy ace with the Orioles, but here we are. The 27-year-old southpaw has gone 5-2 with a brilliant 1.43 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and a 60/15 K/BB ratio over 69 1/3 innings through his first 11 starts. Absolutely outstanding. The matchups are tough this week, but Rogers has shown us more than enough to trust him in difficult spots – especially with the added volume of a two-start week. After all, he has allowed just three earned runs over 21 innings his last three times out against the Phillies, Mariners and Cubs – with two of those starts coming on the road. It’s time to put some respect on his name and lock him into all lineups this week.

Logan Gilbert, Mariners, RHP (@ Phillies, vs. Athletics)

Gilbert is one of the best pitchers in all of baseball and should be started in 100 percent of leagues every week. A matchup against the Athletics to close out the upcoming two-start week is simply icing on the cake. Enjoying watching one of the best in the game perform his craft twice next week.

Hunter Brown, Astros, RHP (@ Tigers, @ Orioles)

There’s no decisions for fantasy managers to make with this one. One of the best pitchers in the American League should be locked into fantasy lineups each and every week. The fact that he gets to pitch twice is just a bonus. It’s also a bonus that he’ll be pitching in front of his friends and family in Detroit on Tuesday as a proud graduate of Lakeview High School in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. Brown will continue doing his thing this week, posting stellar ratios, piling up strikeouts and winning the occasional ballgame.

Jacob Lopez, Athletics, LHP (@ Twins, @ Mariners)

While he has had a couple of rough outings, overall Lopez has been very good for the Athletics this season – compiling a 3.30 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 103/30 K/BB ratio over 84 2/3 innings. It has only led to six victories, but that’s not his fault, and the rest of the production has made him mixed league relevant throughout the season. He’ll now get to face a depleted Twins’ offense that is really struggling to score runs before having to battle the powerful Mariners at Safeco Field. I’d be starting Lopez with full confidence in all leagues this coming week.

Seth Lugo, Royals, RHP (vs. Rangers, @ Tigers)

Lugo is having another very solid season for the Royals, posting an 8-6 record, 3.77 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 110/47 K/BB ratio over 131 1/3 innings through his first 23 starts. He has been a viable mixed league option for most weeks this season and that’s certainly the case again this week with to starts on tap. The matchups aren’t the greatest, but we aren’t really worried about Lugo blowing up our ratios. He should be started in all leagues.

Carlos Rodón, Yankees, LHP (@ Rays, vs. Red Sox)

It has flown a bit under the radar just how good the 32-year-old southpaw has been for the Yankees this season. Through his first 25 starts he sits at 12-7 with a 3.25 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and a 164/58 K/BB ratio over 146 2/3 innings and is on track to receive some down-ballot Cy Young votes. He’ll look to keep the good times rolling this week against a pair of very familiar divisional opponents. He should be locked into lineups regardless of matchups, but make sure you have him in there this week.

Merrill Kelly, Rangers, RHP (@ Royals, vs. Guardians)

Kelly has struggled through his first three starts with the Rangers, posting a 4.50 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and a 15/6 K/BB ratio over 16 innings of work. This should be a good spot for him to get his first victory as a member of the Rangers, with a premium matchup against the Royals in Kansas City to start the week. He has shown enough this season to earn the trust of fantasy managers for any two-start week. Fire away.

Decent Plays

Dustin May, Red Sox, RHP (vs. Orioles, @ Yankees)

May has pitched well in his first two starts with the Red Sox, posting a 2.79 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and a 12/2 K/BB ratio across 9 2/3 innings. He’s pitching with a chip on his shoulder and like he has something to prove. He’ll get battle tested for sure this week, taking on a tough Orioles’ offense at home before having to battle the Bronx Bombers in Yankee Stadium. Even if he serves up a couple of home runs, the strikeouts should still be there and he’ll have a shot at earning a win in both starts. That’s more than enough for me to use him in 15 and 12-team leagues this week.

Michael Wacha, Royals, RHP (vs. Rangers, @ Tigers)

Wacha continues to produce solid results in his age-34 season, registering a 3.35 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and a 101/37 K/BB ratio across 137 innings of work. He’s not usually a strong streaming option in single start weeks due to his limited strikeout rate, but in two-start weeks, it should be all systems go. Start him with confidence if you have him and target him on the wire if he’s available in shallow leagues.

Yoendrys Gomez, White Sox, RHP (@ Braves, vs. Twins)

The 25-year-old right-hander was terrific in his first career start last week, striking out seven batters over five innings of one-run, one-hit baseball in a victory over the Tigers. In a two-start week, he should have no problem approaching or surpassing double-digit strikeouts and while it’s tough with the White Sox’ offense backing him, there’s a chance that he could find a victory in there as well. He’s almost universally available and makes for a nice streaming option for the upcoming week – especially in deeper leagues.

Gavin Williams, Guardians, RHP (@ Diamondbacks, @ Rangers)

After getting lit up for four runs in just three innings against the Marlins his last time out, it’s fair for fantasy managers to question whether or not to roll with Williams for his upcoming two-start week. He still owns a terrific 3.38 ERA overall on the season and he’s playing for a Guardians’ squad that has been among the best in baseball since the All-Star break, giving him a chance to win each time out. The high WHIP is going to continue as long as he continues to lead the American League in walks, but we’ll take that if he’s going to pile up strikeouts, limit runs and have a shot at wins. He should be started with confidence once again this week.

Jack Flaherty, Tigers, RHP (vs. Astros, vs. Royals)

It feels like this is the third straight week that we have written up Flaherty in this space, as the Tigers have continued to adjust their rotation and insert spot starters or bullpen days to give the rest of their rotation extra rest when it’s needed. Flaherty has piled up strikeouts at an impressive pace this season, but he has also given up a lot of hard contact, leading to an elevated WHIP. You have to roll with him for two home starts – especially with a matchup against the Royals to finish the week – just understand the ratio risk that you’re taking on by doing so.

Jack Leiter, Rangers, RHP (@ Royals, vs. Guardians)

Leiter continues to impress in the Rangers’ rotation, allowing three runs or fewer in each of his last nine starts – and two runs or fewer in each of his last five outings. Overall on the season he holds a 3.94 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and a 96/54 K/BB ratio over 105 innings. He’s worthy of consideration for fantasy purposes every time he takes the hill right now and should definitely be started for his two start weeks.

At Your Own Risk

Spencer Arrighetti, Astros, RHP (@ Tigers, @ Orioles)

After getting clobbered in his first start back from the injured list, Arrighetti pitched well his last time out, giving up two runs over five innings against the Red Sox. He’s been highly inconsistent in his four starts overall on the season though and the road matchups against the Tigers and Orioles are both very tough for opposing right-handers. It’s possible that he breezes through both of those starts without any issues, but I have my concerns. I’d still probably use him in 15-teamers, but I’d be leery of going there in 12-team formats.

Victor Mederos, Angels, RHP (vs. Reds, vs. Cubs)

Mederos only went four innings in his first career start his last time out, giving up three runs on three hits against the Dodgers. The matchups don’t get that much easier this time around – having to battle the Reds and the Cubs – though it at least plays to his favor that both starts will be at home. If you’re desperate for wins and strikeouts and don’t care about your ratios, maybe you could try it, but I think that even in most 15-teamers you can find better options.

National League

Strong Plays

Paul Skenes, Pirates, RHP (vs. Blue Jays, vs. Rockies)

It goes without saying that any time Paul Skenes takes the mound, he’ll be an elite option. That doesn’t change at all in two-start weeks – especially when one of those matchups is at home against the Rockies. He has been absolutely brilliant through his first 25 starts, compiling a minuscule 2.13 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and a 166/36 K/BB ratio across 148 innings. The only thing holding him back is that he has won just seven games, though that’s not his fault. Fantasy managers can kick their feet up and enjoy double the production from their ace this week.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers, RHP (@ Rockies, @ Padres)

Even with a six-man rotation, the Dodgers play seven games this week so they’ll afford one of their starters with a two-start week. This time it’s Yamamoto toeing the slab twice. He has been outstanding all season, posting a 2.84 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and a 145/44 K/BB ratio over 126 2/3 innings through his first 23 starts while notching 10 victories. While Coors Field isn’t a fun place to pitch, he’ll be a favorite to earn his 11th victory of the season there on Monday before a tough battle against the Padres in San Diego to finish the week. There’s no decision to be made here, Yamamoto should be started in all leagues.

Cade Horton, Cubs, RHP (vs. Brewers, @ Angels)

The 23-year-old rookie right-hander has been unbelievable since coming out of the All-Star break, registering a minuscule 0.32 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and a 24/9 K/BB ratio over 28 1/3 innings in five starts, notching four victories in the process. The Cubs can’t bump him from their rotation with Jameson Taillon returning, he’s simply pitching too well. He gets a tough draw to start the week taking on the red-hot Brewers before finishing the week with a much easier assignment against the Angels in Los Angeles. Horton should be started in 100 percent of leagues this week and he should be actively targeted on the waiver wire in shallow formats where he may still be hanging around.

Eury Pérez, Marlins, RHP (vs. Cardinals, vs. Blue Jays)

While he has pitched very well overall on the season, Pérez enters this week coming off of a rough stretch where he allowed nine runs over 10 1/3 innings in his last two starts against the Braves and Guardians. The good news is that both of those starts were on the road and now he’s heading back to the friendly confines in Miami. A matchup against a diminished Cardinals’ offense to start the week doesn’t hurt either. Even if the struggles continue, he should pile up double digit strikeouts on the week and should be a favorite to win at least the Cardinals’ start – possibly both. He’s an easy start in all leagues this week.

Brandon Woodruff, Brewers, RHP (@ Cubs, vs. Giants)

What Brandon Woodruff has been able to do so far this season after such a long layoff is pretty remarkable. Through his first seven starts, the 32-year-old hurler has gone 4-0 with a 2.06 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and a 49/8 K/BB ratio. He has also made himself a lot of money in the upcoming free agent market. Pitching at Wrigley Field to start the week is a tough draw, but with as well as Woodruff is throwing the ball right now it doesn’t even matter. Just lock him into lineups and enjoy the ride the rest of the way.

Nick Pivetta, Padres, RHP (vs. Giants, vs. Dodgers)

Pivetta has been an absolute monster for the Padres and fantasy managers through his first 24 starts on the season, posting a 12-4 record, 2.87 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and a 144/36 K/BB ratio over 141 1/3 innings. While the matchup against the Dodgers to finish the week is tough, at least it’s at home. With as good as Pivetta has been this season, there’s no reason to ever have him on the bench.

Robbie Ray, Giants, LHP (@ Padres, @ Brewers)

Ray is enjoying one of the finest seasons of his career in his first full season with the Giants, posting a 2.98 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and a 152/56 K/BB ratio over 148 innings. He’s always going to walk batters, but he allows such little hard contact that he has still been able to keep his WHIP in control this season. The matchups aren’t ideal – taking on two very strong offenses on the road, but with as good as Ray has been this season he still needs to be started in all leagues.

Decent Plays

David Peterson, Mets, LHP (@ Nationals, @ Braves)

The All-Star southpaw continues to produce quality results for the Mets and for fantasy managers, delivering a 3.30 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and a 117/50 K/BB ratio across 136 1/3 innings. The lack of strikeouts will be mitigated with the extra volume this week, making Peterson an excellent streaming option. I have no issues with starting him in leagues of all sizes.

Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks, RHP (vs. Guardians, vs. Reds)

Finally, it appears as though Zac Gallen has turned the corner and put his early-season woes behind him. The 30-year-old right-hander has posted a 3.18 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and a 10/5 K/BB ratio over 17 innings in his last three starts, picking up two victories during that stretch. He could turn back into a pumpkin at any time, but we should at least try to roll with him while he’s pitching well, so he can atone for all of the ratio damage that he inflicted on you earlier in the season. The matchups are tough, but nothing that we need to be shying away from. I’d be starting Gallen in both 15 and 12-team formats for sure this week.

Spencer Strider, Braves, RHP (vs. White Sox, vs. Mets)

Has Spencer Strider lost his fastball shape and been beaten like a drum more times than fantasy mangers would like this season? Yes. Should we still start him for a two-start week that includes a home matchup against the White Sox? Also yes. He’s not going to give you the results that you’re expecting if you’re looking for the Strider of yesteryear – at least not until he fixes the shape on that fastball – but he’s still a useful fantasy option on most weeks. The ratio risk is higher than you’d expect from Strider, but the strikeouts should be there and there’s a good chance he earns a victory against the White Sox. I’d be using him in all leagues.

Matthew Liberatore, Cardinals, LHP (@ Marlins, @ Rays)

He hasn’t always been consistent, but overall Liberatore has done a nice job for the Cardinals this season. He holds a 4.08 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and an 88/28 K/BB ratio over 117 innings through his first 22 starts. Normally the diminished strikeout rate would leave fantasy managers wanting more, but with the extra volume of a two-start week, he could be worth a look. For sure I’d be rolling with him in 15-teamers and I could see paths to using him in most 12-teamers as well.

Brady Singer, Reds, RHP (@ Angels, @ Diamondbacks)

Singer continues to perform about as expected through his first 24 starts with the Reds, registering a middling 4.31 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and a 119/48 K/BB ratio across 125 1/3 innings. He has won 10 ballgames on the season. You pretty much know what you’re going to get from him, middling ratios, decent strikeouts and a shot at a win. That makes him appealing in two-start weeks, especially in deeper leagues. The matchup against the Angels in Los Angeles looks very appetizing while the battle against the Diamondbacks in Arizona to finish the week could pose some problems. I’m fine using Singer in 15 and 12-team leagues this week. Anything shallower than that, I’d try to find better options.

Nestor Cortes, Padres, LHP (vs. Giants, vs. Dodgers)

After getting absolutely obliterated by the Yankees to start the season, Cortes has pitched very well over his next three starts. Two of them have come since returning from the injured list, where he has surrendered just three runs over 9 1/3 innings against the Giants and Diamondbacks. He’ll get the Giants again – this time at home – before finishing the week with a tough battle against the Dodgers. There’s blowup risk in that second start, but I think I’m comfortable taking a shot on Cortes in all leagues for the upcoming week.

At Your Own Risk

Austin Gomber, Rockies, LHP (vs. Dodgers, @ Pirates)

Never Rockies. Never. Rockies. If that wasn’t enough, Gomber is 0-6 with a 6.75 ERA and 1.61 WHIP and he doesn’t strike anyone else. Like honestly, what are we doing here if we’re even considering starting Austin Gomber this week? And he faces the Dodgers at Coors Field to start the week. Stay as far away as you possibly can.

Bradley Blalock, Rockies, RHP (vs. Dodgers, @ Pirates)

We just went through this with Austin Gomber above, but let’s recap. Never Rockies. Even if we wanted to consider a Rockies pitcher, he’s facing the Dodgers at Coors Field to start the week. He’s also terrible and has pitched terribly this season. Full stop. Don’t do it.

Kai-Wei Teng, Giants, LHP (@ Padres, @ Brewers)

Teng has struggled through his first three big league appearances, posting a 9.90 ERA, 1.90 WHIP and an 8/8 K/BB ratio over 10 innings of work. It’s actually surprising that he stuck around while Carson Whisenhunt was sent down to Triple-A Sacramento to make room for the return of Landen Roupp on Friday. Regardless, Teng shouldn’t be considered as a streaming option in normal circumstances – and a two-start road week against the Padres and Brewers is anything but normal. Stay far, far away.

Jake Irvin, Nationals, RHP (vs. Mets, @ Phillies)

Irvin has not pitched well for the Nationals this season. He holds a miserable 5.14 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and a 94/47 K/BB ratio over 140 innings while serving up a National League-leading 27 home runs. If the matchups were perfect, maybe, but they aren’t. He’s facing two familiar divisional foes and will be a major underdog in both starts. There’s zero appeal to streaming Jake Irvin this week.

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With Mets 'not clicking,' team still believes in turnaround: 'We control our own destiny'

It's gone from bad to worse for the Mets after their latest loss on Friday night.

Now having lost 14 of its last 16 games, with each loss more disappointing than the last, New York has hit a crossroads -- one that requires the players to look themselves in the mirror and decide how they want to finish the season.

For how discouraging the Mets' recent play has been, it's been equally puzzling. After all, this is a team that is littered with talent, has a $339 million payroll and just went all-in at the trade deadline to push them over the top.

What's even more concerning is that the losses lately are not for a lack of effort. Talk to anybody on the team and they'll say everybody is putting in the work and doing the right thing. In fact, it was stressed by nearly every player who spoke after the game, as well as manager Carlos Mendoza.

"At the end of the day, everyone is doing what they’re supposed to do; it’s just the other teams are outplaying us," said Francisco Lindor. "We are all trying to win ballgames and all I can think of right now is that we’re not clicking at the same time and the other team is outplaying us."

How could that be? How is it possible that a team so talented that's putting in the work on a daily basis is getting consistently outplayed, oftentimes by inferior competition?

"It’s tough. We’ve all asked that question and it’s tough to point at one thing," Lindor said.

Consider this: over their last seven games, the Mets have blown leads of six runs, five runs, four runs, two runs (twice) and one run (seven times). They are 1-6 during that stretch.

And on Friday, even with Lindor, the team's catalyst, hitting two home runs, it still wasn't enough.

"I know baseball is weird sometimes and stuff just happens," said Sean Manaea. "At the end of the day, no one’s gonna feel sorry for us, so we just gotta figure it out. This is not where we wanna be and I know we’re way better than this."

After the latest loss, New York is now only six games above .500, six games back of the Philadelphia Phillies for the NL East title and just 0.5 game up on the Cincinnati Reds for the third and final wild card spot.

It's been quite the fall from grace and if the Mets want to keep playing baseball in October this season, things need to change in a hurry with just 40 games left in the regular season.

"It’s part of the mountain," Lindor said. "You got to climb the mountain and right now we’re in a very steep part of it. And if we don’t get ourselves together and we don’t push ourselves to be better day in and day out, the mountain is gonna be tough to climb.

"It doesn’t feel good to lose, but we’re staying together and having the conversations. At the end of the day, we spend a lot more time here than we do in our houses, so this is when teams come together and good teams, they turn it around and they go far."

New York still has time to figure things out and because the team played so well earlier in the season, it's allowed them to remain in playoff position despite such a horrendous run.

However, it's no longer just a bad stretch. The sample size is large enough to be concerning.

And if the players that the Mets traded for continue to fail them, talent alone won't be enough to carry them over the finish line.

"As much as this sucks, I feel like guys have been in the league long enough," Manaea said. "It’s part of the game, you grow from it, you learn from it, but at the same time, nothing is given to us. We control our own destiny. It’s not gonna come easy, but we just gotta figure it out."

"We’re still in a place where we can continue to climb and put ourselves in a much better position," Lindor added. "It’s been tough to point at that one thing. At the end of the day, it just comes down to execution."

Meanwhile, Brooks Raley offered a glimmer of hope and is excited to see this season through.

"When [we] come out of this, I mean I know our hair’s gonna be on fire and we’re gonna be ready to go," he said. "We’ll be fired up to win some games in a row and kind of streak some things together... We’ve got lots of baseball left and when it turns, I know it’s gonna be a lot of fun."

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Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: Young Swedish Forward Has Intrigue

Heading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.

With more talent in the system than Pittsburgh has had in years - and 13 picks in the 2025 NHL Draft - top prospects lists are becoming more competitive and more difficult to discern. Since the prospect pool is deepening, The Hockey News - Pittsburgh Penguins takes a look at the top-20 prospects in the organization. 

Next on our list is No. 15, and we shift back to the forward front to highlight a player relatively new to the organization. That player is young Swedish forward Melvin Fernstrom.

#15: F Melvin Fernstrom

Aug 2, 2024; Plymouth, MI, USA; USA’s forward Colin Ralph (11) battles for position with Sweden's forward Melvin Fernstrom (12) during the second period of the 2024 World Junior Summer Showcase at USA Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images

Fernstrom, 19, was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks as part of the return for defenseman Marcus Pettersson and forward Drew O'Connor on Jan. 31. Selected in the third round (93rd overall) in 2024 by the Canucks, he is a bit of an intriguing prospect, and Penguins' GM and POHO Kyle Dubas did express that Fernstrom was someone Pittsburgh was interested in at the time of the draft. 

So far, he hasn't disappointed.

Fernstrom was named the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) Rookie of the Year in 2024-25 after registering eight goals and 17 points in 48 games for Orebro HK. Even if those numbers don't jump out on the stat sheet, they were impressive ones for a rookie playing in Sweden's top professional hockey league. 

Penguins Forward Prospect Named SHL Rookie Of The YearPenguins Forward Prospect Named SHL Rookie Of The YearFor the second time this week, a Pittsburgh Penguins' prospect has earned top Swedish Hockey League (SHL) honors.

His game is raw, but there is a lot of potential. He has a deceptive release that jumps off his stick, and he can hit his spots with high accuracy, giving him the attributes of a sniper. He has good offensive instincts and, despite lacking footspeed and having some skating issues, Fernstrom's ability to read plays and distribute the puck give him the ability to work around his skating ability.

That said, his defensive game is a bit lacking, and he will likely have to continue to improve his skating in order to have hopes of making an impact at the NHL level. Penguins' prospect Rutger McGroarty had similar issues with his skating that have been somewhat rectified, so hopefully, Fernstrom can do a similar thing. 

If all goes well in his development, he could really end up being a good find for the Penguins. The raw talent is there for Fernstrom, so it will all come down to whether or not he can round out his overall game and fine-tune some of the rawness of it.

Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: Defensive Prospect Continues To Grow All-Around GameTop-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: Defensive Prospect Continues To Grow All-Around GameHeading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.

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