Dalton Knecht, waived by the Lakers just before the start of the season, will sign a two-way contract with the New York Knicks, his agents told Shams Charania of ESPN.
New York was mentioned among the teams interested in the 25-year-old former No. 17 pick, along with Minnesota and others. The Knicks will waive Kevin McCullar Jr. to make room for Knecht, reports Ian Begley of SNY.tv.
Expect Knecht to play a lot for the Westchester Knicks of the G-League, but he can play up to 50 games for the big club on a two-way deal.
Knecht, 25, was a sensation with the Lakers and their fans for the first couple of months of 2024, thriving as a shooter on the LeBron James and Anthony Davis Lakers. In his first 19 games, Knecht averaged 12.2 points per game, shooting 43.9% from 3-point range, and he already had started seven games. But the vibes changed after the Lakers traded for Luka Doncic midseason, because what the Lakers needed from their wings changed.
Knecht is not a good defender and struggled with his shot, and with that kept falling deeper and deeper out of JJ Redick's rotation. Last season, in 54 games, he averaged 4.2 points a night and he shot 34.2% from beyond the arc. Facing a roster crunch to get down to 15 players before the start of the season, the Lakers waived Knecht on Monday. The Lakers chose to keep Bronny James and Jaden Hardy. One of the roster-building challenges the Lakers have had in recent years is that they had the No. 17 pick in back-to-back years, 2023 and 2024, and selected Jalen Hood-Schifino and then Knecht, both of whom are not with the team (and neither is even on a standard NBA contract).
Knecht deserved a chance somewhere, and he got one in New York.
Paul Cotter had a dream start to his Vancouver Canucks career. Over his first four games, he scored four goals and, at the time, was the only player in the NHL to find the back of the net at even strength, on the power play and shorthanded. Unfortunately, the offence has dried up for Cotter since, as he has just one assist over his last eight appearances.
Despite the lack of production, Cotter is still logging some decent ice time. He has surpassed the 14-minute mark in 11 of his 12 games and is averaging 15:01 per night. In an interview with The Hockey News, Cotter recapped his first month with the Canucks.
"I'd say that I'm very fortunate to be playing the minutes that I'm playing," said Cotter. "I've been asking and praying throughout my career to be around 15+minutes, and that's what I'm getting. So, on one hand, it's been great being put in situations that I've been asking for, and I've been on the power play, penalty kill, different situations and stuff I've done well with, but now it's the consistency to keep it. Past couple games, I don't think that I've been good enough in that role for my liking at least."
Cotter is the type of player who usually impacts the game outside of the scoresheet. He plays a physical game and can consistently get in on the forecheck thanks to his speed. As Cotter explained, he needs to improve those areas of his game to have a successful campaign.
"It's not even as much production. Like, scoring goals and getting assists, that's always awesome and fun. But for myself, one of my biggest assets, I think, is getting pucks back on the forecheck. Physicality is always going to be there no matter what so, really think I can work on that. I think for me, getting into the offensive zone, forecheck, getting pucks back, holding on to pucks, creating possession time in the O-zone, that's one of my strong suits. And felt for whatever reason, if I'm not connected to some guys or whatever it has been the past couple of games, that's on me. Once that starts clicking for me, that's when I start feeling good, not content and a little bit more happy with my play."
Like Cotter, Vancouver jumped out to an impressive start, winning two of their first three games. Since then, though, the wheels have come off for the Canucks, and they are currently on a nine-game winless streak. When asked about the team's morale, Cotter spoke about the challenges of staying positive when the team is constantly losing.
"It's difficult to do that. In times like this, I think the morale really isn't there as much as the perseverance and kind of being dialled in; the preparation needs to be better. Obviously, when teams are on a winning streak, or you're feeling good, things might be a little bit looser. You're able to play with a little bit more swagger. The fun comes out then. But when you're losing games in a row, that looseness isn't there. In order to get that back, we need to dial into our game. Once we're playing our game consistently, then the results should come in. That's when you know, hate to say a little bit looser, but you start to feel it a little bit more. Each guy's lines are starting to click. That's when the energy gets going, and the morale gets up."
During a rebuild, fans and the media often throw around the term moral victory. A moral victory usually happens when a team like Vancouver plays hard against a stronger team but still comes up short on the scoreboard. According to Cotter, while there are positives that can be taken away from a loss, players aren't focused on wins that don't matter to the standings.
"Yes and no. I'd say more so no. Obviously, you want positive. You want a positive mindset. You want to bring your teammates up and do what you can, especially if you're an older guy or a leader. Like, that's your responsibility. It's not always be negative, but there are times when constructive criticism comes into play. At the end of the day, we are fighting for a win. And if we don't get that, then we failed. So, in a way, yes, you can't be all negative. Have to have some positivity. Each one of us throughout the game has a couple good shifts or a couple good things that we do. We know that. But obviously, as professionals, I mean NHL players, we're perfectionists. So every mistake is magnified, especially when you're losing. And so those small victories kind of go unnoticed and disregarded when we're in a situation like this."
Based on his deployment so far, Cotter could play a big role for the Canucks this season. He appears to have earned the trust of the coaching staff, as not only is he getting time on special teams, but he has also featured in the top six on multiple occasions. A pending unrestricted free agent this off-season, a strong campaign for Cotter could also lead to a significant raise at the end of the year.
Oct 22, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Paul Cotter (47) skates in warm up prior to a game against the Detroit Red Wings at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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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.
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.
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.
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 07: Atlanta center fielder Michael Harris II (23) makes a leaping catch against the wall during the NLDS game 4 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves on October 7th, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Yesterday, we took a look at some of the hard-luck moments that the Atlanta Braves had at the plate during the 2026 regular season. Turnabout is fair play, so now it’s time to look at some of the top moments where the Braves stole some outs out there in the field when the play probably should’ve resulted in a hit.
If you were brave enough to venture through the minefield that was the unlucky plays highlighted in yesterday’s article, then you can consider today a walk through Gold-Glove paradise. Let’s get into it.
T-No. 10 – July 27 at Mets, P: Martín Pérez, H: Luis Torrens, Result: Line Out, .900 xBA
I could’ve just left this at 10 plays overall but there was a tie for 10th place and it involved the Braves robbing the Mets, so I’m including it because schadenfreude is fun, sometimes. This was just a very hard-hit ball from Luis Torrens that ended up finding Jim Jarvis’s leather. Jarvis has proven himself to be a plus-defender so far and this was a lovely example of how he could get up in the air in order to rob a hit from an opposing batter.
T-No. 10 – August 7 at Yankees, P: Tyler Mahle, H: Spencer Jones, Result: Fly Out, .900 xBA
Mauricio Dubón proved himself to be a nearly indispensable member of Atlanta’s defense in any given game, mostly due to the fact that he could play nearly any position on the field — and play it well, in fact. Dubón had his fair share of fantastic moments in the field during the 2026 season and this was truly one of his best moments, as he managed to make a spectacular catch at the wall in order to rob Spencer Jones of what surely would’ve been extra bases.
No. 9 – May 28 at Red Sox, P: Reynaldo López, H: Carlos Narváez, Result: Line Out, .903 xBA
There’s that man again. This may not look super spectacular at first glance but when you consider just how cramped of a space that left field is at Fenway Park, it’s really impressive that Dubón was able to be Johnny-on-the-spot and make the catch without having to play it on a hop or let it get past him. Good stuff!
No. 8 – June 4 vs. Blue Jays, P: Chris Sale, H: Ernie Clement, Result: Line Out, .906 xBA
You knew that Money Mike was going to pop up on this list eventually. Michael Harris II has continued to be one of the defensive stalwarts of the Braves right now and he’s only getting better and better — as evidenced by the fact that he received a Gold Glove finalist nomination for 2026. He probably won’t win it because Pete Crow-Armstrong is going to be busy racking up hardware this offseason but it does feel like some trophies might be heading Harris’s way in the future if he keeps this up.
No. 7 – August 22 at Brewers, P: Brent Suter, H: Brice Turang, Result: Line Out, .917 xBA
Yeah, this was just a matter of being at the right place at the right time. Jim Jarvis made another leaping catch but to be honest, it’s better to describe this as a “hop” rather than a “leap.” Either way, shout-out to Jim Jarvis being in the right position here.
No. 6 – June 27 at Giants, P: Bryce Elder, H: Drew Gilbert, Result: Line Out, .920 xBA
Another one that looks a lot easier than it actually was. I’d imagine that this one was probably pretty tough to track considering the transition from shadow-to-sun but fortunately, Money Mike did a good job of staying with it (the eyewear probably helped out a ton here) and he was able to make the play look easy in the end.
T-No. 4 – July 29 at Mets, P: AJ Smith-Shawver, H: Bo Bichette, Result: Line Out, .940 xBA
Eli White is a very fast runner and he had to cover a ton of ground in order to get to this one before it finally reached the ground. The bloop from Bo Bichette hung just long enough for White to get under it and scoop it for the out. As evidenced by the xBA, there are plenty of scenarios where that ball hits the grass. This wasn’t one of them.
T-No. 4 – June 10 at White Sox, P: Chris Sale, H: Derek Hill, Result: Line Out, .940 xBA
Playing the role of Jim Jarvis for this entry in the list is Jorge Mateo. This time, it was Mateo’s turn to make a jumping catch at short in order to keep the ball from heading into the outfield for a base hit. Again, it’s good to be in the right position and it’s even better to have the hops in order to make a play like this on a ball that usually gets up and over for a hit.
T-No. 2 – June 17 vs. Giants, P: JR Ritchie, H: Drew Gilbert, Result: Fly Out, .957 xBA
Yaz didn’t have a particularly great season as an outfielder during his first season in a Braves uniform but he certainly had his moments. This was one of them, as he made a very nifty sliding catch and showed plenty of effort in a game where the Braves were inexplicably getting bopped by a team that Yaz spent a lot of time playing for. Either way, it’s a great effort and it led to a spectacular catch. Well done!
T-No. 2 – June 5 vs. Pirates, P: Dylan Lee, H: Jared Triolo, Result: Line Out, .957 xBA
Spoiler alert: Michael Harris II is going to top this list, as he ended up making the two biggest plays on here. The next one is a bit more spectacular and fitting of being the top play on this list but that shouldn’t take away from the effort on display here. Harris had to cover a lot of ground to get to a ball that was quickly making its way towards the grass. Money Mike got there just in time in order to make the robbery and keep a good night going for the Braves.
No. 1 – September 8 vs. Rays, P: AJ Smith-Shawver, H: Chandler Simpson, Result: Line Out, .960 xBA
If the previous banger of a catch from Money Mike wasn’t enough for you, then here’s another one. It’s more spectacular at that, as Harris made a sliding catch to rob his childhood pal of a hit. The Rays were robbing the Braves left-and-right during this series so it’s only fitting that the Braves came away from this with something. In fact, the catch that Money Mike made here ended up being the biggest robbery of the season for Atlanta according to xBA of a batted ball. Again, it’s not particularly shocking that two of these came from Michael Harris II, right?
BONUS: The “Ah, Dangit” Award: September 20 at Astros, P: Martín Pérez, H: Jose Altuve, Result: Home Run, .051 xBA
Alright, here’s an unlucky moment to round things off. There were actually 10 other plays this season that resulted in hits against the Braves that had a lower xBA than this one but this was easily the cheapest dinger the Braves gave up all season. Altuve golfed a low pitch from Pérez and the ball ended up flying into the exact perfect spot for it to end up being a homer. This was a classic Crawford Boxes homer and I mean that quite literally — Daikin Park was the only ballpark in baseball where this would’ve been a homer. Awesome.
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 04: Trea Turner #7 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks at an iPad in the dugout during the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on June 04, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Starting tonight, two small market teams who have never won a title will attempt to do so when the Milwaukee Brewers host the Tampa Bay Rays for Game 1 of the 2026 World Series.
With a lockout looming and owners clamoring for a salary cap they say is necessary to restore competitive balance, the teams with the No. 19 (Milwaukee) and No. 28 (Tampa) payrolls are facing off against one another for all the marbles. Both teams led their respective leagues in victories and entered the postseason as the No. 1 seeds.
The fact these two teams are playing in the Fall Classic is proof that one does not need to have a payroll north of $250 million in order to be successful. Having money certainly helps, as the Los Angeles Dodgers have proven over the last few years and, all things being equal, fans should want their teams to spend money on players. The only reason the Phillies have gone on this five-year run of postseason appearances is because they’ve had one of the top-five payrolls in the sport.
The goal should be to spend a lot of money, but also to do it wisely.
Instead of dumping cash into the 26-man roster, the Rays and Brewers instead choose to spend their resources on hiring scouts and a deep analytics department whose goal is to give them a competitive advantage and help them develop their minor leaguers. Tampa and Milwaukee have done a marvelous job on both accounts, consistently producing top prospects that, upon entering the Majors, become low-cost productive players and, sometimes, even stars.
It would be easy to assume, given the Phils’ inability to make adjustments during slumps and their lack of top-end homegrown talent among position players and relievers, that the front office isn’t investing in those things as much as teams like the Brewers and Rays. That, however, is not true.
For my old friends at @BaseballAmerica, I compiled the sizes of each team’s scouting staff.
Note that many teams frequently renowned for their technology and analytics (Dodgers, Rays, Brewers) also have some of the largest scouting staffs in MLB. https://t.co/Iu4577ReKepic.twitter.com/uXtBTzeZgF
Three teams left, and all three have bigger-than-average analytics staffs.
Brewers: 46 (2nd in MLB) Rays: 39 Guardians: 30 League average: 28.5
The Phillies have the biggest staff in baseball, and they're already home. Like payroll, it's one input. Everything else combined… pic.twitter.com/EbV5BXkpnr
According to those tweets (neither of which I have independently verified but both come from reputable sources), no team in baseball has more people working in their analytics department (51) than the Phillies, and only two have more employed scouts. The Athletic’s Matt Gelb said last week the team had roughly 40 people working in analytics, but noted “most teams are secretive about their staffing.”
Regardless of the specific number, it’s a lot, among the most in Major League Baseball and certainly as robust as Milwauee’s 46 analytics employees and the Rays’ 39. The Phils have come a long way since 2014 when I interviewed Scott Freedman, the very first analytics employee hired by the Phillies, under Ruben Amaro, Jr. According to his LinkedIn page, Scott is now involved in sports and real estate planning and development.
But he got the ball rolling. Quite a difference in 12 years.
At his year-end press conference, Dombrowski talked about how the team has been using data. When you employ 51 people to provide information solutions for the field staff and front office, it’s clear work is being done. This is not an area the front office is pinching pennies. However, given Dombrowski’s comments, it sounds like either there are issues with the way the data is being produced and formulated, or the coaches and players throughout the organization aren’t using it or are using it incorrectly, especially on the hitting side (quote via The Athletic).
“They [the analytics department] supply good information that we are looking to improve upon. But I think they’re very good. I think that they really have a good foundation.
“For example, they work with (pitching coach) Caleb (Cotham) all the time, right? Well, from the pitching perspective, we’re known as being very progressive. So I think it’s not only how you get the information, but then how other people want to use it, too. That is information we need to do a better job at using. That’s not the analytic people’s fault. It’s something we need to do a better job at emphasizing ourselves.”
Matt Gelb also noted the team promoted Dan Aucoin in August to run the research and development arm of the analytics department:
On the hitting side, the Phillies have had analysts embedded in the underground cage for years. Hitters were often citing data presented to them by Kevin Long and other coaches. Maybe it could be better incorporated.
Since his promotion, Aucoin has rearranged the department by establishing a clearer hierarchy through new positions: an assistant director of pitching research (Kyle Lennon) and an assistant director of hitting research (Kyle Lindley).
The Phillies overhauled the R&D department’s “predictive modeling” staff in September. At least seven members of the R&D team have departed the Phillies since then. The predictive modeling group formed “the organization’s forecasts of player performance,” according to the team’s media guide.
All this requires some tea leaf reading, but it’s obvious something is amiss with this robust analytics department, the information they were providing and who and how the data was being used.
Dombrowski appears to want to create a hitting school, backed by data, that will behave in a way similar to the team’s pitching lab that has seen a good deal of success over the last couple years. They turned Andrew Painter around mid-season, helped Cristopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo find another level, and gained success with relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman a few years ago.
But it’s not all analytics. Part of the Moneyball debate from the mid-2000s was a push back against big league scouts who only wanted to use feel, the eye test, and other intangibles when making their assessments of ball players. Teams today realize that scouts still serve a vital role, provided they are speaking the language the front office wants them to speak.
Even with a robust analytics department, the Phillies have the third-largest scouting department in MLB, according to Baseball America, with only the Yankees and Dodgers featuring more scouts. Their 89 scouts are more than the Rays’ 84 and the Brewers’ 78.
Again, these numbers may not be exact, but they paint a picture of an organization that is investing in the same ways the so-called “small market” teams are.
The Phillies have pro scouts, amateur scouts, international scouts and others scouring the country and the world for talent. So the question isn’t simply about numbers. Instead, important questions need to be asked.
Are they looking for a particular set of traits from hitters and pitchers? If so, is it aligned with what the analytics department is emphasizing? Is it aligned with traits the coaching staff wants? Are these players ill-fitted to what the coaching staff looks for? Should they be focusing less on pro scouting and more on amateur scouting? Are they putting their resources in the right places?
There has been a lot of shakeup in the organization’s front office, farm system hierarchy and analytics departments over the last calendar year. These kinds of changes indicate something wasn’t working.
But part of solving a problem is admitting there is one, and the best news is that the Phillies aren’t trying to solve these problems on the cheap. They have invested heavily in both of the areas, more heavily than the two World Series participants.
Milwaukee and Tampa are simply doing it better, and it’s up to the Phils’ front office to figure out what they’re doing wrong with the multitude of resources they have at their disposal.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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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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.
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.
I know it's only been six starts, but Travis Sykora is too good for High-A.
29.2 IP, 1.21 ERA, 44 K%, 7.5 BB%, .124 OBA
In that span, opponents are 1 for 17 against his splitter with 8 strikeouts and 5 for 45 against his slider with 24 strikeouts. pic.twitter.com/rXSMSIFx2Q
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.
Travis Sykora on the process of building velo back up coming back from Tommy John surgery pic.twitter.com/ebbXPDCTLE
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
