The five Penguins players I’m most curious about, 2026-27

SAINT PAUL, MN - MARCH 15: Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nicholas Robertson (89) chips the puck over the stick of Minnesota Wild forward Micael McCarron (47) during the first period of a NHL game between the Minnesota Wild and Toronto Maple Leafs on March 15, 2026, at Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, MN. (Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Last year’s most curious list featured some positive surprises (Arturs Silovs, Tommy Novak) and some running in place (Owen Pickering, Ville Koivunen, Tristan Broz) and a little of both (Avery Hayes). That didn’t even include some of the most curious seasons in store for people like Justin Brazeau, Ryan Shea, Parker Wotherspoon and Anthony Mantha, among many others.

There’s no shortage of new faces and fresh angles to tackle. There could be as many as 10 players on the roster at the start of 2026-27 that weren’t in the opening night lineup last season. The Penguins have an incredibly stable core at the top with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang starting their 21st season together as NHL teammates (it’s Crosby’s 22nd year individually), but a layer below that there is always a flurry of movement.

From those numbers, it’s a challenge to whittle down to just five players, even before getting to returning veterans and the hope for ascending youngsters. There should be no shortage of curiosity, especially given how in recent years that the Pens have had bad seasons when they mostly expected to be good and then finished second place in their division when almost no one would have seen that coming. The overarching curiosity on just how this mix will gel as a team is naturally the biggest and most interesting angle to watch how it unfolds over the fall and winter, here’s some individuals.

Nick Robertson

Robertson has scored 45 total goals in the last three seasons and will only turn 25 just before training camp. By contrast, Egor Chinakhov scored 37 career goals in about 2.5 season’s worth of games before joining the Pens. Can Pittsburgh get a Chinakhov-esque glow up out of Robertson to truly establish himself as a core player? He never quite got there in Toronto, averaging between 11-12 minutes per game in his three full seasons with the Maple Leafs. The finishing talent is there, this could be another big win in Pittsburgh’s strategy of targeting young players who need a change of scenery and new start to reach their potential.

Declan Carlile

Carlile is in that mold of a young player looking for opportunity too. The undrafted free agent spent three seasons mostly in the AHL from 2022-25 with Tampa. Due mostly to other players suffering injuries, Carlile got 42 games in the NHL last season and has 46 in his career. He just turned 26 years old but has the profile the Pens like for his size (6’3”, 190) and puck-moving ability that should make him a nice, younger, cheaper replacement to Ryan Shea. Considering the mess on the left side of the defense, if Carlile turns out to be an instant hit then suddenly things look a lot better on the depth chart. If he doesn’t, well, then the situation grows even more dire. With such little experience it’s anyone’s guess on just how this is going to play out.

Ville Koivunen

Koivunen’s massive eight year contract and $4 million cap hit instantly made him one of the most intriguing storylines for training camp. Last year’s camp ended with Koivunen briefly being on Crosby’s line at the start of the season. This year, who knows what could happen with a very crowded field of forwards competing for a seemingly limited amount of spots. Is Koivunen going to earn a spot in the opening night lineup? Hit waivers? Be stuck as a healthy scratch? Any outcome at this point is as likely as any other which makes Koivunen a central figure to be curious about seeing what happens.

Andrey Kuzmenko

In general, Kuzmenko is a curious player. He stuck around in Russia until age 26, joining up with Vancouver to a tremendous first NHL season in 2022-23 (39 goals and 74 points in 81 games). What looked like the possible next Artemi Panarin as a late-blooming import hasn’t stayed on track, shuttling between three teams since 2024 and seeing his spot in the lineup and point total on a consistent downward slope from 74 to 46 to 37 to 25 last season (albeit in just 52 games). The talent might still be there, Kuzmenko did record six points in six playoff games in 2025, but the ability to get there consistently remains in question. Kuzmenko hangs out in the offseason in the same orbit socially as players like Evgeni Malkin and Ilya Kovalchuk, the familiarity angle with Malkin could be something the Pens are hoping can provide a boost and get Kuzmenko back on track to his more productive and effective days. Just how far he goes will be one of the biggest curiosities this year.

Sergei Murashov

Last on the list, but certainly not least, is a player that could have the biggest influence on the season. Tristan Jarry didn’t work out following his 2023 contract and the Pens have taken the step to clear Jarry out and open up the runway for Murashov to take off as potentially the next No. 1 goalie for the franchise. Murashov at 22 is still incredibly young for an NHL goalie. Of the 59 goalies to appear in 25+ games last year, only two (Jesper Wallstedt and Yarsoslav Askarov, both in age-23 seasons) were under 24 years old and Murashov is nearly a year younger now than those two were last year. Despite that, it looks like Murashov is ready for the next step after a tremendous year in the AHL in 2025-26. Goalie trajectory can be notoriously finicky, even for top prospects like Askarov who had some stops and starts before fully growing into handling the world’s toughest hockey league. The curiosity for Murashov will be seeing just how ready for prime time he is at this point and how he can hold up in net. It’s a tough spot for a team defense that doesn’t usually do their goalies a lot of favors in keeping shots and chances down, yet the talent and upside are undeniable. It’s just a matter of seeing if the future is now or just how much growing pains will be involved.

Lucas Elissalt shoves in Double-A debut, Beau Ankeney crushes two more homers for the Whitecaps

Louisville Bats 9, Toledo Mud Hens 1 (box)

Austin Gomber gave the Hens a solid short start, but the bats were quiet in this one.

The lefty tossed 3.2 innings of no-hit ball with two walks and four strikeouts. Brant Hurter took over for his second rehab outing and just gave up hit after hit. He surrendered two runs in the fourth, and three more in the fifth before Nick Sandlin finally took over to clean up the inning. Carl Edwards Jr. then gave up four more runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Max Burt doubled in the top of the sixth to lead off the inning, and Bennett Lee and Jace Jung each grounded out, allowing Burt to score the Hens only run. They only managed two hits in this one despite facing an older depth starter in Ben Wereski.

Burt: 1-3, R, 2B, K

Jung: 0-2, RBI, 2 BB

Gomber: 3.2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 BB, 4 K

Coming Up Next: The series is tied up heading into a 7:15 p.m. ET start on Saturday.

Erie SeaWolves 2, Hartford Yard Goats 1 (box)

Lucas Elissalt’s Double-A debut went very well, and the SeaWolves got good work out of the bullpen on a night when both lineups were muted.

The right-hander has seen his velocity tick up this season and with some riding life and excellent extension, his fastball is presenting a problem, even for more experienced hitters. Elissalt went 4.2 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and two walks, while striking out nine on the day. He touched 97 mph with the heater, averaged 94-95 mph, and flashed good sliders and changeups, though both pitches are still a little inconsistent. He also mixed in his good low 80’s power curveball to good effect. He has work ahead to sharpen his command, particularly of the slider-changeup combo, but his progress has gone almost exactly as hoped in the preseason after a slow start for him. There’s plenty of time to tune things up, and the 22-year-old’s raw stuff is coming along nicely while his walk rate continues to drop. Elissalt should be regarded among the club’s top pitching prospects at this point.

The SeaWolves had some early chances to score but didn’t cash in. Woody Hadeen led off the fourth, and with one out, Zyhir Hope doubled the opposite way to get Hadeen to third. A grounder to shortstop from Andrew Jenkins saw Hadeen cut down at the plate, and they failed to score.

In the fifth, Luke Shliger walked with one out, and Joe Campagna doubled him to third. Patrick Lee walked, loading the bases, and Hadeen walked to force in a run. Peyton Graham lifted a fly ball to center for a sacrifice fly to score Campagna for a 2-0 lead.

Marco Jimenez took over from Elissalt and allowed the Goats only run. Tanner Kohlhepp, Johan Simon, and Wandisson Charles closed this one out without much issue.

Shliger: 2-3, R, 3B, BB, K, CS

Campagna: 2-4, R, K

Hope: 1-4, 2B, 2 K

Elissalt: 4.2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 9 K

Coming Up Next: It’s a 6:10 p.m. ET start on Saturday with the SeaWolves holding a 3-1 lead in the series.

West Michigan Whitecaps 5, Lansing Lugnuts 3 (box)

The Whitecaps showed off the home run power in this one, launching four long balls and getting good work from their bullpen.

They got off to a fast start as Jackson Strong led off the bottom of the first with a solo shot to right center field. That was the center fielder’s 12th of the season and second in as many days. Bryce Rainer then crushed his 11th of the year to dead center for a 2-0 lead.

JoJo Ingrassia tossed three innings to start the ’Caps off. He allowed a run in the second inning before turning it over to Preston Howey.

In the bottom of the third, Rainer singled and Beau Ankeney continued his rampage with a screamer over the left field wall for a two-run homer.

Howey allowed a run in the fourth. Juanmi Vasquez threw two scoreless innings, while Luke Hoskins and Luke Stofel handled it from there, with Hoskins allowing a run in the eighth.

In the bottom of the eighth, Ankeney went deep yet again. That’s seven home runs in 14 games at High-A for the first baseman and he’s shown plus power to all fields consistently this year. In his first pro season as an 11th round pick out of Loyala, Ankeney now has 22 home runs total in 97 games. His relatively high chase and whiff rates still suggest that you shouldn’t get too excited, but there’s no getting around the fact that he is just hammering the baseball with regularity. Let’s just see if his approach improves enough over time to trim some of the punchouts from his profile.

Ankeney: 2-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 HR

Rainer: 2-4, 2 R, RBI, HR, K

Santana: 1-3, BB, K

Ingrassia: 3.0 IP, ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 4 K

Coming Up Next: It’s a 7:05 p.m. ET start in West Michigan on Saturday with the Whitecaps up 3-1 in the series. They are now effectively tied with the Great Lakes Loons in the East division.

Lakeland Flying Tigers 3, Bradenton Marauders 2 (box)

Malachi Witherspoon bounced back to throw a pretty good game in this one.

However, it didn’t start out that way. After a delay, Witherspoon took the mound and the first batter of the game reached on a comebacker that he couldn’t handle. He hit the next batter and then walked the bases loaded. Three consecutive strikeouts got him out of it, illustrating the deeply Jekyll and Hyde performance he’s displayed in his first pro season.

Witherspoon then locked in and went 4.2 innings, scattering three hits and two walks without a run allowed, while punching out seven. The question is can he do this for a few starts in a row.

Jesus Pinto walked in the second inning after Zach MacDonald walked and stole second. MacDonald was thrown out trying to steal third, but Pinto advanced and eventually scored on a pickoff attempt for a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the fourth, Pinto led off with a single. Anibal Salas lined out, but Hunter Dobbins walked, and Javier Osorio reached on an infield single to load the bases and Pinto scored on a hit batter.

So it was 2-0, and Jorge Guzman gave up an unearned run in the seventh. Donye Evans blew the save in the top of the ninth, but kept it a 2-2 game.

In the bottom half, Angel De Los Santos singled sharply and took second on an error. Ronald Ramirez singled him over to third, and then stole second base. MacDonald struck out, but it was Pinto up again, and he paddled a ground ball single up the middle for the game winner.

Pinto: 2-3, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB

Osorio: 3-4, 2B, K

De Los Santos: 1-4, R, BB, K

Witherspoon: 4.2 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 7 K

Coming Up Next: The Flying Tigers lead 3-1 heading into a 6:00 p.m. ET start on Saturday.

Lani Pallister dethrones Katie Ledecky to claim Pan Pacs 400m freestyle crown

  • Australian claims gold with American great second

  • Sam Short wins men’s 400 free with Pan Pacs record

  • US end Aussies’ nine-year run in women’s 4x100m free

Lani Pallister and Sam Short have showcased Australia’s glittering 2028 Olympic middle-distance swimming prospects by claiming multiple gold medals at the Pan Pacific championships in California.

The 24-year-old Pallister continued her stunning meet when she downed American legend Katie Ledecky to win the 400m freestyle title on Saturday (AEST), following her 200m freestyle victory over Canadian superstar Summer McIntosh and silver behind Ledecky in the 1500m free, as well as gold in the 200m free relay.

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Yankees news: The molding of George Lombard Jr.

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 04: George Lombard Jr. #96 of the New York Yankees smiles after hitting his first career home run during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Yankee Stadium on August 4, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images

MLB.com | Matthew Ritchie: George Lombard Jr. has impressed since his call-up last week, not just with his tools on the field, but the way he’s comported himself through all the hoopla. The rookie himself credited the wide range of voices he can seek in the Yankees clubhouse. There are, of course, numerous veterans, MVPs and champions across the roster that a player like Lombard can seek out, but Lombard also noted the importance of the Yankees’ other young talents in making his transition to the majors easier. “Having Spencer [Jones] and Ben [Rice], guys that have come up through the org and you’ve played with someone coming up, they both have helped a lot”, Lombard said. “Like just getting different perspectives, asking them a bunch of things… They’ve definitely made me feel more comfortable.”

Lombard didn’t cross over that much with Jones and Rice during their respective routes through the minors, but both have very recent experience with rising through the Yankee farm system and earning a spot on the biggest stage, experience that must prove invaluable to others going through the same process.

New York Post | Mark Suleymanov: The Yankees need bats, but the next bit of reinforcement they’re likely to receive comes in the form of even more pitching. Carlos Rodón, working back from elbow inflammation, made his second rehab start this week and looked sharp, striking out seven over 4.1 innings with Double-A Somerset. His next outing very well may come in the majors. It’s possible the Yankees will look to piggyback Rodón with someone like Will Warren the next time out to continue to slowly build up Rodón’s workload, something Rodon said he’d be fine with. “I’m willing to do whatever to help our team win,” Rodón said. “If they think that’s the avenue they want to go, I’m ready to perform and help our team win.”

SNY | Phillip Martinez: Thankfully, it looks like Cody Bellinger isn’t far behind Rodón on the recovery train. Bellinger did some more on-field work ahead of Friday night’s game in Toronto, and Aaron Boone said Bellinger could be in line for a rehab assignment some time next week. Everything appears to be lining up for a return around the end of the month for Bellinger.

The Athletic | Chris Kirschner: Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s struggles have been a hot topic lately, with the second baseman mired in another slump as part of a career-worst campaign. Chisholm said this week that he’s at a loss, and that he’s tried everything. “I swing up. I swing down. I’ve tried to fix it a couple of different ways. When I fix it, it’s still unlucky.” Chisholm doesn’t feel that a spell on the bench would help, telling reporters “I think if I was to sit for a couple days, I don’t think that would help. Just play through it.” That said, perhaps a more aggressive platoon could be in order; Chisholm’s 74 wRC+ against lefties has been a liability this year.

MLB.com | Maria Guardado: MLB announced yesterday that the San Francisco Giants would host the 2028 MLB All-Star Game at Oracle Park. It has not yet been decided if MLB players will be able to compete in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, but the league decided that planning for a Midsummer Classic elsewhere in California would help keep that possibility open. It will be the fourth time San Francisco has hosted the All-Star Game, and the first since 2007, the year Ichiro Suzuki won MVP thanks to an inside-the-park home run:

And some minor-league roster news: Angel Chivilli, currently with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders has been placed on the 7-day IL, while Scranton has signed reliever Justin Topa to a minor league deal. Also, Mitch Garver, the veteran catcher signed after his release from the Mariners, has joined the RailRiders.

Australia on brink of historic defeat to Bangladesh as batting woes resurface

  • First Test, day three: Australia 198 and 161-4; Bangladesh 426

  • Cameron Green rides luck to remain unbeaten on 43 at stumps

Australia will have to dig themselves out of a huge hole without their best batsman Steve Smith after Bangladesh kept their foot on the hosts’ throat in pursuit of an upset Test win in Darwin.

Under-pressure all-rounder Cameron Green, who was bailed out by a stroke of luck, was looking composed on an unbeaten 43 at stumps on day three, along with wicketkeeper Alex Carey (19 no), as Australia reached 161 for 4 in their second innings.

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Saturday Posted & Toasted Notes: Scheduling, Angeleno sale, Hall of Fame

07 October 2025, Egypt, Kairo: A cat lies on a cushion in the historic old town of Cairo. Photo: Soeren Stache/dpa (Photo by Soeren Stache/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Not an impressively overloaded post, but one with some spicy topics.

  • The Knicks’ full 2026-27 schedule is out, and Michael Zeno has you covered on that front with everything you need to know.
  • New York, as well as the Spurs, Lakers, and Sixers, just received royal NBA treatment.
  • In worse news, the Knicks are losing assistant coach Jordan Brink to the Bulls. Brink, in case you didn’t know, was the mastermind responsible for New York’s replay challenges under both Tom Thibodeau and Mike Brown.
  • Jalen Brunson could be headed to your nearest streaming service, Mariska Hargitay teased on the “Today” show.
  • Miles McBride and the Knicks did not agree to an extension before the important Aug. 11 deadline, making a new deal before the season increasingly unlikely, as he wouldn’t be able to be traded before the deadline. According to the New York Post’s Jared Schwartz, it’s not that the Knicks tried that hard to complete that extension. Keep your eye on the rumor mill, folks.

“But agreeing to an extension now would deprive the Knicks of one of their best trade assets, given McBride’s age, production, low salary and walk-year status. If they want to make a midseason trade to reinforce other areas of need, McBride would be one of the best candidates who could actually get them someone valuable in return.

“And clearly, the Knicks weren’t hell-bent on getting an extension done before that deadline. For as important of a contributor as McBride has been, it will be difficult to keep him long-term. He averaged 12.0 points per game on stellar 41.3 percent shooting from 3-point range last season, and has also been one of the Knicks’ best perimeter defenders since breaking into the team.”

  • Andre Drummond’s recent lack of availability — he’s missed 61 of the last 164 games — should create some urgency in the Knicks’ search for a third center, Kento Kato warns.
  • That’s obviously because the Knicks’ center depth remains their clearest roster weakness mid-August, as Kris Pursiainen broke down on Friday.
  • Yet another woman has been charged with aggravated robbery after allegedly robbing two Knicks fans at knifepoint in downtown San Antonio during the NBA Finals. Sheesh…
  • Charles Oakley’s lawsuit against Madison Square Garden and James Dolan was dismissed… for a third time, continuing a legal saga that dates back to Oakley’s 2017 ejection from MSG.
  • Amar’e Stoudemire is officially a HOFer, and he got words for the Knicks.

“I did embrace it. Going to New York at that time, the team was in a deficit. [One] playoffs in 10 years, no All-Stars … A lot of players did not want to go to New York during that stretch. But me, I loved the challenge. That brings out the best in me.

“I wanted to bring players to New York to experience what I experienced in the city. We were able to bring in Carmelo and I think the energy of having me there showed the rest of the league, hey, New York can be a destination place.”

  • The Lakers are changing ownership again after they did so less than a year ago.
  • Speaking of the Lakers, Empire Sports Media’s Alexander Wilson reasons their latest sale at a $12.5 billion valuation makes the Knicks “impossible to price.” Will a gaudy offer see James Dolan finally surrender?
  • Former Los Angeles resident Chris Paul could move from retirement into an NBA front office. Funnily enough, ESPN reported on Thursday that the word around the league suggests CP3 is a possible candidate the Lakers might consider to hand an executive role once the sale is completed and pending further changes. No need for reminders of the Lakers’ love for Paul, amirite?
  • Out of the blue, Russell Westbrook is retired for good after 18 NBA seasons. Don’t stop watching the announcement clip.
  • Shaquille O’Neal said on the “Boardroom” that he does not miss playing in today’s NBA because modern players are all “cupcakes.”
  • Dillon Brooks is already looking forward to facing LeBron James and the 76ers on Dec. 30, which happens to be James’ birthday. “That’s more ammunition for me to win that game,” Brooks said. Asked whether he was disappointed that James’ move East means they will meet less frequently, Brooks replied, “Not at all, but I’ll build up for the games that we play.”
  • A New York pizza shop has turned the Knicks’ Finals victory over Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs into a first-aid joke.

Australia 56-17 Japan: rugby union international – as it happened

The Wallabies kicked clear to make it two-from-two against the Brave Blossoms with a commanding victory in Townsville

The low key atmosphere isn’t helped by two of the less upbeat national anthems and the sky becoming blanketed in cloud. Hopefully the players can spark the occasion into life.

And here come the two sides out into the Townsville afternoon. It’s all a bit muted in a stadium far from full.

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Brewers can’t rally in ninth again, lose to Dodgers, 3-1

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 14: Robert Gasser #54 of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts after giving up a home run to Tommy Edman #25 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium on August 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Box Score

For the second straight night, the Brewers fell behind and needed a late rally. They loaded the bases in the ninth, but couldn’t break through this time and lost to the Dodgers, 3-1.

Early on, the Brewers made Yoshinobu Yamamoto work. Even though they only managed one baserunner — a Jake Bauers walk — in the inning, Yamamoto needed 26 pitches to get through it. Meanwhile, Robert Gasser was efficient for the Brewers, needing just 14 pitches for the first inning. However, the Dodgers hit three singles in that inning, the last of those a Mookie Betts single to drive in a run. That put the Brewers down 1-0 after one inning.

From there, the two starters matched each other with scoreless innings in the next three frames. The Brewers had a scoring chance in the third after Joey Ortiz hit a one-out double, but he was left stranded there after Garrett Mitchell and Jackson Chourio both struck out. The Dodgers had a scoring chance with two outs in the bottom of the inning after Andy Pages singled and stole second, but he was stranded there.

The Brewers’ offense broke through in the fifth inning. Luis Lara led off the inning with a long double that just barely stayed in the park. It did set up the offense. David Hamilton went for the bunt, and it was a good one that went for a single. Ortiz brought in the run after that, hitting a sharp line drive but right at Kyle Tucker. It was more than deep enough to score Lara, and the Brewers tied the game at 1-1.

Unfortunately, that was all the offense could manage that inning. Mitchell struck out again, and Chourio grounded out to end the inning.

That tie didn’t last long. In the bottom of the inning, Andy Pages hit a two-out solo home run to left field, and the Brewers were down again, 2-1. One inning later, Tommy Edman added another solo home run to center, extending the deficit to 3-1.

Gasser pitched into the seventh, starting the inning by getting a line out from Hunter Feducia. After walking Shohei Ohtani, his day came to an end. It was a solid day for Gasser overall. He allowed three runs in 6 1/3 innings, allowing eight hits and one walk while striking out seven. It was also the most pitches he has thrown in a game, as he finished the day with 102 pitches thrown.

Meanwhile, Yamamoto mostly kept the Brewers in check, but the Brewers managed to get him out of the game after six innings. He allowed just one run, four hits, and two walks, and struck out nine Brewers.

The bullpens kept both offenses in check for the next two innings. Evan Phillips and Tanner Scott pitched scoreless seventh and eighth innings for the Dodgers. Grant Anderson finished out the seventh inning scoreless and worked around a walk. Bryse Wilson pitched the eighth inning and struck out the side.

Once again, the Dodgers brought in Edwin Díaz to close in the ninth inning. It started out looking like it could be a repeat of last night. Andrew Vaughn led off the inning and worked a full count before getting hit by a pitch. He was replaced by pinch-runner Jihwan Bae, who stole second on a 1-1 count. It put a runner in scoring position, but Christian Yelich struck out for the first out of the inning.

William Contreras was up next, and Díaz was struggling heavily as he threw five pitches all out of the strike zone, walking Contreras. His first pitch to Lara was high and inside as well, then he threw a slider right down the middle. Lara hit it sharply on the ground, but Edman made a running grab to rob Lara of a base hit. It wasn’t quick enough to turn a double play, so Edman took the sure out of Lara at first.

That moved both baserunners up to second and third, putting the tying run in scoring position. Hamilton was up next, and Díaz continued to struggle to throw strikes. Hamilton didn’t swing once and drew a five-pitch walk. Ortiz was up next with another chance with the bases loaded. Unfortunately, he couldn’t complete the rally for the Brewers, grounding out to Betts to end the game.

The offense remained subdued again, managing just one run, five hits, and four walks. Those hits were scattered among five different Brewers, with Bauers and Hamilton the only two Brewers on base twice. They had their scoring opportunities tonight, but went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left eight on base.

With the series tied 1-1, the Brewers will send their ace to the mound tomorrow night. Jacob Misiorowski will face Justin Wrobleski in Saturday’s game, which will be a national broadcast on FOX. First pitch is at 6:15 p.m.

Freeland goes eight, Veen makes a splash as Rockies beat Giants 5-2

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 14: Cole Carrigg #16 of the Colorado Rockies dives to make a catch to take a hit away from Bryce Eldridge #8 of the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the ninth inning at Oracle Park on August 14, 2026 in San Francisco, California. The Rockies won the game 5-2. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Kyle Freeland worked eight strong innings, Zac Veen put a baseball into McCovey Cove and the Rockies got contributions from all over the roster in a 5-2 win over the San Francisco Giants Thursday night at Oracle Park.

Colorado improved to 49-73 with the win, while San Francisco fell to 50-72. The Rockies are now just one game behind the Giants in the NL West.

Freeland earned the win to improve to 4-10, allowing one run on four hits over 8.0 innings. Landen Roupp took the loss and fell to 7-12 after allowing four runs over 5.2 innings.

Veen supplied the biggest swing with a two-run splash homer in the sixth, but the Rockies did not win on one swing alone. TJ Rumfield extended a two-out rally, Troy Johnston drove in the first run, Brett Sullivan helped manufacture another, Connor Norby drew two walks and stole a base, Willi Castro added a ninth-inning sacrifice fly, and the defense came up with several important plays behind Freeland.

It was a solid win all the way around.

Freeland keeps the Giants on the ground

Freeland gave the Rockies eight strong innings without needing many strikeouts to get there.

He allowed one run on four hits with one walk and two strikeouts over 8.0 innings. He threw 95 pitches, 66 for strikes, and recorded 13 ground-ball outs.

Freeland leaned most heavily on his sinker and knuckle curve, throwing 27 sinkers and 26 knuckle curves. He also mixed in 14 cutters, 12 changeups, 11 four-seam fastballs and five sweepers.

The sinker averaged 90.4 mph with 16 inches of horizontal movement. The knuckle curve averaged 82.2 mph and produced three whiffs, including one of Freeland’s two strikeouts.

His first strikeout offered an early look at how he would mix those pitches. Freeland opened Rafael Devers with an 89.7 mph sinker for a called strike, followed with an 82.5 mph sweeper for another, then showed an 82.6 mph knuckle curve below the zone. With Devers still in a 1-2 count, Freeland went back to a 91.2 mph sinker and got the swing-through.

There was hard contact.

San Francisco averaged 91.8 mph on 24 balls in play and produced 11 hard-hit balls. Bryce Eldridge did the only damage that reached the scoreboard, driving an 86.0 mph cutter 104.3 mph and 409 feet to dead center for his 13th home run in the fourth inning.

Freeland settled right back in.

Osleivis Basabe singled with two outs later in the fourth, but Freeland picked him off before the inning could develop any further. In the fifth, Freeland issued his first and only walk, then got Christian Koss to hit a sharp grounder to short for an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play.

The final three innings were cleaner.

Freeland retired the Giants in order in the sixth and started doing a little more with the knuckle curve in the seventh. He opened Victor Bericoto with consecutive knuckle curves for a called strike and a whiff, showed him a fastball above the zone, then went back below the zone with an 81.9 mph knuckle curve for strike three.

Two groundouts followed.

Freeland carried the same rhythm into the eighth. Buddy Kennedy grounded out to first, Andrew Knizner popped out to first, and Basabe became Freeland’s 13th and final ground-ball out.

That last at-bat was another example of the mix. Freeland opened Basabe with an 81.8 mph knuckle curve for a strike, moved between the sinker, cutter and curve as the count reached 2-2, then got Basabe to roll an 82.7 mph knuckle curve to third for the final out of his night.

Freeland did not miss many bats, and the Giants did hit several balls hard.

They never turned that contact into sustained pressure.

Freeland worked quickly, stayed around the zone and kept putting the ball on the ground. Eight innings later, Eldridge’s solo homer was the only run San Francisco had managed against him.

Rockies make Roupp work, then make him pay

Roupp’s movement was real from the beginning.

He struck out five over 5.2 innings and generated 14 whiffs on 46 swings. His curveball led the way at 36% usage, averaging 76.7 mph with 19 inches of horizontal break and 3,100 rpm. Roupp also generated six whiffs on eight swings against his four-seam fastball.

For the first three innings, the Rockies had trouble doing much with it.

That began to change with two outs in the fourth.

Roupp struck out Mickey Moniak and Castro to start the inning before Rumfield fell behind 0-2. Rather than giving Roupp an easy third out, Rumfield fouled off a sinker and changeup, laid off two pitches outside the zone and eventually served a 76.4 mph curveball into left for a soft two-out single.

Johnston supplied the hard contact.

He got an 85.5 mph changeup and drove it 102.1 mph at a 28-degree launch angle into Triples Alley. The ball traveled 410 feet for Johnston’s first triple of the season, scoring Rumfield and giving Colorado a 1-0 lead.

The inning kept going.

Norby walked, stole second for his seventh stolen base of the season and Veen came to the plate already having seen Roupp’s stuff once.

Veen quickly fell behind 0-2. He then laid off a fastball above the zone, two changeups below it, fought off a curveball with the count full and finally took an 89.4 mph cutter outside for ball four.

The Rockies left the bases loaded when Ezequiel Tovar grounded out, but Roupp had gone from cruising through two quick strikeouts to laboring through an extended two-out rally.

Colorado came back with another run in the fifth.

Sullivan led off by driving a 92.6 mph sinker 104.0 mph and 413 feet off the wall in right-center for his 11th double. Jake McCarthy moved him to third, and with the infield in, Moniak hit a hard grounder to Koss at short.

Sullivan broke on contact.

The throw arrived home just as Sullivan slid his hand across the plate, putting the Rockies back in front 2-1.

Then Veen changed the game.

Norby drew his second walk of the night with one out in the sixth and moved to second on a wild pitch. Roupp started Veen with a fastball above the zone, and Veen expanded and swung through it.

Veen stepped out of the box.

He appeared to reset.

Two pitches later, Roupp left a 76.5 mph curveball where Veen could handle it.

Veen hit it 111.3 mph at a 32-degree launch angle and sent it 406 feet into McCovey Cove.

The two-run homer was Veen’s second of the season and extended Colorado’s lead to 4-1.

It was also the fifth splash homer by a Rockies hitter and the first since Charlie Blackmon on June 7, 2022. Veen became the fourth Rockie to do it, joining Blackmon, Cory Dickerson and Carlos González, who did it twice.

Rockies add insurance before the defense finishes it

The Giants bullpen quieted Colorado for a while after Roupp departed.

JT Brubaker worked a clean seventh, including a 95.4 mph sinker that ran back over the edge to freeze Moniak. Harris followed by striking out the side around a Johnston walk in the eighth.

Colorado had a chance for more in the ninth.

Tovar walked and Sullivan singled before McCarthy grounded into a force at third. Moniak then walked to load the bases, bringing San Francisco manager’s bullpen back into action with Jason Foley replacing Harris.

Castro got one run home with a sacrifice fly to left. An errant throw allowed Moniak to advance to second, and Rumfield walked to reload the bases before Johnston grounded out.

The Rockies had an opportunity to break the game open, but settled for an important insurance run.

Brennan Bernardino replaced Freeland for the bottom of the ninth and immediately found trouble. Jonah Cox tripled and Devers followed with an RBI double, cutting Colorado’s lead to 5-2 with nobody out.

Then the defensive substitution paid off.

Cole Carrigg had entered in center field before the eighth, with McCarthy moving to right. Eldridge lined a ball toward center, and Carrigg charged in and made a terrific catch just above the grass.

Devers had already broken toward third.

Carrigg got the ball back in, Norby completed the play at second and the Rockies suddenly had two outs and nobody on. The Giants challenged whether Carrigg had trapped the ball, but the ruling was upheld.

Bericoto followed with a single, but Castro ended the game with another strong defensive play, ranging from third into foul territory and making the catch up against the railing.

The ninth started to get uncomfortable.

Carrigg and Castro made sure it did not stay that way for long.

Final thoughts

Oracle Park produced one of the stranger statistical details of the night.

Eldridge’s fourth-inning home run traveled 409 feet.

Johnston’s triple traveled 410.

Sullivan’s double went 413.

Johnston’s drive produced the Rockies’ only two-out RBI. Sullivan’s double started the fifth-inning rally that put Colorado back ahead. Both were significant swings even if Oracle Park kept them from becoming home runs.

The Rockies also got considerable value from players whose box-score lines do not immediately jump off the page.

Norby finished 0-for-2 but walked twice, stole a base and scored ahead of Veen’s homer. Rumfield had one hit, but that hit came after he fought back from 0-2 and kept the fourth inning alive. He also walked in the ninth.

Colorado finished with only six hits but drew seven walks.

The Rockies went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left nine runners aboard, so there were opportunities to score more. But they also found several ways to produce runs without simply waiting for a home run: Rumfield’s two-out battle, McCarthy moving Sullivan to third, Moniak’s fielder’s choice, Norby’s walks and Castro’s sacrifice fly all played a part.

The defense mattered too.

Tovar helped the Rockies escape a messy third inning by turning Devers’ grounder into a double play after Colorado failed to complete a rundown. He later started the 6-4-3 double play that erased Freeland’s only walk.

Carrigg’s ninth-inning catch was the biggest defensive play of the night.

And Veen supplied the biggest swing.

Freeland supplied the rest.

It added up to one of Colorado’s more complete wins.

Up next

The Rockies and Giants continue the series Friday afternoon at Oracle Park, with first pitch scheduled for 2:05 p.m. MDT.

Colorado will send Michael Lorenzen to the mound. The right-hander enters the game 3-10 with a 6.83 ERA and 81 strikeouts.

San Francisco will counter with Logan Webb, who comes in 7-7 with a 3.59 ERA and 103 strikeouts.


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Yoshinobu Yamamoto shines as Dodgers hold late 3-1 lead over Brewers to tie series

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 14: Andy Pages #44 of the Los Angeles Dodgers rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning during the game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Friday, August 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Nicole Vasquez/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The Dodgers  (74-49) bounced back and evened the series against the Brewers (75-48) Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Edwin Diaz got another shot at a save to redeem himself after Friday’s ninth-inning collapse.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched six dominant innings with nine strikeouts. The offense supported him with three big scoring hits including two solo home runs from Andy Pages and Tommy Edman.

Even the bullpen, including closer Diaz, preserved the lead in late innings.

The Dodgers pulled a Brewers with one out in the first inning when they strung together three consecutive singles. Pages and Teoscar Hernández singled, and Mookie Betts drove in the first run of the game with a base hit down the left field line.

Joey Ortiz doubled with one out in the top of the third, the first base hit allowed by Yamamoto on the night.

The Brewers used their speed to get runners on the corners with nobody out against Yamamoto in the top of the fifth. Luis Lara nearly hit one out, but he barreled into second base with a double. David Hamilton, another speedster, bunted perfectly down the third base line. Hamilton and his wheels secured the infield single and easily moved Lara to third.

A sac fly from Ortiz tied the game, but the Dodgers struck back in the bottom of the inning.

Pages blasted a go-ahead solo home run, his 20th of the season, to put the Dodgers back in front 2-1 with two outs in the fifth.

The Dodgers All-Star outfielder took a Gasser sweeper for a ride over the left field corner wall.

Hunter Feduccia continues to contribute behind the plate while Will Smith and Dalton Rushing are out on injury. Feduccia mowed down Jake Bauers on an attempted steal of second after he managed a leadoff single against Yamamoto.

Edman added to the lead with another solo home run versus Gasser to give the Dodgers a 3-1 lead.

Evan Phillips took over for Yamamoto in the top of the seventh and completed a 1-2-3 inning. His sweeper looked a lot sharper, a good sign for the Dodgers bullpen.

Tanner Scott took the ball for the Dodgers in the eighth and continued the bullpen’s solid night with a scoreless eighth. He gave up an infield single, but he hit 98-mph. That’s another good sign for the bullpen.

After the epic ninth-inning collapse by Diaz in Thursday’s series opener, the Dodgers’ closer got another shot for the save. The horns blew, and everyone collectively held their breath.

Diaz hit Andrew Vaughn to start off shaky. He reared back to strike out Christian Yelich.

Then William Contreras walked. Edman snared a Lara grounder for the second out. Hamilton also walked to load the bases for Ortiz. Mercifully Mookie Betts made the final out on a grounder to complete the win and tie the series.

Friday particulars

Home runs: Andy Pages (20), Tommy Edman (4)

WP — Yoshinobu Yamamoto (12-7): 6 IP, 4 hits, 1 run, 2 walks, 9 strikeouts (97 pitches)

LP — Robert Gasser (3-5): 6 1/3 IP, 8 hits, 3 runs, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts (102 pitches)

SV — Edwin Diaz (7): He did it.

Up next

Justin Wrobleski ( 11-4, 3.44 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) makes his 20th start of the season for the Dodgers in game three Saturday (4:15 p.m., FOX). The Dodgers will have to face Milwaukee ace Jacob Misiorowski (11-5, 1.76 ERA, 0.74 WHIP).