HOOVER, AL - MAY 20:Missouri infielder Kam Durnin (27) hits a home run during the SEC Baseball Tournament game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Missouri Tigers on May 20, 2026, at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama.(Photo by Jason Homan/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below. Check out the previous day’s recap here.
AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (72-71) won 5-0 (BOX SCORE)
Weiss started for Sugar Land and pitched well tossing 5 scoreless innings with 5 strikeouts. The offense got on the board in the 6th inning scoring 5 runs on a Spence RBI single, Schiavone hit by pitch, Delgado walk and Ferreras 2 run single. The pen was really good tossing 4 scoreless innings as they closed out the 5-0 win for Sugar Land.
Ryan Weiss, RHP: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Nic Swanson, RHP: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 0 K
Logan VanWey, RHP: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Kai-Wei Teng, RHP: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Roddery Munoz, RHP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (62-76) lost 6-5 (BOX SCORE)
The Hooks got on the board in the 2nd inning scoring 4 runs on a Moss 2 run double and Bush 2 run single. They got another run in the 5th inning on a Whitaker RBI double. Dombroski got the start and pitched well tossing 6 scoreless innings allowing just one hit. Marrero struggled in relief allowing 6 runs and the offense was unable to respond as the Hooks fell 6-5.
Railin Perez, RHP: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, o ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Ramsey David, RHP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
A+: Asheville Tourists (43-87) SEASON OVER
A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (1-0) won 14-4 (BOX SCORE)
The Woodpeckers got on the board in the first inning scoring a run on a wild pitch. In the 2nd inning, the offense blew the game open scoring 10 runs on a Tryon solo home run, Flores RBI double, Piasecki RBI single, Alvarez 2 run single, Luciano sac fly, Galloway walk, Flores sac fly, Piasecki RBI single and Hughes RBI single. Weber started for the Woodpeckers and went 4.2 innings allowing 2 runs. The offense added 3 more runs in the 6th inning on a Piasecki RBI double and Durnin 2 run home run. The pen allowed 2 runs late but held on as the Woodpeckers won game one 14-4.
Note: Woodpeckers are one win away from a Carolina League Championship!
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 18: Owen Murphy #73 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the first inning of a game against the Texas Rangers at Truist Park on July 18, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This one is basically for the folks who were paying attention to the Probable Pitchers page over on the Atlanta Braves’ official website. It still lists Wednesday’s starter for the game as “TBD” but that picture may becoming a little more determined with this latest move that the Braves have made.
Bailey Falter has been designated for assignment and his replacement on the Braves roster will be none other than Owen Murphy.
The #Braves today recalled RHP Owen Murphy to Atlanta and designated LHP Bailey Falter for assignment.
This will be Murphy’s first stint with the Braves since back in July, which is when he made three appearances (one of which were starts) before getting sent back down. He’s been pretty productive at the Triple-A level for the Gwinnett Stripers, which is where he’s made 18 starts and pitched 96.2 innings while producing an ERA of 3.61 and a FIP of 4.23. His last start for the Stripers was on September 8, which is when he tossed six innings and only gave up a run against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. If he does make the start, then he’ll be on more-than-regular rest.
With all of that being said, the indication does seem to be that Murphy will be coming out of the bullpen. That’s what Mark Bowman of MLB.com is reporting shortly after this news came down.
Owen Murphy will be available out of the Braves’ bullpen these next couple days. https://t.co/E7VNxh5etU
So Wednesday’s starter is still clearly “TBD” and we could still see another move before then. Will it be JR Ritchie? Will the Braves choose to go with Chris Sale on his regular rest? It’s all up in the air but for now, it’s time to see how Owen Murphy fares in his latest stint for Atlanta.
Meanwhile, Bailey Falter’s time with the Braves is now up in the air after 3.1 innings pitched for Atlanta during his time on the roster. He got a handful of outs against the Phillies on Sunday without giving up any runs, so “job done” in that regard. We’ll see what happens with Falter and the Braves organization going forward.
Losing captain frustrated by lack of in-play statistics
Stanford offers warning to Ryder Cup leader Jim Furyk
The latest inquest into failure by an American team on European soil involves slow greens, the perception of a premature celebration and a curious absence of statistical backup. Angela Stanford, whose Solheim Cup team were defeated by Europe in the Netherlands on Sunday, warned Jim Furyk’s Ryder Cup contingent to take note.
Stanford used the numbers-based evidence of Justin Ray to assist with decision-making and Furyk will do likewise at Adare Manor next year. In the aftermath of the 15-13 defeat and assessing Ray’s input, Stanford clearly had an underlying gripe. “I’m wondering how honest to be,” she said.
Losing captain frustrated by lack of in-play statistics
Stanford offers warning to Ryder Cup leader Jim Furyk
The latest inquest into failure by an American team on European soil involves slow greens, the perception of a premature celebration and a curious absence of statistical backup. Angela Stanford, whose Solheim Cup team were defeated by Europe in the Netherlands on Sunday, warned Jim Furyk’s Ryder Cup contingent to take note.
Stanford used the numbers-based evidence of Justin Ray to assist with decision-making and Furyk will do likewise at Adare Manor next year. In the aftermath of the 15-13 defeat and assessing Ray’s input, Stanford clearly had an underlying gripe. “I’m wondering how honest to be,” she said.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 4: Los Angeles Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman talks with Edwin Diaz #3 prior to the game against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium on September 4, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Edwin Díaz signed a record-setting contract for a relief pitcher last offseason, but his first season with the Dodgers has been a lost cause, sidelined by a pair of injuries, currently on the sidelines with neck inflammation. Díaz had another bad rehab outing on Sunday with Oklahoma City.
Díaz faced eight batters and retired two of them. He permitted two singles, walked three batters and hit another, and struck out one. He left with three runs already in, and two of his three bequeathed runners scored after he left. He threw only 13 strikes in his 30 pitches, the third time in four outings on this rehab assignment he’s thrown more balls than strikes.
In his four games over the previous eight days in Triple-A, Díaz has allowed six runs in 3 1/3 innings, with seven walks, four strikeouts, and a hit batter, with 46 balls and 40 strikes. I’m not sure what the Dodgers will do for the final two weeks of the regular season, but Díaz has no place on any postseason roster this year and it would make more sense to look forward to 2027 than activate the veteran closer for any of the final two weeks of the regular season.
Meanwhile, Kris Bubichas been getting outs on his rehab assignment, including 1 1/3 scoreless innings with three strikeouts on Sunday for Oklahoma City. Bubic is a starter but being groomed for relief after the Dodgers acquired him from the Kansas City Royals on August 3, currently sidelined on the 60-day injured list with elbow soreness and shoulder soreness.
But right now Bubic looks healthy and in his six appearances over two weeks in Triple-A has pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings with two singles and two walks allowed, with nine strikeouts among his 21 batters faced, a 42.9-percent strikeout rate.
Player of the day
Infielder Jake Gelof capped off a stellar regular season with another home run on Sunday for Double-A Tulsa. His 34th home run of the season set a modern-era (since 1932) Tulsa record, surpassing Tim Wheeler in 2011 when the Drillers were a Colorado Rockies affiliate.
Ladies and gentlemen, your Drillers single-season home run leader, Jake Gelof! 👑💣 pic.twitter.com/SOMyRV9hpD
Gelof, the Dodgers’ second-round draft pick in 2023 out of Virginia, where he set a school record for home runs, had his best professional season to date, hitting .271/.285/.565 with a 138 wRC+, while splitting time at third base,s second base, and first base.
Triple-A Oklahoma City
The five runs charged to Díaz were the only runs scored on Sunday in the Comets loss to the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Astros), snapping Oklahoma City’s 14-game win streak.
Cole Irvin started and pitched 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision. The 32-year-old left-hander leads the Pacific Coast League in innings pitched (134), ERA (3.09), and wins (12).
Ryan Fitzgerald had two of Oklahoma City’s four hits, all singles.
Double-A Tulsa
The Drillers dropped their regular season finale the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Royals), but finished with a stellar 88-50 record, with 10 more wins than another team in the Texas League.
Tulsa also got reinforcements on Sunday, with High-A Great Lakes eliminated on Friday. Top-100 prospects Eduardo Quintero and Charles Davalan joined the Drillers for the playoff drive. Davalan got a hit, while Quintero hit a two-run home run in his first game in Double-A.
Tulsa starts the Texas League playoffs on Tuesday, Quintero’s 21st birthday.
Transactions
Triple-A: Pitcher Antonio Knowles was activated after missing five weeks on the injured list. He did not pitch on Sunday.
Double-A: Outfielders Eduardo Quintero and Charles Davalan were promoted to Tulsa. Outfielder Augstin Acosta and pitcher Alex Walsh were transferred back to the Arizona Complex League.
Texas League divisional playoffs: Tulsa vs. Springfield (Cardinals)
Oklahoma City at El Paso (Padres)
The North Division playoffs is best-of-3 for the Drillers, with Game 1 at second-half winner Springfield before Game 2 and potentially Game 3 in Tulsa on Thursday and Friday. Left-hander Adam Serwinowski starts Game 1 for Tulsa, with righthander Yhoiker Fajardo on the mound for Springfield.
The Calgary Flames moved from Atlanta in the summer of 1980 and began their tenure in southern Alberta by playing at the Stampede Coral. In 1983, the Scotiabank Saddledome opened its doors, giving the Flames their permanent home for the past 43 years. Through the highs and lows, Stanley Cup Final appearances, and one championship, the Saddledome has earned a special place in franchise history. As we begin to celebrate the building’s final NHL season, which begins on October 1, we will publish a series of articles showcasing its history. Today, we look at the Top 5 winningest seasons in Saddledome history.
5. 1989-90 Season (28-7-5 — 61 points)
Months after winning the Stanley Cup at the Montreal Forum, the only visiting team to ever achieve that, the Flames kicked off the 1989-90 season against the Detroit Red Wings on October 5, 1989. They won a high-scoring contest 10-7 to begin the year 5-0-2 at home before losing on November 11 to the Los Angeles Kings. Before the end of the calendar year, the Flames lost only three times at the Saddledome, going 11-3-4 before New Year's.
In mid-January, Calgary had a four-game home winning streak, before a 3-2-0 record in February. Their last regular-season home loss came on March 1 against the Philadelphia Flyers, before finishing the season on a nine-game home win streak. Despite losing to Wayne Gretzky and the Kings in the first round, the Flames were Smythe Division champions after finishing 42-23-15 with 99 points.
4. 1990-91 Season (29-8-3 — 61 points)
The Flames carried their regular-season home success into 1990-91. They defeated Vancouver and Toronto to begin the season, then finally lost to the St. Louis Blues on October 18. However, that was their only home loss until November 14, when they lost to the New York Islanders.
After a rocky start to December and four straight home losses, Calgary went on to win their next eight home games, with a tie against Detroit on February 19, 1991, ending their streak. Yet, that didn’t slow the team down, as they won their next nine at the Saddledome. From December 29 until the home finale on March 31, the Flames were 20-1-2 at home. They finished second in the Smythe Division with a 46-26-8 record and 100 points. In the first round, the team lost to the Edmonton Oilers in seven games, losing Game 7 in overtime at the Saddledome on April 16.
3. 2006-07 Season (30-9-2 — 62 points)
Under new head coach Jim Playflair, the Flames secured 30 of their 43 regular-season wins at the Saddledome. Things started shakily, with a 2-3 record to start the season, before they went on a 10-game home winning streak and finished the calendar year at 14-4-0. Naturally, they started 2007 with a loss to Vancouver on January 4, before winning their next eight home contests.
Following a February 6 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, the Flames lost only four more times at home. Their only overtime loss during that stretch came against the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 10. Calgary also secured two shootout wins on February 28 (Minnesota) and March 12 (St. Louis), plus an overtime win over Nashville on March 22. The Flames finished third in the Northwest Division thanks to a 43-29-10 record and 96 points, bowing out to the Red Wings in the first round. After winning Games 3 and 4, they lost Game 6 in double overtime on April 22.
2. 2005-06 Season (30-7-4 — 64 points)
In 2004, the Flames played in the Stanley Cup Final, losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 7. Unfortunately, a lockout canceled the 2004-05 season, so the next home game at the Saddledome was on October 13, 2005. Calgary lost its first game in overtime to the Dallas Stars, but after going 1-1-1, the team won its next eight home games. Following a couple of losses in November and December, the Flames finished the calendar year by beginning another lengthy win streak, this one reaching six games.
After a shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on February 1, Calgary finished the regular season 11-3-1 at the Saddledome. In the end, the Flames won the Northwest Division title thanks to a 46-25-11 record and 103 points. Despite their regular-season success and push to return to the Stanley Cup Final, the Flames once again lost in the first round, this time to the Anaheim Ducks in seven games. Ilya Bryzgalov recorded a 22-save shutout to preserve a 3-0 Ducks’ Game 7 victory at the Saddledome.
1. 1988-89 Season (32-4-4 — 68 points)
Fittingly, the Flames' Stanley Cup-winning 1988-89 season is also the greatest home campaign in Saddledome history. Although the club tied the New York Islanders in their home opener, Calgary didn’t lose at home until December 29, when they lost to their future Stanley Cup Final opponent, the Montreal Canadiens. They began the season at the Saddledome with an almost perfect record of 14-1-4.
Surprisingly, the Flames tied the Winnipeg Jets in the very next home contest following their first loss, and didn’t lose at home until the Boston Bruins came to town on February 18. Four nights later, the Toronto Maple Leafs earned a 4-3 overtime victory, before the Canadiens pulled off another visitor victory on March 2. Calgary went 18-3-0 in the calendar year of 1989 to finish the regular season with a 54-17-9 record. Their 117 points helped the team win its second Presidents’ Trophy.
En route to the Stanley Cup, the Flames went 9-3 at the Saddledome in the playoffs, including a 2-1 record in the Stanley Cup Final. The club lost Game 1 of the first round to Vancouver in overtime before rallying to win Game 7 in overtime and advance. Calgary then opened the second round with another overtime victory over the Kings. Although they would go on to win the Stanley Cup in Montreal, that season’s team forged their identity at the Saddledome, where the Flames put together the greatest home season in franchise history.
MIAMI, FL - MAY 4: Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat is presented with the 2021-22 Kia NBA Sixth Man Award during Game 2 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals on May 4, 2022 at FTX Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Bucks fans and fans across the country.
Our season predictions will come in October, when we undertake our first of four Roundtables for the season, but before we get to them we’re after your expertise.
In years past, the Bucks were pretty much guaranteed to have representation in the end-of-season awards. And while most of those can be attributed to Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brilliance—from MIP to MVP and everything in between—others, too, received some spotlight.
Most recently, Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez made the All-Defensive First Team in 2022-23. That same year, Holiday also took home the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year award, which he also won two years earlier (when he also won the NBA Sportsmanship Award). In 2022-23, Lopez similarly doubled up, taking home the NBA Community Assist Award. Outside of those three, other recent Bucks award winners include Mike Budenholzer (2018-19 Coach of the Year), Eric Bledsoe (2018-19 All-Defensive First Team; 2019-20 All-Defensive Second Team), and Malcolm Brogdon (2016-17 Rookie of the Year).
This season, awards are far less likely. But that doesn’t mean they are out of reach. In fact, if things play out favourably, any number of Bucks players could see themselves feature in end-of-season voting. That being said, here are the awards the Bucks have the best shot at making a run at—along with the players who have the best chances of doing so:
Most Improved Player
Ryan Rollins arguably should have won this award last year, yet somehow he wasn’t even a finalist. And while a similar statistical jump is unlikely—last year’s was insane—players often benefit from recognition the year after they actually deserve it, especially with an award like this. If the Bucks surprise—let’s face it, this is a prerequisite for nearly all of these projections to have a chance at coming to fruition—Rollins will likely be at the centre of it. That, coupled with a bump in points that comes mostly at the foul line (with the newfound respect that a player gets the year after breaking out), could just get the job done.
The other Buck who has a real shot at this award is Kel’el Ware. Kept on a short leash for his Miami Heat tenure, Ware has game that very few centres have. He’s a rebounding machine, a dunk threat anywhere near the hoop, an emerging rim protector, and a 40% three-point shooter. Should he earn enough playing time—he averaged 18.1 PPG and 14.0 RPG on .646/.514/.739 shooting splits with a 145 offensive rating and 107 defensive rating in games in which he played 30 or more minutes last year—watch out.
Outside of Rollins and Ware, increased opportunity courtesy of two wide open forward spots gives Jaime Jaquez Jr. a shot at this award too.
Sixth Man of the Year
Ricky Pierce is the only Buck to ever win this award and he did it twice (1986-87 and 1989-90), while Bobby Portis garnered attention in recent years, twice finishing as a finalist. Looking forward, a number of this year’s crop of Bucks could find themselves in contention and you don’t have to squint hard to see it. Herro has already won the award, so he knows what it takes, Jaquez was runner-up just last year, so he knows too, and, if Myles Turner starts, Ware could really feast on reserve bigs.
But the Buck I’ll keep my eye closest on, at least as far as this award goes, is Kevin Porter Jr. Coming off a productive but injury-plagued 2025-26 season, Porter could flourish in a sixth man role, where he’d likely have greater opportunity to do what he does: dominate the ball while racking up points and assists (aka the prototypical 6MOY playstyle). That he’s a flashy player—handle, dimes, dunks—can only help his cause. Of course, all of this conjecture could become moot depending on how Taylor Jenkins decides to manage his rotations.
Rookie of the Year
Considering the draft class, this one might be a bit of a reach, but Brayden Burries was arguably the best rookie in Summer League play and Bucks fans see him becoming an All-Star down the road—so he might as well start collecting hardware this season. Truthfully, there are likely too many guards in front of him on his own team to make a real push. But you never say never, not with a guy like Burries.
All-Rookie Team
Even if he doesn’t win ROY, Burries still has a chance at hardware via All-Rookie honours, especially as there are two teams that need filling. It won’t be easy—this draft is that deep—but Burries was the 10th overall pick, so he only has to play up to that pick to earn selection. And if that somehow eludes him, Nate Ament or Bogoljub Markovic might even surprise (not really, but it’s nice to dream).
Coach of the Year
Outside of the players themselves, new head coach Taylor Jenkins has a pathway to hardware too. The recipe is straightforward: take control of a team that’s gone through turmoil, including losing its franchise GOAT, and get them to greatly exceed expectations. He’s got a few things going in his favour too. One, he’s succeeding Doc Rivers. Two, no one expects the Bucks to do much of anything—in fact, most expect them to be one of the very worst teams in the NBA. So, if Jenkins can turn this team into a gritty, upstart squad that other teams dread and, in the process, somehow gets them to postseason play (even just the Play-In Tournament), he’d be more than deserving of consideration.
Alright, that’s enough from me. What do y’all think? Cast your vote below and, as always, share your musings in the comments.
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 06: A general view of a baseball glove and Atlanta Braves hat during the game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Atlanta Braves at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 06, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Clingstones ended the season on a sour note falling 4-1 to the Montgomery Biscuits ending the second half in the fourth place. The Clingstones got solid pitching from Davis Polo and Julio Robaina, but the offense came up short with just one hit in the season finale.
Davis Polo (6.1IP 8H 4R 3ER 3BB 5K) got the start in the final Clingstones game of the season and overall pitched very solidly. Davis clearly struggled with his command missing quite often in the first – missing erratically, well erratically for Davis Polo. Even still, Davis did well to generate whiffs with 18 on the afternoon coming from his slider and his quickly developing changeup. After giving up a pair of runs in the first two innings of the game he settled in putting up zeroes over the next four innings giving the Clingstones offense a chance to come back throughout the game. Davis would give up a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh, get a fly out, and give up a walk before he was replaced by Julio Robaina (1.2IP 0H 0R 0BB 2K) who allowed that runner to score – but was unearned. He would go on to completely close the door, pitching a perfect 8th inning and opening the door for the Clingstones offense who couldn’t get the job done today.
Offensively, it was a stinker by the Clingstones who couldn’t get anything going throughout the game. As a team they went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position, and they stranded a total of three runners on base the entire game. The lone run that scored came in the ninth inning when Dalton McIntyre lead off the inning with a walk, took second on defensive indifference, took third on a passed ball, and scored on an error by the shortstop. The only hit of the game was a fourth inning lead off single by John Gil who would be thrown out immediately after trying to steal second. It was a frustrating end to what has been a strong season for many of the Braves prospects on the team. It will be interesting to see who is moved up to Gwinnett this week to get more work in, but those that don’t will be able to hang their heads high after a strong season.
Hopefully, you are a Bears fan and had a lot of fun Sunday watching the team run up and down the field. As a Bears fan in Tampa, I wasn’t able to watch, but did enjoy some highlights and watching the score light up. As someone who feels like it wouldn’t be hyperbole to say I’ve seen years where some of the Cub scores this year would have been pretty good Bear scores, it was fun to see them put what I think of as a college football number on the board.
But you don’t come here for my analysis of football. The Cubs played a game and they just couldn’t come up with hits at the right times and only managed three runs on five hits and six walks drawn. Had the wind been blowing the other direction, I’m fairly certain this one would have been different. I didn’t think the Pirates hit too many scary flies. There is no question Pete Crow-Armstrong hit one that would ordinarily be a homer. I thought a few others, including one off of the bat of Ian Happ, might have had enough oomph to get out on another day. But you have to play the conditions that exist and as it turned out, the Cubs hit a lot of harmless fly balls on a day where the wind was blowing in pretty hard.
The Cubs also grounded into a pair of double plays, twice stifling promising innings. In the end, the Pirates made pitches when they needed to, the Cubs didn’t. For the first time I can remember, the Cubs used Aaron Civale like a reliever and not a bulk innings guy. By that, I mean they brought him into a dirty inning, with runners on second and third and only one out. The Cubs won on Saturday, in part, because Jacob Webb escaped a similar situation. But Civale failed and let both score.
This does not change the fact that I think Civale should be in the Cub mix for the playoffs. I basically think the Cubs need to manage the postseason like every game is an elimination game. You evaluate batter to batter and use guys potentially in situations where they wouldn’t ordinarily be used in order to maximize matchups and to change looks frequently. No Cub pitcher, save for Clay Holmes when he’s really on his game, particularly has the kind of stuff that wants to be seen over and over again by another team. Use a guy for an inning or two and get him out before anyone gets comfortable. Make sure the pitchers and catchers know that is the plan and don’t save any bullets or tricks. Do what works and attack.
It would have been great to complete the sweep. But this is a day where I’m going to tip the cap. The Pirates really executed when they needed to. I’ve said it a lot lately, but there is another good team in the making. Who’d have believed going into the year that their pitching might not be quite as good as it had been. But if their pitching stays where it is or gets better and that offense continues, that organization might finally be turning around. A lot of ifs, but it’s organization that really just went through a pretty lost decade.
Just not enough positive here to dwell on. I’ll hit the things that there were positive in the three positives section. Bring on the Braves who just had a weekend full of the Phillies.
Three Positives:
Miguel Amaya. He had two of the five Cub hits, one of them a two-run homer. He also threw a runner out stealing to help keep the game close.
Daniel Palencia looked good in the ninth. That was the best I’ve seen him look in a while. A hat tip to him bouncing back after allowing a walk with a strikeout to keep the game at one. I’ll say again, there is no functional circle of trust. This is going to be a trust fall this year. Like Webb yesterday, you probably have to throw Palencia in a big situation and just hope.
Michael Busch seems to be heating up a bit. He had two hits and scored a run. Five hits including a double and a homer over the three-game set. The Cubs could really use his big bat. Without looking, I’m guessing his .396 slug is near the very bottom of all typical three hitters in big league lineups. Interestingly, the Cubs do have a .470 overall from the three spot (.380 from the two). Alex Bregman has a .536 slug when hitting third.
Yeah, I don’t go back into narrative often. I can hear Anthony Rizzo in my head. If you are worrying about getting an extra plate appearance for your best hitter, you probably aren’t a very good team. That would be his argument for PCA batting third, I’m sure. The traditional spot for the team’s best hitter. Regardless of how you do it, Bregman should probably bat behind PCA. That maximizes your offense and encourages them to throw to Pete and then hopefully Breggy bats with more traffic. I certainly wouldn’t move Pete out of the top spot now. It’s worked so well for so long. I think I would hit them 1/2. I’d go PCA/Bregman/Happ against a right handed pitcher. Then Seiya and Busch. I’m comfortably batting Happ third, because I’m pinch hitting with Conforto the second they bring in a righty to face that Bregman/Happ/Seiya combo.
I’ll hang up and wait to be flamed for the above suggestion. Maybe just checking to see who’s paying attention.
Game 150, September 13: Pirates 4, Cubs 3 (83-67)
Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.
THREE HEROES:
Superhero: Miguel Amaya (.271). 2-3, HR, 2 RBI, R
Hero: Daniel Palencia (.041). IP, 4 BF, BB, K
Sidekick: Caleb Thielbar (.031). 0.2 IP, K
THREE GOATS:
Billy Goat: Pedro Ramirez (-.205). 0-3, BB, R
Goat: Nico Hoerner (-.134). 0-4, RBI
Kid: Matthew Boyd (-.131). 5.1 IP, 24 BF, 7 H, 2 BB, 4 R, 3 K (L 8-5)
WPA Play of the Game: Miguel Amaya’s two-run homer with two outs in the very briefly gave the Cubs the lead. (.309)
Pirates Play of the Game: Nick Gonzales’ RBI double in the sixth tied the game back up with no outs in the sixth. (.220)
Cubs Player of the Game:
Game 149 Winner: Pedro Ramirez received 51 of 75 votes.
Rizzo Award Standings: (Top 5/Bottom 5)
The award is named for Anthony Rizzo, who finished first in this category three of the first four years it was in existence and four times overall. He also recorded the highest season total ever at +65.5. The point scale is three points for a Superhero down to negative three points for a Billy Goat.
Alex Bregman +27
Pete Crow-Armstrong +24.5
Carson Kelly +16.5
Michael Conforto +15
Ben Brown +13.5
Jameson Taillon -13
Seiya Suzuki -15
Nico Hoerner -15
Dansby Swanson -17
Caleb Thielbar -18.5
Scoreboard Watching: Padres won (1.5 behind Cubs and Phillies). Phillies won and moved back into a tie with the Cubs, though the Cubs still own the tiebreaker and would be Wild Card 1 right now. The Diamondbacks lost, they are four games back of the Cubs with 12 to play. The Cubs magic number to make the playoffs has reached eight, since they have the tiebreaker.
Up Next: The Braves come to town at 88-62. They helped the Cubs a bit, winning two of three from the Phillies over the weekend in Atlanta. Their game ended first, so they should be in Chicago plenty early to get as good a night’s sleep as one gets on the road. The Braves are 37-35 on the road, 14-10 versus the Central and 61-42 at night. They are 13th in MLB in OPS. They are 7th in WHIP. But, I do believe they threw their best pitchers over the weekend as one would expect. Their bullpen WHIP is second, and they are fifth in saves, so this is not a series where waiting out the starter is necessarily their go-to strategy.
David Peterson (7-8, 5.28) starts for the Cubs. His Cub numbers are a fair bit better (4-2, 4.41). He’s gotten blasted twice at Wrigley (10 over 3.2 against the Cardinals and 6 over 3.2 against the Brewers). He’s been pretty good at Wrigley otherwise. That is a lot of words to say “hit or miss,” about what you’d expect from a back of the rotation guy.
32-year-old righty Reynaldo Lopez starts for the Braves. Lopez has made 25 appearances but only 12 of them are starts. He’s 2-4 with a 4.47 as a starter, so his numbers (4-4, 4.13) are buoyed a bit by his relief numbers. He just started against Tampa, allowing six runs over 4.2 innings. Before that, he hadn’t pitched at the big league level since July 26. He missed a little over a month after having left knee inflammation. He threw 93 pitches in a rehab outing and 80 last week, so he’s pretty good to go endurance wise.
Fangraphs actually like the Cubs best in the middle game of this series, but they continue to favor the Cubs in all three games. Not totally unreasonable with the Braves fairly ordinary on the road and not using Tyler Mahle or Grant Holmes in the series (and maybe not Chris Sale either). This all assumes Fangraphs has projected their starters correctly.
The Braves have a five-game lead with 12 to play. That’s an enormous edge with no head to head remaining with the Phillies. So they’ll want to be doing things to get guys healthy and rested and lined up for an eventual first round series. They are likely to end up playing a Wild Card series though they could technically catch the recently hot Dodgers. Not having to play in the Wild Card round is enough of an edge to play for. They’d likely get either the Padres and their bullpen or a roller coaster Diamondbacks team. But I’m sure they’d rather just wait out a Wild Card winner instead.
The Chicago Blackhawks prospects are going to take on the St. Louis Blues prospects on Monday night at USG Center at Blackhawks Ice Center. They have had three practices to prepare for this event.
Lines were established throughout, and it seems like their top line will feature three of the top forwards who are attending this camp. Sacha Boisvert is expected to center AJ Spellacy and Ryan Roobroeck.
Spellacy and Boisvert are a little bit older, while Roobroeck was just selected in the 2026 NHL Draft. All three of them play a different game from one another, but the type that could compliment as a trio.
Spellacy has already played in these prospect games and has even had some exciting preseason moments with Chicago before ultimately returning to his major junior team. Boisvert made his NHL debut at the end of last season, following a disappointing ending with Boston University.
Both Spellacy and Boisvert are trying to make the Blackhawks out of camp, but it is more likely that they will get some seasoning in the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs. Regardless, they both have impactful NHL ceilings.
Roobroeck is getting a nice opportunity to show his tools on this line. He is going to return to the Guelph Storm no matter what, so he has a limited amount of time to make himself noticeable. He believes that being a part of this line could do that.
"Those guys [have] a lot of experience between both of them," Roobroeck said of his linemates. "Being able to play with those guys is great. [I want to] take any information I can."
Whether it's for the betterment of the team or everyone's long term development, this is good trio to use. They all have a certain level of physicality in their game, but they also have skills that should allow them to find the back of the net with frequency.
"I think offensively, we will be able to produce if we play together," Roobroeck said when asked about what the line will look to accomplish.
You can also assume that there will be an emphasis on being hard to play against, based on his follow-up answer to tips he got from his linemates:
"A little bit in the defensive zone, just how the structure is and how they want to play. Just that and a little bit off the offensive rush, figuring out how they are and where they are on the ice is going to be huge."
Down in the lineup is going to be Marek Vanacker, who can drive his own line in an event like this, which should allow the Blackhawks to keep pace with a group of Blues prospects who possess a lot of skill.
After one of the practices, Rockford IceHogs coach Jared Nightengale (who is also running this team), confirmed that upper management created the lineup and wants to see Roobroeck, Boisvert, and Spellacy togehter. It makes sense, considering they are three of the forwards most likely to become impact pros.
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 27: Caleb Love #2 and Rayan Rupert #21 of the Portland Trail Blazers celebrate after a play against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on January 27, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
OK, it’s not like they have to after having one of the splashiest offseasons of all time.
In recent history, the Sixers haven’t been the most prolific at finding cheap, productive talent on the two-way market, but that wasn’t the case in 2025. Last offseason they brought in Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker, both of whom were converted to standard contracts and played over 60 games for Philadelphia last season. Barlow was a contributor in their playoff run as well, making nine postseason appearances.
Love was a four-year college guard who signed a two-way with Portland after going undrafted in 2025. He played in 49 games as a rookie with one start. He got 20 minutes a game in that time and averaged 10.4 points shooting 38% from the field and 31% from three along with 2.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
Rupert is a 6-foot-7 wing who was a mid second-round pick back in 2023. He played just 139 games in his three seasons as a Blazer, averaging 12 minutes a game putting up 3.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.9 assists. After being waived in February by Portland, Rupert was picked up by a Memphis Grizzlies team playing for lottery balls and got the most opportunity of his NBA career.
Playing 30 minutes a game for the Grizzlies he averaged 12.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game shooting 42% from the field and 33% from three. Those were also improvements on his 38 FG% and 32 3PM%.
That uptick in steals feels like the most worth monitoring if Rupert is going to make an impact as a Sixer. The most encouraging sign is probably that he was forcing steals at the same rate in his 48 games for the Trail Blazers before being cut. The per game production was lower because he was playing a third of the minutes, but he posted a steal rate over 2% for the entire 2025-26 season, putting him in the 80th percentile, per Cleaning the Glass.
An important factor in how much impact either two-way will have with the Sixers (assuming they make it through training camp) will be that they will hopefully have much less rotation minutes up for grabs than a season ago.
Barlow proved his value in the starting lineup early last season, but that opportunity to start came in large part due to preseason injuries to Paul George and Trendon Watford. Walker also saw more minutes for this reason, as well as the center rotation, which is always in need of bodies.
The forward rotation obviously revolves around LeBron James and Jaylen Brown. While James will certainly miss his fair share of regular season games, Brown should be quite an innings eater for a player of his caliber. The Sixers roster felt like it was in more of a transitional phase at this point last season as well, more willing to take chances on giving two-ways regular season minutes. Rupert would have to have one hell of a training camp and preseason to crack a bench rotation featuring Dean Wade and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, but if he becomes a guy that forces a lot of steals, that’s something his coach is a big fan of.
Love’s journey to minutes feels even harder. The Sixers brought in Anfernee Simons to come off their bench and used their 2026 first-round draft pick on Labaron Philon Jr. A score-first guard, Love had some impressive games as a rookie. His career high is 26 points against the Warriors back on Nov. 23.
As someone who will turn 25 years old just before the start of training camp, he’s about as old as it gets for someone with his experience. He doesn’t exactly fit a need on this team, but he is still a seasoned bucket getter who’s had a moment or two at the NBA level.
As it stands, it’s unlikely the Sixers will get as much two-way contribution as they did a season ago, but two-way contributions aren’t always the thing you see coming. Who, if anyone, emerges with the third spot will be an intriguing training camp storyline. Now that this team aspires for true playoff success again, they hope to be less reliant on two-way players in the rotation.
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 13: Adley Rutschman #31 of the Boston Red Sox slides home with a run during the ninth inning of their 4-1 win over the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park on September 13, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning! As I wrote last night, yesterday’s win against the Royals was subtly important for the Sox. I was looking at things in the context of the team’s recent sluggish play heading into a tough roadtrip. But it was important in another sense: it was their 82nd win, meaning the Red Sox will finish the 2026 season over .500.
Prior to last year’s 89-win campaign, the Sox had failed to reach that mark for three seasons in row, a level of historical ineptitude they had not previously hit in 31 years. Had the Sox not turned around their season in historic fashion after an ugly start to this campaign, this season would have marked 5 sub-.500 seasons in 7 years, which would’ve been as bad a stretch of baseball that the club has had since before the Impossible Dream season of 1967. In light of the fact that 1967 is sort of looked at as the beginning of the modern period of Red Sox baseball around these parts, that would’ve been unacceptable.
This isn’t exactly cause for popping Champagne (though I’m hardly one to discourage you from livening up your Monday any way you can) but it’s nice to have mathematical confirmation that the dark days are behind us.
Use this space to talk about whatever you want and, as always, be good to one another.
The 33-year-old Caldwell-Pope is hoping to earn a third NBA championship. Hukporti won his first title as the third-string center on the 2025-26 Knicks.
Sixers head coach Nick Nurse will work to land on optimal rotations. He likely won’t start with perfection, although the clarity of Wade and Simons’ roles should help.
Both Simons and Wade project to be integral, every-game bench players when they’re available. Wade’s main tasks will be playing stellar, dogged on-ball defense and sinking open jumpers. Simons will be asked to launch three-pointers and mesh smoothly with his fellow guards. He averaged 14.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists last season in 24.9 minutes per game.
The 27-year-old is eager to play with starters Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
“Just helping them out as much as I can,” Simons said in a July virtual press conference, “whether it’s handling the ball or being off the ball, giving them space to work. … Just doing whatever it takes for us to be successful as a team. People say Tyrese had a big workload the last couple years — him and VJ. I’m just here to help them in any way they need to relieve some pressure.”
As far as both simple shotmaking and team spacing, Simons’ deep range should benefit the Sixers.
He attempted 5.5 shots per game between 25 and 29 feet last year (and made 38.0 percent). For a player who averaged under 25 minutes, that’s quite a high number. All-Star guards Anthony Edwards and Jamal Murray also attempted 5.5 jumpers per game from the same range.
“I’m pretty much completely healed now,” Simons said. “I haven’t felt it in a long time, so there’s no concern with that.”
Philon is another bench guard worth highlighting, especially given that Nurse on draft night called the Alabama product “talented enough to play” as a rookie.
The shifty 20-year-old showed off all sorts of offensive skills as a college sophomore, posting 22.0 points and 5.0 assists per game. His efficiency dipped in summer league, but Philon still impressed over four games in Las Vegas and averaged 18.5 points, 5.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds.
“I think he’s another fast, exciting guy that kind of plays a lot like Tyrese and VJ,” Nurse said. “The speed, athleticism, quickness, deep range, the creativity with the ball. He’s a pretty good pick-and-roll player already, probably more advanced than a lot of guys coming into the NBA. We’ll have to see. … I think it’s just another really fast, exciting guy.”
We imagine Philon will have regular-season opportunities to prove he deserves consistent rotation minutes. Perhaps the No. 22 overall pick will capitalize and surge into the playoff spotlight much like Maxey did as a rookie.
Those four players all experienced playoff basketball for the first time last season. Walker was outside of Nurse’s rotation, but Barlow, Bona and Edwards each received meaningful minutes.
For Barlow, the path to a greater role appears to be continued success as a hustling, savvy frontcourt player and significant strides as an outside shooter. Edwards will aim to be a dependable 3-and-D wing. Bona will try to reduce his unnecessary fouls while keeping the core of his energetic, rim-protecting game. He may very well compete with Hukporti for the No. 2 center spot behind Embiid. Anyone seeking to cement a place on the second unit will know that defensive rebounding matters and the Sixers must improve as a team in that department.
The Sixers certainly might tinker with their bench personnel during the season, but they’ve got an intriguing mix of veterans and youngsters as things stand.
Just like with their starters, they’ve upgraded on the surface but will need to meet expectations once the games begin and thrive in the postseason.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Manny Machado #13 and Jake Cronenworth #9 of the San Diego Padres celebrate after a win against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on September 13, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When the San Diego Padres jumped out to a 5-0 lead over the San Francisco Giants and their ace pitcher Logan Webb in the first two innings, it appeared they were on their way to an easy win on getaway day at Oracle Park. Like the first two games of the series, that proved not to be the case as the Padres held on for a dramatic 6-4 win to complete the three-game sweep of the Giants.
Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon AND Bradgley Rodriguez were all out for the final game of the series due to recent heavy workloads. That meant that if the Padres found themselves in a tight game, they would need to finish the game with the like of the lower leverage and long-relief arms in the bullpen. Despite a fast start which saw San Diego jump out to a 5-0 lead in the second inning of the game, the Padres needed those remaining arms in the ‘pen to secure a two-run win.
Nick Pivetta started for San Diego and allowed two runs over four innings with five hits and five strikeouts. He was up to 69 pitches after four innings and due to the fact that this was just his second start since returning from injury he did not return to the mound in the fifth inning. That task was given to Kyle Hart who allowed two runs in one inning of work. Hart allowed a single and a stolen base to Christian Koss to open the bottom of the fifth and then issued a walk to Drew Gilbert. A double steal allowed Koss and Gilbert to move into second and third. Hart then got Jung Hoo Lee to pop out and Bryce Eldridge grounded out, which allowed a run to score. The Padres were able to get out of the inning with a 6-3 lead.
Hart started the sixth inning but after allowing a single to Scott Bandura who was making his MLB debut and advanced to second on an error by Xander Boagaerts, Hart was replaced by David Morgan. The right-hander got a groundout before issuing a walk to Drew Cavanaugh to put two runners on, Morgan then got Turner Hill to strikeout, but allowed an RBI-single to Koss to make the score 6-4. Morgan got the second out of the inning but was then replaced by Wandy Peralta.
Peralta got the final out of the sixth and worked a scoreless seventh before Randy Vasquez was called on for the eighth inning. Vasquez allowed two walks in the inning but kept the Giants off the board. Yuki Matsui got the call in the bottom of the ninth inning and kept it interesting, but was ultimately able to get three outs and earn his first save of the 2026 season.
The San Diego lineup jumped all over Webb from the start of the game, although he would settle in as he is known to do. Fernando Tatis Jr. led off the game with a single and was followed by Dustin Harris who singled to put runners at the corners just seven pitches into the game. Harris then stole second before Manny Machado walked and the Padres had the bases loaded with no outs in the top of the first inning. Luis Campusano popped out to shortstop for the first out of the inning, but Jackson Merrill took advantage of the opportunity when he lined a double to left field to give the Padres a 2-0 lead. A pop out and a strikeout ended the inning, but it was a sign of things to come.
Samad Taylor singled to start the second for San Diego and stole second base. Ethan Salas, who would notch his first MLB hit (a triple) later in the game, struck out. Tatis recorded his second of three hits in the game and that allowed Taylor to score to give the Padres a 3-0 lead. Harris grounded out for the second out of the inning, but Machado crushed a two-out, two-run home run to put San Diego up 5-0 after two innings.The Padres tacked on a run in the top of the fourth, which made the score 6-2 at the time.
Tatis was the offensive leader for San Diego, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored, two RBI and a strikeout. Machado had the two run-home run and Merrill had the two-run double.
The Padres return to action tonight when they open a road series against the Colorado Rockies at 5:40 p.m.
Padres News:
Xander Bogaerts has steadily declined on offense since signing with the Padres and Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball says he needs to be better.
Ramon Laureano is still in the process of recovery from a surgery earlier in the season, is not ruling out an October return should the Padres reach the postseason.
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 12: Christian Encarnacion-Strand #32 of the Baltimore Orioles bats during the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Saturday, September 12, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Colton Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
If the Orioles were trying on purpose to dismantle all of the hard work they did in July and August of clawing their way out of a disappointing start to the season, the result would not look a whole lot different than what they’ve actually done in the month of September. The just-concluded weekend series against the Blue Jays pretty much settles things: It’s over, unless they run the table and win every game from now on.
In this week’s episode, before getting into the frustration and sadness about the state of the team, I offer a salute and congratulations to the High-A Frederick Keys, whose season came to an end with a playoff loss last week. A number of interesting prospects were part of Frederick’s season, both guys who started there and played their way up a level, and guys who started below and played their way up to Frederick. This really is an exciting thing for down the road for the Orioles. It’s just that the payoff probably won’t start in 2027, or at least certainly not on the Opening Day roster.
Then, the frustration. A listener started an email with so much rage that he didn’t even realize he sent the thing before finishing, then he followed up with the full message. This month’s play, particularly the presence of Red Sox uniform Rutschman at Camden Yards in a series where the Orioles were mopped, was just too much. I don’t think this person is the only one who’s turned to football season in frustration.
Last, I recount the grim toll of September so far for the Orioles, where as is typically the case there are many problems, but it’s hard not to be the most disappointment at an offense that is completely fizzling, with key players who were supposed to be better than this in massive slumps that are even worse than their already-disappointing season totals.
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