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Mets prospect Brandon Sproat struggles in latest Triple-A outing

Metsprospect Brandon Sproat made his 23rd start of the season for Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday, but it became a night to forget.

The right-hander allowed five earned runs on three hits over 3.1 innings, striking out six Rochester Red Wings and walking three.

Sproat tossed a 1-2-3 first inning with two strikeouts before allowing two runs in the second inning. He bounced back for another 1-2-3 frame in the third inning, but things fell apart in the fourth inning. 

The 24-year-old walked the first two batters he faced and allowed a two-run double as Rochester took a 4-2 lead. Sproat then got a ground out before another run crossed the plate due to Luisangel Acuña's fielding error. Richard Lovelady replaced Sproat and ended up allowing a two-run homer, tacking another run onto Sproat's scorecard.

Sproat's season ERA now sits at 4.40 after the rough outing. The five earned runs are the most he's allowed in a game since he gave up six earned runs in back-to-back starts on May 14 and May 20.

He was named International League Pitcher of the Month for July after pitching to a 0.67 ERA with a 0.81 WHIP and 33 strikeouts over 27.0 innings.

Despite Thursday's game, the righty may not make many more starts at Triple-A. Mets top pitching prospect Nolan McLeanis being called up to make his debut Saturday against the Seattle Mariners with Frankie Montas moving to the bullpen. Sproat could possibly join McLean in the bigs before the season and help New York during their postseason push.

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Yankees' Ryan Yarbrough, Fernando Cruz complete first rehab game with Triple-A

Yankees pitchers Ryan Yarbrough and Fernando Cruz began rehab assignments with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday night, and it was a mixed bag for the two.

Yarbrough started the RailRiders' game against Indianapolis and got off to a good start. After stranding a runner in the first inning, Yarbrough made his one mistake in the second. He got the first two batters out -- one on a pop out and the other called out on strikes -- before Alika Williams smashed a 1-1 fastball over the plate for a solo shot. Williams' blast went 419 feet with an exit velocity of 101.6 mph.

That would be the only run Yarbrough would give up, and he finished his night with a 1-2-3 third inning, all on ground outs.

Yarbrough allowed one run on three hits and no walks across three innings (37 pitches/25 strikes) while striking out three batters.

When Yarbrough went down with an oblique strain in mid-June, the southpaw was a part of the team's rotation, but his spot may not be there when he returns. The Yankees' rotation is currently comprised of Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Will Warren, the recently-returned Luis Gil and promising rookie Cam Schlittler. The team could conceivably option Schlittler back to the minors to limit his innings down the stretch to get Yarbrough back in the rotation, or use him in the bullpen like they did the first month of the season.

In 16 games (eight starts), Yarbrough has pitched to a 3.90 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP.

Cruz relieved Yarbrough to start the fourth inning and was in immediate trouble. After giving up a leadoff single, Cruz got a fly out before walking the third batter he faced. A stolen base followed by a single from Williams gave Indianapolis its second run of the game. 

After just four batters, Cruz's night was over. Sean Boyle allowed a single in relief of Cruz as the second run charged to the Yankees reliever crossed home plate.

Cruz tossed just 21 pitches (10 strikes) in his 0.1 inning of work, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk.

The Yanks placed Cruz on the IL back in late-June with an oblique strain, and the right-hander was finally in game action for the first time in over a month. Despite his bad outing, the Yankees need Cruz back in the bullpen as he was one of their best before the injury.

In 32 appearances, Cruz pitched to a 3.00 ERA with 54 strikeouts across 33 innings pitched in his first season in pinstripes. He also closed two games.

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Canadiens Defender Has Become Key Piece

Back in December, the Montreal Canadiens traded defenseman Justin Barron to the Nashville Predators in exchange for veteran blueliner Alexandre Carrier. With this move, the Canadiens gave their blueline a bit of a makeover, and it's a move that undoubtedly benefited them. 

After posting one goal, six assists, and a minus-14 rating in 28 games with the Predators before the trade, Carrier bounced back in a big way with the Canadiens. In 51 games with the Habs following the move, the right-shot defenseman posted two goals, 16 assists, 18 points, 120 blocks, and a plus-4 rating. With numbers like these, Carrier emerged as a solid part of the Canadiens' defensive group. 

Carrier's dependable defensive play undoubtedly gave the Canadiens' blueline a significant boost that it needed. Furthermore, because of his steady play, he also cemented himself a spot on the Canadiens' penalty kill.

Overall, the decision to acquire Carrier was certainly a good one for the Canadiens, and he should now build off his strong 2024-25 season with Montreal from here. It is clear that the change of scenery benefited him, and it is going to be very fascinating to see what kind of year he can put together in 2025-26. There is no question that he will be a defenseman that the Canadiens will continue to rely on as they look to continue to head in the right direction. 

Canadiens Have Interesting Potential Target In Kraken ForwardCanadiens Have Interesting Potential Target In Kraken ForwardIt is fair to say that the Montreal Canadiens have had a strong off-season so far. They notably boosted their blueline by acquiring Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders. They also acquired a young forward in Zack Bolduc, who has the potential to emerge as a top-six winger for them. 
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Former Golden Knight Marc-Andre Fleury Celebrates Retirement

Marc-Andre Fleury, a beloved figure from the Golden Knights’ inaugural season, officially celebrated his retirement from the NHL this past weekend. 

“Flower” as he is more affectionately known, spent 21 seasons in the league, and is the second-winningest goalie in NHL history, with 575 career wins. He won three Stanley Cup Championships along the way with his first team, the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

Following that, he became a key component in taking the Knights to their first Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season, forever placing himself in the hearts of fans across the desert. Fleury earned himself the Vezina trophy in his 2020-21 season with the Knights having a 26-10-0 record, .928 save percentage, 1.98 goals-against average, and 6 shutouts. Over those four seasons in Las Vegas he played in 192 games and came out victorious in 117 of them. 

Though Fleury was eventually traded to the Chicago Blackhawks, his connection to Las Vegas never wavered. “Fleury 29” jerseys remained a staple among fans at T-Mobile Arena, a testament to the legacy he left. Fleury’s 500th career win, a 27-save shutout in his hometown of Montreal, came while wearing a Blackhawks jersey, making him just the third goalie in NHL history to reach that milestone. 

He closed out his career with the Minnesota Wild, mentoring younger players and still delivering his signature acrobatic performances. His final game fittingly was against Vegas during last season's playoff run. 

Fleury’s wife, Véronique, hosted a retirement gala bringing together NHL stars past and present to celebrate her husband's impressive career that spans four franchises. With Fleury hanging up his pads for good, the anticipated future Hockey Hall of Famer leaves behind a history of a great game—and an even greater heart behind it.

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NL East-leading Phillies going with a 6-man rotation when Aaron Nola returns on Sunday

WASHINGTON (AP) — Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Thursday that he will utilize a six-man rotation beginning this weekend when Aaron Nola returns from the injured list.

Nola is lined up for the series finale Sunday at Washington. The 32-year-old right-hander is coming back from a right ankle sprain.

Left-hander Ranger Suárez takes the mound on Monday against the Mariners. The NL East leaders also have ace right-hander Zack Wheeler, lefties Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo, and right-hander Taijuan Walker.

Thomson said he isn’t sure how long he is going to use the six-man rotation.

“Once for sure and then we’ve got some other ideas how to attack this thing as we move forward,” he said.

Philadelphia starters lead the majors with 687 1/3 innings pitched. Sánchez is up to 150 2/3 innings, and Wheeler is at 144 2/3.

“Just getting some of these guys some extra rest cause we’ve been grinding on them pretty hard all year,” Thomson said before the opener of a four-game set against the Nationals. “The one downside to it is you’ve got to take somebody out of your bullpen, so you’re a little short there but we’ll just have to figure it out.”

Nola hasn’t pitched in the majors since May 14. He posted a 2.19 ERA in three rehab starts with Triple-A Lehigh Valley while striking out 17 batters in 12 1/3 innings.

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Cubs place catcher Miguel Amaya on the 10-day IL and bring up Owen Caissie from Triple-A Iowa

TORONTO (AP) The Chicago Cubs placed catcher Miguel Amaya on the 10-day injured list on Thursday and brought up top prospect Owen Caissie from Triple-A Iowa.

Amaya sprained his left ankle in the eighth inning of Wednesday night's 4-1 victory over the Blue Jays. His foot landed awkwardly at the front of first base on an infield single, and he was carted off the field.

The 26-year-old Amaya was just reinstated from the IL on Tuesday after he had been sidelined since May 25 because of a left oblique strain. He is batting .281 with four homers and 25 RBIs in 28 games this season.

“He’s disappointed,” manager Craig Counsell said of Amaya. “You spend two months on an injury, get back involved with a team that’s got a chance to accomplish some fun things, and you get one day and it’s over again.”

Caissie made his major league debut in a 2-1 loss to the Blue Jays, batting fifth while serving as the designated hitter. The 23-year-old Caissie was born in Burlington, Ontario, just outside of Toronto.

Caissie arrived at the stadium about 90 minutes before game time. He went 0 for 4 with a ninth-inning strikeout.

He nearly picked up a hit in his first at-bat in the second, but Davis Schneider made an outstanding catch on the rookie's liner to left.

“It’s a welcome-to-the-league moment, I guess,” Caissie said.

Caissie is the first Canadian player to make his debut in Canada since Josh Naylor for San Diego on May 24, 2019.

“It was surreal,” Caissie said of debuting so close to home. “I'm just super thankful that the Cubs could make my debut happen in front of the Canadian people that I cherish so much.”

Caissie's parents were among a large group of family and friends who attended the game.

“It means everything,” an emotional Caissie said of having his parents at his debut. “They supported me a lot. They just sacrificed pretty much everything for me. They did so much.”

Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd, who was drafted by the Blue Jays in 2013, also made his big league debut in Toronto.

“I can't imagine the whirlwind that this day was for him,” Boyd said. “He handled himself like a pro.”

Caissie is batting .289 with 22 homers and 52 RBIs in 93 games with Iowa this season. He has been particularly good in August, hitting .393 (11 for 28) with two homers and five RBIs.

“I don’t know that this is going to be a big role for Owen, but I think we’re kind of just looking at where we’re going in this schedule, and just being a little more flexible in terms of whether we need to get guys some rest, get the guys to get the innings off,” Counsell said.

Caissie was selected by San Diego in the second round of the 2020 amateur draft. He was traded to Chicago in the Yu Darvish deal in December 2020.

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Tomoyuki Sugano earns 10th victory as Orioles outlast Mariners 5-3 after long rain delay

BALTIMORE (AP) Rookie Tomoyuki Sugano earned his 10th victory by working 5 1/3 sharp innings before a lengthy rain delay, and the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Seattle Mariners 5-3 on Thursday.

Julio Rodríguez homered for Seattle, which has dropped consecutive games since winning eight in a row. The Mariners (67-55) fell 1 1/2 games behind AL West-leading Houston.

Catcher Cal Raleigh, who leads the majors with 45 home runs, was out of Seattle’s starting lineup for only the fifth time this season. He walked as pinch-hitter in the ninth.

Sugano (10-5) won back-to-back starts for the first time. The 35-year-old from Japan threw 81 pitches and was pulled after the 2-hour, 18-minute delay.

Rodriguez hit reliever Rico Garcia’s fourth pitch after play resumed into the bleachers in right-center, a two-run shot to bring the Mariners within 5-2.

Dietrich Enns allowed Randy Arozarena's one-out RBI grounder in the ninth, but retired Josh Naylor on one pitch to earn his first save since Sept. 20, 2021.

The Orioles took the lead against Logan Evans (6-5) in the fourth inning. Jordan Westburg scored on Evans’ two-out wild pitch, and Ryan Mountcastle moved from first to third on the same play when Evans couldn’t field catcher Mitch Garver’s throw. After Daniel Johnson walked, Mountcastle scored when he and Johnson executed a double steal. Johnson came around on Jeremiah Jackson’s RBI single.

Baltimore added Gunnar Henderson’s RBI double and Mountcastle’s sacrifice fly in the fifth.

Evans allowed three runs --- two earned --- in four innings and matched the shortest outing of his 15-start career.

Orioles reliever Keegan Akin got Naylor to ground out to second to end the seventh, stranding two runners and preserving a 5-2 lead.

Sugano is 3-0 with a 2.31 ERA in his last four starts.

Mariners RHP Luis Castillo (8-6, 3.19 ERA) starts the opener of a three-game series against the host New York Mets. Baltimore has not announced its pitching plans for Friday’s game at Houston.

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NBA 2025-26 schedule is released: 20 must-watch games this season

The NBA schedule has dropped, and it has all the drama we were looking forward to: rivalries, revenge games, stars returning to face the teams they left, and plenty of high-level clashes — and a lot of them on NBC and Peacock.

Here are 20 don't-miss games from the upcoming NBA season.

• Oct. 21: Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder. Opening night of the season and the return of the NBA to NBC for the first time in 24 years — plus the debut of the NBA on Peacock. And you couldn't come up with a better first game as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder get their championship rings from Adam Silver and raise the first banner won in the city to the rafters. All of that in front of Kevin Durant, arguably the greatest player ever to pull a Thunder jersey over his head, but a guy who was never able to win that ring in OKC. He doesn't seem too stressed about it, though.

• Oct. 24, Detroit Pistons at Houston Rockets. Twins Ausar Thompson (Detroit) and Amen Thompson (Houston) go head-to-head in a fun early-season contest.

• Oct. 27: Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves. The first night of Peacock NBA Monday — where games stream exclusively on Peacock — features a showdown from two of the top teams and players in the West. Get an early look at a much deeper Nuggets squad around Nikola Jokic as they go up against Anthony Edwards and a Timberwolves team that has been to the Western Conference Finals back-to-back years.

• Oct. 31: Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers. It's the first game of the NBA Cup, the league's in-season tournament. Tune in to see what the Cup Court looks like in Philly, and if Joel Embiid and Paul George are playing. If they are, Philly can hang with anyone.

• Nov. 1: Dallas Mavericks at Detroit Pistons. The NBA returns to Mexico City and is exporting what should be an entertaining contest featuring Cade Cunningham, Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis. This game will be streamed on Peacock.

• Nov. 3: Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers. Myles Turner makes his return to Indiana after bolting in free agency to get the paycheck he wanted and chase a ring with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Don't expect Pacers fans to be understanding and forgiving.

• Nov. 25: Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers. Lakers fans will be quick to tell you there is no rivalry with the Clippers, no battle for Los Angeles — then watch their reaction after you tell them the Clippers have been the better team and the better run franchise for the past decade. This is an NBA Cup showdown on NBC and Peacock.

• Dec. 25: San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder. During last season's NBA Finals, Oklahoma City players were more than happy to talk about how they felt snubbed not getting a game on Christmas Day and how they used that as motivation. The defending champs get their Christmas Day game this year, and it's a showdown between Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren, the two seven-footers leading the NBA into the future. It's also a showdown of San Antonio's promising backcourt featuring De'Aaron Fox and No. 2 pick Dylan Harper against OKC's MVP SGA.

• Dec. 25: Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors. It's a passing of the torch game on Christmas — Stephen Curry and his generation are nearing the end of their run, and he faces No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg (as well as former No. 1 pick Anthony Davis). How much do Stephen Curry and Draymond Green have left in the tank? Those Warriors players always seem to save their best for the brightest spotlights, as does Jimmy Butler.

• Jan. 2: Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks. Trae Young loves to play the villain and saves his best games for Madison Square Garden, where he was once Public Enemy No. 1, and he would like to regain that crown.

• Jan. 16: Minnesota Timberwolves at Houston Rockets. More than just two of the top teams in the West facing off, this will be the first time in the season that Anthony Edwards will have the chance to go head-to-head and take down his idol, Kevin Durant.

• Jan. 19: Oklahoma City Thunder at Cleveland Cavaliers. The highlight of the quadruple header on NBC and Peacock on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, this very well could be a Finals preview (the Thunder and Cavaliers were the No. 1 seeds in each conference last season and are expected to repeat that feat this season). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander facing Donovan Mitchell is always going to be entertaining.

• Jan. 20, the San Antonio Spurs at the Houston Rockets. This is going to be one of the big rivalries in the NBA for a few seasons and we get to see Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson and the Rockets' deep roster try to attack a defense led by Victor Wembanyama (the preseason favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year). Also, it's a chance to check in on No. 2 pick Dylan Harper and how he is progressing in San Antonio.

• Jan. 28, Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics. Kristaps Porzingis, who helped the Celtics win a ring in 2024 but was often injured in his time with the team, returns to Boston with an Atlanta Hawks team that is deep and a threat in the East — if KP can stay healthy and provide the rim protection and floor spacing they need next to Trae Young.

• Jan. 28: Los Angeles Lakers at Cleveland Cavaliers. Trade rumors swirled around all summer with questions about LeBron's future in L.A. and how he might put Cleveland over the top one more time for a title. While that trade could not come together (and will not at this year's trade deadline for salary cap reasons), the rumors will continue to fly as LeBron returns to his old stomping grounds. This game is as much about the drama off the court as it is about the game itself.

• Feb. 22: Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers will unveil a Pat Riley statue outside Crypto.com Arena before a showdown on NBC's Sunday Night Basketball showcase. LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Jaylen Brown will look to add to the NBA's greatest historic rivalry.

• Feb. 24: New York Knicks at Cleveland Cavaliers. This is the third showdown of the season between the two Eastern Conference favorites heading into the season — this could be a statement game. You can catch it on NBC and Peacock as part of Coast 2 Coast Tuesdays.

• March 9, Denver Nuggets at Oklahoma City Thunder. A game that is part of the Peacock NBA Monday season (with the games streaming every Monday exclusively on Peacock), we get the last two MVPs — the Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Nuggets' Nikola Jokic — facing off. This also could well be a Western Conference Finals preview.

• April 5: Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks. Any time Luka Doncic returns to Dallas, it's worth watching — in this case on Sunday Night Basketball on NBC and Peacock — but this game also comes amid an offseason of rumors about LeBron potentially wanting to play in Dallas with former teammates Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. This game is also a chance to check in on Cooper Flagg and see how the Duke standout has progressed in his rookie season.

• April 5: Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors. Just a couple of weeks before the playoffs start, can Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler get revenge for their playoff exit a season ago? This game is part of a doubleheader on Sunday Night Basketball on NBC and Peacock.

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Undrafted Ex-Oilers Forward Hangs Up The Skates

Patrick Thoresen (James Guillory-Imagn Images)

EDMONTON – When it’s time, it’s time.

The Edmonton Oilers know that timing is everything. They were on the wrong side of it when the dual offer sheets to Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway struck last summer. They were on the right side of it with the acquisitions of Jake Walman, Mattias Ekholm, and Zach Hyman.

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. 

Not everyone who plays in the NHL stays in the NHL—one former Oilers player who knows that all too well is Patrick Thoresen.

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Thoresen was an undrafted NHL player who spent time with the Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers. After collecting 24 points in 106 games, he would ultimately take his talents overseas to several different leagues and teams before calling it a career.

The former Oilers forward spent time in the Swiss League, KHL, SHL, and HockeyAllsvenskan. This last season was spent with Djurgardens IF of the HockeyAllsvenskan in 2024-25.

He was the leading scorer on a team that featured Marcus Kruger and recently drafted prospects Viktor Eklund and Anton Frondell. Thoresen recorded 41 points in 48 games.

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Yankees at Cardinals: 5 things to watch and series predictions | Aug. 15-17

Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Yankees hit the road to take on the St. Louis Cardinals in a three-game series starting on Friday...

Preview

Will Giancarlo Stanton play right field on the road?

Stanton has been the Yankees' hottest hitter for weeks now, and it's helped New York's offense while Aaron Judge was on the IL and relegated to DH duties when he returned. 

A big part of that is Stanton's ability to play right field. Of course, it's not too much to ask of Stanton to man right in Yankee Stadium, but now that the team is on the road, how will the Yankees utilize their slugger?  The Yankees are much better when Stanton and Judge are in the lineup but if Judge isn't ready, will Aaron Boone risk having Stanton play in the outfield?

The Aaron Judge of it all

Judge continues to scuffle since returning from the IL. In eight games since getting back in the lineup, Judge is 5-for-25 with eight strikeouts and just one extra-base hit. Granted that one hit was a home run back on Aug. 12, so perhaps the issues with the flexor strain haven't completely sapped his power.  It's something to monitor as the Yankees hit the road, but even more pressing is whether he can get back on the field.

The Yankees need Judge to play right field because he's a good fielder and, as previously stated, allows Stanton to play DH and give them that dual-threat. Boone said there's a possibility Judge can play in the outfield in St. Louis, but we'll see if that's the case when the series starts on Friday.

Can Max Fried find his mojo again?

Fried has not been the same since the blister on his throwing hand popped up before the All-Star break. The left-hander has made four starts since the Midsummer Classic and he has been inconsistent, pitching to a 1-2 record while allowing 14 runs across 22 innings. 

New York Yankees starting pitcher Max Fried (54) reacts after he is charged with a throwing error and gives up the lead to the Texas Rangers during the second inning at Globe Life Field.
New York Yankees starting pitcher Max Fried (54) reacts after he is charged with a throwing error and gives up the lead to the Texas Rangers during the second inning at Globe Life Field. / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

In his last start, Fried allowed four runs on eight hits over just five innings against the Astros in what would be a series-clinching win for Houston last Sunday. The start before that, he allowed four runs over five innings, again, to the Rangers. 

If the Yankees are going to make the postseason, they'll need their best pitcher to pitch at his best and he'll need to be when he takes the mound on Saturday. Fried is scheduled to pitch against Sonny Gray (11-5, 4.06 ERA), so runs could be hard to come by, especially if the Yankees lineup is going to remain inconsistent.

With the way Carlos Rodon and Will Warren have been pitching of late, Fried returning to peak form for the stretch run could be exactly what the Yankees need to clinch a wild card spot or better. 

Will Paul Goldschmidt land on IL?

Following the Yankees' loss to the Twins on Wednesday, it was revealed that Goldschmidt is dealing with a knee sprain and could be placed on the IL. Now, the veteran first baseman believes he avoided the worst and some time off is all he'll need to avoid being placed on the IL but the Yankees still have a decision to make.

If Goldschmidt is unable to at least be a pinch-hitter like he wasn't on Wednesday, the options for first base are limited. Ben Rice has become Goldschmidt's backup, and while Cody Bellinger is also capable, the bench is down too many bodies who hit right-handed, including Austin Slater and Amed Rosario. Rosario could be activated this weekend, and could be Goldschmidt's replacement if the Yankees decide to put him on the IL but that still leaves the Yankees without a viable right-handed bat. 

It's a situation to monitor when the series starts on Friday.

Lineup/Bullpen changes

As the race to make a postseason spot continues, Boone has begun to favor certain hitters over others. Trent Grisham is having a career year and that has taken playing time away from Jasson Dominguez. Austin Wells' slump that has lasted all summer has made Rice the No. 1 catcher at the moment. There's no reason that Boone will revert to using Wells and Dominguez in the starting lineup this weekend but if Rice or Grisham start to slump, it could happen.

And then there's the bullpen. Ryan Yarbrough and Fernando Cruz had rehab outings with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday evening, and if both come out of it feeling healthy, they could be in play to return to the team soon. 

Predictions

Who will the MVP of the series be?

Aaron Judge 

This will be the series Judge finally awakens offensively. He needed to get his first home run out of the way, and now that he has, he can get back to what he does best.

Which Yankees pitcher will have the best start?

Max Fried

It's hard to bet against Fried, it's even tougher to bet that Fried will have three consecutive bad starts.

Which Cardinals player will be a thorn in the Yankees' side?

Willson Contreras

The veteran right-hander seems to hit home runs in bunches and after missing a game due to being hit in the foot by a pitch, he should be fully rested.

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24 Nashville Predators in 24 days: Justin Barron

Is it October yet? 

Unfortunately, no, but we're here to help pass the time. From Aug. 8 to Sept. 1, The Hockey News Nashville Predators will be counting down 24 players in 24 days, profiling every current or potentially rostered player. 

Today's player profile is defenseman Justin Barron. 

24 Nashville Predators in 24 days series 

Adam Wilsby

Jordan Oesterle

Andreas Engulund

Cole Smith

Michael McCarron 

As an NHL prospect 

Barron entered the 2020 NHL Draft as one of the top defensemen in his class. 

He had spent three seasons with the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL, tallying 81 points in 153 games and helping the Mooseheads to an appearance in the 2019 Memorial Cup, which was hosted in Halifax. 

Barron was played in the CHL's Canada/Russia series and the top NHL prospects game and was named to the QMJHL All-Rookie team in 2018. In the NHL draft, he was selected 25th overall by the Colorado Avalanche.

He'd return to Halifax for the 2020-21 season, scoring 31 points in 33 games and competing for Canada at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship, finishing as runner-up. 

Professional career 

Oct 4, 2021; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Justin Barron (72) shoots during the first period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-Imagn Images

Barron joined the Colorado Eagles for their final seven games of the regular season in 2021, scoring four points in seven games. He also had three points in two playoff games.

The next season, he played the majority of games with the Eagles, tallying 20 points in 43 games. He made his NHL debut that year, playing in two games. 

In March 2022, Barron was traded to the Montreal Canadiens for Artturi Lehkonen. He played five games with the Canadiens, scoring two points. For the 2022-23 season, Baron split time between Montreal and Laval, with the large sum of games being played with the Canadiens. 

He scored 15 points in 39 games with Montreal and 16 points in 25 games with the Rocket. Barron also returned to the international stage, playing for Canada at the IIHF World Championship. 

Barron split time again during the 2023-24 season, scoring 13 points in 48 games with Montreal and 11 points in 32 games with Laval. 

In December 2024, Montreal traded Barron to Nashville for defenseman Alexandre Carrier. Barron played 17 games with the Canadiens that season, scoring one point. 

In Barron's first year in Nashville, he had 12 points in 45 games. He is currently second year of a 2-year, $2.3 million contract. 

What role will he play this season? 

Mar 18, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Justin Barron (20) takes a shot on goal against the St. Louis Blues during the second period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Barron already has an edge coming into this season: he's a righty shot.

The Predators have a lot of lefties but very few righties. While this doesn't have a huge impact on what the Predators can do on defense, it does help to have players on their preferred sides of the ice. 

Barron has yet to really break out. His best season was with the Canadiens in 2022-23, where he had 15 points in 39 games. He's also not taking a ton of penalty minutes, meaning that this could be a player the Predators look to amplify. 

Barron has done a lot of shifting back and forth over his career, so having him in one place for an entire season may allow him to find a rhythm he hasn't been able to establish during his career so far. 

If he can really find his game, the Predators could use him in some big spots. However, for now, he will likely be sitting in the bottom pairing between himself and Nick Blankenburg. 

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Penguins New Goalie Is Big Breakout Candidate

The Pittsburgh Penguins added several new players to their roster this off-season. Perhaps the most intriguing of the bunch is goaltender Arturs Silovs.

The Penguins acquired Silovs from the Vancouver Canucks this past month. The Penguins needed more depth between the pipes, so seeing them take a shot on a young goalie like Silovs is entirely understandable. Meanwhile, the Canucks parting ways with Silovs was also easy to understand, as they have both Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen locked up long-term now.

The Penguins should now offer Silovs the opportunity to receive more chances at the NHL level, as he is projected to be their backup during the 2025-26 season. More consistent playing time at the NHL level should benefit Silovs, and it is a big reason why he is a clear breakout candidate heading into next season.

Silovs' excellent play during the playoffs this year with the Abbotsford Canucks should also create more hype surrounding him. The 2019 sixth-round pick was a huge reason why Abbotsford won the Calder Cup, as he had a 16-7 record, a 2.01 goals-against average, a .931 save percentage, and five shutouts. With his awesome play, he was also named AHL playoff MVP. 

With all of this, it is hard not to feel optimistic about Silovs heading into the 2025-26 season. If he continues to trend in the right direction with his development, he could end up being a solid piece of the Penguins' roster moving forward.

Former Penguins Forward Signs OverseasFormer Penguins Forward Signs OverseasFormer Pittsburgh Penguins forward Joseph Blandisi is heading overseas, as he has signed a two-year contract with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL. 
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Jannik Sinner cruises to 25th hard-court win in a row with victory in Cincinnati

  • Italian comfortably beats Félix Auger-Aliassime 6-0, 6-2

  • Fifth man this century to hit 25 straight hard-court wins

Jannik Sinner extended his winning run on hard courts to 25 matches with a ruthless dismissal of Félix Auger-Aliassime in the Cincinnati Open quarter-finals. Playing in his first tournament since lifting his fourth grand slam title at Wimbledon, the world No 1 and defending champion powered to a 6-0, 6-2 victory against the Canadian.

Auger-Aliassime had won both his previous matches against Sinner but could offer little resistance on Thursday, with the 23-year-old Italian beginning and ending the contest with runs of six games in a row, completing victory in just 71 minutes.

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