Now that it is September, most of this year's free agents have landed their new contracts. Although this is the case, there are still some remaining unrestricted free agents (UFAs) with September now here.
A former Montreal Canadiens forward is among the UFAs left, as Tanner Pearson is still looking for his new home.
Pearson still being a free agent at this point in the summer comes after he split this past season between the Winnipeg Jets and then the Buffalo Sabres. In 56 games split between the two clubs, he posted seven goals, eight assists, 15 points, 68 hits, and a plus-7 rating.
While Pearson's prime days are over, he could still be a solid pickup for an NHL club that is looking for more forward depth and experience. Due to this, the possibility of the 34-year-old landing a professional tryout (PTO) at least should not be ruled out.
Pearson spent the 2023-24 season with the Canadiens after being acquired from the Vancouver Canucks during the 2023 NHL off-season. In 54 games with the Habs that campaign, he posted five goals, 13 points, and 50 hits. His time with the Canadiens ended after they did not re-sign him that following summer.
While Anderson owns a 4.50 ERA through two starts, taking the hood off and looking underneath these surface stats indicates he's actually been better.
With a 2.28 xERA and .143 xBA, the Athletics may have a tough time stringing hits together tonight, leaving plenty of opportunity for Seattle's offense to stay hot after scoring 25 runs across its last three games.
COVERS INTEL: Anderson throws a four-seamer-slider combo that's been getting the best of big-leaguers across his first two starts, with batters owning a .153 xBA or worse against each pitch.
A’s vs Mariners Over/Under pick: Under 7.5 (55%)
I get it, these pitchers aren't household names, but Anderson's underlying metrics look good, and Jack Perkins has a strong history against the Mariners.
Across 27 plate appearances, he's limited this Seattle offense to a .173 xBA and is striking them out at a 33% clip. This includes Julio Rodriguez, Cal Raleigh, and Josh Naylor, who are a combined 1-for-6 against the righty.
I'd play this Under up to 58 cents.
A’s vs Mariners home run prediction: Cal Raleigh (26%)
Raleigh is coming off an August tear, where he hit six homers in the last week of the month. Can he continue that tonight against Perkins?
We'll see some cold and rainy weather in Seattle tonight, with some potential for a delay before first pitch. Temperatures will sit at 62 degrees Fahrenheit.
A’s vs Mariners odds
Moneyline: A’s 34% | Mariners 67%
Run line: A’s +1.5 (54%) | Mariners -1.5 (47%)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 (46%) | Under 7.5 (54%)
A’s vs Mariners trend
The Mariners are 5-1 in their last six games as a home favorite. Find more MLB betting trends for A’s vs. Mariners.
How to watch A’s vs Mariners and game info
Location
T-Mobile Field, Seattle, WA
Date
Thursday, September 3, 2026
First pitch
9:40 p.m. ET
TV
NBC Sports California, Mariners.TV
A’s starting pitcher
Jack Perkins (3-10, 6.42 ERA)
Mariners starting pitcher
Kade Anderson (0-0, 4.50 ERA)
A’s vs Mariners latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Feb 16, 2019; Charlotte, NC, USA; Team Lebron forward Kawhi Leonard of the Toronto Raptors (2) speaks during the NBA All-Star Media Day at Bojangles Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Kristian
The saga is finally over. My immediate reaction, like many jaded Raptors fans, was one fuelled by the feeling I had when watching Steve Ballmer laugh it up during the press conference announcing he had poached Kawhi Leonard from Toronto.
I felt vindicated, like justice had been served. Never in my wildest dreams would I have guessed that Leonard would choose to come back to the Raptors. I’ve never faulted him for leaving. In another world, I’m a professional athlete, and I too am going home to play in front of friends and family.
All that matters now is that he gives us whatever is left in the tank. To have Leonard on the court in a Raptors uniform will have an immeasurable impact on Scottie Barnes. Leonard showed players like Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and OG Anunoby how to win. After witnessing Barnes ascend to a new level in the playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the next best thing for the phenom’s development is to play with a true superstar in Leonard.
Julian
I don’t think we’re out of the woods yet.
When I first heard the news that Kawhi Leonard was supposedly making his way home, I was concerned that the Aspiration Scandal would stick to him like white on rice, and for better or worse, that has indeed been the case. At the end of the press release came the phrase, “the league will consider further action as appropriate,” and all that says to me is that while Leonard has emerged from the fire relatively unscathed (for a millionaire, what’s $700,000?) this dumpster fire is not quite put out yet.
I’m of the opinion that from both a cultural and basketball standpoint, bringing Leonard aboard now is the right thing to do. One can only dither on the issue for so long. Kawhi seems to want to join the Raptors. The Raptors fans seem to want Kawhi. But, behind the scenes, information is abounding that the not public (and in some cases, nor the media) seems to have access to. Pablo Torre continues to break news about the situation, and until this case is officially deemed closed, I won’t be breathing easy.
Josiah
I was at university the one (glorious) season Kawhi played with the Raptors. More precisely, I was in my dorm room watching Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the 76ers, during finals week no less, with a paper due at 11:59 p.m. that evening. Kawhi hit the shot. I turned in the paper by email at exactly 11:59… but uploaded it to the course page at midnight, dropping the grade by ⅓ of a letter. Had the shot bounced on the rim fewer than four times, I’d have gotten the full A!
The NBA’s punishment certainly seems to fit the crime, with a cost to the Clippers that matches the precedent of the Joe Smith incident, with a lighter punishment for the player (and thus for Toronto). Los Angeles will appeal, certainly, but there’s no reclaiming championships not won (or close to won) in Kawhi’s tenure. The Raps, now, will get Kawhi back, and everyone will try to avoid thinking about what might have been in Toronto during the years Kawhi forsook the Raptors for the Clippers. This saga should finally end… with the NBA getting my paper grade revised upward.
Noah
I think yesterday’s ruling makes the Kawhi to Toronto situation really interesting. Personally, I’m relieved Kawhi wasn’t suspended or had his contract voided, because that would have completely changed how I viewed the trade. The Clippers being stripped of five first-round picks, a $30 million fine and a one-year suspension for Steve Ballmer shows how seriously the NBA viewed the situation.
Kawhi was fined $700,000 and said he had no knowledge of any salary-cap circumvention, while taking responsibility for lapses within his inner circle. I’m inclined to believe he wasn’t directly involved, but I understand why there are still questions surrounding his role.
With that said, I’m excited about the trade. There’s obviously risk given his age and injury history, but if he’s healthy, I think this is the type of swing Toronto needed. The Raptors have been rebuilding long enough, and bringing back a championship-winning Kawhi gives them a legitimate chance to compete.
Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard ponders his next move as he's guarded by Bucks center Brook Lopez in the first half Thursday night. Nba Milwaukee Bucks At Toronto Raptors | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co
Jean Patrick
The wait is finally over; Kawhi is officially a Raptor once again! Considering the buzz that was swirling around regarding the possible rulings, in my view, Kawhi emerges as the clear winner, with the Raptors management being a close second. Never mind the $700,000 fine; for a player who’s been the subject of polarizing views his entire career, Kawhi gets a chance to redeem the public perception of him and his basketball legacy. And what better way could he ask for than to reunite with the team he won with in 2019, which saw him elevate his status as one of the greatest basketball players of all time and, arguably, the best active player at that point in time?
The management, on the other hand, dodged a bullet by not rushing themselves into completing the deal, knowing that had the trade been done then, they would be dealing with the Clippers’ mess right now. Like Leonard, GM Bobby Webster needed this break, as some fans think that his regime as head of basketball operations, so far, has been unremarkable. Masai Ujiri was far from perfect and was said to have failed to build a winning squad with Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet, and Scottie Barnes that could have opened another contention window. Unlike Masai, however, Bobby has yet to win a championship, which, in the eyes of analysts, makes Ujiri the more accomplished executive. For now, Webster’s discernment clearly paid off, as Toronto did not incur any repercussions.
Rebecca
I feel like Kawhi really got away with a slap on the wrist. As someone whose career earnings will surpass 400 million once he completes his current contract, the fine isn’t really much of a punishment. It’s less than 1% of his career earnings. Add that to his lack of suspension (thank goodness for the Raptors’ sake) and he’ll probably forget about the whole ordeal by the time the season starts.
The Clippers were not so lucky. I think their track record came into play here and with how competitive teams can be now with trying to lure talent, they wanted to make an example out of them to prevent things like this from happening in the future. The loss of the draft picks is going to be the thing that affects them the most. I really don’t see a path forward here for them to rebuild at any point in the future, so unless they can outright sign free agents, really the judgement they’ve received is to be a bottom dwelling team for the next decade…
The 2026-27 season is rapidly approaching for the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs will be looking to build off their successful 2025-26 season by having an even better campaign this year.
The Canadiens have plenty of exciting young players to watch heading into the 2026-27 season. Yet, they also have a promising prospect who has the potential to be an under-the-radar breakout candidate: Owen Beck.
Beck's smart all-around play is something that could very well get him more opportunities at the NHL level during this upcoming season. The 22-year-old center has the potential to blossom into a solid two-way center in the NHL, and it would not be surprising if he takes another step closer to becoming just that for Montreal in 2026-27.
Beck appeared in 15 games last season for Montreal, where he posted one goal, 24 hits, and a 58.7 faceoff winning percentage. This is after he recorded one assist, 23 hits, and a 53.8 faceoff winning percentage in 12 games for Montreal in 2024-25. Overall, he has yet to break out at the NHL level, but the possibility of him doing so this season should not be ruled out.
Beck has shown promise at the AHL level with the Laval Rocket, as he recorded 13 goals and 33 points in 58 games last season. He also had 15 goals and 44 points in 64 games with Laval in 2024-25. With numbers like these, he has been a solid AHL player, and it will now be interesting to see if he can translate it over the NHL level this season from here.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 22: Shane McClanahan #18 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 22, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Rays win-loss record sits at 83-56 after Wednesday’s loss to the Mets, with the team holding a 3.5-game lead over the Yankees in the AL East and maintaining the best record in the American League.
With 23 games left, the magic number for a postseason berth is 9, but that could hit zero as soon as this weekend, even though the division magic number sits higher, around 20, reflecting the still alive chances to claim the division from New York.
Regardless, the Rays have pathways to clinch as early as Sunday, according to ESPN’s tracking, which noted, “The Brewers and Rays can clinch a postseason spot as early as Sept. 6.“
If this sounds like a “well duh” for the best team in the American League, move along this post isn’t for you — but I found it quite intriguing both that the magic number was so high but could also fall to zero so soon.
Magic Numbers
Per current standings and trackers, the Rays could theoretically punch their playoff ticket as soon as this weekend if results break right. A strong showing against the Rangers this series (starting tonight with Shane McClanahan on the mound) plus some help elsewhere would drop that number quickly.
Magic number calculations account for remaining games and the gap to the nearest competitors. For the postseason berth, it’s the combination of Tampa Bay victories and losses by the teams fighting for the third wild-card spot.
For the East title—and the top seed that comes with a first-round bye—the Yankees remain the primary obstacle. New York is 80-60; the Rays control their destiny, but a prolonged Yankees hot streak while Tampa Bay stumbles could tighten things, and this team has struggled lately against these Rangers.
After four games in Arlington, the Rays head to Atlanta for three against a strong Braves club, then return home for the Astros, Athletics, and a late stretch that includes the Red Sox, Yankees, and Phillies.
Playoff odds reflect the strong position: well over 99% to make the postseason and roughly 78.7% to win the division with 95 wins, per recent projections at FanGraphs, and the same odds for a bye. (As a reminder: The top two division winners with the best overall records get a first-round bye. The third division winner gets the No. 3 seed and enters into a three-game Wild Card series.)
Playoff projections can shift with a bad week, which is why — for me — the focus will be on consistent pitching, and particularly on the returned McClanahan, the rebuilt Peralta, and the potential sixth man in the rotation Griffin Jax, both to make things easier on the offense and to not tax the bullpen in these late September nights.
Personally, I hope you see this as the fun part of September — I’d much rather be tracking the numbers night by night while the team plays meaningful baseball that be stuck thinking about the lockout.
There’s a real chance of doom and gloom as I read some of the comments and reactions on X, particularly with this upcoming road trip, but the magic number for October is low enough that clinching feels imminent, and that’s exciting!
So if you’re headed to the grocery store, pick up some bubbly for the fridge and be ready to put some on ice as soon as Sunday. And either way, no matter how this road trip goes, remember the Rays are in excellent shape.
The Dodgers have been scuffling without All-Star outfielder Andy Pages.
Pages landed on the 10-day injured list with a fractured hand after getting hit by a 100 mph fastball in a game against the Pirates on Aug. 21. However, the latest update on Pages bodes well for the slumping Dodgers, who are below .500 dating back to July 1.
Los Angeles Dodgers head athletic trainer Thomas Albert, left, center fielder Andy Pages and manager Dave Roberts walk after Pages was hit by a pitch in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, August 21, 2026, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (This asset – including all text, audio and imagery – is provided by Imagn Images. Reuters Connec) IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Pages is reportedly pain-free in his fractured hand, according to Dodgers hitting coach Aaron Bates. He is expected to start swinging in the coming days after having surgery on his left hand just over a week ago.
Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages (44) strikes out at the bottom of the first inning during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif., on Friday, August 21, 2026. (2026 Carlin Stiehl) Carlin Stiehl for CA PostLos Angeles Dodgers’ Andy Pages gestures after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. AP Photo/William Liang
The Dodgers desperately need a spark for their offense, which has been far from consistent this summer. On Wednesday night against the Cardinals, LA went 1-for-18 with runners in scoring position and left 13 runners on base.
Perhaps, Pages’ return can provide a boost for the Dodgers. Thus far in September, the back-to-back World Series champions have suffered two straight losses to St. Louis to open their nine-game homestand.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 29: Jake Bennett #64 of the Boston Red Sox in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on August 29, 2026 in New York City. The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 6-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TV: FOX First Pitch: 7:15 p.m. ET Location: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
The Red Sox need to put their foot back on the gas during this weekend’s series against the Baltimore Orioles.
Boston has taken the long-term outlook on things over the last week — placing first baseman Willson Contreras on the injured list, taking every opportunity possible to get outfielders Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu off their feet, and building in some extra off days for starting pitcher Sonny Gray — which played something of a role in back-to-back series losses to the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners.
It’s not the worst thing the organization could have done considering they’re all but locked into their postseason spot, but it;‘s time to cut the shit as they kick off their penultimate series within the division on Thursday at Camden Yards.
Jake Bennett will start on regular rest for the first time this month, with his last outing serving as one of his best all season (six scoreless innings) after his first real skid (at least three earned runs in four consecutive starts) started things off in August. The Red Sox could use some length, which they have gotten out of the rookie in back-to-back outings where he has 13 strikeouts across 13.0 innings pitched.
Adley Rutschman will return following a three-game absence to face the team that selected him No. 1 overall in the 2019 MLB Draft. Trevor Story will get the night off, as he is replaced at shortstop by Isaiah Kiner-Falefa. Rafaela will also sit in favor of Eli White.
Brandon Young could prove to be a formidable opponent, as he carries a 3.38 ERA into his second start against the Red Sox in 2026. The O’s won that first contest, 10-3.
The Crimson Tide announced on Thursday, Sept. 3 Alex Accetta is rejoining the team as its director of program relations.
Accetta returns after she worked with the men's basketball program from 2015 to 2022, starting as a student assistant before becoming the program's operations coordinator in 2017 and director of operations in 2021. Oats' tenure in Tuscaloosa began in 2021.
She then left to work with Dallas Mavericks on its guest experience and business operations from 2022 through 2026.
Oats and Accetta's were married on July 26, 2026.
Alabama noted Accetta will be reporting to executive deputy AD, chief operating officer and men's basketball sport administrator Shane Lyons, not Oats.
"Alex has an extensive background and proven success in this space at both the collegiate and professional levels," Lyon said in a statement. "With her previous experience, she has a strong understanding of our program and what it takes to effectively operate at the highest competitive levels. She returns to Alabama basketball after four seasons with the NBA Dallas Mavericks, and we expect her professional franchise experience and insights to continue to advance all we do."
In addition to Accetta returning to the program, Alabama announced Josh Pierre has been promoted from director of operations to director of player development.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - AUGUST 28: Logan Henderson #43 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws a pitch in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at American Family Field on August 28, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Last night, the Brewers not only survived Jacob Misiorowski’s worst outing of the year but emerged with a 9-5 victory over the Cubs that gave them a 2-1 series lead — and a nine-game lead in the NL Central — heading into today’s series finale.
Starting for Milwaukee will be right-hander Logan Henderson, who’s posted a 2.48 ERA in 14 starts this year. Somehow, it’s still been understated just how incredibly well he’s pitched; Henderson hasn’t given up more than three runs in a start, and the last time he went fewer than five innings was April 4. In his last three starts, he’s given up exactly one earned run each time while averaging 6 2/3 innings and three hits allowed per start.
Chicago will counter with veteran Kevin Gausman, whose 4.52 ERA this season would be his highest since 2019. Gausman has made five starts with the Cubs since they acquired him from Toronto, allowing 16 earned runs in 28 innings.
The top of Milwaukee’s lineup is slightly reshuffled from yesterday, but it consists of the same five players — Jackson Chourio, Brice Turang, William Contreras, Jake Bauers, and Andrew Vaughn. No surprises there. Christian Yelich will DH and hit sixth against the right-handed Gausman. Rounding out the order are Garrett Mitchell, starting in center tonight, Joey Ortiz, and David Hamilton.
Tonight’s game will be nationally televised, so you can tune in on FOX and FOX One or catch the radio broadcast, as always, on WTMJ 620. First pitch is set for 6:15 p.m.
Sep 3, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Tyler Rogers (71) throws a pitch during the eighth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Blue Jays 6 Guardians 3
That was an interesting game in a lot of ways:
José Soriano was not good, but when he left the game, the Guardians only had one run. He gave up 6 hits and 3 walks, and yet when he left after 4.2 innings, the Jays were up 5-1. There was some luck involved. Some good defense and some ‘getting the out when you needed the out’.
Mason Fluharty came in with two on and two out in the fifth, with a lefty due up. The Guardians pinch-hit a right-hander, David Fry. Mason got to 1-2 strikes and then walked him. Next batter, Austin Hedges, singled home two (going on Soriano’s tab). Fluharty finally got the third out on a strikeout, but it was 5-3.
Vlad and Soriano combined on two 3-1 putouts at first. Both times, great job by Soriano to get to the bag in.
One of the hits against Soriano, I would have called an error. Pop fly to center; Brett Bateman made a nice run and slide, but had the ball come off his glove. It didn’t cost us, even with a double following it, because José got a groundout, pop-out, pop-out, and strikeout.
We got our first run in the fourth. Vlad walked. Jesús Sánchez grounded one right at the shortstop, but Vlad got to second fast enough that they just went 6-3 on the putout. Then, Sean Keys singled him home.
And four runs in the fifth. Both Ernie Clement and Brandon Valenzuela walked (both after winning a challenge; Brandon’s would have been a strikeout without the challenge). Brandon got another challenge right in the ninth, getting a strikeout on a challenge. Anyway, two on and Bateman beats out a bunt single, dropping it straight down, so it bounced high. Nathan Lukes doubled home two. And Vlad hit a sac fly, bringing in another. Sánchez singled home our fifth run (pop fly to center, that Steven Kwan just about caught). Keys reached on yet another Guardians error and Smith walked, but a Giménez strikeout and a Clement pop-out ended the inning.
And one more in the ninth: With two outs, Smith walked, Giménez singled him to third (and then stole second). And Clement singled home, Smith. 6-3.
We should have had another run in the eighth. With one out, Valenzuela walked. An out later, Lukes doubled. Valenzuela (with two outs) slowed at second for some reason (John said after the game that he forgot the number of outs. This is why there are base coaches). Perhaps he lost where the ball was, but with two outs, you gotta be going for third. At the very least, if you are unsure where the ball is, look for the third-base coach. He really should have scored on the play, but in the end we didn’t need it.
Spencer Miles got the last out of the sixth (after Fluharty got two pop-outs). And pitched a quick seventh.
Tyler Rogers pitched a quick eight (with a hit batter in there).
Louis Varland got the ninth: Ground out, single, strikeout (with a Valenzuele challenge), a walk (bringing the tying run to the plate) and a strikeout. Save 32 for Varland. Miles gets the win (6-2 now). Rogers gets hold #30.
There was a weird play: Guardians’ pop-up short of third base; Smith was playing towards short, couldn’t get there in time for the catch, but the ball had a lot of spin and bounced foul—one of those strange moments.
We had nine hits, but only one extra-base hit, Lukes’ double and six walks. Bateman had 3 hits, Lukes 2. Vlad was 0 for 3 with a walk and the sac fly. Smith was 0 for 2 with 3 walks. Valenzuela was 0 for 3, with 2 walks.
Jays of the Day: Bateman (0.11 WPA), Keys (0.11), Miles (0.10), Soriano (0.09) and Rogers (0.09).
Other Award: Giménez (-0.11).
That puts the Jays just half a game back of the Guardians. Tomorrow, the Jays are in KC to play the Royals. 8:00 start time, Eastern. Jameson Taillon (6-2, 5.68) is expected to be the starter or maybe the bulk guy. Daniel Lynch IV (4-4, 3.06) for the Royals. I’d make fun. of the IV, but I’m the 5th (the Vth?) Tom Dakers of my line.
The franchise has been stripped of five first-round picks from 2029-2033. The Clippers were issued a $30 million fine, and the league suspended owner Steve Ballmer (one year), President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker (one year) and President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank (six months) for various periods.
Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and Kawhi Leonard received different punishments for the Clippers circumventing the league’s salary cap. Getty Images
Leonard is also required to pay the NBA $700,000 for his connections with the violations, while his uncle and former business representative, Dennis Robertson, has been being banned by the NBA from all business dealings for five years.
As part of its announcement, the NBA released the summary report prepared by Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, the law firm that conducted the independent investigation over the last year in the aftermath of the podcast “Pablo Torre Finds Out” producing the first in a series of episodes in September 2025 alleging the Clippers and Ballmer violated the league’s salary cap circumvention rules through deals with now-bankrupt Aspiration.
The report stated the Clippers initiated off-court income opportunities not only between Leonard and Aspiration, but also Boingo Wireless, Daktronics and Lockton Insurance.
There are many details within the 36-page report that builds a mountain of evidence against the Clippers and their personnel.
Damning Evidence on Clippers Misdeeds
Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has been suspended for one year by the NBA. AP Photo/Ryan Sun
Among the evidence were the details surrounding Leonard’s endorsement deal with Daktronics, which were laid out in a section where the report explained its findings on how the Clippers “initiated, facilitated and induced” three of the four companies to enter endorsement deals with Leonard that were tied to consulting deals between the companies and the Clippers.
In the spring of 2020 in response to a request-for-proposal process from the Clippers, according to the NBA’s report, Daktronics started to “compete to obtain a lucrative contract to supply digital scoreboard and signage technology at the Intuit Dome.”
In May 2020, the Clippers told Daktronics that it was the team’s preferred provider for the project, but that the team wanted to agree on a “spend back” arrangement whereby the scoreboard maker would provide some business back to the Clippers – an arrangement that Daktronics told investigators is common in the industry.
The damning part: Zucker “suggested” to a Daktronics senior executive that this “spend back” could be accomplished through an endorsement agreement between Daktronics and Leonard, according to the report. Daktronics believed that “failing to enter into a commercial relationship with Leonard could jeopardize its ability to win the bid for the Intuit Dome.”
The report added that later in May during a call with a senior executive of Daktronics, a senior Clippers’ executive specified the “precise financial terms that the Clippers expected Daktronics to provide to Leonard” in the endorsement deal – $3 million per year for two years – which Daktronics ultimately agreed to pay Leonard in the endorsement deal that was finalized in July 2020.
In February 2021, the aforementioned senior Clippers’ executive approached Daktronics again, according to the report, telling the company that “because the team had decided to increase the amount it would spend on the scoreboard Daktronics should correspondingly” increase the amount it’d pay Leonard. Daktronics agreed to increase its second-year payment to Leonard by $2 million “after some negotiation – and again based on its concern that failing to comply could jeopardize its business with the Clippers.”
The report drove the point home by stating: “the impetus to provide this additional $2 million payment to Mr. Leonard did not come from Daktronics. Instead, it originated entirely from the Clippers.”
Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard, posing with his uncle Dennis Robertson and his mother, Kim Robertson, is expected to return to Toronto via trade. Dennis Robertson has been banned from the NBA for five years for his role in the Clippers’ cap circumvention. AP
The report added that there’s evidence of the Clippers funding an endorsement deal for Leonard – and that the Clippers’ misconduct “may have been even more severe” than violating the NBA’s rules with Leonard’s deals with Boingo, Daktronics and Lockton.
As the report states, the timing of those three endorsement deals with Leonard coincided with “each of the companies receiving multi-million dollar payments from the Clippers, purportedly in connection with business to be provided by these companies to the team.” The report added that those payments may have been made to fund Leonard’s endorsement deals.
“A credible witness” who had direct knowledge with one of the company’s consulting agreements with the Clippers who said the consulting deal was “a ruse, designed and intended to be a vehicle for the team to provide the company with funds to be paid to Mr. Leonard.”
The witness added that the company agreed to such a “sham consulting agreement” because they were promised “to win a much larger services contract with the Clippers.” The report added this information came to investigators “late in the investigation” and “additional steps are ongoing to corroborate it.”
The Clippers are arguing they are not guilty, stating the investigation was “heavily biased” that sought to “justify a predetermined narrative rather than facts and evidence.”
The Pittsburgh Pirates are probably goners with respect to reaching their first MLB postseason since 2015. They entered Thursday action 5.5 games back of Arizona for the final wild-card spot and had just a 1.5% chance of advancing, according to Fangraphs.
The club might yet be able to save its general manager’s job, though. If manager Don Kelly and Co. can slip over the .500 mark to complete a winning season for the first time since 2018, then his boss, Ben Cherington, can still credibly point to progress toward another step in 2027 after six consecutive losing campaigns to start his tenure since his late 2019 hiring.
Results have improved lately. With a 5-2 win against the San Francisco Giants on Sept. 3, the Pirates have won five of their past series to break a skid of seven consecutive series losses coming out of the All-Star break.
They’re also getting healthier at some key spots. Power-hitting centerfielder Oneil Cruz returned from an extended injured list stint Aug. 18 and has hit well since returning with a .306 average, two homers and 10 RBIs in 13 games entering Thursday.
Rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin is back in Pittsburgh, too. He’s been out since July 5 with a finger injury but is expected to be in the lineup Friday night against the Los Angeles Angels after a rehab stint in the minors.
"It's been driving me nuts watching the games on my phone," said Griffin, the organization’s former top prospect who signed a lucrative extension with the club early in the year. "It'll be fun to finally be back in there competing."
Ryan O’Hearn could soon join them. He’s been in Pittsburgh as well this week, so a rehab assignment is the natural next step back from a quad injury that’s had him out since July 31. He’s been a key piece of Pittsburgh’s offensive surge this season with 17 home runs and 69 RBIs.
The Pirates sit three games back of .500, so a winning season is still eminently achievable with relatively good ball between now and the Sept. 27 season finale against Detroit.
The question for owner Bob Nutting is whether that should be enough for Cherington to hold on for an eighth season.
The highwater mark for his tenure so far was 76 wins in both 2023 and 2024. His teams have finished either four or fifth in the NL Central in each of his six full seasons in Pittsburgh so far, and in each of his last eight full seasons overall. He oversaw two last-place teams with the Boston Red Sox following a 2013 World Series victory.
Ownership also did not soft pedal expectations in the offseason.
“Our goal is to make the playoffs. Period. Full stop,” president Travis Williams said in January. “That is the expectation of this organization."
Not meeting that goal after such a long track record of losing should come with consequences in most circumstances. That said, the circumstances facing the sport as a whole are exceptional.
Many observers expect a lock out of the players for some portion of 2027. Owners are known to desire a salary cap system, and that’s especially true in a market like Pittsburgh. The Pirates are often facing teams with double and triple their payroll, so fans and ownership alike want a more equal playing field from a revenue perspective.
Changing the direction of baseball operations while facing those headwinds and possible wholesale changes to the economic system could be more disruption than this franchise needs, if it can show some upward trajectory.
That “if” is why the month ahead remains important, even if most Pittsburgh eyes will soon be diverted to the Steelers’ day-to-day across the proverbial parking lot at Acrisure Stadium.
What fans will most want to see is the continued growth of starter Braxton Ashcraft and a return to form from rotation mate Paul Skenes.
The former hit a rough path in the same portion of the schedule that tripped up the team as a whole in July. In August, however, he got back on the track that earned him an All-Star nod with a 2.13 ERA. The Pirates won five of his six starts, so a strong finish would make a statement that he can be every bit the building block that Skenes has been seen as.
Speaking of him, the NL’s reigning Cy Young, is off to an inauspicious start to September after allowing five runs in 4.2 innings against the Giants this past Tuesday. His ERA has ballooned from 3.10 at the end of June to 3.97 through the end of August.
If there is a 2027 for the sport, he’ll have to be much better for the Pirates, so a strong finish would be the encouraging sign Nutting may need to give Cherington one more chance to return this franchise to the sport’s biggest stage.
It's another edition of Knicks Mailbag, with SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley ready to answer your questions surrounding the team. Let's get started...
Does the Knicks front office not see any concern with the lack of frontcourt depth off the bench? Bench seems guard-heavy, little to no wings or bigs - @Jblackwing
Hey JBlackwing, great question. Before I answer, I just want to say that I can’t claim to know what the entire Knicks front office is thinking or not thinking. It’s a big group that presumably holds varied opinions on the roster. But I do know that at least some Knicks decision-makers have their eye on at least one frontcourt player at the moment.
Per SNY sources, guard-forward John Konchar and forward-center Drew Eubanks are among the players on New York’s radar as we draw closer to training camp. Konchar, recently waived and stretched after a trade to Minnesota, is known as a strong rebounder/defender/offensive connector who can knock down perimeter shots over his seven-year NBA career. Eubanks’ 2025-26 season in Sacramento was cut short in March following surgery to repair a UCL tear in his left thumb. The 6-foot-10 veteran would presumably be competing with a couple of other big men for the Knicks’ third center spot.
New York, the defending NBA champion, has enough money under the second apron to add another veteran minimum contract. The club currently does not have enough salary space to add two players on veteran minimum deals. Per owner James Dolan, the team will not be exceeding the second apron in team salary ($221 million) this season.
Jun 10, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts during the second quarter of game four of the 2026 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden. / Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Yes. First time caller, long time listener, Ian. What’s the latest on Brunson following his surgery? Are the Knicks planning on taking it slow with him to start the preseason? - @NYKSection310
Thanks for calling, Section 310. I don’t have an update on Jalen Brunson’s recovery at the moment. One of the things you’ve learned about Brunson over the years: he is extremely dedicated to his rehab after an injury.
The initial timetable for Brunson to resume basketball activities was six to eight weeks. That would put him back on the court later this week. The second part of your question is an interesting one. I do think the Knicks will play Brunson lighter minutes in the preseason. I believe all of the players who logged heavy minutes in the Knicks’ title run will play lighter minutes in the preseason. Could be a good opportunity for some younger Knicks (Mohamed Diawara, Tyler Kolek, Pacome Dadiet, etc.) to get extended minutes.
What’s your read on McBride's future with the Knicks? Is he a likely trade piece for a big? Love him but feels hard to see him extended - @SBart_89
You have a tremendous background pic, SBart. As a grown man, I don’t want to count other people’s pockets. But not much has changed on my read for the Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart extensions since last month. If I had to make a wager, I’d bet that both deals get done before the season.
When do Knicks single-game tickets go on sale? Trying to buy opening night tickets. Coming from California. Would love the insight. Love your coverage! - @CoachD0721
Appreciate the kind words, Coach. Unfortunately, I don’t have any information on that. I hope you get to the game.
THURSDAY UNDER THE LIGHTS: This will be the Cubs’ 100th night game at Wrigley Field on a Thursday. They are 54-45 in the first 99. The Cubs have hosted by far the most games under the lights on Tuesday, 342, followed by Monday, 236, and Wednesday, 182. They have played far fewer on other days: Sunday, 62; Saturday, 52; and Friday, just 14. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
FOUR-GAME SERIES: Tonight’s game will be the Cubs’ sixth finale of a four-game series this year. They have won each of the previous five: at home vs. the Phillies and Reds, on the road at Pittsburgh, New York vs. the Mets and St. Louis. This is their first fourth game following a win and two losses. The Cubs were 3-2 in fourth games last season, including wins in their only two at home, over the Pirates and Brewers. They won their final two fourth games at home two years ago as well, so they take a six-game home winning streak into tonight. Their last fourth-game loss at Wrigley Field was to the Pirates, 3-2, on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
SIXTY-THREE AND FIVE: Last night’s loss was just the Cubs’ 13th of the season when they have scored at least five runs. They have won 63 such games. They are 9-6 with five runs, 10-2 with six, 12-3 with seven, 8-2 with eight and a combined 24-0 with nine or more. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
THE HOT BREGMAN: Alex Bregman, last 25 games since Aug. 6: .320/.383/.738 (33-for-103) with four doubles, 13 home runs, 33 RBI and 22 runs scored.
Kevin Gausman has been up and down since his acquisition at the trade deadline. Last week he had a great start against the Diamondbacks, then not so much against the Reds.
He allowed three runs in five innings to the Brewers April 14 in Milwaukee, including a home run by Jake Bauers. Tonight will likely have to be better than that.
Current Brewers are batting .198 (20-for-101) against Gausman with 32 strikeouts.
Logan Henderson has had an under-the-radar really good year for the Brewers, even while missing some time earlier this year with a back strain. He doesn’t walk guys — 4.9 percent walk rate — so Cubs hitters should look to put the ball in play.
This will be his first career start against the Cubs, so I hope the team has a good scouting report on Henderson.
Today’s game is on Fox-TV (regional — coverage map). A reminder that if you subscribe to MLB.TV or MLB Extra Innings, you can watch this game via those services even if it’s not on the Fox affiliate in your market.
Please visit our SB Nation Brewers site Brew Crew Ball. If you do go there to interact with Brewers fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 03: A fan runs on the field during the seventh inning of a game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Atlanta Braves at Chase Field on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was September 6th, 2017. The Diamondbacks completed a sweep of the Dodgers in Los Angeles with a 3-1 victory, Taijuan Walker getting the win and Adam Rosales hitting a go-ahead double in the seventh inning. It was, remarkably, Arizona thirteenth victory in a row, a franchise record which still stands. But what’s more remarkable is that, in the close to nine years since that date, the D-backs have not had a winning streak which has reached half of that length. Yes: that was the last time Arizona won more than a very modest winning streak of six games in a row. Indeed, it has now been more than two years since they even reached that, in late August 2024.
Seven-game winning streaks are not exactly rare. On the same day the D-backs won their 13th and final contest, they were one of three teams with an active 7+ game winning streak. The Astros racked up their seventh win that day, and the Cleveland Indians were winning their 14th in a row. They were on the way to a winning streak which would end at a staggering twenty-two games, the longest of any team in the live ball era. Fun fact: that was the only date in recorded baseball history, that two teams have simultaneously been on winning streaks of thirteen games or more.
The great drought
Between then and the end of 2017, the Athletics and Cubs would also post seven wins in a row. Every other team in the majors would follow suit. Since the end of the D-backs last such streak, there have been no fewer than 206 times where a team has gone seven or more unbeaten. It’s just that none of them are by Arizona. The chart below shows the number of 7+ game winning streaks for each team since the start of 2018 (203 in all).
The two branches of the Evil Empire, on the East and West coasts, have each got to enjoy no fewer than eighteen separate winning streaks of 7+ games, since the last time the Diamondbacks had one. The sense of entitlement is strong. I mean, it makes sense in that, at the time of writing, the only team to have won more games than the Yankees are the Dodgers. Most of the teams high up the chart above are similarly high up the overall win rankings from 2018-26. The most obvious exception are the Red Sox, who rank =3rd for win streaks, but only come in ninth for overall wins.
On that basis, the D-backs do have good reason to feel hard done by. They rank 18th in wins, and a similar position for win streaks would have given them five over the past nine seasons, rather than zero. I mean, hell, even the Colorado Rockies – dead last in wins, by twenty, over this time-frame – have enjoyed a pair of seven-game streaks, and a pair of eight-game streaks. You would think Arizona would have simply lucked into a lengthy winning streak, just by chance. I mean, we’re talking over 640 wins. You would think they might have bunched together at some point in nine years.
What are the odds?
It’s actually a non-trivial task to figure this out. [Those who are not a mathematical bent might care to skip this section, or at least scroll down to the conclusion, which I’ll put in bold] If you know the chances of winning a single game, it’s quite easy to calculate the basic odds of winning seven in a row. x^7, where x is the chance of winning a single game. This presumes the odds are the same for each game, but if we go down the rabbit-hole of figuring out different probabilities for each contest, we’ll never get anywhere. However, if you are looking for the odds of a 7-game streak over a season, things get complex, but results are no longer independent.
For a single baseball season, there are 156 different points at which a seven-game streak could start. If you reach game 156 without one and lose, there’s not enough time thereafter for such a streak. But they overlap: a single loss in, say, game 100, will eliminate streak #94 through #100 from consideration. So it gets complex. If you should be interested, The Hardball Times has all the information you could possibly want, in their 2019 article called The Probability of Streaks. Though it’s too much math, even for me.
Should we treat each season as separate. Does winning the last three games then the first four the next year count? Not that the answer either way would help the D-backs. At this point, heading towards a decade, I would take any good, long winning streak. But let’s start with the odds of a .500 team winning seven in a row, within a single season. Google AI does a good job of explaining the math, involving Markov chains and recursion. Turns out an average team has about an average chance – 47% – of a seven-game winning streak in a season. For better teams, the odds are higher. A .550 team has around a 68% shot. Conversely, a .450 team has only a 28% chance.
Now, for the D-backs. They have played 1,357 games since the last time they won seven in a row, going 656-701 for a win percentage in that time of .483. The math tells us there is a 98.79% chance a seven-game winning streak would happen at least once, so the odds of Arizona avoiding it entirely, as has actually happened, is just 1.21% – roughly a one in 83 chance. Heck, there’s a better than 60% chance of a 10-game win streak. We can also calculate that the a team with that win percentage would be expected to have enjoyed 4.28 separate winning streaks of seven or more games over that span, rather than the zero which have actually happened.
So close, and yet…
While it hasn’t happened for a while, the Diamondbacks have been on the edge of a seven-game winning streak on multiple occasions. Appropriately enough, they have had seven six-game winning streaks, only to go 0-7 when they attempted to win a seventh game. What’s the closest they’ve come? Here are the seven games which ended the six-game streaks:
Sept 1, 2019 – 3-4 vs. LAD. This defeat was particularly annoying, because the D-backs would go on to win the next five games in a row. Had they prevailed here, it would have given them a 12-game streak. They led 3-2 in the ninth inning, but Cody Bellinger hit a home-run off Andrew Chafin, and we lost in 11 innings. Peak WP: 91%
Aug 19, 2020 – 1-4 @ OAK. Having skunked the A’s 10-1 the previous day at Chase, as part of a home-and-home series, hopes were high. But Merrill Kelly gave up two runs in the first inning, and two more in the third. The D-backs never threatened, and this kicked off an 8-game losing streak for Arizona. Peak WP: 50%
June 3, 2023 – 2-5 vs. ATL. The Diamondbacks had squeaked out a one-run win to take the series opener, but the Braves chipped away at Ryne Nelson, with single runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings, building a lead which couldn’t be overcome, while Spencer Strider held Arizona to three hits over his six frames. Peak WP: 61%
June 13, 2023 – 3-15 vs. PHI. Arizona quickly got back on the horse, and a 5-0 road trip through Washington and Detroit, was followed by a 9-8 win against the Phillies at Chase, rallying from 5-1 down. The next day though.. Zach Davies gave up four runs in the first, and it went downhill from there. Josh Rojas pitched the ninth. Peak WP: 50%
Aug 26, 2023 – 7-8 vs. CIN, The third streak of 2023 begin with a double-header sweep in San Diego, and die as Arizona couldn’t keep a late lead. They were 4-1 up with two outs in the eighth, and still had a two-run lead with one out in the ninth, but Paul Sewald – remember him? – was unable to hold it. The Reds prevailed in 11. Peak WP: 95%
Aug 16, 2024 – 4-5 @ TBR. Live by the walk-off, die by the walk-off. The six games leading up to this had seen Arizona walk off against both Philadelphia and Colorado. But they were on the other side of it in Tampa. The D-backs scored two in the ninth to tie the game, but an ugly Jake McCarthy error let the Rays win. Peak WP: 79%
Aug 27, 2024 – 3-8 vs NYM. There was another six-game winning streak later in the month, starting immediately after the D-backs were swept by the Rays. Impressively all six victories came on the road, sweeping Miami and Boston. But a six-run fifth off Brandon Pfaadt ended all hopes of making it to seven. Peak WP: 50%
So it has been more than two years, and 334 games since the last of these, with a .503 W%. Even the lack of a six-game streak in that time is quite unlikely, with a 94% chance of one showing up. It’s worth noting that since the end of 2017, the D-backs have had about what would be expected in terms of losing streaks of seven or more. There have been six of those, peaking with those terrible, seventeen consecutive losses in June 2020.
I guess all of the above could make you think that the D-backs are overdue, though that feels like a classic example of the gambler’s fallacy. But with the team currently in a dog-fight (albeit one feeling of the “Pekinese vs. Chihuahua” variety!) with the Padres for a wild-card, there’s no denying this month would be a particularly good time for the streakless streak to end.
COVERS INTEL: Anderson throws a four-seamer-slider combo that's been getting the best of big-leaguers across his first two starts, with batters owning a 
