ATLANTA, GA - MAY 13: A locked padlock and chain against two official MLB baseballs representing a potential lockout between Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) for the 2027 MLB season, as photographed on May 13, 2026 in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Giants fans and fans across the country.
The 2026 season has been full of bad news for the San Francisco Giants and their fans. And if you’re an optimist who sees a light at the end of the tunnel, well … that light will be dimmed very quickly, and not even because of anything the Giants do.
Yes, baseball is headed for a lockout, and while the last one was short, everything we’ve heard going into this one suggest it will be very long. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ spending and dominance and the altered landscape of regional sports networks and streaming platforms are large factors, and it seems like both sides will get bloody arguing over whether or not a salary cap should be introduced.
It will be ugly. You’ll get sick of hearing about it. I’ll get sick of writing about it.
But as long as it’s ugly, you might as well take a chance to be right, right? So give us your predictions as to how much baseball we are deprived of while watching billionaires argue with their (mostly) well-compensated employees.
Feduccia was forced to leave the team’s 7-6 win over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night in the bottom of the seventh inning, after appearing to become ill behind the plate and throwing up in the dugout.
“He’s got this stomach bug or food poisoning, something like that,” manager Dave Roberts said afterward. “He was scuffling all game. So finally –– he went as long as he could go.”
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Hunter Feduccia and relief pitcher Edwin Diaz celebrate after a game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Monday, August 17, 2026, in Denver, Colorado. (This asset – including all text, audio and imagery – is provided by Imagn Images. Reuters Connec) IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Indeed, Feduccia was catching his second-straight game in this week’s series, and fourth in the last five days, when he finally gave way with one out in the seventh.
After catching a slider from reliever Edgardo Henriquez for a strikeout to begin the inning, Feduccia doubled over behind the plate and looked like he was about to retch.
He quickly raced off the field and back down the dugout stairs, but left behind a trail that required a stadium worker to later mop up near the team’s third-base bench.
“He gave us a great effort,” Roberts said, after Ben Rortvedt replaced Feduccia to complete the game.
Feduccia was part of a second-straight resurgent performance from the Dodgers’ offense, drawing two early walks in their eventual series-clinching win.
The victory was also keyed by Shohei Ohtani, who followed Feduccia’s first free pass with his 30th home run of the season in the third; Freddie Freeman, Tommy Edman and Teoscar Hernández, who each had two hits and combined for three RBIs; and even Kyle Tucker, who snapped his career-worst 0-for-26 hitless streak with an RBI double in the fourth.
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers is congratulated by Hunter Feduccia after hitting a two-run home run against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Denver, Colorado. (2026 Getty Images) Getty Images
Just as important, however, was a five-inning, four-run start from Eric Lauer (a passing grade at mile-high altitude) and four innings of two-run ball from the bullpen (punctuated by a four-out save from Tanner Scott).
Feduccia was crucial to that effort early, displaying his growing comfort level with the Dodgers’ big-league pitching staff.
The former unheralded prospect –– who was traded by the team at last year’s deadline, then reacquired this year to bolster the team’s banged-up catching depth –– has become the team’s primary backstop lately, starting for the ninth time in the last 14 games on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, however, he’ll get a deserved break.
“I think we’re just trying to hydrate him,” Roberts said postgame. “He’ll be down tomorrow.”
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For the better part of the last few years, the Edmonton Oilers have been Canada's best chance to finally win another Stanley Cup.
They came within one win in 2024, returned to the Stanley Cup Final the following year, and have spent the better part of the past decade getting closer than any Canadian team has since Vancouver in 2011. There is still plenty of reason to believe they can get back there.
They may not have much longer as Canada's best chance.
The Montreal Canadiens are well ahead of schedule, and after reaching the Eastern Conference Final last season, you can't call what they're doing a rebuild anymore. They already have a good NHL team, most of their best players are young, and there is still another group coming behind them.
Montreal has drafted extraordinarily well.
Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield are established stars. Juraj Slafkovsky is 22, Ivan Demidov is 20, and Lane Hutson has already become one of the best young defencemen in the league. Noah Dobson gives Montreal another high-end defenceman, while Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler give the Canadiens two young goaltenders who could be part of the organization for a long time.
Michael Hage is still at Michigan, and the Canadiens haven't emptied Laval to build the team that's already winning playoff rounds.
That's a pretty good situation to be in after making a conference final.
Edmonton's situation is a little different.
The Oilers have the better players at the top of their roster. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Evan Bouchard and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, to name a few. Matt Savoie and Isaac Howard have given the Oilers some much-needed younger talent.
The difference is that most of Edmonton's best players are already what they're going to be.
McDavid isn't a prospect who might eventually become a superstar. Draisaitl isn't still developing into one of the best centres in hockey. Hyman and Nugent-Hopkins are established veterans.
The Oilers are built to win now because they have to be.
Montreal has already become a contender while several of its most important players are still developing. Demidov should be better in two years than he is today. Slafkovsky should be better. Fowler hasn't reached his prime, Hage hasn't reached the NHL, and there are still players in Laval who could eventually become part of the Canadiens' lineup.
They don't need all of them to work out, either.
Montreal has enough young players and prospects that some can miss and the organization will still be in good shape. If Hughes decides the Canadiens need another established player instead, he has the draft picks and prospects available to go get one.
Teams trying to win the Stanley Cup, as the Oilers have been for years, don't keep every draft pick and prospect. They trade them for players who can help immediately.
Eventually, those trades leave the organization with less to work with.
The Oilers don't have a prospect pool in Bakersfield that compares with what Montreal has coming through Laval, and they don't have the same collection of draft picks available if another major piece becomes available. Edmonton can still improve its roster, but Bowman doesn't have the same margin for error that Hughes does.
Montreal's contracts help, too.
The Canadiens haven't had to pay their young core like a group that has already reached its ceiling. Their biggest contracts remain manageable relative to league-wide salary levels, and much of the core is under team control for years. That lets Hughes keep adding as the young players improve.
Martin St. Louis has been behind the bench through much of the rebuild and has developed alongside many of the players now turning Montreal into a contender. After taking such a young team to the conference final, it isn't difficult to see a Coach of the Year award in his future.
Hughes could eventually have a GM of the Year award waiting for him as well.
The Canadiens have rebuilt quickly without giving up the things rebuilding teams are supposed to accumulate. They still have prospects. They still have picks. They have young players on the NHL roster who haven't reached their primes, and they already know the group can win in the playoffs.
McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman, Nugent-Hopkins and Bouchard have been through long playoff runs together. They've played in Stanley Cup Finals, dealt with the pressure that comes with them and come about as close to winning as a team can without actually doing it.
Montreal hasn't done that yet.
For now, that experience and the presence of McDavid and Draisaitl are enough to keep Edmonton near the front of the Canadian contenders. The Oilers don't need to be younger than Montreal or have a better prospect pool to win four playoff rounds this season. But they can't keep assuming there will always be another one.
Montreal's best years should still be ahead of it. Edmonton's best opportunity may be the one it has right now.
The Canadiens were the last Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup in 1993. For more than three decades, every contender north of the border has tried to become the team that finally follows them.
Edmonton has come closer than anybody, but if can't finish it in the coming years, the Canadiens may not leave them much longer to try.
There's a certain know-it-when-you-see-it moment when a baseball team goes from underperforming to checked out, from disappointing to joylessly headed nowhere.
Their 22-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday, Aug. 18 had it all: Managerial malfeasance, an embarrassing gaffe by a superstar and, in the end, an utter lack of fight that belies the fact the Mariners are actually in the playoff hunt.
Let's be clear: That doesn't mean they're a good team.
The Mariners are 59-67, have been outscored by 45 runs and have a 60-homer superstar batting .157 — nearly 50 points worse than the lowest-qualified hitter in the major leagues. In any other year, that would typically invite a housecleaning at the trade deadline and perhaps a few rolling heads in management.
In the American League in the year 2026, however, it gets you just four games out of first in the West and three games out of the wild card.
Yet Seattle's fortuitous positioning can't wash away how dismal this season has been, particularly since expectations were sky-high after the Mariners came within eight outs of their first World Series appearance ever in 2025.
That Game 7 loss — courtesy of George Springer's historic home run — would not be possible had Mariners manager Dan Wilson not pushed virtually every wrong button in the pivotal seventh inning. And 2026 has been one hell of a hangover.
The Mariners' location in the Pacific Northwest makes them the game's best-kept secret when things are going well. It can also serve to camouflage disappointments.
But you can't hide from 22-0.
The remarkable thing? It was just a 1-0 game going into the bottom of the fifth. That's when Mariners starter Bryce Miller got peppered — single-walk-single-walk-sacrifice fly — with a one-out rally. Even then, it was just 3-0.
Lefty reliever Josh Simpson was warming in the bullpen. Christian Yelich was striding to the plate. Wilson stuck with Miller, not unlike sticking with Eduard Bazardo to face Springer all those months ago in Toronto.
Like Springer, Yelich crushed a three-run homer. And then Wilson lifted Miller once again after the fact. But it was game over at that point.
The ignominy was just beginning, though, reaching a crescendo when position player Leo Rivas was peppered for nine hits and nine runs in the bottom of the eighth. Yet only seven were earned runs, because franchise center fielder Julio Rodriguez lost track of the outs, tossed the ball into the stands and two more runs scored.
Hey, brain farts happen. But combine that with all that's gone wrong with the squad — this was the Mariners' eighth loss in 11 games — and it's a massive spotlight on a bad team.
Up 22, the Brewers saw fit to throw their own position player on the mound — catcher Gary Sanchez — and still, the Mariners couldn't push across a run. So they joined the 2004 Yankees and 1975 Pirates for the worst shutout loss since 1888.
Nonetheless, they'll wake up Wednesday four games behind Houston in the West. The division is so bad that the Mariners' odds of winning it are 23.1%, per FanGraphs, compared to their 7.4% chance to snag the final wild card, which is just three games out of their reach.
But the Mariners would have to leapfrog six teams, not two, to claim the final wild card. That's just not happening.
Bad seasons happen, certainly. But this one seems like a continuation of all that went wrong when the Mariners held that 3-2 ALCS lead, only to go home empty-handed. It seems a lot likelier there will be consequences for this failure.
While Marc-Edouard Vlasic kept the number 44 under lock and key with the San Jose Sharks for nearly two decades, shortly after he departed the organization, a new face took over.
The Sharks acquired Kiefer Sherwood from the Vancouver Canuck on January 19, 2026 for a pair of second round draft picks and defenseman Cole Clayton. Less than two month later, the Sharks signed the veteran winger to a five-year contract with an average annual value of $5.75 million to retain his services for the foreseeable future. With that being said, things weren't always this smooth for Sherwood, as he had to overcome massive odds to ever be seen as a legitimate NHL prospect.
As an undrafted player, Sherwood's NHL journey began alongside his younger brother Kole when the duo were invited to attend development camp with their hometown team, the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2015.
After showing off what they could do at development camp, the Blue Jackets offered Kole Sherwood an entry-level contract while letting Kiefer return to Miami University for the 2015-16 season.
Kiefer would go on to earn an entry-level contract of his own toward the tail end of the 2018-19 season with the Anaheim Ducks, but after two seasons split between the NHL and their American Hockey League affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, the Ducks opted not to extend a qualifying offer to Sherwood, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent.
Sherwood then joined the Colorado Avalanche for the 2020-21 season, where he again found himself stuck between the NHL and AHL. The same was true for the 2021-22 campaign, but he spent the majority of that season with the Colorado Eagles.
After another tweener season during the 2022-23 season, this time with the Nashville Predators, Sherwood finally got his first opportunity to stick in the NHL on a full-time basis during the 2023-24 season. In 68 games, he scored 10 goals and added 17 assists, attracting the interest of the Vancouver Canucks.
During his first season north of the border, Sherwood scored a career-high 19 goals and 40 points in 78 games. He then scored 17 goals and 23 points with the Canucks to start the 2025-26 season before he was traded to San Jose.
Compared to most 31-year-old NHLers, Sherwood has less of a proven track record as he prepares for his first full season in the Bay Area. With that being said, sometimes all late bloomers need is a true opportunity, and that appears to have been the case with Kiefer Sherwood.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ interest in Jonathan Kuminga has been widely known for months, but there’s been little movement in a potential deal.
The Lakers initially pitched the idea of Kuminga starting alongside Luka Dončić, earning roughly $10 million annually.
The Lakers have been interested in signing Jonathan Kuminga for several months now. NBAE via Getty Images
For weeks, the idea of the Lakers landing Kuminga has hit a standstill because of the forward’s desire to earn more money in LA. The Lakers, who made several additions in free agency, can’t afford to bring Kuminga in on a $20 million deal, which is what the 23-year-old had wanted.
A sign-and-trade deal is comprised of three seasons. Nevertheless, the domino will have to fall one way or another.
According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, only the Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Lakers seem like legitimate options for Kuminga at this point in the offseason.
Though, the Los Angeles Clippers had initially also expressed interest in the free agent.
Jonathan Kuminga remains a free agent as the Lakers look to sign the forward. Getty ImagesGeneral manager Rob Pelinka is looking to add a versatile wing defender before the offseason ends. Getty Images
The Lakers are missing a versatile wing defender, especially after the departure of Rui Hachimura in free agency. As September quickly approaches, the team’s options are limited to bolster the roster.
But Kuminga remains on the market, which means general manager Rob Pelinka still has a chance to get creative and ink a deal.
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BOSTON - JUNE 17: Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics poses with former Boston Celtic Bill Russell after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers during Game Six of the NBA Finals at the TD Banknorth Garden on June 17, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 2008 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Celtics fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
It’s an age-old debate between the generations, often that uncomfortable conversation at Thanksgiving that can divide a family more than politics or what you thought about The Odyssey.
In honor of History Month and the great in-depth work and storytelling that CelticsBloggers Rich Jensen and Mike Dynon have put in this August on the storied past of the franchise, we plainly ask, “who ya got?”
BOSTON – JUNE 1: Celtics super fan Carl Lemhart of Brookline, Mass., who is shown at some point every game on the scoreboard video board, has become recognizable enough that a giant mask of his head has been made by a business that has a website called "BIGMUGG.COM." In the past they have had people in the stands wearing giant masks of Celtics players, including Kevin Garnett, and broadcasters, including Tommy Heinsohn, but now they have recognized Lemhart, who was at center court before the game, hamming it up while posing with his own mug. The Boston Celtics hosted the Miami Heat for game three of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at the TD Garden. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
Is it the dynamic duo of Bill Russell and Bob Cousy who won six championships in seven years under Red Auerbach with teammates like Sam Jones, Tom Sanders, Tommy Heinsohn, Frank Ramsey, and Bill Sharman?
What about those spunky 70s squads with Dave Cowens and John Havlicek?
Who has the better Big 3: Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish or Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen?
And where does the 2024’s Banner 18 and the Jays rank amongst the greats?
Try to put recency bias aside or what you might think about how the game of basketball was played seventy, sixty, fifty, or forty years ago. Read up about just how dominant some of these teams were and how surprisingly close some of their series and games were in order to hang eighteen banners in The Garden. And in the end, just appreciate how lucky we are to be fans of the greatest team in the history of the sport.
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 18: Willi Castro #3 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on August 18, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There just wasn’t enough LoDo Magic for the Colorado Rockies as their comeback effort fell just short in a 7-6 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite a solid offensive night and bullpen performance, the Rockies couldn’t overcome another difficult starting pitcher outing.
Another labored night for Feltner
Hoping to replicate his successful outing last time facing the Dodgers at Coors Field, Ryan Feltner faced a tough test against the Dodgers lineup.
Feltner worked through the opening frames, keeping the game manageable. The Dodgers manufactured a run in the first inning and added a Shohei Ohtani two-run home run in the third inning. The Rockies managed to answer back both times to tie the game 3-3, but the Dodgers’ potent order eventually broke through in the fourth inning.
The Dodgers kicked off the inning with three-straight doubles to score two runs, including Kyle Tucker’s to snap an 0-for-26 streak at the plate. Hunter Feduccia then drew his second walk of the evening against Feltner before Ohtani grounded into a fielder’s choice. Freddie Freeman capped off the scoring with a sacrifice fly to put the Dodgers up 6-3.
Feltner navigated another double in the fifth inning and came out to start the sixth inning but immediately gave up a leadoff triple that eventually scored after he departed to give the Dodgers a 7-4 lead.
“Not a lot of feel for the spin today,” said manager Warren Schaefer. “I thought he competed well, probably without all of his weapons.”
On the night, he ended up allowing seven runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and three walks. Feltner filled up the strike zone, throwing 55 of his 83 pitches for strikes, but he struggled to locate within the zone and gave up a lot of contact
The offense tries to climb back
The Rockies offense did a good job answering back early on as the Dodgers took the lead. After Jake McCarthy led off the bottom of the first with a single and stole second, Cole Carrigg hit an RBI double to tie the game 1-1. Colorado made Eric Lauer labor through that first inning, throwing a season-high 29 pitches in the first inning.
After Ohtani’s home run in the third inning, the Rockies answered with a two-out rally in the bottom half of that inning. Willi Castro drew a walk and came around to score on a TJ Rumfield double. Connor Norby followed with a double of his own to score Rumfield and tie the game 3-3
The Rockies made it a two-run game in the bottom of the fifth when Castro hit his 14th home run of the season, a solo shot to make the score 6-4, before the Dodgers tacked on in the top of the sixth.
Despite the first-inning excess of pitches, Lauer settled in against the Rockies offense, allowing just four runs on six hits while striking out six and allowing just one walk. The Rockies put together some solid at-bats but Lauer’s crafty arsenal was enough to limit further damage and preserve the Dodgers’ lead.
Late game chances
After rough innings against Jack Dreyer and Edgardo Henriquez, the Rockies tried to chip away at the three-run lead in the eighth inning against Evan Phillips.
Castro led off the inning with a double and Rumfield followed with a bloop single. Zac Veen then came through with a pinch-hit single that dropped into right field, allowing Castro to score the Rockies’ fifth run.
Adael Amador was then called upon to pinch-hit but struck out, prompting the Rockies to turn to the red-hot Brett Sullivan off the bench. The Dodgers brought in Tanner Scott to face him, and he won the battle, getting Sullivan to ground out to third base.
Colorado then threatened in the ninth when McCarthy hit a one-out double. Unfortunately, Carrigg’s lengthy at-bat resulted in a stellar play by Max Muncy at third base for the second out, but Castro delivered another clutch hit with an RBI single to left field to make it 7-6. However, Rumfield then popped out to end the game.
Castro led the Rockies offense with two hits while scoring three runs, driving in two, and drawing a pair of walks.
“Willi’s consistent; he’s been consistent all year,” said Schaeffer. “He gives you strong at-bats, day in and day out; he’s reliable. That’s what you want out of a ballplayer.”
The Rockies matched the Dodgers in hits with 10, but struck out 11 times while going 4-for-11 with runners in scoring position. Meanwhile, the Dodgers struck out just five times and went 3-for-12 with RISP but had one more extra-base hit, the sixth-inning triple proving the difference maker.
The bullpen parade
The reason the offense had chances to chip away was because of a solid night from the bullpen. Parker Mushinski entered in the sixth inning and did give up a bloop single that scored the seventh run for the Dodgers, but was otherwise unscathed in that inning. Jimmy Herget and Zach Agnos both followed with 1-2-3 innings in the seventh and eighth innings, respectively, with each collecting a strikeout. Because the game was still close, Jordan Romano was called on to pitch the ninth inning and allowed just a single as he induced three fly balls.
Up next
The Rockies and Dodgers will close out the series with Kyle Freeland (4-10, 6.27 ERA) taking the ball for Colorado and Roki Sasaki (5-5, 4.46 ERA) going for Los Angeles.
Throughout the summer, one of the hottest NHL topics is prospects, which is understandable given that the draft takes place in June and that, following the initial onset of free agency, things die down quite a bit until September.
On Tuesday, another major rankings list was released. And the results were a bit perplexing for Pittsburgh Penguins fans.
What was a bit harder to wrap the head around was the prospect rankings within.
For Pronman's parameters, players had to be under the age of 23, disqualifying players like Ville Koivunen, Tristan Broz, and Avery Hayes but qualifying younger players like Ben Kindel, even if he has a full NHL season under his belt.
Here were the three biggest surprises - and, frankly, head-scratchers - on the list:
Let's set the record straight here: Despite dealing with some major injury setbacks to start the 2025-26 campaign, McGroarty had an excellent AHL season. He put up 10 goals and 34 points in 30 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) and was a factor for them in the playoffs, and even if his 24-game NHL sample last season was somewhat unremarkable, his progress over the course of the 2025-26 campaign was tangible. He still projects as an effective middle-six NHL player.
But the fact that Kindel, at 18, played a full NHL season as a legitimate third-line center for a playoff-contending team and scored at nearly a 20-goal pace should automatically put him at the top of this list and any list he’s included on. Kindel is only going to progress and get better, and his top-six ceiling is nearly a given. The Penguins like his two-way ability at center, and he is their best young player at this time.
As a matter of fact, it could be argued that a few other prospects such as defenseman Harrison Brunicke, goaltender Sergei Murashov, and forward Bill Zonnon should be ranked above McGroarty, even if he is still a top-five organizational prospect.
Perhaps the most jarring bit to come from this list was the fact that Sergei Murashov - the consensus best goaltending prospect by pretty much every writer and prospects guru who covers the Penguins - was ranked the organization’s 17th-best prospect.
Look, it’s reasonable to have some reservations about goaltending prospects in general. Goalies are volatile, and even the best prospects at the position can end up busts. And, more often than is the case for the other two positions, goaltenders drafted later frequently still experience long NHL careers.
But Murashov - at least, in the Pittsburgh media circle - is a consensus top-five prospect within the organization, and in most cases, he is considered top-three. He has dominated every level of professional hockey up to this point, was one of the AHL’s best goaltenders last season, and had an absurd playoff run with WBS that included a .931 save percentage in 15 games.
Maybe Murashov is a boom, maybe he’s a bust. But it’s pretty wild that 16 Penguins’ prospects were ranked ahead of him on this list.
The issue with Brunicke on this list wasn’t really the ranking, as he was placed No. 3, and he is typically regarded as a top-three prospect in the organization.
However, it’s something in the analysis that stood out.
Pronman uses six levels of tiers in four categories of critique, which include skating, puck skills, hockey sense, and compete. He projected Brunicke as “NHL average” in all four.
In all fairness, NHL average means he is a middle-of-the-pack NHL player, by Pronman’s standard. NHL average hockey sense? Sure. Puck skills? Why not? However, rating Brunicke’s skating and compete as “NHL average” seems to miss the mark, and he goes on to say that Brunicke “isn’t a dynamic player by any means offensively.”
If anyone watched Brunicke’s run in the AHL playoffs - and even in his short, uneven nine-game NHL sample last season as a 19-year-old blueliner at the highest level of hockey - it’s quite easy to see that his skating is well above average, the compete level is there, and the offensive dynamic exists, too. In fact, those three attributes are, perhaps, the three biggest differentiating pillars of Brunicke’s game, which has been stated many times over by members of the front office.
Again, Brunicke may not end up being a full-time top-four NHL defenseman. But erasing the biggest strengths in his game that are clearly at least a notch above NHL average seems a bit disingenuous.
Jose Iglesias was back at Citi Field, back in Queens, where he enjoyed one of the most memorable seasons of his major league career.
The former Met threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Tuesday’s 5-2 loss to the Padres and was warmly greeted by the crowd, given a standing ovation.
The Mets played a highlight video on the big screen, accompanied by his hit song, “OMG.”
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“It’s great, extremely happy to see smiles everywhere and the way they opened the door for me was special one more time,” he said. “Extremely, extremely happy to be home. It’s a lot of emotions right now. Being in this part of the field, sitting on this bench reminds me of great moments.”
Iglesias, 36, threw the first pitch to Francisco Lindor. It was a strike.
He said it was a season he won’t forget and one he will cherish.
Former Met José Iglesias is greeted by New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) after throwing out the first pitch before a game against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at Citi Field. Jason Szenes for the New York Post
Iglesias spent last season with the Padres and is now entering a new phase of his life, although he hasn’t closed the door on his baseball career.
“I did not expect that call at all. It was an automatic yes,” he said. “Coming back to New York and delivering the energy and now in this case representing Cuban music as an immigrant, it’s a privilege.
“I’m surrounded by great teammates. They support me on a daily basis, they know this is totally new for me. It’s a fun responsibility I have with my hands. I’m grabbing it with two hands like I would a ground ball and I won’t let it go.”
Former Met José Iglesias is greeted by Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor after throwing out the first pitch before a game against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Jason Szenes for the New York Post
Christopher Morel, called up Monday from Triple-A Syracuse, got the start Tuesday. The 27-year-old was hitting well in the minor leagues. He has bounced around after a hot start to his career with the Cubs, spending time with the Rays and Marlins. In 2023, Morel produced an .821 OPS and hit 26 home runs.
“I saw him be about as electric as any hitter in the game during a period of time,” interim manager Andy Green said, referring to the time Morel spent with the Cubs.“Ridiculous power, elite athleticism. I think we’re taking a shot to see if we can recapture, rekindle some of that.”
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Infielder Mark Vientos is nearing a rehabilitation assignment, according to Green. Vientos took batting practice and ran the bases ahead of the game Tuesday. He has been out since July 9 due to a fractured right hand.
A.J. Ewing’s struggles continued with three more strikeouts. He is now in a 3-for-37 stretch with 17 strikeouts.
“I’m confident he’ll come out the other side of it,” Green said.
But the game could have been very different if not for ABS.
In the second inning with the game still scoreless, the Orioles loaded the bases thanks in large part to a fielding error by Jazz Chisholm Jr. after the second base umpire screened him on a groundball. What could have been an inning-ending doubleplay turned into a massive jam for Carlos Rodon and the Yankees.
Rodon would wind up striking out Carlos Narvaez before Jackson Holliday stepped into the batter's box with two outs. After Rodon got ahead 0-2, the southpaw threw a fastball away and a bit high. Holliday didn't bite, but Austin Wells hopped up to head into the dugout but stopped once he realized homeplate umpire Will Little didn't ring up the young Orioles infielder.
After a few seconds, ABS confirmed that it was a strike and the Yankees escaped.
"I thought it was a little closer to the zone, but it was a strike. I was pretty confident," Wells said after the game. "It’s big time. ABS allows us to change the game both ways. Luckily, we have it and able to convert it there."
It was a risky challenge by Wells since the Yankees were down to their last one after an ill-timed challenge by Heliot Ramos in the first inning.
"I was confident it was a strike; it ended up barely clipping," Rodon said. "It was a great challenge in the situation since we were down to one. I was confident in the challenge and I’m gald he did to get out of the inning. It worked out."
Ramos wasn't the only ABS offender on Tuesday, as Spencer Jones wasted a challenge in the fourth. Manager Aaron Boone said they were not great challenges after the game, but had to praise Wells for his game-changing one earlier in the game.
"We might have had the best challenge of the season by Wellsy, if you think about it," Boone said. "Bases loaded, Jackson Holliday, we’re already down a challenge to get that one. It could be a completely different night if he doesn’t challenge that. And Jackson gets on and Rodon is shorter. A couple of not great ones, but one of the best ones of the season by Austin."
Tuesday was Rodon's first start since June after he was placed on the IL with elbow inflammation. While his pitch count was monitored -- Rodon tossed 66 pitches -- the southpaw gave the Yankees enough, allowing one run on two hits and two walks in four innings.
"Like to fill up the zone more, get ahead sooner. First-pitch strikes a little better, but I was able to compete," Rodon said of his start. "Limited pitch count, defensively we were good. Tough play by Jazz, getting screened by the umpire. It’s our job to pick each other up, he’s picked me up before. I was happy to be able to, to keep the game close."
"I thought he did really well and to give us four strong innings, hold them to one run there," Boone said of Rodon. "Set us up to win the game."
Kyle Tucker finally ended his lengthy hitless streak with a double against the Rockies on Tuesday. (David Zalubowski / AP)
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called right fielder Kyle Tucker into the visiting manager’s office at Chase Field a week and a half ago, just to catch up.
Roberts had run into Tucker’s wife Samantha and their 5-month old baby that morning in Arizona. And he saw it as a good time to check in.
“When you start to struggle and you internalize … you find yourself going dark, and that’s a lonely place,” Roberts said Tuesday, before the Dodgers’ 7-6 win against the Rockies. “So I think that for me, trying to proactively pull conversations out of him, talk about life, talk about baseball, it just kind of opens things up, and I think that it’s freeing.
“He’s a cerebral guy by nature, internalizes a lot. But still, for me, he’s with a new ballclub, he’s scuffling, so I want to get that out of him.”
Scuffling is a mild way of describing Tucker’s struggles this season. He described it as the “first time in [his] life” that he’s had a season with so many offensive false starts. After being named an All-Star in each of his previous four seasons, Tucker is on pace for the worst offensive year since his 2018 debut season with the Astros.
On Tuesday, he finally ended his career-high hitless streak at seven games, with a double up the right-field line in the fourth inning (although he grounded out once and struck out twice in his other plate appearances). He’d gone 26 straight at-bats without a hit.
So much about Tucker’s year has been head-scratching.
Take his plate discipline, for example. Traditionally known for his strike-zone control, Tucker’s chase rate has been up this season. But even when he trimmed it to 21.6% in July (not as low as the last two years but even with his 2023 season), his production at the plate didn’t respond accordingly.
One of the biggest mysteries has been his extreme home/road splits. Entering Tuesday, he had a solid .822 OPS on the road and a paltry .558 OPS at Dodger Stadium.
Asked about the contrast earlier this week, he said he didn’t have a theory.
“If I knew, I’d probably have figured it out by now,” he said. “But that’s just kind of how it’s gone.”
Recently, his woes have followed him into the outfield. The day after he failed to reel in a flyball in the right-field corner at Dodger Stadium, he had a far worse drop Monday at Coors Field.
In the seventh inning of the Dodgers’ 11-5 victory against the Rockies, Tucker seemed to camp right under a shallow fly. But as it fell, he twisted and put one knee down before dropping the ball.
“There’s indecision, and catching a baseball at your ankles kind of speaks to where his head is at right now,” Roberts said. “It’s not from lack of effort, or care. It’s just right now, I think he’s kind of fighting. So we’ve got to keep supporting him.”
Tucker isn’t the only player who’s struggling. Mookie Betts has been hot and cold at the plate. Teoscar Hernández hasn’t been slugging the way he’s accustomed to. And before arriving in Colorado, the team was in a collective slump.
Tucker, however, is in the first year of a four-year, $240-million contract. And so far the Dodgers haven’t seen the version of him that elevated the Cubs’ offense in the first half of last year and was a steady part of the Astros’ lineup during a run of sustained success.
“Whether it’s my first year or 10th year with a team, I think it’d be frustrating regardless,” Tucker said. “But it’s not like I’m frustrated just because I’m playing at home or anything. Whether it’s on the road or at home, it would be frustrating, just not helping the team win games.”
He slid into his most recent slump during the Dodgers’ last homestand, but the Colorado altitude didn’t immediately work its magic when the team went back on the road.
During Monday’s SNLA broadcast, analyst Eric Karros suggested sending Tucker to Arizona for a reset.
The less extreme version would be sitting Tucker for several games in a row.
“I’m not at the point where it’s like a three-day, three-game reset situation, something like that,” Roberts said Tuesday afternoon.
He did, however, give Tucker a day off Saturday, saying he saw Tucker’s frustration as he continued to struggle offensively at Dodger Stadium. And Tuesday, he said he hadn’t decided whether to start Tucker against Rockies left-handed starter Kyle Freeland the next day.
“It’s tough because, I mean, I feel like I’ve tried just about everything,” Tucker said. “And every time I feel like I’m turning a corner, I get hit with a roadblock. But, you can’t stop. You just got to keep going, try and at least pick out the positives, and just try and ride with that. Just keep on moving to the next day and hope for something to build.”
MILWAUKEE — The long ball hasn’t been the Milwaukee Brewers’ strength this season, but the team with the best record in the majors put its power on full display on Tuesday night in a record-matching 22-0 rout of the Seattle Mariners.
The Brewers equaled baseball’s modern-era record for the biggest shutout with a power surge that included three-run homers from Christian Yelich, David Hamilton and Luis Lara and a two-run shot by Jake Bauers.
The Brewers have 117 home runs this season, the fewest in baseball, but as was pointed out by Seattle manager Dan Wilson, they have multiple players with the ability to go deep.
“They’ll put bunts down and put pressure on the bases and steal bags,” Wilson said before the game. “They also have the ability to hit the home run. You kind of have to prepare for all areas of the game.”
Christian Yelich belts a three-run homer in the fifth inning of the Brewers’ 22-0 blowout of the Mariners on Aug. 18, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee. Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
The Brewers also generated offense doing what they do best, pulling off a double steal in a five-run fifth inning that helped break open a tight game.
The 78-48 Brewers matched a franchise record for runs in a game, tying the 22 runs they scored at the Toronto Blue Jays on Aug. 28, 1992. The Brewers also had a season-high 22 hits.
“It’s one game but a pretty darn good performance,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “I’d like to order that every night.”
The only other 22-0 victories since 1901 were by Pittsburgh over the host Chicago Cubs on Sept. 16, 1975 and by Cleveland at the Yankees on Aug. 31, 2004.
Yelich connected for his ninth homer of the season, a three-run shot off Bryce Miller in the fifth. The Brewers tacked on five more runs in the sixth.
“It’s kind of crazy. It happened fast,” Yelich said. “It’s always fun to be on this side.”
Bauers smiled as he struggled to find words to describe the Brewers offensive outburst.
“I’ve got nothing for you on that one,” Bauers said. “It was just good performance all around. Just good at-bats all night up and down the lineup.”
David Hamilton (6) accepts congratulations from teammate Joey Ortiz after hitting a three-run homer in the sixth inning of the Brewers’ history-tying blowout win over the Mariners. ichael McLoone-Imagn Images
Bauers hit his team-leading 22nd home run of the season in the sixth inning and he’s now reached base safely in 20 consecutive games.
The Brewers tagged Mariners infielder Leo Rivas, who came on to pitch in the eighth, for nine runs, which included a three-run home run from 21-year-old rookie Lara, his first career homer.
Lara took some good-natured ribbing about whether the homer counted since he hit it off a position player, but he was in a celebratory mood.
“For me, it all counts,” Lara said through an interpreter. “But I understand that it may not be common to get your first (home run) against a position player.”
Luis Lara belts a three-run homer in the eighth inning of Seattle infielder Leo Rivas, who was pitching to save the beat-up Mariners staff. Getty Images
Bauers and Yelich backed their young teammate.
“It’s a hard game. Every bloop single, dribbler single, home run off a position player, they all count,” he said.
Yelich urged Lara to embrace the moment.
“The first career homer is always cool,” he said. “Anytime you get to jog around the bases in a major league game is always special. It was cool for him to get his first one and smile and laugh about it.”
The Brewers also used a position player on the mound, veteran catcher/first baseman Gary Sanchez, with a much different result. Sanchez pitched a scoreless ninth with many in the announced crowd of 36,870 standing and cheering.
It was the third career pitching appearance for Sanchez and second this season. He has tossed two scoreless innings in the pair of outings the season.
“He did great. He was a showman as always,” Bauers said. “The crowd was involved. They loved it. He loved it. We loved it. But I still think he’s a better catcher than a pitcher.”
DENVER , CO - AUGUST 18: Shohei Ohtani (17) of the Los Angeles Dodgers is greeted by teammates in the dugout after he smoked a two-run home run during the third inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post) | Denver Post via Getty Images
The Dodgers scored in four different innings, including a three-run fourth inning and held on to beat the Colorado Rockies 7-6 on Tuesday night at Coors Field in Denver.
If anything, the offense is exercising muscles that sat dormant for a while.
Shohei Ohtani hit a two-run lead to give the Dodgers a lead in the third inning, continuing a hot streak that included four extra-base hits on the homestand and two home run in Monday’s series opener. Ohtani’s sixth home run in his last 13 games was also his 30th of the season, just the seventh Dodger to hit 30 home runs in at least three consecutive seasons, and the first since Gary Sheffield from 1999-2001.
After two home runs on Monday and Tuesday’s blast, Ohtani since joining the Dodgers in 2024 has nine home runs in 19 games at Coors Field while hitting .407/.478/.840 with 25 runs scored and 23 RBI.
For Ohtani, he’s hit 30 home runs for six years in a row, dating back to 2021, encompassing his final three seasons with the Angels and first three with the Dodgers.
Doubling their pleasure
Kyle Tucker swung through four consecutive changeups and fouled off another to start his night. Ryan Feltner threw a sixth changeup, and this time Tucker lined a ball just inside the first base line in the fourth inning, the second of three consecutive doubles by the Dodgers to open the three-run frame. The double for Tucker snapped an 0-for-26 skid that dated back to August 9.
The other doubles in the fourth inning were by Tommy Edman, who also doubled in the fifth, and by Teoscar Hernández, who later tripled and scored in the sixth.
Freddie Freeman singled in the first inning, and was running on a full count when Andy Pages singled to left field, and Freeman was able to get to third easily. Freeman tagged up on a foul pop to third baseman Willi Castro well down the left field line, and scored the game’s first run easily after Castro made an overhead catch. Freeman also walked and stole second with one out in the third inning, taking third on an errant throw by catcher Braxton Fulford.
In the sixth inning, Freeman lofted a two-out single into left field for another run, and his second straight multi-hit affair.
Call to arms
Eric Lauer gave up a run in the first inning and two in the third, both times matching what the Dodgers scored in the top of the frame. Lauer kept the third lead provided in the top of the fourth inning, allowing only a solo home run to Willi Castro in the fifth before his night was finished. Lauer didn’t go six innings this time but did strike out six batters in his five frames.
Jack Dreyer and Edgardo Henriquez held serve with scoreless frames of relief, but Evan Phillips — working for a second straight night — allowed the first three to reach in the eighth inning, bringing home one run and leaving with two outs and the tying runs on base.
Tanner Scott entered as the fireman and induced a groundout to extinguish the rally, then allowed a double and single in ninth, cutting the lead to a single run. Scott stranded the tying run on base by getting TJ Rumfield to pop out to shortstop, finishing out the game.
Tuesday was Scott’s fifth appearance and third save longer than an inning this season.
Catch and release
Hunter Feduccia caught all nine innings on Monday and caught the first six and a third innings on Tuesday. But after a strike out to open the seventh inning, Feduccia appeared to throw up behind home plate and walked off the field into the clubhouse. There was a long delay before Ben Rortvedt put his gear on and relieved Feduccia behind the plate to finish out the inning and the game.
Dave Roberts confirmed that Hunter Feduccia was sick when he abruptly exited with one out in B7. Running theory is stomach bug/food poisoning. "He went as long as he could go, obviously. And he’ll be down tomorrow. But he gave us a great effort.”
The Dodgers go for their second sweep of a last-place team in the last two weeks on Wednesday night (5:40 p.m. PT, SportsNet LA), with Roki Sasaki on the mound against Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 17: Pete Crow-Armstrong #4 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates after hitting a two-run walk-off home run during the tenth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Wrigley Field on August 17, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s Tuesday night here at BCB After Dark: the coolest club for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. It’s so nice to see you tonight. Come on in and dry off. There’s no cover charge. The dress code is casual. The hostess will seat you now. Bring your own beverage.
BCB After Dark is the place for you to talk baseball, music, movies, or anything else you need to get off your chest, as long as it is within the rules of the site. The late-nighters are encouraged to get the party started, but everyone else is invited to join in as you wake up the next morning and into the afternoon.
On Tuesday night, I don’t normally do any movie stuff. But I can scrounge up some tunes for you.
Tonight we have legendary vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater performing B.B. King’s signature song, “The Thrill is Gone” in Abu Dhabi for International Jazz Day in 2025. Bridgewater is backed by an all-star band that is too long to mention here, but you can go to YouTube and get them all if you wish.
Last night, Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a walk-off home run that sealed his second-straight season of 30 home runs and 30 steals. Tonight’s question is simple. There are 35 games left in the season. Crow-Armstrong has 31 home runs (after one more tonight as I write this) and 31 steals. Can he get nine more home runs and nine more steals to be a 40-40 player?
Only six players in MLB history have ever had 40 home runs and 40 steals in a season. They are
Jose Canseco (1988) 42 HR, 40 SB
Barry Bonds (1996) 42 HR, 40 SB
Alex Rodriguez (1998) 42 HR, 46 SB
Alfonso Soriano (2006) 46 HR, 41 SB
Ronald Acuña Jr. (2023) 41 HR, 73 SB
Shohei Ohtani (2024) 54 HR, 59 SB
Obviously Ohtani is the only member of the 50-50 club.
So when this season ends, will we be adding Pete Crow-Amstrong to this list of names?
Thank you for stopping by tonight. We were so glad to see you. Please tell your friends about us. Get home safely. Don’t forget any personal items. Recycle any cans and bottles. Tip your waitstaff. And join us again tomorrow night for more BCB After Dark.
