25 Days Until Opening Night: The History Of Jersey #25

The Columbus Blue Jackets have 25 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #25. 

Let's take a look.

Bruce Gardiner - 2001 - Drafted by St. Louis in 1991. 

Gardiner scored the first goal in franchise history at 7:34 into game one of the 2000 season. He played 73 games as a Jacket and had 22 points. Gardiner only played seven more NHL games after he left Columbus.

Gardiner left for Europe, where he played in Russia and Finland. He retired in 2005. 

These days, Gardiner is a police officer with the Barrie Police Department. He was charged with criminal harassment and extortion on Feb. 4, 2022, but the charges were dropped in July 2024. 

Andrew Cassels - 2003-2004 - Drafted by Montreal in 1987.

Cassels signed with Columbus in 2002. He played 137 games for the CBJ over the course of two seasons, scoring 26 goals and totaling 94 points. Cassels signed with Washington in 2005, which would be his final professional hockey season. He was released in January of 2006. 

After retiring, Cassels stuck around Columbus and has been a coach for the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets since 2018. His son Cole currently plays in Slovakia and was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in 2013. He also spent a year with the Cleveland Monsters in 2021-22. 

Jason Chimera - 2006-2010 - Drafted by Edmonton in 1997. 

Chimera was traded to Columbus by the Phoenix Coyotes. He played in 331 games for the Jackets before being traded to the Washington Capitals on December 28, 2009, in a trade that brought current Cleveland Monsters GM Chris Clark to the Columbus organization. 

He last NHL season would be the 2017-18 season. 

Kyle Wilson - 2011 - Drafted by Minnesota in 2004. 

Wilson played 32 of his 39 career NHL games with Columbus during the 2010-11 season after signing on July 2, 2010. He spent the rest of the season with the Springfield Falcons. 

He left North America for Europe in 2013 and played until 2017 in Latvia, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, and Germany. He retired in 2017. 

Ryan Russell - 2012 - Drafted by the New York Rangers in 2005. 

The twin brother of former Blue Jacket and long-time NHLer Kris Russell, he played 41 games for Columbus during the 2011-12 season after being traded to the Jackets on July 7, 2011. He spent most of that season and the next playing for the Springfield Falcons. 

He left for Sweden, played two seasons, and then played in England for one season before retiring. He has spent the last nine seasons as an Amateur Scout for the San Jose Sharks. 

Luke Adam - 2015 - Drafted by Buffalo in 2008. 

Adam played three games for Columbus after his trade from the Sabres on December 16, 2014. 

In 2016, he left for Europe, where he would play seven years in Germany, and then a year each in Czechia and Slovakia. 

In 2024, he returned to North America, where he signed with the Tahoe Knight Monsters of the ECHL. He has been the Captain of Tahoe for the last two seasons. 

William Karlsson - 2016-2017 - Drafted by Anaheim in 2011.

 It's a common misconception that Karlsson was drafted by the CBJ. Taken by the Anaheim Ducks in 2011, he was traded to the Jackets in March 2015. He played 165 games for Columbus and had 47 points, mostly as a fourth-line grinder and penalty killer.

He was chosen by Vegas in the expansion draft of 2017 and has been there ever since. His career in Vegas has been up and down, but he's managed to get 396 points while playing for Vegas. In 2018, he won the Lady Byng, and in 2023, he helped his team win their first Stanley Cup. 

Mikhail Grigorenko - 2021 - Drafted by Buffalo in 2012. 

Grigorenko signed with Columbus in July of 2020. He played in 32 games and had 12 points. He left for Russia again after his time in Columbus and still plays there today. 

He is signed to play for Traktor Chelyabinsk in the KHL and serves as the Captain. 

There are 25 days until opening night at NWA. 

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Game Discussion: Milwaukee Brewers (88-55) @ Cincinnati Reds (68-74)

CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 04: Joey Ortiz #3 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates after the final out of the 10-7 win against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 04, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Not including the four-game series with the Cubs, which they split, the Brewers will go for their sixth straight series victory this afternoon in Cincinnati. However, the Brewers have struggled to close out series over the last couple of weeks, losing the final game three times.

To end the bad luck of not winning the final game, the left-hander Kyle Harrison will pitch, making his 23rd start of the season. He’s aiming to get the bad taste out of his mouth after what the Cubs did to him last Monday, when he allowed nine runs on 10 hits while giving up five home runs. Though his history against the Reds has not been kind to him, while pitching for the San Francisco Giants, he faced the Reds three times, and they weren’t the greatest. Outside of his first start against them, where he struck out 11, he proceeded to give up three runs in the next start and six in the following.

The home team will be sending Brady Singer to toe the slab this afternoon. This will be his first start in September after a month in which he allowed at least three runs in each one of his starts. Singer carved up Milwaukee back in June, when he threw seven scoreless innings, striking out seven batters.

Bo Naylor will make his first appearance since being called up this afternoon, as he relieves Gary Sánchez and William Contreras from catching duties this afternoon. Another notable addition to the top of the lineup today is Christian Yelich, who finds his way back into the two-spot, looking to carry his hotter-than-usual bat into some early-inning magic.

You can find this morning’s ballgame live on Brewers.TV or listen on WTMJ 620. First pitch is at 12:10 p.m.

Cam Leiter helps Great Lakes clinch playoff berth

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 3: The glove and ball of David Peralta #6 of the Los Angeles Dodgers lay on the grass as he warms up for the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium on July 3, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Great Lakes Loons are the third Dodgers affiliate to clinch a postseason spot in 2026, along with Double-A Tulsa and Class-A Ontario.

Player of the day

Three starts into his Midwest League experience, and Cam Leiter has yet to allow an earned run. The right-hander pitched five scoreless innings on Saturday night to help Great Lakes clinch a postseason berth, with three strikeouts, no walks, and only three singles allowed.

Leiter, drafted in the second round in 2025 out of Florida State, has allowed only one unearned run 11 1/3 innings, with 14 strikeouts. Between Class-A and High-A this season, Leiter has a 2.45 ERA and 30.9-percent strikeout rate in 55 innings in his professional debut.

Triple-A Oklahoma City

The Comets won a low-scoring game in extra innings for a second straight day, this time besting the Round Rock Express (Rangers) in 11 innings. Ryan Fitzgerald’s sacrifice fly drove home the game-winner.

Charlie Barnes pitched five scoreless innings in his start. Rehabber Jake Cousins allowed the only Round Rock run in his inning of work.

Ben Casparius started a new rehab assignment with a scoreless inning of work, his first appearance in 17 days after getting shut down with arm fatigue.

Paul Gervase pitched the final two innings in scoreless fashion, stranding the free runner in both frames to close out the win.

Chris Newell, who was promoted from Tulsa on Friday, played in his first Triple-A game on Saturday, and made an immediate impact with this game-ending gem.

Double-A Tulsa

The Drillers had big innings in the sixth and seventh, then held on to beat the Wichita Wind Surge (Twins). With 814 runs scored on the season, Tulsa set a record for the 50-year-old franchise, surpassing the 2000 team, a Texas Rangers affiliate that scored 806 runs in 140 games.

Jake Gelof already homered three times in this series, and on Saturday drove in three more runs with a double and single, giving him nine RBI through the first five games against Wichita. What a way to make a living.

Logan Wagner and Sean McLain homered in the win.

Patrick Copen allowed three runs in his six innings, all three runs coming in the final frame. That briefly had Tulsa behind, but they rallied for three runs in the sixth and four runs in the seventh to put the game to bed.

High-A Great Lakes

Great pitching and patience allowed the Loons to beat the Lake County Captains (Guardians), and clinch the second half of the Midwest League East Division. Great Lakes is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2023.

Charles Davalan singled then stolen second base, and took third on a flyball single by Nico Perez. Then four Loons walked in the frame, with free passes to Eduardo Guerrero, Mairo Martinus, and Victor Rodrigues all bringing home runs.

After Leiter’s five frames, Great Lakes got scoreless innings from Maddux Bruns and Matt Lanzendorfer before Dilan Figueredo entered with two runners on with nobody out in the eighth and pitched two scoreless innings to close out the clincher.

Class-A Ontario

The Tower Buzzers scored seven runs in the fourth inning, allowed six runs in the seventh and two in the eighth, but then rallied for three runs with two outs in the ninth inning to stun the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Angels).

Down two runs and down to their last out, Ontario had two runners on base in the ninth. Francisco Espinoza singled to pull the Tower Buzzers within a run, the a hit by pitch and walk tied things up. Ching-Hsien Ko delivered the walk-off single, his second hit of the game.

Easton Shelton hit his California League-leading 37th home run in that fourth inning, a grand slam.

Kellon Lindsey and Oswaldo Osorio homered for Ontario on Saturday. Osorio also walked twice and doubled, reaching base four times.

Charlie West, seventh-round draft pick this year out of UConn, struck out six and walked none in his four-inning start with two runs allowed.

Transactions

Triple-A: Bobby Miller ended his rehab and was activated by the Dodgers. Reliever Kyle Hurt was optioned to Oklahoma City. Outfielder Alek Thomas was designated for assignment.

Double-A: Right-hander Angel Cruz was added to Tulsa’s roster from the Arizona Complex League as an extra arm.

Saturday scores

Sunday schedule

  • 10 a.m. PT: Great Lakes (Isaac Ayon) at Lake County (Aidan Major)
  • 11:05 a.m.: Oklahoma City (Christian Romero) at Round Rock (David Davalillo)
  • 1:05 p.m.: Ontario (Jack O’Connor) vs. Rancho Cucamonga (TBA)
  • 4 p.m.: Tulsa (Luke Fox) vs. Wichita (Adrian Bohorquez)

Rays Reacts Results: August’s MVP

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - SEPTEMBER 02: Bryan Baker #47 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches during the game between the New York Mets and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Alex Zadorozny/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

As we turn the page to September, we must take a moment to acknowledge the performance of these AL East leading Rays, and to do so we asked in this week’s poll who the top performer was in August.

The choice was a difficult one! Among the five players suggested, only reliever Kevin Kelly did not accumulate any votes.

Baker held a 1.54 ERA across 12 appearances and 11⅔ innings in August, converting all nine of his save opportunities, allowed just eight hits and two walks while striking out 15, and kept the damage limited even on the rare nights things got interesting. Those nine saves helped push his season total to an MLB-leading 39 by the end of the month, and they extended a franchise-record consecutive saves streak that had already blown past Fernando Rodney’s mark earlier in August. He also, notably, pitched three nights in a row toward the end of the month, a remarkable feat of availability.

Can Baker and the Rays hold their own down the stretch? Baker was pulled from his most recent pitching performance due to illness, and Shane McClanahan and Garrett Cleavinger both hit the injured list, but the Rays have promoted Ty Johnson, adding a fresh face and new look.

If you believe in the Rays bullpen, you can put some wagers down on that belief through our friends at FanDuel who sponsors these polls.

Rays Up!

Everton 2-2 Manchester United: Premier League –as it happened

“Selected scuttlebut,” says Ian Copestake, promisingly, “from Everton fans on the train from Birkenhead to the game is that the fans have been lied to. Promises made by the new owners (shiny new stadium not mentioned) have not been fulfilled. Mutiny is round the corner (probably at Sandhills).”

An unexpected proposal from John Stedman. “I like the new(ish) Dining Across the Divide series [in the Saturday magazine] and hereby propose a new feature: Drinking Across the Sporting Divide, which you can pitch to your taskmasters in Guardian Towers.

Continue reading...

SB Nation Reacts results: How many wins for the Rockets?

Nov 26, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka directs his team against the Golden State Warriors in the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images | David Gonzales-Imagn Images

This week’s question asks: How many wins will the Houston Rockets have this season?

The Rockets have been on a roller coaster since the start of the decade. From a franchise-changing trade in 2021 that sent James Harden, the Rockets’ best player, for almost a decade to a complete overhaul that saw them hit rock bottom and end up in the lottery for several seasons. The latest iteration of the Rockets has shifted from a team full of young, promising players struggling for wins to a more veteran-led team expected to make deep playoff runs.

Even though the Rockets made the playoffs the past two seasons, they hoped for more, especially after the blockbuster trade that brought Kevin Durant to Houston last offseason. The past two seasons have seen the Rockets bow out in the first round despite winning 52 games both seasons.

Now, heading into year two of the Durant era, the Rockets hope the return of Fred VanVleet and the additions of Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic will finally give them the push they need to get past the first round for the first time since 2020. We asked the SB Nation community for their opinion on how many wins the Rockets will have this upcoming season.

This is what you said:

The SB Nation community has spoken, and 68 percent think the Rockets will win at least 51 games for the third straight season. As mentioned earlier, the Rockets have won exactly 52 games in the past two seasons, and in the Western Conference, every win counts, as spots three through five were separated by only two games.

Some fans believe the Rockets will go backward this season. 32 percent believe the Rockets will win fewer than 51 games. After last season’s disappointing finish, it is understandable that some fans have lost confidence in the team, as the Rockets didn’t make a big splash this offseason like they did last summer.

The Rockets front office and coaching staff have made it a point to say that they believe VanVleet’s return and the other additions mentioned earlier in this article will be enough to finally get past the first round this upcoming season. With a full roster this season, if the Rockets can stay healthy, I believe the Rockets can get to 55 wins, which should be enough to have home-court advantage, something the Rockets did not have this past playoff.

Dont forget to check out our sponsor FanDuel for all your basketball odds. The Rockets are a plus 470 to win 55 games next season, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. That means if you bet 100 dollars and the Rockets win 55 games or more, you win 470 dollars!

Thank you to the SB Nation community for voting!

Mets Morning News: Jonah Tong’s time to shine, Soto and Mrs. Met honored

Sep 5, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Mrs. Met is honored before the game at Citi Field between the New York Mets and the San Francisco Giants for being elected to the Mascot Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Meet the Mets

The Mets fell to the Giants 9-5, as San Francisco gave the Mets a taste of their own medicine that they issued the night before by socking six home runs against Mets pitching. Four of them were surrendered by Zac Thornton, who had his worst start as a big leaguer thus far in his young career, but the one bright spot was that A.J. Ewing went deep for the Mets for the first time since July.

Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue, Faith and Fear in Flushing, MLB.com, Newsday, New York Daily News, New York Post

In recent days, A.J. Ewing has begun to show signs of life at the plate and yesterday’s home run is further evidence that he may be breaking out of his months-long slump.

Though the 2026 season is lost, September is not a lost month for the Mets as they look ahead to 2027, writes David Lennon of Newsday.

Will Sammon interviewed Mets VP Eric Jagers on Jonah Tong’s development this season. Tong will start tomorrow’s game against the Marlins.

The 2026 season has been defined in part by underachieving teams, as the Mets duke it out with the Mariners and Tigers for the unfortunate distinction of being the biggest disappointment this year.

Yesterday Juan Soto received his 2025 National League LatinoMVP award from Latino Sports, a publication that created the honor and has administered it since 1989. It is his third time winning the award in the past five years and only Albert Pujols has won it more times in total than Soto.

Yesterday was a day for honors, as mascots gathered at Citi Field to celebrate Mrs. Met’s induction into the Mascot Hall of Fame.

Joe McDonald, who was the general manager of the Mets from 1975–1979, passed away at the age of 97, announced Jay Horwitz yesterday.

Around the National League East

Zack Wheeler pitched six innings of one-run ball, striking out nine in the Phillies’ 4-2 victory over the first place Braves at Citizens Bank Park.

The Nationals fell to the Dodgers 6-5, despite the absence of Shohei Ohtani from LA’s lineup for the third straight day. Tommy Edman’s go-ahead three-run bomb off Clayton Beeter in the seventh was the decisive blow in the game.

Nationals top prospect Eli Willits is just 18 years old, but he wants to make the majors before he turns 20.

The Marlins lost to the Cubs by the same 6-5 score, as former Met Michael Conforto had a good day at the plate for Chicago.

The Marlins released veteran infielder Leo Jimenez after designating him for assignment on Thursday.

Around Major League Baseball

Trent Grisham re-injured his hamstring in the Yankees’ 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Padres on Friday and is heading back to the IL. The Yankees called up outfielder Jasson Domínguez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take his place on the roster.

Speaking of repeat injured list stints, Jameson Taillon, who left Friday night’s start after just two innings in his first start back from injury, was placed on the 15-day injured list again on Saturday by the Blue Jays with right elbow inflammation. To take his place on the roster, righty Ricky Tiedemann was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo.

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com explores what is next for the Blue Jays, who have had a disappointing follow-up season to their AL Championship in 2025, but still sit just one game back in the AL Wild Card standings.

2026 has been the year of the rookie hitter in baseball; this year’s class has put up the best offensive numbers for debut hitters by multiple measures.

Hat Gate has entered its second day. If you know, you know.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

On a new episode of Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World Series, Brian Salvatore and Chris McShane talk about the loss of Luis Robert Jr. to the Orioles, A.J. Ewing’s recent struggles, the potential return of Jonah Tong, and other September Mets story lines.

This Date in Mets History

Oliver Perez pitched a complete game shutout against the Braves on this date in 2006.

Dodgers notes: Shohei Ohtani, Tommy Edman, pitching staff

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 4: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the dugout in the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Stadium on September 4, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Shohei Ohtani has been absent from the Dodgers lineup for three consecutive games. So far the team has had no problem picking up the pieces, as the team is currently on a three-game winning streak with a chance to sweep the Washington Nationals on Sunday.

Ohtani hasn’t been his usual self over his last 12 games, slashing a putrid .130/.298/.196 with a double, a triple and four RBI. The straw that broke the camel’s back was placed on Wednesday with a four-strikeout performance at the plate, and the Dodgers have contemplated moving him to the injured list.

Ohtani was able to hit in the cage during Saturday’s 6-5 win over Washington, notes Sonja Chen of MLB.com, and the Dodgers will soon decide whether an IL stint is required. Dave Roberts views the time off as a chance for the two-way superstar to get a reset mentally and physically.

“If it doesn’t feel good today,” Roberts said, “then [the IL] certainly should be on the table.”

“There’s a chance … that we could almost just be in bed with the idea that whether it’s six, seven, eight days — [it’s] better than [15] days,” Roberts said, “if he’s trending in the right direction.”

With Ohtani not spearheading the starting lineup, Tommy Edman has done a tremendous job both filling in at center field for the injured Andy Pages and occupying the leadoff spot for the time being. Edman was the hero in Saturday’s win by making a highlight reel play in center field before hitting a go-ahead three run home run to give the Dodgers a 5-4 lead in the seventh inning.

For the defensively versatile switch-hitter, his pride comes in his ability to be plugged in any role or position, stressing the importance of filling in the gaps, writes Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times.

“It’s definitely something that makes me valuable to the team,” he said of his versatility, “especially late in the year when guys get banged up. Losing [Pages] is a huge loss. I take pride in being able to fill that role a little. I’m not completely filling what he left behind, but I’m trying my best. That’s important to any championship team.”

Even with Shohei Ohtani’s chances of returning to the mound becoming an afterthought with each passing day, the Dodgers are preparing to assemble another formidable postseason rotation.

Usually, spring training is when a team tries to prepare for the season to come, but, as has been the case the last two years, the Dodgers aren’t like most teams. That means September is essentially another form of spring training to get their pitching staff ready for another grueling postseason run, writes Dylan Hernandez of the California Post.

The starters who will comprise the Dodgers’ postseason rotation know that when the playoffs start, they will have to pitch better than they have. Their team’s inconsistent offense will once again give them little margin for error, perhaps even less than last year with Shohei Ohtani dealing with multiple injuries.

If October marks the start of the baseball season in Los Angeles, September is spring training. The pitchers have three weeks to prepare for the starts that will define their seasons, or perhaps even careers

Orioles minor league recap 9/6: Patrick Reilly dazzles for Baysox

SARASOTA, FL - MARCH 15: Patrick Reilly #44 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches during the game between the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium on Saturday, March 15, 2025 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Kelly Gavin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Triple-A: Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (MIA) 11, Norfolk Tides 7

The Tides jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning on a two-run home run by Jeremiah Jackson and an RBI triple by Luis Vázquez. But they fell behind immediately after that and never recovered. Starting pitcher Cade Povich had a very rough time. He allowed eight runs in five innings. He allowed seven hits, two of which were home runs, and walked four.

The rehabbing Félix Bautista pitched one inning with a walk and a strikeout. He threw 22 pitches, 13 strikes.

The Tides scored four more runs, all in the fourth inning. Sam Huff hit a three-run homer and Creed Willems reached on a single and later scored on an error.

Box Score

Double-A: Portland Sea Dogs (BOS) 6, Chesapeake Baysox 4

Patrick Reilly started for the Baysox and pitched a heck of a game. Through seven innings, Reilly faced just 21 batters despite allowing three hits. In the first inning, Reilly allowed a single and then picked the runner off. In the third, he induced a double play after a single. Ditto in the fourth. Through seven innings, his pitching line was 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K.

Reilly came back out for the eighth inning with the Baysox winning 4-0. He walked his first batter, then allowed a home run. He was replaced by Bradley Brehmer, who gave up four more runs and only recorded one out. That allowed the Sea Dogs to come back and take a lead they did not relinquish.

The Baysox scored all four of their runs in the first two innings. Wehiwa Aloy homered in the first inning. In the second, one run scored on an error and Frederick Bencosme drove in two with a double.

Box Score

High-A: Frederick Keys 7, Brooklyn Cyclones (NYM) 4

The Keys won their 82nd game last night, and in doing so clinched the second-half crown for the South Atlantic League North Division. They also won the first-half. They’re good. What a great way for affiliated baseball to return to Frederick. On to the playoffs!

Christian Rodriguez started and allowed three runs in 4.2 innings. All three runs came in on two homers. in the fourth inning. Carson Dorsey followed with 3.1 shutout innings. He gave up just one hit and walked two.

Leadoff batter DJ Layton was the offensive star of the game. Layton went had five hits, including two doubles. He knocked in two runs and scored two runs. Enddy Azocar knocked in Layton once as the pair hit back-to-back doubles. Azocar also walked. Jaiden Lo Re drove in two with a double, his only hit. The recently promoted Ty Head added a pinch-hit RBI single.

Box Score

Low-A: Delmarva Shorebirds 8, Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (CWS) 5

Stiven Martinez had just one hit in the game, but it was a big one. His 14th home run of the year was a grand slam that ended up being the difference in the game. The Shorebirds were kept off the board until the sixth inning. In the sixth, Carlos Sanchez and Jhomnardo Reyes pulled off a double steal of home and second. Reyes later scored on a ground out. In the seventh, Sanchez and Jimmy Anderson each knocked in a run with a single.

Eric Booth, Jr. reached base four times with three singles and a walk. Anderson and Adriander Mejía both had two hits.

Collin McKinney started on the mound and pitched two shutout innings despite allowing two hits and three walks. Javier González earned the save with 1.1 hitless innings.

Box Score

Today’s Schedule

  • Norfolk vs Jacksonville, 1:05. Starter: Trey Gibson
  • Chesapeake vs Portland, 1:05. Starter: Sebastian Gongora
  • Frederick @ Brooklyn, 2:00. Starter: Jake Dykhoff
  • Delmarva @ Kannapolis, 1:35. Starter: KK Clark

Chicago Cubs news — Imanaga, Ramirez, PCA

Today’s Reflections

Shōta Imanaga = Don’t pitch in Wrigley? Or get a haircut before the rest of his starts?

Imanaga pitched into the seventh inning Friday night, allowing only three hits without a walk while striking out four in the Cubs’ 6-1 win. Imanaga allowed a single in the bottom of the seventh, which Aaron Civale allowed to come around to score in the starter’s only blemish on his box score. It was only the second time this season that Imanaga had a start without a home run and a walk. He looked like the Imanaga we keep seeing glimpses of, and need to finish off the year.

Civale did otherwise pitch scoreless ball over three innings for the save.

Offensively, it was a fantastic mixed bag of ways of scoring runs. Only the final run, off the bat of Michael Busch, came by way of the home run. For example, Pedro Ramirez was 0-for-3, but had RBI’s off a fielder’s choice and a sacrifice fly. After three walks and a pitching change in the sixth, Ian Happ walked to drive in a run, followed by a Nico Hoerner RBI single.

Pete Crow-Armstrong had earlier in the game stolen his 33rd base on the season. PCA later doubled to start the seventh, aggressively advanced to third on a medium fly-ball to right off the bat of Seiya Suzuki, and scored on a wild pitch.

PCA also added, probably, his best catch of the season in the sixth. After travelling around 100 feet, PCA positioned himself parallel along the center-field wall. He did something he couldn’t do at Wrigley — he launched himself up into the soft wall and snared the flyball at the peak of his jump.

Let’s hope that the rest of the road trip continues with this success.

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Friday Night’s Game Stories:


Assorted Pitching Stories:


Assorted Hitting Stories:


Food For Thought:

One of the great blues singers of the post-World War II period, Jimmy Witherspoon was also versatile enough to fit comfortably into the jazz world. Witherspoon was born on August 8, 1920 in Gurdon, Arizona. As a child, he sang in a church choir, and he made his debut recordings with Jay McShann for Philo and Mercury in 1945 and 1946. His own first recordings, using McShann’s band, resulted in a number one R&B hit in 1949 with “Ain’t Nobody’s Business, Pts. 1 & 2” on Supreme Records. Live performances of “No Rollin’ Blues” and “Big Fine Girl” provided ‘Spoon with two more hits in 1950.

Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series.

Weekly Cupcakes: Varlamov set to return

Colorado Avalanche News

  • The Drive – Conor McGahey talks Colorado Avalanche, Makar’s contract and Denver Broncos. [TSN]
  • The London Knights have dealt Avalanche prospect defenseman Linus Funck, paving the way for a major import deal to take place. [The Hockey News]
  • Makar’s record 8-year deal was a necessity. ‘You can’t win without superstars,’ Sakic says after deal with elite defenseman, [NHL]
  • Colorado Avalanche face brutal travel schedule in 2027-2027. The Avalanche will have plenty of frequent-flyer miles to rack up during the NHL’s 84-game season. [SI]

News Around the League

  • Semyon Varlamov healthy, ready to roll for Islanders camp: ‘It’s almost a miracle’. The veteran hasn’t played in an NHL game since Nov. 2024. [SNY]
  • Hamilton NHL prospect Matthew Mayich “needs a miracle” after training collapse during a brutal workout. [CBC]
  • A dispute over whether a 13-year-old boy should be allowed to play on a Whitby, Ont., minor hockey team has exposed broader questions about how youth sports organizations should respond when a parent connected to a team has a history of sexually abusing children. [CTV]
  • TVA Sports renews NHL rights for 12 years, will broadcast more Canadiens games. [Montreal Gazette]
  • Pronger has played alongside some of the greatest defensemen in NHL history. He knows what an elite blueliner looks like. So when a Hockey Hall of Famer looks at Cale Makar’s record-breaking contract and sees little reason for concern, it is worth listening. [The Hockey News]

Canadiens’ Prospect Fails To Make KHL Roster For Opening Road Trip

The KHL season is kicking off this weekend, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed that the Montreal Canadiens’ first-round pick in the last draft, Gleb Pugachyov, has failed to make Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod’s roster for its four-game opening road trip. Alexei Isakov’s men took on Spartak Moscow on Saturday, then face Dynamo Minsk on the 7th, CSKA Moscow on the 9th, and Lada Togliatti on the 11th before returning home to host Ak Bars Kazan on the 14th.

Given the fact that Pugachyov is only 18 years old, there’s no reason to panic because he could play in the lower leagues (MHL, VHL) this season. Besides, the fact that he’s not in the initial roster doesn’t mean that he won’t be in the near future; there’s a lot of movement in the KHL, and players go up and down levels easily. It’s also worth remembering that in the KHL, rookies do not have it easy; they need to earn their ice time. Even Ivan Demidov struggled to get ice time while playing under Roman Rotenberg at SKA St. Petersburg. It wasn’t as tough for Alexander Zharovsky with Salavat Yulaev Ufa, but it wasn’t as strong a team.

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It’s important to remember that Pugachyov was only picked 26th overall by the Canadiens. While Montreal has been blessed with a lot of early selections over the last few years, the team’s emergence from its rebuild means that they won’t get to speak so early at the draft. Pugachyov can play hockey, but he brings size, grit, and energy; he’s not the kind of player who’ll fill the net, which makes it even harder for him to earn a roster spot in the KHL.

The forward signed a two-year contract extension with Torpedo in June 2025, which only expires at the end of the 2027-28 season. There’s no rush; Pugachyov has got plenty of time to develop. In an ideal world, he would develop into a middle-six type of player, but if he turns out to be a supersized third-line winger who’s a pain to play against, it will still be good news for the Canadiens.

It takes a little bit of everything to have a Stanley Cup-winning team; it’s not solely about skills and talent, as demonstrated by the Toronto Maple Leafs, who thought they could plan the parade once they had Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and Morgan Rielly. You need more than just headliners; you need depth players who can play the right type of game and thrive in your system.


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Flyers Breakfast: How Cool Is Maksim Sokolovskii?

While we impatiently wait for the Philadelphia Flyers and, more broadly, NHL hockey to return, the OHL preseason is underway, and many European pro leagues are beginning to kick things off, too.

Let's start in Sweden, shall we?

Flyers forward prospect Max Westergard, who was unable to participate in development camp in July, scored a goal and an assist in 11:44 of ice time for Frolunda HC in a 6-1 win over SaiPa in Champions Hockey League competition.

Over in Russia, Egor Zavragin will likely debut for his new club, Metallurg Magnitogorsk, on Sunday (today) or Tuesday, Sept. 8, with two games against Amur Khabarovsk on the docket.

He'll have some competition from the older, more experienced Alexander Smolin, who is also a Gagarin Cup champ with Metallurg as Ilya Nabokov's backup, but we can expect the two Russian netminders to share the crease barring something unforeseen.

And here? We will soon see if David Jiricek has what it takes to stick at the NHL level with the Flyers.

Head coach Rick Tocchet and GM Danny Briere both acclaim Jiricek's shot and offensive ability, but only 12 days separate the start of training camp on the 17th and the first game of the regular season on the 30th.

Don't forget about Maksim Sokolovskii

Lost in all the prospect talk, try not to forget about Maksim Sokolovskii throughout the year. I mean, I'm sure there will be highlights, as you will see shortly here, but regard him as a legitimate prospect.

Yes, Sokolovskii is going to be a project, and yes, it will be some time before we see him take the ice for an NHL game with the Flyers, but the potential gets more and more fascinating with each watch.

In the clip above, Sokolovskii aggressively pinches up the left wall, narrowly missing an opponent en route to the 50/50 puck. After settling an attempted play up the boards from his opponent, Sokolovskii turns up the ice and immediately looks to make a play.

A smaller, more nimble 5-foot-7 Cameron Schmidt, who led the WHL with 51 goals last season, was waiting to defend in the high slot, but Sokolovskii pulled the puck back to his left side and powered past Schmidt and another defender with just a few strides.

Shielding the puck, Sokolovskii tried to make the high-percentage play, passing across the slot as time expired, but his nearest teammate was tied up, and nobody else was available at the back post.

So, despite no goal being scored, I loved this play by Sokolovskii. It proved a few things.

The 18-year-old is showing a willingness to take control, be the guy, and use his talents and tools to manufacture offense in a pressure situation.

Flyers' Maksim Sokolovskii Lifts 1,000-lb. Tire in Offseason Training VideoFlyers' Maksim Sokolovskii Lifts 1,000-lb. Tire in Offseason Training VideoNew top Philadelphia Flyers prospect Maksim Sokolovskii is freakishly strong for such a young player.

The skating, which is already anomalous for his size, looked Travis Sanheim-esque as he shielded off defenders, and Sokolovskii clearly has an understanding of where the puck needs to go create a dangerous chance for his team.

Sokolovskii, drafted 27th overall by the Flyers in June, can easily outperform his draft slot just by getting in the same orbit as his full potential.

His passing and puck-handling will have to develop further, as will the decision-making, but when things go right, they look incredible.

Sokolovskii is the player I'm most excited to watch at Flyers rookie camp next week, especially as we have already seen a good bit of Porter Martone, Alex Bump, Denver Barkey, and Jett Luchanko in past years.

Mets Daily Prospect Report, 9/6/26: Can Collins keep it up?

READING, PA - AUGUST 25: Corey Collins #37 of the Binghamton Rumble Ponies rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the seventh inning during the game between the Binghamton Rumble Ponies and the Reading Fightin Phils at FirstEnergy Stadium on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 in Reading, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Cade Burdette/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)

Triple-A: Syracuse Mets (71 – 65)

ROCHESTER 14, SYRACUSE 9 (BOX)

Emilien Pitre’s first Triple-A home run – along with homers from Ronny Mauricio and MJ Melendez – were not enough to overcome a truly dreadful pitching performance from nearly every arm who got in the game tonight. Truly a waste of a lineup performance when all but one starter had at least one hit.

Double-A: Binghamton Rumble Ponies (60 – 71)

BINGHAMTON 3, NEW HAMPSHIRE 1 (BOX)

Two runs in the first on a Corey Collins double were enough to support R.J. Gordon and the rest of the Binghamton staff. Collins isn’t a top-end prospect, but he’s had a nice season with a .910 OPS in Double-A. He’s also old for the level and is benefitting from an overly passive approach that will likely not play at the higher levels (probably). Marco Vargas also continued his solid post injury reply and how has his OPS at .750 in Double-A.

High-A: Brooklyn Cyclones (57 – 73)

FREDERICK 7, BROOKLYN 3 (BOX)

Two more homers wasted by a poor pitching performance. This time it was Ryan Dollar who was the primary culprit, coughing up four runs in an inning of work. Elian Peña also had a bad night, going 0-for-5 and making an error that led to two unearned runs.

Single-A: St. Lucie Mets (57 – 72)

SUSPENDED (RAIN)

STAR OF THE NIGHT

Corey Collins

GOAT OF THE NIGHT

Brian Metoyer

Phillies news: Aidan Miller, Orion Kerkering, Corbin Burnes

Jun 21, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jonathan Bowlan (52) throws a pitch against the New York Mets in the sixth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Jonathan Bowlan gave up another home run last night, leading to some discussion about his effectiveness. For me at least, I think he’s simply getting tired after a long season of being depended on as much as he has been this year. With Kansas City, he wasn’t used to being put into higher leverage spots all year, thus hasn’t been subjected to the type of stress he is under each time he toes the rubber with the Phillies. So now, having done it for months, he might be wearing down a bit. Hopefully they can clinch a spot in the playoffs soon in order to give him and other bullpen arms some rest.

On to the links.

Phillies news:

MLB news: