2026 World Series Preview: Pitching

MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 11: Jacob Misiorowski #32 of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts after striking out Kyle Tucker #23 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth inning during Game One of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Sunday, October 11, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The World Series is here! Over the next week, a new champion will be crowned, the Brewers and Rays joining the Padres, Mariners, and Rockies as the five remaining teams in MLB to never win a title. The two teams are probably the archetypes in the league whose brand of baseball represents the object of desire for a significant subsection of fans: sound fundamentals, incisive base running, and a diversity of offensive profiles and approaches. The two teams are also at the cutting edge of a data-driven approach, whether that’s talent acquisition, player development, or skills maintenance, maximizing rosters limited by small TV markets and frugal owners.

Yesterday, we previewed the offenses of both clubs. The Brewers bats have been the class of the postseason, the only offense with a collective wRC+ above 100 in the playoffs, riding a surprising power surge from the top of their lineup. The Rays meanwhile have seemingly over-performed the many struggling bats in their postseason lineups and have to be approaching a record in the modern postseason format for productive outs — every game it feels like we’ve seen multiple sac bunts, sac flies, and runners advancing on fly balls and grounders.

Today, we’ll talk all things pitching.

Milwaukee Brewers

103-59, 1st NL Central
Defeated Padres in NLDS, 3-1
Swept Dodgers in NLCS, 4-0

When we think about the teams with the best pitching staffs over the last decade, the Brewers certainly make the shortlist, and that held true in 2026. Their rotation led all of MLB in strikeout rate (27.4-percent) and K-BB% (19.6-percent) — thanks in large part to a certain Mr. Jacob Misiorowski — while also finishing in the top-five in ERA (3.61), FIP (3.73), and fWAR (15.6). And while the bullpen lagged behind the rotation a tad in the strikeout department, the unit still finished in the top four in ERA (3.40), FIP (3.70), and fWAR (7.0).

The Miz is obviously the marquee attraction of all the stellar pitching we are likely to see in the Fall Classic. The presumptive NL Cy Young redefined our limits for a starting pitcher, throwing the fastest pitch ever recorded by a starter (106 mph) and an astonishing 1,115 pitches 100 mph or faster, which was more than every other starting pitcher combined. He finished the year 16-5 in 30 starts, with an MLB-best 1.80 ERA (232 ERA+), 2.17 FIP, and 252 strikeouts in 174.2 innings. However, given the way the Rays sluggers crush the fastball and the issues he’s had with his heater in the postseason, Game 1 will be far from a walk in the park. His four-seamer induced a 40.2-percent whiff rate and held batters to a .174 average in the regular season, but has cratered to a 16.1-percent whiff rate while getting hit at a .364 clip in the postseason as it has lost some of its life despite holding its velocity, and that lack of whiffs is a prime culprit in why Misiorowski failed to make it out of the fifth in either of his postseason starts.

Logan Henderson was named as Game 2 starter and represents a steep drop off from The Miz. He’s had a remarkable start to his career — in 23 starts between this year and last he’s 14-3 with a 2.33 ERA (180 ERA+), 3.26 FIP, and 143 strikeouts in 123.2 innings — but has found the waters a bit choppier in the playoffs, giving up two runs (one earned) in five innings against the Padres and four runs (two earned) in four innings against the Dodgers. Milwaukee has not named a Game 3 starter, but you imagine Robert Gasser is in pole position after tossing five scoreless innings in Game 3 against Los Angeles.

The bullpen has been the real weapon on the pitching side for the Brewers this postseason, though you do wonder about the effect of fatigue as their relievers have thrown 10.2 more playoff innings than Rays relievers. They are second among the 12 playoff teams by both ERA (1.33), and FIP (2.98) and are an exciting mix of homegrown talent and shrewd trade deadline adds.

Milwaukee possesses one of the best one-two punches at the back of their bullpen in recent playoff memory. Aaron Ashby leads all postseason relievers with 12.1 IP but has yet to allow a run in six appearances while closer Trevor Megill has gone five scoreless appearances totaling 5.2 innings and secured four saves. Both pitchers operate in the upper-90s with their fastballs and figure to feature prominently in the final three if not four innings of every close game this series. The middle innings will be covered by guys like DL Hall and Antonio Senzatela, who like Ashby and Megill have not allowed a run this postseason, as well as lefty specialist JoJo Romero and ground ball guru Abner Uribe.

Tampa Bay Rays

98-64, 1st AL East
Swept Yankees in ALDS, 3-0
Defeated Guardians in ALCS, 4-2

The Rays pitching factory kept on churning in 2026, producing some of their regular and postseason’s best performers from career journeymen or other teams’ discards. Their rotation was a top-seven unit during the regular season in ERA (3.51), FIP (3.79), and fWAR (14.4) despite losing ace Shane McClanahan to injury. The relief corps on the other hand sat middle of the pack by almost every metric, but has stepped up to be one of the postseason’s stingiest bullpens

Yesterday, I noted the two-headed monster of Yandy Díaz and Junior Caminero atop the Rays lineup, and there are parallels you could draw with their rotation. Drew Rasmussen and Freddy Peralta are, without question, the two standout starting pitchers from these playoffs. Rasmussen was one of MLB’s best pitchers, seventh among qualified starters in ERA, FIP, and fWAR (5.0), and has somehow shifted into an even higher gear in the playoffs. He pitched eight scoreless innings of one-hit ball with ten strikeouts against the Yankees and then made two starts against the Guardians, allowing two runs in six innings in Game 1 and the one run in seven innings in Game 5.

Peralta has somehow pitched even better than his rotation mate. Fastball Freddy as he was affectionately known from his time with the Brewers, the Rays have taken that moniker to a new level. By adjusting his position on the rubber, having him pitch out of the stretch, and extending his release point after the Mets salary dumped him at the deadline, the Rays have his fastball firing even better than his stellar eight seasons with Milwaukee. He allowed a run in 4.2 innings against the Yankees, tossed six scoreless against the Guardians in Game 2, recorded two outs in relief in Game 4, and then twirled 5.1 innings of one-run ball two days later to wrap up ALCS MVP honors.

However, neither player will start Game 1, as that honor belongs to Nick Martinez. The well-traveled swingman settled into a starting role in his age-35 season and rewarded the Rays with a 15-6 record in 31 starts, 3.10 ERA, 3.96 FIP, and 109 strikeouts in 180 innings, his 3.6-percent walk rate the lowest in baseball. He allowed two runs in 3.2 innings against the Yankees before holding Cleveland to a run in 5.1 innings in Game 4.

The Rays bullpen mirrors the Brewers’ in protecting the lead in the final two innings. Milwaukee has Ashby and Megill, the Rays have Cam Booser and Bryan Baker. Booser is truly one of the remarkable comeback stories in MLB, retiring in 2017 before returning and pitching eight seasons in the minors. He was signed by Tampa on a minor league deal to start the year and has only gone and become their shutdown setup man in the playoffs at the age of 34. With newfound velocity on his heater, the southpaw has tossed 4.2 scoreless innings across six appearances. He then hands the ball off to the closer Baker, who has also leveraged his explosive fastball to make seven scoreless appearances and record five saves. Tampa hasn’t had to rely on its bullpen as heavily this postseason as the Brewers on account of their brilliant starters, so the extra small sample sizes skew certain metrics. For example, Griffin Jax, Ian Seymour, and Tyler Wells have been the Rays’ main strikeout threats out of the ‘pen, but you wouldn’t expect so from a quick glance at their inflated postseason ERAs.

Ominously, this Rays pitching staff looks like it has the perfect ingredients to neutralize the Brewers’ strengths. Milwaukee was the best team in baseball at not chasing and drawing walks, but Rays pitchers live in the strike zone, and between Martinez and Rasmussen boast the two starters with the lowest walk rates in all of MLB. The Brewers also struggled at times against high velocity, which between Rasmussen, Peralta, Booser, and Baker the Rays have in abundance.

Brewers vs. Rays should make for an exciting World Series matchup

TORONTO, ON - JULY 18: The Toronto Blue Jays' World Series Commissioner's Trophy is seen before an MLB game between the Chicago White Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays on July 18, 2026, at Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Mathew Tsang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The 2026 major league season all comes down to this. Two small market teams have slayed all the giants and now they’ll square off in a World Series matchup that should provide a full tour of baseball skills. Unlike some of the walk and mash offenses we’ve seen dominate the league in recent years, the Rays and Brewers do it all. We’ll see a pair of young, athletic teams displaying power, speed, some bunting and timely situation hitting, pesky at-bats and hacks from a few free swingers, the works. At the same time, the two clubs are among the leading hitters in pitching development as well, and there will be plenty of firepower on display on the mound as well.

There’s going to be a lot said about small market teams, the league’s desire for a salary cap, competitive balance, and the like, but what the Brewers and Rays really illustrate is that the smartest teams win, regardless of payroll. That doesn’t mean that a behemoth like the recent Dodgers don’t have an advantage in payroll, which the league could address without the players, but it does mean that big spending teams fail pretty often too, and the money spent doesn’t replace the need for smart acquisitions, shrewd drafting and trades, and strong player development, none of which cost a lot compared to elite free agents.

When the postseason started I was firmly in the Brewers camp, but Kevin Cash and the Rays have won me back to a degree. Cash is one of the longest tenured managers in the game at this point, and he continues to handle the Rays’ constant tweaking of strategy and roster while leading them to consistent success while competing in the AL East. On the other hand, Pat Murphy is the kind of manager that players seem ready to run through walls for, and he definitely gives off the college coach with a lifetime of motivation quotes and jokes stored up for any occasion.

Both teams are young and talented, and while the resurgence of Freddy Peralta’s game tips the pitching side of the equation a bit toward the Rays’ favor, anyone could win this thing. The positional groups match up very evenly, as do the bullpens. Aces Drew Rasmussen for the Rays and Jacob Misiorowski for the Brewers will get a lot of the headlines, but Peralta sure is a nice kicker pitching this well.

So, with the World Series kicking off tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET in Milwaukee, who’s your pick? Does it just come down to home field advantage?

For myself, I think I’m still going Brewers. They just seem to respond to every challenge so far in October, knocking off a pair of tough teams in the Padres and Dodgers to get here. It’s just a bit deeper lineup right now in my opinion, and Brewers’ closer Trevor McGill is the most dominant force in either bullpen over the last few weeks.

Mountain West in the NBA: Only 5 alums suiting up ahead of 2026-27 season

The new-look MW does not have many representatives in the NBA entering 2026-27.
INGLEWOOD, CA - OCTOBER 21: Kobe Sanders #4 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on October 21, 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

While we are 10 days away from the start of the 2026-27 college basketball season, the new NBA season also tipped off this week.

In past iterations of Mountain West in the NBA, we have detailed several different alums representing current Mountain West programs. However, as we continue to be reminded, the cupboard is fairly empty this year with conference realignment, with only a handful of representatives.

So, who will be those faces in the NBA from current MW programs? Let’s examine!

Nevada:

Caleb Martin, Dallas Mavericks:

Skinny: Entering his age-31 season, Martin appears to be entering the tail-end of his NBA career. He appeared in just 58 games (12 starts) with the Dallas Mavericks last year, averaging 3.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists on 45.0 percent shooting and 35.1 percent from 3-point range. The Mavericks don’t have aspirations of competing, but Martin, who has battled several lower-body injuries over the last three seasons, is a far cry from where he was during the Miami Heat’s miraculous NBA Finals run in 2022-23.

Kobe Sanders, Los Angeles Clippers:

Skinny: Sanders, who was the Clippers’ No. 50 overall draft pick in 2025, carved out a role in the Clippers’ rotation upon signing a two-way contract as a rookie. Sanders eventually parlayed that two-way contract — which paid him roughly $636K into a two-year minimum salary, essentially doubling his average annual value. Though the Clippers re-upped Sanders once again this summer to a four-year, $11.2 million contract.

After how he played for an up-and-down Clippers squad, he deserved it. Sanders, 24, averaged 7.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists on 46.6 percent shooting from the floor and 40.8 percent from 3-point range on 2.9 triple tries. He also has way more juice defensively than he showed at Nevada, in part because his role on-ball is minimized compared to what it was in college.

UNLV:

Derrick Jones Jr., Clippers:

Skinny: Jones has long been one of the more respected wing defenders across the NBA. Last year, the 6-foot-6 forward averaged 0.9 steals and one block, in addition tying a career high in points (10.1) on 49.9 percent shooting and a career-best 35.9 percent from 3-point range. Jones, in his age-29 season, is already off to a good start to begin 2026-27, scoring eight points with six rebounds and five assists in the Clippers’ blowout win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.

Elijah Harkless, Detroit Pistons:

Skinny: After spending his first two years with the Utah Jazz, Harkless, 26, signed a two-way contract with the Detroit Pistons this offseason. In 36 career games (9 starts), Harkless has averaged 5.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals on 33.2/24.8/74.3 shooting splits. He has torn up the nylon in the G-League, however, scoring 18.5 points across 26 minutes on 46.1 percent shooting and 38.6 percent from deep.

Wyoming:

Larry Nance Jr., Indiana Pacers:

Skinny: Nance has bounced around the NBA, now playing for his sixth organization in 12 seasons. Last year with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Nnance averaged just 3.7 points and 2.7 rebounds on 41.9 percent shooting. Nance, 33, has carved out a very strong career, but his days of making a legitimate impact in an NBA realm are pretty much over, unfortunately. He is a very good vet to have in the locker room, though.

MMBets: Dallas finds themselves in a tough spot against Indiana

DALLAS, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 04: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks embrace after the game at American Airlines Center on November 04, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After an equal parts defeating yet somewhat inspiring 128-110 loss to the Houston Rockets, the Dallas Mavericks (0-1) remain on the road as they are set to square off against the Indiana Pacers (1-0). The Mavs found themselves down by as many as 37 points against Houston on Wednesday, before somewhat reeling Houston back in throughout the second half.

Indiana, for their part, snagged a road win to start the year in New Orleans against the Pelicans. Tyrese Haliburton made his return from the torn achilles he suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals and picked up right where he left off. This Pacers team, now with Ivica Zubac in the fold at center, figures to be right back where they were two seasons ago. It will be a tall task for Dallas to get this one home.


Game intangibles

Dallas Mavericks (0-1) at Indiana Pacers (1-0)

Tipoff: We’re set for tip just after 6:10 p.m. from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana

How to watch: MavsTV, KFAA Channel 29, or NBA League Pass for those out of market will have you covered on this one

Game lines

Odds via the Fanduel Sportsbook and are subject to change

Spread: Pacers -7.5 (-110)

Moneyline: Dallas is +225 to pull off the upset

Total: Over/Under is set at 239.5 points (-110/-110)

Game plays

  • Indiana -7.5 (-110)
  • Ivica Zubac over 27.5 points + rebounds (-110)
  • Obi Toppin under 12.5 points (-118)
  • Zaccharie Risacher over 8.5 points (-132)

This is an awful spot for the Mavericks to walk into. This is the Pacers home opener, and it will be a very charged up atmosphere with Tyrese Haliburton playing his first home game since Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals. I just don’t know how Dallas finds a way here, especially given Rick Carlisle’s voodoo magic he holds over the Mavs. Ivica Zubac has a wonderful matchup here against Daniel Gafford, who simply doesn’t rebound the ball at all. I also would like to fade Obi Toppin, who scored 20 off the bench against the Pelicans on great shooting. Finally, maybe in that second half of the Houston game, Risacher found something. I’ll go over the point total here.

Other games on the card:

Fantasy Basketball Weekend Streamers: Yves Missi, Bilal Coulibaly playing well as starters

The Pelicans weren’t able to start the season off with a victory, but Yves Missi was productive as the team’s starting center. He played 30 minutes to Derik Queen’s 18 and finished with 13 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, two steals and three blocks. Missi likely won’t replicate this level of production consistently, especially when it comes to the assists, but he should be considered a must-roster player at this point. Missi isn’t a flawless fit next to Zion Williamson, but he does fit better than Queen does.

Missi should continue to start moving forward, and they have a back-to-back coming up against the Jazz and Nuggets on Friday and Saturday. Nikola Jokić obviously isn’t an ideal matchup, but the other game is a matchup with Jaxson Hayes (who is another player you should consider streaming this weekend.

The Celtics, Cavaliers, Nuggets, Thunder, Suns and Trail Blazers only play one game this weekend, so avoid streaming in players from those teams, unless you’re in a high score or lock-in league and want to take a chance. Aside from Missi, here are nine other players to consider streaming this weekend.

NBA: Preseason-Portland Trail Blazers at Sacramento Kings
Deni Avdija is questionable for the season opener with an ankle injury, while No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa will have to wait to make his debut.

Dennis Schröder, G, Charlotte Hornets

With Coby White (calf) sidelined, Schröder got the start for Charlotte in the season opener. He had 19 points, four rebounds and six assists in 35 minutes in the win over the Nets. They shot 48 three-pointers on Wednesday. Last season, Golden State led the league with 44.1 three-point attempts per game. Charlotte is going to get up the triples, and having a point guard like Schroder that can push the pace will help tremendously until White returns. Schröder is a short-term option, though there isn’t much clarity as to when White will make his season debut.

Grayson Allen, G/F, Charlotte Hornets

Allen didn’t start in place of Kon Knueppel (hamstring), with Sion James taking the spot. However, Allen was fantastic off the bench, finishing with 21 points, three rebounds, four assists and five triples. As previously mentioned, the Hornets are going to shoot a ton of threes this season, which means plenty of shots for Allen, at least until Knueppel debuts. Much like Schröder, Allen should be worth streaming until Knueppel is healthy. They take on the Hawks and Heat this weekend.

Kris Dunn, G, LA Clippers

The Clippers turned to Dunn for playmaking in the season opener, which is a good thing for his value. He finished with seven points, five rebounds, seven assists, three steals, two blocks and two triples in the season opener against the Kings. The scoring won’t ever be there, but the defensive stats should be pretty reliable. If he is able to dish out the dimes consistently, he’ll be a valuable piece in fantasy basketball this season. For now, we’ll consider him a short-term streaming option, with matchups against the Lakers and Jazz this weekend.

Duncan Robinson, G/F, Detroit Pistons

Robinson went off in the season opener against Boston, scoring 21 points and knocking down five three-pointers. No, he’s not going to do that every night, and he isn’t going to contribute much else consistently. However, he’s starting and is important to Detroit’s offense. They play the Heat and 76ers this weekend, and Miami allowed Minnesota to hit 21 triples in their opener. Philly has defended the three better so far this year, but Robinson is still going to get his shots up. He can typically be relied on to stream in triples on the weekend, but his season-long appeal isn’t there.

Gui Santos, F, Golden State Warriors

Santos should be a starter for the foreseeable future in Golden State. In the season opener, he logged 25 minutes and finished with 12 points, five rebounds and a steal. This was a weird game, with Yaxel Lendeborg being the only Warrior to exceed 25 minutes, and he only played 29. The rotation should be normalized this weekend against the Grizzlies and Suns, which should allow Santos to be more productive, as he was for long stretches of last season. The opportunity is ripe this weekend, though he may have to prove it a little before I consider him as more than a streamer.

Bilal Coulibaly, G/F, Washington Wizards

AJ Dybantsa missed the season opener with an ankle injury and has already been ruled out for their game on Friday. At this point, it’s unclear when he’ll make his debut. Coulibaly started in place of Dybantsa and finished with 11 points, four steals and two blocks in a win over the Bucks on Wednesday. Washington takes on the Raptors and Bulls this weekend, which means at least one more start for Coulibaly, though likely two more.

Jaxson Hayes, C, Utah Jazz

With Jusuf Nurkić (toe) set to be sidelined until at least November, Hayes should get some more starts at center for Utah. He logged 26 minutes in the season opener and contributed six points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and six blocks. With matchups against the Pelicans and Lakers this weekend, Hayes is an intriguing streamer, mostly for his shot-blocking ability. He should be worth rostering until Nurkić returns, but he doesn’t hold much fantasy appeal beyond that.

Jalen Smith, C, Chicago Bulls

Not much went right for Chicago in their blowout loss to Toronto on Wednesday, but Smith was productive in his 19 minutes as a starter, contributing 15 points, eight rebounds and one block. Caleb Wilson was the only starter that played more than 25 minutes, which makes sense for a rookie in his first game. Smith split the minutes at center with rookie Tobe Awaka (14 minutes) Zach Collins (nine minutes), though Awaka played the final 14 minutes of the blowout. Leonard Miller also spent time at center in lineups that featured Wilson and Matas Buzelis. The point of all that is that Smith should play more minutes against the Bucks and Wizards this weekend and should be a safe player to roster until Nic Claxton (hamstring) is healthy enough to suit up.

Brook Lopez, C, LA Clippers

In their first game since the Kawhi Leonard fiasco was resolved, the Clippers were able to get a big win over the Kings. Down low, Isaiah Jackson got the start at center, but he only played 15 minutes to Lopez’s 27, and Lopez was far more productive. Early foul trouble for Jackson was a factor in the minutes being so lopsided in favor of Lopez, but Lopez contributed 17 points, 11 rebounds, one steal, one block and one three-pointer during his time on the floor. Jackson was solid too, with 13 points and five boards, and he could hold some intrigue, so don’t drop him. However, Lopez should be the better choice right now. The Clippers take on the Lakers and Thunder this weekend, so the matchups aren’t ideal, but he should still be worth streaming.

Former Wild Forward, Minnesota Native Traded In Connor Hellebuyck Deal

The day has come. The Connor Hellebuyck saga in Winnipeg has finally come to an end. The three-time Vezina trophy winner is on the move. The lucky team?

The New Jersey Devils.

According to multiple reports and now announced by both teams, Hellebuyck has been traded to New Jersey for a former Minnesota Wild and Minnesota native. 

Nick Bjugstad was a part of the deal that included Alexander Command, Dawson Mercer, Nico Daws, a 2027 seventh-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick.

The trade comes at the end of the suspension by the Jets for failing to report to training camp ahead of the season. He forfeited $927,835.05 in salary over his 24-day suspension.

New Jersey Devils Acquire Connor Hellebuyck From Jets in Blockbuster Multi-Player TradeNew Jersey Devils Acquire Connor Hellebuyck From Jets in Blockbuster Multi-Player TradeOn Friday morning, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman was the first to report that the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/game-day/devils-beat-ducks-4-1-for-third-straight-home-win">New Jersey Devils</a> were working with the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/winnipeg-jets">Winnipeg Jets</a> on a potential deal to bring 33-year-old goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to New Jersey.

Bjugstad, 34, has been on the long-term injury reserve to start the season. He was acquired by the Devils last year before the trade deadline.

The former Wild center spent two seasons in Minnesota where he recorded 13 goals, 17 assists and 30 points in 101 games.

The 6-foot-6 forward from Minneapolis, Minnesota, has 163 goals, 176 assists and 339 points in 821 career NHL games.

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Devils acquire U.S. Olympic goalie Connor Hellebuyck in a trade with the Jets

Winnipeg Jets v Columbus Blue Jackets

COLUMBUS, OHIO - APRIL 4: Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets skates on the ice during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on April 4, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/NHLI via Getty Images)

NHLI via Getty Images

Connor Hellebuyck finally has a new home after the Winnipeg Jets granted the three-time Vezina Trophy winning goaltender’s trade request in a deal that sent him to the New Jersey Devils on Friday.

The Devils sent center Dawson Mercer, goalie Nico Daws, prospect Alexander Command, forward Nick Bjugstad, a 2029 second-round pick and a 2027 seventh-rounder to Winnipeg for Hellebuyck.

The long-awaited trade ends months of speculation, a failed bid to move the U.S. Olympic gold medal-winner and 2024-25 NHL MVP in June, and the Jets’ suspension of Hellebuyck for failing to report to training camp in a standoff that required the involvement of the league and the Players’ Association.

The 33-year-old Hellebuyck, who backstopped the U.S. to Olympic gold at the Milan-Cortina Games in February, leaves Winnipeg after spending his entire 11-year career there. Hellebuyck joins Jack Hughes, who scored in overtime of the final to defeat Canada, with the Devils and immediately puts them closer to being a Stanley Cup contender.

When training camp opened, new Devils general manager Sunny Mehta said he was very comfortable with the team’s goaltending situation. Since then, Jake Allen and Nico Daws have combined for an .880 save percentage, which ranks 23rd among 32 teams.

It was not immediately clear how soon Hellebuyck might be ready to play for his new team. He has been skating in his home state of Michigan while trade talks were ongoing.

Hellebuyck has five seasons left on a seven-year contact with an annual salary cap hit of $8.5 million.

Top prospect Travis Sykora is a wild card for the Washington Nationals in 2027

AKRON, OH - JUNE 29: Travis Sykora #13 of the Harrisburg Senators pitching during the game between the Harrisburg Senators and the Akron RubberDucks at Canal Park on Sunday, June 29, 2025 in Akron, Ohio. (Photo by Lindsey Matier/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)

It has been a long time since he has pitched, but Travis Sykora is still arguably the best pitching prospect in the Nationals organization. Before undergoing Tommy John Surgery in July of 2025, Sykora was on a rocket ship towards the big leagues. The big right hander should be back in 2027, so I wanted to take a look at what to expect.

Before talking about the future, I wanted to remind folks how dominant Sykora was in the lower minors. In his minor league career, Sykora posted a 2.14 ERA with 208 strikeouts in 130.1 innings. Sykora’s fastball, slider, splitter mix just dominated the opposition. He put up some truly cartoonish stats in 6 High-A starts before it was quickly determined that he needed a promotion.

It is a real shame that Sykora got hurt on many levels, but one reason is that I wanted to see how he would do against Double-A competition. He only got to throw 4.2 innings at the level, but it was clear that this was the first time he would really be tested. While he struck out 9 batters, Sykora also issued 6 walks. He was not getting as much chase against more advanced hitters.

I was eager to see how Sykora would solve those problems. He seems like a very smart pitcher, so I have no doubt he would find the answers. However, we will not get to see that until 2027. 

Sykora’s pitching intelligence and love for the game is easy to spot when you listen to him talk. I was watching this one interview where he talked about his Tommy John recovery process, as well as pitcher injuries in general. He talked about how he was doing everything he could to protect his arm, but in this era of velocity, injuries are almost inevitable.

In that interview, which was in August, Sykora also talked about how he was close to being able to throw at full strength. With that in mind, I would expect Sykora to be back on the mound at the start of next season.

Sykora has been posting videos where he shows fans the progress he is making. He was throwing bullpen’s as early as July 4th. That made me wonder if we could see him in the Arizona Fall League. However, he is not out there, with the Nationals playing it safe.

However, there is one complication here. Sykora is Rule 5 eligible, meaning he will have to be added to the 40-man roster this offseason. Usually, high school players aren’t this early, but since Sykora was 19 when he was drafted, the rules state he is Rule 5 eligible. For example, fellow 2023 draftee Alex Clemmey does not need to be added because he was 18 on draft day.

This could be quite unfortunate for Sykora’s development. Players on the 40-man roster cannot play in the minor leagues during the lockout. That means Sykora could be waiting on the sidelines for a little while. Just another reason to get a deal done as soon as possible.

Assuming the season does start at some point, I think Sykora could be a wild card for the Nats. Sykora should start the season at Double-A, though his outings are likely to be short as he builds up again. With the walk issues he had in his brief stint there in 2025, he might have some initial obstacles. 

With his stuff and pitching IQ, I think he will figure it out though. Sykora throws a mid to upper 90’s heater at a very funky release point with a lot of extension. His splitter and slider are whiff machines as well. Sykora is only a three pitch guy, but with his funk and stuff, that could be all he needs.

He does a nice job sequencing and maximizing the effectiveness of his arsenal. One thing I would like to see is for Sykora to challenge hitters in the zone more. He was fairly reliant on chase in the lower minors, and as we saw in AA, it is harder to live that way against more advanced hitters. With his low walk rates in the lower minors, I do not think he has a major control issue though. It is more a matter of refining his plan of attack.

I would be surprised if Sykora were starting games for the Nats in 2027, but I think he could reach the majors. There is certainly a world where the Nationals are fighting for a playoff spot in late August, and Sykora is called up to give the bullpen some major reinforcements. I think he could thrive in that role thanks to his competitive nature.

In the long term, Sykora projects as a starter. However, I think 2028 is the year where the 6’6 right hander really makes his mark in the rotation. Assuming the stuff is unchanged, Sykora projects as a top of the rotation arm. His injury history and funky delivery give me some durability concerns, but at this point every pitcher is injury prone.

It will be a treat to watch Sykora do his thing again. Due to the injury, he is not generating much buzz at the moment. However, that should change quickly once folks see him back on the mound. This is a prospect with massive upside who could make a mark in the big leagues as early as next season.

Same ambition, different formula for White Sox, World Series teams

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 22: The Milwaukee Brewers pose for a group photo during a workout day prior to game on of the 2026 World Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on October 22, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
As the Milwaukee Brewers prepare for the start of a 2026 World Series facing fellow small-budget Tampa Bay Rays, it’s worth wondering what it would take for the White Sox to get there next October. | (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

Jacob Misiorowski and Nick Martinez will take the mound Friday night with a World Series championship in their sights. One is a 24-year-old flamethrower who dominated the National League. The other is a 36-year-old veteran whose team has mastered the art of getting the most out of its roster.

Their teams, the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays, have taken different paths to baseball’s biggest stage. Yet both have something in common with the Chicago White Sox: They have built competitive rosters without the financial advantages enjoyed by the game’s biggest spenders.

The difference is that they are playing for a championship, while Chicago is trying to determine what it will take to join them.

The White Sox hit 211 home runs during the regular season, compared with 154 for Milwaukee and 169 for Tampa Bay. Chicago also scored an American League-best 776 runs, demonstrating that its offense could produce over a 162-game schedule. But the Brewers and Rays were better at preventing runs, and both finished with higher team batting averages and on-base percentages.

For general manager Chris Getz, the challenge isn’t simply acquiring more talent. It’s identifying which improvements would make the biggest difference in October.

Different offenses, similar ambitions

Milwaukee’s offensive success wasn’t dependent on the long ball.

The Brewers finished with a .258 batting average, .341 on-base percentage and .743 OPS. Tampa Bay hit .259 with a .326 on-base percentage and .728 OPS. Chicago finished at .236, .320 and .726.

Although the White Sox generated more power, Milwaukee and Tampa Bay were more successful at reaching base through hits. That difference offers one explanation for why the two World Series teams were able to create offense without relying as heavily on home runs.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy has emphasized the makeup of his roster rather than its collection of recognizable stars.

“They may have a bunch of Hall-of-Famers, but we’ve got a bunch of gamers,” Murphy told MLB.com following Milwaukee’s sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series. “And the gamers won this week.”

Murphy’s comments followed a series in which Milwaukee eliminated a Dodgers roster filled with some of baseball’s most accomplished players.

The Brewers have relied on contributions from Jackson Chourio, Brice Turang, William Contreras and Christian Yelich, combining young talent with experienced veterans.

Chicago has its own promising foundation, including Colson Montgomery, Chase Meidroth, Miguel Vargas, Kyle Teel and Munetaka Murakami. The challenge is developing an offense capable of succeeding against different types of pitching.

The White Sox struck out 1,494 times during the regular season, and their contact problems became especially apparent against Cleveland in the American League Division Series. Chicago struck out 75 times in five games, including a nine-inning record (regular season or postseason) 21 times in its season-ending loss.

“I thought it was less about chase and more about being attacked in the zone and swing and miss in the zone,” White Sox manager Will Venable told MLB.com following the elimination.

His assessment suggests Chicago’s problem wasn’t exclusively plate discipline. Hitters also struggled to make contact against pitches in the strike zone.

That weakness could become increasingly important as the White Sox attempt to advance deeper into October.

Pitching provides the clearest separation

The difference among the three pitching staffs is difficult to overlook: Milwaukee finished with a 3.51 ERA, followed by Tampa Bay at 3.72 and Chicago at 4.12. The Brewers also struck out 25.8% of opposing hitters, compared with 22.3% for Tampa Bay and 21.7% for the White Sox.

But the World Series teams haven’t reached this point using identical pitching strategies.

Milwaukee’s Misiorowski led the majors with a 1.80 ERA, 252 strikeouts and a 0.802 WHIP during the regular season. Tampa Bay has relied on a deeper collection of starters, including Drew Rasmussen, Freddy Peralta and Martinez. 

Misiorowski understands that overpowering hitters isn’t always enough in October.

“Obviously the Padres and Dodgers both had a good approach of just fouling stuff off,” Misiorowski told MLB.com before Game 1. “I bet Tampa Bay is going to do pretty much the same thing.”

The comment illustrates a critical difference between postseason pitching and regular-season dominance. Opponents who can extend at-bats and drive up pitch counts can force even the most talented starters out of games earlier than expected.

Tampa Bay’s Martinez has approached his Game 1 assignment with a different emphasis.

“It’s exciting,” Martinez told MLB.com. “As a team, as a staff, we’re confident in whoever we call up for the mound.”

That confidence reflects a pitching staff capable of succeeding through multiple combinations of starters and relievers.

Chicago demonstrated some of that same flexibility during its postseason run, relying on Sean Burke, Hagen Smith, Grant Taylor and others to navigate critical innings. But having pitchers who can fill different roles isn’t necessarily the same as having a dependable rotation.

The White Sox must determine whether their young starters can provide enough consistency over a full season or whether adding an established veteran should become an offseason priority.

Building a contender without buying one

Milwaukee and Tampa Bay have also demonstrated that there is no single formula for constructing a championship roster. The Brewers have benefited from developing homegrown players, while the Rays have consistently used trades and roster flexibility to maximize production.

Neither organization entered the season with one of baseball’s largest payrolls.

For Getz, that distinction is particularly relevant.

Chicago’s unexpected postseason appearance was driven by a collection of young players who were still developing at the major league level, and the general manager has emphasized that the organization must continue building on those gains rather than assuming the current roster has reached its potential.

“We were able to get more positive outcomes this year because of that,” Getz told MLB.com while discussing the organization’s emphasis on player development.

The White Sox have accumulated considerable organizational depth, particularly in the infield, creating opportunities to explore trades or move players to different positions.

That flexibility could become valuable if Chicago decides its greatest need is starting pitching rather than another offensive addition.

The Brewers and Rays provide evidence that successful organizations don’t necessarily need to win the offseason spending race. They need to identify players who fit their approach and develop enough depth to withstand injuries, inconsistency and the demands of October.

The difference between reaching October and winning in it

Getz acknowledged that Chicago’s first postseason appearance since 2021 provided lessons that could not have been duplicated during the regular season.

“Some of our players responded really well, and there were times where they got sped up,” Getz told MLB.com during his end-of-season media availability.

That experience could prove valuable for a young roster that had little previous exposure to postseason pressure. But experience alone won’t close the statistical gaps.

Milwaukee and Tampa Bay finished with better pitching numbers and stronger team batting averages. Chicago’s power and ability to draw walks made its offense competitive, but the strikeout problem exposed a weakness that elite pitching staffs could exploit.

The White Sox don’t necessarily need to abandon their approach, but they need more ways to succeed when their preferred approach isn’t working.

As the World Series begins, Chicago fans should watch how the Brewers and Rays handle two-strike counts, extend at-bats, deploy their bullpens and create scoring opportunities without home runs. Those details could give the White Sox a clearer blueprint than any individual free-agent signing.

Milwaukee and Tampa Bay aren’t playing for a championship because they followed the same formula. They’re playing because each organization found a formula that worked.

Chicago’s next challenge is determining what its own formula is missing.

Flatbush 5 flat on Opening Night … should we worry?

BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 21: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Charlotte Hornets plays defense open Egor Demin #8 of the Brooklyn Nets eon October 21, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Brooklyn Nets lead the league in future draft picks with 32, and their cache of future firsts — 13 — is second only to the Oklahoma City Thunder who have two more. But of OKC’s 15 firsts over the next seven years, only one is their own. So you can argue, if you wish, that the Nets have the better quality.

That said, the Nets need to make good picks … and after Wednesday’s loss to the Charlotte Hornets, their most recent efforts have to be called into question. In 2025, said to be a generational draft, Brooklyn had five firsts, at Nos. 8, 19, 22, 26 and 27, a record. But a look at the boxscore Wednesday might lead to concern.

Of the five, only the No. 8 (Egor Demin) and No. 19 (Nolan Traore) played and even by their own estimates, they played poorly. The two combined for only seven points on 2-of-14 shooting. Demin and Traore, both playing the points, had only two assists (both Demin) and three turnovers in a combined total of 42 minutes. Forty divided by five is not exactly what fans and the organization had to be thinking would be the optimum for the first game of the Flatbush 5’s second year.

What may have been a more telling piece of data was that of the record five firsts in 2025, they were the only two who actually stepped on the court. The No. 22 (Drake Powell,) No. 26 (Ben Saraf) and No. 27 (Danny Wolf) didn’t touch the court. It was among the several demoralizing aspects of the Opening Night loss. If you’re building through the draft, you better succeed.

“I’m confident that, especially these two kids, we’re going to have no problem with their playmaking, their scoring and their willingness to get better every day,” Fernández said.

Dëmin said after the game he was aware of his subpar play. 

“I’m not very happy with how I ended up playing the game,’’ Dëmin said. “I started with two [made] buckets but then kind of just got slower from a standpoint of my intensity, and I’ve definitely got to bring the energy, higher energy.’

 “Opportunities are there, everything is given to me, and I just got to be able to execute on the level that I want to be at,” he said.

Traore too.

I think I didn’t play my best. That wasn’t the best game I did, for sure,“ said Demin’s fellow 20-year-old. I think I have to bring more pace to the game. That’s my strength so I got to use it more. But, it’ll be all right.”

Yes, it’s only one game and yes, four of the five (other than Wolf) were among the 20 youngest players in the NBA last season with Traore and Saraf among the 10 youngers and yes, getting a rotational player at the end of the Draft is unlikely. Still, the very core idea of the Nets rebuild — building through the draft — has to be questioned if this continues. Fernandez professes he is not worried.

“I think their intentions were great and can clean up a lot of different things, turnovers, setup, calling plays, all those things,’’ Fernández said. “But we’ll watch film with them, and we’ll make them better… One day you don’t make them, another day they go in, and you’ve just got to stay ready for the next game.”

And of course, the Nets’ highest pick in the last 16 years — Mikel Brown Jr. at No. 6 in 2026 — looked promising, indeed very good — in his limited minutes (19:48) following his left ankle injury. (The No. 28 pick in 2026, Joshua Jefferson, was cleared for action after some back soreness in training camp but was not activated.)

The organization’s confidence in their 2025 picks doesn’t appear to be faltering, but Sean Marks & co. have to decide by November 2 whether to extend all five beyond this season. Of course, we could see change Saturday in Cleveland vs. the Cavaliers.

Pitcher Brandon Woodruff makes Brewers’ World Series roster as he returns from shoulder injury

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Brandon Woodruff has made the Milwaukee Brewers’ World Series roster without having pitched in a game over the last 3½ months.

Woodruff took the place of Chad Patrick on Milwaukee’s 13-man pitching staff as the Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays submitted their World Series rosters Friday before playing Game 1 in Milwaukee.

This is the latest step in a remarkable comeback for Woodruff, a two-time All-Star who had expected to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery this past summer. Instead, the 33-year-old gets a chance to pitch in the World Series for the first time.

“It would mean a ton,” Woodruff said Thursday about the possibility of being on the World Series roster. “This is why I play. The playoffs are my jam, per se. I love this time of year. I love pitching in the big moments. I just kind of feel like I’m ready for this.”

Woodruff went on the injured list in early May after a reduction in his velocity prompted him to leave a game in the second inning. He returned in late June, dealt with another velocity dip during a July 4 start at Arizona and hasn’t pitched since.

He expected to undergo anterior capsule surgery, a procedure similar to one he had three years ago. Woodruff then learned the surgery wouldn’t be necessary, and he has been trying to work his way back ever since in hopes of pitching again in October.

Woodruff said he felt good after throwing 23 pitches in a live batting practice session Tuesday. Even so, this move represents a major gamble.

This move represents a gamble for the Brewers.

A club may request permission from the commissioner to replace a player on the active roster for the remainder of a series if he sustains an “acute, non-chronic injury or ailment (not recurring soreness over time).” That means the Brewers couldn’t have somebody fill Woodruff’s spot if they include him on the roster and he has a recurrence of the shoulder issue.

Woodruff’s 3.10 career ERA is the best in Brewers history for anyone who has pitched at least 500 innings for the team. Even while dealing with his drops in velocity this season, Woodruff went 2-2 with a 2.98 ERA in nine starts.

He has a 1-3 record and 3.18 ERA in eight career playoff appearances.

Although the Brewers have reached the postseason eight times in the last nine seasons, Woodruff’s last playoff appearance came way back in 2021 because of a variety of injuries. He underwent shoulder surgery in the fall of 2023 and didn’t pitch again until July 2025. A lat strain prevented him from pitching in last year’s playoffs.

“Obviously this is a guy that’s one of the most successful, dominant big-game pitchers I’ve ever been around,” Brewers president of baseball operations Matt Arnold said Thursday while discussing the uncertainty regarding Woodruff’s situation. “And there are also some rule constraints that we’re having to work through with the health, et cetera, that have to be a consideration because he hasn’t pitched in a game since July 4. A lot of unknowns there, but obviously the good version of that guy is somebody you’d love to have on your roster.”

Patrick had been on Milwaukee’s roster for their NL Division Series victory over the San Diego Padres and their NL Championship Series sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he hadn’t pitched in either series. Patrick went 9-4 with a 3.40 ERA during the regular season.

Tampa Bay altered its pitching roster by including left-hander Garrett Cleavinger rather than right-hander Brody Hopkins. The Rays have the same roster they used for their AL Division Series victory over the New York Yankees.

Hopkins had taken Cleavinger’s spot for Tampa Bay’s AL Championship Series matchup with the Cleveland Guardians. Although Cleavinger was on the ALDS roster, he didn’t actually pitch in that series.

Los Angeles bar group reveals genius reason for $60K bet against Dodgers

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts speaks at a press conference, Image 2 shows Los Angeles Dodgers player Shohei Ohtani adjusts his helmet during Game 4 of the NLCS

Not everybody in Los Angeles was upset about the Dodgers’ playoff collapse.

News broke earlier this week that an anonymous Los Angeles bar group had bet $60,000 that the Dodgers would lose the NLCS. The group operates 25 bars, many of which are located near Dodger Stadium.

Why would this group bet against their hometown team? They were hedging.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts speaks during a press conference before Game 4 of the NLCS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs against the Milwaukee Brewers at Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

On Thursday, revealed the bar group’s reasoning for the bold decision was revealed, per Los Angeles Magazine. It explained that if the Dodgers didn’t make it to the World Series, the money they earned from the $60,000 bet would offset at least some of the ensuing loss of foot traffic and revenue they otherwise would have received.

And if the Dodgers did win the NLCS advance to the World Series, that foot traffic and revenue would have more than have made up for losing the $60,000 bet.

This prediction paid off. The bar group nearby doubled their $60,000 bet when the Dodgers were swept in the NLCS.

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani reacts during Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. CHRIS TORRES/EPA/Shutterstock
Manager Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on from the dugout prior to game three of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026. Getty Images

It’s hard to imagine that many Los Angeles residents will be eager to watch a Milwaukee Brewers vs. Tampa Bay Rays World Series matchup.

But this bar group doesn’t have to worry about that, given their winnings earned from the Dodgers’ loss.

New Jersey Devils Acquire Connor Hellebuyck From Jets in Blockbuster Multi-Player Trade

On Friday morning, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman was the first to report that the New Jersey Devils were working with the Winnipeg Jets on a potential deal to bring 33-year-old goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to New Jersey.

Hellebuyck, who helped lead the U.S. men’s hockey team to Olympic gold in February alongside Devils star forward Jack Hughes, requested a trade from Winnipeg this summer and did not report to training camp in September. His suspension for failing to report was set to expire Friday, Oct. 23.

In the afternoon, it was reported that in return New Jersey sent 24-year-old versatile foward Dawson Mercer, goaltender Nico Daws, 2026 12th overall pick Alexander Command, veteran forward Nick Bjugstad, a second round draft pick in 2029, and seventh round pick in 2027 to Winnipeg. 

Last season, Mercer spoke with The Hockey News about the seemingly never-ending trade rumors that had followed his name.

“It has honestly been for a few years now, different trades, but that stuff is white noise,” he said back in January. “It doesn't matter. I don't really pay much attention to that stuff. That is all stuff out of your control. I come in here, try to get better every day, and help the team win. I love it here, so it is coming in and going out there every day with the guys.”

Mercer made his NHL debut with the Devils on Oct 15, 2021. He appeared in 410 consecutive games over the next five seasons, collecting 209 points (103 goals, 106 assists). He broke Scott Gomez's Devils/Colorado Rockies/Kansas City Scouts record when he played his 141st consecutive game to start an NHL career at Prudential Center on Feb. 25, 2023.

Selected in the fifth round of the 2012 NHL Draft, Hellebuyck has spent his entire 11-season NHL career with the Jets. Winnipeg reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs in seven of those seasons, making its deepest run in 2017-18, when it advanced to the Western Conference Final before falling to the Vegas Golden Knights in five games. Individually, Hellebuyck has earned three Vezina Trophies as the NHL’s top goaltender and one Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the league’s most valuable player.

The 33-year-old Michigan native is in the third season of a seven-year, $59.5 million contract.

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

New Jersey opened the 2026-27 season with Jake Allen, 36, and 25-year-old Daws sharing goaltending duties. The duo has helped the Devils to a 6-4-0 record through 10 games, good for 12 points and the Eastern Conference's second wild-card spot, behind the Toronto Maple Leafs. Additionally, Mehta claimed netminder Rémi Poirier off waivers from the Dallas Stars in late September. 

The Devils are scheduled to face the Jets in Winnipeg for the first time this season on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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WS Game 1 Preview

MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 22: Nick Martinez #28 of the Tampa Bay Rays looks on during the 2026 World Series workout day and media availability at American Family Field on Thursday, October 22, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Aaron Gash/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The time has finally arrived.

The Tampa Bay Rays will take on the Milwaukee Brewers in the first game of the 2026 World Series tonight at American Family Field with the first pitch slated for just after 8:00.

A benefit of the series happening between Tampa Bay and Milwaukee is that weather will not play a factor with Milwaukee sporting a retactable roof and the playing under the domed confines of Tropicana Field, so a replay of the 2008 World Series is impossible. These games will 100% be determined by the skill of the players on the field and not by the elements

On Thursday afternoon, Kevin Cash mad the somewhat suprising announcement that All-Star Nick Martinez would be taking the mound for Tampa Bay in game one while Cy Young hopeful Jacob Misiorowski will go to the rubber for Milwaukee.

The 36-year old Martinez joined the Rays just prior to the start of Spring Training, signing a 1-year deal. Martinez signed with Tampa Bay partly due to his desire for a spot in the starting rotation and the Rays were happy to oblige. Over the course of the regular season, Martinez showcased that he was capable of being a solid member of a starting rotation, providing the Rays with an All-Star campaign, compiling a 3.10 ERA | 3.96 FIP with a 15.1 K% and MLB leading 3.6 BB%.

Martinez has made only two appearances in the postseason thus far. He took the mound for game three of the ALDS against the New York Yankees and then again for game four of the ALCS, meaning he has only pitched three times over the past month (last regular season appearance was on September 27th).

It’s fitting that the Tampa Bay Rays will have to face perhaps the toughest pitcher in all of baseball for the first game of the World Series.

24-year old Jacob Misiorowski has been absolutely electric for the Brewers since reaching the big leagues last June. The start of his MLB career was so incredible that he was named to the All-Star game with only a few weeks of big league experience under his belt. The league learned his ways and Misiorowski struggled down the stretch in 2025 as the rookie had to adjust to figure out MLB lineups.

The adjustment was made in 2026 and it led to Misiorowksi becoming the best starting pitcher in all of baseball. Overall, Misiorowski compiled a 1.80 ERA | 2.17 FIP with a 37.9 K% & 6.6 BB% over 174.2 IP.

At the end of the 2026 regular season, Misiorowksi led all pitchers* in ERA, FIP, K%, K-BB%, AVG, WHIP, and Sierra; he should be unanimously named the Cy Young award winner.

*minimum of 100 IP

It will be an incredibly tough matchup for the Rays but there are signs that Misiorowski might be tiring. Misiorowski has made two appearances for Milwaukee thus far in the postseason, and his walks are up and strikeouts are down from the regular season. Thus far over his two outings, Misiorowski has a 3.24 ERA | 1.90 FIP with a 29.7 K% & 10.8 BB% over 8.1 IP.

Misiorowski’s calling card is his elite fastball that he routinely pumps in at triple digits. The Rays have struggled against high velocity all season long and it was evident during the ALCS that the Guardians were challenging the Rays key offensive players with velocity above the zone. The Rays were able to disrupt that strategy later on in the series, but no one on the Guardians staff had a fastball like Misiorowski.

For the pregame festivities, the Brewers will have franchise legend and MLB Hall of Famer Robin Yount, as well as former team owner and MLB commisioner Bud Selig, throw out the ceremonial first pitches, while four-time GRAMMY nominee Mickey Guyton will sing the National Anthem.

Former Canadiens Defenseman Has Monster Game For New Team

The St. Louis Blues defeated the Vegas Golden Knights by a 6-2 final score on Thursday night.

Former Montreal Canadiens defenseman Justin Barron played a major role in the Blues' win, as he had a monster game. 

Barron scored a goal and recorded four points in the Blues' victory against the Golden Knights. With this, the former Canadiens defenseman had a game that he will remember for a long time.

After this impressive performance, Barron now has one goal and five points in seven games this season. This is after he had zero goals and nine assists in 52 games with the Nashville Predators this past campaign.

The Blues claimed Barron off waivers from the Predators ahead of the 2026-27 season. Clearly, after this game, St. Louis must be happy that they took a chance on the former Canadiens defenseman. 

Barron spent four seasons with the Canadiens from 2021-22 to 2024-25. In 109 games with the Habs over that span, he posted 13 goals, 18 assists, 31 points, 131 hits, and a minus-11 rating. 

Barron's time with the Canadiens ended when he was traded to the Predators in the deal that brought defenseman Alexandre Carrier to Montreal. This is a trade that has aged excellently for the Canadiens.