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Jack Kayil headed overseas; Tyler Nickel expected to go pro

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 17: Tyler Nickel #55 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during the 2026 NBA Summer League on July 17, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Knicks’ two second-round picks remain without NBA contracts, but each appears to have a clear path forward. The first, Jack Kayil, announced Friday that he’ll spend the 2026-27 season with Alba Berlin rather than join New York immediately.

As reported by Ian Begley (SNY), the move had long been viewed as the most likely outcome, as the Knicks’ second-apron salary constraints made signing the 20-year-old guard difficult. A larger role in Europe should give Kayil valuable developmental minutes while New York retains his NBA rights.

Tyler Nickel, meanwhile, remains unsigned. Although recent reports suggested he could return to college under the NCAA’s new eligibility rules, Begley reports that league sources expect Nickel to begin his professional career. Because the Knicks are tight against the second apron, signing Nickel to a standard NBA contract could complicate their search for a veteran third center, making a two-way deal the most logical outcome.

Begley reports, “In recent weeks, the Knicks have also been in touch with several free agent centers who could fill the third center role. Logic tells you that if they wanted to sign one of these centers on a guaranteed one-year deal, the Knicks would have done so already.”

With Kayil staying overseas, the Knicks have 13 players on standard contracts and all three two-way spots still available as training camp approaches.

Go Knicks.

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Everyone is waiting on Jonathan Kuminga to make a decision

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 30: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors looks on from the bench against the Dallas Mavericks during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on December 30, 2023 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

While the Lakers have been hard at work rebuilding their roster during this summer of optionality, they are still missing a starting-level wing.

This deep into free agency, the best player available at that position is Jonathan Kuminga. While the Lakers have been linked to him all offseason, a deal has yet to be reached and the five-year wing remains on the market.

On Friday, Anthony Slater contributed to a piece on ESPN updating where things stand regarding Kuminga and the Lakers.

“The opportunity appealed to Kuminga, but the sign-and-trade contract offer (years, money, package going back to Atlanta) didn’t satisfy all sides. The Lakers remain interested in him, league sources said, but movement toward a deal has remained stalled for weeks.”

It’s been reported before that talks with LA and Kuminga have stalled. So, it’s no surprise that this stalemate continues. The Lakers, as Slater has reported, have remained interested. They have continued calling about the talented wing.

While this Kuminga free agency has been long and tiring for fans, it’s all part of the negotiations.

We’ve gotten indications on what all parties are looking for in a trade that puts Kuminga in a Lakers uniform. The Hawks reportedly want a first-round swap, Kuminga wants a deal that he’s enticed to sign, and Los Angeles’ alleged contract offer hasn’t accomplished that.

Until all parties can agree, this will continue to drag on. Ultimately though, this is Kuminga’s decision.

While a trade would give him the most money, he is an unrestricted free agent and can select his destination. The information on what is possible will likely remain the same at this point, and he has to decide what he wants to do.

The Lakers can provide Kuminga with the opportunity for a starting position on a team with title aspirations. If he plays well in a purple and gold uniform, it could do wonders for his stock around the NBA.

It’s been a long odyssey here in the Kuminga sweepstakes, but so far the Lakers have done the right thing. They’ve been patient, remained interested, but haven’t done anything desperate or foolish to acquire him.

In the best-case scenario, Kuminga is a Laker, but that’s his decision to make now. Hopefully, he comes to a conclusion soon so this can all come to an end.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

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Mets claim infielder Gabriel Arias off waivers from Guardians

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Edwin Arroyo (2) steals second as Cleveland Guardians second baseman Gabriel Arias (13) attempts to tag him in the second inning between the Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co

After he was designated for assignment on Tuesday, the Mets claimed infielder Gabriel Arias off of waivers. Arias, in his age 26 season, has played part of five seasons for Cleveland, logging time at all four infield positions.

Signed by the Padres as an international free agent out of Venezuela in 2016, Arias was part of the trade between Cleveland and San Diego that sent Mike Clevinger to the Padres in 2020. Arias made his big league debut in 2022, appearing in 57 games. Arias played more than 100 games in both 2023 and 2025, and is a career .219/.275/.359 hitter.

Defensively, Arias has an above average arm, and has logged 187 games at shortstop, and has played every non-catching or pitcher position on the diamond. He’s out of minor league options and will be eligible for arbitration next season.

In 2026, Arias missed eight weeks with a left hamstring injury. In total on the season, he’s batting .244/.284/.386 with five home runs and four stolen bases.

Arias is a useful player to have on your roster due to his versatility. If he’s assigned to the major league roster, he would likely take the spot currently claimed by Cristian Pache.

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The Canadiens' Three Best Draft Picks Since The Start Of The Hughes-Gorton Regime

A lot has happened since Montreal Canadiens’ owner Geoff Molson decided to clean house and start afresh with a new management regime. Molson hired Jeff Gorton as the vice president of hockey operations (he’s now president of hockey operations) and Kent Hughes as GM and allowed them to undergo a full rebuild.

On Wednesday, we covered the three best moves (signings and trades) of the Hughes regime, and today, we’ll take a look at the three best draft picks of the Hughes-Gorton regime. The tandem has now overseen five drafts with a scouting team led by Nick Bobrov and Martin Lapointe, and while it’s still early to judge some of their picks, it’s not too early to look back at some of the ones that have already turned out to be a success.

Dobson Tops League In Goal Scoring From Right Side Of The Blueline Over Last Five Years
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Lane Hutson

The diminutive defenseman is easily the best pick of the Hughes-Gorton regime, not only because of how talented he is, but also because he was drafted 62nd overall at the 2022 draft. That rank means that all teams repeatedly passed on the offensive-minded blueliner before the Canadiens used the pick they got from the Edmonton Oilers in the Brett Kulak deal to select the defender.

Four years later, Hutson has two professional seasons under his belt, and he’s exceeded all expectations. From a 66-point record-setting rookie season (he tied Larry Murphy’s record for most assists by a rookie defenseman in the NHL and became the highest scoring rookie in Habs history with 66 points), the Michigan native went to a 78-point sophomore season and put the league on notice that he would soon enter the James Norris Trophy conversation (he was sixth in voting this past season) and that he could already be mentioned in a conversation about Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes and Zach Werenski.

After his rookie season, the Canadiens knew they needed to ink him long-term, and they managed to do it at a very reasonable price because, like many of his teammates, the blueliner cares more about winning a championship than he does about earning as much money as possible. That team-first mentality is something the Canadiens evaluate before drafting a player; that’s a huge part of the interview process at the NHL combine. The Habs don’t just look at a player’s stats; they take a long, hard look at their character as well.

Ivan Demidov

One year after passing on Russian prospect Matvei Michkov at the 2023 draft, the Canadiens used the fifth overall pick at the 2024 draft to pick Ivan Demidov. Thanks to Bobrov’s contacts in Russia, the Habs had been keeping tabs on Demidov for a long time. When the other four teams picked Macklin Celebrini, Artyom Levshunov, Beckett Sennecke and Cayden Lindstrom in the first four spots, the Habs pounced on the opportunity to draft Demidov. While nobody could argue that Celebrini wasn’t a deserving first-overall pick, the jury is still out on the other three players that were picked ahead of Demidov.

Right-shot defenseman Levshunov currently plays on the Chicago Blackhawks' second-pairing, has 30 points to his name, and has yet to be signed to a contract extension. Sennecke plays on the Anaheim Ducks' second line, has 60 points to his name and is not yet eligible for a contract extension. In contrast, Lindstrom has yet to play a single game in the NHL, didn’t play until the playoffs the season after he was drafted, and could only muster 10 points in 31 games in his first season in the NCAA.

Demidov has already established himself as a top player for the Canadiens and was the dynamo of the second line, putting up 62 points in his rookie season. The Russian rookie wasted no time at the end of the season telling the media he loved playing in Montreal and wanted to stay long-term. His new contract extension was unsurprisingly an eight-year deal with a $9.15 million cap hit. There’s no doubt that he left money on the table, something that was acknowledged by Hughes at the signing press conference when he told the press that Demidov wanted to be part of something rather than be the main star of the team.

Demidov’s performance and willingness to buy into the team culture make him an excellent pick for the Gorton-Hughes regime, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a Canadiens fan who still laments the Habs passing on Michkov the year before. The Philadelphia Flyers pick at the 2023 draft put up 63 points in his rookie season and only 51 points in his sophomore season after turning up in less-than-ideal shape at training camp. Meanwhile, Demidov has been spending his summers in Montreal and now has the keys to the Habs' training facilities in Brossard so that he can train whenever he pleases. His work ethic and love for the game are both incredibly obvious, and he’s a perfect role model for Canadiens’ prospects.

Juraj Slafkovsky

The Bell Centre was stunned when Hughes selected Juraj Slafkovsky first overall at the 2022 draft. Most fans were hoping the Habs would pick Shane Wright and fill their need for a top-flight center; there were plenty of Canadiens jerseys featuring Wright’s name and number in the arena, but they decided to go for the promising power forward. He shone brightly at the 2022 Olympics, and that performance, coupled with his interview, convinced the Canadiens that he was the right player for them.

Four years later, nobody can argue that Wright would have been a better option; he’s still struggling to establish himself with the Seattle Kraken, and it’s been reported that they are open to trading him. In 169 NHL games, Wright only has 78 points for 0.46 points per game. Meanwhile, Slafkovsky leads the draft class with 184 points in 282 NHL games. That’s a 0.65 PPG average. Utah Mammoth pick Logan Cooley is second with 152 points in 211 NHL games, but that also gives him a 0.72 PPG average, slightly higher than Slafkovsky.

The Canadiens didn’t draft him as a pure point producer; however, they also drafted him for the style of play he could practice with his imposing frame, something the Canadiens really need, especially in the playoffs. Slafkovsky had a breakout season last year, putting up 73 points in 82 games and finally finding his identity. He understood what Martin St-Louis has been asking him to do since he joined the Habs for the 2022-23 season; he’s playing with pace to inflict maximum impact when he’s racing for the puck in the corner and colliding with opposing defensemen. He’s going into traffic in front of the net and using his big frame to wreak havoc, obstructing the goaltender’s view and being ready to pounce on rebounds.

Just like Hutson and Demidov, he’s also committed to the Canadiens long-term, having signed an 8-year contract extension which carries a $7.6 million cap hit back in July 2024. He agreed to sign a contract which had a lower cap hit than captain Nick Suzuki and sniper Cole Caufield, fitting in nicely with the salary structure Hughes was slowly putting in place. He’s yet another player who bought into what the Hughes-Gorton regime was selling: it’s all about doing what’s good for the team.

Honorable mentions to Michael Hage (21st overall at the 2024 draft) and Alexander Zharovsky (34th overall pick at the 2025 draft), who will be easier to evaluate once we see what they can do in the NHL. Bryce Pickford also falls in the honorable mention category, having had a season for the ages on the blueline in the WHL. It remains to be seen how well his game will translate to the NHL, but 45 goals in 55 games by an 81st overall pick is quite impressive.

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.  

Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.

Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.

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How much would Brandin Podziemski’s contract extension cost the Warriors?

INGLEWOOD, CA - APRIL 15: Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors smiles during the game against the LA Clippers during the SoFi Play-In Tournament on April 15, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

In today’s Dub Hub:

The Golden State Warriors have made it clear they intend to run it back next season after keeping most of their roster intact. So, with this emphasis on continuity, the organization will have to rely on internal improvement from its current players, specifically 23-year-old guard Brandin Podziemski as he enters his fourth NBA season.

After jumping into a full-time starting role late in the 2025-26 season, Podziemski finished the year averaging 13.8 points, 2.7 assists, and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 45.5% from the field and 37.1% from three-point range. His continued development has not only raised expectations entering next season, but also sparked discussions about what his next contract could look like.

According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, Podziemski’s next contract could carry an average annual value between $22 million and $24 million. However, Siegel also reports the Warriors would likely prefer a deal in the $15 million to $18 million range.

Via ClutchPoints:

In terms of what a new deal for Podziemski could possibly look like, it is likely that the AAV would be between $22 million and $24 million. While the sweet spot for the Warriors would be a deal somewhere between $15 million and $18 million, Podziemski and his camp would want to exceed this in their asking price due to his contributions as a starter and improved production during the 2025-26 season.

Siegel also noted there is no urgency for Golden State to reach an extension with Podziemski before the start of the season, particularly with Stephen Curry’s contract situation being a higher priority. As a result, Podziemski could ultimately play out the final year of his rookie contract before becoming a restricted free agent next offseason.

With Curry (38), Draymond Green (36), and Jimmy Butler (36) all in the latter stages of their careers, Podziemski’s youth and durability are becoming increasingly important to the Warriors’ long-term outlook. Whether that ultimately costs $18 million or $24 million per year is up for debate, but it remains clear he has emerged as a key piece of the franchise’s future.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Friday, August 7th:

Warriors News:

What does the Warriors’ best-case scenario look like this season? | The San Francisco Standard

The rationale for such stagnation traces back to GM Mike Dunleavy’s belief that last year’s issues weren’t so much roster-related as they were a result of injuries and general sloppiness. Additionally, in a vacuum, the free agents available weren’t much more appealing than the internal options, and making a move just to make a move isn’t necessarily a good process. Melton is as valuable as, say, Anfernee Simons (if not more).

Even if the rationale might be sound, the ceiling is low.

What does the best-case scenario look like for running it back?

How Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy foreshadowed the team’s quiet NBA offseason | NBC Sports Bay Area

“Do we need to get better roster-wise? I think so,” the GM acknowledged in May. “But we didn’t get to a point where we played a team where the roster is better than ours. For that reason, we were more focused on the stuff that we can control.

“We’ll always look to be better, talent-wise, roster-wise, all that. But . . . the discussions weren’t really about that. It was more with the team that we have. How can we be better? And what are the things we need to do to build on for long-term success?”

Dub Nation had been warned. The priority was internal development rather than external additions. Do not expect gifts in July.

And none came.

Draymond Green selects himself third in a redraft of the 2012 NBA Draft class

NBA News:

Sources: Anthony Davis, Wizards table contract talks until season starts | ESPN

One source told Charania that this gives both sides the first 20 or so games to marinate over a potential extension and see how the early part of the season goes for the Wizards and for the 10-time All-Star.

Davis became eligible Thursday to sign a contract extension for up to four years and $275 million. The first year of the extension would replace a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28.

Pablo Torre reports on alleged undisclosed sponsorship between Kawhi Leonard and Clippers’ scoreboard-maker Daktronics

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Warriors Draymond Green doesn’t care that he doesn’t have a no-trade clause

“I think it was something that we could have fought over, but it wasn’t worth fighting over,” Green said, as transcribed by NBC Sports Bay Area. “I think if the Warriors want to trade me at some point in the season, they want to trade me. I’ve never been a guy who wants to stay somewhere where I’m not wanted.”

A post to end the week:

Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.

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VJ Edgecombe details LeBron James’ FaceTime on decision that left him ‘geekin’

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows VJ Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, Image 2 shows LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers on court against the Cleveland Cavaliers
lebron james vj edgecombe 76ers lakers

The Philadelphia 76ers won the LeBron James free agent sweepstakes this summer.

VJ Edgecombe, like many basketball fans, was extremely excited to welcome the four-time NBA champion to the team. The 21-year-old had the chance to speak with James directly after the two-year, $8 million deal was announced, which he detailed during an interview at the ABCD Basketball Camp.

VJ Edgecombe was born two years after LeBron James made his NBA debut in 2003. Now, they’re teammates. NBAE via Getty Images

“I FaceTimed Bron. I was in disbelief, but I had to act cool. I had to act like I’d been there before. I’m on the phone all cool and stuff. My headphones on, I’m playing the game. Had to act all cool, but it’s really Bron. I was really geekin’ I ain’t gone lie,” Edgecombe said.

The ongoing free agency saga surrounding James was the headline story of the NBA summer and the 41-year-old’s decision to join the 76ers was quite the stunning denouement.

James is set to star alongside Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey as well as the young rising star in Edgecombe.

The latter of who was born in 2005, two years after James made his NBA debut in 2003. Now, Edgecombe and James are set to be teammates, which makes the guard’s giddiness that much more authentic as he quite literally grew up watching the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.

The 76ers face immense pressure to win a championship this upcoming season and Philadelphia’s roster is equipped to do just that. The arrival of James has made Edgecombe the fifth option for the 76ers, but he’s expected to continue developing around some of the league’s biggest stars.

At 41 years old, LeBron James was the top free agent of the summer. Getty Images
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Yankees add Mitch Garver on minor league deal

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 01: Mitch Garver #18 of the Seattle Mariners reacts during the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins at T-Mobile Park on August 01, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jack Compton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

What was it we were saying about the Yankees failing to add a catcher in early-August? Scratch that, because Mitch Garver is on his way. Once a rather productive major league backstop, Garver, who was serving in a bench role for the Mariners, was released just a few days ago, making his time on the open market a very short one as the Yankees have snatched him up on a minor league contract.

Considering the lack of production the Yankees have had from the catching position and the track record of Garver, it wouldn’t take a lot for him to receive a chance with the big league club—even if his 2026 production was subpar enough for Seattle to let him go. The 35-year-old right-handed hitter had a miserable .596 OPS, and he wasn’t much better last year, when he had a .639 OPS with the M’s.

The issue with Garver is that his offensive production needs to be legitimately strong, since unlike the catchers currently used in the majors by the Yankees, his defensive work leaves a ton to be desired. Dating back to 2022, the majority of the playing time received by Garver has been at designated hitter, with 223 games there to just 146 behind the plate. It’s a small sample, but Statcast has him below average in every facet of catcher defense both this year and last year.

We’ll see how he does initially in Triple-A, but this is a move to watch, particularly in the context of Garver’s career numbers against left-handers; he boasts an .820 OPS versus southpaws. If Garver can find a way to hit lefties consistently like he once did, there may be an opportunity to be had here, but he needs to perform with the bat, given how much the Yankees emphasize defense behind the plate.

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Mets claim infielder Gabriel Arias off waivers from Guardians

The Mets have claimed infielder Gabriel Arias off waivers from the Cleveland Guardians, the club announced on Friday.

Arias, 26, was designated for assignment by Cleveland earlier this week. In 42 games this year, he has three doubles, five home runs, 11 RBI with a .244/.284/.386 slash line for a .669 OPS (87 OPS+, 85 wRC+). 

His final appearance with the club came on Tuesday against New York, he went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. Strikeouts have been an issue for Arias, with 57 in 127 at-bats on the year after going down on strikes 162 times in 432 at-bats a year ago.

A corresponding roster move was not immediately announced.

He's known as a versatile infielder – during his five big league seasons with the Guardians, he has started at all four infield positions and all three outfield positions – with one of the strongest arms in baseball: 94th percentile in arm strength in 2025 and 85th percentile this year. (By position, he's made 174 starts at shortstop, 64 at third base, 29 at second base, 16 at first, 17 in right field, two in center, and one in left.)

Over his 362 career games at the MLB level, he has 30 home runs, 53 doubles, four triples, 111 RBI, and a .219/.275/.359 slash line for a .635 OPS (76 OPS+, 77 wRC+).

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Two-start pitchers: Sonny Gray headlines an uneven group of options as we roll into the middle of August

Hello and welcome to the 19th installment of our weekly two-start pitcher article for the 2026 MLB season.

I will continue to be here every Friday to highlight some of the best two-start pitcher options in fantasy baseball leagues for the upcoming week providing my insights and recommendations on which options should be started or benched.

With each passing week, I’m getting more emotional thinking about the fact that there may not be a full season in 2026 due to the uncertainty surrounding the labor dispute between Major League Baseball and the Player’s Association. I’m really trying to take time to appreciate each day that we have baseball and the joy that it’s able to bring me.

As fantasy managers have turned their full attention to football, there are opportunities to creep up in the standings where others aren’t giving their teams the full attention that they still deserve. Keep putting in the work and plugging away, striving to improve each week, and you’ll reap rewards at the end of this season.

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

Before we get into it, we'll start with a couple of notes on situations that may be unresolved or teams that may not have a two-start pitcher lined up for the upcoming week. With teams still trying to get their rotations lined up for the second half, there’s more uncertainty than usual for a Friday afternoon:

⚾️ Baseball is back! MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026! In addition to becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball, NBC Sports will broadcast MLB Sunday Leadoff, “Opening Day” and Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason, and much more.

As things currently stand, with the additions of Clay Holmes and Kevin Gausman to their starting rotation, the Cubs appear to be rolling with a six-man alignment for the time being. It’s possible that David Peterson or Javier Assad get bumped to the bullpen, but that has yet to be confirmed. That means with six games on tap for next week, none of their hurlers are currently lined up to make two starts. Assad is set to pitch on Tuesday and he would go twice (at Nationals, vs. Cardinals) if Peterson were to be shifted to the bullpen, and would make for a solid streaming option. If Assad gets pushed to the bullpen, it would be Shota Imanaga getting the two-start assignment. We’ll update here if we gain any additional clarity throughout the weekend.

The Giants have yet to announce a starter for Monday, so we don’t know who (if anyone) will make two starts for them next week (vs. Astros, vs. Rockies). Blake Tidwell got the call last time and went five strong innings against the Rangers. If he gets another opportunity, he could be worth a look as a deep league streaming option, especially for the home tilt against the Rockies over the weekend. If we get clarification or if anything changes over the weekend, we’ll update here.

Someone on the Blue Jays is likely to make two starts next week in place of the injured Trey Yesavage, we just aren’t sure exactly who that will be just yet. Whoever gets the assignment will face a very tough draw with matchups against the red hot Red Sox and the Yankees. Once we get clarity on the situation we’ll provide an update here, but it’s unlikely that any of them will relevant for fantasy purposes.

Going Twice…

Note: Probable pitchers as of August 7 and are subject to change.

American League

▶ Strong Plays

Sonny Gray, Red Sox, RHP (at Blue Jays, at Pirates)

Gray has been absolutely incredible in his first season with the Red Sox, posting a 14-2 record, 2.78 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and a 106/32 K/BB ratio across 119 2/3 innings through his first 21 starts. He has been the ace atop the pitching staff that has helped to fuel the club’s ridiculous 31-5 run over their last 36 games. Gray hasn’t allowed more than five runs in a start this season and has allowed more than three runs just three times. He should be locked into fantasy lineups each and every week, so there’s no inflection point or decision to make here. Just sit back and enjoy double the production from one of the best pitchers in baseball.

Trevor Rogers, Orioles, LHP (at Twins, at Rays)

Rogers has had a very polarizing season for the Orioles and for fantasy managers. He started strong, with a 1.89 ERA across his first three starts. Then he went through a terrible stretch where he held a cringe-inducing 10.01 ERA (6.30 xFIP) across 29 2/3 innings over his next seven starts. Most fantasy managers completely wrote him off at that point. Since then? He’s back to dominating with a 2.28 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and a 60/14 K/BB ratio over 67 innings since the start of June. Continue to ride the hot hand here. Rogers makes for an excellent play in all league formats for this two-start week.

Sean Burke, White Sox, RHP (vs. Reds, at Tigers)

Burke has been fantastic through his first 23 appearances (19 starts) for the White Sox this season, registering a 3.08 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and a 144/39 K/BB ratio across 128 2/3 innings of work. He has also pitched extremely well recently, as he hasn’t given up more than two earned runs in a start since June 13. The Reds and Tigers offenses have both been swinging the bat well lately, but that’s not enough to sway us from using Burke in a two-start week. He should be started in all leagues without question.

Tanner Bibee, Guardians, RHP (at Tigers, vs. Padres)

Despite tallying just four victories on the season, Bibee has actually pitched pretty well for the Guardians, compiling a 3.85 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and a 110/38 K/BB ratio over 138 innings. They’re in the thick of the Wild Card race in the American league and he’ll have to battle a pair of other contending teams this week, which should lead to increased focus and positive results for the 27-year-old right-hander. He looks like an easy start in all league sizes this week.

Reid Detmers, Angels, LHP (vs. Rangers, vs. Royals)

Detmers continues to find success and pile up strikeouts as a full-time member of the Angels’ rotation this season. He holds a 4.12 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a 150/39 K/BB ratio over 129 innings in his first 23 starts. He now draws a terrific pair of matchups against the Rangers and Royals and gets the added benefit of making both of those starts at home. That makes Detmers a terrific option in all leagues this week.

Ryan Weathers, Yankees, LHP (vs. Mariners, at Blue Jays)

Weathers has been a key cog in the Yankees’ rotation this season, posting a strong 3.79 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and a 132/34 K/BB ratio over 121 innings through his first 22 starts. He enters his two-start week in terrific form – allowing just one run over 18 2/3 innings in his last three starts while compiling a 17/5 K/BB ratio. He now gets to take on a struggling Mariners’ offense before finishing the week with a neutral matchup against the Jays in Toronto. He’s an easy start in all leagues this week.

▶ Decent Plays

Bryan Woo, Mariners, RHP (at Yankees, at Astros)

While he has still been good this season, we haven’t quite seen the elite results that we have come to expect from Woo through his first 22 starts in 2026 – posting a 4.31 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and a 127/27 K/BB ratio over his 127 1/3 innings of work. He now gets a particularly rough draw in matchups, having to battle the Yankees in New York before taking on the surging Astros in Houston. Even in the shallowest of leagues, it’s impossible to bench Woo for a two-start week. Just understand that he’s much more likely to deliver middling ratios than he is to dominate the way that we have seen over the previous two seasons.

Ranger Suarez, Red Sox, LHP (at Blue Jays, at Pirates)

Normally I’d be starting Suarez in a two-start week without any hesitation at all, but he hasn’t quite been the same since returning from the injured list. He has yet to make it through five innings in any of his three starts since returning while allowing six runs over 11 2/3 innings. Hopefully he’s just shaking off the rust and there’s nothing more to it. You probably still have to roll with him in a two-start week against mediocre competition, just understand that he carries more risk than you’d typically expect from the 30-year-old southpaw.

Noah Cameron, Royals, LHP (at Dodgers, at Angels)

While Cameron’s overall numbers on the season are a bit underwhelming, he has been weighed down by a couple of absolutely disastrous outings. He seems to have turned the corner after his last dud though, allowing just one run in total over 25 innings in his last three starts, going at least seven innings and striking out at least seven batters in each of them. That’s pretty impressive. It’s hard to stream anyone in a two-start week that includes a matchup against the Dodgers, but with the way that Cameron is throwing the ball right now, I’m be comfortable using him against any lineup. He then gets to balance that out a bit with a softer matchup against the Angels to finish the week. There’s enough to like here that Cameron should be utilized in both 15 and 12-team formats this week.

Dean Kremer, Twins, RHP (vs. Orioles, vs. Phillies)

Historically, Kremer has usually made for a strong option in two-start weeks as long as he isn’t facing elite competition. He gets the added fun this time around of starting the week with a revenge game against the Orioles after they shipped him off to the Twins at the trade deadline. Kremer looked great in his first start with the Twins, allowing just one run over five innings against the Royals. I anticipate him pitching well in that first start this week before a tough matchup against the Phillies over the weekend that could really go either way. In 15-teamers I’d definitely be willing to use him, in 12’s it would depend on what my other options were or how desperate I was to add volume in wins and strikeouts.

Freddy Peralta, Rays, RHP (at Athletics, vs. Orioles)

You can cut him some slack because it was at Coors Field, but Peralta’s first start with the Rays was a complete disaster – giving up seven runs on nine hits while failing to make it through four innings. The venue isn’t going to get any easier his next time out, as he’ll tangle with the Athletics in West Sacramento. An impending free agent at the end of the year, Peralta needs to finish the season strong if he’s going to cash in on the open market. Fantasy managers who have absorbed his ratio damage to this point probably need to keep rolling with him and simply hope for the best.

Jacob Lopez, Athletics, LHP (vs. Rays, vs. Rangers)

Lopez had been written up as a two-start option this past week, but as the A’s shuffled their rotation he got pushed back a day, moving his two-start assignment to this week instead. While his overall numbers on the season look terrible at a glance, Lopez appears to have figured something out recently, registering a 1.76 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 21/7 K/BB ratio over 15 1/3 innings over his last three starts. Having to make both of his starts this week at Sutter Health Park is a bit terrifying, but I’m willing to trust his recent form enough to use him as a streaming option in deeper mixed leagues.

MacKenzie Gore, Rangers, LHP (at Angels, at Athletics)

Gore’s overall line on the season has been underwhelming at best, but we have at least seen stretches from him over the course of his career where he has been a viable mixed league option. He’s coming off of perhaps his best start of the year after firing six shutout innings against the Giants and now gets a solid matchup against the Angels in Los Angeles to start the week. I’d actually like it better if that was it and he didn’t have to travel to West Sacramento to give up a few homers over the weekend. It’s fine in deeper leagues if you need an extra arm, but don’t get carried away here.

Cristian Javier, Astros, RHP (at Giants, vs. Mariners)

Javier has struggled since his return from the injured list, posting a 6.59 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and a 23/15 K/BB ratio across 27 1/3 innings in his first nine appearances (five starts). The matchups fall in his favor this week, giving at least some credence to attempting to use him as a streaming option – especially since he has looked better in each of his last two starts. I’ve gone back and forth on this one, but I’m leaning toward rolling the dice and hoping that he lands on the good side of variance. In 15-teamers I’d be willing to take the shot.

▶ At Your Own Risk

Cal Quantrill, Rangers, RHP (at Angels, at Athletics)

Is Cal Quantrill a good pitcher? Despite his performance so far with the Rangers, history tells us that he is not. The matchups also don’t fall in his favor this week, especially that scary tilt over the weekend against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. If you want to think that he can avoid the ratio correction that’s surely coming, then go ahead and roll him out there. I’ve been burned by Quantrill too many times in the past to put myself in that position again.

Drew Anderson, Tigers, RHP (vs. Guardians, vs. White Sox)

If Anderson were fully stretched out or the team was committed to him staying in the rotation for the remainder of the season, then I would admittedly have more interest in him than I currently do. As it stands though, he’s merely keeping the seat warm until Jack Flaherty returns from the injured list. He threw just 42 pitches over 3 2/3 innings in his first start against the Mariners and I have a hard time seeing him getting through five against the Guardians to start the week. If you’re trying to pile up strikeouts and want to use him instead of a fringe starter or an extra reliever this week, that could make some sense. Just don’t expect a victory unless the Tigers use an opener in front of him.

Ryan Johnson, Angels, RHP (vs. Rangers, vs. Royals)

While he has shown glimpses of the elite upside that he possesses, Johnson has really struggled through his first 13 outings (10 starts) on the season, posting a miserable 7.11 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and a 38/25 K/BB ratio over his first 50 2/3 innings on the season. Even with a pair of decent matchups on the docket, there’s far too much ratio risk here to trust Johnson as anything more than a desperation volume play. I’d avoid this one if possible.

National League

▶ Strong Plays

Logan Henderson, Brewers, RHP (at Padres, at Dodgers)

The Brewers are leaning on their tremendous rotation depth to utilize a six-man rotation through a very tough part of their schedule. That means that even during a seven-game week, only one of their hurlers will toe the slab twice. Henderson has been incredible when he has been healthy enough to take the mound this season, going 6-1 with a 2.70 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and a 62/10 K/BB ratio across 50 innings in 10 starts. That’s absolutely elite-level production. The matchups are admittedly difficult this week, having to battle the Padres and Dodgers – both on the road. Henderson has shown the ability to dominate any opponent in front of him though and we shouldn’t let the schedule scare us away from what should still be a very strong two-start week.

Christian Scott, Mets, RHP (at Braves, vs. Nationals)

While many things have gone wrong for the Mets yet again this season, Christian Scott has been a shining beacon of hope. Over his first 16 starts, he holds a 3.15 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and a 92/32 K/BB ratio across his 74 1/3 innings of work. He has also been remarkably consistent, as he has allowed more than three runs just once on the year – and that was only four runs against the Cardinals on June 11. He should be started in all leagues every week and makes for a particularly strong option in a two-start week that includes a home tilt against the Nationals.

Eury Pérez, Marlins, RHP (vs. Pirates, at Reds)

The prized 23-year-old right-hander has shown plenty of inconsistency this season, but the overall results have been very solid with a 3.61 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and a 121/42 K/BB ratio across 109 2/3 innings. He’s a player that should be in all fantasy lineups on a weekly basis unless it’s a brutal one-start matchup. Fortunately, he gets two starts this week and one of them is at home against the Pirates, which makes him one of the better all-around options on the entire board this week. He should be deployed with complete confidence.

Paul Skenes, Pirates, RHP (at Marlins, vs. Red Sox)

One thing that hasn’t quite received the attention that it deserves this season, is the unexpected falloff in the performance of Paul Skenes. He entered the season as the consensus number two overall starting pitcher behind only Tarik Skubal, but his overall performance has fallen well short of that. Through his first 24 starts he sits at 9-10 with a pedestrian 3.98 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and a 162/36 K/BB ratio. Fantasy managers that called his name in the first round have undoubtedly been frustrated and disappointed with the way that his season has played out. He should still be started each and every week for fantasy purposes, but he’s no longer going to find himself in the top two rounds of drafts next season unless things turn around over the final two months.

Bryce Elder, Braves, RHP (vs. Mets, vs. Diamondbacks)

Elder’s 2026 campaign has been an absolute rollercoaster. He came out of the gate strong before floundering miserably over a seven-start stretch from late May to early July. Since then though, he has somehow righted the ship. Over his last four starts, the 27-year-old hurler holds a sparkling 1.88 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and an 18/10 K/BB ratio over 24 innings. With the way the Braves are playing right now, he’s in a terrific position to earn a victory every time he takes the hill and now gets to make a pair of starts at home against middling competition. I know it can be hard to trust Elder if you have been burned by him this season, but he makes for a strong play in all league sizes this week.

▶ Decent Plays

Justin Wrobleski, Dodgers, LHP (vs. Royals, vs. Brewers)

Since they have been rolling with a full six-man rotation for the duration of the season, it’s a rare occurrence when a Dodgers’ starter actually gets a two-start week. Things could change depending on when they want to slot Blake Snell back into the rotation, but as things currently stand it looks like Wrobleski will go on Monday and get the two-start assignment. He has been fantastic overall on the season, but has run into some very hard times his last two times out – giving up a combined 12 runs over 10 1/3 innings against the Mariners and Cubs. A matchup against the Royals should be just what the doctor ordered to get him back on track before a tough matchup against the Brewers over the weekend. He has earned enough trust this season that fantasy managers should continue to roll with him even after the struggles in his recent starts.

Casey Mize, Padres, RHP (vs. Brewers, at Guardians)

Change isn’t always easy. After being dealt away from the only organization that he has ever known, Mize struggled in his first start with the Padres, giving up eight runs on nine hits over 3 2/3 innings against the Diamondbacks. Yikes. Mize is still a quality pitcher though and should continue to be a mixed league asset over the final two months of the season. A matchup against a familiar foe in the Guardians to finish the week should help him to settle in. I understand the apprehension, but unless there’s an injury concern that the Padres announce, I’d roll with him in all leagues if he’s still taking the ball on Monday.

Hunter Dobbins, Cardinals, RHP (vs. Phillies, at Cubs)

Dobbins has done a nice job so far in his limited chances with the Cardinals, compiling a 3.60 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and a 36/14 K/BB ratio over 40 innings in his first eight appearances (five starts). We also saw him post similarly strong results over 61 innings for the Red Sox in 2025. The matchups are both on the tougher side this week, but I feel like there’s something to be had here. I’d be willing to roll the dice with Dobbins as a streaming option for this week and I also feel like he may end up having mixed league value over the remainder of the season.

Gabriel Hughes, Rockies, RHP (at Diamondbacks, at Giants)

I knew that this day could come eventually. The first time all season that we have had any Rockies’ pitcher ranked as anything more than at your own risk. The best pitcher in the team’s rotation is making two starts away from Coors Field and one of them is against the Giants in San Francisco. That’s about as good of a draw as you can get. I love what we have seen from Hughes through his first six starts, putting together a 4.25 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and a 28/9 K/BB ratio over 29 2/3 innings. I’m going out on a limb and saying that he makes for a solid streaming option this week and should pick up his first MLB victory. If he gets bombed here, I only have myself to blame.

Rhett Lowder, Reds, RHP (at White Sox, vs. Marlins)

This one is interesting to me. Lowder hasn’t pitched well this season. He holds a 5.26 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and a 73/39 K/BB ratio over 89 frames through his first 20 appearances (17 starts). So where’s the reason to even consider him here? I like what we have seen from him recently. Small sample size caveat, but over his last three starts he has registered a 3.18 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and a 12/4 K/BB ratio over 17 innings. Can that trend continue this week? That’s up to you to decide. I think there’s enough here though that I’d risk using him in 15-teamers as a streaming option and may even consider it in some 12’s if I needed to volume or was struggling to find another strong option.

Mitch Bratt, Diamondbacks, LHP (vs. Rockies, at Braves)

Bratt has done a decent job overall through his first six starts with the Diamondbacks, registering a 3.90 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and a 21/18 K/BB ratio over 27 2/3 innings. It’s going to be hard to sustain success at this level though if he can’t cut back on the walks. The matchups are a mixed bag, starting the week with a strong matchup at home against the Rockies before having to battle the red-hot Braves in Atlanta to close out the week. If you’re not worried about your ratios and are looking to gain ground in wins and strikeouts for the stretch run, you could give Bratt a try this week, just understand the ratio risks that you’re taking on by doing so.

▶ At Your Own Risk

Jake Irvin, Nationals, RHP (vs. Cubs, at Mets)

At this stage of his career, we have a pretty good idea of who Jake Irvin is. He holds a troublesome 5.37 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 62 innings in his 13 starts this season, winning two games and striking out 62 batters in 62 innings. If you’re only chasing strikeouts and can handle the inevitable ratio hit, he can be worth a look here. Otherwise, it’s probably best to steer clear.

Andrew Painter, Phillies, RHP (at Cardinals, at Twins)

While his long-term outlook still remains strong, Painter has been a major disappointment in his first season in the Phillies’ rotation. Through 16 appearances (14 starts), Painter holds a grotesque 6.48 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and a 63/28 K/BB ratio over 75 innings. Until he shows significant signs of putting everything together at the game’s highest level, there’s no reason at all that fantasy managers should trust him at all. Don’t be swayed by the prospect pedigree, there are smarter risks to take.

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An early look at the Red Sox potential playoff lineup and rotation

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 5: Willson Contreras #40 of the Boston Red Sox runs out an RBI single during the first inning against the Chicago White Sox on August 5, 2026 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Red Sox started 2026 with legitimate postseason aspirations. Those vanished for three months before a historic 31-5 run revived them. With two months to go, the Red Sox are back on track for October, just not in a way anyone could’ve imagined. 

Given how fluid this roster is with stars eventually set to return amid a long list of contributing characters, the construction of a playoff roster is as fascinating as ever. 

For now, let’s start with a potential lineup and a three-man rotation necessary for a first-round series. 

LINEUP

Let’s dive right in.To me, here’s the best group they can line up (heath dependent, obviously). 

  1. Roman Anthony, LF
  2. Ceddanne Rafaela, CF
  3. Wilyer Abreu, RF
  4. Willson Contreras, 1B 
  5. Adley Rutschman, C
  6. Caleb Durbin, 3B
  7. Curtis Mead, 2B
  8. Masataka Yoshida/Jahmai Jones, DH
  9. Franklin Arias, SS

Other players for bench consideration: Jarren Duran, Trevor Story, Connor Wong, Eli White, Anthony Seigler, Andruw Monasterio, Jake Rogers, Nick Sogard

If the Red Sox can trot out that 1-9, they’ve got a great shot at a pennant. Look how much better that lineup is than what they had for the series against the Yankees last year!

And yes, I’m all in on the Franklin Arias spot here. I will let the 2013 Xander Bogaerts blueprint come back to life. Risky for his development? Yes. Risky for the club? Yes. But he’s not here to carry a lineup. He’s a young spark at the No. 9 spot who may also be their best defensive option. 

Rotation

Assuming the Red Sox start in the Wild Card round, they’ll only need three starters for that rotation. 

Game 1: Sonny Gray

Game 2: Ranger Suarez 

Game 3: Payton Tolle

Similar to the lineup, Boston should feel better about this group than last year’s set in New York. It’s hard to imagine the Red Sox not handing the ball to Garrett Crochet without thinking twice, but his build-up will not have him ready to let loose as a full starter by then.

Is combining Crochet and Brayan Bello into a start an option? Sure, but I’ve talked myself into using Crochet in the 2017 David Price role (still deserves more respect). 

Jake Bennett should be on a WC roster, though he wouldn’t be ready for a playoff start until a longer series where he can take Game 4. 

How would you draw up the lineup and rotation for October? Build out yours in the comment section!

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On The Horizon: Cubs vs. Royals series preview

After making the postseason in 2024 and contending last year, the Royals have fallen apart in 2026 and have one of the worst records in MLB entering this weekend, 20 games under .500.

Incidentally, the Cubs have now played 14 games of their 17-game stretch without an off day. Their record in those games is 10-4. Really, you can’t ask for much better than that. Well done, Cubs.

For more on the Royals, here’s Max Rieper, manager of our SB Nation Royals site Royals Review.

After back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in a decade, the Royals had designs on contention in 2026. But it all went very wrong right from the start. The offense struggled to begin the year due to poor performances from Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez.

The team was unable to dig out of an early hole, and once they hit the summer months, the pitching staff was ravaged by injuries. The Royals thought pitching depth would be a strength, but they lost Kris Bubic, Cole Ragans, Carlos Estevez, Ryan Bergert, Stephen Kolek, Luinder Avila, and Nick Mears to significant injuries, decimating the staff. Many fans felt they should have been aggressive sellers at the deadline, trading All-Star Michael Wacha while his value was high. Instead, the team held onto him and Seth Lugo, arguing that keeping them for next year could help them compete in 2027.

They have had to turning over every rock to find pitchers to finish the season. They may have found something in former Twins starter Randy Dobnak, who has a 1.16 ERA in his first four starts. Hard-throwing Steven Cruz may be emerging as their future closer. Daniel Lynch IV and John Schreiber have been useful relievers. Otherwise this has been one of the worst bullpens in franchise history. Much of the pitching staff is being held together by duct tape, comprised of has-beens and never-weres.

Bobby Witt Jr. returned this week from a back injury and he has picked up where he left off, with one of the best seasons ever by a player on a last place team. His offensive numbers are down slightly from last year, but he leads the AL in steams and in Outs Above Average defensively. The Royals thought their season hinged on the development of young hitters Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen. But both have been very solid this year, and yet the offense still stinks. Chicago-area native Michael Massey (Brother Rice High School) also seems to have turned a corner with his offensive development, providing some pop at second base. But the lineup is pretty thin, and the team has had to fill out the roster with “Quad-A” players.

Witt can still carry the team on occasion, but this is largely a team playing out the string. They make poor baserunning decisions, struggle to hit with runners in scoring position, and blow leads any chance they get. The Cubs should take this series and really should be aiming for a sweep.

Fun facts

The Cubs are 22-18 in their 40 games against the Royals since the interleague rivalry began in 1997, for a winning percentage of .550.

They have had a higher percentage against four other American League teams, all in no more than 29 games: Orioles (.679, 19-9), Athletics (.667, 18-9), Mariners (.643, 18-10) and Angels (.621, 18-11).

The Cubs are 9-8 vs. the Royals at Kansas City. They lost two of three in the first and third of their visits there, in 1998 and 2011. Since then, they are 5-3, having won two of three in 2015, splitting a pair in 2020, then bouncing back in 2024 from a 6-0 first-game loss to win, 9-4 and 7-3. Patrick Wisdom hit a grand slam in the seventh inning to erase a 4-3 deficit in the first of those games, then hit a solo shot in the second.

(Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)

Probable pitching matchups

Friday: Kevin Gausman, RHP (5-10, 4.38 ERA, 1.288 WHIP, 3.50 FIP in 23 starts with Blue Jays) vs. Daniel Lynch IV, LHP (4-2, 1.96 ERA, 0.935 WHIP, 3.05 FIP)

Saturday: Clay Holmes, RHP (4-4, 2.39 ERA, 1.101 WHIP, 3.21 FIP in nine starts with Mets) vs. Seth Lugo, RHP (4-7, 4.41 ERA, 1.391 WHIP, 4.26 FIP)

Sunday: Matthew Boyd, LHP (7-1, 3.59 ERA, 1.225 WHIP, 3.82 FIP) vs. Randy Dobnak, RHP (2-0, 1.16 ERA, 1.194 WHIP, 4.22 FIP)

Times & TV channels

Friday: 7:10 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network

Saturday: 6:10 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network

Sunday: 1:10 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network

Prediction

The Cubs have three strong starters going in this series and really ought to win at least two of three.

Up next

The Cubs have Monday off — their first off day after playing the aforementioned 17 games in a row — then will be in Washington for a three-game series against the Nationals that begins Tuesday evening.

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Sabres Top 40 Prospects – #31

The Buffalo Sabres have been considered to have one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL, which is in part due to them selecting high in recent drafts because of their not qualifying for the playoffs. The Sabres have displayed an eye for talent, and the organization’s developmental model has begun to yield results, with 2023 first rounder Zach Benson making an impact in the playoffs, and 2024 top pick Konsta Helenius appearing as one of the AHL’s top prospects the last two seasons.  

Leading up to the opening of training camp in mid-September, we will look at the club's top 40 prospects. These players are all 25 years old or younger, whose rights are currently held by the Sabres or are on AHL or NHL deals, and have played less than 82 NHL games. 

Other Sabres Stories

Sabres Emotionally Devastated By Game 7 Overtime Loss

 31. Doman Kristof Szongoth - C (KooKoo Jr. - Finland)

Szongoth was the Sabres fifth round selection at the 2026 Draft in June (156th overall). A native of Budapest, the 18-year-old played his youth hockey in his home country and in Austria before shifting to Finland in 2023-24, where he scored 49 goals in 33 games at the under-16 level and six goals in nine games at the under-18 level, while also playing for Hungary internationally. 

Which Atlantic Division teams had the best and worst offseasons?

The next season as a 16-year-old, he played spot duty in Finland at the under-18 level, 37 games at the under-20 junior level, and internationally for Hungary, who was attempting to qualify for the under-18 and under-20 World Junior Championships, and the Milano Cortina Olympics. He also played in the 2025 World Championships.

Last season, Szongoth posted 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) in 44 games for KooKoo Jr. (U-20), captained Hungary at the under-18 qualifiers, and scored a goal at the 2026 World Championships in Switzerland. 

Elite Prospects says that the 6’1, 194 lb. forward is a “diligent two-way centre, always scanning and identifying his assignments while supporting his defencemen and leveraging his 200-pound frame when battling for pucks down low and along the walls.” Selected in the CHL Import Draft by the Soo Greyhounds, Szongoth will be coming to North America to play in the OHL this fall.  

 

Follow Michael on X, and Instagram @MikeInBuffalo

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Wizards sign Alondes Williams to Exhibit-10 deal

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 19: Alondes Williams #31 of the Washington Wizards celebrates after a play against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Capital One Arena on February 19, 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

The Washington Wizards have signed Alondes Williams to an Exhibit-10 contract, sources told to Bullets Forever. Chris Haynes first reported the agreement.

The deal, which doesn’t count toward Washington’s 15-man roster, allows Williams to participate in training camp with the Wizards while the team secures his G League rights. The 27-year-old has exhausted his two-way eligibility, so Washington can either sign him to a standard contract or a G league contract following training camp.

If Williams is waived by the Wizards and later signs with their G League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go, he can earn a bonus of up to $75,000.

Williams appeared in four games with the Wizards last season and scored 25 points in a win over the Pacers.

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Wizards release 2026-27 preseason schedule

INGLEWOOD, CA - January 14: Kyshawn George #18 of the Washington Wizards, Bilal Coulibaly #0 of the Washington Wizards, Alexandre Sarr #20 of the Washington Wizards, and Tre Johnson #12 of the Washington Wizards looks on during the game against the LA Clippers on January 14, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Washington Wizards have released their 2026-27 preseason schedule, which features four games in October.

Washington opens preseason play at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 8 at Madison Square Garden against the reigning NBA champion New York Knicks.

The Wizards then return home for two contests at Capital One Arena. The first is against the Detroit Pistons at 7 p.m. on Oct. 10, followed by a 7 p.m. tilt on Oct. 12 against the Brooklyn Nets.

Washington concludes the preseason at 8 p.m. on Oct. 16 against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center.

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Defending historical dominance against Merrill Kelly

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 23: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats during the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 23, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Dodgers 5-4. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images

For a brief period last season, Merrill Kelly defended a team other than the Diamondbacks for the first time in his career, and to anyone who follows the NL West closely, it felt unusual. Now back where he broke through as a big leaguer at 30 years of age in 2019, Kelly hadn’t had the greatest of seasons; in fact, by every way you look at it, this is his worst-ever campaign, currently with an ERA above 5.00. Focusing on the Diamondbacks starter is of special importance in the context of this Friday night matchup between the two top teams in the NL West.

In a bizarro edition of “unstoppable force meets immovable object,” the Dodgers and their six-game losing streak—their worst of the season—will face a pitcher that perhaps more than any other one in the sport has felt the strength of the Dodgers across the last several years. Even in extremely lopsided battles, baseball has a way of rewarding the weaker sides occasionally, but for Kelly against the Dodgers, there has been none of that even when he’s been at his best.

A regular of the Diamondbacks rotation since he first came up to the bigs back in 2019, Kelly has accumulated a healthy sample size against the NL West, including 17 starts and 89 innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Throughout it, he owns a 0-11 record, which includes a 2022 season in which he was the losing pitcher of record in all five starts against the Dodgers. Kelly had eight losses total in a 200-inning campaign that season. The last time Kelly faced the Dodgers was an 8-6 loss at the end of the 2024 campaign, one that doesn’t even count towards his 11 decisions, even though he allowed six of those runs (4 earned).

The only Dodger for the entirety of Kelly’s big-league career, Max Muncy has faced him the most, and while he has only hit one home run, the veteran third baseman has reached safely in 22 of 43 plate appearances. Mookie Betts, who is coming off a four-hit game, might get on a run, having taken Kelly deep four times in 35 at-bats. And if the Dodgers do anything close to what has been their common production against Kelly, Roki Sasaki may not even need his best start to take the win. Now more than ever, the Diamondbacks starter seems less than ideally prepared for this matchup.

Friday’s game info

  • Teams: Dodgers at Diamondbacks
  • Ballpark: Chase Field, Phoenix
  • Start time: 6:40 p.m.
  • TV: SportsNet LA
  • Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)